www.psbj.co.uk ÂŁ4.00
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Shared environment Vital services available via community hub
External finishes Long lasting coatings for metalwork
Old meets new School expansion takes conservation approach
Public safety Remote light monitoring to meet targets
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Cover image
Following a tornado that tore through the community of Sparkbrook in Birmingham, five public and private organisations joined forces to create a new community and health centre that would regenerate health and community services in the area.
Welcome. . . In light of the Government’s official launch of the Green Deal last month, whereby it aims to insulate 14 million homes by 2020 and provide an estimated £1.3b in energy efficiency measures, the emphasis on building products for housing stock has never been so relevant. Editor Hannah Frackiewicz hannah@mixedmediainfo.com Managing Director Sam Ball sam@mixedmediainfo.com Publication Manager Lesley Hobbs lesley@mixedmediainfo.com Design & Production Chris Lilly chris@mixedmediainfo.com Accounts Simone Jones simone@mixedmediainfo.com Publisher Mixed Media Information Barham Court, Teston Maidstone, Kent ME18 5BZ T: 01622 232702 F: 01622 816874 www.mixedmediainfo.com www.psbj.co.uk
Under the Green Deal, homeowners, installers and local authorities can all play a part in the scheme and, as it gains momentum, the savings will very soon be realised. Among the first of the local authorities to undertake significant Green Deal strategies is Birmingham City Council, which has demonstrated its commitment by appointing Carillion Energy Services as its delivery partner. Having been awarded £2.6m to help fund the delivery, Birmingham’s partnership with Carillion Energy Services will see the renovation of almost 60,000 homes and non-domestic properties, through a number of heating systems. According to the government, which anticipates significant marketing activity over the coming months, this is just the first in a longline of partnerships working together to ensure the Green Deal targets are met. Together with the comprehensive range of heating systems available, as highlighted in this month’s PSBJ, the focus on insulation within housing stock has been rapidly brought to the fore. PSBJ’s timely insulation feature centres its attention on solid wall insulation. Out of the 8 million solid wall properties in the UK, it is estimated only 2% have been properly insulated. Against this backdrop, Celotex unveils the impact of correctly-installed solid wall insulation and profiles refurbishment in action. Elsewhere in this issue, IMS Consulting reflects on how adopting a sustainable practice affects the whole supply chain, whilst Powdertech highlights how powder coating steelwork varies depending on application. As always, if you would like to comment on any of the articles featured, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Hannah Frackiewicz
Hannah Frackiewicz | Editor | hannah@mixedmediainfo.com Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and return addressed envelope. No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editors hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Mixed Media Information Ltd. The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher. The Publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.
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Contents
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08 Upfront In a bid to revolutionise properties in terms of energy efficiency, Sustainable Building Solutions discusses how it is currently supporting the public sector in order to meet Green Deal targets.
14 Housing As part of the strategic development of Stratford, Aurora – led by One Housing Group – is set to provide much needed affordable homes.
22 Insulation
26 Doors & Windows
Celotex unveils how the Government’s flagship Green Deal is set to revolutionise energy efficiency market and make homes fit for the future.
To coincide with the recent 50th anniversary since the closure of Glasgow’s first tramway, PSBJ revisits Glasgow’s Riverside Museum.
20 Paints, Coatings & Finishes
24 Renewable Energy & Energy Management
28 Healthcare
Powdertech outlines the extent to which high performance powder coatings for steelwork can vary depending on application.
With the increasing pressures to conserve energy usage, vital services, such as street lighting, are under threat. Harvard Engineering offers a solution.
18 Talking Point IMS Consulting considers the viability of implementing a sustainable practice across the whole construction industry.
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Public Sector Build Journal
A recent collaboration comprising public and private organisations has provided a much-needed community and health centre for the Sparkbrook residents in Birmingham.
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32 Leisure
38 HVAC
Speller Metcalfe has worked in partnership with Hereford Council and Halo Leisure to deliver a revived leisure facility, which has been developed with a more sustainable future in mind.
Space Air reveals how its Daikin Altherma air/water heat pump systems can give housing occupants full control, plus offer significant cost savings.
34 Play Equipment
42 24
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41 Renewable Energy
Children’s Play Advisory Service Director, Rob Wheway, gives guidance on maintaining standards in play areas.
With the Government’s Green Deal at the fore, Nu-Heat reflects on the opportunities available to upgrade insulation and change a building’s heat source.
36 Education
42 Product Showcase
Kent-based GML Construction, demonstrates how old and new can work in harmony through its recent conservation project.
A round up of news, products and installations concerning the public sector and helping specifiers to make informed choices.
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Public Sector Build Journal
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News The Leadbitter Group has completed two more care homes in Gloucestershire offering a mix of residential and dementia care. Jubilee Lodge Care Centre in Bourton-on-the-Water and Monkscroft Care Centre in Cheltenham were both delivered by Leadbitter on behalf of the Gloucestershire Care Partnership (GCP), which is made up of The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), Gloucestershire County Council and bpha (Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association). Jubilee Lodge replaces two existing care homes and will provide accommodation for 74 residents with a mix of nursing, dementia and intermediate care. Each bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and the home
Leadbitter adds to care home portfolio also features a shop and hair salon, along with communal and social spaces and landscaped gardens. The new Monkscroft Care Centre has a modern design, with white render and buff brick with a sage green fascia and eaves
that mimic an oxidised copper finish. The home is the first part of a major redevelopment of the Coronation Square area of Cheltenham, which will feature buildings with similarly contemporary designs.
Ocon wins Muir Group affordable homes scheme
Record nominations for Morgan Sindall Leading construction, infrastructure and design company, Morgan Sindall, has seen a record number of its projects nominated in this year’s Serving Construction and Architecture in Local Authorities (SCALA) Civic Building of the Year awards. Alsop High School and Park Brow Primary School, both in Liverpool, and Havant Public Service Plaza and Forest Park School, both in Hampshire, have made it onto the shortlist of 10 public service buildings in the prestigious awards. The awards celebrate the very best construction projects in the public sector across the UK. No contractor has previously had so many projects nominated for these awards. Last year’s joint winner of the Civic Building of the Year was the £15.8m Bourne Hill offices for Wiltshire Council, also constructed by Morgan Sindall.
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Public Sector Build Journal
Manchester-based Ocon Construction has been awarded a £1.16m contract to construct an 18-unit residential scheme in Warrington for the Muir Group Housing Association. The Manor Lock development will provide seven three-bedroom houses and 11 onebedroom apartments for affordable rental in the Latchford area of Warrington following the 11-month design and build programme. Constructed on a brownfield site, formerly occupied by a social club,
Energy Centre announces ERDF funding At the momentous turf cutting ceremony for South Devon College’s Energy Centre, based on the Whiterock Business Park in Paignton, the approval of the ERDF funding was announced as the final part of the funding jigsaw. At the ceremony, Stephen Criddle, Principal of South Devon College, announced the signing
the scheme involves traditional brick and masonry construction and has been designed to Code Three for Sustainable Homes standard. The houses will each feature front garden areas and some will have rear gardens with communal landscaped areas for the remainder. Nine of the 11 apartments will be located in a central three-storey block with the remaining two located above a drive-through archway that will form the entrance to the development. of the contract for £2.5m of funding from the ERDF and commented: “We are indebted to the ERDF, as well as all the other funders, who through their funding are enabling us to create such an exciting and important project which will play a major role in growing the low carbon sector in the South West. ERDF funding will support not only the capital build costs of this inspiring new centre, but also the business support and community engagement functions. There will also be incubation space integrated into the centre so that those thinking of setting up businesses in the energy sector will have the expert support they need on hand. We plan to create 400 new private sector jobs through the centre’s activities and to ensure that South Devon is regarded as a hub for low carbon and renewables related businesses – both new and old – to set up and thrive.”
News
Development to add value to Westminster
Rostek-UK wins Glasgow hospital contract Rostek-UK has been awarded a £200k contract to provide a facade access system at the new Glasgow South Hospital, which is being built on the existing Southern General Hospital in the South West of the city. Working closely with the awarding contractor, Brookfield Multiplex Europe, on behalf of its client NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the solution provided by Rostek-UK is to install an Otte building maintenance unit (BMU) and RSS
133 monorail. Due for completion in 2015, the new acute care hospital will have 1109 beds, of which 256 will be for children, and 30 modern operating theatres. It will also provide accident and emergency services and a full range of in-patient and day case paediatric services. Already completed within the complex is a separate laboratory block providing biochemistry, haematology and blood transfusion services.
Willmott Dixon’s development division Regen is to partner with Westminster City Council in an innovative land deal that will see the council gain a £17m multi-use leisure facility at no cost to the taxpayer. The deal, which has a gross development value of £60m, will see sale receipts from 120 new homes developed by Regen on two sites fund the new sports centre. The council will also benefit from future uplift in sales values of the homes during construction as well as any surplus land value from both sites. It is the type of land arrangement that is set to become more widespread as councils look for innovative funding methods from private sector developer partners to unlock value and create funds for new facilities.
Double development for Castlemead Healthcare and nursing home developer, Castlemead, has secured brownfield sites for two major care home developments, with a combined project value of £13m, in just two weeks. The developer has been granted planning approval for a 40,000ft2 nursing home in Buxton, contrary to some of the issues highlighted by recent government initiatives and pressures to ease planning regulations. The development, worth
£6.5m, will be built on the former Haddon Hall site and will comprise 75 beds. Castlemead followed this success by gaining consent to build and develop another nursing home at Thirlestaine Hall, in the centre of Cheltenham. This 63-bed site will span over 34,000ft2 and holds a project value of £6.5m. The Cheltenham development is also part of a scheme providing 24 assisted living units and 60 residential units.
United House wins top accolade United House has won Homebuilder of the Year, the top accolade in the Sunday Times British Homes Awards, at a glittering ceremony in London. The company also won Apartment Building of the Year and Housing Project of the Year. The specialist developer, contractor and investor was chosen for its commitment to sustainable regeneration, the establishment of new communities, strong architectural
design and landscaping, innovative construction methods and build quality, plus environmental initiatives. The company won Apartment Building of the Year for its groundbreaking Clapham One project, a joint venture with Cathedral Group. Architect for the scheme, Studio Egret West, went on to win Architect of the Year at the awards. It won Housing Project of the Year for City North, a regeneration
scheme set to transform the heart of Finsbury Park, a joint venture with the owners of the Business Design Centre in Islington.
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Upfront
A great deal to address Improving the energy efficiency of the UK's building stock is a key principal behind the Green Deal
Whilst the Green Deal has yet to capture the pulse of the nation, many public sector bodies and social landlords have made significant steps forward with a scheme set to revolutionise the energy efficiency of their property assets. To make the Green Deal a standard part of the industry, new ways of working need to be developed says Paul Joyner, Director of Sustainable Building Solutions (SBS), part of the Travis Perkins Group.
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espite being launched on 1st October 2012, the Green Deal is still below the radar for many in the country. However, it has been embraced by public sector organisations and social landlords in particular as they recognise the huge opportunity it represents. With government funding being drastically reduced in many areas, the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) funding available within Green Deal has been the catalyst for many organisations to ‘get in early’. Our research tells us that there are three key drivers for the adoption of Green Deal and ECO and each one is a key priority for social landlords and local authorities. The measures can help to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock (residential and non
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Public Sector Build Journal
residential) and significantly reduce fuel poverty whilst creating employment for local people. Improving the energy efficiency of the UK’s building stock is a key principal behind the Green Deal. The facts speak for themselves; there was £7b of wasted energy from UK housing in 2011, carbon emissions from buildings represent over 40% of all UK emissions and carbon emissions from housing represent 27% of the total. Taking steps to reduce this waste is critical to the Government’s carbon reduction targets in 2020. The innovative Green Deal funding mechanism is the key attraction for the public sector and social landlords as private finance pays for the upfront costs. These are paid back by the tenants over a long-term period of up
to 25 years through a small increment on their energy tariffs. So, is this a case of the landlord benefitting at the tenant’s expense? If the Green Deal plan is put together by a best-in-class advisor then the answer is ‘no’. The tenant shouldn’t see any difference in their electricity bill as the improved thermal efficiency leads to lower energy consumption and a home that stays warmer for longer.
A clear programme Rising energy prices mean fuel poverty is a significant issue within the UK, with 6.9 million households classed as being in fuel poverty and the numbers are rising. The Green Deal could provide an excellent way for the public sector and social landlords to address the issue.
Upfront
It is important that plans are put in place for clear work programmes, tenant involvement in design principles and education programmes on lifestyle changes and technical requirements
do not meet the Golden Rule – for example, solid wall insulation (SWI). ECO funding does not need to be repaid by the tenant.
