Construction National

Underfloor heating estimator will be hot on her heels for charity runraiser!

Stacey Wild, an estimator in the underfloor heating industry based in Stockport, will be taking part in a 5K run on Thursday August 25 to help raise funds for Ollie Moseley. 

Ollie is a well liked young man in the village where she works who was tragically hit by a car in August last year and remains in Salford Royal Hospital on a neurological ward after suffering both massive physical and brain injuries. He will need ongoing support on his road to recovery which will be long and expensive. 

Read more: Underfloor heating estimator will be hot on her heels for charity runraiser!

Construction of Tall Buildings Guidance – free to download

Industry Guidance for the Planning, Design, Construction and Maintenance of Tall Buildings is aimed at all parties in the construction supply chain that are involved with the procurement, design, planning, construction, and maintenance of tall buildings. It has been produced with the assistance of the Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC) Managing Risk Well Working Group. Members of the group are drawn from the construction industry, and those associated with it, and have the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience for providing information on the safe construction of tall buildings. Published by Construction Industry Publications, it is available as a free download from the CIP website https://www.cip-books.com/product/tall-buildings/

Read more: Construction of Tall Buildings Guidance – free to download

Välkommen – Welcome

O’Donovan are delighted to welcome Swedish company Sortera, who have launched into the UK waste sector by joining forces with the family-run market leader, known for outstanding service, quality, environmental awareness and not to mention their numerous accolades and awards.

Sortera have a planned strategy in relation to continued growth and expansion within the UK and beyond. The O’Donovan Directors and management team are staying in situ and are all very excited about the future opportunities moving forward in tandem with their European colleagues.

Read more: Välkommen – Welcome

Leeds College launches construction course for football lovers!

Leeds College of Building may have scored the perfect course after launching a unique programme aimed at students interested in building… but who love football too.

The College is now enrolling for a BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Construction & the Built Environment, which incorporates an additional Level 1 Award in Football Coaching. This unusual pairing of premier qualifications is already proving popular with practically-minded students who are passionate about the beautiful game.

Read more: Leeds College launches construction course for football lovers!

CHAS launches verification service for construction materials suppliers

New from CHAS, the trusted expert in supply chain compliance, is Verified Supplier, a compliance verification service which enables construction material suppliers to showcase their commitment to operating credibly, safely and ethically.

As supply chains come under increasing scrutiny, construction material suppliers must confirm they are compliant with a growing list of legislation and guidelines covering health and safety, quality assurance, environmental protection and ethical practices, among others.

Read more: CHAS launches verification service for construction materials suppliers

Public realm regeneration with permeable paving

A new case study from Interpave explores recent urban realm regeneration projects in Tottenham, London exemplifying the synergy of concrete block permeable paving and street trees to address climate change while delivering SuDS. It demonstrates important new techniques applicable to all urban areas.  

The regeneration of White Hart Lane in north Tottenham, by muf architecture/art, was a pilot designed using ‘Healthy Streets’ principles. But it also applies innovative sustainable drainage (SuDS) techniques introduced by design collaborators Robert Bray Associates. This approach reduces flooding and pollution through the integration of bioretention raingardens to collect and treat polluted road runoff. 

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Scotframe grows Scottish presence with new Cumbernauld showroom

Scotframe, one of Scotland’s largest offsite timber frame specialists, has opened a new showroom and sales office in Cumbernauld. 

Responding to the increasing demand for timber homes, this new centre offers self-builders the chance to meet the experienced sales team face-to-face, discuss the timber kits available and consider finishing touches that make a house a home.

Read more: Scotframe grows Scottish presence with new Cumbernauld showroom

Cleaning up air quality in construction

As a big focus of the Environment Act 2021, the longstanding fight for clean air is being strengthened by a raft of new targets and legislation. Alex Minett, Head of Product and Markets at CHAS, outlines what businesses need to be aware of.

There’s little argument that good quality air is key to protecting our health. In 2020, a landmark ruling by a London coroner cited air pollution as a significant factor in the death of a nine-year-old girl with asthma, while the World Health Organisation (WHO) has provided evidence of links between air pollution exposure and multiple illnesses and diseases. Yet, it’s not just our health driving the change for cleaner air. The impact on the environment and the push for energy independence play a part in the air quality agenda. 

With work well underway to develop legally binding air quality targets, businesses and their supply chains must ensure they are informed and ready to adapt to stay compliant.

Read more: Cleaning up air quality in construction

Construction bosses urged to take employee mental health more seriously

As part of its Building Minds campaign, health and safety expert Citation, is urging bosses in the construction industry to take employee mental health more seriously as the mental health crisis in the sector continues to worsen.

The construction sector has some of the worst rates of mental health than any other sector in the UK, with men in the industry three times more likely to die from suicide than the average male*.

Read more: Construction bosses urged to take employee mental health more seriously

New construction apprenticeship gives boost to school leavers

A new Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard is filling a skills gap in the building sector and giving a boost to school-leavers, according to West Yorkshire construction employers.

The recently-approved Construction Support Technician (CST) Apprenticeship is the result of two and a half years of collaboration between Leeds College of Building, a network of employers, professional bodies (CABE & CICES), associations (TICA & CECA), and major contractors across the construction and built environment sector. 

Read more: New construction apprenticeship gives boost to school leavers