review The Essential Building Product Over 80 standard colours, patterns and woodgrain effects - Premdor’s High Pressure Laminate range Page 34 COMPAC have launched the AMA Collection - a completely new, innovative quartz worksurface Page 48 The newly opened King’s Cross pedestrian tunnel in London features a tiled floor from Craven Dunnill Page 38 Admixtures from Sika Limited played a key role during the construction of the Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow Page 81 February 2015 - Issue 1 www.ebpr.co.uk
Transcript
reviewThe Essential Building Product
Over 80 standard colours, patterns and woodgrain effects - Premdor’s High Pressure Laminate rangePage 34
COMPAC have launched the AMA Collection - a completely new, innovative quartz worksurfacePage 48
The newly opened King’s Cross pedestrian tunnel in London features a tiled floor from Craven DunnillPage 38
Admixtures from Sika Limitedplayed a key role during the construction of the Chris Hoy Velodrome in GlasgowPage 81
Reader Enquiry E-ServiceIf you would like to receive further information about any of the products and services featured in this issue, just email us at [email protected], type ‘EBPR15/1’ in the email title, include the enquiry numbers of interest and your contact details. We’ll do the rest! (If you’d prefer to fax the information, it’s 0845 862 8639, or you can even post it to us!)
Some of the colour photography used in The Essential Building Product Review is provided and paid for by contributors. The publishers do not accept liability for errors that may appear in the publication. 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, without the consent of the publisher.
ISG Prepares Innovative Restaurant Facility At Styal Prison
ISG has been awarded a two-part, £1.5 million contract by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to create an innovative rehabilitation and training facility, and additional inmate accommodation at Styal Prison in Greater Manchester. The project represents ISG’s latest win as part of the MoJ’s Strategic Alliance Framework.
The first element of the scheme sees ISG convert and upgrade a former chapel building, which will become ‘The Clink’ - the fourth restaurant of its type to open at HMP establishments across the UK. The Clink will serve food to the public, prepared and cooked by prison inmates. The building remains part of the MoJ estate and will be fitted out and operated by The Clink Charity, which aims to reduce re-offending rates by training prisoners and placing them in hospitality sector jobs following their release.
The fast-track 18-week programme also includes the conversion of an existing building, currently used as staff offices, a locker room and meeting space, into the new Bollinwood Accommodation for 24 Category D inmates. The two-storey building will be remodelled to create bedroom accommodation, along with a prisoner lounge, kitchen facilities, treatment rooms, staff offices and bathroom facilities. ISG will install new modular accommodation at the prison to replace the staff facilities that are being converted.
Phil Brown, managing director of ISG’s UK Construction business, commented: “This innovative project highlights the ongoing success of the MoJ’s capital works and maintenance framework, which has seen ISG deliver the purpose-built Coroner’s Court facility for the Hillsborough Inquests in Warrington earlier this year. The Clink is a forward thinking initiative by the MoJ and represents a progressive approach to rehabilitating offenders - providing them with the training, confidence and practical skills that they need to rebuild their lives following release.”www.isgplc.com(image courtesy of The Clink Charity)
1
The Clink restaurant at HMP Cardiff opened to the public in 2012
£11M Restoration Project At Leicester City Council HQ Now Complete
WORK on an £11 million project to restore Leicester City Council’s headquarters is now complete. Contractor Willmott Dixon began work last year to restore the 1930’s building in Charles Street to its former glory.
In addition to sensitive restoration of original Art Deco features, the firm has also created new committee and function rooms to allow the city council to hire out spaces at the venue for weddings and functions.
Nick Heath, operations director at Willmott Dixon in the East Midlands, said: “This was a really interesting project for us to be involved in as it involved the restoration of a historic building, but also the provision of office accommodation appropriate for the modern age.
“As part of the works we have undertaken, we have managed to create areas of civic space in addition to the council offices which opens up the building to the people of Leicester.
“Not only that but, following the closure of the council’s New Walk Centre, some 400 staff members have been working in the building since the summer, which presents unique challenges in and of itself as we have continued to work on the lower floors.”
The building served as council offices until the authority relocated staff to New Walk in the 1970’s. Occupiers since then have included the Inland Revenue and the former Willie Thorne snooker club – later known as Riley’s.
Renovations have included the transformation of the old rates hall, where residents used to pay their taxes, into a function room which can be hired by members of the public, as well as the revamping of an auditorium and conference rooms.
Sir Peter Soulsby, city mayor at Leicester City Council, said: “The building has been restored very faithfully to echo how it looked when it was opened almost 76 years ago to the day. It looks amazing, it really does.”
Nick added: “We are really pleased to have now handed this building back in its entirety to Leicester City Council, and are certain that this will be a fantastic facility for their staff and the people of Leicester for many years to come.”www.willmottdixongroup.co.uk
Nursing And Dementia Facility Gets Underway At Bournville Care Village
A revolutionary health and care complex in the heart of Bournville in Birmingham has moved one step closer as work has started on the second phase of the development – a new 80-bed nursing and dementia care facility. Designed by Bournville Architects, the £5.3million facility will form one of four buildings within the Bournville Care Village.
Created to meet the demand for high specification living accommodation within the heart of Birmingham, the development is one of the first in the UK to bring together different care elements within a specifically designed care village. Delivered by Gracewell Healthcare, the dementia care facility will be built next to a 212-bed state-of-the-art extra-care scheme, a 35-bed passive housing apartment scheme for individuals with learning difficulties and a health and well-being centre. The development is expected to be fully complete early 2016.
Work is already well underway on phase one of the build - the new extra-care scheme - with work on the passive housing element expected to start early this year. Once complete the nursing and dementia care home will provide an integral housing and support solution for residents suffering with dementia in the local community. Ian Tipton, director at Bournville Architects, says: “There are currently around 750,000 people living with dementia in England and Wales, with approximately 50,000 people
likely to be placed in residential care because of a lack of suitable support in the home and the community. The vast majority of families caring for individuals who have been diagnosed with dementia aspire to keep them in their own home wherever possible. The new dementia centre will provide first-class living accommodation which will make it easier for those with dementia to make that transition into supported living as it will be a comfortable and secure environment.”
Built on the a 3.75 hectare site which used to be the home of Bournville College, each building has been designed with environmental, social and economic sustainability at the heart of the strategy.
“The project at Bournville Care Village offers an ideal opportunity to bring together leading edge design and contemporary living space. The four care elements within the scheme are designed in cohesion to create a sustainable community that will leave a lasting legacy in the Bournville Estate – built to the same principles of high quality and sustainability 100 years on from the original Garden Village,” says Ian.
To find out more about Bournville Gardens extra care retirement village please visit www.extracare.org.uk/bournville-gardens.aspx.
Behind The Scenes A Unique Kitchen For Top London Restaurateur
Splinter Works are thrilled to share some images from a recently completed kitchen in a London townhouse. It was an ambitious project that commanded masterful space planning, with subtle detailing and highlights of functional sculpture, in what was a very challenging space set over two levels.
Splinter Works started by studying the lines of sight through the building to ensure the best possible connection between the kitchen, dining table and living area whilst maintaining views out across the mature garden. This was ultimately achieved by ingeniously protruding the kitchen out into the living area on a plinth, which was curved to soften its impact on the space.
On the back of this curved section was placed a raised breakfast bar to bring some informal seating to the fringes of the working area and blur the boundaries of the zones. This effect is reinforced by the stepped levels of the counter, which fall away from the centre in terraces down towards the living area, going with the natural flow of the space.
Having set up the geometry of a curve at one end, it was then continued through the rest of the kitchen which breaks up the rectangular room and provides the benefit of additional space at the far end to conceal a much needed walk-in broom cupboard. In a continued effort to avoid long, straight runs, Splinter Works offset the high level cabinetry around the cooking so that it fans out from the centre point of the curved cabinetry. As well as its aesthetic benefits, this arrangement allows for shallower depth of cabinets overhead when cooking but gives the greater depth required for a larder and wine cooler at the ends.
Splinter Works are always very keen to incorporate some sculptural element to the kitchen and the island is usually a good place to do this. It can be integrated into the functionality of the space without having to conform to the aesthetics; allowing for a backdrop of more conventional cabinetry. This project was no exception, but the room was always an awkward width; too narrow for a conventional island, yet too wide to be left open.
With the clients' interest in cooking, Splinter Works wanted to include a permanent, generous-sized preparation area with a large chopping board and so, over a series of conversations, the idea of a chopping board that was a sculpture in its own right took hold. In this case, the staves of wood that make up the chopping surface continue down towards the floor, some making it all the way, morphing into legs. The clients’ desire was always to be very modern but with an inviting homeliness that is lacking in many minimal designs.
This was achieved by using a reduced palette of materials that balances the warm texture of oak with crisp white Corian, and the soft tone of grey quartz stone with the harder glint of stainless steel. The palette was layered to allow the Oak interiors to punctuate the predominately white fascia of Corian at the plinths, and in the handles where, to reduce the number of door handles, the Corian was peeled back to reveal the oak laminates of the door. The mood was further lifted with the restrained use of a bright red accent in the lighting and seat covers.www.splinterworks.co.uk
12 Secure Your Home Valuables During The Summer Months Jeremy Cassady of Securistyle
14 Wrightstyle, The Bridge Of Sighs And Evacuation Models Jane Embury of Wrightstyle Limited
12
enquire online at www.ebpr.co.uk/card
O
Secure Your Home Valuables During The Summer MonthsJeremy Cassady, Managing Director of Securikey, examines why it is important for housebuilders to be aware of low cost methods of home security that will provide greater peace of mind for the homeowner or tenants, and looks at how a ‘one key solution’ can provide convenience as well as low cost physical security that will deter and prevent would-be thieves.
From Heatwave to CrimewaveThe unpredictability of the sun’s appearance in the UK, even during the summer months, and the increase in budget airlines means that many families decide to fly abroad at least once during the year in search of guaranteed ‘beach holiday’ weather. However, the relaxation of spending a week in the sun can be quickly counteracted if the holiday maker returns to find their house has been broken into and irreplaceable valuables stolen.
Although security is of paramount importance to ensure belongings in the home are kept safe, any system installed by the housebuilder should also be convenient enough for the homeowner to carry out security procedures on a regular basis with little or no effort, as well as being low cost to meet a variety of budgets. In order to meet these requirements, leading physical security suppliers have developed a ‘one key solution’ that shows how a comprehensive home security system does not have to be expensive or overcomplicated.
One Key, No FussA ‘master key’ solution offered by leading physical security suppliers makes securing the home an easy and straightforward process, as it allows homeowners and/or tenants to open the front and the back door, for instance, using the same key. Leading suppliers extend the possibilities still further to the safekeeping of valuables,
with the same key being used to open security devices. This is due to the Euro Profile Cylinder, which can be installed in physical security products such as cash safes, high security post boxes, emergency key holding boxes and key cabinet ranges, solving the issue of numerous individual keys potentially being lost whilst providing the owner with easy, convenient access to their valuables.
Safeguarding Cash and JewelleryCash safes are one of the more commonly used home security units. As a result, there are products available that are specially designed for home use in terms of size and cost, whilst still being manufactured to the same build quality as those designed for the commercial market. Housebuilders should always source products that are badged to show they have been independently tested as testament to their durability.
Reliable security safes such as the Euro Vault by Securikey, for instance, can offer protection against theft for valuables such as jewellery, passports, electronics and cash while offering ease of access for the owner, especially when part of a one key solution. Manufactured with hardy components and materials such as a 2mm body and 20mm hardened steel locking bolts, valuables are kept safe from prying hands.
Another security solution that can be easily integrated with the Euro Profile Cylinder is the high security post box, which prevent thieves accessing private mail that could enable them to commit identity theft. Suitable for mounting to any flat surface, the tough structure of high security post
boxes protects from unauthorised access, whilst offering easy access to the owner when needed.
If other devices are desired by the homeowner, such as strongboxes and under-floorboard safes, leading suppliers of security hardware can offer robust, high quality options that are all capable of incorporating the Euro Profile Cylinder for a convenient ‘one key’ solution.
Easily Fitted, Not Easily ReplicatedThis effective ‘master key’ system also minimises the risk of key duplication. When moving into a new home, homeowners and tenants can face the risk of strangers accessing their house via key copies as conventional keys are easy to duplicate.
With the one key solution, a robust, high quality lock is delivered in every instance, as the Euro Profile Cylinder Lock is manufactured to extremely high standards and can only be duplicated by approved dealers, offering a high security solution in a product that is also straightforward to install in the hands of a professional locksmith.
When moving into a new house, homeowners and tenants want a refuge where they feel comfortable and secure, both when they are at home and when they leave the house unoccupied. A one key security system is the ideal solution for the housebuilder, as it is a straightforward way of delivering added security and convenience at minimal cost, leading to increased customer satisfaction.www.securikey.co.uk
Wrightstyle, The Bridge Of Sighs And Evacuation Models
But the Bridge of Sighs, built for the mundane purpose of transporting people from one building to another, also has one further claim to fame. It is the world’s first skybridge. Once a common architectural feature joining skyscrapers in New York, they not only joined tall buildings – often owned by the same company – but provided a horizontal means of escape in the event of fire. Nowadays, we think solely about escape in vertical terms, usually downwards to street level. But the skybridge concept has not been totally forgotten – and Manhattan still boasts a number of the historic structures.
The best current example is between the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They were the tallest buildings in the world between 1998 and 2004, and remain the tallest twin towers internationally. A double-deck skybridge connects the two
towers on the 41st and 42nd floors. The skybridge isn’t actually joined to either tower, being designed to slide in and out of them as the towers sway several feet in strong winds.
For the Petronas Towers, the skybridge provides an innovative fire safety feature, while also being an iconic feature of the conjoined buildings. But as we build higher into the sky, with super-tall buildings set to dwarf anything constructed today, designers and fire engineers are having to look again at features like skybridges in evacuation planning. More than anything, they’re having to revisit the computational models used to predict how a building can be safely evacuated in the event of a fire.
Those models test design configurations to determine whether a building’s safety characteristics are adequate, from the number
Petronas Towers image courtesy of Christophe Eyquem www.freemages.fr
Wrightstyle, based in the UK, supplies specialist steel and aluminium glazing systems worldwide. Jane Embury, the company’s marketing director, looks at evacuation planning for today’s high-rise buildings. Legend has it that prisoners would sigh as they crossed it, on their short journey to a life behind bars.
Nowadays, the Ponte dei Sospiri, or Bridge of Sighs, is one of Venice’s star tourist attractions. Built in 1600, it joins what was the Prigioni Nuove, or new prison, to interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace across the canal. The view from the bridge was the last glimpse of the outside world that prisoners would see, prompting Lord Byron to poetically name the bridge.
of evacuation routes to the width of exit doors. The trouble, of course, is that evacuation involves the movement of people – and the behaviour of flesh-and-blood humans can’t so easily be predicted. It’s all about psychology and how we process information. We respond to information from our physical and social environments and, based on what we perceive, we then decide what to do; hearing a fire alarm is not enough to make everyone in a building immediately move to an exit. Office buildings are generally the easiest to evacuate. Staff have typically been trained in evacuation procedures, are dressed and awake, and able to make informed decisions.
On the downside, many modern office buildings are open plan, making it harder to contain the fire within a small area. Residential buildings, which include hotels, pose a different dynamic. People can be asleep, not dressed, and have only limited knowledge of escape routes. That can seriously extend evacuation times and, worse, lead to re-entry behaviour – for example, to retrieve valuables. Most challenging are escape strategies for healthcare facilities where the occupant population will include people of limited mobility and therefore unable to perform self-rescue.
Nor is physical impediment simply about age or infirmity. As buildings are increasing in height, our physical abilities are diminishing. The buildings in which we live and work are getting taller, while we are getting fatter and more unfit. That has ramifications for evacuation procedures, and the length of time to exit a building – something that designers and fire engineers will be researching further. Evacuation models have been used for some time to estimate the time taken to evacuate a building and are a requirement of fire safety and building approval. But research at the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), among others, demonstrates that those computer models don’t necessarily reflect the variable nature of human reaction.
Indeed, computer modelling can only take us so far in designing in safety. What is also needed is an understanding of human behaviour in an emergency situation, particularly the factors that have been shown to influence our decision-making processes. By understanding those factors and processes, a fire safety team can develop a more comprehensive – and predictive – behaviour model for a building’s fire evacuation.
Those predictions have to cover “exit choice behaviour” – the different exits that people will choose to leave by, often because they’re also the entrances and routes by which they arrive at work. In other words, not maybe the closest exit.
Nor does it model “pre-movement times” – the period immediately following a fire alarm, when the fire has been detected but doesn’t yet pose a threat. Simply, people don’t always regard an alarm as an immediate call to action. Many will assume it’s a false alarm or a fire drill, and do nothing.
It adds up to a building evacuation that may be greatly delayed, or patchy. Recent research indicates that this “pre-movement time” is
a more significant evacuation factor than the length of time taken to reach an exit. As much as two-thirds of the time it takes people to exit a building after an alarm is start-up time – time wasted in looking for more information.
