AT:B Summer 2011

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Summer 2011

T H E A R C H I T E C T U R A L T E C H N O L O G I S T S B O O K

4 - Gallery - the BIG pictures12 - News and announcements

20 - Building product news38 - Opinion - manufacturers points of view

48 - Building project news

Some of the colour photography used in The Architectural Technologists Book is provided and paid for by contributors. Whilst every effort is made by the publishers to ensure that the content of the articles is accurate, the publishers do not accept liability for errors that may appear in the publication. Published quarterly, free of charge to a readership under the publishers control. Copies are otherwise available on request at cost of £5.00 per single issue including postage. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of the publisher. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording in any storage or retrieval system without the consent of the publisher.Published by: Link2Media Architectural Publications Ltd Editorial Office: Barn 3, Dunston Business Village, Stafford Road, Dunston, Stafford ST18 9AB Tel: 01785 711591 Fax: 0845 862 8639e:[email protected] www.link2media.co.uk

contents

Photo supplied by Compac. www.compac.es

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Thirteen Kährs Floors Receive FSC CertificationStewardship Council) certification for 13 wood floors produced throughout its range. They include eight oak floors from its Original and Linnea Ranges and all sports floors from its Activity Range, available in a choice of wood species.

Within Kährs European Natural Collections, from the Original Range, rustic Oak Ardenne and Oak Hampshire have received certification, along with even grained Oak Verona and Oak Siena. Meanwhile, FSC floors within the Linnea Range include Oak Amber, Biscuit, Coffee and Honey.

Throughout the Activity sports floor range - within which floor’s feature integral shock-absorption and reinforcement properties – all designs are now FSC-certified and compliant to both DIN and EN Standards. Certification, in each case, means that the

floors fulfil the demands for FSC labelled products. Kährs commitment to the environment has received international recognition. Back in 1941, Kährs patented its eco-efficient, multi-layered floor design, on which its range is still based today.

In 1993, it was the first floor manufacturer to receive ISO 9001 certification and in 1997 the company was certified according to the ISO 14001 environmental standard. Kährs was the first flooring manufacturer to produce floors with water-based finishes and to introduce the glueless, mechanical joint system Woodloc®.

Last year, 73% of all wood used in floor production came from Swedish forests surrounding its 40 hectare manufacturing site in Nybro, Sweden. During production, tree bark waste that is recovered from Kährs sawmill is used to provide district heat for

its 75,000m² plant, neighbouring homes and businesses. The dry saw dust biomass waste is converted to energy pellets and is used to provide carbon-neutral energy for approximately 20,000 households in the region.

Meanwhile in this, the UN’s Year of the Forest 2011, Kährs is working even more actively to support socially and environmentally responsible forestry globally, and has an ongoing dialogue with NGO organisations, such as WWF, EIA, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, and Greenpeace.www.kahrs.co.uk

Enquiry No. 1www.at-b.co.uk/card

Reflecting its long-term environmental focus, Kährs has received FSC (Forest

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refurbishments, unsightly plant on and around a building has become a tiresome problem. After many 11th hour calls from Architects and Facilities Managers, The Expanded Metal Company decided to develop an easy-to-specify, easy-to-install plant screen system. The challenge was to combine the advantages of expanded metal, with a system that was aesthetically pleasing yet hard working enough to withstand the wind loads associated with hi-rise roof top installations.

The revolutionary new plant screen system Securascreen™, has been born from the frustration of Architects, who have had the quandary of trying to minimise the effect of unsightly plant and equipment and protecting the equipment from damage or theft, whilst providing access for engineers and new installations. Based on a simple but effective design, Securascreen™ achieves all of these aims in an “off the shelf” package. The system includes newly designed “change of direction posts” which allow the system to be opened up for access and made either larger or smaller at whichever angle you choose. Crucially, Securascreen™ achieves all of this without compromising on aesthetics, a range of meshes has been chosen based on The Expanded Metal Company’s stylish architectural range. The galvanised steel system can then be powder coated to the colour and finish of your choice.

The use of expanded metal in this system means the specifier has a choice in terms of the level of visibility from either side of the screen. This is achieved by carefully selecting the orientation of the mesh, for example; a rooftop application may benefit from using the mesh “upside-down”, when viewed from ground level (looking up) the screen would appear solid yet would appear open when looking outward from the inside. Less obviously, the colour of the screen can also have a huge influence on through visibility. Darker colours provide a greater contrast with the surrounding area and are therefore easier to see through. Lighter colours, typically having less contrast, will be less easy to see

through. Again, this gives the specifier a choice without having to design and engineer a bespoke system. The mesh also allows ventilation, which is often an important factor.Securascreen™ is versatile enough to also be used at ground level where, again, it can be used to screen and protect plant or more simply be used to house bins or even vehicles. Where frequent access is required the system can be easily adapted by our in-house designers to include security gates.

The installation of Securascreen™ has also been made as easy as possible. It is broken down into component parts, all of which are at manageable weights and sizes. These are then supplied with all the necessary fixings you will need for your installation. A full set of instructions and separate technical data relating to wind loadings are also available.

The Securascreen™ launch at Ecobuild in March was well received, though some wondered why expanded metal might be being showcased at an “eco” or “green” show. The clue is in the name of the material of course. Since 1889 The Expanded Metal Company have been taking sheets or coils of all types of metal and turning it into even bigger sheets or coils of expanded metal mesh. The expanding process involves cutting and stretching a small amount of the raw material, in a single process, creating a much larger piece of mesh, with little wastage. Some meshes can be in excess of 80% larger than the original piece of metal ensuring a strong and seamless mesh, providing great value for money and making the most of metal in a sustainable way.

You can learn more about this easily specified, easily installed solution to the problems of masking and securing plant and other equipment from The Expanded Metal Company on 01429 867388 [email protected] www.expandedmetalcompany.co.uk


Securascreen™, The Revolutionary New Plant Screen System From Expanded Metal Company Often the very last consideration in new-build projects and a headache for building

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The new Hastings Station Plaza is a £71m mixed residential, educational, office and retail development on the site of the old goods yard next to the new railway station. Designed by Hopkins Architects and built by Laing O’Rourke, its large, light-filled, glazed atrium is part of 22,000 square metres of study space and social zones for the new £65m sixth form and further education college. 4 interlinked BREEAM ‘Excellent’ 6-storey buildings are linked by the atrium.

Laidlaw Solutions supplied over 450 Orbis Timber laminated and painted doorsets for use throughout the project, together with a range of factory-fitted Orbis Commercial ironmongery. The variety of door colours, coded for each of the 6 floors, is immediately evident upon entering the atrium. Many were installed with PVC edging within an aluminium glazed partitioning system.

The Hastings Primary Care Centre, located within the Plaza, was a further element of the project to which Laidlaw scheduled

doors and ironmongery. Facilities such as Dexa scanning, X-ray, ultrasound and dental services have been combined with a walk-in centre, retail pharmacy and six GP practices. Laidlaw supplied 190 internal doors and glass internal timber screens together with external timber doors, those leading from the basement into the car park having standalone digital locks.

The scale of the Station Plaza development is reflected by the fact that it also houses IT suites, a gym, performing arts and dance studios, an art gallery, coffee shop, hair salon, restaurant and audio-visual / media facilities. Intended to create an impressive, vibrant gateway for Hastings, it connects the re-opened station with the rest of the town and wider coastal region. The development had a high sustainability agenda and aimed to create a socially inclusive environment which included affordable housing.

Laidlaw’s involvement in Hastings’ regeneration has extended to the development of the Ore Valley campus of

the new Sussex South Coast College. The College is linked to that at Station Plaza and works with local secondary schools to provide the International Baccalaureate and vocational courses for year 10 and 11 students. Around 170 primed Orbis doorsets and Orbis Commercial ironmongery were again supplied.

Major Projects manager Dave Manley concluded, “Laidlaw’s involvement in these key education and health projects provides further proof of our experience in handling diverse and complex doorset schedules. The time line for fitting out is always very tight so the supply of integrated doorsets provides the perfect answer for both the main contractor and the installer.”


Laidlaw Hat-Trick Of Health And Education Projects In Hastings

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the ultimate high gloss finish - both in looks and surface performance.Utilising high pearl printing techniques to give stunning 3D effects, Glasen film is ideal for both domestic and commercial interior applications including: Splash backs, Kitchen and Bedroom doors, Flooring, Wall Panels, Work surfaces, Table tops, Headboards, Radiator covers, Hotel and Office reception areas and Bars and Restaurants. David Clouting offer a range of Glasen film designs such as Mesh (pictured) that will revolutionise how decorative glass can be used. Glasen is certified to act as a safety film, achieving European EN12600: 2003-04 Classification.For further information contact David Clouting.Tel: 01376 518037 www.davidclouting.co.uk


Glasen’s Got The Ultimate High Gloss Look Glasen, exclusively distributed in the UK by David Clouting, is an innovative interior film developed by LG to be laminated onto the back of a glass sheet to provide

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Kaba Door Systems Changes Name To Gilgen Door Systems

Kaba Door Systems Limited are delighted to announce that they are now part of the Japanese company Nabtesco Corporation and will be known as Gilgen Door Systems UK Limited from 1st April 2011. The deal worth in excess of 240 million Swiss Francs (approximately £150m) includes Kaba Door Systems, Kaba Gilgen and all other entities of the Kaba Door Automation business unit across Europe and China. Peter Faerber, Managing Director said “I am very excited about this acquisition; it represents a positive step in the long-term development of our business, opening up opportunities in the USA and Asia. This merger also makes available the technological know-how of a multinational company active in a number of sophisticated business areas” The complementary characteristics of both companies, ensures that UK customers and suppliers can expect very little change, the legal entity having no impact on existing contracts. It’s a case of business as usual. Together with the newly acquired company, Nabtesco will turn over £1.1bn and employ 5000 people in 31 companies throughout South East Asia, USA and Europe. Market leaders, Nabtesco dominate 50% of the Japanese automatic door market and manufacture movement control equipment and components for high-precision instruments for transport, aviation and hydraulics together robots.


New Polypipe Ventilation Catalogue Makes Specification Simple

Polypipe Ventilation has announced the arrival of a new catalogue detailing its range of energy-saving domestic and light commercial ventilation systems. This is the first catalogue from the company to incorporate not only Polypipe and Domus product offerings but also the Silavent range of fans acquired by the group last year. The new catalogue provides customers with simple to use navigation tools for complete ventilation system specification. The Polypipe range now features the widest selection of plastic ventilation products in Europe, including MVHR units, fans and an extensive range of ducting, fittings and outlets to ensure installations benefit from the quickest ducting route with the greatest ease and efficiency. www.polypipe.com/ventilation


Follow NHBC Advice And Switch To Dry Systems For Pitched Roofs

Hambleside Danelaw is urging builders to follow a new NHBC recommendation that they should seriously consider opting for dry systems on pitched roofs to reduce their risk of incurring remedial works due to mortar failure. The NHBC has just reported that 60% of claims handled in 2010 related to pitch roofs and half of these claims were due to mortar issues. Availability is easily found within one of the most comprehensive ‘dry roof’ ranges offered by a British manufacturer. The range includes Dry Fix valley troughs, ridge and hip systems, soakers, verges and bonding gutters. Some of these

Danelaw products are listed in the WRAP procurement guide because they contain up to 50% recyclable content. Verges are also reported by the NHBC to be a common feature of pitched roof claims and can require complicated and expensive scaffold access to facilitate repairs. Hambleside Danelaw supplies GRP Dry Verges in an attractive slate grey colour for batten and sark boards or face fixing which are suitable for all natural and man-made slates.


GILGEN DOOR SYSTEMS

NabtescoMember of the Group

New from Steico at Ecobuild 2011

Steico, manufacturer of wood fibre insulation and construction products, introduced several new developments at Ecobuild 2011 and new literature covering the expanded UK portfolio. Alongside its extensive ranges of flexible and rigid insulation panels Steico announced a new ultralam laminated veneer lumber flange for its Steicojoists; a new sealed waterproof Steicoprotectadek engineered floor; and a prototype fire retardent version which is now under final test. Insulation products on display included Steicoflex, Steicotherm and Steicouniversal. These provide energy saving climate control for houses, commercial, public and industrial buildings by enhancing the breathability of the building fabric. www.steico.co.uk


The Ardex CPD Academy Goes Live!

As part of their service to architects and specifiers, ARDEX UK has launched the ARDEX CPD Academy website. ARDEX is committed to providing RIBA approved Continuous Professional Development Seminars that allow an attendee to improve their knowledge and skills base within the key construction industry sectors of tiling and flooring. In addition to the option of delivering ARDEX CPD seminars at architectural premises, ARDEX have launched the CPD Academy which means that they can now be accessed online, and taken at the architects own convenience. www.ardexcpdacademy.com


Fendor Bucks Trend And Sees Output Rise

Fendor has bucked the economic trend to record a healthy 18 % increase in growth during 2010. Announcing the figures, managing director Chris Duffy said, “Since 2007 Fendor has invested heavily in both R&D and Marketing spend and this increased during 2010. We have aggressively targeted new market sectors specifically Healthcare this being highlighted by the introduction of several new patent applications for that sector. European Design rights have been granted for the CleanVent® system and for the first time International PCT applications are in place. ‘’The results of this strategic initiative resulted in 18% growth in 2010 output over 2009 during a period of particularly difficult market conditions in the U.K.”.

Enquiry No. 11

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Standard Reference For Cast Stone Revised And Updated

The construction industry’s standard reference for cast stone has been revised and updated by the UK Cast

Stone Association (UKCSA). The latest edition of The Technical Manual for Cast Stone is a one-stop reference for all the information construction professionals need to understand the manufacture, design, specification and use of this much-used alternative to quarried natural stone. co.uk. Cast stone provides an attractive, durable

and long-lasting product that can match the appearance and performance of many quarried stone profiles and finishes, yet it is readily available and can cost significantly less. It can be viewed or downloaded from www.ukcsa


Osmo Unveils New Website

Osmo, the wood and finishes expert, has unveiled a more detailed website, including new brochures, helpful training videos, stockist details and a full product portfolio. From the homepage one can easily navigate to pages which are split into sections covering flooring, colour, finishes, garden products and cladding. Once in these specific areas, detailed information including products, FAQs and videos are clearly set out. Further information is available on Osmo as a UK and international company, its training courses, stockist details and how to follow Osmo on Twitter. A feature which is already proving popular is the online chat section. This allows visitors to the site to pose specific questions to an Osmo representative and receive more detailed answers. www.osmouk.com


Call For Brick Awards 2011

The search is underway once more to find the best brickwork in action for the 2011 Brick Awards, organised by the Brick Development Association. Entrants are judged on architectural design demonstrating sustainability credentials and the choice of brick. The Awards are open to anyone, whether they are architects/designers, building owners, developers, housebuilders, contractors or brick manufacturers. The only stipulation is that the project – unless it’s featured in the International or Worldwide categories – must feature clay bricks or pavers made by BDA members. The 2011 Brick Awards will be presented at the Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel in London on 2 November. Entry forms and further information about the categories are available on the BDA website, www.brick.org.uk/brickawards2011. Hard copies can also be requested by emailing [email protected] or by calling 020 7323 7030. The closing date for entries is 17 June 2011.


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If it has to be non-porous...

