18 minute read
Product Showcase
IMPROVING THE TRACEABILITY OF WINDOWS AND DOORS
Adrian Pavey, Commercial Director at Nationwide Windows and Doors, discusses how new technology can help improve the safety of fire doors.
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In recent years, there have been many things which have changed the way we manufacture and install products in the construction industry. Environmental and safety standards are constantly changing, meaning we have to be agile in the way we make our products in order to adapt. It means that we have to change not only the way we make windows and doors, but also how the processes we create help us, as an industry, improve our practices to meet the correct regulations.
The Grenfell tragedy highlighted the shocking lack of accountability and traceability that was previously seen in the construction supply chain. There is now a greater responsibility for manufacturers, construction companies and installers to meet the stringent regulations to keep everyone safe.
There are so many different components that go into the production of windows and doors which can determine how effective they perform. The glass, the hardware and even the installation, all contribute to the overall performance of the final product, and combining all these things into one product can cause complications. This is why it is so important for there to be complete transparency across the entire supply chain to ensure that everyone contributing to a window or door meets the appropriate standards.
With this in mind, we have developed Fingerprint – an app which provides complete traceability of windows and doors throughout the entire lifetime of the product. This is an app that will revolutionise the way in which construction firms operate. By simply scanning a QR code on the product, you are able to see all the certificates and standards it meets, making it easier to see if the product is as safe as possible.
This doesn’t just stop at installation though. The app will let users know exactly when it’s time to replace certain parts of the window to help you in the maintenance stage of the product.
This level of traceability is especially important with fire doors. As fire doors are a legal requirement in most buildings, Fingerprint is the perfect solution for those working in public sector construction, to ensure that they’re meeting best practice and building the safest environments possible.
There is such a huge importance on each fire door component, and everything needs to meet the right standards and be installed properly. Fingerprint is a great way of holding this to account and allows you to monitor windows and doors from manufacture all the way through to installation and aftercare, to ensure that there are no situations where something isn’t manufactured or installed properly.
Fingerprint is the perfect example of how, at Nationwide, we are embracing technology and improving communities by making windows and doors smart, helping to improve the construction industry as a whole and ensuring we all contribute to making the safest products and buildings possible.
www.nwd.co.uk 01788 224466 enquiries@nwd.co.uk
SHELFORCE LOOKING TO INCREASE FIRE DOOR MANUFACTURING CAPACITY
Birmingham window and door manufacturer Shelforce is looking to increase its capacity to cope with the demand for its Fireshel 30-minute fire-resistant door.
After launching the Fireshel into the market in 2020, sales of the door exceeded expectations last year for local authority projects in Birmingham.
From a standing start, Shelforce was manufacturing 70 fire doors a week from its headquarters in Erdington – and now projections for 2022 mean the company is set to be even busier this year.
Howard Trotter, Business Manager at Shelforce, proud winner of four awards last year, including the 2021 Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) Business of the Year, said: “With the projects we have booked in this year, plus the enquiries we are getting, we will have to increase our production capacity to cope.
“With almost 35,000 fire doors to replace in Birmingham, demand is set to remain both high and constant for local authority projects both this year and into the future.”
The Fireshel provides the perfect solution for local authorities who need fully EN-tested, third party-accredited replacement fire doorsets, which are compliant with the latest 2020 MHCLG Annex A recommendations.
Fire- and smoke-tested from both the inside and outside and PAS 024 Security tested, the doorset – complete with fanlight glazing panel – achieved 49 minutes of fire resistance when EN1634-1 tested.
The Fireshel offers the end-user assurance that all the components used in its manufacture have been tested and approved against the new 2020 Q Mark Fire and Security Composite Door Set requirements.
“The reason we launched the Fireshel was to set the standard for local authorities when it comes to fire doors, as it ticks every single fire, smoke and security box,” added Howard. “We have always prided ourselves on providing products that allow our citizens and communities to enjoy a safe and comfortable environment.”
Specified
A fully permeable and durable resin bound surfacing, brought to Hayling Island using SureSet’s 6mm Winter Gold.
For more information, please contact SureSet: 0800 612 2083 www.sureset.co.uk mail@sureset.co.uk
IDEAL HEATING LAUNCHES POD – A HEATING INTERFACE UNIT DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE UK’S ROLLOUT OF HEAT NETWORKS
A leading UK manufacturer of commercial heating solutions, Ideal Heating, has announced the launch of a new heat interface unit (HIU) designed to support the growth of energy-efficient heat networks in the UK.
Darren Finley is Chief Commercial Officer of Commercial Products at Ideal Heating
POD is a heat interface unit, designed for use in centralised heat networks, which are forecast to meet around 20% of the demand for heating and hot water in buildings by 2050.
