BRANZ’s Post

"Education should be the first stop on the Timber in Construction Roadmap" Our UK Sales Director, Paul Cave, explains why a cross-industry approach to education is essential in understanding the Timber in Construction Roadmap. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ekyyUf6K  #TimberTreatment #TimberInConstruction #TimberIndustry

With the new building regulations driving up standards to build more energy efficient homes we were pleased to be joined by a group of Level 3 Carpentery students from Coleg Ceredigion yesterday. The focus of their training was to learn about Airtightness and Insulation. Led by Ian Brown, senior lecturer in Sustainable Construction in the UWTSD Architecture, Construction, and Environment (ACE) they were introduced to the importance and relevance of creating airtight buildings (lowering energy costs, improving comfort and energy efficiency for example). In a 'putting theory into practice' session they were given a range of tapes and membranes to experience what's involved in ensuring airtightness using rigs. This could become a role they champion on the building site in future! Whilst with us they also considered the benefits of using low carbon insulation materials such as wood fibre which was used to introduce the concepts of U-values, thermal conductivity and permeability. See what Dion Phillips made of his visit to us. This training is the start of a series of constructive (in more than one way) training courses blending theory with practice as part of our Not Business As Usual project. For information about the short courses available visit https://bit.ly/3Z3mLIh. #learningbydoing Huw Thomas Gareth Evans Professor Rhian Jenkins University of Wales Trinity Saint David Swansea Bay City Deal - Bargen Ddinesig Bae Abertawe #sustainableconstruction

🌟 12 days of Christmas! 🌟     🎄 DAY 8 Riverside Primary School We are delighted to share “Riverside Primary School”, for our Christmas project’s countdown! 🏫 Riverside Primary School in Perth is the first Passivhaus primary school to have been completed in Scotland.    As with every ‘first’, this project provided an opportunity to challenge preconceived ideas on how a Passivhaus building of this scale could be constructed and offered the team the opportunity to ‘go back to the drawing board’.    Through innovative design and thoughtful structural detailing, we were able to successfully demonstrate that Scotland’s well established supply chain and construction methods could be used to deliver a Passivhaus building. This opening up of the supply chain allowed the main contractor to provide a financially feasible scheme whilst meeting the requirements to gain Passivhaus accreditation.    This project also demonstrated that the inclusion of Passivhaus principles does not mean you have to fundamentally change the way we design our structure.    It was important to establish the requirements from each member of the Design Team and adjust our detailing to suit the needs of the project. From there, we were able apply our problem-solving skills to the questions of cost, material & skills availability within the market. The solution we arrived at champions clever detailing in collaboration with the wider project team.    All in all we achieved a successful outcome by delivering Scotland’s first Passivhaus Primary School, and the first steel framed Passivhaus Primary School in Britain.    Finally, whilst there was no specific embodied carbon target set for this project, through our internal sustainability initiative ‘Green Goodson’, we embraced Riverside Primary School as an opportunity to assess the project using the IStructE carbon tool and to provide benchmarking for our future projects.     Client: Hub East Central Scotland, Perth & Kinross Council  Architect: Architype Contractor: ROBERTSON CONSTRUCTION TAYSIDE LIMITED   #12daysofchristmas #projects #civilandstructuralengineer

Time for some #TuesdayTrends!! What's happening in the construction and building materials world today?? Not being too cool for school! Higher ed projects are booming! Read here for more! #thebridgergroup #highered #education #construction #buildingmaterials

🏫 Building Smarter for K-12 & Higher Learning Facilities with LWIC 🏗️ When it comes to creating durable, adaptable, and sustainable roofing systems for educational institutions, Lightweight Insulating Concrete (LWIC) stands out as the premier solution. Here's why: ✅ Versatility: LWIC serves as a long-lasting substrate compatible with any roofing system—whether it's hot-mopped, torched, adhered, or cold-applied. Schools and universities can adopt the roofing method that best suits their needs without limitations. ✅ Reduced Re-Roofing Cycles: Unlike traditional rigid insulation that may require tear-offs during re-roofing, LWIC can remain in place, drastically minimizing disruptions, material waste, and costs. This ensures the focus stays on education, not construction. ✅ Enhanced Durability: LWIC provides exceptional performance over time, maintaining its integrity under heavy use while supporting wind and fire ratings critical for the safety and resilience of educational facilities. With its long-term benefits and ability to meet evolving roofing demands, LWIC is the ultimate choice for campuses looking to maximize value and sustainability. 💡 Let’s elevate how we build for future generations! #RoofingInnovation #LWIC #SustainableConstruction #EducationFacilities 🔖 Shoutout to trusted partners in roofing excellence: Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing, TRS Roofing Systems - Houston, LLC., TOPSIDE CONTRACTING, LLC, Port Enterprises, Ltd., Kidd Roofing, BELDON Roofing Company 💬 Have questions or insights about using LWIC for educational facilities? Drop them in the comments! 👇

