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Products & Materials : Building Trade Materials News

Dura Products supplies Durakerb at Thames Tideway’s Barn Elms site

Kenneth Booth December 1, 2021

Sustainable construction innovators, Dura Products has won a contract to supply the Thames Tideway site at Barn Elms with its Durakerb product. The installation, delivered in partnership with Keyline Civil Specialists in London, will see over 1km ofthe company’s lightweight, environmentally friendly kerbstone installed along the main access route to

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IMA LAUNCHES GUIDE TO PIR INSULATION IN FLAT ROOFS

Kenneth Booth November 30, 2021

Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA) has today launched its guide to the use of PIR insulation in flat roofs in England. Created for specifiers, building owners, main contractors and roofing contractors, it offers expert advice on the key aspects affecting the specification of PIR insulation for flat roof applications. As the

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Helping the construction industry to help the environment

Kenneth Booth November 10, 2021

Simon Woods, European Sales, Marketing and Logistics Director explains how West Fraser is helping the construction industry to help the environment As the world becomes more and more aware of the effect we have on the planet, it is important for the construction industry to realise how it affects the

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JOHNSON TILES PARTNERS WITH BARRATT ON NEW ZERO CARBON CONCEPT HOME

Kenneth Booth November 3, 2021

Johnson Tiles has partnered with leading housebuilder, Barratt Developments, to build a unique zero carbon concept home – ‘Z House’.  Featuring six tile ranges across four rooms, the flagship project is the first new home in the country, built by a major housebuilder, to go beyond the new Future Homes

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Johnson Controls Develops Industry-first AI Driven Digital Solution to Manage Clean Air, Energy, Sustainability, Comfort and Cost in Buildings

Kenneth Booth October 26, 2021

OpenBlue Enterprise Manager’s new Performance Advisor application is an all-in-one AI powered solution for optimising both sustainability and health metrics in buildings Industry’s first indoor air quality control system that also monitors energy impact, occupant comfort and space utilisation, breaking down data silos and creating reporting outputs in a single

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B&Q OPENS LARGEST STORE IN A DECADE

Kenneth Booth October 25, 2021

B&Q opens its new Colchester store at Stane Park Colchester is B&Q’s first purpose-built digital store as the brand commits to e-commerce growth The Mayor declares the store officially open with ribbon cutting ceremony B&Q’s new Colchester store was declared officially open today with a formal cutting of the ribbon

