Insulslab SFRC Launches Approved Installer Network

Following the rapid adoption of Insulslab SFRC by a series of national housebuilders, an Approved Installer Network has been launched that will provide access to a team of fully trained, highly efficient and extremely competitive ground engineers who are qualified to work with the Insulslab system.

Insulslab SFRC is a fully integrated and super insulated foundation system that has been proven to deliver time and cost savings on-site whilst achieving superior levels of thermal insulation. Constructed of interlocking expanded polystyrene (EPS) pods, Insulslab SFRC is simply laid in place to form a rigid waffle shaped slab, with steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) then poured on top to deliver the foundation up to ground floor slab level.

Since its UK launch, BBA-approved Insulslab SFRC has grown in popularity with developers as it significantly increases speed of build, supports the thermal performance of buildings and has significant savings over traditional, deep trench and pile foundations. In response to this demand, Insulslab SFRC has developed the national Approved Network to further increase the efficiency of build for developers.

Andrew Orriss, Insulslab SFRC, explains: “Whilst an Insulslab SFRC technical engineer attends the start of all new developments where the system is used, we recognised that by having a pre-approved network of ground engineers nationwide, we will remove the vulnerability of on-site training at the start of each project. Instead, there will now be fully trained ground engineers able to hit the ground running.”

As a new programme, the Insulslab SFRC Approved Network represents an opportunity for established ground engineers to diversify their service offering and achieve competitive advantage. As a fast-track method of construction which supports sustainable insulation targets, Insulslab SFRC is set to triple in volume in the next three years.

Andrew Orriss continues: “Ground engineers who achieve accreditation early on will be at a distinct advantage over those that continue to only offer traditional groundwork services. Becoming an Approved Insulslab SFRC Installer will essentially set them apart from the competition and potentially open up new routes to work with some of the UK’s major housebuilders.”

To achieve Approval, ground engineers will need to undertake a comprehensive induction with Insulslab and SFRC manufacturer, Arcelormittal. Following on from this theory based workshop, a series of on-site inspections must be completed with Approval reviewed annually. As a nationwide network, Insulslab SFRC will provide approved ground engineers with opportunities to tender for local Insulslab SFRC projects direct with the developer or main contractor.

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ISG Delivers Luxury Hampstead Home

‘Mansfield House’ takes its name from the original residence, which was demolished a number of years ago. The base build for the new property was carried out by a different contractor, with ISG then brought in to make structural modifications to the internal layout and complete a wide-ranging fit out from shell. ISG worked closely with the Project Manager Jackson Rowe, Architect, Garnett & Partners and prominent Interior Designer, Tim Gosling, to realise the client’s vision, which was based on the grandeur of the SS Normandie, an art-deco classic.

The extensive fit out requirements included a complex control system with lighting, AV and radio systems in every room connected through a central building management system and controlled via a remote control touchscreen interface. ISG also installed a climate control system throughout the property as well as a passenger lift. In the basement, a large heated swimming pool was created, alongside a lounge area, high specification cinema, a games room and staff quarters.

The exceptionally high specification of the fit out included eglomise mirrored panels, gilded coffer ceilings and black and gold marble flooring, with the contractor also installing luxury fittings and joinery elements throughout the property, including a bespoke kitchen and a custom-made, unique chandelier designed by lighting specialist Sharon Marston. Externally, ISG was responsible for all hard and soft landscaping, including the installation of a feature copper water fountain in the garden area.

Grahame Roberts, divisional managing director of ISG Fit Out, commented: “Taking on a project from another contractor can be challenging, but our experience in the luxury homes sector meant that we were quickly able to take charge of the scheme and complete the remodelling and fit out works to the very highest standards. In a bespoke, £multi-million home, achieving an outstanding quality of fit and finish is our core priority and Mansfield House is an excellent example of our craftsmanship and rigorous attention to detail.”

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Tensartech saves time and materials for Mansfield hospital car parking construction

A new car parking area for 77 cars at Mansfield Community Hospital has been constructed with savings in time, cost savings in materials and has made a reduced environmental impact, by using Tensartech Earth Retaining structure technology.

“Using the Tensartech solution saved more than 50% in materials and time costs over the conventional reinforced concrete, buttressed retaining wall structure originally proposed,” commented Vince Hackett, Director of groundwork contractors North Midland Construction. “Additionally, the site is very constrained and creating formwork and pouring concrete would have been extremely difficult in such a tight space. The Tensartech solution has minimal plant requirements.”

The car park project is part of an ongoing redevelopment and upgrade of Mansfield Community Hospital, and is included in the £320 million Modernisation of Acute Services in Central Nottinghamshire project for Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Nottinghamshire County Teaching Primary Care Trust At Mansfield Community Hospital, the work includes the refurbishment of the ward accommodation and construction of a new outpatients and administration facilities and will be completed in 2009.

