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Features July 2008
Security
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Look
out for those square holes!
Recent developments in fire protection
of steel beams with web openings
 Recent
releases of information from the Association of Specialist Fire
Protection (ASFP) and the Steel Construction Institute (SCI),
suggest that clients, designers and risk assessment writers must
pay special attention to new guidance that draws attention to
the possibility of lower limiting temperature for steel beams
in fire. This implies a need for thicker fire protection systems,
but if the guidance is ignored they may all end up stuck in the
proverbial square hole.
The trends
We have witnessed a variety of innovative deployments of steel
elements when used as the structure in buildings. Much of the
activity has been targeted at reducing the storey height, whilst
retaining all the facilities that make a contemporary building
tick for the widest range of potential occupants. In short, an
extra storey in a fixed height of building usually means better
return on the capital investment.
In recent years, the provison and use of beams with a wide variety
of apertures, or openings in the web of the steel, has seen steady
and increasing growth. The web openings of old were invariably
provided as substantial castellated hexagonal openings. Nowadays,
we are seeing beams with circular, rectangular and elongated circular
or lozenge shaped openings. The resulting ‘cellular beam’
is approximately 40 to 60% deeper than its parent rolled steel
section, but the exact finished depth, cell opening diameter and
cell spacing, are very flexible.
Manufacturers may claim that the cellular beam has up to 250%
better section properties than its parent section. The manufacturing
technology allows beams with elongated openings, pre-cambered
beams, curved roof beams and even tapered beams. Some cellular
beams are made from welded plates, whilst others are made by special
profile cutting/welding of the parent steel web. There could be
slight differences in the inside corner details, dependent on
the manufacturing process. Asymmetric cellular beams are also
available, such that the top and bottom tees are profiled from
different sized parent steel sections.
The overall end result is that clients can benefit from greater
clear beam spans with less columns and improved flexibility for
use of the space. In some cases, the size of the cellular steel
beam can be increased and optimised for the most cost effective
fire protection solution.
Importantly, the web openings provide a useful conduit for the
routing of services through buildings within the depth of the
beam. At the same time, the lower weight of the steel frame may
contribute toward producing further savings elsewhere, e.g., in
the cost of foundations.
New challenges
Figure 1 illustrates how a universal beam may be cut to enable
each half to be repositioned before rewelding the both parts together
again, such that the depth of the new castellated beam is [a +
b]. The spacing[s] between apertures is governed by the dimension
of the top chord of the aperture. The dimensions ‘s’
and ‘c’ are fundamental to the strength of the steel
section.
In Figure 2, circular cellular apertures are shown, spaced at
distance ‘x’. This pattern can be regularly repeated
along the length of a beam, but circles can be joined to form
elongated shapes, or interchanged with rectangular apertures,
or mixtures of all three types as illustrated in the site photographs.
The space between apertures may vary considerably to give dimensions
‘x’ or ‘y’ or ‘z’, but its
important to note that the residual web post zone can vary substantially
– and this may well be the weakest part of the beam in fire,
rather than the bottom flange.
Fire protection of steel beams
Under normal circumstances, for universal beams and columns, the
fire protection requirements will primarily depend on the fire
protection period required and the Section Factor of the steelwork
in question, where
Section Factor (m-1) = A / V where A is the area of the steel
eposed to fire, and V is the volume of steel
This assumes that the steel has constant cross section along its
length. Clearly, this is not the case when castellated or cellular
beam structures are concerned. So designers need to take stock
of the potential effect of these structural and dimensional issues
on the limiting temperature of the beam in fire. More than one
mechanism of failure could occur.
The SCI has proposed (adopted by the ASFP) that the Section Factor
of cellular beams is calculated in a new way as follows:
Section Factor (m-1) = 1400 / t where t = the thickness in mm
of the lower steel web.
Some ASFP members (manufacturers of reactive intumescent fire
protection systems) have carried out sufficient fire tests to
have created product-specific-models with the SCI to determine
the critical, or limiting temperatures, of the beams with circular
openings, bearing due consideration to the key dimensions and
static/dynamic load. This information can be combined with the
product-specific performance of a named reactive fire protection
system, to determine the fire protection thickness required for
a given fire resistance period for cellular beams with circular
openings.
