Construction Update - April 2019

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE April 2019

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VEKA Group PVC-U is perfect for prestigious property’s 46 sash windows p14-15

Global Stone Paving The brief for the garden in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk was to extend the existing patio to provide a larger entertainment space and add a pathway between the patio and the shed. The clients were concerned about the slope on the garden and requested advice on how to solve this.

Archley Landscapes Solutions designed and installed the hard landscape and Global Stone supplied the Indian Old Rectory Sandstone paving in York Green.

The garden was landscaped to create three sections: a relaxing dining area, a benched pergola for quiet reflection and a pathway of laid setts, leading to the shed (used as a workshop) and towards the end of the garden.

Pressure treated sleepers were installed to split the first phase of the garden, which created an upper level lawn thus solving the issue of the garden sloping.

The dining area was created using the York Green Old Rectory Sandstone. The large pieces of paving suited this space and helps to give the appearance of an even bigger area; perfect for entertaining guests. The wooden dining set complements the blend of colours in the Old Rectory Sandstone.

The second phase of the garden is used as a quiet space, with a small but significant area where the Old Rectory Sandstone in York Green is used. Complete with a bench and bespoke made pergola, this provides a private space and focal

point within the scheme. The area creates a miniature garden in its own right.

A serpentine style path runs from the pergola area to a similar styled arch and offers a space to what may become a future project.

The riven and undulating texture of the Old Rectory Sandstone establishes a rustic feel to the garden, accomplishing a timeless landscape. The warm tone of colours throughout the garden complement each other, from the plants to the wooden furniture and workshop shed.

Though new paving was laid for this project, the existing landscape already included Global Stone Old Rectory paving in York Green in place from over 12 years ago.

After pressurised cleaning and repointing, the paving looks brand new which shows that, with maintenance and care, the Old Rectory is a timeless paving that adjusts with the times and is always in fashion.

To view the Indian Old Rectory Sandstone paving in York Green, and the rest of our products, please visit www.globalstonepaving.co.uk/cu

Global Stone is an industry leading, innovative supplier of premium porcelain and natural stone paving, setts, accessories and features For more information or to see our full range: www.globalstonepaving.co.uk

Construction Update April 2019

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44 April 2019

www.construction-update.co.uk @ConstructionUpd 04| Industry News 12| Windows & Glazing Systems 18| Interior Design 34| Heating & Plumbing 42| External Works 50| Tools, Equipment & PPE

Editorial Lucy Harris Lucy@construction-update.co.uk

Publishing Director JOdIE Little jodIE@jetdigitalmedia.co.uk 01843 595818

PUBLICATION Manager Cy D’Anjou CY@construction-update.co.uk 01843 595818

Industry News April 2019

GMI Awarded Contract To Build New State Of The Art Manufacturing Facility For Aflex Hose GMI Construction Group, a fast-expanding building and construction services company has announced the award of a major new contract to construct a 118,000 sq. ft state of the art manufacturing plant for Aflex Hose on a 11.6-acre site at Bradley Business Park in Huddersfield, close to the M62

Aflex Hose specialise in the design and manufacture of PTFE-lined flexible hoses for the pharmaceutical, food, chemical and automotive industries.

The company currently operates from five separate manufacturing, office and product development facilities across Yorkshire which they intend to consolidate under one roof.

The development which will include investment in new extrusion lines and processing equipment, is set to boost production capacity by 70%.

Aflex expects that up to 200 new jobs will be created as a result of the new development over the next 10 years.

Construction of the new factory which began at the start of February was recently marked by an official ground-breaking ceremony onsite attended by representatives from Aflex and GMI, together with local dignitaries and key project stakeholders.

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Speaking about the announcement and new factory plans, Aflex Hose UK Project

Director Jeremy Hudson said: “After many months of planning and consultation we are delighted to now be onsite and commence construction of this fantastic new state of the art facility. We have given GMI an ambitious build programme and hope to begin consolidating our existing production facilities into the new factory by the spring of 2020.

This project constitutes a significant investment for Aflex and their corporate owners Watson-Marlow (A Spirax-Sarco Engineering Company).

When fully up and running, the new site will allow us to achieve our ambitions, demonstrating our commitment to customers worldwide, and to our workforce, thus ensuring that as we continue to grow as a company we will continue to manufacture world leading PTFE lined flexible hoses to the highest standard.”

Also commenting, Andy Bruce, GMI Group Managing Director said: “We are very pleased to have been awarded this contract by Aflex Hose and be trusted to deliver this important new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant.

The design teams have worked closely with Aflex Hose to design a facility that accommodates the bespoke nature of their manufacturing requirements now and in future – thus securing additional capacity requirements going forward and the potential addition of new product lines.

The build programme has been carefully designed to minimise disruption to local residents and we are committed to an open-door relationship with the residents and neighbouring businesses”.

Now in its 33rd year, GMI has considerable experience and a solid track record of delivering building and construction excellence across an extensive range of sectors, for a growing international portfolio of clients, from blue chip companies to public sector clients and private developers.

Throughout the past 12 months, GMI has completed projects valued at in excess of £100 million and worked on some of the UK’s most profile developments including: The Springs, Thorpe Park Leeds and Follingsby Max in Gateshead.

April 2019 Industry News

GMI Wins Appointment On New 103,000 Sq Ft Speculative Distribution Unit GMI Construction Group, a fast-expanding building and construction services company has announced that it has started construction of a 103,000 sq ft distribution unit at St. Modwen Park Burton (formerly known as Burton Gateway).

Katie Aitchison, Associate Director at Savills, and Edward Kennerley, Associate at Knight Frank, said: “We are looking forward to unveiling the completed unit in September. The business park has attracted some excellent names and we’re confident that this additional unit will satisfy the demand for well-connected B2 and B8 space, attracting more great businesses and creating a significant number of jobs in the region.”

St. Modwen Park Burton is one of the largest warehouse developments in the Midlands and is a key employment hub for East Staffordshire.

The new speculative unit, which is being built for expert developer and regeneration specialist, St. Modwen, will include a 50m deep yard, 10 dock levellers (including 2 euro-docks) and grade A office space.

Due to be completed this September, the unit further expands the industrial and logistics offering at the 1 million sq ft site. Once occupied, it could create in excess of 120 jobs in addition to the significant number of construction jobs created during the build. Work begins just a month after St. Modwen announced it had attracted two new tenants to the Park, with Supply Technologies taking a 25,446 sq ft unit and Keylite Roof Windows leasing a 40,730 sq ft unit, both of which were delivered as part of the second phase of development.

The site already has more than 200,000 sq ft of space and is home to major names including Hellman Worldwide Logistics, who occupied the first unit in 2016.

Strategically located adjacent to the A38, on the southern approach to Burton-upon-Trent, the site offers strong links to the M42 and A50. Nearby occupiers include Pirelli, Unilever, Boots, Holland & Barrett, Argos and Toyota.

Speaking about the announcement Martin Watson, Construction Director at GMI Construction, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded our second contract at St. Modwen Park Burton. Our commitment to deliver another quality product on time for St Modwen will be our ultimate focus moving forward.”

Also commenting, Steven Smith, Senior Construction Manager at St. Modwen, said: “We are pleased to have instructed GMI Construction Group on this latest phase.

GMI is a well-respected construction company and we have great confidence in the team’s ability to deliver this quality unit.”

With Rob Richardson, Senior Development Manager at St. Modwen, going on to say “St. Modwen Park Burton has proven to be an incredibly popular site.

This further investment is not only testament to our confidence in the Park, but in the wider industrial and logistics market in the Midlands.”

Birmingham-based property agents Savills and Knight Frank are marketing the scheme on behalf of St. Modwen.

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Industry News April 2019

ALUCOBOND

®

Aluminium Composite Materials

The Non-Combustible Fire-Retardant Choice ALUCOBOND®, from 3A Composites GmbH, is a non-combustible, fire retardant composite panel, the result of over 20 years of research and development, and the company is developing a range of tools to not only explain their popularity with architects but also to educate about the different core materials and each’s performance with respect to fire.

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vailable for viewing on YouTube, the document takes the viewer through the most important fire safety factors for ventilated cladding systems, including its supporting structure, insulation, cavity barriers, substructure and cladding.

Typical structure of an aluminium composite panel, fire-retardant (ALUCOBOND® PLUS)

It continues to explore in detail the fire safety factors and relates these to fire safety, with the many types Aluminium Composite Materials (ACM) and their classification – Questions 1 through to 3 explained according to each’s calorific potential, derived from its differing reaction to fire of the materials, relevant considering blanket definitions of such panels following incidents such as Grenfell Tower.

The video also explains how the ratings A through to D are defined and how its products – [ALUCOBOND®] carrying the A2 and PLUS classification – have “no significant contribution to fire” and are described as noncombustible by most countries. It explains graphically how the different core materials can impact on a cladding’s fire rating.

Typical structure of an aluminium composite panel, non-combustible (ALUCOBOND® A2)

Additional aspects such as fire spread, such as that possible through the concealed cavity between the cladding and the insulation in the external wall – the chimney effect – and how cavity barriers can reduce the propagation of fire.

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The video is just the first of many educational tools available from the 3A Composites GmbH, with a “Guide to ACM” to follow, which will focus the companies own ALUCOBOND® A2 (mineral filled core) and ALUCOBOND® PLUS (mineral filled core) products, and each’s performance in relation to fire performance with recommendations for their use.

To learn more about ALUCOBOND®, the video or to sign up for further updates about its products and services visit the company’s website at www.alucobond.com or call + 44 (0) 75 84 68 02 62.

April 2019 Industry News

BCEGI signs deal for £250m Bolton shopping centre rebuild Chinese contractor Beijing Construction and Engineering Group International has agreed to fund the redevelopment of Bolton’s Crompton Place shopping centre. while opening the streetscape to provide pedestrian links to Bradshawgate. Under the new deal BCEGI will partner Midia on the Victoria Square scheme.

The mixed-use project is the flagship in Bolton’s £1.2bn town centre regeneration plan put together by real estate investment and development specialist Midia and Bolton Regeneration Limited.

The shopping centre and surrounding area will now be converted into a new retail, leisure, office and residential destination

The Chinese contractor is already an equity and construction partner on the £1bn Airport City, Manchester, the preferred contractor for the new £1bn Salford mixed-use neighbourhood, Middlewood Locks and main contractor on The Lexington, Liverpool a £90m 35-storey residential development.

Yu Dongwen, lead director, BCEGI said: “We are committed to the UK, particularly the Northern Powerhouse region and we look forward to working with Midia to bring forward the redevelopment plans for Bolton town centre.”

Bolton Council Chief Executive Tony Oakman said: “As a council, we have committed £100m to create a town centre we can all be proud of and it is clear this has given major international real estate investors and developers the confidence to invest in Bolton’s future. As a result of the commitments already by private sector investors, we are confident of exceeding the original £1bn investment target within our plan.”

Bolton Council’s Masterplan contains proposals to transform the town centre by creating 1,800 new homes, and £412m of extra economic activity.

It is focused on five key areas: Crompton Place; Trinity Quarter; Cheadle Square; Church Wharf; Croal Valley/Central Street.

Business booming for building services giant TClarke Business is booming at TClarke as the building services specialist posted results ahead of market expectations.

