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ATLANTA, GA — ASHRAE recognizes the growing concern surrounding the recent clusters of Legionnaires’ disease cases, specifically in New York City and parts of Ohio, reaffirming the Society’s commitment to supporting public health and building safety through accessible guidance on Legionellosis risk management. Legionnaires’ disease, a serious form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, is most commonly associated with water systems where water is not adequately monitored or treated. After periods of heavy rains and flooding, there is an increased risk of Legionnaires’ disease due to potential contamination of water sources and disruptions to water systems. Flooding can mobilize Legionella bacteria-rich biofilms in water systems, leading to higher bacterial loads and potential colonization of the built environment. While the disease has been known for decades, recent outbreaks have underscored the importance of consistent, comprehensive water management practices in facilities of all sizes and types. Key Resources To assist building professionals, public health officials and facility managers in managing this risk, ASHRAE offers two key resources: ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2021, Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems, establishes minimum risk management requirements for the design, construction, commissioning, operation, maintenance, repair, and expansion of building water systems. Written in enforceable language, the standard is designed to facilitate integration into building codes and public health regulations. ASHRAE Guideline 12-2023, Managing the Risk of Legionellosis Associated with Building Water Systems, serves as a companion to Standard 188, offering practical, system-specific guidance on reducing the risk of Legionella growth and transmission. The guideline addresses common sources of exposure, including potable water systems, decorative fountains, whirlpool spas, cooling towers, and humidifiers. Additional sections cover US water treatment regulations related to incoming water quality, Legionella monitoring, and personal protective equipment (PPE) considerations. Structured, Scientific Mitigation Strategies “Healthy buildings depend on comprehensive water management strategies,” said 2025-26 ASHRAE President Bill McQuade, P.E., CDP, Fellow ASHRAE, LEED AP. “As concerns about indoor environmental quality and public health continue to grow, it’s vital that building owners and operators have access to proven, science-based resources like ASHRAE Standard 188 and Guideline 12. These tools are designed to support safer environments through practical and preventive measures related to water quality and legionella risk mitigation.” Recent outbreaks highlight the ongoing need for vigilance in managing both public water distribution networks and building water systems, especially as many buildings operate under varying occupancy levels and our water utility infrastructure is aging. ASHRAE’s guidance offer design teams, building managers and health officials a structured approach to mitigating risk and protecting occupants. “Our Society remains focused on supporting healthy buildings through better air, better water, and better system design. We encourage the building community to take advantage of the resources we’ve developed to help prevent future outbreaks,” said McQuade. To access ASHRAE Standard 188 and Guideline 12, or for additional resources on Legionellosis risk management and water safety, visit ashrae.org/Legionella. Read More

Customers don’t sit in on staff meetings, and they won’t study your mission statement, but they feel the effects of how your business runs every time they interact with your team. In this week’s episode, contracting business expert Gary Elekes shares how internal leadership changes can create real results in the field. He breaks down the steps he took to rebuild trust with his team, strengthen customer relationships, and reverse declining sales trends. Learn to lead with intention and see the payoff in both culture and revenue. All that and more on the latest episode of Cracking the Code! Streaming now, free for everyone, through August 14: MyContractorUniversity.com/CBS-Show. Read More

