Warning of ‘Horrible’ Demolition

Grenfell Tower | Warning of ‘horrible’ demolition challenge

 By Greg Pitcher

Demolishing Grenfell Tower will be “challenging” and require very careful operations, an expert has warned.

Ministers are expected to reveal their decision on the future of the fire-ravaged building this month, with reports over the weekend suggesting they had resolved to order its demolition.

But National Federation of Demolition Contractors chief executive Howard Button told NCE it would not be straightforward to remove the tower from the landscape.

“It could be a very weakened structure,” he said of the remaining portion of the West London residential tower where 72 lives were lost in a blaze in June 2017. “The rebar could be in a very bad state. The structural stability of the building must have degraded.”

Button added: “It must be a horrible building to go into. I wouldn’t want to be going in and clearing it. It is going to be very challenging.”

Following the devastating fire four years ago, the precise scientific calculations required for effective explosion or implosion would be extremely difficult, Button warned. He added that certain pieces of the building fabric may need to be preserved for further investigation.

“It will most likely be a very controlled, top-down demolition,” he said. “The existing scaffold could be used, supported with propping, and a crane to lift debris out. Then remotely operated mini machines could be used by people a few metres away from the workface. Munchers and breakers would be attached to dismantle the building floor by floor.”

The high profile nature of the job will add further complications. “No-one wants people looking over their shoulder while they work,” said Button. “Some firms will be put off by that.”

However, the UK demolition industry has more than enough talent and experience to handle the job, he added. “The top-down process is ingrained now, it is the norm in central London. Whoever does it will know what they are doing and there won’t be any problems they haven’t foreseen.”

A report put together by Atkins told the government earlier this year that the condition of Grenfell Tower was worsening.

“The fire had the effect of spalling concrete from the underside of the floor slabs, most widespread from the tenth floor upwards, and also from many columns and areas of wall,” said the study. “As a result, the reinforcement is left exposed in many areas.

“As a result of exposure to the elements, spalling of concrete will continue, through the expansion of corroding reinforcement and absorbed water freezing in the winter months. Without this concrete in-place, the reinforcement becomes increasingly ineffective. Condensation forming on the structure surfaces exacerbates this deterioration.

“Better ventilation is being considered to mitigate this but with the building being effectively open to the elements it is not possible to entirely prevent condensation and moisture from entering the tower.”

The report added that seasonal thermal movement of the building and other environmental factors contributed to “on-going structural deterioration”.

“The rate of deterioration and expected life of the building is very difficult to quantify with any degree of certainty, however, what can be categorically stated is that the condition of the building is worsening,” it concluded.

A government spokesperson said this week that no decision had yet been taken on the future of the tower.

The spokesperson added: “Following important independent safety advice from structural engineers, we are engaging closely with the community as we consider the evidence including the safety concerns raised, and what the future of the Grenfell Tower should be.

“We have now published this advice to ensure those most affected have access to the information that will inform a decision on the Tower, before one is reached.”

Source: New Civil Engineer

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Community Living, from 1200 BC to AD 2021

BRONZE AND IRON AGE SKELETONS UNCOVERED AT CAMBRIDGESHIRE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

 

A team of archaeologists have unearthed human remains during the excavation of a Bronze to early Iron Age settlement on This Land’s™ Burwell site, in advance of the development of 350 new homes.

Following the removal of topsoil at the 6.5-hectare site on Newmarket Road , archaeologists have discovered two full human skeletons as well as a vast number of post holes, pits and pieces of pottery which date from 1200-350BC. The number of post holes indicate that there was a large community which used to live at the site, whilst the layout implies the timber structures would have been both round and rectangular in shape.

The team also uncovered animal bones and broken pottery which may well have been used to throw away unwanted food remains and other goods.

The excavation of the settlement is the first of two phases being carried by Oxford Archaeology East who are supported by Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) and appointed by specialist archaeological and heritage consultants Orion. An area identified as a cremation burial ground will be excavated and examined ahead of construction of Phase Two of the scheme. 

On completion of the fieldwork, there will be a programme of post-excavation assessment and analysis of the artefacts and environmental samples which will be recorded and followed by a full publication of the results. The information will be built into a story of the site and archived, and the artefacts will be donated to CCC and made available for public viewing.

