News

JCOP clarifies need for EN 54 fire alarm on construction sites If you work in the construction sector then the chances are that you have already heard of Joint Code of Practice (JCOP) or, to give it its full title; ‘The Joint Code of Practice on the protection from Fire on Construction Sites and Buildings Undergoing Renovation’. JCOP, as it is commonly referred to, for understandable reasons, has just been updated and is now available in its 9th edition. This edition applies to activities carried out prior to and during the procurement, construction and design process. JCOP is an important and useful document for construction professionals as it is often referred to in insurance contracts and is recognised as ‘best practice’, which means that it’s definitely worth …

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Main contractors will have to reveal where they are sourcing steelwork when bidding for major projects under emergency Government plans to level the playing field for the UK industry. The radical new measures are being introduced as concern grows that projects like HS2 will suck in huge amounts of cheap imported steel from China threatening the existence of UK steelwork fabricators and suppliers. New Government procurement guidelines also urge all public clients to look at the carbon footprint of steel supplies, including transport costs, when judging bids from main contractors. Procurement chiefs have also been told to take into account the social impacts of competing suppliers. Critcally, this includes the impact on jobs, protecting the health and safety of staff and the social integration of disadvantaged workers, …

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An interactive visual resource which showcases London’s finest and most-recognised architects and their respective buildings. London is gifted with a diverse range of architectural styles thanks in part to the age of the England’s capital but mostly owing to the talented pool of architects whose skills and creativity has helped shape the city’s skyline. To celebrate the collective talents of these architects and the ever-changing built landscape of London, Gregory Phillips has created a visual resource of iconic buildings called Architects of London. Visitors can navigate the guide using the left-hand side scrollable panel which features a choice selection of architects. Click on the architect to preview their iconic London building along with a concise summary of style, information on the architect and location …

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Starting a Construction Company – Guide for New Business  by AMA If you’ve ever thought about starting a construction company, we understand that turning your dream into reality can be tough. We’ve learnt some important lessons about business since we set up AMA, and wanted to share them with our readers. AMA Skip Hire has created a guide about how to start a building company, including important information about all parts of your business. The AMA Guide to Starting a Construction Company includes: Tips on writing your business plan The construction regulations you’ll need to know The benefits of joining the CCS Finding a base for your business Waste management options for businesses. Guide for New Business 

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A new poll finds that (97%) of family business bosses hope that their children will follow them into the family firm; Yet, nearly one in five (16%) say family firms should employ outside of the family to allow it to grow. constructaquote.com, the business insurance expert, quizzed over 500* family company bosses about how they feel about their business and its future. The respondents came from various sectors such as construction, retail and accountancy.** Half of those questioned said that they had inherited the company, or that it had been handed down to them, while 39% had started the business themselves, with 11% buying it off relatives. Nearly all (97%) said they hoped their children would join them in the family business…

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A Welsh steel rod and coil supplier mothballed over two years ago has resumed production, securing 150 jobs. Liberty Steel in Newport will hot roll steel producing products that are re-engineered for use in construction. International steel and metals group Liberty House bought the works from Mir Steel in 2013 and kept workers on half pay while waiting for market conditions to improve. The steel works is predicted to produce 50,000 tonnes of steel for the UK market and also plans to increase the production to 100,000 per month for export. Liberty group managing director Sanjeev Gupta said: “We intend to buck the recent trend in the UK steel industry. “The UK has the richest history in steel production in the world and production is viable here – what is needed is …

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A major blaze destroyed the roof of the historic headquarters of the Co-operative Wholesale Society and brought part of Manchester city centre to a standstill last Tuesday evening. Wates Construction was renovating the grade II-listed six-storey building into offices as part of the £800m Noma redevelopment. Eight fire engines raced to the former CWS building, near Victoria railway station, when the alarm was raised at around 5.30pm. Over 50 firefighters battled for four hours to get the high-rise blaze under control, which appears to have destroyed the pitched roof section of the building. Tram services were halted in the area and electricity supplies were isolated as a precaution. A fire service drone flew over the scene as part of the operation to pick …

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A new study conducted on behalf of a UK-based medical website has revealed that three quarters of the British public will risk their health by not going to doctors appointments because of work commitments or being too busy within their careers. Furthermore, the study revealed that the sectors most likely to risk their health because of their work commitments was those working in marketing and the media, construction workers and food and hospitality professionals.  In a bid to discover more about how seriously Britons take their health and how much of a priority it is, a new piece of research undertaken on behalf of an online pharmaceutical company has revealed how often the average Briton will risk their health because of other commitments and which …

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A new study conducted by leading experts in the field of radon gas management has revealed that more than three quarters of Britons with home extensions built underground are not aware of the dangers surrounding the gas radon prior to having the work carried out on their property, despite it being the second leading cause of lung cancer in the UK. In a bid to raise awareness of the dangers of undetected radon, a new study aimed at highlighting how low the awareness of the gas is amongst the British public has revealed that the vast majority of homeowners who’ve undergone basement excavations or dig-down home extensions/conversions were not made aware of radon prior to the work taking place. The team at www.propertECO.co….

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Chinese developer Greenland Group has submitted plans to build a 67-floor residential skyscraper at the western end of the north dock in Canary Wharf . The redevelopment of Hertsmere House at West India Quay will deliver 869 flats within a 240.5m tall building, designed by architect HOK around a clover shaped footprint to maximise views for each flat. When built it is expected to hold the record as the tallest block of flats in Europe. The basement runs to a depth of just 11.7m as the site sits above Crossrail running tunnels, although all piling will be outside the Crossrail exclusion zone. Affordable housing will be included in the western wing of the building. Around half the building facade is to be fitted with vision glass and the remainder …

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