Lawson Demolition takes delivery of two new medium excavators Demolition and licensed asbestos removal expert, Lawson Demolition, has invested in two new Cat 323 hydraulic excavators to celebrate its 30 year anniversary in 2021. The well-established company bought the machines from exclusive Caterpillar® distributor, Finning UK and Ireland, where it
Birmingham City Council Leader Lays Brick on Fifth Floor Roof Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects, and client PATRIZIA have celebrated topping out of the first roof at a build-to-rent (BTR) scheme in Edgbaston, as
This is a good time to be asking ourselves about fuel usage norms because we’re currently in the midst of a fuel-related transition period. As of April 2022, red diesel – the standard option for many organisations in the construction and demolition world – is going to cost substantially more,
Although carpets have a reputation of being a boring – and typically beige – necessity, 2021 has seen some bolder and brighter carpet colour trends come through, including royal blue, forest green, dusty pink, mustard yellow and geometric patterns. According to JustServicesGroup.com, who analysed global Google search volumes, ‘grey’ is the
British Association of Landscape Industries’ Accredited Contractor Graduate Gardeners has swept the 45th National Landscape Awards, taking home the prestigious Grand Award, the Principal Award in their category, and a Special Award for Best Design and Build for their breathtaking scheme, Private Garden, Cheltenham. The annual National Landscape Awards, held
There’s no getting away from the fact that demolition projects can be disruptive – but that doesn’t mean the industry can’t offer a wide variety of benefits for local communities. Of course, nobody working in the demolition industry needs to be persuaded of the long-term advantages we bring to local
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
Indoor climate specialist Warmafloor, part of the Wavin Group, has launched a new range of mechanical heat recovery ventilation systems. The ultra-efficient Ventiza range offers a complete end-to-end solution, which helps to control the flow of air into any residential space. As the focus continues to grow for developers
More than ever, modern building projects can benefit from the use of certified products, writes Daniel May, Director of Consort Architectural Hardware. The needs of modern building environments have evolved. Throughout the construction process, decision makers are more commonly deliberating on themes such as innovation, accessibility and sustainability. And that’s
Joblogic and Refcom have collaborated to launch a software module in the UK that ensures F-Gas compliance. It also makes it simpler and faster for HVAC engineers to comply since they can now input the data directly into a compliant logbook via a mobile app. Legislation demands that an engineer
Lawson Demolition takes delivery of two new medium excavators Demolition and licensed asbestos removal expert, Lawson Demolition, has invested in two new Cat 323 hydraulic excavators to celebrate its 30 year anniversary in 2021. The well-established company bought the machines from exclusive Caterpillar® distributor, Finning UK and Ireland, where it will be used with a variety of different work tools for demolition and materials processing applications. Lawson Demolition, a member company of the Lawson Group, provides bespoke demolition packages to clients by applying innovative methodologies to projects and using the latest technology in its plant and equipment. To be able to guarantee this for its customers, Lawson Demolition was looking for high quality equipment that boasted reliable performance, while also benefitting from better fuel efficiency and lower emissions as the company aims to reduce its carbon footprint. The two 323s will be joining Lawson Demolition’s already established fleet of Cat excavators. The new machines come with built-in Cat GRADE with 2D, Grade Assist and Payload as standard equipment right from the factory, boosting operator efficiency by up to 45 per cent. Combined with up to 15 per cent lower maintenance costs and 20 per cent less fuel consumption, the 323s are a low-cost-per-unit-of-production excavator, built for heavy-duty applications like demolition and site clearance. This year Lawson Demolition is celebrating its 30th year in business, a milestone of successful business operations. Sorrowfully at the same time, the business is mourning the loss of its founder and respected leader, Martin Wilson. Martin was the driving force behind a successful self-grown business within the industry, formed into a group of companies in October 2003 with the launch of Lawson Group. The business is now directed by Claire Wilson, Managing Director and Andy Neath, Projects Director. In addition to Martin’s commitment to Lawson Group, he was a passionate leader in the Demolition Industry and served as NFDC President from 2015 to 2017 to lobby the voice of the industry. “Our 30th year in business hasn’t been exactly as we imagined it, with the tragic loss of my beloved Father and the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Claire Wilson, Managing Director of Lawson Group. “However, with the help of our dedicated team, the support of Finning and our other suppliers, we’re confident that his legacy will live on for next 30 years and more”. “We will continue our excellent working relationship with Lawson Group — something that we’ve had for 20 years through both sales and aftercare,” said Darren Bodio, National Account Manager at Finning UK & Ireland. “The 323 medium excavators will be a fine addition to its fleet, and we will be supporting the company as they continue to secure projects planned for 2022 and beyond with servicing and maintenance from Cat certified engineers and a three-year essentials parts CVA.” Once delivered, the two Cat 323s will be put straight to work at current demolition sites throughout the South West. Delivering power, speed and high production performance, the Cat 323 has all the technology and benefits that companies need to take demolition to the next level. To find out more about the medium range of excavators from Caterpillar, visit the Finning website.
