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UK’s first training facility for modern methods of construction

New facility to create highly skilled, digitally capable workforce to help transform sector productivity

Laing O’Rourke, in collaboration with Barnsley College and T3 Training & Development, opened the UK’s first dedicated modern methods of construction (MMC) training facility. The first of its kind training centre represents a groundbreaking step in addressing the UK’s construction skills shortage and modernising the industry.

The new facility, part-funded by the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF), will provide people with the technical and digital skills required to assemble construction and engineering solutions that have been manufactured offsite. This includes giving learners, ‘Trainee Assembly Specialists’, access to the equipment and skills needed to work with large-scale modular components in a safe and controlled environment as they learn how to deliver sections of some of the UK’s largest infrastructure and construction projects.

It will be the first purpose-built facility to offer a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Construction Assembly installation – approved by The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) in 2019. No other UK facility currently offers this bespoke off-site training, which is key to building faster, safer, and more efficiently.

The UK’s construction sector is at a pivotal moment, with more than 250,000 extra construction workers needed by 2028, to deliver the expected levels of work. To meet this demand, the industry must evolve, adopting manufacturing (off-site) and assembly (on-site) approaches to enhance productivity, safety, and environmental performance. This new qualification promises to help overcome the long-standing skills shortage in the sector and bridge the gap between young talent and experience.

Laing O’Rourke has committed to pioneering modern methods of construction for more than 15 years, knowing it offers attractive future careers that are safer, highly skilled and technical, in comparison to traditional construction approaches. The new training facility will develop digital and technical skills among their 4,500 directly employed workforce, increasing its ability to deploy a manufacturing-led approach to construction and deliver certainty for their clients.

We are proud and excited to launch this first-of-a-kind training facility with Barnsley College and T3 Training & Development, and to have created a training course that will help accelerate change across our sector. Not only will it enhance the skills of our current directly employed workforce, but it will also attract a more diverse range of people to consider a career in construction.

Only through the wider use of digital technologies and modern methods of construction can we transform productivity and create better work and careers for people. It’s a change we need to make to ensure we can deliver the essential infrastructure the country needs, and which underpins our quality of life.

We would like to extend a huge thank you to Select Plant Hire, Explore Plant and Transport Solutions, Expanded, Explore Manufacturing, Crown House Technologies, Cemex and Patera Engineering Ltd for their help and support in the planning and construction of this new facility, they have been integral to the success of the project.

Peter Lyons Director, Laing O’Rourke

David Akeroyd, Principal and Chief Executive, Barnsley College, said:

“We are delighted to have partnered with Laing O’Rourke and T3 Training & Development to create the UK’s very first Modern Methods of Construction Training Centre of its type. This facility will no doubt equip students with the expertise needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving construction sector, lead the way on more sustainable methods of construction, and ensure they are prepared for the ambitious demands of the modern workforce.

“Through this collaboration, we are proud to play a vital role in addressing skills shortages and supporting the development of a highly skilled, future-ready workforce for the local region and beyond.”

Andy Adams, Managing Director, T3 Training and Development, said:

“I am thrilled to see the vision we’ve developed over nearly four years with Laing O’Rourke, and more recently with Barnsley College, come to fruition with the launch of the UK’s first dedicated training facility for modern methods of construction (MMC). This pioneering site and programme are designed not only to elevate T3 Training’s mission of delivering industry-specific training but also to address the critical skills gap in our sector. Through this facility, we aim to equip the next generation of ‘Trainee Assembly Specialists’ with the technical and digital expertise needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.”

“This project is especially meaningful because of the remarkable collaboration and shared vision that brought it to life. Firstly, working closely with Laing O’Rourke, we saw the pressing need for a specialised facility and assembled a dedicated team to design and build a world-class, first-of-its-kind training centre. And with the steadfast support and commitment from Barnsley College, we were able to bring this vision into reality. I couldn’t be prouder of the commitment and hard work of everyone involved, all of whom share our passion for creating a space that will foster the skills and knowledge needed for the future of our industry.”

The ‘Modern Methods of Construction Training Centre (supported by Laing O’Rourke) will see the first cohort of apprentices begin their apprenticeships in the new year.