Commenting on the ongoing archaeological fieldwork Brenda Kibblewhite, Head of Sales and Marketing of This Land™ said: “These are exciting new discoveries and we are delighted with the team’s ongoing work at this historically significant site in Burwell. It’s been fascinating to learn about the history of the site, which will provide an archival legacy of artefacts for future generations to enjoy.”

On the conclusion of the archaeological dig, This Land™ will commence the main infrastructure for the development of a community of 350 new homes, including affordable housing. The scheme will include a mix of housing.

The archaeological dig, which began in May, is expected to be finished in September depending on any further findings.

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THE UK GOVERNMENT IS SHARING MISLEADING FIGURES ON FIRES IN SCHOOLS

A recent blog written by the Department for Education (DfE) highlighted some key points about fire safety in schools. While the article stressed the importance of ensuring all students and staff are safe at school, the author made some interesting claims which were misleading and need clarification. As we head towards the long-awaited revised Building Bulletin 100: Design for Safety in Schools, it begs the question as to why the government is looking to make a backwards step towards fire safety and not require sprinklers in all schools?

The Department of Education blog post made two interesting claims, firstly that “Fires in schools are very rare and fewer than 1 in 1,000 school buildings are damaged by fire each year”. In the second statement, it said that ‘Home Office Data showing there are fewer than 500 school fires per year, with 90% of fires limited to one room or causing no damage.” 

 So just how accurate are these figures? In the first statement, let’s look at how many fires in school premises cause damage. Using the fire incident data presented in the publicly available dataset there were 5,120 fires over the 10-year period 2010/11 to 2019/20 in schools reported to be Usually Occupied or Under Construction. Looking at the fires where the reported “Total Damage Extent” is anything other than zero square metres, there are 3,743 incidents. This would lead to an average of 374 fire incidents each year where fire damage is reported.

 

How many school buildings?

Based on the first statement, this would mean there are over 350,000 school buildings in the English Schools Estate. There does not appear to be any publicly figures published on the number of school buildings.

An article from the Construction index talks to 70,000 school buildings. This aligns to the government report on the condition of schools[1]. Although this report refers to “teaching blocks” to highlight that it collected data on 22,031 schools, comprising 63,942 teaching blocks. Based on these figures it is hard to determine that there are over 100,000 buildings let alone 350,000 buildings in the English school estate.

Therefore, without a clearer explanation of how they calculated this I cannot find figures to support the first statement.

How many fires in schools are reported as not spreading beyond the room of origin?

As noted above, there are 5,120 fire incidents recorded in the period of 2010/2011 to 2019/20. Fire impact is recorded based on the observation of the spread of fire in square metres of damage and based on a description of how much of the building is impacted.

Looking at those latter descriptors for fire incidents, they indicate 4,600 incidents as not spreading beyond the room of origin. This would be 89.8% of incidents. Based on these figures the second statement is based on the fire incident data.

However, having said this the room of origin could be rather bigger than one imagined. It is surprising to note that at least 5% of these incidents reported as being limited to the room of origin cause damage to an area greater than an average classroom area of 50 square metres.

Impact of school fires

The article states that fires in schools are rare but I cannot find evidence that convinces me of that. It doesn’t talk about the impact of a fire on a child’s education and the ripple effect. Fifteen days of a school term is 5% of a child’s learning lost for that academic year. The government acknowledges that missing lessons has an impact on attainment at key stages. They track attendance and have commissioned reports, which confirm the harmful impact. Indeed, fines of between £60 to £120 can be levied for a child missing a single day of education. The disruption caused by school fires will adversely affect the results of students, and the government’s own statistics confirm this.

The BSA has always highlighted that BB100 sets the right expectations around the protection of schools and the continuity of education. It sets an expectation that the school should be fully functional within 24 hours of a fire, apart from the room where the fire occurred. The BSA wants the government to explicitly maintain these objectives and enhance the “sprinkler expectation” in the revised BB100 so that fewer schools are damaged and destroyed by fire. Fewer than one-in-six new schools have been built with a sprinkler system installed. It is time we changed that.

