Why ‘Zero’ is a Plus for West Fraser’s SterlingOSB  


The UK government classified formaldehyde as a carcinogen in 2016, prompting industry to observe restrictions on its use, and West Fraser is one company that has gone above and beyond to reduce the chemical compound’s impact on the built environment and building occupants, who cannot normally know it is present.

 

Anomalies regarding its use remain, such as the ‘caged salmon industry’ being permitted to employ the chemical as a disinfectant.  It was also once favoured in the NHS for sterilising soft instruments such as arthroscopes.  Statistics for formaldehyde’s full impact on health outcomes are unclear, but caution is definitely the wise option.

 

This is because we do know of formaldehyde’s dangers not only as a carcinogen, but an acute respiratory irritant and being highly corrosive to skin.  In the home, it has long been found in materials like plywood, panelling, adhesives and foam insulation.  Surprisingly, shampoo, skin lotions, and even baby washing products have been shown to contain it; while the emissions from gas hobs, fabrics and floorcoverings all emit it.

 

It is inevitable that particleboard and plywood are listed as in fact, formaldehyde occurs naturally in trees: so, there is no such thing as formaldehyde-free wood products.  The crucial issue is what the concentration rises to when wood is processed.

 

Currently, the HSE directs that the workplace exposure limit (WEL) for formaldehyde should not exceed two parts per million (2.0 ppm) as a time weighted average over an eight-hour period.  Beloved as a symbol of the English countryside, an oak tree, emits just 0.009 parts per million (ppm) of formaldehyde in its natural form.

 

Unfortunately, the amount of formaldehyde present increases during the processing of wood into wood-based panels – unless, that is, they are sourced from West Fraser, as a specialist which has developed a methodology which results in there being no added formaldehyde introduced during the manufacturing process.  And it is this fact which enables the company to claim that it produces “the only UK-manufactured OSB With Zero-Added Formaldehyde.”

 

Hence, we see panel products with appellatives such as SterlingOSB Zero, SterlingOSB Zero OSB3, SterlingOSB Zero Tongue & Groove, and SterlingOSB Zero PrimedPlus being utilised across construction, including by housebuilding, commercial development and by offsite specialists as well as fabricators generally.  So, it makes sense when one sees all the everyday fixtures and fittings within the buildings where we live and work, containing elevated amounts of formaldehyde, to take the opportunity to minimize its presence wherever possible.  And an opportunity to do this is by specifying panels with the lowest of emissions.

 

All West Fraser panel products produced in the UK are net carbon negative and manufactured in mills that have obtained the coveted environmental ISO 14001 accreditation.  Responsibly sourced, the panels are FSC® certified (C012533) and created from locally grown timber, cutting embodied carbon from transportation.

 

For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit https://uk.westfraser.com/

 

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TORMAX Delivers Access Solutions to Prestigious Commercial Facility

 

As part of a major expansion, TORMAX was invited to return to the headquarters of De Soutter Medical Ltd – a decade after installing an automatic curved-sliding door to the main entrance – to enhance the facility with four additional automatic door systems.

 

A newly created main entrance features an impressive semi-circular, curved sliding door, like the initial installation. Two bi-parting sliding doors systems provide side-access to the building. In the warehouse, a double set of curved sliding doors work in tandem to create a D-shaped lobby, where small deliveries can be quickly and easily processed.

 

All entrances are powered by TORMAX iMotion 2202.A door drives. Uniquely engineered with a motor that features none of the working parts that generally wear out, such as gears or brushes, the iMotion 2202.A delivers exceptional reliability and longevity.

 

De Soutter Medical specialises in the development, production, and global distribution of high-performance, powered orthopaedic tools, for surgical procedures. At the UK headquarters in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, the company combines premium office space with advanced manufacturing facilities, as well as substantial landscaping and outdoor features that contribute to a positive working environment.

 

TORMAX worked with sub-contractor, Apic, and the architect, to deliver functional yet aesthetically impressive automatic entrances throughout the facility.

“TORMAX doors have well-deserved reputation for durability,” said Simon Roberts, MD for TORMAX UK Ltd. “The original system installed at De Soutter Medical is still performing reliably and the new entrances will continue long into the future. With minimal ongoing maintenance demands, our door drives have been known to last more than 25 years.”

