Raising the Bar for Concrete

MARCH 2018

CDM Buyers guide New guidance for Find your safe installation precast supplier p9 p16

RAISING THE BAR FOR CONCRETE

Block booking Why concrete block paving is the right choice for mechanised installation p23

Cash for bedding How overspeciﬁ cation can lead to unnecessary cost p26 Contents BRITISH

4 Precast Versatility ABM employs precast for Riverside Project; Creagh deliver fast PRECAST construction for education building 6 Housing Strategy Modern Masonry outlines This edition of Construction News gives us an insight into the speed, cost and risk reduction of concrete and masonry why it believes London’s homes need the construction. The topics of Housing, Buildings, Infrastructure durability of masonry and Sustainability are covered in detail, through British Precast 8 Housing Viewpoint Forticrete explains the member case studies, and updates from the sector. Find our benefi ts of concrete during the construction process updated buyers guide for full members, and a list of Associate 9 Buildings: Safe Design and Procurement members. These guides o er an e cient way to fi nd products Precast Flooring Federation publishes the fourth and services. We are also pleased to reveal the interactive buyers edition of guidance for safe installation of fl ooring guide for associate members, which can be found on our 10 Buildings: Car Park Case Study PCE has website. developed a hybrid design-and-build solution for Members of British Precast are required to sign up to the British Precast Charter Membership Scheme, which includes Avenue Car Park in Bracknell signing both our Health and Safety and Sustainability Charters. 14 Architectural Precast Standard An updated Not only do these schemes encourage member companies of version of BS 8297 has been published to refl ect British Precast to go beyond legislation to improve operations, innovations in the sector they o er assurance to businesses, of our initiatives to support 16 British Precast buyers guide best practice. These charter schemes are part of the ‘Raising the Find your precast supplier Bar’ campaign, which demonstrates our members’ 19 Awards ACME has been recognised with an award commitment to zero harm and improving environmental for its inspirational concrete design work performance in the industry. 20 Architectural Blockwork Concrete masonry Matthew Clay Managing Director, Bespoke Products provides designers with a wide range of options Forterra Building Products Limited 22 Precast Cladding Concrete cladding’s President, British Precast benefi ts include durability, fi re resistance and improved energy e¡ ciency 23 Infrastructure: Paving Installation Trade association Interpave explains how precast To fi nd a responsible manufacturer and supplier of precast concrete paving meets the construction agenda and masonry, you can have a read of our buyers guide on 24 Infrastructure Case Study Bison Precast p16 or online at www.britishprecast.org/buyersguide delivers new railway station 25 Infrastructure Case Studies Banagher Bridge Beams for Firth of Forth; CEMEX rail solutions for Waterloo 26 Sustainability: Cost-E ective Pipelines Understanding the full range of bedding solutions is essential when embarking on a pipeline installation British Precast is the trade association of precast concrete manufacturers and is a federation including specialist product groups and sector bodies. 27 Installation: Paving Case Study www.britishprecast.org

A scheme featuring concrete block permeable British Precast is affiliated to the Mineral Products Association (MPA), the trade association for the paving has won the Landscape Institute Awards aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete, dimension stone, lime, mortar and silica sand industries. www.mineralproducts.org 28 British Precast Associates Resources from The EMAP British Precast Concrete Centre; listing of Associate Members Telephone House The Old Rectory 69-77 Paul Street Main Street of British Precast London EC2A 4NQ Glenfield Email [email protected] Leicestershire 29 EPDs British Precast’s Environmental Printed in England by Henry Stone Ltd LE3 8DG Product Declarations are the recognised standard United Kingdom

for precast products Telephone: +44 (0) 116 232 5170 30 Sustainability: Construction Strategy How Email: [email protected] the concrete industry is meeting the challenge

British Precast | 3 Contents BRITISH

for precast products Telephone: +44 (0) 116 232 5170 30 Sustainability: Construction Strategy How Email: [email protected] the concrete industry is meeting the challenge

British Precast | 3 Precast versatility Connection systems for concrete frame construction. Simple and invisible… ABM employs precast for riverside project

ABM Precast Solutions recently led to the maximisation of the use of prestressed and reinforced delivered the first precast of precast concrete to enable precast concrete units will be used components for the new construction in the tidal dock to complete the pier and fixed span Manhattan Gate Bridge in entrance with the minimum of of the bridge. Middlesbrough. The two temporary works. When completed, the bascule 82-tonne precast central pier The Central Pier units will be bridge will maintain access to the units were successfully installed partially filled with in situ dock and allow the continued on to tubular steel pile concrete prior to connection of redevelopment of the Middlehaven foundations in the entrance to the surrounding, protective ‘skirt’, area including a proposed £30m the Middlehaven Dock, next to which will be made up of 16 snow centre for the dock’s north the town’s Riverside Stadium. 5.8 m high precast units that will side and regeneration of the dock A close co-operation between extend the structure to below the as a marina and centre for water ABM Precast Solutions, Balfour low-tide level. sports and leisure use. Beatty (the main contractor) and In addition to the main pier the scheme’s designer, Arup, ‘shell’ units, more than 600 tonnes www.abmprecast.co.uk Our products make the following concrete Fast construction for education building connections...

■ precast-to-precast ■ precast-to-insitu ■ insitu-to-insitu

Simple and invisible...

…see them at invisibleconnections.co.uk

Ask about our new REDiBOX Permanent Recess Formers for stair walls

This £34m state-of-the-art library beams and precast stairs. The another 10 weeks to complete. The fast-track advantages of has been built at Digby Stuart façade includes an outer precast Precast concrete frame and Creagh’s offsite build systems Invisible Connections Ltd College, in south London’s brick-clad skin. The speed of hybrid precast /in situ concrete and precast components met University of Roehampton. construction underlined the Omnia flooring slabs have been the needs of this time-sensitive Unit 6 | Thame Forty | Jane Morbey Road | Thame | Oxfordshire | OX9 3RR Creagh Concrete was attractiveness of using precast used to create the frame for the education scheme, ensuring Telephone +44 (0)1844 266000 | Fax +44 (0)1844 390167 responsible for the design, concrete systems as a framing new library. the new library opened its doors manufacture, delivery and material – the amount of Installation time was an hour in time for the new academic [email protected] | www.invisibleconnections.co.uk installation of all members of the repetition suited the process, the to erect a column and half an year. precast architecturally exposed project and the site. The cores hour for the slabs. External concrete frame, which features were erected in five weeks and the cladding elements ranged in size, Watch the short video of the completed

TECHNICAL single- and double-height frame took 13 weeks to install. with the largest panel weighing 14 library at www.roehampton.ac.uk/ APPROVAL 1398 5056 columns, plate flooring, precast The external cladding took tonnes. student-life/library/

4 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk Precast versatility Connection systems for concrete frame construction. Simple and invisible… ABM employs precast for riverside project

■ precast-to-precast ■ precast-to-insitu ■ insitu-to-insitu

Simple and invisible...

…see them at invisibleconnections.co.uk

Ask about our new REDiBOX Permanent Recess Formers for stair walls

4 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk Housing: Strategy

the problem of overheating by from research undertaken by the providing thermal mass to absorb NHBC Foundation3 that addresses RECOMMENDATIONS excess heat, and secondly to be Masonry provides a common misconception. resilient to the effects of flooding. the lowest-cost Masonry products are also locally Modern Masonry Alliance’s Longevity for London Both these needs are addressed produced within the UK, recommended actions for the through the use of masonry method of supporting local jobs and Greater London Authority are: Will the London Housing Strategy deliver what’s required? construction, which will reduce construction industries; an important • Ensure housing solutions provide the future impact on occupants for housing contributor to the economic sufficient durability, longevity and and the cost of remediation component of sustainability, as is resilience to the effects of climate measures to cope with the effects the fact that masonry provides change; odern Masonry of climate change. the lowest-cost method of • Ensure that whole-life welcomes the Mayor’s The use of thermal mass to ignored, as has the potential fire construction for housing. performance is the basis for London Housing reduce overheating is ranked high risks evident during construction While fire performance is quite assessing appropriate design Strategy, which strikes in the London Plan’s cooling and pre-completion, which have rightly the key safety issue solutions; M • Add fabric protection in the event a sensible balance between long- hierarchy, where it is placed ahead been highlighted by a series of addressed in the Strategy, it is also term housing requirements and of natural ventilation. Modern unfortunate incidents where important to consider the safety of fire to the current occupant the need for more immediate Masonry agrees with the combustible materials have been of occupants from individuals safety requirements covered by action to help Londoners affected importance placed on thermal used for the structure. breaking into their home directly the Building Regulations; by the current housing crisis. mass; however, thermal mass is Government statistics show through the building fabric. In • Build on existing supply chains, To help deliver this in a fully not inherent in the lightweight that the impacts of fire are greater this respect, masonry which provide local materials and effective manner, Modern methods of construction typically in buildings of timber construction is far superior to short lead times; Masonry believes there is one associated with factory-produced construction2, even when lightweight construction systems, • Expand and re-engage existing overarching issue that has been homes. completed and supposedly which offer comparatively less skilled work force and increase largely overlooked, which in turn In contrast to masonry, compliant with Building structural resistance to intruders funding for the provision will affect a number of other lightweight factory-produced Regulations. This point is attempting to gain access. of training. housing performance issues. This homes lack the ability to absorb particularly relevant in multiple- centres on a lack of emphasis and store excess heat. So, the push occupant dwellings and buildings Invest in proven products with regarding the need for longevity for this method of construction for the aged and vulnerable, where a proven track record and resilience in new homes, within the Strategy does not align fire-resistance of the project at There are now new potential may stimulate greater use of which is made more acute by an well with the established completion and throughout its players that may alter market imported materials rather than overemphasis on factory-produced approach for tackling overheating occupation is significantly dynamics well beyond the changes indigenous materials needs to be homes that are essentially detailed in the London Plan. increased by the use of a non- proposed by government in its questioned – particularly when unproven in this respect. Similarly, lightweight methods combustible structure. recent white paper. In particular, local products and labour are of construction are not generally While recognising that fires the build-to-rent sector, housing available, avoiding the need to Longevity of new homes resilient to flooding, with timber in occur in all building types and for the growing senior living wait for new factories to be built, While the London Housing particular subject to warping, rot forms of construction, masonry sector and now the potential and for factory workers’ skills to Strategy acknowledges that poor resilience to the effects of order to enhance their resilience and a loss of structural integrity. It buildings are by their nature and re-entry of Local Authorities led by be developed before production homes built today need to be fit to Modern Masonry future climate change, specifically to future climate changes”. is for these reasons that all the materials resistant to fire. The Homes England (formerly Homes can commence. last for well over a century, the believes there may overheating and flooding. This is exclusively a mitigation recommended construction details designer or specifier should and Communities Agency). All of Members of both the Home Strategy’s focus for achieving this issue (not resilience), which is provided in BS 8500 (Flood remember that this fundamental these have a long-term interest in Builders Federation (HBF) and the misses the essential requirement be a presumption Climate change resilience already addressed by the London’s Resistant and Resilient quality leads to simpler detailing their housing stock, making Federation of Master Builders for delivering durable, robust that longevity is not a While the impact of climate Zero Carbon Policy for new Construction) are of concrete and and construction and this masonry with its proven track (FMB) see no reason to change housing, and the importance of change is acknowledged in the housing. We believe it is masonry construction1. simplicity in turn benefits the record, durability and resilience an their position and the use of long-term resilience to tackle the concern for newly Strategy, the suggested approach important to flag this up, as an thermal and acoustic detailing as attractive option. masonry construction is still effects of climate change. Instead, built homes appears confused, with adaptation additional set of design The importance of masonry well as the construction. Masonry The HCA has been reported as overwhelmingly the solution of the Strategy concentrates solely and mitigation used as requirements are needed for Since the Great Fire of London, is an excellent material for a stating that public money will be choice, particularly as the on more immediate issues of interchangeable terms. More climate change adaptation, which masonry solutions have been ‘fabric first’ approach. used to fund land and factory masonry sector has existing safety, space standards, air quality a concern for newly built homes. specifically, the draft Strategy are not mentioned in the Strategy, recommended to address the risk construction for offsite and modern capacity for expansion to meet and noise, all of which are very This may result in little says: “London’s homes will have nor found in the majority of of fire spread both within The role of masonry methods of construction, in line the current demand for housing. important design considerations, consideration being given to the to become better insulated, and factory produced homes. These buildings, between buildings and Strategy policy requires new with the tenor of the white paper but must be underpinned by an issue in new-build. This is not obtain more of their heat and centre on the ability of the to reduce the combustible homes to be well-designed, safe, analysis and proposals. This, References approach to housing construction unreasonable for new concrete power from renewable sources in building fabric to firstly minimise structural content in our urban good quality, and environmentally however, leads to a real concern 1. BS 8500:2015, Flood Resistant and that is fundamentally durable. and masonry homes, but the environment. Fire safety for sustainable. In response, the long- that government policy is now Resilient Construction – Guide to This will ensure the broad range Strategy places a strong emphasis occupants of dwellings is covered term sustainability benefits of incentivising certain construction Improving Flood Performance of of specific demands placed on on the use of factory-produced MODERN MASONRY by the Building Regulations; masonry have already been methods and materials at the Buildings London homes will continue to be housing in London, largely made however the safety of firefighters, highlighted, but there is a further taxpayers’ expense, which could 2. Analysis of fires in buildings of met long into the future. from lightweight systems and Modern Masonry provides guidance on design using masonry and furnishes (through knowledge of building’s point in respect of embodied lead to an increase in imported timber-framed construction, England, Since most of the existing materials of unproven durability. government and influencing organisations with the evidence of how combustible content/properties) impacts. materials to the detriment of UK 2009-10 to 2011-12; Department for housing in London is Modern Masonry would caution masonry can contribute to a sustainable built environment. Founding has not been addressed. The need Specifically, no significant GDP. Communities and Local Government; demonstrably durable (made from against this approach, not only on association funders of Modern Masonry are the Aircrete Product Association, to protect a building’s structure, difference exists between Support for increased offsite December 2012 concrete and masonry), Modern the grounds of robustness and Brick Development Association, Concrete Block Association and Mortar so it can be quickly and cost- masonry and timber construction construction and even the 3. Operational and embodied carbon in Industry Association. Modern Masonry is an affiliate of British Precast. new-build housing – a reappraisal, Masonry believes there may be a longevity, but also because this effectively reinstated after a fire in terms of their overall CO2 expenditure of public funds to presumption that longevity is not type of housing is likely to offer (a key insurance issue) has been impact, which is a key conclusion provide land and factories that NHBC Foundation, 2011

