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UK Construction Week: Wellbeing, sustainability and innovation

UK Construction Week (UKCW), now in its fifth year, is back with a bang and taking on all the big issues for the construction industry.

 

From diversity and skills, to modern methods of construction (MMC), from mental health advice to sustainability, UKCW is tackling it all.

 

Held at the NEC on 8-10 October, this year’s all-encompassing show is one not to be missed.

 

Straight-talking on mental health

 

With mental health a key priority for the construction sector, the Mind Your Head mental health and safety campaign is launching at UKCW. Designed to promote mental wellbeing for those working in the construction industry, with a particular focus on men who are at greater risk of suicide, the campaign is designed to be straight-talking, no-nonsense and accessible.

 

As part of the campaign, Carwyn Lloyd Jones, the creator of the Tiny House at last year’s UKCW will be using his talents to create an artistic installation of swings to encourage open discussion about mental health.

 

There will also be a range of seminars discussing the unique challenges of mental health in the construction sector. On the main stage on Tuesday 8 October, ‘Wellbeing in Construction: Tackling work-life balance, mental health and diversity’, will be chaired by Dr David Hancock, head of construction – infrastructure and projects authority at the Cabinet Office.

 

On Wednesday 9 October, join Jane Leech, public health development manager at Public Health Portsmouth for ‘Maintaining good mental wellbeing is a skill, a skill that we and our workplaces can learn’. Kevin McAlister, founder of Lift Your Wellbeing will discuss ‘Constructing a wellbeing culture’. And join Brian Parker, business development manager at AFI Group for ‘Mental health in the work place – an industry perspective’ in the Working Well Together theatre.

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Sustainability in construction

 

This year, UKCW is placing sustainability at the heart of the show. Firstly, a new app will guide visitors around the show, replacing the printed show guide. The app alone will save five million sheets of paper.

 

Coming to UKCW 2019 is Mission Sustainable. The mission is to encourage all exhibitors and visitors to be as eco-friendly as possible. Examples include: a reduction in single use plastic at the catering points; water fountains located around the show and visitors encouraged to use refillable bottles; visitors encouraged to return lanyards and badges at the end of the show for reuse; visitors and exhibitors encouraged to travel by public transport or car share; exhibitor show stands to be reusable.

 

Also new for 2019 is the Electric Vehicle (EV) Arcade located outside Hall 12. As the adoption of electric vehicles gathers pace, charging points will become mandatory in new homes, and Boris Johnson is keen for the UK to lead the world in the adoption of electric vehicles and the infrastructure to support them. The EV Arcade will showcase the options on the market, including leading providers of charging points and renewable energy in this field.

 

Innovating for the future

 

With disruptors now present in many different markets, this year UKCW is shining a spotlight on the serious change-makers in construction. The aim is to promote productivity, speed, quality, sustainability and social cohesion, showing how innovation can create new value in the industry and stop the short-term, purely cost-driven ‘race to the bottom’.

 

To aid the search for what is genuinely new and valuable, a new Innovation Zone has been established in partnership with the Construction Innovation Hub – an organisation focused on transforming construction through digital and advanced manufacturing technologies. The Innovation Zone is a non-sales environment where visitors can explore the new ideas, learn and be inspired.

 

UKCW is one event with many sections, including Build sponsored by Easy-Trim, Building Tech, Civils, Energy and HVAC, Surface and Materials, and Timber. It also features Concrete Expo (8-9 October only) and Grand Designs Live (9-10 October only).

 

Single registration at, www.ukconstructionweek.com, gives access to all areas of the show. For further information follow @UK_CW or search for the hashtag #UKCW2019.

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ALUMINIUM ALUMNI: Students in Scotland benefit from Titon Hardware

Over 630 Sobinco Chrono aluminium tilt and turn window systems with SF Xtra trickle vents from Titon have been installed at three student accommodation blocks at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. The new, contemporary designed halls of residence contain over 450 large single en-suite rooms, as well as shared kitchen/lounge areas. Named after a group, or in latin alumni of past professors from the University (Anna MacLeod, Mary Fergusson and Muriel Sparks), the new student accommodation opened on the Edinburgh campus in September 2017.

