PSBJ August 2022 by Red Hut Media Ltd

Public Sector Build Journal August 2022

Healthcare

Education

Leisure

psbjmagazine.com

Issue 120

SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES Willmott Dixon Interiors explores what the leisure sector can do to revive our communities

Housing

The importance of social value in public sector projects

How to maintain building infrastructure in hospitals

Bathroom wall panelling – streamlining timescales and budgets

WELCOME NOTE

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Editor

Hannah Woodger

hannah@redhutmedia.com

Rebecca Kemp

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Print & Digital Advertising Sam Ball

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Jim Moore

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Print Design Manager Jack Witcomb

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Digital Design Manager Matt Morse

Paul Gorry of Willmott Dixon Interiors discusses how local authorities are now seizing opportunities to deliver exciting leisure facilities in the 21st century. See page 08.

matt@redhutmedia.com

Welcome to the August issue of PSBJ...

Accounts

Rachel Pike

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Sales Support & Statistics Klare Ball

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Publisher Sam Ball

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As the race for Tory leadership continues, the UK, meanwhile, is facing yet another spike in COVID infections caused by fast-spreading Omicron variants leading to rising hospital admissions yet again. Posing a threat to the operation of public services, the increased presence of COVID is reinforcing once more the importance of hygiene and sanitation in every public-facing building. From the walls and floors to the doors and windows, ongoing maintenance and regular cleaning routines remain a crucial part of facilities management. In this month’s issue, we hear from floor matting manufacturer Kleen-Tex, which addresses the marked shift in attitudes towards hygiene and cleanliness, specifically floor maintenance and cleaning schedules. By adopting a proactive approach to cleanliness, the flooring specialist suggests buildings can reap the benefits, even in high-traffic areas that generate lots of potential dirt and moisture. Turn to page 18 to find out more. Meanwhile, in the midst of rising material costs and demand, in our healthcare focus this issue, door and wall protection expert Intastop reflects on the importance of successfully tackling wear and tear in hospitals and care settings, as footfall continues to escalate with the backlog of patients. Addressing vulnerable doors and walls quickly and efficiently not only prevents costly replacements later down the line, but the risk of bacteria penetrating the surfaces becomes preventable. For further advice and guidance on how to enhance door protection, flick to page 24.

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Elsewhere in August’s edition, QIC Trims offers a guide to creating inspirational educational spaces with glass partitions, Showerwall explains why wall panelling is the ideal solution in social housing bathrooms and Constructionline explores the power of social value.

PSBJ is a proud supporter of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists.

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I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, you can also access all the magazine’s features, product news and supplier information on PSBJ’s user-friendly and engaging website. Fully responsive, the website allows you to read all the latest stories on-the-go either on your phone or tablet. Simply visit www.psbjmagazine.com.

Hannah

Hannah Woodger • Editor • hannah@redhutmedia.com Find us on Social Media:      @psbjmagazine

CONTENTS

06 News

A round up of the latest industry news, including charity events, awarded contracts, completed projects and much more.

08 Upfront

Paul Gorry of Willmott Dixon Interiors discusses how local authorities are now seizing opportunities to deliver exciting leisure facilities in the 21st century.

12 Education

The recently-completed Digital Centre at Middlesbrough College, built by Surgo Construction, sees the region take another step forward in pursuing its digital strategy.

14 Legal & Business

18 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Lee Fox, Director of Global Business Development and Key Accounts for Kleen-Tex, discusses how attitudes to floor maintenance and hygiene have changed recently.

Shona Snow, Head of Procurement for the London and south-east region at LHC, explores the use of SMEs in procurement and the many benefits of working with them.

16 Housing

20 Glass & Glazing

Paul Williams, Domus Ventilation Product Manager, explores the issue of condensation in properties, why it’s a problem and what can be done to prevent it.

What are the key considerations for architects and designers when specifying glass partitions in educational projects? Neil Miller, Sales & Marketing Director at QIC Trims, investigates.

22 KBB

John Bagshaw, Managing Director for Showerwall, shares what to consider when specifying bathroom wall panelling to help streamline timelines and budgets.

24 Healthcare

Phil Barsby, Business Development Director of Intastop, offers advice on how the challenges of rising costs, combined with rising patient numbers, can be overcome.

26 Leisure

30 Flood Management

Chair of the Association of Play Industries, Mark Hardy, talks to PSBJ about the Equal Play campaign and the fight to ensure all children can access public playgrounds.

Ryan Moss, from the specialist pack division at Tarmac, explores the benefits of Limelite plasters, which can significantly reduce turnaround and repair times for properties.

28 Talking Point

32 Technical Focus

Robert Walton, Chief Operating Officer at Constructionline, argues that not only should social value be a priority, it should be front and centre at the point of procurement.

SLIMPORT CIRCULAR VISION PANELS NEW TESTING

James Wilkinson of Gradient offers some technical and financial considerations when it comes to the installation and maintenance of flat roofs.

30 34 Product Showcase

A dedicated focus of industry news, products and case studies to help specifiers and local authorities make informed decisions.

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NEWS

INDUSTRY UPDATES Each month PSBJ rounds up the latest public sector construction updates, from new contracts to industry awards.

Seddon on track to deliver £100m in social housing as Midlands growth accelerates Fifth-generation, family-owned construction business, Seddon, has seen substantial growth across the Midlands. The group has seen a 117% turnover in the region since 2018, part of which is the delivery of £94m worth of social housing projects to date. The success has grown from established long-term relationships, with over two thirds of work delivered through two regional partnerships. The £94m of social housing detail has generated circa 130 jobs in the area with local employment accounting for 82% of regional work and as growth continues, this figure is set to rise. Peter Jackson, Managing Director at Seddon Construction, said: “We have been quietly working away in the Midlands for over 80 years and we are perhaps its best kept secret. Our growth is based upon firm foundations of sustained relationships, cultivated around frameworks and good delivery in challenging times. As a business, we pride ourselves on the relationships that we have in place, and we continue to invest in. By having such collaboration with all stakeholders, it allows us to increase our investment in the West Midlands, bringing further employment and prosperity to the area.”

Alliance Leisure named Supplier of the Year 2022 In recognition for an outstanding deliverance of transformational projects that create engaging active environments and support healthy, happy and prosperous communities, Alliance Leisure has been named Supplier of the Year at the prestigious, national ukactive Awards. Over the last 20 years, Alliance Leisure has worked in partnership with local authorities up and down the country, designing, procuring and developing leisure transformations that deliver huge community value. During this time, the company has delivered 192 projects representing investment of more £250m. Projects have ranged from pump tracks and 3G pitches to multiple facilities across entire leisure portfolios. Every project is unique and designed to address the bespoke needs of the community it serves. Speaking of the award, Paul Cluett, Managing Director of Alliance Leisure, says: “This award reflects the hard work, dedication and experience of our team. Even through tough economic times, we have continued to work with councils to find ways to fund and deliver projects that are essential to community health, cohesion and prosperity.”

New images reveal Glade of Light – Manchester’s tribute to victims of arena bombing New images have been released showing the fully-completed Glade of Light memorial in Manchester – a significant design project which commemorates the victims of the 22nd May 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. The memorial has been designed by BCA Landscape (BCAL) working in conjunction with Smiling Wolf, which commissioned the new aerial images to show the context of the project. The memorial is the culmination of a sensitive design process, one which saw BCAL and Smiling Wolf considering families, survivors and loved ones of victims, whilst also meeting Manchester City Council’s brief of delivering a public place of remembrance. The abstracted design is an emotional response to the ineffability of sorrow and loss, comprising both multi-public and private features. Among them are the memory capsules; each nestled beneath the bronze hearts set around the marble halo, the capsules allowed victims’ families a place for personal memories, private messages and meaningful mementoes. The sensitive installation of these offered each family a private space in what is a very public memorial. The central ‘halo’ itself comprises a circle of Bianco di Carrara marble, floating above an ever-changing orchestration of plants. The names of the loved ones that had their lives taken away by the terrorist atrocity have been inlaid in bronze within each block of the marble circle.

New primary school to be delivered at Graven Hill Graven Hill Village Development Company has appointed Kier Construction to deliver a two-form entry primary school at the flagship Graven Hill development in Bicester. Kier will commence development this month, and the school is set to open in September 2023. With an intake of 420 pupils aged four to 11, there will be 12 classrooms as well as specialist facilities for art, design and technology. More than 13,000m2 of pitches, play and multi-use games areas will also be delivered. The early years facility will accommodate a further 90 pupils aged between two to four years in three classrooms, with dedicated facilities and play areas. Karen Curtin, Managing Director of Graven Hill Village Development Company, said: “This is an exciting part of the Graven Hill development. Despite the significant inflation of construction cost in the UK, by more than 20%, we are still committed to delivering this key asset prior to the occupation of the 550th home. Designed to promote collaboration and flexible learning, the new school will enhance the great sense of community spirit here. With a focus on great architecture, the building has been designed to reduce energy and water consumption, enhance ecology, protect biodiversity and maximise natural ventilation.”

