Building and Facilities News Issue 1016

Tel: 0121 550 4593 ● www.buildingandfacilitiesnews.co.uk ● April ● Issue 1016

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Mudfords delivers proven

site protection solutions

Page 8

Bona

19

Imperium

Security

25

Cascade

Water

Products

30

Building & Construction

BAQUS Construction & Property Consultancy

BAQUS Construction and Property

Consultancy is a well-established practice

operating at the cutting edge of our profession

with experience in most sectors of the

Construction Industry. As a forward-thinking

business which strives for continued success,

we offer an award-winning customer focused

service always looking for continuous

improvement and delivering added value and

cost efficiency.

Our History: BAQUS was formed in 2007

amalgamating long-established traditional

surveying firms including Fletcher McNeill,

Boxall Sayer, Denley King and Nigel Rose. We

operate from six offices across the UK.

Our ‘One Stop’ Professional Services:

s Project Management, Employer’s Agent and

Contract Administration

s Quantity Surveying and Cost Management

s Building Surveying, Party Walls and

Dilapidations

s Expertise in Historic Buildings

s CDM Advice (Health and Safety)

s Access Audits and Consultancy

s Funding advice

s Sustainability and

Renewables

s Assistance with Dispute

Resolution and Expert

Witness

s Project Monitoring and

Independent Certifier

Our Ethos: At the heart of

our business is exceptional

personal service undertaken by

exceptional staff. Every commission, however

large or small is of equal importance to us.

We provide our Clients with personal contact

and dedicate a BAQUS director to all projects.

Every project is subject to regular review at

director level to ensure we are delivering our

promises, creating added value and continuous

improvement.

We are advocates of partnering, collaborative

working and best-value procurement. We

have wide-ranging experience of alternative

procurement strategies aimed at delivering to

our clients brief. Environmental considerations

are important to us, as is the promotion of

sustainable solutions. We employ Chartered

Environmentalists who have represented

our profession in the global promotion of

sustainability issues.

Our Clients & Work Sectors: We have a broad

Client base covering Private and Public Sector

organisations, many of whom have given us

repeat commissions over many years using

Framework Agreements and Term Contracts.

We have a strong track record of working in the

Leisure, Sports, Education, Arts, Commercial,

Healthcare, Heritage, Hospitality, Hotels,

Residential, Retail, and Transportation sectors.

Our People: Our greatest strength is our

people and we work hard to find, develop,

train, motivate and retain the finest calibre of

personnel at all levels who offer a professional

and enthusiastic service. The loyalty shown by

our people is exceptional and many have spent

their entire careers with us.

Accreditations: BAQUS Construction and

Property Consultancy is regulated by The Royal

Institution of Chartered Surveyors and holds

Quality Assurance, Environmental and Health

and Safety certifications to ISO: 9001, 14001

and 45001. We also hold numerous industry

specific accreditations for health and safety (eg.

CHAS) and technical competence.

T 020 7831 1283

www.baqus.co.uk

2

BFN is sponsored by Yeoman Shield – see them on pages 12-13

Editor’s Comments

Welcome to our April issue,

where we dive into the latest

advancements, practical

insights, and groundbreaking

innovations shaping the

building & facilities industries.

On pages 12-13, we feature

Yeoman Shield as the winner of our Certified

Protection Award. Yeoman Shield has built a

strong reputation over 60 years for delivering

high-quality, reliable wall and door protection

solutions, particularly within the healthcare

sector. In this feature, we highlight the

company’s specialist Fire Door Inspection

and maintenance services, proven product

performance, & complete service-led approach.

As demand rises for interactive, safe spaces

that enhance visitor

experiences, The

Playcraft Group

has cemented its

reputation as a

leading UK partner

for leisure, retail, and

family entertainment

operators. If you’re looking to install

trampoline parks, climbing walls, adventure

playgrounds, ninja warrior courses, sensory

zones, and multi-activity facilities into your

space, The Playcraft Group works to combine

creative design with operational efficiency

to maximise both engagement and revenue

potential. See page 23.

The Safety & Security Event Series has

announced that every seminar session

Contents

Nicola Yoxall

Editor & Office Manager

delivered across the portfolio at

the NEC Birmingham in April 2026

will be fully accredited by The CPD

Group, reinforcing the event’s

commitment to professional

development, skills advancement

and industry best practice. Read

our full show preview on page 26.

Show preview: Futurebuild 2026. Other topics

covered: Drainage & External Works, Building

& Construction, Water Management, Site

Equipment, Cleaning & Hygiene, Flooring,

Facilities & Estates Management, Project

Management, Doors, Windows & Joinery, Lifts

& Stairs.

Share all news:

nicolayoxall@buildingandfacilitiesnews.co.uk

Building and

Facilities News

Building &

Construction 7-11

Hird is a well-established

and trusted mini

crane, powered access

and glass lifting hire

specialist, delivering a

national service to all sectors.

Certified Protection

Award 12-13

Yeoman Shield has

built a strong reputation

over 60 years for

delivering high-quality, reliable wall and

door protection solutions.

Water Management

News 14-15

Green Drain has

launched its waterless

trap seal in the UK.

Facilities & Estates

Management 20-23

Bradshaw EV, a leading

manufacturer of electric

utility vehicles, will unveil

a new addition to its

Goupil range at CV Show.

Contacts

On the Cover

Editor & Office Manager, Nicola Yoxall – 0121 550 4593

nicolayoxall@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.

Mudfords 8

Mudfords continues to support construction and facilities

management professionals across the UK with a comprehensive

range of industrial textiles and site protection materials designed for

demanding environments.

The Security Event

Preview 26-28

The Safety & Security

Event Series has

announced that every

seminar session

delivered across the portfolio will be

fully accredited by The CPD Group.

Futurebuild Preview 29-32

Futurebuild reveals a

re-imagined format for

the 2026 event (12-14

May 2026 at ExCeL

London) that will help the construction

industry to connect the dots between

global, cross-sector priorities and

what’s being achieved on the ground.

BFN is sponsored

by Yeoman Shield

– see them on

pages 12-13

Company of the Month

Built to last: Geo Green

Power’s end-to-end approach

to renewable energy

In this issue of Building & Facilities

News, we are pleased to feature

Renewable Energy Installer, Geo Green

Power, as our Company of the Month

Founded in 2010,

Geo Green Power

has grown alongside

the UK’s renewable

energy sector,

evolving from an

ambitious start-up into

one of the country’s

most established

independent installers.

In an industry that has

seen rapid change – and plenty of companies

come and go – Geo Green Power has built its

reputation on consistency, technical knowhow

and a long-term commitment to doing

renewables properly.

The business was started by Andrew

Cunningham, who made the leap into clean

energy after a successful career in software

development. Motivated by a growing concern

about climate change and a belief that people

should have more control over how they

produce and use energy, Andrew saw early

potential in the UK’s Feed-in Tariff scheme

and the role solar could play in reshaping

the energy landscape. He invested his own

resources at a time when renewables were far

from mainstream, laying the foundations for

what the company is today. Andrew continues

to guide the business as Chairman, with

innovation and sustainability firmly at its core.

Based in Bradmore, just outside Nottingham,

Geo Green Power operates on a truly national

scale, delivering projects everywhere from

the south coast to the Highlands of Scotland.

Its in-house team of designers, engineers and

electricians works across both the commercial

and domestic sectors, designing systems

that are tailored to each site rather than

taking a one-sizefits-all

approach. The

aim is simple: help

customers cut costs,

reduce carbon and

make their energy

supply more resilient

for the long term.

Solar PV remains

the backbone of

the business. From

rooftop installations

on schools,

warehouses and

factories to large

ground-mounted

arrays, Geo Green

Power delivers a

steady stream of

projects every month.

Its growing portfolio

reflects the diversity

of its client base,

including universities, care providers and

agricultural businesses, all benefiting from

reliable returns and tangible carbon savings.

But the company’s offering goes well

beyond solar alone. Battery storage, EV

charging and renewable heating solutions

are now an integral part of many projects.

By combining solar with battery systems,

customers can make better use of the energy

they generate, storing surplus power

for when it’s needed most. EV

charging solutions – ranging

from domestic units to large

commercial installations –

are designed to integrate

seamlessly with on-site

generation, supporting the

shift to electric transport.

Geo Green Power also

installs and maintains both

air source and ground source

heat pumps, helping buildings

move away from fossil fuels while

improving overall efficiency. Having all of

these technologies under one roof allows the

company to act as a single, trusted partner for

organisations looking to simplify their journey

to net zero.

Over the past

15 years, Geo

Green Power

has consistently

reinvested in the

sector, supporting

research projects with

university partners

and helping to pave

the way for GeoPura,

a joint venture with

Siemens Energy

focused on scaling green hydrogen. It’s a

clear reflection of a business that’s not just

responding to the energy transition – but

actively shaping it.

Andrew Cunningham founded GeoPura in

2019 and launched their trademark Hydrogen

Power Unit (HPU) at the Goodwood Festival

of Speed, delivering the first electric hill climb

powered by green hydrogen. The Geo Green

Power team was instrumental in this launch,

with a number of key members transitioning

across to roles within GeoPura.

The two companies continue to work

alongside each other, and recently delivered

a demonstrator project which involves a

2.5MWp ground mount solar array generating

power to operate a 1MW electrolyser and

produce 130 tonnes of green hydrogen every

year. Currently all the green hydrogen

produced is used with GeoPura

HPUs providing 100% emissions

free off-grid energy to outside

broadcast, festivals and

construction customers.

What really sets Geo Green

Power apart from many

other renewable energy

providers is the way they

handle every project from

start to finish. Communications

& Projects Director, Kat Auckland,

explains, “All of our surveying, design

and project management is delivered

inhouse and unlike many of our competitors

we also operate inhouse installation teams.

This enables us to provide a seamless end

to end service, and it ensures that when

customers work with us again it’s the same

team that looks after them for subsequent

projects. In addition

we employ an inhouse

Operations & Maintenance

team and service engineers

to provide ongoing service

and planned maintenance

to ensure the longevity of

the systems we install, and

unlike many competitors we

are happy to take on legacy

systems.

4


Company of the Month

“We never operate

any form of pressure

selling techniques. It’s

important to us that

we understand our

customers’ needs,

provide realistic

generation and

payback figures and

specify and design

systems that deliver

a true return on

investment.

“All of this ensures that we deliver an

exceptional level of customer experience and

we are very proud of the customer feedback

we regularly receive and our 4.9 star rating on

Trust Pilot.”

From the very beginning, Geo Green Power

has built a diverse client base. While the

company initially focused on domestic

installations, it quickly branched into the

agricultural sector and hasn’t looked back

since. Today, it works with almost every

industry across the UK, with an impressive

roster of clients that includes Moto Hospitality,

Group 1, Toyota, MKM, Ideagen and Kingspan.

The company has particular expertise in multisite

rollouts, delivering solar PV installations

for the motor industry and hospitality while

keeping sites fully operational and open to the

public – a key consideration for businesses

that can’t afford downtime. And thanks to its

ISO 9001, ISO 14001, NICEIC and CHAS Elite

accreditations, as well as

membership in public sector

frameworks, Geo Green

Power also supports a wide

range of healthcare and

education projects, bringing

renewable energy solutions to

schools, hospitals and other

public facilities.

High-energy industries such

as manufacturing,

food processing and

chemical production

are another natural fit

for solar PV. For these

sectors, installing

solar not only cuts

energy bills and

emissions but also

provides long-term

energy price security.

Geo Green Power

has its sights set on being the best renewable

energy installer in the UK, and for Geo, it all

starts from the team powering this growth.

“We believe that this starts with our team. We

want Geo Green Power to be a great place to

work, so we can attract and retain the best

people in the industry,” said Kat. “Our team

is here to delight our customers, delivering

installations that we are proud of and driving

repeat business and recommendations.

Delivering profitable work will enable us to

grow and invest in the business, improving our

processes and rewarding our team.”

2025 has given Geo a firm platform for more

growth in the coming years. Kat shares,

“Throughout 2025 we consolidated our

Operations & Maintenance offering under one

O&M Manager, running both our heating and

electrical service & maintenance engineers

and supporting the future success and growth

of the team. We also launched a new service,

remote monitoring, which provides peace

of mind for our commercial customers that

the generation of their systems is meeting

expectations and that any fault or emerging

issue is identifies and rectified as early as

possible.

“As the solar installation market has matured,

so have the number of routes open to

customers to access funding for their

investment. Throughout 2025, we identified

preferred providers for asset finance and PPA.

“During 2025 we became serious about our

own impact on the environment, something

which is close to our hearts as a team and an

outlook shared by many of our customers. We

produced our first ESG report, consolidating

all of the sustainable practices that we are

already delivering for our team, customers

and the wider community into one document

and aligning them with the UN Goals for

Sustainable Development. We also collated

base data for our own carbon reduction

plan, producing a carbon footprint for 2024

that we will now use to generate ambitious

decarbonisation goals.”

With a track record of delivering high-quality

renewable energy solutions, Geo Green

Power is setting its sights on the next chapter:

expanding its reach, refining its services, and

helping even more clients make the transition

to cleaner, more cost-effective energy.

“Geo Green Power will continue on our course

to become the best renewable energy installer

in the UK. We aim to continue to develop our

processes and procedures with a focus on

safety and efficiency and grow the number

of clients that we are supporting to invest

in greener, cleaner and more cost-effective

energy for their homes and businesses,” said

Kat.

Contact

T 0800 988 3188

T 01509 880199

info@geogreenpower.com

www.geogreenpower.com

BFN is sponsored by Yeoman Shield – see them on pages 12-13 5

Drainage & External Works

Drain and sewer tech

‘front and centre’

Drainage contractors will have a

lot to see at WJA Trade Show 2025

– the UK’s water jetting exhibition –

including innovative jetter systems

so new they are

yet to be given

product names.

The Water

Jetting

Association

is hosting the

exhibition

at StoneX

Stadium, North

London, on

Thursday 11th

September,

after a highly

successful

inaugural event at the same venue

last year.

Equipment and services aimed

at the drainage industry will be

well represented, with exhibitors

showing off their latest drain jetting

units, jet vac tankers, jetting nozzles

and hose assembles for sewer

cleaning.

Like last year, WJA Trade Show

2025 will be free to attend, with free

parking – and with StoneX Stadium

located just five minutes from

Junction 2 of the M1, the WJA is

aiming to grow attendance.

WJA Director, Leanne Smith,

said, “The vital

importance of

water jetting to

drainage and water

utilities industries

is reflected in the

exhibitors already

booked in for WJA

Trade Show 2025.

