PSBJ April 2019

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April 2019

A CREATIVE COLLABORATION London school receives modern and light-filled extension

Fit for the future?

Let there be light

Fast delivery

Is our housing stock geared towards new targets to reduce carbon emissions

PSBJ looks into why skylights are essential to control natural light and heat within schools

Offsite construction specialist meets tight build schedule for Dublin Airport

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Welcome Note Editor

Hannah Woodger hannah@mixedmediainfo.com

Editorial Assistant Paige Smith

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Print & Digital Advertising Sam Ball

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Jim Moore jim@mixedmediainfo.com

Print Design Manager Jack Witcomb

jack@mixedmediainfo.com

Digital Design Manager David Perry

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Production Assistant Philip Coyle

philip@mixedmediainfo.com

When it comes to education projects that have forward-thinking clients such as Camden Council, collaboration produces astonishing results. See page 22.

Accounts

Jackie Dearman jackie@mixedmediainfo.com

Managing Director Sam Ball

sam@mixedmediainfo.com Publisher

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Welcome to the April issue of PSBJ...

In today’s fast-paced building environment, it’s not only quality and cost that dictates the specification of a project. As the industry feels the pressure to deliver and meet demand at a faster rate, it seems speed of construction is playing a vital role in the chosen route to build.

It isn't just the housing sector that has been urged to pick up the pace, infrastructure and associated buildings are also under immense strain to complete, in order to meet the demand for increased passenger intake. However, thanks to revolutionary building techniques, build programmes can be significantly reduced – and still achieve exceptional quality standards.

One building that provides a case in point is Dublin Airport. Having experienced a surge in passenger numbers, the airport urgently required an expansion of its boarding facilities for passengers. Offsite construction expert, McAvoy Group was approached as it had a reputation for delivering outstanding modular solutions within the timeframe demanded by the project team. Turn to page 8 to read all about how this became one of the fastest projects ever completed at the airport.

Also in this edition, we bring you the latest on Rooflights & Skylights, Furniture, Infection Control, Renewable Technology and Refurb & Retrofit. You will also find a dedicated focus on each of the four key areas of the public sector build market – Healthcare, Leisure, Housing and Education.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, you can also access all of the magazine’s features, product news and supplier information at your fingertips via Public Sector Build Journal’s state-ofthe-art app. To download your free version, simply search ‘PSBJ’ on Google Play or the App Store.

Hannah

Hannah Woodger | Editor | hannah@mixedmediainfo.com Follow us on Twitter:

@psbjmagazine

Download the PSBJ app for iPhone, iPad & Android Search 'PSBJ'

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Contents

06 News A round up of the latest industry news, including charity events, awarded contracts, completed projects and much more.

08 Upfront The McAvoy Group demonstrates the speed and accuracy of off-site construction using the recently completed Dublin Airport – one of the fastest growing airports in Europe.

12 Housing Building physics and services engineer Greengauge has delivered an ambitious M&E design for the new Goldsmith Street project in Norwich.

16 Leisure Frameworks Project Manager at ISG, Daniel Leigh comments on the changing landscape of the leisure sector and explains why a revolution is taking place.

18 Healthcare Jonathon Dore, Commercial Director at Kingspan Light + Air, reveals why modern design strategies need to look beyond the fabric, in healthcare environments especially.

08 20 Talking Point

26 Furniture

The BBA explains why you need to start testing early in your product development lifecycle to take a good idea to a profitable innovation.

Furniture specialist, Rainbow reveals how it was selected to work alongside JRA and Structure Tone to deliver a refurbishment and interior fit-out of 1-19 Torrington Place for UCL in Bloomsbury.

22 Education In partnership with Architects Collaborative, Sarah Wigglesworth Architects has created a stunning modern extension of Kingsgate Primary School in London.

24 Legal & Business Architects have a responsibility to design in fire safety into their projects, yet there seems to be a substantial lack of knowledge when it comes to fire terms.

Zeroignition explores further.

28 Skylights & Rooflights Brunel University has opted for a ‘best in class’ rooflight installation as part of a £13.8m redevelopment creating a lighter, brighter learning environment for pupils.

30 Technical Focus Daniel Tucker, Systems Product Manager at BMI UK & Ireland, discusses the NFRC’s Safe2Torch campaign and associated manufacturer support.

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Contents

18

16 32 Infection Control

26

Infection control is something that should be seen as a priority when working on either a renovation or new build project. MarshallTufflex explains why cable management solutions should be given priority, as they have the potential to become a breeding ground for bacteria.

36 Renewable Technology

34 Refurb & Retrofit

38 Product Showcase

Stuart Hicks from cold-applied liquid waterproofing specialist, Kemper System, explains the challenges surrounding the roof renovation of a busy London hospital.

A dedicated focus of industry news, products and case studies to help specifiers and local authorities make informed decisions.

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Finn Geotherm comments on the latest report from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) ‘UK Housing – Fit for the Future?’

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News

INDUSTRY UPDATES

Each month PSBJ rounds up the latest public sector construction updates, from new contracts to industry awards.

Caledonian awarded £38m schools contract Volumetric modular building specialist, Caledonian has secured two large school projects in quick succession with a total order value of £38m. Haygrove School and The Sir Frederick Gibberd College were secured by Caledonian under Department for Education (DfE) frameworks. Caledonian was selected for both projects because it offered a full turnkey package including lead design, planning and installation, all the way through to hand over. “Haygrove and SFG are both large projects, which, alongside our other recent new business wins, underpin our future growth strategy,” said Paul Lang, Chief Executive Officer of Caledonian Modular.

“We have worked closely with the DfE and the schools, as we do on all our education projects, to deliver modern, efficient teaching spaces that will open up further opportunities for young people in the area.”

Tougher sprinkler rules needed Tougher sprinkler rules must be introduced to ensure fire safety in high-rise buildings and care homes, the Local Government Association (LGA) has urged. The LGA is calling for the height threshold at which automatic fire suppression systems, such as sprinklers, are required in new residential buildings in England to be lowered to 18m – down from the current 30m/10-storey limit.

It is also urging the Government to require automatic fire suppression systems, such as sprinklers, to be installed in all new premises where vulnerable people sleep, including care homes and residential schools. The LGA, which represents 370 councils and all fire and rescue authorities in England, is further calling for the same standards to be applied to existing buildings. It says these measures will provide increased safety protection and reassurance to more people and have been proved to be effective.

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University ‘big build’ moves up a gear The transformation of the University of Brighton’s largest campus has entered a new phase with the start of work on the site of five new student accommodation blocks that will transform a stretch of the city’s busy Lewes Road. The towers at the Moulsecoomb campus, ranging in height from eight to 18 floors, will provide over 800 affordable student bedrooms and space at ground level for a new Students’ Union and fitness facilities. The visuallystriking development is being built on the site of the University’s Mithras House car park and is due to be ready for students starting courses from September 2021.

Development partner Uliving is taking on the financing, development and management of the new student facilities with a 50-year operating term. Its investment partner is John Laing and Aviva Investors’ Lime Property Fund is providing long-term development finance through an income strip deal. The development will be delivered by construction company Bouygues UK, and Bouygues Energies and Services will be in charge of facilities management.

ISG secures brace of Pagabo education wins Construction services provider ISG has added to its recent education win tally, securing an additional two projects in the South East valued at over £15m through

the Pagabo Framework. The first of the new projects will see ISG’s Agility division refurbish Block D at Barking and Dagenham college to create a Centre of Advanced Technologies. The £7.2m refurbishment of the centre will provide new teaching spaces, laboratories, open plan study areas, a cafe with associated plant rooms, storage areas and restrooms. The second project will see ISG deliver a £7.9m, 24,000ft2, two-storey, 83-bedroom, student residential unit at Oaklands College in Hertfordshire. The scheme also includes the construction of a new college car park and associated hard landscaping works on the western side of the campus.

Two decades of delivery for leading university Laing O’Rourke has signed a contract with the University of Oxford to complete the construction of its Biochemistry Building.

The first phase of construction of the Biochemistry Building was successfully delivered by Laing O’Rourke in 2008 and this phase will be the latest project in what will be a near 20-year continuous collaboration with the University of Oxford. A key success factor in delivering the project will be to significantly de-risk the construction process within a live and very busy science, teaching and research site. Laing O’Rourke will deliver this through the application and integration of significant DfMA 70:60:30 activities for the concrete structures, alongside the extensive use of MEP vertical risers and horizontal distribution service modules and plant rooms. The project is due to be completed by December 2020.

Arc Cinema signed up for East Midlands mixed-use development Broxtowe Borough Council has secured a deal to bring The Arc Cinema to Beeston town centre as part of its plans to create a vibrant hub of leisure facilities and new homes in Nottinghamshire. Councillor Richard Jackson, Leader of the Council for Broxtowe Borough Council, said: “This is a significant milestone in Beeston’s development which we are excited to announce. We have been in negotiations with three leading cinema operators for several months and selected Arc Cinema because of its approach to delivering high-quality screenings tailored to local communities.” Work is expected to start on the site in August with an anticipated opening date in late 2020.

Lambeth community selects architect for CLT homes Lambeth residents came together on 2nd March to choose which architect would take forward plans for Community Land Trust (CLT) homes on Christchurch Road in Streatham. 44 people came along to view architects’ proposals and voted overwhelmingly for RCKa. RCKa will work with the local community and London CLT members in Lambeth to take forward plans for around 27 permanent and genuinely affordable homes on a patch of fenced land on Christchurch Road, on the junction with Streatham Hill. The site will be the first development of Community Land Trust homes in Lambeth. The land, originally owned by TfL, was set aside last year by Mayor Sadiq Khan for community-led housing, following a campaign by the local community alliance Lambeth Citizens.

Morgan Sindall Construction tops out at Essex school Morgan Sindall Construction has reached the topping out stage at the £18.8m expansion to Lexden Springs School in Colchester, Essex. The company is delivering the major relocation and expansion project on behalf

suite, a three-bed bay for day patients, two LINAC bunkers and a CT scanner suite. The work will also see new consultation and examination rooms, clinical planning and mould rooms and additional space for support staff. Keith Hayes, Healthcare Director for GRAHAM, said: “The project to create a new cancer centre at Cumberland Infirmary will play a vital role in improving facilities and services available to clinicians, patients and families across the region. It’s a crucial piece of work, and a positive step towards realising the NHS England Specialised Commissioners’ strategy for delivering sustainable models for cancer services in Cumbria. GRAHAM enjoys a strong track record of delivery across the healthcare sector and we look forward to working with partners to help realise a project that will have a really positive impact for those who rely on the specialist care services offered at North Cumbria University Hospital.”

News

of Essex County Council, which will increase the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) school’s capacity from 120 to 200 pupils. Lexden Springs’ expansion is part of the authority’s plans to spend up to £115m on creating more than 400 new SEND places across Essex. The record investment, which includes £42m from the Essex Schools Forum, comes after an increase in the number of children in the county being diagnosed with autism and a surge in the demand for SEND school places.

Morgan Sindall Construction completes new fire station Building work has completed on a new stateof-the-art fire station and training centre in Ramsgate, Kent. Delivered on time and on budget by Morgan Sindall Construction, the new Ramsgate Fire Station will support 22 firefighters from full-time crews and 14 on-call firefighters and enable them to be prepared for emergencies any day of the year. The company was appointed to the scheme by Kent Fire and Rescue Service, who says the new station brings its training facilities into the 21st century with firefighters being more prepared than ever to provide effective emergency services to the local area. Fire crews have moved from the town’s previous station in Effingham Street – which had been home to the fire service for 113 years.

GRAHAM to deliver new cancer centre Contractor GRAHAM has been awarded an £18.3m contract to design and construct the new cancer centre at Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle for North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust. The project was awarded through the Procure22 Framework and will see GRAHAM deliver an 18-bay chemotherapy

Work completes on transformational school expansion Morgan Sindall Construction has completed work on a £6m expansion to Robert May’s School in Odiham, Hampshire. The major expansion programme was delivered via the Southern Construction Framework (SCF) and was completed on time and on budget for Hampshire County Council and was designed by the County Council’s Property Services team. The new block has increased the secondary school’s capacity by 150 places to 1350 pupils and includes six new teaching rooms, a new library, reception area and additional office space. Morgan Sindall Construction completely remodelled the front entrance to the school, creating additional parking spaces and a new coach loop. The library was refurbished into a ‘super lab’ for scientific, technical, digital, engineering and practical learning, with the expansion of a dining area. A new lift and link bridge have been built to connect the new teaching block to the existing school building. A Gebrik facade was selected for the exterior of the new building, which has a steel and prefabricated concrete construction. An exposed concrete soffit design has been used on the interior of the building to avoid overheating, along with solar tinted glass.

