Construction National

London’s construction supplier returns to the capital

Stand G72 at London Build Expo 2021 in November will see Fosroc International on hand to provide expert advice and an integrated approach on everything from product specification to installation.

It will be the fourth time Fosroc has exhibited at the show, which attracts many of the UK’s leading contractors, structural engineers, developers, architects and councils.

As one of the most well regarded and established British manufacturing brands for construction, Fosroc products have been used since the 1940s in the building and repair of landmark London structures. Fosroc’s Conbextra HF grout was used for the Palace of Westminster in 1980, and more recently in the 2000s Fosroc joint sealant was used for Wembley stadium, while Conbextra UW grout was used for the supporting columns of the Emirates Air Line cable car.

Read more: London’s construction supplier returns to the capital

CONSTRUCT Day & Awards 2021 steps up for post-pandemic return

This year, CONSTRUCT Day reinvented itself by breaking away from the familiar mould of the Brewery and moving to the Grade I listed warehouse, Tobacco Dock. The event took place on Friday 1 October, reuniting and introducing over 550 guests from the concrete structures industry.

After a successful exhibition, networking and sparkling drinks reception in the CONSTRUCT Vaults, the Awards ceremony commenced, hosted by the hilarious, Jo Caulfield. Five winners were recognised for their outstanding achievements in the sector, from innovative new products and systems, to the hardworking, committed workforce that support the construction industry. The award categories saw some changes this year; the projects over and under were merged into one category, and CONSTRUCT partnered up with the Post-Tensioning Association (PTA) to host the PTA Best Project Award. Therefore, the categories consisted of; Projects, Health & Safety, Unsung Hero, Young Achiever and PTA Best Project Award.

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Security firm’s co-founders named Black British Businesspeople of the Year

The co-founders of one of the leading names in the UK’s security and facilities management sectors have been named Black British Businesspeople of the Year.

Jamal Tahlil (pictured right) and Edgar Chibaka (left), who launched Yorkshire-based First Response Group in 2007, carried off the top prize at this year’s Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards).

Read more: Security firm’s co-founders named Black British Businesspeople of the Year

Copper in the woods

Nordic Brown pre-oxidised copper and larch cladding together define the natural character of a contemporary home, nestling amongst the treetops on the Island of Hirvensalo, part of the Turku archipelago in Finland.

Locally-based Sigge Architects’ design sought to reconcile their client’s need for a permanent working home combined with the essential characteristics of a Summerhouse for leisure. The Finnish Summerhouse epitomises ‘mökkielämä’ or ‘cottage life’, with its tradition of treading softly on the land and respect for nature. The three-storey building – known simply as ‘Villa L3’ – was envisaged as a deceptively simple modern structure with clean lines and a certain stature. A restrained palette of natural materials enables it to sit comfortably in its elevated location within a gently sloping forest.

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Say 'back off' to back pain

Ahead of Back Care Awareness Week, which runs from 4th - 8th October 2021, Alex Minett, Head of Products & Markets at CHAS looks at some steps companies, and individuals can take to prevent back injury in the workplace.

In 2019-20 the Labour Force Survey found that 8.9 million working days were lost due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders, with 480,000 workers suffering from injuries, of which 37% were linked to the back. It’s therefore vital for companies to look at how to prevent the risk of back injury in their workplaces.

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BAS-IP Obelisk awarded as Best of the Best 'Design Concept 2021' by Red Dot

Obelisk – a device for safe access to residential compounds, centers, and closed areas – received the highest award in one of the largest international competitions, Red Dot, as Best of the Best “Design Concept 2021.” This award recognizes revolutionary design.

Obelisk is made as a monolithic composition, which looks like a pedestal, and has an integrated external intercom system powered by artificial intelligence. The perfect combination of technology and unusual look helped Obelisk win the Red Dot "Design Concept 2021."

Read more: BAS-IP Obelisk awarded as Best of the Best 'Design Concept 2021' by Red Dot

Michelmersh sponsors RIBA’s Sustainability Award 2021

Michelmersh is proud to announce its sponsorship of the Sustainability Award at the RIBA Regional Awards 2021. RIBA’s Regional Awards are comprised of various awards, including Project Architect of the Year, Sustainability Award, Conservation Award, Building of the Year, Client of the Year Award, and region-specific awards. Over recent weeks, winner announcements have been filling social media feeds, congratulating and commemorating worthy winners.

Read more: Michelmersh sponsors RIBA’s Sustainability Award 2021

Elecosoft launches Powerproject Collaboration Cloud

Great construction work should never be held up by poor project management. To help companies deliver more projects on schedule, within budget, stress-free, Elecosoft has launched Powerproject Collaboration Cloud – a collection of market-leading software in one monthly subscription.

Powerproject Collaboration Cloud empowers construction companies to plan, track and manage projects in one place, collaborating closely with team members to deliver strong results.

Read more: Elecosoft launches Powerproject Collaboration Cloud

(De)sign of the times: blurred lines on build performance liabilities

Design requirements are at the heart of any construction contract, and the precise formulation of applicable standards is crucial to evaluation of risk. Recent trends indicate that designers in the UK construction industry are assuming increasing levels of liability on build performance, with significant implications for coverage under professional indemnity insurance.

In Arbitration Appeal No 1 of 2021 [2021] CSOH 41, the Scottish Court of Session recently considered the interpretation of deemed design liability clauses, and upheld a provision imposing responsibility on a consultant for designs pre-dating its appointment and which had been proposed without its involvement. Whilst similar clauses may be given a narrower interpretation in a multi-disciplinary design context involving several third party consultants, the scope of such provisions should be carefully considered at the outset, to limit exposure and potential uninsured loss.

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ASFP to launch new industry magazine

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is launching a new magazine to update its members and the wider fire, design and construction sectors with news of ASFP activities, and to report and comment on issues affecting the passive fire protection industry.

The new magazine, Ignite, will be produced three times each year. With the first edition scheduled for publication in November/December, it will also be distributed at the Association’s Awards Lunch on 26th November. The edition will include full details of the shortlisted Awards nominees, as well as a round-up of industry news, training and technical updates, and event reviews. Each issue will also feature member spotlights, which highlight key products and/or services supplied by ASFP members.  

Read more: ASFP to launch new industry magazine