PSBJ March 2015

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March 2015

Passivhaus protection Archive collection rehomed in controlled environment

Future of medical care –

Making music –

A rise in demand –

pioneering healthcare scheme pushes the boundaries

IAC Acoustics reveals the suite sounds of success

new academy extension shows its colours

New year, new classroom?

Rising pupil numbers mean many schools face a classroom shortfall putting pressure on them to provide more space quickly and economically.

Modular buildings from Wernick provide a modern, spacious, energy efficient environment for pupils and staff. What’s more, while the building is being manufactured, the foundation is being prepared on-site. This makes it possible for us to deliver a building of exceptional quality very quickly and with a saving of up to 50% when compared to a traditional building.

Modular buildings can be sited where space is limited and can be multi-storey.

They can form permanent buildings with traditional features such as a brick finish and a pitched roof or temporary so that if your student numbers fall in the future the building can be relocated.

Why Wernick Modular Buildings?

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Speedy completion Lower cost than traditional build More dependable build programme 25 year structural warranty Planning and building regulation service Full project management Sustainable form of building Choice of traditional or contemporary finishes HIRE and LEASE options available

Sustainable construction without compromise For additional information visit www.wernick.co.uk/education

0800 18 18 22

Editor

Hannah Frackiewicz hannah@mixedmediainfo.com

Print & Digital Advertising Sam Ball sam@mixedmediainfo.com

Steve Gull steve@mixedmediainfo.com

Studio Manager

Chris Lilly chris@mixedmediainfo.com

Herefordshire’s new Archive and Record Centre (HARC) is the first archive facility in the UK to be designed and constructed to the Passivhaus standard. See page 8.

Production

Jack Witcomb jack@mixedmediainfo.com

Artworker/Sub-editor

David Perry david@mixedmediainfo.com

Accounts

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Managing Director

Sam Ball sam@mixedmediainfo.com

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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

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Welcome...

In this month’s edition of PSBJ, we explore the theme of building for the future. With technology developing and our population increasing at a rapid rate, it is becoming ever more apparent that the country’s existing building stock does not adequately meet our needs and demands. With this in mind, we are noticing more and more projects coming to the fore looking beyond what we might regard as a ‘long-term’ solution.

On page 14, PSBJ profiles the striking housing development by Patel Taylor. Particularly suited to the needs of the over 65s community, these properties are special as they have been built with the residents’ future needs in mind. Not only do they cater for wheelchair access, the homes surround a communal garden and courtyard offering a real sense of place and ownership.

Meanwhile on page 28, Ramboll explains its concept for a pioneering new hospital in Denmark. A key component outlined in the project’s design brief was the need for “creativity and innovation”, directing architects and engineers to “build for the future” and consider how our healthcare needs may be orientated in 50 years’ time. In this article, Ramboll highlights how the building’s design more than accommodates the future of medical treatment.

Elsewhere in this issue, you will find dedicated features on Doors & Windows, Fire Protection, Acoustics, Shelter & Shading, and Facades, as well as our regular focus on the four key areas of the public sector build market – Healthcare, Housing, Leisure and Education.

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

Hannah Frackiewicz

Hannah Frackiewicz | Editor | hannah@mixedmediainfo.com Follow us on Twitter: @psbjmagazine Download the PSBJ app for iPhone, iPad & Android Search 'PSBJ'

Public Sector Build Journal 3

Contents 14 08 06 News A round up of the latest industry news including charity events, awarded contracts and show partnerships.

08 Upfront PSBJ profiles Herefordshire’s new Archive and Record Centre, the first archive facility in the UK to be designed and constructed to Passivhaus standard.

14 Housing

20 Legal & Business

26 Education

Patel Taylor develops a housing typology particularly suited to the needs of the over 65s community on two vacant sites within the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

Change is needed to improve electrical safety in the home says NAPIT Trade Association, following the release of a new report published by ESR.

With the help of Surgo Construction, Trinity Academy, Doncaster, has recently expanded its facilities to meet the anticipated rise in student numbers.

16 Technical Focus

22 Doors & Windows

28 Healthcare

In this month’s Technical Focus, Monodraught’s Cool-phase ‘science’ improves the student environment in Bournemouth University laboratory.

Intastop has launched the unique SECURA Hinge a full-length continuous geared hinge that provides improved safety for applications such as healthcare environments.

Delivering environments that can respond to change and improve patient well-being are all goals which Ramboll UK have been exploring through their work on a new hospital project.

18 Talking Point

25 Aluminium Systems

32 Lesiure

There is no disguising that local authorities are struggling to achieve both quantity and quality on their built environment projects. Chief Executive of Scape Group explains more.

Aluminium systems for windows, doors and facades are now already being fitted for the first time with thermal insulating bars made of recycled polyamide.

Chanctonbury Sport and Leisure Centre has recently seen a £740,000 overhaul to ensure it is fresh, modern and appropriately rejuvenated for its members.

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 Public Sector Build Journal

www.psbj.co.uk

18

26

28

34 Doors & Windows

40 Canopies, Shelter & Shading

Mark Stonelake, Technical Manager at Samuel Heath, the architectural door furniture specialist, explains why there’s more to door closers than performance.

The Redcar & Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart, which utilises Eltherington’s purposemade solar shading fins, brings an exciting and vibrant new facility to the borough.

37 Fire Protection

42 Facades

Taff Housing Association, a not-for-profit, community-based association in Cardiff, has used the latest developments in smoke alarm systems to improve the level of fire safety.

VIVIX by Formica Group exterior facade panels have been used for the external wall cladding of St. James’s hospital in Dublin.

38 Acoustics

44 Product Showcase

IAC Acoustics has now completed its most recent build at The College of West Anglia – the ‘Creative Studios’ music production suite.

A dedicated focus of industry news, products and case studies to help architects and specifiers make informed choices when planning.

40

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

Public Sector Build Journal 5

News

Nursing and dementia facility gets underway A revolutionary health and care complex in the heart of Bournville in Birmingham has moved one step closer as work has started on the second phase of the development – a new 80-bed nursing and dementia care facility.

Designed by Bournville Architects, the £5.3m facility will form one of four buildings within the Bournville Care Village.

Created to meet the demand for high specification living accommodation within the heart of Birmingham, the development is one of the first in the UK to bring together different care elements within a specifically designed care village.

Delivered by Gracewell Healthcare, the dementia care facility will be built next to a 212-bed state-of-the-art extracare scheme, a 35-bed passive housing apartment scheme for individuals with learning difficulties and a health and well-being centre. The development is expected to be fully complete early 2016.

Shortlisted designs for Bristol Arena revealed Five shortlisted designs for the £90m Bristol Arena have been revealed following a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) International Design Competition.

The five entries for the 12,000 capacity indoor entertainment venue will go on display to the public and local residents and businesses are being asked for their comments.

The design teams, all with experience of delivering major venues in the UK or overseas, are: Grimshaw – Architects of the Eden project (with MANICA Architecture, Thornton Tomasetti, M-E Engineers and Neil Woodger Acoustics) IDOM – Designers of the Bilbao Arena (in collaboration with Foreman Roberts and Nagata Acoustics) Populous – Architects for the London

6 Public Sector Build Journal

Olympic Stadium (with Feilden Clegg Bradley, Buro Happold and Vanguardia) White Arkitekter – Architects for Kiruna City Plan, Sweden (with Arup and Sandy Brown Acoustic Consultant) Wilkinson Eyre – Architects for Liverpool Arena (with Arup) A successful design team will be announced this month. The Bristol Arena is due to open towards the end of 2017 and will be located close to Bristol Temple Meads station in the Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone.

Willmott Dixon to fund school improvements Willmott Dixon has followed up its recent deal to cross-fund Brentford FC’s new stadium by developing 1000 homes with a similar arrangement that will allow a Hertfordshire school to build much needed new facilities.

The company was chosen by Cornerstone for a deal with The Cheshunt School to cross-fund a range of enhancements by developing 88 homes within the school site in Broxbourne. The homes will be created by Prime Place, Willmott Dixon’s private sale brand, and provide a mix of apartments and a range of family homes of up to four bedrooms.

Proceeds raised by the housing development will be used to enhance the school with modern facilities such as a new technology block providing better accommodation to teach science, design & technology, creative arts and ICT. The school will also have a remodelled main classroom block to create a new entrance lobby, staircases and new circulation route, plus an updated admin block to link with the new technology facility.

The additional scope includes improving the sports fields with new changing facilities, while a second phase will see the provision of a new school and community sports hall with dedicated entrance and parking.

Preferred bidder appointed for resident project Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, announces today that it has been appointed preferred bidder for the University of Sussex’s East Slope Residences project. In partnership, alongside the University, Balfour Beatty will design, build, finance and operate the project under a 50 year contract.

Subject to planning approval, the project will replace an existing 600 bed facility on the University’s campus with a new living space comprising 2000 new bedrooms in a range of formats including townhouses and some with ensuite facilities. It will also incorporate innovative student amenities such as social hubs and new student union facilities. Construction is anticipated to start in 2016, and would be delivered by Balfour Beatty’s UK construction services business.

Balfour Beatty’s investment business has achieved considerable success in the student accommodation market, developing a portfolio of 15 projects (including those currently at preferred bidder), across the UK, US and Australia.

Designs for state-ofthe-art sports centre unveiled The designs of a new £10m state-of-theart sports centre under construction at the prestigious Latymer Upper School, in Hammersmith, West London, have been unveiled.

A new six-lane swimming pool with a floating floor, to enable training in faster conditions as well as teaching and community use, is being built alongside the refurbished sports hall. The sports hall will boast a fitness gym and three large multi-purpose studios.

Ian Wilson, partner at FaulknerBrowns Architects, said: “Sport and fitness is at

News the heart of the school and it’s great to be the firm behind the creation of a new visual landmark which will help raise the profile of the school and its offering. The building is in a very prominent position visible from the A4, so the image was a significant consideration throughout the design process.

“Due to the nature of activities that take place in sports buildings, they often comprise large spaces. Special consideration was needed in terms of scale and massing so that the sports centre does not appear out of context in such an urban area. The planning process was complex and involved extensive consultation. We look forward to seeing it unveiled in time for the new term this September.”

Royal appointee opens new £5m school build Mrs Abila Pointing MBE DL, the High Sheriff of Merseyside, officially opened a multi-million pound redevelopment at Merchant Taylors’ Primary School, Stanfield.

The two year, two-phase project undertaken by Eric Wright Construction, a division of the Eric Wright Group, completed in December 2014 and is the second major build project at Merchant Taylors’ Schools in Liverpool in the last five years.

It also forms part of a 10 year development strategy, the next stage of which is already in planning.

The multi-phase construction programme, the launch of which was marked by an official steel signing ceremony in 2013 by Liverpool Captain, Steven Gerrard, delivered pioneering education facilities for its 360 students.

It includes a suite of purpose-built classrooms and specialist teaching rooms, a new dining hall, kitchen, library and fully-equipped medical rooms as well as additional office space and an impressive new glass fronted reception area.

Designed by architects Saunders Bell, the project also included partial demolition of the school’s former prefabricated and

somewhat dilapidated buildings. A new horizontal extension also links the new facilities to the school’s remaining buildings some of which have also been refurbished.

about the brightest and newest ideas from up and coming businesses in the low carbon sector.

The Eco Technology Show 2015 is packed full of free keynotes, panels, talks and networking opportunities; spread across three seminar areas, five meeting rooms and a communications hub where visitors can get free advice from experts.

Eco Technology Show Director Nicola Gunstone says: “The Eco Technology Show is all about providing an opportunity to meet with the experts and see all the latest products and services under one roof.”

Rail funding green light signals bright future for town Kent’s fast-expanding town of Ashford is celebrating the news that funding will be invested into signalling at Ashford International Station as part of the Growth Deal announced by the Government.

The South East Local Enterprise Partnership has agreed an expansion to its Growth Deal with the Government which will see an extra £46.1m invested in the area between 2016 and 2021. This is in addition to the £442.2m of funding committed by the Government in July 2014. Over the lifetime of its Deal (20152021) the LEP estimates that up to 45,000 jobs could be created, 23,000 homes built and that it has the potential to generate £700m public and private investment.

For Ashford it means £2m will be invested in ensuring that the signalling at the entrance and exit of Ashford International Station is upgraded so that future international trains can access and stop at the station, potentially securing 2000 jobs.

Tower Hamlets to transform Whitechapel hospital Tower Hamlets Council has announced its purchase of the old Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.

The historic, grade II listed building, which was the site of hundreds of years of medical history, will be transformed into a civic hub for the people of Tower Hamlets.

The old Royal London Hospital was sold to the council for £9m. The council is currently drawing up plans for the civic hub ensuring the heritage of the site is retained.

With more people working in and around Whitechapel, it is hoped the hub will act as a huge economic boost for the area, and be a catalyst for regeneration.

The new civic centre will be funded through efficiencies made by the council, and just one of a number of changes that will be taking place in Whitechapel over the coming years.

