"safes and strongrooms"

Recognising the urgent requirement for the Co-op Group Food stores to continue to operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, dormakaba worked closely with the Group to create the Safe Entry Flow system. The solution can effectively control the flow of people in and out of premises to ensure social distancing guidelines can be maintained, and in store staff can be protected. Acting as an automatic door operator to control the flow of people into a store, Safe Entry Flow is a people counting system that uses 3D and Thermal Imagining to capture footfall data within a store. The counting system links to an automatic door operator, only allowing entry when the number of customers in the store is within a pre-set range (depending on the size of the retail unit), therefore creating a physical barrier to prevent overcrowding. The enhanced solution also provided Co-op with a wealth of data metrics of footfall within their stores, including turn-in rates.A traffic light system and sound box are also linked to the system to provide visible and audible signals to customers at the store entrance, providing a simple and enhanced end-user experience. This innovative solution enabled Co-op Food stores to comply with social distancing requirements, as outlined in the Government’s operating guidelines. The hardworking and dedicated team at dormakaba went from concept to rollout in just 44 days, to allow Co-op Food to operate as efficiently as possible within the COVID-19 climate. Ricky Walker, UK Delivery Director at dormakaba says, “the Co-op Group was looking for solutions for the Food stores to operate as conventionally as possible in unconventional times. Other measures had been trialled to ensure operations continued, however they did not find these as effective in maintaining Government guidelines. “The Group specifically required something to integrate with the automatic doors, that would create a physical barrier to controlling footfall, ensuring customers and staff are kept safe.” “Recognising this, our dedicated project team have developed a solution that forms a physical barrier for people, to ensure guidelines on limiting footfall are met. Safe Entry flow is supported with a designated Technical Support Program to provide assistance from installation through to aftersales maintenance. We’ve had extremely positive feedback from the Co-op Group, with installations still ongoing.”

Dressed beautifully in non-combustible Rockpanel A2 external cladding, Quantock House is an iconic building in the heart of Taunton, Sommerset offering its homeowners aged 55 and over a safe, contemporary environment in which they can ‘live life to the full’. 

Constructed in the nineteen sixties as part of the Tustin Estate, Ambleside, Grasmere and Windermere are 20 storey blocks of flats in need of complete renovation. Rockpanel external cladding systems have given the trio safe, efficient contemporary facades which shimmer and shine. 

Three of the UK’s leading access specialists have come together to form the Access 360 portfolio, providing a total manufacturing solution for roof, ceiling, wall and floor access products for the construction industry. Access 360 comprises Bilco UK, Profab Access and Howe Green. These well-established brands all have a strong reputation for delivering innovative solutions to address the challenges of safe access within a building or external environment.

Three of the UK’s leading access specialists have come together to form the Access 360 portfolio, providing a total manufacturing solution for roof, ceiling, wall and floor access products for the construction industry. Access 360 comprises Bilco UK, Profab Access and Howe Green. These well-established brands all have a strong reputation for delivering innovative solutions to address the challenges of safe access within a building or external environment. The brand identities have been updated, reflecting the holistic offer that Access 360 presents to the market, to represent the synergy between the brands and the complementary nature of the products.

Three of the UK’s leading access specialists have come together to form the Access 360 portfolio, providing a total manufacturing solution for roof, ceiling, wall and floor access products for the construction industry. Access 360 comprises Bilco UK, Profab Access and Howe Green. These well-established brands all have a strong reputation for delivering innovative solutions to address the challenges of safe access within a building or external environment.

Manual handling plays a large part in a whole host of industries, from construction to healthcare. But, lifting and carrying heavy loads can be dangerous if all of the relevant regulations aren’t followed, the conditions are less than ideal, or staff aren’t trained to carry out manual handling tasks in the safest way possible.To help employers fulfil all of their responsibilities and ensure workers know exactly how to keep themselves and others safe, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to manual lifting. It explains everything from what is classed as manual handling to the ways you can reduce how much manual handling your work requires and reducing the chances of manual handling injuries. Read on to learn more.