The new car park is being constructed on the sloping area in front of the new Pavilion Building by creating a level site, bounded at one end by an ellipsoid retaining wall with a maximum height of 4 metres. The Tensartech retaining structure comprises compacted site won fill material which is stabilised by layers of Tensar uniaxial geogrid fixed to TW1 modular concrete blocks using a unique polymer connector.

The TW1 blocks are dry laid by hand, so eliminating time for curing mortar. For this project, the client wanted a natural stone facing so, to accommodate this, stainless steel ties were incorporated to secure the finished cladding of a locally quarried stone. This enabled full loadbearing capacity for completing the car park to be achieved immediately, without waiting for an in-situ concrete wall to gain structural strength, thus saving contract time. As well as local stone facings, the wall is capped with granite copings and incorporates feature lighting and stainless steel handrails.

“The Tensartech solution saved a significant amount of time on the project,” added Matt Barnes, Project Engineering Manager for Skanska. “In particular expensive and time consuming temporary works like curved formworks and support structures and saved on this material. It represents an excellent sustainable solution for retaining structures.”

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Hacınınoğlu Regulator and HEPP

The Hacınınoğlu Regulator and HEPP located at the lowermost downstream part of the Kandil Power Group Projects is on Ceyhan River within the Upper Ceyhan basin upstream of the Menzelet Dam in Kahramanmaraş. The regulator dam is of frontal type concrete gravity type with gated water intake. The HEPP has the installed capacity of 130 MW and annual energy generation of 360 GWh. Involving a 5500m energy tunnel construction, the Project consists of the civil works, hydromechanical equipment supply and installation.

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Nuclear engineering- part of the curriculum during residential course at the University of Manchester

Nuclear engineering was on the curriculum for a group of 50 teenagers taking part in a four-day residential course at the University of Manchester. Organised by The Smallpeice Trust, in collaboration with the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) and URENCO, the course offered the teenagers the chance to get a hands-on experience, looking at the work being done in the field of nuclear engineering and the career opportunities available.

The four-day summer camp with a difference took place from the 23rd July to 26thJuly. The focus was the practical project to ‘design and make’ a working centrifuge to time and budget, supported by presentations and workshops. Students also learnt aspects of team and project management as well as the physics behind centrifuge separation.

David Edwards, Chief Executive, ECITB commenting on the nuclear engineering course said, “The ECITB is committed to increase the uptake and awareness of careers in all of our sectors in engineering construction amongst young people. We are deeply impressed with the quality of work produced and send congratulations to all who took part. The residential course provided a fantastic platform for young people to learn about the nuclear industry.”

“We weren’t exactly sure exactly what to expect from the course,” said one student who attended. “But we learnt considerably more than we had hoped about nuclear physics and engineering skills.”

David Edwards added, “The course gave the students practical experience of working with others to solve problems. Feedback from the students is highly positive, this is due to the mix of learning and provision of team building activities. Our partnership with The Smallpeice Trust is helping to create engineers of the future.”

The Nuclear Engineering course is run by independent charity, The Smallpeice Trust and is part of a programme of residential courses to help people aged 13 to 18 learn and develop skills in engineering, design, technology and manufacturing. Through running residential courses and STEM enrichment days, The Trust has reached out to 18,175 students across the UK in the past year.

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As conveyor chain manufacturer adapts to meet the demands of the growing UK biomass and recycling industries - Sales up 70 per cent

Sales up 70 per cent as conveyor chain manufacturer adapts to meet the demands of the growing UK biomass and recycling industries.

UK-based conveyor chain manufacturer and supplier FB Chain Ltd has reported that in the financial year ending April 2012, UK sales of its range of conveyor chains grew by over 70 per cent.

Much of the growth has come from sales to companies operating in the UK biomass and recycling industries.

“We have always had strong sales within the wood and paper and pulp processing industries, but biomass and recycling are relatively new markets for us,” said Peter Church, Managing Director of FB Chain UK.

With Government-backed subsidies driving growth in the recycling sector - 42 new biomass plants are scheduled to open in the UK in 2012 – FB Chain expects to sustain its success in this market and is developing its product range accordingly.

“Because chain conveyors in the biomass and recycling industries are subject to more shock and irregular loads than in any other bulk material handling industry, we are providing much larger quantities of welded pin and bush conveyor chains,” says Peter Church.

FB Chain are producing conveyor chains with welded pins and bushes that have tensile strengths some 30 per cent higher than the ISO Standard conveyor chains commonly specified in the sector.

