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GUEST BLOG: Innovative architecture – The buildings of the future
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As populations begin to live longer, and climate change threatens the existence of land mass on our planet, the need to establish where we will live in the future has become an important consideration.

By 2100, the world’s population could increase to 11.2 billion, and it is estimated that almost all population growth will occur within our cities. In 1930, only 30% of the world’s population lived in cities – compared to around 50% today; by 2050 66.7% of the world’s population will live in cities.

Now, architects are designing and constructing the buildings of the future, as a result of an increased demand for space within urban areas. As we move forward and replace older designs, new builds will help to accommodate our increasingly complex living-needs.

Together with Oasys, specialists in building design and pedestrian simulation software, we explore these cutting-edge structures and how they have become a reality…

Timbers that are taller

For architects that need to find an alternative to metals, timber structures are becoming taller and more structurally sound. This is because many are now praising its sustainability and quality, whilst realising how fast a structure can be built.

When it comes to building structures with timber, attitudes towards this practice are becoming increasingly progressive; this is because CLT (cross laminated timber) regulations are sparse. With its improved strength and stability due to more sophisticated engineering techniques – wooden skyscrapers are becoming a thing of the present, not the future.

Wenlock Cross in Hackney is perhaps the most impressive new structure that is being created with CLT. More commonly known as The Cube Building, standing at 6,750sq metres, the scheme is a hybrid mix of timber and steel. The building seamlessly blends into grass parks that surround the area, but also looks right at home amongst other urbanised buildings that make up London’s metropolitan landscape. As developments progress in the construction and implementation of timber structures, only time will tell how wooden buildings will influence the future of architecture.

Dynamic Tower Hotel: The Rotating Skyscraper

Designed by Israeli-Italian architect David Fisher, downtown Dubai is about to host the world’s first rotating skyscraper. The structure was originally proposed in 2008, but after being put on hold, the structure has now been set for completion by 2020.

Built in four dimensions, the structure will constantly change shape as it rotates, and in theory, the apartment block should never look the same twice. Though each apartment will be able to rotate 360 degrees independently, the speed will be adjustable, and the stationary core will contain the elevator with apartments off-shooting this core.

Leading the way when it comes to environment design, this new superstructure is an innovative one of a kind. The structure is proposed to power itself, as there will be wind turbines between each floor, negating the need for excessive power supplies from fossil fuels. An apartment will not come cheap, with prices set to be at around US $30 million. This is an exclusive project for those who want to pay the price to be at the forefront of innovation.

Garden buildings

In the East, skyscrapers are being designed that utilise the natural greenery that surrounds them, unlike older designs in the West. The East intends to build structures that encourage biodiversity, helping tropical spaces thrive within natural environments.

Nanjing Green Light House

Nanjing Green Light House stands in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. Unlike a conventional light house, it is named in this way because through its round structure and sophisticated façade designs, the building is able to gain 200 LUX natural daylight for all working spaces – making it one of the first zero carbon buildings in mainland china.

China’s vast and natural foliage was the inspiration behind this building’s design; in this way, the natural landscape becomes as important as the building itself. Through natural ventilation techniques, exposed windows and moveable skylights, anyone can enjoy this working space that incorporates natural designs.

Oasia Hotel Downtown

Standing amongst limited green spaces, this building is the urban backdrop of downtown Singapore. This tropical skyscraper counteracts the Central Business District within the Tanjong Pagar area, and is meant to act as a prototype for how urbans tropics will function within man-made landscapes.

Functioning as additional ‘ground levels’, the building contains a number of sky gardens. Within the structure, this helps to provide public areas for recreation and social interaction within an inner-city environment. Each sky verandah is open sided, which provides natural breezes to pass through the building for good cross-ventilation without the need for air-conditioning units. The building is also considered a natural haven for wildlife, with an overall green plot ratio of 1,100% – reintroducing biodiversity into the city that was initially driven away through construction.

It’s clear that architecture of the future has three key priorities in mind: reducing carbon emissions through construction and functionality, encouraging biodiversity and utilising natural exteriors within the interior of a building. If these priorities are sustained, it’s clear that the future of architecture will not only transform lives, but benefit our natural environments as well.