To create safe and hygienic entrances at the new £65m Balfour Hospital in Orkney, architects specified INTRAform DM with a combination of inserts. The state-of-the-art rural general hospital serves the entire 21,000 strong population of the islands. With a traditional need for shelter against extreme weather conditions, a robust entrance matting system is essential to ward against slips. To create an effective barrier, the multiple entrances at The Balfour Hospital use a combination of fibre and rubber inserts within a single aluminium recessed system.

Community play areas play a crucial role in promoting physical activity, creativity, and social interaction among children. Ensuring the safety and comfort of young adventurers is paramount, which is why the Balivanich Community Play Park took a significant step by choosing to install green rubber mulch around their play area. In this case study, we will explore the process and benefits of this innovative installation, highlighting the positive impact it has had on the community and its children.The Balivanich Community Play Park, located on the Isle of Benbecula, recognised the need for significant improvements to ensure user safety. The existing play area surface was outdated and required constant maintenance due to material migration. After careful consideration and consultation with the community, the decision was made to install rubber mulch as a safety-focused, sustainable, and low-maintenance solution.The community group chose PH Landscape Contracting Ltd, a trusted local landscaping company, to install the rubber mulch. The installation process began with the removal of the existing surface and meticulous groundwork preparation, including creating a sub-base and secure edge for the mulch. The rubber mulch was mixed with resin binder using a forced action mixer and then applied using a spazzle before the surface was hand-troweled to create a seamless finish, ensuring a safe and visually appealing play area.The installation of green rubber mulch brought numerous benefits to the Balivanich Community Play Park. Firstly, it significantly reduced the risk of fall-related injuries, providing a cushioned surface that absorbs impact. The accessibility of the play area was also improved, allowing anyone with mobility challenges to enjoy the space comfortably. The mulch's resistance to weather elements ensured year-round usage and reduced the need for frequent maintenance. Additionally, the non-slip surface provided stability for running, jumping, and playing, promoting a safe and enjoyable experience for children.The rejuvenation of the play area with rubber mulch received an overwhelmingly positive response from residents, parents, and children. The commitment to safety and the peace of mind it provided were highly appreciated. The transformed space became a hub of excitement and enjoyment, fostering community cohesion and providing a vibrant environment for children to thrive.Balivanich Community Play Park: "We are very happy with our new rubber mulch surfacing. Thank you to Peter Holland of P.H Landscape Contracting Ltd for the installation. Job well done."Peter Holland - P.H Landscape Contracting Ltd: "It is great to see the park back in use. I look forward to taking the little man there. We were very happy to get the opportunity to do the project and our experience with GGL Products was very positive and helpful."The installation of green rubber mulch at the Balivanich Community Play Park has successfully transformed an outdated and high-maintenance play area into a safe, inclusive, and visually appealing environment. This case study emphasises the importance of investing in sustainable and safety-focused solutions to enhance community spaces across the UK. The collaboration between the community group and PH Landscape Contracting showcases the positive impact of such projects, creating a lasting legacy for the benefit of local children and families.