The Whitechapel Vision plans, developed with BDP, were launched in March 2014. They have generated a lot of support and excitement from residents and businesses, along with strategic partners involved in the delivery of this project. They were also commended at the national Planning Awards in November 2014.

Eco Technology Show returns this June Brighton’s Eco Technology Show is back again on 11-12th June and moving to the American Express Stadium to accommodate rising visitor numbers. For local authorities, it will demonstrate how embracing innovation in technology and low carbon solutions can help slash running costs and reduce their carbon footprints.

One of the show’s main features this year is the new Innovation Zone. A showcase of innovative products and solutions in low carbon and environmental technologies, where visitors can learn

Public Sector Build Journal 7

Upfront Each aspect of the building has been made visible for the natural surveillance of the surrounding access roads

Although the first archival facility to be built to Passivhaus in the UK, this rigorous building standard was a standout choice for the Centre, complementing many of the stipulations stated by the new guidelines. Designed for the future, HARC offers long term sustainability, not only with its flexible internal plan, but in the radically reduced operational costs which are estimated at around 80% less then a like for like centre built to UK Building Regulations.

Rethinking history

All images © Dennis Gilbert/VIEW

Optimised for purpose

Herefordshire’s new Archive and Record Centre (HARC) is the first archive facility in the UK to be designed and constructed to the Passivhaus standard, as well as the first built to the new guidance for the storage and exhibition of archival materials, PD5454, as released by the UK Government in March 2012.

P

lanning was sought to re-house Herefordshire’s extensive archive collection after current facilities were in need of extensive and costly repairs beyond the economical benefits of the investment. Instead, a new facility with efficient energy performance offered Herefordshire Council a better and safer return on their capital investment. The assessment of the existing accommodation was brought to light in 2011, when the Council embarked on an intensive restoration project where over 100,000 documents were checked, with more than half requiring delicate cleaning, including some treasured items dating as far back as the 12th Century.

Taking the requirements of the

8 Public Sector Build Journal

brief beyond client expectation, lead architects, Architype designed a dynamic building that offered an innovative, simple solution to the complex nature of archiving. Joining with contractors Kiers Construction, the team set about applying the new PD5454 recommendations in delivering this state-of-the-art modern facility. This new benchmark is a major upgrade on the previously stipulated conditions for archive storage, recognising passive principles and the control of light, air tightness and exchange.

In terms of civic buildings, the finished centre is exemplary. The client has been bold in placing function at the fore, letting the aesthetics be a product of the  building’s usability.

Passivhaus has given control of the environment back to users; the airtight building is a thermally isolated and environmentally controlled internal space that has been tuned and optimised for the specific purpose of archiving, achieved through high levels of insulation and airtight seals that protect the interior from outside variables.

Additionally, in the public and professional zones of the building, the standard has allowed for high internal air quality, offering a number of comfort and health benefits. Here polluted air from human consumption is exchanged for clean, temperature controlled fresh air that is free of moisture and bacteria. Naturally occurring heat from people and equipment is recovered and used in maintaining a constant internal temperature, regardless of the temperature outside. The need for artificial heat and light is minimised and users benefit enormously from ideal conditions for focused work or study, as well as significant health benefits.

The building is flooded by light from the dramatic skylights



Upfront

The simple forms of the building are the perfect showcase for the carefully selected material palette

The building is split into two distinct masses; the set back repository, a monolithic concrete building, connected via a multiuse buffer-zone to the administrative and services environment, a timber frame airtight structure.

The architectural language

The spectacular external facade is amass with vertical cedar shingle cladding

10 Public Sector Build Journal

A preferred construction method for Architype, the front-facing, three-storey timber frame structure and glulams, sets the natural material precedent for this light and airy space, which houses offices, education suites, restoration labs and research rooms, offering an honest and

simple aesthetic.

The ‘buffer zone’ joining the two buildings has been articulated into a striking entrance foyer and reception, offering views up and through the building. Flooded by light from the dramatic skylights, this impressive welcome area/exhibition space is a leading and memorable threshold to this dynamic facility.

The connected unperforated concrete box-form serves the bold windowless repository, housing over 7800 collections and approximately two miles of integral shelving over three colour-coded

Upfront

Timber, lime render and aluminium sheet make for a fresh, clean and modest aesthetic

floors. The spectacular external facade is amass with vertical cedar shingle cladding, softening the opposing edges of this dominant form with all natural texture and pattern. Silvering over time, this attractive material choice is a contemporary addition to Herefordshire’s rich timber clad vernacular, reconnecting the industrial Rotherwas suburb with the surrounding countryside.

As the gateway building to the Hereford Enterprise Zone, it was important that the proposal was worthy of its prominent corner location, impressing on the busy adjacent road and inspiring a standard and material influence for future expansion of the zone.

The simple forms of the building are the perfect showcase for the carefully selected material palette, specified for quality, environmental impact and relationship with the surrounding landscape. Timber, lime render and aluminium sheet make for a fresh, clean and modest aesthetic, reflecting the designer’s and client’s key aspirations

to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere with an air of frugal quality without ostentation. Completed in a choice of low-maintenance ecological finishes, the outcome is a healthy toxinfree, low-carbon environment that complements the wider design concept.



Rethinking secure environments Achieving a warm and welcoming presence to users was coupled with the need to provide an extra secure environment for the county’s priceless archive collection. Architype teamed up with landscape architects, Churchman’s Landscape Architects to develop a design that utilises the immediate landscape as a natural security measure.

Each aspect of the building has been made visible for the natural surveillance of the surrounding access roads.

Strategically places swales, primarily serving as a water drainage system edge the front facing building, isolating its  potential entrance points during

Designed for the future, HARC offers long term sustainability

Public Sector Build Journal 11

Upfront out of hours. These simple but effective solutions enable the building to remain approachable as a gateway building to the public, whist protecting the valuable collection within.

Inclusive design The new centre unites for the first time the council archive service; county archaeology service, historic environment record, and the biological records centre within one building for easy and efficient access. Offering a range of social and community outreach programmes, a dedicated educational room, public research room and improved public facilities; the building has been designed not only for the specific purpose of archiving, but as a central and inclusive service for the county, for a range of local needs.

Architype’s unique solutions and inclusive design of HARC hopes to set a precedent for archive facilities in the UK, preserving our histories for future generations and promoting investigation and research that can be easily accessed in a comfortable, secure environment.

As well as influencing the niche archive sector, the high levels of quality and sustainable, flexible design seek to inspire the future of civic buildings in the main, rethinking the needs of current and prospective users.

As Architype’s fifth major Passivhaus build, HARC is born from an everdeveloping Passivhaus understanding by the practice, benefitting from the lessons learned in their celebrated educational portfolio. Continuous research initiatives and an intensive focus on improving energy efficiency whilst refining their eloquent architectural language, Architype is now diversifying their Passivhaus portfolio on a number of public and private sector projects of substantial scale.

HARC has been a stand-out success in the application of Passivhaus in a unique and very specific building use, proving the standard as the ideal solution for a farreaching range of purposes.

From a Passivhaus church and eagerly anticipated affordable housing development, to the University of East Anglia’s Enterprise Centre, the varied and continuing line of work is a testament to the practices reinforced and the UK’s growing belief in the standard, attracting supportive and enthused clients from across the board. 

The airtight building is a thermally isolated and environmentally controlled internal space

This new benchmark is a major upgrade on the previously stipulated conditions for archive storage

12 Public Sector Build Journal

 www.architype.co.uk

Housing

Inclusive dwellings In August 2012, Patel Taylor was commissioned by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham to develop a housing typology particularly suited to the needs of the over 65s community on two vacant sites within the Borough. The brief was to design one and two bedroom houses that should be affordable whilst being owned and managed by the Borough.

M

arcia Kirlew of London Borough of Barking and Dagenham explains: “All of the new homes were required to be fully wheelchair accessible and designed to meet the specific requirements of the future residents. The developments were designed to comply with current national and local Planning Policy Guidance, including the Local Development Framework, HCA Design Quality Standards, Lifetime Homes, Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 and with the stipulation that 25% of energy was to be provided by renewable sources. As some of the first capital funded Local Authority elderly persons housing being built for a generation, it is critical that the developments set a high benchmark for future housing within the Borough.

“All the residents of the new development have downsized from a larger property, in some cases the occupants are moving after 40 years or more. A number of tenants have given three or four bedroom houses back to the council, and in some cases these properties have undergone adaptions.

14 Public Sector Build Journal

“The releasing of these properties back to the council means that different sectors of our community – the elderly, residents requiring family housing and those residents who are in need of an adapted property – may all be catered for since the construction of these houses.

“These properties are special as they have been built with the residents’ future needs in mind. Should they, at a later stage in their lives need to use a wheelchair, the resident will not need

The courtyards are typically south-facing and are punctured by a timber gate and trellis

to leave their present home as it can cater for the use of a wheelchair within the property. As all properties are fully accessible, this will allow the resident to have full use of their home. This will give them a better quality of family life for the entire tenancy of the property.”

The design intent was derived by studying the rich tradition of housing for the elderly and the English Almshouse.

The key elements of this traditional housing type were applied to create a development that had a rich architectural character whilst meeting the needs of the elderly today.

There are two key components of classical Almshouses. Firstly, the housing surrounds a communal garden or landscaped courtyard. These landscaped courtyards are simple areas of lawn and

Housing

Adopting the conventional Almshouse layout, a communal landscape garden was proposed

mature specimen trees. Secondly, the architecture is of an intimate human scale.

The dwellings are typically only one or two storeys and are given a personal scale by the window fenestration at ground floor level, forming a connection to the communal spaces.

Sense of place Adopting the conventional Almshouse layout, a communal landscape garden was proposed, that forms the heart of the site and is surrounded by mostly single storey accommodation, creating a sense of community and encouraging in the residents a sense of ownership over the public.

As a manifestation of Placemaking, the configuration of the development seeks to bring a sense of place to an area otherwise lost in urban anonymity. The

These properties are special as they have been built with the residents’ future needs in mind

landscape design integrates high quality materials and small scale planting of an intimate measure to soften the boundaries between the communal and private gardens. In extracting the key architectural components of the Almshouse model, Patel Taylor developed a housing typology that interpreted their traditional character in a contemporary manner, whilst responding to the client’s brief. The houses were designed to be small in both mass and dimensions, and the L-shaped plan provided accommodation around a small private courtyard. The courtyards are typically south-facing and are punctured by a timber gate and trellis which provide the residents with a visual connection to the gardens whilst retaining a sense of privacy.

The single bay window and chimney create an impression of domesticity within, and help to identify the individual homes.

The developments contrast hard external elevations with softer interiors to suggest security whilst dissolving physical boundaries between dwellings to promote a sense of community. The houses are well insulated and have been constructed of high quality traditional robust materials to give a sense of permanence. The dwellings are energy efficient achieving Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 and have integrated photovoltaic cells that provides a renewable energy source to each dwelling. 

The dwellings are typically only one or two storeys and are given a personal scale by the window fenestration at ground floor level

 www.pateltaylor.co.uk

Public Sector Build Journal 15

Housing Focus Technical

The Cool-phase system can maintain temperatures within the comfort zone

Cool ‘science’ improves student learning Cool-phase, Monodraught’s ceiling-mounted low-energy cooling and ventilation system featuring phase change material technology, has been installed in a busy laboratory at Bournemouth University to provide a more comfortable, environmentally-friendly and energyefficient atmosphere for students working in the space.

T

he second-floor laboratory in Christchurch House regularly accommodates up to 70 students at the same time, carrying out practical scientific experiments.

With Bunsen burners and fume cupboards being used throughout the day, and 70 people, each student generating 100 Watts of heat gain combined with substantial levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), there were on-going problems with the 100m2 space due to poor indoor air quality. Whilst the laboratory was fitted with windows, its second-floor location meant that restrictors were fitted; so the limited amount of fresh air entering the space was not enough to reach all areas of the ‘deep-plan’ space.

The University’s Estates Department decided it was time to address the problem and the Henderson Green mechanical/electrical engineering consultancy based in Southampton, which supplies design services to Bournemouth University on a range of projects, was briefed to improve environmental conditions within the space.

Henderson Green’s Managing Director Russell Pitman says first thoughts involved traditional approaches such as AC units or

16 Public Sector Build Journal

a roof-mounted air handling unit pumping fresh air into the laboratory.

But having discussed options with the University’s Environment & Energy Team it was decided to investigate alternatives that would also provide a low carbon solution.

Commenting for the University, the Estates Department’s Energy Officer (Technical) Dave Archer says that during the initial search he came across a Cool-phase article in a HVAC journal and decided to add the new system to the list.

The Cool-phase system, which reduces the running costs of buildings and creates a fresh and healthy indoor environment without compressors or hazardous coolants, can maintain temperatures within the comfort zone, while radically reducing energy consumption by up to 90% compared to conventional cooling systems.

