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The UK construction industry isn’t looking healthy. Output is stagnating and profits are dwindling along with them. With a conservative financial outlook on the industry, many construction companies will soon be forced to head back to the drawing board. This comes after news that the UK’s construction industry put in its worst performance for 10 months in February after the slowest rise in housebuilding since 2013. The Markit/Clips UK construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI) registered 54.2 in February, the lowest figure since last April. Lack of optimism in construction A senior economist at Markit, Tim Moore, said, “Survey respondents noted that underlying business conditions remained favourable, especially in relation to commercial building and infrastructure-related work, but some clients had been hesitant to commit to new projects so far …

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The fear of fire stems from a primitive instinct, one that’s purely survivalist. We know that, despite its inherent usefulness, placing your hand in a fire is about as wise as jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge or hitting a championship boxer in the jaw. But laxness in your fire safety is could prove deadly in the construction industry. Your chip pan going up in flames might cause some cursory damage, but it’s nothing compared to a cavalcade of Calor gas canisters taking out an entire office complex. Fire safety, then, is a problem in all areas of construction work. You have to remain cognisant of your surroundings, ensuring that highly flammable equipment or materials are contained in a safe place is vital to the stable completion …

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« Green buildings » construction seems to be all the rage today as it holds a very important place in today’s environmental policy. The search for carbon neutrality while trying to live in the most sustainable way is a good thing but doing so in “green buildings” is even better. A green building is a “healthy” construction, using natural materials, rejecting the use of toxic substances in the manufacturing of construction materials, limiting negative impacts of human habitat on the environment and reducing energy consumption. Ideally a green construction should adapt to its natural environment and to people, as the inhabitants’ well-being is essential. A green building should implement environmentally-friendly practices in every step of the process: design, construction, maintenance, renovation, demolition and recycling. Sustainable …

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London, United Kingdom, 29 February 2016: The Considerate Constructors Scheme – the national scheme to improve the image of the construction industry – has announced a new star ratings system. Star ratings posters and certificates will be available to use alongside existing Considerate Constructors Scheme signage. This will provide an opportunity for those registered with the Scheme to show to the public how they have performed against the Scheme’s Code of Considerate Practice. They have been created in response to contractors and clients asking for an easy way to demonstrate their considerate credentials to the public. The new US Embassy, which is currently under construction in Nine Elms in Wandsworth, has achieved the top 5 star rating. The site, which is being constructed by B.L. Harbert International, in conjunction …

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UCATT is believed to be in talks to form a “super union” with other construction organisations. We understand that Unite is the front runner to take over UCATT with the GMB and Community other outsiders in the race. UCATT officials are putting a brave face on the move which has been forced on them by a financial crisis. One insider said: “This is all about forming a stronger union for construction workers and Unite would be a sensible place to go with that.” Another union veteran said: “UCATT has run out of money and this move has been forced on them.” It is thought that UCATT officials have now been made aware of the move and any merger would be made official by the end…

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Crossrail has launched a knowledge-sharing website to spread lessons learned during its construction with the wider industry. Crossrail’s Learning Legacy initiative will share good practice on a wide range of topics, including Health & Safety, Project Management, Engineering and the Environment. The first tranche of material shares some of the early lessons that have been learned from the Crossrail programme. It includes technical papers, peer-reviewed case studies and procedures, which have been published on a dedicated website here Further material will be published every six months during the rest of the project. Andrew Wolstenholme, Crossrail Chief Executive, said: “Passing on the lessons and good practice that we have learned at Crossrail is an absolutely essential part of raising the bar in the delivery of major…

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Earth moving specialist CJ Pryor has put itself up for sale as 77 staff face the threat of redundancy. The Harlow based firm has also been forced to file an intention to appoint administrators following a cash flow crisis. CJ Pryor (Holdings) Limited, CJ Pryor (Plant) Limited and CJ Pryor (Contracts) Limited are up for sale while the company continues to “service existing customer orders.” FRP Advisory has been appointed to handle the process. An FRP statement said: “”The business specialises in earth moving, civil engineering and related earth moving haulage for infrastructure projects ranging from road building to reservoir construction as well as for quarrying, landfill construction, land restoration and land reclamation. “The business has nearly 70 years of trading history and works with a range of…

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A construction site is usually flush with many items that would be of interest to thieves and vandals.  Most of these items are very costly and tampering with even one of them could alter the funding dynamics of the entire project. This is a major reason why adequate steps must be taken to ensure that the construction is adequately protected all the time. This piece takes a look some tips that will help. Proper equipment storage All unused tools and equipment should be properly secured. Construction vehicles should be adequately locked and the keys secured when they are not in use.  Fences and storage shed should have locks installed. Ensure limited access to the site Regardless of the scope of the project, it is not necessary …

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Housing association Family Mosaic has launched a framework bid race to deliver more than 1,000 new homes a year. The framework is expected to cover more than £500m of new housing work over four years, mainly in London and Essex. The framework has not been split into lots because Family Mosaic’s average development scheme will cover projects of £5m-£15m requiring firms to  have a minimum annual turnover of £18m.

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Sunderland AFC’s charitable arm, the Foundation of Light, has selected Tolent Construction to build a £15m sports centre next to the Stadium of Light. Beacon of Light will be built next to the city’s aquatic centre and Stadium of Light The Beacon of Light building will provide a mix of both indoor sports hall and outdoor soccer pitches, alongside zones for education, introducing young people to the world of work, and health and wellbeing. Architecture practice Faulkner Browns came up with the striking cube design, which will rise to six storeys, just below the football stadium eaves. The entire development will provide 120,000 of accommodation on the 12 acre site. Sir Bob Murray, chairman of the foundation’s trustees, said: “The Beacon will be an exciting and inspiring education, training…

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