PSBJ October 2020

Public Sector Build Journal

Healthcare

Education

Leisure

psbjmagazine.com

October 2020 Issue 98

REDEFINING THE CONCEPT OF LEISURE AND WELLBEING Therme Group brings an affordable experience to communities worldwide

Housing

The importance of engaging students and staff on education builds

Why now is more important than ever that playgrounds receive funding

Is the public sector making full use of renewable technologies?

WELCOME NOTE

Editor

Hannah Woodger

hannah@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Rebecca Kemp

rebecca@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Print & Digital Advertising Sam Ball

sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Jim Moore

jim@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Therme Group’s Richard Land shares an insight into how the business is redefining traditional concepts of leisure and wellbeing.

See page 12.

Print Design Manager Jack Witcomb

jack@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Digital Design Manager Matt Morse

Welcome to the October issue of PSBJ...

Accounts

Each year, the winter season puts a heavy strain on the NHS with the flu and other seasonal viruses affecting the most vulnerable and elderly. This year, however, our hospitals and health centres will face even further pressure, given that it’s feared the UK is at a critical point in the pandemic with daily cases said to be rising up to those recorded back in May.

matt@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Rachel Pike

rachel@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Sales Support & Administrator Klare Porter

klare@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Publisher Sam Ball

The industry has demonstrated that in a crisis it can build quick and efficient buildings. Almost overnight, NHS Nightingale London was constructed to house 4000 beds – and four more purpose-built Nightingales followed throughout the country at similar speed. However, with infections anticipated to soar in the coming weeks, it won’t be long before hospitals become overwhelmed and these purpose-built buildings – already on standby – will be put to the test.

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Cross Platform Media Ltd.

Barham Court, Teston, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 5BZ psbjmagazine.com 01622 232725 crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Looking ahead to the next few months, the priority will remain with patients infected and those worse hit by seasonal viruses. This sadly means that COVID-19 will continue to take its toll on other vital services that have already taken a back seat for much of this year. We have heard of an unprecedented number of patients who have had their treatments postponed or cancelled entirely, due to COVID-19 using resources from these departments.

If we are to protect other areas of the NHS, an urgent solution is required so that patients can continue to receive or resume urgent care and treatment. The Government needs to inject funding into the NHS to go towards building risk-free, fit-for-purpose facilities. By constructing off-site modular buildings then these services can be delivered quickly before there is a detrimental effect on the system.

As well as some really interesting topics discussed throughout the magazine, PSBJ hears from Kajima Partnerships’ Kirk Taylor who reveals how we can help the NHS expand capacity through modular construction. Turn to page 14 to find out more.

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

Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and return addressed envelope. No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor's hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Cross Platform Media 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.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, you can also access all of the magazine’s features, product news and supplier information on PSBJ’s user-friendly and engaging website. Fully responsive, the website allows you to read all the latest stories on-the-go either on your phone or tablet. Simply visit www.psbjmagazine.com.

Hannah

Hannah Woodger • Editor • hannah@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Find us on Social Media:      @psbjmagazine

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CONTENTS

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

08 Upfront Diamond Build has gone the extra mile to engage with students and staff at Cricket Green School in the London Borough of Merton when constructing facilities for 80 additional SEND places.

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12 Leisure Therme Group’s UK Chief Development Officer, Richard Land, shares an insight into how the business is redefining traditional concepts of leisure and wellbeing, by bringing an affordable experience to communities worldwide.

14 Healthcare Kajima Partnerships believes those working across construction and public sector building programmes need to help NHS managers find a way to expand capacity by looking to innovative solutions, such as modular construction.

16 Housing

20 Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

Hoban Design and Sutton Housing Society demonstrate how they utilised the Government’s recent extension of permitted development rights (PDRs) to unlock the potential of existing developments.

Roland Jackson, Commercial Director of roofing, waterproofing and insulation specialist, Soprema, discusses the issue of plastics in the construction sector.

18 Education

The impact of lockdown has had an undeniable effect on children’s mental and physical wellbeing.

Mark Hardy – Chair of Association of Play Industries – explains why it is now more important than ever that playgrounds receive adequate funding.

Amron Architectural takes a closer look at the role of the ceiling and explains why metal mesh ceiling tile ranges are becoming more popular amongst architects and specifiers.

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22 Talking Point

CONTENTS

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14 24 Glass & Glazing

28 Lighting

Retrofitting secondary glazing offers an attractive way of preserving architecture, but that’s not all. Selectaglaze shares some more of the vital improvements secondary glazing can make to listed and heritage buildings.

Beverly Quinn, Environmental Engineer at TÜV SÜD, an international building services engineering consultancy, sheds light on compliance for luminaire products.

26 Renewable Technology Is the public sector making full use of renewable technologies? Paul Hutchens, CEO of Eco2Solar, discusses further.

30 Technical Focus Paying close attention to the details and structural elements of a building, such as lintels, can have a huge impact on its overall thermal performance. Keystone Lintels explains more.

16 32 Product Showcase A dedicated focus of industry news, products and case studies to help specifiers and local authorities make informed decisions.

Specifying a CFA member for your next flooring project could mean the difference between success — or a flooring failure. Most of the UK’s largest and best known Manufacturers, Distributors, Contractors and Consultants are CFA members, and for good reason.

• CFA members promote high standards, knowledge and expertise • Specifying CFA members will maximize your investment and minimize costly flooring failures • CFA members have to pass a strict vetting process

Tel: 0115 941 1126

www.cfa.org.uk Email: info@cfa.org.uk 05

NEWS

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

100% affordable Conlon and FWP scheme in Ealing sold complete on mental

by MHA London health rehab unit £4.2m leisure centre redevelopment completes in Merseyside Newton Le Willows Health & Fitness, Merseyside, has revealed a modernised Selwyn Leisure Centre, completely repurposed by Alliance Leisure to realign the facilities and services to the needs of the local community. The phased project, which saw leisure, design and build specialist Createability acting as principal contractor, completely overhauled the centre to introduce a mezzanine floor in half of the existing sports hall to create a 90-station gym.

The addition of a multi-functional exercise studio and a dedicated Les Mills Immersive group cycle studio completed the health and fitness transformation. The remainder of the sports hall facilitated a new adventure play area for under 11s along with three party rooms.

Green light for UK’s greenest health building NHS England and NHS Improvement has given the go-ahead for one of the most energyefficient buildings in the NHS, which will be the first of its type in the UK to be certified to the Passivhaus standard. The Foleshill Health Centre building in Coventry will be a new resource for doctors and patients currently using a temporary GP surgery situated on a car park. The £3.3m development was created in partnership between Community Health Partnerships (CHP) and NHS Coventry and Rugby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). CHP has already acquired the land on which it will be sited, on Livingstone Road, Foleshill, Coventry, and most of the cost will be funded by CHP from its capital programme. The build cost is also being supported by a Section 106 contribution for health in the locality. The development team at CHP chose the Passivhaus design approach for its health benefits and low running costs.

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MHA London has announced the sale of the former Goldsmith Arms on East Acton Lane, Ealing. The transaction took place despite disruption in recent months caused by the impact of COVID-19. Following approval of the development proposals in January 2020, this site will be redeveloped by a housing trust to provide significant benefits to the local community. The mixed-use, residentialled scheme will deliver 100% affordable housing, comprising 65 residential units, of which 20% will be in accordance with London Affordable Rent and the other 80% will be aligned with London Living Rent. The development of this fully affordable site will make a significant contribution to the local community with the provision of muchneeded homes that are genuinely affordable.

Conlon Construction and Frank Whittle Partnership (FWP) have completed the creation of a rehabilitation unit, which will help patients recovering from mental health conditions regain the skills associated with day-to-day living. The locally-based contractor and architect, design and masterplanning practice delivered The Skylark Centre at the Royal Preston Hospital on behalf of Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. FWP coordinated the interior design of the project, with all parties working together to ensure the scheme was delivered to projected timings, despite the coronavirus lockdown.

Patients who have experienced long periods in hospital will use the facility to regain the confidence and skills needed to carry out typical activities of daily living before they are able to return home. The centre, which features 11 beds, will work to rebuild abilities such as cooking, cleaning, laundry care and shopping, as well as help patients towards returning to employment.

Works start on £7.5m mixed-use residential development in Solihull

Darwin Group delivers multiuse block for Reddiford School

Construction works have started to create a new neighbourhood centre and residential apartments at Blythe Valley Park in Solihull.

Led by Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson, the works will involve the construction of four new mixed-use high-quality apartment buildings at Blythe Valley Park – as part of client IM Properties’ strategic vision to create a sustainable, mixed-use community in this area of the West Midlands where people can live and work. The £7.5m development is expected to complete in spring 2021 and the new mixed-use buildings will feature 48 one- and two-bedroom apartments, 25% of which will be managed in partnership with Bromford Homes to offer affordable housing at the location.

Modular construction specialist, Darwin Group has delivered a new multi-use block for Reddiford School in Pinner, North West London, scaling 321m2. The brand-new £875,000 building provides enhanced teaching and learning facilities that will benefit present and future pupils. It houses a multi-functioning classroom, music practice room and school hall which will also be used as a gymnasium and provide space for school functions, lunch facilities and assemblies. By utilising Darwin Group’s off-site construction techniques, the development of the new block was completed in just 12 months, owing to the company’s skilled in-house team of designers, architects, town planners and construction professionals who provided a unique turnkey service.

NEWS

Glancy Nicholls REL awarded M&E appointed to create package for school new university facility refurbishment Glancy Nicholls Architects has won a competitive tender to create a new highquality education facility for the University of Worcester. The university aims to transform the current Berrows House building on Hylton Road in Worcester into a vibrant education centre, including facilities for students studying to become health professionals. Along with the already existing University of Worcester Arena, Riverside Building and The Garage, the fullyrefurbished Berrows House will form part of the university’s Severn Campus; focusing on health, wellbeing and inclusive sport. Professor David Green CBE, the University’s Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, commented: “This new centre and whole campus devoted to health and wellbeing will provide marvellous facilities where students can thrive and develop into the health professionals whom the country so desperately needs. It will also provide many inclusive sport, dance and wellbeing opportunities for people locally and nationally.”

