22 minute read
Product Showcase
FIVE REASONS LOCAL AUTHORITIES SHOULD THINK MODULAR FIRST FOR THEIR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
The future for councils and local Government across the UK remains difficult to predict. With ever-tightening budgets and demand for building projects rising, those tasked with designing and delivering projects, such as school and housing schemes, face tough decisions.
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It’s increasingly accepted that modern methods of construction (MMC) will play a crucial role in the future of our building strategies; but what are the more sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to traditional, tried-and-tested methods?
Modular buildings offer a cost-effective and less disruptive alternative than traditionally-constructed buildings. They can be designed and manufactured to fit local authorities’ unique requirements and are adaptable for a wide range of projects, such as a standalone classroom, a row of terraced housing, a block of flats or a complex office block with common areas and plant rooms if required.
Today’s modular buildings have evolved significantly over the last few decades. Today’s clean, linear buildings offer cheaper, bespoke solutions, minimum material wastage and lower energy bills – a far cry from the days of draughty and cold school ‘mobiles’. Here are five reasons why you should rethink modular buildings and consider them for your next construction project:
1. Sustainability
Modular buildings are not only commonly created from recycled materials, they can more easily be recycled themselves. Building information modelling is common across the modular industry, increasing the focus on energy efficiency, and green technologies like solar panels can be seamlessly incorporated into the project at design stage. Modular buildings go a long way to minimising your carbon footprint too; 67% less energy is used in creating a modular build versus its equivalent traditional build.
2. Problem solving
Modular buildings are constructed 50% faster than traditional builds, on average. Many can also be easily expanded, relocated, refurbished and re-used – perfect for solving any problems you might not have budgeted for. Prefabricating the building in factory conditions indoors increases quality control and removes the constant threat of the great British weather creating hold-ups, helping you to deliver projects on time and with less defects.
3. Health and safety
Avoiding the inherent dangers of traditional building sites by creating your new buildings in controlled manufacturing settings is a big plus point. The HSE reports more than 50,000 non-fatal injuries on building sites each year. Having your modular buildings created off site, where safety measures can be monitored more effectively, will lower the risk of accidents.
4. Efficiency
So much of what we’ve already talked about is really about efficiency. Essentially, fixing problems in a controlled environment while your buildings are being manufactured means less work for you when they arrive on site. Snagging for issues, like interior and exterior finishes, electrical work, plumbing, and flooring, can all take place somewhere else – meaning all you should have to do is pick up the keys.
5. Optimised site management
Constructing buildings doesn’t just make a mess of the site where you’re locating them. It means road closures, more heavy goods vehicle traffic, noise and air pollution, and risks to pedestrians and other road users. Schools usually have to focus their construction work on holidays, reducing your ability to respond quickly to changing needs. Simply put, choosing modular buildings will cause less disruption.
A simple, low-cost way to meet your modular requirements
CCS has designed its Modular Building Solutions framework with customers in mind. There are 19 suppliers listed as part of this framework, including suppliers that specialise in provision for healthcare and education as well as suppliers that can provide buildings for a range of purposes including residential homes. This framework is the perfect way to meet the needs of your local population while ensuring both speed of delivery and value for money.
CCS is an Executive Agency of the Cabinet Office, supporting the public sector to achieve maximum commercial value when procuring common goods and services.
To find out more about Modular Building Solutions and how CCS can help with your construction procurement, visit the website below and download the latest digital brochure.
The ‘Occulus’, Cardiff University sbarc|spark Centre. Vermillion polyester powder coating.
POWDERTECH CORBY SHOWS IT IS THE HOME OF ON-TREND FINISHES
Powdertech Corby continues to influence trends in vibrant finishes for contemporary buildings.
For exterior surfaces, the trend throughout 2022 has leant towards bold, bright and uplifting colours, inspiring confidence as an antidote to worries and fears. A colourful, striking facade exudes certainty and assurance. Bright and warm jewel colours of amethyst, ruby and garnet are popular together with oranges and bronzes. Maybe this also taps into a recognised underlying nostalgia for times past – the 1970s being a popular ‘pause and rewind’ era according to powder manufacturer Sherwin Williams.
