Mobile IT Mobile PDAs Digital Pen & Paper Site connection devices The integrated mobile office systems Pre-stressed beams and block floors STEEL Advanced panel timber frames Permanent steel shuttered floors Timber cladding Structural Insulated Panel Systems & Floor Cassettes Timber Steel Mobile IT Concrete Steel frame building systems Unitised external cladding Mobile PDA's Digital pen and paper Concrete tunnel forms Insulated formwork structures.

Choosing a network frequency Mobile IT Mobile PDAs Digital Pen & Paper Site connection devices Choosing which type of networking technology can be a complicated process and has cost implications. The faster and more powerful the signal the more advanced the hardware needs and subsequently the costs are higher. The speed and the range of the frequency determine how much and what type data you can receive, from where you can transmit or receive it from and what type of technology you need to do this. Below is a list of the most common types of frequencies available and what each is useful for.

Long range network frequencies (for inter-site connectivity): UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone Service) - always connected, up to 384Kbps. Enables the delivery of video and mobile multimedia. GPRS (General Packet Radio System) always connected, up to 50Kbps. Charged per packet of data transferred. GPRS enables dial-up speed connection to Internet services. SMS (Short Message Service) - Standard to send text up to 160 character messages via GSM. GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) - Current mobile phone network standard; up to 9Kbps. HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data ) – Orange technology enabling speeds up to 28.8Kbps via GSM. WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) - Standard to access and text based internet via GSM. Mobile IT Mobile PDAs Digital Pen & Paper Site connection devices

Short range network frequencies (for onsite connectivity): Infra Red: Up to 2m range; up to 16Mbps. IR does not penetrate walls and so does not interfere with other devices in adjoining rooms but conversely cannot be used to communicate between rooms. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): Up to 300m range (an external antenna can extend this to several miles); up to 120Mbps. Can be used to extend wired Local Area Networks (LANs) e.g. to extend the site office network across the whole construction site. Bluetooth: 10m range; up to 1Mbps. Low power, low cost solution to replace peripheral cabling (E.g. phone to handheld computer; PC to printer/ monitor; PC to digital camera/ video camera; PC to LAN). Mobile IT Mobile PDAs Digital Pen & Paper Site connection devices

Mobile IT Mobile PDAs Digital Pen & Paper Site connection devices The Problems: Onsite collaboration: Without an efficient method of transmitting data between on-site staff the flow of information is blocked when it reaches the construction site, initially only reaching office based staff. This can lead to important messages being lost or arriving too late. A simple example of a typical construction communication scenario.

Mobile IT Mobile PDAs Digital Pen & Paper Site connection devices The Problems: Inter-site collaboration: A major cause of delay when beginning to set up a construction site is the initial lack of an infrastructure for communications particularly when building in a remote geographical location. Bad communication between a site and its control centre inevitably leads to unnecessary errors and slows down response times to hold-ups and other problems. A simple example of a typical inter-site communication scenario.

Case study: Mobile IT Mobile PDAs Digital Pen & Paper Site connection devices Site Connection devices A major cause of delay when beginning to set up a construction site is the initial lack of an infrastructure for communications, particularly when building in a remote geographical location. Bad communication between a site and its control centre inevitably leads to unnecessary errors and slows down response times to hold-ups and other problems. Accessibility to this technology would increase the ability of personnel to quickly respond to problems at remote sites and to communicate issues between all necessary decision makers. It would enhance the ability to organize and transmit multimedia project information (digital pictures, video, electronic documents, and audio recordings) so that others can access current project information in an intuitive and timely manner.

Mobile PDA's for inspections Mobile PDA's can be used to collect vital inspection information which can then be transmitted to a central office and/or database. Using this technology means that the inspector can spend more time on actual inspection and less time on paperwork thus improving the quality and efficiency of the inspection. Case study: Mobile IT Mobile PDAs Digital Pen & Paper Site connection devices

Case study: Mobile IT Mobile PDAs Digital Pen & Paper Site connection devices Digital Pen and Paper Description: Digital pens act as an interface between the user and technologies such as laptop computers, Tablet PCs and PDAs (Digital Paper). Benefits: One of the major benefits of this technology is in its simplicity. This significantly reduces the chance of error in inspections and means that there is virtually no need for staff training.

Case study: Steel Permanent Steel Shuttering The system is often referred to as profiled steel floor decking. The permanent formwork remains in situ for the life of the building and supports the poured concrete. Considerable efficiencies may be achieved on large multi-storey buildings. The construction process enables follow-on trades to work on lower floor levels beneath the live construction decks as it creates unimpeded access because the need for temporary propping and retro-shores is eliminated. Permanent Steel Shuttering Steel Framed Building Systems Unitised External Cladding Contributing to the construction speed, the profiled floor deck creates a working platform (eliminating scaffolding) and also reduces concrete volumes which minimises the overall building dead weight and consequently lowers costs of columns and foundations. Other benefits include high fire resistance, good sound insulation and the ability to incorporate the formwork into composite (concrete) beams.

