Roger checks out the Max RB441T TwinTier Rebar Tying Hand Tool at the UK Construction show.
Rockwool for Sound Insulation & Fire Protection
Roger continues the extension series with some Rockwool insulation roll installation to deal with sound transmission and fire protection.
Is There No Such Thing as Rising Damp?
A few months ago we posted a short video on Skill Builder’s YouTube channel showing a remedial product from Safeguard Europe which helps to stop rising damp in masonry walls. But is there no such thing as Rising Damp?
A lack of clarity
Admittedly the video didn’t discuss the many causes of damp in buildings and could have been a whole lot longer, but we felt that it targeted a specific cause of damp and gave a simple solution that is widely used and effective. What is more, it is a very easy job for a DIYer.
So far so good but the comments that followed the posting of this video took us completely by surprise. Some people were not happy. It transpired that there is a significant body of people in the U.K who sincerely believe that rising damp is a myth.
These are not scientists or people with any real knowledge of building technology, they are people who have latched onto a single simple premise and pushed it beyond its logical conclusion.
They have gained traction on social media in the same way as people who purport the earth is flat and that Elvis, Kurt Cobain, and Prince are happily residing on some heavily guarded South Sea Island.
No Such Thing as Rising Damp
The anti-rising damp brigade is lead by a couple of gurus who, in keeping with most fundamentalist, are deaf to any argument but their own. I quickly learned that it is a waste of time arguing with such people or their followers.
It seems that conspiracy theorists are not that discerning and once they believe in one conspiracy theory, they adopt anything and everything that falls under that heading. People who say that rising damp is a myth are more likely to see other scientific phenomena as myths. One such person even put forward the idea that the Moon doesn’t exist.
Pressed on this he said that it was some kind of manmade illumination but didn’t know why it was put there let alone when and by whom. Yes, they really are barking mad.
This kind of thing is now just part of the rich tapestry of modern life and we could all just laugh it off if it were not for the fact that people who really ought to know better are persuaded that there is some substance in the claim that ‘Rising Damp does not exist’.
Damp Conspiracy
The fact that all new building in the UK has to have effective damp proof courses to prevent this supposedly non-existent menace is to them all part of the conspiracy. Now I am entertained by a conspiracy theory as much as the next person but if you are going to have a conspiracy theory surely there has to be a more exciting one out there than ‘rising damp is a myth’? Imagine a weekend conference where people show each other photographs of rising damp and claim they have all been doctored in Photoshop.
When asked for evidence of the nonexistence of rising damp the devotees often cite Venice. For some strange reason, they believe that Venice does not have rising damp.
It makes me wonder if they have ever been to Venice. Not only does Venice have significant rising damp, but the University of Bologna also has a whole department dedicated to research into the problems of rising damp in ancient buildings.
It is government-funded because the Italian government knows all too well that rising damp is a real threat, not only to Venice but to many historic buildings in other parts of Italy.
Water Water Everywhere
The denial of rising damp is even more baffling when you recognise that it is everywhere and even has some beneficial properties. Damp rises through tiny capillary veins or tubes and through this process millions of gallons (or litres) of water move from the ground up through the less dense sapwood of trees and out through the leaves.
If you cut a tree open, you will not find a pump or any moving parts. The capillary pathways in masonry and mortar have the same effect. Damp evaporates out of the masonry and more is drawn up from the ground.
The whole existence of our planet depends upon the principle that damp rises either through capillary action or evaporation. The clouds in the sky are the most visible example of rising damp and if you look at the wick in an oil lamp you will see rising damp being put to good use.
With such overwhelming evidence, it is hard to work out why some people insist that there is no such thing? The answer may lie in the fact that rising damp has been over-diagnosed. People keen to sell damp treatments are, in some cases, looking at condensation or penetrating damp and calling it rising damp simply because it gives them an opportunity to sell a product.
Damp Treatment Professionals
The term Snake Oil Salesman is often used to describe these ‘damp specialist’ but to dismiss everyone in the industry as a Charlatan because of a small number of rogues is unfair.
We are told by the detractors that all a building needs is to breathe which really means that it needs air passing through it to move damp to the outside. The idea that it might be good to prevent the damp entering in the first place is, for some strange reason, ignored.
There is also a belief that damp is a modern problem that simply didn’t exist in the good old days. So there we have it, a modern problem that is caused by us.
Newly Dampened
It is true that newly built homes were once left unoccupied for six months to allow them to dry out. This was prudent because a huge amount of water is used to build and plaster out a house and that water has to go somewhere.
These days we tend to dry buildings out by heating them but without ventilation all the heating does is to cook up a fugg. Even after the initial drying out process, if it happens, water is still generated by cooking, bathing, showering and breathing.
That water needs to be moved to the outside often by mechanical extraction. This used to happen naturally in the time of open fires many rooms had a chimney, and with the fire lit, this produced as many as eight complete air changes to the room every hour.
That is the real reason why homes did not seem to suffer from damp in the way they do now. Modern draughtproofing means, we are now looking at as little as one air change per hour and sometimes not even that.
We keep the heat, but we also keep the airborne moisture and the result is condensation, which since the compulsory introduction of damp-proof courses, is now a lot more of a problem than rising damp, but that is not to say that rising damp no longer exists.
Diagnosed Damp
It is perfectly possible to have more than one cause of damp in a home and that is why it needs to be diagnosed properly before any attempt is made to reduce it.
It also needs to be acknowledged that the less well off are more likely to have damp homes. If you are struggling to pay the heating bills you may not want to open a window or even switch on an extractor fan. If you are poor you may also be living in a home with higher occupancy.
The more people living in a house, the damper it is likely to be. It may also be the case that the occupants are drying washing indoors and not heating every room which is just about the worst combination there is. Airborne moisture will move from heated rooms to unheated rooms and condense on cold surfaces which quickly produces ugly black mould.
