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1. NORTHERN IRELAND’S No.1 CONSTRUCTION MAGAZINE
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SPECIFY is the official publication for the
Construction Employers Federation
NOVEMBER 2016
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54
64
DIGEST
Graham Construction selected for £4bn P22 government healthcare framework
DIGEST
Co-Ownership Housing Secures £165m in funding through private finance
DIGEST
The twentieth Facilities Management conference is launched at Stormont
SAFETY AT HEIGHT
Incorporating height safety in building design with Kingspan
SPECIFY CEF AWARDS
For the second year running, OHMG take the top award, this time for the
Windsor Park National Football Stadium
JOHN SIMPSON
A prioritised capital programme is critical for the new Programme for
Government to succeed
McALEER & RUSHE
Paul Marlow takes the top UK wide Construction Manager of theYear Award
DIGEST
Keystone is honoured by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and wins prestigious
award
CITB
The Leader in Construction programme draws to a close
DRAINAGE
Stormcrate provides a line of defence against flooding
INTERVIEW
Specify talks to Michael Howe of 2020 Architects
INTERVIEW
Mark Graham, the new Chief Executive of Co-Ownership Housing
73
82
5. contents |05
11 DIGEST
The twentieth Facilities
Management conference is
launched at Stormont
06 DIGEST
Graham Construction selected
for £4bn P22 government
healthcare framework
36 JOHN SIMPSON
A prioritised capital
programme is critical for the
new Programme for Government
to succeed
• Tailored energy solution
• Full design service
• Technical support and guidance
• 24-hour emergency call out
calorgas.ie
We provide CPD courses. TO FIND OUT MORE Visit calorgas.ie
• Email cpd@calorgas.ie • Contact: 028 9045 5588
Angel Lane
Page 41
CEF / SPECIFY AWARDS
Page 18
6. 06| digest
Graham Construction selected for £4bn P22
government healthcare framework
Graham Construction
has been awarded a
place on ProCure22 (P22),
the government’s £4bn
construction procurement
framework for delivering
NHS and social care
capital schemes in
England. The framework
commences this month
and will run for four years.
The Department of Health
has appointed Graham as one
of six Principal Supply Chain
Partners (PSCPs), along with Kier,
Interserve, Galliford Try, BAM and
IHP (a joint venture between Vinci
and Sir Robert McAlpine).
P22 is the third iteration of
the framework that provides the
NHS with the tools to deliver
improved estate performance
while lowering construction
and maintenance costs.This
new framework is designed to
further drive increased efficiency
and productivity, streamline
the procurement process and
produce stronger partnerships
between clients, PSCPs and
supply chains – all with the aim
of supporting enhanced clinical
outputs for patients and better
environments for staff and visitors.
Keith Hayes, Healthcare
Director at GRAHAM
Construction, said: “With the
P22 framework focusing on
quality, value, cost certainty,
collaboration, standardisation and
a drive for efficiency savings, we
are confident that the knowledge
and experience gained from our
extensive ongoing healthcare
portfolio will help further enhance
its outcomes.
“We’re
looking forward
to working with
the Department
of Health and
our PSCM
and PSCP
colleagues once
the framework
comes into
place.The
combination of
the GRAHAM
regional office
network,
carefully assembled specialist
supply chain members, BIM focus
and extensive experience across
the full spectrum of healthcare
facilities means we will be able
to help NHS clients successfully
deliver improvements across their
estates and ultimately contribute
to optimum outcomes for patients
and staff.”
£150 London
contract
announced
The London Borough of
Barnet has appointed Graham
Construction as its Partner for
its £150m portfolio of major
works on a five-year basis (with
the option to be extended
to 7 years).The works will
include the enhancement of
education, community, leisure
and operational assets across the
borough.
Graham Construction will
now deliver both improvements
and new build works as part of
the council’s Capital Projects
pipeline.The work will be carried
out across the next five years
and will begin with two already
approved leisure centre schemes
and school developments.
Barnet is the most populated
borough in London and the
framework aims to deliver a
broader and more varied range
of facilities that will include new
schools, leisure centres and
community centres to meet
the needs of a growing and
increasingly diverse community.
Murdock Builder’s Merchants Acquires the
Merchanting Division of FR Cathcart in Enniskillen
Murdock Builder’s
Merchants, which has
branches across Northern
Ireland and in Dublin, has
acquired the merchanting
division of FR Cathcart Ltd
in Enniskillen, bringing its
total number of branches
to twelve.
FR Cathcart Ltd, which has
successfully operated as a family
business since 1972, is widely
regarded as one of Northern
Ireland’s leading independent
suppliers of building materials.
The acquisition offers a
strategic opportunity for the
Newry-based Murdock group to
extend its reach across Northern
Ireland where it already has nine
branches, as well as two outlets
in Dublin. The move will also
enable Murdock’s to enhance its
service levels across the west
of the province by providing its
customers in the border counties
with a local collection and delivery
point.
Twelve existing members of
FR Cathcart staff are transferring
over to Murdock’s as part of the
acquisition agreement, joining the
company’s 300-strong workforce.
Ann Morgan, Murdock’s CEO
said “This investment offers
new challenges and positive
opportunities for all of our
customers and staff. We feel
privileged to bring such a well-
respected family-owned company
as FR Cathcart Ltd into the
Murdock Builders Merchants
Group and are grateful to Richard
and Roisin Cathcart for all their
assistance and cooperation
through the acquisition process.
“With the deal complete we
look forward to working with the
team at the Enniskillen branch and
in particular to building upon their
previous success.”
Richard Cathcart also
commented:“The Cathcart family
is confident that this is the right
time to hand over the reins of
the merchanting division of FR
Cathcart Ltd to Murdock Builder’s
Merchants.
“We are extremely proud
of the business that we have
built up since 1972 and the
wonderful staff relationships that
have been developed over those
years. Looking to the future, our
priority was to take the business
to the next level, so it was vital
that we found an independently-
owned and progressively-minded
company such as Murdock’s
to take over our merchanting
division.
“We wish all our employees and
our customers continued success
with Murdock’s and thank them
for their loyalty and friendship
over the past years.”
06| digest
The right job can transform a person’s life and the right
person can transform an organisation, we’re experts at
matching both in construction management.
CONCRETE
FUTURES Find out more at hays.co.uk/ni
NI-9402 Specify Strip Ads.indd 1 20/08/2014 16:45
Harvey Group acquires Solmatix as part of 5 year
growth plan in UK and Ireland.
Newtownabbey-based
M&E services company,
Harvey Group, has acquired
Northern Ireland renewable
energy specialists, Solmatix
Renewables in a move the
companies say will transform
the renewable energy sector
in Northern Ireland and act
as a springboard for further
expansion into the multi-
million pound UK and Ireland
renewable energy markets.
The acquisition, for an
undisclosed sum, will bring to 110
the number of people employed
directly by the Harvey Group in
Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
With a turnover of £30 million
and over 80 staff, Harvey Group
has over 30 years’ experience
in the design, installation and
maintenance of building services
within every conceivable kind of
building type throughout NI, GB
and RoI, including Pharmaceutical/
Cleanrooms, Laboratories,
Education, Government and
Healthcare . Richard and Norah-
Anne Bell founded Solmatix
Renewables in 2008, and since then
the company has grown to achieve a
turnover of £6 million, with 30 staff
operating from its Nutt’s Corner
premises.
As a result of the deal, Solmatix
will continue to operate as an
autonomous and independent
company within Harvey Group
Brian Harvey, managing director
of Harvey Group, said there was
a perfect fit between the two
organisations.
“We have been planning to
grow our renewables involvement
for some time, either organically
or through the acquisition of an
established player. Having worked
with Solmatix Renewables on
a number of contracts, we’d
always been impressed with
their engineering rigour and
professionalism. In fact, there seemed
to be a natural synergy between
our two companies in terms of
what we do and how we do it. I
approached Richard Bell about a
year ago to float the idea of our
companies coming together, but only
if there was a good fit. After careful
consideration we both agreed
that this would indeed be mutually
beneficial. From my perspective,
having Solmatix as part of Harvey
Group gives us a level of expertise
that would have taken us years to
acquire otherwise.
“Harvey Group and Solmatix
share similar values, by which I mean
our commitment to professionalism,
our desire to deliver our services to
the very highest standards, and the
importance we place on treating our
customers, our suppliers and our staff
with courtesy and consideration.”
Richard Bell, the founder and
managing director of Solmatix
Renewables described the acquisition
as great news for Solmatix, its
customers, suppliers and staff.
“In many respects, it’s a case
of ‘business as usual’. However, in
real terms, being part of this larger
organisation will give us access to
enhanced technical skills, financial
resources and purchasing power.
Ultimately I believe this will lead
to greater growth and investment
within our operations, as well as
more jobs and job security. It’s a
win-win relationship that’s good
for our whole organisation, as
well as the economy of Northern
Ireland.“
Celebrating the acquisition (from left) Norah-Anne Bell, Richard Bell, Brian Harvey, Gareth
Booth (Financial Controller, Harvey Group).
NI M&E services company acquires renewable energy specialists
Lisburn firm TAL awarded the first major construction
contract at Randox Science Park
WItH a reputation for
excellence in constructing high
quality projects,tAL Limited
has been awarded a significant
contract (£3.1m) by global
medical diagnostics company
Randox.
This initial contract is for the
construction of a new facility for
production of Randox’s pioneering
medical diagnostic products and will
also include associated administrative
functions. The works are the first
phase of a major capital expenditure
project by Randox to develop the
former Massereene Army Barracks
into ‘Randox Science Park’ – a
futuristic R&D and manufacturing
facility. The award-winning,
international biotechnology firm,
unveiled its plans for an innovative
hub on the 43 acre site earlier this
year.
Welcoming the announcement,
Damien Hughes, Director of TAL
Limited commented:“We are
delighted to have been awarded
this contract with Randox, one of
Northern Ireland’s most dynamic
and exciting businesses on a local
and global level. Through the quality
of our work and the dedication and
professionalism of our team TAL has
steadily grown over the last 34 years
and this contract award reinforces
the strength of our expertise in the
healthcare sector.”
The project will be delivered
to BIM level 2 in partnership
with the design team Ostick and
Williams Architects, Rainey & Best,
Doran Consulting, Delap & Waller
Consulting Engineers and Charles
Hutchison Consulting.
