Building and Facilities News Issue 1003

Tel: 0121 550 4593 ● www.buildingandfacilitiesnews.co.uk ● February ● Issue 1003
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Revolutionising HVAC/R
with the Solenoid Valve
Operating Magnet Page 9
Cirrus
Research
The Bradclad
2 Group 5
Hörmann
22

Editor’s Comments
Welcome to our February issue, where we dive
into the latest advancements, practical insights,
and groundbreaking innovations shaping
the building and facilities industries.
Turn to page 5 for our spotlight
feature on The Bradclad
Group, our Metal Roofing
Company of the Month.
The Bradclad Group
is a conglomerate of
companies specialising in
the design, manufacture
and supply of metal
roof systems and related
products. As one of the
leading manufacturers of
standing seam roof systems, we
explore both the Pro-Zip and Pro-
Seam brands, and why they are so
crucial for supporting metal roofing.
On page 9, we highlight
Fridgenius, a company
that is revolutionising
HVAC/R with the
Solenoid Valve
Operating Magnet. Suitable
for usage in refrigeration,
air-conditioning, water, oil
and gas installations, the
Solenoid Valve Operating
Magnet features a
compact design and a high
usability application that has
already been widely praised
by engineers across the HVAC
industry.
Contents
Nicola Tromans
Editor & Office Manager
Olympus Crew is an established
Leeds and London based events
crew that has collaborated with over
250 clients worldwide, boasting
a team of more than 150 crew
members. From contributing to iconic
stadiums like Wembley, Olympus
Crew’s expertise cover major live events,
high-profile sports branding initiatives, and
music festivals. Page 8.
Other topics covered: Facilities & Estate
Management, Project & Site Management,
Health & Safety, Water Management, Cleaning
& Hygiene, Building & Construction, Doors,
Windows & Joinery, Green News.
Share all news:
info@buildingandfacilitiesnews.co.uk
Building and
Facilities News
Company of the Month 5
The Bradclad Group
is a conglomerate
of companies
specialising in the
design, manufacture
and supply of metal
roof systems and related products.
Facilities & Estate
Management 8
It is the responsibility
of facilities managers
to ensure that buildings
cater to the needs of all
individuals, regardless of ability.
Health & Safety 10
CheckedSafe is the
only UK company to
develop and launch
the GB Domestic
Hours app.
Cleaning & Hygiene 14
Leading microbiological
testing house, MSL
Solution Providers, is
calling on companies to
ensure compliance with
Awaab’s Law.
Contacts
On the
Cover
Editor & Office Manager, Nicola Tromans – 0121 550 4593
nicolatromans@buildingandfacilitiesnews.co.uk
Editorial, Gina Burton – 07483 931474 – gina@buildingandfacilitiesnews.co.uk
Production Manager, Robert Sharp
production@businessandindustrytoday.co.uk
Accounts Department, Paul Whitaker – 0121 824 4742
accounts@businessandindustrytoday.co.uk
For more information or format requirements, see our Media Pack
Unless stated as news, the entire content of this publication is advertorial based.
To place an advertorial or an advert, please call 0121 550 4593.
Fridgenius 9
For over 25 years, Fridgenius has been committed to manufacturing
and supplying National and International Distributors & Partners with
the Solenoid Valve Operating Magnet..
Building & Construction 18
Multi-awardwinning
Kedel is a
leading business
founded on
sustainable best
practices, with a
range of recycled plastic alternatives to
wooden products.
Doors, Windows &
Joinery 22
Hörmann are
working with
Skanska UK
on a £259 million Ministry of Defence
contract to deliver the Vehicle Storage
Support Programme (VSSP).
BFN is sponsored
by The Bradclad
Group – see them
on page 5

Project & Site Management
London railway
arches transformed
for industrial use
Stephen George + Partners
(SGP) is thrilled to announce that
completion has been reached
on the transformation of six
vacant railway arches into highspecification
commercial premises
for light industrial use, located just
16 minutes away from the City of
London. Benefitting from good
loading/parking facilities, the design
and style of the refurbished arches
on Witan Street, Bethnal Green,
create an on-brand aesthetic for
light industrial use which should
prove attractive to potential tenants
in the current marketplace.
Josh White, Architectural
Technologist at SGP, says, “As
design architect for the scheme,
we have drawn on both our
technical expertise and proven
track record delivering industrial
buildings to create contemporary
spaces to suit a variety of industrial
occupiers. Part of the development
challenge from an architectural
perspective has been to maximise
the tenantable area and we worked
closely with The Arch Company to
deliver modern industrial spaces
that allow maximum flexibility for
future tenant fit-out.”
SGP Studio Director, Alan Soper,
comments, “Urban industrial
property can play a vital part in
local economies, yet good-sized,
modern industrial space close to
central London is often difficult to
find. That’s why we’re delighted to
be working with The Arch Company
on the transformation of these
arches on Witan Street into vital
commercial spaces that will suit a
variety of industrial occupiers and
support their daily operations in a
location close to the heart of one of
the busiest cities in the world.”
www.stephengeorge.co.uk
The Blade tops BREEAM
rating in Berkshire
The Blade has been awarded the
highest BREEAM rating for any
Berkshire office building, recognising
the building’s blend of sustainable
design and eco credentials. As
well as achieving top recognition
in the region, The Blade has also
been listed in BREEAM’s top 20
buildings across the whole of the UK,
placing 13th for the BREEAM In-use
International Commercial V6 Part 2
Management Performance scheme.
BREEAM
(Building
Research
Establishment
Environmental
Assessment
Methodology)
assesses building
performance
based on a
range of environmental credentials
and is used across 70 countries.
Buildings are responsible for
nearly 40% of global greenhouse
gas emissions and are a major
contributor to climate change.
Using the BREEAM framework helps
buildings to minimise their impact
and perform more sustainably.
The Blade has been certified with
a Very Good BREEAM rating, and
rates in the top 13% of all BREEAM
In-use International Commercial V6
schemes globally.
Nick Turner, Asset Manager at
The Blade, comments, “Hearing
that The Blade has secured such
an impressive BREEAM rating
was fantastic. We understand that
for many businesses choosing
where to be based is an important
decision. And we also know that a
growing number want to be centred
at a location which delivers on
sustainability and
eco-credentials
– as well as
more established
aspects such
as location,
transport links
and prestige.
We’re very
proud to have
achieved such a
high mark of quality for The Blade’s
sustainable construction and day to
day operations.”
The BREEAM assessment covers a
wide range of sustainable practices
including design, construction,
energy use, carbon emissions, water
consumption, health and wellbeing,
pollution, transport, materials, waste,
ecology and management.
www.thebladereading.com
4
BFN is sponsored by The Bradclad Group – see them on page 5