All of those factors, and many other variables, can influence estimates of evacuation times, and therefore the level of protection within a building to safely allow the occupant population to escape. Those calculations have never been more important, with a whole raft of super-tall buildings being built, mostly in the Middle East and Asia. The tallest of them all, on which work has begun, is the £780 million Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia which will stand at just over 1,000 metres and have 200 storeys. It will be three times higher than London’s Shard, Europe’s tallest building, and 173 metres taller than Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest building – with 160 storeys.
Modern glazing systems are now an integral part of fire protection strategy, providing up to 120 minutes of protection against radiant heat or toxic gases – giving everyone, however infirm or slow, more than enough time to exit a building. Building in time is what glazing systems can do; and time-to-exit saves lives.
High-tech fire suppression systems, refuge floors, protected elevators and well-designed staircases all have a part to play in modern evacuation planning. But the role that advanced glazing systems have is also a vital element, and we’re pleased that our systems can now be found in buildings great and small across the world. Maybe, sometime, we’ll also supply systems for a new generation of skybridges. www.wrightstyle.co.uk
18 Ecobuild, March 3rd-5th 2015, at London’s Excel
24 Doors, Windows & Glazing
18
enquire online at www.ebpr.co.uk/card
5
i
From Seed To Substrate:Kemper System showcases sustainable, odourless Liquid Waterproofing at Ecobuild 2015
Liquid waterproofing specialist, Kemper System, will be showcasing its comprehensive range of BBA-certified Kemperol liquid roofing and waterproofing systems on stand S3090 at this year’s Ecobuild, along with its Stratex warm roof and KemperGro green roof systems. The only cost effective, solvent-free and completely odourless cold liquid applied waterproofing system available in the UK, Kemperol 2K-PUR will, once again, take centre stage on Kemper System’s Ecobuild stand.
Around 80% of the applied polyols (or resins) in Kemperol 2K-PUR are obtained from the seeds of the tropical castor plant (Ricinus communis) a renewable resource. Perfect for use on sustainable construction projects and ideal for live projects on occupied buildings, such as schools, hospitals, food factories or office buildings, Kemperol 2K-PUR
allows work to take place without the need for evacuation or closure, avoiding the disruption associated with the strong odours and fumes from many ‘low-odour’ or solvent-based products.
Stratex from Kemper System will also be on show at this year’s Ecobuild. An integrated warm roof that offers exceptional performance, Stratex is supplied as a complete system of matched components - vapour barrier, insulation and waterproofing. It is equally suited to concrete, timber and
metal decks on new build projects as it is to refurbishing and upgrading existing roofs. Stratex is also ideal as a complete warm roof solution below an extensive green roof. Kemper System’s KemperGro green roof system will also be among the products on show, bringing together a unique combination of recycled, renewable and sustainable components to provide a complete waterproof roofing and green roof system with a single source specification. Designed to provide a solution to meet local climatic conditions, aspect, biodiversity and specifier preference, KemperGro can be custom-specified to meet any requirements.
First used at Volkswagen’s Baunatal factory in 1964, where more than 300,000sqm of roof surface have since been waterproofed, Kemper System’s Kemperol V210 completes the company’s Ecobuild showcase. Kemperol V210 has been particularly effective at the factory in areas where ponding occurs and continues to perform effectively to this day.
Comments UK marketing manager, Stuart Hicks: “Our product range is designed primarily for use in new build, maintenance and refurbishment projects. Kemper System’s waterproofing and surfacing products have protected billions of square metres of roofs around the world over the past 50 years, including some of the world's most important landmarks, iconic buildings, public and commercial properties. As we continue to prioritise environmental performance in the built environment of the future, Kemper System’s advanced roofing technology can make roofs greener and more sustainable.”
Flat roof manufacturer Bauder will be launching its state-of-the-art vacuum insulated panel at this year’s Ecobuild (stand SS2100). Designed to provide high thermal performance in areas with limited height, Bauder VIP is ideally suited for terrace and balcony applications.
The Bauder insulation panels are 60mm thick, certified under a European Technical Approval (ETA-13/0493) and can be used in conjunction with other Bauder insulation
boards to enhance U-valves. On a dense concrete deck with a suspended ceiling, Bauder VIP needs to be just 60mm thick to achieve a U-value of 0.18W/m2K compared with 120mm for a PIR equivalent, meaning a staggering 50% reduction in thickness.
The exceptional insulating properties (calculated value of thermal conductivity = 0.0063 [W/mK]) achieved by Bauder VIP is due to its high performance vacuum silica core. This silica is encased by a multi-layer composite aluminium foil, then the air is removed from the silica to create a vacuum where only radiation can pass through it.
The insulated panel is protected on the underside with a 3mm thick rubber granulate mat and on the upper surface with 17mm Bauder PIR insulation. Unlike any other vacuum insulated panel in the market both protective layers are bonded to the vacuum core to provide one complete encapsulated panel, making it incredibly quick, easy and cost-effective to install. www.bauder.co.uk
On stand S2010 at Ecobuild, Kaldewei will exhibit a selection of latest bathing and shower solutions all made from their unique and sustainable 3.5mm steel enamel. Appealing options for low level shower surfaces include matt organic colour finishes, virtually invisible anti-slip and a new model, Scona, offering unprecedented value for a wide range of projects. For high-end projects, the Meisterstücke collection of three baths with seamless enamelled panelling provides the ultimate expression of luxury for freestanding bathing.www.kaldewei.co.uk
Connect With Pegler Yorkshire At Ecobuild 2015
Pegler Yorkshire, market-leading manufacturer of plumbing and heating products, will be exhibiting on stand N6160 at this year’s EcoBuild. ‘Connect and Control’ will be Pegler Yorkshire’s theme as it displays a range of technologically advanced
products and showcase how the manufacturer offers both systems and solutions for connecting and controlling flow for plumbing and heating applications. Visitors will also be encouraged to sign up to Pegler Yorkshire’s personalized online tool My PY which offers visitors the chance to customize the information they need access to via Pegler Yorkshire’s main website. www.pegleryorkshire.co.uk
Wavin Set To Launch Quickstream At Ecobuild 2015
With record rainfalls fast becoming the norm across the UK, leading manufacturer of plumbing, rainwater and drainage systems Wavin will use Stand N4040 at Ecobuild 2015 to launch QuickStream, a siphonic roof drainage system that offers a highly efficient and extremely cost effective way to discharge rainwater from large or complex roof areas. Having the advantage of fewer outlets and roof penetrations enabling more design freedom for large roof areas, Wavin QuickStream is the preferred system compared to traditional gravity systems and offers outstanding benefits including smaller pipe dimensions, higher flow rates, reduced installation times and less water on roofs. www.wavin.co.uk
Celotex Reaches New Heights
As the UK market leader in high performance PIR insulation solutions, Celotex remains the insulation specialist of choice. Key to the company’s success is an on-going commitment to developing ground-breaking products, solutions and services for the insulation market. At Ecobuild 2015, Celotex will be introducing its latest product innovation – Celotex RS5000. A new premium performance PIR solution specifically designed for rainscreen cladding applications. Celotex staff will also be on hand to offer expert information and
advice on recent changes to Building Regulations to help architects, specifiers and contractors. www.celotex.co.uk
New ‘Building Physics Handbook’ Launch On Schöck Stand N3040
With the Schöck Isokorb range of thermal break elements you are guaranteed fully certified performance standards. All products are BBA approved and LABC registered, with thermal performance verified by Oxford Brookes University. In addition, the advanced technology of the Schöck XT range offers such a high level of insulation that balcony design can be incorporated into even the most demanding Passivhaus projects. Members of the Schöck team will be available on Stand N820 to discuss any aspect of these innovative solutions and offer advice on project specific information requirements. Contact Schöck on 01865 290 890 or visit www.schoeck.co.uk
Smart To Unveil Additions To Alitherm Heritage Range At Ecobuild
Smart Architectural Aluminium is to unveil three additions to its proven Alitherm Heritage range at Ecobuild (stand N2010) - with the launch of new pivot and tilt & turn windows and a new double door. Ideal for sensitive planning areas and for renovation and refurbishment projects, Alitherm Heritage delivers the perfect combination of elegant aesthetics and outstanding thermal performance. A new addition to the high performance Visoglide sliding door range will also be launched. With slim lines, the new interlocking, ‘lift and slide’ door can be locked in any position from closed to fully open.www.smartsystems.co.uk
Johnson & Starley At Ecobuild 2015
Exhibiting on Stand N 3092 at Ecobuild 2015, Johnson & Starley will highlight its comprehensive range of energy efficient heating and ventilation solutions. Heating innovations include QuanTec gas boilers including the QuanTec HR28C with integral PFGHR (Passive Flue Gas Heat Recovery). The comprehensive range of WarmCair high efficiency condensing Warm Air Heaters is now also being widely specified for new and refurbishment projects. The Dravo ranges of high efficiency industrial and commercial gas and oil fired warm air heating equipment will also be a major exhibit. www.johnsonandstarley.co.uk
Ancon Launches ‘Acoustic Range’ At Ecobuild 2015ANCON, specialist in the design and manufacture of high integrity steel structural fixings, will introduce its new Acoustic range of cavity wall ties and shear load dowels at the UK’s leading sustainable construction event, Ecobuild 2015 (stand N3090). Ancon Acoustic Wall Ties connect the leaves of a cavity wall and feature a pre-compressed acoustic isolation element to minimise the transfer of airborne noise. Also on show will be Ancon’s full range of low thermal conductivity, corrosion-resistant building products including basalt fibre wall ties, stainless steel brick support systems and insulated balcony connectors.www.ancon.co.uk
A. Proctor Group Attend Ecobuild
The A. Proctor Group will be exhibiting the benefits of both airtight membranes for walls (Wraptite System) and breather membranes for roofs (Roofshield) at this year’s Ecobuild in London (stand N6036). Roofshield’s unique vapour and air permeability characteristics allow even the most complex of pitched roofs to breathe – without the need for traditional air gaps or venting products. The Wraptite system offers the ideal option for a vapour permeable air barrier. Designed to cost effectively replace conventional breather membranes, in the traditional manner.www.proctorgroup.com
BRE, the independent research, knowledge and advice organisation for the built environment sector and beyond, is the lead research and innovation partner for this year’s Ecobuild 2015. Key figures from within BRE including Paul Littlefair, BRE’s Principal Lighting Consultant and Jonny Williams, Director BRE National Solar Centre and BRE South West, will attend the world’s largest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment. During the three day event, the 2015 winners of the BREEAM Awards will be announced.
Also attending will be Rufus Logan BRE Director for Scotland who will be on hand to share recent experiences with delegates. Notable amongst these was Rufus’ recent visit to China when BRE was appointed by Hongsheng Construction & Investment Group Co. Ltd as Chief Sustainability Advisor on a pioneering project to develop a major construction industry zone in ShangRao, China, a major conurbation located in the Jiangxi province which, with the opening later this year of the high speed rail-link, will be just 100 minutes from Shanghai.
Closer to home, colleague Dr David Kelly, Group Director BRE Innovation Park Networks will also attend EcoBuild. David oversees the
global development of BRE’s Innovation Parks and the monitoring of demonstration projects on the BRE Innovation Park at Ravenscraig. The Scottish Park is a mini-demonstration
community of homes and buildings on the former steel works site that is tapping into the UK’s legacy of world changing invention and innovation.
Indeed both were on hand to meet Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Training, Youth and Women's Employment Angela Constance, when she unveiled two of the latest projects at the Park. Throughout EcoBuild, senior representatives from BRE will be available to meet delegates in the North Arena on stand N4120/N5214.www.bre.co.uk
The trade association Interpave’s stand at Ecobuild celebrates the transformative power of inspired hard landscape in our cities. It focuses on opportunities for innovative uses of water in urban design, presented by new government requirements for SuDS and enabled by concrete block permeable paving. Interpave also showcases the latest, innovative hard landscape designs with all types of precast concrete paving and kerbs, meeting the widest sustainability criteria. Here, distinct, modular units and designed variations in colour, texture and shape can break up areas giving visual interest and a human scale not possible with monotonous, formless materials such as asphalt.Interpave manufacturers continue to develop new products, moving away from simple, regular patterns and colours to meet current designer demands.Join Interpave at Stand N6075 on the Concrete Pavilion (next to the North Arena) from 3rd – 5th March to find out more about SuDS and urban design, and enjoy a free bottle of water (while stocks last).www.paving.org.uk
19
Warm And Peaceful Living Above The 24/7 Society
Many of the properties in Regent Street are being rejuvenated. A recent example is the conversion of two Grade II Listed disused office buildings; Albany House on Regent St and the other in Mortimer St. These have been redeveloped to create twenty four high-spec luxury apartments. The original single glazed sash windows had to be retained, so careful thought was given to dealing with traffic noise, drafts and heat loss associated with older windows.
MSMR architects approached Selectaglaze to assist in developing a solution. Secondary windows fitted with a gap of 100-200mm will achieve noise reductions of at least 45dB, far more effective than a normal double glazing. The frames are bespoke and tightly sealed which almost eliminates uncomfortable drafts and the use of thermally efficient low emissivity glass reduces heat loss by more than half to give a U-value of around 1.9. Selectaglaze developed a range of designs to meet the performance requirements and to be sympathetic with the overall design. This included one particularly noisy balcony which was treated with large hinged secondary doors glazed with 10.8mm laminated glass.
The inclusion of Selectaglaze Secondary Glazing for both thermal retention and noise insulation contributed towards the properties being awarded an Eco Homes Excellent rating. Selectaglaze, the UK’s leading secondary glazing specialist, was established in 1966 and granted the Royal Warrant in 2004.
For further information contact marketing on: 01727 837 271 or visitwww.selectaglaze.co.uk
Glazed unitised facades have long since been the preserve of high rise multi-million pound projects. A relatively simple concept, these systems consist of fully glazed, aluminium framed, unitised elements being delivered and assembled on site.
This solution often shortens the time required to complete the building envelope and can save weeks on a building programme. Despite its simplicity, these systems rely on sophisticated aluminium profiles, detailed planning arrangements, strict logistics and accurate setting out.
Today, finding a company that is set up with enhanced manufacture and logistics - unitised facade solutions can be very effective and affordable solution on medium sized projects.
Many of the very large facade companies in the UK and Europe specialise in unitised systems, but due to the nature of fabrication and logistics, will not consider projects under a certain value. These companies often hold the designs to the profiles and initiate weather testing on a ‘per project’ basis.
In the UK for small to medium sized buildings we have normally resorted to ‘stick’ curtain wall
systems which are installed on site from pre-machined profiles and bracketry. Whilst these systems can be cost effective, they can take time to complete on site, often relying on wet sealing solutions in their construction, so program progress is often subject to damp weather conditions, which is not ideal given the British weather!
The most competitive stick systems comprise of 50mm mullion and transom sigh lines which suit most construction requirement, but care is needed when calculating for allowable thermal and building movement. Unitised systems are complete elements which span from floor to floor and are often in standard module widths that allow for greater movement around their perimeter than that of their stick system counterparts.
Today, supplying the gap between the large facade installations and the smaller to medium sized projects are the aluminium ‘systems’ companies. These companies supply ‘off the shelf’ profiles and hardware to fabricators. These systems are manufactured to strict guidelines, which then perform to approved weather tests. Until a decade or so ago, no systems companies provided unitised solutions.
Windows, doors and stick curtain wall systems can easily be produced on a typical fabrication line, as the completed products are of reasonable size which can be manually handled and easily delivered. Unitised construction requires a significant investment in new plant and machinery, as well as experience in manufacture, logistics and installation.
Manufacturing often requires a new production line with mechanical lifting equipment. Unitised systems are factory glazed and elements are typically up to 3.0 m in height and 1.2 m or more in width which weigh upward of 150kg once glazed. It is this glazing requirement for unitised construction which is not normally considered in a aluminium fabrication shop.
Logistics are also much different to normal commercial aluminium work. Whilst stick curtain wall systems, unglazed windows and doors can easily be packaged and loaded onto a flat bed lorry for transport, unitised modules are usually placed in racks which are either lifted off in their entirety on site, or when possible unitised elements can be lifted off individually and installed direct from the delivery vehicle.
As unitised elements take up little space and can be installed quickly, they are ideal for where site access is very tight and storage limited.Where racks of complete elements are loaded to the floor where they are being installed, special plant is used for installation. These specialised machines pick up units from the rack, take them beyond the floor edge, then turns the unit vertical and places it upon the fixing brackets, where the unit aligns with the edge seals of adjacent units.
Scaffolding is not required when the glazed facade is constructed of unitised elements. No applied ‘wet’ sealing is required on installation, so units can be installed in inclement weather, the only issue that does require monitoring is that of high winds. Being able to install without scaffolding and in damp weather ensures that the building envelope is watertight in the shortest space of time and importantly, to programme.
This leads us onto the third crucial element of unitised facade installation, that of setting out. As stated, a unitised element sits on two brackets fixed to the building structure, these brackets need to be set out accurately around the building on all floors prior to any units being delivered on site. Between the units there is a least two seals which link units together on all sides allowing for building and thermal movement whilst creating excellent weathertight and good thermal insulation properties.
