entries found
CO2 Neutralising Felt Roof
During the procurement process for the project, we challenged ourselves to procure materials that provided an environmental benefit to the project. Through our supply chain partnerships, we were able to source a product which bettered the original roofing specification and would have a positive impact on the environment. Our client was fully supportive of this and approved our proposed change...
Staircase Pressurisation System
Berkeley Homes South Quay Plaza have recently installed and commissioned a live stair case pressurisation system to ensure safe evacuation of the project workforce in the event of a fire. This system was decided after a risk assessment showed secondary means of escape via a haki staircase would be struck prior to our maximum fire loadings and maximum capacity. Staircase...
Ceiling Protection
We are currently updating the sprinkler system to mall areas at the Centre: MK in Milton Keynes. While our works are completed at night, we are conscious that while the shopping centre is open to the public, we want to make sure it does not look like a building site, nor disrupt anyone’s shopping experience. During the daytime, we use...
Site efficiency to ensure positive appearance 
At our site, comprising of 9 flats for a local housing association in Kent, because of the amount of space available on this site and being right next to a primary school, we decided to carry out all the drainage, ducting and entrance road before brickwork commenced. By preparing the perimeter of the building and other areas, we are hoping...
Architectural Conservation
Currently being refurbished, GRAHAM’s Coupland Building Project for the University of Manchester is a grade 2 listed building dating back to 1885. The original architect for the Coupland Building was the famous Alfred Waterhouse whose other Manchester landmark buildings includes the neo-classical Manchester Town Hall. As part of the refurbishment works GRAHAM Construction had to replace the existing timber windows...
Living wall on a building redevelopment
To improve and enhance the standard and sustainability of our immediate environment on the LSE CBR project, a living wall was installed to the external face of the welfare cabins facing the LSE library and seating area of the John Watkins Plaza. This was installed by fixing timber battens into the cabins and then hanging the planter boxes with plants...
WELL Building Standard
IQL S9 is targeting a WELL ‘Gold’ rating by designing and construction a comfortable, modern building which is independently accredited. The WELL Building Standard was launched in the USA in early 2015 by the International Well Building Institute (IWBI). The standard is a building rating system that follows a similar process to BREEAM, however it focuses on managing and verifying...
Building Maintenance
Scheme-registered suppliers should ensure that their buildings are well maintained and portray a good first impression. Supplier buildings include depots, assembly buildings, warehouses, factories and offices. Customers will expect these buildings to be well presented and maintained, for example they should be clean and tidy and in a good state of repair. Good building maintenance enhances the image of the...
Put your bins out
”Put your bins out” is the latest Initiative at our Gabriel Square Project. Operatives are asked to collect a bag on their way out to site and use this for collecting their own rubbish during the working day. They will then have to leave the full bag next to the lower ground floor entrance/exit door, which is then collected by...
Dust suppression with cordless mobile vacuum cleaner
Building sites inevitably produce dust. This can be from cement dust, cutting wood, demolition, and general dust generated by the workers on site. Dust is a very serious hazard, not only to plant and equipment, impairing its efficiency and longevity, but more importantly to operatives on site. Dust can cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which covers many lung conditions that...
Protecting fixtures and fittings
When working in an already occupied area, operatives must take care to protect existing fixtures and fittings. Particularly if the project is taking place in a house or other residential property, it is important to show consideration to the occupants. Project leaders and operatives should ensure that furniture and other personal property in the vicinity of the work is protected....
Using BIM in public meetings
It is essential that sites project a professional appearance to improve the image of the whole industry. Some sites have gone above and beyond to demonstrate their commitment to a positive appearance, implementing new technologies. The examples below demonstrate how one site achieved this: Used BIM (Building Information Modelling) 3D software Sketch-Up to develop, plan and set up the site’s presentation and appearance. Incorporated...
Hippo bags for plasterboard offcuts
In order to keep the site clear and to maintain high standards of housekeeping. Hippo bags have been used by Brebur at the New Merrion House project in the city centre of Leeds. In addition to a good appearance, this contributes towards maintaining health and safety standards, and ensuring plasterboard waste is segregated to promote recycling.
Heras fencing fixings
When using heras fencing it is sometimes difficult to ensure that the requirements of the manufacturer are adhered to in terms of fixing points and fixing centres. Using the hi visibility attachment and spacing strip you can ensure that the fencing is installed to the manufacturer’s requirements. Benefits of using this system are: Ensuring correct fixing heights Ensuring correct spacing or...
Keeping Gutters Clear
Maintaining cleanliness is essential for good appearance but it is important to ensure safety during the process. One site started to use a system called ‘Skyvac’ to clear out gutters up to four stories high from ground floor level; This comprises a high powered suction pump on a portable trolley that easily fits into a van and extendable poles to...
