Balfour Beatty to help re-wire London with National Grid contract

Balfour Beatty has announced that it has been awarded a £52 million contract on behalf of National Grid to deliver essential cabling works as part of the London Power Tunnels 2 project. Having delivered the cabling works for phase one of the project, north of the Thames, in 2017 Balfour Beatty will now embark on the second phase of the ambitious scheme to ‘rewire London and connect with the capital’.  Works will include installing 200km of 400kV cables within a 32.5-kilometer tunnel network, deep below the ground between Wimbledon and Crayford. Connecting several substations across the city, the cables will run through an underground tunnel network to minimise disruption to local communities and the travelling public when future maintenance and repair works are required. To enhance efficiency and precision Balfour Beatty will deploy the second generation of its Automated Cable Installation Equipment (ACIE) machine. Developed in-house and utilised on the first phase of the scheme, the second-generation machine features laser sensors and cameras to improve the speed and quality of the works. By automating the process, the ACIE has also revolutionised the safety of tunnel cable installation works by reducing the number of people required within the underground tunnels manually installing the cables. Ian Currie, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission and Distribution business says: “We are delighted to be working with National Grid once again. Our world leading expertise and innovation in tunnel cable installation, combined with our deep sector knowledge, makes us ideally positioned to successfully deliver this critical piece of national infrastructure.” Cable installation will begin in January 2023 with the full package of works expected to be completed in 2026. At peak construction, Balfour Beatty will employ a workforce of around 150 people, as well as approximately 8 apprentices.

Construction Industry Helpline App offers free Sleepstation support

The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity’s free Helpline App has now been upgraded with ‘Sleepstation’, an NHS approved service aimed at improving support with insomnia and poor sleep health. The confidential and clinically proven support is being provided completely free of charge by the charity and is in response to callers to the charity’s 24/7 helpline reporting difficulties with sleeping due to emotional, financial or other physical wellbeing issues. Whilst most of the restrictions relating to COVID-19 have been lifted, many are still struggling with transitioning back to ‘normality’ or dealing with major life changes as a result. This in turn can impact on a good sleep pattern and so the addition of this extra help offers yet another lifeline to those that need it. A good night’s sleep helps us deal with stress, improves resilience and optimises our immune system but with a fifth of all work related illness in construction due to stress, anxiety and depression, it is unsurprising that many are struggling. Sleepstation is a clinically validated sleep improvement programme which looks at all the underlying reasons why people aren’t sleeping. Known as cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi) this approach has been proven to combat even the most severe insomnia and shown to be far superior to pharmaceutical interventions in both short and long-term management of sleep issues in adults of all ages. Dedicated support teams deliver a holistic plan dependant on the issues identified and sleep issues can be improved significantly with just four sessions. What Sleepstation offers: An understanding of what is normal and what constitutes sleep deprivation A personal sleep assessment and expert analysis Confidential advice and reports Support from an expert team who offer personal advice. Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity says, “I am absolutely delighted that we can now offer this invaluable service completely free of charge to our construction community. Simply by accessing our Helpline app, users can avoid lengthy waiting times and access the highest level of support without a GP referral. If someone is being affected by physical, financial or physical wellbeing issues, this too is likely to impact on their sleep, which means they are less likely to be able to cope, and the problem quickly spirals out of control. And as well as affecting mental wellbeing, for our construction workforce who often work with heavy machinery and plant, feeling fatigued could easily result in a serious or fatal accident on site. The addition of Sleepstation is yet another step in helping us achieve our mission that no construction worker or their family is alone in a crisis”. To support the addition of Sleepstation to the helpline app, there is a free information webinar on Thursday 30 September at 1pm. This latest addition to the Helpline App complements the huge variety of wellbeing support and guidance already available, as well as self- assessment tools, coping strategies and referral pathways to access expert advice and support. A built in geolocator means that users can be signposted to support services local to where they live as well as national help centres.