Cardiff University’s ‘Oculus’ staircase
Powdertech powder coated the stunning ‘Oculus’ staircase, which forms the focal point of Cardiff University’s new sbarc|spark centre. The finish is polyester powder coating RAL 2002 ‘Vermillion’. The new building, designed by awardwinning architect firm Hawkins Brown, is now a hub for innovation and creativity. Covering 12,000m2, the sbarc|spark building features collaborative working spaces, a visualisation centre, an auditorium and a fabrication lab. It is designed to be a magnet for talented graduates, entrepreneurs and academic spinouts across Wales.
As part of the interior, Hawkins Brown, together with Taunton Fabrications, designed the stunning, sculptural, open staircase known as ‘The Oculus’. Metal mesh specialist Amron Architectural supplied W-20/50 profiled wellTEC for the balustrades. As the centrepiece to the building, the combination of a spiral design, perforated mesh and vibrant glossy Vermillion is outstanding.
Broadmarsh Centre car park, Nottingham. Terracotta powder coating on solar shading. Broadmarsh Centre car park – a shade made to order
The redeveloped Broadmarsh Shopping Centre in Nottingham has a new car park, the exterior of which is covered in extruded aluminium solar shading and screening systems. This screening, produced by Maple Sunscreening, makes the lines and aesthetics of a building interesting, contemporary and smart, and adds colour and texture.
The designers wanted an earthy shade for the panels to blend in with landscaped green spaces around the redeveloped shopping centre. Powdertech was sent a piece of terracotta and asked if it could be matched by a powder coating. The company developed three terracotta shades, and the darkest shade was chosen, reflecting the red brick of some of the older buildings nearby. Powdertech coated the hollow rectangular box sections of 200 x 50mm, making a total of 7200m2 of extruded aluminium. These terracotta shades are now part of the company’s portfolio.
Powder coatings are ever evolving
“Powder coatings are developing more rapidly than ever before,” says Richard Besant, Director of Powdertech. “The effects that can be created through gloss and metallic levels, texture and colour combinations are stunning, making outstanding design features of exterior and interior metal surfaces. Our finishes are all Qualicoat Class 1 or Class 2 approved with high-performance corrosion protection and weather resistance. Over and above that, it is our wide selection of colourful and textured finishes, many unique to Powdertech, that make us stand out.”
HVAC FUTUREPROOFING HEATING NETWORKS WITH NEW UPONOR 140MM ECOFLEX THERMO VIP PIPE
Uponor has extended its successful Ecoflex Thermo VIP portfolio by introducing a 140mm high-performance pipe, which has been developed specifically to meet the requirements of the next generation of district heating projects and provide exceptional thermal performance.
“District heating networks are increasingly being seen as key to meeting our net-zero target by 2050,” comments Mark Dowdeswell, Senior Category Manager at Uponor. “This larger Ecoflex Thermo VIP pipe is ideal for local networks that run at low temperature levels as well as the increasingly-popular district heating networks, where high water volumes are required to meet the latest design specification standards.”
On top of this, the new 140mm PEX pipe is the most robust service pipe available, while still offering the same flexibility as soft foam insulated products with a diameter up to 30% smaller. Its flexibility enables the pipe to bend around obstacles without additional connections, minimising potential weak points and leaks.
The Vacuum Insulation Panel (VIP) technology also provides heating and cooling networks with high insulation performance and a market-leading low lambda value. This reduces heat and energy loss as the water travels from the heat source by up to 60%, which is of particular significance for district heating networks that require water to run over long distances at a maximum flow temperature of 70°C.
By extending the range, Uponor is helping specifiers and contractors to provide sustainable solutions that reduce CO2 emissions and will support the energy distribution networks of the future.