More information at www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org

1Condition of School Buildings Survey – Key findings – May 2021, Department of Education

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Revolutionary new sprayer instantly turns saltwater into powerful disinfectant

Vapourtec’s easy-HC10 delivers significant cost savings

A unique handheld sprayer has been launched which turns mildly salty tap water into a powerful disinfectant which kills 99.9% of germs, bacteria and viruses, including Covid-19.

The easy-HC10 uses an electrochemical reaction to instantly convert tap water containing just 0.25% salt into hypochlorous acid, a powerful disinfectant which the human body itself produces to fight infection.

It’s thought the British designed and manufactured device could be adopted by cleaning companies and operators eager to reduce the need to buy and store traditional disinfectant.

The easy-HC10 has been designed by Vapourtec, a leading manufacturer of flow chemistry equipment used throughout research and the chemicals industry.

“Hypochlorous acid is a powerful disinfectant which our bodies already use to kill germs. The easy-HC10 instantly produces it from nothing more than tap water and salt, eradicating the need for costly disinfectant” says Duncan Guthrie, Vapourtec’s founder and Managing Director.

Hypochlorous acid is a disinfectant which occurs naturally in the blood stream of all mammals. Highly effective at killing bacteria, fungi and viruses, and neutralising odours, it is also one of the only disinfectant agents which is non-toxic to humans.

It is used commercially as a powerful disinfectant but has a relatively short shelf life when stored.

The new easy-HC10 is a handheld sprayer powered by a rechargeable lithium battery and features a 2-litre reservoir which is filled with tap water and just 5 grams of salt.

Pulling the trigger produces an instant spray of hypochlorous acid solution, the concentration of which can be controlled depending on the intensity of disinfection needed, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

The spray rapidly kills germs and viruses, yet is safe to use on solid and fabric surfaces and around people and pets.

The battery has a 90-minute run time and each 2 litres of water produces around 25 minutes of continuous spraying, making the device ideal for disinfecting larger areas like offices, schools, health settings and public transport.

However, it’s the cost saving and convenience which the creators believe will appeal most to potential users.

“The easy-HC10 means there is no need to buy, store and carry around traditional disinfectant or bleach. It can cost up to 96% less to use than NHS-grade disinfectants” adds Duncan.

With commercial disinfectant costing between £0.75 and £4 per litre, the easy-HC10 requires just a few pence worth of tap water and 5 grams of salt each time it is refilled.

The device weighs just 3kg when empty and features a shoulder strap for carrying and operation. It dispenses the fine disinfectant spray at a rate of around 5 litres per hour for commercial and professional use.

“The device has some sound environmental benefits too as the disinfectant leaves no harmful residue and it eradicates the need for single-use plastic disinfectant bottles” adds Duncan.

The unique micro-Ion flow reactor within the device is protected by a patent and the easy-HC10 is now available to buy through Vapourtec and online.

 

Visit www.easy-hclo.com for more details

 

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FIRE SAFETY: The Nature of Risk

New planning requirements on fire safety for high-rise residential buildings came into force on August 1st and require developers to consider fire safety at the earliest stages of planning.  While we understand this is a starting point on the road to a safer built environment, what does this mean for other buildings such as those in the industrial and commercial sector which have similar challenges when it comes to fire safety?

 Planning Gateway One is the first of a series of ‘gateway points’ and a key measure to ensure high-rise developments consider fire safety at the earliest stages of planning. It comes in response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s Review of Building Regulations, which was commissioned by the government following the Grenfell tragedy. As part of this, developers of higher risk buildings will need to submit a fire statement which sets out fire safety considerations specific to the development before planning permission can be granted. A higher risk building is classed as any building which is 18 metres or more in height and contains two or more dwellings or educational accommodation.

The concept of a fire statement within the new planning gateways is a positive step, as it ensures that the thinking on fire safety is included at an early stage. Whilst we understand government wanting to be proportionate, the BSA’s view has always been that this should happen for a range of buildings.  It ties to the thinking on being clear on outcomes in the event of a fire. It is also an opportunity for clarity and to avoid a gap between the parties involved. However, as we view this change, as we have stated before, our long-term concern is that this fosters a two-tier system. The implication being that those outside the scheme perhaps need less attention and this will pose challenges as it will offer opportunities to play the system.