Drain and sewer

interests will be front

and centre at the

exhibition.

“This year, we have

two external display

areas, instead of the one we had

last year, with nine stands. All but

one have already been taken by

equipment suppliers, many of which

sell into the drainage industry.”

Flowplant is one of the exhibitors

bringing new products to WJA Trade

Show 2025, with three jetter units

so new they are yet to be formally

named.

To book free tickets or enquire

about exhibiting at WJA Trade

Show: www.wjatradeshow.org.uk

Shou Sugi Ban ®

Our Shou Sugi Ban ® charred

timber cladding has elevated

the aesthetics of many awardwinning

buildings. Yakisugi,

a traditional preservation

technique, delivers a timeless

finish that perfectly complements

contemporary builds and heritage

renovations.

One architect’s

practice,

Hyperspace,

steered away

from installing

standard charred

timber planks.

Described by

the New Gen

European

Architecture

Platform as

one of the UK’s

most exciting,

emerging

studios,

Hyperspace

favours innovative applications

for our charred timber. This

includes shingles and batons that

create a strong play of light and

shadow.

With a strong focus on

minimising ecological impact

while maximising craftsmanship

and the human experience, Shou

Sugi Ban ® has been applied

to create unique sculptural

and tactile finishes on three

Hyperspace projects. We love

seeing this original use of our

charred timbers and were keen to

know more.

Fortunately,

Hyperspace

founder, Olli

Andrew, was

willing to

participate in

an Architects

Q&A with us. He

shared why he is

drawn to timber

as a construction

material and the

specific appeal

of Shou Sugi

Ban ® .

Read his

insightful

responses on our website:

https://exterior.supplies/

hyperspace-shou-sugi-ban-qa/

If you have any questions about

Shou Sugi Ban ® or would like

to book an appointment to visit

our Buckinghamshire showroom,

please call 01494 711800.

DIY Knotweed control could have legal

consequences – so can I get rid of knotweed myself?

DIY is a popular practice for many ‘money

saving’ enthusiasts, but there are times when

it simply isn’t the best option, and finding you

have an invasive species sharing your habitat

is one of these.

Doing a bit of Google research (as we all

do when venturing on a new DIY journey)

may have you believing this ‘dreaded plant’

can be killed with diesel, vinegar or simply

running it over with a lawn mower, but after

reading this article, homeowners on the hunt

for a quick fix to their garden infestation will

be thinking again!

Discovering the legal implications of failing

to put the right control measures in place or

ignoring the problem could cost one family

thousands of pounds in court fines and even

imprisonment, but let’s start by busting some

of the DIY myths about controlling or killing

Japanese knotweed.

Myth: you can kill knotweed with diesel,

bleach, fire or vinegar!

Contrary to popular belief, diesel does not

kill Japanese knotweed. Bleach is another

chemical that is ineffective and causes other

additional problems to the environment.

While burning Japanese knotweed may

remove the top growth, it won’t have any

effect on rhizome growth.

Myth: mowing will

get rid of it!

Moving, strimming,

or flailing Japanese

knotweed is likely to

significantly increase

the risk of knotweed

spreading across

your property and

onto neighbouring

land.

Myth: Japanese

knotweed can be

killed!

In short, Japanese

knotweed cannot

be killed and can

only be controlled via herbicide treatment

or removed via excavation by a professional

knotweed company.

Myth: knotweed waste can be disposed of

at a local recycling centre!

The Government website has guidance

called “Prevent Japanese knotweed from

spreading”. It states, “You must dispose

of Japanese knotweed waste off-site by

transferring it to a disposal facility that’s

permitted, eg. a landfill site that has the right

environmental permit.” This means if you

cut back knotweed or dig it up and take it to

your local waste and

recycling centre that

does not have the

right environmental

permit, you could be

fined up to £2,000 or

be sent to prison.

Legal implications

As a rule of thumb: If

you own or manage

a property or land

affected by Japanese

knotweed, you are

responsible for its

control. Failure to

do so could lead to

unwanted disputes,

substantial fines, or even imprisonment.

Conclusion

In short, DIY is non-effective, Japanese

knotweed cannot be killed, and ignoring

the issue may result in legal offences,

possible fines or even imprisonment. The

only sure way to control knotweed is to

hire a professional company who will plan

a treatment programme or completely

eradicate knotweed from site.

www.japaneseknotweed.co.uk

www.environmentcontrols.co.uk

6



Mudfords delivers proven site protection solutions

for construction & facilities management

Mudfords continues to support construction

and facilities management professionals

across the UK with a comprehensive range

of industrial textiles and site protection

materials designed for demanding

environments.

With a heritage

dating back to 1832,

Mudfords has built

a long-standing

reputation for

supplying dependable

products that help

businesses maintain

safe, efficient and

protected operations.

Today, its portfolio

remains focused

on practical, highperformance

solutions used daily

across construction

sites, infrastructure

projects and

maintenance operations.

The range includes tarpaulins and protective

covers, widely used to protect materials,

equipment and work areas from weather

exposure, alongside sandbags and bulk bags

for flood defence, ballast and site stability.

For ground protection and seasonal

applications, Mudfords supplies hessian

and jute materials, ideal for frost protection,

curing and landscaping. These are

complemented by a broad selection of rope

and cord products for general site use.

Supporting transport

and logistics

requirements,

Mudfords also

provides lifting slings,

ratchet straps and load

restraint equipment,

helping ensure safe

handling, movement

and securing of loads

across a range of

applications.

Explore the full

product range:

www.mudfords.co.uk

In addition to its

core offering, Mudfords works closely with

customers to deliver bespoke industrial

textile solutions, including made-to-measure

covers tailored to specific operational needs.

This flexibility enables contractors and

facilities teams to source products that meet

exact project requirements.

The breadth and reliability of the Mudfords

range allows customers to source essential

site materials from a single, trusted supplier,

supporting efficiency and consistency across

projects.

Operating from Sheffield, with additional UK

manufacturing and warehousing facilities,

Mudfords combines strong stock availability

with responsive service, ensuring customers

have access to the products they need, when

they need them.

As part of the Stuart Canvas Group,

Mudfords continues to build on nearly

two centuries of expertise, maintaining

its commitment to quality, reliability and

practical solutions for UK industry.

For more information or to discuss your

requirements, visit: www.mudfords.co.uk

Specialists in mini-crane hire, glass

handling and powered access equipment

Hird is a well-established and

trusted mini crane, powered

access and glass lifting

hire specialist, delivering a

national service to all sectors,

including construction,

facilities maintenance and

manufacturing. Over the

years, the company has

developed a reputation for

impeccable service and topof-the

range machines.

Since its foundation in

the 1980s, Hird’s lifting

and access expertise has

contributed to the success

of many major projects

across the UK, including

the construction of the Shard, Europe’s

tallest building. However, Hird’s equipment is

used on projects of all sizes, including glass

installation for house extensions, steel erection

in construction projects and maintenance of

historical buildings.

As a leading expert in pick and carry cranes,

tracked spider cranes, glass and materials

vacuum lifting, powered access hire and

contract lifting; Hird has unrivalled access

to a plethora of machinery which can be

conveniently delivered and collected directly

from work sites.

Its powered access rental

fleet has an extensive

range of aerial work

platforms suitable for many

applications. They include

electric and diesel scissor

lifts, electric and diesel boom

lifts (cherry pickers), track

mounted booms, pusharound

low-level access and

bi-energy MEWPs.

Hird has also established

itself as a leading provider

of glass handling and glass

lifting services in the UK. It

provides a comprehensive

range of glazing robots, glass

vacuum lifters

and glass handling accessories,

such as glazing trolleys, vacuum

cups and glazing slings.

For example, the company is

a UK and Ireland authorised

distributor for Winlet glazing

robots, which are among the

most advanced and capable

glazing robots available in the

UK. They are designed to lift,

carry and place glass panels

with complete safety and

precision.

The company is also at the forefront of the

mini-crane revolution with one of the largest

mini crane hire fleets in the UK. These cuttingedge

machines are ideally suited for lifting in

environments where space is at a premium and

Hird is leading the way in electric mini-cranes,

helping clients stay aligned with challenging

sustainability and carbon net zero objectives.

Hird’s extensive fleet is unparalleled in the UK.

Its broad experience in a variety of building

projects, coupled with its impressive customer

service, makes Hird an industry-leader that is

staying true to its mission to deliver the best

service, with honesty and with respect for all.

As well as leading the way with a diverse hire

fleet, Hird represent Valla Industrial battery

powered, pick & carry

cranes an Oil & Steel

truck and tracked

powered access.

Hird Training provide

industrial training for

accredited training

providers including,

IPAF, RTITB, PSMA,

LEEA and many more.

T 01482 227333

info@hird.co.uk

www.hird.co.uk

8



The Silverton apartments: Balcony glazing

for 11-storey high rise development

Situated in East London’s

Royal Docks, The Silverton is

a development of 1-, 2- and

3-bedroom luxury apartments

from property developer

Fairview New Homes. The

project required balcony

glazing to create a sheltered

outdoor living space, while

also helping to reduce noise

pollution and meet windloading

requirements.

Solarlux worked closely with Fairview to design

and manufacture balcony glazing that provided

acoustic performance, structural integrity

and regulatory compliance, while supporting

Fairview’s quality and warranty obligations.

The main challenge was the noise levels.

Aircraft noise, combined with the industrial area

background noise, meant acoustic performance

was critical.

Proline T and Proline T Mega are slide-and-turn

glazing systems that offer aesthetics and ease of

use. They can also provide up to 30dB of sound

reduction in optimal conditions.

Due to the height and exposed location of the

development, the balcony glazing needed to

withstand high wind loads & potential deflection.

Solarlux’s Proline T systems feature robust

top-running profiles and reinforced aluminium

frames. The height-adjustment

profile enables precise panel

alignment, while compensating

for building movement and

wind deflection.

The balcony glazing was

also engineered to meet the

project’s lateral and funnelled

wind-loading requirements

across all elevations.

In addition to the technical performance of

the balcony glazing, appearance was a key

consideration. The Proline T and Proline T

Mega systems offer slim, elegant profiles and

uninterrupted glass spans. These design features

ensure the balconies integrate seamlessly with

the building’s contemporary design, while

providing outdoor spaces that residents can enjoy

throughout the year.

Full-height glass enclosures were specified on

upper levels to maximise protection from wind

and weather, while half-height

balcony enclosures were used

at lower levels.

Solarlux designed and

manufactured a consistent

design and regulatory

compliance at all levels of

the building. The resulting

balconies provide residents

with sheltered, enclosed

£530 billion

construction pipeline

The government’s Infrastructure

Pipeline sets out 780 projects

worth £530 billion over the next ten

years, covering transport, energy,

education and healthcare.

For UK construction firms, this

represents a significant pipeline of

opportunity. However, the sector

recorded more insolvencies than

any other UK industry in

2025, with almost 4,000

firms collapsing.

This contrast

highlights a critical

point: a strong

pipeline does

not guarantee

commercial

viability. With

construction costs

forecast to rise by

15% over the next five

years and tender prices

expected to increase alongside

them, successful contractors will be

those who balance opportunity with

disciplined pricing and robust risk

management.

Experts at Executive Compass, a

bid and tender writing specialist,

examine how construction firms can

evaluate opportunities and identify

which contracts are commercially

viable.

The Building Cost Information

Service (BCIS) forecasts

construction costs to rise by 15%

over the next five years, with tender

prices expected to follow at 16%.

Labour remains the primary pressure

point, with employer

National Insurance

contributions and the

National Living Wage

driving the BCIS

Labour Cost Index

upwards.

Skills shortages

are compounding

the issue, and

demand from the

booming data centre

sector is adding further

strain on mechanical and

electrical contractors.

While the volume of available work

is growing, the cost of delivering it is

growing faster. For firms operating

on tight margins, this significantly

reduces tolerance for error.

https://executivecompass.co.uk/

services/bid-and-tender-writing

spaces that extend living areas and improve

overall residential quality.

Construction

centre to open

Oaklands College in Hertfordshire

is building a towering reputation

in the construction industry and

creating strong foundations for its

students’ future careers.

The further education college has

been picked as one of only six

colleges nationwide to partner

with the Construction Industry

Training Board (CITB) and the

Home Builders Federation (NBF) in

their ‘Partner a college’ project.

This initiative sees further

education colleges that have been

identified as having an excellent

construction department being

invited to get involved with

some exciting and prestigious

construction projects, giving them

a fantastic insight into the industry

in action.

Oaklands College students will

be attached to housebuilders in

the southeast area, with those

companies yet to be announced.

This comes just as the college

is gearing up to open the jewel

in the crown of its extensive

redevelopment project, which will

completely transform its campus

Close collaboration between Solarlux and

Fairview ensured that all building regulations

were met and that the project fully satisfied

NHBC compliance and warranty criteria. Solarlux

provided comprehensive performance, testing

and regulatory compliance documentation for the

Proline T and Proline T Mega systems.

Clear communication and technical support were

critical from both parties throughout the project.

Solarlux provided product and installation training,

and had regular site visits, to ensure the project

ran smoothly. The Fairview team visited the

Solarlux UK showroom in Welwyn Garden City, to

learn more about the balcony glazing system in

person.

The Silverton demonstrates how non-thermally

broken systems can deliver strong acoustic

performance, structural reliability and regulatory

compliance when correctly

specified.

To discuss a specific project,

arrange a showroom

visit, download technical

documentation or seek expert

advice, contact the Solarlux

team today at: www.solarlux.

com and watch the video on

YouTube.

in St Albans – the Construction

Centre – on 26 November.

The ambitious Construction

Centre project is a 3,000m² new

build that will provide stateof-the-art

teaching facilities

for the construction skills

curriculum areas. It includes

workshops for practical learning

for the plumbing, electrical and

renewables installation trades,

a construction lab, a virtual

reality learning suite and general

teaching and IT classrooms.

The build has also used many

cutting-edge sustainability

practices, including being one of

the first projects in the UK to use

a brick made from fully recycled

materials.

www.oaklands.ac.uk

10


Certified Protection Award

Built to perform: How Yeo

durable, compliant protec

In this issue of Building & Facilities News, we

are pleased to feature Yeoman Shield as the

winner of our Certified Protection Award

Yeoman Shield has built a strong reputation

over 60 years for delivering high-quality,

reliable wall and door protection solutions,

particularly within the healthcare sector.

Recognition through the ‘Certified Protection’

award reflects the consistently high

standards upheld across

the business – from product

design and manufacture

through to specification

support, installation and

aftercare. It highlights not

only the performance of the

products themselves, but

also the trust customers

place in Yeoman Shield

to deliver dependable,

compliant solutions in

demanding environments.