6 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk www.cnplus.co.uk British00 Month Precast 2012 | 7| 7 Housing: Strategy

6 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk www.cnplus.co.uk British00 Month Precast 2012 | 7| 7 Housing: Viewpoint Buildings: Health and safety The perfect balance CDM guidance on hand John Lambert, managing director of Forticrete, explains how contractors, architects, specifiers The Precast Flooring Federation has published the fourth edition of its guidance for safe installation of flooring and housebuilders can reduce costs and time during construction with the use of concrete

ith the government whose greatest challenge is to find construction skills shortages can very client, designer and information to assist in setting an ambitious a product that combines both an hamper growth and thwart contractor has coordinating designs to housebuilding target attractive price point with the progress. responsibilities under achieve safe installation. Wover the next few ability to blend in with the local Again, our SL8 tile is a great ECDM and, when it comes The Health and Safety years, the focus will be on building vernacular. For example, in the example. Because the tiles are to precast flooring, the Precast Executive (HSE) reviewed and more homes at a faster rate. historic town of Stamford, pre-blended, there is no need Flooring Federation (PFF) has commented on drafts during the While the first challenge will be Lincolnshire, our Hardrow Slates for roofing contractors to mix produced guidance that will help development of the fourth edition to get more projects under way, were specified to fit in with the from multiple packs on site. fulfil these obligations. and has provided a foreword for there are also opportunities to 17th and 18th century buildings. This has long caused onsite The risks associated with the the Code of Practice by Peter embrace material specification Kevin Bendall, design and health and safety concerns, installation of precast flooring Baker, HSE's chief inspector of that makes the process – from planning executive at Taylor unnecessary wastage and slowed components mostly arise from construction. He writes: “The HSE planning to handover - quicker Wimpey Homes (East Midlands), down the entire installation the use of heavy plant, cranes and continues to work closely with the and more cost-effective. The says: “It was vital that we found process. personnel working at height. Falls Precast Flooring Federation and housing white paper Fixing Our a tile that provided an authentic from height are of particular endorses this guidance, which Broken Housing Market stated a traditional appearance. It was Enhanced performance concern, as they cause the largest follows a sensible and desire to open the housing market clear that Forticrete’s Hardrow Enhanced product performance number of deaths and serious proportionate approach to to builders who embrace Slates in diminishing courses is key in any industry. But, injuries in construction. HSE data managing health and safety.” innovative and efficient building John Lambert provided the ideal solution.” perhaps never more so than in for the past five years indicate methods. the construction industry. that the number of construction- Following guidance If we look at roofing specifically, Fewer tiles required Using concrete alternatives related fatalities resulting from The fourth edition was published the question from builders and For many, the ability to reduce the for architectural masonry falls from height were as follows: in November 2017 as a download contractors is often, “what are the Concrete products number of products needed offers a cost-effective, • 12 out of a total of 30 fatalities in available from the PFF website, alternatives to natural slate and deliver a whole host during the build process is the aesthetically appealing 2016/17 to publish a fully revised fourth with a limited print run for its how do they compare?”. In this ‘holy grail’ of construction. There building solution. • 19 out of 47 in 2015/16 edition of the Code of Practice in members, training organisations economic climate, concrete of cost advantages are solutions available – if we One of its most important • 20 out of 35 in 2014/15 The PFF is order to provide employees, and the HSE. As with previous building products are the obvious throughout the consider our large-format performance properties is its fire • 22 out of 44 in 2013/14 subcontractors, designers and editions, if the guidance within answer. This route offers a concrete roofing tile SL8, its resistance. Dense concrete • 24 out of 40 in 2012/13. committed to customers with clearly presented the Code of Practice is properly solution that mirrors the building process innovative design provides provides the highest levels of fire However, if work at height is achieving a high information about current best followed by the construction aesthetics of more traditionally greater coverage than the resistance of all concrete properly planned, including the practice for the installation of all industry, then the risks of death used building materials, such as more traditional products on materials. It also contributes to the correct selection of equipment standard and types of precast flooring (beam- and injury from falls and other natural slate. the market. In fact, it requires thermal insulation of the building, and its appropriate use, then most universal approach and-block, hollowcore etc). factors should be greatly reduced. The good news is that concrete just eight tiles per square metre making a major contribution to accidents involving falls can be to health and safety This information includes: the For the first time the PFF has products deliver a whole host of compared to the 10 tiles per retaining heat in the winter and prevented. roles and responsibilities of key also produced an abridged version cost advantages throughout the square metre needed for many minimising solar gain in the personnel on site; the storage of of the Code of Practice to process. They also appeal to natural alternatives. summer. Energy consumption is Evolving practice components; lifting operations accompany the full fourth edition. planners and reduce the need for With approximately 20 per cent reduced and can help the The third edition of the PFF’s Code and work at height. Designers The A6-sized guidance document specialist building skills. Concrete fewer tiles required per roof, the occupants reduce their energy of Practice for the Safe Installation should note that the Code of summarises the key elements of roofing products also offer cost tiles are quicker and easier to lay, bills over the lifetime of the of Precast Concrete Flooring and Practice also includes a section the Code of Practice and is efficiencies in terms of the handle and transport. With less building. Associated Components was which provides detailed intended for site operatives and number of tiles required – a win- product required, the potential for Concrete strikes the perfect published in 2013. Since then, the supervisors to use as an aide- win at every level. damage on site and waste in the balance while offering time, cost CDM Regulations 2015 have come memoire when installing precast The suitability of the products manufacturing process is also and risk reduction benefits. It is into effect, industry practice has PRECAST FLOORING FEDERATION CHARTER concrete floors – hence the pocket against the local backdrop, reduced, resulting in cost and the sustainable choice that offers evolved and the precast flooring Taken from the PFF Code of Practice, the chairman writes: “Each member size. Free hard copies can be especially in sensitive locations time savings. And while it a win-win for everyone in the sector has grown. company of the PFF has signed the PFF Charter and pledges to work to the obtained using the contact details such as greenbelt and offers a more cost-effective supply chain. The PFF is committed to Code both through their in-house construction teams and with all appointed below. Alternatively, the guidance conservation areas, cannot be solution, it doesn’t compromise achieving a high standard and ﬁxing subcontractors. Conformity with the PFF Code of Practice is subject to document can be downloaded ignored. Therefore, from a on aesthetics. A division of Ibstock plc, Forticrete is universal approach to health and an independent audit system.” from the PFF website. planning perspective, concrete- one of the UK’s leading manufacturers safety. It is only by the industry In summary, whether you are a client, a designer or a contractor, please based alternative products Ease of use of concrete construction products showing leadership and taking remember that you can help to ensure safety on your sites by specifying that For further information contact: can help make planning When we design a new product, including roof tiles, decorative facing ownership of the management of flooring be installed in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Safe Precast Flooring Federation and building a much quicker we do so with ease of use in mind. blocks, walling stone and cast-stone risk that improvements will be Installation of Precast Concrete Flooring and Associated Components. Tel: 0116 232 5170 process. This is in direct response to the dressings. For more information visit made. Email: [email protected] We often work with developers current climate, where www.forticrete.co.uk Consequently, the PFF resolved Web: www.precastfloors.info