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing
Director at Randox commented:“The
development of Randox Science
Park is core to our plans to create
innovative diagnostics, to improve
manufacturing efficiency to export
high-value healthcare capabilities to
world markets. This state-of-the-art
premises will become a centre of
cutting-edge research, development
and diagnostic manufacture, covering
conditions such as cancer, stroke and
heart disease. We will also provide a
significant boost to the local economy
through new job creation. We very
much look forward to working with
TAL on this initial contract to deliver
the high quality infrastructure we
require.”
Keith Hayes, Healthcare Director at Grahams
7. |07digest
Co-Ownership Housing secures
£165m in funding
Co-Ownership Housing,
Northern Ireland’s primary
provider of shared
ownership has secured
£165m to invest in the
provision of 2,800 homes
over four years. This will
enable up to 4,000 people
to get on the property
ladder and will support the
creation of new jobs in the
construction sector.
£65m has been raised
through private finance from
Bank of Ireland.This new facility
complements Co-Ownership
Housings’ existing government
funding of £100m financial
transactions capital (FTC) from
the Department for Communities.
Combined, this is one of the
largest finance deals in Northern
Ireland and represents a real
investment in people and the local
economy.
“Co-Ownership is a brand
that is trusted
by customers
and mortgage
providers alike,”
said Mark Graham,
chief executive,
Co-Ownership
Housing.“To date
we have helped over
26,000 households
onto the property
ladder, and we know
the difference the
scheme is making
in people’s lives.
Our work couldn’t
continue without the
financial support from
the Department for Communities
and Bank of Ireland.This funding
allows us to continue to support
lower income households,
particularly first time buyers, to
realise their aspirations of owning
their own home.”
The Co-Ownership scheme
is aimed at first time buyers and
others returning to the market
who could not otherwise afford
to buy a home on their own.
Home buyers choose their own
property up to the value of
£150,000, anywhere in Northern
Ireland.They buy a starter share in
the value of their home between
50% to 90% and pay rent on
the remaining share, significantly
less rent than they would pay on
the open market. Purchasers can
then increase their share in the
property at any time in part or in
full to own their home outright, a
process known as staircasing.
HABINTEG HOUSING ASSOCIATION ACQUIRES 24
NEW HOMES IN CARRICK FROM HAGAN HOMES
Hagan Homes has
completed the construction
of 24 new homes in Scotch
Quarter, Carrickfergus
and Habinteg Housing
Association has acquired
the development for
£2.3million.
Construction at the 0.46 acres
development of 1 and 2 bedroom
apartments started in November
2015.
Jamesy Hagan, Managing
Director, Hagan Homes,
commented on the development
and the positive impact it will have
on the local community:
“The previous owners of
the Scotch Quarter site in
Carrickfergus had started
construction in 2008 but
unfortunately had to suspend
all development due to the
property crash. This meant that
the site became an eyesore in a
prominent location in the town.
“When Hagan Homes acquired
the site and started work on it in
2015 the local community reacted
positively. They recognised that
Hagan Homes builds affordable,
quality, stylish homes and that
we achieve this by appointing
award-winning architects, interior
designers and craftspeople.”
Discussing the acquisition of
the Scotch Quarter development
Andrew Corkill, Development
Manager, Habinteg Housing
Association said:
“Habinteg is an ambitious and
expanding organisation with
in excess of 2,000 properties
currently in management.We aim
to build or purchase high quality
housing in areas of high housing
need.The purchase of the Scotch
Quarter development for active
elderly accommodation helps us
realise our vision through reducing
the housing need in this area and
strengthening the community by
providing “Homes for All”.
The main contractor for
the Scotch Scotch Quater
development was Warrenpoint
the Scotch Quarter development
was Warrenpoint based Eden
Contractors Ltd.
Pictured are: Mark Graham, CEO, Co-Ownership Housing with Ian Sheppard, Regional Director NI,
Bank of Ireland and Minister for Communities, Paul Givan MLA
Pictured are Katrina Smyth, Development Manager, Habinteg Housing Association;
Jamesy Hagan, Managing Director, Hagan Homes; Darren McKinney, Chief
Executive, Habinteg Housing Association; and Andrew Corkhill, Development
Manager, Habinteg Housing Association.
06| digest
The right job can transform a person’s life and the right
person can transform an organisation, we’re experts at
matching both in construction management.
CONCRETE
FUTURES Find out more at hays.co.uk/ni
NI-9402 Specify Strip Ads.indd 1 20/08/2014 16:45
Harvey Group acquires Solmatix as part of 5 year
growth plan in UK and Ireland.
Newtownabbey-based
M&E services company,
Harvey Group, has acquired
Northern Ireland renewable
energy specialists, Solmatix
Renewables in a move the
companies say will transform
the renewable energy sector
in Northern Ireland and act
as a springboard for further
expansion into the multi-
million pound UK and Ireland
renewable energy markets.
The acquisition, for an
undisclosed sum, will bring to 110
the number of people employed
directly by the Harvey Group in
Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
With a turnover of £30 million
and over 80 staff, Harvey Group
has over 30 years’ experience
in the design, installation and
maintenance of building services
within every conceivable kind of
building type throughout NI, GB
and RoI, including Pharmaceutical/
Cleanrooms, Laboratories,
Education, Government and
Healthcare . Richard and Norah-
Anne Bell founded Solmatix
Renewables in 2008, and since then
the company has grown to achieve a
turnover of £6 million, with 30 staff
operating from its Nutt’s Corner
premises.
As a result of the deal, Solmatix
will continue to operate as an
autonomous and independent
company within Harvey Group
Brian Harvey, managing director
of Harvey Group, said there was
a perfect fit between the two
organisations.
“We have been planning to
grow our renewables involvement
for some time, either organically
or through the acquisition of an
established player. Having worked
with Solmatix Renewables on
a number of contracts, we’d
always been impressed with
their engineering rigour and
professionalism. In fact, there seemed
to be a natural synergy between
our two companies in terms of
what we do and how we do it. I
approached Richard Bell about a
year ago to float the idea of our
companies coming together, but only
if there was a good fit. After careful
consideration we both agreed
that this would indeed be mutually
beneficial. From my perspective,
having Solmatix as part of Harvey
Group gives us a level of expertise
that would have taken us years to
acquire otherwise.
“Harvey Group and Solmatix
share similar values, by which I mean
our commitment to professionalism,
our desire to deliver our services to
the very highest standards, and the
importance we place on treating our
customers, our suppliers and our staff
with courtesy and consideration.”
Richard Bell, the founder and
managing director of Solmatix
Renewables described the acquisition
as great news for Solmatix, its
customers, suppliers and staff.
“In many respects, it’s a case
of ‘business as usual’. However, in
real terms, being part of this larger
organisation will give us access to
enhanced technical skills, financial
resources and purchasing power.
Ultimately I believe this will lead
to greater growth and investment
within our operations, as well as
more jobs and job security. It’s a
win-win relationship that’s good
for our whole organisation, as
well as the economy of Northern
Ireland.“
Celebrating the acquisition (from left) Norah-Anne Bell, Richard Bell, Brian Harvey, Gareth
Booth (Financial Controller, Harvey Group).
NI M&E services company acquires renewable energy specialists
Lisburn firm TAL awarded the first major construction
contract at Randox Science Park
WItH a reputation for
excellence in constructing high
quality projects,tAL Limited
has been awarded a significant
contract (£3.1m) by global
medical diagnostics company
Randox.
This initial contract is for the
construction of a new facility for
production of Randox’s pioneering
medical diagnostic products and will
also include associated administrative
functions. The works are the first
phase of a major capital expenditure
project by Randox to develop the
former Massereene Army Barracks
into ‘Randox Science Park’ – a
futuristic R&D and manufacturing
facility. The award-winning,
international biotechnology firm,
unveiled its plans for an innovative
hub on the 43 acre site earlier this
year.
Welcoming the announcement,
Damien Hughes, Director of TAL
Limited commented:“We are
delighted to have been awarded
this contract with Randox, one of
Northern Ireland’s most dynamic
and exciting businesses on a local
and global level. Through the quality
of our work and the dedication and
professionalism of our team TAL has
steadily grown over the last 34 years
and this contract award reinforces
the strength of our expertise in the
healthcare sector.”
The project will be delivered
to BIM level 2 in partnership
with the design team Ostick and
Williams Architects, Rainey & Best,
Doran Consulting, Delap & Waller
Consulting Engineers and Charles
Hutchison Consulting.
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing
Director at Randox commented:“The
development of Randox Science
Park is core to our plans to create
innovative diagnostics, to improve
manufacturing efficiency to export
high-value healthcare capabilities to
world markets. This state-of-the-art
premises will become a centre of
cutting-edge research, development
and diagnostic manufacture, covering
conditions such as cancer, stroke and
heart disease. We will also provide a
significant boost to the local economy
through new job creation. We very
much look forward to working with
TAL on this initial contract to deliver
the high quality infrastructure we
require.”
8. 08| digest
Lisburn company ‘lifts’ up a £415,000
contract with glass company
Lisburn based forklift
company, The Alexander
Group, has secured a
significant contract worth
£415,000 to supply vehicles
to Encirc Glass Ltd in
Fermanagh.
The latest deal between the
companies, who have worked in
partnership for a number of years,
will see The Alexander Group
supplying 16 new Linde Forklifts
to Encirc to add to the exisiting
fleet of circa 100 Linde trucks
The Alexander Group, the
sole supplier of Linde Forklifts
in Northern Ireland, will see
this contract not only help
to secure further jobs and
match ambitions for both
companies but the large order
also represents an increased
partnership between the two
Northern Ireland companies.
“I’m delighted that we have
secured this significant deal
with our colleagues at Encirc,”
said Kieron Holmes of the
Alexander Group
“This means that we can
go forward into 2017 with
a relationship that provides
top range Linde Forklifts for an
innovative company based here in
Northern Ireland.
Encirc manufacture container
glass and offer a complete supply
chain from its Derrylin base and a
site in Elton, Chesire.
John McNally, Encirc Logistics
Manager Ireland & England said:
“This spend on our forklift fleet
is part of an ongoing process of
investment and improvement.
