Trades & Services : Construct & Build News
No More DNO Hassle

No More DNO Hassle

Kensa Heat Pumps have succeeded in securing their full suite of 3kW to 13kW thermal output single phase ground source heat pumps on the Energy Networks Association (ENA) Connect & Notify database. The move means British-based manufacturer Kensa has the largest number of ENA Connect & Notify approved ground source heat pump

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5 Things to Remember When Choosing Kitchen Appliances Perth

5 Things to Remember When Choosing Kitchen Appliances Perth It’s always terrifying when your refrigerator seems to stand on its last leg, your microwave oven refuses to turn off, or your food processor makes crazy noises. All this only points to one thing: It’s time to go shopping for kitchen

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Ways to Decorate Your Petite Bathroom

Decorating smaller spaces can often be a challenge, especially when working with a room such as the bathroom, which requires key features to suit meet needs. There are many things to consider when decorating any space, but when it comes to a smaller area you need to think about things

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Today Company Launches Online

The Today Company is a new online home improvement website offering designer lifestyle products at budget prices for the trade and homeowners directly. The todayco.uk provides guaranteed quality bi-folding doors, slim frame sliding doors, roof lanterns, pergolas, verandas, awnings and roof lights which can be fully personalised with a choice

Read More »

How to Find and Hire The Right People for Your Construction Team

Forming the perfect team is never easy. This is especially true in the potentially hazardous and labour intensive construction industry. On top of having the skills applicable to the construction industry, team members need to be dependable, able to follow set working hours and instructions, as well work well with

Read More »

Kawneer glazing systems are an Academy winner

Windows, curtain walling and doors feature on the new London Screen Academy. Architectural glazing systems by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer, including aluminium heritage-style windows appropriate for the conservation area, have helped to transform the façade of an old radio and television factory into the new London Screen Academy. Kawneer’s GT70S

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Why You Should Install Industrial Flooring

Your warehouse floor is the center of activity and is likely the place where crucial parts of your company are run. Your warehouse is also the place where valuable equipment is kept, and the environment from where your workers interact with machinery. So, it stands to reason that your warehouse’s

Read More »

RHODAR COMPLETES MAIDSTONE EAST DEMOLITION JOB FOR NETWORK RAIL

Rhodar has completed a 26-week project to remove asbestos containing materials (ACMs) and demolish the derelict Old Vic pub, which was situated on top of a live railway tunnel, above one of the South East’s busiest railway lines connecting the area with London. Further enabling works undertaken included the design

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

Trades : Construct & Build News

No More DNO Hassle

No More DNO Hassle

Kensa Heat Pumps have succeeded in securing their full suite of 3kW to 13kW thermal output single phase ground source heat pumps on the Energy Networks Association (ENA) Connect & Notify database. The move means British-based manufacturer Kensa has the largest number of ENA Connect & Notify approved ground source heat pump products in the UK – over 60% of the ENA single phase database – enabling simpler, quicker and lower cost ground source heat pump installations.  Kensa Heat Pumps’ Technical Director and co-founder, Guy Cashmore, comments: “Installers of heat pumps will be familiar with the complications, hassle and potential additional costs of a heat pump not being ENA Connect & Notify approved. Meantime, homeowners may not be aware that the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) requires evidence of District Network Operator (DNO) ENA approval. For heat pumps which are not Connect & Notify approved, this approval process could cost the homeowner thousands, maybe even tens of thousands of pounds, along with substantial delays. Kensa’s significant Connect & Notify status eliminates these additional cost risks for the consumer and hassle for installers; this is a fantastic opportunity for the UK’s adoption of ground source heat pumps.” The UK’s strategy for the decarbonisation and electrification of heat with heat pumps has prompted electricity network operators to invest in their networks to ensure capacity, safety, and asset lifetime. Many low carbon pathway predictions suggest a significant increase in heat pump deployment to achieve the UK’s carbon reduction targets – Scottish Power suggest 22 million heat pumps by 2035. As electrically driven technology, the mass electrification of heat with heat pumps will inevitably have an impact on the electricity grid; the ENA Connect & Notify approval identifies Kensa’s Evo and Shoebox ground source heat pump ranges to be of low grid impact, enabling their installation without any prior approval requirement from local DNOs. Connect & Notify approved heat pumps are deemed to be suited to DNO electricity supplies without the requirement for upgrades. Should in rare instances an upgrade be necessary, the DNO is obliged to supply this at their cost; the opposite is the case for non-Connect & Notify heat pumps, where the consumer is required to pay any upgrade costs. For installers, the consequence of non-Connect & Notify heat pumps requires an application for DNO permission prior to installation and connection, creating delays and approval uncertainty, and therefore also RHI uncertainty. The DNO decision takes into account how robust the electricity supply is at the installation location and the anticipated demand of the heat pump system on the electricity supply. If a DNO deems a supply upgrade is necessary, this is usually chargeable and can be very costly. Being on Connect & Notify eliminates the possibility of these charges and removes any delay while permission is obtained. To achieve ENA Connect & Notify status requires compliance with a strict set of standards limiting the maximum electricity demand of the heat pump.

