News P5 Interiors P23

Signbox Provides Internal Wayfinding andExternal Illuminated Signage Solutions

Business News P27

March/April 2018

contentsRegulars

From the Editor 4News 5Business News 27

Cover Story 20Signbox Provides InternalWayfinding and External Illu-minated Signage SolutionsThe Charter Building, former UKheadquarters of Coca-Cola, has inthe last year, undergone an extensiverefurbishment and remodel

FeaturesSecurity 22Interiors 23Health & Safety 24New Products 26

Editor:Anne Donald anne@practicalfm.co.uk

Production and Circulation and Website:Paul Fryer paul.fryer@practicalfm.co.uk

Advertising: advertising@practicalfm.co.uk

Practical Facilities Management Ltd30 The Copse, St GeorgesWeston Super Mare, North Somerset BS22 7SLtel: 01934 521224fax: 01934 521224website: www.practicalfm.co.ukThe information contained in this magazine has been obtainedfrom sources which the Proprietors believe to have been correctlyreproduced but they cannot accept legal liability for any error in ithowsoever caused. Practical Facilities Management Magazine isdistributed at the discretion of the Publishers, Practical FacilitiesManagement Limited. All advertisements and editorial articlesincluded within the magazine are subject to the Publishers termsand conditions which are available upon request. The viewsexpressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. No part ofthis publication may be reproduced without the written consentof the PublisherCopyright Practical Facilities Management Limited 2127©

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NEWSeditorial

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From theEditor

Welcome to the latest issue of Practical FM magazine.

As usual, we have news stories, case studies and new product details fromall around the very diverse FM sector.

Hopefully, the late snow that we have seen in March and over the Easterperiod will now be a distant memory and some much warmer and drierweather will be on the way.

It would be great to get out and about and possibly visit some of the reallyinteresting shows coming up in very soon.

The Facilities Event is taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 10th – 12th

April 2018 and also The Manchester Cleaning Show at Event City, from11th- 12th April 2018. Both shows will be of great interest to facilitymanagers and we have previews in the magazine.

Our cover story is from Signbox and shows the stunning internal wayfindingand external illuminated signage that they have created and installed to theCharter Building in Uxbridge. Take a look at page 20 to see the results oftheir work.

Spring, is traditionally the time when most of us venture out in to the gardenand may start planting and preparing for a colourful summer display, in thehope of barbeque weather. Our own personal approach to groundsmaintenance may be a bit hit and miss depending on the weather and timeavailable. However, in commercial premises, GM is of great importance asthe visual impact of a building’s exterior can say a lot about the company tothe visitor. We have a thought provoking article starting on page 16 fromGritit looking at the whole industry of GM. Is it time to go back to basics andre-evaluate the industry? Have a read and see what you think.

Our website www.practicalfm.co.uk and our Twitter account @practicalfmare now updated daily with all of the very latest news. Do take a looksometime if you get chance.

I hope that you enjoy the magazine. You are welcome to leave anyfeedback via email to anne@practicalfm.co.uk .

Anne Donald,Editor, PracticalFM

NEWSnews

Off Grid Energy, leading manu-facturer of power solutionsfor the construction and utili-

ty industries, has supported UKPower Networks Services to delivera project for UPS to overcome con-cerns related to the integration ofelectric delivery vehicles at its Lon-don parcel delivery depot.In conjunction with UK Power NetworksServices, Off Grid Energy delivered amulti-function Battery Energy StorageSystem (BESS) as part of a wider inte-grated smart management system thatprovides a dynamic control of individualvehicle charging points to support theexisting limited capacity grid supply.The integration of 118 additional electricvehicles increased the demand thatwould exceed the capacity of the exist-ing supply to the central London depot,and with the cost of an infrastructureupgrade too expensive and timely to befeasible, UPS needed an alternative

solution that could be delivered within ashort timescale.“Until recently, EV operators wouldhave to account for a substantial in-crease in budget allocation to allow foran upgrade of infrastructure to meetincreased energy demands,” said Dan-ny Jones, Founder and CEO of Off GridEnergy. “However, with our cost-effec-tive Universal Battery Energy StorageSystem (UBESS) - the Ingenium - cus-tomers now have an alternative solu-tion.”Comprising of a smart charging systemthat dynamically controls the poweravailable to connected vehicles, thesystem can intelligently limit the peakload on the network. Working alongsideand interacting with this, the UBESSmonitors depot load through remotemeasurement at the LV substation andmakes stored energy available to thedepot to cover any unavoidable deficit incapacity.

In addition, when not required to sup-port the depot, the Ingenium U-BESS isable to provide DSR services reflectedback to the grid network that includeFFR, demand shift, Voltage regulation,real and reactive power import/exportand PV self-consumption“By offering multi-layered benefits, thistechnology provides a solution to limitedcapacity grid issues as well as deliver-ing network support services that, to-gether, ensure the asset works hard forits keep. Growth in EV fleets in ourtowns and cities, driven by air qualityconcerns, can now be effectively intro-duced without the cost and time associ-ated with traditional gridre-enforcement,” added Jones.For more information, please visithttp://www.offgrid-energy.co.uk/index.php

Reader Reply: 212034

Off Grid Energy Power up Latest Fleet of ElectricDelivery Vans for UPS

The Smart Electric Urban Logistics (SEUL) project provided power to over 170 new electric deliveryvehicles in the London area

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NEWSnews

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With only a few days until TheFacilities Event 2018 (10th –12th April 2018, NEC

Birmingham), opens its doors to theindustry, organiser Western BusinessExhibitions announces partnershipswith FM North and The Hill Club tobring new networking opportunitiesto the event.FM North, the Facility ManagementProfessional Networking Association forFM professionals based in the North ofEngland, is set to host an officialnetworking hour every day of the showin both the VIP Area and Catering Zone.Ian Perton, Managing Director of FMNorth said: “As the chameleon of thecorporate world, FMs are talking tomultiple departments, suppliers andcontacts every single day, sointerpersonal and communication skillsare crucial. Getting out and networkingwith new people is so important in thisindustry, particularly as we’re all so busymost of the time. FM North is thrilled topartner with The Facilities Event tofacilitate a space where you can drop in,

make new contacts and ultimately dogood business.”Dubbed the ‘Masters of Mixing Pleasurewith Business’, The Hill Club will host anexclusive networking event on theopening day of the event.Phil Smith, Chairman of The Hill Clubsaid: “It doesn’t matter which industryyou come from, people will always buyfrom people. We can all producefantastic glossy brochures and emblazonour stands with smart slogans, butultimately, good business is done whenwe nurture relationships and have face-to-face time. By combining thenetworking you’ll do on supplier stands,with The Hill Club event on opening day,you’ll build stronger businessrelationships with both new and existingcontacts. Who knows how many newdoors will open for you!”Drawing over 5,000 industryprofessionals each year, The FacilitiesEvent delivers a powerful combination ofsenior decision makers and purchaseinfluencers from across the UK'sindustrial, commercial and public sectors.With a compelling range of unique

educational content available to thevisitor and a wide and varied exhibitoroffering, this is the "must attend" eventfor all facilities professionals.Tim Else, Event Director, The FacilitiesEvent said: “We have partnered withnetworking gurus to provide visitors andsuppliers with some truly dedicatedinteraction time whilst at the show.Facilitated networking time is soimportant at live events, or before youknow it, your day is gone, and you’venot spoken to anyone on your list.Come see FM North and The Hill Club,invite your contacts and make that hourcount each day.”To register for your free visitor badgefor The Facilities Event, visit:www.facilitiesevents.com.

