Stuart O'Brien, Author at Facilities Management Forum | Forum Events Ltd - Page 65 of 87
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Stuart O'Brien

GUEST BLOG: The most advanced buildings in the world
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Technology is pushing the boundaries across the world, and the construction sector is seeing the same revolution.

Buildings can be planned to a finer detail than ever before, and architects can take their constructions to the next level, with easy access to information such as materials, building use, and climate. Oasys, providers of retaining wall solutions, has joined us to explore some of the best builds from around the world… 

Burj Khalifa in Dubai

The Burj Khalifa (pictured, above), sometimes called the Burj Dubai, stands at a staggering 2,722 feet and holds the crown as the tallest structure in the world. Starting construction in 2004 and finalising the project in 2008, many decisions had to be made to ensure that this neo-futurism structure was able to serve its purpose, acknowledging that it would be a free-standing building and understanding the hot climate it would be situated in.

Desalination plants provide Dubai with fresh water from sea water, which is then pumped to the Burj Khalifa and other skyscrapers through underground networks. When the water hits the Burj, it is distributed to every corner of every floor on every level. However, with 163 floors, this can become a complicated process, which shows us just how special the Burj Khalifa actually is in terms of design.

The structure was created by four architects, who realised that using one pump to send the water to the skyscraper’s heights would be dangerous due to the pressure that could cause the pipes to explode. To counter this problem, they came up with a plan to help the water flow up the building in different stages.

Starting from the basement, the next stage for the water is on the 40th floor reservoir. This then continues to a series of 200,000-gallon tanks until it reaches the top of the building. As the water reaches the top, the water then travels back down under its own weight — it is said that 946,000 litres of water are supplied per day which also helps the building stay cool in the hot climate.

As a desert city, keeping the building cool is a priority. Therefore, another water supply — an ice-chilled water system which is the first of its kind to be used in the Middle East — has also been implemented to enable substantial energy savings.

Taipei 101 in Taiwan

Next on the list is the previous tallest building in the world, the Taipei 101. Platinum certified for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the building didn’t just focus on beating the then-tallest structure record. Up until 2016, the structure had the fastest elevator on the planet, which could travel from the 5th to 89th floor in 37 seconds!

Taiwan is no stranger to different buildings, housing everything traditional buildings and hyper-modern designs like the Tuntex Sky Tower. But what makes it so spectacular? Starting construction in 1999 and ending in 2004, the Taipei has 101 floors (if the name had not given it away) and is 1,666 ft in height — but the environmental factors that took over its design has changed the way we build for good.

Taiwan is frequently hit by natural disasters, and architects must keep this in mind when designing buildings. When it comes to Taipei 101, the structure can withstand high winds of 134 mph, which is due to the model prioritising resistance through the use of curtain walls, protected glass and high-performance steel. The walls can provide heat and ultraviolet protection by blocking external heat by 50%.

The building is supported by eight mega columns of 10,000 pounds of concrete per inch, along with 28 other steel columns. Within Taipei 101, there are outrigger trusses every eight floors which connect to the columns within the exterior to ensure secure resistance from probable natural disasters in and around Taiwan.

Apple Park, Campus 2: California

Apple, one of the biggest tech companies in the world, has recently moved premises. Worth a staggering $234.7bn, the company, which is now one of the biggest on the planet, was able to invest a further $5bn into a new building and move its tremendous workforce into a circular futuristic structure. The new office-space, which opened in April 2017 midway through construction, is made up of 175 acres — and is even bigger than The Pentagon.

With a roof made entirely of solar panels, it goes without saying that the building is super-energy efficient. The solar panels are capable of generating 17 megawatts of power (75% during peak daytime) and the company has aims to make the complex entirely powered by renewable energy in the future. Another four megawatts are powered through the use of biofuel and natural gas within the complex, using Bloom Energy Servers which are popular within the Californian region, with Google, Yahoo and Wal-Mart using them, too.