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FMB: Rising Costs & Skills Shortages Impact SME’s

Current workloads for construction businesses have fallen to similar rates as the 2008 financial crisis, according to a survey from Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Rising costs, skills shortages, and barriers to growth are all contributing to the slowdown in productivity in the construction industry. And as we approach the end of the year, we take a look at the trades which have suffered most and what areas of the industry are defying the trend.

Workloads continue to decline

Over the past three months, workloads for small builders are down seven per cent on the previous quarter. With low productivity stifling the construction industry throughout the year, it seems the trend could continue into 2025.

Rising costs of services, a drop in demand, and a lack of available workers all play a part in the decline in productivity, according to FMB’s research. But the main contributor may be an overall drop in enquiries.

Enquiries have fallen a further three per cent in the last three months compared to the previous quarter. With housebuilding being the most affected area of the industry, seeing a 30 per cent decline in enquiries in the same period.

Renovations defy the trend

While there’s a collective productivity issue, certain areas of the industry remain defiant. When FMB members were asked what their most common type of work was in the past three months, 67 per cent said renovations.

And with home improvements also experiencing a boost, it highlights the increased demand for smaller scale jobs. The fewer workers required for smaller jobs and tighter customer budgets potentially make renovation jobs more suitable for construction workers and their customers.

Employment rates fall throughout 2024

The shortage of skilled workers has been a defining factor for the industry in 2024. And according to the research from FMB, there’s been a steady decline in employment in each quarter of the year.

Almost a quarter (23 per cent) of FMB members reported a decrease in employees in the last three months. This has been consistent throughout the year, with the first (28 per cent) and second (24 per cent) quarters showing similar results.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, commented: “What is concerning is that the poor numbers reported by builders seem to be here to stay as they have been a constant throughout 2024. The last time such a negative trend was reported was in the years following the financial crisis of 2008.”

Skills shortage continues

And the struggle to hire certain trades continues. General labourers are proving the most in demand, with 34 per cent of respondents sharing their difficulty hiring them. FMB members also highlighted a shortage of:

  • carpenters
  • roofers
  • painters and decorators

With 38 per cent of respondents saying the skills shortage has resulted in job delays, it’s clear this is contributing towards the overall decline in workloads.

Rising prices compound issues

Tradespeople are spending more on materials and wages. As a result, they’re charging more for their services. The majority of FMB members (65 per cent) indicated that rising costs led to an increase in their prices. And over half (54 per cent) have lower than expected profit margins, which is an increase from 52 per cent in the last quarter.

Low productivity and rising costs have left the industry in a challenging position. And businesses are having to adapt to this environment.

Over a quarter (26 per cent) of respondents said they’ve had to restrict recruitment plans due to cost pressures, a slight increase from 22 per cent in Q2 2024. This leaves some small businesses in a position where they don’t have enough skilled workers to take on work while also feeling the pressure of rising costs.

And these circumstances are so testing that 10 per cent of FMB members shared that their business has been put at risk of closure.

Brian Berry thinks increased funding is a key solution for the industry.

“The government missed a key opportunity in the October Budget to announce serious funding to tackle the skills crisis while tax rises, such as the increase to employers’ National Insurance contributions, creates additional barriers with firms already struggling to recruit staff,” he said.

 

Source: Simply Business

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Portakabin delivers ground-breaking dairy innovation facility as part of the Borderlands Growth deal

Portakabin, a leader in modular construction solutions, is proud to announce the upcoming completion of the Dairy Nexus, a state-of-the-art research and innovation facility at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) Barony Campus near Dumfries.

Set to open in November 2024, this ground-breaking facility was built by Portakabin in collaboration with SRUC, as part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, to drive advances in dairy sustainability and productivity for Scotland and the UK.

The Dairy Nexus represents a multi-million-pound investment, bolstered by funding from both the UK and Scottish Governments. Located at the heart of one of Scotland’s most active dairy-producing regions, the facility will serve as a hub for collaborative research among scientists, farmers, advisors, and technology providers, pushing forward the frontiers of dairy innovation.

The Dairy Nexus features cutting-edge laboratories, collaborative meeting spaces and technical equipment designed to enhance the sector’s ability to conduct pioneering research. The facility will explore sustainable dairy practise ranging from optimising dairy nutrition to enhance milk quality, to genetic research that can reduce cows’ methane emissions. This work aligns with the goals of the UK’s Net Zero initiative and Scotland’s Green Industrial Strategy, making a significant step toward decarbonising the dairy industry.