7

Upfront

OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION FOR AIRPORTS – THE DUBLIN AIRPORT APPROACH Project: Dublin Airport Location: Dublin Contractor: The McAvoy Group

The use of an offsite solution allowed the airport operations to continue uninterrupted

Raymond Millar, Construction Director at The McAvoy Group, looks at how Dublin Airport used offsite construction to expand its passenger boarding facilities and achieve one of the fastest projects ever completed at the airport. value of offsite T heconstruction in sectors such as education, housing and healthcare has been widely documented. However, there has also been a surge in interest in offsite construction to support airport expansion as operators look for more innovative solutions to build new world-class facilities.

The benefits of modular solutions are proven – reduced work on highly constrained, secure sites; shorter programmes; less disruption to airport operations, and greater certainty of delivery on time and on budget.

Dublin Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in Europe. It has experienced a 6% increase in passenger numbers with a record 29.6m passengers using the airport in the past year.

South Gates is a new €22m passenger boarding facility which has been developed to meet the huge growth in passenger numbers. The building was designed to be used mainly

by Aer Lingus for flights to the UK and continental Europe. It provides seven boarding gates to serve nine aircraft stands and

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can accommodate around 1000 passengers at a time and up to 8000 people a day.

The offsite solution The dedicated passenger boarding zone was constructed offsite by The McAvoy Group to reduce the programme

for earlier occupation in order to meet the rising demand for flights from the airport. The new facility was manufactured at the Group’s offsite production centre in Lisburn, Northern Ireland and was craned into position in just 16 days as 77 steel-framed

modules, up to 12m long and weighing up to 13 tonnes each.

The use of an offsite solution allowed the airport operations to continue uninterrupted, with minimum disruption.

It also allowed the fast-track programme for the project to be achieved.

The finished building is a handsome new facility with high quality finishes and clean architectural lines

Upfront

Project challenges The offsite solution had to address a number of challenges on this project: Programme – the building had to be delivered to a critical and short programme to accommodate additional flights.

It was operational within a 16-month planning, design and construction schedule.

A highly constrained site – the space for the new facility was restricted within the South Apron and the fully operational airport site.

Full integration of airport M&E services – all mechanical and electrical services, including data communications, fire and security – had to link into the existing live airport terminal systems, which was a hugely complex operation undertaken by McAvoy.

Dublin Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in Europe

Open-plan environment – clear uninterrupted spans of over 19m were required for the 120m long facility. This was achieved by engineering the building modules to incorporate hot rolled structural steel beams which removed the requirement for internal columns – a modular industry first.

Stringent fire safety standards – the scheme had to be designed to meet stringent fire safety regulations that exceeded Building Regulations.

South Gates is a new €22m passenger boarding facility which has been developed to meet the huge growth in passenger numbers

Enhanced acoustic specification – a speciallydesigned ceiling solution was developed using suspended panels in different shapes and orientations. This provides a high standard of acoustics and its chequerboard appearance has created a strong visual feature as well as a sense of space.

The design criteria A range of simulation tools were used to validate the performance of the proposed building against international airport standards whilst meeting the functional requirements of the client, Dublin Airport Authority. A facility was developed that would provide a safe, comfortable passenger environment with the appropriate levels of service, amenities and  passenger information.

The internal environment is finished to a very high standard and the materials, lighting and signage co-ordinate with the other terminals

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Upfront The new facility was manufactured at the Group’s offsite production centre in Lisburn, Northern Ireland

Externally, the highly glazed building is finished in two shades of anthracite grey aluminium cladding to complement the existing passenger facilities.

A screen of grey louvres wraps around the roof to conceal

services and plant rooms, and there is a structural cantilevered canopy to three sides of the building to provide shelter for airport staff and passengers.

The internal environment is finished to a very high standard

and the materials, lighting and signage co-ordinate with the other terminals. This includes hard-wearing and impactresistant internal wall cladding with contemporary stainlesssteel joints.

The building had to be delivered to a critical and short programme to accommodate additional flights

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The rear wall of the boarding zone is a security wall which incorporates security mesh and vibration sensors.

An accessible floor void accommodates services.

Achieving a highly flexible airport facility

The South Gates facility is designed to operate in three different modes in a single day.

It accommodates departing flights in the busy early morning period; it facilitates mixed mode operations in the afternoon, with flight arrivals in the evening. It can also be segregated so departing and arriving passengers can be processed at the same time.

This highly flexible approach reduces congestion in Terminal 2.

For the mixed mode operations, an internal security ‘swing’ gate was incorporated into the building design to separate arrival and departure passengers.

Facilities include seven boarding gates, cafe, toilets, baby changing and a workstation area with plugs and charging points.

Upfront

FACT FILE: Digitising offsite construction Building Information Modelling (BIM) was used extensively in the tender and design stages. McAvoy created a virtual reality model of the building to demonstrate the building design and offer a fully immersive VR experience.

This allowed the client team to review the internal environment and in particular, the innovative acoustic ceiling solution.

Virtual reality fly throughs at the earliest stages of the project facilitated client engagement and informed key design decisions.

At the detailed design stage, the client was able to make realtime changes to the internal layout. The use of analysis tools also allowed McAvoy to simulate building construction processes, including the complex module delivery process on a highly restricted airport site.

All the principles of BIM were used for the project. 3D drawings and models were produced for both the steel structure and architectural modelling, and a common data

The McAvoy solution allowed the building to be delivered to site within weeks of planning approval

environment was created. BIM was also beneficial for clash detection for the installation of complex M&E services.

The customer perspective Iain Heath, Project Manager at Dublin Airport, said: “This is one of the fastest projects we have ever completed at the airport – from planning to the first flight in just 18 months. The finished building speaks for itself. It is a handsome new facility with high quality finishes and clean architectural lines.

“We were working to a very constrained programme to have the building operational ahead of the busy summer season.

The project and its innovative use of offsite construction is a fantastic achievement for the whole team.

“We were impressed with how McAvoy used BIM and virtual reality. As an airport we have a complex approvals process, but the digital techniques allowed the senior management team to ‘walk through’ the building and to

experience the facility, which facilitated design sign off. In addition to the programme benefits, offsite construction also meant fewer trades working on site and a smaller site footprint. This approach had far less operational impact for the airport and the closure of fewer aircraft stands with reduced timeframes.”

Brian Looney, Contracts Manager at Flynn Management & Contractors, added: “The principal driver for offsite construction was to reduce the programme. The McAvoy solution allowed the building to be delivered to site within weeks of planning approval.

Having fewer trades on site is also a benefit for airport projects where sites are very constrained and the highest standards of security have to be maintained at all times.

“This project has pushed the boundaries of offsite construction to create a valuable infrastructure facility.

The quality of the finished building is excellent, and you would never know this is a

Client: Dublin Airport Authority Facility: Passenger boarding zone Location: Dublin Value: £8m Weeks on site: 45 weeks Building size: 2200m2 Management contractor: Flynn Management & Contractors Lead consultants: Arup Executive architects: Kavanagh Tuite Project architects: Blue Sky Cost managers: KMCS Assigned certifiers: i3PT

modular building. The McAvoy Group’s production facilities are impressive, and their systems are robust. We would welcome the opportunity to work with their team again.” 

 www.mcavoygroup.com

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Housing

The development has already won a Housing Design Award (2016) and the CPRE’s Green Build Award (2018)

Project: Goldsmith Street Location: Norwich Architect: Mikhail Riches Architects

HOUSING SCHEME TACKLES FUEL POVERTY Greengauge delivers ambitious M&E design for UK’s largest 100% Passivhaus, 100% social rented housing scheme. physics and B uilding services engineer Greengauge has delivered an ambitious M&E design for the new Goldsmith Street project, set to be the largest 100% Passivhaus, 100% social rented housing scheme in the UK. The development for Norwich City Council (NCC) is not yet finished, but has already won a Housing Design Award (2016) and the CPRE’s Green Build Award (2018). It may well scoop more prizes after its final handover later this year.

However the ground-breaking scheme, situated on the edge of Norwich City Centre, could have been a very different project.

When Mikhail Riches Architects won the international RIBA competition in 2008, it was NCC’s intention to sell the site to a local housing provider.

But a few years later when the project was revived after being put on hold, NCC decided they would like to develop the site themselves and that the housing should be Passivhaus certifiable.

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“The reason for our client’s [NCC] change to Passivhaus is to do with fuel poverty,” says James Turner, Associate at Mikhail Riches Architects. “The Council wants to reduce heating demand. This enables tenants to keep warm, have very low heating bills, of around £150 a year for a two-bed house, and the tenant’s ability to pay their rent increases, reducing rent voids for the Council.”

M&E challenges Greengauge was appointed to lead the M&E design soon after the project was granted planning permission. The company had collaborated with Mikhail Riches before on a number of other schemes so there was already an established relationship. When Greengauge was commissioned, Goldsmith Street was the

largest-scale project they had worked on, which presented some challenges.

“Understanding how much information we had to deliver and how to manage that was a big challenge,” says Hannah Jones, Co-Founder of Greengauge.

“There were at least 12 different house types and that posed a different situation as opposed to a typical big housing development where there might be a handful of house types.”

Greengauge designed the complete M&E package for the development, which included the hot and cold water systems, heating, ventilation and all the electrical systems, such as the power, data, lighting and fire detection. In an unusual move, Passivhaus specialist WARM had also been appointed to work in conjunction with Greengauge.

“WARM are our sub-contractors on this project and work for us in terms of the mechanical design,” says Hannah. “For the Passivhaus design, WARM were separately appointed. We have worked closely with them to ensure the mechanical elements are tied in with the Passivhaus requirements and to make sure we don’t get any conflicting issues between the two.”

The architects had modelled the whole Passivhaus scheme in 3D using ArchiCAD BIM software.

Given that Greengauge uses the same software package while WARM works in 2D, Greengauge played a central role co-ordinating information and design input between Mikhail Riches and WARM. Greengauge added all the services in 3D and then had to interpret WARM’s key points  using sketches and drawings.

Energy savings The Passivhaus standard enables average energy savings of 70% on annual heating bills, which is leading many local authorities to explore its potential for new schemes, NCC among them.

Comprising 105 Passivhaus dwellings for social rent, of which 40 are two-bed houses, five are four-bed houses and 60 are a mix of one- and two-bed flats, Goldsmith Street is not only the Council’s most ambitious project, it is also the biggest 100% Passivhaus, 100% social rented housing scheme in the country.

Greengauge used dynamic simulation software to ensure that during the warmer months the dwellings wouldn’t become uncomfortably hot

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Housing

Greengauge designed the complete M&E package for the development

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Collaboration

“Collaboration was really good with Greengauge,” says James Turner. “I’ve worked with them for around seven years and we have a good rapport. Hannah knows intuitively when I’m not happy with something, and we can have an open dialogue which is helpful. It’s our first Passivhaus project and we had high expectations. This has been reflected in the finished result with services concealed and integrated into the design.”

ensure that during the warmer months the dwellings wouldn’t become uncomfortably hot.

Over-heating is becoming a key issue in building design.

“We completed some modelling to support the Passivhaus design. This showed that by sensibly opening windows and using shading, the occupants would be able to manage the internal temperature of their homes,” says Hannah.

Ventilation

Architectural ambitions

A key area of the Passivhaus design that Greengauge worked particularly hard on was the ventilation strategy and making this as simple and streamlined as possible. In Passivhaus projects airtightness is critical, which means that the ventilation design is also critical and requires an efficient and wellcontrolled ventilation system.

