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More than 100 schools in England are grappling with an urgent problem due to structural concerns, following the dramatic closure of buildings constructed with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). But while this situation presents a significant challenge, it also offers a unique opportunity for the Government and the construction industry to reevaluate their approach to building sustainability and safety, by using low-carbon alternatives that can revolutionise the way we construct our schools and other vital structures writes Tony Sheridan, Group Commercial Director for Cemfree. (pictured) When the government ordered the closure of these schools just days before the autumn term was set to begin, educators, parents, and students found themselves in a state of flux. Alternative learning solutions, including remote learning and temporary classrooms, became the immediate response to the crisis sparking concerns and criticism. While this is an understandable reaction, at the heart of this issue lies the critical importance of responsible design and the correct choice of appropriate construction materials. It underscores the significance of using the right product in the right place and keeping design at the forefront of construction decisions. A crucial consideration should have been the acceptable design life of the structures. If these buildings were originally designed for a 30-year lifespan, it was unrealistic to expect them to last 50 years without issues. If lessons are to be learned we must be mindful of these factors during future design phases and avoid overstretching the longevity of our structures. Another factor to consider as we contemplate rebuilding these educational institutions, is a pressing environmental concern – embodied carbon. The concrete originally used in these structures, and the replacement materials chosen, play a pivotal role in determining their environmental footprints and this is where products such as Alkali-Activated Cementitious Materials (AACMs) can make a huge difference. The issue of embodied carbon, which refers to the total carbon emissions associated with a building material's production, transportation, and installation, cannot be overlooked. When considering replacement materials, it's imperative to assess the environmental impact. Perhaps then it is an opportunity to look at innovative alternatives like AACM’s, which are readily available and have been tested following rigorous research and development programmes? While concrete is undeniably an excellent construction material, its traditional usage has been heavily cement-dependent, contributing to a colossal carbon footprint - 850kgs per tonne as stated by MPA. However, AACMs such as Cemfree are revolutionising the construction landscape, allowing designers to maintain the integrity of concrete while slashing its carbon footprint by up to 85% compared to Portland Cement (PC). Embracing AACMs like Cemfree could catalyse a paradigm shift in the construction of critical structures like schools and hospitals, ushering in a sustainable future. At Cemfree we are committed to ensuring that our products are specified and used correctly, ensuring structural integrity and safety. We work closely with architects, specifiers, contractors, and other stakeholders to guide them through the process from start to finish. Our rigorous approach ensures that Cemfree is not only chosen but also applied appropriately, maximising its environmental benefits. The path to creating safe, ultra-low carbon buildings lies in collaboration. Clients, specifiers, contractors, and material providers must work together to design and construct sustainable structures that are both environmentally friendly and structurally sound. This collaborative effort should span the entire construction process, from initial design to final implementation. The situation with schools in England serves as a pivotal moment, highlighting the importance of responsible design, sustainability, and material selection in construction projects. It offers us a choice – to rebuild with materials that are both resilient and environmentally conscious or continue to use very carbon intensive materials. Could this be the catalyst for a transformation in our commitment to constructing safer, greener, and more sustainable educational spaces for generations to come? As we rebuild our schools, let's not just reconstruct buildings but also reshape the future. The opportunity for change is now, and together, we can pave the way towards a more sustainable tomorrow for our schools and beyond.

