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Evo-Stik Expands Foam Range

Roger Bisby
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Evo-Stik Expands Foam Range

Evo-Stik has added a Fire Retardant Gun Applied Expanding Foam Filler to its range of foams.

Said to offer a more accurate and efficient application through the use of a gun, the fire retardant filler can be used for gap filling and insulating to prevent the transmission of smoke and is fire rated to the latest European standard DIN EN 1366-4.

The B1 grade foam is suitable for filling large, irregular or awkward gaps between brickwork and cladding, as well as around ductwork. It can also be used to insulate and fill around door and window frames where a fire rating is necessary.
It’s suitable for use on a wide variety of building substrates and offers excellent adhesion to wood, brick, stone, concrete, plaster, wallboard, hardboard and metal surfaces. Once cured it can be sanded and painted.

Find out more at Bostik.

UCATT to become part of Unite

Dylan Garton
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UCATT to become part of Unite

UCATT  has voted for a merger or transfer of engagements to Unite the Union following a period of financial difficulty.

The dedicated construction workers union said it made the decision in order to preserve its existing structures and to maximise the representation of construction workers in all sectors.

Following the vote UCATT will now enter into full negotiations with Unite the union. Once negotiations are complete a vote on a transfer of engagements of all UCATT members will take place.

The vote is said to have occurred following a full, frank and passionate debate about the union’s future.

Brian Rye, Acting General Secretary of UCATT, said: “UCATT delegates listened to the arguments both in favour of remaining independent or a merger or transfer to Unite and decided that the best option for existing members and for all construction workers was a link up to Unite.”

www.ucatt.org.uk

There is a tide in the affairs of men: Swansea tidal lagoon should be a no-brainer

Roger Bisby
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There is a tide in the affairs of men: Swansea tidal lagoon should be a no-brainer

19/05/2016

A few years ago, while on a walk along the South Coast of England, I came across a place just outside Newhaven called Tide Mills. Unfortunately there is not an awful lot left to see because the British Army used it for target practice with artillery shells and they were a little too accurate.

It might not have the architectural significance of some ancient monuments currently being blown to smithereens by religious fanatics but it still seems to me that it was a bit of short-sighted vandalism. Nevertheless from what is left and the on-site information boards you can work out what had been there and it is very impressive. The idea was to harness the power of the tide to run, what was then, the largest grain mill in England.  It was way ahead of its time in terms of harnessing green energy. If you look at the various options for generating carbon free electricity, the tide is by far the most reliable. You get two tides a day and each tide gives you two generating cycles. By building a large lagoon you can store up enough water to run the turbines almost continuously.

There is, of course a considerable capital cost, in building a tidal lagoon and installing turbines but once it is up and running it has a life expectancy of over a hundred years. Solar farms, wind turbines and nuclear power plants fall way short of that. The Swansea Tidal Lagoon is an imaginative and brilliant scheme that has so many benefits for us and future generations that it should be a no-brainer. It now has planning permission and the teams of engineers are ready and willing to build it.  The intention was always for it to be funded privately but that could only happen when investors knew what return they could expect. The Government  dragged its feet over this and only recently arrived at a figure. It is almost as though they wanted the project to wither on the vine.

If all we leave future generations is the waste from our nuclear adventures and spent fossil fuels we will rightly be condemned by history

Historically South Wales was the powerhouse of  the UK providing coal and steel in exchange for a pittance. It was a scandalous bit of exploitation. There was no long-lasting benefit to the local communities and it is now an economically depressed area. With the Port Talbot Steel Works teetering on the brink the area badly needs the jobs that a project such as the Swansea Tidal Lagoon will bring. This pilot project will also give the UK valuable experience in tidal projects and provide a springboard for our nation to undertake similar projects all over the world.  Any country with a coastline is a potential customer. Faced with such a proposition I am certain that the Victorians, who built that tide mill down near Newhaven, would have been fighting each other off  for the chance to invest. By contrast our government has been mean-spirited in its response.  It seems we are all too willing to plunder all the resources this planet has to give but we are way too reluctant to embark on projects that will benefit, not only us but future generations. If all we leave them is the waste from our nuclear adventures and spent fossil fuels we will rightly be condemned by history.