Portakabin is renowned for its advanced modular construction capabilities, specialising in high-quality, flexible buildings that meet technical and environmental standards. The design of Portakabin modular buildings allows for rapid, cost-effective construction without compromising on durability or customisation, making them an ideal choice for projects requiring specialised research facilities.

“At Portakabin, we are committed to providing adaptable, high-performance facilities that help solve real-world challenges. The Dairy Nexus project embodies our values, utilising modular construction to bring a vital research and innovation centre for life swiftly and sustainably” James Pearson, Divisional MD at Portakabin. “This facility will enable dairy sector leaders and researchers to work towards transformative improvements in dairy productivity and environmental impact.”

Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive of SRUC, said:

“We are delighted to see the Dairy Nexus moving a step closer to opening on our Barony campus.

“It encapsulates our mission to drive imaginative new ways of working between business, government, communities, and universities to support a green recovery in remote and rural parts of Scotland.

“It will also support the work of the Digital Dairy Chain at Barony, which is focused on developing digital connectivity, stimulating research and new product development, supporting business growth and attracting talent and skills, across the region.”

The Portakabin team will be thrilled to handover this project towards the end of 2024.

CLICK HERE to see more projects from Portakabin

 

 

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Two Years to Fix Indoor Air Quality


Building Services Industry Has Two Years to Fix Indoor Air Quality

 

A policy paper launched at the Building Engineering Services Association’s World Ventilation Day event suggests there is a “two-year window of opportunity” to prioritise air quality when assessing building performance.

Speaking at the event, Yselkla Farmer, Chief Executive of the energy and infrastructure trade association BEAMA, described indoor air quality and ventilation as a “poor relation to energy efficiency” when it came to assessing building performance. BEAMA’s new policy paper urges governments to broaden the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) remit to recognise and evaluate the indoor air quality of homes.

She said: “The push for better energy performance in buildings [has led to] a clear disconnect with the need to ensure building occupants are healthy. This has played a significant role in creating what is now a national health crisis.”

65,000 UK homes suffered from serious mould and damp leading to over 10,000 deaths each year linked to respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease and mental health.

 

Why is IAQ a “Voluntary Compliance Area?”

“IAQ should have the same focus as fire and electrical safety in the building regulations.  Why is this issue, which actually causes more deaths, still a ‘voluntary’ compliance area? [Warm Homes and EPCs] are a legislative framework we can work with – so let’s use this window of opportunity.”

The meeting was also addressed by Rosamund Adoo Kissi-Debrah CBE, air quality and child health campaigner, who recently received an apology from the government for the death of her daughter Ella which was linked to air pollution. Ella had been exposed to “excessive” levels of air pollution and that levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) near her home exceeded WHO guidelines.”

Rosamund Adoo Kissi-Debrah CBE. Image Credit: BESA

 

Rosamund said: “The government is concerned about the economy and money, so we need to focus on the cost of not cleaning up the air and the impact that will have on the NHS as more people get sick and die. Without cleaning up the air this miracle they think will happen with the NHS will not be possible.

“We have heard that the government does not think the public is concerned about air quality, even though every single one of us breathes air, every single minute of every day.”

 

 

BESA Indoor Air Quality Group chair Adam Taylor said the government should also support a public awareness campaign to raise the profile of IAQ in homes, schools and workplaces:

 

“We need to communicate some simple but powerful messages to the public about the impact of poor IAQ on health and its links to premature deaths.”

 

Source: TwinFM

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Breathing Buildings Supports World Ventil8 Day!

   

Breathing Buildings, a leading provider of controlled natural and hybrid ventilation systems is celebrating World Ventilation Day (#WorldVentil8Day). World Ventil8 Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of ventilation as a crucial part of enabling health and wellbeing of people. Taking place on Thursday 8 November 2024, World Ventil8 Day was initiated by a group of researchers and professional bodies who are passionate about the importance of ventilation. This year the theme is ‘Enabling Action’ and aims to spread the word about all that is good in ventilation and how to help people to improve ventilation in their buildings whether it be a home, a school, a workplace or a social space. It also aims to highlight ventilation’s role in healthy buildings and a healthy life.

