M1 MMC Sept '16 cc

MMC
MODERN METHODS
OF CONSTRUCTION
Sep/Oct 2016
issue M1
SHAPING SMART SPACES
State-of-the-art modular and offsite construction - see page 22
Shackerley meets
conservation requirements
A prestigious office block in the heart of
Birmingham’s business district has
been extensively refurbished.
It’s not what you build,
it’s how you build it
By Graham Cleland, general manager,
NG Bailey’s Offsite Manufacture division.
Offsite construction –
innovation in practice
The Construction 2025 ambition focuses
on buildings that create less emissions,
can be delivered quickly and cost less.
page
10
page
34
page
44

We’ll be at Offsite Construction Exhibition
12 th & 13
th October 2016 – Stand E41
There’ s a lot more behind
Metframe than meets the eye
Pre-panelised offsite construction
www.metsec.com/steel-framing/metframe
Offering a wealth of opportunity to developers
and co ontractors, Metframe embodies the
latest l egislative requirements, modern
standar rds and technical support demanded
from a pre-panellised structural system.
It is not only BIM part II compliant, it also has
European
Technical Assessment (ETA) status
and carri es CE Marking.
ETA
European Technical
Assessment status as standard
PEACE OF MIND
Project reassurance
from start to finish
BIM
Full suite of BIM
details available
FAST
Efficiencies
through offsite
construction
ZERO WA ASTE
Reduced
environmental
impact
CE MARKING
Can be manufactured
up to Execution Class 4
QUALITY &
ACCURACY
Material, time and
cost savings
HIGH H PERFORMANCE
Both
thermal and acoustic
perfo ormance and fire protection
voestalpine Metsec plc
www.metsec.com

MMC
Sep/Oct 2016
issue M1
Here at MMC it’s been an exciting
time – a change of ownership sees
the title move from Waverley
Communications to BuildInsite
Ltd, headed up by Kevin
Edgeworth and long-time MMC
publication manager Paul
Barstow. Published quarterly, we’ll
be covering all aspects of MMC
and off-site construction, and
introducing new features that will
include our readers in our content.
Why not get in touch and tell us
what you’re working on?
And it’s a great time for a redesign
and re-launch, with UK
Construction Week just around the
corner. The nine shows that make
up this event will attract between
them virtually everyone who works
in the construction industry and its
supporting sectors.
And we’ve a packed issue to kick
off our new look! Buildoffsite.com
is a membership organisation that
acts as the voice of the UK offsite
construction industry, and they
offer an overview of their activities
on behalf of the sector.
We look at the use of timber,
where CLT flexes its muscles in a
multi-storey project, and the oakframing
of a single residence; truly
showing the versatility of this
amazing – and sustainable -
material.
MMC’s off-site construction and
on-site speed of assembly is ideal
in the education sector. The
McAvoy Group show us around a
school project in Salisbury, a great
example of off-site construction
working with on-site rapid-build.
Why don’t you tell us about your
projects, we’d love to hear from
you.
Regards,
09
14
24
28
44
Front cover advert
Right to buy abolishment & Offsite are key to affordable
housing targets!
Right to buy, which allows tenants in social housing to buy their homes, ended
on the 1st of August 2016. The Scottish Government documented that by ending
the Right to Buy up to 15,500 social homes are protected from sale over the next
ten years, safeguarding this stock for future generations.
Off-site solution makes the grade
Sixth form pupils in Salisbury now have a brand new building to continue their
learning, offering free further education for 400 pupils aged 16 to 19, in a great
example of off-site construction working with on-site rapid-build.
Student Accommodation that gives Investors a Win-Win
Solution
The removal of the cap on student numbers in UK universities has seen a 3%
rise in university enrolment across the country. This has meant a shortage of
accommodation with some students having to share bunk bed rooms in halls.
Whilst others have been given reduced rate hotels with two weeks to find
alternative accommodation.
Offsite Construction Show now Bigger
The Offsite Construction Show, 12th – 13th October at Excel, London, has sold
out once again despite making more stands available.
Wernick Buildings Provide Low Carbon Building for High
Carbon Experiment
In 2014 the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) secured funding to
undertake an experiment concerning one of the big issues of our time: climate
change. The FACE (Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment)experiment, which
aims to measure the effects of increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere on
mature woodlands.
SHAPING SMART SPACES
Juliet.
Features Editor:
Juliet Davies
Advertising:
Paul Barstow
paul@buildinsite.co.uk
Press Releases:
press@buildinsite.co.uk
Production: Di Smith
di@buildinsite.co.uk
Design: Ellie Rich
design@buildinsite.co.uk
Circulation:
circulation@buildinsite.co.uk
Enquiries 0121 661 9484
State-of-the-art modular and offsite construction
By July 2016, all construction companies tendering for
government projects must be Building Information Modelling
(BIM) compliant. Jim Gowan, design manager at Actavo |
Building Solutions, explains what BIM is and how offsite
construction is leading the way.
For more information see page 22
Specifiers can subscribe free of charge to this magazine, please visit
www.buildingspecifier.com/subscriptions
Publisher’s Statement.
Printed in England. All rights reserved. No part of MMC may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form
without prior permission of the publisher. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of editorial content, the editor and publishers
do not accept responsibility for errors or loss and damage caused by any statements,
claims or observations made by contributors, authors and their agents.
Waverley Communications Limited. Reg. No. 4805329
MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 M1 3

MMC
Latest News
Skills, not Brexit, the main threat to construction industry
Worsening skills shortages are the main threat to the UK construction industry, according to leading recruitment company for the construction
industry.
Paul Payne, managing director of One Way, comments “the construction industry has benefitted from being part of the EU as it has given the sector
access to a lot of workers who have moved over and filled lower skilled roles, however we’ve never seen any great influx of skilled professionals who
can work as design managers or quantity surveyors, for example.
“These people are needed across the entire industry and currently there are far too few of them. The only solution is to focus on targeting more
apprentices and youngsters at school level as well as widening the scope of people who are potentially interested in working in the industry.
“Ultimately, something needs to happen quickly as we’re rapidly approaching a breaking point where productivity will be affected.”
A country running on renewables
Costa Rica is setting the precedent for other nations looking to utilise green energy and reduce their carbon footprint.
The small Central American nation has generated 100% of its electricity from renewable sources for over 121 days, and the run isn’t over yet. The
country, which draws clean energy from a variety of renewable sources, still has its sights on a full year without fossil fuels.
Green ambitions
According to the government they are aiming to be entirely free from fossil fuels by 2021. However, it is anticipated that this impressive target
could indeed be met much sooner than originally expected.
In comparison, some countries could be perceived as simply not doing enough to tackle climate change and improve our energy habits. Costa
Rica achieving 99% renewable energy usage this year sends a stark message to the rest of the world of what is possible when a country unites to
make a concerted effort to fight global warming using sustainable energy sources and technologies already at our disposal.
Stewart Milne Timber Systems completes
£3.6m school
Stewart Milne Timber Systems has provided the timber solutions
for a £3.6m school development in Swindon alongside architect
Cullinan Studio.
Holy Cross primary school is a two-form, single-storey school
which was manufactured offsite, taking only three weeks to erect
and 43 weeks to complete thanks to the fast build time afforded by
offsite construction and timber systems.
The main design principle, like many modern education buildings
today, was an open-plan look to enhance creativity and
collaboration between pupils and teachers. Priority was also placed
on ensuring the building increased circulation and flow around the
school.
The project remained cost efficient with the use of offsite
construction, cutting material and labour costs overall. The
building was weathertight in just three weeks, meaning follow-on
trades had access more quickly in comparison to a traditional build
programme.
How timber frame can help meet housing
demand
The Department for Communities and Local Government figures released
this month indicating that the number of households in England is
projected to increase at an average of 210,000 a year between 2014 and
2039 are the latest indicator of the need to both attract more skilled
tradespeople into the construction industry and focus on building homes
which are quicker to construct.
Encouraging more people to consider careers in housebuilding is of
course key to helping us address this shortfall. But in tandem with this
we need to seriously concentrate on upping the number of quicker to
build – yet still good quality – homes.
Timber frame homes have a typically far shorter construction period than
their brick and block equivalents. Creating the panels and associated
services offsite is far quicker, while the on site component requires
around 20% fewer labour days than a traditional build.
The Structural Timber Association expects the timber frame market in
the UK to account for 27% of new housing by 2017.
Government gives final confirmation on Hinkley Point C
Following a comprehensive review of the Hinkley Point C project, and a revised agreement with EDF, the Government has decided to proceed with
the first new nuclear power station for a generation.
The agreement in principle with EDF means that the Government will be able to prevent the sale of EDF’s controlling stake prior to the
completion of construction, without the prior notification and agreement of ministers. This agreement will be confirmed in an exchange of letters
between the Government and EDF. Existing legal powers, and the new legal framework, will mean that the Government is able to intervene in the
sale of EDF’s stake once Hinkley is operational.
This news will undoubtedly come as a shock to the many people in support of the Stop Hinkley campaign. A recent public opinion poll
commissioned by Greenpeace which showed that support amongst the general public for Hinkley Point C has fallen to a new low of only 25%,
whilst nearly half (44%) oppose it.
4 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI

Bringing stress to work can be fatal
British Safety Council launches a film the British Safety Council aim to highlight how stress endangers lives.
Matthew Holder, Head of Campaigns and Engagement at the British Safety Council, commented: “It is well documented that stress is a
significant cause of sickness absence, undermining both productivity and profitability. What is less discussed is how stress can endanger lives.”
There is a lot of statistical evidence demonstrating the consequences of stress at work:
• In 2014/15, 440,000 people in the UK reported work-related stress at a level they believed was making them ill. That's 40% of all
work-related illness (source: HSE).
• Stress is believed to be a major cause of accidents in the workplace, with evidence showing that 60-80% of accidents are related to
workplace stress.
• A survey of 2,500 doctors found that job stress was a major predictor of work-related accidents. Fatigue, in particular, is associated
with a threefold increased risk of sharps injuries in medical trainees compared with other healthcare workers.
87% of UK builders missing out on business
due to poor online presence
Yell, one of the biggest providers of digital marketing in the UK, has
discovered an overwhelming majority of builders (87%) it researched
have wrong or inconsistent information online, including basic details
such as a phone number or email.
Feedback shows 89% of customers say they will try another company if
the details listed online for a particular business are incorrect.
Yell conducted research into how the 50,630 builders in its UK database
appear online, also asking customers nationwide about their online
habits and expectations.
“If a company’s information online is wrong, it’s arguably worse than not
being online at all,” said Mark Clisby, Yell’s Marketing Director. “Not
only is the company effectively invisible to customers, it can also seem
careless or even untrustworthy. This often happens because companies
don’t always know all the listings sites where they appear, or when they
move they forget to update their information. It’s easily done, but can be
incredibly damaging for business.”
Industry risks running out of timber if we
don’t become more sustainable
A new report commissioned by WWF finds that UK businesses must
invest in sustainable forest management if they are to guarantee
access to timber that their businesses rely on in the near future.
Leading countries that supply timber to the UK are either at the
point of expiry or running at a deficit as forest resources are used
without adequate provision for sustainable timber supply.
As the international market for timber will change in its dynamics
in the next decades, without urgent action UK businesses who have
failed to adequately plan for continuity of their timber resource
could be left exposed with fewer commercial options.
The implications are far reaching with WWF’s Living Forests report
series concluding that global demand for timber is expected to
triple by 2050.
Julia Young, Global Forest and Trade Network Manager for WWF-
UK said “Businesses need to review how their timber is sourced if
they want to secure supply for the future, and keep timber prices
stable.”
Offsite construction can attract the next generation of construction professionals
Ministers have recently announced that they want the construction industry to focus efforts on attracting, developing and retaining home
grown talent into the industry and remove barriers currently preventing more young people from entering the sector.
This involves looking at how companies recruit and train, but also at how adopting modern technologies and methods could help to keep our
sector interesting, up-to-date and attractive to the next generation of budding construction professionals.
The prime benefit of modular building and offsite construction is that it provides specifiers with programme certainty and quality through
simplification of site operations and reduced weather dependencies due to the controlled factory-based assembly process. The ancillary
benefit of this is that buildings delivered through offsite construction offer enhanced specification standards and build-quality which reduces
occupancy costs related to energy use, defects and repairs.
If we are to harness the true potential of the recent uptake in modular, we need to focus heavily on training an existing workforce whilst also
attracting new talent into our midst.
Many schools are “dangerous, dilapidated, poorly built and wasteful”, says RIBA
RIBA have highlighted the urgent need for school refurbishment in a report into the state of school buildings, entitled ‘Better Spaces for Learning.’
The report revealed:
• 1 in 5 teachers have considered quitting because of the wretched condition of the school buildings they have to teach in
• The Government’s Education Funding Agency’s new school building programme is too rigid and is leading to waste and poor value for tax
payers
• Over 90% of teachers believe well-built and designed schools improve educational outcomes and pupil behaviour
• Over-engineered schools, with Government-specified equipment that only costly consultants know how to operate, is costing £150 million
per year which could have been avoided if schools were designed better
RIBA’s Better Spaces for Learning report makes the case for an urgent review of the Government’s Education Funding Agency’s current school
building programme. It emphasises the importance of well-designed school buildings on young people’s wellbeing, behaviour engagement and
crucially, attainment.
MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 M1 5