Heat networks can be as large as a whole city or as small as a block of flats and offer the opportunity for increased efficiency and reduced emissions by generating thermal energy collectively. They can be powered by a range of heat sources such as gas boilers, heat pumps, combined heat and power (CHP) engines, biomass or waste heat from industrial or commercial processes.
The POD HIU provides a flexible solution for new-build homes, social housing and retrofitting legacy housing stock, because there is no need for flue routes or gas connections to individual properties and the building fabric can usually remain largely unchanged.
POD transfers the thermal energy from the heat network to the heating and hot water systems in dwellings and has a compact, space-saving design.
The unit comes in two models:
POD Indirect is a twin-plate appliance to provide complete separation from the heat network for both heating and hot water. Available in nominal hot water outputs of 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70kW, with 5kW for heating.
POD Direct is a single-plate appliance, enabling heat from the network directly into the heating system of a dwelling. Hot water is provided indirectly in nominal outputs of 30, 40, 50 and 60kW.
Darren Finley, Chief Commercial Officer of Commercial Products at Ideal Heating, says: “With gas boilers in new-build homes banned from 2025, forwardthinking developers are looking for energy-efficient alternatives. POD can be used in large district networks, which may cover several connected buildings, or smaller community networks, which may only incorporate a single multi-occupancy building.
“They are easy to maintain and service, and heat networks can realise lower emissions, greater efficiency and, therefore, lower bills, effectively futureproofing a development for both those running and inhabiting it.”
Heat networks are energy agnostic, so are not reliant on traditional fuel types, and will be an important element in the range of efficient heating solutions we’ll need to employ to achieve net zero.
POD gives end-users more control over their comfort and energy use than if they were connected directly to a heat network, is easy to use, efficient, compact and low maintenance.
For the developer or landlord, POD and a heat network provide a means to meet carbon-reduction targets, integrate renewable energy sources and, therefore, achieve better SAP and SBEM ratings. Ideal Heating considered the needs of contractors and installers at every stage of the product development, prioritising ease of install and servicing.
POD is compatible with Ideal Heating’s Halo Lite smart thermostat, with an easy and intuitive design featuring a backlit colour screen with large text and icons, and simple dial and button controls.
CONTOUR SET TO LAUNCH ALL-NEW SAFE HEATING PRODUCT BROCHURE
DOMUS VENTILATION ADDS TWO NEW CIBSE-ACCREDITED RESIDENTIAL VENTILATION CPD COURSES
Midlands-based supplier of safe heating products, Contour Heating, is set to launch a brand-new brochure that will provide customers with a range of new options in 2022.
Following the release of its newly-updated and revised CPD CIBSEaccredited course on ‘Residential Ventilation Principles and Building Regulations’ last year, Domus Ventilation has launched two further complimentary courses: ‘MVHR Design & Best Practice’ and ‘Pre Planning Conditions & Ventilation’.
With over 100 pages of the latest low surface temperature and anti-ligature heating products, Contour’s aim is to continue providing quality products for safer heating environments.
Manufactured in the UK from 1.5mm steel, Contour’s radiator guards come in a range of standard sizes, while bespoke options can also be designed to suit a variety of needs.
Working in close partnership with M&E consultants, healthcare design consultants, contractors and the like, the product range includes a comprehensive selection of low surface temperature and anti-ligature radiators and covers to help improve safety and hygiene standards in a range of settings.
On top of this, Contour is also launching two brand-new product ranges for 2022, both of which provide additional safe heating solutions for use in public spaces, educational environments and more. These include: Covora Lite: a cost-effective, low surface temperature radiator solution. Manufactured from a single piece of sheet metal, it has a much faster lead time than other products on the market. Sovereign: a sleek and functional low surface temperature radiator available as a freestanding heater or bench, ideal for public spaces.
‘MVHR Ventilation Design & Best Practice’ takes an in-depth look at how to design an MVHR system and best practice based on real-world ‘dos and don’ts’ examples. This detailed course covers airflow rates for different types of properties; sizing and selecting of ductwork; how to ensure the correct MVHR unit size is used and where to site it; minimising noise; and the importance of good system design for energy efficiency. Installation and commissioning are also addressed. The course includes a range of MVHR system drawings to help illustrate best practice, along with common mistakes to avoid.
‘Pre Planning Conditions & Ventilation’ focuses on ventilation strategies, why they are important and how to achieve planning compliance, as well as providing the best indoor air quality for occupants. It looks at ventilation in relation to Approved Document F (Ventilation), the new revision of Part F due this year, Part L1A, SAP Assessments and the Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide. Two real-world case studies are covered in-depth to illustrate how ventilation system design can be adapted early on in the build process to meet planning conditions.
