PSBJ February 2017

www.psbj.co.uk ÂŁ4.00

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

February 2017

AGAINST ALL ODDS Sustainable laboratory completes in spite of serious setback

Supporting communities

Enhanced connectivity

Outdoor space and wellbeing

Creating a lasting legacy with the Community Action Partnership

Leisure centre brings a wealth of benefits to the local community

Formica Group discusses housing design for senior living

Welcome Note Editor in Chief

Hannah Frackiewicz

hannah@mixedmediainfo.com

Editorial Assistant Rebecca Kemp

rebecca@mixedmediainfo.com

Print & Digital Advertising Sam Ball

sam@mixedmediainfo.com

Rebecca Stratten

ree@mixedmediainfo.com

Studio Manager Chris Lilly

chris@mixedmediainfo.com

Production

Jack Witcomb

jack@mixedmediainfo.com

David Perry

david@mixedmediainfo.com

Sofia Franchi

sofia@mixedmediainfo.com

Accounts

Simone Jones

simone@mixedmediainfo.com

Charlie Ivy

charlie@mixedmediainfo.com

Managing Director Sam Ball

sam@mixedmediainfo.com Publisher

Mixed Media Information

Pear Platt, Woodfalls Industrial Estate, Gravelly Way, Laddingford, Kent, ME18 6DA T: 01622 873229 F: 01622 320020 www.mixedmediainfo.com www.psbj.co.uk

PSBJ is a proud supporter of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists.

Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and return addressed envelope. No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editors hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Mixed Media Information Ltd. The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher.

The Publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.

Morgan Sindall explains how its team delivered the GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratory for Sustainable Chemistry for The University of Nottingham. See page 08

Welcome to the February issue of PSBJ...

At a time when people are inspired to get active in preparation for the summer months, it’s never been so important to offer a welcoming, well-maintained leisure facility. Leisure centres will undoubtedly see their highest levels of footfall about now, but to keep those high all year round requires quality facilities, maintained to an exceptional level.

Water hygiene in public swimming pools is of the utmost concern for both users and facilities managers. Failure to comply with hygiene standards can pose a serious risk, whereby pools and jacuzzis can become breeding grounds for legionella. The overuse of chlorine can be off-putting for some users, however there are alternative systems available that can provide both a clean and comfortable environment in which to stay active. In this month’s issue, Steven Booth from Guardian Water Treatment explains just how you can strike the perfect balance.

Elsewhere in this issue, PSBJ previews the upcoming highlights of next month’s Ecobuild.

Taking place from 7-9th March, the show is set to redefine sustainability, identify future growth sectors and tackle the housing crisis. Organisers have partnered with several of the industry’s leading suppliers and associations to formulate an extensive programme of seminars and conferences. For more information, turn to page 28.

Also in this edition, we bring you the latest high-profile case studies and talking points on Floors, Walls & Ceilings, Play Equipment, Shelters & Shading and Balustrades. You will also find a dedicated focus on each of the four key areas of the public sector – Housing, Healthcare, Education and Leisure.

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

Hannah Frackiewicz | Editor in Chief | hannah@mixedmediainfo.com Follow us on Twitter:

@psbjmagazine

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

3

Contents

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

08 Upfront The GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratory for Sustainable Chemistry is the latest landmark development to be undertaken by The University of Nottingham.

14 Talking Point Steve Crabb, Director of Consumer Vulnerability at British Gas, looks at the legacy of the Community Action Partnership, an innovative scheme to help tackle fuel poverty.

16 Leisure The Sunderland community now has access to an exceptional leisure facility with curtain walling from Reynaers, a leading provider of aluminium glazing systems.

08 22 Education

26 Healthcare

Studio E profiles a complex multi-faceted project, at the heart of which is a new leisure centre for the London Borough of Hounslow.

Brian Newell at Shackerley discusses the practical and aesthetic considerations for the cladding system at Birmingham University’s new library.

Marie Hanby, Marketing Manager at Intastop – a leading manufacture of door, place and people protection – explains how key areas can be easily protected.

20 Legal & Business

24 Housing

28 Ecobuild Preview

John Dickson, Managing Director of NBC Environment, warns that lack of attention to wildlife now could lead to costly delays in spring 2017.

Simon Wild at Formica Group looks at the importance of housing design for senior living and the contribution cladding can play.

Ecobuild returns in March with an overarching theme of regeneration, which will be brought to life through an immersive exhibition and conference programme.

18 Technical Focus

The all-new psbj.co.uk Your revitalised and purpose-built portal for public sector building specification PSBJ unveils the new-look online resource for building products designed for the public sector built environment.

Offering more content in an easy-to-navigate format, this refreshing, tailor-made new portal delivers the right content to the right audience in the shortest time possible.

Search ‘psbj’

4

www.psbj.co.uk

Contents

24

16

34

30 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

38 Water Management

Safety flooring specialist, Altro, supplies XpressLay to bring fast turnaround and cost savings at 27 new build schools.

Steven Booth, Associate Director for Guardian Water, explains how to strike the right balance of clean and comfortable water.

34 Play Equipment

40 Balustrades

Timberplay explores how the experience of childhood differs now to 30 years ago and therefore why play areas are so important in compensating for this.

Delta Balustrades discusses the balustrade design and installation considerations at the University of Wolverhampton’s new Business School.

36 Shelters & Shading

42 Product Showcase

The newly-reopened Meadowvale Community Centre and Library now features a bright new solar shading solution from Levolux.

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

22

Read the latest issue online Gain insight from industry experts Source products and suppliers Keep up to date with industry news Discover new innovative technologies Browse the archive of features and issues Manage your subscriptions Download the PSBJ app for your iPad, iPhone or Android

5

News

INDUSTRY UPDATES

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

Third Cassidy + Ashton scheme completes at Northwich school

Morgan Sindall delivers new £10m north London primary school Construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall has successfully delivered a £10m primary school in north London.

The new primary school is a long-awaited addition for London Academy, an existing secondary school with a sixth form provision in Edgware. The new school will allow London Academy to become an ‘all-through school’ accommodating pupils from 4-19 years old.

The primary school for the London Borough of Barnet comprises 14 spacious classrooms, two communal assembly halls and a kitchen area. The two-form entry facility also features a central atrium, which is flooded with natural light, and several unique teaching spaces including: an outdoor learning terrace, a central breakout space and a concrete auditorium, where children can learn whilst seated on theatre-style gradient steps.

The Morgan Sindall project team has been committed to sustainable best practice throughout the 67-week project which has received a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) rating of 'Very Good'. The school is partially powered by solar panels and includes a specialised ‘breathing building’ where automatic vents are used to control the temperature and level of CO2.

The first two year groups have already moved into the school and will be joined by other school years progressively. At full capacity the school will accommodate 420 pupils.

6

Chester-based architectural practice, Cassidy + Ashton, has strengthened its relationship with Barnton Community Primary in Northwich, following completion of a third scheme at the school.

The £345k project, completed at the end of September, involved the design of an extension at the school to create two new classrooms with a new staircase.

The 23-week programme, delivered by Widnes-based contractor, Charter Construction Services, also included a new toilet block and creation of two new staff offices at first floor level above an existing flat roof.

The project was commissioned by the school to address a growth in demand for places, following a number of residential schemes locally and an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted assessment.

Dave Owen, Director at Cassidy + Ashton, said: “This project builds on our impressive heritage in the education sector, leveraging design skills that span a whole range of schemes, from small refurbishments and extensions to major new builds.”

Woodhead shortlisted for building Bolsover communities A housing partnership between Bolsover District Council and Robert Woodhead has been shortlisted for two top accolades at the Building Communities Awards 2017.

The B@Home Partnership was procured through Efficiency East Midlands (EEM) in 2015. That same year, representatives from Robert Woodhead and Bolsover District Council signed a partnership agreement to deliver more than 100 high-quality, energyefficient homes, over a four-year period, while maximising social and economic benefits.

The project has been shortlisted in both the Project of the Year and Corporate Responsibility categories at the regional awards, which will be held at the East Midlands Conference Centre on

Friday 24th February 2017.

In August, B@Home celebrated the completion of the first housing scheme at Rogers Avenue in Creswell, Derbyshire, and work is now well underway on a second site in Blackwell.

The programme of work was the first of its kind for Bolsover District Council and required a raft of collaborative planning workshops to kickstart the scheme. To formalise the partnership, an agreement charter was signed, which detailed the skills, training commitments and corporate responsibility standards required.

AHR completes £39m Levenmouth Education Campus AHR has completed the 23,000m2 development of the Levenmouth Education Campus for Fife Council as part of the Scottish Government’s Schools for the Future programme.

The school building has purposely been set back from Methilhaven Road to create an entrance plaza to connect both the new college and the school facilities. This external feature space defines the boundary between the built form, delineating between public and private space, and provides a linkage between the communities of Methil, Methilhill and Buckhaven. Public presence is enhanced by the mix of modern rainscreen cladding and full-height glazing with traditional brick elements, referencing Methil and Buckhaven’s indigenous ‘Methil brick’ industry. The external sports provision comprises two grass football pitches, three rugby pitches, a 400m grass running track, a FIFA-rated ‘all-weather sports pitch’ and athletic provision.

The new Levenmouth Academy provides 18,000m2 of new secondary school facilities for 1800 pupils, including outstanding internal and external sports provision set within a newly-developed external landscape. A double-height social space is the ‘heart’ of the school and provides a focal point for access, interaction, dining and way-finding. This feature element is highly visible on approach, demonstrating the open ethos of the school.

Imperial College chooses ISG to deliver visionary new facility Imperial College London has chosen ISG as preferred contractor to deliver a circa £70m project to construct its new Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Research Hub. The hub is one of the flagship buildings at the college’s White City Campus, a new 23-acre district dedicated to research and innovation in science, engineering, medicine and business.

Designed as a collaborative facility, it will provide space for Imperial’s world-leading researchers, engineers, scientists and clinicians to work alongside one another to address some of the most pressing biomedical and healthcare problems of our time. It will further life-changing research into new and affordable medical technology.

Work on the hub is due to start on site in early 2017 and is scheduled for completion in 2019. The 14-storey, arrow-shaped facility will feature a hybrid concrete and steel frame structure. A full-height steel frame nose cone, forming the apex of the arrow, will house the building’s complex mechanical and electrical services infrastructure. A glazed facade with prefabricated and geometrically distinct concrete fins to two elevations will provide solar shading as well as complementing the building’s striking design.

Partnership to deliver Oxfordshire’s first rent-to-buy scheme Rentplus, an innovative business providing rent-to-buy homes, and Harrow Churches Housing Association (HCHA) has announced a new partnership to deliver new rent-to-buy homes at Mulberry Developments' Stratton Park scheme in Bicester. Located in Cherwell District Council, the local authority is leading the way on delivering affordable housing in Oxfordshire and the Rentplus homes are the first rent-to-buy properties to be built in the county. The arrival of these homes will be welcome news to many of the county’s residents, with Oxford recently named the UK’s most unaffordable city to live in. The first

Homes in Guildford get the go ahead Project management and technical consultancy, WYG, has worked with Guildford Borough Council (GBC) to secure a resolution to approve 160 much-needed new homes on the site of a current surface car park in Guildford. The scheme, which also includes a multi-storey car park and office space, will provide 64 affordable homes as part of the total. This is over and above the local authority’s policy requirement.

WYG provided the following services: project and cost management, planning; architecture, urban and landscape design; engineering; heritage; acoustics, air quality and lighting; Code for Sustainable Homes pre-assessment; ecology and transport as part of a full multi-disciplinary service to its client, GBC. WYG’s team overcame a number of challenges; not least the site’s long and narrow nature, and its proximity to railway lines, residential areas and the University of Surrey campus. The team worked up an innovative design to support the scale of development proposed and address this issue of movement through the site. The team also managed a thorough consultation process, engaging in formal and informal pre-application meetings with the local community, the council and the South East Design Review panel. This resulted in a high-quality design response.

Relocation provides Leith Walk Surgery platform to grow Works have started on a new £1.17m Leith Walk Surgery meaning more patients can use the practice in the future.

An extra 2000 patients will be added to the surgery list as a result of the move which will provide a modern and fit-for-purpose facility.

The current surgery, which is based across two different sites, will come together in an

historic A-listed Edinburgh property that was once part of Leith Central Station.

Located at the bottom of Leith Walk, at the junction with Duke Street, the surgery will open to patients in spring 2017.

Rob McCulloch-Graham, Chief Officer of Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to secure these new premises for Leith Walk Surgery.

“The project will bring a 25% increase in patients registered to the surgery. The relocation to a single site and, into a building which has been designed with staff and patients, will result in improved services for local people.

“This project is another great example of partnership working and I’d like to pay particular credit to the partners in Leith Walk Surgery who have remained pragmatic throughout the design and sign-off process.”

Westerwood Development Group will complete the refurbishment of the surgery. It is represented on the project by commercial property adviser Bilfinger GVA.

News

tenants are expected to move into their new homes in the summer of 2017.

The 10 two-bedroom homes will be constructed by premier regional developer, Mulberry Developments, and will form part of its Stratton Park development on London Road in Bicester. In total, the development will comprise 125 units. HCHA will manage the 10 Rentplus homes once they are built and will support the new occupants seeking to buy them in the future.

Rentplus, which has plans to build 5000 new rent-to-buy homes by 2020, offers an accessible route to homeownership for low income working people who are unable to save for a deposit. Under this rent-to-buy model, tenants pay an affordable intermediate rent which is substantially lower than market rents in the area and have the opportunity to purchase their home in five, 10, 15 or 20 years.

Green light for Bromley Hall School project Planning permission has been granted for Bromley Hall School in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in order to meet the borough’s growing demand for primary school places.

The proposal from LSI Architects suggests a refurbishment and extension of the original Grade II Listed building which is set to become a 420-pupil primary school with nursery facilities.

The original building has been vacant for several years requiring substantial repairs and improvements to bring the premises back into use. The existing fabric to the building will be upgraded and the retained building is targeted to achieve BREEAM ‘Very Good’, with the standalone new build to be ‘Excellent’.

The classrooms and group spaces have been designed as independent forms with glazed circulation corridors in between. Each classroom is defined by elegant and dynamic roof forms with rooflights providing a well-lit, soft light and permitting passive ventilation.

With early input from heritage consultants, the care and attention to retaining and enhancing the original design features, combined with the sensitive, highquality design of the new build, won the support of the planning officers, Twentieth Century Society and heritage committee.

7

Upfront

POSITIVE REACTION TO CHEMISTRY LABORATORY SETBACK

The building achieved both a BREEAM rating of 'Outstanding' and LEED Platinum rating

Project: GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratory for Sustainable Chemistry Location: Nottingham Architect: Fairhursts Design Group

Public Sector Build Journal catches up with Nick Hilton (MCIOB), Morgan Sindall’s Senior Projects Manager, who tells the story of how he and his team delivered the GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratory for Sustainable Chemistry for The University of Nottingham.

Images © Martine Hamilton Knight/Builtvision

Hilton says: "The N ick experience of delivering this building will stay with me for life. I’ve never been involved in a project quite like it.”

Back in 2010, and thanks to a £12m grant from pharmaceutical giant

8

GlaxoSmithKline, the £15.8m Sustainable Chemistry Laboratory moved from being a drawing-board concept to becoming reality.

The laboratory building was to become the centrepiece of The University of Nottingham’s

Jubilee Campus and Innovation Park and provide office space and other facilities for organisations needing to collaborate with academia.

Designed to be energyneutral, the building would become a striking addition

to the Innovation Park’s built environment and home to stateof-the-art laboratory space. In addition, it would serve as a hub to catalyse new collaborations between academia and industry. The building is unique in the UK not only in its design

Upfront

but also through its use, specifically its focus on cuttingedge research activity in the field of sustainable chemistry.

Sustainability “Sustainability was at the centre of every decision which we made during the construction,” recalled Nick.

“The materials, the entire M&E system and the very design and orientation of the building itself all lead to the core focus of driving down the carbon impact of the building – as measured against both BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) parameters. Sustainability is in the very DNA of the building,” he added.

The building incorporates the latest technologies to allow it to become carbon-neutral over its lifetime.