Growing schools for Poem by Wordsworth inspires a growing community mural at Moda’s Hove build- Expansion works are well underway at Oakwood School in Horley, as Morgan Sindall Construction and Surrey County to-rent neighbourhood Council continue to provide school places in an environmentallyBrighton Artist Tom Diamantopoulo has revealed his beautiful mural inspired by the regeneration of the local area at Moda Living’s new build-to-rent development in Hove. Tom’s work combines an exploration of the positive transformation that Hove has seen over the years, with words from the poem Daffodils, by Wordsworth, giving a nod to nearby Poet’s Corner. This piece will form part of a rolling exhibition of murals by local artists during the course of the regeneration of Sackville Road Trading Estate. Tom said: “My thinking for using these themes is that the area and local community has gone through quite a few positive transformations over the years and has gradually grown and flourished, so I wanted to reflect this in my design. The design also reflects the philosophies and values of Moda, which builds communities that incorporate, health, happiness and wellbeing for its residents, as well as its green ethos.” Moda selected three local artists as the winners of its competition to design a mural, which will feature on an exterior wall at the Sackville Road site during construction of the new neighbourhood. Artists whose work will feature in the future include two Hove residents, Illustrator Kirsti Davidson and fine art student Ella McEwen Smith.

sustainable way following the opening of Westvale Park Primary Academy last year. The works at Oakwood began in January, and along with a series of upgrades and improvements, will allow the school to accommodate a total of 1650 pupils after works complete in 2023. This follows the construction of the brand-new Westvale Park Primary Academy in Horley in June last year. Both projects will ensure the necessary school places continue to be available in the area despite Horley’s growing population. The works form part of the council’s 2030 community vision, which includes aims to provide everyone the education they need to succeed in life whilst also ensuring a greener future for residents. Both projects were procured through the Orbis framework through which Morgan Sindall Construction has now delivered four education projects with Surrey County Council, including Ash Manor School and St Bede’s Secondary School. Guy Hannell, Area Director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “These projects are a great showcase of how new materials and innovative ways of working can be leveraged to create transformative educational facilities that will really benefit the area’s students, residents and even the local environment.”

SCAPE Scotland launches Wates FM to grow public UK’s first route to net zero for sector portfolio with public construction projects framework appointment Public sector procurement authority, SCAPE Scotland, has launched a new procurement guide that will enable public bodies to achieve the Scottish Government’s Net Zero Public Sector Building Standard for construction projects. The new Lifecycle procurement solution has been hailed as the first in the UK to offer a procurement and delivery vehicle for public sector construction projects – both new build and retrofit – to meet net-zero standards. The procurement route is available across all of SCAPE Scotland’s construction procurement frameworks, covering £2bn worth of projects being delivered in the next five years. Holyrood has previously outlined that its Net Zero Public Sector Building Standard, which elevates energy and environmental objectives to core project outcomes for public sector buildings, could be made mandatory as early as next year. Peter Barker, SCAPE Partner and Head of Design Management at McLaughlin & Harvey, said: “SCAPE Lifecycle provides a platform for achieving and delivering the Government’s net-zero targets on public sector projects. The guide has been developed to provide an exemplar route for delivering to these targets, enabling our clients and partners to make commitments to sustainability whilst setting ambitious, but achievable, objectives in response to the climate emergency, with a view that this positive leadership will bring momentum within the construction industry as a whole and beyond.”

Wates Facilities Management (FM) is set to expand its presence in the public sector following its appointment to two lots of the Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) £35bn Facilities Management and Workplace Services Framework. The appointment has seen Wates FM become a CCS supplier for Lot 2A and 2B of the framework, through which it will provide facilities management for a range of public sector bodies, including schools, hospitals and Government departments. CCS supports the public sector to achieve maximum commercial value when procuring common goods and services. In 2020/21, CCS helped the public sector to achieve commercial benefits equal to £2.04bn – supporting world-class public services that offer best value for taxpayers. CCS’ new Facilities Management and Workplace Services Framework is aligned to the Government’s Sourcing Playbook and has an emphasis on quality, for which Wates FM scored very highly in the areas of sustainability, service delivery and continuous improvement. The appointment has seen Wates Group build on its current position as a CCS supplier, which includes a number of CCS’ suite of buildings frameworks. These include CCS’ Construction Works and Associated Works and the Government Hubs Fit-Out Framework.

UPFRONT

ENGAGING SPACES: WHY LEISURE SECTOR INVESTMENT CAN REVIVE OUR COMMUNITIES The ‘Leisure Hour Club for Young Women in Business’ opened its doors to the people of Tunbridge Wells more than a century ago. Founded by activist Amelia Scott as a social club for working girls in the town, it was best known for its holiday evenings and Bank Holiday excursions. It all goes to show that community leisure is not a new concept.

is new is the way that local W hat authorities are now seizing opportunities to deliver exciting and collaborative leisure facilities in the 21st century. How best can local authorities unlock the potential of underperforming properties? Can leisure-led experiences be a catalyst for high-street regeneration? And could investment now generate public sector revenue in the long-term? As Paul Gorry, Sales Lead at Willmott Dixon Interiors, explains, we need to look no further than Amelia Scott’s hometown to see how imaginative thinking can rejuvenate our communities.

Healthy lifestyles and shifting mindsets Millions of us watched the Government’s televised Downing Street press conferences, where the prime minister and key advisors delivered daily announcements about coronavirus. Barely a briefing went by without the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, extolling the benefits of living active and healthy lifestyles. But we’re not just talking about gyms, swimming pools

and health and fitness apps; there’s a much broader conversation taking place about leisure in our communities right now. “It’s no surprise to hear that health and wellbeing has come to the forefront of the public mindset,” says Paul Gorry. “We’ve never really had a central Government backing the importance of a healthy lifestyle, but the pandemic has shown that we need to take care of our mental and physical health. It has led to a rise in demand from local communities and a sea change in Government thinking.” That thinking is being reflected in local Government too; just ask Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. It has partnered with Kent County Council to transform a Grade II Listed former library and museum into The Amelia Scott. The imaginative project is being delivered by Willmott Dixon Interiors and will integrate a museum, art gallery, library, adult education and much more into a single engaging space. A cultural and learning hub, if you will, right in the heart of the community. One of the challenges is how cashstrapped local authorities can continue to build on that kind of momentum.

Budget cuts and carbon emissions The Local Government Association projects a post-pandemic revenue loss of £411m for district councils alone. And those figures don’t even include the likely costs associated with a climate emergency. Leisure facilities produce anywhere between 10 and 40% of councils’ direct carbon emissions, so upgrading the leisure estate will be crucial to achieving net-zero targets. Clearly, there are challenges then, but look a little deeper and Paul Gorry believes that there is also a huge opportunity to rethink our approach. “There’s a strong pent-up desire,” he says. “Everyone still wants to do what they’ve always done in terms of going to restaurants or theatres, for example, but in ways that suit them. “In that sense, ‘local’ has now become more of a focus of our attention and there’s possibly a greater level of expectation on our local authorities to deliver those facilities as a result. “But with that pressure comes significant potential too. Larger numbers of people working from home should

drive more footfall to local high streets and that can have a positive impact on income and the growth of the high street. Now is the time for ambitious council leaders to maximise that opportunity.”

Walthamstow’s wonder theatre If your estate is ageing, how do you go about designing new, more efficient and impactful solutions that meet local demand? Paul points to the example of Waltham Forest Council, which is investing £25.6m in the restoration of the landmark Art Deco-inspired former Granada/EMD Cinema in Walthamstow. When complete, the Grade II* building will operate as a 950-seat multi-purpose entertainment venue, with a bar and restaurant, and will have the capacity to host music, performance and panto. Paul says: “Local authorities are forever responding to change, with requirements fluctuating all the time, so it’s important they have a clear vision of what they want to achieve. Of course they have a responsibility to respond to the perceived demands of the local demographic but there is a danger in trying to appease everyone. 

UPFRONT “Waltham Forest Council has prioritised economic recovery and connecting people with jobs. It identified the former Granada/EMD Cinema as a key culturally-led regeneration project, not just for the high street but the entire borough. “There will be critics of that approach but the council is ultimately leading an exciting project that will bring substantial community benefits for years to come.”

Leisure paying its way One of those benefits is undoubtedly income generation. EMD’s new operator – Soho Theatre – has already demonstrated its commitment to creating what it calls a “cultural hub in the heart of its community”. It has announced ticket discounts and priority booking for local people, community and education programmes and heritage tours, and promises to attract worldclass entertainment that people will pay to see. It all suggests that with the right leadership, partnerships, coordination and investment, public leisure services can deliver significantly more social, economic and environmental benefits for the

whole of society; and support the long-term recovery from COVID-19 too. “Sometimes the level of opportunity boils down to finance and what resources are available to local authorities,” adds Paul. “But a cautious move in the direction of recognising that they can develop good facilities, could and should raise a greater level of local authority revenue than being sat in disrepair.”

The future for flagging high streets Local authorities find themselves inhabiting the space between Government strategy and community demand; where expectation meets duty. While community and leisure facilities are near the top of the agenda right now, it’s not a situation that will last forever. The competing demands of housing, healthcare and education will still need to be juggled and whatever is spent, will have to be paid back. The question facing local authorities, however, is whether they can afford not to act. Paul says: “It’s an active sector at the moment, with an enthusiasm to invest and we’re

seeing some local authorities really capitalising on that unique set of circumstances. They are approaching things with more of a private sector mentality and exploring how best to rejuvenate outdated properties.” Their success will be based on several factors, from good decision making and a robust business model, to how dialled into their local demographic they are. It’s where Willmott Dixon Interiors comes in. “We have the experience, capability and connection to operators and sector specialists,” explains Paul. “We can help local authorities to consider the feasibility of

any scheme and introduce them to some of the public sector procurement frameworks that we have access to. “Ultimately, it’s about helping council leaders to identify the best route to take an estate that isn’t currently working and refurbish it in a modern and efficient way to attract more people through the door. Paul concludes: “Done well, this can have more than one long-term benefit. It can be a catalyst for high-street regeneration and deliver revenue that funds other public services too.” 

www.willmottdixoninteriors.co.uk

EDUCATION

COMPLETION OF DIGITAL CENTRE GIVES TEES VALLEY A HEAD START IN TECH SECTOR Located on its growing Middlehaven campus, the recently-completed Digital Centre at Middlesbrough College, built by regional building contractor, Surgo Construction, sees the wider Tees Valley region take another step forward in pursuing its digital strategy.

aking up its position on campus alongside the existing Sixth Form Centre and STEM Centre, both of which are former Surgo Construction projects, The Digital Centre has reached completion at a time when the learner population using the Middlehaven campus facilities has grown

by approximately 33% since the college located there in 2008. Developed on land adjacent to the Sixth Form Centre, the design for the £3.2m T-level centre has been driven by the specific objectives and educational needs of Middlesbrough College.