Pre-tax profits were up 10% to £7.8m for the year to December 31 2018 as turnover rose 5% to £326.8m.

TClarke also confirmed a record order book of £430m at the end of February and said “it is well placed to meet its financial objective of a sustainable 3% operating margin in 2019.”

The operating margin in 2018 was 2.7% up from 2.3% the previous year.

Chief executive Mark Lawrence said: “We continue to focus on cash collection and remain debt free.

“Our clients recognise this as a strength of our business, reflected by the fact 88% of our revenue comes from repeat clients.

“Our shareholders also benefit, as our strong cash performance has allowed us to recommend a total dividend for the year of 4.0p per share, exceeding market expectations. Our teams across the UK have delivered an exceptional performance and, looking

ahead to 2019, with a record forward order book as at the end of February of £430 million, the foundations are in place for another strong performance across the Group.

“TClarke remains firmly on target to achieve our medium-term goal of a sustainable underlying operating margin of 3%.”

TClarke is continuing expansion outside its core London market and has opened offices in Manchester and Liverpool.

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Indsutry News April 2019

Legal speed limits versus safe speeds The need for better measures Andy Walters, Managing Director of vehicle tracking provider, Quartix, describes how to redefine speed limits for your fleet and improve safety out on the roads. The idea behind his unique research received the 2018 Queens Award for Enterprise in Innovation.

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rivers at every construction company travel considerable distances to reach sites every day, and a strong vehicle tracking system can go a long way to encourage safer driving habits. The majority of UK road deaths happen on rural roads despite the relatively low volume of traffic they carry.

Accidents on these rural roads, however, often occur at speeds below the National Speed Limit, which raises the question - what is a safe speed and how can we define it for each road we travel on?

Safe speeds: How far below the legal limit are they?

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On single carriageways, research show that only 8% of road users exceed the 60mph limit. With far fewer cases of speeding seen on the roads with the highest fatality rates, the need for a stronger, more robust safety measure than the legal speed limit was a clear focus for us at Quartix. The appropriate speed for any given road depends on its context, layout, width, surface, contour, conditions and time of day. A safe speed for most of a typical rural road is not 60mph, as frequent bends will require you to slow down.

Evidence suggests a driver’s risk of suffering an accident increases rapidly as they deviate above the average speed of moving vehicles on a specific stretch of road.

Putting the theory into practice: Improving your safety metrics Our SafeSpeed Database uses real traffic data to determine a more appropriate benchmark for safety. We collect over 30 million data points each day from 100,000 drivers and then match these against 2 million sections of UK roads.

A green score is awarded for any speed below the mean. Speeds ranking above 75% are marked in red and identified as dangerous. Our customers find that using this insight not only addresses the most significant danger that their drivers face, but also: • reduces the number of accidents by 5-20% • reduces liability and costs of accidents by 10% • reduces fuel costs by 25% To find out about the different plans available with Quartix, contact enquiries@quartix.net or call 01686 806 663.

Vehicle tracking that works for you • Driver timesheets • Trip reporting • Route maps

3 Months Free from

£9.90/mth

on a 1 year contract No auto-renewal | Free mobile app | 1st class customer service

Visit quartix.net or call 01686 807 607 to schedule a free demo Terms and conditions apply

April 2019

New staircase impact sound insulation system from Schöck As higher density living becomes increasingly the norm, noise nuisance and its possible effect on health issues is becoming an all-important topic. One of the most invasive irritations is impact sound and Schöck has developed an innovative solution for both straight and winding staircases.

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Whole Stair System

t will come as little surprise that social surveys across several European countries indicate that noise from neighbours in multi-family residential complexes causes varying degrees of annoyance. The type of noise can take various forms of course, but impact sound is particularly invasive, with footsteps on common stairs being a typical example.

Health studies have looked into the different effects of ‘community noise’ on individuals. The findings are wide-ranging, but suggest that regular noise interference can result in symptoms such as sleep loss, headaches, anxiety and in some cases even an increase in the potential for aggressive behaviour.

So with the move towards higher density living in many European towns and cities, appropriate Intrusive Noise

acoustic performance standards are becoming more important than ever.

UK urban living dramatically on the rise

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There is considerable disparity between UK mandatory acoustic standards and those in many parts of Europe. Which is possibly a result of the historical differences in dwelling types. In the UK only 14% of the population

have traditionally lived in apartments, one of the lowest Euro percentages. Whereas the average for apartment living across the Euro area is 48% and in many cases higher. Over 60% in Germany for example.

However, things are changing in the UK, where urban and therefore apartment living, is dramatically on the rise. Between 2002 and 20151 Liverpool was the fastest growing city centre, with a population increasing by 181%.

April 2019 Schöck launches Tronsole

DIN Testing

As a result Schöck, best known for its structural thermal break range, has developed an integrated impact sound insulation solution for all structural subsections on both straight and winding staircases.

Known as Tronsole, this system of perfectly integrated impact soundproofing elements, combines dependable sound insulation with straightforward installation. The Schöck Tronsole system consists of seven main product types that can be mixed and matched to form a fully integrated impact soundproof system either on-site, or in the prefabricating plant.

Prefabrication

Other cities are close behind, examples being Birmingham, with a city centre growing by 163%, Leeds by 150%, Manchester 149% and Leicester 145%. In terms of sheer numbers, the fastest growing was London, but due to overall population density this amounted to a relatively low 22% increase.

Soundproofing standards are under scrutiny With this increase in the density of residential living, noise health protection and exisiting mandatory soundproofing standards, of which impact sound is an important feature, are coming under everincreasing scrutiny. Currently the Building Regulations Part E recommend performance standards for ‘separating walls, separating floors and stairs that have a separate function’ as being less than or equivalent to 62 dB. Bearing in mind that the smaller the value, the better the impact sound

insulation, the European average for staircases is around 53 dB, in some individual cases even stricter.

Which is significant when you consider that for human hearing a 10 dB difference is equivalent to twice the noise disturbance. The first ever standard in Europe to specify a test procedure for impact sound insulation elements was published in Germany in 2016. (DIN 7396). DIN 7396 specifies a test with realistic configurations and typical building loads on staircases.

The weighted normalised impact sound pressure level (L‘n,w) as defined in DIN 7396 can be used as a basis for verifying acoustic insulation in buildings. In reality, during the construction process soundproofing solutions are often used that do not comply with longer term requirements. Individual elastomer supports for example, may not protect the joint areas completely, with dirt and plaster finding their way into the gaps, causing acoustic bridges.

1 According to analysis of figures from the Office for National Statistics.

Central to the performance of the Tronsole system is Elodur, an elastomer support formulated to ensure optimum acoustic insulation and low deflection. Compared with conventional strip supports, Elodur assures an impact sound level difference of approximately 32 dB, which constitutes an improvement of around 10 dB. Equally important to the system is the component known as Tronsole type L, which ensures complete soundproofing by totally sealing the joint. And all sound insulation performance figures for the Schöck Tronsole types relate to systems incorporating type L in the joint areas. The Tronsole system is suitable for emergency exits and complies with the requirements for fire resistance class R90 (subject to appropriate on-site additional reinforcement of the landing).

For comprehensive information about the Tronsole system contact Schöck on 01865 290 890; or visit the website at www.schoeck.co.uk The full Product Brochure is available.

Also, online installation videos are available that demonstrate the individual steps for installing elements for both straight and winding staircases and landings.

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Windows & Glazing Systems April 2019

Assessing the viability of embedded technology in homes of the future Smart home assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home Assistant are now widely used in homes across the UK. Coupled with the explosion in smart home devices – ranging from smart door bells to internet connected fridges – many home owners and renters are now envisaging a time where their smart devices won’t clutter their shelves and tables but will instead be embedded within the design of their homes.

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his ‘smart home’ aspiration was highlighted in a recent survey conducted

by Eurocell plc. where more than half (53%) of respondents said they were interested in having technologyenabled products in the build of their home. A further 24% said they plan to invest in smart technology in their existing property in the near future, while 18% identified integrated technology as one of their top three design trends.

As consumers’ appetite for technology grows, it is likely that the desire amongst home owners or occupiers to see the homes of the future designed with technology in-built, will only get stronger. However, while consumer demand for a smart or internet connected home, is strong, the viability of such homes being constructed is less evident. When the survey responses were analysed by a panel of experts, concerns were raised around the practicalities of the construction sector responding to these consumer aspirations for a home with

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smart technology embedded within the design.

Architects at leading studios Hawkins Brown, SimpsonHaugh and BDP, as well as property developer The High Street Group, analysed the findings, with the panel being in agreement that, while smart homes will certainly continue to develop, making it an embedded design feature would not be the best use of budget. With technology evolving so quickly the panel highlighted that embedding technology in a home would likely mean that the systems embedded in the house would quickly become ‘dated’ compared to the latest smart tech advancements.

Assessing the consumer feedback Francesca Roberts, Hawkins Brown, commented: “Technology is changing so quickly, to the point that it’s hard to predict what the smart home will look like in 20 years’ time.

So much technology these days is wireless anyway, so it doesn’t necessarily need embedding.”

James Roberts, SimpsonHaugh, added: “Money is better invested

in quality architectural design than on embedding fast changing technology.”

In addition to these concerns the survey found that, while many consumers expressed an interest in a smart home, few were willing to pay more for it as a design feature. Indeed only 20% of those who expressed a desire for a smart home were willing to pay more for a home that met this criteria.

As such, it is safe to conclude that whilst technology is desirable for home owners and consumers, the construction sector should carefully evaluate any future plans to respond to that demand.

You can see all of Eurocell’s findings from the survey in the Future Home Report which can be downloaded in full here

Meeting the needs of the next generation of home buyers and occupiers

Download our research report on the future of new homes To address the housing shortage and ensure that the housing stock deficit is erased the UK needs to build 340,000 new homes every year until 2031. As such, the residential construction sector is under increasing pressure to build the volume of homes the country so desperately needs, which will require not only meeting but exceeding the Government’s current pledge to build 300,000 new homes annually. It’s also critical that these homes meet the needs and demands of future homeowners.

To gain insight into this, Eurocell surveyed 1,000 25-40-year old renters and home owners to investigate their views on the subject. Following this, Eurocell asked experts from Simpson Haugh, Hawkins Brown, BDP and The High Street Group to analyse the findings and provide insight into the trends that they are currently seeing in the market.

Download the full report at eurocell.co.uk/whitepaper

Find out about the full Eurocell range.

Call us on: 0800 988 7301 or visit us at: eurocell.co.uk

Windows & Glazing Systems April 2019

PVC-U is perfect for prestigious property’s 46 sash windows Long-standing VEKA Group customer SWC Trade Frames was proud to act as a ‘one-stopspecification-shop’ for a stately sixbedroom new build in the Yorkshire Dales.

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SWC Sales Director Mark Catchpole explains: “We were delighted to provide everything necessary for our client Selby Glass to complete this Yorkshire manor house to a beautiful standard.

they can rely on the quality of our products without question. We use VEKA Group profile, so we can vouch for the standard of our systems right from raw materials to finished frames, and we can offer enviably swift lead times. These products combine stunning good looks with perfect performance; they look much like traditional timber but offer the additional modern energy-efficiency benefits and low maintenance of PVC-U.