DOMUS VENTILATION’S SOLIS AIR BRICK WINS LONDON CONSTRUCTION AWARDS
Domus Ventilation, manufacturer of market-leading ventilation systems that save energy and improve indoor air quality, has announced its Solis Air Brick has won the Product Innovation of the Year award at the London Construction Awards. The London Construction Awards recognise achievements, developments and innovation within London’s construction industry. Changes to Building Regulations Fire Safety Approved Document B have made traditional plastic air bricks a thing of the past when installed above 18m in England and 11m in Scotland. That’s because ductwork penetrating through an external cavity, including termination, must now be non-combustible. The Solis Air Brick is made from 1.5mm galvanized steel (fire class A1) non-combustible material to meet these requirements and ensure compliance.
www.domusventilation.co.uk vent.info@domusventilation.co.uk
HAMWORTHY HEATING INTRODUCES NEW TYNEHAM HEAT PUMP TECHNOLOGY TO ITS RANGE
Hamworthy Heating, a trusted British manufacturer and supplier of commercial heating and hot water products, has launched its first-ever monobloc airsource heat pump range, the Tyneham, designed to meet UK efficiency requirements in commercial applications. The new Tyneham heat pump range offers superb operational reliability, excellent quality and outstanding performance. One of the smallest commercial heat pumps on the market, the new product offering features a co-efficiency of performance (COP) rating of up to 4.85, to provide efficient, low-carbon heating. The seven models in the range boast six nominal outputs of between 14 to 70kW, which can also be cascaded to achieve higher outputs in larger installations.
The Lo-Carbon Tempra single-room heat recovery unit from ventilation expert Vent-Axia is offering the ideal solution to tackle condensation and mould this winter for social housing providers. Improving air quality on a room-by-room basis, the through-the-wall mounted Tempra single-room heat recovery unit simultaneously extracts stale air and introduces fresh air – warming the incoming airflow with heat recovered from the exhaust air. Vent-Axia’s Tempra single room heat recovery unit is a discreet, low-energy, continuouslyrunning alternative to traditional extractor fans that offers affordable heat recovery of up to 78%.
FOCUS & INNOVATION HÖRMANN OKTABLOCK HELPS TO PROTECT EDINBURGH FRINGE
KILWAUGHTER MINERALS LAUNCHES NEW TRAINING ACADEMY TO COMBAT SKILLS SHORTAGE
Billed as the greatest single celebration of arts and culture on the planet, this year saw the Edinburgh Fringe mark its 75th anniversary attracting thousands of visitors into the city centre. Helping to keep visitors and performers safe, Edinburgh City Council installed 12 Hörmann OktaBlock mobile vehicle blockers to provide hostile vehicle mitigation whilst offering the highest standards in safety and flexibility for pedestrian access.
Leading minerals processor Kilwaughter Minerals, which owns both the K Rend and K Systems brands, has announced the launch of its new training academy, specially developed to promote excellence in industry and address the skills gap facing the construction industry.
Installed in two popular, busy festival venues, Hörmann OktaBlock was developed in response to vehicle-related terrorist attacks across Europe. The announcement of the Government’s Protect Duty Bill in the Queen’s Speech will introduce a new duty on those responsible for publiclyaccessible places to protect the public from risks such as terror attacks. The bill further highlights the need for flexible and cost-effective security solutions to address the challenges that will be faced by local authorities, event organisers and venue owners.
Offering a truly flexible solution to meet specific venue requirements, OktaBlock can be arranged individually, in rows or offset, and is ideal for areas where fastening into the subsurface are not possible. Due to its axisymmetric geometry, OktaBlock has no predefined impact side, meaning that it can stop a vehicle from any direction making it ideal for the venues in George Square and at the Museum of Fire at Lauriston Place.
Impressively, a single OktaBlock can stop a 7.5-tonne truck travelling at speeds of 50 kilometres per hour and is certified according to international crash standards PAS68/IWA 14-1. OktaBlock also holds a CPNI Vehicle Attack Delay Standard (VADs) rating when used in specific configurations, which was a key element in the decision made by the city council to specify Oktablock for use at the Fringe.
Claire Miller of Edinburgh City Council comments: “The City of Edinburgh Council were delighted to work with Hörmann for the trial installation of a number of hostile vehicle mitigation measures at this year’s summer festivals. It is with thanks to Hörmann and our key partners that we were able to bring new equipment to the city and keep our citizens, visitors and residents safe at one of the busiest areas of Edinburgh during the festivals.”
The training centre will be branded ‘K Academy’ and courses will be delivered at a purpose-built facility in St Helens, Liverpool, serving as the company’s primary training facility in Great Britain. Although at a smaller scale, training will also continue at the Kilwaughter Minerals’ headquarters in Larne, Northern Ireland.