These induction hardened chains – which feature secure welded construction - offer higher durability against overloading and minimise chain failure and subsequent costly conveyor downtime.

Peter Church added: “The biomass and recycling industries are quickly becoming major sectors in the UK and it is essential that we continue to develop our product offering to meet the needs of these markets. I believe that sales of conveyor chains, sprockets and attachments specially adapted to the specific requirements of biomass and recycling operations, will represent a growing part of FB Chain’s conveyor chain business in the years ahead.”

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Osborne appointed to carry out redevelopment of largest dry dock in Southampton

Osborne has been appointed by Associated British Ports to carry out the redevelopment of an area of land near the 1930s, Dry Dock No. 7 (formerly known as the King George 5th Dry Dock) on West Bay Road in Southampton. The £1.4 million project will convert the area into a cargo handling berth with access to an adjacent berth that is also undergoing redevelopment. Completion is expected by the end of 2008.

Following listed planning consent, the contract comprises demolitions, new roads, fencing, lighting and dock up-grades as well as non-tidal works to the quayside including heavy duty chamber covers and new anchor bollards, plus tidal works to the now flooded Dry Dock 7 consisting of new safety chains, access ladders and infilling of old stairways.

Associated drainage, ducting, high mast lights, weighbridge and office foundation works will also be undertaken. Throughout the project, existing access will be maintained for quay operating leaseholders and future access to the quayside and dock will be improved with a new circulatory access road and link road to an adjacent berth.

There are a number of challenges, not least of which is breaking out existing concrete slabs for new roads and drainage. This is being carried out using a tracked Rocksaw to cut along the sides of the routes, enabling more accurate and simplified breaking out.

As part of the project, as many existing materials as possible are being reused to minimise waste and materials movement. This includes the use of the broken concrete, which will be crushed and reused as a capping material on this development.

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Klaxon Signals siren range's high sound output overcomes most levels background noise

Klaxon Signals has developed a range of industrial warning devices to meet the needs of specialised applications in all industrial environments. The range varies from traditional robust motor driven sirens to the more sophisticated electronic sirens and serves to notify personnel of any changes in the immediate environment such as potential hazards.

Klaxon’s motor driven siren range is rugged in construction with a high sound output to overcome most levels background noise such as that generated in mining and quarrying applications.

With advances in siren technology, electronic sirens have been introduced to the market in the form of the Nexus industrial sounder. With a choice of 110dB and 120dB sound outputs, IP66 protection, 3 alarm stages and 64 tones these sirens can be used in a variety of general signalling applications. Combined sounder beacon units are available for compliance with the Disability and Discrimination Act.

For visual signalling applications, Klaxon’s industrial beacons provide effective warning by diffusing a greater spread of light. Beacons are fitted with either LED or Xenon beacons and are available with varying light outputs of 5J, 10J and 24J.

Klaxon’s industrial products are used in conveyors, cranes, moving machinery, as process control alarms and in marine and general signalling applications.

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Pay-as-you-go vehicle tracking accounts for 50 per cent of Quartix's overall sales

Quartix reports that more than 50 per cent of its overall sales are now derived from its high-specification pay-as-you-go vehicle tracking product.

The company attributes the product’s success to fleet managers’ nervousness over the future viability of some competitor companies and a reluctance to enter into long-term, binding contracts at a time of uncertainty.

Andy Kirk, sales and marketing director, said: “The recession has seen the collapse of, or problems at, many telematics companies, including most recently Minorplanet. Therefore, the thought of entering into a long-term contract tends to make fleet operators extremely cautious – and rightly so.

“For this reason many are turning to Quartix. As a financially strong, long-established supplier we are able to provide the very latest telematics features and benefits through the flexibility of Quartix Pay As You Go. This rental model guarantees the right to opt out at any time after the first three months plus the opportunity to add or remove tracking units as and when necessary.

“Not surprisingly, pay-as-you-go has become extremely popular with large organisations, such as Canute Haulage Group PLC, as well as small and medium-size enterprises.”

Quartix became the UK’s first major telematics provider to introduce pay-as-you-go in April last year, adding it to its lease-finance and outright purchase options. Since then it has become the UK’s first tracking company to supply PAYG with Google Maps and the first to offer a unique on-screen ‘dashboard,’ which gives at-a-glance, real-time information about a fleet’s performance.

Earlier this year innovative icons that change colour to display vehicles’ speed were added.

Mr Kirk said: “As a top-level service Quartix Pay As You Go has proved to be just the right product at just the right time, attracting strong demand from all sectors.”

The Quartix system provides users with a fast, efficient, ‘point-and-click’ source of real-time information, together with tailored e-mail reports. The highly-flexible service has scope to meet the needs of large corporations and owner-managed businesses alike.