 

As well as adding a prominent architectural detail to the front of a building, curved-sliding door systems are intensely practical, providing up to 40% more pass-through space than linear sliding doors.

 

In buildings with entrance pods formed by two curved sliding doors, like in the De Soutter warehouse facility, heat loss can be greatly reduced by programming the doors so that one is always closed. This setup ensures a continuous physical barrier against outside elements, helping to maintain indoor temperature.

 

www.tormax.co.uk

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Reducing carbon in steel construction

 

With increasing pressure from central government and local authorities to minimise the carbon emissions and environmental impact of construction projects, voestalpine Metsec has introduced a reduced carbon steel option for its renowned light gauge steel construction solutions, including the pre-panellised loadbearing solution, Metframe, SFS, Purlins and its range of internal non-loadbearing stud, track and MF ceilings.

Branded Metsec Decarb, the steel is produced in new, state of the art electric arc furnaces and is a true move towards a reduced carbon future for the construction industry, containing less than half the amount of carbon dioxide per tonne for the same quality of steel.

Andy Hackett, General Manager of voestalpine Metsec’s Dry Lining Division, states,

“Together with our commitment to Net Zero Carbon operations by 2035, Metsec Decarb underlines our commitment to providing specifiers, developers and clients with a very real opportunity to reduce a project’s carbon footprint and enhance its sustainability credentials.

“Metsec Decarb is a bona fide lower embodied carbon steel. It does not rely on greenwashing, carbon offsetting, allocation of green energy or mass balance approach to achieve this, providing real peace of mind for the designer.”

voestalpine Metsec construction systems and products are backed by comprehensive verified manufacturer statements and Environmental Product Declarations, which can be included in the final project’s carbon assessments.

 

Web: www.metsec.com

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Eco Buildings Group receives order for 10,000 prefab homes

Eco Buildings Group, a UK-listed modular housing company whose factory is in Albania, says that it has received a letter of intent confirming a £190m order from the Dominican Republic for 10,000 houses.

The order follows a visit by a Dominican Republic delegation, led by housing minister Carlos Bonilla Sanchez, to Eco Buildings’ manufacturing facility in Albania.

“With products that are up to 50% cheaper, two-thirds lighter, and five times faster to build than conventional homes, our technology is uniquely positioned to address the Dominican Republic’s pressing social housing needs,” the manufacturer said.

Eco Buildings’ glass fibre-reinforced gypsum (GFRG) panels have already been certified in Chile and approved for use across multiple Latin American markets.

Following the visit and subsequent negotiations a letter of intent has been signed with Gramma Constructora SRL, a large private construction company in the Dominican Republic. This agreement outlines the purchase of 10,000 modular homes over the next five years, subject to regulatory approvals.

A sample wall is already on its way to the Dominican Republic for evaluation and testing. Gramma Constructora SRL has committed to acquiring an initial tranche of 2,000 units a year on receiving the necessary government certifications. There are also talks about setting up a manufacturing facility in the Dominican Republic.

Eco Buildings chief executive Sanjay Bowry said:  “We are very pleased with the progress achieved during the Dominican Republic delegation’s visit to our Albanian factory. Their enthusiasm and recognition of our technology’s value reaffirms Eco Buildings’ ability to meet critical housing challenges globally. The successful alignment of our vision with their housing strategy marks the beginning of what we hope will be a long-term, impactful partnership.”

“We look forward to formalising agreements in the near future and contributing to the Dominican Republic’s social housing initiatives, helping to deliver thousands of homes that are not only affordable but also sustainable and high-quality.”

Source: The Construction Index

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€5m funding to Construct Innovate for housing research

Ireland’s Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, in cooperation with the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, has secured and awarded €5m to Construct Innovate’s research to support affordable, better quality, safer and more sustainable housing Construct Innovate is Ireland’s national research centre for construction technology and innovation.

Construct Innovate is part of Enterprise Ireland’s industry-led Technology Centre programme, which aims to provide independent and evidence-based research through collaboration between industry members and research performing organisations.

Construct Innovate strives to support and run research initiatives to meet the demands of Ireland’s major building and investment programmes, such as Project Ireland 2040, National Development Plan 2021-2030, Housing for All and the Climate Action Plan 2023.

Professor Jamie Goggins, Construct Innovate director, said: “These collaborative research projects with Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage will address near and long-term challenges for the housing sector, including the current shortage of housing, quality issues with some of the existing housing stock, ensuring our homes are accessible for our ageing population allowing them to live in their homes for longer and the impact of climate change on our homes.