With health and wellness a top priority, a high performance commercial entrance matting system is essential within hospitals and healthcare settings. Using INTRAform DM Low Profile entrance matting with a combination of inserts, BDP created multiple safe and hygienic entrance points to Grange University Hospital (GUH). About the building Serving over 600,000 people, this world-class healthcare facility treats patients needing complex emergency or critical care. Offering 471 beds, it is home to more than 40 specialist services. In addition to the main entrance, the building has multiple access point including staff changing areas, ambulance entrance with associated trolley traffic and other pedestrian entrances to different clinical areas. Many of these entrances are in use 24 hours a day and exposed to the elements. The Solution Following consultation with the INTRAsystems specification team, the architect selected clear anodised INTRAform DM Low Profile entrance matting. With its heavy-duty closed construction aluminium planks, INTRAform DM Low Profile is ideal for locations with high foot and wheeled traffic, such as this busy hospital. The closed construction offers ease of cleaning, while the low-profile design provides a cost-effective solution without compromising performance. Extra-wide insert sections ensure maximum contact with footwear and wheels to deliver optimum dirt and moisture absorption over smaller areas. Along with the clear anodised finish, they also help to minimise strobing which can be an issue when specifying contrasting fibre and wiper bars. Modified Zonal System To maximise performance, all entrances to the hospital use a modified zonal system within a single internal, recessed matwell. All the mats feature an initial section of multidirectional rubber inserts which gives exceptional scrapping action to remove debris and excess moisture at the threshold. At the main and ambulance entrances to the hospital where traffic is heaviest, the mats feature between 2 and 4-metre sections of rubber to ensure multiple footsteps or wheel rotations are affected. Following the initial sections of rubber, INTRAlux Elite fibre inserts thoroughly remove the remaining dirt and moisture. INTRAlux Elite offers exceptional tufting per square metre which provides superior comfort and acoustic absorption. With 92,990 tufts per square metre, INTRAlux Elite can absorb and retain 5.4L/m² - perfect for the inclement Welsh weather. By specifying a modified zonal system, the architect has created a robust yet cost effective entrance matting system to maintain safety within the building and extend the life of internal floor coverings. Learn more With entrance matting providing the first line of defence against dirt and contaminants a robust entrance matting specification in hospitals and healthcare settings is critical. To learn about the nuances of specifying entrance matting in a healthcare setting, read our article on Specifying Entrance Matting for Hospitals & Healthcare on ribacpd.com

Canterbury Archaeological Trust chose a Hand Loaded MezzLight to safely and efficiently move archive boxes between floors in their new premises. The lift was designed and installed by Penny Hydraulics to avoid the need to manually move items the boxes between floors, speeding up the process and reducing the risk of injury.

Premier Loft Ladders has helped Horizon Construction provide a safe and convenient access solution to a 1st floor plant room within a premium car showroom. What made this project particularly challenging was the 1.8m deep ceiling void. In addition, the access point was also in a prominent location outside the showroom offices. The solution was a bespoke Supreme heavy duty loft ladder. It offered a safe, discrete and easy-to-use solution for access to the car dealership plant room.Read the full case study...

Mote Park is a 450-acre green space within the town of Maidstone, Kent. The expansive park has woodland, grasslands and rivers all surrounding a 30 acre lake. To safely secure the perimeter of the new play area we supplied 230 metres of Anti Trap Bow Top fencing and a number of matching gates. Due to the nature of the site, other park users and the large volumes of families with young children expected to visit the play park, safety was a top priority throughout the project.

Established in Eastbourne over 130 years ago, W.Bruford is proud of its reputation for exceptional service, exclusive choice and attention to detail. They are recognised as a prestigious jewellers and pride themselves in offering the highest quality products and services. We wanted to do their brand justice by working closely with them to make their vision for their entrance come to light.Project Year: 2019Product: ASSA ABLOY SL500 Transparent Sliding DoorProject Background: Having worked with Innovare Design on their shopfront redesign, the client approached us to request a bi-parting all glass automatic door with side screens and pocket screens, and for the operator to sit above the ceiling and be the closest match to the bronze finish on their sign. As a high end jewellery store, both security and a clean and sleek look, were priorities for the entrance.Solution:FAAC Entrance Solutions installed the SL500 Transparent sliding door four panel system and finished the operator cover in a 50% gloss Light Bronze RAL Finish. The pocket screens were replaced by flush mounted EN16005 compliant safety presence detecting sensors which together with the 10.8mm glass and a dotted manifestation, contributed to an elegant yet safe entrance. We integrated mechanical bolt floor locks, and first-entry switch and last-exit push buttons for the use of staff. For more information or assistance with any project, please contact enquiries.esuk@faactechnologies.com where we can provide expert guidance and detailed documentation.