Reader Reply No: 212037

Make It Count: New Networking Opportunities atThe Facilities Event

NEWSnews

Firestone Refreshes Online Presence

Leading supplier of EPDMrubber-based roofingmembranes and lining systems,

Firestone Building Products UK andIreland, has made accessinginformation about the company’sproducts, capabilities and technicalsupport easier than ever with thelaunch of a dedicated UK and Irelandwebsite.The new site – www.firestonebpe.co.uk- provides clear navigation acrossFirestone’s areas of expertise in roofing,lining, thermal insulation and façades,and features UK-based project casestudies, product information and news.Designed to provide accessible andup-to-date information about theproducts and services Firestone offersin the UK and Ireland, the website isoptimised for use on any device via anybrowser, making it a useful tool andreference for contractors and specifiers,both in the office and out on site.Explains commercial manager ofFirestone Building Products for the UKand Ireland, John McMullan: “In the past,our customers, contractors andspecifiers could access information

about our products and technicalsupport via our European website butthis was not tailored to a UK and Irelandaudience. The new website has beendesigned to be more relevant to the localmarket.“Our European website is still availableand relevant to our business but our newwebsite has been specifically designedfor a UK and Ireland audience withlocalised content, contact details andprovides ease of accessibility for ourcontractor and partner login areas.Furthermore, all of the features anddownloadable content which forms a keypart of our European website is nowavailable via www.firestonebpe.co.uk,including up-to-date technical data,safety data, detail drawings, installationguidelines and educational videos”.The new website includes a trainingsection featuring a calendar of plannedtraining sessions at Firestone’s UKheadquarters in Cheshire and onlinesign up to register interest in attending.It also includes case studies and imagesof UK projects that have been completedusing Firestone products.

John McMullan continues: “Weunderstand that our website is often thefirst point of contact for specifiers,contractors and clients so we needed toensure it was easy to navigate andaccessible.“Our investment in the new website is allpart of an online strategy that has alsoseen us engage with contractors andspecifiers via social media on Twitter(@FirestonebpUK), and Linkedin(Firestone bpUK) ensuring that ourvirtual presence online supports thesales, customer service and technicalsupport offered by our talented UK andIreland team.”

Reader Reply No: 212010

Belfast Film Industry is at the Cutting Edge

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Northern Ireland has todayestablished itself as a majorlocation for the film industry,

with such colossus as HBO’s Gamesof Thrones being filmed there. Tokeep up with the increasing demand,a major investment was recentlymade in a state-of-the-art 120,000 sq.ft. studio space that has been built ona former landfill site in Belfast.Taking up a total of 8-acres the NorthForeshore Studios today provides a

flexible range of both indoor and outdoorfacilities, which will make this a veryattractive proposition that is bound tobuild on Northern Ireland’s film industry’ssuccess and gain it even more of a globalfocus.Working behind the scenes to maintainthe ambient temperature are well knownplayers from the Grundfos pump familythat includes members of the energyefficient MAGNA3 circulator range aswell as a booster set that is a great

performer and will ensure there issufficient water where it is needed, whenit is needed.We are sure that many new andexisting stars will be associated withthese studios in years to come andGrundfos pumps will be there playingtheir own supporting role. To findout more about how the cast fromGrundfos could help you with yournext production, visit www.grundfos.co.uk

Reader Reply No: 212002

NEWSNews

With concern mounting aboutglobal plastics usage,Cromwell Polythene – one of

the UK’s leading suppliers of sacks,bags and speciality products for thestorage and collection of waste andrecyclables – is delighted to beshowcasing its lightweightLOWCO2T® range at the ManchesterCleaning Show from 11-12 April onstand E22.The LOWCO2T range – includingdisposable aprons, laundry bags andnow several varieties of refuse sacks –offers high performance, lightweightproducts.Since the products require less materialto achieve the same performancestandards, they come packaged insmaller cartons. This means the volumeof plastic used is minimised, as are thecarbon emissions during production andtransport. Less storage space isrequired too.

These many positive attributes meanthat the LOWCO2T range is highly costeffective and offers great value formoney. With a growing demand for areduction in the volumes of plastic incirculation, LOWCO2T offers customersa more resource efficient andenvironmentally responsible alternativeto some of the bigger, bulkier productsin the marketplace.

The range will now be supplied in neweye-catching packaging to betterpromote the products environmental andperformance credentials.Cromwell Polythene Managing Director,James Lee, said: “We have been amongthe leading protagonists of ‘closed loop’recycling, having used recovered wastepackaging in the production of ourrecycled black refuse sacks for manyyears. During this time we have

A Weight off Your Mind About Plastic UseCromwell Polythene showcasing lighter, cost effective, more environmentally-friendly

plastics range at the Cleaning Show

www.cleaningshow.co.uk/manchester

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NEWSnews

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pioneered the need for increasedperformance from polymers at lowerthicknesses to reduce the amount ofplastic used.“The LOWCO2T approach means wecan offer a range of products that makethe most efficient use of resources andprovide a robust challenge to sacksmade from other blends of polythene.

For every tonne of plastic that isrecycled, there is a 1.5 tonne saving inCO2, whilst thinner products can betransported in larger quantities, requiringfewer trips.“Plastics have been having a hard timein the media recently, but they areessential for modern life, and, ifmanufactured and used responsibly,

they can benefit the environment andenrich our lives. Come along to standE22 to find out more.”For more information visithttp://cromwellpolythene.co.uk/ orwww.cleaningshow.co.uk/manchester

Reader Reply No: 212007

Manchester Cleaning Show to Focus on Future ofCleaning and Wider FM Issues

British Cleaning Council to be joined by BIFM at two-day trade expo

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The full programme for the sec-ond Manchester CleaningShow, the northern edition of

The Cleaning Show which now alter-nates annually with Excel in London,has been announced.Already set to be bigger than the firstManchester event in terms of floor-space, visitor registration figures alsosuggest it will be busier than in 2016with over 1,000 people having alreadybooked an entry ticket which are availa-ble free of charge.The two-day event - being hosted atEvent City in Manchester on April 11th

and 12th 2018 -will be focused on thefuture of UK’s cleaning. The FM sectorwill also be well represented, withThe British Institute of FacilitiesManagement (BIFM) set to be exhibit-ing.The Manchester Cleaning Show willcommence with an opening addressfrom Stan Atkins, the Chair of the BritishCleaning Council (BCC), who will beoutlining the key issues which he be-lieves are some of the most pressing forboth the cleaning and wider FM indus-tries.These include raising professionalstandards, improving skills provision,the need for more robust and fair pro-curement practices and the impendingrecruitment crisis facing the industry.Stan will also highlight the recent in-depth research report which was under-taken by the BCC to get a clearer pic-ture of the size, scale and complexity ofthe UK cleaning market.This will be followed by a kick-off ses-sion called Preparing for the Future,which will be led by the authors of theBCC’s report, Firedog Research.Firedog analysts will be presenting theheadline findings from the research,and sharing some key insights and con-clusions about what the data means forthe cleaning sector.This overarching snapshot of where thecleaning sector is, and where it is poten-tially heading, will then be followed aseries of themed sessions from a di-verse range of speakers and organisa-tions.