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Issue 323 : Dec 2024

Products & Materials : Building Trade Materials News

PERMAGROUP CELEBRATES MOST SUCCESSFUL YEAR TO DATE DESPITE CHALLENGING TRADING CONDITIONS

Kenneth Booth December 2, 2021

LEADING supplier of specialist building products PermaGroup is celebrating 2021 as its most successful year on record, after effectively implementing new strategies in response to ongoing industry challenges. This positive end to the year follows four consecutive record-breaking months from January to April, a first in the company’s history, as well as November – resulting in an overall annual turnover increase of 37.5% when compared to 2020, which was previously PermaGroup’s most successful year. These results are made even more significant when considering the challenging trading conditions of the UK construction industry, including escalating building materials cost and supply pressures further exacerbated by a shortage of HGV drivers. Adrian Buttress, managing director of PermaGroup, is confident that the key to the company’s success has been its pro-active, transparent approach at a time when the sector is still recovering. He said: “Our strategy has been three-pronged: rewarding regular customers for their loyalty, thinking ahead to secure bulk amounts of stock at pre-increase prices and maintaining good trading relationships with key suppliers. We’ve even helped supply fellow building product companies on the occasions they’ve been unable to fulfil orders, and have spent a lot of time securing stock for the first half of 2022 as we anticipate the shortages to continue. It’s been a test but we’ve enjoyed facing the challenge head on. “Meanwhile, our PermaRoof Commercial team, which launched in December 2020, has also continued to go from strength to strength. It has launched its own CPD courses and successfully secured or completed 35 tenders and specifications on a whole host of different projects across the UK, with a further 37 in progress and many more lined up next year. “Sustainability has also become a significant focus for us, following the recent buy out of Firestone Building Products by Holcim we’ve ensured we’re in tune with its ambitions and look forward to being a major contributor to sustainable and energy efficient roofing within the UK.” Committed to helping tackle the industry skills gap, PermaRoof’s Commercial team recently launched a brand-new PermaRoof registered installer card scheme to help upskill aspiring professionals across the country.   Sunny Lotay, national commercial manager for Permaroof Commercial said: “With a reduced workforce across the country due to the ongoing skills gap , it’s never been more important to equip those already in the industry with all-important sector skills, providing projects across the country with a reliable and effective workforce when they need it most. “It’s essential that projects are carried out by qualified contractors and our new PRI system ensures that PermaGroup and the client can guarantee a quality output on every project.” Despite the recruitment issues, PermaGroup has continued to make several new appointments throughout 2021, as part of its ambitious growth strategy. In November, five new starters joined across PermaGroup’s brands, including its commercial, operations and customer services departments. The team also celebrated awards success after clinching the inaugural ‘Disruptor Award’ at the East Midlands Business Master Awards, where it was commended for its forward-thinking approach and the investments it makes into product development and customer initiatives. Adrian added: “However, that’s not to say this year hasn’t been without its challenges and we’re not out of the woods just yet. The ongoing crises are likely to continue to test us as a sector for at least the first quarter of 2022, so it’s never been more important to ensure we don’t rest on our laurels. “We have set out some really ambitious plans for the growth and stability of PermaGroup over the next three years and already have a number of exciting projects lined up for 2022, marking a healthy start as we set another bold target – to achieve our third consecutive record-breaking year.” To find out more about PermaGroup, please visit: www.permagroup.co.uk/

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SIPs made in Britain support Dutch construction with new energy efficient solutions