The academy will be accessible to Kilwaughter customers initially across the K Rend and K Systems brands with programmes incorporating both practical and classroombased learning. The addition of Kilwaughter Lime courses and employee training under the K Academy will follow in 2023 as part of a phased expansion plan.
Gary Wilmot, CEO of Kilwaughter Minerals, said: “We are very pleased to be launching our new academy and to play our part in addressing the skills gap and enhancing skills within our industries.
“K Academy forms part of Kilwaughter’s vision to set new standards within our markets – we consistently aim to go above and beyond to serve, to drive quality and innovate in a way that inspires our people and customers.
“We look forward to the future of K Academy and we plan to work to ensure it evolves as customer needs evolve.”
The new academy was officially opened by Mayor of St Helens Borough Cllr, Sue Murphy. She said: “I am delighted to officially open the K Academy, a tremendous new facility that will serve this region and the wider construction sector.”
The academy courses – standard and bespoke – aim to support applicators and installers, merchants, contractors, architects and local authorities in accelerating the skills development of their teams and, ultimately, ensuring highest quality finishes for end customers.
www.hormann.co.uk 01530 516868
SIKA DONATES GREEN ROOF TO FACILITY AIMED AT TACKLING SOCIAL ISOLATION
Leading roofing manufacturer, Sika, has donated over £7000 worth of materials to a social enterprise in Salford, which is creating a safe, indoor space to host events and activities aimed at tackling social isolation.
Created from two disused shipping containers, the new building is located at the Cleavley Community Forest Garden in Winton, which is run by Incredible Education CIC, a social enterprise providing naturebased services for local communities through horticulture and forest school activities.
The building will primarily provide a secure, indoor workshop to Salford community group, Working in Wood, which runs woodwork projects for anyone over the age of 18 looking to gain skills or meet new people.
The two shipping containers were combined to form a 20 x 30ft room, topped with a Sika green roof, which blends in with the natural surroundings and nods to the land’s former use as a plant nursery.
The system build-up included SikaBit VB-724 Air and Vapour Control Layer (AVCL) VCL, 100mm foil-faced AL Sikatherm insulation and the new, sustainable roof membrane Sarnafil Advanced Technology (AT) – the UK’s only Cradle-to-Cradle ‘Silver’-certified single-ply membrane. The membrane is not only independently certified in sustainability performance but as it contains no plasticisers, oils, chlorine or heavy metals, it is ideal for sustainable construction. Topping this, the aluminium-edge trim, SikaRoof drainage layer, SikaRoof Biodiverse substrate and a SikaRoof Wildflower Blanket, created a natural habitat for flora, fauna and wildlife. The wildflower blanket was laid in such a way to encourage the roof to self-germinate with local seeds blown by the wind onto the roof.
The install took four days and was carried out by Sika-approved installer, Chorley-based roofing contractor, Enviroply Roofing, which donated its time to the project free of charge, alongside members of the Sika roofing team.
The project aligns with Sika’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, which aims to sustain local communities by supporting them in infrastructure development for social projects, promoting training in construction professions and trades and supporting volunteering work in relation to social activities and personal development.
F. BALL CHOSEN FOR HIGH-LEVEL DUTCH RESIDENTIAL BUILD
Products from F. Ball and Co.’s System LVT range have been used to install floorcoverings as part of the stylish Overkamp Park residential development in Dordrecht, The Netherlands, consisting of three apartment blocks, each with 53 luxury apartments and two penthouses. F. Ball’s Stopgap 300 HD heavy-duty levelling compound was used to create a perfectly-smooth base for floorcoverings. Once the levelling compound had cured, a combination of LVTs and linoleum sheet floorcoverings were installed. F. Ball’s Styccobond F58 PLUS fast-drying, fibre-reinforced, pressure-sensitive adhesive was used to install wood-effect LVTs in both straight planks and herringbone formations. Cracks in the substrates were also repaired using F. Ball’s Stopgap Micro Rapid.
