Wates M&E arm, SES Engineering Services, has picked up the mechanical, plumbing and electrical packages on two big London projects, which are worth £30 million between them. The double success represents a significant milestone for the company’s London and South East operations and will see extensive use of off-site manufacturing
A new online course from APHC will give installers the opportunity to learn about the different types of business contracts, to help them prevent any disputes with their customers. A number of installers have experienced issues with customers over a number of years, whether that be failing to be paid
CITB Wales has called on the Welsh Government to focus on promoting careers in construction when the new assembly term gets underway this week. The group believes that with major projects planned, along with recent rises in Welsh construction vacancies, CITB believes that the government must take a two pronged
The founder of Lee Valley Estates, Michael Polledri MBE, has been awarded the prestigious St Mellitus Medal by the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd & Rt Hon Richard Charles. The awards came in recognition of the community building work in Hale Village, the £450 million mixed use urban village
Almost 250 leading figures in the Welsh house building industry gathered at NHBC’s 36th Pride in the Job Regional Awards ceremony in Cardiff City Hall on Friday, September 2. Regional award winners John Greggain from L Greggain & Co Ltd (small category), Dale Dickenson from Llanmoor Homes (medium category) and
The biggest landlord group in the North East, Thirteen Group, has teamed up with the UK’s leading Timber and Builders Merchant, Travis Perkins Managed Services, to make £10 million of efficiency savings in the landlord’s operations. A partnership scheme between the two organisations has created the country’s biggest managed stores
Flow Energy has launched its Flow Eco RF boiler which could cut carbon emissions by 20% and reduce gas bills by up to 15%. The independent supplier is in the process of expanding its heat product range in an attempt to offer consumers a wider range of choice and the
The educational partner of Health & Safety North 2016, The British Safety Council, has prepared a comprehensive seminar programme for the Health & Safety North 2016 event on October 12 – 13 2016, in Bolton. The event will return to Bolton Arena and this year will include two interactive workshops
The NHBC Foundation has issued new guidance outlining the best practice for the installation of underfloor heating. In recent years, the number of new homes with underfloor heating has increased because it helps to free up wall space and can have energy efficiency advantages. Underfloor heating can also be particularly
Wood and coal fuel specialist, Logs Direct, has issued a warning of an impending flue epidemic during Chimney Fire Safety Week (September 5 to 11). Logs Direct says that Brits have been overtaken by ‘logmania’ over the last few years and in January 2006 it was reported that the last
Wates M&E arm, SES Engineering Services, has picked up the mechanical, plumbing and electrical packages on two big London projects, which are worth £30 million between them. The double success represents a significant milestone for the company’s London and South East operations and will see extensive use of off-site manufacturing to ensure time and cost savings. SES has been chosen to deliver plumbing, electrical and mechanical services on the 12 storey office building for Google as part of the regeneration at King’s Cross, while they have also been awarded an £18.6 million MEP contract to deliver Barts Square Phase One, a £110 million luxury residential development in the St Bart’s area in Farrington. SES will carry on its long standing relationship with main contractor Carillion and client Argent on the commercial King’s Cross project. It will be working with client Helical Plc and Carillion for the first time to deliver 144 apartments with a selection of one, two and three bedroom apartments and penthouses situated in seven property blocks. Tim Cunningham, SES London and south east director said: “This is a truly exciting time for our London and South East operation and the growth of our business is down to our teams’ exemplary work and innovative off-site approach.” SES was the first M&E contractor to achieve Level 2 Certification of BRE BIM, which is required by the Government to work on the Whitehall procured projects from April. Cunningham said SES’ ‘build before you build’ approach was a perfect fit for the King’s Cross Handyside Street project, which has a tight 38-week programme set to complete in December 2017. Earlier in the month, Wates Living Space Maintenance secured a £24 million housing repairs and maintenance contract with Network Homes. The five year deal’s terms state that an optional five year extension will be responsible for year round maintenance.
