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December 2017
TURN A NEGATIVE INTO A POSITIVE How roof drainage with a negative pressure can result in a positive outlook on challenging building designs in wet climates
Turn back time
Clean bill of health
Temperature wars
Two historic buildings in Cambridge have been brought back to their former glory
Why opt for disposable cleaning solutions for healthcare environments?
How TABS can improve efficiencies in our public buildings
We have a style to match yours
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Traditional and modern gutters, pipes and hoppers come in a comprehensive range of aesthetic styles, materials and colours to suit all buildings and budgets.
For more information please call 0113 279 5854 or email info@rainguard.co.uk
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Welcome Note Editor
Rebecca Kemp rebecca@mixedmediainfo.com
Editorial Assistant Paige Smith
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Aileen Ellmers aileen@mixedmediainfo.com
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Managing Director Sam Ball
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Mixed Media Information
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Geberit was specified for the roof drainage on the new Design Museum, and adjacent Holland Green apartments. See page 28.
Welcome to the December issue of PSBJ... The UK is renowned for its historic architecture and captivating landmarks. As the nation’s capital, London is home to many of these significant sights; Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the Regent Street Buildings are but just a few tourist delights that are housed within our vibrant city. However, our remarkable attractions don’t conclude within the boundaries of our celebrated capital, rather they continue throughout all regions of the UK. For example, in the South West of England; where prehistoric monument Stonehenge proudly stands. As a nation steeped in history, it is imperative that we preserve our architectural heritage and retain the sought-after tourist destination status that we have consistently maintained for countless years. However, with such buildings dating back centuries; dirt, grime and pollution have destructively disturbed the aesthetics of many historic builds. One such structure is the Gibbs’ Building at King's College – a constituent institution of the University of Cambridge. Built by one of Britain’s most influential Architects, James Gibbs, the Gibbs’ Building’s first stone was laid in 1461. With a history that dates back years, lifetimes of accumulated muck and grime had transformed the visual appearance of this notable build. In search of a viable cleaning solution, all the while circumventing the likelihood of unsightly scaffolding, King’s came across an answer that met all the build’s requirements. Commercial cleaning specialist, Thomann-Hanry, was called in by the college’s restoration team to undertake an extensive clean and restoration project which, due to its successful implementation, led to the Thomann-Hanry team being approached for its second project at King’s College. To read up on both projects, turn to page 22. I hope you enjoy this edition. 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-of-the-art app. To download your version free of charge, simply search ‘PSBJ’ on Google play or the App Store.
Rebecca
Rebecca Kemp | Editor | rebecca@mixedmediainfo.com Follow us on Twitter:
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Contents
06 News A round up of the latest industry updates including charity events, awarded contracts, completed projects and much more.
08 Upfront Morgan Sindall has recently handed over an Essex SEN school to staff and students. Here, the firm talks to PSBJ about the build and soft landings process.
14 Talking Point With the recent tragic events at Grenfell Tower, more attention needs to be paid to fire safety in buildings. Allegion looks at the crucial checks that are needed to test a fire door’s legality.
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16 Housing
20 Legal & Business
24 HVAC/HVP
The benefits of opting for wooden windows for social housing stock are explained by Tony Pell, Chair of the Wood Window Alliance.
Ian Tucker, Partner at independent UK law firm Burges Salmon, discusses the procurement process for bidders and public purchasers.
Uponor looks at how thermally active building systems (TABS) can provide public sector buildings with a cost-effective and thermally-efficient solution.
18 Technical Focus
22 Education
26 Healthcare
With the number of hospital-acquired infections increasing, facilities managers are now looking for disposable cleaning solutions to decrease the danger of cross-contamination.
Two of King’s College’s architecturallysignificant buildings have been sensitively restored to their former pristine condition by a facade cleaning solution from Thomann-Hanry.
Scotland’s largest visual impairment charity, Royal Blind, has constructed Jenny’s Well – a specialist 54-bed residential home for the visually impaired.
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Contents
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28 Drainage & Wastewater
34 Floors, Walls & Ceilings
Jonathan Briafield, Senior Product Manager at Geberit, explains the advantages of siphonic roof drainage systems for both parabolic and flat roof structures.
Creating well-insulated homes is vital in facilitating an indoor environment in which residents can live happily and healthily. Here, Baumit looks into the option of EWI.
30 Landscaping
36 KBB
Marshalls, BMMJV, Arup and Leeds City Council have exchanged cast steel railings for an eco-friendly and cost-efficient solution for the Leeds flood alleviation scheme.
East Lothian Community Hospital has opened up to the benefits of off-site construction for bathroom pods. Richard Tonkinson at Offsite Solutions looks into the phased construction.
32 Leisure
38 Product Showcase
The Association of Play Industries (API) has recently revealed an alarming report emphasising the increasing decline in children’s play areas across the nation.
A dedicated focus of industry news, products and case studies to help specifiers and local authorities make informed decisions.
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News
INDUSTRY UPDATES
Each month PSBJ rounds up the latest public sector construction updates, from new contracts to industry awards.
Balfour Beatty completes £27m flood defence scheme The £27.1m Anchorsholme scheme to reduce flood risk to 4800 properties in Blackpool has been officially opened. The Blackpool Council scheme has been funded by the Environment Agency through Government grant aid and delivered by Balfour Beatty. A kilometre of concrete sea wall has been replaced, maintaining access to the beach, and a new promenade attracts residents and visitors with views over the Irish Sea. The promenade also links the seafront to the nearby Anchorsholme Park, which is being redeveloped. The new defences will help protect Blackpool’s tourism and recreational income for the next 100 years, in addition to safeguarding Blackpool’s iconic seafront tramway, vital infrastructure and a major pumping station.
Ashburnham Community School gets state-of-the-art playground The opening of the new children’s playground at Ashburnham Community School in west London was met with shrieks of delight as the children got a first taste of the recently-transformed grounds. The project was initiated and funded by The Bryan Adams Foundation, that has been supporting the school since 2014, and designed by Foster + Partners, working closely with playground designer, Made From Scratch. The refurbishment is a key part of the school’s strategy to create a holistic learning environment. It replaces asphalt play areas with a mix of hard and soft surfaces, natural vegetation and specially designed play structures for the children, while also incorporating state-ofthe-art sports courts.
£24m learning campus handed over to Dumfries and Galloway Council The Dalbeattie Learning Campus will replace the town’s primary and secondary schools and council nursery schools, which have operated in a number of buildings on separate sites. Work started on site in March 2016, with an 18-month build programme and the building is now ready on schedule. The old high school building, next to the new campus, will soon be demolished and the site landscaped before being incorporated into the campus site. The new campus opened its doors to pupils at the start of this month who were excited to be stepping into their new school for the first time.
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Pivotal moment for Leith development Proposals for one of Edinburgh’s largest viable brownfield developments is to be put forward for determination at a planning committee. Updated plans for Waterfront Plaza have received support from across the Leith business community,
as well as with leading political figures and affordable housing specialists. Located on disused land opposite Ocean Terminal, CALA Homes (East) amended its original plans to include carefully considered commercial opportunities. The most evident change, however, is the reduction to 388 homes (down from 425), including 97 affordable homes. This has enabled the developer to further reduce the height of the apartment block directly adjacent to properties on Commercial Street in response to local concerns.
SPIE completes £6.4m refurbishment contract for Sidney Webb House SPIE UK was awarded a £6.4m contract with Unite Students for the refurbishment of Sidney Webb House, a student accommodation building at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). As principal contractor and designer, SPIE has been responsible for design, procurement and site management as well as the removal and fit-out of the new internal fabrics, furniture and fixings and mechanical and electrical services. Having just been completed in order to avoid disruption to students, the 11-week on-site programme has been a challenging endeavour from both a technical and programming aspect. Due to the time frame, SPIE developed a complete singlesource solution for fast-track fit-out that included innovative energy-saving and engineering solutions.
Work to begin on Morden leisure centre FT Leisure will work on a new leisure centre development for Merton Council in the London Borough of Morden, providing swimming pool water treatment and filtration systems. Once the new £11m centre has been built, Morden Park Pool will be removed to become open greenspace again. The new premises will incorporate a six-lane 25m pool and a 15 x 13m pool with a moveable floor. Also available on site will be a 100-station fitness suite, four badminton courts, a large studio and community room and cafe facilities. Members of the local community will benefit from new opportunities to engage in a number of different sporting and fitness activities.
The nation is facing a “ticking time bomb” in the number of homeless older people after latest figures showed an alarming rise of 130% since its lowest point eight years ago, councils warn. The Local Government Association says that older homelessness is a growing hidden phenomenon that needs greater understanding. Latest figures show that between April and June this year, councils accepted 620 people aged over 60 as homeless – at a rate of nearly 10 a day. This is up from the 270 accepted between October and December 2009, which was the lowest number since records began in 2005.
College partnership tackles skills gap in construction City of Glasgow College is helping to address a technical skills supply shortage faced by the country’s construction industry. A partnership with Building Contractors Training Group (BCTG) and Learn, Direct & Build (LDB) aims to transform how supervisor construction training programmes are delivered in the UK. The consortium of educators, industrialists and designers – BCTG Construct – are creating a blended learning programme to help the sector increase productivity and efficiency, and reduce technical skills gaps by offering supervisors an anytime, anywhere learning experience. Funded by the Construction Industry Training Board’s Flexible Fund, the project will be completed by February 2019.
Penketh Group helps Cambria to open £3.5m business school A leading corporate furniture provider, Penketh Group, has worked with Coleg Cambria to create its prestigious new Business School in north-east Wales. Coleg Cambria Northop is one of the largest professional development providers in the region and has undergone a significant investment programme to create a sector-leading business school. Cambria Business School is a purpose-built £3.5m modern learning environment set in breathtaking surroundings. It will officially open on December 4th. More than 1500 students are expected to use the Business School every year and on offer will be degree-level courses, professional development courses and business training.
Ravenscraig masterplan puts community at its heart
Queen Margaret Academy moves a step closer Plans to build a new Queen Margaret Academy in Ayr are a step closer with the official contracts now signed after reaching financial close. South Ayrshire Council is now preparing to move on site to get work underway to deliver the new facility. The £25m project will provide places for 800 young people, with modern classrooms, interactive ICT, a large games hall, two gyms, two all-weather pitches and hard games courts. The building will also house psychological services and a supported learning centre, which are already based at QMA.The new Queen Margaret Academy will be built in the grounds of the existing school and is expected to open in October 2019.
site team spent time building a woodland shelter in the school grounds, bringing a disused area of woodland back into use. Woodhead teamed up with the school, its local sub-contractors and the Woodland Trust to construct a timber sheltered learning area, surrounded by an environmental garden.
News
Nation faces older people homelessness ‘time bomb’
Woodhead creates woodland shelter for Mansfield school Robert Woodhead has achieved a fantastic score on its latest assessment by the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) for its efforts at High Oakham Primary School in Mansfield. Woodhead scored 42 out of 50 while carrying out necessary heating replacement works at High Oakham Primary School. During the project, which was delivered through the empa framework, the
A revised masterplan has been prepared for the next phase of development at Ravenscraig, one of Europe’s largest regeneration projects. Ravenscraig will submit the updated plan, which includes proposals for further housing, primary schools, a new 17-acre park and a range of town centre facilities to North Lanarkshire Council in February 2018. The masterplan also includes land reserved for commercial businesses and organisations offering employment opportunities. The new planning application follows extensive engagement by Ravenscraig and a community consultation hosted by North Lanarkshire Council in November 2016. Feedback called for a primary school, convenience store, local job opportunities and greenspace.
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Upfront
Project: Glenwood School Location: Benfleet, Essex Construction and infrastructure company: Morgan Sindall
The £15m education complex has been delivered by a project team led by construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall
DELIVERY WITH A DIFFERENCE Increased demand for specially designed and built schools that provide the best possible learning environment for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) is improving provision and driving forward innovation – creating a step-change in their delivery.
School in G lenwood Benfleet, Essex, is an example of just how far the design and build process has progressed since dedicated facilities for SEN children came about some 40 years ago. The £15m education complex has been delivered by a project team led by construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall.
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The school can support 210 young people between the ages of three and 19 years old, transforming the provision that currently exists in this locality to meet the learning needs of children with SEN. Morgan Sindall worked closely with Curl la Tourelle Head Architecture, Essex County Council and the end-
user, Glenwood School, to design an innovative space that enhances the wellbeing of pupils and transforms the way they can learn. Saul Humphrey, Managing Director of Morgan Sindall East, said: “Delivering a building for mainstream education is not without its challenges, but when delivering an SEN school,
construction companies and architects need to be mindful of the unique factors that must be considered when delivering a facility that is purpose-built for individuals with complex needs. “Many children with SEN struggle to understand their environments, so all elements of the school’s design required careful consideration.
Upfront At Glenwood, for example, the use of colour has been carefully thought through to help the young people navigate their way around the school easily.” The school currently caters for 15 groups from early years to young adults with a complex range of educational needs. It prides itself on the individualisation of education
and, due to the ever-evolving nature of SEN learning, the new building and classrooms are flexible and adaptable. Morgan Sindall approached the development of specialist facilities to meet the needs of all children and young people who attend the school. This includes; an in-floor trampoline room, a hydrotherapy pool,
sensory and light rooms and spaces designed to meet the needs of those with sensory processing difficulties. It also has an immersive room where the school simulates environments, meaning young people can become familiar with places that they might visit, such as an airport and also situations they
could imagine such as being under the sea or in a rainforest. Chris Travers, Operations Director of Morgan Sindall East, said: “The hydrotherapy pool has a comprehensive hoisting system and the trampoline room features a fully-sunken floor with hoisting above so it’s accessible to all. The room is designed for meeting the
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Upfront 10
needs of those with sensory processing difficulties and has a reinforced ceiling to allow for all to use a specialist swing. “The ability to access all areas easily is paramount when delivering an SEN school and Glenwood is completely accessible to all.” Morgan Sindall has also supported the school by staying on site after the construction to help teachers and students become accustomed to their new building. This process, known as a soft landing, was adopted to ensure that the transition from construction to occupation was seamless. Due to the complexity of the facility, Morgan Sindall appointed a dedicated soft landings team who remained on site for four weeks, beyond the build. Morgan Sindall Project Manager, Dan Morrish, led the team, supported by a trainee site manager, labourer and three specialists from its services sub-contractor DPL, which worked closely with the Glenwood team throughout. As part of the soft landings process, a handover manual was also provided as a quick reference guide for each teacher, helping them to learn about their new classrooms. The manual also included wayfinding and floor plans, so the team can easily access all the areas in their new school. Morgan Sindall hosted two soft landing presentations for staff and detailed equipment training was also delivered to the teachers, with specialist training and film production for equipment such as the new hoist systems and hydrotherapy pool. Judith Salter, Headteacher at Glenwood School, said: “We are all very excited about the opening of the new building. It is very important to us that the new school feels as warm, welcoming, safe and unique as our previous school. We always strive to help our young people develop and learn so they can be as autonomous as possible. We appreciate that many of our young people find change difficult if they have not been prepared so we are particularly pleased that Morgan Sindall has worked with us to involve many of the young people.