“Linde Forklift trucks have
been our first choice for many
years due to their fuel efficiency,
durability and safety.This coupled
with the service support provided
by The Alexander Group makes
Linde the perfect fit for our
materials handling needs”
Established in 1967 by
Robin Alexander to serve the
growing need for material
handling equipment in Northern
Ireland,The Alexander Group
has developed and grown to
become one of the leading
forklift equipment suppliers in
the country whilst remaining a
local family owned and operated
company.
SCAPE BOOSTS SERVICE IN NORTHERN IRELAND
WITH NEW REGIONAL BUSINESS MANAGER
PUBLIC sector built
environment specialist
Scape Group has boosted
its provision for clients
in Northern Ireland with
the appointment of its
first dedicated regional
business manager for the
area.
The appointment of
highly experienced
chartered building surveyor
and project manager,
Gavin Wallace, is part
of Scape’s commitment
to ensure local expertise
is embedded into every
project it delivers.
Scape has developed
and managed construction
industry frameworks
for public sector clients
throughout the UK for more
than ten years, bringing
together strong delivery
teams and achieving
measurable time, cost,
quality and community
benefits on every project.
Gavin will be based in
Coleraine and will operate
throughout Northern
Ireland. He has more
than 18 years’ experience
working for leading
national and international
commercial building
consultancy practices in
Dublin and Belfast.
He said: “Scape appealed
to me because it is a public
sector-owned commercial
organisation with a strong
commitment to delivering
social and community
benefits. Scape’s proven
consultancy, construction
and facilities management
frameworks will play
vitally important roles in
supporting the public sector
over the coming years and
I’m excited to be part of
that process.”
As regional business
manager for Scape in
Northern Ireland, Gavin’s
role is to support clients at
a strategic and operational
level, providing guidance
on procurement solutions
through Scape’s suite of
frameworks. He will also
maintain close contact
with clients and framework
partners throughout the
delivery of their projects,
helping them to ensure that
the work runs smoothly
and delivers consistent
quality, value for money
and social value.
06| digest
The right job can transform a person’s life and the right
person can transform an organisation, we’re experts at
matching both in construction management.
CONCRETE
FUTURES Find out more at hays.co.uk/ni
NI-9402 Specify Strip Ads.indd 1 20/08/2014 16:45
Harvey Group acquires Solmatix as part of 5 year
growth plan in UK and Ireland.
Newtownabbey-based
M&E services company,
Harvey Group, has acquired
Northern Ireland renewable
energy specialists, Solmatix
Renewables in a move the
companies say will transform
the renewable energy sector
in Northern Ireland and act
as a springboard for further
expansion into the multi-
million pound UK and Ireland
renewable energy markets.
The acquisition, for an
undisclosed sum, will bring to 110
the number of people employed
directly by the Harvey Group in
Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
With a turnover of £30 million
and over 80 staff, Harvey Group
has over 30 years’ experience
in the design, installation and
maintenance of building services
within every conceivable kind of
building type throughout NI, GB
and RoI, including Pharmaceutical/
Cleanrooms, Laboratories,
Education, Government and
Healthcare . Richard and Norah-
Anne Bell founded Solmatix
Renewables in 2008, and since then
the company has grown to achieve a
turnover of £6 million, with 30 staff
operating from its Nutt’s Corner
premises.
As a result of the deal, Solmatix
will continue to operate as an
autonomous and independent
company within Harvey Group
Brian Harvey, managing director
of Harvey Group, said there was
a perfect fit between the two
organisations.
“We have been planning to
grow our renewables involvement
for some time, either organically
or through the acquisition of an
established player. Having worked
with Solmatix Renewables on
a number of contracts, we’d
always been impressed with
their engineering rigour and
professionalism. In fact, there seemed
to be a natural synergy between
our two companies in terms of
what we do and how we do it. I
approached Richard Bell about a
year ago to float the idea of our
companies coming together, but only
if there was a good fit. After careful
consideration we both agreed
that this would indeed be mutually
beneficial. From my perspective,
having Solmatix as part of Harvey
Group gives us a level of expertise
that would have taken us years to
acquire otherwise.
“Harvey Group and Solmatix
share similar values, by which I mean
our commitment to professionalism,
our desire to deliver our services to
the very highest standards, and the
importance we place on treating our
customers, our suppliers and our staff
with courtesy and consideration.”
Richard Bell, the founder and
managing director of Solmatix
Renewables described the acquisition
as great news for Solmatix, its
customers, suppliers and staff.
“In many respects, it’s a case
of ‘business as usual’. However, in
real terms, being part of this larger
organisation will give us access to
enhanced technical skills, financial
resources and purchasing power.
Ultimately I believe this will lead
to greater growth and investment
within our operations, as well as
more jobs and job security. It’s a
win-win relationship that’s good
for our whole organisation, as
well as the economy of Northern
Ireland.“
Celebrating the acquisition (from left) Norah-Anne Bell, Richard Bell, Brian Harvey, Gareth
Booth (Financial Controller, Harvey Group).
NI M&E services company acquires renewable energy specialists
Lisburn firm TAL awarded the first major construction
contract at Randox Science Park
WItH a reputation for
excellence in constructing high
quality projects,tAL Limited
has been awarded a significant
contract (£3.1m) by global
medical diagnostics company
Randox.
This initial contract is for the
construction of a new facility for
production of Randox’s pioneering
medical diagnostic products and will
also include associated administrative
functions. The works are the first
phase of a major capital expenditure
project by Randox to develop the
former Massereene Army Barracks
into ‘Randox Science Park’ – a
futuristic R&D and manufacturing
facility. The award-winning,
international biotechnology firm,
unveiled its plans for an innovative
hub on the 43 acre site earlier this
year.
Welcoming the announcement,
Damien Hughes, Director of TAL
Limited commented:“We are
delighted to have been awarded
this contract with Randox, one of
Northern Ireland’s most dynamic
and exciting businesses on a local
and global level. Through the quality
of our work and the dedication and
professionalism of our team TAL has
steadily grown over the last 34 years
and this contract award reinforces
the strength of our expertise in the
healthcare sector.”
The project will be delivered
to BIM level 2 in partnership
with the design team Ostick and
Williams Architects, Rainey & Best,
Doran Consulting, Delap & Waller
Consulting Engineers and Charles
Hutchison Consulting.
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing
Director at Randox commented:“The
development of Randox Science
Park is core to our plans to create
innovative diagnostics, to improve
manufacturing efficiency to export
high-value healthcare capabilities to
world markets. This state-of-the-art
premises will become a centre of
cutting-edge research, development
and diagnostic manufacture, covering
conditions such as cancer, stroke and
heart disease. We will also provide a
significant boost to the local economy
through new job creation. We very
much look forward to working with
TAL on this initial contract to deliver
the high quality infrastructure we
require.”
Gavin Wallace Scape
Keiron Holmes & John McNally
9. |09digest
QUINN TECHNICAL TEAM WELCOME CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF
ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGISTS TO NEW INNOVATION ACADAMY
Quinn Building Products
Technical Team were
delighted to welcome
over 40 members of the
Chartered Institute of
Architectural Technologists
(CIAT) from all over
Ireland to the company’s
new Innovation Academy
for a CPD Seminar. The
group heard a series of
presentations on how
the company’s technical
team have developed
tools and services
which are designed to
help the architecture
fraternity in their daily
work. The presentations
were followed by a
number of tours of Quinn
manufacturing facilities
to help the attendees
understand how the
products which they
specify to their clients are
manufactured. With more
and more emphasis being
placed on sustainability
and building performance,
the technical team were
able to highlight how,
through their CPD seminar,
the use of Quinn Building
Products and a fabric first
approach can help address
design issues.
Quinn Building Products COO
Kevin Lunney said that the
company had put considerable
resources into improving the
services they provide to help
building design professionals
create buildings which are more
sustainable and energy efficient
through their initial design.
“Quinn Building Products has
always been at the forefront of
innovation in terms of the products
and services we’ve introduced over
the last four decades. Now the
company is reaching out directly
to architectural and building
professionals to highlight how
specifying Quinn Lite Blocks, which
have 10 times better insulating
properties than traditional concrete
blocks, can be used to address
design issues such as Thermal
Bridging. Our thermal bridging
details, coupled with our sector
leading Building Information
Modelling (BIM) services, allow
professionals to accurately predict
how a building will perform at the
design stage.We were pleased to
see the very positive reaction from
the CIAT members who attended,
and we look forward now to
delivering our range of seminars out
across Ireland and the UK.”
This CPD seminar offered CIAT
members in attendance to engage
with Quinn Building Products
Technical team to help enhance
and develop their knowledge on
the area of thermal bridging and
other design concepts. CIAT “Vice
President Practice” and “Northern
Ireland Regional Chairman”
Eddie Weir highlighted how the
company’s latest developments are
proving very popular with building
professionals.
TAL EDUCATION CONTRACTS WORTH £5M ON SITE
TAL has been awarded
two school contracts at
Broadbridge Primary
School in Eglinton and St
Louis Grammar School
in Ballymena valued at
£5.1m.
The Lisburn based building
and civil engineering firm will
deliver a new £2.8m Creative and
Expressive Art Facility at St Louis
Grammar School by undertaking
the refurbishment of the listed
former convent building and
constructing a 2-storey extension.
The £2.3m contract at
Broadbridge Primary School
will provide a new 10 class
base extension and new Sports
Hall facility.The existing school
building will also be refurbished
to provide additional classrooms,
administration/staff facilities, school
meals accommodation and a
library.
Director of the firm, Damien
Hughes said,“We are delighted
to have secured these education
sector contracts which are core
to our plans to grow the firm
by developing our portfolio in
different sectors.These projects
will provide long awaited new and
enhanced education facilities for
pupils and staff.”
These projects are two of the
twelve schools across Northern
Ireland which are to share the
£35m funding from the School
Enhancement Programme (SEP)
announced in February.
Earlier this year TAL was
awarded a £1.3m contract at
Sacred Heart Grammar School in
Newry which is also
on site.
Other projects
delivered by TAL
recently include
Portico Arts and
Heritage Centre
– Restoration of
the Grade A listed
Portaferry Presbyterian
Church, Serum Production
Facility at Randox
Science Park and
The Museum of
Orange Heritage.