Solar Roofing Systems
In this issue of Building & Facilities
News, we are pleased to feature
The Bradclad Group as our Metal
Roofing Company of the Month
Metal Roofing Company of the Month
The Bradclad Group
is a conglomerate of
companies specialising
in the design,
manufacture and supply
of metal roof systems
and related products.
With over 30 years of
expertise in standing
seam roof systems,
the group has built a
strong reputation for
quality and innovation.
The first Bradclad
Group company, Forrest
Maughan Associates,
was established in 1992
as a consultancy to
advise architects on how
best to design aluminium roof systems.
Today, the company specialise in the manufacture
and supply of secret fix metal roofing systems
under the Pro-Zip and Pro-Seam brands.
“We are one of the leading manufacturers of
standing seam roof systems in the country. Our
Pro-Zip panel system, launched in 1996 has been
specified and installed onto some iconic projects
worldwide, and our more recent Pro-Seam fully
supported system is rapidly gaining market share
here in the UK,” said Keith Bradley, CEO of Bradclad.
“Pro-Seam is a standing seam panel system
designed for the UK's
growing demand for
fully supported metal
roofing, especially in
residential projects.
Featuring a ‘Snaplock’
design, panels are
secured with stainless
steel clips. Made from
3000 series aluminium
alloy with a PVDF
coating, Pro-Seam is
coil-coated for durability
and backed by a 30 year
warranty.
“Both our Pro-Zip and Pro-Seam panel systems
are available with a unique addition – a lightweight
flexible solar panel which is factory bonded into the
pan of the roof sheet. The Energi-Roof concept was
established to integrate the solar module into the
roof. The solar panels are not clamped or screwed
onto the roof – they are an integral part of it,” stated
Keith.
Traditionally, solar panels have been based on
glass crystalline technology and fixed after the
roof system has been installed, using a structural
framework. Not only is this slow and costly, it
Proseam Energi-Roof, Minster precinct,
York
Proseam panels in Anthracite, barn
conversion, Cumbria
also uses fixings that
penetrate the outer skin
of the roof and adds
unwanted weight to the
roof structure.
Energi-Roof uses
the latest generation
of lightweight thin
film solar modules
from leading global
manufacturers. The
cutting edge technology
incorporates the most
efficient solar-cells
available.
“Our lightweight solar
offer has now been
developed in various forms under a separate
business and brand – Solarbond. The concept of
integrating solar modules into the roof system
has now been extended to cover flat membrane
roofs. We can also bond large format modules
directly onto profiled metal roofs on factories and
warehouses,” added Keith.
Solarbond offers an entirely new concept in roof
mounted solar arrays – it’s all about the glue! It’s
lightweight, thin film flexible solar panel technology
has revolutionised the way we can design and
install solar roof systems.
How it works: Lightweight and ultra-thin, these
adhesive-backed solar
modules allow thin
film solar cells to be
seamlessly installed onto
both flat and pitched
metal roofs. Ideal for
both new constructions
and retrofits, this
innovative design
eliminates the need for
frameworks, brackets,
screws, or bolts!
Working alongside
installers and architects,
together with market
leading manufacturers, Solarbond is enhancing
the Net Zero vision by enabling clients to install
lightweight solar arrays on roofs previously unable
to take the weight of standard glass PV modules.
Bradclad’s product portfolio appeals to a wide
range of clients from commercial sectors such as
airport authorities and national housebuilders with
large scale projects, to individuals or families who
want to build a dream home or just renovate their
existing place.
Proseam Energi-Roof on barn conversion,
Peak District
“Our knowledge and understanding of our product
and its application is largely unmatched in our
sector. While we do not install ourselves, we
have decades of experience in the application of
our roofing in its various forms. As a result, our
products are widely specified by architects who
appreciate the level of technical knowledge we are
able to bring,” added Keith.
We then asked Keith what recent changes have
been made to the company to optimise future
growth.
Integrated Solarbond panels, workshop,
Teesside
“We have noticed a growing move by companies
especially, to reduce their carbon footprint
and reduce their energy costs. The market in
particular has seen a vast increase in the interest
of renewables too. Demand for our Solarbond
product is growing rapidly and we are developing
our product offer to reflect this.
“Currently, our Pro-Seam Energi-Roof is very
popular. Few clients and certainly very few
architects are keen to embrace black glass solar
panels imposed on their new roofscape design.
The integrated Energi-Roof solar modules are
so much neater and allow the clean lines of the
standing seam panels to remain well defined – as
well as providing a high level of efficiency, so their
popularity should not really be a surprise.”
Contact
T 0191 233 6318
enquiries@bradclad.com
www.bradclad.com
BFN is sponsored by The Bradclad Group – see them on page 5 5

Facilities & Estate Management
The Stair Climbing Company
As the Facilities Management sector
continues to focus on meeting its
Environmental, Social, and Governance
(ESG) goals in 2025, there is an increasing
responsibility to enhance accessibility and
inclusivity across almost all properties in
the UK. ESG and accessibility are closely
connected, with inclusive environments
directly contributing to the Social pillar
of ESG. By making buildings more
accessible, companies promote diversity
and inclusivity, which are essential for
building a positive reputation, ensuring
employers provide employees with a
solution to support a diverse workforce
and make reasonable adjustments to their
working environments.
It is the responsibility of facilities managers to
ensure that buildings cater to the needs
of all individuals, regardless of ability.
This includes addressing accessibility
in both new developments and existing
properties. In many cases, retrofitting
older buildings or those with limited
space can present challenges when it
comes to meeting the requirements of
accessibility laws. While the installation
of lifts or ramps may be ideal, it’s not
always practical – especially in historic or
space-constrained buildings.
A practical and cost-effective solution
to this challenge is the Stair Climber.
These mobility devices are designed to
Leeds and London
based events crew
Olympus Crew was founded in
2018 under the expert leadership of
Dominic, whose distinctive approach
has fostered a thriving team. With
seven years of hands-on experience
as a warehouse assistant and later
in event management, Dominic
understands the demands of long
hours and the value of a strong,
supportive crew. He has instilled
these core
principles into the
company’s ethos,
ensuring a culture
of dedication and
teamwork.
The company
has collaborated
with over 250
clients worldwide
and now boasts
a team of more
than 150 crew
members
across its Leeds and London bases.
The workforce includes general
loaders and unloaders, installers
and breakers, FLT operators, van
drivers, IPAF operators, and skilled
carpenters – some with vinyling
expertise – as well as audio-visual
technicians.
Its expertise covers a diverse
help individuals with mobility impairments
navigate stairs with ease, offering a viable
alternative to more traditional accessibility
solutions. Stair Climbers can be particularly
beneficial when structural limitations, such
as restricted building layouts prevent the
installation of elevators or ramps.
array of industries, including
contributions to iconic venues
like Wembley Stadium, major live
events, and high-profile sports
branding initiatives. Additionally, its
AV, carpentry, tipping, and loading
teams have played a key role in
numerous major music events
over the years, including globally
renowned festivals like Reading and
Parklife.
Since COVID-19,
Olympus Crew
has focused
on expanding
its marquee
services,
maintaining
a strong
presence in the
film industry.
The team has
frequently
provided
marquees for major productions at
Pinewood and Leavesden Studios.
To find out more about its services
and how you can book them for an
event, see below.
M 07904 903452
info@olympuscrew.co.uk
www.olympuscrew.co.uk
Gates for added
protection
For homeowners or businesses
looking to improve security, installing
a gate is a step in the right direction.
Gates are an important deterrent
in residential and business areas
against opportunistic burglary or
even vandalism, making homes
and properties less of a target for
criminals.
Not only do Stair Climbers make
buildings more accessible for individuals
with mobility challenges, but they also
play a role in ensuring compliance
with accessibility regulations such as
the Equality Act 2010 and Building
Regulations Part M. These laws mandate
reasonable accommodations in public
buildings, and Stair Climbers provide a
compliant, practical solution for situations
where permanent accessibility options
are not feasible.
Facilities management and health and
safety teams also have a duty of care to
ensure the safety of employees in the event
of evacuation. Stair Climbers are a great way
to move wheelchair users downstairs safely
and back up stairs in the event of lift failure
and emergency evacuation, particularly
excellent solutions for basement
evacuation.
As ESG goals continue to shape the
Facilities Management sector, integrating
Stair Climbers into accessibility strategies
is a smart, cost-effective way to enhance
inclusivity. They offer a flexible and
accessible alternative, ensuring that
buildings remain welcoming to everyone
while supporting broader ESG and social
responsibility objectives.
Contact
www.thestairclimbingcompany.com
Castle Gates & Automation is a leading
bespoke gate installation company,
from wooden, metal to metal frames gates clad in wood or composite, with
many other options available. The company is based in Great Gaddesden,
Hertfordshire and can offer modern upgrading of existing gates, through to
installations of bespoke, new designs. With an extensive portfolio, customers
can choose from manual and automated gate options, with a further choice of
above-ground, or concealed underground automated gate motors. For level
driveways, homeowners can opt for sliding gates, if preferred.
For additional ease and convenience, each gate automation has a remotecontrol
fob access, with keyboard entry systems or audio/video systems
optionally available for added security measures. Intercoms have become
standardised now with many homes and businesses around the country and
Castle Gates & Automation can supply GSM Audio Intercoms, GSM Video
Intercoms, Wired Audio Intercoms and Wired Video Intercoms.
Installing state-of-the-art CCTV gives optimised security, day and night and
when you’re not at home or on holiday. Castle Gates & Automation provides
an extensive range of cameras including: short and long range, through to
wide-angles, so your whole property is always expertly covered.
Enquire today to find your perfect gate:
T 01442 253341
enquiries@castlegatesandautomation.co.uk
www.castlegatesandautomation.co.uk
8
BFN is sponsored by The Bradclad Group – see them on page 5