Morgan Sindall worked closely with Curl la Tourelle Head Architecture, Essex County Council and the end-user, Glenwood School, to design an innovative space that enhances the wellbeing of pupils
The ability to access all areas easily is paramount when delivering an SEN school and Glenwood is completely accessible to all
Morgan Sindall has also supported the school by staying on site after the construction to help teachers and students become accustomed to their new building
Upfront Morgan Sindall approached the development of specialist facilities to meet the needs of all children and young people who attend the school. This includes; an in-floor trampoline room and a hydrotherapy pool.
“The new facilities enable us to be even more creative in the ways we can engage our young people in their individual next steps of learning. I am confident that all involved appreciate the importance of being able to give a sense of freedom and choice for the learners whilst still ensuring their safety with a comprehensive approach to security, access and movement within the school building and grounds. The needs of the young people who attend the school vary greatly, some young people are totally dependent on adults to meet all their needs and some can develop a great deal of independence, particularly in contributing to all routines associated with daily living. The new building is designed to meet the needs of all who attend.” Dan Morrish, Project Manager at Morgan Sindall, said: “Glenwood promotes independence and the spaces throughout the school promote this. Extra measures have been incorporated into the school’s design to ensure young people will be kept safe. “Schools like Glenwood are truly exceptional places providing the very best support and learning opportunities for children and young adults with
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special educational needs and we’ve been delighted to help to introduce teachers to the new space. The outstanding facilities at the new building provide secure, innovative and exciting learning spaces for the young people and we’re pleased to see the children and staff moving in. We have built many new schools but the Glenwood project has touched and inspired our team in new ways.
“From the very beginning, the school has been very active and engaged. The completed build is the result of a positive partnership between Morgan Sindall, Essex County Council, as the client, and Glenwood School, as the end-user. Many of our meetings took place on the site of the previous school and this has helped us understand the ethos, the young people and their needs and the importance of getting it right. The on-site staff have demonstrated an amazing commitment to being part of this life-changing project.”
As part of the soft landings process, a handover manual was also provided as a quick reference guide for each teacher, helping them to learn about their new classrooms
Judith Salter concluded: “I am very impressed with the quality of the on-site staff and the way they have managed the site and works. Most of all, I love the fact that the key staff on site were able to understand and embrace Glenwood and have been committed to providing the very best they can because they care. They have followed the Glenwood code, ‘Together we will; respect, achieve and make good choices.’”
www.morgansindall.com
Talking Point
An area of fire safety that has been given little attention to, but deserves much more credit, is the fire door. What a good fire door system can do is buy precious time.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE: THE FIRE DOOR PERSPECTIVE In a fire emergency, it is a race against time to prevent flames from spreading beyond control – meaning a working fire door could be the difference between life and death, says Allegion UK Commercial Leader, Pete Hancox. needs no mention I tthat the tragedy at Grenfell Tower has been a sombre, sobering experience. Shock, disbelief and anger have gripped the nation in the weeks and months following the fire. There’s no question it will live long as a thorny, incredibly sad memory – especially as data has since shown at least another 211 tower blocks have failed combustibility tests following testing on their exterior cladding. Following the tragedy, the media and nation have focused on the aforementioned cladding issues, as well as a lack of sprinkler systems in Grenfell Tower and other similar tower block buildings. Other talking points have emerged around the lack of a high ladder
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– which did not arrive on the scene for 32 minutes for the fire brigade. As a consequence, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan ordered an urgent review of the fire brigade kit after rescue delays. Of course, improving those factors is a necessity and, in due course, will raise fire safety standards all round. However, they are arguably response tactics, as opposed to prevention tactics, for a fire spreading out of control. An area of fire safety that has been given little attention to, but deserves much more credit, is the fire door. What a good fire door system can do is buy precious time. It is a prevention method and inhibits fires from getting out of control too quickly by compartmentalising the fire.
In tall and densely populated buildings especially, trapping the fire between fire doors can stop the ‘chimney effect.’ This is where stairways and corridors combust quickly through nonfire retardant materials, ripping through the building within a matter of minutes and thus blocking access to the vital escape routes.
Pete Hancox is Commercial Leader at Allegion UK.
Whilst a fire door won’t put out a fire, we can clearly see how they would serve an important function. In Grenfell Tower’s case, they could arguably have been one of the most important factors, following the revelation about the fire service’s initial lack of a high ladder.
Electromagnetically-controlled door closers can negate temptation to prop doors open, as they will hold open doors using electromagnets, and release them when a fire alarm is sounded
The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2006 (RRFSO) is the key regulation for building owners and operators. Under the RRFSO, not only do building owners and operators have to demonstrate that safety precautions are in place, but also that they are continually reviewed and monitored. Of the responsibilities, it includes regular fire assessments, implementing clearly defined evacuation procedures and ensuring adequate signage is in place. Above all, though, the priority requirement is that all doors are fit for purpose in the instance of fire. That means emergency doors must open in the direction of escape, and they must not be locked or fastened in such a way that they cannot be easily and immediately opened by any person who may need to use them in an emergency. Sliding and revolving doors are, therefore, not permitted as emergency exits.
The fire door system – preventing the spread Ultimately, it is the fire door that stops the fire from spreading. However, a fire door itself cannot work properly without its contributory parts. One intrinsic part is the door closer.
Door closers and linked fire alarms As Approved Document B: Volume 2 – which governs fire safety in dwelling houses and flats – states “all fire doors should be fitted with a selfclosing device”. The exceptions are fire doors to cupboards and to service ducts, which are normally kept locked shut, and fire doors within flats (although self-closing devices are still necessary on flat entrance doors). It goes on to state that closing devices to flat entrances must be 18N in closing force – power size 3. A mechanical door closer will fulfil this requirement, but there are also electromagnetically-controlled closers available too, which would be much more userfriendly in tower blocks.
A continual problem with fire doors is that they are heavier in nature. This makes them hard to operate for some people, for example, elderly, disabled or children, who lack upper body strength or mobility. Therefore, the temptation is to prop open fire doors to ease movement and accessibility, but this is illegal. A propped open fire door will render useless in the event of a fire. Electromagneticallycontrolled door closers can negate this temptation, as they will hold open doors using electromagnets, and release them when a fire alarm is sounded. An example of this is the Briton 996 door closer.
Latch bolt monitors Another piece of hardware technology that can contribute to a good fire door system in multiple occupancy buildings is the latch bolt monitor. As mentioned, fire doors are often propped open, but that is not the only thing that stops them from performing properly. If they do not close fully, i.e. latch to the door frame, then the intumescent seals around the fire door won’t stop smoke and toxic chemicals from leaking through. In a tower block, this scenario is common. Air pressure conditions are constantly changing, due to the weather, open windows, doors etc., which can prevent a fire door from latching fully. To guard against this, a latch bolt monitor can be installed to the latch, which sends a signal to a central monitoring system that alerts if any doors aren’t latched fully.
Electromechanical panic bars A recent development of the door hardware industry is the electromechanical panic bar – a traditional panic bar from the inside that allows access control functionality from the outside by using an electronic motor to control the latch. While not an essential to fire door safety, they are a good addition to tower blocks due to the access control functionality they can provide. Use of pin pads, transponders and key cards instead of mechanical
Talking Point
What the RRFSO states
keys on communal entrances can allow for audit activity on those doors, and allow security managers to pinpoint doors that are being left open and at what specific times.
Signage and resident’s fire door safety checklist All fire doors should be clearly marked, as per the RRFSO guidelines. Again, use of fire doors will be part of daily life in a tower block. However, there can be no guarantees that they won’t be misused. Clear and correct signage must be applied to make users aware that they should be kept shut. A good practice would also be to ensure residents are clear on how to determine if a fire door is legal or not. A basic checklist and gap tester is available to all from Allegion, which will allow residents to test and report for gaps around the fire door, latching issues or otherwise etc. Making residents aware of fire door safety can allow for a more agile approach to fire safety testing.
Only as good as the sum of its parts In a fire, time is crucial. There needs to be time for the fire services to reach the scene of the fire, for occupants to evacuate and, if evacuation is not possible, then to move onto the next safe points of the building. Fire-resistant doors are available that have been tested to protect against fire spreading for up to 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes. However, if they are not working as they should be, then no matter how good the cures are to follow, the fire will have that chance of breaking out of control and causing devastating effects. In most cases, a fire door will never be called into action for the entirety of its lifespan. However, when we need it most, we want it to work as it has been specified to do. The simple measures we have listed above will go a long way towards ensuring fire doors are respected as they should be.
www.allegion.com
A fire door itself cannot work properly without its contributory parts. One intrinsic part is the door closer.
Clear and correct signage must be applied to make users aware that fire doors should be kept shut
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Housing
WOOD YOU USE TIMBER?
All windows, whatever the material, need regular maintenance
Social landlords need to invest for long-term financial value as well as to recognise their wider responsibility towards the planet. Here Tony Pell, Chair of the Wood Window Alliance, explains why. wood industry has T hechanged significantly over recent years. There was a time, not that long ago, when the industry supplied not windows, but primed frames to be glazed and painted on site. The focus was on cheap timber, which needed regular sanding and recoating to avoid premature rot. How times have changed. Over the last 10 years or so, there has been a revolution in the
way we make high-performance wood windows in the UK, from the use of engineered slow-growth substrates, to full factory finishing with advanced coating systems and double- or triple-glazing. Today’s factoryfinished wood windows deliver unbeatable energy performance, exceptional durability and minimal maintenance – all with a much lower impact on the environment than PVC-u.
Does the world need more plastic? Well, perhaps if it’s cheaper Of course, whether planning new or refurbishment projects, social landlords are looking hard at all costs, including the cost of maintenance regimes. So, seeing PVC-u windows are cheaper to install than wood, and making an assumption about maintenance costs, they could be forgiven for believing PVC-u offers better long-term value.
Long-term value A study1 by Heriot-Watt University shows that wood actually provides better value than PVC-u in the long-term, thanks to the wood frame’s longer life and extended maintenance cycle.
Longer life
The typical recoating cycle on a pale opaque finish is eight to 10 years – with minimal preparation and just one or two topcoats to restore the window to pristine condition
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The study shows that factoryfinished wood window frames made to WWA standards have roughly twice the planned service life of equivalent PVC-u frames – 56 to 65 years for wood against 25 to 35 years for PVC-u.
Low maintenance All windows, whatever the material, need regular maintenance. The difference between wood and PVC-u is that the wood coating needs to be refreshed periodically, whereas PVC-u windows will tend to age and discolour until they are replaced. Anyone used to the sort of repainting regimes associated with traditional wood windows will be in for a surprise. The typical recoating cycle on a pale opaque finish is eight to 10 years – with minimal preparation and just one or two topcoats to restore the window to pristine condition.
Better LCA The study shows the wood frame to have significantly lower lifecycle impacts than an equivalent PVC-u frame, particularly when it comes to Global Warming Potential, when the wood frame saves 160kgs CO2e when used instead of the PVC-u frame. In an average property, you can save at least five tonnes of CO2e just by choosing wood windows and doors instead of PVC-u.
Dr Gillian F. Menzies, Institute for Building and Urban Design, Heriot-Watt University, June 2013, Whole Life Analysis of timber, modified timber and aluminium-clad timber windows: Service Life Planning, Whole Life Costing and Life Cycle Assessment 1
Housing
REFERENCES:
The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products, February 2017, uPVC windows through the lifecycle 2
Janet Kielhorn et al, ‘Vinyl Chloride: Still a Cause for Concern’, Environmental Health Perspectives 108, no. 7 (2000): 580 3
www.chej.org/pvcfactsheets/ PVC_Policies_Around_The_ World.html and http:// www.c2ccertified.org/ resources/detail/cradle-tocradle-certified-banned-listofchemicals 4
Waste Management World, 31st January 2013 5
Today’s factory-finished wood windows deliver unbeatable energy performance, exceptional durability and minimal maintenance
It’s worth taking a moment to summarise some of the specific benefits of specifying WWA wood windows: They can be every bit as energyefficient as PVC-u They are available in a wide range of RAL colours and stains (including duo-colour – different colours inside and out) They will be a better long-term investment than PVC-u They offer tilt-turn for easy cleaning or decorating – and tiltslide for vertical sliding sashes They comply with Part Q (security) and can be manufactured to the Secured by Design standard Buying from a member of the WWA gives you the reassurance that the windows and doors meet rigorous quality, performance and sustainability standards, backed up by third-party certification and industry-leading warranties.
PVC-u production is energyintensive. Chlorine, a major constituent of PVC, is energyand emissions-intensive. 8.06 million tonnes of chlorine – roughly a third of Europe’s total chlorine production – was used to manufacture PVC in Europe alone in 20132. PVC-u production is potentially toxic. PVC is made from vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), a Class 1 human carcinogen3. Many companies and organisations have placed PVC
on a banned or precautionary list, including, for example, the Cradle to Cradle Product Innovation Institute, the US Green Building Council, Perkins+Will architects, Google, Nike, Volvo and Apple4. Little PVC-u is recycled. PVC-u is typically downcycled, not recycled. And, sadly, relatively little is recovered – according to Waste Management World – in 2013; only some 15% of old PVC-u windows were recycled in the UK5. But recycled PVC-u is
a major pathway for hazardous legacy materials, such as mercury, cadmium and lead, into new PVC-u products. We understand that the pressure of costs will mean many social landlords will turn first to PVC-u for windows and doors, but we believe the case for wood has never been stronger – both in terms of long-term value and in terms of the effect of PVC-u on the planet.
www.woodwindowalliance.com
Corporate social responsibility But what about your CSR as social landlords? Do you need to think about the wider impacts of the materials specified in your buildings? If you buy wood products with Chain of Custody certification, you know the material they are made from is natural, renewable, biodegradable and beautiful. What about PVC-u?