“They are being led by excellent principal investigators in Construct Innovate partner institutions of University of Galway, University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin and Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), utilising world-class research facilities and expertise available in our third level institutions in Ireland.

“The projects will be delivered in close collaboration with Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage and other key stakeholders in the construction and built environment sector.”

The funding of €5M will be used to deliver six Construct Innovate projects.

Standardised designs for MMC

The first project, awarded over €3.5m, focuses on the creation of standardised design details for MMC builds to develop Building Regulation- compliant standardised details for wall, floor and roof build-ups.

Author of the project proposal, associate professor Daniel McCrum from University College Dublin, explains: “This project aims at supporting continuity of MMC from design through to construction as MMC system builds are becoming increasingly prevalent in the built environment.”

Durability of dense aggregate concrete masonry

The second largest sum of funding (over €800,000) was secured by Professor Alan O’Connor, in Trinity College Dublin, for the project on assessing the durability of dense aggregate concrete masonry units in Irish structures.

The project promises to yield a multifaceted impact with far-reaching implications on Ireland’s economy, environment, society, technology and policy landscape.

Ageing population and universal access

The third project, led by Tom Grey of Trinity College Dublin, is the Ageing Population and Universal Access assessment.

This project aims to help with problem of many persons with disabilities and older people, who live in unsuitable housing that does not support a good quality of life, and personal, work or health circumstances that have changed for many other people who end of living in homes that are difficult and expensive to extend or adapt to their changing needs.

Reuse of existing buildings

Marion Jammet, head of policy and advocacy at the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), will be in charge of the Report into the Reuse of Existing Buildings project.

As part of this project, IGBC and UCD (the project partners) will review existing Building Regulations and Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs), including TGDs B, D, E, F, G, K, L and M, as well as their impact on building reuse in Ireland.

The objective of this work is to assess the perceived and actual Building Regulation impediments to reuse of existing buildings and develop mitigation recommendations. These will be evidence base, and the project will be completed within 10 months.

Effectiveness of Technical Document J

Another funding awarded project – An Investigation of the Effectiveness of Technical Guidance Document J (TGD J) provisions Regarding Flue Outlet Locations for Solid Fuel Burning Appliances at Preventing Smoke Particles Entering the Dwelling or Neighbouring Dwellings is led by Professor John Gallagher of Trinity College Dublin.

Housing For All objective 25.6. Review of the Building Regulations is the driving force behind the national priority for this project.

Future impact of defective concrete blocks

The last, but not the least project, Review of Existing Data on Defective Blocks Found in the Irish Housing Stock to Determine the Suitability of Predictive Deterioration Models and In-situ Monitoring Systems to Estimate the Lifespan of the Challenge’, led Dr Myra Lydon from the University of Galway, aims to identify the scale of the future impact of defective concrete blocks on the Irish housing stock.

The existing financial support scheme will be analysed to identify socio-economic barriers in accessing remedial options.

Source: Planning, BIM & Construction Today

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MMC could help solve labour shortage problem

Modern methods of construction have the potential to assist in solving labour shortages.

However, the adoption of modern methods of construction would have to “expand considerably” to have an impact on labour shortages in the industry, according to Skills England.

In the first report published by the new arms-length body, interim chair Richar Pennycook described how the UK’s businesses and public services have been “laggards in productivity over the past 30 years”.

In its section on the construction industry, the report said the government’s plans for housebuilding and investment in the energy and water sectors would “require an expansion of the UK’s construction workforce”.

The industry, it said, “will simultaneously need new workers and to upskill existing workers to improve competence, safety and productivity”.

“The use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) has the potential to reduce construction’s reliance on skilled labour pools and drive productivity in the sector,” it added, citing a 430-home scheme in Birmingham where its use improved efficiency by 50%.

“However, due to its currently limited use in the sector, MMC adoption will need to be expanded considerably to bring a notable impact on our current skilled workforce requirements,” the report said.

The report identified a range of reasons why UK construction had struggled to invest in productivity enhancements over the years.

“Construction typically has highly cyclical and unpredictable profit margins and therefore struggles to invest in skills and innovation,” it said.

“High rates of subcontracting and self-employment also disincentivise employer investment in training for on-site workers.”