Kenneth Booth December 1, 2021

Sips Supply BV in Holland works very closely with Hemsec, whose panels are all manufactured in Britain. Sips Supply has run 200 SIPs projects since 2015 and currently has a new, major programme in the pipeline. Company Director Arthur Tromp explains why he uses SIPs, and Hemsec products in particular Arthur Tromp is an engineer with 30 years’ experience working in the Dutch construction industry; his specialist knowledge and expertise is in using timber frames for housing. In 2011, he first came across SIPs, which was a real epiphany. Arthur was impressed by how much thinner, stronger and easier to use SIPs are, when compared to conventional timber frame. By using SIPs manufactured offsite, the construction of new homes on site is much quicker and more cost effective – as well as being more thermally efficient than houses constructed in a traditional way. This gave Arthur the idea to set up his own company: Sips Supply BV to serve the Dutch and European markets, which currently have an urgent need for new, energy-efficient homes. Like many countries across Europe, including the UK, the Netherlands has a pressing need for new housing, and consequently it is an important social and political issue. House price rises are outpacing other countries within the EU and last year rose by 15%[1]. Experts estimate that Holland has around 330,000 fewer houses than it requires and needs to build one million more over the next 10 years[2]. The Dutch housing market is conservative and traditional, with up to 70% using concrete or other materials. The market for timber frame is large, though, with around a 30% share. Within that, come SIPs and although their market is not currently large, demand is growing. During the height of the COVID19 crisis, many people used their extra time to research different and more sustainable solutions; higher quality buildings which are better insulated and highly thermally efficient. The recent surge in global energy prices will undoubtedly accelerate this trend. SIPs fit these needs perfectly. Collaboration is an essential ingredient to grow the demand for SIPs   Seeking the right partners was a key stage as Arthur established SIPs Supply BV. Growing the market is important; but it is equally important in Arthur’s view to build the SIPs market slowly, focusing attention on maintaining exacting standards to minimise the risk of poor delivery. Whilst researching the SIPs market, Arthur came across Hemsec, based in the north of England. Impressed by the information provided by the Hemsec team during his initial conversations, Arthur travelled across to the UK from his home in Friesland to visit the Hemsec factory and learn more about the production facilities. It was important for him to assess for himself the quality of Hemsec’s SIPs. Arthur was impressed. Importantly, Hemsec’s SIPs were of a better quality than panels fabricated closer to home in Europe. There were other critical factors too. Hemsec panels are CE and BBA Certified products, extensively evaluated for structural, acoustic and thermal properties, including fire resistance. In addition, the OSB/3 used in Hemsec SIPs is PEFC certified, meaning that the timber is from sustainable forests; this is a requirement in the Dutch market. The Dutch SIPs supply chain Since 2016, Sips Supply has worked closely with Hemsec, importing the panels from across the North Sea. The company works with four processors in Holland – building companies who deliver to the end user – and is gradually expanding. The SIPs supply chain is a network of partners comprising architects, engineers, drafting technicians, processors and contractors. This comprehensive approach enables Sips Supply to undertake the whole project, from the foundations to completion and everything in between. Ensuring that the build quality is the best it can be is fundamental to Arthur; with years of experience working on site, he aims to keep a careful eye on all the projects he is managing. By using this 360° approach he can help project managers to tackle issues as they arise and keep developments on track. The benefits of using SIPs Increasingly, professionals in the construction sector are discovering the benefits of SIPs. Driven by market factors including construction materials shortages, demands for high insulation values and Covid-19 encouraging working from home and therefore requiring home extensions, more and more are considering SIPs. Professionals like the cost-effectiveness of SIPs, the speed of build, its safety record, durability, flexibility, energy-efficiency and the ability to improve the overall build quality. Arthur finds that many professionals such as carpenters – especially those working for smaller companies – love working with SIPs because it’s easier; everything is numbered precisely so that they only have to ‘build it like a large Lego box’, and they are often impressed with what is achievable in one day. Fitting a dormer window is another example. Dormers give extra roof space and the opportunity for extra rooms; they are particularly popular in today’s world, where people are increasingly working from home. In a timber frame house, it is quite complicated to fit a dormer window; however, with SIPs, the installation into the panel is easy. Technical Innovation: Posi-Joists Innovating to continuously improve build quality is central to the work of the company. Arthur is a great exponent of the benefits of Posi-Joists; engineered joists that combine the lightness of timber with the strength of Posi-Strut steel web. This combination between Posi-Joists and SIPs is principally beneficial for providing extra space for utilities, such as thermal heat pump systems, electrics and water, which lay on top of the SIPs. This facilitates easy access for the installation and maintenance of the services in a floor zone, providing great space utilisation and structural qualities, as well as adding strength and stability. Project Rotterdam These are exciting times for Arthur and Sips Supply, as awareness of the benefits of using SIPs grows in both the new build and renovation markets. Last year Arthur was approached by a Dutch development company within his network. The young leadership team discussed the potential for using

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Dura Products supplies Durakerb at Thames Tideway’s Barn Elms site

