News
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By Talk. Build The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has set out a number of concerns in its response to the Ministry of the Housing Communities and Local Government Consultation on Supporting housing delivery and public service infrastructure. CIC said the proposals could alienate communities by allowing inappropriate development to be foisted on them, whilst not making any contribution to local infrastructure. The CIC also expressed concerns over quality and safety standards and the longer term impact on areas by providing easier routes to deliver new homes without proper regard for placemaking and amenity space. Professor Tony Crook MBE, Chair of the CIC Housing Panel and Emeritus Professor of Town & Regional Planning at the University of Sheffield, said: “This whole area will need more clarity. Space, quality standards and safety are all areas of concern to us, as is the fact that permitted development does not allow the knitting together of the necessary infrastructure. Crook added: “At a time when local resources are stretched, and will become even more so as councils count the cost of the pandemic, we see no reason why permitted development should be an exception to the principle of delivering sufficient infrastructure alongside new housing.” CIC has set out a number of measures to provide confidence to communities and professionals. Additional safeguards should: Introduce more prior approval conditions (conditions that would be required to receive traditional planning consent) as part of the permitted development process. These should ensure that space, quality and safety are considered in relation to existing infrastructure and that they comply with the requirements covering materials, amenities and public realm that have been set out in Local Plans. Incorporate permitted development for conversion to residential into Local Plans that can be updated regularly – and ensure communities are engaged in this process. Ensure housing delivered through permitted development incorporates an element of Community Infrastructure Levy or Section 106, thereby providing contributions towards affordable housing and community infrastructure. Ensure that the homes delivered through permitted development are subject to all the checks and balances that will be applied in the new Building Safety legislation. This must include requirements that those buildings which fall under the new Building Safety legislation (currently 18m or more and other higher risk buildings) will be subject to the newly proposed Gateway One checks, even though there is no current requirement for a formal building application to be made at planning stage for permitted development housing schemes. Ensure that homes delivered through permitted development are required to meet the new Future Homes Standard. Ensure that permitted development comes under the auspices of the New Homes Ombudsman, which CIC has been instrumental in campaigning for through its sponsorship of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment. This would safeguard rights of redress of new homeowners in these schemes.478 views Feb 01, 2021 -
By Talk. Build Aimed primarily at engineers and surveyors, the free presentation offers an in-depth review on how to identify and diagnose the root causes of concrete defects, deterioration and reinforcement corrosion. It also highlights appropriate repair and protection solutions based on the British and European standard: BS EN 1504. Nic Collins from Sika’s Engineered Refurbishment division commented:“The concrete repair and protection CPD provides an immersive and enlightening overview of the root causes of concrete damage and deterioration. Early diagnosis of issues such as corrosion is crucial to structural safety. It can also help reduce the time and cost involved in the repair of concrete infrastructure such as tunnels, bridges and car parks; the availability of which is so important to our daily lives.” Issues covered within the CPD include a look at appropriate concrete inspection and testing procedures required to establish an accurate diagnosis, and consideration factors for repair and protection options. It also features a guide to BS EN 1504-compliant repair and protection solutions involving mortars and other materials. In addition, there is a focus on structural strengthening, protective coatings and corrosion management systems, whilst a selection of case studies demonstrates how Sika repair and protection solutions have been successfully employed in a range of concrete refurbishment projects throughout the UK. Nic added: “At Sika, we are conscious of our responsibility to customers and the construction industry as a whole to share our knowledge to improve concrete repair and protection practices. Hence, we’ve drawn upon our technical team’s renowned expertise to compile this CPD. We hope this will become a blueprint for professionals and help raise standards in what is an essential area of the refurbishment sector.” Visit: https://gbr.sika.com/en/construction/concrete-repair/cpds/Concrete-Repair.html520 views Jan 29, 2021