Henderson Green was then asked to undertake a feasibility study to establish whether Cool-phase could handle the two key objectives – the fresh air requirements and the cooling load; and Monodraught was asked to design the system and provide calculations to confirm it could achieve the required flow rates, etc.

Says Russell: “We reviewed, and eventually tested, Monodraught’s Coolphase system against the air handling option and found that from the energysaving viewpoint Cool-phase won handsdown, with relatively little increase in cost. Encouraged, we then went into a more detailed phase with Monodraught to ensure that the initial calculations matched the requirements of the space in everyday operational conditions.”

Once the air quality calculations and financial appraisals were completed and the University was satisfied that the system would do the job, Coolphase was given the green light and two systems were installed in the laboratory

by Monodraught, as part of a turnkey contract with one of the University’s approved building contractors.

Commenting on the installation Russell Pitman says everything went very smoothly, the project was delivered on time, with a minimum of fuss and no real issues and commenting on the Cool-phase itself he says it is almost too good to be true because it ticks every box.

Regarding the consultation period, he says Monodraught was very professional; and very flexible in incorporating changes the University team wanted to make to the initial calculations.

“In all, the working relationship was a very pleasant experience.” Mark continues: “Work to install the two Cool-phase systems was carried out over four days, and even though some minor

Technical Focus Installation details for Monodraught COOL PHASE system (Serving Science Lecture Room)

Section AA 710 C of 125 x 65 PFC

530

UniStrut Channel for suspending COOL PHASE Unit 344

Beam with rockwool insulation covering

710 CL of 125 x 65 PFC

2695 FFL to underside of ceiling

6000 LC of COOL PHASE ® systems

Section BB

500 CL of 125 x 65

3225 FFL to underside of 152 x 89 UB19

2695 FFL to underside of ceiling

structural issues were encountered, the work didn’t stop – Monodraught’s team worked around the problems so that everything went smoothly and the job was delivered on time.” He adds that, besides improvements to the laboratory environment the Cool-phase system is also very quiet in operation, which is ideal in a space that is used for lectures.

Since completion of the installation Monodraught has been monitoring the laboratory’s environment to gather its own data, and the University Estates Department has also been recording data from the Cool-phase system on its BMS. Performance data from both parties

500 x (1000)

Beam with rockwool insulation covering

Filter box suitable for 595 x 595 Bag Filter

PFC

Grille assembly (neck size)

Galvanised transition to suit site conditions ( to be manufactured following installation of Kool Duct & forming of wall openings)

3020 Wall to CL of 152 x 89 UB19

3600 CLof 152 x 89 UB19

4820 Wall to CLof COOL PHASE System

will be reviewed to establish the overall effectiveness of the installation.

Dave Archer says Monodraught Windcatchers and Sunpipes are located in other areas of the campus and they have also proved to be very effective, so while it is too early to be definitive, early indications are that the Cool-phase system will perform to specification. He also anticipates that, at the end of the first year, the data will enable the Coolphase software to optimise the system’s performance to best suit the laboratory space. 

Early indications are that the Cool-phase system will perform to specification

 www.monodraught.com

Public Sector Build Journal 17

Talking Point

Building more for less

Reducing costs is now the biggest source of emerging pressure on procurement policies for built environment projects

With growing emphasis on reducing costs and demonstrating value for money in their procurement policies, there is no disguising that local authorities are struggling to achieve both quantity and quality on their built environment projects, as Mark Robinson, Chief Executive of Scape Group explains.

T

he growing debate over election priorities ahead of May 2015 is a reminder that the public purse is still far from replenished, even after five years of austerity measures.

The economy is showing signs of improvement, but getting the most from every pound spent remains a pressing priority: not just for central government, but also for local authorities when it comes to maintaining and improving public services.

Financial pressures continue to weigh heavily on built environment projects, as Scape Group recently found in our Value Added Spending Monitor. Our research – involving input from county, district, borough and city councils, unitary authorities and metropolitan boroughs – revealed more than nine in 10 local authorities feel the challenge of delivering project volumes and maintaining quality within their available budget is getting harder.

Limited resources are pushing four in every five councils to adopt a more commercially driven approach to delivering public services. But there is a danger that in trying to get building projects off the ground, vital elements are being sacrificed or overlooked that could deliver greater benefits to local

18 Public Sector Build Journal

communities beyond the buildings themselves.

Budget availability The struggle to keep pace with rising demand for built environment work comes as little surprise when you uncover the scale of cutbacks local councils have faced recently. Our report revealed that 87% of local authorities have been coping with reduced revenue budgets for built environment projects in 2014, with average losses of 14%.

Almost two thirds of local authorities have also felt a drop in their capital spend.

The budget squeeze has come at a time when construction demand is rising and limited market capacity has pushed prices up. The knock-on effect is that suppliers are becoming more selective or charging premium prices that make projects even less affordable. Rural areas have been particularly affected: in fact, our partners report construction inflation is now approaching 15-20% as a result, far above the 1% rate of overall inflation.

The few councils who have increased their capital spend on built environment projects have managed to do so through prudential borrowing, asset sales, capital investment, developer contributions and

Mark Robinson is Chief Executive Officer at Scape – a local authority controlled company which delivers cost and time savings for public sector construction schemes across the UK. successful grant bids. But these cases are the minority, and it is obvious that many more still need a new way to make their existing budgets stretch further.

Project pressures Reducing costs is now the biggest source of emerging pressure on procurement policies for built environment projects.

At the same time, local authorities are increasingly having to demonstrate value for money and their contribution to local spend and labour deployment. While urban local authorities have dealt with larger reductions in their spending, rural areas are experiencing greater pressure to get the most from every pound spent.

Talking Point

Rural areas are experiencing greater pressure to get the most from every pound spent

Cost concerns are not only affecting whether projects go ahead. They are also impacting on how they are delivered, risking efforts such as waste reduction becoming sidelined as a result. Solo projects cannot negotiate the same contractual commitment from suppliers to reduce waste as frameworks can.

It is little wonder therefore that the construction industry as a whole has failed to meet the Strategy for Sustainable Construction’s target to halve the amount of waste sent to landfill.

Barriers to success Despite their budget constraints, local authorities are evidently keen to offer greater benefits to local communities through the projects they commission. It is greatly encouraging to see more apprentice training at the top of the agenda for adding value to construction efforts in 2015. Indeed, almost four in five local authorities want to offer a greater number of learning opportunities. But this can be a daunting task for anyone faced with turning these plans into reality while also achieving savings within their project spend.

Crucially, almost three quarters of the local authorities we questioned have had to cancel or postpone a planned project in the last two years. Not one said they felt the task of taking on more built environment projects and maintaining quality at the same time is becoming any easier.

The lengthy timescales to secure grant funding and suppliers’ inability to meet desired timeframes are both impeding

the success of projects across the country.

However, local authorities cited suppliers’ failure to deliver within their available budget as the most common reason for the postponement or cancellation of work.

These setbacks have clearly knocked local authorities’ confidence in hitting their 2015 savings targets. Though there is a strong desire to add value to local communities through the projects in their pipeline, 77% of local authorities doubt they will be able to meet their target savings for built environment work in the year ahead.

External procurement frameworks A growing number of local authorities and other public sector organisations are seeking ways around these issues by drawing on the collective strength of our national procurement frameworks.

Collating significant volumes of work and using national partners to identify local suppliers who measure up on both cost and quality make this the most practical way to get build environment projects off the ground, and also achieve the goal of supporting local businesses and communities.

Evidence gathered from Scape’s work with our project partners since 2006 highlights a collective annual saving of almost nine years of procurement time each year, with £125m of local spending annually being channelled to businesses within 40 miles of project sites. Over 1000 weeks of on-site apprenticeships have been created each year and over 62,000 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill

The lengthy timescales to secure grant funding and suppliers' inability to meet desired timeframes are both impeding the success of projects

sites – with no compromise on delivering projects on time and within budget.

The pressure on local authorities to cut costs and demonstrate value for money is a sure sign that this kind of approach needs adopting on a wider basis to deliver more for less. Budget pressures are here to stay and cutting corners in the short term will only store up sustainability issues for the future. Smarter methods of procurement and delivery can make the most of every pound invested in public buildings and ensure the greatest benefit for the local communities we are all there to support. 

 www.scapegroup.co.uk

Public Sector Build Journal 19

Legal & Business Evidence has long suggested that Part P is not being enforced as effectively as it could be

Taking action

The NAPIT Trade Association has called for Government and industry to ensure appropriate action is taken following the release of a new report published by the Electrical Safety Roundtable (ESR).

T

he report, which analysed enforcement of Part P of the Building Regulations in England, found that on average 72% of local authorities each year had not taken action against Part P non-compliance from 2011 to 2013.

It also suggested that only 2% attempted to prosecute a case under this part of the Building Regulations and that there had only been one successful prosecution during the three year period surveyed.

Commenting on the findings, NAPIT Trade Association Chairman Frank Bertie said: “Significant anecdotal evidence from our Trade Association members has long suggested that Part P is not being enforced as effectively as it could be. It was their concern regarding safety of the public that led us to sponsor this investigation.

“The report has gathered substantial evidence on levels of enforcement for the first time. It found that there is little legal or financial deterrence to prevent Part P noncompliance. This may be allowing the dangerous work of rogue traders to go unchecked and could be putting properties and householders at risk.”

20 Public Sector Build Journal

The investigation included a major freedom of information request. It surveyed the enforcement practices of all local authorities in England and returned an 87% response rate, making it one of the largest studies of its kind.

Frank Bertie explained: “The Freedom of Information section of this investigation has focused on local authorities because they have formal enforcement powers under the Building Regulations, but the report also shows that the Competent Person Scheme Operators have a key role to play in influencing positive change.”

“Nevertheless, Building Control departments are stuck between a rock and a hard place, with funding cuts to housing services of 34% in the past five years on the one hand and a lack of effective deterrence powers on the other. More limited still, Scheme Operators lack any legal enforcement powers or the ability to carry out safety checks on work carried out by unregistered contractors.

“We urge the Government to carefully consider the findings and recommendations in this report. Local authorities and industry bodies need to be given appropriate powers and support to enforce Part P effectively.”

A summary of the report is available to download at www. electricalsafetyroundtable.co.uk/  downloads.aspx

 www.napit.org.uk

Local authorities need to be given appropriate powers and support to enforce Part P effectively

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Door &&Wall Doors Windows Protection The new slim line bearings are constructed using a specialist composite material that prevents cracking

Intastop puts safety first Intastop has launched the unique SECURA Hinge a full length continuous geared hinge that provides improved safety for applications in healthcare, psychiatric and secure accommodation environments. The SECURA Hinge boasts unique anti-ligature features that make it highly practical when installed in secure units.

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A quality hinge is something that cannot be overlooked when either fitting or specifying doors

22 Public Sector Build Journal

he SECURA Hinge is designed to reduce patient suicide and self harm via its unique design registered features such as its tapered tip, which benefits from being tamper proof via a secure fastener and reduced gaps around the bearings in both the open and closed positions. The new slim line bearings are constructed using a specialist composite material that prevents cracking and are profiled to greatly reduce ligature risk plus minimise self-harm when in an open state for example, when a wrist is rubbed continuously along the hinge.

Marie Hanby, Marketing Manager for Intastop commented: “We were the first company to bring the continuous geared hinge to the UK market which is used in a huge variety of applications due to it robust and safe nature, however by developing our market leading product one step further we have made it even more safety efficient which now makes it the only totally safe and secure hinge on the market.”

Additional benefits include the reduction in maintenance and overall lifecycle costs as the new SECURA Hinge provides effective door weigh distribution and its low friction bearings are still able to withstand doors up to 500kg.

Marie continued: “A quality hinge is something that cannot be overlooked when either fitting or specifying doors particularly in mental health

establishments. Where the door will be hung or its type of use will determine what features are required but whether they are patient protection, privacy or general access the SECURA Hinge and its additional features will provide the answer.”

The SECURA Hinge from Intastop opens to 180 degrees in one direction, is FD30 and FD60 fire rated it also exceeds BSEN:1935 (life cycle tested to 1.5 million cycles) and has achieved Grade 1, the highest level of abuse testing. It also has achieved the highest standard of safety determined by the Door and Hardware Federation, TS001 B4 on a 0.5mm wire, via its rigorous enhanced requirements and test method which addresses the safety of people that may be at risk of self-harm whilst in a special care environment. Furthermore the Secura Hinge is also compatible with Intastop’s removable doorstop to help eliminate barricade situations.

Renowned suppliers to the healthcare, public and education sectors, Intastop continues to remain a market leader for door and wall protection having the knowledge, expertise and ability to develop products that fulfil customer requirements. Intastop has a solutions based concept – ‘Protecting the door and the people who use it’ – which embraces the company’s ethos to continually provide innovative products whilst ensuring its portfolio addresses key concerns such as protecting buildings, delivering sustainability and ensuring budgets are maximised.