 

The three buildings were designed by Fletcher Joseph architects and built by leading UK construction group Watkin Jones, with Glasgow-based company Marshall Brown (Windows) Limited responsible for the fabrication of the windows.

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Commenting on the accommodation project, Brian Ross, Commercial Manager at Marshall Brown (Windows) Limited, said: “We opted to use Titon having previously fitted their hardware on numerous projects. As a company, their products and services are second to none. For the Heriot-Watt University buildings, both the Chrono and SF Xtra vents offered ease of fabrication, while the tilt and turn systems are robust, as well as easy to maintain and replace. Plus, as they utilise plastic rods, there is no risk of corrosion, which is excellent from a reliability perspective.”

 

Titon’s SF Xtra is a high performance, surface mounted aluminium slot ventilator. It is the shortest trickle vent on the market to provide 5000mm² EA, making it suitable for domestic and non-domestic applications. There are two width variants, one for use over a 13mm slot, the other for a 16mm slot.

The vent is also available in made-to-measure sizes or bar length for self-assembly, with all versions suitable for use with either a plastic or aluminium canopy.

 

Sobinco Chrono fast-fit hinge and locking systems are suitable for most aluminium link bar profiles. They are suitable for virtually all variations of open-in window, with options available for high-security and French casement. A standard tilt and turn units can be assembled in around five minutes, greatly reducing fabrication time, while a choice of handle designs and attractive RAL colour finishes are also available.

 

Titon has been the exclusive UK distributor for Sobinco for nearly 40 years, supplying tilt and turn window systems, pivots, catches and handles, as well as locks, lift-slide systems, roller assemblies and handles for doors.

 

For more information about Titon and its range of window & door hardware and ventilation systems, visit: www.titon.com

 

 

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Retro video games meet modern ‘Smart’ heat network solutions at UK Construction Week

Evinox Energy are gearing up to take part in UK Construction Week, which is running from 8th to 10th October at Birmingham’s NEC and is the largest and most significant construction event of the year. UK Construction Week features an excellent programme with over 650 exhibitors covering every facet of the industry, CPD accredited seminars, networking events, an innovation zone and much more.

Visit Evinox at stand E317 where retro video games meet modern ‘Smart’ heat network solutions, with the launch of ModuSat® FUSION prefabricated HIU utility cupboard. The product will be on display and offers the ‘perfect fit’ for communal and district heat network developments.

Visitors can watch the ModuSat® FUSION video (Styled on classic 80’s video games) and experience first-hand the unique combination of ultra-compact design with ‘smart’ high-efficiency heat interface unit performance.

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Win a retro Nintendo NES games console
Be sure to stop by at Evinox’s stand and enter the Free ModuSat® FUSION competition, where you can win a retro Nintendo Classic Mini NES games console! A miniaturised version of the ground-breaking NES originally released in Europe in 1986.

If successful you can plug the Nintendo Classic Mini into your TV, pick up that grey controller, and rediscover the joy of NES games – in high definition at 60 Hz!

There will be 3 Nintendo Classic Mini NES’s up for grabs, one on each day of the exhibition and entry is completely FREE of charge. Winner’s will be announced at the end of each day. Visit Evinox’s stand for full details.

‘Smart’ heat Interface units on display

Evinox will also display the latest range of ModuSat® XR ‘Smart’ Heating and Cooling Interface Units at the event. These units provide M&E Contractors and Consulting Engineers with a “whole lot more” for a “whole lot less” due to the myriad of hidden extras. Models on display will include the popular ModuSat® XR-ECO Twin Plate unit for heating and instantaneous hot water and the ModuSat® XR-ECO Combined Heating and Cooling interface unit, with new ultra-compact dimensions.

Find out more about the benefits of installing ModuSat® FUSION Prefabricated HIU Cupboards and Evinox’s ‘Smart’ HIU technology by visiting Stand E317 at UK Construction Week 8th-10th October NEC.