Damp is not only a building issue it is also a political, social and health issue. The rise in asthma among children is undoubtedly due to poor air quality both inside and outside our homes. Mould is toxic and those who suffer most from such conditions are the young and the old.
Blame Game
It is common for landlords to be blamed for damp houses and there are often news items demonising uncaring landlords. Of course, such people exist, and they need to be held to account but sometimes the tenant’s lifestyle (living habits) is to blame.
A tenant may be looking at the black mould forming around the tops of skirting boards and blaming it on rising damp whereas the landlord is looking at the washing drying on the radiators and thinking it is more likely to be condensation forming on the lower part of the wall, which is always colder.
In such a climate of claim and counterclaim, it is little wonder that people take up polarised positions. As with so many problems these days our first reaction is to find somebody to blame.
Research Identifies Sustainable Infrastructure Choices for Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge Arc
The Oxford University-led Infrastructure Transitions Research Consortium (ITRC) has developed globally unique methods for simulating future population, housing growth and demand for infrastructure services. The methods explore how the necessary infrastructure can be provided affordably, securely and sustainably.
In a significant report published today, the ITRC, led by the University of Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute, has deployed these methods to reveal a series of insights to inform the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge Arc – one of the UK’s largest housing and transport projects.
The report’s executive summary can be requested directly to the media contact below.
The report provides a preliminary analysis of key questions across travel time, carbon footprint, water usage, housing developments, pollution and environmental impact.
It found that careful planning for new settlements could allow development whilst still protecting greenbelt land and other natural habitats, better management of energy and water needs, and a lower carbon footprint than with unplanned scenarios.
Findings include:
- Higher growth expansion and development of new settlements could result in up to 5.4 million and 6.1 million people respectively living in the Arc area by 2050.
- Planned road expansions and developments may initially generate some travel time savings, but are insufficient to prevent travel time increases in the longer term.
- To address travel time, additional steps must be taken to manage demand for road travel (e.g. via shifts to rail) and reduce congestion.
- The vision of a carbon neutral Arc is achievable with the greatest challenge being how to heat new and existing buildings without using fossil fuels.
- Insulation and energy efficiency solutions in existing and new homes should be implemented first, followed by the introduction of low-carbon heat technologies.
- Water use in the Arc is predicted to double by 2050, and new reservoirs and effluent reuse schemes could aid in meeting demand.
- At the eastern end of the Arc, the development of new cities scenario could result in a doubling of the annual risk of water shortages.
- To preserve the Arc’s natural environment, it will be necessary to develop a ‘Green Arc’ vision where natural capital thinking is embedded throughout.
- The development must be carefully planned to preserve and integrate existing natural capital assets, create new green corridors for people and wildlife.
Jim Hall, Director of the UK Infrastructure Transitions Research Consortium and Professor of Climate and Environmental Risks at the University of Oxford, said:
‘The Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge Arc is the most far-reaching housing and transport development proposed in recent decades, akin to a British Silicon Valley. One million new homes could be created by 2050, along with a new road Expressway, a new rail link and new and innovative forms of urbanisation.
The future of the Arc is likely to be made up of a complex combination of many different development options, with differing typologies of development dependent on changes to existing urban centres or introduction of new towns or cities into the region.’
The UK’s National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) made recommendations in its 2017 report to develop the Arc as a knowledge-intensive economic cluster across the heart of England.
However, there is currently a challenge around the Arc’s implementation as local authorities and central government have lacked independent systemic analysis due to the complexities of planning for such an unprecedented complex project. The ITRC approach fills that gap and helps inform decision-making at all scales.
Pioneering tool
ITRC is independently applying its models and analytics to explore possible futures for the Arc, evaluating and quantifying the impact of local, regional and national choices on sustainable future options.
The ITRC’s Arc studies are unique in their breadth and depth, bringing together data on the whole range of infrastructure that would be required, along with population modelling and forecasts, energy, transport, water and digital communications requirements.
Professor Hall said: ‘ITRC’s modelling will help to create a clear vision for the Arc’s grey and green infrastructure, employment and housing. The tool is highly flexible and can analyse a multitude of different scenarios at varying scales.’
As well as modelling the Arc, ITRC’s analysis has been used in UK research as well as internationally with governments and organisations including UNOPS, World Bank and governments around the world.
Professor Hall said: ‘Built well, infrastructure can demonstrably and positively contribute in areas from economic prosperity and employment to health, education and the safeguarding of the planet’s natural resources.’
The principle of the “system of systems” approach pioneered by ITRC means it is uniquely placed to model a cross-sectoral approach to developments.
Professor Hall said: ‘This means investments in infrastructure can be properly costed, planned for long-term sustainability and resilience to natural hazards, and looked at from a systems perspective rather than on a project-by-project basis.’
ITRC’s National Infrastructure Systems Model (NISMOD) can also be used to identify complexities such as how failure in one network or area might impact on another – from a single power station going down to the impact of massive flooding across a city on transport, businesses and homes.
Why Does Robin Love Liquid Screed? – Capel #12
It’s time for the screed to go down on the Capel Build now and Robin couldn’t be more excited. He’s been using liquid screed from for around 10 years and in this video, you’ll find out why he thinks it’s the perfect solution, especially for screeding over underfloor heating.
Liquid Screed Links
Southern Screed
https://www.southernscreed.uk
The Underfloor Heating Company
https://www.theunderfloorheatingstore.com
Discount code for SB viewers: CLEVETTUFH
Fischer is Now a Partner of the CAS Battery System
The mounting specialist fischer further expands its competence in the area of power tools. The new fischer cordless impact drivers FSS 18V make the safe mounting of the fischer concrete screws ULTRACUT FBS II faster and easier. With these powerful devices, fischer also becomes the currently 13th member of the Cordless Alliance Systems (CAS). This makes the new impact drivers 100 percent compatible with the battery packs and chargers of currently twelve other leading power tool and machine manufacturers.