According to Hannah, a concerning issue within the UK’s domestic sector is that mechanical ventilation with heat recovery units specified in Passivhaus developments are often not installed by registered ventilation engineers. This can result in an un-commissioned ventilation system that won’t extract and control the humidity and smells within a building, leading to poor levels of air quality. Greengauge focused on providing a wellcommissioned ventilation system that complied with the Passivhaus requirements.

Greengauge also used dynamic simulation software to

Apart from the challenge of making the buildings 100% Passivhaus certifiable, Greengauge and WARM had to be sure that the systems employed were accessible and maintainable by the Council. The team needed to deliver a project that integrated with NCC’s requirements that they had developed over the years, and to ensure the Council could readily adopt the new buildings with little issue.

Architecturally, Mikhail Riches had very high ambitions for Goldsmith Street. According to James Turner, the design of the buildings took priority, and the architects wanted the Passivhaus to work to the design rather than the design being secondary to making the Passivhaus work.

“I think that’s where a lot of Passivhaus schemes fail,” adds James. “The focus is often too much on making the project Passivhaus compliant and forgetting that there still needs to be good design. This is where we pushed the design hard to achieve both.”

In addition to achieving Passivhaus, Mikhail Riches requested that Greengauge ensured that gas meter cupboards were concealed, gas pipework was hidden within the cavity of the brickwork, and boiler flues were not visible from the street.

“We put these requirements to Greengauge and asked them to find a solution,” says James.

“They may seem simple, but they add a lot of co-ordination time and complexity. It was a matter of designing them in a clever way to achieve an elegant solution.”

The team agree that the collaborative process on Goldsmith Street was successful and Hannah says they are looking to work with WARM on other similar projects.

James adds that a large part of the project’s success is to do with good co-ordination. An aspect that will be increasingly important given that he believes building regulations are likely to be increased to the equivalent of Passivhaus certification in the next 10 years.

Andrew Turnbull, Norwich City Council’s Senior Development Officer, says: “Goldsmith Street has been a huge project for the Council and proudly stands apart from so many other developments because it’s a pretty rare example of new council homes being built in the UK and to such high energyefficient standards. This project continues to demonstrate all the positives that can be achieved when everyone involved pulls together in the same direction.” 

 www.mikhailriches.com  www.ggbec.co.uk

The Passivhaus standard enables average energy savings of 70% on annual heating bills

The world leader in timber preservation technology ®

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THE DURABLE CHOICE CELCURISED TIMBER, THE TRUSTED TIMBER PROTECTION FOR LONG STANDING PRESERVATIVE PERFORMANCE FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit: www.kopperspc.eu Email: kpc@koppers.eu Call: +44 (0)1628 486644 Fax: +44 (0)1628 476757 Protim Solignum Limited, Fieldhouse Lane Marlow, Buckinghamshire SL7 1LS ™ Protim Solignum Limited trading as Koppers Performance Chemicals. Koppers is a registered Trademark of Koppers Delaware, Inc. Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in this document, Protim Solignum Limited gives no undertaking to that effect and no responsibility can be accepted for reliance on this information.

Information will be updated when the need arises. Please ensure you have an up to date copy. All products are produced by independently owned and operated wood processing facilities. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Koppers Performance Chemicals, Protim Solignum Limited, Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 1LS. Visit: www.kopperspc.eu, Email: kpc@koppers.eu, Call: +44 (0)1628 486644, Fax: +44 (0)1628 476757. Registered in England 3037845. © Copyright 2018.

by Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Manufacturers Of Wood Preservatives Protim Solignum Ltd Marlow, Buckinghamshire

Leisure

Through the smart use of segmentation data, local authorities are tailoring facilities to individual communities

PULLING LEISURE OUT OF THE DEEP END Daniel Leigh, Frameworks Project Manager at construction services company ISG, discusses the revolution taking place in public sector leisure provision. way we think about T heleisure is changing. Not just the way that we build new centres and refurbish old, but the way they are planned and designed.

Business planning, data and analysis are now often at the centre of a project’s conception, informing decisions on provision, location and

price to ensure that our leisure centres are at the beating heart of communities, providing affordable, accessible facilities that we know people will want to use.

This is a marked deviation from the way a new swimming pool or gym would have been designed just 15 years ago.

Down the line many of these

Local authorities can operate centres that pay for themselves and deliver benefits

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centres have been abandoned by the communities they were built to serve and rather than being seen as the solution to the UK’s health crisis, they are languishing, a drain on funds at a time when local authority budgets are stretched.

The hard work of leisure teams can’t be faulted, they are working tirelessly to drive up

membership numbers through new and innovative classes and activities – but often they are working against a building that wasn’t constructed with the future or the community in mind.

The benefits of exercise are well documented, with leisure centres at the core of the UK’s strategy to reach the estimated 11.5 million inactive adults across the country and encourage young people to take part in sport. The health-related costs are well understood; latest estimates suggest that inactivity costs the NHS £450m a year, with significant social care costs down the line for councils.

In pockets across the UK, local authorities are tackling the issue head on and, rather than continuing in the same vein, have transformed centres into thriving spaces for the community that pay for themselves and have the potential to deliver savings across wider health and social care spending.

Through the smart use of segmentation data, local authorities – with the help of private partnerships – are tailoring facilities to individual communities, utilising competitor analysis to determine latent demand and mosaic analysis to shape services to fit the local demographic.

Working with developer Alliance Leisure, we have delivered 19 new build and refurbishment schemes on behalf of local authorities. By using expert partners across the planning, preconstruction and development stages, these centres have market analysis at their core, delivering provision for a range of ages and abilities. Blending traditional sporting facilities with innovative installations such as toning suites, climbing walls, TAGactive and highlevel obstacle courses – they encourage activity, and not just sport.

Where the data shows they can add value, secondary income generators -– such as food and beverage facilities – create a destination experience for both children and parents alike, especially important

Leisure as few children now play out independently. A recent survey found that three-quarters of UK children spend less time outside than prison inmates.

This holistic approach also allows authorities to consider their entire leisure provision, to ensure their services complement, rather than overlap and over-service a location. A perfect example of this approach is Denbighshire County Council.

ISG delivered the Nova centre in Prestatyn through Alliance Leisure for the authority in 2015, and are currently constructing SC2 in Rhyl. These centres sit just four miles apart. Without foresight, the new centre could have spelt a decline in visitor numbers up the coast. Instead, they both have unique, and independent offerings, that enhance the council’s overall leisure provision.

Data and analysis aren’t the only things that public private partnerships bring to the table.

Procuring development works can be time consuming and costly. As well as development frameworks, such as the UK Leisure Framework, developers like Alliance Leisure simplify this process, making it much more cost efficient, resulting in more of the authority’s overall budget being spent of the development itself, with shorter programmes and better specified offerings.

As the construction partner, we are also able to support much earlier in the process, working with leisure operators,

management staff and end users. Through these close working relationships, new thinking and bold ideas can easily be incorporated into the design and construction process, delivering better outcomes for the operator, authority and end-users.

Our recently-completed extension and refurbishment project at Northallerton Leisure Centre saw a 45% increase in gym users over the first month of operation, a 30% increase in group fitness attendance and 2000 more swimmers across January and February 2018.

Thanks to the improvements, the centre is celebrating its highest ever membership levels.

These successes are down to careful planning, well-thoughtout design and targeting of facilities. Leisure centres with chilly pools, leaking roofs and cracked tiles have no place in the future of our leisure provision.

Local authorities can operate centres that pay for themselves and deliver benefits, not just in terms of encouraging people to take up activity, but also by helping to create a sustainable future for the NHS and social care services.

ISG delivered the Nova centre in Prestatyn through Alliance Leisure for the authority in 2015

Over the last seven years, ISG has worked across almost 30 leisure projects for local authorities, including four projects with Serco for Birmingham City Council, in addition to a range of private sector leisure schemes and £300m worth of work across 120 Olympic venues from 2009 to 2012, including the construction of the iconic Olympic Velodrome. 

 www.isgplc.com/en

Over the last seven years, ISG has worked across almost 30 leisure projects for local authorities

17

Healthcare

Adopting a holistic design strategy early on provides the opportunity to fully evaluate how a building will truly perform once operational

OPENING UP THE ENVELOPE Jonathan Dore, Commercial Director at Kingspan Light + Air, discusses why adopting a blended approach to design can address some of the modern challenges facing developers today. first’ is a design F ‘ abric mantra that has long been synonymous with constructing buildings which achieve very low U-values, high levels of energy efficiency and incorporate sustainable materials which will stand the test of time.

While the envelope is clearly fundamental in delivering a healthcare building which is fit for purpose and complies with the latest regulations, simultaneous consideration of operational performance is also crucial for ensuring that the external structure supports factors such as daylighting, natural ventilation and smoke control – without compromising envelope design.

From a building design perspective, one of the main challenges in modern construction is balancing what can sometimes be conflicting design and compliance criteria.

Part L dictates airtightness yet breathability and natural ventilation contribute to health and productivity as defined in the WELL Building Standard.

When undertaking a holistic approach to design, planning and construction, the starting point must always be to establish the priority standards as defined by legislation, and then look to address broader performance considerations.

Crucially, these should not focus exclusively on the

High levels of natural daylight help to promote health and wellbeing

18

building envelope, but instead simultaneously address the wider characteristics of the built environment.

For healthcare buildings, whether this is a large-scale hospital development or a community care facility, life safety will always be a primary factor driving design. However, in the context of smoke control strategy, this is often intrinsically linked to natural ventilation and daylighting.

When these are not considered at the point of envelope design, the overall performance of a building – spanning fabric and services – can be compromised.

Conversely, simultaneously evaluating these during the initial specification phases has the potential to deliver a building which effectively, efficiently and economically complies with the relevant regulations and provides a safe, secure and comfortable environment for employees, visitors and patients.

Blending building design Adopting a holistic design strategy early on provides the opportunity to fully evaluate how a building will truly perform once operational. As opposed to predicting how the fabric will perform as a shell in isolation, a full appraisal of the building should be undertaken which factors in the role of daylighting, natural ventilation and smoke control.

By using modern software packages, specialist manufacturers can support designers with building energy modelling. These sophisticated programmes will visualise and calculate the impact which different solutions and strategies will have on overall building performance.

For example, a new hospital is likely to feature a flat roof given the scale of the building footprint and a practical need to house plant equipment. In flat roof applications, out-of-plane rooflights (for example over atria or light wells) are a proven

daylighting solution which can also provide natural ventilation and smoke safety performance.

With building energy modelling, the exact profiling of these rooflights can be identified to detail size, shape and location – all while determining the impact on energy consumption and levels of daylighting which can be achieved.

This modelling process is a valid and reliable method of holistically assessing the suitability of building design, before any final decisions are made as regards to the building envelope. However, caution should be exercised with making any changes to specifications used during the modelling phases as there are critical performance elements that may be missed.

the project progresses through the supply chain. With advanced building energy modelling and more complex solutions such as rooflights, changing products without correctly verifying the exact detail can have a detrimental impact and result in the building not performing as expected.

For example, there is a misconception that rooflights which achieve the same U-values are broadly comparable. In reality, the U-value is just one factor which impacts the energy efficiency and comfort of a building.

The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, or G-value, must also be considered. Clearly any daylighting product will have a G-value greater than 0, but the lower the G-value, the better the product is at blocking heat gains, balanced against the usable natural daylight through the system. Diffusion is also important to reduce hot spots, reduce glare and improve lighting uniformity, balanced against the frequent desire to have clear vision through daylighting products.

This is an excellent illustration of where the design must be blended to achieve the right balance, as in the event of a product being installed which has a high G-value, the heat gains may be significant… which is likely to increase the need to use ventilation and ultimately impact the overall energy efficiency of a building.

There are many more system detail factors which would need to be evaluated when undertaking a blended design approach, but current best practice is to seek out specialist partners who can guide the process with technical expertise and reliable modelling technology. In doing so, this will produce a robust design that not only provides excellent performance on paper but delivers confidence that this will follow through to a healthy building that works as expected, in practice. 