As unitised systems are manufactured off site in a controlled environment, it is often claimed that such fabrication is conducted to a much higher standard. Due to the more specialist manufacture, logistics and installation, unitised systems are more expensive than traditional stick construction. Given that scaffolding is not required, the additional costs can be completely offset but with the added benefit of almost a 50% reduction in time to install on site.
Aluprof’s MB-SE75 unitised curtain wall system has been extensively tested and used on many European and Worldwide projects. Our philosophy is one of bespoke design when in consultation with specifiers. Project details and solutions can be developed by our technical department in the UK before the project goes to tender to ensure that detailed solutions are both robust and covered by Aluprof’s warranty.
All Aluprof systems are designed, fabricated and installed by selected, specially trained companies across the UK. Further information is available on the company’s website at www.aluprof.eu/en/ and specialist advice is available from Aluprof on 0161 941 4005.
Bass Library at Yale University, Connecticut, USA, a state of the art transformation of the prestigious institution’s existing Cross Campus library, has been announced winner of The Crittall Prize 2014.
The Crittall Prize aims to recognise the best application of Crittall steel fenestration in the USA, a market where the British based company, with a history of over 160 years, is a dominant player. Designed by HBRA Architects of Chicago, The Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Library is located beneath Yale University's Cross Campus and is a multi-million dollar renovation and reconfiguration of the existing facility.
The Crittall Prize judging panel was unanimous in its praise for the project and the architect’s application of Crittall products. Said one judge “The project showcases an astonishing development of the standard Crittall Corporate 2000 system incorporating details appropriate to the historical setting”.
Crittall steel windows comprise one of the defining architectural elements of the Library’s exterior and interior spaces. The company’s products were used for windows and interior partitions where visual continuity was desired but secure separation of spaces and acoustic privacy were also necessary.
The design harmony achieved by the project singled out Bass Library as the clear winner. “The use of bespoke rolled and cast components is well integrated with Crittall’s specialty Corporate 2000 system and
successfully ties the new building to a wider context”, concluded the judging panel.
“The combination of steel, red brick and timber forms a palate of durable, appropriately balanced materials that imbue the library with a warm atmosphere, while particularly successful is the introduction of timber doors into steel screens. Overall a coherent and harmonious whole has been created”.
The winning architectural practice, HBRA , receives a trip to the UK, visiting Crittall Windows’ headquarters, as well a unique inscribed Dartington crystal bowl for display in its offices.
The two runners-up in the competition, which were ‘highly commended’ by the judging panel, they were: The George W. and Laura Bush Residence, Texas (Architect David Heymann, Austin, Texas) and Long Branch Residence, New Jersey (Architect HS Jessup,New York).www.crittall-windows.co.uk
The George W. and Laura Bush ResidenceThis relatively small and sustainable house was designed as a place of ‘concrete experience in a natural landscape’. One room wide, and without internal hallways, the house is wrapped by a 10 ft. deep and 10 ft. high porch, entirely without columns. To move from room to room you move along the porch. There is no step down, only the landscape coming in.
In this house the steel windows are the crucial architectural thresholds. The unusual detail of their interior and exterior installation arises in relation to the extraordinary thinness – and the modernity – of the frames.
The use of Crittall products here were commended as achieving “an elegant balance of strength and performance“ and “a clear and coherent balance between, cladding, fenestration and internal sliding screens”.
Long Branch ResidenceThis private New Jersey Shore home is primarily used as a summer residence. Crittall windows were chosen because of their aesthetic appeal and performance; the house is close to the water and it was important to achieve the wide large sight lines with wide ‘vast openings’ of glass while still meeting extreme wind load and impact requirements.
The judging panel agreed that this project (which was managed through Crittall’s distributor The Robert K. Higgins Company) displayed “a sleek well-proportioned window design creating an elegant yet functional style”.
John Pyatt, Managing Director of Crittall Windows, commented “The number and quality of the entries in this year’s competition was very encouraging and I’m delighted to say that we are currently finalising plans for The Crittall Prize 2015 , details of which will be announced shortly”.
ESG, the UK’s leading manufacturer of switchable LCD privacy glass, are continuing to lead the way in 2015 with an impressive, ever expanding product range.
The new products which were added to the range in the latter part of 2014 includes:-• ESG Switchable™ iD allows for the inclusion of words, logos and simple images inside the
film, which can be switched independently from the rest of the panel.• ESG Switchable™ Shutter is a panel that is designed to mimic the slat design of a
venetian blind and switches from top to bottom as if it were being lowered and raised. It also allows for a selectable height on the amount of glass switched to opaque to be chosen, in the same way as you choose blinds heights.
• ESG Optic is a fusion of LED lighting and glass, where the LEDs are laminated within the glass creating a product that allows the creation of unique lighting effects that enhance any interior.
With the most important inclusion to the range is the ESG Switchable™ HD Control box. This patented* control box has been developed with a host of features that means that is does more than simply powering the glass.
The new controller is fully CE certified with inbuilt software that is designed to optimise the performance of the LCD film with a colour code plug and play connection system that makes ESG Switchable™ glass quicker and easier to install.
As the product range expands and offers different applications for their switchable glass, so does the interest in their product. This year has seen the glass installed in some of the most prestigious locations in the UK from the most famous shop in the capital to Londons newest ‘must have’ apartment block. To find out more about ESG Switchable glass please visit www.esgswitchable.glass or call direct on 0845 6195092.
Do you have clients who have some idea of what they want, but aren't sure exactly how to achieve it, and so are open to suggestions and advice? In many cases, it is possible to end up with a satisfied client who realises they are happier than they would have been if they had chosen a less expensive but inferior option.
Making the most of landscape views - How about, for example, a homeowner who is in the fortunate position of having a stunning landscape visible from at least one side of their house. One attractive option is a sliding door set geared with Roto Patio Life.
400 kg – and still slides with ease - With Patio Life, the the key advantage is just how heavy that sash can be. To be precise, 400 kg, while remaining incredibly easy to operate. This is a sliding system – not a lift and slide. All the user has to do is turn the handle and slide the door across. This is achieved because of the Roto gasket system. Instead of the sash being lifted, the horizontal seals are raised instead. It explains how the system is able to make sliding the door so effortless and meet all the requirements of EN 13126-16 for sliding doors.
Wider, higher, heavier - With the exceptional load bearing capability, you can go wider, higher and heavier. It is possible to have a sliding door sash 3235 mm wide. There's no better way to create an unobstructed view of the landscape and incorporate accessibility along with security and energy efficiency. The height limit is 2670 mm, enough to cover some of the tallest rooms from floor to ceiling. Even if you aren't going to these extremes, the 400 kg limit makes it possible to incorporate heavier
glass, such as triple glazed units. This, coupled with the sealing properties of the gasket system, makes Patio Life ideal for eco-buildings. It has already been used on several Passivhaus projects across Europe.
Wheelchair access - We mentioned accessibility and security. The very light operation means a Patio Life door can be operated by people who are elderly or infirm. There is another advantage too, because the enhanced threshold provides a completely flat crossing between the inside and outside of the building. This makes it ideal for wheelchairs, and there are no tripping hazards or obstructions that might affect the use of walking aids.
Security to RC2 – even in ventilation mode - The adjustable mushroom cams used on Patio Life are of the same type used in the Roto NT Tilt&Turn hardware system, which has met every applicable security standard. Patio Life is designed to meet the requirements of EN Resistance Class 2 (RC2).
Another plus point is that this high level of security need not be compromised if the homeowner wishes to allow a small amount of airflow into the building, for example during hot weather. The door can be set in ventilation mode. The gaskets are open to allow airflow, while the locking cams remain in place. Unlike some night ventilation modes, this is not a “half way” setting: the security level remains at maximum.
To read more about Patio Life on the Roto international website http://ftt.roto-frank.com/en/products/product-view/detail/roto-patio-life/-/
Super-Slim Imago Lift & Slide Fills A Big Gap In The Market
Imago Lift & Slide, the slimmest timber frame lift and slide door hardware system in the market is now available from AGB. Imago’s super-slim design fills a real gap in the market for companies wanting to offer customers maximum glass area and minimum frame width. AGB’s hardware technology has put timber at the cutting edge of slim-frame lift and slide door design. The new Imago Lift & Slide timber door system means companies can manufacture a frame visible thickness of just two centimetres.www.chooseimago.co.uk
The VEKA UK Group Makes Room For Windows, Bi-Fold Doors And More
The VEKA UK Group, has created a new showroom more than three times the size of the previous display space. The new showroom sits alongside the new customer meeting room and the two brand new spaces are linked by the new Imagine Bi-Fold and Imagine French Door Systems. www.vekauk.com
Stertil Dock Products Help Support Port Of Tyne Importer
Following the successful use of loading bay equipment supplied and installed by Stertil Dock Products, a leading importer and distributor has recently specified an additional two bays to support its operations at the Port of Tyne. Specified to help sustain the company’s impressive growth, the two new bays are located alongside two identical installations supplied by Stertil Dock Products almost 20 years ago.www.stertil.co.uk
Aluprof Corners The Sliding Door Market
Glazed sliding doors have always been popular in residential and high rise residential properties as they take up little room and are cost effective to manufacture and install. Today’s lift and slide doors offer high thermal performance and excellent weathering capabilities complete with a low threshold detail. Aluprof now ‘corners’ the market with their aluminium lift and slide door, the MB-77HS, which now offers the option of a 90o installation configuration. Already specified and being installed on several new commercial high rise projects, the new detail allows for the door to be installed at the corner of a building or balcony whilst still taking up little room and maintaining the high weathering capabilities and high insulation required in high rise applications.
Equally at home in the residential home improvement market, the new 90o lift and slide door from Aluprof is a cost effective option to a 90o sliding folding door with arguably a longer, trouble free life expectancy. The MB-77HS is configured in an "ST" or "HI", standard or highly insulated, option and can be glazed with wide DG units, including triple glazing. Thermal insulation, ‘Uf’, from 1.4 W/m2K can be achieved.
In keeping with today’s automation requirements, the MB-77HS can be fully automated and used with a wide range of control systems. MB-77HS shares components with the MB-86 system which creates an aesthetic combination of MB-77HS doors with windows, using the same components in the fabrication process. Installed weather performance can achieve, air permeability, class 4, EN 12207, watertightness, class 9A, EN 12208 and wind load resistance, up to class C4, EN 12210.
All Aluprof systems are designed, fabricated and installed by selected, specially trained companies across the UK. Further information is available on the company’s website at www.aluprof.eu/en/ and specialist advice is available from Aluprof on 0161 941 4005.
26
FAKRO Flat Roof Gable System
The FAKRO EFR Flat Roof Gable System has been designed to provide an easy-to-install pitch in flat roof conversions. Suitable for existing pitches of up to 15°, standard FAKRO windows (supplied separately) are used in combination in the gabled, timber structure. All the necessary accessories are provided for use with any FAKRO window, the basic system being supplied for widths of 78cm and 114 cm and a height of 118cm. The maximum roof opening is 228x250cm while the apex provided is 120°. www.fakro.co.uk
Brio Brings Flexible Space And Style To A London Apartment
Brio, the leading manufacturer of interior and exterior folding door and window architectural solutions has provided architects CGT Works with the solution for opening up a Georgian interior in a flexible manner.CGT Works describes itself as an architectural and construction service company operating in London and Italy with over 10 years' experience specialising in residential buildings and retail premises looking for high-level design solutions.
“We are a team of architects and specialised professionals that enjoys the challenge of designing and constructing innovative buildings and interiors alongside more traditional projects,” says CGT Works director and project manager Enrico Trolese.
A recent project for the company involved converting a two bed flat in a Georgian terrace in London’s Earls Court into a more flexible living space. It involved knocking down the wall between the living room and the second bedroom to open up the space and let in more light.
The owner still wanted the option of closing it off so the decision was made to install custom 3.4m x 8m panel doors – three sliding and one pivoting. The doors were made by a local joiner and installed using Brio’s top hanging Single Run Zero Clearance hardware system.
According to Enrico: “Brio was the only manufacturer that provided kit that suited the requirements for such heavy doors – they weight 100 kilos a panel. You can see the tracks but they are very discreet, set into the ceiling and the floor. It has been so successful we are now using the system on another project in the same building”.
Enrico found Brio when researching the project online. Because these floor to ceiling door projects can present their own challenges when it comes to sliding door hardware, Brio has designed and manufactured its Single Run top hung system with a Zero Clearance option. The Zero Clearance option, available across Brio’s Single Run 80 – Single Run 250 product portfolio, successfully achieves the modern minimalist look with hardware that is discreetly hidden from view.
Single Run Zero Clearance hardware allows minimal gaps between the door panel and hardware, offering a pleasing aesthetic finish to floor to ceiling installations. With no hanger plates or screws protruding above the top edge of the door, Single Run Zero Clearance has been designed to achieve clearances of 3mm between the track and the top of the door. And, to go with the discreet top, the new spring loaded guide and bottom rail can also be concealed within the bottom edge of the door thereby extending Zero Clearance to floor level. www.briouk.com
Glassolutions Creates Glass Walkways For Tower BridgeTourists visiting Tower Bridge can see a unique view of the bridge mechanism and road below – through two new glass walkway floors 42 metres above the River Thames. The UK’s largest processor, distributor, installer and repairer of glass and glass systems GLASSOLUTIONS won the £250,000 contract to design and manufacture the (one-way) glass, which has been inserted into the floor of each of the two 11.5 metre long walkways on the Grade I listed building.
The existing floors were removed and a steel frame was installed into which the new 80mm thick glass floor panels, comprising seven layers of glass capable of withstanding the weight of six elephants, were inserted.
The glass specification was developed to accommodate major external forces such as wind loading and the potential impact should a passing vessel strike the walkways. Equally important though was consideration of internal impacts on the glass floors and how to design-in a way to easily repair any damage that results from the heavy footfall of 600,000+ visitors a year.
The solution developed by GLASSOLUTIONS was to incorporate a top “sacrificial” layer of glass into the panels. This can be replaced quickly and easily should any damage occur – including the minor scratches and scuff marks that are inevitable over time – without affecting the structural integrity of the floor.
This innovative design has already demonstrated its value with a breakage in one of the panels occurring when a heavy item was accidentally dropped during the new venue’s opening fortnight. GLASSOLUTIONS was able to respond immediately and replace the sacrificial layer from stocked spare glass
panes within 48 hours to help the venue get back to full operation quickly. It did its job perfectly in that it prevented any cosmetic damage to the main structural part of the glass floor, which in a conventional design would have been far more costly and time-consuming to replace.
Chris Earlie, business manager at Tower Bridge said: “There has never been anything as big as this for Tower Bridge in terms of development, and in terms of future-proofing in the exhibition. On the basis of this project, I would have nothing but glowing reports on GLASSOLUTIONS. I would definitely recommend them.”
Simon Carin, managing director of Glassolutions, which is part of the international Saint-Gobain group said: “The glass walkways are designed to enhance this already stunning visitor attraction and have certainly created a new talking point. This project is similar to the glass floor installations Saint-Gobain has been involved with at the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Spinnaker Tower view decks in Portsmouth. It’s a privilege to be part of such a landmark project and we’re delighted that our expertise has made it possible.”
With a wide variety of events and functions held on the walkways, another dimension to the glass panel design was to maintain privacy for venue users when necessary to prevent prying eyes from the passing traffic and pedestrians on the bridge below. The clever panel design allows for this too, which means GLASSOLUTIONS can replace the top layer of glass at any point to incorporate a privacy feature – and remove just as easily.www.glassolutions.co.uk
Schueco Fire-Protection Systems Benefit From Industry Upturn
31
According to leading aluminium systems supplier Schueco UK Ltd., the continuing upturn in activity in the UK building industry – particularly in respect of commercial properties – has led to an increasing demand for all types of their fire-protection products. One of the few companies in the UK with a truly comprehensive range of fire-protection systems for façades, doors and windows, Schueco is constantly refining its offering to ensure that, whatever the application, it can offer a complete solution at a competitive price. All but indistinguishable in appearance from standard products, Schueco fire-protection systems have been independently tested to EN 1364/1634, meeting all the necessary criteria for Integrity (E) – the prevention of the spread of flame – and Integrity/Insulation (EI) – the prevention of the spread of flame and the provision of a barrier to heat.
The Schueco fire protection range includes single and double Schueco ADS 80 FR doors which can be specified with either a 30-minute integrity or 30/60 minute integrity/insulation rating and, like every system in the range, they meet the performance classification of EN 13501. To upgrade from a 30-minute to a 60-minute specification, special heat insulation material is introduced into the aluminium profiles and the glazing is uprated accordingly. Doors and screens that meet an EI90 rating (90-minute) are also available.
The doors are offered with a variety of tested side and top lights including radiused and angled shapes, allowing a wide range of approved design options. While more commonly employed internally, Schueco fire doors can be supplied for external applications as well. All types of doors can be specified with either face-fitting or barrel hinges and standard or EN 1627 burglar-resistant locking options.