www.f-ball.com 01583 361633 mail@f-ball.co.uk
F. BALL PROVES TO BE THE TOP DOG AT NEW VETERINARY CENTRE
F. Ball and Co.’s Stopgap Fill and Prime thixotropic primer and Stopgap 1200 Pro levelling compound have delivered a fast-track solution for installing floorcoverings in one of the largest small-animal referral hospitals in Europe. Requiring a timesaving solution for working over chipboard as an alternative to overboarding with plywood, the contractor from Veatu Flooring contacted its regional F. Ball technical representative, who advised preparing subfloors with Stopgap Fill and Prime prior to the application of a suitable levelling compound. Stopgap Fill and Prime is a cement-based primer that is designed for use over raised-access panels and flooring grades of plywood, chipboard, MDF and oriented strand board (OSB 3). F. Ball’s Stopgap 1200 Pro levelling compound was then applied in all areas to create a perfectly-smooth base for floorcoverings.
TURNING THE TIDE WITH SIKAFLEX-423 POWERCURE
When time is of the essence, engineers can rely on Sikaflex-423 Powercure – a rapid-cure, high-performance sealant and booster for vertical and horizontal joints – which is quick to prepare, apply and produces less waste. Sika has developed Sikaflex-423 Powercure for use with its unique Sika Powercure Dispenser that accurately mixes the correct ratios of sealant and booster for a quick and convenient direct application. This not only offers a considerable time saving when compared to the traditional two-part products available on the market, but also reduces the risk of mixing errors, which would impact on the effectiveness of the product.
gbr.sika.com/en/industry/technologies/ powerflex-technology.html
FOCUS & INNOVATION SALTO LAUNCHES HOMELOK, AN ALL-IN-ONE SMART ACCESS SOLUTION FOR RESIDENTIAL LIVING
SALTO Systems, a global leader in smart electronic access control solutions in the hospitality and commercial industries, is launching a groundbreaking new platform aimed at the residential market.
SALTO Homelok is set to revolutionise residential living with its allin-one solution that integrates smart access control technology, hardware, cloud software, digital keys, a smart living ecosystem and global service support.
SALTO Homelok will provide smart access control solutions across the residential market, from multi-family to singlefamily housing, vacation rentals and home care/assisted living establishments. SALTO Systems’ electronic locking solution is modern and easy to install and maintain, without the cost and complexity of traditional access control solutions.
SALTO Systems brings a wealth of smart building expertise, groundbreaking innovation, a unique combination of flexibility and control and a market-leading portfolio to its residential solution.
Homelok delivers a core smart access solution within the Smart Building Ecosystem by working with world-class technology partners and property management systems (PMS) providers. It is an open platform that can be fully integrated to meet the growing demands for connected home living as well as enable greater control and visibility across property management systems.
Homelok gives the reassurance of robust 24/7 security and unmatched data protection and privacy using a unique combination of cloud-based and smart standalone access technology to create a market-defining level of safeguarding.
SALTO has developed advanced and aesthetically-designed, residential-specific electronic access control solutions that set a new standard in the industry – from building and perimeter access, common area organisation, to unit door management – with one easy-to-use system for residential properties of all types and sizes.
From the numerous smart access electronic locking solutions (hardware products) to user-centred, cloud-based software to an industry-leading digital keyless experience, SALTO provides the ultimate all-in-one smart access experience for residents and property managers.
www.saltosystems.com
AKW LAUNCHES QUICKINSTALL, STYLISH SHOWERING CUBICLE
AKW has launched the AKW Onyx Care Pod standalone cubicle that enables safe showering and toileting to be achieved quicker than a traditional wetroom or level-access solution. It is ideal for clearing adaptation backlogs, hospital discharge and palliative care cases and as a housing stock futureproof solution. Quick to install and DFG suitable, it can be installed within two to three days, making it up to 60% faster to fit than traditional wetroom solutions. The range includes a Showerloo option for those with additional toileting requirements. Extremely competitive pricing makes DFG a realistic funding option. Futureproof and tailorable, it can be just as easily removed as it is installed. The cubicle is watertight and the wall panels are structural, allowing for the fitting of shower seats and grab rails. The shallow 26mm textured shower tray can be fully recessed, if needed, for wheelchair users or used with an AKW ramp.