Proactive partnerships A key issue for social landlords will be tenant engagement in the Green
Deal. There is a risk that they will receive multiple Green Deal offers from potential partners which will drive the expectation that the landlord will be able to approve their project or offer an alternative proposition. Social landlords must be on front foot rather than being reactive. It is important
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A large group of tenants and homeowners will benefit from the Green Deal through ECO, a new funding mechanism. ECO will be entirely focussed on the needs of the lower income and most vulnerable in addition to those properties needing the most cost-effective measures that
Renewable energy systems, such as solar thermal panels, have been installed to cater for stringent building demands
Public Sector Build Journal
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Upfront
Fabric first approach The Green Deal is likely to highlight a key issue for many installers, contractors and merchants working both in the private and public sector; they now need to think outside the box and approach both new build and retrofit differently if sustainable building is going to become accepted into the mainstream. A fabric first approach is vital if a real dent is going to be made in carbon reduction targets and getting builders on board is the first step. Fabric first provides a simple solution because, by making just small changes to the products used and the construction methods, it is possible to achieve what too many have wrongly regarded as the holy grail of sustainable construction, namely significantly reduced thermal conductivity with relatively small and simple changes
to construction methods at little or no extra build cost. This suits the public sector as the building fabric will always remain in place, require minimal maintenance and offer a life-time of performance. The correct order of procedure should be to get the fabric right first and then maximise the performance of renewable technologies if a choice is made to deploy them. Secondly, it ensures that buildings are not just green but better quality and therefore able to stand the test of time. To support those who agree with this approach, we felt it was important to develop the traditional role of the merchant and make SBS about technical assistance and integrated solutions. Earlier in the year, the team produced a set of standard construction drawings specifically for the retrofit market which provide fabric improvements through intelligent product selection. Based on the thermal performance of a two- and three-bed, mid-terrace home, they solve problems that can often lead to further costs down the road such as
SBS has recently assisted a barn conversion housing project
10 Public Sector Build Journal
surface condensation. This commonly occurs when additional insulation is added into a wall and causes a negative impact on thermal bridging. The team discovered that a simple change in product and the angle of installation can prevent surface condensation. Sharing knowledge in this way is vital for the progress of the UK construction sector. In reiterating the importance of the building fabric to increase efficiency and building standards, merchants must also align themselves with experts outside of their company. This is vital to maintain the reputation of the industry and to support the successful uptake of the Green Deal.
Guaranteed expertise Earlier in the year, SBS aligned itself with Toriga to provide an integrated Green Deal proposition from specification through to finance, assessment and installation – in effect an end-to-end Green Deal solution. This strategy means that public sector clients can gain the most value from assessors and installers.
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that plans are put in place for clear work programmes, tenant involvement in design principles and education programmes on lifestyle changes and technical requirements.
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Upfront demonstrates that new ways of working are vital if the construction industry is going to start thinking sustainably.
Collaborative methods
By taking this approach, rather than offering finance themselves, the Travis Perkins Group can focus on staying within their own areas of expertise by providing supply and distribution measures, in-branch consumer and trade marketing whilst SBS provides
technical support and training. This leaves Toriga to offer finance provision, systems development and integration in addition to recruitment and management of assessors and installers. The Green Deal is expected to have a dramatic effect on how sustainable building and renewable energy products are viewed by the public sector and social housing. Again, the merchant needs to provide support where possible. Dedicated training events have been held in conjunction with the Travis Perkins Managed Services team to raise awareness not only of the Group’s work with Toriga but its official training partner PPL.
Sustainable practice
Paul Joyner, Director of SBS
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Travis Perkins Offsite was established in January this year to specifically target volumetric modular building manufacturers such as timber framed homes and kitchen pods. It is an extension of the Group’s Managed Services Division and again
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Paul Joyner SBS Director at ROCA launched the first standard construction drawings
Travis Perkins Offsite is now managing the supply chain of Accord Group’s LoCaL (Low Carbon Living) Homes factory in Walsall and is the ideal example of how mutually beneficial partnerships between merchants and the public sector must be formed for change to really be introduced. There is still a big education job to do in terms of communicating the opportunities available to installers, not only with regard to the Green Deal the but whole approach to sustainable construction and retrofit. My advice is to reach out to companies such as the Travis Perkins Group, who are willing to develop and form alliances. Similarly, house builders and housing associations and local authorities can’t assume that the Green Deal will automatically work for them; consider a consortium, build competencies into your business or network with those who are offering support or are already achieving success in a new, more energy efficient landscape.
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Housing
The technical team worked closely with the fabricator on the specification of the fenestration and doors to ideally match the performance requirements of the building
District masterplan Availability of new housing continues to be an issue throughout the UK, but in the London Borough of Newham this topic is very much being addressed. While it is no coincidence that the London Olympics 2012 focused the world's attention particularly on this part of London, the local authority has its own extensive agenda regarding the provision of new homes, as part of its Stratford Metropolitan Masterplan.
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ot only has the regeneration of the area been nothing short of spectacular, but the transformation of the adjoining 500 acres Olympic site is now well underway into what will become the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park due to re-open in July 2013.
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A strategic part of that development, lead by the London Legacy Development Corporation, is 11,000 new homes within five district neighbourhoods to include high density apartments and low density family homes towards Stratford City. All this will be linked by a new high street connecting the north of the park
with the Athlete’s village. One such new homes development is Aurora, sitting on a busy junction of what will become the new High Street. The development, by One Housing Group, is designed to provide much needed affordable family homes around the London area. “Newham is leading the country when it comes to housing,” says Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham. “This exciting development will help working families get into top-notch housing during the current tough economic climate. Our plans for social housing allocations will help drive aspirations and form a stable community where people choose to live, work and stay.” Aurora occupies a prime location in the centre of Stratford with easy access to transport infrastructure trains, tube and buses, and is close to all facilities. Its close proximity to the Olympic Park means access to state-of-the-art sports and community venues when they open next year as part of the new Queen Elizabeth Park. A leading provider of affordable housing, care and support One Housing Group manages over 13,000 houses across 26 London boroughs and surrounding counties. A not-for-profit organisation, it is committed to delivering new homes to meet the shortage. Having provided 2500 new homes over the past two years, the organisation is on course to deliver 4500 new homes over the next four years.
Prime location One Housing Group’s Chief Executive Mick Sweeney described Aurora as: “A scheme that will create much needed family homes in London, especially for those wanting to purchase an affordable home.” It is the regeneration of what was formerly a brownfield site previously used for storage offering a complete mix of homes, including commercial property and landscaped gardens. Whilst having a unique character, the buildings, designed by architects Stock Woolstencroft, are cleverly linked by the distinctive materials, colours and window treatments. A flagship-development providing mixed tenure schemes with one, two and three bedroom apartments, the
Housing
A number of the apartments feature balconies and these are accessed via Reynaers Concept System 68 (CS68) doors
tenure housing and workspace to the exciting new Stratford,” explains Mick Laws, Managing Director of Galliford Try Partnerships South East.
Efficiency initiative “We have a long standing partnership with One Housing Group and we believe that this has been achieved and a landmark development has been delivered, creating a sustainable legacy to the area.” To this end, Aurora is eco-friendly boasting an efficient gas-fired communal heating system supplying
The development, by One Housing Group, is designed to provide much needed affordable family homes around the London area
the whole development. It provides over 10% of the building’s energy requirement through renewable sources. Water saving initiatives too feature throughout with special water efficient taps, showers and WCs. Other aspects of the development’s energy efficiency and eco qualifications include enhanced thermal insulation throughout, rainwater attenuation, passive ventilation, sustainable building materials, of which the aluminium systems for window and door treatments are a major contributor, and energy
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£49m scheme is a highly attractive contemporary development of 173 properties comprising 37 affordable rent, 111 private sale along with 25 shared ownership homes. Prominently situated on the corner of Stratford High Street and Rick Roberts Way, it also includes seven ground floor commercial units, along with private landscaped gardens and a children’s play area. “From the outset of this project we worked closely with our client to create a sustainable, high quality and secure environment, delivering new mixed
The systems selected and used on Aurora complement the building's high levels of insulation and energy efficiency
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Housing efficient lighting, all contribute to reducing the environmental impact of the development. While a basement car park offers residents 60 car spaces there is also a complementary one year membership to a car club to help improve mobility. The properties comprise of a large bright spacious reception, ample space for a dining area, modern fitted kitchen with integrated appliances, fresh contemporary bathroom suite with shower and well proportioned double bedroom with spacious built in double wardrobes.
Accurate fabrication
Aurora occupies a prime location in the centre of Stratford with easy access to transport infrastructure trains, tube and buses, and is close to all facilities
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Whilst having a unique character, the buildings, designed by architects Stock Woolstencroft, are cleverly linked by the distinctive materials, colours and window treatments
aesthetic design. The same system is used for tilt & turn openers throughout the development. It meets all the latest thermal insulation requirements with values exceeding Building Regulations. A number of the apartments feature balconies and these are accessed via Reynaers Concept System 68 (CS68) doors, a three-chamber, thermally insulated aluminium system that gives the ideal combination of high insulation levels and optimum security. “As with the Athlete’s Village, aluminium systems are used extensively on many of the projects connected with the regeneration of Stratford,” explains Paul Duffy, Reynaers Sales Director. “Selection of sustainable aluminium systems for the development not only supports the environmental approach for Aurora, but also the green commitment with it being an extremely recyclable material. This applies not only to the source of the original raw material from recycled aluminium through to the complete lifecycle with a large proportion
of our systems being recycled at the end of their operational life. “In all projects around Stratford, environmental and sustainability have been of the utmost importance. Being 100% recyclable, aluminium fully meets the requirements. Design of the profiles also provides maximum thermal efficiency not detracting from the style, performance and functionality of the doors and windows. “The systems selected and used on Aurora complement the building’s high levels of insulation and energy efficiency with our thermally insulated, threechamber systems through to the highly efficient CW50 curtain walling system.” Reynaers systems used on the development and on other similar developments throughout the Stratford area fully meet International approvals regarding their effectiveness for security as well as being approved under the Secured by Design scheme.
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Reynaers’ distinctive Eco Windows, CS68 doors and Vision 50 doors were all fabricated and installed by Baris Facades & Linings for main contractor Galliford Try. The company’s technical team worked closely with the fabricator on the specification of the fenestration and doors to ideally match the performance requirements of the building and to correspond with the desired overall finish conceived by the architect. The ground floor frontage of the buildings utilise Reynaers Vision 50 doors, specifically designed for ground floor treatment and in particular high usage. They dovetail seamlessly with CW50 curtain walling, installed throughout the 12-storey apartment block. Openers within the curtain walling are all from the Eco 50 window system that combines energy efficiency with
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Go to sky.com/newbuild or call 08442 411 702 Sky TV: Sky box and Sky TV subscription required for customers to receive Sky digital programming. Only compatible with digital satellite. Two satellite feeds required for full Sky±HD functionality. You must get all consents required (e.g. landlord’s). General: Minimum Sky TV, Sky±HD subscriptions are 12 months. Further terms apply. Calls cost up to 5.1p per minute and up to 13.1p connection fee for BT customers. Calls from other providers may vary. Information only applies to residential customers in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Information correct at 5 January 2011.
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Talking Point industry as a whole. In working to improve their sustainability policies and, consequently, their performance, these organisations can often find themselves ahead of the curve across the industry, experiencing more success in the private as well as public sector.
Enhanced productivity
Sustainable practice The uptake of sustainable practice is crucial if the UK is to meet its carbon reduction targets
Increasingly, public sector tenders are raising the bar in terms of pre-qualification scores for sustainability. Does this actually help drive improvement through the whole construction industry, or is it just squeezing margins in an already cash-strapped industry?
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n recent years the public sector has put increasingly stringent requirements on construction companies to demonstrate their green credentials and commitment to sustainability. With pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQ) focusing more on environmental and social aspects, tendering construction firms and contractors are being pushed to provide evidence of these in their operations.
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The result has been growing focus on the assessment and analysis of their sustainability policies by those wanting to be successful in public sector bids. In this way, the public sector could be said to be enacting voluntary legislation of sorts – companies that don’t meet the standards set in the PQQ process will not win the business. There is evidence that this is having a beneficial impact not only on individual organisations, but the construction
The uptake and dissemination of sustainable practice in construction are crucial if the UK is to meet its carbon reduction targets, and this is in part driving the demand for greener buildings and tougher standards across the industry. The benefits of green construction are also now widely recognised by developers and tenants alike. As well as reduced energy use and operating costs, green buildings have healthier indoor environments which contribute towards improved productivity and reduced absenteeism. Since tightened budgets and spending hit the industry several years ago, there has been growing demand for the government to lead the way in sustainable construction. Given that 70% of the current building stock will exist in 2050, one of the keys to stimulating growth in the construction industry and ensuring the UK meets its carbon reduction targets is through retrofitting and refurbishment. According to the Office of National Statistics, the public sector accounts for nearly 40% of spending in infrastructure and projects, making it the construction industry’s biggest single – and most influential – client. There is some debate that these stringent targets place an unnecessary financial burden on companies that are already struggling against falling spending and investment. In the short term, this is certainly a fair assertion. Changing business focus and direction in order to operate more sustainably involves investment which will not necessarily pay back in the short run, raising concerns about survival amidst a financial downturn. However, there is a growing body of evidence to show that those embedding sustainability into their businesses are better positioned to
Talking Point thrive during a recessionary period and beyond. A report by Business in the Community recently found that companies managing and measuring their corporate responsibility have outperformed their FTSE 350 peers on total shareholder return (TSR) in seven out of the last eight years. It also observed that the TSR of these companies recovered more quickly in 2009, during the financial crisis, compared to their FTSE350 and FTSE All-Share peers. Osmosis Investment Management has also published results suggesting that companies that understand their environmental impacts and responsibilities make for better investments. Its research shows that an investment strategy based on resource efficiency produces higher returns than that of their less resource efficient peers. It also ‘identifies management teams that are forward thinking, aware of the economic imperatives brought about by resource constraint’.