Birmingham City Council Leader Lays Brick on Fifth Floor Roof Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects, and client PATRIZIA have celebrated topping out of the first roof at a build-to-rent (BTR) scheme in Edgbaston, as well as the commencement of the façade installation programme. Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, was invited to the celebratory ceremony at the site located adjacent to Edgbaston Stadium on Thursday, 9 December and had the honour of laying a brick on the fifth-floor roof. The 375-apartment scheme – which Winvic began constructing in February this year – comprises four concrete-framed stair and lift cores, with blocks reaching to five, six, seven, eight, 13 and 18 storeys. Furthermore, undercroft car parking and bicycle storage, a landscaped podium deck, a residents’ rooftop terrace, a gym and five commercial units on the ground floor, totalling approximately 15,000 sq ft, will be created as part of the project. Winvic’s contract also includes the full fit out of the development, which contains 189 one-bedroom, 169 two-bedroom and 17 three-bedroom apartments. The Winvic team is currently ahead of schedule and is almost halfway through the programme for pouring the concrete verticals and floor slabs. The façade installation programme comprising a steel framing system (SFS), masonry and windows has now commenced and will continue through to Q4 2023. Fit out to the entrance, ground floor plant, amenity and storage areas begins in the New Year and Winvic will be fitting out the apartments from Spring 2022. At the end of January 2022, the drainage and incoming utility services works will be complete. Lighting installation and landscaping works, with circa almost 3,000 trees and shrubs planted, will begin towards the end of 2022. Progress at PATRIZIA’s Edgbaston scheme can be viewed on Winvic Live on two on-site cameras. Winvic is scheduled to hand over the project in Q3 2023. Mark Jones, Director of Multi-room at Winvic, commented: “PATRIZIA was a new client to Winvic at the start of this year but our aligned vision and focus on the end goal has facilitated an excellent working relationship and reaching this important project milestone is something to be celebrated. I’d like to also thank Councillor Ian Ward for coming along to lay a brick to commemorate the start of the face installation works and the topping out of phase 1. The team has been working hard throughout 2021 on this scheme and we’re on schedule for handover in Q3 2023; they deserve to have a relaxing Christmas break and I know they are looking forward to continuing with the façade programme in January.” Richard Scutt, Development Director at PATRIZIA said: “Birmingham has one of the largest private rental sectors outside London and PATRIZIA is at the forefront of delivering homes for this growing community. This topping out of phase one is an occasion to celebrate and our construction partner Winvic is doing an incredible job in delivering the scheme swiftly and safely as well as providing assistance with obtaining the sustainable and wellbeing certifications. We are prioritising wellness of residents within the design by targeting Fitwel certification, an international standard of rating wellbeing in a building. The building will also achieve a Homes Quality Mark certification, making it one of the first BTR developments to obtain this accreditation, attesting to high standards of build, running costs, health and wellbeing, and sustainability.” Leader of Birmingham City Council, Councillor Ian Ward, said: “This exciting new development brings city centre standard accommodation to Edgbaston, creating a new rental hub and offering a real alternative for those looking for greener, leafier space. It caters for Birmingham’s wider demographic that wish to live in a high-end apartment close to the city, yet in the beautiful setting of Edgbaston and next to Cannon Hill Park.” Alongside delivery of PATRIZIA’s scheme, Winvic is undertaking improvement works for Warwickshire County Cricket Club (WCCC) at Edgbaston Stadium. To date, completed works include the demolition of a derelict building and Winvic’s contracted S278 works at Edgbaston Road and Pershore Road. Winvic is continuing with the construction of a 56,500 sq ft entrance plaza, reconfiguration of the existing car park and the creation 229 new car parking spaces into next year. Phase 1 of the WCCC works was completed in March 2021 and phase 2 is on track for handover in March 2022, in readiness for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit Twitter @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn.