Healthcare

One of the main challenges in modern construction is balancing what can sometimes be conflicting design and compliance criteria

 www.kingspanlightandair.co.uk

Designing in detail While thermal modelling of the building envelope can help to inform the materials which are used to achieve the required levels of insulation and airtightness, there is often scope to value engineer the specification as

Life safety and natural ventilation are key design criterion for healthcare buildings

19

Talking Point

The BBA’s offering to manufacturers – both established and new – provides a full range of product testing capabilities

HOW PRODUCT INNOVATION AND TESTING COMBINE TO DELIVER PROFITABILITY Alvaro Enguita-Gonzalez, BBA Business Unit Head – Test, explains why you need to start testing early in your product development lifecycle to take a good idea to a profitable innovation. you know that D idtechnology has advanced more in the construction industry over the last 100 years than in all the previous centuries? The innate curiosity of man to shed light on the challenges that surround him has been – and will continue to be – the primary driver of the most important technical advances in construction.

From the invention of mobile tower cranes and the discovery of fibre glass insulation to the development of computeraided design (CAD) systems, these milestones could not have happened if the necessary innovation and research & development (R&D) processes had not received significant support from both public and private organisations.

Despite all that has been said regarding the increasing demands for compliance, stringent safety standards and the challenges

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these bring for manufacturers who want to introduce new product innovations to the market ahead of their competitors, there is good news; construction product manufacturers are not alone when making this journey from a good idea to innovation.

The importance of innovation Innovation – or the use of the word – has been adopted to cover a multitude of developments, but as David Ogilvy (advertising guru and founder of Ogilvy & Mather) said: “In the modern world of business, it is useless to be an original creative thinker unless you can also sell what you create.” So, how can ‘innovators’ move from an original creative thought to a money-making innovation while being compliant and showing their clients (and investors) that they have ticked all the safety and assessment needs?

That’s easy; they can achieve this by working with trusted third-party partners such as the BBA in assessing and testing these creations from R&D to launch stage.

At the BBA the drivers for testing and our work with manufacturers is not just in proving that the innovations made are rigorous and fit for use; our testing regime is also applied to the process, production, digitalisation and the workforce. This unique testing process is based on more than 35 years of development which has seen us create specialised facilities that cater to the needs of the industry.

Our offering to manufacturers – both established and new – provides a full range of product testing capabilities ranging from mechanical testing for security and manipulation, durability and aesthetics, weather resistance

Alvaro Enguita-Gonzalez, BBA Business Unit Head – Test

and wind serviceability, conformance testing and fit-for-purpose, type testing – right through to reliable and conclusive failure analysis.

As the future of product development for construction product manufacturers evolves and grows, it is essential that businesses understand the importance of buying into innovation as an ongoing policy; working with experts to achieve long-lasting, money-making changes – turning good ideas into a reality. 

 www.bbacerts.co.uk/bba

Images © Beccy Lane

Education

On a physically constrained site, the construction programme had to work around the school timetable and deliver the completed extension quickly

CREATIVE COLLABORATION AT ITS BEST

Project: Kingsgate Primary School Location: West Hampstead, London Architects: Sarah Wigglesworth Architects (SWA) & Architects Collaborative

Sarah Wigglesworth Architects (SWA), working with Architects Collaborative, has designed a modern extension to the existing Victorian buildings of Kingsgate Primary School, creating a playful and light-filled addition to this London school. The new space includes a multi-purpose studio, library and community entrance with accessible WC and storage.

Acoustic dividing walls allow for differing spatial arrangements as required

22

“Working with Ann Griffin of Architects Collaborative has proven how, when it comes to education projects that have forward-thinking clients such as Camden Council, collaboration produces astonishing results,” says Sarah Wigglesworth.

“Architects Collaborative, acting for LB Camden, was instrumental in initiating the project, developing the brief and a site-wide masterplan while the SWA team designed the buildings and managed the process of delivery. We are all proud of the result, which offers a wonderful new learning environment for the pupils and staff at Kingsgate.”

“This is creative collaboration at its best – where the process is enriched and the outcome exceeds what any individual member could have achieved without the shared endeavour,” says Ann Griffin of Architects Collaborative. “It has been particularly rewarding to see these delightful spaces in use and to hear from the school how they support a seamless transition for pupils moving up from their other site.”

An ambition for primary education in Camden The London Borough of Camden, one of the city’s councils most committed to education and design excellence, selected Kingsgate Primary School for expansion to help meet the need for more pupil places in this relatively deprived part of the borough. The existing school site on Kingsgate Road did not offer sufficient space for the required expansion and so a second site was developed to accommodate the infants (key stage 1), freeing up the Kingsgate Road site for the juniors (Key Stage 2) children aged eight to 11 years old.

Considerable adaptation of the existing site was required to create a superb learning environment to meet the needs of these older children. The extension takes advantage of this unusual opportunity, to create an exemplar learning environment dedicated to KS2 sport, learning and play, designed with children in mind.

Education

“One of the main challenges of the project was constructing the extension while the school was in operation. On a physically constrained site, the construction programme had to work around the school timetable and deliver the completed extension quickly,” says Project Architect, Katharine Terry.

“The solution was to use structurally insulated panels (SIPs) for the building fabric.

These had the advantage of being prepared off-site and then craned into place, condensing the construction programme and minimising the number of deliveries to site.

The project was completed in July 2018.”

A family of pitchedroof elements The extension is designed to enhance the school’s relationship with the adjacent Kilburn Grange Park. The new frontage to the park provides opportunities for community access with a possible future entrance from the park side.

A palette of treated timber cladding and simple zinc roofs addresses the natural setting of the park and establishes the distinctive character of the extension. The internal spaces offer views through the building towards the mature trees beyond, creating a stimulating learning environment as well as a view through the building.

Key features of the original school building, with its popup dormer windows, smaller scale roof elements and gable elevations, have been reinterpreted in the form and scale of the extension, enabling it to sit comfortably in the wider school site.

The new internal spaces draw on the daylight qualities and proportions of the existing space. Generous pitched ceiling heights create a feeling of spaciousness and daylight enters from multiple directions.

Low-level windows frame areas for window seats and reading spaces while high-level windows and rooflights provide views of the sky and assist with natural ventilation. 

 www.swarch.co.uk

A palette of treated timber cladding and simple zinc roofs addresses the natural setting of the park

The new internal spaces draw on the daylight qualities and proportions of the existing space

23

Legal & Business

FIRE DESTRUCTION CAN BE A THING OF THE PAST

Architects were asked about their understanding of four common terms relating to buildings and fire

Architects are responsible for designing safe buildings, that’s a given. In the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy it’s clear stopping fire deaths is high on the agenda.

Ian King, Chief Operating Officer of Zeroignition, explains more. wanted to understand W eexactly how well architects and specifiers understood fire protection terms. Both theoretically, so being able to define fire terms, as well as looking at the practical choices they make to keep fire risks down.

Architects were asked about their understanding of four common terms relating to buildings and fire. Only 8% were able to correctly define these basic fire protection terms.

The terms were active fire protection, systems triggered by a human/computer/ mechanical action – these include sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms.

Passive fire protection, which uses designed-in fire protection to contain or slow the spread of fire. Passive measures include fire-resistant walls, floors and doors as well as compartmentation.

Fire resistance is something products and technologies possess that prevents fire spreading. The final term is reaction to fire which describes

24

the fire protection methods to help occupants of a space, like a hotel room, office or room in a home to escape – it’s generally related to the early stages of a fire.

While one in three architects were unable to correctly define active fire protection, when asked about fire protection options they’d considered in projects, active measures such as smoke alarms were named by 38% and sprinklers by 33%.

Just over half of all architects couldn’t give an accurate definition of passive fire protection, where fire protection is ‘built in’. However, 54% did cite fire doors as a consideration, which is part of the passive approach.

Passive technologies, such as flame retardant treated materials e.g. firewall, were considered by over a quarter (29%), plasterboard by 21% and plywood/OSB by 8%.

58% of architects were unable to explain what ‘reaction to fire’ is and almost three quarters (71%) were unable to define fire resistance.

There’s clearly a lack of understanding as to the fire basics which is worrying to say the least. Architects, their employers and the professional bodies need to invest in ensuring this knowledge is bedded in. Beyond this, the construction industry needs to learn from other industries, such as automotive and aviation, which focus on a checklist approach to reduce harm to patients and passengers. If people rely on memory, mistakes happen and the simple action of checking off points can stop fire planning elements being missed.

With a third of architects saying their current employer doesn’t spend enough on fire protection training, there’s clearly an opportunity for the construction, development and manufacturing sector – perhaps we can step into the breach helping fund such training?

Beyond this, we need to look to the latest in communications theory and understand decision making to ensure that fire communications are presented

Ian King, Chief Operating Officer of Zeroignition, has over 30 years’ general management experience in a variety of global-scale, brand-driven businesses in technologicallyfocussed industries. He has held Sales, Marketing, GM, VP and CEO positions in brands such as Toshiba, Western Digital, Seagate and Akamai, before getting involved with Zeroignition in the start-up phase in 2011.

in a way that not only sticks, and use nudge theory to ensure that it’s easier to do the right thing.

Let’s make fire related death and destruction a thing of the past. 

 www.zeroignition.com

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Furniture

Furniture specialist Rainbow was selected to work alongside JRA and Structure Tone

Project: University College London Location: Bloomsbury, London Architect: John Robertson Architects

College U niversity London (UCL) appointed

COLLEGE GETS CREATIVE WITH FURNITURE University College London responds to the increase of its student population by refreshing and refurbishing 1-19 Torrington Place, Bloomsbury campus.

Booths and various breakout spaces allow for students and visitors to congregate, work together and collaborate on new ideas

The new, transformed spaces now offer 542 seats of specialist teaching space

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Structure Tone & John Robertson Architects (JRA) to create bespoke learning environments through impactful design and quality that reflects the excellent reputation that the university currently upholds.

Furniture specialist Rainbow was selected to work alongside JRA and Structure Tone to deliver a refurbishment and interior fitout of 1-19 Torrington Place for UCL in Bloomsbury.

The team have carried out works and improved the entrance, reception area as well as a combination of teaching and learning spaces across the ground and lower ground floor.

The improvements have allowed an increase in student occupancy as well as better accessibility within a contemporary and modern setting.

Working with the university’s design team, Structure Tone helped develop a re-stacking scheme to renovate level 10, refurbish the ground floor and the basement, thus providing new reception spaces and breakout/social areas all while normal operations continued on the floors above. To overcome this obstacle, a four-phased plan was put into place.

The first phase entailed the re-location of the advanced teaching department on the ground floor to level 10. The team refurbished level 10 and provided meeting rooms, office areas and breakout rooms to allow for a smooth transition.

Once this floor was cleared and vacant, works from level 10 moved down to the ground floor and basement where the project team refurbished the spaces to accommodate high occupancy, technical lecture theatres as well as flexible classrooms, breakout areas and a new reception area. Everything was finished to a high specification and, as a form of way-finding, certain areas have been finished in specific colours – the white ceiling finishes indicate teaching spaces and the black

colour signifies the front of house and communal areas, including exposed cladding high level service, sprayed acoustic sofits and eye-catching bespoke timber slatted joinery walls throughout. A quick and efficient turnaround allowed the team to open the east reception area, thus allowing building users to have direct access to the higher levels.

The third phase involved continuing with construction to the rest of the reception area. This included the removal and relocation of the curtain walling in order to remodel the once-dated building fabric incorporating a revolving door and altogether revised access strategy. And finally the fourth phase involved the installation of IT/AV system integration with the new furniture layout throughout.

A majority of the works were completed before the beginning of the new academic term, minimising disruption and allowing the university to get settled before classes resumed.

The new, transformed spaces now offer 542 seats of specialist teaching space and 10 new learning and social spaces as well as a new DDA lift, security speed gates and striking reception desk. Booths and various breakout spaces allow for students and visitors to congregate, work together and collaborate on new ideas or even compare notes!