Graham Sprigg FRSA is Director of IMS Consulting. For over twenty years Graham has helped corporates, NGOs and government agencies to understand more about what sustainability means to them and their stakeholders. He has wide experience in CSR and sustainability reporting, strategy development and communication, with a particular interest in the construction industry.
Low risk operation
The public sector needs to make sustainability a key consideration in its procurement practices
private sectors. Another way in which the public sector is raising the bar for sustainable construction is through green building certification. There are currently over 35 systems in operation globally, providing third-party validation of the design and/or performance of a building or infrastructure. In the UK, government departments now require that all their buildings are BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) certified and most local authorities require a BREEAM rating as part of their planning approval for developments over a certain size. The rise in popularity and acceptance of such standards and systems are evidence that sustainable construction and development are climbing up the business agenda. The public sector has a huge role to play in driving this shift by making certification ratings a part of the tendering process, but there is still much to be done. One particular challenge faced by the industry is how to encourage the entire supply chain to proactively embrace
sustainability. One of the steps taken this year to meet this challenge is the development of the Supply Chain Sustainability School. Involving some of the UK’s leading construction companies including Morgan Sindall, Skanska, Kier and Lend Lease, with funding from the public sector’s Construction Industry Training Board’s Construction Skills Growth Fund, the virtual school was set up to help suppliers and subcontractors learn about sustainability best practice and improve their approach to it.
Sustainability in procurement For the industry to be sustainable, environmental and social aspects need to be built into business models and considered by all involved from the initial planning stages of projects. Sustainability needs to be more than compliance-driven and, with the public sector making it an increasingly key consideration in its procurement practices, the industry as a whole is beginning to see the fruits.
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It is becoming increasingly clear that sustainable businesses are also low risk businesses, in the eyes of investors. Their awareness and management of their own environmental impacts and of those around them help make them more resilient to both internal and external risks, whilst also enabling them to maximise on opportunities. This in turn is helping to shape investment decisions in both the public and
www.imsplc.com Public Sector Build Journal 19
Paints, Coats & Finishes
Powder coated aluminium rainscreen cladding
Informed choices for coating Powder coating is a well-established painting system for architectural applications, from harsh marine and desert environments to decorative feature installations, building facades and fixing brackets. Powdertech outlines the extent to which coatings vary depending on application.
20 Public Sector Build Journal
for steelwork, but one would assume that the most basic requirement is for a fabrication that does not rust, retains its coating and will look good for many years. Surface preparation is essential for a successful finish. Galvanizing is recognised as the best initial preparation and the design should take the need for galvanizing into consideration. After
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hy powder coating rather than wet painting? In short, powder coating has the advantage of containing no VOCs, has no on-site health and safety restrictions and is generally a single coat factory applied finish in controlled conditions. There is no “drying time” as the cured coating is stable after 20 minutes and does not need further processing. There are several powder manufacturers supplying coating powders that will have life expectancies for adhesion, gloss and colour in excess of 30 years provided they are applied by a reputable powder applicator in conjunction with correct preparation systems. Different powder coat specifications apply for different situations. The choices made will depend upon how the coating is to be applied, the final location of the metal work, aesthetic considerations, life expectancy, design and maintenance. There are a number of coating choices
galvanizing a chrome or zinc phosphate surface conversion must be carried out – and the powder specification should be a polyester resin. There are alternative systems such as shot blasting followed by zinc rich epoxy powder primers or phosphate chemical preparation. These give more design freedom but there will be a compromise on the longevity versus a galvanized substrate. Key points or phrases that your finishing supplier should be aware of and comply with are within the following standards: British Standard – BS6497 powder coating onto galvanized steel (recently withdrawn), EN 13438 (replacement for BS6497), EN 15773 (guide to powder coating on galvanized steel), ISO1461 hot dip galvanizing, ISO12944 (design), Qualicoat. Aluminium generally has a higher aesthetic requirement or expectation than galvanized steel. To maintain the look, colour, gloss and of course for the paint to stay on the metal, preparation is crucial. Chrome or non-chrome chemical surface conversion coatings are needed prior to application of the powder coating. The coating powders used are the same as for galvanized substrates and are almost always a single coat application with a minimum film thickness of 40 microns. If aesthetics are important a Qualicoat class 1 powder material is essential. There are even better grades of powder, Qualicoat class 2 and class 3, which have superior ultra violet light (UV) fastness but in the UK these are rarely required. Key points or phrases that your finishing supplier should be aware of and comply with are within the following standards: British Standard – BS6496 powder coating onto aluminium (recently withdrawn), ISO12206 (replacement for BS6496), Qualicoat. This brief introduction only scratches the surface of the subject. Among the technical experts is Powdertech, established in 1984, which can provide a wealth of further information for professionals looking to enhance and prolong the life of steelwork and aluminium.
Aluminium expanded mesh feature cladding
www.powdertech.co.uk
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Insulation become more pressing in recent years considering the increased costs in buying land and developing. Now it’s time to go back to basics and build a solid case for energy efficiency that starts with the building itself. Rather than being seduced by expensive and often unproven technologies, the key is to get the fabric of the building as energy efficient as possible as this will make sustainability achievable in the long term.
Potential for refurbishment
By insulating a home's solid walls, heating costs can be cut considerably as solid walls can lose twice as much heat as a cavity wall
A solid case for Green Deal
Across the UK millions of people are living in homes which are simply not warm enough, weather tight or thermally efficient. With so many properties not up to standard something had to be done. Officially launched on 1st October 2012, the Government's flagship Green Deal is set to revolutionise the refurbishment and energy efficiency markets and transform these ageing, draughty buildings into homes fit for the future.
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escribed as ‘the biggest home improvement programme since the Second World War’, the Green Deal has an ambition to improve the energy efficiency of 14 million homes in the UK and cut carbon emissions and energy bills. ECO (The Energy Company Obligation) is part of the Green Deal and promises up to £1.3b of energy efficiency and heating measures delivered each year through subsidies delivered by Energy Providers. Following the much-publicised failings of the Feed-in Tariff, leading PIR insulation specialist Celotex believes that this energy efficiency scheme simply has to succeed for the
22 Public Sector Build Journal
Government to be seriously considered as the ‘greenest ever’. It is hoped that the Green Deal will come as a great relief to an increasing number of UK households struggling with constant rises in energy prices, as the need to bring these inefficient homes up to standard is clear to see. In fact, millions of properties do not have full double-glazing systems and less than half have an efficient condensing boiler or suitable insulation. And it is by improving and upgrading insulation where the Green Deal can deliver significant energy efficiency savings. The need to refurbish and regenerate the nation’s housing stock has
In line with this, the Government’s ambitions with the Green Deal go way beyond the ‘easy wins’ of previous initiatives which have tended to focus on cheaper loft-lagging and cavity wall insulation funded by energy company subsidies. Somewhat neglected in the past, solid wall insulation – internal and external – will now receive sufficient attention as part of an inclusive and much wider range of 45 Green Deal measures that include damp-proofing, windows and boilers. In the UK, there are approximately 8 million solid wall properties – of which only 2% or 160,000 have been properly insulated. By insulating a home’s solid walls, heating costs can be cut considerably as solid walls can lose twice as much heat as a cavity wall. However, cases of solid wall insulation have been rare in the past as it was previously considered too complicated and costly when compared to loft lagging or cavity wall insulation. But innovations and developments such as Celotex PL4000 – a rigid polyisocyanurate (PIR) bonded to 12.5mm tapered edge plasterboard and designed for internal applications – is proving to be the ideal insulation for refurbishment projects as it offers maximum flexibility for the installer, a fast application and long term savings in both energy use and costs. This solution along with EWI (external wall Insulation) systems, mean that solid wall upgrades are now viable. With so few solid wall properties insulated to the required standard, due in part to little funding or subsidy in the past, there is exceptional potential for high quality, high impact refurbishments. And with carbon
Insulation Performance Report of this trial house, an energy/carbon emission improvement strategy was put together to regenerate the two storey property. This incorporated a range of insulation products from market leader Celotex. High performance Celotex PL4000 internal wall insulation was specified in thicknesses of 65mm and 20mm for the solid brick walls. Manufactured with rigid polyisocyanurate (PIR) bonded to 12.5mm tapered edge plasterboard, Celotex PL4000 offers the installer maximum flexibility and is ideal for refurbishment projects where speed of installation and long term energy savings are of paramount importance. Window reveals were insulated with Celotex TB4000 in a thickness of 12mm. With low emissivity foil facings, the 12mm insulation board is the thinnest PIR available and is specifically designed to eliminate localised thermal bridges and further reduce heat loss through the building fabric.
Maximum impact The ‘after’ images showed how this extra insulation had a positive impact on the reduction of heat loss. Following a careful assessment of the trial home, a programme of work was then developed to insulate up to 800 council homes in the Aspley area of Nottingham, funded by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE). This proven method of energy efficiency is not only cost effective but the speed
Innovations and developments such as Celotex PL4000 is proving to be the ideal insulation for refurbishment projects
and ease of installation helps to reduce disruption to homeowners and ultimately helps to transform a deprived area into a low carbon community. Solid wall insulation can clearly make an impact during the thermal upgrading of energy inefficient homes. And with an expected growth of up to 60,000 jobs in the insulation sector by 2015, the benefits of the Green Deal will be more far-reaching than the reduction of homeowners’ heating bills.
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emission savings estimated at 10 times those achieved through loft insulation, solid wall insulation will not only reduce the house’s emissions but benefit the government, the environment and the homeowners. To ensure any project completed under the Green Deal umbrella is delivered to a high standard, all Green Deal installations must be performed by approved and accredited installers. This accreditation framework will also ensure consumer protection which is of utmost importance so confidence in the scheme remains high. This is crucial to the scheme’s success as due to the Green Deal’s unique finance mechanism, public response and engagement will inevitably have a huge effect on take-up. The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is set to replace existing obligations, the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) and the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP), when these end in December 2012. One of the major challenges for the ECO and Green Deal is the changing nature of the types of measures that will need to be delivered. While CERT focused on delivering low-cost measures, and was consequently very successful at installing simple loft and cavity wall insulation, these measures are no longer enough. An extensive project which is well underway in the city of Nottingham serves as a perfect example of how energy efficiency standards can be raised when refurbishing existing solid wall housing stock. Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO), Nottingham City Homes, aims to spend tens of millions of pounds improving the city’s 29,000 council homes. The decent homes programme, known locally as Secure Warm Modern, uses a portion of this funding to improve the thermal efficiency of Nottingham’s council homes.
www.celotex.co.uk
Installation flexibility Before improvement work started, an on-site analysis of the thermal performance of an end terrace property in the Aspley area of Nottingham was carried out. Using the Thermal
To ensure any project completed under the Green Deal umbrella is delivered to a high standard, all Green Deal installations must be performed by approved and accredited installers
Public Sector Build Journal 23
Energy Management
Light saver Street lighting is a fundamental aspect of a town's streetscape. Not only does it improve navigation for members of the public, it also enhances a community's sense of safety and security. In a bid to help energy management of these vital services, Harvard Engineering reflects on the opportunities available to tackle government targets and maintain control.
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overnment schemes such as the Climate Change Act and the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme are putting pressure on councils across the UK to reduce their energy, with legal requirements to make carbon reductions
Residents feel that if lights are switched off, public safety is compromised
24 Public Sector Build Journal
of 34% by 2020, and 80% by 2050, based on 1990 levels. However, with cuts to government funding, such as the Invest to Save scheme and PFIs, it is becoming increasingly difficult for local authorities to find the money to install the technologies needed to save energy. Street lighting is a key area for councils to manage in order to make the energy savings to meet government targets. With 7.5 million street lights in the UK, emitting approximately 830,000 tonnes of CO2 per year and costing £500 million per year to run, they are well known to be expensive to maintain as well as being a large user of energy and carbon emissions. Cutback to government funding is making it difficult for local authorities to install energy saving technologies, with many now looking at switching street lights off completely at certain times of the night. As a result many are facing backlash from residents, MPs and safety groups who feel that if lights are switched off, public safety is compromised. There
Remote monitoring A two way solution, LeafNut allows the user to manage street lights individually or in groups whilst also allowing the user to control light output. This can be done at any time over the internet using a computer, laptop, Android tablet or smartphone. As well as controlling each street light, LeafNut also collects information about each lamp’s energy use and maintenance requirements, delivering additional cost savings, as expensive night scouting can be avoided. To support local authorities with the investment required to install LeafNut, Harvard has recently launched a finance scheme. The scheme, which is called Install to Save, in recognition of the government’s Invest to Save scheme, works with Harvard paying for all the equipment costs associated with installing LeafNut and the local authority paying back the outstanding total in instalments through the savings achieved over a period of anywhere between 10 to 20 years.