Thorn luminaires 'SELECTED' for electrical trade association HQ

When SELECT required an upgrade for the lighting in its headquarters, its former president and experienced electrical contractor John Noble invited Thorn Lighting to provide their luminaires for an energy efficient solution. Working on a brief to modernise the spaces while taking into consideration daylight levels, Thorn supplied a variety of luminaires in the entrance foyer, main office, car park and subsidiary offices. [caption id="attachment_27027" align="alignleft" width="300"] SELECT Trade Association Midlothian[/caption] The solution The main challenge for the lighting design at The Walled Garden in Penicuik, outside Edinburgh, was to provide a new dimmable solution in a continuous row system without introducing any additional wiring. The chosen solution was Thorn’s IQ Wave suspended continuous luminaires with integral through wiring, dimming gear and mini sensors. IQ Wave is an intelligent lighting system with integral controls that responds to presence/absence detection and the amount of daylight in the space. No new wiring points were required for the lighting design as all the existing points were utilised by John and his team, who carried out the work. IQ Wave suspended LED luminaires have provided the optimum solution in the main office by offering a seamless lighting solution with clean, flowing lines. Incorporating Thorn’s patented MV Tech Optic the luminaire allows for excellent uniform light distribution and glare control UGR<19 and is available in 3000K/4000K colour temperature, CRI>80, with a lifetime of 50,000 hours. Up to 40% energy saving is achieved with the MWS Microwave Sensor for presence detection and with the HFSX Dual Sensor up to 70 % energy saving is achieved, while the integrated sensors allow flexible lighting control. Other successful spaces Thorn’s ability to achieve an optimum lighting solution in the main office also allowed for a full package offering for the other spaces at SELECT HQ. To create a consistent look throughout the building, IQ Wave recessed LED luminaires were installed in the back-office spaces, focusing on intelligent controls, optics, design and installation. The IQ Wave recessed luminaire incorporates Thorn’s unique MV-Tech light optic and has a highly reflective back, creating a smooth, homogenous illuminance with no visible LED. Lightweight Chalice 200 LED2000 downlights now illuminate the main entrance foyer at SELECT HQ. With an IP44 rating as standard, this delivers an efficacy of >100Llm/W and a low maintenance lifetime of 50,000 hours. Thorn’s R2L2 road lanterns also now illuminate the car park at The Walled Garden. R2L2 is at the forefront of LED technology and offers excellent lighting performance. The super-efficient solution achieves up to 153lm/W. R2L2 also provides maximum energy savings. [caption id="attachment_27028" align="alignright" width="300"] SELECT Trade Association Midlothian[/caption] The SELECT verdict Electrical contractor John Noble, whose team carried out the work, says: “The Thorn luminaires were selected for their high quality and advanced functionality, and were simple to install in all locations at The Walled Garden.” John McGhee, SELECT’s Director of Finance & Resources, adds: “Thorn’s luminaires have delivered great lighting quality and high user comfort and have helped to create an improved working environment at The Walled Garden. We are delighted with the results.”