Health and Safety will be very high onthe agenda, with a presentation fromthe Federation of Window Cleaners(FWC) about the risks of working atheight, together with a series of work-shops facilitated by the HSE.Staffing, recruitment and employeewellbeing are set to be other key topics,with presentations from BACHE, BICScand CERATA all set to be linked to thedifferent issues around these topics.The potential impact of Brexit on em-ployment will also be discussed by Be-spoke Cleaning Solutions, while theconsequences of the UK leaving Eu-rope from a more commercial perspec-tive will be explored by contractcleaning firm Cleanology.Doing better business, and increasingproductivity, are other areas set to bediscussed through the show’s speakerprogramme.SmartTask will be examining the issueof improved efficiency, while expertsfrom the worlds of sales, marketing andPR will be demonstrating how digitalchannels and integrated communica-tions can boost customer engagementand drive new business.In the exhibition area leading brandsand manufacturers will be demonstrat-ing their newest products.Nilfisk, Karcher and Killis will all be pro-moting the latest advances in their serv-ices and equipment, as will firms suchas Floorbrite, Bunzl, SmartTask, Host,Duplex, Greyland and Prochem.Dennis Rawlins, Sebo, Vaclensa, Telel-og, Templa and UhUb will also be ex-hibiting at the show, alongside nichesuppliers including Osprey Deepclean,RPC, Arrow County Supplies, Biova-

tion, GermXit, Moreclean and CromwellPolythene.In addition, Jangro have confirmed thatthey will be bringing their popular dou-ble decker bus to Manchester, whichwas debuted at The Cleaning Show inLondon last year.Suppliers to niche sectors such ashealthcare, retail and leisure, transport,public buildings and window cleaningwill also be well represented.Trade and membership associationswill also be in attendance including theBritish Institute of Cleaning Science(BICSc), the British Pest Control Asso-ciation (BPCA), the Domestic CleaningAlliance (DCA), The Association ofHealthcare Cleaning Professionals (AH-CP), The British Toilet Association(BTA), The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppli-ers’ Association (CHSA), WAMITABand the Association of Building Clean-ing Service Providers (ABCD).The ABCD will also using the event toannounce their public sector CleaningTeam of the Year Award, sponsoredDenis Rawlins Ltd, which was won lastyear by Rochdale Council.Another major trade association, TheFederation of Window Cleaners (FWC),will once again be hosting the annualWindow Cleaning Challenge, where thefastest entrants get the chance to win£250.For more details of the ManchesterCleaning Show visitwww.cleaningshow.co.uk/manchester

Reader Reply: 212030

NEWSnews

Visitors to Manchester are beinginvited to think afresh about thereturns they achieve on

cleaning as Denis Rawlins Ltd sharesits philosophy of ‘return oninnovation’.The Sutton Coldfield cleaning consultantand equipment supplier specialises inidentifying new systems and techniquesthat produce both superior cleaningresults and a faster return on investment.Two products showcased on theRawlins Stand D27 embody theseprinciples:

�� REN™ Clean – a simply yethighly effective manualcleaning system for escalators,and

�� SpaceVac, which makes it easyfor workers at ground level toclean high-level areasthoroughly and safely.

“Smarter innovation isn’t necessarilyabout the latest technology ormechanisation – but the evidence ofactual cleaning results, costs andefficiency,” says James White, MD ofDenis Rawlins Ltd. “Our exhibitsempower non-specialist cleaning teamsto complete challenging cleaning tasksmore cost-effectively than the usualmethods.”With REN™ Clean, one person canclean an escalator or travelator inminutes, using an engineered spongepad that slots into the treads. When heldagainst the comb plate, thisautomatically removes soils and greasefrom oncoming treads. The pads can becleaned and reused. REN™ Clean,which is low-cost, also incorporatescleaning solution and a system designedfor cleaning risers.REN™ Clean allows escalators to beintegrated into daily / routine cleaning. Itavoids the cost, disruption and abrasiveeffects of more expensive, specialistcleaning equipment.SpaceVac, meanwhile, is a simple, safeand cost-effective way to clean at heightwithout the need for powered accessequipment or scaffolding.

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Redefine Your R.O.I. with SmarterInnovations

Alternative cleaning methods give superior results for less cost

Using super-lightweight carbon-fibrepoles and cleaning accessories,SpaceVac enables operators to cleanup to 15 metres from ground level. Anadditional wirelessvideocam allows theoperative – or asupervisor viewing arecording – to monitorresults.SpaceVac iscompatible withstandard vacuumsand has an ATEX-certified system whichis safe for use ine x p l o s i v eenvironments withcombustible dusts.Denis Rawlins Ltdoffers freedemonstrations ofthese and othercleaning solutions.www.rawlins.co.uk

Reader Reply: 212011

NEWS news

NEWSnews

London specialist in securecommercial cleaning, JuliusRutherfoord & Co has won a

Kimberly-Clark Professional GoldenService Award for ‘Best CleanedPremises, Large EducationEstablishment.’ The prestigiousaccolade was awarded for itscontract with Merton College, andpresented at the ceremony onThursday, 8 March at the LondonHilton.The contract cleaning provider has beenworking in partnership with MertonCollege since 2006 to deliver a cleanand safe learning environment for over21,000 students. One of the mostimpactful innovations brought to thecollege is the use of the InnuScience™biotechnology range of professionalcleaning products. This providessuperior performance and productivity,whilst being cost-effective, people-friendly, and responsible to theenvironment.Site security is a prime focus, supportedby a suite of systems including JuliusRutherfoord & Co’s award-winning con-

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�� Healthcare Establishment withfewer than 250 beds – for clientSt Stephen’s Aids Trust with StStephen’s Clinical Research.

�� Hospitality Award – for clientThe Salvation Army, SunburyCourt

�� Industry Training Award – At itsTramshed home in Battersea.

Julius Rutherfoord & Co operationsdirector Chris Parkes said: “We arepassionate about working in partnershipwith our clients to support their needsand deliver a secure and spotlessenvironment throughout the working day.We are delighted, therefore, to have wona prestigious Golden Service award, andto have been highly commended in asecond category. Our expert, tailoredapproach to meeting the needs of ourdiscerning clients is a winning formula!”

Reader Reply: 212038

tract management app. This enables allaspects of the contract, including healthand safety reporting and quality, to bemanaged and communicated back tothe client in real time.The meticulously trained cleaning teamsign into the premises through a bio-metric time and attendance system.This means the college can be sureonly authorised people have access totheir building and a professional serviceis delivered to specification, cost-effec-tively and securely.Julius Rutherfoord and Co was alsohighly commended at the awardsceremony in the ‘Best Cleaned Premisesfor Office areas below 250,000 sq. ft’.This was for its contract with world-leading research and academicpublisher, Springer Nature, caring for itscampus office in North London.Flexibility and partnership are a must forthis vibrant, evolving workspace.From hundreds of entries, JuliusRutherfoord and Co was chosen as afinalist in a further three categories:

Julius Rutherfoord & Co Wins Golden ServiceAward for Best Cleaned Premises, Large

Education Establishment

The International Lone WorkerSafety Leader Expands Its Rangeto Benefit More Clients

SoloProtect continues to lead in providinglone worker safety solutions byannouncing the SoloProtect Watch onMarch 6, combining convenience, style,and true safety management in the formof a wearable.The SoloProtect Watch incorporatesmarket-trusted and discreet lone workersafety functionality into a user-friendly,design. With features like Geolocation,two-way audio communication, andincapacitation detection, the Watch is anexciting addition for lone worker safety andjoins the SoloProtect ID and SoloProtectGo devices in SoloProtect’s everincreasing catalogue of dedicated anddiscreet lone worker devices.As a wearable, the SoloProtect Watchaddresses a worker’s need for greaterversatility, allowing the user to wear the

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device conveniently and securely on theirwrist. For the diverse workforce, the icon-based user interface ensures the deviceis easy to navigate with clear and simpleimagery that inform the user of the devicefunctions. And as an added feature, thedevice also uses a pedometer to tracksteps and heart rate for those that arehealth-conscious.An added benefit of the SoloProtect Watchis its ease of use, utilising functionalitysimilar to SoloProtect ID and SoloProtectGo. The device has ‘Red Alert’ and ‘AmberAlert’ capabilities, which send out discreetaudio calls to SoloProtect's EN 50518Alarm Receiving Centre and providesituational background information, as partof a user's dynamic risk assessment.Combined with haptic feedback and adiscreet design, all these featurescontribute to the device’s uniqueeffectiveness for those seeking a wearable.