A business’s entity structure plays an important role in how it is taxed. Understanding the differences and tax implications of the different strategies will facilitate a business’s tax planning and thus its ability to minimize its tax liability. It is important to note that as a business navigates through different stages, certain business structures will be more beneficial at different times, which may require an entity change as the business grows and evolves. Seeking the advice of a financial professional can help business owners to better understand the tax implications of each type of entity structure as their business progresses through different stages of growth. Let’s explore a few of the entity structures and the tax implications of each. Sole Proprietor As a Sole Proprietor, the business and the owner are legally the same. The owner will be personally responsible for any obligations arising as a result of the business operations. The business income taxes are filed as part of the owner’s individual income tax returns (form 1040) on a Schedule C. The owner can take distributions but he or she is not on the payroll. The owner should understand that profits from business operations are classified as pre-tax income, which means income taxes will be calculated and are due when taxes are filed. In some cases, estimated taxes will be required throughout the year. Failure to make the required estimated income tax payments can result in ‘”failure-to-pay” penalties. Estimated IRS income tax payments are required on the following dates: • April 15 for income from January 1 to March 31 • June 15 for income earned from April 1 to May 31 • September 15 for income earned from June 1 to August 31 • January 14 for income earned from September 1 to December 31 Consult your tax professional as to whether you are required to make estimated tax payments. LLCs A Single Member Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) has one owner. The entity must be registered with the Department of State and requires a formal operating agreement. This structure offers liability protection to the owner. The income taxes are filed on Schedule C as part of the owner’s personal income tax returns (Form 1040). Estimated income tax payments may be due based on the owner’s previous year’s tax liability and are due on the dates referenced above. When two or more members exist in an LLC, the IRS treats the LLC as a partnership. Just as in a Single-Member LLC, in a Partnership the members’ personal assets are protected from legal action. A Partnership is required to file a Form 1065 each year and prepare a Form K-1 to report each member’s share of the year’s profit or losses. Partnerships should have an operating agreement that outlines the ownership percentages and the division of profits and losses among other provisions. S-Corporations An S-Corporation, like an LLC and partnership, is considered a pass-through entity. This means the entities do not pay federal income tax; instead the income, deductions, profits and losses are passed onto the owner and partners and reported on their personal income tax return. In an S-Corporation the profits and losses are reported on a Schedule K-1 to the shareholders who would then report the information on their personal income tax return(s). An S-Corporation must first be formed as a C-Corporation or LLC and then IRS form 2553 must be submitted to elect the S-Corporation status. Some of the features of an S Corporation include the following restrictions: • Must not have more than 100 shareholders • Shareholders must be US citizens • Can issue only one class of stock • Cannot be owned by corporations or partnerships Unlike the owner and partners in an LLC and Partnership, respectively, the owner-employees of an S-Corporation must be paid a responsible salary. One of the major benefits of an S-Corporation is that the profits can be taken as distributions which are not subject to self-employment tax. Another major benefit is the avoidance of double taxation which occurs in a traditional C-Corporation. Depending on the shareholders’ personal tax situation(s), they may be required to make estimated tax payments. Shareholders should contact their tax preparer for more specific guidance. A C-Corporation is its own entity. Shareholders are not personally responsible for the debt and other obligations of the company. The shareholders’ liability is limited to the amount invested in the corporation. C-Corporations pay their own taxes. The IRS form required to file the annual income tax return is Form 1120. One of the biggest criticisms of C-Corporations is double taxation. This is due to the income taxes paid by the corporation on profits and the income taxes paid by shareholders on dividends they receive from the corporation. Other features of the C-Corporation include unlimited shareholders, multiple classes of stock, and perpetual existence. Consult Your Tax Professional The tax implications of each corporate entity are extensive and expand way beyond the scope of this article. Use the information provided to start the conversation with your business partners and tax advisors as to what will prove to be the most beneficial entity structure for your contracting business. Read More

WASHINGTON, DC —  The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is teaming up with businesses across the country to celebrate Safe + Sound Week from Aug. 11-17, 2025. This annual event recognizes the successes of workplace safety and health programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America’s workers safe. When businesses adopt effective safety measures, they can proactively identify and manage workplace hazards preventing injury or illness, improving sustainability and the bottom line. Preparedness and Response This year, Safe + Sound Week will emphasize emergency preparedness and response, recognizing that emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time. A workplace emergency is an unexpected event that poses risks to workers, customers, or the public, disrupts or shuts down operations, and can cause physical or environmental damage. During the event, OSHA will provide resources to help businesses understand how to stay informed, develop effective emergency action plans, and prepare to respond when an emergency arises. Resources and Tools Any organization, regardless of size or industry, can take part in Safe + Sound Week to show their commitment to safety and improve their safety and health program. Last year, more than 5,000 businesses participated to raise awareness about worker safety and health. Visit the Safe + Sound Week website to sign up to participate and for more information, resources, and tools, to help you plan and promote safety events. Learn more about OSHA at www.osha.gov. Read More