The available evidence suggests simpler modelling with non-reactive
fire protection systems. Its worth noting that the fire testing
and assessment of steel cellular beams is NOT within the current
scope of BSI or EN standards. Currently, there is no agreed European
approach that deals with the fire protection of these types of
beams.
Changes in approach
Historically, the ASFP has considered that castellated and cellular
beams can be protected with non-reactive fire protection systems,
provided that a ‘plus 20%’ correction to fire protection
thickness is applied, whereas there was no such ASFP guidance
for reactive intumescent coatings. The Section Factor was calculated
using traditional methods. This advice was originally based on
the notion that web openings were spaced at substantial intervals,
but has now been amended in the ASFP publication ‘Fire protection
for structural steel in buildings – 4th Edition’ (theYellow
Book) as published in 2007. Some other agencies have historically
believed that the ‘plus 20%’ rule was equally applicable
to reactive coatings, but have since removed that opinion as test
data has become available.
The 4th Edition ‘ASFP Yellow Book’ also includes new
guidance on the fire protection of cellular beams and castellated
sections and gives particular advice and conditions of use of
proprietary test data for fire protection of celluar beams using
non-reactive systems. It also provides new product specific guidance
allowing the use of reactive intumescent coatings provided that
the ASFP fire test protocol has been followed such that product
specific protection thicknesses are generated using a recognised
model such as SCI RT 1088 v04, which may include its own limitations
for scope of use.
Manufacturers of cellular beams may well have developed their
own predictive models for calculation of protection thickness
using specified reactive intumescent protection products. The
key factor is the limiting temperature of the particular cellular
beam. The value of the limiting temperature may well be different
for different cellular beams since it is dependent on the residual
mass, the shape, location and spacing of the openings.
Outcomes
In recognition of the limited fire test data and predictive modelling
available for cellular beams with rectangular and other non-circular
shaped openings, ASFP and SCI mutually agreed to issue guidance
to alert clients, designers and risk assessors to the current
level of knowledge. The SCI issued AD 319 as an advisory desk
note to steel designers. The ASFP issued two documents. Firstly,
a new Technical Guidance Note 009:2008 as ‘Guidance note
for the fire protection of steel beams with web openings’
which largely mirrors the SCI AD 319. Secondly, a news release
was issued to fire and construction related industry journals
to alert them and their readers to the state of play.
Managing
Asbestos
 If
you own, occupy, manage or have responsibilities for non-domestic
premises which may contain asbestos, you will either have:
1. a legal duty to manage the risk from
this material;
or
2. a duty to co-operate with whoever manages that risk.
If you have information on the whereabouts
of asbestos you will, under the duty of co-operation, be required
to make this available to those responsible for managing these
risks.
Why is asbestos dangerous?
Breathing in air containing asbestos fibres can lead to asbestos
related diseases, mainly cancers of the lungs and chest lining.
Asbestos is only a risk to health if asbestos fibres are released
into the air and breathed in. Past exposure to asbestos currently
kills 3000 people a year in Great Britain. This number is expected
to go on rising for the next ten years. There is no cure for asbestos-related
diseases.
There is usually a long delay between first exposure to asbestos
and the onset of disease. This can vary from 15 to 60 years. Only
by preventing or minimising these exposures now will asbestos-related
disease eventually be wiped out.
There are three main types of asbestos still found in premises.
These are commonly called ‘blue asbestos’ (crocidolite),
‘brown asbestos’ (amosite) and ‘white asbestos’
(chrysotile). All of them are dangerous, but blue and brown asbestos
are more hazardous than white. You cannot identify them just by
their colour.
Although it is now illegal to use asbestos in the construction
or refurbishment of any premises, many thousands of tonnes of
it were used in the past and much of it is still in place. As
long as it is in good condition and is not being or going to be
disturbed or damaged there is no risk. But if it is disturbed
or damaged, it can become a danger to health, because asbestos
fibres are released into the air and people can breathe them in.
Who is at risk?
Anyone who uses your premises, who disturbs asbestos that has
deteriorated or been damaged and is releasing fibres, can be at
risk. In fact, anyone whose work involves drilling, sawing or
cutting into the fabric of premises could potentially be at risk.