Teaching spaces feel bright and spacious through the clever use of colour used within the furniture. For instance, the interior of the lecture theatre is lifted with different shades of blue on the auditorium seating whilst teaching rooms make use of colourful upholstered seats to inject colour into the areas. Tables and chairs on castors were provided so that the space can be reconfigured quickly and easily to suit various requirements. Other rooms have been provided with task chairs with tablet arms for ease of note taking and storage underneath chairs to allow for quick storage whilst making room for more students to occupy the room without feeling too crammed in. 

 www.rainbowdesign.co.uk

The world leader in timber preservation technology

Fire-X

®

THE PROVEN LEACH RESISTANT FIRE PROTECTION TREATMENT FOR TIMBER AND SHINGLES ENHANCED PERFORMANCE FOR EXTERIOR TIMBER FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit: www.kopperspc.eu Email: kpc@koppers.eu Call: +44 (0)1628 486644 Fax: +44 (0)1628 476757 Protim Solignum Limited, Fieldhouse Lane Marlow, Buckinghamshire SL7 1LS ™ Protim Solignum Limited trading as Koppers Performance Chemicals. Koppers is a registered Trademark of Koppers Delaware, Inc. Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in this document, Protim Solignum Limited gives no undertaking to that effect and no responsibility can be accepted for reliance on this information. Information will be updated when the need arises. Please ensure you have an up to date copy. All products are produced by independently owned and operated wood processing facilities. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Koppers Performance Chemicals, Protim Solignum Limited, Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 1LS. Visit: www.kopperspc.eu, Email: kpc@koppers.eu, Call: +44 (0)1628 486644, Fax: +44 (0)1628 476757.

Registered in England 3037845. © Copyright 2018.

by Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Manufacturers Of Wood Preservatives Protim Solignum Ltd Marlow, Buckinghamshire

27

Skylights & Rooflights

Brunel University has undergone a £13.8m redevelopment project on its 4710m2 Wilfred Brown Building

LET THERE BE LIGHT When it comes to educational buildings, specifying glazing products can be a challenge. Not only do these spaces need access to plenty of natural light to create a comfortable learning environment – but with stringent environmental policies weighing heavily on the public sector, efficiency must always be front of mind too. specification of T heglazing can become particularly problematic with large panes of glass: walking the tightrope between impressive aesthetic design and a building that offers the thermal performance it needs to keep running costs down.

One educational building that provides a case in point is Brunel University, in Uxbridge, West London – which has undergone a £13.8m redevelopment project on its 4710m2 Wilfred Brown Building (a central hub for the College of Engineering, Design

and Physical Sciences). With student welfare of paramount concern, an important part of the external renovation was designing a roof that would allow plenty of natural light into the building – creating a lighter, brighter learning environment for pupils.

The architects were able to strike the balance between much-needed natural light and exceptional thermal efficiency

28

Student safety was also a top priority. Architects needed to guarantee glazing durability for generations to come, standing the test of time against the extremes of seasonal weather.

Finally, with impending rising energy costs, any glass used on the roof needed to be fully thermally efficient – preventing heat loss in winter months to help keep costs low, yet ensuring that temperatures don’t become uncomfortably warm during the summer.

Rooflights: the perfect solution Specifiers at Brunel had worked with leading British flat-roof skylight manufacturer Sunsquare before, and knew that its rooflights were the ideal choice for the university’s unique requirements. Mark Lambert, Sales Director at Sunsquare, explains: “As a university renowned for delivering exceptional standards of education, it was imperative that Brunel’s upgraded facilities reflected the same high standards. One of the main challenges faced by the remodelling team was to create a more welcoming space for visitors, increasing light in poorly lit areas of the building.

“Studies have shown that the benefits of natural light in learning facilities can be significant, providing access to vitamin D that can improve students’ mood, focus, productivity and attendance.

Skylights & Rooflights

Rooflights are the perfect solution – as they emit twice as much natural light as an equivalent-sized vertical window.

“However, for Brunel, it didn’t stop there. The university needed to ensure proper heatloss protection too. With such a large atrium to heat, a rooflight with a thermally-efficient profile was the only way to keep heat loss to a minimum and energy bills as low as possible.“

Finding the perfect fit By incorporating six madeto-measure Skyview flat-roof skylights – complete with Sunsquare’s unique thermal technology – into the tender drawings from the outset, the architects were able to strike the balance between much-needed natural light and exceptional thermal efficiency. Designed to fit flush with the project’s preconstructed ventilated upstands, and featuring a fully thermallybroken frame, the Skyview rooflights matched thermal performance with the aesthetic appeal Brunel needed.

The renovation saw the Wilfred Brown Building fitted with four (1514 x 3514mm) glass pane Skyview rooflights, spanning the full length of the atrium.

Two smaller (1000 x 2000mm) Skyview rooflights were installed above darker corners over a neighbouring staircase. All six feature a laminated inner pane to deliver optimum durability and glass safety.

Protecting against heat loss A key driver behind selecting Skyview rooflights was their unrivalled U-values. Sunsquare products are the only flatroof skylights to feature a fully ‘thermally-broken’ frame, delivering the most efficient profile on the market.

This is due, in part, to two separate runs of polyamide included in the frame.

These insulating sections act as breaks to thermal conductivity through the aluminium frame, keeping internal and external temperatures completely separate.

As well as preventing heat loss, these insulating sections also prevent ‘cold bridging’ – where condensation forms on the aluminium frame.

The renovation saw the Wilfred Brown Building fitted with four (1514 x 3514mm) glass pane Skyview rooflights

Over time, if this water is allowed to accumulate, the structure of the frame can become damaged, compromising a rooflight’s safety and efficiency. For a university filled with hundreds of students each day, knowing this will never be an issue provides complete peace of mind for both specifiers and university staff alike.

Mark Lambert adds: “Brunel University is a perfect example of how functionality and sustainability can work together within an education facility.

Opting for fully thermallybroken rooflights meant Brunel’s specifying team could guarantee unbeatable U-value performance, creating a greener, more energy-efficient building – and still deliver a rooflight that can cope with the battering of wind and rain for decades to come.”

Added-value features As well as preventing wasted heat in colder seasons, the architectural team was concerned about the potential impact of such large areas of glazing in the summer months. This is why each rooflight was specified with SN70 Solar controlled glass to avoid excessive heat during sunny periods. Featuring a microscopic metallic coating, this glass reflects up to 60% of the sun’s heat rays, providing UV protection without any visible drop in light penetration.

This has the added bonus of improving heating and ventilation

costs, by helping maintain a comfortable temperature.

With a busy campus to manage, Brunel was also in need of a quick installation process to create as little disruption to the day-to-day running of the university as possible. As each Sunsquare rooflight is custommade at a state-of-the-art factory in Bury St. Edmunds, the process from ordering to installation took just six weeks, with a two-day install at the university campus.

Top-grade specs, topgrade safety “Since the installation, both visitors and students have commented on how striking the entrance to the building now looks,” Mark adds. “But what they don’t see is the peace of mind behind the design. As the only rooflight company to hold a British Standards Institution (BSI) Kitemark for safety, we

were able to offer unparalleled levels of safety that other rooflight companies simply can’t match. We also regularly test each of our components to absolute destruction, so we can guarantee consistently highstandards, time after time.

“In fact, we’re so confident in the quality of our product, that we’re now offering 10-year insurance-backed warranties on our entire range, which marks another industry first for the world of flat-roof skylights. This is great news for architects and building managers who have CDM regulations to abide by and who are concerned with the longevity of their rooflight. With the safest and most thermallyefficient rooflights in place, Brunel students will be able to enjoy an abundance of natural light for generations to come.” 

 www.sunsquare.co.uk

Studies have shown that the benefits of natural light in learning facilities can be significant

29

Technical Focus

TORCH SAFE, NOT SORRY

Hot works refers to a process that includes a source of ignition and has the potential to create a significant fire safety risk

While flat roofs are a superb roof-covering solution, failing to factor in fire risks during hot works at the design stage can have catastrophic consequences. Daniel Tucker, Systems Product Manager at BMI UK & Ireland, discusses the NFRC’s Safe2Torch campaign and associated manufacturer support. fires caused by gas R oof torches, no matter how minor, pose a threat to the user, product, property and, in extreme circumstances, to life and will potentially impact the long-term future of torch-on as an accepted method of roof covering.

Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), specification writers have a statutory responsibility to manage any risks they may create through their designs.

One element of this is the risk of

fire during construction, and it is essential to make sure all fire risks are identified at the survey stage and factored in to the specification before it is written.

This means that anyone writing a flat roof specification which involves hot works needs to assess the hazards associated with the works and design out, or greatly reduce, the risks of fire.

Hot works refers to a process that includes a source of ignition and has the potential to create a significant fire safety risk. Common hot works include cutting, grinding,

welding, torch-on roofing, bitumen boiler work and drying substrates with a torch before application of roof system – all of which can form part of flat roof installation.

Where a combustible material is present, or the risk of fire occurs, or the risk is not known; an alternative, torch-free solution should be specified from the outset – although this can just be local to the risk area.

This means that while torchon membranes are safe, the specification needs to reflect areas where risk could exist.

Under Safe2Torch, specification writers must always undertake a site inspection prior to works to ensure that any fire risks have been identified

30

To this end, the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) launched Safe2Torch in November 2017.

Safe2Torch, developed in partnership with contractor and manufacturer members of the NFRC, quite simply seeks to reduce the risk of roof fires when using gas torches.

The campaign is designed to support specification writers in complying with CDM 2015 and ties in with the HSE-led Helping Great Britain Work Well strategy, which promotes a safer and healthier working environment.

In the 15 months since its launch, great strides have been made across the sector to ensure awareness and implementation of the Safe2Torch guidelines and processes; with the NFRC and its supporters still working hard to see it become the default design approach in all flat roofing applications involving hot works.

As an example of these efforts, manufacturers must – in addition to being an NFRC supplier member – follow Safe2Torch guidance and checklist when writing specifications; and have the range of materials to satisfy the specification.

Technical Focus

Under Safe2Torch, specification writers must always undertake a site inspection prior to works to ensure that any fire risks have been identified and whether alternative products other than torch-on are suitable.

The specification, and any Safe2Torch roof plan – which highlights the areas where it is not Safe2Torch – must always be available in the tender package and on the roof. It is also recommended to mark areas that are not Safe2Torch on the actual roof prior to commencement of work.

Many of the design considerations and steps that would be taken to eliminate fire risk – such as recognising that timber decks can burn; that open perpends can track flame into cavities or that flame proximity to combustible materials, such as timber cladding, is hazardous – might seem like common sense. Yet these can still be overlooked in practice, and the criteria for safe practice couldn’t be easier and more accessible thanks to the detailed guidance and comprehensive checklist published by the NFRC. Campaign registration is set to become mandatory for all CompetentRoofer and NFRC members involved with flat roofing; and this should prove a great incentive for designers and specifiers to write membership and/or scheme registration into their requirements.

For their part, Safe2Torch contractors must follow scheme guidance and a checklist when writing specifications; follow Safe2Torch guidance when using a gas torch either for drying out and/or installation work; carry out work using flame-free solutions when appropriate and carry out robust fire checks after hot works have finished.

One requirement placed on the specifier by Safe2Torch is the identification of ‘exclusion zones’ which separate combustion risk and Safe2Torch zones, and then specifying a suitable means of detailing using cold or ‘cool work’ materials and installation techniques. These exclusion zones could be, for instance, where pitched roofs and flat roofs meet at eaves, or junctions with plain tile cladding; or around window cills and roof lantern details.

Specification writers have a statutory responsibility to manage any risks they may create through their designs

An example of ‘cool work’ materials would be thermicallyactivated flat roof systems – such as those from the BMI Icopal TorchSafe range – which combine the use of thermically-activated products, hot air welding and specially formulated primers.

The development of such Safe2Torch compliant solutions, like thermicallyactivated systems, reveal the importance of manufacturers in helping frame Safe2Torch. This involvement was imperative as, however laudable the scheme, it would be impossible to implement practically without contractors having access to materials and product ranges suitable to satisfy Safe2Torch specifications; or design and technical support services.

The development of thermically-activated bitumen has been a significant development in membrane technology, allowing combustible and sensitive substrates and details to be covered ‘cold’ and keeping all surfaces free from fire risk during application. These innovative membranes are manufactured from dual compounds of SBSmodified bitumen to the upper surface, combined with a high tack, low activation thermicallyactivated compounds to the lower.

For the decks, highperformance specially-formulated primers improve the bond adhesion of thermically-activated self-adhesive bituminous membranes. Primers are available in both brush and roller-applied or spray-applied variants to suit the installing contractor’s preference.