Kenneth Booth December 1, 2021

Sustainable construction innovators, Dura Products has won a contract to supply the Thames Tideway site at Barn Elms with its Durakerb product. The installation, delivered in partnership with Keyline Civil Specialists in London, will see over 1km ofthe company’s lightweight, environmentally friendly kerbstone installed along the main access route to the site, described as ‘one of the greenest sites on the Tideway project’. Durakerb, made from 88% recycled polymers, is a lightweight polymeric kerb unit. With a carbon footprint of just 1.06kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) per kg, it offers a far more sustainable alternative than its concrete counterpart, as well as being safer, faster, and easier to install. Itwill be fitted at the West London site, a key location for the construction of the ‘Thames Tideway Tunnel’, also known as London’s ‘super sewer’. The project, delivered by construction company Tideway, involves the installation of a 25km tunnel that will intercept, store, and ultimately transfer sewage waste away from the River Thames. The decision to opt for Durakerb reflects Tideway’s commitment to green construction and a focus on sustainability. In addition to the health and ecological benefits inherent in the project, the company have pledged to plant two trees for every one removed and use the river as their primary transport route between sites, in turn, producing fewer carbon emissions. Such initiatives draw parallels with Dura Products. The companyuses a blend of recycled polymers to manufacture their products, ensuring it continues to divert waste from landfill and reduce demand for virgin plastic. The company’s green credentials were affirmed earlier this month with the announcement of new Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for Durakerb and its two other products, Durachannel, a linear surface drainage system, and Duradrain, a dual function kerb and drainage system. The three products recorded carbon footprints of just 1.06, 1.47 and 1.71kg of carbon dioxide per kg respectively. Commenting on the contract, Steve Bennett, Managing Director of Dura Products said: “More and more frequently, we are seeing construction companies opt for the green alternative, reflecting the industry’s commitment to reducing its impact on our planet. It’s particularly satisfying to be awarded a contract by a company that shares our ethos and are striving to make the world a greener place. We’re looking forward to assisting them in their mission to prevent millions of tonnes of sewage from entering the river each year”.

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IMA LAUNCHES GUIDE TO PIR INSULATION IN FLAT ROOFS

Kenneth Booth November 30, 2021

Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA) has today launched its guide to the use of PIR insulation in flat roofs in England. Created for specifiers, building owners, main contractors and roofing contractors, it offers expert advice on the key aspects affecting the specification of PIR insulation for flat roof applications. As the trade association that represents both the polyisocyanurate (PIR) and polyurethane (PUR) insulation industry in the UK, IMA members manufacture rigid insulation that provides around 40% of the total thermal insulation market in the UK. With flat roofing a key sector, this comprehensive guide brings clarity around the specification of PIR insulation into flat roofing systems. The document provides guidance on how to meet the latest requirements of Approved Document B (ADB) of the Building Regulations 2010 for England in relation to PIR insulation in flat roofing applications. It looks at the thermal and strength characteristics of PIR to help designers understand how and where PIR can be used. The document also gives guidance on other properties pertinent to the use of PIR in flat roofing such as fire,thermal performance and compressive strength. It covers the use of PIR in warm roof applications, which accounts for the majority of applications and also explains the terminology that often causes confusion, in particularly the phrases ‘balcony’ and ‘specified attachment’. “This detailed publication brings clarity in respect of how and where PIR insulation can be used following the changes in building regulations with respect to flat roofing,” commented Simon Storer, Chief Executive of IMA. “It also addresses questions that have been raised regarding roofing classifications as well as issues around fire performance, compressive strength and thermal performance.” The guide provides visual comparison of the thickness of different insulation types when achieving specific U-values to help specifiers and contractors appreciate potential roof thickness. It also looks at how moisture can be controlled in flat roofs when using PIR insulation. At a time when the construction industry is faced with the challenges and opportunities of operating in the wake of COVID-19, the PIR insulation industry is well poised to help deliver better performing buildings both now and in the future, as well as playing a part in helping the UK achieve its net-zero climate change ambitions. To download A guide to the use of PIR in flat roofs in England , please click on the following link:- https://insulationmanufacturers.org.uk/resources/guides-brochures/ For more information about IMA visit www.insulationmanufacturers.org.uk

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Industry sustainability leader: GF Piping Systems introduces bio-attributed PVC to its portfolio to reduce CO2 footprint