“There is a tide in the affairs of men.
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures.”

William Shakespeare

Mercedes-Benz introduces dual-clutch automatic Citan

Dylan Garton
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Mercedes-Benz introduces dual-clutch automatic Citan

Mercedes-Benz Vans has introduced dual-clutch automatic transmission versions of the Citan which are priced from £15,820 and will be available from June 2016. Selected Citan 112 variants will be available to order with the new 6G-DCT automatic transmission.

Citan panel van and Tourer models with the 112 petrol engine can benefit from the double clutch transmission, which combines the comfort of a six-speed automatic transmission with the driving dynamics of a manual gearbox in a compact and light-weight design.

The six-speed dual-clutch transmission consists of two sub-transmissions, each with its own clutch. As one transmits drive to the wheels, the other has pre-selected the next gear. This is said to allow for near seamless gear changes without loss of tractive power, high levels of driving comfort and convenience.

The Citan is priced from £15,820 excluding VAT for the 112 panel van long 6G-DCT, and £17,900 for the Tourer long variant.

Mexco simplifies blade selection

Roger Bisby
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Mexco simplifies blade selection

I have written many articles on diamond blades over the years explaining how each type of blade works and the enduring message is that there is still no such thing as one blade that is optimised for all tasks.  As much as you might try we recognise that there is a lot of information to hold in your head when you go to buy a new blade or core bit. It is also a lot to ask of the merchant or tool outlet to provide in depth details on each and every blade. Diamond Blade specialist Mexco recognised that there was a real need for good clear information at the point of sale on what the blades in their range do. They have produced  a merchandiser that holds all the key blades in their range with easy to follow information beside each row and under each blade. In essence they have managed to reproduce several pages of their catalogue in a single vertical display.

The impact on sales has been remarkable. The independent merchant I visited, (William Way of Godstone)  told me that sales had more than doubled but more importantly they are not getting returns from people who would previously have bought a  blade only to find out it didn’t do what they wanted it to. With more blades going out of the door and none coming back the merchant can now view diamond blades and core bits  as a hassle free sale, which was not always the case.  In fact the display has been so effective that customers are not even bothering to look at any alternative brands. Builders and plumbers seem very happy to have a merchandiser unit that  answers the questions they might not even have thought to ask and to be able to make their choice in a fraction of the time it would previously have needed.

Since the launch of the Builders’ merchants stand Mexco has now added a plumbers version which is being rolled out through plumbers’ merchants. Obviously the focus for plumbers is more on core bits but plumbers also need smaller blades for 100mm angle grinder. The smaller blades come as continuous rim for cutting ceramic and porcelain tiles to the segmented bade which is useful for cutting in roof tiles around soil stacks and boiler flues. All that seems to be missing from Mexco is the ‘I’ but you can bet your life that plumbers and builders all across the country will ask for Mexico blades. In fact to that end I typed it in on Google and up came Mexco scrolling down a bit I also found a selection of very gruesome looking knives.

Government approves new plastering apprenticeship standard

Dylan Garton
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Government approves new plastering apprenticeship standard

A new apprenticeship standard for plastering has been approved by the Government as part of the trailblazer initiative, with a new bricklaying standard to be agreed in the near future. The new standards, which have been designed as part of a collaboration led by construction SMEs from across England, will be rolled out as soon as autumn 2017.

Welcoming the news, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), said: “Developing the new standards has been an exciting process, which FMB members are proud to be playing a part in. The new bricklaying and plastering apprenticeship standards have been driven by a dynamic group, consisting of training providers, awarding bodies and – crucially – employers who are determined to drive up the quality of training in the construction industry. Given that two-thirds of all construction apprentices are trained by SMEs, no businesses are better suited to lead this piece of work. However, although FMB members are leading on this piece of work, it’s important to note that these standards also have the official backing of our industry more broadly, following an extensive consultation process.”

