Construction National - Magazine

constructionnational winter 2011 1

2 constructionnational winter 2011

constructionnational winter 2011 �

PASMA4 PASMA-leadingthewayforthemobileaccesstowerindustry

NEWS5 Anairambulancebasetobeproudof

6 Asbestosdangers-timetocallintheexperts

6 Constructionindustry‘hopeful’for2011

HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING – IOSH7 Behindthehardhat–thethreesidestomakingasitesafe

THE CONCRETE SHOW 201111 Excitingnewnationaleventshowcasesconcrete

10 Tailor-madesolutionsleadtosuccessfulcustomers

ARBORICULTURAL ASSOCIATION14 Restructured’ApprovedContractor’schemesetsindustrystandard

16 Retainingtreesinharmonywithconstruction

CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES18 Classifiedsupplieslisting

CONSTRUCTION HOUSING18 NHBCPrideintheJobSealofExcellencewinners2010

Paul HouldsworthAdvertising Manager

Tel: 0161 850 1682

Mob: 07789 933537

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Copyright Construction National.All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of Construction National.Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. CHL

CONTENTS

Cover Story ‘ARB Approved Contractor’...the industry standard for tree work operations!

The‘ARBApprovedContractor’scheme,operatedbytheArboriculturalAssociation,hasrecentlyundergoneamajorrestructure

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PASMA-leadingthewayforthemobileaccesstowerindustry

n Thecountry’sleadingauthorityonmobileaccesstowers,PASMA–thePrefabricatedAccessSuppliersandManufacturers

Association–wasformedin1974andcomprisedthemajormanufacturersofalloyaccesstowersintheUK.

Theassociation’soriginalobjectivesweretopromotethesafeuseofalloyaccesstowersandtorepresenttheinterestsofitsmemberstotheregulatoryandstandardsauthorities.Membershipoftheassociationwasconfinedtomanufacturersonly,whoatthattimerepresentedtheprincipalsupplierstothemarketforbothsalesandhire.

Intheearly1980s,theassociationdeviseditsPASMATrainingCourseforusersofalloytowers,nowuniversallyacknowledgedastheindustrystandard,andsocommencedalonghistoryofskillstrainingtomaketheuseofaccesstowersassafeaspossiblebyproducingmanythousandsofcompetentusers.

LikealldynamicorganisationsPASMAhasmovedwiththetimes.Inthelate1990s,morestringentproceduresforthePASMAStandardTrainingSchemewereformalisedandanAuditRegimewasestablishedtoensureauniformlyhighlevelofPASMAtrainingfromoneendofthecountrytotheother.

Aroundthistime,theassociationchangeditsnametodemonstrateitswiderrepresentationofmanufacturersofbothaluminiumandfibreglassaccesstowers,andtoreflectitsreviewedandwidenedmembershipcategories.ThissawtheintroductionofnewHirer/DealerandTrainingmembershipswhichmoreaccuratelyrepresentedallsectorsoftheaccesstowerindustryandre-establishedPASMA’spositionastheleadrepresentativebodyandauthorityonallmattersrelatingtomobileaccesstowers.

Althoughmostcommonlyassociatedwithuseinconstructionandrelatedtrades,applicationsformobileaccesstowersspanacrossmanyindustries,rangingfromtherailwayandaerospaceindustriestofoodandpharmaceuticals.Since1999,whenfundamentalchangestothemembershipcriteriawereintroduced,theassociationhasofferedfullmembership,notonlytomanufacturers,butalsotohirers,dealersandthoseorganisationsaccreditedtoprovidePASMAtraining.

Afurthercategory,thatofnon-votingassociate,catersforanyonewithademonstrableinterestintheUKtowerindustry,withafinalcategoryofsubscribingmemberbeingaddedin2005tocaterforthoseindividualsandorganisationswho,althoughnotactiveintheindustry,neverthelesswishtoavailthemselvesoftheopportunitytopurchasePASMAhealthandsafetypublicationsandproductsandkeepabreastofchangesinthisfastmovingindustry.

ThePASMACodeofPracticehascometobethedefinitiveaccesstowerreferencedocumentformanagers,supervisors,healthandsafetyprofessionalsandusersalike,andhasbeencompletelyupdatedtoincorporatetherequirementsoftheWorkatHeightRegulations2005.

InordertoqualifyforPASMAmembership,allindividualsandcorporatebodiesapplyingmust:beofgoodreputeandstandingintheaccessindustry;haveaccessequipmentmeetingcertainminimumrequirements;haveadequateandappropriatesafetysystemsandarecordofgoodsafetypractice,andagreetobeboundbytherulesandCodeofConductoftheassociation.


n ThePrideofCumbriaairambulanceteamnowhave

abasetobeproudof,thankstothegenerosityoflocalfirmsincludingRussellArmerHomes.

TheambulancetakestotheskiesfromitsbaseatLangwathby,nearPenrith,bringingrapidemergencymedicalhelptopeopleinneed.

OvertheyearsRussellArmerhavebuiltupcloselinkswiththislife-savingcharityandtheirstaffareconstantlyinspiredbytheworktheydo.So,whenthePrideofCumbriateamaskedforhelpwithamajorrefurbishmentattheirbase,thecompanyweredelightedtogivetheirsupport.

Alongwiththeirsupplierstheygaveanewkitchen,shower,pavingblocksandflagsfreeofchargewhichwerefittedforfreebylocalcontractors.

JanHawkins,chairoftheFriendsofPrideofCumbriafundraisingteam,says,“We’vebeenabletocountonRussellArmerHomesrightfromthestart.Theyarethefirstbusinesstohavesupporteduscontinuouslyandkeptonsupportingusforalltheseyears.They’vebeenmybedrock.”

StuartBrown,companybuyerforRussellArmerHomes,explains,“Wearealong-termsupporteroftheGreatNorthAirAmbulance,andwhenaskedforhelpwewereonlytoohappytosupporttheirrefit.”q

An air ambulance base to be proud of


PASMA-leadingthewayforthemobileaccesstowerindustry

Additionalmembershipcriteriaincludetherequirementsthat:manufacturingmembershavethirdpartyproductconformitycertificationbyanapprovedbodytotheappropriatenational,Europeanorinternationalstandard;hirer/dealermembersofferproductswhichmeettheappropriatenational,Europeanorinternationalstandards;trainingmembershavePASMAapprovedTrainingCentreStatus,andassociatemembershaveademonstrableinterestinthetowerindustry.

OnceadmittedtoPASMA,membersmust:conducttheirbusinesswithintherequirementsoflegislation,regulations,healthandsafetyguidanceandthePASMACodeofPractice;provideappropriatetrainingfortheirstafftoenablethemtooperatewithinandgiveadviceinaccordancewiththePASMACodeofPractice;notbringtheindustryortheassociationintodisreputebytheiractionsornegligence,andactwithintegrityatalltimes.q


Asbestos dangers-timetocallintheexpertsn Thedangersposedbyasbestosshouldnotbeoverlookedby

companieswhoseworkersmaycomeintocontactwiththesubstance.

Inadditiontobeingaserioushealthrisk,asbestosexposurecouldresultincostlylegalactionintheeventofabreachofhealthandsafetylegislation–asshowninthetworecentcasesbelow.

Apropertymanagementfirmwasfined£30,100afteradmittingaseriesofoffenceswhichresultedinworkersbeingexposedtoasbestosfibres.InaprosecutionbroughtbytheHealthandSafetyExecutive(HSE),itwasrevealedthatthecompanyfailedtoproperlymanagetheremovalofasbestos-containingmaterialswhenemployeeswerereplacingafactoryroof.

AMagistrates’Courtwastoldthatupto15employeeswereworkingontheprojectwhichincludedstrippingmaterialsfromsupportbeamswhich,whenlatertestedbytheHSE,werefoundtocontainasbestos.

AninvestigationbytheHSEhighlightedthatthefirmhadneglectedtocarryoutanasbestossurveyorriskassessment.HSEinspector,RachelBrittain,said:“Thedangersofasbestosshouldneverbeunderestimatedandarewellknowninthepropertyindustryandbeyond.Foracompanytoputworkersatthislevelofriskshowsatotaldisregardfortheirsafetyandwelfare.”

Inaseparatecase,healthandsafetybreachesthatledtoaplumberbeingexposedtoover50timesthelegallimitforasbestoshavelandedacompanyownedbyRotherhamCouncila£7,000fine.

Firm2010RotherhamLimited,whichwassetuptomanagecouncilhomes,failedtopassontheresultsofitsasbestossurveytoasub-contractor,resultingintheworkerbeingexposedtothehazardoussubstance.

RotherhamMagistratesheardthatthesurveyhadrevealedthepresenceofasbestosinahomenextdoortotheonewhereBarnsleyfirmNugaswashiredtoreplaceanoldbathroomwithashowerroom.

SinceNugaswasnotawareofthefindings,theplumberitsentwasnotwearingsafeclothingorrespiratoryprotectionwhenheremovedtilesfromawallmadeofasbestosinsulatingboard(AIB),damagingitintheprocess.

Thecourtwasalsotoldthatatthetimeoftheincident,theAIBwallnextdoorwasbeingtakenoutbyalicensedasbestosremovalserviceemployedby2010Rotherham.Magistratesfinedthecompany£7,000andorderedittopay£3,418incosts.q

Constructionindustry‘hopeful’for2011n TheBritishconstructionindustryishopefulthat2011will

seeimprovementsinturnoverandgrossprofitsdespitepoorconfidenceinthesector,accordingtoanewreport.

Althoughconfidenceinthesectorremainedlowinthelastquarterof2010andstilllagsthatofmostothersectors,thereisstilloptimismlookingahead,saysthelatestICAEW/GrantThorntonUKBusinessConfidenceMonitor(BCM).

TheConfidenceIndexofbusinessesintheconstructionsectorfellby1.3pointsinthefourthquarterof2010to6.3pointscomparedtothe7.6pointsseeninthethirdquarter.ThisisthelowestConfidenceIndexforthesectorseensofarthisyearandisasignificantdeclinefromtheconsiderablymorebuoyant24pointsseeninthefirstthreemonthsoftheyear.

Only47%ofbusinessesintheconstructionsector,downfrom51%inthethirdquarter,aremoreconfidentintheeconomicprospectsfacingtheirorganisationoverthenext12months.Theproportionthatislessconfidentaboutthecomingyearisrelativelyunchangedat30%comparedto31%inthelastquarter.

Despitethedeclineinconfidence,constructionfirmsexpectsomeimprovementstotheirbusinessperformancethisyearafteradifficult12monthsin2010.Turnoverisexpectedtoincreaseby2.4%afterfallingby3%overthelast12months.Grossprofitisexpectedtoriseby2.2%afterseeinga4.2%falloverthelastyear.q


n Asanyoneinvolvedinconstructionknows,therearethreesidestomakingsureaprojectissafetoworkon,safetomanageandsafe

tobuild.TheInstitutionofOccupationalSafetyandHealth(IOSH)believesthat

safetytraininginbothmanagementandworkingon-sitecan,andis,increasinglybeingusedtocutthenumberofconstruction-relateddeaths.Butthesafetytrailgoesasfarbackascoursesforthedesignerswhoalsoneedtoensurethataprojectissafetobuildandmaintain.

AccordingtoHealthandSafetyExecutive(HSE)statisticsfor2009/10,42peoplelosttheirlivesinthesector–that’s2.2per100,000workers.Thismeansconstructionisonlythirdbehindagricultureandextractiveindustriesforfatalities–afactwhichillustratestheroomforimprovementatdesign,managerialandoperatorlevelson-site.

Operating safelyPartofthewayinwhichon-siteoperatorscankeepthemselvessafeisby

undertakingpracticalandrelevanttrainingrelatedtothespecifichazardsandsituationstheycouldtypicallymeetintheirday-to-dayactivities.Thatincludesgeneralbuildingandconstructionwork,maintenanceandrepair,refurbishment,engineeringandcivilengineering.

IOSH’sConstructionGroupViceChairandTrainingChampionDavidAckerleyisakeenadvocateoftheorganisation’ssector-specificcourse,Working Safely in Construction–derivedfromitsoriginalandhighlysuccessfulWorkingSafelycourseprogramme.

Hesaid:“It’svitalthatworkersareawareoftheirresponsibilityforsafetytowardsthemselves,colleaguesandeventhegeneralpublicwhomaycomeintocontactwithaparticularsite.

“Thecourseisaboutteachingbehaviouralsafetyasmuchasanythingelse–helpingpeopletoformsafe,ratherthandangerous,habitsandtounderstandthethingsthatcancauseaccidents.Becausethetruthis,evenamomentarylapseinconcentrationorasimplelackofconsiderationcanleavesomeonewithalifethreateninginjury.

“Whatthecoursesteachisthatnothing,noteventhemostchallengingtimescales,shouldcompromisesafety.”

Behind the hard hat –the three sides to making a site safe

Anyoneinvolvedinactivitieson-siteworkalsoneedstounderstandbasiclegislationthat,ifignored,couldgetthemandtheiremployerintotrouble.Thiscoversbasichealthandsafetylaw,welfare,firstaidandfireprovisions,aswellasknowledgeofriskassessments.

IOSH’sWorking Safely in Constructioncourseexploresareassuchasworkatheight,excavationsandconfinedspaces,moving,liftingandhandlingloadsandhowtouseequipmentandmachinerysafely.It’salsoimportantthatworkerslearntoidentifyhazardoussubstancesandhowtoprotectthemselvesfromexcessivenoiseandvibrationlevels.Evenbasicknowledgeofpersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE)istaught,alongwitharefresheronsafetyaroundelectricitysupplyandhowtotransportpeoplearoundsitesafely.

