CONSTRUCTION MANAGER |
APRIL 2021 APRIL 2021 For members of the CIOB constructionmanagermagazine.com | WWW.CONSTRUCTIONMANAGERMAGAZINE.COM EMPLOYEE-OWNED COMPANIES
SHARING IS CARING THE GROWTH OF EMPLOYEE-OWNED CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES
COP26 AND CONSTRUCTION | MODULAR STEEL | BUILDING OVER THE TUBE
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04/21 Contents
Welcome Employee ownership in construction is rare. It’s not a common model in many sectors but while you might talk of partners in a law or consultancy firm, or marvel at the fact that a retailer such as John Lewis hands out bonuses to its sales assistants (at least in any ‘normal’ year), the same language can’t generally be applied to a contractor. And yet there are businesses in the sector that have taken the plunge and adopted such a model. In fact, in the case of a contractor like Lindum, which became employee-owned in 1994, some are well established. In recent years, employee ownership seems to have started to gain some traction in the sector. As we learn in this month’s cover feature (p18), more recent converts 28 include Glasgow-based Pacific Building and London-based demolition contractor McGee. So why do it? While there are various different ways of creating an employee-owned company, indirect employee ownership via an employee trust appears to be one of the more popular models. Companies who have chosen this path tell us not just of the ability to provide a clear succession plan as the founder heads for retirement, but how it helps to 32 12 46 engender a marked shift in attitude among workers, who take more pride in their work and treat both News Steel Legal each other and company property 04 News in pictures 22 Stars align for modular steel 44 CIOB Planning Protocol 2021 with more respect. 06 News: Housing trains up for safety Modular booms even in a pandemic 45 Integrating PP21 with software 08 News: CIOB backs CLC skills plan 28 Digital steel delivery at Moorfields Construction’s skills shortage Careers & Recruitment 10 Data: Scale of net zero challenge Building over a live Tube station and its productivity conundrum 46 What’s it like working at BAM? 32 Structural steel fire safety haven’t gone away during the Opinion 47 Job spotlight: manager of a 33 Fireproofing existing structures pandemic, and with a number of 12 Caroline Gumble on climate action conservation workshop 34 Six steel projects in pictures major infrastructure projects on How the CIOB is tackling net zero the horizon, as well as the Community 13 Graham Harle looks to COP26 BIM & Digital continuing drive to build more 48 Retrofit certification scheme Facing up to the climate challenge 38 Refocusing steel’s digital strategy 49 Cargo bike deliveries trial housing, they are challenges that 13 Zainab Dangana on eco tech 50 Munster takes Ireland challenge are only likely to become more How Wates supports SMEs Partnership 51 Greendale focuses on apprentices acute. Could employee ownership 14 Feedback: Readers’ views 40 Designing tools for safety provide an answer? How Hilti takes a holistic approach 54 2030 Visionary Project group Employee-owned companies 55 Making heritage sustainable 18 Sharing a piece of the action Global 56 A temperature-controlled refurb Neil Gerrard Benefits of employee ownership 42 Overhauling US infrastructure Associate editor, ASCE’s investment ‘report card’ Diary dates Construction Manager 58 What’s on over the next month
COVER ILLUSTRATION: NEIL WEBB NEIL ILLUSTRATION: COVER and BIMplus Highlights of the CIOB calendar
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News
Winvic progresses latest giant warehouse Logistics company DSV has engaged Winvic to design, construct and partially fit out its new industrial facility at Mercia Park in north-west Leicestershire. The Winvic team started on site on 26 October. Due for completion in August 2021, the main steel- framed warehouse covers 358,000 sq ft.
McAlpine subcontractor creates Modular builder creates ‘steel wheel’ for truss work NHS wellness unit Scottish steelwork firm BHC Steel created an Oxford-based modular builder Green Unit innovative steel wheel to assist the welding and cranes in an eco-friendly ‘wellbeing pod’ for painting of 16 steel trusses assembled in a factory NHS workers at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in for the construction of the 13-storey One Centenary Aylesbury. The private space provides a calming Way, which spans the A38 Queensferry tunnel in place for Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust Birmingham. The wheels supported and turned the colleagues when they need time away from trusses, which are up to 35m long and 199 tonnes in their working day, supporting their wellness weight, saving the need to work underneath them. during and after the covid-19 pandemic.
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ACO Water Management has developed products including guidance systems, tunnels and escape ladders to keep endangered wildlife, including News story for CM? hedgehogs, safe amid new Email [email protected] construction projects.
NG Bailey joins ‘The beauty of concrete’ Manchester The winners of an international photography Town Hall competition capturing the “beauty and importance renovation team of concrete” have been unveiled. Overall winner and winner of the urban concrete amateur category NG Bailey is undertaking was Nurlan Tahirli for this image of the Heydar the removal and Aliyev Center, Baku, Azerbaijan. replacement of all mechanical, electrical and plumbing services, as part of the refurbishment and partial restoration of Manchester Town Hall, which dates back to 1877. The refurbishment is being led by Lendlease for Manchester City Council.
Interserve revives Tilbury Douglas name Group fleet director Cliff Lewis shows off a newly branded Tilbury Douglas van, after Interserve Construction took the name of the business back to its roots. The Tilbury Douglas name dates back to the London and Tilbury Lighterage Company Limited, founded in 1884. In 2001, the business dropped the names and rebranded as Interserve.
10,000-tonne double-arch steel bridge floated into place A prefabricated double-arch steel bridge was floated into place and lowered onto its concrete piers by a semi-submersible barge in Hong Kong. The five-hour operation had to take place at high tide and involved the barge taking on seawater to sink. The 200m Eternity Arch is a component of the 1.8km Cross Bay Link.
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How steel is tackling fire safety, p32
blocks, developing its building safety Housing groups ramp up case capability and employing four building safety managers. building safety skills “It is paramount we provide our building safety managers with a solid Leading social housing landlords prepare staff grounding in building safety training, for new building safety legislation not only the technical aspects, but also in stakeholder management, resident engagement and safety case CIOB Level 6 management,” said Brent O’Halloran, Diploma in Clarion building safety advisor. Building Safety Management Other organisations which have joined the LMS building safety courses The diploma include Gateshead Council, Great comprises six units: 1 Fire safety Places Housing Group, A2dominion, legislation for Accent Group and Paradigm Housing. construction; “The course is delivered via live 2 Fire safety weekly webinars, which are recorded so management for construction; that candidates can watch them back,” 3 Building safety explained Roger Gillespie, managing management; director of Housing LMS. “The course 4 Health, safety is assessed via regular ongoing tasks and wellbeing for and lasts around 40 weeks.” building safety; 5 Technology “The CIOB has aligned this work with and structures for our quality commission, chaired by past building safety; president Paul Nash, set up in response 6 Building to the Edinburgh school’s collapse of Regulations for construction. 2016,” explained Ros Thorpe, CIOB The first two units head of education. “We started lead to a certificate developing the diploma after the in fire safety for Hackitt review was published in 2018, construction; all six and worked with Trafford Housing units complete the diploma. Trust to identify the skills required for the new dutyholder roles that will come in with the Building Safety Act. “We can adapt the diploma once the act provides more clarity on responsibilities accountabilities.” The Building Safety Bill is Major housing groups and local Management. Housing LMS, an Clarion has created expected to be read by parliament authorities are pushing their asset accredited CIOB Training Provider, a digital record of later this year, but industry figures management staff through specialist launched a pilot programme with the Bekesbourne including Nash have warned the built tower block in training ahead of the looming Clarion in February, with seven of Orpington, London environment sector currently lacks Building Safety Act becoming law. the housing group’s building safety the skills to meet its requirements. Organisations including the management team. Housing LMS will welcome a further country’s biggest landlord, Clarion, Clarion has already introduced intake for the diploma in April, with which manages 125,000 homes, have new building safety initiatives staff from Grenfell Housing Services, been signing up staff for the CIOB over the past three years, including Home Group, Ealing Council and Level 6 Diploma in Building Safety digital mapping of existing tower SK Fire Safety Consulting. ●
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Rising Stars The CIOB’s Rising Star Awards are now open for entries. Morgan Sindall’s Kelly Attwood was a winner last year, see p50
CIOB backing for construction’s Employers must ‘most ambitious’ skills plan ‘take lead’ on CLC campaign includes culture focus net zero training to make industry more inclusive Reports warn of industry’s carbon skills challenge
and commitments for both industry Industry and government, in four areas: careers; Skills Plan – standards and qualifications; training, key points education and development; and l A ‘Talent culture and working environment. View’ portal to The CLC also said it supported improve access to construction the drive towards increased direct careers and boost employment. The plan supports their attractiveness government mandates on direct to new entrants. employment through procurement. l An industry Stevens: “Emphasis on quality” Mark Reynolds, group CEO of Mace standard for work experience, Construction businesses need to and CLC member, said: “This is the with up to 7,000 step up their eco training otherwise most ambitious and wide-ranging skills STEM (science, the UK’s net zero targets could be plan the construction sector has ever technology, in jeopardy. Reports by the CITB and the produced. It should have a far-reaching engineering and mathematics) Institute for Public Policy Research impact on how we attract, retain students (IPPR) warn of the carbon skills and develop people in construction encouraged challenge facing the industry, and a and help deliver the government’s to join the scheme. contributor to the IPPR study called on employers to act. homebuilding and infrastructure plans. l Construction Jean Stevens (formerly Duprez), Caroline Gumble, CIOB CEO and a traineeship programmes with chair of the CIOB business member of the CLC Senior Advisors a pathway from development board, said: Group, said: “The CIOB is fully behind further education “Construction employers urgently the Industry Skills Plan and is well into the industry. need to put net zero training in place for existing workers, but also placed to support much of the work, l Competence frameworks. the new people who will come into with our expertise in competencies l Training the industry from sectors like retail and educational frameworks. standards for net and hospitality. These aren’t skills “I’m pleased to see the social and zero, digital and that can be learned quickly; the emphasis needs to be on quality.” cultural aspects of our industry offsite construction. Stevens added that green skills Backing for the plan: CIOB’s Caroline Gumble, referenced. Attracting those who are and knowledge were also lacking Mace’s Mark Reynolds, CITB’s Sarah Beale embarking on their careers and making at leadership level in construction the industry as inclusive as possible are organisations. “To achieve net zero, The CIOB has thrown its support also important areas of focus.” we need better awareness at the top of our industry,” she said. behind the sector-wide skills campaign Sarah Beale, CEO of Construction Meanwhile, a Construction launched by the Construction Industry Training Board and chair of Leadership Council initiative, Leadership Council (CLC), described the CLC Skills Network, said: “While CO2nstruct Zero, has urged firms as the ‘most ambitious’ the industry the past year has been incredibly to play their part in the industry’s decarbonisation. Chair Andy has ever produced. challenging for all of us, the industry Mitchell said it would build on The Industry Skills Plan for the UK has pulled together more than ever, construction’s united response to Construction Sector 2021-25 sets out and this plan is the result. We all need the pandemic. the key skills challenges, with actions to get behind this plan.” ●
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08.CMApr21.news_scW.indd 8 16/03/2021 12:28 Freedom to design with complete peace of mind
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Additional skilled tradespeople required over the next 20 years to retrofit housing energy improvements, Data 500,000 according to the CLC
UK carbon dioxide (CO ) emissions and construction output Carbon data shows scale 2 Index (1991 = 100) Total CO2 emissions
Construction CO2 emissions Construction output of net zero challenge 160 Construction must change course on investment 140 and innovation to deliver a genuine green recovery, writes Kris Hudson 120
100 2021 will be a defining be addressed, and residential building, year in the UK’s drive for which accounts for 65.2% of the total, 80 net zero. The pandemic is the biggest area to tackle. Legislation has presented a already in place means from 2025 all 60 vast opportunity for new UK homes must be highly energy change, and decisions taken to build efficient and ‘zero carbon ready’. 40 back better – and greener – will be But to meet this benchmark Future scrutinised as we host the 26th UN Homes Standard, investing in industry 20 Climate Change Conference (COP26) expertise, alongside increasing in November. The UK was the first adoption of modern methods of 0 major economy to commit to reducing construction (MMC) and offsite carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 manufacture, will be crucial. 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 – and has since pledged to hit 68% of The new £10m taskforce to SOURCE: ONS this target by the end of this decade. accelerate the delivery of MMC Construction will be central to homes in the UK acknowledges the Direct CO2 emissions from the buildings sector the net zero transition. Globally, the urgency of industry transformation, construction and operation of buildings but an industrywide switch to green 140 Direct emissions (MtCO₂) n Commercial buildings account for 38% of energy-related construction techniques and retrofitting n Public buildings n Residential buildings carbon emissions. While total UK carbon existing assets will put huge demands 120 emissions have fallen in the last 30 on suppliers and workforce skills. years, those generated by the industry London has so far led the way, with 100 have been steadily rising – tracking two Retrofit Accelerator schemes the trend in construction output. With tackling the energy consumption of 2021 set to be a year of expansion, homes and public buildings. 80 emissions are likely to rise further. Yet to reduce the cost premium From the Green Industrial Strategy of sustainable building, the industry 60 to the Construction Playbook, must break its low-margin, low- government has made clear that investment cycle and change how 40 construction has a starring role to it builds capability – embedding net play both as an engine of the post- zero throughout the supply chain and covid recovery and as a force for prioritising investment and innovation. 20 environmental good. But the challenge The prize is a truly green recovery, is significant, and the relative silence but the industry must come together 0 from the chancellor on green policies and change course now – or we risk 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 in the recent Budget raised eyebrows. missing this opportunity. SOURCE: NATIONAL ATMOSPHERIC EMISSIONS INVENTORY (2020). To ‘build back greener’, direct CO2 Kris Hudson is an economist and BREAKDOWN OF UK GHG EMISSIONS BY SOURCE AND GREENHOUSE GAS emissions from construction need to associate director at Turner & Townsend. News in numbers £10bn 44% £1bn 80% Estimated cost of energy-efficiency Reduction in Britain’s carbon Total funding pledged under Whole-life carbon saving on measures needed to make London emissions since 1990, a new Net Zero Innovation ISG’s ‘deep green’ Entopia office a zero-carbon city, according to according to BEIS Portfolio in the 2021 Budget project in Cambridge, compared to the mayor’s office a standard refurbishment
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Opinion
Caroline Gumble CIOB “I believe collaboration across the sector is the most impactful way How the CIOB is taking to make a meaningful contribution action on climate change to our industry and society”
The institute is working with policy-makers present the plan at COP26, in alignment and other professional bodies to help the with Built Environment Day. built environment’s transition to net zero, The CIOB also sits on the RICS Building explains Caroline Gumble Carbon Database steering group, set up to oversee work on a database for use by all built environment professional institutes. This group is time limited, with the specific purpose of guiding work ahead of COP26. We are also part of the Construction One of the most pressing issues facing most impactful way to make a meaningful Leadership Council (CLC) domestic RMI society – and, of course, the construction contribution to our industry and society. (repair, maintenance and improvement) industry – is climate change and the The CIOB is a member of the working group, which is developing requirement to move towards net zero Construction Industry Council’s (CIC) recommendations for a national retrofit carbon emissions. Climate Change Committee, which strategy to help underpin a sustainable With the next UN Climate Change is coordinating the efforts of sector recovery. This is being supported by Conference (COP26) just over six months professional institutes to meet the research we are conducting into a away, I am often asked by members what emissions target set out in the Climate ‘help to fix’ loan scheme to finance a the CIOB is doing to contribute towards Change Act 2008. This work also now national retrofit rollout, which has been net zero, as an institution and in our covers the Industry Recovery Plan. adopted by the CLC as one of its key leadership position to support and guide The committee comprises 10 recommendations to government. our members. My short and honest answer workstreams, which are contributing to the We will be committing to our own is not enough – yet. development of a climate action plan. This internal net zero plan, dialling up our For several years, we have been working plan brings together work that is already influencing activity in this area, engaging across the industry to help make the case underway, as well as setting out actions with policy-makers and parliamentarians for greener construction policies and that the CIC and its members believe need on the built environment’s vital role in practices. While we have a responsibility to be taken by the professional institutes contributing to a green recovery and to drive our own internal net zero agenda, I over the next 10 years to achieve the 2050 transitioning to net zero. ● believe collaboration across the sector is the net zero target. The committee intends to Caroline Gumble is CEO of the CIOB.