By using a pair of Howe Green Access Cover Skates you will make light work of moving heavy access covers! Health and safety is a major consideration for all building owners, facilities managers and contractors. The Howe Green Access Cover Skate removes the need for operatives to manually move heavy manhole covers and access covers when accessing concealed services. By reducing the requirement to handle heavy objects the risk of injury is greatly diminished. With up to a 300-kilo lift from each Howe Green Access Cover Skate you will benefit from a powerful floor access cover lifter.

Lambertsson is one of Scandinavia’s largest rental companies and service providers in construction and industrial solutions. Lambertsson erects cranes and elevators for construction projects, among other activities. Shorter building times, better control over costs and smoother processes are therefore critical and beneficial to the project owners.ChallengeLambertsson has been erecting and dismantling elevators for more than a decade using wooden planks or plywood for building the elevator ramps. This method of building ramps is time consuming and resource demanding. Lambertsson needed a simple ramp solution that would make the project planning time more predictable and less time consuming when erecting the elevators. Lambertsson needed a ramp that could handle the same weight as the elevator, equivalent to a capacity of 2.1 tonnes, and without exceeding 1.3 metres from the position .SolutionIn order to meet the criteria of Lambertsson, PcP Scaffolding developed a custom solution based on the PcP OPTIMO® grating series, which is the safest choice for applications in construction, where workers are on the job. To customise a simple solution, PcP built a ramp that is able to lift the same capacity as the elevators, up to 2.1 tonnes, with a span of 80 cm. The ramp is made of aluminium decks and is very light to install.

In 2020 the River Wye broke its banks and flooded nearby Monmouth Prep School in Wales causing severe damage to the entire ground floor of the Prep School, playground and surrounding fields. According to the latest reports on the impacts of climate change, flooding caused by severe and frequent rainstorms is the UK’s most pressing climate-change risk and could affect millions of people causing extensive damage, disruption and loss. So, once the school was back on its feet, we were delighted to work with their insurance broker, Hettle Andrews, to make sure the property was protected against future flooding. Monmouth Prep School, MonmouthMonmouth Prep School is a fully co-educational Prep School in Wales for children aged three to 11-years-old. The independent school is one of Wales’ leading prep schools and offers boarding and day attendance to pupils in modern and contemporary teaching spaces which encapsulate the very best of traditional, independent education.  We worked with the school’s insurance broker and project facilitator, Hettle Andrews, who work primarily with schools, universities, colleges and charities. The challengeThe school had previously had minor issues with flooding as the River Wye is situated at the bottom of its garden. However, the flood of 2020 was the most devastating. The river broke its banks and flowed into and through the school to the dual carriageway situated on the other side. The flood damaged the entire ground floor of the school, the playground and surrounding fields and the whole school had to be urgently evacuated. No warning: the school is surrounded by a flood bank and had flood gates installed in 2002 however there was no early warning system in place to get the flood gates closed in time.Extensive damage: the 200-year-old school building sustained catastrophic damage and needed large-scale structural repairs to be restored.Sanitation issues: the waste from the surrounding farmlands was washed into the school along with the floodwater, mud and debris causing not only damage but also sanitation issues. Inconvenience: the clear-up process included using five 40 foot skips which were filled with damaged items such as furniture, clothing, educational equipment and floating debris.Disruption: the school had to close for nearly seven months to clear the debris, remove all the damaged school equipment, clean the entire premises, sanitise and eventually re-build.The solution;Andel’s FloodAlert – one of our innovative, industry-unique flood defence solutions which provides an early flood warning for properties not covered by the Environment Agency flood warning service. FloodAlert provides real-time information on rising water levels and automatically sends out early warnings. The robust and reliable system is easy to install and set up and once in, tracks surface water levels for up to 15km from a gateway. This means the school now has:A cost-effective, real-time local flood alert system with three alert levels A sensor which sends SMS and email alerts to give them time to take action to protect their pupils and the school Optional live monitoring on a cloud-based portal, via any device with internet connectivityA system that can communicate with an unlimited number of designated usersCommunication via a low-power LoRaWAN network. The resultEarly warning: the school now has an effective early warning system for rising surface water. Safety first: the school now has safety measures in place to protect its pupils aged three to 11-years-old. Confidence: the early warning system gives the school staff around six hours from the first notification of rising waters to close the flood gates allowing plenty of time to evacuate the children as well as any equipment. Peace of mind: the staff at the school feel relieved knowing the water levels are constantly being monitored at the property especially because they are so close to the banks of the River Wye. Community: we are always quick to try and accommodate schools that require our services as we know they are the centre of the community and provide safe havens to many. We are proud to have been involved in this project alongside Hettle Andrews and to have been able to install our FloodAlert product on a site with such a rich history and provide the school with an effective early warning system plus peace of mind.What the customer said;The 2020 floods were devastating and left us with the fear that it could happen again. Having such little children on site, it was very stressful knowing there was no early warning system in place. Now we have a good five or six hours from the first notification of rising waters to close the flood gates, evacuate the children safely, and make the necessary arrangements to protect the building. With all these flood defence measures in place, we hope to never have a repeat of the destruction and school closure of 2020.Rob Alexander, Caretaker, Monmouth Prep School