 

Website: www.evinoxenergy.co.uk/fusion

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KINGSPAN BRINGS EASTERN PROMISE TO THE OLYMPIC PARK

The Kingspan OPTIM-R Balcony and Terrace System has been installed as part of the award-winning Here East development, a stunning repurposing of the press and broadcasting centres at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Situated in a picturesque canalside location, Here East provides over 110,000 m2 of flexible studio, work and retail spaces. The design adds warmth and creativity to the once windowless, monolithic façade of The Broadcast Centre. The building has been opened up with a new projecting unitised curtain-wall system and recessed balconies helping to add depth and interest to the building.

Lakesmere, now owned by Kaicer Building Envelope Solutions, were appointed to deliver the curtain-walling which wraps three sides of the building. The design called for three large recessed balconies running up to 13 metres in length. A pedestal floor construction was chosen for these areas and to ensure the space below was effectively insulated, whilst also maintaining a level transition from the adjoining space, the Kingspan OPTIM-R Balcony and Terrace System was chosen.

Unlike conventional insulation materials, Kingspan OPTIM-R panels feature a vacuum insulation core with an innovative microporous structure. This design allows them to achieve a declared thermal conductivity of 0.007 W/m∙K – up to five times lower than commonly used insulation materials. Rigid insulation infill panels of the same thickness are also included within the system. These are fitted around the perimeter of the balcony and can also be cut to allow for penetrations through the insulation layer or to fill spaces between the Kingspan OPTIM-R vacuum insulation panels (VIPs).

Chris Oatridge, Managing Director at Kaicer, discussed the specification:

“The recessed balconies are an important element in the exterior design, not only adding outdoor spaces but also helping to soften the overall appearance. By using the Kingspan OPTIM-R Balcony and Terrace system, we were able to insulate the balcony floor to an exceptional level with an insulation depth of just 85 mm.”

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Operatives from Kingspan Insulation’s OPTIM-R design service developed detailed system layouts for the three recessed balcony areas – ensuring the optimal ratio of OPTIM-R VIPs to infill panels. Onsite, a vapour control and protective rubber crumb layer were first laid above the concrete deck. 25 and 30 mm Kingspan OPTIM-R panels were then laid above this in two layers followed by a 30 mm layer of Kingspan Styrozone. The floor pedestals were then fitted over the insulation layer – ready to receive the balcony floor layer.

Kingspan OPTIM-R panels produced at Kingspan Insulation’s Pembridge manufacturing facility is certified to BES 6001 (Framework Standard for the Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products) ‘Very Good’. This contributed to the award of credits within the responsible sourcing section of the BREEAM assessment.

 

Website: www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/optim-r

 

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GenAir are set for a Green Apple Award for their All Weather All Electric Air Compressor

 

GenAir a leading hirer of compressed systems and desiccant dryers, have had the environmental qualities of their emission free, All Weather All Electric Air Compressor formally recognised by the internationally respected campaigners, The Green Organisation.

Three senior representatives from the West Midlands based company have been invited to a glittering presentation ceremony, hosted at the Houses of Parliament on 25th November, where they will receive their award.

These individually designed compressors have a working pressure of 10 –190psi with a maximum free air delivery of up to 400cfm. With a whisper quiet noise level of just 67dB (A) and protected in a fully weatherproof canopy, these brand new units are perfect for use in all situations and particularly in areas governed by emission and noise rules.

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There are many advantages for using an electric compressor as opposed to a diesel powered set. Because most diesel sets can only run for about 12 hours before they need refuelling, their fuel levels will require constant monitoring. This can distract an operator away from more important tasks. As Genair’s electric compressors run entirely free from fuel, the environmental damage from diesel spillage is completely eliminated. Furthermore, a diesel engine’s filters must be replaced every 500 hours – that’s every three weeks for a project that runs for 24 hours. Electric compressors can be left alone for up to 4,000 hours before maintenance is needed, giving them a significant advantage on all major programmes. They continue to operate in extreme temperatures from minus 25º to plus 50Cº and their built-in after cooler and water separator will eliminate up to 70% of moisture. This will help with delivering superior air quality for improved performance.