Combustible Risk Zone Self-adhesive/flame-free methodology used within a 900mm exclusion zone from nearby combustible material or at risk detail

Outside exclusion zones, capsheets will still generally be torched, they are available in high fire-resistant formulations that provide a fire protection layer, shielding the roof from both spread of flame and fire penetration.

When designing flat roofing, observation of Safe2Torch requirements and utilisation of proprietary design and specification services – and systems such as BMI Icopal TorchSafe – will help meet the statutory responsibility to manage risks created through those designs under the CDM 2015; not to mention greatly reduce roof fires and the high costs – personal and financial – that can ensue. 

 www.bmigroup.com/uk

'Safe2Torch' Zone Torch application is permitted in this zone

minimum 900mm

31

Infection Control

ANTIMICROBIAL TRUNKING: FIGHTING INFECTION WHERE IT’S MOST NEEDED

It is crucial to always specify materials and products that can help prevent against harmful bacteria

Here, Nick Hayler, Technical and Product QA Manager at Marshall-Tufflex, discusses the benefits of antimicrobial cable management solutions, and how the innovative technology can help prevent the spread of HCAIs. specifiers working F orwithin the healthcare sector, infection control is something that should be considered as a priority when working on either a renovation or new build project.

Healthcare associated infections, or HCAIs, are infections that occur within a healthcare setting that were not present in a patient before entering. Certain microbial organisms can proliferate to

cause infection and disease, therefore those working in the sector need to manage the threat of infection where it is of most importance, such as hospitals, surgeries, nursing or care homes and health centres. With many of the patients using these facilities already vulnerable to further illness, any infections could pose a serious danger.

Antimicrobial solutions

The trunking should be as smooth and curved as possible, allowing for them to be easily wiped down

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Individuals in healthcare facilities – both staff and patients – will be constantly touching and coming into contact with all areas of the building and could potentially be exchanging harmful bacteria. It is therefore crucial for any healthcare facility to adopt methods of combating this – reducing the risk of an HCAI outbreak.

Whilst it is commonly accepted that these institutions should be rigorously cleaned, specifying materials with antimicrobial properties within the build or fit-out will also contribute significantly to infection control; and there are now a wide range of materials available, from door handles, to paint – and also trunking and cable management systems.

As a building’s cable management solution will constantly come into contact with a multitude of people, it has the potential to become a breeding ground for bacteria if not managed correctly.

Therefore, it is sensible to specify cable management solutions that take this into account.

In order to fight bacteria, antimicrobial cable management systems are silver formulated.

This technology works by disrupting the key cell functions of bacteria and preventing them from reproducing – subsequently killing them due to their short lifespans – as the silver ions activate when in contact with moisture in the air.

By incorporating silver ions within the PVC-U or ABS based material, perimeter trunking will deliver ongoing antimicrobial protection that prevents 99.9% of harmful bacteria from surviving on its surface. It is the most effective weapon in the battle against superbugs and cross-infection when used in conjunction with meticulous cleaning and personal hygiene routines.

It is important to note to always check the product, as silver ion antimicrobial systems must be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency, and compliant with the European Biocidal Products Directive. In addition, when specifying this type of product, Part M of the UK Building Regulations for Visual Impairment must also be adhered to – requiring face plates to differ in colour from their background.

Antimicrobial trunking and other building systems come in two basic variants, one is with the silver ion formation added to the PVC-U integrally when it is manufactured, and the other where it is applied to the surface during post production. It is best practice to specify products where the bio solution is integral to the PVC-U material as it is far more effective and reliable. In many high-traffic healthcare environments, it is common for trunking to be scratched or damaged over time, and if these products are simply coated with the silver ion formation on the surface, this will leave gaps where bacteria can fester and multiply. With an integral approach, even when damage occurs there is still protection against HCAIs. When specifying trunking solutions, it is also advisable to take into account the cleaning

Infection Control

An innovation in antimicrobial technology

Infection control is something that should be considered as a priority when working on either a renovation or new build project

of the product. The trunking should be as smooth and curved as possible, allowing for them to be easily wiped down, and with little or no crevices and corners. Not only does this ensure an efficient cleaning process, it provides peace of mind that no area has been missed – which could leave a potential breeding ground for bacteria.

Dedication to fighting bacteria Marshall-Tufflex, a leading manufacturer of cable management solutions, has many years of experience in this area, having been developing antimicrobial technology in whole cable management systems for medical and healthcare environments since 2008. We offer two systems as part of our standard range that contain the technology

depending on the aesthetic requirements of the building; Odyssey and Sterling Curve Profile 1. All our materials are tested and re-certified annually by an independent third party, to insure premium quality and efficiency that is essential in such sensitive environments.

Odyssey Bio is a curved dado trunking with one main compartment and two smaller compartments designed for heavy traffic areas such as hospitals – and the only solution on the market with a fully curved profile. This is perfect for healthcare environments which need to be cleaned regularly, making them easy to wipe down and prohibiting surface clutter.

Sterling Curve Profile 1 is a sleek, medium-sized dado trunking system with three segregated compartments.

Whilst not offering the complete full curvature of Odyssey, Sterling still has curved compartments designed to stop clutter, avoid dust traps and make cleaning easy.

HCAIs pose one of the most serious threats in healthcare institutions, and, if possible, it is crucial to always specify materials and products that can help prevent against harmful bacteria. Therefore, selecting the best antimicrobial products available – alongside regular and thorough cleaning – is essential.

Patients in these environments are vulnerable and need the best care possible, sometimes in the areas least expected. 

 www.marshall-tufflex.com /healthcare

By incorporating silver ions within the PVC-U or ABS based material, perimeter trunking will deliver ongoing antimicrobial protection

33

Refurb & Retrofit

HOSPITAL ROOF REFURBISHMENT FIT FOR PURPOSE

Lewisham Hospital is an acute district general hospital run

by Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Stuart Hicks from cold-applied liquid waterproofing specialist, Kemper System, explains the challenges surrounding the roof renovation of a busy London hospital.

Hospital is an L ewisham acute district general hospital run by Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. The history of the site where the current building stands dates back to 1612 when it became a workhouse for the sick and poor in the area. When the Lewisham Workhouse became overcrowded, a new building was erected at the site in 1817 to meet demand.

A separate infirmary was then built in 1892 – this building now houses the hospital’s pathology department at the site today.

Following the formation of the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948, the hospital continued to expand with new buildings opening in the 1950s and 1960s.

Today, Lewisham Hospital offers a wide range of specialist services and gained university status in 1997.

The hospital has served as a vital resource for the community for many years, and

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the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust realised some of its buildings were in need of repair.

The existing felt roof above the main building and outpatient department of the hospital had failed, and Kemper System’s Kemperol 2K-PUR system was selected to provide a durable and long-lasting waterproofing solution.

This article looks at why Kemper System was specified, the benefits of a cold-applied liquid waterproofing solution for this particular project, and how installation challenges on site were faced and resolved by contractor, Noble House Services (UK) Ltd.

Quality installation Because of the nature of the building, there was a need to ensure the project avoided any disruption or nuisance to staff and patients in the unit or the surrounding wards. Kemperol 2K-PUR is a completely

odourless cold-applied solution and was used to refurbish the 1600m2 roof area.

Noble House Services (UK) Ltd first cleared the roof of all redundant services, removing as much as feasibly possible without causing disruption to the running of the hospital. The existing asphalt roof was then cleaned and the Kemperol 2K-PUR resin was applied directly to the existing roof coverings in a single wet-on-wet process.

Reinforcement fleece was laid directly onto the first application of wet resin, immediately followed by more resin on top to ensure complete saturation of the reinforcement fleece. This provided visible assurance the correct amount of resin had been used throughout, and a consistent depth of coverage and membrane thickness is achieved. Once cured, the system forms a seamless, elastomeric waterproof

membrane that cannot delaminate, is UV stable, and creates a strong bond directly to the substrate.

Contractors then installed an inverted insulation scheme comprising a closed-cell, 160mm extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation board, concrete faced 50mm insulation board, followed by paving slabs to the perimeters to add additional ballast to the roof build-up.

The roof area had a number of complexities with many ventilation outlets, up-and-over staircases and walkways, steel beams supporting the units on the roof, as well as upstands and roof hatches for access. Because Kemper’s waterproofing system is roller-applied, operatives could easily install the resin underneath the units and around the complex roof structure.

The solvent-free and odourless qualities of the Kemperol system also meant minimum disruption at the hospital throughout the application process. No hot works were required as part of the refurbishment, further reducing potential health and safety risks, with no wait time between applications of resin.

A sustainable solution Thanks to the speed of application of the Kemperol 2K-PUR system, vital services provided at the hospital were able to continue with little disruption to staff or visitors.

Refurb & Retrofit The roof area which needed attention was above the main entrance as well as Radiology, Cardiology and MRI departments – all very important sections of the hospital building.

Refurbishment of the roof using Kemperol and the inverted insulation scheme has provided higher thermal performance and energy saving benefits for the building. We are extremely pleased with the finished project which was completed on time and within budget.

Contractors were able to install the Kemperol liquid waterproofing system quickly and safely, without the fire risk of hot works, despite the complexity of the roof area.

Gerry Ogborn from Noble House Services (UK) Ltd added: “We didn’t experience any issues when installing Kemperol 2K-PUR. This project could have presented a number of problems and time delays if an alternative roofing material was specified, but it was not only easy to transport with minimal materials and apparatus to carry, but the liquid-applied resin meant we could get underneath and around the complex roof structure and detailing with ease to provide a seamless waterproofing solution.” 

 www.kempersystem.co.uk

The liquid-applied resin meant contractors could get underneath and around the complex roof structure

Reinforcement fleece was laid directly onto the first application of wet resin

Contractors were able to install the Kemperol liquid waterproofing system quickly and safely

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Renewable Technology

Retrofitting heat pumps in existing properties is where the greatest impact can be made on tackling emissions

UK HOUSING – FIT FOR THE FUTURE? Guy Ransom, Commercial Director of Norfolk-based renewable heating expert Finn Geotherm, comments on the latest report from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) ‘UK Housing – Fit for the Future?’, which has headlined that there will be no new homes on the gas grid by 2025 to help achieve a reduction in carbon emissions.

read with interest W e’ve the latest report from

Retrofit or new build, every housing estate could run off a heat network

36

the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) ‘UK Housing – Fit for the Future?’ The document questions whether housing stock is adequately prepared for the challenges of climate change, in both reducing emissions from UK homes and also in ensuring homes are adequately prepared for the impacts of climate change.

Once again, the CCC is highlighting just how far off meeting our carbon emissions we really are and the steps needed to make a difference.

We need to cut the energy used for heating existing buildings by 15%. The target is big but having looked at the report in more detail, the recommendations are doable.

It does, of course, require changes, some of which are very significant, in order to make a difference but we have to act – and we must start now.

Renewable Technology The RHI is set to end in April 2021 and may have a significant impact on the future growth of businesses, such as Finn Geotherm

The headline taken by many from the CCC report is no new homes on the gas grid by 2025.

In an age where new technology exists – and has done for many years – there is no reason why gas should need to remain the first choice for heating our homes.

There are alternatives to gas and these need to be put firmly in our mindset when it comes to thinking about heating. Whether new homes are to be privately owned or social housing, we have an obligation to provide the most energy-efficient and low-carbon systems available.

Retrofitting heat pumps in existing properties is where the greatest impact can be made on tackling emissions. We’ve installed more than 600 heat pump systems in properties of all ages, shapes and sizes. There really is no limit to the type of building that can have a heat pump – the key is simply to ensure the heat pump specified will meet the heat demand and that it has the correct heat emitters (radiators) to be able to release the heat generated.

The CCC recommends the introduction of district heat networks for existing homes.

But why stop there? District heat networks (district heating) are particularly well suited to new housing estates too where

streets of houses can all receive their heating and hot water from one communal heat pump. It’s the norm in countries like Finland – and should be the same here in UK homes. Retrofit or new build, every housing estate could run off a heat network.

We agree wholeheartedly that there is a skills gap created by the chopping and changing of UK Government policy. As a renewable heating installer, we have been affected by this. The uncertainty of the Renewable

Heat Incentive (RHI) has meant we have been unable to fully commit to investing in new staff and training. The RHI is set to end in April 2021 and may have a significant impact on the future growth of our business. The industry needs certainty.