Breathing Buildings is keen to support World Ventil8 Day. Since the company was founded, it has been dedicated to energy efficient ventilation which improves indoor air quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort. Prior to the pandemic there was already an increasing awareness of how indoor environments impact our health and wellbeing. In the UK ventilation guidance for schools already existed in the form of Building Bulletin 101 (BB101). The last revision, the 2018 edition of BB101: ‘Guidelines on ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality in schools’ looks at the key design elements of modern ventilation systems in schools. The document sets out requirements for schools to improve ventilation to create a healthy and comfortable environment that will help improve children’s learning outcomes.

 

 

“Breathing Buildings is delighted to support this year’s World Ventil8 Day. Since it was founded, Breathing Buildings has been committed to energy efficient ventilation that improves IAQ and thermal comfort. Over the years we have helped a raft of schools improve their learning environments. Providing excellent thermal comfort and enhanced IAQ, our hybrid ventilation is designed to suit a diverse range of commercial and public buildings with high heat gains, such as schools, colleges, leisure centres, offices, theatres and even churches. Our latest innovation the NVHRe raises the bar on energy efficient ventilation, marking the next step in hybrid ventilation technology,” said Louise McHugh, Product Manager at Breathing Buildings.

 

Breathing Buildings is committed to improving IAQ and enabling action by helping schools improve their ventilation and indoor environments. For example, Breathing Buildings supplied ventilation to High Point Academy, a secondary school for students with complex learning difficulties in Wednesbury, West Midlands. The 90-pupil school features classrooms that are designed to be safe and calming for autistic pupils, it includes a range of specialist rooms that enhance the children’s experience. In addition to this specialist learning environment, the two-storey school benefits from Breathing Buildings’ NVHR (Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling) hybrid ventilation units that help provide good indoor air quality and keep the school warm in winter and cool in summer. This boosts comfort and health which is essential for the pupils’ learning and wellbeing.

 

But it is not only schools that can benefit from hybrid ventilation technology. For example, Breathing Buildings supplied ventilation to ECO MEP’s carbon negative headquarters in Ashford, Kent. Recently purchasing the building, ECO MEP are mechanical and electrical contractors who focus on delivering lean, sustainable solutions to commercial clients. In line with these values, their objective was to ensure their own new offices were a beacon of sustainability and so specified Breathing Buildings’ innovative NVHRe Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling and Heat Recovery to provide energy efficient ventilation.

 

Breathing Buildings’ award-winning NVHRe, raises the bar on energy efficient ventilation. Marking the next step in hybrid ventilation technology, the key difference between Breathing Buildings’ original NVHR® range and the new innovative Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling and Heat Recovery (NVHRe) is an addition of a low resistance heat exchanger cell within the unit. This allows the unit to benefit from both heat recycling and heat recovery, reclaiming even more heat than previous models, saving more energy, providing great occupant comfort, and allowing users to include it within the building energy assessments (SBEM).

 

Offering the lowest energy consumption for a hybrid heat recovery ventilation unit in the industry, the NVHRe combines 46% heat recovery efficiency with low Specific Fan Power (SFP) of 0.075 W/l/s to help maximise a building’s energy savings. In addition, the NVHRe has several different operating modes to minimise energy use, enhance IAQ and improve occupant comfort. An intelligent hybrid system, the unit automatically decides when and if mechanical operation is required, ensuring it only operates when absolutely necessary.

 

Providing excellent thermal comfort and enhanced IAQ, the NVHRe is designed to suit a diverse range of commercial and public buildings with high heat gains, such as schools, colleges, leisure centres, offices, theatres and even churches. The inclusion of the low resistant aluminium cross plate heat exchanger to the unit lowers energy costs by reducing the reliance on space heating to maintain thermal comfort in a room. It operates during colder external temperatures, typically below 7ºC when mixing recycled air alone is not enough to maintain the desired temperature for occupants.

 

The range also includes units that can be the primary source of heat; needing no radiators, as well as a system that can offer further cooling. The British designed and manufactured units come in three models with product variations to suit every need with the standard NVHRe 1100 an NVHRe+ 1100 which includes a heating coil and is ideal for buildings in cooler areas; and an NVHRe C+ 1100 which features a heating and cooling coil for year-round comfort and full temperature control.