Craig Swallow, SoloProtect UK ManagingDirector, commented:“We are delighted to announce the additionof the SoloProtect Watch to our range ofdiscreet and fit for purpose lone workerproducts. We firmly believe wearabletechnology has now become part ofeveryday life for many users, andexpanding its use into lone worker safety isthe next logical step. The SoloProtectWatch, backed by our market leading AlarmReceiving Centre and SoloProtect Insights,our customer engagement portal, has thepotential to help employers increaseworkplace efficiency and mitigate workrelated risk to both users and the businessas a whole.”The SoloProtect Watch will be availablefrom Q2 2018. See our solutions pagehere.

Reader Reply: 212003

NEWSnews

SoloProtect Watch - the Lone Worker Wearable

NEWSnews

Leeds-based drainage andgroundworks company, Jet AireServices, has secured a £1m

contract to provide drainagemaintenance services across variousregions of the UK on behalf ofhighways asset managementcompany, Carnell Group.The contract, one of Jet Aire’s largest-ever, was awarded following the recentcompletion of a previous £100,000contract for Carnell Group whichrequired Jet Aire to carry out jetvacuuming for Highways Areas in theNortheast and Herefordshire. Similarworks will now be carried out forHighways Areas in North Yorkshire,Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Durham,Cumbria and the East Midlands as partof Carnell Group’s overall assetmanagement commissioned byHighways England. Carnell are the UK’sleading providers of Highways Agency

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Jet Aire Secures £1m HighwaysMaintenance Contract

Drainage Data Management System(HADDMS) surveys, prioritising areas inneed of remediation through assetinventory and condition assessment ofroad surfaces and sub-surface drainageassets.Jet Aire Services Director, Keith Ferris,said: “Jet Aire are delighted to securemore business from Carnell Group onthe strength of our performance on theoriginal contract. The highways sector isa key part of Jet Aire’s growth strategy.We have targeted this type of businesswith the benefit of a £400,000investment in a JHL Flexline 414Recycler Unit – currently one of only fourin the UK and the only one in the North.It can work on large diameter drains andrecycles the water it uses, whichsignificantly reduces downtime andmakes it ideal for motorway works as theunit can stay on-site for the duration ofthe shift.

“Investment in ISO9001, ISO14001 andOHSAS 18001 certification means thatJet Aire’s management systems arealigned with the exacting standards ofleading nationwide operators such asCarnell Group and this has also been afactor in securing larger contracts. Werecently received another 414 Flexlinerecycler from JHL, one of five that will beadded to fleet, before the end of May, inreadiness for supporting our everexpanding customer base”.With a Middlesbrough office in additionto its Aberford HQ, Jet Aire Services hasbeen established for over thirty years.The company’s services also includetankering and waste disposal, UV lining,infiltration sealing, robotic cutting, rootcutting, epoxy spray Ultracoating,surfacing, block paving, fencing and civilengineering works.

Reader Reply No: 212035

Saracen Completes Yorkshire Contract ForAlternative Energy Supplier

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NEWSnews

Leading workplace consultantSaracen Interiors hascompleted its first major fit out

contract for Enviva at theinternational, clean energy provider’ssecond office in York. Theaccomodation, secured to host thecompany’s growing UK team,comprises of a single floor containingaround 3,000 sq ft of space.An eight-week project, the fit out hasbeen expressly designed to enhance thebrand for Enviva, as it expands itsphysical presence in the UK market,bringing its logo and corporate coloursto the fore to complement the overalllook.Design details included a carefullyangled layout, bespoke feature rafts,perimeter bulk heads, feature panellingfrom reclaimed timber, tailored joinery,eye-catching signage and graphic wallmanifestations and canvasses.Saracen has won awards for its designwork in recent years and, given its raisedprofile in the North over the last 12months, it was a clear contender for aproject which focused heavily on design,

according to its director, Michael Page:“We’ve been involved in some stand outprojects in Yorkshire since we firstestablished a presence in the North andour reputation as experts with anenthusiasm for design has grown inrecent times thanks to the team’s hardwork and its excellent record of smoothhandover and delivery.“It’s been great for the team to engagewith a company such as Enviva as theywere happy to give us scope to explorea variety of ideas to make the spacestand out and to deliver a flavour of thebusiness and its brand.”A prominent player in the South East,Saracen now hopes to build on itsbusiness in the North, positioning itselfas a national concern with local links andknowledge. It recently opened an officeat Manchester’s Media City, providingthe team with a base from which tooperate.The company has a proven track recordin improving workplace efficiency, andcorporate standing, and is renowned forits tailor-made, cost-effective solutions.With a series of divisions, including

Saracen Facilities, Saracen Small Worksand Saracen Move Management,Saracen also continues to consolidateits position as a one-stop shop, offeringits clients access to a full skillset, with aselection of seamless service optionsdesigned to anticipate all manner andscale of requirements.Recent clients include Coca-ColaEnterprises, CH2M, Yum Restaurants,Tata Communications, WYG, TEConnectivity, Loma Systems, Gray’s InnChambers, Libra Group, Creature ofLondon, Aspect Property Group, FirstProperty Group, Audatex, AthenaPartners, Motofix, Flight Safety,Countrywide PLC, Knight Frank, MitieEngineering, Pizza Hut, Redrow Homes,Thames Water, Toshiba, TAG Aviation,Viatel, BAE Systems, Sue Ryder Care,North Surrey Primary Care Trust, RoyalBerkshire and Battle Hospital NHS Trust.For further information, visitwww.saraceninteriors.com

Reader Reply: 212006

NEWSnews

When you think of industrieson the verge of disruption,it’s often a case of seeking

out traditional sectors that have beendoing things the same way for years- decades, even.You’ll look for industries that could usea shot in the arm from some smarterthinking or that could benefit from digitaltechnologies to trim away layers ofaccumulated inefficiency. On the face ofit, Grounds Maintenance seems a greatcandidate for this treatment. In the UK,the sector is extremely fragmented, withmany of the established serviceproviders having been around forseveral decades and delivering verytraditional offerings based on fairly rigidmaintenance regimes. But that’s not tosay that things haven’t been evolving. Inmany respects, today’s GM industry hascompanies competing to discover waysto add more value to their clients. Thosewho struggle to achieve this rely onleaner, cheaper services so much of GMhas become increasingly commoditisedand, as a result, overall service issuffering. It’s therefore time to re-evaluate some of the common practicesin the industry, reconnect with whatcustomers actually need, and shift thecompetitive battleground further towardsvalue.