Non-Porous | Stain-Resistant | Scratch-Resistant | Heat-Resistant Excellent Flexural Strength | Low Maintenance | 30 Colours

www.caesarstone.uk.com

...it has to be CaesarStone

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Any size, Any shape, Anywhere

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Marshalls Plc Recognised As A Business Superbrand For 2011

Marshalls plc has been announced as one of the UK’s leading business to business brands once again recently. The announcement follows a robust research process administered independently by The Centre for Brand Analysis, which analysed the views of an Expert Council and 2,000 UK business professionals. Of the thousands of brands initially considered only the top 500 are deemed to be Business Superbrands. Stephen Cheliotis, Chairman of the Expert Council & CEO, The Centre for Brand Analysis, comments: “Congratulations to Marshalls on achieving Business Superbrands status. This status confirms the strength and potency of the brand in the UK. As we enter another difficult year, the resilience of a business can be boosted by its reputation, helping to stimulate demand and loyalty versus weaker-branded rivals. The company and its employees can be extremely proud to be recognised amongst the UK’s leading B2B brands. The achievement reflects the views of experts and professionals who deemed the brand to represent quality, reliability and distinction.”Marshalls Group Marketing Director, Chris Harrop, comments “Once again Marshalls has demonstrated its strong brand position as a market leader in its sector. We continue to strive to improve environments for everyone by using our expertise to create integrated landscapes that promote well-being, from Fairly Traded stone and providing products that alleviate flood risks, to creating innovative anti-terrorist street furniture.”


CAB’s Ecobuild Success

Heading up the highly successful Aluminium Area at the recent Ecobuild exhibition, the Council for Aluminium in Building’s 150 square metre island site included 7 CAB member companies. The ‘drop-in’ lounge, hosted by CAB, offered visitors an insight into the latest issues regarding aluminium in construction and technical support was on hand to answer direct questions about standards and sustainability. CAB also launched its Annual Report for 2011 which looks at the work and membership of the association, and is available as a download from the CAB website. www.c-a-b.org.uk


A Landmark Year For Thermo-Floor Ltd

Thermo-Floor Ltd is one of the largest providers of energy efficient underfloor heating and cooling systems to domestic and commercial properties in the UK. Not only do they celebrate their 25th Birthday this year but they have seen a record growth in turnover of 42.5%. General Manager, Neil Evans; “Last year was a successful year in company growth for us which reflects our expert, professional and personable service for design, supply and installation of our unique underfloor heating and cooling systems and 25 year strong position in the industry”.


Technal Launches New WebsiteArchitectural aluminium glazing specialist, Technal, has launched a new website for architects and specifiers. The site has a completely fresh design, with clear and simple navigation, to provide a fast and efficient specifiers’ guide to the technical features, advantages, architectural flexibility, and wide-ranging applications for Technal’s aluminium curtain walling, low rise glazing, window and door systems. www.technal.co.uk




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Yorkon Increases Recycling Rates In Its Off-Site Manufacturing Process To 91%

Award-winning off-site construction specialist, Yorkon, has announced that it now recycles 91 per cent of waste generated in the manufacture of its steel-framed modular building system. Yorkon recycles 91 per cent of waste at its production centre in York, and the new materials used to manufacture Yorkon buildings now have a recycled content of 35 per cent, which ensures significantly lower levels of embodied energy. Yorkon is also committed to using building products in its modular schemes which are both low carbon and have low embodied energy. Waste management plans are also in place on every site where Yorkon is the principal contractor. The Yorkon

off-site building system is a highly sustainable method of construction. In full-scale independent tests for air permeability, the Yorkon building system exceeds Building Regulations Part L 2010 requirements by up to 70 per cent with no adaptation to the standard system. www.yorkon.info


Portakabin Achieves Re-Accreditation To ISO 14001 For Environmental Performance

Portakabin, the UK’s leading modular building specialist, has achieved re-accreditation to ISO 14001 – the internationally-recognised standard for reducing impact on the environment. Portakabin has the reassurance of other independent accreditations for its modular buildings, which include ISO 9001 for quality assurance, Zurich, BBA, LABC, and CE approvals. It also has the highest possible rating from Dun and Bradstreet, which puts Portakabin in the top 15 per cent of all companies in the UK for financial stability. In addition to its strong credit performance and the quality of its products, Over the past four years, Portakabin has delivered 99.6 per cent of buildings on time and on budget, rising to an unprecedented 99.9 per cent in the last 12 months. www.portanews.co.uk


Wicona Launches New Website For Complex And Bespoke Façade Solutions

Wicona has launched a new website for its façade solutions and latest developments in glazing technology. The website is a valuable source of information for architects, contractors and major fabricators about different approaches to façade and roof design for more complex and bespoke projects. Part of Hydro Building Systems, Wicona is also the first façade specialist in the UK to offer a complete turnkey service for the building envelope. Its team work closely with architects and contractors on the development of highly engineered façade designs, providing technical input and resources at every stage. Wicona also offers one of the most technically advanced and widely used unitised curtain walling systems. www.wicona.co.uk


Tel. 0845 470 3000 Email. [email protected] Web. www.washroom.co.uk

Looking at washrooms in a different way

Established in 2001, Washroom Washroom has successfully built on its philosophy to design,manufacture and install high quality innovative washroom products, on time and within budget.During this time the company has developed a range of washroom cubicles, vanities, lockers andbenching together with a dedicated bespoke joinery service, that meets the changing demands

of markets as diverse as leisure, commercial, retail and education.

12052.11 WW CORPORATE ADVERT 2011 - L2M:Layout 1 21/4/11 17:21 Page 1

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Revolutionary Restraint Gains LABC Recognition

Industry leader Simpson Strong Tie recently announced the news that both its patented Heavy Engineered Strap (HES) and Light Engineered Strap (LES) ranges have been recognised for use by the LABC (local authority building control) as a registered solution, strengthening the company’s impressive portfolio of revolutionary products. 40% lighter than conventional 5mm restraint straps and thinner at only 1.5mm, both the HES and LES perform as well as conventional straps in terms of structural strength and robustness due to their unique design. CE approved, the HES and LES are suitable for vertical and horizontal restraint applications. www.strongtie.co.uk/hes


Veka’s U-Value Calculator Gets ‘Promotion’

VEKA plc is pleased to reveal that its popular online U-Value Calculator has now been ‘promoted’ to a full

WER Calculator - ratified by the BFRC, Certass and Network VEKA as sufficient evidence to apply for an energy rating licence. Each certificate generated by the calculator carries the VEKA customer’s name and unique BRRC licence number. With over half a million WER permutations for Matrix 70 double glazed casement windows alone,

the possibilities are becoming almost endless for users of this technically-advanced calculator.


Enquiry No. 25 www.at-b.co.uk/card

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Record UK Announces Free BS 7036 TrainingThe DDA, Disability Discrimination Act, and health and safety concerns mean it is essential that building professionals follow BS 7036 covering the safety of powered doors for pedestrian use.

Here Record (UK) outlines its renowned CPD (continuous professional development) programme on BS 7036 for architects and other specifiers…

The purpose of the Record (UK) CPD programme is to give architects and other specifiers a guide to automatic door specification and safety. It contains an overview of the different types of automatic doors available, the pro’s and con’s for each type and the safety requirements for installation and design. Here we give a preview of the presentation.

BS 7036 published in April 1996, is a code of practice based on a document prepared by the Automatic Door Supplier’s Association (see box

opposite). BS 7036 provides guidance for the safe supply, installation, operation and maintenance of automatic doors. It is not a manufacturing specification, except where design has a bearing on safety and it is not a selection guide.

The standard states “The specifier should ensure that equipment specified for a door installation conforms to the recommendations of this standard”. During the design process the specifier should involve specialists, establish predicted user characteristics (volume and type of pedestrian traffic), consult the relevant authorities (such as fire, building control and HSE), and ensure a “Hazard analysis & Risk assessment” is undertaken to confirm that the final installation is safe for its predicted use.

The design of automatic door entrances should provide good visibility and be placed to make maximum use of available space to ensure a safe and steady flow of predicted traffic. Where appropriate, staff should be trained in the operation of the doors, to provide assistance in emergencies.

SensorsIn order to properly design entrances and their safety requirements, it is important to understand how the sensors used work and the difference between activation and safety. The majority of doors are fitted with an activation sensor, to detect moving objects as they approach the door.

The recommendations of BS7036 are that sensors (generally radar) are set to pick up people approaching the door 1400mm before they get to the door. This means that someone, at normal walking pace, will not need to check their stride. However, it creates a potential problem with the

design of draught lobbies - the absolute minimum a lobby should be is 3m long - and Record UK recommends 4m to ensure proper function.

SafetyMost automatic doors are also fitted with safety devices. These are normally passive or active infra-red sensors that scan an area to create a map. If that map changes for any reason, then the sensors register an obstruction within that zone, allowing the automatic door operator to take the appropriate action. There is a danger that the head of the doors could become crowded with activation and safety sensors, for this reason, manufacturers have developed combined sensors that contain both the activation and safety sensors. Recent advances in sensor technology give more intelligent

information to the operator, allowing it to make informed decisions. For example it is possible to supply feedback to the operator that there is something in the safety zone, which isn’t moving. After a predetermined length of time the operator will make a decision that the object is stationary and that the doors operate normally.

Swing DoorsAutomatic swing doors are probably the simplest and most reliable form of door automation. They have the added benefit that the majority of operators will revert back to being manual door in the event of a power failure or if they were to fail. Record (UK) produces fire rated versions of these, however, there must be a connection to the fire alarm so that they disengage in the event of alarm activation. Where side approach is possible, suitable barriers should be installed parallel to the open door, taking care to avoid finger or body traps.

The greatest amount of injuries from automatic doors are not when someone gets struck by the doors, but when they are surprised by a door that starts to move towards them, they try to get out of the way and fall over. The barrier rail directs the flow of traffic around the leading edge of the open door to avoid this. Swing doors generally present a serious pinch and finger trap hazard on the hinge stile and this is especially true of rebated doors. The installation of an appropriate finger guard is necessary to eliminate the risk. As with sliding doors, where swing doors form part of an escape route, then these must be capable of opening in the direction of escape.

Low Energy DoorsLow energy doors are a simple and cost effective form of automation, but their use must be carefully considered. They are designed so that the forces are very low and do not present great risks. But, they move considerably slower than fully automatic doors. They cannot open any faster than five seconds, must stay open for five seconds and cannot close any faster than five seconds. This 15 second minimum cycle will cause operational difficulties in medium to high traffic flow areas.

As the forces are low, they are only suitable for internal doors, or inward opening external doors, where the opening cycle of the door is not affected by wind pressures. Generally because of the lower forces and speeds they are installed without on-door safety devices, bringing down the cost of installation and improving the aesthetics of the door, however, they may still need finger guards and barrier rails.

Sliding DoorsAutomatic sliding doors are the most flexible type of automation. They are also the safest, where in most cases the doors can slide against the wall away from the entrance opening. They are

extremely reliable, able to complete hundreds of thousands of cycles between services. During the opening cycle of a sliding door, provision should be made to deter persons from occupying the area through which the door travels. The simplest way of doing this is with a barrier rail.

Most automatic doors are also installed with rear-stile safety sensors. These sensors will pick up both moving and stationary objects, activating audible and visual warnings, however, normally they will cause the door to go into creep mode. The door will open very slowly until it meets the obstruction. Once the field is clear, the door will resume normal operation. The disadvantage of this is persons loitering in this area will send the doors into creep mode so that someone walking towards the door may walk into the door as it won’t move fast enough.

The most accomplished form of opening safety is the pocket screen. Installed on the same plane as the door, and normally manufactured from the same sections as the door, it provides a completely enclosed pocket for the door to slide into. To prevent the doors striking someone during the closing cycle, a photo cell hold open beam installed in the fixed mullions is required as the minimum. This beam, if interrupted, must prevent an open door from closing, or cause a closing door to reverse. Where a significant portion of the traffic using the main entrance / exit doors is potentially vulnerable then additional presence sensing devices covering the threshold must be provided. As soon as these safety devices are clear, the door resumes normal operation. Record (UK) will install threshold sensors on public buildings as a matter of course.

Potential finger traps between the rear edge of the door stiles and the side glazing mullions, necessitate stopping the door before it has fully retracted, to achieve 25mm clearance. Full retraction can be achieved by using frameless doors. In designing the entrance layout care should be taken to avoid creating body traps between the face of the door and the structure across which it slides.

When proposed for installation on an escape route, it is essential that the door system provides an adequate means of escape. Linked to the building’s

fire alarm system, the doors can be programmed to open on receipt of the fire signal. Monitored battery back-up ensures the doors open in the event of power failure. Break-out sliding doors are also used on escape routes - partial break-out is where the doors only break in the direction of escape, full break-out is where the doors and the side-screens open. Automatic sliding doors can also be fire doors, so in the event of fire alarm activation, they close and give fire and smoke barriers.

Most automatic sliding doors are able to be locked electrically within the operator, either on the drive belt, or directly into the top of the door, however in high security applications, manufacturers offer bolts in the leading edge of the door into the floor. The majority of operators fit above the doors, which are effectively then hung into the opening. Another neat solution is an under-floor sliding door operator, which removes the need for a sizeable transom. All that needs to go at the head is a small channel to control the lateral load at the top of the doors.

Telescopic doors are ideal where space to the side is restricted but attention needs to be given to the clear openings as there are four sets of finger traps to take into account. Prismatic doors offer another option. Generally they are not restricted in terms of the angle of the two halves, but the more acute the angle, the more the opening is reduced, and the more difficult it is to position the sensors.

The main use of folding doors is the retrofit market. Folding doors must be protected in the same way as sliding doors. They are good at reducing the amount of heat loss from a building but not acceptable as the only means of entry to a building and may require a pass door.

Revolving or Curved?The advent of Part M and BS8300 saw a rapid departure from revolving doors to curved sliding door lobbies. They have all the benefits of sliding doors, occupy a similar footprint to a revolving door without the need for a pass door, and are self-supporting.

It should however be noted that they have the same activation issues as straight sliding doors and the size could be significant when they operate as a draught lobby. Revisions to Part L have seen their use diminish again for favour of revolving doors. The reduced compartment size and lower turning weight of smaller revolving doors means that less complex safety equipment is both appropriate and desirable to maintain a safe installation. For this reason BS 7036 - 1996 deals separately with doors of an internal diameter up to 3000mm, from doors above this size.

The standard requires either compressible buffers fixed to the leading mullions containing full height switching devices, that signal the door to stop when depressed or presence sensing devices placed in the canopy ceiling in front of the leading mullions, which also signal the door to

stop. Additional equipment can be selected from the options available for larger doors, although these should be selected with care as they may inhibit the operation of the door. When over 3m in diameter the revolving door should have:

• Drum switching buffer – Stop• Late entry sensor – Stop• Leading face sensor – Slow• Leading edge sensor - Slow• Emergency button – Stop• Storm Locks • Door leaf pivot detection - Slow• Leaf switching buffer - Stop

The speed of a revolving door is critical to its capacity and safety. The standard limits the maximum speed of any automatic revolving door to not more than 750mm per second, (at the outer edge of the turnstile).

When you consider typical human behaviour it is easy to understand that the selection of size and number of revolving doors has a profound effect on the actual entrance capacity. Record UK will advise on the maximum number of people that can get through a revolving door per minute or hour.

ConclusionIn all cases specifiers must consider the user needs first and understand how the doors need to work before deciding on type and the level of safety required.

