Construction National

Insulating the UK’s hard-to-treat or ‘problem’ domestic dwellings

Over 23%, or 4.7 million out of the 19.6 million cavity walled domestic properties in Great Britain do not have cavity wall insulation according to the ‘Household Energy Efficiency National Statistics, Detailed Report 2015’, published by the Department of Energy & Climate Change in March 2016. Most of these are classed as ‘hard-to-treat’ dwellings which simply means that they are more difficult to insulate.

Read more: Insulating the UK’s hard-to-treat or ‘problem’ domestic dwellings

Roof-Pro Delivers Roof Access Systems for Royal Derby Hospital

Roof-Pro has successfully completed a bespoke roof access system project at the Royal Derby Hospital for an extension which houses an MRI scanner and associated equipment.

As well as being asked to provide easy and safe rooftop access to the MRI scanner’s rooftop-mounted chiller unit, which generally requires a service check at least once a quarter, Roof-Pro were also asked to design and build roof access systems for the whole new building.

Read more: Roof-Pro Delivers Roof Access Systems for Royal Derby Hospital

NASC to launch new Scaffolding Product Innovation Award

The NASC is launching a new biennial Scaffolding Product Innovation Award – celebrating the very best developments in new scaffolding materials and products from leading industry suppliers.

The process for award submissions will be revealed in June, on the NASC website, across social media platforms and via e-shots. And the inaugural award will be presented at the confederation’s AGM in Amsterdam on November 25th (and thereafter every two years) – following an independent judging process, featuring a panel of leading access and scaffolding experts in the UK.

Read more: NASC to launch new Scaffolding Product Innovation Award

NASC launches new £30,000 Qualifying The Workforce programme

The NASC has launched a ‘Qualifying the Workforce’ in-house programme offering member companies funding from a £30,000 central pot for up to 240 training placement payments.

The NASC scheme has been introduced to reward members for their commitment to CISRS training and maintaining the high level of qualified staff required to retain NASC membership. 

Read more: NASC launches new £30,000 Qualifying The Workforce programme

NASC launches TG20:13 consultation process

The NASC has launched a consultation process for users of its industry recognised good practice guide for tube and fitting scaffolding, TG20:13

Read more: NASC launches TG20:13 consultation process

First CISRS OSTS centre opens in Nepal through Safety & Access

The CISRS Overseas Scaffolder Training Scheme (OSTS) has accredited its first centre in Nepal through training providers Safety & Access and Aecor Nepal.

CISRS Scheme Manager, Dave Mosley has recently returned from an audit visit in Kathmandu to check that the facilities at the purpose built Aecor Safety & Access centre are up to the exacting standards required to be a CISRS OSTS training provider. And now the centre is open for business and set to start scaffolder, scaffold inspection and scaffold supervisor training imminently.

Read more: First CISRS OSTS centre opens in Nepal through Safety & Access

The alarming costs of accidents in the workplace

While some costs of a workplace accident are obvious, it can often be the hidden costs that are the most damaging – and the most enduring.

Scaremongering about health and safety is a counter productive process. It carries the potential to frighten, alienate and panic facility managers, causing poor decision making, or even a denial of the issue.

Read more: The alarming costs of accidents in the workplace

Baker Consultants helps Gladman to planning appeal success

Gladman Developments Ltd has won a planning appeal inquiry for a residential development at Coalville, Leicestershire. The development of 180 new homes was initially refused by North West Leicestershire District Council in November 2014 and was subsequently examined at a public inquiry a year later. Baker Consultants provided Gladman with ecological advice throughout the planning process, carrying out comprehensive surveys, negotiating with the Local Planning Authority and giving evidence to the public inquiry.

Read more: Baker Consultants helps Gladman to planning appeal success

A world first – publication of building information modelling for landscape

Today marks the publication of ‘BIM for Landscape’, the first book of its kind to focus on the implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) processes in landscape and the external environment.

BIM is a process that will model all data relating to the design, costs and sustainability of a project from design through construction and operation. It will bring the practice of simulation and prototyping for the first time into landscape architecture, saving money and leading ultimately to better designs. The UK is a world leader in this field and the key objective is a 20% reduction in capital costs from the construction and operation of the built environment. It heralds a new chapter in inter-disciplinary relationships.

Read more: A world first – publication of building information modelling for landscape

New depot signals Layher scaffolding commitment in Ireland

The full benefits of Layher equipment are now being made available in Ireland. Layher Ireland has opened the doors of a new dedicated facility in County Meath to bring key advantages to contractors across major sectors, ranging from construction and house building to industrial maintenance and events.

Established as a subsidiary of Layher Ltd., the new facility is operating in both Southern and Northern Ireland. Under the management of John Carolan, Layher Ireland provides not only extensive stockholding of the Layher scaffolding and weather protection range, but will also offer training to ensure all users gain maximum benefit from their Layher equipment.

Read more: New depot signals Layher scaffolding commitment in Ireland