Central to this approach is a commitment

to certified performance. All products are

independently tested to meet relevant fire

safety and performance standards, ensuring

they support both safety and compliance.

This is especially critical in healthcare

environments, where the integrity of walls,

doors and circulation spaces plays a vital role

in maintaining safe and operational facilities.

By combining durability with compliance,

Yeoman Shield enables clients to specify

solutions with confidence, knowing they will

perform as intended without compromising

fire safety.

Modern buildings –

particularly healthcare

facilities – face ongoing

challenges from high traffic,

equipment movement

and daily wear and tear.

Over time, this can lead

to significant damage to

walls, doors and other

vulnerable areas, increasing

maintenance costs and

causing disruption. In

addition to aesthetic

concerns, such damage can impact hygiene

standards and, in the case of fire doors,

affect compliance. Yeoman Shield’s systems

are specifically designed to address these

challenges, protecting high-impact areas and

helping to preserve the building fabric while

supporting safe, efficient environments over

the long term.

What sets Yeoman Shield apart is its

combination of proven product performance

and a complete service-led approach.

Products are developed to withstand

demanding environments, offering long-term

durability, impact resistance and compliance

with relevant standards. Alongside this,

the company’s in-house installation

service ensures projects are delivered to a

consistently high standard. By employing

its own experienced fitters, Yeoman Shield

maintains control, quality and accountability

throughout the process, providing clients

with greater peace of mind and long-term

value.

Testing and certification are fundamental to

product development, with every solution

designed to meet relevant standards from

the outset. This not only ensures compliance

but also provides customers with confidence

that products are fit for purpose. At the

same time, these processes drive continual

improvement and innovation, helping

Yeoman Shield maintain quality, trust and

credibility across its range.

Across a wide range of healthcare projects,

Yeoman Shield’s systems have delivered

measurable benefits by significantly reducing

12


man Shield is delivering

tion for healthcare

Certified Protection Award

damage in high-impact areas. Protected

corridors and door sets require less frequent

repair, helping to lower maintenance costs

and minimise disruption. In addition,

protecting fire doors supports their ongoing

condition and compliance. Complementing

this, the company’s specialist Fire Door

Inspection and maintenance services provide

a complete solution, enabling clients to

identify and address any issues quickly and

effectively to maintain compliance.

The evolving regulatory landscape,

particularly in relation to fire safety and

environmental responsibility, continues to

influence product development and service

delivery. Yeoman Shield takes a proactive

approach, investing in testing, certification

and innovation to ensure its solutions

remain aligned with current and emerging

standards. Its operations are underpinned by

an integrated management system aligned

with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, embedding

quality and environmental considerations

throughout the business. This structured

approach supports continual improvement

while ensuring compliance with customer,

statutory and regulatory requirements.

Services such as accredited Fire Door

Inspections further demonstrate the

company’s commitment to helping clients

navigate increasingly complex compliance

demands.

Sustainability is also a key focus, with

ongoing efforts to reduce environmental

impact across operations. Facilities

operate without gas and utilise energyefficient

electric systems, supported by

improved insulation and continuous energy

monitoring. The company

maintains an efficient

vehicle fleet, including

the introduction of hybrid

and electric vehicles

alongside on-site charging

infrastructure.

Waste management

processes are highly

effective, with 100% of

waste either recycled or

used as refuse-derived

fuel, and all uPVC waste

fully recycled and

reused. Environmental

performance is

independently assessed,

with Scope 1 and 2

emissions measured at 242.11 tCO 2 e for

the period February 2024 to January 2025.

These emissions have been offset through

verified carbon reduction projects, enabling

Yeoman Shield to achieve carbon neutral

status for that reporting period. In addition,

the durability and longevity of its products

contribute to sustainability by reducing the

need for replacement and lowering lifecycle

impact.

Feedback from facilities managers and

contractors consistently highlights the

durability and reliability of Yeoman Shield’s

products, including wall protection, handrails

and corner protection systems. Reduced

maintenance requirements and long-term

performance are key benefits, particularly

in high-traffic healthcare environments. The

expertise of the installation teams, combined

with strong technical support and ease of

installation, further enhances the overall

offering.

Looking ahead, Yeoman Shield continues

to focus on refining and improving its

existing product range, working closely

with customers to understand real-world

challenges and adapt

solutions accordingly.

The emphasis remains on

enhancing performance,

durability and ease

of installation, while

continuing to invest in

services and technical

support. This ensures

customers benefit from

practical, dependable

solutions that deliver longterm

value.

For more information, the

Yeoman Shield website

provides a comprehensive

overview of products and

services, with the team

always available to offer further guidance

and support where required.

T 0113 279 5854

info@yeomanshield.com

www.yeomanshield.com


Water Management News

Deep Water Blue raises boiler

safety and performance

Waterless trap

seal UK launch

Accredited by the Royal

Society of Chemistry

and endorsed by the

Combustion Engineering

Association, Deep Water

Blue’s intensive two

day Steam Boiler Water

Treatment Training course

is designed for boiler

operators, engineers and

managers, with the content

translating BG04 Boiler

Water Treatment Guidance

and HSE INDG436 requirements into clear, usable

actions in the boiler house.

Drawing on more than 20 years of specialist

experience in boiler water treatment and steam

systems, Deep Water Blue combines rigorous

technical content with highly practical sessions and

a one hour examination, all helping operators on

their path to competence. Successful candidates

receive a CEA-branded ID card and certificate

that remain valid for five years, giving employers

tangible evidence of training and due diligence.

The two day course tackles

the core causes of boiler

water treatment failures

and unplanned downtime

by focusing on real plant

conditions, testing routines

and corrective actions that

align with BG04 and industry

best practice. Delegates learn

how to recognise developing

problems, interpret test

results and challenge external

contractors where necessary,

protecting both assets and energy budgets.

Deep Water Blue delivers the training at dedicated

centres, customer sites and online, providing

flexible access for NHS trusts, universities,

manufacturing plants and other critical facilities.

Recent programmes have seen over 70 personnel

complete CEA steam boiler water training through

Deep Water Blue, supported by interactive

classroom and virtual formats.

https://bit.ly/49ZWm3n

Look again at water neutrality to

unblock development pipeline

Water shortages could threaten new

housing developments across the UK

in the coming years unless urgent

action is taken, according to a

leading lawyer.

In an attempt to “get Britain building

again”, the Government has pledged

to deliver 1.5 million homes across

the country in its first five-year term –

the highest level of output since 1977.

But the ambitious targets will not be met unless

there is action to address the issue of water

neutrality – the principle that a new development

should not result in an increase in the total demand

for water from the public supply.

That is the view of Nicola Sutton (pictured),

a partner in the commercial property team at

national law firm Clarke Willmott, who advises

numerous developers, housebuilders and

landowners in the residential housebuilder market.

“To achieve water neutrality, new

developments must first minimise

their own water consumption

through efficiency and re-use and

then offset any remaining water

demand by funding projects that

save an equivalent amount of water

elsewhere in the local area,” says

Nicola Sutton.

“It is often implemented in areas where

development could put pressure on water

resources, particularly near environmentally

sensitive habitats, such as the Arun Valley in West

Sussex.

“A four year moratorium on new development

in this area has only recently been lifted after

Natural England ruled in 2021 that groundwater

abstraction by Southern Water may be harming

internationally protected habitats in the local area.”

www.clarkewillmott.com

Showersave’s QB1-21XE waste

water heat recovery system

Green Drain has launched its waterless trap seal

in the UK, introducing an alternative to traditional

P-traps and trap primers for managing dry-drain

odour and hygiene issues.

As regulatory scrutiny around hygiene, indoor air

quality, and pest prevention continues to increase,

physical drain barriers are being more widely

considered as part of a layered approach to risk

control across commercial environments.

Dry traps caused by evaporation or infrequent use

can compromise hygiene controls and introduce

avoidable compliance risks across sectors such as

healthcare, hospitality, food service, and logistics.

The system is designed to install directly into

existing floor drains, where it acts as a physical

barrier between occupied spaces and the drainage

system. By replacing the traditional water seal with

a flexible, self-sealing membrane, Green Drain

prevents the escape of sewer gases and blocks

drain-borne pests including flies and cockroaches,

without the use of chemicals or ongoing treatment

regimes.

Green Drain has been deployed internationally in

more than 90 countries and is installed in highcompliance

environments including Copenhagen

International Airport and global logistics facilities

operated by FedEx. In the UK, the technology

has been adopted within the hospitality sector,

including sites operated by the Hilton group.

The waterless design supports Integrated Pest

Management (IPM) strategies by removing reliance

on flushing routines, chemical dosing or reactive

interventions. Once installed, the seal operates

continuously, reducing the risk of human error and

helping sites maintain consistent hygiene standards

between inspections and audits.

https://greendrains.eu

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 contractors across the UK.

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 costeffective

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

14


Because Every

Drop Counts

Aqua Gratis is a compact micro-greywater reuse

system that captures water from your shower, bath and

reuses it to flush toilets – automatically and safely.

Reduce water consumption by up to 45%.

From Greywater to Flush Water

HOW IT WORKS

An automated process

converts everyday

used water into safe

toilet-flush water.

info@cascadewater.life

www.cascadewater.life

Site Equipment

75 year anniversary

of the HDS hot water

pressure washers

Kärcher UK is this year celebrating

the 75 year anniversary of the HDS

hot water pressure washers. These

products have trailblazed Kärcher’s

strong legacy of innovation and

helped the company to achieve

a Guinness World Record as the

current best-selling pressure washer

brand. This milestone further

cements Kärcher’s global leadership

in a category that is unmistakably

associated with the brand.

In 1950, Alfred Kärcher was the

pioneer of a breakthrough in cleaning

technology: the development

of Europe’s first hot water highpressure

cleaner, the DS 350 steam

jet. The forward-thinking heating

design created for the DS 350

remains the foundation of all Kärcher

burner technology today. This

revolutionary innovation paved the

way for the HDS range that continues

to evolve 75 years later.

Kärcher continued to modernise

in the 1960s, exploring further

technological refinements with the

development of cold-water cleaners.

The foundations of today’s HDS

models were strengthened in the

1970s & 1980s as Kärcher advanced

its high-pressure pump technology

and developed more energyefficient

heating systems. In the

1990s, Kärcher officially introduced

the HDS pressure washers as we

recognise them today, establishing

a professional range that remains

essential across multiple industries.

In 2025, Kärcher’s HDS hot-water

pressure washer range is available

in four distinct performance

classes, offering professional

users a clear good, better and best

choice depending on their cleaning

requirements.

www.kaercher.com/uk/professional/

pressure-washers.html

Alliance Tool Hire

doubles scaffold

tower stock

Alliance Tool Hire has doubled the

volume of scaffold tower systems

available for rental with a £470k

investment in the components for

over 100 BoSS scaffold towers.

Including both the 3T Ladderspan

Aluminium Single & Double models,

which can be erected to a maximum

platform height of 10.2m, plus

folding towers, the new products join

an already comprehensive access

portfolio including standard, stair and

one man towers as well as podiums

and delta decks.

The outlay was made in response

to added demand from new and

existing customers in the commercial

fit out, construction, demolition

and drylining sectors across the

company’s nine depots, which cover

London, Kent, Bath, Bristol, Gatwick,

Salisbury and Poole.

Beth Peters, CEO of Alliance Tool

Hire, said, “Access equipment

has always been in very strong

demand across our extensive rental

catalogue, so the latest substantial

investment in BoSS tower systems

doubles down on both our expertise

and product availability in this sector.

“The new towers will be available

across all our sites to support

customers as well as our own growth

plans for every depot and region.”

Poole-headquartered Alliance

Tool Hire is one of the top five

independent construction rental

suppliers in the South of England by

both revenue and branch coverage.

The business offers a complete

range of power tools, access and

survey equipment as well as lifting

hire, sales and customer equipment

management services.

https://alliancetoolhire.com

16


VA Cleaning celebrates

Prestige Award win

Cleaning & Hygiene

Commercial cleaning

firm sharpens focus

VA Cleaning offers residential and

commercial cleaning to customers

in York and the wider area, working

with a wide range of customers

from those in the commercial space,

student halls, holiday lets, and

offices, to one-off deep cleans and

homeowners.

Prestige Awards commented that

they chose VA Cleaning due to the

outstanding reviews the company

receives, with a spokesperson

noting, “We do see some mixed

feedback for companies in the

cleaning industry; however, the

comments around your quality of

cleaning, professionalism, reliability

and flexibility are all so consistent.”

It was also noted that VA Cleaning

has established long and deep

relationships with clients due to the

conscientious attitude to work, “You

go over and above what is normally

expected for your clients, and they

continue to work with you in the

long term. It sounds like an exciting

time with the expansion plans, and

we are pleased to recognise your

hard work.”

The Prestige Awards recognise

small and medium-sized businesses

throughout the UK. Each nominee

is asked to submit supporting

information for their chosen

category. Once the allocation of

nominations is met, all businesses

within that particular category are

then passed to a panel of judges

who pick a winner. Alongside the

questionnaire, publicly sourced

information is used, such as reviews,

testimonials, information on the

company’s website, and social

media accounts.

Many of the customer testimonials

used to judge the awards highlight

why the company was chosen as the

winner. Reviews speak of the quality

of cleaning, the ease of arranging

work, and the positive and helpful

nature of staff at VA Cleaning.

https://vacleaning.co.uk

A commercial cleaning and

environmental services firm has

strengthened its operational clarity

and long-term growth strategy after

completing the national Help to

Grow: Management programme.

Dove Cleaning & Environmental

Services, based in Altrincham,

operates across the commercial

cleaning and facilities sector,

supporting businesses with

professional cleaning and

environmental services. As the

company continued to grow, owner

Dan Quigley joined the 12 week,

government-backed leadership

initiative, delivered by the University

of Salford, to step back from dayto-day

delivery and take a more

structured view of how the business

operates and evolves.

For many owner-managed service

businesses, balancing client delivery

with financial oversight, team

development and brand positioning

can be challenging. Dan said the

programme had an immediate

impact on how the company works.

“The biggest value for me was being

able to take what I learned straight

back to my team and get everyone

involved,” he said. “The problemsolving

work we did helped us

prioritise what matters most, from

financial stability to developing the

brand for the future.”

Help to Grow: Management supports

SME leaders in strengthening

productivity, leadership capability

and long-term planning. Participants

develop clearer financial

frameworks, defined leadership

roles and structured approaches

to growth, alongside exploring

digital tools and AI that can reduce

duplication and manual processes.