NHS GP PRACTICE IMPROVES PATIENT ACCESS
As part of a significant re-development project, Derwent Practice has improved patient access from the car park by installing a smart new TORMAX automatic bi-parting entrance system. Giving clear and easy access to all users, the sliding doors are fully compliant with current legislation. Powered by the in-house-designed Win Drive 2201 operator, a long and reliable working life can be expected thanks to the sophisticated design of the motor which benefits from almost wearless operation. As with all TORMAX operators, the Win Drive is tested to significantly more than current industry requirements of one million cycles and can be found installed in busy locations throughout the world. “With heating bills set to rise even further, an automatic entrance is a sound financial investment,” comments Simon Roberts, Managing Director for TORMAX. “Not only do our door drives feature lowenergy operation but an automatic entrance can, itself, significantly help reduce heat loss from a building.”
www.tormax.co.uk sales@tormax.co.uk
FASSA BORTOLO INVESTS IN ADDITIONAL TINT MACHINES FOR DISTRIBUTORS
Leading Italian render specialist, Fassa Bortolo, has announced further plans to ensure its distributors are able to meet the needs of the modern build market, by investing in new state-of-the-art tint machines for key customers.
Fassa has recently installed the ninth tint machine in place at Amaroc in Swindon. Alongside this, there are plans to welcome two more machines in 2023.
The addition of the tint machines demonstrates Fassa’s commitment to its customers, with distributors and applicators now able to create specific colours at very short notice. The Fassa range comes in 365 colourways as standard, but with this technology, paint can be matched to any RAL shade, allowing bespoke products to be created easily and opening up endless colour opportunities, while making light work of specific project requirements.
To ensure this facility is always within reasonable reach to applicators, wherever they are in the country, the tint machines are strategically placed around England and Ireland from Jersey and Ballymena to Doncaster and London.
Dale Telling, Commercial Manager at Fassa Bortolo UK, comments: “We strive to ensure our distributors and applicators are prepared for any job, with this investment intended to better support our customers with increasing demands for specific colour matching. With the help of our tint machines, Fassa will always have a solution, no matter how challenging the specification may be.”
www.fassabortolo.co.uk/en 01684 218305
AWARDWINNING LUXURY HOUSE DEVELOPER RELIES ON MULTIBOARD TO BUILD ITS BATHROOMS
The latest development by one of the country’s leading luxury housebuilders is making full use of Marmox Multiboard’s benefits in converting a series of former agricultural buildings into half a dozen high-specification homes. Maybanks Manor, close to Horsham in Surrey, is being built by Surrey-based Rockwood Homes; a past winner of both Silver and Bronze awards in the annual Daily Telegraph ‘What House’ competition. With one property already being marketed and another close to completion, the site is expected to be finished by the end of this year, with the Multiboards featuring in the bathrooms and en-suites throughout. In total, 400 of the 12.5mm-thick 1250 x 600mm Multiboards are being supplied by Marmox stockist, Travis Perkins, along with the special fixing plugs, waterproof tape and Marmox 360 adhesive. Marmox Multiboards are manufactured from extruded polystyrene or XPS and offer a range of positive physical characteristics, including good thermal insulation and being fully waterproof, with the polymer-modified concrete coating to both faces providing an ideal key for tiling or rendering.
STUDIO ANYO’S OFFSITE PANELISED SYSTEM SPECIFIED FOR ACADEMY HORTICULTURAL PROJECT
A new offsite panelised system designed by architect firm Studio Anyo’s has been specified for the construction of a new horticultural education project. Part funded by a Sir Roger De Haan charity, the initiative will see a new all-weather classroom constructed at Folkestone Academy for Key Stage 3 pupils, who will use the facility to participate in weekly horticultural and environmental science lessons as part of their regular studies. The building will be constructed from timber and prefabricated off site in panelised sections to minimise disruption at the academy and increase the speed of the final build. Designed to industrial agricultural warehouse standards with the capacity for classroom growing stations to provide hands-on experience for pupils, the building supports the three strands of the academy’s Green Plan: carbon reduction, re-wilding and climate education. Also featuring photovoltaic roof installations to enable the classroom to be selfpowered as well as demonstrating climate-reduction strategies, the project will be a critical element in Folkestone Academy becoming a flagship eco school and leading on local educational initiatives.
