Northern Builder Magazine Issue 26-3 by Karen McAvoy Publishing

F CO RE PY E

INSIDE

THIS ISSUE:

leading magazine for Northern Ireland’s building professionals Celebrating Over 25Years The

n Skillbuild n Roofing and Cladding n Foyle Arena n RICS Awards

Vol 26 No 3 2015

Quay City! TO THE

Grade A project at City Quays 1

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CONTENTS T

welcome...

8 113 Contents... News & Views

16 Vol: 26 No.3 - 2015

Karen McAvoy

Positive outlook at MSL

14-15

Celebrating 10 years at outHaus

26-27

New appointments at Haldane Fisher

8-9

RICS NI winners

28-42

Gilbert-Ash legacy

Roofing and cladding

Top award for White Ink’s Joan McCoy

Skillbuild success

Industry issues discussed at seminars

Latest product news

Perfect fit for GRAHAM

Adam Hassin

Gordon McAvoy

THE TEAM

In focus

New waterfront walkway

Awards provide due recognition, and in this issue we are privileged to be able to highlight more local success. Joan McCoy, a Director of White Ink Architects in Belfast, deserves a special mention after she was named Best Woman Architect at the European Women in Construction & Engineering Awards in London. Joan is an award-winning architect in her own right but what is more notable about this award is that it recognises the work she carries out behind the scenes to promote architecture and construction at every opportunity. We also feature the RICS NI Awards and the talent behind a diverse range of projects across the province. The transformation – in every sense of the word – of the Parkside development on the Limestone Road was a worthy winner of the Project of the Year title. This year’s Skillbuild proves the future of the industry is in safe hands and we showcase all the award winners while, topping off this issue, is our bumper roofing and cladding feature, that includes advice on the latest standards.

58-81 113-117 122

Managing Director Advertising Editor Editorial Editorial Head Designer Designer Accounts Business Support Photography Printed by

Karen McAvoy Mairead Hendry Adam Hassin Diane Day Denise Maguire Julie Anne Guiney Jo Wilson Michelle Owens Gemma Sheppard Gordon McAvoy W&G Baird

Feature highlights... CONTACT US The Forge, 13b Lisburn Road, Moira BT67 0JR t +44 (0)28 9261 2990 - f +44 (0)28 9261 2091 e northernbuilder@kmpltd.co.uk w www.northernbuilder.co.uk City Quays 1

Foyle Arena

Former Nestle Factory

Pages 17-24

Pages 87-94

Pages 105-110

Northern Builder is dedicated to bringing the latest news on products, companies and services to those involved in the province’s building industry and its allied trades and professions.

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

Publishers of: • Plumbing & Heating Magazine • Electrical Magazine • Northern Builder • Yearbooks • Diaries Organisers of: • Plumbing & Heating Trade Events • Northern Ireland’s Electrical Trade Events • Industry Awards With reference to the Misdescriptions Act, please note that the measurements and artist’s impressions within are for illustrative purposes only and may not be accurate. Reproduction of whole or in part of this publication, without prior permission from Karen McAvoy Publishing Ltd, is strictly prohibited.

NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE | 3

U NEWS

QMAC partners with Habitat for Humanity to ‘slam the door’ on poverty housing

Roy Adair, Belfast Harbour CEO, and Dennis Davidson, CEO of Banbridge-based Gibson Ltd, mark work on a new £1.2million, 1.2km long waterfront walkway linking the Harbour’s City Quays development to Belfast city centre.

Banbridge firm to connect City Quays

new waterfront walkway constructed by Gibson (Banbridge) Ltd will connect Belfast Harbour’s new £250million City Quays development to the Lagan Weir and the rest of Belfast city centre. The £1.2million contract is to create a 1.2km walkway to open up the waterfront area of Donegal Quay. It will form part of a continuous link from the harbour to the Waterfront Hall and beyond to the Stranmillis Embankment along the river Lagan. The 50,000sqft walkway represents the first phase of the public realm project. Details of the next stages, which will include public art installations and innovative public realm space, are currently being developed. Roy Adair, Belfast Harbour’s CEO, said,

“With long-term plans to create Grade A office space for up to 8,000 workers, our vision is that City Quays will help regenerate the northern zone of Belfast city centre.” Dennis Davidson, CEO of Gibson Ltd added, “For over 60 years, Gibson Ltd has been delivering innovative civil engineering and surfacing projects right across Ireland. Unlike most companies, we take great pride in having our work ‘walked over’. “This project will become a popular feature in Belfast, and we’re very pleased that our work will leave a lasting legacy for the city.” For more information, telephone 028 4066 2771 or visit www.gibsonbros.co.uk

onstruction company, QMAC has launched a partnership with Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland by branding the doors of its company vehicles. QMAC has launched the partnership by committing money, time and resources, and branding the doors is merely the first step in that commitment. The initiative will aim to help raise awareness and encourage more support for the charity’s work, which offers families a hand up out of poverty through simple, decent housing. Eddie O’Neill, Managing Director at QMAC, said, “We have chosen to partner with Habitat because their community building approach fits so well with our company ethos of reinvesting in the community.” QMAC will also donate left-over building materials to Habitat ReStore, the lo-cost DIY store which helps local people improve their homes at prices they can afford, and at the same time diverts tonnes of material from landfill sites. For more information, telephone 028 8776 7088 or visit www.qmacconstruction.com

Eddie O’Neill, Managing Director, QMAC with Jenny Williams, Chief Executive, Habitat for Humanity.

UCD and Forbo Flooring announce winners of School of Architecture competition

F Pictured at the Forbo/ UCD Architecture Department Award 2015 are (from left to right) Paul Carney (Managing Director, Forbo), Sadhbh Hynes, Ali McMahon, Cian McKenna, and Daniel Sudershan (Associate Dean Of Architecture, UCD).

4 | NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE

orbo Flooring and the UCD School of Architecture have again joined forces in 2015 to administer what is fast becoming one of the more important student competitions, aimed at UCD’s BSc in Architectural Science final year students. The theme of this year’s competition took as a starting point Paul Klee’s famous observation, that ‘art does not reproduce what we see. It makes us see’. Students were asked to make an abstract representation of a spatial relationship of their choice, using the medium of Marmoleum sheets, supplied by Forbo. The judging panel was made up of Daniel Sudhershan (Associate Dean of Architecture), Anna Hofheinz (Technology Studio Coordinator), Sarah Cremin (Technology Studio Coordinator) from UCD Architecture and Paul Carney, Managing Director of Forbo Ireland. Announcement of awards and presentation of prizes took place in April at a function held in the UCD School of Architecture, attended by the judges, and the joint winners, Cian McKenna and Sadhbh Hynes and Ali McMahon. For more information, visit www.forbo.com or www.ucd.ie

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U NEWS

CITB NI celebrates the development of traditional skills for local heritage sector

R Read more about City Quays 1 on pages 17-24

GRAHAM proves ‘perfect fit’ for project at City Quays

RAHAM has been awarded a £1.7million contract by Belfast Harbour to provide a premium office fit-out for two floors at its City Quays 1 office building. The contract is the final stage in the creation of a new Global Services Centre for law firm Baker & McKenzie, the first tenant at City Quays 1, Belfast Harbour’s £10million flagship, 83,000sqft Grade A office scheme. Works include partitioning, flooring and ceilings to create offices, meeting rooms, a reception area and staff dining area. Commenting on the project, Mark Gibson, Interior Fit-out Director at GRAHAM Construction said: “Winning this contract is a major endorsement of GRAHAM as one of the UK’s leading construction companies. The provision of such high-end office space will provide a major shot in the

arm for Belfast and we are delighted to play our part in its delivery.” According to Graeme Johnston, Belfast Harbour’s Property Director, City Quays 1 will help Northern Ireland attract inward investors with a Grade A office requirement. “We have created a marketleading office development for Belfast and we want to ensure that its fit-out is completed to a similarly high standard. There is clear demand in the local market for highly energy efficient, flexible office space and that requires a high-end fit out. The stellar pedigree of GRAHAM has been proven time and again over many years, and the company has developed a portfolio which includes some of the UK’s most high-profile projects.” For more information, telephone GRAHAM on 028 9268 9500 or visit www.graham.co.uk

epresentatives from the Heritage Lottery Fund, placement provider organisations, the training network, construction companies along with trainees gathered at CITB NI to celebrate the success of the ‘Sustaining Traditional Building Skills in Northern Ireland’ project last week. The programme has enabled 34 craftspeople and college lecturers to be upskilled in heritage occupations including; Carpentry & Joinery, Heritage Painting; Blacksmithing; Stonemasonry; Plastering and Thatching to NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Heritage Skills or National Progression Award level. Work-based placements were with experienced heritage practitioners and included sites owned by the National Trust, NI Environment Agency and The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. A ‘Training the Trainers’ programme was delivered to 10 lecturers from Belfast Metropolitan College, South Eastern Regional College and South West College to improve knowledge and understanding of built heritage and to enhance the provision of traditional skills training within the mainstream construction courses.

Placement providers and trainees celebrating the success of the ‘Sustaining Traditional Building Skills in Northern Ireland’ project with Barry Neilson, CITB NI and Angela Lavin, Heritage Lottery Fund NI.

Glassmarque Design Ltd announces expansion plans

he only company in Ireland to offer both commercial glass and stained glass services in-house, the new jobs at Dunmurry-based specialist glass company Glassmarque Design will allow the company to service an increased demand from customers in export markets, particularly Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. Invest Northern Ireland is also providing £39,880 of support to the firm through its Jobs Fund and marketing assistance to develop a new website. Glassmarque Design is currently restoring and replacing stained glass in St Nicholas’ Church, Dundalk. Through its work on high profile heritage buildings, the firm is building its credibility in a very specialist market. For more information on Glassmarque Design, telephone 028 9030 1946 or visit www.glassmarque.com

6 | NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE

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U company news

All change at Haldane Fisher H New appointments and promotions signal confidence in the marketplace that is being reflected at the trade counter…

aldane Fisher is looking ahead with confidence after announcing a raft of changes within the company’s management structure aimed at further strengthening the company’s ambitious plans. Building on the success of 2014 – which has been listed as being one of the top five years in the company’s history - Haldane Fisher has now set itself an ambitious target of doubling in size over the next five years. That target has necessitated a number of changes, most notably with Ian Haldane, who was formerly Managing Director of Haldane Fisher Northern Ireland, now becoming Managing Director of Haldane Shiells Group and David Haldane becoming Managing

Director of Haldane Fisher Northern Ireland – a move from his previous position as Commercial Director of Haldane Fisher NI and Managing Director of Haldane Fisher’s Newry branch. These two changes will see the Haldane brothers target specific, yet very separate, areas. However, both are equally important as part of the wider growth plan. As the new MD of Haldane Shiells Group which is the holding company of Haldane Fisher NI, Haldane Fisher Isle of Man and the company’s UK arm, GE Robinson – Ian’s focus will be on developing the company through acquisition and organic growth. For David, the focus will be, firstly, ensuring

“These management changes will be reflected in the positive changes we will be implementing across our branch network.” 8 | NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE

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company news T

Ian Haldane – Managing Director of Haldane Shiells Group (which consists of Haldane Fisher Northern Ireland and Isle of Man and GE Robinson)

Aidan Brennan – Group Sales Associate Director

David Haldane – Managing Director of Haldane Fisher in Northern Ireland

Gary Cranney – Associate Director

Haldane Fisher in Northern Ireland retains its stable footing in the province and continues to grow from there. Haldane Fisher has also announced a number of other new appointments in Northern Ireland. The company has quickly moved to counter the retirement of Sales Director, Tom Gray, and Plumbing & Heating Director, Alan Shiells – a highly experienced duo – with the appointment of Aidan Brennan as Group Sales Associate Director and Eamonn McCarthy as Associate Director, Plumbing & Heating. A number of new roles and positions have also been filled to complete an impressive

Stephen Rooney – Associate Director, Marketing

Eamonn McCarthy – Associate Director, Plumbing & Heating

management structure, mainly by promotion from within the company. While these are mainly behind-the-scenes changes, customers will see the outworkings of the new team over the next 12 months, with a series of refurbishments and redevelopments being made in branches across the province. These have included a redesign of the showrooms and trade counter areas to develop a stronger, improved customerfriendly layout to better showcase the company’s vast product range. Haldane Fisher also has a number of other ambitious plans in the pipleline – all aimed at supporting customers.