Short term is short sightedOne of the causes of commoditisationhas been a relentless focus on the shortterm: Whether it’s the duration of clientcontracts, or the seasonality ofemployment across the sector, there isa lack of investment in lastingrelationships and better service delivery.In many respects, this is an inevitableresult of cutthroat competition. Whenfaced with more complex challenges onsite, contractors will naturally bereluctant to treat the root cause of anissue if they feel there is a chance thatthat hard work could be under cut andsomeone else could reap the rewardslater. Too often it’s easier to paper overthe cracks and do the minimum amountto meet the specifications rather than gothe extra mile to address problems

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Looking Back to the Future ofGrounds Maintenance

Grounds Maintenance has become stale, commoditised and in desperateneed of renewal but to evolve, the experts at GRITIT Grounds

Maintenance argue that the industry needs to go back to basicsproperly, or even work to produce moreaesthetically pleasing solutions.When seeking to reduce costs, first inline to be cut back tends to be wintervisits when there is no obvious growthtaking place. Typically groundsmaintenance companies conduct aprocess of mass recruitment in March toemploy sufficient numbers of staff tocover the peak period / grass-cuttingseason and then reduce staff numbersagain over the winter. However, thispared down approach can becounterproductive as activity duringwinter months is very important toeffective grounds maintenance.One practical example is leaf collection,where neglect can allow debris to buildup and destroy lawns, leading tounnecessary lawn treatments orreplacements at a later point. On hardstandings, leaves can also decay andleave a substrate for weeds togerminate, which can result in a need formore weed control and unnecessarychemical treatments during thesubsequent growing season. Similarly,neglecting autumn and spring pruning ofshrubs and hedges can result in moreexpensive reduction work at a later date(when specialised equipment andchainsaw licenses are required). Justlike warming up before workout at thegym, the work we do during winterprovides an essential rehab orconditioning phase. Skip this and injuriesoccur.A further consequence of cutting backduring winter is that groundsmaintenance companies aresquandering their primary asset –people. The practice of hiring and firingaccording to the season leads to poorerservice delivery, particularly when itresults in a higher turnover of staff or agreater reliance on agencies. When youcan’t retain experience, it’s difficult to doa good job or even run an efficientoperation. For example, it’s very easy tolose half an hour of a visit to a large sitesimply in assessing the location andgetting up to speed with what needsdoing. Furthermore, quality can take anosedive. When you’re using different

staff for each visit, it’s far easier to askthem to focus on the basics such askeeping the grass cut to the detrimentof addressing more complex challengesor longer-term projects. And when yourrelationship with those staff only lastsfor one season, there is virtually noincentive to invest in their training andgive them the skills to take on moreresponsibility. Engaging seasonal staffcan also make it hard to build trust withteam leaders and with management. Inpeak season in particular, groundsmaintenance is a hard graft and awell-motivated team that can pulltogether can be much more effective.

Continuity is keyThere’s also the issue of relationships:With a higher turnover of people, it isharder to build the relationships thatreally matter in effective GM. At thesimplest level there’s the relationshipwith the land itself: When operativesbecome more familiar with a site itself,they get a better understanding of thechallenges and opportunities itpresents. Every site is different andbuilding up knowledge of that locationlets individuals add more value. Theycan then also assume a greater level ofresponsibility for planning andimplementing necessary actions andtake greater pride in that work. Thisreally shines through – particularly forclients, who can benefit from morespecific expertise and guidance e.g.when recommending furtherimprovements.The human dimension can be verysignificant when servicing clients wherea familiar face is important. In aresidential context, such as housingassociations, people will naturally behappier knowing the people workingaround their homes. Often a resident’sexperience of the quality and nature ofgrounds maintenance can be whatdefines their wider perception of theservice they receive from theassociation as a whole. Indeed, thesame perceptual factors are equallytrue for clients such as retail or businessparks and wherever there are a greater

NEWSnews

number of stakeholders involved betterrelationships and increasedaccountability can help to manage theincreased number of challenges. Againto use the example of housing, residentswant to feel listened to and be able tohave their say on any plans forimproving their site. Conversely,complaints can arise if people think workhas not been done or that the standardof work is inadequate. In these situationsit is important that grounds maintenanceteams on site are empowered to talk toboth residents and housing managersand proactively solve small requestswithout delay.

The right balance between peopleand technologyAll of this may seem to be an argumentin favour of good old-fashioned hardwork and ditching the ultra-flexible, leanworking practices of modern contracting.It may even be taken as a case againstoutsourcing grounds maintenance in thefirst place. However, it’s important not tosee these things as being mutuallyexclusive.While the pendulum has swung too farin one direction, there is a middle groundto which we can return. Grounds

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maintenance companies can modernise,stay agile and take advantage ofdigitisation, while still fostering thosevital relationships and invest in peoplefor better service delivery.This is the model that we have soughtto build at GRITIT Grounds Maintenance– and it can and does work. Although weservice hundreds of sites in each region,wherever possible we seek to ensurethat the same team members care foreach of these sites. As a groundsmaintenance company that is part ofwinter gritting firm, we also have anopportunity to retain more staff duringthe quieter winter periods (GM staff canjoin the gritting operation if they sochoose). However it is achieved, betterretention is key for any groundsmaintenance firm seeking to invest intheir staff, and it has given us thesecurity to invest more in training (manyof our staff now attained horticultureNVQs to level 2 or level 4, including aregular stream of apprentices). We thinkthat the investment pays dividends asskilled team leaders and operators dobecome more effective and serve asbetter ambassadors for both our ownand our clients’ businesses.This back-to-basics approach to peopleis a somewhat different way of disrupting

an industry, but it is long overdue forgrounds maintenance. Even as GMreturns to its roots, new technology willbe vital to growing its future. From smartdevices on site, to databases at the backend to client portals and apps – bettertechnology can help service providersmore efficiently plan, monitor and recordactivity, while allowing busy clients tosave time and resources monitoring theirGM contracts. It’s always been aboutdelivering the small details that mattermost, whilst passing on the savings thatcome through working better and on alarger scale.

GRITIT provide Award Winning WinterGritting, Grounds Maintenance &Landscape Management, keeping sitesoperational and in pristine and safecondition all year around. Ourinvestment in research, bespokedevelopments and continual use of newtechnology is transforming operations,communications and service qualitywithin the FM landscape. For further info:Telephone: 0800 0432 911 or Email:info@gritit.com or www.gritit.com

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NEWSnews

Lanes Rail has begun a pro-gramme of works to refurbish amajor viaduct on London Un-

derground's Piccadilly Line.Brick laying teams are repointing andreplacing brickwork on the structure be-tween South Harrow and Rayners LaneTube stations in West London.The viaduct, one of the longest on theTube network, opened on 1st March1910. It was constructed to extend theline across the Roxeth Marshes, whichwere drained and built over in the 1930s.London Underground has commis-sioned Lanes Rail Division, part ofLanes Group plc, to repair a 204-metresection of the viaduct, encompassing 17arches, as part of a phased mainte-nance programme.A key objective has been to plan therefurbishment work so it does not incon-venience owners of businesses andshops located in the viaduct arches, andtheir many customers.Lanes Rail Project Manager SteveDemwell said: "This particular stretch ofthe viaduct is the centre of a thrivingcommercial community and is a thor-oughfare for thousands of commutersusing South Harrow Station."We are working closely with business-es along the viaduct, in partnership with