Specification Designed over three levels by further education building design specialist, Bond Bryan Architects of Sheffield, it provides exciting, high-quality accommodation to support the college’s digital curriculum with a design of sufficient flexibility that it can be adapted to the college’s future needs. Sitting harmoniously amongst other campus buildings, it has a gross internal floor area of circa 1534.05m2 and contains: A TV and film room and two editing suites at ground-floor level (523.35m 2) Games design network and cyber programming via five classrooms plus a staff room on the first floor – (469.72m 2) Generic IT and theory zone on the second floor, which measures 541m 2 and features seven classrooms. The building layout primarily has rooms located off a two-sided central ‘spine’ corridor, the double-height hub enhancing the space by providing visibility to the social hub at the entrance to the building, which provides a touch down for students and staff while creating a striking front facade.

Sustainable design Natural daylighting is used to create an efficient, user-friendly and inspiring internal environment and basic construction technologies have been enhanced, such as improved wall and roof insulation. The building is naturally ventilated where possible with mechanical ventilation as and where required. Air source heat pumps provide highly-efficient heating and cooling, and the roof has been gravelled to assist with water soakaway. Externally, the elevation strategy has been to provide a simple, contemporary facade in keeping with the existing campus style. Overlooking an established, landscaped courtyard to the rear, the building is clad with a metal envelope and includes several elements of specialised mechanical and electrical installations to meet the needs of the intense building services provision associated with the digital subjects on the curriculum.

Some original paving has been relaid and new footpaths and associated surface drainage added due to the building being located on a flood plain and requiring special measures to be incorporated to provide warning of rising water levels.

Valuable experience Surgo Construction was appointed after successfully tendering for the project through the In Tend portal. Its impressive experience gained over many years within the education sector, together with its established local supply chain, ability to work with the utmost health and safety provision on live sites, coupled with the successful completion of the adjacent STEM Centre extension less than a year ago, helped to identify Surgo as the ideal choice of building contractor for The Digital Centre. Part of a £3.2m DfE-funded, campuswide, T-level initiative, the funding also included a new construction workshop and expanded catering facilities for A-level students. Now complete – the building has been in use since February 2022 – students can get to work on specialist computing equipment and benefit from the chance to use industry-leading programming suites, cyber labs, special effects rooms, games design suites and video-editing suites as well as a dedicated film and TV studio. Speaking about the success of the project, Surgo Director, Martin Blight, said: “We were delighted that Middlesbrough College placed its trust in us for a second time in as many years to build this latest addition to its estate as it seeks to continually improve facilities and provide its students with the optimum learning experience. “Our background in the delivery of high-quality education facilities was a great advantage and it is gratifying that the completed building has been so well received by the management team, governors and end users.

“Middlesbrough College is expanding its offering at a time when this part of the world is attracting some major inward investment and this campus will play an increasingly-significant role in supporting Tees Valley’s Strategic Economic Plan. It is great to have played a part in that and we would very much welcome any further opportunity to support the college at a future date as it continues to make improvements to its estate.”

we can look ahead with confidence, reinforcing our position at the forefront of digital skills development and delivering innovative T-level courses that will transform the regional economy. “We thank Surgo Construction and the entire professional team for their outstanding work on The Digital Centre, which will play a vital role in Tees Valley’s future. It has been a pleasure working on this project with them.” 

Praise for the centre Zoe Lewis, Principal and Chief Executive of Middlesbrough College, said: “By delivering T-levels from our campus, we can now help young people from across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool gain the skills they need – along with practical experience – to take advantage of the opportunities being created in Tees Valley and secure high-value jobs. “This super new building, which provides a fantastic and inspirational learning environment for our students, means

www.surgo.co.uk

FACT FILE: Project manager/ cost consultant – Arcadis Architect – Bond Bryan Architects Principal designer – CK21 Consultants C&S, building services and fire engineering – Cundall Building contractor – Surgo Construction

LEGAL & BUSINESS

Shona Snow is Head of Procurement for the London and south-east region at LHC. Shona is passionate about removing barriers for micro-SMEs.

MICRO-MACHINES: WHY THE PUBLIC SECTOR NEEDS TO WORK WITH MORE SMES Shona Snow, Head of Procurement for the London and south-east region at LHC, explores the use of SMEs in procurement and the benefits of working with them that many businesses are missing out on, particularly considering the calls for increased collaboration in public sector procurement through Constructing the Gold Standard and other recent guidance.

raditionally, public sector procurement focuses on businesses that can demonstrate the most cost-effective and efficient methods to avoid risk. This often works in favour of larger businesses. But, if we want to improve social impact, drive economic recovery and change the face of the construction industry, we need to increase SME participation and bring new talent to the forefront. It is an experience that we recently shared at Professor David Mosey and King’s College London’s Open Forum, after working with micro-SMEs through our Architect Design Services (ADS) and MultiDisciplinary Consultancy Services (MDC) frameworks. Our ambition with MDC was to provide high-quality and reliable consultancy services, delivered by an ethnicallydiverse supplier base. This meant appointing a range of company sizes, not just the big players, and encouraging them to collaborate. With construction attracting a

greater share of SMEs than any other sector, it makes sense to look at this scale of business. It is here that innovation can often be found.

A process for collaboration It is a topic that I have discussed with many smaller businesses, to understand how they view their place in the sector. “As a sole trader, I can introduce new methods, innovations or efficiencies to enhance my work when needed,” explained Garry Taylor from GJ Taylor Consultancy. “For a large enterprise, it would be an enormous cost with training, so they can’t respond to innovation as quickly. “There’s always a place for large contractors and consultants, and clients still need those players to provide scaled-up resource, but SMEs remain a great influencer of new trends, processes, technology, digitisation and innovation.”

Nii Klotey Quaye of Quaye Services was recently appointed to our MDC framework. “With large companies, there will be more red tape,” he said. “Those processes are there for a reason and to safeguard client interests, but microSMEs can work more fluidly and think creatively; they are able to make decisions that aren’t as restricted.” Bailey Garner, also on our MDC framework, has crossed the threshold from ‘small’ enterprise to ‘medium’ in the last few years. Managing Partner, Andy Tookey, said: “With micro-SMEs, it’s usually led by the owner, which makes everything more personal. If you do a bad job, you take it personally, if you lose it, win one – it’s all important to you. And, whilst a larger consultancy may have the resources to invest in R&D, leaving smaller organisations to follow their lead or play catch up, there are times when small allows for more agility.

“When legislation changes, it can be like turning a tanker for a large company – you need to get a lot of people to pull in the same direction and operate consistently. A small company can be very responsive.”

Bringing new companies to the forefront When we procured our ADS framework, we wanted a mix of: Practices with proven capability in public sector New and emerging practices Diverse talent typically overlooked by traditional procurement methods. To achieve this, we carried out months of market engagement before designing a process to evaluate a practice’s approach to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the impact that this had on their design and delivery. This included reviewing who they collaborate and work with, and how they reach out to communities and advocate for them. If we do not do this, we are missing out on a wealth of talent. My experience of microSMEs is that, not only do they deliver innovative work, but they have also made huge steps toward reducing inequalities within construction. With huge challenges on the horizon for the industry, a diverse and broad supplier base has never been more important. And by changing the ways in which we procure our frameworks, we have laid the foundations for others to drive their own change. 

CHOSEN TO PERFORM

Pilkington Suncool™ Range Solar Control Glass Manufactured in the UK, the Pilkington Suncool™ Range offers high performance solar control, low-emissivity glazing for both commercial and residential applications. With varying levels of solar control, thermal insulation, and light transmittance, you can specify the most ideal glass for your projects, while `future-proofing’ for the new Approved Documents L and O. Specify Pilkington Suncool™ for your project through us at enquiries@pilkington.com, or arrange the supply via one of our trusted partners at www.pilkington.co.uk/suncoolpartners.

www.lhc.gov.uk

HOUSING

CONDENSATION: A REAL AND PRESENT DANGER, NOT A DAMP SQUIB Paul Williams, Domus Ventilation Product Manager, explores the issue of condensation in properties, why it’s a problem and what can be done to prevent it.

ondensation forms when the humidity level in the indoor air reaches saturation point and that air comes into contact with a cold surface, turning into liquid water. These cold surfaces are most commonly windows, but can also include ceilings, walls, window sills and the corners of a room that have an external wall. Surface condensation is caused by the high humidity linked to everyday home activities such as cooking, bathing, washing and drying clothes, and even just breathing. Kitchens and bathrooms are usually the most affected areas as moisture levels are typically highest.

Risks associated with condensation Condensation isn’t just a nuisance. Excess condensation left within a property can lead to the formation of damp patches then mould growth. The potential health impacts include asthma, eye irritation, respiratory problems like wheezing and difficulty breathing, chest tightness, cough, throat irritation, skin reactions and rashes, headaches and persistent sneezing. Even more serious problems can result from exposure to mycotoxins – chemicals released by toxic mould. The Building Research Establishment, in its briefing paper ‘The cost of poor housing to the NHS’, estimates that savings to the NHS per annum of £15,585,129 could be made if dampness was fixed in our homes. Condensation also has consequences for the property. Mould and dampness can lead to musty smells, staining, peeling wallpaper, cracked wall surfaces, plaster degradation, warped window frames and even structural damage over time, all of which comes at a cost to repair.

How widespread is the issue? The English Housing Survey Headline Report 2020-21 stated that in 2020*, 2% of homes had problems with condensation and mould (namely where there are extensive patches of mould growth on walls and ceilings and/ or mildew on soft furnishings). When you consider there are an estimated 24 million households in England, that 2% equates to 480,000 homes suffering from serious condensation and mould. Whilst the problem is most prevalent in private rented dwellings, 4% of social rented dwellings had some type of damp problem. The good news is that all damp-related problems in housing have been on a downward trajectory from the 1960s. The bad news is that condensation and mould reduction has stalled, with only a slight reduction in the figures over the past decade.

