PLANNING NEEDS TO CONSIDER CLIMATE CHANGE

Planning overhaul needed for climate change ‘resilience’, think tank says

Successfully adapting to climate change will need an overhaul of the planning system to create measurable local targets, according to researchers.

The think-tank Localis is calling for a nationally accepted definition of ‘resilience’ to enable local authorities to defend their communities from climate change.

Analysis of 88 English local plans by Localis found that more than half of local plans emphasise ‘water stress’ including flooding as a potential pressure.

Its report, entitled Climate resilience in Local Plans, says two in every five of the plans surveyed consider the use of building regulations as potential solutions to climate change.

Localis head of research Joe Fyans said:

‘Given what we know from Met Office climate projection about best case scenarios for the probable damage likely to be wrought by increased flooding and the impact of heatwaves, what is worrying here is that current legislation comes nowhere close enough to covering the risk impact.

‘Where rules are not in place, appropriate measures are not provided by all local plans.

‘On the ground, this means there is a great deal of variability in local government preparations for climate change.

‘Suitable resilience is needed for all areas, and a place-based approach that accounts for levels of vulnerability will be the appropriate remedy for many of the country’s upcoming climate problems.’

Source: LocalGov

/0 Comments/by

GERMANY: SERIAL MODULAR CONSTRUCTION

SEMODU and HAUBNER GROUP want to join forces in modular construction

Most modern modular production plant in Europe planned

In view of the German government’s goal of building 400,000 apartments per year, the HAUBNER GROUP and SEMODU AG intend to build Europe’s most modern manufacturing plant for modular housing. The plan is to build a production facility of up to 40,000 square meters at the existing production site of the HAUBNER GROUP in Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz.

At this site a production line for series modules is to be built, which is oriented towards the production processes of the automotive industry. This is intended to create a technological platform to initiate the next industrialization phase of residential construction. The housing modules are to be characterized by a high degree of prefabrication and will be produced in a highly automated manner with the predominant use of robotics. Annually, up to 180,000 square meters of living space could thus be manufactured at the site.

“We are convinced that serial modular construction is a decisive factor in the fight against the housing shortage in Germany,” says Frank Talmon l’Armée, CEO of SEMODU AG. “With the planned manufacturing plant, we want to set standards in Germany when it comes to the production and provision of state-of-the-art living space.” By bundling competencies, he said, the disruptive potential can be leveraged and the expertise from the SEMODU methodology can be rolled out across the board.

Wolfgang Haubner, Managing Director of HAUBNER GROUP, says:

“We are planning a level of automation that should be unique for a manufacturing plant in Europe. Our app-based software for the transparent production process also provides customers with real-time transparency and traceability of the production steps.”

Production is to follow a clear and stringent mathematical logic for module sizes in order to be able to produce highly efficiently and economically, while at the same time delivering the most variable contemporary homes possible with high architectural standards. The preferred construction method will be the wood frame construction as well as the CLT construction, whereby the production in hybrid construction (wood and concrete) should also remain possible. In accordance with the philosophy of the two companies, the products will be built and later operated in a CO2-neutral manner.

The partners intend to involve the Bavarian state government as well as the government of the Upper Palatinate in the planning as soon as possible. During this year’s international real estate trade fair MIPIM in Cannes, talks with investors are also already planned.

SEMODU will contribute the experience gained from its own development and its manufacturing method, while HAUBNER will contribute its competence in production gained over decades.

 

Further information: www.haubner-group.de

Further information: www.semodu.com

/0 Comments/by

TIMBER GIANT REVEALS PLANS

Hundreds of jobs on the way as timber frame giant reveals plans for £45m HQ

 

One of the UK’s largest timber frame manufacturers has chosen Derby as the location for its new headquarters.

Oregon Timber Frame will relocate from its current HQ in Burton to a recently-completed 186,000 sq ft facility at Infinity Park Derby this summer, with the move expected to create around 200 jobs.

Housebuilding giant Barratt Developments, which owns the company, is understood to have invested £45m in the new site.

The facility is located off Junction 3 of the A50 and boasts a BREEAM “Very Good” rating and an EPC rating of “A.” It was built by Bowmer + Kirkland.