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By Talk. Build The investment will enable the company to grow its warehouse capacity at its depot in Rainham, Essex, from 180,000 sq ft to more than 250,000 sq ft while at the same it will increase the size of its existing fleet of vehicles from 45 to 60. “Our investment will also create more than 30 new jobs in every area of the business from new drivers to admin staff and middle managers,” said Scott Dunn, Chaucer Logistics Chief Executive. “The investment is in response to our growing furniture home delivery service which has expanded enormously over the last 12 months. It is a trend that shows little sign of slowing down and we must be ready to meet this demand.” Chaucer has benefited from a growing number of soft furnishing retailers using its business to deliver direct to customer homes while at the same time more and more major manufacturers are seeing increased demand for new office furniture to be delivered to staff now working from home. As well as furniture, Chaucer has also responded to demand from specialist kitchen and bathroom companies. These companies are delivering products in bulk to Chaucer’s main depot. These are broken down and collated into individual customer orders prior to home delivery. “Responding to these different customer needs has been incredibly challenging especially during these difficult times,” said Scott Dunn. “We have also seen an incredible increase in our white glove high end business as large corporates and specialist customers also make changes in response to the pandemic.” And it has not stopped there. Chaucer has worked and continues to work with the emergency services to ensure that vital PPE equipment continues to reach front line staff via its national distribution network. “Our £1 million investment is just the start,” said Scott Dunn. “Watch this space as we have many more exciting plans for 2021.” www.chaucerlogistics.com426 views Jan 29, 2021
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By Talk. Build The low-stress compound, which is ready for vinyl application in just 48-hours, is among finalists in this year’s Tomorrow’s Contract Floors Awards. The contest celebrates the most innovative products and services in the flooring industry. Sika Schönox HS 50 has been shortlisted, with the winner being decided by an online vote which opens in January. Pete Hollingworth, Business Unit Managerat Sika Flooring, said: “This is extremely exciting news about a very exciting product. Schönox HS 50 represents genuine innovation. It speeds-up the flooring process without compromising quality. We believe our product is ‘next level’ as far as floor technology is concerned; the judges of this revered industry award would appear to agree. We are very proud to hear of its nomination.” Containing Patented Active Dry Technology, Schönox HS 50 combines the flow-ability and surface finish of a calcium sulphate screed whilst possessing the rapid-curing properties of cement-based systems. Largely unaffected by humidity and temperature, Sika Schönox HS-50 allows for applications in the summer and winter months without curing issues. In terms of industry accreditation, Schönox HS 50 is marked as EC 1PLUS R and fulfils the Blue Angel criteria for its environmentally-friendly credentials. It is also classified to EN 13813 as CA-C35-F10.1,536 views Dec 03, 2019
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By Talk. Build We Build The Future works to improve support and advice for people who work in the construction and built environment sector who face the challenge of dealing with cancer in their lives. Helping to fund research, which can help accelerate improvements in the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer, the charity aims to promote health and wellbeing across the industry to help reduce the risk of people developing cancer in the first place. CABE’s objective is to promote and advance the knowledge, study and practice of each and all of the arts and sciences concerned with building technology, planning, design, construction, maintenance and repair of the built environment. Further, it aims to create and maintain a high standard of professional qualification, conduct and practice whilst encouraging and facilitating co-operation between the construction professions. With members practising in over 55 countries, the organisation has an extensive reach and it is hoped that over the next 12 months through a number of fund raising activities, money can be raised to help further the work of We Build The Future. Ant Burd, President of CABE said “It is a huge honour for me to be both one of the original trustees of We Build The Future (WBTF) and now the current President of CABE. Given WBTF was specifically set up to support those working in the Built Environment sector it amounts to a perfect fit whereby working with CABE and its 8000+ members we can seek to raise money that will go directly to support and help those in need working within our own sector.” We Build The Future is an official supporter of the world’s biggest cancer charity, Cancer Research UK. This ensures that any funds raised are used to support research whilst ensuring access to expert information and support for people working in the construction and built environment sector. Visit: www.webuildthefuture.org1,494 views Aug 27, 2019
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By Talk. Build G-Cloud 11 enables cloud service providers – such as GroupBC – to offer digital, contract-based facilities to public sector organisations, by ensuring suppliers are compliant with, and have met the standards laid out in the G-Cloud framework . Launched in 2012, the initiative has done well to expedite and ease the procurement process, radically changing the route to market for Government departments, agencies, local authorities and education establishments. Divided into three ‘lots’ – cloud hosting, cloud software and cloud support – GroupBC, under the registered name Business Collaborator Ltd), entered into the cloud software (SaaS) category and was once again successful in its application. The G-Cloud service enables GroupBC to continue delivering their leading Project to Asset Information Management Common Data Environment (PIM / AIM CDE) for Clients wanting to securely digitise their estate in order to optimize performance. Speaking on its success, Stuart Bell, Sales and Marketing Director at GroupBC said: “We’re delighted to have again been successful on the G-Cloud framework. In previous years we have been selected by prominent organisations such as Highways England and most recently, University of Birmingham, and look forward to working with more customers who recognise and are enthusiastic about the benefits of digital technologies, and in particular, how the BC CDE underpins the ‘golden thread’ of information throughout their assets lifecycle.” Visit:https://www.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk/g-cloud/services/4504291266432301,583 views Jul 31, 2019