This is a good time to be asking ourselves about fuel usage norms because we’re currently in the midst of a fuel-related transition period. As of April 2022, red diesel – the standard option for many organisations in the construction and demolition world – is going to cost substantially more, because it will no longer be subject to a favourable tax rebate. In other words: fuel is going to get a lot more expensive. Given that red diesel will no longer be the obvious, commercially viable choice for the industry, now is the time to reflect on whether a firm commitment needs to be made to environmentally friendly alternative fuels. This chain of thought is precisely one which the government hoped to spark off with this new policy. As the policy paper notes, this tax change is designed to incentivise “users of polluting fuels like diesel to improve the energy efficiency of their vehicles and machinery, invest in cleaner alternatives, or just use less fuel. These tax changes should therefore have a positive impact on carbon emissions and air quality.” Efforts to reduce diesel emissions are, obviously, of paramount importance. As the Environmental Protection Agency notes, diesel emissions not only produce ground-level ozone, which damages vegetation, but they also contribute to climate change – an issue which is, as mentioned above, at the forefront of our collective minds at the moment. It’s clear that a switch to environmentally friendly fuels is a good move for all concerned. However, this kind of government intervention won’t achieve this by itself. Shouldering the responsibility on an industry-wide level The issue with the government’s taxation changes to red diesel, in an environmental sense, is that they may not provide the crucial incentives named in the policy paper. Marie Claude Hemming, director of external affairs for the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), has spoken out against the supposed environmental benefits of the government’s decision. As she notes: “While the Government has legislated to remove the tax rebate on construction’s red diesel use, it has also removed any incentive for greener fuels. This policy increases tax revenues but no longer provides the option to choose lower carbon alternatives in the first instance.” Diesel might be getting more expensive, but green fuels aren’t getting any cheaper. This doesn’t mean that green fuels aren’t worth adopting, of course: HVO, to take a prominent example, produces 90 per cent lower emissions, and it’s made from renewable materials including animal oils, fats, and of course vegetable oil. Moreover, introducing fuel usage changes that prioritise HVO would minimise any disruptions to this transition, since HVO is compatible with existing diesel engines. This means that although, on paper, adopting a new fuel usage standard might seem like a big shake-up, there would be no disruptions to day-to-day equipment in practice. In this sense, then, it’s entirely feasible for the industry to adopt this kind of new fuel usage standard. Crucially, however, the construction/demolition industry itself needs to take on the responsibility of making this kind of bold change. Current government interventions aren’t quite enough – as such, the onus is on us to update our standards and take proactive steps towards a better future for our planet. By Ben Griffiths, SHE and Operations Director, Rye Group www.ryegroup.co.uk
Although carpets have a reputation of being a boring – and typically beige – necessity, 2021 has seen some bolder and brighter carpet colour trends come through, including royal blue, forest green, dusty pink, mustard yellow and geometric patterns. According to JustServicesGroup.com, who analysed global Google search volumes, ‘grey’ is the firm favourite among customers buying a carpet, with the colour receiving 88,620 monthly searches. Whilst the past few years has seen more colourful and exciting carpet options coming through, people have preferred to stick with neutral tones for their interior decorations. As a result ‘grey’ comes in first in the top 10 ranking. Moving away from the simplicity of grey was ‘blue’, which was second on the list with an average of 17,400 monthly searches. The most popular ‘blue’ search terms included midnight, ‘duck egg’, ‘royal’ and ‘teal’ – in terms of blue patterns ‘herringbone’ was amongst the most searched for. Third in the top 10 was ‘black’, which reflects darker