Most of the issues relating to safety can be designed out at the specification stage so please call us to arrange a complete CPD presentation on BS 7036, and to ensure complete compliance with BS7036 contact Record UK.www.recorduk.co.uk


BS 7036 - Code Of Practice ADSA - the Automatic Door Suppliers Association - first developed an industry code of practice covering the safety aspects of automatic doors for pedestrian use. This subsequently formed the basis of BS7036: 1988, a code of practice for provision and installation of safety devices for automatic, power operated pedestrian door systems.

Initially it was driven by the lack of any standard for automatic revolving doors. However, it was decided that the existing code of practice should be re-worked and expanded (and include advances in technology as well as new safety devices) for all types of powered pedestrian doors.

The updated standard BS7036: 1996 covers safety of powered doors for pedestrian use. This is complemented by a comprehensive testing programme for installation and maintenance engineers. All member companies, such as Record UK, are committed to this programme.

BS7036 is a standard that all specifiers should be familiar with when choosing automatic doors for their premises. Advice on BS7036 automatic doors can be sought from reputable suppliers such as Record UK as well as the various health and safety agencies.

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New Fabric Screen Sliding Shutters Offer Every Colour Under The Sun Hunter Douglas UK has launched a new range of colourful sliding shutters with glass-fabric screens, designed to give a softer and more bespoke architectural feel to building projects. Available in a range of no less than 59 colours, the new pre-tensioned outdoor screen fabrics are compatible with the existing Hunter Douglas sliding shutter systems, in both manual and motorised configurations. The screen fabric, which is highly durable and contains an anti-static treatment to repel dirt, sits in an extremely lightweight aluminium frame to give the impression of a frameless block of colour.

The open-weave structure of the fabric has a three per cent openness factor, filtering direct sunlight and reducing the impact of solar radiation. It helps maintain internal privacy while still allowing optimum daylight to enter a building. The colourful screen fabric sliding shutters are particularly suited to high-quality apartment buildings where a bespoke architectural appearance is sought.

Stephen Archer-Jones, sun control manager for Hunter Douglas in the UK & Ireland, said: “The outdoor screen fabric range has been incredibly popular across continental Europe since its recent launch. It represents the latest in a long line of exciting new sun control product innovations from Hunter Douglas. Architects in the UK and Ireland will now have an even wider palette of materials to choose from to ensure their buildings not only provide reduced solar heat gain and privacy for the occupants but that they also stand out from the crowd.”

The high-quality fibreglass screen fabric is based on Enduris™ Glass Core Technology, which sets the standard in European woven glass fabric production.


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HP WorkstationsAutodesk and HP your Built in Engineering Edge

HP’s commitment to innovation and solutions excellence, along with Autodesk design software and the HP/Autodesk relationship, provides you with a significant engineering edge.

T: 01844 263750 E: [email protected] W: www.hpworkstations.co.uk

MobileThe HP EliteBook ‘W’ series mobile

workstations offer the enhanced security, ease of use and reliability inherent in HP mobile systems.

But it also offers a “WOW” factor that doesn’t just impress your colleagues. Its power, enhanced graphics

and supremely accurate colour display helps enhance your productivity.

Whether you are after a system for the office or a mobile solution for when you are on the go HP workstations havethe solution for you.

Get the right tools for right now!To get a quote on a HP solution contact man and machine at:

Z SeriesHP Z Workstations are engineered

to optimize the way hardware and software components work together, delivering massive, whole-system computational power that helps maximize your productivity and

make 3D design and visualization faster and more efficient than

ever before.

HP-Z-Series-Press-ad-march-2011.indd 1 11/03/2011 14:47:48


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T: +44 (0)1376 518037 E: [email protected]: www.davidclouting.co.ukDavid Clouting Ltd. Perry Road, Witham, Essex CM8 3UD

Call today for information on our product range

exciting range of high gloss sheet materials for the commercial and domestic sectors

Revolutionsfor Interior Design

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New Roof Walkway System Is Designed For Fast Installation

Neaco have developed a superb addition to their roof access range with the launch of Paldek 2, a new roof walkway system designed for fast and efficient installation.

Paldek 2 walkway panels feature Neaco’s patented swage-locked construction with swage bars, frame and serrated load bars in aluminium alloy. The system’s dual action fixing clamp is secured to the roof seam and walkway with only one fixing, taking 50 percent less time to install than conventional clamping methods. A specially designed ‘T’ edging strip to the end of longer panels allows users to see clearly defined changes of direction.

“When installing Paldek 2 there is no need to fix a seam clamp in first and then clamp the flooring to the seam clip,” explains Neaco’s managing director, Alan Green. “The dual action clamp completes both tasks when the clamp bolt is tightened, thereby saving valuable time and money spent on site.”

“Paldek 2 is very similar in design to Techdek, our original walkway system. When the extreme technical capabilities of Techdek are not required, Paldek 2 is an ideal choice because it is very cost-effective. The two systems are very alike in appearance, providing aesthetic consistency in schemes where both are used.”

“To complement Paldek 2 we have also launched Linedek, a new stand-alone handrail system providing safety for roof access walkways with a cost-effective and easy-to-install solution. Ideally suited for use in conjunction with Paldek 2, Linedek is designed to maximise structural efficiency with strong and secure support attached to the roof sheet.” www.neaco.co.uk


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Traditionally, flexible fire barriers have only been utilised for vertical applications. Not any more, FIREFLY in line with industry needs, have had ALL the fire barriers in the FIREFLY range tested and assessed for horizontal applications also, which widens the scope for their use tremendously. All the products in the range are also fully Certified by a Third Party Certification body, for both vertical and horizontal applications, which basically gives the Client, Specifier and Installer confidence, that the product will perform as required.

It must be pointed out that you cannot assume that a fire barrier will perform the same in the horizontal plane as it does in the vertical, the products must be tested and assessed for performance, as a horizontal barrier by an accredited Test House, to ascertain the correct fire rating of the product.The same applies to requirements for increased performance, you cannot just install 2 layers of a fire barrier and expect to receive double the fire rating or the insulation, fire barriers do not work that way, years of development and testing have taught us this. The only way to ensure that a Fire Barrier will perform in the situation you need it to perform, is to ensure that you have sight of a test document, that clearly states the installation method and fire performance achieved.

FIREFLY Fire Barriers are lightweight, flexible and have simple installation methods even for horizontal applications. With detailed installation drawings available for all applications FIREFLY gives you a simple solution to your Fire Barrier requirements. All FIREFLY products can now be manufactured in Black.Tel: 01706 758817 www.tbafirefly.co.uk


Firefly Goes Horizontal

rainline sustainable rainwater systems in steel

Rainline – no matterwhat the colour, it willalways be greenIn Sweden they know a thing or two about manufacturing sustainable building products

and their impact on the environment, so it’s not surprising that Lindab’s Rainline carbon

footprint is significantly lower than many of the rainwater systems currently on the market.

This combined with high performance, quality and competitive pricing makes Rainline one of the most effective and ‘green’ solutions for the control of rain drainage on all types of buildings.Manufactured from high quality, zinc coated

part recycled galvanised steel; Rainline offers all the features you would expect from a system manufactured by one of Sweden’s leading companies.Available in a range of attractive high build polyester colours, the finish of which is guaranteed for 15 years, Rainline is also available in natural copper, Aluzinc and plaingalvanised.For an information pack contact us at the address below.

SilverMetallic

Lindab Ltd • Building Products Division • Shenstone Trading Estate • Halesowen • West Midlands • B63 3XB

Telephone: +44 121 585 2780 • Facsimile: +44 121 585 2782 • Email: [email protected] • www.lindab.co.uk

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New Optigo CS Commercial Air Coolers Are Chillingly Efficient

Alfa Laval has developed a new portfolio of Eurovent-certified, commercial air coolers for duties in food preparation areas, chilled distribution depots, supermarkets, petrol stations, restaurants and the like. Called Optigo, the first units released under this name are the CS20 and CS30 air coolers. With an evaporation range of from +100 C to – 300 C both are ideal for general applications in small to medium size cooling and freezing rooms. The smart but, durable casing is aluminium coated with a thick epoxy coating to RAL 9003 for a long working life. Each unit is available from stock and is delivered with a comprehensive two-year guarantee.


Fakro Roof Window U-Values Best Yet

Fakro’s range of FTT pivot roof windows offer exceptional heat transmission co-efficients. Glazing units are set in specially designed wider sash frames which minimize the potential for thermal bridging. A modified locking mechanism secures the sash either side of the frame while the patented topSafeŽ system provides an exceptional standard of security and safety - Class 4 EN13049. FTT windows benefit from a quadruple-sealing system using flexible thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). When closed, both the FTT U6 and U8 provide a 38 dB acoustic performance.


Comar 6EFT - Curtain Walling

Comar’s 6EFT Curtain Walling System provides high performance solutions for façades. Comar’s 6EFT delivers curtain walling with 50mm standardised sightlines and includes options for 4sided structural glazing which achieves a cutting edge façade with no visible aluminium sight lines, and 2sided structural glazing with horizontal or vertical capping, concealed vents where a feature and bespoke finish can be achieved through a variety of cover caps. All systems can include side or top hung opening vents and roof glazing. Facetted glazing options for all systems are available in 7.5o increments both convex and concave.


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Ideal Standard’s New Playa RangeIdeal Standard, a leading provider of innovative and design-driven bathroom solutions, offers its new bathroom collection, Playa, which was created by award-winning design house, ArteFakt. The Playa collection offers a linear design while conceptually remaining distinctly contemporary. Wide surfaces and straight angles deliver a comfortable relaxing bathroom experience, without compromising on style and design. The Playa range comprises of five different basin alternatives, full and semi pedestal options as well as three WC options plus bidet, all of which come with a lifetime guarantee. ArteFakt’s design characteristic for this new range balances a mix of round and rectangular shapes. The form of the inner basin blends softly towards the front edge making the contour and inner basin shape converge. The Playa collection has a very characteristic design line that really stands out. The design house purposely created a balance between familiar trend shapes and innovative elements. The collection blends well with the contemporary bathroom styles while emphasising a young and modern character.The Concept Furniture collection has been expanded to be compatible with Playa along with the Studio and Alto collections, making it the perfect accompaniment to each of these major Ideal Standard ranges. Key features include: • 5 different basins: 55 & 50cm pedestal, 45cm handrinse, 55cm semi-countertop & 55cm countertop. All available in 1 or 2 tap holes except the countertop

which has only 1 tap hole option• Full pedestal, semi-pedestal (large), semi-pedestal (small)• WC options: close coupled, back-to-wall, wall hung. All flush at 6/4 litres and 4/2.6 litres• Bidet options: Floor standing, 1 tap hole• Standard and slow close toilet seat option• Furniture options: Concept Playa additions – 600mm semi-countertop basin unit, 600mm WC unit, Playa collar worktops for use with 50cm & 55cm basins

in 600mm unitIdeal-standard.co.uk Tel: 01482 346461


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LokFacade - Stylish Cladding From RigiSystems

Designed to provide a cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing cladding solution for soffits, fascias, canopies and external walls, LokFacade is available in standard widths of 150, 200 and 300mm but can also be supplied in an almost limitless range of non-standard widths. A particular feature of LokFacade is the very simple installation procedure, directly to the structure of the building. LokFacade is available with two facade profiles, designed to fit either flush or with a shadow line, and can be interchanged to create a number of aesthetically pleasing designs.


Exciting New Species And Colours Enhance The Formica® Woods Range

Water Softeners – ‘Among The Very Best Household Energy Savers’

New Tap Water Heater Exploits Renewable Energy

SolarFlow from Alfa Laval is a tap water pre-heater designed to exploit energy from renewable sources such as solar panels, geothermal fields, heat pumps and even condensate recovery for domestic hot water production. SolarFlow was developed specifically to provide cost-effective domestic hot water to large structures Intended principally as a pre-heater, SolarFlow must be combined with a conventional tap water heat source which acts mostly as a top-up facility. In this way, the system prioritises the renewable energy source, keeping reliance on conventional energy to a minimum. Thanks to the fact that water in the primary tank is never heated by a boiler or electrical heater, the unit offers genuine energy savings. In addition, the configuration of the primary tank guarantees maximum energy delivery on demand. And the use of a primary tank instead of a secondary storage vessel ensures that the risk of Legionella and other bacteria developing is kept to a minimum.


Support For Below-Slab Insulation

Installing insulation below the floor slab helps create an envelope of continuous insulation that minimizes heat loss. Surpassing requirements by installing extra insulation beneath a floor provides a one-off opportunity that could help compensate for design and construction changes made during a building’s lifetime. FLOORMATE 300-A resists moisture and is durable enough to be laid beneath floors, helping to avoid thermal bridges at floor and wall junctions. The material is manufactured by Dow Building Solutions using STYROFOAM-A extruded polystyrene foam insulation. The material is manufactured using technology that takes CO2 from industry and uses it as a blowing agent in order to create insulation foam with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of less than five.

For access to a free technical paper on “The future of insulation in residential groundbearing floors” email [email protected] or visit www.styrofoam.co.uk and download the paper from the literature pages.


A collection of seventeen new colourations, striking layouts and wood grain species has been introduced to the Formica® Woods High Pressure Laminates (HPL) range. New introductions include characteristic horizontal graining, light, dark and neutralised shades and updated colourways. Based on a strong contrast of heartwood and sapwood an exotic feel can be created by partnering Couture Wood and Vogue Wood. High contrast graining has been introduced, applied to lighter coloured and more traditional woods. Classic Walnut and Oiled Walnut provide medium scaled planking and are a popular choice for high end furniture design. Ivory Oak Cross and Ebony Oak Cross provide horizontal graining ideal for large door applications. Light

and dark smoky colourations have been introduced with a grand scale and soft planking which provides an endless non-repeated look. Vintage and Nocturne woods add depth with a low contrast grain. The Woods range is also available in a variety of finishes.


A major independent research study in the USA has concluded that water softeners are amongst the ‘very best’ household energy savers. The research findings back the energy saving claims made by the UK’s leading water softener manufacturer - Tapworks - over many years. This report highlights that by installing a Tapworks water softener, if you live in a hard water area of the you will not only be installing a carbon neutral appliance, you will also be “conservatively saving up to 20% a year on your energy bills.” The full report can be found at www.wqa.org/BattelleReport.


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Showered In SUCCESS

Taplanes Showering Solutions are the oldest British manufacturer of shower cubicles, minipods and ensuite pods. Using their own patented manufacturing techniques and materials, Taplanes are the only British company that can genuinely prove that they can meet a minimum 30 year life expectancy if not in excess of 50 years. Taplanes have produced specialized equipment for private, military and government contracts for various applications which have involved highly specialized chemicals, plastics, electronics and robotic knowledge. Taplanes manufacture all their products using a specially formulated polypropylene material

with a minimum thickness of 10/12mm. This sustainable material allows Taplanes to take their products back at the end of its life cycle, regrind it, re-thermoform it and then re-use it. www.taplanes.net


Klober - The Latest NHBC Roof Ventilation Directive The issue of how best to control condensation in the roof space has been debated ever since vapour permeable underlays (VPUs) were introduced. However, consistently cold winters have, according to roofing accessory specialists Klober, prompted an increasing number of condensation-related complaints to the NHBC.

Managing Director David Arendell commented, “Despite the fact that the great majority of VPUs are supported by third party certification, the NHBC

has now published new ventilation requirements for roofs in which vapour permeable underlays (VPUs) are used”.