“We’ve worked with Selby Glass for years, and the team there know

“SWC also has an in-house spraying facility, so alongside VEKA Group’s

The Scarborough-based company fabricates high quality Halo products from VEKA Group and was able to supply the 46 Vertical Sliders and 3 sets of French Doors needed for the prestigious job.

April 2019 Windows & Glazing Systems Fabricator: SWC Trade Frames Ltd Installer: Selby Glass Developer: Neil Battye

design in mind, and trusted us to find and fit the highest quality products to meet his specification.

“We tend to use a number of suppliers, but we knew in this case that SWC would be best able to meet every single one of the specialist requirements. We also trusted the SWC team to operate with speed and professionalism, so that we could – in turn – offer our client a swift turnaround, and we weren’t disappointed.

“The job involved 46 Halo Vertical Sliders sprayed Pebble Grey (inside and out) and 3 sets of coordinating French Doors from VEKA Group.

“The project looked great and the quality of products we installed from SWC means that they will offer phenomenal performance for years to come. The beauty of PVC-U windows and doors in this day and age, means that we can offer the traditional, classic style of timber sash windows, but they will never need sanding or repainting and they offer ease of operation, along with energy efficiency, acoustic insulation, and security.“ “The Vertical Sliders and French Doors from VEKA Group were simple and easy to fit. The most difficult thing about the job was not getting distracted by the view!”

great Variations lamination offering, we can provide any other colour the customer requires and ensure a perfect colour match and cohesive overall finish across all our ranges.

We pride ourselves on going ‘above and beyond’ for our customers. For example, the Halo Vertical Sliders for this job were supplied to an A+11 rating, effectively ‘future proofing’ this project by going beyond the standard specification requirements, and the windows and doors were supplied to Approved Document Q standards for security.”

Arthur Fenn, Director of Selby Glass, commented: “This 7400 sq ft stone-built manor house was a pleasure to work on. It had been designed and built to an exceptionally high standard by one of our longstanding developer clients, Neil Battye, who knows that quality is key.

“Neil works with Selby Glass on a regular basis, and has done for the last 20 years or so, because he knows we constantly strive to exceed his already high expectations. Neil approached us to do the job with the

VEKA Group Sales Director Neil Evans added: “This sprawling rural manor house is a great example of how modern materials and classic aesthetics can be combined to create a ‘timeless’ finish. Selby Glass and SWC trade frames have put VEKA Group systems to great use for their client, showcasing the versatility of these systems for all types of properties.

“VEKA Group is proud to work with fabricators and specifiers on everything from sleek city skyscrapers, to historic heritage properties and everything in between.

As we often highlight, our products are designed to meet all the specifications you would expect from such an industry-leading supplier, ‘for now, for the future, for life.’”

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Windows & Glazing Systems April 2019

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Interior Design April 2019

Wood for Good Marketing Summit to put health and wellbeing into practice Promoting timber’s health and wellbeing benefits is the focus for Wood for Good’s next Marketing Summit on 12 March at CILIP in London.

Christiane Lellig, Wood for Good campaign director, said: “The Summit is an opportunity to pinpoint how we can position, develop and market timber products within the health and wellbeing agenda.

“Our previous summit identified the opportunities and challenges for the timber market, now it’s time to look at how we get our products up to speed and ideally ‘healthy material’ certified.”

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The Summit will be in a workshop format with speakers including Christos Michael from CapitalHolz 100, Colin Wheatley from Medite Smartply and Kevin Underwood from the British Woodworking Federation.

Christos and Colin will be sharing their experiences of bringing health and wellbeing to the forefront of their marketing and product development, while Kevin will delve into the results of BWF’s cradle-to-cradle feasibility study for joinery products.

The discussion will cover the key issues raised in the previous summit including certification and the practicalities of doing this, identifying sales channels and ideas on how to promote products as healthy.

On the morning of the Summit, a workshop with Wood for Good supporters will take place to discuss the next six months of the campaign’s activity.

Following both events, attendees are invited to the Building Centre for the launch of the annual Wood Awards plus an opportunity to view the Forest of Fabrication exhibition.

Book your space for the Wood for Good Spring Marketing Summit.

www.woodforgood.com

April 2019 Interior Design

AHEC aims at red oak renaissance There’s never been a better time to buy American red oak in Europe. That’s partly because it’s in plentiful supply, partly because it’s eminently affordable, with the price differential versus European oak as wide as it’s ever been, on a par with US ash.

American Hardwood Export Council technical consultant Neil Summers acknowledges that both these positives for European buyers are to some extent due to a negative; the fact that China, as part of ongoing trade tension with the US, last year imposed a 10% tariff on American hardwood imports.

The Chinese are easily the biggest buyers of US red oak, and indeed US hardwoods generally, recently accounting for 60% of American exports. So the tariff, which may rise to 25% early March, has left a lot of timber seeking new customers. The situation has been exacerbated by China’s economic slowdown, which US mills accept, demands a strategic market refocus, regardless of tariffs. However, going into 2019 they and AHEC are determined that current price and availability won’t be red oaks’ only attraction on the European market. They are also focusing promotional and communications resources squarely on its performance potential.

AHEC is working with designers, makers and furniture students to underline red oak’s versatility, aesthetics and technical merits.

The timber is being taken in new directions in processing, finishing and end use and it will take centre stage at exhibitions.

The marketing campaign will also feature showcase projects Europe-wide, including last year’s massive use of red oak at the new European HQ of financial data and media colossus Bloomberg in London.

The species’ sustainability credentials will be stressed too; notably that it is America’s most

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Interior Design April 2019

prolific hardwood, with two cubic metres growing in the forest every second. Mr Summers doesn’t deny that Chinese tariffs pose a serious challenge for US mills, with red oak especially impacted and prices accordingly depressed.

“Initially wet weather restricted felling, so the tariffs’ effect was muted, but harvesting has now picked up and mills heavily focused on China have found it tough,” he said.

“If tariffs are raised further, and the Chinese currency remains weak against the dollar, it will be that much more difficult.”

But on a positive, mills and end users are exploring and spotlighting new red oak opportunities.

“It is being thermo treated, giving it greater durability and an attractive dark colour, while its grain and performance make it a natural substitute for US ash, particularly if supply continues to decline due to Emerald ash borer,” said Mr Summers. “There’s a trend to painted oak kitchen furniture too, which also logically points to using red oak.”

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He describes it as ‘perplexing’ given its very similar aesthetic to other oaks, that red oak isn’t yet a volume item in Europe – attributable perhaps to a mix of market inertia and lack of awareness. But its current competitiveness, backed by new higher profile promotion, could open up possibilities.

“It’s more porous than white oak, so not suitable for barrels! But it machines just as well, finishes perhaps better, bends more easily and takes treatment well for external use,” he said. “It also has excellent strength properties, rated D40 under Eurocode 5, compared with European oak’s D30, and it can readily substitute a species like meranti, with its similar density, permeability and consistency.”

Among red oak showcase projects this year, UK designer maker Sebastian Cox is making a bar area for the Wallpaper magazine Handmade feature at the Milan furniture show, with dye forced into the wood’s vessels under pressure. Additionally, AHEC is working with Polish furniture designer Tomek Rygalik on a red oak showpiece and at London’s Building Crafts College

April 2019 Interior Design

it is challenging students to create a table using 2ft 3 of the species each.

The latter project follows the success of AHEC’s design initiative with students at Oxford’s Ryecotewood Furniture Centre last year. Their task was to make a red oak storage unit.

Consequently, they steamed, bent, planed, turned, oiled and stained the timber, transforming it into everything from a coffee table with a miniature oriental garden under glass, to a shoe cabinet comprising woven red oak veneer strips.

Interestingly the students said they’d readily use red oak again, as did Michael Jones,

Foster+Partners’ project architect on the Bloomberg building – and this used 37,160m2 for flooring, 1,858m2 for panelling and 1,350 m3 in glulam.

The next major European airing for US hardwoods generally and red oak especially will be May’s Interzum show in Cologne. Here AHEC’s stand will feature red oak exclusively.

“And reflecting mills’ interest in Europe, it is organising a US hardwood pavilion, which had to be extended due to demand to accommodate 28 companies,” said Mr Summers. “The aim is for more Europeans to discover the underexploited potential of red oak, and to emphasise that there’s never been a better time to do it.”

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Interior Design April 2019

Armstrong Ceilings were an architec Black metal ceilings are a key feature of HSBC UK’s new headquarters.

Armstrong Ceiling Solutions were specified for key features in a next-generation UK headquarters building because they are the architect’s trusted brand capable of supplying a complete system.

Armstrong’s B-L302 jet black custom-mesh metal planks were complemented by the manufacturer’s Bandraster grid and Axiom blind box on levels 1 and 2 of the “university” reception, marketplace (canteen) and breakout areas for HSBC UK’s new headquarters at 1 Centenary Square at Arena Central in central Birmingham.

They were selected by regular Armstrong users TP Bennett architects who, while referring to the client’s design guidelines, wanted at the same time to innovate to create a new kind of headquarters for HSBC UK to focus on retail banking and training for 2,500 people.

Located on nine acres of a key regeneration area for the city and the former home of Carlton TV, the 11-storey, 210,000ft2 building with three basement levels is constructed of steel frame with rainscreen cladding and houses offices, the HSBC university, a staff gym, restaurant and café, and an executive suite with catering.

Extensive landscaping and external public realm works help to create a new “urban meadow” and public square at what is now known as Bank Court for developers ACDL - a joint venture between Miller Developments and Pro Vinci Asset Management.

The Armstrong systems form the main feature ceiling in the university reception area and the

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key break-out and collaboration areas and comprise 283m2 of 1210mm x 687mm metal planks with 71% open mesh area along with 193 metres of 100mm Bandraster unslotted exposed suspension grid and 272 metres of 100mm Axiom Blind Box transitions, both also in jet black (RAL 9005).

TP Bennett associate director and interior designer Francesco Tidona said: “We specified the Armstrong systems because they are a trustworthy company who are able to provide a full system which is convenient as it includes the mesh tiles and the supporting structure as well the proprietary Blind Boxes which we integrated with linear luminaires.”

They were installed for main contractor GallifordTry over two months by a team of 10 from specialist sub-contractor Taylor Hart, a member of Armstrong’s national network of approved Omega installers.

Managing director Phil Lewis said: “The Armstrong products were excellent, incorporating a Blind Box to allow M&E to install lights into the system in place of the Bandraster grid in various areas. The system was easily built and the colour march was of a high quality for each of the components.”

April 2019 Interior Design

ct’s trusted choice for a banking icon

More information is accessible via the Armstrong Ceilings website.

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Interior Design April 2019

Bruceshaw and team complete RAF Club Centenary Extension Bruceshaw has completed the development of the centenary extension at the prestigious Royal Air Force Club, Mayfair, London.

The Club, which was founded in 1918 and opened its doors in 1922, has approximately 25,000 members and serves serving and formerserving Officers and their families.

Bruceshaw was appointed as Project Manager in the autumn of 2015.

The project began on site in Q3 of 2016, Bruceshaw worked closely on this project with Paul Murphy Architects, Glanville Group and Jnoad Ltd. Due

to the restricted access and complexity of the project, the scheme was split into two contracts, an enabling works and main build contract, which allowed the works to commence whilst Bruceshaw and the project team worked with the RAF Club to develop the detailed design.