Sources & Further Reading:

http://www.thenational.ae/uae/dubai-in-line-for-worlds-first-rotating-skyscraper

https://www.eboss.co.nz/detailed/pamela-bell/tall-timber-construction-new-updates

https://www.hawkinsbrown.com/news-and-events/press/tall-in-timber

https://www.wired.com/2015/04/20-buildings-show-future-architecture/

http://www.businessinsider.com/see-the-future-collection-2011-6?IR=T#rumored-foster-and-partners-new-apple-campus-on-june-7th-apple-founder-and-ceo-steve-jobs-presented-his-idea-for-a-new-apple-campus-at-the-cupertino-city-council-10

http://weburbanist.com/2009/05/27/unbuilt-buildings-12-awesome-future-architectural-designs/

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/these-6-new-buildings-are-the-future-of-sustainable-architecture

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150901-is-the-world-running-out-of-space

 

Waterscan Open Water Market

GUEST BLOG: The Open Water Market – Think before you dive in
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By Claire Yeates, Director, Waterscan

When it comes to utility procurement in the UK, water has always been the poor relation to gas and electricity.  The comparatively low cost of water supply and wastewater management, coupled with a monopolistic marketplace which gave facilities managers no choice of supply, led to water being a little understood, little noticed line in most premises budgets.

In April 2017, that all changed.  Water is now a competitive retail market, giving commercial and other non-residential water users across England the opportunity to choose where to buy water and wastewater services from. This freedom of choice is most welcome but, with choice, comes complexity. Because facilities managers haven’t had to think about water before, diving into this whole new area can be daunting – so think before you dive in.

In summary, there are three main options: you can conduct water procurement in-house (so long as you have your data in order); you can outsource the procurement exercise; or finally, you can consider the pioneering concept of self-supply.

Which is right for your organisation?  Let’s take each in turn:

  1. In-house Procurement: Organisations that lack resources to play an active role in the new open market may feel that they are better off staying with their existing supplier or conducting their own tender (perhaps believing that any savings they make will be offset by the resource involved in research, analysis and negotiation).If you fit into this category we would urge you to get your data cleansed before approaching any water retailers or you’re unlikely to be offered the best deal. For example, an outsourced water bill checking service delivers a comprehensive review of a recent water bill for each site in your property portfolio resulting in a report, which benchmarked against sector peers, details opportunities for improvement that are unique to your organisation. At the very least, this comprehensive insight into your operational water footprint will assist in negotiations with your current or future water supplier.
  2. Outsourced Procurement: An alternative is to outsource the water procurement process. This strategic approach gives you independent analysis and a fully managed tailored end-to-end service to secure the right retailer for your organisation’s specific needs. Anyone who has not had to deal with water procurement before will benefit from this approach as you will quickly build detailed insight into your operational water footprint for informed decision making.  However, it will be most beneficial for industrial and commercial water users with a higher annual spend, perhaps with a nationwide or complex portfolio, and that want help choosing the right retailer in line with operational needs, existing internal systems and sustainability goals.
  3. Self-Supply: Self-supply is a good option for non-household water users that want complete control over their water consumption and the prospect of greater cost savings. It is most suitable for high consumers or large, multi-site organisations that wish to influence the marketplace while benefiting from enhanced service and wholesale prices.  Support for this route, offered by Waterscan, navigates the complexities of the market; helps companies to get and maintain a licence; and delivers comprehensive management of the administration required to self-supply water.

Whichever option works for you, remember too that savings can also be achieved by taking a proactive approach to water management through, for example, effective leak detection, meter monitoring and even re-using water with rainwater harvesting or greywater recycling technologies.

Our decades of experience have shown that every organisation is different – there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution – so do take advice.

For specific guidance on how to make the most of the open water market, get in touch via www.waterscan.com.

GUEST BLOG: What’s new in the world of FM? Here’s your opportunity to find out…
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By Luke Webster, FM Portfolio Manager, Forum Events

Here at Forum Events, we have a long history of working within the FM sector, having hosted our Facilities Management Forum for 20 years.

That’s two whole decades of connection building, new business and, well, a lot of networking drinks.

In that time, much has changed, of course – and nothing more so than the rapid rise in smart products and services, alongside the ongoing evolution of the core sector.