Although,onthesurface,thisknowledgemightbeconsideredlogical,commonsenseorbasic,thecourseisdesignedtohighlightgapsinawarenessanddemonstratethefactthatnothingistoosmallorinsignificanttoignore.

Managing safelyConstructionmanagersmustalsohaveadequatesafetytrainingand

IOSH’sManaging Safely in Constructioncoursedeliverstheknowledgeandskillsnecessarytohelppeoplerecognisehazardsandtheactionsneededtocontrolandmanagethem.

Responsibilityforthewaysafetyworksonaconstructionsitecanbedaunting,butknowledgeofsafetypoliciesandhealthandsafetylegislationgivespeopletheconfidenceintheirabilitytomanageefficientlyandeffectively,knowingtheyaredoingtherightthing.

DavidAckerleyadded:“Oneofthekeythingsgoodsafetytrainingachievesismakingseniorstaffappreciatetheimportanceofmanagingsafetyinthisdemandingandoftenfast-pacedsectorofindustry.

“IOSHManaging Safely in Constructionprovidesconstructionmanagersandsupervisorswithpracticalhealthandsafetyknowledgewhichwillbenefitthemintheworkplace.Thetrainingcoversawideranginganddetailedsyllabus,aimedspecificallyattheconstructionindustry.

“Atatimewhencompetenceandprofessionalismhasneverbeenmoreimportant,thiscoursereallyfitsthebill”

IOSH’sManaging Safely in Constructioncoursealsoremindsmanagerswhat‘risk’actuallyis,theroleriskassessmentplayswithintheworkplace,aswellastherelatedlegalsystems.

Seniorstaffmustbeabletorecognise,manageandcontrolhazards,whileappreciatinghowaccidentsandincidentscanhappenon-site.Thisinturngivesthemthetoolstobeabletoidentifythehazardsandproperlymitigatetherisk.

Thecoursealsoteachesmanagershowtocarryoutaccidentinvestigationsandhelpsstafftorealisetheinherentvalueofthoseinvestigations.Performancemeasurementandwaysofmonitoringsafetyperformancearealsointegraltositesafety.

Anytrainingcourseshouldalsohelppeopletoseetheimpacttheconstructionindustryhasontheenvironment,thereforehelpingthemunderstandwhytheyshouldemployproperwastedisposaltechniquesandapproachestosavevitalcommoditieslikewater.IOSH’sprogrammedoesthis,andexplainshowpollutionandwasteshouldbecontrolled,whilstsettingoutthemainelementsofagoodenvironmentalmanagementsystem.

SeniorstaffmustknowthekeyrequirementsoftheConstructionDesignandManagementRegulations2007,whichdescribethewayinwhichalldesigners–fromengineerstoarchitects-shouldcarefullyconsiderhowtheirdesigndecisionscanaffectaproject,duringconstructionandbeyond.Thedesignshouldalsotakeintoaccountthefuturehealthandsafetyoftheusersoftheworkplace.Theseregulationsensurethatprojectsaresafetobuildanddonotputanysitestaffatunnecessaryrisk.

ThisalsoillustratestheimportanceofIOSH-accreditedcoursessuchas

IOSH’s Construction Group ViceChair and Training Champion David Ackerley


CDM for Construction Professionals,tohelpthemmeettherequirementsofrigoroussafetyconsiderationsindesign.This,ofcourse,allhappensbehindthehardhats-thosewhoaredirectlyinvolvedwithabuildonaday-to-daybasis.

Designing safelyTonyPutsman,ahealthand

safetyconsultant,deliversoneoftheseIOSHcourseswithhiscompany,ConstructionTeamTechnologiesLtd.

Hesaid:“Evenifbuildersandcontractorsaretryingtobesafeonsite,whattheyarebeingaskedtobuildmightnotbe.

“Designingaschemesoit’ssafetobuildandsafetooperateisabsolutelyessentialandsitesafetyisn’tjustabouttheconstructionphase,it’saboutmanagementdevelopmentandsafedesign.”

TonyPutsmanfirstgotinvolvedwiththedesignsafetysideofconstructionhealthandsafetycoursesbecausehesawadangerousgapinthesystemduringthe1990s,whenonlypiecemealtrainingwasgiventocivilengineerswhodesignedandranjobs.

TheCDM for Construction Professionalscoursesarethethirdkeypartofconstructiontrainingtoimprovesitesafety.Theyallowotherswhodon’tnecessarilyspendmuchtimeon-siteduringabuild’slifecycletounderstandhowthedesignofaprojectcanpreventpeople’slivesbeingputatrisk.

Managementmustlinkconstructionworktotheapplicablelegislation.Andinturn,safedesignneedstoforwardplanforhowbuildingworkcanbedrivensoitissafeandlawabiding.

Thisthree-daycoursegivespeopleinformation,instructionandtraining

Tony Putsman of Construction Team Technologies Ltd

sotheyunderstandthe‘how’and‘why’ofdesigningsafebuilds,aswellastheassociatedlegalduties.Itistheretoenablearchitects,projectmanagers,engineersandotherstolearnandunderstandbasiclegislationandhowthisappliestotheconstructionenvironment.

Therearetwomainelementsessentialtomaintainingastandardwhichwillmeanthoseoutonthefrontlinearen’tplacedatunnecessaryrisk.

First,engineers,architectsandotherdesignersshouldbethinkingabouthowtomaketheprojectsafertobuildduringthedesignstage.Forexample,workingfromheightcausesalotofaccidents,sotheemphasisistoensureemployeesareabletoputtogetheralotofthebuildatgroundlevelbeforeanythingiserected.Thisminimisestheamountoftimetheyareputatriskfromworkingatheight.

Second,aftercompletion,theoperationandmaintenanceofthebuildingbegins.Anyonewhoseworkinvolvesmaintenanceandcleaningshouldn’texperiencecomplicationsandaccessproblemsthatcouldalsomakeitdifficultforthemtodotheirjob.Forexample,anatriumwithhigh-ceilingscouldposeaccessdifficultiesforupkeepandhousekeeping.Wherethisisthecase,designshouldincludesomeformofeasieraccesssothisriskisdramaticallyreduced.

Otherconsiderationsatbuildandmaintenancestageincludemitigatingagainsttheriskoffallingfromheight,objectsfallingfromheight,electricalproblemsandtransportissues.Wherepossible,designersarealsotaughtthattheymustreducethetimeanyoneisforcedtousevibratingequipmentlikebreakersandscabberswherecontinuoususecandamagenerveendings.

TonyPutsmanadded:“Ourchiefconcernistocutthenumberoffatalities,injuriesandincidentsofill-healthinconstruction.Whatwe’reteachingpeopletodoisthinkofadesignlikeajigsaw,wherepartsshouldbepre-madetofitinadvanceratherthanneedingtobecutandbuiltfromscratchon-sitebyhand,causingpotentialinjury.

“Andthat’swhycontractors,builders,engineersandarchitectsshouldbeencouragedtoworkasateamwithacollaborativeapproach,tomaketheoveralljigsawfit.IthinkIOSH’sprogramsgiveprofessionalsareallygoodgroundingintheimportanceofdoingthis.”q


n BASF’sConstructionChemicalsdivisionistheleadingsupplierof

chemicalsystemsandformulationsfortheconstructionindustry.Continuousinnovationandtailor-madesolutionsensureitscustomersaremoresuccessful.

ItsAdmixtureSystemsbusinessunitspecificallyhelpscustomersintheready-mix,precast,manufacturedconcreteandundergroundconstructionindustries.BASFAdmixtureSystemsistheleadingadmixturesupplier,deliveringcontinuousinnovationandaddedvaluesolutionsthatprovidesuperiorqualityandeconomicbenefittotheconcreteindustry.Thebusinessunitiscommittedtoengineeringqualitysolutionstodrivetheconcreteindustryforward.Throughconstantresearchanddevelopmentintonewproducts,systems,applicationmethodsandequipment,theyaddvaluetoconcrete.

TheConstructionSystemsunitoffersawiderangeofproductsforsportsand

industrialflooring,externalrendersandwallinsulation,expansionjointsandwoodpreservativesaswellasspecialistrepairmortars,tileadhesivesandwaterproofingmembranes.WhetheritisanewbuildorrefurbishmentprojectBASF’sConstructionSystemscanofferawideandvariedrangeofsolutionstotheconstructionindustry.ThebusinessunitisalsoattheforefrontoftechnologyandtheirconstantlyevolvingproductportfolioistheresultoftheworkundertakenbytheirglobalR&Dcentresofexcellence.TherecentadditionsoftheEmacoNanocreterangeofEN1504compliantconcreterepairmortarsisjustoneexampleofBASF’sConstructionSystemsleadingtheway.

Amarket-segmentedstructuremeansthatyoucanrelyontheproximityofaregionalcompanywiththebackingofaglobalgroup.Thebroadestrangeoftechnologicallyadvancedchemicaladmixturesandthebesttechnicalbackupfromtheinternationalmarketleader.

BASF’sConstructionChemicalsoperatesproductionsitesandsalescentresinmorethan50countriesandachievedsalesofabout€2billionwithapproximately7,100employeesin2009.

BASFistheworld’sleadingcompany:TheChemicalCompany.Itsportfoliorangesfromchemicals,plasticsandperformanceproductstoagriculturalproducts,finechemicalsaswellasoilandgas.AsareliablepartnerBASFhelpsitscustomersinvirtuallyallindustriestobemoresuccessful.Withitshigh-valueproductsandintelligentsolutions,BASFplaysanimportantroleinfindinganswerstoglobalchallengessuchasclimateprotection,energyefficiency,nutritionandmobility.

BASFpostedsalesofmorethan€50billionin2009andhadapproximately105,000employeesasoftheendoftheyear.q

• Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf-cc.co.uk.

Tailor-made solutions lead to successful customers


n Thenewspecialistshowfortheconcreteindustry–CONCRETE.TheUKConcreteShow2011–willbringtheindustrytogethertomeet,

networkandseeallthatisnewandinnovativeinconcreteunderoneroofatatTheRicohArena,Coventry,onFebruary23rd-24th.

Whetherit’spre-castorreadymix,selfcompactingorfibrereinforcedconcrete,CONCRETE–TheUKConcreteShow2011,organisedbyMarwoodEvents,reallywillbe‘allaboutconcrete’.

ADFIL,BASF,BLASTRAC,CHRYSO,DOKA,GRACE,HTC,HILTI,LAFARGE,MEVA,PROPEX,PUTZMEISTER,SIKA,SCHWINGandTYROLITarejustsomeoftheindustryleadersexhibitingatthisexcitingnewnationalevent.

Anindustryofthissizeandcomplexityneedsahub,aplacetomeet,tofindnewcustomers,anannualfixedpointtolaunchnewproducts,aforumforeveryoneintheconcreteindustrytoselltoeachother.

Thereisstillnosubstituteforactuallymeetingpeopleandholdingdiscussionsfacetofacetogrowyourbusiness–whetherthatbewithsuppliers,customersorindustrypeers–it’ssimplybyfarthemosteffectiveformofcontactforbusiness.

Aswellasstandsfeaturingallthatisnewandinnovativeintheindustry,therewillbeliveproductdemonstrations,trainingclassesandarangeoftop-classseminars.

Oneofmanyhighlyinformativeseminarsattheshow,Concrete – a Promising Future for a Versatile MaterialwillbepresentedbyAndrewMinsonoftheMineralProductsAssociation.

AndrewMinsonleadstheworkofMPA–theConcreteCentre,whichenablesandequips

Exciting new national event showcases concrete


projectteamstorealisethefullpotentialofconcrete,andinfluencesthedesignenvironmentandwiderperceptionofconcretetoensurethatthematerialisfullyutilised.Theversatilityofconcretemeansthatiscanbeusedbydesignerstomeetthechallengesofthefuture.

AndrewMinsonwillalsopresentWind Energy, a New Market for the Concrete Industrywhichisanexplorationintotheopportunitiesthatwillcontinuetodevelopfortheconcreteindustryasaresultoftheinvestmentinthegenerationofwindturbines,whichissettoseedramaticgrowthoverthenextdecade.

InapresentationThe Design and Specification of Waterproof ConcreteDavidBallFCMIMCSFRSA-Pudlo,ChairmanoftheDavidBallGroupplc,takesacloselookatwhatreducingthepassageofwaterthroughconcretecanachieveandwillhighlightbenefitssuchasimproveddurability,increasedstrength,areducedrateofcarbonationandimprovedchlorideresistance.

InaseminarentitledCementitious Materials ExplainedDrChrisClearoftheBritishReadyMixedConcreteAssociationwillconsiderthevarioustypesofcementitiousmaterialscurrentlyusedinthemanufacture

ofcementandreadymixedconcrete,examiningthebenefitsandeffectsofcementitioussubstitution.

Concrete Repair – Are You Up to Speed With BS EN 1504ispresentedbyChrisGallivanofBASFConstructionChemicals.InadditiontodiscussingtheUK’sfirsteverconcreterepairstandard,theseminarwillgoontoexplainthedifferencebetween‘allintendeduses’and‘certainintendeduses’,animportantfactorinsuccessfullyspecifyingmaterialperformance,andwillprovideexamplesofBSEN1504specificationsinuse.