paint trends of the past few years. The brooding colour had 15,460 average monthly searches, and was followed by white (12,680) and green (11,780). Classic beige also appeared in the top 10, placing in position seven with 7,690 average monthly searches. The 10 most popular carpet colours of 2021 were: Grey: 88,620 monthly searches Blue: 17,400 monthly searches Black: 15,460 monthly searches White: 12,680 monthly searches Green: 11,780 monthly searches Brown: 10,190 monthly searches Beige: 7,690 monthly searches Patterned: 5,870 monthly searches Pink: 5,350 monthly searches Silver: 4,240 monthly searches Interior designer Rita Chulani said: “For most homes and commercial spaces the durability and neutrality of greys, blacks and blues always works with a modern to bring a warm cohesiveness to most areas. In 2021 there has been a slight turn to warm beiges with a hint of grey to a colour that we have coined as ‘greige’. “Sticking to neutral beiges and grey carpets certainly helps to follow trends and personal likes for certain colours in fabrics for drapery, cushions and upholstery.” Co-founder of JustServicesGroup.com Chris Burls said: “There are so many options for carpets whether it’s a large patterned rug or a neutral fitted carpet, it can be the perfect way to bring a room together. It doesn’t just have aesthetic value, it also has great insulation benefits in the colder months and can help to effectively retain heat in a home. “Whilst past years have seen more colourful and patterned carpets become more popular, we’re not surprised to see that our research has uncovered that a more neutral colour like grey is the most favoured.”
British Association of Landscape Industries’ Accredited Contractor Graduate Gardeners has swept the 45th National Landscape Awards, taking home the prestigious Grand Award, the Principal Award in their category, and a Special Award for Best Design and Build for their breathtaking scheme, Private Garden, Cheltenham. The annual National Landscape Awards, held at the iconic JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London celebrates the skills, hard work, quality, commitment, and successes of Association members and are the largest awards of their kind in Europe. They recognise excellence in landscape design, construction, and maintenance both in the UK and overseas, as well as Supplier exceptional service and employer excellence. Cotswold garden design specialists Graduate Gardeners are a multi award-winning design, construction, and landscaping company with nearly 50 years’ experience in creating exquisite contemporary and traditional gardens throughout Gloucestershire and the surrounding counties. The Grand award-winning project, ‘Private Garden, Cheltenham’ was a challenging under-taking. The client’s grounds were on a steeply sloping site and the brief was to maximise the view, provide better parking, enhance the entrance and create a more useable space within the garden. This required the skillful implementation of a design comprising a significant amount of groundworks to restructure the site. Italianate styling was used to create a truly beautiful private landscape for the owners to enjoy. This year’s National Landscape Awards’ Judges, led by Chair of the Judging Panel John Melmoe, jointly commented that by far the most impressive structural element of this design was the traditional dry stone retaining wall. Over 600 tons of material was excavated with over 300 tons of walling stone used, each piece placed by hand to create a wall 1.5m deep at the base – 500mm below ground level and 600mm at the top, with the finished height an average of 1.8m. It was a testament to the skill of the landscaping team, not least because the site is notorious for movement; there would be no foundation for the wall, other than the stone beneath the ground. It was only one element of a delightful in-house design that had transformed the space and created the most beautiful setting for the house. The Judges commented that Graduate Gardeners had raised the bar, showing the heights their peers must reach to be in the running for the Grand Award. This large house, with far reaching views across Cheltenham to the Welsh Hills was undergoing a total renovation when Graduate Gardeners were approached. Both upper and lower gardens were steeply sloping and there were a number of significant areas of construction, most notably, constructing the traditional dry