Kenneth Booth November 23, 2021

As a pioneer of pressure piping, GF Piping Systems (GF) announced today the introduction of bio-attributed materials to all of its market-leading polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U) metric pressure pipes, fittings and valves produced in Europe. The sustainable PVC resin, made using tall oil, a waste product from paper production will see up to 90% reduction in the CO2 emission during production versus conventional PVC while still maintaining the highest quality, durability, and recyclability.  The PVC piping systems from GF, first produced in 1955, have been tried and tested for more than 65 years. Today, they include pipes, fittings, valves, actuators, and measurement and control technology used across industries in over 100 countries for the most demanding applications. To achieve the biggest impact, the PVC resin used for pipes, fittings and valves is successively adjusted to use up to 20% bio-attributed PVC. The sustainable PVC resins meet the same stringent performance criteria as GF’s conventionally produced PVC grades. To verify the correct use, an independent certification body is appointed to audit the production plants and supply chain which processes the bio-attributed PVC-U. “With the introduction of bio-attributed PVC into our material mix, we are transitioning toward more sustainably sourced products,” announces Jens Frisenborg, Head of Business Unit Industry/Utility at GF Piping Systems. “By adding renewable raw material, with identical chemical and mechanical properties, to our valves, fittings and pipes, we provide our customers with unrivaled quality, while also supporting them in achieving their own sustainability goals.” Insensitive, flexible to plan, easy to install, and very reliable: these properties of piping systems are in demand in numerous industrial areas: in drinking water treatment, microelectronics production, in sewage treatment plants, in shipbuilding, and the food industry. PVC piping systems are suitable for use in almost every branch of industry. It is not only their durability that makes them so versatile but also their easy installation. Now with bio-attributed PVC, GF Piping Systems is ensuring they are more sustainably sourced.  More about sustainability at GF Piping Systems can be found here: https://www.gfps.com/com/en/about-us/company/sustainability.html

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Helping the construction industry to help the environment

Kenneth Booth November 10, 2021

Simon Woods, European Sales, Marketing and Logistics Director explains how West Fraser is helping the construction industry to help the environment As the world becomes more and more aware of the effect we have on the planet, it is important for the construction industry to realise how it affects the world in ways it doesn’t intend to. At West Fraser, our products are net carbon negative.  This means that we lock up more carbon in the products than we emit in the end-to-end production and distribution of them (delivery to our customers’ gates). Attaining net carbon negativity, as we have done, is a significant step and demonstrates the company’s determination to be a market leader in sustainable, climate-friendly products. As wood is the main component of West Fraser’s products, carbon is sequestered and locked up for the board’s lifetime. Particleboard products have the added advantage of containing 70-80% post-consumer recycled wood; this is also used in OSB. As a result, the company’s four European sites and three product ranges lock up a total of 1.18 million tonnes of CO2e per year, equivalent to the CO2 from 200,265 homes’ electricity. West Fraser’s net carbon negative products’ status benefits specifiers and users of the company’s engineered wood panel products. When used in construction, these products can move a project’s carbon count in the right direction assisting companies to meet net zero targets, which is good for reputation, compliance and the planet. In every SterlingOSB Zero board more carbon from the atmosphere is locked up than is emitted during manufacture, locking it up into long term storage. Per cubic metre, SterlingOSB Zero has sequestered 828kg of CO2e. The vast majority of the wood used is homegrown, minimising carbon emissions from transport while ensuring it is always available and offers a cost-effective building solution. West Fraser is a diversified wood products company with more than 60 facilities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe.  From responsibly sourced and sustainably managed forest resources, West Fraser produces lumber, engineered wood (OSB, LVL, MDF, plywood, particleboard), and other products including pulp, newsprint, wood chips and renewable energy.  West Fraser’s products are used in construction, repair and remodelling, industrial applications, papers, tissue and box materials.  For further information call 01786 812 921 or visit Uk.westfraser.com