Clearly fire safe design should not be an afterthought and is essential for all building types.  While the intention is for hotels and care homes to be added down the line, the risk of loss of life and property inherent in many other building types is also too high.

It is also important to point out that the system is predicated on the existing (i.e. old) classification of buildings and we are building differently now, both in techniques and materials, and using buildings differently too.  Bluntly, the nature of risk will continue to evolve as will the hazards these buildings will pose, especially as they age, so we should ensure that all buildings are safe throughout their lifespan.

Whilst we understand these changes are a starting point, all buildings will need such a strategy.  This will be important to all people seeking to understand the direction the design is taking. Similarly, it will inform those seeking to manage the building when it is in use. I understand government wants to focus in a certain area, but do we really think we do not have similar challenges in other buildings?

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Worldwide Coaltion to to spur Climate Change action

Following the sobering message from the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, a coalition led by C40, the Global Alliance for Building and Construction (GlobalABC), The Resilience Shift, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) announce #BuildingToCOP26 — a partnership to promote radical collaboration for climate action ahead of the Cities, Regions and Built Environment Day at COP26.

 

The BuildingToCOP26 Coalition — a group of business and government networks focused on sustainability in the built environment — are coming together for the first time to spotlight the built environment’s potential in accelerating climate action.

Working with the UN High Level Climate Champions, the COP26 Presidency and the UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Coalition’s efforts will culminate on 11 November at the COP26 Cities, Regions and Built Environment Day, which will rally awareness, action and collaboration among all stakeholders in the
built environment.

Why cities, regions and the built environment matter

Buildings are responsible for almost 40% of global energy-related carbon emissions and 50% of all extracted materials. By 2050, 1.6 billion urban dwellers will be regularly exposed to extremely high temperatures and over 800 million people living in more than 570 cities will be vulnerable to sea level rise and coastal flooding.

By 2050, the world’s building stock will double and almost 70% of the global population is projected to live in urban areas. By 2060, global material use is expected to more than double and a third of this rise is attributable to materials used in the building and construction system. The built environment’s demand on natural resources accelerates climate change, and inefficient, unhealthy buildings negatively impact human health and wellbeing. However, efficient buildings are one of the biggest investment opportunities worth an estimated $24.7 trillion by 2030.

Despite this, under $3 of every $100 spent on new construction goes to efficient buildings. Out of the 186 countries that have submitted Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 136 countries mention buildings, 53 countries mention building energy efficiency, and 38 specifically call out building energy codes. Most countries do not include full building decarbonisation targets and certain areas such as building materials are under addressed.

To limit warming to no more than 1.5℃ as set out in the Paris Agreement, the Coalition calls for emissions from building projects globally to be halved by 2030, and to reach net zero life-cycle emissions for all buildings by no later than 2050.

In order to meet these decarbonisation targets and establish the built environment as a major solution provider to the climate crisis, the Coalition is promoting radical collaboration across the built environment system and spotlighting frontrunner action, solutions and policy pathways across business, cities and governments.

The Coalition aims to achieve three specific outcomes for COP26 and beyond:

  1. The system’s stakeholders unite behind a single voice and ambition towards shared goals:By 2030, the built environment should halve its emissions, whereby 100% of new buildings must be net zero carbon in operation, with widespread energy efficiency retrofit of existing assets well underway, and embodied carbon must be reduced by at least 40%, with leading projects achieving at least 50% reductions in embodied carbon.

By 2050, at the latest, all new and existing assets must be net zero across the whole life cycle, including operational and embodied emissions. (UNFCCC Human Settlements Pathway).

In parallel to decarbonisation targets, building resilience into the transformation of the built environment is critical to support urban populations and vulnerable communities in the face of future climate impacts. (UNFCCC Resilience Pathway).

 

  1. All countries are encouraged to include full building sector decarbonisation targets, concrete policies and measures, and related implementation mechanisms in their NDCs.GlobalABC is working with its country members and beyond on a country commitment ‘Buildings as Critical Climate Solution (BCCS)’ that will advance building sector measures at the national level, creating the appropriate enabling environment towards a zero-emission, efficient and resilient buildings and construction system.