Nürtingen/Waldachtal, September 2019: “As partner of the cross-manufacturer battery pack cooperation CAS we embark on new paths to the cordless construction site”, says Florian Birkenmayer, speaker of the management Mounting Systems of the fischer Group of Companies. Thanks to CAS, the new fischer cordless impact drivers FSS 18V and the machines from currently twelve additional power tool and machine manufacturers can be used with the same battery pack and charger. “Like this, professional users always have the right product available for all standard to special tasks”, says Florian Birkenmayer.
Further advantages: “CAS provides users with more mobility and safety, since they can work far away from a power outlet and there are no more tripping hazards due to cables. Furthermore, users can change from one product to the other with the same charger and battery pack, and thus work with significantly more flexibility and productivity. The tools and machines of the CAS cover almost all industries and work with high efficiency on the basis of the Metabo battery pack technology – the currently most powerful battery pack technology on the market thanks to LiHD. Around one year ago, CAS started on initiative of the Nürtingen power tool manufacturer. With fischer, the cooperation has now already 13 partners. Another four companies have already joined the alliance and work on CAS-based production.
The focus is on the system concept
As system provider, fischer offers its customers a complete programme for safe and economical connections on the construction site. “Therefore, the CAS cooperation perfectly suits our concept, nevertheless, the system concept is the focal point. With CAS users not only can use our new cordless impact drivers FSS 18V, but also about 140 more machines with the same, powerful battery pack. This is innovative, economical and saves time”, says Florian Birkenmayer.
Reinforcement for CAS
fischer’s broad range of products has the right solution for all mounting applications: It comprises mounting systems in the chemical, steel and plastics industry, screws, drill bits, adhesives, sealants and foams as well as assortments specially designed for applications such as facade and composite heat insulation systems or also installations in the sanitary, heating, ventilation and electric sector, which are also of interest to the other CAS partner companies. “fischer is an important reinforcement for CAS”, says Horst W. Garbrecht, Metabo’s managing director. “fischer is known everywhere as mounting specialist. This not only opens additional markets for CAS, but it also gives us a proper boost in terms of publicity. We are very happy to have an additional, very renowned partner at our side.”
Two variants of high performance
In addition to the particularly fast and safe mounting of the fischer concrete screws ULTRACUT FBS II, the new cordless impact drivers FSS 18V are suitable for example also for steel-steel connections. The high-performance devices are available in two variants: The FSS 18V 400 BL has a torque of 400 Newton meters and a brushless motor. Suitable to the respectively available diameter of the ULTRACUT FBS II the torque can be regulated. The FSS 18V 600 has a torque of 600 Newton meters and is thus ideally suited for the assembly of the fischer concrete screws in diameter 10 to 14.
The professional user receives an all-round carefree package for the fast mounting of concrete screws. The ULTRA-CUT FBS II concrete screws are, depending on the diameter, approved for many different anchorage depths, respectively matching to the existing load. In addition, there are different head shapes, versions made from galvanised and stainless steel, 6 mm diameter versions especially for redundant mountings and much more. The concrete screws can be adjusted and re-used if certain conditions are met. Like this, fischer always provides the right ULTRA-CUT FBS II for almost any application case. All fischer concrete screws with 6 to 14 mm diameter can be processed with the respective cordless impact driver FSS 18V. In the tool case, fischer delivers the right accessories of belt hooks, sockets, test sleeves and much more free with the cordless impact driver FSS 18 V. This facilitates the mounting process, undoing the ULTRA-CUT FBS II and check for reuse. Also, the robust L-Boxx as tool box permits the stacking of several compatible cases on top of each other and thus transport them comfortably on the construction site.
Cordless connection: Within battery pack system CAS, which is unique in the industry, worldwide leading manufacturers bundle their know-how by the fact that their tools and machines are 100 percent compatible with the same powerful Metabo battery pack technology. One of the currently around 140 CAS machines is the new cordless impact driver FSS 18V 400 BL from fischer.
One battery, many solutions. Thanks to this idea CAS permits that users can change in a flexible and mobile manner, as needed, between the fischer cord-less impact drivers, such as the FSS 18V 600 (image), and all other tools and machines within the battery pack system. Delays due to non-existing power outlets and cable as tripping hazards are a thing of the past.
About CAS
The Cordless Alliance System (CAS) is a cross-manufacturer battery pack system initiated by the Nürtingen power tool manufacturer Metabo. In the summer of 2018, CAS started with nine power tool manufacturers and machine manufacturers from different sectors. Currently, the following companies are part of CAS: Metabo, Rothenberger, Mafell, Eisenblätter, Collomix, Haaga, Electrostar (Starmix), Eibenstock, Steinel, Rokamat, Elried/edding, Birchmeier and fischer. Within this battery pack system that is unique in the industry, all machines of the CAS partners are one hundred percent compatible with one battery pack and can be combined at will. Based on the powerful Metabo, CAS unites different trades under one roof and thus offers professional users the freedom to work with standard and special products of different manufacturers mobile and flexibly far away from any power outlet. More on CAS at www.cordless-alliance-system.de.