8 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk www.cnplus.co.uk British00 Month Precast 2012 | |9 9 Housing: Viewpoint Buildings: Health and safety The perfect balance CDM guidance on hand John Lambert, managing director of Forticrete, explains how contractors, architects, specifiers The Precast Flooring Federation has published the fourth edition of its guidance for safe installation of flooring and housebuilders can reduce costs and time during construction with the use of concrete ith the government whose greatest challenge is to find construction skills shortages can very client, designer and information to assist in setting an ambitious a product that combines both an hamper growth and thwart contractor has coordinating designs to housebuilding target attractive price point with the progress. responsibilities under achieve safe installation. Wover the next few ability to blend in with the local Again, our SL8 tile is a great ECDM and, when it comes The Health and Safety years, the focus will be on building vernacular. For example, in the example. Because the tiles are to precast flooring, the Precast Executive (HSE) reviewed and more homes at a faster rate. historic town of Stamford, pre-blended, there is no need Flooring Federation (PFF) has commented on drafts during the While the first challenge will be Lincolnshire, our Hardrow Slates for roofing contractors to mix produced guidance that will help development of the fourth edition to get more projects under way, were specified to fit in with the from multiple packs on site. fulfil these obligations. and has provided a foreword for there are also opportunities to 17th and 18th century buildings. This has long caused onsite The risks associated with the the Code of Practice by Peter embrace material specification Kevin Bendall, design and health and safety concerns, installation of precast flooring Baker, HSE's chief inspector of that makes the process – from planning executive at Taylor unnecessary wastage and slowed components mostly arise from construction. He writes: “The HSE planning to handover - quicker Wimpey Homes (East Midlands), down the entire installation the use of heavy plant, cranes and continues to work closely with the and more cost-effective. The says: “It was vital that we found process. personnel working at height. Falls Precast Flooring Federation and housing white paper Fixing Our a tile that provided an authentic from height are of particular endorses this guidance, which Broken Housing Market stated a traditional appearance. It was Enhanced performance concern, as they cause the largest follows a sensible and desire to open the housing market clear that Forticrete’s Hardrow Enhanced product performance number of deaths and serious proportionate approach to to builders who embrace Slates in diminishing courses is key in any industry. But, injuries in construction. HSE data managing health and safety.” innovative and efficient building John Lambert provided the ideal solution.” perhaps never more so than in for the past five years indicate methods. the construction industry. that the number of construction- Following guidance If we look at roofing specifically, Fewer tiles required Using concrete alternatives related fatalities resulting from The fourth edition was published the question from builders and For many, the ability to reduce the for architectural masonry falls from height were as follows: in November 2017 as a download contractors is often, “what are the Concrete products number of products needed offers a cost-effective, • 12 out of a total of 30 fatalities in available from the PFF website, alternatives to natural slate and deliver a whole host during the build process is the aesthetically appealing 2016/17 to publish a fully revised fourth with a limited print run for its how do they compare?”. In this ‘holy grail’ of construction. There building solution. • 19 out of 47 in 2015/16 edition of the Code of Practice in members, training organisations economic climate, concrete of cost advantages are solutions available – if we One of its most important • 20 out of 35 in 2014/15 The PFF is order to provide employees, and the HSE. As with previous building products are the obvious throughout the consider our large-format performance properties is its fire • 22 out of 44 in 2013/14 subcontractors, designers and editions, if the guidance within answer. This route offers a concrete roofing tile SL8, its resistance. Dense concrete • 24 out of 40 in 2012/13. committed to customers with clearly presented the Code of Practice is properly solution that mirrors the building process innovative design provides provides the highest levels of fire However, if work at height is achieving a high information about current best followed by the construction aesthetics of more traditionally greater coverage than the resistance of all concrete properly planned, including the practice for the installation of all industry, then the risks of death used building materials, such as more traditional products on materials. It also contributes to the correct selection of equipment standard and types of precast flooring (beam- and injury from falls and other natural slate. the market. In fact, it requires thermal insulation of the building, and its appropriate use, then most universal approach and-block, hollowcore etc). factors should be greatly reduced. The good news is that concrete just eight tiles per square metre making a major contribution to accidents involving falls can be to health and safety This information includes: the For the first time the PFF has products deliver a whole host of compared to the 10 tiles per retaining heat in the winter and prevented. roles and responsibilities of key also produced an abridged version cost advantages throughout the square metre needed for many minimising solar gain in the personnel on site; the storage of of the Code of Practice to process. They also appeal to natural alternatives. summer. Energy consumption is Evolving practice components; lifting operations accompany the full fourth edition. planners and reduce the need for With approximately 20 per cent reduced and can help the The third edition of the PFF’s Code and work at height. Designers The A6-sized guidance document specialist building skills. Concrete fewer tiles required per roof, the occupants reduce their energy of Practice for the Safe Installation should note that the Code of summarises the key elements of roofing products also offer cost tiles are quicker and easier to lay, bills over the lifetime of the of Precast Concrete Flooring and Practice also includes a section the Code of Practice and is efficiencies in terms of the handle and transport. With less building. Associated Components was which provides detailed intended for site operatives and number of tiles required – a win- product required, the potential for Concrete strikes the perfect published in 2013. Since then, the supervisors to use as an aide- win at every level. damage on site and waste in the balance while offering time, cost CDM Regulations 2015 have come memoire when installing precast The suitability of the products manufacturing process is also and risk reduction benefits. It is into effect, industry practice has PRECAST FLOORING FEDERATION CHARTER concrete floors – hence the pocket against the local backdrop, reduced, resulting in cost and the sustainable choice that offers evolved and the precast flooring Taken from the PFF Code of Practice, the chairman writes: “Each member size. Free hard copies can be especially in sensitive locations time savings. And while it a win-win for everyone in the sector has grown. company of the PFF has signed the PFF Charter and pledges to work to the obtained using the contact details such as greenbelt and offers a more cost-effective supply chain. The PFF is committed to Code both through their in-house construction teams and with all appointed below. Alternatively, the guidance conservation areas, cannot be solution, it doesn’t compromise achieving a high standard and ﬁxing subcontractors. Conformity with the PFF Code of Practice is subject to document can be downloaded ignored. Therefore, from a on aesthetics. A division of Ibstock plc, Forticrete is universal approach to health and an independent audit system.” from the PFF website. planning perspective, concrete- one of the UK’s leading manufacturers safety. It is only by the industry In summary, whether you are a client, a designer or a contractor, please based alternative products Ease of use of concrete construction products showing leadership and taking remember that you can help to ensure safety on your sites by specifying that For further information contact: can help make planning When we design a new product, including roof tiles, decorative facing ownership of the management of flooring be installed in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Safe Precast Flooring Federation and building a much quicker we do so with ease of use in mind. blocks, walling stone and cast-stone risk that improvements will be Installation of Precast Concrete Flooring and Associated Components. Tel: 0116 232 5170 process. This is in direct response to the dressings. For more information visit made. Email: [email protected] We often work with developers current climate, where www.forticrete.co.uk Consequently, the PFF resolved Web: www.precastfloors.info

8 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk www.cnplus.co.uk British00 Month Precast 2012 | |9 9 Buildings: Case study Bracknell car park – an offsite hybrid development PCE, in co-operation with MACE, has developed a hybrid design-and-build solution for Avenue Car Park

n September 2017, Bracknell’s new major town centre concrete ‘goalposts’ to support the used. Electronic detailing of the Nickie Brown, PCE managing redevelopment, Lexicon, precast floor slabs. Perimeter different components and close director, says: “The Avenue multi- ENHANCED DESIGN Iopened after extensive work. beams are a combination of control of the casting accuracy of storey car park at Bracknell is an REQUIREMENTS: The aim of the project was to straight and curved in plan that all the precast units ensured that excellent example of a design- PROPERTY PROTECTION enhance the shopping and leisure span between the goal posts to the ramps’ complex geometry was and-build offsite engineered facilities in Bracknell and provide support the prestressed concrete easily achieved. hybrid concrete structure. We Client significant investment into the plate flooring for the straight More than 3,500 precast units were able to use the latest Bracknell Regeneration town. sections. were erected during the 40-week electronic technology and Partnership Avenue Car Park, a multi-storey Conventionally reinforced onsite programme. PCE developed intelligence, including BIM, to Architect Chapman Taylor facility, was also constructed as concrete curved and sloping its electronic QA and paperless design and detail, share data Consultant engineer Arup part of the redevelopment. It is plates at the ends of the ramps control systems to ensure that between all the parties involved Quantity surveyor Aecom open 24 hours a day and it were cast from moulds integral components were manufactured and provide control systems that Main contractor MACE provides more than 1,300 car with those for the curved beams and delivered on a just-in-time has enabled the use of structural Specialist hybrid structural parking spaces including spaces ensuring accuracy of fit onsite. A basis and erected to the quality concrete to be the most viable and frame contractor PCE for electric-car charging. reinforced structural topping expected and with a high regard to efficient construction material PCE, working in co-operation across the plate flooring was also all aspects of health and safety. choice for this building.” with MACE, developed a hybrid More than 3,500 precast units design-and-build solution for were erected during the 40-week Avenue Car Park. Comprising five onsite programme floors, the structure included an area of multi-level retail space. Precast concrete components, engineered off site, were predominantly used in the construction of the car park. Taking into account the busy Precast concrete components, In certain areas, this required overall floor depth and structural central location of the engineered off site, were design development of the GT dead load, which leads to a development, this method of predominantly used in the flooring units to enable them to reduction in height and weight of construction reduced the number construction of the car park be splayed, cast with a 25 mm fall the supporting precast concrete of vehicle deliveries and the size of across their top surfaces and the bearer beams, as well as a more the construction team. The result use of solid GT units to support efficient design of other structural was a greener, faster onsite reinforced concrete ‘cheese frame components. erection process. wedge’-shaped units. The longest Additionally, as GT units are unit was 17.8 m by 1.5 m wide manufactured in a controlled Structural loading criteria including a splayed end, while the factory environment, this allows In order to meet the car park’s solid slabs weighed 22 tonnes. an anti-slip brush finish to be structural loading criteria, precast In certain areas having a applied to the units and so concrete GT units – designed and 25 mm fall across the width of the complete the car park flooring. developed by PCE using 3D BIM GT unit was insufficient to The result is a highly innovative techniques – were used. GT units provide the transitions required, car park offering a strong, safe do not need an in situ structural which resulted in the bearing place for car drivers. concrete topping and so reduce corbels of the supporting beams the need for much onsite activity. and walls having to be stepped. Curved ramps Surrounding businesses were Precast methods Prior to production commencing, A further interesting challenge for therefore able to operate with two full-scale mock-ups were the PCE team was the design and minimal disruption. reduced the prepared to prove the structural delivery of the two curved and Due to the car park deck being number of vehicle geometry and adequacy of the handed ramps on the external face non-rectangular in plan and the non-standard GT units and of the car park that form the development’s adjacent principal deliveries and the size supporting beams. up-and-down access between the anchor stores having differing of the construction Compared to other offsite floors. To avoid using separate floor levels, all of the decks were team solutions of similar span, the GT columns and beams, these ramp required to fall in two directions. floor units provide a reduced structures use precast reinforced

10 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk www.cnplus.co.uk 00British Month Precast 2012 | | 11 11 Buildings: Case study Bracknell car park – an offsite hybrid development PCE, in co-operation with MACE, has developed a hybrid design-and-build solution for Avenue Car Park

10 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk www.cnplus.co.uk 00British Month Precast 2012 | | 11 11 Precast Concrete Solutions

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CN_SUB63_corp_ad_update.indd 1 09/01/2018 10:07 Buildings: Architectural Precast Standard A higher standard The essential British Standard for designers and installers of precast concrete cladding has been updated to reflect new innovations and advances in the sector

S 8297 has long been the definitive standard for precast concrete cladding. BS 8297 has been BIn October, following revised to account recent advances and innovations in the sector, a new updated for changes version was published, with a new title: Design, manufacture and installation of architectural precast concrete cladding. “The standard has been revised facings, and typically face-sealed, to account for changes in though they can also take the manufacturing techniques and form of a rainscreen. The product ranges introduced over standard’s scope also addresses the past 20 years,” says Luke the architectural outer concrete Smerdon-White, technical skin of structural load-bearing director at Thorp Precast, one of sandwich panels, which again the member firms of British tend to be face-sealed. Precast Architectural and A number of new precast façade Structural, who worked on the classifications, types and finishes and the minimum standards to be their application for both scenarios. committee that carried out the have been introduced in the met,” says Mr Smerdon-White. The standard is intended to be revision of the standard. update, meaning that a wider “Additionally, there are used in conjunction with the “The last update was 17 years range of products can be specified recommendations for panel precast common rules standard, ago and reflected some practices, and manufactured to a relevant inspections and viewing BS EN 13369, and the execution of details and materials that are no British Standard. These include distances. concrete structures standard, EN longer used by the industry. The linear elements such as beams “Finishes are also covered, 13670. It is compatible with the Eurocode BS EN 1992 was issued in and columns, precast sculptures including an overhaul of the Eurocode suite of design 2004, and this superseded previous and other aesthetic features. terminology to provide more standards. BS 8297 also aligns with codes referenced in BS 8297. All logical descriptions. There is a vast the latest standards requirements these references have now been Early engagement array of different finishes that can of the Centre for Window and updated, with new sections on One recommendation of the new be applied to the concrete or Cladding Technology (CWCT). subjects including thermal and BS 8297 is early engagement of the added to the panels in the form of “BS 8297 should be used by acoustic requirements, which did precast concrete specialist. “This facings such as brick, stone and anyone involved with designing, not previously feature in the is paramount for the project tiles. Use of BS 8297 will ensure the reviewing and installing standard.” team’s understanding of the materials specified are fit for architectural precast concrete, The change of the title and building’s movement and purpose. As an example of this, the because it thoroughly explains scope of BS 8297 acknowledges tolerances,” says Mr Smerdon- new standard offers methods for the processes, considerations and that not all architectural precast White. “Only with an early and testing the durability of brick slips best practice,” says Mr Smerdon- concrete “performs as cladding”, clear understanding of these can and tiles with minimum ‘pull-off’ White. “It is as valid for architects says Mr Smerdon-White. the technical requirements and values to be met.” and principal contractors as it is “It was felt that the old title – visual aspirations be assessed. With regard to fixing methods, for structural engineers, and also Design and installation of Structures that are designed to the standard covers both other members of a project team, non-loadbearing precast concrete merely meet the maximum independently supported and including façade consultants, cladding – excluded elements allowable deflections or lateral stacked cladding schemes. “In the designers, manufacturers and such as balconies or architectural displacement will often not meet section on stacked cladding, there installers.” columns,” he explains. “This is no the cladding’s aesthetic are now recommendations that Other members of British longer the case.” requirements of the client or their consider accidental removal of the Precast Architectural and The new standard provides architect.” cladding panels,” says Mr Structural involved in writing the comprehensive coverage of all Quality is another key theme in Smerdon-White. update include Decomo and type of precast cladding. This the revised standard. “One section The update applies to Techrete. There were also includes non load-bearing, single details the performance testing refurbishment and new-build, and contributions from The Concrete skin precast panels, often with requirements of the panels when makes recommendations for Centre, the NHBC, plus façade brick, stone or terracotta tile applied in a building envelope, fixings and anchor selection and consultants FMDC and Wintech.

