Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas

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Green Deal Opportunities for Property Professionals

Dave Inman talks to Green Deal expert Jonny Murton about opportunities for property professionals, including Chartered Surveyors with the Green Deal on 16th October 2012.

 

Read my #rail #environmental management article in the latest edition of Rail Connect

http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1y4nn/RailCONNECTEdition3/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=

 

RICS members welcome at @UCLan #construction recruitment fair in #Preston. @RICSNews @RICS North

UCLan Construction Recruitment Fair　

17 October, 2012, 1:30pm to 3:30pm, Harris Building first floor

This is a unique opportunity to meet employers and discuss opportunities for placements during your degree, and/or employment after graduation.

All students from Quantity Surveying, Construction Project Management, Building Services Engineering, Building Surveying, Architectural Technology and Architecture are invited to attend.

 

For further information contact Futures

01772 895858 email futures@uclan.ac.uk

or the School of Built and Natural Environment

01772 893210 email schoolbne@uclan.ac.uk 

 

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Free webinar on Environmental Spill Response and Emergency Planning

Emergency prepareness and response, including testing this, is a requirement of the ISO 14001 environmental management standard, plus makes good business sence.

This webinar discusses some easy to use techniques on how to do this

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJwFZrVzmtA&feature=share&list=UUh3ArqAPK2wFFn_na9bjIaA

#Environmental & #Waste Management Explained- Half Day course in Burnley- Fri 26th October

QHS Solutions Ltd are hosting a half day Environmental & Waste Management Explained course in Burnley on Friday 26th October.

 

Delivered by Chartered Environmental Surveyor and Chartered Environmentalist David Inman, of Blackburn based environmental consultants DIEM Ltd, this course will give sensible and practical expert advice on reducing environmental and waste management risks and potential costs, plus demystify some common environmental challenges that businesses face today.

 

For more details and to book please contact Alison at QHS Solutions on:

01282 839103

Email, info@qhs-solutions.com

 

The Virgin Trains revolution got it right

I've got to say that I'm very disappointed that Virgin Trains lost the West Coast Main Line (WCML) franchise as a regular user.

When they took over the franchise, they inherited out of date rolling stock running on out of date infrastructure.

As someone who worked on West Coast Route Modernisation (WCRM) on PWay, OLE & civils projects, I saw at first hand the engineering challenge of carrying our "open heart surgery" as Network Rail say of such work on Victorian infrastructure.

I worked on WCRM under the days of Railtrack and sadly the Pendolino's so admirably sought by Virgin Trains to replace the Class 86, 87 and 90 electric traction on WCML never has had the opportunity to run at it's design speed on 140mph due to problems within Railtrack.

OK, the "Voyager" class 220 and 221 do not come up to the HST sets they replaced, but Virgin revolutionised service levels from one which was pretty poor to being customer focused.

They also changed the way people think about ticketing. Yes, some of the walk on fares are very expensive, but they are for airlines too. For planned journeys off peak, even first class travel is very affordable.

My main worry with the next WCML franchise holder, First, is that the great customer service levels will be cut.  I enjoy the first class lounge at London Euston and have spent many a productive hour working from there waiting for trains and then having complimentary food onboard makes business trips to London, if planned in advance, affordable and efficient.

So, on reflection, the red revolution of Virgin changed attitudes of service and punctuality from some awful standards and via a painful experience of providing services through WCRM and the Railtrack blanket speed restrictions post-Hatfield. I hope First West Coast can meet these standards and hope all Virgin staff who have delivered this service retain their jobs with the new franchise holder.

RICS Lancashire Local Association/RICS Rural & Commercial Local Networks & Green Drinks Lancashire joint networking event.

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Testing your emergency environmental planning arrangements

Is your organisation is responsible for storing and transporting materials that could cause pollution if they leak or are spilt, such as

•       diesel

•       oil

•       chemicals?

 

If so have you prepared an environmental incident response plan?

 

I’ve been working a construction client in this area to reduce their risk and meet the requirements of ISO 14001:2004.

 

You may want to carry out and emergency response planning exercise which can cover:

• identifying sources of pollution
• causes of spillages
• internal procedures for spill management
• responsibilities on site for spill control
• equipment for spill control
• managing spills
• the subsequent clean up.