 

The NVHRe hybrid ventilation system’s ultra-efficient facade-based mixing ventilation allows single-sided, enhanced natural and hybrid ventilation in deep plan spaces whilst making the most of internal heat gains, with the addition of heat recovery to deliver superb thermal comfort and IAQ. Hybrid ventilation focuses on the vital balance of IAQ, thermal comfort, and efficiency by choosing the most appropriate mode of ventilation based on the internal and external conditions, allowing the NVHRe to be in the most energy efficient mode possible at all stages.

 

Allowing low-energy hybrid natural ventilation, even in buildings with limited facade and roof space, highly efficient mixing fans mitigate cold draughts in winter and provide a ventilation boost in summer, with the addition of heat recovery to bolster winter thermal comfort, minimising the need for a primary source of heating for the space, in return reducing energy costs. Supplied with an external temperature sensor, and an internal temperature and CO2 sensor, as well as an intelligent controller the system monitors conditions to create an ideal indoor environment, boosting both productivity and wellbeing.

Breathing Buildings’ NVHRe won ‘Commercial/ Industrial Ventilation Product of the Year’ category at the prestigious HVR Awards 2024. Breathing Buildings is currently shortlisted in the Energy Saving Awards and the ECN Awards for supplying ventilation to the ECO MEP project.

For further information on NVHR®, NVHRe and E-stack ventilation, 
as well as other products and services offered by Breathing Buildings, 

PLEASE CLICK HERE

or call us on 01223 450 060

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NOT GOING TO BREAK THE BANK

 

Overflows from an adjacent river into the Grand Union Canal had increased water pressure in one of the waterway’s locks, damaging nearby banks and towpaths. With the possibility of the river and canal merging becoming increasingly likely, The Rothen Group stepped in to mitigate this risk.

 

The Grand Union Canal is the longest canal in the UK, running 137 miles from the Thames to Birmingham. Its connecting Leicester Line is also highly important, providing a 41-mile route linking the main waterway to routes across Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire. Crucial to this is the Line’s link to the River Soar, with boaters joining a stretch of canalised river at Leicester, before carrying on to the River Trent and eventually the Trent & Mersey Canal.

 

Consequently, the River Soar is highly significant to the country’s waterway infrastructure, while also providing a scenic route for narrowboats along quiet meadows and picturesque villages. However, the canalised portion of the river was under threat following extreme weather events over this winter and spring.

 

Overflows and Overtopping

High levels of rainfall over multiple months had caused the main river to overflow, resulting in overtopping into the adjacent canal. Though the immediate flooding stemming from this phenomenon is a disruptive issue by itself, its impact on waterway infrastructure is even greater still.

 

After a member of the public drew down the section between Lock 37 and Lock 38 to create a barrier between the overflowing River Soar and nearby properties, water pressure supporting the pilings dropped. In turn, the sides of the canal could no longer withstand the strain from the overflowing river water and subsequently flooding into the empty canal. As a result, damage occurred to the canal walls and towpath that required immediate attention.

 

If this existing bank protection were to fail completely – a distinct possibility, considering the increasing frequency of extreme weather events – the risk of the canal and larger River Soar bleeding into each other would increase. The impact of this merge would be huge for the villages and communities dotting the waterway, as an ensuing build-up of silt in the expanded river would lead to more flooding in the area.

 

Site Challenges

The Canal & River Trust, the charity responsible for the upkeep of the UK’s waterways, engaged Jackson Civil Engineering (Jackson) to carry out urgent repair works and prevent a worsening situation. The project site presented immediate challenges for Jackson. Namely, any bank restoration works had to be carried out on a remote stretch of canal that was not navigable by land-based construction machinery.

 

Taking this into account, the company contacted marine engineering specialists The Rothen Group (TRG) to implement an effective solution, designed by the Trust. The design saw improvements across one 30m and two 25m sections as well as along a 60m non-failed stretch. This included replacing the waling bar, tie backs and back piles. These renovated canal walls would then be backfilled with clay, soil and stone to restabilise the towpath after damage caused by increased water pressure from the lock.

 

Major works were carried out by a five-tonne digger situated on an adjustable, stabilised pontoon on the waterway. Alongside this, a tug boat and hopper were used to assist in the removal of previous bank protection via the canal. This floating plant machinery was also used in the final step of the project – the installation of new mooring bollards to invite more waterway users from the area.