Willmott Dixon has appointed REL Building Services to deliver an M&E package as part of a £20m project to refurbish and expand a secondary school in Romford, Essex. The contract will require building services to be sensitively designed and installed within a Grade II Listed building at Royal Liberty School. The project will also see REL provide M&E solutions for new facilities, including a food technology room, extra science laboratory, additional classroom space, a larger canteen and a separate external sports hall. The contract follows the success of Romford’s flagship Sapphire Ice Rink and Swimming Pool, which opened in 2018. The development, which featured an ice rink on top of a suite of leisure facilities, was also constructed by Willmott Dixon with REL responsible for all electrical services.

Work underway to transform Musgrove Park Hospital SES Engineering A major milestone has been reached in a key Services embarks project to transform and modernise critical care and assessment buildings and services at on latest blue Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton. Designed by global architecture and engineering practice light project BDP’s South West team and being delivered by contractor Kier, the acute assessment hub is a game changer for the hospital. It will include an admission hub for those patients who need to be admitted to hospital for additional care and a unit for those patients who require emergency treatment that can be delivered on the same day, without the need to be admitted to hospital overnight. The current surgical admissions unit is located in World War II ‘Nightingale’-style ward accommodation that is unsuitable for modern standards of care and is some distance from the surgical operating theatres. In the future, it will be included in the acute assessment hub, adjacent to the emergency department. The acute assessment centre is due to be complete in early 2022.

National engineering specialist, SES Engineering Services (SES) has announced it is to commence work on its latest state-of-the-art custody suite project with lead contractor, Willmott Dixon.

Working closely with both the contractor’s team and Nottinghamshire Police, SES has been appointed to deliver a full range of MEP services on a new multi-million-pound 50-cell custody suite, currently under construction on a former gas works site in Nottingham. Serving Nottingham and the wider conurbation, the new building’s design is more befitting 21st-century custodial needs and will replace an existing facility, which was deemed to be too outdated to benefit from a refurbishment. SES is expected to conclude the project spring 2021.

Construction of new Withernsea school building begins Work has started on a new £4.85m, twostorey early years and infant building at Withernsea Primary School in Holderness, East Riding of Yorkshire. The project will involve the construction of 11 new classrooms, a hall, studio, kitchen with servery, offices and staff facilities, covering 1635ft 2 of gross internal floor area. The scheme, which is being delivered by Henry Boot Construction, will retain the school’s original Victorian schoolhouse – a heritage asset – which will be retained for further educational use. The project will also involve the demolition of the school’s existing South Building, with pupils remaining in the existing school facilities for the start of the 2020/21 academic year until the work is completed.

Secretary of State visits site of new centre for construction skills The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, visited the site of the future Construction Skills Accelerator Centre (CSAC) to hear from the visionary team behind the innovative project. The CSAC, which has received almost £2m of Government funding, will be built in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, establishing a South West centre of excellence to inspire, train and connect people entering and advancing within the construction industry. The Minister met with Managing Director of the CSAC and a Director of K W Bell Group, Nicola Bird, whose vision to develop an industry-led solution to the construction skills shortage has spearheaded the project, and Peter Bell, Managing Director of K W Bell Group, which is co-funding the project.

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UPFRONT

BUILDING ENGAGEMENT INTO THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPECIAL SCHOOLS Building schools for children with special educational and disability needs requires project teams with specialist skills and experience. Paul Hoskins, Managing Director of Diamond Build PLC, explains the key considerations and the importance of tailored engagement programmes.

T

he proportion of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) continues to rise, driving demand for places as well as new and improved facilities.

Constructing buildings for children with SEND is incredibly rewarding and requires specialist knowledge, skills and experience to ensure successful delivery.

In addition to the logistical challenges of working in occupied sites, there are other considerations which often require main contractors to go above and beyond to minimise the impact of any building work.

Being mindful that the school environment is a priority, which often means there is a need for a very flexible approach, especially in terms of noise and physical interaction. Building strong partnerships with school leaders is crucial and this usually involves tailored activities that help to sensitively engage the children in the construction work and subsequent changes to their surroundings.

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The recent construction of new facilities at Cricket Green School in the London Borough of Merton highlights the skills required by project teams.

To meet growing demand, 80 additional SEND places were required at the school, which welcomes children with complex and varied needs aged from four to 19. This includes pupils with significant learning, language and communication difficulties and identified autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other diagnosed conditions. It is rated by Ofsted as ‘Outstanding’ and needed extra buildings on site to accommodate the additional places.

Creating an inclusive environment Architect firm Hamson Barron Smith was responsible for designing the expansion plan.

In close consultation with the school’s stakeholders and local council, the team created a new masterplan for the site, which respected the school’s community focus,

ethos and values. The children’s special educational needs and disabilities were considered right from the start, placing them at the centre of the design process.

Diamond Build PLC was appointed as the main contractor for the £5.7m project, which included extending two existing buildings to create a new reception, meeting room and play therapy area, as well as a larger school hall and music hub.

A new two-storey building was also constructed featuring nine new classrooms. A key design principle for this facility was a simple, clear layout that could be easily understood by all users and was flexible and adaptable over time. Thermal comfort and acoustic requirements were also carefully considered and designed in line with BB101 and BB93 guidance.

Sustainability and energy efficiency were an integral part of the project, so the new two-storey building is targeted to achieve a BREEAM ‘Very

Good’ rating. In addition to a highly-insulated building fabric, solar panels were installed on the roof to further reduce CO 2 emissions in line with the London plan to achieve a 35% CO2 reduction, compared to Part L Building Regulations.

The building also features a green roof and has been carefully positioned to maximise natural light and avoid solar gain.

As dismantling, recycling or reusing building components is one of the performance criteria outlined in BREEAM, we sought to do this throughout the construction process. This included recycling timber to create a new allotment shed for the children to store equipment.

A focus on engagement The construction programme spanned 20 months and the school remained open throughout the works so was delivered in phases.

Logistically, this required careful coordination with the school to ensure any disruption was minimised.

UPFRONT We held weekly meetings with teaching staff to ensure they were kept regularly informed of the construction programme, including where we would be working so that areas could be zoned off if necessary. As children with SEND can be more sensitive to sound, noise was another important consideration.

It was vital that we made the school aware of any loud construction work so that they could prepare by taking the children off site when necessary or by providing headphones.

Sensitively engaging and involving the children in the building work was also essential to help with the transition to the new building and foster a sense of belonging.

At the beginning of the programme, our Project Manager, Michael Celoro – who has more than 15 years’ experience of building schools – sat down with the teaching staff to discuss and agree a programme of carefullyplanned and tailored activities. These were focused on helping to include children of all ages in the building journey and enhancing learning experiences as well as life skills. 

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UPFRONT

UPFRONT To help the children view the site’s progress in an engaging way, we created different shaped windows in the fence surrounding the construction area, so they could see the work taking place.

We also held talks in the school assembly about health and safety in construction, which were complemented by a visit from Ivor Goodsite – the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s mascot, who helps children learn more about the construction industry.

To reinforce these messages, we organised a competition which challenged children in all

age groups to design health and safety signs with the chance to win vouchers.

These activities enabled our site team to build a strong relationship with the school and also get to know some of the students, enabling us to develop additional ideas to help increase engagement. For example, one of the children expressed a particularly keen interest in construction so we appointed him project manager for the school and gave him the opportunity to take regular notes on the project’s progress to keep the other students and teachers informed.

The completion of the build was marked with a special opening ceremony where our team, the school’s staff and children were present to help cut the ribbon and officially open the doors to the new building.

Speaking about the new facilities, Celia Dawson, Headteacher at Cricket Green School, said: “We are so thrilled to be fortunate enough to have our new building, named The Phoenix building, at Cricket Green School. At last, we feel we have a school building that matches our outstanding provision. The building combines

a modern design, with function and purpose. It is light, spacious and has a feeling of intent and ambition. Our pupils are now able to learn in a school with added value and which celebrates their potential achievements.”

The success of the engagement programme is also reflected in the feedback received from the school’s governing body that praised Diamond Build for going “the extra mile” and building “a positive and respectful relationship” with the school. 

www.diamond-build.com

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LEISURE

Visitors to Therme Manchester will have an experience far beyond anything offered in a hotel, gym or holiday resort, at a fraction of the cost

THERME GROUP – REDEFINING GLOBAL WELLBEING Therme Group, the global wellbeing organisation and developer of some of the largest water-based attractions in the world, is driven by the belief that wellbeing should be accessible to all. UK Chief Development Officer, Richard Land, shares an insight into how the business is redefining traditional concepts of leisure and wellbeing, by bringing an affordable experience to communities worldwide.

M

aking a lifelong commitment to the communities we serve, Therme Group’s resorts have a profoundly positive impact in every city where they are located. These benefits to urban health and wellbeing are fundamental to our vision and an issue that has received increased focus and urgency in 2020. We have recently published a report exploring this topic: ‘Human Cities – Increasing Urban Wellbeing’ can be downloaded at www. thermegroup.com/humancities.

Sustainability is the future of wellbeing Inclusive wellbeing for all is fundamentally dependent on a sustainable approach. In our facilities, we incorporate the most advanced technologies, harnessing the complex interplay of nature, technology and culture.

Our unique concept has been highly successful in Europe for over 20 years and thanks to our large-scale approach, we can deliver an affordable pricing structure true to our promise of ‘Wellbeing for All’.

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unwind and immerse themselves in a day of health, fun, relaxation and recovery.

A collaborative process

Therme Bucharest

Catering for upwards of a million visitors per year, our resorts offer a unique wellbeing experience, tailored to every guest. Visitors can enjoy thermal bathing traditions from around the world, fun and healthy activities for all ages and affordable therapies in a biodiverse, natural environment.

A Therme Group wellbeing resort acts as a catalyst for healthy lifestyles, with evidence showing a lasting positive mental and physical benefit.

The use of sustainable and energy-efficient technologies is essential in delivering this inclusive and affordable customer experience.