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JOHNSON TILES PARTNERS WITH BARRATT ON NEW ZERO CARBON CONCEPT HOME

Kenneth Booth November 3, 2021

Johnson Tiles has partnered with leading housebuilder, Barratt Developments, to build a unique zero carbon concept home – ‘Z House’.  Featuring six tile ranges across four rooms, the flagship project is the first new home in the country, built by a major housebuilder, to go beyond the new Future Homes Standard by delivering a carbon reduction of 125%. The products used were selected to support the project’s goals to use sustainable materials and reduce build time.  Johnson Tiles is one of over 40 partners from across the housebuilding, sustainability and technology sectors invited to collaborate on the project. Built on the University of Salford’s main campus as a showcase home to demonstrate what is achievable in sustainable living, it will be occupied and monitored to assess its performance, with lessons learnt shared across the industry. Built using modern methods of construction, a mix of Johnson Tiles’ UK manufactured and UK stocked wall and floor tiles were selected for the hall, kitchen / dining area, family bathroom and en-suite.  “We’re delighted to have been involved in the Z House project, our commitment to sustainability is at the core of everything we do and the opportunity to support the industry as we learn together from this project is incredibly exciting.” says Johnson Tiles’ Managing Director, Stephen Dixon.  “Supporting the project’s goal to use sustainable materials, each tile is manufactured to last the lifetime of the building, containing between 20 and 40% recycled content and delivered in 100% recyclable packaging.” Each room features tiles in colours reflective of materials and tones found in nature, including the award-winning UK made South Bank collection of small format, glazed ceramic wall tiles and the UK made Drift collection of wood effect ceramic wall tiles. Z house concept home features: Hall/cloakroom South Bank, UK made slim format tiles in Whisper and Pewter Kielder, UK stocked wood effect tiles in Frosty Oak Kitchen/dining Refine, UK stocked porcelain floor tiles in Pewter En-Suite Ashlar, UK made textured concrete effect tiles in Crafted Grey Refine, UK stocked porcelain floor tiles in Pewter Family bathroom Drift, UK made wood effect ceramic wall tiles in Summer Shadows Minerals, UK stocked stone effect tiles in Flint  1. The Future Homes Standard ensures that all new homes built from 2025 will produce 75-80% less carbon emissions than homes delivered under current regulations. 2.Delivering 100% regulated and 25% unregulated energy using heat recovery, low carbon and renewable technologies).

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Johnson Controls Develops Industry-first AI Driven Digital Solution to Manage Clean Air, Energy, Sustainability, Comfort and Cost in Buildings