In addition to fire doors, Schueco UK also offers aluminium fire protection façade systems (designated FW 50+ BF and FW 60+ BF) and skylight systems with 30- and 60-minute protection, all tested to EN 1364. Also available is a Schueco AWS fire window offering up to 30-minute integrity/insulation (EI). To complement its fire products offering, Schueco UK runs specialist training courses at its Milton Keynes HQ. On completing the SAFE course, a successful trainee gains official certification as a Schueco-Approved Fire Expert. www.schueco.co.uk
Laminate Doors From Premdor – Versatility And Durability
With a range of over 80 standard colours, patterns and woodgrain effects, the High Pressure Laminate (HPL) range from Premdor is the first choice internal door for high traffic areas where there is a potential for damage to occur, be it in commercial or domestic applications. The new white HPL door has a robust solid core construction as standard on 35mm doors and provides a white surface finish that could never be achieved by conventional painting. The white HPL door range is available ex stock for immediate delivery.Manufactured on a made to order basis, the extensive coloured and patterned range is more than capable of withstanding face impact, scratches and abrasions as well as as a resistance to regular cleaning products. Available as singles, pairs and apertured doors using traditional solid core construction, the range also includes framed 30 and 60 minute fire doors. Premdor’s range offers versatility, durability and stunning good looks. For full details call 0844 2090008 or visit www.premdor.co.uk
Patinated Brass Side Sectional Door By Rundum Meir
34
35
Rundum Meir specialises in high quality, standard and custom made, exterior door systems that can be made from a range of beautiful materials including quality solid timber, copper, aluminium, bronze and glass. In plan the doors can be designed to be curved, straight or even wavy.A recent project involved a bespoke side sectional patinated brass door, which was fitted to match the external façade of a new build house in central London. Rundum exterior door systems have been used on listed buildings, award-winning new build, conceptual architecture, refurbishment projects and a high profile passive house. For more information visit www.rundumuk.co.uk or call 0151 280 6626.
Vetrotech Saint Gobain – Fire Glass Specialists
Vetrotech Saint-Gobain supplies a product range that not only provides total protection against fire and smoke threats but have also been specifically designed to accommodate other multifunctional requirements such as: energy conservation, sound reduction, impact safety and physical security.With innovative research and development combined with state-of- the-art production technologies, Vetrotech creates bespoke solutions of the highest quality, consistency and complexity.Vetrotech Saint-Gobain provides the specifier with optimal glass solutions for every fire-protection demand whilst perfectly blending with non-fire glass types.With over 30 years experience, a world leading international company and dedicated local presence you can trust Vetrotech Saint-Gobain to deliver the perfect solution to meet your fire glass needs.
For more information visit www.vetrotech.com or call 0247 654 7620.
Astra Closers To The Fore!Hundreds of Astra 3000 Series door closers have helped make newly refurbished homes in London’s Enfield safe and practical for tenants. New flat entrance doors are part of a major facelift and improvements at Fore Street Estate in Edmonton by ALMO Enfield Homes. The closers were selected for their ability to close these fire-rated doors efficiently while at the same time being unobtrusive, hard wearing and reliable. In addition, there is a closer in the 3000 Series for any size of door.
A newly refurbished care home near Abergavenny features nylon door hardware from HOPPE UK to great effect. Different coloured hardware has been used on each floor of the Glaslyn Retirement Home to help residents orientate themselves. As part of the
refurbishment, HOPPE nylon pull handles, kick and finger plates plus door stops and escutcheons were fitted on more than one hundred doors.
New Comar Website: Mobile, Social Media & BIM Ready
The latest launch from Comar is their BIM ready website. The new Comar website delivers information to supply chain partners as fast as possible by reducing clicks, this is achieved by making navigation easy; users quickly learn to navigate the site. A clear menu allows one-click information on project references, aluminium system selection, BIM access, environmental credentials, CPD and latest news. Comar’s current connections and followers of their Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn pages will be kept up to date with new information as it is posted on the News Page.On the move the website offers responsive design allowing mobile and tablet users access to the same concise, quick to use information.BIM information is available through logging into the Comar Partner Website. Simply register for a password. The Comar Partner website offers further detailed technical information, such as their extensive range of Technical Manuals, Test Certification, NBS templates and clauses, and for their fabrication partners CNC and tooling information.The BIM section easily identifiable with a landing page that offers a quick selection into the main system categories: curtain walling, windows walling, windows, doors and ground floor framing. Each Comar system within these ranges has its own dedicated page where product parameters, specification information, longevity/maintenance regimes are detailed and downloads of BIM families, dwgs and dxfs of General Arrangements.www.comar-alu.co.uk
Craven Dunnill Cracks Tile Challenge Of Kings Cross Curved TunnelThe newly opened King’s Cross pedestrian tunnel in London features a tiled floor of interlocking triangles, set along a sloping curve. The conceptual design of the floor complements the other key elements: the canopy, the fin section and the integrated art-wall of LED lights. Craven Dunnill successfully solved the geometric and mathematical challenges created by the irregular floor, providing the required technical CAD expertise and supplying the water-jet cut tiles to an accuracy of 0.1mm.
The project brief stipulated a floor tile for the 90m tunnel with a Low Slip Potential for Pendulum Slider 96, in two shades of grey, which needed to fit onto a curved floor, in line with the LED light panels.
Additionally, the floor tiles needed to be over 1200mm wide, to modulate with the faceted LED lightwall. Craven Dunnill sourced the high quality, Italian-made tiles which are unglazed, rectified and are PTV 40+. In addition, floor tiles were supplied for the escalator hall and steps.
David Talbot of Craven Dunnill was responsible for calculating the individual tile components for water-jet cutting and worked closely with the flooring contractor DMC Contracts.
He explains: “From the outset we knew this floor would be a complex and difficult challenge; the simplicity and beauty of the finished floor belies the complications and trials we faced during the design and production processes”.
The CAD plans for the tiled floor were created life-size and included allowances for the 3mm wide joints, intermediate movement joints and site construction joints. The plans were then tailored to an accurate site survey of the enclosed tunnel, to achieve the pinpoint accuracy required.
It was this critical site survey which revealed that the floor curve varied slightly, unnoticeable to the naked eye but crucial when calculating the water-jet cutting calculations. The tunnel links St Pancras International and King’s Cross St Pancras Underground stations to the King’s Cross’ public area, via One Pancras Square and was opened summer 2014.www.cravendunnill.co.uk
Kemper System Enables Barnsley Town Hall To Keep Heritage IntactWith its Portland Stone façade and its classical architecture, Barnsley Town Hall is one of South Yorkshire’s most distinctive landmarks and best loved buildings.
When Barnsley Council commissioned a project to refurbish the roof as part of a programme of improvements to the building, Kemper System not only had to ensure that the roof was upgraded successfully without any disruption to council services but also had to complete the scheme without any impact on the rest of the building.
To address these challenges, the Stratex warm roof system with Kemperol 2K-PUR liquid waterproofing membrane was specified by Kemper System. Kemperol 2K-PUR is solvent-free and odourless; ideal for use on occupied buildings where the odours from solvent based or so called low-odour products can be disruptive. Kemperol is also cold applied and therefore can be installed without hot works or the fire risk associated with them.
The existing roof build up consisted of asphalt, followed by a screed and a further layer of asphalt. Barnsley Council were keen to reduce the weight on the roof and so the top two layers had to be removed before installing the new roof.
The remaining asphalt surface varied in condition and a new vapour control layer had to be installed over large areas of the roof surface before installation of Kemper System’s Kempertherm insulation board. A tapered insulation scheme was chosen to aid with rainwater drainage.
As the level of the new insulation was above the lower edge of the glass on the large lantern rooflight, and so as not to interfere with the structure, a drainage channel was created around the roof light and lined with the Kemperol 2K-PUR membrane.
The Kemperol 2K-PUR liquid system enabled the contractor to install the waterproofing to the exact contours of these roof details and seamlessly incorporated all adjoining areas and drainage channels into a single monolithic membrane.
Applied wet-on-wet in a single process, the liquid resin saturates a reinforcement fleece and cures to form a tough, flexible substrate that cannot delaminate. After completing the entire roof, red aggregate surfacing was applied to designated areas to create non-slip maintenance walkways.www.kempersystem.co.uk
Vertical Access Success In A Listed Rail StationAs part of Network Rail’s £25m revamp of Haymarket Station in Edinburgh, the Stannah Major Projects team has installed three 16-person passenger/goods lifts to help bring step-free access to the travelling public, whatever their mobility level.
Haymarket Station is a Category A listed station located near the city centre. It is the second largest railway station in Edinburgh and the fifth busiest in Scotland. With a footfall of over 2 million, it is one of the most congested stations in the Scottish rail network.
The refurbishment forms part of the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Programme, a £650m comprehensive package of improvements to Scotland's railway infrastructure being delivered by Network Rail.
Combining function and style for scenic travel and sense of space, the fully glazed, hydraulic passenger/goods lifts travel at a speed of 0.63m/s between the platform level and the footbridge, a distance range of 5645mm – 5765mm.
Each lift has been tailored to fit shaft constraints of 2100mmW x 2675mmD. The lift cars have also been customised from single entry to through car, with NICEIC electrical 240v installation, testing and certification offered as an optional extra. The machine rooms are separate.
To optimize design and performance in a demanding environment, the lifts feature vandal-resistant lighting, a durable finish, and remote monitoring by a Central Management System via a dedicated phone line, for fault analysis.
All works are in accordance with BS EN81, BS 7255, Network Rail specification NR/SP/ELP/27228, CDM, Stannah Lifts Services H&S policy, PUWER and LOLER.
Stannah’s Major Projects team supplied the passenger/goods lifts with a 12-month parts-and-labour warranty included, complete with a fully comprehensive maintenance contract.www.stannahlifts.co.uk
Design is in the detailLindapter Hollo-Bolt® Flush FitThe unique steelwork fixing is concealed within hollow section, preserving clean architectural lines.
• Aesthetically pleasing• For SHS and conventional steelwork • Fast, cost effective installation• Tensile loads up to 10.5 kN per bolt• Shear loads up to 15.0 kN per bolt• JS500 coated for corrosion resistance• Available in stainless steel
Project: Brooktorkai, HafenCity, GermanyApplication: Secures the steel frame of the glazed roof and façade
Half Page FF ad.indd 1 10/06/2011 12:42:16
Access All Areas For Howe Green At Construct Canada
Leading UK access cover manufacturer Howe Green is following up new opportunities in the Great White North having exhibited at Construct Canada for the first time in December. Over 30,000 people attended Canada's largest construction exposition and conference at The Metro Toronto Convention Centre, giving Howe Green access to key buyers and decision-
makers from the country’s building, construction and design industry. Exhibiting alongside its US distributor FF Systems Inc, Howe Green showcased an extensive range of high quality stainless steel and aluminium floor access panels. Furthermore, the show provided occasion to demonstrate the firm’s unique ability to design bespoke solutions and solve specific access issues for some of the world’s most demanding projects.
Canada’s construction industry accounts for more than 7 percent of gross domestic product. It is one of Canada’s leading and fastest growing industries with the City of Vancouver reporting $2.83-billion worth of commercial and residential permits issued in 2014, a 28 per cent jump compared to 2013.“This was our first tentative step into the Canadian market,” commented Richard Centa, Howe Green’s Sales and Marketing Director. “It was a very busy show with plenty of activity and lots of genuine interest in our products. We are working closely with our US distributor and will maintain our focus there throughout 2015, as well as on several other new global markets.More information about Howe Green’s access covers can be found at www.howegreen.com
44Crittall Announces Significant Capital Investment
Significant capital investment in advanced production equipment and renewable energy has been announced by Crittall. Heading up the programme is an order for an advanced £140K Gianos CNC Machining Centre, which will boost production efficiency and flexible
machining operations at Crittall’s factory in Witham, Essex. Also Crittall is installing a Solar Photovoltaic Array onto its main factory roof. The electricity produced will contribute to reducing the overall energy expenditure of the business with all the power generated being consumed during normal production operations. www.crittall-windows.co.uk
Helifix Launches New Responsive Website
Helifix has re-launched its website to make it fully accessible to the fast growing number of visitors accessing the site via a smartphone or tablet device. The website now features an innovative responsive design,
meaning that the layout and format automatically resizes and shifts to provide optimised viewing. Helifix website users are now guaranteed the same user friendly experience and high quality content every time they visit, whether at work on
a desktop, at home on a tablet or on-site via their smartphone. www.helifix.co.uk
Axim Website Launch – New Design & Mobile Ready
Axim Architectural Hardware launch a new website which guides users through the process of selecting the correct door hardware solutions.For users on the move Axim’s responsive content aims to deliver optimal viewing together with easy and fast navigation; the site is fully compatible with mobile, iPad, android devices. The new website includes a News blog which will feature their latest announcements, product updates and direct links to Axim’s social media sites Twitter & LinkedIn. www.axim.co.uk
Top Marks For Ahmarra!
Specialist timber fire door manufacturer, Ahmarra have launched a new range of doorsets for the education sector.Managing Director, Tim Doran said “Our many years experience of manufacturing doors within the education sector has led us to develop this range of made-to-
order doorsets tailored to meet the requirements of schools, colleges and universities. Our aim is to make the entire process as simple and practical as possible”.The range consists of 22 door types each with an associated ironmongery pack to perform a specific function. The materials and ironmongery have been carefully considered, balancing durability, usability, aesthetics, performance, legislation and cost. Whilst the aim of the range is to simplify the design process, Ahmarra recognise that every project will have its own specific requirements and Ahmarra’s high quality doorsets will be made-to-order on a project by project basis. The brochure for the Education Range can be downloaded from www.ahmarra.co.uk
Steadmans Gets Its Skates On To Help New Indoor Barrow Amenity Come To Fruition
Sika Makes Light Work Of Jodrell Bank Observatory Repairs45
48
At Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire – the world renowned centre for radio astronomy – Sika has demonstrated its ability to deliver high performance concrete repair and protection solutions with a comprehensive range of the company’s products helping to repair a concrete frame supporting their Mark II telescope. Appointed to complete the refurbishment, contractor Grade 2 utilised a range of high performance systems from Sika as part of a complete package solution.www.sika.co.uk
Steadmans has supplied materials for the first indoor skate park in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.The company provided almost 2,700 square metres of AS35 insulated panels in goosewing grey and ocean blue for the walls and roof of the UrbanExtreme development. Steadmans also supplied nearly 140 metres of AS FAIR rooflights, plus insulated and standard gutters, and all flashings. www.steadmans.co.uk
Choosing the right shading product for modern interiors is no longer straightforward and today a specifier needs to know which blinds can help achieve shading and insulation targets for a project, as well as decide between electric or manual control. Then there is a new 2014 UK regulation concerning blind safety which has to be taken into account. The BLINDS BOOK from Aluzion helps by providing concise information about fifteen different types of blind systems in one A5 book (or download). Copies of The Blinds Book are available from Aluzion. www.aluzion.co.uk
Stunning Towel Rails
Stelrad has a range of stunning towel rails for classy bathrooms. The range is typified by the Caliente towel rail. Caliente is Spanish for heat and that’s why this is one hot, heated towel rail which heats the bathroom as well as the towels. Available in single and double models, this attractive tubular design comes in white as standard but is available in 35 colours to match or contrast with bathroom colour schemes. www.stelrad.com
The Primo Cubicle System - Precision Engineering From Kemmlit
Primo from Kemmlit is an extremely durable, smooth-surfaced cubicle system with doors and walls offered in 30mm or 42 mm thick composite construction, bonded on both sides with 3mm thick HPL solid core panels. The waterproof HPL surface has a special protective layer giving exceptional protection against scratches and abrasions making it ideal for a wide range of environments. Primo is available in either a floor clearance design or the increasingly popular floor to ceiling version.www.kemmlituk.com
52
51 MX Unveils New Thermostatic Mixer Shower Ranges
Following hard on the heels of the recent launch of its new QI electric shower range and its new Expressions shower tray range with the hidden wastes, leading bathroom and shower manufacturer MX Group has unveiled its latest offering to the bathroom sector, an impressive new range of thermostatic mixer shower valves offering its usual combination of incredible quality, great looking product, excellent warranties and keen pricing.www.mx-group.com
Kahrs Opulent Floor Tones Set An Alternative Scene For Spring
Kahrs has introduced a series of smoked oak designs throughout its wood flooring range. In contrast to on-trend white and grey surfaces, the new rich toned finishes provide a stunning, opulent contrast to pale wall treatments and minimalist white furniture. Many also feature a variety of surfaces treatments that enhance the natural look and add a very tactile feel to the interior.New to the Linnea Habitat range, Kährs Oak Gate creates a sought-after, multi toned effect, bringing dark ebony and pale nut shades to a scheme. The one-strip floor has an even wood grain and is lightly smoked to create the stunning colour-way. A micro-bevelled edge gives distinction between the boards, whilst the brushed surface and matt lacquer prefinish reinforce the timber’s natural grain structure.Like all Kahrs Linnea floors, Oak Gate is crafted from sustainable timber and has a multi-friendly construction that’s ideal for installation over underfloor heating. Linnea’s slender profile, which measures just 7mm in thickness, provides a low-impact real wood option that’s easy to handle. All designs feature Kährs’ Woodloc 5S® joint, for fast installation, and are offered with a 12 year guarantee. Other smoked designs are included throughout Kährs Original Range. www.kahrs.com
COMPAC have launched the AMA Collection - a completely new, innovative quartz worksurface which takes its design heritage from the diverse wonders found in America’s great natural parks. The three colours in the collection, White AMA, Black AMA and Brown AMA evoke the textures and patterns created by the powerful rivers that run through the mountains, forests and plains which have such a profound influence on their natural surroundings.www.compac.es
Manhattan Showers Introduces The Single Panel Swiftseal Bathscreen
Manhattan is pleased to include the Single Panel Swiftseal bathscreen within its portfolio of stylish and innovative showering solutions. Manufactured from 6mm Toughened Glass, Manhattan’s Single Panel Swiftseal bathscreen provides the ability for a shower to be effortlessly added to a bathroom. Manhattan’s Swiftseal arm creates a watertight seal, guaranteeing no leaks. The arm can be neatly folded away when not in use.www.manhattanshowers.co.uk
Interior Film from David Clouting - Designed to TransformInterior Film is an innovative range of self-adhesive, decorative films manufactured by LG Hausys for use on a wide range of interior applications. Quick and easy to apply, rooms can be dramatically transformed in hours. Interior Film is CE Certified and is so versatile it can be applied to almost any interior substrate. Interior Film provides the perfect finish, even to curved or complex shapes. Fire rated, easy to clean and maintain. Interior Film is part of a range of unique interior surface products exclusively offered by David Clouting Ltd.www.davidclouting.co.uk
57Dedo Lights Light Up Phillips’ Mayfair Headquarters
Last year, international auctioneer Phillips moved from their Victoria premises to a new purpose-designed headquarters in London’s prestigious Berkeley Square in the heart of Mayfair. The move represents another important step in the evolution and growth of the business.