Efficient and safe goods lifts optimize performance for a large online shopping retailer’s warehouseThe top online fashion retailer improves its productivity, efficiency and safety to meeting higher market demandsOnline orders for the fashion industry have significantly peaked over the last few years, making fashion retailers recognise the need to expand their warehouses. The international and rapidly growing fashion brand has opened a new warehouse in Litchfield to supply their multinational customers efficiently and on time. In 2021, Lödige Industries was contracted to design, manufacture, deliver and install one SHERPA and one ESCORTA goods lift for the new facility. Installation work of the goods lifts was accomplished in November 2021, while the rack system will be finished afterwards.Optimizing space and serving each mezzanine floor efficientlyDue to the increasing number of online orders, the international fashion retailer needed an efficient and space-saving lift solution. The client envisioned a multi-level storage solution, to fully utilise the available warehousing space.Lödige Industries in the UK decided to implement large goods lifts as a solution to access each floor. The free-standing SHERPA and ESCORTA goods lifts fully automate the transfer of goods across five and six floors and were easily integrated into the rack system. The two lifts have been configured specially to help the flow of goods in the building. They have been fitted to align with their vast increase in orders, facilitating their constant success globally. Overall, the cabin sizes of the goods lifts allow the customer to fit all their equipment in the shaft without any disturbances between different stops.Safety and security are key priorities for the customerSafety for employees in installation and operation of goods lifts is one of the key priorities for the fashion brand. Therefore, engineers from Lödige Industries installed the goods lifts in line with Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. It contains guidelines to minimise any injury to the user or people close to the machine. It specifies the maximum gap in a guard and directives regarding the lift such as lift speeds for different applications, alongside many other guidelines.For the ESCORTA, Lödige Industries fitted a bumper rail to protect the emergency stop button from being damaged. Additionally, rumble strips were installed to prevent the trolley from moving and maintaining the smooth running of the lift. As a result, this reduces downtime of the goods lifts, the amount of call outs and allows them to be more cost efficient.Consistent site coordination to apply the best lift solution for the customerThe biggest challenge for the customer was the limited space available for the goods lifts. Consequently, the customer required a lift solution to fit between the steel building columns and respecting all other work and storage areas. This made the sizing of the lifts become complex.In close collaboration with the customer, the efficiency of the building was maximised by optimising both, general goods flow and use of space within the goods lifts areas. The constant coordination and communication between the customer and Lödige Industries allowed a precise location for the lifts within the space available.SolutionIn order to save space and meeting the available space restrictions, free standing goods lifts were attached to the rack system.The applied safety measurements reduce downtimes of the goods lifts, the amount of call outs and allows the customer to operate more cost efficient.Close collaboration between the go-to fashion brand and Lödige Industries enabled the customer to optimise goods flow while respecting all site specifications.