Savvy facilities managers have adapted to work with new products and services from the world of digital – and we have too, covering off the latest trends in seminar programmes and ensuring the FM Forum is filled with the most innovative suppliers in the market.

At our July event in Manchester we’ll be matching buyers’ requirements with the suppliers who attend the event for a series of one-to-one meetings throughout the day.

In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to attend the aforementioned seminar sessions hosted by industry thought-leaders.

And we’ll even throw in lunch, refreshments, a gala dinner, and overnight accommodation too.

And the best part? FM professionals are invited to attend for free.

Simply contact Paige Aitken via p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk to find out more.

Or, if you’re a supplier to the sector, please contact me via l.webster@forumevents.co.uk.

Guest Blog, Dave Bigham: Keeping the dust settled…
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In 2014, the ice bucket challenge took social media by storm. The craze was a bid to raise awareness of neurological disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). One illness, however, that is still fairly unknown amongst the general public but affects up to 7,300 US construction workers every year is Silicosis, a respiratory condition caused by the inhalation of silica dust.

Silicon dioxide or silica is a chemical compound found in materials that are used regularly in construction, including sandstone, granite, brick and concrete. In the workplace, these materials create dust when they are cut, sanded and carved and, when fine enough, this dust can be inhaled by construction workers, causing health problems such as Silicosis or Bronchitis.

The quantity of silica contained in most materials can be estimated within 20 per cent. Sandstone has silica content between 70 and 90 per cent and there is between 30 and 45 per cent silicon dioxide in tiles. However, in concrete, the silica content can be anywhere between 25 and 70 per cent; therefore it is difficult to estimate what protection measures are necessary for each job.1

Using the correct dust collecting equipment is the easiest way to mitigate the dangers of silica dust. From grinding concrete to surface polishing, construction workers need to be aware that they will be creating silica dust, even if the particles are too small for the naked eye to see. Investing in a dust collector that attaches onto surface preparation equipment is the best way to keep silica dust enclosed and stop it from becoming airborne.

Vacuums and dust collectors with a one-filter system aren’t thorough enough to gather the finer particles that can pass through the respiratory system and cause health problems. When there is a risk of silica dust inhalation, look for a dust collector with an individually tested High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter and a high minimum efficiency. National Flooring Equipment’s range of dust collectors boasts a 99.995 per cent minimum efficiency rating at 0.14 microns.

The vacuum’s bagging system is also an extremely important component. If the silica dust becomes airborne when the user changes the vacuum bag, the work that the filters have done previously is wasted. Most top of the range dust collectors will come equipped with a continuous bag, which can be cut from the machine and disposed of without being unsealed.

In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has taken matters into its own hands by limiting construction workers’ exposure to silica. Over an eight-hour shift, workers cannot be exposed to more than 50 micrograms per cubic metre of air.2 This standard was passed on June 23, 2016 and construction companies in the US have one year to comply with the requirements

Despite the US pushing for stricter regulations, it’s a different story across the Atlantic. The United Kingdom’s regulatory body, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is said to be wary of implementing new controls because of their potential costs and the technical difficulties in monitoring a stricter standard. So far, there are no plans to set limits on the amount of silica that workers can be exposed to in Europe.

Contractors, original equipment manufacturers and trade bodies have to coordinate their efforts to mitigate the risks of silica dust by raising awareness about the dangers of breathing in small particles and by promoting best practice when working in environments with high silicone dioxide content.

Fun as it may be, an ice bucket challenge might not be the best way to spread awareness of the dangers of silica dust exposure. Instead, the industry needs to make workers aware of these dangers and use professional dust collectors correctly at all times.

References:

  1. Health & Safety Executive, (2013) ‘Control of exposure to silica dust: A guide for employees’. [Online version] Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg463.pdf [Accessed November 23, 2016].
  2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, (2016) ‘Worker Exposure to Silica during Countertop Manufacturing, Finishing and Installation’. [Online] Available at: https://www.osha.gov/dts/hazardalerts/silica_hazard_alert.html [Accessed November 23, 2016].