To learn more & get involved, visit:

https://sustainable-innovation.

salford.ac.uk/programmes/help-togrow-management-course


Flooring

Reduce sound transference with CaberAcoustic

What is the best sound-reducing floorboard range on

the market?

CaberAcoustic from West Fraser is a highly versatile,

effective and economical sound-reducing flooring

solution. Reducing both impact and airborne transmitted

sounds, it can be laid over concrete and timber floors in

both new and existing buildings. CaberAcoustic comes in

18mm and 22mm thicknesses.

How is the flooring fixed?

CaberAcoustic is recommended to be laid and fitted with

D3 PVA glue in the tongue and groove joints.

What is the total decibel reduction that can be

achieved?

19dB is the reduction in sound transference when

CaberAcoustic is installed on its own. Greater reductions

are reached when used within a system for noise

transference reductions. There are three flooring

systems; detailed on the West Fraser UK website.

Announcing

the launch

of Bona

Mega EVO

Next generation lacquer

with innovative crosslinking

technology offers high

durability with faster curing

Bona, a global, sustainably

driven company that

supplies products for

installing, renovating,

maintaining, and restoring

premium floors is

announcing the launch

of its new lacquer, Bona

Mega EVO . This next

generation lacquer offers a new state-of-theart

crosslinking technology that activates

when applied.

The unique, non-yellowing formula delivers

faster curing with excellent resistance to

scratches, wear, and chemicals. With VOC

levels below 3%, the lacquer contributes to

healthier working conditions with a lower

impact on indoor air quality.

Bona Mega EVO is the next evolution of Bona

Mega, which was first introduced in 1996 and

offered an industry-first oxygen crosslinking

technology and, at the time, was considered a

top choice among flooring contractors for use

as a one-component topcoat for wood floors

in environments requiring medium to light

commercial wear resistance.

Bona Mega EVO is the next generation

that incorporates a completely new and

significantly faster technology that is unique

to Bona. The self crosslinking occurs entirely

within the lacquer without the use of any

external components, making it a next

generation coating.

www.bona.com

Can it be laid directly over joists?

CaberAcoustic cannot be fitted directly on to flooring

joists – it is an overlay board. It should always be laid as a

floating floor directly on top of an existing flooring deck.

Does it completely reduce noise level?

CaberAcoustic reduces sound; it will not completely

proof buildings or rooms from the transference of sound.

Why is felt used rather than foam?

The felt that is bonded to the underside of the chipboard

is environmentally friendly as it is made from recycled

fibres.

Which way up is it laid?

CaberAcoustic is laid with the felt side down. The

transference of sound through air or impact is reduced

when the flooring has been laid using the correct system.

Call 01786 812921 or visit: https://uk.westfraser.com

Furlong Flooring expands

Enchantment collection

Furlong Flooring is excited

to announce the launch of

Enchantment Twist, the latest

addition to its popular and

acclaimed Perfect Polyester

range. This comfortable and

long-lasting twist carpet combines

superb contemporary style with

environmental responsibility.

Offering exceptional resilience

and built to handle the demands

of everyday life, Enchantment

Twist features a 2-ply, 100% recycled polyester

yarn, which is not only durable but does not

compromise on comfort or sustainability.

Available in widths of 4 and 5 metres, Enchantment

Twist benefits from the award-winning Combi-bac ®

backing, ensuring long lasting performance and

adaptability across domestic and light commercial

spaces.

Designed to be moth-proof and 100% bleach

cleanable, the carpet delivers practical, low

maintenance benefits while retaining its elegant

appearance and strong eco-credentials.

Trading update & notice of results

James Halstead plc, the

commercial flooring

manufacturer and international

distributor, is providing the

following trading update ahead

of its interim results for the half

year to 31 December 2024.

The Company sells, for the

most part, commercial flooring across the world

and has seen increased confidence in the segment

of resilient sheet flooring that is sold into the

healthcare, education and other institutional

sectors. Regional sales into the Middle East and

the Americas have been particularly buoyant.

Overall sales are slightly below last year with profit

before tax comparable to the level in H1 2024.

In the UK, the core home market, the Company

has experienced more caution following the

incoming government’s first budget and the

subsequent changes to living wage and national

insurance. Our UK sales in the first six months are

in line with the comparative but

have been constrained, in part,

as a result of lower confidence

leading to customers revising

their capital spend and

deferring renewal. Additionally,

the six month period has also

seen a degree of destocking in

our UK distributor customers.

Despite this, and given the level of backlog of

repairs and renewals in the health sector and

education, we can only be confident of prospects

in the UK.

In overseas markets there are many positives

in our broad reach of sales. While Australia and

New Zealand sales have declined, turnover in the

Americas, the Middle East and Mediterranean is

progressing. The Company remains ungeared

with cash levels broadly similar to the comparative

(2023: £62.4m) notwithstanding increased

dividends and higher UK corporation tax.

https://jameshalstead.com

The collection is offered in a

versatile palette of warm and

cool shades with Ivory Mist,

Moonstone Beige, Greylink,

Swallow Tail and Marble White

among its 14 colour options.

Enchantment Twist is fully

certified for quality and safety,

with Class 22 General Domestic

and Class 31 Light Commercial

classification, Luxury Class 3,

and compliance with BS EN

1307:2014. It is CE compliant, manufactured to ISO

9001, 14001, and 45001 standards, and comes with

a seven year wear warranty, reinforcing Furlong

Flooring’s commitment to providing durable,

reliable, and environmentally responsible flooring

solutions.

For more information on Enchantment Twist and

the other carpets in the Perfect Polyester range,

visit Furlong Flooring or contact a member of the

Furlong Flooring team to discuss requirements for

your next project.

www.furlongflooring.com

18


Facilities & Estates Management

Your data, your business:

Why facilities businesses

need to take back control

By Peter Holmwood, COO, VH3 AI

Most facilities and building services

businesses know the moment. Your software

renewal is approaching, and suddenly the

account manager is back in touch. The

conversation starts positively, new features,

improved reporting, more capability. Then

comes the detail. If you want better access

to your data, fuller reporting, or the ability

to connect to other systems, it sits behind

another tier, another module, another cost.

It sounds like progress. In reality, it often

means paying more to access what is

already yours.

Across FM operations, building services

contractors, and client-side teams, the

pattern is consistent. Years of investment in

CAFM systems, job management platforms

and compliance tools have improved

operations, but created a quieter problem.

Many businesses no longer truly control their

own data. They can see it, report on it, but

try to extract it or use it elsewhere and the

answer often comes with a price tag.

This is not accidental. It is a commercial

model.

The lock-in is by design

Legacy platforms are built on dependency.

Over time, everything accumulates inside

them, job histories, asset data, compliance

records, engineer performance. Businesses

pay to access it, yet remain restricted in how

they can actually use it.

Switching then becomes less about choosing

something better and more about what it

costs to leave. Data access, API connectivity

and integrations are often treated as

premium features. The reality is simple, if

you want your own data out,

it costs extra. FM businesses

end up buying back access to

what they already generated.

This frustration is what led to

VH3 AI being built. The team

came from field services,

not a software house, and

had experienced the same

constraints. The ambition

was clear, add intelligence

without adding another layer

of dependency.

What your data is actually

worth

Operational data is one of

the most valuable assets a

facilities business holds. It

shows where margin is won or lost, which

jobs overrun, which sites generate repeat

visits, and where cost quietly leaks.

When it becomes accessible, it changes

behaviour. Sherwoods, covering around

15,000 sites, had years of data sitting

inside their platform but limited ability to

act on it. With VH3 AI, a quoting process

dropped from 50 minutes to 18. A

backlog of 480 quotes was cleared in six

hours, around 240 hours of work. The

data was always there. The difference

was access and usability.

Practical steps to protect your position

Ownership starts with simple questions.

Can you export your data at any time

without cost? Is API access included, or

locked behind another tier? If you left

tomorrow, who controls your data and how

quickly could you take it with you?

If those answers are unclear,

that tells you everything.

It is also worth reviewing

what you are paying for.

Many FM businesses carry

unused modules or legacy

integrations. Cleaning that up

often frees budget for tools

that genuinely add value. The

same applies on the client

side when specifying CAFM

platforms. Data access should

be a baseline, not an add-on.

The shift that is already

happening

Forward-thinking facilities

businesses are moving away

from platforms that control access and

towards technology that works alongside

what they already use. The expectation

is changing, data access is standard, not

something to be unlocked at extra cost.

VH3 AI was built around that principle. It

connects to existing systems and adds

intelligence without forcing migration or

restricting access. The aim is simple, more

capability, more control.

The sector generates vast amounts of

operational data every day. The businesses

that take control of it will make better

decisions, protect margin, and build

operations that are harder to commoditise.

That is an advantage worth holding onto.

To find out more about how VH3 AI helps

facilities and building services businesses

take control of their operational data, visit:

www.vh3.ai

20


Bradshaw EV to unveil brand new

addition to Goupil range at CV Show

Bradshaw EV, the UK’s

leading manufacturer of

electric utility vehicles,

will unveil a new addition

to its Goupil range at

this year’s CV Show at

Birmingham’s NEC from

21-23 April.

Making its debut at the

event, the new Goupil

G4+ builds on the

versatility of the original

G4 with increased payload capacity, extended

battery range and modular body options.

Designed for commercial operators across

multiple sectors, the G4+ strengthens Bradshaw

EV’s offering of practical, zero-emission vehicles

for day-to-day operations.

Also featured on the stand will be the Glutton

street cleaning range, which Bradshaw added

to its portfolio last year

after being named sole

UK distributor. The

Glutton range includes

high-performance electric

vacuum and street cleansing

solutions for urban and

industrial environments.

Glutton’s product lineup

includes the Glutton Collect,

a street vacuum cleaner built

for efficient litter collection

Winter maintenance

When facilities managers are

asked to trim budgets, outdoor

winter maintenance can often

come under scrutiny. If the

previous winter has been mild

then it can seem like an easy

saving on paper. However,

gambling on the weather is a risk

that almost always backfires.

At OUTCO, we work with office

landlords, serviced workplace

providers and managing agents

across the UK to take luck out of

the equation. By combining live

meteorological data with preagreed

service schedules, our

teams can treat surfaces before

ice has a chance to form. Our

digital reporting systems give

clients the evidence they need to

demonstrate compliance, protect

against claims and reassure

in urban spaces, and the

Glutton H 2 O Perfect, which

combines a 60-litre pressure

washer with a powerful

vacuum to deliver effective

cleaning and disinfecting. Built

for durability and operator

efficiency, Glutton machines

offer strong suction, advanced

filtration and adaptable

attachments, making them

well suited

to local

authorities and both public and

private sector users.

Joining the display will be

the G4 pressure washer, a

compact, fully electric cleaning

vehicle built on the Goupil G4

chassis. Its 200-litre pressure

washing unit enables efficient

onthe-go

cleaning, while the

integrated drop-side pick-up

body adds useful carrying

capability. Designed for

tasks such as cleaning

pavements, bins, walls,

signs and street furniture,

it offers a versatile solution

for councils, contractors and

facilities teams. Being road

legal, it can move easily

stakeholders. Most importantly,

our proactive model removes

luck from the equation. Facilities

managers don’t need to gamble

on the weather; they can be

confident they are prepared.

The lesson from Riverside

Business Centre is clear. The

most expensive decision an FM

can make is to cut corners on

winter maintenance. What looks

like a canny saving can easily

snowball into huge liability. With

winter fast approaching and

budgets under pressure, facilities

managers face a choice: make

a small investment in proactive

safety or keep rolling the dice.

For more information on how

OUTCO can bring an innovative

approach to your winter

gritting, contact 0800 0432 911

or email: enquiries@outco.co.uk

or visit: www.outco.co.uk


between sites, while its manoeuvrability makes it

ideal for tighter urban and estate environments.

The G2 box van will also be exhibited. This

compact but robust electric vehicle is suited to

last-mile delivery, facilities management and

urban logistics. Offering a range of up to 62 miles

on a single charge and payloads of up to 533kg,

depending on model, it combines practicality with

zero-emission performance.

Bradshaw will also

showcase the PFB 1500

RCV, a compact allelectric

refuse collection

vehicle purposebuilt

for urban waste

management. Featuring

a corrosion-resistant

aluminium hopper, hightip

body and hydraulic

bin lift, it is designed for

pedestrianised areas, high

streets and other confined

spaces where larger vehicles struggle.

Ramsy Labassi, Marketing Manager at Bradshaw

Electric Vehicles, said the stand reflects the

company’s growth and its focus on delivering

versatile, effective zero-emission solutions that

meet real customer challenges.

T 01780 782621

enquiries@bradshawev.com

www.bradshawev.com

Compliance risk across

multiple locations

If you operate across multiple

locations, Facilities Management

is not operational admin. It is

risk management. Yet in many

organisations, FM is still co-ordinated

through spreadsheets, inboxes and

shared folders. It works, until scale

exposes the cracks. Across Retail

estates, Care Homes, Leisure venues,

Schools or Logistics sites, the

complexity multiplies quickly:

s Different contractors per site

s Separate compliance documents

s Inconsistent maintenance

standards

s Limited visibility at leadership

level

When job tracking is manual and

reporting takes hours to compile,

leadership visibility becomes

delayed. And delayed visibility

increases exposure. Missed

compliance certificates. Untracked

recurring faults. Escalating reactive

spend. Inconsistent site standards.

A modern CAFM system changes

the structure completely. Mainteno

centralises every task, asset,

document and contractor interaction

into one live environment across

multiple locations. This means:

s Real time oversight of

maintenance activity

s Centralised compliance

documentation with clear audit

trails

s Measurable contractor

performance

s Structured workflows instead of

email threads

s Leadership dashboards without

manual reporting

Facilities Management becomes

transparent, measurable & controlled.

The strategic question is simple: If

you were asked tomorrow for a full

compliance and maintenance status

report across all your locations, how

quickly could you provide it? If that

question makes you pause, it may be

time to review your systems.

If you would like to see what full

visibility across your estate looks

like, book a free Mainteno demo

and explore how a structured CAFM

system reduces operational risk.

Contact: David Lattimer

M 07818 038205

www.mainteno.com



German football club installs more

than 2,000 digital locks from iLOQ in

its 54,042-seat Borussia-Park stadium

The German Bundesliga club has fully

equipped its 54,042-seater stadium with

battery-free smart locks from iLOQ. In

addition to ensuring that staff and players

have access to the facilities they need with a

single key, the VIP area has been equipped

with S50 locks with mobile access, giving

ticket holders flexible and easy access to

lounges and premium seating.

