Building News is an information portal for all professional building specifiers. Here you can find all of the latest construction news from around the UK and the rest of the world.

Prototype Footbridge Spurs World Interest

Railways from France, Hungary, the USA, South Korea and elsewhere have expressed interest in the prototype Adaptable Bridge & Lift System. This modular stainless steel footbridge is designed to improve the passenger experience and exploit the latest industrial techniques to lower the environmental impact of production and maintenance and provide opportunities for British manufacturing.

The bridge aims to be ‘simpler, better and greener’ than current designs, according to Hazel Needham, Associate Structural Engineer at Expedition Engineering.

Infrastructure manager Network Rail currently installs about 20 new or replacement footbridges a year, according to Professional Head of Buildings & Architecture Anthony Dewar who has been investigating ways to increase this output. He told Rail Business UK that the modular design developed by the AVA consortium offers the possibility of higher production volumes and a new approach to procurement, with modules prebuilt and stored ready for use.

Construction could begin as soon as a contract is awarded, with an estimated total site time of 15 weeks of which installation would require a 36 h track possession; it is hoped that this can be reduced to 27 h. The target is an overall footbridge project timescale of 20 months from contract award to handover.

‘We anticipate a robust demand pipeline that leverages AVA’s design and construction principles, capitalising on manufacturing efficiencies through batch procurement, economies of scale, and incremental enhancements’, said Eva MacNamara, director of Expedition Engineering.

Seeking fresh ideas

The origins of AVA lie in a Footbridge Design Ideas Competition which Network Rail organised through the Royal Institute of British. Architects in 2018 in an effort to attract some fresh ideas.

Dewar said some existing bridges offer a poor passenger experience, and there has been little innovation in footbridge procurement, design or construction until now.

Network Rail felt there was the potential to further develop the design which had been selected as the runner up in the competition. This led to a spin-off project to produce a prototype which has now been erected on an industrial site at Sittingbourne in Kent.

Modular elements

The AVA bridge is designed to offer an ‘elegant and timeless’ design and to be suitable for ‘any station anywhere’, said Bob Atherton of steel supplier Outokumpu.

The modular approach reduces the time needed on site, ensures quality, is adaptable and provides economies of scale. ‘It should be straightforward to adapt the bridge for the vast majority of station configurations’, said Dewar.

The visible parts of the bridge are the actual structure, not cladding, with the main span being assembled from standard modules made from Forta LDX 2101 high strength duplex stainless steel plates. The steel is produced by Outokumpu using low carbon electricity, and processed by its UK subsidiary in Sheffield. According to Atherton, it has double the strength of typical stainless steel, enabling the thickness to be reduced without impacting on performance and meaning smaller foundations are required.

The steel is suitable for most locations in the UK, but a higher grade such as Forta DX 2205 with higher corrosion resistance could be used in more corrosive coastal or polluted environments.

The sheet steel is laser cut and folded to shape using ‘Industry 4·0’ manufacturing processes which are now well established outside the rail sector. The steel has inherent durability without needing painting, a bead-blasted permanent anti-glare treatment and is graffiti resistant.

The 1 200 mm long modules are joined together to form a maximum span of up to 20 m, with symmetrical custom length modules at each end of the span to provide the precise length required. The stairs are similarly modular, with the span above the landing modified to provide the required height.

The bridge is bolted together with using pre-loaded bolts supplied by Bumax which will not loosen over time. Assembly does not require specialist skills, and this approach simplifies maintenance; the bridge could even be dismantled and relocated if desired.

The walking surface is aluminium, which has a 25-year warranty and 60+ year design life with the ability to be easily replaced.

Network Rail is particularly keen to ensure that all critical parts of the structure are visible or easily accessible for inspection and maintenance. There is integrated lighting, and internal cable routes with hinged access panels.

Options include a roof, not fitted to the prototype, and privacy screens if there is a need to prevent users seeing over the side of the bridge.

The consortium expects the bridge to offer lower capital and whole-life costs than the current generation of footbridges, and even greater benefits over the full life cycle. A traditional bridge needs periodic painting, but there is always a temptation to delay this into the next budgeting period, meaning major work is required when the job is eventually tackled and ultimately leading to a shorter overall life.