Government plans to spend £3.7 billion on dozens of new NHS hospitals has not materialised in the way that some had anticipated, but could that be because budgets are now being spent on offsite construction to deliver hundreds of new buildings, surgical wings and other major refurbishments asks Tony Huggins, managing director of David Bailey Furniture? Offsite construction companies, able to deliver new, ready equipped buildings, sometimes within just 20 weeks, now seem to be filling the demand for essential infrastructure in the NHS. This follows the endorsement by the UK government in 2020 to increase the use of offsite manufacturing in the delivery of healthcare projects. For companies such as David Bailey Furniture, one of the fastest growing manufacturers of specialist furniture and storage solutions for the healthcare sector, it has involved a major change in the way it delivers products for the NHS. By working closely with companies specialising in the offsite construction market, it has been able to produce bespoke products such as reception desks, shelving and fitted furniture to fit precisely into modular buildings that are then transported and finally installed in hospitals and healthcare centres across the country. It is a partnership that starts with precise architectural drawings to allow David Bailey to accurately price and build the furniture, which is then manufactured to exactly fit the predesigned modules. This has allowed the company to deliver a wide range of furniture products across an equally wide range of healthcare applications from x-ray departments to orthopaedic wards, from urology to specialist surgical hubs. Such is the demand for modular solutions that some manufacturers are now anticipating NHS demands and are pre-building units in advance where experience has shown that there is likely to be an order in the near future. Such developments are significantly reducing delivery times still further while allowing the NHS to fulfil its obligation to patients more efficiently. The rise in modular solutions follows the desperate need for new wards and clinical centres, which could be at least two years away using traditional construction techniques. This is in spite of Government promises for up to 40 more hospitals. However, it is now possible with offsite construction and the same ingenuity used to build Nightingale Hospitals during the Covid Pandemic, to deliver those essential new wards and clinics within just a few months. While there is a will by Government and a process in place to build more hospitals it is clear that Covid and the additional strains it has placed on the NHS has made it more difficult to deliver that programme which is why David Bailey Furniture working with its modular construction partners, are convinced that offsite construction offers a real solution to provide the facilities needed by the NHS. This is supported by organisations such as The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) who reported in a recent survey that offsite construction is safer, faster and cheaper. They also added that thanks to offsite construction, 61% of people saw increased productivity, while 47% reported enhanced employee safety. There is a further added bonus that when compared to an equivalent, traditionally-built project, up to 67% less energy is required to produce a modular building and not only is the actual construction of the building 'greener', but the building is also energy- efficient for life. So, it is clear that modern methods of construction are well established as a building technique and can now deliver the highest of construction standards. It is also obvious that offsite construction offers a very real solution to providing those vital healthcare resources and it can be done using highly sustainable materials, greater levels of health and safety and most importantly – it can significantly reduce costs. Yet for all that, offsite construction still only accounts for between 5% to 10% of the industry output. This is compared to around 9% in Germany, 12-15% in Japan and 20% in Sweden, so the potential for growth in this sector is enormous. For David Bailey Furniture, it all means one thing, change, which is why we continue to work closely with our partners in modular construction. We can see that this very much represents a positive step forward in terms of delivering the infrastructure that the NHS so badly needs – so it really is a case of watch this space.

The UK’s first 100% Portland cement free sustainable alternative to standard masonry mortars, developed and manufactured to deliver savings in CO2e emissions of up to 70%, has been launched in the UK by Cemfree, the country’s leading producer and pioneer of ultra-low carbon cementitious technologies and products. This is the second major launch for Cemfree, who 10 years ago unveiled the country’s first cement free binder, a real alternative to Portland cement (PC), responsible for 8% of the world’s CO2e emissions. With industry estimates showing that construction professionals use in excess of some 2.5 million tonnes of cement-based mortar every year, Cemfree believes this new product will give builders, architects and other construction professionals, another major opportunity to help the environment and reduce the risk of Global warming. Cemfree Masonry Mortar is a factory produced designed mortar available directly from Cemfree. It holds appropriate UKCA marking, showing conformity with UK legislation and is fully compliant to BS EN 998-2. Available in premixed bulk or 25KG bags, Cemfree Masonry Mortar performs in a similar way to standard cement-based mortars with the added benefit of significant carbon savings, delivering comparable consistency and curing times and offering excellent workability. “Cemfree Masonry Mortar is a major step forward in terms of reducing the amount of carbon emissions produced by conventional Portland cement-based products,” said Katie Wills, Cemfree Major Accounts Manager. “When used in conjunction with Cemfree concrete blocks, which are now widely available across the UK, the CO2e savings can be even more substantial. This is another major step forward in helping to protect our planet”. Cemfree Masonry Mortar has been launched following extensive development by the Cemfree Technology Team, and independent expert support.  It has been widely accepted and received by the industry during pilot tests to demonstrate the user-friendly nature of the product. The mortar is the latest stage of an ongoing product development programme for Cemfree as it continues to evolve with new technologies and products.