The RAF Club had identified a need for more bedrooms for the exclusive use of its members, improved

business facilities and a fitness centre with contemporary facilities.

As a Grade 2 listed building, located in one of the most expensive areas of London, property is at a premium and an innovative solution was sought to deliver the client’s requirements that would also work with the existing building structure and floor levels.

Through extensive discussions amongst the architects and the profession team, a solution was devised whereby two under used squash courts could be redeveloped.

Meticulous planning enabled the creation of 17 further bedrooms (12 doubles, 2 accessible rooms and 3 singles) 3 of which enjoy roof top views. In addition, a new business suite on the first floor, fitness centre on the ground floor, staff canteen and laundry facilities were also delivered.

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Construction of the project began with the assembly of an eightstorey steel frame to create the structure for the new rooms including a stair and lift core. All construction took place whilst the rest of the Club remained in operation.

This presented a number of challenges, not least

the requirement to install a tower crane to erect the new wing, which entailed closing Piccadilly over two weekends to allow access. The organising of this procedure was very complex due to the number of stake holders involved and took up to six months to plan.

Miles Pooley FIH MI, RAF Club Chief Executive said: “The centenary extension delivered exciting new facilities for RAF Club members in our 100th year. An underutilised space within the building has been transformed into a stylish, contemporary area of the Club for members to stay, work and exercise.”

The RAF Club was completed in time to welcome the Club’s Royal Patron since 1952, Her Majesty the Queen, to celebrate its centenary year. The Queen, during her visit, officially opened the new centenary extension, as well as unveiling a series of newly-commissioned artworks.

March 2019 Interior Design

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SECTION NAME March 2019

The Solid Wood Flooring Company | www.thesolidwoodflooringcompany.com Case Studies | Commercial and Leisure | Architects | Contractors | Choosing Wood Flooring

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April 2019 Interior Design

The Place Apart Hotel Central Manchester • • • •

Featured Product Product Code TW-E962 Fumed Antique Chevron Parquet Band Sawn Finish Wood Flooring

Project - The Place Apart Hotel Executive Architects - Archer Humphryes Architects Main Contractor - Cost Consultants Wood Flooring Supplier - The Solid Wood Flooring Company

We were asked by the Cost Consultants to manufacture a chevron board that met the budgetary requirements of their client. We met with the Architects who are Archer Humphryes Architects to ascertain exactly what the clients required and then produced samples. We managed to produce 3 variations and the client confirmed the one they wanted.

We received signed control samples back so that we can manufacture what the client wants.

Refurbishment of this apartment hotel began in 2017 and the chevron has been designed to fit in with the history of the building. We are also in the process of making matching skirting boards.

A PIECE OF MANCHESTER’S HISTORY

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Awarded Grade II listed status by English Heritage in 1998 as an acknowledgment of its important cultural and architectural legacy, this former railway warehouse was built in 1867 during the peak of Manchester’s prominence as the world’s number one centre for the cloth trade.

The building is the only remaining of four warehouses erected by the Manchester

& Birmingham Railway Company and was known as the London Warehouse. Also in 1998, the building was transformed into The Place Aparthotel, retaining many of the building’s original features, including the impressively crafted iron, stone and brick work. These can be seen in the original Victorian railings manning the balconies, the barrel ceilings, the stupendous façade and the large, spacious public area which makes The Place unique.

In its former life, the building’s interior was dominated by massive cast iron columns supporting large riveted wrought iron beams. This huge, flexible and cavernous construction gave uninterrupted floor space for the movement of cloth.

The cast iron columns and other impressive features remain today, including iron girders and the tastefully retained Romanesque window arches, but instead of vast warehouse flooring, the seven storeys now hold 107 apartments, supporting a spectacular atrium where cranes would once have dangled their loads.

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Interior Design April 2019

FLOORING TAKES TO

THE MAIN STAGE Looking for texture, colour, ambience, finish, performance? You’ll find all these and more at this year’s Flooring Show which takes place from 15-17 September in Harrogate.

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This is where flooring in all its forms is given the starring role.

Visit the show and be the first to see…

The show is widely recognised as the UK’s National Flooring Event, and this year marks its 57th edition, a record performance for a b2b trade show, and 2019 is set to be The Flooring Shows best year with a resurgence in visitor numbers and interest in recent years. The perfect show for flooring retailers and contractors, The Flooring Show also attracts plenty of interest across the board from fitters keen to spot new products and offers, and specifiers and designers for whom the show delivers a great overview of what’s new and who’s new as well as great networking opportunities.

Lifestyle Floors return to the show for an exciting few days of networking, join the likes of Cormar Carpets’, Furlong Flooring, Cavalier Carpets, Westex, Abingdon Flooring, Gooch Oriental Carpets and Distinctive Flooring to name but a few.

You can catch up with companies from all across Europe including Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. All the big names are here plus over 20 new exhibitors which will continue to grow including William Armes and its well-known Dandy brand, Oneflor-Europe.

Bill Beaumont Textiles Ltd, Barrentine Product Ltd, The Sanctuary Group Ltd and Dri-Tac Flooring Products, LLC will all be attending The Flooring Show 2019.

A full exhibitor list from the previous year can be found on the show website www.theflooringshow.com.

Show Essentials: Dates: 15-17 September 2019 Venue: Harrogate Convention Centre, Harrogate Register: via the show website www.theflooringshow.com Travel: Free parking at venue /25% discount off train travel https://www.lner.co.uk/hcc25

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Interior Design April 2019

Aspex develops bespoke doorsets for student accommodation Aspex, one of the UK’s leading architectural ironmongery and doorset companies, has secured a contract to supply a bespoke range of doorsets to the 900 bed Paradise Street student accommodation scheme in Coventry.

Working alongside FBM Architects, Aspex has created a custom-built version of its Novista Riser Steel Doorsets.

The system features a bottom and over panel to create a full height door with a slim flush frame allowing more space for the M&E equipment for the project.

Over 700 Novista Riser Doorsets are being supplied and a project specific fire test was carried out at BM Trada. This included a 50mm high Nullifire Batt board above the overpanel for the M&E services to pass through.

Aspex is also supplying the internal timber doorsets and the access control system which includes an electronic lock on all of the bedrooms, allowing students to access the building and their rooms with a card or their smartphone for enhanced safety.

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Ashley Burberry, Managing Director at Aspex, says: “The student accommodation sector has been hugely successful for us. We’re delighted to have the opportunity to create a bespoke version of our doorsets which emphasises the versatility of our Novista Riser system. The access control system ensures students remain safe, allowing us to take safety to new heights.”

David Taylor, Senior Architect at FBM Architects, adds: “For this particular project, we required a frameless doorset that we could paint on site to match the walls. The Novista system met our requirements and we are really pleased with how the doors look and blend into the surroundings.”

For more information, visit www.aspex-uk.co.uk

April 2019 Interior Design

Office Principles provides agile space for Cornerstone Office Principles has designed and delivered a complete new agile working model for Cornerstone, the UK’s leading infrastructure services company, in its move from a 38,000 sq ft space to 22, 000 sq ft, with a seven to ten desk sharing ratio, to make more efficient use of the new space, drive higher performance and increase staff engagement.

T

he fast-track fit out process was completed in approximately 11 weeks and included carpets, partitioning, ceilings, kitchen, extra shower and feet washing facilities, all decor and the creation of a dedicated wellbeing room.

The award-winning design and workplace consultant acted to maximise the value of the project while working around other contractors within a tight time frame.

Work on the project followed a workplace study, conducted

by Office Principles, which included a utilization study and a staff engagement process, to give Cornerstone a thorough understanding of how it could change its culture and working practises to increase greater teamwork and collaboration, while reducing its occupied space.

on the client side, to promote better engagement; to increase productivity; and to support staff wellbeing. Careful planning was needed to ensure the best results and so the visionary and research stages were integral to the whole project.”

“We wanted this new office project to, essentially, be about the people and, with Office Principles’ consultancy and support, we have secured an inspirational working space that will accommodate fluid team working and client engagement.”

Ginette Kilroy, people director for Cornerstone is excited by the game-changing position that the completed project has brought the company to: “This has provided us with a cultural shift and whole new dynamic. We have set out an expectation, bringing the team on board at the earliest opportunity, and created an environment that is in tune with our people, our corporate values, and how they come together and work.

Holding a strong and varied commercial portfolio, Office Principles has worked with bluechip brands such as Exterion Media, Telegraph Media Group, Meet in Place, Visa Europe, GE Capital, Fitness First, Tata Communications, ResMed, Direct Marketing Association, Land Securities, Mothercare, and Kuoni.

For further information on Office Principles and its services, visit www.officeprinciples.com

Joint managing director of Office Principles, Cyril Parsons explains: “Cornerstone visited one of our other recent projects and immediately saw the value in creating an agile working space, intelligently designed around staff, team and individual needs.

“The Cornerstone project was driven by a desire,

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April 2019

Millcroft Supports Conservation at Royal Naval College’s Painted Hall Billy Jones from scaffolding specialist, Millcroft, discusses the challenges of providing freestanding access platforms for the Restoration of the Painted Hall for The Greenwich Foundation.

Referred to by some as the ‘Sistine Chapel of the North’, the Painted Hall at the Royal Naval College at Greenwich is one of the jewels in the crown of the UK’s naval heritage. A Grade 1 Listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument, it is the location where Nelson lay in state as thousands of mourners paid their respects.

The Painted Hall takes its name from more than 7000m2 of frescos that cover the walls and ceiling, which make it the largest fresco in Northern Europe. For the past fifty years, these decorative surfaces have remained untouched by restorers but a major Heritage Lottery funded conservation project, ten years in the planning, has now been carried out to clean the precious paintings and continue their preservation for future generations.

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Amongst the challenges of this delicate project was constructing the access needed for the restorers to carry out the work, which involved maintaining their safety while enabling the painstaking work. Adding to the complexities of this, The Greenwich Foundation also wanted to give the public access to the once-in-a-generation

conservation project with guided tours of the work, which needed to be accessible to all. To facilitate this, Millcroft was brought in to design, build and manage a bespoke scaffolding solution, leveraging the company’s 40 years’ experience in the heritage buildings sector to address the unique requirements of the scheme.

Complex Challenges The conservation project was carried out in two core phases, with the work on the dome-roofed Vestibule scheduled to take place first, followed by the main Painted Hall area. Consequently, the Millcroft team was required to design the scaffolding for the whole project and

April 2019 erect the Vestibule scaffolding first so that work could commence in this area and continue here during the five-month programme to erect the scaffolding in the Painted Hall.

For both areas, the in-house design team had to work within strict parameters provided by The Greenwich Foundation to ensure the structure and the artwork were protected. The scaffolding had to be free-standing to avoid any damage risk to the delicate frescos on the walls and ceilings and it also had to be erected within restricted loading requirements to avoid any structural damage to the building or risk to the floor finishes from loading stress or puncturing.

them to carry out their work and the distance required between the edge of the working area and the surface of the fresco. Moreover, these requirements were not static and the scaffolding design had to be able to accommodate adaptations over the course of the restoration programme.

Finally, the design criteria also included creating visitor access that was safe and presentable for public visits, including disabled access, and maintaining staff access to key areas of the building.