Berry concludes: “The Government has a target to create three million new apprenticeships by 2020 but quantity must never come at the price of quality. We’re pleased that the Government has supported us in our mission to design standards that are highly skilled for these vital trades. We believe that the new standards we are developing will ensure that future generations of bricklayers and plasterers will not only have excellent technical knowledge and craft skills, but will result in young people with careers that are packed full of potential. Importantly, the people who enrol in these apprenticeships will be well placed to work for either a large contractor or a small micro-business – it’s vital that our industry offers new entrants this kind of flexibility.”

Skills Minister Nick Boles MP commented: “I congratulate all the employers involved in designing the new Plastering apprenticeship standard. By giving leading employers the power to design and deliver high quality apprenticeships we are giving people the vital skills our businesses need. We are committed to three million apprenticeships by 2020 because apprenticeships deliver benefits to employers, apprentices and the economy.”

Darlington man jailed for illegal gas work

Roger Bisby
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Darlington man jailed for illegal gas work

A Darlington man has been jailed for carrying out illegal gas work on three occasions.

Teeside Magistrates’ Court heard Neil Simon McKimm (trading as Macs Plumbing Services) carried out gas work including servicing boilers. McKimm used the alias of a legitimate gas engineer to deceive his customers.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Neil McKimm repeatedly falsely pretended to be a legitimate Gas Safe engineer and falsely signed official records in the name of a legitimate gas engineer.

Neil Simon McKimm (trading as Macs Plumbing Services and alias as Robert Welsh), of West Moorland Street, Darlington, was found guilty of breaching Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; Regulations 3(3) and 3(7) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, and was sentenced to prison for eighteen months.

HSE inspector Paul Wilson said after the hearing: “Gas work must be carried out by properly registered Gas Safe engineers, and HSE will robustly pursue those that break the law.”

For further information on Gas Safety visit: www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/

Just 12% of construction students becoming apprentices

Dylan Garton
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Just 12% of construction students becoming apprentices
Construction union UCATT has accused the government of pouring money down the drain after discovering that while 167, 000 young people started training courses for jobs in the construction industry in 2014/15, in that same year only 18,000 secured an apprenticeship in the building trades.

The figures were divulged – via a UCATT Freedom of Information request – by the Government’s Skills Funding Agency which showed that on average, around 150,000 students a year start a course in construction and yet just 12 per cent get an apprenticeship.

Skills shortage

According to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the construction industry needs 46,400 new entrants every year for the next five years. And that figure is relatively modest. During a boom year, like 2008, the CITB forecast was that 75,000 new entrants were required.

High drop-out rate

Even if young people can secure an apprenticeship the drop-out levels are close to 50 per cent. In 2014/15 18,140 apprentices were undertaking training for an NVQ 3 but only 8,030 had actually achieved this benchmark level the previous year in 2013/14 and could embark on a career in construction.

UCATT Acting General Secretary, Brian Rye, said: “I’m horrified by these figures. What a waste of talent and Government money, to take these young people through a course and then have them ignored by the construction industry. We have a well-documented skills shortage in the construction industry and we have major constructors failing to take on apprentices. And yet hundreds of thousands of young people who want to work in the industry, who have taken the first step into the industry by taking a course – are just left on the scrap heap.”

UCATT says the figures are particularly alarming as the only recognised qualification in the construction industry is the NVQ and these can only be secured if the trainee is undertaking regular onsite training. The certificates issued for people who take a classroom based course are considered by the industry to have no value.

Without an NVQ a worker cannot obtain the correct CSCS card which means that they cannot get access to the majority of organised sites and has a huge effect on their pay potential.

Mr Rye added: “This is a calamity for the British construction industry. Young people are being thrown to the wind. Hundreds of thousands of talented, enthusiastic young people are having their career hopes dashed by a complacent and self-serving industry. UCATT is calling on the major constructors in this country to make contact with these colleges, meet the students and start giving the best ones a chance in the industry. In an industry crying out for skilled labour we need to act now. It really isn’t rocket science.”

www.ucatt.org.uk/research-reveals-huge-number-classroom-construction-courses-dearth-apprenticeships#sthash.GswndGm9.dpuf

Makita saw review: Tungsten Carbide Tipped Holesaw

Roger Bisby
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Makita saw review: Tungsten Carbide Tipped Holesaw

In this Makita saw video Skill Builder reviews the Makita D-51297 9 Piece TCT Universal Holesaw Kit.