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How Wates is helping eco tech startups A new innovation network is linking Graham Harle firms with sustainable technology Gleeds Worldwide products, explains Zainab Dangana
The government has made clear that its plans to rebuild All eyes on the economy post-pandemic would include ‘building back greener’. With this came a construction at COP26 £134m investment to keep the greenest, most innovative businesses thriving, to help others The UN Climate Change Conference later this year meet their environmental targets. will scrutinise the built environment’s sustainability At Wates Sustainable Technology Services, credentials like never before. The industry must we work with green technology startups respond, says Gleeds CEO Graham Harle and SMEs, and we’ve seen first-hand the impact they can have on our customers. So far, we’ve introduced more than 125 of The vaccine rollout has been a success, them to our network of SME innovation the PM has unveiled his ‘roadmap’ out of “If the cement industry were partners, linking major businesses to new lockdown and our attention is slowly turning sustainable technology. a country it would be the These eco tech businesses have always to life after covid. Over the past year there third largest emitter of carbon faced challenges in bringing their products has been much talk about the positive dioxide in the world” to market. At Wates we try to bridge this gap. impacts of the pandemic on the climate in the We can use our influence within construction, short term, as clear waters and deserted roads residential and property services to act as an made headlines, but nothing will demonstrate ‘innovation broker’ between our customers and the sustainable technology marketplace. the UK’s long-term commitment to achieving It’s meant we’ve linked Wates customers carbon neutrality than its hosting of COP26 in Take concrete. Its production has a huge such as a leading UK banking group with tech Glasgow this November. impact on the climate; after water, it is the providers who can help reduce its carbon Probably the most important summit most widely used substance on the planet. footprint across more than 1,300 buildings. We’ve identified 20 potential sustainable of the year, the 26th UN Climate Change If the cement industry were a country, it innovations which might help, with nine on Conference will bring together heads of state would be the third largest emitter of trial at sites across the estate. One already in and climate experts, who will also report on carbon dioxide in the world. place is EndoTherm, an energy and gas saving progress made since COP21 (if any) when Meanwhile, cities like London are central heating additive that is independently the Paris Agreement set out to limit global reviewing their planning regulations to proven to save up to 15% on heating bills. We are now connected to 42 tried-and- warming to 1.5 degrees C. encourage sustainable building, and a more tested suppliers, and this number is growing Inevitably, the world’s gaze will fall on ecologically aware generation is gradually all the time. We’re also seeing a major uptick the UK’s environmental performance. And coming into the profession. in interest from our customers. COP26 represents a crucial opportunity However, a recent report from the To connect more companies with our sustainable technology supplier portfolio, to highlight the central role construction Institute for Public Policy Research – we’ve launched the Wates Innovation will play in achieving global climate change supported by major organisations including Network portal, a free-to-access online hub targets; its contribution will be scrutinised the CIOB – found that net zero targets could through which they can directly access a thanks to former business secretary Alok be threatened by the construction skills growing directory of approved companies. Sharma’s Built Environment Day. gap, with just 20% of those working in the What’s more, we’re no longer limiting our work to our customers. By providing the While the idea may not have been his industry under the age of 30. This threatens information as open source, we hope that own – Sharma was responding to an offer to deepen the disconnect between the more organisations and businesses will learn from the World Green Building Council government’s ambition to ‘build back about the marketplace for green products. Any to organise the day – construction should better’ and its ability to do so. innovation on our portal will be subject to our technical screening panel, including more than welcome this publicity. So COP26 is a chance to shine a spotlight 40 environmental experts from organisations But the industry has work to do on the on the troubles facing our planet – and also such as the BRE Trust and AMD Environmental. green agenda. And while operational carbon on how we as an industry must respond. The Wates Innovation Network has a two- is getting more consideration now, embodied Only by seeking out greener, cleaner ways fold purpose: it provides a platform for new carbon remains a challenge. Any definition of working, can construction join the fight and emerging technologies, as well as a clear means for companies to source innovative of net zero must reflect this complete picture against climate change – a global threat for products at a time and place that suits them. – extraction, manufacturing and processing, which there is no vaccine. ● Dr Zainab Dangana is sustainability technology transportation and assembly – or we stand Graham Harle is CEO of services manager at Wates Group. no chance of tackling the problem. Gleeds Worldwide.
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A selection of readers’ comments about news and issues Feedback in the industry from www.constructionmanagermagazine.com
That said, it would be good if we was sad to see it eventually change could get a degree of similarity in to Interserve. The merger with RM how we repair potholes because a Douglas was a great fit, as we were good percentage of these repairs fail. already firm partners in scaffolding and formwork prior to the merger, CM 26/02 but I had left by the time Tilbury Grenfell: BRE report on failed Douglas was formed, although as a Kingspan fire test used to client by then, they were frequently support 29 desktop studies on our tender lists. Welcome back.
Peter Anderson CM 10/03 I hope they have now put in place a Grenfell: ‘Poor’ cavity system which makes it mandatory to barrier installation state in unequivocal terms whether a material or product has simply passed Peter Anderson or failed a specific named/numbered It seems to me that responsibility test/certificate. This should be in red for site installation should or green in large print on all pages lie directly with the element of any certificate, report, paper or subcontractor and that they digitally produced information related themselves should certify that to the material or product, including the work is in compliance with all all manufacturers’ literature. requirements and manufacturers’ method statements and specifications. CM 11/03 Work sub-elements should Palace of Westminster not be allowed to progress and ‘deteriorating rapidly’ be in default and uninsured until Stuart Griffiths these sub-element-specific CM 01/03 The most economic way to solve certificates are checked and also Women in construction the problem is to lose our society's signed off by the main contractor, building control and client’s Professional and manual skills hang-ups on old buildings, tear it down and build a new Parliament agent and insurers. If certificates were not Andrea Kelmanson women still represent only 2% building that is “fit for purpose”. There must be acres of space produced in this way, valuation I am delighted to see so many of the skilled trades workforce. payments would be stopped and women now getting somewhere around the country to construct a new Parliament building in a place insurance cover would be invalid. at the more ‘professional’ end Grant Gover This should be strictly applicable of the construction continuum. As a long-term supporter of women better suited, thereby bringing our society together. at each stage. Only in this way Sadly the same is not true for in construction and engineering, now (from the bottom up), with jobs women who are keen to work doing a PhD in music, supporting Brian Collins stalled and payment stopped, at the manual skills end of the women composers… this is extremely would industry sit up and be forced that same continuum, where heartening and best wishes go to The cost is immaterial since the building is the symbolic heart of to get its house in order and not virtually nothing has changed each contributor and all women in hide behind the present recipe in the past 50 years, and construction – and music. our democracy, national heritage and history and must survive. As of unclear responsibilities under for a new building, just look at the design and build. pathetic efforts in Scotland or Wales CM 15/02 cutting out the area. You still had for examples of what you might get. £500m pothole fund to bring in a ‘tack coat’ and then Provide your own feedback macadam and roll the area. CM 02/03 on latest industry issues by Ian Rochez-Maggs [In the video] they used a system Interserve Construction posting comments online at This is all very well but how many of heating up the area under rebrands to Tilbury Douglas www.constructionmanager companies know how to fill a consideration, added more tarmac and magazine.com pothole? Yes, JCB have produced then rolled that flat to the adjacent Chris Jack or by emailing the editor at a machine that they say will repair areas. There were no joins new to old. It’s fantastic to see the [Tilbury construction-manager@ X potholes an hour but I watched From an environmental point of view, Douglas] name re-emerge. I joined atompublishing.co.uk the video and it only was quicker in it reused existing macadam. Tilbury Construction in 1979 and
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Employee ownership
Steel saws rarely used to last long SHARING A PIECE on construction firm Lindum Group’s sites. They would disappear without OF THE ACTION explanation, costing £1,000 a time to replace. MORE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES ARE MOVING TO AN In just one year, a total of 29 of the EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP MODEL. NEIL GERRARD ASKS WHAT saws went missing from Lindum sites, BENEFITS IT CAN BRING TO EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS ALIKE leaving the firm with a hefty bill. Two years later, however, that figure was down to just one. What changed? It wasn’t as a result of new security measures or the dismissal of a light-fingered employee. Instead, the business decided to take the route to employee ownership and that led to a major shift in mindset among workers, many of whom had since become shareholders. While Lindum was an early convert to the model, making the switch back in 1994, it is comparatively rare among contractors. Architecture practices and big consultants like Arup, Mott MacDonald and Rider Levett Bucknall have embraced the concept, but only recently have more construction firms adopted this ownership model. Last month, utility contractor Falco switched to an employee ownership trust, demolition firm McGee made the same move in May 2020, while Glasgow-based Pacific Building – a CIOB chartered building company – set one up in January 2019. For Pacific founder Brian Gallacher, what prompted the decision to make a change was the need to put a succession plan in place. But it has delivered other benefits too.
“We hoped that by encouraging people to buy into the company, employees would be more likely to feel involved further” David Chambers, Lindum Group
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Lindum Group now has 480 employee shareholders – around two-thirds of the workforce 480 short-lived. “When I announced it to the team here, a lot of them thought it The three main forms of was a really good opportunity and the employee ownership majority quickly got it,” he says. Employee ownership can take one of three forms: Changing attitudes l Direct employee ownership – using Once the trust was in place and one or more tax-advantaged share employees felt they had a stake plans, employees become registered in Pacific, Gallacher spotted an individual shareholders of a majority of the shares in their company; immediate shift in how employees l Indirect employee ownership – viewed their job. shares are held collectively on “There was a step change in some behalf of employees, normally people’s attitudes and that was what through an employee trust; l Combined direct and indirect I really wanted. People who came in ownership – a combination of every day and treated it as just a job individual and collective share suddenly realised it was a bit more ownership. than a job. They wanted this business SOURCE: EMPLOYEE to be successful and for clients OWNERSHIP ASSOCIATION to love us. There has been a real He explains: “The first thing I knew Above: Lindum improvement in productivity.” has been an important factor in our of employee ownership was when a Group staff holding The sudden reduction in missing success ever since.” their shares in 1994 subcontractor of ours who operates steel saws a quarter of a century ago The company, which started life as in the retail sector said he was doing Below: Lindum was due to a similar shift in attitude, a family-owned business 65 years ago, Group apprentice it. He explained how it worked and Katie Hughes says David Chambers, chairman of now has 480 employee shareholders I looked into it because as I pass my Lindum Group, which operates out of – around two-thirds of the workforce – 60th year I do have to consider a offices in Lincoln, Peterborough and and is managed by a board of succession plan. York. Lindum’s decision to set up an directors, who also own shares. “The concern the directors, staff and employee ownership scheme followed The process to establish employee I had was how do we make sure that completion of a complicated project. ownership took a few months and the business retains the philosophy, “With hindsight, we felt some of Chambers says the main challenge culture and values if there was a change the problems we encountered during was communicating the concept. in management, particularly if the the contract may have been avoided “Employees needed to understand company was acquired by a business had there been a deeper level of pride, why we were suggesting they should that didn’t share those values? ownership and commitment among become a partner in the business. We “Employee ownership seemed the employees,” he says. “We hoped that needed to be clear on the reasons, the most seamless and simplest route to by encouraging people to buy into the potential benefits and, of course, the maintaining some kind of legacy.” company, employees would be more potential pitfalls,” he explains. In Pacific’s case, setting up employee likely to feel involved further and this “In the beginning, we invited senior ownership took just over two years. staff to buy shares and then we gave “I had a good look at the possible away free shares to every employee. downsides and went to the Employee This helped to embed the system and Ownership Conference in Birmingham encouraged people to continue their and met people who were at various investment. As personnel changes, stages of the process. The harder I being clear on the reasons for doing it looked at it, the more appealing it remains a priority even today. became to me,” Gallacher recalls. The difference is that now we have He expected some employees to be real-life examples of how the shares suspicious of his motives and while scheme works and how it can be he did meet some cynicism, it was beneficial to them.”