The risk of condensation in new homes is at its greatest during the drying out period and the situation is made worse by brief periods of vapour creation

followed by many hours in which homes may be left unheated. Though traditional, low-level eaves ventilation is often preferred for ‘cold roofs’, its effectiveness depends on air flow quality, and wind speeds tend to fall in

lower temperatures. By contrast, high level ventilation at or near the ridge is effective in all weather conditions as it forms a stack effect. ‘Unventilated’ roofs had been considered acceptable where underlays were supported by BBA or similar certification but by stating that high level ventilation equivalent to a continuous opening of 5mm must now be provided, the NHBC has decided that such third party certification can no longer be considered adequate.

It is important to note that the new requirement is applicable only to VPUs and not to air-open underlays and is only relevant when seeking the NHBC warranty. Unlike VPUs, however, there are currently only two proprietary air-open membranes currently available, with Klober’s Permo Air having the highest water vapour transmission rate currently available (2736 g/m2/day) and the lowest water vapour resistance (0.08Mn/g). Ventilation best practice is of course no less relevant to refurbishments, particularly in situations such as public sector housing upgrades.

Klober MD David Arendell added, “Condensation has not become an issue with refurbishments though ceilings are less likely to be well sealed. However, it is ironic that by seeking to reduce long-term maintenance costs, the widespread use of ventilated dry ridges and hips has alleviated the potential for problems with VPUs.”


Overlapping Zinc Panels Ideal Alternative To Timber Shiplap

The VMZINC 200 Overlapping Panel system provides the ideal alternative to conventional shiplap timber cladding, as zinc does not lose its colour, corrode or need regular maintenance. Panels are available in 2 and 3 metres lengths, are 200mm wide and can be used for installations of up to 30 metres in height. Available in distinctive pre-weathered colours such as ANTHRA-ZINC (black) and QUARTZ-ZINC (mid-grey), the panels simply fix to a metal or timber framework. Any cut edges will not corrode as the metal develops a self-healing natural patina.


Glasen’s Got The Ultimate High Gloss Look

Glasen, exclusively distributed in the UK by David Clouting, is an innovative interior film developed by LG to be laminated onto the back of a glass sheet to provide the ultimate high gloss finish - both in looks and surface performance. Utilising high pearl printing techniques to give stunning 3D effects, Glasen film is ideal for both domestic and commercial interior applications. David Clouting offer a range of Glasen film designs such as Burnt Amber (pictured) that will revolutionise how decorative glass can be used. Glasen is certified to act as a safety film, achieving European EN12600: 2003-04 Classification. www.davidclouting.co.uk


Absolute Blanc from COMPAC is a vibrant white quartz worksurface allowing for the creation of fabulous kitchens and bathrooms. With superb consistency of colour, practically non-existent porosity, resistance to impact, heat and abrasion, and its natural antibacterial protection (due to the almost completely impermeable nature of quartz) Absolute Blanc is absolutely perfect for a contemporary or traditional kitchen or bathroom. Available in standard 3m lengths and a range of thicknesses, Absolute Blanc like all COMPAC quartz worksurfaces can be easily fabricated, formatted and profiled to meet the most challenging of design layouts. COMPAC are so confident about their high quality of manufacture that they now offer consumers a Lifetime Warranty on their complete range of quartz worksurfaces.


Vibrant White Quartz From COMPAC

Longden Extends Quality And Craftsmanship Into New Window Range

The same skills, traditional craftsmanship and high quality materials used for Longden’s renowned panelled door sets are now embraced by Longden’s introduction of a superb range of bespoke timber windows. Longden windows can be manufactured from the same timber as door leaves and window boards or to any other specialist design features. The Longden range of

windows include styles such as the modern Tilt & Turn, the traditional casement and the classical-style vertical sliding sash. Certain styles of Longden windows can be specified with aluminum cladding which requires minimal maintenance. Windows can be chosen with single, double or triple glazing of the highest quality to achieve outstanding thermal and acoustic insulation. All timber and timber-based raw materials are approved by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and exclusively from well-managed and sustainable sources.


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Schlüter®-BEKOTEC-THERM: The Only Name To RememberIt might be a mouthful to say but Schlüter®-BEKOTEC-THERM is the only name to remember when recommending the perfect underfloor heating system. This advanced system from Schlüter-Systems, which is suitable for a range of locations whether domestic or commercial and no matter the size of the room, is economical, effective and offers numerous construction and heating benefits.As well as its performance and ease of use, what makes Schlüter®-BEKOTEC-THERM really stand out from the crowd is its five year assembly warranty. Unlike other systems, which just provide component warranties, Schlüter®-BEKOTEC-THERM customers can have the peace of mind that our warranty covers the whole floor assembly therefore adding additional safety and benefits to this innovative system.The unique design of Schlüter®-BEKOTEC-THERM requires a 30% thinner screed and this lower construction height creates more room space. Using less screed helps the heat distribute faster and more efficiently, helping the environment and reducing heating bills. It’s also simple to use and ceramic and natural stone coverings are especially easy to care for. Other coverings such as parquet, laminates and carpets can also be used.Ian Knifton, Divisional Manager at Coalville-based Schlüter-Systems, says, “With Schlüter®-BEKOTEC-THERM we have managed to achieve a balance of the varied construction, physics and heating technology requirements placed on heated floors. The modular system allows for simple and effective co-ordination and installation and is suitable for virtually any surface covering or room size. We firmly believe inventions should make life easier, so whilst it might be difficult to pronounce Schlüter®-BEKOTEC-THERM is particularly straightforward to live with.”From a construction perspective Schlüter®-BEKOTEC-THERM is quick to install due to less material being used than in similar systems; highly durable, with loads in private and commercial buildings up to 5kN/m2; and has proven suitability, with damage free practical application for several years as certified by a number of independent institutes. Additional benefits and further technical information on Schlüter®-BEKOTEC-THERM can be found atwww.bekotec-therm.co.uk www.schluter.co.uk


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OPTIMUM – The Ultra Low Profile “Wet Room Look” Shower Tray

Optimum is the latest ultra low profile shower tray from leading shower tray manufacturer MX. It’s the slimmest tray on the market at just 25mm high. It brings an impressive combination of adaptability, strength and light weight – which makes it suitable for most types of shower enclosure, makes it very easy to carry and transport, and results in it being immensely strong and reliable – borne out by its 25 year guarantee.This patented low profile shower tray has been specially designed to complement all of the latest trends in the modern bathroom, helping designers to create an idyllic minimalistic, wet room type look without the installation costs. Optimum is just one of a huge range of shower trays available from MX. www.mx-group.com


“TRON Designs CORIAN®” - A Movie-inspired Design Show By Disney® And DuPont™ Corian®

DuPont and Disney® showcased at “Padiglione Visconti”. “TRON designs CORIAN®” is an exhibition inspired by the film “TRON: Legacy” from Walt Disney Studios. The overall effect and expression of “TRON: Legacy” has inspired many artists and designers across fashion, music, design and technology. From the original Daft Punk soundtrack, to exclusive apparel and designer jewellery, to the brand-new videogame “TRON: Evolution”, the world of “TRON” has become a lifestyle phenomenon. “TRON designs CORIAN®” is an original design project art directed by DuPont and Disney® and created using DuPont™ Corian® high-tech surface for a surprising scenography. The exhibition focuses on three main elements from “TRON: Legacy”: Flynn’s Arcade, the Light Cycle and the Safe House. Each has been interpreted exploiting the properties, beauty and the sensorial qualities of DuPont™ Corian®. www.tron-designs-corian.com


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New Twin Coloured Entrance Doors From HörmannHörmann has introduced new aluminium entrance door styles that feature a combination of two colours. The fifteen styles added to the range encompass both modern straight line and elegant curved designs allowing homeowners to express their personal style. Colour combinations are effectively limitless with the choice of almost any two RAL colours available. In addition, two of the new styles also allow for colour embellishment of the glass to further extend the individual design options. Along with the new door styles Hörmann has added the new “Caro 70” door frame. This angular, protruding door frame is an addition to the standard and “Rondo 70” door frames currently available. Not content with new doors and frames, Hörmann has also added an exclusive all glass door handle to the list of options available for these designer doors.To compliment this extended selection of entrance doors there are also a range of co-ordinating garage door styles that can offer a home a complete face-lift package. For a truly individual look Hörmann has also developed both up-and-over and sectional garage door frames that be clad in the material and finish of your choice. www.hormann.co.uk


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Something for everyoneA flexible solution to bathroom storage. Whether you want the streamlined lookof fitted furniture or a smart freestanding style, Concept has it covered.Ideal StandardThe Bathroom Works, National Avenue, Kingston Upon Hull, HU5 4HS T 01482 346461www.idealstandard.co.uk

Concept

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Kaba Door Systems Limited are delighted to announce that they are now part of the Nabtesco group and will be known as Gilgen Door Systems UK Limited.

Automatic sliding, folding and swing doorsIndustrial roller shutter, sectional overhead and high speed doorsFire shutters and curtains24hr emergency repairsNationwide maintenance

Kaba Door Automation is now Gilgen Door Systems and is part of the Nabtesco Group

Gilgen Door Systems UK LimitedHalesfield 4, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 [email protected]: 0870 000 5252


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Rundum Meir: Bespoke Garage DoorsHaving just celebrated their 10th year in the UK, Rundum Meir have beaten off competition by winning “The Home Building & Renovating Product Excellence Award” with their “Rundum Original Garage Doors”.The HB&R Excellence Awards showcase the very best of what UK firms have to offer. The winners are selected from leading industry experts from The Federation of Master Builders, RIBA, RICS, and editors from leading industry magazines.Rundum Meir’s comprehensive service includes the ability to offer technical and creative direction to effect the implementation of many design requirements.Image shown (by Tim Crocker): Rundum Meir Bespoke Slide Around and Up and Over Doors (The Accordia project won the RIBA Stirling Prize award 2010)www.rundumuk.co.uk Tel: 01512806626


PRODUCTEXCELLENCE AWARDS 2011

Winner

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Nuway Tuftiguard – Entrance Flooring With Built In Sustainability

Forbo’s Nuway Tuftiguard rigid engineered entrance matting systems are the most widely used types of entrance flooring in the UK and provide all types of public and commercial buildings with an outstanding first line of defence against soil and moisture being tracked in on the soles of shoes and the treads of wheeled traffic.

For decades this market leading range of matting has been specified for its durability, strength and structural integrity, and because of the total flexibility of Forbo’s made-to-order service. Whilst each mat incorporates aluminium (100% recycled), brass or PVC scraper bars, with high tensile electro-galvanised steel wire linkages for superior load bearing, the customer determines the size, shape and construction of their mat and selects from a wide range of buffed or unbuffed prime rubber and polyamide fibre composite wiper strips, available in various colourways.

Now, there’s another excellent reason to specify Nuway Tuftiguard. Forbo is the only manufacturer to offer Building Research Establishment (BRE) accredited entrance matting systems. The Nuway Tuftiguard range, which includes options for extremely heavy duty applications and also for fire sensitive locations, has received BRE certification after undergoing stringent assessment to measure its environmental impact at every stage in the life cycles.

Forbo’s Coral range of textile wipe-off systems have received similar accreditation which means that specifiers can now deliver totally integrated and colour co-ordinated entrance flooring systems and meet their sustainability objectives, no matter what type of building they are working on and no matter how demanding the requirements of the location. www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/moreinfo


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Improved Thermal Efficiency For Cavity Widths up to 330mm

Swept Bend Guide By Talon

Wider cavity widths are addressed using caviclosers from the new Maxi range of Type WCA closers manufactured by Cavity Trays of Yeovil. All WCA models (Wide Cavity Applications) close the reveal, act as a vertical dpc and provide thermal zoning between skins. The main body of the WCA Maxi closer is triple-layered. It consists of a robust 50mm insulating foam core over layered on three sides with a reflective foil on a bubble barrier with a finishing face of heavy duty low conductivity petheleyne. This multi-layer combination is efficient, benefits a radiance screen and convection separator and promotes thermal contact resistance. Bespoke service available for unusual sizes. Initially available to suit cavity widths up to 330mm, the WCA Maxi range is suitable for use in both traditional and timber frame construction.


Talon Manufacturing Ltd., has now produced a Swept Bend Guide for 10mmm pipe work. This white Polypropylene double pipe guide, measuring 145mm x 145mm, is designed to be used with two flexible 10 mm pipes, these are guided around in a swept bend configuration avoiding the kinking of the pipe work, ensuring a neat appearance is maintained throughout the bend and more importantly that the water flow is not restricted as it would be if a 90º elbow is used.


Keywood is modified timber from timber preservation and fire retardant specialists Arch Timber Protection. It has been developed to provide a building material with the widest range of possibilities and uses only natural biomass resins and Radiata Pine sustainable timbers. Keywood provides a versatile, durable and sustainable building material. It can be used both indoors or outdoors, either with or without a coating. The modification process imbues Keywood with improved dimensional stability and long term performance properties with a Durability Class which relates to a 60 year service life according to BS8417 for outdoor, above ground applications, such as decking, cladding, joinery and furniture. www.keywood.eu


Keywood From Arch Timber Protection

Salamander Has The Right Pump For Whole House Systems

The ‘Whole House’ pumps from Salamander’s Right Pump range can supply the total water powering needs of all UK households with gravity fed systems. The RHP range can supply, toilets, baths and wash basins as well as just showers. Available in four models: the RHP50 (1.5 bar) can provide, conventional showers, whole house showers, toilets, wash-basins, baths and individual hot and cold taps. The RSP75 (2.0 bar), similar to the RHP50, but is also suitable for high resistance outlets such as multi-functional showers and showers with a massage function or champagne spray.The two remaining pumps, the RHP100 (3.0 bar) twin and the RHP140 (4.3 bar) twin have the same specifications as the previous Salamander pumps, but can also power showers with up to four body jets.


Match The Tap With New Schell Angle Valves

SCHELL GmbH, leading suppliers of high quality bathroom hardware, has raised the crossbar in design by producing a range of four angle valves very

competitively priced with subtly different styling to complement the taps in a basin or bath. All four are in a high quality chrome finish

over a brass body and in up-to-the-minute styling. The variations lie in the conformation of the hand knob on the valve end and tThese new SCHELL valves provide the extra dimension of aesthetic appeal to their functionality.


3 Unique Veined Surfaces, 2 Metallics & 3 Earthen TonesNew from leading kitchen worktops and bathroom finishes brand, Granite Transformations, are three innovative Trend Prestige designs, the only agglomerate or engineered stone products in the world to feature a veining pattern running through the surface.

Also new are two new Trend Q metallic tones, made with material normally used in computer chips, and three additions to the best-selling Trend R Italian granite range, reflecting this season’s fashionable earthen and desert tones. As with all Granite Transformations’ products, these eight new designs are covered by a lifetime warranty and can be installed over existing kitchen and bathroom

surfaces, eliminating messy demolition and minimising disruption.

The 2011 Trend Prestige collection introduces three new colours, each with a unique veining effect fashioned from contrasting material. Nero Marquis is a midnight black quartz surface, enlivened with a subtle spider’s web of silver, grey and white strands, created

using recycled glass. Cape Cod Green is a cool misty green veined with brilliant copper, dusky brown and grey, a look that’s achieved with aventurina glass embedded with crystals of semi-precious metal.

