BPC proudly receives the Queen's Anniversary Prize 2009 for the development of Robust Details
In November 2009 the Building Performance Centre of Edinburgh Napier University was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize 2009 for our work in “Innovative housing construction for environmental benefit and quality of life”. RMP staff worked extensively on the Robust Standard Details project over the last 5 years.
The prize, which will be officially awarded at Buckingham Palace in February 2010, recognises the effect this world leading research has had on revolutionising new-home building practices and standards in England and Wales. The new innovative constructions dramatically reduce noise transmission within new homes and have also led to a range of other benefits for the environment and society.
The background behind the new constructions and innovative regulatory approach was the Robust Standard Details project, which was one of the largest and most intensive research projects ever undertaken between a university and the house building industry. It has seen 400,000 new homes incorporating the pioneering designs. The introduction of the new Standards in 2004 has resulted in a four-fold drop in noise complaints. The uptake of the new construction solutions by the £15 billion UK house building industry was achieved within an extremely short timeframe. To read the full press release click here.
SNV acquisition
In September 2009 RMP acquired SNV Consultants Ltd. This strategic move has enabled RMP to expand the service portfolio to now include hand-arm and whole-body vibration assessments. These services are typically required by the Health and Safety Executive and often also by insurance companies to minimise potential future industrial deafness claims. RMP now provides all vibration assessments required under HSE regulations. We also regularly advise on industrial deafness, industrial noise and vibration reduction and noise and vibration monitoring to demonstrate compliance with the above regulations. In addition, we provide expert witness advice with regards to noise and vibration at work.
Bridgestop nominated Product of the Year
Our new innovative products with Icopal Monafloor have been nominated for the Housing Product of the Year. With over 20,000 construction product manufacturers in the UK and to be listed in this exclusive top 6 short list is superb news! The development of the product was supported by Scottish Enterprise Proof of Concept (PoC), BPAC Hangar 17 and the Edinburgh Napier University. The product is manufactured by our industry KTP partner Monafloor Acoustic Systems.
In January 2009 Roddy Mackenzie began a three year KTP with Icopal Ltd. The partnership was created to embed BPC/RMP specialist building acoustic knowledge and research capabilities to Monarfloor’s R&D group. The aim of the KTP is the successful commercialisation of Wall Cap, its related systems, and further research into the potential applications of isolation technology.
KTP project speaks volumes
In May 2009 Elena Prokofieva started a two-year KTP project with SFX Technologies Ltd. The project will investigate the acoustic properties of new gel materials for use in the design and development of gel-audio speakers. The development of an acoustic modelling capability will provide an opportunity for the company to respond flexibly & quickly to customer demands for future products.
Sean Smith - Professor of Construction Innovation
In 2009 BPC Depute Director Sean Smith was awarded Professorship in Construction Innovation. Prof Smith boasts wide expertise in sound insulation in housing including projects funded from the Scottish Executive, SBSA, Historic Scotland, Defra and Communities Scotland. He was a joint Project Manager of the HBF Robust Standards Details Project and is a co-author of “Housing and Sound Insulation” publication. Sean serves on both Building Acoustics Group and Scottish Branches of the Institute of Acoustics. He also advises externally for Robust Details Ltd (RDL), is a member of the RDL Standards Committee and is RC UK Academic Fellow. In December 2009 Prof Smith was seconded to the post of Director of the new Institute for Sustainable Construction at Edinburgh Napier University.
This tree sounds good
In July 2009 Roddy Mackenzie obtained a PhD degree from Edinburgh Napier University, becoming the 4th Doctor in RMP team. Roddy’s PhD project ‘The non-destructive evaluation of Sitka spruce mechanical properties using acoustic methods’ was sponsored by Scottish Higher Education Funding Council and written in collaboration with Napier’s own Centre for Timber Engineering. Throughout 3 years of intensive research Roddy developed non-destructive-test methods to assess strength grading of Scottish Sitka spruce using acoustic methods, such as impact-echo testing of planks, logs and standing trees. It is hoped that the method will influence further development of non-destructive testing methods for timber.
Defra tender won
RMP returns to work for Defra on their ‘Attitudes to Environmental Noise from Concerts’ research project. This project aims to update the ‘UK Noise council Code of Practice on Environmental Noise at Concerts’, first time since the regulations were introduced in 1995. The core of this project, which was awarded in October 2009, will be social surveys amongst people who live in vicinity of open air event venues. BPC will be working in partnership with Ipsos Mori who will be undertaking the social survey at events throughout the 2010 concert season.
Sounds nutritious!
RMP has been appointed to provide design advice for the construction of the new £32m Rowett Institute of Nutrition & Health research facility at the University of Aberdeen. Detailed acoustic design is required in order to obtain the appropriate BREEAM credits, taking into account noise from road traffic and external plant as well items of internally generated noise from laboratory equipment. Open-plan areas adjacent to a large atrium will be a prominent feature of the design.
RMP will model the space using ODEON acoustic modelling software, and provide detailed advice on the acoustic treatment necessary to ensure that the space exhibits an excellent acoustic environment for all users.
Euronoise 2009
RMP staff attended the 8th annual Euronoise conference held in Edinburgh on 26-28 October 2009 . It was the largest Euronoise conference since 1992, attended by over 750 delegates from across Europe and the world. RMP staff presented several research papers on sound insulation regulations for 2010, effects of noise on residents from smokers congregating outside licensed premises due to the smoking ban, window and façade design and noise abatement measures and new innovative products for sound reduction. Prof Sean Smith chaired the two-day International Sound Insulation Standards session. We also hosted the preliminary meeting of the forthcoming EU Cost program on Sound Insulation in Sustainable Housing Constructions, involving 22 countries where we are the leading UK representative.
Architecture Scotland Annual 2009
RMP are proud to have collaborated on ASA09 Grand Prix winner Beatson Cancer Research Facility in Glasgow. We also worked with a number of nominees including: Quartermile, Scottish Borders Schools PPP, Pitlochry Community Hospital, Novotel Edinburgh and Express by Holiday Inn Dundee.
Teaching them!
In autumn 2009 RMP started teaching Building Acoustics module on the Masters of Architectural Technology at Edinburgh Napier University. In 2010 we will also provide Institute of Acoustics courses: Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control, Certificate of Competence in Environmental Noise Measurement and Certificate of Competence in Workplace Noise Risk Assessment and Certificate Course in the Management of Occupational Exposure to Hand Arm Vibration. We are also currently developing a BINDT-certified course in Air Tightness Testing.