The AVA bridge has an expected life of at least 120 years, requiring minimal maintenance which can be undertaken without requiring a track possession. ‘What you see today is what it will look like in 100 years’, said Atherton.

Accesibility

 

The AVA bridge is intended for use at stations, where passengers increasingly expect the provision of lifts for accessibility. However, it could be built without lifts.

The lift shafts are modular units, assembled off-site by ARX and delivered complete and ready for erection. This has reduced installation time from 26 weeks to 2 weeks.

The lifts draw on experience from the industrial lift sector. Features for reliability included two motors for redundancy, and a single section door. The motors are housed at platform level, rather than on top of the structure, facilitating simpler maintenance.

There are two layout options for the lifts. The narrow variant has the lifts in line with the stairs, and is suitable for locations with restricted space on the platform. The preferred wide variant has the lifts alongside the stairs, which takes up more space but eliminates the need for a wheelchair user to change direction. The prototype has one lift of each type.

Because the lifts are separate modular structures, they could be added to an existing bridge of an alternative design; studies are underway for a potential installation at Seven Sisters.

Prototype

The prototype bridge is a ‘version 0·9’, according to the project partners. Changes have been made based on the experience gained during manufacturing and assembly, and would be incorporated into production bridges from new.

One example is the laminated glass, which is designed to provide a more open feel than high steel sides. The glass is it at a slight angle to reduce glare, but this proved complex to install, and a simplified way of achieving the correct angle was developed to reduce costs.

When Rail Business UK visited the prototype on a hot day, the sunlight reflecting from the floor was dazzling, but production bridges would have a different deck surface treatment.

The first production AVA bridge is scheduled to be installed at Stowmarket in May 2025.

 

Source: Railway Gazette

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MMC & GOVERNMENT POLICY

Ahead of a parliamentary debate expected in September, the House of Lords has published a briefing that examines the use of modern methods of construction (MMC) in the housing industry

Published on 9 August, the paper outlines both MMC use and how government policy towards this construction method has developed in recent years, including various strategic reports issued by parliamentary committees in the House of Lords and the House of Commons. It also details the newly elected Labour government’s position on house building and other recent developments relating to MMC.

“The House of Lords Built Environment Committee was critical of the Conservative government’s approach to MMC and called for a coherent strategy to promote MMC use in housebuilding. The new Labour government has said it will publish a new long-term housing strategy in the coming months,” the briefing states.

On 5 September 2024, the House of Lords is scheduled to debate a motion “to move that this House takes note of the role of modern methods of construction in the housing construction sector.”

It follows a short inquiry by the House of Lords Built Environment Committee, which took place between October 2023 and January 2024. In the report’s conclusion, published on 26 January, committee chair, Lord Moylan said:

“We believe that modern methods of construction can have an important place in UK housebuilding, especially in the context of an ageing skilled workforce and the inefficiency of traditional housebuilding methods. This is based on the evidence we have heard about its successful use in the non-housing construction sector, its widespread use in countries overseas, and its potential to drive gains in efficiency and productivity identified by Homes England and others. We welcome the Government’s wish to see these new methods of construction prosper.”

However, the committee also stated that the approach to MMC was in “disarray” and that the then government had “not set out clear objectives for the investments and funding it provided”.

“There is evidence of real barriers to MMC, such as risk aversion on the part of warranty providers, insurance companies, and insufficient clarity for building regulations. However, the government appears to have made limited effort to understand and address these challenges.

“If the government wants the sector to be a success, it needs to take a step back, acquire a better understanding of how it works and the help that it needs, set achievable goals and develop a coherent strategy.”

Homes England has also acknowledged the benefits of MMC’s use in the housing sector. As part of its annual report, published on 29 July 2024, it stated: “We continue to develop a growing evidence base for MMC and the opportunity it provides to create further housing delivery capacity.”

Following Labour’s win in the general election, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner confirmed that a “new long-term housing strategy” would be published in the “coming months”. As part of its election manifesto, Labour had committed to taking steps to ensure the building of “more high-quality, well-designed, and sustainable homes”. However, it is currently unclear what this will entail in terms of MMC use.

You can access the full briefing paper here.