Heritage Specialism

The client provided the maximum loading data and, because all the works were indoors, there were no additional wind loading issues to consider, however, creating a lightweight structure that rises 14 metres from the floor to the main deck while providing a solution that was robust enough to ensure the safety of both staff and visitors was no small task.

To address these challenges, the scaffolding was modelled in 3D with meticulous calculations to align the fixing intervals to the loading requirements. The weight of the large-scale scaffolding structure was dramatically reduced by the use of aluminium tube rather than steel, and traditional wooden scaffold decking was replaced by profiled metal, which reduced both the weight of the system and the fire risk in the sensitive setting.

Meanwhile, the solution also had to allow the conservation team sufficient work areas to access the frescos, taking into account both their working methodology and their safety while working at height.

This required close consultation with the restorers to understand the amount of space required for

Supporting access towers were installed to spread the weight load evenly across the floor and high specification vinyl was used to protect the tiled floor from compression damage or puncturing while maintaining a high quality aesthetic suitable for public visits.

For the public access routes, a bespoke access lift was commissioned and erected and two public access-rated staircases were constructed. A ply layer was then laid onto the metal deck for the public access routes and the viewing gallery to maintain a consumerfacing finish and wheelchair-friendly surface. The Millcroft team was also responsible for erecting hoardings onto the scaffolding at ground level to enhance safety.

Throughout the project, the Millcroft team carried out adaptations to the scaffolding, aligned to the access requirements of the restoration team, while ensuring the staff access and the visitor tour routes were never compromised.

As Will Palin, Project Director at the Greenwich Foundation commented: “Working closely with Millcroft, we were able to ensure that that conservation team could work safely and comfortably while offering the public a unique opportunity to see the conservation work unfold. “With the scaffolding now carefully removed, The Painted Hall has been unveiled once again in its full glory.� www.millcroft.co.uk 0208 305 1988

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Heating & Ventilation April 2019

Eileen Ash Hall, Hewett Academy

Gaia were asked by their client PJ Plumbing Heating & Maintenance to provide a total floor heating solution including insulation and screed works to a new sports facility in Norwich.

The sports hall, built at the Hewett Academy is expected to be used by Jane Austen College, the Hewett Academy, Charles Darwin Primary, and the new Wherry School, an independent specialist free school. As the facility will be used by students, they supplied tamper-proof room thermostats, a popular product in schools and public areas.

The centre has been named after Eileen Ash, a pioneering female test cricketer who lives in Norwich and is now 107 years old. The official opening took place last Autumn.

The hall has since been kitted out with new equipment, supporting a range of sports offered at the schools including netball, cricket, trampolining and basketball.

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The head of Jane Austen College David Thomas said in a recent article “This is a great new facility for both our students and those from Hewett Academy, and a great example of how our schools work together across the Inspiration Trust.” And Academy Principle Rebecca Handley Kirk of Hewett Academy said “The Hewett Academy already has some of the best sports facilities in the city and we regularly welcome pupils from nearby schools for swimming, hockey and football. This brilliant new centre is a great way to continue that tradition.”

The system installed was Gaia Wet Underfloor Heating into screed, and placed in the changing facilities and lobby areas.

Senior Account Manager William Theobald who oversaw the project for Gaia said “We worked closely with a trusted screeding contractor to deliver the total package including screed laid to falls in the shower areas. The project was a joy to work on, and there was great communication from PJ Plumbing and the main contractor from start to finish” For further information, please contact Gaia on 01359 242 400 or visit www.gaia.co.uk.

April 2019 Heating & Ventilation

TAKING THE STRESS OUT OF FIT-OUT Ensuring the performance of architectural ventilation solutions can be secured from every perspective by taking advantage of additional services from Gilberts Blackpool.

The UK’s leading independent air movement specialist is known for its ability to deliver solutions to maintain appropriate airflow and temperature into commercial environments.

The ambit has been extended to include installation of its entire range of screening & ventilation louvres, plus its natural ventilation products.

The service delivers more than the assurance the products are properly fitted. As Gilberts manufactures every component in-house, by undertaking supply and install, it can look at the project as a whole, and manufacture the

components in the most efficient way possible to address site issues.

Explains Gilberts Sales Director Ian Rogers, “With natural ventilation and louvres particularly, it really matters in terms of ongoing building performance that they are fitted properly. They are, more often than not, in difficult to access areas. Using Gilberts’ team of validated installers ensures the completed installation is accurate, robust, weathertight and compliant. The client is assured of a job well done.

“We have a reputation for value engineering. Offering installation takes that reputation for value a stage further.”

Family-owned Gilberts has a heritage spanning more than 60 years, with a management team recognised as experts within their respective fields. At its 95,000 sq ft head office facility, it designs, manufactures and supplies a comprehensive range of components designed to deliver efficient air movement strategies in commercial environments.

Products are predominantly manufactured in-house, to the extent it even designs and manufactures its own jigs and tools; ventilation products are validated in its purpose-designed on-site, inhouse test facility. www.gilbertsblackpool.com

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Heating & Plumbing April 2019

The IPG to give away 25 knee pads to help battle ‘The Problem of Plumber’s Knees’

Plumber’s Knees: it’s the underlying health issue known by plumbers nationwide – but may still come as quite a shock to those not in the trade.

It’s the news that was recently revealed in an article, published by The IPG last year, that found a staggering 75% of working plumbers will experience problems with their knees as a result of the hard graft and constant kneeling associated with the profession. And perhaps even more worryingly, it was also found that a mere 41% of those asked had taken action, and actually discussed their ailment with their GP. It shouldn’t come as any surprise that poor health and safety can cause big pay-outs for companies, not to mention a substantial loss of revenue for independents or those in self-employment. To put it into context, over the year 2017-18, a staggering 30.7 million working days were lost due to work-related illness and injury, costing an estimated £15 billion. If plumber’s knees aren’t enough to make your eyes water – that price tag certainly is!

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The study, which was conducted by The IPG, the UK’s largest and fastest growing membership group for independent plumbers, heating and bathroom specialists, also found that 57% of plumbers surveyed felt that they would need to undergo a knee replacement surgery in the future, as a result of the

demanding nature of the job. A further 59% felt that they would be forced to retire early as a result, and with the state pension in the UK currently 66, and the possibility of it rising to 67 in future years, it’s a very real issue currently facing the future of many tradespeople in the UK. That’s why, following the findings of their study, and in a bid to continue to raise awareness of the condition currently sweeping the plumber’s nation, The IPG are set to run a campaign this month on their social media channels, giving their followers the chance to snap up a free pair of knee pads, kindly provided by Lecico.

The competition, which will commence on Friday 15th February, will give The IPG’s followers the chance to win 1 of 5 pairs of knee pads every Friday for a month.

To get involved, entrants will need to follow The IPG on their social channels and keep a look out each week for details on how to enter. Good luck!

You can follow The IPG on Facebook (@TheIPG), Twitter (@ipg_the), Instagram (@the_ipg) and on LinkedIn (The IPG).

For more information on The IPG, head to their website www.the-ipg.co.uk.

April 2019 Heating & Plumbing

The GB162 now boasts a new pump group which offers the combination of lower hydraulic resistance and more residual pump head, which is ideal for single boilers and single heating circuit installations to reduce installation costs and energy bills, as there is no need to run an external system pump.

State-of-the-art control

Bosch enhances popular gb162 light commercial boiler • New GB162 is available as an 85kW model for increased flexibility • Overpressure flues have been introduced for simpler installation into existing chimneys

B

osch Commercial and Industrial has made a series of enhancements to its popular GB162 light commercial gas boiler, for improved installation, servicing and operation.

Increased flexibility For the first time, the GB162 is available as an 85kW model, meaning the boiler is now available in outputs of 50kW, 65kW, 85kW and 100kW. With the condensing boiler’s innovative cascade design, it can cater for large heat demands of up to 1.6MW, coming into and out of operation when required to ensure even load matching.

A key feature of the new GB162 is the introduction of overpressure flues which result in reduced installation height and increased flexibility. With each flue containing a flue gas non-return valve, the need for a large cascade flue

• Compatible with the Control 8000 commercial boiler control for simple and remote control

header is removed, while flue gases are prevented from re-entering cascaded boilers which aren’t firing. This results in reduced installation costs due to smaller flue diameters, and makes the solution even better suited for buildings with narrower chimneys and in plant rooms with low ceilings and restricted space, making it retrofit friendly.

Advanced commissioning and servicing The new boiler model also features an improved syphon with a threaded connection for a secure fit, offering peace of mind to the commissioning engineer, while 360° insulation helps to reduce heat loss and energy consumption. The addition of a single sided removable cover also improves access to internal components to simplify servicing and maintenance, particularly for cascades in tight plant rooms.

Crucially, the updated GB162 is compatible with the leading connected commercial boiler control.

The Control 8000 allows for medium and large commercial heating systems to be monitored and controlled remotely via a computer or tablet, helping service engineers to know exactly what is wrong with the heating system before they come to site.

Tim Davies, Business Development Director at Bosch Commercial and Industrial, comments: “The GB162 is an extremely popular product in our commercial boiler portfolio due to its ease of installation, reliability, and high performance. By listening to feedback from heating engineers and building a number of enhancements into the model, we have been able to make it even more versatile for a wider variety of large domestic and commercial installations, from large homes to schools and care facilities.”

For more information on Bosch Commercial and Industrial and its range of heating, cooling and hot water technologies, please visit

www.bosch-commercial.co.uk.

Alternatively, follow Bosch Commercial and Industrial on Twitter (@BoschHeating_UK) and LinkedIn (Bosch Commercial and Industrial UK).

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Heating & Plumbing April 2019

HEATING OUR HOMES - A policy pathway to developing a viable heat pump market NIBE Energy Systems has developed a policy pathway paper for phasing out high carbon fossil fuels in response to the Government’s 2017 Clean Growth Strategy, a vision for driving down emissions throughout the next decade, which included phasing out high carbon fossil fuels in off gas grid properties. properties. To enable the required uptake of low carbon heating, NIBE recommend:

This week DEFRA published the Clean Air Strategy 2019 which recognises how technology can support multiple aspects of clean growth. It recommends reducing demand through improved energy efficiency and opting for technologies that mitigate climate change and improve air quality at the same time.

NIBE Energy Systems welcomes the continued commitment by Government to tackle climate change, improve air quality and move away from high carbon fossil fuels however, stresses that further work is needed to facilitate greater and smoother transition from fossil fuels to renewables in off gas grid properties.

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NIBE’s new policy paper, Heating Our Home - Phasing out Fossil Fuels, raises awareness of the need to tackle the decarbonisation of heat urgently and suggests steps which can be taken in the UK

now, to move towards cleaner, more efficient heating systems: 1. Commit to a concrete date for high carbon fossil fuel phase out in the 2020s to provide certainty 2. Low carbon heating must be deployed in buildings capitalising on key trigger points 3. The groundwork for widespread uptake must be set; this means ensuring homes are renewables ready, recognising improvements in energy performance in property values and providing support to enable and encourage adoption.

Building Regulations, and specifically the upcoming review of Part L, represent a significant opportunity to drive down the carbon emissions from new build

•

Set tight new build standards that will in effect render renewable heating the primary option for new build where these systems make immediate sense

•

Where fossil fuel heating systems are installed, these should be low temperature ready

•

The maximum dwelling emission rate is reduced over time to encourage continuous improvement.