 

Testing the plan can take the form of:

• deploying spill equipment to show staff what to do under controlled conditions
• do a desk top exercise where a spill scenario on a site is discussed by staff, with in a group or one to one 

 

Items included in your exercise will be site specific but can include typically:

• Identify the location and type of site drains from both drawings & on site information
• Review your site drainage plan
• Review then brief staff to chemicals and substances on site including COSHH requirements
• Use of diesel plant and plant nappy/drip dray use
• Security risk of keeping fuel on site and how to prevent theft
• Review and brief staff on refuelling & chemical use, plus confirm authorisation to do so
• After checking contents, brief staff to location and type of spill kit on site
• Review and brief staff on arrangements for safe and compliance disposal of used spill kits as hazardous waste

 

 

Don’t forget to create a record of what was discussed and who attended. 

 

For work with my client, I’ve videoed one spill response test session in order to make a training video for them. So, there are lots of ways, but please ensure that you know your environmental risks, minimise them and prepare for the unexpected as spills and leaks can

• cause environmental damage which can result in prosecution
• lead to civil claims
• give loss of reputation
• affect you winning work

The good case for saving energy on a construction sites

I'm noticing recently a slow improvement of energy saving measures on construction sites.  For example I've attached a photograph of a sensor activated hot water tap. Many clients ask for energy saving examples, so please explore the options when ordering site accommodation for energy saving measures such as light sensors, timers for heating, alternative heating sources (to diesel) and LED lighting.

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Poll says 71% of surveyors & environmental professionals say "Yes" to HS2

Thanks to all who responded to my poll for

"Are you in favour or against the new High Speed 2 rail link in the UK?".

The total result was

Yes to HS2 126 (71%)

No to HS2 52 (29%)

 

The results are interested and varied between the groups I invited to participate on Linkedin:

Linkedin group "Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors"

Yes 98 (70%), No 42 (30%)

 

Linkedin group "RICS Sustainability"

Yes 9 (90%), No 1 (10%)

 

Linkedin group "IEMA - Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment"

Yes 19 (67%), No 9 (32%)

Free webinar - The 8 Principles of Quality Management

This free webinar gives a brief introduction to the 8 principles of quality management.

Was your fuel secure this weekend?

The rise in fuel prices in the UK may result in an increase of thefts of fuel nationwide.

 

Did your organization know it’s fuel was stored safely out of hours over this weekend?

 

Fuel theft does not only cost firms and organizations money, but if the theft causes a pollution incident by releasing diesel this could result in prosecution, civil claims and loss of reputation which may affect firms winning new work.

 

Measures which may reduce the risk of fuel theft are:

ü Keep fuel bowsers locked at all times

ü Keep smaller fuel caddies in locked stores (if safe to do so)

ü Lock fuel bowsers in a steel container or outbuilding (if safe to do so)

ü Consider fitting a hitch lock to bowers to prevent them being removed from site

ü Keep keys for fuel bowsers secure

ü Consider erecting a fence around refuelling areas to shield from view

 

Sussex Police Service provide some good advice on preventing fuel and oil theft at:

 

http://www.sussex.police.uk/advice-and-support/crime-prevention/fuel-and-oil-theft/

 

 

Remember report any suspicious activity in your area to your local police station

 

Unpredictable climate changes

As you can notice in the UK, our climate rapidly changes. From winter like conditions yesterday to full summer today.

Please take heed & plan ahead for weather changes and extremes.

Check on the EA website in England & Wales whether you are in an area of flood risk for when the weather changes quickly and flash floods arise. Sign up to free flood alerts if you are at risk as it's likely only to get worse.

Also, start thinking about adapting long term to the effects of climate change as many already are.

London 2012 Olympic Torch comes to Formby

The DIEM Ltd Merseyside Office in formby pauses activity to support the Olympic Torch passing through the village.

We are delighted to have won the #SmartSocial Award incentive on Twitter run by @MarketmeTV

The DIEMLtdTV video channel on YouTube at www.youtube.com/diemltdtv has helped us win a Smart Social Award. We both enjoy making these videos and feel it helps us give something back to the global business community.

Making videos can be done with an ordinary digital camera which has video mode and software you can get free with a PC. Why not give it a go.

Videos can also be used for site inspections as well as communicating, so why not give it a try. Please get in touch if you need help with this.