Mark Taylor – Group Sales Manager

“We enjoyed an exceptional year in 2014. The challenge now is to keep that going and we firmly believe these changes put us in the perfect position to build on our success further.”

“That is always our driving force,” said David. “These management changes will be reflected in the positive changes we will be implementing across our branch network.” He added, “We’re looking forward with a lot of optimism. I remember giving a speech at our biennial trade dinner in 2013 and saying that we are starting to see the green shoots of recovery. While that didn’t happen as fast as we all would have liked, there is still a lot to be confident about. “We enjoyed an exceptional year in 2014. The challenge now is to keep that going and we firmly believe these changes put us in the perfect position to further build on our success.”

For further information, contact, Shepherd’s Way, Carnbane, Newry, Co. Down, BT35 6QQ. T: 028 3026 3201 - F: 028 3026 8101 - www.haldane-fisher.com • NEWRY • BANGOR • PORTADOWN • LISBURN • BELFAST • COLERAINE • LARNE • BALLYMENA

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NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE | 9

U NEWS

Building a legacy

Pupils from local schools who enjoyed the Skills Show Experience, supported by Gilbert-Ash.

ilbert-Ash is committed to engaging with the community and supporting local construction. Through its Sustainability Strategy, construction and fit-out contractor Gilbert-Ash is committed to maximising the positive impact it can have on communities in which it works. This includes providing opportunities for apprenticeships, placements and the long term unemployed. The firm believes that these opportunities will have a long-lasting positive legacy by providing individuals with the tools and experience to continue to build a career within the construction industry. With offices in Belfast and London, Gilbert-Ash also partners with a range of employment, education, voluntary and public sector organisations to foster and support the building of skills for construction. The firm participates on the Construction Industry Training Board for Northern Ireland and actively partners with local universities to provide both site visits and placements for students in a variety of construction disciplines. Through sponsoring Women’s Tech, the firm is helping to enable women into nontraditional employment.

Quarry water is a Stone Cold Killer

Maria Bradley, HR Manager at Gilbert-Ash, presents an award to the winning team at the Skills Show Experience.

In recognition of Gilbert-Ash’s commitment to building relations through social value, the company was recently shortlisted for the Business in the Community Responsible Business Award. According to a spokesperson for the firm, “We are delighted to support this year’s Skillbuild NI event and recognise the important role it plays in raising awareness of the variety of exciting roles available to the next generation of construction professionals.” For more information on Gilbert-Ash, telephone 028 9066 4334 or visit www.gilbert-ash.com

New building guide inspires fresh approach to planning and building

PANI highlights dangers of swimming in quarries through new campaign. Together with the Departments of Environment and Justice and the Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSPs), the Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland (QPANI) has put together an educational awareness campaign outlining the dangers of swimming in disused quarries and open water. The campaign, entitled “Quarry water is a stonecold killer. Stay out, stay alive”, highlights how cold shock sets in after an initial plunge into cold water. Many quarries are so deep that they are fed with water from underground springs or aquifers and as this water originates deep within the ground, it is extremely cold. The campaign refers to the difficulties that an individual will have getting out of water as their fingers stiffen, coordination reduces and muscles weaken as the cold takes hold. If these reduced physical capabilities don’t result in drowning, one is at risk of hypothermia, although few people actually survive to get hypothermia and true hypothermia only sets in after 30 minutes. However, in a quarry with steep sides, no vegetation or rafts it is possible that you could remain in the water for 30 minutes. In addition to the very low water temperature, there are other hazards in quarries such as submerged machinery which may not be visible from the surface, hidden currents and under water recesses where someone can very easily become trapped. Some sites may also contain rubbish and industrial pollution which can cause skin and eye irritations, rashes and infections. As part of the campaign QPANI has developed a general safety power point presentation that members can use when delivering their own presentations. E-mail info@qpani.org or call 0290824078 to receive a copy.

roduced by cross border organisation Smart Eco Hub to assist and educate those in the construction industry, the ‘Sustainable Building Guide’ was recently launched by Environment Minister Mark H Durkan. Speaking at the launch, Minister Durkan said, “I very much support the use of sustainable renewable technologies in new buildings. We have geared planning policy to help integrate renewable energy technology into the design, siting and layout of existing and new buildings. This Guide demonstrates another good example of the benefits of collaboration between local authorities and the private sector.” The Minister also stressed the importance of working together to share our experience and exchange ideas that will support our wider understanding of issues that affect our environment. “Sustainable building design can deliver buildings with lower running costs, an attribute that is highly attractive to both householders and businesses.” The launch of the Sustainable Building Guide coincides with the recent transfer of planning powers from DOE to councils. The Department also recently received a prestigious UK planning award for outstanding placemaking work in Northern Ireland for its ‘Living Places’ guide.

10 | NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE

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U PROJECT LEADs

Clare Legge, NI researcher for CIS Ireland, provides a regular insight into the latest projectS...

Education and housing projects promote optimism

Brick bits...

he following are a sample of key The proposed new teaching block at Magee. construction projects taking place across Northern Ireland’s sectors that have been identified and tracked by the CIS online market intelligence database. In the education sector, with the creation of the new £250million campus for the University of Ulster in Belfast, comes the need for more student accommodation in the city. Work is underway at Mark Royal House where 45 units will be provided, and at John Bell House in a £16million project providing 292 bedrooms and 121 studios. The County Tyrone firm, McAleer & Rushe, in Omagh. This phase should be complete by July 2016. is planning two further developments totalling 1,300 Six schools, catering for 3,700 pupils, will eventually be units on sites at College Avenue and McClintock built and based on the site. Street. The site at College Avenue has been vacant The development of a £7.7million teaching block at for 10 years, while the McClintock Street project will Ulster University’s Magee campus has been approved see the demolition of the 1960’s Belfast Metropolitan by the Employment & Learning Minister. The tendering College building. procedure is underway for the 18 month build Slaney Limited is proposing 430 student rooms at programme. Library Street, and McNeill (Properties) Limited is planning a further eight-storey purpose-built student accommodation at York Street. A planning application is also being considered for a site at Little Patrick Street for an 11-storey building of 355 managed student accommodation rooms. In total there are planning applications amounting to approximately 3,600 student accommodation units across Belfast. Two major schemes have moved to site in County Derry. Main construction work is starting on the £31million new build project for Foyle College and Ebrington Primary School. Works will take two years to complete. Work has also started on the £9million new school and resource centre for Arvalee Special School

HOSPITALITY The hospitality sector shows improvement with plans for new hotels in Belfast. Plans include a £5million 84-bed boutique hotel at the former Harland & Wolf Headquarters Building for the Titanic Foundation, 15 floors of hotel accommodation at Windsor House for Hastings Hotel Group and a £12million boutique hotel over three floors at the Scottish Mutual Building. To view these and thousands of other construction project leads across Ireland, visit www.cisireland.com. Register for your free seven-day trial today and start experiencing the many benefits of using CIS Online.

Latest projects... Project Student Residential Accommodation £42m Derry/Coleraine Rail Line Upgrade £3m Sports Centre £31m School Building £4.4m Nine-Storey Apartment Development £60m Health Care Centre £24.7m Office Complex £3.5m Whiskey Distillery/Visitor Centre £5m Boutique Hotel £9.5m Environmental Resource Park €100m Redevelopment of Opera Centre €850m - Data Centre Development €40m National Rehabilitation Hospital - Phase 1 €4m Racecourse Redevelopment - Phase 2a €8.7m Teaching and Staff Accommodation Facilities

Location Promoter Stage Belfast Queens University Belfast Tender Co. Derry Translink Limited Starting June 2015 Co. Derry University of Ulster Tender Co. Derry Foyle College Contract Awarded Belfast Richland Group Contract Awarded Co. Down Southern Health and Social Care Trust Tender Belfast McAleer & Rushe Limited Plans Granted Belfast Belfast Distillery Company Ltd. On Site Belfast Titanic Foundation Planning Belfast Belfast City Council On Site Limerick Limerick City and County Council Tender Co. Galway Apple Operations Europe Planning Dublin National Rehabilitation Hospital Tender Dublin Horse Racing Ireland On Site Co. Kildare Maynooth University On Site

• Contract awarded for £4.4 million ninestorey apartment development by May Estates Limited in Belfast known as ‘Regents Gate’ comprising 58 apartments and two ground-floor cafes. • Final tender submissions received for the construction of a £60million community treatment and care centre project in Newry. The potential scale of the overall development may approach 10,500m²12,000m² • Joint venture Farrans Construction/ Graham Group awarded contract for the £140million A6 dual carriageway from Randalstown to Castledawson. • McAleer & Teague, County Tyrone, starts work on new £2.6million build sports facility and synthetic hockey pitch at Belfast High School. • Tal Limited, County Antrim, is working on Ballymena Borough Council’s £4million town centre core streets public realm scheme over a period of 14 months.