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Cutback to government funding is making it difficult for local authorities to install energy saving technologies, with many now looking at switching street lights off completely
is, however, an alternative. Control Management Systems (CMS) are a new innovative technology that allows councils to wireless and remotely manage street lights. Using clever technology councils can dim and control street lights, in turn saving energy, carbon emissions and the associated costs, without compromising safety. Councils can not only save on energy and CO2 emissions by using CMS systems, they can also save on maintenance costs. It currently costs an average of £50 to £70 to run a street light each year, for energy, maintenance and lamp replacement – a total cost of up to £525m across the UK’s total street lighting infrastructure. CMS systems can reduce these costs by up to 40%, a huge improvement. An example of this is the LeafNut wireless control and monitoring system from lighting controls company Harvard Engineering, which is known to be able to save up to £46 per street light per year and up to 100kg of carbon per street light per year.
www.harvardeng.com
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Doors & Windows
Zaha Hadid-designed Riverside Museum, Glasgow is inspiring an urban regeneration in the surrounding area
To mark the recent 50th anniversary since the closure of Glasgow's first tramway system, Glasgow's Riverside Museum added the final tramcar in their collection to public display. PSBJ revisits this exceptional build which has caught the attention of many, thanks to its striking composition and use of glazing systems.
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hen the much-admired international practice of Zaha Hadid Architects was commissioned to design Glasgow’s new multi-million pound Riverside Museum, it was clear that the resulting building would be eye-catching and spectacular. Designed as a replacement for the Museum of Transport located at Kelvin Hall, the new 7800m2 building is sited close to Glasgow Harbour, at the confluence of the city’s two most important rivers, the Clyde and the Kelvin. This is significant not only because the city’s maritime heritage is obviously an integral part of Glasgow’s history, but also because it is an aspect of transport that is celebrated within the Museum itself. Indeed, extensive views of the River Clyde are a particular feature of the Museum’s spacious cafe and corporate entertaining space. Conceived as a sectional extrusion open at both ends along a diverted linear path, the snaking zinc-clad building with a rippling zig-zag roof has a huge 7000m2 central display area of around 5000m2 that is completely open and unsupported by columns. This is filled by
26 Public Sector Build Journal
a bewildering variety of exhibits ranging from a Highland Railway Glen Class 4-4-0 steam locomotive to Glasgow trams, model ships, bicycles and even horse-drawn vehicles. Both front and rear elevations have large glazed facades with a large feature overhang to protect the interior from excessive solar gain.
Extreme design Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) chose Schueco’s SU 90 unitised system to construct these facades because of the irregular shape of the building which led to the need for a system that could cope with some extreme design features. In particular, it had to have a high unit stability and be able to accommodate building movement with a sway of plus or minus 300mm. This meant very tight tolerances, hence the need for a factory-built unitised system that could utilise the benefits of prefabrication to guarantee the very high quality required. The facade system specialist contractor, Charles Henshaw, was responsible for the installation and to realise ZHA’s truly extraordinary vision. Other advantages of such a system include shorter installation times, greater
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High stability
production control, less independence upon the vagaries of the British weather and less exposure to the dangers of onsite working. The result is that deadlines are met more easily and interior fit-out can be achieved earlier through faster closure of the building. All these factors proved important on this £74m project which was commissioned and part-funded by Glasgow City Council, with other public money coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Following the completion of the project – which was constructed by main contractor BAM Construct UK and managed by Capita Symonds – staff worked hard to prepare for the Museum’s successful official opening. In the eyes of Glasgow Council, the excitement generated by this project has and will continue to inspire a muchneeded programme of urban regeneration and transformation in the area.
www.schueco.com
The glazed facade brings a considerable amount of light to the exhibition within the build
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Healthcare
Central to the brief was the need to provide flexible community space within the centre to ensure it became a hub for local people
Keep the faith
Following a tornado that tore through the community of Sparkbrook in Birmingham, five public and private organisations joined forces to create a new community and health centre that would regenerate health and community services in the area. With a shared vision and a collaborative spirit the project team recognised only an experienced design partner would be able to create a landmark hub at the heart of Sparkbrook.
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he collaborative vision of Sparkbrook was to bring together council and health services under one roof as part of a new integrated facility that would sit at the heart of the community it served. This was proving difficult until a freak tornado hit the local Christ Church and it had to be demolished. This seemingly disastrous accident became the catalyst in unlocking a complex land ‘swap’, enabling a new community and health centre to be built on the site of the old church and a new church to be constructed opposite the new building, on the site of a former primary care centre and family centre. Because the existing, well-loved centre would be replaced, it was vital to get local residents’ support and engage them in the project.
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Central to the brief was the need to provide flexible community space within the centre to ensure it became a ‘hub’ for local people. The result is the new Sparkbrook
Community and Health Centre which is based opposite the new Sparkbrook Christ Church. The £12m integrated community and health centre encompasses NHS
With the community at its heart, this purpose-built, iconic centre has been designed to provide a shared environment encouraging cross referral between services
Healthcare healthcare provision, council services and community facilities. With the community at its heart, this purposebuilt, iconic centre has been designed to provide a shared environment encouraging cross referral between services, setting a benchmark for future programmes in the city.
Seamless transaction The new Community and Health Centre is the result of a collaborative partnership between five key stakeholders – NHS Birmingham and Solihull, Birmingham City Council (BCC), The Diocese of Birmingham, the Local Improvement Finance Trust – Birmingham and Solihull (BaS) LIFT and private sector developer/ investment partner Prime plc. This long-term public private partnership made the related land transactions easier and LIFT’s capacity to mix funding streams enabled the transactions to happen simultaneously. The flexibility of the LIFT model ultimately became the vehicle by which this collaborative vision was financed and with contractor Mansell on board, successfully realised. Dr Ann Pursey, Chief Executive of BaS LIFTCo comments: “Through LIFT
The design of the health and community centre needed to stimulate a collaborative culture
we have been able to help the NHS and Birmingham City Council deliver an innovative, integrated new way of working under one roof and together with the church be part of a wider
community hub at the heart of the area it serves.” One Creative Environments Ltd (One) was commissioned to design the community hub, a challenge that would involve incorporating both sites – the community and health centre and the church. The team at One met the brief by bringing together the company’s experience in masterplanning, architecture, structural and civil engineering, building services, interior design, arts co-ordination and landscape architecture, for a fully integrated approach.
Shared spaces
A new church was constructed opposite the new building, on the site of a former primary care centre and family centre
The design of the health and community centre needed to stimulate a collaborative culture, as these two separate public bodies brought these services together for the first time. Key to this was ensuring the space was shared, while ensuring easy navigation for users. The resulting design features an open-plan reception area, with a central staircase and lift leading to all services. Each floor features a mix of council and clinical services, with the top floor including a shared staff area to encourage social, as well as
Public Sector Build Journal 29
Healthcare ‘openness’ and ‘unity’. To reinforce the idea of a new community hub, both sides of the site have been set back from the road, allowing for plaza areas at the front of both buildings. The centre has been orientated to allow for private space at the back of the site and public space at the front, opening out onto the street. The final art installation, a sculpture at the entrance to Farm Park, entitled ‘Hammanim’, is a statement piece that is part of the wider masterplan, firmly linking the site with the neighbouring park and drawing visitors towards the green space. The resulting design features an open-plan reception area, with a central staircase and lift leading to all services
library and an IT suite. The flexibility of the space means it is suitable for all uses from small community groups to large social gatherings such as weddings, with plenty of outside space in the courtyard and landscaped areas.
Visual appeal To establish a local pride and an identity for the new development, the design team and arts co-ordinator has incorporated elements from the design workshops into art installations that are used throughout the site. An idea from a brainstorming session, which asked people to describe Sparkbrook and its community has been represented throughout the building using graphics and art installations which include words such as ‘welcome’, ‘dignity’,
Mark Martin, Director at One, explains: “By drawing on our experience across a range of disciplines, we were able to incorporate community and stakeholder feedback into every aspect of the final design. It was vital for us that the site worked together in order for it to become a ‘community hub’, so carefully considered masterplanning was essential to successfully establishing the new site within the community landscape.” There has been resounding support from visitors to the community and health centre, with 96% of users rating the facility as ‘very good’ or ‘good’, with 98% saying it was ‘much better’ than the previous building. The new centre has been possible thanks to a collaborative approach, between all the partners including the church, the flexibility of LIFT and an integrated design team that understood the vision behind the scheme. The result is a considered design that signals a step change in local service to kick-start regeneration in Sparkbrook. Paul Tilsley, Former Deputy Leader at Birmingham City Council, concludes: “At a time when the public sector faces an enormous financial challenge, this is exactly the kind of project we need to be developing in partnership with other agencies. Cutting out duplication is essential in the years ahead and everyone will benefit if this can be done in a way that leads to the delivery of better services.”
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professional interaction. To engage the community, the design team led an ongoing engagement programme, involving a series of public consultation sessions and joint design workshops with NHS staff and clinicians, as well as BCC personnel. These various sessions ran throughout the project in order to foster a spirit of shared ownership and to ensure optimised use of space. Alongside the design workshops and public events the team also worked closely with community groups including Sparkbrook Neighbourhood Forum and Sparkbrook Patient Network. Meeting the brief to providing more social space, the centre features a number of community areas, as well as other facilities such as an in-centre
Careful integration
Meeting the brief to providing more social space, the centre features a number of community areas, as well as other facilities
30 Public Sector Build Journal
www.primeplc.com
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Leisure
£3.5m has been invested by Herefordshire Council over a period of 16 months, during which the centre remained open to the general public, with works phased to minimise disruption
Active procurement
At over 35 years old, Hereford Leisure Pool was in need of both a facelift and overhaul of its facilities, following increased demand due to its central Hereford location. National building contractor Speller Metcalfe worked in partnership with Hereford Council and Halo Leisure to deliver the project which has been developed with a more sustainable future in mind.
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he refurbishment and extension works to the centre are being delivered through the West Midlands Contractor Framework (WMCF), with Speller Metcalfe chosen as one of three building contractors to deliver Framework projects over a four year period. The Framework was set up in 2010 and brings together a range of public bodies across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, including West Mercia Police Authority, Worcestershire County Council, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and Hereford Council, with the key target of delivering £180m of work across the two counties. Built in 1976, Hereford Leisure Pool provided a limited range of facilities for local residents, with the centre having endured its share of wear and tear and not running as efficiently as it could. Speller Metcalfe took on the role of refurbishing the existing centre, as well as extending the main building to increase facilities. Overall, £3.5m has been invested by Herefordshire Council over a period of 16 months, during which the centre remained open to the general public, with works phased to minimise disruption. Phase 1 began in April 2011 with
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refurbishment and repair works carried out to various parts of the main building, including the internal pool and roof areas. Areas of each pool were retiled and wall finishes updated along with new spectator facilities installed for the main pool. To help create a more efficient building envelope in the existing facility, external windows and doors have been replaced with new thermally broke aluminium glazing, which reduces the transfer of unwanted heat and minimises heat loss, keeping occupants cooler in the summer months or warmer in the winter. These new type of windows and doors also offer a high level of acoustic insulation which is important in a building with such a large volume of users and the types of activities undertaken.
Fit for the future Along with new windows and doors, the roof of the main pool was taken back to sub-structure and re-covered with new membranes and increased thickness insulation to provide more a more energy efficient roof covering. Following this, a 5.25 tonne air handling unit was installed onto an external slab at the rear of the leisure centre – the biggest stage of this phase – with the old unit removed from
the existing internal plant room. Finally all M&E systems in the main building were stripped out and replaced, providing a more efficient system to produce the warm, clean water needed for the pools. Also part of Phase 1, new perimeter lighting has been installed to improve longevity and reduce electricity costs throughout the pool, changing and spa areas. The LED lighting offers excellent light quality throughout, but emits up to 90% less heat than a conventional bulb, funnelling all of its energy into lighting to gain maximum energy efficiency and dramatically reduce carbon emissions. Different coloured LED lighting is also visible in the newlyextended parts of the centre to create a varied atmosphere throughout. Finally, the changing area which has direct access to the main pool and is used by the majority of visitors was updated to improve circulation and security. The new village-style changing rooms provide more room for families using the facility as well as larger individual changing units with better access to the spa area, which has also benefited from refurbishment works including new flooring, seating, tiling and doors.
Leisure Phase 1 of the works completed in just 16 weeks at the end of September 2011, with Phase 2 starting in the autumn. The second phase of works incorporated the extension to the main building, which included a new gym, sprung floor dance studio, fitness studio, cafe and reception area and basement offices for staff, which completed in July 2012. Due to the location of the Leisure Pool alongside the River Wye and its adjacency to a flood plain, the extension to the leisure centre had to be built at the same level of the existing building. Because of the sloping ground surface, extra soil was brought in to address the difference in levels and increase the ground surface area for the extension. Once laid, the foundations were piled before the two building extensions were constructed; these were primary steel frames with insulated metal and timber stud infills. These extensions enveloped two of the existing elevations, and ultimately improved the overall thermal performance of the building exterior. Each elevation was then clad in rainscreen cladding.