While the fragments of fiery red and soft brown that float across Fire Beige are made from natural Italian granite. There is no price premium for the Prestige collection, although extra material may be required for matching the veining pattern as it cascades over the edge strip. Uniquely, the metallic highlights

on the two new Trend Q colours are both produced using semi-precious metals more commonly employed in the production of computer chips. Dark Steel is a deep, steel grey with flecks of silver, ideal for white cabinetry or those preferring darker tones.

For those wanting a hint of blue in the kitchen or bathroom, Blue Steel has bluish-grey undertones and flecks of metallic blue. Trend Q surfaces are manufactured from 95 per cent Italian quartz and a specially-formulated polyester, then cast into 3m long x 1.25m wide slimline, flexible slabs that comfortably outperform natural stone. Granite Transformations’ Trend R series is manufactured similarly from Italian granite, delivering the authentic look and feel of the natural material, combined with superior strength and technical properties. In the new Walker Gold granite surface, golden browns, coffee and shades of grey mingle together to form a rich mix of earthen colours and textures.

Mocha Real continues this theme with a jumble of copper, chocolatey brown, black and grey, for those who love rich colours. Whereas King Ivory goes to the other end of the brown spectrum, with cream, grey and copper tones set against desert sand. www.granitetransformations.co.uk


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assembly is constructed from multiple components, have they been tested together? If it has been welded, has it been welded using the correct process?

In the recent past, Wrightstyle has raised issues of fire safety certification in Dubai and, most recently, in Abu Dhabi, where it believed that regulations were not being stringently enforced, or where there was a less than optimal understanding of the performance criteria of using systems where components have not been tested together.

Wrightstyle supplies internal and external glass and glazing systems internationally, with a full service capability from design, through fabrication

to installation. Apart from recent UK contracts, for both commercial and Olympic projects, it has supplied over the past year to, among other countries, South Africa (a FIFA World Cup stadium), UAE (Dubai Metro) and the USA (a nationally-important chapel for the US Marine Corps).

“British Standards and Building Regulations are there to protect public safety, not least in the event of a catastrophic fire. With regret, when it comes to unlatched fire doors, there requires to be an assessment of current guidelines for fire safety officers, and other authorised fire consultants, and an urgent need to issue further guidance to determine when an unlatched glazed door system can be considered a fire door,” concluded Denis Wright.

One of the UK’s leading steel glazing companies has written to the government to raise what it believes to be an “extremely important” issue of fire safety. Wrightstyle Limited, which supplies steel glazing systems worldwide, is concerned that glazed doors, screens and facades are being inspected and passed as being fire resistant when in fact they offer little protection.

The company’s chairman, Denis Wright, has raised the issue with Andrew Stunell OBE MP, Under Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government, who has already announced a consultation on changes that need to be made to the building regulations to ensure they remain fit for purpose.

The minister has also stated that he wishes to explore what more can be done to make sure inspectors adhere to the building regulations and how better levels of compliance can be delivered - issues that are at the heart of Wrightstyle’s concern.

The company believes that there seems to be an incomplete understanding and enforcement of fire specifications contained within the Approved Document B and the usage requirements of certification data.

“For example, and we have first-hand experience of this, unlatched doors with untested or incompatible fire-resistant glass are being accepted as fire doors within the regulatory definitions despite the fact that they are clearly not within the permissible limitations of their supplied test certification. This is palpably absurd,” said Denis Wright in his letter.

Wrightstyle says that there seems to be insufficient guidance to fire or building control officers or consultants as to what needs to be specifically

checked on the submitted data. The building regulations simply state that test standards such as BS476 Part 22 or the applicable EN specification should be available. However, at no point do the regulations require further examination of that test certificate to determine whether or not the installed assembly matches the description in the certification. For example, if the

Author: Denis Wright

www.wrightstyle.co.uk

Wrightstyle Raises Fire Safety Concerns With UK Government

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require greater loads which results in an increase in the number of control panels to operate at the higher amperage, not to mention the increased energy requirements.

Force: Indicated in Newtons (9.81 N = 1Kg) and required to open and close the window safely in all weather conditions. Referring back to efficiency, the available force within the unit should be as efficient as possible to reduce the amperage required. Some larger windows may need two actuators to perform correctly.

Stroke: This is the distance the actuator travels creating the safe opening of the window normally indicated in millimetres.

Speed: Indicated in millimetres per second. This is an important consideration in smoke ventilation situations where smoke vents must fully open with a 60 second time limit.

Size: Units vary in size depending on their specification but housings are very important to be considered when looking at the space available within the reveal, the size of the vent and the stroke required.

Intelligence: Some basic actuators rely on simple switches to limit and run the actuator motor, where occupant intervention is required. Some more

sophisticated devices offer resistance feedback and information on where the actuator is within its cycle by the use of incremental volt measurement.

The most important aspect of all these variables is getting the right actuator in the right place to do the job most effectively with the minimum of maintenance. As mentioned earlier it is crucial to get a specialist involved at the very early design stages to determine the most efficient product and designs available.

Leaving the choice of actuator to the lowest common denominator - cost, can have a serious detrimental impact on an installations performance and on-going maintenance requirements. In the next article we will cover free area

calculations guidance under the new Approved Document B 2007, and how to achieve this effectively and safely.

SE Controls operate across the globe with offices in several continents, with specialists offering clients expert advice based on local legislative requirements.

In this series of articles by Will Perkins we look at the provision of adaptive natural ventilation for healthy and efficient buildings and the safety provision of smoke ventilation. The series attempts to explain some of the pitfalls in the lack of early design and understanding of such systems.

One of the main reasons to automate windows is that of convenience. Not all windows are located at reachable height and may need a pole to operate, in some larger rooms and corridors many windows may need to be opened, so clearly an automated solution is preferable. On securing premises in the evening, automated systems can ensure all windows are closed prior to setting alarm systems. Other window automation benefits in the evening can include ‘night time cooling’ strategies, sometimes know as ‘night purge ventilation’, when premises may not be occupied. These various automated solutions can operate above ground windows on a simple time switch basis or feedback from one or more sensors.

The integration of automated windows into new and existing projects can ensure the most efficient use of energy. Many of BREEAM excellent rated projects in the UK today use natural ventilation strategies based on window automation. But why do we need to ventilate

our buildings? According to Approved Document F and CIBSE it is mainly for health reasons offering the occupiers appropriate Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). Inadequately ventilated buildings can harbour such gasses as radon, a naturally occurring gas in the earth, hydrogen sulphide, which often results from the bacterial breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen, carbon monoxide, by combustion processes, dust, virus and fungal spores. The presence of any of these elements can prove to be the cause of ‘sick building syndrome’.

Today we are also much more aware of VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds), which have significant vapour pressures which can affect the environment and ultimately human health. In newly fitted buildings VOC’s are often present in high quantities in materials such as setting paint and new carpets, these ‘smells’ can easily be identified in the atmosphere. Whilst many are non-toxic at the levels present, VOC’s can still have chronic effects on health. Today

anthropogenic VOC’s are tightly regulated, particularly in materials used indoors, but ventilation strategies can play a big part in negating the risk.In busy buildings, body odour, an increase in moisture from breathing and build-up of CO2, often leads to lethargic working or learning environments, resulting in poor working performance - this issue has been well documented in schools where an ‘appropriate indoor air quality’ is crucial to learning ability. It is crucial that the ventilation strategy is decided at the outset of the design process. By adopting either a completely natural ventilated solution or a hybrid mixed mode solution with mechanical cooling for in only the harshest of weather conditions, can significantly reduce a buildings

running costs.

So we have covered the practical reasons and the need for ventilation in our buildings today, but how do we achieve the ‘automation’?

A window ‘actuator’ is usually an electrical device which is placed on the leading edge of a window to open and close a window to various degrees as required. These come in two basic types, a ‘chain’ actuator and a ‘linear’ actuator. Chain actuators are the most compact and operate by pushing a one way folding chain out from a flush motorised housing fitted to the frame or opening light. In areas where windows are much larger, linear actuators, based on fixed ‘screw’ and motor principle may be used.

Whilst these devices may seem to be simple, window actuators do come in a very wide range of sizes and typical offer the following choice specification:Voltage: Either in 24V DC or mains 230V AC ratings. Where smoke control is required 24V DC actuators are used so that these can be operated from an independent battery back-up in case of fire and power outage in the building.

Load: Usually indicated in amperage and is very important to consider when specifying a complete system. Often cheaper units are less efficient and

Author: Will Perkins - Managing Director - SE Controls

Why Automate Windows?Part 1. ‘Fresh Air & Actuators’

www.secontrols.com

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when exposed to fire, the pins could fall out more easily than screws and compromise the overall system integrity.

It is therefore important to request full test evidence of pins performing in a fire rated glazing system. Where a fire rated system is being used with pins, it is recommended that they are pitched at 200mm centres. Another particular detail of significance is the glazing media. Dependent on the application and performance requirements, sometimes inert media such as ceramic tape is specified and other times intumescent is required. Whilst this might appear

a small detail in the overall system construction, any change to the media could compromise integrity, which is why the fire glazing system must be designed and installed to the exact specification that was tested. Finally, as the demand for improved U-values and acoustic ratings increases, double glazed applications will become more common place, which brings with it

additional considerations. The most important of these is to confirm that both glazes have been fully tested and on the required orientation, which means the tested side must be on the fire risk side.

The testing of fire glazing systems is complex and can make the specification of the correct construction somewhat of a minefield. However, manufacturers specialising in fire glass solutions can offer specifiers expert advice and guidance to navigate these complexities, helping to deliver projects which balance design vision with fire safety legislation.

Simon Ellison, technical manager for Pyroguard at CGI International, discusses why the specification of fire glazing cannot be viewed in isolation, examining the importance of a system approach and the detailed areas for caution.

Fire glass is rated according to three main classifications: integrity only (E), integrity with radiation control (EW) and integrity with insulation (EI). As one of the earliest fire safety glazing products on the market, wired glass is still commonly used today for E rated applications. However, continued advancements in fire glazing technology have led to the development of clear and thinner products which are able to provide the full range of protection – from integrity only up to fully insulated, which restricts heat transfer through the glass to the unexposed face.

These modern fire glass solutions give specifiers greater flexibility in design whilst ensuring Part B of the Building Regulations, which governs fire safety, can be satisfied. From a design perspective, the challenge is often to achieve vast glazed areas but fire glass is only certified for use up to the maximum sheet size at which it was tested. It is important to realise that fire protection performance is not achieved exclusively by the glazing, which must perform as part of a system along with the frames and seals.

There are a number of framing systems available on the market, but in screen and door apertures, the most common considerations relate to the use of timber or steel frame constructions. Moreover, each of these material types demands a different fixing method, the detail of which can make a significant difference to system integrity when exposed to fire conditions.

Down to detail Once the framing type has been determined, generally steel or timber, the next step is to examine the overall system construction in great detail. Modern aesthetics demand the frame profiles and bead sizes to be as small as possible and as a consequence, it is important to check the size of frame and associated beading that has been tested. For example, a system may be approved with 25mm beading but the specifier might wish to detail 15mm. Under these circumstances the test evidence would not cover the system specification. This also relates to the frame orientation. If the system is

tested with the bead to non-fire, then this is the only orientation that can be used under the test evidence.

Regarding fixing methods, pins are often preferred to screws as they offer a neater finish and are quicker to install. However, there is a danger that

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Author: Simon Ellison, Technical Manager for Pyroguard at CGI International

A Systematic Approach

www.pyroguard.eu

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materials - not least because in many repair situations the new membrane can be applied directly onto the failed system (suitably prepared and primed). This avoids removal costs – not only energy for transportation but also reducing landfill or specialist disposal (e.g. asbestos). Kemper produce the UK’s only solvent-free cold liquid waterproofing - “2K-PUR” whilst Kemperol fleeces contain recycled fibres with up to 80% renewable component in the resins.

More than just flat roofing - Modern resin formulations and build methods now make cold liquid waterproofing suitable for many applications other than just flat roofing. Kemperol 1K-PUR is a single component product used ‘straight from the can’, making it ideal for patch repairs or where roof access

is limited. A good example is the repair of valley gutters which typically fail at the joints or fixings due to movement. Kemperol bonds to the existing gutter, bridging joints to form a continuous lining with no fixings – a repair that seals and reinstates the whole gutter.

Kemper’s solvent-free product makes internal applications possible without affecting occupants or other trades, so minimising disruption.

Balconies and walkways are another common application for Kemperol, used either with Kemperdur surfacing (on heavily trafficked areas) or with

paving or decking installed decoratively onto the membrane (the underlying Kemperol providing the primary waterproofing integrity).

Asbestos repair - Leaking asbestos roofs can be repaired using Kemperol to protect the failed area with the entire roof then coated with Kemper’s ‘Coewell’ product. This effectively forms an encapsulation - a highly cost-effective approach which avoids drilling or cutting, doesn’t require substrate removal and provides a treatment that both waterproofs the structure and refreshes the appearance!

In conclusion.... Don’t just think of cold liquid waterproofing as a flat roofing solution. It is a hugely versatile waterproofing system suitable for many newbuild and repair applications - far more than most are aware of.

In many cases these are not only more cost effective than traditional methods but give better long term performance, reduced installation times and are less disruptive.

Mark Bruchez, Technical Director at Kemper, argues that cold liquid applied waterproofing is a hugely versatile solution with applications far beyond the traditional flat roofs it is typically associated with.

Cold liquid waterproofing - an elastic, seamless membrane that bonds to the substrate – is a long-established method for waterproofing flat roofs. The recent development of more advanced resins, primers and fleeces has increased the range of applications, durability and ease of working.

The choices...In principle specifiers have two or three options when it comes to roof waterproofing: Traditional hot-applied, built-up roofing uses bituminous materials however the fire risks associated with naked-flame (torch-applied) methods increasingly preclude this method, for refurbishment.

Single-ply roofing is another option using a thermoplastic membrane laid on the roof and either partially bonded or fixed with adhesive. However neither approach is seamless and where not bonded to the substrate will be

susceptible to puncturing. It’s also dependent on the integrity of the fixings or adhesives used to terminate details and penetrations.

Cold liquid waterproofing applies resins directly to the primed substrate, which is then covered with reinforcement and saturated in resin to form a seamless, elastic membrane. This system bonds fully to the substrate and any details, upstands or penetrations.

Why its best to be cold and wet! - Kemper’s own brand, Kemperol, is available in several formulations developed for specific applications and is

the only one in the UK to be applied ‘wet on wet’ (others are applied ‘wet on dry’ in laminations). Kemperol forms an inseparable, chemically-bonded membrane that ensures the fleece is fully saturated, eliminating the risk of ‘thin spots’, poor adhesion or delamination.

Roofs often fail at flashings - One of the benefits of a cold-applied system is its reliability when terminating details such as upstands, skylights and vents. These flashings are the Achilles’ heel of any roof - accounting for some 80% of all failures!

Single-ply systems use pre-formed flashings or mechanically fixed termination bars which are both susceptible to water ingress failure. With cold liquid

waterproofing the flashing is fully bonded, forming a seamless continuation of the roof membrane. Being elastic this also withstands differential movement between the roof and fixture, making an exceptionally reliable bond that can be rapidly completed. On roofs with many such details total project installation times are considerably shorter – even compared to single-ply systems.