Minor works project site set-up
This is one of our minor works projects with a small project value (under 40k) and little preliminary allowance. This doesnt mean that a good quality site set up can’t be achieved. We have managed to provide excellent welfare facilities for our staff members so that they can work in an exemplary environment with a professional appearance at the site...
Keeping tools clean
Keeping a site clean shows a committed and professional workforce. Site cleanliness is important for various reasons including safety, appearance and productivity. It can also reduce environmental degradation that can be caused by carbon emissions and toxic pollutants. The below example shows how one site achieved this: The site is using a system of cleaning plasterers’ tools in chemically infused...
Good Housekeeping
Our Site Manager has introduced a comprehensive housekeeping checklist which covers all the areas of the site including site accommodation, site perimeter and access points. These areas are all checked regularly, signed off and a record kept in the site office. This ensures that there is a systematic process to site housekeeping, involving all of the workforce to approach the...
Energy Efficient Road Sweepers
Due to vehicles and workforce travelling on and off the site, the area becomes unclean which would need serious consideration about cleaning the area without harming the environment. The TRS TFIIOR-TRS is more energy efficient and silent road sweeper which is controlled by a variety of battery powered items and equipment. When compared with the large HGV road sweeper, testing the...
Fork mounted sweeper
With the ever-changing weather in the UK, we have invested in a fork mounted sweeper to help us control mud on site. The sweeper also has a built in water tank to allow us to suppress the dust when the weather is dry. Being fork mounted, we are able to use this immediately and not have to rely on a...
Clever Storage Solutions
Storage space is one of the biggest problems on larger building sites. With more contractors coming to the project we are now facing the problem as well. Therefore we have launched a Considerate Constructors Initiative called ‘Clever storage Solutions’. Prizes will be awarded based on the below criteria: • Innovative storage ideas • Effectiveness of storage • Use of recycled/...
Foot Scrapers
On our site we created bespoke foot scrapers placed at the entrance of our welfare units. These were made from the old raised ventilation access flooring grills from the plant room access, which was due to be demolished shortly. These bespoke foot scrapers provide a perfect way for the operatives and site staff to keep the welfare and offices clean, maintaining a...
Landscaping Competition 
Attempts to raise appearance standards helps to improve the profile for the site and industry as a whole. Sites should strive to improve first impressions in order to generate a high level of appearance for site visitors, the public and their own workforce. The example below demonstrates how a site developed an innovative approach to maintain an exceptionally clean and well-presented compound...
Redevelopment or demolition: Do you really need to demolish that site?
It’s always best, when considering demolishing a building, to ask certain questions before beginning any work – even planning work. The first, and perhaps the biggest, is to ask why are you wanting to demolish the existing site – can it be redeveloped or can elements of the site be kept? A pre-demolition audit can help answer these questions –...
Dust Suppression Equipment
Dust is a very common issue for the construction industry. Dust not only poses a health hazard for those working on site, but it is also the root cause of many complaints made by the public. Therefore it is essential that appropriate methods are adopted to minimise the risk of dust on sites, to safeguard workers wellbeing. This site suppressed dust by...
Registered spray cans
Keeping a clean and tidy site is both beneficial for the appearance of the site and also for safety purposes. Litter can often prove to be a re-occurring problem when trying to keep a site completely tidy. The workforce should be included in efforts to maintain a good internal and external site appearance and work environment. It is important to ensure efforts...
Plasterboard Waste Reduction
The Green Grinder Mini is a small but powerful, custom plasterboard grinding unit that can actually be wheeled through door openings and residential hallways. The main purpose of the Mini is to address plasterboard site waste immediately, keep the gypsum clean and dry, and maximise the transport of removing the waste board. The Mini is also equipped with a full...
Carpet tiles in changing room
Providing clean and well-maintained welfare facilities is important for the wellbeing of your workforce. In order to avoid the use of newspaper in the changing room we provided a carpet tile for each locker. Carpet tiles are cleaned on a weekly basis to help keep the welfare area clean and tidy. The benefits of implementing these carpet tiles include: Dirt from...
Food Safety Information
Food safety is paramount and all members of the workforce should be aware of good food hygiene standards. Segregating shared fridges in welfare areas keeps different types of produce from being mixed together and helps to avoid your workforce from becoming sick from cross-contamination. Good practice actions implemented on site include: New fridges were ordered as and when old ones...
Prevention of vandalism and theft
Vandalism and theft on construction sites is becoming an increasingly big problem costing the industry over £1million every day, and this figure is expected to increase. Construction sites are seen as an ‘easy’ target with expensive machinery, valuable materials and often temporary security arrangements. The risk of vandalism and theft could be minimised by doing the following: Keeping the site as uncluttered...
