The Event Services Association

Wernick Hire, the UK’s largest independent hirer of portable and modular accommodation, has launched a new range of energy efficient accommodation units, proven to be up to 69% more energy efficient than standard site accommodation. Such is the demand for Wernick Hire’s new GreenSpace Eco accommodation units, several blue chip construction companies have already placed long-term hires. Interest in the new units has increased since the government announced plans to reduce carbon from the construction and operation of the UK’s infrastructure assets, in line with climate change commitments.

The ‘Infrastructure Carbon Review’ sets out a series of actions for government, clients and suppliers to reduce up to 24 million tonnes of carbon and save the UK £1.46 billion a year by 2050.

The GreenSpace units are designed to provide high quality site accommodation, whilst allowing clients to reduce their carbon footprint and their energy bills. Awarded with Energy Performance Asset Rating ‘B’, they can be fitted out to provide welfare accommodation, office space, meeting rooms, canteens and many other facilities on-site. Wernick Hire has developed the GreenSpace range following months of consultation with key clients and large construction companies who are members of the UK Contractors Group (UKCG).

To meet the need for energy efficient site accommodation, Wernick Hire has already invested over £7.2 million in the new GreenSpace Eco range. Morgan Sindall has hired a two-storey GreenSpace building from Wernick Hire as part of a £70 million project to regenerate Longbridge town centre in Birmingham, helping to create a thriving commercial, leisure and retail destination. BAM Construction also chose a triple stacked GreenSpace Eco cabin complex for a £24.7 million redevelopment of the Brynmor Jones Library at theUniversity of Hull. A triple-storey 18-bay AVflex™ GreenSpace building is also in use at Nottingham Trent University where VINCI Construction UK is constructing two student accommodation blocks. Michael Thistlethwaite, Managing Director of Wernick

Hire, said: “There is increasing demand for environmentally responsible site accommodation amongst major contractors, especially since the government published recommendations to reduce carbon in infrastructure, and our GreenSpace products allow customers to reduce their carbon footprint whilst unlocking substantial savings on direct and indirect energy costs. There has been phenomenal interest and we have committed an additional £5 million spend on GreenSpace units in 2014 on top of the £7.2 million investment already made.”

GreenSpace Eco accommodation incorporates a number of energy and water saving features such as heavy duty door closers to retain heat, uPVC double glazed windows, increased levels of insulation to improve u-values, passive infrared (PIR) sensors to operate lighting, timed heating systems, dual flush cisterns and nonconcussive push taps to reduce water consumption. All timber used in construction is derived from sustainable sources and the accommodation units are robust, secure and able to withstand the busy working environments of construction sites. The units can be finished in bespoke livery schemes to suit specific client requirements, for example the exterior can be painted in corporate colours. Leading energy management company digital energy has carried out a series of independent tests and a GreenSpace 9.6m Eco office unit facilitates a 69% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions when compared with standard site accommodation. The ‘B’ Energy Performance Asset Rating of GreenSpace also confirms that the building fabric, heating, cooling, lighting and ventilation systems are all extremely energy efficient.