They may all breathe in asbestos fibres during their day-to-day
work.
It is now thought possible that repeated low exposures, such as
those which could occur during routine repair work, may also lead
to cancers.
The scientific evidence on exactly what exposures cause disease
is unclear. But we do know the more asbestos fibres breathed in,
the greater the risk to health. That is why it is important that
ACMs are identified and that everyone who works with them should
take appropriate precautions.
Where is asbestos found in buildings?
Some ACMs are more vulnerable to damage and more likely to give
off fibres than others. In general, the materials which contain
a high percentage of asbestos are more easily damaged. The list
below is roughly in order of ease of fibre release (with the highest
potential fibre release first). Sprayed coatings, lagging and
insulating board are more likely to contain blue or brown asbestos.
Asbestos insulation and lagging can contain up to 85% asbestos
and are most likely to give off fibres. Work with asbestos insulating
board can result in equally high fibre release if power tools
are used. On the other hand, asbestos cement contains only 10%-15%
asbestos. The asbestos is tightly bound into the cement and the
material will only give off fibres if it is badly damaged or broken.
You are most likely to come across asbestos
in these materials:
-sprayed asbestos and asbestos loose packing - generally used
as fire breaks in ceiling voids;
-moulded or preformed lagging - generally used in thermal insulation
of pipes and boilers;
-sprayed asbestos - generally used as fire protection in ducts,
firebreaks, panels, partitions, soffit boards, ceiling panels
and around structural steel work;
-insulating boards used for fire protection, thermal insulation,
partitioning and ducts;
-some ceiling tiles;
-millboard, paper and paper products used for insulation of electrical
equipment. Asbestos paper has also been used as a fire-proof facing
on wood fibreboard;
-asbestos cement products, which can be fully or semi-compressed
into flat or corrugated sheets. Corrugated sheets are largely
used as roofing and wall cladding. Other asbestos cement products
include gutters, rainwater pipes and water tanks;
-certain textured coatings;
-bitumen roofing material; and
-vinyl or thermoplastic floor tiles.
High risk materials
-Asbestos Pipe Lagging
-Asbestos Insulation Board (AIB)
-Perforated AIB Ceiling Tiles
-Doors With AIB Panels
Normally low risk materials
-Asbestos Cement Roof
-Asbestos-containing Floor Tiles
Remember, although these are the most likely
uses and places where asbestos will be found, asbestos was used
in many other materials. If you are in doubt, it is safer to presume
that a material contains asbestos, unless there is strong evidence
that it does not.
What is new about the duty to manage asbestos?
A new duty to manage asbestos has been added to the Control of
Asbestos at Work Regulations. It will apply to you if you have
maintenance and repair responsibilities for non-domestic premises
either through a contract or tenancy agreement or because you
own
the premises. The duty will require you to manage the risk from
asbestos by:
-finding out if there is asbestos in the premises, its amount
and what condition it is in;
-presuming materials contain asbestos, unless you have strong
evidence that they do not;
-making and keeping up to date a record of the location and condition
of the ACMs or presumed ACMs in your premises;
-assessing the risk from the material;
-preparing a plan that sets out in detail how you are going to
manage the risk from this material;
-taking the steps needed to put your plan into action;
-reviewing and monitoring your plan and the arrangements made
to put it in place; and
-providing information on the location and condition of the material
to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb it.
Anyone who has information on the whereabouts
of asbestos in your premises is required to make this available
to you as the dutyholder. Those who are not dutyholders, but control
access to the premises, would have to co-operate with you in managing
the asbestos.
This information and much more – including:
How can you comply with the new duty?
How can you dispose of asbestos?
What should you tell your workers/contractors?
What else does the law say?
Is available at www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/campaign/duty.htm
An HSS Guide to Air Conditioning
 The
Great British Summer is, intermittently and occasionally, glorious;
for those who can revel in the sunshine, migrate to the seaside
for the day and indulge in the joys of rubbing in gritty sun cream,
working against the clock with dripping ice lollies and knotting
strategically placed handkerchiefs. For most, that joy is restricted
to the weekends and for those who commit themselves to the daily
Monday-Friday 9am-5.30pm grind, ice lollies and hankies are substituted
with awkwardly propped up heavy windows with old telephone directories
(in itself a luxury compared to those working in windowless offices),
a dodgy fan with some tired and sorry bits of plastic bag tied
to the casing or, for many, nothing.