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Euro Auctions - Used Construction Plant Global Review 2011 - 2012 - 1)

What a year 2011 was! Following the crash of the worlds construction markets, the movement of second hand plant and industrial equipment around the globe proved to be highly volatile and not without surprise. The fortunes of plant owners, plant buyers and plant sellers have changed over the last 12 months, but what is the real global story?

With limited availability of brand new equipment and machinery in 2011 the trading market for pre owned construction equipment, mining machinery, access equipment, screening and crushing plant, diggers, dumpers and dozers and all things in-between became buoyant. Extremely buoyant – to the point that many makes and ranges of low hour’s equipment under two years old began selling above the price they were when they were new – Fact!

Following three years of sales drought, in 2011 the major plant manufacturers felt that confidence was returning to the market and had begun producing stock again, but not at the volumes previously seen prior to mid 2008. In early 2011 stock levels were still low and market demand manifested in a levelling of prices across Europe and the cost of brand new equipment was 20% up on prices in June 2009. Manufacturers were capitalising on market demand with substantial price hikes. The second hand market had always been strong, but these actions revived the market for good used equipment across the globe, regardless of make, model and year with prices strengthening for late-used and nearly-new equipment, with the strongest rallying in the 12 to 24 month class. But what was the global trading platform like for used plant and industrial equipment?

At Auction
The last two years have seen the trends at auction changing. The global interest in 12 to 24 month old plant is at an all time high. Dealers unable to purchase new machines from manufacturers are scouring the auctions either for stock, or machines to meet the requirements of current clients. What sells at auction is good low hour’s stock, with anything good attracting buyers, however the shift is now expanding to older machines. With 12 to 24 month old stocks depleting, buyers are now interested in stock from 24 to 48 months old. Once the route for disposal of ex-hire equipment, hire companies are replenishing stocks from auction and also hanging on to plant for much longer that previously was the norm.

Middle East
From a global view demand in the Middle East remains high with infrastructure construction projects planned across the region, and noticeably in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Because of the current lack of new machinery, and rising second hand prices, there seems to be a trend for Middle Eastern owners to hold on to redundant plant. With no need to sell, the stock is increasing in value and owners do not wish to drop prices. From plant auctions in the UK and Europe, the intelligence shows that plant is still being shipped to the Middle East, predominantly Dubai. Even in light of the construction slow down, access equipment and cranes (both mobile and static) are still finding their way into the region, destined for dealers in the Middle East and likely to be shipped on to end users in other countries, predominantly in the Pacific Rim region. The main interest currently from Middle Eastern buyers and contactors is for good late model, low hours Backhoes, predominantly CAT 432e’s and JCB telehandlers. CAT and Manitou are also in demand. Older model dump trucks from Volvo, that are getting a little long in the tooth, are highly sought after and CAT 740 dump trucks are always in demand.

North & Central AFrica
From mid June 2009 to late 2010, the North African market demand for plant, machinery and equipment was extremely buoyant. The increasing demand from countries in this region was reflected at auction with the trend for smaller excavators, dumpers and access equipment, soon trading up to larger machines and specialising in certain brands. Libya, Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, Lebanon and Oman were all really active. The improvement in these markets was marked and it was anticipated these countries would continue to show eventual interest in larger pieces of equipment. The 2011 unrest in the North Africa region due to the ‘Arab Spring’ saw demand for plant and machinery come to a grinding halt. However, with economies stabilising, confidence has returned to the region and buyers from Sudan, Egypt, Libya, Algeria and Morocco began trading again. West central Africa currently has a good appetite for logging and mining equipment. Predominantly Ghana and Nigeria are evident at auction and plant dealers are regular buyers. The larger European contractors are bringing equipment with them as part of the project infrastructure. Similarly, many of the project teams in the region from China are bringing less than reliable home brands, which is creating a market for more reliable USA and European makes of all equipment.

Pacific Rim
Two factors are affecting the Australian home market; the current exchange rate and the series of natural disasters that sadly hit that country. The exchange rate between the Australian Dollar and Pound Sterling is making transactions from the northern to the southern hemisphere very attractive. The cyclone and flooding in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales in early 2011 was responsible for an increased demand for plant and machinery in Australia as the clean-up operation got underway – and is still ongoing.

With the economy in the Far East (predominantly China) booming, demand for raw materials was high, with Australia supplying that demand, with the result being a need for heavy excavating, earth moving and crushing machinery. Australia is mining everything from copper to coal, from ore to shale fuel. In 2011 efforts to get as much equipment down-under as is possible was a priority. This trend is likely to dramatically increase and extend well into 2012, with Australia always looking for late year, low hours heavy earth moving and mining equipment, with Volvo, Komatsu, CAT and JCB being the preferred makes.