Source: FPA

 

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UK’s first 3D printed village

Forest of Dean-based engineering group Versarien enters into a contract with national not-for-profit organisation, Building For Humanity, to assist in a major project in Lancashire by providing £200,000 worth of 3D printing services.

A huge deal worth £200,000 has been struck between advanced materials engineering group Versarien and national not-for-profit CIC, Building For Humanity, to build a village of new homes for veterans and low-income families in Lancashire using 3D printing technology.

The Forest of Dean-based group will act as a ‘print partner’ for the charity’s flagship project in Accrington, providing a full service from design to construction.

46 ‘high-quality, affordable’ homes will be developed in the project, set in five blocks alongside a community hub led by Building For Humanity for residents to access its range of supportive resources — the building of the hub and the first block will make up phase one of the project, set to commence imminently now that the contract has been signed.

Versarien will provide support to Build For Humanity’s design team, to ensure alignment with its 3DCP printing parameters, before moving on to supply staff and printing services at the construction stage.

3D construction printing (3DCP) involves using 3D printing methods including extrusion, powder bonding and additive welding to fabricate buildings or construction parts.

The method is hailed for being more environmentally-friendly than traditional building practices, as it produces less waste, while also allowing for design flexibility — if successful and properly invested in, the UK could see 3DCP being used more and more in the construction industry as a sustainable alternative that could alleviate the current housing crisis.

CEO of Versarien, Dr Stephen Hodge, said:

‘This initiative is the first 3D printing housing construction project in the UK and one ideally suited to the services we can provide.

This project is a pivotal opportunity to showcase Versarien’s capabilities in enabling low-carbon, efficient construction solutions, exemplifying our commitment to innovation and sustainability.’

 

Source: SoGlos

 

 

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Construction orders on the Up for the first time since 2022

Construction orders in the UK surged 28% from a year earlier in Q2 of 2024, rising for the first time since the third quarter of 2022, and sharply rebounding from a revised 2.5% fall in the previous quarter.

It also marked the sharpest growth in construction orders in two-and-a-half years, as orders recovered for all new work (28% vs -2.5% in Q1), all new housing (5.4% vs -11.4%), while growth accelerated for all other work (38.6% vs 1.1%).

On a quarterly basis, construction orders advanced 16.5%, easing from a revised 17.7% jump in the prior three-month period.

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The UK housebuilding sector is with one voice

Bellway said buyer confidence was improving after a drop in mortgage rates. photo: Rueters

 

UK homebuilders boosted by rate cut and promise of planning reforms

Homebuilder Bellway joined larger rivals on Friday (Aug 9) in offering an upbeat assessment of the sector’s prospects after the Bank of England cut its benchmark lending rate and the new Labour government promised planning reforms.

Bellway said buyer confidence was improving after a drop in mortgage rates.

It comes after rivals Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey also forecast annual housebuilding numbers towards the upper end of their guidance range.

“The UK housebuilding sector is, with one voice, sharing the view that the new Labour government has made a good start in trying to fix the UK’s broken housing market,” RBC Capital Markets analyst Anthony Codling said.

The sector still faces some major challenges.

Many younger potential buyers remain priced out of the market, while changes to planning rules face challenges from environmental campaigners and will take time to implement.

Persimmon has received detailed planning approvals for about 1,000 plots after the government took office in July out of the 6,000 approvals they have received so far in 2024, it said.

In June, Berkeley, which focuses on redeveloping industrial land, became the first homebuilder to boost outlook in more than two years, citing “good enquiries”.

Consumer confidence had been boosted by the Aug 1 interest rate cut and easing inflation, Bellway said after posting a smaller-than-expected fall in annual revenue.

 

Source: Business Times

 

 

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Can Construction Adopt Bio-Based Materials?

It is well established that addressing climate change requires decarbonising of the construction industry. A critical aspect of this is reducing embodied carbon in new structures.

One emerging solution to this would be the wide scale adoption of bio-based construction materials. These materials come from biological sources (such as plants, animals and microorganisms) and have significantly lower embodied carbon compared to traditional fossil fuel-based materials such as concrete and steel.

However, despite their benefits, building with bio-based materials remains challenging in European countries due to strict regulations, limited availability, and widespread lack of knowledge.

So, what can we, engineers and planners, do to overcome this?

