NEWS
MANUFACTURERS URGEDTODIGITISE PRODUCTDATATO REDUCERISK
Mastercraft kept a digital eye on their Claridge’s Hotel project in London during lockdown
A new initiative aims to get
manufacturers in the construction industry to take ownership of their
product information. The project is producing a Plain Language Guide for manufacturers setting out why digital product data is important and how manufacturers can benefit by taking simple low-cost steps. The project is supported by the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Construction Products Europe and the UK BIM Alliance. The risks to manufacturers of analogue methods of handling data are considerable, Patricia Massey of Electrium explains, “The Grenfell tragedy has shown our industry that knowing where your products are is essential to public safety, but it also protects manufacturers. “The new Building Safety Bill requires building owners to certify their buildings are safe, and that requires knowing what is in them.”
HARDHAT CAMERASHELP MASTERCRAFT
MANAGE PROJECT REMOTELY
C ovid-19 has forced companies to experiment with new ways of working and Mastercraft Construction is a prime example of this. The Derry-based firm has been using site-scanning software developed by technology company, Oculo.ai, at its Claridge’s Hotel project in Mayfair, London. “We saw Oculo as a way to reduce visits and as a way to be able to look at the whole building in your own time,” says Micheál O’Kane, Contracts Manager, Mastercraft Construction. “We used to fly over once a week and whatever was the crisis that week,
is what you would go to deal with, but what you’re not seeing then are all the other small issues and the progress that is or isn’t happening elsewhere, so if you have this software you can see what needs to be the next big priority.” Oculo uses a 360° video camera mounted on a hardhat to record site progress each week during the usual job walk. It’s just like having a Google Streetview of your own site. Oculo are offering free trials to firms impacted by Covid-19. For more information visit their website: www.oculo.ai
HAGANHOMESFUNDSPROJECT MANAGERROLE
B allyclare-based homebuilder Hagan Homes, has donated £27k to charity Harmoni to enable the recruitment of a new project manager for one year at a hostel close to its south Belfast development. Harmoni is a local charity, which has been helping people experiencing homelessness for the last 140 years. Holly Fellowes will manage the new Keys to Life project to assist men experiencing homelessness at Utility Street Hostel gain new skills
and personal confidence. Speaking about the partnership, James Hagan, Chair and Founder of Hagan Homes says, “As one of Northern Ireland’s largest homebuilders, Hagan Homes recognises the importance of a home in an individual’s life. We have always been about making local communities more vibrant and more socially fruitful in what we do, by building homes, but also in our corporate social responsibility work.”
James Hagan, Chair and Founder of Hagan Homes and Holly Fellowes, Project Manager for Harmoni’s Keys to Life programme
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