It never ceases to amaze me how so many companies still make no
provisions for the interchangeable weather we get in the UK. The
freakish temperature variations we’re subjected to means
we ought to have a selection of climate control in each and every
workplace – heating equipment for those short sharp cold
snaps we endure, and air cooling apparatus for those sticky patches
we (often) get. Due to the sporadic nature of our weather systems,
it isn’t even a case of catering for hot summers and cold
winters; what is needed is an instant reaction to a quick change
in weather.
Why? Because change in temperature / environment has a detrimental
effect on employees’ productivity levels. Recent research
from recruitment specialists, Office Angels into this area suggests
that productivity can fall by a quarter if workers become overheated,
as they cannot concentrate on the task at hand. Would you let
everyone slope off at 3pm instead of 5.30pm? I very much doubt
it, so why would you facilitate such a drop in working levels
simply by overheating your staff?
Being too hot at work brings on fatigue – over 80% of workers
reportedly see a marked detrimental effect on their productivity
when they have to work in an environment which is noticeably warmer
than usual. The 1992 Workplace Regulations say that there is a
minimum temperature that employers are required to provide for
the working environment, which is 160c (this is reduced to 130c
where there is considerable physical activity) but for some reason,
there is no maximum temperature. However, the subject should not
be ignored by employers; if employers fail to provide an appropriate
working atmosphere for employees, their myopic approach could
result in poor productivity and output levels – the proverbial
“shooting oneself in the foot” situation.
So, what to do? Well, the environmental position would be to open
a window; but if there’s no breeze, this won’t make
a jot of difference, especially to those who aren’t located
next to a window. The ideal approach would be a fully integrated
all-singing, all-dancing air-conditioning system woven into the
fabric of the building you work in; fine for those who already
have it, very expensive for those who don’t. Another approach
would be the aforementioned fan, with all the colourful paraphernalia
that comes with it, but relatively ineffectual in temperatures
of over 270c, as the air is only circulated, not cooled. The recommended
solution, for those who do not have integrated air-con, involves
a number of temporary and portable air conditioning systems which
will cater for most circumstances.
Air Conditioners – In layman’s terms, air conditioners
are refrigerators with fans, drawing in warm air and expelling
cold air. When using air conditioners, windows and doors must
be shut and the unit must be vented either through a roof space
or outside. They are ideal for offices or computer server rooms
as they reduce moisture in the air (server rooms especially are
moisture-sensitive because of the nature of the equipment).
Coolers – These are used to cool the air for larger workspace
such as nightclubs, event tents or factories and are not suitable
for confined spaces because they slightly increase the humidity
of the surrounding area due to the nature of how they work (they
use water evaporation to reduce the temperature).
Fans - These (on an industrial scale) give the impression of cooling
by moving air around and tend to be used in large spaces such
as warehouses, sports halls or factories, where air conditioners
would be wasted. As with coolers, they have to be ventilated.
Once a piece of air-cooling apparatus has been chosen, the next
step is to position it correctly – not only for health and
safety reasons (ventilation) but also to get the maximum output
for your requirements. For example, I would recommend a warehouse
fan for areas of around 300m2 because it produces a massive airflow
of 25,000 m3/hr and can be moved easily on castors. However, the
sheer output of such a device is far too great for even a large
office of around 35m2, which would be more suited to a medium
air conditioner. This can maintain a comfortable temperature of
around 150c to 300c, another benefit being that it does not need
to be installed.
When deciding on which piece of kit to use for which space, a
number of factors should be taken into account, such as the number
of people, computers, printers, coffee and fax machines located
in that area; as they all add to increasing the temperature of
the space which needs to be cooled. By far the easiest way to
find out what kW capacity is needed for the required workspace
is the HSS Cooler Calculator, which generates the amount of power
needed for your space (www.hss.com/cool). You’ll also find
a definitive guide to air conditioning on there.