14 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk Buildings: Architectural Precast Standard A higher standard The essential British Standard for designers and installers of precast concrete cladding has been updated to reflect new innovations and advances in the sector

14 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk British Precast Buyers Guide Visit www.britishprecast.org/buyersguide for the latest interactive online version

1. ABM Precast Solutions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 2. Acheson + Glover 3. ACP (Concrete) Agricultural Products 4. Aggregate Industries Arch, Portal & Box Structures 5. Amber Precast Architectural Dressings 6. Banagher Precast Concrete 7. Barcon Systems Basement Units 8. Besblock Beam & Block Floors 9. Bison Precast Beams & Columns 10. Blanc de Bierges Bespoke Products 11. Breedon Aggregates 12. Brett Landscaping Block Paving 13. Broome Bros (Doncaster) Blocks, Inner Leaf & Partition 14. Castle Construction Products Blocks, Outer Leaf 15. CEMEX UK 16. Charcon Construction Solutions Box Culverts 17. CCP Building Products Bridge Beams & Gantries 18. Collier Quarrying & Recycling Cast Stone Architectural Units 19. Cornish Concrete Products Cladding & Structural Wall Units 20. Craven Concrete 21. Creagh Concrete Products Composite & Double Tee Floors 22. Cross Concrete Flooring Concrete Bricks 23. Decomo UK Decorative Internal Surfaces 24. Delta Bloc UK 25. E&JW Glendinning Decorative Paving 26. Ebor Concretes Dock Leveller Pits 27. Elite Precast Ducts, Conduits & Markers 28. Evans by Shay Murtagh Precast Fencing 29. F P McCann 30. Forterra Building Products Flags 31. Forticrete Flat Pack Systems 32. H+H UK Foundation Blocks 33. Hillhouse Quarry Group Foundation Units & Piles 34. Interfuse 35. Jordan Concrete Frames 36. Laird Bros Garden Products 37. Lignacite Grandstands & Terracing 38. Litecast 39. Longley Concrete Ground Beams 40. Marshalls Hollowcore Floors 41. Mashalls CPM Kerbs 42. Milton Precast Lighting Columns & Transmission Poles 43. Mona Precast 44. Naylor Concrete Products Lintels Sills & Copings 45. Newlay Concrete Manholes & Inspection Chambers 46. Patersons Quarries Multi-storey Carparks 47. Plasmor Packed Products 48. Premium Concrete Products 49. Quinn Building Products Pipes 50. Robeslee Concrete Pods 51. S. Morris Prefabricated Buildings 52. Sellite Blocks 53. Skene Concrete Products Railway Sleepers, Bearers & Units 54. Specialist Precast Products Reinforced Aircrete Floors 55. Stanton Bonna Concrete Retaining, Revetment & Crib Walls 56. Sterling Services Road Surface Drainage 57. Stocks Blocks 58. Supreme Concrete Roof Tiles 59. Tarmac Building Products Sea & River Defence Units 60. Techrete Specialised Building Systems 61. Thakeham Tiles Staircases & Stair Units 62. Thomas Armstrong 63. Thorp Precast Street Furniture & Bollards 64. Topﬂ ight Precast Tunnel Linings 65. Townscape Products Vehicle Safety Barriers 66. TT Concrete Products 67. WDL Concrete Products Water Treatment & Storage Tanks 68. William Rainford 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68

16 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk www.cnplus.co.uk 00British Month Precast 2012 || 231717 British Precast Buyers Guide Visit www.britishprecast.org/buyersguide for the latest interactive online version

16 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk www.cnplus.co.uk 00British Month Precast 2012 || 231717 Buildings: Awards NEW HTA-CE PLUS – With additional load capacity: THE NEW HALFEN CHANNEL All features at a glance: Creativity in concrete  CE marking with European Technical Assessment London-based practice ACME has been recognised with an award for its inspirational concrete design work

 Suitable for dynamic loads he 2017 winner of the Shopping Centre 2017. The project process, which resulted in both a British Precast Creativity is fulfilling the ambitions set out polished and acid-etched finish to  Hot rolled HALFEN Channels in Concrete Award is back in 2011: a development to the panels. ACME. ACME, acronym reinvigorate the area and improve The design intent of the unique R 120 T The overall result  2 hour fire rating for ‘A Company Making leisure, hotel and residential configuration of the diagrid was Everything’ was established in showcases how facilities. to conceal the joints and this was London ten years ago and has precast can deliver achieved during early design  Up to 45% higher load capacity since expanded internationally. on design aspirations High accuracy development of the patterns. The Working in the fields of urban The design of the façade fully overall result is an awe-inspiring  HALFEN product software planning, contemporary utilised BIM and involved the façade that plays with light and architecture and interior design, federation of drawings from all shadows, showcasing how the practice works with private, trades to identify clashes early in precast can deliver on design corporate and public clients. the process, ensuring an aspirations. Aiming to create outstanding extremely high level of accuracy British Precast is delighted to and inspiring work, ACME has for mould drawings. The precast present ACME with the 2017 worked on numerous projects panels were designed to Creativity in Concrete Award, in www.halfen.co.uk including Victoria Gate in Leeds, incorporate different finishes recognition of its inspiring and Southampton Westquay, Eastland within the elements and this was innovative architectural concrete Melbourne, Bishopsgate achieved with a two-stage casting design work. Goodsyard London, Folkestone ACME’s aim is to create outstanding Harbour, Swansea Central, work and the practice uses precast Birmingham Smithfield and the concrete in a wide range of ways to Corniche in Doha, Qatar. showcase its ambitions. For example, On the first of these – Victoria at Victoria Gate Leeds brick-faced Gate, Leeds – ACME has used cladding (by Thorp Precast) and concrete in a range of ways to diagrid cladding (by Techcrete) deliver its ambitions. Particularly noteworthy is the range of precast architectural finishes. The project has received extensive recognition, with an impressive 10 accolades to its name. These include the 2017 RIBA National Award and MIPIM INNOVATIVE PRECAST Award for the Global Best saving you time and money onsite

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www.cnplus.co.uk 00British Month Precast 2012 | 1919 Buildings: Awards NEW HTA-CE PLUS – With additional load capacity: THE NEW HALFEN CHANNEL All features at a glance: Creativity in concrete  CE marking with European Technical Assessment London-based practice ACME has been recognised with an award for its inspirational concrete design work

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www.cnplus.co.uk 00British Month Precast 2012 | 1919 Buildings: Architectural blockwork

Festival House, Blackpool (left). Standing on a stepped concrete plinth, the tower makes extensive Keeping up appearances use of Lignacite’s Roman Brick Concrete masonry provides designers with a wide range of options

Inlet facility, Derby Water New headquarters, Wrekin Housing Treatment Works for Severn Trent Trust, Telford (below). The high- Water (left). This building features impact design used Millennium Data sheet 17 Besblock Millennium Masonry Masonry Iced Diamond, splitfaced Splitfaced Horcott Shingle with blocks by Besblock. The scheme Ralph Thoresby School, Cotswold smooth protruding demanded a pure white product Leeds (right). This features bands. The high dimensional requiring 100 per cent crushed split-faced Cotswold yellow accuracy of the smooth block white marble aggregate known supplied by Plasmor serves to create a striking contrast as Dolomite to the rugged splitfaced masonryCI/SfB Yq4 (G1) Issue 2 May 2012 (SUPERSEDES Issue 1 May 2004) Pigments for mortar

Building society headquarters, Scarborough (left). Masonry in Cotswold yellow supplied by Plasmor

Warehouse Court, Woolwich Arsenal (below). The entrance hall and communal areas are all clad with Lignacite’s Snowstorm Polished AFM blocks pigments that are subject to similar General Composition, limitations as carbon black include organic Information Properties and pigments such as the phthalocyanine blues and greens. Ultramarine blue is a relatively MORTARS Mortars can be pigmented to Durability inexpensive pigment but untreated grades highlight, enhance or tone in with the will rapidly lose their colour in mortar due to masonry used. The colour of the The Oak Chapel,The pigments Milton Keynes should (below). conform Lignacite’s to the mortar joint can totally change the Split Dolomiterequirements blocks were usedof BS to create EN 12878: texture Pigments for a reaction with the calcium in the cement. appearance of the finished masonry The pigment manufacturers can provide and a comprehensive range of colours building materials based on cement and/or and shades are available from further information on the suitability of these suppliers of factory-produced lime. mortars. pigments for the intended application. Both lime sand and ready-to-use mortars can be coloured by the use of The majority of the pigments used to colour Sikh Temple, Leamington Spa pigments and the controlled mortar are based upon synthetic and/or The tinting strength of pigments(above). depends The temple used 12,800 manufacturing conditions employed upon the particle size, surfaceblocks, area all andhandmade and finished by the factory producers will ensure naturally-occurring iron oxide reds, iron oxide at the Lignacite Brandon plant that a consistent colour is obtained. yellows and iron oxide blacks, which have purity. The more discrete particles per unit www.mortar.org.uk been blended by the pigment manufacturers weight of pigment, the greater the covering power and hence the depth of shade of the Mortars can be pigmented to highlight, to give a wide range of attractive shades mortar, assuming complete dispersion. 20 | 00British Month Precast 2012 enhance or tone inwww.cnplus.co.uk with the masonry www.cnplus.co.ukincluding browns, marigolds and olive green. 00British Month Precast 2012 || 2121 However, with some fine particle pigments it used. The colour of the mortar joint can These pigments physically bind to grains of is advantageous to incorporate a coarser totally change the appearance of the cementitious material, changing the overall product to facilitate easier dispersion. finished masonry and a comprehensive colour of the mixture. Iron oxide pigments range of colours and shades are are inorganic, lime-proof, light fast, weather- Water absorption of pigment falls within the available from suppliers of factory- resistant, inert to atmospheric conditions, range 20 to 100% of the pigment weight. For produced mortars. stable, and have tightly controlled levels of water-soluble matter. example 100 parts of red iron oxide will absorb 25 parts of water before coagulating Both lime: sand and ready-to-use and 50 parts of water to transform it into a mortars can be coloured by the use of Other equally stable mineral pigments flowable paste, whereas yellow iron oxide will pigments and the controlled extend the range of colours but are require 2 to 3 times these amounts. It may, manufacturing conditions employed by expensive; chromium oxide yields greens and therefore, be necessary to make adjustments the factory producers will ensure that a cobalt based mixed metal oxides produce to the water/cement ratio of the mortar to consistent colour is obtained. blues. Titanium dioxide can be used to whiten a mix or produce pastel shades, but allow for the pigment’s water demand. In the same effect is usually accomplished more general relative density, bulk density and economically by using white Portland particle size increase as water demand cement. decreases. It is essential that pigments be batched by weight, not volume, because of While carbon black is an economical bulk density variations, so as to ensure alternative to iron oxide for producing black consistency of colour in the final product. and grey mortar, the mortar containing carbon black must be protected from water Liquid colours are produced by mixing penetration. While the carbon black pigment powdered or semi-dried pigment with 40 to itself does not fade, some grades of carbon 60% water, surfactants and stabilizers to form black can slowly leach out of the mortar, a ‘suspension’. Granules are manufactured by resulting in a faded appearance. Mortars used mixing a binder and dispersant with the in exposed locations should normally be liquid colour and spray-drying the mixture. coloured with black iron oxide. Other Compact grades are made by blending a

mia mortar industry association Mineral Products Association Buildings: Architectural blockwork

