Sharp + Howse recently successfully completed the installation of new heating, ventilation, air conditioning and hot and cold water services to a state-of-the-art gym and dance studio in West London for main contractor Buxton Building Contractors Ltd.
As all the ductwork and pipework throughout the main gym area is visible, attention to detail and quality of installation was imperative to ensure an aesthetically pleasing finish was achieved.
June 2008
Sharp + Howse has recently been making waves at the Temple Cowley swimming pool in Oxford.
Working in conjunction with Oxford City Council and QED consultants, S+H installed a new heat pump and run around set as well as replacing part of the existing AHU, which had been severely corroded by the high chlorine content air, with a section manufactured from stainless steel to protect it from future corrosion.
Timing was paramount as the pool could only be closed for a 4 week period.
Following the successful contract completion, the humidity levels within the pool hall have been reduced and the amount of heat now being recovered significantly increased, making the overall system far more efficient.
May 2008
Sharp + Howse's partnership with Dales Fabrications, which has now been operational for more than 3 years, recently resulted in the installation of traditional polyester powder coated aluminium gutters and rainwater pipes along with a fascia soffit system. The project, a community centre in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, also involved the installation of the ventilation louvre panelling.
April 2008
To ensure the safety of their elderly residents, Sharp + Howse Ltd were contracted, by Shaftesbury Housing Group, to replace all the existing radiators, 132 in total, with low surface temperature emitters within their Craigwell Avenue site in Aylesbury.
The project, administered by the Chapman Bathurst Partnership, also involved the thermal insulation and encasement, within decorated timber boxing, of all the exposed pipework.
The works were carried out within occupied flats and communal areas, so the tidiness, politeness and speed of our operatives were essential factors in the success of this project.
April 2008
Additional student accommodation
Sharp + Howse has recently completed the design and installation of all new mechanical, plumbing and ventilation services at 18A Turl Street, Oxford.
The property, completely refurbished by main contractor Richard Ward (Oxford) Ltd, will provide additional quality accommodation for the students of Exeter College.
This project is the latest with Exeter College, a long standing client of Sharp + Howse, with whom a successful relationship, spanning nearly 14 years, has been built based on Sharp + Howse's ability to provide prompt and efficient design and management expertise allied to a high quality site installation.
March 2008
Dimplex Accredited Air Source Heat Pump Installer
To service the increasing demand by Sharp + Howse's Clients for advice on the many green and sustainable options available Bob Shelley and Dave Carr recently attended a 2 day training course which, after successfully sitting and passing the end of course examination, earned Sharp + Howse the status of Dimplex Accredited air source heat pump installers.
February 2008
Continuing S+H's youth training philosophy the latest intake of fresh faced recruits took up their duties in September of last year.
Pictured above Leanne Mullee (office junior), Sylvester Doran (service and maintenance trainee), Ricky Auger and Russell Colwell (both craft apprentices) all look keen to make their mark and we wish them every success in their future careers.
January 2008
As Christmas approaches John English, manager of the ductwork and air conditioning department for more than 25 years, has decided it is time to call it a day.
One of life's true gentleman, always willing to lend a hand and, if asked how he is, always "terrific", John will be missed by all.
We all wish him a happy, long and active retirement.
Pictured above Bob Shelley, John English and Group Chairman Malcolm Axtell pose for a last picture.
December 2007
On the 21st October 2007 for some seemingly inexplicable reason S+H Foreman, Neil Painton, saw fit to jump out of a perfectly serviceable airplane.
Upon further investigation it turns out that his apparent madness was in fact a tandem parachute jump in aid of charity and that Neil has actually raised £630.00 for Childline and the NSPCC.
Well done Neil who is pictured above looking forward to being safely back on terra firma.
October 2007
At the recent M&E Building Services Event, held at Olympia, Managing Director, Bob Shelley, was invited to join the HVCA/ECA sponsored "The Hands On Debate" to discuss the impact of the latest green technologies on the market and how contractors can reap the rewards of the new sustainable economy.