About Metabo
Metabowerke GmbH in Nürtingen is a traditional manufacturer of power-tools for professional users from the core target groups of metal trade and industry as well as building trade and renovation. Metabo stands for very powerful cordless tools and is the leading supplier in the battery pack sector with its LiHD technology. In this way, Metabo has turned its vision of the cordless construction site into reality. The LiHD technology is also the basis of the battery pack system CAS (Cordless Alliance System) that comprises machines and power tools of different industry-specific manufacturers. Under the brand name Metabo, the full-range supplier provides machines and accessories for all standard applications, but also competence products and system solutions for special requirements. Founded in 1924 in the Swabian town of Nürtingen, Metabo today is a medium-sized company which also produces also in Shanghai, China, in addition to its headquarters in Nürtingen. 25 subsidiary sales companies and more than 100 importers ensure international presence. More than 2,000 people work for Metabo worldwide, and in the financial year of 2018 (April 2018 to March 2019) they have generated a turnover of 493 million euros. More about the company Metabo and its products can be found at www.metabo.com.
About fischer
The Group of Companies with headquarters in Waldachtal, Northern Black Forest, has achieved a turnover of 864 million Euro in 2018 with around 5,200 employees worldwide. The family-run business is represented in 35 countries with 47 subsidiaries and exports to more than 100 countries. It comprises the five company sectors fischer Befestigungssysteme, fischer automotive systems, fischertechnik, fischer Consulting and LNT Automation.
fischer Befestigungssysteme owns the technological market leadership in important fields of fastening technology. fischer offers products in technical perfection for a wide range of customers, from handymen and craftsmen to the key account partner.
fischer automotive systems manufactures high-quality interior components for vehicles. The company has a high expertise in plastics processing and is an important partner of the automotive industry. The product range comprises air outlets, beverage holders, storage areas and multi-functional components.
fischertechnik with its construction kits, is active both in the toy sector and in the educational sector. fischertechnik is one of the last toy providers to develop and manufacture exclusively in Germany.
fischer Consulting was born from the competences developed in the own company. Residing there is the fischer ProzessSystem, the central content of which is the permanent improvement. The fischer ProzessSystem orients itself always on the benefit for the customer. fischer Consulting provides advice to medium-sized companies, authorities and large companies on the path to slim and efficient processes.
LNT Automation develops and manufactures customer-specific electronic solutions. Furthermore, the company is involved in the development, the manufacture and the sale of customer-specific and capacitive touch systems such as multi-touch solutions made from glass and matching controller units. The electronics are manufactured in-house. More about fischer at www.fischer.group.
Foscam R4M WiFi Home Security Camera with AI
Now you may remember I did a review of the Foscam power over ethernet CCTV system that uses a network video recorder. We also had a look at the nest system, but now we’re looking at cameras that you put inside your house.
Foscam R4M
The R4M is only £99 and it seems to have quite a few features. It has a 2K four-megapixel resolution. It has remote control by an app. It pans 350 degrees, that’s side to side and it tilts one hundred degrees, that’s up and down, and it can zoom in as well.
It has two-way audio, push alerts so you can see when something’s happened. 26 feet of infrared night vision. All of this is controlled through your app.
This is marketed as a Wi-Fi camera, but you can connect to it with ethernet, which is what I’m going to do because I’ve got so many devices connected through Wi-Fi already and a LAN port is nearby. I just love that plugged in feeling.
You’ve got a few storage options. You’ve got a micro SD card slot on the side of the camera here, and it says that it’s limited to 128 gigabytes.
One terabyte cards (1000GB) are available, so I’m not sure why they’ve limited it to 128GB. It could be something that they fix with a firmware update in the future.
The second option is to use an NVR. I’ve been using a Foscam NVR for three years now and I have found it to be very reliable. It hasn’t skipped a beat in those 3 years where it’s been on for 24/7. Some people say, “What if someone breaks in and disconnects the NVR?”. I don’t think anyone breaking in is going to know what an NVR is or where to find it.
And I’m sure they’re not even going to find it because I’ve got it hidden away. So, I kind of like the NVR option. You’ve also got Foscam’s cloud record service which comes with a monthly or annual fee. The main benefit as far as I can see with this one is that you’re recording the footage off-site.
So, nobody’s going to be able to tamper with your footage. And even if they come in and they disconnect the camera, you’ve still got that recording. The last recording that was sent to the Foscam Cloud Service before it was interrupted. So you’ve got your evidence if you like.
Now with the Foscam Cloud Service, you get eight hours of free storage and this is triggered recording. So, something happens, that’s what gets recorded to the cloud. So, you could find those eight hours could be covering a month’s worth of activity. And for a lot of people, that’s going to be enough.
So, if you want to find out what the recording plans are and the prices, have a look in the description and we’ll link through to those. Okay. Time for an unboxing.
It’s much smaller than I thought it would be. It comes with a network cable, antenna, wall mount bracket, power supply, plugs and screws. After setup, I updated the firmware and it got stuck at 5% for a long time, but when I rebooted the camera it had the latest version on it so that worked out okay.
Scanning the QR code on the base of the camera to set it up is really handy and it only needs a little sniff of that QR code and bam, it’s in there.
You’ve got to set up a password and a username for the camera. The camera has a really wide-angle lens as you would expect. You can control the movement of the camera just by moving your finger over the screen in the app and it is quite responsive.
The two-way radio feature is handy for making people jump. When you’re away, you might want to speak to somebody at home. You just hold your finger on the button and speak like a walkie talkie.
It automatically saves those little activity snippets to the Micro SD card, but if I want to record for longer and I want to record directly onto my phone, this is possible too.
Recordings can be triggered by motion detection or sound detection. I turned the sound detection off because that’s going to go off every time it hears the doorbell or a dog bark.
As for the Foscam Cloud paid service, if I want to record a week’s worth of events, that’s going to cost £40 a year. I’m not going to use it, but if recording offsite is your thing, the prices aren’t too bad. The option to record to the 64 gigabyte SD card will be fine for my use.
I would hope that the size limit will be increased or removed because if I’m going to use this all the time, I want to put up the biggest card possible in there, and just let it record forever. You can also share your camera so that other people can access it.