The Office Angels research also found that 35% of UK offices rely
solely on fans or open windows to moderate office temperatures
, so this quick guide to what’s on the market should be
a stark warning to them, just in time for the summer season. If
using a book to prop open a window is seen as more ‘cost
effective’ than hiring out an air cooling appliance for
a certain period of time, then perhaps a productivity versus initial
set up cost matrix needs to be generated. What costs more –
a 25% reduction in productivity of all staff, or hiring an air
conditioner from as little as £90 a week?
A successful
delivery
 There
are many ways to develop the fortunes of a business, but few can
have the range of results a mailshot generates. Known in marketing
jargon as direct mail, consumers view such initiatives as meaning
they have more junk mail to throw in the bin or, depending on
their green credentials, to recycle.
However this sort of scatter gun approach is viewed, two things
are certain: it is a relatively cheap way to market a company’s
services or product and it has the ability to reach a large and
diverse audience comparatively quickly. Consumers in this scenario
are to be seen as somewhat passive, with advertisers not relying
on them to tune into a particular television channel or open a
specific newspaper to view products and services on offer.
Although there are upsides to using such a marketing tool, there
are the inevitable downsides too. These include, but are not limited
to, database information being out of date, running the risk of
the wrong audience being targeted resulting in wasted efforts.
Falling foul of the Data Protection Act is another consideration
those using mailshots to promote their wares need to be acutely
aware of. Legislation has helped consumers tremendously over recent
years to ward off the attention of unwanted mail. Therefore it
must remain a high priority for those managing direct mailing
databases to check information held on a regular basis.
The Chartered Institute of Marketing says it is essential that
companies using direct mail as a marketing tool do so responsibly
and ensure the data upon which their mailings are based is as
up to date as possible.
So, what of the aftermath of the mailing, after the product or
service information has been printed, envelopes stuffed and sealed
and the precious cargo handed across to the mailing service.
Whatever the time lapse between the mailing commencing and consumers
calling in for more information and hopefully being turned into
customers, it is vital that companies monitor the success of a
mailing campaign on an ongoing basis.
Success of a direct mail campaign means different things to different
companies. It can depend, to a point, on the product or service
being promoted in terms of its immediacy. A finite time limit
may be placed on a financial services package being promoted,
for example, due to a preset amount of funds being allocated to
it, as with a fixed rate mortgage.
However, success should not be measured only in terms of immediate
sales, because one activity of a mailshot is to broadly generate
enquiries. This in turn provides opportunities for a company to
find out more about its potential customers and to develop relationships
with those who may already buy its products.
By focusing on the longer term rather than looking for short term
objectives, businesses investing in mailing campaigns can use
this technique to multiple effect in the future to grow sales
and develop the business.
Another way of measuring success is in respect of the response
rate to a mailing campaign. According to Royal Mail, typically
seven per cent of recipients respond to direct mailshots. While
this number may appear on the low side, the advantage is that
these people are interested, to some extent or another, in the
products on offer. This means information gathered is highly specific
and, when planning a future mailing campaign, will mean that customers
being targeted are more likely to buy.
The final piece of the jigsaw in the aftermath of any mailing
campaign is ensuring the data collected is thoroughly analysed
and properly recorded. Questions that need to be asked should
include: is it new customers who have responded or old ones; what
parts of the offer have they responded to; who has spent what?
This increased customer knowledge will help on a number of fronts.
Database segmentation involving building customer profiles and
targeting specific groups of customers is much more likely to
produce a higher response rate than not using information gleaned
from previous campaigns. This in turn will mean that future direct
mail initiatives will become even more cost-effective, ultimately
contributing to that all-important bottom line.
Court
case highlights predicted rise in corporate manslaughter cases
 As
the owner of a fireworks depot and his son were recently committed
to trial accused of the manslaughter of two firefighters, experts
have warned of a dramatic rise in the number of corporate manslaughter
cases heard in the UK as a result of new legislation.
Firefighters Geoffrey Wicker and Brian Wembridge died tackling
a blaze at the fireworks depot near Ringmer, East Sussex in December
2006. Twelve other people were injured in the explosions and blaze,
including nine other firefighters and a police officer.
Martin and Nathan Winter, a father and son operating Alpha Fireworks
Ltd, appeared at Lewes Magistrates Court on June 18th to answer
charges of unlawfully killing the two men.