A new online course from APHC will give installers the opportunity to learn about the different types of business contracts, to help them prevent any disputes with their customers. A number of installers have experienced issues with customers over a number of years, whether that be failing to be paid on time, or customers who complain that the work carried out was not what they wanted to be done. The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) believes that its new Understanding Basic Contracts course may be the answer to this common problem. It provides installers with the opportunity to learn about the different contract types, so that they have a full awareness of the present consumer rights legislation and the resulting impact on their business. The course will show installers how to make sure that they issue the right contract type to their customers, whether it be on or off premises, a repair or maintenance contract or a business contract. It also explains the importance of obtaining a signed contract from the customer prior to the work commencing. Not having the correct authorised paperwork in place between installers and their customers is a common mistake that can cause problems if issues arise during, or after, the work is carried out. However, APHC’s Understanding Basic Contracts course will show installers how to use contracts to make sure that they stay on the right side of the law and get paid on time. The course will also cover areas including the components of a contract: notifications, exclusions, variations, estimates, quotations, completion and handover. The online course costs £25 + VAT for APHC members, or £35 + VAT for non-members. After successful completion of the course, installers will receive a printable APHC certificate. The course is being run through APHC’s new Online Learning Centre, which offers bite-size courses tailored specifically for the plumbing and heating industry.
CITB Wales has called on the Welsh Government to focus on promoting careers in construction when the new assembly term gets underway this week. The group believes that with major projects planned, along with recent rises in Welsh construction vacancies, CITB believes that the government must take a two pronged approach to the skills challenge ahead and keep the economy moving. Firstly, CITB Wales says it is crucial that schools and Careers Wales are given sufficient resources to promote careers in construction to young people. Second, CITB believes that the Government’s new National Infrastructure Commission for Wales must have the scope to plan and finance major projects, while upskilling the workforce. CITB Wales’ call comes as: Figures from the Construction Skills Network (CSN) forecast strong growth in the nation’s construction output – 5.8% over the period 2016-2020, leading to the creation of approximately 5,700 new jobs each year; A range of major job-creating construction projects – including the South Wales Metro, Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station and the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon – are planned or in the pipeline; The Welsh Government is considering its budget for services such as Careers Wales. Mark Bodger, CITB Wales Cymru Strategic Partnerships Director, said that the next 10 years will present significant construction opportunities and challenges for Wales. Bodger continued: “With a number of big projects in the pipeline it is crucial that construction is recognised as an attractive career choice for young people. However, we also need the Welsh Government to do everything it can to get those game-changing infrastructure projects off the ground.” To meet the skills challenge, CITB says that the National Assembly for Wales’ Children Young People and Education Committee should improve the resources available to Careers Wales and schools in order to promote careers in construction. “Across Wales there are major projects either underway or in the pipeline, which can inspire confidence in the sector and capture the imagination of anyone interested in a construction career,” says Mr Bodger.
The founder of Lee Valley Estates, Michael Polledri MBE, has been awarded the prestigious St Mellitus Medal by the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd & Rt Hon Richard Charles. The awards came in recognition of the community building work in Hale Village, the £450 million mixed use urban village in Tottenham, North London. Polledri played a crucial role in creating the opportunity for the first Anglican church to be constructed in London for 40 years. The medal takes its name from St Mellitus, the Bishop of London, who re-founded the Diocese in AD 604, and is awarded in recognition of substantial contribution to the Christian life of London. The new St Francis church was recently handed over to the Diocese for fitting out and will open its doors for services from next year. Polledri commented on receiving the award: “It’s a huge honour to receive this medal. To help create such an important community facility and service is a great privilege.” His vision for Hale Village was conceived in 2008 and was to create a new urban village with community at the heart of it. One part of the new church offering, the Engine Room community centre, has been operating from temporary premises in Hale Village for the past two years. Overall, the new church facilities will feature a 24 space nursery, two community halls, a café, a learning workshop and a chapel for worship and prayer. Polledri is involved in a number of community and voluntary sector projects in the Lee Valley area and was awarded his MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2010 in recognition of his services to Enterprise & Regeneration in North London. Hale Village has been voted one of the top 30 best regeneration projects in the UK and the most Innovative Affordable Housing Scheme.