What Twitter has done to me

Having recently been ranked as 1st in The Construction Network's RICS Chartered Surveyors on Twitter, Ive reflected on what Twitter has meant to me:

 

T - Timely

W - Worldwide

I - Instant

T - Transparent

T - Timesaving

E - Economical

R - Responsive

 

Thanks to all who have followed @DIEMLtd

RICS Chartered Surveyors on Twitter #tCnRICS100 list can be found at:

http://www.peerindex.com/tcntweets/group/tcnrics100_top_50_chartered_surveyors_on_twitter?auto=1

“Environment and Waste Management Explained” course 25 May 2012

QHS Solutions and DIEM Ltd  Environmental Consultants, have worked together for several years delivering related services.   Our firms share the same values in the delivery of high quality and cost effective services to Client.

 

We are now offering this new half day   

“Environment and Waste Management Explained”

course on Friday 25th May from 0930 to 1230 in Burnley.

 

Course Aims

This half day course is designed and delivered by Environmental Consultants DIEM Ltd to enable delegates to understand Environment and Waste management systems and legal requirements to help give your business the environmental advantage.

 

Course Content

·         Introduction to the environment –

·         Managing our environment,

·         ISO 14001 Environmental Management and supply chains and includes:·        

o   Winning work with good environmental management

o   PAS 91

o   Sustainable procurement

o   PAS 2030 (including introduction to the Green Deal)

 

Part 1: Environmental management on sites  - Minimising the risks:

·         Noise & vibration

·         Waste (brief overview - full waste training to follow)

·         Contaminated land

·         Water

·         Dust and Air quality

·         Ecology

·         Spill incidents  

·         Organising for site work

 

This section culminates with a short multiple-choice assessment

 

 

Part 2: Effective waste management

·         What is waste?    

·         Duty of care and legal requirements

·         Handling and storage of waste

·         Pricing for waste

·         Reducing the cost of waste within the law

 

This section concludes with a practical duty of care waste transfer note exercise.

 

A Certificate will be awarded following successful assessment.

 

This training will be delivered by David Inman of DIEM Ltd. David is a Chartered Environmental Surveyor, Chartered Environmentalist and Lead EMS Auditor. Across the UK, he supports companies and organizations ranging from widely known “superbrands” to small family run companies in reaching their environmental management potential.

 

Course fees are just £75.00 per delegate (plus VAT) to include course handouts, certificate and refreshments. 

 

We are expecting a high demand for this course to book, please contact Alison on 01282 839 103 or a.stansfield@QHS-Solutions.com

 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Quantity surveyors – construction’s future sustainability stars

The RICS APC (Assessment of Professional Competency) pathway guide for Quantity Surveying describes the discipline as:

 

Quantity surveyors are the cost managers of construction. They are initially involved with the capital expenditure phase of a building or facility, which is the feasibility, design and construction phases, but they can also be involved with the extension, refurbishment, maintenance and demolition of a facility.

 

They must understand all aspects of construction over the whole life of a building or facility. They must have the ability to manage cost effectively, equating quality and value with individual client needs.

 

 

Looking at the term "cost", QSs hold the key not just to costing financially, but in terms of waste quantities and diverting this from landfill plus more critical, carbon accounting right through projects from design and construction to long term maintenance and eventual disposal.  The information QSs hold is invaluable for analysing material, including waste, quantities and carbon.

 

From a Chartered Environmental Surveyor who interprets and manages carbon, waste and materials data for environmental and sustainability reporting, my advice to trainee QSs is embrace the wider sustainability applications which you skills can unlock and you’ll be the stars of the future.

Green Drinks Lancashire - Ormskirk, 25 May 2012

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Green Drinks Lancashire returns!

Friday 25th May 2012

5:30pm

The Green Room

39 Moor Street, Ormskirk, L39 2AA

Come and join us at this free networking event for likeminded sustainability professionals.

5 mins walk from Ormskirk Railway Station.

Adjacent to Ormskirk bus station which also has ample parking.

Email davidinman@diemltd.co.uk for more information.

Event supported by

• RICS Lancashire Local Association
• Lancashire Construction Best Practice Club
• DIEM Ltd
• Profile Consulting
• Fairsnape

Please register at

http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/3506769843/autohome?ebtv=C

 

Effective networks, not networking for networking's sake

I'm delighted to say that after helping relaunch RICS Lancashire Local Association, our new Linkedin group being at:

http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=4422000&trk=anet_ug_hm

a few likeminded individuals are resurrecting Green Drinks Lancashire, again our Linkedin group page is at:

http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2051847&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

However, we are not doing this in isolation, but in an open and colaborative manner, including other groups such as the Lancashire Construction Best Practice Club.