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show around 35,000 job vacancies in the construction sector The Department of Education has put out a statement on the subject of training future construction workers claiming that “new specialist colleges announced today will train 40,000 construction learners by 2029”. But they are not new colleges. They all exist already and have been offering construction courses for years. Ten establishments have been listed as ‘new’ Construction Technical Excellence Colleges. They include Leeds College of Building, which has been teaching construction skills for 65 years and whose roots go back to 1824 and he Mechanics Institute. So not new then. Just been given a gold star. The ten colleges will also be backed by an additional £100m over the next four years, intended for their construction courses. They will also be expected to act as a ‘hub’ to support other colleges offering construction courses in their area. Some people seem to buying into government spin, including Tim Balcon, chief executive of the Construction Industry Training Board. He said: “It’s wonderful to see the progress being made towards establishing these Technical Excellence Colleges for Construction. They represent a transformative opportunity for people to complete local vocational training, helping to drive regional growth and nurture the next generation of skilled construction workers in local communities.” Don’t all colleges, Tim? The 10 further education colleges given the status of Construction Technical Excellence Colleges are: Derby College Group West Suffolk College New City College City of Sunderland College Wigan and Leigh College North Kent College Exeter College Bedford College Dudley College of Technology Leeds College of Building. Plenty of other further education colleges across the UK also teach construction skills, from Newcastle in the north to Fareham in the south. But as they are not recognised as technically excellent, their courses are likely to be no longer as valuable as they were yesterday. Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk Read More

35 Lincoln’s Inn Fields is to become the Firoz Lalji Global Hub [© David Chipperfield Architects] The London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) has appointed McLaren Construction for a £100m retrofit and extension of an existing 1950s building at 35 Lincoln’s Inn Fields to create a home for the Firoz Lalji Global Hub. The redevelopment has been designed by David Chipperfield Architects to be an exemplar in circular design and resource efficiency. It is expected to be the largest Passivhaus retrofit building in the UK. Around 60% of the original building will be retained when the top three floors and roof plant enclosure are demolished and replaced by a lightweight cross-laminated timber extension, taking the building from 9,856 square metres to 11,848 square metres. The removal of an infill structure at the core of the building frees up the floor plan and creates an atrium, while a new ground floor and partial first floor slab will facilitate level access into the building. The remodelled building at 35 Lincoln’s Inn Fields will accommodate not just the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, but additional space for the Department of Mathematics, Department of Statistics, Executive Education and Data Science Institute. New space includes a range of teaching spaces, including lecture halls and seminar rooms, as well as offices, a dining area, external terrace and ground floor café. A multi-purpose teaching and debating space, the 270-seat LSE Agora theatre, will be used for debates and broadcasts. Cycle parking, changing rooms, showers, locker facilities and mechanical plant will be at basement level and new mechanical plant, green and blue roofs and photovoltaic panels installed on the new roof. As a sustainability flagship for the LSE, the new building targets BREEAM Outstanding, Passivhaus certification and WELL Platinum, as well as exceeding London’s ambitious embodied and operational carbon, energy, water use, and biodiversity targets. In collaboration with carbon consultant Buro Happold, McLaren has identified strategies to reduce the embodied carbon footprint of the project. This includes re-evaluating material choices, omitting unnecessary components and integrating low-carbon alternatives wherever feasible. To minimise overall carbon emissions throughout the project’s lifecycle and support the circular economy, the building is designed to be adaptable, flexible and deconstructable. Materials salvaged for reuse include parquet and timber flooring, brass inlays from wall panelling, various lighting fixtures, ceramic tiles and rainwater hoppers and both internal and external brickwork. The team has also secured materials from other nearby sites for use on the project. The existing eight-storey brick building sits in a sensitive location in the Strand Conservation Area between the Grade ll* listed Royal College of Surgeons and the Grade ll listed former Land Registry building on the south side of Lincoln’s Inn Fields, which is itself a Grade ll Registered Park and Garden. The building’s external appearance will be refreshed with a lime-based, off-white wash brush applied to the brick, maintaining the textured finish of the masonry, while masking imperfections. Julian Robinson, director of estates at the LSE, said: “This transformative project represents a major milestone in LSE’s ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability and academic excellence. It sets out to redefine standards in building reuse and sustainable development, targeting high accreditations alongside ambitious embodied and operational carbon targets. “This facility will not only serve our academic community but also stand as an exemplar in sustainable design and construction across the sector. This is more than a building, it’s a bold statement about the future of education, architecture and environmental responsibility.” McLaren Construction’s managing director for London & South, Darren Gill, said: “Retrofit techniques have advanced to the point where we can remodel 70-year-old buildings to create world-class spaces at the same time as minimising both the embodied carbon in a construction project and the future operational carbon emissions. “With the new LSE Agora, McLaren will be responsible for creating a space that will become an iconic symbol of London’s open academic life around the world.” The new building is scheduled for completion in 2027. The project has been made possible by a £28m donation of from Ugandan Asian businessman Firoz Lalji, who made his first fortune from a chain of camera stores in Canada.   Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk Read More