Reduced footprint
the swimming and spa areas, carbon emissions have overall been reduced. Speller Metcalfe worked alongside Halo’s specialist gym equipment contractors to fit out the new gymnasium, cafe and reception facilities, with works including an 80-station gymnasium suite, private consultation rooms, new dance studios and a new suite of offices that replaced the old gymnasium. Externally, paths and walkways were refurbished with new paving slabs and improved lighting for security. The Leisure Pool project was also registered under the Considerate Constructor’s Scheme, achieving an impressive 33 out of 40. Initiatives in place included letter drops, project newsletters, restricted deliveries to avoid
peak times, carbon emission monitoring and toolbox talks for site operatives. The new centre was well-received by visitors throughout the contract, with Centre Manager Simon Gwynne hoping that the development will inspire more people to participate in sport: “This project will take leisure provision in the county into the next decade and beyond. The much needed upgrade will encourage everyone in the community to get up and get moving; more people, more active, more often is what it’s all about.” As part of its continued commitment to sustainable construction, Speller Metcalfe has since been chosen as construction partner with Worcestershire County Council for works at a new Learning Campus in Kidderminster. The £24.5m development was tendered through the Framework by each contractor, before Speller Metcalfe won the design stage and initial construction phase contracts. The project will be the first of its kind in the West Midlands, combining three schools onto one site including the new Wyre Forest Special School, and is set to become one of the largest Passivhaus developments in the country, as well as a first for both contractor and client using BIM collaboratively at design stage.
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Mixed mode ventilation was also installed to improve air circulation; Passivent natural ventilation systems were predominantly fitted – driven by wind and temperature rather than electricity they typically consume less than half the energy used in airconditioned buildings, with running costs reduced by up to 40%. While mechanical ventilation is still needed on certain parts of the building such as
The roof of the main pool was taken back to sub-structure and re-covered with new membranes and increased thickness insulation
The changing area which has direct access to the main pool and is used by the majority of visitors was updated to improve circulation and security
www.haloleisure.co.uk www.spellermetcalfe.com Public Sector Build Journal 33
Images courtesy of Timberplay
Play Equipment possibility of permanent disabling injury or death. There is useful guidance (the “European Standard” EN 1176) on the design of playground equipment. When building a playground the design and installation should comply with EN 1176. Where equipment is innovative and not covered by EN 1176 it should have undergone independent testing and/or risk assessment.
Early assessment
Play it safe It is possible to have playgrounds which are challenging and exciting and yet have low levels of risk
From design through to maintenance, there should be no cutting corners when it comes to sourcing and commissioning a play area. Rob Wheway, Director of Children's Play Advisory Service, highlights the step by step process to ensure continual compliance to guidelines.
C
hildren’s playgrounds are an increasingly popular addition to a contract to build or refurbish a school, hospital or leisure facility. For these it will probably be a oneoff installation which is unlikely to be repeated for another 10 or 20 years. Both the client’s and the contractor’s experience of playgrounds may therefore be quite limited. Take this together with concerns of health and safety and high profile accidents in playgrounds and the
34 Public Sector Build Journal
proposed playground can create more fear than fun. In fact both the Health & Safety Executive and all the national organisations in children’s play accept that bumps and scrapes are a normal part of children’s experience. They agree that a playground which avoided all possibility of minor accidents would be very boring indeed. These bumps and scrapes will happen and there is no negligence if they do. What has got to be avoided, however, is the
Equipment has come on a lot in recent years and it is possible to have playgrounds which are challenging and exciting and yet have low levels of risk. To start at the finish point there should be a post installation inspection by an independent and competent person at the very final stages of installation and just prior to hand-over. The report of this inspection should state whether the playground is fit for use or if there are matters which need to be addressed before the playground can be handed over. Whether the contractor or client pays for the inspection, it should be available to both as a demonstration of its independence. Should an accident occur in the future the report will be one of the key pieces of evidence used to demonstrate that reasonable steps were taken to ensure the safety of the users (children). The inspector should also be committed to submitting the report the next day, if at all possible. To avoid having to make costly modifications once the concrete has set it is advisable to identify the person who will carry out the post installation inspection early on in the process. A good inspector will be happy to look at the drawings in advance and identify likely problems. They may also advise on how to specify to the equipment manufacturers what type of playground is required. The users may be of a specific age range, in a school the sudden rush of children into the playground at break time, specific issues of accessibility, etc may all have a bearing on the design. If the playground consists of commonly used equipment then comments from the inspector on
A natural choice There is a trade body for the equipment manufacturers. They can be contacted at www.api-play.org. Some manufacturers will provide a design and build service. This has the advantage of economy, however it may mean that the design is restricted to their own equipment. In recent years there has been a greater emphasis on using natural materials (logs, boulders, etc) and landscaping rather than an emphasis on equipment only. This can easily be assessed by a competent inspector, however you should check in advance that they are experienced in this type of work and will not apply the Standard inappropriately. The inspector should be there to help you achieve a safe playground for the children rather than applying peaked cap bureaucracy to protect his/her
Playgrounds are a popular addition to a school, hospital or leisure facility
own back. It is therefore advisable to ask in advance for examples of their work and references. You do have a choice as to which one you can use.
Images courtesy of Timberplay
Quantity control
An inspector should be on hand to help you achieve a safe playground for the children
The client will need to consider ongoing inspection and maintenance. With some training their own staff should be capable of carrying out much of this, along with other duties, such as litter removal. Alternatively the Local Authority may have a system for their parks which can be linked into for a fee. There should be regular visual inspections (daily to weekly dependent on litter/usage) and quarterly operational ‘poke and prod’ inspections. To back these up there should be annual inspections by a competent person. These annual reports can be used as a quality control measure to ensure and demonstrate that the client’s own procedures are satisfactory. A common mistake is to install the
playground in a location that is hidden away. If this does happen it is less likely to be used and more likely to be vandalised. The playground should be considered as part of the overall design of the facility. Good sightlines from staff, nearby housing and/or passersby can ensure that unaccompanied children or lone parents with children feel secure at the playground. It also makes inappropriate or damaging behaviour less likely. The client should, from the beginning, consider whether the playground could or should be available to the public generally or restricted to their own users. This would have an effect on the overall design of the facility. Children still value swings and slides and other equipment as they have for many generations. A well designed playground can be a beneficial source of fun and healthy enjoyment.
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the design will be at minimal or no extra cost. On the other hand if the playground is particularly innovative or there are specific factors of the institution which need to be considered, then a site meeting or meeting with the designers may be advisable.
Images courtesy of Timberplay
Play Equipment
www.childrensplay advisoryservice.org.uk Public Sector Build Journal 35
Education challenge to design a building that addressed the school’s changing needs and also dealt with conservation restrictions, while being sympathetic to the design interfaces of the existing school buildings became pressing, urgent and necessary.
Careful conservation
Key features of the build included an impressive atrium glass roof, integrated underfloor heating, special acoustic boarding in the main hall and a computer controlled environmental system
Old meets new
A Kent-based school has unveiled a new bespoke timber and steel-framed building, after having previously relied on WW2 air raid shelters for teaching space. The school building had to be specially designed to fit in with the look of the existing buildings, fit onto the site and accommodate the school's resident bat colony.
W
ith a bespoke timber-frame and innovative design, a recent Kent project has demonstrated that old can most definitely live in harmony with new.
As Frittenden Primary School, located in the heart of Kent, near the village of Cranbrook, struggled with space for its ever-growing list of pupils and need for additional facilities, the
GML Construction, a principal builder and contractor, part of the GML Group based in Kent, was contracted to build the project for Frittenden Primary School. The project was finally finished and handed over in June 2012 to Kent County Council. While the need for space was the main criteria for the project, it was also a requirement that the building be completed within a stringent budget and time frame; it also had to accommodate the strict conservation restrictions of the site. The build, worth ÂŁ890,000 was completed in 28 weeks. To achieve a more cost effective solution and to meet the strict time frame imposed on the project, GML construction modified the original design and reverted from a standard masonry construction to an innovative, bespoke timber frame construction. Key features of the build included an impressive atrium glass roof, a new lift in a glass shaft to meet with DDA regulations, integrated underfloor heating, special acoustic boarding in the main hall and a computer controlled environmental system. One of the biggest challenges with this project was not only to meet the criteria of the build, but also to make sure that GML Construction caused minimal disruption to the running of the existing school, which was adjacent to the construction of the new building. Sustainability was at the heart of this project. Its timber frame allowed GML Construction to take advantage of renewable resources throughout the build.
Dual purpose
Built in 1845, the original school building is a grade II listed building with traditional characteristics including redbrick walls, sash windows and triangular-shaped lintels
36 Public Sector Build Journal
As part of the project, GML Construction had to make provisions to relocate an existing bat habitat, which had not been identified during the early stages of the project. After an
Education ecologist undertook an investigation to confirm that the droppings on site were that of the protected species, work halted pending an ecologist’s report which took six weeks to arrive. Despite the setback, the flexibility of the design meant that the new roof could be changed to include specially designed apertures for the bats to come back and nest once the works was completed. One of the most remarkable aspects of this build is the way in which the aesthetics of the original buildings were brought up-to-date to meet the new requirements of the expanding school.
Iconic build
As part of the project, GML Construction had to make provisions to relocate an existing bat habitat, which had not been identified during the early stages of the project
for teaching space! Now, the new building offers a whole host of new facilities for staff and children alike. Boasting additional classrooms,
a new IT suite, kitchen and toilet block, the new rooms have been designed to benefit particularly from the building’s natural light, captured by the impressive glass roof. The project also provides the school with a new bespoke hall for assemblies and physical education classes – a large space that the school previously did not have.
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Built in 1845, the original school building is a grade II listed building with traditional characteristics including redbrick walls, sash windows and triangular-shaped lintels. It is an iconic design that was mirrored impeccably in the new building though offset by some careful modern twists, such as a glass roof. This careful balance was achieved through close attention to detail. For instance, the mortar for the new bricks used the same limestone densities as the old building to ensure the look of the brickwork would age with a similar colouring. Previously the head teacher’s house and WW2 air raid shelters were used
www.gmlconstruction.co.uk
Fact File
The new rooms have been designed to benefit particularly from the building's natural light
Client: Kent County Council on behalf of Frittenden School Architect: Burns Gutherie, Tunbridge Wells Main Contractor: GML Construction Specialist Sub-Contractors: Prima Systems Ltd, Gilbert and Stamper Ltd, and DW Heating
Public Sector Build Journal 37
HVAC/HVP Altherma HT air/water heat pump would provide a payback period of 15 years.
Annual savings
Daikin distributor assures full control There has been a lot of debate about air source heat pumps - are they as efficient as the manufacturers claim? Do they save tenants money? Space Air unveils two housing association projects where air/water heat pumps have resulted in significant savings for the occupant.
"S
ome Housing Associations have either had bad experiences with air source heat pumps, or heard of them – though not necessarily with the equipment itself, usually the concerns are over the application, standard of installation or how the systems should be operated,” comments Mark Houghton, Commercial Director of the Daikin Distributors, Space Air. “This is why Space Air took the decision to oversee projects and be involved in the design, not just on the heat pump side, but to also work with the underfloor heating or radiator suppliers, or provide fan convectors, to ensure the best outcome for the customer and to validate the manufacturer’s warranty.” Space Air is an engineering-led company and this is reflected in the way that they apply Daikin Altherma air/water heat pump systems. Each system is designed and commissioned by Space Air and equipped with watt-meters to continually monitor the energy usage. The recently awarded Lee Housing Association projects, Swan House and Gilda House are perfect examples of Space Air supplied systems.
38 Public Sector Build Journal
Lee Housing was looking for efficient heating systems for these apartment blocks, where all components could be stored outside the buildings, due to internal space constraints. Space Air has, for over 30 years, designed and manufactured accessory components to complement the Daikin product range, an example of which is weatherproof enclosures, that were used on these projects.
Reliable monitoring The enclosures, manufactured inhouse, contained the Daikin Altherma indoor units, so they could be positioned externally along with the outdoor unit, as per the tender request. Space Air’s unique prefabricated piping kits and watt meters were also contained within the same enclosures. Each housing block consists of 2 x 16kW heat pump units, a total for the development of 128kW, with a nominal COP of 3.08 (the original system nominal COP of 0.8 when installed). Inside radiators were provided with TRVs (thermostatic radiator valves) to enable residents to control the internal temperature. An independent report suggested that by replacing the old system with the Space Air Daikin
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Lee Housing was looking for efficient heating systems for these apartment blocks, where all components could be stored outside the buildings, due to internal space constraints
Swan House is split into four blocks and comprises 48 apartments. Meter readings for the heating period – 1st October to 30th April – showed an energy consumption of 344,550kWh/ year with the old system. Meter readings were again taken on the 21st March 2012, with the new Space Air Daikin Altherma system operating from October 2011, using a total consumption of 150,095 kWh/year. This is a staggering 57% reduction in kW consumption and equates to £12,007.00 (based on 0.08p/ kWh) an annual saving of £15,557.00 in the first year. However financial savings based on Economy 7 at 0.046p/kWh = £6904.37 providing an actual saving of £20,659.63. Gilda House, adjoining Swan House, also has the Daikin Altherma system installed in a further 10 apartments providing even more energy and cost savings. A tenant at Swan House says: “The new heating system is so good that we only need to leave one radiator on in the hallway, on low, and it heats the whole flat.” Space Air is able to provide annual energy consumption readings for all Daikin Altherma systems it supplies. Space Air systems tend to out-perform predicted energy savings partly due to the addition of its unique prefabricated kits, which not only save on-site installation time, but also optimise the Daikin Altherma-based system performance.
marketing@spaceair.co.uk enq 014
Space Air is able to provide annual energy consumption readings for all Daikin Altherma systems it supplies
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Renewable Energy
A flexible solution for older housing Newly-built social housing benefits from energy efficient heating systems, but for older homes, what are the options? With the Green Deal comes the opportunity for social landlords to upgrade insulation and change the heat source without upfront payment through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) from December.