The Makita saw kit can be used to cut a wide variety of materials including, vitrified ceramic, bricks, plaster board, plastics, melamine, hard woods, chipboard and MDF. It is robust and durable with strong TCT teeth which produce excellent results.

Features include:

  • The Quick Release pilot drill and the core body not only allow speedy size changes but is a safer method for the user.
  • PROTect SDS arbor is specially shortened to prevent accidental hammer action engaging, protecting the core from damage.
  • The enlarged boring chamber and the waste exhaust slots ensure speedy drilling is achieved and vibration is controlled to a minimum due to the optimised body geometry.

Comes with:

  • 6 Holesaws in sizes: 22, 35, 51, 57, 64 and 76 mm
  • Pilot Drill 10 x 100mm
  • TCT Pilot Drill 8 x 100mm
  • 13mm Hex Shank adaptor for 19-105mm diameter

The Makita saw kit is available from: www.toolstop.co.uk

Plumbing tips – an easy way of air testing pipe work

Roger Bisby
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Plumbing tips – an easy way of air testing pipe work

In this video Roger Bisby demonstrates a cheap easy way of testing for leaks in your plumbing.

Plumbers often test pipes by puttting water in them which can be a bit of a disaster.

Roger suggests an alternative method of air testing pipe work using a schrader valve and an ordinary foot pump.

There are now kits available for air testing pipe work but if you don’t have one to hand this is a cheap easy alternative.

Roger says it is a method which has saved him a lot of stress over the years.

Roger also provides some key safety tips for the testing process.

Single-use moulded masks

Dylan Garton
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Single-use moulded masks

Honeywell has introduced a new range of single-use, moulded masks featuring a PU foam seal that has been designed to improve safety, performance and comfort.

The 800 series masks are made of high performing, humidity and low breathing resistant material making them well suited to environments where workers are exposed to hazardous materials found in dust, mist and fumes.

The filtering facepieces (FFPs) are available in classes FFP1 and FFP2, with and without a valve depending on the application, and are said to need only minimum adjustments to provide a comfortable and secure fit.

The single-use masks can also be easily worn with safety spectacles or goggles, so that the wearer is able to maintain a good field of vision while carrying out tasks. The mask’s high performance exhalation valve adds to the overall performance and enhances comfort to enable the respiratory protection for a maximum of 8 hours.

The shell incorporates an arc ribbing, which has been designed to ensure that the mask retains its shape, a metallic nose clip that makes it easier for the user to fit the respirator around the nose, and highly flexible and resistant double elastic straps welded outside the filtering material to decrease any risk of leakage and help to increase stability and fit on the workers’ face. As an added enhancement, the masks’ ultra-light respirators (from 8 to 14g) minimise wearer fatigue and increase wearer acceptance.

The Honeywell 800 series is not only fully compliant with applicable EU standards, but it has also undergone an optional Dolomite test to ensure a high resistance to clogging. This means that the mask can be used for a long period of time while maintaining its performance in breathing resistance and filtration.  Finally, the single-use masks do not contain any latex, PVC or silicone, which prevents irritations and the risk of allergies.

www.honeywellsafety.com  

Coloured Hard Hats Standard to Improve Safety on Construction Sites

Dylan Garton
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Coloured Hard Hats Standard to Improve Safety on Construction Sites

Build UK, the building contractors association, has released a new industry standard covering the use of different coloured hard hats on construction sites.

The Safety Helmet Colours Standard uses simple colour coding to identify on-site personnel in an attempt to provide a clear and consistent approach to improve communication and safety across construction projects and promote best practice within the industry.

The standard requires site supervisors to wear black hard hats with slingers and signallers in orange, site managers in white and everyone else in blue.

Trained first aiders and fire marshalls should wear stickers on their helmets.

At the same time, Build UK has also introduced a Training Standard, which was developed in response to the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) recommendation to specify and promote card schemes carrying the CSCS logo, will help contractors to assess the competence of construction workers, along with their eligibility to work on-site.