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By Talk. Build Winners of the 2019 Single Ply Roofing Association (SPRA) Awards were announced on Thursday, June 13th during a ceremony held at Heythrop Park, Oxfordshire. Two projects completed using Sika-Trocal roofing solutions were ‘Highly-Commended’ by industry judges. IPC Church in Ealing, west London, a complex roof installation project carried out by Ithaca Roofing using Sika-Trocal detailing, was ‘Highly Commended for Best Detailing’. Additionally, Lagland Street, a new-build residential development in Poole, Dorset received ‘Highly Commended Best New Build’. The project saw contractors, Volsen, install Sika-Trocal SGK 1.5mm membrane to a mansard roof as part of a system including Sika-Trocal S-Vap 5000E (VCL), and Trocal InnoFix 100mm insulation. Richard Ptiman at Sika-Trocal, said: “The commendations are a wonderful validation of our quality roofing solutions. In conjunction with the superb work carried out by both contractors, we are extremely proud to have received recognition at these esteemed awards.” Sika was one of a number of sponsors to support the 2019 SPRA Awards, the fifth time it has been staged.1,161 views Jul 10, 2019
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By Talk. Build Designed by Grimshaw Architects, and containing striking architectural metalwork manufactured and installed by SAS International, London Bridge station was the ‘natural winner’; commended for its sustainability, ingenuity and modest grandeur. Judges praised all those involved in the design and installation, using the project’s superior design and delivery as an example of construction at its very finest. The judges celebrated Grimshaw’s original design, explaining it ‘reconnects the tissue of the city’, in what has now become a core civic environment for London’s population. Speaking on SAS International’s crucial involvement in the London Bridge station project, Construction Director, Rik Lenney said: “We are delighted London Bridge station has won another incredible accolade. An outstanding achievement for all those involved”. Grimshaw Architects were also recipients of the ‘Practice of the Year’ award at the AJ100 ceremony. The UK’s largest architecture awards, the annual AJ100 awards honour excellence in architecture. This year’s ceremony was attended by over 500 architects, clients and industry figures, in what was a jubilant evening for all.1,095 views Jun 25, 2019
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By Talk. Build The CPD – ‘Property Protection & Business Resilience: Automatic Sprinklers – Background & Benefits’ – is a 25 minute long video that provides viewers with an awareness of the beneficial impact that incorporating sprinklers can have and how they can add value to building design. It addresses how sprinklers work, typical myths and misconceptions, cost and regulations and looks at the impact of fire on businesses and how sprinklers can aid the design process. Suitable for anyone involved in the procurement, design and construction of a building including developers, contractors, surveyors, architects and consultants, the video includes a specific chapter looking at design considerations for office applications include worked examples showing cost implications. “Automatic sprinklers offer a proven way of protecting property as well as providing life safety,” commented Iain Cox, Chairman of the Business Sprinkler Alliance. “However there are many myths and misconceptions about their operation, effectiveness as well as cost. This presentation addresses these misconceptions whilst providing practical design guidance to help specifiers, contractors and engineers understand how sprinklers can add value to their next project.” To view the online CPD module, please click on the following link: - https://www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org/about-sprinklers/property-protection-and-business-resilience-automatic-sprinklers-background-and-benefits Visit www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org1,213 views Jun 19, 2019
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By Talk. Build Innovation Construction Wales Index, delivered in association with Construction Futures Wales, has been created to support and celebrate some of Wales’ most innovative businesses in the construction sector. Based in Maesteg, Bridgend, SIDERISE has been established for over 40 years. The company operates in 11 sectors with construction being a primary sector, including facades, interiors and HVAC. A pioneer in the design, development and manufacturer of fire and acoustic solutions, the company has seen its market expand beyond the UK to include the Middle East, India, Australia and the US. “Innovation has always been a key driver for SIDERISE and we are delighted to have been included in the Innovation Construction Wales Index,” commented Chris Hall, Sales Director of SIDERISE. “Our products are highly engineered and tested to the most rigorous standards to ensure compliance across many applications and sectors. Ensuring that we continue to look at how we can improve our products and solutions is critical to helping ensure the continued growth of the company and to maintain our position as a leader and pioneer within our sector.” The index was created through a comprehensive and independent judging process, with the final 33 companies being chosen for the way in which they demonstrate a commitment to improvement through change and to finding newer and better ways of doing things in the construction sector. Visit: www.siderise.com,1,181 views Jun 14, 2019