Dave Bigham, director of National Accounts and Global Training has been in the surface preparation industry for more than 22 years. With experience working for several of the largest companies in the industry, he came to work for National Flooring Equipment in 2010, and his expertise and years of experience are invaluable to the company.

Guest Blog, Bob Foley: The Future is Green; the Future is Energy Saving…
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As with many changes in legislation, there are always a few people who are going to be resistant to change. It is in our nature to be cautious and wary of periods of transition and it takes many people a while to adapt to change, once it has been implemented. The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) is no exception to this rule. Nearly a year since the initial deadline, there are still vast numbers of qualifying organisations who have not filed their notifications of compliance with the ESOS scheme. The Environment Agency (EA), which administers the ESOS scheme on the behalf of the government, is now cracking down on companies who have failed to comply. At Servest, we are urging companies that may qualify for ESOS to take action.

To qualify or not to qualify?

It seems that the reason why so many companies haven’t complied with the ESOS scheme is down to a misunderstanding about exactly who should be complying with the legislation.

The HM Treasury’s Impact Assessment estimated that circa 9,400 enterprises are affected by ESOS, covering 170,000 – 200,000 buildings that consume around a third of UK energy demand. Over the course of the summer, the scheme regulators have investigated 1,700 organisations they believe may be required to participate but had not made a submission. Although there does not seem to be a definitive list of the companies who fall within the criteria, we believe that several thousand companies out there that need to play catch-up.

The threshold tests which determine whether your organisation should qualify involve a number of factors such as number of employees and company turnover. Much of the confusion has stemmed from a misunderstanding of such factors. Servest’s Energy and Compliance division has recently heard from a number of companies who were not aware, or who did not think the legislation applied to them. For instance, we have heard from a number of companies who have told us they have been contacted by local trading standards or by the Environment Agency. However, in about half of these cases we were able to help them understand that they did not, in fact, meet the compliance threshold tests.

A cleaner energy economy equals a more prosperous economy

In amongst all this confusion over who or what qualifies for ESOS, it seems some companies have forgotten the bigger picture. The point of the scheme is to drive energy savings. Essentially, it should be understood as an opportunity for British businesses to save money. In the current climate, any potential ways to reduce costs should be readily accepted. The government has identified that the Net Present Value of the benefits will be in the region of £1.6 billion, so the gains reaped from becoming ESOS compliant far outweigh the initial cost of the assessment. Part of the report is to identify opportunities to save energy and hence reduce costs. While many companies will treat this as a tick box requirement, we would suggest that others embrace the opportunities to reduce energy usage and the associated costs.

Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves

The need to conserve energy has never been higher on the political, social and economic agendas of British businesses.  Small changes can make the world of difference to the amount of energy consumed. Simple things, such as: ensuring the lights are switched off when areas are not in use, setting appropriate temperature controls and maintaining equipment so it operates efficiently can help sustain our planet as well as saving money.

 

Co-authored with Rob Legge, CEO at Servest Group

 

Bob joined Servest’s new Energy and Compliance division in October 2015 to drive new growth through the development of products and services, which will help customers reduce their energy spend and provide a one-stop-shop solution to managing building risk compliance. Prior to joining Servest, Bob has worked for major energy suppliers, utility infrastructure providers and in the renewable and low carbon energy and energy efficiency sectors. 

Rob has been involved in the facilities sector for over 20 years and during this time has gained a wealth of experience in both the commercial and corporate arenas, Joining Servest in the mid 90s as managing director, he quickly progressed into the role of group CEO. Driving organisational growth through organic and acquisitive strategy, Rob has been instrumental in developing the group into a leading international FM brand.

Guest Blog, Liz Allen – The Circular Economy: Re-thinking waste…
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We have become used to the idea of recycling.  We do it at home, and more businesses are recognising the financial benefits of waste segregation and recycling in the workplace.  But is this enough? What ‘matchmaking’ could you do for your business waste? Could your unwanted waste material be just what someone else needs?

Each time a material is recycled, its quality is generally reduced leading to a higher demand for virgin raw material.  According to Friends of the Earth, humans today extract and use around 50 per cent more natural resources than 30 years ago – that’s about 60 billion tonnes a year.  If we continue in the same way, the amount could be 100 billion tonnes of raw material by 2030. It’s not just the environmental problems associated with resource extraction, there are often social problems such as human rights violations and poor working conditions linked with these industries which we should be taking into account.