stone retaining wall. Due to the challenging environment, a structural engineer was brought in to ensure a secure wall would remain for years to come. The in-house design included a beautiful contemporary Italianate courtyard and wildflower meadows above the retaining walls. Porcelain was used throughout for all the paved surfaces aside from the steps. Finally, a sophisticated planting scheme completed the design. Chair of the Judging Panel John Melmoe concluded: “Graduate Gardeners have combined a bold and intuitive design with construction perfection. A well-oiled machine, the designer and build team have worked seamlessly together and in partnership with the client, to create a setting for this beautiful home that embraces and optimises the surrounding landscape and views.” 79 National Landscape Awards bestowed on 53 members Awards entries were judged over the summer with 79 National Landscape Awards bestowed on 53 members of the Association in September and 29 Principal, 4 Special and the coveted Grand Award announced live on stage at the prestigious ceremony. Other notable wins announced at the Awards ceremony came from Accredited Contractor Nurture Landscapes who won 2 Principal Awards, 1 for the UK Trade Desk and one for Milton Park – Oxfordshire and Bluestone Landscapes, recipients of a Principal award in the Roof Gardens/Living Wall Installations – Residential Roof Garden or Podium Landscaping – Under £250,000 category and also winners of a Special Award for Best Newcomer to BALI, sponsored by CED Stone Group. Best First Time Entrant, sponsored by Makita UK, went to Bespoke Stone Walling for their work at a Private Residence in Gloucestershire. Best Use of Technology, sponsored by Overtec, went to a project by Carrier Landscapes who entered the Regeneration Scheme under £500,000 category, sponsored by AHS. Carrier Landscapes won the award for the work they did at Kelham Hall, Nesfield Parterre de Broderie. There have only ever been two parterre restorations at Kelham Hall, one back in the 1950s and this second one by Carrier Landscapes. This was the fourth year the Awards were successfully delivered in-house by the British Association of Landscape Industries and the first at JW Marriott, Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London following last year’s necessary, virtual ceremony. Events Project Manager, Emily Feeney said: “It has been fantastic to have so many members come together in person once again to celebrate the culmination of so much of their hard work. The passion and dedication to quality I see in this role continues to astound me and after what has been one of the most trying years for so many it has been even more humbling to bear witness to such resilience and excellence.” Host for the ceremony BBC Radio Five Live’s Colin Murray brought a light-hearted feel to the afternoon and shared stories about his aspirations as a young man to pursue a career in landscaping prior to being lured into the world of journalism to the delight of close to 1,000 VIPs, members and guests and for the first year a virtual audience viewing the ceremony via a livestream. British Association of Landscape Industries Chief Executive, Wayne Grills commented: “I am thrilled to welcome back our members and guests to the 45th National Landscape Awards. A huge congratulations goes to our 2021 Grand Award winner Graduate Gardeners for their outstanding project that wowed the Judges with its brave and intuitive design and construction perfection that epitomised the exemplary work of Association members. Congratulations go to all
There’s no getting away from the fact that demolition projects can be disruptive – but that doesn’t mean the industry can’t offer a wide variety of benefits for local communities. Of course, nobody working in the demolition industry needs to be persuaded of the long-term advantages we bring to local areas. Demolition projects are often a vital part of urban renewal plans, for example, clearing the way for the regenerative benefits of a revitalised environment. McKinsey has highlighted the urgency surrounding urban transformation brought on by the pandemic. Its report on the Bloomberg New Economy Forum notes that while cities still have a prominent part to play in our lives, we need to rethink what city centres look like – for example by making shopping more experiential in a way that can’t be replicated when making an online purchase. While demolition