For the latest construction leads, visit www.cisireland.com

12 | NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE

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U Company profile – Maurice Stevenson Ltd

Positive outlook for Maurice Stevenson Limited New senior management team appointed at leading mechanical contractors to take the company to the next level…

or a company getting ever-closer to a landmark 100 years in business, there is a real sense of innovation and forward thinking about leading mechanical contractors, Maurice Stevenson Ltd (MSL). The privately-owned, family-run company was founded in 1921, so is just six years off a century in business. However, it is fair to say that you don’t remain in business for this long without being able to adapt to a changing

marketplace and it is that perfect combination of experience and innovation that has ensured MSL remains a leading name in the mechanical sector. Over the years, MSL has earned a reputation as being a solutions-based company that works collaboratively with the Project Team to deliver a right first time approach coupled with engineering excellence. This approach has created strong relationships within the construction industry, with contractors, architects and consultants. The company’s forward thinking approach is reflected in the recent appointment of a new Senior Management Team. Aoibheann McBride is the new Director of Operations, Colin McElhinney has returned to MSL as the Senior Contracts Manager and Anne Kelly has taken up the role of Company Accountant. Highly qualified and experienced in their

respective fields, the ‘new additions’ join MSL’s well-established team. The majority of the workforce have been with the company for over 10 years and it boasts a committed group of employees whose industry experience ranges from 15 to 40 years. “These are important additions to our Management Team and we are delighted to have appointed three people who will bring such a high level of experience and expertise to our company,” explained Alison Stevenson, Managing Director. “As a company, we are looking forward with confidence and are committed to maintaining and furthering strong relationships within the construction industry.” Aoibheann McBride is excited about her new role with the company. “We have a lot of experience within the company and that is what can make a significant difference,”

“We are looking forward with confidence and are committed to maintaining and furthering strong relationships within the construction industry.” 14 | NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE

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Company profile – Maurice Stevenson Ltd T MSL successfully provides maintenance and minor installation services to Belfast City Hospital

Alison Stevenson, (Managing Director) of MSL, (second right) with the new Senior Management Team (from left) Aoibheann McBride, (Director of Operations) Colin McElhinney, (Senior Contracts Manager) and Anne Kelly, (Company Accountant).

Project portfolio… Healthcare MSL recently completed a restoration project at Mount Stewart House.

she said. “We are a progressive company focusing on a lot of specialist areas, which is why it is important to ensure that we have the processes and people in place to move forward. We work in an ever-changing and highly competitive marketplace, but we have the experience, the tools and the staff to deliver.” Colin McElhinney previously worked with MSL and after an absence of around 10 years he is delighted to be part of this new-look team. “We have made a lot of internal changes but they are all aimed at moving the company to the next level,” he said. “We are in a very positive position and can point to a diverse range of projects being delivered to the highest standards as proof of how well we are progressing.” Anne Kelly is relishing the challenge of providing in-house financial expertise and ensuring that MSL is equipped to deliver accurate and timely information to steer its growth. “With almost 10 years’ experience in the construction industry, I am confident that I can use my financial acumen and ERP implementation skills to enhance the company’s development,” said Anne.

The appointments come at an increasingly busy time for the company, with work extending across Northern Ireland and into the UK. Current projects include a significant maintenance contact at the Belfast City Hospital, and a mechanical installation at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) as part of the redevelopment of the Grade II Senate House North Block. The company has also recently just completed the restoration of the National Trust property, Mount Stewart House. These three projects provide a microcosm of the type of work that MSL delivers – new build, restoration/retrofit and maintenance – and showcase the company’s ability to adapt to the specific requirements of each client. This adaptability is enhanced further when you take a look at the sectors that MSL works within, including healthcare, education, commercial and residential. The company is also a leading provider of conventional and renewable energy solutions – once again showing that forwardthinking approach.

• •

Daisy Hill Hospital – New modular operating theatres Belfast Health & Social Care Trust – Framework contract for mechanical and plumbing maintenance and minor installations since 2005

Education • McClay Library, Queen’s University – New build library comprising renewable technologies • NAS Thames Valley School, Reading – New modular two-storey school for children with autism

Commercial • White Star House, Belfast – New build four-storey business accommodation

Residential • Covenanter Flats, Ballymoney – Refurbishment and extension to retirement and sheltered housing

Churches • St Peter’s Church, Lurgan – Refurbishment to include heating, ventilation, plumbing, gas pipework and BEMS • St Columb’s Cathedral, Londonderry – Conservation works

Maurice Stevenson Ltd (MSL), 32 Annesborough Industrial Estate, Lurgan, BT67 9JD T: 028 3832 7636 – F: 028 3832 4311 – E: mech@mauricestevenson.co.uk W: www.mauricestevenson.co.uk

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NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE | 15

U Women in Construction & Engineering Awards (Europe)

White Ink Architects Director wins prestigious title and hopes it will encourage more women to join the industry…

Joan McCoy is named Best Woman Architect

oan McCoy, Director of Belfast-based White Ink Architects, has won a major European award for her work in the industry. Joan was recently named as the ‘Best Woman Architect’ at the highly prestigious European Women in Construction & Engineering Awards at a glittering event at Park Lane Hotel, London, which brought together over 250 leading European executives in the world of construction, engineering and architecture. Panels comprising 21 independent judges, from various high-calibre backgrounds, selected the 13 winners from over 50 finalists from all over Europe – with Joan showcasing that Northern Ireland talent has a lot to offer on the global stage! The European Women in Construction & Engineering Awards were created to recognise the contributions of female professionals within these sectors and to encourage more women to consider careers in these industries by creating role models amongst the finalists and winners. They honour women who can be considered pioneers within construction and engineering and also recognise the emerging leaders of

Joan McCoy, Director, White Ink Architects (left) is presented with the Best Woman Architect Award.

these industries. Even being named on the shortlist was a major achievement. After being nominated by a colleague, Joan then had to go through a rigorous judging process and interview against other women from a number of prestigious and leading UK and European practices. In the end, it was Joan’s overall approach that won the judges over, as they recognised not only her professional work as an architect but also her ability to inspire those around her - both staff and others within the industry. This includes an active role in architectural education through the local universities and Joan also partakes in STEMnet and the CITB Construction Ambassador programme with school children, teenagers and students. She is also proactive in the work of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (currently acting as Honorary Secretary) and is involved in various other steering groups. Aine Glackin from White Ink Architects, nominated Joan for the award and she said, “This accolade is a testament to Joan’s fervour, motivation and ‘can-do’ attitude, as well as her unparalleled dedication to

“We have a small company where everyone’s contribution is valued and where we have recently encouraged younger architects to become STEM and Construction Ambassadors.” 16 | NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE

our practice, the architectural profession, education and the construction industry. “The success of her architectural projects is just one facet of an inspirational architect. As well as acting as an exemplary role model and mentor to staff within the practice, encouraging their development and learning, she also actively works to encourage more people to join the industry.” As ever, Joan is humble about her achievements and simply sees this as a catalyst to encourage more women into architecture and the wider construction industry. She said, “I am honoured to win against such excellent competition. This is really going to help me demonstrate to young women considering their career, that construction and architecture are great fields to work in and that women can compete at the highest level and succeed. “We have a small company where everyone’s contribution is valued and where we have recently encouraged younger architects to become STEM and Construction Ambassadors. Whether it is taking on challenges in their work; encouraging new entrants to architecture or becoming active in professional bodies, winning this award will help me demonstrate to younger architects the benefits of making the most of the opportunities they have to make a contribution to the practice and the wider industry.”

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project profile T

Plain sailing

at City Quays 1 We take a closer look at how former shipping land in Belfast has been transformed into much-needed Grade A office spaceâ&#x20AC;Ś g

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Overview City Quays 1 Leading contractor ensures that first phase of £250million mixed-use regeneration project gets off to the best possible start…

Heron Bros is

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he landscape and skyline of Belfast is constantly changing for the better and the latest new landmark has arrived in the form of the new City Quays 1 development. The first stage of a 20-acre water-fronting regeneration scheme, Heron Bros Ltd has ensured that the initial phase of this ambitious masterplan by Belfast Harbour Commission got off to the best possible start. City Quays is Belfast’s £250million designated mixed-use regeneration project, providing commercial offices, shops, cafes, restaurants, hotel space and residential accommodation. The development, centred round Clarendon Dock, occupies a prime waterfront location, linking Belfast’s historical maritime district, the 185-acre Titanic Quarter, to the city centre. It will see ex-shipping land transformed to breathe new life into Belfast. Heron Bros was responsible for the first phase known as City Quays 1 (CQ1) – a £10million, 83,000sqft building that has become the focal point of the overall development.

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Designed to Grade A specifications to appeal to inward investors and growing indigenous businesses, the five-storey building has helped address the shortage of high-end office space in Belfast. CQ1 is one of Northern Ireland’s largest office developments since the property crash of 2007 and, as a result, the pressure was on the main contractor, Heron Bros, to complete the project as quickly and efficiently as possible. The announcement during the early stages of the project that Baker & McKenzie – the world’s largest law firm – was a confirmed tenant for two floors of the flagship facility only added to the pressure. “Time is of the essence on every project but there was certainly an added element of this at City Quays 1,” explained Stephen Nevin, Contracts Manager at CQ1 for Heron Bros. “Given the location of the project, it felt that we had a lot of people watching our progress closely but we are delighted at how well the project has been completed.”

One of the biggest challenges for Heron Bros involved the ‘green’ technology incorporated into the overall design to ensure the building was as energy efficient as possible. Some of the technology includes a variable refrigerant flow system paired with high coefficiency of performance heat pumps for heating and cooling. This arrangement is complemented by high performance solar control glazing which reduces solar heat gain while maintaining high levels of natural light. This is in addition to controlled ventilation, daylight and presence controlled LED lighting and a roof-mounted photovoltaic array of solar panels. All these measures have resulted in the building achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating – a reflection of the dedication of the construction and design team. Delivering this high level of energy efficiency is an area that Heron Bros is dedicated to and the company is continually training staff members on the latest standards to help

achieve this. Heron Bros Ltd has delivered a number of BREEAM Very Good and Excellent rating projects and continues to invest and develop their skills and expertise within sustainable design and construction. Recently, the company participated in a ‘Building Skills for Sustainable Construction’ training course in Germany providing employees with an opportunity to engage and collaborate with contractors from across Europe. This up-skilling of the team ensures working alongside BREEAM Assessors, on all issues relating to BREEAM and the sustainability of products and materials specified, is a much easier process. Heron Bros also hosted a visit by members of CITB NI’s Sustainable Construction Interest Group to showcase the environmental credentials of the project. So it’s clear from the CQ1 project that Heron Bros continues to lead the way when it comes to the latest innovations.