The laboratory has been built from natural materials such as specially manufactured glulam beams and columns which have carbon locked in. The glulam columns of 500mm x 500m, weighing up to 1.5 tonnes, and 960mm deep glulam beams with maximum spans of 10.0m, trap almost 1600 tonnes of carbon extracted from the atmosphere through the process of sequestration and tree growth.

The building incorporates the latest technologies to allow it to become carbon-neutral over its lifetime

The most immediately noticeable features of the 22m-high timber-framed building are the four distinctive ‘horns’ which project from the roof to provide natural ventilation

In addition, cross-laminated timber was used for all floors, walls and ceilings and also, unusually, to form the building’s lift shafts. The energy required to run the laboratory will be met by renewable sources such as solar power and sustainable biofuel.

With an on-site combined heat and power plant, a green roof and grey water collection, the building achieved both a BREEAM rating of 'Outstanding' and LEED Platinum rating. It is set to reach carbon-neutral status after 25 years of operation.

The BREEAM rating alone categorises the building in the top 1-2% of new buildings constructed in the UK and, coupled with the LEED rating, it is one of only a handful of buildings to achieve both accreditations. 

9

Upfront The building’s sweeping, curved green roof anchors the laboratory to the ground

“There was a fine balance at times between the two assessment methods which have a subtly different emphasis on different areas. They were never directly contradictory but we found ourselves, on occasion, having to balance the requirements of one against the needs of the other. We had to work very closely with the environmental consultants to ensure we delivered a truly sustainable building and the process wasn’t reduced to a ‘tickbox’ exercise,” said Nick.

Surplus energy created by the building will provide enough carbon credits over 25 years to pay back the carbon used in its construction and is being used in a district heating system to heat the nearby office development on campus.

Externally, the building’s sweeping, curved green roof anchors the laboratory to the ground on the north-facing elevation while on the southern elevation, glass curtain walling floods the winter garden and communal areas with daylight.

A key internal design consideration was having the services exposed. This meant less material was used as would normally be and ducting was constructed with Spiralite rather than the more energy intensive aluminium. The design makes the most of the natural resources available, removing unnecessary energy use where possible.

“The design brought its own challenges particularly with air circulation in the cathedralesque 8m-high ceilings of the laboratories. This was overcome with the installation of a small heater which is used to kickstart the convection process to circulate the air,” explained Nick.

Other external surfaces are clad in a mixture of materials including timber and terracotta titles.

The internal arrangement of the building is over two floors and includes 4500m2 of floor space divided between a range of uses including state-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories, writing up areas, school outreach space, academic offices, seminar rooms and a communal winter garden.

Getting started “We started on site in the autumn of 2013. The site was already cleared so we got started on building right away with piling. We started assembling the timber frame and were making excellent progress. In the summer of 2014, we had topped out the building and were working toward getting the building weathertight before the winter set in. It was around 70% complete,” explained Nick.

The building was on schedule to be handed over early in 2015 when on the evening of September 12th 2014, the building was almost entirely destroyed by fire. 

Unique design Designed by Fairhursts Design Group, the building provides a remarkable entry point to the Jubilee Campus. The most immediately noticeable features of the 22m-high timber-framed building are the four distinctive ‘horns’ which project from the roof to provide natural ventilation. The system removes the requirement for a traditional mechanical air conditioning system, reducing the building’s energy demand in the process.

10

The design brought its own challenges particularly with air circulation in the cathedral-esque 8m-high ceilings of the laboratories

Upfront The internal arrangement of the building is over two floors and includes 4500m2 of floor space

“I found out something was wrong when I took a call from a colleague. I raced down to site and saw the fire brigade in attendance. We were only allowed limited access to the site in the following days as investigations were carried out,” explained Nick.

Those investigations from the police, fire and rescue and the HSE found that the most likely source of the fire was from an electrical source and that the build was fully compliant with the required guidelines.

“It was devastating to have seen all our work destroyed but with the investigation over, it soon became apparent that the resolve of both the customer and the site team was as strong as ever and the building would be delivered as promised.”

Starting over With access to the site granted and the investigations concluded, the site was cleared back to ground level. Only the piles remained from the first incarnation of the building and

12

even they had to be removed and renewed due to damage from the fire which reached temperatures of 1000ºC. “We had the same core team on the project as we did from day one and after the fire and the subsequent investigations were complete, they set about delivering the building to the exact same specification and design as was originally intended. This was in the spring of 2015.

“The fire was a devastating setback but we got over the shock and were more determined than ever to create this special building.

“We handed the building over to the university in September 2016 and we are very pleased with the final result. It’s a remarkable building with a remarkable story. By far, it is the most striking and memorable building I’ve delivered and I’m very proud to have worked on it,” Nick concluded. 

 construction.morgansindall.com

Cross-laminated timber was used for all floors, walls and ceilings and also, unusually, to form the building’s lift shafts

Talking Point

Each trainee is expected to go on to share their knowledge with an average of 15 new households per month

A LASTING LEGACY

Steve Crabb, Director of Consumer Vulnerability at British Gas, looks at the legacy of the Community Action Partnership (CAP), an innovative scheme to help tackle fuel poverty, and what it means for public sector professionals working in housing.

What is CAP? CAP launched in 2014 as the first nationwide grassroots initiative to support people struggling to heat their homes.

It provided specialist training to front line public sector workers, enabling them to help people save energy and keep their homes warm.

The two-year project, led by British Gas and National Energy Action (NEA), centred on eight locations across England and Wales, providing support where it was most needed. It involved 29 local authorities and many other organisations such as NHS trusts and fire and rescue services.

Now, after 24 months of working with organisations and communities to educate residents about energy efficiency, the initiative has

14

come to a close. Yet its legacy will have a lasting impact thanks to the creation of sustainable, effective partnerships with organisations and households across the country.

Working with the public sector A key focus for CAP was to develop action plans that aligned with its local authority partners’ sustainability programmes, working to bring together several agencies to raise the profile of fuel poverty.

In Merseyside, CAP supported the Merseyside Fuel Poverty Conference which saw the Lord Mayor sign a commitment, along with other MPs, to support local housing authorities and other organisations whose goal it is to tackle fuel poverty.

In Enfield, a borough-wide action plan; ‘Warmer Homes: A Fuel Poverty Strategy for Enfield’, brought together a wide range of agencies to increase engagement across organisations and residents.

Organisations are now looking at improving housing stock, providing energy advice and raising awareness of fuel poverty with households.

By supporting such schemes, we’re placing fuel poverty firmly on the agenda of councils and other public sector organisations, and supporting them in tackling it.

Supporting our communities As well as working with public sector organisations, CAP supported local authorities

Steve Crabb is Director of Consumer Vulnerability at British Gas. Steve leads the consumer vulnerability team, engaging with business, stakeholders and customers to ensure that British Gas understands the needs of customers who need additional support.

and housing associations by training front line staff to become ‘Community Energy Agents’. Agents were trained to educate fellow colleagues and peers, with the aim that learnings would be passed on to residents.

The training helped front line workers to identify when

Leading the discussion During the scheme, it became clear that for CAP to have a lasting impression on communities, it was vital that attitudes towards fuel poverty needed to change. For residents affected by fuel poverty, talking about it could be difficult due to the sensitive nature of the subject, but by building trust and engaging residents face-to-face at community advice sessions we were able to have honest and respectful conversations on the topic.

The results Over the course of its two-year lifespan, the CAP initiative trained more than 1600 front line staff, including a large proportion of public sector workers responsible for supporting the community.

Each trainee is expected to go on to share their knowledge

with an average of 15 new households per month. This means the scheme reached an estimated one million people, a figure set to rise to more than three million people by 2020.

Through the training, there has also been a significant upskilling of housing professionals. Our postprogramme impact assessment found that awareness of fuel poverty, including its causes and consequences, had increased from 46% to 85%. Similarly, those who said they were able to identify vulnerable households at risk of fuel poverty had risen from 52% to 86%.

The scheme has already had an impact on households too, with 80% of residents helped

by CAP believing they would be able to use the information they’ve learnt to save energy and keep warm in the future.

What next?

To ensure a positive legacy for CAP, British Gas and the NEA have launched a new online hub. This offers advice and free downloadable starter kits to help organisations across the

Talking Point

households might be facing fuel poverty, and armed them with simple, practical advice that they can then share with the people they visit each day.

The CAP initiative trained more than 1600 front line staff

country develop and deliver their own community activities to help combat fuel poverty.

Many public sector professionals are on the front line and in the best place to provide support to vulnerable households – making a huge and

lasting difference in addressing fuel poverty. By building on the achievements CAP has already seen, we have the potential to materially improve the lives of thousands of people. 

 www.nea.org.uk

For CAP to have a lasting impression on communities, it was vital that attitudes towards fuel poverty needed to change

15

Leisure

Thoughtfully positioned glazed areas from Reynaers enhance this connectivity between the internal and external spaces

Project: Washington Leisure Centre Location: Sunderland Architect: Watson Batty Architects

LEISURE CENTRE BUILDS COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

The Sunderland community now has access to an exceptional leisure facility, Washington Leisure Centre, with curtain walling from Reynaers, a leading provider of aluminium glazing systems.

P

utting leisure at the heart of the community, the centre underwent an £11m development and was rebuilt to encourage participation in a comprehensive range of indoor and outdoor activities.

Washington Leisure Centre’s offering now includes pools and flumes, a health suite with a sauna and steam rooms, a wellness centre, a soft play area across two levels as well as outdoor floodlit synthetic football pitches.

The brief was simple: to design and build a leisure centre to accommodate a range of wet and dry facilities

16

It also boasts a 100-station gymnasium and a multi-purpose sports hall that can accommodate trampoline training to an international standard.

Enhanced connectivity Washington Leisure Centre has been designed and built with connectivity in mind; building rich links with the immediate surroundings, with the local area and amongst the local community.

The overall approach to the architecture is ‘soft’, with architect firm Watson Batty Architects utilising a combination of timber and insulated composite cladding panels, with sedum roofing to knit the building into its green surroundings of Princess Anne Park.

Thoughtfully positioned glazed areas from Reynaers enhance this connectivity between the internal and external spaces

whilst maintaining privacy for visitors. Large panels of curtain walling reflect the sky above, contrasted against and complemented by the natural wood beams. From an interior perspective, visitors can enjoy a light and open space in which to relax, exercise and socialise.

Prioritising the safety and experience of visitors, access has also been improved with separated vehicular and pedestrian movement. Visitors on foot are welcomed through a treelined avenue, an informal ‘meet and greet’ area, whereas cars arrive in an expansive car park.

Architect’s insight Watson Batty Architects won a competitive pitch to secure the contract with the local council to design, specify and build Washington Leisure Centre, together with contractor Pellikaan Construction.

Leisure Rima Yousif, Regional Director at Watson Batty Architects, said: “The brief was simple: to design and build a leisure centre to accommodate a range of wet and dry facilities.

“Like any project, however, it wasn’t without its challenges.

For a start, we were restricted by the original leisure centre which remained operational until the new premises was complete.

This meant that our space was limited, as well as needing us to be cautious of noise and disturbance to existing visitors. It wasn’t until we opened the doors to the new facility that the original one was demolished and the space was used to create the outdoor floodlit football pitch and the car park.

“The old leisure centre, originally constructed in the 1960s, was outdated and needed a fresh, new approach. Built using concrete, it had been added to and extended over the years. This proved the popularity of sports and leisure activities in the area, so to meet this growing demand we created a beautiful and functional facility.

“A characteristic feature of the old leisure centre was elevated footpaths to a first floor entrance.

Our scheme proposal, however, involved a first floor entrance in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) in order to enhance accessibility for everyone, without compromising the strong community connections. There remains the same element of interest for pedestrian visitors through the park, maximising the fantastic green location.”

Reynaers’ insight The Reynaers systems incorporated into this approach are Vision 50 doors as well as both CW 50 and CW 50-SC curtain walling.

Rebecca Cope, Marketing Manager at Reynaers, said: “The Reynaers product range is built with the end-user in mind, and the Washington Leisure Centre brings a wealth of opportunity and benefits to the Sunderland community.

“The use of large panels is perfect for this contemporary

The Washington Leisure Centre brings a wealth of opportunity and benefits to the Sunderland community

build and floods the leisure centre with light, allowing maximised natural light and green views for physical and mental wellbeing.

“Efficiency and security are also key considerations for specifiers on projects such as Washington Leisure Centre, so our highperforming aluminium products provided the perfect solution to ensure high-scoring energy ratings as well as outstanding aesthetics.”

Vision 50 is a non-insulated flush door system offering solutions for high-traffic, ground-floor areas. The system provides the ideal combination of premium performance and ease of production, and safety can be maximised with anti-finger traps for added safety.

Offering unlimited design freedom and maximum transparency, CW 50 is a curtain walling system available in several aesthetic, technical and glazing variants to comply with all visual and performance requirements.

Washington Leisure Centre also

Watson Batty Architects won a competitive pitch to secure the contract with the local council to design, specify and build Washington Leisure Centre

uses CW 50-SC, the structurally clamped variant. Depending on the profile combination, CW 50-SC can achieve a Uf value as low as 0.56 W/m2k.

Watson Batty is committed to creating sustainable design solutions that enrich its context.

Rima Yousif said: “Maintaining consistent internal temperatures without too much heat gain or loss is essential for the comfort of those using the pool or gym, as well as wind load resistance and acoustic performance to ensure no external disturbances. We therefore chose Reynaers for the quality and thermal performance of the products.

“We had excellent service throughout the entire project, from inspection of concept design, all the way through to technical support and delivery. We at Watson Batty recommended Reynaers for the project and without a doubt would specify them on future projects.”

Fiona Brown, Sunderland City Council’s Executive Director of People Services, said: “It’s been fantastic to see the opening of the Washington Leisure Centre with all the excellent facilities it has to offer.

“The new centre is a real asset for the area. It’s also an important part of our continuing commitment to physical activity, sport and leisure and the work we’ve been involved in for some time to encourage more people to be more active.”

In September 2016, there were 3624 Active Card members who attended the facility on 25,954 occasions. 

 www.reynaers.co.uk

17

Technical Focus

COMPLEX SCHEME BRINGS BENEFITS FOR ALL

A rich blue glazed terracotta rainscreen was specified for the street-facing elevation

Project: Heston Pools and Fitness Location: Hounslow Architect: Studio E

Heston Pools and Fitness, designed by Studio E, offers some fantastic facilities including two swimming pools, all the latest gym and fitness equipment, an extensive programme of group exercise classes, indoor cycling studio, soft play centre, cafe, high-spec changing rooms, 3G pitches and much more!

E was the lead S tudio consultant, with a full team of sub-consultants on this multi-faceted and complex project, at the heart of which is a new leisure centre for the London Borough of Hounslow in Heston.

It comprises six linked sites which were submitted for planning approval as a single application and then executed under four separate client bodies. The enabling funding generated by two of the sites was

18

critical to the viability and eventual success of the project.

Leisure centre The Heston Baths date from 1936 and was a 33 1/3 yard pool adjoining Heston Park. The building offered poor quality facilities which were too small. It was highly inefficient to run and a radical intervention was required to be able to provide 21st century facilities for local residents.

WEST ELEVATION

Technical Focus

DESIGN FEATURES: 25m pool and 8 x 12m learner pool 90-place fitness suite Two studios and one spin studio Wet and dry changing facilities Single-sex health suites – steam and sauna Cafe Creche Soft play – double-height

Sites A & B These two open sites adjoining Heston Park had been earmarked for residential development. The larger Site A received outline approval for 118 residential units in blocks ranging from two to five storeys. This site was sold to a commercial developer and this provided the lion’s share of the project funding.

Site B received outline approval for 88 units. The original submission was tenure neutral but the client decided to develop these as affordable housing.

Site C The existing Baths site enjoyed good proximity and views to the park but the access to the site was restricted to a 4m gap between the existing library and the residential neighbour on New Heston Road. The freehold to the neighbouring property

The building is 100m from the street and the designers felt it needed to announce itself

was held by an RSL who wished to develop the site but they were restricted by the proximity to the road and their other neighbours. Studio E’s proposal for a landswop was picked up and the housing association was able to develop 14 new units over four storeys on a new site behind the library and with the new street frontage the approach to the leisure centre was opened up, giving greater visibility achieving a simpler parking arrangement.

Scouts An existing scouts troop needed to be relocated to free up Site C. Their timber frame hut may have been as old as the leisure centre and Studio E was able to move them into an existing brick building on the site which was converted and renovated for their use.