The sad events in Japan in 2011 were expected to put manufacturing in that country into a decline for a considerable period of time and this is still evident in early 2012. A two year void is predicted for new machinery coming onto the world market and as a result the supply by manufacturers such as Takeuchi and Komatsu are expected to set a price rise with availability being reduced. The Japanese home market will put huge demands on stocks of equipment for the rebuilding programme, the ripples of which will be felt across the global economy. The price of second-hand Japanese equipment is also expected to continue to rise around the globe and will become evident at the next Euro Auctions sale. By contrast, Hong Kong is quiet, with demand in this region slowing down, although this may be a temporary measure.

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Third MediaCityUK Scheme Taken by ISG

ISG has won a third project at Peel Holding’s MediaCityUK development in Salford, the new home of numerous BBC departments and national hub for creative industry businesses. The contractor’s latest win at the 36-acre media site is for SIS (Satellite Information Services), a world leader in the television production industry.

SIS supplies high quality real-time data and video from horse and greyhound racing, football and other sports, to bookmakers and retail markets worldwide. The company’s broadcast business, SIS LIVE, operates Europe’s largest fleet of satellite uplink and outside broadcast units.

The fast-track design and build scheme involves the specialist fit out of the company’s 25,000ft2 premises at MediaCityUK, including a recording space with bespoke acoustic requirements and a complex technical specification, along with an open plan office floor with reception, meeting rooms and breakout areas, with handover scheduled for early spring 2012.

The contractor has previously completed two fit out projects at Peel Media’s 18-storey ‘Blue Tower’ at MediaCityUK and was invited to tender for the SIS project following a referral from Peel Media. ISG’s growing reputation in the creative industries sector includes its award winning £2.4 million creative industries teaching facility at Glyndwr University’s Wrexham campus, which includes the BBC’s outdoor broadcast unit base for North Wales and the recent Baltic Creative development in Liverpool.

ISG’s Jim Parker, managing director - North West, commented: “Fostering strong and mutually beneficial relationships with key regional developers is central to our strategy for growth. ISG’s relationship with Peel Media and experience of successful project delivery at the MediaCityUK site has directly led to this latest opportunity with SIS, which is an excellent endorsement of our capabilities and sector credentials.”

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Finlay screening technology increases the volume and value of the reclaimed material

A Terex Finlay 694 Supertrak - supplied by Finlay Plant South East - is driving forward productivity at Scratchwood Depot, where a joint venture between Lafarge Aggregates and GRS Roadstone has been developed to recycle construction and utilities waste.

The 694 screen is reclaiming concrete, stone and masonry into five grades of recycled product at the site – located off the M1 on the outskirts of North London – where Essex-based demolition, crushing and recycling contractor Haigh is contracted by GRS Roadstone and Lafarge to crush and screen the material.

Haigh have invested in new machinery to deliver the contract, with the 694 screen central to the project’s operation. Currently, 240,000 tonnes of waste material a year are scheduled for reclamation at the site.

Once processed, the material leaving Scratchwood is used for a variety of construction-related products, including the manufacture of concrete that contains part-recycled materials, in line with the recent British Standard BS 8500.

The material leaves the 694 screen in sizes of plus 40 mm, 40-25 mm, 25-20mm, 20-10mm and minus 4 mm. The screen’s double deck vibrating grid head system scalps off the plus 40 mm, which is then re-crushed, for maximum efficiency.

Jon Fisher, regional director of GRS Roadstone for the London and South East, said: “By producing more single size products, the material is much more marketable and, as a result, the 694 drives more value out of the waste goods. The screening process is proving very accurate and the 694 offers a 20 feet deck, providing a good deal of space to enable more material to get through.

“This machine was the best choice for us in terms of productivity and performance and it is backed up by Finlay Plant South East’s comprehensive on-site service and support programme.”

Leon Sheehy, managing director of Finlay Plant South East – part of the Stafford based Finlay Group of companies - worked with Haigh and Leicester-based GRS Roadstone to introduce the Terex Finlay 694 Supertrak on the site.

A number of options were specified under the purchase, including a Caterpillar engine. Mobility was also important and Haigh chose the 694 on tracks for on-site mobility and a separate, purpose-built bogey to enable the plant to be transported to other locations where necessary, without the need for a low loader.

Leon said: “The 694’s output increases the volume and value of the reclaimed material, creating sought after products for the construction and utilities sectors from waste goods, which are being diverted from landfill. The 694’s capability, combined with the options that have been configured to meet the individual needs at Scratchwood, have ensured this is transforming operations on the site.”


ENDS


Notes To Editors

The Finlay Group comprises of eleven stand alone companies offering the most modern and diverse range of material processing equipment available in the marketplace today.