There is nothing wrong with recycling, and we should all keep up the good practice while looking out for opportunities to think a bit wider and add an extra loop into a products’ life cycle.  The challenge is to move away from the ‘take-make-dispose’ linear route, and move to a circular model where the life of products and materials are extended before they are repurposed, reused or reprocessed to provide new or different services.

The beauty of a ‘circular approach’ is that it can be tackled at any point of the value chain – anywhere from extraction of raw materials, design and manufacture, through to use and disposal. This affects everyone and is providing the inspiration for all kinds of new business models which appeal to the millennials, who are less materialistically-minded, and environmentalists alike.

All kinds of organisations are piloting new business models to try and rethink waste.  These range from product leasing – where you hand it back for someone else to use, to improving product performance by building in upgradability, through to remanufacturing.  All these approaches try to keep the original material in use for as long as possible to get the best out of it before recovering or regenerating products and materials at the end of their useful life.

Organisations such as WRAP and the Dame Ellen MacArthur Foundation are championing approaches to support innovative business models.  These are popping up all over the place including a company in Holland called Mud Jeans which lets you lease a pair of jeans for a year. After that, you can return them for repair, get a different style or purchase them. St Albans based office furniture specialist, JPA will collect, repair and refresh your office furniture, rather than it going to landfill, while businesses in the FMCG market are looking at ways to redesign products so they can minimise the use of virgin material.

We are great at accumulating ‘stuff’, and apparently up to 80 per cent of the products made are thrown away within the first six months. As a society, we have gotten used to wanting the latest trend and another bit of kit, but this cannot be sustainable? All these products have used other materials to make them and there is not an inexhaustible supply.  Think about the opportunities; we are happy to download music and no longer own CD’s, therefore eliminating (or at least significantly reducing) the production of plastic discs.  So what else could we do?

 

Liz Allen is an environmental consultant at Hosking Associates Ltd, and has many years’ experience working with diverse businesses to translate environmental issues into practical actions. She helps organisations prioritise risks and opportunities to reduce costs, and manage compliance. Liz is a chartered environmentalist with experience in designing and delivering CSR, sustainability and stakeholder engagement programmes.

Guest Blog, Sarah Bentley: Skills – our opportunity for recognition?
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It’s been a busy year politically; what with the referendum and Brexit, changes in party leadership, and the continuous questions about when we trigger Article 50. All this leading to endless speculation about what will or will not happen to UK PLC – how will it affect business, trade, commerce and the supply and movement of labour? Lots of unknowns.

Amidst all of these unknowns, the government has stood firm, however, with its continued commitment to introduce the apprenticeship levy in April 2017. It hasn’t made much noise about it – well, there’s been so much else going on. Even with a new skills minister and a shift in responsibility for apprenticeships from the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) to the Department for Education (DfE) – it’s still going ahead. Announced in the summer of 2015, and despite words of warning from employer sector bodies and the CBI that it’s too soon and will wipe out the profits for some businesses, it’s still happening. May and her cabinet are sticking with their plans. April it is then.

During my 20 plus years working in the world of skills and workforce development, I’ve seen governments taking very different approaches to skilling the workforce with varying levels of carrot and stick; with initiatives that simply threw money at the problem, to co-investment and the more recent ‘employer ownership’ philosophy which basically means that businesses are expected to pay; not the public purse. The carrot has gone. It’s basically all stick now.

So how does this affect the facilities management (FM) sector? Well, given that FM service providers are by far some of the largest employers in the UK, there’s no doubt that the apprenticeship levy is going to have an impact; and at 0.5 per cent of their annual salary bill taken at source by HMRC it won’t be an insignificant amount either. Ouch!

I’ve spoken to lots of L&D managers recently and it’s fair to say that views range from “well it’s just a tax, the money’s gone” to “we’re just outsourcing all our levy spend to one provider” and those looking more under pressure have been told to “manage it all internally”. There’s also a general resignation to the fact that it’s just something else to deal with. I’m sure not the optimistic response government might have envisaged when it made the policy announcement.