Fridgenius: Revolutionising HVAC/R with
the Solenoid Valve Operating Magnet
For over 25 years, Fridgenius has been
committed to manufacturing and supplying
National and International Distributors &
Partners with the Solenoid Valve Operating
Magnet. Initially established by
entrepreneur businessman David
Slydel, the company is now run by
his son, Chris Slydel.
Suitable for usage in refrigeration,
air-conditioning, water, oil and gas
installations, the Solenoid Valve
Operating Magnet from Fridgenius
features a compact
design and a high
usability application
that has already been
widely praised by
Airzone HVAC control
& integration solutions
Airzone, Europe’s leading
manufacturer of HVAC control
and integration systems has
announced a formal UK launch.
The strategic decision comes at
a critical time for the UK in terms
of remaining on track with the
government’s net zero target.
Founded in 1997, Airzone has
gained industrywide recognition
for creating solutions that limit
energy used to heat
and cool buildings
– one of the most
significant contributors
to global CO 2
emissions.
Airzone proposes
to work with UK
HVAC installers, specifiers and
integrators to drive building
performance efficiencies to create
homes and commercial spaces
that provide the very best in
energy and cost-effective comfort.
To support the company’s growth
in the UK, Airzone has invested
in a designated UK-based sales
team. They will be working closely
with installers, specifiers and
integrators to provide the data and
engineers across the HVAC industry.
insights they need to ensure the
effective specification of solutions
that meet client requirements.
The team will also be promoting
solutions for multi-occupancy
commercial buildings, such as
hotels and offices, that provide
integration of heating, cooling
and indoor air quality to improve
efficiencies and occupier comfort.
The UK teams will be focusing on
Airzone’s residential solutions that
are designed to manage heating
including air source heat pumps,
as they become more prevalent
with legislation requirements
in 2025. The Future Homes and
Buildings Standards highlight the
use of low-carbon technologies,
particularly heat pumps, as a way
to decarbonise buildings.
Contact
www.airzonecontrol.com/gb/en
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
What makes it so unique however,
is its design which is similar to
the design of a cotton reel, and
when placed on a solenoid valve
(with coil removed), it causes the
armature to open and close. It can
also be used effortlessly to recover
refrigerant from a plant
which has already
been decommission
and power removed.
Furthermore, in urgent
emergencies, when the solenoid
valve coil fails, it is a lifesaver by keeping the
system functioning, until a replacement coil is
sourced and installed.
Engineers must be able to manually
operate valves in a plant or system
in the event of a fault, a power
outage, or when the system
is not yet wired or has been
recently decommissioned with
power removed. Designed and
manufactured in the UK, the Solenoid
Valve Operating Magnet from
Fridgenius provides
a reliable solution,
making it an essential
tool for any HVAC/R
service engineer.
Scottish family installs
UK’s first Panasonic
M Series heat pump
A five-bedroom bungalow in
Thurso, Scotland, is the first
property in the UK to install the
Panasonic Aquarea 9kW M Series
heat pump.
Homeowner and experienced
installer, Ryan Pollard of RDI
Renewables, replaced his outdated
gas combi boiler to meet the high
hot water demands of his family of
five, while reducing the property’s
carbon footprint.
The homeowner, Ryan Pollard of
RDI Renewables is a heat pump
installer himself and specified a
Panasonic Aquarea 9 kW M Series
T-Cap monobloc air-to-water
heat pump with Panasonic Smart
and Service Cloud controls. The
unit has also been linked to a
third-party Open Energy Monitor
(OEM) system to help track the
performance and efficiency of
the heat pump. So far, the results
are proving very positive with
a recording of a weekly SCOP
average of 4.85, demonstrating its
efficiency.
The Solenoid Valve Operating Magnet
range consists of five sizes: 10mm,
15mm, 18mm, 20mm, and 24mm.
Each magnet is pocket sized and
easy to operate. The small tool with a
big attraction is designed to convert
electrically operated solenoid valves
into hand-operated valves.
It can be used
during testing and
troubleshooting or
manually activating
and controlling direct
solenoid valves, a pilot-operated 2-way
solenoid valve, a 3-way reclaim valve, or a
4-way reversing valve.
If you require specific requirements,
Fridgenius can manufacture to your specific
needs, including colour and branding/logo
printing. What’s more, there are no regulatory
requirements when using a Solenoid Valve
Operating Magnet.
The Solenoid Valve Operating Magnet is
available through their network of worldwide
distributors and partners. For further
information, see below.
T 02381 550189
enquiries@fridgenius.com
www.fridgenius.com
As an experienced installer, Ryan
has fitted Panasonic products for
over 12 years and has seen how
the technology has developed
over this time. Embracing the
changes when they come, he
was looking for a highly energy
efficient heating solution that
would lower his home’s carbon
footprint but was powerful enough
to provide sufficient domestic hot
water to suit his family of five.
To find out more about the
Panasonic wide range of heating
and cooling solutions, please
visit: www.aircon.panasonic.eu
or visit RDI Renewables website
at: www.rdirenewables.co.uk
BFN is sponsored by The Bradclad Group – see them on page 5 9

Health & Safety
First building inspector competency
certification scheme gains UKAS accreditation
The United Kingdom
Accreditation Service (UKAS)
has granted the UK’s first
accreditation of a building
inspector competency
scheme. The accreditation
has been awarded to the Building Safety
Competency Foundation (BSCF) for its Building
Control Inspector (BCI) competence certification
scheme. UKAS carried out its assessment of the
BCI competency certification scheme against the
internationally recognised ISO/IEC 17024 standard
(Conformity assessment: General requirements for
bodies operating certification of persons).
Successfully completing the BCI certification
scheme is one of the three prescribed registration
routes under the Building Safety Regulator’s (BSR)
A-SAFE marks 40 years
with Red Dot Award win
A-SAFE, the global leader
in advanced polymer safety
guardrails, barriers, and bollards,
has been recognised with an
esteemed Red Dot Award for
Product Design 2024 for its
Industry 4.0-ready, active racking
management product RackEye,
powered by its IoT safety and efficiency platform,
Conek. This recognition celebrates A-SAFE’s
remarkable journey of innovation, quality, and
industry leadership as the Elland-based company
celebrates 40 years in business.
James Smith, Co-CEO at A-SAFE, comments,
“As we celebrate 40 years at the forefront of
workplace safety, winning this Red Dot Award
really underpins our unwavering commitment to
excellence in manufacturing, R&D, and disruptive
innovation. We are dedicated to making A-SAFE
not just a great place to work, but a company that
delivers operational efficiency and productivity,
leading to a significant ROI for our
customers. I want to thank David
Edgar and his team for their hard
work on this project. They have
really made us proud.”
The Red Dot Award, established
in 1955, is recognised as one
of the most prestigious design competitions
globally. A-SAFE’s accolade in the ‘Industrial and
Manufacturing Equipment’ category underscores
the company’s excellence in safety technology.
The winning products Conek and RackEye, help
manage warehouse safety by detecting impacts to
racking and barrier systems. It provides real-time
alerts and powerful insights enabling preventative
action. Conek will be showcased alongside other
winning products at the Red Dot Museum, in
Essen, Germany, next year.
Contact
www.asafe.com
The health & safety benefits
of using CaberShield Eco
In the wettest of weather, building
can carry on, with the H&S
team reassured regarding slipresistance,
supported by the fact
that the boards are able to accept
heavy traffic on a busy site without
the level of grip deteriorating.
Contractors can reduce the risks
of slips and falls, while ensuring high technical
performance, by selecting the upgraded version of
a popular flooring product from the range of West
Fraser, the leading UK manufacturer of engineered
wood-based panel products.
Able to withstand the vagaries of the British
climate, as well as being immune to the spills of
plaster or mortar that inevitably occur on site,
CaberShield Eco boasts all of the inherent qualities
of CaberFloor P5, as well as representing the latest
sustainable solution for creating high specification,
weather-resistant floor installations. The new
new Building Inspector
Competency Framework
(BICoF). The Building Safety
Act 2022 makes BICoF
registration mandatory for all
classes of building inspector,
working in both the public and private sectors, in all
types of buildings across England and Wales.
Whilst the BICoF does not provide an exhaustive
list of competency criteria, assessments under the
BCI certification scheme include a review of the
relevant qualifications, knowledge and experience
academic/technical qualifications, as appropriate
to each inspector’s role. Continuous professional
development is another important aspect, as
building inspectors must be reassessed every four
years in order to maintain their BICoF registration.
portfolio ensures safety for
carpenters and other trades,
especially when working at height
– either during installation as a
temporarily exposed floor area, or
as a purpose built deck/platform.
As West Fraser describes it to the
industry, these new waterproof
panels ensure that contractors can “keep building
even with the roof off.” In fact, the manufacturer
now promises an extended 60 days’ durability
for CaberShield Eco if correctly fixed using the
recommended adhesive. So, in the wettest of
weather, building can carry on, with the H&S team
reassured regarding slip-resistance, supported by
the fact that the boards are able to accept heavy
traffic on a busy site without the level of grip
deteriorating.
For further information, call 01786 812921 or
visit: http://uk.westfraser.com
Highlighting the potential significance of this
accreditation, Lorna Stimpson, CEO of BSCF, said,
“The BCI certification scheme rigorously evaluates
the competence of building control professionals
across all inspecting roles and specialisms. In
addition to helping building inspectors meet
mandatory BSR registration requirements, the BCI
certification scheme aims to raise standards of
technical competence throughout the industry.
“UKAS accreditation provides a valuable additional
layer of independent scrutiny to the process,
further enhancing the BCI competency certification
scheme’s reputation & its potential to restore faith
in the industry’s ability to deliver safer buildings.”
www.ukas.com
www.thebscf.org
CheckedSafe:
Flipping paperwork
for innovative
digital solutions
Looking for industry-leading vehicle compliance?
CheckedSafe is the only UK company to develop
and launch the GB Domestic Hours app, bringing
market-first technology to UK vehicle fleets.
CheckedSafe’s portfolio of compliance tools also
includes the much-celebrated Driver Licencing
Checks and Fleet Management Software.
We spoke to Director & Co-Founder, Gary
Hawthorne, to find out more, “Fleet managers can
now oversee any size fleet with mobile phones,
rather than copious amounts of paperwork (a
laptop is useful to interrogate the data). There is
no need to store huge boxes of reports, plus it’s all
in real-time so any defects/issues can be resolved
quickly, reducing overall long-term costs and
reducing downtime as better repair planning can be
achieved.”
Multi-Award-Winning CheckedSafe provides an
end-to-end digital cloud solutions package to fleet
management across commercial fleet transport,
public and private transport, emergency services
and plant-hire vehicles.
For as little as £1 per vehicle per week, users
can carry out customised vehicle checklists via a
downloadable app. Even when drivers are off-grid,
the app still functions and allows checks while on
the go.
To find out more about CheckedSafe or to access
the 30 day free trial, contact below.
T 01282 908429
10
BFN is sponsored by The Bradclad Group – see them on page 5