 

Removing the Risk

Though the return of boaters to the affected area was undoubtedly pleasing to TRG Founder Ian Rothen, he is keen to emphasise the structural and environmental importance of these works.

 

“Sections of canalised river do not only offer boaters a convenient way to navigate much-loved boating routes,” he explains. “The towpaths and banksides around these waterways also provide flood protection for the nearby area.

“Consequently, the erosion of canal walls in these areas can have a catastrophic effect on local housing and businesses. Had these works not been carried out, more of the bank would have crashed and led to a real risk that the river and canal would merge. Had this happened, the buildup of silt in the river would have majorly disrupted life in the area for the foreseeable future.

“By successfully completing this project, we have been able to avert this situation. As they say, prevention is better than the cure, and this remediation and maintenance work will undoubtedly help safeguard the surrounding community for years to come. This is some of the most important work that we do, and we are thankful to Jackson Civil Engineering for engaging our services here.”

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Innovative precast foundation system

Engineering specialist Akela Ground Engineering, part of Akela Group, has achieved NHBC Accepts certification for its precast foundation system, ABeam.

Launched earlier this year, ABeam features a special mechanical pinned joint, allowing for prefabricated ground beams to be installed in a matter of hours, offering housebuilders an exciting new and sustainable alternative to ground beam installation.

By combining precise off-site fabrication, alignment and interlocking sections with secure fastening, this joint design ensures a robust, reliable and efficient way to connect precast ground beams.

Following significant investment, including the creation of a state-of-the-art fabrication facility at Akela’s headquarters near Glasgow, ABeam has been specifically designed to offer housebuilders greater efficiencies in delivery of new homes.

NHBC Accepts enables a more efficient assessment of a home for warranty and reduces the risk to the builder of delays in their project.

Jermaine Medina, accepts technical operations manager at NHBC, said:

“As the UK’s leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes, we’re pleased to welcome Akela Ground Engineering to NHBC Accepts with its ABeam pre-cast ground beam system. Systems with NHBC Accepts certification give developers faith and confidence in the quality of the products they are building with.”

Will Payne, manager director at Akela Ground Engineering, said:

“Our new ABeam precast system offers significant advantages in terms of construction install, performance and overall project quality. Designed and manufactured at our purpose-built facility at Thornliebank, near Glasgow, our expert team has the capability to fabricate the product in a controlled environment to ensure quality and production output.

“We are proud to have achieved NHBC Accepts certification and believe this is a testament to the quality and expertise employed to deliver a robust and industry-leading pre-cast product.”

 

Source: Scottish Construction Now

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Joint Managing Directors Acquire Frameclad

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Nicholas Teague (left) with Martin Jamieson and founder Mark Munns (centre)

Light steel specialist Frameclad, announced that following a transitional period, Joint Managing Directors Nicholas Teagle and Martin Jamieson, have acquired the company from founder Mark Munns and his wife Diane.

 

Back in 2022 they were invited to become joint Managing Directors as Frameclad’s founder intended to eventually step back from his day-to-day role. During the last two years they have been working collectively to make strategic decisions to ensure a smooth handover of the business.

 

“We are excited to share the news that this transition is now complete, and we have officially acquired Frameclad,” said Nicholas Teagle. “We have many plans to build on the success Mark and Diane achieved, and we will continue with our long term strategy of ‘investment and innovation’ which is yielding positive results.

 

“I’m delighted to report that there will be no major changes in Frameclad’s management team, manufacturing output or our procedures. Delivering high quality light steel frame systems, backed by excellent customer service, will remain our priority.”

 

Martin added: “We would like to thank our team for their incredible support throughout this time. We are proud of the skills and specialisms we have within our Frameclad community and as many know, people are at the very heart of our operation.

 

“We look forward to growing our relationship with all our clients, partners and suppliers as we continue to deliver cost effective light steel solutions that are designed and manufactured to outstanding building safety standards.”

 

In line with Frameclad’s strategy, on the back of launching the company’s Lightweight Engineered Adjustable Frame – LEAF, the new owners have purchased a further five cold-roll forming machines and have increased their design and engineering team from 12 to 14.