Coloured Hard Hats

Coloured Hard Hats Feedback

The response from Build UK members has been extremely positive according to Julie White, Chairman of the Training and Skills Leadership Group: “We’ve had some great, open discussion at our Build UK member forums and it’s fantastic to see the new industry standards taking shape.

Both the Safety Helmet and Training Standards provide clear and practical help for everyone working on-site, showing that by improving our working relationships and using our collective voice, we can make a real difference to the industry”.

Suzannah Nichol MBE, Chief Executive of Build UK, adds: “Health and safety is a priority for Build UK and we are delighted with the positive response from our members who have welcomed the latest standards, which aim to make life easier and help them meet the increasing demands of working on-site.

We will continue to bring the contracting supply chain together to engage intelligently and collaboratively in policy debates ensuring that Build UK, as the voice of the industry, leads positive and meaningful change”.

Turn Your Ideas into Reality Urges Gripfit Fixings Founder

Dylan Garton
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Turn Your Ideas into Reality Urges Gripfit Fixings Founder

Jordan Daykin, the owner of GripIt fixings and the greatest success on Dragons’ Den to date, is urging fellow inventors and entrepreneurs who work in trade professions to turn their great ideas into reality by entering the Travis Perkins Innovation Awards (TPIA) before the 30th June deadline.

Now a £14 million business, Jordan and his GripIt fixings are a testament to the importance of innovation and making the most of any opportunity to turn an idea into reality. Travis Perkins plc, the distributor of building materials, launched TPIA to discover and nurture ideas similar to GripIt fixings, with a focus on moving the industry forward and solving the everyday frustrations of trade professionals.

Jordan commented: “My only choice was to go on television to secure investment, develop my product, and get a foot in the door with national stockists; I would have loved an audience with TP and would have jumped at the chance to enter these awards if they were around when I first started!

“Travis Perkins is offering the chance for anyone with a great idea to go straight to them – this is really a great opportunity that could change someone’s life.”

Jordan started GripIt fixings from his garden shed when he was only 13. His universal plasterboard fitting secured investment from Deborah Meaden on Dragons’ Den in 2014 and has since become a business worth £14 million. His product is even stocked in companies within Travis Perkins plc, including Travis Perkins and Wickes.

The closing date for entries to the first ever TPIA is 30th June 2016. Open to anyone in the construction industry, as well as inventors, universities, students, and colleagues from across Travis Perkins plc, entries can be simple sketches to detailed proposals.

Prizes may include financial investment and business support for product and idea development, an opportunity to trial products in selected Travis Perkins plc locations around the UK, or business mentoring and support from Travis Perkins plc’s senior team.

Organised by the Innovate team at Travis Perkins plc, the main sponsor is Marshalls.

The Cladman One Man Cladding Device

Roger Bisby
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The Cladman One Man Cladding Device

Roger Bisby meets James Gibbons, from Sitebuddyz, suppliers of a device called the Cladman which turns the job of putting up sidings or claddings from a two man job into a one man job.

With one person cutting and one person fixing, Sitbuddyz estimates you can complete jobs at three times the speed it normally takes.

Acting as a second pair of hands the Cladman supports the boards leaving the hands free for fixing, while maintaining consistent overlapping accuracy, right up to the soffit.

The sprung loaded rubber roller offers easy manipulation of the boards into position, preventing slipping thereby avoiding possible damage.

The Cladman accommodates board widths of 125-225mm, and a thickness range of 8-38mm. The overlap required can be set anywhere between 5 – 85mm, ideal for aligning board edges with window and door reveals. Setting the board overlap requirement is quick and simple and once set will not vary during use.

With lightweight construction, steel reinforced joints, each Cladman weighs just 0.9kg yet will support heavier cladding with ease. The incorporated spirit level adds an easy visual check on board alignment during installation.