Earlier this year, participants in our Urban C:lab programme discussed this problem with external collaborators and industry experts to learn from their experiences. Joanna Hedley-Smith, Oliver Lerch and Oliver Stainton, members of the EU cohort, have summarised the following key themes.

Adapting material performance expectations

An important driver of which materials are used in construction relates to our material performance expectations. As designers, we are accustomed to the uniformity of man-made materials in terms of material properties, how they are handled on site, and the lack of significant maintenance over their lifetime.

But should we hold bio-based materials to the same standards?

Perhaps this would be inappropriate due to the inherent variability of natural materials compared to manufactured ones, meaning both our expectations of such materials and where we apply them should be carefully considered. They cannot simply be swapped like for like with conventional construction materials, Dan Maskell, senior lecturer at the Department for Architecture & Civil Engineering, University of Bath argued. It shouldn’t be a surprise to perform maintenance, or renew components of a building after their design life has passed. Instead, we should focus on accepting that the material has met the original expectations and then repair it to extend its life.

There was also consensus that market uptake of sustainable alternatives would be faster if the materials had undergone some level of standardisation rather than remaining entirely natural. Felix Wierschbitzki from raumlaborberlin and SLAB pointed out that handling of these materials on site would then be more similar to conventional ones, and significant retraining of labour forces would not be required.

Regarding material properties and structural performance, Katrine Juul, lead sustainability architect at Henning Larsen in Copenhagen, explained that she has started to see a general shift towards the acceptance of timber as an alternative to concrete in Denmark. However, there is still an expectation for the structural form of a building to remain the same as in a concrete structure, where the same structural spans should be achieved. In addition, it is essential to question whether, for example, tall timber buildings really do contribute to a more eco-friendly built environment, as ‘sustainable’ materials are always context dependent, as mentioned by Kika Brockstedt, co-founder of revalu.

The expectations of the acoustic performance of buildings were also called into question. To meet acoustic requirements, the conventional solution is to add additional mass to slabs and walls, which increases the building’s embodied carbon of a building, somewhat unnecessarily. Duncan Horswill of Ramboll explained that if we can reduce acoustic expectations in the first place, there would be a great opportunity to save carbon.

Supply and demand

Currently regarded as a niche, small-scale market, it could be difficult to meet the demand of large construction sites with the current volume of bio-based construction materials that are being produced. David Trujillo of Atelier One and the University of Coventry mentioned that even if we started by just specifying all windows and door frames to come from bio-based sources, on a country scale, this would be a huge amount.

But how can production be significantly increased?

Klaas De Ryke of Bollinger & Grohmann/University of Architecture, Versailles, The Bartlett, University College London, suggested that large-scale manufacturers of conventional materials could be the key. As the industry strives to decarbonise, there will be more demand for manufacturers to diversify and reduce the embodied carbon of their product portfolio. These companies are well established, have the resources, technical knowledge and experience to get building products certified and mass produce them, and are, therefore, in a crucial position to support small-scale manufacturers of alternative products to do the same.

Karianne Kraaijestein, from the Built by Nature prize explained that she is already seeing the demand for bio-based materials rapidly increase. This year saw the first edition of the prize, which is intended to explore the potential of bio-based materials on a global scale and to address the need for transformation within the sector. 297 applications were received from more than 50 countries, indicating that this is not just a regional problem, so perhaps the supply issue is not quite as daunting as we once assumed?

The predicted exponential population growth of urban areas in African countries could be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the suitability of bio-based materials in sustainable construction. Nyomi Roswell explained that historically, the built environment of Western countries has been regarded as a status symbol in developing counties, with an aspiration to emulate their architectural styles. It is therefore important that in the future development of urban areas in Africa, any inspiration taken from the western world focuses on the most innovative, sustainable solutions, to ensure the associated environmental impacts are as low as possible.

Detailing is critical and changing the stigma

Despite the negative reputation of bio-based construction materials, particularly concerning durability and fire safety, this perception is often misguided, according to Dan Maskell. An essential factor to consider when working with innovative construction materials is the importance of detailing and its thoroughness. Mistakes in the detailing process are frequently responsible for the issues listed above, Matthias Oppe from knippershelbig pointed out. Therefore, these problems should not be solely attributed to the novel material but rather to human error in detailing.