Building society headquarters, Scarborough (left). Masonry in Cotswold yellow supplied by Plasmor

mia mortar industry association Mineral Products Association Buildings: Precast cladding Infrastructure: Paving Installation Possibilities in precast Modern paving methods Durability, fire resistance and improved energy efficiency are just three of concrete cladding's benefits Precast concrete paving meets today’s construction agenda, as British Precast trade association Interpave explains

oncrete block paving is Productivity is comparable with workers from risks associated recast concrete cladding uniquely placed to satisfy asphalting operations. with musculoskeletal and upper has been used for many both practical and Furthermore, the ability to deploy a limb disorders resulting from years on the façades of Caesthetic demands. block-laying machine and crew at manual lifting and installation of Pbuildings. Few It has been used for decades short notice to meet ‘just in time’ these products. construction methods can rival on projects ranging from the demands on sizeable projects is a Elimination of manual lifting the appearance, all-round most demanding heavy-duty major advantage. should be considered at the performance and speed of applications to the purely But there are benefits in using design stage so that kerbs and installation of precast façades. decorative. With distinct, modular the technology on modest-sized flags are always handled and laid This process is regularly favoured units and designed variations in projects, as well as major schemes. mechanically using vacuum over traditional methods of colour, texture and shape, block Faster installation means earlier lifting gear, mechanical grabs or building, offering the following paving gives visual interest and a completion and less operational similar devices. Where manual benefits: human scale not possible with downtime of the paved area. Block handling is unavoidable, workers • Quality formless materials. paving can also be used should be trained in good • Durability The technology’s potential is immediately after completion handling techniques. The use of • Acoustics expanded further with concrete without curing times. Additionally, lighter-weight kerbs or devices • Low lifecycle cost block permeable paving, a uniquely machine installation makes it that allow two people to share the • Weatherproofing flexible SuDS (sustainable drainage Whether easier to achieve consistent lift will reduce the risk of injury. • Fire resistance systems) technique. It provides an conventional or accuracy and uniform joint widths Using smaller and lighter kerbs or • Energy efficiency inherent drainage system that as it is less tiring for operatives. flags, or substituting flags with • Increased floor area. requires no additional land take for permeable, concrete To maximise the efficiencies of block paving, will further reduce On site, the product reduces water storage, treatment or block paving is mechanical laying, installation the risks from any residual the need for scaffolding as panels conveyance, and offers the same particularly suited to contractors adopt a similar manual handling. are lifted into position via crane, visual richness as conventional approach with site processes, such and it can accelerate the block paving. It also addresses well-established as mechanising other operations Modular nature construction programme while flooding and pollution issues by mechanised including laying and screeding the It is important to remember that achieving rapid weathertight storing and cleaning water runoff bedding course, and delivering the key to attractive, durable, cost- enclosure of a building. Precast experience in the realisation of buildings. Designers are at source. installation blocks close to the laying face. effective precast concrete paving concrete cladding also minimises design vision. Its multi-award- examining brick-faced precast is to optimise its modular nature, the need for “wet trades” on site The possibilities winning façades have resulted in panels as a fast-track option for Mechanised installation Safety and efficiency by dimensioning areas to and windows can be installed a RIBA Stirling Prize for Alford achieving as much offsite Whether conventional or manufacturers offer ready for The same concept can be applied minimise cutting and combining off site. that can be achieved Hall Monaghan and Morris construction as possible and thus permeable, concrete block paving machine laying. The speed of laying to other precast concrete paving compatible products to avoid it. These features reduce both with precast Architects for the Burntwood removing the need for scaffolding is particularly suited to well- depends on site organisation, travel products to improve safety as well There are numerous techniques onsite labour and the resultant concrete façades are School façade in London and on site. Aside from the benefits of established mechanised distances, machine types and other as efficiency. Concrete kerbs have and special products readily cost benefits make this a very numerous awards for the Victoria precast mentioned previously, installation techniques. In factors. But 1,500 m2 or more per been in use for around 70 years available to help with this, attractive alternative to almost unlimited Gate project in Leeds. these panels can incorporate the essence, a hydraulically operated day should be achievable – and concrete flag paving for even as well as different styles of traditional construction methods. benefits of offsite construction, clamping system is used to lift a contrasting with no more than longer. Regulations have been in precast concrete kerbs, channels From a design point of view, the Sculpted panels with windows often installed in ‘cluster’ of concrete paving blocks 50 m2 per person for manual laying. place for some time to protect and other components. versatility of precast cladding Another achievable type of façade panels prior to delivery on site. – generally around 1 m2 in area Consideration of all the product offers numerous possibilities. uses sculpted precast panels. One With improvements in and already in the required laying alternatives and sizes available at Intricate patterns can be such façade at 2 St Peter's Square manufacturing methods, the pattern. Clamps can be fitted to a INTERLAY the design stage, and careful incorporated into the concrete Manchester (pictured above) was jointing of the panels is variety of site equipment or form Interlay, the Association of Paving Installers, is uniquely placed as the setting out, can generate façade panels through clever recently installed. The intricate practically invisible. an integral part of dedicated only independent trade association for precast concrete modular paving efficiencies and eliminate the design and innovative mould detailing of these panels is visible The possibilities that can be machines designed for good site installation contractors in the UK, providing regular support on technical, need for cutting. construction. The effect of this can from a distance and adds to the achieved with precast concrete manoeuvrability. While the health and safety matters, as well as other industry news through its As with any construction produce unique building façades. prominence of the building. That façades are almost unlimited. machine does all the work, there newsletters, members’ meetings, website and Twitter feed – @Interlay operation, the devil is in the detail There is a vast palette of colours said, the clever use of concrete From replication of natural stone is sometimes an operative guiding Interlay contributed to the development of National Highways Sector – with edges, insertions, level and textures that are achievable mixes and finishes ensures that it finishes, clever use of CNC the cluster into place, in addition Scheme (NHSS) 30, aimed at improving the installation, maintenance and changes and junctions within and the opportunities exist to marries effortlessly with the machines to replicate ancient to the machine operator. repair quality of modular paving constructions. A dedicated hub detailing the paving, which should not just incorporate intricate detailing adjacent building at 1 St Peters relief panels, and the use of digital All kinds of block shapes and training and support available to installers is hosted and maintained by be left to onsite operatives but such as cornices, quoins, arches Square. models coupled with an almost styles, including standard Interlay (www.interlay.org.uk/nhss30) and Highways England requires the resolved offsite within the design. and decorative relief panels into Recently, the construction infinite palate of colours, textures rectangular, can be machine-laid in use of registered installers ahead of non-registered ones where available. the façade. industry has witnessed an and finishes, precast façades are a various patterns including Guidelines and case studies are Techrete has almost 30 years' increased demand for brick proven versatile product. herringbone, which some available from www.paving.org.uk

22 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk 23www.cnplus.co.uk | 00 Month 2012 00Britishwww.cnplus.co.uk Month Precast 2012 | | 23 Buildings: Precast cladding Infrastructure: Paving Installation Possibilities in precast Modern paving methods Durability, fire resistance and improved energy efficiency are just three of concrete cladding's benefits Precast concrete paving meets today’s construction agenda, as British Precast trade association Interpave explains

22 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk 23www.cnplus.co.uk | 00 Month 2012 00Britishwww.cnplus.co.uk Month Precast 2012 | | 23 Infrastructure: Case study Infrastructure: Case studies Back on track Safe crossing Bison Precast has played a vital role in the development of a new railway station in Derbyshire Banagher Precast’s work on the Firth of Forth bridge is helping to keep Scotland moving

ituated on the site of the old Ilkeston Junction in Derbyshire, a new railway Sstation has opened its doors. It marks 50 years since the Derbyshire town lost its railway station as part of the Beeching cuts of the 1960s, so this major development marks a huge change for the town. The overall scheme design was by AECOM with Galliford Try constructing the works, which included a car park and two 100 m-long platforms, which provide additional services such as shelter, seating, ticket machines and access to the car park via ramps and steps. The precast concrete units, which make up the platforms, were designed by a team at Bison Precast and manufactured using standard C45/C55 strength-class Contractors used excavators to Civil Engineers Arun Kumar concretes. Manufacturing install the precast concrete units as Rajan and Phil Pacey of AECOM The W Beam has the capacity precision was essential, because Bison Precast ground conditions at the site were worked on the station scheme. Mr to span up to 50 m once on site the precast units manufactured judged to be unsuitable for cranes Kumar says: “Due to its size and were to be positioned in close the technical requirements of its proximity to the busy Midland 230 concrete The units were delivered to location, this was a major piece of he contract for the main site were for structures spanning Main Line track. units, weighing Ilkeston in a unique sequence and work for everyone involved.” crossing of the Firth of over a rail line and included CEMEX CROSSING The units also needed to slot in at 700 tonnes stored at the site of the proposed Martin Bolton, national sales Forth was awarded to prestressed Y2 and YE2 beams. CEMEX Rail Solutions has accurately onto a number of railway carpark. Galliford Try then manager for Bison Precast, a TForth Crossing Bridge Throughout three structures, a constructed one of the concrete piles constructed on the installed the precast units at Forterra brand, says: “The Contractors (FCBC). Construction total of 46 Y beams of various biggest rail crossings, site of the old railway station. In night around the still active exacting standards of the design started in late 2011 and was dimensions were delivered to site. installed outside total Bison Precast manufactured Midland Main Line. The of these units, coupled with the completed in 2017. This new Waterloo station in 230 concrete units, weighing in at contractors used excavators to rapid turnaround required, meant bridge is critical to maintaining Concrete expertise London. 700 tonnes. install the precast concrete units this was a challenging project. the vital cross-Forth connection Two further structures benefited The crossing was as ground conditions at the site “However, our considerable in the Scottish transport from Banagher Precast Concrete’s designed at CEMEX’s Rail were judged to be unsuitable for experience, and our close work network. expertise in bridge beams and Solutions site in cranes. with AECOM, ensured the precast As work progressed on the these bridges were redesigned Derbyshire. Bearers were concrete units for the new station foundations for the main bridge following a proposal to use the manufactured at Boost for the economy were engineered to the highest crossing, Banagher Precast more efficient and economical W CEMEX’s Washwood The smooth working of designers, possible standard.” Concrete was delivering the first beams, which the company Heath facility prior to manufacturers and contractors Matt Rippin, Galliford Try’s of a number of bridges for the developed in-house in 2005. being transported to an was crucial in delivering the project manager, says: “The approach works. The W Beam has the capacity to assembly facility in project on time, and to standard. installation of the platforms at The company was awarded span up to 50 m and it is Beeston, then Hoo Transport links to Nottingham Ilkeston’s new railway station the contract by FCBC to supply inherently more stable during Junction – a rail yard for and other Midlands cities have went entirely as expected, 1.5 km of prestressed concrete transportation and erection on layout and addition of improved massively and the and we would recommend the bridge beams weighing almost site – therefore promoting safety the track. station is expected to welcome chosen supplier, Bison Precast, 1,945 tonnes for five structures in through bridge design. Constructed using concrete, the crossing is stronger and more durable more than 150,000 passengers for this type of large-scale total. The beam has quickly become than the previous crossings, historically made from timber. This bespoke within its first year, boosting the project involving precast The first bridge beams to be an industry standard and ensured system will serve an estimated 99 million passenger journeys per year. local economy. concrete units.” delivered to the Forth Crossing cost savings on this project.