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Public Sector Build Journal 23

The sustainable design, construction and energy marketplace for new build, commercial and domestic buildings

Discover the future of construction and energy 800+ exhibitors showcasing the largest range of sustainable construction products in the world Over 100 conference and seminar sessions, drop in advice clinics and live product demonstrations Dozens of new and innovative features

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Aluminium Systems position for this meaningful innovation in the marketplace.”

“Sustainability is playing an ever greater role in construction – the world over,” adds Dr. Roland Reber, CEO at Ensinger.

“Thanks to this partnership we are now making available windows, doors and facade systems which will equip clients, architects, planners and processors to meet current and future requirements.

Systems using insulbar RE provide a sustainable way of saving energy and costs. The Environmental Declaration that comes with the products also offers a reliable data basis for improving the overall life cycle assessment of a building.”

Customers gain an immediate and tangible benefit from an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) issued by the ift Rosenheim where certifications are requested in compliance with green building labels such as LEED or DGNB because the EPD forms the basis for an ecological building assessment. This allows comparison of the data from individual EPDs, which can be collated using a modular system to create a building’s eco balance.

For Wicona to agree to the use of this recycled plastic, the material had to match the efficiency of the polyamide 6.6 customarily used for insulating bars without in any way compromising processability. Ensinger was able to comply 100% with this underlying condition: The insulating profiles made of recycled polyamide are suitability tested in accordance with DIN EN 14024 and possess the same mechanical and physical characteristics as conventional insulation bars made of polyamide 6.6.

This new development from Ensinger is making gradual inroads across the whole of the Wicona product range, and currently accounts for over 50%.

The profiles do not need to be ordered separately by the customer, nor does their installation require any special precautions when it comes to handling or logistics. The Wicona guarantee is fully applicable also to systems using the new insulating bars made of recycled polyamide. This means that customers can utilise this groundbreaking innovation automatically without any additional effort – while reaping a sustainable benefit.

Wicona is Europe's first aluminium systems company to use insulbar RE from Ensinger

insulbar RE gets the green light Aluminium systems for windows, doors and facades are now already being fitted for the first time with thermal insulating bars made of recycled polyamide.

W

icona is Europe’s first aluminium systems company to use insulbar RE from Ensinger. The thermal insulation bars are used for the thermal separation of profiles for windows, facades and door constructions, and are made of 100% recycled material. This marks a decisive improvement to the life cycle assessment of the overall systems – without compromising quality and without any added cost for Wicona customers.

The unmixed recycled polyamide used undergoes an upcycling process which places its properties on a par with those of new material. Polymer blends or mixed recyclates are not used. Use of the product,

which was developed by plastics specialist Ensinger, means an 89% reduction in the consumption of fossil resources, an 84% reduction of carbon emissions and 32% less water consumption. insulbar RE is now set to be put to widespread use at Wicona for the first time.

Wicona CEO Arnd Brinkmann comments: “Keeping a company at the cutting edge of innovation is first and foremost about the concrete implementation of new developments which represent a tangible improvement and which make a sustainable mark on the industry. With these insulating bars made of recycled polyamide, Wicona and Ensinger are working together to create an established

 www.ensinger.co.uk The insulating profiles made of recycled polyamide are suitability tested in accordance with DIN EN 14024



ebp@ensinger.co.uk  01443 678400

Public Sector Build Journal 25

Education

Looking to the future Following the introduction of new Government legislation, to raise the school leaving age to 18, in 2012 Trinity Academy, Doncaster, which opened in 2005, committed to expanding its facilities to meet the anticipated rise in student numbers.

T

o support its future growth, ESF, the sponsors behind Trinity Academy, appointed the Durhambased award-winning architectural practice HLP, to develop designs for a £1.2m purpose-built sixth form extension to the existing school building to create accommodation for some 350 pupils.

On this occasion, HLP’s brief was to deliver a design which would not only accommodate the academic and pastoral needs of the students, but, aesthetically, would contrast sympathetically with the existing building. A further driver in the design was the need to appeal not only to returning students but also those attending

Externally the clever choice of Chameleon clad facade installed to the over-hanging first floor was two-fold

other schools within the catchment area, who might consider switching allegiance to study at Trinity Academy.

Initially, HLP’s innovative team, led by Managing Director Jonathan Yates, considered both two and threestorey solutions. However, working with the school, its students and all other stakeholders and adopting its usual well thought out approach it was decided that the best way forward was to go with a two-storey structure. In so doing, this route would not only fulfil accommodation requirements, it would do so in the most efficient manner from both construction and budgetary perspectives.

On a practical level, the new building had to provide additional social, study and teaching facilities

26 Public Sector Build Journal

The site also presented its own constraints defined by an existing belowground services and drainage system –- all of which had to be factored into the final design.

The two-storey option also allowed the new south facing extension to sit in front of the original three-storey complex, while at the same time complementing the two-storey entrance and keeping the scale commensurate.

Further to this, a key challenge for the design team was to deliver a design solution on a limited budget and in such a way that the appointed contractor could meet a 25-week build programme, ensuring that the facility was operational in time for the new academic year commencing in September 2014.

With defined floor areas and a budget already in place, HLP’s team had clear parameters with which to work. On a practical level, the new building had to provide additional social, study and teaching facilities, comprising a further five classrooms, student common area, two large IT study areas, as well as a careers and library area.

From another perspective the design also had to meet with the Academy’s desire to brand the sixth form facility so that it would reflect the school’s aspirations, while at the same time be visually stimulating, to attract potential new and returning students.

The final challenge was to ensure that the site remained live at all times, with

Education

The two-storey option allowed the new south facing extension to sit in front of the original three-storey complex

minimum disruption being essential. This was in some way achieved by adjusting the location of the building at the design stage.

However during construction it was down to the contractor whose site access was clearly defined and controlled at all times as sensitivities around pupil safety and noise reduction, particularly while national exams were underway, were of paramount importance.

These aspects were accommodated by implementing a carefully managed delivery and works programme which in turn was supported by close liaison and regular communication between the contractor and the academy.

Given that one of the challenges for the project was its short construction programme, in addition to HLP’s design flair, a key ingredient to successful delivery was the need to appoint a contractor which was well versed in delivering education projects of this type, particularly one with the aforementioned constraints.

Surgo Construction (Surgo), one of the North East’s leading design and build contractors, was appointed to the project.

HLP and Surgo have worked together on many education schemes in particular on academy projects and were the original team who built Trinity Academy. The combined experience of this tried and tested partnership proved invaluable throughout the design and build process, producing a building which was delivered in line with the brief, budget and timescales.

Speaking about the completed project, Jonathan Yates said: “Initially our brief was to create a new and inspiring sixth form facility to meet the growing numbers of students staying in education which would also reflect ESF’s aspirations and mission: to create facilities for young people in which they can develop academically, morally and spiritually to the

The facility has been designed and constructed in such a robust way that it will accommodate the changing needs of the school

chosen for its decorative appeal to fulfil the brief of providing Trinity Academy’s sixth form with a stimulating facility with a signature of its own.

At ground floor level a glazed curtain wall creates the facade, maximising the amount of natural daylight into the common study area, while the over-hang from the first floor protects a further study area from excessive solar gain.

Double doors create a formal yet inviting entrance for visitors.

To support Trinity Academy’s aspirations to grow its sixth form student numbers, the facility has been designed and constructed in such a robust way that it will accommodate the changing needs of the school and its students and, as required, meet with future curriculum changes.

With a high level of in-built flexibility the new extension now provides staff with the versatility to take a more flexible approach to the way they teach both large and small groups as well individuals.

full. It is a long-held view of mine that the environment in which we learn plays an important role in achieving this.

“At the outset we explored a number of possibilities to determine how the sixth form might look and fit in with the existing building. The two-storey extension has been designed to mirror the original main entrance to the school without becoming too dominant in terms of scale. Also thanks to the choice of materials used, both internally and externally, we have created a facility which appeals to students from other catchment areas.”

The new sixth form centre provides Trinity Academy with a total of 785m2 of accommodation. At ground floor level there is an external cloister, entrance and social area with vending facilities, a meeting space and a 50-place IT hub.

To the first floor there are six teaching spaces of varying size, a staff office and storage facilities.

Externally the clever choice of Chameleon clad facade installed to the over-hanging first floor was two-fold.

Primarily it was selected for the speed in which it can be installed. Secondly it was



 www.surgo.co.uk

 www.howarthlitchfield.co.uk

Public Sector Build Journal 27

Healthcare

A blueprint for the future of healthcare

As our hospitals face the increasing pressures associated with new epidemics and stretched resources, it becomes ever clearer that building design is a core consideration for our hospitals.

Steven Bentley, Director, Ramboll UK explains more.

D

elivering environments that can respond to change, build efficiency, and improve patient well-being are all goals which Ramboll UK have been exploring through their work on a pioneering new £400m hospital project in the region North of Copenhagen, Denmark.

The new £400m Northzealand Hospital will be the result of consolidation between three existing hospitals in the region north of Copenhagen, and is part of Denmark’s wider healthcare consolidation programme that includes the redevelopment of nine hospitals in total. A key component outlined in their design brief was the need for “creativity and innovation”, directing architects and engineers to “build for the future” and consider how our healthcare needs may be orientated in 50 years’ time.

Following a 12-month international design competition, the Architectural consortium of Herzog & de Meuron/ Vilhelm Lauritzen Arkitekter were awarded the contract to design, while Ramboll were named as project management consultants and providers of engineering services.

Marked for completion in 2020, the final design for New Hospital Northzealand will span over 128,000m2, serve over 310,000 people and hold nearly 700 beds.

28 Public Sector Build Journal

With one of the main cruxes to its design a need to ‘plan for uncertainty’ and ‘design for change’, the hospital has been planned with enough flexibility to accommodate technology yet to be invented and handle epidemics yet to be unleashed. In addition, as requested by the hospital board, the design has been completely led by best practice in patient care – seeking the best possible treatment, recovery and rehabilitation. This has led to innovative new design forms that look to change the way we consider the hospital space, and how important this can be in protecting the future of our healthcare systems.

Incorporating nature In order to fulfil as much as possible this focus on ‘best practice’ patient care, the designers drew on studies that explored the role of environment in improving recovery time. This included a report by Dr. Robert Ulrich, a Professor of Architecture at the Center for Healthcare Building Research at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, which revealed patients recover significantly faster in single bed wards.

It also uncovered evidence that bringing patients closer to nature improves their sense of well-being and thus speeds up

recovery. In an inverted population pyramid, as faced by many European nations with rapidly ageing populations, there will be even fewer resources available as generation’s progress, so single bed wards provide a key opportunity for patient care to actually be provided by immediate family member visitors.

Healthcare

Marked for completion in 2020, the final design for New Hospital Northzealand will hold nearly 700 beds

In response to such studies the hospital has been envisioned as a pavilion set within the surrounding forest, and the design brings together all the hospital’s necessary functions within one clovershaped structure. The low-rise building reaches out horizontally into the landscape, surrounded by trees and native plantation, in a “soft, flowing form”.

The green-field site offers an optimal physical setting, which as a natural and calming space is intended to work with the structural design to produce a space that encourages health and well-being.

Unlike many traditional hospitals the inviting and welcoming facility will maintain a human scale throughout, reaching only four floors at its highest point, gathering all functions of a hospital in one organic building, shaped

The facility will gather all functions of a hospital in one organic building, shaped like a clover leaf

like a clover leaf. As well as the wider environment, an expansive and secure roof garden set above the main diagnosis and treatment floors will ensure all patients can directly benefit as much as possible. The focus on a low building is intended to foster better exchange between staff and patients, improving

communication and well-being within a building that is sustainable, safe and welcoming.

Inside, there is also an intentional creation of ‘on stage’ and ‘off stage zones’, so as to separate patients from the functional aspects of the hospital that  may create any worry or discomfort.

The focus on a low building is intended to foster better exchange between staff and patients

Public Sector Build Journal 29

Healthcare

Unlike many traditional hospitals the inviting and welcoming facility will maintain a human scale throughout

The designers drew on studies that explored the role of environment in improving recovery time

In terms of material, the bed wards will be constructed from simple prefabricated modules made from either metal or wood, as a means of both reducing on-site waste and embracing modern methods of construction that offer a clean and calming environment.

The future of medical treatment The recent Ebola outbreak also serves to highlight the importance of hospital design being flexible enough to accommodate and contain disease as effectively as possible. With this in mind the bottom two storeys of the building, which are focused on diagnosis and treatment facilities as part of the functionality split, have been made fully flexible in order to accommodate any changes to disease prevention that might take place between now and 2020. For example, this would allow for either a layout focused on total isolation of immuno-suppressed patients, or an open plan treatment area allowing for integration of care across all departments.