Heron Bros Ltd, 2 St Patrick’s Street, Draperstown, Magherafelt, BT45 7AL T: 028 7962 8505 - F: 028 7962 7028 – E: info@heronbros.com W: www.heronbros.com

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Architect City Quays 1

Project highlights how green architecture and contemporary design meet a challenging brief…

Flexible design from RPP Architects W orking with the end-user is one of the most effective ways for an architect to help realise a vision for a project. However, for RPP Architects, the focus at City Quays 1 was on creating impressive Grade A office space that would act as a clear incentive to prospective tenants. The fact that two floors of CQ1 have already been let – to the world’s largest law firm, Baker & McKenzie, no less – proves that RPP Architects perfectly met the brief set to the company. “Flexibility of use was central to the entire project,” explained Harry McConnell, Director at RPP Architects. “We looked at this as a positive and created a column-free design to create a clean slate on every floor which can then be tailored during fit-out to meet the specific needs of the tenant.” The location of the project also played a part in the overall design. “Effectively, the building doesn’t have a back or a front, so we had to create a complete

360o design,” added Harry. “Three sides of the building are facing the waterfront while the fourth will be alongside the next phase of the development but given the prime position, you can be looking at any two of the four elevations at any one time. “With this in mind we wanted to move away from the more traditional construction methods of red brick or stone that is prevalent in this area and we worked closely with the Belfast Harbour Commissioners and the NIEA on this. To their credit, both were open to new ideas and accepted our more contemporary approach.” The contemporary design incorporated a range of materials that not only reflected the modern style of the building but also was capable of dealing with the aggressive nature of the waterfront location that, in time, will affect it. “We utilised materials that would stand up to the harsh weather effects of the location and that also require minimum maintenance,”

added Harry. “There was a strict time limit on the project too, so we had to also consider construction techniques that would deliver a quick build.” Meeting that time target was challenging with Belfast Harbour insisting that City Quays 1 meet the highest environmental standards. Showcasing the latest advances in ‘green’ architecture, City Quays 1 has met the BREEAM Excellent standard. This includes a design that reduces the effects of solar gain while simultaneously harnessing the sun’s power by including an array of PV solar panels to provide energy to the building. Sensor controlled lighting and an innovative heating and ventilation system, amongst other measures, have also been installed. The building’s integral sustainability systems will be further enhanced by all tenants signing up to a Green Lease to ensure all parties work together to use the building as efficiently as possible and maintain the BREEAM Excellent accreditation.

Belfast Office - 155/157 Donegall Pass, Belfast, BT7 1DT - T: 028 9024 5777 Derry-Londonderry - 71 Clarendon Street, Derry, BT48 7ER - T: 028 7136 2782 www.rpparchitects.co.uk

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Street Furniture City Quays 1

Newtownabbey-based company continues to expand across the world…

Bespoke street furniture from ESF E nvironmental Street Furniture (ESF) created a specific range of street furniture to meet the exacting needs of the City Quays 1 development in Belfast by Working closely with the architect to find a design in line with the overall aesthetics of the project, the company supplied new seats, bollards, cycle parking and cycle shelters from the mmcite range, which ESF exclusively represents in the UK and Ireland. Alan Lowry, Director of ESF, said, “We are delighted to be involved in such a prestigious project that is bringing a new lease of life to this prime waterfront area of the city. “This is a harsh environment, so we had to provide products that provided longevity and were also vandal proof but also provided a certain aesthetic. We have over 50 years of experience, so meeting these sort of challenges is a straightforward process for us.”

The Newtownabbey-based company’s work at City Quays is just one part of ESF’s ambitious work that is taking the company and its products across the world. Products from the ESF range are currently across Europe and the Middle East and the company recently held discussions with some major theme parks in the USA to include a new range of solar products, including those that have been developed in conjunction with Queen’s University. Alan added, “These are exciting times for us and the response we have across the world has been hugely positive. We installed our first solar mobile phone charger at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast and now they are being sold all over the world. “Our solar range also includes solar powered litter bins which can incorporate advertising and even light up at night when a user approaches, ensuring they put their rubbish in the correct compartment.

“These products have been designed to encourage more interaction between people and the cities and towns they are living and working in. We like to think outside the box and that approach is opening so many new doors for us.” As well as ‘thinking outside the box’, the company’s ability to provide bespoke products is also a major reason why ESF continues to be such a success. The diverse range of ESF products are promoted through four distinct collections - Signature, Simplicity, Sustainable and Streetwise. These collections allow for definition in materials, availability, pricing and environmental credentials. This innovation is backed by experience. Alan has over 25 years’ experience in the design and supply of street furniture and exterior lighting and his team also has over 50 years’ collective experience in the industry.

World of ESF, Valley Business Centre, 67 Church Road, Newtownabbey, Belfast, BT36 7LS T: 0845 606 6095 – e: sales@worldofesf.com www.worldofesf.com

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Tiling City Quays 1

Complete package from JR Tiling

1963 and he established JR Tiling in 2002 along with his son. The company provides quality tiling services for both the commercial and domestic sectors, including for recognisable high street names such Costa Coffee and Specsavers. “We have also worked on a number of bars and restaurants across the province and also work in the social and private housing sectors as well,” John concluded.

R Tiling supplied and installed the new tiling in the lobby areas and bathrooms of floors 1-4 at the new City Quays 1 building in Belfast. The Lisburn-based company, run by fatherand-son John and Roland McCormick, supplied and fitted porcelain floor and walls tiles in these specific areas within the new landmark building. Working closely with the architect to select the right look, the tiles were supplied via David Scott Tiles, and installed by JR Tiling’s experienced team. “We are delighted to have been able to work on this prestigious project and the final finish represents the high standards that we set ourselves,” explained John. John has been in the tiling business since

JR Ceramic Tiling, 6 Kirkwood Park, Lisburn T: 028 9266 0101 – M: 07759 439 735 E: jrtiling777@btinternet.com

Precast Stairs City Quays 1

Solid support from Acheson & Glover

elping to provide a solid foundation for City Quay 1’s build works, concrete expert Acheson & Glover designed and manufactured the two pre-cast concrete staircases, located at either end of the building. “Concrete stairs offer a fast, efficient and cost-effective option, reducing labour on site, being fast to install and providing immediate access to all floor areas,” explained Acheson & Glover’s Contracts Manager, Gary Black. Manufacturing and distributing the widest range of concrete products in the UK and Ireland, all Acheson & Glover’s products have the high quality needed to meet the needs of both the commercial and retail markets. “With the ability to make custom-built moulds we can accommodate a wide variety of staircase configurations, and our designers

work hard to keep pace with the latest construction trends,” continued Gary. “On the City Quays 1 project, the real work for us started at the design and planning stage. We had a lot of input into this in order to ensure that the product we manufactured was best suited to the requirements of the job. Installing the stairs only took a couple of days, but it was important that we were ready and able to do the job when scheduled, so as not to hold back the other works. That’s just part of the job requirement – it isn’t unusual and we have years of expertise to rely on in order to ensure we deliver a professional service, but for the works schedule at City Quays it was particularly important that we met our time slot - and we did that comfortably,” said Gary.

Head Office – 11 Aghnagar Road, Tullyvannon, Ballygawley, Co Tyrone, BT70 2HW T: 028 8556 8441 – F: 028 8556 8447 – E: precast@acheson-glover.com www.acheson-glover.com

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Louvered Panels City Quays 1

Ventilation expertise from WJ Hogg & Co Ltd

entilation equipment specialist, WJ Hogg & Co Ltd, supplied and installed the aluminium weather louvers to City Quays 1 in Belfast. The louver screens are an important aesthetic feature of the building as they are required to hide the roof-top plant equipment out of sight from neighbouring buildings. The screens are painted in a marine grade finish to protect them from the corrosive sea atmosphere. Established in Belfast in 1979, WJ Hogg has the knowledge and knowhow to deal with any eventualities in a demanding design brief and the company has been expanding the installation side of the business over the past number of years as a natural progression of the skills and services that such an experienced company can offer. “We provide a partnership approach and

working closely with mechanical consulting engineers and contractors to ensure evert technical aspects of ventilation equipment meets the specific requirements of the project,” said Managing Director, Roger Hogg. “We offer a full range of louvers, including single bank Class A high performance panels, screening and acoustic louvers, louver doors and penthouse louvers or roof turrets.” WJ Hogg began trading as a distributor of heating and ventilation equipment to the commercial industrial sector of Northern Ireland’s building services industry. While that division of the business still flourishes, over the years the company has developed expertise in the specialised fields of smoke control and natural ventilation and sees the drive into architectural louvers as a very natural progression.

WJ Hogg & Co Ltd, 1a West Bank Drive, Belfast, BT3 9LA T: 028 9077 8700 - E: sales@wjhogg.co.uk www.hoggenvironmental.com

Reinforcement Steel Supplier City Quays 1

Framework for success

hen it comes to quality reinforcement steel and fabric mesh, look no further than Walter Watson Limited. Over the years, Walter Watson has grown to become the largest CARES approved supplier of reinforcement steel and fabric mesh in Ireland. Walter Watson supplied 325 tonne of reinforcement steel to the City Quays 1 project. Working closely with the main contractor, Heron Bros, Walter Watson manufactured all the necessary reinforcement steelwork ensuring it was delivered on site and on time, to allow works to take place quickly and efficiently. This required careful planning, sequencing, programming and, of course, the highest quality reinforcement steel. This project is

reflective of the work consistently delivered by Walter Watson. Operating from a purpose built production/ administration facility in Castlewellan, incorporating the very latest in computer controlled production machines and material handling, ensures the company provides the highest quality product. In addition, Walter Watson is also a leading supplier in structural steel, overhead travelling cranes and agricultural products throughout Ireland and the UK.

“This project required careful planning, sequencing, programming and, of course, the highest quality reinforcement steel.”

Walter Watson, Greenfield Works, Ballylough Road, Castlewellan, BT31 9JQ T: 028 4377 8711 - F: 028 4377 2050 – E:: info@walter-watson.co.uk W: www.walter-watson.co.uk

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Siphonic and Rainwater Drainage Systems CITY QUAYS 1

Design and install package from RWP IRL Ltd

he importance of being involved in the design stages of City Quays 1 made a significant different to RWP IRL Ltd when creating the siphonic rainwater drainage system at CQ1. As Irish leaders in roof drainage systems, RWP IRL Ltd provided a world-class rainwater drainage system for the project. Siphonic rainwater drainage systems move more water, through smaller pipes, with less ground work than conventional gravity fed systems. Alan Turner, RWP IRL Ltd, explained, “It makes a real difference to be involved from the design stage as it allows us to provide a

system that is genuinely tailored to meet the needs of the project. “This allowed us to streamline the entire process by designing out any issues before our installation team moved on site.” RWP IRL Ltd is the leading siphonic and gravity rainwater drainage system provider in Ireland and as well as city Quays 1, the company has also been involved at Ravenhill Stadium and the new Windsor Park Stadium redevelopment. The company’s ability to provide a complete package that incorporates design and installation is a key advantage of working with RWP IRL Ltd.