The firm is also on
site at Altnagelvin
Area Hospital
constructing
Northern Ireland’s
first health and
wellbeing campus.
06| digest
The right job can transform a person’s life and the right
person can transform an organisation, we’re experts at
matching both in construction management.
CONCRETE
FUTURES Find out more at hays.co.uk/ni
NI-9402 Specify Strip Ads.indd 1 20/08/2014 16:45
Harvey Group acquires Solmatix as part of 5 year
growth plan in UK and Ireland.
Newtownabbey-based
M&E services company,
Harvey Group, has acquired
Northern Ireland renewable
energy specialists, Solmatix
Renewables in a move the
companies say will transform
the renewable energy sector
in Northern Ireland and act
as a springboard for further
expansion into the multi-
million pound UK and Ireland
renewable energy markets.
The acquisition, for an
undisclosed sum, will bring to 110
the number of people employed
directly by the Harvey Group in
Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
With a turnover of £30 million
and over 80 staff, Harvey Group
has over 30 years’ experience
in the design, installation and
maintenance of building services
within every conceivable kind of
building type throughout NI, GB
and RoI, including Pharmaceutical/
Cleanrooms, Laboratories,
Education, Government and
Healthcare . Richard and Norah-
Anne Bell founded Solmatix
Renewables in 2008, and since then
the company has grown to achieve a
turnover of £6 million, with 30 staff
operating from its Nutt’s Corner
premises.
As a result of the deal, Solmatix
will continue to operate as an
autonomous and independent
company within Harvey Group
Brian Harvey, managing director
of Harvey Group, said there was
a perfect fit between the two
organisations.
“We have been planning to
grow our renewables involvement
for some time, either organically
or through the acquisition of an
established player. Having worked
with Solmatix Renewables on
a number of contracts, we’d
always been impressed with
their engineering rigour and
professionalism. In fact, there seemed
to be a natural synergy between
our two companies in terms of
what we do and how we do it. I
approached Richard Bell about a
year ago to float the idea of our
companies coming together, but only
if there was a good fit. After careful
consideration we both agreed
that this would indeed be mutually
beneficial. From my perspective,
having Solmatix as part of Harvey
Group gives us a level of expertise
that would have taken us years to
acquire otherwise.
“Harvey Group and Solmatix
share similar values, by which I mean
our commitment to professionalism,
our desire to deliver our services to
the very highest standards, and the
importance we place on treating our
customers, our suppliers and our staff
with courtesy and consideration.”
Richard Bell, the founder and
managing director of Solmatix
Renewables described the acquisition
as great news for Solmatix, its
customers, suppliers and staff.
“In many respects, it’s a case
of ‘business as usual’. However, in
real terms, being part of this larger
organisation will give us access to
enhanced technical skills, financial
resources and purchasing power.
Ultimately I believe this will lead
to greater growth and investment
within our operations, as well as
more jobs and job security. It’s a
win-win relationship that’s good
for our whole organisation, as
well as the economy of Northern
Ireland.“
Celebrating the acquisition (from left) Norah-Anne Bell, Richard Bell, Brian Harvey, Gareth
Booth (Financial Controller, Harvey Group).
NI M&E services company acquires renewable energy specialists
Lisburn firm TAL awarded the first major construction
contract at Randox Science Park
WItH a reputation for
excellence in constructing high
quality projects,tAL Limited
has been awarded a significant
contract (£3.1m) by global
medical diagnostics company
Randox.
This initial contract is for the
construction of a new facility for
production of Randox’s pioneering
medical diagnostic products and will
also include associated administrative
functions. The works are the first
phase of a major capital expenditure
project by Randox to develop the
former Massereene Army Barracks
into ‘Randox Science Park’ – a
futuristic R&D and manufacturing
facility. The award-winning,
international biotechnology firm,
unveiled its plans for an innovative
hub on the 43 acre site earlier this
year.
Welcoming the announcement,
Damien Hughes, Director of TAL
Limited commented:“We are
delighted to have been awarded
this contract with Randox, one of
Northern Ireland’s most dynamic
and exciting businesses on a local
and global level. Through the quality
of our work and the dedication and
professionalism of our team TAL has
steadily grown over the last 34 years
and this contract award reinforces
the strength of our expertise in the
healthcare sector.”
The project will be delivered
to BIM level 2 in partnership
with the design team Ostick and
Williams Architects, Rainey & Best,
Doran Consulting, Delap & Waller
Consulting Engineers and Charles
Hutchison Consulting.
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing
Director at Randox commented:“The
development of Randox Science
Park is core to our plans to create
innovative diagnostics, to improve
manufacturing efficiency to export
high-value healthcare capabilities to
world markets. This state-of-the-art
premises will become a centre of
cutting-edge research, development
and diagnostic manufacture, covering
conditions such as cancer, stroke and
heart disease. We will also provide a
significant boost to the local economy
through new job creation. We very
much look forward to working with
TAL on this initial contract to deliver
the high quality infrastructure we
require.”
10. 10| digest
MSM complete Railway Preservation Project
A ceremony has taken
place at the Railway
Preservation Society of
Ireland in Whitehead
to mark the successful
completion of the
construction phase of
a new £3.1m railway
museum.
MSM Contracts from
Portadown finished work on the
12-month construction contract
at the start of September and the
new buildings have now officially
been handed over to the RPSI.
The next stage will be to fit out
the new museum and the RPSI’s
target is to open the new tourist
attraction to the public in April
2017.While work progresses, the
site is closed to visitors.
The construction phase has
involved the installation of a 60ft
locomotive turntable along with
a period-style signal cabin, the
construction of new sheds and
the extension of the existing
facilities.
Denis Grimshaw, RPSI chairman,
said the Society’s base had been
transformed thanks to the £2m
construction contract.
“This is a pivotal point in terms
of the development.We will
now commence fitting out the
museum with multimedia displays,
educational facilities and audio
links, plus a café, all of which will
be key to creating this significant
new tourist attraction.
“An exciting element of the
museum will be the opportunity
for visitors to walk through
historic carriages, examine
mainline steam engines at close
quarters and see the engineering
works in action.
“We aim to attract at least
15,000 visitors
in the museum’s
first full year of
operation.We will
complement other
tourist attractions
in the area, such as
the Gobbins Cliff
Path and Black
Head lighthouse
“Together this
will make the
railway town of
Whitehead a
‘must-see’ stop
on the Causeway
Coastal Route.”
Robert
Mackey, managing director of
MSM Contracts, said:“MSM is
delighted to have worked as
main contractor alongside the
RPSI and their design team in the
redevelopment of the Whitehead
Railway Museum.
“The project has required our
company to overcome a number
of unique challenges associated
with delivering the project within
a ‘live’ working environment with
ongoing restoration works being
carried out by RPSI members.”
IT is ‘as safe as
houses’ at Helm HQ
One of Northern Ireland’s
largest registered Housing
Associations, Helm Housing,
has appointed local back-
up power solution specialist,
Continu, to implement state-
of-the-art back-up power
solutions at its headquarters
in Belfast.
The contract, worth over £70,000
is designed to protect Helm Housings
IT infrastructure and will see Continu
install the MGE Galaxy 300 and
the APC Smart-UPS high spec
uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
units and provide on-going
maintenance support.
Kate Cronin, IT Manager
at Helm Housing added:
“At Helm Housing we
manage over 5,500 homes
throughout Northern
Ireland and rely heavily
on IT to provide the best
quality service to the
thousands of residents
who depend on our
facilities.We recently made
extensive upgrades to our internal
IT systems and in tandem with this,
identified an urgent need to put
structures in place to protect our
technical infrastructure and data.
“As one of the largest housing
associations in Northern Ireland, with
plans for significant expansion, it was
essential that we choose the most
reliable system and service provider
in the market. We are delighted with
the service Continu has provided to
date and look forward to working
with them, confident that our data
and IT systems are future proofed.”
Pictured at the official handover ceremony at RPSI Whitehead
are (from left) MSM Contracts site manager Alan McNeill,
RPSI chairman Denis Grimshaw, MSM contracts manager
Spencer Savage, Morgan Haylett, project manager from
consulting engineers RPS, and Tom Wilson from architects
Ostick & Williams. Photographer FRANK ROBINSON
Martin & Hamilton starts
work on Wallace High
Martin &
Hamilton
has recently
commenced
construction
work at Wallace
High School in
Lisburn. The
contract is for
the provision of
three extensions
comprising:
•A two storey extension to
provide a
Home Economics & Art
Departments.
•A single storey extension to provide a Technology
Systems Room.
•A single storey extension to provide a Fitness Suite and
associated changing facilities.
The contract also includes
the relocation of existing mobile
classrooms. The school was included
in 12 schools across Northern Ireland
which benefitted in a share of £35
million from the School
Enhancement Programme (SEP). The
project is expected to take two years
to complete.
06| digest
The right job can transform a person’s life and the right
person can transform an organisation, we’re experts at
matching both in construction management.
CONCRETE
FUTURES Find out more at hays.co.uk/ni
NI-9402 Specify Strip Ads.indd 1 20/08/2014 16:45
Harvey Group acquires Solmatix as part of 5 year
growth plan in UK and Ireland.
Newtownabbey-based
M&E services company,
Harvey Group, has acquired
Northern Ireland renewable
energy specialists, Solmatix
Renewables in a move the
companies say will transform
the renewable energy sector
in Northern Ireland and act
as a springboard for further
expansion into the multi-
million pound UK and Ireland
renewable energy markets.
The acquisition, for an
undisclosed sum, will bring to 110
the number of people employed
directly by the Harvey Group in
Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
With a turnover of £30 million
and over 80 staff, Harvey Group
has over 30 years’ experience
in the design, installation and
maintenance of building services
within every conceivable kind of
building type throughout NI, GB
and RoI, including Pharmaceutical/
Cleanrooms, Laboratories,
Education, Government and
Healthcare . Richard and Norah-
Anne Bell founded Solmatix
Renewables in 2008, and since then
the company has grown to achieve a
turnover of £6 million, with 30 staff
operating from its Nutt’s Corner
premises.
As a result of the deal, Solmatix
will continue to operate as an
autonomous and independent
company within Harvey Group
Brian Harvey, managing director
of Harvey Group, said there was
a perfect fit between the two
organisations.