I think a network of networks can deliver more and duplicate less is we work together and not network to get a headcount or generate profit.

SWMP - not dead yet

The word on the street is that Site Waste Management Plans (SWMP), which are statutory waste management plans for construction projects in England, however they are still with us.

I'm not going into details of SWMP and details can be found at

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/netregs/businesses/construction/62359.aspx

but I'm undecided whether they should end.

On the side who wants rid of SWMPs, their diabolically poor implementation by the previous government, meant that they were a good idea badly implemented. They now have seemed to vary in quality and accuracy across projects which is a shame as they are useful, but they have lost their way and maybe it's time for a new start.

When they were brought out, I attended many (state funded) training sessions which were very poor in quality. Also, they were attended by environmental professionals in the main not estimators, quantity surveyors, designers, project managers and the like. People who cost, agree and drive projects from their conception.

SWMP if done right, ie start at the design phase, have been proven to save projects money, but their mandatory nature can make them a formality instead a chance to save money and identify waste minimisation opportunities starting at design.

They are not dead yet, so why not rethink their potential.

ISO 14001 - get the basics right & the rest will follow

When I with clients being audited for ISO 14001 I pay very good attention to the auditor. This is mainly as a lead EMS auditor I'm interested in seeing how other auditors work, but secondly I'm fascinated about the differences between auditors.

However, what doesn't change is that the have to audit against the clauses of the standard.

Personally, when writing an EMS I like to keep it simple and follow the organisation of the clauses of the standard. I speak to colleagues who look at the activities carried out by the organisation and write the EMS to those. We all must be right if our clients are getting through ISO 14001 accredited certification.

What I have noticed with external auditors that if the EMS manual is in the same order as the standard's clauses, then it's easy for them to follow and can find parts of the manual if only auditing certain clauses of the standard.

I also believe in keeping it simple as all you have to do is meet the minimum requirements of the standard. Now, this sounds defeatist, but being pragmatic you want to meet the requirements as a minimum as diversions into other avenues may distract you from meeting the basic requirements...of the standard you are being audit against.

Often I hear people starting out or thinking of starting ISO 14001 that CSR or sustainability can drive it. Whilst they can, I think get the basic systems and legal requirements right and the rest will follow.

A mindset for Green Deal

Green Deal is coming and whether you are basing your business plans on it or not, it won't go away.

I've recently, in conjunction with Martin Brown of Fairsnape via the Lancashire Construction Best Practice Club have given several talks to construciton professionals about Green Deal and the PAS 2030 standard.

Construction profesisonals I've been talking who are interested in PAS 2030 and Green Deal are preparing to modify their existing practices for them or develop new ones, but I'd say start testing the systems now.

The mindset for Green Deal for installers is to deliver everything PAS 2030 asks for so why not start testing the standard on current projects.

There is professional help from Martin Brown & myself to assist and whilst there are off the shelf software products available, bespoke professional advice is far more beneficial and economic. With some parties saying one to one professional business support is unaffordable, I'd like to say that DIEM Ltd offers affordable professional services which can be tailored to resources available at clients and also existing systems as not to duplicate work.

The king of cycle racks

On my recent visit to Holland I saw the biggest bike rack I've ever seen:

As you can see, this 3 storey monster has quite a few bikes stored on it. It's right next to Amsterdam Centraal railway station and has access to the local network on segregated cycle lanes.

I admit, it's needed in a bike mad and car unfriendly city such as Amsterdam, but compare this to some of the low security and inconvenient bike "racks" in the UK. Unused, unsafe and insecure. One or two projects look OK in the UK such as the Leeds bike hub or the secrure bike storage on Merseyrail, but car is king in the UK which in the last week or panic buying of fuel isn't looking good for the future.

Sustainable transport - that means forget the car

I travelled to Holland with my partner last weekend and in a commuter centre between Amsterdam Centraal Station and Schipol Airport I saw a park and ride which was about 2 Euro per day. The ironic thing was that it was only about a quarter full of cars on a weekday. 

Unlike this, the cycle storage facilities were vast, well used and in good condition.  Why is this? Well, in my opinion the modern, clean public transport is the reason with commuter trains like this:

How ironic that it's the same organisation, Nederlandse Spoorwegen, which operates these trains and some of the shocking commuter stock in the UK under the brand "Abellio" (Northern & Merseyrail are joint ventures with Serco and Greater Anglia).