Heston Park The main landscape improvements to Heston Park were also undertaken through Studio E. These include three five-a-side 3G pitches with lighting and roof nets, refurbished tennis courts, two new cricket nets, an artificial cricket wicket and a new running track. General park improvements focused on creating a new adventure play trail, new and upgraded entrances, new furniture, new landforms and new planting.

The site is constricted. It overlaps the ‘Public Open Space’ boundary on the park side and the desire was to keep parking numbers up. The boundary to the east is low scale and therefore Studio E’s design could not overwhelm or overlook the adjoining houses.

The accommodation naturally splits between wet and dry changing on the ground and dry

on the upper floor. The pools wanted to be on the north to limit the risk of glare and this is also the park side where there are opportunities for views out.

The building is 100m from the street and the designers felt it needed to announce itself, so a rich blue glazed terracotta rainscreen was specified for the street-facing elevation. Floor-toceiling glazing provides a dramatic shop window to the main studio at the first floor. The roof oversails to create a double-height portico and an illuminated building sign sits above. Studio E created a dual entrance in recognition that visitors would be coming from several directions. The cafe is located next to the children’s play area and is intended to equally serve the park visitors and leisure centre users. 

 www.studioe.co.uk

SOUTH ELEVATION

WEST ELEVATION

19

Legal & Business

NBC Environment has a proven track record in providing a wide range of effective bird control services for all types of bird problems

DON’T BEAT ABOUT THE BUSH

The construction industry has been warned that lack of attention to wildlife now could lead to costly delays in spring 2017.

UK law – Wildlife U nder and Countryside Act 1981 – it is illegal to move or destroy any bird’s nest and in some cases it is even illegal to disturb nesting birds, so even the smallest bird can potentially bring a construction site to a halt. Independent environmental consultancy NBC Environment warns that construction companies, developers and demolition companies with projects in the pipeline for next year should take sensible measures now to avoid the risk of costly delays or even significant fines.

John Dickson, Managing Director of NBC Environment, says: “Companies have a responsibility to assess the impact their operations may have on ecology in the local environment. Ignorance is no defence in the eyes of the law, therefore you must be satisfied there are no nesting birds present on site before any works commence. They can be easily overlooked, different species nest in trees or shrubs, on the ground or in buildings. As such, failure to effectively survey

20

a potential development in advance of operations is unwise.”

Birds listed on Schedule One of the act have the highest level of protection. Not only are you not allowed to harm the adults, the young or eggs, but it is also an offence even to disturb the breeding birds. Schedule One species require a special license from Natural England to carry out any activity that may cause them to change their normal behaviours – and permits are rarely granted for their removal.

Dickson explains: “If a nest is observed after operations have started, a delay is inevitable as there is no legislation available that supports removal for the purpose of construction.

Companies that remove birds or nests themselves are breaking the law and liable to face significant financial penalties or prosecution that may extend to a prison sentence.”

The bird nesting season is fast approaching; typically taking place from March to July.

Operational risk is not limited to rural locations; it can extend to urban environments, greenfield and brownfield development

sites, even in cities. The safest option would be to schedule the project outside of breeding season, although this is often impractical or cost prohibitive.

In this case, there are solutions that can be put in place to minimise any chance of conflict with nature – providing steps are taken well in advance of the breeding season.

Because the legislative nuances relating to birds are highly complex, it is advisable to commission a survey from an experienced ‘bird’ expert.

They can put a mitigation plan in place to ensure operations are approved and legal, this will provide auditable evidence that will safeguard the project.

The most effective strategy is not to prevent birds from nesting, but to encourage them to do so in a safe, designated area on site. Once a conservation zone has been established, measures can be taken to encourage birds to move to that area while discouraging them from the development site.

Typical dispersal techniques to deter local bird populations from settling outside of these

John Dickson is the Founder and CEO of NBC Environment.

He has over 23 years’ experience in managing conflict between businesses and birds, pests and wildlife to reduce risks to health, safety and non-compliance.

zones can include proofing, habitat management and dispersal programmes; these can include the use of specially trained dogs or birds of prey, and lasers developed for this purpose are also often effective.

All dispersal activities should be carried out with the approval of Natural England as necessary.

John Dickson concludes: “Over and beyond any financial penalties or potential operational delays, the public is increasingly savvy about environmental and planning laws. Individuals and community groups opposed to construction in their area may use resident wildlife as a reason to hold up a construction project.

“A carefully considered approach can help to ensure positive outcomes for all stakeholders; development is much better placed to progress on schedule; potential impacts on breeding populations are minimised; and the new habitat created provides a positive legacy for wildlife, and potentially, for leisure use in the area.” 

 www.nbcenvironment.co.uk

Ecobuild is evolving with the industry, focusing on the issues that matter the most.

@ecobuild_now #ecobuild

/ecobuildnow

Be the changemaker in your business.

Put your brand in front of the UK’s most powerful audience of specifiers.

Call 020 7560 4469 or visit www.ecobuild.co.uk/exhibit

Strategic Partners:

Education

SHACKERLEY HELPS STUDENTS STUDY IN STYLE Brian Newell, Founder and Chief Executive of ventilated cladding specialist, Shackerley, discusses the practical and aesthetic considerations for the ceramic granite cladding system used at the University of Birmingham’s new £44m library as part of the university’s £500m campus development plan.

L

ike many UK universities, the University of Birmingham has big ambitions for its estates, with plans to upgrade and update accommodation in line with contemporary teaching methods, student demographics and courses.

The university is planning a c.£500m investment in its Edgbaston Campus over the course of a five-year development plan. The wide-ranging programme is the University of Birmingham’s biggest estate transformation initiative since

The cladding system offers high levels of performance in terms of breathable protection for the building fabric

22

the first phase of its Edgbaston Campus was completed more than a century ago. The Aston Webb Building forms the centrepiece of the campus with its great curving facade framing the landscaped Chancellor’s Court that’s home to the iconic clock tower, affectionately dubbed ‘Old Joe’ after the university’s first chancellor Joseph Chamberlin.

On the other side of this landscaped thoroughfare, the university’s library had a commanding presence. Now, however, a new library has been constructed adjacent to its former incarnation. The £44m library is a landmark scheme that will be the centrepiece of a new ‘Green Heart’ landscaped parkland. Constructed to accommodate 62km of books and the university’s rare collections, the new University of Birmingham Library has also been designed

The anodised aluminium fins that sit at right angles to the facades provide a space age detail that plays with the light

Project: University of Birmingham Location: Edgbaston Architect: Associated Architects

as an iconic, stylish building that reflects both the forward-focused culture of the university and its rich architectural heritage.

Specification of the building’s eye-catching facade has been pivotal to achieving those aims, with SureClad ceramic granite ventilated cladding from Shackerley providing depth of colour and texture to contrast with heavily glazed areas and anodised aluminium fins.

Visual impact According to the project’s design team at Associated Architects, the design concept for the new library was to create a building that was ‘of its time’, ‘confident’ and ‘expressive’. Their response was to design a library that both references the geometric lines of its predecessor and creates a contemporary structure. The natural texture and patina of

Education

ceramic granite will complement the landscaped surroundings of the Green Heart parkland, while the glazing will reflect back the trees and skyscapes and maximise views from within the building.

The anodised aluminium fins that sit at right angles to the facades provide a space age detail that plays with the light and adds to the vertical linear patterns created by the mix of materials.

Used for the stair core areas and the rear of the tower, the ceramic granite differentiates these sections of the building from the curtain walling that wraps around the remainder of the facade. It also helps to break up the facade, while providing a solid contrast to the lighter areas.

To achieve this eye-catching effect, the architects specified four different finishes of SureClad ceramic granite, including black panels in both highly polished and natural (unpolished) finishes, unpolished grey panels and unpolished panels with a marbled/ variegated black and grey finish.

The combination of these finishes creates dark areas on the facade while providing tonal variation that adds interest and alters

impressions of the building as you approach the edifice.

Ceramic granite upholds the high calibre specification of the library and use of the SureClad Access ventilated facade system also enabled the architect to optimise use of this high-end material. Although the panels are large format, 1198 x 598mm, they are much thinner and lighter in weight than traditional cladding materials such as quarried stone, minimising loadings on the substructure and the building.

Associated Architects was able to arrange the panels to achieve a best fit configuration, setting out the ceramic granite in alignment with the windows and floor to floor heights to maximise impact while minimising waste.

Sustainability The contribution of Shackerley’s SureClad ceramic granite cladding system is not only aesthetic, it also offers high levels of performance in terms of breathable protection for the building fabric. It has been instrumental in developing the sustainability credentials of the building, its service life expectancy and low-maintenance durability.

SureClad ceramic granite ventilated cladding from Shackerley provides depth of colour and texture to contrast with heavily glazed areas

The new University of Birmingham Library has also been designed as an iconic, stylish building

Ceramic granite contributed to the building’s BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rated credit for materials, and its use as part of a ventilated cladding system also contributed to the EPC A rating that was achieved from the Part L model in a building designed to achieve a 50% reduction in energy consumption as compared to its predecessor. The SureClad system was fixed onto the concrete cores that surround the escape stairs and the facade was set 350mm off the face of the building to provide a substantial cavity within which the building could be super-insulated. The interface of the SureClad primary support brackets with the concrete structure were thermally broken to prevent cold bridging, further supporting the cladding system’s contribution to the building’s thermal performance.

The SureClad system’s ventilation performance will also help to support building performance and service life. The system allows continuous airflow between the outer facade and the internal envelope, enabling the building to breathe, thereby preventing moisture buildup and the risk of interstitial condensation.

An ideal cladding material, ceramic granite is fully vitrified, with virtually zero porosity, which means that facade panels are unaffected by climatic extremes and conform to all international standards for freeze/thaw resistance. They will not support

algae growth and are resistant to acids, alkalis and airborne pollution so will not stain or discolour over time. Nor will they fade or degrade in UV light, no matter how intense. These factors all combine to provide a durable, long-lasting, low-maintenance solution that will retain its good looks for decades.

Each panel was supplied fullyprefabricated from Shackerley’s ISO 9001 quality controlled factory, with the SureClad ‘Access System’ fixings securely anchored to the rear of each panel ready for installation on site. The innovative patented design of the facade system allows individual panels to be removed and replaced without disturbing the remainder of the facade for maintenance purposes if this should be required in the future.

Traditional and contemporary The University of Birmingham’s estate development programme will expand and update the Edgbaston Campus creating an environment that combines new buildings with academic heritage to meet changing student and research requirements. The use of Shackerley’s ceramic granite mirrors this combination of the traditional and the contemporary, delivering the classic aesthetics of quarried stone with modern styling and 21st century built environment functionality. 

 www.shackerley.com

23

Images © Craig Magee and Liverpool Mutual Homes

Housing

DESIGNING SENIOR LIVING DEVELOPMENTS

One example of a housing scheme recognising the importance of outdoor spaces is the £1.3m redevelopment of Shallcross Court in Everton

Project: Shallcross Court Location: Everton Architect: John McCall Architects

Simon Wild, European Category Marketing Manager at Formica Group, looks at the importance of housing design for senior living and the contribution cladding can play. indicates that R esearch in parts of the UK, 80% of over-55s say they feel isolated with many citing a lack of community spirit. When it is considered that the quality of the built environment can have a significant influence on our behaviours and experiences,

providing well-designed housing communities and public spaces can assist in addressing the issue of loneliness in later life.

With 85% of occupants in retirement developments stating that senior living accommodation provides a good sense of community, it is evident why

The bank of existing trees and planting of the site informed an eye-catching mix of vertical green strips

24

a significant number of older people are drawn to assisted, sheltered and retirement housing.

As a result, it is important in the building and renovation of the housing that a design and ethos suitable to supporting and creating sociable communities is present.

Outdoor spaces and wellbeing Nowadays, housing facilities are placing increasing emphasis on open spaces partly in recognition of the intrinsic link between nature and humans that suggests we need contact with the natural environment to sustain our health and wellbeing. In fact, the benefits of the outdoors for seniors is well supported with research indicating that time with nature boosts overall health and can strengthen immune function.

However, despite outdoor activity being shown to be beneficial for our physical and mental wellbeing, evidence suggests older people are less likely to take part.

One example of a housing scheme recognising the importance of outdoor spaces is the £1.3m redevelopment of Shallcross Court in Everton. The original scheme for Shallcross Court in 1991 saw the southern areas of the site introduce a communal block that divided the garden space into sheltered walkways and awkward courtyards. Understanding the advantage to occupants in making the housing better connected to shared, open areas and the local community – having also been backed by feedback from residents – the scheme’s outdoor area was reimagined as part of the redevelopment.

Shared areas were created to encourage residents to spend time together and with the aim of supporting a better engaged and spirited community. The design of the outdoor areas went beyond the physical creation of space and also considered the external look of the sheltered housing itself

The carefully proportioned pattern of Vibrant Green, Hunter Green and Pale Olive were balanced with flecks of Spectrum Yellow to help realise the lower section of cladding

whereby a biophilic influence is incorporated to deliver a complementary aesthetic.

Less ‘old people’s home’, more hotel Another main focus for today’s senior living design is on making the facilities feel less institutional both in character and atmosphere, and to create a backdrop that is closer to a hotel than an ‘old people’s home’.

Both interior decor and a building’s exterior structure helps establish a strong sense of place for inhabitants and guests. Neither occupant nor visitors are going to be enamoured at the thought of entering a facility that looks and feels like the stereotypical old people’s home from yesteryear, let alone live in one. Addressing this sentiment, the early stages of Shallcross Court’s redesign saw an experimentation with a variety of finishes and colours with the intention of creating a strong identity for the scheme using bold signature colours. After all, in addition to building community, design helps to establish a brand identity.

The bank of existing trees and planting of the site informed an eye-catching mix of vertical green strips, while the monolithic, two-tone grey using larger format panels offsets the busy facade below to delineate private space on the first floor from communal

space on the ground. The carefully proportioned pattern of Vibrant Green, Hunter Green and Pale Olive were balanced with flecks of Spectrum Yellow to help realise the punchy lower section of cladding; and equally to match and reinforce the sense of nature from the surrounding garden environment.

With cladding fitted on a new timber frame extension and over the existing main entrance, the development creates a new focal point for the scheme and clearly advertises it from its prominent new position.

Building exteriors create first impressions. The introduction of a clean, bold new material palette for the communal block helped contrast the coarse and bland materiality of the existing buildings and enhanced the presence of the scheme in its context, offering a bright, welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors.

at its core. Getting a handle on this issue now is imperative when we consider that by 2026, the number of those older than 75 is expected to have risen from 4.2 million to 6.3 million in the UK. There is also a further factor worth considering in terms of the quality of existing housing stock and the aging population that, for the foreseeable future, will be occupying these buildings.

Housing

In addition to being unsuitable for the physical, sensory and cognitive needs of people as they age, many of our current buildings are inefficient in terms of energy consumption. In a time of increasing energy costs, the specification of the right building envelope can significantly influence thermal performance and reduce running costs.

Many of today’s architectural practices, including John McCall Architects, the practice behind the Shallcross Court redesign, are embracing a fabric-first approach to sustainability in order to achieve comfortable, low-energy buildings with longevity. In the instance of Shallcross Court and in particular the specification of VIVIX by Formica Group panels, a ‘low embodied carbon’ cladding option – in comparison with alternative aluminium, cementitious or woodbased cladding options – made it particularly well-suited for the project.

With today’s architects and designers increasingly taking the physical and mental comfort of residents into consideration when planning modern senior living facilities, Shallcross Court is an example of housing developed with distinct character and a sense of place to have a positive impact on health and wellbeing. 

 www.formica.com

The importance of investment An economic and social concern, elderly isolation has cost implications for the NHS, social care and the wider economy.

Investment and planning initiatives need to be responsive to the issue of elderly isolation and ensure the adoption of design solutions that promote a sense of social interaction and community

Both interior decor and a building’s exterior structure helps establish a strong sense of place for inhabitants and guests

25

Healthcare Antibacterial impact protection sheet provides the perfect solution for unsightly or damaged walls and doors

PROTECTION AGAINST INFECTION Marie Hanby, Marketing Manager at Intastop – a leading manufacturer of door, place and people protection – explains how key areas can be easily protected and why NHS trusts and healthcare providers have chosen products that offer long-lasting advantages. emphasis on A ntheincreased protection against healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) means that specifiers and facility managers for healthcare buildings are searching for the most advantageous products – products that assist with not only the protection against such bacteria, but also prevent its spread.