South East sees 42% increase in EV charge points

The number of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points added to the network in London, the East and South East, has increased by nearly 2,700 in the past 12 months, UK Power Networks has revealed today. The new findings have been released in the run-up to National Drive Electric Week (September 25-October 23) when many people will be considering when to switch to an EV to cut their carbon footprint. There are now over 9,000 charge points in London, the East and South East, served by UK Power Networks. As the company responsible for maintaining the region’s power network, it’s UK Power Networks’ job to ensure the local grid is ready for the connection of new charging points. It estimates there will be 4.5 million EVs in the areas it serves by 2030, when sales of new petrol and diesel cars are banned as the UK strives to meet Net Zero by 2050. Forty per cent of all charge points in Great Britain are connected UK Power Networks’ local grids, almost double the volume of any other network operator. Data from the Society of Motor Manufactures and Traders adds that approximately one in six vehicles (17%) sold in June were electric – the highest market share since December (23.4%). There are now about 594,000 EVs in the UK, with an estimated 154,000 in the areas served by UK Power Networks. These numbers don’t include standard home EV chargers which can be installed by an electrician and run off the home mains supply. Shira Lappin, innovation project lead at UK Power Networks, says: "It’s important that we work with local and central government, charge point operators, customers and other stakeholders to ensure that the transition to Net Zero is a seamless one and everyone has access to the charging infrastructure they need”. “In the 12-month period between April 2020 and April this year, the number of charge points in our areas grew by 42%. However, there’s still a lot of work to do to meet the growing demand for EVs and charge points, and we’ll continue to be at the forefront of innovation to get there.” The company continues to innovate to meet the challenge of new EVs. A single 50kW ‘rapid charger’ uses the same amount of power as a block of 25 flats. The more EVs sold, and the more chargers installed, the greater the need to create ‘smart’ solutions on the electricity network. Earlier this year, UK Power Networks launched its Green Recovery programme, an unprecedented opportunity to address climate change by kickstarting 86 shovel-ready green energy infrastructure projects. In total, £66m is being invested, including enabling 11 motorway service areas to install more than 600 ultra-fast 150kW chargers. This investment, combined with collaborative work across the sector, aims to create the new infrastructure that inspires customers with the confidence to switch to an EV. UK Power Networks is ranked number one in the Smart Grid Index for its development of smart, flexible electricity grids to support a Net Zero future. It also advises local authorities, companies and individuals how to best connect charge points, and plan new fleets.

Solihull College and University Centre JTL to get world-class skills boost 

JTL is to get a world-class skills boost after being selected to join an elite training programme. JTL is one of 12 leading institutions (colleges and Independent Training Providers) to have been selected to join the skills revolution by becoming part of WorldSkills UK’s Centre of Excellence. The Centre of Excellence – partnered and funded by educational charity and awarding body NCFE – will see more than 40,000 young students and apprentices, from all socio-economic groups across the UK, armed with world-class skills. The Centre aims to supercharge the quality and delivery of technical and vocational training by transferring world-class expertise and knowledge to help develop educators and learners. JTL is one of 12 institutions entering the Centre this year to join the first wave of 20 colleges selected last September, when the three-year pilot project was launched. Educators at the colleges and training providers will receive exclusive train the trainer sessions and 60 hours of intensive continual professional development. Those inducted this year are: Blackpool and the Fylde College City of Glasgow College Coleg Cambria Firebrand Training (London) Gower College (Swansea) JTL (England and Wales) New College Durham Northern Ireland Consortium (six colleges) Waltham Forest College Weston College In its recent Skills for Jobs White Paper for England, the Government cited the WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence, in partnership with NCFE, as a prime example of how it wanted organisations with the relevant expertise to provide high-quality training and development for teaching staff. Liam Sammon, director of learning and innovation at JTL, comments: “We are absolutely delighted to have been selected to join WorldSkills UK’s Centre of Excellence. To be chosen as only one of 12 institutions entering the Centre this year holds an extra level of honour, which we are extremely proud of. “As part of a successful application to be part of the pilot programme with World Skills, JTL has been assigned a ‘High-Performance Skills Coach’ to work directly with five of our tutors and trainers who will receive learning coach training, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to support their fellow teachers with a range of skills, practices, and methods to embed excellence into teaching practice and improve the learner experience.” Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE, CEO of WorldSkills UK, says: “In order to deliver the world-class skills that employers demand to be internationally competitive, we need to invest in the educators that are training young people for the future. “The Centre of Excellence is a radical new way of bringing global best practice to local economies. Mainstreaming excellence in training standards and delivering it directly to tens of thousands of young students and apprentices at their places of learning is key to levelling up the economy and attracting inward investment. “This new phase of the project means that we are now supporting young people the length and breadth of the UK.” The programme covers three strands: train the trainer modules harnessing of international industry best practice through current preparation for WorldSkills Shanghai 2022 influencing setters of training standards. The effectiveness of the programme will be tested by measuring impact on learners, educators and institutions in order to continually develop and innovate. This level of insight will help the organisations involved to develop a programme which will give more young people, irrespective of background, better work and life opportunities, and help boost economic productivity. The three-year partnership deal is the single largest investment ever made by the NCFE Group.