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“I think there is also a camaraderie and a togetherness that perhaps might not have existed in its fullest extent pre-employee ownership” Brian Gallacher, Pacific Building
Company strategy Under an employee ownership trust model, Gallacher and his management team still make all of the decisions about company strategy at Pacific. The shareholding is held by
a trust so none of the employees has WORDMEDIACO BOYES DAVID individual shares. Pacific Building celebrates its move to employee ownership in 2019 “The official status of the employees is that they are Employee- these work with their teams to because we are obviously burning a beneficiaries of the trust. The owned determine the direction of their bit of cash at the moment. trust can make awards based on construction business within the group plan. “Had there been a management profitability to each beneficiary or companies Divisions manage their own business buy-out or a trade sale it would employee should the business have a Pacific Building development, with the support of probably have sucked all the cash good year,” says Gallacher. Main contractor central resources, and all employees out and we would likely be operating Lindum Group The firm’s trustee board is made Main contractor are encouraged to see potential on an overdraft. I think there is also up of five people – two employee McGee Demolition business opportunities. a camaraderie and a togetherness representatives and two management contractor “We also have an annual AGM to that perhaps might not have existed representatives, as well as one Erith Demolition which all employees are invited. in its fullest extent pre-employee independent. The management team contractor This is an opportunity to discuss the ownership.” Falco Utility meets with the trust a couple of times contractor business and ask questions directly of Chambers agrees that employee a year to tell the trust how it plans to Raised Floor its board of executive directors.” ownership helps Lindum to handle run the business. The trustees can Solutions Flooring obstacles. “If we save more money, by interrogate the management team’s contractor Negotiating the pandemic delivering good client service or being decisions but can’t prohibit it from The unpredictable, volatile careful how we spend money and making decisions. environment that has been created looking after our kit, then our shares “But if all of the board of directors by the covid-19 pandemic has hit will perform better,” he says. were to suddenly say they were going nearly every sector of the economy “In terms of the pandemic, our to buy themselves Ferraris, I would hard, and construction has been sites were able to reopen quite fully expect the trustee board to say no exception. But Gallacher thinks quickly provided they abided by that they don’t think it is a good use the employee ownership model is a strict regulations. Our employees of company money,” adds Gallacher. useful one to have when it comes to understood that it was in everyone’s At Lindum, Chambers says the negotiating tough conditions. best interest to be back in action approach to decision-making is “Employee ownership swiftly but without compromising on “the best argument wins”. He says: wouldn’t make a bad business social distancing and hygiene.” “Lindum Group is one company good, but it helps a good business Gallacher certainly has no made up of several divisions. Each be better and stronger,” he says. regrets. He says: “It won’t work for division has its own directors and “We had some good cash reserves everyone but I know that I have done management structure. Each of which will continue to help us, the right thing.” ●
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18_20.CMApr21.employeeowned_scW.indd 20 16/03/2021 13:00 Specialists in modular construction
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2021 A4 approved.indd 1 12/03/2021 12:03:55 STEEL constructionmanagermagazine.com
Steel STARS ALIGN FOR MODULAR STEEL IT COULD BE A SERENDIPITOUS TIME FOR MODULAR STEEL. KRISTINA SMITH EXPLAINS
“We have seen an uptick in people moving away from timber, even the two- and three-storey housing market,” reports Simmonds. Covid has underlined the benefits of having fewer people on site and a more controlled construction environment in the factory. In a year of uncertainty, investing upfront on a project to give certainty of time, cost and quality becomes more attractive. New players to the market certainly see promise for modular steel in the UK. Japanese giant Daiwa House acquired Netherlands offsite specialist Jan Snels in December 2020 and is setting up a facility in south Wales. New venture CoreHaus is preparing a factory in the same region. Investors are on it too. In April While 2020 was labelled ‘the worst Modular steel says the company’s managing 2020 Impact Capital Group, set year ever’ by many, sentiments construction has director, Stuart Wilkie. up by property developers Robert in the modular steel sector are been boosted by Meanwhile, Intelligent Steel Whitton and Nick Shattock, bought the pandemic rather different. Solutions, sister company to Henley Peterborough-based Lesko Modular “The pandemic has perversely Homes, reports a doubling in – now Impact Modular – with been quite good for us,” says Ryan turnover during the covid period. £100m of financial backing already Simmonds, Sigmat’s pre-contracts These bulging pipelines can’t be on board. The group has recently director, almost apologetically. attributed solely to the pandemic. set up a fund, Impact Lending, for The Leeds-based light gauge There are other forces at work other would-be sustainable housing steel frame manufacturer’s here: the government-led drive developers. turnover is forecast to reach £37m towards modern methods of this year, and it’s a similar story at construction (MMC) and their linked Sectors expand Wernick Buildings in Port Talbot, sustainability gains; the fear of a There are many types of modular south Wales, which expects to Brexit-driven skills exodus; and the steel systems on offer, panelised turn over £40m. introduction of new fire regulations and volumetric, largely light gauge “There has been unprecedented which have put the growth of steel but some hot-rolled too. Each demand in the last 12 months, an structural timber on hold for taller supplier is different, and each has a order book I could only dream of,” buildings – and even low-rise ones. different niche or blend of sectors.
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Number of modular student rooms 30,000 delivered by Sigmat “We often up to six storeys because we are New approach reject projects using hot-rolled steel,” says Wilkie. New venture CoreHaus differs from because they Residential is the main market for its competitors in a couple of ways. are so advanced Intelligent Steel Solutions, which First, it is a social enterprise, like one in design, you manufactures 2D panels, some of of its parents, Fusion21, which runs would have to go which go on to volumetric suppliers frameworks for the public sector. backwards to modularise them” to be turned into 3D modular Second, its system is hybrid, a mixture Stuart Wilkie, Wernick structures. It also supplies panels of volumetric and panelised. for custodial, military, healthcare, “There is still a little bit of a stigma education and hotels. about MMC and full volumetric,” says They report growth in all breeds of Another niche but fast-growing CoreHaus managing director Scott residential, healthcare, education, market is airspace, says managing Bibby. “This allows people to try retirement – the list goes on. director Nigel Storey, where something that is not full volumetric.” Variety is the spice of life for volumetric modules are craned onto Having already trialled the concept Sigmat. It has delivered huge the top of existing building. Apex on a project belonging to its other amounts of student accommodation Airspace, the brainchild of its CEO parent, housebuilder Carlton & Co – over 30,000 rooms in 24 locations – Arshad Bhatti, is a pioneer in this Group, Corehaus is now setting up its but works in many other sectors too. emerging sector, focusing on social own factory in Murton near Seaham Its current schemes include a five- housing in London (see box, p26). in County Durham. Production star hotel, a luxury bungalow scheme, Corehaus trialled a 10-storey mixed-use building in its technology on a Nottingham and a retirement home Homes by Carlton in Hexham, Northumberland. The site in County latter is one of five it will deliver in Durham, alongside a traditional build. 2021 for McCarthy Stone in a deal The system was signed last year. built on site, For Wernick, education is the rather than in the dominant sector, accounting for factory, to prove the concept 30-35% of its workload, says Wilkie. Projects range from temporary classrooms up to huge university buildings, such as a 2,600 sq m two-storey teaching building for Swansea University, including a lecture theatre for up to 500 students. Wilkie expects education to remain strong. “The new schools programme has a large element of modular in it,” he points out. Healthcare and transport buildings, such as those at airports, are also important sectors for Wernick. This year supplying offices for HS2 works has also boosted its workload. Traditionally, Wernick worked with cold-rolled steel frames but has recently added hot-rolled steel to meet demand for taller buildings. “We can provide modular buildings
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Low carbon is the key for Jan Snel Dutch firm is futureproofing Coed Darcy urban village
“In an ideal not happen where you are building, world, we would you are not bringing jobs into the be working area. Sometimes a hybrid modular with a potential build, like our 2D panelised system client before is more attractive. It’s important to they negotiated have a blend of different modular with a main contractor” solutions; not one hat fits all.” Ryan Simmonds, Sigmat Jan Snel is starting small in the UK with just two houses planned on the Coed Darcy site in south Wales (see will begin in the summer with the box, this page). Jan Snel UK manager first four units built here due on a Ben Pemberton expects to see growth Carlton site in Thorpe Thewles, near in education and healthcare too. Stockton-on-Tees, by September. Pemberton is currently recruiting Any profits CoreHaus generates staff and setting up a manufacturing will be recycled through the Fusion21 facility in south Wales, which he says Foundation, which aims to help will be operational “soon”. Until that disadvantaged people and invest happens, projects can be supplied from in community businesses to create the HQ in the Netherlands, he says. A steel module is craned into social good. The Corehaus facility place at Coed Darcy will use only green energy. Construction meets manufacture CoreHaus’s approach could be When it comes to adopting a design attractive to some social housing for manufacture-type approach, Jan Snel has been supplying modular steel structures to a providers because of its social it sounds like many clients and variety of sectors and countries conscience. One of the difficulties designers still didn’t get the memo. Sigmat is supplying around Europe from its group HQ in for modular construction can be “Very often we reject projects because its system to a new the Netherlands. But its UK branch, that it isn’t feeding into jobs and the they are so advanced in design, hotel at Sandy Park set up in late 2020, is working on in Exeter, home to its very first project: two homes economy locally, says Storey: “If you you would have to go backwards to premiership rugby for Coastal Housing Group and talk volumetric, the social value does modularise them,” says Wilkie. club Exeter Chiefs Waterstone Homes on the Coed Darcy urban village in south Wales. At the end of February, the units were being craned into place. The homes have been designed to have a low carbon footprint, with radiant heating panels rather than gas, a solar array with batteries, and EV charge points. “We are trying to futureproof the house,” says Jan Snel’s UK manager Ben Pemberton. He sees low carbon as the most important selling point for modular steel housing – which he thinks his competitors have been slow to pick up on. Coed Darcy is being built on the former Llandarcy oil refinery site and will eventually have 4,000 homes, schools and other community facilities. Construction on the site began in 2012 and is expected to take around 20 years to complete.
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“There is still Considerations around site “In an ideal world, we would be a bit of a operations are largely linked to working with a potential client stigma about logistics: getting units to site, before they negotiated with a main MMC; we allow securing road closures if they are contractor,” says Simmonds. Often people to try needed, getting the cranage right. Sigmat doesn’t see projects until something Occasionally there is a mismatch RIBA stage 3-4. that is not full volumetric” between factory precision and There’s a whiff of change, Scott Bibby, CoreHaus what is considered “good enough” though, says Simmonds. There on site, says Wilkie. are some pre-construction service The other challenge with the Intelligent agreements (PCSA), where Sigmat Problems could include window factory-site interface is when the Steel Solutions is paid for its design work before positions that fall on module programme on site slips for some manufactures contract award, but mostly 2D panels for joints, building dimensions that reason – whether funding issues, volumetric suppliers are working under JCT don’t marry up with standard unit unforeseen ground conditions or bad suppliers, chiefly and expected to do significant sizes and modules that would weather. Then there is the chance in the residential amounts of work at risk. “More be too tall to transport. Another that the factory slot may be missed. market customers want to understand what nonsense for Wilkie is buildings Sigmat has an overflow storage we offer and how we can realise the with a modular frame and then facility to cope with this problem. cost efficiencies,” he adds. traditional brickwork cladding and Despite the fact that modular steel Procurement issues roof, which destroys most of the looks set for more growth, there are notwithstanding, it does seem programme benefits. still some problems to be ironed out. that the covid kickstart that the Late changes continue to be a The big one is procurement. sector has received could continue. problem. All the suppliers mentioned Frameworks are a step in the right With the government’s ‘green the need for earlier ‘design freeze’. direction, says Wilkie. Around 50% of industrial revolution’ and ‘levelling Designers also must understand Wernick’s work comes through this up’ strategies targeting deprived that uniform loading is key to getting route. “The downside is it introduces industrial areas, there could be an optimum solution, says Storey. “It very high levels of competition – up to more funding and opportunities for is a line loaded system,” he says. “You 10 firms chasing one job – and it costs a growth. Maybe the stars really are have to get the loads into the ground lot of money to tender,” he says. aligned for modular steel. ● without putting extra steelwork in to transfer loads. If you pull together a team that understands Why just replace the roof with modules manufactured Using modular when you could add 30 new at its factory in Ireland. that, then you can really benefit steel to extend homes and upgrade the One of the important from steel modular construction. whole building? issues at the feasibility More bespoke is doable – but not as existing buildings This was Apex Airspace’s stage is whether the existing efficient.” Architectural practices proposition to Lambeth & foundations can take the weight, Apex Airspace expands two with specialisms in modular steel are Southwark Housing explains Apex Airspace’s chief housing blocks in Bermondsey Association for Antony operation officer Phillippa emerging, says Simmonds. House and Roderick House in Prongué. If there’s more than Intelligent Steel Solutions is Bermondsey (pictured). 10% additional weight to investing to improve its design Apex is adding two extra be added, then usually an efficiency further. “We work with storeys of apartments, plus exoskeleton, supported on piles, additional homes at the ends of would be added, as is the case Tekla, a 3D modelling system,” the blocks and a new lift core in Bermondsey. says Storey. “We are investing which will join the two buildings. “This is a way that local £100,000 this year to be able to run It is using a mixture of modular authorities can expand their a smart system that has a degree of units for the rooftop apartments portfolios on land that they intelligence. So, for instance, when and light gauge steel sections already own,” says Prongué. for the ends and infill. “Airspace is one of the few you put a door in you don’t have to Contractor Adston is models that enable 100% detail every individual element – the delivering the development, affordable.” system does it for you.”