As a leading BOPAS-accredited manufacturer of steel framing systems and components, Frameclad offers a complete package of services to customers. The business has invested significantly in state-of-the-art manufacturing technology and the in-house design and engineering team provides cost estimates within 10 days and detailed designs within one week. The precision steel roll-forming machinery produces one of the largest ranges of steel sections available in the UK today from a single manufacturer.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FRAMECLAD CLICK HERE

 

 

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JAMES HARDIE LAUNCHES NEW ‘TOOLBOX TALKS’ SERVICE

 

James Hardie, a world leader in the manufacture of high-performance fibre cement and fibre gypsum building solutions, has launched a new ‘Toolbox Talks’ service to provide builders and homeowners with essential installation knowledge across its product portfolio.

 

Two new Technical Support Specialists have been appointed to deliver the service.  Mitchell Pearson will support clients in the South West and South East. He joins from Persimmon Homes where he was Site Manager and brings with him extensive project management and construction experience.

 

Andrew Coote will be responsible for clients in the Midlands, North of England and Scotland. He has worked at James Hardie as a Channel Manager for 2 years and has an excellent understanding of the full product range.  Prior to that he worked as an installer using James Hardie products, giving him a comprehensive knowledge of potential on-site project issues.

 

The new service will include pre-installation training sessions for every project and a pre-project meeting with the builder or developer to ensure drawings and products are aligned before on-site work begins, preventing any costly downtime.  Once the project has begun there will be regular site visits to carry out project audits, ensuring all products have been installed correctly.

 

Simon Buckmaster, Technical and Sales Service Manager at James Hardie said:

“Our new service will elevate the James Hardie offering even further providing our clients with wraparound support throughout the duration of their project.

“Having Andy and Mitchell on board means that any questions or concerns can be dealt with early, and that installation is a smooth and stress-free process.”

 

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ‘TOOLBOX TALKS’

 

 

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Exciting Times at Breathing Buildings as Company Strides Ahead in Indoor Air Quality

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Breathing Buildings, a leading provider of controlled natural and hybrid ventilation systems, is striding ahead in indoor air quality (IAQ) with three exciting developments. Firstly, the company has led the way in innovation by recently celebrating winning ‘Commercial/ Industrial Ventilation Product of the Year’ category at the prestigious HVR Awards 2024. The company won the award with its new NVHRe, Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling and Heat Recovery (NVHRe), which is the latest addition to its award-winning range of Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling (NVHR®) systems. Secondly, building on this success, the company has invested in a new Business Development Director, Matthew Cooper to help grow the Breathing Buildings brand providing industry leading ventilation solutions. Thirdly, Breathing Buildings is exhibiting for the first time in Ireland at the Education Buildings Ireland Exhibition.

 

Breathing Buildings scooped the Commercial/Industrial Ventilation Product of the Year award at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 12th September at London’s Chelsea Harbour Hotel. Breathing Buildings won the award for its innovative NVHRe, which raises the bar on energy efficient ventilation. Marking the next step in hybrid ventilation technology, the key difference between Breathing Buildings’ original NVHR® range and the new innovative Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling and Heat Recovery (NVHRe) is an addition of a low resistance heat exchanger cell within the unit. This allows the unit to benefit from both heat recycling and heat recovery, reclaiming even more heat than previous models, saving more energy, providing great occupant comfort, and allowing users to include it within the building energy assessments (SBEM).

 

Keen to raise the importance of energy efficient ventilation and the benefits of good IAQ in buildings, Breathing Buildings is excited to have welcomed a new member to its team. Matthew Cooper joins Breathing Buildings as Business Development Director. With over 15 years’ experience within the HVAC industry, Matthew comes with drive and enthusiasm to help steer the team to even more wins.

Matthew Cooper, Business Development Manager

 

 

On joining Matthew said “I’m super excited to join the team and it appears to be perfect timing with our new NVHRe winning the Commercial/ Ventilation Product of the Year at the HVR Awards in my second week of joining! I’m eager to go out and about, meeting customers, gaining new contacts and helping grow the Breathing Buildings brand.”

 

 

Expanding its brand presence beyond the UK, Breathing Building is exhibiting in Ireland for the first time at Education Buildings Ireland Exhibition on 6-7 November 2024, collaborating with Lindab on Stand 519 at RDS Dublin, Hall 2. At the exhibition, the company is hoping to share the wealth of experience it has on how to improve IAQ in schools. The event is organised in partnership with the Government of Ireland and comprises a 2-day multi-stream conference and an exhibition. The aim of all those involved is to create high-quality learning environments for all students and learners. IAQ is recognised as an important part of this goal.