W
hether the new heat source is to be a heat pump or condensing boiler, the emitter is key to the efficiency of the upgraded heating system. Many
LoPro10's high thermal output makes it an ideal partner for heat pump installations as well as condensing boilers
social housing properties, particularly those off the gas grid rely on night storage heaters, which are inflexible and inefficient. New radiators will offer improvements, but the most efficient emitter for social housing homes is underfloor heating (UFH). UFH provides improved levels of comfort and allows tenants more practical use of each room with regards to wall space. However, retrofitting UFH has not always been practical, due to the issue of floor height build up. Where a property is undergoing major renovations, with floors pulled up and ceiling removed, UFH can be retrofitted relatively easily. But this is not often the
Future-proof solutions LoPro10’s high thermal output makes it an ideal partner for heat pump installations as well as condensing boilers. Where radiatorbased systems are typically designed to a flow temperature of 70-80°C, LoPro10 systems are designed to run at flow temperatures lower than 55°C. In this way, heat pumps and condensing boilers are able to achieve maximum efficiency. To improve energy efficiency further, solar thermal can be retrofitted into many older properties. Even a single panel system, utilising a slightly larger panel, as supplied by Nu-Heat, can produce an average of half of the annual demand (with around 90% of the demand met in July and 10% in December) to a household using about 100 litres of hot water daily at 50°C.
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Nu-Heat Underfloor & Renewables has developed a low profile floor construction that is ideal for UFH retrofit, and will enable many more houses to benefit from this efficient heating emitter
case in social housing refurbishment. This is why experienced underfloor design and supply specialist NuHeat Underfloor & Renewables has developed a low profile floor construction that is ideal for UFH retrofit, and will enable many more houses to benefit from this efficient heating emitter. LoPro10 has one of the lowest profiles currently available at 15mm plus tile, wood or carpet floor finish. Tiles can be laid directly on to the dense, rigid gypsum board with no requirement for any intermediate layer, helping to keep the floor height build up to a minimum and enabling quick installation. LoPro10 panels are of a composite gypsum construction with low thermal resistance and high-density properties that provide high thermal output compared to similar low height plywood and chipboard based systems. LoPro10 also has one-third less thermal mass than a screed floor, allowing it to heat up and cool down rapidly. To help meet Building Regulations Part E acoustic criteria, LoPro10 provides airborne acoustic reduction on timber upper floors by adding mass – 15.5kg/ m². This also means that it feels more solid underfoot than many lightweight, floating floors.
marketing@nu-heat.co.uk enq 017 Public Sector Build Journal 41
Floors, Walls & Ceilings
Survey to meet safety demands Crown Trade Timonox flame retardant paints can help specifiers meet their duty of care responsibilities under current fire safety compliance legislation. The coatings are chosen by property professionals across the UK for their ability to reduce the risk of fire spread on walls and ceilings, where multiple layers of conventional paint can create a flammable surface if they have built-up over many years.
V
ernon Kinrade, Specification Sector Support Manager, says: “Under current fire regulations, owners of all buildings other than single occupancy private dwellings have a duty of care to achieve and maintain conditions in buildings that reduce the risk of injury, risk to life and damage to property. “The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (England and Wales) and the Fire (Scotland) Act require the identification of a responsible person – such as an owner, property manager or an employee – who has a duty of care to ensure that a fire risk assessment of the building as a whole is undertaken. “Paints – even water-based products – contain resins or binders which may be flammable. Although a single coat of emulsion on a bare plasterboard surface
42 Public Sector Build Journal
is unlikely to form a hazard, over many years a build up of multiple layers of conventional paint over any surface can become a significant fire risk, particularly in corridors, stairwells and other areas forming part of a fire escape route.
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Depending on the nature of the project, specifiers looking to introduce flame retardant coatings in a building can contact Crown Paints, who will conduct a free site survey
oxygen around the flames through the release of non-combustible gases, and by using a formulation that provides a barrier to the flammable paint layers beneath. Crown Paints offers a free site survey programme, to ensure specifiers looking for the facts about flame retardant paints get the right advice on the subject. Vernon adds: “As part of the site survey process, depending on the project, our specialists will make an assessment of the age and condition of the existing painted surfaces and can take a flake of the existing paint away for analysis, as this will show what coating system needs to be applied to offer the optimum protection. “These individual surveys ascertain the precise condition of surfaces to be painted. Ultimately, this means the site survey prevents over or underspecification and ensures that the very best, tailored solution can be recommended. “For example, we often find for 80% of projects where Timonox is specified, only two coats of the product are needed. This makes optimal use of budgets for our clients. “We can also establish that there is often no need for the client to undertake the costly removal of existing coatings.” Crown Trade’s latest video, The Right Paint For The Job – found at www.youtube.com/crowntradetv – includes footage of a burn test, which compares Timonox against conventional paint.
info@crownpaintspec.co.uk enq 018
Risk assessment “This is a serious concern for both private and public sector organisations which have a duty of care to minimise fire risk and guard against potential loss of life, injury and property damage.” Applied on the walls and ceilings of corridors, stairwells and other communal areas that form part of a circulation area or fire escape routes, Timonox can help provide additional time for a building to be safely evacuated. The coatings work by limiting the
Across the UK, Crown Trade Timonox Flame Retardant Coatings are specified as part of fire safety management programmes
Floors, Walls & Ceilings
Forbo's new CPD is a sound choice Forbo has introduced an updated RIBA-certified CPD seminar entitled 'Turn Down The Volume: A guide to specifying acoustic floor coverings'. With over 50 years' experience in the manufacture of acoustic floor coverings, selling over 4,000,000m2 worldwide per year, the manufacturer is keen to extend its expertise in this area to architects and other specifiers of interior floorcoverings. The seminar examines the impact of noise pollution in working, living and learning environments, exploring the vital role that acoustic flooring can play in sound reduction and the creation of more comfortable and harmonious interiors. Attendees will review the latest Regulations and Standards that need to be considered when specifying acoustic flooring. They will also enhance their knowledge of the performance criteria to look for when specifying for both mainstream and more demanding applications such as healthcare facilities, educational establishments and other public buildings. The CPD makes reference to acoustic products found within Forbo’s extensive portfolio of floor coverings, including the new Sarlon Acoustic vinyl range. It also
demonstrates how enhanced acoustic performance can be combined with superior levels of appearance retention, indentation and scratch resistance, dimensional stability, increased slip resistance and anti-static control properties to meet specific location and usage requirements. Having attended this CPD seminar, attendees will be able to make more informed, effective and sustainable choices and comply with relevant Regulations and Standards whenever and wherever acoustic flooring is required. For further information about the CPD seminar or to book a place, please contact Fiona Lister at fiona.lister@forbo.com
info.flooring.uk@forbo.com
enq 019
A friendly welcome
Plan.a new entrance
Lichfield Foyer provides a welcoming environment for young people aged 16 to 25 who are homeless and have specific support needs. “We were looking for a new floor throughout Lichfield Foyer, from bedroom areas, the living room and kitchen through to the offices, that would be extremely durable, hardwearing and would stand the test of time,” says Tariq Alam, Team Leader for Lichfield Foyer. Karndean’s HDC BU104 was chosen to be fitted in this service along with three other supported Housing properties in Staffordshire. Providing a realistic, warm wood effect finish, the new Karndean Designflooring floor has made a big difference to the scheme.
The new plan.a entrance matting has recently been introduced to COBA Europe’s everincreasing range of commercial matting products, which now includes both PVC and bespoke aluminium systems. Custom-made to order and competitively priced, plan.a is a heavy duty, eco-friendly solution to dirt and moisture control in buildings. The aluminium profile is made from 30% recycled materials, while the flexible PVC linking joints make handling and fitting a much easier task than many similar systems. Plan.a is available in 12 practical colour options to complement both traditional and contemporary interiors, and can be manufactured to fit all shapes and sizes of entrance areas. specify@cobaeurope.com enq 021
commercial@karndean.co.uk enq 020
Weathershield preserves a piece of history In order to preserve and protect the exterior trim of the historic Saffron Walden Museum, Uttlesford District Council called on the advice of Dulux Trade Contract Partner, Roalco. Both Roalco and Uttlesford District Council worked with Dulux Trade Specification Account Manager, Norman Rigby, to develop a scheme. Dulux Trade Weathershield Exterior Flexible Undercoat and Exterior High Gloss in Pure Brilliant White were specified by Norman due to the products’ premium finish and durable properties. The Undercoat is designed to absorb the natural movement of wood, preventing it from cracking, the High Gloss top coat serves to protect the exterior wood, offering up to eight years’ protection.
duluxtraderesponse@tangerinepr.com enq 022 Public Sector Build Journal 43
Floors, Walls & Ceilings
Dulux Trade paints help ensure a bright future A range of Dulux Trade paints has been used in a pioneering project, LearnSpace, that has turned a disused industrial space into an innovative new education research centre. The initiative, developed and led by Northamptonshire County Council, was designed to demonstrate how refurbished buildings can provide appropriate spaces for 21st century learning. The interior of the former industrial site in Corby, Northamptonshire, has been transformed into a bright and inspiring learning space with the help of the Dulux Trade Light & Space colour range, while Dulux Trade Cladshield and Woodstain coatings have added colourful finish to the building’s exterior. Northamptonshire County Council commissioned architecture firm, GSS Architecture, to deliver the project. Tom Lyons, the lead architect on the project, explains: “The brief for the project had some specific criteria that had to be met. Flexibility was one of the aspects – this included a
decorative scheme that is invigorating and inspiring while also allowing for experimentation and adaptability. “Internally, we chose neutral colours that would allow for images to be projected on the surfaces. We also needed to enhance light within the disused space, so wanted a scheme which could make the space feel brighter. As such we selected from the Dulux Trade Light & Space colour range.” Tom continues: “Externally, we decided to use a bright colour scheme to liven up the building and differentiate it from the warehouses that surrounded it. To meet the brief, Dulux Trade National
Account Manager, Oliver Partington, suggested Dulux Trade Cladshield, as it offers a wide colour range, and is also a highly durable coating that can withstand the elements.” Designed to offer lasting protection for previously painted or weathered external steel cladding, Dulux Trade Cladshield has been formulated to last up to eight years. Cladshield also has a spreading rate of up to 17m2 per litre, and is available in the Weathershield exterior colour range of over 600 shades.
duluxtraderesponse@tangerinepr.com enq 023
Glidden Trade achieves BBA approval
Yeoman Shield set to brighten up interiors Always at the forefront of new ideas and designs, Yeoman Shield, one of the UK’s market leaders in wall and door protection, has launched a new range of Protection Rails, Handrails & Corner Protectors which come with a 20mm wide contrasting coloured strip. Offered in 34 colours, the contra strip can also be used as a directional guide to departments such as X-ray, colour coding areas and flagging up hazardous corners. The contra strip can also be manufactured in specific corporate colours to enhance and compliment company branding within a building.
sallyann@yeomanshield.com enq 024
44 Public Sector Build Journal
Glidden Trade has been awarded British Board of Agrément (BBA) approval for its Endurance Smooth Masonry and Endurance Pliolite Masonry paints, verifying that they have met a range of key performance standards and can provide up to 15 years of protection. Glidden Trade Endurance Smooth Masonry Paint is an exterior emulsion paint which provides a smooth finish that protects against weathering and minimises surface imperfections. Endurance Pliolite Masonry is a solvent-based paint which provides a durable finish that is resistant to moisture and alkali attack. Both coatings are suitable for application to exterior rendered brick work and concrete and provide long-lasting protection to surfaces. gliddentrade@tangerinepr.com enq 025
Trend GB announces new CPD Seminar Trend GB of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, the British distribution and marketing arm of the Italian mosaics producer, has developed another CPD (continuing professional development) seminar for architects, interior designers and specifiers, this time focusing on sustainability in agglomerate and glass mosaic finishing materials. The informative Powerpoint presentation, illustrated with colourful visual material and project pictures, runs for around one hour, including Q&A session, and is hosted by one of Trend GB’s business development team. It is supported by CPD attendance certificates, seminar notes and self-assessment records for filing purposes, with product samples and technical test data available for inspection. info-gb@trend-group.com enq 026
Floors, Walls & Ceilings
Innovation accolade for Ancon The Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, David Moody, has presented fixings specialist, Ancon Building Products, with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation, the highest accolade that any UK organisation can achieve for product development. The 2012 Award was presented for Ancon’s groundbreaking Lockable Dowel, an innovative component that is used to accommodate shrinkage and transfer load at joints in long-span concrete floors. Ancon Marketing Manager, Annabelle Wilson, says: “Like many of the world’s most successful inventions, the concept behind the Lockable Dowel is very simple. However, it has taken Ancon’s market knowledge, engineering expertise and manufacturing excellence to turn it into the world-leading product that it is today.”
info@ancon.co.uk enq 027
Armstrong Ceilings gets warmer A new range of tiles has been launched as part of Armstrong Ceilings’ Atelier offer. The company has selected the finest quality wood finish, which complies with all fire requirements (Euroclass B-s2, d0) without comprising acoustic performance (sound absorption up to Class C) or environmental considerations (FSC-certified), to offer a luxurious, modern interior finish to new-build and refurbishment projects alike. Armstrong’s new wood range is available in tiles and planks and in laminate, for a durable and more affordable option, or veneer, where real wood gives a particularly prestigious, high-class solution. Both options are coated with a clear as-info-uk@armstrong.com enq 028 UV-enhanced and solvent-free lacquer.