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CROSSING THE LINE LANDSEC’S 21 MOORFIELDS DEVELOPMENT – OVER A LIVE TUBE STATION – HAS EMPLOYED NUMEROUS DIGITAL TOOLS TO DELIVER A COMPLEX STRUCTURAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION METHODOLOGY. CM REPORTS
Bridging a 55m-span over Moorgate Steel frame Logistically and technically, RBG had which forms the existing station roof, Station, the 17-storey 21 Moorfields erection progress, to take a holistic view of the design which had to support construction taken from Moor development is a new landmark feat and construction process, bringing activities, including cranes, plus Lane, to the west of engineering for the City of London. of the site its in-house construction engineering safely constructing the structural The 60,000 sq m commercial division to work with the main design frame directly over the live station. building project, which straddles team from concept stage. For these reasons, RBG decided three Tube lines, Underground “The consideration of buildability to use an early construction sidings and Crossrail, required a within the permanent structural methodology and erection complex structural design – which system was fundamental to our sequencing approach with the was developed in conjunction design philosophy,” says RBG project structural design, plus integrated with the build strategy – aided by director Nick Cole. erection stress analysis. This cutting edge digital tools. From the outset, it was non- approach, usually applied at later The approach to the Landsec negotiable that Moorgate Station had project stages, allowed the team to project was conceived and delivered to remain operational throughout understand risk, cost and programme by the team of engineers at Robert demolition and construction for the works, and validate the Bird Group (RBG), working with activities. Other constraints the construction methodology and architect Wilkinson Eyre and team had to negotiate included the programme with LandSec and contractor Sir Robert McAlpine. limited loading capacity of the slab Transport for London.
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Height in storeys of the six steel arches in the structure 10 the structural design to simplify Project team RBG coordinated a sequence that construction,” explains Cole. “This may Project: would reduce the construction result in a slightly heavier permanent 21 Moorfields programme with as few constraints to Client: Landsec “Where possible, we always structure but always results in overall follow on trades as possible. integrate temporary works or Consulting programme and cost reductions.” engineer: Robert RBG linked this sequencing model, smart construction sequencing As the concept developed, more Bird Group created using finite element analysis into the structural design to details about the construction Architect: software Strand7, to visualisation Wilkinson Eyre simplify construction” methodology and erection sequencing tools 3ds Max, producing both stills Nick Cole, Robert Bird Group Main contractor: were layered into the design. Some of Sir Robert and video renders of the developed the steel members were too heavy for McAlpine construction sequence. This was used The superstructure design has been the crane capacity and splices were Steel frame to inform the main contract tender. contractor: shaped by the tight location and the required for the trusses, arches and William Hare “Extracting our analysis data limitations of the station roof slab. 21m-span secondary beams. into a tangible and accessible While efficient in the permanent This is where the digital tools format improves coordination, condition, the capacity of the roof started coming into their own. communication of risks and required an alternative support “An automated script, written in enhances the contractors’ system to enable the construction of [programming language] Dynamo, understanding of the structural the steel structure. within Revit flagged non-compliant frame constraints,” says Cole. The structural design features members through the design and As the main contractor Sir Robert a series of six 10-storey-high steel construction planning process, McAlpine, also working under a arches. Each of these incorporates providing certainty on the number PCSA, developed the final a two-storey ‘launching truss’ at of splices, piece count and key construction sequence and temporary the base of the building. These architectural connection locations works schemes, RBG developed the act as temporary works during and details,” explains Cole. erection stress analysis model to construction, but will then be The steel erection sequencing include all temporary works integrated as architectural features in model was also developed in detail. In members, providing a model that the finished building at lower levels. collaboration with William Hare, the Cross-section simulated the construction method Otherwise, the superstructure steel frame contractor, working under of 21 Moorfields as close as possible. showing the is conventional in form, using steel a pre-construction service agreement underground The tender process identified that it columns to support cellular beams up (PCSA) prior to main contract award, railway constraints would be necessary to jump tower to 21m long, which work compositely with metal-decked lightweight concrete floors. The structure rests on 15 2.4m diameter piles – among the highest loaded ever driven in London – which had to be threaded delicately through numerous underground constraints, to depths of 60m. The erection stress analysis for the above-ground structure used a staged construction finite element model – created in analysis software Midas – to prove the concept and identify approximate costs, which allowed for the omission of significant temporary works, according to RBG. “Where possible, we always integrate temporary works or smart construction sequencing into
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What is erection stress analysis? How simulations can help understand performance
cranes off the station roof and onto “Issues such as welded nodes, bolted Erection stress analysis forms an the structural frame, loading the connection stiffness, construction essential part of early construction methodology and erection sequencing launching trusses. loading and frame temperature all for structures where stresses and “As a result, the erection affect the movement performance of the deformations generated by the erection sequencing model was adapted and frame as it is built. An understanding is process can lead to inferior structural assessed to identify member and required to ensure the frame is installed performance, increased frame material or excessive temporary works. connection overloading, allowing the within the desired construction The process involves simulating the necessary steps to be taken within tolerance, accounting for variable incremental construction sequence the fabrication process prior to work effects noted above, and to assess any within the structural analysis model starting on site,” says Cole. potential issues with the follow-on to understand the performance of With such a complex structural trades such as cladding and fit out. the building during construction. The screenshot below from Strand7 design, the project team needed “To address this, we used a script shows the model for 21 Moorfields. to understand how movements in Grasshopper with Rhino to in the frame would develop once help visualise movements during construction work started, with Sir construction. We developed a Robert McAlpine’s formal appointment monitoring specification based on in October 2018. To help with this, RBG gathering site data taken at key nodes uses visual programming software and processing it against predictions Grasshopper to link its erection from our erection sequencing stress analysis model with 3D design approach model. application Rhino. “The scripting also allowed us “Construction movements are a to extract data from the erection significant issue due to the complex sequencing approach model onto interaction between the launching Bluebeam PDF drawings, enabling truss and arch systems, which work better quality assurance and independently as the frame is erected checking. This information was used to level 10, and together thereafter,” 3D model showing directly by William Hare to set out the the six long-span explains RBG’s project lead at arches and frame during construction.” 21 Moorfields, Chris Papanastasiou. supporting trusses Monitoring variables The construction team also monitored “The second was to modify the variables such as steel temperature erection sequencing approach model, and estimated construction loading, accounting for amended element while recording survey data to stiffnesses, which could be used to compare against the predictions in the predict future movements, flagging erection sequencing approach model. any future concerns before they Another bespoke analysis tool was are realised onsite and promoting created in Rhino – using the Python conversations about tolerance programming language – to assess the adjustments during the build.” stiffness of the structural frame and its Cole says the integrated construction connections based on the survey data. methodology on 21 Moorfields has “The function of this tool was remained consistent from an initial two-fold, the first was the production sketch through to work being executed of a visualised ‘red-amber-green’ on site. “It is also a rare opportunity to plot system based in Rhino, to allow work on a project that gives us this level the team to differentiate between of live feedback during construction expected movements and installation as it allows us to calibrate our models tolerances during construction,” and improve our processes for future says Papanastasiou. projects,” he adds. ●
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28_30.CMApril21.Steelmoorfields_scW.indd 30 16/03/2021 14:32 Plotting your digital construction journey
Autodesk and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) have teamed up to create this new infographic. It'll help you visualise your journey, create a roadmap and define your next steps - leading to better project outcomes.
View at: www.autode.sk/ciob-digital-journey STEEL constructionmanagermagazine.com
Dr David Moore BCSA
Fire safety is not a common concern apply an intumescent onto a fully HOW CAN for the steel sector. However, the tragic cured primer which may have been events at the Grenfell Tower in 2017 exposed to contaminant like road salts STRUCTURAL prompted the British Constructional and site dirt during transportation of Steelwork Association (BCSA) to the steelwork to site. STEEL IMPROVE review the National Structural In winter, the necessary environmental Steelwork Specification (NSSS). conditions can be especially difficult FIRE SAFETY? A further driver was corrosion, to achieve and an intumescent may be a perpetual problem for steel in all exposed to condensation, wet weather NEW GUIDANCE AND TRAINING WILL industries, with a destructive cost and ponding before its protective IMPROVE STEEL’S RESISTANCE estimated at £1.8bn worldwide and sealer coats can be applied. These TO BOTH FIRE AND CORROSION, £46bn in the UK, including downtime, issues can cause detachment of the WRITES DR DAVID MOORE maintenance and replacement of assets. intumescent from the primer coat. Effective anti-corrosion measures It is for these reasons that the new improve the design life of structures section on intumescent coatings in and reduce structural failures. the NSSS is limited to application The outcome of the review was the in-shop rather than on site. creation of a new section in the NSSS for Intumescent systems are an Factory application of intumescent paint the specification, purchase, application essential part of a structure’s fire safety and inspection of intumescent paint. and it is important to ensure that these Both a fire protection product and systems are correctly specified, applied a protective coating, intumescent and inspected. Overall responsibility paint reacts when exposed to heat and for this task should be assigned to a swells up to provide insulation. This ‘responsible painting coordinator’. insulation, or char, enables intumescent A competent and knowledgeable coatings to provide a reactive fire person should inform authorities protection solution on structural steel; and clients that the system has its insulation properties slow down the been applied correctly, and this time it takes for steel components to information should form part of the reach their failure temperatures. ‘golden thread’ of project information Intumescent coatings can be – from specification to application – applied either in-shop (off site) as set out in the Hackitt report. or on site. However, the causes of For BIM Level 2 projects, the NSSS intumescent failures suggest that requires the steelwork contractor in-shop application is much less prone to provide COBie data – including to failure than application on site. information on fire and correction The challenges for site application protection systems – in the O&M are the adverse effects of bad weather manual issued to the client. ● HEMPEL
© during painting as well as having to Dr David Moore is CEO of the BCSA.
The BCSA has developed a training The responsible painting of steel-framed structures. It Responsible course for responsible painting coordinator will also be only applies to surface preparation, coordinators, who will oversee all in charge of ensuring that the protective coating and intumescent painting aspects of the application of both qualifications and training of those application practices carried out coordinators protective coatings and intumescent preparing the steel, the paint in-shop and not on site except systems including specification, applicators and the inspectors for repairs and maintenance of training preparation of steel, application of meet the required standards. the coating system. paint, inspection and adherence to The training course runs for BCSA hopes to launch the course BCSA course planned health and safety requirements. three days and covers most types once covid-19 restrictions end.
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protection package, was to make sure the exposed steel structures “At 25 North Colonnade, would be adequately fireproofed. we needed 80 tonnes of grit, Exposed steel has to be protected which arrived on pallets at with intumescent paint and must be basement level, then had thoroughly prepared beforehand. There to be transported through the are no shortcuts; if the steel surfaces are building to the blast floor” Warren Farrow, VariBlast not prepared to the required Sa2.5 level (under ISO 8501-1:1988 – Preparation of steel substrates before application of Compressors tend to be noisy and paints and related products) the paint as big as a medium-sized van, so they manufacturers will not guarantee the have to be sited on the ground floor or performance of their product. basement levels. LDD brought in blast-cleaning “Then, one-inch airlines are specialist VariBlast to remove installed through dry risers to the cementitious coating remnants and floor we are working upon,” explains mill scale from the steel structures, Farrow. “Usually, the compressors blast-cleaning 21,000 sq m of internal operate at 600 cfm, 170 psi – anything structural steelwork to a surface smaller would not be powerful enough preparation level of Sa2.5. when working throughout a multi- “Our first thought is the logistics: storey building.” FIREPROOFING moving specialist equipment, materials The timeframe for completion and waste safely, possibly in a building varies, depending how the steel was EXISTING STEEL that was partly occupied,” explains previously treated. VariBlast managing director Warren “If it is bare steel (typically found in STRUCTURES Farrow. “At 25 North Colonnade, we older buildings), a single operative can needed 80 tonnes of grit, which arrived blast-clean around 100 to 150 sq m a day RETROFITTING STEEL-FRAMED on pallets at basement level, then had to an Sa2.5 standard, when removing BUILDINGS WITH INTUMESCENT be transported through the building to a coating of oxidisation caused by COATINGS MUST FOLLOW STRICT the blast floor. Once used, the grit had exposure to humidity over time,” Farrow STANDARDS. CM REPORTS to be swept up, and then collected and says. “But if the steel is coated with a removed from site in skips.” primer and topcoat or even a previous Containing and controlling dust is ‘out of specification’ fire protective a necessary part of the work. coating, that slows the timeframe down “Operatives are protected by to 40 or 50 sq m per blasting operative.” supplying filtered air directly into Variblast finished its work in late their blast helmets, maintaining 2019, with coatings applied shortly positive air pressure to ensure after. Final decoration and the general that dust cannot get through,” fit out are still ongoing.● 25 North Colonnade is a commercial Above: A VariBlast says Farrow. “This, together with office in London’s Docklands, built operative works disposable FFP3 masks, ensures even on the internal in 1991. In 2018, ISG was awarded the finest particles are captured. structural steelwork the £70m contract to refurbish the “We also have to protect others Right: Rusty steel 15-storey building. Its makeover beams at 25 North in the building. The area where we features exposed soffits and internal Colonnade prior to are working must be completely steel columns and beams for a 21st blast-cleaning contained, which is best achieved century minimalist interior. by working solely on one floor of a The challenge for LDD Construction, building and denying access to other the contractor responsible for the fire trades until our works are complete.”