It automatically detects if it’s dark enough to go into infrared night-time mode, but if you didn’t trust that, you could set a schedule here to make sure it comes on at the right times.
Amazon Echo control with Alexa isn’t always the blessing you think it’ll be. I bought an Echo Show to see if it works, but my expectations were low. The Foscam Skill wasn’t responsive, to begin with, but after a few attempts it worked and the pictures were very clear.
When you look at the Foscam Skill for the Echo, you can see that there are lots of people saying couldn’t get it working and there are lots of one-star reviews. I couldn’t get it working at the first attempt either and a bit of perseverance is needed.
After a week of use, I noticed that the alarm was going off all the time. And that’s because I missed one very important feature and that is to tell it to look out for human movement rather than any movement. So, it was picking up things like the sun going in and out.
It was picking up the dog, so sometimes it would just go off for no reason because I had the sensitivity set to very high, so make sure you’ve got it set to human detection only, then you won’t end up with an SD card full of the sun going in and out.
The image quality is pretty good. The pictures are very sharp. You will notice there’s a slight degradation in the picture when you pan and that’s because, like most CCTV cameras, it uses quite heavy video compression.
One other thing that is quite handy is that it picks up the Wi-Fi connection again quickly if you want to move it to a different room, you don’t have to do any configuration, it’ll just fire up.
I started this video by saying it’s only a hundred pounds. I’ve since found there are quite a few cameras that are cheaper than this one, but this one definitely has the most features.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and if you haven’t seen our other CCTV camera review videos, can check them out.
Key Features
• 4MP Super HD Video Streaming (1440P)
• Remote viewing and recording
• Remote Pan & Tilt – 350° Horizontal and 100° Vertical rotation
• Intelligent real-time push alerts with AI human detection
• Works with Alexa – View camera with voice control
• Supports 2.4G/5G dual-band wireless networks
• 6x Digital Zoom
• WDR 2.0 Technology
• Night Vision Range up to 10 metres (32ft)
• Easy Setup in three easy steps through the FREE Foscam App (iOS or Android)
• Two-Way Audio via the built-in microphone and speaker
• Supports one key sleep/wake up for privacy mode
• Micro SD – Supports recording to Micro SD card up to 128GB
• Other Storage – Foscam NVR, FTP, NAS, local hard drive recording and Foscam Cloud
• Free 8 hour Foscam Cloud – Stores alarm recordings activated by motion from the past 8 hours
Product Specification
• Sensor type: 1/2.6” CMOS
• Display resolution: 2K 2560 x 1440P (4.0M Pixels), H.264
• Frame rate: 20fps(1440P)/25fps(1080P) / downward adjustable
• Lens Type: f:4mm,F:2.2
• Viewing angle: Horizontal 89°, diagonal 112°
• Night surveillance: 13pcs IR-LED’s, on/off auto switch, night vision up to 10M
• Wireless: 2.4G/5G dual-band, IEEE802.11b/g/n/ac
• Ethernet: 10/100Mbps RJ45 port
• Storage: Supports max 128G Micro SD card, local and FTP storage, Foscam cloud storage
• Remote access: P2P, DDNS
• Input/output: Supports full-duplex two-way audio, built-in mic & speaker
Box Contents
1x R4M IP Camera
1x Wi-Fi Antenna
1x Power Supply (UK 3-Pin Plug)
1x Mounting Bracket
1x Mounting Screws
1x Ethernet Cable
1x Quick Start Guide
Check out our total home security feature.
Foscam Cloud for UK users: https://foscam.uk.com/cloud
How to Repressurise Your Central Heating System
Roger shows you how to get that pressure back into your central heating system, safely and quickly.
XL Joinery Factory Tour – Robin’s Quest for Doors
Robin visits the XL Joinery factory in Leeds to pick his doors for the Capel Build.
Super Rod Ferret WiFi – Cable Pulling Camera
http://www.super-rod.co.uk/products/inspection-cameras/ferret-wifi/
Super Rod Ferret WiFi – Multipurpose wireless inspection camera and cable pulling tool.
Vision of Cordless Future with Expanded Makita XGT and LXT
Makita’s new 40V Max system will stand side-by-side with the industry-leading LXT System.
Since the launch of 18V ‘LXT’ in October 2005, Makita has led the way in cordless tool innovation and technology. The Makita Corporation’s objectives for constant improvement in designing innovative products for the construction and garden machinery sectors, will soon see the launch of a new generation of high power 40V Max ‘XGT’ cordless products.
To meet market demands for greater cordless power and to recognise the needs of professional contractors, Makita is expanding the cordless portfolio with the announcement of 40V Max ‘XGT’. This new cordless tool and battery platform produces greater power for high demand applications, increased durability, and a wider range of products to offer the performance that is comparable to petrol engine or mains powered machines.
XGT will stand side-by-side with Makita’s industry-leading 18V LXT System, giving industrial users a wider choice of battery-powered tools and equipment to achieve a truly cordless job site.
Makita’s 18V ‘LXT’ range currently has over 200-products that meet demands across a wide range of applications. Makita will continue to invest heavily in the 18V LXT system, with more new products planned to ensure continued support for customers who have already invested in the 18V ‘LXT’ platform.
18V LXT utilises a single battery across hundreds of products, with the ability of added power by using two 18V batteries in series on the current range of Twin 18V (36V) LXT products. This simple concept has revolutionised how work is undertaken by contractors, however the introduction of the Makita 40V Max ‘XGT’ range in Spring 2020 will offer a new and improved solution to benefit many applications where heavy-duty performance is required.
Why has Makita XGT been developed?
When visiting countries around the world, Makita R&D engineers have been challenged to design better cordless tools that can deliver more power, improved run-time, as well as being compact in size with an optimum weight for contractors to use throughout the working day.