Natural air control, heating, and ventilation (HVAC) has been a top focus point for the design team of this building. To achieve this, air is allowed to flow freely between the inside and outside of the building, which can help assist for nine months of the entire year — highlighting the importance of such features in the DNA of design.

It will be interesting to see how technology continues to advance projects that require the balance of design and vital survival features. For example, London is set to have 13 new skyscrapers by 2026 — we know that these will be designed to uphold the ethical requirements for a modern-day structure.

Sources: https://www.airah.org.au/Content_Files/HVACRNation/2010/March2010/HVACRNation2010-03-F01.pdf

http://www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/the-tower/construction.aspx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taipei_101

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Park

Technology ‘crucial’ in the battle for greater service sector productivity
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Technology is a ‘crucial’ factor towards greater productivity and employee satisfaction, helping the services sector run more effectively as a result.

That’s the conclusion of a new report by Kronos, Empowering the Employee: How Technology Will Play its Part in Creating a More Efficient Workforce in the Services Sector, which outlines the challenges currently being faced by the FM sector, such as Brexit, the skills shortage and underperformance, with the direct result creating squeezed profits and an air of uncertainty for providers.

The report addresses these issues and suggests the service providers should embrace technology and help stimulate working practices and operations.

However, it claims that the services sector has yet to understand the full potential of technology advancements, such as robotics and workforce management tools.

“The services industry is up against it when it comes to delivering in the face of current market pressures,” commented Gavin England, EMEA industry marketing manager Kronos.

 “Skills shortages mean that businesses are struggling to efficiently move goods and fulfil orders, and the potential impact of Brexit means that there needs to be a major focus on improving operational efficiencies and streamlining core processes, while keeping staff morale high.

“The pressure to increase bottom-line profitability in the face of such challenges is very real, and one of the most effective ways that this can be done is by empowering managers and employees to do their jobs more effectively with the resources they currently have.”

Learn how to understand your company’s energy culture
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The Energy Management Summit is an industry event unlike any other you’ve attended.

It takes place on October 1st& 2nd2018 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, London Stansted – and, as one of just 60 VIP guests, you can attend for FREE.

REGISTER FOR YOUR FREE PLACE HERE

Your VIP place includes access to educational and inspiring seminar sessions, hosted by industry thought leaders.

In his session Understanding Your Energy Culture, Energy Institute Chartered Psychologist, Matthew Lawrie, will detail tools that can be used by organisations to make the case for change and improvement in energy usage.

Energy Management Summit delegates will also gather for the following talks and seminars:

Fat-fueled Travels – Human curiosity as a driver for energy innovation

Andy Pag, Journalist & Sustainable Living Evangelist

Procurement: Frustration or Facilitation?

Tony Morris, Procurement Consultant, SPC

ESOS Phase II – Routes To Compliance

David Eynon, Associate Director, Energy & Technical Services

Delegates will also be able to network with peers and meet with the industry’s leading suppliers of energy management solutions in matched one-to-one meetings.

To register your FREE place, click here.

For more information about attending as a delegate, contact Lisa Rose at l.rose@forumevents.co.uk, or call 01992 374077.

Alternatively, to find out how to attend as a solution provider, contact Clare Element at c.element@forumevents.co.ukor call 01992 374068.

Building & Construction Summit

Last call for the Facilities Management Forum
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Time is running out to secure the remaining complimentary VIP delegate spaces and supplier stands at the Facilities Management Forum, which takes place on July 2nd& 3rdat the Hilton Deansgate in Manchester.

Click here to register.

The Forum is a highly-focused event that brings FM professionals together for one-to-one business meetings, interactive seminars and valuable networking opportunities.

Over a two working days delegates will meet with credible suppliers who will be able to talk through projects, concerns and obstacles, offering the best advice as well cost saving solutions.

Confirmed attending suppliers include Dyson, Gallagher, Forbo Flooring, Gunnebo, IndigoVision, Nedap, Root3 Lighting, Engenie, Salisbury Group, Metro Rod, Inspired Energy Solutions, Spica Technology, Urgent Technology, Bam FM, FCS-Live, ICS Cool Energy, Airdri  and more.