Areas in constant contact with visitors, patients and medical professionals can harbour harmful bacteria, such as walls and doors which can sometimes be overlooked for more obvious sites such as taps and handrails. However, it is proven that by using antibacterial door and wall

Specifiers and facility managers for healthcare buildings are searching for the most advantageous products

26

protection it can prevent the growth of up to 99% of harmful microbes and bacteria in those areas.

Nuffield Health The Chesterfield Hospital at Nuffield Health Bristol is a newlyopened facility that is taking patient service to a new level. The £20m investment has seen the 30-bed, five-star facility benefit from three digital theatres and a critical care unit with the very latest technology.

To fulfil its rigorous patient safeguarding policy, The Chesterfield wanted to ensure its walls in high traffic areas, such as theatre corridors and waiting areas, did not harbour any harmful pathogens. However, the longevity and aesthetics of the solution were key considerations too. Ongoing maintenance costs plus the overall look, in keeping with the leading-edge clinical facility, were essential to what the Nuffield team chose as their ideal solution.

Gerri Morgan, Supplies and Facilities Manager, commented: “It was evident that we needed to do

something to protect the walls of the hospital not only for aesthetic reasons but also to safeguard patients from infection. We were able to source wall protection in a variety of colours and with the added benefits of antibacterial properties too. We are delighted with the visual appearance and the practicality of the wall protection and are already looking at other areas in the hospital that could benefit from this type of investment too.”

Other hospital trusts have similar concerns, such as the team at Rotherham District General where it was not protecting its doors and walls from damage and from harbouring harmful bacteria that was the only issue but, it was to maximise its budget too.

“When there is a need to refurbish a hospital ward there are many elements which are essential components of the refit and many factors to take into consideration,” said Tony Keenan, Senior Team Leader in the estates department at the hospital. “Each department or ward will use different equipment which are at differing heights, therefore

Healthcare

it was essential for us to choose a product that was able to work with our varying requirements.”

Impact protection sheet was used in a variety of places throughout the ward where traffic and equipment storage and usage were high. “If everything looks nice you feel nice,” concluded Tony. “But it’s not only appearance, quality protection for walls and doors also reduces maintenance costs and helps with infection control.”

Impact protection sheet Suitable for doors and walls alike, antibacterial impact protection sheet provides the perfect solution not only for unsightly or damaged walls and doors but also assists infection control, combating the spread of harmful bacteria such as C-difficile, MRSA, salmonella, listeria and E.coli. Impact protection sheet that includes Hygienilac works by an added biocidally proactive ingredient, which prevents bacteria and other microbes accessing nutrients and therefore disabling their growth. The added ingredient permeates the entire 2mm sheet so that if the surface is scratched it continues to provide protection.

It has low water solubility and is completely UV stable which ensures its effectiveness for many years, it has passed tests for severe usage and its proactive ingredient has gained approvals

Impact protection sheet that includes Hygienilac works by an added biocidally proactive ingredient

from renowned bodies such the Environmental Protection Agency, Health and Safety Executive and the Food and Drug Administration.

In addition, to adhere to fire legislation, healthcare facilities should choose sheet that is class ‘O’ fire rated and tested to BS476 Parts 6 and 7.

Door protection As with walls, doors are another key area where harmful bacteria can harbour. They are also high-traffic zones which not only come into contact with building users and equipment but also suffer from high levels

of wear and tear which can also be detrimental to a facility’s fire protection policy. Impact protection sheet can provide reinforcement for doors, their edges and frame therefore offering a long-lasting, lowmaintenance solution that also helps prevent HCAIs. Croydon University Hospital has more than 500 beds serving a local community of 360,000 people and covering a wide range of acute services. The existing hospital site is more than 50 years old and therefore has a wide range of different products installed including doors and door types.

The estates department were tasked with improving the aesthetics of the ageing estate placing particular emphasis on upgrading the fire doors, to ensure they continued to keep their fire integrity.

With having over 3300 doors, the team opted for a retrofit post forming solution with impact protection sheet and edge guards which saved a staggering £3.3m over new post-formed doors. The project restored complete fire integrity to each door and gave long-term protection against damage and harmful bacteria.

Mazin Doaoud, the trust’s Fire Officer, said: “Some doors were that badly damaged they no longer retained their fire integrity. Using impact protection sheet that had been fire tested to BS476 Parts 22 meant we could upgrade and re-instate that integrity by retrofitting, whilst significantly enhancing the aesthetics too.”

Ongoing advantages Intastop, established for over 25 years, has gained a reputation for being a leading innovator in the areas of door, wall and people protection for the healthcare and anti-ligature markets. Its understanding of healthcare establishments has shown that protected doors and walls from the outset save considerably on ongoing maintenance bills and time spent upgrading facilities for aesthetic reasons.  Impact protection sheet can provide reinforcement for doors, their edges and frame therefore offering a long-lasting, low-maintenance solution

 www.intastop.com

27

Ecobuild Preview

Central to the experience will be Regeneration Drive, a boulevard running through the centre of the exhibition floor

ECOBUILD IN PREVIEW

Ecobuild returns in March with an overarching theme of regeneration, which will be brought to life through an immersive exhibition and conference programme that will redefine sustainability, identify future growth sectors and tackle the housing crisis. show for T hebuiltleading environment professionals, Ecobuild 2017 will see ExCeL London transformed into a ‘city’ – complete with a main street, distinct destinations and special feature attractions.

Central to the experience will be Regeneration Drive, a boulevard running through the centre of the exhibition floor, linking different aspects of the show and enabling visitors to experience the very best examples of innovation and creativity from across the built environment.

The show’s sustainability hub, City Hall, will see sessions hosted by the UK-GBC and World Green Building Council.

Architectural collective, Assemble, will present its Turner award-winning Granby Workshop project at the Campus, the show’s destination for innovative thinking and the latest technology, also home to the BRE Academy, for bite-sized CPD courses and learning.

In response to the increased Government and industry focus on off-site construction, Ecobuild has partnered with Explore Offsite to bring a significant showcase of the exciting opportunities offered by off-site technology in the future of construction, with the industry’s leading suppliers and a series of daily masterclasses.

The Arena will be home to the Ecobuild Conference with headline guest speakers staging a programme of keynote speeches

28

Another new partnership sees Ecobuild and UK District Energy Association creating a new and exciting area: the ukDEA District Energy Town Square, host to leading British suppliers and also international pavilions from Sweden and Denmark, two of the most mature district energy markets in the world. The ukDEA District Energy Town Square will be located adjacent to Ecobuild’s Performance Lab feature, with building performance and energy content produced in partnership with CIBSE. The Arena will be home to the Ecobuild Conference with headline guest speakers staging a programme of keynote speeches from industry thought-leaders and innovators across the three days.

Day one of the conference will focus on future-proofing building and construction. Further key topics will include large-scale regeneration of council estates, building homes for social rent and ensuring the industry delivers sustainable homes people can afford. Professor Tim Broyd, President, Institute of Civil Engineers, will be joined

by Adam Cooper of the National Infrastructure Commission and Professor Denise Bower, Executive Director at the Major Projects Association, to debate the UK’s infrastructure priorities.

The second day will see industry leaders debate solutions to the housing crisis, featuring a panel including Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor, Planning Regeneration and Skills, Greater London Authority and other sector experts. Topics will range from improving energy efficiency in nondomestic buildings to meeting the new zero carbon homes standard as part of the ‘Low Carbon London’ initiative.

Amongst other topics, day three topics include the possible legislation binding developers in an agreement to consider the wellbeing of future generations when planning. Reiterating the importance of effective building operation, speakers will discuss managing down energy consumption and using BIM for facilities management.

With such a wide variety of exhibitors and partners, this year’s show will provide the industry with the perfect platform to collaborate and address the key issues of sustainability and its role in shaping regeneration. 

 www.ecobuild.co.uk

Photograph courtesy of Carmo Wood, Portugal and Câmara Municipal de Arouca, Portugal

The durable choice

Long-standing preservative performance

For more information visit: www.kopperspc.eu

*Registered Trademarks of Koppers Performance Chemicals Inc. Protim Solignum Limited is a Koppers company and trades as Koppers Performance Chemicals. Koppers is a registered Trademark of Koppers Delaware, Inc. All products are produced by independently owned and operated wood processing facilities. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Registered England – 3037845

Subscribe to free of charge - simply visit www.psbj.co.uk /subscriptions

29

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

EXPRESS DELIVERY OF SCHOOL FLOORING

Phoenix Flooring Division installed 5500m2 of Altro XpressLay throughout Hessle High School

Project: PSBP Location: North east England Main Contractor: Galliford Try

The proven cost and time-saving credentials of award-winning Altro Looselay technology has resulted in Altro XpressLay safety flooring selected for installation in 27 new schools being built in the north east of England.

Try is building G alliford the new schools as part of the Priority School Building Programme (PSBP). Galliford Try has a long-standing supply chain agreement with Altro, so when it came to specifying flooring for the PSBP schools, both companies worked closely together to select a high-quality, cost-effective flooring that was also quick to install.

Roy Perry, Galliford Try Contracts Manager, said: “We chose to work with Altro on the PSBP scheme due to the strength of our supply chain relationship and their array of appropriate products for the schools.

“We selected Altro XpressLay because it’s a cost-competitive option that would also save us installation time on all the priority school schemes in this region.

In many instances we require a quick turnaround, as Galliford Try is under pressure to deliver the schools within set timescales.

30

“We have been pleased with the service we have received from Altro and the flooring contractors, which has enabled us to complete the work to the customers’ satisfaction.”

Altro XpressLay is the world’s first ever adhesive-free safety flooring and features Altro Looselay technology. Altro Looselay technology allows any subfloor moisture to escape. It has been designed to lie flat, without the need to be adhered.

Altro Looselay doubled-sided, moisture-tolerant tape is used to secure the flooring in place while you weld. As there is no adhesive, you get same-day welding and can walk on the floor straight away.

Altro XpressLay can be easily removed post-installation, re-used elsewhere and then recycled at the end of its life.

The range boasts 42 colours, featuring bright and subtle, sparkle-free designs and decorative chipped options to

choose from. The Altro XpressLay palette matches with Altro Walkway 20 safety flooring, enabling both ranges to be combined to suit the application.

Altro XpressLay also features Altro Easyclean technology with superior chemical and stain

resistance, to ensure it stays looking good for longer.

The flagship school for the PSBP scheme, and one of the first to be built, is the £18.6m Hessle High School and Sixth Form College in east Yorkshire.

Previously, Hessle High was 

Blizzard was installed in the school’s laboratories

introducing introducing thethe alternative alternative event event for the for the forward-thinkers forward-thinkers in kitchen in kitchen andand bathroom bathroom design design 7–97–9 March March 2017 2017 ExCeL, ExCeL, London London Register Register nownow at www.kbdesignlondon.com at www.kbdesignlondon.com using using code code KBD4 KBD4

Organised Organised by: by:

Supported Supported by: by:

Co-located Co-located with: with:

Floors, Walls & Ceilings The new Hessle High School, designed by DLA Architecture in Leeds, has created a combined, fit-for-purpose building

split over two sites, with 1450 students, including 200 students in the sixth form.

The new build, designed by DLA Architecture in Leeds, has created a combined, fit-forpurpose school that operates from just one site, with new science labs, ICT and teaching areas and sports facilities for up to 1550 pupils, including 230 students in the sixth form.

Phoenix Flooring Division installed 5500m2 of Altro XpressLay throughout Hessle High School in four different shades; Waterfall on stairs and

corridors; Blizzard in laboratories; Fog in wet areas and Roof Garden in the stores.

The easy-to-fit capabilities of Altro XpressLay meant big savings in time and a trouble-free installation, as Phoenix Flooring MD Matt Brown explained: “With Altro XpressLay there is no need to lay a DPM, and it can be fitted without adhesives. This makes it very cost and time effective, and fitter-friendly too. We know that every time we use this flooring we save a lot of time on a project, so for us it’s a great choice all round.

“Prior to fitting at the school, we prepared the substrate with a smoothing compound to create a true, flat surface. We then fitted Altro Looselay double-sided moisture tolerant adhesive tape to all perimeters and areas where the flooring would have joints. This helps the flooring to stay in place.

“Then it was simply a case of cutting the sheets of Altro XpressLay to fit, laying them into position, removing the backing from the adhesive tape and rolling the flooring back into place.

Joints were finally hot welded to finish off.

The flagship school for the PSBP scheme, and one of the first to be built, is the £18.6m Hessle High School and Sixth Form College in east Yorkshire

32

“We were on site for three months, with eight fitters working at the busiest period. We had excellent support from Altro throughout the entire project, but they always deliver a very high level of back-up.”

Mark Owen, Facilities Manager at Hessle High School, is happy that Altro XpressLay is ticking all the right boxes. “We had a mixture of lino and tiles in the old school, which looked very old-fashioned and was neither safe underfoot nor easy to maintain. This new flooring looks superb, colourful and modern, and it’s a proven safety flooring that can stand up to the rigours of busy school life.

“There has been no rucking or movement at all. It’s as firm and reliable as any flooring fitted with adhesive. So for a school it’s a great product, because we have the flexibility to repair or re-use the flooring in the future if required.

“Maintaining the flooring is proving easy as well, and it cleans up very nicely. We mop as and when required, and for areas which get the most traffic and dirt we use a walk-behind scrubber regularly. During school holidays we give everything a much more thorough going over with a circular scrubber, which brings the floors back to their very best.” 

 www.altro.co.uk

SBP ARY

LIBR

sustainable-buildingproducts.com

Scan this code with your smart phone

Public Sector Build Journal

swipe to see more!

The

app

‹‹‹ for iPhone, iPad and Android swipe to see more!

Free download available now BROWSE | SPECIFY | SOURCE | DIGEST The smarter way to access news and products for the sustainable building market.

With its easy-to-navigate format, users can benefit from a variety of useful tools, such as the magazine’s latest issue, digital archive, suppliers and newsbank. The App is also synced with SBP Library (www.sustainable-buildingproducts.com) providing an essential specification portal. | Bespoke, reader-friendly features tailored to professionals on the move | | Timely industry news delivered at the touch of a button | | Manage print & digital subscriptions |

Play Equipment

PLAY PROVISION – HERE TO STAY

Water and access to waterplay should be viewed as an essential play experience for all children

When looking at any play development it is important to consider what the real purpose of a play area is. Across the country, generation after generation of children are having their access to free play curtailed.

Spring and See Saw Pump, which can be configured alongside channels, water wheels, the Mill Wheel, Scooping Water or the Archimedes Screw to create a waterplay system with a very wide appeal. A number of these are combined to form the AQuadrat, a standalone waterplay configuration, or there is the lofty Forest Fountain, guaranteed to make a statement.

Thick wooden columns with different spray heads mounted on the top are activated via a series of pumps, causing the water to spray out in multiple thrilling combinations.

Waterplay and challenging climbing opportunities are only two criteria that public play spaces should be trying to meet. Designers and developers should be striving to offer these and many other open-ended play experiences in any new play development in order to provide the rich developmental opportunities previous generations automatically benefited from. 

 www.timberplay.com the past 100 years, O ver roaming distance for the average eight-year-old has reduced from around six miles to only 300m – it is easy to recognise children’s opportunities to interact with the outdoor environment is eroding year on year. The purpose of designated play spaces should be to attempt to provide play experiences that children of yesteryear could take for granted.

Although playgrounds can never replicate the wide range of experiences within the wild world, they can go some way to compensate for the lack of natural interaction in our children’s everyday life. Carefully selected play products coupled with imaginative landscaping can motivate, inspire, challenge and excite children, supporting them in the development of their social and physical skills.

Timberplay believes that play products should be open-ended and present many different levels of challenge to suit children across a wide age range. One of the best examples of this is the Climbing Structure, a collection of hefty timbers arranged in a seemingly random way. Children

34

from six upwards can find an appropriate level of activity, whether negotiating their way along the lower timbers or finding a lofty perch to observe their surroundings. The irregularity of this selection of products, or the Climbing Forest, seeks to present the play experiences provided by clambering through trees, demanding children to think about each step they take in order to successfully manoeuvre around the product.