Water Management News
Showersave’s
waste water
heat recovery
system
Showersave, the award-winning manufacturer
and distributor of waste water heat recovery
systems (WWHRS), has unveiled the Showersave
QB1-21XE, its latest innovation designed to offer
enhanced energy efficiency and ease of installation
for contractors. Available for installation from
December 2024, this new model builds on the
success of its predecessor, the QB1-21, and is
designed to deliver maximum energy savings,
compliance with building regulations, and ease of
installation – key benefits for UK contractors.
Designed to make the biggest impact on hot water
energy savings for showers, the QB1-21XE is an
affordable and effective solution for meeting Part L
building regulations and future-proofing homes to
comply with the upcoming Future Homes Standard
(FHS). With its superior efficiency, the new system
allows contractors to provide their clients with a
cost-effective solution that lowers utility bills, while
also supporting compliance with the UK’s energy
efficiency targets.
Showersave has already been installed in over
140,000 homes across the UK and Europe, gaining
popularity among contractors, housing associations,
and commercial developers. The QB1-21XE can be
used in residential and commercial developments,
and even supports BREEAM requirements for
sustainability in commercial projects.
For more information on Showersave’s new
QB1-21XE waste water heat recovery system, call
028 9334 4488, email: sales@showersave.com or
visit: www.showersave.com
Drainage teams underground
National drainage contractor
Lanes Group plc has used its
specialist cutting equipment to
clear pipes in a power station
located in Europe’s largest
man-made cavern under a Welsh
mountain.
The company’s drainage
engineers drove its service
vehicles, including a jet vac
tanker, down a tunnel into Mt
Elidir Fawr to carry out the work
on drainage pipes at Dinorwig
hydroelectric power station. The
facility, the largest scheme of
its kind in Europe, has six 300
megawatt generators that can
reach full power output in just
16 seconds to meet spikes in
electricity demand.
First Hydro Company, which
operates the power station,
called in Lanes to clear calcite
and silt that had built up in
drainage pipes located in the
main inlet valve gallery, where
six giant valves feed water into
turbines.
Amy Pritchett, Engineering
Geologist for First Hydro,
said, “The calcite deposits,
in particular, was beginning
to compromise the gallery’s
drainage system, so the work
Lanes has done for us has been
very important. Conventional
methods of clearing the pipes,
such as pressure washing and
rodding, didn’t work, so we
needed the specialist equipment
and skills Lanes has to provide
an effective solution.”
Minerals held in water that seeps
out of the cavern’s rock walls
have been deposited in channels
and pipes running the 150m
length of the main inlet valve
gallery, greatly reducing their
capacity. Six enclosed clay pipes
and six open channels, each up
to 10 metres long and between
100mm and 150mm in diameter,
had to be cleaned.
www.lanesgroup.com
www.lanesdrainageservices.
co.uk
Advances in water jetting
The first WJA Trade
Show in September
2024 provided a strong
focus on key issues in
the water jetting industry,
including health & safety,
training & innovations
like robotic systems.
The first water jetting
exhibition of its kind
held by the Water Jetting
Association took place
at the StoneX Stadium,
North West London, on 12 September 2024.
The free event had a strong international flavour
with businesses from across Europe joining
British exhibitors to showcase latest technologies
and applications. WJA experts and exhibitors
also gave talks during the one-day event, which
followed the WJA annual general meeting being
held on Wednesday 11 September.
Visitors to the event came from industrial
sectors that rely on water jetting applications,
including drainage and water utilities, industrial
cleaning, construction, maritime engineering and
petrochemicals processing.
WJA Director, Leanne
Smith, said, “We’re very
pleased to have attracted
such an exciting range of
exhibitors to WJA Trade
Show 2024. We made it
a free event because we
wanted as many people
from across the sectors
that use water jetting to
join us in shaping the
future of our industry.”
Water jetting contractors, equipment
manufacturers, hire specialists, PPE suppliers, and
training providers were among the wide range
of exhibitors putting on the water jetting show of
the year.
Information about key developments in WJA
support for the water jetting industry, including
updates to the Red Code of Practice for drain and
sewer jetting, and the launch, in 2024, of the new
Pressure Washer Code of Practice, known as the
Purple Code, were also available.
Contact
www.waterjetting.org.uk
Graf UK delivers a belter of a rainwater
harvesting tank at historic cricket club
The installation of a Graf UK rainwater harvesting system at
Chiswick Cricket Club has delivered a hat trick of firsts.
Initially, it was the first time that water consumption
consultants Ecoprod had specified a Graf UK system.
Secondly, it was the first time water management systems
contractor Jamie Vacher had installed a rainwater harvesting
system. And thirdly, the project is the first of its kind in
Middlesex.
Chiswick Cricket Club was founded in West London in
1853 and has recently undergone a major redevelopment
in line with the English Cricket Board’s (ECB) emphasis on
sustainability.
Part of this focus has been on increasing their facilities
throughout the year without increasing the use of mains
water, as well as thwarting the increasing occurrence of
temporary use bans which mean that during hosepipe bans
the club can only water its cricket square.
Through accessing the ECB’s County Grants Funding,
Middlesex Cricket approved the grant contributing towards
the cost of Chiswick Cricket Club installing a rainwater
harvesting system, which is believed to be the largest belowground
system in cricket in the country to date.
Chiswick CC will monitor its performance until the end of the
summer to better understand how rainwater harvesting on
this scale can benefit a cricket club, with the potential for the
project to be used as a sustainability exemplar for the ECB.
Contact
www.grafuk.co.uk
12
BFN is sponsored by The Bradclad Group – see them on page 5