SWPA's chosen Roofing Systems and Associated Works (RS4) Framework for #frameworkfriday. This framework allows local authorities, social landlords and other public sector bodies to source specialist suppliers for the design, supply and installation of traditional flat roofing and pitched roofing systems and associated works. Fully compliant, the framework is suitable for all types of public sector refurbishment and new build projects, including multi occupancy residential buildings, schools, colleges, universities, NHS buildings and other public buildings. This framework, also includes The Mixed Roofing Super Lot, which is intended to be used by Clients for projects that have a mix of roofing elements, typically a mix of flat and pitched roofing requirements but could also be metal profile roofs and traditional pitched roofs. Take a look at the workstreams below, or use this link for more information:https://buff.ly/4cnkf2S #swpa #framework #procurement #roofing #systems #compliant #publicbuildings

Here’s our next shortlisted project for the CRA Awards Large Project of the Year (£1M+), Newport Schools, submitted by STEVE DAVIES, managing director of BETON BAUEN LIMITED. This concrete repair project for Newport schools, working with structural engineers Jubb and materials manufacturer Fosroc, used BetonBauen’s comprehensive skill set, technical abilities and dedication to delivering a high-quality end product, requiring the seamless coordination of complex repair work for client Newport Norse across several active primary and secondary schools. Managing concrete repairs across multiple sites required robust project management skills, with challenges including the need to minimise disruption to the school schedule and ensure the safety of students and staff. The project management team coordinated complex logistics, scheduled work during school breaks and after hours, and maintained a high standard of quality control, highlighting organisational competence and flexibility. BetonBauen’s adherence to stringent safety protocols, from the initial risk assessments to the implementation of safety measures during construction, demonstrated the company’s expertise in maintaining a secure environment for both workers and the school community. All safety standards were met or exceeded to create a safe working and learning environment. A key challenge was the diverse and often difficult site conditions of the various school buildings involved. Each school had its unique set of structural issues, many exacerbated by buildings' age and condition. Some schools were in densely populated urban areas, making access and material transport difficult. Narrow streets, limited parking, and the proximity of residential areas required meticulous planning to minimise disruption and ensure the safety of both the construction crew and the local community. To overcome logistical challenges, the project team implemented a phased approach to the repairs. Work was scheduled during off-peak hours eg. evenings, weekends and school holidays, to reduce the impact on daily school operations and neighbourhood activities. Advanced planning and coordination with local authorities allowed for temporary road closures and designated delivery windows, ensuring smooth and efficient transportation of materials to site. The project also faced environmental challenges, particularly related to the handling and disposal of construction materials. Working in an active school environment required strict adherence to safety and environmental regulations. Dust, noise, and debris had to be carefully managed to prevent any adverse impact on students, staff, and nearby residents. Pictured below is one of the repaired buildings after painting. #ConcreteRepair #SchoolRefurbishment #ConstructionAwards

Currie Community High School in Edinburgh has been involved in several initiatives and developments, focusing on enhancing educational outcomes, sustainability, and community engagement. The new school building is one of the most notable projects is the construction of a new, state-of-the-art school building designed with sustainability in mind. When looking at service riser housings at roof level on Passivhaus schemes, a pre-planned, factory-manufactured solution with defined performance outcomes is very necessary. An ad-hoc (no rules), on-site system with no performance criteria is likely to jeopardise the building’s ability to perform to air-tightness and thermal standards, and could result in the Passivhaus certification being rejected. On this project the ROOFBOX P-series system were chosen to provide fully factory sealed housings over the service risers that supported the buildings Passivhaus standards. Nicholson collaborated with the design, build, roofing and M&E teams to agree the product scope and size, coordinating the technical interfaces along the way. 🔹 Procladd (Scotland) Ltd 🔹 Kier Construction 🔹 Architype Read more on our case study here: https://bit.ly/3VPNIxu #sustainability #roofing #schools #energy

Check out this article about the increase in Higher Education Construction Projects.

🚨 Calling all schools and colleges! 🚨 Over the next few weeks, I’ll be reaching out to schools and colleges to see how I can support with flat roofing projects. Whether it’s fixing leaks, addressing wear and tear, or planning for long-term improvements, Polyroof has been a trusted partner for the education sector for nearly 40 years. Here’s how we can help: ✅ Tailored Flat Roofing Solutions: Low-odour, fast-curing systems that minimize disruption during term time. ✅ Sustainability First: Our carbon-neutral certified systems help meet environmental targets. ✅ Comprehensive Warranties: Up to 25 years of peace of mind for materials and installation. ✅ Specialised Services: Including green roofs, slip-resistant finishes, and advanced gutter overlays. 💡 Funding Support Available! We understand that budgets can be a challenge. That’s why we also offer guidance on accessing funding options such as: CIF (Condition Improvement Fund) SCA (School Condition Allocations) Local Authority Funding If you’re a decision-maker at a school, college, or academy, or know someone who might benefit from this support, let’s connect! I’d love to discuss how we can help resolve roofing issues or plan ahead for future projects. Feel free to reach out or tag someone who could benefit. Let’s work together to ensure your roofs are safe, sustainable, and built to last! #RoofingSolutions #EducationSector #FlatRoofing #Sustainability #Polyroof #FundingSupport See below a project we are very proud of! https://lnkd.in/eBb2nNWa