Almost 250 leading figures in the Welsh house building industry gathered at NHBC’s 36th Pride in the Job Regional Awards ceremony in Cardiff City Hall on Friday, September 2. Regional award winners John Greggain from L Greggain & Co Ltd (small category), Dale Dickenson from Llanmoor Homes (medium category) and Steve Northam from Taylor Wimpey South Wales (large category), were chosen from over 16,000 UK site managers, and recognised at the ceremony held at Cardiff City Hall. Another eight sites were awarded Seals of Excellence, while the Regional award winners will now go on to compete for the Supreme Awards to be announced next January. These awards are known as the ‘Oscars of the House Building Industry’ and to win an award is an exceptional achievement. For 36 years, NHBC has rewarded the UK’s best site managers in delivering the high quality of homes that the country needs. NHBC is the leading new home warranty provider in the UK and the group’s Regional Director, Paul Edwards, congratulated them on their win. Edwards commented: “Pride in the Job is now firmly established as a significant proof of distinction for the best site managers in the UK. The fact that winners are automatically entered into the competition based on the results of their work onsite is a huge endorsement for all winners. “It’s been a tough year of judging starting way back in July 2015 and it’s a long hard road to win a Pride in the Job Award. The Awards recognise site managers who know how to go one stage better, whose hard work ensures we live in high quality homes and rewards dedication and expertise.” He added that last year NHBS registered almost 4,700 new homes in Wales and site managers played a crucial role in the delivery of these homes.
The biggest landlord group in the North East, Thirteen Group, has teamed up with the UK’s leading Timber and Builders Merchant, Travis Perkins Managed Services, to make £10 million of efficiency savings in the landlord’s operations. A partnership scheme between the two organisations has created the country’s biggest managed stores facilities, which will significantly improve how materials for housing maintenance are used and the efficiency of procurement processes. This will result in significant long term savings on current operations, while also consolidating jobs. Three newly leased store facilities have been opened at Skippers Lane, Middlesbrough; Park View Industrial Estate, Hartlepool; and Ross Road, Stockton. The Stockton store will also serve as a central distribution hub for the two other stores, which will allow for greater stock availability and flexibility. Travis Perkins Managed Services are managing all three facilities as Thirteen Group’s new external delivery partner. Thirteen already benefits from the bulk buying of building materials, but the Group expects to make savings of around £10 million over the lifetime of this new arrangement which will arise from more flexible and efficient operations of its stores facilities. Travis Perkins Managed Services’ one-stop-shop solution is being delivered by a combination of dedicated Thirteen Group stores and by using the building merchant’s existing branch network. Part of this process will see staff members from Thirteen transfer to Travis Perkins with two being promoted to managers from the new stores. Russell Thompson, Group Director of Property Services at Thirteen Group, commented: Travis Perkins is one of the largest suppliers to the UK’s building and construction industry with a national network of more than 650 branches. “This agreement gives us access to more than 100,000 product lines including building materials, plumbing and heating equipment, landscaping materials, timber and sheet materials, painting and decorating supplies, dry lining and insulation, doors and joinery. All of which is essential to the maintenance and upkeep of our property portfolio.”
Flow Energy has launched its Flow Eco RF boiler which could cut carbon emissions by 20% and reduce gas bills by up to 15%. The independent supplier is in the process of expanding its heat product range in an attempt to offer consumers a wider range of choice and the opportunity to save money. A smartphone app will allow consumers to be able to control their internet connected boiler, which also has remote diagnostics which allow for issues to be fixed directly from installers offices and reduce the need for call outs. Intergas will manufacture the boiler and will be sold by Flow’s Brand Ambassador installers throughout the UK. This model removes wholesalers from the supply chain to give installers an increased margin and end customer’s better value. Tony Stiff, Chief Executive of Flow Group, commented: “The energy supply division of our business has grown phenomenally in the past year, and we’re keen to replicate this growth in our products division. “We’re doing this by partnering with the likes of Intergas to deliver exciting and innovative heating products, such as the Flow Eco RF boiler, and by leveraging our strong existing Brand Ambassador network we’re taking a completely new approach to the heating market.” Flow is offering the boiler as part of a 10 year home energy bundle which will include the boiler, installation, a 10 year warranty and the in-touch system. In 2015 Flow group created an innovative micro-combined heat and power (micro-CHP) boiler designed to convert heat from combustion into electricity. By generating power at the point-of-use while using the heat, the Flow boiler significantly reduces the carbon intensity of that power. Interim results from Flowgroup showed its second stream as an energy reseller is surging, while its original core business as a boiler developer hangs in the balance ahead of a government decision over feed-in tariffs (FIT).