Environmental considerations - Environmental impact has an increasing influence on product choice - and roof waterproofing is no exception. Cold liquid waterproofing has a good track record here compared to alternative

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Author: Mark Bruchez, Technical Director, Kemper

A Versatile Approach To Roof Waterproofingwww.kempersystem.co.uk

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The recent publication of the Plan for Growth has strengthened the case of those who argue that getting the fabric and envelope of the building right is the key to genuinely sustainable development.

The government’s new document outlines how new dwellings will no longer count the energy used by appliances like TVs and cookers when measuring the carbon emissions of a property so these will no longer need to be offset by developers when delivering new homes. Whereas new homes will still be “zero carbon”, this will only be in respect of heating and lighting – equivalent to achieving Code Level 5 rather than 6.

Well ahead of the 2016 deadline, that is already a practical reality. An innovative development of social and private housing in Woking, completed in 2010, has set a significant benchmark, not only because the homes achieve Code Level 5 but because in styling they emulate exactly the traditional house style which would not look out of place amidst any established housing scheme. For the new homes at Brookwood Farm in Woking, the key factor in reaching Code Level 5 was the creation of a thermally superior envelope. By using The Litchfield Group’s integrated building system, which brings together ICF Tech walls, Sheerframe HED windows and French doors and Masterdor timber-engineered entrance doors – all from a single UK source

- an airtight and thermally reliable structure was achieved to roof height, to which proven and cost-effective renewables could be added to improve performance.

The ICF Tech system for the insulating concrete formwork (ICF) walls has been developed specifically for the UK market and includes floor supports, bracing and alignment system and closers to seal the window and door cavities. The system provides walls with excellent structural strength as well as a

high level of thermal performance, air-tightness and acoustic insulation. In keeping with the agenda of modernising building methods for increased sustainability, it helps speed up the build process and is cleaner, with less waste.

The importance of ICF construction has long been recognised as an alternative to traditional brick and block in the pursuit of energy efficient homes and interest at the recent Ecobuild exhibition has highlighted the increasing acceptance of ICF construction as a mainstream option.

At Brookwood Farm, homes are built to exceptional performance levels with ICF Tech walls capable of achieving U-values of just 0.11 W/m2K, air infiltration of just 0.74 m3/m2/hr @ 50Pa and Y values of as low as 0.16 due to their excellent thermal bridging performance. The way the walls integrate with the windows and doors is vitally important, especially in terms of achieving an airtight envelope. But the windows and doors themselves must not be the thermal weakness in the wall construction.

Getting The Envelope Right

www.litchfield-group.co.uk

The high performance Sheerframe HED windows have a mainstream look but beneath their familiar styling the thermally superior reinforced lead-free PVC Sheerframe HED windows accommodate triple glazed units. This delivers an ultra-low U-value of 0.8 W/m2K which is already significantly lower than the standard required to comply with the latest Part L of the Building Regulations. An innovative new three-part perimeter sealing system involving injected foam, an advanced silicone sealant on the inside of the window and a different specification sealant on the exterior allows moisture

to escape from the homes without water ingress, playing an important role in eliminating condensation.

The envelope is completed with Masterdor Thermal door-sets. These are Lifetime Homes compliant and Secured by Design licensed for optimum accessibility and security. The 54mm thick timber engineered door leaf with a foam core delivers a U-value of 0.9 W/m2K and a unique triple weatherseal ensures high levels of airtightness.

With a thermally superior envelope at the core, the Brookwood Farm homes provide the right platform to secure the higher Code ratings. A number of innovations complete the road to Code 5 including hot water and electricity generation technologies and reducing water consumption. Rainwater harvesting provides water for washing clothes, garden watering and toilet flushing, PV (photovoltaic) roof tiles generate green electricity from daylight and solar panels help heat the water.

Whatever the future regulations, commonsense fundamentals remain paramount – housebuilding must shift to quick-build, well insulated structures that feature proven building technologies, but the finished homes must largely look like householders expect them to look. Brookwood Farm demonstrates how readily achievable this is.

Author: Graeme Howorth, director of ICF Tech, a Litchfield Group Company

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VMZINC Interlocking Panel SystemThe ‘AV Hill’ Building at Manchester University is a £30M research centre shared between the Faculties of Life Sciences and Medical and Human Sciences. Designed by architects Wilson Mason and Partners, it houses 300 scientists in 50 research groups focussing mainly on neuroscience and immunology. The six-storey, 9,700m² complex façade is predominantly of VMZINC QUARTZ-ZINC® interlocking panels which require virtually no maintenance and have a BRE Green Guide A+ rating. The University’s ‘biomedical corridor’ connects the Core Technology Facility, Michael Smith and Stopford Buildings. Designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘very good’ and an EPC B rating, the building uses ‘bridge links’ at third floor level which are a feature within the atrium. The design approach generated for the building locates core laboratory facilities, shared by all building users at ground floor level. These incorporate a freezer farm and histology suite in addition to a large laboratory space for vibration sensitive equipment. The upper levels provide a generic laboratory space supported by a range of cellular spaces providing secondary research functions.The VMZINC Interlocking Panel system is fixed directly on wood or metal transverse purlins with a continuous ventilated air gap left behind the boarding on the entire facade. The building was named Archibald Vivian Hill, who won the 1922 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine while he held the Chair in Physiology at the University.


The 3R’s of building are Re-new-Re-cycle-Re-vive and with the help of windows, doors, window walling and curtain walling from Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems & Alu-Timber, on-time, cost effective solutions are achieved.

Re-newing a school could mean a total new-build or a refurbishment. Comar & Alu-Timber have a Nationwide network of approved fabricators, who can handle a range of projects from a single window replacement in term time, the refurbishment and installation of a new aluminium facade for an elevation, or a complete new-build envelope.

The Parkside Group Ltd Web: www.parksidegroup.co.uk Email: [email protected] Tel: 0208 685 9685

Re-cycling, aluminium can be re-cycled again and again with no loss to its form and function, creating a bank of valuable aluminium for future generations.

Re-viving, aluminium facades with their high strength-to-weight-ratio, create sleek, slim sight lines that house co-ordinating glass or panels. These aesthetically pleasing sight-lines can be finished in a myriad of polyester powder coating or anodising colours. In a non-marine environment a standard guarantee of 25 years is offered. However, with correct planned maintenance, the design life of aluminium is indefinite; the Empire State Building has an aluminium roof and 100 years after its construction still maintains its original striking appearance.

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The 3R’s of building are Re-new-Re-cycle-Re-vive and with the help of windows, doors, window walling and curtain walling from Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems & Alu-Timber, on-time, cost effective solutions are achieved.

Re-newing a school could mean a total new-build or a refurbishment. Comar & Alu-Timber have a Nationwide network of approved fabricators, who can handle a range of projects from a single window replacement in term time, the refurbishment and installation of a new aluminium facade for an elevation, or a complete new-build envelope.

The Parkside Group Ltd Web: www.parksidegroup.co.uk Email: [email protected] Tel: 0208 685 9685

Re-cycling, aluminium can be re-cycled again and again with no loss to its form and function, creating a bank of valuable aluminium for future generations.

Re-viving, aluminium facades with their high strength-to-weight-ratio, create sleek, slim sight lines that house co-ordinating glass or panels. These aesthetically pleasing sight-lines can be finished in a myriad of polyester powder coating or anodising colours. In a non-marine environment a standard guarantee of 25 years is offered. However, with correct planned maintenance, the design life of aluminium is indefinite; the Empire State Building has an aluminium roof and 100 years after its construction still maintains its original striking appearance.

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Geze’s Modern Masterpiece For Oxford

GEZE’s brand new Slimdrive SL GGS system has made its UK debut at Modern Art Oxford, forming a minimalist glass entrance to the gallery and provide a contemporary backdrop to the new indoor-outdoor exhibition space.

GEZE UK designed an entrance that looked like a virtually seamless glass wall, set into the brickwork of the gallery. Complementing the Modern Art Oxford’s industrial look are two

glass panels that frame the Slimdrive SL GGS automatic sliding door system, making the entrance as distinctive as it is accessible. Operated by the unique 7cm drive unit, it features high-grade stainless steel fittings that hold the glass doors, removing the need for unsightly door rails.


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Timber Cladding Gets Village Vote

Maibec® Timber Cladding from The A. Proctor Group has recently been installed onto a project at Trewhiddle Leisure Village in St. Austell in Cornwall. A prestigious development of detached luxury holiday villas within this unique Cornish holiday development showcased the natural beauty of maibec® cladding. Maibec® is a natural softwood timber, with an unrivalled 50 year warranty against rot and decay, and an 18 year warranty against peeling and blistering of the stained finish. This 18 year warranty can be extended by a further 15 years provided the timber is re-coated within the original 18 year period. Maibec® is available in 6 standard colours, however most other colours can be matched if required. The A. Proctor Group can also, on request, offer maibec® cladding with Chain of Custody accreditation which ensures that the timber is sourced from a responsibly managed forest. www.proctorgroup.com


York Handmade Keep It In The FamilyDavid Armitage, the chairman of the York Handmade Brick Company, has played a crucial role in helping his daughter Louise Sturdy to win the first-ever Kingspan Potton Dream Home award. David provided 20,000 bricks from York Handmade’s factory at Alne, near Easingwold, for Louise and husband Simon to build their very own dream home at East Knoyle near Salisbury in Wiltshire. Simon and Louise Sturdy were presented with the award, together with a prize of £1,000, by Michael Holmes, Editor in Chief of Homebuilding and Renovating magazine, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

David Armitage commented: “It has given me huge pleasure to help Louise and Simon win such a prestigious award. We provided 20,000 specially-selected Lindum Blend bricks, which were perfect for what Louise and Simon were trying to achieve. They wanted a traditional look for their new house and Louise had a massive input into its design. Louise’s experience of brick-making and the kind of bricks we can produce helped immensely. She knew exactly what she wanted and how to achieve it. Being part of a family of brick-makers certainly helped.”

Louise, who was brought up in Nun Monkton, near York, explained: “The look of the house was paramount because of its unique setting and we took particular care with the brick detail. As Dad has always said to me ‘The bricks are about 5% of the cost, but 75% of the look’. Personally, I think new brickwork needs breaking up with interesting details. Dentil work on the chimney and string course, plinth surrounds, pilasters on the south facing elevation, sloping cants on the window sills and traditional chamfered quoins all helped to create a look that blended well with its setting”.

“The brick quoins presented a challenge, as the first three architects I spoke to did not have a clue how to create them out of bricks. It certainly helped to have a father who knew a thing or two about brickwork, and indeed he recommended the wonderful Mike Hammett. Although retired, Mike had

designed the original specials booklet for the Brick Development Association, and he understood exactly what I was trying to do. It took eight special bricks in each quoin, which Dad’s special’s department at York Handmade lovingly crafted. Simon and I are delighted to have won this award, and grateful to everyone who helped make it possible. It was a labour of love, and we spent hours poring over the drawings, collecting photographs of buildings which had features that we liked, and then sketching them out paying attention to every detail, especially the brickwork”.

“The planners totally understood that we wanted to replace a very ugly artificial stone house with a much more attractive handmade brick dwelling. The fact that York Handmade Bricks had in place environmental policies that complied with ISO14001 Environmental Standard was a bonus, and helped us to comply with a condition of planning that we incorporated some sound environmental features into the build”. The Sturdy’s knocked the old house down in March 2008 and moved in just nine months later, in time for Christmas. Speed was of the essence to keep the rental costs of living elsewhere during the build as low as possible. They spent £380,000 on the build, funded by the successful sale of their London flat. Their new home has been valued at £850,000. “The sense of achievement and relief we had when we moved in were equal. It was a relatively smooth process but by the end of it we were exhausted and some of our pictures still have not been hung on the walls”, said Louise. “The Sturdy’s home illustrates how to recreate all the charm of a traditional style home yet with all the conveniences of modern day living,” said Ieuan Compton, Head of Marketing at Kingspan Potton.


Bridging The Gap With Timbmet

Repairing a bridge is a meticulous task that requires the combination of precision engineering with materials that offer proven strength and performance. The historic Scarborough Bridge required extensive renovation work to the decking and walkways supports. The solution involved Timbmet sourcing specialist Ekki timber, a dark heartwood which grows on the West coast of Africa and which is renowned for its strength, durability and resistance to decay. The original construction of the bridge involved the edge timbers being spliced to the main support beams, but over time, these began to sag, with heavy corrosion affecting the safety and strength of the connections holding the timber in place. Timbmet’s manufacturing team took on the task of sourcing the timber and accurately machining the beams allowing the connections to fit precisely.


Concealed Automation Swings Doors Open For Shoppers

The new ‘Destination Dining’ area of one of the UK’s largest shopping centres, thecentre:mk located in Milton Keynes, features a bank of minimalist swing glass doors automated by concealed TORMAX iMotion® 1401 underfloor operators. Creating an entrance with aesthetically clean lines, the motors are mounted in sealed casings in the floor allowing the doors to swing silently open without the need for any external linkage. Incorporating highly sophisticated technology, iMotion® 1401 synchronous motors have no abrading parts to cause friction-wear, so on-going reliability and a long life expectancy is assured. TORMAX supplied their

technologically advanced underfloor operators to four sets of swing doors, providing prestigious yet highly functional access to an external square in the centre of shops. Simple to install, the operator is compatible with a standard 240v electrical supply and requires only minimal ongoing maintenance.


Steadmans Panels Feature On New Office Development

Steadmans’ composite roof and wall panels have been chosen for the building envelope of a brand new business centre comprising 15 offices in Cumbernauld, near Glasgow. Over 1,100 square metres of Steadmans’ 80mm thick AS35/1000 insulated panels were supplied for the Arca Business Centre. Steadmans’ AS35 panels are manufactured in a quality process certified to ISO 9001:2000 using non-ozone depleting technology. This provides designers with an environmentally responsible product with excellent thermal performance and a predicted service life of 40 years. AS35 panels are available in a wide range of colours and can be specified to achieve insulation U-values to aid compliance with the latest L2 regulations. www.steadmans.co.uk


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Caesarstone Provides A Winning Concept For Sheffield Hallam University

Sheffield Hallam University prides itself as being one of the most progressive and innovative universities in the UK. When refurbishment works on their learning centre took place over the summer they turned to CaesarStone for a practical solution to upgrade the helpdesk countertops complimenting the new modern, brighter space suiting the university’s contemporary aesthetics and providing a lasting finish.

CaesarStone was chosen for the new countertops, as their quartz worktops offer longevity, durability and style. It was specified by David Jenkin of Alexi Marmot Associates, who used 6600 Nougat in a 20 mm thickness. The durable properties of the quartz mean the worktop is extremely chip, crack and scratch resistant. Its non-porous nature also means it is hygienic and resistant to staining, and with low maintenance properties it provides an ease of living that will look great for years to come.

Chris Hairsine of Stone Connection (Fabricator and Installer), commented “The Architect selected CaesarStone for this project as the quartz properties make it ideal for their needs. From a Fabricator’s perspective, it is a very economical and cost effective material to work with. This is due to the fact that the quartz is a man-made material and there is always complete colour consistency, therefore minimising waste.” www.caesarstone.uk.com


Historic Scotland has completed work on all six apartments of the Royal Lodgings at Stirling Castle, including a recreation of the 16th century wooden ceilings. The boarded ceilings and moulded ribs forming the coffers used oak protected

with Arch Timber Protection’s Dricon fire retardant. The team at Historic Scotland chose Dricon for the project because it would provide reliable and proven fire-proofing without affecting the natural appearance of the wood.