RWP IRL Ltd, 8 Windmill Grange, Saintfield, County Down T: 028 9751 1105 - F: 028 9751 0500 - E: at@rwp-irl.com www.rwp-irl.com

Paving CITY QUAYS 1

Finish fit for a king

astle Paving supplied and fitted the paving system around the new City Quays 1 building, using products from the Acheson & Glover range. The company’s ability to provide a supply and fit package is one of the reasons why it continues to be so successful, with Castle Paving completing projects across the UK and Ireland. Castle Paving also offers versatility in terms of paving solutions. Whether you require a driveway to impress clients entering your premises, a stunning block paved entrance way or even a garden path to add value and beauty to your home, Castle Paving has

the experience and expertise to carry out any project. Managing Director Damien O’Neill has extensive experience within the industry and since he established Castle Paving over 10 years ago the company has gone from strength to strength. “We pride ourselves on being as fast and efficient as possible,” said Damien. “We have great relationships with the leading manufacturers to provide customers with a range of options on colours and finishes. “This is backed up by a great service and, more importantly, when we arrive on site we use the latest technology to make sure we carry out the work quickly and with the minimum of disturbance.”

Castle Paving Ireland Ltd, 25a Aghascrebagh Road, Greencastle, Omagh, BT79 8HJ T: 079 8932 3285 – Fax: 028 8164 7123 – E: info@castlepaving.com W: www.castlepaving.com

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U BRICKS

Celebrating 10 years at outHaus OUTHAUS BOASTS UNIQUE INDOOR SHOWROOM FOR BUILDING AND RENOVATING INSPIRATION…

stablished in 2005, outHaus boasts one of Ireland’s - and possibly Europe’s most unique and exciting offerings of quality natural building materials. With 25,000sqft of dedicated indoor showroom space filled with an extensive brick display and real life-sized displays of patios, gardens, facades, bathrooms and living space, this truly is the ‘inspirational’ destination for anyone building or renovating. outHaus is part of the outHaus Group, which was established in 1979 and incorporates Kingscourt Country Manor Bricks, one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of bricks, and Stonepave UK, one of the UK’s biggest natural stone suppliers. “Never ordinary - that is our DNA here at outHaus,” said Keith O’Sullivan, Group Sales

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& Marketing Director. “Everything we do, we strive to do differently. Our products, our staff, our customers and our service are never ordinary. “We, like any other business in the construction industry, have experienced a very difficult trading environment over the past eight years. We had one or two good years, when we opened outHaus, and then the market collapsed before us. The past eight years though, tough as they were, have given us the opportunity to stand back and recognise our strengths and build on them. Every product in outHaus is carefully selected to ensure the highest possible standards are applied during the manufacturing process. We regularly visit our suppliers to maintain strong supply relationships and to ensure we are happy with factory standards and that we have cutting-edge designs. “With the current lift we are experiencing in the RMI (Renovation Maintenance Improvement) and new-build markets, we have reinvested in our showrooms and created areas of ‘inspiration’ – garden display, patios, bathrooms and living spaces.

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This allows our customers, who range from architects, developers, building contractors and the general public, to visualise these products in a real environment,” said Keith. “Some of our customers travel from all over Ireland and spend up to eight hours in one day walking the displays. “Our mission from the concept of outHaus was to create a design centre with quality building materials – a one-stop-shop for anyone building or renovating. We are in the process of designing outHaus phase two, which will add an additional 14,000sqft of display space. This will be offered, by lease, to businesses who wish to display their products to our customers - products that will enhance our current offerings and complete the ‘one-stop-shop’ mission. “We hope to market this space in the autumn and begin works shortly after that. We are hoping to attract quality companies supplying kitchens, windows, joinery, lighting, furniture etc. “With successive awards for excellence in customer services, we are consistently striving to be the best in our industry. Our sales

“Our mission was to create a design centre with quality building materials – a onestop-shop for anyone building or renovating.” staff are carefully trained on every product item to ensure they can discuss technical details at any level. We have senior specialist consultants on duty at all times and we encourage customers to make appointments, where possible, to ensure they get the time required to review their project on-site. “We are delighted to reach this milestone after having come through such a tough recession,” Keith concluded. T: (NI) 00353 1 8441200 or (RoI) 01 8441200 W: www.outhaus.ie

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WINNER - PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Parkside, Limestone Road, Belfast

The overall winners at this year’s RICS Awards.

PROJECT TEAM... ARCHITECT

McCartan Muldoon Architects Studio One, The Marina Centre, Shore Road, Ballyronan, Magherafelt T: 028 7941 8866 W: www.mccartanmuldoonarchitects.com

SURVEYOR Donaldson Associates Eastfield, Church Street, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire T: 01889 563680 W: www.donaldsonassociates.com

CONTRACTOR

T & A Kernoghan Ltd 5 Blackwater Road, Mallusk, Newtownabbey, BT36 4TZ T: 028 90 842311 W: www.t-agroup.com

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Regeneration scheme wins top building award as projects from across the province are recognised…

Major regeneration scheme wins RICS Project of the Year A project to transform one of North Belfast’s most volatile flashpoints has been crowned Northern Ireland’s Project of the Year. The Parkside development on the Limestone Road - a regeneration scheme to create social housing for local residents - won the top accolade at this year’s prestigious RICS Northern Ireland Awards, sponsored by Forbo Flooring Systems. The £3.8million scheme by Newington Housing Association, providing 37 high quality sustainable homes, won both the Regeneration and Residential categories

at a gala dinner in the Culloden Estate & Spa in May before claiming the overall Project of the Year title. The judges said that Parkside is “…an innovative social housing project that has achieved an impressive transformation of one of the most volatile flashpoints in North Belfast”. They added that it is “… a shining beacon example of what can be achieved in difficult circumstances with innovation, good design and inspiration”. Ben Collins, RICS Director, Northern Ireland, said, “These awards have continued to grow in quality, volume

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WINNERS... Project of the Year Parkside, Limestone Road, Belfast

Building Conservation Winner Duncairn Centre for Culture and Arts, Belfast Highly Commended The Bishops Palace, Armagh

Commercial Winner Kingspan Stadium, Belfast Highly Commended Residential & Office Development, Oldpark Road, Belfast

Community Benefit Winner Loughmacrory Outdoor Centre, Omagh Highly Commended Tyrone GAA Centre of Education & Training, Dungannon

Design Winner Ballylagan Road, Newtownabbey Highly Commended Crest Pavilion, Enniskillen

Regeneration Winner Parkside, Limestone Road, Belfast Highly Commended Larne Market Yard

Residential Winner Parkside, Limestone Road, Belfast and stature, celebrating the most inspirational built initiatives in the region, including the talent behind them that help develop, regenerate and conserve the environment in which we live and work. “This year has seen some truly innovative projects not just winning, but also being shortlisted, which span across the counties of Northern Ireland, setting a fine standard for the future of the construction industry.” RICS Northern Ireland Awards Judging Chairman, Alistair Dunn, added, “The judging panel were overwhelmed

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by the quality of the entries this year, and delighted by the standard of the shortlisted, highly commended and, of course, winning projects. The Parkside development has made a worthy overall winner, showing how important the built environment can be in creating a truly enriched society in Northern Ireland.” Parkside and the other winners from the evening will now go forward as finalists from the Northern Ireland region at the overall RICS Awards that will be announced at a gala event in London in October. Further information about the awards is available at www.rics.org/awards

Highly Commended Tobar Park, Cullybackey

Tourism & Leisure Winner Visit Belfast Welcome Centre Highly Commended Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex

Infrastructure Winner Clay Lake Water Treatment Works, Keady Highly Commended Old See House, Belfast

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WINNER - BUILDING CONSERVATION

Duncairn Centre for Culture and Arts, Belfast

From left: Gary McCausland, RICS Awards host; with Michael McEvoy; Michael O’Doherty; Rev Bill Shaw; and Mark Walley from RICS.

Church building takes on new lease of life

he Building Conservation Award honours excellent work in the conservation of a single building or structure or a group of buildings or structures, and covers renovation or conversion to a new or original use. The extension and renovation of Duncairn Presbyterian Church (a listed building) to create the Duncairn Centre for Culture and Arts, creates a new point of regeneration on the Antrim Road in Belfast. The project has been welcomed by the community and experts in the field of conservation as an example of how to merge the old with the new, while retaining and conserving the historic fabric and at the same time fusing facilities to the benefit of the community. The old church building had fallen into disrepair, and the project sought to conserve the buildings and convert them into a cultural centre.

The result is an impressive complex, retaining most of the original buildings with original architectural features retained and restored where possible. Innovative and efficient solutions were found to resolve challenges of achieving insulation standards, introducing more natural light, and managing disabled access. The overall result is a beautifully restored building that has a new lease of life in its new use as a cultural centre for the whole community. The £3.5million venue is now a world-class facility consisting of three art studios, exhibition area, community meeting room, 170-capacity theatre/performance and rehearsal space, café/bistro and conference rooms. It will provide a platform for local and international artists to showcase their work as well as give the local community access to a high quality arts and cultural programme.

PROJECT TEAM... SURVEYOR Michael McEvoy 7 Wellington Park, Belfast, BT9 6DJ

ARCHITECT Doherty Architects 6 Kinnaird Street, Antrim Road, Belfast, BT14 6BE T: 028 9074 6386 W: www.macdoh.com

CONTRACTOR

Felix O’Hare & Co Ltd 88 Chancellors Road, Cloughoge, Newry,

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BT35 8NG T: 028 3026 1134 W: www.felixohare.co.uk

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HIGHLY COMMENDED – BUILDING CONSERVATION

The Bishop’s Palace, Armagh

Palace restored to former glory

PROJECT TEAM... SURVEYOR/ARCHITECT

Robinson and was the residence of the he restoration of the Bishop’s Palace Archbishops of the Church of Ireland from in Armagh has received the Highly 1770 to 1975. The parkland of the Palace Commended Award in the Building Demesne has been rated as one of the Conservation section. glories of Armagh. Set in 300 acres of rolling parkland, the The walks around the demesne vary from Archbishop’s Palace is now the headquarters back meadows to formal gardens and for Armagh City and District Council. include a ‘Garden of the Senses’, created to The recent refurbishment has created modern provide a sensory experience for both ablefacilities within a heritage setting. bodied and disabled visitors. The three-storey, classical style country house and grounds is also a popular venue for weddings, and the renovation works carried out included a new roof, complete internal refurbishment, exterior ground works, facade cleaning and lime repointing. Situated within walking distance of the city centre, the Palace was the creation Gary McCausland, RICS Awards host (left); with Sam Nicholson; Michael O’Donnell; Mark Walley, RICS; and Colin McKee. of Archbishop Richard

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Building Investigation Centre 5 Melville Terrace, Edinburgh, EH9 1ND T: 0131 667 5034

CONTRACTOR Moss Construction (NI) Ltd 54 Ballymaculey Road, Seaghan, Mowhan, Armagh, BT60 2EZ T: 028 3751 1991 W: www.mossconstruction.com

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U RICS northern ireland awards 2015

WINNER - COMMERCIAL

Kingspan Stadium, Belfast

RICS Awards host, Gary McCausland (left); with Ciaran Deazley; Matt Higgins; and Craig Logan, Director of Property Finance at category sponsor, Bank of Ireland.