Cleaning & Hygiene
BCIS reveals five year maintenance,
cleaning and energy forecast
Maintenance costs are set to rise 16%
by 2Q 2029, according to the latest
forecast data from the Building
Cost Information Service (BCIS)
All-in Maintenance Cost
Indices. Cleaning costs, mainly
driven by labour costs, are
expected to rise by 23% over
the forecast period, while
BCIS expects energy costs
to fall by 22% over the same
period.
Karl Horton (pictured), chief
data officer at BCIS, said, “The
economic outlook for 2024 remains
challenging due to high interest rates
Unlock Awaab’s Law
compliance with audits
Leading regulatory and
microbiological testing
house, MSL Solution
Providers, is calling on
landlords, councils,
housing associations, and
facilities management (FM)
companies to proactively
engage in comprehensive
cleaning audits to ensure
compliance with Awaab's
Law.
This legislation, which came into effect in January
2024 as part of the Social Housing Regulation
Act 2023, is extending to the private rented
sector and is widely expected to be enforced
with the upcoming Renters’ Reform Bill in March
2025. It mandates that landlords must address
health hazards, including damp and mould,
within specified timeframes to ensure healthy
living conditions. Failure to comply will result in
enforcement action initiated by tenants through
the courts.
OTL Group toasts 40 years
An Aberdeenshire company which exports
its world-beating products across the globe is
celebrating its 40th anniversary.
The OTL Group’s interests are diverse spanning
offshore cleaning, firefighting foams, foam testing
and infection control products. Since opening
for business in 1984, it has
grown to encompass four
divisions, over 200 products
and almost 30 staff.
Managing Director, David
Evans, explained, “Right
from the start, we have
always been about four
things – great products,
being as environmentally sustainable as possible,
great people and great customer service.
“In the early days, we worked from small facilities
in Torry, Aberdeen, before expanding into our
purpose-built facilities at Gourdon. We now have
our offices, warehouses, workshops, lab and
testing facilities and we’re actively exploring how
and constrained funding on the demand
side, and a lack of skilled workers
and contractors on the supply side.
While demand for FM services is
expected to stay strong, repair
and maintenance output will
remain stagnant initially, with
growth in the latter part of
the forecast period. Cost
increases will be driven by
wages trying to recoup the
real falls in recent years and
by increases in the National
Living Wage.”
BCIS is expecting annual declines in
all R&M sub-sectors apart from public
MSL’s innovative CleanSure
Hygiene Auditing Solution
enables landlords and
facilities managers to ensure
that their rental properties
are hygienically clean
and safe, and that correct
cleaning protocols are being
followed. Quick, reliable,
and effective, the service
includes swabbing surfaces
around the property for
microbiological testing by post, leveraging the
company’s extensive microbiology and industrial
hygiene expertise.
The process is straightforward, with a report
being issued within 3-5 days of swabs being
received. Alongside the results, the client receives
a bespoke set of recommendations to help them
stay ahead of any potential hygiene problems.
For more information about MSL, visit:
www.msl.io or enquire at: enquiries@msl.io
we can expand the site to facilitate further growth.
“We started out with our Sobo range of rigwash
and industrial oil degreasers and then expanded
into firefighting foams which are used to suppress
fires offshore and in high-risk sites like chemical
plants, as well as in the marine and aviation
sectors. We’re known for
developing highly effective,
specialist products.”
The group’s infection control
business, Bio Technics,
is headed up by David’s
daughter Hannah. She
commented, “Bio Technics
export about two thirds of
our products around the world. We manufacture
our patented Endurocide Antimicrobial Plus
disposable hospital curtains for use in hospitals
as well as a range of alcohol-free hand sanitisers,
wipes, and surface cleaners right here in
Gourdon.”
www.the-otlgroup.com
housing and infrastructure in 2024. While R&M is
expected to show growth overall in 2025, nonhousing
R&M is forecast to remain in decline. BCIS
is projecting R&M output to rise around 8% in the
five years to 2029.
Horton added, “R&M output may be significantly
affected by the Autumn Budget. With a £22 billion
black hole in the nation’s finances to plug, the
Chancellor has some very difficult decisions to
make. We know that funding for R&M projects,
including urgent work on schools, hospitals and
prisons, as well as other government and local
authority buildings, is going to be under extreme
pressure.”
www.bcis.co.uk
Aladdin EasyFit Isolator allows new metering
technology to overcome challenges for South
West Water Customers
South West Water (SWW) has announced
a successful collaboration with Kier Group
to improve the efficiency of water meter
installations. This partnership has addressed
a previous hurdle for some customers where
there is no isolation, or the isolation valve has
seized or failed.
The key to this success lies in the utilisation
of Aladdin EasyFit Isolators. These innovative
isolation valves act as a crucial tool for Kier
Group’s metering team, allowing them to
install meters in situations that would have
previously resulted in a frustrating ‘unable to
meter’ feedback for the customer.
Wendy Coomber, SWW Metering Manager at
Kier Group said, “By implementing Aladdin
EasyFit Isolator valves, Kier Group has
expanded its capabilities to serve a wider
range of SWW customers and ensure they
benefit from having a water meter.”
The use of water meters is crucial for both
water conservation and accurate billing.
By overcoming the stopcock obstacle, Kier
Group and SWW are demonstrating their
commitment to providing efficient and
accessible metering solutions for all their
customers.
https://aladdin-products.co.uk
14
BFN is sponsored by The Bradclad Group – see them on page 5

Building & Construction
Sustainable
timber cladding
New HomeHub device
Vericon Systems, a leading manufacturer of remote
technologies to manage and control essential
building services, has launched HomeHub,
a sophisticated in-property device that has
been specifically developed to help Housing
Associations and property managers monitor and
manage their resident’s living environment.
HomeHub enables direct communication between
landlords and residents, including proactive
communication with residents, available in multiple
languages, to address concerns or when an issue
occurs, with regular updates to provide tenants
with reassurance that the relevant parties are
working to resolve the issue.
Contemporary construction demands sustainable,
functional and aesthetic building materials. Our
premium timbers meet these specifications and add
a timeless quality to interiors and exteriors.
Inspired by Japanese Yakisugi timber preservation,
Exterior Solutions Ltd created Shou Sugi Ban ® . In
addition to the traditional blackened, crackled finish,
our finish options bring the technique up to date.
If blackened wood is too dark for your project, our
collection includes a selection of mid- to light-grey
tones. The smooth, subtle finish of Kebony Radiata
and Yukari Numachi are popular options.
Alternatively, for a natural wood finish, Accoya ®
Tenki and Larch Shiberiatora showcase the beauty
of timber grain. These add a warm, tactile quality to
garden buildings and rustic-style retail stores.
For a splash of colour, the peacock tones of
Accoya ® Tobu, the deep red of Yukari Kõsui or
our vibrant range of Douglas Fir finishes create
unique and impactful hotel and restaurant interiors.
All finishes enhance the durability of the timber
by drawing out natural resins. These provide a
moisture, rot and insect-resilient barrier to minimise
maintenance. It’s a practical and visually desirable
way to elevate modern builds and heritage
renovations.
In addition to Oak, Larch and Douglas Fir, the Shou
Sugi Ban ® range includes Kebony and Accoya ® .
These modified timbers are exposed to a chemical
treatment to enhance stability and durability.
We supply Shou Sugi Ban ® with installation
instructions, matching tipped screws and a tin
of finish treatment for cut lengths. These ensure
a professional finish can be achieved on every
project.
Click here to download the Shou Sugi Ban ®
brochure. Contact Exterior Solutions Ltd on
01494 711800 for samples and quotes.
HomeHub, with its intuitive user-friendly
touchscreen, provides real-time visibility into
environmental conditions
within a property, such
as humidity levels and
alerting residents to
potential issues such
as damp and mould, by
assessing the risk in each
room every five minutes
rather than providing a
general view over a 24
hour period.
Thanks to its intelligent machine learning, the
HomeHub system ‘learns’ the property’s unique
heating characteristics, enabling it to accurately
calculate the time needed to achieve the desired
temperature. This data can also help landlords
and property managers better identify properties
with inefficient heating systems or inadequate
insulation, providing valuable insights for
optimisation and improvement.
Celebrating pinnacle of success
Tall buildings have a profound impact
on our cities and their skylines –
they shape them and reflect the
aspirations of their inhabitants.
The recent Tall Buildings Awards
paid homage to the very best of
these iconic structures and the teams
behind them. Hosted by Peter Murray
OBE – co-founder of NLA (New
London Architecture) the awards
took place at an informal drinks
reception immediately following
the Tall Buildings Conference at etc.
venues St Pauls, London.
With 11 categories, the Tall Buildings Awards
celebrate excellence in an increasingly complex
world that must respond to the issues of
sustainability, mixed-use, community living,
the circular economy and stringent legislation.
Turning the spotlight on the architects, engineers,
contractors and the clients who plan and
execute tall buildings, the awards recognise the
achievement of delivering projects of the highest
quality. This year the judges had the difficult task
In the event of maintenance or repair works being
required, the device’s Track My Repair feature
enables residents to
follow their case with a
simple flow chart that
automatically updates
once each milestone is
reached with detailed
notes and information,
and a full audit log for
both residents and
landlords. The system can
also be used by property
managers to notify
residents of any disruption to boiler performance,
providing reasons for the interruption and contact
details to schedule an engineer visit, as well as
provide reminders for booking annual gas safety
checks.
T 01242 582555
hello@vericonsystems.com
https://vericonsystems.com
of selecting 11 winners from over
100 outstanding entries.
Picking up three awards and a
Highly Commended accolade,
Tide and Vision were crowned
‘Winner of Winners’ on the
night for College Road and their
groundbreaking volumetric
building system. The pioneering
development in East Croydon,
South London by offsite
developer and contractor, Tide
and its volumetric company,
Vision – comprises two of the
world’s tallest volumetric modular
buildings delivering almost 1,000 new homes.
A 35 storey tower provides 120 affordable
homes, and a 50 storey tower provides 817
co-living homes – one of the largest co-living
developments across the globe.
To discover more about the winning projects and
the Tall Buildings Awards go to:
www.radarbookingsystem.co.uk/tall-buildingsawards/2024-winners
Leeds-based builder making best of CaberMDF
A former member of the Royal Corps of
Signals, who switched to carpentry
after leaving the Army, now runs
his own building company
covering the West Riding area
of Yorkshire and is making a
name for himself fitting out
property renovations using
CaberMDF, as well as other
panel products from the West
Fraser range.
North Build Leeds was set
up by Van Midgely five years
ago and now tackles a variety
of conversions as well as general
building repairs and improvements,
purchasing the high performance MDF
and CaberDek flooring from different
builders’ merchants in the city,
depending on price and the
locality his team are working in.
Van explained, “While I left the
army with a qualification in
telecommunications, I always
had an interest in building and
would count myself as an ‘old
school’ joiner, who can pitch
a roof if necessary – as well as
carrying out kitchen fitting to a
very high standard, which is one
of the second-fix applications where
I use a lot of the CaberMDF, sometimes
ordering 20 sheets at a time. When I’ve got a
job coming up, I will put out a cutting list to the
merchants I use and see who comes back with
the best price. At the moment, I am employing
four people full time as well as using a number of
subbies, including an electrician and a plumber.”
All West Fraser panel products produced in the
UK are net carbon negative and manufactured in
mills that have obtained the coveted environmental
ISO 14001 accreditation. Responsibly sourced, the
panels are FSC ® (C012533) certified and created
from locally grown timber, cutting embodied
carbon from transportation.
For further information, call 01786 812921 or visit:
https://uk.westfraser.com
16
BFN is sponsored by The Bradclad Group – see them on page 5