Condensation: who’s to blame? So, what can we do to reduce condensation in our homes? Over the years, the onus has been very much placed on tenants to make lifestyle changes. These have included drying clothes outside when possible or using a tumble dryer, covering pans when cooking, shutting the bathroom door when showering or bathing and ensuring extraction fans are switched on. However, for many low-income households that are struggling to adequately heat their homes and, therefore, have a higher level of condensation, these

measures are not always economically viable. Furthermore, recent research has verified that construction and external factors play more of a role in the development of these issues than residents’ behaviours: damp and mould are directly linked to badly-insulated and poorlyventilated houses. So, it’s time to stop laying the blame at the door of the tenant and start making our homes more condensation proof.

Ventilation: the way forward If we improve the ventilation in a home, we lower the humidity. It really is as simple as that. Circulating the air and extracting excess humid air outdoors can be accomplished through a number of different ventilation solutions, depending on the budget available, the nature of the property and the seriousness of the issue. For existing properties, the most costeffective options are bathroom and kitchen intermittent extraction fans or singleflow, continuous-running decentralised mechanical ventilation fans, such as the new Domus Ventilation D-dMEV. Positive input ventilation (PIV) units can also be used, which gently pressurise a dwelling to expel stale and humid air through natural ventilation points. For new builds, the options are more widespread and, ultimately, more effective. In addition to intermittently operating extract fans, mechanical extract ventilation

(MEV) units and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) can be deployed. MEV units, such as Domus Ventilation’s CMX-MULTI, provide constant low-level ventilation by extracting waste, damp air from a dwelling through a system of ducting. These are best suited to apartments and small- to medium-sized houses. MVHR systems go one step further by combining extraction with supply. The extracted air is passed across a highefficiency heat exchanger located inside the MVHR unit, to remove and transfer the otherwise wasted heat. The exhaust air is then expelled into the atmosphere. At the same time, fresh filtered supply air is drawn across the opposite side of the heat exchanger and pre-warmed before being distributed through ceiling-mounted grilles to habitable rooms. The new breed of MVHR units on the market, such as our own HRXE-HERA and HRXE-AURA, are highly energy efficient, with models available with integral humidity sensors. By accurately measuring air humidity, the extract speed automatically changes from background to boost as the level of humidity increases, thereby providing optimal ventilation performance. These mechanical systems provide a long-term and cost-effective solution rather than short-term problem ‘hiders’ such as dehumidifiers.

Time to take action Our climate has changed over the last few years, with milder winters and wetter summers, but the issue of condensation in our homes remains and is not improving fast enough. Expecting people to change their lifestyle to prevent excess condensation is not realistic (it certainly hasn’t worked up until now, so it’s unlikely to work in the future), nor will it reduce condensation to comfortable levels. Building adequate ventilation into our homes is by far the more realistic and long-term solution. 

www.domusventilation.co.uk Source Due to the COVID pandemic, 2020 figures are estimated based on 2018 and 2019 figures *

FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS

ADOPTING A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO HYGIENE Lee Fox, Director of Global Business Development and Key Accounts for KleenTex, one of the world’s leading floor matting manufacturers, discusses how attitudes to floor maintenance and hygiene have changed over the last two years and the latest solutions available to professionals to ensure the highest standards of hygiene and infection control.

here has been a marked shift in attitudes to hygiene and cleanliness in response to the pandemic. A survey by Rubbermaid discovered that 95% of businesses felt they had seen an impact on daily operations due to COVID-19, whilst 43% of organisations had increased their frequency of cleaners on site. 21% had also stated the changes they had made to their cleaning routines throughout the pandemic would remain. On average, 40% of a building’s cleaning budget is spent on maintaining the floor. By adopting a proactive approach to cleanliness, public sector professionals can significantly increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their floor maintenance and hygiene routines. This includes the installation of a combination of different types of matting throughout specific areas of a building. The primary role of external entrance matting is to create an initial barrier to dirt, moisture and

grit. Here, the installation of floor matting systems that feature an open construction successfully remove coarse dirt, whilst also being resilient enough to withstand the extremes of outdoor environments. Once inside the entrance, secondary internal entrance mats should be installed across main doorways to trap any remaining dirt and moisture, whilst also welcoming visitors and employees. These mats may be personalised to feature a company’s branding, but their main purpose is to reduce any noise and vibrations caused by people walking over hard surfaces. It is important to ensure that these types of mats feature smooth, chamfered edges to avoid potential trip hazards and to enable wheeled traffic to travel over the mat. Size is also an important consideration when specifying internal mats, as larger mats tend to be better for dirt transfer, particularly in high-traffic areas, such as main reception areas.

Hygiene also remains an important consideration, as high traffic can generate lots of potential dirt and moisture transfer, so internal mats must also be easy to clean to aid maintenance routines. Once inside the main building, tertiary mats can then be used for a number of different applications, such as in front of lifts and stairways, which experience high levels of footfall. Whilst ensuring the highest levels of cleanliness and hygiene is the main priority, improving the sustainability of operations continues to grow in importance. Professionals should, therefore, invest in durable, high-quality solutions that are manufactured from environmentally-efficient materials and feature increased lifecycles. This includes the Kleen-Tex SuperMat heavy-duty matting system, which features a 100% nitrile rubber backing and is constructed from 100% Econyl fibres, a regenerated nylon textile composed of man-made ocean and landfill waste, including abandoned fish nets. By installing high-performance, PVC-free flooring matting systems such as this, professionals can successfully increase the use of recycled materials throughout their building and evidence the sustainability of their procurement throughout the entire supply chain, whilst also ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness. 

www.kleen-tex.co.uk

CMY

lass partitions’ capability to transform a room without altering its fabric or fixtures and fittings makes them ideal for an educational environment where interior designs are regularly reconfigured in order to suit particular classes or events. With glass partitions, the reimagining of learning spaces can be carried out rapidly and cost effectively – a most important outcome for school or college settings where budgets are often tight and every penny has to be accounted for.

Glass partitions lead to clearer lines of communication

A GUIDE TO CREATING INSPIRATIONAL EDUCATIONAL SPACES WITH GLASS PARTITIONS Glass partitions have become increasingly popular in schools and further education thanks to their excellent functionality and unique aesthetic features. The systems offer adaptable solutions that optimise space and meet design requirements whilst creating inspiring learning spaces. So, what are the key considerations for architects and designers when specifying glass partitions in educational projects? Neil Miller, Sales & Marketing Director at glass partition specialist QIC Trims, investigates.

In terms of glass partition specification, clear lines of communication between staff and students are absolutely essential in classrooms and all other areas of a school or college building. The learning process is severely impacted by tutors not being able to make themselves sufficiently heard or understood due to exterior noise interference. It could also create a safety issue. Therefore, good acoustic performance should be given high priority in glass partition selection. A quality fixed single- or double-glazed system provides up to 50% noise reduction, thus screening-out disruptive airborne sounds and allowing students to fully focus on the learning activities at hand.

Use glazed partitions to create designs that inspire In places of education, glass partitions can also be used to inspire students by lending a particular aesthetic to spaces. It’s often said that people are a project of their environment. Therefore, if places of learning present a smart, professional look courtesy of a well-appointed glass partition scheme, it’s more likely students will respond accordingly.

Glazed partitions let the light in The additional natural daylight afforded by partitions provides another boost for occupant wellbeing. In research carried out in the US by Professor Alan Hedge of Cornell University, the study revealed a significant

drop in incidences of eyestrain, headaches and drowsiness in workers in offices filled with natural daylight. Transpose these findings to a learning environment, and it becomes clear how similar conditions could benefit students in terms of mood and concentration levels.

GLASS & GLAZING

Specify a robust solution Although not a headline consideration, when specifying glass partitions for schools, it’s worth remembering that they can be quite boisterous places when catering for hundreds of students of different age groups. It indicates that glass partitions in classrooms, even where occupants are seated for the majority of the time, should contain a certain robustness. Therefore, for the safety of students and the integrity of the structure itself, investing in a glass partition that meets upto-date standards for loadings is essential.

Partitions for a cleaner environment As with many public buildings, schools are subject to rigorous cleaning regimes in order to uphold the highest health and safety standards. Generally, wet floor washing will form part of a routine hygiene programme. Additional precautions should, therefore, be taken when this takes place in areas where glass partitions are situated. With environmental impact having an increasing influence on the way schools are designed and constructed, the green credentials of materials used in the process are receiving ever-greater scrutiny. Therefore, glass partitions which achieve BRE Green Guide A rating are ideal for a learning environment should be specified. The Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) offers a raft of credible data in relation to the sustainability of products such as partitions, thus allowing customers to compare data, make an informed decision and specify a system that meets their requirements. All things considered, when specified and utilised correctly, glass partitions offer a smart way of creating the ideal learning space for students of all ages. 

www.qic-trims.com

KBB

THE UK’S ORIGINAL FULLY COMPLIANT ALUMINIUM NON-COMBUSTIBLE BALCONY DECKING SOLUTION

IDEAL FOR EWS1

• • • •

WHY BATHROOM WALL PANELLING IS THE IDEAL SOLUTION In recent years, there has been a surging demand for social housing, placing growing pressure on local authorities. With the Government outlining ambitious targets for new-build homes within the next 30 years, Showerwall’s Managing Director, John Bagshaw, shares what to consider when specifying bathroom wall panelling to help streamline timelines and budgets.

t has been well documented that the UK has been failing to keep up with the demand for housing requirements. Recent research has found that there has been an increased demand for single-occupancy homes,

highlighting that in the wake of the pandemic, it’s not just family units who are seeking housing. The properties required, often bedsits or one-bedroom properties, are in short supply and there have been calls for a social housebuilding programme.