“We have been planning to
grow our renewables involvement
for some time, either organically
or through the acquisition of an
established player. Having worked
with Solmatix Renewables on
a number of contracts, we’d
always been impressed with
their engineering rigour and
professionalism. In fact, there seemed
to be a natural synergy between
our two companies in terms of
what we do and how we do it. I
approached Richard Bell about a
year ago to float the idea of our
companies coming together, but only
if there was a good fit. After careful
consideration we both agreed
that this would indeed be mutually
beneficial. From my perspective,
having Solmatix as part of Harvey
Group gives us a level of expertise
that would have taken us years to
acquire otherwise.
“Harvey Group and Solmatix
share similar values, by which I mean
our commitment to professionalism,
our desire to deliver our services to
the very highest standards, and the
importance we place on treating our
customers, our suppliers and our staff
with courtesy and consideration.”
Richard Bell, the founder and
managing director of Solmatix
Renewables described the acquisition
as great news for Solmatix, its
customers, suppliers and staff.
“In many respects, it’s a case
of ‘business as usual’. However, in
real terms, being part of this larger
organisation will give us access to
enhanced technical skills, financial
resources and purchasing power.
Ultimately I believe this will lead
to greater growth and investment
within our operations, as well as
more jobs and job security. It’s a
win-win relationship that’s good
for our whole organisation, as
well as the economy of Northern
Ireland.“
Celebrating the acquisition (from left) Norah-Anne Bell, Richard Bell, Brian Harvey, Gareth
Booth (Financial Controller, Harvey Group).
NI M&E services company acquires renewable energy specialists
Lisburn firm TAL awarded the first major construction
contract at Randox Science Park
WItH a reputation for
excellence in constructing high
quality projects,tAL Limited
has been awarded a significant
contract (£3.1m) by global
medical diagnostics company
Randox.
This initial contract is for the
construction of a new facility for
production of Randox’s pioneering
medical diagnostic products and will
also include associated administrative
functions. The works are the first
phase of a major capital expenditure
project by Randox to develop the
former Massereene Army Barracks
into ‘Randox Science Park’ – a
futuristic R&D and manufacturing
facility. The award-winning,
international biotechnology firm,
unveiled its plans for an innovative
hub on the 43 acre site earlier this
year.
Welcoming the announcement,
Damien Hughes, Director of TAL
Limited commented:“We are
delighted to have been awarded
this contract with Randox, one of
Northern Ireland’s most dynamic
and exciting businesses on a local
and global level. Through the quality
of our work and the dedication and
professionalism of our team TAL has
steadily grown over the last 34 years
and this contract award reinforces
the strength of our expertise in the
healthcare sector.”
The project will be delivered
to BIM level 2 in partnership
with the design team Ostick and
Williams Architects, Rainey & Best,
Doran Consulting, Delap & Waller
Consulting Engineers and Charles
Hutchison Consulting.
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing
Director at Randox commented:“The
development of Randox Science
Park is core to our plans to create
innovative diagnostics, to improve
manufacturing efficiency to export
high-value healthcare capabilities to
world markets. This state-of-the-art
premises will become a centre of
cutting-edge research, development
and diagnostic manufacture, covering
conditions such as cancer, stroke and
heart disease. We will also provide a
significant boost to the local economy
through new job creation. We very
much look forward to working with
TAL on this initial contract to deliver
the high quality infrastructure we
require.”
Tom Hall and Alison McFadden from Continu
with Kate Cronin from Helm Housing
11. 20TH FM SUMMIT LAUNCHED AT STORMONT
The British Institute of
Facilities Management
(BIFM) and their growing
Northern Ireland branch
officially launched its
annual FM Summit which
is due to take place on
Friday 25 November 2016
at Croke Park, Dublin. Now
in its 20th year, hundreds
of facilities management
professionals from Northern
Ireland are set to attend
the event to discuss
current opportunities and
challenges facing the FM
industry.
At a lunch sponsored by
H&J Martin Asset Management
Services and Eurest, delegates
gathered at Parliament
Buildings, Stormont to
celebrate the Summit’s return
and announcement of this
year’s theme ‘Workplace
partnerships – Rethinking FM’.
The BIFM Ireland FM Summit
attracts FM professionals from
Northern Ireland to discuss the
summit’s core theme through
innovative talks delivered by
specialist speakers, exhibitions
demonstrating the latest cutting-
edge FM services and excellent
networking opportunities for all
levels of FM professionals.
Facilities Management (FM)
in Ireland has come a long
way since the 1990s and
today’s innovative FM is mixing
with architects, construction
project managers and building
services engineers using three-
dimensional building information
modelling (BIM) to build better
business and operations across
the island of Ireland.Today senior
facilities managers rank among
the most valuable assets to a
professional organisation and
can be responsible for hundreds
of millions of pounds worth of
corporate and public estate, both
in Northern Ireland, the Republic
of Ireland and globally.
Wilton Farrelly, Chair of BIFM
Ireland’s Northern Branch said:
“The FM Summit has been
instrumental in spearheading the
thriving facilities management
industry in Northern Ireland.
With Brexit’s implications still
unclear, this event provides an
excellent opportunity for FMs to
assemble together and discuss
the potential problems that may
arise, and collaborate to identify
the latent opportunities following
these political decisions. It is
highly likely that businesses will
look to the facilities management
function to stabilize operations.
Information and idea exchange
opportunities available at the
FM Summit will strengthen FM
professionals’ ability to respond
to changing dynamics in the
wider environment.”
CHANCERY HOUSE SALE PRESENTS PRIME CITY CENTRE
INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY
A prominent office building on
Victoria Street in Belfast has
been put on the market by
commercial property agents
Lambert Smith Hampton with
full planning permission for
the construction of a new
building which could provide
extensive retail and office
accommodation.
Chancery House is fully let to
MTB Solicitors until 30th April 2020
at a rent of £95,000 per annum.
The property comprises of a 4
storey purpose-built office building,
which was constructed in 1987. It
occupies a prominent position on
the corner of Victoria Street and the
pedestrianised section of Chichester
Street, a five minute walk from
Belfast City Hall.
The planning permission provides
for the demolition of the existing
building and the development of five
‘full’ storeys
and two ‘set
back’ storeys.
The completed
development will
provide for retail
accommodation
at ground floor
with offices
above.
The agents
are seeking
offers in excess
of £1,450,000.
Neil McShane,
director of
capital markets
at Lambert
Smith Hampton,
said:“This is
a fantastic
investment
opportunity with secure rental
income from a sitting tenant.
However, the property also benefits
from planning permission to develop
a brand new building in what is a
unique location near to the Royal
Courts of Justice and Laganside
Courts.
“Subject to securing vacant
possession, the successful purchaser
can demolish the existing building
and develop a new 23,000 ft2
building with retail at ground floor
and offices above. Alternatively,
subject to planning, the property
could lend itself to a multitude of
other uses. We anticipate strong
interest from investors, developers
and potential owner-occupiers.”
He added:“Following decades of
rental stagnancy, the Belfast office
market has experienced a significant
rejuvenation.Through the period of
recession, existing Grade A space
was gradually absorbed, leading to
the current chronic shortage.This
property offers investors a unique
opportunity to tap into the demand
which exists in Belfast city centre.”
|11digest
12. Safety first: incorporating height safety
in building design
There’s no doubt that
working at height is safer
than it used to be. From
architects and specifiers,
through contractors and
installers, all the way to
maintenance professionals
and other rooftop
workers, there has been a
concerted effort to make
rooftops safer working
environments.
But there is so much more
that can and should be
done to further ensure the
safety of rooftop workers.
Much of the responsibility
for this change now lies
firmly with architects and
specifiers. Put simply,
they must act to ensure
that height safety is fully
considered in the initial
specification of a building,
and that the building is
fit for purpose in the real
world as a result.
In this article, we examine
the core principles behind
height safety specifications,
including the regulatory
requirements that
apply to architects and
specifiers. We also explore
other factors that should
inform the specification
of height safety systems
for a building, such as
structural integrity and
thermal efficiency – factors
that may be
compromised
without a
complete
assessment
of the
compatibility
of a chosen
height safety
system with
the building’s
roof.
Ensuring
height safety
Architects
and specifiers
must give due
consideration
to all potential
future roof access needs
when designing the
building, and incorporate
the appropriate height
safety systems in the
design from the start. The
different height safety
regulatory requirements
and minimum standards
ensure that every possible
angle is covered – from
specification to ongoing
working practices.
For specifiers, the most
pertinent of these is the
Construction (Design and
Management) Regulations
2015 (hereafter CDM).
Published by the Health
and Safety Executive,
this sets out the duties
and responsibilities of
owners, designers and
contractors as they relate
to construction projects. It
is particularly focused on
the planning, management
and mitigation of risks, both
during construction and in
the building’s operational
life.
CDM is a major driving
force behind improved
site safety for construction
workers, including those
working on roofs. An
important change in the
most recent edition of CDM
has shifted responsibility
for height safety planning
further upstream in the
building design process.
This is most clearly seen in
the change of designation
for the person responsible
for CDM compliance –
from CDM Co-ordinator to
Principal Designer.
Beyond CDM, the Working
at Height Regulations 2005
(WaH) assign responsibility
for the planning and
managing of working at
height, and the provision
of suitable equipment to
enable this to take place
safely. Understanding WaH
can help inform building
design decisions, providing
greater clarity on the
desired building safety
elements that architects
and specifiers should be
aware of when planning
CDM compliance.
Another relevant set
of standards is BS 8560
(2012): Code of practice
for the design of buildings
incorporating safe working
at height. This requires
building designers to assess
future work at height
requirements early in
the process, and respond
either by removing the
need entirely if possible,
or through the provision of
practical, efficient height
safety solutions. While not
a legal requirement, BS
8560 sets out expected best
practice for architects and
specifiers, and can be used
to assess designs in the
event of a later incident.
Complying with the
regulations is the starting
point, but your system
choice should go beyond
the base requirements to
consider other factors that
determine how well a
system works to prevent
falls. For example, how
does the system mitigate
forces on an individual
during a fall arrest (which
can exceed 12kN), or
the ease (and therefore
likelihood) of use of the
13. system.