    Learn more about how countries can incorporate buildings action into their NDCs and where the buildings and construction system is in supporting the ambitions of the Paris Agreement.

  2. 1,000 cities and at least 20% of the largest built environment businesses by revenue are committed to the UN’s Race to Zero.Businesses and sub-national governments are urged to join the Race to Zero and the Race to Resilience. The Race to Zero’s goal by COP26 is to have 20% of the built environment system by revenue to join the Race to Zero. This will create a ‘breakthrough point’ to help mainstream climate action in the system.

 

Cities are urged to join the Cities Race to Zero, as major policy enablers and owners of real estate who can go further, faster.

 

Nigel Topping, UN High Level Climate Champions for COP26, said:

“We can’t win the Race to Zero without winning the Race to Resilience as well. Climate breakdown and the pandemic multiply inequalities — social, environmental and economic gaps are widening across nations and across the Global North and South. By 2030, we must catalyse action by non-state actors that builds the resilience of four billion people from groups and communities who are vulnerable to climate risks.”

With focus and collaboration, the goal of halving the building sector’s emissions by 2030 is possible. The Coalition invites stakeholders across the built environment to join them to win the race to a zero emissions and resilient built environment, regions and cities.

Find out more at www.BuildingToCOP.org.

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KEYFIX TO HOST WEEKLY WEBINARS ON NON-COMBUSTIBLE CAVITY TRAY SYSTEMS

To help architects, housebuilders, contractors and specifiers gain a better understanding of the technical challenges of designing and constructing masonry facades for buildings that need to conform to new regulations around non-combustible building materials, Keyfix are set to host a weekly series of free CPD webinars.

 

Entitled ‘Solving the Non-combustible Challenge with Keyfix Cavity Tray Systems’ the webinar series will be hosted by Kieran Coyle, Keyfix Technical Sales Manager.

 

The first webinar took place on the 1st of September and will continue on each Wednesday at 1pm on the 8th through to the 27th of October.

The CPD webinar will provide key insight into the specification of Approved Document B (ADB) compliant non-combustible cavity tray solutions which meet the needs of regulators, insurers, developers and installers in buildings over 18m. It will cover the following:

The non-combustible challenge in high-rise buildings over 18m

What is Document B and how to achieve compliance?

Nine key considerations when specifying non-combustible cavity tray systems

Key features and benefits of Keyfix non-combustible cavity tray systems

Design and installation considerations

Specification advice, tools and support

 

Keyfix is setting new standards in the delivery of non-combustible cavity tray systems. The company’s innovative Non-combustible Cavity Tray and Non-combustible Cavity Tray Lintel products offer a practical solution to provide watertight and fire resistant Damp Proof Course (DPC) protection over lintels, masonry supports, soffit systems and other elements in the cavity such as fire barriers.

Commenting on the CPD webinars, Kieran Coyle of Keyfix said: “This comprehensive CPD provides technical, professional insight into the challenges of non-combustible cavity tray solutions and appropriate specification. It is essential viewing for architects and specifiers.”

 

To book a place on the CPD webinar or for more information click below

Solving the Non-combustible Challenge with Keyfix Cavity Tray Systems

 

 

For more information about the Keyfix range of non-combustible solutions visit www.keyfix.com and download the product guide, or for technical support call 028 8676 7508 or email info@keyfix.com

 

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New Sustainability Champion to Lead Change in the Finishes and Interiors Sector

As part of a wider  commitment to Net Zero, Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) has appointed a Sustainability Champion.  This announcement is timed to coincide with Net Zero Week of the FIS Annual Conference 2021.

Flavie Lowres, will be joining the team on an initial six month contract from mid-September. Flavie has a PhD in Materials and Metallurgy Science and Engineering from the University of Birmingham. She joined BRE in June 2003, chairs the Construction Materials Group and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. Flavie spent 18 years at BRE where she was an Associate Director responsible for running the LCA and circular economy section of the team. She has been working in the field of materials sustainability since 2007 and has been involved in a number of UK and international projects related to sustainability in the built environment.