ALIDECK JUNIOR BALCONY BOARD If new-build targets are met, the emphasis on affordability for tenants is crucial, meaning that throughout the build process, speed and budgets remain paramount. In the bathroom, property managers are looking for solutions that are easy to fit, but also easy to maintain, requiring fewer call outs to a property. Shower enclosures are now replacing baths and inclusive wetrooms and level-access showers are becoming increasingly popular, not just because of their accessibility benefits but to make the best use of the space available. Bathroom wall panelling has become a popular solution in modern homes due to the rising awareness of its many benefits, making it the fastest-growing market in home interiors with the sector seeing an estimated 25% growth year on year for the past six years. Panelling has started to take away share from the tile market due to its ease of installation and hygiene benefits. The growth in this area has also been driven by the rise in the popularity of shower enclosures. Housing providers can capitalise on the benefits of this growing trend, which offers building and upgrades on a budget. Showerwall’s panels have the capability to fit over existing tiles, speeding up the installation process and can be fitted in just one day. Fitted around a shower area, the panels can provide a completely watertight solution reducing downtime and the time specialist trades spend on site. Showerwall’s comprehensive Laminate and Compact collections provide large expanses of decorative surfaces in a range of stylish decors. The panels are quick and easy to install from floor to ceiling and they are very easy to clean and maintain, which means there are no hiding places for mould, dirt and germs. Showerwall offers a glass-like Acrylic range, a stylish Laminate collection, providing a range of classic marble designs and tactile textures, and its brand-new Compact collection, offering the real look and feel of tiles without the need for grout. 

www.showerwall.co.uk

Fire Rated to A2-s1, d0 & A2fl-s1 Aluminium construction to 6063 T6 grade Slip-resistant and wear-resistant 30-year manufacturer product warranty

The 20mm AliDeck Junior Board is our most popular decking board, available in ridged and flat specification. Spanning up to 600mm, the cost-effective Junior Board requires less underside support than traditional decking and is non-combustible.

ALIDECK BALCONY DRAINAGE SYSTEM This innovative drainage solution delivers positive drainage to balconies, with our Drainage Channel between the deck boards capturing and directing water to the Drainage Gutter for controlled evacuation to a specified outlet.

STANDARDS COMPLIANT SOLUTION

BALCONY BOARD

DRAINAGE CHANNEL HINGED ACCESS GUTTER LID

To find out more about the AliDeck System, call our team today!

Call: 01622 534 077 Email: info@alideck.co.uk www.alideck.co.uk

DRAINAGE GUTTERING

Aluminium Decking 23

HEALTHCARE

HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY MAINTAIN BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE AMID RISING COSTS AND DEMAND Phil Barsby, Business Development Director of Intastop, offers advice on how the challenges of rising costs combined with rising patient numbers can be overcome and repair and maintenance (R&M) costs proactively managed.

he rising cost of pretty much everything, combined with rising patient numbers, is presenting challenges for many healthcare sectors as balancing the books, financially and metaphorically, becomes ever more difficult. With healthcare environments facing increased pressure and subsequent high traffic, facilities management teams are undoubtedly tasked with finding ways of keeping buildings clean and presentable whilst keeping costs associated with this to a minimum. Key elements of consideration when maintaining healthcare facilities, ranging from hospital wards and corridors to mental health facilities, is to ensure building infrastructures are protected and that they are easy to clean and maintain, supporting infection control policies as required.

Wear and tear Any facilities manager of a healthcare establishment will be only too familiar with the intense wear and tear that is placed on its infrastructure each and every day. As the

NHS begins to tackle the COVID-19 backlog, that wear and tear is only set to escalate. From doors and walls being knocked with equipment or patient trolleys and chairs, to walls in waiting rooms being scuffed, to doors being maintained to the necessary fire safety standards, maintaining any healthcare setting to the required standard can be expensive and time consuming. Recognising that many of our healthcare settings are ageing and require robust solutions to transform them into facilities that are fit for the demands and patient volumes of the 21st century, facilities managers are turning ever more to products that offer a strong return on investment, minimise ongoing care and maintenance and, wherever possible, deliver cost savings allowing budgets to be invested in other essential, service-led items. In research carried out by Intastop, it was found that in an average hospital for doors alone, £32,400 could be saved by protecting vulnerable door edges, £1500 by protecting vulnerable door frames and £32,400 by protecting vulnerable door faces. These

costs are not insignificant. Add in other extra day-to-day costs of maintaining damaged doors and similarly walls and it will be easy to see how these costs will escalate as facilities become older and navigate their way through the high traffic volumes predicted for the next few years.

The positive impact of well-maintained doors Doors are an integral part of any hospital or healthcare setting and provide not only privacy and noise management, but also play a key part in fire safety plans. Ensuring that doors are maintained to a high standard is something that should not be compromised on. When door faces, frames and edges become damaged, bacteria is more able to penetrate surfaces and cleaning of those surfaces can become ineffective. By protecting them with sheeting that has antimicrobial properties impregnated throughout it, bacteria are no longer able to adhere to the surface, cleaning becomes faster and easier, and infection control is managed to a much higher standard.

Specifying door protection at the time of construction or refit is clearly the preferred option, although retrofit is highly successful and delivers the same benefits. Door protection encompasses functionality too, therefore, robust hinges should be considered. Doors that are in constant use can be affected by weak hinges, which results in the doors dropping making them ineffective in operation and cause damage to the door and the floor. Choosing a full mortice hinge will dissipate the strain across the full length of the hinge and eliminating the risk of the door dropping whilst providing a smooth, seamless opening and closing operation. Doors can also present a hazard in some secure mental health settings. By incorporating anti-ligature solutions, such as door top and door bottom alarms, shrouded hinges and tamper-proof vision panels, not only the door integrity will remain intact, but the patient will remain safe in a secure environment.

Why walls matter Walls, particularly where they join floors, can be a harbourer of bacteria and can be hard to clean especially where surfaces may be porous, may stain easily or may be damaged. Protecting walls in such areas, or parts of walls where headboards or chair backs may damage them can, once again, improve the aesthetic appearance of a ward, waiting area or consultation room and can also aid infection control and enhance patient safety. Translate the use of anti-bacterial wall sheeting into an operating theatre or

room where medical procedures are carried out, and the benefits of investing in wall protection becomes even more evident. Infection control and cleaning procedures are elevated considerably. And, whilst protecting walls is important, they can also integrate into building schemes and be aesthetically pleasing. Several products can be used to differentiate between certain areas, support patient wellbeing by creating a calming ambience through the use of colour or image, or deliver stylish functionality giving directional or situation information.

Making the right investment Specifying products, such as those from Intastop’s comprehensive wall and door protection ranges, means that costs can be managed more effectively.

Whether it is for a new-build, complete or even a singular retrofit project, making an upfront investment in the right products to protect walls and doors and people can deliver a handsome return on investment in the long term. Specification of the correct products to protect building infrastructure can avoid eventual expenditure. It can also decrease maintenance costs, reduce cleaning times, eliminate opportunities for harmful bacteria to linger on surfaces and provide a safer environment for all. In addition to aesthetic and maintenance benefits, there is the added reassurance of products manufactured by Intastop being fire safety rated to the necessary standards bringing an added, but hidden, level of protection to building users and occupants. 

www.intastop.com

Chair of the Association of Play Industries, Mark Hardy, talks to PSBJ about the Equal Play campaign and the fight to ensure all children can access public playgrounds and play safely outdoors every day.

he Association of Play Industries (API) launched Equal Play earlier this year, a campaign based on new research which shows that children’s access to public play areas is unequal and unfair. A new Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request revealed that some areas of the UK have almost five times the number of children per playground as others. Children’s opportunities to play outdoors are a postcode lottery and the API is lobbying the Government to ensure equal access to public play spaces throughout the UK. The API’s previous FOI requests in 2017 and 2018 highlighted an alarming decline in the number of playgrounds and in the amount spent by local authorities on play provision. The closure of public play

spaces during the pandemic and the effects on children of lockdowns brought about a renewed appreciation by the public of the importance of these community assets. We, therefore, decided to conduct an updated FOI survey to find out how many play areas existed and what local authorities’ plans were for 2020 and 2021.

Postcode lottery of play We were pleased to find that the number of play areas was no longer reducing and the decline seemed to have abated. Unfortunately, the new data also showed that it is a pure ‘postcode lottery’ as to the number and quality of play areas children have access to in their local area, with some areas well served and others severely lacking.

Playgrounds are number one for play August and the summer holidays see children in their droves flock to public playgrounds. In the UK, public playgrounds are the number one location for children’s outdoor play, away from the home setting. The vast majority of children live in built-up urban areas, and those from the one in eight UK households without a garden (one in five in London), rely on public play areas for outdoor play and exercise. For many children, community playgrounds are their only chance to play outdoors. Disabled children’s access to, and enjoyment from, playgrounds also needs to improve. Central Government funding, which is ringfenced for play, will enable local authorities to provide every child with a safe, high-quality playground nearby. Despite the release of the Government’s Levelling Up strategy, there was notably nothing specifically related to children’s health and wellbeing and this simple measure would go a long way towards levelling up children’s play opportunities in the UK.

Differences between the nations Our UK-wide map revealed that, on average, children in Scotland enjoy the best free-to-access play provision in the UK, with almost five times fewer children per playground than the worst area, the West Midlands.

CHILDREN PER PLAYGROUND ACROSS THE UK

The data clearly shows that it is a pure ‘postcode lottery’ as to the number and quality of play areas children have access to in their local area, with some areas wellserved and others severely lacking.

LEISURE

EQUAL PLAY: EVERY CHILD’S RIGHT TO EVERYDAY PLAY

Children in London have access to almost five times fewer public playgrounds than children in Scotland The West Midlands has the worst play provision in the UK with 929 children per playground. It also has the worst childhood obesity rates in England (year six). London has the second worst play provision in the UK with 866 children per playground Every playground in the North East and the North West serves over 600 children, compared to just 196 in Scotland Welsh children enjoy access to over twice the number of playgrounds than children in London.