As my time leading the Building Futures Group – which was the trade association for the FM sector – we fought hard to address its key challenges. FM has an image problem; it isn’t recognised by government as a key sector; young people are not attracted to FM; margins are too low for the service providers to really invest in skills.

Yet the reality is also that those that do work in the sector are passionate about it, there are great roles to be had, opportunities to progress and work in some amazing places. Most people fall into it by accident, but they seem to stay and are by far its biggest advocates.

So with an introduction of a compulsory levy, maybe we have an opportunity for FM businesses to take a step back; review their approach to recruitment and workforce development and address those issues that have held the sector back for far too long. Other sectors that have suffered from similar problems have taken huge strides to address them by taking a new approach to skills, progression and recruitment – take the logistics sector for example, and maybe we can learn from this.

Sure, the levy is only one component of a broader talent and workforce development piece, but if it’s the lever that triggers a change then I support it. Let’s start to look at how apprentices can truly be seen as an equivalent to our graduates; let’s understand what it takes to support our apprentices in their role so they become the FM advocates of the future; promoting the sector, encouraging others to join.

FM companies do already invest a great deal in skills; let’s use the levy creatively, to ensure the sector is getting the skilled workforce it needs. Employers remember, you are in the driving seat now. Its your money. It can only be accessed by providers when you’ve agreed a price and quality of provision that you’re happy with.

Together we can grasp this chance, engage and work it to your advantage. Let’s see the perception of FM change and let’s see our people and businesses thrive by doing so.

 

Sarah Bentley is joint founder and director of Spaghetti Junction, and an independent training advisor.

T: 07933 412311

E: sarah@spaghettijunction.org

 

Sarah is a business support, enterprise and skills policy professional. Specialising in the facilities management sector, Sarah is passionate about helping businesses and their employees get the best from each-other through access to, implementation and utilisation of skills in the workplace. Sarah is co-founder of Spaghetti Junction and FMCentral and owner of Upkeep Training.

Guest Blog, Colin Kenton: Stimulating the economy by simplifying FM delivery…
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The method and merit of Facilities Management (FM) delivery – be it in-house, total, bundled or single stream – has been debated for many years. Getting the correct delivery model for a specific contract has never been more important, especially so with market volatility arising from events such as Brexit. Uncertain times mean the correct service structure and management is essential to securing and meeting targets set out when the contract was tendered. In truth, these models are valid within certain circumstances, and it can never be a case of ‘one size fits all’. Public sector contracts in particular require an absolute assurance of delivery; the scrutiny which large central government departments face means that nothing other than exceptional service for the best possible value is acceptable. The requirement to improve productivity and efficiency is a key motivation not only in the public sector, but with FM in general. Additionally, the need to extract as much value as possible is crucial. This market development has seen a reduction in team resources and has consequently created challenges with delivery capability for both in-house and outsourced offerings.

With SME’s being championed by the government and encouraged to bid for large public sector contracts, the need for smaller businesses that are able to deliver is paramount. The demand to meet service expectations while simultaneously keeping costs to a minimum can be burdensome for smaller businesses, and the overall quality of their service can suffer if it is not managed correctly. The workload that a public sector contract generates can put disproportionate strain on the supplier’s resources and potentially be self-defeating. It is right that SME’s should be encouraged to win major contracts with central government departments; this competition is undoubtedly good for stimulating the economy and safeguarding future prosperity. However, if the contract creates serious issues for the entire business, then this needs to be addressed in a strategic way that helps an SME deliver on expectations while also safeguarding their resources so they are not stretched too thin.

In my experience at KBR, the best method for alleviating this problem is to use an integrated service delivery model (ISDM) that provides the client with a stand-alone matrix of processes, resources, skills and knowledge to manage the execution of its services. This particular model means that the service is capable of meeting the specific needs of each client. From the beginning of an agreement, the sourcing strategy is devised and the supply chain is mobilised while day-to-day management is continually monitored. The bespoke nature of this model means that an integrator can deal with issues – anticipated or unforeseen – while still ensuring that FM services are delivered throughout the contract term as agreed. The single integrated system also ensures that monitoring is non-intrusive and the data accrued is simple to interpret and utilise.