Kingspan keeps an eye on the ball

his award honours an excellent commercial property development, whether retail, office, leisure, industrial or mixed use, and was given to Kingspan Stadium, the home to Ulster Rugby. With three new stands, which have increased capacity from 11,400 to 18,000, it has become one of the most modern and stateof-the-art rugby stadiums in Europe. Looking for evidence of a commercially successful project, the judges agreed that Hamilton Architects’ innovative design delivered a stadium which meets best practice in rugby stadia design. It is hailed by fans as having the best atmosphere of any rugby club ground in Europe, and provides a quality spectator-friendly rugby environment, whilst complying with international sporting guidelines and legislation. The new Memorial End stand provides both covered seating and terracing, and houses a ticket office, shop, bar/catering facilities and

a new educational facility. The Aquinas stand is the new family area and also provides covered seating and terracing. The facilities within the Aquinas stand have now become the Ulster Rugby Senior Squad’s new training base, with excellent gym facilities, treatment rooms, function rooms, new team changing facilities, an indoor training surface and match day media facilities. Main contractor, Gilbert-Ash, also demolished the existing main stand and replaced it with a new grandstand, which includes bar and restaurant facilities, and added facilities within the ground for use by photographers and general stores for the grounds team. All these improvements have transformed the income-generating capacity of the Ulster Rugby business, while taking account of the need to liaise with neighbours in this residential area, and achieving high levels of sustainability in construction.

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PROJECT TEAM... SURVEYOR Edmond Shipway Clarke Shipway, Portview House, 80 Dargan Road, Belfast, BT3 9JU T: 028 9077 9392 W: www.edmondshipway.com

ARCHITECT

Hamilton Architects 3 Joy Street, Belfast, BT2 8LE T: 028 9033 4250 W: www.hamiltonarchitects.co.uk

CONTRACTOR

Gilbert-Ash 47 Boucher Road, Belfast, BT12 6HR T: 028 9066 4334 W: www.gilbert-ash.com

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HIGHLY COMMENDED - COMMERCIAL

Office & Residential Development, Belfast

RICS Awards host, Gary McCausland (left); with Ciaran Deazley; Matt Higgins; and Craig Logan, Director of Property Finance at category sponsor, Bank of Ireland.

HHD premises recognised in two categories

hortlisted in no less than two categories of the RICS NI Awards 2015 – ‘Regeneration’ and ‘Commercial’ Higgins Hollywood Deazley was delighted to achieve ‘Highly Commended’ status in the commercial category for its new office premises at Linen House on the Oldpark Road in Belfast. The premises also reached the shortlist in the ‘Regeneration’ category after being nominated for both by Like Architects. As an example of exceptional improvements to local areas, HHD was able to demonstrate how the building has improved the built environment in a way that contributes to the area. Matt Higgins, Partner, commented, “We are honoured to be recognised in these two categories as remaining

in the heart of Belfast, which is extremely important to us, given the needs of the local community and how we can best represent our clients. It is vital to us that we have high quality office space to reflect the expertise and excellence that we offer.”

“The building has improved the built environment in a way that contributes to the area.” www.northernbuilder.co.uk

PROJECT TEAM... SURVEYOR Naylor & Devlin 95 Malone Avenue, Belfast, BT9 6EQ T: 028 9066 9118

ARCHITECT Like Architects 34 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7FF T: 028 9027 8000 W: www.likearchitects.net

DEVELOPER HHD Linen House, 507 Oldpark Road, Belfast, BT14 6QU T: 028 9077 0770 W: www.hhdsolicitors.com

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U RICS northern ireland awards 2015

WINNER - COMMUNITY BENEFIT

Loughmacrory Outdoor Centre, Omagh

Community at the heart of new outdoor centre

he ‘Community Benefit’ award recognises excellent achievement in providing a facility which directly benefits the local community. In particular, the winning project needed to illustrate its success through local community feedback. Projects were selected from both single and groups of buildings in urban, rural or coastal areas and could be new or improvements to existing facilities. The winner of this category, Loughmacrory Outdoor Centre in Omagh, was hailed by the judges as “a remarkable communityled project which has transformed an existing GAA pitch into a multi-use facility.” Key elements of the £1million scheme included an extension to the existing centre to provide a modern gym on the first floor and a gym studio space to the ground floor, as well as a multi-use sports wall. Outdoors, a new 500 seated

spectator stand, a track to the perimeter of the existing playing field with an electronic scoreboard and three ‘one wall’ handball courts have been built. The centre also has new boats and jetties. The new facility encompasses a wide range of sporting activities for the whole community, from running, swimming, Gaelic football, cycling, and handball to fishing, and a keepfit gym. The judges commented that a high level of community involvement was evident in the planning, fund-raising and volunteer work. The local community had been kept at its core throughout planning, as had consultations with the wider community and local sports and leisure clubs. “The venue now hosts two international and two national events each year, with thousands of visitors from around the world competing, bringing excellent tourism opportunities to the area,” added the judges.

PROJECT TEAM... ARCHITECT

Consarc Design Group The Gas Office, 4 Cromac Quay, Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 2JD T: 028 9082 8400 W: www.consarc-design.co.uk

CONTRACTOR

McAleer & Teague 22 Camderry Road, Dromore, Omagh,

“A high level of community involvement was evident in the planning, fund-raising and volunteer work.” 34 | NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE

Co Tyrone, BT78 3AU T: 028 8289 8535 W: www.mcatni.co.uk

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

RICS northern ireland awards 2015 T

HIGHLY COMMENDED – COMMUNITY BENEFIT

Tyrone GAA’s Centre of Education & Training

A vision for the future at Dungannon GAA Centre

t a cost of £6.7million, the Tyrone Centre of Education and Training in Garvaghey is the biggest sports/ culture/heritage project in Ireland. Its development has been phased over four years and provides six full-size, floodlit GAA pitches (five grass and one 3G) plus a floodlit 3G drills area to cater for football, hurling and rounders. Garvaghey is something special - a facility and a resource that will both live up to what Tyrone GAA is about and help it further

Gary McCausland, RICS NI Awards host, (left); and Paul Kendrick, RICS NI Chairman (far right); with Johnston Bell and Roger Sally (centre) picking up the highly commended award for their work on the Tyrone GAA Centre of Education and Training.

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

flourish and prosper. Its aim is to be a Tyrone Gaelic resource, facilitating all the Gaelic codes and cultural/heritage activities, for men, women, boys and girls, and for clubs and schools. This ground-breaking facility has been brought together on a 43-acre site that includes a perimeter walkway, an environmental area, and 8,000 newly- planted native Irish trees. The building itself contains 10 fully-equipped changing rooms (four designed for women), with team support facilities such as plunge pool, physio/medical space, referees’ changing, and cardio-vascular and injury recovery equipment. Other features include meeting, seminar and breakout rooms, a 200-seat auditorium, a reception area plus exhibition, display and interaction space and ‘Coirneal Gaelige’ where only Irish will be spoken. Kitchen and canteen facilities, along with Tyrone GAA offices and storage complete the facilities, with an external performance area modelled on the historic O’Neills’ crowning place at Tullyhogue Fort.

PROJECT TEAM... SURVEYOR F G Fee Chartered Quantity Surveyors 59 Drumkee Road, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, BT71 6JA T: 028 8774 8181

ARCHITECT

Teague & Sally Ltd Loy Buildings, 18 Loy Street, Cookstown, Co Tyrone, BT80 8PE T: 028 8676 5228 W: www.teagueandsally.com

CONTRACTOR

McAleer & Teague 22 Camderry Road, Dromore, Omagh, Co Tyrone, BT78 3AU T: 028 8289 8535 W: www.mcatni.co.uk

NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE | 35

U RICS northern ireland awards 2015

WINNER – DESIGN THROUGH INNOVATION

Ballylagan House, Ballyclare

Innovative design provides home sanctuary

he ‘Design through Innovation’ award honours the use of excellent design and innovation in creating a successful project. In this category, the judges were looking for evidence that the use of creativity and innovative design had enhanced a project across a wide range of criteria. Ballylagan House in Ballyclare was the judge’s choice of winner - at first sight, an unremarkable family home outside Belfast. However, on closer inspection, it captured

From left: Gary McCausland, RICS Awards host; with Stephen Villier; and John Sheridan from Design through Innovation category sponsor, Sika.

36 | NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE

PROJECT TEAM... ARCHITECT

the essence of this category’s criteria. The partners, both architects, worked with their two very young foster children to design their bedrooms. “This exercise has been a successful element in a rehabilitation programme to help manage the legacy of the children’s earlier years,” commented the judges. “The rooms are extraordinary, providing sanctuary through innovative solutions to profound emotional challenges. The design process and the ongoing experience is now the subject of keen interest from child care specialists and psychologists.” The project provided a bedroom each for two little girls (sisters), designed individually and based on the principles of therapeutic parenting to provide a space for sleep, play, sanctuary, growth and healing. The judges concluded that an innovative approach had been taken to listen to the needs of the parents and children, whilst executing the room fit-out “to the highest standard for the most exacting and deserving of clients”.

Alan Patterson Design Darragh House, 112 Craigdarragh Road, Bangor, Co Down, BT19 1UB T: 028 9185 2582 W: www.alanpattersondesign.com

CONTRACTOR Heritage Developments (Northern Ireland) Ltd Alfred House, 19 Alfred Street, Belfast, BT2 8EQ W: www.hdni.co.uk

“The design process is now the subject of keen interest from child care specialists and psychologists.”

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

RICS northern ireland awards 2015 T

Design Through Innovation Commended

Crest Pavilion, Enniskillen

Riding on the crest of a wave

REST - Centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies - is a sustainable technology research facility that provides demonstration and testing facilities to showcase innovative products and processes and the use of renewable technologies in construction. The flagship CREST in Enniskillen comprises three areas - the Pavilion, R&D laboratory and Hub. The Pavilion is a new building which meets high levels of environmental standards in its construction, and the Hub and R&D

RICS Awards host, Gary McCausland (left); Paul McAllister; and John Sheridan from Design through Innovation category sponsor, Sika.

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

laboratory are being integrated into the existing skills centre building at the South West College site. It is one of the most sustainable buildings in the UK and Ireland and the first education building in the province with PassivHaus Certification. It also won ‘Sustainable Building Project of the Year’ at the Sustainable Ireland Awards. The building perfectly replicates its function, with the design and construction creating a facility that practises what it preaches. In fact, a section of the facility will be used for exactly that – to be a demonstration building to showcase its pioneering sustainable design and construction. The pavilion has been constructed to meet three sustainable credentials – to be PassivHaus Certified for the energy-efficient envelope and ventilation system; BREEAM excellent in terms of the BRE sustainable benchmark for UK commercial buildings; and Zero Carbon, ie the building can provide, by renewable energy, its own source of heat and lighting. Whilst a combination of two of these sustainable criteria has been carried out in other parts of the UK, CREST is the first example of a combination of all three.

