Making the news today....

[coppice cutter]

8 minutes ago, kevinjohnsonmbe said:

 Without exception, every time I’ve had a conversation with these types they roll over and submit……

 

Precisely what the EU wants it's citizens to do!

[Big J]

7 hours ago, trigger_andy said:

I mean seriously. What kind of school tenders and cheaps out on the quote from a bunch of cowboys and then somehow you find a way to blame that on Brexit? 
 

Never before has this meme been more relevant. 
 

 

 

With architectural and engineering projects (as I am sure you are aware), you have the local contractors and the lead contractors. The school is constructed using a technique called brettstapel, which involves using low grade timber doweled together to form structural panels. It was at the time very specialised, the panels were made in Austria and transported over. The Austrian team's job was to erect the shell of the building and get it airtight. I went up for the airtightness test with my wife - the tester (an enthusiastic Yorkshireman) said it was the most airtight building he'd ever tested that wasn't underground.

 

The local contractors were employed for the fitout and finishing. Being a Highland Council project, the architects had only limited control of who was chosen, and I was not saying blaming the local contractors for any kind of negligence, only saying that they were not used to working at the standard set by the Austrian team.

 

I used this is an example of the sometimes apparent skills gap in certain professions between local contractors and foreign contractors. 

[GarethM]

So if they made an exceptionally airtight building, what's the problem with the locals fitting it out ?.

 

Or was this the collapsing brick wall debacle?.

 

At the very least on a multi million pound project like schools across Scotland, sell them the design, expertise maybe even pay for an architect office for a year or two.

 

The 1970s saw a standardised design across local authorities buildings, they were simple flat roof monstrosities that worked.

[Big J]

9 minutes ago, GarethM said:

So if they made an exceptionally airtight building, what's the problem with the locals fitting it out ?.

 

Or was this the collapsing brick wall debacle?.

 

At the very least on a multi million pound project like schools across Scotland, sell them the design, expertise maybe even pay for an architect office for a year or two.

 

The 1970s saw a standardised design across local authorities buildings, they were simple flat roof monstrosities that worked.

 

Kept punching holes in it with nail guns, amongst other things.

[GarethM]

Which school was that ?, I've known about the failures at DG one for years tho.

[Big J]

25 minutes ago, GarethM said:

Which school was that ?, I've known about the failures at DG one for years tho.

 

Acharacle. 

 

Acharacle Primary School : Timber Development UK

TIMBERDEVELOPMENT.UK

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Acharacle is a small, remote community on the south-west tip of Loch Shiel. For many years the village had campaigned for a new primary school and community space to replace the old...

 

I stress that the issues were resolved and the school has been performing beautifully. The climate there is truly one of the worst imaginable. Constantly windy and extremely wet.

[GarethM]

I'll have a read later.

 

I only talk from experience post college, working in schools. The old Victorian & 70s schools were worn out but perfectly functional, all the brand new 2000s steel frame ones were too hot or too cold and either falling apart or leaking like a sieve.

 

Think the construction industry for around 15 years had this addiction to steel frame buildings, but forgot all materials move differently.

[trigger_andy]

4 hours ago, Big J said:

The local contractors were employed for the fitout and finishing. Being a Highland Council project, the architects had only limited control of who was chosen, and I was not saying blaming the local contractors for any kind of negligence, only saying that they were not used to working at the standard set by the Austrian team.

That’s my point though. 🤷‍♂️ 

 

4 hours ago, Big J said:

I used this is an example of the sometimes apparent skills gap in certain professions between local contractors and foreign contractors. 

But there is British Crews who know how to build an Airtight House/Buikding though. Just because the Council screwed up does not mean we have to have an influx of cheat Eastern European labour does it?

 

And there is procedures to get the relevant skill gap filled with over-seas personnel. Yes it takes time but clearly this building was not thrown up in a day. I had to go through the same procedure to come to Brazil. We had to prove that what I was coming down to do could not be carried out by a local. Lots of paperwork. Once I’ve trained them up I’ll not be required back.
 

It’s the same as building to a Pasivhus standard. Train the British Crews on this standard and give British people the work. 
 

The Council screwing up this job is no poster for mass migration and lowering standards and pay for British people that’s for sure. 
 

 

[GarethM]

Looks like I'm going down a internet rabbit hole later, I understand it's low grade timber formed into panels and highly insulated like a wood version of a cavity wall but in Lego block sections.

 

So what's the difference other than the wood to say a well constructed breeze block and blown cavity ?.

[Big J]

12 minutes ago, GarethM said:

Looks like I'm going down a internet rabbit hole later, I understand it's low grade timber formed into panels and highly insulated like a wood version of a cavity wall but in Lego block sections.

 

So what's the difference other than the wood to say a well constructed breeze block and blown cavity ?.

 

Now you're asking! It's about ten years since my wife last worked with it (kids and life and all that).

 

Firstly, it's a massive carbon store. Secondly, low grade timber is something that's grown in large quantity in the UK. The climate produces fast growth, low quality timber. Thirdly, wood is naturally insulative, whereas breeze block is a thermal bridge. Fourthly, wood is hydrophilic, and plays a part in moisture regulation of the internal environment. Not the case with masonry. 

 

There are loads more, but those spring to mind.