Barratt acquired Oregon Timber Frame in 2019 to support its off-site production operations.

Peter Wade, joint managing director of Oregon, said:

“Infinity Park Derby will ultimately become our new base to support Barratt’s move to modern methods of construction, and so it was imperative that the building’s sustainable credentials were in line with those of our business. This new state-of-the-art facility will support our long-term goals to increase our use of modern methods of construction off-site and reduce our carbon footprint.”

 

Source: Buisness Desk

/0 Comments/by

Asbestos: The Ongoing Danger

Young tradespeople need to know the risk

Millennials, gen Z workers and other younger people who work as plumbers, electricians, and in other trades need to take the risk of asbestos much more seriously.

That’s the message from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The workplace regulator has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with the dangerous substance.

The campaign, called Asbestos and You, will target all tradespeople with a focus on younger workers in trades such as plastering and joinery. HSE wants to reach construction workers who started their careers after the use of asbestos was banned in 1999.

The regulator is concerned the length of time it takes for symptoms to develop after asbestos exposure could lead to a perception among today’s younger workers that it is something that only impacts older people who were working before the ban.

Five thousand people a year still die from asbestos related illnesses and asbestos can still be found in buildings built or refurbished before the year 2000.

Asbestos containing materials were used extensively in the construction and maintenance of buildings in Great Britain from the 1950s until the ban. That means construction workers of all ages could still be exposed to asbestos fibres today.

HSE’s chief executive Sarah Albon said: “Asbestos exposure in Great Britain is still the single greatest cause of work-related deaths.  We are committed to protecting people in the workplace and reducing future work-related ill health.

“Everyone working in construction today, of any age, must take the risk from asbestos seriously.

“Asbestos is dangerous when not maintained in a safe condition or if physically disturbed without the right measures in place to avoid fibres being released into the air.”

If asbestos fibres are inhaled, they can cause serious diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestos related lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural thickening. Construction tradespeople of any age are at significant risk if they disturb materials containing asbestos during repairs and refurbishment.

HSE’s head of health and work policy Mike Calcutt said: “These diseases often take a long time to develop, and it can take 20 to 30 years for symptoms to appear.

“It is crucial that all workers know how to recognise the dangers and take the right actions to protect themselves and those around them from being exposed to asbestos fibres.”

 

Find out more about the Asbestos and You campaign, and visit HSE’s website for further guidance on asbestos.

 

 

/0 Comments/by

Off-site brings Old Properties Back to Life

A Hull housing charity has joined forces with a digital manufacturing firm to explore new ways of bringing run-down properties back to life using ‘Lego-like’ blocks.

The joint pilot project between Giroscope and Blokbuild will see the construction and installation of a modular extension to two adjoining houses currently being renovated by the charity. The two properties off Hessle Road have been empty for nearly 20 years.

Under the initiative, the new kitchen extensions are being built using BlokBuild’s cutting-edge off-site construction system, where parts are created on a digital model, cut with pin-point accuracy using automated technology and then assembled at the company’s factory in Hedon Road. The BlokBuild system is manufactured entirely from timber and insulated off-site, making it a higher quality and more sustainable alternative to traditional construction.

During the project, Giroscope volunteers will receive training in the construction technology being used in the process. They will also work as a team to assemble the modules at the factory on before installing the Lego-like blocks on-site.

Following on form the pilot, both Blokbuild and Giroscope are hoping to collaborate on a much larger project to build new affordable social housing from scratch on a small site in the city of Hull.

Giroscope’s co-ordinator Martin Newman said:

 

“We are really excited for the opportunity to work with Blokbuild who are a really innovative Hull company. We hope we can develop this partnership to a point where we can begin to deliver much-needed affordable and very energy efficient housing together.”

 

He said volunteers taking part in the project would gain valuable gain work experience on their journey into employment or training. When completed, the two houses will be brought back into use as social housing for people in housing need.

Tom Sander, communications and engagement lead for BlokBuild, said:

 

“This is a unique project that combines Giroscope’s pioneering work in self-help housing with BlokBuild’s innovative approach to off-site construction. While we are still a relatively small company, our timber building system is one the most advanced in Europe.

