BSEE
British Safety Council: Government must adopt new approach to health and safety regulation
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he British Safety Council has responded to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, published on Wednesday 30 October. Sir Martin Moore- Bick led the inquiry and the first part considers how the fire started at Grenfell Tower and the response of the emergency services that night. The second phase will consider the underlying causes of the disaster, including the decisions made around the design and construction of the cladding, the regulatory regime and the response of central and local government.
Mike Robinson, chief executive of the British Safety Council, said: “This is a lengthy and detailed report and the industry will rightly take time to digest its details. However, it is
clear there were serious shortcomings in the procedures for evacuating Grenfell Tower and in the readiness of the fire brigade, notwithstanding the individual heroism of the firefighters.”
“As we look ahead to Phase 2 of the inquiry, lessons must be learnt about the choice of materials used to clad Grenfell Tower and the regulatory regime for high-rise buildings. We urge all politicians to re- emphasise the need for effective health and safety regulation and competent fire risk management.”
“Our thoughts must be with the families of the victims and the survivors of that tragedy. This detailed and important inquiry could not have taken place without their willingness to relive the horror of 14 June 2017. We can honour the
victims’ memory by making sure that this tragedy can never happen again.”
The British Safety Council welcomes the following recommendations from the executive summary of the report:
1. Section 6, A and B – Legal requirement for the provision of up-to-date plans to the local fire and rescue service and provision of premises information boxes,
2. Section 7, A and B – Legal requirement for enhanced checks of firefighting lifts and provision of information to the local fire and rescue service, 3. Section 12, D – Provision (for all existing and future buildings) for the local fire and rescue service to send an evacuation signal to all residents of
high-rise buildings,
A sustainable ecosolution for Japanese knotweed waste
Energy crisis meets climate crisis V J
apanese knotweed removal firm Environet UK has developed a method for converting waste from Japanese knotweed and other invasive plants into biochar, with the potential to eliminate the need for environmentally damaging and expensive landfill disposal in the future.
The creation of biochar, a charcoal used as a soil amendment, from Japanese knotweed plant waste is a carbon negative process which harnesses the carbon-scavenging power of Japanese knotweed in a positive way and contributes to the fight against climate change by locking carbon away for thousands of years.
In search of a more sustainable solution, environmental scientist Nic Seal, founder and managing director of Environet, began testing ways of
converting knotweed rhizome, roots and canes into biochar by heating it in the absence of oxygen, otherwise known as pyrolysis. This process kills the plant and also removes the naturally occurring tars to leave carbon in the form of charcoal. The charcoal has a honeycomb-like structure which can be charged up with additives such as liquid organic fertiliser to make an excellent soil amendment.
Seal commented: “Not only does biochar substantially improve soil structure, but its carbon is locked-up in the soil for thousands of years. We wanted to harness the power of knotweed which is highly efficient at scavenging carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, forming carbon-based plant material and releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere.”
www.environetuk.com 4 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER DECEMBER 2019
eolia’s latest report, Keeping the lights on shows that more than 68% of energy managers are concerned about the reliability and security of their energy supply. The research also shows half of the senior decision-makers believe the UK is heading towards an energy crisis.
The report sets out to discover whether we are being realistic about our future energy demands, whether renewables can fill the gap and about planning for radical change. Veolia, which currently generates the equivalent power to supply 1.2 million homes, advocates the urgent need for a balanced grid that has the capability to cope with demand and rapidly changing situations - one that mixes centralised power with smaller low carbon and green energy supplies, and energy storage controlled by the latest predictive control systems. Richard Kirkman, chief technology and innovation officer, Veolia UK and Ireland said, "Recent events highlighted in this report indicate there is every reason to be concerned about business continuity, and ensuring uninterrupted energy supply comes with a net zero carbon footprint. Despite having a best in class National Grid which is one of the most reliable in the world, there are still critical decisions to make around the networks use, development and resilience, with more extreme weather events recently presenting a challenge.
"Whilst the report highlights the real risks we face, the solutions are also available using today’s proven carbon reducing energy technologies. The Climate Emergency is happening in front of our eyes and Generation Zero, the people growing up and future citizens and customers, are expecting action. With COP26 coming up in 2020 its time to act, time to prepare your investments, energy sources and plans to ensure you are on the Net Zero trajectory."
www.veolia.co.uk
4. Section 15, 33:28 – Legal requirement for owners and operators of every residential building to provide information and instruction to residents in a format that can be reasonably understood by all, 5. Section 16, A and B – Urgent inspection of all fire doors of every residential building which contains separate dwellings, as well as a legal requirement to inspect fire doors on a quarterly basis.
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NEWS
Waterway winter works across the UK
he winter works programme undertakes crucial repair and restoration of UK canals and rivers between November and March, seeking to complete any ‘intrusive’ projects at a time when there will be minimal disruption. With 2,000 miles of waterways to keep on top of, efficiency is critical, which makes rapid mobilisation key in the early months of the programme.
Ian Rothen, founder of The Rothen Group, a national independent civil engineering business servicing UK waterways, commented: “Winter stoppages are the best way to ensure that canals are kept in optimum condition for the spring and summer months. The Rothen Group’s fleet is dispatched across the country ready to work, travelling via the waterways they are deployed to maintain. This reduces the amount of preparation time required at site and allows operators to start projects immediately.” Wayne Moore, construction supervisor at the Canal & River Trust, commented: “Mobilisation times are critical in the winter works programme, when the timeframe for completing intrusive projects is very short. The work is necessary, but canal users are understandably keen to have minimum disruption. By deploying work-ready boats from its central base in the Midlands, waterway maintenance companies such as The Rothen Group ensure winter stoppage works are carried out as efficiently as possible.” Rothen concluded, “By communicating the reasons behind the closures, and working as efficiently as possible, waterway maintenance companies can contribute to a happier and healthier canal and river network across the UK.”
www.therothengroup.co.uk/
Smoke Control Association launches CIBSE accredited CPD course
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he Smoke Control Association (SCA) has introduced a new CIBSE accredited continuing professional development (CPD) presentation for consultants, engineers, designers and contractors interested in the certification and testing of smoke control products.
Securing accreditation is a rigorous process and in gaining approval the SCA has proved to CIBSE that the technical content contained within the course is of a high standard and offers valuable CPD to delegates. All 21,000 CIBSE members are required to undertake CPD in order to maintain professional competence and the SCA is hoping the new course will further strengthen ties with CIBSE and other engineering institution members.
The course updates attendees on the action the SCA has taken, post Grenfell and the Dame Judith Hackett review, in introducing a UKAS applied Independent Installer Certification Scheme for SCA members and building installers who purchase and install smoke control products. The comprehensive guidance on the latest certification and testing requirements provides delegates with the knowledge and understanding they need to maintain best industry practice.
The presentation also covers the key products and system types used in smoke control and the relevant standards relating to their use in high rise buildings, as well as the code of practice for planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance.
For further information visit
www.cibse.org/membership/continuing- professional-development-cpd/directory-of-cpd- course-providers/smoke-control-association or email
info@smokecontrol.org.uk.
www.smokecontrol.org.uk Read the latest at:
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