If you buy wood products with Chain of Custody certification, you know the material they are made from is natural, renewable, biodegradable and beautiful
17
Technical Focus
Many facilities managers are now looking to disposable cloths to eliminate the danger of cross-contamination
pressures, B udget alongside the requirement to reduce labour time while improving cleaning effectiveness, has seen technology evolving that has revolutionised the way buildings are cleaned. Environmentally-aware facility managers may be looking to move away from the use of large amounts of water and chemicals, seeking an alternative that satisfies both budget constraints and standards of cleanliness. Another consideration – particularly in healthcare and educational facilities – is reducing the spread of germs and bacteria, achieving a minimal risk of infection being spread. Fortunately, evolving technology has enabled the creation of innovative cleaning products which enhance performance and prevent the spread of infection while at the same time reducing cleaning time. Microfibre, in particular, has become the weapon of choice for many in the fight against grime – however, not all disposable microfibre cloths are created equally.
How does microfibre work?
THE SCIENCE BEHIND EFFECTIVE CLEANING
Demand continues to grow for disposable solutions that are cost-effective yet maintain performance quality. Central to this is the development of the high-performing microfibre, which reduces labour time while restricting the spread of infection. James Taylor, Marketing Director for Specialities at Chicopee, looks at how technology has helped deliver advanced product performance across a wide range of applications.
STRING MOP
SPLIT MICROFIBRE
HUMAN HAIR HOOK FEATURE
*1/100th of a human hair
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Known as ‘mechanical cleaning’, the use of splittable microfibre requires neither detergents nor chemicals. This method relies instead on the capillary effect – in essence, the synthetic fibres of a microfibre cloth are positively charged, whereas dirt, dust and bacteria are all negatively charged, so are attracted to the cloth as though it is a magnet. This enables the fibres to dislodge then trap dirt and germs within the cloth, leaving the surface 99.99% free from bacteria. The dirt remains locked inside the fibres until the cloth is washed in hot water when they uncurl slightly and release their microbe content. However, choosing to wash and reuse cloths takes up valuable time and resources, and does not guarantee that all bacteria will be removed during the laundering process.
TRADITIONAL CLOTH AT WORK
Many facilities managers are now looking to disposable cloths to eliminate the danger of cross-contamination, with the added bonus of removing the need for laundering. Generally speaking, the thinner the microfibre, the more effective the clean. The fibres used in Chicopee’s Microfibre Light cloth, for example, are around 1/100th the width of a human hair, around 80% thinner than standard microfibre. Using an advanced hydro-entangling process, the highly absorbent pulp fibres are locked between two layers of engineered fabric which lends strength and durability.
be as a consequence of a HAI, resulting in an extra 16 million days spent in hospital. Of these, around one fifth are judged to be preventable through improved hygiene routines. In addition, the use of biocides such as chlorine and hydrogen peroxide has
been linked to an increase in tolerance of bacteria to a wide range of antibiotics. Adopting a rigorous hygiene routine, using disposable microfibre cloths, will help to restrict the spread of infection. Research conducted by the American Journal of Infection Control found that 93% of cloths – both woven and microfibre – that had been used to clean patient rooms still retained traces of bacteria such as E.coli after they had been washed. The MRSA virus, meanwhile, can survive for up to three weeks on traditional cleaning cloths. Switching to a disposable cloth made from 100% microfibre will remove the danger of such bacteria being spread onto the next surface to be cleaned while removing the additional time and costs involved in laundering cloths. This is true for both surface cleaning and floor cleaning. While the risk of crosscontamination is higher with surface cleaning because of the high number of touch points, floors may pose more of an infection risk than previously thought. Bacteria on the floor of patient rooms is easily transferred to hands and surfaces when items such as linen and medical devices touch the floor.
Again, a disposable microfibre floor mop, harnessing the same mechanical cleaning technology as a cleaning cloth, will pick up dirt and bacteria then can be disposed of at the end of a shift, removing the danger of spreading bacteria. Disposable mops are designed to be much lighter than washable pads, as the cleaning fluid is contained in the mopping tool rather than saturating the mop itself. However, many may feel very thin and flat, making it uncomfortable for the user. The latest generation of disposable mops provide a soft foam base as well as an angled base on the mop, which allows dirt and dust to collect in the centre of the mop.
Technical Focus
SPLITTABLE MICROFIBRE AT WORK
An effective all-rounder The highest quality microfibre products are ideal for use across a range of sectors, from healthcare to facilities management. Low linting and high performing, the latest cloths and wipes will deliver a superior clean while significantly reducing the risk of spreading infection and bacteria. This method of ‘mechanical’ cleaning is developing all the time, allowing the production of disposable materials to reduce labour time yet improve cleaning performance.
www.chicopee.com/en-eu
Fighting the spread of infection While the number of reported cases of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) has fallen since the beginning of the decade, their prevention remains a priority for the National Health Service. Patients in hospital are vulnerable to infection, when their immune system may not be functioning at 100%. In Europe alone, around 37,000 deaths a year are estimated to
While the number of reported cases of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) has fallen since the beginning of the decade, their prevention remains a priority for the National Health Service
19
Legal & Business
The need to downselect bidders has recently been throwing the role of pre-qualification into relief in public construction projects
PRE-QUALIFICATION AND DOWN SELECTION FOR PUBLIC SECTOR CONSTRUCTION Bidders and public purchasers want efficient and effective procurement processes for construction contracts ensuring that the best bidder can be identified without requiring bidders to spend disproportionate time, cost and energy in completing tenders, writes Ian Tucker, Partner at independent UK law firm Burges Salmon. there has recently W hilst been a rise in more proactive and collaborative procurement processes, such as two-stage tendering or innovation partnerships, many public construction contracts are still procured on a traditional basis. Other than for the most straightforward projects, it is therefore likely to be most efficient (for all parties) if only a small number of bidders are taken forward to later stages of a procurement exercise involving more detailed negotiation and assessment. Frequently, that has become a decision about which bidders should proceed through pre-qualification. It is, however, in reality, a question not of qualification but of down selection. The need to downselect bidders has recently been throwing the role of prequalification into relief in public construction projects. CECA’s procurement report for
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the infrastructure sector, for example, identifies “too many bidders” as an efficiency issue. It states: “We have particular concern about the increasing use of open tendering, where any supplier can submit a bid, rather than a pre-qualified shortlist”. Build UK has identified pre-qualification as a particular issue for its members and taken on the challenge, stating: “Build UK will develop and implement a solution to the current bureaucratic and repetitive process of pre-qualification that meets the needs of clients and other stakeholders and is beneficial to the construction supply chain”. Underlying these concerns is a procurement law question about what the purpose of pre-qualification is and whether it is being correctly used. On one analysis there is a blurring of the lines between pre-qualification and down selection.
From a procurement law perspective, pre-qualification is an exercise in ensuring that bidders are, in principle, capable of fulfilling the contract – e.g. they are the right sort of organisation, with the right level of solvency, staffing and competence. In this respect, pre-qualification is not about down selection. It deals with whether an organisation is a viable bidder (regardless of the proposal it might choose to make regarding the project). On that logic, providers may, in principle, be able to prequalify for certain types of contract before such contracts are advertised. Confirmation of pre-qualification is, for example, possible in the rail industry through RISQS or, for certain issues, through the European Single Procurement Document. Build UK may well be able to produce a consistent standard for construction projects.
Ian Tucker is a Dispute Resolution Lawyer and is a member of the Transport and Procurement groups. He is a specialist in rail regulatory issues having advised on legislative and compliance aspects of UK access and passenger rights, European law including the rail packages and their implementation in the UK. He has also advised bus companies and airports on compliance and disputes.
Nonetheless, public purchasers often see flexing the requirements of prequalification as a means of reducing the number of bidders to a pre-defined number. In doing so, arguably they are using the wrong tool. They are trying to downselect using a process designed for assuring competence. From a legal perspective, down selection (of pre-qualified bidders) is permissible as the first stage of a number of the regulated processes. However, it is an exercise in evaluation rather than pre-qualification. A first stage to be described in the procurement documents. Why does this matter? In simple terms, it matters to avoid confusion and unnecessary expense at the early stages of a procurement process. Good processes will, a) prequalify bidders on capability, b) cost-effectively downselect bidders against clear criteria and then, c) evaluate (potentially after negotiation) the winner. Exercises which mix points A and B may well cause everyone to spend too much cost and effort without the clarity of what they are trying to achieve.
www.burges-salmon.com
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Education
Project: King’s College Location: Cambridge Commercial cleaning specialist: Thomann-Hanry
façade gommage gently projects sharp, fine powders under compressed air, lifting and removing dirt with no damage whatsoever to the underlying stonework
TURNING THE CLOCK BACK AT KING’S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE Having transformed King's College's majestic 18th century Gibbs’ Building in 2015, Thomann-Hanry has completed an extensive clean and restoration of the Grade II Listed Chetwynd Court, with equally spectacular results. Here, PSBJ explores the two historically-sensitive projects.
façade gommage is ideal for facades such as this, which are heavily polluted and where water can mitigate contaminants further into the stone
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the ninth oldest A sCambridge college, King’s College was founded in 1441 by Henry VI and is one of the 31 colleges in the University of Cambridge’s holdings. With an outstanding academic record and worldfamous architecture, the King’s College grounds include several architecturallysignificant edifices. Amid these notable constructions proudly stands the Gibbs’ Building, situated adjacent to the college’s well-kept front court. The second oldest building at King’s College – following the college’s chapel, an example of late Gothic architecture whose construction was interrupted by the Wars of the Roses – the Grade I Listed Gibbs’ Building is named after its Architect James Gibbs, one of Britain’s most influential architects whose work transitioned between English Baroque and Georgian architecture. Construction of the Gibbs’ Building dates back to 1724, however, it’s reported that the first stone was laid in 1461 when masons left behind a large block in the front court. 300 years later, this stone became the foundation stone for the Gibbs’ Building.
Cleaning up history Steeped in history and heritage, Britain’s universities are home to some of the nation’s finest historic architecture. However, centuries of accumulated grime, pollution and dirt mean many of these buildings’ fine facades are now a shadow of their former glories. For King’s College, the aesthetics of the stonework at both the Gibbs’ Building and Chetwynd Court had fallen into this predicament, influencing the visual appeal of the college itself. The profound history that surrounds the establishments on King’s estate was at the forefront of both restoration works. Comprising stonework dating back to, as aforementioned, 1461, the Gibbs’ Building restoration and conservation process had to be approached with a delicate outlook, particularly when it came to appearance. The team at King’s College, consequently, approached London-based commercial cleaning specialist, Thomann-Hanry, for a viable solution that would revive the appearance of its established architectural heritage, while circumventing the likelihood of unprepossessing scaffolding. Quite apart from the drawbacks of enveloping buildings in scaffolding for months, conventional cleaning processes use water, chemicals and detergent, making them environmentally questionable, at best. However, as King’s College discovered, there is an alternative. For a globally-renowned tourist site such as this, enshrouding the buildings in scaffolding would be a huge disappointment to students, staff and visitors, therefore, King’s College specified ThomannHanry’s façade gommage system, which is specifically designed to work without scaffolding. façade gommage gently projects sharp, fine powders under compressed air, lifting and removing dirt with no damage whatsoever to the underlying stonework.
Rather than the months taken by conventional cleaning, the process takes weeks, even days, to complete – saving cost, disruption and preserving the fabric of the building itself. Furthermore, the entire ancillary works, restoration and redecoration were carried out from the company’s MEWPs, avoiding the need for scaffolding altogether. The restoration of the Gibbs’ Building was the first project that Thomann-Hanry undertook for King’s College. At the beginning of the project, the company was briefed to clean just one small elevation. However, the workload increased as the college was infinitely delighted, not only by the results but also by the speed at which the work was carried out. The speed of turnaround was critical to King’s College as works had to take place during the summer break in order to avoid interference with the working life of the students and, as the University of Cambridge works on a collegiate system with students frequenting the site from both King’s College and the University of Cambridge; time was of the essence. The expansion of the project saw Thomann-Hanry clean the entirety of the building, refurbishing and redecorating every timber window, metal grill and the underside of the central archway passage. In addition, the stonework was restored to a high level, including the supply and installation of new Portland stone balustrades to match the existing. To ensure a seamless process, the cleaning specialist also deployed one of its drones to survey sections of the building. Juan Cortizo, Head of Restoration at Thomann-Hanry, operated the team that restored the stonework, timber windows and redecorated the timber work at the Gibbs’ Building. He commented: “Working with Historic England and the college’s restoration team, led by Matthew Beasley, this project was a cross between a restoration and conservation scheme. “It was a project where some of the work involved simple restoration, such as repainting, and a few elements that required stonework to be replaced after centuries of erosion.”
Education
The structure was the only part of a large scheme that Gibbs designed, which was planned to include similar buildings on the south and east side of the front court. Today, the Gibbs’ Building contains fellows’ rooms, the tutorial office and the ‘turing room’ (student computer room).
Centuries of accumulated grime, pollution and dirt mean many buildings’ fine facades are now a shadow of their former glories
Rather than the months taken by conventional cleaning, the process takes weeks, even days, to complete – saving cost, disruption and preserving the fabric of the building
Following the successful restoration of the Gibbs’ Building, the company was brought back to King’s to undertake further work to Grade II Listed Chetwynd Court, designed by prolific English Gothic revival Architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, who was recognised for many iconic buildings, including London’s St Pancras Station. Again, without the use of scaffolding, water or chemicals, Thomann-Hanry successfully completed this project in just three weeks. Alongside cleaning the stonework at Chetwynd Court, the restoration team also undertook replacement work on all masonry, timber and fixtures. Commenting on the company’s work, Thomann-Hanry’s Managing Director, Mark Styles, said: “There is no other system suited to this class of work; cleaning and restoring educational
environments without having an impact on students’ studies. “façade gommage is ideal for facades such as this, which are heavily polluted and where water can mitigate contaminants further into the stone.” Adam Gardner, Deputy Clerk of Works at King’s College, added: “Thomann-Hanry have shown that the method they use is certainly appropriate for works such as this. The team of operatives that carried out the work were extremely diligent and very knowledgeable. “The conservation and restoration of historic fabrics such as those at King’s College is very fulfilling to be involved with. Thomann-Hanry have provided a great service from start to finish.”
www.thomann-hanry.co.uk
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HVAC
THE INVISIBLE ANSWER TO PUBLIC SECTOR ENERGY COSTS James Griffiths from heating, cooling, plumbing and infrastructure solutions provider, Uponor, discusses why thermally active building systems (TABS) could provide the answer to more energy-efficient public buildings. temperature W orkplace wars are a common scenario. Warm-blooded person A is constantly opening a window because they’re too warm and the office is stuffy. Meanwhile, cold-blooded person B, closes the window at every opportunity and makes a point of sitting at their desk wearing a coat because it’s so cold. Even when the battle lines over temperature control are not so clearly drawn, many work environments, from local authority offices to classrooms, have issues with heat loss in the winter and solar gain in the summer, making them less than comfortable all year round. The conventional answer to this is heating and air conditioning, but this brings with it issues of its own. The
battleground simply moves from the window to the heating and cooling emitter unit. So is it time to think again about how we heat and cool public sector buildings?