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER APRIL 2021 | 33
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Powering IN PICTURES: SIX INNOVATIVE USES ahead at Battersea OF CONSTRUCTIONAL STEELWORK Phase two of the redevelopment of CM LOOKS AT SOME INVENTIVE APPLICATIONS FOR STRUCTURAL STEEL, FROM south London’s A NEW WHARF FOR THE BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY TO A STATE-OF-THE-ART iconic former power station includes TRAINING GROUND FOR A PREMIER LEAGUE FOOTBALL CLUB restoration of the original Grade II- listed building and Steel erection in the addition of extreme conditions shops, restaurants, The steel-framed wharf of the offices and new Rothera Research Station in apartments. William Antarctica was completed late last Hare is installing year. Four-Tees Engineers fabricated some 24,000 tonnes 1,000 tonnes of steel in the UK, of steelwork – before shipping it nearly 9,000 miles connected into the for assembly on one of the most existing structure inhospitable construction sites on in places – working earth. BAM Nuttall is main contractor with construction for the British Antarctic Survey project. manager Mace.
34 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER APRIL 2021
34_35.CMApr21.Steelroundup_scW.indd 34 15/03/2021 18:39 constructionmanagermagazine.com STEEL
First-class delivery at Lord’s Part of Marylebone Cricket Club’s ongoing masterplan to redevelop the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, two steel-framed stands are currently under construction. The new Compton and Edrich stands are both three-tier structures which will accommodate 11,600 spectators. Severfield is providing 2,300 tonnes of steel, working with main contractor ISG.
Scoring with steel at Leicester McLaren Construction recently completed one of the largest football training centres in the UK for Premier League club Leicester City. The signature building, with a steel-framed structure erected by fabricator BHC, houses a full-size football pitch. Some 1,700 tonnes of steelwork were used for the project. Steel’s tight squeeze in Hackney The Britannia Leisure Centre and adjoining City of London Academy are being delivered by Morgan Sindall on a tight site in Hackney. An efficient structural design has maximised space on the limited footprint bordering Shoreditch Park, with some 2,200 tonnes of steelwork erected for both buildings by fabricator Severfield.
Super spans at distribution hub A major distribution centre for retailer Co-op in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, features a steel portal structural design with spans of 36m and a maximum height of 15m. Caunton Engineering, working with main contractor Winvic, erected 2.5 tonnes of steel for the 61,409 sq m facility, while separate recycling and maintenance buildings have 28m-wide and
ALL PROJECT DETAILS AND PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY NEW STEEL CONSTRUCTION NEW STEEL SUPPLIED BY AND PHOTOS DETAILS PROJECT ALL 26m-wide spans respectively.
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34_35.CMApr21.Steelroundup_scW.indd 35 15/03/2021 18:40 40_41.ads.CMFeb21.NEW Bimfiller.indd 40 13/01/2021 11:35 BIM+
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for a structure where you could open a CAN STEEL STAY AHEAD package, interrogate a model and click on a piece of steel to see its life history. IN THE DIGITAL RACE? But what does the end-user, the client want? Would anybody ever use that SEVERFIELD’S KEVIN CAMPBELL IS TRYING TO REFOCUS THE level of information? Depending on the STRUCTURAL STEEL SECTOR’S DIGITAL STRATEGY, AS HE EXPLAINS TO CM contract and the project and the purpose of the structure – if it’s an oil refinery or processing plant – then working to the actual laid-down specification can be onerous. But in reality, on most projects, does the client check? No.
Is there a place for robotics in steel fabrication? Robotic assembly is great if you’re manufacturing something small. But the steel beams we handle could be 20m long and weigh 10 tonnes, so handling the material is a challenge. We looked at the application of robotics at Severfield and whether it was viable. We felt the technology wasn’t quite ready. While the [robotic assembly] systems are quite flexible, there are only certain types of products you can give them. We estimated you could only use robotics for 40% of work; the rest has to be fabricated or Steel has a relaunched digital Is product data being commonly welded on conventional lines. technology group. Tell us more. used by steel fabricators? “We estimate The steel sector’s position was ‘we’ve When we create a 3D model of a steel you could only What other digital tech is been doing BIM for years, waiting for building in Tekla, we fully detail it use robotics steel looking at? the rest of the world to catch up’, but and generate loads of information for 40% of Our challenge is making tech like of course the world does catch up. for ordering steel, exporting into work; the barcoding [of steel products] and The British Constructional Steelwork manufacturing and management rest has to HoloLens mixed reality link with our Association (BCSA) doesn’t want the software packages. And, of course, the be fabricated production systems and Tekla. sector to fall behind. So we renamed production process and the erection conventionally” We’d like to be able to put on a the old Tekla users’ group to digital process generate information in terms Kevin Campbell, HoloLens in the factory, call up a virtual Severfield technology group. As well as Tekla of material test certificates, welder 3D image of a part, look at the actual updates, we look at the wider potential approvals, paint records and so on. piece of steel in front of us, superimpose for digital technologies, whether in a Tekla’s view is this is not all going one over the other, and then check it. factory, on site or in the office: cloud to fit in the model; you can’t export We found the resolution and different point scanning, HoloLens, integration that to an IFC and back into Revit aspects of it weren’t quite good enough into other software packages. because it’s a potentially massive for that particular application. Steel is in a good position. But amount of data and a model is not So it has a limited application we’re not sure of what’s coming next created as a data warehouse. currently, but the ability to show within BIM – what digital assets of a So, there’s work to be done if we images of a structure anywhere in building will look like, for example. want to be able to create a data pool the world can’t be ignored. ●
38 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER APRIL 2021
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47.CMMar21.GCRfiller.indd 47 15/02/2021 17:43 PARTNERSHIP constructionmanagermagazine.com
Partnership
She explains: “Hilti is about cutting- edge technology. We constantly try to innovate ground-breaking products for the construction industry because we want to help with productivity but also “Jobs that are done with health and safety. Jobs that are done quicker, with healthier quicker, with healthier workers, help the workers, help the bottom line. At the end of the day, that is bottom line” Annette Borén, Hilti great for all of us who work in finance.” Borén adds that lighter, longer- lasting tools are not only easier to need for a pressurised water cylinder, use but also have a positive impact on or a vacuum so it reduces the silica the environment. She points to Hilti’s dust where the worker is operating. handheld petrol saws. Traditionally one So it also helps the customer because tool and one insert is required for 14-inch they have a healthy, happy worker.” depths, and a second tool and a second insert for 12-inch depths. But Hilti’s petrol Changing attitudes saws have a 12-inch blade that can cut Borén admits that it can sometimes to the depth of a 14-inch blade. prove a challenge to convince firms to “Having a 12-inch blade that cuts as pay more up front for a higher-quality deep as a 14-inch blade is really great tool. But she urges businesses to look for the environment,” she says. “You beyond the upfront cost. ‘WE ALL NEED TO need one tool, one insert and it’s great “I think we all need to start to think for the finance people because you differently,” she says. “At the end of START TO THINK don’t have to buy two blades and two the day, if the tool costs slightly more petrol saws. The petrol saw is smaller, but it helps to protect the worker and DIFFERENTLY’ more compact and less heavy [than increases productivity because it works other tools on the market], which faster and also means that you don’t ANNETTE BORÉN IS NOT JUST HEAD OF means it contains less material. You have to replace someone because they FINANCE IN NORTHERN EUROPE FOR TOOL can connect it to water, without the have gone off sick, that is a significant MANUFACTURER HILTI, BUT ALSO IN CHARGE OF ITS SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY IN THE REGION. SHE TELLS CM HOW THINKING HOLISTICALLY ABOUT THE TOOLS CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES USE CAN BOOST HEALTH AND SAFETY, REDUCE THE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND SWELL THE BOTTOM LINE – ALL AT THE SAME TIME
It’s not surprising that, as head of Top: Annette Borén, finance for Hilti in Northern Europe, head of finance for Annette Borén has a head for numbers. Hilti in Northern Europe But Borén isn’t just interested in the Right: Hilti’s Jaibot pure financials – she is keen to show removes the tough companies how they can improve work of repetitive their bottom line at the same time as overhead drilling safeguarding workers and reducing from humans environmental impact through the use of high-quality, efficient and safe tools.
40 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER APRIL 2021
40_41.CMApr21.partnershiphilti_scW.indd 40 16/03/2021 14:48 constructionmanagermagazine.com PARTNERSHIP
Robots and exoskeletons Two Hilti innovations are taking construction In partnership with Hilti into a new future
When it comes to cost, Hilti also Hilti’s new Jaibot is a robot that has another solution which can help can take on the repetitive work of overhead drilling from humans. companies to see the benefits of tools Using BIM and digital planning as a without having to commit to investing base, the semi-autonomous machine in them – particularly important when has been designed for mechanical, it comes to a more costly diamond electrical and plumbing (MEP) work. The cordless system can work for coring tools or the handheld petrol saw. up to eight hours between charges and “Our tools might in some cases be has a built-in dust removal and marking more expensive and we have very system. It marks and drills holes specific tools for specific tasks but you according to a digital plan, leaving workers to simply operate the robot. advantage. Isn’t it a given that we Diamond coring can hire them with our tool hire partners To operate it, data from AutoCAD or is an alternative want workers to work in a healthy across the country, try it and think about Revit can be uploaded to the Hilti cloud, method to whether or not you want to invest. Or you environment and to be protected? traditional breaking with the site laid out using Hilti’s total “By the time they display symptoms can just hire it for a very specific job. So I station PLT 300. Hilti says the machine, from conditions like lung disease, think we open the market up to everyone. which is capable of drilling thousands of holes to a preset depth and diameter, hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) It is not just the bigger customers who can reduce the risk of human error and musculoskeletal injuries, it’s too can afford to invest in a tool portfolio.” and complete projects faster. late. It takes years and years to build The Hilti EXO-O1 human up those injuries. We need to think Productivity amid the pandemic augmentation device was launched more strategically and long-term Borén is keen to highlight how Hilti last summer. The wearable exoskeleton aims to tackle health and safety as well to protect people, and also from an tools can boost productivity – a Annette Borén as labour shortage challenges. environmental perspective.” crucial consideration when sites need The device is focused on reducing She also points out that companies CV to maintain social distancing. the strain caused by working overhead could save significant money in l 2013-present Hilti fastening tools allow for and at shoulder height and above. It Head of finance contains no motors or batteries but the long run if they use tools that and sustainability, shot-firing rather than conventional transfers the weight of a worker’s arms protect workers from long-term Northern Europe, drilling, which she argues can be more to their hips via arm supports using health conditions: “There is a wave Hilti, based in productive for some tasks, as well as mechanical cable pulling technology. Manchester of litigation coming to compensate cutting down on dust. Meanwhile, Developed with orthotics expert l 2012-2014 people impacted by these conditions. using diamond core drills instead of Ottobock, it is claimed that it can Non-executive reduce peak load on the muscles and But by using the latest innovation board member breakers also creates far less dust and relieve the shoulders by up to 47%. and technology we can reduce this. of Swedish bank requires fewer workers to clean up. Sparbanken “We already have alternative Öresund “The difference in productivity methods for protecting people from l 2008-2013 between using a breaker all day long dust and silica, such as shot firing Vice-president or using a diamond corer that does the and diamond coring, which operate and chief financial cutting is tremendous,” she says. alongside the best possible systems officer of telecoms “Solutions like lasers and direct company Doro for completing tasks traditionally fastening mean you can work quickly l 2005-2008 where there is no alternative, such as Finance director of and efficiently, which is key to reducing drilling or breaking. We don’t need Länsförsäkringar contact between workers. Social to stick to the way we have always Skåne distancing on jobs like aligning objects l done things. It is important to create 2001-2004 such as cladding, ceilings and dry lining Regional manager/ awareness and talk about it.” sales director is a struggle but with Hilti’s tools you “We take a holistic approach and of financial firm can overcome these problems easily.” develop a full system,” she explains. Skandia Coming back to the theme of Hilti’s l 1996-2001 “When we develop a tool, we don’t think Financial controller, holistic approach, she concludes: “It about just one thing such as HAVS, we Atlas Copco benefits everyone: it benefits the worker, think end-to-end about the full impact it benefits people like me who oversee True innovation takes a holistic the tool will have for people, on the the P&L, and it helps our customers to approach to demanding tasks environment and on productivity.” get the job done quicker.” ●
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER APRIL 2021 | 41
40_41.CMApr21.partnershiphilti_scW.indd 41 16/03/2021 14:49 GLOBAL constructionmanagermagazine.com
Global
preparations for extreme weather CAN BIDEN PLUG events going back to 2010. ASCE defines a D grade as one THE LEAKS IN US up from F, which means unfit for purpose, with assets being “in fair “The number of high-hazard- INFRASTRUCTURE? to poor condition and mostly below potential dams has more than standard, with many elements doubled in the past two decades THE NEW PRESIDENT HAS A MAJOR JOB ON HIS approaching the end of their as development encroaches on HANDS TO OVERHAUL AMERICA’S CREAKING DAMS, service life”. once-remote structures” ROADS AND RAILWAYS, WRITES ROD SWEET “A large portion of the system exhibits significant deterioration,” The US is paying only about half its it says. “Condition and capacity are bill on infrastructure is a long way bill for adequate infrastructure, with of serious concern with strong risk from being paid off”. dams, schools, roads, airports and of failure.” One of the most pronounced transit systems all getting ‘Ds’ in the There is some good news. For funding gaps concerns the country’s latest quadrennial infrastructure the first time in 20 years, US 91,000 dams, of which the number ‘Report Card’ issued by the American infrastructure’s grade point average of high-hazard-potential dams has Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). hit C-, up from a D+ in the last report more than doubled in the past two Releasing the report on 3 March, in 2017, helped by a B in rail and decades as development encroaches ASCE warned that the total slight improvements in aviation, on once-remote structures. ASCE investment gap has gone from drinking water, energy, inland cited the Association of State Dam $2.1tn (£1.51tn) over 10 years to waterways and ports. Safety Officials’ estimation that the nearly $2.59tn (£1.87tn), and that a But bridges went down, slipping to number of deficient high-hazard- failure to close it would cost $10tn Flooded a C, while stormwater, graded for the potential dams now exceeds 2,300. (£7.21tn) in lost GDP and three intersection in first time, received a “disappointing ASCE said $93.6bn (£67.5bn) needed million jobs by 2039. Austin, Texas during D”. Overall, 11 of 17 categories were to be spent on dams this decade, the thaw following “When we fail to invest in our the February 2021 stuck in the D range, which ASCE said while just $12.5bn (£9bn) had been infrastructure, we pay the price,” snowstorm was “a clear signal that our overdue earmarked for the period. ASCE said. “Poor roads and airports mean travel times increase. An ageing electric grid and inadequate water distribution make utilities unreliable. Problems like these translate into higher costs for businesses to manufacture and distribute goods and provide services. These higher costs, in turn, get passed along to workers and families.” The warning came as a sub- committee of the US House Committee on Oversight and Reform launched an investigation on 3 March into the operator of Texas’ power grid, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), for its part in leaving millions of Texans without electricity during the February storm that left dozens dead. It demanded
documents relating to ERCOT’s JNO.SKINNER
42 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER APRIL 2021
42_43.CMApr21.global_scW.indd 42 16/03/2021 14:59 constructionmanagermagazine.com GLOBAL
Number of American bridges considered structurally deficient 46,154
Schools represent the second biggest infrastructure expenditure after highways, and yet the data ‘I’m drawn to talent’ indicates that 53% of public school Engineer Dr Hamza Momade helped districts report the need to update organise a project management competition or replace multiple building systems, in Ontario, Canada, for students struggling including HVAC systems. More than a to showcase their talent during the pandemic. third of public schools have portable Rod Sweet spoke to him buildings due to capacity constraints, What led you to set up the Ontario with 45% of these portable buildings Project Management Competition? in poor or fair condition. Meanwhile, Before the pandemic there were as a share of the economy, state many networking events that allowed capital funding for schools was students to showcase their talent. But with face-to-face events cancelled, it down 31% in fiscal year 2017 has been tough creating good rapport compared to 2008. virtually. Poor mental health is on the ASCE says schools need $870bn rise as graduates struggle with student (£624.7bn) this decade but are set to loans. Canada also has a large influx of foreign skilled workers competing for receive $490bn (£353.5bn). the entry level jobs, so it all mounts up.