It is important that action is taken now rather than later to combat climate change. NIBE Energy System’s Managing Director Phil Hurley said: “We must significantly reduce the role of oil and other high carbon fuels in new and existing buildings by the early 2020s. Setting a clear end date for fossil fuel installations is the low hanging fruit which will drive decarbonisation more widely.

This report looks at policy levers which could be pulled to make it easier to switch and ensure that it happens at the rate required.

We look forward to engaging with policy makers in 2019 to make these recommendations a reality through the development of an ambitious policy framework for heat in buildings.”

A copy of the NIBE policy paper can be found here www.nibe.eu/en-gb/ about-nibe/news/2019/2019-0116-heating-our-homes---a-policypathway-to-developing-a-viableheat-pump-market

April 2019 Heating & Plumbing

T: +44 (0)1825 764737 E: info@appeng.co.uk www.appeng.co.uk Applications Engineering Ltd, 16 Horsted Square, Bellbrook Industrial Estate, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 1QG

Dual port Fire Sprinkler ValVe Set • Dual ports that enable the flow switch to be mounted on either side.

• Available with optional CPVC mating sockets.

• 100% pressure tested.

• 1” and 1 ¼” full bore test valve • Easy access for servicing

No.1 Choice Electric Radiator Collection 2 Year Controller 5 Year Main Body Warranty

2 Year Controller 10 Year Main Body Warranty

DSR Solaris Aluminium Convector Heater with ceramic blocks. Four outputs available, 500, 1000, 1500 & 2000watts.

DSR Edge Traditional Column Convector Heater with a large ceramic core. Four outputs available, 500, 1000, 1500 & 2000watts.

Available for Android & Apple devices Control your heaters wirelessly via our free APP Anywhere, Anytime 24/7

Contact us for a quote or more information

01698 820533 www.electric-heatingcompany.co.uk

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SECTION NAME March 2019

SVANTEK SUPPLIES SV 307 NOISE MONITORING STATIONS FOR MAJOR LONDON DEMOLITION PROJECT Latest environmental noise monitoring systems chosen for Class 1 sound level meter with GPS and lifetime MEMS warranty plus 24/7 real time data and remote access Svantek (www.svantek.co.uk) – leading manufacturer of high performance noise and vibration instrumentation for environmental and occupational health monitoring applications – has recently supplied four SV 307 noise monitoring stations to First Choice Hire Ltd for a major 13-week demolition project as part of phase one of the London Borough of Merton’s High Path Estate regeneration initiative.

The High Path Estate project involves the phased regeneration of an existing 1950’s estate in the London Borough of Merton to create a vibrant mixed-use, mixed

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tenure community. It will include up to 1,700 homes across the whole development and over 10,000sqm of commercial, retail, office and community uses.

First Choice Hire Ltd was chosen

by Tower Demolition Limited, a leading specialist in sustainable demolition, to provide real-time noise monitoring on a 24/7 basis during the demolition of residential garages and factory buildings at High Path.

Paul Dwyer, Director at First Choice Hire comments: “We have an excellent relationship with Tower Demolition having worked with them

on other projects. As a result, they were confident in our experience and ability to provide the best noise monitoring solution for High Path.

“There were several key reasons for choosing Svantek’s SV 307 noise monitoring terminal. As well as being small, compact and unobtrusive, it features an accurate Class 1 IEC 61672 sound level meter with 3G modem for fast data transfer and MEMs microphone with lifetime warranty. Plus the GPRS hardware module meant we knew where the instruments were located at all times, as well as providing measurement time synchronisation.”

April 2019 The Svantek SV 307 noise monitoring stations were installed on the four corners of the High Path site with two systems located to the right of a block of flats and factory building and the others on a main road, close to factories and offices.

Throughout the demolition phase, the two SV 307 instruments located to the rear of the site were closely monitored as they were positioned next to a residential area.

The small, lightweight SV 307 system features a new Class 1 MEMs microphone for major cost benefits and sleeve type case for easy mounting. Offering optional airport and community characteristics, a Class 1 MEMs microphone comes with lifetime warranty and enables wide frequency range up to 20 KHz with the measurement data stored on a microSD card.

The energy efficient SV 307 incorporates an innovative patented system check with an inbuilt reference sound source producing level of 100dB at 1 KHz. As an option, the SV 307 can perform real-time frequency analysis in 1/1 and 1/3 octave bands and save results with the time history data. In addition, it can record the audio signal as standard WAVE files for noise source recognition.

Paul continues: “The SV 307 is much easier to install and set up than similar noise monitoring equipment. You simply fix in position, switch on and it starts reporting immediately. Plus there is less down time as configuration can be done remotely.”

A large colour OLED display and 10 push buttons enable easy configuration of the SV 307 in the field removing the need for an external handset or reconnection to a PC. The large windscreen is highly efficient in reduction of a wind noise effects even at high wind speeds. Metal spikes protect the SV 307 from birds.

The SV 307’s waterproof casing can be easily mounted to a post and removed for quick access to the user interface. It also offers protection against extreme weather conditions whilst fulfilling Class 1 accuracy.

“The SV 307’s internal Li-Ion battery really came into its own on the High Path project,” Paul adds. “The main power at the site was turned off each evening but the SV 307 instruments would switch to battery power throughout the night ensuring 24/7 continuous operation as required by the client.

“What’s more, the SV 307 would alert me to the fact it had been removed from the main power and was now using its battery. I don’t believe other noise monitoring systems do this which is a major advantage.”

A waterproof mains adapter for charging the battery and powering the station is also included for continuous operation in the field.

Svantek’s SvanNET cloud service monitors the wireless communication, powering and access to the SV 307 data. The scope of the basic SvanNET can be extended with multipoint project management that offers data storage in the cloud, data sharing, advanced alarming and reporting features. SvanNET is an online solution which means it doesn’t require software installation and is accessible through a web browser.

The responsive design enables use of SvanNET on various devices such as smartphones or tablets.

Talking about SvanNet, Paul says: “Simply inserting a sim card into the SV 307 connects it to SvanNET. It meant I had access to each station and measurement data 24 hours a day. It also allowed me to change parameters remotely if required. In fact, I made some alterations from Holland at one point.

“Because SvanNET is accessible from SvanPC++ reporting application, I was able to easily provide monthly reports for Tower Demolition.”

SvanNET data storage is a quick access to the measurement data due to an unlimited download speed. In the case of long term measurements, the stored data can be conveniently browsed and downloaded by the time range.

The SvanPC++ Environmental Measurements feature is designed for post processing of data recorded by the SV 307 system. It offers a powerful calculator and an automated noise event finder for noise source identification.

The option for 1/3 octave real-time analysis allows measurement of the noise frequency contents and is used for verification of noise sources in the environment. Plus time domain signal recording to WAVE format works during measurement and is logged in parallel to a time history. Once downloaded to PC it can be played back.

The SV 307 is supplied with a factory calibration certificate and 36-month warranty card.

“We have been very pleased with the overall performance of all four SV 307 noise monitoring stations, and the service from Svantek has been excellent. As a result, I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again on other projects,” Paul concludes.

Svantek is part of the AcSoft Group which also comprises AcSoft Sound & Vibration, AcSoft Health & Safety and GRAS UK.

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External Works April 2019

CA Group Providing Roofing and Cladding Solutions for over 35 years CA Group, based in County Durham, has been supplying the construction industry for 35 years; designing, manufacturing and installing technicallyadvanced and sustainable roofing and cladding solutions for commercial, industrial and residential purposes.

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T

he company has developed a strong reputation for its services and products, which include numerous UK-renowned brands, such as TwinTherm® Built-up Roofing and Cladding System, SolarWall® Transpired Solar Collector (TSC), RiverTherm® Secret Fix Roof System, Caskade® Premier Membrane Gutters and the Prime range of rainscreen solutions, which are highly accredited by industry bodies, including Agrément certification, Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) and Secured By Design (SBD) status.

CA Group’s success is built on the company’s approach to construction and product development and its ability to develop innovative systems to meet the evolving needs of the construction industry. The company boasts substantial expertise and experience and recently implemented an internal BIM team who work closely with architects, builders and project managers to respond to technically challenging projects.

Operating nationally, the group works with some of the largest companies in the UK construction industry, and boasts a unique building portfolio that includes new, renovation and refurbishment projects for brands including Amazon, DPD, Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury and XPO. Recent projects include work on the Rushden Lakes Shopping Centre, Northamptonshire, the Amazon distribution centre, Leicestershire and Downtown Manchester, a multistorey residential build.

For more information and to request a brochure email enquiries@cagroup.co.uk or call 01388 834242 www.cagroup.co.uk

April 2019 External Works

RESIN BOUND THE PERMEABLE DRIVEWAY EVERYONE IS ASKING FOR! Resin Bound is the fastest growing surfacing application of the last 5 years. It is being embraced by landscapers, developers and surfacing contractors nationwide who recognise the considerable sales opportunity it represents.

The DALTEX UVR resin bound System has been awarded certification by the BBA (the British Board of Agrément).

Products that receive Agrément Certificates are recognised by building control, government departments, architects, specifiers and industry insurers. It’s a mark of quality, safety and reliability that provides reassurance of the product’s fitness-for-purpose.

Materials are sourced from all over the UK and worldwide and Derbyshire Specialist Aggregates offers the widest range of aggregate colours, sizes and shapes in the UK.

Resin bound is a stunning alternative to block paving, macadam concrete or loose gravel and, thanks to its hard-wearing, natural finish, it ticks many of the boxes customers want regarding appearance, longevity and low maintenance.

NEW DALTEX Bespoke is a superb range of 40 stunning resin bound colour blends. Colours span the spectrum – from the richest reds to stylish greys to soft and subtle golden browns and there’s something for every style of property – be it residential or commercial.

The company prides itself on offering 100% stock availability and keeps thousands of tonnes of raw material and finished product ready for next day delivery – nationwide.

Permeability is also a major plus point. Fully SUDS compliant, resin bound meets planning requirements – making it ideal for new builds and renovations.

DALTEX UVR SYSTEM IS BBA ACCREDITED Derbyshire Specialist Aggregates is the UK manufacturer of DALTEX dried aggregates, the UK’s No 1 brand for resin bound systems.

DALTEX dried aggregates are meticulously dried and screened to produce a high quality product which combined with DALTEX UVR stable resin delivers a beautifully consistent resin bound finish that is suitable for every type of project.

Resin Bound Training - Only £75 (ex VAT) per person PLUS receive a Hygrometer, Themometer and DALTEX Sample case FREE with every booking.

Derbyshire Specialist Aggregates is committed to promoting the very highest installation quality. We have developed a one day resin bound training course which is run by independent contractors from purpose built facilities in Derbyshire. This practical, hands on course covers everything required to ensure installations meet BBA Accredited criteria – the highest industry standard.

Plus you can also become a DALTEX UVR System Qualified Installer…

For more details: www.resinbondedaggregates.com 01629 636500 leanne@derbyaggs.com

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SECTION NAME March 2019 Outdoor

1 Swimming Pool ‌ 4 PoolLock Automatic Covers To cover the pool surface on this very particular design of pool, PoolLock supplied one automatic slatted cover and three automatic safety covers, including a customized V4XXL safety cover system spanning an 11m width. Thanks to its many years of experience designing and producing automatic covers, PoolLock is able to work with customers and architects to create tailored solutions to cover almost any kind of pool.