XGT batteries look similar in size to existing 18V LXT batteries, however 40V Max ‘XGT’ is a new stand-alone system with its own range of tools, batteries, and chargers. Offering 40V Max power, the XGT range has been engineered to meet these industry demands as the market pushes for the transition to battery power.
A range of 40V Max ‘XGT’ products has recently been launched in Japan with a plan to introduce the new product range in Europe for Spring 2020. More information will follow in the early part of 2020.
Makita’s global focus is innovation; new technology and products that satisfy the needs of customers across many industries. Supported by heavy investments for today, tomorrow and the future, the market is, and will be, changing and Makita is positioned to lead this change.
Snickers Workwear New ALLroundWork Jackets and Gilets
NEW Winter Jackets and Gilets – insulated and water-resistant
These new ALLroundWork Jackets and Gilets are just what the name suggests – delivering great all-round performance on-site with a Ripstop water-resistant outer fabric and a coated inner fabric for extra durability.
They’re wind-resistant too and all have the features and functionality that you’d expect in Snickers Workwear clothing. Designed for optimum comfort and flexibility when you’re on the move, they’re great-looking working clothes that will keep you feeling comfortable wherever you are and whatever you’re doing at work in cold and windy weather.
With smart designs and an ergonomic fit, Snickers Workwear ALLroundWork garments are packed with must-have features that focus on functionality and freedom of movement as well as using innovative fabrics that deliver long-lasting protection. There’s also a range of Base- and Mid-layer garments plus accessories like gloves, hats, face warmers and beanies to ensure that every part of you stays dry and warm.
HMT VersaDrive – High Speed Hole Cutting
Info and prices: https://holemaker-technology.com/collections/versadrive
Roger catches a demo of the HMT VersaDrive hole cutting and tapping system to speed up fixing in steel.
Drilling and tapping in metal plate or steel beams is often done with a mag drill but this range of bits is designed to work with an impact wrench. Even misaligned holes can be rectified.
High Tech Systems to Add to Your Home for Maximum Safety
Home security has never been more accessible, thanks to the app-enabled upheaval that’s been going on for over a decade now. The myriad professional monitoring systems and DIY devices can make your head spin.
It’s hard to tell which ones are worth considering. Home security providers can make comparison shopping quite difficult. However, the market is beginning to crystalise. Here are a couple of solutions that have shown to be excellent at improving home security.
Smart Lights
Burglars are always on the lookout for empty homes. If they can tell you are at work or on vacation, they’ll raid your home. So, how do people deal with it? They leave the lights on. The oldest trick in the book, right?
Simply turning your lights before you head out doesn’t work anymore. However, switching your smart lights on is a completely different story. Smart lights mimic your daily patterns. You can use them to enhance the security measures you already have in place.
August Smart Lock Pro
You can make your home safer by replacing your front door’s deadbolt knob with an internet-connected, battery-driven, Bluetooth-enabled lock controller. The device renders old-school keys useless.
August Smart allows you to track who is entering and leaving the house. You can also use it to lock and unlock doors via the designated smartphone app.
There’s also a feature that allows you to give other people digital keys with time controls. Its voice assistant can be integrated with Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant.
SimpliSafe
If professionally installed systems seem like overkill to you, you can take matters into your own hands. At first, DIY systems were just a low-cost solution than couldn’t match higher-end systems. Now, they have evolved into something far greater and SimpliSafe is the perfect example of that.
It’s easy to use, easy to install and has a great reputation in the industry. The set includes battery-powered sensors, security cameras, and a security-code keypad. Aside from its security features, SimpliSafe provides fire and flood monitoring.
However, you can’t count on high tech security systems to take care of everything. While they can make a huge difference in case of an emergency, it’s better to make sure your fire duct system is configured properly and that there are no hazards like carbon monoxide lurking about.
SimpliSafe also offers a professional monitoring plan. App support costs a bit extra, but it allows you to pair the device with Alexa and Google Assistant. DIY security kits are mostly designed for smaller homes and flats and were first used in Oggi Townhomes.
Nest Secure
If you want to be fully integrated into Google’s smart home ecosystem, Nest Secure may be a better choice. However, even though it’s a DIY solution, it’s a bit on the pricier side.
Its tag device is it’s signature feature that makes it stand out. The separate tag device allows you to lets pets, family members, and friends pass without the system identifying them as a threat.
The basic set includes one hub, two Nest Tags, and two motion detectors that you can attach to windows or doors. You can use voice command to set the system, thanks to the built-in Google Assistant. The company offers a couple of great extra features.
For Instance, the Nest Detect allows you to snag footage of the intruders. It enables your cameras to automatically snap photos of intruders, even when they are not turned on. You can also opt for professional monitoring.
Ring Alarm
It takes less than twenty minutes to set up this device. The system itself tells you exactly what goes where! The Ring app allows you to connect your base station to your WiFi. It comes with a motion detector and contact sensor. To activate them, simply remove the tabs. Ring also comes with a keypad, range extender, and base station.
Ring Alarm is one of the most inexpensive solutions out there. Ideally, you’d want to pair it with a security camera or two. Ring’s Video Doorbell is a cool add-on that allows you to see (and hear) who’s knocking at the front door when you are not home. You can access the smart doorbell via Ring’s smartphone app.
Alfred Security App
If you’re not willing to spend a small fortune to protect your home, this is a simple and free high-tech solution. Chances are, you have an old smartphone lying around somewhere and collecting dust. If it’s an Android, you’re in luck.
The Alfred security app allows you to turn your phone into a security camera (microphone as well). The app also offers push notification and employs motion detection. You can even take snapshots and use the two-way-talk feature.
Conclusion
With high tech security becoming increasingly popular, you can improve your home’s protection without breaking the bank. Now, with a bit of research, everyone can have a smart home that keeps its occupants safe. Each of these systems promises to offer peace of mind. It’s up to you to wage the pros and cons and decide which one suits your family the best.