The Dutch have the mindset and the infrastructure to provide and use good quality public transport, whilst the UK, having minimal cycle facilities and few segregated cycle lanes, view bikes as a dangerous and risky option.

Professional site fashion

For those who have met me, you'll know that my working attire varies greatly.

When in a client office based environment shirt & tie, for clients who don't wear ties, I dont wear one after a few visits. Seminars & professional meetings I wear a suit. Which brings me to the next option, site clothing...

Today Ive been working at a railway depot doing a waste audit with the ppe rule being safety boots. Now,Im not going to lug my pair of lovely broken in #goretex boots in a bag, so I cleaned them up a bit & wore them for the journey. So, Im wearing safety boots, a fetching DIEM polo shirt & work cargo trousers. Accompanied were a DIEM branded rail orange rucksack & DIEM baseball cap (isnt Vistaprint great!).

So I look like a regular working guy, which I am.

Now, I can enjoy myself in the most lofty company or down Ewood WMC before the game but I have never been looked down at like this trip.

Virgin Trains staff have been great, but my fellow 1st clas passengers haven't. Now this isnt a blog about the working class Blackburn lad done good, its just to say I dont care what Im dressed like! Fellow passengers, you should be glad Ive been working on an offtrack rail depot, not a sewage works!

Discombobulated carbon

Heard that the EA are giving free construction carbon calculator training. My response is "why". The calulator is self explanatory and time would be better spent with clients engaging with their supply chains to what benefits it the calculator going to give.

I went to such a supply chain event recently with a client and a main contractor was totally honest in saying carbon was going to win & lose them contracts and their supply chain can help and also reap the rewards in work.

Whilst the EA have been really helpful recently, their staff potentially travelling around delivering seminars reminds me on the waste of money when WRAP delivered halving waste to landfill sessions at 5 star hotels (the buffet was good) and the terrible SWMP workshops years ago.

Its time for public money to be saved and private sector supply chains work together in upskilling staff in carbon calculators as throwing money at it doesnt have commercial sence in still a struggling economy.

Dirty, slow, expensive and uncomfortable. A cautionary tale for rail. #trainpain

I had the most uncomfortable rail journey ever yesterday between Formby and Ramsgreave & Wilpshire (near Blackburn) and I feel I should share my thoughts.

The first leg was actually not too bad on Merseyrail as it was fast, frequent on old but refurbished and clean stock.

I had to change at Southport where things got bad when passengers were shoehorned class 142 Pacer, a train which was not fit for service when new. The train got quite busy and ironically on a train bound for Manchester Airport, passengers with cases coudln't get them down the narrow isle very easily.

The seat was the most uncomfortable I have experienced on public transport and the ride quality was bordering on the terrifying.

Thinkfully I had to change in Bolton when I travelled on a class 150 Sprinter. Whilst more comfortable the unit smelt of urine and it was really dirty.

Why does Merseyrail, owned by the same Serco/Albellio JV keep its trains clean, whilst sister company Northern Rail never clean them? When I mean clean I don't mean pick up some litter, I mean scrub, wash, polish etc. By the layers of dirt and grime "infrequently" is the word I'm going to politely use.

My view is that with Merseyrail being a consession let be the regional travel authority Merseytravel, there are higher service levels than on a franchise let the more standard route.

Sadly the Northern Rail journey passed through many political districts in Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen which rediculously is not in Lancashire.

The only saving grace was that the train was on time, despite it taking 2 hrs 7 mins for a journey I could have driven in 55 mins. Why travel this way, well I want to reduce carbon and also fancied a change from driving, even though my ticket cost over £17.

However, with franchises only being worries about financial penalties for late running trains, there is little apparent focus on passenger compfort.

There needs to be more of a focus on passengers in the North West and not let another franchise on the basis to keep old and work stock on the rails.

I've heard people say travel is about the journey and not the destination, but yesterday I just wanted to get off.