London Underground colleagues, tominimise the impact of our work, whilemaintaining a safe environment for all."The viaduct has been enclosed in scaf-folding to provide a platform for LanesRail's bricklayers to work, safely containall repair activities, and allow train serv-ices to continue to run just feet away.Its brickwork is being extensively re-newed. Degraded mortar is being re-moved and the bricks repointed. Loosebrickwork is being reset and, wherenecessary, replaced. Vegetation is alsobeing removed.Steve Demwell said: "Our bricklayersare highly skilled and dedicated, and weensure the repair work is of the same

high standards set when the viaductwas first built more than 100 years ago."That means, when the South Harrowrail viaduct refurbishment programme iscompleted, the structure will not only befit for purpose for decades to come, itwill also look impressive and in keepingas well."It is the latest major rail structure repairproject carried out by Lanes Rail. Itsteams have also refurbished a viaductfurther south on the District Line at Alp-erton, and have painted a bridge on theJubilee Line in Kilburn, West London.Lanes Group:www.lanesfordrains.co.uk

Reader Reply: 212033

Refurbishment Begins of Major LondonUnderground Viaduct

County Durham Hotel and Golf Club Benefit fromBoilerMag XL and Water Treatment

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NEWS news

A prestigious hotel and golfclub in County Durham hasrecently been fitted with a new

boiler, including a BoilerMag XLmagnetic boiler filter by EnrightEnvironmental Ltd. The heatingsystem and boiler circuit was alsotreated with the BM1 inhibitorchemical to maintain the heatingefficiency by preventing scaleformulation and metal corrosion.

Onsite installer and EnrightEnvironmental Ltd heating engineerAdrian Mills said: “Due to the age of theheating system in the hotel and golf club,we decided to fit the new boiler after theold one had burst, using a plate heatexchanger to keep the boiler separatefrom the circulating water. The systemconsisted of a heating circuit, as wellthree large hot water cylinders at acapacity of 1000L each.We treated the boiler circuit with BM1water treatment and fitted a BoilerMagXL filter to the circulating water in orderto prevent the build-up of ferrous oxideand scale in the central heating system.There are three boilers in the systemaltogether, and the other two willprobably need replacing in the very nearfuture. We intend to fit the new boilers ina similar manner, including BoilerMagmagnetic boiler filters and BM1 inhibitorchemicals.”Adrian adds: “As regular users ofBoilerMag products, we continue to usethem with the utmost confidence in their

capability of protecting and improvinghot water circuits.”The BM1 chemical inhibitor is a highperformance formula that effectivelymaintains heating efficiencyby preventing scale formulation andmetal corrosion, without causing anydetrimental effects on the plastic orrubber plumbing components such asseals. It is a Borate/Phosphate freeformula that provides outstanding

heating system protection with none ofthe adverse effects associated withtraditional protection products.The BoilerMag XL commercial heatingsystem filter is a cost effectiveoption for heating efficiency and boilerprotection in commercial, retail, or largeresidential properties. Compatible with

1 1/2” fittings and pressures up to 12 bar,the BoilerMag XL is easy to install andmaintain. Find out moreat www.boilermag.com

Reader Reply: 212009

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NEWS

Located a short walk fromUxbridge tube station, TheCharter Building, former UK

headquarters of Coca-Cola, has in thelast year, undergone an extensiverefurbishment and remodel, overseenby developers Landid PropertyHoldings. To add the finishingtouches, signage and displaygraphics specialist Signbox wascommissioned by contractor Bowmer& Kirkland to deliver external,illuminated signage andcomprehensive wayfinding graphicsthroughout this five-storey, 240,000square foot building.Working closely with DN-A Architectureand Siren Design, Signbox was taskedwith creating and installing signage thatfully reflected the quality of therenovated building. With twelve

cover storySignbox Provides Internal Wayfinding and ExternalIlluminated Signage Solutions to Five-Storey Office

Building

NEWScover storyindividual stairways, two sets of liftcores and hundreds of doors servingdifferent segments and floors, the scaleof the project was a challenge in itself.Signbox created and installed simple,icon-led wayfinding graphics, symbolsand floor-level information using thelatest high-tack, self-adhesive Mactacfilms. Graphics were applied to a vastnumber of surfaces throughout thebuilding: from painted plasterboard todoors, brick and concrete walls andeven to the floors of the building’s fourbasement-level car parks.Internal, illuminated signage erected atthe south reception of the building wasmanufactured with 30mm opal acrylicletters attached to vertical timber fins.Installation was not without itschallenges: “When we came to fit it,building work was 99% complete, sogetting fixings and power into thecomponents of the sign was a difficultprocess,” says Andy Harris, ProjectManager at Signbox. “By manufacturingthe lettering on mounted concealedrails, we were able to cover any visiblecables and fixings – resulting in abeautifully radiant sign, which gives theprominence demanded by the client andstands out to passers-by.”One of the centrepieces of the projectwas an illuminated, external signmounted onto the north facade of thebuilding. 3D rimless, illuminated letterswere placed onto horizontal rails, which

were painted to match the colour of thetiles of the building so as to disguisethem. The letters then had 3MTM

Day/Night Film applied to the faces, sothe sign appears black during daylighthours, then lights up white at night. Aftercompleting the work, Signbox was thencommissioned to create identical,external signage for the south facade.This project is expected to be completedin early 2018.Harris concludes: “To immediately becommissioned to carry out further workon this building is testament to the

quality of the job that Signbox hasdelivered. The simple and considereddesign of the signage throughout thebuilding provides everything the clientrequired: from distinctive, impactfulsigns at each of the two entrances, tothe reassuring guidance across all ofthe many doors, floors and lift lobbiesof this vast building.”For further information, please visit:www.signbox.co.uk

Reader Reply: 212001

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22

Trigion Proves Its Mettle at Scrap YardTrigion provides thermal imaging solution to protect valuable scrap metal

With the value of scrap metalonly heading in one directionrecently, dealers are having

to turn to ever more advancedsecurity solutions to combat theft andbreak ins. Security specialists Trigionis now providing high-tech solutionsat a major Kent scrap yard, includingthe use of thermal cameras and a‘virtual perimeter’ system.On a site such as a scrap metal yard,there can be a lot of material on view andit is not always easy to determine exactlywhat is happening on a standard CCTVcamera. Thermal cameras make it clear

where a heat source is and when itmoves. They can also display anelectronic trail showing where movementhas taken place; making detection mucheasier. In addition, by setting a virtualperimeter on screen, specific areas canbe monitored more closely, and an alarmtriggered if someone enters it. Thisperimeter can be altered remotely tomeet changing situations, such as thearrival of a greater quantity of metal.Neil Ricketts, Security & TechnicalServices Director at Trigion, said: “Withscrap metal prices consistently risingover the past year or two, dealers are

increasingly being targeted byunscrupulous elements intending tocash in. We work with our customers todesign the best solution for theirindividual needs. We’re not tied to anysupplier or manufacturer, so can ensurethe customer gets what they really need.In the case of the scrapyard, the thermalimaging gives a much clearer picture ofthe situation, and staff at our remotemonitoring station can ensure the site issecure at all times.”www.trigion.co.uk

Reader Reply: 212032

NEWSSecurity

Award-Winning CCTV-Based Service MakesBig Impact on Retail Crime

CCTV feeds from retail storesacross the UK are triggering‘security magic’ in Secom’s

Control and Command Centre,where a combination of skilledoperators and powerful software istightening the screws on habitualoffenders.Recently recognised at the SecurityExcellence Awards as ‘CCTV systemof the year’ (excluding cameras andlenses), Secom’s new ROGUESservice – pioneered in a selection ofCo-op stores countrywide – is alreadygetting real traction with habitualoffenders.The end-to-end solution is payingdividends with repeat offenders beingidentified and taken off of the street onthe strength of Secom’s evidence andcollaboration with multiple policeforces.Secom operators and analysts havesubmitted thousands of intelligence

forms, unearthing a nucleus of morethan 500 habitual offenders up and downthe UK. Since November, 28 individuals

have been charged with multipleoffences.