Construction Industry Shows Support for New Common Assessment Standard
The construction industry is getting behind a new scheme designed to simplify and strengthen the construction prequalification process.
According to CHAS, who was the first recognised assessment body to certify companies against the new Common Assessment Standard, over 30 of the construction industry’s biggest names have announced their support for the scheme since it was launched in May 2019. At the same time interest among contractors, who recognise early sign up as an opportunity to get ahead of their competition, is extremely high.
Led by Build UK and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), the Common Assessment Standard replaces a multitude of prequalification schemes with a simplified process based on a single industry-agreed questionnaire. Once the new system is fully up and running it will be the primary route to prequalification in construction replacing the need for clients to specify a specific assessment body. Meanwhile, contractors will only need one annual assessment, saving both parties time and money.
The Common Assessment Standard is based on existing PQ questionnaires, including PAS 91, but its remit is broader, covering topics including Modern Slavery, Finances, Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, reflecting an overall drive towards more stringent supply chain standards that reflect recent changes and priorities in the marketplace.
CHAS Managing Director, Ian McKinnon comments: “CHAS is the first recognised assessment body to certify companies against the Common Assessment Standard living up to our reputation for leading the way in driving standards in prequalification.
“CHAS is very proud to be at the forefront of the new scheme working with some of the biggest names in the industry. With a reputation for providing the best service at the best value, CHAS is committed to making accreditation as accessible as possible. Equally, for contractors who require additional support, CHAS has a package of membership offerings designed to help their clients to be the best.”
To find out more about the Common Assessment Standard and how to get accredited, contact CHAS today on 020 8545 3838.
#12 ~ Business Management Technology
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If you’re on the tools all day every day and you have a business to run, you might need some help from some of the many digital tools available for job site coordination.
Roger talks to Gabriel Pinchev, the CEO of FieldPulse, an all-in-one trades field management software solution.
Further reading:
FieldPulse All-in-One Contractor Software to Manage Your Business
www.fieldpulse.com
FieldPulse Academy Blog
www.fieldpulse.com/academy
Run Your Business From Anywhere
FieldPulse combines CRM, estimates & invoices, scheduling & dispatching, employee timesheets, and more, to help service contractors grow their business.
4 Points to Ponder for a Clean Home and a Clearer Mind
Are you always wondering why stress worsens each time you come home to a dishevelled and grimy place? Most of us, if not all, experience this kind of stress every single day of our lives.
Well, you’re not alone. Due to a “materialistic mindset,” people tend to buy anything they want without control, unable to see that it will only end up as piles of junk. As a result, it becomes much harder to relax at home with clutter disturbing your peaceful mind.
1. Quit the habit of materialism
Most people enjoy accumulating stuff because they fall victim to sales and discounted prices. Some are even tempted to buy things they don’t need because they feel that at the moment, it’s what they want. However, the moment you bring those items back home, you’ll realize that you don’t need it.
The more useless items you bring home because of shopping urges, the more unhappy you’ll be. First and foremost, you’ll have a hard time figuring out where to put them. With too many things to organize, it’ll be harder for you to maintain a clean house.
Practising a minimalist approach can be challenging. But by avoiding a materialistic life, you rid yourself of a chaotic mindset.
How to practice minimalism?
Minimalism is a lifestyle of appreciating life more in having less material things. You can do many things to practice and get used to minimalism. Donating clothes, cooking and eating homemade food and investing in reusable and cleanable stuff instead of disposables, though simple acts, can go a long way.
If you want to enjoy a clutter-free home and a clearer mind, learn to embrace that “less is more.” Having fewer items at home doesn’t mean you can’t afford to buy things. It just goes to show that you know where your priorities lie.
When you decide to take a minimalist approach, go and tell yourself that you’re only buying what you need. Don’t allow impulse shopping to be your weakness. If you leave the store with only the things you need, give yourself a little pat on the back for sticking to your minimalist goal.
2. Learn to let go
Whether you believe it or not, cleaning is one of the top activities you can do to release all negative feelings and toxic energies. You feel contented and less tense after getting rid of dirt, dust, grease, and clutter inside your home. The euphoria that letting go of all filthy things from your home brings is also the same as the elation you feel from letting go of all heavy loads you feel deep inside you.
It’s like starting on a clean slate. Cleaning and decluttering your home are both effective mood boosters. But remember to take and do things one step at a time. Don’t force yourself to finish cleaning and decluttering all the things you find annoying all at once. This applies to both cleaning and letting go of negativity and toxicity in life.
3. Enjoy multitasking
Are you familiar with the phrase “work smarter, not harder?” This applies to cleanliness too. The biggest stumbling block that you’ll encounter in cleaning is not the volume of dirt or clutter you need to get rid of. It’s when you feel burdened managing your time and organizing your priorities.
This is unsurprising since it’s tough to find a solid motivation to spend hours or even days cleaning a home so that it could get dirty the next day. After all, it seems much better to spend time attending parties or watching movies rather than punishing yourself by spending all your energy into cleaning. But if you practice multitasking, you will save more time and get everything done.
Just like every other activity you do in life, everything flows well when you create a “masterplan”. With this, your efforts and time will not go to waste. In creating a master plan for cleaning, you need to uncover the most structured order of operations based on the level of intensity a cleaning chore has. For instance, while you do one load of laundry in the washing machine, you can wash the dishes at the same time or water some plants.
Multitasking helps you reap the benefits of your labour which is to have a longer time for yourself and for other things or activities that you want to do.