P

oolLock’s unique hydraulic-drive system means that you do not need any electrical components near your pool. The electrical power pack used to operate the cover and drive the two hydraulic motors can be placed as far from the pool as required. Opening and closing the pool is as easy as turning a key switch, which means that the cover (and the pool) are actually used once installed.

PoolLock safety covers provide a solid barrier between the water and surrounding area, effectively preventing any access to the water and making

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April 2019 External Works

them the safest covers on the market. In addition, all PoolLock covers will reduce the amount of heat, water and chemicals lost through evaporation, which means pool owners can save money on electricity and chemical usage.

In addition to the standard fabric options, PoolLock also offers HeatLock Thermofoam canvas with enhanced insulation properties. Thanks to the foamed insulation layer applied to one side of the canvas, heat transfer across the membrane is reduced by a factor of 3 when compared to standard fabrics for similar

PoolLock Safety Covers

applications. HeatLock’s closed-cell foam structure ensure that PoolLock covers are not only the safest, but also the most energy-efficient available on the market.

PoolLock Automatic Covers offer you the safest, most convenient, most reliable and energy-efficient way to cover your pool.

With over 30 years of experience, and installations in over 20 countries, PoolLock is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of automatic safety and slatted covers for swimming pools.

PoolLock Slatted Covers

With over 30 years of experience, PoolLock is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of automatic and manual safety covers, automatic slatted covers and heat pumps for swimming pools. Thousands of satisfied customers in Britain over the past 10 years bear testament to the quality, service and reliability of PoolLock products.

In 2013, PoolLock opened its first UK production facility in Gatwick, London, with installation teams that are available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.

The result: even better service and faster delivery times for our UK customers.

For more information on our complete range of products, please contact us at www.poollock.com

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External Works April 2019

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Image © Yorkshire Gardens

April 2019 External Works

British manufacturer Ecodek have been producing their unique Wood Polymer Composite boards system for over 15 years. In 2018 alone, the production of ecodek® material consumed more than 3600 tonnes of recycled plastic milk bottles and sustainably sourced hardwood fibres.

Ecodek have secured national distribution agreements with the UK’s premier national and independent merchant groups.

Travis Perkins have taken ecodek® as their preferred solid WPC decking, and now have stock available across the UK from their Range Centres.

In addition, we now have a significant number of other Independent distributors – both large and small, for Ecodek products who are based all across the UK. Ecodek have also secured a national agreement with NMBS (National Merchant Buying Society) as the preferred Composite Decking to the true Independent Merchant sector. All of whom can be viewed on our Stockist Finder tool on the Ecodek website. ecodek® boards are available in three profiles, two finishes and five colours, so suitable for a huge range of applications both commercial and residential. ecodek® can be found across the UK and beyond, in public realm areas such as walkways, bridges, schools, care homes, stadia, restaurants – the list goes on.

With the versatility to adapt to urban or traditional design schemes, ecodek® decking systems will allow the designer to transform outdoor spaces and gardens into feature areas. A range of specific screws, substructure bearers and beams are also available.

Offering bespoke lengths to suit individual projects in both our AT and HD ranges means a welcome relief on site to the usual problem of waste materials. As ecodek® material is 100% recyclable, should any waste be generated on site, we can be buy this back and put into the production of new boards.

Image © Yorkshire Gardens

The boards will not warp, splinter or rot, and as ecodek® does not promote mould or algae growth, only require minimal maintenance, and do not require sanding or sealing. ecodek® material comes with a 25 year warranty as standard, giving piece of mind to both specifier and end user.

An independent life-cycle assessment considered the manufacture of ecodek® (from cradle to factory-gate) showed that production of ecodek® had a net effect of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere rather than adding to it – hence carbon

negative - a huge achievement in modern manufacturing and one that clearly illustrates our environmental credentials and commitment.

Ecodek is a member of Made in Britain, an organisation established to promote and support British manufacturers, and proudly bear the Made in Britain Marque. ecodek® AT and HD Reversible Grooved Ribbed boards are available in bespoke lengths and five colours. ecodek® Heritage Woodgrain Effect boards are available in standard 3.6m lengths and five colours.

Image © Yorkshire Gardens

Should you need more information about finding an ecodek® stockist, give the Sales Team a call on 01978 667 840 or visit

www.ecodek.co.uk

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April 2019 Photographs courtesy Berekely Group

HIGH-SPEC BRIDGE FOR LUXURY APARTMENTS IN CHELSEA To complete the hard landscaping around the Chelsea Creek luxury apartment development, London developer, Berkeley St George needed a statement bridge.

The 24m long bridge comprises a deceptively simple, elegant concept incorporating acrylic rods into the painted steel frame at close centres which, when lit from their base, provide an illuminated enclosure, while a stripped down secondary internal handrail provides pedestrian restraint.

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CTS were appointed to undertake design, manufacture and installation and offered different structural options to best achieve the architectural intent, resulting in “hidden� structural supports to minimise beam depth.

They worked closely with Elite

April 2019

Landscapes, the Principal Contractor, to ensure all trades were coordinated to deliver a successful scheme.

To achieve the desired simple lines, careful detailing was required to house the lighting rods and conceal their power supply and driver units discreetly.

Precision fabrication was needed to realise this ambition.

The final result is a stunning illuminated bridge that provides a stylish focal point over the meandering waterway the Chelsea Creek development.

If you need a bridge as a focal point in your scheme contact CTS Bridges for a full design, build and installation package - 01484 606416 enquiries@ctsbridges.co.uk www.ctsbridges.co.uk

DESIGN BUILD INSTALL Delivering quality structures across the UK

• BRIDGES • BOARDWALKS • STRUCTURES • LOCK GATES • DECKING

01484 606416 enquiries@ctsbridges.co.uk www.ctsbridges.co.uk

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Tools, Equipment & PPE April 2019

Best feet forward

BASE boots have a flexible sole, to make them comfortable to wear even when bending. Next time you buy a pair of work boots, do the flex test.

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April 2019 Tools, Equipment & PPE

Protecting your feet while you work is important, but will a bog-standard pair of safety boots be enough to cover all eventualities, or is investing a few more pounds worth it to protect your feet and provide maximum comfort in the long-term?

Hyde’s Sales and Marketing Director, John Dabb investigates.

S

afety boots are an essential part of PPE which no installer should be without, but all too often we can be led by price rather than comfort when choosing footwear for work. However, choosing footwear that you will spend upwards of 8 to 10 hours a day walking, standing, bending and stretching in should mean that you take time and invest the necessary cash in ensuring your feet will be comfortable all day long. In the long-term, making do with ill-fitting and comfortable footwear can slow you down and even be detrimental to your health.

It isn’t just about spending more money on the appropriate safety footwear either, researching the many different options and trying them on for size is also important. So what are the key things to look out for to ensure your next pair of safety boots are really made for working?

As a rule, all safety footwear must meet the minimum safety standards set out by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), with EN ISO 20345:2011 being the current standard for safety

S3 safety boots such as these ones by BASE offer more protection for your feet and extra comfort for the whole foot, all day long.

footwear across Europe (EN). This stipulates that all safety footwear must have toe protection against a 200-joule impact, meaning the amount of energy the toe region can absorb before breaking. SB safety boots meet this minimum legal requirement.

However, for a little additional cost, S3 boots have a puncture resistant midsole, anti-static properties, resistance to fuel oil on the outsole and energy absorption in the heel region, plus water resistant upper and cleated outsole. With S3 boots, safety combines with comfort in a way that is not guaranteed with standard SB footwear.

Perhaps the biggest test of comfort and durability for safety boots can be found in the cleat. The majority of SB boots have thick cleated soles made from polyurethane, which is solid and inflexible and therefore don’t give when bending.

While most people choose boots because they look robust with thick cleated soles, they are in fact incredibly uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. Research has proven that they require significantly more force to bend the foot than a flexible soled boot that has the same safety built in.

Therefore, a much more effective rule of thumb is to do a flex test: how well does the boot bend at the sole?

51

Tools, Equipment & PPE April 2019 Much emphasis is placed on the need for safety boots with protective toe caps to ensure your feet end the day in the same state as they started. While this is of course an unarguably important safety measure for builders, working in conditions that are wet underfoot presents just as much of a risk to health and safety as dropping heavy objects on to your feet, as by their very nature building sites are wet and boggy places, becoming even more so during the winter months.

The problem goes beyond having to put up with working in soggy socks; being exposed to such conditions can actually have quite serious consequences on the state of your feet. In a very short space of time, foot immersion can

cause problems, with one of the most common, and troublesome of complaints being trench foot which if not treated effectively can have potentially serious consequences.

Caused by exposure to damp, cold conditions, trench foot is essentially the blood vessels constricting in an attempt to keep warm, by reducing blood flow to the extremities. This reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients to the feet, which can result in tissue and nerve damage. The foot become numbs, changes colour, swells and starts to smell due to damage to the skin, blood vessels and nerves in the feet. Left untreated, tissue and nerve damage occur, swelling increases and a constant pins and needles sensation begins. In extreme cases, blisters and ulcers develop, skin starts to peel off and tissues begin to die, resulting in gangrene.

Unlike with frostbite, trench foot doesn’t require freezing temperatures, in fact it can develop in temperatures up to 16°C. Any wet environment, be it from excessive sweating to wearing damp socks and shoes can cause the condition. Worryingly, it can take less than a day of exposure to poor conditions for trench foot to develop and it can take up to six months to fully recover.

The best way to avoid such a painful and potentially career limiting condition, is for builders to choose suitable footwear, with a waterproof and light-weight breathable barrier to keep feet dry, cool and comfortable in all weathers.

For just a few pounds more than a standard SB boot and a few minutes spent trying the footwear on before you buy, an S3 safety boot and one that is water proof offers a wealth of protection and comfort that you can’t really put a value on when it comes to looking after your feet.

Feet stay dry and comfortable all day long with Be-Dry Mid boots from BASE.

For more details, call Hyde on 0121 704 2324 or visit www.brianhyde.co.uk 52

April 2019 Tools, Equipment & PPE

The NEW 37.5® Technology - Climate Control Fleeces These new styles from Snickers Workwear deliver AllroundWork warmth and cooling comfort.

Not only will you stay warm with these new 37.5® Technology Fleeces, you’ll look and feel cool too.

With styles for both professional tradesmen and women, they excel at ventilation and moisture transport to keep you working comfortably wherever you are on site.

The 37.5® Technology fabric in the Fleece is a very quickdrying material that captures and releases moisture vapour – like your sweat - for superior coolness and dry working comfort.

After all, keeping a balanced work temperature is not just about staying cool and in great shape, it’s a matter of your wellbeing and job safety.

So, to make sure you get the right protection, visibility, flexibility, durability and ventilation, check out the new Snickers Workwear 37.5® Technology Fleeces, to fit your workday.

For more information on the new 37.5® Technology Fleece, visit www.snickersworkwear.co.uk alternatively, call the Snickers Workwear Helpline on 01484 854788.

The Solid Gear OCEAN Safety Shoe – Precision Safety and Comfort Solid Gear continues to modernise PPE footwear with a safety shoe that looks and feels more like a trainer.