The ability to monitor FM and property performance data means trends can be established and delivery can be modified accordingly. This is a great opportunity for SME’s as the model allows for continual improvement while not physically interfering in the actual execution of FM services from the client itself. The SME can fulfill its contract while benefitting from the influence that an IDSM brings, thus alleviating the potential service stress of a major public-sector contract. If there is a particular issue, it will be identified and discussed with the provider who then makes changes as appropriate – essentially the process of troubleshooting and optimisation is simplified for all parties and the job gets done. Conversely, this model also allows for an integrator to deliver everything independently, if desired. A key benefit of ISDM is its flexibility and applicability.

This model has enjoyed demonstrable success. In 2013, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) went through the biggest transformation of its estate to date. KBR were employed to develop an integrator model which oversaw a total restructuring of its facilities management with the aim of saving £5 million pounds a year. Three years on, the MPS is now seeing £10 million a year in savings, service satisfaction has improved, and the number of SME’s working alongside the MPS has increased by 40 per cent. Integrator payment arrangements are also typically made on a fee basis, so no amount is taken from the original contract agreement itself. The SME is therefore never short-changed in the process; it is a mutually beneficial collaboration. Having an integrator involved is not a prerequisite to an SME’s success in major public contract negotiations, but the assured service they can bring for all parties will certainly make any prospective bid more desirable. Food for thought for those aspiring to supply in the public arena.

 

As managing director for Facilities Management Services, Colin holds strategic responsibility for the direction and growth of the FM Services business across the UK for KBR. His remit includes Business Development and acquisition: securing contracts, and negotiating at executive level with major clients in both the public and private sectors.

Guest Blog, Bernard Daymon: Bacteria at universities – but not as you know it…
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There are a number of reasons why it’s vital to effectively clean up wastewater in universities. Today’s university campuses are the size of small towns, with student accommodation facilities, lecture theatres, libraries, bars and food outlets all on-site and many producing large quantities of wastewater. All of this wastewater poses its own challenges, especially where fats, oils and grease (FOG) are produced. These can become trapped and start to decompose, creating foul odours, which are unpleasant for all.

Aside from the unpleasant odours, wastewater also has a direct financial impact. At times when universities are experiencing an increase in cuts, the last thing facilities managers want to face is fines for illegal wastewater management under the Water Industry Act 1991. Companies pay an annual fee to hold a license in order to discharge effluent but there are strict limits on the amount that can be discharged. Extra charges are incurred where there are higher levels of contaminants in the effluent, which facilities teams will be keen to avoid.

However, the challenges faced on campuses make this easier said than done. Universities often have peak spikes in activity, such as on open days when thousands can attend, or during fresher’s week, where thousands of students will descend upon all the campus bars and food outlets every night for a week. This means that it’s hard to effectively keep up wastewater management at peak times, under intense pressure. It’s therefore important that wastewater management systems can work flexibly and quickly.

Bacteria are normally something that comes to mind when you think about cleaning up waste. However, new active bacteria solutions such as NCH Europe’s FreeFlow and BioAmp systems can clean up contaminants in wastewater. These bacteria are active from the moment they enter the system, meaning that they are instantly effective and perfect for times of high demand.

NCH Europe offers different types of bacteria systems, which are ideal for different demands. FreeFlow 50 is a dosing mechanism for the FreeFlow liquid, which is a biological solution containing ten strains of food safe bacillus bacteria that safely clear organic waste. The automatic dosing feature not only makes this more cost effective, it avoids human error, minimises the risk of an incorrect dosage and subsequently avoids fines. FreeFlow 100 is the premium solution, which is much stronger. It contains liquid nutrient and biological solutions, which boost the growth and performance of bacteria for a more effective treatment, particularly when cutting through FOGs and organic waste.

If there’s one thing that student kitchens and university wastewater systems have in common, it’s that they are both breeding grounds for bacteria. However, NCH Europe’s bacteria will help rather than harm. It’s vital that universities have effective systems in place to deal with wastewater, especially at peak times, to avoid costly fines and damage to their reputation because of unpleasant odours. Who knew that bacteria could be so helpful?