The mounting costs of HVAC Many public sector buildings do not have air conditioning, mechanical ventilation or air handling units as it was simply considered too expensive at build or refurbishment, particularly if the asset has no public-facing function. It’s easy to see why; not only is there the cost of install to consider, there are also wide-ranging implications for service routes and the location of equipment, especially if retrofit is required in older buildings.
The Uponor TABS systems ensures an ambient temperature at all times with no intrusive wallmounted heating or cooling
The cost implications continue well beyond procurement and installation of the system and plant. The system needs to be maintained and serviced throughout its service life, and that service
The pipework for the Uponor TABS system is arranged around the steel rebar within the concrete slab
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life is relatively short, with typical replacement intervals of between 10 and 20 years. Most significantly of all for a public sector tasked with reducing its operational costs and environmental impact, traditional heating and cooling systems – particularly air conditioning – are energy hungry, especially when used for cooling rather than air handling alone. According to a 2016 BRE report on the energy consumption of air conditioning in office buildings, ‘typical’ systems use between 31 and 41kWh/m2 pa while even highperforming systems in newbuild installations that comply with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), operate at around 9kWh/m2 pa. The ESOS (Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme) requirements are providing an incentive for larger public sector organisations to invest in improving the efficiency of their air conditioning systems as an achievable goal for
HVAC Hot and cold water feeds ensure the temperature of the Uponor TABS system adjusts to provide an ambient indoor environment at all times
delivering targeted energy consumption reductions. However, the operational cost savings of lower energy consumption must be integrated into a capex business case, alongside length of service life and performance quality over the anticipated lifecycle of the system, to provide a clear and measurable payback period. While this is an advisable strategy for existing public sector properties, as we continue to invest in new built assets there’s a better way to reduce the heating and cooling
load. There is a fit-and-forget solution that lasts for the lifetime of the building and provides a dramatic reduction in both carbon emissions and energy bills.
What is TABS? One of the main reasons for installing HVAC systems is building comfort. Whether the driver is enhanced comfort to support increased productivity or improved wellbeing, the goal is to create an environment where the temperature adjusts to remain ambient regardless of the outdoor climate.
The Uponor TABS pipework is secured in place by the steel rebar and fixed in place by the concrete pour
Using pipework embedded in the floors and ceilings during construction, that’s exactly what a TABS system achieves. Whether as a standalone system partnering with natural ventilation or a passive design strategy, or used in conjunction with a mix mode or mechanical ventilation arrangement, TABS has to be specified early in a building’s design process. This is because the pipework is laid into the concrete pour for the slab, coiling around the steel rebar to create a fixed and permanent infrastructure for the water that will both heat and cool the building. Suitable for either concrete or steel-framed buildings, the heating and cooling system is designed to exploit the concrete’s thermal mass, using it to store and exchange thermal energy, thereby reducing the amount of energy required to heat and cool the building. Uponor works closely with clients and architects to ensure the benefits of the TABS installation are maximised by combining them with a thermally-efficient building envelope. This prevents heat loss in the colder months and minimises thermal gain in the summer months, thereby minimising the heating and cooling load still further. And, because the energy load required for a TABS system is so low, it is ideal for use with renewable energy sources, providing additional operating cost and carbon reduction benefits.
The system works by using lowtemperature hot water (30/25ºC) for heating and high-grade chilled water (15/20ºC). This ensures that the operating condition of the system is close to ambient room temperature for optimum performance and comfort. In addition to energy efficiency and renewables-friendly benefits, TABS solutions also provide a low-key, non-intrusive heating and cooling solution. Embedding the heating and cooling in the floors and ceilings removes the need for any wall-mounted radiators or air conditioning and air handling plant and frees up space in the floor and ceiling voids. Invisible and silent with no draughts, TABS requires almost no maintenance, further reducing operational costs and helping to make buildings easier to manage.
Cost-saving future The use of TABS may be in its infancy in the UK and there remains a significant road to travel in educating specifiers on the early engagement required and the carbon-saving and operational cost benefits. However, the technology is widely proven in Germany and central Europe and public sector installations, such as the high-profile ‘Advance II’ project at Dudley College, demonstrate the enormous potential for creating more comfortable, more efficient and less costly public sector estates in the future.
www.uponor.co.uk
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Healthcare
Royal Blind’s sister charity, Scottish War Blinded, has built the Hawkhead Centre, a state-of-the-art activity centre for veterans of the armed forces with sight loss on the same site
Project: Jenny’s Well Location: Paisley, Scotland
A HOME-FROM-HOME ENVIRONMENT FOR JENNY’S WELL RESIDENTS Two brand-new services in the west of Scotland for blind and partially sighted individuals opened their doors last month for the first intake of patients. largest vision S cotland’s impairment charity, Royal Blind, has constructed Jenny’s Well, a specialist 54-bedroom residential care home for visually impaired individuals in Hawkhead Road, Paisley. Offering nursing care to older people with visual impairments, including those that may have other medical needs such as dementia, Jenny’s Well provides care for residents who are both funded privately as well as through social care. The purpose-designed building was built specifically for the visually impaired offering patients a homefrom-home environment with a light and airy interior inclusive of specialist anti-glare lighting, enhancing patients’ wayfinding. Royal Blind’s sister charity, Scottish War Blinded, has built the Hawkhead Centre, a state-of-theart activity centre for veterans of the armed forces with sight loss on the same site. Scottish War Blinded supports veterans regardless of how and when their vision impairment occurred.
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Working side by side The £17m project has created around 150 new jobs in Paisley. Nearly 100 military veterans have already signed up to use the Hawkhead Centre and 11 residents of Jenny’s Well began moving into their new home last month. Mark O’Donnell, Chief Executive of Royal Blind Group, said: “We are delighted to officially open Jenny’s Well and the Hawkhead Centre. “This has been a unique project for the Royal Blind Group as it is the first time that we have constructed a Royal Blind service and a Scottish War Blinded service side by side, and they will be our first centres in the west of Scotland. We have recruited a fantastic team of talented, knowledgeable and hardworking staff, and I am confident they will make these much-needed services a success. “We never forget that it is only with the help of our
supporters that we are able to provide education, care, support and employment to the blind and partially sighted, and I am extremely grateful to everyone who has helped make this project a reality.” Local residents and health and social care professionals toured the services at the beginning of last month.
A comfortable environment Jenny’s Well is designed to be a ‘home-from-home’, the specialist facility reaches two storeys and is spread across four interconnected pavilions which has a sensory garden at its core. Jenny’s Well Manager, Stewart Whyte, said: “I am delighted to welcome all of our new residents to Jenny’s Well. I feel passionate about making care for older people right, and know that all of us together can make the home the very best it can possibly be to both live and work in.”
Easy navigation The Hawkhead Centre is fully accessible and has been designed so that Scottish War Blinded’s members find it easy to remember locations and navigate through the building. Facilities include a sports hall, specialist arts and crafts workshop, an IT suite, a rehabilitation room and a peaceful garden room to promote relaxation. Hawkhead Centre Manager, Sally Ross, added: “It is a privilege to build a new service at such an amazingly well-equipped and beautiful new building.”
www.royalblind.org/paisley
Healthcare Scotland’s largest vision impairment charity, Royal Blind, has constructed Jenny’s Well, a specialist 54-bedroom residential care home for visually impaired individuals
11 residents of Jenny’s Well began moving into their new home last month
Offering nursing care to older people with visual impairments, Jenny’s Well provides care for residents who are both funded privately as well as through social care
27
Drainage & Wastewater
The new Design Museum, and adjacent Holland Green apartments, is a new mixed-use development at the south end of Holland Park in west London
Project: Design Museum Location: West London Architects: OMA and Allies & Morrison Drainage specialist: Geberit
The Design Museum is now housed in what’s left of the Commonwealth Institute, a distinctive Grade II Listed Modernist building which had stood vacant for over a decade. Transformed by architect firms OMA and Allies and Morrison, it has been upgraded to meet the demands of the 21st century, whilst retaining its unique spatial quality, including the regeneration of its original pavilion and the eyecatching parabolic copper roof.
Siphoning rainwater
DRAINAGE WITHOUT COMPROMISING DESIGN How does roof drainage with a negative pressure result in a positive outlook for installers working on challenging building designs in notoriously wet climates? Jonathan Briafield, Senior Product Manager at Geberit, takes a look at the advantages of siphonic systems. to Met A ccording Office figures, the UK experiences an average of 133 days of rain or snow, totalling 885mm (33.7"), a year. In fact, record-heavy rainfalls are now being experienced across the world, and this, coupled with new demands in the architecture of buildings, has seen a move away from traditional gravity drainage.
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As the roof needs to protect the rest of a building’s structure from the elements, installing an adequate and effective drainage system is an important consideration of any building project, particularly for largescale projects and for those buildings with flat roofs. For the architect, flexibility is a key issue in terms of roofing and
there aren’t any more flexible yet effective roof drainage systems available than the siphonic method.
Listed buildings The new Design Museum, and adjacent Holland Green apartments, is a new mixed-use development at the south end of Holland Park in west London.
Geberit Pluvia was specified for the roof drainage for this demanding project. Originally developed in Scandinavia 50 years ago, siphonic roof drainage systems have been in use in the UK since the early 1980s. Since then, many large projects, such as the London Design Museum, have used the siphonic system to overcome installation problems which would have been difficult to solve using a traditional gravity rainwater system. While conventional systems simply allow rain to run off the roof through sloping pipes, the compact Geberit Pluvia pipe system fills up quickly and draws the rainwater from the roof using the resultant negative pressure. The roof outlets prevent air from being sucked in and guarantee reliable performance, resulting in double the amount of rainwater discharge at half the pipe diameter. There is also greater design freedom in terms of planning, as there is no longer any need for sloping pipelines; instead, pipelines are laid completely horizontal, so the drainage system does not result in any loss of space or height. A siphonic drainage system is not only cheaper to construct than a typical roof drainage system – especially when a large industrial roof or complex roof structure has to be covered – but the system’s design means there is no need for the pipe pitch or gradients found in typical roof drain piping, making installation a relatively simple process, even
Drainage & Wastewater Geberit Pluvia was specified for the roof drainage for this demanding project
on challenging installations such as parabolic and other unusuallyshaped roofs.
Drainage advantages Mike Carter from Arup, who was heavily involved in the specification process, explains the reasoning behind choosing Geberit Pluvia. “The Design Museum’s unusual parabolic roof is a key feature of the building. Grade II Listed, it was essential that the roof was treated with care, which posed a particular problem when it came to roof drainage,” he explains. “The original pipework was undersized and, therefore, did not accommodate suitable flow rates; a problem that had caused the roof to flood in the past. We were not permitted to increase the size of the drain pipe because of the listing and to retain the unusual shape, piping could only be included in two internal raked columns. “Geberit Pluvia is a siphonic drainage system so has a far greater carrying capacity significantly increasing runoff and improving return periods making it capable of
withstanding the heaviest of storms, safeguarding against future flooding. “From the architects’ point of view, Geberit Pluvia allowed for far more versatility, as a smaller number of roof outlets, discharge
stacks and underground pipes were required. Because of the negative pressure, no slopes were needed for the feed pipes leading to the discharge stack, which meant that installation was also simpler, making it ideal for the Design Museum’s complex and unusual roof.”
With siphonic drainage systems, such as Geberit Pluvia, offering so many clear advantages, buildings of all shapes and sizes can remain protected from the elements no matter how hard it rains.
www.geberit.co.uk
Geberit Pluvia is a siphonic drainage system so has a far greater carrying capacity significantly increasing run-off and improving return periods making it capable of withstanding the heaviest of storms
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Landscaping
The planned project will involve the construction of flood defence interventions between Leeds train station and Knostrop Lock downstream of the city centre
Location: Leeds Client: Leeds City Council Principal designer: Arup Principal engineer: Mott MacDonald Principal contractor: BAM Nuttall Products used: Stanton Moor Walling, Berwick Ferrocast post and rail
order to protect I nbusinesses, homes, the
LEEDS FLOOD ALLEVIATION SCHEME
The threat of flooding is increasingly linked to climate change and expanding urbanisation. Leeds narrowly escaped a major disaster during the 2007 floods and since then there have been several localised flood events closing the train station, blocking roads and resulting in city centre residents being evacuated from waterfront properties.
transportation network and the city economy in the future, Leeds City Council needs to provide flood defences. A flood alleviation scheme (FAS) has been designed to protect the city centre from a 1:75-year flood and the planned project will involve the construction of flood defence interventions between Leeds train station and Knostrop Lock downstream of the city centre. In 2014, the BAM Nuttall and Mott MacDonald joint venture (BMMJV) won the competitively tendered contract for the detailed design and construction of the defences.
BMMJV’s work includes: Constructing landscape defences such as low embankments, terracing and riverside walls at low points along the riverbank to maintain a consistent 1:75 standard of flood protection Removing Knostrop Cut Island to merge the canal and River Aire, which will create additional flood water storage Providing flood defences along a length of Holbeck which flows into the River Aire.
The benefits
The durability of Ferrocast makes it the preferred material when manufacturing posts and rails for developments such as the Leeds flood alleviation scheme
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The FAS will provide environmental improvements to the waterfront wherever possible, including landscaped waterfront seating areas. The overarching aim will be to enhance the River Aire green corridor and to provide opportunities for biodiversity and leisure including cycling and walking, improving links for people and wildlife between the city centre and the wider Lower Aire Valley. A key aim of the project has been to identify and build in sustainable construction techniques.
Economic benefits
A key aim of the project has been to identify and build in sustainable construction techniques
Early in the construction phase, BMMJV identified a cost-, programme- and environmentally-beneficial alternative to the proposed handrailing solution. The contract required BMMJV to remove several types of existing cast iron and timber handrails and to replace on a ‘like-forlike’ basis. However, it was pointed out by the site team that once the existing railings had been removed, there would be no railings left to match and it would not enhance the built environment if identical railings were adopted along the defences. The site management team convinced planners to adopt this principle and to use the same type of railings throughout. Having agreed this, BMMJV and Marshalls, supported by the Leeds City Council design team and Arup, investigated the substitution of the cast steel railings with Ferrocast railing posts which was put to, and accepted, by the council’s planning department. Ferrocast is a polyurethane mix of an engineering grade specification which was developed from its use in the mining, quarrying and North Sea oil industries.