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Kite Packaging exceed their plastic reduction target, achieving a huge reduction of 207 tonnes

At the start of 2019 the employee-owned packaging company set a target to reduce their usage and their customers usage of plastic by 120 tonnes. Having recently completed an audit of the project the company has announced the final figures for 2019 are a massive reduction of 207 tonnes. The success of the campaign comes after a successful year of new product launches, with a key focus on not only offering products that use less plastic but also ranges that are alternatives to plastic or products that can be reused.  In support of new product initiatives Kite also continued to offer free audits, through their specialist support divisions, for any business seeking to explore environmentally friendly packaging solutions.   With a strong start to 2019, seeing the launch of their dynamic gummed paper tape dispending machine, their range expansion of paper tapes,  the launch of their paper padded envelopes and the development of their sugar cane bio film, to name a few, Kite demonstrated a firm commitment to plastic reduction and elimination. Kites new product drive has continued into 2020 and they have recently increased their paper bag offering to now include twist handle paper carrier bags, tape handle paper carrier bags, brown paper bags, strung paper counter bags and paper mailing bags. For more information on Kite Packaging’s products and services visit kitepackaging.co.uk.

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5 Things to Remember When Choosing Kitchen Appliances Perth

5 Things to Remember When Choosing Kitchen Appliances Perth It’s always terrifying when your refrigerator seems to stand on its last leg, your microwave oven refuses to turn off, or your food processor makes crazy noises. All this only points to one thing: It’s time to go shopping for kitchen appliances Perth. For some homeowners, this proves to be an exciting time. For others, it strikes fear in their hearts. If you fall in the latter group, then stop worrying. While the choices seem limitless, there are a few tips that can help you narrow down your list. 1) Be aware of your space One of the most critical factors to consider is space. Take note that this includes the current space you have in your home and the space where you want to fit your new appliance. Sometimes, a new appliance calls for new construction as well, so that might be a problem especially with a limited budget. But you can always work with your existing space if you look hard enough. Take out your measuring tools and figure out the height, width, and depth of the space where you want to position your new appliance. 2) Set your budget It’s always tempting to buy the latest appliances that come with all the newest tech, but can you really afford them? Be honest with yourself and just settle for something that fits your needs. After all, some kitchen appliances come with gimmicky features that you would end up not using at all. Sometimes, it’s really best to go simple. Set your budget before you go shopping and be sure you wouldn’t go over it. 3) Do your homework You should always do your homework before visiting your local appliance showroom. Without enough research, you might end up with outdated and overpriced appliances. We help you cut to the chase by allowing you to easily scroll through the different categories of kitchen appliances Perth. You’ll find that each and every product we offer doesn’t compromise when it comes to quality, durability, and efficiency, Of course, feel free to do your own research like reading buyer’s guides to help you get more information. 4) Ask help from experts When you visit an appliance showroom, you can expect salespersons to come up to you and try hard to sell their products. This could be annoying, especially if you simply want to know what’s out there. If possible, ask a friend, relative, or neighbour to help you out. For instance, asking someone who owns a specific appliance you’d also want to have can be a lifesaver. This is the time to ask for honest feedback about the product so you know exactly what to expect. 5) Be patient It takes time to find the perfect kitchen appliance. There’s no need to rush, as doing so would only increase the chances of ending up with the wrong product. If you’re in the market for new kitchen appliances, take a look at our extensive collection. Rest assured that all our products come with excellent warranties so you can buy with full confidence.