PROJECT TEAM... SURVEYOR Giffin Hughes 14 Armagh Road, Portadown, Co. Armagh, BT62 3DP T: 028 3835 5010 W: www.giffinhughes.com

ARCHITECT

Paul McAlister Architects 64A Drumnacanvy Road, Portadown, Co Armagh, BT63 5LY T: 028 3835 5111 W: www.pmcarchitects.com

CONTRACTOR

PJ Treacy & Sons Tempo Road, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, BT74 6HR T: 028 6632 6747 W: www.pjtreacy.com

NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE | 37

U RICS northern ireland awards 2015

WINNER – TOURISM & LEISURE

Visit Belfast Welcome Centre, Belfast

Warm welcome at Visit Belfast

isit Belfast is a £1.82million state-ofthe-art Visitor Welcome Centre. The centre now occupies ground floor premises near the Belfast City Hall, which increases its profile and its alignment with tourist strategies. The centre provides Northern Ireland’s tourists with a completely new and innovative approach to visitor information. Technology platforms and the team of travel advisers will help drive more visitors to explore more and do more in the wider city, generating an estimated £2million annual spend for the local economy. The new Belfast Welcome Centre occupies a prominent location in front of Belfast City

Winners of the Tourism & Leisure Award along with Gary McCausland, RICS Awards host.

38 | NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE

Hall, close to bus services and the droppingoff point from visiting cruise ships. The interior layout uses techniques adapted from visitor centres around the world, tailoring them to the Northern Ireland experience. Digital displays include a video wall showcasing the best of what Belfast has to offer, and digital maps helping visitors learn about each part of the city. The new Visitor Centre has been lauded as a ‘world class’ visitor centre and has attracted very positive feedback with some describing the centre as the ‘finest they have seen in the UK, if not Europe’. Visitors and locals can discover Belfast’s story, brought to life on plasma screens, or read about major attractions on the self-service touch screens. Services provided include tourist information and advice, tickets for tours and events, accommodation bookings, gift shop, free wi-fi, bureau de change and left luggage. The investment in the new Welcome Centre is part of Belfast City Council’s Investment Programme 2012-2015, administered by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

PROJECT TEAM... SURVEYOR

AECOM 9th Floor, the Clarence West Building, 2 Clarence Street West, Belfast, BT2 7GP T: 028 9060 7200

Architect

AECOM Beechill House, Beechill Road, Belfast, BT8 7RP T: 028 9070 5111 W: www.aecom.com

CONTRACTOR

H & J Martin Integrated Services 163 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 1SP T: 028 9023 2622 W: www.hjmartin.co.uk

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

RICS northern ireland awards 2015 T

HIGHLY COMMENDED – TOURISM & LEISURE

Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex, Bangor “The Bangor Aurora is unlike any other leisure complex in Northern Ireland.”

Olympian efforts at Bangor recognised

he Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex in Bangor boasts the first Olympic standard swimming pool to be built in Northern Ireland. A state-of-the-art leisure centre, it incorporates some impressive features. Wet side facilities include submersible booms, allowing the sub division of the pool for various activities, while the floor of the 50m pool is moveable to allow the depth within the pool to vary to a maximum depth of 2m. There is also a diving pool, wave machine, pirate’s ship and children’s water slides, as well as all associated changing and shower facilities to service the wet side facilities.

Gary McCausland, RICS Awards host (left); Gerry Millar; Terry Brannigan, Tourism NI Chairman; Nick Brennan; John Harrison; and Brendan O’Loan.

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

Dry side facilities include two squash courts, a large gymnasium with associated health club facilities, a large kids’ club area, two meeting/ conference rooms, a restaurant/crèche facility, and associated changing and showers to service the dry side facilities. There is also a performance development centre, a synthetic pitch, extensive car parking and bus turning area, sensitive external landscaping and slip gardens associated with historic walled gardens. The buildings which were previously on site were painstakingly dismantled by hand in order to salvage masonry elements which were of archaeological significance, and an expert in historical landscapes was commissioned as part of the design process to integrate the design into the historical demesne, including the recently restored Victorian Walled Garden. The project includes a CHP (Combined Heat and Power) unit which allows the building to locally generate its entire heat requirement, and some 65% of its own electricity requirement. The building also recycles rainwater from 6,800 m² of the roof for WC flushing.

PROJECT TEAM... Cost Manager

EC Harris LLP 41 Arthur Place, Belfast, BT1 4JB T: 028 9044 6210 W: www.echarris.com

ARCHITECT

McAdam Design 1c, Montgomery House, Castlereagh Business Park, 478 Castlereagh Road, Belfast, BT5 6BQ T: 028 9040 2000 W: www.mcadamdesign.co.uk

CONTRACTOR

Farrans Construction 99 Kingsway, Dunmurry, Belfast, BT17 9NU T: 028 9055 1300 W: www.farrans.com

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U RICS northern ireland awards 2015

WINNER – INFRASTUCTURE

Clay Lake Water Treatment Works, Keady

Alistair Dunn, RICS Awards Judging Chairman, (second from right) with (from left) Gary McCausland, Stephen McAuley, Neil Quinn, Kieran Doherty, Neil McKenzie and Declan McKenna.

Water success for Keady treatment works

he Clay Lake Water Treatment Works project is no stranger to awards, with this latest accolade adding to the Overall Award at the Construction Excellence Awards 2014. The £2.7million project to upgrade the existing water treatment works at the Keady plant has helped meet local demands and ensured that drinking water quality for Keady and the surrounding area meets stringent EU standards. This upgrade to the existing works scheme to deliver 6Mld of drinking water comprised of two RG filters; two DAF units; the re-use of two existing Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filters and provision of a third GAC filter; alongside the installation of three manganese removal filters; sludge removal and thickening, chemical dosing and treatment, lime dosing and polymer mixing plant.

PROJECT TEAM... SURVEYOR Turner & Townsend

To overcome the challenges of this project, a successful commissioning plan was implemented, which allowed phasing in, without disruption, to the existing network, but at the same time allowed for a full commissioning sequence to be carried out. The team also had to contend with a small footprint available to provide the new works and, in the end, the existing drying beds were utilised while a new building was erected to house the new plant. This allowed a phasing in process to be agreed that maintained the existing (4Mld) output whilst constructing the new works and bringing it online. The second phase of the commissioning plan was designed to take place once the existing GAC tanks were installed, allowing for final commissioning of the 6Mld output and put the plant into full automatic service.

61 Fountain Street, Belfast, BT1 5EB T: 028 9033 4750 W: www.turnerandtownsend.com

ARCHITECT

WDR & RT Taggart 44 Newforge Lane, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5NX T: 028 9066 2121 W: www.wdr-rt-taggart.com

CONTRACTOR

“To overcome the challenges of this project, a successful commissioning plan was implemented, which allowed phasing in, without disruption, to the existing network.” 40 | NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE

Lagan Construction Group Rosemount House, 21-23 Sydenham Road, Belfast T: 028 9045 5531 W: www.laganconstructiongroup.com

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

RICS northern ireland awards 2015 T

Highly Commended – Infrastructure

Old See House, Belfast

“The building on the Antrim Road has been transformed into a Community Mental Health Resource Centre.”

Hat-trick of success for Old See House

Resource Centre for the Northern Ireland Health & Social Services Authority on behalf of The Belfast Health & Social Care Trust. The new community mental health centre provides support for those in the North Belfast area coping with mental health issues, bringing together three functions never before co-located. The building houses a consulting facility where outpatients have appointments to see psychiatric consultants. It also houses a day centre where patients are encouraged to attend for a whole or half day and to engage in various forms of therapy. Finally, there is an eight bedroom short-stay residential facility designed to be an alternative to residence within an acute hospital, where patients can attended for between one night and two weeks respite. This is a major change from the previous buildings where were demolished to Gary McCausland, RICS Awards host (left); with Kieron Smyth; Simon Robinson; and Conor Quinn; with Alistair Dunn, RICS Judging Chairman; make way for this new-build and Jim Salmon. project.

he redevelopment of Old See House in Belfast has certainly caught the attention of awards judges, with this accolade at the RICS Awards completing a recent hat-trick of success. The project has already been named as a Regional Award Winner by RIBA Northern Ireland and has also been Highly Commended at the Building Better Healthcare Awards. The building on the Antrim Road has been transformed into a Community Mental Health

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

PROJECT TEAM... SURVEYOR

Sammon Chartered Surveyors 9-11 Corporation Square, Belfast, BT1 3AJ T: 028 9024 9800 W: www.sammon.eu

ARCHITECT

RPP Architects 155/157 Donegall Pass, Belfast, BT7 1DT T: 028 9024 5777 W: www.rpparchitects.co.uk

CONTRACTOR

Felix O’Hare & Co Ltd 88 Chancellors Road, Cloughoge, Newry, BT35 8NG T: 028 3026 1134 W: www.felixohare.co.uk

NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE | 41

U RICS northern ireland awards 2015

Highly Commended – Regeneration

Larne Market Yard

Combining the past and present in Larne

he painstaking redevelopment of Larne Market Yard has been recognised by the RICS judges with a Highly Commended in the Regeneration category. The market yard comprises of a number of buildings and open sheds dating from the 1830s and attributed to Charles Lanyon. Once an integral part of the town, it had suffered fire damage and was underused before this complex restoration process got underway after over 10 years in development. The main challenge for the team involved in this project was to find the perfect balance between protecting the listed buildings on the site and incorporating them into a modern and functional community space. The site is B1 listed and received Listed Building grant aid from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). The building is also on the BARNI register (Buildings at Risk

SURVEYOR

in Northern Ireland) and is due to be removed following a final inspection. The project involved maintaining as much of the existing structure and fabric of the Victorian era complex as possible, while making the spaces more usable for the purposes of the client and local community. The work included reordering and restoring the market house, restoring a fire damaged auction house and restoring and enclosing some of the originally open Belfast trussed sheds to provide a variety of spaces across the site. Larne Market Yard, a listed early Victorian market complex was once an integral part of the town but having suffered fire damage and underuse it needed a complex restoration. The refurbishment project involved creating office and workshop accommodation, community facilities, indoor and outdoor market and event spaces, all within the existing building structure.

“The project involved maintaining as much of the existing structure and fabric of the Victorian era complex as possible.” 42 | NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE

PROJECT TEAM...