Kenneth Booth October 26, 2021

OpenBlue Enterprise Manager’s new Performance Advisor application is an all-in-one AI powered solution for optimising both sustainability and health metrics in buildings Industry’s first indoor air quality control system that also monitors energy impact, occupant comfort and space utilisation, breaking down data silos and creating reporting outputs in a single view to improve building operations Live data ingestion and output supports continuous monitoring, simplifying reporting for environmental certifications and preventing the need for mass data compilations every few years Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, today introduced an all-in-one solution that empowers building operators to track sustainability, health and wellness metrics while also reducing energy use, water use, waste, and carbon footprint. The new OpenBlue Performance Advisor application expands on the rich capabilities of Johnson Controls OpenBlue Enterprise Manager solution, supporting organisations seeking to achieve clean air and sustainability targets through data tracking software, artificial intelligence and intuitive dashboards that follow indoor air quality and energy consumption and deliver clean air and decarbonisation recommendations in one clear, comprehensive view. The intelligent software also supports the management of employee health, productivity and tenant experiences while helping to improve indoor air quality and comfort. Johnson Controls OpenBlue Enterprise Manager solution helps facilities managers optimise building portfolio performance through advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence. The solution is a comprehensive suite of applications from Johnson Controls used to monitor and improve indoor air quality, energy efficiency, tenant satisfaction, asset performance, maintenance operations, space performance and the comfort of all occupants. OpenBlue Enterprise Manager supports smart building capabilities for property portfolios ranging across commercial offices, healthcare, mixed use high-end, transportation, retail and K-12 school systems. The new OpenBlue Enterprise Manager Performance Advisor application follows Johnson Controls single pane of glass approach, bringing together various sources of data into a single view that makes it simple to monitor and act on a variety of factors at the same time. Analytics and AI solutions have historically focused on solving for one goal at a time – clean air, energy/carbon, wellness, asset health, comfort, experience, space utilisation, etc. However, the OpenBlue Enterprise Manager Performance Advisor application gives users control over making integrated choices traversing data silos, rather than following static standard operating procedures. Johnson Controls proprietary algorithm measures a variety of parameters such as zone size, occupancy, mask usage and weather forecasts and predicts chances of infection spread. It provides recommendations to facilities managers that improve the building performance, ranging from maximum disinfection to energy minimisation, depending on the given needs of a space at a specific moment in time. A key element of this solution is the OpenBlue Infection Risk Score, providing additional information to enable best decision making. “Supporting healthy and sustainable buildings is at the core of Johnson Controls priorities and the solutions and services we bring to market. Helping our planet heal and reducing the impact of climate change is part of being a good global citizen and a key moral imperative that drives our business,” said Mike Ellis, executive vice president and chief customer & digital officer at Johnson Controls. “Environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors continue to grow in importance for building owners and facilities managers in attracting additional investment and tenants. An all-in-one solution that supports elevation of ESG goals while also ensuring occupant safety and comfort addresses the priority needs of our customers in a single, elegant solution.” One example of customer value is in right-sizing automated energy efficiency. The solution’s algorithms use historical operating data and space characteristics to build a dynamic model of each room in a structure, to predict future temperature, air quality and airflow. Models are then used to optimise the desired performance criteria such as energy cost or infection risk. The Performance Advisor application also optimises space utilisation. The application leverages occupancy tracking data and recommends movement of people to alternate spaces. This approach supports the movement of people and resources from over-utilised spaces to under-utilised spaces while also suggesting adjustments to HVAC and lighting systems. To validate the effectiveness of the Performance Advisor application, Johnson Controls collaborated with Martin Z. Bazant, professor of Chemical Engineering and Mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, on the accuracy of infection transmission and air flow models, which are core underlying mathematical models for the Performance Advisor solution. “These models are the first to predict the risk of airborne disease transmission in realistic building simulations, thus allowing HVAC systems to be optimised for public health, as well as comfort and energy efficiency,” said Bazant. To learn more about OpenBlue Enterprise Manager, visit: To download supporting technical papers published in journals related to this product, visit: Energy and Buildings. “Modelling and Multiobjective Optimisation of Indoor Airborne Disease Transmission Risk and Associated Energy Consumption for Building HVAC Systems”: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111497.111497 Science and Technology for the Built Environment “Quantifying the Tradeoff Between Energy Consumption and the Risk of Airborne Disease: https://doi.org/10.1080/23744731.2021.1984171.1984171 To read more about Johnson Controls POV on why companies benefit from a single strategy for sustainability and digitalization, visit: https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/insights/2021/white-paper/the- case-for-unifying-sustainability-and-digitalization-strategies 

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B&Q OPENS LARGEST STORE IN A DECADE