Bancon Group chief financial officer Andrew Tweedie (left) and chairman Bob McAlpine Aberdeenshire house-building and construction firm Bancon Group has filed accounts for the year to 31st March 2025 showing pre-tax profits of £2.6m, up from £1.3m the previous year, and turnover up by 13% to £110.7m (2014: £97.7m). Founded in Banchory in 1975 and celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Bancon Group directly employs around 250 people across its three trading divisions: Bancon Homes, Bancon Construction and Deeside Timberframe. Bancon Homes saw a 38% increase in the number of private homes sold which drove a 22% increase in turnover in this business. The business reported that “while the impact of uncertainty around geopolitical events and UK policy announcements had an impact on purchaser appetite post-Christmas, visitor levels and sales have recovered since that point and this momentum has been maintained into the new financial year”. Deeside Timberframe’s turnover increased by 23% on the previous year. A continued focus on efficiency along with relative stability in raw material prices allowed margins to be maintained.  Bancon Construction saw turnover dip by 9% but it manged to post its highest pre-tax profit since 2007. Chief financial officer Andrew Tweedie said: “It is extremely satisfying to be able to report a significant uplift in profits in the year to March 2025. These accounts build on the strong results we achieved last year, despite the range of pressures being faced by the industry. “Whilst there has been some easing of the headwinds in certain areas, our sector continues to face challenging conditions which makes our performance over this period all the more notable. Our results are testament to the success of the strategies in place across the group and the dedication and talents of the people involved in delivering them. “We are targeting further profit growth in the current financial year and have made a positive start, with strong sales across both our homes and timberframe businesses as well as a significant contract win in our retrofit construction business.” Work has also started on Bancon’s latest private housing development, Valley View at Milltimber in Aberdeen. The new estate of four and five-bedroom homes on North Deeside Road is due to launch to buyers later this year. Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk Read More

CGI of the new look West Wickham Leisure Centre The London Borough of Bromley has appointed Alliance Leisure to lead on the £22m revamp of West Wickham Leisure Centre. The main contractor will be Etec Group. The proposals include a new café, gym, reception area, changing rooms and a competition-length swimming pool. West Wickham Leisure Centre was closed last year following initial findings of structural issues at the centre. Enabling works, including asbestos removal, have already been completed, which will allow works on the rebuild to proceed at pace. Demolition works at the centre are set to start in the coming weeks, subject to final planning approval, with the works having already been approved at a council meeting in July. Works are also continuing on the refurbishment of the remainder of the centre, particularly the learner pool. Councillor Yvonne Bear, executive councillor for renewal, recreation and housing, said: “We are in a fairly unique position among local authorities of being able to press ahead with a substantial investment in our leisure provision, and I know many residents will be excited to see further progress on site shortly as we secure this centre for many years to come.” The revised proposals follow structural assessments work at the centre after asbestos was removed, allowing the building structure to be examined more closely. Part of the building was determined to be beyond economic repair and must be demolished and rebuilt. Although the centre will now be delivered on a revised schedule, expected to reopen in early 2028, the rebuild plan will offer greater long-term certainty and also minimise future maintenance costs, the council said. Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk Read More