However, averaging out statistics across large regions inevitably means sacrificing some of the crucial local data. A deeper dive reveals that although children in Scotland appear well served overall, this is not the case for all Scottish children. Analysing the data local authority by local authority within Scotland, showed that access to public play spaces is as much of a postcode lottery as anywhere else in the UK, with some areas well served and others severely lacking. The variation is so extreme that areas range from 575 children per playground to just 63. Whilst the first minister of Scotland’s £60m fund to renew every play park in Scotland is hugely welcome, the data clearly shows that much more needs to be done to provide equal play opportunities for all. The pattern is repeated across the nations. In Wales, some areas enjoy some of the best play provision in the UK, with less than 200 children per playground. At the other extreme, children in other areas endure rates of 876 children per playground – in line with the very worst areas of the UK. In Northern Ireland, the average number of children per playground is 447. However, a more detailed analysis reveals as much inequity in play provision in NI as anywhere else in the UK. Children who live in the most densely-populated areas in Northern Ireland have the worst access to outdoor play spaces and yet it is precisely these children who are the most likely to have limited or no private outdoor space in which to play, and who need public, community playgrounds the most.

Levelling up children’s life chances Free, outdoor play is vital for children’s physical and mental health and without it normal childhood development is curtailed. We are, therefore, urging the Government to level up the life chances of UK children by ensuring equal access for all to public play spaces. 

www.api-play.org/news-events/ equal-play-campaign

TALKING POINT

THE POWER OF SOCIAL VALUE

Differentiator

Robert Walton, Chief Operating Officer at Constructionline, argues that not only should social value be a priority, but if you want to differentiate your business and win more contracts, it should be front and centre at the point of procurement.

ocial value has been helping make a real, proven difference to local communities for some time now. Whether that’s giving training to local people in deprived areas, creating or restoring green spaces in built-up communities, or providing employment for underrepresented groups, the value part of social value has been demonstrated time and time again. Yet, its importance can still be misunderstood and misrepresented – an afterthought in the procurement process that’s added because “it has to be”.

What is social value and why is it important? Social value isn’t easy to define – because technically it changes from one job and one community, to the next. But, put simply, it’s used to talk about what a firm does as part of a project to help improve

the community around it. This can be anything from boosting local education or employment, to cleaning the area to make a lasting impact. In the UK, all firms that bid on public sector projects are required to submit a social value plan, which includes what they will do and how. Under the Social Value Model and PPN 06/20, their response accounts for at least 10% of their score when it comes to bid evaluations, so businesses can’t afford to overlook social value. It is important for various reasons – firstly, for the business itself, it could be the difference between winning and losing a contract. And looking ahead, the Procurement Bill, which is expected to come into force in 2023, emphasises the importance of social value, so it’s being recognised as key to public procurement in the

future. Secondly, for society at large – the opportunities presented to local communities shouldn’t be scoffed at.

Undermined But scoffed at is exactly how it sometimes feels for proponents of social value. That’s why Constructionline and others came out fighting – and continue to do so – after the Government proposed potential changes to the scheme earlier this year. This was when Minister for Government Efficiency, Jacob Rees-Mogg, put forward plans to reduce the country’s current 10% weighting given to social value when public sector contracts are handed out. The weighting is important of course – but beyond that, even the suggestion serves to undermine the importance of social value as some “nice to have”. Something we don’t

Robert Walton is responsible for driving the growth of the innovative Constructionline platform, which has been supporting construction buyers and suppliers within the public and private sectors for over 20 years. Robert is instrumental in the organisation’s pioneering support to increase social value and the use of social enterprises across the supply chain.

Social value can also work as a vital differentiator for suppliers. Compliance is important, of course, but it is necessary and no longer sets firms apart. With social value, this shows buyers that you are thinking about the additional benefits to society of what you offer. Buyers no longer want to work with suppliers who will simply deliver the job – they want to see how their partners can make a positive impact through social value. We’ve mentioned social value at the point of buying but much of the work comes pre-procurement with research. Most communities, through their local authorities’ strategic economic plans, will have a published list of social or environmental priorities that can help suppliers boost their tender by putting forward the right ideas. And commitments should be tangible, backed by figures, names, targets and dates.

Options really need, especially when times are tough. But, I disagree – in fact, in challenging economic times, we need more initiatives that will, ultimately, get the economy moving, get people investing in their communities and get people skilled up and into work.

So, what can be offered? Perhaps the best way to demonstrate the importance of social value is to lay out some concrete examples of what can be done through this practice. It can be forgotten through talking about the logistics and policy side of social value exactly how wide these projects can reach:

Charities: Making donations, volunteering and supporting local events Social: Supporting employment, including training, upskilling and reward schemes, getting behind local communities and helping to provide equal opportunities for ethnic minorities, disabled people or other underrepresented groups Environmental: Promoting sustainable practices, reducing carbon footprint, introducing environmentally-friendly processes and techniques Economic: Recruiting or investing locally, providing work experience or apprenticeship schemes.

Front and centre So as we can see, the possibilities are endless and far reaching. This is like nothing else in the procurement process – in a lot of circles, we’ve got used to ‘value added’ becoming just a phrase, often done for some good PR or even just to tick a box. But, really taking the time and resources to properly research and prepare, then build into your offer a strong social value plan can change lives – both for your business, the communities it works in and society as a whole. When thinking about tendering to buyers, social value shouldn’t just be an afterthought, it should be front and centre of your offer for your business to thrive. 

www.constructionline.co.uk

FLOOD MANAGEMENT

AN ENHANCED SOLUTION FOR FLOOD-HIT PROPERTIES Ryan Moss, Senior Commercial Manager for the specialist pack division at Tarmac, explores the benefits of Limelite plasters, which can significantly reduce turnaround and repair times for flood-hit properties.

Office data shows that the UK is M etgetting wetter, and with extreme weather events becoming more common due to the climate crisis, public sector buildings in at-risk flood areas continue to face the ongoing threat of floods and the costly cycle of repairs and remediation. The most recent State of the UK Climate Report from the Met Office – published in July 2021, using data from the 2020 calendar year – shows some concerning trends. Temperature, rainfall and sunshine for 2020 were all in the top 10 highest on record, the first time this has happened in a single year. 2020 was the fifth wettest year on record and February 2020 was the wettest February since records began. This isn’t an isolated pattern. Six of the top 10 wettest years have occurred since 1998 and the impact is significant. Already this year, we have had storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin, with widespread flooding across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In the public sector, 2021 weather events saw the closure of London Underground stations and hospitals forced to turn away non-emergency patients. One in six properties (around 5.2 million) are at risk of flooding in the

UK, including many public sector buildings. And for those building owners unfortunate enough to have been hit by rising river levels during such weather events, it can be an expensive and souldestroying process to undertake repairs, often while the risks remain. Particularly for those organisations with large property portfolios across at-risk areas.

A better solution for plaster repairs One strategy available to mitigate the impact of potential floods is to improve the resilience of buildings. This could include a number of measures, from nonreturn valves or sump pumps, to raised electrical sockets and flood-resistant insulation materials. Even simple measures such as placing high-value and critical equipment on higher floors will help. Building owners must also consider the fabric of the walls, particularly knowing how difficult it is to dry out flood-hit properties. Traditional gypsum plaster will repeatedly fail in such damp conditions because it absorbs and retains water, which causes the material to break down and degrade if immersed in water. This, in turn, causes delamination, with up to 1m above floor level usually being the worst affected area.

In flood-hit areas, this can lead to a costly process of repeated replacement and remediation works – especially because the plaster must be completely removed before it can be replaced, which adds time and cost to the job. Instead, breathable renovating plasters, like the Limelite range from Tarmac, offer a fast-drying solution to speed up the repair and finishing process, mitigating the need to replace plaster after flooding.

Here are four benefits for public sector buildings: 1. A breathable product Limelite plaster is BBA approved and works by effectively controlling damp passing through walls, providing a barrier against salt transfer. Being ‘breathable’ means that the plaster allows balanced moisture movement through the construction fabric and allows the substrate to dry naturally, which is vital in flood-hit properties. 2. More durable than traditional gypsum plaster The plaster provides a permanent solution to damp and mould, removing the common issues faced with gypsum products in damp environments and preventing the need for ongoing repairs due to floods. In effect, renovating plaster is capable of withstanding recurring water ingress, which can, in turn, reduce ongoing repair costs, salting, mould growth and recurring damp problems.

3. Quicker repairs, quicker turnaround The Environment Agency’s ‘What to do before, during and after a flood’ guide notes that preparing a building with a breathable, fast-drying renovating lime plaster, such as the products from Tarmac’s Limelite brand, will speed up the repair and finishing process by eliminating the need to completely replace the plaster each time flooding occurs. Quicker repairs leave contractors free to move onto their next job – which could be vital in areas where significant properties have been damaged.