Building & Construction
Modular building: Moving
the needle in construction
By 2025, modular housing
will be on track to deliver
20,000 low carbon,
energy-efficient homes
in England, including
multi-storey structures
and skyscrapers. With
sustainability and cost
savings at the forefront
these homes are often
built twice as quickly,
cost 55% less to heat
than traditional brickbuilt
houses, and cut
construction related CO 2 emissions by 83%. The
UK Government is committed to modular building
as part of the Affordable Homes Programme.
Multi-award-winning Kedel is a leading business
founded on sustainable best practices, with a
range of recycled plastic alternatives to wooden
products – many aimed
at the modular building
market. These include:
cladding, decking,
fascia boards, ground
reinforcement grids,
porous paving, tongue &
groove, fencing, gates,
seating, benches, garden
and picnic tables, bollards
and much more. The
products are manufactured
using state-of-the-art CNC
machinery and everything
on site is recycled plastic.
Dermot Walch, Kedel
Managing Director,
explains, “We have
provided housing
associations with our
recycled plastic wood
fence panels and posts
offering huge long-term
cost savings on repair
and maintenance, plus
the ability to hit ESG
targets with low-carbon
products. These are suitable for a diverse range
of applications. In healthcare, hospitals love our
memorial benches, giving family members and
hospital workers a much-needed space for quiet
contemplation, and our knee-high birdsmouth
fencing provides a robust solution for car parks
and walkways.
“These products never
rot, saving on the annual
repair and maintenance
associated with standard
wooden ones. We’re
happy to work on
bespoke projects too.
At the moment, we’re
busy designing and
manufacturing temporary
housing for refugee
camps around the world,
supporting victims in wartorn
or climate change disaster areas.
“The media has always shown refugees living in
tents, which is fine in the summer months, but
these are not built to withstand strong winds or
rain. Our designs – purely modular in concept –
will be easy to erect and dismantle, and provide a
sturdy housing alternative to tents, with thermal
insulation and waterproofing throughout the year.
“We’ve seen a huge swing towards modular
buildings this year due to the convenience of
manufacture and speed of assembly. In addition,
they eliminate long-term maintenance costs
and reduce the building’s carbon footprint. This
switch to modular construction and low carbon
construction is rapidly becoming standard
practice and we expect to see further growth
over the coming years. Contrary to popular
belief, polystyrene, with the right techniques,
can be recycled, and we’re proud to be offering
an exceptional product line from recycled
polystyrene and other plastic waste.”
To view the multi-award-winning product range
today, click here: www.kedel.co.uk
18
BFN is sponsored by The Bradclad Group – see them on page 5

Building & Construction News
Why aren’t developers embracing
sustainable construction standards?
Data analysed by ventilation
solutions provider Airflow
has found that only 3% of
England’s houses have an
EPC rating of A or B, ie. they
are very energy efficient. This
represents a rise of only 0.3%
compared to the previous
year, and just 2% in the last
five years.
Faced with net-zero targets in an ongoing energy
crisis, the UK housing supply needs transformation.
Passivhaus, the ‘gold standard’ for energy efficient
construction, emerges as a necessary solution.
However, Passivhaus Trust estimates that only 1%
New Johnson Controls report
As the commercial real estate sector faces
unprecedented challenges and against the
backdrop of New York Climate Week 2024, the
biggest annual climate event of its kind, the
movement toward smarter buildings is top of mind.
Building on a 2023 commissioned study conducted
by Forrester Consulting on
behalf of Johnson Controls,
a recently released spotlight
report, ‘Cracking The Smart
Buildings Code: A Spotlight On
Retail And Commercial Real
Estate’, reveals that investments
in smart buildings are essential
for leaders aiming to enhance
sustainability, security, and save
money.
“Smart buildings are not just
a trend; there is growing recognition they are a
necessity for modern commercial real estate,”
said Vijay Sankaran, vice president and chief
technology officer, Johnson Controls. “This report
highlights the urgent need for integrated systems
and expert partners to navigate the complexities of
today’s commercial real estate market to achieve
long-term success.”
Train more people into
the heritage industry
A Gloucestershire
heritage organisation,
which trains lime
plasterers of the future,
can now take on 50 more
students after receiving
an award from B&CE
Charitable Trust.
The Charitable Trust has
chosen CarringtonLIME
Heritage Skills Training CIC to be the recipient
of its £20,000 Construction Employability Award
2024/25. CarringtonLIME, a Community Interest
Company, based in Mitcheldean, runs heritage
construction and skills training, predominantly
in lime plastering. The award will enable the
company to expand their fully funded national
Heritage Plastering programme.
The company is currently the only heritage
training provider in the UK offering a full career
path into the ancient art of lime plastering. With
over 300 students trained annually – ranging from
tradespeople to architects and surveyors – the
of new homes are built to
Passivhaus standards.
The findings are revealed
in their latest report, ‘Is
Passivhaus achievable in the
UK?’, which explores the
need for sustainable building
standards in the UK, as well
as the barriers to adopting
these.
The digitalisation of buildings provides an
immense opportunity to gain a clearer picture of
the operation of facilities to create sustainable,
healthy, and safe environments – a critical
differentiator for both
commercial real estate tenants
and buyers. Notably, 75% of
commercial real estate and retail
leaders say smart buildings are
important to accelerating their
digital transformation efforts.
Nearly two-thirds of leaders
indicate smart buildings are
important for reducing costs,
accelerating sustainability
initiatives, and driving business
growth. These results reveal
that retail and commercial real estate leaders are
seeking outcomes that have a positive impact for
building owners, occupants and the bottom line.
www.johnsoncontrols.com/OpenBlue
www.johnsoncontrols.com/insights/2024/whitepaper/cracking-the-code-cre
programme equips
students with a deep
understanding of heritage
construction. Participants
gain practical skills in
creating high-quality
lime plaster mixes,
understanding site
operations, and ultimately
gaining the confidence to
secure work in the field.
The Construction Employability Award, offered by
B&CE Charitable Trust, is an award that supports
organisations in developing new talent within the
construction sector. It is open to organisations that
provide trade-specific training, apprenticeships,
and access to skills development. Additionally,
the award highlights those who provide
support around mental well-being and personal
disadvantages in the workplace.
https://bandce.co.uk/the-charitable-trust/
corporate-support/the-constructionemployability-award
Beyond government targets, the human impact of
energy inefficiency is profound – a third of people
in the UK find it difficult to pay their energy bills,
highlighting the critical need for sustainable, costeffective
housing solutions.
Despite the obvious benefits, what barriers prevent
widespread adoption of this promising sustainable
construction standard?
The lack of interest in Passivhaus is due to several
factors, including:
s Higher upfront construction costs
s Lack of expertise in Passivhaus design and
construction
s Perceived complexity of meeting Passivhaus
standards
s Absence of policy incentives
www.airflow.com
The top 2024
sustainability
data insights
from the built
environment
With greenhouse gas in the atmosphere surging to
the highest levels ever recorded, carbon reduction
efforts must accelerate. According to the WGBC,
buildings are responsible for 39% of global energyrelated
carbon emissions. The world leader in
construction and infrastructure LCA and EPD data,
One Click LCA, provides topical data that shows
where global construction can concentrate efforts
to reduce emissions and improve sustainability.
One Click LCA’s data shows that the carbon
reduction potential in construction projects is
higher when sustainability is considered from the
start. One 2024 hallmark case by One Click LCA, in
collaboration with industry giant AECOM, shows
that emissions can be reduced by as much as 50%
when decisions are made early in the design phase
– when targets are set, major design decisions are
made, subcontractor guidelines are defined, and
the overall plan for the building and construction
process is set.
If the lowest carbon-emitting products are
selected for all materials in a building, carbon
emissions can be reduced by more than one-third.
The calculations are based on One Click LCA’s
database of LCA data and EPDs for +250,000
global construction products. The impact is
particularly high when choosing lower-carbon
emitting products for concrete and steel needs, as
thermally manufactured, carbon-intensive structural
materials make up a large portion of materials used
in projects.
www.oneclicklca.com
20
BFN is sponsored by The Bradclad Group – see them on page 5