The cost of Ferrocast is approximately 10% cheaper than cast iron Because the Ferrocast is lighter, it can be installed by hand, saving cost on machinery and equipment hire The polyurethane mix is solid throughout meaning the posts are not affected by chips and scrapes, further reducing maintenance costs and adding to the whole-life cost reduction The posts have no residual value and, therefore, are not subjected to potential theft
Ferrocast resin is bonded to a 50mm mild steel core which only requires a 75mm core cut into a concrete wall, whereas a cast-iron post needs a 150mm core, saving on coring and grouting costs.
Landscaping
As part of BAM Nuttall’s ‘Beyond Zero’ ethos, the health and safety benefits of placing lightweight Ferrocast posts are obvious – no machinery is required to lift the posts into place, they can be easily carried by hand and minimise hand and back injuries Ferrocast is impenetrable by water meaning it won’t rust A ‘warm-to-the-touch’ material providing a vital aid for the elderly and those with frailties.
Quality benefits The posts have movable connections and can, therefore, take out slight imperfections in alignment on site to tie into the flood walls Marshalls is based in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and manufactures on Tyneside, so it was easier to accommodate changes or order additional posts – the production and delivery cycle is only six weeks in the UK compared to 20 weeks from the Far East Replacement posts can be sourced quickly Emblems or logos can be cast into the Ferrocast mix to enable personalisation for Leeds City Council.
www.marshalls.co.uk/ landscapefurniture
These harsh environments were perfect testing conditions to prove that it would be an ideal material for manufacturing street furniture that would withstand the rigours of the urban environment. The durability of Ferrocast makes it the preferred material when manufacturing posts and rails for developments such as the Leeds flood alleviation scheme. It has a long, maintenance-free lifespan and helps to reduce ongoing maintenance costs.
Environmental benefits Ferrocast is produced in North Shields on Tyneside, a twohour drive away as opposed to importing cast-iron fence posts from countries such as China, reducing the transportation CO2e from 12t to 0.5t – a reduction of 95% BMMJV, Arup and Leeds City Council were co-located in Arup’s Leeds office next to the site for four months to finalise the design and identify sustainability offerings Marshalls was brought into the procurement process early enough to offer its expertise which helped to achieve several environmental benefits, including utilising Ferrocast
BMMJV and Marshalls, supported by the Leeds City Council design team and Arup, investigated the substitution of the cast steel railings with Ferrocast railing posts
31
Leisure
The API’s Nowhere to Play report uncovered an alarming decline in playground provision
research from Fields N ew in Trust showing the
SAVE OUR PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND GREEN SPACES
The Association of Play Industries (API) has released a new alarming report focusing on the decline of playground provisions from across the nation. Here, the API reveals the findings.
crucial role that parks and green spaces play in all our lives has prompted the Association of Play Industries (API) to highlight once again the alarming decline in playgrounds uncovered in its ‘Nowhere to Play’ campaign. API Chair, Mark Hardy, says: “The Fields in Trust research shows, for the first time at a national level, a direct and statistically significant link between public parks and green spaces and health and wellbeing. “We are at a pivotal point in the ongoing campaign to protect the future of our playgrounds, parks and green spaces. There is a clear picture emerging demonstrating the positive impact that parks have on health, wellbeing and community integration. “We need to act now to reverse the decline in parks and green spaces due to budget cuts and use this and other research data to inform public policy.”
Wellbeing and life satisfaction The Fields in Trust findings, which will be published in full soon, establishes a link between an individual’s use of parks and green spaces and an improvement in their life satisfaction, sense of worth, happiness and anxiety levels. The research comes amid news of the newly-established Parks Action Group, a Government-created advisory body which will explore options to ensure that communities can benefit from parks and green spaces for generations to come. “We welcome the formation of the Parks Action Group,” says Mark. “Given the increasingly overwhelming evidence of the health benefits of parks and the negative impact their decline will have, it’s now imperative that Government looks into the future of our green spaces.”
Closures across the nation
Between 2014/15 and 2015/16, local authorities across England closed 214 children’s playgrounds
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The API’s Nowhere to Play report uncovered an alarming decline in playground provision. Between 2014/15 and 2015/16,
2014/15: 112 2015/16: 102
Leisure
local authorities across England closed 214 children’s playgrounds with plans to close a further 234. And, the recent Heritage Lottery Fund report highlighted cuts to budgets for the running of parks, with 92% of park managers reporting cuts to their budgets over the past three years. “The downward trend in park and playground provision is happening fast and let’s not forget that once a park has gone; it’s probably gone forever,” adds Mark. “To take away opportunities for children to play outside and be active – at the same time as we are trying to tackle childhood obesity – is counterproductive and it is children in deprived areas who are hit the hardest. “The Parks Action Group represents a welcome joined-up approach to safeguarding these spaces and is urgently needed. We now need a clear show of support for playgrounds and the benefits they bring to young people. We are repeating our call for a £100m investment to replace lost playgrounds and help reinstate children’s access to free play and activity.” A Freedom of Information Act request to all councils, carried out by the Association of Play Industries, revealed the following number of playground closures:
A Freedom of Information Act request revealed the following number of playground closures: 2014/15: 112, 2015/16: 102
We need to act now to reverse the decline in parks and green spaces due to budget cuts and use this and other research data to inform public policy
To take away opportunities for children to play outside and be active – at the same time as we are trying to tackle childhood obesity – is counterproductive
The request also asked for future plans to close playgrounds and revealed the following number of playgrounds earmarked for closure: 2016/17: 80 2017/18: 103 2018/19: 51 The Association of Play Industries (API) is the lead trade body within the play sector and campaigns at the highest levels for policy recognition for play. Its members are leading manufacturers, installers, designers and distributors of both outdoor and indoor play equipment and safety surfacing. Founded in 1984, the API currently has 66 members.
www.api-play.org
The recent Heritage Lottery Fund report highlighted cuts to budgets for the running of parks
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Floors, Walls & Ceilings
When it comes to choosing external wall insulation, it’s very much a case of horses for courses, as any selection will be based upon what the building’s owner is hoping to achieve
NAVIGATING A WORLD OF EWI FOR BUILDINGS THAT EXCEL IN THERMAL PERFORMANCE AND COMFORT External wall insulation (EWI) can help eliminate potential problems associated with moisture and damp to create buildings that excel in terms of comfort and breathability, enhancing the health and wellbeing of occupants. without expert H owever, guidance, selecting an appropriate system to install can prove problematic. Here Ben Warren, Managing Director at Baumit UK, offers a beginner’s guide to EWI and looks at the importance of selecting the right system for the right application – because when it comes to insulation, there is little option but to get its specification right first time. Creating better insulated homes is more than about keeping occupiers warm and dry. It’s equally about facilitating an indoor environment in which residents can live happily and healthily for as long as they remain. Ageing buildings and the UK’s wet, mild climate provide the perfect storm for damp to thrive. This is
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particularly concerning when multi-occupancy, social housing buildings are affected, as these provide affordable accommodation for many elderly people and young families. Longterm exposure to mould and damp can lead to chronic health issues for the more vulnerable members of society.
Financial considerations can also play a part. For instance, EWI containing a non-vapour permeable acrylic topcoat is very much in vogue in multitenanted or social housing properties – an option based
largely on cost rather than the best interests of the building or its occupants. Through everyday living, residents create water vapour. Baths, washing, cooking…it all creates steam – even breathing.
Big decisions The importance of choosing the right insulation is therefore paramount to creating interiors in which occupants can thrive. When it comes to choosing external wall insulation, it’s very much a case of horses for courses, as any selection will be based upon what the building’s owner is hoping to achieve or the age and type of brick the property is constructed from.
To create a breathable outer layer for buildings, private or public, a silicon-based finish render is preferable
Let it breathe Applying non-breathable EWI to a building causes what might be referred to as the ‘plastic bag effect’ – walls can become cloaked in condensation from non-escaping vapour. To create a breathable outer layer for buildings, private or public, a silicon-based finish render, such as Baumit’s SilikonTop, is preferable. Water-repellent, stain and weather resistant, the system provides a robust white or coloured facade. It’s easily applied to mineral renders old and new, providing a decorative, vapour-permeable topcoat that makes for an attractive exterior, whilst optimising occupants’ living environment. Another benefit of ‘going external’ when it comes to wall insulation? EWI removes the dewpoint – the temperature below which water droplets condense – from the inside of a building to prevent condensation forming. Baumit OpenSystem provides a perfect example of an EWI system that lets go of moisture and retains airtightness. Its unique perforated expanded polystyrene (EPS) facade insulation boards ensure high vapour permeability, resulting in the release, rather than the entrapment, of water vapour. It has the added benefit of having no effect on a building’s airtightness.
The system is also made up of Baumit PremiumPrimer, a superior-quality primer for pre-treatment of hard or nonabsorbent mineral substrates; and the aforementioned EPS boards. When applied as part of a new-build or refurbishment project, each component helps increase a structure’s ‘breathability’ to collectively offer outstanding levels of insulation. In short, EWI improves the aesthetics on the outside and the building’s thermal performance without affecting the interior space. Successful wall insulation is largely dependent on the correct system being specified for the appropriate environment. The consequences of getting it wrong could prove disastrous for building owner and occupant. For homes situated near main or busy roads in large built-up areas, EWI with sound-proofing properties offers a practical option. Mineralbased systems, such as Baumit StarSystem Mineral, not only act as an excellent noise barrier; they excel in terms of fire safety by complete non-combustibility. Baumit PowerSystem EPS is considered ideal for schools, plinths and areas where a building’s facade is susceptible to the physical effects of being located within a highly-populated environment. As its name suggests, this system offers high impact resistance – ca. 70 joules – which is equivalent to a tennis ball travelling at 170km/h or a football at almost 100km/h. Cement-free, high impactresistance EPS comprises glass fibre reinforcing mesh, adhesive and a synthetically-bound, fibre-
Floors, Walls & Ceilings
Now, consider how much vapour is generated in a multioccupancy building containing, say, 150 tenants. All that vapour will pass through the building’s elements, but in cases where the EWI contains a non-vapour permeable acrylic topcoat, the vapour will be trapped. This can lead to condensation and the dreaded ‘D’ word – damp. Therefore, an external wall solution that might have appeared cost-effective in the immediate-to-short-term could potentially result in unnecessary and unforeseen expenditure.
Vapour will pass through the building’s elements, but in cases where the EWI contains a non-vapour permeable acrylic topcoat, the vapour will be trapped
reinforced strengthening coat for optimum weather protection. With space at a premium as fewer available plots are required to accommodate the UK’s unprecedented housing demand, Baumit StarSystem Resolution represents a suitable EWI solution. Achieving the same thermal U-value with 8cm that normal insulation board can meet with 12cm, the system comprises a slimline premium EPS board designed for special building requirements. It’s thin enough to avoid a need to extend eaves whilst its resin foam/fleece composition enhances its superb thermal performance. Baumit
StarSystem Resolution’s slimline EPS board offers the lowest EWI value: 0.022. The aforementioned systems give an indication of the range of available EWI, thus illustrating the importance of selecting a solution that is suitable for the building and the environment it inhabits. Whilst each system has unique properties, benefits such as energy saving by reducing thermal losses apply to all EWI solutions. By protecting the building’s outer shell, EWI helps create healthy interiors which excel in terms of comfort and wellbeing.
www.baumit.com
Options OpenSystem comprises six high-quality vapour permeable components. It includes Baumit NanoporTop, an innovative selfcleaning topcoat render which uses ‘photokat’ photocatalysis technology to create optimum protection against contamination using the power of light.
Applying non-breathable EWI to a building causes what might be referred to as the ‘plastic bag effect’ – walls can become cloaked in condensation from non-escaping vapour
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KBB
Project: East Lothian Community Hospital Location: Scotland Contractor: Morrison Construction Bathroom pod manufacturer: Offsite Solutions
BATHROOM PODS – REVOLUTIONISING CONSTRUCTION EFFICIENCY
One NHS trust that is making the best use of the latest pod technology is East Lothian Community Hospital
In this article, Richard Tonkinson, Executive Director of UK-leading bathroom pod manufacturer Offsite Solutions, looks at how an NHS trust is moving en-suite bathroom construction off site. is now unprecedented T here demand for bathroom pods in the public sector – from social housing to student residences. This shift towards off-site is driven by the shortage of skilled labour, particularly in the South East. There are issues across the building industry with consistent quality and a poor record of on-time and on-budget delivery. The publication of reports such as the Farmer Review and the Government’s Construction 2025 strategy have both highlighted the need to move more work off site. The healthcare sector is not as advanced in its use of bathroom pods as sectors such as residential and student accommodation. The biggest barrier is not engaging with the pod manufacturer at an early stage in the design process. The use of factory-built bathrooms should be designed into the earliest stages of a construction project. This reduces the likelihood of access issues at
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the installation and service connection phase and minimises the number of variations in design and layout. Repeat designs for bathroom pods are more efficient and cost-effective.
Advances in pod technology for the healthcare sector One NHS trust that is making the best use of the latest pod technology is East Lothian Community Hospital – a new £69m, state-of-the-art community hospital, now under construction. Morrison Construction, part of Galliford Try, is principal contractor for the 22,000m2, purpose-built hospital, appointed by Hub South East Scotland on behalf of NHS Lothian. When completed, the new facility will increase inpatient beds by around 60% to enhance the quality of care for local people. Offsite Solutions is providing 134 factory-built bathroom
pods for the project. These units are being supplied without floors to allow for continuous level flooring throughout the wards and avoiding the need for thresholds to make the bathrooms fully accessible. Designed to meet HTM requirements, each of the large 2.6 x 2.2m pods will easily accommodate a patient and a carer and have a wider,
pre-prepared aperture for two door leaves for easy access. The washbasins, toilets and showers are being pre-installed in Offsite Solutions’ factory in Somerset and the easy-to-clean, hygienic walls will be finished in white with a feature wall from a range of colours. The scheme has a complex phased construction to allow the continuation of clinical services in the existing hospital buildings on the site. As a result, the bathroom pods will be installed in batches throughout 2018. Commenting on the specification of bathroom pods, Paul Godwin, Design Manager at Morrison Construction, said: “Having the bathrooms arrive on site as a finished product gives us the benefit of a significant programme saving and this use of off-site construction means we need less labour on site, which is safer and more efficient.” When operational, the new hospital will provide a range of community-based services including a mental health inpatient unit, elderly medicine, medical assessment inpatient ward, orthopaedic and stroke rehabilitation. Offsite Solutions offers a wide range of bathroom pod solutions for the healthcare sector. This includes easy-to-clean and low-maintenance GRP pods for hospital environments; steelframed pods for tiled finishes for care homes and supported living schemes; as well as options for floorless units to meet specific project requirements. Antiligature fixtures and bathroom fittings can be supplied for enhanced safety for mental health facilities.
www.offsitesolutions.com
The use of factory-built bathrooms should be designed into the earliest stages of a construction project
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HVAC/HVP
The Nor-Ray-Vac radiant heating system is ideal for sports facilities
CONSIDERABLE COST SAVINGS FOR EDGBASTON PRIORY TENNIS CLUB Forming part of the £11m development of the Edgbaston Priory Tennis Club, six new indoor tennis courts required a low-energy heating system, which could provide zonal heating and reduced energy consumption without sacrificing comfort for the players. Used at hundreds of sporting facilities across the UK, Nor-Ray-Vac continuous radiant tube heating from AmbiRad, part of Nortek Global HVAC, proved to be the most efficient system for the centre, providing considerable cost savings over its lifecycle. new indoor tennis T hecentre has been designed with an emphasis on natural daylight, reducing energy consumption levels. To further the building's ecocredentials, AmbiRad worked with specialist contractor Kershaw Mechanical Services on
a standalone, energy-efficient radiant tube heating system, which would provide a heating zone for each court in the scenario where few courts could be in use at any one time. Traditional sports hall design presents particular challenges when it comes to maintaining
a comfortable environment. In one vast, open space, the requirements of all users, from athletes to spectators, must be fully satisfied. The aim is to create an environment without stiffness where occupants can exercise vigorously in complete comfort. Achieving universal comfort and low energy consumption, therefore, demands a heating system that: Offers a rapid response to changed conditions Has frugal energy consumption Can be ‘zoned’ to heat only those areas in use Operates at low noise levels to comply with BB93 Will not compromise the fabric of the building.