Case study: Steel Steel Framed Building Systems For large projects requiring fast-track construction techniques, steel framed buildings are innovative and cost effective. Advances in revised design codes e.g. Reduced floor loadings and computer design tools have transformed the potential of steel framed construction. The use of off-site fabrication which utilise computer aided drafting (CAD) information techniques in production, has reduced the lead time in projects. The use of off-site fire protection e.g. intumescent coatings avoids on-site environmental hazards and weather dependency. New developments in improving the structural efficiency of beams and columns by the Permanent Steel Shuttering Steel Framed Building Systems Unitised External Cladding introduction of improved steel sections have made gains of 15%. Steel framed buildings offer construction efficiency on congested urban sites and as a basic material is effectively recycled.

Case study: Steel Unitised external cladding. The term refers to pre-assembled story height façade systems. The walling envelope consisting of cold formed, light weight steel framing is manufactured off- site. A variety of claddings are available which are fixed to the external envelope. Unitised façade systems are particularly beneficial on large scale housing schemes and commercial projects in terms of construction time (600% faster than wet trades e.g. block-work). The design benefits are bespoke external finishes and a wide range of external façade options. As well as conventional render brickwork and glass finishes, Permanent Steel Shuttering Steel Framed Building Systems Unitised External Cladding rain-screen technologies are particularly innovative and offer robust, long-life solutions. These include terracotta tiles, aluminium and enamelled steel cladding, timber and colour photovoltaic systems.

Case study: Concrete Pre-stressed beams and block floors Fully-suspended beam and block floors consist of pre-cast pre-stressed concrete beams and standard building blocks which are commonly available from producers and builders merchants throughout the UK. In combination they provide an economical type of suspended ground floor. Blocks are easily handled and quick to place on site and once a beam and block floor is erected, it is immediately available as a working platform. Pre-stressed beam and block floors have high load carrying capacity and long spans for commercial building. In house design there is an allowance for complete freedom of room Pre-stressed concrete beams and block floors Insulated concrete formwork In situ concrete tunnel forms layouts, with the option to use block partitions on all floor levels. Other benefits include high sound insulation, good fire resistance and take up of seasonal movement in ground floors on shrinkable clay sites.

Case study: Concrete Insulated concrete formwork Insulated concrete formwork (ICF) is a fast, cost effective and thermally efficient method of construction that has a proven track record outside of the UK. The lightweight expanded polystyrene blocks are easily transported to site and require relatively low levels plant, equipment and labour. The easily seamed blocks provide a cavity into which concrete can be poured creating a thermal efficiency exceeding the Building Regulation requirements. Providing U values from 0.30 w/m2k down to 0.11 w/m2k. The system is popular in Germany, USA and Canada as is currently on Pre-stressed concrete beams and block floors Insulated concrete formwork In situ concrete tunnel forms trial with a number of UK housing associations. The reinforced structural walls may be clad internally and externally with a wide range of finishes including renders, masonry, plaster and rain-screen cladding (timber, light weight metal).

Case study: Concrete In situ concrete tunnel forms Tunnel form is a modular construction method that utilises in-situ concrete poured into two half- tunnel forms that together form the walls and ceiling of a building. Reinforcement and service conduits can be placed within the moulds as necessary prior to pouring the concrete and openings for stair wells and interconnecting doors can also be formed. The resulting structure is a series of open-ended bays with Pre-stressed concrete beams and block floors Insulated concrete formwork In situ concrete tunnel forms concrete walls and ceilings. The fast-track method of construction is suitable for repetitive cellular projects. This system has been used successfully on a 900 unit accommodation project on the south coast. Concrete tunnel forms are used extensively in Holland offering speed, accuracy and good sound and fire resistance.

Case study: Timber Structural Insulated Panel Systems (SIPS) and Floor Cassettes Floor and roof cassettes fit easily into place and lock into the structure of the building, regardless of how it is constructed. Prefabricated modular floor systems can be used in both traditional and timber framed house building. They have been proven to bring improved productivity and operating safety during the construction process. The working platform is instantly stable and Structural Insulated Panel Systems and Floor Cassettes Advanced panel timber frames Timber frames there is consequently a major reduction in the overall project erection time. Other benefits for both housing and commercial buildings, is cost effective party floor (sound insulation) construction. Structural Insulated Panel systems are similar to floor cassettes forming the walls and roofs in a structural composite of particle board and rigid foam insulation.

Case study: Timber Advanced panel timber frames (Offsite Platform Construction). Timber frame construction is growing fast with 20% of all new houses built in 2006 using this construction method. The use of Advanced panel timber frames sometimes called open panel systems, can replace the need for breeze blocks in traditional construction. With each load-bearing panel being individually designed, engineered and manufactured, they are easily erected on-site with ease and within millimeter precision to form a sustainable timber frame building. And with trussed rafters forming the roof, a weather-tight building can be created in a matter of days. This enables work to continue within the building whilst the outer cladding and roof finishes are applied. Structural Insulated Panel Systems and Floor Cassettes Advanced panel timber frames Timber frames

Case study: Timber Timber cladding. Timber cladding provides an effective covering for exterior building facades as well as for decorative interiors. As well as being easy to fix it is available completely factory pre-finished which reduces time in the construction processes. Durability issues can easily be resolved by using treatments and preservatives in the production process. Timber cladding is sustainable with zero carbon emissions and excellent insulation. This material also removes brickwork from the critical path of construction operations with the added benefit of faster build times. The use of Larch, Western Red Cedar and Oak can be used untreated and without surface coatings to weather naturally. Structural Insulated Panel Systems and Floor Cassettes Advanced panel timber frames Timber cladding