CONCRETE.TheUKConcreteShow2011isgearedtosuitallconcreteindustryprofessionals–readymixandpre-castconcreteproducers,specialistcontractors,aswellasengineers,architectsandspecifiers–soifyoumanufacture,specifyorworkwithconcreteinanywaythenthisisyourshow!q

constructionnational winter 2011 1�

1� constructionnational winter 2011

...the industry standard for tree work operations!

n The‘ARBApprovedContractor’scheme,operatedbytheArboriculturalAssociation–theUK’slargestindustrybody

forurbantreecare,seewww.trees.org.uk–hasrecentlyundergoneamajorrestructure,principallytoalignwithotherH&Sschemestogainwiderandcrossindustryacceptanceandrecognition,butalsotobettersafe-guardinstructingclientsandappealtoawiderindustrymarket.

TheArboriculturalAssociation(AA...butnottobeconfused!)hasbeeninexistenceandservicingthearboriculturalsectorinoneguiseoranothersince1964.Inthe1970’sitbecameincreasinglyawareofvaryingnationalstandardsintreecareoperations,principallyinvolvingtreepruningandsafetycomplianceonworksites.Hencethe‘AAApprovedContractor’schemewasformedwiththeprimaryaimofimproving,andstandardising,treecareoperations.

Inthoseveryearly,‘goodold/badold’,daystherewasn’tthe

‘ARB Approvedby PAUL SMITH, Arboricultural Association Technical Officer and ‘ARB Approved Contractor’ Scheme Manager


plethoraofhealthandsafetyregulationsandcontrolstoconsiderandoftentreeswouldbeascendedby‘freeclimbing’withthearborist(treesurgeon)onlyattachingtoaropeforthedescenttothedesiredworkingposition.Iremembermyfirstdayasatreesurgeonforalocalcouncilwhentheforemantoldmetowearanextrapairofjeansaschainsawsweresometimesbl**dysharp(surelytheyshouldbesharpallthetimeIthought)....ohboy,ohboyhowtimeshavechanged..!

The‘ARBApprovedContractor’schemeinitsnew,2011formatandstructure:

• CDM Regs. 2007-complieswiththe(Appendix4 –Competence)

• CHAS(ContractorsHealthandSafetyAssessment Scheme)-meetstherequirementsof,andhasa ‘deemedtosatisfy’agreementauthorisingdualaward

• HSE-‘goodindustrypractice’,developedin consultationwith:

• Industry benchmark–setsthisforarboricultural contracting

• Reassessments–onabi-annualbasiswithannualH&S auditsforCHASAccreditedcontractors

• BS3998–compliancefortreeworkoperations

OUTCOME – H&S compliant, operationally competent and skilled tree work contractors.

TheCDMRegs(2007)ACOP–states‘Clientshaveadutytocheckthecompetenceandresourcesofallappointees’andfurthertheCDMco-ordinatorandprincipalcontractorhavemorespecificduties,includingregulatoryandcompliancechecks,forappointedsub-contractorswhichisusuallythecapacityinwhichtreeworkcontractorsareengaged.The‘ARBApprovedContractor’statusassistsindemonstratingthis.

TheHealthandSafetyExecutivepublication‘Use of

‘ARB Approved Contractor’


n TreeLifeACLtdcarriesoutarboriculturalconsultancy

workandprovidestrainingforthearboriculturalandassociatedindustriesnationwide.Oneofitsspecialistareasisthatofpreparingreportsrelatedtoconstructionsiteswheretreesarepresent.Thisinvolvesthepreparationofmethodstatementsthatdemonstratehowtreesmayberetainedinharmonywithconstruction.TreeLifeisalsotheprovideroftrainingtoorganisationsandcompaniesthathavetodealwithtreesonaregularbasis.TheydelivercoursesaroundthecountryatvariouscentresandattheirpurposebuilttrainingcentreinLeicestershire.TheyaimtodelivertrainingthatismostappropriatefortheclientandhasincludedthetopicsofBS5837,treesinrelationtoconstruction,treerootsandpavementrepair,treesandtheinstallationofundergroundservicesandrepairofundergroundservicesfromanarboriculturalperspective.TheconsultancyserviceisledbyanArboriculturalAssociationregisteredconsultantandCharteredArboriculturistwith34yearsexperienceinarboricultureandworkingwiththeconstructionindustry.Thecompanyarealwayspleasedtogiveadvicetopotentialclientsinordertodetermineexactneedsandrequirementsinordertoprovidethebestpossiblearboriculturalservice.q

Retaining trees in harmony with construction

contractors – a joint responsibility’ (INDG 368)clearlysetsouttheclient’sresponsibilityinappointingcompetentcontractorsandthecheckstobeundertakentoensurethis,‘sofarasreasonablypractical’ofcourse,andessentiallypromotesadoptionofaconsistentandstructuredprocedureforsodoing.Includedinthesechecksis‘doesthecontractorhaveanyindependentassessmentoftheircompetence’,interpretedasbothH&Scomplianceandoperationalcompetence,bothofwhichareassessedindetailunderthe‘ARBApprovedContractor’scheme.

Oneofthepreviousweaknessesoftheschemewasthetimescalebetweenreassessments,undertakentorecheckcontractorcompliance/competenceandqualitystandards,beingonlyonceeveryfiveyears.Thiswasclearly‘outofsync’withotheraccreditationschemesandnolongeracceptable.Sincethe‘deemedtosatisfy’agreementwasestablishedwithCHAS,therebyenablingdualaward,therehasbeenaneedforcontractorstobeH&Sauditedatleasteverytwoyearstomaintaintheir‘compliant’status.TheAssociationsawgreatbenefitincombiningthiswithafurthercompetence/skillscheck,toincreasetherobustnessoftheprocess,andintroducedan‘interim’reassessmentrequirementinthesecondyearofafouryearcycle.Further,ifthecontractorsCHASstatusisawardedviatheir‘ARBApprovedContractor’status,andtheyselecttobecome‘Accredited’theAssociationcanundertaketheirannualCHASauditsalternately,meaning:

Year1–‘ARBApprovedContractor’reassessment¹+CHASaudit(contractor’svenue)

Year 2 – CHAS audit (documentary submission to AA for desktop audit)Year3–‘ARBApprovedContractor’reassessment²+CHASaudit(contractor’svenue)

Year 4 – CHAS audit (documentary submission to AA for desktop audit)

¹Fullreassessmentcoveringallcriteriacontainedwithinthestandard

²PartialreassessmentcoveringonlythosecriteriarelatedtoH&S

compliance,operationalcompetenceandquality

For‘smaller’contractors,i.e.‘lessthan5employees’,‘ARBApprovedContractor’status+CHAScanbeavailableforlessthan£500peryear(overthefouryearcycle)andhencefinancialconstraintisnolongerabarriertoaccreditation.

Where does the scheme go from here?Well,besidesattractingmanynewcontractors,suchthatthe‘ARB

ApprovedContractor’statusbecomessynonymouswithcompetenttreesurgeons,inthewaythatCORGIstatusisforgasengineers,andclearlyyouasprospectiveappointingclientshaveakeyroletoplayhere,othermovesareafoottofurtherraisetheprofileandcredibilityofthescheme.TheseincluderegisteringtheschemewiththeHSE/CHAS‘SafetySchemesinProcurement’forum(www.ssip.org.uk),therebysubjectingtheschemeandit’sorganisation



toadetailedauditbyHSEitself(whichItakeaverypositiveviewon...somemaysayI’mmad!)andachievingISO9001‘QualityManagementSystems’and14001Environmentalaccreditations.

Certainlythere’smuchtobedonebutit’sallforthegoodoftheindustryandofcoursetothebenefitofthoseallimportantamenitytreesweallenjoyandwhichwillincreasinglyreceiveagoodstandardofcare.

ThankyouforreadingthisarticleandIhopeitwasofinterest!Shouldyouhaveanyquestions,orrequireanyfurtherinformationregardingthe‘ARBApprovedContractor’scheme,ortheAssociationanditsotheractivities,pleasedon’thesitatetoeithercontactmedirectlyontel.01242522152orvisitourwebsiteatwww.trees.org.uk.q

1� constructionnational winter 2011 constructionnational winter 2011 1�


SURVEYS

INTERIORFURNISHING&SUPPLLIES

TRAINING&ASSESSMENT

Honouredn Representingatrulyremarkableachievementforwinnersin

theNHBCPrideintheJobAwardssecondroundofjudging,theSealofExcellenceAwardsarepresentedtothetop130sitemanagers(splitbyregion),selectedfromthe400QualityAwardwinnersinthefirstroundoftheawards.

JudgingforPrideintheJobbeginsinJulyeachyearandcontinues,intotal,forthenext18months,enablingNHBCinspectorsandtheindependentjudgestofullyassesssitemanagers’workoveranextendedperiodoftime.

Toensureallsitesarejudgedtothesamecriteria,aPrideIntheJobmarkingsheetisused,whichcovers38site-managementactivities.

Theseincludemaintainingconsistentlyhighstandardsofsitemanagement;displayingexcellentleadershipskills;demonstratingtechnicalexpertise;havingtheabilitytoskillfullyinterpretdrawingsandspecificationsandensuringefficienthealthandsafetycontrolsonsite.

ThecompetitionisintenseandNHBCjudgeshavetosee


constructionnational winter 2011 1�constructionhousing winter 2011 1�

NHBC Pride in the Job Seal of Excellence winners 2010

n DurkansitemanagerChrisSurmonwasonanall-time‘high’whenhewonhisSealofExcellence

accoladeforhisworkonacomplexdesignandbuildprojecttocreate64apartmentsatGreengateHouse,Plaistow,LondonE13.

Theflats,forsharedownership,arebeingcreatedforTowerHomes.ThischallengingdevelopmentincludestheretentionoftheoriginalfaçadeofaGradeIIListedformerYMCAbuilding–initiallyconstructedin1919.Inaddition,theformerYMCAbasementswimmingpoolwillberemovedtocreatea36-spacecarparkforthenewresidents.

Theremainderofthebuildingwillbedemolishedandasbestosremovedtomakewayforanewwingofaccommodationwithintheoriginalfootprint.ThelargecarparksituatedbehindtheformerGreengateHousewillbeutilisedtoconstructadditionalaffordablehomesinalow-risemews.

Durkanofferawiderangeofconstruction,development,propertyinvestmentandregenerationsolutionsthroughoutLondonandthesoutheastofEngland.Theyhavebeencommittedtoprovidingclientswithsustainableandcreativesolutionsforover45years,benefitingnotonlylocalresidentsbutalsothewidercommunity.q

somethingquitespecialtonominateasitemanagerforanaward.Fromthestandardofworkmanship,tothewelfareofstaff,asitemanagermustgetinvolvedwitheveryaspectonsiteandworktocontinuallytoraisestandards.

Followingthefirststageofthecompetition(QualityAwards)and

Chris is on an all-time ‘high’

thesecondstage(SealofExcellence),winnersthenqualifyforjudginginthethirdround(RegionalAwards)andfinallyintheultimateSupremeAwards.

RegionalandSupremeAwardwinnersarejudgedbyapanelincludingindustryexpertswhoareindependentoftheNHBC.q

forexcellence

South East

20 constructionnational winter 201120 constructionhousing winter 2011


North West

constructionhousing winter 2011 21

n Takingthehonoursforhisteamandhiscompany,afterwhathasbeendescribedasa‘trulyfantastic’effort,isTonyPreece,

sitemanageratMillerHomes’BirkacreParkinChorley.TonywasoneoffourMillerHomessitemanagerstowinaSealof

Excellencein2010.Commentingonthecompany’ssuccessintheawards,SueWarwick,nationalsalesandmarketingdirectorforMillerHomes,said:”PrideintheJobisafantasticschemethatrecognisesandrewardstheverybestinthebusiness.Weareimmenselyproudofallofoursitemanagersandforsomanyofthemtopickupgongsatthiscomprehensivestageinthecompetitionshowshowtrulyfantastictheyare.”

Amazingaward

n GavinFlannerywasbothproudandamazedtoreceivehisawardforhisworkassitemanageratBarrattManchester’s

EcclestonParkdevelopmentinChorley.“Thisisanamazingawardthatprovesallmyhardworkand

dedicationdoesn’tgounnoticed”hesaid.Gavinstartedinthebuildingtradeasanapprenticejoinerat

WilliamHargreavesbeforebeingappointedtositemanagerstatusattheageof21.Hehasbeenwithhispresentemployerforthreeandahalfyears.

The123-homeEcclestonParkdevelopmentincorporatesavarietyofhousetypesrangingfromone-bedroomflatstothree-andfour-bedroomterracedanddetachedhouses.Completionoftheschemeisexpectedinsummer2012.

Ateverystageofthehousebuildingprocess,fromdesigningandplanningtothefinalfinishingtouches,Barrattkeepinmindtheemotionalandpracticalprioritiesofthepeoplewhowillbelivingintheirproperties.

Thecompany’sapproachisthatalloftheirpeople,whethertheybelandbuyers,sitemanagersormarketingstaff,delivertheirverybestatallstagesofthebusiness.q

‘A sense of achievement’n Makingthegradeinwinningacovetedawardbroughta

realsenseofachievementandafeelingofrecognitionforalltheeffortandhardworkofPhilipMcHugh,sitemanagerofCountrysideProperties’WhitegatesdevelopmentinMossley.

Philip,whohasbeenasitemanagerwiththecompanyforthepastfouryearshasbeenattheWhitegatessitefor12months.

WhitegatesisanewdevelopmentofbeautifulthreebedroomhomessituatedontheedgeofthePennines.MossleyisatraditionalPenninetownfilledwithcharacterwheresteepstreets,stonehousesandrenovatedmillsnestlebetweenriverandcanal.

ThehomesatWhitegatesarebuiltinatraditionalstylethatperfectlycomplementstheruralsurroundings.Lightandspaciousenvironmentsarecleverlycreatedwithopenplanlivingspaces,skylightsandFrenchdoorswhichinvitetheoutsidein.CompletionofthedevelopmentisexpectedinMarch2011.