With its headquarters in Stafford, the company has a national reach across England and Wales.

The Finlay Group acts as dealers for Terex Finlay as well as other brands including Trio, Baioni and Pilot Crushtec.

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Energyst provides turnkey rental solutions for power generation to RFA fleet

Constituted in 1905, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service (RFA) began its service by carrying coal bunkers and other stores as British warships became oil burning during World War I. Today the RFA is a civilian manned fleet, owned by the Ministry of Defence. Its main task is to supply warships of the Royal Navy at sea with fuel, food, stores and ammunition which they need to remain operational while away from base.

For the last few years, Energyst Rental Solutions, has travelled around the world to ensure that each of the RFA’s fleet of 16 ships is provided with power while in port.

Energyst Rental Solutions, with UK headquarters in Wolverhampton, is a pan-European company providing turnkey rental solutions for power generation and temperature control. The company’s pan European approach gives a consistent solution based offering to some of the largest customers in Europe and with some 2000 civilian officers and ratings employed by the RFA, there is no bigger customer in British shipping.

Jason Harryman, Energyst’s Key Account Manager says the company’s role for the RFA demonstrates both flexibility and professionalism: “We’ve worked with the RFA for a number of years now. Our role is to supply temporary generators to the ships when they come into port to restock supplies and allow the ship’s company to rest.

“We position and install temporary CAT generators down on the shore next to each vessel and provide an engineering team on site for the entire duration that the ship is in port, working 24-hour-a-day to ensure a successful mission is achieved for the RFA. We supply a variety of generators and equipment to customer specification. Our support role allows the RFA to conserve both fuel and man power by not running at full power while in dock.”

There are 16 ships in the RFA fleet; four fleet support tankers, four landing ship dock (auxiliary) ships, two combined fleet support tanker and stores ships, two small fleet tankers, two fleet support stores ships, one aviation training and casualty reception ship and one forward repair ship.

A recent mission for the RFA was a joint task force (JTF) with the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, which completed a series of complex repair tasks to the harbour of one of the world's most isolated communities, Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic Ocean. The purpose of Operation ZEST was to affect emergency repairs to the island's main harbour before the onset of winter so that port operations could be maintained until further repair work could be conducted by civil engineers at a later date.

Energyst’s work with the RFA takes the team across the world. The team needs to be ready to go at any time as occasionally work includes unscheduled stops for essential maintenance where the RFA will borrow facilities from another navy. Here again Energyst meets the needs of these jobs, providing a dedicated engineering team wherever they may be needed across the globe

For Jason Harryman, the jobs allow the company an opportunity to provide an essential service: “Our job for the RFA is time, security and product critical. We enjoy working in partnership with the RFA and look forward to serving the team across the world in the coming months and years.”

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Ecovia's OPTI+ fuel saver provides fuel savings from 5% to 12%

Ecovia has launched two new products – OPTI+4 for 700HP to 5,000HP engines, and OPTI+B+ for light vehicles with 70- to 100-litre tanks, or vehicles travelling 50,000km to 60,000km per year. In addition, a patented prototype OPTI+ 2nd generation is due for release in 2009.

OPTI+4 is designed for use in the maritime and fluvial sectors (i.e. professional fishing, freight and passenger shipping), where the fuel consumption of ageing engines can reach 150 litres per hour. For companies in this sector, investing in such a system is an extremely cost-effective way to keep businesses profitable.

OPTI+B+ is designed for owners of light or commercial vehicles, which have been strongly affected by rising fuel costs. Ecovia is also preparing to test a prototype that is expected to be released in 2009 – a patented OPTI+ 2nd generation, which is designed for new motors for professional vehicles.

The principle of Ecovia’s OPTI+ fuel saver, which is attached to the engine’s feed, is primarily based on the effect of magnets upon fuel consumption. OPTI+ comes with a two-year warranty, is amortised within a year, and offers an actual average lifetime of eight years. Effective fuel savings range from 5% to 12%. Aldi trucks (Mercedes), for example, recently achieved fuel savings of 8%, following six months of testing the Ecovia system.

Ecovia has always focused on a total fuel-savings approach. It offers the Opti+ range of fuel-consumption reduction processes following a personalised study (with a satisfied or money-back guarantee for a fuel-savings objective of between 5% and 12% over six months). The company also provides sophisticated siphon-proof mechanisms to prevent repeated fuel thefts from HGVs and public-works vehicles, as well as flow meters that gauge the impact of fuel-consumption reduction measures that have already been or which will be undertaken (such as changing tyres or training drivers). For example, one of the UK’s biggest manufacturers of snack foods has equipped most of the trucks in its fleet with flow meters to monitor costs more accurately.