German football club Borussia

Mönchengladbach has successfully

completed the modernisation of its access

management infrastructure throughout

the stadium with the installation of digital

access systems at Borussia-Park. The

battery-free access solution from Finnish

access technology company iLOQ has been

installed on every door in the stadium,

replacing a total of more than 2,000

mechanical locks. The new systems offer

players, staff, facility managers, and fans

a whole new level of access management,

ensuring that the right people always have

access to the areas they need.

The introduction of iLOQ systems also

positively impacts the fan experience at the

club, as advanced mobile access barriers

have already been installed for VIP areas.

This allows fans to move freely between VIP

areas and other parts of the stadium and

grants access to other people in their group

via their smartphone. It also eliminates the

need for staff to accompany fans between

turnstiles.

“Digital access management at Borussia-Park

is part of our efforts to combine tradition and

modernity,” says Patrick Herrmann, National

Sales Manager and former professional

player at Borussia Mönchengladbach.

“Our partnership with iLOQ has given us

the opportunity to make access as easy as

possible for our players and staff so that

they can focus on what matters most: giving

our fans the experience they come here for

every week.”

Large stadiums and sports venues have

complex security requirements, as

thousands of people need access to certain

areas at any given time. Even on non-match

days, players, staff, and facility managers use

various areas of the stadium for treatments,

training, maintenance, and preparations

to welcome fans. With mechanical locking

systems, this would require a large number

of different keys to meet the needs of each

individual. This resulted in a complicated,

multi-layered access system, as well as timeconsuming

manual key tracking and costly

lock replacement when keys

were lost.

The switch to a digitally

managed access system

means that facility managers

can easily grant, change, or

revoke access for individual

key holders as needed,

while maintaining control

over which employees

have access to specific areas of the facility.

Access permissions are tailored to roles and

schedules, reducing administrative overhead

and security risk.

“Borussia Mönchengladbach is a forwardthinking

club, and we quickly realised that

this could be the perfect partnership. With

our systems, we are helping the club take

its incredible stadium to a new level and

enhance the stadium experience without

compromising the fan experience. As a

lifelong fan of Borussia Mönchengladbach,

I can’t wait to see where this partnership

will take us next,” says Sascha Hilgers,

Managing Director of iLOQ Germany.

With more than 300 patents filed, iLOQ’s

technology is uniquely positioned to replace

outdated locking systems without creating

new problems such as battery waste and

increased maintenance costs. More than 10

million iLOQ smart locks are in use in over

55 countries, from football stadiums and

protected cathedrals to residential buildings

and critical infrastructure facilities.

“Large venues are facing increasing security

requirements and operational complexity.

Mechanical systems

were not designed for

dynamic, role-based access

management,” Hilgers

continues. “Our energy

harvesting technology

enables digital access

management without

batteries, reducing

maintenance and lifecycle

costs. The Borussia Park

project shows how stadiums can modernise

their existing infrastructure without

extensive cabling or structural changes.

We are seeing growing demand for similar

conversions across the European sports

sector.”

www.iloq.com

22


Europcar helps London Borough of Camden lead

by example and cut operational emissions

As part of its Climate Action Plan 2026-

2030, the London Borough of Camden

has partnered with Europcar Mobility

Group UK to cut its fleet emissions

as it moves towards being a net-zero

borough by 2030. Working together

the two organisations identified that a

large proportion of the car derived and

short-wheelbase van fleet operated

by Camden could immediately

be replaced with battery electric

alternatives.


range and suitability of eVans.

To help ease the transition from petrol

and diesel to less familiar electric

vans, and ensure drivers achieve the

best performance, Europcar delivered

training for the council’s drivers,

covering a wide range of topics.

These included practical information

on charging, how to use regenerative

braking to maximise range & how the

weather and driving style impact range.

With a clear focus on financial

efficiency, Camden did not want to

commit to the usual fleet lease length

of 3-5 years or purchasing vehicles

outright. Europcar has therefore

provided the local authority with a longterm

flexible rental solution that ensures

it has access to the right vehicles for its

operational needs without the upfront costs

seen in leasing or outright purchase.

Europcar worked with Camden throughout

the planning and deployment process to

identify what vehicles would best suit their

operations. The first wave of eVans provided

included the Renault Kangoo E-Tech, VW

e-Transporter and Vauxhall Vivaro Electric,

some fitted with equipment ranging from

modular racking and roof bars and pipe

carriers to steel tool vaults and Camden

livery. The vehicles were delivered quickly

and seamlessly despite a very tight deadline.

Critical to the success of the project

has been the insight into vehicle usage

that Europcar can deliver through its

100% connected fleet. While the Senior

Management Team was fully on board with

zero-emissions mobility, some drivers were

less certain and shared concerns around

Europcar and Camden worked on a

programme of training and support

to address these concerns with the

drivers, with the result that there have

been no further issues raised. The data

also identified a fault in some of Camden's

own charging points which the local

authority was able to rectify.

As a result, Europcar has already been

able to help Camden drastically reduce its

mobility emissions. And following the early

success of the project, it has added more

electric vans to its fleet, with extremely

positive feedback as a result.

www.europcar.co.uk/en-gb/business

Association for

Project Management

APM (Association for Project

Management) has already been

heavily involved in driving

positive change following the

Grenfell tragedy. APM’s Head of

Qualifications and Standards, Gill

Hancock, chaired the group that

introduced new competences for

project managers in the

built environment,

as required by the

Building Safety

Act.

Gill Hancock

(pictured) said,

“The longawaited

final

report into the

Grenfell Tower

tragedy could

be one of the most

significant documents to

be published this century with

regards to building safety and

how everyone who works within

the built environment should act

and behave.

“The publication of the report

must be treated sensitively and

we must embrace the values of

patience and due diligence when

carefully considering the contents

and findings of the report.

“However, we are expecting

the report to place significant

focus on competence, including

potential recommendations

for further professions

alongside project

management

to face more

stringent

regulations.

“We are also

expecting

recommendations

relating to how

manufacturers

of products and

materials, and the

construction firms which use

them, have been siloed from

one another, and the potential

damaging effects this has caused

across the built environment for

many years.”

www.apm.org.uk

Innovative soft play solutions

for modern facilities

As demand rises for interactive,

safe spaces that enhance visitor

experiences, The Playcraft Group

has cemented its reputation as

a leading UK partner for leisure,

retail, and family entertainment

operators. With over 40 years of

experience, the company provides

end-to-end solutions – from

initial consultation and concept

design through to manufacturing,

installation, inspection,

refurbishment, and ongoing

maintenance – making it a onestop-shop

for facilities planning soft

play and multi-activity areas.

Playcraft’s portfolio spans a

diverse range of projects, including

themed indoor soft play centres,

log cabin-inspired environments,

and Formula 1-themed zones,

each tailored to the unique

needs of the space. By offering

complete lifecycle services, the

company enables project teams

to work with a single, accountable

partner, reducing risk, simplifying

scheduling, and ensuring consistent

quality throughout the build.

Inclusivity is central to Playcraft’s

design philosophy. Accessibility

and neurodiversity inform every

Project Management

project, creating welcoming

environments for children of all

abilities, including those with

physical or sensory challenges.

Founder Mike Broadfield stresses

that inclusivity is not optional – it is

a core responsibility for the sector.

Beyond soft play, Playcraft’s

expertise extends to trampoline

parks, climbing walls, adventure

playgrounds, ninja warrior courses,

sensory zones, and multi-activity

facilities, combining creative design

with operational efficiency to

maximise both engagement and

revenue potential.

T 01792 949924

help@playcraftgroup.co.uk

www.playcraftgroup.co.uk


Doors, Windows & Joinery

DoorBird named

Best Brand

of the Year

The PLUS X AWARD is the world’s largest

innovation prize for technology, sport, and

lifestyle. It recognises brands for the quality

and innovative edge of their products. After

DoorBird products have already received the

Plus X seal of approval for quality, design, ease

of use, and functionality, the manufacturer of

intelligent door communication solutions can

now look forward to receiving the award for

‘Best Brand’ overall.

“The award shows that the DoorBird brand

consistently delivers top performance and

leaves a lasting impression in the industry,”

says Sascha Keller, CEO. “The award for

Best Brand 2025 underlines our position as

an innovation leader and motivates us to

continue developing first-class solutions for our

customers worldwide.”

The Plus X Award offers customers a valuable

tool when making purchasing decisions. The

specialist jury, an independent panel of experts

from a wide range of disciplines, meets several

times a year to evaluate the best products

and technologies in their respective sectors

according to criteria such as innovation, quality,

design, ease of use, and sustainability. The

‘Best Brand’ award is presented once a year.

www.doorbird.com

DHF hails Members’ Conference a great success

Tamworth-based trade

association, the Door &

Hardware Federation (DHF),

held its Members’ Conference

on Wednesday 5th February

2025 at the Royal Airforce

Museum Cosford, and

welcomed 200 members and

industry professionals for a

day of knowledge sharing,

networking, and innovation.

The highly enjoyable day featured a number

of workshops including Dafydd Williams, from

the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local

Government, who spoke about the government

response to Grenfell; Neil Rule, Managing Director

Quality custom made joinery

Bluerun is a bespoke joinery

manufacturer which has

established itself at the

forefront of the industry.

Established in 1991, this

Essex based company crafts

top-quality, bespoke joinery

with an unparalleled attention

to detail.

From its 7,000 square

foot factory, the company

manufactures custom work

from timber, hardwood or

softwood, working with panels

or sheet material. All of Bluerun’s products are

custom made to order and are not available premade,

adding a personal touch to all its work.

Bluerun provides a complete range of both

domestic and commercial joinery services. It offers

both internal and external windows, doors, fitted

furniture, gates and staircases. For commercial

at Access2, who spoke about

the update to the standard,

TS 007-1; Gillian McAteer,

Director of Employment Law

at Citation, who spoke on

navigating employment law,

and Steve Hill & Dave Jones

from DHF, who delivered

a presentation about The

European Machinery

Regulations & the European

Construction Products Regulations and Driving

Sustainability.

A highlight of the day was an inspiring talk from

guest speaker, Flt Lt John Nichol, who spoke

movingly about his experience as a tortured

British prisoner-of-war in the first Gulf War in 1991.

Images of his encounter were shown across the

world and became an enduring symbol of the

conflict.

The exhibition hall comprised stands from

Gliderol Garage & Industrial Doors, ASSA ABLOY

Opening Solutions, RCS Doors, Allegion (UK),

Expert Access Solutions Ltd, Hörmann (UK),

Jewers Doors, JMA UK, LiftMaster, Rutland Door

Controls, Strongdor and SWS UK, showcasing

their latest products. The exhibition provided a

valuable platform for networking, collaboration

and knowledge exchange.

T 01827 52337

www.dhfonline.org.uk

customers, Bluerun can not

only fashion windows and

doors, but also shop fronts,

bars and office furniture.

What makes Bluerun stand out

is its dedication to tradition.

The company designs and

manufactures all its products

manually without the aid of

computers, meaning everything

it creates in its workshop has

been crafted by hand with the

utmost attention to detail.

Whether you are looking for a one-off custom

made gate, or a production run of windows,

Bluerun offers a bespoke approach to joinery that

guarantees quality and longevity.

T 01799 599995

dee@bluerunltd.co.uk

www.bluerunltd.co.uk

ASSA ABLOY Door Group

strengthens commitment

to Young Enterprise NI

ASSA ABLOY Opening

Solutions UK & Ireland

Door Group (Door

Group) was delighted

to sponsor the recent

Young Enterprise

Northern Ireland

(Young Enterprise NI)

Blast Off Programme

award at the Dragons’

Den-style event, reinforcing its dedication to

supporting young people in developing essential

entrepreneurial skills.

Brian Sofley, Managing Director at Door Group,

proudly joined the panel of judges to assess

students’ innovative business ideas as part of this

dynamic programme.

This is the latest event that sees Door Group

continuing its role as a Young Enterprise NI Impact

Partner. Through this partnership, Door Group

colleagues actively engage in various programmes

to provide valuable guidance and mentorship

to students across Northern Ireland. Its team

members have contributed their time and expertise

to several Young Enterprise NI initiatives.

Brian explains, “Over the

past two years, I have been

actively involved in mentoring

student companies as part

of the esteemed Company

Programme. This initiative

empowers students aged 15-19

to establish and manage their

own businesses, offering them

the opportunity to earn real

profits and compete for prestigious awards.

“In 2024, our mentored team from Friends’ School

Lisburn, called BottleUp, successfully claimed

the title of Northern Ireland Company of the Year.

BottleUp’s innovative approach of upcycling plastic

bottles into decorative flowers and arrangements

not only impressed regional judges but also earned

them the Creativity Award at the UK-wide finals.

“Continuing our commitment this year, we are

currently supporting another two teams from

Friends’ School Lisburn, Pebble Portraits

(@pebbleportraits_ye), and SecondSip

(@secondsip_ye).”

www.assaabloy.com/uk/en

24


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The Security Event Preview

The Safety & Security Event Series

partners with The CPD Group for 2026

Development (CPD) points by attending

educational sessions throughout the threeday

exhibition, taking place on April 28-30.

This accreditation ensures that the seminar

programme delivers measurable learning

outcomes aligned with recognised

professional standards, supporting

visitors in maintaining and enhancing their

professional competence in an increasingly

complex risk, safety and security landscape.

The Safety & Security Event Series has

announced that every seminar session

delivered across the portfolio at the NEC

Birmingham in April 2026 will be fully

accredited by The CPD Group, reinforcing

the event’s commitment to professional

development, skills advancement and

industry best practice.

The CPD accreditation applies across all

seminar theatres and content programmes

within the Safety & Security Event Series,

including The Security Event, The Fire

Safety Event, The Health & Safety Event,

The Workplace Event, Pro Integration

Future Europe, and the National Cyber

Security Show. Attendees will be able to

earn recognised Continuing Professional

“The Safety & Security Event Series has

always placed education at the heart of

its value to the industry,” said Mark Tilley,

Content & Community Manager at Nineteen

Group. “Achieving CPD accreditation across

all seminar sessions underlines the quality,

relevance and rigour of our content and

gives professionals confidence that the time

they invest at the event directly supports

their ongoing development.”

The CPD-accredited programme will cover

a wide range of critical topics, including

physical and cyber security, fire safety,

health and safety compliance, workplace

strategy, AV and systems integration, digital

transformation, resilience, and emerging

technologies. Sessions will be delivered

by leading practitioners, consultants,

manufacturers, integrators, end users and

industry bodies, offering practical insight

alongside strategic perspective.