4. Find delight in small victories
For you to find satisfaction as well as relaxation from having a cleaner home, don’t forget to practice the habit of gratitude. By celebrating simple achievements like laundering soiled clothes, tidying up the sink, deodorizing the refrigerator to finally putting all our excess baggage in life into the trash can of letting go – you’ll learn to appreciate life more.
Cleaning would become a much more productive experience and not a dreaded chore when you know how to be thankful for the progress you’ve made. Your progress no matter how small is worth celebrating. Thank yourself for making a change rather than allowing clutter to build up and swallow your home.
Make cleaning a habit for a clear state of mind
A clean home and a clear mind go hand in hand. If you have a messy home, it will increase your anxiety and stress levels, as well as affect your mood and lead to poor sleep quality. By keeping your home tidy, you can ease these negative feelings and enjoy a more comfortable life.
As expounded by the four points above, the state of your home doesn’t just impact your mind but also affects you in a physical sense. A human’s body is made up of highly organized structure and processes. This is why organization and tidiness are well-rooted deep within genetic codes.
The next time you get tempted to put off cleaning, remember that mess and untidiness will have an effect on your general health. If you’re really too busy to include cleaning in your schedule, you don’t have to go through the process alone. There are plenty of cleaning professionals who can meet your schedule of chores for every room in the house so that you maintain a clean home as well as a clear mind.
This help guide for maintaining a clean home and in having a clearer and stress-free mind was brought to you by Matic Professional, a cleaning company in Dubai.
AUTHOR BIO
Mohamed Samad is the Founder & CEO of Matic Services. He started the company in 2016 after a series of small start-ups within the home services sector. Prior to that, Mohamed was Vice President at Greenstone Equity Partners, where he spent 24 months building the UAE business from 2011-2013 with its founder.
Robin’s Building Progress Update – Capel #11
Robin is getting closer to completing his own project in Capel and he gives us a tour to show us why it’s taking so long to complete.
Check out our Lindab MVHR installation video on The Capel Build.
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Delighted Retired Teacher Opens the Door on Shared Ownership
Of the 600 homes which the council is delivering in the next five years, 20% will be for shared ownership. In the first such scheme run by City of York Council, 17 homes have already been sold and 40 more applicants are in the process of buying a share.
Shared ownership is a scheme that offers an alternative pathway to homeownership for individuals who might not be able to afford a property outright. Under this scheme, buyers purchase a share of a property, typically ranging from 25% to 75%, and pay rent on the remaining share owned by a housing association or developer. This arrangement allows individuals to enter the property market with a lower deposit and mortgage, making homeownership more accessible.
As their financial situation improves, occupants have the option to gradually increase their ownership stake through a process called “staircasing,” eventually reaching full ownership. Shared ownership aims to provide affordable housing options while offering occupants the security and benefits of homeownership, such as stability and the ability to personalize their living space.
Shared Ownership – affordable security
A retired York teacher who has bought a half share in city centre flat with the council, tells us how the scheme has worked for him by halving his monthly accommodation costs.
“The day they said I could have this place, I felt like I’d won the Lottery! I was paying £750 a month for my old two-bed flat, but now I’m paying £380 a month.”
Malcolm Murphy taught generations of children over 35 years and was a teacher with City of York Council for 25 years. After taking early retirement, a breakdown in his relationship left him struggling through a difficult few years.
He rented a flat in Fulford which left him with very little spare every month, even though the 62-year-old works at Waitrose to supplement his pension.
“Shared ownership means I can stay in the city I love, near my friends. Without it, I’ve have been a dead duck with no chance of owning a place.”
“When I saw the shared ownership advert on facebook, I applied and got an answer in an hour,” he said.
The scheme is eligible to people with a household income of up to £80,000 and a 5% deposit – the full details are at www.york.gov.uk/sharedownership. After working out what mortgage is affordable and getting an offer in principle, apply through the Help to Buy website. Successful applicants can choose to buy a share of a suitable property from the open market or from City of York Council.
Earlier this year, the council was marketing four apartments on Cemetery Road for shared ownership. They caught Malcolm’s eye and he arranged a viewing.
“As soon as I saw it, I fell in love with this flat. It ticks every box. It’s small, but easy to look after, and it means I can stay near my friends while being closer to work and the city centre,” he said.
Malcolm’s bought a 55% share which has significantly lowered his monthly outgoings. His situation has not only improved immediately financially, but also he and his family will benefit from the long term security of homeownership. This is something that would of been near impossible, without the aid of this scheme to achieve that much needed “foot in the door”.
“I’d recommend the scheme because it means I can save, so that hopefully I can pay off my mortgage one day and leave something for my kids.”
To find out more about the scheme, please visit www.york.gov.uk/sharedownership.
Contact Information
Megan Rule
Senior Communications Manager
City of York Council
01904 555515
megan.rule@york.gov.uk
Our tips for first-time buyers – https://skill-builder.uk/first-time-buyers-guide-top-10-tips
Abacus M1 PVC Waterproof Bathroom Wall Panels
The Abacus M1 PVC wall panels are a fantastic waterproof PVC core showering wall panel that is completely impervious to water and ideal for a multitude of different bathroom installation requirements, creating a professional stylish showering wall space with the peace of mind of a 10-year guarantee.
The high gloss panels are available in a wide variety of designs and colours from classic marble through to shimmering diamond and contemporary slate – something for everyone! M1 is an innovative interior decorative wall panelling system that is easy to fit and simple to maintain.
Honeycomb lightweight panels are suitable for all walls in showers, bathrooms, kitchens, conservatories, extensions and utility rooms. Finish the panels with a trim set, and use the M1 series installation kit with compatible Abacus adhesive and sealant.
Trims and joints can be purchased in addition, these are optional as the panels are a tongue and groove fitting, end trims can be used to create a neat edge, or corner joints can be used to form corner shapes, see the: Abacus M1 Series Wall Panel Joints and Profiles.