Ecovia’s products are designed for use by professionals who are heavy users of thermal engines ranging from 150HP to 5,000HP (including diesel and ethanol), in sectors including transport, fishing, public works and farming. The company’s clients include Aldi, Altead, Liebherr and Veolia.

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Castle and Pryor announce Brokk equipment sale as plant fleet is upgraded

Controlled demolition and concrete cutting specialist Castle and Pryor is disposing of a significant number of Brokk demolition robots and associated equipment in order to make way for new plant. The specialist Brokk machines are controlled remotely, allowing its operative to work in a secure location, free from the vibration and dust often associated with demolishing concrete or other material. Not only are the machines utilised by controlled demolition contractors such as Castle and Pryor, but also companies working in the nuclear and cement industries.

The Brokk models put up for sale include several 330 models which were, at the time of initial purchase, the largest machine Brokk manufactured. Smaller machines such as the Brokk 50 and Brokk 90 are also included in the sale. Ancillary equipment including Atlas concrete breakers, cruncher attachments and buckets are also available for purchase. The age of equipment ranges from thirteen years to three years, with machine hours varying between 700 and 3000. All of the Brokks for sale were purchased new, directly from the official UK distributor and maintained fastidiously by the company’s in-house maintenance team.

Whilst the equipment sale will see Castle and Pryor’s configuration of Brokk models altered, the company’s core services and capabilities remain unchanged according to Co-Owner Graham Pryor, “Our Brokk sale is a result of the company’s ongoing investment in new plant and equipment which will in turn mean we remain competitive and capable in our core services which include diamond drilling and sawing, controlled demolition and floor preparation.”

Companies or individuals interested in purchasing any of Castle and Pryor’s Brokk equipment should contact the company directly. Viewings and demonstrations can be arranged and global export is available.

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Joint venture to create online analysis tool to help optimise drilling decisions

Decision Analysis, which is a branch of Operations Research, is mathematical tool that can be used to optimise decisions under conditions of risk and uncertainty. In a joint venture between Drillers.com and the Department of Applied Mathematics at the University of Pau in France, a project has been started to create online tools to help optimise drilling decisions. These tools will use Mathcad worksheets coded with Decision Analysis techniques to optimise outcomes of oilfield decisions.

By way of this new collaborative effort, drilling professionals working within the oil and gas industry will benefit from decision analysis techniques without having to learn the complex maths for themselves.

The Department of Applied Mathematics at the University of Pau in south-west France has been working closely with oil majors, such as TOTAL, for the past 10 years. In an effort to expand its activities and develop further means to assist industry professionals worldwide, a postgraduate student with masters degree in Operations Research will be undergoing a six-month internship with Drillers.com Inc, beginning mid-February.

The aim of this joint endeavour is to work on creating an online decision analysis tool, which will greatly help oilfield companies with drilling related, decision making responsibilities.

According to Steve Devereux of Drillers.com Inc, who has 30 years experience as a drilling professional, “The joint venture is an initial effort to get Operations Research and in particular Decision Analysis techniques to be widely used to save costs in finding and developing hydrocarbon resources. It will depend on industry participation but the benefits can be huge, so I’m optimistic that we’ll get support.

"Critical decisions such as the type of rig that needs to be selected to give the lowest cost well, the mud system best suited to minimise drilling costs, the number of supply boats required to reduce operational costs or the choice of drill bits that produce the lowest cost per foot can be optimised using such mathematical decision analysis tools.

"Drilling professionals currently have three choices when it comes to rig maths; calculators, generic programs like excel or commercial programs, which can be expensive and hide their inner workings. These web-enabled Mathcad worksheets give a fourth option, are free to use and reveal all the inner calculations, which can then be audited or used for learning.

"Many oilfield companies overrun budgets with sizable increases in capital and operational expenses when decisions are not optimised, causing substantial financial losses to the organisation. These new online decision analysis tools now being developed will make oilfield calculations and decision making more cost effective for engineers within the drilling industry," said Steve.

As part of the new venture, Drillers.com Inc is inviting interested oil industry organisations to submit a drilling related decision problem that would be solved by the postgraduate student, under the supervision of Professor Marc Artzrouni at the University of Pau and Steve Devereux.

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Construction Safety over time

The Taj Mahal. The Eiffel Tower. Stonehenge. Today, the world’s greatest structures stand against time and oblivion because of the capable hands that built them. Though we marvel at the wonders of construction peppered throughout skylines and cities – on neighborhood corners or offering a gateway to the West – we seldom remember the men and women that built these marvels. Construction safety has been and will continue to be an important part of an industry that is constantly plagued by the specter of death.