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Sunstar Flooring Perth – The Most Reliable Installer of Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Sunstar Flooring Perth – The Most Reliable Installer of Luxury Vinyl Flooring Do you always feel anxious when you see the wear and tear of your existing flooring? If you’ve had it for several years now, there’s a good chance that your floor has seen its better days. One of the best ways to enhance the look and functionality of your house is to replace the floors with something more durable, elegant, and economical. These three things are what you can expect from luxury vinyl flooring. And when it comes to installing new floors, you should look no further than Sunstar Flooring Perth. Even experienced DIY builders may find it challenging to replace the flooring in their house. It’s best to leave this job in the hands of real professionals. Sunstar Flooring Perth has a team of experienced and reliable flooring experts who can guide you throughout the process—from picking the exact design of your luxury vinyl flooring to giving you valuable pointers on how to maintain them once the installation is complete. Here are some reasons why they recommend luxury vinyl flooring. 1) Aesthetics If you’ve looked into luxury vinyl flooring Perth before, then you probably know that they didn’t look as great as they do now. Without question, this type of flooring option has come a long way in terms of aesthetics. It’s not uncommon to see vinyl flooring that simulates the look and feel of hardwood flooring. This means you can enjoy the timeless beauty of hardwood flooring, but you wouldn’t have to deal with the maintenance costs associated with it. You can find both smooth and hand-textured vinyl flooring, so you shouldn’t have any problems installing the perfect floor that compliments the rest of your home. 2) Easy installation As noted earlier, installing vinyl flooring isn’t as difficult as installing other types of flooring. Still, you’d be better off letting the professionals do what they’re best at. While you need to shell out more money to pay the installer, you can rest easy knowing that the job will be done right the first time. You can avoid costly mistakes that could hurt your pocket, which could be a lifesaver if you still need to pay for other home renovation projects. For a small room, expect the installation process to be done in under 2 hours. 3) Durable One of the best things about luxury vinyl flooring is that they’re tough as nails. That’s something you’ll keep hearing from the folks at your local hardware store. They’re just that durable. As you probably know, your flooring can suffer a lot over the years, particularly if you have kids and pets running around all day. Vinyl floors are scratch and water-resistant. They’re so easy to clean as the stains wouldn’t penetrate the same way they do on hardwood floors. 4) Affordable Of course, you also have to consider your budget when choosing new flooring for your home. It could cost you quite a bit if you plan on replacing the flooring in the majority of the rooms, so it makes more sense to go for vinyl flooring because they don’t come with hefty price tags. Hardwood flooring costs a fortune, but you can get the same look and feel with vinyl flooring at a much lower price. And since the installation process is easy, expect a lower fee from your installer as well. If you’re ready to bite the bullet and switch to luxury vinyl flooring, be sure to get in touch with Sunstar Flooring Perth. As the leading flooring company in Australia, you can count on them to install your new flooring and give your home some much-needed makeover.

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Ways to Decorate Your Petite Bathroom

Decorating smaller spaces can often be a challenge, especially when working with a room such as the bathroom, which requires key features to suit meet needs. There are many things to consider when decorating any space, but when it comes to a smaller area you need to think about things in even more detail, working out alternative storage solutions that will help you utilise the space you have, whilst still being able to get the correct bathroom features into the room in order for it to function properly. A petite bathroom can be extremely warm and cosy, creating your very own spa-like sanctuary, it’s all about getting the right balance of practicality with style. Adding Mirrors One of the first things you should consider when decorating and styling a petite bathroom space is the addition of a mirror. Mirrors are perfect for creating a sense of space and making a room feel open and light, which is ideal within the bathroom. By adding a mirror to one of your bathroom walls, you’ll instantly be able to bounce the natural light throughout the room and make the area feel much more spacious. Mirrors are also a must have in any bathroom, often positioned above the sink you can create a lovely focal point to draw the room together seamlessly. Essential Features Within the bathroom, there are many different features that are required to ensure you can make the most out of the space you have. Everyday use requires key features such as shaver sockets, vanity cabinets and storage space to keep your daily products neat and tidy. With a shaver socket, you then have the ability to charge your electric toothbrush, razor and other electrical items that you use through your day to day routines. Similarly, you need to focus on investing in the right kind of vanity cabinets, to really make the most of the space. Hidden cabinets within mirrors are a great feature for the petite bathroom styles, as you are doubling up the use and making the most of the wall space available without taking away from any of the floorspace within the room. Statement Tiles Creating a bold statement within a petite bathroom can really help to bring the character the space needs without having to go overboard with the décor. Introducing some stylish, trendy tiles can instantly transform a space and bring the room to life, with lighter tiles also helping to lift the atmosphere. You can get really creative when adding statement tiles, whether that’s creating your own bold pattern, or simply combining bright colours for a really captivating aesthetic. Minimal Mess Less is certainly more when it comes to smaller spaces and with a petite bathroom it’s important to keep the mess to an absolute minimum. Storage is key, as the less you have out on display such as toiletries and appliances the better. Try to keep your bathroom as neat and tidy as possible, as this will help to keep the space feeling fresh and open, rather than it feeling cramped and overcrowded.