Every project is, of course, designed to generate wellbeing, with architecture designed in harmony with human needs. Unlike other leisure and wellbeing concepts, there are thousands of different ways to experience a day at our resorts, based on the unique needs of each individual. This allows guests of any age, from any walk of life, to fully

The design process for our facilities is led by our in-house architectural practice, Therme ARC. The team recognise that delivering a nextgeneration wellbeing resort requires an interdisciplinary approach to planning and design, working with leading experts from around the world in industries such as botany, materials, science, engineering, philosophy, psychology and art.

This is fundamental to the complex process of designing and delivering iconic projects across the world, which create a perfectly optimised environment of wellbeing.

Architecture is just one of hundreds of specialist areas that go into creating the world’s most advanced wellbeing resorts. Therme Group incorporates a collective of expert companies, in areas such as engineering, art, operations, research, communications and travel. These all work together with external collaborators to make the vision a reality.

LEISURE Therme Manchester is the UK’s first city-based wellbeing resort

Uniquely, we make a lifelong commitment to all the cities in which we operate, creating dedicated local organisations to support each project, and planning, building, co-financing and operating the facilities ourselves.

Wellbeing for people, plants and planet Our latest location to open, Therme Bucharest, received the first LEED Platinum certification in the world for its industry category, making it the world’s first fully sustainable thermal resort. With nature at its heart, Therme Bucharest is home to 1500 exotic palm trees and biodiverse botanical gardens, which require a constant humid microclimate, despite an average annual external temperature fluctuation of more than 40°C. Uniquely, Therme Bucharest has an advanced system to automatically care for its palm trees and more than 200 species of plants. The technical service area underneath the main building contains a palm tree ‘smart’ monitoring and care system, which was specially created by Therme Group and is unique to Therme Bucharest. This bespoke technology monitors each tree’s key indicators, including humidity and root temperature, to then deliver the necessary water, cooled air and nutrients needed to optimise plant health, based on the differing needs of each species.

Using state-of-the-art plantbased filtration, our resorts purify the environment, so guests are always breathing the freshest air and swimming in the cleanest ozone-treated water.

As a technology-driven group, we always meet the highest hygiene and safety standards for both guests and staff alike.

We continually develop new approaches and work with governing bodies to meet future health and wellbeing needs. This ensures long-term commercial viability and further secures the role of Therme Group’s resorts as an essential piece of social infrastructure.

An accessible wellbeing experience for all Art and culture play an integral role in Therme Group’s wellbeing concept, with a dedicated programme, Therme Art, bringing world-class contemporary art to a unique setting, allowing visitors to engage with, and experience, art in a way that is accessible to all.

The recently-approved Therme Manchester is the UK’s first citybased wellbeing resort and our most advanced project to date.

The resort, set to open in 2023, will combine hundreds of waterbased activities with wellbeing treatments, art, nature and technology to create a unique experience, never seen before in the UK.

Therme Bucharest received the first LEED Platinum certification in the world for its industry category, making it the world’s first fully sustainable thermal resort

Therme Manchester, which will occupy a 28-acre site, will be the largest and most technologicallyadvanced wellbeing facility in Europe, around twice the size of Therme Bucharest. The resort’s natural environment, with thousands of plants and trees, will be created by world-leading designers, artists, architects and engineers to achieve the highest levels of experience, quality and sustainability. Combined with hundreds of activities for all, visitors will have an experience far beyond anything offered in a hotel, gym or holiday resort, at a fraction of the cost.

Further technical details of Therme Manchester will be made available throughout the

course of the project. Other plans are in development worldwide, with details recently announced for further destinations in London, Scotland and Wales. The rollout across the UK will be a significant driver for economic growth, also enabling new technology and R&D partnerships.

I invite everyone invested in the collective wave of innovation towards human cities of the future to download our recently published report Human Cities – Increasing Urban Wellbeing and connect with us to further the wellbeing of both people and planet. 

www.thermegroup.com

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HEALTHCARE

OFFSITE MODULAR: THE SOLUTION FOR EXPANDED NHS CAPACITY Kirk Taylor, Head of Development at Kajima Partnerships, believes those working across construction and public sector building programmes need to help NHS managers find a way to expand capacity by looking to innovative solutions, such as modular construction.

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ith scientists and public health experts now warning that the United Kingdom could face a second and more deadly wave of COVID-19 this winter, the £3bn in additional funding announced by the Prime Minister to help the NHS cope with its exacerbated winter pressures is very welcome news indeed.

Quite rightly, the money will be made available immediately and will allow the NHS to continue using additional private hospital capacity and maintain the temporary NHS Nightingale hospitals until the end of March next year. This will provide additional capacity for coronavirus patients, and will play a vital role in preventing the worst-case scenario of 120,000 excess deaths.

However, whilst resources must of course continue to be devoted to tackling the pandemic, I believe

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that decision makers must also consider how best to get other key services back on track. And there are compelling numbers for them to do so.

The challenge beyond the virus NHS staff have done a fantastic job of treating an overwhelming number of COVID-19 patients in recent months. Health service workers have literally put their lives on the line and coped with unprecedented pressures.

But whilst the NHS has obviously done everything it can with the resources and priorities it was given, the strain caused by the virus and subsequent lockdown measures has resulted in various other NHS services coming under tremendous strain also.

Indeed, despite referrals initially falling – due, in large part, to

fewer people seeking treatment as many wanted to avoid hospitals in the middle of a pandemic – it is feared that waiting lists for routine surgeries could double to 10 million people by the end of the year.

Subsequently, NHS England has estimated that waiting times – which are typically up to a maximum of 18 weeks – are instead likely to increase “significantly” in the second half of this year.

More worryingly still, a UK Government report published in April suggested that delays to treatment could result in up to 210,000 deaths. Likewise, with cancer-related referrals in May showing a 47% year-on-year decline, it is feared that diagnosis delays could cost an additional 35,000 lives.

In other words, it is evident that there is an urgent need to expand the capacity of these NHS services

and many others, or else we risk simply redirecting COVID-19related deaths elsewhere.

A modular solution None of this is the NHS’ fault.

This is why I believe those of us working across construction and public sector building programmes need to help NHS managers find a way to expand capacity, including operating theatres, rapid diagnostic centres and additional wards. The first priority should be to find ways to clear the backlog of patients requiring vital services.

The good news is that a range of measures have started to be undertaken in order to do so, including the aforementioned greater use of private sector facilities and the repurposing of some of the Nightingale hospitals. Other novel solutions, such as mobile vaccination centres in shipping containers might sound unconventional, but would also allow many NHS facilities to return to their normal day-to-day purposes.

However, the scale of additional capacity required – and the ongoing need to ensure that new facilities can accommodate social distancing and new infection control procedures – inevitably means that as a country we will have to physically construct new services.

HEALTHCARE And if we are to do that at speed and at scale, then I would contend that we must look to expedited procurement routes and alternative, faster and more cost-effective solutions such as offsite modular construction.

Indeed, one of the great benefits of modular construction projects is that with various components manufactured off-site, activities such as site works and manufacturing can run in parallel, therefore, allowing significant reductions in the period from initial inception to doors opening.

That is a huge saving in time, that could help provide patients with faster access to the services they need right now, which, in turn, can generate savings across the health economy.

Equally as important are the internal decision processes of NHS Trusts. Rather than each Trust pursuing its own decision and procurement routes, NHS England could take a lead and “type approve” specific solutions for areas such as diagnostic suites and elective facilities. With central approval, individual Trusts could then procure facilities to meet immediate need, rather than going through an individual

approval process, which in many cases can take as long as the time required to construct the facility itself.

Brave new thinking is needed to respond to the challenges ahead.

And again, at a time when the public finances are stretched, these types of efficiencies would allow NHS budgets to go even further than they otherwise would.

The NHS of the future The NHS Nightingale hospitals, which provided vital extra capacity in just nine days, have already demonstrated the speed at which new facilities can be created if we put our minds to it.

But we are now fighting a war on two fronts: we need to keep working to defeat the pandemic, whilst also scaling up

and restoring to health other key services.

That is why I believe we must look to innovative solutions such as modular construction to expand capacity further – not only to support the NHS of today, but to help build the NHS of the future. 

www.kajima.co.uk

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HOUSING

GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TO INCREASE HOUSING STOCK In June this year, architect practice Hoban Design helped south London housing association Sutton Housing Society to secure planning permission for 71 rooftop or ‘airspace’ flats, increasing its total housing stock by 16%. Here, lead Architect Gary Hoban of Hoban Design tells us how this was achieved.

Ambitious plans Sutton Housing Society is a small housing association managing around 500 homes for mostly older residents in the Greater London Borough of Sutton.

In mid-2019, the social landlord announced that it was looking to increase its housing stock by an anticipated 10%, by seeking planning permission to develop five locations.

This would be achieved by unlocking the potential of rooftop or ‘airspace’ developments (building new flats on top of existing dwellings), and would require the submission of five simultaneous planning applications for five locations.

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The buildings in question; Norman House, Cloverdale Court, Ronald House, Trickett House and Griffiths Close, are all around 50 years old, and so are dated in terms of looks and facilities.

Sutton Housing Society’s Chief Executive, Robin Roberts, explains: “Although we are a smaller social landlord, we work hard to unlock the development potential of our existing schemes and establish an ongoing development pipeline.

“Design would be crucial on these projects, as we wanted to secure as high-a-unit density as was sensible, with the support of our existing residents.”

Robin Roberts approached us and invited us to pitch for the project. Robin said: “I was impressed by Hoban’s passion and enthusiasm for the project. They clearly wanted this opportunity, and I wanted fresh, bespoke thinking, rather than someone working from a more formulaic template.”

We were absolutely delighted to win Sutton’s competitive tender – although we built our reputation in the luxury London property market, we’ve always felt that our bespoke approach to design could transfer well to the social housing market.

The project – design Robin continues: “Working as a team, we focused on how we could achieve maximum density from each of the five sites, whilst exceeding the expectations of our residents.”