New video - Introduction to PAS 2030:2012 by David Inman MRICS CEnv @DIEMLtd #PAS2030 #greendeal

David Inman MRICS CEnv of @DIEMLtd gives a brief introduction to PAS 2030:2012 at the launch of the @LCBPC Green Deal Club. Link to video is below:

 

New video - Lancashire Green Deal Club Launch & Green Deal Refresher

New video of Martin Brown @fairsnape launching the @LCBPC Green Deal Club in Preston, February 2012. Link to video is below:

 

 

@DIEMLtd mentioned on @IndustryToday about @lcbpc #greendeal club

After attending yesterday's excellent Lancashire Construction Best Practice Club Green Deal Consortium Club launch in Preston, I'm delighted to see DIEM Ltd mentioned in Industry today.

A link to the article by Katie Brown of SMPR is at:

http://www.industrytoday.co.uk/green_deal_industry_today/green-deal-consortia-launch/10239

The event left me with a sence of optimism about the willingness of local firms to explore ways of working together.

#CSR - past volunteering, now social media

After reading an excellent article this morning about CSR, it's amazing how many people rely on volunteering staff time or donating money to try and deliver it.

Yes, giving up some time or supporting charities is fine, but when money and resources are tight look at different and FREE ways to deliver CSR.

One way I've done at giving something back is to publish webinars on Youtube at:

www.youtube.com/diemltdtv

It's free and easy to do, plus I can share environmental knowledge, plus support other organisations.

I've also done it for a Client, where using social media could spread a positive message on a topic, without relying on staff resources or costing a great deal of money (it cost them a couple of hours of my time).

We are not talking THX Dolby Surround HD either, I use a "normal" digital camera and software I got with my PC. The only think extra I use is a tripod, which I got free with a Leica Disto.

Relating to ISO 26000 (Guidance on social responsibility) social media can deliver:

• Understanding social responsibility
• Principles of social responsibility
• Engaging stakeholders
• Giving Guidance on social responsibility core subjects
• Giving guidance on integrating social responsibility throughout an organization

 

In a voluntary manner with social media being the tool for CSR

So, who not give social media for CSR a try.

Spinning plates on the dramatic tour of events

Isn’t it odd how unrelated things remind me of work.  Last night I went to see a Dream Theater concert in Manchester and on the drums was a spinning plates logo from the band’s latest album.  This reminded me how I’m spinning plates and not dropping any as I’m so busy.  

 

This is not meant as a brag as whilst I’m very busy at the moment, there have been periods in the last 6 years I’ve been in business that I haven’t.

 

My message to anyone struggling is keep on in there and be honest to yourself.

 

My advice to myself is to treat every job, even the smallest, as the most important and that if you look after you clients, they look after you.

 

Real environmental KPIs (and not massaging imaginary figures!)

Recently I’ve been doing quite a lot of work with clients to set and monitor environmental KPIs. The actual requirements of ISO 14001:2004 for this are driven by clauses 4.5.1 Monitoring and measurement and 4.3.3 Objectives, targets & programme(s) but it can deliver requirements for: 

 

• 4.3.2 Legal and other requirements eg by meeting client requirements and some legal requirements in implementing the waste hierarchy under the Waste (England & Wales) Regs 2011
• 4.4.4 Documentation/4.5.4 control of records eg KPI records can demonstrate effective planning and operation control
• 4.4.6 Operational control eg KPIs can deliver hard facts to demonstrate control such as waste being diverted from landfill or reduction in carbon
• 4.5.2 Evaluation of compliance eg any legal consents which have to be measured, such as noise or water sampling can have set KPIs set by the regulator
• 4.6 Management review eg KPIs for hard evidence to demonstrate problems or continual improvement.

 So, when setting KPIs think about the goal and what you can achieve, rather than doing it for the sake of it.

 

Common sense for construction carbon

This morning I attended a construction carbon supply chain meeting and presentation with the common sense involved being fantastic. It was run by a main contractor who were showing free (yes FREE!) tools available, namely the EA's construction carbon calculator. The presenter then showed how to use the calculator and someone who has used it gave a case study.

It was a simple as that. No sales, blind alleys or over complication. The session was aimed at subcontractors and I've never seen a room of construction professionals react so well to such a session. I've been to similar ones and they've been over long, over complicated and over sales orientated. Here, it was a main contractor engaging with its supply chain - simple as that. There was no ERDF funding, box ticking or self justification.

So, CSR in this case with the supply chain was to the correct level and I came away feeling as the local construction industry in the North West had been enlightened, not disheartened.