 

The focus on indoor air quality in schools is not new. Prior to the pandemic there was already an increasing awareness of how indoor environments impact our health and wellbeing. In the UK ventilation guidance for schools already existed in the form of Building Bulletin 101 (BB101). The document’s last revision, the 2018 edition of BB101: ‘Guidelines on ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality in schools’ looks at the key design elements of modern ventilation systems in schools. The document sets out requirements for schools to improve ventilation to help create a healthy and comfortable environment that will help improve children’s learning outcomes. Breathing Buildings is now hoping to offer its help to improve learning environments in Ireland too by enhancing IAQ.

 

“It is exciting times at Breathing Buildings at the moment. Not only did we win the ‘Commercial/Industrial Ventilation Product of the Year’ category with our NVHRe at the prestigious HVR Awards 2024 but we have been shortlisted for the H&V News Awards’ ‘Commercial HVAC Product of the Year – Ventilation’ category too, and we are looking forward to the event that will be held on 28th November.

We also welcome our new Business Development Director, Matthew Cooper who has joined the team with 15 years of industry experience and is focussed on helping grow the Breathing Buildings brand,” said Alexis Roberts, Brand Manager at Breathing Buildings.

 

 

The company’s award-winning NVHRe offers the lowest energy consumption for a hybrid heat recovery ventilation unit in the industry, the NVHRe combines 46% heat recovery efficiency with low Specific Fan Power (SFP) of 0.075 W/l/s to help maximise a building’s energy savings. In addition, the NVHRe has several different operating modes to minimise energy use, enhance IAQ and improve occupant comfort. An intelligent hybrid system, the unit automatically decides when and if mechanical operation is required, ensuring it only operates when absolutely necessary.

 

Providing excellent thermal comfort and enhanced IAQ, the NVHRe is designed to suit a diverse range of commercial and public buildings with high heat gains, such as schools, colleges, leisure centres, offices, theatres and even churches. The inclusion of the low resistant aluminium cross plate heat exchanger to the unit lowers energy costs by reducing the reliance on space heating to maintain thermal comfort in a room. It operates during colder external temperatures, typically below 7ºC when mixing recycled air alone is not enough to maintain the desired temperature for occupants.

 

The range also includes units that can be the primary source of heat; needing no radiators, as well as a system that can offer further cooling. The British designed and manufactured units come in three models with product variations to suit every need with the standard NVHRe 1100 an NVHRe+ 1100 which includes a heating coil and is ideal for buildings in cooler areas; and an NVHRe C+ 1100 which features a heating and cooling coil for year-round comfort and full temperature control.

 

The NVHRe hybrid ventilation system’s ultra-efficient facade-based mixing ventilation allows single-sided, enhanced natural and hybrid ventilation in deep plan spaces whilst making the most of internal heat gains, with the addition of heat recovery to deliver superb thermal comfort and IAQ. Hybrid ventilation focuses on the vital balance of IAQ, thermal comfort, and efficiency by choosing the most appropriate mode of ventilation based on the internal and external conditions, allowing the NVHRe to be in the most energy efficient mode possible at all stages.

 

Allowing low-energy hybrid natural ventilation, even in buildings with limited facade and roof space, highly efficient mixing fans mitigate cold draughts in winter and provide a ventilation boost in summer, with the addition of heat recovery to bolster winter thermal comfort, minimising the need for a primary source of heating for the space, in return reducing energy costs. Supplied with an external temperature sensor, and an internal temperature and CO2 sensor, as well as an intelligent controller the system monitors conditions to create an ideal indoor environment, boosting both productivity and wellbeing.

 

Breathing Buildings’ multi-award-winning natural ventilation with heat recycling (NVHR®) range won the Energy Efficient Product of the Year Award at the prestigious Energy Awards, and also recently won three awards for providing ventilation to the East Anglian Air Ambulance project with the Breathing Buildings’ NVHR® range.

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For further information on NVHR®, NVHRe and E-stack ventilation,

as well as other products and services offered by Breathing Buildings

or call us on 01223 450 060

 

 

 

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