30 Public Sector Build Journal

Demountable walls and regular span floor plates accommodate for these changes in usage and function, and simultaneously also ensure that construction processes are as straightforward as possible. Off-site prefabrication of the upper storey ward blocks will reduce waste, ensure uniform quality, allow beta-testing of new innovation, and allow a large proportion of the hospital to be constructed in a safe and weather protected environment.

There will also be a focus on automated logistics at the hospital, with the introduction of self-driving automatic goods vehicles (AGVs) to distribute goods, food, and waste from a purpose designed service village. A separated lower-level service floor will allow the AGVs to distribute to localised vertical distribution cores across the hospital, with goods arriving and departing close to their use, before a human focus on the “last 30m of travel” to reach patients.

Electronically tagged beds will even be automatically delivered to a central bed-washing facility after each patient use

– with technological assistance becoming ever more adopted in the operational aspects of the hospital as a means of reducing staff pressures.

A blueprint for the world?

In what is undoubtedly a pioneering health scheme, the New Hospital Northzealand focuses on exploring the key roles that intelligent design and a positive environment can have within healthcare provision, and in seeking sustainable design solutions for the public sector. It raises serious questions about how the UK approaches upgrading its hospitals and whether, as the Danes have done, in order to become more efficient in the future we must increase our investment today.

Architects and engineers are becoming ever more central in determining the future of responsive healthcare, and New Hospital Northzealand Hospital has the potential to act as a blueprint for how this relationship is determined. 

 www.ramboll.co.uk

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Public Sector Build Journal 31

Leisure

Renewed vitality Impulse Leisure has registered charity status and is a notfor-profit organisation, which operates seven leisure facilities in West Sussex and Essex. The centres provide affordable, accessible leisure facilities including fitness suites, swimming pools, tennis courts and indoor sports halls, crèches, and a golf course.

C

hanctonbury Sport and Leisure Centre is located in the heart of the affluent Storrington Village in West Sussex. Impulse has managed the centre, which currently has more than 1100 members, for four years. In the last six months – work began in August 2014 – the 1404m2 centre has seen a £740,000 overhaul to ensure it is fresh, modern and appropriately rejuvenated for its members.

Mike Baden, Chief Executive at Impulse Leisure, says: “This investment has given Chanctonbury a bright new feel with brand new equipment and fitness technologies, plus an improved social environment in the redesigned cafe. A better layout means more space for visitors and a much more usable gym area – especially helpful at our busier times. With more than 16,000 people living within a three mile radius of the centre, it is our goal that this

32 Public Sector Build Journal

The centre boasts a new-look Coffee Republic cafe and modernised, more open-plan reception area

The 1404m2 centre has seen a £740,000 overhaul to ensure it is fresh, modern and appropriately rejuvenated

redevelopment will ultimately attract new members to the centre – we aim to top 1200 members – and give our revenue a subsequent boost in 2015.”

Moving on up In order to double the size of the fitness suite to 260m2, lead architects and project managers Groma, together with Lifetime Construction, installed a mezzanine floor.

The fitness suite now sits across the entire first floor, whilst on the ground floor there is a new 63m2 fully remodelled changing village, as well as a 31m2 health suite with sauna and a steam room, which is also an interchangeable salt room, supplied by Dale Sauna.

The centre also boasts a new-look

Coffee Republic cafe and modernised, more open-plan reception area, creating a warm welcome for customers.

Central carried out the interior design for the refurbishment, working to a brief that the centre needed a high-end, stateof-the-art feel with luxurious, premium finishes to meet the expectations of its affluent clientele. The aim was to give the leisure centre the look and feel of an exclusive private club to increase scope for membership in the surrounding areas.

In line with this, Impulse Leisure invested more than £250,000 in new Technogym Excite+ CV and Element+ resistance equipment, plus a Kinesis functional training station for the fitness suite.

Kinesis – meaning movement in Greek – is a

Leisure

The fitness suite now sits across the entire first floor

strength training system which reproduces free flowing, natural movements with a series of cables, grips and weight stacks.

Gym members can now enjoy a much larger, airier fitness experience with more than 40 stations of premium kit, as well as free weights, dumbbells and functional training accessories, in line with their requests.

Focus on health and wellbeing A Boditrax K780 machine has also been installed to measure the weight and body composition of members. The machine recently featured on a BBC2 programme ‘What’s The Right Diet for You’, in conjunction with top academics from Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and took a look at the reasons why people gain weight and then matched the diet to the individual.

Karl Hayes, Impulse Leisure’s Group Operations Manager, says: “Leisure Centres – and gyms in particular – are increasingly all about the entire customer experience, very similar to restaurants and bars. Gone are the days when bare flat walls, simply functional changing rooms and basic kit were enough to meet members’ needs; customer expectations have risen and members now expect – and deserve – much more for their money. That is why we worked closely with Central to create an environment that is clean, uncluttered and welcoming, with kit that is of the

A 31m2 health suite features a sauna and a steam room, which is also an interchangeable salt room

highest specification, complete with internet and Facebook access, wellness system electronic programmes and new body segmentation tracking.”

Impulse is already seeing a positive impact from the changes, both from customers and trustees. David Daley, a Trustee of the West Chanctonbury Recreation Association (WCRA), says: “I am delighted with the new facilities at Chanctonbury Sport and Leisure; well done to Impulse for making this redevelopment happen. This project is a fine testament to the impetus and

investment that Impulse Leisure has provided to the WCRA. We would not have been able to achieve any of these improvements without them.”

Membership has already increased.

Including pre-sales from before the reopening, 157 new members have been signed up so far and the new equipment has received positive feedback from members, including Facebook comments such as ‘Wow amazing!’ and ‘The new gym looks fantastic! Great new facilities’. 

 www.impulseleisure.co.uk

Public Sector Build Journal 33

Doors & Windows

Wedging fire doors open will obviously prevent the fire door performing its primary function

Reliable access Mark Stonelake, Technical Manager at Samuel Heath explains why there’s more to door closers than performance.

A

nyone concerned with the design, construction or management of public buildings will be aware of the critical role that door closers play in assuring the safety of a building’s occupants in case of fire. They ensure that fire doors close automatically, either at all times or when initiated by fire warning systems, and are held shut against their fire/smoke seals, allowing the door to perform the function for which it is designed.

Whilst performing this vital function reliably is a key factor in the selection of door closers, specifiers and managers are becoming increasingly aware of the added benefits that certain types of door closers can provide in areas such as safety, risk reduction, reliability and maintenance costs.

Choosing the right door closer for a given application relies not only on assessing the product’s suitability against recognised regulations and performance standards, but also on considering a number of other factors that can have a bearing on the safety, comfort and wellbeing of the building’s occupants.

Professionals will also be aware of the requirements imposed by the Equality Act to assure unhindered access to facilities

34 Public Sector Build Journal

for the physically impaired, whether this be through disability or infirmity.

Performance requirements These key areas of fire safety and accessibility are governed by a plethora of building regulations, performance standards and best practice guides.

Where fire safety is concerned, various requirements come to bear when selecting a door closer, including Approved Document B of the Building Regulations (Technical handbook E in Scotland and Part E in Northern Ireland), BS EN 1154, which governs the performance of controlled door closing devices and BS EN 1634-1, the fire door testing standard. Since July 3013, in common with other fire safety products, door closers that are suitable for use on fire doors must carry the CE mark.

Where accessibility is concerned, parliamentary instruments such as the Equality Act and the Special Education Needs and Disability Act apply in conjunction with Approved Document M of the Building Regulations (Section 3 in Scotland, Part R in Northern Ireland) and BS 8300 which stipulates maximum opening forces for doors on accessible routes.

The majority of commercially available

door closers will, at the very least, be able to meet the mandatory minimum performance criteria covering the size and weight of doors for which they have been designed, so, whilst vital, finding a door closer that meets relevant fire and accessibility criteria should not be too onerous for the majority of applications.

Other factors There are, however, a number of additional factors which should be taken into account when selecting a door closer, many of which are particularly apposite to the variety of buildings and facilities encountered throughout the public sector.

It goes without saying that door closers must, at all times, be able to perform the function for which they are intended. The main reasons for a door closer failing to work are reliability and the likelihood of fire doors being wedged open.

Looking at reliability, failure of a door closer can lead to failure of the fire door to perform the duty for which it is intended; to keep fire and smoke at bay. In the case of fire, the consequences can be devastating, if not fatal.

Quality of design and manufacture together with cycle testing of door closers certainly provide some assurance of a product’s durability, but other factors can have a considerable effect on the ability of a fire door, and door closer, to function at all times.

The need to properly maintain a door closer during its life can impose an undesirable burden on building

Doors & Windows HVAC

Specifiers are becoming increasingly aware of the added benefits that certain types of door closers can provide

the first step in resolving the issue. The solution is either to use hold-open devices or to use free swing door closers, such as Powermatic Free Swing, which allow the door to operate manually until the door closer is activated, normally by the building’s fire alarm system.

Risk reduction There is one further element of safety and risk reduction that is probably not given consideration beyond specialist facilities and that is the risk of a door closer being used as a point of ligature. Sensitive and uncomfortable as the subject might be, the risk should be recognised, perhaps particularly in educational facilities. Whilst full anti-ligature measures would be unnecessary, the risk can be significantly reduced by the use of certain types of concealed door closers. Anecdotal evidence suggests that at least one local authority has replaced traditional box and arm overhead door closers throughout all of its schools with Powermatic concealed door closers in order to reduce the risk of self-harm.

When selecting the right door closer for any fire door situation, the first task will always be to ensure that the product meets the necessary fire performance and accessibility requirements. Once these criteria have been satisfied, other factors should be taken into consideration which can enhance safety for the building’s occupants. 

Some door closers are designed to be maintenance-free and come with lengthy guarantees for added assurance

managers; some door closers, such as Powermatic, are designed to be maintenance-free and come with lengthy guarantees for added assurance.

Damage limitation Additionally, if a door closer is damaged, either through some misplaced prank or vandalism, this too can have a detrimental effect on the fire door’s performance, perhaps even stopping the door working all together. In educational buildings and other public facilities, where the users’ duty of care may not be so high, such risks, whether accidental or deliberate, are significant.

Surface mounted door closers, with their obvious control boxes and mechanical arms represent a real temptation for pranksters,

whereas concealed door closers virtually eliminate the risk of damage. Jambmounted door closers in particular offer real benefits in this area. Products such as Samuel Heath’s Powermatic controlled, concealed door closer are invisible when the door is closed and present very few working parts when the door is open, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage.

Wedging fire doors open will obviously prevent the fire door performing its primary function and should be avoided at all times. Despite notices, best practice guides and individual instructions, the practice still goes on, especially in care homes, but also in other facilities.

Recognising the risk, by assessing the needs of a building’s occupants, is

 www.samuel-heath.co.uk

Public Sector Build Journal 35

Lighting

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36 Public Sector Build Journal

Fire Protection

Early detection

Taff recently decided to extend its current smoke alarm systems in all of its housing stock

Taff Housing Association, a not-for-profit, community-based association in Cardiff with 1200 homes, has used the latest developments in smoke alarm systems to improve the level of fire safety, whilst also integrating the smoke alarm systems with Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms, providing tenants with added safety measures.

T

aff has Optical alarms from Aico’s Ei160RC series, which are mains powered with rechargeable lithium back-up, in the bedrooms and Ei2110 Multi-Sensors in hallways and landings (and, in the case of flats, in the lounge). The Multi-Sensor contains two separate sensing technologies – Optical and Heat. As such, the unit is capable of monitoring two very different byproducts of a fire – smoke and heat – so has the best response to all fire types.

The alarms are hard wired to each other to provide the earliest warning.

Taff recently decided to extend its

fitted in each dwelling to allow residents to tell whether a fire or CO leak has been detected. It also allows residents to quickly locate the exact alarm that has detected the fire or CO leak and to test and silence all the alarms on the system without needing to stand on steps or chairs.

Red Sea House, one of Taff’s Sheltered Housing schemes that consists of 15 selfcontained flats, has also recently been upgraded and Aico’s new Ei414 Fire/CO Alarm Interface installed. This provides a dedicated connection between Aico Smoke and CO alarms and the Tunstall Warden Call system already in place there. It enables an emergency signal to be transmitted directly to the Warden Call system if fire or CO is detected.

“In our sheltered accommodation, where we house some of our most vulnerable Tenants, our existing fire systems sent the same signal to the Community Alarm Call Centre regardless of whether it was a smoke or Carbon Monoxide alarm,” explains Philip Dunn, Head of Property at Taff Housing Association. “We wanted to be able to distinguish between the two alarms so that our tenants and the Call Centre had the earliest warning of what the actual problem was.

“It will be easier to set up and uses less equipment than we currently use, also the unit is much more stylish and easier for us to test the units on site.”

For Taff Housing Association, advances in smoke alarm technology have provided them with a greater level of flexibility, which makes for a more robust system that is fit for purpose well into the future. 

current smoke alarm systems in all of its housing stock to provide enhanced protection to occupants. This has seen the addition of mains powered Heat alarms in kitchens, and Ei262 CO alarms to protect tenants from the potential dangers of a CO leak.