For centuries, natural and traditional building materials have endured, with many examples of structures still existing today. So perhaps it’s time to forget what we have learnt in the past 50 years, and instead learn from the previous 500 years, combined with modern construction practices, argued Katrine Juul.

Insurance process and profit margins

Thanks to Funké Adeosun, global transition solutions director at Allianz Commerical, we were able to delve deeper into the topic of insurance when implementing ‘novel’ building materials. A key driver behind being able to insure bio-based materials (or any new material) is the volume of data available, in particular when it comes to material failure modes. A lack of enough reliable data prevents an accurate prediction and understanding of all failure modes, which then limits the scope and availability of insurances. This affects the overall confidence in a material, as there may not be a complete understanding of the risks involved with its use. This highlights the need for further research, testing and, crucially, monitoring of building projects that have used bio-based materials.

So how can these materials be employed on construction projects today?

This relies on the alignment between the client and regulatory authorities. When these materials lack existing regulations, a unique approval procedure involving prototyping and rigorous testing is usually required. Once the material has been implemented in a project, ongoing monitoring and maintenance are typically necessary for several years post-completion, something that Patrick Teuffel of Circular Structural Design and the SRH Berlin School of Technology experienced during the construction of fibre-reinforced polymer footbridges in Almere in 2022 and Ulm in 2024.

Additionally, there appears to be a lack of interest among construction companies in investing in research for novel construction materials. According to Manfred Curbach, director at the Institute for Massivbau, Technische Universität Dresden, companies often face limited profit margins. Consequently, this financial limitation hinders their ability to allocate resources toward exploring new construction materials.

The Danish effect

Throughout the European region and the world, carbon targets and roadmaps are being introduced to drive down the construction sector’s impact on the environment. Denmark is the first EU country to affect a large change on a national level. It recently introduced more stringent carbon targets for both embodied carbon and energy over time, reducing from 12 in 2024 to 7,5kgCO2e/m²/year by 2030.

Working in Denmark, both Katrine Juul and Duncan Horswill have already noticed an increase in interest and motivation in using alternative solutions to ensure the targets can be met. Similarly, a change in focus has taken place in investment portfolios for Danish institutions, such as pension companies. Duncan explained that these companies now have an increased interest in investing in healthy and sustainable buildings, following the introduction of the new regulations. So perhaps the key to making change in the industry is the creation of regulations.

Housing is the first step to adoption

Paul Rogers of Buro Happold mentioned that with an ever-increasing demand for housing in cities, the benefits of bio-based materials could provide a driver for creating more attractive properties and investments. The health and wellbeing benefits associated with bio-based materials could be quantified and measured, then lead the design requirements of new buildings, alongside energy usage and environmental impact.

As a starting point, there could be an initial focus on implementing bio-based materials in non-load-bearing components, such as partition walls, floor build-ups, insulation, or façade elements, said Manfred Curbach, as these will be viewed as the lowest risk elements. Following this, a staggered implementation of these materials could be a key to ensure their success, allowing for the demand to gradually increase without overburdening the supply, as well as allowing for insurance and regulatory authorities to keep up, as mentioned by both David Trujillo and Funké Adeosun.

Conclusion

These insightful conversations have shown us that there is no single solution to the problem at hand. It will always be a combination of implementing a ‘material first’ approach and assessing what is actually needed for your project. Overcoming the hurdles mentioned above will not be a simple process, but so long as the demand is there and growing, we will see results, such as those that are already tangible following the implementation of the Danish embodied carbon targets.

Across Buro Happold, involvement in projects implementing natural building materials is growing, such as the Nest House, recently completed by the Copenhagen team, along with our C:lab project.

Soure: Burro Happold

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Free guide to Part L Compliance

AluFoldDirect shares free guide to Part L Compliance In response to customer uncertainty 

 

Leading fabricator AluFoldDirect is continuing its commitment to education and innovation with the release of a 10-page guide to compliance with Building Regulations: Part L, 2021. Available as a free download, the guide is a proactive response to customer uncertainty over the changing landscape of UK Building Regulations, and a demonstration of the expert knowledge, advice and aluminium solutions that AluFoldDirect can offer.

