UK Construction Excellence September

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to be fit for purpose. Applying SPC to the automotive industry allowed cars to become better and more affordable. The lack of the same methodology in construction has contributed to waste and to soaring prices. But this is about to change because new technology-oriented companies are looking at construction as a huge opportunity. We are also seeing contractors joining into larger groups. They are changing building and construction from a cyclical, lowtech, physically exhausting and unsafe industry to one reinventing itself and attracting new, innovative talent. Zero Error Stacking problems occur when small errors in structural components multiply over multiple floors. This leads to electrical, power and other services, such as heating and ventilating, no longer fitting the structure. That usually requires the deployment of highly skilled workers onsite, remodelling concrete with rock drills or making expensive and potentially problematic changes to mechanical services at the point of fitting. Statistical variation techniques, which have been standard practice in the automotive industry for 60 years, would solve the problem at a stroke. Unfortunately, construction industry investment in research and development is among the lowest of any major industry. But when you start to innovate with technology to drive the use of standardised products and modularised processes, productivity gains are spectacular. 3D simulation technology has made significant inroads into architectural design and fabrication to excellent effect, but process modelling is virtually still non-existent. To increase efficiency, eliminate waste, and increase profit margins, companies in the construction industry, as well as governments, must invest in R&D. If they don’t, they should be prepared for extinction at the hands of more technologically sophisticated competitors from within or beyond the construction industry. Those that have invested achieve cost reductions and quality improvements that let their companies win contract after contract. New types of companies are building at 40% lower cost. Zero-error buildings are being made where the reduction of re-work is producing bigger profits for those involved. Clever Moves Attracting outside talent to newly structured construction enterprises gives them a much needed and valuable intellectual boost. The construction industry is being changed by a small number of very clever and enterprising people who are transforming the industry by taking new approaches, even going beyond 3D simulation by implementing new technologies like 3D printing for construction. Unshackled by tradition and equipped with portable, powerful robust and unified platform technology, they are bringing the business into the 21st century. <strong>Construction</strong> industry players who don’t step up to the challenge of modernising their processes contribute to holding back the entire industry. The construction industry would do well to look at the legendary thinker and teacher W Edwards Deming, who made significant contributions to industrial science and practice. Deming proved that individual performance could only be improved by “elevating the entire system.” Using ideas from Newton, Adam Smith and, in the 20th century, Deming, and combining these with a single universally accessible business platform, the whole of Industry has been able to progress to its current advanced state. Generally, the construction industry did not follow the same enlightened path. Unless prompt action is undertaken, it will be surprised by new companies using advanced 3D simulation control and command technology that efficiently capitalises the massive economic opportunities that present themselves in this rapidly growing industry sector. 44
The Risks of Asbestos in a Fire Most people are aware of asbestos. It’s a nasty material, which can get into the circulatory system of anyone who comes into contact with it, where it will sit undetected for years before eventually causing a range of serious circulatory problems. However, it may not be known to some people that there are massive risks if asbestos comes into contact with fire. But what are these risks? The team at Acorn Analytical Services gave an opinion piece recently on the risks of fire and asbestos. Asbestos and Fire – what do you need to know? The biggest and most prominent risk surrounding fire and asbestos is structural integrity, which is at risk in older buildings. For those who were not aware, asbestos was once used as a building material due to being very durable and heat resistant, making it suitable for support beams and the main framework of a building. This makes it a risk when the fire inside a building reaches a sufficient temperature, as the asbestos will start to crumble and fail, which could lead to the collapse of the building when the structural integrity fails. However, this is only one of the major risks which asbestos creates when it is exposed to fire. The fibres from the material are toxic to humans and can sit undetected inside a circulatory system for decades before becoming an issue, which is very difficult to try and treat. What you’re dealing with during a fire is, in essence, the toxicity from the smoke of the fire coupled with the fibres of asbestos, with a very real risk of extreme damage to the lungs. The fibres themselves are released when the fire dries up the asbestos, making it brittle and causing the material to break apart and drift into the air that you’re breathing in. The biggest concern will be for those who are trapped in the blaze for an extended period, but also those who venture inside the building to try and fight the fire itself. Firemen are at a very pronounced risk of inhaling the fibres from asbestos, as they’ll often need to go inside the burning building either to put out the fires or rescue someone who is trapped, meaning they’re at risk time and again from asbestos. This is also further complicated by the extended period it takes for the asbestos itself to show signs of being present, with some people dying up to 15 years later from the fibres. In conclusion, there are many risks associated with fires and asbestos. The structural failings of an asbestos-infused building are cause enough for concern, and the danger is then magnified by the fact that there are extremely high chances that you’ll inhale the fibres with the smoke while you’re inside the burning building. The biggest risk is to the firemen, who do wear protective gear, but there’s still a high chance that they can be infected with the spores and ultimately develop problems later in their lives. 45
Page 1 and 2: SEPTEMBER 2017 20 WHEN NOT TAKING 2
Page 3: WELCOME to the latest edition of UK
Page 6 and 7: FMB urges ministers to implement Ho
Page 8 and 9: Glenigan: Construction activity set
Page 10 and 11: CITB revolutionises training to hel
Page 12 and 13: Balfour Beatty named preferred bidd
Page 14 and 15: MUSICAL CHAIRS - COST RECOVERY IN A
Page 16 and 17: Payment Notices and Successive Adju
Page 18 and 19: Place Branding with Substance: Why
Page 20 and 21: When not taking risks on people bec
Page 22 and 23: OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER The UK Infra
Page 24 and 25: Wising up to the skills shortage Th
Page 28 and 29: New guidance on reducing unintended
Page 30: FTA urges ministers to put logistic
Page 33 and 34: Recent figures have shown a signifi
Page 35 and 36: some use of 3D CAD for concepts wor
Page 37 and 38: 3D Laser Scanning Services Trimble
Page 39: Network systems have become so comp
Page 43: Looking for choice in construction
Page 47 and 48: OFFICIALLY SUPPORTED BY Up-to-date

UK Construction Excellence September

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