A RadioLINK Base (Ei168RC) was added into the smoke alarm system to enable the CO alarm to interconnect with the other alarms on the system using Radio Frequency signals rather than cabling.

Such wireless interconnection technology makes mains powered alarms quicker and easier to install.

A wall-mounted Alarm Control Switch is

One of Taff's Sheltered Housing schemes has also recently been upgraded and Aico's new Ei414 Fire/CO Alarm Interface installed

 www.aico.co.uk

Public Sector Build Journal 37

Acoustics

In music rooms in particular it is crucial to get the perfect balance between reverberation and dead sound

Suite sounds IAC Acoustics has now completed its most recent build at The College of West Anglia – the ‘Creative Studios’ music production suite. Marking the first project incorporating IAC’s new range of music practice rooms, MusicBox, the studios make up the sole music production facilities on site at the college. ‘Creative Studios’ is made up of two control rooms, five rehearsal rooms and a separate voice over booth.

IAC added tuning panels to the walls to reduce reverberation times

38 Public Sector Build Journal

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orking with Pick Everard architects, this project began back with early discussions in 2013, coinciding the build with an overall project involving new media studies facilities, TV production, editing and other creative arts. IAC Acoustics was chosen in October 2013 to complete the build, and the team went on site in April 2014. ‘Creative Studios’ was finished in September 2014 in line with the new school term, with the building launching officially at the beginning of December.

Ross Griggs, Music Lecturer and Course Director at The College of West Anglia, said: “We are delighted with the newly installed music practice rooms. They provide a surprising amount of sound isolation which is instantly evident when one opens the super-efficient doors on a metal band in full flow! The modular layout has allowed us to make effective use of available space in providing a very adaptable set of rooms to accommodate a range of rehearsal or recording activities simultaneously. Conversely, due to the effective way that all rooms are interconnected with tie-lines, we are able to configure and utilise the spaces for activities where acoustic separation is required for a single project or recording.

Staff and students alike are enjoying the increased space and flexibility this installation has provided us with!”

There were a number of things to consider and barriers to overcome, as is common with projects of this size. A significant hurdle was the fact that the

Acoustics

Music Box comes as standard in certain colours, however, for this particular project, they were custom painted

‘Creative Studios’ build was taking place in, what was formerly, the college’s sports hall. As anyone in the industry will know, this is not a great acoustic environment, with high ceilings like this producing a large amount of echo and reverberation. IAC tackled this issue using two solutions; they began by putting panels in the roof to reduce the height of the ceiling (and in turn, echo), and they then sat the rooms on anti vibration mounts, reducing noise transfer through the host building.

Acoustic performance Additionally, it was crucial for IAC to consider how they would be able to manage the high noise volume created in music practice rooms like this, making sure that it is contained. To overcome this obstacle, IAC began by using their NoiseLock 2 hard panels which are designed to contain noise as opposed to absorbing it. They are effective as both sides of the panels are solid faced, minimising noise transfer. Secondly, they incorporated Noise-Lock acoustic doors which offer an acoustic performance of R’w51dB. The use of hard panels to stop any sound escaping from the music practice rooms can cause reverberation issues – not ideal in a recording environment.

Reverberation happens when there is a lack of soft surfaces to absorb sound.

In music rooms in particular it is crucial to get the perfect balance between reverberation and dead sound. To resolve this issue and boost absorption, IAC added

tuning panels to the walls to reduce reverberation times, using their range of Absorbatone foam acoustic panels.

When it came to the look and feel of ‘Creative Studios’, The College of West Anglia had various college-wide requirements which had to be considered with this new build. First of all, the college utilises an integrated door swipe system which allows them to manage access control across the campus.

This is something which needed to be incorporated into the doors within the music production suite. IAC were required to work with this hardware to incorporate it within the doors, upholding security across the entire college. Additionally, the architect was working with a particular colour scheme in mind. Typically, Music

Box comes as standard in certain colours.

However, for this particular project, they were custom painted in the respective colours – white and pale blue.

Meeting high specification David Ballan, Marketing Manager for IAC Acoustics commented: “Our team were able to work closely with the client and the architect to provide a music production suite which met the specification and all of the requirements.

We were eager to show what MusicBox had to offer, and feel that this project truly represents IAC’s capability. We’re looking forward to working on many more projects like this in 2015.” 

 www.iac-acoustics.com

‘Creative Studios’ was finished in September 2014 in line with the new school term

Public Sector Build Journal 39

Canopies, Shelters & Shading

Heart of the community +3 Architecture has built on its masterplan for the regeneration of Redcar Town Centre by being re-commissioned by the Local Authority to design and deliver the new, flagship £31m Leisure and Community Heart project.

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orking alongside Drivers Jonas Deloitte, S&P Architects, Buro Happold, AECOM and OOBE the scheme has become the largest regeneration scheme in Redcar’s recent history.

The Redcar & Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart brings an exciting and vibrant new facility to the borough. Architectural metalwork specialist Eltherington helped to create a suitable inspiring facade at Redcar Leisure Community Heart, thanks to its perforated and mesh solutions.

Eltherington supplied purpose-made solar shading fins in expanded mesh and aluminium extrusions. These are fitted vertically on the window sections.

Used across the east and west

The striking colours add another visual dimension to this impressive £31m development

elevations of the facade, the solar shading fins enhance the building’s architectural aesthetic as well as providing it with energy performance benefits.

The perforated mesh panels’ ability to reduce solar gain minimises reliance on energy intensive mechanical cooling systems during the summer months.

Solar shading from Taurus Littrow & Eltherington offers designers the ability to create distinctive and visually engaging buildings. The company’s bespoke manufacturing capabilities allow it to manufacture in a wide range of designs.

Supplied with an anodised Anolok 545 medium bronze and an Anolok 541 light bronze finish to complement the facade cladding, the striking colours add another

The mesh panels’ ability to reduce solar gain minimises reliance on energy intensive mechanical cooling systems

visual dimension to this impressive £31m development.

Eltherington’s fabricated extrusions and mesh panels designed by Taurus Littrow who were specified by project architects, S&P Architects and the main contractors Willmott Dixon. The aluminium solar shading system is tough, hardwearing and low maintenance, which was essential on this project as it is located in a coastal location, exposed to the North Sea. Eltherington operates a 6-acre state-ofthe-art manufacturing facility in Hull and is able to supply a wide range of standard and bespoke solutions for building facades, roofline, column casings, internal cladding and spandrel panels along with perforated panels.

Michael Riding, Director at Eltherington, said: “Our architectural fabrication and perforated solutions are available in a wide range of materials and finishes, which was important on this project as the designers were looking to create a suitably inspiring aesthetic.

The solar shading looks outstanding and will provide the building with long term energy performance benefits.”

Eltherington has provided high quality architectural facade and roofline solutions to a range of projects throughout the UK and overseas. Many of these have won critical acclaim, including The Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Bridgewater Place Leeds, and the RIBA award-winning London Southbank University.

Redcar Leisure Community Heart incorporates an all-weather sport and leisure centre, swimming pools, a business centre and multi-functional meeting and community spaces for Redcar residents and visitors to  the town.

 www.eltherington.co.uk

40 Public Sector Build Journal

Doors & Windows HVAC

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Public Sector Build Journal 41

Facades The overall concept was to marry in the rigid form with natural materials using stone and timber

Modular facade VIVIX by Formica Group exterior facade panels have been used for the external wall cladding of St. James’s hospital in Dublin.

Equator European Architects, Irish branch, chose VIVIX panels in Redwood from the Woods range, to create a contemporary look that fits in perfectly with the surroundings.

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avin Veeran of Equator European Architects explains: “St. James’s Hospital Haemophilia and Hepatology Clinical Research Facility building was designed using a rectangular base form as a foundation. Rectangular modulations protrude at intervals with a focus on the off-shutter concrete entrance location. The overall concept was to marry in the rigid form with natural materials using stone and timber.

However, the challenge of using timber was the maintenance and durability of the material; we therefore chose VIVIX panels as they not only exceeded our aesthetics and performance specifications; the maintenance costs have significantly been reduced for the end user.”

As well as being used to clad an entire building, VIVIX panels provide the opportunity to accentuate elements and features of the building design itself,

42 Public Sector Build Journal

creating a statement or a building identity.

The architects chose VIVIX in Redwood, a beautifully rich woodgrain decor. “We chose this particular design to create a contrast between the natural stone cladding that dominated the building and the cherry wood toned laminate panels.

The woodgrain decor complements the stone that we have used and manages to soften the facade at the same time, achieving our design objective.”

With a range of cladding solutions available, architects are increasingly choosing materials for exterior cladding that are not only decorative, but also practical, functional and can contribute to how the building as a whole performs. VIVIX panels are resistant to impact and abrasion, are weather resistant and can help to enhance the life span of a building. They include double-sided UV protection as standard.

Another key factor in the specification

of the VIVIX panels was the product’s sustainability credentials. “Sustainability is becoming more of an influence in design and specification,” adds Gavin Veeran. “We cannot ignore our impact on the living environment, and have to start making changes that include becoming more responsible for our environment and focus our efforts on being resource efficient. As designers, we have many avenues in which to make a difference, from the inception, supply chain and all the way to the end-user.”

VIVIX panels incorporate Formica Group’s commitment to sustainable principles and practices. Manufactured in Europe to ISO 9001 standards, the laminate delivers minimal environmental impact as determined by Formica Group’s product Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). LCA tracks the ecological effects of a product throughout its lifespan from raw material procurement, manufacture and transport, to its use, reuse and disposal.

All of Formica Group’s European manufacturing sites and distribution centres have achieved the internationallyrecognised Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody (COC) certification from leading accreditation body, BM TRADA. This ensures that materials used in the production of Formica High Pressure Laminate (HPL) and woodbased bonded items are from sustainably managed sources. 

 www.formica.com VIVIX panels provide the opportunity to accentuate elements and features of the building design itself

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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 |

Public Sector Build Journal 43

Landscaping Roofing, Health & Cladding Safety & Insulation

The challenge was to update the old school site, creating a stimulating outdoor environment

Stimulating outdoor environment Opened in September 2012, the brand new £6.5m Endike Primary school provides a modern learning environment for 420 pupils aged three to 11 and 26 nursery school places.

A

s part of the Government’s ‘Building Schools for the Future’ programme the project involved the design and detailing of a three-storey primary school building, which would eventually replace the existing 80 year old school, providing considerable improvements to educational facilities in the local area.

When remodelling the school on the inside, it was also important to recognise the opportunities the outside space could bring, as research shows that well-planned grounds have a profound influence on the ethos of a school and that a clear link exists between the quality of a school’s design and the quality of education delivered.

In terms of design, the challenge was to update the old school site, creating a stimulating outdoor environment with opportunities for learning, fun, exercise and achievement to the benefit of children at the school.

It was key for Marshalls to achieve product options which satisfied the designer’s aspirations whilst also considering budgets and timescales to suit the client.

The need to manage site logistics was particularly important in the refurbishment of Endike Primary school as the existing school was still operating during the construction process. The school was built with longevity in mind therefore it was

44 Public Sector Build Journal

important for all materials used in the project to reflect this.

Simple implementation of high-quality hard landscaping materials in school environments can help enhance learning and benefit the health and well-being of children by providing useable and attractive spaces.

Marshalls specialises in supplying schools, colleges and universities with quality hard landscaping solutions, from water management products, to the very latest street furniture.

The client was looking for a product which would create a safe outside space for pupils that could be used to produce an inspiring, modern outdoor learning environment. Marshalls Conservation smooth ground flag paving is suitable for pedestrian areas and supports projects with a contemporary edge, combining the appearance and richness of natural granite aggregates.

Conservation paving has a wide range of complementary products which make it easier for the architect to coordinate designs to achieve the best possible results. One such product at Endike Primary School is Conservation Silver Grey Textured Kerb which offers a wider profile than the British Standard Kerb.

Endike Primary school represents the very modern face of education in the city

Simple implementation of high-quality hard landscaping materials in school environments can help enhance learning

of Hull. Staff, pupils and parents are said to be delighted with the school which has been totally transformed from its former existence into a dynamic learning environment.

David Martin, the Director of Building Schools For The Future (BSF) in Hull, said: “Endike is the clearest example of innovation that is happening in BSF. We are trying to make sure that each school is individual. We have tried to create something that is exciting, that works as a school on the inside and has a positive local impact from the outside. Something that is useful, functional and beautiful.”

 www.marshalls.co.uk 

info@marshalls.co.uk  0101422 312000

Doors & Windows

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Public Sector Build Journal 45

Kitchens, Bathrooms & Washrooms

Remote flush at the simple touch of a button Pressalit Care has developed a remote flush facility for inclusion with its height adjustable toilet, adding to the independence that the toilet already offers those with limited mobility.

