MARCH 2021 | 29
Installer Support
ON-SITE SECURITY A POLICE PRIORITY
Even prior to the COVID-19 crisis construction site theft was an ongoing problem that blighted the UK construction industry , with the industry suffering estimated losses of around £ 800 million a year .
The impact of these losses - due to crimes such as theft , criminal damage , arson and anti social behaviour - are not only limited to the stolen or damaged equipment or property , but also have significant additional consequences , very often affecting even completion dates . Overall development costs also rise due to project delays , the need for equipment to be repaired or replaced , and higher insurance premiums .
Secured by Design ( SBD ), has issued a new guide for Construction Site Security with assistance from the Metropolitan Police Service ( MPS ), Police Scotland , the Considerate Constructors Scheme , the London Fire Brigade ( LFB ), the National Business Crime Centre , Sold Secure , the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure ( CPNI ) and the National Police Chiefs Council ( NPCC ).
Stuart Ward , National Designing Out Crime Manager at Police Scotland , said : “ Crime affecting the Construction Industry is known to have a negative impact on the ability of contractors to meet “ on time and within budget delivery ” of development work . Throughout the UK the use of this guide and implementation of its recommendations where appropriate will significantly reduce the cost of crime both in terms of finance and reputation . The guide can be used as an excellent start point for security measures to be applied , and further advice can be sought from the local Police Designing Out Crime Officers , who can also assist in providing supplementary support .”
PC James Smith from the Metropolitan Police Service , said : “ This guidance has been produced with the construction industry and the problems they face firmly in mind . With the amount of construction work happening across the country , it is important that crime prevention advice be freely available to all tradespeople to help protect construction sites and equipment . I think this guidance will go some way to assisting the industry , and helping improve security on building sites .”
The guide can be downloaded for free from the SBD website : https :// www . securedbydesign . com / images / CONSTRUCTION _ SITE _ SECURITY _ GUIDE _ A4 _ 8pp . pdf
Google Maps the Latest in a System that Never Stops Evolving
Bradly Scott Windows is well known in Staffordshire , having served the Tamworth , Lichfield and surrounding areas for more than twenty years . The company supplies a wide range of windows , doors and conservatories and is a member of the Independent Network , which represents VEKA installers . Andy is a keen fundraiser and supporter of the local community with Bradley Scott Windows the main sponsor of local football team Tamworth FC . His prominent Watling Street showroom and offices also sport a huge mural in support of the efforts of Captain Sir Tom Moore and the NHS .
Having adopted the webbased version of Admin- Base last year after running their business using the popular installer management system for more than five years , Andy Farrington , boss of Tamworth-based Bradley Scott Windows says that the latest changes , including Google Maps , have “ made a great system even better ”.
Google Maps is an integrated feature of the webbased AdminBase : “ The Google Maps feature is fantastic . Although we are still learning how to get the most out of it , we can look at the map and immediately see when and more importantly , where , our sales calls , surveys and installations are scheduled ,” said Andy . “ We can then plan further calls for our teams to make the most efficient use of their time , and of course , we can tell our customers when we can be with them , immediately .” A further feature of Google Maps on AdminBase is the facility to schedule demo calls . By including specific details of installations already carried out , users at Bradley Scott can see at-aglance where installations
of , for example , bi folding doors , are in proximity to an enquirer , allowing the most convenient viewings to be scheduled .
“ When we learned about the benefits of moving on to the web-based version of AdminBase last year we immediately switched ,” recalled Andy . “ With the changing rules of working under the pandemic it allowed us to keep on top of the business from anywhere , which gave us the added flexibility we needed .
“ We can get a broad view at a glance by looking at the Dashboard , to then drill down for a detailed look at things . With Remedials , for example , I can see exactly what work is required , the time needed , parts … everything , to allow me to keep a tight rein on costs and time , and to ensure the homeowner is fully informed . Every part of the operation is linked , with the information entered just once and carried through and updated throughout . Through regular , online update sessions we are constantly discovering more features and improved , slicker ways of doing things .”
www . abinitiosoftware . co . uk
SAVE ON STEELS WITH ULTRAROOF
The Ultraroof tiled roofing system from Ultraframe is ideally engineered to provide cost savings on steel goalposts for installations featuring spans of bi-folds up to 4m . The system ’ s patented 380mm box eaves beam provides the incredible strength that allows for these cost savings and is also the key to Ultraroof being the strongest tiled roof on the market .
Ultraframe Marketing Director , Alex Hewitt , said : “ Innovation has always been at the heart of what we do at Ultraframe and our R & D Team worked hard when designing Ultraroof to ensure that strength and large span capabilities were key USPs . Homeowners are increasingly demanding large spans of bi-folds and other contemporary doors for their modern conservatory designs and Ultraroof is perfectly engineered to deliver a cost-effective solution .”
Southern Conservatories is one such company that has benefitted from Ultraroof ’ s cost efficiency , and also won Ultraframe ’ s Installation of the Month in late 2020 . Managing Director , Adrian Johnson , said : “ Ultraroof can support bi-folds without the need for steels , where other tiled roof brands would require costly portal frames or a compromise on the size of the doors which would impact negatively on the overall design . Large spans of doors are a key feature in the design of most modern tiled roof conservatories and extensions , and so to be able to offer this in such a cost-effective way is fantastic . The cost of a portal frame for this particular installation would have been around £ 3k retail , and so not having to use any extra support with Ultraroof means a very competitive quote against other tiled roof brands .”
www . UR380info . co . uk