Spec Finish

Morgan Sindall Construction sets out bold carbon reduction strategy Morgan Sindall Construction has unveiled its transformational approach to collaborative carbon reduction, designed to support its customers in achieving their environmental ambitions and help meet the company’s own target of Net Zero Carbon by 2030. ‘Decarbonising Communities’ will harness the combined expertise of Morgan Sindall Construction’s customers, employees and supply chain partners to change the way buildings are designed and constructed, in order to reduce the amount of carbon associated with each built asset. Crucially, this will include a focus on reducing carbon emissions within their supply chain and applying science- based benchmarks to reduce whole life carbon on projects, in order to meet the 1.5 degree global warming target, alongside UK government targets. Underpinning this approach is CarboniCa, an innovative carbon calculation tool that will allow project teams to work with customers to estimate, manage and reduce whole life carbon emissions through the design, construction and entire lifecycle of an asset. The tool has been externally validated by Arup to the latest industry standards and is flexible to allow for the different project types being undertaken. Aligned to the UK Green Building Council framework for net zero buildings and the aims of the Construction Playbook, both CarboniCa and the wider Decarbonising Communities strategy will help upskill and empower clients to make environmentally friendly decisions based on meaningful and robust data, in order to reduce the harmful effects of carbon emissions. Pat Boyle, Managing Director of Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We believe it is incumbent upon industry leaders like ourselves to demonstrate that the UK can be at the forefront of the global effort to rescue the natural world for the benefit of future generations”. Rockfon acoustic ceiling and wall solutions are now Cradle to Cradle Certified® The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute sets one of the most comprehensive standards for designing and making products with a positive impact. Now, driven by their commitment and philosophy to make products that positively impact people and the planet, Rockfon certifies its acoustic solutions under the Cradle to Cradle Certified Products Programme. To achieve the certification, Rockfon collaborated closely with supply chain partners on critical aspects of its products and operations, including material health, product circularity, clean air and climate protection, water and soil stewardship and social fairness. Is your treated timber ‘fit for purpose’? TheWood Protection Association has launched an educational campaign in partnership with the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) and the Timber Decking & Cladding Association (TDCA) to clarify the specification of treated wood. The focus of the campaign includes differentiating between interior and exterior applications for treated wood – using a bold, colour coded ‘Use Class 2, 3 or 4?’ message and simplified product descriptions. See more at www.thewpa.org.uk/make-sure-it-s-4 News 12 www.thefis.org INTERIOR and EXTERIOR environments are very different and so treated wood performance levels should reflect this. To get the best from your timber, make sure it’s preservative pressure treated to the correct Use Class. INTERIOR EXTERIOR Use Class 2 Use Class 3(u) Use Class 4 Above the ground or DPC, covered Above the ground (uncoated) Ground or fresh water contact (and exterior structural support) Battens, framing, joists, roofs Deck boards, cladding (inc. battens) , fence rails Fencing, playground equipment, deck posts, joists and beams To find out more about wood preservation visit: www.thewpa.org.uk Use Class 2 , 3 or 4 ? Support for SMEs A new Help to Grow scheme, which will help thousands of SMEs get “world class” management training according to Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has been confirmed. He said that UK business schools would offer a new ‘executive development’ programme, with the Government paying 90% of the cost. Developed in partnership with industry, the programme will combine a national curriculum delivered through business schools with practical case studies and mentoring from experienced business professionals. The programmes will run for 12 weeks. Importantly for construction, where a majority of the supply chain is made up of SMEs, there will also be support for small businesses looking to develop digital skills with free training and a 50% discount on new ‘productivity enhancing software’ worth up to £5,000 each. This scheme will be launched in the autumn.