#Greendeal and the @LCBPC balanced view

The impending Green Deal is really whipping some people up into a frenzy, but I've been here before.  Without naming names and these people should have had some professional responsibility, many years ago I attended a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) and Home Information Packs (HIPs) briefing where these persons were saying you could earn £150 per energy assessment and do up to 8 a day.

I knew at the time that these fees were way off the mark and qualified as a DEA expecting a sensible rate, in line with other work I do. Well, lots of people were whipped into a frenzy and bitterly disappointed when there was little work, which was down to the housing market's problems and the disgraceful management of and dithering with the scheme of the last government.  People got trained, then it was delayed by the politicians, but wages needed to be paid. In the meantime, until some more stringent quality approval arrangement were brought in, which actually penalises the ones who do things properly, there were people doing a DEA for as low as £30 (minus about £7 lodgement fee for the report, travel etc which doesn't leave much profit) and stories about people doing them over the telephone and Google maps.

That wasn't meant to be a rant, but set the scene to where we are today with Green Deal.  As someone thinking of applying to be a assessor, it's difficult to write a business plan as nobody knows how much certificaiton will cost, or will the market be swamped by people looking for a fast profit, or assessments being done as a loss leader, making the small firm or sole practictioner be cast adrift.

I was very pleased that RICS addressed some key problems of impartiality of assessors and other factors in their consultation response to DECC (available from www.rics.org and a very good read), but it is an unknown and people do feel slightly lost.

Yes there are Green Deal web domains registered, but the quality of content varies greatly and some could be deemed to lack transparancy on some websites in terms of ownership and professional standards. 

I'm most encouraged about an initiative launching locally to me in the North West by Lancashire Construction Best Practice Club who are looking at setting up a Green Deal Club which will bring interested parties together at UCLan in Preston on 22 February 2012. More details can be found at:

http://greendealclublcbpc.eventbrite.com

I'm very enthusiatic about this Green Deal Club as it's not suggesting any immediate answers, but are going to address the unknowns and the solutions as they happen in an open, balanced and honest environment.

The only certainty the club is offering is that Green Deal will happen and Construction organisations wanting to become involved in this, and maybe other eco refurbishment schemes, will need accredited certification to PAS 2030, which the club will be looking into giving support.

So, there are more questions than answers with Green Deal, but I'm convinced that we can seek the answers more effectively working together rathern than in isolation.

Higher prices for older trains

With the recent annual fare rises and some Train Operating Companies (TOCs) replacing their trains with older stock (eg Northern's most modern train, the Class 158 being replaced by much inferior stock), should passengers pay less for travelling on less comfortable trains?

The question is that whilst some TOCs have investment as part of the franchise, others have the mission of running the same old clapped out stock for as long as they can, such as the eternally hated "Pacers".

I've posted this question on Quora at:

http://www.quora.com/Should-train-companies-charge-less-for-travelling-on-older-trains

This also posts the question should the seat price reflect the location on train. I'm the only person who seems to like the Class 390 "Pendolino" but I had a journey in 1st class the other week in seat 06, which is right over the bogie. Whilst is wasn't the bone shaking experience of some of the provicial services, it was offputting as I could feel every track alignment problem but maybe that's because once a relayer, always a relayer (which means I'm ex-PWay in another life working on the track renewals) as the video below shows:

First environmental site good practice pictures of 2012

Please click on link below to see photos of good environmental practice on site during January 2012.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/diemltd/sets/72157629073540949/

Environmental Auditing Blog 2012

After my first batch of construction site environmental auditing for 2012, it's reassuring that the number of construction related activities has slimmed to a trickle.  By working with site managers, sometimes over several years, their environmental awareness has grown without sending them on courses which takes them away from sites and can be expensive.

I've also noticed a more open approach of sites wanting to approach regulators, their clients and internal management about environmental issues, which indicated increased awareness.

Environmental specialist still need to give support and take pressure off sites, but working together, rather than the "healty & safety police" is the way to go and has worked well with some of the long relationships I've developed with clients, some not into their 6th year.

Environmental information blockers

Whilst the construction industry is talking about BIM and modern ways of project information management, it seems that environmental informaiton can still get stuck in the system.

How many environmental professionals do I meet who struggle to get hold of ecology surveys or GI reports. 

So, when looking at information management on a project, please don't forget to include environmental reports as exemptions and definately consents from regulators can take time and can be show stoppers if not done correct.