Water and access to waterplay should be viewed as an essential play experience for all children, but many children are prevented from direct interaction with shallow water due to health and safety concerns, or inconvenience. However, the benefits of waterplay are well-documented – never mind the unlimited fun waterplay delivers. We advocate including some form of waterplay in any play space, even if it is just a simple playground pump. For those looking to offer a more comprehensive waterplay experience, Timberplay offers a huge variety of specialist water pumps, including the Playground Pump, Mushroom

Play products should be open-ended and present many different levels of challenge to suit children across a wide age range

EXTERIOR WOOD PROTECTION

FOR MORE ATTRACTIVE AND DURABLE WOOD

01.

ROT & FLAME PROTECTION

02.

DIRT & WATER REPELLENT

03.

ORGANIC CLEANER

0 12 9 6 3 2 3 7 7 0 w w w.organowood.co.uk

NATURAL NATURAL WOOD WOOD FINISHES FINISHES YOU YOU CAN CAN RELY RELY ON ON

01296 481220 | osmouk.com 01296 481220 | osmouk.com

DECKING-OIL: Highest quality colour and protection for wood DECKING-OIL: Highest quality colour and protection for wood

ü ü

||

ü ü

||

ü ü

||

ü ü

||

ü ü

MICROPOROUS DURABLE UV-RESISANT OIL-BASED HIGH COVERAGE MICROPOROUS DURABLE UV-RESISANT OIL-BASED HIGH COVERAGE

35

Shelters & Shading

If it were not for the fins at Meadowvale Community Centre and Library, internal temperatures would soar to uncomfortable levels

LEVOLUX MEASURES UP

Residents of the city of Mississauga, near Toronto in Canada, were pleased when the Meadowvale Community Centre and Library re-opened in 2016, featuring a bright new solar shading solution from Levolux. opened in 1982, O riginally the community centre required a comprehensive overhaul, including both functional and aesthetic improvements. Costing $37m and designed by architects from Perkins+Will Canada, the reworked facility accommodates a host of new features, including a 25m pool, gymnasium and the

relocated Meadowvale Library.

In order to satisfy LEED Silver specifications, the development capitalised on state-of-the-art technologies, including the use of low-VOC materials, rainwater harvesting and the incorporation of external solar shading on east- and west-facing elevations.

As a world-leading solar shading specialist, Levolux

Levolux was approached to develop a custom solar shading solution, combining its innovative Infiniti Fin system and Triniti bracket

36

was approached to develop a custom solar shading solution, combining its innovative Infiniti Fin system and Triniti bracket.

The solution comprised a series of rectangular-shaped aluminium louvres, fixed vertically in front of full-height glazed openings. In total, Levolux supplied 350 vertical louvres, each measuring 400mm wide by 50mm thick and extending up to 6m in height.

The louvres, commonly known as fins, are spaced at 600mm centres and are angled at 45° to the building’s glazed facade.

The fins create a striking architectural feature, as each is finished in one of eight contrasting colours. They range from greens and blues, to lilac and purple. The colours are applied with a highly durable powder coating.

As a form of brise soleil, the fins are positioned and angled to counter the path of the sun as it passes across the sky. While horizontal fins are preferred for south-facing elevations, vertical fins work more effectively on east- and west-facing elevations.

Project: Meadowvale Community Centre Location: Mississauga Architect: Perkins+Will Canada

This arrangement provides optimum shading during mornings or afternoons, when the sun is lower in the sky.

As the popularity of glazed curtain walling increases, so does the importance of external solar shading. If it were not for the fins at Meadowvale Community Centre and Library, internal temperatures would soar to uncomfortable levels, due to excessive solar heat gain.

In the past, developers relied on mechanical cooling and air conditioning systems to maintain comfortable internal temperatures. Today, external solar shading is recognised as a considerably more cost-effective solution, which is significantly easier to install and maintain.

Levolux’s Infiniti Fin system delivers uncompromised results.

Its integrated stainless steel fixing method ensures excellent strength, while allowing fins to appear continuous and uninterrupted over long distances. Not only are the number of fixings reduced and concealed, but fins also appear weightless, as they can be cantilevered past aluminium carrier arms.

The extruded aluminium fins supplied for the new Meadowvale Community Centre and Library are secured in place using Levolux’s Triniti brackets.

The brackets complement the Infiniti Fin system, as they incorporate a comprehensive thermal break. This eliminates any problems associated with cold bridging, such as interstitial condensation, and prevents unwanted noise and vibrations from occurring.

The redeveloped community centre and library has been much anticipated during a two-year construction period.

The new development, with its distinctive multicoloured vertical fins from Levolux, provides new and improved access to recreation for residents of the city of Mississauga. 

 www.levolux.com

TH 25

.

L, O NT N S, NA WH E IO E FI S AM AT RIZ HE AM RN BR , P T TE TOU LE YS CH R CE AWA REA Y FO THE R TO VE TO T GI AYS E EN ANTS W IC R RE PR ENT MO ALF EW DH EN AN DUC O TR IN

ENTER THE UK CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY’S 25TH ANNUAL NATIONAL TOURNAMENT Celebrating 25 years of offering golfers the chance to play golf regionally, make friends and build profitable relationships.

ENTER NOW FOR JUST £42 PER TEAM AND LOOK FORWARD TO GREAT GOLF IN 2017!

We take care of the matching and admin leaving you to enjoy playing golf in this famous six round knockout tournament. Share green fees and compete for a place in the Grand Final at Hanbury Manor’s acclaimed England championship course. Finalists also enjoy free golf, gala dinner and overnight stay.

The tournament starts March 2017. Call 01892 752300 visit www.thegolfclassic.co.uk email info@thegolfclassic.co.uk or fill in and return the entry form with your £42 entry per two ball team. Entrance closes 13th February 2017.

MEDIA PARTNERS

✁

SIMPLY COMPLETE THIS FORM AND SEND IT WITH YOUR CHEQUE FOR JUST £42 PER TEAM MADE PAYABLE TO ‘THE GOLF CLASSIC’ TO: THE GOLF CLASSIC, FREEPOST SEA12502, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT TN3 9BR. ENTER AND PAY ONLINE AT www.thegolfclassic.co.uk EMAIL info@thegolfclassic.co.uk OR CALL 01892 752300 FOR DETAILS AND TO ENTER PLAYER 1

PLAYER 2

Name

Name

Company Name

Company Name

Address

Address Postcode

Postcode

Contact Telephone Number

Contact Telephone Number

Email Address

Email Address

Name and Address of Golf Club

Name and Address of Golf Club

Golf Club Postcode FC&A1

Player 1 Handicap

Golf Club Postcode For full conditions and rules of play visit www.thegolfclassic.co.uk

Player 2 Handicap

Water Management

Ongoing water system maintenance is essential, with regular cleaning and testing for the presence of harmful bacteria

KEEPING WATER CLEAN AND COMFORTABLE

Ensuring good water hygiene in public leisure facilities often comes at a smelly and often irritating price – chlorine, the overuse of which can be unpleasant for water users. Steven Booth, Associate Director for Guardian Water, explains how to strike the right balance of clean and comfortable water. pools and S wimming spa baths or jacuzzis in public leisure facilities can pose a health hazard to visitors, becoming breeding grounds for legionella if not built and maintained correctly – the same goes for any system containing water, including general heating, plumbing and air conditioning.

The first step in preventing this problem is taking care to stop bacterial build-up at the

38

outset, by considering this fully at the specification and construction stage.

We see a range of common issues that exacerbate poor water hygiene, whatever the application, issues that could have been avoided if more thought had been given to water and its usage. Specifiers and building owners are often swayed by initial price, but ‘value’ engineering choices can

often be a false economy, one that leads to increased cost overtime. A whole life view is essential.

Repeat offenders Modern plumbing trends: Low-flow fittings for taps and showers can exacerbate risk, allowing water to stagnate, creating the right conditions for legionella to grow. Low-flow options can be crucial in leisure

Low -flow fittings for taps and showers can exacerbate risk, allowing water to stagnate, creating the right conditions for legionella to grow

environments that use a lot of water, so I’m not suggesting they should be ignored. Ongoing water system maintenance is essential, however, with regular cleaning and testing for the presence of harmful bacteria.

Lack of awareness: Treatment devices may be perfectly effective, but if they’re not used properly, they won’t work.

We see many examples of supplementary equipment that

Water Management Swimming pools and spa baths or jacuzzis in public leisure facilities can pose a health hazard to visitors

ends up failing or being turned off all together due to a lack of understanding in terms of their required Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) regimes or their importance – training is key, for all members of the building services and facilities management team.

Overuse of chemicals: If there is a problem, the answer is not always to throw in a load more chemicals, particularly where chlorine is concerned – the ubiquitous ‘smell’ of public pools that, for some, can be extremely irritating.

To avoid overusing chemicals, a bespoke approach is best, with legionella prevention based around a specific system and how it is used. Sometimes, simply adjusting filtration or backwash settings can be extremely effective.

The key element to cutting chemicals is to monitor the

water so any treatments remain fit for purpose. Monitoring will also flag up small issues before they become big ones, allowing the root cause to be discovered and dealt with, rather than just covering up a problem.

There are also non-chemical alternatives to water treatment, such as photocatalytic water purifiers which greatly reduce bacterial levels in the water, without the use of biocides.

Where chemicals are used, by tailoring dosing to a specific system and its usage, excess dosing can be avoided – a thorough approach to water hygiene doesn’t mean throwing in the sustainability towel.

Cut the chlorine Non-chemical alternatives not only treat legionella and other pathogens, but have a knock-on effect of reducing the need for chlorine. Inspired by nature’s

own way of purifying water, a specific frequency of light and photocatalytic surfaces are used to create free radicals that break down harmful microorganisms and other pollutants in water. The amount of chlorine required can be significantly reduced; in some cases by as much as two thirds.

Water and energy savings can also be achieved. Photocatalytic water treatment is nonselective and breaks down all organic matter, resulting in reduced backwash volumes, as well as improving clarity.

Swimming pools also smell less chemically and organic odours are prevented. In most cases, the system is installed alongside the existing filtration equipment.

Leisure facilities have a duty of care to ensure visitors are safe. Water hygiene should be a priority, with the potential

consequences of a legionella outbreak devastating, costly and extremely damaging to the responsible party. ‘Safety’ doesn’t have to mean excessive chlorine, however, by taking a total approach to water hygiene – from construction through to ongoing maintenance – staff and guests will be safeguarded, their pool experience will be a more pleasant one, and, potentially, the overall efficiency of a building and how it’s maintained could be improved.

Guardian Water Treatment provides water system legionella prevention services for leisure facilities, at the construction stage as well as ongoing treatment and maintenance. Its non-chemical alternative to water treatment, Wallenius Advanced Oxidation Technology (AOT), delivers a safe, environmentallyfriendly and cost-effective option for controlling bacterial growth, minimising environmental impact by reducing chemical usage. 

 www.gwtltd.com

Non-chemical alternatives not only treat legionella and other pathogens

39

Balustrades

The feature staircase in the atrium is of timber construction, and handrails with Delta’s Sigma stainless steel finish were fixed to the polished wood

ACHIEVING SAFETY WITH STYLE Howard Cooper from Delta Balustrades discusses the balustrade design and installation considerations at the University of Wolverhampton’s new Business School. new 6000m T heBusiness School at the 2

University of Wolverhampton provides teaching facilities for a student community of around 1200 undergraduates and postgraduates.

With its huge rectangular windows and glazed side elevations, the building has been designed to maximise natural light, with a central atrium creating three voids on each of five levels. All 15 of these voids needed to be fitted with a safe and robust balustrade system that could deliver the architect’s aesthetic vision and the prestige of the new Business School while respecting budgetary constraints.

The feature staircase in the atrium is of timber construction, and handrails with Delta’s Sigma stainless steel finish were fixed to the polished wood, creating visual and textural contrast.

The ‘Mono’ system was continued through the atrium voids. A balustrade range designed to provide a minimalist aesthetic, it features a single flat baluster to which the glass infill

40

panels are attached. For this scheme, the architect wanted to develop this minimalist look still further by creating the impression of a continuous line of glass around the void. Thanks to the versatility of the Mono system and the in-house design capabilities at Delta, this was achieved.

Clear toughened laminated glass infill panels were used to help maximise natural light while providing the required loading capabilities for the circulation/congregation areas.

The glass was laminated for added protection against the risk of shattering. The panels were offset against the uprights on the void side of the atrium, with a gap of just 20mm between each panel. Looking up from the atrium, this creates the optical illusion of a single, continuous sheet of glass, while from the corridor on each level the glass panel is interrupted by the uprights but there is no visible gap between glass panels.

Designing the system in this way presented installation

challenges because the glass panels had to be installed from the void rather than the corridor at each level, which involved working at height.

The raised access floors in the atrium corridors also presented challenges. Concrete upstands had been provided along the void edge of the slab so that the Mono system uprights could be fixed to it, however, close

Project: University of Wolverhampton Location: Wolverhampton Balustrades: Delta Balustrades

coordination with the flooring contractor and site engineer was required to ensure that the system was installed at the right level on each floor. With the raised access flooring in place, the fixings for the uprights are below visible floor level, enhancing the clean, minimalist appearance of the design.

As part of best value cost management for the scheme, powder coated steel uprights were specified rather than stainless steel and this best value approach was carried through to the two back of house staircases. Here, Delta’s Orbis system was used with Sigma stainless steel, satin polished handrails and uprights.

The cost of the installation was reduced by the use of 10mm clear toughened glass, which answered the safety requirements for this area of the building because it has lower occupancy and is used for circulation only. The Delta team provided a risk assessment as part of the value engineering process for this aspect of the scheme.

The building is now occupied and operational, providing a Business School that echoes high-end corporate environments. 

 www.deltabalustrades.com

All 15 of the voids needed to be fitted with a safe and robust balustrade system that could deliver the architect’s aesthetic vision

PRO-RAILING

®

The Stainless Steel Handrail Component System

THE PERFECT FINISH FOR YOUR HANDRAIL PROJECT

TOP RAIL SYSTEMS

Subscribe free to receive

OVAL

RECTANGLE

ROUND

SQUARE

Handrail & Flooring catalogue out now offering the largest range of handrail components in the UK

Request a copy today 01708 25 35 45

prorailing@brundle.com

www.fhbrundle.co.uk

...each month, in print or direct to your inbox. Simply visit www.fca-magazine.com/subscribe

January 2016 Download the fc&a app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Search ‘fc&a’

January 16 Issue 71

www.fca-magazine.com

American white oak helps achieve seamless spatial flow

Sustainability in Development Conran and Partners completes 20 hectare regeneration in Tokyo, Japan

Greenhouse An innovative screen solution prevents residential property from overheating

Design & Desire Regional showpiece in Azerbaijan hosts the nation’s cultural programs

print | online | mobile | tablet

41

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation Kemper System will be exhibiting at this year's Ecobuild on stand B141

KEMPER SYSTEM TO EXHIBIT AT ECOBUILD 2017 Kemper System manufactures KEMPEROL liquid roofing and waterproofing systems for the long-term protection of roofs, buildings and critical structures. At Ecobuild 2017, its roofing products continue to address the question: what is sustainability?

K

emper System’s proposition at Ecobuild is all about sustainability, with KEMPEROL 2K-PUR cold-applied liquid waterproofing leading the way.

When we talk about roofing systems, their relative merits and sustainability, we need to understand what sustainability means: the capacity to endure, with the quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance.

So how do we fit the bill?

The resin 80% of the resins in KEMPEROL 2K-PUR are derived from the

42

seeds of the tropical castor plant (ricinus communis), a sustainable resource that for every kilogram of castor oil produced in place of a petroleum-based polyol, there is a reduction of nearly 3.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. A Cradle-toGate study commissioned by the Department of Energy (DOE) reported that there are essentially zero net greenhouse gas emissions from the production of castor oil. Added to that, the reinforcement fleece Kemper System uses contains a 25% recycled plastic bottle content. Kemper System is fully committed to

the conservation of natural resources and is part of the chemical industry’s unique global initiative – ‘Responsible Care’.

transport off site to become landfill. This can also have the added benefit of reducing the duration and cost of your project.

The performance None of the above would mean anything without great performance. KEMPEROL 2K-PUR is not only solvent-free and odourless, it has proven performance in use with a BBA-certified performance life in excess of 25 years. It is also inherently root-resistant, making it ideal for green roof projects.