Firefly's Ultimate fire protection Firefly Titan Fire Barrier, now provides two hours protection against the spread of fire and smoke, and 60 minutes insulation. Offering excellent acoustic properties, and tested for both vertical and horizontal applications, Titan is an extremely versatile product. At only 15mm thick, Firefly Titan is quick and simple to install. Titan can be used for various applications including ceiling membrane systems, protected zones, under mezzanines, compartmentation, lift shafts and many more applications, and when used with the Firefly Rapid Install System, the two products combined offer structural stability to BS.476 Part 21.
info@tbafirefly.co.uk enq 029
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Insulation
Future-proof homes E
nergy conservation is a major factor in the United Kingdom’s commitment to combat climate change and as a significant proportion of the homes we will be living by 2050 have not yet been built, we have a duty of care to ensure that these homes do not become energy inefficient buildings in the future. This has placed real focus on the fabric of the building and the applications within the building envelope. Air leakage from buildings, both new and existing, is a major cause of energy loss and increased emissions. Airtightness minimises convection driven heat loss through the structure and needs to be a priority before, during and after construction. Although minimum standards have been achieved on a number of new buildings, many fail to comply owing to inadequate design and poor site construction. We know current maximum permissible levels for air leakage for domestic and non-domestic buildings are generally recognised to be 10m3/ hr/m2 (masonry) and 7m3/hr/m2 (timber frame). Best practice is recorded at reaching levels of between 5 to 3m3/hr/ m2; however, proposed revisions to the Regulations in 2013 will require even higher standards of air tightness – and potentially progressing to passive house standards by 2016. With ever increasing fuel prices, zero carbon targets and tougher building regulations, the existing demand for energy efficient buildings becomes even greater. Changing our behaviour and educating people on how to save
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energy will only get us so far – and without guaranteed success. It is fundamental that the air-tightness strategy should identify problem areas and provide an easy, cost effective solution. One proven solution is to introduce membranes into the structure to act as air barriers. In order to create an efficient airtight system throughout the building, and for maximum energy efficiency, careful sealing of every construction joint in the building envelope is essential.
Design flexibility The main function of an air barrier is to limit convection driven heat loss, however, using a reflective air barrier, in conjunction with a still air cavity can also limit infra red heat loss and improve the thermal performance. This element of construction is becoming increasingly popular as U-values are being driven lower and there are limited ways to achieve them. Reflective membranes can help the designer maintain stud size and insulation type, whilst improving the performance of the wall by utilising a low emissivity still air cavity and achieving lower U-values. Reflective membranes can offer significant benefits including enhanced thermal performance, reduced insulation, design flexibility and can reduce or maintain building footprint. The introduction of membranes can also provide the added benefit of creating service voids and allowing pre-completion Air Pressure Testing to be conducted – thus identifying any air leakage points before the remainder
of buildings’ internal fabric is installed and eliminating the risk of costly remediation. At Glidevale, we offer a comprehensive range of air-tightness solutions, including membranes, reflective membranes, sealing tapes and loft hatches. We also provide expert technical guidance on specification combined with U-value and SAP calculations. Whist improving air-tightness, which by definition will reduce air leakage, we should not forget the importance of ensuring a controlled flow of air into and out of a building is maintained. Provision of controlled ventilation is therefore imperative. Our sister company Passivent offers a range of high quality, user independent, intelligent automatic ventilation systems to ensure a safe, comfortable living environment for all occupants.
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Reflective membranes can offer significant benefits including enhanced thermal performance, reduced insulation and design flexibility
The importance of producing energy efficient buildings is now at the forefront of modern day construction. Significant changes in Building Regulations over recent years are aimed at the conservation of fuel and power, and the increasing demand for sustainable homes, as Jenny Deacon, Glidevale Protect Membranes Product Manager, explains.
info@glidevale.com enq 031
In order to create an efficient airtight system throughout the building, careful sealing is essential
Roofing, Cladding & Insulation
Structural progress for housing scheme Innovaré Systems, providers of structural insulated panel systems (SIPs), has completed work on the first phase of the £22.5m redevelopment of One Housing Group’s Kidwells Estate in the centre of Maidenhead. The new development, which is currently being constructed by Wates Living Space, replaces 1960s-built apartment blocks and will provide a total 204 new high quality homes, including 75 homes for affordable rent, nine for shared ownership and 120 for private sale. The new blocks, varying from three to six storeys, will provide three and four bedroom family homes as well as one and two bedroom apartments.
enquiries@innovaresystems.co.uk enq 032
Improved render for EWI Saint-Gobain Weber, formulator and manufacturer of innovative materials in the facades, exterior wall insulation, concrete repair, tile fixing and floor sectors, has improved the seasonal application characteristics of weber. therm M1 render used in its market leading weber.therm XP External Wall Insulation system. This development allows contractors to scrape the render to a same day finish in the summer and achieve a next day finish in the winter, resulting in shorter programme periods and fewer on-site hours. Saint-Gobain Weber has also taken the opportunity to improve the algae resistance of the product and make weber.therm M1 even easier to apply by machine or hand. mail@netweber.co.uk enq 033
Dow extends Xenergy range Dow Building Solutions has extended its range of Xenergy extruded polystyrene (XPS) products in response to industry interest. Initially available in single extruded thicknesses of 100, 120, 140 and 160mm, two more thicknesses have been added to the Xenergy SL range – 180 and 200mm. With a declared U-value of 0.032 W/mK, 4mW thermal conductivity gains are possible at 140, 160, 180mm and 200mm thicknesses – an 11% improved insulation performance compared with Roofmate SL-A. Xenergy XPS is blown with CO2, giving it a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of less than five. It offers low water absorption and excellent freeze/thaw performance – important attributes in inverted flat roof applications. xenergyuk@dow.com enq 034
Sika-Trocal Waterproofs Sustainable School Building
Roof system helps lower energy costs
Sika-Trocal, supplier of single ply roof membranes, has helped to waterproof the new Queen Emma Primary School in Cambridge. Sika-Trocal’s Licensed Contractor TR Freeman installed the roof and vertical perimeter coverings on the timber frame building and completed the works in just 12 weeks – well ahead of schedule. Sika-Trocal provided a 1.5mm thick Type S membrane in Light Grey, installed using the unique Sika-Trocal laminated metal discs and a thermally broken fastener, which offers a rapid and economic roofing solution by securing both the membrane and insulation in one go, reducing the fasteners required for the project by 40-60% and speeding up installation. sika-trocal@uk.sika.com enq 035
The Elastaseal warm roof system from Tor Coatings has been used to refurbish a 1000m2 roof over the Edith Watson Unit at Burnley General Hospital. The main roof had a badly degraded asphalt coating that had been compromised by the weather and water ingress had started to become an issue for the hospital. Elastaseal is a liquid waterproofing system designed to provide a seamless waterproof membrane over a wide variety of existing roof substrates. In the construction of a warm roof system, thermal insulation tiles lie immediately beneath the Elastaseal system and on top of the roof deck and a special vapour control layer.
Britmet offers extended guarantee Britmet believes a modern roof, whether for new build or refurbishment, should obviously provide a weatherproof covering, whilst requiring virtually no maintenance. At Britmet, the company is proud to provide a 40-year guarantee on all of its Tile Effect products – compared to a market average of 25 years. The expected life span of the Britmet range is over 40 years virtually maintenance free. This provides the client with reduced costs and a fantastic Whole Life Cycle Analysis. Britmet’s products have been utilised on projects such as flat to pitch conversions, garages, pavilions and housing.
sales@britmet.co.uk enq 036
susan.greenwood@tor-coatings.com enq 037
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Doors & Windows
Selectglaze updates secondary glazing CPD Selectaglaze, the UK's leading secondary glazing specialist, has produced a completely new version of its RIBA Approved CPD. Secondary glazing is extensively used to enhance window acoustics, improve thermal performance and raise security levels within all types of existing building. The purpose of the seminar is to assist designers in specifying secondary glazing that meets required performance levels, looks good, works well, is acceptable to planning or conservation officers and integrates sympathetically with other building elements. The presentation offers guidance on standards for noise insulation, conserving energy and security and deals with a full range of design issues. Small product samples are made available and detailed seminar notes provided to all participants. There are a large number of existing buildings which need to be
improved or adapted for changed use and this presentation will be of great relevance to specifiers and conservation specialists involved in this type of work. Founded in 1966, Selectaglaze has built its reputation as the leading innovator in the field of Secondary Glazing through a process of continuous design and development to meet the changing needs of buildings. Its commitment to quality is recognised through certification to ISO9001 by LPCB and, in 2004, the granting of a Royal Warrant. The company has also produced
a comprehensive range of support literature which is available free upon request or can be viewed and downloaded from its online library. The website also features guidance notes, CAD and NBS files.
enquries@selectaglaze.co.uk enq 038
Flexible delivery from Alu-Timber
Total Glass steps in Total Glass, PVC-U and aluminium window and door fabricator, stepped in to complete a new conservatory for Fairfield Infants School, Widnes after it was let down by its former supplier. The school had been left with just a base for several months until Total Glass took over the contract and completed the work in 10 days. The team installed a PVC-U conservatory roof, internal timber fire doors, plus timber and white PVC-U windows to the front elevation. Total’s aluminium division manufactured Sapa 202 aluminium entrance doors to the conservatory, which is now being used as an additional teaching facility, providing secure and lowmaintenance external access.
sales@totalglass.com enq 039
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Alu-Timber and its approved fabricator 3D Aluminium Systems has recently worked on a new build academy in West Sussex. This new £28m academy which replaces the existing college is the first of four for West Sussex Council. Alu-Timber, from The Parkside Group, was specified due to the flexibility it offers. All profiles are kept in stock which means challenging site deadlines can always be met. The extensive range of profiles create options for large glazed framing areas which integrate seamlessly with Alu-Timber windows and doors. The complete AluTimber range includes casement, tilt & turn windows, open-in and open-out doors, framing and curtain walling. projects@parksidegroup.co.uk enq 040
Innovation in blast resistant glass ESG’s renowned security glass products now afford blast protection, in accordance with ISO Standard 16933:2007. ESG Secure EN356, LPCB approved LPS 1270 and ESG Ballistic BN 1063 now offer protection against explosions in close proximity to a building. All were subjected to testing and assessments held under GSA performance conditions against a 100kg vehicle bomb at standoff distances of 10, 12, 15, 19, 25, 33 and 45m. All ESG Secure LPS 1270 glass products are proven to withstand a bomb blast in close proximity to a building, with LPS 1270 223/32 showing only a very small dusting of glass entering the building.
sales@esguk.co.uk enq 041
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HVAC
Laying out the benefits for public buildings Uponor's applications manager Neil Young explains how Uponor's commercial underfloor heating systems have been designed to meet the numerous demands of operators of public buildings. Owners and operators of public buildings have many priorities and responsibilities to consider, both in the specification of new buildings and the day-to-day running of facilities. Uponor’s extensive underfloor heating systems have been designed with a number of benefits that take the strain out of the decision making process. This can be seen in practice at a medical centre in Lutterworth where an area of 1350m2, incorporating 15 consulting rooms, three nurses rooms, and an on-site pharmacy, has been installed with underfloor heating. Underfloor heating is an ideal heating solution for large buildings such as this as only the rooms that are occupied are heated and the heat radiates from the floor upwards. Running costs are also
Fire damper drop testing
BS 9999 recommends that buildings should have their fire dampers tested every one to two years depending on operational times. A fire damper’s main purpose is to prevent the spread of fire through a ventilation system by deploying a metal shield. The channels that hold the metal shield in place can become clogged with debris hence preventing the necessary fire protection and therefore testing has assumed a higher priority. Ductbusters are a B&ES accredited contractor and can carry out the necessary tests and certification.
enquiries@ductbusters.co.uk enq 046
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reduced as the water temperature of the underfloor heating system is around 30 to 40 degrees centigrade, compared to the 60 to 80 degrees centigrade required for radiators. Installation is also made easier as PEX pipe is light, easy to handle, quick to install and flexible enough to be installed in complicated or tight spaces. In the case of Lutterworth Medical Centre, an additional benefit of underfloor heating was the ‘hygienic’ heat. The gentle radiant heat acts directly on the body without the intermediate stage of first warming the air in the room. The result is the same comfort level, but with a two degrees Celsius lower room temperature. This is beneficial to health because warm feet and a cool head is exactly what the human body requires
and dust and bacteria are not circulated around the room. The installation itself consisted of ten manifolds with 43 loops on the ground floor and 24 loops on the first floor, with the entire system managed by Uponor’s weather compensating control device to ensure the system runs as energy efficiently as possible with room temperatures controlled to run at the most appropriate setting. Finally, a key consideration for the operators of the centre was the fact that systems of this nature are completely tamper proof as the heating system is placed within the floor and hidden away from view making it ideal for public buildings such as schools, churches, hospitals and residential care homes.