Kingspan Tribune Xe Indirect Cylinder Installation

Roger Bisby
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Kingspan Tribune Xe Indirect Cylinder Installation

Pre-plumbed cylinders are usually the choice for new build where they have plenty of people to move the units into the airing cupboards before fitting the doors but I like the look of them and I  had already decided that on my next cylinder installation, I was going to try a pre-plumbed unit. It isn’t that I find it difficult to plumb up an unvented cylinder but when you start adding up the cost of all the controls and zone valves the material costs are surprisingly similar between the package deal and the plumb-it-yourself option. The thing that really persuaded me was that we had one week to install a new boiler and cylinder, take out the old ones, strip out all the rads and put underfloor heating in the entire ground floor. The considerate customers had gone skiing giving us an empty house but it was made clear to me that if it wasn’t all up and running by the time they got back on Saturday I would be putting them up in a local hotel and there was no way I was going to do that because there ain’t no cheap hotels in London.

I took delivery of the Kingspan Tribune Xe Direct Cylinder and Worcester CDi Classic system boiler the week before we started. I had measured the loft hatch and knew we would have to remove the loft ladder and take out the stop beads to get the cylinder up through the hatch. It went, just, and there were no scratches on that lovely white casing.

A full up 210-litre cylinder weighs something like 230 kilos so we had to make sure it was positioned over an internal wall. We built a stud wall next to it for the boiler so we had a nice short run for the flow and return.

The architect specified a Vailant but I changed it to a Worcester CDi Classic system boiler because I believe it is the most reliable boiler out there. You can argue with me if you want.  It was only when I came to do the installation that I realised that there was a circulating pump and expansion vessel supplied with the cylinder that would not now be required. I could either have ordered the cylinder without the pump and expansion vessel or gone for a heat only boiler. As it was we had an extra pump and expansion vessel. I was happy enough about the extra expansion capacity because the underfloor heating circuits pushed the water content up to the limit of the boiler expansion.

The great thing for me and my mate Steve was that the zone valves were pre-wired and ready to hook up to the ground floor and first floor. Kingspan also supplied a programmable stat. for one floor and a programmer with a heat sensor for the other floor. This would allow us to control the DHW from the programmer. All we had to do was connect the primaries, the cold supply and the hot water outlet and the pressure relief pipe to the tundish.

Heat losses
There is always a trade-off between the amount of insulation you put around a cylinder and the size. If you go too far you won’t be able to fit it in an airing cupboard. The architect had specified a 210 cylinder but if we had gone for a slightly smaller capacity we could have had an A-rated cylinder and relied on the 30kw boiler to provide a rapid recovery. That would have been my preference because you can even order a CDI with an internal diverter valve to prioritise the DHW.  That said, Kingspan has managed to reduce the heat loss of the cylinder by an impressive degree by using a side tapping for the hot water outlet and incorporating an internal air bubble for expansion plus a whole load of other little tweaks. The lack of a top tapping means that the top of the cylinder is fully encapsulated and there is no convection up through the outlet.

Every plumber knows that not everything goes well but on this job, we were blessed and it went like a dream. We started on Monday morning and did civilised days and by Thursday afternoon we were filling up. There were no leaks or dramas which was amazing because I had somehow managed to leave out one olive on the underfloor manifold. It didn’t leak and it only came to light the next day because we had one olive left over in the fittings bag.

So the customers came home to a warm house and hot water pressure that more than matched that in their ski chalet. Given the fact that we removed a 30-year-old floor standing conventionally flued boiler that was working on gravity primaries to an unlagged copper cylinder we were fairly confident that their gas bills were going to be halved. To help things even more we had installed 80 mm of Kingspan insulation in between the ground floor joist and laid the underfloor heating which was set to run at 50 centigrade to give a nice low temperature even heat.  That said I still have some reservations about putting cylinders in ventilated roof spaces even if they are very well insulated cylinders and so I have recommended that they build an enclosure from insulation board to reduce the heat losses even further.  All those little improvements add up to a lot and that really is the  philosophy behind the development of the Kingspan Tribune Xe Direct Cylinder.