The Construction Industry Training Board forecast that the construction sector will need 252,000 extra workers over the period 2024-28 to meet UK construction output.

Source: Building Design

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Reds10 begins work on new Wiltshire barracks

Modular building specialist Reds10 has started construction on new army accommodation blocks in Upavon, Wiltshire.

Four new single living accommodation (SLA) blocks are being delivered by Reds10 for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), providing 200 bed spaces at Trenchard Lines in Upavon.

It is part of the Army’s SLA programme, which is investing £1.4bn over 10 years to support the modernisation of the Army estate and provide 8,500 new bedspaces.

In the first phase of the Upavon project, five old accommodation blocks will be demolished and replaced by 200 en-suite bedsits in four separate buildings. The new SLA blocks include kitchens and communal space.

Concurrently an older building onsite will be refurbished to provide 21 ensuite bedrooms, improving on the previous interior layout of 19 bedrooms with shared wash facilities.

A minimum of 85% of the new accommodation will be manufactured in Reds10’s factory in Driffield, east Yorkshire, before being transported to Upavon for assembly on site.

The SLA blocks will have solar panels, individual thermostats and a building energy management system to support efficiencies in running and maintenance. An all-electric design comprising air source heat pumps, heat recovery ventilation and infra-red panels will also contribute to low energy consumption.

In addition to the SLA blocks, construction on a new Officers’ Mess at Upavon will begin in 2025 to provide a further 69 bedspaces. All the buildings will be handed over in phases, with the entire project due to complete in autumn 2026.

Reds10 chief executive Matt Bennion said: “Building on our other successful projects at Imjin Barracks and RMA Sandhurst, these state-of-the-art buildings will deliver sustainable, high-quality and cost-effective new accommodation for our armed forces personnel, demonstrating the benefits of MMC for both occupants and the defence estate.”

Warren Webster, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s major programmes and projects (Army) director, added: “A momentous occasion for Trenchard Lines. Major infrastructure upgrade is overdue on this historically important site, so we are delighted to have reached this point.

“The Army’s programme of single living accommodation upgrade was initiated in 2021 and Trenchard is the ninth project to start construction. A fantastic collaboration with our Army colleagues to achieve real progress for the benefit of our service personnel.”

Source: The Construction Index

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Traditional builders make up majority on £800m MMC framework

Twenty traditional construction firms have signed up to an £800m modern methods of construction (MMC) framework aimed at delivering social housing.

The Integrated Traditional Build and MMC Framework was set up in response to feedback from social housing providers that wanted “trusted local building firms to lead MMC projects and deliver traditional construction elements”.

The framework was launched by Building Better and Procurement for Housing (PfH); it aims to boost the use of MMC in social housing across England and Wales.

Building Better is a National Housing Federation-backed alliance of housing associations and councils.

Along with the 20 traditional house builders, two MMC firms have signed up to the four-year framework.

It will help social housing providers to “procure principal contractor services for a range of MMC projects, including low and medium-rise housing, apartments and extra-care homes”, Building Better and PfH said.

Tony Woods, technical manager – construction and sustainability at PfH, said: “Over recent years, we’ve seen MMC companies focusing more on manufacturing their systems rather than providing a turnkey service.

“It makes sense to bring in traditional builders with a strong reputation in a local area to manage these MMC projects and deliver any traditional build elements, too.”

Among the traditional builders are CG Fry & Son, Feltham Construction and Wates Residential.

The two MMC firms are Agile Property and Homes, and Enevate Homes.

“This framework provides councils and housing associations with a compliant route to procuring principal contractor services for MMC sites,” Mr Woods added.

Jamie Watkins, operations manager at Elkins Construction, said: “Over the last few years, we have seen increased requirements from our clients for net-zero homes and this has meant the need to use more innovation in our construction practices.”

Mr Watkins added that MMC or hybrid construction could help reduce time spent on site, as well as improve quality and reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

Lewis Tolputt, business development manager at Classic Builders, said: “As a traditional contractor founded over 20 years ago, we are continually looking at ways we can innovate and offer our customers increased choice. The use of MMC products is just one of the ways we’re able to stay ahead of our competition.”

The use of MMC has seen mixed progress so far. Panellised systems, known as Category 2 MMC, are seeing some take-up, but fully modular houses built in a factory – Category 1 MMC – have struggled to take hold in the UK, despite being used successfully in other countries.