CountrysideProperties’visionistocreateoutstandingnewhomesinexcellentlocationsforpeopletoenjoy,nowandinthefuture.Thecompanyhasaproventrackrecordincreatinghighqualityhomesthattheircustomersenjoyandwhichstandthetestoftime.Inrecognition,CountrysideHomesholdmoreCABEBuildingforLifeStandardsthananyotherprivatelyowneddeveloperandwerethefirsthousingdevelopertoreceivethemosthighlyprizedarchitecturalawardoftheRIBAStirlingPrizein2008.q

A ‘trulyfantastic’ effort

BirkacreParkalsoreceivedacommendationfromRobertNapier,ChairmanoftheHousingandCommunitiesAgency,whosaid:”IwasreallyimpressedwithwhatIsawatBirkacrePark–thewholeschemehasagreatvillagefeelandthehomesareclearlyofexcellentquality.”

SetinaloopoftheRiverYarrowonthesouthernedgeofChorley,BirkacreParkincorporatesadelightfulvillagegreenandpondmarkingtheentrancetoapeaceful,beautifullylandscapednewneighbourhood.q


Paul makes...North West

n SitemanagerPaulMorrisisenjoyingsuccessatthedoubleafterscoopingbothaSealofExcellenceandaRegionalAwardforhis

workatTaylorWimpey’sTheDeckdevelopmentinRuncorn.Paul,whosehobbiesincludefootballandskiing,hasbeenwith

TaylorWimpeyfor13years.HejoinedthecompanyasasitemanagerandhaswonaNHBCPrideintheJobQualityAwardforthepastfour

yearsaswellasscoopingtheprestigiousSealofExcellence.Paulsaid:“Receivingthisawardwasanextremelyproudmoment

formeandafantasticwaytorecognisethehardworkthatthewholeteamatTheDeckputsintomakingthedevelopmentthebestinRuncorn.”

SamWilliams,associatesalesdirectorforTaylorWimpeyNorth

...the grade

22 constructionhousing winter 2011


North West

West,said:“We’reabsolutelydelightedthatPaulhasbeenhandednotonebuttwooftheseprestigiousawardsandfeelthatit’sextremelywelldeserved.We’recommittedtoprovidinghousehuntersintheregionwithwelldesignedandaffordablehighqualityhomes,andthoseatTheDeckcertainlytickalloftherightboxes.”

The400-plushomedevelopmentincorporateswindowsfrommarket-leadingPultecWindowSystems.TheinnovativeGRPFibreglasswindowswereusedthroughoutthedevelopmentforimprovedthermalefficiency,reducedmaintenance,longerlifeandoverallbestvalue.TheDeckincorporatesastylishcollectionof466oneandtwobedroomapartmentsandislocatedneartothecentreoftheoldtown,enjoyingcommunalrecreationalareasandarangeofretailfacilities.SituatedonsomeofRuncorn’sformershiprepairyards,withinsightofthefamousRuncornBridge,thedevelopmentopensuppublicaccesstotheoldquayoftheManchesterShipCanal,spearheadingtheregenerationofaneglectedbrownfieldareaintoavibrantnewcommunity.Thedevelopmentisdueforcompletionin2015.q

constructionhousing winter 2011 2�

‘The icing on the cake’n SuccesstastedsweetforIanWallis,KensingtonDevelopment’s

award-winningsitemanageratTheVillaselementoftheLythamQuaysdevelopmentinLythamStAnnes.“Theawardistheicingonthecakeforme.ItisaprivilegetoreceivesuchanaccoladefordoingajobIthoroughlyenjoy”hesaid,adding“IwouldliketothankeverybodywhohasbeeninvolvedwithKensingtonDevelopmentsonTheVillasdevelopment.”

2� constructionnational winter 20112� constructionhousing winter 2011

Originallyajoinerbytrade,Ianhasbeenasitemanagersince1996andhasbeenwithhispresentcompanyforalmostthreeyears.SpeakingoftheluxuriousvillasunderconstructionontheLythamQuaysdevelopmenthesaid:“Thehomesareapproximately8,400sqfteachandattentiontodetailisparamountasthequalityissecondtonone.Eachvillahasitsowncinemaroom,gym,bespokekitchen,ensuitebedroomsthroughout,underfloorheating,grannyflatoverthegarage...Icouldgoonandon.”

Ianputhissuccessfulmanagementstyledowntoonesimplerule:“Ialwaystreatpeople,onsiteandoff,howI’dwanttobetreatedmyself.

ThatmeansIdon’traisemyvoiceandamalwaysfair.I'mcompletelyagainstthekindofmanagerswhoscreamandshoutinordertogetthingsdone.Idon’texpectI’dberespectedbymyteamifItriedthat,asyouhavetogiverespecttogetitback.”

Offeringtheultimateinluxuryandhighqualitycraftsmanship,thepalatialvillasatLythamQuaysareseenas‘thejewelinthecrown’bythedeveloper.SituatedinaplaceofalmostunparalleledbeautywithviewsoverGranny’sBayandclosetoLythamtowncentre,TheVillasofferunrivalledpanoramicviewsofSnowdoniatothesouthandtheidyllicsettingoftheLakeDistricttothenorth.q

North West

constructionnational winter 2011 2�constructionhousing winter 2011 2�

South West

n Excellenceisallinaday’sworkforaward-winningTonyBarbagallo,RobertsonDevelopments’sitemanagerat

WilkinsonGardens,Redruth,Cornwall.Tonyhasbeenwiththecompanyfor12yearsandhas

beenatthe101-homeWilkinsonGardenssiteforfouryears.Completionofthedevelopmentisexpectedin2013.

WilkinsonGardensisanenviabledevelopmentlocatedinanelevatedpositionontheoutskirtsofthehistoricminingtownofRedruthwithitsspectacularpanoramicviewsofsomeofthecountry’smostruggedcoastlineandricharchitecturalheritage.

AtWilkinsonGardens,architectsanddesignershavecreatedabespokedevelopmentofmorethan18differenthouseandapartmenttypes.

Rangingfromcontemporaryone-bedroomapartmentstostylishfour-bedroomtownhouses,allaccommodationbenefitsfromanimposingelevatedposition,withmanyhomesenjoyingstunningviewstowardsthehistoricCarnBreamonumentanddramaticnorthcoast.

RobertsonDevelopments’rootsstretchbacktothe1960sandencompasstwogenerationsoffamily-basedendeavour.Initially,residentialpropertiesweredevelopedthroughouttheSouthWest.

Sincethe1980s,effortshavebeenconcentratedonWestCornwall,withmanyhundredsofpropertiesbeingbuiltintheCamborneandRedrutharea.Since2000,projectactivityhasagainexpandedgeographicallywith,forexample,developmentsundertakeninStAustell.

Theturnofthemillenniumalsomarkedasignificantshifttowardsactivelypursuingprojectswithintheindustrialandcommercialarena.Thisaspectofthecompany’sworkhassinceexpandedtothedegreethattheyarenowoneoftheleadingcommercialpropertyplayersinandaroundTruro.q

All in a

day’s work!

2� constructionnational winter 20112� constructionhousing winter 2011


East

constructionhousing winter 2011 2�

Proud Garyscoopsdoublehonours

n ASealofExcellencetoppedbyaRegionalAwardrecognisedtheoutstandingprofessionalismofGaryDavies,sitemanagerat

MorrisHomes’CamLocks,WaterbeachdevelopmentinCambridge.“IamveryproudofwhatIbuildandofbeingconsistentinensuring

qualityandhappycustomers”saysGary,whostartedhiscareerintheconstructionindustryin1989.

Gary,whosehobbyishotairballooning,hasbeenworkingatthe64-homeCamLockssitefor18months.Hefeelsthatthesiteisdistinguishedbyitsrangeofdifferenthousetypeswhicharewellspacedoutonadevelopmentincorporatinglotsofopenspaceand

landscaping.Setontheedgeofthe

famousfensjustoutsideCambridge,CamLocksoffersallthebenefitsofasmallvillageinabeautifulruralsettingwithnoshortageofhistory,attractionsoramenities.

Sincepre-Normantimestheareahasbeenanimportantcentreforlocaltradeandcommerce,withtheRiverCam

forminganaturalhighwayfortheboatsandbargesthatpliedtheirtradealongitsbanks.

CamLocksisadiversedevelopmentofferingawideenoughselectionofhighqualitypropertiestomeetthedemandsofanyhomebuyer–fromyoungprofessionalslookingforamewshome,toagrowingfamilyseekingthespaceandprivacyofalargefive-bedroomproperty,MorrisHomes’highstandardofdesign,buildquality,landscaping,sitemanagementandenvironmental

A Top marks for Mark!n VeryproudtowinhisfirstSealofExcellenceisMarkFrost,whoworksforTaylor

WimpeyEastMidlandsandtookthehonoursformanaginghiscompany’sBrackensCourt,BestwoodVillagesiteinNottingham.

Havingstartedhiscareerasanapprenticebricklayer,beforemovingontoassistantsitemanagerandsubsequentlysitemanager,Markhasclockedupanimpressive29yearswithhispresentemployerandhasbeenmanagingthe180-homesiteforthreeandahalfyears.

MarkwasoneoftwoTaylorWimpeysitemanagersinNottinghamshiretowinaSealofExcellence,withtwoothersitemanagersfromtheareaalsohavingbeenpresentedwithQualityAwards.

Speakingofthewinners,SteveFarmer,managingdirectorofTaylorWimpeyEastMidlands,said:“I’dliketocongratulatethemanagersandtheirteamsforalltheirhardworkandcommitment.I’mespeciallythrilledforMarkFrostandTimWelton,whoarebothworthywinnersoftheprestigiousSealofExcellenceawards.

“TheawardsaretestamenttothededicationofTaylorWimpeyteamsacrossNottinghamshirewhotakeprideinbuildingbeautiful,high-qualityhomesanddeliveringexceptionalcustomerservice.”q

commitmentisregularlyrecognisedbythehousebuildingindustry.Thecompany’ssitemanagersareregularwinnersinthePridein

theJobawardsandthis,coupledwithMorrisHomes’overallhighstandardofdesign,buildquality,landscapingandenvironmentalcommitmenthasalsowonmanyothernationalawardsinthehousebuildingindustry.q


Winter 2011 www.enuk.net

In this issue...

10 years of the Wood Recyclers’ Association

�0 constructionnational winter 20112 environmentalbuild winter 2011

constructionnational winter 2011 �1

Wayne TaylorAdvertising Manager

Tel: 0161 850 1678

Mob: 07739 113871

Email: [email protected]

All other enquiries: Tel: 0161 850 1680 Fax: 0161 850 09181 Elm Road, High Lane, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 8HR

Copyright EnvironmentalBuild.All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of EnvironmentalBuild.Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. EVL

CONTENTS

Cover Story

ASBESTOS5 Asbestosinbuildings

GAIN7 Renewablemeasuresarethewayforwardforenergyefficiency

9 HowtotakeadvantageoftheFeedinTariff

TIMBER FRAME13 Timberframechosenforpioneeringecodevelopment

eFIG14 eFIGandtheinteriorlandscapingindustry–10yearsandcounting

THE WOOD RECYCLERS’ ASSOCIATION17 WoodRecyclers’Associationnearsits10thbirthday

19 ‘Cradletograve’approachtocabledrumrecycling

THE WOOD WINDOW ALLIANCE20 Alliancestandsforqualityinwoodwindows

20 Woodenwindows-dispellingthemyths

21 QueensCrossHAbenefitsfromenergyefficientwindows

ECOBUILD 201122 Theworld’sbiggestsustainabledesignandconstructionevent

22 JakobGreenWallSystemsbringbuildingsalive

POLLUTION23 Dustmonitoringinurbanredevelopment

CONTAMINATED LAND25 UK’spremierbrownfieldeventreturnstoNEC

FLOOD PROTECTION25 Floodwall™gainsthenewBSIKitemarkPAS1188-1

Wood Recyclers’ Association nears its 10th birthday

Thewoodrecyclingindustryisstillprettymuchaninfant.20yearsagoitdidnotexistintheformthatwenowknowit–andit’sgrowingupfast!

read more on p17

7

14

20

environmentalbuild winter 2011 3

�2 constructionnational winter 2011

Beware False Prophets

e SincethepublishingoftheFIT(FeedinTariff)therehasbeenalotofinterestinSolarPhoto-Voltaic(PV)whichallows

yourenergysuppliertopayyouanincomeforgeneratingyourownelectricity,foreitheryourownuseorexportingbackintothegrid.ManypeoplearebeingapproachedwithregardgettingaPVsystemfittedforfree,sowhywouldthisbeabadthing?

Well,ifallyoucareaboutissavingroughly40%ofyourelectricity,anddon’tcareabouttheownershipofthesystem,thennothing.

Thetruthis,youwillbelockedintoalegalagreementwhereyouaregivingawayaguaranteedindexlinkedtaxfreeincomeof8%to10%perannum.Basically,investmentbankshave

PV(Photo-Voltaic)forfree?

Soundstoogoodtobetrue?

Well….itis

Thereisnofreelunch

Ifyouareinanydoubt,wewouldurgeyoucontactusformoredetails.Stephen Belfield, Heating Manager.

Contact us onTel:08000093449Fax:01432268680Email:[email protected]:www.dgi.org.uk

realisedtherearefewpalaceswheretheycangetthisreturnoninvestment,andthereforethehavegottenintobedwithinstallationcompaniestoofferfreeinstallations,aslongasyousignovertherighttoclaimtheFeedinTariffforyourselves.