Other system
considerations
With the safety
performance of the
chosen system assured, it’s
important to understand
its broader impact on
the building, in terms of
structural integrity and
thermal efficiency.
Structural integrity can
sometimes be compromised
by the installation or
activation of a height safety
system. The powerful forces
exerted when the system is
deployed can cause serious
damage to the roof or its
substructure if the two are
not compatible with the
chosen system.
Architects and specifiers
should seek height safety
systems that are tested
and recommended for
use specifically with the
roof products already
chosen in the building
design. Insulated panel
roof systems have a distinct
advantage over built-up
here, as they are often
accompanied by height
safety systems specifically
designed to be compatible
with them.
Thermal efficiency
is another important
consideration in the
specification of a height
safety system. Failing to
include a height safety
system in the initial
specification increases the
likelihood of compromised
thermal performance
during later unplanned
construction work to retrofit
one.
Where height safety
systems are included in the
initial specification, thermal
bridging should be avoided
as much as possible. Opting
for a system that has
been tested and certified
for use with a particular
building envelope product
or range – particularly
one with penetration-free
fixings – will minimise the
effect this has on building
performance.
About Kingspan’s
height safety systems
Kingspan Insulated
Panels offers a range of
height safety systems
that have been fully
tested and approved
for use on its range
of insulated roof
panels. Each system is
certified to the relevant
BS & EN standards,
and is covered by
the comprehensive
Kingspan guarantee.
Contractors are
supported with
extensive product and
installation training
options, to ensure
each system is set up
correctly to provide the
maximum protection
for workers on the roof.
Safepro2
Safepro2 comprises
a high-strength steel
cable, supported on
energy-absorbing roof
anchor posts. The posts
are made of stainless
steel, with aluminium
components, which
ensures the system
retains its strength even
in harsh environments.
Safepro2 incorporates
force minimisation
technology, which limits
the force exerted during
a fall arrest to 5.2kN on
the worker and less than
6kN on the roof. This is a
significant improvement
on the typical 12kN force
exerted on a falling worker
and the 10kN load applied
to roof anchor posts under
other, inferior systems.
Safepro2 can be installed
anywhere on the roof to
provide the most practical
solution for rooftop work.
Moreover, Safepro2 is
simple to use – reducing the
risk of contractors failing
to follow correct safety
procedures on site.
Safetraxx & Saferidge
Safetraxx is a flexible
anchor system comprising
a discreet high-grade
precision-extruded
aluminium rail. Saferidge is
a similar system, but with
the rail factory-fitted to a
bespoke fabricated steel
apex cap.
Both systems dissipate
forces in a fall arrest event
to mimimise potential
damage, and provide
protection, across the whole
roof area.
Safeside
Safeside is a flexible guard
rail system for walk-on
ceilings and flat/pitched
roofs up to 10º. It is simple
and cost-effective to install,
and can quickly provide
fall protection to the
perimeter of the roof and
other accessible areas of
any size and layout.
What to do next
Height safety is increasingly
becoming a core element
in the fundamentals of
good building design.
Incorporating an
appropriate, fully-tested
height safety solution
from the start saves time
and money, protects the
overall performance of the
building, and ensures it is
fit for purpose for all future
uses. Most importantly
of all, it helps to prevent
serious injuries, and protects
lives.
If you want to learn more
about incorporating
height safety into your
specifications, or you want
advice on solutions for
your specific project, email
fsl@kingspan.com, or call
01352 716 100.
14. Lagan Cement, quality as standard
Lagan Cement Products,
based in Lisburn Co.
Antrim manufacturers
and supplies a wide range
of high quality building
products across Ireland
and the UK.
The independent, family
owned company prides itself
on putting customers and
quality first.
Products include bulk and
bagged cement such as the
high strength Premium +
bagged cement which is
an excellent multi-purpose
cement perfect for use in
concrete, mortars, renders,
screeds and grouts. The
Company also supplies high
quality White Cement for a
decorative finish and Sulphate
+ cement ideal for those areas
requiring a higher resistance
to sulphates occurring in soil
and groundwater.
Did you know?
Lagan Cement Products
supplies
Bagged Cement –
Concrete Blocks – Ready
Mix Concrete – Roof Tiles
and Accessories – Building
Sand – Pots & Flues
Quality as Standard
Lagan Cement Products
is leading the field when it
comes to product quality and
innovation.
Strong
The bagged cement range
has been designed to give
a superior smooth finish
for screeds and plastering
and deliver a light bright
colour and high strength
performance.
Lagan’s range of roof tiles
are a favourite with roofing
contractors, renowned for
their quality and strength. A
variety of profiles and colours
is available to suit new build
or renovation
projects alike.
Innovative
Lagan’s four Ready
Mix Concrete
plants in Belfast,
Glengormley
and Comber
supply new
and innovative
concrete mixes
including fibre
reinforced
concrete,
lightweight
concrete, foam
concrete,
concrete for
water proofing
applications
and more.
Darren
McMillan, Commercial
Manager at Lagan Cement
Products, commented “We
are developing new products
and innovative systems to
continuously improve our
customer offering. The
concrete division has launched
an App for smartphones and
tablets to give customers
access to their order history
and current job status.A
second App has just been
launched for site operatives
to give them real time
information on lorry locations
and the ability to place orders
at the touch of a button”.
If you would like to know
more about the range of
products supplied by Lagan
Cement Products please visit
www.lagancementproducts.
com for more, call 028 9264
7100 or email
sales@lagancementproducts.
com.
14 | Lagan Cement
15. SALES OFFICE - 028 9264 7100
www.lagancementproducts.com
Taking quality
to a new level
Bricks | Cement | Chimney Systems | Concrete | Tile | Sand
Lagan Cement
16. WEBSITE
www.traceyconcrete.com
PHONE
028 6632 6437
EMAIL
headoffice@traceyconcrete.com
Precast
Drainage
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OCTOBEr
26th & 27TH
17. O’HARE & McGOVERN TAKE
TOP PRIZE FOR NATIONAL
FOOTBALL STADIUM
For the second year in
a row, Newry-based
construction company
O’Hare & McGovern have
taken the ‘Overall Award’ at
the Construction Excellence
Awards.
The Awards Gala Evening,
held at the Culloden Hotel
& Spa, saw the firm win
the award for its work on
the IFA National Football
Stadium.
Hosted by the
Construction Employers
Federation (CEF) in
partnership with Specify
magazine, the awards also
recognised an additional
14 category winners from
across the construction
industry in Northern Ireland
for excellence in general
construction, housing,
infrastructure and quality
performance.
Congratulating the overall
winners, CEF Managing
Director John Armstrong
said:“O’Hare & McGovern’s
work in delivering the
wonderful stadium is an
excellent example of how
our local construction
industry is pivotal to the
development of so many
important projects across
a wide range of sectors in
Northern Ireland each year.
“Winning the ‘Overall
Award’ for a second year
in a row is a significant
achievement and it speaks
to the relationship that
O’Hare & McGovern
consistently have with clients,
sub-contractors and other
construction professionals
in terms of delivering high
quality infrastructure”.
Mr Armstrong also
commended each of
the 14 category award
winners for their success
against what he described
as a ‘time of significant
sustainability challenge’ for
the construction industry in
Northern Ireland.
“Beyond any doubt, the
construction industry
and the wider business
community in Northern
Ireland is presently facing a
time of immense challenge
and uncertainty.While the
realities of the situation
that confront us still, in the
immediate sense, pale in
comparison to those of the
2008/09 recession and its
aftermath, there is a clear
risk that the current lack
of investor and investment
confidence could quickly
reverse any of the modest
growth our sector has seen
in the past three years
and have a significantly
detrimental effect on
industry sustainability.
“Let us not though doubt
that in these challenging
times there does lie
significant opportunity.
Enhancing Northern
Ireland’s competitiveness and
attractiveness as a region
to do business and invest in
remains our ultimate goal.
The finalists at this year’s
awards continue to innovate
and strive towards that goal
and we are delighted to
celebrate their achievements
again”.
Now in their 17th year,
the Construction Excellence
Awards continue to go from
strength to strength with this
year seeing a record number
of over 110 entries across all
14 categories.
CEF / SPECIFY | 17
Martin Lennon (O’Hare & McGovern)
David Henry (CEF President) & Nick Oldfield (O’Hare & McGovern
18. Who was there....
JLT, John & Elsie Armstrong
JLT
Philippa McIntyre, Elsie Armstrong, Liz Atkinson,
Fiona McCandless
John McGrath, Brett Hannam, David Small
Bill Gowdy, Neil Dunlop
John Armstrong, Gladys Greer, James Greer, Specify Magazine
18 | CEF / SPECIFY
19. CEF / SPECIFY | 19
Who was there....
John Armstrong, Diane Henry, Elsie Armstrong, Karen Patterson, Julie-Ann Moore, Gareth Moore
Eleanor & Archi Rowan John Armstrong & Ann McGregor
Alan Bridle & Oliver McAllister McLaughlin & Harvey John, Elsie, Eleanor,Archi
Shaun McAnee, Geoff Sharpe, David &
Diane Henry
Philip Miley,Tracy Windrim, Liz Atkinson John & Elsie Armstrong, Paula Bradley,
Mervyn Storey
John Armstrong and Peter May
20. 20 | CEF / SPECIFY
Achieving Excellence in Partnering Award
Sponsored by CPD
Fox Building & Engineering Valley Park, Newtownabbey
GB & ROI Construction Award
Sponsored by PwC
Tracey Brothers Eolas Building at NUI Maynooth
General Construction
Commercial Construction Award
presented by Peter May, Department for Infrastructure
O’Hare & McGovern IFA National Football Stadium
Fit-Out Award
presented by Jim Addy, JLT
Woodvale Construction Company Stranmillis Refectory
Restoration Award
presented by Paul Crowe of the RSUA
QMAC Construction St Patrick’s Church, Donaghmore
Social/Community Construction Award
sponsored by CSR
QMAC Construction The Junction
Housing
Private Housing Award
sponsored by NHBC
Carr Brothers Bannview Court Retirement Village
Social Housing Award
sponsored by the Department for Infrastructure
Donaghmore Construction Ballymisert Supported Housing
Infrastructure
Health Infrastructure Award
presented by Brett Hannam, SIB
O’Hare & McGovern Ballymena Health & Care Centre
Education Infrastructure Award
presented by Ann McGregor, NI Chamber of Commerce
Tracey Brothers Dromore Central Primary School
Transport Infrastructure Award
presented by Andrew Murray, Transport NI
John Graham Construction A2 Shore Road, Carrickfergus
Utilities Infrastructure Award
presented by Bill Gowdy, NI Water
Lagan Construction Group Castor Bay to Belfast Strategic Trunk Main
Quality Performance
Environmental Sustainability –
sponsored by the NIEA
Adman Civil Projects
Health & Safety
sponsored by Towergate Dawson Whyte
Maurice Flynn & Sons
Training
presented by Barry Neilson, CITB
Maurice Flynn & Sons
Award Winners
21. Who was there....
Diane and David Henry, Mervyn Storey
CEF / SPECIFY | 21
Steve Aiken, David Fry, David Henry, Karen Patterson, Mervyn Storey
GB & ROI Construction
Tracey Bros
Eolas Building at Maynooth
The 8,000m2 Eolas Building at Maynooth University provides state
of the art Information Communication Technology facilities for
undergraduate, post-graduate and research users as well as a
Business Incubations Centre for start-ups. The building is a major
strategic investment by the University as part of an ambitious plan for
growth.