MMC
Product News
Kingspan TEK offers outstanding
returns
A new study from Sweett Group
has demonstrated that by
specifying the Kingspan TEK
Cladding Panel over traditional
steel frame wall systems, it is
possible to reduce wall
thicknesses and increase
usable space within
commercial properties. The
report shows that this can lead
to a Return on Investment (ROI) of over 1000% on the cost of the
panels.
The ‘Real Value of Space’ research was commissioned by Kingspan
Insulation. The summary and full report are available to download
for free at www.kingspantek.co.uk/realvalueofspace
Sweett Group’s research considers two external wall scenarios and
compares a Kingspan TEK Cladding Panel (a high performance SIP)
construction with two metal stud wall constructions insulated with
mineral fibre and rock mineral fibre. The resulting figures revealed
that, when specifying the Kingspan TEK Cladding Panel, 88% of the
buildings had a positive ROI; 31% of the database buildings had
between 300% and 1000% positive ROI, with 9% in excess of 1000%
ROI. .
www.kingspantek.co.uk
Vortice embraces BIM
Building
Information
Modelling (BIM) is
becoming more
widely used as
architects and
specifiers see the
benefit in time
saving and
accuracy that it can
offer for their plans
and modelling.
Vortice products
are now listed on the BIM Object database, and drawings and
specifications are free to download.
“Embracing technology is vital as part of the service we offer our
customers,” explained General Manager Kevin Hippey. “Our technical
team has used CAD for planning purposes for a long time and we want to
make it as easy as possible for potential customers to specify our
products for their projects; BIM therefore is the obvious evolution for
this.”
The big benefit of BIM is that all those interacting with a building can
optimise their actions, with entire teams working to the same standards
to produce the best possible project outcomes. BIM brings together all
the components for a building, so different aspects of the design can be
integrated more effectively.
www.vortice.ltd.uk
Challenging building project hits the
screens
Portakabin, the UK’s
leading supplier of
modular buildings,
has produced a short
film about how a
highly complex
4,200m2 ward and
theatre building was
constructed at Royal
Stoke University
Hospital in less than
four months to help
meet the increasing demand for orthopaedic services.
The video is a fly-through the £13.5m building showing the clean air
theatres for all orthopaedic procedures, recovery room, ward bays and
single en-suite rooms. It features interviews with a director of University
of North Midlands NHS Trust and one of the ward managers, providing a
clinical perspective of the new building.
Modular construction is a fast and flexible way for healthcare providers
to expand or relocate services, particularly on constrained sites. The
hiring of buildings also allows projects to be funded cost effectively from
revenue rather than capital budget streams, giving NHS trusts much
greater flexibility to meet changing local needs.
www.portanews.co.uk
Plaswood Group launches earth brown
to lumber range
BPI Recycled Products
- Plaswood Group has
launched a new brown
blend of its ecofriendly
Plaswood
lumber and extended
the range of sizes and
shapes of all
Plaswood.
Plaswood high
performance lumber is made from 100% recycled plastic and offers
a no maintenance solution: unlike conventional wooden decking or
lumber (aka timber), Plaswood doesn’t require annual maintenance,
staining or painting.
Mike Baxter, BPI Recycled Products Director responsible for the
Plaswood Group said: “We have manufactured Plaswood for over 30
years and our customers have seen the benefits of our durable,
weatherproof products.”
“Plaswood offers customers great value for money over a long
period of time. It is just a case of fit and forget. Once it is installed,
you don’t have to worry about degradation, painting or preserving
the material. It is made from tough, strong, and technically superior
waste agricultural plastics and offers exceptional performance
properties.”
www.plaswoodgroup.com
6 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI

The Outstanding Joist System
The Posi-Joist open web floor system makes a difficult
job simple.
With Posi-Joist you can install all your ventilation and heat
recovery systems with ease and deliver the right amount of
ventilatio on to the right rooms in the right location.
The ad dvantages are simple:
• Open web design pr ovides easy access for the design
and installation of services
• Improv
ved quality of service fitting, eliminating costly
remed dial work
• Greate
er clear spans for design flexibility
• Clear profit from savings in labour, time, materials
and ca all-backs
• For the
largest network of licensed manufacturers
throug ghout the UK and Ireland visit:
www.mitek.co
itek.co.uk/Manufacturers/Posi-Joists/Posi-Joist-Manufacturers/
k/M t /P i i t /P i J i t M f t /
CPD Now
available for Posi-Joist
Contact MiTek today or visit
www.posi-joist.co.ufor
full deta ails and an on-line presentation.
MiTek House, Grazebrook Industrial Park
Peartree Lane, Dudley, DY2 0XW, UK
Telephone: 01384 451400
www.mitek.co.uk.co.uk

MMC
Product News
Striking design realised with
Kingspan TEK
The Kingspan TEK Building System
has helped to alleviate the
pressure on an iconic build in
Lewes, East Sussex, as featured on
Channel 4’s Grand Designs.
The plot on which to build the
home, dubbed ‘The Gateway to
Lewes,’ was a mere 11m wide. In
order to realise this adventurous
aesthetic on such a narrow plot,
the Kingspan TEK Building System
was specified by Peter Carter,
Director of Myriad Construction.
The System comprises of SIPs,
which can be pre-cut to each project’s specification.
Both the Kingspan TEK Cladding Panel and Kingspan TEK Building
System panels are now available in a 172mm thickness, delivering
U-values of 0.16 W/m2.K or better, without the need for additional
insulation. The manufacturing facility where the panels are
produced carries both FSC® (FSC®-C109304) and PEFC Chain of
Custody certification. As standard, the OSB/3 facing of Kingspan
TEK panels is PEFC certified at 70%.
www.kingspantek.co.uk
Zehnder’s MVHR achieves Passivhaus
certification
Zehnder Group UK has
announced that its new ComfoAir
Q range of MVHR units – the most
efficient heat recovery system on
the market - has been awarded
Passivhaus certification. This new
generation of heat recovery units
offers outstanding energy and
noise performance as well as
smart technology that helps
improve the installation process
and accuracy on-site, and a
convenient app gives customers
the right operating solution
whatever their needs.
The range provides up to 96% heat recovery efficiency, making it the
most energy-efficient unit on the market, and are also currently the
quietest units on the market.
Completely sealed and maximised, the high-quality filters ensure
healthy, dust-free air and protect against excessive humidity, thus
improving indoor air quality. Maintenance is simple; systems can be
monitored easily via remoted access on the Zehnder web portal. In
addition, the units have easy access for cleaning. ComfoAir Q range is
available in three sizes; 350, 450 and 600 m³/h.
www.zehnder.co.uk
Fibre cement slates help transform
historic street
The team working
on the £30+
million
transformation of
Far Gosford Street
in Coventry has
specified Marley
Eternit’s fibre
cement slates to
create continuity
between the old
and the new on
this latest phase. The Far Gosford Regeneration Initiative is a ten year
programme managed by Coventry City Council and Complex
Development Projects (CDP) to regenerate the most intact historical
street to survive the bombing and post-war reconstruction.
The contractor and architect chose Marley Eternit’s Thrutone fibre
cement slates in two different colours for use on both the roof and the
facade of the new offices; the intersecting forms of Stone Green and
Blue Black slates, which make up the facade, are obviously modern but
have reference to the traditional slate cladding of the buildings.
Thrutone is a cost effective lightweight fibre cement slate that can be
used to create striking roofs and facades. Available in eight colours and
three shapes, it offers great design flexibility.
www.marleyeternit.co.uk
Vortice launches Punto Evo Flexo
Ventilation systems manufacturer Vortice has launched the Punto
Evo Flexo, a new, extremely quiet, energy efficient axial fan. Punto
Evo Flexo is the next stage on from the popular Punto Evo bathroom
fan and features a stylish curved front grill which is very easy to
clean.
“Punto Evo Flexo combines beautiful Italian styling with practical
energy efficient extraction,” described Technical and Marketing
Manager Jennifer Quinn. “At 26.9(db)A it is extremely quiet, so it’s a
perfect choice for a domestic bathroom.”
The Punto Evo Flexo’s low power consumption makes this an ideal
selection for energy efficiency. Full BIM and specification details
can be found on the Vortice website.
www.vortice.ltd.uk
8 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI

Right to buy abolishment & Offsite are
key to affordable housing targets!
Right to buy, which allows tenants in social housing to buy their homes, ended on the 1st of August 2016. The Scottish Government
documented that by ending the Right to Buy up to 15,500 social homes are protected from sale over the next ten years,
safeguarding this stock for future generations.
The Scottish Government has also
committed to delivering an ambitious
target of 50,000, affordable homes over
the lifetime of this Parliament, including 35,000
social homes.
So how does this reshape Scotland’s Social
Housing landscape and assist in achieving new
housing targets on time and on budget? Steve
Hardy, JMD of offsite specialists Sidey tells us
that offsite construction is absolutely the way
forward in delivering cost effective, long term
thermally efficient, and quick to deliver
dwellings for residents currently on waiting lists
and for future generations.
“ The abolishment of the ‘Right to buy Scheme’
in Scotland is most definitely a step in the right
direction to reducing waiting lists for affordable
housing, however demand is still outweighing
supply. It has been well documented by the
Scottish Government and the SFHA (Scottish
Federation of Housing Associations) that
Scotland desperately needs more affordable
homes in order to solve its current housing
crisis, and although there has been a
commitment to delivering at least 50,000 new
affordable homes, backed by more than £3
billion, over the lifetime of this parliament, there
are other factors impacting on the sector’s
ability to deliver increased numbers of
affordable housing. The key issues are planning,
availability of affordable land and access to
skilled workers.
Offsite Construction is the solution
“The solution to these problems has to lie in the
growth of offsite construction. Costs are now no
more than when building through standard
construction methods, but the two huge pluses
are the delivery of better buildings by design,
and delivery on time”.
“There is a growing lobby of government
agencies, procurement organisations, and
individual housing associations all reviewing
whether they should directly invest into, or
partner with offsite manufacturing factories;
they are recognising that the housing crisis
which the country faces is being exacerbated by
a basic failure in the construction sector – an
inability to deliver on time”.
“Offsite is well and truly proven as a
construction option and it is the way forward for
the housing sector wanting to build better
quality homes; cost effectively, and most
importantly sure to be delivered on time”.
Offsite construction automatically brings a
collaborative approach to the supply chain
“One of the great benefits to a company such
as Sidey, is the opportunity for us to get
involved at the design team stage, to work
collaboratively with the architects, the
constructors, and the clients themselves; to
understand exactly what they want, and to offer
them bespoke solutions, and to ensure that our
element of the build – enhanced specification
windows and doors, air-tightness and offsite
installation solutions compliments the whole of
the construction process”.
There is capacity in the offsite market to fill the
growing demand in a controlled and health and
safety conscious way, and at the same time to
offer the social housing sector the best
products on the market to give them a long
term return on their investment and further
reduce waiting lists of thousands waiting on
affordable housing”.
Contact Sidey for more information on the
unique offsite solution for installing windows
and doors offsite - KitFix® and Scan the QR
code to watch KitFix® in action.
kitfix@sidey.co.uk 01738 572 152
www.kitfix.co.uk
MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 M1 9

Shackerley meets conservation area
requirements with contemporary
ceramic granite refurb solution
A prestigious office block in the heart of Birmingham’s civic and business district has been extensively refurbished with 800m 2 of
SureClad ® ceramic granite cladding from Shackerley, overcoming planning sensitivities in a renowned conservation area.
Specification of ceramic granite, a contemporary high performance façade material with almost zero porosity, has helped to
provide a new protective outer envelope for the building whilst maintaining its original natural travertine stone appearance.
Conservation area
43 Temple Row is a seven-storey commercial
complex located in the Colmore Business
District of Birmingham, the city’s main
commercial hub, brimming with professional
and business services and lively bars, cafés and
restaurants. A much sought-after business
address, Temple Row is also part of a
conservation area with St. Philip’s Cathedral at
its centre. Buildings like No. 43, with their
modern architectural styling, present a sharp
contrast with the 18th century Baroque church
and many other well preserved listed properties
that illustrate Birmingham's rich history and
heritage.
Weathered travertine façades
43 Temple Row was constructed in 1980 with
quarried travertine and granite façades. The
original travertine panels had weathered
significantly over time, allowing rainwater to
penetrate the façade. This ingress of water had
not only damaged the building’s concrete frame
but had also caused panel fixings to become
badly corroded.
Impervious replacement required
With the building partially stripped back to its
frame and a new concrete substrate installed,
the project now called for a cost effective
replacement façade system that would protect
the building from the elements for many years
to come. Due to their porous nature, new
quarried stone panels were ruled out. However,
because of the building’s location in one of the
most precious conservation areas in
Birmingham, known for the quality and diversity
of its architecture, the City Council’s planners
were keen to ensure that any replacement
solution precisely matched the original look of
the travertine.
Shackerley’s solution
Cladding specialist Shackerley proposed
ceramic granite, a fully vitrified engineered
construction material made entirely of natural
constituents, that can be produced in styles,
colourways and textures to emulate quarried
stones such as granite, limestone and marble.
Because of its strong, hard and impervious
characteristics, ceramic granite offers a low
maintenance solution, another important
consideration at any busy city centre location.
Virtually indistinguishable aesthetics
Drawing from its extensive collection,
Shackerley was able to offer a ceramic granite
façade panel in a ‘travertine’ style and
colourway that was virtually indistinguishable
from the original stone, and would perfectly
replicate the visual contrast with the quarried
granite that was being retained. The company’s
Queen’s Award winning SureClad ® Access
system was recommended for its speed and
flexibility of installation and the unique facility to
install façade panels non-sequentially.
SureClad ® - offsite prefabrication
Task Contractors Ltd, who installed the
replacement façades, had previously worked
with Shackerley on several projects. Ian
Blakemore, Commercial Manager commented:
‘We’ve installed SureClad ® ceramic granite
façades on buildings in various sectors of the
market, primarily on new build developments;
but as the Temple Row project demonstrates,
Shackerley’s systems are ideal for retro-fit
installations too. No matter how complex the
façade design, everything we need is supplied to
site by Shackerley, fully prefabricated, from
their ISO 9001 quality controlled factory. This is a
big benefit to us.’
‘For the Temple Row project, in addition to the
standard face panels which were supplied in the
most economical 1200x600mm format, the
cladding design incorporated intricate returns
into the existing window detail. Shackerley cut
all of these bespoke and quite complex window
profiles at their factory, and they were precisely
engineered to slot straight into the façades.
Whilst the client has gained a bespoke new
cladding system that fulfils all their needs, we
benefitted from a quick turnaround on site.
From procurement through to delivery, we’ve
found Shackerley to be an excellent partner to
work with.’
43 Temple Row is located in the heart of one of
Birmingham’s most important conservation areas
For further details please contact
Shackerley on 0800 783 0391
or visit www.shackerley.com
10 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI

The entire SureClad ® façade system was
supplied to site fully prefabricated. All
precision cutting, undercut drilling and
anchoring of fixing brackets and straps
to the ceramic granite panels was
carried out in Shackerley’s ISO 9001
quality controlled factory

Off-site gets organised
Recognised by Government as the voice of the UK offsite construction industry, Buildoffsite is a Membership organisation
unlike others.
While the Government accolade is
welcome it also imposes a significant
responsibility on the organisation to
work as hard as possible to support a
transformation in the way in which the industry
works. A transformation from an industry that
constructs on site using basic components, to
an industry that assembles on site from
factory-made systems and assemblies.
Buildoffsite has been working on this agenda for
more than 12 years with a work programme that
includes:
• making the business case for the use of offsite
solutions
• facilitating knowledge sharing between clients
and suppliers
• showcasing exemplar projects and processes
• facilitating collaboration and networking
• supporting the development of new skills
• challenging both the Membership and the
wider industry to constantly raise their game
Over that time there has been a significant
increase in the use of offsite solutions. To a
great extent this shift has been brought about by
clued-up clients who understand only too well
what to expect from traditional construction and
don’t like the offering. Clients are starting to
demand substantially faster build times, right
first time quality, a step change improvement in
environmental and health and safety practice
and an insistence that the completed
construction will have the performance in use
that has been specified.
Clients are absolutely right to be frustrated and
to challenge the industry to do much better. The
increase in client expectations has done more
than anything else to drive up standards in our
industry. Many contractors and designers now
enthusiastically embrace the intelligent use of
offsite solutions, it is a powerful sign that the
transformation is increasingly being
understood, in turn becoming well established
across much of the industry.
And there is still a role for traditional
construction. A gifted brick layer, a plasterer or
a carpenter demonstrating incredibly
competent, hard won skills can be remarkable
to observe. In some markets, in particular the
repair, maintenance and improvement market,
it is likely that these skills will be in demand for
many years to come. However, part of the
challenge is that there are just too few skilled
tradesmen around. Because of this reality and
because it is very difficult (if not impossible) to
improve the productivity of a trade much
further, it is inevitable that the use of traditional
trades on a project is always going to get in the
way of improving productivity and the adoption
of more efficient delivery processes.
Buildoffsite and our supporters still have a lot to
do to encourage people that adopting new
Richard Ogden (pictured)
is Chairman of Buildoffsite
and after more than 12
years at the helm will
stand down at the end of
the year. His role will be
taken by Andy Dix.
thinking does not mean a dumbing down of
design and construction. Indeed the reverse can
be the case.
As an industry we are on track for unparalleled
change and the increased use of offsite
solutions will be a key enabler of that change.
What is also absolutely clear is that there is no
magic bullet and bringing about permanent
change is going to require a sustained effort by
committed people drawn from all sides off the
industry. To meet some of these people come
along (for free) to the Offsite Construction Show
at ExCel on 12 and 13 October.
www.buildoffsite.com
12
MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI

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LED lighting solutions
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projects@auroralighting.com 01793 467 200
auroralighting.com

Off-site solution makes the grade
Sixth form pupils in Salisbury now have a brand new building to continue their learning, offering free further education for 400
pupils aged 16 to 19, in a great example of off-site construction working with on-site rapid-build.
The new Salisbury Sixth Form College
marks the first dedicated sixth form
college in the town - as previously no
such facility existed. Once the need was
identified, McAvoy was awarded a contract
to deliver the ambitious project within a
tight timeframe.
The scheme, which first involved the removal
of a derelict building, was completed on
schedule and within budget, and was
delivered despite the most challenging
weather conditions over the winter months.
Set on a split-level site at Tollgate Road,
Salisbury, the new construction
encompassed a four-storey build; a twostorey
offsite solution was installed on top of
a two-storey rapid build construction.
The building features Trespa cladding with
coloured PPCA aluminium panels, with the
overall build incorporating modular roof
cassettes and a VRF mechanical system.
Meeting sustainability criteria, the new
school structure used air sourced heat
pumps and zero maintenance cladding, with
its BREEAM pre-assessment being deemed
‘very good’.
Internally, it was specially designed with a
layout deemed optimal for sixth form college
teaching.
14 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI
The total gross internal floor area of the
college stretches across 3150m2, which
subdivides into four main learning zones
including STEM (science, technology
(including computing), engineering and
mathematics); humanities, arts and media;
and performing arts and sports. The
learning zones are supplemented by an
achievement and progress centre, social
spaces, staff and administration offices, and
kitchen/dining facilities.
McAvoy demolished all the existing buildings
and, in order to mitigate the extent of
earthworks required, the existing
topography was utilised, with the new build
set within the existing retaining structures.
The use of the former structures minimised
the new scheme's impact on the existing
boundary walls and surrounding trees, both
within and overhanging the site.
The building environs now boast a
complementary fusion of hard-surfaced and
soft landscaped areas, which incorporate
learning, growing and exhibition zones.
These create a series of interconnected
spaces with varying characteristics, which
can be used to enhance teaching methods
and social interaction.
Extending throughout the building is a lofty,
brightly-lit atrium space, creating drama
and providing a visual connection between
all floors.
Around this the college's key social spaces
are grouped; to the lower ground floor is an
open-plan cafe and informal study area
which is overlooked by the concourse and a
first floor balcony common room. These
create an active, focal hub at the building's
heart which is further animated by
mezzanine walkways at the upper floor
levels.
This atrium also provides borrowed natural
light to some of the accommodation located
internally and on the western elevation
where the installation of windows was
prohibited.
Prior to the build, the architects had to
assess the impact of the scheme on the
sight lines of the neighbouring St. Martin's
Church and surrounding conservation area.
Such considerations were dictated by the
Millford Hill Conservation Area Appraisal,
published by Wiltshire Council in 2013.
However, following a visual study of the
effect the new school could pose on views of
St Martin's Church from St Martin's Church
Street and a number of neighbouring listed
buildings, the new building's roofline fell far
below the church's ridgeline and would
therefore have no impact on views of the
church and other protected properties.
“Overall the finish on the building is of a very
high standard,” said Kathryn Clarkson,
Business Manager at Salisbury 6th Form
College. “Our view is that compared to the
sort of educational establishments we have
seen this is better than others, and many
others in the field have agreed it’s better
than they’ve experienced before too!
“The educational space is really good; it’s
very light and brighter and bigger than our
expectations. McAvoy had to deal with a very
challenging design due to the restrictions
placed on it by the adjacent church. We
couldn’t have windows along an entire wall
of a classroom so we were afraid it might be
dark, however, the way they designed it was
very clever and with the borrowed light from
the atrium it’s very bright.”
She added that the students were very
pleased with their new college and were
‘voting with their feet’ by happily
congregating in the social spaces due to its
light and airy feel and comfortable design.
Ms Clarkson said McAvoy had to deal with a
number of issues of bureaucracy including
the possibility of archaeological sensitive in
the environs of the school and neighbouring
church. Despite that, she said McAvoy’s
offsite manufacturing processes allowed for
the commencement of the build, regardless,
preventing any excessive delays.
FACT FILE:
Project: Salisbury Sixth
Form College, Tollgate Road,
Salisbury
Client: Salisbury 6th Form
College
Architect/Design: Blue Sky
Main Contractor: The
McAvoy Group

MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 M1 15

Timber Based Construction
The Big Squeeze
Engineered timber has gained traction as a structural solution, with the UK seeing a rapid increase in the number of offsite
manufactured hybrid timber buildings. Greg Cooper, Pre-Construction Manager, B&K Structures, tells us that with many
developers taking advantage of its numerous benefits and areas such as the London Borough of Hackney, supporting this rapid and
sustainable form of construction, the current trend is set to continue and intensify
In densely populated cities such as London,
where space is limited and land comes at a
premium, many developers are looking for
solutions to rapidly maximise their return on
investment. Tall timber is becoming part of our
vernacular and extra storeys equate to a better
return on investment. Cross laminated timber
panels and glulam beams, as robust, yet lighter
weight structural solutions, reduce overall
foundation requirements. Where loading
restrictions apply due to the underground
infrastructures, using engineered timber as the
core structural solution can permit more
storeys than when building in concrete and
steel.
Cross laminated timber is a stable solution that
has little shrinkage or movement post
construction. It has proven multi-storey
capability - at 33 metres high, the 10 storey
apartment project in Dalston Lane, Hackney, is
set to become one of the world’s tallest cross
laminated timber buildings.
In prime urban locations, where land comes at a
premium, reducing the foundations saves costs
on the ground, and by increasing the height of
16
MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI
the development mitigates the issue of high
land prices - offering a better return on
investment.
Increasing a development upwards and
downwards has become popular in big cities as
builders seek to utilise all available space.
However, due to the light weight nature of cross
laminated timber, developers are taking things
a step further and installing extra storeys or
penthouses on the top of existing buildings.
Luxury penthouse apartments are popular in
central London and are seen as a cost effective
measure because they offer more value per
square metre as panoramic views of the capital
command a premium. Penthouse additions can
also uplift the value of the individual units due to
the enhanced mix of apartments within the
scheme.
Due to restricted ground space, offloading
deliveries onto urban sites can often prove
challenging. To overcome this ‘just in time
deliveries’ are often implemented where stock
and supplies are delivered when needed as
there is no available storage space onsite.
Bridge View, Dalston Lane
(image Regal Homes)
Building onsite can often lead to increased
disruption from noise, litter and dust which can
be an annoyance for those living close to the
locality. This is a sizable problem in urban areas.
Taking the main elements of the construction
process offsite can go some way to alleviating
this issue. Increasing the speed of construction
in a densely populated environment, along with
the reduction in noise and waste that can be
achieved through the use of offsite technologies,
results in far less intrusion on the local
community than traditional construction
methods.
Cross laminated timber has many design
benefits, it lends itself to offsite construction,
offers a far quicker programme and has the
capacity to build at height. As the population in
UK cities steadily increases, engineered timber
will provide a valuable housing option for city
developers, as the big squeeze continues for the
foreseeable future .
www.bkstructures.co.uk

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Timber Based Construction
Heritage for the future
The use of timber in MMC tends to lead to thoughts of CLT etc., and multi-storey construction, but one company is marrying
traditional with contemporary thinking. Darren Hook, Director, English Heritage Buildings, explains how they are using timber to
create thoroughly modern homes with historic design.
What projects have you recently been involved
with that included timber and timber-based
construction in MMC?
All of our projects are timber-based with
English Heritage Buildings being the only
TRADA awarded Green Oak construction
company in Europe. We are currently working on
completing a five-bedroom, replica farm house
for which we have custom designed an internal
oak frame. Using Green Oak, we are able to
keep within the style of the original period
farmhouse while also ensuring that the
structure of the building is reinstated. Because
oak twists as it dries, the frame is now a
distinctive feature of the house while also being
an integral aspect of the structure of the
building.
Which types of timber construction are you
most involved with?
There is fantastic potential for flexibility when
working with all oak framed construction as
the materials can be designed to accommodate
many different features.
Most of our projects are bespoke because the
timber is workable in any design case so we
can accommodate all types of timber
construction; from reconstructed timber barns
to custom-built swimming pool enclosures. We
work directly with the customer to create plans
that will complement the existing architectural
features and materials of the property, finding
the right extension to fit your home.
What advantages do you think timber has over
other materials?
Timber is the only renewable building resource
we have. At English Heritage Building, we
ensure this remains the case with our
sustainable construction process where three
new oaks are planted for every one that is
felled.
Timber has also stood the test of time. There
are still many oak framed buildings in the UK
that date back to the 15th century, proving that
oak is an integral, long-lasting material. The
properties built with Green Oak are amazing,
not only do they harden with age, which
strengthens the building, they also have
insulation properties.
As an alternative to glass structures, oak has
the ability to maintain a constant and
comfortable temperature. This reduces the
need for heating or ventilation, hugely reducing
the building’s emissions.
Do you see the use of timber in MMC
increasing in the future?
We believe there is a growing trend with
consumers in that they are choosing to build
ecologically friendly houses without wanting to
compromise creative and bespoke designs; oak
holds all of these properties, so is a perfect
choice for the conscientious home owner.
www.ehbp.com
18
MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI

SPECIFY
JJI-JOISTS
AND WE’LL
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You can rely on JJI-Joists to succeed–whatever the challenge, because JJI-Joists are jam packed with features to make your life
easier, and the job quicker. We are the most popular I-Joist in the UK and the I-joist most specified by architects and engineers.
So, whether designing or building, choose JJI-Joists with confidence. You’ll find there’s so much more to them than meets the eye.
WEB: www.jamesjones.co.uk/ewp EMAIL: jji-joists@jamesjones.co.uk