plays a huge and necessary role in that kind of regeneration, it’s completely understandable that local people, facing short-term disruptions to their lives, aren’t always inclined to take a broader, long-term view of the situation. As such, it’s important that the demolition industry takes the initiative to proactively demonstrate and expand upon the ways in which we contribute to the communities we serve. One of the most tangible and immediately impactful ways of doing this is to employ local labour for the various non-permanent roles that each project needs to fill. The community benefits of engaging local labour It goes without saying that providing a source of employment within a given community is going to have positive ramifications. Offering jobs to local people will stimulate the community’s economy and forge closer connections between demolition firms and the people around them – and there’s scope for firms to make a real difference in that arena. Hiring ex-military personnel, for example – as we plan to do on an upcoming project – could have a hugely positive impact on a deserving group. According to pre-pandemic research from Barclays, around 22 per cent of armed forces leavers face employment difficulties. Stepping in to help resolve this issue is completely within the grasp of demolition firms up and down the country. Alternatively, firms might consider employing younger, less experienced people for some of its junior positions. After all, the industry can be highly rewarding, but – beyond childhood images of wrecking balls and explosions – it’s not one that many young people will have considered as a career path. In setting young people’s feet on this path, demolition firms can contribute towards changing the current youth unemployment problem. The House of Lords Youth Unemployment Committee has just recently pointed out that one in eight under 25s are neither working, in education, nor in training – leaving the stage set for the industry to give back to the community in an instantly substantive way. Local councils have recently woken up to benefits like these, with some new projects requiring the employment of local people – ten per cent of the workforce, in some cases – in order to satisfy and discharge planning conditions. But firms are under no obligation to limit themselves to these minimum requirements – especially considering the advantages that local labour can offer demolition projects. Advantages of local labour for demolition firms Beneficial though employing local labour can be for communities, this isn’t just an empty gesture towards CSR. There are, in fact, a wealth of varied advantages for demolition firms which embrace local labour. Taking a broad view, there are wide-ranging implications for the environmental impact of projects which employ local people. With several employees living close to demolition sites, the carbon emissions associated with commuting will be reduced or eliminated altogether. This is of great benefit for firms looking to reduce their carbon footprint – something we should all be looking to embrace. According to the International Energy Agency, road vehicles account for three quarters of all emissions, so taking steps to limit their usage is a fantastically beneficial aspect of local labour. Leaving aside the wider environmental ramifications, local labour can also provide practical, on-the-job advantages to firms prepared to embrace it. Employing local people allows firms to access new pools of talent and different skill sets, which isn’t necessarily possible if firms choose to ferry existing employees to faraway sites on a regular basis. These different skill sets come to the fore when – returning to a previous example – firms hire ex-military personnel. Military veterans are trained to operate in high-risk environments, making them well suited to the demolition industry – and a prime instance of the transferable skills that local labour can offer. Clearly, then, the practice of hiring locally has extensive ramifications – for the environment, for local economies, for local people in need of good employment in a rewarding profession, and for an industry whose long-term efforts to improve local areas can be matched by an immediate and tangible contribution to the communities it serves. Written for BDC Magazine by Ben Griffiths, SHE and Operations Director, Rye Group
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”.