The building was the largest standalone building to be constructed
on the Maynooth University Campus when commissioned, demonstrating the University’s desire to
consolidate building projects and provide bigger flagship buildings on its campus. The University
steering group developed an exciting brief and engaged with the Design Team to ensure the results
were achieved. The budget and programme were closely monitored during the construction phase with
regular Client and Contractor Reviews. A good working relationship between all parties was key to a
successful outcome. Eolas was completed on time and on budget.
22. Private Housing Award
Carr Bros
Bannview Court Retirement Village
Bannview Court Retirement Village is located within an
idyllic rural setting on the periphery of Banbridge.
The scale of the development was carefully considered
within the context of the site with a mixture of mainly
single storey detached and semi-detached cottages and
a small number of chalet type cottages. The chalet type
units would facilitate flexible living, providing additional
roof space accommodation to cater for family members/
carers during periods of ill health. The variation in the
house types created an attractive streetscape.
Carr Brothers Ltd were appointed as the primary contractor to bring this concept into reality. Strong
relationships on previous sites had already been formed between Lotus Group and Carr Brothers and it
was deemed that this established relationship would ensure the successful delivery of this new project.
As the project focused on creating homes for people wishing to enjoy life in the later years the Homes for
Life brand was born to fully enhance the nature of this development.
Environmental Sustainability Award
Adman Civil Projects
At all Adman Civils sites a Site Environmental Plan is produced
and is specific to each project and is a living document that will
be continuously updated and reviewed during the life of the
project. The Plan contains site-based systems for the effective
management of Environmental matters during the construction
phase of this project.
All operations on site are carried out in a manner to minimise the
production of silty waters. In particular where any dewatering
has to be carried out an assessment will be made as to the
method of disposal of the waters. The storage of materials are controlled in such a manner to ensure
that materials are not damaged prior to use either through any vehicle or people movements or through
exposure to the elements.
On all sites a designated area is created for the washout of concrete wagons shoots and mortar bins.
At all Adman sites environmental training is carried out to provide information to all staff.
General Construction
Restoration Award
St. Patricks Church, Donaghmore
Every heritage project exudes history, but few can claim
a direct connection to the introduction of Christianity in
Ireland.
That brought an obvious pressure for QMAC Construction
during the restoration of St Patrick’s Church in
Donaghmore.
St Patrick brought the Christian faith to the Donaghmore
area around 450AD and it later became a monastic
centre, as evidenced by the ancient High Cross in the
village. One of the major aspects of the work undertaken
was the roof, which had been badly damaged by a bomb in the village during the Troubles.
The bomb had lifted the whole roof up and set it off position. As well as repairing the existing trusses,
beams and wall plates, QMAC installed 10 new queen post trusses and replaced all the rafters.
In addition to the roof, QMAC was also tasked with providing a solution to some of the additions that
had been made to the rear of the church.
22 | CEF / SPECIFY
23. General Construction
Fit Out Award
Woodvale Construction Company: Stranmillis Refectory
This project transformed the dark, underutilised
basement of the Stranmillis Refectory into a bright,
welcoming social hub for students and staff. The
new hub provides a bar, performance space, café,
meeting room, toilets and storage. The building sits
at the heart of the college campus and functions as
a social hub for students and lecturers.
The design maximises natural light, with daylight
flooding through new windows to the north
elevation. The material chosen are high quality
and yet durable and functional to withstand
student wear and tear. With exposed brickwork
and concrete and a mixture of formal and
informal meeting spaces it has been enjoyed by
students and staff as a space to relax and unwind.
Health & Safety Award
Maurice Flynn & Sons
Despite a good H&S performance, Flynn implemented a 3-year strategic plan to become ‘Best in Class in
Health and Safety’.
To do this, Flynn endorsed the 12 Key Pillars to achieve
a Successful Proactive Safety Culture. Each Pillar uses
innovative ideas and best practices. This has led to
remarkable improvements in their safety performance in
2015 and 2016.
A selection of these best practices includes:
• Increased on-site focus
• Risk Awareness
• Hazard Reporting
• Incident Investigation
• Leadership
• Communication
Infrastructure
Education
Tracey Brothers
Dromore Central Primary School
The construction of a new 25 class base primary school at
Mossvale Terrace, Dromore, Co Down was never going to
be easy. A brownfield site in a densely populated area with
many redevelopment issues, such as ground contamination
from its former use as a builder storage yard, a designated
water course bisecting the site which feeds into the River
Lagan to its poor ground conditions including peat requiring
extraction.
Encountering many substantial difficulties in the delivery of this project, quality, health and safety never
faltered. Even when faced with encountering ground conditions that had the very experienced design
stumped for answers or solutions, the proactive management response by the Tracey Brothers team, and
the response given to Tracey Brothers Ltd, by their supply chain in the solution to this problem, again
shone out as a demonstration of a genuine relationship based on years of good working relationships.
CEF / SPECIFY | 23
24. Social Housing
Donaghmore Construction
Ballymisert
Built on the site of Gustav Wolff’s former dwelling
(founding partner of Harland & Wolff), Ballymisert is
a purpose-built supported housing scheme, providing
state-of-the-art accommodation for 21 residents with
mental health needs (general needs & wheelchair
users). The development also features offices/staff
accommodation & a common room - designed to
promote social interaction amongst residents. The
housing is set within a beautifully landscaped site,
providing further opportunities for recreation.
Developed in partnership between Triangle Housing Association & Beacon Wellbeing, Ballymisert
was delivered in line with Lifetime Homes & Secure by Design standards.
Transport Infrastructure
GRAHAM
A2 Shore Road
This project involved the Design and Construction
for a 1.9km online and 1.6km offline road widening
scheme from single carriageway to dual 2-lane
carriageway, with 1 new overbridge and 5 new
at-grade junctions including 4 traffic signals.
Construction works carried out while maintaining 2
lanes of traffic between the hours of 6am and 8pm
to ensure continuous movement of 35,000 vehicles
each day.
The GRAHAM Construction team at the A2 Shore Road site played a key role in the
transformation of four derelict houses along the route where works are being carried out as
part of a major road upgrade.
Training
Maurice Flynn & Sons
Flynn is a family run business that has strong values and ethos.
These family values give the organisation an extra sense of
purpose, pride and a competitive edge within the construction
industry. One of Flynn’s core values is encouragement and
support of young people to gain skills and employment, in
particular the provision of apprenticeships & training placements
beyond what is required by government contractual clauses,
particularly during the tough recession period
This strong performance contributed to Flynn being award
Investors in People Silver accreditation, bypassing the Bronze
accreditation.
A rising number of apprentices, trainees, long-term unemployed have been welcomed by the company
in conjunction with a range of public bodies and agencies. Six years ago the introduction to Springvale
Employment & Learning created what has become a long-term relationship built upon mutual synergy
of needs & ambition. Since joining Flynn in 2014 as HR Manager, Paula McGleenan has developed
the relationship with Springvale to formally cement a partnership for the future provision of training &
apprenticeship places.
24 | CEF / SPECIFY
25. General Construction
Social Community Construction Award
The Junction, Dungannon
The Junction is a mixed-use £3.75 million community
development, designed by Alistair Beckett at Hall, Black
& Douglas Ltd, and constructed by QMAC Construction
Ltd.
Owned by community rights-based organisation, STEP,
it is an imposing three-story building situated on the
busy fringes of Dungannon town centre, and the sharp,
industrial style of the external façade belies the light and
spacious interior of this very modern project.
The Junction was initially referred to as the Peace Centre, to reflect its location, origin and
concept. However, the new name links the building to the previous use of the land on which it
is situated. It was formerly a railway halt for the historic Dungannon railway line and represents
the junction at which the various organisations using the centre will meet.
Utilities Infrastructure Award
Lagan Construction
Castor Bay to Belfast Strategic Trunk Main Scheme
One of the biggest Northern Ireland Water pipeline schemes to be undertaken in recent times provides
a vital new source of water to meet peak period demands in Lisburn and Belfast and help the existing
network cope with any future emergency situations.
The scheme involved Lagan Construction Group laying of 30km water pipeline from Castor Bay WTW to
south Lisburn, where the pipeline links into an existing trunk main to transport the water supply further
into Belfast. Half the length of the new pipeline was laid with
700mm epoxy-coated cement-lined, ductile iron, spigot and socket
pipe. The remaining 15km was made up of 600mm with a small
amount of 500mm diameter pipe.
Lagan Construction Group also carried out several infrastructure
upgrades, all of which are linked to the new pipeline. These
included the re-commissioning of local service reservoirs that were
out of operation at Danescroft, Lisburn and St. Andrew’s, Temple,
the upgrade of the existing Castor Bay Water Pumping Station in
Craigavon; the construction of a new water pumping station
at Sprucefield (Lisburn) and a new water pumping station at the
refurbished St. Andrew’s Service Reservoir.
Health Infrastructure Award
OHMG
Ballymena Health & Care Centre
Ballymena Health Centre is a state-of-the-art facility valued at £25 million and is the largest of its kind in
Northern Ireland, located on the north side of the Braid Valley Hospital site. During construction, O’Hare &
McGovern rendered a balance between stringent health requirements whilst achieving an elegant finish.