Kingspan Tribune Xe Direct Cylinder

  • Up to 45% extra insulation for reduced heat loss Built-in thermal expansion spaces eliminating the need for an expansion vessel
  • Designed for use with 3kW immersion heater – can be used alongside ‘low tariff electricity’
  • Suitable for all-electric buildings off mains gas supply
  • Duplex stainless steel for ultimate peace of mind
  • Suitable for fully pumped circulation and sealed primary systems. Not suitable for gravity circulation
  • Wide range of capacities – from 120 to 300 litres
  • Low running costs
  • 25-year guarantee on basic vessel and 2-years on components, subject to T&C’s

*T&Cs apply 25-year guarantee on basic vessel and 2-years

Retecflex Re 14-5-115 review

Roger Bisby
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Retecflex Re 14-5-115 review

Roger Bisby grinds it out with the Retecflex from Flex.

In essence this Retecflex grinder and sander is an angle grinder with a fancy dust extractor attachment permanently attached to its side but it is no ordinary angle grinder. It is a 1400 watt German built angle grinder with electronic speed control, soft start and restart protection so it doesn’t start up after a power interruption. It also has high torque in low speed settings so you can really engage it in the job of grinding off concrete and other hard surfaces without fear of it stalling. There are a number of other features such as dust sealing on the switch which puts it in a different league to your bog standard angle grinder but the angle grinder is not really the story here. It is what this grinder does that makes it worth its un-angle grinder price tag. By that I mean it isn’t cheap but it is a tool that will earn its keep over and over if you are engaged in refurbishment and you can also hire it from selected hire outlets.

What does it do?
It  removes  concrete, granite, render, adhesives, paint, various residues and even, because of its stepless depth adjustment, it will tickle hard to remove wallpaper from a wall while hardly touching the plaster with speed and ease and most importantly with very little dust escaping from the dust guard. The fact is that this machine can do so much  that it  took me a fair while to get my head around the variety of attachments they sent along and I am still not completely sure what they all do but I got the general idea.

I have seen the guys who fit granite worktops using them to grind and polish the worktop to a mirror like finish. You can of course do that with a wet polisher but the reason this Flex machine has become the industry standard is because it is a dry machine with excellent dust extraction that allows you to work in an occupied building. This machine is also very popular with floor layers for removing adhesives and even taking the humps out of screeds.  It turns, what could be a long and arduous job into something that can often be achieved in half an hour or so.

Less is more
The spindle is M14 so in theory you could use third party attachments on the grinder but even though the maximum disc size  is 115mm the maximum milling head is 85 mm. That simply means that when you are removing a lot of stock you don’t want the whole of the head circumference employed. For one thing it would strain the motor but it would also run the risk of clogging  up whereas the way it is designed means there is plenty of space under the hood for a good flow of air to take the dust away into the extractor.

The dust hood has one flat edge, rather like the Flex Giraffe sander that I tested last year and the idea is that you can grind right up to the internal corners of a wall or floor.  If you don’t need the flat edge you can spin a section of  guard around to complete the circle. Also, like the Giraffe sander,  this machine uses the click hose system so you aren’t frigging around with adaptors or worrying about the hose falling off and the dust escaping into the room.

I can think of many jobs in the past such as tanking a cellar where this would have turned days of chipping off paint from brickwork with a needle gun into a few hours work. I can also recall attacking a recreation centre floor with scrapers and even a blow torch at one point trying to remove the old adhesive it took three of us four days to clean that subfloor and  from my small test jobs I think a  machine such as this would have done it in a day and it wouldn’t be a hard day at that.

[foogallery id=”2106″]

Most considerate construction companies named

Dylan Garton
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Most considerate construction companies named

Costain, Gentoo Construction, Robert Woodhead Ltd and Walter Thompson (Contractors) have each been awarded the  title of Most Considerate Site at the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s 2016 National Site Awards.

It is the first time that four sites have won the accolade, following the introduction of ‘value bands’ which means sites are assessed against projects of similar value including: Under £500k; £500k to <£5m; £5m to <£10m and £10m and over.

Over 3000 guests attended award ceremonies held in Edinburgh, London and Manchester in April.

Projects registered with the Scheme must demonstrate an appreciation of the impact of their work on the community, the environment and their workforce.

A total of 932 National Site Awards were presented including 430 Bronze awards, 293 Silver awards and 173 Gold awards and 32 Most Considerate Site Runners-Up.