24 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk www.cnplus.co.uk 00British Month Precast 2012 | | 25 Infrastructure: Case study Infrastructure: Case studies Back on track Safe crossing Bison Precast has played a vital role in the development of a new railway station in Derbyshire Banagher Precast’s work on the Firth of Forth bridge is helping to keep Scotland moving

24 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk www.cnplus.co.uk 00British Month Precast 2012 | | 25 Sustainability: Cost Effective Pipelines Installation: Paving case study Cash for bedding A sustainable win Understanding the full range of bedding solutions is essential when embarking on a pipeline installation An exemplary SuDS scheme featuring innovative applications of concrete block permeable paving has won the 2017 Landscape Institute Awards, as British Precast trade association Interpave explains

he choice of bedding pipes are termed “semi-rigid” ridget Joyce Square in The design introduces the design and standard while thermoplastics, glass CASE STUDY B bedding design was proven to Australia Road, White innovative concept of concrete of construction is as reinforced plastic and thin-walled Using the material cost calculators, be cost-effective and also to City, London, is a SuDS block permeable paving as a thin critical to the success of steel are all termed “flexible”. Leeds-based groundworker and minimise the environmental impact park with community at overlay for existing streets T civil engineer Athena Civil on site without compromising the B a pipeline installation as the Bedding is particularly its heart. Its design, by sustainable choice of pipe. Understanding important for flexible pipes, such Engineering has been able to take performance of the complete drainage (SuDS) consultants and generally installed over its importance, but not as sewer pipes manufactured the initiative on a new housing system. landscape architects Robert Bray a geo-composite conveyance understanding the choices from HDPE. This is because development in Roundhay, near Commenting on the installation, Associates, introduces the sheet that transports water available, can lead to flexible pipes need to derive a Leeds, to reduce the amount of Jonathan Hotham, project manager innovative concept of concrete horizontally, on an impermeable overspecification. significant proportion of their primary aggregate used on the for Athena Civil Engineering block permeable paving. This membrane covering the road base. When a drainage pipeline is structural strength from the drainage works. said: “We had every intention of concept offers a thin overlay for Water is attenuated and treated buried in the ground, loads (from embedment either side of the Working on behalf of housing using plastic pipes on this project, existing streets, removing within the paving, then released traffic, trench fill etc) are pipeline to prevent them developer Chartford Homes at their but the British Precast Drainage rainwater straight from the horizontally via the stainless steel transferred between the pipe and deflecting excessively under load. new Hampton Park site, Athena Association calculators gave us surface without gulleys and letterbox slots into the planted the surrounding earth by the Such deflection, known as constructed a storm attenuation the opportunity to present a provides some attenuation and basins. bedding surrounding the pipe. For ovalisation, significantly affects a tank using British Precast Drainage more cost-effective and efficient treatment before discharging to Finally, two flow control larger diameter pipes, the load pipeline’s structural integrity and Association member FP McCann’s approach to the job to our client adjacent, well-planted basins. The chambers on outlets from the imposed by the water in the pipe hydraulic capacity. In extreme large diameter reinforced concrete and builder, Chartford Homes, scheme won ‘Winner of Winners’ basins protect the combined may also need to be considered. cases, ovalisation can lead to pipe spigot and socket pipes. who took on board our proposal. (the President’s Award) as well as sewer, allowing water to flow from There are a range of bedding collapse and failure. Using the Structural Design “We shall certainly be using Winner of the ‘Adding Value the site at 1 litre/second through solutions – or classes – that are Calculator Tool together with the the British Precast Drainage through Landscape’ category at 20 mm orifices. Thus, rainfall acceptable depending upon the Quality requirement Material Cost Calculator, Athena Association Material Cost calculator the 2017 Landscape Institute remains within the SuDS material from which the drainage As a consequence of their lack of was able to make an informed on future schemes and a closer Awards, and also an ICE London unhealthy, and identified the need Centre to an adjacent play area landscape until storms have pipe has been manufactured, its inherent strength, flexible pipe decision on the choice of pipe consideration of pipe choice in Civil Engineering Award in 2016. for a public meeting space and generated a social hub for passed and the sewer can deal strength and performance installations depend heavily on a material and bedding design. conjunction with bedding options The Landscape Institute judges where events could be held. parents and children. Local with water again. characteristics, traffic loading and high-quality installation – ie In this instance, the choice to will be something we’ll continue to commented: “An exemplary Coincidentally, the borough was residents were keen to retain Interpave supports the National the depth at which it is installed. where the construction is carried use concrete pipes with a Class develop.” approach to partnership working looking for a landmark retrofit memories of the low wall in front Highways Sector Scheme for The most significant out precisely to the engineer’s in delivering solutions to so many SuDS project at that time. of the school, used as a balance the Installation, Maintenance differences between bedding specification and where the problems in a way that can, and Consultation with local people beam in their youth. From this the |and Repair of Modular Paving classes relate to the extent of the surrounding embedment takes should be, replicated nationally.” and a realisation of the potential thematic ‘Wiggly Wall’ was born (NHSS 30). This scheme assures area around the pipe where the majority of the load. for the site led to an integrated and became part of a ‘ribbon’ motif the installed quality of all forms granular bedding material is The specifier may find their Healthy Street design that linked two that united the linear spaces and of modular paving by providing placed. Class S bedding requires a options for bedding design Most importantly, it has been disconnected spaces and created a symbolised the bringing together an industry benchmark and a pipe to be completely surrounded limited to full surround bedding, enthusiastically welcomed by local social arena celebrating rainfall. of the community. foundation for ongoing by granular material. Other the most expensive in terms residents, as well as recognised by Concrete block permeable paving improvement, while highlighting classes, such as B, F and M require of both financial and carbon a Sustrans community survey. Ben was used to break the existing Innovative Sustainable Drainage the importance of a suitably significantly less material. cost. Addy, head of collaborative design formal road alignment and The landscape celebrates trained workforce. BS 9295 classifies the structure The use of Class S bedding will at Sustrans, considered the project introduce a ‘piazza’ within the roofwater collection with FM Conway, the contractor for of concrete and clay pipes as rigid not only affect material cost but to be “a fantastic example of a Bridget Joyce Square. sculptural gutters, downpipes the Australia Road project, was the ductile iron and thick-walled steel will also add substantially to Healthy Street. One that The scheme also connected the and twisted steel halyards, first company in the UK to obtain encourages walking and cycling, Randolph Beresford Early Years bringing water into planted rain NHSS30 certification, following a creates opportunities for play and gardens. Some roof water, together BSI audit. COST CONCERNS socialising, and tackles a pressing with car park runoff, flows along A new case study exploring this The issue of cost is under ever-closer scrutiny on every project. Bedding vehicle movements around the granular bedding surround) need around water management sett channels and through project has recently been design is one area where modifications at the design stage can significantly site. Considerable quantities of with other options such as “Class and urban greening.” The landscape stainless steel letterboxes into published by Interpave, available improve the overall installation cost for a pipeline project. To help with the aggregate and soil will need to be F” or “Class N” also possible. In 2013, the head teacher of celebrates roofwater planted basins. from www.paving.org.uk. The selection of appropriate bedding classes for buried pipelines, the British transported onto and away from All too often we see specifiers Randolph Beresford School and collection with The concrete block permeable website provides the definitive Precast Drainage Association has developed a web-based Structural Design the site, significantly adding to tending towards a default Class S the White City Residents’ paving overlay simply replaces a source of background and Calculator tool. Accompanying this is a second design aid, the Material Cost the environmental impact of the specification without knowing, Association approached the sculptural gutters tarmac road surface over the technical information with Calculator, to allow for a clear cost comparison between different solutions. installation. understanding or considering the London Borough of and twisted original road base. The same project case studies celebrating The BPDA Calculator App is now available on your App Store. For more Most rigid pipe installations, on other options available when Hammersmith & Fulham. They blocks and 2-6 mm grit bedding the transformative power of information, visit www.concretepipes.co.uk. the other hand, should need only using different combinations of recognised that the road in front of steel halyards layer and jointing material as inspired hard landscape in our

“Class B” bedding (50 per cent pipe material and bedding design. the school was unsafe and used in permeable pavements are cities. ASSOCIATES46PHOTOGRAPHY/ROBERT PHOTO: BRAY