Responsibly-sourced, environmentally-friendly in application and long term performance; produced by a company that conforms to recognised environmental standards. What more could you want from a roofing product?

You can learn more about Kemper System’s waterproofing, warm roof and green roof systems on stand B141 at this year's Ecobuild. 

The application Substrate conservation is a key element in sustainability.

When Kemper System's approved contractors carry out refurbishment work or upgrade the insulation on an existing roof, the KEMPEROL resin is usually laid directly onto the substrate or utilises the failed membrane as a vapour control layer as part of the Stratex warm roof system build-up.  www.kempersystem.co.uk This avoids the costly removal  enquiries@kempersystem.co.uk of the failed roof substrate and  01925 445532

Sika provides warm start to the school year for Loughborough primary Roofing contractor, Ice Roofing, has completed a complex upgrade ahead of programme at Robert Bakewell Primary School in Loughborough, thanks to the ease of installation of a Sika Liquid Plastics' roofing system.

Building surveyor, Make, specified a full built-up roofing system with Decothane Ultra low odour cold-applied liquid roofing

membrane as the final waterproofing layer for the scheme to address issues with the integrity of the existing waterproofing and

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

raise the building’s thermal performance to current Building Regulations standards.

The 2000m2 split-level roof had an existing mineral felt roof which had reached the end of its service life and started to leak. Further water ingress issues had been caused by the failure of existing outlet detailing.

Following a technical specification from Sika after a full site audit, Ice Roofing began the scheme by jet washing the existing surface before beginning installation.

The new warm roof system was installed as an overlay and the existing 30mm insulation on the raised area of the roof was left in situ, with a further 100mm of Decotherm PIR insulation board adhered to the surface using Sika’s Decostik adhesive.

On the lower areas of the roof where there was no existing insulation, Ice Roofing installed 120mm of Decotherm PIR insulation board, adhering it to the roof with Decostik.

Sika’s S-VAP 7000 self-adhesive vapour control and carrier membrane was then applied to the roof prior to installation of the Decothane Ultra low odour waterproofing membrane.

 gbr.liquidplastics.sika.com  liquidplastics@uk.sika.com  01772 259781

@psbjmagazine

Follow PSBJ on twitter & facebook • • • • •

receive live updates chat with the team comment on articles debate online get networking!

43

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

Rodeca cladding helps bring theatre to Redbridge College Translucent polycarbonate rainscreen panels by Rodeca were specified for a performing arts building for their transparency, light weight, ability to be back-lit and range of colours.

More than 300m2 of Rodeca’s 40mm PC 2540 wall cladding panels in Kristall and Bi-Colors Kristall/yellow and Kristall/green were used to vertically clad the first floor of

architect firm – as part of a masterplan study for the college, the performing arts centre is one of two new standalone BREEAM ‘Excellent’ buildings (the other being a teaching block) at the Chadwell Heath campus.

The Box Theatre comprises music recording studios and teaching spaces, as well as a 264seat performance space which doubles as a multipurpose hall with retractable seating for enrolment, exhibitions and gatherings.

The building is conceived as an elevated translucent box sitting on a plinth of black brickwork, mostly clad in the Rodeca coloured, translucent glazing to create a vibrant facade. This is back-lit with low-level lighting and integrated signage. The reception areas sits within a double-height foyer area, creating the new entrance and updated public face of the college.

A 15m redundant boiler chimney, which is a significant presence on the site, could not be removed so the college decided to make it a positive feature and turn it into a marker beacon. The top is clad in the same colours of Rodeca cladding, with backlit signage to advertise the college, and the brickwork has been painted dark grey to complement the other rainscreen cladding on the Box Theatre.

the £5m Box Theatre at Redbridge College in Romford, Essex.

Designed by previous Rodeca specifier, Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt – an award-winning

 www.rodeca.co.uk  sales@rodeca.co.uk  01268 531466

Fundraising goes through the roof

Roofing system sucks

Protan’s innovative vacuum system is the only single ply roofing method to harness natural air movement to provide adhesion.

The full warranty covered system optimises air movement across the roof to create suction and hold the membrane in place. Protan’s vacuum system works by loose-laying Protan membrane over an airtight, load-bearing vapour control layer, on top of a metal or concrete sealed deck, inserting the vacuum vents across the main roof area, and mechanically fixing at perimeter and penetrations. As air moves across the roof, any air between the membrane and airtight substrate below is sucked out, causing the single ply to ‘stick’ to the roof.

 www.protan.co.uk  customercare@protan.co.uk  01925 658001

44

Generous staff at Russell Roof Tiles have raised an impressive £24,000, enabling two Blood Bikes charities to buy two much-needed new motorbikes.

The two nominated Blood Bikes charities, Shropshire & Staffordshire Blood Bikes (SSBB) and Dumfries & Galloway Blood Bikes (D&GBB), became Russell’s official charity of the year for 2016. Over the past 12 months RusseIls’ fundraising activities – and its sites in Lochmaben and Burton-on-Trent – have included a sponsored weight loss, twin peaks challenge (Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike), family fun day, as well as numerous football matches, a charity golf day and a version of ‘superstars’, a 1500m run, bowling and a 20km bike ride.

 www.russellrooftiles.com  salesenquiries@russellrooftiles.com  01283 517070

VMZINC PIGMENTO colours for University Hospital Southampton MERA building A VMZINC diamond format, flat lock panel facade in PIGMENTO GREEN, BLUE and QUARTZ-ZINC has been installed on University Hospital Southampton’s main entrance and retail building. Designed by the IBI Group, a worldwide specialist in healthcare projects, this is another example of how a mix of subtle zinc colours can be used to create a visual aesthetic unlike anything in any other metal. Panels interlock on all four sides and are secured with concealed fasteners and clips that can be aligned or staggered horizontally, vertically or at an angle. As the local NHS Foundation Trust’s largest location, the hospital houses specialist services including neurosciences, oncology, pathology, cardiology and A&E.

 www.vmzinc.co.uk

 vmzinc.uk@vmzinc.com

 01992 822288

S&

S

SAFETYWORKS & Solutions Ltd ...the complete fall protection & access providers

Walkways Flexideck Walkway system is a combination of GRP and polyethylene that provides safe access for foot traffic on fragile roofs.

Ideal for installation on standing seam aluminium roofs where regular access is required for maintenance personnel.

Rooflights, protective fall guard panels.

Access across fragile roofs.

Handrails

Lifelines

Suitable for roof perimeters or the designation of access ways for both retrofit and new build projects.

Available galvanised finished or powder coated.

Easyguard Handrail system - permanent freestanding handrail.

Easyguard II - clamp-on handrail system for modern standing seam roofs.

Bespoke systems also available.

Uniline horizontal and vertical wire-based fall restraint and fall arrest lifeline systems.

Provides secure, hands-free access over high-level areas where solid barriers cannot be achieved.

Survey & Advisory Installation of new systems Annual Service & Inspection

HANDRAILS LIFELINES WALKWAYS FALL GUARDS FLEXIDECK DEMARKATION LADDERS STEELWORK

Tel: 01487 841400

www.safetyworksandsolutions.co.uk

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Mapei presents new grout colours for 2017 51 grout colours were unveiled by Mapei at Cersaie 2016. The new range of colours – called 'Set the Mood' – is divided into five collections: Serene, Traditional, Natural, Romance and Glamour, making it easier to choose the right grout according to the requirements of each tiling project.

Innovation through research and development is always at the forefront of Mapei’s philosophy; the recent additions to the Coloured Grouts range were

imaging to study and develop the Coloured Grouts portfolio.

This cutting-edge research has enabled Mapei to develop a new colour chart comprising five coloured grout collections, each with its own unique personality. With 16 different products available in 51 shades, the collections help simplify your search for the best results, ensuring complete client satisfaction.

With the latest design choices in mind, Mapei’s Kerapoxy CQ coloured grout in shade 183 Lime Green is a matching shade with Pantone’s Greenery colour, perfect for refurbishment projects and new installations alike in residential and commercial buildings. Pantone’s Colour of the Year sets the trend for 2017, Greenery is evocative of new beginnings. Mapei’s Kerapoxy CQ grout is a two-component expoxy grout, easy to apply and with excellent cleanability due to Mapei’s innovative BioBlock technology.

Whether you prefer complementing your tiles with a harmonised or a contrasting coloured grout, Mapei’s Coloured Grout collection adds a special finishing touch to any tiled surface allowing the client to personalise their space.

developed using a sophisticated 3D imaging programme. With the latest tile design trends in mind, Mapei is the first company operating in the ceramic sector using 3D

 www.mapei.co.uk  info@mapei.co.uk  0121 508 6970

Interface helps Lancaster University revamp library

Remmers triumphs with industrial flooring award Remmers has won the prestigious FeRFA Award for ‘Large Industrial Flooring Project of the Year’. The award was given for a joint submission by a manufacturer (Remmers) and contractor (IRL Group) for Project Hercules at CDS (part of the Rolls-Royce Group), Solihull. The advanced aerospace manufacturing, research and development facility has brought together two existing aging facilities into one brand-new, stateof-the-art building. Meeting challenging onsite conditions and the client’s very specific requirements for both performance and aesthetics, a total of 9500m2 of resin flooring finishes were successfully installed throughout the facility.

 www.remmers.co.uk  sales@remmers.co.uk  01293 594010

46

Interface has supported Lancaster University in the refurbishment of its existing library building. The university wanted to use materials that had a positive environmental impact and selected Interface flooring, which helped to marry the library’s two distinct buildings – while also meeting the university’s sustainability goals.

10,000m2 of Interface’s Urban Retreat 501 Skinny Planks collection was specified in a range of colourways, creating a striking design in the four-storey library. Colourways in granite, charcoal, stone and grass were used to surround a live ficas tree, giving a beautiful courtyard effect. Inspired by the principles of biophilic design, the Urban Retreat 501 range is evocative of dense woodland.

 www.interface.com

 interface.uk@interface.com

 0207 490 3960

Designer Contracts boosts West Midlands team Designer Contracts has announced two new appointments in the West Midlands region to support its continued success.

Matt Timmins has joined the region as Sales Manager and has worked for a number of blue chip organisations, including the Ford Motor Company and Tesco. Previously, Matt was employed by the Furniture Resource Centre (FRC) Group as Operations Manager and was quickly promoted to Commercial Manager. Also joining the company is Stephen Holder as Senior Contracts Manager. Stephen has extensive experience in the service sectors having previously worked for BskyB and British Gas, managing large teams of technicians and engineers.

 www.designercontracts.com  enquiries@designercontracts.com  01246 854577

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Heaven sent Effectively dividing the chapel from the newly-built school hall, partitioning expert Style has installed a stunning etched glass moveable wall system at St. Bernadette's Catholic Primary School in Milton Keynes.

To blend the operable wall with the ambience of the chapel, the Dorma Moveo glass moveable wall features colourful images and words that are appropriate to the setting. Delivering an outstanding acoustic barrier of 50dB, there is complete privacy between the two areas when the wall is in place.

St. Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School in Milton Keynes first opened its doors on 19th September 2005 and has quickly become an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ school.

Working with Architect, Richard J Diggle, and contractor, Gray & Sons Builders, Style was chosen to install this unique moveable partitioning wall between the chapel and the hall, a recent extension to the main school building.

With safety being a particular consideration with young children running around, staff can rest assured that toughened glass has been used to form the partitioning wall and, thanks to Moveo’s excellent acoustic performance, different school gatherings and activities can take place undisturbed on either side.

“It is always our aim to ensure a partitioning wall complements the interior design of the room,” said Julian Sargent,

Style’s Group Managing Director. “At St. Bernadette’s School, we have a perfect example of where we’ve provided a glazed operable wall enabling natural light to shine through when closed, yet it is styled to suit the chapel’s environment with the stunning patterned etching.”

 www.style-partitions.co.uk  sales@style-partitions.co.uk  01202 874044

Silentflor – design-led acoustic flooring from Polyflor

Polyflor is pleased to announce the launch of Silentflor PUR, a collection of heavy commercial sheet vinyl flooring with acoustic properties, available in a variety of high design wood, concrete and abstract effects. Silentflor is a robust, beautifully-designed collection that achieves 19dB impact sound reduction and has been expertly created for a wide range of commercial interiors, such as healthcare, office, education, residential, retail and leisure sectors. Made in the UK, this flooring range includes 36 stunning designs in a 3.7mm gauge and 0.65mm wear layer sheet format. The 16 Silentflor wood effect designs replicate a variety of stunning wood species and grains including oak and ash patterns, chevron design floors and limed wood effects.

 www.polyflor.com

 info@polyflor.com

 0161 767 1111

Just 48 hours from start to finish with Bradite's tough floor paint Bradite has introduced a tough, fast-drying new protective coating system for the commercial and industrial sectors that allows contractors to complete a job in just 48 hours from start to finish. Part one of the system is the high-performance, two-pack, water-based ES40 Floor Primer designed for use on interior dense, power floated, non-porous concrete, ceramic and terracotta tiled floors. Part two of the system is Bradite’s Rapid PW74 Coating and Floor Finish which, when used in combination with ES40 Floor Primer, can provide a traffic-ready floor space in just 48 hours. A single pack polyurethane coating for concrete, wood or steel floors, it provides a tough, hardwearing flexible film.

 www.bradite.com

 james@bradite.com

 01248 600315

Polyflor flooring adds urban edge to BMet High-design concrete effect safety flooring from Polyflor was recently used at BMet college in Birmingham to create a fresh look for its reception area, common room and canteen. Safety flooring from the Polysafe Arena PUR collection was installed at the further and higher education college’s Matthew Boulton campus. The Polysafe Arena range replicates on-trend stone, textile and abstract designs. Suitable for busy commercial environments where there is a high level of footfall, Polysafe Arena PUR design-led safety flooring incorporates clear aluminium oxide safety particles through the performance layer of the vinyl, which are virtually invisible to the naked eye, ensuring an attractive yet safe floor finish.

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

47

HVAC/HVP

AmbiRad delivers a lecture in heating Airbloc, part of AmbiRad – a leading developer and manufacturer of energy-efficient HVAC systems – has recently completed a project for the University of Cumbria.

The university recently benefited from a stylish new cafe building at its campus in Ambleside, which is a hub of activity providing access to services and resources at the university as well as a cafe for students and lecturers.

The entrance to the building opens up to a high ceiling cafe and continues past the reception area into a quiet working and reference environment. The problem that the university faced was finding a unit powerful enough to tackle the draughts of a westerly-facing entrance in an exposed geographical location, but suiting the artistic architecture of the building.

AmbiRad provided an Airbloc air curtain over the entrance door, along with a battery back-lit exit sign, to the new building to address the issue of draughts entering and keeping the existing heat in, no matter how often the doors are opened.

AmbiRad worked together with PK Electrical to solve the ingress issue with a range of AC-free hanging air curtains.

The unit was finished in quality brushed stainless steel, which continued the rhythm of natural metal and wood surfaces and textures across the cafe. The Airbloc unit used a 24kW coil fed from the existing LPHW wet system reducing energy running costs by providing heating to the air stream from the air curtain.

Airbloc energy-efficient air curtains have helped The University of Cumbria’s Ambleside campus by drastically reducing the ingress of outside air. This has helped to maintain the internal climate of the cafe, providing significant cost savings and has delivered vastly improved staff and student comfort.

 www.ambirad.co.uk  richard.ferguson@nortek.com  01384 489700

District Energy Town Square at Ecobuild OMNIE UFH system supplied for royal marine's accessible new home

OMNIE has donated one of its Staples pipework systems for the construction of a fully wheelchair-accessible home that has been built to accommodate a former royal marine and his family after he contracted a serious illness on overseas service and can now no longer walk. OMNIE was amongst a number of building product manufacturers to make donations, with 600m of Staples underfloor heating pipe and made-tomeasure manifold being provided to keep the entire ground floor of the twostorey property at a carefully controlled temperature. OMNIE has played key role and very kindly donated the underfloor heating system, which will help provide a consistent temperature which is critical to the homeowners’ needs.

 www.omnie.co.uk  projects@omnie.co.uk  01689 854868

48

Evinox will be exhibiting in the District Energy Town Square at Ecobuild 2017. Ecobuild is the UK’s largest event for specifiers across the built environment, from architects and developers to local Government and major infrastructure clients. Visit Evinox at stand F231 to find out more about its latest ModuSat HIU for communal and district heating schemes, which takes just 15 seconds to reach 55°C from the tap opening, providing an impressive dynamic response.