Ansell has unveiled its sleek Panther LED Wallpack

Ansell Lighting has launched the Panther LED Wallpack - a wall mounted fixture ideal for illuminating outdoor spaces. Like the big cat it is named after, Panther is sleek and stylish. The compact fitting is suitable for use in both residential and commercial settings and is highly durable, constructed from a hardwearing polycarbonate made to withstand coastal and adverse weather conditions. Whilst delivering strong output, the 25W LED offers low energy consumption and an extensive lifespan of L80 B10 60,000 hours. It also has three selectable colour temperatures, operated via a manual switch on the LED array, giving the user the option of setting cool white, warm white and daylight lighting hues. Supplied with an integral driver, the Panther LED Wallpack is easy to install and has multiple conduit entry and BESA box fixing points. It comes with a three-year warranty for added peace of mind and is also available with photocell and sensor options for increased receptivity.

Aico announce signatory status of the climate pledge

Aico are proud to announce their commitment to the Climate Pledge, as part of their drive towards sustainable business practices and achieving net zero carbon. The Climate Pledge was founded by Amazon and Global Optimism and brings together a cross-sector community of companies and organisations to tackle the climate crisis and become net zero carbon across their businesses, by the year 2040. By becoming a signatory of the Climate Pledge, Aico, the European market leader in home life safety, commit to three principal areas of action: regular reporting, carbon elimination and credible offsets. Aico will regularly measure and report their greenhouse gas emissions, implement decarbonization strategies throughout their business practices and neutralise remaining emissions to achieve net zero ahead of the Paris Agreement. This announcement aligns with further efforts and commitments made by Aico in the drive towards climate action; their dedicated Corporate Social Responsibility programme has a core focus on environmental impact. Through this, Aico works alongside local and national organisations to promote awareness of the urgent need for climate action, solve the challenges of decarbonisation and share practical solutions in order to deliver a more sustainable future. Lee Duffy, Operations Learning and Development Manager at Aico, comments “We are in the middle of a climate crisis, if we do not take action now, we may do catastrophic damage to our planet. Sustainability is within our core values, and we are passionate about making long term change. By collaborating with other organisations through becoming a signatory of the Climate Pledge, we can begin to learn how to make a difference and support others on their journey. Firstly to awareness, then to action, and finally to solutions.”

Earnings for electrical contractors are at their highest since the pandemic

The cost of hiring an electrical contractor climbed by 5.5% last month. The increase highlights the inflationary pressures in the construction industry supply chain. Latest payroll data from Hudson Contract show average weekly earnings for self-employed electricians increased to £1,139 per week during August. Year on year, earnings rose by 5.07%. Hudson Contract is a leading supplier to the construction industry with a client base of more than 2,500 small and medium-sized contractors. Ian Anfield, managing director, says: “Electrical contractors are enjoying their best earnings since February 2020, before the first coronavirus lockdown. Most construction companies are reporting full order books, driven by strong demand for new housing and renovation work. “The growth is creating challenges with labour and material shortages. Costs are rising on a daily basis, which is squeezing margins and making it difficult to price new projects, and shortages are causing delays in existing projects. “Many companies are looking forward to the end of the government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme this month, which should encourage more people back to work.” Hudson Contract, a £1.6bn-turnover group, is the UK’s largest provider of tax status and employment contract services to the construction industry. The company delivers the most accurate indication of subcontractor pay trends across the construction industry, publishing the average pay for a spectrum of 17 different trades split across 10 regions in England and Wales. It supplies statistics to the Bank of England to keep policymakers updated with real-time insights on demand for skilled labour.