“We met with Arch to discuss our requirements, and found them very helpful, and able to meet all our needs. Some treatments will restrict the finish that you can use, so one of the reasons we chose Dricon is that it

gave us full flexibility – we were able to use Dricon-treated timber for both painted and unpainted areas, and not even be aware that it was there,” says Ruth Vaughan, Project Architect for the Stirling Castle restoration and Senior Architect on the Major Projects Team for Historic Scotland. “Our contractor sourced the oak from Timbmet Glasgow, cut it into sections and then liaised with Arch to get the timber treated with Dricon. The whole process went very smoothly.”

The most dramatic part of the restoration is the ceiling of the King’s Inner Hall, which was originally decorated with glorious painted oak carvings known as the Stirling Heads. The team at Historic Scotland set out to make a full set of

copies based on the 34 remaining oak carvings, each measuring a metre across, to recreate the 16th century brightly-painted ceiling. The £12 million project, which began in September 2008, will open in June 2011, just in time for the castle’s summer visitors.

The original Stirling Heads will be displayed in a special gallery on the first floor of the castle’s refurbished royal palace, along with a partly painted modern head, allowing visitors to see the difference between the unpainted and painted wood. For a sneak preview of the inside of the six royal apartments see the short Historic Scotland film on YouTube (www.youtube.com/historicscotlandtv).www.archtp.com

©Crown Copyright Reproduced Courtesy Of Historic Scotlandwww.historicscotlandimages.gov.uk


Dricon Protecting Stirling Castle Art For Scotland’s Future

Stunning Bio-Diverse Roof Is A UK First From Alumasc

Alumasc ZinCo has provided a series of stunning bio-diverse Green Roofs for central London’s new mixed-use development Regent’s Place. Believed to be the first of their kind in the UK, the roofs are designed to create a high value bio-diverse environment through the provision of a broad range of wildlife habitats.The brief was to design bio-diverse roofs covering two terraces and a third roof area. With all the spaces occupying prominent locations, the appearance of the roof planting at different times of the year was an important consideration. Tilbury Contracts of Rainham installed a total of 2600m2 of Alumasc’s ZinCo green roof over three buildings. Combining all the available types of green roof build-up, the roofs provide instant aesthetic appeal, while enhancing the local ecological resource.The waterproofing membrane and inverted roof insulation was first covered with a reservoir board followed by a ‘puzzle’ pattern of polyester powder

coated compartments. Each compartment was then filled with a particular growing medium i.e. pebbles, limestone chippings, pellite, crushed brick and pine bark strippings, semi-intensive soils, sand and hardwood split logs. The substrates were installed at different depths and planted with a wide range of plants, including mosses and sedums, wildflowers and grasses, small shrubs and aquatic species within the pre-formed ponded areas. A further 11,800m2 of Alumasc’s Hydrotech MM6125 waterproofing was installed to the ground floor and 15 separate areas, including plant rooms and terraces. www.alumascwaterproofing.co.uk


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Dricon Protects Dramatic Corby Building

Dricon treated timber from Bates Timber is helping to fire protect the Corby Cube, a dramatic glass and concrete building housing Corby’s theatre, library, registry office and Council Chamber, as well as a one-stop-shop for council services.On behalf of Bates Timber, Arch Timber Protection supplied 320 square metres of birch plywood treated with their Dricon fire retardant to be used as both visible and concealed interior wall cladding in the iconic building.“Arch provided us with a full service from source to delivery, exactly to the specification of the architect,” said Peter Bates, Director, Bates Timber Merchants.“These plywood panels are not all visible once the building is complete, but they give a proven fire retardant protection in the background structure of the building,” says Jacqui Hughes, Arch Timber Protection’s Fire Retardant Sales Manager. “Dricon is the only BBA-certificated fire retardant treatment for timber and provides the perfect proven fire protection for interior applications such as this.”Construction of the Corby Cube involved more than 2050 panes of glass and 15,500 tonnes of concrete. The building was the runner-up to the Beijing Olympic Swimming Pool in the LEAF Awards for the Best Public Building Design of the Year, and is the only theatre in the UK to have a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’. The building will provide performance and meeting space for local people, as well as access to local government services.


Remedial Work For Extensive Water Ingress Completed By Structura UK At Hayweight House, Edinburgh

A contract worth more than £700,000 to repair and make watertight the exterior of the 6-storey Hayweight House in Edinburgh was completed on time by Structura UK Ltd, curtain wall engineering specialist. The building suffered extensive and regular wind-driven water ingress to all floors damaging the internal fabric. Without a complete overhaul, the 20-year- old windows were rapidly approaching the end of their useful life. Working as a sub-contractor to Insite Contracts Ltd, main contractor, Structura UK replaced all pressure plates and caps, removed the existing glass, fitted new glazing tapes and gaskets and installed 700sq m of new glazing, consisting of 6mm Pilkington Suncool pro T 70/40 vision panels and 6mm toughened, ceramic spandrel panels. All of the existing pivot windows were serviced, and ironmongery replaced where necessary. The exterior rain screen panels were resprayed. At roof level, Structura UK carried out extensive repairs to the leaking plant room to ensure it is now watertight. Works included removing the existing copings and fitting membranes, and replacing with new copings; treating corrosion to the plant room louvers and respraying the complete unit. The building’s new main entrance consists of a manual, 12mm toughened glazed main entrance door and fixed screen, and black point fixed glazed soffit above, designed and installed by Structura UK.


Milliken Inspires At O2 Offices In DublinMilliken carpet tiles have helped to create an inspirational office space for telecoms provider O2 at its Dublin offices. Across five floors, Milliken’s Snap Back design from the Straight Talk collection and Strike Out from the Go Modular collection provide over 10,000m2 of office space with a layout that brightens the working environment and defines meeting and breakout areas.Pattern adds visual interest, disguises soiling and ensures prolonged appearance retention, as well as helping with way marking. Break out areas on each floor were assigned a different colour, with matching Go Modular tiles used as stepping-stones placed around each floor. A darker version of Straight Talk was used at the main lift lobby area of each floor to provide a practical floorcovering for these extremely high traffic areas. Working closely with Winroy Office Furniture Solutions, Milliken used photographs of the existing interior to produce renderings of the proposed layouts and visualize the new carpets in context.

“We invited Milliken in at an early stage, following previous collaborations that had worked well,” explains Paul Kenny, Winroy Office Furniture Solutions. “The visuals were a great way for the client to see how the proposed schemes would look within the office space, allowing them to choose a colour, pattern and layout combination that suited their ambitions for the project.”For the facilities management team, Straight Talk and Go Modular met the criteria for a floorcovering that was hardwearing and practical to maintain. Thanks to the use of durable nylon type 6.6 fibre and a recycled PU cushion backing, the carpet is able to provide improved underfoot comfort as well as assisting with sound absorption for a more comfortable and quieter environment.The installation of Straight Talk and Go Modular were part of a refurbishment project for the offices situated in the vibrant business district of Sir John Rogersons Quay, Dublin. As a working office the refurbishment took place over weekends and included reconfiguring workstations into improved layouts and moving staff to new locations. www.millikencontract.co.uk


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Stormdry Waterproofs Grade II Listed Building

Stormdry masonry protection cream has been used to treat penetrating damp at Denne Park House, a Grade II listed building in West Sussex. Top floor rooms were suffering from internal damp problems due to water ingress. Tests using Stormdry gauges were able to determine the severity and exact location of rainwater penetration. Results showed that waterproofing treatment was required for the lower sections of the external chimney breast elevations of brick and sandstone.

Stormdry masonry protection cream and Stormdry Repointing Additive were specified as the preferred waterproofing solution. Due to its unique formulation, Stormdry deeply penetrates masonry to form a water-repellent barrier. This leaves no visible alteration to the natural appearance of the stone or brickwork, which was required for works to this listed building. Stormdry Repointing Additive imparts water-repellency to mortar and improves adhesion between mortar and the brick.

Stormdry masonry protection cream was applied to the external chimney brickwork and sandstone, with all mortar beds raked out and repointed using Stormdry Repointing Additive. Upon completion of the works Stormdry gauge tests were carried out once more and confirmed the treatment was effective. The stone and brickwork of the chimney breasts retain their natural original appearance and water ingress has been successfully halted. The Stormdry treatment is expected to last for at least 20-30 years. www.stormdry.com


Zinc Standing Seam Focal Point For Park Lane Skyline

The new spa at the 5-star Four Seasons Hotel in Park Lane, designed by Eric Parry Architects, was conceived as a ‘spa in the clouds’. the purpose-designed rooftop extension providing a ‘hat’ to replace the flat roof which had left the hotel looking rather unfinished in the context of Park Lane. The design maximises the spectacular views offered by the tenth floor location using the VM Zinc Plus® standing seam roofing system as a distinguishing feature for the newly defined architectural form.

The chosen metal roof had to meet strict planning requirements, carefully defined standards of appearance and, due to the spa’s high prevailing humidity levels, BS 5250 class 5. From an aesthetic perspective, success depended heavily on the use of a product which offered scope to provide a perfectly curved roof profile with a high degree of detailing. The rooftop façade is formed from a ribbon of glass which traces the plan form of the guest rooms beneath, set back from the parapet and topped with the dark zinc roof. The zinc complements the existing Portland Stone which was fully cleaned.

Though the overall refurbishment took 28 months, only a limited time frame was available for the roof’s installation. The VM Zinc Plus system obviated the need for additional ventilation and in conjunction with cellular glass insulation enabled a perfectly formed, warm roof build-up to be created. Not only is the system ideal for areas of consistently high humidity, the absence of obtrusive ventilation details and use of specially designed clips avoids mechanical fastening and penetrations of the insulation. Two zinc finishes were used, VM Zinc’s Quartz-Zinc Plus® on the main barrel vaulted roof and small areas of vertical cladding, and Anthra-Zinc Plus® on the ‘skirt’ and

gutters around the perimeter. Apart from a few small sections, all the zinc was laid onto Foamglas® over a plywood substrate in sheets up to 15 metres in length. Accessories such as louvres were also made from zinc.

Julian Ogiwara of Eric Parry Architects commented, “Being located in such a prominent location the importance of achieving a highly crafted roof was paramount from the outset. VM Zinc’s team delivered detailed advice which we incorporated into our specification and drawings. Key factors influencing the specification were product life cycle, which is up to 100 years in an urban environment and having a single sheet of zinc to cover a 14m barrel roof without the need for a ventilated ridge detail. This could only be achieved with the VMZINC PLUS product. Colour range and reflectivity of the material were also important. The Hotel operator has dubbed it the “Fifth Façade” which I feel is an appropriate compliment to this beautifully crafted roof”.

Richard O’Connor, Contracts Director of Roles Broderick Roofing added, “Although the project had a relatively high proportion of detail work the two particularly challenging elements were setting out of the zinc trays over the ‘lazy S’ area of the barrel and the open louvred areas along each side. In the latter case, a large section of each tray has been omitted but the seams continue from the roof, supported on a lightweight frame. It is these areas, along with the bullnose eaves to the skirt, which have received the most complimentary comments”.


jacksplace Chooses Pressalit Care Bathrooms For Independence And Comfort

jacksplace, a purpose built hospice for young adults, has chosen specialist bathrooms from Pressalit Care for its new, state of the art facilities.Part of the Naomi House Children’s Hospice in Winchester, jacksplace provides palliative care, including respite, terminal and bereavement care to young adults and their families from central southern England. Recently opened by the Countess of Wessex, jacksplace has six bedrooms for residents, each with its own en-suite bathroom facilities.The bathrooms, which include a range of Pressalit Care products, have been designed and fitted out to meet the hospice’s ethos of offering its residents a comfortable,

caring and supportive home-from-home. Here they were able to look at different layout and product solutions and see how the products are able to adjust both horizontally and vertically to adapt to different user situations. The innovative track system, for example, allows a height adjustable basin to be moved horizontally to adapt to different user situations, allowing for wheelchair access or giving a carer sufficient space to assist. Each bathroom at jacksplace has been installed with Pressalit Care’s track mounted, gas assisted basin brackets; track mounted height adjustable toilet support arms; track mounted shower chairs; Aquaclean bidet toilets; track mounted shower taps; and opening shower curtain rails for hoist access. www.pressalitcare.co.uk


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Solar Solution For Social Housing SchemeAs part of an ambitious social housing programme, Rotherham council has installed a new photovoltaic roofing system on an apartment block in Maltby, South Yorkshire. Simon Dixon, Sandtoft’s training manager, explains the scope of the project and how the roofing contractor has successfully delivered the solar solution. Following funding from the previous Government’s Homes and Communities Agency, Rotherham Council is half way through constructing 127 properties on six sites across the town.

The new council houses are the first to be built in Rotherham for 30 years. All of the properties are being built to meet Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes as well as Lifetime Homes, and Building for Life Silver Standards. These are way above the typical house-building standards and incorporate a number of measures to ensure the properties are very energy efficient. As part of the construction programme, TH Michaels was appointed to build a block of four apartments in Maltby. In line with the Council’s strict environmental requirements, solar panels were required on the roof. These had to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible, so the contractor opted for a building integrated photovoltaic system rather than a bolt-on product.

Sandtoft’s PV48 solar roofing system met the brief as it can be integrated with most types of roof tile or slate, regardless of the manufacturer. To improve aesthetics, the black photovoltaic panels are supplied with matching flashings that are unobtrusive and maintain the straight vertical lines on the roof.

Sothall Roofing was chosen to install the PV48 system which was integrated with fibre cement slates. Supplied as a complete system and ready to install, the PV48 is MCS accredited and has been specifically designed for installation by roofing contractors. There is no need for a separate solar installer which reduces the number of trades on the roof and saves time. And, the training takes less than one day even for those roofers with no previous experience of fitting solar products.

A key element of the training is the use of a ‘template’ for setting out the roof, enabling the roofer to correctly position the counter battens and hooks that the solar panels will be fitted on to.

Following the setting out, the flashings are fitted. These have been designed so that the roofers can simply flash the area where the panels are going to be installed. The flashing are very similar to those used for fitting roof windows, so are familiar to roofing contractors thereby significantly reducing the risk of poor workmanship and subsequent weatherproofing problems. The whole roof is then tiled. As the roofers can stand in the area which is designated for the panels, they have better access to the roof making it easier for them to

complete the tiling. This also minimises the requirement for roof ladders.

The panels which each measure 1.4 square metres, are quickly and simply installed at the end of the roofing process, so there is no need for the roofers to work over the solar modules. This helps to improve safety and reduces the risk of any damage. And if security is a potential issue, the panels could also be installed just before the scaffold comes down.

To complete the installation, the roofer connects the solar modules with simple push fit connectors and passes a pair of cables through the underlay into the roof space for later connection by the electrical contractor. The PV48 includes the appropriate inverter to complete the connection of the solar system to the building’s grid-supplied electrical system.

Wayne Bartholomew was one of the roofers responsible for installing the PV48 for Rotherham Council and gave us feedback on the project. He said: “I’ve installed other solar products before, including integrated and bolt-on systems and the PV48 is by far the easiest one to fit. The setting out is the most challenging aspect of the training but the template really assisted with this. Once we’d established how to set out the roof, the rest of the installation process was very straightforward. We spent a day with Sandtoft’s training manager learning how to install eight panels on the first elevation. The following day we fitted the remaining six panels in just four hours without any assistance from Sandtoft.