Source: Hull Live
/0 Comments/by
,

Superplus BLS provides an assured anchoring solution for MMC

An innovative range of heavy-duty anchors from EJOT UK can deliver important cost and time savings onsite in a wide variety of MMC projects without compromising performance. Paul Papworth, structural anchoring specialist at EJOT UK, explains why.

Foundation design and the method adopted for securely fixing structures or volumetric buildings to them is fundamental to any MMC project. And where the design requires anchoring into concrete or other hard base materials, any Google search will reveal numerous options capable of meeting the performance requirements.  But which factors matter most in the design and specification process and how can best value be achieved?

MMC’s key advantages of installation speed and rapid project delivery, coupled with high quality construction, can be leveraged further with the right anchoring choice. And the one range which has the potential to tick all the boxes, while also enabling significant cost savings, is the LIEBIG Superplus BLS.  One of the world’s most used heavy duty anchors of its kind, Superplus BLS is approved for use in cracked and non-cracked concrete, offering assured high capacity anchoring in a wide variety of applications and conditions. These range from nuclear power plants and industrial sites to facades, structural steelwork, base plates and – of course – offsite construction and MMC.

There are four key reasons why the Superplus BLS represents amongst the best choices for anchoring in MMC.

 

1. Cost savings – more “kN per £”

 

The Superplus BLS is the only self-undercutting anchor that, without special tools, creates its own undercut. It works in a slightly different way to all other types of concrete attachment products to deliver game-changing results.  This means the Superplus BLS will provide more ‘kN per £’, with the assurance of ETA and UKTA certified performance but without the price tag usually associated. The product is capable of offering significantly improved tensile performance at 200% that of other heavy duty type anchors, 300% of the performance possible with throughbolts and 250% that of the largest concrete screws.
The is because the anchor comprises several core components or modules that can be sized and assembled to meet the specific needs of an application. This is an immediate cost efficiency benefit, driven by EJOT’s ability to manufacture non-standard sizes in short lead times at a fraction of what it would cost for bespoke sized anchors.

2. Flexibility to adapt to onsite challenges

 

Superplus BLS is suitable for shallow concrete depths and can be used at closer spacings or closer to the edge of the concrete than is typically possible. Such factors have previously been major hurdles to cost effective anchoring because they usually result in the need for custom-made anchors with lengthy lead times and a cost premium.
These challenges are overcome thanks to the anchor’s relatively small diameter and a design that enables two embedment depths per anchor diameter. This gives far greater flexibility to the designer to enable the embedment depth necessary to satisfy the design criteria, without a need to change baseplate design.

3. Installation simplicity

 

The role ‘simple installation’ plays in ensuring the project outcomes match the design intent, specification goals and budget is often undervalued.  For example, specifying a highly engineered, premium quality component or system where installation is specialist  in itself, could result in a solution failing to deliver on its promise. And there could be the need for costly remedial work unless it is fitted by a team with specialist knowledge.

Design innovation, therefore, is not only about a product’s performance capability – it should also seek ways to make installation as simple as possible to reduce risk. That is the thinking behind the Superplus BLS.  Its modular design and self-undercutting cone means no special tooling is needed to install it. Costly and complex installation processes have effectively been ‘engineered-out’. The self-undercutting mechanism is also not hole depth dependent, which eliminates the need for another special tool – setting equipment.

4. Application versatility

 

Whilst there is no one size fits all approach to concrete anchoring, the modular approach of the BLS means it is possible to use a single product for multiple different purposes on the same project.
The key to its versatility is the ability to choose different variants of the core parts of the anchor. The length and diameter of the threaded bolt and the distance sleeve can be sized within a wide range and the head styles can be chosen to suit the specific application requirements.
It all adds up to an application-specific anchoring solution that can be configured in a way that is normally associated only with 100% bespoke anchors, which are notoriously costly in small volumes and incur long lead times.

These four major benefits make the LIEBIG Superplus BLS an ideal choice for MMC as its innovative design mirrors the advances that many offsite and prefabricated products are making in transforming construction. 