These two new CIBSE-accredited CPD courses join the existing Domus Ventilation ‘Residential Ventilation Principles and Building Regulations’ course, which looks at the importance of ventilation in the residential new build industry, and lays clear the considerable changes to Part F – Ventilation of the Building Regulations.
THE PERFORMANCE FLOOR OF CHOICE FOR EDUCATION
Harlequin is one of world’s leading authorities on the design, manufacture, supply and installation of performance floors, mirrors and ballet barres for the performing arts.
The Harlequin product range has been carefully researched and designed in collaboration with dancers, biomechanics experts and sports scientists. Safe performance is at the heart of everything it does.
As a global brand with over 45 years’ experience in the performing arts, Harlequin is trusted by the world’s leading dance companies, dance professionals, architects and building contractors. Harlequin provides a turnkey solution for all education dance studio requirements with offices in Europe, the Americas and Asia. All products are referenced on RIBA NBS Source.
Harlequin Activity is Harlequin’s leading sprung floor for dance in education. A ‘fully-floating’ sprung floor system without fixings to the subfloor, it features Harlequin’s proprietary ‘triple sandwich’ construction method.
Harlequin Activity provides shock-dampening to avoid a ‘trampoline’ effect, plus area elasticity to ensure identical characteristics across the whole floor, offering better protection from injuries for both teachers and performers.
The educator’s choice of vinyl performance top surface with Harlequin Activity is Harlequin Cascade with BioCote. Harlequin Cascade is the ultimate heavy-duty vinyl dance floor, with mineral fibre reinforcement for stability and durability.
Harlequin has now produced a new, improved Cascade with BioCote antimicrobial protection. It is the Harlequin Cascade that you know and love but with an added ingredient with proven antibacterial properties that helps keep the floor hygienically clean, so reducing the risk of cross contamination by working constantly to reduce the presence of microbes on the surface of the flooring.
Morrison Construction has awarded a £1.8m furniture and fit-out contract to Deanestor for a new £60m multischool campus in West Lothian. The project is Deanestor’s 12th contract for Morrison. Deanestor will fit-out over 340 rooms across the campus, manufacturing bespoke furniture in a light maple wood finish. The contract includes the provision of over 300 base cabinets, 940m of white laminate worktops, over 1km of adjustable shelving, 16 teaching walls, 215 resource storage units, as well as write-on teaching aids, shoebox storage units and wall cupboards.
HYGIENE’S IN HAND WITH KNIGHTSBRIDGE ANTI-BACTERIAL ACCESSORIES
At a time when there’s enhanced awareness of personal and environmental hygiene, whether in the home or in the workplace, it’s reassuring to know that the moulded range of products from Knightsbridge – one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of wiring devices, accessories and lighting – possesses inherent anti-bacterial properties that can help in the fight against disease and infection. The Knightsbridge moulded range is produced using Urea Formaldehyde, a high-grade thermoset material, which has properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria. In addition, Knightsbridge’s precision manufacturing methods result in fine, scratch-free faces – avoiding dirt traps in which harmful microscopic organisms might lodge.
www.mlaccessories.co.uk 01582 887760
MARMOX THERMOBLOCK TO FIGHT COLD BRIDGING AT FUTUREBUILD 2022
Fully in step with the sustainable construction goals of Futurebuild, Marmox will be exhibiting its well-proven and versatile Thermoblocks on stand K10 from 1st to 3rd March. The easy-to-install product is widely used to tackle the issue of cold bridging around the floor/wall junction at the base of perimeter and internal walls, beneath both masonry and timber frame constructions, while it also finds applications at intermediate floor levels, beneath parapet walls and even in the construction of swimming pool surrounds. Marmox’s technical sales team will be on hand to explain how specifying Thermoblocks can avoid having to adopt the punishing default value under SAP and, therefore, help achieve Part L compliance in a practical and economic manner.
DEANESTOR WINS 12TH FIT-OUT CONTRACT FOR MORRISON
NEW STONE FINISHES FOR HÖRMANN SECURITY BOLLARDS TNI ROOFING SYSTEMS BRIDGE THE GAP
The extensive range of fixed and automatic security bollards supplied by Hörmann UK has been enhanced with the introduction of new stone finishes, providing designers with the opportunity to creatively integrate hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) security equipment with existing street scenes. For bollards of 275mm in diameter, with heights of 600 or 800mm, three granite finishes have been launched – two rough and one polished, with other stone surfaces available on request. Hörmann has also developed the capability to create custom-made finishes. In a recent installation, Hörmann worked in close collaboration with the city of Milan authorities, with customised bollards specified to replace the old, fixed concrete barriers at the entrance to the city center. This included the installation of matching automatic, retractable bollards, providing access for emergency and other authorised vehicles. Designed to complement the appearance of the existing surfaces and buildings, Hörmann security bollards were supplied featuring a cladding of light stone. In addition, an individuallyengraved top plate was produced showing a map of the city centre.