Confirmed delegates include representatives from VISA, Amazon, Unilever, NHS Scotland, Renault, Muller, Marks & Spencer, Diageo, BT, Co-Op, Leeds University Union, Virgin Media, Port of Tyrn, Standard Chartered Bank, Virgin Media, JD Sports, Hopwood Hall College, The City of Liverpool College, Sheffield City Council, Wall Green Boots Alliance, Univar Limited, Shiplake College, First Busand more.

Delegates will also learn about the latest FM trends in educational seminar sessions led by some of the industry’s leading lights, including a keynote address delivered by Martin Bell, Global Workplace Service Development Manager at Unilever, who will detail  how the company undertook a global project to profile workplace services.

Luke Webster, Group Sales Manager at Forum Events, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by demand, with technological innovations in the industry driving the need for this kind of business and networking event – we look forward to welcoming everyone on the day.”

To secure a complimentary delegate place, call Paige Aitken on 01992 374079 or email p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk. 

To attend as a supplier, call Luke Webster on 01992 374074 or email l.webster@forumevents.co.uk.

For more information, visit www.facilitiesmanagementforum.co.uk.

LondonEnergy invests in four new JCB 5CXs as part of ‘Start Safely’ programme
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LondonEnergy Limited (LondonEnergy) has further underlined its commitment to health and safety as it introduces a programme of improvements at its Reuse and Recycling Centres across North London.

The first of these sees an investment of almost £400,000 in 4 new JCB 5CXs which have just been delivered to the following Recycling Centres:  Regis Road in Kentish Town, Western Road in Wood Green, South Access Road in Walthamstow and Summers Lane in Chingford (which LondonEnergy operates on behalf of the North London Waste Authority).

The new JCB 5CX model, which prides itself on ‘more height, greater reach, better visibility,’ will provide operators with much greater flexibility than their existing mobile plant which were incurring high maintenance and repair costs

The 7.10 metre excavator arm with the multi-purpose jaw bucket will allow bins to be compacted far more efficiently, improving payload.  What’s more, the integrated stabiliser legs can raise the machine by up to 400mm to provide excellent visibility and reach into bins.

The machines are also being supplied with loading buckets, and a hook lift attachment at 2 of the 4 LondonEnergy sites, which will allow workers to perform loading operations and move bin containers with the same machine.  The JCB 5CXs also come fitted with a wealth of safety benefits which include: a protective rear screen to shield the operator from flying debris, a door safety alarm which alerts the operator if the door is opened in the raised position and seat belt alarms.

In addition, LondonEnergy was impressed with the green credentials that the machines offer:  The JCB 5CXs are fitted with EcoMAX engines which produce virtually no particle pollution in its exhaust gases.

Robert Stammers, Head of Waste Operations at LondonEnergy, said: “The purchase of this new JCB machinery marks a significant investment by LondonEnergy, and the first step along the road to improving the experience at our Re-Use and Recycling Centres for workers and members of the public alike. 

“The 5CX model furnishes us with a range of new health and safety benefits, the most important of which is greater visibility.  Visibility on a busy site is crucial and we believe that these new machines are the best on the market for our operation.”

RECOMMENDED: Fairclough Group – Total FM
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Facilities management is not rocket science: it’s about doing ordinary things extraordinarily well and maintaining a standard that everyone can rely upon.

Getting the little details right is at the heart of our Total FM approach, because it means we can earn your trust and start building a genuine partnership, working to an agreed set of objectives and key performance indicators and striving for seamless delivery.

Total FM is your assurance that an expert is taking care of everything, leaving you free to concentrate on what you do best.

We will provide a strategic overview of what’s required, breaking down the tasks in a clear and concise way, agreeing the desired service levels required and reporting back in language that paints a clear picture and empowers you to make informed decisions.