Since radiant tube heaters burn fuel at the point of use, heat distribution losses are eliminated and there is no requirement for a separate plant area
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EU and UK legislation also has an impact on the choice of HVAC system. Becoming ever stringent, it requires modern heating systems to optimise fuel efficiency and produce lower greenhouse gas emissions.
While conventional boiler and distributed radiator or underfloor systems frequently fail to provide the flexibility or speed of response needed in today’s multi-use halls, highly economical radiant tube heating is an effective solution. In fact, no other heating system currently in use in sports halls can match it for energy efficiency. Since radiant tube heaters burn fuel at the point of use, heat distribution losses are eliminated and there is no requirement for a separate plant area. The warming effect can be felt within just a few minutes of switch-on, even on the coldest days. Mounted at high level, the heaters are well out of the way of sports equipment and can be covered with safety grilles to protect them from high-flying balls, for example. Radiant tube heating’s big advantage is that air remains relatively cool and conducive for active sports. Air does absorb some of the heat given off by people and the building fabric at low level, but it is not heated directly so the occupants are comfortable. If they should feel too warm, the close control possible with radiant tube heating means that temperatures reduce immediately once the system is turned down or switched off. For the 83 x 51m facility, Nortek provided the Nor-RayVac system with 24 x 24 LR burners designed in six zones to provide a zone per tennis court and suspended at 7m above the finished floor level. These were all connected to two off vacuum discharge fans remotely mounted on the roof. The Nor-Ray-Vac radiant heating system is ideal for sports facilities as it not only offers a rapid response to changing conditions but also because it does not have to operate 24/7, providing the end-user with low operating costs. Additional benefits of the standalone system for the club are the low air temperatures making it conducive to sports activity and offering no risk of stuffy conditions.
www.nortekhvac.com/europe ambiradsales@nortek.com 01384 489700
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HVAC/HVP
Exciting development at Canary Wharf Evinox Energy is delighted to be working with Canary Wharf Group on the Southbank Place development. This outstanding scheme features a district heating system that incorporates a highly efficient energy centre, which will reduce the carbon footprint of the site. Southbank Place is being developed by Braeburn Estates, a joint venture between Canary Wharf Group and Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company. When complete, it will feature seven new buildings including residential space, state-of-the-art offices and a diverse mix of retail.
Heating and cooling interface units Evinox Energy has supplied ModuSat heating and cooling interface units, including twin-plate units for instantaneous heating and hot water, single-plate units for cooling and models that feature an integrated hot water storage tank.
technology, which operates using the same hard-wired network as the metering data collection without additional costs. This enables all dwellings to be remotely metered, controlled, interrogated and tested, and enables operation and maintenance routines to be run remotely including the diagnosis of faults. The system picks up a range of alarms such as faulty components, faulty meters, high/low system pressure. By using Evinox's two-way communication system, any HIU performance check can also be carried out remotely, significantly reducing inconvenience, maintenance time and cost.
Smart connected control
Credit towards Code for Sustainable Homes
The interface units at Southbank Place feature Evinox's SmartTalk two-way communication
Each home also features an Evinox ViewSmart ENE3 controller, which can display all of
the information required to gain credits for the Code for Sustainable Homes. This includes historical consumption data in a graphical format to enable residents to view information about their usage and compare different periods. This removes the requirement to install a separate energy display device to gain credits towards the Code for Sustainable Homes.
www.evinoxenergy.co.uk info@evinoxenergy.co.uk 01372 722277
Rotherham care home keeps warm with new heating system and industrial boiler filter REHAU pipework used in iconic BBC Television Centre
As work continues to transform the BBC’s iconic Television Centre building in White City, REHAU heating and cooling solutions are being used extensively in many of the new apartments. REHAU underfloor heating has already been installed in nearly 250 of the apartments by Anders Heating Company, with REHAU’s RAUTHERM Universal PE-Xa pipework being used for the REHAU tacker system in the apartments. In many of the corridors REHAU’s innovative CoolBoard chilled ceiling system is also providing the necessary cooling. Replacing conventional plasterboard, the CoolBoard panels feature integrated loops of REHAU’s RAUTHERM 10mm PE-Xa pipe with chilled water circulating to deliver fast-responding and environmentally-efficient radiant cooling.
www.rehau.com jo.trotman@rehau.com 01989 762751
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Sheffield-based plumbing and heating firm, Pro Plumbers 24-7, has installed a new heating system in a care home in Rotherham, including a BoilerMag XT industrial boiler filter. The filter has achieved outstanding results for the care home, ensuring the new heating system is clean and efficient by preventing the build-up of ferrous oxide and scale. Ricky Kurpanik, Managing Director of Pro Plumbers 24-7, said: “The filter has done an amazing job of keeping the new system clean. We chose the BoilerMag due to the strength and capacity of the magnet, and obviously how well it works. Not only is it very well designed, the pn16 flanges are great.”
www.boilermag.com
service@boilermag.com
0114 225 0624
Vent-Axia launches simple solution to condensation control Vent-Axia, a UK-leading ventilation company, has launched the PoziDry Pro Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) unit. Designed to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in social housing properties, the PoziDry Pro provides a highly effective solution to help landlords control mould and condensation, as well as offering high levels of air filtration. Boasting quick and simple installation for contractors, the PoziDry Pro is a highly energy-efficient ventilation unit that is unobtrusive, near-silent and helps provide a healthy environment for residents. For landlords, the PoziDry Pro offers the perfect solution for hard-to-cure mould and condensation properties by improving IAQ and preventing moisture build-up within the home.
www.vent-axia.com
sales@vent-axia.com
0844 856 0590
HVAC/HVP
Are you ready for the changes to the Gas Appliances Directive? The Gas Appliances Directive (GAD) is changing. From 21st April 2018, all products in the market will have to comply with the new Gas Appliance Regulation (GAR). Here Nick Winton, Divisional Manager for Nortek Global HVAC UK, explains more about the changes and the absence of any transition period. The EU GAD is changing and will be replaced by the new GAR. The change moves away from having several country-specific requirements and replaces them with one consistent set of rules across the entire European Union and associated free trade areas. After two decades in use, review is desirable to ensure the regulations are fit for purpose. In a modern world, the GAD has some particular shortcomings in terms of how it deals with standards, regulations and the role of notified bodies. Placing a CE Marking on products means that it has been declared as complying with all applicable regulations. The CE Marking of gas appliances is currently regulated by the EU
Gas Appliances Directive (GAD) (2009/142/EC). This will be replaced by the Gas Appliances Regulation (GAR) (EU 2016/426) which comes into effect from 21st April 2018. Other CE Marking directives that may also apply to gas appliances are unaffected and will continue to apply (if they did so previously). This change will impact everybody in the gas appliances and fittings supply chain within the EU, including manufacturers (supplying to the EU), importers, distributors and even retailers. The Gas Appliance Regulation requires manufacturers to ensure products comply with ‘state-of-the-art’ EN standards together with mandatory risk assessment. This includes a maximum 10-year validity period
on CE certification from the first date of issue. It also requires the notified body and the manufacturer to stay informed of changes to the ‘state-of-the-art’ and update appliances as needed to ensure they still meet essential regulatory requirements.
www.nortekhvac.com/europe ryan.ashley@nortek.com 01384 489700
Stokvis EVOLUTION boilers connecting with boom in communal heating The continuing housing shortage and demographics of an ageing population are increasing the popularity of apartment living as well as sheltered housing schemes, and also fuelling rapid growth in the uptake of communal or district heating schemes. The new EVOLUTION boiler ranges from Stokvis Energy Systems are ideally suited to power such projects. The R40 EVOLUTION and R600 EVOLUTION series represent the latest generation of Stokvis Energy Systems’ long-established and widely-specified boilers, which can be installed along with the manufacturer’s H Series heat interface units (HIUs) to supply heating and domestic hot water to individual dwellings.
www.stokvisboilers.com
info@stokvisboilers.com
0208 733 3050
Braunton Academy installs Remeha Quinta Ace 160 boilers Braunton Academy in north Devon has improved the reliability and efficiency of its heating with the installation of three replacement Remeha Quinta Ace 160 boilers ahead of the colder months. IQ Engineering Consultants was called in to assess the condition of the existing boilers and to assist with a funding application. After re-evaluating the building’s current space heating demand, IQ recommended installing three Remeha Quinta Ace 160 boilers in an in-line cascade with low loss header to meet the load. IQ specified the Remeha Quinta range based on its experience with the product and its use in previous projects.
www.remeha.co.uk
info@remeha.co.uk
0118 978 3434
Be relaxed about building services design
Much of the complexity of designing, installing and maintaining central heating in multi-occupancy low-rise buildings can potentially now be eliminated. Innovative developments at Gilberts have created a room-by-room solution that combines appropriate ventilation with heat boost. The solution focuses around Gilberts’ Mistrale Fusion (MFS) unit with an integrated LPHW coil. Just two standard MFS128s (one at either end of the room), or one MFS256 will ventilate, and warm, a standard 32-pupil classroom to regulatory requirements. The standalone unit is installed as normal through the facade. The core MFS appliance provides natural ventilation and blends the incoming fresh air with the warmth of the exhaust air without the need for a heat exchanger.
www.gilbertsblackpool.com info@gilbertsblackpool.com 01253 766911
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Roofing, Cladding & Insulation
The versatile choice for architectural design RMIG Expanded Metal is a light, versatile and attractive choice for building applications because of its aesthetic qualities and the creative freedom it offers.
Expanded metal from RMIG has become increasingly popular among architects for its wide spectrum of aesthetic and functional advantages, and is often the ideal choice when working with materials such as concrete, steel and glass. It can be used for both practical and decorative purposes and offers architects a new level of creative freedom when designing applications such as facade cladding, sunscreens, ceilings, fencing and protective screening. RMIG Expanded Metal has a modern yet timeless look, and creates the possibility of designing unique and eye-catching shapes and expressions – yet another reason why architects favour this versatile product. RMIG has its own production facilities for expanded metal where sheets are manufactured from, for example, aluminium or steel. The expansion of the metal takes place in one efficient production process. Expanded metal is made in one piece without joints or welds, which makes it ideal for forming, pressing and cutting. There is no metal lost in the process and, as expanded metal is also virtually maintenance-free, this increases the cost effectiveness of the material. Combined with its high strength and outstanding anti-skid qualities, there are many valid reasons for using expanded metal.
www.city-emotion.com info.uk@rmig.com 01925 839610
Horbury Facades gets creative with Nottingham’s Confetti building Iconic Brutalist gem preserved with innovative Sika Sarnafil roof solution The roof refurbishment of the Central Building at Cambridge University’s Fitzwilliam College is one of the first major projects to use a new, pioneering approach combining Sika Sarnafil’s singleply membrane with large areas of its Sikalastic 621 – a liquid-applied product typically used for areas with complex detailing. This pairing of systems was further enhanced by Sika Refurbishment’s SikaFloor 420, providing a complete building envelope solution. Working closely with architect practice Cullinan Studio, roofing contractor Cambridge (RCC) and the college, Sika Sarnafil created this innovative waterproofing solution to refurbish the roof, which has an extremely complex design.
gbr.sarnafil.sika.com sarnafilroofing@uk.sika.com 01707 394444
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Horbury Facades, part of the Horbury Group, has secured a contract to design and install the innovative rainscreen cladding system for the new Digital Media Hub that forms part of the Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies on behalf of Nottingham Trent University. The new building will feature the increasingly popular Corten panel, which naturally weathers over time, producing a striking, oxide finish that protects the building. The natural patina, which mellows over time, creates a protective coating that provides a highly durable, low-maintenance and aesthetically-pleasing facade. Horbury Facades will work on behalf of main contractor, Stepnells, with the building due for completion in summer 2018.
www.horburygroup.com
enquiries@horburygroup.com 01709 515044
New Aberdeen academy school benefits from Frametite airtightness system The construction of a new £44m contemporary secondary school in Aberdeen will incorporate the superior airtightness performance qualities of the Frametite air barrier system from the A. Proctor Group. Main contractor Balfour Beatty required a high-quality airtightness membrane and, in conjunction with sub-contractor A & E Construction Falkirk, chose the Frametite system as an external air barrier as opposed to an internal air barrier system. The Frametite system comprises Frametite, a low-resistance vapour permeable air barrier for walls plus Wraptite Tape. This approach saves on both the labour and material costs associated with achieving the demands of energy efficiency in buildings.
www.proctorgroup.com
contact@proctorgroup.com
01250 872261
S , R , FO IZES TEAM NTS AL! OW PR OR TRA FIN R N S, F N HE TE AY RY W E T EN -AW ENT NE ACH VE E E E GI RIC DUC TO R P O S LF TR AY HA IN E W O R WH MO D AN
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Celebrating 26 years of offering golfers the chance to play golf regionally, make friends and build profitable relationships. Enter now and be part of the UK construction industry’s annual national tournament. For more information and to enter call 01892 752300 visit www.thegolfclassic.co.uk, email info@thegolfclassic.co.uk or fill in and return the entry form below with your £44 entry per two ball team. Entrance closes Friday 23rd February 2018 with the 1st round kicking off in March.