 

 

To learn more about the range or discuss its use in a future project, please contact EJOT UK on 01977 687040

or CLICK HERE to email EJOT

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE

 

 

/0 Comments/by

Modular solution reduces backlog at North Devon Hospital

In this interview, Marsh Pullen, Capital Contracts Manager for the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, explains the process of procuring a modular building from Wernick. This includes the benefits of the modular building method, the challenges of the project and the feedback from the end users.

 

“We required a new building to increase our elective bed capacity to assist with the backlog of elective surgical patients that the trust currently has.
A modular building was chosen primarily because of speed of deployment, but also because it complimented the space that we had on site and it minimized disruption and the build time on the actual hospital site.

 

 

 

 

 

Procurement

We went out to the marketplace using the modular building framework and we had a specification of our requirements. Wernick were able to offer a very competitive package and they were a clear winner.
We raised an order with Wernick Buildings and 20 week later we were delivered a fully compliant, completed building. One week after that we were treating patients in it.
We asked Wernick to deliver a compliant ward. What they actually delivered was above and beyond that because although it is compliant it also aligns with our standard specification for mechanical and electrical items which means that our users, clinical users, are familiar right out the box of how all of the systems work.

 

 

 

 

Challenges

We had some logistical challenges with the install which the Wernick build team were able to overcome. The ward is in a bit of a tight corner of the hospital. It also needed to marry in with the existing structure to allow patients to transit to and from the main building and it also had to be undertaken on the site of an acute care hospital which is at full capacity all of the time and the Wernick team were able to undertake the work with minimal disruption.
Wernick and the design team on the clinical side worked really, really well together. There was a lot of harmony. Whenever we had a problem it was overcome collectively – and that proactive attitude shows through on the outcome that we’ve got a successfully delivered ward within the timeframe.

 

Feedback

The feedback from the end users is great. Everybody that’s looked at it so far absolutely loves it. It’s a 21st century ward with all of the mod cons and all of the elements that it requires to treat the patients we need it to.
Our experience of working with the Wernick build team is very professional, they said they could deliver us a ward on time, on budget and they have, and that speaks volumes.
I can’t speak highly enough, really, they’ve delivered us a fantastic ward which I’d put up against any ward in the UK for quality, speed of delivery, and affordability.”

www.wernick.co.uk

 

 

/0 Comments/by

TG Escapes design Biophilic School concept using MMC

Young people in the UK today are facing a perfect storm. The 21st century has seen technology impact natural human interaction whilst the pandemic has compounded the problems associated with reduced socialisation and global warming is a growing source of anxiety. It is no wonder that the mental well-being of children and young people is falling under this huge strain which is representing a key challenge for schools, teachers and parents. As many as 10% of children aged five to 16 have a clinically diagnosable mental health problem [¹].   Currently, one third of people aged eight to 24 report an increase in mental health and wellbeing issues [²].

Exposure to Nature

Whilst it is clear that there is not a single, magic solution to the problem, it is well known that reconnection with nature can play a major role in enhancing a child’s development, mental resilience and capacity to thrive and learn. A study between Aarhus University in Denmark and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in the US, children who grow up in greener surroundings have up to 55% less risk of developing various mental disorders. Biophilia, or a love of the natural world, is programmed into our DNA and appropriate architectural design can serve to nurture our deep-rooted need to connect to nature.

Biophilic Design

Biophilic design in classrooms has been shown to boost children’s wellbeing both physically and mentally. Noisy, open plan classrooms can cause stress and fatigue which can be alleviated by exposure to nature resulting in improved cognitive ability and emotional wellbeing. Furthermore, adding sensory elements from the living natural environment can inspire curiosity, imagination and discovery whilst offering a significant boost to learning by way of increased attendance, improved behaviour and increased focus.
Improved Educational Outcomes
These benefits have been proven by a variety of scientific experiments. One study by A Sigman shows that children exposed to nature scored higher on concentration and self-discipline than control group students and performed better in core curricular subjects. Another study by Human Spaces found that by optimising exposure to daylight, attendance can increase by more than three and a half days a year, whilst test scores can improve by between 5 and 14% with speed of learning boosted by as much as 26%. A further study has shown that a timber classroom can reduce the heart rate of occupants by 8600 beats per day versus a traditional classroom, indicating stress relief.