Pictured above, Bob is either making an important and valid point or about to break into song!!
October 2007
HVCA Inspection and Assessment Scheme update
To retain HVCA membership all companies must undergo a tri-annual independent inspection to ensure that they continue to comply with recognised industry standards for technical competence and commercial capability.
S+H have recently and successfully, been through the process, administered by B M Trada, and carried out by no lesser person than the current CIBSE President John Armstrong.
September 2007
25 years service and maintenance
On the 13th September 2007 Dave Carr, manager of S+H's service and maintenance department, clocked up 25 years unbroken service.
In these days of an ever more mobile workforce this is a testament to both Dave's loyalty to S+H and to the company's efforts to provide a good working environment for all its employees.
Pictured above, Sharp + Howse and Group Chairman, Malcolm Axtell congratulates Dave on his achievement.
September 2007
Sharp and Howse have recently helped to transform the existing offices in the south west corner of the Madejski stadium, home of Premier League football team Reading FC, into a state of the art VIP Lounge.
Additional radiators and two Heatrae Sadia megaflo water heaters were installed to provide the new bar, kitchen and toilet areas with increased hot water and heating capabilities.
August 2007
Some how the wrong picture was uploaded with the "John English's rare Hat Trick" news item. The correct picture is, of course, the one included above.
Our sincere apologies for any offence caused! :-0 ........... Mr Waldorf and Statler have since kindly confirmed that they took no offence whatsoever!!
July 2007
On 12th July John English reached the landmark age of 65, took semi retirement and became a Grandfather for the first time........ Congratulations!!
John, who has been with Sharp + Howse for more than 25 years following the aquisition of Bicester Air Conditioning, will now hopefully take things a little easier, starting with a reduction in his working week to 3 days.
Pictured above, fellow 3 day weeker, Dave Carter congratulates John on his achievement.
July 2007
Sharp + Howse's continuing commitment to training was most recently demonstrated when two of our service and maintenance trainees, Craig Edwards and Rory Mangan, both successfully completed their ACS domestic core, appliances and LPG assessments. Having both already achieved NVQ2 this now gives them the option to go on to NVQ3 level within the service and maintenance discipline.
Pictured above, Managing Director Bob Shelley with Craig and Rory proudly displaying their newly awarded ACS cards.
June 2007
Sometimes standard manufacturer's products are simply inadequate to meet the requirements of our Clients.
In one such recent instance S+H produced a hand made and bespoke towel rail to suit a tight and quirky bathroom.
The towel rail, made from 47 individual copper parts, was first assembled in our work shop, it was then taken to a specialist to be chromed and polished and then finally was collected, completely covered in protective bubble wrap and taken to site where it was fixed in position.
May 2007
After five unsuccessful attempts to gain entry to the world famous London marathon, S+H's store man and van driver Jon Ovenden's patience, and dedication to his training, were finally rewarded when he completed this years event, the most arduous ever, and in the process raised £2,000.00 for the Prostate Cancer Charity and Parkinson's Disease Society.
Our congratulations go to Jon on his magnificent effort .............. It is also reassuring to know that, in the unlikely event of the van breaking down, goods can still be delivered to sites within a 26 mile radius of the office in just a couple of hours!!
April 2007
Victorian School Converted to Modern
Youth & Community Centre.
Sharp + Howse have recently completed the installation of all new services to a previously neglected and redundant Victorian school to provide a new youth and community centre at the Green Street site in High Wycombe.
Working alongside the main contractor, Feltham Construction, and Consultant/Architects, Jacobs Engineering, a range of Bisque steel panel and LST radiators have been installed with the associated mechanical services routes having to be carefully co-ordinated to suit the high arched ceilings typical of the Victorian period.
Modern condensing boilers with outputs of 85 and 115Kw have been installed to provide an energy efficient primary heat source to this listed building.