Matt Hardy, Event Manager for The CPD

Group, added, “We are pleased to accredit

the full seminar programme at the Safety &

Security Event Series 2026. The breadth of

content and the clear focus on professional

learning make it a strong example of highquality

CPD provision for the sector.”

The Safety & Security Event Series takes

place at the NEC Birmingham in April

2026 and is expected to welcome tens of

thousands of professionals from across

the UK and Europe. CPD certificates will be

available to attendees following participation

in accredited sessions.

www.thesecurityevent.co.uk

26


AMG Systems at The Security Event

At The Security

Event 2026, AMG

Systems will be

at Stand 5/H30 to

showcase all the

latest transmission

tech we have to

offer. From our

extensive range of

industrially hardened

managed switches,

to record breaking

media converters to

cutting-edge network

monitoring software

and accessories,

AMG has everything

you need to help

keep your network running smoothly.

AMG Systems Ltd, founded in 1993, is a

UK-based manufacturer specialising in

industrial network transmission solutions,

including Ethernet, fibre optic, PoE, and

wireless technologies. AMG believes in

building strong products and partnerships.

We provide environmentally robust, reliable

network solutions and deliver high-level

support to all customers from our technical &

professional services team. This commitment

to providing the highest quality service

makes us the complete solution provider and

a trusted partner.

Our range of ISO9001 Certified products,

The end of the ‘Ghost Room’: How TAKEX mmWave

technology is revolutionising building efficiency

As the drive for energy

efficiency, occupant

wellbeing and smarter

building management

accelerates across the

UK, traditional motion

detection technologies are

increasingly falling short.

At this year’s The Security

Event 2026 (28-30 April,

NEC Birmingham), TAKEX

Europe will showcase a

powerful solution designed

to meet the evolving

needs of modern facilities:

MMW-3 mmWave Presence

Detection Sensor.

Facilities managers are all

too familiar with the limitations of PIR: the

frustrating lights-out moment while someone

is still at their desk, or the wasted energy

of an HVAC system running in a room that

is technically occupied but lacks detectable

movement.

TAKEX is addressing these inefficiencies

head-on with its new MMW-3 Series

mmWave Presence Sensor. By shifting from

thermal-based motion detection to highfrequency

radar, TAKEX is redefining what it

means for a room to be occupied.

designed and made

in the UK & USA,

cover a wide variety

of applications,

ranging from

transmitting Ethernet,

CCTV video, serial

data, and over fibre

optic, copper and

wireless media.

These capabilities

allow AMG products

to be used for

security, intelligent

transportation,

factory automation

and a variety of

manufacturing

applications. The high standards that AMG

follow throughout the product cycle ensure

all of our industrial products can continue

to be sold with an industry-leading lifetime

warranty.

AMG’s industrially hardened products

are highly resistant to temperature,

humidity, vibration and shock making them

ideal solutions for the most demanding

environments, from the hot and dusty

climate in the desert to the unforgiving

conditions on offshore platforms.

As a leader in transmission technology,

we also recognise the importance of

sustainability. That’s why we’re always

Traditional PIR sensors

operate by detecting moving

heat signatures. If a person

sits still to read, type, or

attend a video call, the heat

signature becomes static,

and the sensor times out.

This leads to unnecessary

cycles of lighting and climate

control, which both shortens

equipment lifespan and

frustrates occupants.

MMW-3 addresses both

challenges simultaneously.

By accurately detecting

even the smallest micromovements

such as typing

or breathing, it ensures

lighting and HVAC systems

operate only when spaces

are genuinely occupied.

This results in improved

occupant comfort (no more

waving arms to reactivate

lighting) as well as

measurable energy savings.

For security professionals

and system integrators,

MMW-3 also opens up

new opportunities. Reliable


working to develop solutions that minimise

our impact on the planet and contribute to

a greener future, through reducing material

usage and increasing the thermal efficiency

of our industrial product ranges.

Our global team is packed with expert

engineers, designers and sales managers

who work with you to ensure you have the

best products for your system requirements.

With our continued rapid growth, we now

have offices in the UK and USA to support

your network needs.

T +44 (0)1767 600777

sales@amgsystems.com

https://amgsystems.com

presence detection enhances building

intelligence, providing more accurate data for

integrated security and building management

systems. Whether used in corporate offices,

healthcare facilities, education settings

or public sector estates, the technology

supports both efficiency and compliance

goals.

Importantly, MMW-3 achieves this without

compromising privacy. Unlike camerabased

systems, mmWave sensors do not

capture identifiable images, making them

ideal for sensitive environments where data

protection is paramount.

Visitors to Stand 5/D5 will have the

opportunity to see MMW-3 in action and

explore how it can be deployed to enhance

both operational efficiency

and user experience. As

buildings become smarter

and expectations continue

to rise, solutions like

MMW-3 are set to play a

crucial role in shaping the

future of intelligent facilities

management.

T +44 (0)1256 475555

sales@takex.com

www.takex.com



Golmar Systems UK

Golmar Systems UK

will be exhibiting at The

Security Event April

28th-30th Hall 5 Stand

L55.

We’d love to meet

you on the stand to

demonstrate our latest

product lines and

discuss how they can

help you and your

business.

Golmar has a wide

range of Door Intercom

systems to suit any

installation from single

homes to multiblock

complexes. All

integrable with our IP

Opener Access Control

system, CCTV products

and more. Our hospital

systems are powerful

and offer a range of

attractive features while remaining easy to

use.

Our new GOLMARSAFE line of products

will give any home owner added piece of

mind when away from the home. Linking

these products to the Golmar app means

you can monitor them and be alerted to

any problems immediately to allow a fast

response.

Golmar is also developing a suite of online

tools to aid professionals from system

designers and specifiers down to the

installers and managers. We take care of

everyone from distribution to end user with

our professional and experienced team.

We look forward to seeing you at the show

and talking to you about our products.

T 0208 368 1935

www.golmarsystems.com

Security News

Businesses brace

for BYOD bans

Over half (52%) of enterprises

are considering banning personal

devices from the workplace, as new

research warns that ‘Shadow AV’ –

the unchecked use of personal tech,

from webcams to tablets for work – is

creating serious security blind spots.

According to Kinly’s Trusted

Connections 2025 report, nearly

half (49%) of enterprises are

already grappling with this issue.

Personal devices are slipping into

organisations unnoticed, making it

harder for IT and security teams to

protect systems, data, and users.

Based on a survey of 425 enterprise

AV professionals across the

UK, Germany, Nordics, and the

Netherlands, the research shows

how hybrid working has made

the problem worse. Three in five

businesses (57%) say it’s harder

than ever to secure devices used

outside the office, while 46% believe

personal tech is actively undermining

their remote work strategies.

In more than a quarter (27%) of

cases, employee-owned devices

are holding organisations back

from achieving business goals –

and in some cases, exposing them

to serious cyber risks, including

ransomware attacks, GDPR

violations, and compliance breaches

under regulations like NIS2.

Even basic security practices are

harder to enforce at home. While

77% of enterprises say their in-office

AV equipment is protected with

strong encryption, that drops to just

66% for remote or personal setups.

Securing personal devices and

home-based AV is now a top priority

for 30% of organisations in 2025.

To explore the full Trusted

Connections 2025 report to see how

organisations are rethinking device

security in an increasingly hybrid

world, visit the Kinly website here:

https://info.kinly.com/trustedconnections-2025

How the concierge

guard is changing

security

By Timothy Isaac, National Security

Advisor, 14forty

Security is a fast-changing, fastmoving

industry at any time as

threats evolve and trends emerge,

but the rise of the concierge security

guard has potential to change things

for the long term.

For a long time now

in the UK, the role

of a security guard

has been shifting,

especially in the

commercial sector.

There are many

reasons for that

– ranging from the

emergence of recent

technology to a complex

recruitment market and

different demands from clients in the

modern world.

The latest trend has been to shift the

nature of the role in order to attract

and upskill talent to provide a better

service for clients. Instead of looking

for traditional security guards, there

is a new focus on multi-skilling, with

technology taking over some of the

more menial tasks associated with

security.

At 14forty, as an integrated FM

services provider, we often look after

all aspects of a building’s facilities

management – from security to

guest services and from

cleaning to catering

and even grounds

maintenance.

It makes sense to

include multi-skilled

personnel as part of

that mix. It provides

them with a range of

skills and training and

supports our clients with

an overall proposition.

Security concierges are responsible

for security, access control,

surveillance, patrols and emergency

response. This provides our people

with an amazing skillset, to develop

their careers.

https://14forty.co.uk

28


Futurebuild Preview

Futurebuild connects

ambition and action

Futurebuild reveals a re-imagined format for

the 2026 event (12-14 May 2026 at ExCeL

London) that will help the construction

industry to connect the dots between global,

cross-sector priorities and what’s being

achieved on the ground.

“Each year, Futurebuild explores the big

themes shaping our future. In 2026, we’re

calling time on business as usual,” says

Martin Hurn, Event Director. “Our industry

doesn’t just need new ideas. It needs to build

resilience, prioritise re-use and embrace

regenerative design. These ‘three Rs’ will

define the conversations at Futurebuild and

connect directly to the demands of COP30:

delivery, circularity and long-term systems

change.”

Under the theme of ‘Connect’ Futurebuild

2026 will bring together the thinkers and

technologies transforming how the industry

designs, builds and operates. A revised

floorplan will amplify Futurebuild’s role as a

platform for connection and collaboration,

featuring new networking spaces and targeted

initiatives including:

s A Zero Waste area developed in

partnership with ACAN, Architects

Declare, The Chartered Institute of Wastes

Management (ICWM) and the Circular

Economy Taskforce with keynotes from an

authority on circularity and a participant at

COPs past, Duncan Baker-Brown.

s The Local Authority Collaboration Hub,

housed within the National Retrofit

Conference, will provide a dedicated space

for public sector leaders to accelerate

home decarbonisation, address damp and

mould and share best practice on housingled

health outcomes.

s A revitalised Meet the Buyer programme,

hosted by Innovate UK, to facilitate direct

engagement between innovators and

procurement leads across multiple sectors.

Fresh thinking is also shaping The Knowledge

Programme. While the two main stages in

the Futurebuild Arena and National Retrofit

Conference will continue to be a prominent

draw, the six seminar stages (buildings,

FutureX, energy, materials, placemaking, and

now zero waste) are about to see a shake-up.

Several industry bodies including UKGBC, The

Sustainable Development Foundation and the

Association of Sustainable Building Products

(ASBP) have been invited to execute a series

of ‘stage takeovers’ to elevate the discussion,

with a particular emphasis on dissecting the

role of innovation.

To this end, the FutureX stage – home of

Futurebuild’s innovation content – will return

for 2026 taking on a sharper digital focus.

Dedicated sessions will cover AI, circular

tools and data-led design as digital solutions

become increasingly essential for monitoring

performance, reducing waste and improving

project outcomes.

The Innovation Trail, a curated path

showcasing products and systems with

measurable sustainability impact, will be

back to spotlight the biggest breakthroughs,

featuring brands including Dimplex, Anzen

Walls, The Concrete Centre, 7 Steel UK,

Energystore, Qvantum and ZapCarbon.

www.futurebuild.co.uk


Futurebuild Preview

Futurebuild 2026 Preview: Cascade Water

Products showcases the next generation of

domestic greywater re-use at Stand D41

As pressures on the UK’s water infrastructure

continue to intensify – from climate-driven

droughts to rapid population growth – the spotlight

has never been brighter on water efficiency,

resilience, and sustainable housing delivery. At

Futurebuild 2026, Cascade Water Products Ltd is

set to arrive on the exhibition floor to demonstrate

how small, smart, decentralised water technologies

can unlock significant savings for developers,

water companies, and residents while accelerating

national sustainability goals.

At Stand D41, Cascade will showcase its

pioneering Aqua Gratis Micro Domestic Greywater

Re-use System, a compact, reliable, and easy-toinstall

solution designed to capture, clean, and

re-use greywater from showers and baths for toilet

flushing. With UK households using an average

of 30% of their potable water just to flush toilets,

the Aqua Gratis system represents an immediate,

practical step toward reducing demand on stressed

water networks, improving building performance,

and lowering water bills.

Meeting the needs of a changing housing market

Cascade has deliberately engineered Aqua Gratis

as a versatile solution that supports a wide crosssection

of the built environment. Its compact

footprint, low maintenance requirements, and

straightforward integration make it ideal for:

s New Build Developments – Developers striving

to meet tightening water efficiency regulations

and planning conditions can use Aqua Gratis

to achieve consumption targets of 100 litres

per person per day or less, often required in

water-stressed regions. Installing the system at

construction stage is simple, cost-effective, and

adds measurable sustainability credentials to

any project.

s Housing Associations & Affordable Housing

Providers – With rising water prices

disproportionately impacting lower income

households, housing associations are seeking

technologies that reduce running costs while

keeping maintenance manageable. Aqua Gratis

ticks both boxes by offering robust savings with

no complex servicing regime.

s HMOs, Apartments & MultiResidential

Buildings – High occupancy buildings

see disproportionately high toilet flushing

frequency, making them prime candidates for

greywater re-use. Aqua Gratis scales elegantly

in these environments, increasing return on

investment and energy savings.

s Private Developers & Custom Build Projects –

Homeowners seeking sustainable, future-proof,

eco-friendly properties increasingly expect

water-saving technologies. Aqua Gratis adds

value to premium developments and supports

marketing narratives around resilience and

environmental responsibility.

s Retrofit Market – With millions of existing

homes failing to meet modern water efficiency

standards, the retrofit sector is huge – and

growing. Aqua Gratis is specifically designed

for retrofit ease, fitting into smaller spaces and

integrating with minimal disruption.

Why greywater re-use matters now more than

ever

The UK faces ongoing water scarcity challenges,

with multiple regions already classed as “seriously

water stressed”. Reducing water demand is now an

urgent national priority. Greywater re-use – once

viewed as an emerging niche – is fast becoming

a mainstream, essential step for sustainable

development.

s Enabling FutureReady, LowCarbon Water

Systems – Greywater re-use is an essential

component of a more decentralised, energyefficient

water cycle.

s Helping Achieve Statutory Water Efficiency

Targets – As regulators push for ambitious

demand-reduction trajectories, technologies

like Aqua Gratis help water companies achieve

compliance through demandside innovation

partnerships.

Benefits for developers

For developers navigating new planning

frameworks, building regulations, and sustainability

standards, Aqua Gratis offers a competitive edge:

s Streamlined compliance with water efficiency

requirements – Particularly in constrained

planning regions, Aqua Gratis makes achieving

strict consumption limits achievable and costeffective.

s Reduced water and wastewater connection

pressure – Lower demand can reduce

infrastructure contributions and create

opportunities in areas with limited network

capacity.

s Enhanced ESG credentials – Sustainable water

management is increasingly important for

lenders, investors, and corporate reporting

frameworks.

s Added market value – Buyers and tenants are

actively seeking homes with lower running

costs and sustainability features.