In January, a House of Lords inquiry concluded that the government’s approach to MMC was in “disarray”.

Modular house builder TopHat faced a winding-up petition. It announced earlier this year it was planning to make around 70 staff redundant and was pausing opening its 650,000 sqft new factory in Northamptonshire.

Yet this week, an initiative aimed at delivering MMC homes with zero energy bills was launched by Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram.

Source: Inside Housing

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House of Lords debates modern methods of construction in UK housing

The House of Lords Library has published a report on modern methods of construction (MMC) in the housing industry.

MMC includes building techniques designed to be more efficient than traditional methods.

The House of Lords Built Environment Committee has criticised the Conservative government’s approach to MMC.

The committee’s inquiry found that public investment in MMC had not been supported by a coherent plan or measurable objectives.

The Labour government has pledged to publish a long-term housing strategy in the coming months, which is expected to address these concerns.

Several parliamentary committees have investigated MMC over recent years.

In 2018, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee noted the benefits of offsite manufacturing (OSM) in construction.

The 2019 House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee raised concerns about the durability of MMC homes in the UK and urged the government to develop a coordinated strategy for MMC.

In 2022, the House of Lords Built Environment Committee highlighted the need for the government to reassure consumers about the quality and safety of MMC homes.

The committee emphasised the importance of official figures reflecting construction-related factory jobs.

Following the 2024 general election, the new Labour government has committed to building 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament.

Angela Rayner, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has stated that the government will restore housing targets to deliver around 370,000 new homes a year.

The Labour government will also publish a new long-term housing strategy in the coming months.

This strategy will include steps to ensure the construction of more high-quality, well-designed, and sustainable homes across the UK.

The House of Lords Built Environment Committee has identified barriers to the wider adoption of MMC, including risk aversion from insurance providers and challenges related to building regulations.

The committee found that the government had made limited efforts to address these issues.

In its 2023 inquiry, the committee recommended that the government take steps to acquire a better understanding of the construction industry, set achievable goals, and develop a coherent strategy to support MMC.

Lord Moylan, the committee’s chair, criticised the government’s approach, stating: “Simply throwing money at the sector hasn’t worked.”

The House of Lords has been considering modern methods of construction (MMC) as a means of increasing housing supply in the UK.

The Built Environment Committee has expressed concerns over the government’s lack of a coherent strategy, despite significant public investment.

Several parliamentary reports have recommended improving government support for MMC and reassuring consumers about its quality and safety.

The Labour government has pledged to introduce a long-term housing strategy, which will aim to build more sustainable and well-designed homes.

The committee continues to call for clearer government objectives and support for the MMC sector.

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Metsec underlines commitment to accurate product information

voestalpine Metsec has become one of the earliest adopters of the Code for Construction Products Information (CCPI), introduced by the Construction Products Association in response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, set up following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

CCPI assessments are undertaken by Assessors from Construction Products Information Ltd. and are carried out on a manufacturer’s specific products and systems, not the company as a whole. As such, an organisation or brand cannot, in itself, gain assessment or make any claims of conformance beyond a specific product set.

To date, voestalpine Metsec has successfully achieved assessment for four of its key construction systems; SFS light gauge galvanized steel structural framing systems and Metframe pre-panelised framing system from its Framing Division, dry lining metal framed components for gypsum plasterboard systems from its Dry Lining Division and roof, side rail and mezzanine floor systems from its Purlins Division.

Alan Harris, Quality and BIM Compliance Director at voestalpine Metsec, states: “Continuous investment in independent performance testing and quality assurance is what keeps our construction solutions at the forefront of the industry.

“Ensuring that the data and information derived from these tests is conveyed in a clear, unambiguous fashion is key to providing specifiers, installers and users with more confidence in the systems’ capabilities and suitability for their projects. Successful assessment to the CCPI confirms we are doing things right and underlines our commitment to the industry’s needs.”

CCPI aims to address the stipulation from Dame Hackitt’s review that construction product information needs to be communicated in a clear and accurate way. Its aim is to help organisations drive for higher standards in the presentation of construction product information, with a priority on building safety.

voestalpine Metsec has set up a rigorous information review process to ensure that messaging from all divisions is based on accurate, verifiable data and that this information is presented in a clear and accessible manner, which can be easily found and assimilated by its intended target audience.

https://www.metsec.com/

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