DomesticandGeneralInsulationLimitedofferyoutheopportunitytogetthefullbenefitbyinstallingahighspecification,backedbyaguaranteeofreturnandefficiency,thatsecuresbothsavingsonenergybillsbutalsopaysyouthefullindexlinkedincome.SincetheFITtablewaspublished,interesthasseencompetitiondrivedowntheinstallationprice,butmoresignificantlythemarketisseeingmany‘B’ratedpanelsbeingfittedinplaceof‘A’panels.n

4 environmentalbuild winter 2011

constructionnational winter 2011 ��

AsbestosinBuildingse RecentlytheHSElaunchedtheir

‘HiddenKiller’campaigntohighlightthedangerofexposuretoasbestosfibre,particularlytomaintenanceandothertradesmenwhenworkinginbuildings.Thishighprofilecampaigngraphicallyindicatedthataround20tradesmenperweekdieasaresultofexposuretoasbestosandthattradesmenarestillbeingexposedtotheserisks,eventoday,mainlyduetothefactthattheyareunawareofthepresenceofasbestosintheirworkplace.

TheControlofAsbestosRegulations(CAR)2006placesanexplicitdutyonthoseresponsibleforbuildingstomanagetheriskfromasbestosintheirproperty,notonlyfortheirownemployeesbutforanyonewhomaycomeintocontactwithitincluding,ofcourse,anytradesmenemployedtocarryoutanyworkwithintheproperty.

AmajorrequirementofCAR2006,andsubsequentlyanyasbestosmanagementplan,istoinformanyonewhomaycomeintocontactwithitofthepresenceofasbestoscontainingmaterialswithinthe

propertyandtogivethosepeopleadequatetraininginhowtomanagetheriskofexposure.Tradesmenareofcourseundergreaterriskastheymayinadvertentlydisturbasbestosduringthecourseoftheirwork.

InFebruary2010newguidancetoreplaceMDHS100wasintroducedbytheHealth&SafetyExecutive.Titled,Asbestos: The Survey Guide HSG 264,thisnewpublicationreducedthenumberofsurveytypesfromthreetotwoandplacedmoreemphasisontheclientfortheselectionofthesurveyscope.Therearenowjusttwotypesofasbestossurvey–ManagementandRefurbishment.ManagementreplacestheoldType2SurveyandRefurbishmentreplacestheoldMajorRefurbishment/DemolitionSurvey.

Thestartingpointofanymanagementplanistofindoutifthebuildingcontainsasbestosmaterials,torecorditslocation,extentandtypeandtoassesstheriskofexposuretoasbestosmaterialsonthelongtermhealthofanyonewhomaycomeinto

contactwithit.TobesurethatyouaregettingafullyHSG264compliantreport,onlythosecompaniesaccreditedbyUKAS(UnitedKingdomAccreditationService)forbothInspectionISO/IEC17020andTestingISO/IEC17025shouldbecommissionedtoundertakethework.

Amanagementsurveywillgiveyoualltheinformationyouneedtoproduceyourmanagementplanandtoriskassessallasbestoscontainingmaterialsdetectedinaccordancewithaninternationallyrecognisedalgorithmassessmentmethod,asdetailedinHSG264,togetherwithrecommendationsastowhatisrequiredtomakethematerialsafeandprotectyourworkforcefromdangerousandunnecessaryexposuretoasbestosfibre.n

Alan Peck, Chief Executive

Tersus Consultancy Limited

•For More Information: Tel: 0121 270 2550, Fax: 0121 707 2060, E-mail: [email protected], www.tersusgroup.co.uk.


�� constructionnational winter 20116 environmentalbuild winter 2011


Renewable measures are the way forward for

energy efficiencyBy Janet Jukes, Grant Aided Heating Installers’ Network

e ThereareveryfewhouseholdsorbusinessesthatwillnotsufferfromthecutsannouncedintheGovernment’sComprehensive

SpendingReview.Energyefficiencywillundoubtedlyberegardedasoneofthemajorconsiderationsifenergybillsandcarbonemissionsaretobereduced.

OverthecourseoftheSpendingReviewperiod,theDepartmentofEnergyandClimateChange(DECC)willreduceresourcespendingby18%inrealterms,andincreasecapitalspendingby41%inrealterms.

DECC’ssettlementisinthecontextofanincreaseinenvironmentalspendingacrossGovernmentby21%.TheSpendingReviewensuresthattheUKcanmeetitsenvironmentalgoals,includingthe2020targetsfora34%reductioningreenhousegasemissionsandfor15%ofenergytobefromrenewablesources,whilstimprovingefficiency,supportinggrowthandfacilitatingaprivatesectorledtransitiontoagreeneconomy.

TheRt.Hon.ChrisHuhneMP,SecretaryofStateforEnergyandClimateChange,comments“Liketherestofthepublicsector,wehavetakensome

toughdecisions,butweremainoncoursetodeliveronourpromisetobethegreenestgovernmentever”.

Inthisrespecttherehasalreadybeenasignificantswingtowardsusingrenewableenergysourcesinconjunctionwithconventionalmeasures.However,theGovernmenthasnowrubber-stampedthisbyannouncinga£860millionfundingfortheRenewableHeatIncentive(RHI),whichwillbeintroducedfrom2011-2012andwillsupporthouseholdsandbusinessesinvestinginrenewableheatmeasures.Itisdesignedtoprovidefinancialsupporttoencouragetheuptakeofrenewableandlowcarbonheattechnologieslikeairandwatersourceheatpumps.

Thiswilldriveamore-than-tenfoldincreaseofrenewableheatoverthecomingdecade,shiftingrenewableheatfromafringeindustryfirmlyintothemainstream.Thepreviousadministration’splansforfundingthisschemethroughanoverlycomplexRenewableHeatLevywillnotbetakenforward.

TheReviewhasconfirmedthattheFeed-inTariffpaidtohomeownerswhogenerategreenelectricitywithsolarpanelsandwindturbineswillcontinue.Feed-inTariffswillberefocussedonthemostcost-effectivetechnologiessaving£40millionin2014-2015.

TheFeed-inTariffschemewaslaunchedinApril2010aspartofanattempttomeetEuropeanUniontargetsonrenewableenergy.Itisdesignedtoencouragepeopletogeneratetheirownenergyandcontributetothesecurityofenergysupplies.

AccordingtotheEnergySavingTrust(EST)theFeed-inTariff(FIT)schemeguaranteesaminimumpaymentforallelectricitygeneratedbythesystem,aswellasaseparatepaymentforthe

cont p11



How to take advantage of

e TwomonthsagoIreceivedaphonecallfromtheSustainabilityDirectoratoneofourlocalcouncils.Hewas

irate.“Whycan’tIseevanswithloudspeakersontop,drivingupanddownthestreetannouncingthebenefitsoftheFeedInTariff?”ChrisReid,attheLondonBoroughofSutton,isnotknownforhissenseofcalmandpatience,butisoneofthoseraresoulswhoseemsnottohavelosthissenseofurgencyatdealingwithclimatechange,despitehavingspentthelast20yearsworkingonenvironmentalinitiativesinthepublicsector.

Hewasn’tbeingentirelyserious,ofcourse,butIdidn’tknowhimatthetime.IpatientlyexplainedthatalthoughFeedInTariffs(FITs)maderenewableelectricitymoreattractivethanbefore,theschemewasdesignedtogivebetweena5%and8%returnoninvestment,whichmeantthepaybackwouldstillonlybebetween12.5and20years.Thiswasn’tsomethingthatmosthomeowners,businessesorcommunitiesweregoingtorushoutontothestreetstosignupto.Butitwasstillfarbetterthananyhighstreetbankwasofferingandsoweembarkeduponaprojecttolookatsomeofthedetails:Didthe5-8%includeelementsformaintenanceandrepair?Howdidthecouncilinvestinginthepanelscomparewithtakinguponeofthe‘FreePV’deals?Whatarethefinancialandtechnicalrisksinvolved?WhatbulkdiscountcouldbeachievedifthecouncilputPVontheroofofeveryschool?

InconsultationwithLBSutton,CENConsultingdevelopedadetailedfinancialmodeltolookatthesequestions.Accountingforthereplacementofinverterstwicewithintheprojected25yearlifetimeofthepanel,assumingthatthepaneloutputwouldfallby20%inthattime,modellinginstallationsatthetopendofeachFeedinTariffbracketandassumingthatarounda10%reductioninCAPEXcouldbeachievedthroughabulkbuydiscount,thereturnoninvestmentwasactuallyover9%.WiththeappropriatecostofcapitalforLocalAuthoritiesstandingatjust3.95%thingswerelookinggood.Perhapsweneededtogettheloudspeakersout.

ThenextthingtodowasconvincethefinancedirectorthatitwasworthspendingacoolmillionputtingPVpanelsontheboroughsuninsulatedroofs.Andthereinlaythenextproblem.Ignoringissuesraisedbyrepresentativesofthecouncil’spropertydepartmentaboutleaks,re-roofingandthelike,financewantedtoknowwhytheyshouldfundPVonschoolroofsat9%ROIwhentheycouldfundroofinsulation,lightingcontrolsandotherbasicenergyefficiencymeasuresandgainahigherreturn.Goodquestion.Thecarbonsaving,theyadded,fromamillionpoundsworthofPVwouldberelativelyslightcomparedtotheseefficiencymeasures.

IwasfeelinglesspositivebutChriswasirateagain.“Whydoesittaketheofferofafixed9%returntobringthesemeasuresoutofthewoodwork?Whyhaven’twedonethesethingsalreadyiftheygivesuchagoodreturn?AndwhymustwechoosewhethertoinsulateorinstallPV–whynotboth?”

Wehadreachedthecruxoftheissue.Itisaboutinvestmentandrisk.Ontheonehand,ifanorganisationhaslimitedcapitalitmust,ofcourse,choosetoinvestintheprojectwiththehighestreturnsandthehighestcarbonsavings.Ontheotherhand,ifanorganisationcanborrowarelativelyuncappedamounttoinvestinspecificprojectsthenaslongaseachprojectreturnsanetincomeabovethecostofthatcapital(andmakesacarbonsaving)whynot?Putanotherway,howmuchdoesitcosttosaveeachtonneofcarbon?Withanypositivereturn,theanswerisitdoesn’t.Thecostofcarbonsavingisnegativebecausetheprojectresultsinanetincome.

Soifthisisthecase,whatistostopLocalAuthoritiesfrommakingmoneythroughPVandtheFeedinTariff?Well,Isaiditwasaboutinvestmentandrisk.TheriskpartofthatcomesbacktoProperty’sroofreplacementschedulesoI’mafraidtheloudspeakerisstillinChris’bottomdrawer.n

•Having developed our FIT model for PV, CEN Consulting Ltd is ideally placed to assist in the FIT decision making process. Please send any questions or queries surround the Feed in Tariff to [email protected].

FITby Tom Vosper,CEN Consulting Ltd


�� constructionnational winter 2011


renewableinstallersandsupplierstothegrantsandwidermarket.Itlooksforgoodtechnicalandprofessionalstandardsfromitsmembers,withqualitativeawardsamongstitscriteriaformembership.

GAINmembershavesignificantlyextendedtheirrangeofproductsandservicestohelpmeetthefuturechallengesoftherenewablesector.AnearlyinitiativedevelopedbyGAINwastoformallyinsistonfullmembershavingoneofsixinternationalaccreditationsasameansofdifferentiatingtheassociationandputtingamarkerdownintermsofdeliveringhighqualityservices.Thisparticularinitiativeandphilosophyshouldplacememberswithastrongfoundationastheyenteranddeveloptherenewablesmarketplace–amarketplacewhichisalreadyplacingahugeemphasisonqualityandservicesdelivery.

Overrecenttimes,membershiphasexpandedandnowboastsawellbalancedmake-upofinstallercompanies,suppliersandmanufacturers,andmanagingagents.Installersarealsokeentomoveintoothermarkets,includingthatoftheSMEmarketplace,wherelittlehasbeendonethusfarintermsofimprovingenergyefficiency.

GAINcomprisesheatinginstallerswhohaveattainedhightechnicalandprofessionalstandards.Theyneedtobetechnicallycompetentinordertoundertakethegovernmentandothergrantworktheydo.Underfullmembershipcriteriatheyalsoneedtoholdaqualityaward.Heatingandrenewableinstallationsarehighlyskilledworksandshouldbetheresponsibilityofexperts.

Theassociationrecommendsthateveryoneshouldupgradetoacondensingboiler,coupledwithefficientcontrolsandthermostats,andaidedbyrenewableproducts,suchassolarpanels,solarphotovoltaic(PV)systems,windturbinesandairandgroundsourceheatpumps,allofwhichareofferedbymembers.

Solarphotovoltaic(PV)systemsuseenergyfromthesuntoconvertsolarradiationintoelectricitywhichcanbeuseddirectlytorunappliancesandlighting,soldbacktothenationalgridorstoredinbatteriesinoff-gridlocations.Solarhotwaterpanelscanbefittedontoorintegratedintoabuilding’sroof.Theyusethesun’senergytoheatwaterdirectlyoraheat-transferfluid,whichpassesthroughthepanel.Windturbinesharnessenergyfromthewindtoproduceelectricity.Thebladesdriveageneratoreitherdirectlyorviaagearbox(generallyforlargermachines)toproduceheating(orboth).

electricityexportedtothegrid.Thesepaymentsareinadditiontothebillsavingsmadebyusingelectricity.