 

“We are hearing lots of concern over U-values and the Future Homes Standard,” explains Rhodri John, Commercial Director at AluFoldDirect. “It really is a case of ‘stay informed or be left behind’ in the glazing industry right now, and the guide is a simple, succinct round-up of what installers need to know.”

 

The AluFoldDirect Part L Compliance guide aims to empower customers and contacts by providing a clear picture of current legislation, highlighting requirements for refurbishment and new build projects, specific products, regulation differentiation in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, plus key considerations that should be understood during the planning stages of a project.

 

The download also introduces AluFoldDirect’s Solution series of quality aluminium products. Pioneered by the A-BiFold, A-Slider and A-Window, the Solution series is available to installers at passive performance 0.8 W/m²K U-value, a new build-ready 1.2 W/m²K U-value, and Building Regulation compliant Solution at 1.4 W/m²K U-value – meaning AluFoldDirect now offers ready-to-fit window and door systems that meet any thermal requirement, with delivery in two weeks.

CLICK HERE

For more information and to request the AluFoldDirect Part L Compliance guide

 

 

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 ADSA Celebrates Dual ISO Accreditation Achievement


The Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) has secured not one but two ISO accreditations – 9001 45001– a significant achievement that underscores its commitment to excellence in both quality management and occupational health and safety.

ISO 9001 certification is a globally recognised standard for quality management systems (QMS). It demonstrates an organisation’s ability to consistently provide services that meet customer and regulatory requirements while striving for continuous improvement. In achieving this, ADSA has validated its robust processes and dedication to delivering superior value to its members and stakeholders.

Likewise, ISO 45001 is the international standard for occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS). It provides a framework for organisations to manage risks and improve health and safety at work, reducing workplace incidents and enhancing employee well-being.

“Achieving ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 certifications is a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality and safety,” said ADSA MD Ken Price. “These accolades reflect our dedication to maintaining the highest standards in our operations and our ongoing efforts to promote safe and responsible practices within the automatic door industry.”

He highlighted that ADSA had embarked on a “rigorous journey” to achieve these standards:

“It has been a challenging process which has taken more than a year to achieve. We have held up a mirror to our own processes, identified gaps and areas for improvement, and put improvements in place. As an organisation that helps establish and maintain quality and safety standards in the automatic door industry, we felt it was important to apply the same level of scrutiny to our own operations.”

ADSA’s ISO journey involved a comprehensive evaluation of its management systems, including audits by an independent certification body. The association’s adherence to these standards, ensures that it operates with efficiency, consistency and maintains a focus on continuous improvement.

This dual certification not only strengthens ADSA’s reputation as a leader in the automatic door industry but also provides significant benefits to its members. It assures them that the association operates with a strong emphasis on quality and occupational health and safety, fostering trust and confidence in its services and initiatives.

As ADSA moves forward, it remains committed to upholding these standards and driving positive change within the industry.

CLICK HERE For more information on ADSA membership and training

 

or phone us on 01827 216136.

 

 

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West Fraser panel products are the natural choice for Cambridge workshop business

A Cambridgeshire based couple with a burgeoning woodworking business have established a reputation for precision made products, based on basic flair, topflight equipment and buying high quality performance board products from the West Fraser range.

Natural Workshop began trading back in 2013, when Michelle Elener wanted to get back into the workplace after having the couple’s third child and began producing table mats and artwork using a technique known as pyrography – burning images into wood with a soldering iron.  And despite the cost of initially buying small blanks of birch plywood from high street art shops, increasing demand soon saw her partner Josh Anders getting involved.  Since then, they have moved premises twice, with the current one in the town of March turning out everything from chopping boards and pottery stands to bespoke speaker cabinets and kitchen units.

Josh Anders recounted:

“Michelle was selling a lot of her pyrography on eBay but also began producing bespoke sections of ply for other businesses. When we got more space in 2019, we installed an 8 x 4 CNC router as well as a laser cutter and began diversifying further.  Up until Covid hit, we were doing a lot of work for the hospitality industry – making coasters and menu boards etc – but when that industry was shuttered by the lockdowns, we began working with interior designers and specialist joinery companies.  Most recently I have been building some exhibition stands for a new client, using the SterlingOSB Zero on a timber frame.