26 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk www.cnplus.co.uk 00British Month Precast 2012 || 27 Sustainability: Cost Effective Pipelines Installation: Paving case study Cash for bedding A sustainable win Understanding the full range of bedding solutions is essential when embarking on a pipeline installation An exemplary SuDS scheme featuring innovative applications of concrete block permeable paving has won the 2017 Landscape Institute Awards, as British Precast trade association Interpave explains he choice of bedding pipes are termed “semi-rigid” ridget Joyce Square in The design introduces the design and standard while thermoplastics, glass CASE STUDY B bedding design was proven to Australia Road, White innovative concept of concrete of construction is as reinforced plastic and thin-walled Using the material cost calculators, be cost-effective and also to City, London, is a SuDS block permeable paving as a thin critical to the success of steel are all termed “flexible”. Leeds-based groundworker and minimise the environmental impact park with community at overlay for existing streets T civil engineer Athena Civil on site without compromising the B a pipeline installation as the Bedding is particularly its heart. Its design, by sustainable choice of pipe. Understanding important for flexible pipes, such Engineering has been able to take performance of the complete drainage (SuDS) consultants and generally installed over its importance, but not as sewer pipes manufactured the initiative on a new housing system. landscape architects Robert Bray a geo-composite conveyance understanding the choices from HDPE. This is because development in Roundhay, near Commenting on the installation, Associates, introduces the sheet that transports water available, can lead to flexible pipes need to derive a Leeds, to reduce the amount of Jonathan Hotham, project manager innovative concept of concrete horizontally, on an impermeable overspecification. significant proportion of their primary aggregate used on the for Athena Civil Engineering block permeable paving. This membrane covering the road base. When a drainage pipeline is structural strength from the drainage works. said: “We had every intention of concept offers a thin overlay for Water is attenuated and treated buried in the ground, loads (from embedment either side of the Working on behalf of housing using plastic pipes on this project, existing streets, removing within the paving, then released traffic, trench fill etc) are pipeline to prevent them developer Chartford Homes at their but the British Precast Drainage rainwater straight from the horizontally via the stainless steel transferred between the pipe and deflecting excessively under load. new Hampton Park site, Athena Association calculators gave us surface without gulleys and letterbox slots into the planted the surrounding earth by the Such deflection, known as constructed a storm attenuation the opportunity to present a provides some attenuation and basins. bedding surrounding the pipe. For ovalisation, significantly affects a tank using British Precast Drainage more cost-effective and efficient treatment before discharging to Finally, two flow control larger diameter pipes, the load pipeline’s structural integrity and Association member FP McCann’s approach to the job to our client adjacent, well-planted basins. The chambers on outlets from the imposed by the water in the pipe hydraulic capacity. In extreme large diameter reinforced concrete and builder, Chartford Homes, scheme won ‘Winner of Winners’ basins protect the combined may also need to be considered. cases, ovalisation can lead to pipe spigot and socket pipes. who took on board our proposal. (the President’s Award) as well as sewer, allowing water to flow from There are a range of bedding collapse and failure. Using the Structural Design “We shall certainly be using Winner of the ‘Adding Value the site at 1 litre/second through solutions – or classes – that are Calculator Tool together with the the British Precast Drainage through Landscape’ category at 20 mm orifices. Thus, rainfall acceptable depending upon the Quality requirement Material Cost Calculator, Athena Association Material Cost calculator the 2017 Landscape Institute remains within the SuDS material from which the drainage As a consequence of their lack of was able to make an informed on future schemes and a closer Awards, and also an ICE London unhealthy, and identified the need Centre to an adjacent play area landscape until storms have pipe has been manufactured, its inherent strength, flexible pipe decision on the choice of pipe consideration of pipe choice in Civil Engineering Award in 2016. for a public meeting space and generated a social hub for passed and the sewer can deal strength and performance installations depend heavily on a material and bedding design. conjunction with bedding options The Landscape Institute judges where events could be held. parents and children. Local with water again. characteristics, traffic loading and high-quality installation – ie In this instance, the choice to will be something we’ll continue to commented: “An exemplary Coincidentally, the borough was residents were keen to retain Interpave supports the National the depth at which it is installed. where the construction is carried use concrete pipes with a Class develop.” approach to partnership working looking for a landmark retrofit memories of the low wall in front Highways Sector Scheme for The most significant out precisely to the engineer’s in delivering solutions to so many SuDS project at that time. of the school, used as a balance the Installation, Maintenance differences between bedding specification and where the problems in a way that can, and Consultation with local people beam in their youth. From this the |and Repair of Modular Paving classes relate to the extent of the surrounding embedment takes should be, replicated nationally.” and a realisation of the potential thematic ‘Wiggly Wall’ was born (NHSS 30). This scheme assures area around the pipe where the majority of the load. for the site led to an integrated and became part of a ‘ribbon’ motif the installed quality of all forms granular bedding material is The specifier may find their Healthy Street design that linked two that united the linear spaces and of modular paving by providing placed. Class S bedding requires a options for bedding design Most importantly, it has been disconnected spaces and created a symbolised the bringing together an industry benchmark and a pipe to be completely surrounded limited to full surround bedding, enthusiastically welcomed by local social arena celebrating rainfall. of the community. foundation for ongoing by granular material. Other the most expensive in terms residents, as well as recognised by Concrete block permeable paving improvement, while highlighting classes, such as B, F and M require of both financial and carbon a Sustrans community survey. Ben was used to break the existing Innovative Sustainable Drainage the importance of a suitably significantly less material. cost. Addy, head of collaborative design formal road alignment and The landscape celebrates trained workforce. BS 9295 classifies the structure The use of Class S bedding will at Sustrans, considered the project introduce a ‘piazza’ within the roofwater collection with FM Conway, the contractor for of concrete and clay pipes as rigid not only affect material cost but to be “a fantastic example of a Bridget Joyce Square. sculptural gutters, downpipes the Australia Road project, was the ductile iron and thick-walled steel will also add substantially to Healthy Street. One that The scheme also connected the and twisted steel halyards, first company in the UK to obtain encourages walking and cycling, Randolph Beresford Early Years bringing water into planted rain NHSS30 certification, following a creates opportunities for play and gardens. Some roof water, together BSI audit. COST CONCERNS socialising, and tackles a pressing with car park runoff, flows along A new case study exploring this The issue of cost is under ever-closer scrutiny on every project. Bedding vehicle movements around the granular bedding surround) need around water management sett channels and through project has recently been design is one area where modifications at the design stage can significantly site. Considerable quantities of with other options such as “Class and urban greening.” The landscape stainless steel letterboxes into published by Interpave, available improve the overall installation cost for a pipeline project. To help with the aggregate and soil will need to be F” or “Class N” also possible. In 2013, the head teacher of celebrates roofwater planted basins. from www.paving.org.uk. The selection of appropriate bedding classes for buried pipelines, the British transported onto and away from All too often we see specifiers Randolph Beresford School and collection with The concrete block permeable website provides the definitive Precast Drainage Association has developed a web-based Structural Design the site, significantly adding to tending towards a default Class S the White City Residents’ paving overlay simply replaces a source of background and Calculator tool. Accompanying this is a second design aid, the Material Cost the environmental impact of the specification without knowing, Association approached the sculptural gutters tarmac road surface over the technical information with Calculator, to allow for a clear cost comparison between different solutions. installation. understanding or considering the London Borough of and twisted original road base. The same project case studies celebrating The BPDA Calculator App is now available on your App Store. For more Most rigid pipe installations, on other options available when Hammersmith & Fulham. They blocks and 2-6 mm grit bedding the transformative power of information, visit www.concretepipes.co.uk. the other hand, should need only using different combinations of recognised that the road in front of steel halyards layer and jointing material as inspired hard landscape in our

“Class B” bedding (50 per cent pipe material and bedding design. the school was unsafe and used in permeable pavements are cities. ASSOCIATES46PHOTOGRAPHY/ROBERT PHOTO: BRAY

26 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk www.cnplus.co.uk 00British Month Precast 2012 || 27 List of British Precast Associates Sustainability: Environmental Product Declarations

Adomast Manufacturing Ltd Elkem Materials Ltd N R Richards Associates Ltd International Partners Advantage Precast Erico Europe BV (Pentair Group) Net-Temps Ltd Canadian Precast Institute BASF Construction Chemicals Euro Accessories Limited Parex Ltd Cement and Concrete Association BDS Marketing Research Ltd Fosroc Limited Patterns and Moulds Ltd of New Zealand Beresford’s Flooring Ltd GCP Applied Technologies Ltd PCE Limited CPI Worldwide Besser Company Graceland Fixing Ltd Peikko UK Ltd Concrete Manufacturers Data at your fingertips Bianchi Casseforme SRL Halfen Limited PERI Ltd Association – South Africa BRE Hanson Cement Limited Polarmatic Oy National Precast Concrete British Precast’s Environmental Product Declarations are the recognised standard for a range of precast products Breedon Cement Ltd Havsco Ltd Precast Concrete Structures Limited Association Australia Carbon8 Aggregates Ltd Hendriks Precon B.V Precast Construction Technology Ltd National Precast Concrete Caswick Ltd Hickman & Love (Tipton) Ltd Probst Handling Equipment Association USA Cathay Industries (UK) Ltd Huntsman Pigments Progress Group Precast New Zealand Incorporated he precast concrete sector CDS Curing T/A Ceramic Drying Inform UK Ltd PUK Ltd Precast/Prestressed Concrete has embraced Systems Ltd Inter-Minerals Resiblock Ltd Institute transparency and Cenin Limited Invisible Connections RFA-Tech Ltd reporting on Christeyns UK Ltd Isedio Ltd Search Consultancy Universities & Colleges T sustainability issues for over a Chryso UK Ltd J & P Building Systems Limited SIKA Ltd Doncaster College decade now through its ClarkeConsult KVM Industrimaskiner A/S Simply Precast Accessories Ltd Dundee College Sustainability Charter and Command Alkon UK Ltd Lanxess Ltd Spiroll Precast Services Ltd Kingston University Sustainability Matters Concrete Technology Ltd Larsen Building Products Strusoft UK Loughborough University publication. Conspare Ltd Leading Edge Management Styrene Packaging & Insulation Ltd University College London Alongside this work, British Construction Fixing Systems Ltd Leca Danmark A/S Tarmac Cement & Lime Limited University of Brighton Precast has provided detailed, Construx Leeds Oil + Grease Co. Ltd (LOGCO) Tarmac Trading Limited University of Dundee third party-verified data on the Cooper Research Technology Longrake Spar Co Ltd The CPD Certification Service University of Nottingham products that members produce. Coote Engineering Ltd Low & Bonar Hull Ltd Trelleborg Pipe Seals University of Sheffield To achieve this, a set of Cordek Limited Lytag Ltd Trimble Solutions (UK) Ltd University of Surrey Environmental Product CSM Thermomass Mapei UK Ltd UK Certification authority for Reinforcing University of Teesside Declarations (EPDs) has been Dywidag-Systems International Martek Industries Ltd Steels (Cares) University of the West of England developed. These are the E3 Recruitment Max Frank Ltd Wincanton University of the West of Scotland recognised EN 15804 standard for Ecocem Ireland Ltd Megasteel Ltd Yara UK Ltd a range of precast products. Ecoratio Europe B.V Mentor Training Solutions Ltd British Precast has now EKC Systems Ltd Miers Construction Products ltd published six generic EPDs, with a Elematic Oyj Moulded Foams Ltd seventh close to verification. The Thinkstep’s Jane Anderson (centre) presents British Precast sustainability team, Matt Butcher (left) initial generic product EPDs and Hafiz Elhag (right), with the first verified generic EPD (150 mm Hollowcore Flooring) at Ecobuild 2017 include aggregate and aircrete blocks, concrete pipes, single-leaf of data to factor into revisions of cradle-to-grave impact of 119.5 kg producing this data we are able to

cladding, ground beams, industry guides and databases. CO2e. But this is not the end of the track the impact of innovations in Resources from MPA The Concrete Centre hollowcore flooring and paving EPDs are widely used within story: up to the factory gate, the cement replacement. products. the construction sector to, for impact is 168 kg CO2e but some of Of particular interest to British British Precast works with The Concrete Centre, which assists all those who There are several purposes for example, provide assistance for this is offset during the product’s Precast is how the figures in the these generic product EPDs. First, projects seeking high BREEAM use and end-of-life phase as the newly published EPDs compare to design and construct in concrete to fully realise the potential of the material at the earliest design stages, the ratings or in responsible sourcing process of carbonation reabsorbs historic inventories such as the supplier of product is unknown, schemes such as BES 6001. Indeed, CO2 from the atmosphere. ICE Bath University database. so an industry-wide EPD will be reliable Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) Direct comparison is difficult Events Brochures include: • Performance issues, including performance, airtightness, flood helpful to architects and data, in the form of EPDs, will play Embodied carbon because the Bath University The Concrete Centre offers a range • Methods of construction, Fire, Flooding, Thermal resilience and designing to designers. Secondly, generic EPDs a key role in the ability of Examining what contributes to database does not follow the BS of events, from free, online including Crosswall Construction, Performance and Thermal Mass; Eurocode 6. will act as a bridge for members of construction product these GWP values can potentially EN 15804 methodology or include webinars to conferences and short Hybrid Concrete Construction, • Sustainability including • Technical Guidance Books British Precast to explain the manufacturers to maximise the influence future product design full life-cycle modules past courses, covering a range of best Precast Concrete in Buildings and Concrete and BREEAM, Concrete include Concise Eurocode 2, impact of their products to benefits of Building Information and formulation. The embodied delivery to site. practice topics on concrete. These Precast Concrete in Civil Credentials and Whole Life Residential Cellular Concrete customers before a move to Modelling (BIM) and the carbon in cement accounts for As an indicative comparison, events are CPD-certified and Engineering; Carbon; Buildings, Design of Hybrid publishing their own EPDs. transition to Industry 4.0 and 41.6 per cent of the aircrete block’s the Bath database gives a figure delivered by technical experts • Market sectors, including ‘How To’ Technical Guidance Concrete Buildings and Finally, having these EPDs in the circular economy. impact, with the aggregates and of 186 kg CO2e for the cubic metre and/or representatives from Housing, Schools, Offices, Brochures include: Concrete Buildings Scheme place will provide a verified source EPDs contain data on a wide powders accounting for 24.2 per of aircrete. The new EDP project teams presenting their Hospitals, Car Parks and Bridges; • Masonry documents on acoustic Design Manual. range of environmental indicators cent of the impact and the demonstrates a 7.7 per cent view of concrete exemplars. For with Global Warming Potential utilities 30.5 per cent. lowering of the understood GWP 3 more information on forthcoming (GWP) (CO2e), perhaps the most Across the other five currently impact of 1 m of aircrete blocks events, visit the events calendar at British Precast requested indicator within the published EPDs, the contribution from cradle to site delivery and www.concretecentre.com/events. has published six construction sector. The published of cement to the embodied carbon 35.7 per cent if compared to the EPDs provide an up-to-date figure impact of the product is always EPD’s whole-life value. By adding Publications generic EPDs, with for the cradle-to-grave embodied the dominant variable, which can the EPD data to future materials The Concrete Centre produces a seventh close to carbon impact of construction be as much as 85 per cent of the databases, we can gain a more a range of publications. products, which also aligns with impact for some products. The detailed and accurate picture of To access the full list , visit www. verification PAS 2050. For example, a cubic importance of concrete mix has the environmental credentials concretecentre.com/publications. metre of aircrete blocks has a long been understood but by of concrete.