Oncethemicrogenerationtechnologyisinstalledthereshouldbeamonthlyreductionintheelectricitybill,followedbyanincomefromtheFeed-inTariffprovider.However,ifaloanhasbeentakenouttopayfortheinstallation,monthlypaymentswillbemadetotheloancompany.TheFeed-inTariffsaredesignedsothattheaveragemonthlyincomefromtheinstallationwillbesignificantlygreaterthanthemonthlyloanrepayment(witha25yearloan).

Atypicaldomesticsolarelectricitysystem,withaninstallationsizeof2.2kWcouldearnaround:

•£770peryearfromtheGenerationTariff.Thisisasetratepaidbytheenergysupplierforeachunit(orkWh)ofelectricitygenerated.Thisratewillchangeeachyearfornewentrantstothescheme(exceptforthefirsttwoyears),butoncetheconsumerhasjoined,thetariffwillbethesamefor20years,or25yearsinthecaseofsolarelectricity(PV).

•£30peryearfromtheExportTariff.Theconsumerwillreceiveafurther3p/kWhfromtheenergysupplierforeachunitexportedbacktotheelectricitygrid,thatiswhenitisnotusedonsite.Theexportrateisthesameforalltechnologies.DomesticFeed-inTariffinstallationsarelikelytohavetheirexportdeemed(estimated)at50%inmostcasesuntilsmartmetersarerolledout.

•£120peryearreductiononenergybillsavingswillbemadeontheelectricitybills,becausegeneratingelectricitytopowerappliancesmeansareductionofelectricityboughtfromtheenergysupplier.

Thisgivesatotalsavingofaround£920peryear–assuming50%oftheelectricitygeneratedisexported.Thefigurewillvarydependingonhowmuchisexported.

UndertheComprehensiveSpendingReviewtheWarmFrontgrantsarebeingphasedout.Theelderlyandthoseonlowincomeswillnolongerhaveaccesstoupfrontcashtoinstallenergyefficiencymeasuresintheirhomes.Inthemeantime,theDECCwillfundasmaller,targetedWarmFrontprogrammeforthenexttwoyearswithabudgetof£110millionin2011/12and£100millionin2012/13.From2013,supportforheatingandinsulationforthemostvulnerablewillbedeliveredthroughtheGreenDealforenergyefficiencyandanewobligationonenergycompanies.Atthesametime,fromApril2011,energysupplierswillprovidegreaterhelpwiththefinancialcostsofenergybillstomoreofthemostvulnerablefuelpoorhouseholds,throughSocialPriceSupport–withtotalsupportof£250millionin2011/12risingto£310millionin2014/15.

GreenDealisbasedona‘payasyousave’scheme,whichallowshomeownersto‘retrofit’theirhomeswithloft,wall,floorandwindowinsulationuptoacostof£6,500andmakehugesavingsontheirbills,atnoupfrontcost.Smallamountscanbepaidbackpermonthbasedonthesavingsmadeonthebills.

TheGrantAidedHeatingInstallersNetwork(GAIN),thatactsfortheheatingindustryservingthegrantssector,verymuchwelcomestheGovernment’sGreenDealtoreducegreenhousegasemissionsby80%on1990levelsby2050.Ifthatistobeachieved,between400,000and1.8millionhomesayearwillhavetobeupgradedbetweennowandthen,atanannualcostofbetween£5billionand£15billion.

Energypricesareexpectedtorisesignificantlyinthenext10to15years,whichwillundoubtedlyseemorehomeownersturningtheirattentiontowardsinstallingrenewableenergy–especiallyaspartofapackagewheninstallinganewheatingsystemandonewhichalsohelpstheenvironment.Inthisrespect,itisinterestingtonotethat,accordingtoarecentpollonmicrogenerationusers’websiteYouGen,84%ofrespondentssaidtheywouldrathertheirhomeimprovementswerecarriedoutbyasmalllocalspecialistthanafacelessconglomerate.CathyDebenham,founderofYouGen,says“Homeownerswanttofeeltheworkontheirhomeisbeingdonebysomeonetrustworthy,someonetheycantalktoiftheworkisnotuptostandard.Theremustbeassurancesthatlocalspecialistswon’tbesqueezedout,andthathomeownershaveachoiceoverwhotheygoto”.

ThisiswheremembersoftheGrantAidedHeatingInstallersNetworkcanbeofenormousassistance.GAINrepresentsprofessionalheatingand



Airsourceheatpumpscanbeusedeffectivelyforeitherspaceorwaterheating(orboth).Airpumpstakeheatenergyfromtheairoutsideandtransferittothebuilding.Theheatisupgradedbyusingapumpandcompressorwhichremovesheatfromonesideofthecircuitandejectsittotheotherside.Groundsourceheatingpumpsuseaburiedgroundloop,whichtransfersheatfromthegroundintoabuildingtoprovidespaceheating.Energycatcherisanewsystemthatextractsvirtuallyalltheheatfromgasboilerfumes,whenevertheboilerisoperating,withanetresultof5%extrasavingongasandareductioninbills.

Inrenewingcentralheatingsystems,householdersshouldreallybeaimingtoobtainaboilertotheSEDBUKA-ratedstandard.Thesearecondensingboilersavailableinmanytypes,suchascombinationboilers,standardwallmountedboilersandfreestandingboilers.Thelattershouldberuninconjunctionwithafullypumpedsystem.Theyshouldhavefoamlaggedcylindersincorporatedtoensurethattheminimumofheatislostfromthecylinder.Allradiatorsneedthermostaticvalves,exceptinthemainlivingroom.Herearoomthermostatshouldmonitortherequiredtemperature,andthuscontroltheboiler.

GAINhelditssecondsuccessfulnationalConferenceinJune2010majoringonthetheme‘WillIncentivesMovetheRenewablesMarket?’Speakerswereverypositiveaboutthefutureprospectsfortheindustry,recognisingthatfromthelimitedgrantworkalreadyundertakenintherenewablesfield,itisclearthatincentivesarekeytomovingthismarketwhichisstillinitsinfancyintheUK.

Talkswereparticularlyinformativeandwellreceivedbythe260delegatespresentfromRSLs,energyadvisorsandtheenergyefficiencyindustry.ThemainsponsorwasEagaPlc,withadditionalsupportfromScottishPowerEnergyRetailLtd.

TheKeynotespeakerwasBaroness(Diana)Maddock,PresidentoftheMicropowerCouncil,withherparticularinterestinenergyefficiencysincethe1990’s,whenshetookthePrivateMembersBill–TheHomeEnergyConservationAct–throughitsjourneytobecomelaw.Currently,throughtheMicrogenerationCouncil,shewishestoseeamassmarketforthemicrogenerationsector.

“Theconsumermarket–owneroccupiedhousing–isaroundonetotwohundredthousandinstallationsperyear,asopposedtothe1.5milliongasboilersinstalledannuallyintheUK”–shereported.“Also,untilnow,ithasbeenanaspirationalratherthananeconomicpurchase,fundedbyconsumerswithcapitaltospareandbeingregardedasalong-terminvestment”.

AttheconferenceAwardsforExcellencewerepresentedforthesecondyearonbehalfoftheGrantAidedHeatingInstallersNetwork.AwardsweregivenfortheBestEnvironmentallyFriendlyCompany2010,theBestGreenTechnologyAward,theBestCustomerFocussedCompany,ApprenticeoftheYear2010,EmployeeoftheYearAwardandtheSpecialAchievementAward.

The2011GAINConference,duetofurtherdevelopthethemeofrenewables,willbeheldinMay/June2011,whenitisanticipatedthatdelegatenumberswillincreasestillfurther.InformationwillbeavailableontheGAINwebsitenearerthetime,ore-mailGAINforfurtherinformationtobesent.n

•The Grant Aided Heating Installers Network which organises regular meetings for installers, scheme managers and suppliers of heating and renewable products, serves the grants and other markets. GAIN is based at P O Box 12, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 3AH; tel: 01428 654011; fax: 01428 651401; e-mail: [email protected]; web: www.gainassociation.org.uk.

Timber frame chosen for pioneering eco developmente TheUK’slargesttimberframesupplier,StewartMilneTimber

Systems,hasbuiltfourCodeLevel6homesatagroundbreakingzerocarbondevelopmentinSlough,BerkshireforSSE(ScottishandSouthernEnergy).

ThedevelopmentisoneofthelargestofitskindintheUKwithatotaloftenzerocarbonpropertiesincludingamixtureoftwoandthreebedroomfamilyhouses,andonebedroomflats.

AspartofSSE’stwoyearresearchprojecttoassesstheimpactofenergyprovisionforlow-zerocarbonhousing,thetimberhomeswerebuiltusingStewartMilneTimberSystems’SigmaIIBuildSystem.Throughitshighlevelsofinsulation,airtightnessandthermalbridgingtheclosedpaneltimberframeconstructionhelpstoachievemaximumenergyefficiencythroughthefabricandverifiestimber’sreputationasoneofthemostfavouredmaterialsinlow-zerocarbonbuilding.

WendyPringleofSSEsaid:“WiththeUKlookingforzerocarbonbuildingsby2016,wemustunderstandwhatourcustomerswillneedaslowcarbonhousingbecomesmorecommon.InordertobuildtheCodeLevel6homesnecessaryfortheproject,wehadtousethemostsustainablematerialsavailable.Duetoitslow-carboncontent,timberframewasoneoftheobviouschoices.”n

The association recommends that everyone should upgrade to a condensing boiler



eFIG and the InteriorLandscaping industry

10 years and counting…

e InFebruary2011eFIGLtdcelebratesits10thbirthday.eFIG(EuropeanFederationofInteriorLandscapeGroups)isthe

associationfortheinteriorlandscapingindustrywithamembershiprangingfromlargeinternationalandnationalcompaniestosmallerSMEbusinesses.Theassociationwasformedtorepresenteveryonewithintheinteriorlandscapingindustry.Infact,itwasformedtogiveavoicetotheindustryandrepresentallmemberssothattheirworkisappreciatedandvaluesacknowledged,especiallyintimesofeconomicrestraintorcutbacks.

Theinitiativetoformtheorganisationwastakenasaresultofthehoo-hasurroundingPortcullisHouse,thethennewhomeforWestminster’sMPs,andtheinstallationof12largeFicus(fig)trees.Themedia’snegativityfocusedonthecostofthesetreeswithoutgivingconsiderationtothebenefitstheygave.eFIGwasformedtomeettheneedforonevoicetoretaliateorbespokespersonforthewholeinteriorlandscapingindustry.

TheFicustreesarestillatPortcullisHouseand,giventhattheyhaveattributedtocleanairoroxygenatthebuildingand

helpedreducesicknesswhistmotivatingstaffandkeepingthemlessstressed,thentheyhavemorethanpaidforthemselves.

TenyearsonandthecoalitionGovernmentarestillnotseeingthebenefitofplants!DuringtheircampaignandsincetheyhavecondemnedtheLabourpartyforspendingmoneyonplants.Thereseemslittleawarenessofthebenefitsthatplantscanaffordusallinanyenvironmentbutespeciallyintheworkplace.

eFIGcontinuestopromotetheindustryandtheprofessionalismofitsmembers.Tothisend,theyhaveanaccreditationtrainingprogrammeinplaceavailabletoallmembersaswellasannualprestigiousawards–moreofwhichlater–plusamarketingprogrammetoensurethateveryoneiskeptinformed.

The Ficus trees at Portcullis House

byCOLLSMITH,marketing coordinator, eFIG Ltd



LastyearmembersofthecommitteewereintalkswithBREEAMandtheUKGreenBuildingCounciltopromoteinteriorplantingaspartoftheenvironmentalstandardforbuildingsustainability.WearepleasedtosaythatduetotheirhardworktheUKGreenBuildingCouncilhasrecommendedthatthisbeconsideredbyBREEAMthisyear.ThiswouldbringtheUKmoreinlinewithAustraliaandtheUSA.Australiaoperatea‘GreenStar’ratingforsustainabilityinwhichinteriorplantingisrecognised.IntheUSAtheLEEDaccreditationdoesasimilarjobtotheBREEAMstandardsandin2010theybegantoseeinteriorplantingrecognised.Watchthisspace,astheysay,regardingtheUK’sstandards.

The influence of the interior landscaping indus-try

SincetheinaugurationofeFIGtheindustryhasgrown.Therearenowanestimated350–400interiorlandscapebusinesseswithanannualturnoverofaround£100million.Asmoreandmorebusinesseshaverealisedthevalueofincludingplantswithintheirpremisesthemessagefromtheassociationisthatplantscanfulfilamultitudeoffunctionswithinanyenvironmentincludingaesthetics,design–thereflectionofthecompanyethos–andsigning.Theypresenta‘green’face–helpingthecompanybeseentobegreen.

Therearemanyotherbenefitsofplantsintheinterior–fromaircleaningtohumidifying,fromaidingconcentrationtoperformance,fromnoisereductiontoreducingstressandimprovinghealthandwellbeing.EarlierthisyearresearchfromAustraliaconfirmedthatjustoneplantcouldreducestressandanxietybyasmuchas60%.

An all-round show and accoladesDuringApril2011,eFIGwillco-hostTheLandscapeShowat

Olympia(www.landscapeshow.co.uk)where‘indoorsmeetsoutdoors’andthemanyfacesofinteriorlandscapingcanbeseen.Forinstance,twoparticularlypro-activemembersofeFIGwillhave‘showgardens’there.IndoorGardenDesign,wholastyearwonSilverGiltatChelseafortheirLivingOffice,willshowtheir‘IndoorGarden’andUrbanPlanterswillfeaturean‘IndoorsmeetsOutdoors’environment.