Benefits for residents

Ultimately, the success of any domestic

sustainability technology depends on user

experience. Aqua Gratis delivers:

s Lower Water Bills – By reducing potable

consumption by up to 30%, households can

meaningfully cut monthly costs.

s Hassle-Free Operation – Automatic, invisible-tothe-user

operation with minimal maintenance.

s Greater Resilience – As drought and restrictions

become more common, homes with greywater

re-use are better insulated from disruption.

Benefits for the environment

Aqua Gratis contributes directly to environmental

protection and broader sustainability goals:

s Lower abstraction from rivers and

groundwater – Reducing the demand for

potable water helps protect fragile ecosystems.

s Reduced wastewater volumes – Less

wastewater entering sewers eases the burden

on overloaded drainage networks.

s Carbon reduction – Every litre of water re-used

saves the energy associated with treating and

transporting potable water.

Aqua Gratis stands out because it delivers tangible

benefits for every stakeholder across the water

ecosystem.

Benefits for water companies

Water utilities face rising demand, limited supply

capacity, and increasing regulatory pressure to

reduce abstraction. Aqua Gratis supports their

strategic objectives by:

s Reducing Peak Demand – By re-using

water onsite, Aqua Gratis lowers household

consumption, easing pressure on treatment

works and supply infrastructure.

s Supporting Leakage Reduction Targets – Lower

household demand allows utilities to better

manage networks and focus resources on

tackling leakage.

Visit Cascade Water Products at Futurebuild 2026

– Stand D41

As the UK accelerates its transition toward

sustainable, resilient water systems, Cascade Water

Products is leading the way with smart, practical

solutions ready for deployment today. The Aqua

Gratis Micro Domestic Greywater Re-use System

represents a future-proof response to one of the

biggest challenges facing the built environment—

and Futurebuild visitors will be able to see it.

To learn more, visit Cascade Water Products Ltd

at Stand D41, where the team will be available

throughout the event for demonstrations, technical

discussions and project consultations.

www.cascadewater.life

30


Futurebuild Preview

Redefining retrofit: Cyd Innovation’s collaborative

vision for healthy, affordable homes

Cyd Innovation has placed People-

Focused Retrofit and building supply

chains for the future at the core of its

Virtual Energy Team © – a highly qualified

team of Retrofit professionals making net

zero simpler for Social Landlords across

the UK.

As Britain faces the urgent task of

upgrading millions of homes to meet

net zero targets and mitigate cost of

living pressures, the challenge isn’t just

technical, it’s about ensuring every retrofit

delivers dignity, affordability and genuine

wellbeing for residents. Cyd Innovation’s

collaborative approach, delivered by a Virtual

Energy Team © of housing professionals, sets

a new standard for people-focused retrofit,

measurable social impact, and resilient,

future-looking supply chains.

Traditional contractor-led models have too

often prioritised short-term cost savings

and profits over long-term social value,

leaving communities with underperforming

upgrades, exposure to rising energy bills,

and little say in the process. Cyd Innovation

turns this on its head by prioritising social

and environmental purpose in plans to scale

the delivery of retrofit across the UK. Our

model recognises that successfully hitting

net zero targets requires a broader network

Thermal break solutions

Global leaders in thermal break

solutions, Armatherm UK has

launched a thermally isolated

compression sleeve to reduce

thermal bridging at façade,

rainscreen & cladding fixings.

Manufactured from a highperformance

composite

ceramic material, the new

compression sleeve product

provides exceptional

compressive strength, fire

resistance and thermal

model that leverages the strengths of local

partners including community organisations

and residents.

The Virtual Energy Team © offers a seamless

integration with existing housing teams

and asset systems and offers a genuine

alternative to outsourcing to a Tier 1

contractor or insourcing via an in-house

team. The team can be contracted as

Principal Contractor, Managing Agent or

Contract Administrator with full Health and

Safety and PAS2035 compliance ensured.

By prioritising local partnerships and

responsible sourcing, we generate

meaningful growth opportunities for SMEs,

isolation in applications

where continuous insulation

is disrupted by screw

fixings. More specifically,

the compression sleeve

features low water absorption

(0.48%) which makes it ideal

for external elements like

rainscreens, façades and

cladding systems where

they face varying weather

conditions.

Furthermore, designed to

combat thermal bridging

and heat loss, the new

compressive sleeve product

features a robust composition

that makes it suitable for

load-bearing applications.

Sleeves can also be supplied

in custom-cut lengths to

match insulation thickness and

project requirements.

Visit us on Stand K46 to

explore how our innovative

products can enhance building

efficiency and support

sustainable design.

T +44 (0)1274 591115

info@armatherm.com

education providers and community

groups. Through our Social Value

consultancy, every project contributes to

a social value fund, enabling investment

in energy advice, training and community

initiatives. This consultancy‐led approach

creates jobs, upskills local people and

reinvests in communities that need it

most.

Impact is measurable. Robust outcome

reporting tracks carbon reductions, cost

savings and improvements in resident

health and wellbeing. The model ensures

compliance with social housing standards

while maintaining sharp pricing and low

capital outlay for clients.

Cyd Innovation’s approach demonstrates

that delivering retrofit at scale can uphold

dignity, affordability and sustainability. Cyd

Innovation is a registered Social Enterprise

with Social Enterprise UK, a certified B Corp,

and is regulated by RICS.

Scan the QR code to meet us

at Futurebuild 2026 on Stand

F44 or to find out more.

T 01352 748876

info@cydinnovation.com

https://cydinnovation.com

Aico: Innovation Partner

Aico attended Futurebuild 2025

as an Innovation Partner and

participated in the Innovation

Trail. Aico decided to get involved

with Futurebuild’s innovation

partnership as it aligns with further

efforts and commitments made by

Aico in the drive towards climate

action. The Innovation Trail was

a great way to

explore and learn

about the latest

innovations in

products and

solutions, and to

meet the people

behind these

advances.

Aico strives

to continue to

innovate and

drive the UK

housing industry

forwards,

meeting the

needs of our

customers

in novel ways, aligning with

sustainability and net zero targets,

with resident engagement and

wellbeing at the fore.

Aico showcased their HomeLINK

Environmental Sensors which

are designed to create better

maintained, healthier, more

energy-efficient homes, placed

throughout the home to monitor

temperature, humidity and Carbon

Dioxide (CO 2 ).

Insights from the Environmental

Sensors on indoor environmental

conditions allow for preventative

measures and proactive

maintenance,

enabling

landlords to

adhere to

requirements

outlined in

Standards and

Legislation,

such as the

Homes (Fitness

for Human

Habitation) Act

2018 and PAS

2035, as well

as supporting

reaching netzero

targets.

Adding another

dimension to

home life safety, Aico strives to

create safer, healthier homes.

Aico looks forward to exhibiting

and attending Futurebuild 2026.

T 01691 664100

enquiries@aico.co.uk

www.aico.co.uk

32


Lifts & Stairs

Landlord fined after

member of the public

falls from staircase

A Bristol landlord has been fined

after a member of the public

sustained significant injuries when

they fell from the first-floor landing

of an external wooden staircase at a

converted property in Bishopston.

Roger Blessitt of

Dyers Lane, Iron

Acton, was fined

£20,000 following

an investigation

by the Health and

Safety Executive

(HSE).

The incident

happened in the

early hours of 2

October 2023,

when a group

attended Unit 4

Merton Road for

a social event

hosted by one

of Mr Blessitt’s

tenants. A 28 year old man stepped

outside and fell when a section of

the wooden handrail failed as he

leant against it. He fell from a height

of around 11 feet, landing on the

concrete-paved surface at ground

level, and sustained significant

injuries, including to the head.

The HSE investigation found

fundamental flaws in the design of

the staircase, including that it was

notably rotten,

deteriorated and

weakened. The

investigation also

found a distinct

lack of inspection

and maintenance,

determining that

the staircase

was not fit for

purpose.

Roger Blessitt

of Dyers Lane,

Iron Acton,

pleaded guilty

to breaching

Section 3(2) of

the Health and

Safety at Work

etc. Act 1974. He was fined £20,000

and ordered to pay costs of £4,522

at Bristol Magistrates Court on 13

January 2026.

www.hse.gov.uk

It’s time to stop

treating platform lifts

as a tick box exercise

Including a platform or cabin

lift in your project can be a

matter of meeting regulations.

But that doesn’t need to mean

compromising on style and

comfort for the end user.

Installing a platform or cabin lift

is often a matter of necessity

rather than choice; whether to

ensure Part M compliance or

to meet a specific brief from

your client. This fact, coupled

with a perception that lifts are

always an eyesore, can lead to

selecting the most basic option.

Here’s why you are missing a

trick if you do.

Platform & cabin lifts can add

to the building’s look & feel

If working with the right

provider, gone are the days that

a platform lift has to look clunky

or out of place in a modern

design. The right lift can, in

fact, serve as a centrepiece

adding the ‘wow factor’ to your

client’s building, whether you’re

creating or renovating a home,

office or public space.

Not only does a modern

platform lift add to the decor,

but they are customisable to

match your requirements. With

a range of colours, floors and

glass finishes, Cibes Lift UK can

deliver a platform lift as unique

as your project.

T 0800 085 0269

info@cibeslift.co.uk

www.cibeslift.com/en-gb

Stannah refurbs two lifts and transforms

high-rise living for residents

Residents of 84-apartment Eden Court in

Lillington, Leamington Spa, now enjoy enhanced

accessibility thanks to the comprehensive

refurbishment by Stannah of two passenger lifts.

The works transforms the outdated 8-person

passenger lifts, and significantly improves safety

by meeting the latest lift regulations.

The lift refurbishment at Eden Court is part of a

wider modernisation programme with Warwick

Council, involving the

refurbishment of around

20 lifts in residential

buildings to improve

safety and efficiency.

The Client

Warwick District Council

relies on Stannah for

routine lift maintenance

inspections in line

with legislative

schedules to make

sure there are no major faults with lifts in their

social housing portfolio. The contract includes

24/7 call-out service for emergencies and

breakdowns, protecting the council against the

loss of reputation for an out-of-service lift that can

inconvenience residents in a block of high-rise

flats.

The Work

Stannah proposed a comprehensive lift

refurbishment plan to Warwick District Council

for the lifts at Eden Court, primarily due to their

age and reliability. Rather than a completely new

lift installation, a refurbishment plan was more

suited for Warwick District Council to meet budget

expectations.

The aim was to upgrade the lifts providing a costeffective

and energy-efficient solution that retains

the safety of residents and service engineers when

carrying out maintenance work.

The refurbishment

spanned 14 weeks

per lift, incorporating

upgrades to the lift car,

including a new full-car

entrance. This included

zone locking to prevent

the doors from opening

outside of a floor zone

and a new toe guard

to prevent falls into the

elevator hoistway.

The lifts are programmed on a skip-stop system,

with one lift serving the even floors and the other

lift serving the odd floors. This setup allows for

more efficient operation and reduced wait times,

improving resident satisfaction.

The challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic initially posed a

challenge, delaying the project as the budget

was re-allocated to other areas. However, once

the budget was available again, Stannah worked

within this to develop a workable solution.

The result

Bringing the lifts back up to the current safety

standards at Eden Court demonstrates Warwick

District Council’s commitment to ensuring that

the lifts in the block are kept working and safe for

residents.

The investment to upgrade the lifts with the latest

lift safety features will pay off as lift modernisation

reduces maintenance costs over time, contributing

to Eden Court’s energy efficiency.

By programming the lifts on a skip-stop system,

Stannah enhanced efficiency and accessibility

throughout the building, an important aspect of

the refurbishment project.

To find out how Stannah can help with your

routine lift maintenance, 24/7 emergency repair

service, or undertake a modernisation project to

keep your lift users safe simply contact your local

branch.

www.stannah.com

34


Safety & Security

Raising the alarm: Innovative

solutions for workplace

and public safety

In today’s buildings, safety and security are

no longer background considerations – they

are central to every design decision, every

operational plan, and every technology

investment. Facilities managers are

responsible for protecting people, assets,

and operations in environments that are

more complex, connected, and highstakes

than ever before. From fire safety

compliance and lockdown procedures

to emergency communications and firstaid

alerts, every system has to perform

flawlessly under pressure. Meeting these

demands takes more than ticking regulatory

boxes – it requires practical, dependable

solutions built for the realities of modern

sites. That’s exactly where Fircroft

Technologies, a UK-based specialist in

audible and visual alarm systems, has made

its mark, combining technical innovation with

usability and operational flexibility.

For more than 30 years, Fircroft has been

developing products that are not just

compliant but genuinely effective in the

field. Its systems meet rigorous fire safety

standards while offering deployment

flexibility across commercial, industrial,

and specialist sites. What really sets Fircroft

apart, though, is its understanding of how

facilities managers use these systems

day to day. An alarm is only effective if it

communicates clearly, works reliably, and

can be managed without unnecessary

complexity or cost. In today’s buildings,

alarms must do more than signal fire – they

may need to support lockdown procedures,

medical emergencies, or site-specific alerts,

often all on the same network. Fircroft’s

recent innovations, particularly the ASYRA

Wireless system, reflect this practical, multifunctional

approach.

The ASYRA platform shows just how far

alarm technology has evolved. By allowing

multiple alarm functions to operate across

a single wireless network, it eliminates

the need for extensive cabling, meaning

devices can be installed quickly, flexibly,

and in optimal positions. For facilities

managers, this delivers clear advantages:

rapid installation with minimal disruption,

the ability to integrate fire, lockdown, and

first-aid alerts in one system, and scalable

coverage for sites of any size. Because it

doesn’t rely on Wi-Fi or internet connections,

the system remains dependable even when

other networks fail. In schools, hospitals,

and public venues, where emergency

responsiveness is crucial, clear, early alerts

can make a real difference, helping staff

act with confidence and giving occupants

reassurance when it matters most.

Today’s alarm technology has to balance

compliance with practical performance.

Fircroft’s devices are independently tested

to recognised industry standards, helping

facilities teams meet statutory obligations

while solving real-world challenges. Highoutput

sounders and clear visual signals

often reduce the number of devices needed

to cover a space, saving time and costs

on installation and maintenance. Beyond

the technology itself, Fircroft’s customerfocused

approach is equally important.