The nation needs certainty when it comes to finance and funding too. How can builders and homeowners be expected to commit to installing renewable heating systems and making energy efficiency improvements

when current government funding is set to end? The uncertainty around the RHI after April 2021 is, and will continue to have, a detrimental effect on consumer confidence and the ability to pay for systems such as heat pumps which are more expensive upfront than conventional boilers.

The targets may seem challenging but they aren’t out of reach. We can make changes to have a real impact. Climate change won’t wait – why do we? 

 www.finn-geotherm.co.uk

Finn Geotherm has installed more than 600 heat pump systems in properties of all ages, shapes and sizes

37

Doors & Windows

The new station has been developed by architects Fereday Pollard in organic curved lines

CAPITAL ENTRANCE TO CROSSRAIL LINK

Manual and automatic door and window control systems specialist, GEZE UK has provided a capital entrance to a new station that is part of London’s new Crossrail network.

Wood is a pivotal A bbey station on the southeastern stretch of the new Elizabeth line and provides overground and underground rail connections to central London and beyond.

The new station has been developed by architect firm Fereday Pollard in organic curved lines, using natural materials. Its light and airy feel is enhanced by two GEZE bi-parting ECdrive automatic

A practical and effective entrance was deemed essential for the smooth running of the station

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sliding doors doors which are incorporated in a glazed fascia, over which hangs the eaves of the great arched timber roof.

ECdrives have been specifically designed for use in busy areas, making them ideal

for a continuous flow of footfall with large numbers of people who need to enter or exit simultaneously. The drive uses GEZE’s activation technology to open the doors automatically, allowing travellers to access the station’s concourse through left- and right-hand entrances, quickly and safely.

A practical and effective entrance was deemed essential for the smooth running of the station, encouraging people to cross the threshold and identify their platform with ease, thereby preventing bottlenecks and assisting the delivery of seamless rail services throughout the day.

The doors, which were supplied through Vitrine Systems of Surrey, were installed with pivot protection screens which allow them to slide into ‘pockets’ – an extra safety feature which reduces the risk of fingers getting caught during operation.

Sales and Marketing Director Andy Howland comments: “It is a real honour to be involved in this project which in itself is part of an awe-inspiring feat of engineering. We are delighted that GEZE products will be opening doors to this station, which will play a pivotal role in the success of the new Elizabeth line when it opens.”

 www.geze.co.uk  info.uk@geze.com  01543 443000

Comar 9P.i high performance window, door and framing system After extensive research and consultation with key supply partners, Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems delivers the Comar 9P.i high performance window, door and framing system.

Research indicated that a thermally-efficient future-proof facade system was required, with off-site manufacture and value engineering solutions that actively seek to reduce material content. Comar 9P.i high

performance framing offers two options of construction, ladder frame or mitre frame.

Comar 9P.i windows and 9P.i doors can be hung directly from the frame, reducing the need for additional outer frames,

Doors & Windows

creating a truly integrated solution. Building typologies differ from refurbishment to new build, so Comar 9P.i has profile widths from 78, 100 and 120mm creating greater design flexibility.

There are three levels of thermal performance, standard, multi-chamber and multi-chamber thermal foam, creating U-values of between 1.6 to 1.0 for a typical grid size with opening vents.

Comar 9P.i has slim 65mm sight-lines to meet that architecturally demanded aesthetics are achieved. Glazing lines are flush, maintaining consistent lines for a sleek external facade providing straight interfacing with walls, internal floors and partitions. Consideration is also given for plaster-lines with profiles to cater for differing situations.

Comar 9P.i windows can be open-in or open-out side, top or bottom hung and a tilt and turn option, offering unobtrusive ventilation. Comar 5P.i vertical sliding windows and horizontal windows can also be integrated into the Comar 9P.i framing.

Glazing sizes have been catered for up to 62mm meaning that future requirements for high performing acoustic or triple glazed projects can be specified.

 www.comar-alu.co.uk  projects@parksidegroup.co.uk  0208 685 2318

The world leader in timber preservation technology

Protim

®

TRIED AND TRUSTED METHOD OF PRESERVING TIMBER AGAINST FUNGAL DECAY AND INSECT ATTACK, FOR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL TIMBER THE ORIGINAL WOOD PRESERVATIVE AND STILL THE BEST

FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit: www.kopperspc.eu Email: kpc@koppers.eu Call: +44 (0)1628 486644 Fax: +44 (0)1628 476757 Protim Solignum Limited, Fieldhouse Lane Marlow, Buckinghamshire SL7 1LS ™ Protim Solignum Limited trading as Koppers Performance Chemicals. Koppers is a registered Trademark of Koppers Delaware, Inc. Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in this document, Protim Solignum Limited gives no undertaking to that effect and no responsibility can be accepted for reliance on this information. Information will be updated when the need arises. Please ensure you have an up to date copy. All products are produced by independently owned and operated wood processing facilities. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Koppers Performance Chemicals, Protim Solignum Limited, Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 1LS. Visit: www.kopperspc.eu, Email: kpc@koppers.eu, Call: +44 (0)1628 486644, Fax: +44 (0)1628 476757.

Registered in England 3037845. © Copyright 2018.

by Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Manufacturers Of Wood Preservatives Protim Solignum Ltd Marlow, Buckinghamshire

39

Doors & Windows

Three sets of double doors provide access for a large volume of users on a daily basis

RELCROSS SOLVES DOOR CLOSER PROBLEMS AT JOHN FERNELEY COLLEGE Relcross recommended LCN 4111 door closers to solve problems affecting three sets of double doors at the John Ferneley College in Leicestershire. impressively S tanding on a hillside above Melton Mowbray, the John Ferneley College is an 11-16 secondary academy and part of the Mowbray Education Trust.

Named after local resident

and the leading equine painter of the early 19th century, the college has performed extremely well in academic terms over the past few years, with GCSE results in the top 10% of schools nationally.

The layout of the school is divided into separate learning zones with double doors leading through from the main corridor into the Enterprise zone for Business Studies, the Performance zone for Arts and

Estates Manager, Jeff Challis turned to door hardware specialist Relcross who recommended the LCN 4111

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P.E. and the Communication zone for Maths and English.

These three sets of double doors provide access for a large volume of users on a daily basis, some perhaps more concerned with getting through quickly than ensuring the doors are treated gently. In other words, the doors and closers are operating in one of the harshest environments in terms of usage.

The closers originally fitted proved inadequate for the job and the excessive wear and tear resulted in the doors firstly opening too far causing damage to the structure of the doors and subsequently not closing properly which is a major problem for these fire doors.

Estates Manager, Jeff Challis turned to door hardware specialist Relcross which recommended the LCN 4111.

The bodies of these CE marked door closers are made from cast iron, the internal components are stainless steel and the units have been independently tested to 10 million cycles.

The extra-duty forged steel arms are standard as are the double heat-treated steel pinions.

They are also filled with an allweather fluid that eliminates the need for seasonal adjustments and, should any adjustments be needed at other times, the LCN Fast Power Adjust system makes them quick and easy.

Relcross Sales and Marketing Director, Stuart McMaster comments: “In high-traffic locations it is essential the door closer specified is up to the job, although I must admit we get a lot of sales from installations where the chance of an initial cost saving has tempted someone to install a closer that just won’t cope. Instead they should have considered the whole life costs and recognised the long-term savings of fitting what, we are confident, is the best closer on the market.”

This series of closers is LCN’s best performing heavy-duty closer designed specifically for institutional and other rugged high-traffic applications.

 www.relcross.co.uk  sales@relcross.co.uk  01380 729600

LET IT RAIN! Johnstone’s Smooth Masonry, for Quick Rain Resistance.

Unpredictable weather conditions making it difficult to schedule exterior projects and keep them on track? Now you can confidently schedule your exterior projects in all seasons thanks to the new Johnstone’s Smooth Masonry with Quick Rain Resistance technology. Johnstone’s improved Smooth Masonry is now rain resistant after 20 minutes and can be applied in temperatures from 2°C and rising. With 15 years BBA approval, Johnstone’s Smooth Masonry provides a cost effective solution that extends the maintenance proposition therefore, reducing the total maintenance cost over the age of the building.

Visit www.johnstonestrade.com to find out more.

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Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

Powders to mirror the sky over Frying Pan Alley Frying Pan Alley – the street name conjures a Dicken’s novel and was certainly home to ironmongers and braziers in the past. Now it is the location of Chapter Spitalfields student accommodation block, rising majestically above the busy streets below and far from quaint.

It is a stunning state-of-the-art building, the third tallest student accommodation building in the world, standing 34 floors high, with a fabulous view over the City from the top floor bar.

Gleaming in metallic silvers and pearlescent blues, this is truly a tour de force in using colour and form to reflect light and create an uplifting visual experience. Rising upwards, the tower seems to become part of the sky.

Powdertech Corby pre-treated and powder coated 600m2 of rainscreen cladding using four shades of high-performance architectural powder.

Two metallic silvers were used – Classic Ice, a Powdertech Anomatch shade and Tiger Coatings 29/90700. Pearlescent grey was RAL 9022 from Adapta, and metallic

blue, Adapta DX5103XW. All powders conform to European fire prevention classification A2,Si,d0 and have a finish thickness of 60 microns minimum.

Panels were supplied to storage off-site, direct from Powdertech in ‘site ready’ batches to meet the build schedule of panel sizes and colours.

“Our unique plant layout gives Powdertech the ability to deliver a range of different elements in different colours with very quick lead-times,” said Richard Besant, Director of Powdertech Corby, “And our immersion chrome-free pretreatment system ensures that even unseen and un-coated areas are protected against corrosion whilst the coated faces have a life expectancy in excess of 25 years.”

 www.powdertechcorby.co.uk  pcl@powdertech.co.uk  01536 400890

Wienerberger acquires BPD to strengthen market position Roof materials combine to deliver thief-proof roof Vale of Glamorgan Council recently specified BMI Redland and BMI Icopal materials when re-roofing an early 20th century primary school. Cogan Primary School’s roof continually leaked and its deterioration was accelerated by thieves stripping lead flashings. To reduce the risk of theft, the council wanted to use a lead alternative and needed a secure interface between the flat and pitched roofs. For the pitched roof, the solution was BMI Redland Cambrian Slate, an interlocking slate manufactured from recycled waste slate in nearby Merthyr Tydfil, a dry-fix system to cut down maintenance, and fixings on the ridge and hip system to mimic the previous roof. For the flat roof, BMI specified BMI Icopal’s Firesmart SBS modified reinforced bitumen membranes, accredited by the Loss Prevention Certification Board.

 www.bmigroup.com/uk  marketingukandi@bmigroup.com  01908 015760

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Leading building solutions manufacturer, Wienerberger has announced the acquisition of UK-based BPD Holdings Limited to further expand its roof accessory offering and complement its existing roof product portfolio in the UK and Europe. As a prominent producer of roof underlays, wall and construction membranes, building ventilation systems and specialist roof products, BPD will become a centre of excellence for innovative roofing solutions within Wienerberger. BPD will be tasked with developing innovative solutions designed to be implemented and sold across the broader Wienerberger network, leveraging the combined regional strengths and product expertise.

 www.wienerberger.co.uk

 office@wienerberger.co.uk

 0161 491 8200

First class primary project for Thornton Specialist roofing and cladding company, Thornton Roofing recently completed Broomlands Primary School in Scotland. As unique as it is innovative, the project included the installation of a standing seam multi-peak roofing system; with feature flashing, fascia and associated gutters. The company was tasked with building a state-of-the-art roofing structure, spanning an impressive 2800m2. To ensure the structure had exceptional weather resistance and durability to withstand the elements, Thornton Roofing employed the use of Omnis’ Ziplok system. Additionally, perforated liner sheets with acoustic slabs were used in the construction to control the school’s acoustics.

 www.thorntonroofing.com

 info@thorntonroofing.co.uk  0287 965 0368

MI N D

MA L SRUPTION MAXIMUM PROTECTION. THE TERAIN LIVE STACK REPLACEMENT SERVICE WITH FIRETRAP SLEEVES AND COLLARS Partnering with you, Polypipe delivers unique fabricated replacement drainage stack solution, featuring Terrain drainage systems; ready to install, ready when you are – and without having to move residents from their homes.