Wandsworth Council have been working closely with urban greening specialists Meristem Design to provide the healthiest, most natural solution as the commerce and community returns. Combining safety and social distancing with nature and foliage for cleaner air and a healthier environment, wooden planters with ivy Green Screens in Wandsworth now form a natural avenue along the way.

Bilco UK supplied 21 special size Ladder Access Roof Hatches to the British Museum’s newest gallery, the Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic World. Ladder access was required to the roof void area to allow for routine maintenance activities. Bilco UK’s SS-50TB Ladder Access Roof Hatches were specified by the architects, HoK. The installation was managed by the Principle Contractor, Coniston Limited

The Leeds Arena, when completed, will be a 13,500 capacity entertainment focused arena. BLUCHER® have supplied over 70 drains from their adaptable range of floor drains for the concourse, plant room and kitchen areas. BLUCHER® also supplied BLUCHER® EuroPipe, their push fit stainless steel drainage pipework system which was installed in the kitchen and conference areas. BLUCHER® EuroPipe was specified over other metallic or plastic systems for two specific reasons, due to the potential heat of the waste to be drained through the pipework and A1 fire rating of the exposed pipework in general.

Recent installation to a low-rise block of flats in High Wycombe. With flammable composite decking on the balconies, the building owner was keen to find a non-combustible alternative and our aluminium decking system was just the ticket!

Covering an area of nearly two acres (7,600 m2), the Holt Farm dairy complex includes two large and three smaller cattle buildings used for milking, housing, feed storage, offices, and viewing gallery. The complex typically houses 240 dairy cattle, yielding an average of 7,500 litres per year that is supplied to a nearby dairy processing facility. Holt Farm’s dairy complex is L-shaped with five interconnecting ridge-roofed buildings that create four internal valley gutters. The original fibre cement roof with badly yellowing old-style roof lights had deteriorated and suffered storm damage; the owners decided that a cost-effective new roof was required.

Bilco UK's CS-50TB Roof Access Hatch provides the perfect solution for roof-top access at Blair Castle, Scotland. The Category A listed building is said to have been constructed in 1269 and has been extensively added to over the years. Maintaining such a historic monument is a massive task. The Atholl Estate employ an army of staff to ensure this iconic property is preserved for future generations. One of the many problems in looking after such a building is the fact that it was not designed with ease of access to the roof in mind.

Within the school grounds is a grassy area with play equipment that needed to be demarcated in order to distinguish it from the rest of the playground and allow different age groups to play simultaneously yet independently. We supplied 19.1 metres of 1.2m high Anti Trap Bow Top fencing, and a 1.2m high 1.5m wide single leaf self-closing gate, both finished with a blue RAL 5010 polyester powder coating to match the school colours.

Lollard Street Adventure Playground is a Danish inspired vibrant urban playground which provides an exciting play space for children aged 6-16 years of age. The playground is divided into various play spaces, including; football pitches, basket ball courts, climbing frames and small garden areas. These areas needed to be effectively divided internally whilst the perimeter of the playground required further security to ensure the children are deterred from venturing off the site into dangers, such as traffic, around the busy urban estate where the playground is situated.

The roof space to an existing commercial property in the North-West of England has been given the added protection of having its very large roof-space sub-divided using the APOLLO Lite™ 30:30 system manufactured by TBA FIREFLY™.