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Today Company Launches Online

The Today Company is a new online home improvement website offering designer lifestyle products at budget prices for the trade and homeowners directly. The todayco.uk provides guaranteed quality bi-folding doors, slim frame sliding doors, roof lanterns, pergolas, verandas, awnings and roof lights which can be fully personalised with a choice of colours and variety of door handles. They also have an extensive range of award-winning designer steel and stone fire pits, bowls and tables. Products can be ordered online in three easy steps, or by phone, and the todayco.uk can also supply trained and insured fitters.  Experienced industry expert Martin Pearson set-up todayco.uk, said: “Having worked in the home improvement market for over twenty years we wanted to provide fantastic products at low cost prices. “Most people may not have thought that many of our products could be as affordable, but by ordering direct online makes it possible to create your dream home, bringing the outside in and using your garden and outdoor space all year round.” As an introductory offer the todayco.uk are giving 15% off on all orders for all customers.  To take advantage of the offer, simply go to todayco.uk and click on the 15% off coupon and fill in contact details to receive your discount code on all products. Leading brands include Panoramic Doors, Raynaers, Erhardt, Skylux and Eco Smart fire pits. For full product offer and information please visit todayco.uk or call 0113 5312 121.

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How to Find and Hire The Right People for Your Construction Team

Forming the perfect team is never easy. This is especially true in the potentially hazardous and labour intensive construction industry. On top of having the skills applicable to the construction industry, team members need to be dependable, able to follow set working hours and instructions, as well work well with others. While it may seem impossible to find employees who can deliver all of the above, there are ways to make your search a little easier. Create and develop an employee referral program The people who already work for you know what you’re looking for, are well aware of the company standards, and will gladly help if your company has a solid employee referral program. Whatever you spend rewarding those who refer quality candidates is a small price to pay for the possibility of finding employees that you can rely on for the long term. This is especially true in the construction industry where, despite Brexit-related uncertainties, both the demand for skilled workers and the number of workers looking to fill skilled positions remain high. In particular, skilled wood-tradesmen have been in very high demand, with 2,380 jobs advertised annually for experts on “wood trades and interior fit-out,” while 45,240 annual searches were made by workers looking for vacancies in that position. Apart from skilled wood-tradesmen, the Construction Industry Training Board reveals that building envelope specialists, roofers, bricklayers, and scaffolders have also been in-demand by tradesmen looking to fill vacancies. In short, the right people for your construction team are out there, and if you have a worthwhile employee referral program, they might just find their way to you. Provide positive candidate experiences The way you treat potential hires influences your company’s image more than you think. Word gets around quickly, especially today with websites like Glassdoor allowing professionals to review nearly anything about the companies that they’ve either worked or interviewed for. This is why Comeet advises companies to carefully develop their hiring process towards providing a positive experience for each and every candidate that walks through your door. Design an interview process that respects the time of everyone involved require an aptitude test beforehand, like the EU EPSO tests, to filter out candidates. Be upfront with your candidates and talk to them as you would with your own CEO. Whether or not they’re right for the job, they should leave the interview with a sense of satisfaction, as well as a positive attitude about recommending your company to other potential hires. One way or another, your candidates’ experiences are bound to reach the ears of the construction industry’s top talents, which will greatly factor into whether or not they decide to work for you. Approach schools and consider fresh graduates While they come with the handicap of having very little to no actual experience in the industry, students and fresh graduates could be the perfect candidates for your team. First and foremost, they’re very eager to learn and contribute to the industry. Whether it’s construction, design, or engineering, fresh grads are looking for not just employment, but also apprenticeship opportunities where they can grow and develop. Wilmot Dixons’ experiences while engaging with Level 3 construction students from Cambridge Regional College (CRC) is a testament to this go-getter attitude. Expressing very clear ideas about the roles they want to pursue in construction, surveying, design, and site management, the CRC students actually impressed Wilmot Dixons’ officers so much that they were each offered a slot in the company’s work experience programme. You might similarly find success if you get involved in engagements with promising construction and design schools to find the ideal team members. Prospect Magazine reports that the UK’s construction industry is experiencing a big shortfall in personnel. If you can’t find the best candidates right away, be patient. As long as you have an employee referral program in place, a fulfilling and positive hiring process, and an open attitude towards hiring inexperienced but eager workers, you’re well on your way to forming the perfect team.

