EWS First operational Nabers UK rating goes to Leeds office IN BRIEF Construction growth slows in June Growth in the construction sector was weaker last month than at any point since last September, according to the S&P Global Purchasing Managers Index (PMI). The PMI for the sector dropped to 52.6 in June, compared with 56.4 in May. The indexs housing component slipped beneath 50, which indicates contraction rather than growth, for the first time since May 2020. Commercial work also saw a considerable loss of momentum, according to S&P. However, new figures from the Office for National Statistics show that construction output grew for the seventh month in a row in May, hitting a record high of 15bn. The monthly construction output report shows volume grew 1.5% in May, fuelled by new work (2.8%) as repair and maintenance declined by 0.4%. Private commercial new work (12.1%) and private new housing (7.2%) increased. Grosvenors Toronto Square earns 4.5 stars under energy-rating scheme The first Nabers UK energy rating that takes into account operational performance has been awarded to an office in Leeds owned by developer Grosvenor. Nabers UK is adapted from the ratings programme developed in Australia more than 20 years ago, and is already being used to inform Toronto Square in Leeds has a 4.5-star Nabers UK rating the design of buildings under construction (see page 20). It gives ratings ranging from one star to six stars, based on the measured and verified energy use of operational offices. The eight-storey, Grade A Toronto Square office building in Leeds city centre - which was refurbished in 2009 has been awarded a 4.5 star rating after analysis of 12 months data. The data for the building was collated and analysed by EP&T Global, a Nabers UK licensed assessor, and independently certified by BRE. Nabers UK ratings have to be measured and verified every 12 months, and demonstrate whether offices are on a net zero carbon trajectory. They give investors and occupiers confidence that the buildings they own and occupy are aligned with their climate ambitions. The Toronto Square rating will provide more information on the buildings performance, helping Grosvenor work with its occupiers to target additional improvements. C O M P L ETE E N E R G Y E F F I C I E N T S O L U T I O N S F O R A N Y VA LV E R E Q U I R E M E N T For more than a century we have designed market leading solutions. Our variable flow valves, with outstanding hysteresis performance, can help reduce energy consumption by up to 27% based on a 10% improvement in the controlled flow rate. So, why not take comfort in our efficiencies. Find out more at Cranefs.com/solutions 21400_CRANE_FS_COMPLETE_AD_133X186.indd 1 6 August 2022 www.cibsejournal.com 14/02/2022 13:30