On her appointment FIS CEO Iain McIlwee said: “In this appointment we are recognising our responsibility, but also the opportunity to ensure Net Zero isn’t just about a better planet, but also a healthier sector where procurement recognises more than just how far we can screw down the best and final price.  Our strategy for change is focusssed on three key pillars I, we and them; how can I be better, how we can work better together and what help we need from them.  This eflects our need to support individual members to take the first and next step, the importance of collaboration to delivering change and how we can use the FIS influence to support this change through policy and procurement.  In Flavie we are bringing in some heavy weight expertise so that we can better target our support and ensure that we focus on curating support, collaborating widely and creating content or tools where needed”.

 

Flavie added “I have seen the outline plan from FIS and am excited to get stuck in helping to shape and deliver change and working with FIS members to look at how we can really make a difference as a community”.

The FIS is hosting a debate with Barbour ABI as part of their Annual Conference 2021 on Wednesday 8th September focussed on how the finishes and interiors sector is adapting in a journey to net zero.  The organisation has also announced this week that it has entered into a partnership with the Supply Chain Sustainability School to create an virtual training hub to support individual businesses in delivering on the wider sustainability agenda and also that it has become a delivery partner for C02nstruct Zero, the Construction Leadership Council’s Net Zero Strategy.

 

You can book your free place at the FIS Round Table Debate A Path to Net Zero here
You can visit the FIS Sustainability Hub here.

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THE BLUES FOR BIG BEN

The black paint used to cover up pollution in the 1930s has been removed from the famous clock front.

The £80 million makeover of Big Ben is beginning to be unveiled as scaffolding continues to be removed from the national landmark.

Pictures show the painstaking level of detail that has gone into the five-year refurbishment, which is due to wrap up next year, of the famous bell and Parliament’s Elizabeth Tower, in which it is housed.

Those passing over Westminster Bridge will be able to spot a colour-scheme change, along with the restoration of the decorative symbols of the UK which adorn the clock tower.

For decades, the clock dials and the stonework surrounding them were painted in many layers of black paint that became synonymous with Big Ben.

Experts believe the colour scheme was chosen in the 1930s to mask the effects of pollution but, returning to the original vision by Parliament’s architects Charles Barry and Augustus Welby Pugin, the clock has since been updated.

The black paint on the stonework around the clock dials has been removed and certain features have been gilded again.

Other key details have also returned to Barry’s original design, such as the row of six shields above each dial that displays St George’s red cross on a white background.

Heraldic shields – situated above the Ayrton Light, a lantern which shines when either House of Parliament is sitting – representing four parts of the United Kingdom have also been restored.

The Irish shamrock and Welsh leek have been returned to their original green while the Scottish thistle is green with a bright purple seed head. The English rose has been painted red and white as Barry suggested.

Adam Watrobski, principal architect and head of architecture and heritage at the Houses of Parliament, said: “Using historic paint analysis and references including Barry’s original design watercolour, contemporary illustrations and archival photographs, we have recreated the original colour scheme.

“The dials and clock hands are Prussian blue and gold and the adjacent areas make use of the red, white and blue colours of the Union flag.”

The refurbishment was originally expected to be finished this year but was delayed as the Covid-19 crisis held up work.

Big Ben is due to ring again from early next year once the work is complete.

It has been largely silent since 2017 due to repairs on the clock and the tower, only being reconnected for significant occasions.

 

Source: Shropshire Star

 

 

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Perfect Storm forecast as costs rise

An emerging economic crisis in the UK has led to builders being forced to down tools amid what is being described as a “perfect storm for construction”. As the latest figures from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy show, material prices for all construction work have risen by 20 percent from July 2020 to July 2021.

As the Independent reports, “worker shortages and delayed deliveries within the UK, coupled with a global supply crunch and new Brexit red tape, are already crippling construction projects across the UK and feeding into the price rises.”. The implications for the wider economy are potentially devastating, with Andrew Goodwin, chief UK economist at Oxford Economics warning of a “knock-on effect on the recovery if construction companies aren’t completing projects quickly” adding “If people stop doing building work because they know they’ll face delays, that will start to have a real effect on the wider economy”.

 

Source: Statista

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