entries found
Control Point Location
An extremely important part of every construction project is the establishment and maintenance of control points. Control points are necessary as they are used by total stations to set out every component of the building. A common problem on sites is where control points are lost or obstructed due to project progression. Based on this, it was decided on Project...
Increasing Safety with Brick Jackets
The company uses proprietary “brick jackets”, branded with the company logo, to protect bricks from the frost and the rain. The jackets also keep the bricks in neat stacks and prevent them from being accidentally knocked over and spilling onto the scaffold, where they become a trip hazard. The jackets are manufactured in bright colours, so are clearly visible to...
Improving Communication with Technology
Wardian London have been exploring different ways to enrich the day-to-day flow of communication with our trades and suppliers. We have adopted a range of technologies that provide more efficient ways of capturing onsite issues from implementation and actioning. A-site is currently being used for snagging and closing defects. It provides a localised database where all defects relating to a...
Hasman Aeroseal
The Hasman Aeroseal re-uses an existing piece of ventilation, reducing the waste produced by removing the existing ventilation, reducing the operatives’ workloads, limiting the creation of dust and cost needed to implement a new ventilation system, as well as maintaining the aesthetics of the final build. The HASMAN solution has meant that the team can quickly and effectively rejuvenate the...
Vehicle ‘Selfie’ 
Company operations at T Gilmartin Ltd involve operatives working out of vans and in occupied premises. The company places great importance on operatives personal appearance and the cleanliness of their vehicles. Every morning, the operatives are required to submit a ‘selfie’ via their PDA back to the Head Office, in addition to providing a logging in record, which enables the...
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 doesn’t 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...