www.hormann.co.uk 01530 516868
Flat roof waterproofing systems by TN International (TNi) were specified for a primary school refurbishment because they excelled in two key areas – technical support and value for money. TNi’s Börner Hybrid Warm Roof System, including LogicPIR insulation, was used on the reroof of North Leigh Church of England Primary School Academy in Witney, Oxfordshire, during the summer term (2021). Specialist sub-contractor and TNi-approved roofing contractor Midland Felt Roofing was on site for 10 weeks, installing the TN30 Hybrid System incorporating Safe2Torch detailing, while the 190-pupil academy, a member of the Oxfordshire Diocesan Schools Trust, was operational during the works. At North Leigh school, a total of 400m2 of TNi’s high-performance bituminous waterproofing was installed. The specification also called for the existing insulation to be upgraded with TNi LogicPIR insulation to comply with current U-values and for the existing fragile rooflights to be replaced with new TNi rooflights which conform to the latest standards and regulations.
Making Schools Safer Making Schools Safer Making Schools Safer
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£92M STUDENT ACCOMMODATION PROJECT RECEIVES ADVANCED PROTECTION
Five new towers at the University of Brighton’s Moulsecoomb Campus are now protected by a fault-tolerant network of MxPro 5 fire panels from global fire systems specialist, Advanced.
The 13 networked MxPro 5 panels have been installed to protect the five student accommodation towers varying between eight and 18 storeys, which will provide more than 800 student bedrooms as well as ground-floor fitness facilities and amenities for the students’ union.
Responsible for the fire system design, supply and commissioning was West Sussex-based Southern Fire Alarms (SFA), which also installed the equipment alongside mechanical and electrical engineer, J&B Hopkins. The fire system is integrated with multiple third-party interfaces, including automatic opening vents (AOVs), sprinklers and access control.
Careful consideration was given to the complex cause-and-effect programming that needed to be applied across the site. Each building is configured with a six-minute investigation period, with sounders on the floor of origin initiated after a single device activation. A single subsequent device activation will escalate into full evacuation of the specific tower. A master key switch has also been introduced, to allow for full evacuation of all towers if required.
David Fell, Sales Director at SFA, said: “Advanced’s solutions were SFA’s first choice for this largescale installation. We rely on Advanced products to deliver powerful cause and effect that can be easily programmed and maintained, carrying all the required inputs and outputs for third-party systems. This, in turn, ensures the safety of the hundreds of students who will be living on site.”
PREMIER MODULAR AWARDED ITS LARGEST OFFSITE HEALTHCARE PROJECT TO DATE
Premier Modular, one of the UK’s leading offsite specialists, has been awarded a £21m contract to construct a new outpatient services building at King’s College Hospital in London. The 3450m2, fourstorey scheme is Premier’s largest single healthcare project in its 65year history. Constructed off site, this large-scale building will allow the trust to free up space within the main hospital to help reduce waiting times and improve the patient experience for urgent care services. The new outpatient services building at King’s College Hospital will provide 48 purpose-designed consultation rooms and eight procedure rooms for a range of services, including dermatology, rheumatology, respiratory, neurosciences, pain management and urology, as well as other aspects of surgery and therapies.
KNIGHTSBRIDGE SHOWS THE WAY OUT WITH LED DOWNLIGHT
Knightsbridge – one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of wiring devices, accessories and lighting – has launched an LED emergency downlight, ideal for illuminating exit routes in corridors and other spaces in the event of fire, power outages or other crises. This non-maintained, 230V, 3W LED emergency downlight has an output of 120lm and a colour temperature of 6000K (Daylight). Its beam angle of 30° puts the light where it’s needed, and the powerful Lithium-ion battery ensures it far exceeds the requirements of emergency lighting regulations. The Knightsbridge LED Emergency Downlight – product code EMPOWER3 – provides an accessible, cost-effective and long-lasting emergency option for exit lighting applications and, finally, carries a three-year warranty for complete peace of mind.
MAGPLY FEATURES IN FIRE-FIGHTING ROLE AT SKY STUDIOS ELSTREE
Magply boards are being used as part of Sky’s efforts to create the world’s most sustainable film and TV Studios, Sky Studios Elstree. Currently under construction by main contractor BAM and set to open in 2022, the build has recently included the use of 9mm-thick Magply boards as part of a flat roof build-up specified for the product’s proven fire-protection capabilities and all-round performance benefits. The work on the new production buildings is being carried out by London-based waterproofing specialist, Guaranteed Asphalt, which is installing its BBA Agrement-certified hot-melt flat roofing system over a reinforced concrete deck with the Magply boards being used to protect the mineral wool insulation.
www.magply.co.uk 01621 776252 philip@magply.co.uk