March 2007
Further success with Shaftesbury H.A.
Sharp + Howse's ongoing and successful relationship with Shaftesbury Housing Association recently saw the handover, on time, of a completely refurbished plantroom at their Melbourne House property in South Norwood, London.
Due to the nature of the project, and to meet the stringent requirements of Consulting Engineers Chapman Bathurst, temporary boiler plant was provided to maintain the existing heating and hot water services to the property whilst the old boilers were removed, and the new MHS Strata's were installed.
February 2007
Following on from being granted Competent Person Status, under the BESCA scheme, Sharp + Howse's Managing Director, Bob Shelley, has now successfully passed the Accredited Certifiers training course and can now self-certify that their works comply with the Building Regulations, rather than having to submit a building notice or employing an approved inspector.
This puts Sharp + Howse among a small and elite number of companies able to provide their Clients with the necessary documentation to ensure compliance with the current legislation via this self certification route.
January 2007
S+H in partnership with 3rd Rock Energy
With a growing emphasis being placed on sustainable energy sources, rapidly rising fuel costs and the more stringent planning requirements imposed following the introduction of the new Building Regulations parts L and F, many of Sharp + Howse's Clients are now actively investigating the alternative sources of primary heat generation and other sustainable options.
To enable Sharp + Howse to offer their Clients a one stop shop they have formed a strategic partnership with 3rd Rock Energy who are able to add design and supply expertise on many of these sustainable products to the Sharp + Howse portfolio.
In December 2006 Sharp + Howse hosted the 3rd Rock Energy roadshow which allowed a number of Clients to physically get to grips with ground and air source heat pumps, solar panels and underfloor heating as well as to attend seminars introducing them to the correct application of heat pumps.
December 2006
On December 8th 2006 Sharp + Howse's most senior estimator, David Carter, reached the grand old age of 65.
Having been with Sharp + Howse for over 20 years, it would be reasonable to assume that David would be looking forward to spending his retirement years with his wife and family. Not so David, who, we are delighted to say, has decided to continue working, albeit on a reduced basis, for at least the next six months.
Happy birthday David!!!
December 2006
Carillion Construction has recently awarded Sharp + Howse the £1 million plus contract to renew the Energy Centre plant and pipework at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.
To enable the existing equipment to be stripped out, and to maintain services to the Hospital throughout the duration of the new installation works, Sharp + Howse have provided two temporary dual fuel steam boilers, each rated at 17,000 lb/hr of steam at 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
Each boiler is supplied to site, as a packaged unit, on a 47' long articulated trailer which is simply unhitched ready for S+H to connect up to the 200mm steam and 150mm gas main that they have fabricated on site.
The first of the two boilers, pictured above, has now been delivered and will be put into use prior to Xmas 2006.
November 2006
As part of their continuing programme to improve, even further, the range of available products, Sharp + Howse are now offering their maintenance department contract customers a 24 hour, 7 days a week call out service.
This provides for a dedicated engineer to be available at all times outside of the Companies' normal trading hours.
Pictured above, Service Manager Dave Carr awaits the call!!!
October 2006
On a sunny Saturday in September, four members of the Sharp + Howse team were invited, as guests of Pipe Centre in Oxford, to play on the famous PGA course at the Belfry Golf Club in Birmingham.
A "friendly" competition between two members of the contracts team, Richard Bates and Paul Hulcup, and the estimating department, David Carter and Peter Lowe, took place and after a close fought match the youthful contracts team ran out victorious against the experienced estimators.
As the day wore on some of the players seemed determined to avoid damaging the pristine fairways and reached the greens via the bunkers, although we are assured by Paul that he was actually undertaking geothermal surveys!!
September 2006
BESCA Competent Persons Scheme
With the more stringent notification requirements imposed on the contractor following the introduction of the new Building Regulations parts L and F, Sharp + Howse have applied for, and now been granted, Competent Person Status under the BESCA scheme.