For complete peace of mind, they’re also available with our Terrain Firetrap sleeves and collars, designed to go beyond today’s fire regulations.

It’s what you’d expect from a trusted product range and a company of innovators.

Discover all of the benefits at: polypipe.com/minimal-disruption

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Healing acoustics According to healing design principles, superior acoustics in hospitals are recognised as one of the most important factors in their design.

This is being proved in an innovative temporary patient room for a major new hospital being built in Copenhagen.

Bispebjerg hospital is an ultramodern psychiatric project covering 22,500m2 which includes an emergency admission unit and

provides 200 rooms for patients. The study focuses on creating a stress-free environment where patients feel secure and at peace.

In this room, the lighting is a combination of natural daylight and dynamic LED lighting that is specially adapted to suit the circadian

Polysafe QuickLay provides swift turnaround at park refurb Muddy wellies will no longer be a problem with the installation of Polysafe QuickLay at Cotswold Farm Park as part of a large refurbishment project. The all-new loose lay safety flooring collection from Polyflor was specified and installed by LK Flooring across the farm shop, restaurant, toilets and stairs alongside Polysafe Apex which made the perfect solution for their busy commercial kitchen. QuickLay, designed for adhesivefree installation, can be laid over a variety of existing subfloors including new concrete substrates of up to 97% RH. Its adhesivefree installation means no drying time was required and the space could be in use the same day. The Polysafe QuickLay collection features a contemporary tonal colour bank of 12 shades with a decoration in a selection of tonal hues and gives the newly-refurbished centre a fresh and welcoming finish for its stream of visitors. This is combined with its tried and tested PUR reinforcement, providing superior cleaning benefits and resistance to staining and chemicals, perfect for the many muddy boots coming off the farm and any food dropped in the restaurant.

 www.polyflor.com/safety  info@polyflor.com  0161 767 1111

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rhythm. Good acoustics are ensured by light coloured Troldtekt ceiling panels in a fine finish, while the walls have been clad with acoustic oak slats which provide natural ventilation with more fresh air and reduced solar gain in the summer months.

Apart from new projects, good acoustics are equally important in existing buildings being given a change of use. For example, the former post office in Hvidovre, also near Copenhagen, has been converted into a modern healthcare centre which has a welcoming feel and excellent rehabilitation facilities.

Here the architects have struck a fine balance between refined and more rustic materials. For example, on the ground floor, high ceilinged rooms that used to be the former post office storerooms have Troldtekt acoustic ceiling panels installed throughout to ensure good acoustics.

Specified throughout the UK and Europe, the benefits of 100% Troldtekt natural wood wool panels include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low cost life cycle performance and sustainability as documented by Cradle to Cradle certification at silver level.

 www.troldtekt.co.uk  info@troldtekt.co.uk  01978 664255

James Jones Timber Systems Division forms partnership with Ockwells James Jones & Sons’ Timber Systems Division, the maker of the I-Joist system, JJI-Joists, has entered into a partnership with specialist building and protection materials manufacturer Ockwells, which will see it recommending Ockwells’ Stairwell Hatch System to all JJI-Joist customers in the future. Independently tested and verified, the Ockwells Stairwell Hatch System is designed to provide full cover platforms over the stairwell openings in various combinations to suit all build sites and conditions. Once installed, the system prevents falls through large stairwell openings whilst giving access for operatives and materials. The system is designed to be lightweight for handling and ease of use on site and it allows safe and fixed access to a ladder prior to a staircase being fitted.

The system comprises three parts – hinged and framed glass reinforced plastic (GRP), a steel ladder plate for securing a ladder and a steel box sections adjustable telescopic joist, which allows openings next to party walls to be accommodated by the system.

 www.jamesjones.co.uk  info@jamesjones.co.uk  01324 562241

Inspired by adventures outdoors.

Designed for luxury indoors.

0.7mm

3.0mm

R11

Wear layer

Thickness

Slip resistance

Inspired by wood sourced from European forests, the understated and elegant Savannah Oak works well in traditional and contemporary commercial interiors.

In this 18� x 3� parquet format, Savannah Oak can be laid on its own in a herringbone style or used in combination with larger planks to zone spaces.

T: 01386 820104 | karndean.com/asw2019 Featured floor:

Savannah Oak SM-RL23

Focus & Innovation

Three Hauraton drainage systems installed at biomass plant The Margam Green Energy Biomass Plant is a 40MW electricity power station utilising chipped wood waste as fuel otherwise destined for landfill. When fully operational the project will use around 300,000 tonnes of waste wood from nearby regions.

Hauraton supplied three types of channel to meet the rigorous specifications for surface drainage of the main concreted yard surrounding the plant, weighbridges and car park.

Three sizes of RECYFIX HICAP high capacity channels were installed in the yard – 3m of HICAP 1000, 303m of HICAP 2000 and 255m of HICAP 3000. The total water capacity of the HICAP channels was just over 20,390l.

By installing this system, the channel runs were kept to a minimum so saving on installation costs and future maintenance. Factory fitted with 14mm slotted ductile iron inlets, the channels comply with a loading Class of F900 so can

easily take the weight of a HGV fully laden with wood chips. Importantly, once installed the complete system is highly resilient to the twisting forces imposed by the laden vehicles.

42m of FASERFIX SUPER 150 channels with Class F900 ductile iron 20mm gratings were installed around the two weighbridges. The FASERFIX channel component is made from the company’s Fibre Reinforced Concrete with galvanised steel angle housings moulded into the top edges of the channel during production.

This specification is highly resistant to extreme loads and constant dynamic forces and was found to be ideal for the weighbridge application.

The FASERFIX gratings are secured by SIDE-LOCK patented boltless system. The system allows gratings to be installed and later, removed quickly.

Finally, 39m of RECYFIX PRO 100 Type 75mm factory fitted with FIBRETEC heel-safe gratings were installed in the car park. The FIBRETEC grating is moulded from a fibre strengthened Polyamide (PA-GF) and allows loadings up to Class C250 (BSEN 1433).

All the RECYFIX channel components specified for the project are made from 100% recycled Polypropylene derived from post consumer and post industrial sources.

 www.drainage-projects.co.uk  janine.kennedy@hauraton.co.uk  01582 501380

Advanced celebrates anniversary with installation of its 100th panel on London Underground The 100th fire alarm control panel from a global leader in the design, manufacture and supply of intelligent fire systems, Advanced, has been installed on the London Underground. The UK-based manufacturer is celebrating its 20th year in business with more than 60 Tube stations now protected by its industry-leading fire systems.

The London Underground transports five million commuters to 270 stations across the capital each day, serving over a billion passengers a year. The most complex installations are on the Jubilee line, where Stratford has six networked MxPro panels and Waterloo Tube station has five, while the deepest installation is at Hampstead, over 30m below ground level.

The complexity of the systems differs from station to station, but all are fully integrated with sprinkler systems and have a device to monitor the escalators, a location of particular importance in terms of fire safety.

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Approved to EN54 parts 2, 4 and 13, MxPro 5 panels can be used in single loop, single panel format or easily configured into high speed, 200 panel networks covering huge areas and tens of thousands of field devices. Advanced’s legendary ease of installation and configuration and wide peripheral range mean that MxPro is customisable to almost any application and it can be found in challenging and prestigious sites around the world.

As Advanced moves into its 20th year, the fire systems manufacturer has established itself in its new, state-of-theart, 48,000ft2 base in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Advanced’s MxPro fire systems support two new technologies, the TouchControl touchscreen repeater and AlarmCalm complete false alarm management system. TouchControl is a 10” HD touchscreen that offers dynamic reporting and control via a unique interface that includes Active Maps and zone plans. AlarmCalm uses Advanced’s fast hardware, updated config software and optional loop verification devices to deliver a system that allows the false alarm strategy for any building to be quickly and easily programmed and managed, increasing safety and reducing false alarms.

 www.advancedco.com  0845 894 7000

Tarmac Cement is helping drive trade counter sales of its Blue Circle products with the launch of a new packed brand positioning campaign called ‘One of the Family’.

Built around Blue Circle’s brand values of quality, reliability and trust, the ‘One of the Family’ campaign highlights that when it comes to having good, solid family values, Blue Circle’s packed cement range has bags of them.

The eye-catching campaign promotes the extensive Blue Circle range, with each individual product being given a family characteristic that is aligned to the product’s features and

Focus & Innovation

Tarmac launches new ‘One of the Family’ campaign

the benefits they bring to the end-user. For example, Blue Circle Mastercrete Cement is ‘The Reliable One’ thanks to its superior quality and improved workability, whilst Blue Circle Postcrete is ‘The Easy One’ as there’s no mixing and it sets in less than 10 minutes.

The campaign will be promoted across selected industry media for both print and digital campaigns, as well as PR, in-store merchandising and social media.

Gareth Osborne, Senior Marketing Manager at Tarmac Cement, comments: “As one of the industry’s most iconic brands,

it’s important for Blue Circle to continue to drive innovation in its marketing programme in order to drive merchant sales. Using ‘personalities’ to describe the Blue Circle family of packed products helps bring the brand to life in an engaging way. We want people to know that whatever job they are tackling, they should choose Blue Circle as they can count on strong and solid support.

After all, when they’re working with us, they’re one of the family.”

 tarmac-bluecircle.co.uk/trade

New 37.5 Technology – climate control fleeces These new styles from Snickers Workwear deliver all-round work warmth and cooling comfort. Not only will workers stay warm with these new 37.5 Technology fleeces, they’ll look and feel cool too. With styles for both professional tradesmen and women, they excel at ventilation and moisture transport to keep people working comfortably wherever they are on site. The 37.5 Technology fabric in the fleece is a very quick-drying material that captures and releases moisture vapour – like sweat – for superior coolness and dry working comfort. After all, keeping a balanced work temperature is not just about staying cool and in great shape, it’s a matter of wellbeing and job safety.

 www.snickersworkwear.co.uk

 info@hultaforsgroup.com

 01484 854788

McAvoy completes building installation phase for £15m hospital wing

Offsite construction specialist, The McAvoy Group, has craned the final modules into position on site for a new wing at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington. The £15m contract is the Group’s largest healthcare project to date. The structure for the 6500m2 three-storey building was manufactured offsite by McAvoy using the latest modular technology to minimise disruption to patient care and to reduce the build programme by half to less than 12 months. The building was craned into position as 294 steel-framed modules in a highly complex operation and just 10 months after the initial meeting with the Trust.

 www.mcavoygroup.com/healthcare

 info@mcavoygroup.com

 0288 774 0372

An innovative approach to funding Moves to bring clubhouse and changing room facilities in line with Llanishen Rugby Club’s brand new, state-of-the-art 3G pitch were potentially out of reach until they approached Henry Howard Finance. Unseen additional excavation costs had stretched their budget and also put new changing rooms in doubt.

Ellis John, MD at Clarks Modular Building Ltd, said: “Llanishen approached us to see how we could assist them in staged payments. I had worked with Henry Howard Finance previously and was wellaware of their flexibility and approach, and we managed to come up with an agreement which enabled Llanishen to get some assistance with initial funding.”

 www.henryhowardfinance.co.uk  01633 415222

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LEVATO MONO

Porcelain paving system and coordinating internal tiling Surface 360, formally The Deck Tile Co, has 130+ colours and finishes in their Levato Mono 20mm porcelain paving tile ranges. Plus create a seamless visual transition between internal and external spaces with coordinating interior 10mm porcelain tiling.

• For both residential & commercial use.

• Ideal for balconies, roof terraces, garden decking and piazzas.

• Various sized 20mm thick porcelain tiles.

• An eternal zero maintenance product - offering over-life savings.

• Timber, stone & cementitious effects.

• ‘Floating floor’ – installation over single ply membranes.

• Height adjustable/slope correcting support system: 9mm - 550mm.

• Lightweight – 45kgs per m2.

INTRODUCING OUR NEW WEBSITE: WWW.SURFACE360.CO.UK

• • • • • •

Highly abrasion and stain resistant.

Highly slip resistant: R11 (ABC).

High load bearing.

Impact resistant.

Completely non porous.

Frost proof.