As part of the move they commissioned two new high-spec gallery spaces and, following a comprehensive study of other manufacturers’ products, they turned to Dedo Weigert Film GmbH, Munich to supply state of the art lighting fittings. The innovative lighting system was specified in-house by Phillips Gallery Manager Ian Bell working closely with Ossie Jung of Prolight Direct. The fittings were customised by Dedo and delivered and installed on time and on budget.
Major advantages of using the Dedo DLAD9.1BI in galleries and museum spaces include delivery of the full light spectrum- from tungsten to daylight allowing perfect reproduction of colour. The optical precision of the beam produces an evenness of light with no fall off at the edges or hotspots in the middle and a continuous focussing range from 4° – 50°.
The system offers a comprehensive array of fine adjustment and light shaping options – barndoors, museum barndoors, wide-angle 80° and projection attachments producing every gradation from soft edge focus to razor sharp edging. Full intensity and colour control is via DALI or DMX systems as well being controlled manually.
Recognising sustainability concerns, the long-lasting LEDs produce a much higher lumen per watt than metal halide or tungsten fixtures and with significantly reduced heat output. For technical information about the DLAD9.1Bl LED light and other Dedo fittings, please contact John Coppen of Cirro Lite (Europe) Ltd who are the UK distributors: www.cirrolite.com or call 020 8955 6700
The Quiet Roar In The Zoo
The excitement of ZSL London Zoo has been enhanced by the completion of the newly-remodelled and extended Terrace Restaurant designed by SHH architects. This was a brand-new facility to service the ever increasing number of daily visitors to the Zoo. With such an abundance of different hard surfaces, coupled with the vocal enthusiasm and chatter from so many
visitors and their attendant echoes, it was important to find a sound absorbing solution which would complement the overall design. This has been achieved by installing over 400 square metres of Troldtekt 1200 x 600mm ‘fine’ acoustic panels in a ‘natural’ colour on the ceilings below the mezzanine floor. The panels are installed on a T35 grid system. For samples, case studies and technical information please call Skanda on tel 0844 8114877 or visit www.troldtekt.co.uk
TracKit, is an extremely versatile track suspension system providing depth, mobility and flexibility to the presentation of banners, signs and graphics, large sliding panels/room dividers and other styles of interior displays, including shelving.
Trackit can facilitate different types of elements to be hung at different heights along straight or curved sections of track, be repositioned easily and is proving to be a popular display solution for Office and Retail interiors.
TracKit can be wall or ceiling fixed and is available with a choice of single or multi-track versions, enabling very creative installations.
This system offers static and mobile suspension options, via a roller wheel, which allows for easy re-positioning of complex graphic displays, large
panels and room dividers etc, by simply sliding the roller wheels along the track. The suspension track is available in both aluminium and stainless steel and there are six different support methods that can be hung from the track, each with a wide range of accessories and Shopkit can help determine which is most suitable for each application.
Made to Measure and Installation options availableThe dimensions and material finishes of the different suspension systems and accessories as well as track configuration can be varied to suit clients’ requirements and Shopkit can deliver and install all elements within this range.www.shopkit.com
Trackit, An Innovative Suspension System For Banners, Graphics And Large Panels From The Shopkit Group
Greatly improving the acoustics of a room divided using a DORMA Hüppe Variflex or MOVEO sliding, partitioning wall system, the new DORMAcoustic panels maximise sound absorption in the frequencies from 250 to 1,600 Hertz, the range most relevant for good speech audibility and intelligibility.
Exclusive in the UK to partitioning experts Style, the 22mm thick panels are constructed with a precision perforated composite surface, an acoustic fleece and an acoustic core. The acoustic surfaces are available in a choice of two precision perforation patterns. Both types of DORMAcoustic panel ensure especially good sound absorption to promote both verbal understanding and effortless listening pleasure in any interior environment.
Customized perforation designs are also possible, depicting images, graphics or ornamental patterns as required, giving the interior design unique individuality. The acoustic surfaces are also available in a variety of attractive colours and decors. Committed to ensuring a healthy interior environment, DORMAcoustic panels satisfy relevant health and environmental protection requirements, complying in the drilled state with class E1 as determined using the WKI test (Wilhelm-Klauditz Test per EN 717-1:2005-1), with values far below the permissible threshold according to the EU Chemicals Regulation. www.style-partitions.co.uk
61
60
Bathroom Flexibility Makes The World Of Difference To Blind Veterans Uk
The ability to adapt their bathrooms to meet the needs of each resident has been fundamental at Blind Veterans UK’s centre in Ovingdean, Brighton, where they have opted for height adjustable products from Pressalit Care. As part of a refurbishment of 14 ensuite bathrooms, height adjustable wash basins and shower chairs have been installed along with toilet support arms and shower rails.
Jackie Greer, Blind Veterans UK’s Head of Care Services says, “The Pressalit Care bathrooms enable our veterans to be as independent as possible, whether or not they require the assistance of a carer. By adjusting the positioning of each element in the bathroom, we can make each room directly appropriate to the needs of the individual.”
It is not just the adjustable height features of the Pressalit Care range that appealed to Blind Veterans UK – the vibrant colours available are also of benefit.www.pressalit.com
JIS Hickstead Towel Rail Raises The Bar For Elegance And Performance
With its distinctive pattern perhaps taking inspiration from one of the more imposing fences at the famous show-jumping venue, the Hickstead heated towel rail from JIS Europe’s Sussex collection is suited to both top end residential and many commercial applications.
The Hickstead's six arms are square, but are fashioned from the same highly durable grade of stainless steel and as with the rest of the Sussex collection, the Hickstead is available in central heating, dual fuel or electric only options. The open sided rails with their twin carrier pillars are intended to facilitate either left or right sided installation.
However, architects, interior designers and property owners who might prefer to choose the electric only version should be aware that these are supplied in right arm format as standard, with the left arm needing to be specifically ordered. Depending on the heat source used, the Hickstead offers an output of
378 Watts or 1291 BTU, so can provide occupant comfort when sited in a properly insulated bath or shower room, as well as keeping towels warm and dry. Overall the Hickstead measures 1010 mm in height by 500 mm wide, while the half dozen arms are evenly spaced on the uprights; giving it a stylish as well as functional form.
Whether the towel rail is plumbed into a home's main central heating system or it is powered by electricity for all or part of the year, the Hickstead's clean lines, high build quality and excellent performance characteristics ensure it will suit many types of property and decor.
Meanwhile purchasers of this prestigious product also benefit from a 25 year guarantee. www.sussexrange.co.uk
Nothing creates an inviting atmosphere quite like the magic of an open fire, the centre piece to any home. If you do not have a chimney and are looking for a flueless fireplace solution, a Decoflame® fireplace will add warmth and character to any room or living space. Decoflame is a Danish manufacturer of highest quality ethanol fireplaces especially designed for homes without a flue. Whether you want to achieve an up-to-the-minute, contemporary look, or have your heart set on a more traditionally-designed fire, Decoflame can offer you all the help you need to make the perfect choice, whatever your style or budget.
All fireplaces are fuelled with bio ethanol, which is now widely available in hardware stores throughout the UK. When you choose a Decoflame®
bio fire, safety is absolutely assured. All Bio ethanol fires are designed and manufactured in house by Decoflame’s expert team. Decoflame’s research and development laboratories in Denmark are amongst the most advanced in the world and at the forefront of the very latest in ethanol fireplace technology. Decoflame’s latest innovations include the highly efficient E_ribbon which can be controlled via blue-tooth, iPad, iPod and android devices. Call Decoflame on 0203 7277289 www.decoflame.co.uk
65
Encasement Adds Style At New Flagship Debenhams Store
Debenhams’ new 50,000 sq.ft flagship store at The Coliseum Shopping Park in Cheshire Oaks, Merseyside, is using bespoke design square ‘Forma’ aluminium column casings from Encasement, to help create a stylish retail environment for shoppers, while also concealing structural steelwork. The new Debenhams store is the first to adopt the retail park format and has two-floors housing a Café, men’s fashion and a health & beauty hall as well as offering a range of exclusive womenswear.
Working directly for the project’s major contractor, Simon’s Group, Encasement’s metal column casings were chosen by the company to conceal structural columns within the store as part of the extensive, high quality refurbishment and interior refit programme they undertook for Debenhams. All of the metal column casings were manufactured from 3mm thick aluminium, which combines strength with low weight and were finished in a Tiger Drylac textured PPC coating in matt white RAL 9003, to give an aesthetic finish while resisting scuffs and damage in high traffic areas.
Although all of the 23 Forma casings measure 375mm square and stand 3100mm high, three of them incorporate a full-length mirror on one side, while a vertical full colour LCD display screen is integrated within a further casing to promote special offers and products to shoppers. Encasement’s Managing Director, Martin Taylor, explained: “One of the strengths of Forma casings is that even though aluminium provides a light weight and easy to install casing solution, it is also strong enough to enable elements such as mirrors, LCD screens and promotional displays to be integrated within the design.” www.encasement.co.uk
Roca’s bathroom products have been used across a range of apartments and town houses currently being built in Cardiff Bay. Developed by Portabella, the project includes new builds as well as the refurbishment of an old Art Deco hospital. Designed to appeal to Cardiff’s young professional crowd, Portabella’s homes boast contemporary styling and cool, stand-out fixtures and fittings, which include Roca’s sanitaryware, brassware and bathroom furniture.
Cardiff Bay is Europe’s largest city centre waterfront and has fast established itself as a vibrant location with plenty of restaurants, clubs and bars to keep its’ cosmopolitan clientele happy. Portabella’s current development is taking place over two-phases – the first phase ‘Dixie’, is complete, with the re-purposing of St Winnifred’s Hospital, the second phase, due for completion next August.
Dixie comprises 43 apartments, each designed with lifestyle in mind. Ranging from one and two bedrooms, balanced layouts have been optimised for space and comfort, with added extras such as a communal yoga space in the block’s courtyard. In the bathrooms, Roca’s products have been used throughout with extra wide shower cubicles featuring the Essential Shower Column, which includes a hydro massage function, sleek and stylish Kalahari and Element basins, and Meridian-N Compact back to wall WC, to help make the best use of space.
It’s not just the sanitaryware Roca’s contributed; brassware comes courtesy of L20, which includes an eco-disc cartridge to minimise water wastage and mixer taps, Loft Elite. Roca also supplied a range of bathroom furniture from its The Gap Unik and Kalahari ranges, providing functional storage options that also look the part.
“We chose Roca because we like them the best,” said Peter Reilly, Director at Portabella. “Their products are well-designed and of a high quality, with modern styling that matches the overall look of our apartments. The versatility of options is perfect for niche developments like ours and the customer response has been fantastic. Our clients are a fashion conscious crowd and Roca’s range has certainly met their expectations. It wasn’t just the products we liked, either.”
He added. “The Roca team have proved hugely helpful and we wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again on future projects. Our new development, St Winnifred’s Hospital will be getting the ‘Roca’ treatment next year.”www.uk.roca.com
CR Laurence’s CABO System Is The Softly, Softly ApproachBack in the day, when showering enclosures had a tendency to resemble tardises, few would have foreseen a time when frameless would become the norm.
And yet, in a relatively short space of time, showering enclosures have evolved into the most minimal of bathroom structures. Today, the majority of consumers aspire to bathrooms that are spatially unrestricted – and from compact ensuites to family wet rooms – just about everyone wants the simplest, most understated showering enclosures.
As a result of this trend, shower door hardware has become increasingly sophisticated.
And global brands such as CR Laurence have pioneered a new generation of systems and components – handles, hinges, channels, clamps and door knobs – that whilst being super-sleek, have also been designed to facilitate exceptional functionality.
CABO – new from CR Laurence, is one such system. Genuinely unique – there is currently no other product that equals CABO – the system is an innovative, double soft-close solution for frameless sliding shower doors.
Of course, frameless sliding door systems have been available for some time. But most users will know from experience that they can be rattly and that movement can feel far from smooth. Often specified for smaller showering enclosures, sliding shower doors can also take a real pasting in terms of wear and tear – especially when kids are involved! CABO, however, with its superior double soft-close design, makes everything – from the showering enclosure’s aesthetics to its
functionality – look a whole lot better. So how does it work?
All of CR Laurence’s CABO soft slide systems conceal a double soft-close mechanism within their header sections. This gently cushions the shower door as its slides back, making for a perfectly smooth and quiet action.
CABO systems will work with 8mm, 10mm or 12mm thick glass and will support doors/panels weighing up to 80kg. Systems are versatile – they can be mounted wall-to-wall or wall-to-glass and each system is supplied complete with a header, two top clamps, a bottom guide, a wall seal and a half-round threshold. CABO systems are manufactured from anodized aluminium and there is a choice of rounded or square clamps and there are three finishes – chrome, satin anodised and brushed nickel.
Chris Pepper, Marketing & Business Development Manager for CRL Europe says, “When it comes to showering enclosures, no one wants bulky, obtrusive structures anymore. But achieving the minimalist look requires the right sort of hardware and for sliding doors, features such as the double soft-close system offered by CABO, can make a real difference to the consumer’s experience, not to mention the overall look and functionality of the showering enclosure.”www.crlaurence.co.uk
Granite Transformations retail network sales rose by a record 24.8% in the franchise’s latest monthly figures, with a raft of recent showroom openings yet to impact on revenue, suggesting further growth to come.
This chimes in with official third-quarter returns that reveal the strongest growth in Britain’s retail sales sector, since the pre-recession first quarter of 2008. Targeting affordable, hassle-free kitchen makeovers, with its innovative ‘top that fits on top’ work surface concept, Granite Transformations’ business model has remained remarkably recession-proof, with several of its top franchise owners set to exceed £1 million in annual sales and the UK network as a whole recording positive growth.
The upsurge in customer orders will create a healthy pipeline of installation jobs over the next quarter and Granite Transformations anticipates a requirement for trained fabricators and fitters to carry out the extra work. Although the franchisor provides a head office-based ‘Flying Fitters’ team to help franchisees to cope with seasonal peaks in demand, it foresees a need for more full-time installers across the country and invites those with kitchen fitting experience to get in touch.
Now diversifying into bathroom makeovers alongside its established kitchen business and adding parent company Trend’s expansive glass mosaic tile collection to its retail offering, Granite Transformations has focused its marketing and sales effort on the over 55’s age group, a target audience often ignored by other retail brands. This demographic has huge spending power and a keen interest in home improvements and gardening, opting to ‘improve not move’ in the property market, and Granite Transformations has
capitalised on this by siting franchised showrooms and merchandising displays in garden centres up and down the country. This so-called ‘concession franchise’ enabled Granite Transformations to reduce the initial investment, at a time when banks were reluctant to lend, and recruit high calibre franchise owners, who might otherwise have been deterred.
The global Granite Transformations franchise passed the million worktop installations milestone earlier this year, operating through 250 showrooms across four continents, and the UK Chief Operating Officer, Danny Hanlon, outlined the brand’s international expansion strategy to the Franchise Council of Australia (pictured). He noted that Britain’s smaller housing stock and distinctive high street retail scene demanded modifications to the organisation’s business model, not least the need for covered workshops and dust-free conditions, as opposed to fabricating on-site under the Australian or Californian sun.