Structurally deficient How does the competition work, and Of America’s more than 617,000 what has the response been like? bridges, 42% are at least 50 years It has been taking place for six years in Vancouver and we adopted the idea old, and 46,154 of them are for Ontario with help from the Project considered structurally deficient. Management Institute (Toronto) and Across these structurally deficient Wideman Education Foundation. bridges, 178 million trips are taken Teams of three to five students present a project that supports the UN every day. ASCE notes a recent Dr Hamza Momade MCIOB is a project Sustainable Development Goals. Their estimate of the national backlog of manager for Canadian residential idea has to be costed and scheduled bridge repair was $125bn (£90bn), developer Averton and must follow all the principles of and that this work would not be project management. They speak for complete until 2071 at the current Tell us about your background. 15 minutes, and then take questions I’m from Mozambique. It was a for 15 minutes from the judges, who are rate of investment. challenge growing up because professional project managers. Spending on bridge rehabilitation we didn’t have schools or reliable The response was great. Twenty-four should rise 58% a year, to prevent US infrastructure electricity, so I studied in the kitchen teams from colleges and universities “overwhelming” deterioration, report card issued by from sunrise to sunset. When I and four around the province submitted projects, the American Society others sat the GCSE exams, we were and 12 were selected as finalists on ASCE says. of Civil Engineers, the first to do so in the country. 20 February. The finals took place on Roads got a D, with ASCE March 2021 I was the only one of that group to 27 March. Employers liked the idea, too. saying that more than 40% of the pass university entrance exams and Nine showed an interest in sponsoring network is now in poor or mediocre I did my bachelor’s degree in Civil the competition, and we picked four. condition. “Federal, state, and local Engineering at the University of East The lead sponsor is one of Ontario’s London. I landed my first job with a biggest developers. governments will need to prioritise CIOB Chartered Company and became strategic investments dedicated a chartered member. And what do you get from it? to improving and preserving I completed my master’s in Civil I’m drawn to talent. I wanted to help roadway conditions that increase Engineering and PhD from Universiti spotlight the talent that’s there under Teknologi Malaysia, and I’ve been the surface of the industry, which it public safety on the system we involved in design and construction needs to improve productivity and have in place, as well as plan for the management of warehouses, innovation. I believe construction is not roadways of the future, which will commercial and residential spaces in just about building, but also building need to account for connected and Malaysia, Singapore and now Canada. lasting relationships. autonomous vehicles,” ASCE said. ●
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER APRIL 2021 | 43
42_43.CMApr21.global_scW.indd 43 16/03/2021 14:59 LEGAL constructionmanagermagazine.com
Legal
Manoj Bahl “The ‘pass/fail’ nature of FTI Consulting the protocol should make it easy for parties to understand what is required of the A scalable tool for creating construction programme” effective programmes So, creating best practice guidelines for THE NEW CIOB PLANNING PROTOCOL 2021 AIMS use in the production and verification of a TO REMOVE THE SUBJECTIVITY THAT OFTEN EXISTS construction programme would clearly be of WHEN ASSESSING SUITABILITY OF A PROJECT huge benefit to all those involved in the life of PROGRAMME, EXPLAINS MANOJ BAHL a project, and resolving disputes afterwards. For the tool to be relevant to all the stakeholders, broad planning expertise and input was required. Paul Taylor, from Mace’s planning team, and Keith McCall, from the Arup project management team, joined me to provide their extensive experience. Between us, we identified the key elements which a programme ought to comply with (stress tests), and guidelines (thresholds) which could be universally adopted by project teams to produce or verify a programme to assist in the management and timely delivery of a project. From a practical perspective, the ‘pass/ fail’ nature of the protocol should make it easy for parties to understand what is required of the construction programme, removing the subjectivity that often exists when assessing suitability. The result of this work is a tool, specific to the UK industry but intended for use internationally, which is being used by contractors, project managers and clients to assist in the preparation of high-quality programmes. It also ensures The new CIOB Planning Protocol 2021 aims time pressures, unknowns and a lack of due that a reliable programme is available to to help planners create robust schedules diligence – and often only a limited review of help resolve time-related disputes, and and mitigate risk. Previously known as the the programme is undertaken by an employer. has been used as the starting point for a CIOB Programming Protocol, this is the This often results in inadequately produced number of delay analyses. institute’s latest initiative to drive forward programmes being adopted by a project team. Manoj Bahl is senior managing director in the successful delivery of projects in the This can make it difficult, if not impossible, the construction solutions team at industry and it is a powerful one. to understand the forecast completion date, FTI Consulting. The CIOB Planning Experience shows that the production progress, the planned or as-built critical paths, Protocol 2021 is available to download of a programme by a contractor is often the impact of change, or the liability for any free from www.ciobacademy.org/product/ flawed from the outset of a project – due to delays. This adversely affects all stakeholders. ciob-planning-protocol-2021-ciob-pp21.
44 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER APRIL 2021
44_45.CMApr21.legal_scW.indd 44 15/03/2021 18:23 constructionmanagermagazine.com LEGAL
Richard Ormerod Elecosoft
Using software to “A schedule quality check can mitigate programme risk be built in Powerproject as RICHARD ORMEROD EXPLAINS HOW a combination of tests from THE CIOB PLANNING PROTOCOL a choice of 29 recognised 2021 CAN BE USED WITH SOFTWARE industry metrics” TO IDENTIFY HOW WELL A PROJECT HAS BEEN PLANNED If a metric fails it is highlighted and can be queried to see all the tasks which contribute to the failure – very useful in detecting and resolving issues and not just knowing that a problem exists. An SQC can be saved in a library of checks, copied between projects and exported to help the propagation of standard tests. Tony Lonergan, head of planning at Canary Wharf Contractors, has been Creating a detailed and accurate plan tasks exist in the schedule they will not using this tool for several months now is crucial to the successful completion of respond to changes or progress updates, and has used the protocol successfully for construction projects. Working with a good so it is considered a failed test. formulating and publishing guidelines for a software tool is a key component but the Also, a ‘long durations’ metric checks robust project programme. skill and attention to detail of the planner is whether tasks exceed a desired maximum. “A technically compliant programme a critical factor to the quality of the plan. If tasks are too long, they do not have enough that captures the core principles of good The CIOB Planning Protocol 2021 (PP21) detail to be monitored during the work and planning practice is fundamental in provides a way to check and benchmark the their state of progress is hard to assess. This is creating a document that can be trusted and quality of a plan by comparing it against considered poor planning practice. For PP21, relied on by the whole team,” he says. a recognised set of standards. Previously, 100% of tasks must be less than 44 working “As a business, we place time only a US standard and internal company days (approximately two working months). management at the centre of good protocols were available. delivery. We always seek to implement Elecosoft has integrated PP21 within its Variations and breaches the principles set out in the protocol. Powerproject software since May 2020 and PP21 is a guide to good practice and under As it is included within project planning its schedule quality check (SQC) is widely the circumstances of a particular project the software such as Powerproject, this in use. Planners can use this tool to check if results may vary and breach some aspect new tool and guidance allows us to their plan complies with the standards of the of a metric. This is acceptable as long as the automatically run these checks on any new protocol. An SQC can be built in Powerproject situation can be adequately explained to the project programmes.” as a combination of tests from a choice of 29 satisfaction of all parties to a contract. Through its capability to check plans recognised industry metrics, and individual For example, the project may be over against recognised standards, the CIOB thresholds can be set. When the SQC is five years long and some of the later Planning Protocol 2021 will help measure executed, an overall score is available and a project scope is less certain so some and improve the quality of construction detailed report is produced, which gives a tasks might exceed the desired maximum plans and mitigate risk, bringing increased value to rank the robustness of the plan as duration allowed under PP21. confidence to clients and contractors at a red, amber or green plus numeric scoring. In the Powerproject SQC, a pass or fail time when that is increasingly important. For example, a ‘Link Logic’ metric is boundary can be set so that warnings are Richard Ormerod is construction sector included which checks that tasks have at raised as well as failure highlighted. The manager at Elecosoft, the developer of the least one incoming and one outgoing link – metric passes if 100% of tasks are less than Powerproject project planning software. except the start and end tasks. For PP21, 44 working days, but only fails if 5% are He has been involved in the production of all tasks must pass this test. If unlinked greater than 44 working days. the CIOB Planning Protocol 2021.
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER APRIL 2021 | 45
44_45.CMApr21.legal_scW.indd 45 15/03/2021 18:25 CAREERS constructionmanagermagazine.com
Careers
about genuine flexibility; it can be a mix What’s it like working at… of working from home and on site/in the BAM Construct UK office. It will vary across roles but will be considered for all at BAM. “Our culture is that people care Culture club What are you doing to boost diversity? about the business and each other. LOOKING AFTER EMPLOYEES IS Again it’s about culture not initiatives. We involve people in our business, A BUSINESS STRATEGY NOT AN We have a diversity group and we have so they have a connection to HR ONE AT BAM. HR DIRECTOR employee resource groups (ERGs) on what we are doing” ANDREA SINGH TALKS TO CM gender, BAME, LGBTQ+ and carers. They comprise 30 people from all levels of What is your USP as an employer? seniority. They showcase materials, case Building as a training provider four years Our people are our product. It is important to studies, educate and write blogs, among ago, BAM has significantly increased the look after our people because they are who other things. I work with the ERGs to make number of female apprentices enrolled on deliver to clients. Our research shows us that sure that we assess the D&I (diversity and its Level 4 programme from 20% to nearly our clients praise us for our people. inclusion) impact of anything we do. 30%, compared to just one in eight (12.5%) Our culture is that people care about the We are planning a year of action including construction workers nationally. business and each other. We involve people WISE membership, involvement with The apprenticeship programme is also in our business, so they have a connection to Stonewall, signing up to the Business in five times more ethnically diverse than what we are doing. Community Race charter and working with recorded in the construction sector. BAME other external organisations. representation stands at 35% compared How do you look after staff wellbeing? In BAM Construct 35% are women (55% to less than 6% of construction workers As with everything, we take the approach that in BAM FM) but among our new joiners we nationally. The inspiring diversity of staff in wellbeing is not an HR issue but a business saw an increase of over 40% in female staff, the Leeds College of Building lecturing team one. It works bottom up and top down. so we are seeing the benefits of work we’ve is a significant benefit to the apprenticeship We have a mental health steering group done, such as using gender neutral language programme. made up of people from across the business for recruitment ads. Data is key. We make sure we have a at all levels. It exists to challenge the stigma, It’s all about working with the right baseline and measure against it so that we can to raise awareness, to deliver toolbox talks partners. Since choosing Leeds College of measure progress and keep accountable. ● and run awareness days. We also explore issues with physical space – on site and in the office – looking at issues such as green spaces and light. For mental health we support our managers so they can support their teams. We offer mind fitness training, guides for managers, have pledged to the Time To Change campaign as well as committed to the Building Mental Health Charter. We have 100 mental health first aiders and 140 wellbeing champions.