Firstly, we completed some early stage design and feasibility studies, before delivering two rounds of pre-application consultancy with the Sutton Council case and housing officers.

This feedback really proved

HOUSING

invaluable to our designs and had a significant influence on our thinking.

We understood that the overall success of the project would be judged on achieving the client’s ambitions for the five sites, and we had to carefully balance unit density with aesthetics and the approval of local residents.

The majority of the new homes would be achieved through creative, airspace development, along with the required building extensions and improved communal facilities.

All of the 71 proposed flats feature one bedroom, ranging in size from 40 to 60m2, and are designed to meet the Mayor of London housing guidelines, which includes a new generation of enhanced minimum space standards for the capital’s dwellings.

As most of the schemes are designed to have two additional floors, structural works will be required. In these cases, we are planning to conceal this new structure framework within a new facade cladding the existing buildings below.

The new facades, in conjunction with new enlarged windows, will transform the tired existing buildings, and will give them a completely new and fresh appearance.

The results All five planning applications were approved by Sutton Council by June 2020, securing consent for 71 new homes across the five sites.

Robin was pleased with the outcome: “First and foremost, you have to look at the results.

To help secure planning approval for 71 new flats, a full 16% increase in our overall stock, is a real achievement.”

Robin was also impressed with the density of the new homes. He said: “On one site, Norman House, we secured planning permission for a 68% increase in site density, a testament to good quality design and planning.”

I’m always delighted when we exceed a client’s expectations, so to achieve 100% planning approval on five sites simultaneously, at a higher than anticipated unit density, is a really pleasing outcome for everyone involved.

A significant benefit of adding two storeys where feasible, is that it makes it more commercially viable to improve the existing buildings with new facades and also new communal spaces and residents facilities.

Sutton Housing Society’s strategy of unlocking the potential of existing developments was acknowledged at this year’s Construction Excellence awards, where it was awarded Client of the Year.

With the Government’s recent extension of permitted development rights (PDRs), where up to two extra storeys are now permitted without formal planning, it could mean that airspace developments become more commonplace. In fact, some predict that this type of development could yield up to 200,000 much-needed new homes across Greater London alone.

Moving forward, we’re really keen to work on more social projects, and continue to use our skills and enthusiasm to seek out all those marginal design gains that can make all the difference for landlords and communities. 

www.hobandesign.co.uk

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EDUCATION

LOOK UP AND BE INSPIRED Anthony Millington, Business Development Manager at Amron Architectural, discusses the increased demand for versatile, aesthetic and sustainable ceilings, specifically metal mesh.

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ropped ceilings were first introduced around 100 years ago. They were a novel idea to hide building infrastructure, such as ducting and pipework, and creating a space to allow access for maintenance – this is where the mineral fibre tile came in as the most cost-effective way of creating the dropped ceiling. They were cheap, and relatively good acoustically.

However, now with the option to use metal mesh in ceilings, it allows a dropped ceiling whilst offering benefits including improved airflow, lighting and vastly improved aesthetics.

In the past, ceilings would not have necessarily been considered within the design aesthetics of a commercial space. The need for a ceiling is obviously vital, but the look and style may often have been overlooked. It is now becoming increasingly felt that the ceiling is now being considered as the fifth wall.

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Architects and designers are looking at more novel approaches to the ceiling space. The demand for creating more inviting spaces and the inclusion of a well-considered ceiling can completely transform the character of a room. Amongst these approaches, we are seeing an increase in the use of metal meshes both from a point of view that they are generally made from recycled material in the case of aluminium and steel – but also the style and look of them has that upcycled feel that we are all trying to be more conscious of.

Metal mesh is an extremely versatile product and can be used for a variety of different applications. Although common uses of metal mesh include balustrade infill panels, facade systems, or the ubiquitous radiator grille, they are now also a popular choice for ceiling tiles. Although choosing a pattern of metal

mesh that looks attractive is easy, the crucial element is understanding if the mesh pattern is suitable for your application, because different patterns and specifications of metal mesh may only be used for certain applications.

There are two categories that metal mesh falls into and these are rigid and flexible.

Within these two categories there are multiple applications that the meshes can be used for and understanding which type of mesh can be used for which application is extremely important when specifying mesh in a project.

Rigid mesh, such as precrimped woven mesh, expanded mesh and perforated sheet are ideal for ceiling panels. Ceiling panels can be manufactured or fabricated into predesigned shapes and sizes. Rigid mesh also lends itself to being powder coated or anodised due to its inherent stiffness.

Mesh ceilings can be either manufactured as modular tiles or bespoke to size or shape.

The nature of the tile makes them stiff, light and easy to install with no extra tensioning or bracing, as is often needed with the flexible meshes.

They are also incredibly hardwearing and can withstand impacts far better than a fibre board tile, and with minimal maintenance needed.

When designing modern spaces for the education sector, it is almost unanimously agreed that sustainability is key. With the use of recycled and ethically-sourced products, we are seeing that ceilings are now being designed to relate to this approach. This is instead of using a product such as a mineral fibre tile which although very affordable, can crack, stain and mildew in time, thus needing to be replaced, not to mention the aesthetic impact a tired and dilapidated fibre tile has on a classroom.

EDUCATION

East Sussex College Amron Architectural worked closely with the team at East Sussex College in Eastbourne who underwent a complete renovation of its canteen, shop and subsequent seating areas. The team took on the full redesign themselves working alongside Hawk Builders. The aim was to modernise the existing area by creating a very dramatic and visually attractive area for staff and students to relax.

East Sussex College turned to Amron to recommend the most suitable ceiling tiles for the project. Our Zircon RB35 was recommended and specified due to its large open area which would enable the new coloured LED lights to shine through to dramatic effect.

Psychology of colour Colour plays an important role when used in an internal environment. If used correctly, it can affect the physical and emotional wellbeing of the occupants, so it is vital that colour is selected carefully to create the right mood for the space intended.

In the case of East Sussex College, the strong use of vibrant pink and purple is used as part of boosting the mood of the space, as well as the staff and students too. Pink and purple are renowned to create a strong emotional response and are often used in social

breakout areas. The use of these colours on the ceiling are eye-catching and influences the rest of the space.

Metal mesh ceilings are an ideal choice to achieve an industrial and contemporary look for any project. Our standard metal mesh ceiling

tile range is designed so you can use a standard ceiling system, 15 or 24mm, for new installations or retrofit of existing systems. Amron also offers bespoke ceiling systems based on your design. 

www.amronarchitectural.co.uk

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ROOFING, CLADDING & INSULATION

CAN PLASTICS IN CONSTRUCTION BE SUSTAINABLE? Roland Jackson, Commercial Director of roofing, waterproofing and insulation specialist, Soprema, discusses the issue of plastics in the construction sector.

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ver since the BBC’s Blue Planet programme first alerted the world to the amount of waste plastic in our oceans, there has been a drive to find ways to avoid the use of plastics, especially the single-use variety.

It’s an issue that the construction industry has taken very seriously and the public sector is increasingly looking to its supply chain for accountability on all environmental benchmarks, including plastics. While construction is the second largest user of plastics, it’s important to make a distinction between plastic consumption and plastic waste.

Single-use, non-recyclable plastics can significantly increase the environmental impact of a construction project but, with innovative product development, the use of plastic-based materials can actually deliver environmental benefits.

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Indeed, in some building products, the use of plastics not only helps to divert waste from landfill, but can also extend the service life of a building, thereby contributing to sustainability and reduced material use over time.

Service life and functionality So how can plastic contribute to sustainability? Firstly it’s important to consider the durability of the product as this will determine how long it will last, how much maintenance it will require and how it contributes to building performance. When taking this approach to assessing the relative sustainability benefits of building products, it becomes clear that a non-plastic material requiring regular replacement generates waste across the raw material, manufacture and disposal cycle in a way that a robust plastic alternative does not.

Functionality is also important, and the performance of the material should be considered in the context of the building’s environmental footprint during both the build and operational phases.

For example, Soprema’s XPS extruded polystyrene insulation board helps to enhance the thermal performance of a building, thereby reducing its energy demand.

Once again, Soprema’s XPS insulation provides a good example of these principles in practice. The BREEAM A-rated extruded board is made from recycled plastic and manufactured using recycled CO 2 technology. The product has a 60-year lifespan and is 100% recyclable at the end of its service life, demonstrating how existing materials can become a long-term resource.

Circular benefits

Making the problem part of the solution

The other major factors in the environmental profile of plastics used in construction are the source of the material and the embedded carbon emissions associated with manufacture. The distinction between the use of virgin plastics and recycled plastics is just as important as the distinction between singleuse plastics and plastic-based materials with an extended service life.

The world is already full of plastic; that genie escaped from the bottle decades ago. The goal now is to innovate in ways that address the problems of finite resources and pollution without vilifying a material that can contribute to reducing waste, improving building performance and delivering an extended service life. 

www.soprema.co.uk/en

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TALKING POINT

THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC PLAYGROUNDS Mark Hardy, Chair of the Association of Play Industries (API), explores why public playgrounds are so crucial in helping children recover from the effects of lockdown. With numbers already in steep decline, it is now more important than ever that playgrounds receive adequate funding.

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ockdown sparked a renewed appreciation of our shared public spaces: community playgrounds, parks and outdoor play areas are vital to the nation’s health. With one in eight UK households without a garden, millions of children were effectively under house arrest for months, with the potential for catastrophic effects on their physical and mental health.

Playgrounds have been in decline for years. However, even before lockdown, public play provision has suffered years of chronic under-funding, with the number of playground closures going into freefall.

Using Freedom of Information Act requests, the API asked local authorities in 2016 and again in 2018 for updates on their playground provision

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and the situation is one of continued decline: By 2020/21 there will have been a decrease in spend on play facilities of 44% since 2017/18 There will be a decrease in spend on playgrounds of over £13m each year on average across England Local authorities estimate a decrease in their spending on playgrounds of £25m by 2021.

Lockdown has, therefore, exacerbated an already alarming picture. There is increasing evidence that local authority budgets for public playgrounds will be slashed even further in 2020/21 as they struggle to reconcile the unprecedented demands being placed upon them.