You can also pick up a copy of the company’s new ‘Guide to Metering & Billing’, a useful document for anyone involved in a communal or district heating scheme.

 www.evinoxenergy.co.uk

 info@evinoxenergy.co.uk

 01372 722277

Vent-Axia quadruple finalist in H&V News Awards 2017 Vent-Axia is delighted to announce that it has been shortlisted four times across two categories in the prestigious H&V News Awards 2017. The Sentinel Kinetic Advance Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery unit (MVHR) and the Lo-Carbon Revive have both been shortlisted in the ‘Air Movement Product of the Year’ and the ‘Domestic Ventilation Product of the Year’ category.

This four-in-a-row nomination follows a long line of award successes for the company whose products have received recognition in the HVR Awards, CIBSE Building Performance Awards, the Electrical Industry Awards and Ireland’s Energy Show 2016 in the last year alone.

 www.vent-axia.com

 info@vent-axia.com

 0844 856 0590

The all-new psbj.co.uk

Your revitalised and purpose-built portal for public sector building specification PSBJ unveils the new-look online resource for building products designed for the public sector built environment. Offering more content in an easy-to-navigate format, this refreshing, tailor-made new portal delivers the right content to the right audience in the shortest time possible.

www.psbj.co.uk Search ‘psbj’

Focus Doors && Innovation Windows

Merton tower block transformed thanks to Hazlemere Hazlemere has developed an enviable reputation as one of the UK's leading architectural aluminium suppliers. From schools and universities to office blocks and local authority buildings, the firm has demonstrated its expertise across hundreds of successful projects – and not that long ago, it completed the £2.5m renovation of Merton Civic Centre for the London Borough of Merton.

Hazlemere Commercial replaced and recycled over 2000 of the original steelframed, single-glazed windows that were deemed ‘unfit for purpose’ by an independent glass and glazing consultant. In their place, the company installed thermallyefficient Sapa Dualframe top swing, reversible windows across the entirety of the 14-storey tower building, as well as its other two-storey wings. Made with 100% recycled aluminium billet, the products not only boast outstanding thermal performance, but their reversible functionality allows them to be safely and easily cleaned.

Hazlemere Commercial cleaned the building’s exterior brickwork and mosaic tile facade in the process, upgrading the lightning conductors and external decorating. It also replaced 14,000m2 of

suspended ceiling tiles and redecorated two fire exit stairwells.

“This wasn’t just a very major project for us, but one of the most rewarding jobs we’ve done in recent years,” commented Hazlemere’s Sales Director, Tony Beale.

“When we were first called in, the building was in a bad way. It had massive potential but at the time it had been completely encased in over 400 tonnes of scaffolding after all 2000 of its existing 50-year-old windows had been ruled unfit for purpose.

Now, it’s been transformed – the scaffolding has come down, and Merton Borough Council have windows fit for the 21st century.”

Kawneer systems help regenerate a city

Intastop becomes exclusive UK supplier of Inpro

Intastop has announced that, as of February, it is to become the exclusive UK supplier of Inpro products. Inpro is a USbased global manufacturer of wall, corner, door protection and handrails designed for healthcare, leisure and commercial building industries. “We are delighted to share the news that we are to become the exclusive UK supplier of Inpro products,” said Steve Woodhead, Managing Director of Intastop.

“Inpro is a leading global supplier of products that are in synergy with our own and therefore it was a natural progression for Intastop to build our UK share of the contact markets in healthcare, education, leisure and hospitality, with the addition of Inpro into our portfolio.”

 www.intastop.com  sales@intastop.com  01302 364666

50

 www.hazlemerecommercial.co.uk  m.austin@hazlemere.co.uk  0808 231 6594

© Aedas RHWL and Avant Photo

Architectural glazing systems from Kawneer feature on a new building which was built using a hybrid of traditional and modular construction methods. Kawneer’s AA100 and AA110 curtain walling, both zone-drained but with 50 and 65mm sightlines respectively, complemented by 451PT framing with 50mm sightlines and AA540 side-hung casement windows were used on Two Smithfield, the new £15m office built as part of the first phase of Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Smithfield scheme. Associate Alasdair Mealey said: “Key items that had to be resolved were weather-proofing, thermal bridging and airtightness and the Kawneer systems met both the aesthetic and performance requirements.”

 www.kawneer.co.uk

 kuk.kawneer@alcoa.com

 01928 502500

VELUX Rewards set to benefit window installers

Roof window installers across the UK and Ireland can now claim rewards, redeemable at top brand retailers and restaurants, every time they buy any VELUX roof windows, flat roof windows and sun tunnels in 2017. To start gaining rewards, installers simply need to register with VELUX online. Using VELUX’s Rewards calculator, installers can see exactly how much they will earn for each product they buy. Richard McArthur, Marketing Manager from VELUX, said: “We’re urging installers to take advantage of the fantastic rewards available to them when buying from VELUX’s range. Kicking off 2017 with VELUX Rewards as an ongoing fixture is a great way for installers to get something back each time they choose our products.”

 www.velux.co.uk/rewards

 sales@velux.co.uk

 01592 778225

Innovation delivered Comar 10 offers a new departure; a Passivhaus-certified ‘B’ product with U-values as low as 0.66, coupled with processes that cut manufacturing costs by up to 70%. The Comar 10 window range includes inward opening, tilt and turn and fixed lights and are internally beaded and glazed. Benefits of the Comar 10 window range include: U-values as low as 0.66 W/ m2K, the range is certified by Passivhaus Institute for cool temperature areas, it is future-proof and energy-saving, has high thermal insulation with ground-breaking technology, has 90mm deep outer frames and requires minimal care and maintenance.

 www.comar-alu.co.uk  projects@parksidegroup.co.uk  0208 685 9685

Metal Technology has contributed to achieving the desired aesthetic for the flagship Leeds College of Building campus, designed by Fuse (Leeds).

The scheme utilised Metal Technology’s System 17 High Rise capped curtain walling and incorporated manual and automatic 4-20 Hi+ casement opening vents. System 5-20D Hi+ doors completed the range of products used. The Hi+ products used within this development are from the company’s high-performance [THERMAL] range. These systems combined to deliver complete design flexibility, achieving not only a very high level of thermal performance, but also exceptional structural, security and acoustic performance. All Metal Technology systems comply with the latest British Standards and are Secured by Design certified.

 www.metaltechnology.com

 sales@metaltechnology.com

Doors & Windows

Metal Technology exemplifies best practice at Leeds College of Building

 0289 448 7777

New Classic windows for thermal efficiency upgrade of 1850s primary school Classic timber windows by Mumford & Wood have been specified for an upgrade programme at Holton Saint Peter Community Primary School, Suffolk. Classic 14mm double-glazed slim profile timber box sash windows, with laminated glass, have replaced single-glazed sash windows of poor condition, aesthetically, in order to improve the appearance of the school and the thermal, acoustic and sustainability performance of the building. The target specification for the Classic windows specified for Holton Saint Peter Primary School meet a whole frame U-value of 1.7W/m²K. Made-to-order Classic windows are designed for use in period buildings where planning restrictions disallow the use of a modern 24mm cavity double-glazed window.

 www.mumfordwood.com

 sales@mumfordwood.com

 01621 818155

We offer all hinges from Grade 7 social housing to Grade 14 60kg public sector hinges . . .

General Sales: 01228 511030 Dedicated Specification Team: 01254 274176

ME

HANIC

C

240 METAL

FD30/60

10 YRS

1438 Half Page Advert for PSBJ Mag.indd 1

TM

HANIC

yr U

E

AR NTE A

G

G

U

E

yr

AL

C

AL

ME

Website: www.carlislebrass.com

AR NTE A

25 YRS

BS EN 1935

17/01/2017 15:05

51

KBB

The Aqualine range is available in a range of 36 colours, with complementing vanity units available

thick SGL, various tier and lock options available, no matter how demanding the location, Aquasafe Lockers will meet the brief.

Privacy

HOW TO GET YOUR GYM WASHROOMS IN GOOD SHAPE

The UK health and fitness industry is continuing to grow with every one in seven people now a member of a gym. For gyms and leisure centres this means competition is rife. After the membership fee, the top consideration for many is the facilities on offer, both the fitness and the changing/washroom area. rooms and C hanging washrooms should not only be functional, they also need to enhance the overall user experience. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refurbishing an existing area, getting the correct design in place and choosing the right materials is imperative to ensure happy customers and for the area to remain usable for many years to come.

Durability The durability of a changing room is a huge consideration for clients. It is important that any products used are tough, sturdy and able to withstand a great deal of wear and tear.

Amwell’s solid grade laminate (SGL) products are robust, vandal and water-resistant. The stunning Splash range in SGL is ideal for high footfall changing environments. It is versatile and has been specifically designed to perform brilliantly in either wet or dry environments. Both water and impact-resistant,

52

Splash can be used across the board for washroom, shower and changing cubicles. With matching ducting and vanity units available, Splash is an excellent all-round solution.

Functionality Ensuring that changing rooms are functional is critical.

Determining the flow of the changing area and getting the layout right is key in contributing to a positive experience. Well thought-out facilities keep your clients moving around with ease.

Design features, such as ensuring the lanes around the area are comfortably wide enough for two users and that there are enough lockers and benches, are extremely important and can make a huge difference as to whether people decide to join and return time and time again.

Manufactured from SGL, Amwell’s Aqua range has been designed specifically to satisfy the requirements of the sport

and leisure sector. Available in a range of 36 colours, Aqualine cubicles have a rigid frame construction that allows for free-standing installation, helping space to be used more effectively.

Within the Aqua range, Aquasafe Lockers and Aqua Benching are also available.

With a choice of carcass material of aluminium or 3mm-

A major consideration when determining the design of a changing room has to be the privacy of its users. It can be difficult to achieve the balance between an open, welcoming environment whilst still ensuring that the right level of privacy is available where required.

The decision between whether to have floor-to-ceiling units, offering complete privacy, or cubicles that offer ceiling-level space to enable emergency access and prevent antisocial behaviour will often depend on the profile of the user. All these points should be considered alongside ease of maintenance when embarking on the initial design process.

Amwell’s Coolite range is both stylish and versatile, allowing clients to make a clean visual statement with their design choice. With Coolite you can achieve the lightness and adaptability of glass with a contemporary, tough finish that provides a high level of privacy.

The toughened safety glass is screen printed and will not show greasy marks such as fingerprints making it easy to maintain a clean, fresh setting. 

 www.amwell-systems.com  sales@amwell-systems.com  01763 276210

Amwell's Aqualine Cubicles and Aquasafe Lockers are manufactured from solid grade laminate, designed specifically to satisfy the requirements of the sport and leisure sectors

Iconic new washrooms for contemporary office refurbishment

Washroom Washroom has drawn on its Iconica collection to deliver a bespoke office washroom design in the heart of London's old legal district.

The project by Orms Architects to refurbish 79-86 Chancery Lane, which was overseen

by Chorus Group, involved the careful restoration of the original Victorian facade and complete modernisation of the interior,

which now provides modern, BREEAMrated ‘Excellent’ office space, retail units on street level and a number of private flats. Washroom Washroom worked closely with Chorus Group to install new high-

KBB

specification washrooms and disabled facilities throughout the building.

Washroom’s full-height Alto toilet cubicle, with its rebated edges and flush front design, was chosen to provide endusers with complete privacy, helping to create a washroom more akin to a luxury leisure facility than an office. Finished in dark wood veneer, the cubicle doors feature an unusual bespoke routed finish to help make a striking impression.

Complementing the bespoke toilet cubicles, Washroom also installed its Concerto integrated duct panel system and urinal modesty screens in toughened backpainted glass. The Concerto duct panels provide a smooth, easy-to-clean surface and allow access for any future maintenance or repair.

The vanities were manufactured from natural stone in a soft grey and feature individually-shaped sinks and an integrated waste bin.

The disabled toilets, which all comply with Document M, were designed to feature all the same design elements to create a sense of cohesion between all areas of the building and ensure that the same level of luxury was delivered throughout.

 www.washroom.co.uk  sales@washroom.co.uk  0800 999 8888

Height adjustable toilet aids wheelchair transfer Transferring from a wheelchair to the toilet can be an overwhelming experience for many frail or disabled users.

The installation of the Pressalit Care height adjustable Select toilet bracket can make the world of difference, not just from a practical and safety point of view, but importantly in retaining the dignity and independence of the user.

To meet with the requirements of the British Standard, toilets installed in bathrooms used by those with disabilities should be at the same height as a standard wheelchair, to limit the risk of falls. With the ability to raise or lower the toilet however, ease of transfer can be aided even more with the assistance of gravity.

With the use of a hand-held control, the toilet pan can be adjusted to slightly below the level of the wheelchair, thus helping transfer across. To move back, simply raise the toilet back to a height slightly higher than the wheelchair.

Andrew Lowndes, UK Sales Manager for Pressalit Care, observes: “If you transfer from a wheelchair to a toilet higher than your sitting position, you would need

significant upper body strength to transfer across and pull yourself up. The risk of losing balance and falling, or the wheelchair toppling over, is also great.

“Safety is of paramount importance. The height adjustable toilet bracket provides the flexibility to position the toilet to suit the position of the wheelchair user and ease transfer in a safe and controlled way.”

The Pressalit Care Select toilet bracket, designed in a choice of contemporary colours to complement bathroom decor, features smooth lines and surfaces, with minimal slits and grooves for ease of cleaning.

 www.pressalit.com  uk@pressalit.com  0844 880 6950

53

Focus & Innovation

Long term appeal Whether ornamental or functional, showing that care and attention has been paid to the building design, decorative railings in the form of balustrades and balconies have a long pedigree.

They add a degree of glamour and distinction, but it is true to say that this persists only as long as the balustrade looks smart and well-maintained. Powdertech Corby powder coats these structures on a weekly basis and has decades of experience in selecting the right pre-treatment and finish for different environmental conditions.

A recent housing development has been designed with balustrades facing the sea, only 100m from the shore line, presenting a harsh, corrosive environment for the metal railings. Powdertech ensured that the steel balustrade was treated accordingly, first galvanised then given an

impermeable powder primer to protect the zinc conversion pre-treatment, followed by a high-quality polyester topcoat providing durability of around 20 years.

An urban regeneration scheme in Hackney presented a different issue with pre-galvanised mild steel balustrade that had been part punched and perforated. The exposed steel inside the perforations could become vulnerable to corrosion. In order to prevent this, Powdertech fully coated the perforated panels with a zinc-rich primer, to

reseal the exposed steel, before applying a high-performance powder topcoat giving a durability in excess of 30 years.

Time and money spent on balustrades and balconies should be safeguarded by investing in professional, high-quality metal finishing in order to preserve the appeal of these decorative architectural features.

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

Snickers' Next Generation product and price catalogue

Gatic chosen for City of Culture Public Realm Gatic’s surface water drainage systems Filcoten and ProSlot have been chosen for the £26m Public Realm project in Hull.

Selected as the 'City of Culture 2017', Hull’s city centre is being transformed. Filcoten is the first lightweight concrete channel drain that sets new standards in strength and environmental compatibility. Its wide range makes it an ideal choice in multipurpose areas. ProSlot is the perfect slot drain solution for pedestrian areas and shopping centres. It comes with exceptional drainage capacity, is easy and quick to install and its unique design ensures a discreet finish.

The quality of Filcoten and ProSlot made them the products of choice for such a significant project.

 www.gatic.com  info@gatic.com  01304 203545

54

This 68-page brochure is now available free to tradesmen and women who need the very best in hi-tech working clothes.