This will allow S+H to self-certify that their works comply with the Building Regulations rather than having to submit a building notice or employing an approved inspector.
August 2006
After an extremely busy first quarter to the new financial year a number of Sharp + Howse's staff and their partners let off some steam during an evening of ten pin bowling at the Bowlplex complex in Oxford.
The "non-competitive" evening typically saw a number of individual battles develop between members of the same department, much to the amusement of everyone else!!
Contracts Director, and organiser of the evening, Garry Bailey, eventually ran out the aggregate score winner to the sporting cheers of "fix" from the other bowlers.
The evening was enjoyed by all and is likely to be repeated in the near future.
July 2006
Sharp + Howse have now completely updated their sales and promotional literature and copies are available by contacting us via one of the following methods;
• Telephone:
Bob Shelley
Managing Director
01865 760606
• E-Mail:
bob.shelley@sharpandhowse.co.uk
• Fax:
01865 741330
• Post:
Sharp and Howse Limited
295 - 301 London Road
Oxford
OX3 9HL
June 2006
In April 2006 Sharp + Howse, as an HVCA member, were automatically registered with the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS). This allows us to satisfy the tender conditions relating to health and safety in respect of most work undertaken by both public and private sector clients and for main contractors.
Originally developed by local authority health and safety professionals and with the support of the HSE CHAS registration goes a long way to proving compliance with health and safety legislation.
May 2006
As a long standing member of the HVCA, now approaching 40 years, Sharp + Howse have been registered into the TrustMark scheme, a government inspired initiative to help consumers ensure that they are employing reliable and competent tradesmen. Sharp + Howse were able to satisfy the entry criteria having successfully passed through the HVCA's independent inspection and assessment regime.
April 2006
Careers Fair
Sharp + Howse were once again the only mechanical services contractor represented at the 10th annual "Ladder of Opportunity" Careers Fair, organised by the Oxfordshire Construction Training Group in association with the Oxford and Cherwell Valley College.
The event is designed to attract young individuals interested in employment in the Construction Industry and has helped Sharp + Howse source a number of suitable craft and technical apprentices over recent years.
March 2006
Water Regulations Compliant
Sharp + Howse were recently commissioned to undertake the replacement of two galvanised cold water storage tanks, wedged in a roof void, in the Rangers Lodge on one of Oxfordshire's largest country estates.
As the existing tanks were incorrectly piped, cross flow was not being achieved, and a large amount of surface scum was building up.
S+H carefully cut up and removed the offending tanks and built, in position, a new GRP internally flanged tank which now fully complies with the current water regulations.
January 2006
Bespoke Boosted Mains Water Supply to Private Gardens
Poor mains water pressure meant our Client found watering their four acre gardens and vegetable patch a serious problem.
S+H designed and installed a system, including a water storage tank and booster pump, which now provides excellent water pressure at all outlets, even during peak demand periods.
The system is time clock controlled which allows the booster pump to run throughout the night to automatically water the area.
To prevent the pump from running dry, low level switches have been installed to switch the pump off just before the tank runs out of water and another level switch at high level, means the pump will not start again until the tank has completely refilled.
October 2005
Chartered Director
Sharp + Howse are firmly committed to the continual development of all their staff throughout the organsiation. This has recently been amply demonstrated with all the Executive Directors attending a series of Institute of Directors (IOD) courses aimed at developing the individual as well as the performance of the Board itself.
Managing Director, Bob Shelley, took this through to examination level where he was awarded a Diploma in Company Direction and has now attained Chartered Director status with the IOD, currently their highest level of award available to Company Directors.
September 2005
Preferred Installer
Sharp + Howse, a preferred installer of Dales Fabrication products, recently completed the installation of aluminium colour coated fascia soffits, wall cladding and rainwater systems at Waddesdon School's new teaching block and sports hall as well as at the new Co-Op store at Charlbury.