Playgrounds and childhood obesity Nevertheless, children’s outdoor play continues to be essential for their normal development.

Without significant investment in playgrounds, many children will not have outdoor play spaces to mitigate the impact of lockdown. An already burgeoning childhood obesity epidemic has been intensified by recent events.

A pre-lockdown API survey of 1100 parents through Mumsnet showed that 72% of parents of children with health issues, such as obesity, said that the lack of outdoor play facilities in their area has played a role in their children’s problems and 90% of parents without a local playground said that having access would make their child play outside more.

Mark Hardy is Chair of the Association of Play Industries (API)

The Prime Minister has declared a ‘much more interventionist’ approach to obesity in the fight against coronavirus. With mounting evidence that obesity increases the risks from COVID-19, the need to address the escalating inactivity epidemic becomes even more urgent.

Research by Sport England found that just one in five children under 16 have been doing the recommended hour or more a day during lockdown. And with excessive snacking and increased screen dependency, fears that lockdown will have exacerbated the obesity crisis seem wellfounded. Playgrounds provide vital opportunities for children to get outdoors and active to burn off excess calories.

TALKING POINT

Children’s mental health Leading children’s organisations report an upsurge in mental health difficulties during lockdown, and again, an already worrying situation has been made worse. The full effect remains to be seen, but the months spent alone, indoors, sedentary and screen-dependent will have consequences.

In our survey (carried out pre-lockdown), a quarter of parents of children with mental health problems said that the lack of local play areas has played a role in their children’s difficulties.

Sleep problems were similarly affected, with a quarter of parents saying that the lack of accessible outdoor play areas has had an impact on their children’s sleep difficulties.

Social skills and community Outdoor play is much more than just physical activity – it is how children learn.

Community playgrounds are where children interact

with their peers and their community, where they take calculated risks and develop physical and emotional independence. Far from a ‘nice-to-have’, outdoor play is essential to normal development, building resilience and confidence.

It fosters a lifelong love of movement and activity and all the benefits to their health that that brings.

Prioritising children’s health Even before the current crisis, child obesity and mental health problems were areas of concern and yet public playgrounds were being closed at an alarming rate due to lack of investment.

Lockdown has shown us in no uncertain terms that playgrounds are an essential public service for the vast majority of children, particularly for those with no local, free-to-access public play spaces. The continued closure of playgrounds is removing the only opportunity many children have for outdoor play.

Active kids mean active adults Significant investment in public playgrounds will have an immediate and lasting positive impact on the lives of millions of children. This simple public health measure will help to prevent children from becoming the victims

of the pandemic aftermath.

Active kids become active adults, so prioritising the future of public playgrounds is paramount if we are to avoid becoming overwhelmed with obesity and mental healthrelated issues. 

www.api-play.org

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GLASS & GLAZING

Wood grain-effect secondary glazing at Braintree Town Hall

Francis Holland School – music room with thermal secondary glazing

HITTING CARBON REDUCTION TARGETS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR Selectaglaze reveals why fitting secondary glazing to council-occupied listed and heritage buildings could dramatically lower U-values, reduce energy use and improve acoustic insulation.

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nder the direction of the Government and managed by local authorities, public sector estates are vast and varied, not only in the styles of building, but also their end use. They range from town halls to libraries, schools to hospitals, museums to courts, and occupy both listed buildings and modern new builds.

Legislation was passed in 2019, requiring Government to reduce the UK’s net emission of greenhouse gases by 100%, by 2050, based on 1990 levels; resulting in the country becoming ‘net-zero’. With this in mind, there has been a great push and rivalry between councils across the UK, to so show leadership and gain kudos by trailblazing their way to hitting these targets well before the final hour. However, there is still a long way to go and appears there is still a great deal of uncertainty of what can be done to help create the reductions needed to meet the important yet demanding end goal.

With many of the buildings occupied by public sector workers and thousands of others providing fantastic community hubs, as well as cultural resources attracting millions of visitors; it is imperative to ensure they are fit for purpose, creating a sense of wellbeing for the user and a comforting and rewarding experience.

The heating of buildings accounts for about 10% of total UK carbon emissions, which in heritage

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and listed buildings can be higher due to ill-performing windows, providing little insulation due to their age and make-up. Where they can not be changed as a result of planning constraints to retain architectural detailing, the original windows are more than likely single glazed with failing seals and frames, which let draughts in and a great deal of heat escape. This not only means more energy needs to be used to create a comfortable ambient temperature in the spaces, but higher energy bills too.

By retrofitting secondary glazing, which is a reversible adaptation so generally accepted by listed planning authorities and conservation officers, heat loss can be reduced by up to 50% with standard glass and 65% if higher specification low-e glass is used.

It can dramatically lower U-values helping to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent' ratings as well as improving EPC and MEES ratings.

However, the beauty of secondary glazing is that it not only provides much-needed thermal upgrades to windows, but it also provides significant acoustic insulation and added security.

Braintree Town Hall Grade II* Listed Braintree Town Hall was faced with the challenge of making its building more energy-efficient, which was no easy task. The windows were deemed

an area of particular concern, so 20 secondary glazed units were installed. Finished with a timber grain effect, they harmonised perfectly with the interior.

Councillor Robert Mitchell, Deputy Cabinet Member for Environment and Place, commented: “The Town Hall is of historic importance to the character of Braintree. As part of the energy-efficiency improvement works at the town hall to reduce its operating costs, the sustainability team has installed high-quality secondary glazing in time for winter. The estimated savings from installing secondary glazing in the town hall is at least 12% of the combined heating bill, over £400pa at current prices (2018), which are predicted to increase annually.”

Plumstead Library Plumstead Library’s future has been secured and set to become a thriving community hub after extensive conservation and refurbishment. As part of the works, secondary glazing was installed to windows on two exposed facades in this Grade II Listed building. Providing significant levels of thermal insulation, ongoing energy costs will be dramatically reduced and noise ingress from the high street outside has been silenced, creating a peaceful and comforting space for all its users and visitors.

Francis Holland School 35 windows at the Grade II Francis Holland school were treated with secondary glazing for all the benefits it can provide. Acoustic insulation was paramount to create conducive learning spaces to aid concentration, as well as stopping noise egress so as not to disturb the residents surrounding the school. The thermal retention it provided to the ageing windows, established a more comfortable environment for students and teachers alike. In rooms with costly equipment, security units were installed to protect their assets.

So many of the buildings across public sector estates, provide architectural legacies and fine examples of civic architecture that are very much part of the local community.

Preserving these for future generations in a sustainable manner requires a careful and sensitive approach. Secondary glazing offers an attractive way of doing this providing increased energy performance, acoustic insulation and added security; assisting in meeting the carbon-zero targets and helping in the fight against climate change. 

www.selectaglaze.co.uk

GLASS & GLAZING Acoustic and energy-efficient secondary glazing at Plumstead Library

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RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES

LONG-TERM THINKING ESSENTIAL FOR OUR ENERGY FUTURE Is the public sector making full use of renewable technologies?

Paul Hutchens, CEO of Eco2Solar, discusses further.

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erhaps more than any other sector, local authorities should be seen to be leading the way with renewable energy.

They’re trusted by most of their service users so have a reputation to maintain and must be able to demonstrate best practice and incorporate social responsibility in all their operations.

Whilst most public sector organisations have good intentions from an environmental perspective, they’ve tended to fall slightly behind the curve in the adoption of renewable technologies.

In the residential market, today’s eco-conscious homebuyers are demanding more sustainable features from new properties to save money on energy bills or ‘do their bit’ for the environment.

Local authorities are driven by different priorities.

Having a green agenda, cutting carbon emissions and exemplifying environmental best

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practice may be a consideration, but the need to reduce costs remains a critical factor. Councils are often asset-rich and cashpoor, and this presents a barrier to the initial investment needed to make buildings and facilities more sustainable.

Overcoming cost barriers Ironically, it’s a hurdle that would pay dividends if overcome. Those assets could be used to generate income by capturing energy and converting it into free electricity or selling it to the grid through the new Smart Export Guarantee.

If local authority buildings have a base load of, say 500kW, and a renewable technology produces less than that, all of it can be used in the building to save energy.

As we move towards global netzero targets and a ban on fossil fuels, renewable technologies will become essential to the future sustainability of our homes, businesses and services.

Paul Hutchens is CEO of Eco2Solar

Some are more suited to particular buildings than others. Air source heat pumps, for example, could be hugely beneficial to reducing heating costs in social housing. They’ve had mixed success to date because they’re not being used properly; unlike central heating, heat pumps should be kept on for longer periods at lower temperatures to create a constant heat.

They’re slightly more expensive to install than a standard gas boiler but offer an extremely reliable and costeffective method of maintaining a year-round temperature. In areas like public swimming pools, which need to maintain a consistent water temperature, heat pumps are ideal.

Wind turbines are also effective in generating electricity and work well in open countryside but wouldn’t be safe near buildings, while biomass boilers are environmentally friendly but

not yet considered entirely safe due to the carbon monoxide risk of improper use and the carbon footprint associated with transportation of fuel.

Exploring alternatives Unless we adopt hydrogen as an alternative to gas, which seems unlikely at present, everything in our carbon-neutral future will be driven by electricity. It’s a ubiquitous form of energy that can be used to power almost anything, so technology that can be converted into electricity should be high on every council’s agenda.

Electric vehicles should, therefore, be a major consideration for public sector fleets. Local authority vehicles tend to cover fairly short and predictable distances so lend themselves well to hybrid or electric vehicles; all councils should be using either electric or hydrogen vehicles within the next five years.

RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES For most buildings, however, the most beneficial renewable technology is solar Photovoltaics (PV). Shrinking installation costs make it a much more viable solution than it was 10 years ago, and provided there’s an unshaded south-, east- or west-facing roof, it can be easily installed on most properties.

For schools and hospitals with large, flat roofs covering a significant space, solar PV brings obvious benefits. Without it, they miss the chance to capture the solar energy that hits their buildings throughout the day, and should, therefore, to lower their energy bills and operating costs.