4. Create opportunities in heritage projects Renovating plasters have been specially developed for heritage buildings, which can prove invaluable in the public sector. In addition to flood repairs, they can help to control ambient moisture for sensitive environments like galleries and museums. 

www.limeliteheritage.co.uk

NO ROOM FOR ERROR WHEN IT COMES TO REFURBISHMENT OF ROOFS IN PUBLIC SECTOR SETTINGS James Wilkinson, Design Team Manager at flat and tapered roof insulation specialist, Gradient, offers some technical and financial considerations when it comes to the installation and maintenance of flat roofs.

ospital and healthcare buildings serve a vital purpose in keeping the occupants inside – many of whom will be elderly, incapacitated and vulnerable – safe and comfortable. Roofs are integral to maintaining such a performance; it’s why their installation and upkeep requires the utmost planning and execution. Poor insulation specification as part of a build-up is a regular factor in roofing failure. When this occurs, the integrity of a structure itself is compromised, which risks crucial healthcare services being disrupted. Another likely outcome is costly renovation and, as would be the case with other public sector buildings such as schools, the bill would ultimately be borne by the taxpayer. Whatever the setting, insulation as part of a flat roof buildup should meet two simple, yet crucial objectives: protect a building against the elements and ensure the roof meets regulation levels of thermal performance. So, what is the secret to first-time success in securing such an outcome? Tapered insulation offers the best of both worlds when upgrading a flat roof which is showing signs of wear and tear. When installed as part of a flat roof’s waterproofing build-up, tapered

insulation’s multifunctional design not only enhances a building’s overall thermal performance, it manages a roof’s water runoff to ensure it flows into the appropriate outlets or gutters. If water is not properly dispersed from a roof, its weight will lead to deflections forming and increase the risk of ponding. This additional weight will fast-track the waterproofing system’s wear and tear, thus increasing the likelihood of a worstcase scenario – water-based structural damage, one of the most common forms of building failure. Therefore, a wellappointed tapered insulation scheme can extend the life of the building itself, hence the importance of selecting a system, whether single-layer or multilayer, that is specifically designed to suit a particular application.

Industry guidance In terms of specifying an insulation system that meets industry standards by taking into account issues such as water runoff, pitch size, wind load calculation, falls and weight ratio, the Single Ply Roofing Association (SPRA) code of practice offers excellent guidance. This is freely available online and ideal for installers and specifiers requiring

insulation as part of a single-ply system. Similarly, BS: 6229: 2018, the standard that defines best practice in flat-roof design and maintenance, provides a learned reference for performance requirements across a range of applications.

Plan to succeed Fail to prepare, then prepare to fail is a well-known phrase that could have been tailor made for the construction industry. Hence a site survey ought to be a prerequisite when specifying tapered insulation for flat roofs. In many instances, the initial take-off drawing/specification of a project will differ from what is the ‘reality’ on site. Therefore, it is always recommended a site visit is carried out prior to deciding on an appropriate insulation solution. This is particularly the case for modular single-layer systems, as they offer little option for cutting and altering once delivered to site. A survey will determine a roof’s dimensions and take into account potential obstructions or openings, such as rooflight and drainage outlets, which could affect the layout of a bespoke-designed insulation scheme. It can also take into account any backfalls or deflections that need to be overcome.

Bonded under factory-controlled conditions, single-layer tapered insulation systems are the timeand cost-effective alternative to multi-layer solutions: they are ready to install once delivered to site. The insulation within the single-layer bond will have been monitored for its minimum pull-off performance, leaving installers with the relatively straightforward task of installing it – in one block – to the roof, followed by the waterproofing. This not only guarantees the insulation will perform asdesigned, it significantly reduces application times and material waste. Therefore, whilst a multilayer solution might appear, on paper at least, to be a more cost-effective option, the benefit is negated by the additional hours it takes to bond and install the insulation layer by layer; a process that is eliminated with a pre-bonded, single-layer system.

TECHNICAL FOCUS

Single- or multi-layer option?

Engage with an expert From a specification point of view, quality is built in with single-layer tapered insulation systems. Gradient, for example, provides a turnkey service as part of its bespoke manufacture of flat-roof and tapered roofing insulation systems. From the initial consultation and pre-design process, to the installation and post-project stages, Gradient’s technical teams work alongside clients to ensure the successful implementation of its individuallytailored tapered insulation schemes which are produced to ISO 9001; one of the most widelyadopted management standards in the world. There are no second chances to get something right first time and in terms of flat-roof insulation, ongoing maintenance to correct an errant installation can prove extremely costly. As highlighted, in refurbishment projects involving the health sector, fiscal costs incurred by an overrunning works programme could be compounded by the negative impacts it has on vulnerable occupants within the building. By engaging with a specialist, such as Gradient, clients will be taking a significant step towards offsetting these issues and ensuring a roof provides the long-term warmth and weathertightness a building and its residents deserve. 

www.gradientuk.com

FIRE SAFETY

Year Warranty

Introducing SprayCork. The Ultimate Building Coating. Harnessing the power of natural cork, SprayCork wall & roof coatings are an innovative and eco-friendly solution for new build and retrofit buildings.

ADVANCED WELCOMES FIRE SAFETY GUIDANCE FOR NEW HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

Cork is one of the world’s most sustainable natural resources with a negative carbon footprint. No trees are felled during its harvest - in fact the bark grows back each time, absorbing much more carbon dioxide than usual, making it a powerful ally against climate change.

Fire protection solutions manufacturer, Advanced, has welcomed the amended Approved Document B of the Building Regulations as a “positive step in the right direction to improve fire safety in new high-rise residential buildings”. Published on 1st June 2022, Part B (Fire Safety) offers new improvements to fire safety guidance to ensure tall buildings are made safer in England, as part of a wider package of reforms. A ‘significant’ addition to the document is the mandatory requirement for new residential developments over 18m to incorporate an evacuation alert system, offering new clarity for those involved in the design or construction of residential developments. An evacuation alert system is vital to help fire and rescue services inform residents of a change in evacuation strategy during an incident. This gives fire and rescue services an additional tool to use on the ground, alongside existing methods of evacuation, improving safety for residents. To comply with the amended Part B, an evacuation alert system should be provided in accordance with BS 8629 Code of Practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of evacuation alert systems for use by fire and rescue services in England. Amended Part B is designed to meet recommendations from Phase One of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Currently, the Part B requirement for an evacuation alert system only covers new-build, high-rise residential buildings. However, since the Grenfell Tower Inquiry also recommends evacuation alert

systems for high-rise residential buildings “already in existence”, further regulation may follow. Ken Bullock, Business Development Manager for Evacuation Alert Systems at Advanced, said: “We welcome the amended Part B of the Building Regulations and the clarity it gives when it comes to fire safety. An evacuation alert system gives fire and rescue services a valuable tool which allows them to evacuate residents at risk in a safer, managed way. At Advanced, our EvacGo Evacuation Alert System is designed as an easy way to meet BS 8629:19, and so can it offer peace of mind to those responsible for a building that by choosing this system they are complying with Building Regulations. “We appreciate that new regulation can be confusing, so not only have we carefully designed the EvacGo to take away the hard work for building owners, end users and, importantly, frontline fire and rescue services, we also offer a CPD presentation on evacuation planning and BS 8629 Code of Practice. The CPD is suitable for consultants, fire risk assessors and anyone else who needs a better understanding of the requirements of the British Standards Institution code of practice BS 8629.”

The amended Part B forms a portion of a wider update to tighten Building Regulations and provide clearer fire safety rules for the design and construction of residential developments. The Building Safety Act names HSE as the new Building Safety Regulator in England and as such will enforce compliance of the Building Regulations. The Building Safety Act will place formal responsibilities on those involved in the design, construction of any buildings to ensure compliance with Building Regulations, and will give the regulator greater powers to prosecute for non-compliance. It will be the duty of the people responsible for a building to put in place and maintain a golden thread of information, with their responsibility continuing for the life of the building. Other key changes within Part B include the requirement for all new residential buildings over 11m to include a secure information box that will give fire and rescue services access to important details about a building in the event of a fire. In addition, the Government has introduced tougher standards for external wall materials on new, medium-rise blocks of flats.

uk.advancedco.com 0345 894 7000 evacgo@advancedco.com

It is a strong thermal insulator reducing the dependence on heating systems, which also helps reduce condensation and black spot mould. It has sound dampening properties to improve acoustic comfort, whilst offering natural resistance to fire and high temperatures. Added to this, as it is hypoallegenic it helps to improve air quality against airbourne particles. Applications: > Mould reduction in social housing > Safe encapsulation of asbestos > Refurbishment of all types of buildings > Fire protection up to 18m

Better for you. Better for the planet. For more information about using cork on your project, or to book a CPD, please contact our team:

www.corksoluk.com | 01484 442420 | info@corksoluk.com

Post COVID pandemic, 21st-century learning looks to challenge the binary perceptions of space, exploring hybrid learning through the intersection of physical, virtual, formal and informal spaces. Today’s rapidly-changing, interconnected world requires students to think differently, work differently and learn differently. Multi-use learning spaces and flexible layouts are influencing the design and application of the education environment.

uk.harlequinfloors.com 01892 514888 architects@harlequinfloors.com

FOCUS & INNOVATION

REIMAGINING HOW WE EDUCATE NEXT GENERATIONS IN FUTURE-FIT SPACES

At a time when children spend more and more time in front of a screen, the escape dance offers has never been more important. Dance is more than just a way of exercising and entertainment, it enables young people to gain artistic skills and discipline, it increases confidence, spatial awareness, concentration and mobility. Dance and performing arts encourage inclusive, responsive learning but not all education environments – schools, colleges and universities – can dedicate a specialist area to this discipline. Harlequin Liberty Switch is an innovative, versatile multifunctional hybrid flooring solution. It enables an educational space to switch from a rigid floor to a sprung dance floor at the touch of a button, enabling the same space to be used flexibly for performing arts, drama, music and dance. It is a modular system that can be modified to meet any structural design requirements and can be custom designed. Areas of the floor can be quickly isolated to create rigid zones for the placement of pianos, tables or retractable seating, while the rest of the floor is used as a sprung dance floor.