The Beacon Shopping Centre is well known for great places to shop, eat and play. The busy centre required a sturdy door with a strong profile to take on the variable weather conditions. We were happy to advise and provide a solution that allowed savings in energy costs and a pleasant experience for shoppers.Project Year: 2020Product: (Terminus Road Main Entrance): SL500 Framed Sliding Door with break out and SL500 150mm operator.Product: (Sainsbury’s entrance): SL500 Framed sliding door system with break out and SL500 150mm operator.Project Background: The Beacon shopping centre is one of Eastbourne’s most popular shopping destinations. We were contacted in conjunction with Hawes Construction Group to put in two new sets of automatic sliding doors across the mall in two locations; the centre’s main entrance and the entrance to Sainsbury’s within the centre. Hawes Construction laid the foundations and installed new steel columns which were part of the doors support system, getting the site ready for the door installation.Solution: We installed the SL500 Framed sliding door with a 4 leaf panel, side screens and SL500 bi-parting operator, providing extra sturdiness and protection from the strong winds that regularly hit Eastbourne. We used Clear Insulated laminated 22mm glass which look streamlined whilst creating an improved environment for customers and staff at The Beacon.Our exclusive presence detection sensors and sidelight presence detection sensors were a large factor in enabling the doors to provide a more energy efficient outcome for the shopping centre. The FAAC sensor technology allowed partial opening of the doors, which saved ample energy as doors do not open unless somebody intends to walk through them. Presence detection sensors and sidelight presence detection sensors to comply with EN16005.The final outcome was a great success, creating optimal accessibility for all users, streamlining entry and saving energy.

Slaithwaite suffered extensive flood damage in 2015 after a blocked debris screen caused Crimble Clough Stream to back up, demolishing the wall at the end of Clough Road, flooding the area and causing extensive damage to local homes and businesses.Slaithwaite is a village within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees in West Yorkshire, situated in the Colne Valley five miles south west of Huddersfleld.The devastating flood of 2015 in Slaithwaite The 2012 Kirklees Flood Risk Management Strategy identified that around 2,000 properties were at high risk of flooding with a potential £70 million of damage. When we started our conversation with Kirklees Council, they clearly expressed an interest in a local flood warning and monitoring system to proactively respond to future flood risk.Kirklees Local Flood AuthorityKirklees Council in West Yorkshire is the third largest metropolitan council in the region. As the lead local flood authority for the district, Kirklees manages local flood risk from surface water, groundwater and smaller watercourses and ensures cooperation between local risk management authorities. As part of a smart monitoring project for flood risk areas, funded by Chester University, Andel worked with the Kirklees Council flood risk team to design a local flood alert and monitoring solution for Crimble Clough, enabling the Kirklees Council to better manage the risk of flooding in Slaithwaite.The challengeThe project is designed to monitor high water levels at Crimble Clough caused by debris washed down from the upper wooded catchment and blocking the debris screen. The sensor-based system monitors the difference between water levels, before and after the debris screen, automatically sending alerts for pre-set trigger points.No real-time information: in 2015 the Crimble Clough debris screen became blocked by debris washed down from the upper wooded catchment, with no warning system in place to alert the screen contractors.No strategic information: in 2015, there were many flood hotspots that needed attention but with limited council resources. Because there was no remote monitoring system in place, it was difficult to choose where best to deploy support.Extensive damage: In 2015, due to the stream backing up and demolishing the wall, homes and businesses downstream from Clough Road were flooded and severely damaged.Disruption: following the flood, the clear-up and restoration process for the affected area meant residents had to leave their homes and businesses were closed for months. The economic damage from the 2015 flood was significant with many hours of Kirklees Council labour invested into the recovery. With a monitoring and alert system in place, all of this could have been prevented.The solution – Andel FloodAlertAndel FloodAlert provides 24/7 local monitoring and alerts for areas at risk from flooding. FloodAlert provides real-time information on rising water levels and automatically sends out early flood warnings. The robust and reliable system is easy to install and set up and tracks water levels in watercourses and other parameters for up to 15km from a gateway.From a single water-level sensor to a catchment sensor network monitoring water levels, soil moisture, rainfall data and water quality, FloodAlert provides real-time local flood monitoring and alerts for projects of any size.Installing Andel’s FloodAlert system now means that Kirklees Council has:A cost-effective, real-time local flood monitoring and alert system. A water level monitoring system at the debris screen that sends out SMS and email alerts when water levels reach critical. A system that recognises that the debris screen is blocked by monitoring water levels before and after the screen, sending out SMS and email alerts when the difference is too much. A dataset with detailed catchment data including rainfall, water levels at strategic points and soil moisture in the surrounding farmland – all helping to develop future flood risk models and flood alerts. Live monitoring of sensor data via a cloud-based portal with easy-to-use visualisation accessible from any device with internet connectivity. A system that can communicate with an unlimited number of designated users. Communication via a low-power, low-impact LoRaWAN ® network.The resultsAn effective early warning system: Kirklees Council now receives real-time alerts, allowing for timely response to blockages of the debris screen at Clough Road that has historically caused flooding during periods of heavy rain.Data collection: Kirklees Council can now collect detailed data about how the Crimble Clough catchment responds to rainfall and can develop models to predict future response.Impact measurement: Kirklees Council is developing a baseline to measure the effectiveness of natural flood management interventions at critical locations within the catchment.What the customer saidWorking together on the ‘buildbacktogether’ project was a pleasurable experience, it was essential to have the complimentary skills that made the outcome of the project much more effective. The support from team Andel was very useful and Gerbren Haaksma especially was extremely supportive and efficient with his quick response and stimulating input through the term of the project. I am keen to continue our collaboration and work with the local communities on more engagements like the Slaithwaite project.Namrata Bhattacharya-Mis, Programme Leader, Natural Hazard Management (BA/BSc), Chester University