Clocking up the miles

I can't say this forthcoming week is going to be relaxing as my intenerary is:

Monday -  Rochdale

Tuesday - London

Wednesday - Warwick

Thursday - south Kent

Friday - Suffolk

in both meetings, direct client work and site audits.  However, except the London trip, I'm driving due to the remote nature of the destinations.  Talking to clients, we all seem to be travelling more and more.

I know that in the 6 years I've been in business, it was high milage for the first 2, then for 2 I managed to shrink work geographically and now it's back to the high miles.

However the work gets done, but I do think we should be looking towards video conferencing, which many still seem scared of. The technology is there and we should embrace it, such as for training. Later this year I will be teaching surveying students online using quire cheap, yet powerful software. This offers low carbon, low cost, time friendly learning.

Valued help

Everyone is scared of the Environment Agency (EA). To be honest I find their guidance OK, albeit some a little wordy and their website not the easiest, plus help is quite prescriptive.

My advice is don't bury your head in the sand, especially if you are working in on or over rivers, contact the EA. The Agency seem happy to help once you get through to the right department.

So, why not give them a try to avoid them visiting you as a result of pollution, which is often the result of poor planning.

HS2 -let's be bold

Let's get this straight, Britain's railways are no longer the music hall joke which they were.  We have a rail industry in growth with ongoing development and improvements like we've never seen since Victorian times.

OK, there are problems such as with fare increases, train operating companies not performing to the level of their profit, train orders not being placed in UK and freight being shifted away from wagonload traffic. However, I think we are in a true renaissance with our rail industry.

We've had a few periods when we nearly got there, first with British Rail under the astute leadership of Sir Peter Parker. The Intercity 125 project was a huge success and sets are still in front line service today. Sadly the APT was so close to being a revolution and despite the huge disappointment, the technology developments developed were vital to modern traction.

Privatisation was a new dawn, yet so flawed losing much knowledge, staff goodwill and technology development which British Rail excelled in.  Despite this, safety and maintenance issues led to two tragic major incidents andccaused the fall of Railtrack. Also, delivery of major projects were at doubt. Having seen at first hand working on it, the disorganised overspend on the West Coast Route Modernisation, it was so positive that the Channel Tunnel Rail Link was such as success as a project, with related works such as the St Pancras modernisation, gave the rail industry the shot in the arm it needed.

The railways are responsible for some of Britain's most famous architectural statements and these are are added to with developments related to existing rail infrastructure, such as The Shard at London Bridge Station.

The High Speed 2 project has the potential to become the iconic civil engineering legacy of our age. This built on the now proven major project delivery of the rail industry with CTRL and Crossrail.

Let's be bold, lets be brave and go for HS2.  The job creation, supply chain opportunities and GDP growth are vast, plus get the nation moving again.

Whilst the land take with any construction projects has an environmental impact, the benefits of lower carbon travel in getting people anf freight off roads is vital.  The major offshoot would be increasing freight and local commuter capacity of the WCML.

The WCML is at full capacity and built on Victorian infrastructure. Despite the huge success of the Pendolino in service, sadly with the 125mph line speed as opposed to the 140mph original planned and scrapped due to construction overspend, without huge disruption in closing the line during the realignment of the curved track and resignalling, a further modernisation will not give much extra capacity.

The benefits to the ECML will be realised also if HS2 is extended to Leeds as well as Manchester and hopfully Scotland. The line has to be be extended past Birmingham, that is why the intial HS2 construction has got to be a success.

So, lets go for HS2 as it makes environmental, social plus short and long term economic sence.

An introduction to the RICS APC Graduate Routes 1 & 2 - January 2012

Highlights of 2011

Best album
1. Opeth Heritage
2. Dream Theater A Dramatic Turn of Events
3. Black Country Communion Black Country Communion 2

Best film
1. No number 1 - haven't seen that many new films in 2011
2. The Inbetweeners Movie
3. Paul

Best concert
1. Roger Waters- The Wall (Manchester MEN)
2. Rush - Time Machine Live (Manchester MEN)
3. Black Country Communion - High Voltage Festival (Victoria Park,London)

Best professional achievements
1. Still here & trading
2. Passing Chartered Environmentalist qualification via RICS
3. Passing random RICS firms regulation audit

Personal highlights
1. Getting engaged
2. Cruise on MS Liberty of the Sea around the Med
3. Getting over swine flu!

Disappointments of 2011
1. Venkys
2. Steve Kean
3. Swine flu affecting my health for 6 months