One of the reasons solar technology could work so well in public sector buildings is that usage is predictable, meaning costs can be more easily managed. In homes, energy usage is less predictable; we used to be out during the day and come home to put the oven on at around 6pm, although now, more of us are working from home and using electricity at all hours.

In an office, however, people clock in at 8am and leave at 5pm. If you know that a certain number of computers will be on all day, when solar energy is generated, that base load is predictable, and you can design quite an accurate system where a percentage of your energy comes purely from solar.

Looking to the future There are also ancillary technologies, like batteries which store solar energy to be re-used later, which are becoming more affordable, and diverters which take energy from a solar system and store it in a hot water tank are increasingly popular.

Not all public sector buildings are designed to be modified, however – and if that’s the case, there are simple and inexpensive ways to create cost savings as part of a green agenda; using LED lightbulbs, for instance, and installing better glazing to prevent heat loss through glass.

Public sector organisations traditionally think short-term, but long-term thinking will be essential to successfully implement renewables – particularly with new builds. Older properties constructed in the 19th century will still be standing for years to come, so it’s also important to invest in making them as cost-effective, comfortable and sustainable as possible for future use.

There are two major renewables trends on the horizon from which the public sector can take inspiration. The first is the concept of the smart home, where smart technology including

plugs and apps can detect where excess energy is available and automatically switch something on.

The second is the concept of peer-to-peer energy, where individuals and businesses can sell their excess energy directly to neighbours. Stored energy from council buildings, for instance, could be used for other services or donated to local charities.

Using this model, energy sharing becomes a social transaction, rather than purely a financial one; and that’s where our energy future is heading. 

www.eco2solar.co.uk

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LIGHTING

Beverly Quinn is an Environmental Engineer at TÜV SÜD

NAVIGATING LIGHTING STANDARDS Beverly Quinn, Environmental Engineer at TÜV SÜD, an international building services engineering consultancy, specialising in sustainable MEP, BIM, lighting design and vertical transportation, sheds light on compliance for luminaire products.

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amp and luminaire manufacturers must meet the rising demand for energysaving lighting products alongside rapidly evolving regulations and energy labelling requirements.

Directive 2009/125/EC, also known as the EcoDesign Directive, is the primary regulatory instrument in the EU regarding all energyusing products. The Energy Label Directive (2010/30/EU) complements this by providing a framework for labelling and providing end-users with product-specific energy consumption information.

The EU Ecolabel is a voluntary product certification which helps consumers to identify products that achieve the highest levels of energy efficiency.

In the UK, the Energy Saving Trust operates a voluntary product certification scheme for energy-saving products, with compliance verified through an independent thirdparty test report.

BREEAM is the UK property industry’s recognised benchmark for the environmental rating

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of new and major refurbished buildings. ‘Innovation credits’ provide additional recognition of a development in the field of sustainable performance. Our lighting specialists have worked alongside other disciplines to produce a credit checker, which gives everyone involved in a project the complete picture of credit targets to ensure that environmental ratings are achieved.

Energy efficiency is now a key feature of any lighting design as schemes must meet the latest criteria. As LED costs continue to fall, so sales of them are on the rise.

However, the enormous range of available energy-efficient luminaire products and lamps can be overwhelming, as the market for these products has undergone profound changes in a very short space of time.

In Europe, those responsible for specifying and purchasing lighting products should look for the CE marking. This is a manufacturer’s or importer’s self-declaration that the product conforms to European

requirements. Such a product should come with a Declaration of Conformity that states which standards the product has been tested to.

Depending on the outcome of the ongoing Brexit negotiations this year, UK lighting manufacturers may have to replace the CE marking with a new ‘UK Conformity Assured’ symbol, for the British market. UK lighting manufacturers will still be able to sell products that have been made and assessed against EU regulatory requirements and which carry a CE marking, for a certain transition period.

High-efficiency lighting technologies offer up to an 85% improvement in energy efficiency compared with conventional lighting technologies, while providing an equal or better quality of light. However, implementing energy-efficient lighting into a well-designed scheme can be a complex procedure, as the lighting designer must ensure that efficient luminaires are used. This makes it necessary to think about

the design in its entirety, both creatively and technically.

The design options are endless, as LED technology is changing so fast. LED light sources are becoming brighter, smaller and more efficient, and double-height spaces can now be illuminated to the required lux levels from the smallest of luminaires. Leading lighting manufacturers are also producing ever-improving optical systems for luminaires, which is increasing their efficiency.

While the introduction of more efficient lighting technologies has resulted in considerable energy savings, new lighting technologies also create ever-changing regulatory compliance challenges.

With all of these regulatory considerations, product choice variables and other technical considerations that must be made, the design process should be started early within the building construction or refurbishment plans. 

www.tuvsud.com/en-gb/industries/real-estate/buildings

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TECHNICAL FOCUS

REDUCING THERMAL BRIDGING WITH CORRECT LINTEL SPECIFICATION Ben Cheetham of Keystone Lintels provides insight into the fabric-first approach to design, and how a one-piece thermally-efficient lintel can significantly improve SAP ratings and improve the overall fabric efficiency of buildings.

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t has been identified that thermal bridging can be responsible for up to 30% of a home’s heat loss, with much of this associated to window and door surrounds. So what measures should be considered when creating thermally efficient new homes to help reduce this figure?

Decarbonising our housing stock through fabric measures built in for the life of a building is one of the most effective ways to reduce energy consumption. This fabricfirst approach concentrates efforts on improving fabric U-values, reducing thermal bridging and improving airtightness.

When compared to more costly renewable technologies, which have a limited lifespan and risk a significant increase in CO2 emissions from a development once they reach end of life, fabricfirst is the secret to building in energy savings for the lifespan of the building. This approach will enable specifiers to meet and even exceed regulatory performance criteria, whether it is for large-scale social housing or a much smaller residential property.

Achieving a reduction in CO2 emissions is not the only consideration when designing thermally-efficient housing.

Improvements in thermal comfort can have a positive impact on the wellbeing of occupants, greatly increasing their health and productivity.

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The benefits are increasingly widely realised, and ongoing research continues to reinforce the significant positive impact this approach can have – economically, environmentally and socially.

Thermal bridging When taking the fabric-first approach to design, preventing heat loss by addressing thermal bridges has become increasingly important, as research from the BRE has shown it can account for up to 30% of heat loss from buildings. A localised weak spot in the thermal envelope of a building, a thermal bridge, is where there is increased heat loss compared to the surrounding area.

For example, a thermal bridge is created when a traditional steel lintel spans between the inner and outer leaf of a cavity wall, allowing heat to flow through the steel and bypass the cavity insulation to the outside environment.

A building envelope will have two types of thermal bridge: repeating thermal bridges and non-repeating thermal bridges. Repeating thermal bridges are accounted for in the calculation of a building’s U-values (U-values measure how effective a material is as an insulator).

Any material that penetrates the insulation repeatedly and predictably in a heat loss element would be classed as a repeating thermal bridge. For example, this could be where timber studs bridge a layer of insulation in a wall. The

increased heat loss is incorporated into the U-value calculation through bridging factors.

The remaining non-repeating thermal bridges are typically found in junctions located within the external envelope of the building and are dealt with by “Psi values” – pronounced ‘Si ’. Examples of nonrepeating thermal bridges would be a steel lintel above a window or door opening. Junctions such as these are assessed using thermal modelling software and their impacts on the building’s energy performance must be calculated independently in addition to U-values.

Furthermore, it is important to note that improving fabric performance and airtightness through better detailing and on-site practices is particularly important in reducing thermal bridges on both new-build and retrofit projects.

a powerful thermal break in the lintel and significantly reduces its conductivity value, with a Psi value of between 0.03 and 0.06 W/mk. As a result, Hi-therm+ Lintels are up to five times more thermally efficient and are also available in the same lengths, sizes and loading capacities as the standard range of lintels.

Adopting a fabric-first approach from the initial design stage will ensure a home continues to perform energy-efficiently throughout its lifecycle. It is however, always in the detail. If an issue such as thermal bridging is not considered from the design stage, then the overall thermal efficiency of the building will be compromised.

It is why it is incredibly important to specify materials and components which deliver where others cannot – it is after all the difference between a sustainable and inefficient home.

Thermally-efficient lintel

When you consider that thermal bridges are one of the most significant sources of heat loss in buildings, paying close attention to the details and structural elements such as lintels can have a huge impact on the overall thermal performance of a building. The adoption of a fabric-first approach will ensure it continues to perform as designed both now and in the future and go some way to ensure UK homes are climate-ready. 

Traditional steel lintels have become one of the more significant thermal bridges in homes due to steel having a high thermal conductivity value and because they span over long lengths in a typical build. However, a lintel design which incorporates a thermal break will outperform and be much more efficient than a standard lintel.

For instance, Hi-therm+ lintels use a patented combination of a polymer isolater and galvanised steel. The polymer section provides

Summary

keystonelintels.com

TECHNICAL FOCUS

“Fabric-first is the secret to building in energy savings for the lifespan of the building…”

– Ben Cheetham of Keystone Lintels

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DOORS & WINDOWS

BBA CERTIFICATION FOR ISO CHEMIE’ S WINFRAMER WINDOW SYSTEM ISO CHEMIE’s WINFRAMER thermal insulating and load-bearing bracket support system for the rapid installation of windows has gained British Board of Agrément (BBA) certification.

The news, which follows ISO-BLOCO ONE self-adhesive weathertight tape for window frames also achieving BBA product approval, confirms the thermally-efficient, airtight WINFRAMER system can accommodate at least 200kg/m and provide an airtight cavity support.

WINFRAMER, which is Passivhaus certified and fire rated to up to 30 minutes, is a prefabricated installation frame, manufactured to accommodate cavities up to 250mm. This allows windows to be supported independently from the face of the wall regardless of any external cladding being in place.