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Kawneer glazing systems are an Academy winner

Windows, curtain walling and doors feature on the new London Screen Academy. Architectural glazing systems by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer, including aluminium heritage-style windows appropriate for the conservation area, have helped to transform the façade of an old radio and television factory into the new London Screen Academy. Kawneer’s GT70S slimline renovation open-in windows were the “focal new element” of the renovation of the façade of the four-storey building at Highbury Grove in Islington, north London, where Kawneer’s AA®100 zone-drained curtain walling and series AA®190 TB entrance doors also feature. The GT70S windows with narrow sightlines were installed over 12 weeks by a team of eight from specialist sub-contractor and Kawneer dealer JPJ Installations throughout the 8,050m2 building, with the AA®100 curtain walling, which also has narrow 50mm sightlines, used on the rear elevation and the series AA®190 TB severe-duty welded doors used on the main entrance. This cutting-edge new free school by the Department for Education provides world-class film industry focused vocational training, including behind-the-camera roles, costume design, production management, distribution and marketing, alongside a broader curriculum, for 17 to 19-year-olds. Procured through the Southern Construction Framework, main contractor Willmott Dixon Interiors worked closely with the design team from Architecture Initiative to deliver the project over 13 months, ready for the first intake of students in September 2019. Sponsored by Working Title Films, the end user is the Day One Trust. The building, also formerly a London Metropolitan University facility, was subject to a dramatic internal reconfiguration, with the core of the deep-plan multi-storey industrial space demolished and replaced with a steel-framed three-storey film production studio and supporting facilities. The general teaching and workshop spaces wrap around the centre core, responding to and utilising the existing external envelope which has remained largely unaltered in appearance. The insertion of a new rooftop courtyard with film theatre and extensive views over London completes the arrangement and provides informal social space for staff and students. Architecture Initiative’s brief was to design a creative education facility that would provide an inspirational learning environment alongside specialist technical facilities to train students in all aspects of digital and film technologies. The practice’s Lee Mainwaring said: “We combined the natural features of the existing building – large windows, generous floor-to-ceiling heights, exposed finishes – with state-of-the-art new technical training facilities based on extensive research and analysis of professional film studios, to create a unique building for students and the wider community. “The building is in a conservation area so any works to the external façade were carefully considered. We also needed to work with current building regulations for schools to ensure we could provide a safe learning space but which also enabled us to make the most of the existing building and provide professional standard technical spaces. “The local authority planners were really happy with the upgrades to the existing building façade which had been unsympathetically altered in previous times.” He added: “The external windows are the focal new element of the façade renovation. The Kawneer window system, which was offered by the contractor as a more cost-effective alternative, effectively met the technical requirements needed whilst achieving a 1930s warehouse “Crittall” window lookalike. “The windows have greatly enhanced the existing façade as well as referring to the building’s history with its design. The final product was of great quality and in keeping with the design concept.” He concluded: “The façade has been visually transformed, in part through the addition of the new windows that are perfectly in keeping with the heritage of the building. From a previously dilapidated appearance, the building has been rejuvenated. We are extremely happy with such an incredible looking product.” The creation of the London Screen Academy follows a recent report published by the British Film Institute which suggested the money spent on production in the UK reached a record level of £3.16 billion across all sectors including film, television and console games. Production investment in the UK has grown by 63% over the four years to 2016.

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Why You Should Install Industrial Flooring