“I am a traditionally-trained slater but times are changing, so I recognise that I need to adapt and expand my skills to meet customers’ needs. There has been an obvious and recent shift towards using solar, so it’s vital that roofers take the opportunity to learn how to install them effectively. Any training in this area is very valuable and adds another important string to a roofer’s bow.”

The roof was completed within TH Michael’s tight construction schedule, ensuring that the new tenants can look forward to a high quality, aesthetic property that reduces carbon emissions and protects them from rising electricity bills. www.sandtoft.com


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Stannah – Building For Olympic Excellence And Beyond

An 8-person Stannah Maxilift M passenger lift with an FX structure is providing essential people-moving power in the bespoke, £7.24 million Construction Skills Training Centre in Leyton, East London.

In action since the centre opened in January 2011, the Maxilift M is hydraulically driven over a distance of 3600mm. The FX structure in which it operates is unique to Stannah and comprises a ‘shaft within a shaft’. This obviates the need for a high-cost load bearing wall, lifting beam, scaffolding (on most models), inserts (unistruts) for fixing, lintels or separate pit access ladder. FX models can also be installed into existing lift wells with minimal builder’s work. Ideal for modular and timber-framed buildings, they simplify the whole building programme and make substantial savings on time and cost.

The Maxilift M delivers access over two floors to world-class training facilities in this key Olympic Legacy project, designed to train the next generation of construction workers in vital

skills such as flooring, scaffolding and working at heights. Complementing other centres in the region, training is delivered by Europe’s largest construction training provider, the National Construction College.

The project was spearheaded by Waltham Forest Council, which owns the building, acquired the funding and project managed the scheme in partnership with other organisations such as the National Skills Academy for Construction and CITB-ConstructionSkills. The centre was granted National Skills Academy for Construction status by CITB-ConstructionSkills - the Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board for the construction industry. It is funded by the Skills Funding Agency, Waltham Forest London Borough Council, CITB-ConstructionSkills and the London Development Agency (LDA).

The FX structure-supported Maxilift M was specified by Mike Sharpe, Senior Quantity Surveyor at Britspace Modular Buildings Limited, a leading UK supplier of pre-engineered

buildings and off-site construction: “Britspace has used Stannah in a number of projects and this recent installation reflects our satisfaction in Stannah’s products, performance and service.

The FX structure is particularly suited to this project as it is supplied within a structure-supported enclosure ideally suited to modular buildings. Over the next four years the Construction Skills Training Centre will provide training for thousands of local people and we are confident that the Maxilift M lift will provide the service demanded of it.”The Maxilift M is also an ‘MRLi’ model – a motor room-less option that saves space by storing the hydraulic oil container in the lift pit with the controller in the lift architrave and part of the lift fascia.

The lift is finished light-grey vinyl skin plate with a vinyl stud floor, flush ceiling with white powder-coated downlighter effect, and half-height, silvered mirror and grab rail to the rear wall.

The ‘M’ is the base model in the Maxilift range and offers a simple and elegant finish that is stylish, affordable and hard wearing. It is available in a choice of light or dark grey colour schemes, with a number of optional extras for design flexibility.

Supplied with a comprehensive 1-year maintenance contract, the Maxilift M is serviced by the Dartford branch of Stannah Lift Services. Dartford is just one of eleven branches that comprise Stannah Lift Services nationwide network for the repair, modernisation and refurbishment and maintenance of all types of lifts, stairlifts, escalators and moving walkways from the Stannah product range, and also other lift manufacturers’ equipment.www.stannahlifts.co.u


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NIBE Heats Peak District Barn Out Of Thin Air

UK Company Supplies to World’s Local Bank in Malta

Worcester Sources Crittall Windows

As part of an extensive and long term project to revitalise the Lowesmoor area of Worcester, Crittall W20 steel windows have been specified for one of the most familiar buildings on the site. The Great Filling Hall was a feature of Worcester’s historic vinegar works. Planning demands were stringent for the Filling Hall, with conservation officers insisting upon like for like replacement for the windows, in order to maintain the continuity of appearance and character of the architecture and of the surrounding environment.


Timbmet Success With New Learning Centre

The new £3 million Bramall Learning Centre at RHS Garden Harlow Carr stands out as a resplendent two-storey structure, surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens. Timbmet was commissioned by joinery contractor, Dalton Joinery to source and supply FSC European Oak worktops for the interior of the new Blundell Library, which forms part of the construction. The specification called for timber that complemented the other sustainable materials used in the build process. FSC European Oak is a solid wood that does not deteriorate with age, rather it matures and improves to give a richer, deeper colour.


Sapphire’s Balustrade Enhances Art Foundation Premises

Sapphire Balustrades recently installed its premium range of balustrade and handrails at the offices of The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, a cultural and educational charitable trust. The building has a glass front, making the exhibition space clearly visible from the street. Sapphire’s Crystal structural glass balustrade with Onyx stainless steel handrails were applied to the stairs and laminated glass (which avoids the need for a handrail) was used for the atrium balustrade. Sapphire provided a safe and stylish solution that matches the overall design of the building. www.sapphirebalustrades.com


Luxury Home Protected By Sika

Pinkstone Homes are using Sika Watertight Concrete for the basement area on a luxury new development in Mottram St Andrew in Cheshire. With a swimming pool incorporated in the basement area, Sika Watertight Concrete has been chosen to fulfil two criteria – keeping water in and keeping water out. Sika successfully worked with Pinkstone Homes Ltd, allowing them to provide to their client a fully watertight subterranean basement in the worst possible surrounding ground conditions. Approximately 500 cubic metres of Sika Watertight Concrete have been supplied to the development. www.sikaconcreteadmixtures.co.uk


Talon Covers For Frank Godley’s Pipes

Frank Godley Court is a sheltered housing development of 40 one-bedroom flats plus a three bedroom flat for the resident manager. Part of a recent refurbishment project consisted of installing Talon 105 Skirting Cover Profile over the heating pipes, giving vital protection to residents against burns should they fall as well as improving the tidiness and appearance of the flats. Talon’s Skirting Cover Profiles have proved extremely popular as a simply installed, neat, secure and safe method of hiding pipes at floor level. Once the pipes have been clipped in, the cover simply click-fits over the top, giving the appearance of a standard skirting board.www.talon.co.uk


Wrightstyle Limited has supplied market-leading fire doors for the headquarters of HSBC Bank in Malta. Wrightstyle Limited provides a one-stop design through to fabrication service. The Valletta contract not only involved significant design input for the prestigious location, but had to be delivered as complete and finished systems within a three-week timeframe. The breakthrough fire door system from Wrightstyle, offers a range of entirely new and fully-glazed interior or exterior door options that give complete practicality coupled with absolute fire safety. www.wrightstyle.co.uk


A huge stone built barn situated near Holmfirth in a lovely countryside full of steep slopes and wooded defiles, was built in 1683 to store grain and hay and, more importantly, to shelter livestock from the harsh Peak District winters. Like so many others of its kind it now shelters people instead of cattle having been converted in 1997 into seven dwellings of various sizes. One of the largest,

taking up one end of the barn, has been made into a beautiful and spacious home with only one major problem, the cost of heating.

An oil-fired boiler of traditional design had been installed at the time of conversion and was reasonably effective but, to judge from exorbitant fuel bills, anything but energy efficient. The last straw came when the owner saw the price of heating oil jump from 42p to 72p per litre over the space of only eight weeks. He decided enough was enough and started to look for alternative ways to provide heat

for his radiator driven central heating system and hot water for all purposes including one general bathroom and three others en suite.

He called in Warmway of Dewsbury, expert in renewable energy methods and a registered NIBE VIP installer, who suggested an air sourced heating system

that would slash fuel costs, cut carbon emissions to an absolute minimum and be comparatively cheap to install into the bargain. Being MCS registered, Warmway were able to access Government funded grants and was therefore able to design a system, readily accepted by the customer, that is affordable and ecologically sound as well as extremely fuel efficient. It consists of two NIBE F2015 Heat Pumps situated in the yard outside the back door of the barn and linked to a VPA Accumulator Tank with a UKV200 Buffer vessel to offer greater hot water capacity.

The heat pumps generate energy from the outside air utilising a heat exchange process that squeezes the last drop of energy from the atmosphere thanks to new super efficient scroll compressors that will operate effectively even at temperatures down to the lowest ever recorded in the UK. Proof of the installation’s efficiency is that although the original oil-fired boiler was retained as a back up system, it was never needed in this last exceptionally cold winter. The generated energy is passed from the heat pumps into the accumulator tank and buffer, both using the latest in insulation techniques to ensure that hard earned energy is not wasted before being circulated to heat both water and home.

The owner of this beautiful Peak District barn conversion is delighted with his new NIBE renewable energy system, basking in the glow of satisfaction that comes from being as ‘green’ as the grass that grows around him. An even greater sense of satisfaction comes from paying fuel bills that are affordable once more thanks to heating that is conjured out of thin air.


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Laidlaw Doorsets For Iconic Olympic Training VenueThe rejuvenation of the the iconic Grade II-listed Uxbridge Lido, which had been closed for more than ten years, has produced a new leisure facility in West London which will be used by Britain’s leading swimmers in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics. The original Lido had been used for the 1948

London Olympiad and as part of the London Borough of Hillingdon’s new £25 million Sport and Leisure Complex the pool was formally opened by London Mayor Boris Johnson. The design and build scheme was headed by renowned sport and leisure sector architects FaulknerBrowns. A combination of Orbis Timber Doorsets including a ‘Steam Beech’ laminate finish with polished frames and profile lippings and primed doors with vision panels ready for painting was specified. For public access areas, pull and lever handles in Polished Stainless Steel were chosen from the distinctive Orbis Premier range. Satin Anodised

Aluminium and Satin Stainless Steel hinges, locks, escutcheons, pushplates and kickplates from the Orbis Commercial range were also used.As a year-round facility of considerable traffic intensity, the doors and ironmongery will be put to the severest test. With its 15-year manufacturing and defects guarantee and distinctive visual aesthetic, the Orbis Premier range is proving popular with designers of sports and leisure facilities. In addition to restoration of the1930’s open air pool, the Complex features an indoor pool with moveable floor, health and fitness suite, community sports hall, café, crèche and an athletics stadium. The restoration will retain a lasting legacy to G Percy Trentham’s 1935 ‘Moderne’ style design.


Venesta Enhances The Shopping Experience At St. David’s

‘‘I was delighted with the choice and quality of the product specified for St David’s, and from a practical point of view, extremely impressed with the ease in which it has been maintained. The traffic within the first year has been phenomenal - you wouldn’t think so by looking at our washrooms’’, says Steven Madeley, St David’s shopping centre director.In its first week of trading, more than one million shoppers visited the new extension to St David’s shopping centre in Cardiff. Designed by Benoy, the development has rejuvenated the existing St David’s arcade and has created a new landmark retail centre in the heart of the city.Venesta was approached by Benoy architect, Maria Cannovina, who was looking for a contemporary, streamlined washroom solution to complement the centre’s modern aesthetic. Venesta recommended Equinox, not only for its looks but also its remarkable durability; an essential consideration in an environment with such heavy traffic. The client opted for Equinox in Iceberg laminate with polished, elliptically shaped pilasters and IPS to feature throughout the whole shopping centre and within the management suite. This was a huge project for Venesta but everything ran perfectly, from start to finish. To reserve your copy of Venesta’s new brochure, call 01474 353333. www.venesta.co.uk


Fendor Revolutionises Secure Fenestration At Rampton

Fendor has developed a window system that offers a revolution in terms of both performance and the living environment for a new secure unit at Rampton high secure Hospital. Fendor has supplied double glazed curtain walling for communal areas, as well as double glazed windows to patients’ rooms and other vulnerable locations. For the Therapeutic Core building there were 27 areas of AlphaLine Aluminium curtain walling installed with SwingVent opening windows on actuators. Fendor also supplied steel glazed doors and 26 Steel SwingVent windows incorporating anti escape top hung vents.


Transforming The Roof

This data centre in Scotland has been transformed with a new Kalwall skylight over the central atrium. The existing pyramidal roof was aging and leaking badly. Refurbishment involved reuse of the existing structure to install 1200mm wide panels of highly insulating Kalwall and to replicate the original shape. The result has been an immediate halving of the U value and a fivefold reduction in solar heat transmittance. Importantly, the whole ambience of the space has been greatly enhanced, even on cloudy days, because of the ability of the Kalwall daylighting system to distribute light evenly over the space below, while at the same time eliminating glare and shadows. www.stoakes.co.uk


Levolux Takes Infiniti To The Big Apple... And Beyond

The Grand Hyatt New York’s bar and restaurant was recently renovated and now feature a new contemporary decor, with an illuminated bar and an ultra modern Solar Shading solution,

by Levolux. To help control light, heat and glare, while retaining impressive views outside, Levolux proposed a

custom Solar Shading solution, based on its Infiniti Fin system. The Infiniti Fin system is an innovative, flexible Solar Shading system that accommodates a wide range of Louvres, which can be secured internally or externally and fixed horizontally or vertically. The completed Solar Shading solution not only creates a cool new look, but also ensures the venue uses less energy to keep it cool when the sun shines. www.levolux.com.


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Recycled Modular Building Is Expanded At Royal Surrey Hospital To Increase Bed CapacityForemans Relocatable Building Systems has completed a project to expand an existing recycled modular building at Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford to provide additional bed capacity for its surgical services.

An interim ward building for the Short Stay Surgery Unit, which was supplied by Foremans to Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, has been extended to create a further two new purpose-designed five-bed wards for the Elective Surgery Unit.

The building has also been refurbished externally with a new covered entrance and walkway, a new roof, low-level brick planters, and overcladding to each elevation using aluminium-faced panels in silver, blue and white for a more

contemporary appearance and to further improve thermal performance and insulation.

The 26-module building was completed by Foremans to a tight programme of just 15 weeks from receipt of order to handover to allow the Trust to increase surgical bed capacity as fast as possible. In order to minimise any disruption to patient care, the recycled building modules arrived on site and were craned into position over a weekend.

Commenting on the project, Graham Maynard, Head of Capital and Estates at Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said, “We are very pleased with the building, the extension and the appearance. Foremans performed well on this project and were sufficiently flexible to allow us to purchase and extend our interim ward accommodation to convert it to permanent use. We have had a good relationship with their team and would recommend their recycled modular building approach to other NHS trusts.”

Philip Howell of the Trust’s design consultants Drake & Kannemeyer, said, “The refurbished external appearance of the building provides a modern contemporary look and demonstrates what can be achieved when you combine

the recycled modular approach with strong architectural design.” As budgets become tighter in the current economic climate, healthcare providers need to look for alternatives to providing accommodation solutions that deliver best value and yet maintain quality – whether for interim or permanent applications. With the Foremans approach, only the steel structure of the building is recycled – all fixtures and fittings, from doors and windows to wall linings and cladding, are new.

However, the recycling of modular buildings is a more cost-effective alternative to both new manufacture and traditional site-based construction and is up to 70 per cent faster. It is also very sustainable, giving organisations an environmentally sound alternative to the disposal of surplus modular accommodation in landfill sites. By re-using a modular building, less than 10 per cent of the carbon emissions are generated compared to a newly manufactured building of equivalent size. This dramatically improves a building’s carbon footprint. www.foremansbuildings.info


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