The remote mechanism, which is positioned on an adjustable arm within easy reach, allows users to flush the toilet after use without needing to turn or twist their body.

The remote flush operates on a dual three or six litre flush capacity, each button differentiated by colour, and linked to the cistern that is installed in the wall mounted, height adjustable toilet unit.

The University of Kent has installed the remote flush in two new fully accessible bathroom facilities in its Tyler Court accommodation.

The adjustable height toilet is a valued addition to the facilities in the bathrooms, with the University of Kent selecting the remote flush facility for the huge difference it can make.

The Pressalit Care height adjustable toilet – which is simply operated by a hand held, wired device – allows users to position the toilet to meet their individual needs, allowing for both seated and standing users, accompanied and unaccompanied, as well as safe transfer from a wheelchair.

The new bathroom facilities at Tyler Court also include Pressalit Care’s ergonomically designed Matrix Curve height adjustable basin, arm rests, grab rails, and the adjustable shower and chair positioned on the Plus horizontal track system.

Andrew Lowndes, UK Sales Manager at Pressalit Care adds: “The University of Kent has selected bathroom furniture to give them the ultimate in flexibility, and the ultimate in efficiency. Increased

independence in the bathroom is a great contributor to self-esteem, especially for students using the accessible bathrooms for whom university living is often their first experience of living away from home.”  www.pressalit.com 

uk@pressalit.com 0844 8806950

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Polyrey makes a splash with new collection Polyrey is introducing its updated Washroom Collection brochure featuring brand new decors, inspirational colour combinations and an added focus on LRVs (light reflectance values). Available now, the book boasts new decors, including six plain colours and two woodgrain decors. These eight new decors have been carefully chosen to meet the needs of designers looking to create striking washrooms. The brochure features inspiring colour combinations designed to save time and guide fitters by offering innovative solutions to bring flair to a washroom.

This valuable reference also facilitates the selection of laminates suitable for the visually impaired, by detailing LRVs directly under each colour sample.  en.polyrey.com

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Barwood Products strengthens sales team Following a successful year in 2014 Barwood Products has now appointed a new member to the team to further bolster the sales effort and to develop new opportunities for the company’s range of inclusive bathroom products.

Stuart Lorne joined the company in January as Regional Sales Manager – Midlands & the North and will be responsible for servicing existing customers, including key merchant accounts and developing new business for the full range of DOC M packs, grab rails, showers and accessories. As part of his new role he will provide a full technical back-up; which is a critical element of any inclusive project.  www.barwoodproducts.com

46 Public Sector Build Journal

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School hygiene bettered by design A new resource has been developed to help ‘get it right’ when specifying hygiene rooms for educational buildings. The Department for Education has updated its Building Bulletin 103 Area Guidelines for Mainstream Schools, which, for the first time, lays down a minimum size and required equipment for a school hygiene room. To simplify the specification and design process, Clos-o-Mat – the country’s leading hygiene room provider – has produced a CAD drawing available for free download from its website. The CAD drawing complements a raft of additional hygiene room technical support data already developed by the company, and accessible via a dedicated section of its website.  www.clos-o-mat.com 

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info@barwoodproducts.com

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The MCIAT Professional Assessment

– a new qualifying route What is the MCIAT Professional Assessment?

The MCIAT Professional Assessment is a flexible, rigorous, robust and quality assured qualifying process, based on performance and designed to recognise the diversity of Architectural Technology.

Candidates must provide an in-depth critical analysis clearly summarising their professional experience. This should be a reflective report and should refer to challenges and successes encountered whilst working on projects and how any issues were resolved.

Applicants should also undertake a self-evaluation highlighting their strengths and weaknesses in relation to their area(s) of practice.

The Professional Assessment process is based on four core competencies: • Designing • Managing • Practising • Developing (self)

Who can apply for the MCIAT Professional Assessment?

Any applicant working in or on, for example, academia, general practice, component design, refurbishment, small residential projects, large commercial projects etc within Architectural Technology, should be able to apply their own experience to the Professional Assessment process, but they must hold one of the following membership grades: ACIAT, TCIAT or profile candidate.

Each application will be assessed on its merit. However, each applicant will need to demonstrate a sufficient level of knowledge and understanding and professional competence/experience in relation to their sphere/s of practice and demonstrate to the Institute they can meet the expectations of a Chartered Architectural Technologist, MCIAT.

How much does it cost?

To apply for the Professional Assessment, applicants are required to pay £300 for the assessment of the application and the Professional Assessment Interview.

For further information email our Membership Director, James Banks via james@ciat.org.uk or call us on +44(0)20 7278 2206 Public Sector Build Journal 47

HVAC

Evinox Energy packaged plant is the perfect fit Evinox Energy is working with Bowmite Electrical & Mechanical on a new mixed-use development in Walthamstow that features a communal heating system serving 80 dwellings.

Unity Place is located in the Blackhorse Lane regeneration area of Walthamstow. Evinox’s engineers provided design support and liaison with Bowmite Electrical & Mechanical and CHP suppliers to provide an energy efficient and cost effective solution for the LTHW system at Unity Place.

The bespoke pre-fabricated skid for the central plant was designed and supplied, tailored to the project requirements and limited plant room space.

This new scheme benefits from the installation of ModuSat FS heat interface units with integrated hot water tanks in each apartment, and a prefabricated skid for the central plant, which feeds the communal heating system.

The prefabricated plant room skid includes Evinox ADI CD boilers, which provide a total output of 460kW, and feature excellent seasonal efficiency performance and extremely ecological combustion with impressive class 5 NOx

figures of <10ppm and CO around 47 ppm.

The skid is also fitted with a Matic-Pro pressurisation unit, expansion vessel, circulating pumps, heat meters and other accessories. Evinox’s engineers provided a full back-up support including liaison with all relevant consultants and subcontractors during the course of the project.  www.evinoxenergy.co.uk  info@evinoxenergy.co.uk  01372

722277

Waterloo keeps it natural for Liverpool’s theatre When it comes to controlling indoor environments, natural ventilation is favoured by architects and building owners as a low energy approach that can offer an alternative to mechanical air conditioning plants. This was a preferred solution for Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre which was designed to perform as a low energy building following its re-development. By working in close collaboration with Waterman Group Plc an international engineering and environmental consultancy, advanced air distribution products from Waterloo Air Products Plc were specified to enable the theatre to meet its environmental objectives.  www.waterloo.co.uk



sales@waterloo.co.uk



01622 717861

Correct fire damper installation still being ignored All mechanical ventilation systems should have fire dampers installed as specified by Building Regulation 38. Dampers are designed to drop down in the event of a fire effectively containing it by creating a physical barrier. However Dermott Quinn, Managing Director of duct maintenance specialist, Ductbusters, warns that an alarmingly high number of installations are faulty: “Over the years, fire dampers have been installed in ventilation ductwork systems in their thousands, but worryingly, when called to a building for the first time it is still common for us to find dampers installed the wrong way round and even upside down!”  www.ductbusters.co.uk

48 Public Sector Build Journal



enquiries@ductbusters.co.uk

 0800

085 0403

Sentinel calls for higher standards Sentinel Commercial, an expert in water treatment, is calling for higher standards to be applied in the commercial market due to the considerable number of boiler breakdowns caused by poor water treatment chemicals and practices.

Highlighting the issue is the example of a brand new commercial boiler system installed in a secondary school in the North West, which experienced a failed heat exchanger just a few months after commissioning. Sentinel’s water sample analyses revealed that the new heating system had not been pre-cleaned before the addition of an inhibitor, resulting in a suspension of debris in the system water.  www.sentinelprotects.com  customer.services@sentinel-solutions.net  01928

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Public Sector Build Journal 49

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Sound learning at new academy Apart from the quality of teaching, good acoustics is a prime requirement for schools which can be very noisy environments.

Simple solutions are available and London’s new UCL Academy is a good example where Troldtekt acoustic panels have been specified by architects Penoyre & Prasad. These also contribute towards the school achieving its BREEAM rating of Excellent.

At six storeys high, the academy fulfils its role as an important civic landmark in the community. It curves around a large south facing outdoor space which is the

circulation hub for arriving staff and students and from which they disperse to the five ‘households’ which make up the academy.

Remmers industrial flooring system earns its stripes Remmers industrial flooring systems have been used extensively as part of an expansion project to double the size of the manufacturing area at the Promat BD warehouse. Capeland Industrial Flooring was contracted to install 1800m2 of the Remmers flooring system to the new extension that was being built to create additional warehouse space, as well as 1200m2 of flooring to the existing machining area. The flooring needed to be durable, non-slip and resistant to oils whilst the warehouse floor required a hardwearing, smooth finish suitable for fork-lift traffic and incorporating a DPM as it was being laid over freshly applied concrete.  www.remmers.co.uk



sales@remmers.co.uk



0845 373 0103

Altro increases warranty on 2.5mm safety flooring Altro has increased the warranty, sustained slip resistance and life expectancy on its 2.5mm safety flooring ranges after they have proved their resilience and reliability in some of the world’s most testing environments. Altro Designer 25, Altro Unity 25 and Altro Classic 25 now come with a 20 year warranty and 25 year life expectancy and sustained slip resistance. Altro’s 2.5mm safety flooring provides a supreme standard of durability.

The extra 25% thickness makes it significantly more robust than 2mm safety flooring, with resistance to impact damage, mechanical and physical damage and point loading, as well as enhanced durability for heavy duty areas with intense use.  www.altro.com

50 Public Sector Build Journal



enquiries@altro.com

 01462

489516

Each of the five has its own social and pastoral centre and a ‘superstudio’ as the centre of its learning resource. The upper floors offer fine views and roof terraces are provided wherever possible to facilitate additional learning and social opportunities on the tight site.

Any potential noise pollution from open spaces or classrooms has been solved by installing Troldtekt acoustic panels on the ceilings. Made from 100% natural wood fibres, their benefits include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low cost life cycle performance and sustainability.

Troldtekt panels are widely specified throughout Europe to improve acoustics in many different projects, such as schools, swimming pools, commercial and public buildings. Available in various sizes and in three grades from ultrafine to coarse, they can be left unpainted or painted in virtually any RAL colour. Their sustainability was recently recognised with certification at Silver level within the Cradle to Cradle concept. 

 www@troldtekt.co.uk am.carroll@skanda-uk.com  01978 664255

British Gypsum raises the standard British Gypsum is raising the standard in commercial acoustic ceilings, with the launch of a new range of highperformance ceiling tiles.

The Eurocoustic range offers Class A sound absorption, A1 reaction to fire and 30 minutes’ fire resistance – all as standard. The range comprises five products which have been designed to satisfy specific performance requirements within education, healthcare, office and similar commercial interiors. Tonga, Minerval, Area, Ermes and Clini’Safe are all manufactured to EN 13964 and are fully backed up by British Gypsum’s Specsure lifetime warranty. 

 www.british-gypsum.com bgtechnical.enquiries@bpb.com  0115 945 1000

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

F. Ball’s fast-track solutions F. Ball and Co, manufacturer of flooring adhesives and subfloor preparation products, has unveiled a fast-track system for vinyl floorcoverings, comprised of rapid drying waterproof surface membrane Stopgap F78, rapid set and rapid dry smoothing underlayment Stopgap Fast-Track 30 and new fast-track vinyl floorcovering adhesive Styccobond F5. These products, combined, will allow flooring contractors to complete a vinyl floorcovering installation in as little as three hours. Richard Harris, Marketing Manager at F. Ball comments: “This is the fastest product range available, from the number one flooring adhesive and smoothing underlayment manufacturer in the UK, and contractors are going to see serious time saving benefits from our fast-track solutions.”  www.f-ball.co.uk



mail@f-ball.co.uk

 01538

Go with the Expona Flow Polyflor has launched Expona Flow, a collection of 50 heavy commercial sheet vinyl flooring designs launched under the renowned Expona brand. A unique addition to the Expona family, Expona Flow is available in a 2 metre wide sheet format with a 2mm gauge and a 0.7mm wear layer. Authentically replicating natural wood planks from a diverse range of tree species and wood treatments, the variety of colour and pattern combinations available is vast.

Developed to provide a broad range of engaging and innovative design options, Expona Flow is suitable for use in a range of heavy commercial environments.

361633

Tigerturf provides full sized pitch for Ordsall Park Synthetic turf manufacturer, TigerTurf UK, has manufactured and supplied a 99.4 x 62.5m football surface for Ordsall Leisure Centre, on Ordsall Park in Salford. Boasting FIFA 1 and 2 star accreditation; TigerTurf’s Soccer Real 60XQ is a premier football product that meets the needs of professionals and the community alike. The third generation synthetic turf system has a 60mm pile height and comprises two unique profiled fibres; part-filled with rubber and sand which enhance the overall playing characteristics. Thanks to the blend of two unique profiled fibres, the system is not only extremely durable, but also maintains the look of a luscious playing surface throughout its entire lifespan.  www.tigerturf.com/uk



ukinfo@tigerturf.com



 www.polyflor.com 

info@polyflor.com 767 1111

 0161

01299 253966

Safeguard’s Dryrod gets BBA approval

Visit the TTA Awards microsite The Tile Association Awards 2015 will take place at St Johns Hotel, Solihull on 18th April. Aiming to make the TTA Awards 2015 the best yet, the Association is ramping up its online promotion and coverage of the Awards this year. As well as regular e-blasts, content from Tilezine, and activity on the new Awards-dedicated Twitter (@ttaawards), the Awards microsite is a new innovation for this year. All the key information about the Awards is to be found on the microsite, www.ttaawards.com. Linked to the TTA site but with its own identity, the microsite presents in an easilyaccessible fashion everything the industry needs to know.