Commenting on this accolade, GenAir’s Managing Director, David Timmins said, “Naturally, we are honoured to receive this award. Emission elimination and compliance with NRMM regulations have been the driving factor in developing these compressors. To have them officially acknowledged as a sustainable product is extremely satisfying.”

The Green Apple Awards began in 1994 and have become established as the country’s major recognition for environmental endeavour among companies, councils, communities and countries. The Green Organisation is an international, independent, non-political, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world.

The Green Apple Awards are supported by the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Chartered Institution for Wastes Management and other independent bodies.

Incorporated in April 2007, Genair Limited is independently owned and a leading rental specialist of compressed air systems in the UK. They operate from three strategically placed depots; Motherwell, Slough and in the West Midlands. Registered to ISO 9001, the Genair management team has a collective 140 years’ experience in the compressed air markets, with fully qualified service technicians and ADR drivers. They supply equipment extensively throughout the UK and overseas.

 

www.genair.co.uk

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RINNAI 1600i GAS-FIRED WATER HEATERS DELIVERING ENERGY AND COST EFFICIENCY

Now available is Rinnai’s ErP A-rated Infinity 1600 range of continuous flow condensing gas fired water heaters, designed to deliver the most energy efficient and cost competitive hot water heating units to any UK site or application.

Rinnai manufactures over 2 million hot water heating units each year and so can offer advantageous cost savings for installers and end users. The units are probably the most competitively priced type of their kind currently available to the UK sector.

The company’s low-NOx Infinity HDC 1600i models utilise Rinnai’s patented pre-mix burner technology with a 14-1 turn down ratio – the largest on the market – of 58.4kw-4.05kw with extremely quiet operation.

Integral controls on the units enable the water heater to achieve high efficiencies whether locally or integrated into a building management system. In reducing Legionella proliferation, Rinnai has developed additional ‘SMART’ controls for secondary return DHW systems in the form of an advanced temperature control system which allows for safe running of water at 42°C core temperature during the day and 60°C overnight.

Another Rinnai innovation addresses an age-old industry problem with hot water delivery – lime scale build-up. The company’s integrated scale control system is an innovative solution and comes in the form of an LC (lime check) code on the display of the controller.

Ultimately, ongoing use with hard water may shorten the lifespan of conventional water heating appliances and systems. To safeguard against this Rinnai units continually self-monitor for lime scale deposits around the heat exchanger. If a lime scale build-up is identified, a message is sent to the built-in interface panel on the front of the appliance. The message is displayed as ‘LC’, which alerts the homeowner to contact a Rinnai service agent to perform a lime scale flush to clear the potentially harmful deposits.

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The industry uptake of Rinnai’s series of low-NOx high efficiency products is that continuous flow heater systems are proven to be more energy efficient than conventional storage systems and are increasingly the experts’ preferred method of hot water provision. Rinnai units easily cater for any size projects that need high volumes of water at intermittent times of day.

The Rinnai Infinity 1600i offers condensing technology with up to 107% gross efficiency, ultra-low-NOx of less than 20 ppm, a widely expansive modulation range of 54kW-4kW and high flow rates of 37/ltr/min. Add to these benefits, the peace of mind of an extended warranty, a top A-rating exceeding the demands of eco-labelling legislation, and the knowledge that the HDC1600 is future-proofed against future regulatory and legislative changes.

 

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit

www.rinnaiuk.com

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RINNAI CELEBRATES ITS FIRST 100 YEARS OF MANUFACTURING PRODUCTS TO SERVE ITS CUSTOMERS

Rinnai, best known in the UK for its comprehensive range of hot water and heating home units, is globally celebrating its first 100 years of manufacture in serving its customers with a three-year period of planned anniversary related events to connect to the start of the company’s next centenary.

The Rinnai Corporation was founded in Nagoya, Japan in 1819 and today operates in 17 nations and regions around the world with sales of kitchen appliances, air conditioners, hot water heating & home heating units in over 80 countries.