August 2005
Hat trick of orders at the JR
Sharp + Howse have secured their third contract at the new Head & Neck Hospital in Oxford to this time provide the services pipework distribution within the main risers and the main air handling plantroom.
The contract, valued at £620K, takes the total contract awards from Carillion Construction to Sharp + Howse to in excess of £2 million on this development.
July 2005
"Race for Life"
Several female members of Sharp + Howse staff together with other close family and friends formed the "Girls on Top" team who took part in the recent Oxford stage of the "Race for Life", organised by Cancer Research in association with Tesco Stores.
The 5 km event was held at Oxford University Parks on Saturday 4th June 2005 and had over 3000 female participants.
June 2005
Safety Award For Matthew Hall
Matthew Hall of Sharp + Howse receiving the May 2005 Safety Award from Paul Dempster, Project Director of Carillion for the new John Radcliffe Hospital.
Awarded for his swift action in making good an unsafe condition and reporting it through the proper channels.
June 2005
Kitchen refurbishment at Exeter College
Sharp + Howse have successfully negotiated a £240K contract to provide new Ventilation, Heating, Hot, Cold and Plumbing services to completely refurbish the existing Kitchens at Exeter College in Oxford.
This is the latest, and largest, order secured at this site in a mutually successful relationship which now extends back over 10 years.
May 2005
"Out with the old and in with the new"
As part of Oxfordshire County Councils planned programme of works to eradicate potential sources of the legionnaires disease virus, Sharp + Howse, an approved OCC mechanical services contractor, have been awarded the contract to replace the existing cooling tower at Speedwell House, Oxford with a new air cooled chiller unit to maintain air conditioning services to the existing offices.
March 2005
Further success at the John Radcliffe
Following on from their continuing successful involvement at the New Childrens Hospital, Sharp + Howse have now been awarded a second contract valued at £950K by Carillion Construction, to install the Mechanical Distribution Services pipework at the new Head and Neck Hospital, located within the boundaries of the existing John Radcliffe Hospital complex.
The installation again utilises the Yorkshire "Xpress" press fit jointing system.
January 2005
Continuing their ten year association with the Shaftesbury Housing Group, Sharp + Howse have been awarded a number of contracts totalling in excess of £400K as part of the Group's 2004/2005 Re-Investment Programme covering various Sheltered Housing Schemes.
The work is being overseen by the Chapman Bathurst Partnership based in Canterbury.
December 2004
Quality at the John Radcliffe
Sharp + Howse are currently undertaking the installation of the chilled, heating, hot and cold water services distribution pipework to the new Children's Hospital in Oxford under an order from Carillion Construction valued at £450K.
The system utilises Yorkshire "Xpress" press fit jointing system and is the first pipework trade package to be let on this project. Following an independent inspection S+H were advised that the Trust are "extremely pleased with the standard of workmanship taking place at the John Radcliffe Hospital".
November 2004
HVCA Quality Asessment
As a long standing member of the Heating and Ventilating Contractors Association (HVCA), Sharp+Howse openly welcomed the introduction of their stringent inspection and assessment procedures instigated to ensure that existing members, as well as potential new members, met the recognized industry standards for technical competence and commercial capability.
In March 2004, HVCA's independent auditors visited the company - their judgment was that Sharp + Howse successfully demonstrated that they met and indeed exceeded the required standard.
March 2004
Construction Skills Certificate Scheme
CSCS provides a register of the skills and competence's of people working throughout the construction industry. Operatives and managers get an individual credit card sized 'skills passport', which is valid for five years. The CSCS card also provides evidence that the holder has undergone health and safety awareness training or testing.
Observer members include the Department for Education and Employment, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Health and Safety Executive and the Confederation of Construction Clients.
Sharp + Howse are proud to have
been awarded a Gold Standard,
Certificate of Commitment from CSCS. It shows the company is
committed to the furtherance of competence and health and safety
in the workplace as witnessed by the companys achievements
of at least 75% registration of its workforce under the Construction
Skills Certificate Scheme.
April 2003