A lot has changed since the first bipeds cobbled together stones until they had formed a crude hut to protect their matted, pre-human fur from the cruelty of the elements. Today our buildings are monuments to marriage of the creative mind and sophisticated building design, but if one aspect of construction sites still persists, it’s that the threat of injury or death that looms over every construction job. Federal regulation and safety training offer ways to educate construction workers and the general public on how to be safest in construction situations. Sadly, these types of programs haven’t always been in place.
Construction Site Safety Then and Now

Job site safety is a major issue for workers and employers. Of course, this wasn’t always the case with major building projects of the past. The Great Pyramids of Egypt took 80 years to complete and saw the deaths of thousands of people. Of course, worker conditions and employee safety are much different now than they were in the height of Egyptian rule.
Fast forward to the 1960s, to see a construction project that took the safety of workers very seriously. The Gateway Arch located in St. Louis, Missouri started in 1963 and took 2 1/2 years to finish. Each side of the arch was started at the same time and grew in height together. Massive cranes were attached to the sides of the arch in order to lift each triangular piece in to place. When the last piece of the arch was ready to be put into place, each side of the arch had to push back four feet in order to accommodate the last piece of the monument. Once complete, the arch stood a towering 630 feet into the sky. Not one life was lost during the construction period.

What Makes a Construction Site Safe?
Scholars estimate that 27,500 people died in the process of building the Panama Canal. Some died from illnesses while others perished from construction accidents. Since that time, there has been a serious shift in the way certain buildings are constructed. In the early 1970s, personal protective equipment (PPE) standards went into effect. Nearly two decades later, after discovering that workers continued to be injured whether or not they were wearing PPE, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revised the standards to reflect changing construction methods. The standards include guidelines for various protections including head, foot, hand and eye and face along with general requirements of worksites.

There are different methods that are used when constructing different types of buildings. Hardhats and utility vests are standard procedure for most construction sites. For skyscrapers, guardrails are sometimes placed around dangerous corners to prevent falls and tether lines are used to keep welders and workers from falling to their deaths. But what about single story buildings? There really is no need for tether lines or large pieces of machinery for building the structure. Smaller construction sites still have to play it safe. Each worker still have towear colored vests for safety. In addition, workers may be required to wear steel-toed boots to keep their feet from being crushed and, like every project, there are regular inspections that take place to make sure each step of the process meets the coded standard. Job site construction safety is very important, and looking back on history, it’s easy to see why.

As freeways continue to expand and dazzling buildings continue to reach for the heavens, it’s important to remember the human cost of our modern construction marvels and take every step to keep them as low as possible in the future.

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Prolec’s PME Launch, first off the grid

At the release, Prolec targeted safety, highlighting PME as an elegant replacement its legendary Liftwatch and Heightwatch product lines. Visitors bore witness to demonstrations on a Hitachi ZX130 excavator alongside the Launch Pad building, with real-time machine positional data beamed wirelessly to screens inside the building, replicating the operator’s ruggedized touch-screen display installed in the cab.

PME sits at the heart of the new modular Prolec Safety Controller and uses core software to process sensor data and model exact machine positional references. Visitors to the launch at Donington were able to see this first-hand. By processing specific machine data to produce generic metrics irrespective of a machine’s application, PME permits far greater flexibility in installation and machine operation, helping to drive down costs and improve productivity.

This also means that the Prolec Safety Controller can be installed on virtually any piece of construction plant to instantly deliver access to a range of advanced safety solutions. Typical applications include cranes, truck mounted cranes, forklifts and telescopic handlers, excavators and backhoes, ADT and wheeled loader weighing, straddle cranes, scrap handlers, mowers and flails.

Gary Tuffy, Sales &Marketing Director at Prolec, is delighted with the reception PME received from visitors to the launch. “The day was a great success,” claims Tuffy. “The sun shone on us for most of the day as we ran countless live customer demonstrations on the Hitachi excavator outside, while those inside enjoyed refreshments, watched live action metrics beamed to our plasma screens and engaged in discussions with our Prolec engineering experts. Even when the rain set in mid-afternoon, we had huddles of customers beneath brollies surrounding the excavator – such was the level of fascination, which tells me that we have another winning safety solution ready to redefine the market.”

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Corinth Canal

Name: Corinth Canal
Location: Greece
Date Completed: 1882
Length: 4 miles
Images: Altavista collections; Google collections
Facts:The construction started in AD 67 but ceased and finally completed in 1882. The canal is a 4-mile cutting with an average depth of 190 feet.

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Bridgewater Canal

Name: Bridgewater Canal
Location: UK
Date Completed: 1763
Length:
Images: Altavista collections; Google collections
Facts:The Bridgewater Canal is one of the oldest commercial canals in the UK and is still one of the most advanced.

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