Combining a lightweight athletic look and superb safety features, the new OCEAN safety shoe is ideal for workers who are constantly on the move.

Added to which, the shoe’s fibreglass toecap and ballistic midsole combine with the other protection features and anti-static properties to deliver S3 protection

The shoe’s midsole is made of a poured PU rather than a traditional injected PU to give a more cushioned feel underfoot, while the thick rubber outsole provides a high level of anti-slip protection and durability.

So get to know more about the quality and innovation plus the top class safety functionality in every Solid Gear product – your feet will notice the difference.

With an eye-catching style, the shoe’s BOA comfort fastening delivers a better overall fit making it easy to take the shoe on and off.

To get more information on Solid Gear - the

Next Generation of Safety Footwear - visit the website at www.solidgearfootwear.com alternatively, call the Helpline on 01484 854788.

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Tools, Equipment & PPE April 2019

Counting down the days to Plantworx…

Which will come first Plantworx or Brexit?

Hot on the heels of Bauma Munich, the Plantworx Construction Machinery Exhibition hosted by the CEA (Construction Equipment Association) is almost upon us! It’s just 70-days until the show opens its doors to visitors from the construction sector.

The 4th biennial working construction event is taking place at its brand-new home at the East of England Arena in Peterborough from 11-13 June.

The show will benefit from 20% more exhibition space than at its previous location in Leicestershire and spans more than 140,000 square metres – that’s an area bigger than 20-premier league football pitches.

Rob Oliver, Chief Executive of the CEA (Construction Equipment Association) said, “After Bauma, Plantworx will be the first opportunity to see new products from many of the major OEMs. With the advent of Stage V engine requirements – and more entrants into the electric-powered arena, Plantworx 2019 promises to be the best yet to see new machines”.

Rob added, “Ground conditions at the East of England venue are first rate for Plantworx which should reduce the need for wellington boots at the show. A lot of the car parking will be on hard standing and we have the option to rotate the grass parking areas to protect both the turf and visitors’ cars.”

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“We are not sure what will come first – either Brexit or Plantworx – but we can honestly say that Brexit has not impacted on companies wanting to exhibit at the event and trade! We are expecting 20,000 visitors to attend the event and we are already ahead of ourselves from previous shows in terms of pre-registration.”

Here are the latest companies that have signed on the dotted line to exhibit at Plantworx. The sales team have had 15 exhibitor bookings in last week – with more flooding in daily. The show now has 356 exhibitors in total and an impressive 121 (34%) are brand new to the event. A full exhibitor list can be found on the Plantworx website.

• • • • • • • • • • •

EmiControls – New IPAF Lumag Distribution Ltd – New Tex Engineering Limited – New Vehicle Vision International – New WHOTZHOT Ltd – New Cyberhawk (Drone Zone) – New Fire and Safety Solutions & Rotarex Partnership – New Geith International Ltd ITH Bolting Technology – New Linco – New

• • •

MachineMax – New MPA Group – New Tracked Carriers – New

Registration for free fast track entry tickets is now open – follow the link to reserve your pass to the biggest working construction event in 2019 www.plantworx.co.uk/event/2019/ tickets.

Put the 11th, 12th, 13th June 2019 in your diary the Plantworx team look forward to welcoming you all to East of England Arena and Events Centre, Peterborough for Plantworx and Railworx.

Contact Angela Spink for more details on Plantworx stands at angela.spink@plantworx.co.uk and for Railworx contact Jolene Price railworx@rail-media.com.

www.plantworx.co.uk

April 2019 Tools, Equipment & PPE

JCB XSERIES/B Construction Update put the new JCB XSeries boots to the test These Heavy Duty boots combine comfort and safety when on site allowing you to stay to productive. They are lightweight and water resistant which is a big factor for onsite workers especially during the winter months.

They have a heat resistant sole, aluminium steel toe caps, a Kevlar midsole and are tested to the highest level of slip resistance. These boots ensure you are safe in all situations.

With breathable lining and heavy duty scuff cap protection these boots are just what you need. Head over to the JCB Workwear site to find out more information.

WORKWEAR

INTRODUCING THE NEW

XSERIES

HEAVYDUTY BUT LIGHTWEIGHT

WATER REPELLENT

with ALUMINIUM TOE CAP & KEVLAR MIDSOLE

Brand new range available in stores now!

Call 0114 273 8349 for your nearest stockist or visit

ALUMINIUM TOECAP 55

Tools, Equipment & PPE April 2019

WernerCo appoints APS as exclusive BoSS X Series distributor for UK and Ireland The UK’s leading manufacturer of access equipment, WernerCo, has announced the appointment of Access Platform Sales (APS) as its exclusive distribution partner for its BoSS® X-SERIES in the UK & Ireland.

Both companies have long enjoyed a successful relationship and to formalise its partnership it showcased the micro powered access platforms together at this year’s Executive Hire Show.

As part of the new distribution deal, both WernerCo and Cambridgeshire-based APS have launched a new advertising campaign featuring the X-SERIES, which is aimed at the hire and facilities management market.

Nick Platt, VP Ops EMEA & Managing Director of WernerCo UK, commented: “We recognise the valuable expertise that APS brings to the supply and servicing of the BoSS® X-SERIES in the UK and Ireland. By having an exclusive relationship with APS, it allows our customers to benefit enabling us both to present a simpler solution.”

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The BoSS® X-SERIES from WernerCo is a modern alternative to traditional ladders and steps, offering a high level of safety whilst remaining easy to transport and operate. The range of self-propelled micro-scissor lifts has the benefit of being compact in dimensions, simplicity in operation and offers working heights of up to 5.2m.

APS Managing Director, Steve Couling, added: “BoSS® is a great brand and the X-SERIES has proved extremely popular in the push-around sector. By bringing in WernerCo as an exclusive partner it means we can focus on providing a better level of availability and commitment to this range, thereby giving our customers a better service.”

The BoSS® X-SERIES consists of the X3X, which has a maximum platform height of 3.2m and the BoSS® X3 at 2.55m. Both machines allow a safe working load of 240kg and are designed for use indoors in confined spaces as they fit through standard doorways and corridors as well as in passenger lifts.

For further information and sales enquiries contact 01480 891 251 or visit www.accessplatforms.co.uk.

April 2019 Tools, Equipment & PPE

Landmark Parliamentary report calls for enhanced reporting to improve work at height culture The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Working at Height has published a new report calling on the Government and industry to undertake a major review of work at height culture, expand enhanced reporting and introduce reporting on near misses.

The report, Staying Alive: Preventing Serious Injury and Fatalities while Working at Height, is the result of a 12 month inquiry by the APPG exploring why the 18% of people who die at work do so as a result of a fall from height, and what steps can be taken by government and industry to prevent incidents for the 10 million people in the UK that work at height.

The report makes 4 primary recommendations to reduce the overall number of falls: • The introduction of an enhanced reporting system through RIDDOR. • The appointment of an independent body that allows confidential, enhanced and digital reporting of all near misses, to be shared with government and industry to inform health and safety policy.

• The extension of the Working Well Together – Working Well at Height safety campaigns.

• An equivalent system to Scotland’s Fatal Accident Inquiry process extended to the rest of the UK.

Download the Staying Alive report

Commenting Alison Thewliss, Chair of the APPG on Working at Height and MP for Glasgow Central said: “Every fall from height can have life-altering consequences for workers and their families. There is an urgent need to improve work at height culture, yet this issue is sadly not at the top of decision-makers’ agenda. A lack of empirical data prevents us from understanding the root causes of falls from height. This is compounded by a cultural obstacle when it comes to supporting people to report unsafe practices.

We have made comprehensive recommendations to government, but the APPG’s work does not stop here.

Our report must be the first step in a wider process of systematic and cultural change. It is now time for policymakers to act.”

The APPG is now calling for a further period of consultation and a major review of work at height culture, including how to engage with difficult to reach sectors, the suitability of financial penalties, and the role of digital technologies in improving the safety environment.

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April 2019

Why climb when you could walk?

Falls from a height stubbornly remain the number one cause of death and injury in the construction industry.

Despite a gradual improvement – history has shown us that not enough resources have been put into preventing these incidences – the biggest single factor affecting safety in the industry.

Gravity is not something that we think about as we go about our daily lives – even though it is an essential and ever present part of our lives…..and therein lies the rub. We are unable to function without it but as soon as we elevate ourselves off the ground to carry out a task - it becomes a latent danger. The second that we make an error, it impartially, indifferently and ruthlessly takes its toll.

The risk is at its greatest wherever the working at height is temporary, that is why construction along with related activities are so severely affected from even a relatively low height fall which can produce serious or devastating injuries.

Faced with this – the only logical conclusion is that anything that can be done to reduce or eliminate this risk has to be worthwhile considering.

A ladder is an adequate device as a means of access to temporary works in many cases. This is only valid however providing that it is suitably positioned, secured, the user has both hands unencumbered and is focussed on the task of using the ladder.

In reality - in a construction environment, these conditions are frequently not met and certainly can almost never be the case where an individual is working from the ladder.

Even when selected and positioned to be an access device, the frequent requirement to move materials and tools between levels means that the ladder has the potential to become highly dangerous.

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April 2019 European Work at Height regulations have already begun the push to move from ladders to stairways as a means of access to temporary works. Viewing ladders as “the last choice as a means of access or place of work” – means we can presumably expect any updating of the UK’s WAHR to follow suit

– and rightly so. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on working at height is due to issue their delayed report this month. It will be interesting to see what their document – snappily entitled “Preventing serious injuries and fatalities while working at height” has to say on the subject.

Temporary access stairways allow operatives to walk up a staircase rather than climbing ladders. As well as improving health and safety standards and site working conditions, stairways deliver production, financial and technical benefits.

Made of corrosion resistant, structural quality aluminium extruded profiles for strength and reliability, the Alto Universal Scaffold Stair is a light enough to be handled conveniently, simple and versatile solution to the working scaffolders needs.

As a leader in the provision of safe solutions for working at height, Alto has introduced a portfolio of products which make safety at height easier and more comprehensively available.

Often a tower is the practical solution to safe working at height – the newly re-engineered version of the Alto Stair HD Tower with self-closing intermediate access gates allows options for “odd” heights and an internal balustrade at the working platform.

The Alto Universal scaffold stair unit is an allaluminium solution for safe, compliant access covering a range of levels in scaffolding that can fit in with the specific site application without the need for a separate stair tower.

The internal balustrade gives convenient, safe and versatile access – with no inconvenient hatches or potentially risky ladders.

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The UK’s Best Solar & Mains LED Belisha Beacons High quality, fully highways EMC and CE compliant 3 year Warranty (solar) - 5 year extended available In stock for next day delivery Made by us in Somerset - supplied nationwide and overseas Post Top or purpose made column versions inc. Flange Mount Illuminated Column - Belisha & Refuge (Retro-fit kit)

Feeder Pillars Standard sizes in stock - made to specification - 2 weeks appox Galvanized steel, GRP, Stainless Steel range of powder coat finishes Styles and sizes for every purpose Pre-wired or shell only

Bespoke work a speciality - contact us for your next project, we'd love to hear from you!

Tel. 0333 666 2122 email: info@fisherandcompany.co.uk

www.fisherandcompany.co.uk