Edward Hardy, Chief Executive of the Considerate Constructors Scheme, said: “Congratulations to each and every site receiving a 2016 National Site Award. Every year, the Scheme is taken aback by the many different ways contractors demonstrate their considerate credentials. This year has been no exception, with project teams across the UK serving as beacons of best practice.

“Special congratulations go to each of the 2016 Most Considerate Sites. These sites have shown truly exceptional performance, making tremendous efforts in going way above and beyond compliance with the Scheme – taking considerate construction to a new level.

“They have worked with enthusiasm and dedication to ensure that they showcase the very best of the construction industry, helping to make construction a more attractive career choice.”

Scaffold company fined for safety failings

Dylan Garton
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0
Scaffold company fined for safety failings

A Scaffold company in Bridgend has been fined for safety failings following a routine inspection.

Llanelli Magistrates’ Court heard how OW Scaffolding was working at Heol y Parc, Cefneithin when they had a routine inspection which highlighted several safety failings.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident which occurred on 30 September 2015 found that there was poor planning, inadequate risk assessments, inadequate site supervision and inadequate and insufficient equipment.

OW Scaffolding Limited, of Village Farm Industrial Estate, Pyle, Bridgend, pleaded not guilty to breaching Regulation 4 of the Work at Height Regulation 2005 but was tried in its absence and found guilty and fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,700.

For further information on working on scaffolding visit: www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/scaffoldinginfo.htm

Balfour Beatty fined £2.6 million after worker killed in trench

Dylan Garton
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0
Balfour Beatty fined £2.6 million after worker killed in trench

Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions has been fined £2.6 million after an employee was killed when the trench he was working in collapsed on him in Lancashire.

On the 14 April 2010, James Sim, a 32-year-old  sub-contractor working on behalf of Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions, was working in a trench, laying ducting for new cable for an offshore windfarm that was being built off the coast by Heysham, Lancashire. The trench was dug to a depth of 2.4 metres, without any shoring. Mr Sim was killed when he became trapped in the trench after it collapsed on him.

Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Limited pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court today after an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The Court heard that Balfour Beatty failed to adequately risk assess the works or control the way in which the excavation took place.

HSE inspector Chris Hatton said after the hearing: “The level of this fine should serve as a warning to industry not to ignore health and safety matters.

“Balfour Beatty failed to adequately assess, plan and supervise the work being undertaken. Trench collapses are easy to prevent, and it is disappointing that James’ life was lost in such a tragic way.

“The family has shown great patience and support throughout this investigation which is a credit to both them and James’ memory.”

Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Limited, of Park Square Newton, Chambers Road, Chapeltown, Sheffield were found guilty of breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Regulation 31(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and Regulation 3(1)(a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and was fined £2.6million with £54,000 costs.

Worker loses life after roof fall

Dylan Garton
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0
Worker loses life after roof fall

A Birmingham maintenance company has been fined after a worker died after falling 14 foot from the roof of a five-storey building.

Birmingham Crown Court heard how H20 Plumbing Services Limited were contracted to carry out repairs to two motor rooms situated on the roof of a building on Hagley Road, Birmingham.

Two workers set up a station immediately outside of a protected area in which to mix some mortar due to lack of space. The mixing station consisted of a tarpaulin sheet placed on top of the roof with a plasterer’s bath placed on top. The corners of the tarpaulin sheet were weighted down with bags of rubble.

At the end of the working day, the employees were cleaning up and as they moved the mixing bath, the sheet of tarpaulin blew open due to the wind and landed over the edge of the building. As one of the workers attempted to retrieve the sheet he stepped off the side of the building, falling 14 metres, suffering fatal injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident which occurred on 10 October 2014 found that H20 Plumbing Services Limited failed to ensure the safety of its employees during the external repair work.

After the incident, HSE Inspector Amy Kalay commented: “This incident was obviously foreseeable. The employees of H20 working at the site were effectively left to their own devices with equipment and a system that was not wholly suited for the task at hand.

“A suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk, suitable planning, implementation of suitable control measures and adequate and effective site supervision would have prevented this incident from occurring.”

H20 Plumbing Services Limited, of Lee Trading Estate, College Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs of £25,000.

For further information on working at height visit: www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/workingatheight.htm

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