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PLAYER 2
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43
Floors, Walls & Ceilings
ECOPHON OFFERS NEW FOCUS ON ACOUSTIC DESIGN
New to the family is Ecophon Focus Ez: an asymmetric regular tile, which can be installed in different orientations
The spectrum of sounds that surround us in the workplace, and the different acoustic characteristics created by the way we use interior spaces can be as varied as the colours of the rainbow; a fact highlighted by the timely update of Ecophon’s comprehensive Focus range. Along with an even greater choice of colours and improvements to installation and transition details, the acoustic ceiling family now also includes a new and innovative solution – Ecophon Focus Ez. recognises E cophon the way in which the senses of sight and hearing are inextricably linked in creating people’s perception of their surroundings; and therefore the necessity of considering both together when designing interiors. Through the combined offering of vibrant colour and outstanding acoustic control, the essence of Focus is in delighting the eyes while soothing the mind. As Ecophon’s most comprehensive product family, Focus was created with people and their activities in mind. Focus offers excellent acoustic properties and appealing looks giving the opportunity for visual flair and flexibility, so almost any project need can be met. But before the solution can be implemented, it is important to truly understand the acoustic challenge of the room itself. Ecophon calls this approach ‘activity-based acoustic design’, a concept that considers three
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main influences: activity, people and space. The designer is invited to evaluate the noise, which could be generated by occupants from phone calls, meetings, lessons or, perhaps, a performance; as well as the personality, age range and other attributes of the occupants. These factors must then be considered alongside the size, location and materials forming the space. Analysis completed, the appropriate acoustic treatment is utilised to control the reflection, propagation and reverberation of sound within the space, helping to create acoustic comfort as well as visual interest. The revised Focus family of products encompasses an expanded range of 16 Akutex colours, inspired by the tones found in nature. There are 11 standard sizes, 10 edge details and six innovative design solutions addressing locations such as level changes and wall transitions.
New to the family is Ecophon Focus Ez: an asymmetric regular tile, which can be installed in different orientations to create angles and forms across the ceiling. Ez also integrates easily with any of the three different lighting solutions available to enhance a ceiling installation.
Focus offers interior designers, architects and acousticians an unrivalled toolbox for creating an activity-based solution to a building’s audible performance, combined with visual impact.
www.ecophon.com/uk info@ecophon.co.uk 01256 850977
The revised Focus family of products encompasses an expanded range of 16 Akutex colours
Time to focus on visual acoustics
Photographer: Left: Studio-e, Right: Studio.e
Ecophon Focus™ our most comprehensive product family, offering outstanding acoustics and design flexibility. As the newest member of the family, we are pleased to introduce Focus™ Ez, which allows creation of a unique ‘3D’ ceiling design that plays with angles and form.
For further information or for acoustic advice for your internal space, please contact our specification team on 01256 855280, alternatively email specification@ecophon.co.uk or visit www.ecophon.com/uk
The Ecophon Focus family includes: • 10 Edge details • 11 Sizes • 16 Colours • 3 Lighting solutions • 6 Unique additional solutions for transitions and level changes
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Floors, Walls & Ceilings
Sika’s rapid-set flooring solution ensures ‘Pronto’ car park refurbishment For the refurbishment of a series of car park decks, the client required a waterproof solution which offered long-term protection against the elements as well as containing rapid-set properties to minimise disruption for motorists. The Sikafloor-RB58 Pronto system satisfied both requirements comfortably. The three multi-storey car parks serving the Festival Place Shopping Centre in Basingstoke, Hampshire, required upgrading following signs of delamination and water ingress. Renowned for its superb crack-bridging, rapid-setting properties, Sikafloor-RB58 was applied to decks above occupied shops and surfaces exposed to the elements. For intermediate decks not located above occupied properties, Sikafloor MultiDur EB-24 was applied. Sikafloor-RB28, was installed to ramps within the sites.
www.sika.co.uk refurbishmentwebenquiries@uk.sika.com 01707 394444
Earn double points with two new CPDs from Rockfon Rockfon has used its expertise to create two informative RIBA-accredited CPDs designed to explain the unique benefits of stone wool acoustic ceiling and wall solutions. ‘Interior Acoustic Surfaces for Monolithic Architecture’ is a must for all architects and designers involved in monolithic building designs. Traditionally, to achieve good acoustics a tiled, suspended ceiling would be installed. But now, there is no need to compromise on aesthetics as monolithic systems made from naturally-occurring stone wool, can achieve Class A sound absorption with seamless surfaces. ‘Natural Benefits of Stone Wool for Acoustic Ceilings and Walls’ explains how to create beautiful, healthy spaces which protect people from unwanted noise and the spread of fire.
www.rockfon.co.uk
rockfoncpd@m-spring.com
webermineral TF render marked 10/10 at Poyntzpass Primary School
High-performance webermineral TF render has been specified for an extension to the Poyntzpass Primary School in Newry, Northern Ireland. Designed to overcome delays caused by wet weather conditions and low winter temperatures during application, webermineral TF was specified. Concerns that the weather would delay render application were overcome with the technical attributes of webermineral TF, a through-coloured, textured decorative finish designed for use with multi-coat render systems including Weber’s thermally-efficient external wall insulation. This cementitious render can be applied at temperatures as low as 1°C. webermineral TF has rapid drying benefits that prevent wash-off in one hour, making it ideal for wet conditions and winter working.
0800 389 0314
www.netweber.co.uk mail@netweber.co.uk 08703 330070
Interface launches brandnew vivid and natureinspired collections F. Ball products prove ideal prescription for cancer centre project High-performance subfloor preparation products from F. Ball have been used as part of a major development to create a satellite cancer centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup. The hospital needed a high-quality floor that is able to withstand heavy usage and vigorous cleaning while also having an aesthetically-pleasing finish. There was insufficient time to allow the subfloor to dry naturally, so two coats of Stopgap F78 one-component waterproof surface membrane were applied. Once the waterproof surface membrane was dry, contractors used F. Ball’s Stopgap Green Bag mixed with Stopgap 114 Liquid to create a smoothing underlayment to achieve a level surface ready for the application of F. Ball’s Styccobond F44 high bond strength adhesive.
www.f-ball.co.uk mail@f-ball.co.uk 01583 361633
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Interface has launched two new collections – Radial and Composure Edge (an extension of the Composure collection) – to enhance designers’ freedom to create unique spaces through transitions and colour progression. The Radial collection blends smooth geometry and softened edges with a palette of tinted pastels and foggy neutrals to set a foundation to create mindful and relaxing spaces. When combined with non-directional installation, the interactions create a fascinating result. Radial offers 12 colourways in soft tones. The Composure collection now has a new addition – Composure Edge – available in eight colourways. The range features a transitional design over a single tile, multiplying the possibilities of this great collection.
www.interface.com
interface.uk@interface.com
01274 690690
Remmers leads the way with low-emission epoxy resin flooring Remmers’ Epoxy OS Color New is a coloured epoxy self-smoothing resin system suitable for industrial and commercial applications. Its high mechanical strength coupled with excellent chemical resistance makes it ideal for industrial environments whilst its innovative reduction in VOCs means it is perfect for commercial applications such as schools, hospitals or retail areas. Epoxy OS Color New is one of a select band of Remmers’ solvent-free epoxy resins that holds AgBB certification thanks to a huge reduction in the use of harmful ingredients when compared to standard resin flooring. These market-leading improvements come alongside the usual high-quality product performance that Remmers’ clients have come to expect.
www.remmers.co.uk
clairemitchell@remmers.co.uk
01293 594010
Aggregate Industries enhances Express offer Aggregate Industries has commenced a major rollout of shops at its Express Asphalt depots nationwide, providing a true ‘one-stop shop’ for customers to buy asphalt products, tools and equipment with ease and convenience. Launched at 16 sites across the country, the Express shops offer a range of contractor tools and equipment including bituminous products, joint sealants, overbanding, cleaning and release agents, as well as pre-coated chippings and gas. The benefit is that busy customers can continue to enjoy a guaranteed 30-minute turnaround on single asphalt load products – but can now purchase all the tools they need while on site without the hassle of having to pre-order.
www.aggregate.com express.asphalt@aggregate.com 01455 288663
Knauf has achieved third-party certification from the British Board of Agrément (BBA) for the Knauf Aquapanel Exterior Render system. Specifiers, architects and installers can be assured that the Knauf render system adheres to the highest quality standards in the industry. A team of technical experts from the BBA have rigorously tested, inspected and certified that the Knauf Aquapanel Exterior Render system is fit for use as a ventilated exterior wall panel system. The full system comprises Knauf Aquapanel Exterior Cement Boards and Knauf thin-coat render system consisting of a basecoat with mesh reinforcement and a variety of topcoats and paints to suit site-specific requirements.
www.knauf.co.uk
info@knauf.co.uk
Floors, Walls & Ceilings
Knauf Aquapanel Exterior Render system gains BBA certificate
01795 424499
Experience the TrueScale of nature
TrueScale laminate gives you the authentic look of premium materials such as marble, quartz and wood. Available in 28 decors, TrueScale by Formica Group decors capture the subtle variations and patterns found in natural materials, but eliminate the high costs of sourcing and maintaining the genuine article. TrueScale does not repeat across the full width of the laminate sheet so you can unveil patterns in their full beauty. Formica laminate in TrueScale laminate delivers better performance as it is lighter, more hygienic and stain resistant. TrueScale by Formica Group provides the necessary sizing to bring design to live.
www.formica.com
axiom.info@formica.com
0191 259 3912
Bostik receives top marks for flooring at the University of Huddersfield
A range of subfloor preparation products from Bostik have been chosen by Titan Flooring for the development of a new building at the University of Huddersfield. A number of products from Bostik’s range were selected to ensure a superior floor finish across the Oastler Building. These included the Screedmaster one-coat membrane, Universal Primer and Screedmaster Epoxy Primer, along with the Screedmaster Deep, Screedmaster Flow and Screedmaster Smooth levelling compounds and Bostik Laybond Carpet Tile Tackifier. The project provided some challenging site conditions but Bostik’s technical expertise and ability to quickly tackle any issues on site were instrumental.
www.bostik-profloor.co.uk
flooring.uk@bostik.com
01785 272625
Designer Contracts named as number-one supplier for national procurement consortium
Designer Contracts has become number-one preferred supplier for Procurement for Housing (PfH) on the flooring category of its EU compliant framework. Procurement for Housing drives efficiency and improves procurement practice for more than 850 social housing providers throughout the UK. This allows them to choose suppliers that have been carefully vetted and appraised on ability to deliver. PfH enables social housing organisations to generate cost savings and business efficiencies which reduce spend for members to the sum of over £55m per year. Designer Contracts has flooring to suit all budgets, including carpet and carpet tiles, vinyl, safety flooring, laminate, wood and luxury vinyl tiles.
www.designercontracts.com enquiries@designercontracts.com 01246 854577
Heckmondwike’s got it covered for Lancashire school
St Mary’s RC Primary School in Langho near Blackburn, Lancashire, has specified Total Care by Heckmondwike, one of the UK’s leading fibre-bonded carpet and carpet tile manufacturers, as part of a major refurbishment. The school selected Total Care in Iris as it closely reflected the blue colourway of its logo. 48m2 of Total Care was installed throughout the classrooms, offices and meeting areas of the building by local flooring contractor, Rishton Flooring. Total Care is widely used throughout education and healthcare environments as it is extremely durable and provides long-lasting performance, even in areas of heavy foot traffic.
www.heckmondwike-fb.co.uk sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk 01924 413637
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Doors, Windows & Louvres
Solinear excels on Royal Hospital transformation Solinear, a UK-leading louvre and solar shading supplier, has helped transform the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, affectionately known as ‘Sick Kids’. Now in the process of relocating to a purposebuilt £150m complex fit for the demands of 21st century healthcare – Solinear was challenged to design, manufacture and
Every product Solinear supplies is entirely bespoke – and in this instance, the company designed brightly-coloured units without any sharp edges to fit the friendly, welcoming feel the architect wanted for the building’s recreational area. Timing was another key factor Solinear had to take into consideration. To ensure ease of transportation and installation, the firm designed the products to be modular – the component parts were manufactured off site, then lifted into place by crane, a process which Solinear managed itself to minimise hassle for the client. This meant the installation process took just a week. Solinear Managing Director, Tony Dwyer, commented: “With Solinear, nothing is off the shelf. Every product is designed from scratch. On this project, we demonstrated the huge benefits that come from working with experts in their field, capable of designing bespoke products to your exact specifications. “We were delighted to be able to contribute to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children – and we’re confident that the products we installed will continue to provide an outstanding level of performance for many years to come.”
install louvre and ventilation products that offered outstanding performance, while blending in with the project’s quirky, childfriendly aesthetic.
www.solinear.co.uk mail@solinear.co.uk 01347 879046
The Window Company (Contracts) shows the benefits of not cutting corners
TPG: 50 years in supplying innovation TPG – The Parkside Group Ltd – would like to take this opportunity to thank all its architectural, contractor and fabricator clients as the company celebrates its 50th year and welcomes in its golden anniversary. To celebrate, The Parkside Group has a new brand identity to take it through the next 50 years of ambitious plans. The Parkside Group, now TPG, uses the heritage of the diamond logo, branding aluminium with ‘TPG’ to reassure its partners of the TPG mark of quality. This is backed up with a new website which outlines the group’s TPG: 2025 strategy, highlighting the processes that have, and always will be, critical to the business’ success.
www.parksidegroup.co.uk projects@parksidegroup.co.uk 0208 685 9685
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The Window Company (Contracts) has always prided itself on never cutting corners on site, and its latest recruit, Tom Millar, has demonstrated that. At Eldon School in Enfield, where timber windows were being replaced with PVC-u, Tom painstakingly hand finished the corners on every single new arched head window being fitted so that they exactly matched the timber originals. Spending around 45 minutes on every window, Tom demonstrated a level of craftsmanship rarely seen on mainstream public sector projects. He cut and shaped all of the trims on the inside and outside of the windows, slotting in the necessary insulation and ensuring that all of the cut edges were invisible on the frame.
www.thewinco.co.uk
sales@thewinco.co.uk
01245 268120
REHAU top of the glass for school installations REHAU PVC-u windows have been specified for three schools as its efficient, secure and easy-to-fit profiles are top of the class for the education sector. The REHAU TOTAL70c tophung, outward opening casement windows, in slate grey finish, were recommended for the installations at the Harris Primary Academy Shortlands (Bromley, Kent), Harris Primary Academy Chafford Hundred (Grays, Essex) and Harris Primary Academy East Dulwich (London) schools by contractor SEH Commercial. The specification for the schools centred around three key areas; thermal insulation, sound insulation and security. The thermal insulation qualities of the REHAU TOTAL70 range was key to the success of this project with energy costs and increasing obligations to reduce the carbon footprint.
