April 25, 2003—Over 80 projects will share 5.25 million from the UK’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)’s Partners in Innovation program, which aims to raise standards in the construction industry and promote innovation. Projects include:
- A Building Research Establishment (BRE) initiative to prepare brownfield land for redevelopment by using waste materials that would otherwise go to landfill. (Total funding 210,000; DTI contribution: 60,000). This would use a grouting mixture to secure a solid base for construction
- A BRE-led proposal to do away with paper records and exploit electronic tagging and wireless technology to help in the maintenance of boilers, fire doors, and escalators. Electronic chips and bar codes would be fixed on them to store specifications and service details leading to better management, maintenance, and service of buildings. (Total funding: 180,000; DTI contribution: 90,000)
- An initiative led by Arup to increase the use of ground storage systems that use the earth to heat and store water in cylinders housed under the building. These use a third of the energy consumed by traditional water tanks resulting in 50% less CO2 being produced. (Total funding: 180,000; DTI contribution: 62,590)
- A project by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association project to increase disabled access to offices and public buildings by adapting them to meet the obligations of disability legislation. (Total funding: 104,000; DTI contribution 52,000)
For a list of all the 81 new projects receiving funding under this round, visit the Department of Trade and Industry.