Onthefirsteveningoftheshow,memberswillhavetheirannualAwardsCeremonyandDinnerwherethebestoftheindustrywillberewardedfortheirworkwithaprestigiouseFIG

LeafAward.ThiswillbetheseventhAwardCeremonywhenmembersarerecognisedfortheirskillsindesign,installationandmaintenance.Therearealsoawardsfortechnicianswho‘gothatextramile’andaLifetimeAchievementAwardforservicestotheindustry.

Ifyouarelookingforaninteriorlandscaperforaprojectorjustgeneraladvice,seethemembershipdirectoryatwww.efig.eu.com



Wood Recyclers’ Association nears its 10th birthday

e Thewoodrecyclingindustryisstillprettymuchaninfant.20yearsagoitdidnotexistintheformthatwenowknowit

–andit’sgrowingupfast!Toremindreaders,woodrecyclerstakepost-industrialand

post-consumerwoodfromavarietyofsourcesandprocessitintowoodchipforfourmainuses:panel-boardproduction,animalbedding,landapplications-compost,mulches,soilconditionersandpathways–andfuelforbiomassplants.Ouroldestandstilllargestmarketispanel-board,butthetrendismovingawayfromthereandtowardsbiomass.Ofthe2m-oddtonnessuppliedtomarketin2009,justoverhalfwenttotheboardmills,andalmostaquarterwenttobiomass,withtheremainingquarterfindingitswayintothe(mainly)highervalueproducts:animalbeddingandlandapplications.

AyearagoIwouldhavesaidthatwewereverymuchasupply-drivenindustry.TheWasteandResourcesActionProgramme(WRAP)2009studyhadmoreorlesshalvedmanypeople’sperceptionofhowmuchwastewoodwasouttherewaitingtoberecycled,from10milliontonnesperannumtoabout4.6milliontonnes.Unquestionably,muchofthedrop–somewherebetween5and20%ofit,intheviewoftheexperts–wasdowntotherecession.AndWRAmemberswere,insomeregionsatleast,findingwoodhardtocomeby.Thiswashavingadouble-whammyeffect,drivingdowngatefeeswhilerestrictingactivityinsomeofourmarkets.Thepanel-boardindustry,forone,wasfeelingthepinchandthiswasreflectedintheirorders.

Nowthesituationisdifferentagain.Suppliesoffeed-stockaregenerallybetter.Thereseemtobesomestirringsinourfeederindustries,theprincipalonesbeingtheconstruction,demolitionandcommercialsectorswherethediresituationofayearagohaseasedsomewhat.Ontopofthis,ourbignewmarket–biomass–hasnotreallykickedinyet.Weestimatethatthedemandsurge

willcomein18monthsto2years.Meanwhile,anumberofrecyclersareexportingbiomass-gradewooduntiltheUKmarkettakesoff.Thisiscausingitsownhighlycompetitivelandscapeandkeepingpricessubduedwhenotherwisetheymightberising.

Ispokeearlierofthenewgovernment,althoughperhapsweshouldstopcallingit‘new’sinceithasnowbeeninpowerforalmost8months.Whateverourpoliticalpersuasion,wehavetoacceptthattheCoalitionishobbledbyanationaldebtofcrisisproportions,andthesignsarethatitisnot–sofaratleast–flinchingfromtheunpleasanttaskofgettingourpublicfinancesbackintokilter.Thisaffectsusall.Forthewoodrecyclingindustry,itmeansthatwehavetoworkveryhardindeedtojustifygovernmentsupport,becausethegoosewhichpreviouslylaidgoldeneggsisfeelingslightlyconstipatedrightnow.

However,itisgoodtoreportthatourtwomajorprojects–developmentofastandardandqualityprotocol(QP)forourindustry–arenowbackonafteraperiodofuncertainty.TheQPwilldefinethepointatwhichamaterialceasestobeawaste.Itcaneasetheregulatoryburdenofrecyclers,makeexportseasierandgenerallytakeourindustrytoanewlevelofcredibility.ThetimescaleforthisexerciseistightandtheQPwillinitiallybelimitedinscope,concentratinginthemainonuntreatedwood,althoughitwillpotentiallyincludeallendusesexceptWID-compliantbiomass.Wealsohavetheprospectoffurtherwork,sponsoredbytheEA,toinvestigateapotentialexpansionoftheQPtoincludeatleastsomewoodtreatments.Thiswouldbeamajorbonus,sincealackofclarityonthisissuehasbedevilledourindustrysincedayone.

Meanwhile,WRAPhaveauthorisedtheBritishStandardsInstitution(BSI)tore-starttheirworktodevelopastandardforrecycledwood,intheformofPubliclyAvailableSpecification(PAS)111.Againthetimescaleistight,butPAS111willbeanessential

by Clem Spencer, Chairman, WRA



e Formanyofusthetimbercabledrumisananonymousitem.Lookinglikegiantcottonreels,theirpresenceonconstruction

sitesorattheroadsideiscommon.Howmanyofushowever,considerwhathappenstothemoncethecableorductinghasbeenremovedandinstalled?

Firstly,somefacts.Inmostinstancescabledrumsaremanufacturedintimber.Onaverage,onematuretreecanproducefourcabledrums.IntheUKalonesome150,000timbercabledrumsareusedannually.Inmostinstancesthesecabledrumscanbere-used,yeteachyearintheregionof60,000drumsarenewlymanufactured.Thisfigurewouldbesignificantlyhigher,butforthecabledrummanagementinitiativesdevelopedbyMarlinIndustries.

Asacompany,MarlinIndustries’mainfocusisoneofencouragingthere-useofexistingpackagingusedwithinthecableandductindustries.Formedtwentyyearsago,MarlinIndustrieshasgrowntobetheUK’spremierorganisationforthemanagementofcabledrums–frominitialmanufacturethroughtoendofliferecycling.AlthoughaWalesbasedcompany,withsitesinWrexhamandNewport,MarlinoperatesacrosstheUKandintoEuropewithauniqueblendofdrumcollection,refurbishmentandrecyclingprocesses,handlinginexcessof70,000unitsannually.

MarlinIndustriesdirector,JohnDroog,explains“Re-usingexistingpackagingmakesbothcommercialandenvironmentalsense.In2010

aloneweestimatethateffectivepackagingre-useandrecyclinghaspreventedsome15,000tonnesofCO2emissions.”

Marlinhasdevelopedaneffectivelogisticsfunction,operatingacrossmainlandUKandIreland.ThisenablestheefficientpickupofdrumsandreturntooneoftheMarlinsitesforassessmentandsubsequentrefurbishmentorrecycling,dependingoncondition.JohnDroogadds“Wehavebuiltconsiderableexpertiseandcapabilitytosupportcablemanufacturersoperatingacrossinternationalborders.Ourcabledrummanagementsystemsareunrivalled.Inadditiontoourdrummanagementandrefurbishmentoperationswealsopossessaninhousetimberrecyclingfacility.Thisinitsownrightisasignificantelementofourbusiness.Producingarangeofproducts–decorativegroundcover,animalbeddingandboilerfuel–meanswehaveafullcradletograveapproachtopackagingusedinthecableindustry.”

Maincontractorsandlocalauthoritieshaveasignificantparttoplayinmaximisingthenumbersofdrumsre-usedorrecycled.Aspartofabestpracticeregime,therequirementtoreportemptycabledrumsforcollectionshouldbepassedthroughtosub-contractorsengagedinconstructionandinfrastructureprojects.AllMarlinrequireisatelephonecall,faxore-mailtoinitiatetheprocess.Inmostinstancesthecollectionisfree,plustheconsequentreductioninnewpackagingprovidessignificantenvironmentalbenefits.n

‘Cradle to grave’ approach

to cable drum recycling

foundationstoneforourindustry.

OneconstantinallthishasbeentherelentlesssuccessstoryoftheWRA.Wewereformedlessthan10yearsago,in2001.Ayearagowehadjustsignedupour60thmember.Wearenowupto71withanumberofothersshowinginterest.Accordingtoourlatestannualstatistic,WRAmembersnowaccountforover80%ofallthepost-consumerwoodprocessedintheUK.Ourincreasinglybroadchurchnowincludesmachinerymanufacturers,panel-boardproducers,energycompanies,oneregionalauthority,consultantsandresearchcompanies.Alloftheseaddvarietyandabreadthofexpertisetoourassociationandourindustry.Importantly,theincreasingsizeoftheWRAisindicativeofavibrant,rapidlyexpandingandincreasinglyimportantrecyclingsector.

Itis,onthesurface,surprisingthatatatimewhenrecyclersarefeelingthepinch–asindeedanumberare–somanyshouldfeelthatour£850annualsubscriptionofferssuchvalueformoney.Sowhydothey?

Partoftheansweristhatourmembersknowhowimportantitistokeepabreastofwhatisgoingon,ahappysituationwhichWRAmembersenjoythroughourquarterlymeetingsandregularmail

updatesinbetween.But,morethanthis,theWRAchampionsthecauseofitsmembersbykeepingthelinesofcommunicationtogovernmentwellandtrulyopen.Thisyear,forexample,wehavenegotiatedimprovedtermsforthosewhooperateunderexemptionsfromenvironmentalpermitting.Thishassavedthelivelihoodsofanumberofcompanieswhich,beingunableforanumberofreasonstoobtainanenvironmentalpermit,wouldotherwisehavebeenunabletocontinueoperatingbeyondApril2012.

So,whateverthenextyearbrings,theWRAlookssettokeepongrowingandtomaintainitshighlevelsofcustomerservicetoitsmembers.n



Alliance stands for quality in

wood windowse TheWoodWindowAlliance(WWA)isagroupof40ofthe

leadingnamesintheUKwoodwindowindustry,workingtogethertoraisestandardsandpromotequalitywoodwindows.

Membersoftheallianceaimtoprovideaconsistentlyhighqualityofproductandserviceindelivering,installingandmaintainingwoodwindowsacrosstheUK.Theyalsohavetomeetstrictperformance,qualityandsustainabilitycriteriatoensurethebestpossiblevalueforcustomers.Oncethesestandardshavebeenmet,membersareabletodisplaythedistinctiveWoodWindowAlliancebrandmark,whichisareassuranceofindependentlyauditedqualityandperformance.

What’smore,windowsfromtheWoodWindowAlliancearenotjustthemostenvironmentally-friendlychoice,theyarealsothelongest-lasting–withaminimumestimatedservicelifeof60years.

TheWWA’scampaignaimsaretopromotethesustainabilityandbeautyof21stcenturywoodwindows,whilstdispellingmythsaboutdurabilityandmaintenance.

Woodenwindows-dispellingthemythse Woodenwindowshaveattractedsomebadpressinthepast.

Butarevolutionintechnologyandsustainabilitymeansthatlongheldmisconceptionsarenowobsolete.saystheWoodWindowAlliance(WWA).

Tosettherecordstraight,theWWAhasputtogethersomesimplemythbusters,whichprovidethefactsaboutmodernwoodwindows.

Myth 1Youhavetocutdowntreestomakewoodwindowsandthishasabigimpactonclimatechangefromdeforestation.FactAllWWAwindowsaremadefromsustainablysourcedtimber(FSC,PEFC,SFIorCSA)andcarryafullchainofcustodycertification.Thismeansthatthewoodusedistraceablefromsustainableforestswheremoretreesarereplantedastheyareharvested.

Myth 2WoodwindowsdidnotscoreashighlyasexpectedintheBREGreenGuide.FactDomesticwoodwindowsmadetothestandardrequiredformembershipoftheWWArate‘A+’inBRE’sGreenGuidecomparedwith‘A’fortheirnearestcompetitormaterial.ThesewoodwindowsalsohavethehighestscoreofallwindowsintheGreenGuidebysomedistanceonthecrucial‘ClimateChange’or‘GlobalWarmingPotential’rating(thehighestweightedfactor).

Myth 3Woodwindowsaren’tthermallyefficient,soitishardtoachievethegoalofreducingenergyusage.FactWoodhasverylowthermalconductivity,whichmeansitisagoodinsulator.Buttheenergyefficiencyofawindowactuallyhaslittletodowiththeframematerialandismostlyaffectedbythespecificationoftheglazingunit,sowell-designedwindowshavesimilarthermalefficienciesacrosstheboard.

Myth 4MorePVCwindowsarerecycledthanwoodwindows.FactThewindowindustryingeneralismakingeffortstoimproverecycling.Althoughtherearenospecificfiguresforthenumberofrecycledwindows,theauditedvolumeofrecycledwastewoodin2007was2milliontonnesandthequantitiesforPVCrecyclingwere42,122tonnesin2007and42,730tonnesin2008(source:Vinyl2010progressreport2009).



Queens Cross Housing Association benefits from energy efficient Scandinavian windows from Janexe Janex,oneoftheUK’sleadingsuppliers

ofhighqualitylowu-valueScandinavianbuildingproducts,hasjustcompletedamajorprojectforQueensCrossHousingAssociation,GlasgowwithcontractorsMorrisonSpottiswood.

ThenewbuilddevelopmentatMuranoStreetisalmostfinished,andJanexcontinuestosupplythissocialhousinggroupatGarscubesouth,eastandwest.TheMuranoStreetdevelopmentistheassociation’slargesteverdevelopmentproviding140newbuildtwoandthreebedroomedflatsina4-storeyblockonthesiteoftheformerMcGhee’sBakery.TenantsselectedJanexproductsasthecompanyhasalongsuccessfulhistoryofsupplyinghighquality,lowmaintenance,energyefficientproductsforthesocialhousingmarket.Grantfundinghasenabledthedevelopmenttoprovidemixedtenure–98ofthesehomesareforrentandtheremainderforsharedequity.Allpropertiesaredesignedtoahighenergy-efficientstandardwiththeprovisionofoff-streetparkingforallflats.Theremainingflatswillbebuiltinasingle6-storeycrescent-shapedblockoverlookingtheForth&ClydeCanal.