The new centre brought together six local GP practices delivering a
range of acute, primary and community care, adult and children’s
services. The project blends a range of services in a modern, accessible,
one-stop facility. GP services, selected acute outpatient, diagnostic
services as well as a large number of community and primary care
multidisciplinary teams are now available under one roof.
The centre not only delivers exemplary facilities but also employs
over 500 staff who provide health and wellbeing services to over 700
patients daily.
CEF / SPECIFY | 25
26. O’HARE & MCGOVERN TAKE TOP PRIZE AT
THE CEF SPECIFY AWARDS FOR IFA
NATIONAL FOOTBALL STADIUM
The IFA’s new National
Football Stadium at Windsor
Park is a phenomenal
development which rates
alongside many of the major
soccer venues in Europe.
It was built within the
confines of the existing
Windsor Park, which
remained fully operational
throughout the 98 week
construction phase, facilitating
over 200,000 spectators at
63 international and domestic
fixtures.
To ensure the safety of players
and spectators the stadium
was designed and built in
full compliance with UEFA
Category 4 Standards. All
existing access and egress
points were upgraded to
comply with UK Safety at
Sports Grounds legislation
and guidance including
acoustic improvements.
The work involved the
demolition of the south and
east stands; the erection
of south and east stands;
refurbishment and extension
of the north and west stands.
In addition to the stands, the
work also included associated
safety and accessibility ground
improvements, turnstiles, site
works, external lighting, a
magnificent new world class
pitch with under pitch heating,
drainage and irrigation.
OHMG designed curved
steel work at the interface of
the North East
stand with the
North West
stand to form
a Quadrant.
This curved
design
helped to create a stadium
to enhance the viewing
experience of the spectator
while at the same time
mitigating the impact of
noise on neighbouring
houses outside the stadium.
Refurbish work included
painting steelwork and new
seating and the coloured
pattern seating were all
important aspects of the
transformation of the existing
North stand resulted in
a masterful 21st Century
stadia bowl which has already
met with massive public
acclimation.
The stadium, which has a
maximum seating capacity
for 18,600, was designed and
constructed to maximise
its functionality and deliver
a range of services for the
players, spectators, local
community and the IFA,
including
• Provision of world class
football and sporting
facilities
• Commercial office
space for the new IFA
headquarters
• Preservation of IFA
legacy through the new
education and heritage
centre
• Indoor training warm up
areas
• Entertainment, media and
conference zones
• Hospitality and
refreshment areas,
Replacement flood
lighting, Upgrade of
pedestrian access points
and boundary fencing &
Coach & car parking.
One of the main aims of
the project was for O’Hare
& McGovern to promote
sustainable economic
development, maximise social
returns and tackle socio-
economic inequalities through
Training & Employment.
OHMG doubled the
targets set by DCAL and
IFA for social clauses and
as a consequence, OHMG
employed the following:
32 Long Term Unemployed
19 New apprentices
One Apprentice was awarded
Apprentice of the year
5% of Tier 1 sub-contractors’
workforce were apprentices
20 student placement
Increasing capacity from
12,000 to 18,000
A Building Information
Model (BIM) was used in
the collaborative process
between all parties to find
solutions to Buildability issues.
The implementation of BIM,
aided dynamic design and
embedment of product and
asset data.
This landmark sporting venue
would not have come to
fruition without the hard
work of a group of dedicated
individuals, not just from the
main contractor O’Hare &
McGovern, but from a wide
scope of companies who
helped create this exceptional
building, whilst on time and
on budget.The following
table includes a list of all the
participating groups which
made this fantastic stadium a
reality:
26 | O’Hare & McGovern
27. Health Infrastructure Award:
Ballymena healthcare centre
Ballymena Health Centre
is a state-of-the-art facility
valued at £25 million and
is the largest of its kind in
Northern Ireland, located on
the north side of the Braid
Valley Hospital site. During
construction, O’Hare &
McGovern rendered a balance
between stringent health
requirements whilst achieving
an elegant finish.
The new centre brought
together six local GP
practices delivering a range of
acute, primary and community
care, adult and children’s
services. The project blends a
range of services in a modern,
accessible, one-stop facility.
GP services, selected acute
outpatient, diagnostic services
as well as a large number of
community and primary care
multidisciplinary teams are
now available under one roof.
The centre not only delivers
exemplary facilities but also
employs over 500 staff who
provide health and wellbeing
services to over 700 patients
daily.
The Northern Health & Social
Care Trust vision’s for the
Ballymena Health Centre was
to provide a diverse range of
healthcare services to act as
a catalyst for improving the
health and wellbeing of the
local community.They include:
Six general medical
practitioners and GP
Treatment areas
Community and general
dental department
Diagnostics and treatment
and assessment departments,
such as community dental,
physiotherapy and X-ray,
podiatry and occupational
therapies
Separate outpatient and
community mental health
clinics
Children’s services
department
Pharmaceutical services
Office and workstation and
meeting rooms
local out-of-hours, Dalriada
Urgent Care Service, which
will relocate from its current
accommodation
The central feature of the
building is the two storey
atrium, which creates a
warm welcoming
atmosphere for staff,
patients and visitors.
This open feature encourages
social interaction among
staff, patients and visitors
promoting health and
wellbeing for all.
With vibrant internal and
external styles, the new
centre delivers its visions for
achieving a modern tranquil
atmosphere unlike like any
other healthcare centre
before in Northern Ireland.
The colour and the aesthetic
of the brickwork and local
stone were chosen in order
to harmonise with the
existing Braid Valley Hospital
Buildings.The collaborative
contract team has established
a welcoming environment for
patients. Furthermore, the
internal courtyard creates an
area for the wellbeing and
relaxation of staff, patients and
visitors.
An exemplary finish to the
project was achieved by
developing and incorporating
BIM for services integration
and clash detection.
A ground-breaking building
such as Ballymena Health
would not have come to
fruition without the hard
work of a group of dedicated
individuals, not just from the
main contractor O’Hare &
McGovern, but from a wide
scope of companies who
helped create this exceptional
building, within time and
on budget.The following
table includes a list of all the
participating groups which
made the Ballymena Health
Centre a reality:
O’Hare & McGovern | 27
29. Donaghmore Construction | 29
BALLYMISERT SUPPORTED HOUSING -
SOCIAL HOUSING AWARD
B
allymisert Supported
Housing is a recently
completed development
of 17 apartments and 1
house, providing state-of-
the-art accommodation
for 21 residents with
mental health needs.The
development also features
offices/staff accommodation
and a common room,
designed to promote social
interaction amongst residents.
Donaghmore Construction
Ltd were appointed as Main
Contractor, successfully
delivering an exemplar
scheme for Triangle Housing
Association, on time, under
budget and to the most
exacting quality standards.
Developed in partnership
between Triangle Housing
Association and NIAMH,
the main aim was to provide
improved accommodation for
residents formerly residing
at Kirkliston Drive.This
was an old building, offering
shared accommodation with
communal facilities. Meals
were provided, as was a
laundry service, therefore
residents had limited
independence.
The site itself is steeped in
history, once home to Gustav
Wolff, founding partner of
Harland and Wolff. He set
up home here, living in a
cottage named “the Den”,
while he headed up the most
well-known shipyard in the
world. Prior to the new-
build works commencing,
this existing cottage was
demolished. Donaghmore
Construction worked closely
with Belfast Historical Society
throughout the construction
phase to ensure a smooth
transition from the site’s
historical past to it’s new
use. In a nod to its famous
former resident, the common
room at Ballymisert has been
named “The Den”.This room
forms a centrepiece to the
development, with patio doors
opening out onto the external
gardens. Here, residents enjoy
a variety of social events – all
adding to
the sense of
community
felt at
Ballymisert.
The
scheme was
constructed
traditionally
with strip
foundations,
precast concrete slabs
and concrete roof tiles on
contractor-designed trusses.
Brickwork was incorporated
along with reconstituted
stone window surrounds and
painted render to integrate
the range of design styles in
the area. Photovoltaic panels
were installed, between them
producing up to 110kW of
electricity from renewable
sources.The homes all have
gas-fired central heating and
are pre-wired for satellite TV.
Located along one of
Belfast’s busiest arterial routes
(Holywood Road), the housing
is set within a beautifully
landscaped site, providing
further opportunities for
recreation. Care was taken
to sensitively enhance the
outdoor space, including
enhanced landscaping and
community gardens.
Following the scheme’s
success at the 2016
Construction Excellence
Awards, Donaghmore
Construction’s Managing
Director Mark Currie
commented:
“It was our pleasure to work
alongside Triangle Housing
Association, NIAMH &
McAdam Design on Ballymisert
Supported Housing and we are
delighted that the scheme has
been recognised with a Social
Housing Award! Ballymisert was
designed & delivered with its
future residents at the heart of
every decision made. Medical &
construction experts (including
our supply chain partners)
joined forces, working together
from inception to completion
to optimise best outturn.Their
collaborative endeavour resulted
in a state-of-the-art facility
which has been revered as a
phenomenal success by both
Triangle, NIAMH & the families/
friends of those now resident
there.”
But most importantly is the
residents themselves – there
is no substitute for their own
testimony and Donaghmore
Construction were delighted
with the feedback received.To
give you a flavour, resident Liz
Bell described how her new
home “Lifts my life, brightens
me up and gives me back my
independence”. Where fit,
residents are largely free to
come and go as they please,
however, where individual
needs dictate, residents are
accompanied out into the
local community.This ensures
that they can avail of all
that the locality has to offer
including restaurants, shops,
churches etc. Since moving
to Ballymisert, residents have
learnt to cook, shop and
budget their own finances.
They now have their own
individual space, decorated
to their own taste, helping
to build their confidence and
independence.
30. www.mauriceflynn.com
FLYNN are delighted to be
Winners of 2 CEF / SPECIFY
Construction Excellence
Awards 2016
Social/Community
Construction Award
Waterfront Hall
Refurbishment
Education Award
St Joseph’s
Primary School,
Carnacaville
Training Award
Health & Safety Award
And FINALISTS in
2 categories
St Josephs' Primary School, Carnacaville