Andy Swift, ISO Chemie’s Sales and Operations Manager – UK and ROI, said: “BBA certification is another significant achievement for us and follows ISO BLOCO ONE also gaining certification. It clearly demonstrates that ISO Chemie is committed to providing customers with high-quality, highperformance and innovative specification technologies.”

The composite WINFRAMER brackets can bear heavy window loads, including bi-fold doors, to provide a reliable, strong and high-performance support frame. Installation is quick with windows attached directly and secured mechanically using either standard fixing screws or fixing lugs in the usual manner.

A hinged insulation core combines with the composite wood structural bracket to become an integral part of the overall wall structure, providing compliance with window energy-saving regulations (EnEV) and the RAL quality assurance association.

ISO BLOCO ONE offers a single product ‘fit and forget’ solution

for fast and effective sealing based around the European RAL principles of three level sealing – the inside seal area is more airtight than the external one, allowing any trapped moisture inside the joint, or within the wall, to escape outwards rather than into the building.

www.iso-chemie.co.uk

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CISTERMISER’S new LinkThru TMU water temperature monitoring platform helps estate and facility managers to comply with HSG274 and the need to maintain records.

CISTERMISER WASHROOM PRODUCTS 1. Infrared Taps – improve hygiene and reduce water consumption with our range of hands-free taps.

2. Infrared Urinal Flush Control (IRC®) – manages supply of water to a urinal cistern (PIR) to provide water only when it is needed.

3. Hydraulic Valve Urinal Flushing – patented mechanism prevents water waste and enables hygiene flush option for period of non-use. Fit and forget, quality and reliability.

KERAFLO manufactures proven products designed to be used within cold water Tank Management systems, including top-quality delayed action ’key shaped’ mechanical float valves and the Tanktronic system that electronically monitors water levels and temperatures.

4. Direct Flush – Infrared Sensor controlled urinal valve – automatically flushes urinals after use, ensuring the highest level of water with minimum volume of water.

5. Easyflush Direct – no touch sensor–activated toilet flushing technology.

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14/12/2018 12:06

DOORS & WINDOWS

ALUK INVESTS IN COMMERCIAL SUPPORT

NATURAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS Senior’s Hybrid fenestration solutions have been used to great effect at the Robert May’s School in Odiham, Hampshire, which is one of the latest education contracts to be delivered

by Senior. Senior’s stunning Hybrid windows, doors and curtain wall systems combine robust aluminium externally with sustainable sourced timber on the inside of the frame. Attractive and stylish, the Hybrid range also offers exceptional thermal efficiency, making it ideal for use in educational settings where a more natural and comfortable environment is desired. Made from 100% recyclable aluminium and a choice of responsibly sourced engineered spruce or oak, Senior’s Hybrid range is not only a stylish choice but also a sustainable one.

www.seniorarchitecturalsystems.co.uk 01709 772600 info@sasmail.co.uk

Simon Cray has joined aluminium systems specialist AluK as a project consultant for the London, East Midlands and East Anglia region.

With more than 30 years’ knowledge and experience in the sales and application of aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling systems, Simon is a significant new addition to the AluK team. He brings with him considerable expertise in helping consultants, specifiers and contractors to develop fenestration solutions which satisfy both the design intent and the commercial constraints of every project. As well as collaborating with clients directly on specifications, Simon will be providing a whole raft of support services such as CPD seminars, CAD blocks, BIM models, samples and literature.

www.aluk.co.uk

01291 639739

info.uk@aluk.com

SUNRAY TIMBER DOOR DIVISION LAUNCHES FIRE-SECURE FIRE-SECURE is a brand new ground-breaking combined timber fire and security rated door revolutionising door safety and standards. FIRESECURE is a timber door which offers two unique benefits; timed protection from fire and timed protection from physical attack. Having invested a six-figure sum in the development of this range, Sunray has achieved the ability to provide a 30-minute fire rating on either face of the door – interior or exterior – as well as it having the accredited LPCB SR – Security levels 1 and 2 – certification. The timber door provides aesthetics with a range of colour or veneer finishes, vision panels and locking options.

www.sunraytimberdoors.co.uk

01252 645534

sales@sunraytimberdoordivision.co.uk

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33

RCI & FACADES

CA GROUP ANNOUNCES NEW BRAND POSITIONING – REFLECTING COMPANY EVOLUTION

Optimus Point, one of many CA Group projects

CA Group has recently announced a new brand positioning strategy, unveiling a new visual identity, signifying a new era for the northeast-based building envelope manufacturer and construction company.

I

ntroducing a new group logo and division logos (CA Building Products, CA Roofing Services, CA Specialist Cladding Systems and CA Refurbishment Projects), the new identity presents a modern and bold new look for the company, which, since its inception over 37 years ago, has largely been recognised by its former logo depicting a roof profile.

The striking, modern icon incorporates three visual cues; a solid, geometric shape (a construction and building reference), three north eastfacing arrows (reflecting the company’s advancing technical focus) and the abstract letters ‘C’ and ‘A’ stacked together (retaining the company’s name, derived from its founders).

The move follows a succession of developments.

In the past year, CA Group has broadened its strategic alliances with leading building

34

products manufacturers and property developers, while strengthening long-established supply chain partnerships with companies such as Tata Steel, Knauf and Brett Martin.

Production output capacity has multiplied with new stateof-the-art machinery, the company’s product and install range has been extended to include a range of new wall finishes, and a broader colour spectrum of metal cladding options has been introduced for aesthetic flexibility.

Stuart Brown, Development Director, commented: “Although we’re operating in a more challenging environment at present, we’ve maintained our continuous improvement programme across the business, with particular emphasis on our product and service range.

Our own-branded Twin-Therm® Built-Up Roof and Wall system has secured FM approval, and

enhancing our build-adaptability has broadened market appeal for our building envelope systems, and increased occupier interest for our clients.

“More and more, our technical and support services are proving to be a valuable resource for architects, contractors and developers, as we work closely aiding with specification development, and technical guidance, particularly on challenges like temperature control, finding ways to reduce the carbon footprint and operating efficiency gains.

“We’re seeing a wider range of product application and new schemes, such as special factory environments, distilleries and Energy for Waste centres, along with some impressive multi-room, educational and residential builds. There’s continued demand for highspec warehousing and logistic operational centres, stimulated

by e-commerce growth, and we’re exploring the use of TwinTherm® in Europe and America.

“Over the years, we’ve accumulated an impressive track record of industry firsts, a vast project portfolio, and have firmly established own-brand building products. Much of our success is underpinned by technical innovation with our focus on advancing product and build application – something that has earned us a strong reputation in the marketplace and which we continue to develop.

“Our new identity reflects both the evolution of the company as well as our vision for the future, while acknowledging our history.

It better connects our company strengths, our company brand and will position CA Group for our next era.”

www.cagroup.co.uk 01388 830626 development@cagroup.co.uk

RCI & FACADES

ACTIS WELCOMES CALL FOR 75,000 MODULAR HOMES A YEAR

BMI PROVIDES WATERSHED MOMENT FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL Cost-effective and guaranteed for 20 years, the bespoke solution devised

by BMI UK & Ireland and contractor Watershed Roofing gave a Yorkshire primary school roof a new lease of life and solved its ponding problems.

Working together with David Yeadon Surveyors, Watershed and BMI determined that stripping out the existing roof would be complex and unnecessary as an alternative less invasive system that offered better value for the academy was identified.

The refurbishment roof specification included utilisation of the existing system as the substrate, with the subsequent application of the BMI Thermaweld FireSmart warm roof system, incorporating a new cut-to-falls insulation scheme.

A new report co-authored by the Government’s MMC champion Mark Farmer, urging it to put modular building at the heart of its ‘build build build’ ambition, has been welcomed by insulation specialist Actis. The report, compiled with architect Mike De’Ath, says the Government should set a target for 75,000 homes a year to be of modular construction by the end of the decade. This would equate to 25% of its overall target of 300,000 homes a year. The Build Homes, Build Jobs, Build Innovation report states that such a move could create 50,000 jobs and result in attractive, welldesigned, quality, low- and zero-carbon homes.

www.insulation-actis.com

01249 462888

SUSTAINABLE CLADDING AND FACADES FROM BERRY SYSTEMS Whether it’s a car park, commercial building, block of flats or an office complex, the changing urban landscape and tighter planning restrictions require architects to get more creative with the look of their projects while satisfying environmental standards. Berry Systems offers an extensive range of cladding and facade options that not only provide planners with a myriad of choice for that bespoke appearance but are also a sustainable solution.

Steve Dunn, Managing Director at Berry Systems, says: “By involving us early in the planning process, we can advise on all of the options available. We’re also happy to send samples of the different types of cladding available so customers can see the quality for themselves.”

www.bmigroup.com/uk 01908 015760 marketingukandi@bmigroup.com www.berrysystems.co.uk

01902 491100

sales@berrysystems.co.uk

High Quality, Traditional Timber Windows and Doors Providing Tailor Made Solutions For Your Project. Period Property Experts.

Supply Only, Supply and Install, Draught Proofing and Overhaul.

Trusted trader

01344 868 668

www.sashwindow.com

35

FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS

ZEHNDER GROUP UK LAUNCHES NEW GENERATION OF BESPOKE RADIANT PANELS Zehnder Group UK has launched the Zehnder ZFP, a new generation of radiant ceiling panels to ensure businesses and other organisations can heat and cool their buildings comfortably and efficiently, whilst achieving substantial energy savings.

www.zehnder.co.uk/zfp 01276 605800 commercialorders@zehnder.co.uk

IOBAC LAUNCHES FLOORPLAY, A FLOORING E-COMMERCE SITE FOR THE TRADE

HEARTFELT CEILING SYSTEM INSTALLED IN SCOTLAND FOR THE FIRST TIME

Technology company IOBAC, renowned for its innovative flooring and heating solutions, has launched FloorPlay, a flooring materials supply service. The FloorPlay e-commerce site is a hub where flooring contractors and manufacturers can access the latest flooring technology and information and buy materials from a wide range of manufacturers at trade prices.Floorplay.info is spearheaded by Ian Spreadborough (IOBAC co-founder) and Paul Woolvine (IOBAC CEO), who between them boast 40 years’ experience in the flooring sector.