TheJanextimbercanopywindowsforthisprojectarelonglife,lowmaintenanceproductswithenergyefficientuvalues.Thewindowswerefinishedpaintedgreyontheoutsideandinsides.Theflatentrancedoorssuppliedarecoveredbythepolicesecurity

initiative‘SecuredbyDesign’fortheirsecurityfeaturesandareFD30firedoors.JanexhasalonghistoryofsupplyingleadinghousingassociationsacrosstheUKwithScandinavianwindowanddoorproductsfornewbuildprojectsandforrefurbishments.

AsoneofScandinavia’sfinestproducersofhighperformancetimberwindowsandcompositedoorsfortheUKmarket,JanexwasthefirstScandinavianimportertoachievebothForestStewardshipCouncil(FSC)certificationandPEFC(theProgrammefortheEndorsementofForestCertification)onproductsforUKcustomers.JanexproductsarealsocertifiedbytestingbodyTRADAinitsQMarkschemeforhighperformanceandsecurity.

JanexhasalwaysbeenattheforefrontofproductdevelopmentinScandinaviaanditsstandardproductsachieveextremelylowu-valuesforthermalefficiency.Nosurprisefromafirmwhoseproductsaremanufactured

inNorway,acountryusedtoverycoldwintersandveryhotsummers.Janexcanachieveau-valueof0.70W/m2KforopeningsashesandfixedwindowscalculatedinaccordancewithBSEN10077-1.Thislevelisbetterthanthecurrentpassivhauslevelwhichis0.8W/m2K.

“OurnewhighlyinsulatedwindowconstructionisbecomingmoreandmorepopulartoachievethebestcodesintheCodeforSustainableHomes.WindowsaremanufacturedinNorwayfromhighqualityScandinaviantimbersourcedfromsustainableforests.“saysBrianDavie,directorofsalesScotland,Janex.

Foundedin1992,byNorwegianJanSkaara,thefirmisheadquarteredinEgersund,NorwaywithofficesintheUKinLondonandFalkirk.Theirproductrangeincludestimberwindows,alu-cladtimberwindows,compositeexternaldoors,patio,frenchandbalconyglazeddoors.n

•www.janex.co.uk

Alliance stands for quality in

wood windows

Tothisend,theallianceengageswithkeystakeholderstoensurewoodenwindowsarefairlyrepresentedinpolicyandresearch.Furthermore,theyarecommittedtodrivingstandardshigherstill,tomakewoodonceagainthenumberonechoiceforwindows.

Moreandmorepeopleunderstandthatwindowsmakeabigdifferencetothelookandvalueofahouse,aswellastoitsenergy-efficiency.

Today’shighperformancewoodwindowsdon’tjustlookgood,theyofferunbeatableenergy-efficiencyandservicelife.Withpropermaintenancethey’lllastalifetime.And,ofcourse,theyarethemostsustainablesolution.

TheWoodWindowAlliancemakesiteasiertochoosethemwithconfidence,withover40membersofferingarangeofhighqualityproductsthatmeetindependentlyauditedperformanceandsustainabilitystandardsandfulfiltherequirementsinthelatestBuildingRegulationsandtheCodeforSustainableHomes.n



Ecobuild2011-theworld’sbiggestsustainabledesignandconstructionevent

e Ecobuildistheworld’sbiggesteventforsustainabledesign,constructionandthebuiltenvironmentandtheUK’slargest

constructioneventofanykind.TheEcobuildExhibition2011featuresallthelatestdevelopments,

newproductlaunchesandthepeoplewhomatter.ItwillbeheldonTuesday01–Thursday03March2011atExCeL,London.

Thisyear’sexhibitionwillincludeover1,300exhibitorsatthebiggestEcobuildyet.Itwillfeatureafreeconference–expandedtothreethemes–100sofnewproductlaunches,dozensofattractionsandlivedemonstrations,over130freeseminars,theBREEAMawardsandNaturalZED–BillDunster’slatestecohouse–tonamejustafewofthefeastofattractionsonoffer!

Inaddition,UKarchitecturalstudentsarebeinginvitedtotakepartinaninternationalcompetitiontodesignanenergyefficientNewYorkskyscraperaccordingtotheIsoverMulti-ComfortHousedefinitionandwithPassiveHousecomponents.TheUKfinalsofthecompetitionwillbejudgedatEcobuild2011afterwhichthetopthreeentriesgoontocompeteinthefinalinPraguenextMay.

AfurtherattractionisthetheInnovationFutureZonecompetition,broughttoEcobuildforasecondyearbytheTechnologyStrategyBoard,ModernBuiltEnvironmentKTNandEPSRC.TheZonewillshowcaseshortlistedentriesofnewornear-to-markettechnologiesrelevanttothepriorityareasofenergyefficiency,refurbishment,climatechangeadaptationandprocessefficiency.ThewinningentrywillbeannouncedonthefinaldayofEcobuild.n

e AsthesoleUKagentforJakob’sstainlesssteelropes,rodsandwiremeshproducts,MMAArchitecturalSystemssuppliesgreen

wallsystemsforawiderangeofapplications.TheJakobsystemprovidesanenvironmentallyfriendly,sustainable

solutionforlandscapeandconstructionprofessionals.EachcomponentismanufacturedfromHighGrade316stainlesssteel,whichissuitableforeventheharshestenvironments,includingcoastalapplications,providingcompletequalityassuranceforthewholelifeofabuilding.

Greenwallstructureshelpregulateabuilding’stemperature.Providinginsulationduringthewinterandasunscreeninthesummer,theynotonlyhelptoreduceenergyconsumptionandcost,butalsoimprovethecarbonfootprint.Inaddition,thesystemaffordssignificantprotectiontothestructure,actingasashieldagainstUVandthedamaging,long-termeffectsofwindandrain,aswellasadeterrenttograffitiand,dependingontheplantsspecified,aneffectiveaidtobuildingsecurity.

TheJakobsystemislightweightandfasttoinstall.Allplantingisundertakenonsiteandmaintenanceissimpleandstraightforward–carriedoutattheplanterlevel.

Frominitialdesignthroughtoinstallationandmaintenance,MMAoffersacompletesolution,workingwithcarefullyselectedpartnerstodeliverprojectsofthehighestquality–includingplantingandirrigation.n

• For more information, call 0845 1300 135 or visit www.jakob.co.uk.

Jakob Green Wall Systems bring buildings alive



e Aspeoplebecomemorehealthconscioustheybecomemoreconcernedabouttheeffectsthatpollutionmayhaveontheir

lives.Forthoselivingincities,airpollutionmaybetheirbiggestconcern,wheretrafficandindustryareidentifiablepollutionsources.

Theredevelopmentofurbanbrownfieldsitesandotherinnercityconstructionordemolitionprojectshasbroughtanotherpotentialpollutionsourcetothepubliceye.Althoughgaseousemissions(e.g.NOx)associatedwithconstructionanddemolitionsitesmayberelativelylow,urbanredevelopmentschemescanhavesignificantimpactsonlocalairqualityduetodustemissions.

‘Dust’isagenerictermusedtodescribeparticulatematter1–75µm(micron)indiameterandisgenerallyproducedthroughthe

crushingandabrasionofmaterials.Itisoftenconsideredintwocategories.

Thesizefractionessentiallyupto10µm(PM10)isusedasanindicatoroflocalairqualityandformspartofNationalAirQualityStandards(NAQS).PM10dustisinhalable,andmedicalstudieshavelinkedelevatedPM10concentrationswithprematuredeaths.

Althoughnotdirectlyassociatedwithpublichealth,dustabove10µmmaybeconsidered‘visible’or‘nuisance’dust.Therearenoformalstandardsfornuisancedust.Thevisualimpactofdustsoilingonsurfacesorevenasdustcloudscanleadtocomplaintsonthegroundsofpublicnuisanceandmayultimatelyleadtocourtcases.

Thereforeitisofteninthebestinterestsofconstructionanddemolitionfirmstomonitordustemissionsfromtheirsites.Indeed,manysiteconditionssetoutbyregulatorybodiessuchaslocalcouncilsnowrequiremonitoringaspartofconsenttowork.Forexample,theGreaterLondonAuthorityBestPracticeGuidance(LondonBPG)canbeusedtohelpdeterminewhichcontrolmeasuresandmonitoringmayberequired.Asarule,PM10dustislikelytobemonitoredonlywherethesiteislocatedinanAirQualityManagementArea(AQMA)orwherethereisahighriskofNAQSexceedence.Itismuchmorelikelythereforethatsiteconditionsrelatingtonuisancedustmonitoringwillbeimposed.

Nuisancedustcanbemonitoredeitherinflux(whilstairborne)orindeposition(whereitsettlesoutoftheair).Differentmethodscanbeusedtomonitordustfluxanddustdepositionandthemostidealwillvarydependingonthesiteandsetting.‘Traditional’equipmentformonitoringdustsuchasusingFrisbee-typegaugescanbeveryvulnerabletovandalismanddifficulttolocateinanurbansetting.Therecanalsobehighsampletransportcostsincurredbyusingsuchequipment,asthedustsamplesarecollectedinbottlesthatalsocollectrainwater.Glassslidemonitoringisanotherapproachtonuisancedustsamplingandalthoughinexpensivetodeploy,glassslidesrequirecarefulhandling.Stickypads,suchastheDustScanDustDiscdustsettlementsampler(pictured)areinexpensive,easilydeployed,andthesimplejewel-casedesignmakesthemeasytohandleandmuchmorereadilytransportedthanalmostanyotherdustsamplecollectors.DustScanstickypadshaveaspecially-formulatedadhesiveandsampletamperingisusuallyevident(unlikewithsomeothermethods).

Althoughsomemightseedustfromredevelopmentschemesasanunfortunatebutunavoidableconsequence,dustmonitoringofconstructionanddemolitionsitesneednotbea‘tickbox’exercise.Byfollowingbestpracticeguidanceorbyseekingadvicefromspecialistdustmonitoringconsultancies,civilengineeringcontractorscanfindthatdustmonitoringusingmethodssuchastheDustDiscneednotbeaninconvenience,orentailexcessivecost,whilestilltickingtheboxesoftheirsiteregulators.n

Dust Monitoring

in Urban

Redevelopment


�2 constructionnational winter 201124 environmentalbuild winter 2011


Floodwall™ gains the new BSI Kitemark PAS 1188-1e FloodWall’sunique

removableflooddefencedoorsandairbrickcovershavebeenawardedtheprestigiousnewBSIPAS1188-1Kitemarkforremovablefloodprotectiondevices,followingextensiveindependenttestingatHRWallingford,theworldrenownedtestingcentre.

PAS1188-1setsanewindustrystandardinfloodprotectionwhereproductsaresubjectedtoaseriesofrigoroustestsinarangeofsimulatedconditions.OnesuchtestinvolvesareplicalivingroomfittedwithFloodWalldoorsandairbrickcoversinstalledinamassivewatertank,abouthalfthesizeofafootballpitchholding196,000gallonsofwater.

“TheBSIKitemarkawardedtoFloodwallgiveshouseholdersandbusinessesconfidenceinourproductsandtheireffectiveness.Wehavealreadysuccessfullyhelpedprotectmanybuildings–fromlistedpropertiestocommercialoutlets–inareaspronetoflooding”,saidPatrickCurran,salesmanager,“andalsoprovidedmuchneededpeaceofmindtothoseinhighriskareasthathaveexperiencedthedevastationofflooddamage.”

OfficialGovernmentfiguresstatethatoneinsixhomesinEnglandandWalesareatriskoffloodingandthisnumberislikelytoincreasedueto

theeffectsofclimatechange.AstandardrangeofDIYFloodWalldoorsareavailableviamailorder

throughouttheUK.Bespokedoorsarealsoavailablefollowingapropertysurvey:www.floodwall.uk.com.n

•For more information please contact: Patrick Curran, Office: 0800 917 9115, Mobile: 07831 368835, Email: [email protected]. Roseville Group T/A FloodWall, Guildprime Business Centre, Southend Road, Billericay, Essex CM11 2PZ.

UK’s premier brownfield event returns to NECe BrownfieldExpo(BEX),thepremiernationaleventfor

remediationandcontaminatedlandsolutions,returnstotheNECBirmingham,from24th-26thMay2011.

Itshowcasestheverylatesttechnologiessupportingtheaimofreturningpreviouslyderelictlandbacktoproductiveuse.Thethree-dayseminarprogramme,whichrunsalongsidetheexhibition,allowsexpertswithinthesectortoimpartthelatestknowledgeandbestpracticetodelegates.

Thegovernment’scommitmenttobringmorelandintosustainableuse–particularlyasthenumberofavailablegreenspacesfordevelopmentisincreasinglylimited–hasfuelledinterestintheexhibition.Eventdirector,DonnaBushellsays:“BEXisanunparalleledopportunityforindividualswithinthebrownfieldregenerationsectortoshareinnovationsandtonetworkwhichiswhyitattractssuchalargenumberofhighcalibreexhibitorsandvisitors–includinglocalauthoritylandofficers.”

BEXispartofSustainabilitylive!andwillonceagainrun

alongsidetheNationalEnergyManagementExhibition(NEMEX),InternationalWaterandEffluentExhibition(IWEX),EnvironmentalTechnology(ET),andSustainableBusiness–TheEvent(SB).

Foruptodateexhibitornews,features,programmesandinformationonhowtoexhibitorregisterforfreeattendancevisit:www.sustainabilitylive.com/clairebexorcall02086517069.n


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