Indoor climate specialist Warmafloor, part of the Wavin Group, has launched a new range of mechanical heat recovery ventilation systems. The ultra-efficient Ventiza range offers a complete end-to-end solution, which helps to control the flow of air into any residential space. As the focus continues to grow for developers and specifiers around ensuring that both new-build and refurb projects are well insulated, it’s also vital that there is a fresh flow of air to help boost end-user wellbeing and ensure homes are hygienic and healthy spaces. This is where ultra-efficient mechanical ventilation systems can work with existing heating systems, including underfloor heating, to provide a truly efficient complete solution for indoor climate in the home. Ventiza uses premium quality heat exchangers and has an extremely low power consumption to ensure an effective result, helping to keep bills as low as possible for end-users, and warm, clean air in circulation. Available in a range of sizes and variations for different types of property, the ventilation systems ensure a high air quality output for any property type – including flats and apartments, with a special low profile, ceiling-mounted unit available. Tony Croke, Product Manager Indoor Climate Solutions at Wavin, said: “As innovations across the construction industry continue to make developments as efficient as possible, it’s important that advancements in insulation don’t lead to poor air quality in residential spaces. This is where mechanical ventilation comes in, and if systems are designed and specified correctly, these solutions can vastly improve air quality and end-user wellbeing. “The new Ventiza range is an intuitive system that can work with our innovative Sentio control units too – meaning residents have complete oversight of their entire indoor climate systems through the use of the smart control unit.” Ventiza has been independently tested by BRE and has been found to exceed building regulation requirements in the UK, meaning it can be specified with extra piece of mind. As with all other Warmafloor offerings, the Ventiza range is also offered as part of its turnkey solution, which includes a full design, supply, installation, and commission service. For more information on the Ventiza range, and all of Warmafloor’s product offerings, visit: https://warmafloor.co.uk/.
More than ever, modern building projects can benefit from the use of certified products, writes Daniel May, Director of Consort Architectural Hardware. The needs of modern building environments have evolved. Throughout the construction process, decision makers are more commonly deliberating on themes such as innovation, accessibility and sustainability. And that’s not mentioning the renewed focus on building safety and performance, succeeding the Hackitt Review. As the collective commitment towards these topics grows, it’s as vital as ever for design professionals to deliver reliable, quality materials and hardware on their projects. Architectural hardware for example, is one of the most heavily used elements within a building environment, and a typical busy door can be used 150 times each day. Door hardware plays a pivotal role in a building’s operational network and its fire safety, and so the application of certified hardware solutions shouldn’t be undervalued. Daniel May of Consort explains: “While it’s important to deliver on aesthetics and innovation, there is always a clear responsibility to provide safe and secure building environments. The latest in reforms – think the Building Safety Bill and the regulations that has introduced – will continue to raise the standards associated with building design and with that, the benefits of certified hardware will shine. “Along the supply chain, the durability of hardware products is key, and this is in no way more assured than with independent certifications. For example, for fire doors to operate as intended, they rely on fitted hardware to perform – opening and closing upon demand to ensure the compartmentalisation of smoke and fire. “Fire door hardware products should, at a minimum, be CE marked, showing they comply with the minimum in regulatory requirements. However, to emphasise the highest levels of performance and durability, product manufacturers will often look towards third-party certifications such as the commonly recognised Certifire – a certification scheme that assures the performance, quality, reliability and traceability of hardware products. “For architects, specifiers and end users alike, product certifications such as Certifire boost the dependability of hardware choices and make for an easier, less time-consuming selection process. They provide additional confidence that the chosen product will perform when called upon, remaining safe and high performing throughout its lifecycle. “A building is a network of design choices, all of which must work in tandem for the infrastructure to operate as intended. Should one area fail, for example, the mechanisms of a fire door closer, the infrastructure becomes compromised – heightening safety and security risks for the building’s occupants and visitors. It’s critical that only the most durable products are used in these scenarios and whether using non-standard or standard arm applications, hardware must be compliant – with various areas considered, such as meeting DDA requirements by paying close attention towards the opening forces used in public spaces. And while manufacturers have a responsibility to test, label and supply the highest standard of product, decision makers must then also choose to apply hardware that