The latest UK network sales returns also confirm that black is still the most popular worktop colour amongst British homeowners, compared with a preference for brown and earthen tones in the States and light-reflecting white and grey finishes in Australia. Black Star, Nero Stella, Black Diamond and mottled black Sachi all regularly feature in Granite Transformations’ top ten selling colours, although the trend toward all-white kitchens has seen White Star and Hydra White surge in popularity. Sometimes overlooked, beige is another favourite worktop colour, with Royal Ivory, Perla di Sabbia and King Ivory among the neutral finishes chosen to set off today’s minimalist kitchens. www.gtfranchise.co.uk
Franchise Sales Growth Sparks Search For More Trained Fitters
Future Energy Solutions Calculates The Perfect Lighting Solution For Computacenter
One of the true success stories in British IT history, Computacenter was formed in 1981 during the early days of personal computing by two entrepreneurs, Philip Hulme and Peter Ogden. Such was the interest in what the company had to offer that by 1983 it had achieved a turnover of £1.5m.
As well as helping its customers adopt green IT practices, Computacenter has its own rigorous corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda and does all it can to reduce its energy consumption and lower its CO2 emissions. Since 2007, it has been committed to the 10 core principles of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), aimed at demonstrating ethical, environmental and social responsibility towards its workforce and in its business interactions within each community and country in which it operates. Computacenter’s UK headquarters is based in the Hertfordshire town of Hatfield and the site also houses its 350,000ft2 customer fulfilment centre (CFC).
A vital part of the company’s operation, Computacenter’s Head of Facilities, Kevin Graham, was concerned that the lighting system used in the CFC was inefficient and not producing a desired level of light output. He comments, “I realised that the sodium lamps and fluorescent tubes in-situ were yesterday’s technology and that far more efficient alternatives were available. While the light output was a concern, so too were the costs associated with lighting the CFC, as we had used 738,814kW/h of energy in the previous 12 months.”
Having been made aware of Future Energy Solutions (FES), he invited the company in to discuss the various
options available and it soon became apparent that a light emitting diode (LED) lighting solution would offer the best return on investment (ROI).
Commenting on the benefits of LED lighting, Marcus Brodin, Commercial Director at FES, states, “Our experience has indicated that using this technology can reduce lighting bills by up to 65 per cent. What’s more, LED luminaires are also environmentally friendly, as they are 100 per cent recyclable and free from mercury and other hazardous chemicals that are harmful to the environment. This is important for any organisation like Computacenter that is committed to CSR.”
With the lighting in the CFC being on for anything up to 18 hours a day, FES and Computacenter decided that replacing the 700 luminaires would offer the most immediate benefits. FES is agnostic in selecting the right technology package, so after narrowing down the most suitable options to two brands from its panel of manufacturers, Brodin provided case studies that looked at how each product set could meet all the operational and environmental requirements based on price, energy savings, aesthetics and enhancements.
Finally, it was decided that LED fittings from Whitecroft’s range would be the best option, thanks to their ability to deliver low energy usage and high comfort lighting with minimal through life maintenance.FES has produced a time-lapse video of the entire Computacenter installation, which can be viewed at http://vimeo.com/110147443.www.feslighting.co.uk
Turn Key’s Specialised Design Removes The Need For Hotel Leak Detection
The installation of new air conditioning system into a Buckinghamshire hotel is demonstrating how the clever use of design and specification can remove the need for leak detection equipment in occupied spaces.The Crowne Plaza, Gerrards Cross is a 147-bedroomed hotel and conference centre which has undergone a complete refurbishment having been bought by the Cairn Hotel Group.Specialist air conditioning contractors, Turn Key Air Conditioning Ltd has installed a Mitsubishi Electric City Multi heat recovery system into the hotel, to offer guests the ultimate in modern complete comfort and style. Current legislation restricts the use of refrigerants in buildings. Under EN378 legislation, which is particularly applicable for hotels, leak detection equipment must normally be provided if, in the case of R410a, a concentration of 0.44 kg/m3 refrigerant could be exceeded, if all of the refrigerant from a system were to leak into a single room. In close association with Mitsubishi Electric Value Added Reseller (VAR) PACAIR, Turn Key designed the system with the minimum amount of refrigerant in each bedroom to comply with EN378. PACAIR also helped ensure that the equipment design was modular to allow the hotel to
Vent-Axia Shortlisted For Prestigious H&V News Award
Vent-Axia is proud to announce that it has been shortlisted for a prestigious Heating and Ventilation News Award 2015. The Sussex-based company has been recognised in the ‘Building Services Project of the Year’ category for the Waste House project at the
University of Brighton that features a Sentinel Kinetic Plus Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system, which Vent-Axia donated and installed. www.vent-axia.com
The ALL NEW Dataterm IHC Can Knock A Massive 25% Off Your Fuel Bill!
The all new Dataterm IHC can now control up to 4 heating zones and hot water all from 1 handy control pad allowing you to be in total control of your heating and how much it costs you. Suitable for all heating systems, it simply replaces existing time clocks and thermostats allowing greater flexibility and control. Features include illuminated display, optimum start/stop, close temperature control, wireless sensing and an average 25% savings in fuel spend per annum. www.warmworld.co.uk
74
Wilo Small Circulators
The family of ErP compliant Wilo small circulators continues to offer the leading solution for UK heating systems – in new installations and in replacement pump situations where an energy efficient heating system is paramount. Reliability, ease of installation along with low energy bills and low emissions, the Wilo Yonos-PICO is a popular choice with housebuilders, specifiers and installers. Visit www.wilo.co.uk for more information on these
energy efficient pump options or call 01283 523000 for more details about this and other energy efficient pumps in the Wilo range.
Securikey Launches Addition To Best Selling Mini Vault Range
Leading physical security product supplier Securikey has extended the best-selling Mini Vault safe range with the Mini Vault 3, which offers a wider interior space that is ideal for storing till drawers in a retail environment or large binders in domestic or commercial applications, in addition to cash, jewellery and other valuables. The Mini Vault 3 Silver and Gold ranges have been meticulously designed and manufactured to offer robust protection. www.securikey.co.uk
Get Long Term Thermal Insulation With Everbuild Thermofoam
Heat can escape from buildings through windows, doors and other wall break through points, wasting energy and reducing efficiency. Thermofoam is a new, highly flexible PU expanding foam from Everbuild, specially formulated to absorb movement, giving an air tight seal to reduce heat loss and in turn improving energy efficiency in buildings. The powerful bond strength and flexibility of Thermofoam gives excellent long term thermal and acoustic insulation by inhibiting cracks from occurring during the contraction of building materials in areas such as around window and door frames, giving a hermetically sealed barrier.
Thermofoam is available in 750ml tins and is compatible with the Everbuild range of foam applicator guns to give the user more control to apply the foam in hard to reach places.www.everbuild.co.uk
76
continue trading during the refurbishment and minimise the disruption to both the business and its guests. This is where the unique two-pipe, heat recovery City Multi system comes into its own as it provides much more flexibility of design and installation. For further information on the solutions available from Turn Key visit the website: www.tkac.co.uk For more information on the added services available from PACAIR, visit: www.pacair.co.uk
Clever Biomass For The Home!Euroheat has unveiled a new range of high performance pellet boilers for domestic properties, which qualify for tariff payments under the government’s Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive. The PNA Thermocomfort features four models ranging from 15kW to 30kW, designed for maximum efficiency and minimal user maintenance. There is a choice of pellet storage systems including a 170 litre hopper located on the side of the boiler, to a variety of different bulk storage solutions featuring either vacuum or auger transfers. www.euroheat.co.uk
Schell Angle Valves Gaining Recognition In Progressive Plumbing Applications
While there continues to be differences between water regulations in the UK and our European neighbours, most experts can agree on certain matters of Best Practice. Connecting outlets such as taps and showers to “Loop” or “Serial” plumbing systems by means of angle valves is one such area of consensus.
Angle valves have in fact been regarded as a standard fitting on the European mainland for decades, with Schell GmbH as a main manufacturer having sold tens of millions, suiting various applications. For they not only offer the ability to instantly isolate a tap for maintenance far more easily than our commonly favoured ‘quarter turn’ under-sink valves, but angle valves can also offer temperature or flow control and their use here is now penetrating from top end specifications into the mainstream market.
Furthermore, the concept of connecting outlets to continuous, as opposed to traditional T-piece installations – utilizing angle valves - is viewed as an ideal way to prevent the collection and stagnation of water in dead-legs. The importance of avoiding dead-legs has recently been underlined by one of the country’s biggest plumbing supply specialists, Uponor Limited, which has established a new showroom for its SMARTEnds offering; that also makes exclusive use of Schell’s angle valves for all the connections.
For a serial system Uponor’s inverted-U SMARTEnds are connected directly one to the next with the highest consumption point (normally the wc) at the end to propagate through flow.www.schell.eu
Rinnai, the leading UK supplier of gas fired energy efficient continuous flow water heaters, is helping CST Renewables provide mobile emergency hot water cover for its clients.
Control and Service Technology has been established for 11 years now, and spawned CST Renewables a year ago in response to growing interest in the renewables market from clients looking to improve efficiencies and lower running costs. The company, based in Bridgend, South Wales, specialises in the commercial market but also undertakes domestic installations, service and repair work.
Mark Hiller-Rees of CST Renewables explains: “We do a lot of installations for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and while these are in progress the hot water needs to be kept on. We used to have a container lorry fitted with a boiler delivered to site at a cost of £1000 a week but such a large vehicle wasn’t always practical for smaller sites. “It didn’t take us long to realise we could easily make our own small trailer to our own specifications, fitted with two HDC 1500 Rinnai Infinity condensing gas fired water heaters.CST Renewables has the ability to deliver instantaneous hot water to commercial premises with only a cold water main supply present and the installation pipe work supplied by the client. The unit can run off its own power and gas supply or can be run off a 110v transformer on site.”
The trailer also has over pressure and under pressure shut offs fitted to the gas pipe work install along with safety relief and discharge valves for the potable water. There are an abundance of isolation valves within the trailer to isolate any pipe work be it for water or gas. There is also a key release operated emergency stop button, which isolates all electrical equipment and gas supply on operation.
The Rinnai units are extremely fuel efficient, says Mark Hiller-Rees. “Two bottles of LPG Gas would cope with the units running constantly full out for 48 hours but in normal circumstances we factor in a week before we needed to replace them.”
As Rinnai’s Chris Goggin concludes: “The combination of quality Japanese engineering, numerous useful technical features and the robust build of the Rinnai Infinity units make them an extremely attractive choice for installers and end users alike and their flexibility lends itself to innovative enterprises such as CST Renewables’ useful mobile emergency hot water solution.”
Both Rinnai HDC1500 internal and external models turn in an impressive energy performance of 105 per cent net efficiency.*” * In accordance with BS EN 677For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com
The Pureau range uses traditional ion exchange resins to produce superb, soft water for household or commercial use.The 3 models (Eau 1, Eau 2 and Eau 3) range from 20 litres per minute to 70 litres per minute and are suitable for both gravity and pressurised water systems. As the systems are cartridge based maintenance is simple. The main cartridge lasts an incredible 36 months, the carbon pre filter cartridge lasts 12 months and the post filter cartridge will last for 2 to 3 months depending on hardness levels. The Pureau Range has been specifically designed to meet the demands of providing a water softener without the use of salt that provides softer water to the touch. Pureau water treatment systems remove a high percentage of scale forming minerals. Water readings of under 100ppm is considered soft. Magnesium and calcium in the water is essential for good health so Pureau systems do not remove it all, just enough to bring it down to accepted soft water levels. The systems do not waste water or require a power source or drain. The range is suitable for gravity fed and pressurised water systems, they are also suitable for combination boilers. As the units do not add sodium to the water they can be used on properties with septic tanks.Purea systems incorporate a raw water feed which ensures trace minerals are left in the water for health, they also provide the perfect water for ice making, tea and coffee. www.aquatiere.co.uk
At Last A Saltless Water Softner That Actually Softens Water
Frese BIM Models Make Designing Super-Efficient HVAC Systems Quick And Simple
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is transforming how buildings are designed but in some cases they are still not as energy efficient as they could be. Valve manufacturer Frese is tackling the issue head-on by making all of its super-efficient dynamic balancing and pressure independent control valves available in digital form for architects, designers and facilities managers. Now contractors can visit www.frese.eu/en-GB/2D-drawings-and-3D-models and download Frese valves to drop into their digital models to create super-efficient heating and ventilation systems. Facilities managers can place Frese valves into existing BIM to retro-fit systems with the firm’s range of dynamic balancing valves and PICVs.BIM is driving down the cost of building design and by making their products available in the format, Frese is helping ensure that architects and designers are able to build systems which continue to keep costs down once the build is complete.www.frese.co.uk
81
Burst Pesky System Bubbles With Inta-Vent
Inta is making trapped wind a thing of the past with a new tool that automatically extracts air bubbles from sealed heating systems using a powerful vortex filtration system. The filter works by forcing water in the system to pass through a tight coil of stainless steel mesh, generating a vortex within the the filter body. This action exposes and captures micro bubbles, which then combine and rise before being discharged. As well as reducing the risk of system wear and tear, Inta-Vent increases fuel efficiency by ensuring systems are operating with optimum conditions.www.intatec.co.uk
Weidmüller FrontCom® Vario: A Compact Service Interface For Switch And Control Cabinets
With FrontCom® Vario, Weidmüller is offering a new, compact service interface for switch and control cabinets to ensure simple access to the control system/PC and electronics. The new FrontCom® Vario service interface, authorised persons can connect diagnostic hardware using a data cable or an optional power cable and gain direct access to defined processes from outside.www.weidmuller.co.uk
Steni Cladding Provides An Educational MetamorphosisPupils at a primary school in Rotherham have experienced a metamorphosis in their education, thanks in part to imaginative use of rainscreen cladding panels from Steni UK. Three shades of Steni’s lightweight and low-maintenance fibreglass reinforced polymer composite Colour panels – black, white and beige – clad the elevations of a new 1.5-storey, two-classroom block for foundation-stage pupils at Listerdale Primary School.
They were specified by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council’s Environment and Development Service for the £700,000 project for their reputation and colour range and provide an ultra-modern contrast to the existing traditional red brick and plain tile school building that has seen small modifications and additions over the years. The only element of the new building that is load-bearing masonry like its sister structure is the entrance porch which is dark brick and accommodates carvings by the children in the theme of the building - a caterpillar.
Senior architect Howard Buckley said: “This was a conscious change away from the Steni panels in order to contrast with the main classroom. The idea is that children go through a dark room that creates a sense of anticipation.”
The new building was constructed over six months of steel frame with pressed metal framework walls and a standing seam roof. The Steni panels were screw fixed onto timber battens.
Mr Buckley said: “The school council (a group of pupils) and headteacher wanted a building that was stimulating and appropriate for young people to learn in, in an informal and flexible way. They didn’t know what form
the building should take but they didn’t want a building like the one they were in. They agreed with me that the building should support exciting spaces to learn in and provide an aesthetic that young children would like to identify themselves with. The shape of the building and the rhythm of the pattern was inspired by the shape of a Monarch butterfly caterpillar.”
He met the brief by designing open-plan, flexible space with areas created through internal shape, fashioning spaces that supported small groups within the larger open-plan classroom. The two classrooms join at a wet play area instead of being separated by a solid partition. A mezzanine provides a joint area for the two classrooms and is accessed from the wet play area.
“Three child members of the school council made a presentation to our planning committee and the scheme went through on a unanimous vote which was fantastic,” said Mr Buckley.
“We specified the Steni product for the reputation and the particular colour range complemented the design ambition. It provides a rhythm of colour and scale to virtually the whole building as well as forming the external overhang where the classroom external doors are located.”
The aesthetic could not have been achieved without a coloured cladding panel. Alternatives would not have provided the colour and if we did add colour then it would probably have needed to have been paint-applied which would have meant poor maintenance as well as a poor aesthetic. We also used the Steni panels in their standard sizes to prevent waste.The school I think are over the moon.” www.steni.com
Translucent internal partitions by Rodeca have helped a new, award-winning innovation centre in the shell of a Grade 1 listed old station building to achieve “phenomenal and measurable” results.
Some 390m2 of Rodeca’s 40mm PC 2540-4 Kristall polycarbonate wall panels usually used for external cladding and roofing were specified by childs+sulzmann architects for The Engine Shed at the Old Station Building at Temple Meads in Bristol. It was the practice’s first use of Rodeca and architect Mike Cox said: “Our company had never used Rodeca materials before but due to the success on this project we will definitely be looking at using them on future projects.”
“We had seen images of a project in Holland, by Ector Hoogstad Architecten, where a converted steel plant had used the material as internal partitions and were impressed with the aesthetic created. At The Engine Shed, the Rodeca cladding was an excellent product to use within the context of the listed building as the material could sit around the existing cast iron and timber structure whilst creating a striking visual contrast.”
The £2.2million Engine Shed is a new and unique collaborative space for entrepreneurs, innovators and start-up businesses. The Temple Meads terminus by the world-famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel now accommodates a new generation of innovative engineers, and will also provide a 3,000m2 home for the local enterprise partnership and a focus for inward investment into the city.