After the completion of exhaustive testing, the British Board of Agrément (BBA) has certified Dryrod damp-proofing rods from Safeguard Europe – the UK’s leading specialist in damp- and waterproofing, and masonry repair solutions.

Designed to be the fastest, cleanest, easiest and most effective rising damp treatment on the market, the Dryrod damp-proofing rod is a synthetic rod made from advanced polymers that is impregnated with a silane/siloxane material so that it forms a DPC in brick, coursed stone, rubble infill and cavity walls. Tests on these patented rods have shown that the percentage of water passing through protected masonry is 30 times less than ‘economy’ or budget damp-proofing creams.  www.stormdry.com



awards@tile.org.uk 0300 265 8453

 01403

220130

No compromises with Upofloor Zero New Upofloor Zero contract sheet flooring offers a tough, resistant surface that is completely eco and userfriendly. Made from an innovation material called Enomer, the flooring contains ‘zero’ PVC, chlorine, plasticizers, phthalates, halogens and heavy metals, promoting healthy indoor air. Upofloor Zero features a mineral-based construction and has an anti-static, ionomer-reinforced surface treatment. In high traffic environments, it offers excellent durability and flexibility, and it is exceptionally resistant to scratching, staining, bacteria and chemicals. A flexible, homogeneous structure makes installation easy and sheeting can be quickly molded into awkward areas, including floor drains and up onto walls.

 www.ttaawards.com 

 info@safeguardeurope.com

 www.upofloor.com



sales.uk@upofloor.com



02392 453045

Public Sector Build Journal 51

Focus & Innovation ceilings and interior walls and ceilings reduces the risk of condensation as moist air is less likely to condense on warmer surfaces. Traditionally, residents suffering from condensation were advised to turn heating up to provide continuous background warmth.

Raising the temperature

It is always better to deal with mould by dealing with the cause of dampness

Wet on the wall

Condensation is probably the most common form of dampness today. Along with associated mould growth, this is a particular issue for the tenanted sector. Hudson Lambert, Director of Safeguard Europe explains the factors involved and how it can be alleviated.

C

ondensation occurs when moisture-laden air hits cooler surfaces (e.g. windows, walls and ceilings) causing water in the air to condense back into its liquid form. And, obviously, causing dampness on the affected surfaces. On windows, this will result in pooling on cills, and mould on walls and ceilings.

There is a well-established link between damp and mould and poor health – the British Medical Journal carried an article on the ill-effects as far back as 1872. A more recent report from the World Health Organisation called Children Living in Homes with Problems of Damp states that: “Dampness ….is a strong and consistent indicator of risk for asthma and respiratory symptoms such as cough and wheeze.”

Solutions to condensation problems tend to fall into two main categories: reducing the amount of moisture in the air; and increasing surface temperatures.

People produce large amounts of water vapour during their daily activities such as cooking, washing, and drying of clothes. Historically, condensation control strategies began with suggesting behavioural changes to

52 Public Sector Build Journal

building occupants. This is not always practical and depends on a high level or co-operation.

The next most obvious method is to improve or increase ventilation. Aside from opening windows, this is usually achieved mechanically, although this needs to be correctly planned and installed to improve airflow around the affected areas without leaving “dead zones” where air is unable to circulate.

Increasing the surface temperature of

Low profile insulation specifically designed for dealing with condensation is now available

This is technically sound as it helps ensure that surface temperatures do not fall below the ‘dewpoint’ at which condensation can occur. However, some are reluctant to do this because of energy costs – and such an approach needs to be combined with insulation.

Lining walls with a standard internal wall insulation system (IWI) reduces the risk of condensation occurring as the surface temperature of the walls will typically increase by several degrees centigrade. It also reduces heating costs.

However, due to their thickness, IWI is often difficult to incorporate into smaller rooms. For this reason, low profile insulation specifically designed for dealing with condensation is now available. This is much thinner than standard IWI, meaning that while energy savings are not as great, they are still able to raise temperatures enough to reduce the risk of condensation.

It is always better to deal with mould by dealing with the cause of dampness (typically condensation). However, completely eliminating it is not always possible.

For this reason, the control measures above are often supplemented by the use of mould resistant paints.

This approach is endorsed in the BRE publication Controlling Mould Growth by Using Fungicidal Paints: “The ideal way to control mould growth is to remove the source of moisture… However this can be prohibitively expensive in some existing properties because of the constraints imposed by the design and construction of the building. In these circumstances, using fungicidal paints can be an economic alternative way of preventing mould growth.”

 www.safeguardeurope.com 

info@safeguardeurope.com  01403 210204

Focus & Innovation

Enhanced security with new IP Bullet Cameras Security Products from Siemens has introduced a range of innovative IP Bullet Cameras. Available in two variants – CCPW3025-IR (3MP version) and CCPW5025-IR (5MP version) – these best in class devices feature industry leading image resolution and quality to deliver the clearest possible images in a stylish and user-friendly design, both day and night.

Suitable for use indoors or outdoors, installing these IP Bullet Cameras is simple – just mount with a bracket that offers a choice of three distinct positions and add power and a network connection. Power can even be supplied via the IT network infrastructure through an in-built power over Ethernet (PoE) option.

Robust, reliable and suitable for a wide variety of applications, the camera and its 3-9mm motorised lens are built into a permanently sealed IP66 rated weather-proof enclosure.

Even in extreme environments, with

temperatures ranging from -40°C to +50°C, performance and continuity of operation is guaranteed.

These advanced features are complemented with H.264 and MJPEG dual encoding, including Contextadaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) resulting in exceptional video encoding performance, while ONVIF Profile S compatibility allows seamless integration into third-party systems. The 3MP IP Bullet Camera offers a resolution of 2048x536P at 15fps and 1920x1080P at 25fps, while the 5MP version provides 2592x1944P at 12fps and 1920x1080P at

25fps. Both variants boast bidirectional audio input/output and on board storage can be configured using a micro SDHC/SDXC card of up to 64Gb for local alarm recording.

These Siemens Bullet Cameras give optimal image quality at all times through the integration of state-of-theart backlight compensation (BLC) and enhanced wide dynamic range (WDR) functionality.  www.siemens.co.uk/securityproducts 

sam.lord@siemens.com  01291 437920

Delta Balustrades wins safety accreditation

A brighter future After leading the market for more than 30 years, Sagab by Elma has launched its latest version of the Volt Stick – the original, non-contact instant voltage tester. The new Volt Stick Bright is more accurate, provides clearer indication and is more versatile than the original with a range of new features that make it a toolbox essential for anyone needing to test for the presence of AC voltage in cables, wall sockets, fuses, circuit breakers and junction boxes. The new VoltStick Bright is the first digital tester in the range, making it the most accurate instant voltage tester on the market.

Delta Balustrades has added to its impressive array of construction sector credentials by achieving Safecontractor accreditation for its commitment to excellence in health and safety. Explains Garth Boyt from Delta Balustrades: “These accreditations are important as they give both specifiers and clients a clear indication that we have an ongoing commitment to quality and safety across everything we do. As a result, the marketplace can be confident that a Delta Balustrades system will be delivered to the very highest standards during installation and for its entire service life.”  www.deltabalustrades.com



info@cie-group.com 0115 977 0075

info@deltabalustrades.com



01270 753383

Apollo top of the class at London Teaching Hospital Patients, staff and visitors to St Bartholomew’s Hospital are better protected thanks to a new Apollo Fire Detectors Discovery system specified by fire alarm specialist Static Systems Group and leading construction and development company, Skanska. In total, more than 6500 Apollo Discovery units are installed throughout Barts, including over 5000 Multisensor Detectors and 1000 Manual Call Points. The fire alarm control system consists of 28 networked Series 900 Evo panels. The Level 1 system, which monitors more than 300 zones, interfaces with automatic fire dampers, air handling units, door closers, security doors, sprinkler flow, gas valves, lifts and smoke extractors and purge fans.

 www.cie-group.com 



 www.apollo-fire.co.uk



enquiries@apollo-fire.com



023 9249 2412

Public Sector Build Journal 53

Roofing, Focus & Innovation Cladding & Insulation

The Portakabin Group achieves top rating The Portakabin Group, the UK’s leading modular building manufacturer, has again achieved the highest possible rating from Dun & Bradstreet – the global specialist in business information and financial risk analysis. The coveted ‘rating 1’ status puts the Portakabin Group in the top 15% of all companies in the UK and Ireland for financial stability and is an independently-verified endorsement that the business is at low risk of failure and maintains high creditworthiness. It is also further recognition that the Group has performed at the highest level for another year.  www.portanews.co.uk



information@portakabin.co.uk

 0845

401 0010

Snickers’ quilted jacket – ideal for work and pleasure Famous for the outstanding functionality in its range of Jackets, Snickers is now adding fashion to the unrivalled hallmarks of quality that are embedded throughout its range of modern working clothes. Snickers’ jackets are ideal for those professional tradesmen and women who want everyday comfort and to dress smartly both in and out of work. The new quilted jacket is warm, cosy and made from a water repellent fabric lined with ‘high-loft’ lightweight padding for superior comfort and insulation in chilly and windy weather. There’s also a stretch fabric in the armpits for enhanced ventilation and freedom of movement.  www.snickersworkwear.co.uk



info@snickersworkwear.co.uk

Arco helps keep workers standing tall As the UK’s leading safety company, Arco has developed a dedicated catalogue designed to provide specific advice on floor level safety and matting.

Whether it is to reduce the risk of slipping on potentially treacherous surfaces or to provide fatigue-relief for standing operatives, Arco can recommend a range of products designed to meet each individuals needs. Slips and trips are inevitable; however the danger can be considerably reduced through the introduction of suitable matting within the workplace. Through the implementation of this simple safety measure, employees will be given the best possible chance of going home safe at the end of the working day.  www.arco.co.uk/matting  

sales@arco.co.uk 01482 222522

54 Public Sector Build Journal

Pop up power supply Pop Up Power supplies retractable service units that provide electricity, water and air supply to public spaces ranging from historic sites and market places to town squares and parks.

Its retractable service units provide legacy for special-purpose stadiums.

Due to their retractable nature, the units can be used in a variety of places that require subtlety and the ability to disappear when not required. They offer possibilities for more varied uses, giving stadiums new life long after their planned functions. A series of standard products are available as well as bespoke units with recessed tops that can accommodate different paving.  www.popuppower.co.uk 



01484 854788

info@popuppower.co.uk 551 8363

 0208

Tridonic unveils connecDIM Tridonic has launched connecDIM, a new system comprising a connecDIM Gateway and a connecDIM Cloud. A long-term study conducted by Zumtobel (Tridonic’s parent company) has confirmed that the present lighting situation in many offices often does not meet the requirements of the various groups of users. Simon Blazey, Pre Sales Manager, Northern Europe for Tridonic comments: “This light management solution not only enables the lighting to be monitored at any time and from anywhere in the world, it also allows employees to adjust the lighting to suit their own individual needs quickly and easily via a PC or smartphone app.”  www.tridonic.com



simon.blazey@tridonic.com

 01256

374300

Luxonic increases sustainability of luminaires Luxonic’s LuxLink Wireless control system significantly increases the sustainability of lighting schemes by combining multiple technologies to reduce energy consumption.

Various sensors detect occupancy and measure available daylight to ensure energy isn’t used for lighting purposes unnecessarily and comply with the European standby power directives for stand-alone luminaires and those that relay data information as part of a networked system.

The LuxLink Wireless system is built into the luminaires allowing simple installation and provides emergency self-testing, energy monitoring and daylight linking features among others. The wireless control is particularly effective in large open areas such as warehouses and factories.  www.luxonic.co.uk



info@luxonic.co.uk



01256 363090

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Middleton Technology School dining hall, Greater Manchester - Summer Coulis 5217

Order free samples of this new HSE Compliant safety floor: w: polyflor.com/verona e: verona@polyflor.com or scan below:

“As soon as we saw the new Verona range, we were impressed with the modern colours, particularly with the added benefit of slip resistance to give protection to our pupils. The motto at our school is ‘in pursuit of excellence’ and the installed flooring certainly fits our objective of having interior spaces that are fresh and project a positive ambience.”

Allison Crompton Head Teacher Middleton Technology School