28 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk www.cnplus.co.uk 00British Month Precast 2012 | | 29 List of British Precast Associates Sustainability: Environmental Product Declarations

28 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk www.cnplus.co.uk 00British Month Precast 2012 | | 29 Sustainability: Construction Strategy Ten years of sustainability DRAINAGE FENCING FLOORING

he Sustainable Concrete initiate and develop its strategy. certifi ed to responsible sourcing BUILDING Forum was set up in 2007 In 2008 the UK concrete standard BES 6001. PRODUCTS RAIL to manage and coordinate industry agreed a Concrete • 100 per cent relevant production Te orts carried out by 10 Industry Sustainable sites with action plans for The forum plays di erent sectors across the supply Construction Strategy following stewardship and biodiversity. a key role in the chain of concrete. The Forum some 18 months of development • 30 per cent reduction in CO2 oversees the data collection, work with the aim of meeting and emissions from concrete communication of reporting and benchmarking for a exceeding government targets. production from 1990 baseline. concrete credentials range of sustainability indicators The industry pledged to deliver This target is signifi cantly and promotes a range of a range of sustainability ahead of the Green Construction initiatives to reduce objectives, and this commitment Board’s lowcarbon route map. environmental impacts. The was signed by trade associations As an industry supplying AGRICULTURAL forum also plays a key role in the and companies and included the products into construction, concrete a vital material in the communication of concrete commitment to publish an investment and initiatives over drive to create a lowcarbon built credentials through the annual report on the the last 10 years have generated environment. publication of an annual sustainability performance of the signifi cant innovation in concrete In recent years there has been a performance report. This year sees industry. mix, product development and growth in the evaluation of the publication of the report’s Over the past 10 years of data new systems. impacts past the factory gate and 10th edition, which will feature collection and reporting the Another success over the past whole life cycle considerations. 10 insights into the progress made sustainability agenda has 10 years has been the widespread The whole life approach is across all aspects of sustainability. developed to the degree that adoption of the BRE BES 6001 refl ected in Life Cycle Assessment TUNNELS SPECIALIST The journey towards much is now fi rmly embedded in Responsible Sourcing Standard. and Environmental Product sustainability in the construction practice, training and product Concretes appeal has endured Declarations EPDs, and & SHAFTS PRECAST sector can be charted back to the o ers. The concrete industry for a number of reasons, not least ultimately these will be aftermath of the oil crisis in the established targets to 2012, and its robustness and resilience to incorporated in BIM. EPDs have 1970s. This resulted in then further challenging targets weather and fi re. In recent years, been published for cement and a requirements for energy to 2020, which it is now working attention has also turned to its range of concrete products. reduction and evaluation of the towards. These 2020 targets high thermal mass, which can be In the UK, BREEAM BRE building envelope, necessitating include: used instead of mechanical Environmental Assessment changes to Building Regulations • 90 per cent reduction in heating and ventilation to level Method is the leading and most and rules for the U values of walls waste to landfi ll from 2008 out the indoor temperature when widely used environmental POWER & and roofs. baseline. the external temperature assessment method for buildings. INFRA- ARCHITECTURAL Other infl uences were the • 95 per cent of production undergoes variations. This makes It has become the de facto introduction of the European measure of the environmental STRUCTURE & STRUCTURAL WALLING Union Emissions Trading Scheme performance of UK buildings. EU ETS an installationlevel ‘cap BREEAM 18, when completed, will and trade’ system for cutting encourage higher levels of greenhouse gas GHG emissions. reporting and performance. For However, the step change in example, there will be increasing construction legislation and importance placed on health and direction in UK came in June 2008 wellbeing, and in this regard with the publication of The concrete has much to o er DOCK Strategy for Sustainable designers in seeking to deliver the TANKS & Construction. best for their clients. CHAMBERS LEVELLERS This Strategy aimed to realise The importance of climate the shared vision of sustainable change resilience to our existing construction by making specifi c and new built environment has also AGRICULTURAL 01594 847500 ARCHITECTURAL & STRUCTURAL 020 3905 7640 / 01476 562277 / 01606 843500 commitments by industry and risen up the agenda. Fire, fl ood, BUILDING PRODUCTS 028 6772 1286 / 01335 361269 DOCK LEVELLERS 01335 361269 government to take the noise and overheating are emerging DRAINAGE 01530 240000 / 028 7954 9026 FENCING 01455 290780 FLOORING 01335 361269 / 01698 803300 sustainable construction agenda as areas for greater design and RAIL | POWER & INFRASTRUCTURE 01455 290780 SPECIALIST PRECAST 01353 861416 forward. implementation policies. TANKS & CHAMBERS 01789 336960 TUNNELS & SHAFTS 01455 290780 WALLING 01594 847500 / 01476 562277 This was the context and driver For more information visit for the concrete industry to www.sustainableconcrete.org.uk. FPMCCANN.CO.UK | [email protected] 30 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk

FPM A4 Generic A4_280x216.indd 1 20/02/2018 10:21 Sustainability: Construction Strategy Ten years of sustainability DRAINAGE FENCING FLOORING

Ten years on from the publication ofThe Strategy For Sustainable Construction, the Sustainable Concrete Forum is looking back and refl ecting on progress made with a view to maintaining its leadership role in sustainability he Sustainable Concrete initiate and develop its strategy. certifi ed to responsible sourcing BUILDING Forum was set up in 2007 In 2008 the UK concrete standard BES 6001. PRODUCTS RAIL to manage and coordinate industry agreed a Concrete • 100 per cent relevant production Te orts carried out by 10 Industry Sustainable sites with action plans for The forum plays di erent sectors across the supply Construction Strategy following stewardship and biodiversity. a key role in the chain of concrete. The Forum some 18 months of development • 30 per cent reduction in CO2 oversees the data collection, work with the aim of meeting and emissions from concrete communication of reporting and benchmarking for a exceeding government targets. production from 1990 baseline. concrete credentials range of sustainability indicators The industry pledged to deliver This target is signifi cantly and promotes a range of a range of sustainability ahead of the Green Construction initiatives to reduce objectives, and this commitment Board’s lowcarbon route map. environmental impacts. The was signed by trade associations As an industry supplying AGRICULTURAL forum also plays a key role in the and companies and included the products into construction, concrete a vital material in the communication of concrete commitment to publish an investment and initiatives over drive to create a lowcarbon built credentials through the annual report on the the last 10 years have generated environment. publication of an annual sustainability performance of the signifi cant innovation in concrete In recent years there has been a performance report. This year sees industry. mix, product development and growth in the evaluation of the publication of the report’s Over the past 10 years of data new systems. impacts past the factory gate and 10th edition, which will feature collection and reporting the Another success over the past whole life cycle considerations. 10 insights into the progress made sustainability agenda has 10 years has been the widespread The whole life approach is across all aspects of sustainability. developed to the degree that adoption of the BRE BES 6001 refl ected in Life Cycle Assessment TUNNELS SPECIALIST The journey towards much is now fi rmly embedded in Responsible Sourcing Standard. and Environmental Product sustainability in the construction practice, training and product Concretes appeal has endured Declarations EPDs, and & SHAFTS PRECAST sector can be charted back to the o ers. The concrete industry for a number of reasons, not least ultimately these will be aftermath of the oil crisis in the established targets to 2012, and its robustness and resilience to incorporated in BIM. EPDs have 1970s. This resulted in then further challenging targets weather and fi re. In recent years, been published for cement and a requirements for energy to 2020, which it is now working attention has also turned to its range of concrete products. reduction and evaluation of the towards. These 2020 targets high thermal mass, which can be In the UK, BREEAM BRE building envelope, necessitating include: used instead of mechanical Environmental Assessment changes to Building Regulations • 90 per cent reduction in heating and ventilation to level Method is the leading and most and rules for the U values of walls waste to landfi ll from 2008 out the indoor temperature when widely used environmental POWER & and roofs. baseline. the external temperature assessment method for buildings. INFRA- ARCHITECTURAL Other infl uences were the • 95 per cent of production undergoes variations. This makes It has become the de facto introduction of the European measure of the environmental STRUCTURE & STRUCTURAL WALLING Union Emissions Trading Scheme performance of UK buildings. EU ETS an installationlevel ‘cap BREEAM 18, when completed, will and trade’ system for cutting encourage higher levels of greenhouse gas GHG emissions. reporting and performance. For However, the step change in example, there will be increasing construction legislation and importance placed on health and direction in UK came in June 2008 wellbeing, and in this regard with the publication of The concrete has much to o er DOCK Strategy for Sustainable designers in seeking to deliver the TANKS & Construction. best for their clients. CHAMBERS LEVELLERS This Strategy aimed to realise The importance of climate the shared vision of sustainable change resilience to our existing construction by making specifi c and new built environment has also AGRICULTURAL 01594 847500 ARCHITECTURAL & STRUCTURAL 020 3905 7640 / 01476 562277 / 01606 843500 commitments by industry and risen up the agenda. Fire, fl ood, BUILDING PRODUCTS 028 6772 1286 / 01335 361269 DOCK LEVELLERS 01335 361269 government to take the noise and overheating are emerging DRAINAGE 01530 240000 / 028 7954 9026 FENCING 01455 290780 FLOORING 01335 361269 / 01698 803300 sustainable construction agenda as areas for greater design and RAIL | POWER & INFRASTRUCTURE 01455 290780 SPECIALIST PRECAST 01353 861416 forward. implementation policies. TANKS & CHAMBERS 01789 336960 TUNNELS & SHAFTS 01455 290780 WALLING 01594 847500 / 01476 562277 This was the context and driver For more information visit for the concrete industry to www.sustainableconcrete.org.uk. FPMCCANN.CO.UK | [email protected] 30 | 00British Month Precast 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk

FPM A4 Generic A4_280x216.indd 1 20/02/2018 10:21 Homes that people want to live in. Homes that last.

Masonry homes provide superior performance benefits, both in construction and in use.

Energy saving The thermal performance of concrete and masonry homes can provide homeowners with the lowest energy bills because of the superior insulation, airtightness and thermal mass. Long life Purchasing a home is a major investment and the inherent performance of concrete and masonry provides robust and secure homes that will last for many generations. Low fire risk Concrete and masonry are non-combustible protecting life and property safety for occupants. During construction, these properties also protect the developer and surrounding community from spread of flame. Quiet Masonry walls can support precast floors which do not squeak: 48% of homeowner noise issues raised with NHBC for detached homes were creaking floors (NHBC Foundation Report NF56). Flood resilient Homes built from concrete and masonry suffer less damage because they are robust, dimensionally stable and do not rot.

Visit www.modernmasonry.co.uk for: - Explanations of different blocks, bricks and mortar - Evidence for properties and performance - Understanding of design and guidance - Case studies www.modernmasonry.co.uk @masonrymodern

Modern Masonry Alliance is affiliated to MPA British Precast.

Project: Derwenthope, York