The polycarbonate Rodeca panels, which are fully recyclable and manufactured from up to 30% recycled material, were installed onto an aluminium grid over a month by specialist sub-contractors Tremlett & Turner for main contractor Rydon Construction as internal partitions within the original engine shed to separate office spaces from the entrance and public circulation areas.
As well as being 200 times tougher than glass, they can be over half as light, reducing the requirement, and associated costs, for large sections of additional steel to enable the building to bear the weight. They also perform to a high level thermally as they can be manufactured with U-values as low as 0.71-0.77 W/m²K as a single-wall construction and 0.36-0.43 W/m²K as a double-wall construction. As such, they can be used to allow natural daylight (with light transmission of up to 66%) into a building without compromising its thermal integrity.
Mike Tremlett said: “The project was fairly straightforward although it was in a Conservation Area so the utmost care was required. The Rodeca panels performed very well for the visual effect that was required.”
The year-long build included the former GWR drawing office being converted to accommodate offices for high-tech start-up companies via Setsquared, the enterprise collaboration between the universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter and Surrey. www.rodeca.co.uk
Hopkins Homes –First To Adopt Carbon Buster Blocks
Masonry products manufacturer, Lignacite, has partnered with Hopkins Homes to provide Carbon Buster building blocks to new housing developments throughout East Anglia including Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire; significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the homes in the process.
The Carbon Buster block is the world’s first carbon negative building block and has been developed by Lignacite in partnership with Carbon8 Aggregates, using their award winning (2013 National Recycling Awards for Best Recycled Product) Accelerated Carbonation Technology, Lignacite, first launched this carbon-negative building block in May 2013.
The block incorporates more than 50% recycled materials and combines this with Carbon8’s carbonated aggregates derived from by-products from waste to energy plants. The result is a high performing masonry product, and the first ever building block, which has captured more carbon dioxide than is emitted during its manufacture; 14kg CO2 per tonne of blocks to be exact.
Hopkins Homes, which is one of the fastest growing property developers in the UK now uses Carbon Buster blocks in all their homes, which amounts to around 600 dwellings across 30 developments. This means that in the 25,000 square metres of Carbon Buster blocks supplied to Hopkins this year, 3,500
more tonnes of CO2 have been locked up in the blocks than were emitted by the manufacturing and delivery of these blocks. This is equivalent to saving the CO2 generated by nearly 2,000 cars in an average year.
“Every Hopkins Home features the strength and durability of traditional building styles and techniques fused with the latest modern technology, giving us the ability to provide energy savings by reducing heat loss and the emission of greenhouse gases. The use of Carbon Buster blocks help us reduce our houses’ overall carbon footprint and to meet and exceed existing building codes. This is becoming increasingly important to our customers, and makes the Carbon Buster an attractive product,” explains Simon Bryan, Development Director for Hopkins Homes.
According to Chairman of Lignacite, Giles de Lotbiniere, the short lead times are a result of Lignacite’s purpose-built and modern manufacturing plants at Brandon in Suffolk, and Nazeing in Essex: “These are fully automated and have a combined production capacity of 21 million blocks per annum. The modern plants, recycled content and sourcing of aggregates from our own quarry, all help to minimise the carbon footprint of our products,” he says. www.lignacite.co.uk
Pre Fabricated Brick Panels Win Top Award For London Building
A new office and retail building located in Davies Street, London has won the Best Commercial Building Award at the 2014 Brick Awards which were held at the Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel on 12th November. Situated opposite Claridges on London’s Mayfair, this classical building impressed all the judges with its satisfying feeling of scale and close attention to detail.
This was an ambitious project in an area featuring exceptional carved red brickwork. The Client, HOK Architects and Main Contractor Sir Robert McAlpine decided at the beginning to use a fast “off site” method of construction. Thorp Precast Ltd was appointed to develop the design, manufacture, supply and erect the architectural masonry faced precast cladding panels.
HOK Architects specified a bespoke blend of long, thin handmade bricks from Coleford Brick and Tile for the brick and Portland Stone cladding panels on the external facade.
Manufactured in a factory controlled environment, each panel weighed between 18 and 20 tons and measured up to 4.6 metres high. Using a fleet of specialist trailers, a total of 168 panels, were supplied to site fully finished and pointed. Just one fixing gang comprising of four men completed the installation over a six week period.
Davies Street is a fine example of how the use of modern precast construction technology can guarantee high standards of design, manufacture and quality of finish. No external scaffolding or wet trades are required which means significant construction time savings have been achieved without detriment to quality.
The judges agreed that the building has all the architectural integrity and beauty of a hand set masonry building built by craftsmen that sits well in its historical context and “immaculately oozes great detail”.
The Brick Awards is one of Britain’s most respected design competitions. Organised by the Brick Development Association, the annual contest provides the definitive showcase for what brick can achieve. You can see pictures and find full details of all the winning projects on the BDA’s website: www.brick.org.uk/brick-awards.
Entries are now being invited for the 2015 Brick Awards. Entry forms can be downloaded from the BDA’s website www.brick.org.uk/brick-awards or a hard copy can be requested by emailing [email protected] or by calling 020 7323 7030.
Accoya®LathamCLAD - the modified, highly durable and dimensionally stable certified timber cladding – is now available from all eight of James Latham’s timber depots.
Created from sustainably sourced wood and completely non-toxic, Accoya®LathamCLAD is a revolution in wood technology. And with the 15mm profile having recently received TRADA approval for use as an external cladding product, Accoya®LathamCLAD is a perfect solution for exterior cladding, siding and façades where the wider board offers numerous features and benefits including enhanced aesthetics, less frequent maintenance, dimensional stability, durability and improved insulation values.
Suitable for horizontal or vertical installation, Accoya®LathamCLAD can be used to create simple or complex designs. And with a choice of factory coating finishes, it can be opaque coated or, for those wishing to enjoy the natural look of wood, translucent coated.
Plus, with a 50-year guarantee when used externally, Accoya®LathamCLAD’s low maintenance requirements add to its ‘whole life’ cost effectiveness
and environmental credentials and this versatility makes it ideal for use in residential, commercial and industrial applications.
Paul Leach, James Latham’s Group Product Sales & Development Manager for Accoya said, “When it comes to cladding, Accoya®LathamCLAD ticks all the boxes and is the perfect solution for many exterior applications which were once only feasible with non-sustainable material. Use of the wider cladding boards is allowed by the improved dimensional stability, plus cladding joints do not open, tolerances remain tight and twist is prevented. In addition, the wood’s natural appearance is retained for longer, thanks to the superior resistance to the effects of UV exposure.”
He added, “Accoya®LathamCLAD is a fantastic material for external specification and fits perfectly with our already established range of sustainable products.” In addition to cladding, sidings and facades, Accoya® wood is also ideal for windows, doors and decking. www.lathamtimber.co.uk
From Gothic To GloriousOsmo UK’s eco-friendly UV-Protection-Oil has been used to safeguard, restore and rejuvenate a Gothic Revival porch at an 18th Century listed property in Cambridgeshire. The porch had been deteriorating for some time but after an incident with a lorry, the owners decided it was time to restore it. Andrew and Mark Hoskins, antique restoration specialists, brought it back to life and reinstated it to its former glory, using Osmo’s UV-Protection-Oil to not only protect the wood, but also to enhance its natural beauty.www.osmouk.com
Only The Best For Tekne’s High Profile Hospitality Fit-Outs
Established over 40 years ago, Tekne have built a reputation as one of the UK’s leading hospitality, commercial and retail space fitters. Working on projects such as ‘Jamie’s Italian’, ‘Wagamamma’, ‘Selfridges’ and ‘Tramshed’, Tekne only use suppliers who are able provide the service and product quality required for such high profile, bespoke projects. For every job specification, stock availability, price and speed of delivery are carefully considered. When it comes to hardwood timber and veneers, Timbmet are always on the list.www.timbmet.com
Armourfx ‘Timber-Effect’ Panels For Homeaway
Armourcoat’s pre-cast timber effect planks from ArmourFX have created an original feature wall within the new Austin office expansion for HomeAway Inc. - the leading online marketplace for the holiday rental industry. Specified by Texan interior architecture
firm lauckgroup, the panels emulate natural wooden planks with an exposed grain detail, making them ideal for an urban shuttered or board-formed concrete effect. ArmourFX Timber-Effect panels are designed for decorative wall cladding – ideal for interior theming and branding. Two designs are available (‘original’ and ‘rugged’), both created from actual Douglas Fir timber planks. The ‘rugged’ finish is achieved from further hand-distressing of the timber. Cast in a polymer-modified gypsum resin mix, the panels are available in four base colours in both smooth and
textured finishes, the smooth panels can be enhanced once installed with EcoPearl waxes to create a further 16 colours.The panels offer great design options, often replacing exotic or expensive timber for commercial projects. ArmourFX Timber-Effect panels have also been used to replace or match Shou-Sugi-Ban Japanese charred planks or Mountain Pine Beetle blue-stain timber. The ArmourFX range of panels has evolved from Armourcoat’s renowned range of applied seamless wall finishes. ArmourFX includes finishes and substrates suitable for all applications; from retail to residential, hotel to healthcare. Armourcoat's specialist designers and artisan plasterers can create integrated custom wall panel systems or design statement single artwork pieces. www.armourfx.com
The next generation of liquid applied roof membranes has been launched by Sika Liquid Plastics. Decothane Ultra is a low odour non-disruptive roofing solution that achieves more than 80 percent reduction in odour strength five minutes after application and greater than 95 percent reduction after just one hour against a similar one-component competitor. These results were established by independent testing.Decothane Ultra utilises a range of new novel curing agents developed and patented by Sika. This new chemistry offers a versatile platform from which to formulate extremely low solvent content and low odour liquid applied membranes for a wide range of applications. During the development of Decothane Ultra, Sika Liquid Plastics worked closely with a consultancy specialising in the testing of occupational
Easi-Dec is the cost saving alternative to scaffold,because it’s quick to erect, with a minimal amount of parts,to get people working sooner after arriving on site.
The basic system includes a standard platform, but ourfull range offers solutions for both solar panel and windowinstallation. With health & safety being at the core of thesystem, Easi-Dec is EN tested, with full training providedon request.
For further information call 01767 691812or email [email protected].
Don’t forget to check out our videos at www.easi-dec.co.uk
Filon, GRP rooflight and roof sheet manufacturers, have produced their first purely digital issue of Roofscape. With links to their website, it delivers the latest news and information in a quick and easy format you can scan through or click links to access more detail on the website. Filon will be bringing you the latest case studies and product updates to keep you ahead of the game.www.filon.co.uk
Roofscape Goes Digital!
92
Wakaflex® Lead-Free Flashing – The Cost-Effective Answer To Lead Theft
Wakaflex® is a lightweight BBA-certified lead-free flashing in a range of colours for roofing abutment work and sealing gas, oil and wood burner flue penetrations. It has similar malleability to lead and can be stretched without using a forming tool. This makes it ideal for complex detailing and sealing double-lapped tiles which would otherwise require
a specialist roofer. Wakaflex has a smooth facing which repels dirt and a high-strength, self-adhesive backing which provides immediate weatherproofing, even on overlaps. www.roof-flashing.info
Safesite’s GUARDRAIL range is designed to provide permanent edgeprotection where regular access is required. The flexibility of thesystems offers the choice of free standing edge protection includingstandard, raked, radiused, folding and counterweight free systems, aswell as collective protection for metal profile and standing seam roofs,providing a solution for every situation. As fall protection specialists,Safesite offers the complete range of health and safety solutions, fromsite survey to design and installation – all backed by system trainingand annual recertification.
Guardrails / Mobile Man Anchor / Demarcation / Mobile Valley Frame Fragile Roof Access Solutions / Kee Anchor Beam / Ladder Restraints Self Closing Gate / Life Line Systems
health exposures to develop a test method intended to replicate the 'worst case scenarios' on roofs using a closed test area without ventilation. Sika Liquid Plastics quality assured contractors have been trialling the product prior to launch and have already identified its increased advantages. Decothane Ultra is available in the UK from Sika Liquid Plastics. www.decothaneultra.co.uk or call 01772 259781
Rod Glen Joins Mark Kelly In Glasgow To Cater For Growth At MetrotileArea sales manager Rod Glen (l) has joined lightweight steel roofing firm Metrotile UK, with the aim of helping to continue the company’s 30 per cent growth from 2014 into 2015. More than half of Metrotile UK’s growth last year, 18.3 per cent in all, came in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England, under the eye of Glasgow-based regional director Mark Kelly (r). Mr Kelly’s performance contributed to sales of 1.16 million tiles nationally by the end of last year, with record turnover figures of £7.1 million with forecasted nett profits of £679,000.www.metrotile.co.uk
VMZINC Launches Engraved Facade
VMZINC has once again pioneered a new development with AZENGAR®, the first rolled zinc facade and roofing material to be engraved. Its subtle yet distinctive surface has a matt appearance which is unaffected by fingerprints and ideal for both exterior and interior use. AZENGAR is pigment-free. It is the lightest shade of zinc available and unlike uniform, pre-weathered shades such as QUARTZ-ZINC®, ANTHRA-ZINC® and PIGMENTO®, its engraving causes delicate variations in light refraction. www.vmzinc.co.uk
Bound At The BushWhat is believed to be the largest single resin bound surfacing project in the UK has been completed using Ronacrete’s RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing System where more than 7,500m2 has been laid. The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham appointed specialist contractor FM Conway to lay the resin bound surfacing to the paths and to paved areas within the park as part of a refurbishment project.www.ronadeck.co.uk
Adjustable Flooring And Decking Cradles From Quantum Rubber
The patented Quantum Cradle System from Quantum Rubber provides scope to adjust floors and decking, enabling them to be levelled or laid to falls with complete accuracy. The cradle body is made from recycled plastic and designed to support standard 2" timber joists which are simply slotted between its holders. Being kept above the drainage level, they benefit from the underside ventilation this provides.www.quantumrubber.com
Dural Expansion Joints Specified At Cheltenham Racecourse
Dural UK Ltd recently supplied 160 metres of Speckled Effect Expansion Joints to SureSet UK Ltd for their installation at the Garden Terrace at Cheltenham Racecourse. The area had a concrete base so Expansion Joints were an unavoidable requirement
when laying the Permeable Resin Bound Paving. Dural colour matched the epoxy resin within their Expansion Joint to the chocolate coloured Permeable Resin Bound Paving laid by SureSet. The speckled texture within the expansion joint also matches the resin floor texture creating the impression of a seamless floor finish.www.colouredmovementjoints.co.uk
Pop Up Power Supplies: There When You Need It, Hidden When You Don’t!
102
Pop Up Power supplies retractable service units that provide electricity, water and air supply to public spaces ranging from historic sites and market places to town squares and parks. Pop Up Power’s retractable service units provide legacy for special-purpose stadiums. Projects include installations for Markets, Heritage, Parks, Town Centres, Universities and Sports Stadiums.Due to their retractable nature, the units can be used in a variety of places that require subtlety and the ability to disappear when not required. They offer possibilities for more varied uses, giving stadiums new life long after their planned functions. A series of standard products are available as well as bespoke units with recessed tops that can accommodate different paving. Pop Up Power also supplies electricity through In Ground Units with flip top lids and Street Bollards in a variety of designs to suit the surroundings. The company has worked with clients throughout the country, providing efficient, sympathetic utility solutions in busy public areas. For more information please visit www.popuppower.co.uk or call 02085518363.
Lanes Rail Gutter Lining Saves London Underground Maintenance Costs
Lanes Rail is extending the life of drainage systems on London Underground buildings by introducing a gutter lining system that prevents leaks and avoids the need for roof assets to be replaced. In 18 months, more than 2,000 metres of guttering at train maintenance depots
across London have been lined in a programme of work that London Underground (LU) says has been a significant success. It is the first time gutter lining has been used on LU buildings. www.lanesfordrains.co.uk
RECYFIX® NC Drainage Channels Make Their Debut In IrelandAn order for Hauraton RECYFIX® NC 100 surface water drainage channels was secured by J P Corry, the leading builders’ merchants in Ireland, for a TEXACO fuelling station located in Craigavon. Over 110 metres of channel were supplied together with associated trash boxes and end caps. Each one metre channel only weighs 10.7 kg, including its 10mm HEELSAFE slotted ductile iron grating.
Hauraton introduced their RECYFIX® NC surface water drainage channels into the UK in 2013 and since then the channels have been installed in many civil engineering projects such as industrial/ warehousing service yards, waste recycling plants as well as fuelling stations. The NC product is believed to be the first where the channel component is manufactured from 100% recycled material and be suitable for load capacities up to Class E600. Other channel systems in the RECYFIX® range are able to cope with loading capacities up to Class F900.
Andy Beirne, the Hauraton Sales Engineer for Ireland, says, “The RECYFIX® NC range has been welcomed by specifiers, merchants and contractors alike as the units are easy to handle and resist site damage before installation. The channel component is made from tough, 100% recycled Polypropylene and arrives on site with their 10mm slotted ductile iron grating secured in position with eight high tensile bolts. We offer eight sizes, with the largest channel only weighing 20.9kg per one metre unit. The system includes a trash box, blank end caps and end caps with a DN 100 connection point. As with all Hauraton surface water drainage channels, the performance of the new range complies with European Standards (hENs) and carries the CE mark”.