Performance. Power. Productivity.
As a professional in in-plant manufacturing or the
construction market you want to work with the
best tools available. Senco is the brand for you.
As one of the best known brands in the world of
fastening technology Senco produces a wide range of
pneumatic, electric, gas, cordless pneumatic and
battery powered tools that matches your needs
Senco’s DuraSpin collated screw system and the
cordless Fusion tools can offer you unique
technological advantages and together with Senco
pneumatic tools you can use them in an extensive
range of construction and in-plant manufacturing
industries such as the furniture, bedding, caravans
& holiday homes, timber & steel frame buildings,
pallets, packing cases and automotive.
www.senco.eu
You can use Senco fastening tools for every application. To make a clear difference
between the performance of the tools Senco has divided them up into product lines
including the following series:
When you work in the toughest industrial environment you need a tool with extreme
quality. Senco tools in the XtremePro series are built with the highest quality and can
be used for 24/7.
If you need a professional tool for lower volume applications that still provides a high
level of performance and reliability the Senco ProSeries will provide the perfect
solution for all your fastener application needs.
When you work in the pallet or packaging industry you need tools that are reliable and
have low maintenance. Senco has designed tools specifically for this industry. The
tools are perfectly balanced and very powerful, which enables long-term use.
When you need a stapler or nailer occasionally for professional use in a home or
garden application, than a tool of the SemiPro serie is just the tool for you. Senco
quality for the low volume user.
When you have a high quality tool, you also want a high quality compressor. Senco
offers a complete range of compressors for every application. The compressors fit
especially well with Senco tools, but can be used everywhere.
Do you want a cordless nailer, but with pneumatic power? Senco nailers with Fusion
Technology use compressed air that is permanently sealed in the tool’s self-contained,
built-in cylinder to unleash a shot of pure portable pneumatic power every time you
pull the trigger.
With the Senco DuraSpin collated screw fastening systems you can screw 50% faster
than with manual screwing. The Senco DuraSpin tools are the best choice for your
demanding drywall and wood fastening applications.
No matter where – or what – your next job is, if it demands collated nails, staples or
screws that drive easily and completely, with fewer jams – and meet the construction
industry’s performance codes - demand Senco fasteners.
Senco accessories such as air hoses, plugs and couplers etc offer you the perfect
connection between tools and compressors.
MARMOX THERMOBLOCK SPECIFIED FOR LOW
ENERGY EXTENSION TO KENT SCHOOL
The construction of a new extension to the teaching facilities at Glebe School in West
Wickham, Kent, has featured the use of 140 mm wide Thermoblock units
manufactured by Marmox Limited, specified to carry the main structural envelope of
the two-storey building. The incorporation of Thermoblocks at the wall-floor junction
results in the virtual elimination of the heat loss at this cold bridge. The new building
will provide the secondary school with a number of facilities including an art-room,
additional classrooms and new washrooms. Furthermore, as is common now in the
education sector, the extension has been designed to achieve very good standards of
energy consumption through high levels of insulation.
Marmox Thermoblocks are ideally suited
to this ‘Fabric First’ approach and are
regularly used to address the problem
of perimeter heat loss at both ground and upper
floor levels in either timber frame or more
traditional masonry construction.
Romford based Lakehouse was the main
contractor for the work and the 270 Thermoblock
units – each measuring 140 x 600 x 65 mm –
were supplied through Jewson Builders
Merchant. In addition, the branch supplied tubes
of Marmox Multibond adhesive, which were used
for jointing the interlocking Thermoblocks.
Thermoblock, which has a compressive strength
of 9N/mm2 was specified for this demanding
application of footing the supporting walls.
Thermoblock then serves to greatly extend the
heat flow path for the critical floor/wall junction
throughout the life of the building.
The 600 mm long units incorporate mini columns
of high strength concrete to support the load of
the wall above, while the low lambda value
insulation effectively lengthens the path for coldbridging.
They are laid just using ordinary
bricklayer’s mortar and then by sealing the
interlocking ends together with Marmox
Multibond, they create a permanent waterproof
seal onto which the block or brick wall is then
build on.
www.marmox.co.uk
20 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI

Pasquill supplies glulam and i-joists
for first ‘multi-comfort’ building
concept project in the uk
Pasquill, part of the
Saint-Gobain Group, has
provided Glulam and
engineered timber I-
joists as part of the first
project in the UK to be
built to ‘Multi-Comfort’
standards.
The Multi-Comfort
building concept, launched in the UK at EcoBuild last year, takes
a holistic approach to the design and construction of buildings.
Together with Associated Architects and building contractor
Speller Metcalfe, the Multi-Comfort approach is being adopted on
a new £1.2m multi-purpose sports and drama hall for one of
Worcestershire’s leading independent schools.
The JJI-joists and Glulam supplied by Pasquill are being used in
the form of eight curved portal frames as the main structure of
the building, together with associated straight and cambered
beams. The engineered timber JJI-joists are forming stud walls,
and more JJI-joists are also being used in the roof. JJI-joists
used in the walls in this way have created the ideal wall depth
required for the insulation used, and all of the products will help
the building to achieve both Passivhaus and Multi-Comfort
standards.
www.pasquill.co.uk
www.saint-gobain.co.uk
MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 M1 21

BIM TOP OF THE AGENDA FOR
ACTAVO | BUILDING SOLUTIONS
Q&A with Jim Gowan, Design Manager at Actavo | Building Solutions
By July 2016, all construction companies
tendering for government projects
must be Building Information
Modelling (BIM) compliant. Jim Gowan, design
manager at Actavo | Building Solutions,
explains what BIM is and how offsite
construction is leading the way.
1. Actavo | Building Solutions specialises in
offsite construction. How does offsite build
go hand-in-hand with BIM?
BIM is absolutely the way forward because it is
driving the use of offsite construction. For the
first time, offsite construction is equal to
traditional build. Although initial costs are
comparative, the whole-life cost and
efficiencies weigh in favour of offsite – the
speed of build and reduced time onsite delivers
tangible benefits for modular over traditional
build.
At Actavo | Building Solutions, we are always
looking for ways to innovate and make working
environments safer and more sustainable.
Actavo strives to help extend a building’s
design life, exploit advances in materials and
improve sustainability and energy efficiency.
Actavo | Building Solutions works in line with
PAS1192, which is the framework upon which
BIM is built, to ensure we meet clients’
requirements, and identify all potential pitfalls
with resolutions implemented prior to
construction commencing.
BIM and offsite construction go hand-in-hand
with government aims to reduce costs through
improved resource efficiency and advanced
data management.
A tangible mechanism, BIM encourages the
consideration of offsite solutions as early as
possible in the project planning process.
Through the integration of BIM, Actavo |
Building Solutions can optimise manufacturing
and reduce installation time, whilst providing
clients with coordinated 3D designs,
22 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI
visualisations and spatial layouts.
Modular build is making the construction
industry safer, as buildings are manufactured
in a more controlled environment and build
times are considerably shorter – just four
weeks in some cases.
2. What is the impact of BIM in facilitating the
offsite process?
Offsite manufacturing and BIM both serve as
valuable solutions in terms of improving
performance of the construction industry.
Modular technologies are improving the speed
and quality of construction delivery. Using BIM
with these technologies will mean that much
larger-scale facilities can be modelled with
increased accuracy, giving the confidence that
projects will progress quickly as any potential
issues are resolved within the 3D design
environment.
3. Is Actavo | Building Solutions working on
any BIM projects at the moment?
Actavo is now working to BIM Level 2
standards, one of our most recent being a £1.9
million classroom complex to Granard Primary
School in the heart of London.
Compliant with BIM Level 2 requirements, we
designed and delivered the sustainable, twostorey
block comprising eight classrooms, an
open learning studio which acts as a breakfast
and after-school care facility, cloakrooms,
WCs, kitchen facilities and staffrooms.
Actavo began onsite works at Granard in
January 2015, with the standalone complex
handed over in August 2015, meaning the
project – from initial design to full completion –
took just 22 weeks.
4. What advantages does BIM allow your
clients?
Since implementing BIM Level 2 into Actavo |
Building Solutions, we have enhanced our
customer experience. Providing 3D
visualisations and interactive walkthroughs
allows clients to fully explore all aspects of
their building and its interface before any
fabrication or erection works commence. Using
BIM technologies provides more accurate
project pricing and allows clients to see a more
precise building timeline.
All our design chain feeds into a single
coordinated model so that when adaptations
happen, all our design team is fully aware,
providing a reactive solution and ensuring that
the design progresses on clients’ agreed paths.
By using BIM, we can also reduce the need for
regathering and reformatting information
which results in an increase in speed and
accuracy even before the building begins to
take shape onsite.
5. How is BIM implemented within Actavo |
Building Solutions?
Actavo | Building Solutions has implemented
and been working to BIM Level 2 standards
since July 2015.
We are able to provide BIM Level 2-compliant
designs, resulting in a high-quality building
that has been engineered and designed to
require minimal site works. With the majority
of work being completed in a factory-controlled
environment, the benefits of pre-construction
clash detection and design interface detailing
allow us to detect and resolve potential issues
prior to manufacture commencing.
We’re always striving to develop our BIM
practices and procedures and have our sights
set on attaining BIM Level 3 designs which
allows all parties to collaborate through one
shared project model. Level 4 is more
sophisticated, as it includes time modelling.
There is also talk of further levels such as ‘5D’,
which includes cost management and ‘6D’ for
facilities management purposes.
Actavo | Building Solutions consistently
undertakes internal training to ensure all staff
are up-to-date with the most recent
developments. We look forward to evolving our
BIM procedures and will integrate into BIM
Level 3 and 4D planning in the near future.
6. How can the offsite construction industry
benefit from BIM?
Modular construction has grown in popularity
over the past decade. The implementation of
BIM in the construction industry will help
contribute to the acceptance of offsite
manufacturing as a modern method of
construction.
Using BIM to facilitate better solutions for
building by reducing costs, optimising
schedules, generating models and improving
design will provide fundamental support for the
offsite construction industry.
www.actavo.com/buildings

The CONCRETE Times
www.offsiteconstructionshow.co.uk
10

Student Accommodation that gives
Investors a Win-Win Solution
The removal of the cap on student numbers in UK universities has seen a 3% rise in university enrolment across the country. This
has meant a shortage of accommodation with some students having to share bunk bed rooms in halls. Whilst others have been
given reduced rate hotels with two weeks to find alternative accommodation.
In 2015 around £2.5bn was spent on
additional student accommodation with
around a 14% yield on investment. These
figures are expected to rise.
To answer this gap in the market Premier
Modular developed an innovative modular
building system. This highly efficient light gauge
steel frame based, factory engineered product is
constructed by skilled assembly teams in the
company’s 22 acre site in Yorkshire. The system
is ideal for a full stand alone build and also
perfectly designed for rooftop extensions in tight
inner city locations.
These engineered and factory assembled
products offer significant advantages in many
areas.
Foremost are the time benefits, as
manufacturing is done on a flow line there is no
risk of late delivery from outside forces such as
the weather. Business Development Director,
Rachel Davis, commented ‘Rooms can be
manufactured at a rate of 25 per week and
complete houses at a rate of 20 per week, with
minimal onsite time’
This speed of construction not only reduces
labour rates and prelims but gives a much
faster return on investment whether clients are
selling or gaining a monthly rental income
This doesn’t mean compromise in other areas
though, modules are constructed to exacting
quality levels in the controlled factory
environment and with as much as 75% of the
buildings manufactured offsite, the risk of
accidents on site is greatly reduced.
Premier Modular Ltd working as a supply chain
partner to Sir Robert McAlpine completed a 5
storey 206 bedroom student accommodation
block in Sept 2015. Located in Newcastle Upon
Tyne city centre it consisted of a mixture of 54
studio flats, 105 en-suite bedrooms and 2
accessible en-suite rooms with associated living
spaces, kitchens and study areas.
Premier was chosen as the preferred supplier
due to speed of programme and the high quality
finish that could be provided. The project was
driven by an immovable programme
requirement of the September student intake,
Premier efficiently manufactured 300 modules
fully fitted out and decorated in the factory - an
excellent demonstration of the enormous time
benefits realised by using the off-site system.
Significantly the foundations and demolition
commenced on site whilst the modules were
being manufactured – ensuring no time was
wasted in the process.
Rachel Davis said ‘Completing this project using
off site construction not only gave the investors
a whole year of additional return, it was also a
deciding factor in ‘The Foundry’ in Newcastle
winning ‘Project of the Year Up to £10m’ at the
Construction News Awards. The client is at the
centre of everything we do and we take great
pride in pushing the limits of modular design
whilst balancing other key project drivers. We
always strive for innovation and excellence,
coupled with a customer-focussed service
ethos, and are proud and excited to have been
shortlisted for an Offsite Award on another
recently completed project. These awards are
confirmation for ourselves that we continue to
be forward thinking and creative’.
In a market where an increased rate of build is
required, building standards are increasing,
sustainability is of upmost importance and high
quality lifestyle choices are an expectation –
Premier Modular’s offsite construction has the
answer.
0800 3160888
sales@premiermodular.co.uk
www.premiermodular.co.uk
24 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI

Are we fishing from a small
pool that could be a lake?
Over the last 10-20 years, there has been an explosion in offsite built student accommodation, hotels and retail units, and timber
frame has been the “traditional” method of housebuilding in Scotland for many years. Is the rest of the UK catching up, and is
offsite leading innovation in housebuilding?
Since Grand Designs first graced our TV
screens in 1999 (yes it really has been
that long) we have seen some great uses
of offsite construction, showcasing some
beautiful designs. These are beyond the grasp
of the majority of UK households, but thanks to
some innovators in timber frame, CLT, light
gauge steel and modular/volumetric, it is
becoming more of a reality, and many of these
will be on display at the Offsite Show at the
ExCeL Centre in October..
So how can we ensure we have the skills to
meet this change in how we build our houses?
We are well aware of the lack of trade skills in
the construction industry, and whilst offsite
reduces the need for large quantities of people,
it has a skills shortage itself. In addition, while
some manufacturing jobs may be lower skilled,
and are popular with many available job seekers
(permanent, steady, indoors, secure) we also
need to further increase efficiencies, which can
lead to new skill requirements, eg
Manufacturing Managers and Engineers,
Logistics/Transportation, Lifting Operations and
Construction Site/Project Managers (who
understand the differences between building in
situ, and installing factory-built systems).
We are seeing particular skills shortages in
offsite for Designers, Technicians and Structural
Engineers, and need to ensure there is sufficient
“pull” to attract the good people to join the
industry. Are we offering the right salary/benefit
packages? Are there other less tangible
benefits that would attract? Can we consider
“satellite” offices or home-based people? Is
there any potential to fund relocation for key
people? Do we need to look at sponsoring work
permits for overseas candidates? (This could be
particularly relevant after the UK leaves the EU)
Are we fishing from a small pool that could be a
lake? As recruiters, we are still rarely asked to
source skills from other sectors, even if they
wanted to move! The default is to ask for
specific sector experience, thus getting what we
always had. We find some of the very best
candidates and clients are the few who have
successfully made moves from automotive or
aerospace etc, and adapted to manufacturing
for construction. The level of skill in other
sectors could bring great advances to offsite,
but a significant number of our clients are still
insisting on construction experience; this is
despite constant comparisons with automotive
and aerospace where we are told we need to be
more like these industries. Would the benefits
of bringing in a new perspective outweigh the
“negatives” of spending time learning a new
industry? Many of our clients’ manufacturing
management have a background in other
manufacturing industries, but can we look at
Designers, Technicians, Engineers, Estimators,
Quantity Surveyors too?
Sue Eustace, Senior Account Manager at ARV
Solutions, the specialists in offsite construction
staffing.
www.arvsolutions.co.uk
26 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI

Offsite Construction Show now Bigger!
The Offsite Construction Show, 12th – 13th October at Excel, London, has sold out once again despite making more stands available.
At last the offsite construction and
modular building industry has its very
own, productive and totally dedicated
event, giving the industry its own platform and
providing a valuable resource of knowledge and
advice.
The event is well supported by Buildoffsite, the
Modular & Portable Building Association,
Structural Timber Association and British
Precast, The Offsite Construction Show includes
free to attend, CPD accredited seminars and
workshops.
Paul Shelley, sales director, said “We live in an
increasingly remote, digital age, so trade events
are becoming increasingly important, because
there is simply no substitute for meeting people
in person and networking with peers, suppliers
and customers”.
The Show is supported by many leading,
recognised companies, including: Trimble,
Howick, FP McCann, Shay Murtagh Precast,
Geologic Foundation, Ormandy Group,
Modularize, Actavo Building Solutions,
Portakabin Group, Elliott, Enterprise Ireland, JJ
Smith, Caledonian Modular, Apex Wiring
Solutions, Morland, to name just a few.
This event is being driven by the industry it
serves and we are working closely with
Buildoffsite to deliver another, first class
seminar and workshop program and to the right
is a brief overview of the program.
This important, new event will be a must-visit
for anyone seriously involved in any aspect of
the construction industry. All our exhibitors and
partners are working with us, to bring together
what is new in the market and hopefully show
why offsite construction is the UK’s emerging
construction method, for certain sectors.
If you are involved in the offsite market or need
to know more about what it has to offer in
efficiency and cost savings, the Offsite
Construction Show will save you weeks and
months of research, legwork and money, having
it all under one roof.
This is the biggest event, of its kind, in Europe,
at a major venue in London, supported by key
industry figures.
If you are involved in the offsite sector, you
cannot afford to miss this show, the first ever
national event at a major venue supported by
major industry figures.
To visit this free to attend event simply visit the
Show web site offsiteconstructionshow.co.uk/
and click on the registration link
offsite2016.smart-reg.co.uk/Visitors
DAY 1 – 12th October
10.30am – 11.45am - Innovation in
Offsite Housing /Residential Delivery
– Plan A is to go offsite, there is no
Plan B
12.00– 13.00pm - Keynote: The
Opportunity for Offsite Solutions to
deliver a revolution in construction
performance
13.15 – 14.30 - Exemplar Projects
14.45pm – 16.00pm - Developing
Innovative offsite construction
Solutions for the Water Industry
DAY 2 – 13th October
10.30am – 11.45am - Innovative
Offsite Solutions for Quality
Educational Buildings
12.00 – 1.15pm - Offsite enabled (fasttrack)
Refurbishment
13.30 – 14.30pm - Exemplar Projects
14.45pm – 15.45pm - Innovative
Offsite Solutions for Rail
28 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI

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Visit www.ejot.co.uk Call Customer Service: 01977 687040
MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 M1 29

Industry catching on to the importance
of reducing return temperatures
The heating and plumbing industry is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of lowering return temperatures
to improve the efficiency and performance of central plant and heat network systems.
For a number of years Altecnic, the UK’s
leading supplier of heat interface units
(HIUs) has been promoting this
approach, lowering the return temperature
will increase the delta-T so long as the
temperature stays the same.
There are two reasons why this is important, it
increases the proportion of energy that can be
supplied by the renewable energy source out
of the total energy demand, and reduces the
flow rate around the primary system. It’s
therefore crucially important and it is
becoming the overriding starting point in
central plant and heat network design,
according to Neil Parry, the company’s
National Specification Manager.
“Renewable heat sources, including heat
pumps and solar thermal, can only really
generate constant temperatures of around
50oC and if the system return is above this
figure then the renewables can’t support the
system,” he explained.
“When we look at Combined Heat and Power
(CHP)-led systems, high return temperatures
restrict the CHP’s ability to cool the engine. As
a result the engine switches off, stopping both
electricity production and heat output, leaving
an expensive, non-functioning box taking up
space in the plant-room.”
However, lowering the primary flow rate by
increasing the delta-T is even more important
as it affects both capital expenditure and
operating expenditure.
“Meeting the building’s energy demand with a
lower flow rate allows the primary pipe-work
to be reduced in diameter,” Neil continued.
“The lower flow rate also reduces buffer vessel
size and pump size. Clearly smaller pumps,
vessels and pipework save on capital spend,
but the operating costs are also dramatically
reduced. As a result it’s not uncommon to see
pipe diameters being reduced by two sizes or
more when the calculations are recalculated
with the correct delta-T in combination with
the installation of an Altecnic SmartSat
electronic HIU which assists in providing a very
wide delta-T.”
to see that something that Altecnic has been
promoting for many years is finally getting the
focus from the industry that it so readily
deserves!”
Top Tips
‘The Golden Rules of efficient heat
networks’
• Select a HIU that has been designed
specifically for low return temperatures.
• Select a HIU with fast acting control valves
suitable for the maximum differential
pressure the system will produce.
• Ensure that the sizing of the system
(pump, pipe-work, buffer vessel) has been
done to take advantage of these low
return temperatures.
• Utilise the correct hot water diversity
factors. Our recommendation is the
Danish Standard DS439 (also preferred by
CIBSE and BSRIA).
• Keep the primary system free of other
flow restrictions and control valves that
may take the valve authority away from
the HIU’s control valve.
• Switch off the HIU’s preheat wherever
possible.
• Minimise the number and correctly
control the system bypasses.
• Ensure that the pump is controlled
correctly, from the index(s) apartment(s).
• Integrate a plant-room thermal store to
cover for the peak demands on the
network.
• Heavily insulate the primary pipework,
at least to the relevant British Standard
preferably more.
Neil added: “As an added bonus, this approach
also reduces the risk of one of the most
common complaints associated with district
heating systems – overheating in corridors
caused by oversized pipes, high pump flow
rates and high return temperatures. It’s great
For more information contact
Neil Parry, National Specification Manager
07800 865567 neil.parry@altecnic.co.uk
www.altecnic.co.uk
30 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI

LED is the Jewel in Lighting’s Crown
By Stephen Hurrell, Divisional Managing Director - UK Projects, Aurora Group
There are several misconceptions about
LED lighting, principally that LED
lighting prices will go down so it pays
to wait; LEDs are so efficient that controls
are unnecessary; and that LEDs don’t work
well in high-temperature environments.
According to the Energy Savings Trust, LED
offers best value for money in lighting today;
the price of fittings has come down and, at
the same time, performance has improved
significantly.
The Carbon Trust advocates LED as its
number one efficiency recommendation.
Leading website
www.environmentalleader.com reports that
while switching to LEDs creates a one-time
savings event – typically reducing lighting
energy use by up to 50% – integrated sensing
and controls can nearly double those energy
savings, making controls essential for
maximum savings and project economics.
And did you know that by using LED in
construction, it significantly contributes to
the BREEAM rating of a building as it
typically halves energy consumption of
traditional light sources. Miniaturisation has
also led to a significant reduction in raw
materials utilised in manufacture.
Artificial lighting in buildings is usually
categorised in three ways. The ‘Ambient’
lighting function provides light to the space
to an accepted level. ‘Accent’ lighting
highlights certain features and/or attributes.
‘Task’ lighting illuminates specific working
areas to aid visibility.
Lighting Performance
The four key criteria governing LED
performance are thermal management,
optical control, efficacy of light and reliability
of power. So, what are the guiding principles
of best practice in quality manufacturing?
Heat has a negative impact on any LED light
source’s performance. The next generation in
thermal management dissipates heat away
from the LED chip, providing higher quality,
brighter light for longer. There’s also been
continuous improvement in efficacies of LED
chips so the higher the lumens per watt, the
better.
Look for products warranted to L70 to a
stated number of hours. This means you can
expect a light output of 70% of the lumen
performance stated at that period of time
e.g., a 1000 lumen LED luminaire will deliver
at least 700 lumens after six years, based on
burning 4000 hours per year.
An emerging trend in construction is to
insulate the ceiling void by ‘blowing in’ loose
fill insulation as an alternative to loose-laid
products. Loose fill completely encloses the
fitting which could affect LED performance in
inferior downlights.
Biodynamic lighting
Light controls our biological or body clock
and this is known as the circadian rhythm.
New to the market, biodynamic LED lighting
allows people to control their environment
according to need, mood and task, which can
improve performance and motivation.
Changing the colour temperature of the
artificial lightsource (e.g. from extra warm to
warm through to cool) can have a dramatic
effect. Biodynamics is particularly suitable
for dynamic interior projects, retail
applications, and in healthcare and homes
for the elderly.
Enlite LED Lighting Essentials
The Aurora Group has responded to
increased demand for LED by engineering
the Enlite range of 250+ “Lighting
Essentials”. Enlite offers Offsite’s varied
modular business model big performance,
high quality and the best in value to meet
specifications and budgets.
Firm Enlite LED favourites in the MMC
sector are the E8 TM 8W integrated fire
rated downlights with halogen like
appearance, the ultra-slim E6060 TM
600mm 2 flat panels for commercial
applications, the UniPac TM and LinearPac TM
IP65 linear anti-corrosives which replace
traditional T8 TM s and the vandal resistant
Orbital TM IP66 bulkhead.
Regulatory compliance
Lighting design is a complex issue and part
of a quality manufacturer’s role is to develop
bespoke schemes which will comply with
regulations. A revised version of the Building
Regulations, Part L (2013), came into force in
April 2014. BIM LEVEL 2 was introduced as a
requirement for all government construction
projects this April 2016.
Call: +44 (0) 1727 83 66 11 or visit
enlitelighting.com
Sep/Oct 2016 M1
MMC
31

energy positive, low carbon, low cost
Parex System contributes to first “Energy Positive” house.
AParex External Wall Insulation (EWI)
System forms part of an innovative
project for an energy positive, low
carbon, low cost home built under the Low
Carbon Institute (LCRI) programme set up to
unite and promote energy research in Wales.
The SOLCER House was designed and
constructed by the Welsh School of
Architecture at Cardiff University as part of the
SOLCER (Smart Operation for a Low Carbon
Energy Region) project, funded through the
Wales European Regional Development Fund
(ERDF) Programme and is part of the Low
Carbon Research Institute (LCRI) WEFO
Programme.
As an “energy positive” venture with emphasis
on energy efficiency and renewables,
constructed, in just 16 weeks. The Solcer House
has been designed to supply more energy to
the national grid than it uses over an annual
period, in an attempt to meet tough new
targets for zero carbon housing.
The demonstrator project incorporates leading
edge, market available, construction
technologies from leading manufacturers,
embracing all aspects of construction
materials and systems, from floor to roof.
Among the energy-saving systems specified for
the project was the Parex External Wall
Insulation (EWI) system for the external walls.
The PAREXTHERM Mineral Render system was
applied to Knauf Aquapanel render board that
was attached to a highly energy efficient Sips
Eco structural insulated panel system to
achieve a minimum U-value of 0.12 w/mk.
The render board joints were meshed and
jointed using Parex Maite. Parex WeatherTech
Weatherseal Trowel-On was also used as a
weathering membrane around all openings,
before a 30mm thick layer of PlusTherm EPS
was bonded to the render board using Maite
and this was followed by a 3-4mm layer of
Maite, incorporating Parex 355 AVU reinforcing
mesh.
Parex materials used
Weather sealing: WeatherTech
Weatherseal Trowel-On
Board joints: Maite & 355 AVU mesh
Insulation: EPS70E 30mm Plustherm
Insulation adhesive: Maite
ase coat: Maite
Top coat: EHI GF - colour G00
Protective coat: Paraguard
Other materials used
SIPS system
Sips Eco
Render board
To create the decorative finish, applicators
Joyner PA (Cymru) Ltd, of Risca, applied a top
coat of Parex EHI GF mineral render that has
been developed to complement the light
weight construction techniques and this was
finished to a neat scraped textured finish,
which then received a protective coating of
Paraguard to provide additional water
shedding capabilities.
Solcer Technical Project Manager Dr Jo
Patterson, Research Fellow, Welsh School of
Architecture, commented: “The EWI Parex
system has contributed towards the systems
based approach that the Welsh School of
Architecture has taken, where renewable
energy supply, energy storage and reduced
energy demand have been combined to
produce an energy positive house that is both
affordable and replicable. The Parex EWI
system reduces the heat load demand of the
house, improves the U-value and reduces
thermal bridging. The external finish is
aesthetically pleasing and will hopefully
provide a low maintenance over the long
term.”
The completed SOLCER House will now be
monitored over the coming years to gauge the
effectiveness and performance of the various
installations and technologies incorporated
within the building.
For more information about the house see
@LowCarbon_House
For information on the Solcer Project visit
www.lcbe.cardiff.ac.uk
Applicator: Joyner PA (Cymru) Ltd, Risca
Project Manager: Dr Jo Patterson
Project Architect: Ester Coma-Bassas
32 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI

Sep/Oct 2016 M1
MMC
33

It’s not what you build,
it’s how you build it
By Graham Cleland, general manager, NG Bailey’s Offsite Manufacture division
The current UK automotive sector is often
cited as one of the best examples that
shows how offsite manufacture can
positively boost productivity and overall
corporate performance. Historically, the
construction sector has had many parallels
with the automotive industry but these major
investments have transformed the automotive
sector into an exemplar.
The first wave of these automotive investments
took place at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in 1986
which saw the introduction of Japanese
manufacturing approaches including offsite
production. Some of the impressive results from
this investment have seen car production go
from 5,000 per year initially to 10,000 per day
which represents over a 100 fold increase in a
single generation.
This and subsequent investments from other
Japanese companies; changed the landscape of
British car manufacturing forever by
streamlining the production process and
introducing more efficient ways of working
including offsite manufacture and assembly.
The construction sector has always had clear
aspirations to use offsite manufacture to
improve productivity, health and safety and
resource efficiency. In 2013, the Government’s
Construction 2025 report established a series of
clear targets for industry to achieve including:
34 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI
• Lowering costs by 33%
• Speeding up delivery time by 50%
To achieve these ambitious targets by 2025,
offsite manufacturing will need to play a key role
in this.
The Construction Leadership Council was set up
on the back of the Construction 2025 report to
focus on the delivery of the joint industry and
Government commitments. Many of the UK’s
leading contractors are members of the Council
as it oversees the delivery of the Action Plan and
the strategic priorities.
Change comes from the top
To achieve the ambitious targets set out in
Construction 2025, there will need to be a shift
in how the leadership of many of the UK’s
leading contractors view offsite construction.
Having a health & safety culture and
incorporating sustainability into projects is now
the norm – and there now needs to be a seismic
shift to offsite working becoming a similar
norm.
As natural and physical resources become
increasingly scarce, leaders who are able to
understand and embrace how offsite
manufacture can be factored into their day-today
business models; will be the ones who are
able to secure competitive advantage.
Move from what to how
Major contractors tend to focus on what
...Early engagement
between contractors and
the wider supply chain
should become the norm
where everyone comes
together to think more
about the ‘how’ at the
start of projects...
buildings they have delivered as opposed to how
they have delivered them. By making a subtle
change in their mindset, to focus on the ‘how’,
there is a huge opportunity to start thinking, and
more importantly embedding offsite into every
viable solution.
Early engagement between contractors and the
wider supply chain should become the norm
where everyone comes together to think more
about the ‘how’ at the start of projects. By
committing to spend more time on the ‘how’;
alternative construction methods can be
explored and then incorporated into the design
and build process.
The change in mindset to make offsite
construction really work would require more
commitment from clients and developers as it

commonly requires the design to be tied down at
a much earlier stage, reducing flexibility, and
suppliers to be paid much earlier in the cash
flow.
The focus is still on what is being built and, as
such, the same approach - using traditional
construction methods - becomes the default
position.
As a general rule it matters not which annual or
sustainability report you choose to read, there is
plenty of narrative highlighting where major
contractors have been active and what they have
been building.
We frequently see information about the
projects completed, linking schemes to health
and safety targets, financial results,
environmental results and achievements, but
very little information on how such projects
were built, the methods of construction and how
these have helped contribute to targets.
If this focus were to change, then I believe we
could see a considerable change in the methods
of construction being used.
Investing for growth
Major contractors still have a fantastic
opportunity to make major gains in productivity
by investing for growth through the development
and implementation of offsite techniques into
their business and site operations. The gains
made by the automotive sector are something
that could be replicated by the UK’s major
contractors but it will take vision, leadership and
change to drive a revolution in terms of how we
deliver projects.
To hit the ambitious targets in construction, the
pace of investment in offsite manufacture will
need to significantly increase. Also, the way in
which offsite is incorporated into construction
methodologies on site will also need to be
revisited in order to make sure that the
maximum time and efficiency savings are
secured.
Moving from site to factory
Construction sites by their very nature feature
many unknowns. By shifting many elements of
the build to offsite manufacture, we are able to
produce many of the projects build components
under strict factory conditions. As a result of
this, the quality of the build improves as each
stage of production is closely monitored. By
moving the bulk of the work to a factory, less
operatives will be required on site and their role
will mainly cover installation and assembly so
productivity improves. There are also major
health and safety benefits from moving the bulk
of the difficult work to factory conditions.
ROI – proving the value
At Birmingham New Street Station our modular
service ‘spine’ was built offsite then installed in
just 15 days, saving over 10,000 working hours
and reducing carbon emissions by 57%.
This is just one of many great examples where
offsite manufacture has saved time, improved
quality and led to better health and safety
performance. As an industry, we should be
sharing what we are doing and making sure that
we measure and demonstrate the tangible
results that can be achieved through the use of
offsite manufacturing. There is a major
education process needed so that the industry
as a whole is aware of what can be achieved
with a little forward planning and knowledge of
what really is possible.
The future
As the UK construction market becomes
increasingly global, international competitors
who focus on the ‘how’ are becoming the norm.
There are many new contractors entering the
market that aren’t ingrained in the traditional
approach to construction. Many of these new
entrants are from the Far East and are bringing
a wealth of new approaches to construction
delivery. They are approaching the ‘how’ with a
factory mentality and focusing on how to bring
benefits across the entire construction process.
For example, earlier this year in China, a 57-
storey skyscraper was completed in three
weeks by taking advantage of the reduced
construction times made possible by offsite
building techniques.
Offsite manufacturing offers contractors a great
opportunity to do more for less. Going forward,
the most successful contractors will be those
that embrace offsite as the norm and develop a
strategy that embeds offsite into all aspects of
their everyday operations.
There are wealth of solutions and approaches to
offsite manufacture and the key for UK
contractors will be to not only keep up to date
with the latest innovations but more importantly
to understand how these innovations can drive
their business strategy and their methodologies
on site to boost productivity.
I am very lucky in the fact that the company I
work for has invested heavily in its offsite
capabilities over the last 16 years and, while we
have admittedly learnt lessons along the way,
that investment and focus on the role offsite
plays in projects is now becoming an
increasingly dominant factor in the way we
approach and more importantly ‘win’ contracts.
www.ngbailey.com
MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 M1 35

Membranes & Barriers
It’s a wrap
Membranes are an essential part of any construction, and choosing the correct one is crucial! From vapour barriers to waterproof
membranes and even fire protection, there’s one to suit every project.
Passivhaus is a low energy construction
standard where the building requires
very little energy for heating or cooling.
To achieve this, the building must have
excellent thermal performance with
exceptional airtightness. The UK’s first
permanent Passivhaus showhouse was built by
Potton using the Kingspan TEK® Building
System (www.kingspantek.co.uk), at their Self
Build Show Centre (www.selfbuildlive.com) in
St Neots, and utilises Wraptite-SA (Self-
Adhered) air barrier membrane, supplied by
the A. Proctor Group (www.proctorgroup.com).
Wraptite-SA is both vapour permeable and
airtight, combining two important properties in
one BBA certified solution for wall and roof
applications. Its unique vapour permeability
allows the air barrier to be positioned
externally, leading to a faster and more robust
installation, with fewer penetrations for building
services and structural elements.
As a Passivhaus standard show house, this
project required a very low level of air leakage,
making Wraptite-SA the ideal choice. This
membrane significantly improves the building’s
thermal performance by preventing lateral air
movement, while ensuring a healthy building
and living environment due to its high degree of
vapour permeability.
When the Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation
Trust decided to re-clad the East Wing of St
Thomas Hospital in central London, they not
only wanted to create a visually stunning
building, but also to look for improvements in all
aspects of its performance. TBA Protective
Technologies (www.tba-pt.com) helped provide
maximum fire safety with their flexible fire
barrier, Firefly Titan.
The recladding of the 13 storey building was
carried out whilst the wing remained in full
operation. ISG worked with Hopkins Architects
to design the new glass façade which encloses
the original 1960s exterior, minimising
disruption for patients and staff.
TBA Protective Technologies’ Firefly Titan
barrier offers a flexible solution and is suitable
for a wide range of applications. The product
was used to encase five existing and extended
flues and one new flue within the South Atria,
running from the second to the thirteenth floor
(ETFE Roof Level).
Firefly Titan is suitable for both horizontal and
vertical applications, providing 120 minutes
integrity and 60 minutes insulation in a single
layer or 120 minutes integrity and 90 minutes
insulation in a dual application. The 15mm thick
barrier is available with white or black finishes
and can be supplied with a water resistant outer
on request.
The product also has excellent acoustic
properties, with a stand-alone acoustic rating of
19db which can be increased to as much as 49db
when installed in conjunction with a mineral
fibre lay in grid system.
Older properties bring about their own special
requirements. The incredible value of
preserving our heritage is fundamental to the
core of our society, in understanding the past,
embracing the present, and securing the future
for generations to come. The cornerstone of this
heritage is revealed in the very fabric and
architecture of many of the buildings that
surround our cities, towns, villages and
countryside.
The A. Proctor Group developed Roofshield 20
years ago in response to problems caused by
the requirements of the UK’s demand for coldpitched
roof construction, and the drive towards
ever-increasing thermal performance
requirements.
The majority of vapour and air permeable
underlays use an airtight VP film layer to
achieve their performance, whilst Roofshield’s
patented SMS (Spunbond Meltblown Spunbond)
structure allows high levels of airflow, in
addition to the transport of moisture vapour,
making the formation of condensation in the
roof space virtually impossible.
The high performance of Roofshield, backed by
two BBA Certificates, means it is a key element
in preserving and protecting the fabric of
historic and listed buildings. The very low
vapour resistance, combined with high air
permeability, reduces the risk of interstitial
condensation, and there is no requirement for a
separate vapour control layer.
Whether your project is a new-build or
refurbishment, specifying the correct
membrane is a vital element.
The Royal
Infirmary of
Edinburgh
(image supplied
by the A.Proctor)
The Passivhaus
show house in St
Neots (image
supplied by the
A.Proctor Group)
36 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI

New Façadeshield UV protects
building fabric
The A. Proctor Group, which is
renowned for providing high
quality, innovative solutions
for the construction industry,
is launching a new membrane
- Façadeshield UV - which is
designed specifically to
protect the building fabric
behind open jointed
rainscreen cladding.
Architects, developers and
contractors can be reassured that the application of Façadeshield
UV will ensure that the building fabric maintains good water
resistance and breathability behind open jointed cladding.
Façadeshield UV is a non-woven breathable membrane that
combines exceptional water resistance and UV resistance with the
aesthetically pleasing dark colour to provide a “shadow”
appearance within open jointed rainscreen façades.
Façadeshield UV enhances the air tightness of the building, whilst
reducing the risk of condensation due to its high vapour
permeability.
www.proctorgroup.com
New catalogue and state-of-the-art
processing plant
Wykamol, market leader in the
development and supply of
remedial treatment products for
damp, insect infestation, and dry
rot has launched a brand new
corporate catalogue, featuring
new innovations as well as timehonoured
standards.
Aimed at builders, contractors,
specifiers and local authority purchasing departments, the compact 100-
page booklet features every product in the current Wykamol portfolio,
alongside technical drawings, product guides, explanatory diagrams, and
illustrations of products in application and in situ.
Insecticides, fungicides and all manner of timber and surface treatments
remain a major part of Wykamol's business, and its comprehensive
range is presented in its entirety in the new catalogue. It is, however,
basement conversion, damp proofing and structural waterproofing with
which the Wykamol name is now broadly tied.
Wykamol has invested £850k in 2016, extending its Burnley HQ to house
a new powder processing and bagging plant, where they can also
prepare bespoke powder formulations to customer's exact
specifications, such as cement waterproofing powders, thermal renders,
and specialist structural grouts.
www.wykamol.com
Wraptite-SA conquers airtightness
at 1066 Zero carbon homes
Wraptite-SA airtight membrane has been specified to achieve a highly efficient
building fabric as part of a concept to create a terrace of 5 Zero Carbon
homes in a site close to the historic Hastings Castle. The design, by award
winning eco-architects ZED factory, and their partner the Zero Bills Home Company,
has transformed a derelict site into a modern development combining high quality
with highly efficient homes, during the year, which coincides with the 950th
anniversary of the famous 1066 battle.
The homes are built from pre-fabricated heavy weight timber frame panels, with
Wraptite-SA, self-adhering vapour permeable air barrier being applied on site. The use
of Wraptite-SA makes a significant contribution to a building’s thermal performance by
preventing lateral air movement. It also provides high vapour permeability in a
continuously sealed, self-adhered, airtight membrane.
Another key factor in the selection of materials was the requirement to meet the
durability of being located in a marine environment. Wraptite- SA’s high vapour permeability
allows damp sheathing to dry quickly and moisture vapour to escape. This ensures good
indoor air quality and reduces the likelihood of mould, mildew, condensation, timber distortion
and metal corrosion.
Wraptite-SA was applied externally, quickly and easily to the timber panels in continuous
pieces, unlike internal air barriers, which can be more complex and costly to install due to the
need to accommodate building services such as electrical, lighting, heating and drainage
systems.
In the battle for airtightness Wraptite continues to reassure, in both performance, and in ease
of application. The only self-adhering vapour permeable air barrier certifi ed by the BBA, in
both wall and pitched roof applications, Wraptite-SA continues to be the preferred choice in
the drive towards Zero Carbon homes.
www.proctorgroup.com/air-barriers
Sep/Oct 2016 M1
MMC
37