A Biophilic School

Having practised the implementation of biophilic design principles for many years, TG Escapes wanted to design an entirely biophilic primary school that is sensitive to the environment, cost effective and practical to build using modern methods of construction.  They have designed a new single-entry nursery and primary concept school. Constructed almost entirely from timber, the school will have a low embodied carbon value; be highly sustainable and net-zero in its lifetime. Furthermore, it will be more affordable to build, maintain and run than traditionally constructed buildings. In addition, renewable energy generation will be built into the design at every opportunity.
The design comprises separate pavilions for various school functions, connected by covered walkways and canopies and arranged to envelop a central landscaped, terraced area with an outdoor class at its centre. This promotes an interaction and connection with nature. It encourages sociability and play, whilst maximising the opportunity for outdoor learning, exercise and fresh air in all weathers.

Cost and Carbon

The building will be cost effective to build and to operate and extremely eco-friendly. As TG Escapes are utilising an existing, panelised modular system, they are able to make a whole life carbon calculation. The total cost of the build, (excluding landscaping and services which will be site specific) will be £4m. Comparing this design to the EBDOG benchmark survey for primary, the scheme provides 7.31m2 per pupil (including circulation) versus the benchmark 5.69m2. The benchmark shows that an average cost of a net-zero school is around £2500 pm2. Their biophilic buildings come in at only £1,823 pm2 leaving plenty of headroom for external works.  The whole life carbon calculation exceeds the RIBA 2030 target for schools.

Biophilic Schools. Better for the Environment. Better for our Children

TG Escapes believe that our relationship with nature is a cornerstone foundation for robust mental health and a young mind’s capacity for learning. They are working with MTM Consulting to identify a suitable site to build a biophilic school that can help to provide a better future for our children and the world in which they live. They are also happy to work with education groups should they have a project to suit this biophilic approach.

For more information call 0800 917 7726

or CLICK HERE to email TG Escapes

or CLICK HERE to visit their website

 

 

1. LINK

2. LINK

/0 Comments/by

MEDITE SMARTPLY: An innovative,sustainable choice for MMC

The need to take action on the climate crisis is more important than it has ever been. Sustainable sourcing and the de-carbonisation of buildings is on top of the global agenda in tackling emissions, particularly within the construction industry. Buildings are responsible for 39% of global energy related carbon emissions: 28% from operational emissions, from energy needed to heat, cool and power them, and the remaining 11% from materials and construction.[¹]

So what does this mean in terms of housebuilding? Demands for more housing remain high, but how can contractors and builders, including those in the MMC sector, keep building and be more sustainable? Part of the answer lies in the need to making a conscious effort to choose sustainable building materials from sustainable businesses.

Sustainability matters

As a market leading manufacturer of environmentally conscious engineered wood panels, our commitment to sustainability is core to all levels of our business at MEDITE SMARTPLY; from our sustainably managed forests [²], to the manufacture of low embodied carbon materials, which contribute to sustainable building.  We are endeavouring to become a recognised industry leading sustainable manufacturer through a number of ways. Firstly, it is our ambition to move towards carbon neutrality by 2030. Carbon neutrality refers to balancing emissions with removals before offsetting residual. We can do this through scope 1 (emissions that are direct from owned or controlled sources) & scope 2 (emissions that are indirect from purchased sources).  Secondly, we aim to support our customers and partners to be able to demonstrate their reduced impact on the environment by 2030. Going forward, we plan to run customer workshops to identify areas where support can be given.