Products available include carpet tiles, ceramic and porcelain tiles, traditional and magnetically-backed luxury vinyl and wood flooring from leading manufacturers including Amtico, Palio by Karndean and IVC. Ian and Paul will also be on-hand offering a consultancy service for design, innovation and product development projects. The site’s ‘Play’ section shows off everything that’s new in the flooring industry – including IOBAC’s own flooring and wall technologies, such as conductive and sensor flooring, Ezy-Install underlay, MagTabs and graphene-based far infrared heating solutions.

The Barracks Conference Centre in Stirling is a former Army barracks that has been transformed by the Robertson Trust into a new 18,000ft2 conference centre, with seven accessible meeting rooms, the 170-capacity Robertson Conference Suite, cafe and formal and informal working areas. Edinburgh-based JM Architects specified 189 linear metres of Hunter Douglas Architectural’s environmentallyfriendly, felt ceiling system in Light Brown (7576) for the reception area, cafe and on a pitched roof in a meeting area. Michael Mullen, of JM Architects, said: “HeartFelt was chosen as it would not just enhance the space but also provide a level acoustic performance and incorporate the lighting within the linear profile.” HeartFelt complies with regulations for use in non-polluting buildings, is resistant to dirt and dust, meets the indoor European standard EN 15251, and EN 13501 Class B, S1, d0 fire certification. The panels are available in cream, light brown, medium brown, dark brown, umber and five shades of grey.

www.floorplay.info

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The panels are suitable for a wide-range of environments requiring heating and cooling solutions – from sports halls and showrooms, to logistics facilities, fulfilment centres and factories. Zehnder ZFP delivers a number of benefits and advantages including an optimum indoor climate all year round, whilst the panels can achieve a proportion of radiation of over 80%, meaning that the supplied energy can be transferred effectively.

In addition, the high stability of the modules means that only a few suspension points are required – significantly reducing the required installation time.

Weighing only around 14 kg/m², the Zehnder ZFP can also be used for low roof loads.

The individual elements of the Zehnder ZFP are designed as an innovative modular system that can be combined with each other according to the project requirements to create tailored project solutions. Each solution is produced to a customer’s exact requirements and supplied in line with the onsite workflow.

The individual product components can be combined to suit the needs of each project. For example, a design for a sports hall may include ball guards, raised headers, perforation and acoustic insulation, whilst a solution for a logistics hall could incorporate LED light fixtures. The food industry could choose a system that allows easy adjustment and maintenance of the desired constant temperature, plus a dust protector panel.

0118 434 2814

sales@floorplay.info

www.hunterdouglas.co.uk

01604 648229 info@hunterdouglas.co.uk

Why sports floors are not suitable for dance

THE IMPORTANCE OF SPECIFYING THE CORRECT PERFORMANCE FLOOR The correct dance floor makes an important contribution to the safe performance of dancers without the risk of slips and falls or longer-term stress injuries. Harlequin Floors has developed floors specifically for dance, offering the exact requirements needed for varying genres of dance, which commercial-grade, industrial and sports floors cannot.

There are some critical factors that distinguish the requirements of dancers from those of sports played on a sports floor. Many sports require a firm floor which allows balls to bounce predictably. Sports footwear is generally cushioned to protect against impact injuries and provides grip for the sportsperson. By contrast, dancers need more absorption or cushioning on landing from jumps. Their footwear varies according to dance style and doesn’t cushion landings. Dancers also need the right degree of traction from the dance surface.

Harlequin works extensively with dance scientists and biomechanics experts to investigate the effects of the choice of dance floor on dancer performance and injury, and to research and develop floors that minimise these risks.

FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS

When specifying a floor for dance, using general flooring or sports floor standards will not ensure the right floor is installed. Only a floor developed specifically for dance will do. There have been some high-profile examples where floors have had to be replaced by a dance company after the building is complete because the floor was not considered fit for purpose by the dancers using it.

Harlequin’s CPD Programme As part of Harlequin’s commitment to protecting the health and wellbeing of dancers and performers, Harlequin Floors’ RIBA-approved CPD explains why specifying the correct floor for dance and performing arts is critical to the longevity of a performer’s career.

www.harlequinfloors.com 01892 514888 architects@harlequinfloors.com

DESIGNER CONTRACTS AWARDED ONTO FOURTH NATIONAL PROCUREMENT CONSORTIUM Designer Contracts, one of the UK’s largest flooring contractors, has been named as an approved supplier for a leading UK purchasing consortium. With a focus on the education sector, The North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium Ltd (NEUPC) is one of six UK higher education consortia, and provides its members – including universities and colleges – with specialist procurement advice and guidance. Designer Contracts has been awarded onto the national floorcovering framework agreement – the second education-focused framework – having being named as a preferred supplier to the Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) in 2019.

www.designercontracts.com

01246 854577

enquiries@designercontracts.com

F. BALL PROVIDES SKY WITH GOOD NEWS High performance subfloor preparation products and adhesive from F. Ball and Co. Ltd. have been used to create a blemish-free, highquality floor finish for one of the main news rooms at Sky News studios in central London.

To provide a firm, smooth base over which the floorcovering could be installed, contractors from Croydon-based iFlor Flooring Contractors LLP installed F. Ball’s Stopgap 700 Superflex flexible levelling compound over the existing plywood subfloor, having first primed it with Stopgap P131 general purpose primer.

F. Ball’s Styccobond F58 acrylic emulsion adhesive, designed specifically for rubber installations, was then used to ensure the Norament rubber sheet floorcoverings would remain firmly in place.

www.f-ball.co.uk

01538 361 633

BRAMFORD GARDENS CYCLE ROUTE Long Rake Spar customer Addagrip provided a new multi-purpose path for pocket park improvements near Wandsworth, using its resin-bound Terrabound. Addagrip-approved contractor O’Hara Bros dug up the existing cycle route and pedestrian path to create a wider shared route and installed 200m2 of BBA-approved Terrabound resin-bound surfacing in an attractive 10mm Trent blend. The aggregates used within this stunning blend were supplied by Long Rake Spar, which specialises in dried and screened decorative aggregates for resin surfacing. The new surface is porous, seamless and has revitalised the park with decorative yet low-maintenance paving.

www.longrakespar.co.uk 01629 636210 sales@longrakespar.co.uk

mail@f-ball.co.uk

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FOCUS & INNOVATION

ADVANCED FIRE PANELS SELECTED FOR SYSTEM UPGRADE AT MAJOR HOSPITAL

Selected for their performance, quality and ease of use, 96 intelligent addressable MxPro 5 fire alarm control panels and 34 custom AdSpecials panels will be installed at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, as part of a comprehensive upgrade.

Manchester-based Grainger Fire & Security, responsible for the 18-month project, chose Advanced’s industryleading fire protection for its robustness, versatility and ease of installation in complex and critical sites.

The system changeover to Advanced will involve the installation of new network cable across a live hospital environment as well as BMS integration, and the introduction of a graphics package to provide visual representation of the fire system to end users.

The 34 custom-engineered, six-loop panels with 600 zonal LEDs included in the installation will be designed and manufactured by Advanced’s AdSpecials department.

The network of Advanced panels will work with over 20,000 devices using Apollo and Hochiki protocol.

In addition, a full design review of the hospital’s existing false alarm management strategy will take place to ensure that the new system is programmed to effectively reduce unwanted alarms.

Will Taylor, Service & Small Works Manager at Grainger Fire & Security, said: “As our preferred panel choice, we have recommended Advanced for a number of years.

Its MxPro 5 panels are both easy to use and install and offer the features required to competently protect the hospital and its multiple buildings that each have individual cause and effect programming.”

uk.advancedco.com 0345 894 7000 jmountain@advancedco.com

130 Advanced fire alarm control panels have been chosen to protect one of the UK’s largest acute teaching hospitals.

KNIGHTSBRIDGE LAUNCHES SELF-TEST EMERGENCY LIGHTING RANGE

CONTOUR PROVIDES CHILDPROOF, HYGIENIC HEATING Radiator manufacturer, Contour Heating shares the success of its most recent project, which involved the supply and installation of its DeepClean Radiator Guards to improve a nursery school’s hygiene standards. The wall-mounted installation of Contour’s radiator guard enabled cleaning and maintenance staff access underneath the heat emitter, and the drop-down cover allowed operatives to clean the radiator’s internal elements, providing a much more thorough clean in a fraction of the time. Enhancing safety standards further, the poignantly-titled ‘pencilproof’ grilles can be found on all of Contour’s DeepClean range of radiators and guards, as well as its exclusive antimicrobial protection – BioCote.

www.contourheating.co.uk 01952 290498 sales@contourheating.co.uk

Lighting and wiring accessories specialist, Knightsbridge is introducing a range of self-test emergency lighting products that offers convenience, compliance, cost savings and ease of fault identification. The comprehensive, LED-powered range comprises a robust bulkhead unit, a contemporary downlight, high lumen twin spotlights, and a versatile exit sign. The self-test feature is built into each product and conducts routine functional and duration testing in accordance with the relevant standards, obviating the need for costly manual testing and intervention other than to record and rectify faults. With no requirement to isolate the mains supply to test, there is no disruption to the normal working day and no loss of productivity.

www.mlaccessories.co.uk

sales@mlaccessories.co.uk

PREMIER PROVIDES MODULAR BUILDINGS FOR NEW NHS NIGHTINGALE HOSPITAL Premier Modular, one of the UK’s leading offsite construction specialists, has provided modular buildings spanning more than 1700m2 for the new Nightingale Hospital, Exeter. Completed in just four weeks, these integrated buildings were supplied site-ready to accommodate essential facilities for the new hospital operated by the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust. Working as a partner to BAM Construct UK and to a significantly reduced build programme, Premier designed, reconfigured and installed five single-storey modular buildings comprising 57 steel-framed modules. This scale of project would typically have taken around four months from receipt of order to handover.

www.premiermodular.co.uk

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01582 887760

0800 316 0888

info@premiermodular.co.uk

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