“Unfortunately, apart from the economic ups and downs of recent years, we have also had some bad experiences with very poor quality boards so we started buying West Fraser’s CaberMDF Pro some 18 months ago. This is a quality product which cuts and engraves really well, while we also use the MDF to make our router templates for shaping beech chopping boards.  I now go out of my way to purchase West Fraser products, currently getting them from Travis Perkins – in a world where so much seems to be being dumbed down and inferior, it is great to know there is material you can buy which won’t cause you stress.”

The premium grade CaberMDF Pro is part of a range of high quality, medium density boards widely used in shop-fitting, furniture manufacturing and other applications where accuracy and sharpness of cut are crucial.  The range also includes the CaberMDF Trade and CaberMDF Trade MR options, the latter being ideal for making kitchen and bathroom units where the enhanced moisture resistance is required.   Being precision-made in the UK means less waste onsite and the associated costs of disposal to landfill, plus lower transportation charges.  As well as guaranteeing a more secure supply in a currently challenging global market, specialist manufacturers, fit-out contractors or other customers can specify West Fraser’s well proven MDF options with total confidence.

Josh and Michelle are meanwhile in the process of designing a new range of precision made marking and measuring tools which will be sold in MDF presentation cases, and they are also planning to invest in a computer-controlled ACC machine which features an automatic tool-changer so they can produce more complex fabrications.

For further information call 01786 812 921

OR CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WEST FRASER WEBSITE

 

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Delegates Call for Policy Certainty

 

Social housing providers are at the heart of two political hot potatoes in the United Kingdom: the ongoing housing crisis and, with registered providers’ 4.4m homes contributing significantly to the nation’s carbon emissions, the drive to net-zero by 2050. Bringing up the quality of homes through retrofit also alleviates the burden on the NHS and social services.

The challenges faced by social housing providers were recently expressed during a roundtable meeting of senior social housing representatives co-hosted by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Chartered Institute of Housing as part of CIOB’s Client Strategy.

The roundtable delegates confirmed the variety of ages and types in their portfolios of homes makes the task of upgrading them complex. Because of this, making efficient and effective progress along the path to net-zero is tricky, especially when some of the technology has yet to mature and past government policy (on gas boilers, for example) has wavered.

The complexity for providers is compounded by conflicting priorities, not least to do with health and safety, innovation, the need to adapt to climate change, and meeting Decent Homes standards. As one delegate put it, putting these pieces of this policy jigsaw together at the moment is like “trying to pin jelly to the wall.”

Cash of the sort provided by the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) isn’t all that’s needed to greenlight decarbonisation work. Housing associations frequently have overriding commercial pressures. Take homes featuring older, solid-wall construction, for example. Insulating them as part of a fabric-first solution is not only comparatively expensive but runs the risk of actively damaging the assets’ value, making the work hard to justify in the business case.

Even when SHDF cash does greenlight retrofit work, structural barriers in how the fund works make it less efficient and cost-effective than it could be. Instead of piecemeal upgrades around the country, the money could be better spent funding regional partnerships of providers for joint procurement of work focused on single areas, perhaps governed by the relevant local authority.

Not only would this lessen the resource-intensive administrative burden of running multiple contracts – lowering prices and achieve economies of scale – but it would also encourage a greater emphasis on placemaking (in line with the Building Beautiful Places plan and the National Policy Planning Framework). The resulting pipeline of work would encourage industry investment in recruiting labour and upskilling in retrofit work, which are currently in massively short supply. According to the roundtable delegates, though, making it happen requires a more “grown-up strategic partnership” between the social housing sector and government.

Despite these barriers, there is goodwill in the sector and, indeed, progress towards net-zero is already well underway. Housing providers are reskilling, reorganising and reprioritising their investment goals with the help of carbon literacy training and better data. The forthcoming UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard is providing a robust benchmark and springboard for agreed cross-sector action.

Importantly, providers are increasing their focus on social tenants by paying due attention to their justified anxieties about work that disrupts daily life and might tip them into, or further into, fuel poverty without competent technical oversight.

Asked about their hopes and aspirations for the UK’s new government, the delegates were unanimous in wanting adequate long-term funding, a national retrofit strategy, reform of town planning and, especially, relief from policy uncertainty. These should, perhaps, feature in the new Labour government’s housing policy.

 

Source: The House

 

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