Roger Bisby

Roger Bisby is an English television presenter and journalist, known for his expertise in the British building industry.

NASC updates free scaffold specification template

Scaffold Specification Template

The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has launched an updated version of its user-friendly, free Scaffold Specification Template (Guide to Managing and Appointing Scaffolding Contractors). The popular scaffolding guide  is designed “to improve the quality of scaffold structures erected on construction sites and other works of engineering maintenance in accordance with current legislation, guidance and protocol and to minimise …

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Security upgrade for Mumford & Wood range

secure windows

Mumford & Wood Conservation sliding sash windows are now SBD certified to meet Approved Document Q – Security. “To the untrained eye the Conservation sash window looks no different to its predecessor, so much so that even burglars won’t see this until they have struggled with the security features and, of course, timber offers better strength to weight ratios than …

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Construction Company Sentenced

Construction deaths rise

A London based construction company has been fined for safety failings. Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how RS Construction UK (London) Limited was working at a site on St Dionis Road, London which was inspected by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The inspector found there was an excavation directly behind the front door, which was the only entrance and exit …

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Are you breathing safely?

Learn about asbestos

UKATA explains the importance of following HSG247 guidance – particularly concerning respirators The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) has highlighted the importance of government guidelines surrounding Asbestos: The licensed contractors’ guide (HSG247) to ensure proper removal of asbestos. One area of particular concern is people often not being aware of rules on wearing respirators, and thus significantly increasing the risks …

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How to: Level a floor with self levelling compound

Level a floor with self levelling compound

In this video Roger Bisby demonstrates how to level a floor with self levelling compound for the best results as well as talking through how to get the best out of latex modified self-levelling sub-floor compounds. In this example Roger uses Bostik’s Cempolatex to level a floor with self levelling compound, but the theory applies to most self levelling screeds …

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Fein AFMT 12 Cordless MultiTalent

AFMT 12 Cordless Multitalent

Powertool manufacturer Fein has released its latest “Feeling FEIN’ Cordless MultiTalent video tool review. The ‘Feeling FEIN’ reviews focus on getting FEIN’s products into the hands of professional tradesmen. Each tradesman has been using a specific FEIN power tool and has given their honest feedback on camera. In this review, Ian Ellis from IBE Joinery (Kitchen Fitters) tests the FEIN …

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Demolition Contractor sentenced over multiple safety failings

Construction deaths rise

A Hertfordshire based contractor has been found guilty for a series of safety failings across two separate sites. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) received a complaint in March 2014 from a member of the public living close to the former Chesham Community Hospital site in Buckinghamshire, concerning activities taking place on the premises. When HSE inspectors arrived they found …

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When asbestos removal goes wrong

asbestos removal

UKATA explains what to do when the best laid plans fail. In the light of several cases where asbestos has been incorrectly removed, or improperly disposed of, the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) is reminding everyone of best practice on how to handle asbestos and while all steps should be taken to avoid accidents, what needs to be done in …

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Safe as houses (or schools?)

school building closures

The partial collapse of a school wall in Scotland has led to the closure of 17 other schools in Scotland while urgent checks are carried out.  Thankfully nobody was killed or injured in this incident but it does raise some interesting points; first about the design of these 10 year old buildings and also about the inspection during the build. A …

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DEWALT introduces 18V brushless, cordless planer

DCP580 Planer

New from DEWALT is the DCP580 Planer which the power tool manufacturer says is the world’s first 18V brushless, cordless planer. The new technology pairs an efficient brushless motor with a high capacity XR battery, working in tandem to provide maximum output and excellent runtime. DEWALT says the DCP580 has enough runtime for a typical day’s work from just one …

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Local Firms Vital to Building More Homes, Says Labour Shadow Minister

John Healey site visit

Labour’s Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning John Healey MP visited a housing development in Aston, Sheffield last month to highlight the importance of local house building companies being able to deliver more new homes. Mr Healey was visiting the Parklands View development in Aston, built by Sheffield-based firm W. Redmile & Sons. The visit was organised by the Federation …

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Which 18v Drill is Best?

Which 18v drill is best?

If you're thinking of buying an 18v drill and you're wondering which 18v drill is best, Skill Builder has some useful resources that might help you to make a decision.

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How to stop roof tiles being blown off

roof tiles blown off

Roger Bisby tries out the Innofix clip from Redland, a useful clip that prevents storm damage by stopping roof tiles from being blown off when it’s windy. Despite the change in the standard BS 5534 Code of Practice for roof slating and tiling there are still a lot of cowboy roofers out there laying interlocking tiles without any fixings.  Nobody …

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Product review: Knauf Airless Finish Light

Knauf Airless spray plasters

Roger Bisby share his findings on Knauf’s new airless spray plaster, the Knauf Airless Finish Light. Knauf has had an unenviable task in the UK; trying to take on British Gypsum with trowel applied traditional plasters was always going to be a challenge but they have certainly established themselves with boards and made good inroads with projection plastering. But projection …

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Rotherham Council chooses Saint-Gobain External Wall Insulation for renovation project

find land for development

The Saint-Gobain Weber External Wall Insulation (EWI) system has been selected by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) for a property renovation project of 37 Dorlonco system-built homes in the Rawmarsh area of the town. weber.therm XM EWI with weber.rend RB Render Brick finish has been installed on these hard to treat properties providing greatly improved thermal performance while at the …

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Mira adds colour choices to Safe spectrum range

Mira Flight Safe Colours

Mira Showers – the UK manufacturer of showering products and accessories – has introduced a selection of contemporary colour choices to its popular Flight Safe range of anti-slip shower trays. Aimed at boutique and premium hotels, home-owners and  retail showrooms; Flight Safe now comes in Anthracite Grey, Titanium Grey and Taupe – as well as classic white. The colours are …

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South Devon plumber left illegal gas work in a dangerous state

Construction deaths rise

An unregistered gas fitter has been sentenced for illegally installing a gas boiler and undertaking landlord’s gas safety checks at a tenanted property. The boiler he installed was later classed as dangerous. Christian Winter, 35, trading as CJS Winter Plumbing & Heating Services of Ashburton, Devon installed the gas boiler at a property on Park Road, Kingskerswell. He then undertook …

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Milwaukee M18 FID-0 review

Milwaukee M18 review

Roger Bisby believes that impact drivers are way too powerful for most jobs and many  lack the intelligence to know when less is more. Has Milwaukee got the answer in its M18 FID-0? I never thought I would say this but impact drivers have become a little too good at their job. As each respective manufacturer seeks to leapfrog the competition …

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