Your warehouse floor is the center of activity and is likely the place where crucial parts of your company are run. Your warehouse is also the place where valuable equipment is kept, and the environment from where your workers interact with machinery. So, it stands to reason that your warehouse’s industrial flooring must remain in a good, clean condition, enabling workers to perform their duties, and their machinery to be used safely. Here, we’ll look at six reasons why it’s important to have high-quality industrial flooring. Some are more applicable to certain types of industrial flooring, such as resin or epoxy. The benefits of epoxy flooring, in particular, are many, and it’s one type of industrial flooring you should strongly consider. Keeping employees safe Uneven or loose flooring can lead to falls and trips, which could result in your employees taking time off work, and place an extra burden on other workers. It’s important that you adhere to the most up-to-date health and safety guidelines, such as ensuring an appropriate and safe working environment for your workforce to perform their daily duties. If your work environment is considered as being inappropriate for the duties being carried out, it could land you in a lot of trouble. Maintaining your equipment’s working order In addition to maintaining the safety of your employees, industrial flooring can help to ease the process of moving equipment from one part of your warehouse to another. If your flooring is found to be insufficient for heavy machinery or foot traffic, it will quickly wear down, resulting in additional costs for it to be replaced. Saving money By choosing a hard-wearing and appropriate industrial floor to begin with, you will have peace of mind that you will have flooring strong enough to tolerate heavy weight for a long, long time without needing regular repairs or replacement. Durability One of the main benefits of industrial flooring is its high level of durability over other solutions. This is because the flooring is stronger, and thus better able to tolerate force damage, such as cuts, chips, and cracks. They’re also mixed with a sealant component, which protects against moisture damage. So, you can spill various substances without being worried over whether there will be any signs of damage on the floor. Industrial floors have a far longer life than many types of floor material. Therefore, you can maintain the flooring easier and for longer without worrying about needing to replace it. While industrial flooring will initially cost you more than many alternative materials, this benefit makes for a more convenient material for many years to come. Low maintenance Industrial floors can be steam cleaned, disinfected, and washed to sanitize them without losing their robust properties. The floor can also tolerate petrol, solvents, alkalis, and acids. Variety Industrial flooring is a great choice if you want to give your floors a new look. You can choose from various colors capable of giving an elegant, smooth, and flawless shine. The flooring can feature personalized or traditional designs and patterns. The sheer number of choices makes it a cost-effective method of improving an office’s ambience.

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RHODAR COMPLETES MAIDSTONE EAST DEMOLITION JOB FOR NETWORK RAIL

Rhodar has completed a 26-week project to remove asbestos containing materials (ACMs) and demolish the derelict Old Vic pub, which was situated on top of a live railway tunnel, above one of the South East’s busiest railway lines connecting the area with London. Further enabling works undertaken included the design and installation of a waterproof membrane to the exposed tunnel arch and permanent fill solution to the basement surrounding the tunnel, ready for the following development consisting of a new station forecourt and entrance to Maidstone East Station. Having been derelict for over ten years, and with a considerable amount of weather damage compromising the internal structure, Rhodar was appointed as principal contractor directly by Network Rail and tasked with asbestos removal and the coordinated controlled demolition of the building. Due to the building’s position over a live railway line, the demolition had to be carefully planned and managed to minimise any stress or impact placed on the Week Street rail tunnel below. Prior to demolition Rhodar’s expert team began by removing all timber flooring from the ground floor to allow the exposed basement to be backfilled with 6F2 crushed concrete. The basement voids surrounding the tunnel were filled to a height of 600mm above the crown of the tunnel, which added weight to the tunnel to compensate for the reduction in applied loads from the demolition of the building and also acted as an ‘impact mat’ to evenly spread any excess loads across the whole tunnel structure. This allowed for a 47-tonne high reach excavator to be positioned over the tunnel at the rear of the site, with its 28m reach being used to take the building down floor-by-floor, negating the need for any internal access by personnel. Due to the limited internal access available and the potential for unknown asbestos being present within the material being removed from the floors and internal walls, each load removed by the excavator was segregated and inspected in a lay down area by asbestos trained operatives under a watch and brief process at ground level. Any hazardous materials discovered were removed by hand and disposed of as asbestos waste. A fully designed scaffold was erected around the building and fully monoflexed to give safe access to the roof and upper floors. This was later adapted to act as a demolition screen to ensure safe working and to minimise any disturbance from dust and debris to the local area. With the site situated next to the town’s main station, adjacent to the shopping centre and on a busy thoroughfare for both traffic and pedestrians, Rhodar deployed several operations to minimise disruption, including traffic management solutions and overnight town centre road closures to allow delivery and collection of large excavators and plant. Andrew Fisk, director of demolition at Rhodar, said: “This high-profile project at the heart of Maidstone included a live railway line, tunnel structure and the need to avoid any disruption to Network Rail and the surrounding areas, combining to add a further degree of complexity. “The team created a bespoke project plan for Network Rail to ensure that the demolition was delivered to the highest standard in a safe and controlled way, setting the foundations for the next stage of development at Maidstone East railway station.”

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