Service Sealing Solutions is
the sole UK distributor for the
sealing industry’s top pioneering
manufacturers: DOYMA and HKD.
Service Sealing Solutions Ltd
Service Sealing Solutions Ltd specialises in highquality
service duct sealing systems for utility
services and watertight seals, offering a high level
of expertise to developers and specifiers for sealing
against water and gas ingress around service
entries in basements and high-rise buildings.
With over 50 years of experience, DOYMA
compile both their knowledge and skill
into their seal range, to create effective,
but simple solutions to meet all watertight
service sealing requirements. DOYMA
products provide the highest level of
safety when sealing buildings where
pipes and electrical cables pass through.
DOYMA stands on the front line when it comes to the development
of innovative, practical solutions for sealing and fire systems.
Their goal is to create safe building penetrations for pipes and
cables that seal off fire, gas and water. The rubber mouldings
are what ensure the gas and watertight features.
Here at Service Sealing Solutions, we supply HKD
service seals throughout the whole of the UK. HKD,
now owned by DOYMA, manufactures a wide range of
pipe sealing systems and service conduits – which is
forever growing. All seals in the range are guaranteed
to withstand up to 4 bars of pressure! Also available
in varying sizes and shapes for different access points.
HKD systems have a sealing solution for service conduits cast into
concrete without the sleeves. HKD service conduits are supplied ready for
use, requiring no site preparation work prior to installation. With options
such as KE Socketless service conduits, KG Wall Ducts and Floor Ducts,
together with KG Twin Sockets for installation in pump sumps and where
suitability for thin-walled concrete structures is vital.
For more information, please call us on 01952 510050
or visit www.servicesealingsolutions.co.uk
or email sales@servicesealingsolutions.co.uk

Doors, Windows & Joinery
Hörmann industrial doors
installed at British Army
Vehicle storage depot
Hörmann are working with Skanska UK
on a £259 million Ministry of Defence
contract to deliver the Vehicle Storage
Support Programme (VSSP) at Ashchurch
in Tewkesbury, which will provide modern,
sustainable and effective storage and
maintenance for the British Army’s land
equipment fleet.
The overall project consists of the
construction, mechanical and electrical
engineering for a complex programme
that will see the demolition of 58 buildings,
the construction of 12 new buildings and
refurbishment of one existing facility, plus
renewal of the site’s wide infrastructure.
On completion it will provide a centralised
facility which will ensure the operational
readiness of the Army’s vehicles by
minimising the need for maintenance.
The updated facilities will provide Controlled
Humidity Environment (CHE) storage,
aimed at reducing maintenance costs and
any unnecessary deterioration caused by
extreme drops or rises in temperature,
ensuring that the vehicles are operationally
ready at all times. As part of this key
requirement Hörmann UK are supplying a
total of 226 of their SPU F42 fully automated
Industrial Sectional Doors which are split
between the 12 new warehouse units and
represents one of the largest ‘door only’
projects that the company has undertaken.
Hörmann SPU F42 double-skinned industrial
sectional doors are well known within
the marketplace, recognised for their
good thermal efficiency and air tightness
properties – key factors in this major
project. The doors specified can achieve an
impressive U-value of 1.2 W/m 2 k for doors
including vision panels and a value of 0.9 W/
m 2 k for solid doors. All of the doors supplied
provide Class 3 air permeability. This has
been achieved with enhanced sealing of the
door, with an improved bottom seal, corner
seals which improve the tightness between
the door frame and lintel, together with infill
seals between the ribbing in each
section.
All doors are finished in RAL 7016
Anthracite grey externally and
Hormann’s standard RAL 9002
Grey white internally and provide a
minimum clear opening of 5,000mm
x 5,000mm.
Phil Thorpe, Industrial Projects
Manager for Hörmann UK comments,
“We are delighted to be working with
Skanska on such an important and
prestigious project. The selection of
our industrial sectional doors was
due to their ability to meet the very
specific performance criteria to achieve the
CHE storage requirements. This was coupled
with our ability to work collaboratively with
Skanska on what is a complicated industrial
scheme with multiple interfaces and
trades involved, requiring a high degree of
coordination and communication.
“In addition, our after sales service and the
availability of the comprehensive service
and maintenance capabilities that are being
provided through our sister company FBS
Hörmann played a key role in securing the
contract.”
Installation of the first doors began in
October 2023, with the project expected to
be completed by June 2026.
To find out more about Hörmann industrial
doors visit Industrial Sectional Doors |
Hörmann (www.hormann.co.uk) or call
01530 516868.
22
BFN is sponsored by The Bradclad Group – see them on page 5