Thirdly, we will also be working with our suppliers to reduce our impact on the environment by 2030 (scope 3 – this covers all of the other indirect emissions throughout the company’s supply chain, including transport, purchased goods and use of products sold).  Lastly, we are committed to being a net zero manufacturing company by 2050, reducing carbon emissions across our business and supply chains. This refers to reducing relevant scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions to zero, or to a residual level in line with reaching net zero emissions in alignment with the global 1.5°C reduction pathways – making this an important goal for MEDITE SMARTPLY.  Chris King, Managing Director at MEDITE SMARTPLY commented:

“We have the products and the technology to really make a difference in the building and construction industry. We are taking action, and we’re taking steps not only to make environmentally conscious products for the end user, but to also make the business more sustainable by moving towards carbon neutrality by 2030 and being committed to becoming a net zero manufacturing company by 2050 – our ultimate goal.

“Our business has been sourcing 100% green electricity since 2021, which has helped to further reduce our carbon impact. Currently, 95% of energy sourced by MEDITE SMARTPLY used across our direct operations is renewable.”  Innovative engineered wood panels

MEDITE SMARTPLY’s environmentally conscious products ensure a sustainable building material, storing carbon throughout their lifetime. Sourced from our sustainably managed FSC certified forests in Ireland, MEDITE SMARTPLY’s engineered wood panels are proof of the company’s commitment to creating products that contribute to sustainable and healthier environments.  Both the MDF and OSB ranges provide some of the most environmentally efficient building materials on the market, with product-specific Type 3 Environmental Product Declaration [³] to support this.

A spotlight on SMARTPLY

SMARTPLY OSB is made using only newly grown pine and spruce, including the tops which are not used to make any other wood-based product. It’s manufactured by compressing precisely engineered strands of woods with moisture resistant resins at high temperature to create an incredibly strong and versatile panel suitable for onsite and offsite construction.
MEDITE SMARTPLY produce two grades of SMARTPLY: OSB/3 and OSB/4 SMARTPLY MAX is an OSB/3 panel that is suitable for use in, walls, floors and roofing systems. For applications where increased strength and moisture resistance is needed, there is SMARTPLY ULTIMA – a high strength OSB/4 panel. For applications where enhanced fire protection is needed, there is SMARTPLY MAX FR B. This structural, moisture resistant OSB/3 panel has a water-based, non-toxic flame retardant solution built-in that boasts outstanding and reliable reaction to fire properties.  All panels are manufactured in accordance with EN 300 performance standard and are suitable in service class 1 or 2 applications.

CLICK HERE For more information on MEDITE SMARTPLY’s sustainability ethos

and to see how its full range of products can help with MMC in mind

 

1 LINK

2 LINK

3 LINK

/0 Comments/by
,

Expertise in building systems and XPS construction boards from Jackon by BEWI

JACKON by BEWI has two construction systems, the JACKODUR® Atlas insulated raft system and THERMOMUR® Insulating Concrete Formwork (ICF), which integrates insulation materials into the concrete formwork, totally revolutionising the way a house is constructed. 

 

 

 

JACKON by BEWI Building Systems exceed the u-value targets of the latest Part L building regs. JACKON by BEWI’s THERMOMUR® 350 Super Block is one of the most energy efficient building systems currently available. It has a U-value of 0.15 straight out of the box, ahead of the required maximum of 0.16 U-value on external walls – part of the requirement that new homes emit 31% less CO2 under the Part L Building Regulations.

ICF constructions have been achieving the new targets for years in their basic configuration, with no “add-ons”, while other types of constructions have had to push their limits in terms of cavities, ties and expensive insulating material in order to achieve the existing levels of thermal performance.

JACKODUR® ATLAS uses XPS (extruded polystyrene) to create an insulated floor slab, while THERMOMUR® ICF uses EPS (moulded expanded polystyrene) to create the formwork. JACKON by BEWI has 60 years of expertise in manufacturing these products, which, in addition to the thermal efficiency benefits, also enable a house to be constructed more quickly and with less waste than other techniques.

The company also offers the market-leading JACKOBOARD® range of waterproof, weight-loading and thermally insulating construction boards for wetrooms and showers.  There is no need to tank wetrooms constructed using either with a waterproof membrane or a paint-on solution, because JACKOBOARD® is manufactured from 100% waterproof XPS. This saves the installer both time and money, since a separate tanking system is not required and only the joints where the boards meet need to be taped.

 

 

www.jackon.co.uk

 

/0 Comments/by