How do you enable staff to manage the work/life balance? Covid has fast-tracked employers many years into new ways of working. In 2019 we were trialling new ways of working on one
of our sites. But in a future, post-covid world PALIN TREVOR there will be a blended approach. It’s now Singh: “BAME apprentice representation stands at 35%”
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Apprentices can build a safer future The apprenticeship levy can help the industry train staff in building safety, says Ashley Wheaton
We are fortunate to work across the UK The construction industry Job spotlight is currently experiencing a and occasionally abroad on many significant Tom Flemons very real lack of appropriately Stonemason and manager of Cliveden buildings; it is a real privilege to be involved qualified staff, particularly Conservation’s Bath workshop in safeguarding our heritage. in the important area of building safety. The good news is that the Obviously you need expert knowledge to do industry already holds part of the solution: its passionate and dedicated workers. A key Art and craft what you do. How did you acquire your skills? message from the Hackitt report, written after I initially undertook a three-year City and the tragic event of Grenfell, was that these NO TWO WORKING DAYS ARE THE SAME Guilds apprenticeship with a marble masonry professionals working in building safety need IN A CONSERVATION WORKSHOP company, attending Vauxhall College. I appropriate qualifications to inform the work that they are doing. then moved on to study architectural stone University College of Estate Management conservation for a year at Weymouth College. (UCEM) gets to play its part in realising a After working for a few years as a mason/ safer built environment through education. conservator I was privileged to be awarded a Our academic team worked with a supportive place on the William Morris Craft Fellowship employer base to create our BSc (Hons) in Building Control, Building Control Surveyor run by the Society for the Protection of Ancient degree apprenticeship and Construction Site Buildings (SPAB). I have spent over 30 years Management degree apprenticeship. in the field and find that you learn something Employers now have the opportunity to every day; from colleagues, fellow professionals lead the industry in the right direction by ensuring their staff are suitably qualified. I’m or from the buildings and objects we work with. aware that the covid-19 pandemic continues to be disruptive, however, I would argue that You won the 2020 Gwyn Watkins award in it’s an opportune time to be looking at the part for encouraging craftspeople. What potential of your staff and investing in them, can the industry do to keep these skills? with many employees currently using this time to evaluate their career options. Training is vital in our industry and the more With the apprenticeship levy in place, there support given to colleges the better. In my field is little room for the argument that educating there are less and less institutions offering staff is too expensive. Smaller businesses only apprentice training in stonemasonry. On large- need to pay 5% of the training costs for an
RALPH HODGSON apprenticeship programme, and larger ones can scale projects, training can be a prerequisite use their levy pot for 100% of training costs. Tom Flemons is a recent recipient of the part of the tender process, which is a good I also hope that the industry is fully aware SPAB Gwyn Watkins Award 2020 for his start but there is insufficient trickle down. by now that apprenticeships can be used as a outstanding contribution to traditional My role at Cliveden Conservation involves means to train any employee, not just college building skills. He has over 30 years’ practical training to help organisations such leavers. I’m delighted that UCEM currently has 89 apprentices aged 40-60 studying with experience in masonry, conservation, practice as the National Trust and English Heritage us, proving that it’s never too late to learn. and management. He is also an advisor to develop and nurture skills. We are also Helping to ensure that our buildings are the National Trust on stone and plaster. developing CPDs to share best practice. safe has never been more important. A key We need to enthuse schoolchildren and priority therefore, is to ensure that the people who are responsible for safety in our industry What is a typical day in your role? demonstrate the variety of roles out there, have the necessary training and qualifications I manage a workshop for Cliveden the job satisfaction to be found and the fact needed so that they can play their part in Conservation in the West Country. For me, no that a university education is not the only providing the highest quality buildings for two days are the same, so I don’t really have a route into the world of work. ● both current and future generations. ‘typical day’. Projects are very varied because For further information about employing an apprentice visit: www.ucem.ac.uk. Cliveden Conservation undertakes work with Ashley Wheaton is a principal at University stone, plaster, terracotta and the decorative College of Estate Management. arts. Our portfolio varies in type and scale, requiring project management skills to
oversee the conservation of buildings, with Hundreds of the best jobs in construction. a similar skillset required for smaller-scale Recruitment news and insight. In association with works to treasured objects and artefacts. www.constructionmanagerjobs.co.uk
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CIOB Community
“Regardless of the role an individual has in retrofit, membership of a building conservation certification scheme will help to demonstrate competence”
The building conservation certification scheme accepts a far greater number of roles within industry than any other scheme. Candidates must have some knowledge and experience of working on traditional buildings, although this does not need to be on buildings in conservation areas or listed buildings. Certification Those who do not hold specific conservation qualifications are required to undertake the CIOB’s CIOB conservation scheme two-day Understanding Building Conservation course. welcomes retrofit roles Regardless of the role an individual Certification programme expands entry has in retrofit, membership of a requirements to include the sector building conservation certification scheme will help to demonstrate The CIOB’s Building Conservation The CIOB scheme, which is Top: Stonemasons competence. ● Certification Scheme has expanded its suitable for individuals working and roofers at More information can be found work on major entry requirements to certify individuals on traditional or listed buildings, roof repairs at at: https://www.ciob.org/ working within the retrofit sector. was launched in June 2017 in Dyrham Park, a Your-Career/ciob-building- It applies the same criteria as response to a growing demand for historic mansion in conservation-certification-scheme. other similar certifications, but with certified conservation specialists, Gloucestershire To find out if you are eligible or energy-efficiency and sustainability, in providing individuals working for more information, please recognition that climate change must on these buildings with a route to contact Laura Stirling via play a part in everybody’s role. certification. [email protected].
Heritage The CIOB has announced that its international stage will set out what and the latest research – as well annual conservation conference is is possible in terms of change for as the unexpected consequences Annual CIOB returning for 2021 on 21 April. so-called ‘hard to treat’ buildings. of inappropriate interventions to Titled Balancing Heritage and This virtual conference will traditional buildings. conservation Sustainability, it will focus on engage the audience to explore not Speakers will come from conference returns sustainability in relation to heritage just what has been achieved but organisations including Historic and traditional buildings and what needs to be done in future – England and English Heritage. dealing with climate change. and how to achieve these aims. The conference will run from Sustainability will be focus High-profile speakers from Themes explored will include best 9-5.30pm and can be booked on for April virtual event different fields in the UK and the practice, retrofit standards, science the CIOB website.
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E-learning CIOB Academy partners up for
Story for Community? Email Nicky Roger asset training [email protected] Specialist e-learning
Sustainability The CIOB Academy and Asset Wisdom have come together to form a partnership to spread asset Member gears up management knowledge throughout the building and housing sectors. Asset Wisdom offers specialist for cargo-bike study e-learning to build corporate and Structure Tone’s Ryan Healey takes part in individual asset management knowledge. For the individual, south London alternative deliveries trial this offers a professionally recognised career path in asset management. For corporates, it enables significant and sustainable business performance NEW VICE improvement by developing and embedding asset management CHAIR FOR competency and confidence to LONDON across the organisation. NOVUS The academy offers two courses in asset management: the Asset Anjali Pindoria, Management Foundation Award project surveyor and the Asset Management at Avi Contracts, Certificate. The Foundation has become the Award is an introduction to asset vice-chair of the management, providing learners CIOB London Novus with understanding of basic Committee. theories and languages of asset A renowned management. The certificate is a public speaker 14-module course providing full on EDI issues, Pindoria (pictured) coverage into the fast developing was one of three discipline of asset management. guest editors of Both courses are suitable for the special Women construction professionals in Construction looking to gain extensive March issue of knowledge of asset management Construction to progress their career. Manager. Adrian Montague, associate director of the CIOB Academy, said: “We believe there is a growing demand for asset management (AM) knowledge across the building and housing sectors. This is being driven, in part, to meet the major challenges post Grenfell, the government’s net- Left: A cargo zero decarbonisation targets and bike crosses application of new technologies as Southwark Bridge well as the need for whole life, whole systems investment decisions. One CIOB member has been part of One initiative investigated “We are delighted to partner an exemplar trial in sustainability alternative deliveries. A two-week Asset Wisdom so that we can involving delivery. trial took place where all three offer our membership proven AM e-learning that will offer individuals Ryan Healey, a senior project constructors shared a loaned cargo a new career pathway, add value to manager at Structure Tone, took bike for a variety of activities, such as our corporate members’ staff and part in a collaboration involving TfL, collections from Dulux. business alike and start to address Southwark Council, Mace and Sir The bike was supplied by Raleigh the challenges we face today and in the future.” Robert McAlpine to set up strategies and rider training by Pedal Me. For more information, email: to raise construction standards at the A full case study is planned once [email protected]. Bankside development cluster area. the trial has been completed. ●
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third-level institutes around the Event country. Second place was taken by Virtual Irish Limerick Institute of Technology and Letterkenny IT came third. roadshow tackles Donovan said: “We all worked well the big issues as a team – each bringing their own knowledge and skillset to each task Dublin and Belfast get together asked of us.” for week of talks and webinars The task required the teams to consider a project comprising a Dublin & Belfast hubs ran their first warehouse and administrative virtual roadshow recently, with building. They had to produce a a week-long programme of daily report and presentation which webinars and presentations. looked at the procurement, risks Caroline Gumble, CEO of CIOB, and programme. opened the roadshow, while Amy Each team had 10 minutes to Gough, CIOB director of membership, present their work, followed by five talked about brand changes. minutes of questions from the judges. A roundtable discussion, led by The top three teams were then asked Mark Devenport, former BBCNI identical questions, based on the task political editor, saw trustees Ivan Competition itself and also on an industry topic. McCarthy and Noel McKee, Belfast The winners were announced by Hub chair Roger Gillespie and CIOB president Mark Beard, who Dublin Hub chair Derek Cassidy Students impress spoke of young people being the discuss a variety of issues including future of the industry. Brexit, attracting young people to in Ireland challenge He talked about the 2030 Vision the industry and the resilience of Munster takes home the top prize Project, which he launched, that construction. in first online student event ensures CIOB “stays at the vanguard Other highlights of the week of construction in a future that reflects included training talks from Adrian Munster Technological University is Judges at the virtual the global needs of the next wave of Montague from the CIOB Academy this year’s winner of the CIOB Student event inspect the talent and younger members”. and Barry Neilson, MD of CITB NI. students’ work Challenge Ireland. Sinead Savage, one of the judges, The roadshow closed with a talk The team, which comprised Shane commented: “This was a very from CIOB president Mark Beard and Brown, Stephen Donovan, PJ Duggan, different event to previous years a networking session where members and Conor Evans, supported by their and posed new online challenges for were randomly matched and had lecturer, Joe Kehoe FCIOB, won the everyone involved.” their ‘elevator pitch’ at the ready. first-ever virtual Student Challenge The event was sponsored by CIF, The roadshow was supported by Ireland, beating teams from six other Ardmac and Mitchell McDermott. ● Tughans. ●
CMYA The CIOB has opened applications Awards (CMYA). This year CMYA very much looking forward to seeing for a second year for its international plans to be back at London’s JW who makes the shortlist this year.” CIOB starts search CIOB Rising Star Award. Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel This award is free to enter and The category is for those who on 29 September to celebrate the open to members and non-members. for rising talent have been in the industry for seven finalists and winners. Judges will look for evidence of years or less and demonstrated CIOB chief executive Caroline contribution within the last 12 months, excellence in their work, the Gumble said: “It’s so important to and your employer must nominate industry and among their peers. recognise new and emerging talent, you. The closing date is 18 June. Deadline for Rising Star The award is presented at the especially at a time when our industry For more information, visit www. Award entries is 18 June Construction Manager of the Year is facing a skills shortage, and I’m cmya.co.uk/rising-star-award.