Reader Reply: 212008

The UK’s largest British design-er and manufacturer of premi-um radiators and towel

warmers, Vogue (UK), proudly high-light diversity through its MODE De-signer Radiator: available instandard and non-standard sizeswith a host of supporting accesso-ries.A customisable design concept, Vogue(UK)’s MODE and MODE Bespoke is ahighly flexible heating solution with theoption of a rich colour palette. Availablein standard and non-standard sizes, thisradiator design allows for under-windowand full height installation, or even anamalgamation of contrastingmodels/colours/sizes for interior impactand all important ‘wow-factor’.Columns: To suit your space and heat

output requirements we have a stand-ard range of over 40 radiators. Addition-ally, non-standard options for MODEBespoke are available for the 2, 3, 4, 5and 6 Column designs, as pictured.With heights from 300mm up to2000mm, excluding feet: (standardheight up to 1800mm) and 2 to 6 col-umn widths the choice is exceptional.Offering a practical wall or floor mount-ed heating solution, the MODE RadiatorCollection by Vogue (UK), is designedto work around you and your home, witha high capacity for heating your entirehome.

� Heights x Widths:- 300, 400, 500, 600, 750, 900,1000, 1200, 1500, 1800, 2000 [mm]

� 2 Column - Depth 68mm - Watts/ BTU’s: up to 1548/5282 (standard)

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MODE and MODE Bespoke by Vogue (UK)� 3 Column - Depth 100mm -

Watts / BTU’s: up to 2117/7224(standard)

� 4 Column - Depth 140mm -Watts / BTU’s: up to 2632/8981(standard)

� 5 Column - Depth 177mm -Watts / BTU’s: as high as you need

� 6 Column - Depth 215mm -Watts / BTU’s: as high as you need

Accessories:�� Column Radiator Feet�� Adjustable Feet�� Base Plate Cover - For usewith Adjustable Feet�� Top Retaining Stay – For usewith Adjustable Feet�� Heavy Duty Wall Brackets -

Available for 2 to 6 ColumnRadiators�� Standing Brackets - Forinstallation to nonconforming wallmaterials, e.g. glass

�� Welded Feet – increase heightby 100mm

– Up to 20 sections =two feet required

– 21 to 40 sections =three feet required

– 41 to 58 sections =four feet required

Steve Birch, Sales Director at Vogue(UK) says “Modern homeowners arelooking to embrace period style heatingthat is modernised by a contemporarycolour palette, the addition of retro ac-cessories and the ability to design withmultiple styles and sizes. Our MODEand MODE Bespoke Radiator range fitsthe bill, allowing for creative freedomand your own sense of personal style inyour home.”The MODE and MODE Bespoke Radia-tors are supplied in White RAL 9016, asstandard, or you can choose from abroad spectrum of coloured finishes byVogue (UK) like a bold Melon Yellow(RAL 1028) or more subtle shade likePastel Green (RAL 6019). It is alsoavailable in a choice of contemporarypainted finishes for 2 & 3 Column ver-sions: Latte, Cappuccino, Mocha, Es-presso, Black and Anthracite.Manufactured from Mild Steel, theMODE Radiators are part of the De-signer Collection and supplied with a 15year manufacturer’s guarantee.For further information on Vogue (UK)or any of its latest product collections,please call 01902 387000, emailinfo@vogueuk.co.uk or visitwww.vogueuk.co.uk

Reader Reply: 212030

NEWSinteriors

Fire and rescue services (FRS)attended 566,572 incidents inthe year ending September

2017 – a three per cent increasecompared with the previous year,according to the latest nationalstatistics published by The HomeOffice.The statistics also revealed that of allincidents attended by FRS in the yearending September 2017, firesaccounted for 30 per cent and non-fireincidents at 31 per cent. The remaining39 per cent were fire false alarms,which were the largest incident type.In light of these recent statistics, BullProducts, a manufacturer of life-savingfire protection equipment, shares thefour vital steps a business can take toprotect itself from a fire.

UnderstandIn every workplace, the owner oremployer has a legal responsibility tocarry out a fire risk assessment – thisincludes identifying and understandingthe risks involved.According to HSE, these five stepsshould be carried out:

�� Identify the hazards.�� Decide who might be harmed

and how.

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Understand, Prevent, Prepare and Tackle –The Four Vital Steps to Protect Your Business

from a Fire�� Evaluate the risks and decide

on precautions.�� Record significant findings.�� Review the assessment and

update where necessary.

PreventAlthough a fire cannot be completelyprevented, there are several actions thata business can take to ensure the riskof a fire breaking out is minimalised,including the following:

�� Keep areas free of clutter suchas paper that could easily catchfire or prevent access to exitsand emergency equipment.

�� Ensure electrical appliances areswitched off and plugs areremoved before leaving thebuilding.

�� Ensure electrical appliances aresafe to use by carrying outregular PAT Tests.

�� Replace frayed power cords andensure cord protectors are used.

�� Don’t block exits or fire doorswith boxes – ensure these arekept clear at all times.

�� Store hazardous materialssafely and make sure these areclearly marked.

PrepareInitial and refresher fire training willensure workers are prepared in theevent of a fire and know what actions totake so that safety remains a top priority.Frequent drills and review procedureswill allow workers to familiarisethemselves with the fire safetyequipment on site and feel confidentwhen using the equipment.

TackleTo protect employees, reliable firealarms are crucial in alerting people ofthe danger and saving lives in the eventof a fire. It’s important that buildings havefire alarms located in the correct places,and the right type of alarm depending onthe building or site.Additionally, fire extinguishers ensureemergency fire responders are able toswiftly select the type of extinguisherrequired to tackle a blaze. It’s alsoimportant to ensure fire extinguishersare placed in the correct areas such ascorridors, stairways, and landings, sothey are highly visible to those followingan escape route.For more information, please visitwww.bullproducts.co.uk

Reader Reply: 212039

NEWShealth & safety

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IFEDA backing The Fire Safety Event 2018The Fire Safety Event 2018 | 10 – 12 April 2018, The NEC, Birmingham

The Independent FireEngineering and DistributorsAssociation (IFEDA) is the

latest key association to announcetheir support The Fire Safety Eventtaking place at the NEC, Birminghamfrom 10 – 12 April 2018.The Association was founded in 1989,to provide an independentrepresentative body of fire tradecompanies. Its members consistof companies and sole traders engagedin the supply, service and maintenanceof fire protection equipment within theUK.Its members will be among more than5,000 attendees who will visit The FireSafety Event, co-located with The Health& Safety Event and The Facilities Eventwhich also features 250 exhibitorsincluding 50 exhibitors from the firesector.IFEDA joins a number of other keyindustry associations who aresupporting the event including BAFE,Institution of Fire Engineers, Institute ofFire Safety Managers, Association forSpecialist Fire Protection, British

Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association,Rail Industry Fire Association,Association of Insurers Surveyors andNational Association of Healthcare FireOfficers.The Fire Safety Event will offer morethan 20 hours of CPD-accreditedseminar content with sessions on howto prevent tall building fires, evacuationpolicies for fires and terrorist attacks,how to prevent false fire alarms,prevention of fires on buses, trains andat sea, protecting hospitals from fires,two fire safety mock trials and muchmore.IFEDA general manager Graham Ferrissaid the Association is excited to supportthe event, he said: “IFEDA is delightedto be taking part and supporting a greatnetworking and information-rich event.I’m keen to raise our association’sprofile, especially the fact that we offera range of, CPD accredited, fire alarmmodules in addition to our traditional fireextinguisher courses.“It’s good to meet up with our Midlands-based members and, of course,explaining the help and assistance

IFEDA can give potential members. I feelthat The Fire Safety Event is the idealvehicle to meet all my objectives.”Event director Tim Else added: “We aredelighted that IFEDA is the latestassociation to offer its support to TheFire Safety Event. Its members areexactly the type of audience we arecommitted to attracting to the event. Ourattendees will benefit greatly from thekey fire safety training and advice onoffer from the IFEDA.“If you have a responsibility for propertyprotection this is an event that you can’tafford to miss. We have an unparalleledline-up of speakers delivering seminarsoffering key advice on how to ensureyour workplace and its occupants aresafe from major fires.”You can register to attend the Fire SafetyEvent for FREEat www.firesafetyevents.com

Reader Reply: 212010

NEWShealth & safety

NEWS

A companion to the similar Drybase ECS EpoxyFloor Coating, Drybase ECS Chemical ResistantEpoxy Floor Coating from Safeguard Europe –

the UK’s leading specialist in damp-proofing andwaterproofing technology – is a highly durable damp-proof epoxy coating for floors and walls with enhancedresistance to chemical attack.A two-part water-dispersed epoxy resin, it is applied in twocoats using a brush or roller. Once cured, the coating ishard wearing, damp-proof and is resistant to a large rangeof different chemicals. Typical applications for DrybaseECS Chemical Resistant Epoxy Floor Coating would bebund floors and walls; laboratory floors and walls; specialistwarehouse and storage areas and specialist factory andproduction facilities.Water-based and low odour, Drybase ECS Chemical Re-sistant Epoxy Floor Coating consists of a pigmented baseresin component and a water-dispersed hardener compo-nent. Surface finish appearance of the surface finish willreflect the texture and nature of the substrate and, whenapplied, contact surfaces must be sound, clean, dry andprovide a ‘light’ mechanical key.A black resinous material, Drybase ECS Chemical Resis-tant Epoxy Floor Coating comes in 5kg packs, with onepack delivering one coat coverage (two coat application isstandard) of up to 30m2.

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Safeguard Drybase Epoxy Coating Helps KeepChemicals at Bay

New Products

The Drybase Damp-Proof Coatings range from SafeguardEurope is designed for use when it is not possible to protectbuilding materials and interior surfaces from the sources ofdampness, like rain penetration or rising damp. A collectionof damp-proof coverings, coatings and membranes; therange aims to provide solutions to a wide range of dampnessissues, whether in small residential properties through tolarger industrial facilities.Safeguard Europe’s range of market-leading, proven damp-proofing solutions is supported by the company’s own highlyqualified and experienced staff. The support and know-howthey offer is extended to contractors, specifiers and propertyowners and includes technical advice, specification help,research and even in-house laboratory analysis of plasterand masonry.

Reader Reply: 212040

4 Aces has launched its first online cataloguecontaining the popular packaging specialist’swidest selection of goods to-date. The catalogue

has been well-received by new and existing customers,who have welcomed the comprehensive guide to whatthe supplier is currently offering the vending, water,hospitality, events and food to go sectors.Available to download direct to any desktop, and releasedas part of the company’s ongoing strategy to strengthen itsmarketing activity across all print and digital platforms, thebroad catalogue is easy to navigate and clearly designedfor simple usability.Including a full selection of the 4 Aces product range, thecatalogue covers hot cups and lids, vending cups, cold cups,water coolers and cups, bar disposables, food serviceproducts and a full choice of accessories and ancillary items.4 Aces has pledged to update the online catalogue regularlyas it continues to add to its extensive collection. Withcustomer service now ranking at its highest level, thecompany has guaranteed its status as the UK’s fastestgrowing provider of packaging products to the beverage andfoodservice sectors.Using a stringent process to identify its preferred suppliers,4 Aces continues to be committed to investing in itsmanufacturing partners while adding to its burgeoningcustomerbase.

For further information on 4 Aces and its products, visitwww.4acesltd.com or call 01992 535774.

Reader Reply: 212041

4 Aces Shows Its Hand with Easy to UseOnline Catalogue

NEWS business news

27

Union Industries appoints new Sales OfficeManager to meet increasing demand

Union Industries, the leadingmanufacturer of industrialhigh-speed roller doors in the

UK, has appointed a new Sales OfficeManager to support growing demandfrom both new and existingcustomers.Helen Holland has joined the Leeds-based company with more than 30years’ sales experience. She willoversee Union’s sales force, which isdelivering the company’s range of HighSpeed Door and Industrial Curtainsolutions to UK and internationalmarkets.Helen’s responsibilities include the directmanagement, continuous training,support and motivation of the Nationalsales team, including field-basedTechnical Sales Engineers and theSales Intelligence DevelopmentDepartment (SIDD). The role alsoinvolves streamlining processes andprocedures to enable the business tomeet growing demand, along withdeveloping marketing activities to drivebrand awareness and sales for Union.She previously held the positions ofBusiness Development Manager andRegional Sales Manager for landscapingcompany Marshalls PLC for 15 yearswhere she was responsible latterly formanaging regional sales of stone andporcelain internal surfaces products inNorthern England. Prior to this, shehandled sales of chemical productsacross the UK and Europe for SKWChemicals UK Ltd, a Degussa AGcompany.From its origins as a tarpaulin makerand repairer, Union Industries has be-come the market-leading supplier ofIndustrial Rapid Roller Doors that arecommonly regarded as the best in in-dustry.The doors are installed in companiesacross the UK and Europe to improveproductivity, energy management andenhance working environments.Helen said: “Along with Union’s passionand commitment to providing the highestquality products and service to itscustomers, the company’s reputation asa British Manufacturer and marketleader in High Speed Industrial Doorsattracted me to apply to work for thecompany. I am looking forward to

contributing to the growth and successof the business”“Union Industries is a very uniquecompany to work for as the company isemployee-owned, so everyone in theUnion family shares the responsibilityand the success. I am looking forward tosupporting, developing and expandingthe sales team to meet the growingdemand from new and existingcustomers and ensuring we deliver thebest solutions to market, to meet ourcustomer’s needs.”Alan Hirst, Sales Director at UnionIndustries, said: “At Union, we arededicated to employing individuals who

will help enhance our products andservices and consequently drive sales.With a wealth of business experience,ranging from the chemical toconstruction industries, Helen is anasset to the company and an excellentaddition to the Union team.”“To continue Union’s growth in our keygeographic and industry markets, we arelooking to expand our sales team withfurther recruitment planned for thecoming months.”

Reader Reply: 212036

Helen Holland