They made no plea and their case was referred for trial at Lewes
Crown Court with a preliminary hearing on June 25th. They’re
also accused of breaching regulations relating to the manufacture
and storage of the fireworks.
In a guide published by Croner on the Corporate Manslaughter and
Corporate Homicide Act 2007, which came into effect in April,
specialists predict a significant increase in the number of firms
being prosecuted each year for corporate manslaughter.
Norman Selwyn, a leading authority on employment law, said: “It
is now estimated that there are likely to be about a dozen or
so corporate manslaughter prosecutions each year and that the
clarification of the law will more than likely lead to these being
successful.
“In the past it’s only been possible to prosecute
small companies, because you could actually identify the managing
director and the company as being one and the same thing. You
couldn’t prosecute a large company because there was no
controlling mind. Now the playing field is level because large
companies and small companies are all in the firing line - government
departments, local authorities can all be prosecuted under this
act.”
But while he forecast a rise in company prosecutions under the
Act, he criticised the legislation for not going far enough by
failing to create a new offence for individual directors who control
large corporations.
“The inability of the law to cope with manslaughter charges
against all but smaller companies has long been a source of disappointment
to proactive campaigners for change. But the Corporate Manslaughter
Act is by no means perfect. It is strange that it does not place
specific health and safety duties on company directors,”
Mr Selwyn added.
Peter Power, a specialist in crisis management and a member of
the reference group to the UK Commission on national security,
echoed Norman Selwyn’s analysis: “The pressure on
directors of all corporations to move their attitude towards a
culture of safety will come from their stakeholders – shareholders,
customers, suppliers, regulators, business partners, employees
– as well as the law,” Mr Power said.
“It is all about up-to-date corporate resilience. It is
unacceptable that companies and their directors should learn only
from their own mistakes as we used to do in the past. Driving
any organisation forward in 2008 depends less on the rear view
mirror and more on the road ahead.”
The Act establishes a wider basis of liability by looking at the
way companies organise and run their activities, focusing on management
failure rather than the failings of individuals. In the past proving
corporate manslaughter has been notoriously difficult. Now companies
found guilty can face unlimited fines.
Martin Smith, Croner’s Executive Director, said: “Every
company now has a legal responsibility to monitor its activities
and management practices to ensure the correct systems are in
place to protect health and safety. Those systems should be constantly
reviewed with lines of communication between directors and staff
always open so that concerns can be raised and properly addressed.
Reaching
out
Future of outsourcing optimistic amid global
economic slowdown
 A
slowdown in global business spending, devaluation of the rupee
and the changing face of business isn’t affecting the outsourcing
industry as badly as predicted.
With spending slowing dramatically, the prospect of stagflation
on the horizon and companies bracing for hard times, the outsourcing
industry remains buoyant with growth predicted in the next 18
months.
This defiant trend is largely due to many western companies facing
increasing pressure from stakeholders to offshore their business
in order to cut costs and remain profitable. Yet, many services
which aren’t being outsourced to India are still occurring
internationally and business process outsourcing in this sector
is latent, particularly in product development work.
Hardeep Garewal, President of Strategic Accounts at UK-based Indian
outsourcing company ITC Infotech, believes that although there
has been a sizeable shift in the industry, outsourcing’s
biggest growth is yet to come.
“Outsourcing is growing fast, but this will change and the
market will get significantly larger with more companies looking
at alternatives to reduce costs and boost the bottom line,”
Garewal said.
“The percentage of companies who have stated they outsource
to India is relatively low compared to the whole market that is
available- there’s a lot more hype than actual numbers,”
he said.
Shockwaves of the global slowdown in spending and how companies
are changing the way they do business in Europe is having a profound
effect on outsourcing, however ITC Infotech is still investing
and growing in key sectors despite current market conditions.
ITC Infotech are part of the $18 billion ITC Group, India’s
third biggest company listed on the SENSEX. ITC is one of just
a handful of companies in the world that are carbon positive,
which it has achieved through large-scale tree plantations. It
is also water positive by increasing water conservation and rainwater
harvesting efforts so it produces more water than it consumes.
ITC says it is also making strides toward its goal of producing
net zero solid waste.
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