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Says Rinnai UK Managing Director Tony Gittings, ”The company has evolved and developed into a group that produces a diversity of products and services that directly benefit ordinary people in their daily lives.

“Our policy is to help enrich the lives of people in local communities by providing optimal solutions that fit the lifestyle culture, climate conditions, and the energy situation of each country around the world. The three-year period is aimed at connecting the first century to the next one. The theme will be named – Connected in passion for the next 100 years.”

This follows the other significant corporate developments on the global presence of Rinnai – the issuing of a new logo and a new brand statement – ‘A Healthier Way of Living’.

In the UK Rinnai is the acknowledged leader in continuous flow hot water heating technology. The company offers a comprehensive range of A-rated units plus large systems for any size of site or application.

 

 

For more information visits www.rinnaiuk.com

 

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IMPROVING WELLBEING AT A FLAGSHIP HOSPITAL WITH THE HELP OF KINGSPAN

Kingspan Kooltherm products have been installed in the new operating theatres at Wrexham Maelor Hospital to provide a versatile, lightweight HVAC solution.

Wrexham Maelor is one of the busiest hospitals in North Wales, with a catchment area of over half a million people. £3 million was invested into the site to create a state-of-the-art modular building, delivered by MTX, comprising day case and endoscopy theatres, allowing the hospital to provide exceptional care.

With the NHS’ commitment to improving efficiency of services, the performance of products was crucial. The premium building service specification included the installation of 2,000 lm of Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe Insulation and 400 m2 of Kingspan Kooltherm Duct Insulation by thermal insulation contractor, Midland Premier Insulations Limited (MPI). Scott McCaskie, Director for MTX, discussed the project:

“Given the environment, safety of patients is a priority. Kingspan products were selected for this project as, in addition to their thermal performance which would support the maintenance of comfortable temperatures, they could also deliver excellent levels of indoor air quality with their fibre-free insulation cores.”

Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe Insulation has a best-in-class Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort Gold certificate, recognising it as an outstanding material according to the VOC Indoor Air Quality emissions standards. It also offers premium thermal performance with an aged thermal conductivity as low as 0.025 W/m.K (at 10°C mean). It is one of the thinnest and most thermally efficient in common use within the UK construction industry today. This supported a fast-track installation whilst ensuring services operate effectively.

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Kingspan Kooltherm Duct Insulation is externally faced with an aluminium vapour barrier foil. Its rigid nature ensures the specified thickness is maintained at the corners and can help to create a continuous and fully sealed vapour barrier. It can achieve thermal conductivities as low as 0.022 W/m.K (at +10°C mean) and is suitable for rectangular, circular and flat oval indoor ductwork applications, within an operating temperature range of –20°C to 80°C. The duct insulation is also manufactured under a BS EN ISO 14001: 2015 scheme and is produced at Kingspan Insulation’s Pembridge and Selby manufacturing facilities which are certified to BES 6001 ‘Excellent’.

The products’ cores are manufactured with a CFC/HCFC–free blowing agent that has zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and low Global Warming Potential (GWP). All Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe and Duct Insulation has a BRE Green Guide Rating of A/A+.

 

Website: www.kingspanindustrialinsulation.com and www.kingspanductwork.co.uk

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£10m boost to get people of diverse backgrounds into construction

CITB will be targeting more than 11,800 people to attract them into construction careers, as part of the Pathways Into Construction programme.

Construction output is expected to grow by 1.3% per year with 168,500 jobs being created by 2023 – challenging employers to recruit more people from diverse backgrounds.

Just 16% of construction employees are female, and 7% are from BAME backgrounds.

This has been due, in part, because construction employers have relied over the years on traditional recruitment methods (PDF. 903kb) such as word of mouth.

Pathways Into Construction will attract people from underrepresented groups over the next three years with CITB’s investment establishing recruitment pathways that employers can use in future.