Environmental
Product
Declarations
Tamworth-based trade association, Door &
Hardware Federation (DHF) is once again
stressing the importance of Environmental
Product Declarations (EPD). An EPD is an
independently verified and registered document
that communicates transparent and comparable
information about the life-cycle environmental
impact of products. In summary, it measures the
environmental ‘footprint’ of a product.
EPD demonstrate the results of a Life Cycle
Assessment (LCA), detailing ‘cradle to grave’
environmental impact of all processes involved
with the manufacture of a product. This can
include extraction and processing of raw materials,
transport, all elements of the manufacturing
process, dismantling and waste disposal.
“Although it is not yet compulsory to use
EPD in the UK, the market is increasingly selfregulating
as manufacturers seek to demonstrate
carbon transparency and market their products
accordingly,” explains DHF’s Commercial Director,
Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens. “Participation in the
EPD programme is essential if the construction
industry is to meet the growing demand for greater
sustainability. We are delighted to be able to
support our members by offering generic EPD.”
Back in June 2017, DHF was widely considered
‘ahead of the game’ in launching 14 generic EPD
(in collaboration with ARGE) – and since then, the
federation has been educating and informing its
members about the role and growing importance
of EPD in the sustainability process; a complicated
subject, DHF has been plugging the ‘information
gap’.
To establish which DHF members hold EPD, visit:
https://bit.ly/49QaLvG
Working towards EUDR compliance
As a manufacturer with a long
history of embracing high
standards of its raw material
due diligence programme and
sustainability goals in general,
West Fraser is introducing
additional strategies to comply
with the requirements of the
European Union Deforestation
Regulation (EUDR) which was
published in June 2023 and is
set to come into force at the
end of 2024.
With the world’s forests being lost at the equivalent
rate of 800 football pitches an hour, it is considered
to be the second biggest contributor to Climate
Change and results in corresponding damage
to biodiversity. The EUDR has therefore been
established to not only ensure wood comes from
legal sources, but to eradicate deforestation and
degradation our of global forests. Ultimately, the
regulation will help to decouple economic growth
from resource consumption, a key target of the
EU’s Green Deal.
To date, West Fraser has been working to collate
Chris Sadler, CEO, Kimble Solar
Chris Sadler is the CEO and founder of Kimble
Solar, a family-run renewable energy-focused
electrical business based in Buckinghamshire.
As an environmentalist with a background in
construction and engineering, Chris has carved
a niche for himself promoting the importance of
solar PV and renewable energy, driven by
his passion for both engineering and
environmental sustainability.
Having earned a degree in
Mechanical Engineering
from The University of
Nottingham, Chris embarked
on a distinguished career path,
lending his expertise as an
Interior Trim Design Engineer
to the iconic Aston Martin for
four years. However, driven by a
dedication to fostering a greener
future, he transitioned into electrical
engineering, honing his craft as a solo
practitioner and founding Kimble Solar in 2011.
Inspired by his father’s legacy as the founder of
Kimble Construction, Chris infused his passion and
entrepreneurial spirit into Kimble Solar, pivoting
into renewables in 2022 to help protect the planet
data and undertakings from
its supply chain partners, the
forest geolocation, species and
legal aspects are all considered
as part of the risk assessment
process, with the wider road
map for its journey to full
compliance being the subject
of regular review. Meeting the
requirements of EUDR is an
extension of the company’s
already well-established due
diligence systems and disciplines in line with its
forestry policy commitments.
West Fraser’s Group Compliance Manager,
Julie Turner, who is leading the EUDR project,
commented, “We recognise and actively promote
the importance of responsible sourcing across our
supply chains and can assure our customers that
we are engaged with the EUDR requirements to
better our planet and reduce our environmental
impact.”
For further information on West Fraser’s sourcing
and due diligence processes, email:
responsible.sourcing.eu@westfraser.com
and lower carbon emissions with a singular focus
on the installation of solar panels and PVs. Under
his leadership, the company has blossomed into
an environmentally consciousness small business,
mirroring his commitment to sustainability.
With an unwavering dedication to excellence,
Chris has meticulously assembled a
team of highly qualified installers and
attentive support staff, renowned
for their unparalleled after-care
packages and attention to detail.
All installers are trained to the
highest solar standards with
City & Guilds 2391, 18th edition
wiring and BPEC solar and
battery installation qualifications
along with certifications from
the various brands it installs from
NICEIC, MCS and ECA.
Echoing the standards of John Lewis, Chris
and his team at Kimble Solar pride themselves
on delivering exceptional customer service,
epitomising a blend of quality results and
unparalleled post-installation support.
www.kimbletech.com
Green News
GTEC brings portable renewables training
to the Isle of Man
GTEC, part of the United Living Group, has been
working with Construction Isle of Man and the
Manx government on an exciting project to bring
MCS accredited renewables training to the Isle of
Man (IOM). Prior to GTEC’s involvement, there was
no provision for this on the island.
GTEC identified the lack of training for installers
looking to make the move into renewables. This,
coupled with IOM’s ambitious Net Zero targets,
gave GTEC the perfect opportunity to bring its
industry-leading courses direct to the IOM, saving
heating engineers the trouble and expense of
leaving the island to up-skill.
In its Climate Change Plan, the IOM government
has committed to reaching net-zero emissions by
2050 and has set two challenging interim targets:
a 35% reduction by 2030 and a 45% reduction
by 2035. They aim to decarbonise the island’s
electricity supply by 2030 and to generate an extra
30 megawatts of renewable electricity locally by
2026. The call for renewables, therefore, is great.
Debbie Reeve, Chief Officer for Construction
IOM, is enthusiastic about the new training
opportunities, “GTEC has built some great mobile
rigs that they have brought to the island to train
our heating engineers this summer. The first
courses in Solar PV, Electrical Energy Storage
Systems (EESS) and Air Source Heat Pump
installation were delivered at the Comis Hotel at
Mount Murray in late June, with more planned for
July and later in the year.”
https://gtec.co.uk
BFN is sponsored by The Bradclad Group – see them on page 5 23

Classifieds
Sustainable Building
Horticultural Careers
Underfloor Heating
01743 298001
www.easyflow.org.uk
Commercial Ventilation
Control Solutions
A specialist recruitment agency for the
Gardening, Landscaping and Horticulture
Industries throughout the UK
020 7793 7825
info@freshhortcareers.com
www.freshhortcareers.com
Solenoid Valve Operating Magnets
Liquid Waterproofing
Operate a
solenoid valve
when a system is
without power
02381 550189 www.fridgenius.com
Underfloor Heating &
Liquid Floor Screed
Specialists across the UK
Thousands of Quality Products
Mudfords
Bags, Tarpaulins, Hessian & Jute,
Nets, Straps & Slings, Rope &
Cord, Custom Made, Haulage,
Cleaning & More
www.mudfords.co.uk
Waterproof Floor Outlet
Activation | Monitoring |
Supervision & Control Solutions
Waterproofing and Sealing Solutions
for Flat Roofs, Façades & Buildings
0203 286 7949
www.simonbox.co.uk
GSM Diallers
GSM Switches
GSM Intercoms
sales@gsm-activate.co.uk
www.gsm-activate.co.uk
Water Heaters
01623 627285
info.uk@ccm-europe.com
www.ccm-europe.com/gb/
Safety Consultants
Simonbox IP66
Waterproof Floor Outlet
Architectural Hardware
Built Environmental Safety, Health
& Wellbeing Consultancy
+353 (0)1 611 1556
info@dconsafety.com www.dconsafety.com
020 8648 1500
sales@frelan.co.uk
www.frelanhardware.co.uk
Environmental Consultants
Meters & Metering Equipment
Electric Vehicles
Contact: Graham Parry
+44 (0)118 971 0000
www.accon-uk.com
We specialise in air quality, noise,
vibration, lighting, flood risk environmental
assessment, contaminated land and EIA
24
BFN is sponsored by The Bradclad Group – see them on page 5

Classifieds
Waste Management Window Cleaning Commercial Cleaning
Construction Hoists
Screws & Fixings
Ventilation Specialist
Joinery
Security Solutions
Caustic Washout Solutions
01799 599995
dee@bluerunltd.co.uk www.bluerunltd.co.uk
NeutraliZer CO 2
Caustic Washout Solution
Creative Design & Fabrication
Creative design and fabrication for arts,
entertainment, events, and attractions
07547 352391 - info@sandpitcreations.com
www.sandpitcreations.com
Automated Gates, Barriers
& Access Control
T 01442 253341
info@castlegatesandautomation.co.uk
www.castlegatesandautomation.co.uk
Site Management
ModCon Cabin Trader,
the Modular, Portable
Building & Plant
Industry related,
Resale/Auction website
Steel AV Cabins • Smoking Shelters • Chemical
Stores & Storage Units • Staircases & Steps •
Effluent Tanks • Water Bowsers • Turnstiles
www.modconcabintrader.com
T +44 (0)333 404 8822
alan@modconcabintrader.co.uk
www.modconcabins.co.uk
01422 363462 www.smartstormgroup.com
Hinges
QUALITY HINGES FOR OVER 200 YEARS
AND A NUMBER OF BESPOKE SOLUTIONS
GOLDWASSALLHINGES.CO.UK
Mowing Systems
Sealing Solutions
Service Sealing Solutions is
the sole UK distributor for the
sealing industry’s top pioneering
manufacturers: DOYMA and HKD
Heating & Supply Technology
Outstanding
system
solutions
Service Sealing Solutions Ltd
‘Dedicated to offer the best mowing system
for maintaining large area turfgrass’
Please visit www.ecoclipper.com
+31 (0)646753560 info@ecoclipper.com
For more information, please call
us on 01952 510050 or visit
www.servicesealingsolutions.co.uk
sales@servicesealingsolutions.co.uk
www.reflex-winkelmann.com/en
BFN is sponsored by The Bradclad Group – see them on page 5 25

STEEL BUILDING
SOLUTIONS
+ SINGLE SKIN + COMPOSITE + ROLLER DOORS +
WINDOWS + SKYLIGHTS + PERSONNEL DOORS +
INSTALLATION OPTIONS +
INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURAL DOMESTIC
CASTLE STEEL BUILDINGS are focused on providing exceptional service as our first
priority. We understand that most customers prefer a very personalised service,
and so we are committed to ensuring that customers are completely satisfied
with their purchase from start to finish.
GET A FREE ONLINE QUOTE AT
WWW.CASTLESTEELBUILDINGS.CO.UK
OR CONTACT US ON
01302 301402
INFO@CASTLESTEELBUILDINGS.CO.UK