The project team (left to right): Dominic Perris and Elizabeth Rabett from surveyors Dalcour Maclaren; Rob Hayman and Mike Crook from Knights Brown; and client representatives Matt Hosey, Rob Thomas, Peter Christie and Talal Aburumman. Knights Brown has been appointed under a two stage design & build contract for the £29.4m Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill flood defence scheme. The infrastructure has been designed not just to protect the area from tidal flooding but also to support its long-term regeneration. Delivered in partnership with Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council and South West Flood & Coastal, the scheme will provide 1.5km of continuous flood defences along the eastern side of Holes Bay.  Construction begins this month on the stretch between Holes Bay Path and Lifeboat Quay), where the height of the pathways will be raised to 2.65 metres AOD (above ordnance datum – or above sea level in old money) by upgrading embankments and rock revetments. Work on the stretch between the RNLI car park and Poole Bridge is due to start in the autumn and will comprise a 3.6-metre AOD steel tubular and sheet-piled wall with flood gates. Both zones will take approximately 18 months to complete. Due to salt marsh and mud flat ecosystems that support wintering wading birds and wildfowl, Holes Bay is designated as a Wetland of International Importance (under the Ramsar convention), Special Protection Area and Site of Special Scientific Interest. To protect marine wildlife a bubble curtain will be installed to ensure any sediment disturbed while work is underway is effectively contained. An ecological engineering technique featuring pole and pontoon hulas will be installed at key locations to increase marine biodiversity. Matt Hosey, head of flood and coastal erosion risk management at BCP Council, said: “For years, it was anticipated that the ongoing regeneration from Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill would result in comprehensive flood defences. However, recent developments have only delivered them along isolated sections, leaving significant gaps. This incomplete coverage exposes the wider area to tidal flooding, a risk that will increase in frequency and severity due to climate change. South West Flood & Coastal has been actively progressing the delivery of this essential, major and complex flood defence scheme, securing substantial funding contributions from Environment Agency Grant in Aid and BCP Council Strategic CIL [community infrastructure levy]. Through early contractor involvement, Knights Brown has contributed to enhancing the scheme’s buildability, shortening the construction programme and value-engineering costs, all while aiming to reduce environmental impacts.” Knights Brown divisional director Mike Crook said: “Our extensive experience in coastal and marine civil engineering extends across southern England and Wales. This includes projects such as the North Portsea scheme where 1.9km of flood defences are currently under construction; a 1.2km concrete faced, stepped apron and sheet pile toe wall just completed at Mumbles, South Wales; and the Falklands Jetty upgrade at Marchwood Port in Southampton.” Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk Read More

Meghan Markle is once again under the spotlight after announcing a new project with Netflix, with critics accusing her of “copying” the Princess of Wales. The Duchess of Sussex, 44, and Prince Harry, 40, revealed their new “first-look” deal with the streaming platform last week. The agreement includes a festive special of Meghan’s lifestyle series ‘With Love’, described as a chance to “join Meghan in Montecito for a magical holiday celebration.” However, the announcement quickly sparked criticism from some royal watchers who claim Meghan is trying to take attention away from Kate Middleton, 43, who hosts a well-known royal Christmas event each year. Kinsey Schofield, a US-based royal expert and podcaster, told the Mirror that this is part of a “pattern” by the Sussexes. “It’s become so noticeable it was reported recently that Harry had offered to share his schedule with the family as an ‘olive branch’ to avoid competing in the future,” she said. The claims come at a time when the couple is said to be facing a “reality check,” as experts suggest their public image and media projects continue to receive mixed reactions. Some believe the timing of their announcements often appears to clash with key royal events. The new Netflix deal aims to bring more personal content from the Sussexes, though it has also added to the ongoing divide between the couple and the rest of the Royal Family. The Palace has not responded to the claims. Read More