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Lianne Lawson Meet a member Lianne Lawson, construction manager, Willmott Dixon
Training Why construction? I became really Greendale Construction strengthens interested in the SPECIALIST industry as my apprenticeship programme BECOMES older brother CBC completed his Poole-based Chartered Building Company architecture invests in construction talent Dorset-based degree and I was finishing my A-Levels. firm Rebuild Cost I looked at his coursework and thought Assessment how amazing it would be if I could turn has achieved that drawing into reality. And I wanted a Chartered Building job that wouldn’t be the same every day. Chartered Builder Greendale spending two weeks’ work experience Consultancy status. I studied BSc Construction Through its online Construction has taken on two with Greendale in 2019. Management at university, and portal, www.rebuild new first-year apprentices. Wright will be studying towards became a site engineer, which led costassessment.com, The new recruits join the Poole his three-year NVQ Level 3 in site to project management. I’ve worked the firm has on some terrific buildings, such as a firm’s second- and third-year carpentry, mentored by one of helped around manufacturing research facility for apprentices, strengthening Greendale’s senior site carpenters. 40,000 residential AMRC at the University of Sheffield. I was and commercial Greendale’s commitment to training. Maria Seabright, the firm’s then given my own project to deliver, insurers avoid being Jacob Barton, 19, joins the finance/HR director, said: “Training the international pathways centre for underinsured. the University of York, where I was award-winning company as a for the future of the construction Director Will nominated for the Construction Manager first-year electrical apprentice. He industry and offering young people Molland said: “We’re of the Year Awards – a real honour. will be studying at Bournemouth the opportunity to specialise in a delighted to have been accepted as & Poole College for his Level 3 trade which will set them up with What achievement in your career has a CIOB Chartered given you most satisfaction? electrical installation/maintenance a career for life has always been a Building Consultancy. apprenticeship, while working priority for Greendale. “This will help As we entered our first lockdown in March 2020, I was leading a team closely with Greendale’s electrical “And never more so than during us demonstrate delivering the £21.6m Dixons Trinity manager and gaining site experience, this time when many companies to our clients our competence and Chapeltown Academy project in Samuel Wright, 17, the second new have been forced to put their professionalism in Leeds. Knowing 980 essential school apprentice, joined straight from St apprenticeship programmes on hold assessing rebuild places were needed for the 2020/21 Aldhelm’s Academy after previously due to the covid-19 pandemic. ● costs.” academic year, failure to complete would create enormous problems. We innovated, used technology and problem-solved to embed the Committees The Novus group in the Yorkshire Construction Leadership Council’s Site region continues to enjoy growth. Operating Procedures, keeping the Yorkshire Novus site open and productive. Our works Jake Morrish stepped down after groups keep up completed just two weeks later than four years as chair of the Leeds scheduled. However, as we were eight the momentum Novus committee. Sam Dibaj, chair weeks ahead of schedule when the of Leeds Hub committee, called pandemic hit we were able to hand Leeds and Sheffield aim to him a real asset to the group and over ahead of the customer deadline. build on past successes Our customer had submitted my said the growth of Leeds Novus was team for a Department for Education a testament to his hard work and (DfE) award for ‘Going Above & Beyond enthusiasm. in Covid-19’, which we won! Jordan Reid has taken over as chair, How would you like to see the with Hamish Minshull as vice-chair. construction industry change? Reid and Minshull are looking to keep We have already made huge progress, the momentum going – attracting with a real desire to become a truly new members and delivering a diverse and inclusive industry. I think stimulating calendar of CPD events. the next decade will see construction Left: Jordan Reid, become a leading industry on diversity, Sheffield Novus has gone from the new chair of along with sustainable development strength to strength and will the Leeds Novus and the use of digitalisation. announce its committee soon. ● committee
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Clockwise from top left: Lin Qi; Don Sibe; Rachael Keeble; Joshua Waterman
Novus; Don Sibe, junior planning engineer at Kier Group in Dubai and vice-chair at Novus-CIOB UAE; and Joshua Waterman, associate director at Turner & Townsend. Sibe was inspired by Beard’s vision of a CIOB that “stays at the vanguard of construction in a future that reflects the global needs of the next wave of talent and younger members”. He loves its global nature: “It is great to know the UAE is included and the OBITUARY: Vision 2030 is not just for the UK.” BERNARD Qi joined as she is passionate about IMMS shaping the industry. “I wanted the Bernard Imms sadly opportunity to champion the best passed away on 27 interests of the younger generation, January 2021. He especially women, into the engineering was 94 years old. and construction industry.” Imms (pictured) became a member of Being a part of the group provides 2030 the CIOB in 1968. In her with an excellent opportunity to 2001 he was made an positively influence change: “As an honorary member. Young professionals advocate of diversity and inclusion In 1951 he obtained an HND in I wanted the prospect of inspiring a building at Brighton shape the future of CIOB greater number of diverse members Technical College. He to join the CIOB and to ensure that went on to work as Steering group of CIOB’s 2030 Visionary Project the importance of diversity and a quantity surveyor is set to announce further plans soon inclusion has an emphasis in the and estimator for a number of different 2030 vision.” companies in the In June 2020 CIOB president Mark Consultations with members began Waterman too saw joining the group south of England. Beard announced the launch of the last summer and the 2030 Visionary as a “once in a generation” chance to Most of his career CIOB 2030 Visionary Project. Steering Group led by Rachael Keeble, help shape the future of the body. was spent working for John Hunt in The initiative aims to set up a global a senior project manager at 3PM, He said: “It’s important to make Gosport (1958-1976), vision for the CIOB based on industry will announce plans soon. sure the CIOB can support and help where he ultimately best practice and where the built Also involved are: Lin Qi, assistant students and young professionals became a company environment should develop over the project manager at LM JV (Laing through their careers in the future, director and a fellow of the CIOB. next decade, analysing emerging trends O’Rourke and Murphy Group Joint exactly like it hugely helped me Imms ended his and implementing new technologies. Venture) and chair of Birmingham during my career.” ● career as a lecturer in quantity surveying and estimating at Meeting The Midlands and Eastern Novus team CIOB Midlands & Eastern University Crawley College ran a successful new student rep Reps are: Emily Cardy, Tim Hale, of Technology Student reps meeting recently. A dedicated group of Louis Shortland, Abigail Cofie, (1977-1996). early-career professionals attended, Shifa Saif, Sam Lloyd, Phil Kenyon, He was married to step up for CIOB representing the CIOB and their Jack Ruane, Aaron Mcphie, Jane and is survived universities from across the region. Gurshakti Singh, Toochi Chigbo, by three children, The CIOB thanks Lin Qi and Cameron Ryan Apps, Jonathan Asiegbunam, six grandchildren MacKenzie for pulling an excellent Rhys Jones, Gael Kayombo, and five great- University construction presentation together and driving the Danielle Miller, Bradley Trickett, grandchildren. professionals get on board initiative forward. and Scott Drewery.
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Partnership
on community need, apprenticeships Beyond carbon and sustainable materials, the scheme is delivering one of London’s most Making heritage sustainable should be the new community-engaged heritage projects. normal. Why aren’t we there yet, asks Grace Herring Urgent improvements are underway. of Sir Robert McAlpine Special Projects Replacing the roof and modernising the crypt will improve energy efficiencies and deliver new visitor and community spaces with safer, fully accessible and Pictured outside St Marylebone compliant entrance routes for all. Parish Church, The £10m scheme, partially funded Samuel Wilson by the National Lottery Heritage represents the new Fund, will also provide individuals generation of skilled tradespeople. starting their heritage careers with an A former apprentice, opportunity to develop skills through currently SRM workshops and hands-on experiences. package manager, he is studying with the Building Crafts On-the-job training opportunities College to combine Owing to the strong link between heritage skills with St Marylebone Parish Church and his knowledge the Building Crafts College, Sir of MMCs and 3D modelling Robert McAlpine will facilitate the employment of multiple final year masonry and carpentry students during the project, providing on-the-job training and experience. The 200-year-old church will remain open, allowing public worship, the St Marylebone Healing and Counselling The refurbishment of our existing future if they are cared for by skilled Centre and the Marylebone Health buildings is going to play a critical people, and if the occupier understands “Heritage Centre to continue. We have put role in cutting our carbon emissions, – and cares for – their building. buildings measures in place to minimise disruption as the UK aims to transition to net At the CIOB conservation conference hold intrinsic to worshippers, visitors and people zero carbon by 2050. last year, Sir Robert McAlpine value and working in the building, maintaining As Historic England’s Heritage Special Projects, along with other importance its presence as a community hub. Counts research has shown, distinguished speakers, discussed what over and “Heritage buildings hold intrinsic demolishing a historic building and the industry can do to make traditional above their value and importance over and above replacing it with a new one can result in craft skills more accessible. How do we carbon their carbon capture. They have been greater carbon emissions by 2050 due make sure that existing building stock capture” proven to increase wellbeing,” says to the associated embodied carbon. is cared for and repurposed when we Hannah Prowse, Hannah Prowse, head of national The social, economic, cultural and have a traditional skills shortage? English Heritage projects, English Heritage. environmental benefits of restoring A cross-industry group of heritage If we truly value our historic and repurposing existing buildings experts is working to facilitate this buildings, we must count the whole- are clear: they form part of our culture and we use every opportunity to life carbon of them. We must also and the identity of our streetscapes address the issue on our projects. prioritise the expert trades, architects and villages. It is our duty to break The St Marylebone Changing Lives and consultants who will enable this down the barriers to make heritage project, led by the Grade I-listed to happen for generations to come. ● more accessible to all. Historic assets St Marylebone Parish Church in central Grace Herring is proposals coordinator, can only be part of our carbon-friendly London, is a good example. Focusing Sir Robert McAlpine Special Projects.
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Below: New flooring and suspended ceilings were introduced Bottom right: Racking had to be removed through the narrow doorways
narrow entrance doorways using a new 10m-high reach excavator purchased especially for this project. The coating of the roof area and spraying of the perimeters of the external cladding around a live industrial state were complex too, says Ward. “Tasks required a great deal of site team coordination and collaboration. “Despite these project challenges and amidst a wider context of national covid-19 restrictions, I’m proud of the entire project team’s effort to progress the refurbishment – keeping the site open and adapting in line with CLC guidelines and Public Health England to provide a safe working environment. And the results speak for themselves: CBRE Me and my project equipment and due to the fragile Global Investors successfully let the flooring in the roof void and top of the building to leading British meal kit Cool runnings chambers, we were also responsible retailer Gousto on a 10-year term.” for installing a new mansafe system Ward adds that his team also Managing the refurbishment of a temperature- with a special harness that would received very positive feedback from controlled unit proved complex but rewarding deliver you safely to the floor below the project management team, with for Pexhurst site manager Mick Ward. if you fell through,” explains Mick Dan Roe from Trident commenting: He shares his experience with CM Ward, site manager with Pexhurst. “Your delivery team runs a tight In addition, all existing shutter ship; your response to covid-19 and ChillBox is a major temperature- doors and dock levellers were either health and safety both from a site and controlled facility in Thurrock, repaired or replaced. The external company perspective was excellent.” Essex, serving the metropolitan face of all cladding and curtain Ward sums it up: “Logistically area. It is one of the south-east’s walling was sprayed, along with a speaking, this was one of the largest and largest logistics buildings, with a new coat to the roof. Finally, the team most challenging jobs I have managed floor space of 18,225 sq m across tested, validated and commissioned in my 23 years with Pexhurst, but this five individually controlled various aspects of the mechanical and made the outcome and the success of chiller chambers. electrical installations, focusing on the project all the more rewarding. Works consisted of a Cat A fit out Project team the sprinkler system, fire alarms It really is one of those milestone to the internal main offices on the and chiller chambers. projects that I’ll never forget.” ● Location: ChillBox, ground and first floors, forming a Thurrock, Essex “The building, while unique, new open-plan office environment Project manager: was in a very poor state of repair with new flooring, suspended ceilings Trident Building and transforming it into a sleek, Consultancy and a new LED modular lighting functional and modern industrial Client: CBRE system. In addition to the office Global Investors building in a very tight programme space, the wall panelling was Value: £2.3m proved to be challenging at certain deep-cleaned and a new resin floor Programme: points,” says Ward. coating applied to all five chambers. 26 weeks (January- All five chambers featured original September 2020) “To futureproof servicing Site manager: 10m-high racking which had to be requirements for the building Mick Ward removed and manoeuvred through
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and can expect to build upon their CIOB Annual Conservation meditation and to use and apply it to Diary dates competence, confidence and Conference: Balancing Heritage your life. The speaker will cover what knowledge of the built environment and Sustainability meditation is, as well as techniques HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CIOB sector – developing skills, sector 21 April, 9am-5.30pm and applications. CALENDAR FOR THE COMING know-hows and will take away top The 2021 annual CIOB Conservation tips to excel in their future career. Conference focuses on sustainability Construction and Covid: What Now? MONTH. ALL EVENTS ARE This is a free-of-charge in relation to heritage and traditional 22 April, 6-7pm ONLINE WEBINARS UNLESS student-only event and you must be (pre-1919) buildings and dealing with Join the CIOB London Hub for a OTHERWISE STATED a CIOB student member to register. climate change. This year’s conference panel discussion, looking at different CIOB student membership is free will be virtual, using Hopin as the event perspectives on the immediate and of charge for full-time students. For platform provider. Tickets cost: long-term future for construction. Bristol Mayoral Debate 2021 more information on becoming a l CIOB member: £25+VAT Learn from peers and experts how 8 April, 4-5pm student member, please check out l Non-member: £35+VAT challenges have been tackled On 6 May, Bristol holds its third the membership route. l Students and apprentices: £15+VAT. and what the long-term outcomes mayoral election (postponed from might be for the industry. You’ll 2020). A collaborative partnership of How Local Authorities Achieve Project Controls hear four perspectives, ranging the CIOB, Institution of Civil Engineers Net Zero Carbon 21 April, 12-1pm from risk and project management, (ICE), Royal Institute of British 20 April, 1-2pm In this webinar project controls through contracting, to the legal and Architects (RIBA), Royal Town Planning Join Arnab Mukherjee, head of capital professional Dale Healey will be commercial challenges we face as Institute (RTPI) and Constructing projects at Wokingham Borough joined by 4/5D & BIM expert Jimmy we head into the rest of 2021. Excellence South West are hosting Council, and the project team for a Bettega to discuss how robust a debate for candidates to outline live webinar on how local authorities project controls increase certainty on The Need to be Inclusive in and be quizzed on their aspirations, achieve net zero carbon. project outcomes. Both offer project Construction – EDI ideas and plans around placemaking, The session will focus on a controls services through LogiKal, 29 April, 5.45-7pm infrastructure and the climate. case study of a recent project and which specialises in providing Sarah Sorrell, surveyor and access Mukherjee will be joined by: the industry with award-winning Consultant for Oakley Estates, will CIOB Student Festival Tim Searle, senior construction project controls and performance present a webinar looking at the 7-8 April, 10am-3.15pm project manager at Wokingham management services. need to be inclusive, how to be an The CIOB Student Festival brings Borough Council; Vince Ruane, accessible business and designing together our global student director and founder of RCDC, a Meditation for Real Life with access in mind. She will cover community in a two-day festival building services and sustainability 21 April, 6.30-7.30pm the legislation and obligations driving that will provide an insight from consultancy; Alex Pullin, project With everything the world is throwing this. Key documents are the Equality industry and academic leaders architect with HLM Architects; and at us right now, it is more important Act 2010, BS8300.2.2018 and Part M across the spectrum. Paul Ruddick, the CEO of REDS10, than ever to look after ourselves both of the Building Regulations. Student members will hear of a main contractor with established mentally and physically. As part of the personal reflection, industry best modern methods of construction CIOB London Hub Wellbeing series, For a full list of events and to register practice and future career guidance and zero-carbon credentials. this webinar will give an insight into visit ciob.org.
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COP26 AND CONSTRUCTION | MODULAR STEEL | BUILDING OVER THE TUBE [email protected] Editorial advisory board responsibility for damage or their safe 01.CMApr21.Cover.indd 1 16/03/2021 15:11 Managing director: Mark Beard FCIOB, Ann Bentley, return. Printed by Precision Colour Stephen Quirke Peter Caplehorn, Ian Eggers, Printing. All rights in the magazine, [email protected] Harvey Francis, Professor Jacqui Glass including copyright, content and Circulation: Net average 30,887 FCIOB, Shelagh Grant, Paul Morrell, design, are owned by CIOB and/or Audit period: July 2019 to June 2020 James Pellatt, Richard Saxon, Phil Wade Atom Media Partners. ISSN 1360 3566
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