Sherwin-Williams manufacture Resubind CP, a polyurethane system used for walkways, patios, courtyards, ramps, car parks and loading bays and public concourses. Resubind CP is usually installed at about 5mms thickness. Stone and resin bound paving Resubind CP uses the latest polyurethane chemistry to combine resins and aggregates for heavy duty walkways, and delivers a modern seamless surface for external environments such as wide-open public spaces, park walkways and driveways. Using natural aggregates for durability and great aesthetics Resubind CP can transform tired looking external areas or be incorporated into new build projects for a great modern look.

A hospital facility in Norrland, Sweden has been renovated extensively with wood-based products, owing to the universal belief that natural materials help people heal better. This serene and homely sanctuary functions as a temporary home for families with young children suffering from long-term illness.

Given the current imperative for socially distanced teaching space, it was fortuitous that the University of East Anglia had recently specified Style to install six moveable partitioning systems in various classrooms across the campus. Each Dorma Hüppe wall divides a classroom into two evenly sized areas that can cater for smaller bubbles of students. Boasting an incredible 55dB Rw acoustic integrity, concurrent lessons can run entirely undisturbed and, when a larger space is required for bigger groups of students, the rooms can be quickly and easily opened out.

"Reducing the risk of working at height is a key focus for Kautex. Providing safe access and fall protection to maintain our machinery is critical."Eurosafe Solutions provided the client with a safe method of accessing these areas, utilising both structural steelwork on the machine itself and the steel frame of the building to provide overhead Latchways ManSafe Systems and PPE Anchor Points.

Creating Safe Spaces with Hands-free Access

SAFE TO TORCH FLAT ROOF REFURBISHMENT PROJECT

At Heathrow Primary School, their mission is to provide a safe, happy, caring and inclusive environment.The Kids Stuff cubicle range was specified in High Pressure Laminate (HPL). It was important that the chosen washroom design was safe, reliable and easy to maintain for the staff. The washrooms included semi-recessed vanity unit to the children’s height which fitted in perfectly with the rest of the project. Read the whole case study on our website.