enquiries.uk@uponor.com enq 045
Atag sponsors record breaking event Sponsored by boiler distributor, Atag Heating, the 11th St Wilfrid’s Hospice ‘Nab’ Challenge (held off Chichester Harbour) attracted a record number of entrants, raised over £20,000 for a worthy charity and provided a spectacular day’s sailing in near perfect weather conditions. The amount raised for the hospice exceeded last year’s donations which means the total raised by the ‘Nab’ Challenge since its inception is expected to be close to £150,000. The Atag trophy for the boat that raised the most money was won by Derrick Pope, who raised £3200 through sponsorship of his yacht Valkyrie. info@atagheating.co.uk enq 047
Energy savings for Luton Primary School Potterton Commercial, part of Baxi Commercial Division, has supplied three wallhung condensing boilers for a recent refurbishment project at Tennyson Road Primary School in Luton. High efficiency condensing boilers were selected as part of an investment programme to improve the energy efficiency of school buildings, under the auspices of the Energy Saving Trust’s One to One support programme. The three Potterton Commercial Paramount 80kW boilers were specified by NPS, on behalf of Luton Borough Council. The Paramount range features state-of-the-art heating technology with a combustion system which delivers energy efficiency levels up to 109% net as well as ultra low NOx which exceeds Class 5.
rebecca.johnson@baxicommercialdivision.com enq 048
Focus & Innovation
Wicona solutions for Slovenia business centre The first business centre in the Goriska region of Slovenia has been completed using a range of aluminium facade solutions from Wicona. Eight storeys of the tower have a double skin facade constructed using the WICTEC 50 unitised curtain wall. Combined with an inner layer of 10mm safety glass they deliver a U-value of 1.1W/m2K. The space between the double skin is naturally ventilated with opening vents based on Wicona’s WICLINE window system. Wicona also engineered four different corner profiles, which were installed at varying angles. The lower three floors of the business centre, which accommodate retail units, bars and restaurants, are enclosed in Wicona’s WICTEC 50 ‘stick’ curtain walling.
info@wiconaprojects.co.uk enq 049
Wireless monitoring for Barratt Homes The Hanham Hall development by Barratt Homes on the outskirts of Bristol has created great interest due to its commitment to the long term monitoring of domestic energy efficiency. In order to do this, 185 Wi5 systems were ordered from BSRIA. They will undertake a monitoring period of three years commencing as each dwelling is completed and inhabited. Each home will be checked for utilities consumption – gas, electricity and water – and in addition a random selection of houses will be monitored for internal environmental living conditions. The wireless Wi5 kits are easily concealed and designed to be largely unnoticed by the householders being monitored. sales@bis.fm enq 050
New Condensate Traps from Dallmer Dallmer has recently introduced a range of Condensate Traps specifically designed to drain the condensed water created by air conditioners, chiller cabinets, dehumidifiers and other heating and cooling appliances. The new Dallmer Condensate Traps, which utilise the STOP technology, consist of two models, the 138 and the 136, although the latter has a further variant, the 136.3. The new additions to the Dallmer Condensate range, manufactured in polypropylene and conforming to DIN 19541, are reliable, well designed and precision made, offering valuable choice in a market sector where demand is fast expanding.
info@dallmer.com enq 051
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Focus & Innovation
BHC specified for prestigious hospital redevelopment Furniture plays a key role in design concept and also has to function on the multi-use stage. BHC Furniture recently completed the provision of furniture for the multi-million pound redevelopment of the Great Ormond Street Hospital Restaurant and new children's ward. BHC was selected for the Great Ormond Street Hospital restaurant and ward after showcasing furniture options at user group meetings and demonstrating its focused experience in working with healthcare interiors. The furniture products had to have clean lines and soft edge detail for the restaurant area with the desks and chairs coordinating to meet the high standard required in the administrations area of the new ward. BHC specified the Casper range of seating. Casper is a stylish and contemporary café, dining plastic mono shell chair, ideal for catering and hospitality environments in both the corporate and leisure markets, as well as being ideal for modern
meeting applications. A central aspect of the Casper range is its ability to be cleaned easily and how comfortable it is for long periods of sitting. Coffee Tables were the Allermuir Open range, The Open collection of tables centres around A formed Steel rod base frame aesthetic, supporting a choice of tops from round to more ‘super ellipses The Pulsar desk range was chosen for standard workstations, excellent leg detail with the ability to be upgraded to full cable management in the future. Task chair of choice was the “Sprint”. Sprint is a high performance, high comfort task chair. Featuring a new synchro mechanism, seat slide and back
height adjustment with optional height adjustable arms, Sprint represents the very best integration of style and function. Through the clarity and simplicity of this chair’s functionality and performance, Sprint exudes common sense with all that’s required from an operator chair for today. Peter Bright of BHC Furniture comments: “The project was a great success, delivery on time, installation and project management went extremely smoothly, it gave BHC an immense sense of pride to be involved in such a wonderful institution. We think the overall design is functional but also fresh and contemporary.”
sales@bhcfurniture.co.uk enq 054
P4 Fastel lights the way
Apt Barriers still going strong Four parking barriers that were installed at the Enfield Civic Centre when the building was enlarged more than 35 years ago are still operating as efficiently as ever today, according to Enfield Borough Council. Located at the entrance and exit of both the ground floor car park and basement car park of the council’s main offices, the durable barriers were provided by APT Security Systems, which has been supplying high-performance vehicle access systems since 1961. Its comprehensive range of barrier systems now covers everything from simple, manually operated posts through to fast-acting, automatic systems for high traffic flow situations.
sales@aptcontrols.co.uk
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A new suite of literature is available from P4 Fastel, an independent UK company dedicated solely to producing the most highly regarded self testing emergency lighting and exit signs in the industry. The corporate brochure traces the company’s enviable track record over the past 23 years, showing how organisations in healthcare, education, sports and leisure, transport, retail and many other sectors have been able to put their trust in the company’s people, passion and products. The importance of compliance, the significant benefits of remote monitoring via the latest technology, and the value of a state of the art world class product portfolio supported by unrivalled customer support are also covered. sales@p4fastel.co.uk enq 056
Strides in sustainability A new design of climbing wall for primary schools is making strides for sustainability by using panels manufactured entirely from recycled waste plastic bottles, carrier bags and film. The low-level climbing walls used in school playgrounds for traversing or bouldering have been developed by leading UK manufacturer Beacon Climbing Walls, using Stokbord recycled plastic panels from Centriforce. The Stokbord climbing walls have been developed especially for use where school buildings have uneven, or pebble-dash surfaces, for which conventional ‘direct-fix’ climbing walls are unsuitable. The recycled plastic wall panels also provide a value-for-money alternative to installing a much more costly freestanding plastic design. sales@centriforce.co.uk enq 057
Focus & Innovation
Rollalong jubilant over a job well done Modular building specialist, Rollalong, has recently completed its fourth and largest development at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) at Headley Court. The Jubilee Rehabilitation Complex was opened by TRH the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall following a fast-track nine month contract period for the 5500m 2 facility. Previous experience in working with the DMRC team at Headley Court was a tremendous advantage for this latest development, enabling the project team to hit the ground running and develop the Stage C report within four weeks. Re-establishment of the earlier project team involving DMRC, DIO, PriDE and Rollalong ensured a well-motivated,
focused and experienced team could drive the project from day one. Initial design and planning was a collaborative effort. The project team liaised closely with the planning department at Mole Valley District Council to ensure that the mass, height and location of the new facility would minimise the environmental impact on
this sensitive area. As a consequence, the external design of the building utilises a mix of timber cladding and green render to blend in with its surroundings. As well as mandatory building regulations to meet, 10% renewables were required and a BREEAM Very Good rating. The Jubilee Rehabilitation Complex provides clinical and rehabilitation facilities for amputees, mostly from Military casualties with single, double or triple prosthetics. The complex includes: ward rooms for 48 patients in a combination of single, double and four person wards; consultation rooms; a 200m2 gym and 200m2 prosthetics workshop. X ray, bone density scanners and other specialist equipment provide first class support for the patients. Despite the challenges and exacting timeframe, Rollalong have once again been able to meet the demands placed upon them thanks to their quality driven approach alongside their ever strengthening relationship with the MoD.
enquiries@rollalong.co.uk
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Yorkon extends building systems warranty Yorkon has extended the structural warranty protection for its buildings to 30 years. This comprehensive warranty is for the structural and load-bearing elements of a Yorkon building, including the external walls, floors, roofs and columns. Both warranties are now supplied as standard for all Yorkon buildings and give customers further assurance of the quality, strength and performance. Simon Ambler, Director of Yorkon, comments: “We believe our extended warranty commitment will set a benchmark across the construction sector, helping to raise standards, and is further evidence of our confidence in our building system and in the inherent performance and durability of our construction solutions.” contact@yorkon.co.uk enq 059
Portakabin launches WardSpace Portakabin, the UK’s leading modular building specialist, has launched WardSpace, a new range of options for standardised hospital buildings to help healthcare providers rapidly expand facilities to reduce patient waiting times and meet more stringent Government targets. Constructed to the latest healthcare standards, WardSpace features a central core that accommodates a nurses’ station, dirty and clean utilities, reception, waiting area, toilets and showers, and any other essential facilities. A choice of spacious open-plan single-sex wards, individual en-suite bedrooms or a suite of consulting rooms – or any combination – can then be added according to specific project requirements. information@portakabin.co.uk enq 060
Power tool proves durability claim An inherited garden power tool is set to keep going for many years to come thanks to DMMP Limited. A Maruyama customer, Gary Harris, decided to replace some worn parts so contacted DMMP to see if they could help. Commercial Director of DMMP Colin Hood says: “Gary soon discovered that we are the sole UK distributors, so we were his first port of call. He called us, but as we don’t hold spare parts for a 1996 model we were more than happy to contact Maruyama’s European headquarters in Brussels and, as they hold the parts, they were ordered, dispatched and delivered to Gary within 24 hours.”
info@dmmp.co.uk enq 061
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Focus & Innovation
Low-maintenance permeable paving Whether used in isolation or as an essential Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) technique, concrete block permeable paving has proven itself over decades of successful use around the world. Updated guidance from Interpave now brings together evidence that maintenance requirements are much lower than previously thought, making it even more cost-effective. There is now extensive experience of permeable paving in use within the UK with numerous examples in place for many years without maintenance or any problems. Interpave’s updated ‘Understanding Permeable Paving’ guide, intends to help all those involved with the development process to understand concrete block permeable paving.
info@paving.org.uk enq 062
Nuclear lab to benefit from modular build Britain’s newest laboratory for the analysis of radioactive materials has just arrived on site at Dounreay in Scotland. The project, which is under construction by off-site specialist Yorkon, is also the first nuclear facility of its kind to be built using modular construction, and one of the most complex and remote modular building projects ever undertaken in the UK. 35 steel-framed modules have just been craned into position in only four days, significantly reducing disruption to operations at Dounreay. The off-site approach is reducing the programme time for the building envelope by around 50%. Construction of the 1300m2 building is scheduled for completion in Spring 2013. contact@yorkon.co.uk enq 063
Rapid expansion for AKW Transport specialist, AKW Group Plc, has invested in a new purpose-designed headquarters building from Foremans Relocatable Building Systems.The two-storey office scheme at Trafford Park near Manchester is a recycled and fully refurbished modular building. Foremans has also supplied a single modular building for use as a driver’s rest room and canteen. The building for AKW comprises 16 steel-framed modules that arrived on site refurbished and almost fully fitted out, reducing disruption to the company’s existing operations. Only the structure of the building was recycled, which allowed AKW to benefit from the speed, quality and lack of disruption of off-site construction, whilst also reducing its carbon footprint. info@foremansbuildings.co.uk enq 064
Portakabin unveils biggest investment yet Portakabin has invested more than £6m in a new state-of-the-art production facility at its international headquarters in York. Following a three-year research and development programme, the production facility is now manufacturing the company’s revolutionary new steel-framed building system. It features a host of innovative new processes and production technology, which will give its customers even more design options and choice. Commenting on this significant initiative, Kevin Jones, Director and General Manager of Portakabin Sales, says: “The new production facility gives us the opportunity to compete head on with traditional site-based construction, as well as the modular building sector – with greater capacity.”
information@portakabin.co.uk enq 065
Be prepared to avoid disruption Severe weather conditions can cause widespread operational difficulties for transport networks, public services, amenities and local economies. How can we prepare ourselves to avoid disruption? The major problem faced by anyone needing salt is that when it’s most urgently required prices are invariably at a premium and availability may well be restricted. The only answer to avoid such hurdles is to get supplies in early. At Long Rake Spar, the company has sufficient stocks of bagged salt available to meet the inevitable winter demand. Its Pure Rock Salt is not diluted by mixing with sand or grit – it is 100% salt and provides no doubts to the ultimate performance of this product. admin@longrakespar.co.uk enq 066
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Brett paving takes tanker test
Paving provider Brett Landscaping illustrated how permeable paving can absorb a sudden deluge of water by conducting a test involving the depositing of 400 gallons of water from a stationary tanker, with assistance from former England footballer Tony Cottee. The ex-striker acts as a brand spokesman for Rudridge, a Brett client. Cottee helped release the water onto the 52,000m2 Sixfields site in Northampton. The site was laid with Omega Flow permeable paving from Brett Landscaping eight years ago. Cottee and Rudridge director Alan Betteridge, watched as the water was fully absorbed. All that was left was a damp circle just 2m in diameter.
landscapinginfo@brett.co.uk enq 067
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