ROCKWOOL LAUNCHES NYROCK TECHNOLOGY TO CREATE LOWEST LAMBDA STONE-WOOL IN THE UK As pressure mounts on the construction industry to deliver more thermallyefficient buildings while preserving standards of fire and acoustic performance, ROCKWOOL has launched NyRock technology, an evolution in stone-wool composition that delivers the lowest lambda stone-wool insulation available in the UK. Created using a new patented production process, this next-generation stonewool insulation has a more efficient fibre structure that can deliver thermal conductivity as low as 0.032W/mK. Critically, this means that U-values can be met with comparatively thinner constructions, which, in the case of external wall applications, creates the potential for additional interior floor space over a given building footprint. Alongside its improved thermal efficiency, NyRock technology still delivers all the additional benefits of stone-wool insulation, including durability, the ability to be recycled indefinitely and acoustic and fire performance. Comprising naturally non-combustible volcanic rock, ROCKWOOL solutions, powered by NyRock technology, achieve Euroclass A1

– the highest possible rating – and can withstand temperatures in excess of 1000°C. NyRock technology will be rolled out across a range of ROCKWOOL insulation solutions during 2022. “Our new products featuring NyRock technology will be significant for the construction industry, giving specifiers and building owners a true solution to the rapidly-evolving needs of the built environment and its biggest challenges,” said Paul Barrett, Head of Product Management at ROCKWOOL UK. “To limit the impact of climate change and support the delivery of net-zero carbon in the UK by 2050, it’s the responsibility of manufacturers like ourselves to go further, re-inventing and improving on existing solutions. NyRock technology does just that.

“While stone-wool insulation is already known for its proven benefits, such as longevity, ease of install, circularity and non-combustibility that is crucial for protecting people and properties, our patented technology builds on these advantages further.”

www.rockwool.com/uk/nyrock 01656 868490 technical.solutions@rockwool.co.uk

F. BALL LAUNCHES NEXT-GENERATION WATER-MIX SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT F. Ball and Co. has launched Stopgap 1500 AquaPro, the latest addition to its range of high-performance, water-mix smoothing underlayments. Stopgap 1500 AquaPro can be applied over old adhesive residues, including bitumen, carpet tile tackifiers and ceramic tile adhesives, eliminating the need for mechanical preparation. In such applications, there is no need to prime beforehand, saving further time and expense. Fast-setting and fast-drying, it is walk-on hard in as little as 60 minutes after application and ready to receive floorcoverings from just four hours. The smoothing underlayment is suitable for use over a wide range of subfloor types, as well as Stopgap waterproof surface membranes.

www.f-ball.co.uk

01538 361633

mail@f-ball.co.uk

CHURCH CONVERSION WILL BE A GODSEND TO COMMUNITY UFCM and Ace Concrete Flooring were called upon when a heating solution was needed for a new centre for disabled children in north-east England. St Williams Church, in Dormanstown, Redcar, has been renovated to become a respite centre for children with disabilities after the site was leased by Ark Consultants. Ark called in Ace Concrete Flooring Solutions, based in Thornaby-on-Tees, and commercial underfloor heating specialist UFCM. A UFCM underfloor heating system was chosen to avoid radiators throughout the building making it a safe environment and having a good control of heat throughout. They installed a wet underfloor staple system at 150mm centres to the ground floor over 200m2. They also installed a low-profile crate system at 150mm centres on the first floor.

www.ufcm.co.uk

SETCRETE HIGH PERFORMANCE MAINTAINS INTEGRITY FOR CONSERVATORY FLOORS Setcrete High Performance floor-levelling compound is the perfect option for smoothing screeds in high solar gain areas, such as conservatories, prior to the installation of a floorcovering. Setcrete High Performance utilises a fibre-reinforced cement formulation, which performs a similar function to steel reinforcement in reinforced concrete. It is suitable for use over both absorbent and non-absorbent subfloors, including sand/cement and concrete screeds, as well as granolithic, terrazzo, epoxy and polyurethane resins, ceramic and quarry tiles. In addition, the fibre reinforcement provides a level of flexibility that makes it suitable for use over plywood subfloors.

www.setcrete.co.uk 01538 361633 lisa.shirley@f-ball.com

ufcm.info@polypipe.com

Schools and colleges struggling to cope with the twin challenges of staff and pupil safety and energy efficiency can now finance ‘Clean Air as a Service’ through a new £3.5m fund established by leading energy-efficiency firm, Energys Group. Repayment costs are a little as 5p per day, per pupil on a five-year agreement. The fund, which went live in June, is designed to be off-balance sheet, simple to administrate and apply for and presents no commercial risk to successful applicants. Any educational establishment – local authority maintained, academy or faith school – is eligible to apply. Independent schools are also eligible and welcome to apply. Energys Group is already well-known for its installations of energy-efficient retrofit technologies, including LED lighting in over 1000 schools and colleges. The company

IT’S OFFICIAL – EOS GAINS BOPAS ACCREDITATION Following on from the announcement that EOS Framing has reached the finals of the Construction News Specialists Awards and has an unprecedented seven entries shortlisted in the Offsite Awards, the leading steel-framing innovator has reported that the company has been awarded Buildoffsite Property Assurance Scheme (BOPAS) Accreditation. BOPAS Accreditation is recognised by principal mortgage lenders as providing the necessary assurance underpinned by a warranty provision that the property will be readily mortgageable for at least 60 years.

Why is this important? For funders and lenders, BOPAS provides assurances that EOS Framing’s light steel systems are fit for purpose and eliminates the uncertainty surrounding the construction for valuation purposes. It also removes the risk for developers of mortgages being declined on construction grounds and improves business opportunities for EOS as a manufacturer of offsite systems. BOPAS demonstrates to funders, lenders, valuers and purchasers that homes built from non-traditional methods will

FOCUS & INNOVATION

£3.5M FUND ACCELERATES SCHOOL UPTAKE OF ‘CLEAN AIR AS A SERVICE’

be durable, delivered to high-quality standards and stand the test of time. Managing Director of EOS, Steve Thompson, stressed the importance of certification and accreditation: “We take our responsibilities as a manufacturer extremely seriously. Our light steel frame systems are rigorously tested, manufactured under ISO 9001:2015 quality management standards and are now backed by BOPAS Accreditation. Our aim is to deliver confidence and certainty in the construction process and empower specifiers to be technical forerunners in the offsite sector. “This achievement has only been made possible by our dedicated team who share our vision and values. My thanks and appreciation go out to all those involved.”

believes its new Clean Air as a Service (CAaaS) model and dedicated £3.5m fund, will act as a much-needed driver for safer, more energyefficient schools, in line with a school’s duty of care to provide a safe environment. Well-managed indoor air quality delivers a wide range of benefits including: Lower rates of sickness and absenteeism Higher levels of productivity and cognition, leading to better results Peace of mind to staff, pupils and other building users.

Energys Group’s CAaaS finance model is very similar to that used in other sectors where the upfront cost of investment in hardware is prohibitive to uptake. For a pre-agreed monthly ‘packaged fee’, a school can benefit from Energy Group’s Goji Air indoor air management technology, any ongoing maintenance

and spares, plus warranties. Energys Group calculates that, on average, the cost of monthly payment will be 5p per child, per day – averaging at £17/per month over a fiveyear agreement.

www.energysgroup.com 01403 786212 info@energysgroup.com

OMNIE WHOLE-HOUSE SOLUTION FOR DEVON BARN CONVERSIONS Against a backdrop of Government targets to build 300,000 homes a year, combined with increasing construction costs and poor-quality, conventionallyconstructed houses as well as a huge shortfall in traditional skills – the demand for innovative offsite construction methods has never been greater.

Complete and compliant systems Specialising in advanced light steel framing technologies, EOS is taking the construction industry forward by pioneering a new certified systems approach, helping specifiers to comply and compete in challenging markets. EOS is committed to technical competence and, as part of Etex, has some of the best building performance experts in the UK on its team. It works closely with certification bodies to jointly develop and design advanced technical solutions. To discover how EOS systems are delivering certified, predictable and warrantied performance, visit the website below.

www.eosframing.co.uk 01325 303030 eosenquiries@etexgroup.com

CUT-TO-FALLS MULTIBOARD HELPS DRAIN TOP-FLOOR BALCONY An experienced builder and roofing contractor has made use of some 300 standard and tapered Marmox Multiboards to complete a complex refurbishment of a large, top-floor balcony on an apartment building in north London. Having stripped off all of the rotten felt and boarding, Lightwood Construction’s operatives installed 90 sheets of 20mm-thick 1250 x 600mm standard Multiboards, along with 200 of the 1200 x 1200mm cut-to-falls variant, which taper from 33mm down to 10mm: enabling subtle gradients to be created in draining the balcony to multiple outlets. Managing Director, Niaz Choudhury, commented: “We originally started using Marmox Multiboard abut seven years ago for refurbishing bathrooms and shower areas. They are easy to cut and install with the special tape and 360 adhesive.”

01634 835290

www.marmox.co.uk sales@marmox.co.uk

The conversion of three stone-built agricultural buildings near Totnes, Devon, is employing a full selection of renewable and low-energy technologies from OMNIE’s range to create a comfortable living environment for the new occupants. Each of the luxury homes is to be heated by an LV air-source heat pump, which will be connected via multi-branch manifolds to OMNIE’s Staple underfloor heating system across the ground floors with the company’s LowBoard being specified to warm the upper levels. Then, to maximise fuel efficiency and help guarantee a healthy indoor living environment, a constant supply of pre-warmed and filtered fresh air will be supplied via one of OMNIE’s Zehnder ComfoAir mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) units.

www.omnie.co.uk

01392 363605

projects@omnie.co.uk

ESG FOR THE EDUCATION SECTOR AND THE IMPORTANCE OF MONITORING WATER CONSUMPTION Schools, colleges and universities seeking to improve ESG performance by reducing water consumption now have an option to retrofit ‘smart’ technology to existing analogue meters. Developed by Deer Technology, the LimpetReader is battery powered, withstands long-term submersion in water or mud, and does not suffer from drift. The LimpetReader is bonded to the meter’s faceplate, though the meter’s register remains visible in case a visual read is necessary. However, there should be no need to take confirmatory readings because the system is immune from drift and readings are treated as visual readings. Schools, colleges and universities can, therefore, monitor water consumption in an accurate and timely way.

www.deertechnology.com

01639 363146

hello@deertechnology.com

WE ARE THE I N N O VAT O R S NyRock® technology has arrived

FIND OUT MORE www.rockwool.com/uk/NyRock