To deliver a truly integrated TFM solution, it is imperative we know as much as we can about your goals, your challenges and frustrations, your culture and your environment.

We will tailor our service to fit around the unique demands of the clients we serve and the buildings they place in our care.

We will quickly get the grips with whatever your corporate standards and style dictate and proceed to deliver a service that excels in every department.

Total FM is our all-encompassing offer for the corporate workspace but we are more than happy to provide bundled or individual services, for a portfolio of properties or a single location.

While the environments may differ there is one thing that stays constant in our world, and that is our relentless pursuit of delivering customer satisfaction.

When you engage Fairclough, you engage a team that will have thoroughly examined every aspect of your FM requirement and come up with a plan that will support your strategic vision.

We think FM is a pretty straightforward business, or at least it should be, it starts with getting the basics right and understanding that the big picture and the small details are one and the same.

Through our one-team operating model, our clients have achieved a reduction in annual facilities costs of between 10-30 percent. It’s at this point that FM suddenly becomes a lot more interesting around the board table.

If you are ready to free yourself of the burden of maintaining your facilities, or want to accelerate your corporate development by leveraging our expertise and experience, then call Fairclough today.

www.faircloughgroup.com | 020 7099 9122 | info@faircloughgroup.com

RECOMMENDED: Recoup waste water heat recovery systems
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Recoup specialise in Waste Water Heat Recovery Systems for Showers (WWHRS), a passive heat recovery technology that simply and effectively recovers the wasted heat energy.

That energy normally flows down the drain when showering and recycles this back into the hot water system, by ‘pre-heating the cold mains feed to the shower (and/or boiler/cylinder).

In the UK it is primarily used by new-build developers, as it is simple, cheap and very cost effective. We are used in Standard specification by a number of As a SAP listed technology, it is one of the most cost-effective energy efficiency measure available. It also requires no planned maintenance, filter changes, or end-user interaction of any kind. Just passive energy saving, that can save around 55% of the cost each time a shower is used.

The Easyfit+ is designed to install directly below a bath (with shower over) – this new product due to it’s design, cost and efficiency has tremendous opportunity for retrofit. We are currently working with a major UK hotel group, trailing the Easyfit+ as a retrofit solution, as well as the UK leading gym provider.

Furthermore, we are also working with housing association providers (and their partners), to incorporate the Easyfit+ as part of their energy efficiency upgrade programmes.

www.recoupwwhrs.co.uk

CASE STUDY: Premier Inn rooftop solar energy scheme
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Premier Inn recently partnered with Anesco to deliver 88 rooftop solar schemes – here’s how they did it…

Premier Inn is the UK’s biggest hotel brand, with more than 750 hotels based across the UK & Ireland and is owned and operated by hospitality group Whitbread.

As part of Whitbread’s commitment to reducing their impact on the environment, it has set ambitious carbon reduction targets for each of its brands. For Premier Inn, improving the carbon footprint of its hotels by increasing energy efficiency and reducing the amount of electricity being taken from the grid, is a key focus.

This has led to a long term partnership being formed with Anesco…

A strong business case for improvements

Premier Inn started investigating ways to meet its carbon reduction targets. There needed to be a strong business case for any measures and improvements which might be made.

The overall aim for the hotel chain was to reduce its electricity costs and carbon emissions by making energy efficiency improvements. As well as using less energy, the team were keen to start generating their own renewable power.

The team approached Anesco for help in rolling out a portfolio of rooftop solar installations, which were to be installed at Premier Inn sites across the UK.

Solar – a visible sign of the company’s commitment to the environment

Solar was the perfect fit, as its use and installation would cause the minimal disruption to guests and the operational side of the business. It was felt that having solar panels on the roof would also be a visible sign of the company’s commitment to the environment.

Achieving the maximum benefit for the minimum cost

Anesco began by conducting a desktop study of the whole portfolio of Premier Inn sites, to assess which would be feasible and also the most beneficial sites, for solar to be fitted. It was important for Premier Inn that any installations achieved the maximum benefit for the minimum cost.