meets the requirements of the building in question.” Avoiding Costly Errors In some cases, design teams will face a choice between the initial costs of certified products and their less reliable counterparts. Although economic considerations are often part of the construction process, durable hardware will continue to perform long after its initial supply period, whereas cheaper hardware alternatives can become counterintuitive, failing to offer that same quality and durability and leading to costly consequences. Later in a building’s lifecycle, where less durable products have been used, complications can arise. With this, the costs associated with future maintenance and replacements can quickly begin to add up and work against the original decision. Not to mention the expense to building safety. More recently, sustainability continues to grow into the conversation, fairly asking questions about the environmental impact buildings omit. As was referenced at the recent COP26 conference, the built environment and construction sector accounts for 38% of the world’s Carbon Emissions. For the UK specifically, it’s said that 45% of the total UK carbon emissions are associated to the built environment and changes must now be made to avoid both environmental and reputational costs. Daniel adds: “The time has come for decision makers to do their part to limit the consumption of construction resources too, and certified architectural hardware can play its part here too. Hardware can also gain environmental certifications, such as ISO 14000, which is a set of standards designed to reduce environmental waste and damage. “Similar to Certifire, BREEAM is a third-party sustainability assessment method focusing on infrastructure and buildings. Hardware products can become recognised under independent standards – providing users with peace of mind that products are more durable, ethically sourced and environmentally resourceful. The aim is to reduce replacement hardware and the amount of packaging that is associated with replacements. And extended durability – represented through certifications – is the way forward. “The benefit of using certified architectural hardware is now more clear than ever. From performance benefits to dependability, all hardware – even the often-overlooked lever handles and flush bolts – should meet the requirements of their building, and there’s no better way to ensure this than with certified products. Building design will benefit from raised standards, and right now, decision makers can benefit from certification-led design.
Joblogic and Refcom have collaborated to launch a software module in the UK that ensures F-Gas compliance. It also makes it simpler and faster for HVAC engineers to comply since they can now input the data directly into a compliant logbook via a mobile app. Legislation demands that an engineer must track and record any movement of refrigerant gas in an official logbook. There also needs to be a back-office system that shows all the work completed on equipment. Says Greg Hill, Principal Consultant at Joblogic: “While it is possible to record work completed on paper-based systems this can be time consuming and lead to errors when a second person inputs the data into the back-office system. With each piece of equipment and all the cylinders having their own logbooks, it can take time to find all the necessary paperwork, discover what needs completing on an asset, do the work and then fill in each of the logbooks with all the correct information. “Using the Refcom F-Gas Tracking Module, the engineer will know what work they need to do before they arrive to ensure that they have the right tools and equipment to get it right first time. Having completed the work they simply input the relevant information into the Joblogic Refcom App on their phone or tablet which will then automatically populate the online logbooks and the back-office systems to save time and avoid any errors.” Further time savings are possible if a company decides to use QR codes to identify individual assets within an HVAC system since the engineer can then simply scan the equipment to find out about its service history and the work that needs doing. This will also automatically find the form for that asset to make it easier and faster to complete and record the job. With each asset in a system having its own logbook, automating the track and trace system will save hours of time so that the engineer can complete more work. Says Graeme Fox, Head of Technical for Refcom: “We wanted a software system that would report data straight into the correct forms to ensure compliance. We also wanted to make the task simpler and faster for our members and take advantage of all the technology that is available to ensure accurate track and trace, such as for example using QR codes. “It is vital that HVAC engineers are fully compliant with F-Gas legislation and there have been occasions where data has been missed or the logbook has been incorrectly filled in so that a job was not compliant. This is generally an honest mistake and people may not even realise that they have not met the legislative needs.” All Refcom members will receive a free user licence for the new software module which includes a back-office reporting system, logbooks and the facility to add the mobile app for an engineer. This allows an organisation to plan and schedule future maintenance work and customise and produce reports in whatever format they want. For a free demonstration of the Joblogic Refcom F-Gas tracking and compliance software visit https://www.joblogic.com/features/fgas-compliance-software/.