It’s got full details of the newest additions to the ALLROUND, FLEXIWork, LITEWork and RUFFWork clothing ranges and advice on how to choose working clothes that are right for your kind of work. There’s also plenty of information on all the other garments and accessories you can get for working effectively wherever you are on site and whatever trade you’re in. You’ll find quality, innovation, hi-tech fabrics and top-class functionality in every garment, the sign of a brand that knows what it takes to get a job done properly.

 www.snickersworkwear.co.uk  info@snickersworkwear.co.uk  01484 854788

London borough fits new Aico Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm The London Borough of Harrow is fitting Aico’s latest mainspowered Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm, Ei2110e, into its domestic properties. Harrow is using the Ei2110e to upgrade its properties to at least a category LD2, Grade D standard. In line with category LD2, Grade D systems, the properties will be fitted with the new Ei2110e in the main living rooms, landings and hallways, with a heat alarm in the kitchens. Further alarms will be installed on recommendation from the installers where additional risks have been highlighted. The MultiSensor Fire Alarm contains two sensor types, optical and heat, to constantly monitor smoke and heat levels, sending and receiving information via its intelligent detection software.

 www.aico.co.uk

 enquiries@aico.co.uk

 01691 664100

Creating a healthy ambience This specialist school in the south of England educates children and young people with special needs including autism and learning difficulties. Set in stunning grounds, the school has recently completed a major construction project, designed by Lee Evans Partnership, to ensure that all its buildings are suited to pupils with their wide range of neurological and developmental disorders.

One of the most important facilities is the new aqua centre. Designed to be used by all the students, one of the features of the state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool is its

extraordinary calming internal ambience created by the installation of Kalwall translucent cladding.

Insulating Kalwall was specifically chosen

Focus & Innovation

by the architects because of its unique ability to convert and diffuse daylight, as well as providing privacy. It also eliminates brightness, glare and shadows which are common with normal glass. This is particularly important as it helps students with visual problems such as hypersensitivity to light, or those affected by glare, colour contrast or brightness.

Research suggests that traditional glazing in this kind of environment can be counterproductive due to shifting patterns of daylight which can complicate the visual environment causing distress.

Unlike glass, the translucent system resists solar gain so air conditioning costs can be reduced without the need for external shading devices or internal blinds. With increased natural daylight, energy-consuming artificial lighting can be dramatically reduced. Technically, the system is highly insulating, with panel U-values as low as 0.56W/m2K. Kalwall structural panels can be used for walls, roofs and skylights and are increasingly specified for the refurbishment of cladding or rooflights in older buildings. At night when viewed externally, the panels exude a gentle and attractive glow.

 www.structura-uk.com/kalwall  kalwall@structura.co.uk  01233 501504

Lighting control for those who do and those who don't

Ideal for those who do and those who don’t switch lights off, DANLERS’ new range of PIR occupancy switches with short visit mode and courtesy exit mode can save even more energy through automatic, presencebased switching and benefits from an optional manual intervention feature. The product’s many benefits include: a manual option for short visits to reduce the light’s on time (time lag), a manual option when exiting to reduce the light’s on time (time lag), the switches always return to standard automatic mode after short visits/exit functions and are easy to install and backed with a five-year warranty as well as being made in the UK for quality, reliability and service.

 www.danlers.co.uk

 sales@danlers.co.uk

 01249 443377

Secondary school chooses refurbished building from Foremans for first sixth form Foremans Relocatable Building Systems, a member of the Portakabin Group and the UK’s largest supplier of refurbished Portakabin buildings, has handed over a purpose-designed sixth form centre at Higham Lane School in Nuneaton, following completion of a £1.6m contract. The sixth form centre has been constructed by Foremans using 52 recycled and refurbished Portakabin modules – a fast and highly sustainable building solution. The two-storey building was completed less than six months from receipt of order to be open in time for the school’s first intake of sixth form students. Cranage of the refurbished modular structure was timed for the school holidays to minimise any disruption to teaching.

 www.foremansbuildings.co.uk  info@foremansbuildings.co.uk  01964 544344

Charcon's Cycle Kerb wins top London innovation award Charcon has been crowned the winner of the ‘Innovation of the Year ­Materials’ category at the 2016 London Construction Awards, thanks to its Eco Countryside Cycle Kerb Segregation System. The judges were impressed by the bespoke hard landscaping solution that serves as a safe segregation system which, in the case of the Mayor’s Flagship Cycle Superhighway 2 (CS2), is already helping reduce the number of accidents on London’s roads. The system was developed as an alternative to the imported granite kerb configuration with concrete block paving inlay previously used, which has offered a 33% carbon footprint reduction due to being manufactured in the UK, utilising 82% recycled and secondary material content.

 www.charcon.com  landscaping@aggregate.com  01335 372222

55

Focus & Innovation

First FASERFIX BIG SLG channel run installed in UK The first run of Hauraton's FASERFIX BIG SLG channel system has been installed in the UK across an access road leading to the Tarmac Leapers Wood stone quarry in Cumbria.

The quarry access road falls steeply towards the opencast facility and rainwater running from the entrance of the quarry contained a lot of silt and was ultimately blocking up the culvert ditches on the main

road. A channel run that traversed the road was needed to catch the water and silt and divert this to a separate catchment area.

The quarry has about 40 large vehicles per day driving in and out of the facility.

Where the channel had to be located was also where the vehicles had to brake as they near the bottom of the hill.

Discussions were held and Hauraton’s FASERFIX BIG SLG 300 channel was identified as having the features required to answer the problem, having both the strength and wide catchment area needed.

Additionally, the 7m channel run had to be installed in one day. The extra thick concrete surround, already part of the channel, meant that the contractor was able to install the channel run quickly and have enough time for the road to be reopened within 24 hours.

The FASERFIX BIG SLG 300 channel component has an overall width of 588mm, is 600mm high and comes in 1m lengths. With a nominal size of 300mm, the channel has a drainage cross-section of 1020cm². Each length is made from the company’s fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) and features 6mm (nominal) thick ductile iron plates permanently moulded onto its top edges. These reinforced edges together with the ductile iron; 14mm grating, provides exceptional wear and load resistance which easily complies with EN 1433, F900.

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

Magply is the safe option for Oakworth Homes' customers

Accessibility takes off New standards in accessibility are being set for air travellers with the opening of a new facility at Bristol Airport. The new Changing Places toilet in the main terminal goes beyond basic requirements in its suitability for use by people with disabilities by offering equipment above and beyond that specified in British Standards. In addition to the extra space (3 x 4m), a height-adjustable, adult-sized changing bench and ceiling track hoist that are key to a compliant Changing Places, the airport further includes a Clos-o-Mat Palma Vita wash and dry toilet in place of a conventional peninsular WC. All the equipment was supplied by Clos-o-Mat, for install by Whitehead Building Services.

 www.clos-o-mat.com  info@clos-o-mat.com  0161 969 1199

56

A timber frame manufacturer, serving both the selfbuild and wider development sectors, includes Magply boards within its standard details and brochures to ensure its customers can be offered fail-safe fire resistance wherever the circumstances demand it. Oakworth’s range includes the choice between conventional OSB3 or Magply fire check boards for the outer sheathing to Varytherm timber frame elements. The design team accordingly recommend the use of Magply whenever the site survey and pre-contract assessment identifies specific risks to adjacent properties in the event of a fire during the construction stage. The Magply boards also offer resistance to racking loads, both as part of the completed structure and during the installation process.

 www.magply.co.uk

 sales@magply.co.uk

 01621 776252

Bury school wins first-ever Building Art competition run by Portakabin

Pupils at East Ward Community Primary School in Bury are the proud winners of the first-ever art competition run by Portakabin. Children from the after-school art club collaborated with their teacher to create eye-catching graphics which feature a unique floral design. The winning design was then developed by Portakabin into a striking finish which was applied along the facade of the classroom building that has recently been installed. Portakabin provided the new interim building to accommodate an additional year two class by extending an existing modular building. It was delivered, installed and handed over in just two weeks – a faster solution than site-based construction.

 www.portakabin.co.uk

 information@portakabin.co.uk

 0845 401 0010

Getting a kick out of Kalwall

Kalwall translucent cladding is a key feature in the recentlyrenovated British National Taekwondo Centre in Manchester. The new facility was opened in time to service the needs of British athletes training for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Now for the first time, the entire national taekwondo programme, including 130 athletes, coaches and administrators, can be carried out under the same roof. This state-of-the-art facility was designed by

AEW Architects, with Balfour Beatty as the main contractor.

One of the main attractions of specifying high-performance Kalwall is its unique influence on both the interior and its

Focus & Innovation

external appearance, particularly at night.

Internally, rooms are flooded with diffused natural daylight which creates a stimulating and healthy exercising environment which, although translucent, also offers privacy. Unlike conventional glazing, highly insulating Kalwall eliminates shadows and glare and the stark contrasts of light and shade. The system also enhances simplicity by eliminating the need for blinds, curtains or solar control. In addition, the even distribution and deep penetration of light through Kalwall means less artificial lighting is needed thereby reducing energy costs.

Kalwall is a popular choice for sports and leisure environments and is commonly installed around swimming pools and sports halls. It is an ideal solution where an even distribution of light is important so that players can distinguish markings on the floor as well as not being distracted by glare and other interference.

Kalwall is distributed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by Structura UK, a leading supplier, fabricator and installer of glass curtain walling, rainscreens, glass atria, windows and other architectural glass building products.

 www.structura-uk.com/kalwall  kalwall@structura.co.uk  01233 501504

ROCKFON brings unrivalled experience to Skibbereen

ROCKFON ceiling solutions were chosen for Skibbereen Community School, County Cork, because they either met or exceeded the acoustic requirements specified by the Department of Education. Fire safety was an important factor and ROCKFON products provide Class A1 fire resistance. Education buildings need to provide functional and pleasant spaces. Major contributors to this are light and sound. ROCKFON Artic satisfies these requirements which is why it was installed in classrooms, offices and circulation spaces. ROCKFON Tropic D concealed edge ceiling tiles were specifically chosen for the special needs unit. Acoustics are an integral part of the design for these areas. ROCKFON Tropic provides Class A sound absorption which helps create a learning environment that offers optimum speech intelligibility.

 www.rockfon.co.uk

 info@rockfon.co.uk

 0800 389 0314

A sound solution at GEMS Twickenham GEMS Twickenham Primary Academy is the proud recipient of new cushion flooring from Itec Contract Floors, with acoustic and safety products introduced for the perfect combination of design and performance underfoot. Over 700m2 of flooring was specified for installation throughout the school’s key areas. Acoustic flooring, namely Optimise 50 in its Rochas 698 design, was selected for hallway, dining room and classroom spaces, providing the necessary sound-reducing qualities in the face of heavy footfall. Meanwhile, Taxi Black safety flooring was order of the day in the bathrooms and cleaner stores, with slip resistance imperative.

 www.itecfloors.co.uk

 info@itecfloors.co.uk

 0800 032 3970

Pendock bends it with LST radiator guards Pendock has been involved with important upgrades within the Whipps Cross University Hospital in Waltham Forest, London, famous for being the birthplace of David Beckham. Refurbishment became necessary at the hospital and the trust undertook a mock CQC audit which immediately highlighted a number of uncovered and very hot radiators and piping. Pendock Ultima and Ultima Plus type radiator covers were specified, being that they afford extra safety with their bull-nose/rounded corners against injury caused by falls or trips, or even for patients who may see sharp corners as an opportunity to self-harm. All Pendock guards can be fitted with a welded, ligature-resistant mesh, which sits behind the radiator grille if required.

 www.pendock.co.uk  sales@pendock.co.uk  01952 580590

57

Focus & Innovation

Topseal Direct Lay is a seamless system that can be specified for almost any project, regardless of size or complexity

TOPSEAL LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE GRP DIRECT LAY ROOFING SYSTEM

Topseal has released Topseal Direct Lay, an innovative, new liquidapplied overlay system that is quicker and more convenient to install. has also gained T opseal BBA approval for the new GRP roofing system, which is suitable for a wide range of flat roofs, both new-builds and refurbishments. For refurbishment projects, Topseal Direct Lay can be installed without the inconvenience of removing the existing flat roof structure.

Topseal Direct Lay is a seamless system that can be specified for almost any project, regardless of size or complexity. The versatility of the system means that it can also be fitted directly onto tissuebacked insulation for a warm roof construction. Its visual appeal makes it suitable for showpiece architectural projects, whilst its leading technical performance means that it can even be used as the waterproof layer on large commercial buildings.

Allan Frizzell, Technical Manager at Topseal, said: “We responded to demand from customers for an overlay roofing system that didn’t require the removal of the existing roof and therefore made the whole process much quicker. We’re expecting a high level of interest from local authorities and social housing providers looking to

58

upgrade existing roofs as well as from specifiers in the new-build sector requiring an aesthetically appealing solution to all their flat roof problems.

“Topseal Direct Lay is a stylish, high-performance system that permanently eliminates leaking and ongoing maintenance required on older bitumen and felt flat roofs. We believe that it is the best GRP flat roofing system currently available in the UK.” The innovative roofing system can be applied directly to a range of materials including felt, asphalt,

concrete and tissue-backed insulation and all components are cold-applied, which eliminates the risks associated with the use of heat or flames during installation.

As a BBA-certified product, Topseal Direct Lay has been subjected to laboratory tests, on-site evaluations, quality management checks and rigorous inspections. Products like Topseal Direct Lay that receive BBA Agreement approval are recognised by building control, Government departments, architects, specifiers and industry

insurers. The certification is a mark of quality, safety, reliability and provides reassurance that the product is fit for purpose.

As with all Topseal systems, Topseal Direct Lay is only installed by the company’s national network of trained and approved installers. The Topseal Direct Lay is supplied with a 20-year material and workmanship guarantee. An optional guarantee protection certificate and insurance backed guarantee is available.

Suitable for both domestic and commercial work, Topseal Direct Lay ensures minimal disruption on site and reduces landfill as no removal of the pre-existing roof is necessary.

Tests have confirmed that it has low environmental impact, which makes it suitable for projects looking to achieve high sustainability targets. No new decking boards are required either, minimising the risk of water penetration into the building during installation.

Topseal Direct Lay is available in a wide range of colours and finishes, including any BS/ RAL colour topcoats, plus an anti-slip finish. The roof surface is suitable for walking on after only 12 hours, whilst its tough, impact-resistant surface is able to withstand one of the most common causes of leaks in bitumen and felt flat roof systems – impact damage from wind-blown slates. 

 www.topsealdirectlay.co.uk  info@topseal.co.uk  0800 083 1094

As a BBA-certified product, Topseal Direct Lay has been subjected to laboratory tests, on-site evaluations, quality management checks and rigorous inspections

17/3/14

12:51

Page 3

ssex Life page ad_PRINT:Layout 1

17/3/14

12:51

Page 3

www.firmanglass.com www.firmanglass.com www.firmanglass.com www.firmanglass.com www.firmanglass.com www.firmanglass.com www.firmanglass.com www.firmanglass.com

ssex Life page ad_PRINT:Layout 1

Structural Glazing Specialists Structural Glazing Specialists Structural Glazing Specialists Structural Glazing Specialists To find out more visit www.firmanglass.com Firman Glass,19 Bates Road, Harold Wood, Romford, Essex RM3 OJH To out374534 more visit Tel:find 01708 Fax:www.firmanglass.com 01708 340511 Email: sales@firmanglass.com Firman Bates Harold Wood, Romford, Essex RM3 OJH To findGlass,19 out more visitRoad, www.firmanglass.com In association with Tel: 01708 374534 Fax:Road, 01708Harold 340511 Email: sales@firmanglass.com Firman Glass,19 Bates Wood, Romford, Essex RM3 OJH Tel: 01708 374534 Fax: 01708 340511 Email: sales@firmanglass.com In association with

www.firmanglass.com

To find out more visit www.firmanglass.com

www.firmanglass.com www.firmanglass.com

In association with

Firman Glass,19 Bates Road, Harold Wood, Romford, Essex RM3 OJH Tel: 01708 374534 Fax: 01708 340511 Email: sales@firmanglass.com In association with

www.firmanglass.com

LEVATO MONO porcelain paver system The Levato Mono porcelain paver system is the pinnacle of external raised flooring technology; enabling the specification of lightweight, slip resistant and attractive raised flooring solutions, combining incredible technical properties with uncompromising aesthetics; making them the ideal choice for commercial and domestic use alike.

20mm porcelain pavers 40x80 45x90 60x60 75x75 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 and achieved up to +65 wet in the BS pendulum test Lightweight – 45kgs per m2 High load bearing and impact resistance Timber & stone effects; 40+ finishes available

www.thedecktileco.co.uk t: 0845 2700 696

e: info@thedecktileco.co.uk

Completely non porous Ideal for balconies, roof terraces and piazzas, for both commercial and residential use Fire & frost proof Height-adjustable supports from 9mm up to 550mm