MAKING A PASSIVHAUS A HOME
A stylish Passivhaus home in South Manchester has achieved exceptional levels of airtightness through a combination of careful
detailing and a high performance structure, provided by the Kingspan TEK Building System.
The Kingspan TEK Building
System has formed the structure
of a new Passivhaus home in
South Manchester.
Steve and Mel Howarth hired certified
Passivhaus designers, PHI Architects, to
create their dream home. After
considerable research, PHI selected the
Kingspan TEK Building System to form the
walls and roof of the structure. The firm
worked closely with highly experienced
Kingspan TEK Delivery Partners, Point1
Building Systems, to achieve an
extraordinarily energy efficient design.
Architect, Sara Darwin, discussed the project:
“Steve and Mel specified a structural insulated
panel construction in their initial brief as they
were keen to utilise the benefits of off-site
fabrication. The Kingspan TEK Building System
scored highly on thermal efficiency as the core
insulation material has a lower thermal
conductivity than other products. As a result,
wall thicknesses could be minimised which
was critical given the relatively tight plot.
38 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI
Minimising air leakage was also essential as it
allowed us to incorporate design elements,
such as an L- shaped living space, which added
extra external surface area to the home. A
good airtightness result can reduce energy
consumption by 1 kwh/m2/a which can make
all the difference between a pass and fail.
Point1 Building Systems were responsible for
achieving the interface detailing I designed.
They were very confident that we would meet
the air-leakage requirement as the panels are
inherently airtight. With the added membranes
and tapes they installed, we were able to
achieve an outstanding test result of 0.45 air
change per hour @ 50 pa.”
Kingspan TEK Building System panels
comprise an OSB/3 facing either side of a
highly insulated core and can deliver U-values
of 0.20 W/m2.K or better. Point1 Building
Systems worked alongside Kingspan
Insulation’s technical services to develop a
detailed specification which was virtually
thermal bridge free.
“In addition to the high performance fabric,
the Kingspan TEK Building System also
allowed us to design the first floor rooms with
open ‘vaulted’ ceilings,” Sara Darwin added.
“The tall ceilings create a feeling of space
and light and the overall daylight qualities in
the house are excellent.”
Both Kingspan TEK Cladding Panels and
Kingspan TEK Building System panels are
now available in a 172 mm thickness,
achieving even lower U-values of 0.16 W/m2.K
or better. The manufacturing facility where
the panels are produced carries both FSC®
(FSC®-C109304) and PEFC Chain of Custody
certification.
www.kingspantek.co.uk

FLAT ROOF MANUFACTURER BAUDER
EXTENDS BIM LIBRARY
Following the arrival of the UK government’s BIM mandate back in April, which
requires all centrally procured public sector building projects to be BIM Level 2
compliant, flat roof manufacturer Bauder has extended its BIM offering with the
creation of 19 new waterproofing system objects that are available now for free
download on its website
The launch of Bauder’s new generic BIM models means its comprehensive library now
includes objects for its bituminous, single ply, cold liquid applied, hot melt and green
roof system options, which can easily be dropped into 3D models and plans. This allows
architects, designers, specifiers and contractors to easily access and share all of the
object information needed at the concept and design stage of a project. All of these BIM
objects are available in Revit format, which according to NBS’ 2016 National BIM Report
is by far the most popular tool used for producing drawings. In order to ensure that
your BIM object meets the exact requirements of your building you will need to register
your project with Bauder, who can in turn provide you with all the necessary technical
support and resources.
Bauder’s Technical Director Nigel Blacklock commented: “A lot of the ideals that BIM is
based upon, such as promoting the use of quality, long-lasting materials that deliver
life-time value and getting things done properly first time on a project, align with our
own principals as a market-leading manufacturer of flat roofing products. As a result,
we will continue to invest our time and resources into BIM in order to extend our
offering, as we see it as an integral part of the future of the built environment both in
the public and private sector.”
For more information on BIM and to download your free objects now
visit: www.bauder.co.uk
Sep/Oct 2016 M1
MMC
39

Education
Wernick Buildings Provide Low Carbon
Building for High Carbon Experiment
In 2014 the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) secured funding to undertake an experiment concerning one of the big
issues of our time: climate change. The FACE (Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment)experiment, which aims to measure the effects
of increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere on mature woodlands.
The experiment is conducted using a
series of ‘arrays’, made up of 25m tall
pylons arranged in roughly 30m diameter
circles. Each pylon can be individually
controlled to pump CO2 into the air, and the
height at which it is pumped in can also be
controlled. By carefully monitoring windspeed
and direction, researchers at the site can create
an area of elevated CO2 within each array. “The
area we’re working in is very typical of mature
Northern European forests,” Dr Kris Hart, FACE
Operations Manager, commented, “which
makes it ideal for this type of experiment.”.
If handled incorrectly, this ideal setting could
have been ruined by the very experiment
established to study it, so the entire project had
to be designed from the ground up to have as
little impact on the forest as possible. One of the
ways this was achieved was, quite literally,
working from the ground up.
“There are absolutely no concrete foundations
used anywhere on the site,” explained Kris.
Instead, the pylons are secured using helical
piles, or in layman’s terms, large corkscrews
screwed into the ground. The pipes providing the
arrays with CO2 have also not been buried
unless necessary for access, to further reduce
disruption to the area.
Construction of the pylons took place offsite,
and they were installed by helicopter. For the
research station, Wernick Buildings were on
hand to provide an offsite, modular solution. The
building, designed by Glancy Nicholls architects,
consists of three connected rooms in a
staggered asymmetric layout. To blend with the
wooded environment, it is clad in cedar shingles
which when combined with a pitched roof
removed the need for downpipes or guttering.
The building also features canopies over both
entrances. The building rests on a metal frame
which, like the pylons, uses helical pile
foundations.
The inside of the building is mainly occupied
with a large open plan area featuring an office
and kitchen space. It also features male, female
and disabled toilet facilities; storage and a
workshop. Kris is keen to point out a particularly
important factor of the internal finish “It’s really
easy to keep clean. With four people spending
all day coming in and out of the woods, the
hardwearing finish makes maintaining the
facility much easier.”
The project is set to run until 2024, though the
university hopes it will be able to secure funding
to continue after this. Manned ten hours a day
by a team of four researchers, it was important
the building felt comfortable. “We all enjoy
working here,” commented Kris, “and it isn’t
just the staff here that like the building. Literally
every visitor, without exception, has commented
on how nice it is; from scientists and arborists to
construction professionals, estate managers
and even the locals.” The greatest compliment
of the building, though, has come from the
landowners. Because of the special foundations,
the building is easily relocatable: “My
understanding is that the landowners feel the
building is so nice that they want to keep it after
the experiment has finished.” Kris told us.
www.wernick.co.uk
40 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI

Fermacell set to debut at Education
Estates
Modular quick to fit canopies
Specialist building board
manufacturer Fermacell will
debut its schools offer for newbuild
and refurbishment
projects at this year’s
Education Estates event
(October 18-19, Manchester
Central). Its stand (E17) will
demonstrate the many ways in
which German-engineered
Fermacell partitions are especially ideal for the education
environment, being particularly robust and damage resistant. Even
if they are damaged, they are exceptionally easy to repair.
With this in mind, Fermacell is using the Education Estates
exhibition, conference and award dinner event to launch its new
lifetime ‘Impact Warranty’ which guarantees Fermacell will supply
repair materials or replacement boards in the extremely unlikely
event of damage.
The multiple acoustic and fire requirements as specified in BB100
and BB93 can be met with just six Fermacell partition types, and
due to their density, partitions made from Fermacell generally do
not require pattressing when attaching fixtures and fittings such as
wipe boards and TV screens.
www.fermacell.co.uk
Whatever your needs for covered outdoor school spaces Twinfix can
design a bespoke aluminium structure to suit both your site and your
budget. Glazed with tough polycarbonate roof glazing panels that
conform to the non-fragile requirements of the drop test outlined in
ACR[M]001:2014 these versatile canopies create great multi-functional
learning and play spaces for children of all ages. The Twinfix team
provide seamless design, manufacture and installation, helping to
ensure each project runs smoothly and due to the modular nature of
these quick to fit structures, installation is not limited to school holiday
times. Please get in touch for your free quote..
www.twinfix.co.uk
Offsite manufacture speeds up school
extension
A 26 module school extension was designed, manufactured and installed in just
30 weeks by contractor Module AR, using IKO Polymeric’s prefabricated
Amourplan single ply roofing sheets, custom-made for the project.
Parish CofE Primary School in Bromley, South-East London, needed to expand to
meet growing demand. The plan to increase the number of entry forms from two
to three meant building an additional 12 classrooms, a toilet block, a group room
and an entrance lobby. And it all had to be done quickly, with minimal disruption
to the existing school. A modular building was the answer, with bespoke single
ply roofing sheets in a specific RAL grey provided by market-leading
manufacturer IKO Polymeric.
The sheets were installed as a mechanically-fastened roof system in Module-
AR’s factory. Prefabricating the different elements (including 30 roof lights and
smoke vents) saved significant time on the overall project, allowed for fast-track
installation, reduced the number of workforce needed on site and ensured
minimum disruption to the school.
The full project – which included removing the existing mobile buildings –
provided London Borough of Bromley with programme benefits of 16 weeks.
Working with Module-AR, IKO Polymeric won the SPRA Innovation Award for the
project in June this year.
For more information on IKO Polymeric products and services contact
IKO Polymeric on 01257 488000 or visit www.ikopolymeric.com.
Sep/Oct 2016 M1
MMC
41

Education
Emergency response team provides
new school
Portakabin, the UK’s
leading modular
building specialist,
has provided 650
children with a
2,100m2 interim
school after
Newman Catholic
School in Carlisle
was devastated by
floods, and there was an immediate need for emergency teaching
accommodation to allow the school to re-open in time for the start
of the new spring term.
Twelve single modular buildings were provided by Portakabin
during the Christmas break. These classrooms were located on the
site of a former primary school and supplied with furniture, data
communications and alarm systems as a first response to get the
school up and running again.
The buildings were then replaced with 24 general classrooms and
highly fitted out specialist rooms including for ICT, design and
technology, food technology and science, delivered in just 12 weeks.
The interim school, which is designed and built to permanent
standards, will be in use until a long-term solution is developed.
Six-cess for off-site school project
The Portakabin Group has completed its sixth project for the London
Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council (LBBD) – a £5.3m school
building constructed using a Yorkon off-site solution. The contract for
LBBD via delivery partner Thames Partnership for Learning was the
second phase of a primary school facility built by the Portakabin Group in
2013.
The Portakabin Group’s seventh project for the London Borough of
Barking and Dagenham is now under construction – a pioneering £44m
three-school campus which is the largest ever off-site contract in the
education sector.
The Portakabin Group’s design and build contract included a full turnkey
service, comprising design, planning, off-site building manufacture,
ground works, and fitting out. A pre-installed Yorkon concrete floor
minimised work on site and is providing enhanced acoustics and a high
quality, robust finish for a demanding school environment. Externally,
the scheme is
finished in an
abstract
arrangement of
colours giving it a
strong identity and
complementing
the first phase.
www.portakabin.co.uk
www.yorkon.co.uk
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE OF 21ST CENTURY LEARNING
Pupils of all abilities are being given every opportunity to be equipped for life, even to personal care, as a result of strategic
planning at a new flagship £20m+ ‘super school’.
Ysgol Bro Dinfewr replaces two former secondary schools in
Carmarthenshire, and is part of the Welsh Government’s Schools
Challenge Cymru. The new campus is providing bi-lingual
education for up to 1200 pupils, and features a dedicated specialist
resource for some 50 students with special educational needs.
Whitehead Building Services has fitted out two rooms in the SEN unit and
one in the main campus building with fixtures supplied by Clos-o-Mat to
enable all pupils, regardless of their needs, to have access to appropriate
toilet facilities, in compliance with current accessibility regulations.
Thus, each of the hygiene suites features a wall-mounted, heightadjustable
changing bench, height-adjustable washbasin, privacy screen
and WC.
“We are developing a vibrant learning community and providing the
highest quality of education to our pupils. High standards are very
important to us, not just in terms of examination performance, but in
everything that we do. The hygiene facilities help ensure that pupils’
pastoral needs are addressed properly, and that our students are happy,
and well cared for and supported,” observed head teacher Julie Griffiths.
Clos-o-Mat is Britain’s biggest manufacturer and supplier of toilet
solutions for disabled and elderly people. The privately, family-owned
company has over 50 years’ experience in delivering personal care
equipment that delivers optimum dignity, hygiene and independence at
home and away. The company has developed a range of equipment and
support services that today meets every need, including height adjustable
basins, and changing tables.
Uniquely, the products are backed up by in-house support, from
assessment of requirements, design of an accessible bathroom or
washroom to legislative and budgetary requirements, installation and
commissioning of equipment, and lifetime maintenance.
Full details of equipment are available on the
company’s website,
www.clos-o-mat.com.
42 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI

Building a better
future for over
80 years
Manufactured buildings are the
simple solution to accommodating a
rise in pupil numbers. Modular buildings
from Wernick provide a modern, spacious,
energy efficient environment for pupils and staff to work in.
Available space to site new buildings is also becoming an issue but
with a Wernick building you can go up a storey or two giving you
two or three times the space for the same footprint.
What’s more, while the building is being manufactured, the
foundation is being prepared on-site. This makes it possible for us
to deliver a building of exceptional quality very quickly and with a
saving of up to 50% when compared to a traditional building.
With 80 years of modular building construction behind us we work
hard to manufacture sustainable educational buildings to high
quality standards for a better future.
Why Wernick Modular Buildings?
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
Speedy completion
Lower cost than traditional build
More dependable build programme
25 year structural Warranty
Planning and building regulation service
Full project management
Sustainable form of building
Choice of traditional or contemporary
finishes
HIRE and LEASE options available
Come
see us
at:
OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION SHOW
ExCel, London
12 - 13th October 2016
EDUCATION ESTATES
Manchester Central, Exchange Hall
18 - 19th October 2016
Sustainable construction without compromise
For additional information visit www.wernick.co.uk/education
0800 18 18 22

PORTAKABIN BRINGS OFF-SITE SOLUTIONS
TO THE OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION SHOW 2016
Portakabin will be showcasing its off-site solutions at the Offsite Construction Show 2016 at Excel in London on 12th and 13th
October. Its team of off-site specialists will be on hand to advise construction clients, architects, contractors and consultants about
how to deliver new buildings more efficiently – with shorter programme times, less disruption and greater certainty of completion
on time and on budget.
The Portakabin stand at the Offsite Show
will demonstrate the latest
advancements in off-site technology and
some of the ground-breaking projects which
have changed the face of the construction
industry.
Off-site solutions from Portakabin offer the
unrivalled flexibility to meet almost any design
brief, site and building footprint with greater
efficiency. The approach reduces programme
times by up to 50 per cent, and delivers
buildings with improved thermal efficiency for
lower running costs and the assurance of
completion on time and on budget.
With its permanent and highly skilled workforce,
and a robust, long-established supply chain,
moving construction off site using a Portakabin
building solution mitigates the impact of an
increasingly volatile labour market and the
severe skills shortages that continue to hit the
construction industry.
Buildings from Portakabin include facilities for
long or short-term hire; award-winning and
architecturally innovative Yorkon off-site
building solutions; washroom facilities; site
accommodation, and highly sustainable recycled
Portakabin buildings.
Modular buildings can be rapidly installed in
enclosed courtyards, on the roofs of existing
buildings and on steel platforms to help public
and private sector clients increase capacity and
optimise their use of space.
Facilities constructed off site by Portakabin can
have 12m clear internal spans up to six storeys
high and the architectural variety to
complement existing buildings or to create
landmark developments for prominent sites.
These award-winning off-site solutions use
engineering, rather than construction
tolerances, delivering greater accuracy and
build quality. An innovative factory-fitted
concrete floor system also provides the
response factors required – from operating
theatres to office applications, to avoid overspecification.
Portakabin off-site solutions are
used extensively in sectors as diverse as
commercial, manufacturing, utilities, nuclear,
rail, health and education. Buildings can be
standalone or seamless extensions to existing
facilities.
Services from Portakabin include design,
planning, groundworks, module manufacture
and installation, fitting out, landscaping, testing
and commissioning – a full and efficient turnkey
service for both public and private sector
clients and contractors.
www.portakabin.co.uk
www.yorkon.co.uk
Sch0ck offers an effective alternative
to wrapped para-pets
Minimises thermal bridges with no maintenance required
It is well documented that parapets allow
conductive materials to transfer energy
through the thermal barrier and are
therefore just as prone to the problems of
thermal bridging as balconies. In the majority
of cases, the conventional method of insulating
parapets is to wrap the perimeter of the wall
with an insulation barrier. This is costly and
has associated long term risks. However, the
new Schöck Isokorb type AXT offers a costeffective
and more thermally efficient
alternative. Its 120mm insulation thickness
results in low psi-values and therefore
significantly reduces heat loss – and there is no
wrapping required. It permits a more
sophisticated construction opportunity for
greater freedom of design and allows flexible
distance between elements according to load
requirements. An added benefit being that
there is no risk of any additional thermal
bridging through balustrade fixings.
Other key factors in the selection criteria for
suitable solutions are durability and water
impermeability. The Isokorb type AXT solution
does not require maintenance and there is no
risk of expensive restoration due to
waterproofing problems. Wrapped components
are similar in principle to an insulated flat roof,
with many of the associated problems. They
are prone to damage and almost inevitable
repair and maintenance outlay; particularly
where railings or
covers pierce the
insulating layer.
With thermally
separated
parapets, railings
and covers can be
attached directly
into the concrete. The Isokorb type AXT is
assessed as a ‘Certified Passive House
Component’; provides BBA Certification, LABC
Registration and NHBC approval and meets full
compliance with the relevant UK building
regulations. The temperature factor used to
indicate condensation risk for occupants in
residential or commercial buildings – the (fRsi)
value – must be equal to or greater than 0.75 or
0.50 respectively, and is comfortably met by
incorporating the Isokorb.
For a free copy of the Schöck Thermal
Bridging Guide and / or the Thermal Bridging
Solutions brochure – contact the company on
01865 290 890 or visit www.schoeck.co.uk
44 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI

See us at The Offsite
Construction Show 2016
Stand E31
Sep/Oct 2016 M1
MMC
45

OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION –
INNOVATION IN PRACTICE
Productivity, collaboration, innovation and skills are the cornerstones of the government’s most recent construction strategy,
published in March this year, and still reflects the 2013 joint approach from government and industry. The Construction 2025
ambition focuses on erecting buildings that create less emissions, can be delivered quickly and cost less to build and run over their
lifetime.
One company that shares the Construction
2025 vision is voestalpine Metsec plc.
Located in the heart of the industrial
West Midlands, it is the first cold roll forming
company to be certified BIM Level 2 for design
and manufacture by the BSI – a key element of
the national strategy.
BIM Level 2 improves accuracy, efficiency, and
productivity, resulting in time and cost savings.
Ryan Simmonds, Sales Director for Metsec
Framing explains:
“BIM has really changed the way we approach
building design - it’s a crucial design tool to
ensure the client receives the best performance
quality and value for money. With buildings
becoming more complex, planning drawings
simply don’t provide enough information and
manufacturers must always be at the table in
the early stages to get the best long-term
response.”
The modern construction market is not just
about BIM but also methods of construction
which enable cost, waste and time savings.
Once again, Metsec is at the forefront of
innovation when it comes to offsite construction
methods – its first Metframe building was
completed in Norfolk in 1984.
Thirty years on, Metframe is now a wellestablished
solution to provide the load bearing
structure for low to medium rise structures
certified for up to 15 storeys in height, with
scope for flexibility in design, making it ideal for
residential, hotels, social housing or student
accommodation.
Metframe structures can incorporate steel
joisted or concrete floors, depending on the
46 MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI
client’s requirements. Joisted floors offer a
much lighter structure, but concrete floors
generally provide a higher level of acoustic and
fire protection. Pitched, dormer or flat roofs can
be readily incorporated into the system as well
as balconies, cantilevers and insets.
As well as flexible design, the Metframe system
scores highly on cost saving when compared
against timber and volumetric construction and
there is no compromise on quality. Cost savings
are also achieved through the speed of build
that the system allows, with Metframe
structures regularly taking less than two weeks
per floor to construct. Coupled with the energy
efficiency and zero waste offered by these
buildings, it is not surprising to see so many
high profile developments adopting the
Metframe system.
Genting UK turned to Metframe for the
construction of its £150m Resorts World
development in Birmingham. Built by main
contractor Galliford Try, the unique 55,000sqm
leisure and entertainment complex boasts a
hotel, spa, casino, 50 retail outlets, a wide range
of restaurants and bars and a multi-screen
IMAX cinema.
Metframe was chosen as the structural solution
to enable quick and efficient construction of the
top three storeys of the complex. The threestorey
structure forms a 178-room, four-star
boutique hotel and spa facility with five-star
suites on the top floor, which caters for
delegates and visitors to the 900 events that are
held at the National Exhibition Centre annually
as well as leisure guests visiting the West
Midlands region.
As Metframe is assembled offsite to form easyto-erect
panels, the full frame could be
delivered to the contractor in the required
erection sequence and simply bolted together
on-site.
Steve Milward, Design Manager at Galliford Try
explains the benefits of using Metframe for the
Resorts World project: “Due to the lightweight
nature of the joisted floor solution within the
Metframe system, Metsec was able to deliver a
frame that fitted within the strict criteria of the
supporting structure below. Also, a huge benefit
for the project was the speed of installation. By
using Metframe, we could easily manage the
build in phases to ensure structural soundness
throughout the process.”
Thomas Atkin of Atkin Trade Specialists, who
installed the Metframe system, comments: “In
total, the construction of all 178 units took just
16 weeks, which is highly impressive for a build
this big. Metsec worked closely with us to
produce a 3D design of the hotel structure for
Galliford Try, which enabled us to plan the
works and stick to the contractor’s construction
programme.”
Richard Allen, Marketing and Business
Development Director at Metsec added: “As a
Black Country-based business, we are
incredibly proud that we were able to supply a
cost-effective and highly manageable solution
for the landmark project at the NEC. Metframe
is an extremely competitive solution, which
delivers a high quality building. Therefore, it was
the perfect choice for the construction of the
new 4-star boutique hotel at the Resorts World
complex.”
www.metsec.com

INNOVATION FOR CONSTRUCTION
Modern construction
Sometimes innovation is achieved by building sections of a building in a factory and then assembling them on
site to accelerate the construction process. Building this way, you can achieve huge benefits over traditional
construction using proven modern construction methods to deliver new buildings faster, cheaper, with less
accidents and with less impact on the environment. Modern construction also looks to the wider areas of
information technology, such as cloud collaboration, big data, loT (Internet of Things), Virtual Reality, and
Augmented Reality. It also keeps an eye on emerging technologies and materials such as 3D concrete printing
and Graphene. Answering the question of how we incorporate all of these technologies and materials into a
rapidly evolving construction sector for the benefit of our clients is the task we set ourselves every day!
How we can help
The way we build is changing
Modern technology in design and manufacture is
being applied to today's construction projects and
yielding incredible results.
We have worked tirelessly to research every corner
of the modern construction sector and we've primed
our team to help you capitalise on every aspect of preassembly
for construction. From door-sets to highrise
modular buildings, from 2D CAD to 5D BIM, from
Virtual Reality to remote drone site scanning, we are
here to help you to understand the market and realise
better ways to build.
Building System Development whether you'd like to develop an innovative, ground-breaking building system or
blend together an awesome solution from the products already on the market, look no further. The team at
Modularize has experience in development of modular, volumetric and panellised building systems, all over
the world. Our experience in product development for pre-assembly in construction is simply unmatched.
Manufacturing Systems Knowing what type of machinery you need and how much the whole thing is going to
cost are key questions you're probably asking yourself if you're setting up a factory or even expanding your
existing capacity. We have the answers. Design Automation - Your designs might currently take a number of
weeks to go from concept through to detail but by working with us we promise a huge reduction in your drawing
production lead time! Our design automation service is simple:
It’s not just the ever expanding range of innovative building systems on the market that’s whetting our appetite
for ultra-efficient construction of the zero carbon buildings of the future. There is a new breed of building design
consultants emerging.
Liverpool Science Park
0151 482 9050
info@modularize.co.uk
www.modularize.co.uk

DOOR CANOPIES
GET THE TEMPEST LOOK
The Tempest range is a new oering from the
leading manufacturer of GRP building components,
Stormking Plas cs.
APEX
FLAT
MONO PITCH
The Tempest range of canopies has been designed to
cater to the needs of local authori es and housing
associa ons, for both new build and refurbishment
projects. These canopies allow architectural
self expression and can totally transform the front
eleva on of one building or an en re street scene.
Why use Tempest and Tempest door canopies:
Made in the United Kingdom
ISO 14001 Environmental
ISO 9001 Management Systems
Includes all xings and instruc ons
0.71 Eco points per ton
Lightweight, easy to install and virtually maintenance free
Sustainability:
We only purchase responsibly sourced mber from
suppliers registered to a recognised FSC/PEFC scheme
ARCHED
For a brochure, please visit our website www.tempestgrp.co.uk
email sales@tempestgrp.co.uk or call 01827 311 100