Technical information for the RECYFIX® NC range, showing sizing and installation details, is available digitally on www.hauraton.co.uk
Type B Concrete Waterproofing – A New On Line Resource
Triton’s new ‘Type B’ waterproofing website has been designed as the perfect resource for specifiers of watertight concrete structures. Triton supplies a complete range of products for structural waterproofing but this new site focuses purely on the company’s BBA approved watertight concrete system that conforms to BS 8102 (2009).
Used primarily in the construction of basements, underground car parks, swimming pools and lift pits etc, the system comprises a unique chemical admix, products for sealing construction joints and products to make repairs.
There are direct links on the site from individual product sections to technical data sheets, detail drawings and case studies on Triton’s main website. The enquiry form lands directly on the desk of technical staff who can help you with your project.
Triton offers full system support, including liaison with the concrete batching plant, mix design, construction joint detailing, site monitoring as well as concrete repair systems and a warranty when required.
Visit www.typebwaterproofing.co.uk
104
IBS Engineered Products Ltd introduce new ‘lightweight’ version of widely used innovative glass flood defence system, now available in the UK & Ireland. Drawing on the experience and the design of our already widely used glass flood defence system, the new sleeker product incorporates a slimmer frame design that maximises the view through the glass panels and provides flood protection up to 800mm in height and where the load criteria consideration is hydrostatic water head.This system has already been installed in mainland Europe and in the UK in South Wales. The IBS glass wall flood protection system is an ideal solution where traditional floodwalls are undesirable and temporary barriers cannot be installed due to certain logistical circumstances. Providing not only a
spectacular alternative, the glass flood wall systems’ benefits also include interchangeability, easily replaceable parts and maintenance free. IBS glass wall flood defence systems have been installed around the country, including in Upton-upon-Severn in 2012, providing part of a solution to hold back floodwater from the River Severn and with the design enabling residents to view the river safely.With excellent feedback, the glass system at Upton was highly successful in holding back the Severn on at least one occasion as the river rose during the winter flooding of 2013/14.www.ibsengineeredproducts.co.uk
Howe Green Access Covers Are Just The Ticket For London Bridge
Howe Green’s high quality access covers have been installed in the concourse at London Bridge Station in a phase of works forming part of The London Bridge Redevelopment Scheme. The installation was carried out by the specialist contactor DMC Contracts Ltd for Costain.
Howe Green’s heavy duty 1050 Series access covers were specified and fitted above mechanical and electrical services feeding the ticket line. The run of covers, which spans more than 25 metres, will ensure that when routine or emergency maintenance is needed going forward, gaining access to essential service points will be no problem.
DMC inlaid the surface of the covers with a ‘flamed pink’ granite paving matching the existing flooring within the concourse and providing an uninterrupted flooring surface for the best possible aesthetic finish.
Howe Green manufactured the covers to order. They were fabricated in 316-grade stainless steel and with a deeper capacity to accommodate a thicker granite floor covering, a standard feature of the 1050 Series. The panels sit flush with the surrounding floor to prevent slips and trips and are double sealed, ensuring optimum hygiene.
Importantly, they are also tamper proof for increased security, an imperative feature in a critical hub location with over 50 million passengers a year.
Making sure the station remains open is one of the key challenges facing Network Rail as the London Bridge Redevelopment Scheme continues.
The 1050 Series was designed for the most demanding internal and external environments. Capable of accepting heavy and sustained traffic – up to 6 tonne pneumatic tyre loads - the hatches are just the ticket for the highly trafficked London Bridge station, the fourth busiest in the country. www.howegreen.com
Portakabin Group Expands Range Of Floor Solutions For Yorkon Modular Buildings
The Portakabin Group has expanded the range of floor solutions available for buildings constructed using Yorkon off-site solutions, giving specifiers and customers even greater choice and flexibility.
A wider range of floor specifications is now offered to meet the performance criteria for a host of building applications. Specifiers can choose from a suite of precision-engineered solutions that will accommodate standard loadings as well as heavy plant, sensitive equipment, increased floor stiffness and enhanced acoustics if required.
The options allow building specifiers to tailor the floor design to individual project requirements whilst also avoiding over-specification. These include:
• Abasespecificationusingan18mmparticleboardsuspendedflooronsteeljoists,whichissuitable for single and multi-storey applications with standard load bearing requirements, such as classrooms and office accommodation.
• Amoresophisticatedbeamconstructionwithadditionalpointsofsupportifrequiredandtheflexibility to increase the thickness of particle board to 36mm and add steel sheeting for a higher level of floor performance and increased load capabilities.
the health, education and commercial sectors. Suitable for both ground and upper floors, this robust option is ideal for high traffic areas and to accommodate heavy point loadings and sensitive equipment, for example in operating theatres.
Commenting on this latest development, Simon Ambler, Director of the Portakabin Group, said, “There is still a lot of misinformation about modular construction even though there have been huge technical advancements in off-site technology in recent years. Our aim is to offer the widest choice of floor solutions available for modular buildings to allow specifiers to balance cost and performance – avoiding over-specification whilst having the flexibility to achieve enhanced floor stiffness and heavy loadings that are easily equivalent to that of site-based construction.” www.yorkon.info
WANT TO SPECIFY WOODEN FLOOR FINISHES INTO MULTI OCCUPANCY BUILDINGS?
112
Get More From Your Floor
Comfort Warmfloors distribute premium quality Swedish/European underfloor heating systems. Their premium quality electric or wet systems can accommodate any floor type from engineered wood or laminate to ceramic tile, stone or even vinyl and carpet. Comfort Warmfloors now stock the new Heatmiser Neo thermostats which are WiFi enabled. Neo is the smart way to control your heating and hot water from anywhere. Up to 32 rooms can be controlled from your iPhone, Android and Windows phone. Neo stat's are stylish, feature rich and are perfect for controlling underfloor heating, electric floor heating and conventional radiator heating systems. www.comfortwarmfloors.com
Remmers Floomix DQ – The Ideal Solution
The main production area of the Express Contract Drying factory in South Wales required refurbishment. The contractor was instructed to produce a new floor finish that needed to be slip resistant with good chemical resistance whilst providing an attractive and highly durable finish. Remmers Floormix DQ flooring system was chosen for its blend of decorative colour quartz aggregate and extreme durability. Due to time constraints on the program, fast curing resin screeds were installed, to falls, to an exacting standard to avoid ponding.www.remmers.co.uk
Guidance On Re-Using And Recycling Used CarpetA practical interactive guide has been published to encourage more re-use and recycling of used carpet arising from all types of refurbishment schemes. Best practices for extending carpet lifetime and for refurbishment specification are also highlighted. Carpet Recycling UK was commissioned by WRAP, the UK’s resource efficiency experts, to write the report, which
can be downloaded from the WRAP website at www.wrap.org.uk/carpetguide www.carpetrecyclinguk.com
Create beautiful,seamless tiled flooringwith our Bespoke Movement Jointsand Anti-Crack Matting
Dural Movement JointsBespoke for your project - speckled, marbled and any colour in the RAL rangeDesigned and Manufactured to exceed BS5385Robust, Durable and can cope with heavy stresses
Dural CI+ Matting Anti-Crack SystemSSaves time, as the Matting allows tiles to be laid as soon as the subfloor can be walked onPerforms as a stress-alleviating intermediate layer keeping tiled surfaces permanently free of cracks, a perfect solution when using underfloor heating systems
-
--
-
-
Modern Movement Controlling Movement in Hard Floor Finishes
Contact us for further information on 01924 360 110Part of the CPD RIBA
Core Curriculum
Request our CPD Presentation
Dural UK LtdTelephone: 01924 360 110Email: [email protected]: www.colouredmovementjoints.co.uk
Unit 1, Wakefield Business CentreDenby Dale Road, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF2 7AZ
Complete Flooring Solutions from Dural UK
Profiles for Resin Flooring Stairnosing Linear Drainage
1 - Standard Movement Joint2 - CI+ Matting Anti-Crack System
1
2
114
Altro increases warranty on 2.5mm safety flooring
Altro has increased the warranty, sustained slip resistance and life expectancy on its 2.5mm safety flooring ranges after they have proved their resilience and reliability in some of the world’s most testing environments. Altro Designer 25, Altro Unity 25 and Altro Classic 25 now come with the added peace of mind of a 20 year warranty and 25 year life expectancy and sustained slip resistance. Altro’s 2.5mm safety flooring provides a supreme standard of durability. The extra 25% thickness makes it significantly more robust than 2mm safety flooring, with resistance to impact damage, mechanical and physical damage and point loading, as well as enhanced durability for heavy duty areas with intense use. Like all Altro safety flooring, the 2.5mm ranges offer sustained slip resistance for the lifetime of the product, keeping your risk of a slip to just 1 in a million. An ideal choice for healthcare, education, retail, leisure and industrial environments, Altro’s 2.5mm safety flooring offers extra resistance to foot and wheeled traffic, including trolleys, wheelchairs and service area equipment. It is more resilient to torque, which passes through the wheels and is partially absorbed by and dissipated through the flooring. Thicker flooring dissipates the energy more effectively, making the flooring less likely to de-bond, minimising and even preventing damage to the subfloor. It also offers enhanced chemical resistance and copes well with moisture and temperature extremes.www.altro.co.uk
Fila Provides Surface Protection At Transformed IWM London
A Fila floor protection system has been specified, alongside Mapei Ultratop cementitious flooring, at IWM London, the flagship branch of the Imperial War Museums. Recently transformed to mark the centenary of the WW1, the London museum attracts around one million visitors each year.
Fila products chosen for the heavy traffic environment included high performance FILAFOB stain protector and FILA Cleaner; part of the eco award-winning Fila Green Line range. All site works were coordinated by Construction Manager, Lend Lease and Fila systems were applied by Polished Concrete Designs, for Trade Contractor, ITC Concepts Ltd.
Designed by Foster + Partners, the revamped Museum includes world-class First World War Galleries centered around a dramatic new atrium space within which large iconic objects
are suspended – from a Harrier jet to a V2 rocket. Other new features include Truth and Memory – the largest exhibition of British First World War art; a major family exhibition, Horrible Histories® Spies ; new retail areas and a new café, which opens onto Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park.
Following the floor installation, Mapei Ultratop was sealed with oil and stain proofing FILAFOB; a non film-forming treatment that protects against stains without altering surface appearance. Fila Cleaner was chosen to maintain the cementitious floor; the bio gradable detergent is pH-neutral and cleans without damaging the sealant or leaving a film. www.filasolutions.com
118117 Sika Concrete Admixtures Add To Successful Slip-Form Construction At Chris Hoy Velodrome
Admixtures from Sika Limited played a key role in the specialist concrete mix supplied during the construction of the Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow. Hanson supplied 600 cubic metres of the specialist concrete for the slip-form construction of the service towers. Slip-form construction involves vertically raising self-contained formwork on hydraulic jacks, in a continuous operation, while extruding the reinforced concrete section. www.sika.co.uk
Daylighting School Sport
The Maelor High School, Penley near Wrexham, has recently acquired a large sports hall which is also used by the local community. Designed by Wrexham Council architects, this stunning facility uses modern building technology to create the ideal playing conditions. This is achieved by cladding the sports and entrance areas with Ice Blue Kalwall which not only diffuses natural daylight but also creates perfect playing conditions by eliminating glare and shadows. This solution also means that there is no need for blinds, curtains or external shading. With increased natural daylight and resistance to solar gain, energy-consuming artificial lighting and air-conditioning costs will be dramatically reduced. Tel: 01233 501 504 or visit http://tinyurl.com/kalwall
Natural ventilation from SE Controls for Award Winning Hong Kong Science Park
Phases 3a and 3b of the extensive Hong Kong Science Park development, which won the Grand Award at the international ‘Green Building Awards’ in November 2014, are using more than 2000 window actuators from SE Controls to manage indoor air quality and provide natural ventilation to both of the new buildings.
Designed by architects, Simon Kwan & Associates and constructed by main contractor, Gammon Construction, the new buildings were conceived to be carbon neutral over their lifetime. To meet this goal a range of sustainable technologies and innovative energy saving solutions are incorporated, including a low energy hybrid natural ventilation system, where air conditioning is provided on a ‘pay for use’ basis to help reduce energy consumption.
As the 8 storey buildings use extensive glazed facades, they are orientate north-south to minimise solar gain and windows are automated using 1000 SE Controls SECO N 24 40 compact single chain actuators on each building, which are linked to the BMS and control the single sided, double opening natural ventilation system.
By using double opening window units with a high and low apertures incorporated in the design, warm air is vented through the top and cooler fresh air enters through the lower vent, which provides adequate ventilation to a room depth of 2.5 times the height of the window opening.Manual opening of the windows is also incorporated into every floor, so that individual units can be opened or closed by the buildings’ occupants, when external weather conditions permit, to provide good indoor air quality and thermal comfort. www.secontrols.com
119
116
Hush Acoustics: Hard Wood Flooring Replaces Carpet In Apartment
A 4 month refurbishment project has been completed by Hush Acoustics in a block of apartments in Kensington, London. The client wanted
to replace their existing carpet with a more modern timber flooring in the apartment but the lease dictated that a change in floor finish was not permitted due to potential sound transmission to neighbouring properties. Hush Acoustics specified Hush Mat 15 as the acoustic underlay for the project. This allowed the
carpet to be removed and a timber floor to be installed. www.hushacoutics.co.uk
Stannah Xtralifts Bring XtraAccess In A Va-Va-Voom Car Park
A pair of Stannah Xtralifts 2.0 has brought bumper access to people of all mobility levels in an exciting new multi-storey car park servicing Chequers Court retail centre in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.
Part of an ongoing £5m investment in the redevelopment of Huntingdon Town Centre, the 400-space car park, located opposite a supermarket, is a dynamic timber-clad, glass-and-concrete structure, with floor slabs, high ceilings, and few cross beams. The duplex pair of 21-person, stretcher passenger lifts is wall mounted within concrete lift shafts in a dedicated scenic glass structure. Traction-driven, the lifts operate at a speed of 1.0m/s between four floors over a distance of 10650mm.
Located opposite the stairs, each 21-person passenger lift complements the light, spacious design aesthetic whilst addressing the demanding environment.
The Xtralifts’ oil- and vibration-free, high-performance, gearless traction drive ensures a smooth ride. The low noise, energy use and running costs are ideal for increased usage and higher travels. Importantly, there is no need for a machine room, as all the necessaries are contained in a small cabinet.
Stannah worked with both the customer and project requirements, providing the supply and test of lifting beams and full depth landing architraves for additional robustness to the large passenger lifts.
Projects & Assets Manager at Huntingdonshire District Council, Chris Allen, comments: “The Stannah Xtralifts represent excellent value for money and provide the heavy duty, high volume people movement needed in this distinctive, busy car park servicing the growing retail needs of Huntingdon town centre. Reassurance is part of the package with a 24-hour, 365-day after-care service courtesy of the local branch of Stannah Lift Services.”
Installing, owning and operating a Stannah Xtralift helps to meet all building standards and regulations, including the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 – all with the reassurance of 24/7 emergency lift callout and continued lift maintenance by the local East Anglia branch of Stannah Lift Services, part of a nationwide network providing comprehensive lift servicing and support.www.stannahlifts.co.uk
Perth Arena Takes To The World Stage Featuring Reynaers Architectural Systems Throughout
Alongside the Swan River in Perth, Western Australia, a stunning new arena has opened its doors featuring Reynaers curtain walling and architectural aluminium systems.
Designed by architects ARM+CCN, a joint venture of ARM Architecture and CCN Architects, Perth Arena is defined by nine unique façades and links the city’s business district with Northbridge. Its vivid colours and dynamic geometry provide a vibrant and eye-catching new international entertainment venue attracting world-renowned artists to the capital of Western Australia.
Taking the form of interconnecting polygons the façades feature a bespoke curtain wall solution designed and developed by Reynaers and based on the CW 50 Structurally Clamped system. As part of the development programme the bespoke curtain wall system was extensively tested to ensure its ability to withstand all wind loads, thermal and structural movement as well as the system loads imposed by the building’s diagonal transoms.
Fundamental to the design concept developed by the architects the glazing had to be as one with the other façade materials, presenting a uniform and uninterrupted exterior. Laced with bold colours blue, white and black, the façades merge seamlessly with
cladding in bold geometric patterns while parallel sashes of irregular shaped windows appear almost nonexistent when viewed from the outside. Internally, however, it is a different story as the fenestration highlights the design features while bringing in all important natural light, combined with skylights, to vital areas of the arena.
This visually stunning achievement led to the building been awarded The Australian Window Association’s ‘Best use of Windows and Doors Commercial – New Construction’ award.
As day turns to night a transformation takes place as the arena comes to life with pulsating streaks of light chasing along the clean lines of the building like a huge spacecraft on the landscape it instinctively draws people towards it. www.reynaers.co.uk