From the information provided by Anesco, the Premier Inn team was able to build an investment case for the project, which was subsequently given the go-ahead.

At this stage, Anesco then visited each shortlisted site to conduct a detailed onsite survey and ensure all roof spaces were sound, while checking for any other issues, such as accessibility.

Both teams took a collaborative approach to the project, jointly pulling together a schedule and agreeing on the optimal site list – those which would generate the greatest returns for the least outlay.

Overcoming all operational challenges

A bespoke solar scheme needed to be designed for each site. Anesco ensured that each scheme would achieve the optimal benefit for Premier Inn, with elements such as size and orientation both taken into account.

Anesco then worked closely with Premier Inn’s in house energy project manager on the delivery of the schemes.

The first batch of solar schemes were installed in stages throughout 2013/14. Then in 2015, the project culminated in a 44-site installation programme, which was completed in 12 weeks. In total, solar was installed on 88 Premier Inn sites.

The installations themselves presented many operational challenges. With the hotel’s ‘good night guarantee’, it was important that guests were not disturbed. This influenced logistical decisions, such as the time that works could commence in the morning.

Project savings and benefits

The result has been that Premier Inn is taking a lot less electricity from the grid and is also receiving a monthly income via the government’s Feed in Tariffs. It is a financially sound project, which continues to justify itself through its carbon reduction benefits and impact on the chain’s carbon footprint.

Ensuring the optimal performance of the solar assets

Anesco’s O&M service, AnescoMeter is in place to monitor and maintain Premier Inn’s full portfolio of solar sites. This includes sites which haven’t been installed by Anesco, such as those on new build hotels.

Premier Inn has access to the AnescoMeter portal, which allows them to see how well individual sites and the whole portfolio are performing, at any time. A detailed report is then provided to the team at agreed times, for use in their internal reporting requirements.

Total Security Summit

5 reasons to attend the Energy Management Summit
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The Energy Management Summit could help you reduce your budgets by matching you up with innovative suppliers who meet your business requirements.

As one of our VIP guests, you’ll be joining the likes of Hotel Indigo 1 Leicester Square, InterContinental, Hotels Group, Kettering General Hospital, London Luton Airport, LV, The Co-Op, Smiths Group, Vita Cellular Foams and many more.

If that’s not incentive enough for you to register here are 5 more reasons…

  • As one of our VIP guests, you will be provided with a bespoke itinerary of face-to-face meetings with suppliers based on mutual agreement. No hard sell, and no time wasted.
  • You’ll have the opportunity to attend insightful seminars and interactive workshops.
  • Network with other senior energy management professionals who share your challenges.
  • Enjoy full hospitality throughout, including all meals and refreshments, plus overnight accommodation.
  • Kick back at our gala dinner with entertainment.

Taking place on October 1st and 2nd at the Radisson Blu Hotel, London Stansted, the Energy Management Summit provides a platform for new business connections.

Register to attend.

To find out more, contact Paige Aitken on 01992 374079 or email p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk.

Alternatively, if you’re an industry supplier and would like to showcase your products and services at the event, contact Lisa Rose on 01992 374077 or email l.rose@forumevents.co.uk.

Building & Construction Summit

Last remaining places at the Facilities Management Forum – Book today!
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Taking place on July 2nd & 3rd at the Hilton Deansgate, Manchester, the Facilities Management Forum is entirely FREE for you to attend.

MEET new suppliers based on your requirements and upcoming projects.

LEARN via our series of seminars from industry thought-leaders.

NETWORK with other senior FM professionals.

ENJOY full complimentary hospitality, including overnight accommodation, all meals & refreshments and an invitation to our gala dinner with entertainment.

We have an extremely limited number of free places remaining, so register today!

Alternatively, for more information contact Paige Aitken on 01992 374 079 or email p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk.

If you’re an FM supply and would like to attend the event to showcase your products and services, contact Luke Webster on 01992 374074 or email l.webster@forumevents.co.uk.