Schneider Electric to provide backbone for Landmark Tower in Hackney

Principal Place has selected Schneider Electric to provide the digital backbone for Principal Tower, the landmark apartment tower within the site. At 175 metres tall, 50 storeys, and containing over 300 apartments, it is one of London’s tallest and largest residential buildings Principal Tower, designed by Foster & Partners, is pioneering in London hotel-style living, offering the highest possible apartment standards and service. The building is also designed for energy efficiency, with environmental strategies including a combined heat and power plant, and roof-mounted photovoltaic panels. Principal Place wanted to create a future-proof building that met the toughest criteria for flexibility, reliability, energy efficiency and sustainability. To this, it chose to use Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Building Operation software. The EcoStruxure solution acts as an all-in-one BMS for the tower, delivering optimisation in every operation. The system plays a pivotal role in reducing energy consumption and expenditure, while also enabling operators to drive greater cost savings through a better understanding of energy, through a single platform. It integrates with smart home technology to meet the needs of owners, operators, and occupants. Crucially, EcoStruxure Building Operation also gave the Principal Place team the ability to work with multiple systems and have real-time insight into operations, displaying data on a single dashboard. The ability to have visibility of all building issues prior to any reactive, emergency events or tenant complaints enabled the team to provide the level of service required. Daniel Jordaan, General Manager at Principal Place Residential, says, “The EcoStruxure architecture is able to log, monitor and predict trends in energy consumption, ultimately allowing us to meet green initiatives and be environmentally friendly. It keeps costs down, energy down, and provides the perfect, customisable environment for occupants – it’s as simple as that.” Westley Thurley, Digital Buildings Sales Director at Schneider Electric, adds, “The EcoStruxure Building Operation helps to bring transparency to Principal Tower. The platform provides building managers with visibility into operations and empowers them to intervene effectively to drive improvements and efficiencies. With new technology constantly being developed and implemented, the system will enable owners, operators and occupants to be as efficient and proactive as possible for the duration of the building’s lifecycle.”

Changes to regulations strengthens focus on ‘fire-resistant’ cables

A leading manufacturer of Mineral Insulated Copper Cables is urging specifiers and designers to highly consider the stresses real-life fire scenarios have on ‘fire-resistant’ cables, so they can choose products that will truly withstand a critical situation. As the focus on building safety intensifies, Wrexham Mineral Cables has approved of the amendments to Approved Document B (Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations – which means all new residential buildings over 11 metres tall must be fitted with sprinkler systems. With the proposed Building Safety Act addressing the need for greater accountability at every stage of the construction process, Wrexham Mineral Cables Commercial Manager Steve Williams believes understanding the performance capabilities of different types of ‘fire-resistant’ cables is particularly important for specifiers and designers with whom the responsibility of product specification lies. Currently, only ‘fire-resistant’ cables that are greater in diameter than 20mm must undergo testing for direct impacts and water testing with any significant pressure on a single test sample. For ‘fire-resistant’ cables under 20mm, different stages of the test are carried out on different samples of cable, whilst exposure to water is minimal. This means, most Fire Performance cables used to power fire alarms, emergency lighting, smoke detection systems and even smoke extraction systems in high rise buildings, would not have undergone any true fire test to reflect the recommended changes. He comments: “The tests which construction products are subjected to need to be relevant and relied upon, especially in tall buildings or anywhere that requires extended evacuation times. Regardless of size or construction, if a cable is required to function in the event of a fire, each single cable sample must have to pass a true fire scenario test.’’ This is further reflected on the welcoming of sprinkler systems in high rise buildings, providing the cables specified have undergone a true fire scenario test. With the Government set to review the certification system for testing construction products to examine how it can be strengthened, Mr Williams added this needs to be extended to ‘fire-resistant’ cables. He adds: “As a leading manufacturer of MICC cables (often referred to as the ONLY true fire-survival cable) we have been calling for more stringent testing standards for ‘fire-resistant’ cables that reflect real fire scenarios. We believe all ‘enhanced fire-resistant’ cables should undergo a minimum of 3-hours fire testing, a water test that involves a fire hose or high-pressure jets, similar to a sprinkler system, and direct impact testing on the cable, not on the test rig supporting it. All three of these tests should be carried out on one single cable sample. Only then, can a cable be classed as ‘ENHANCED fire-resistant’ for use in critical circuits.”