Kenneth Booth October 25, 2021

B&Q opens its new Colchester store at Stane Park Colchester is B&Q’s first purpose-built digital store as the brand commits to e-commerce growth The Mayor declares the store officially open with ribbon cutting ceremony B&Q’s new Colchester store was declared officially open today with a formal cutting of the ribbon by the Mayor of Colchester, Councillor Robert Davidson. Relocated from B&Q Lightship Way to Stane Park’s brand-new retail park, B&Q is the first to open at the new development. This latest opening is one of the largest B&Q stores to open in the last decade. It combines instore shopping missions with digital fulfilment, fully representing B&Q’s commitment to grow e-commerce with stores at the centre. Caroline Voutsinas, B&Q Stane Park, Store Manager, said: “DIY has really captured the imagination of the nation over the past 18-months, so our new and improved B&Q in Colchester is very timely, giving Colchester DIY-ers and tradespeople a much improved store experience with plenty of exciting new features to make home improvement easier than ever. I cannot wait to welcome the local community into the store.”  The new store offers a huge range of products for all home improvement needs, as well as: A purpose-built garden centre with a dedicated garden showroom A convenient and expert led tool hire option from Speedy Services, the UK’s leading tool & equipment hire company A brand-new showroom featuring the latest kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms in interactive, inspirational displays A dedicated load and go area for TradePoint customers to support bulk orders and easy access A brand new ‘shop in a shop’ for workwear, a first for B&Q A digital hub to support store to home delivery Services including paint mixing and Click + Collect via diy.com The new store is open 7 days a week: Monday-Saturday 7am-8pm, and on Sunday 11am-4pm. B&Q Lightship Way closed its doors on 21 October. B&Q is continuing to encourage customers to wear face coverings and has maintained social distancing measures to help customers shop safely. For more information, including inspirational ideas and practical advice on home improvement, visit DIY.com

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Security composite panel specialist set for further growth after successful test of new range

Kenneth Booth October 22, 2021

High security composite panels specialist Modular Security Solutions is providing the building sector with additional protection for people and assets, following the successful fire testing of its brand-new ULTRA composite panel system. The Newcastle upon Tyne-based firm’s high security ULTRA composite panel system has now been tested to BS476- Resistance to fire at a UKAS (the United Kingdom Accreditation Service) approved fire testing facility and achieves 120 minutes on both integrity and insulation. Testing on the new product line will give Modular Security Solutions’ customers additional peace of mind. It will also broaden the company’s ability to support building contractors, security contractors, facilities managers, and end users with fire-tested panel systems in areas of high vulnerability, where defence against enhanced professional criminal attempts to access high value assets is required. To gain the BSEN 476 certification, the panels were tested for 120 minutes for integrity and insulation. Integrity measures the system’s ability to stop flames or hot gases from passing from the ‘fire side’ to the non-fire side through openings such as panel joints and interfaces within the testing culvert, while insulation relates to the system’s ability to limit the surface temperature rise on the non-fire side. During the UKAS-accredited testing procedure, the company’s ULTRA security composite panels were installed into a concrete testing rig and subjected to resistance testing from a furnace, which reaches temperatures of up to 1200°C. Modular Security Solutions’ ULTRA composite panel system has been designed and tested to resist enhanced professional criminal attacks from a wide range of tooling, including not only mechanical and electrical power tools but also petrol driven disc grinders and chainsaw tooling elements. Modular Security Solutions designs and supplies high security walling systems and enclosures which can be used to create new buildings and superstructures. They can also be retro-fit into existing buildings to security harden and fire-proof specifically identified areas. Modular Security Solutions’ high security composite panels are manufactured with a fire retardant rockwool insulative core, to support fire resistance, and steel anti-cutting layers which ensure they have high levels of resistance to mechanical, electrical and petrol-driven tooling. The high security composite panelling systems are fully modular and versatile. They can be rapidly installed and offer a significant reduction in labour costs, site down time and on-site trades, due to their convenient male/female slip joint and pre-finished appearance, which comes in a wide range of standard colours and finishes. Mark Sutherland, Projects Director of Modular Security Solutions, said: “We’re very proud to have achieved this two-hour fire testing pass for the ULTRA composite panel system, as the testing process is extremely rigorous. “The excellent performance of our panels during testing demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that fire safety and physical security are built into the sensitive environments and projects our systems are part of. “Our panels’ combination of high security capabilities, fire resistance and build flexibility gives contractors a cost-effective solution for protecting high-risk areas, such as data centres, server rooms, laboratories and vaults.” Modular Security Solutions offers a complimentary Security Design Package with every project, which details secure installation methods and ensures the interfaces between its systems and doors, windows, ventilation louvres and service penetrations are inbuilt and secure. For more information on Modular Security Solutions, visit https://www.modularsecurity.co.uk

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