 

 

Bernard Daymon is the CEO and president of the global water, energy and maintenance solutions provider, NCH Europe. Having joined the company in 2013, Daymon has over 20 years of international experience in both consumer and business-to-business environments. His previous roles include CEO of household cleaning brand, Jeyes and CFO of home and personal care for Unilever.

Guest Blog, Simon Field: Loud noises and preventing damage in the workplace…
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When it comes to facilities management, it is not just the health and safety of your employees that you have to worry about, you also need to protect contractors and visitors.

Due to the varied tasks taking place within the facilities management industry, one of the biggest dangers can be exposure to loud noises. Simon Field, a technical specialist at science-based technology company 3M, discusses how a four-step approach can help to keep everyone at your facility safe. 

While the effects may not be immediately obvious, exposure to loud noises can have really harmful – and irreversible – consequences.

Anything from construction work to even lawn mowing could create damaging sound levels and if the correct steps are not taken, it is not only people’s health which is at risk – companies can also face legal action.

One of the most common health issues caused by high levels of sound is noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) – which is a completely preventable but incurable condition.

In the past year around 15,000 people have suffered from NIHL caused, or made worse, by work. It is the most commonly reported occupational medical condition in the EU and between 2011 and 2014, NIHL insurance claims increased by 189 per cent.

As well as NIHL, loud noises can also result in tinnitus, which could lead to associated health problems such as insomnia. Safety can also be compromised, as people may not be able to hear warning messages or alarms if noise levels are too loud.

At 3M, we have devised a four-step approach to help companies keep everyone protected from loud noise.  

Detection

The first step in protecting your employees, contractors and visitors is to assess the noise levels to see if there is a problem. Start by asking yourself some straightforward questions such as, do employees need to raise their voices when speaking to each other or is the noise intrusive? If the answer is yes, then the noise levels are likely to be too high. Noise measurements should be conducted in any areas highlighted during your initial assessment. Noise surveys can be carried out in-house or by hiring a consultant.

It’s important to use the results of noise surveys effectively; deciding on noise control methods, re-evaluating risk assessments

and selecting appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Protection

As part of The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, employers are required to eliminate or reduce risks to health and safety from noise at work.

Depending on the level of risk, you should:

  • take action to reduce the noise exposure
  • provide your employees with suitable personal hearing protection

When deciding on hearing protection equipment (HPE), it is crucial to select a product that employees are motivated to wear. If the HPE does not fit correctly or is uncomfortable, the user is less likely to use it properly, which can significantly reduce the level of protection.

The two options available are ear plugs and ear muffs. These products come in different styles to suit a range of tasks, including disposable and reusable.

When deciding on protection, you should ensure that it is effective enough to eliminate risks, but does not leave the worker isolated. You also need to consider the working environment and check that it does not interfere with other PPE.

Training

It’s important to ensure that your workers understand why they need to take care of their hearing and how they can do this. Employers need to provide suitable information, instruction and training covering the noise hazards present, the control measures to be used and the correct use of these, including hearing protection. This could include fitting technique, any maintenance requirements and where equipment should be stored.

Validation

Once you have offered hearing protection to your workers, you then need to be confident that it is protecting them. As everybody is different, it is not a case of one size fits all when it comes to hearing protection, so you need to be sure the equipment is being used correctly.

To help prevent incorrect use, 3M has recently launched its revolutionary E-A-Rfit Dual Ear Validation System. This system takes noise measurements from both inside and outside of the hearing protection, in order to calculate a personal attenuation rating for each employee. The test takes only eight seconds to complete and can be used as part of a robust training programme, showing workers how correctly inserting the right ear plug increases their level of protection.

Following this four-step approach will help employers to feel confident that they are best protecting their workforce from exposure to loud noises.

More information about E-A-Rfit Dual Ear Validation System is available here. 
If you would like more information on hearing conservation or have questions on other types of PPE, please feel free to give 3M’s H&S helpline a call on 0870 608 0060.
*3M and E-A-Rfit are trademarks of 3M Company.

 

Simon Field has spent the last five years at 3M supporting the personal safety division with technical responsibility in areas of hearing conservation, eye protection, powered respiratory systems and welding protection. He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in this area, along with an IOSH qualification in ‘Noise at Work Risk Assessment and Management’.