www.rehau.com
irene.smith@rehau.com
01989 762650
Total Glass Solutions Architectural Balustrades
Cladding
Atrium Glazing
Switchable CE Certified
BMS compatible
5 Year warranty
Patented Controller Technology
Fire E30/E60 Timber
E30/E60 Steel
One of the largest panel sizes (into steel frame) on the market
Security EN356
EN1063
LPS1270
Toughened ■ Laminated ■ Heat Soaking ■ CNC Cutting ■ Heat Strengthening ■ Back Painting ■ Screen Printing ■ Full Digital Printing
www.esg.glass
01376 520061
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Drainage & Landscaping
The right surface drainage channels for the job at T2 Trafford Point Situated near to the M60 and M62 motorways, T2 Trafford Point is a newly-developed distribution facility on the edge of Trafford Park, Manchester. The 7712m² warehouse has upwards of 1440m² associated office space including an undercroft and reception area. The facility features cycle parking, a 91-space, 3500m² office car park/access road and a 7400m² service yard for manoeuvring, parking, loading and unloading heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). Surface drainage required at T2 Trafford Point office car park access road and service yard required the specification of high capacity and very robust channel systems capable of withstanding the daily passage of cars as well as the massive twisting forces exerted by the tyres of manoeuvring HGVs. Hauraton RECYFIX MONOTEC 200/450 channels were installed in the asphalt car park. With a nominal grating width of 200mm (channel internal dimension) and an overall height of 450mm, a channel
provides a cross-section of 746.1cm2, so the 134m of channel installed in the car park has a total water capacity of just over 9996 litres and a loading category of up to Class D400. The MONOTEC 1m-long channel component is of a sturdy monolithic design where the HEELSAFE grating and the tongue and groove linking system are integral to the tough, virtually unbreakable polypropylene (PP) moulding. In addition to the car park drainage, two sizes of RECYFIX HICAP channels were also
RECYFIX MONOTEC drains car park at Crompton Retail Park A 930m² (10,000ft²) Farmfoods store opened its doors to customers this spring on the Crompton Retail Park, Doncaster, West Yorkshire. For this new section, the retail park’s 150-space car park was drained by some 73m of RECYFIX MONOTEC, Hauraton’s high capacity channel drainage system. Two RECYFIX MONOTEC 100 models were installed in the car park’s asphalt surface, both channels having a grating width of 100mm (channel internal dimension). The larger channel has an overall height of 380mm and provides a cross section of 355.5cm2. The smaller channel has an overall height of 280mm and provides a cross section of 245.5cm2. The 73m of channel installed has a total water capacity of just over 2444 litres. The MONOTEC 1m-long channel component is of a sturdy monolithic design where the HEELSAFE grating and the tongue and groove linking system are integral to the channel moulding. The whole unit is made of
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tough, virtually unbreakable polypropylene (PP) formulated to be very resistant to daily temperature fluctuations from frost conditions to strong sunlight, including the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum. PP is naturally resistant to de-icing salt. Complying with the requirements of EN 1433, the PP is given its UV resistance by adding just sufficient stabiliser so that the structural strength of the material is unaffected and a consistent appearance is maintained. The MONOTEC channels have a loading category of up to Class D400.
www.hauraton.co.uk sales@hauraton.co.uk 01582 501380
installed in the concrete service yard; 78m of HICAP 150 and 120m of HICAP 300. Both PP-moulded channel sizes were supplied with factory-fitted, 28mm-wide slotted ductile iron gratings for Class F900 loading category. The 198m of channel installed in the service yard has a total water capacity of just over 24,156 litres.
www.hauraton.co.uk sales@hauraton.co.uk 01582 501380
Need more patient space...
...without the headaches? Wernick Buildings can deliver ward space of exceptional quality with time and cost savings of up to 50% compared to a traditional building.
Modular building solutions for healthcare To find out more and view healthcare case studies go to:
www.wernick.co.uk/healthcare
0800 18 18 22
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KBB
Bushboard set to change perception of bathroom wall panelling Bushboard is set to change perceptions about bathroom wall cladding. The company’s NUANCE range of bathroom wall panelling products is proving popular with designers, facilities managers and builders that are specialising in small developments, student and residential accommodation as well as general contractors. Paul Findley, Product Manager for Bushboard, explains: “Bushboard’s aim is to change attitudes to what is an out-and-out
alternative to tiling. Advances in materials, technologies, finishes and textures means that NUANCE offers stunning design
advantages as well as tangible savings on installation time, budget and ongoing maintenance. This is a proven product fully recognised by specifiers working at the sharp-end of building and refurbishment projects. Until now, panelling has had a dreary, cheap reputation – with NUANCE we will change that.” NUANCE panels are manufactured using a patented core that is 100% impervious to water. The panels can be used for walls, around the bath or basin, inside a shower enclosure or to create a true wetroom. Because there is no need for trims or extrusions, NUANCE panels present a sleek and seam-free look that is especially effective in smaller bathrooms. The panelling is easy to clean too – no grout lines to attract grime, limescale and mould. All that is needed is a wipe down with a damp cloth and mild detergent. The NUANCE range is supported by a full-colour brochure that shows the range of patterns and finishes available and has detailed plans on how to create different looks including hotel style, a family bathroom and a wetroom. The panels come with a 15-year guarantee and matching laminate worktops are available to complete the look.
www.bushboard.co.uk workshops@bushboard.co.uk 01933 232242
Methven appointed by Places for People
Fibo introduces new installation videos Kitchen and bathroom wall panel manufacturer, Fibo UK, has completed a series of new installation videos demonstrating the benefits of wall panels over traditional tiles. The oneand two-minute videos show just how quick and easy it is to fit panels and how they can transform refurbishment projects. Filmed at a social housing development in North Lanarkshire, the videos record a genuine installation completed in one day with only a joiner and a plumber required for the job. The videos are a useful guide to wall panels and a great selling aid for stockists, specifiers, installers and contractors.
www.fibo.co.uk sales@fibo.co.uk 01494 771242
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Methven, the global designer and manufacturer of premium showers and tapware, has been appointed as a preferred supplier by Places for People, one of the UK’s largest property and leisure management, development and regeneration companies. The appointment follows a robust tender process and sees Methven join Places for People’s procurement framework and being ranked in first place for the supply of taps and mixer showers. Places for People owns or manages 150,000 homes across the UK and has assets in excess of £3.1bn. It carries out a rolling programme of planned maintenance on its managed properties for which Methven will now be able to specify and supply its products.
www.methven.com
customercare@uk.methven.com
0800 195 1602
Wells MP visits Offsite Solutions' bathroom pod factory in Somerset MP James Heappey recently paid a visit to the Offsite Solutions factory in Highbridge, Somerset, which makes bathroom pods for the construction industry. On his tour of the factory, the Wells MP viewed cutting-edge, off-site technology and the company’s expanded production facilities where complete bathrooms are manufactured for apartments, student accommodation, healthcare, hotel and care home schemes – faster and to consistently higher quality standards than is achievable on a building site. During his visit he saw production lines for both steel-framed and composite GRP bathroom pods, the company’s latest product innovations and the quality of factory-built bathrooms first hand.
www.offsitesolutions.com
info@offsitesolutions.com
01278 780807
Heritage adopts latest developments to optimise accessibility One of the North East’s leading heritage sites is now as accessible as possible; with the opening of new toilet facilities. Sunderland City Council is in the middle of a major regeneration programme to revitalise its seafront. Central to improvements at Marine Walk, at Roker seafront, is a new
purpose-built toilet block, which incorporates the ultimate facilities for disabled visitors. With equipment supplied by one of Britain’s leading providers of helpful toileting solutions
KBB
for disabled people, Closomat, the new toilets meet the needs of as many people as possible. The conventional (Document M) wheelchairaccessible toilet features a Closomat Palma Vita wash and dry (bidet) toilet in place of a conventional WC. Looking like, and capable of being used as, a standard toilet, the Palma Vita has built-in douching and drying. The user, therefore, doesn’t have to wipe clean – or be wiped clean – with toilet tissue: the toilet cleans them efficiently and consistently. Furthermore, the block features a Changing Places assisted, accessible toilet for people who need extra space and/or equipment. Even in the Changing Places, which as standard incorporates a peninsular WC, washbasin, ceiling track hoist, and adult-sized, height-adjustable changing bench, the council has chosen to replace the conventional WC with a Palma Vita. Explained Dan Hattle, Sunderland City Council Regeneration Manager: “The city council is committed to providing toilet facilities that meet the needs of everyone, whatever their personal mobility or care demands might be. These new facilities will provide people with complex disabilities and their carers with the opportunities we all take for granted, and enjoy a visit to the seafront.”
www.clos-o-mat.com info@clos-o-mat.com 0161 969 1199
Advantage Tennis Mesh - Now Available with Super Rebound
(t): +44 (0)1902 796 699 | (e): info@zaun.co.uk | (w): www.zaun.co.uk Tennis Mesh 185mm x 122mm.indd 1
22/06/2015 10:49:37
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Focus & Innovation
Western Building Systems installs Mobi One Combined Timber Frame Assembly Station as part of £1.6m investment
A Northern Irish construction firm has injected £1.6m into its production facilities and workforce to drive GB and ROI market growth in the education, healthcare and housing sectors. Western Building Systems is one of the UK and Ireland’s leading build solutions providers, specialising in these sectors. A new 30,000ft2 factory has been built which includes the installation of a Mobi One Combined Timber Frame Assembly Station. The complete system will accurately position frame components, nail the frame, affix the cladding options and rout out the window and door openings – all at Western’s NI headquarters.
www.westernbuild.com
contact@westernbuild.com
Hampshire special secondary school gets basketball court A basketball court at a Hampshire special school is up and running after a £4.4m project of remodelling and refurbishment. Farnham-based PRO Fencing, the fencing division of WL West & Sons, installed the basketball court using 3m-high Duo8 steel fencing from Zaun, with matching 1.2m-high spectator railings to one side. Duo8 forms a robust play area that is highly durable, low maintenance and graffiti-proof, and rubber inserts between panels and posts to keep ‘rattle’ during play to a minimum. Linden Education Centre caters for students aged 11–16 whose behavioural problems have resulted in them being permanently excluded from a mainstream school, or who are in danger of being excluded.
0288 774 0740
McAvoy awarded £8.2m contract to design and build Romford free school academy off site The McAvoy Group has been awarded an £8.2m contract for the design and off-site construction of a new 630-place primary school for Concordia Academy in Romford. The use of a McAvoy offsite solution for the project is allowing the development of a highly constrained brownfield site. The new building will be just 1.5m from the site boundary to the front elevation. Modular construction will significantly reduce disruption to the surrounding residential area and will cut the build programme to just 12 months. McAvoy has also provided a suite of interim school buildings for the academy, until its new building opens in September 2018.
www.mcavoygroup.com
info@mcavoygroup.com
www.zaun.co.uk sales@zaun.co.uk 01902 796699
0288 774 0372
Yeoman Rainguard launches new brochure McAvoy wins major industry award for BIM
The McAvoy Group has won a major industry award for its commitment to adopting and implementing Building Information Modelling (BIM) in its off-site construction projects. McAvoy was presented with the award for 'Best Virtual Reality BIM' at the third annual RICS BIM4SME Awards for the design and delivery of a two-storey primary school building for children with special educational needs at West Hill School for Surrey County Council. The RICS has identified BIM as the critical development affecting organisations of every size across the construction industry, and it continues to promote the importance of BIM adoption and those companies at the forefront in the UK.
www.mcavoygroup.com info@mcavoygroup.com 0288 774 0372
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With over 40 years of working within the construction industry, Yeoman Rainguard Rainwater Systems has always prided itself on the quality of its products, knowledge and customer service. To convey in the most effective way, Yeoman Rainguard has launched a brand-new brochure. Showcasing its comprehensive range of gutters, downpipes and accessories, in aluminium, GRP, cast iron, copper, zinc and stainless steel, the new brochure is packed with vibrant project and product images. Pictorially-led, the information has been laid out in an ‘at a glance’ format making it simple for the client to pick all the items required for their project.
www.rainguard.co.uk
sally@rainguard.co.uk
01132 795854
Yeoman Shield looking good – however you view it With over 50 years in the business of the manufacture, supply and installation of wall and door protection, Yeoman Shield has a lot of knowledge and experience to share. Wanting to convey its products and technical information in the most dynamic way, complementing the recent publication of its new brochure, Yeoman Shield has invested in a new website. Designed to be fully responsive, the new Yeoman Shield site can be viewed at an optimum whatever your digital preference, be it laptop, tablet, desktop or mobile. With an obvious focus on Yeoman Shield’s comprehensive, strong range of wall and door protection products, it contains technical information.
www.yeomanshield.com
sallyann@yeomanshield.com
0113 279 5854
LEVATO MONO porcelain paver system Transform any outside space with LEVATO MONO Porcelain paver system from the Deck Tile Co. Ltd. The system offers flexibility and choice for even the most challenging of applications - from roof terraces and balconies with multiple falls to patios and restaurant piazza’s where wear resistance is key. With many finishes and formats available, the 20mm pavers combine incredible technical properties with uncompromising aesthetics and thanks to the intuitive height adjustable and slope correcting facility on the support system, it is possible to cover most waterproof membranes or uneven sub-surfaces.
20mm porcelain pavers 40x80 45x90 60x60 75x75 80x80 30x120 40x120 60x120 ‘Floating floor’ – installation over single ply membranes Eternal product - zero maintenance required – offering massive over-life savings
Highly abrasion and stain resistant Highly slip resistant ; R11 AB+C Lightweight – 45kgs per m2 High load bearing and impact resistance Timber, stone & cementitious effects Completely non porous
www.thedecktileco.co.uk t: 0118 391 4120
e: info@thedecktileco.co.uk
Ideal for balconies, roof terraces and piazzas, for both commercial and residential use Frost proof Height adjustable/slope correcting support system ranging from 9mm up to 550mm
CUBE ONE SHAPE, ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES FROM A FLEXIBLE, ROBUST AND HIGHLY EFFICIENT EXTERIOR LUMINAIRE The Cube LED exterior luminaire series offers a versatile solution for lighting designers and architects. The design is a study in clean lines and minimal form which takes the shape of a cube and can be mounted as either a floodlight, wall wash effect feature or on ground bollard. A wide range of beam angles and accessories allow comfortable viewing from any angle. Extremely precise beam spread optics offer the opportunity to create specific light effects. To see further models in the range please visit our website.
www.concord-lighting.com
Tel: 0800 440 2478