This supports construction employers by helping them meet their workforce and skills needs. Pathways Into Construction will see a £10m investment in 270 colleges; construction employers and federations; infrastructure projects; councils; housing associations; armed forces organisations; charities; prisons; recruiters and training providers across England, Wales and Scotland to connect employers with people who traditionally don’t enter the industry.

CITB insight into critical training and employment issues underpins the Pathways Into Construction programme with investment aimed at key groups including young people not in education, training or work; women; long-term unemployed; service leavers who left the military at least 12 months ago; and full-time learners, focusing on CBE Diploma students.

In the West Midlands and East Anglia, Women Into Construction will assist 240 women with work-readiness support and job placements with 30 companies, half of which are to be small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

Specifically in Wales, Creating Enterprise will also run work readiness courses and placements for more than 140 long-term unemployed people, including careers support plans beyond the project. Also in Wales, the Community Impact Initiative will provide nine renovation projects for 72 women to train on, plus CSCS card testing, along with vital on-site work experience to enable employment in the industry.

In Scotland, Sibbald will target 180 service leavers and young people not in education, training or employment within the North Glasgow area, in partnership with Glasgow Kelvin College, TIGERS Ltd, Keepmoat and Morgan Sindall.

Stephen Cole, CITB Head of Careers Strategy, said “With thousands of jobs being created in the coming years, Pathways Into Construction will demonstrate that we need to stop fishing in only half the pond and diversify the talent pool to meet future skills needs.

“We’ll explore the best routes, which employers can adopt in future, to bring under-represented groups into the industry, not only filling the skills gap but also supporting employers by recruiting domestic talent with Brexit on the horizon.”

Mark Reynolds, Mace Group CEO and Construction Leadership Council lead on skills, added “The funding awarded to the 16 projects will have a huge impact… It will help to ensure that everyone can access high-quality construction training and employers can find the right new people to deliver their projects.”

Other organisations leading Pathways Into Construction multi-partner projects include: Abbey Access Training; Balfour Beatty; Construction Youth Trust; Croydon Council, Doncaster College; EN:Able Futures; Ethos VO Ltd; the Home Builders Federation; Leeds Beckett University; Lendlease; Saint-Gobain; Sibbald Ltd; and YTKO.

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KINGSPAN TEK VILLAS ARE READY FOR THE SUMMER SUN

The Kingspan TEK Building System has been used to construct five luxury villas at the Porth Veor Manor Hotel near Newquay – providing the perfect seaside spot for holiday makers.

The mid-19th Century manor sits in two acres of terraced lawn gardens. In 2007, a swimming pool and 12 cottages were added to the resort and, with demand continuing to grow, the owners chose to build a further row of two-storey villas in an underused section of the grounds. The Kingspan TEK Building System of structural insulated panels (SIPs) was specified for the project for a variety of reasons, as Mike Burke from contractors Sip Hus, explained:

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“The design of the units, their location, size and performance requirements meant that the Kingspan TEK Building System was the best choice for the structural shells. The excellent thermal performance of the panels allowed us to maximise the internal spaces within the given footprint without having to compromise on thermal efficiency.”

The Kingspan TEK panels feature a high-performance rigid insulation core which is sandwiched between two layers of OSB/3. The panels were factory cut to the villa’s designs by SIP Hus Ltd. This allowed them to be installed quickly and efficiently once onsite, with the structural shells erected in just 5 weeks.

To reflect the architecture of the surrounding beach front properties, the upper storey of each villa is clad in New England style boarding whilst the lower storey is rendered in light neutral colours.

To help situate the buildings within their natural surroundings, the villas were designed with barrelled green roofs. This curved form presented an unusual challenge for the contractors, as Mike Burke added:

“In order to create a curve, the roof panels were spanned horizontally and faceted then battened and lined with plywood. The step in each villa also added to the complexity of the canopy design.”

The panels feature a unique jointing system which reduces thermal bridging and, in combination with their OSB/3 facing, also allowed air leakage to be reduced. This creates a warm and comfortable environment for holidaymakers, whilst also minimising their long-term heating costs.

 

Website Kingspan Tek

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