The educational partner of Health & Safety North 2016, The British Safety Council, has prepared a comprehensive seminar programme for the Health & Safety North 2016 event on October 12 – 13 2016, in Bolton. The event will return to Bolton Arena and this year will include two interactive workshops which will give participants ‘hands on involvement’ in the sessions. Health and Safety North 2016 is a two day event centred on an exhibition that includes a free to attend seminar programme curated by the British Safety Council. It is a chance for leading trade bodies, distributors, manufacturers, training providers and consultants in the health and safety sector to showcase their services and expertise. The British Safety Council’s seminar programme will provide a platform for local business managers and owners in the North West to hear from and engage with leading experts in health and safety and network with a series of business managers and practitioners. The highlight of this year’s programme will be two interactive workshops that will give the delegates experience of managing a stressful situation in ‘real-life’ scenarios where positive health and safety behaviour is required. On October 12, Shaun Curry and Harry Gallagher, from training providers Macnaughton Mcgregor, will host a scenario based session during which participants will be told of a serious incident which has taken place and presented with an ‘active’ scenario that they can take part in. The audience will then be given the chance to question both individuals, influence their behaviour and ultimately change the potential outcome of the situation. In the second interactive workshop, held on the 13th October, Mark Davies, managing director at consultancy 7Futures, will draw on his experience of working with elite performers, sports personalities and the military, by demonstrating how to manage stressful situations without compromising people’s health and wellbeing.
The NHBC Foundation has issued new guidance outlining the best practice for the installation of underfloor heating. In recent years, the number of new homes with underfloor heating has increased because it helps to free up wall space and can have energy efficiency advantages. Underfloor heating can also be particularly well suited to retirement housing where there is a requirement to maintain constant warm temperatures. However, this is a relatively unfamiliar technology with many potential risks. For example, the pipework is concealed, therefore there is a risk of damage from subsequent building work or drilling into the floor should the builder not possess accurate information on the layout of the system. Furthermore, installation is often undertaken before the residents’ final furniture layout and preferences for carpets or rugs, have been decided, which may result in restricted heat transfer. ‘Underfloor heating: a guide for housebuilders’ set out several recommendations to ensure that the underfloor heating is as effective as possible. These range from ensuring the pipework distribution is planned properly to maintain an even temperature throughout each room, to recommend that installation takes place after external doors and windows have been fitted and once the home is watertight to mitigate the risk of frost damage. Head of Research and Innovation at NHBC, Neil Smith, commented: “Underfloor heating systems offer many advantages in new homes, including improved aesthetics and comfort levels. It also has a part to play in improving energy efficiency, provided the system is correctly designed and installed and set to operate properly. “This best practice guidance is aimed at helping smaller companies in particular to get things right and ensure that systems deliver all of their advantages in practice whilst avoiding potential problems.” He added that they are grateful to the building services industry experts at BSRIA for their support in developing the guide.
Wood and coal fuel specialist, Logs Direct, has issued a warning of an impending flue epidemic during Chimney Fire Safety Week (September 5 to 11). Logs Direct says that Brits have been overtaken by ‘logmania’ over the last few years and in January 2006 it was reported that the last 12 months had seen a 20% rise in the sale of wood burning stoves, while HETAS reported a 60% increase in the number of wood burners over the last seven year period. The company added that although people are showing a trend towards burning wood, there are far too few homeowners and hospitality providers having to get to grips with how to burn wood. This puts a significant proportion of wood burning homes and establishments at risk of a chimney fire, which affects 5,000 properties in Britain every year. It partly puts this down to an innate desire for British people to be wood seeking hunter gatherers, foraging for wood, raiding skips and most of all buying unseasoned, ‘wet’ logs from timber suppliers and farm gates. Although these may appear dry, the ‘wet’ reference comes from the fact that, on felling, their water content can be as high as 80pc. For a log to burn efficiently, the water content should only be 20pc or lower, which means that logs need to be left to dry, in the right climatic and storage conditions, for as long as two summers and a winter, if they are a hardwood such as oak, beech, hornbeam and sycamore. Even conifers and hard growing broadleaves such as ash, birch and and poplar need to be seasoned for one spring and one summer. This means that anyone buying wood from farm and country suppliers, and wishing to use it immediately, should seek assurance that the wood has been seasoned properly.