Bespoke design services and customisation

options allow alarm systems to align with

the unique needs of each building – whether

integrating with existing infrastructure,

meeting functional requirements, or even

reflecting brand aesthetics. In other words,

safety technology isn’t just equipment; it’s a

tool that supports workflows, training, and

emergency plans in a practical, accessible

way.

For facilities managers juggling compliance,

efficiency, and budget pressures, integrated

systems like those from Fircroft are more

than convenient – they’re essential. They

turn safety from a regulatory obligation into

a tangible, actionable feature of the built

environment. Modern facilities combine

public access areas, workspaces, and

specialist zones, each with its own risks.

Systems that integrate multiple functions,

can be installed flexibly, and perform reliably

under pressure help professionals create

environments that are resilient, responsive,

and ready for any scenario. Alarm

systems, in this sense, aren’t just reactive

tools – they’re part of a proactive safety

strategy, enabling staff to respond quickly

in emergencies and giving occupants the

confidence that their wellbeing is a priority.

Safety and security in the built environment

are about more than ticking boxes –

it’s about confidence, preparedness,

and adaptability. Fircroft Technologies

demonstrates how thoughtful design, robust

engineering, and a deep understanding

of operational realities can make a real

difference for facilities teams. From

temporary structures on construction sites

to permanent campuses and high-traffic

public buildings, integrated alarm solutions

allow managers to tackle multiple risks

simultaneously, streamline emergency

procedures, and maintain peace of mind.

By combining British engineering excellence,

advanced wireless technology, and decades

of specialist expertise, Fircroft Technologies

is redefining how safety systems are

designed and deployed, creating workplaces,

schools, and public spaces that are not only

safer but smarter, more resilient, and built for

the demands of today and tomorrow.

T 01873 821550

sales@fircrofttech.com

https://fircrofttech.com

36


Design Odyssey

Design Odyssey Ltd was

formed to develop and

manufacture the Vertebrae, the

world’s first, all-in-one, vertical

bathroom,

Vertebrae ® .

Installers are

always seeking

products that are

easy to install

and maintain,

which gives

them added

confidence when

working to the

clock or in a tight

space. Installers

will appreciate

the clever design

and discrete

engineering,

which makes this

a true plug-nplay

product.

They will easily

understand

how easy it is to

install, commission, maintain

and replace any parts.

Vertebrae ® is designed to go in

a wet-room environment, with

all the above floor plumbing

Installation Products & Services

Radiwarm: Comfort, safety & style in every room

Radiwarm is proudly

manufactured

in Halifax, West

Yorkshire, at the longestablished

Heights

manufacturing

facility. Heights has

been a leader in

precision engineering

for over 50 years,

working with major

global brands across

a range of industries.

Building on that

expertise, the Radiwarm brand was launched

over 20 years ago – originally known as Heat

Electric – with a mission to create efficient,

reliable, and stylish electric radiators. Today,

Radiwarm combines decades of engineering

know-how with a clear focus on modern

heating solutions, making us a trusted name in

homes and commercial spaces across the UK.

At the heart of

our range are two

standout products –

the Radiwarm Safe

Touch (LST) and the

Radiwarm Signature.

Each reflects our

commitment to safety,

performance and

design, while meeting

the diverse needs of

our customers.

The Radiwarm

Safe Touch (LST) is

provided with the product. It

fits securely to the floor and

ceiling in a stacking formation,

with a shroud to hide the

ceiling fixing.

The 4 units all

rotate for ease

of use and are

strong and

robust. The units

have easy access

panels to aid with

installation and

maintenance.

Vertebrae ® only

takes 3 hours to

install and test

the plumbing

connections.

No other trades

need to finish

the room off as

the Vertebrae

is installed last.

The product is

universal as it

will fit in a left or

right-hand corner. Available in

any colour.

M 07765 048990

paul@designodyssey.co.uk

www.designodyssey.co.uk

designed for absolute

peace of mind. Ideal for

schools, care homes,

hospitals and other

sensitive environments, it

delivers consistent warmth

while keeping external

surface temperatures safe

to touch – dramatically

reducing the risk of burns

or accidental injury. With

its robust build, energy

efficiency and compliance

with strict safety standards,

the Safe Touch has become the go-to solution

for organisations that cannot afford to

compromise on safety.

Meanwhile, the Radiwarm Signature is the

choice for modern living. Combining the feel

of a traditional radiator with the advantages

of advanced electric heating, no other

electric radiator matches the Signature’s

combination of quality,

performance, and

design. Its water-filled

technology ensures

natural, even heat,

while smart controls

allow precise, roomby-room

temperature

management. Perfect

for homeowners, selfbuilders,

and developers

seeking a high-quality,

low-maintenance

heating solution.

Revolutionise HVAC

Projects with hotun

dry trap tundishes and

hotun detect alarms

Installations need to

be efficient, compliant

and sustainable and

the hotun range is

designed accordingly

for the specifier, installer

and end user. Solutions

for every project,

backed with a 10 year

warranty. The hotun

dry trap tundish can be

connected to an internal

drain saving over £30

and hours of labour

within a single product and fitting

from just 73mm between pipes.

The hotun products are

independently flow tested to be

matched to an installation with

various fitting, colour and connection

options. The hotun detect alarm

variants provide an instant alert to

unwanted passing water, enabling

early intervention, saving wasted

energy and water and restoring

visibility at point of discharge

even behind doors or panelling.

With the hotun

tundish residual water

is easily noticeable

even after water has

stopped dripping,

essential for diagnosis.

The hotun range is

suitable for new build

and retrofit projects,

keeping installation

time and budgets to

a minimum.

The hotun range is

award winning and certified (KIWA,

WRAS) to give you confidence.

Choose hotun to enhance system

specification, reduce environmental

impact, and deliver value for clients.

hotun : Smarter control. Greater

efficiency. Guaranteed results.

hotun It’s not just a tundish.

T 01332 702678

info@ratechuk.co.uk

www.hotun.co.uk

Both ranges are powered by Radiwarm’s unique

technology, ensuring rapid response and longterm

reliability. Unlike outdated storage heaters

Radiwarm products adapt to today’s lifestyles

– providing safe, stylish, and sustainable heat

where it’s needed most.

As we look to the future, our focus remains the

same as it was over 20 years ago: to design

heating solutions that deliver comfort, safety

and sustainability. Whether it’s safeguarding

residents in a care setting or adding a touch

of warmth and elegance to a family home,

RadiWarm is proud to be the trusted name in

British electric heating.

Use our easy-to-follow Room Size Guide to

find the perfect fit for your space. If you need

further assistance, our team is here to help.

T 01422 231943

info@radiwarm.com

https://radiwarm.com/room-size-guide

https://radiwarm.com



City Training Group: Powering the

future of skills in heat, water, air,

energy, and the built environment

Courses that match industry needs

Our training portfolio is broad, practical,

and designed to meet the needs of today’s

professionals across heat, water, air, energy, and

the built environment.

City Training Group is one of the UK’s leading

providers of professional trade training. Based in

a purpose-built, state-of-the-art training centre

just off Junction 32 of the M4 in Llanishen,

Cardiff, we help professionals across the country

gain the qualifications and practical skills they

need to succeed.

Who we are and what we do

We specialise in delivering accredited training

courses from major awarding bodies, alongside

in-house certifications and UK-wide NVQs.

Our training is designed for a wide range of

learners, from sole traders and independent

tradespeople to large national corporations.

Every learner comes to us with the same goal:

to gain or renew the certificates required to work

in their chosen field and to maintain the highest

professional standards.

Our training covers a broad range of sectors,

including electrical, plumbing, heating, gas,

and the fast-growing renewables industry.

By working closely with industry bodies and

employers, we ensure our courses remain

relevant, practical, and aligned with the latest

regulations.

A training centre designed for success

Our Cardiff facility has been purpose-built to

provide the best possible learning environment.

The centre features modern classrooms,

practical training bays, and specialist equipment

designed to replicate real-life working

conditions. This allows learners to develop both

their technical knowledge and their hands-on

skills, ensuring they leave fully prepared for the

workplace.

We invest heavily in the

latest technology and

training tools. From

renewable energy systems

such as EV chargers, air

source heat pumps and

solar PV, to gas-fired

appliances, domestic

ventilation units, and so

much more – learners gain

direct experience with the

tools and systems they will

encounter every day on

the job.

Examples include:

s Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems – equipping

electricians to design, install, and maintain

renewable energy technologies.

s Unvented Hot Water Systems – essential

certification for plumbers and heating

engineers.

s 18th Edition Wiring Regulations – keeping

electricians compliant with the latest

standards.

s Level 3 NVQ Diplomas – providing formal

recognition of skills and experience across

the trades.

These courses reflect the current and future

needs of the industry, ensuring learners are

fully qualified and confident to meet client

expectations.

Supporting all learners

City Training Group works with a wide variety

of learners, and we provide flexible

options to suit busy schedules,

ensuring every student

receives the support they

need to succeed.

Experienced trainers

with real-world

knowledge

Our trainers are highly

skilled and bring a

wealth of real-world

experience. Each has

spent years working

in their trade before

moving into training,

meaning they understand

the pressures, challenges,

and expectations learners will

face once qualified.

This combination of teaching expertise and

industry knowledge ensures learners gain not

only technical competence but also practical

insights into how to apply those skills effectively

in the workplace.

Leading the way in

renewables

One of the most exciting areas

of growth is in renewable

technologies. With the UK

working towards a net-zero

carbon future, the demand

for skilled professionals

in renewables is rapidly

increasing. City Training

Group is at the forefront of

this transition, providing

high-quality training for

tradespeople looking to enter

or expand within the renewables sector.

Our renewables training includes solar PV,

battery storage, and air source heat pumps,

giving electricians, plumbers, and heating

engineers the chance to build a career in one of

the fastest-growing and most important areas of

the industry.

By training with us, learners are not only keeping

up with demand but also helping to drive the

shift towards a cleaner, greener energy

future.

Building the future together

The pace of change across

the built environment

is accelerating. New

technologies and higher

standards are shaping

how we heat, power,

and manage our

homes and workplaces.

The businesses and

individuals that succeed

will be those who invest

in their skills and adapt to

meet these demands.

City Training Group provides

the knowledge, the qualifications,

and the confidence to make that possible.

Whether you are an individual tradesperson

looking to gain certification or a large

organisation seeking to upskill your workforce,

we are here to help you succeed.

T 02920 755880

info@citytraining.com

Visit our website for more information on the

courses we offer and to book online:

https://citytraining.com

38




Recommended Supplier Directory

We believe that embedding sustainability,

transparency, long-term customer

relationships and trusted partnerships

in all aspects of our daily activities is

key to build and maintain leadership as

a responsible timber importer. It is our

mission to show that timber is the world’s

most ecological and sustainable material.

Because nobody wants knotweed, discover how

Japanese Knotweed Ltd supports you. We’re

national Japanese knotweed specialists, delivering

expert services to survey, treat or eradicate

knotweed across commercial sites and property.

Consistently 5* rated, we are fully accredited to

industry standards, including Constructionline Gold

and CHAS, insured and H&S compliant to operate

on any site type or contract value up to £1.5M.

Up in the world. Up any building. Up on

every level. Direct Hoist takes you up in

the world with market-leading construction

hoists for any commercial project. Direct

Hoist deals with hoists, and only hoists.

Goods hoists, personnel hoists, goods

and personel hoists, on contract hire, or to

purchase.

Fridgenius have been supplying National

and International Distributors & Partners with

the Solenoid Valve Operating Magnet since

1995. Designed and manufactured in the

UK, the innovative tool is a valuable addition

to any HVAC service engineer’s toolkit.

Fridgenius supplies a range of Magnet sizes

for use in refrigeration, air conditioning,

water, oil, gas, and fuel installations.

Service Sealing Solutions Ltd

The Original KSE Range is renowned for its

robust construction and proven reliability.

It provides a solid, watertight solution

suitable for environments where durability

and consistent performance are paramount.

This range is well-suited for installations

where the primary focus is on long-term

resilience and straightforward functionality.

Service Sealing Solutions is the sole UK

distributor for the sealing industry’s top

manufacturers; DOYMA, FRANK and HKD.

Service Sealing Solutions Ltd specialises in highquality

service duct sealing systems for utility

services & watertight seals. Offering a high level

of expertise to developers & specifiers for sealing

against water and gas ingress around service

entries in basements and high-rise buildings.

CheckedSafe delivers straightforward,

customisable and cost-effective compliance

tools that enhance safety and efficiency

across diverse sectors. After all, why work

harder, when you could work smarter?

Together with our dedicated team of

developers and account managers, we offer

comprehensive compliance services across

various platforms.

Adveco Ltd. and sister-company Adveco

(AWP) Ltd, which trades as AO Smith Water

Heaters, have been suppliers of products

and services for commercial water heating

projects for the past 50 years. Today, Adveco

Ltd. is the trusted specialist provider of

bespoke, low carbon hot water and heating

systems to the building services industry.

Gold & Wassall Hinges is the leading name

in hinge manufacturing in the UK, and has

been manufacturing hinges of all types,

including continuous hinges, heavy duty

hinges, butt hinges and special purpose

hinges. Our impressive stock range boasts

over 25,000 continuous hinges and over

120,000 other hinges.

DCON Safety Consultants is an

independently owned Built Environmental

Safety, Health & Wellbeing Consultancy. We

prioritise and specialise in the highest levels

of informed & intelligent advice, senior

project resource allocation and compliance

assurance. We know that every project with

potential benefits also has potential risks.

40


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Bags, Tarpaulins, Hessian & Jute,

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Commercial Ventilation

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Underfloor Heating &

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Specialists across the UK

Ventilation Specialist

Beacons & Feeder Pillars

Beacons & Feeder Pillars

Construction Consultancy

Baqus Group provides nationwide

construction consultancy

services to sectors, including:

Hospitality • Healthcare •

Residential • Industrial • Arts

• Commercial • Leisure

Advanced Hygienic Protocol

EST 1982

Call Sales Team on 0333 666 2122

or info@fisherandcompany.co.uk

or www.fisherandcompany.co.uk

to view our range of products

hygiene@velairgroup.com

01425 616103 | https://velair.co.uk

Projects

Screws & Fixings

Lifting

WE ADVISE, DESIGN, MANUFACTURE,

INSTALL AND SUPPORT

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www.playcraftgroup.wales

Security Solutions

Hand Dryer Installation

Electric Vehicles

The perfect gate for your castle

Contact 01442 253341

info@castlegatesandautomation.co.uk

www.castlegatesandautomation.co.uk

hygiene@velairgroup.com

01425 616103 https://velair.co.uk


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Building and Facilities News Issue 1016

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