WH Stephens 63 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 6SA T: 028 9066 3123 W: www.whstephens.com

ARCHITECT

Kennedy FitzGerald 3 Eglantine Place, Belfast, BT9 6EY T: 028 9066 1632 W: www.kennedyfitzgerald.com

CONTRACTOR

Mascott Construction Heron Wharf, Heron Road, Belfast, BT3 9LE T: 028 9073 5050 W: www.mascott.co.uk

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

U acoustic sound

Environmentally

sound SAINT-GOBAIN ECOPHON MOVES SUSTAINABILITY TO A NEW LEVEL WITH A PRODUCT’S EFFECT ON PEOPLE’S WELL-BEING NOW A TOP PRIORITY TOO...

ustainability within the built environment no longer just focuses on environmental or energy-efficiency credentials - personal well-being has now become a key focus too. There are a number of products available that are able to claim a good environmental performance but their credentials can be confusing, making it difficult to compare different products. What’s more, much of their sustainability relates to how the product is produced, the raw materials used and its lifetime costs. Although these elements are key, well-being in terms of improving a building occupants’ environment has now become just as important. Whether it’s an office, hospital or school, one of the key areas that help to improve the occupants’ environment is acoustic design, as

it contributes to a more productive, healthier space. Let’s take an office space. It’s estimated that workers lose as much as 24 days’ productivity a year because of unwanted noise. Much of this could be the result of open-plan design now being the dominant design. However, with thoughtful early planning, an optimum acoustic solution can be achieved. This will prevent the propagation of unwanted sound, so occupants only hear what they need to. This results in a much better, calmer and ultimately less stressful work environment, which relates directly to improved job satisfaction, reduced absence and enhanced productivity – all of which are of course important objectives for any business. What’s more, with people representing up to 90% of an organisation’s costs, their well-being

“With well-being now moving to the forefront of sustainability, Ecophon’s ceiling and wall products offer an ideal solution.” 44 | NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

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should be a key consideration in assessing the long-term success of a project. Optimum acoustic design within hospital environments is another great example. It’s well understood that good sleep is crucial in the recovery process, as our bodies do most of their healing while we sleep. However, hearing never sleeps, so reducing the spread of noise by getting the acoustic design right is key. This will also create a calm space, which helps to lower blood pressure and stress for both patients and staff. The result is happier people, with potentially fewer mistakes ultimately improving the quality of care. In terms of well-being, educational establishments also rely heavily on acoustics. A pupil struggling to hear their teacher means they have less energy to think, and as a result they remember less information. However,

with an optimum acoustic solution in place, the exchange between teacher and student is unclouded by reverberation which allows the student to have a better chance to fulfil their potential. In fact, good acoustics have been shown to boost grades. Teachers also benefit, in that making their words clear is easy. This means they don’t wear out their voices, which also enhances speech clarity. Whatever the location they are intended for, Ecophon products focus on reducing their environmental impact at every stage. This has enabled the company to reduce CO2 emissions and develop new eco-friendly materials. It will also soon implement the recycling of used panels. Occupants can rest assured that the materials added to the spaces they inhabit were manufactured responsibly, using recycled materials and

renewable energy, where possible, to further reduce the impact of production on the environment. Alongside this, with well-being now moving to the forefront of sustainability, Ecophon’s ceiling and wall products offer an ideal solution. This is because they help to significantly improve acoustic performance, which creates healthier, happier indoor environments. The term ‘sustainability’ has certainly moved forward, and now goes much deeper than a product’s ‘green’ credentials. Although using sustainable materials is important, a product’s effect on people’s well-being should now be a top priority too and for this, acoustics have a large role to play. By considering sustainability at this level, the result will be long-term success for both the building and its occupants.

Alan Crampton, Regional Manager Ireland, Saint Gobain Ecophon T: 01256 850 977 – M: 07979 703421 – E: alan.crampton@ecophon.co.uk www.ecophon.co.uk

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE | 45

U FEDERATION OF MASTER BUILDERS

FMB NI continues to give members the edge and Northern Builder brings you some of the latest developments from the organisation...

benefits of membership...

FMB State of the Trade report shows reduced capital spending and that access to finance is hindering the Northern Ireland construction industry…

Recovery being hampered by finance and spending issues - FMB

he recovery in the SME construction sector is being hampered by a reduction in capital spending and issues around access to finance, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) The warning came as the FMB published the results of its Q1 2015 State of Trade Survey, which shows that Northern Ireland’s net balance finally moved back into positive territory as it saw the greatest rise of 17 percentage points. Maire Nawaz, Director of FMB Northern Ireland (NI), said, “Although it is encouraging to see the results for Northern Ireland start to catch up with the other UK nations, these figures do not tell the whole story. “Although there is some optimism returning to the sector, many builders are concerned about future workloads due to the cuts in capital spending by the NI Executive. This reduction in public work coupled with the lack of available finance for private work is having a detrimental effect on the local construction sector.” Maire continued, “One of the consequences of this is that NI construction firms are being forced to seek work on the mainland which is serving

46 | NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE

to increase the construction output gap between NI and the rest of the UK. The survey results demonstrate a particularly severe shortage of bricklayers, carpenters, joiners and plumbers. With the constant export of construction operatives and fewer young people coming into the construction industry, NI construction firms will soon struggle to find qualified and competent workers.” The FMB in Northern Ireland is now calling for local politicians to start financing more projects. “We need the NI Executive to look at new and innovative ways to fund construction projects in the province,” explained maire. “FMB Northern Ireland is currently exploring how funds from sources such as the Financial Transactions Capital (FTC) can be used to assist the construction sector. This finance should be made available in the form of loans for house builders or be used to assist the retrofit of our existing homes. “Both initiatives will help increase construction activity by addressing the huge difficulties many construction firms still encounter when attempting to access finance from the major banks.”

The FMB has increased membership criteria, meaning those proudly displaying the FMB badge will be delivering even higher standards than before. The FMB has introduced independent inspections as part of its vetting procedures for members, who will also have to undergo credit and insurance checks. This increase in standards is aimed at protecting the reputation of all FMB members and driving up the standard of workmanship within the industry As a result, being an FMB member shows that your company meets the highest standards. Here’s are some other benefits of FMB membership: • Exclusive access to the Find A Builder Service putting you in touch with clients; • Telephone advice on taxation, debt recovery, health & safety and technical issues; • Free Contracts provided via the FMB website, which demonstrates to your clients that you provide a professional quality service; • Access to TrustMark enabling your company can gain extra recognition from the Government backed scheme for builders; • High Media Profile. The FMB has the highest media profile of any construction trade association, on average 16 million people see, hear or read about the FMB in the media each year; • Legal advice line available when you need it most; • Training courses to help you fulfil health and safety requirements as well as to grow your business; • FMB Code of Practice confirming your commitment to the highest standards of customer service and workmanship; • FMB Insurance Services can save you money on Public and Employers liability insurance as well as a range of building warranties; • Master Builder Magazine keeps you up to date on changes affecting your business. To apply, call the FMB for free on 0800 0965 765 FREE (Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm) or visit the website at www.fmb.org.uk Federation of Master Builders Unit 10, Kilbegs Business Centre, Plasketts Close, Antrim, BT41 4LY Tel: 028 9446 0416 www.fmb.org.uk - www.findabuilder.co.uk

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

U LIGHTWEIGHT FLOWING FLOOR SCREED The Tower at Great Western Quarter, Brentford, London.

The development of the innovative, SMET LiteFlo® lightweight flowing floor screed, a new alpha hemihydrate screed from SMET, is revolutionising the industry…

The lighter way to enjoy the benefits of flowing floor screed

he construction industry is often thought of as slow to respond to changes. However, the development of self-levelling floor screed quickly gained acceptance for its speed of laying, fast drying, ease of labour and - that holy grail of building - a level surface. Concrete floors, though, are heavy, and the self-levelling screeds currently available often require a correspondingly robust structure to support them. The development of the innovative, SMET LiteFlo® lightweight flowing floor screed, a new alpha

hemihydrate screed from SMET, changes that. Developed by leading German flooring specialists, LiteFlo® is made from specially selected aggregates; which make it 30% lighter than conventional calcium sulphate flowing screeds and 70% lighter than traditional sand and cement or concrete. LiteFlo® is really unique in the industry, offering a plethora of benefits over traditional lightweight screeds. Currently, lightweight screed is solely available in a semi-dry application format; whereas LiteFlo® is pump applied. It’s this ‘pumpability’ - combined

with excellent flowability - which makes this lightweight screed particularly unique. LiteFlo® has literally brought the industry up off its knees, making it possible - for the first time - to pump apply lightweight screed in large volumes, without the need for additional levelling compounds after application. The significant reduction in weight, combined with excellent pumpability, makes LiteFlo® ideal for timber frame builds, suspended timber floors, high-rise towers, apartments and multi-storey buildings. Joris Smet, Director of Smet Building

“LiteFlo® is really unique in the industry, offering a plethora of benefits over traditional lightweight screeds.” 48 | NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

LIGHTWEIGHT FLOWING FLOOR SCREED T

Benefits... Benefits of SMET LiteFlo® lightweight flowing floor screed include • Lightweight - high yield, 43kg-per-m2 at 40mm thickness • Pumpable – first of its kind available • 30% weight reduction compared to standard calcium sulphate screeds • 70% weight reduction compared to traditional sand and cement • Ideal for application in high-rise buildings, over timber suspended floors in new builds and renovations • Smooth, laitance-free finish • For application at thicknesses of between 20 and 90mm • Underfloor heating – full encapsulation • Perfectly level floors, every time • Installed by Smet Supported Partners • German made • CE EN 13813: 2002

Products Ltd, explains how the company’s innovative, CE-marked LiteFlo® lightweight flowing floor screed combines improved thermal performance with reduced environmental impact, making it possible to install underfloor heating (UFH) in applications where it may have been ruled out - such as restorations, renovations, retrofits, multi-storey and timber frame buildings. Joris said, “SMET LiteFlo® is undeniably unique, being the first pumpable, lightweight, calcium sulphate based flowing screed available. It’s made from specially selected aggregates, making it 30% lighter than conventional flowing screed, meaning less material is required per m2. Additionally, LiteFlo’s low weight enables UFH to be installed in multi-storey timber frame buildings at reduced thicknesses, meaning UFH could be retrofitted without substantially raising floor levels.” He added, “When LiteFlo® is mixed on site to create a self-levelling, pumpable screed, it takes up water much more readily than

a conventional screed, mixing smoothly and almost completely crystallising - up to 95% in 24 hours. Furthermore, LiteFlo® can be placed in reduced thicknesses, thereby delivering improved floor U-values.” SMET LiteFlo® complies with EN 13813:2002 and is CE marked. It may be applied as a levelling screed directly onto a load-bearing floor, unbonded on a separating barrier (polythene) - or as a floating floor, and can be used in conjunction with UFH or cavity floors. Its excellent flowability means full encapsulation of UFH pipes. The fully dried screed should be finished with a floor covering, such as tiles, linoleum, wood, parquet, cork or carpet. Smet Building Products Ltd has a pool of Smet Supported Partners who can install any residential, commercial, industrial, new build or renovation project across the UK and Ireland. State-of-the-art SMET LiteFlo® lightweight flowing floor screed is designed for application at thicknesses of between 20-90mm and conveniently supplied to site in pre-mixed bags (27kg).

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE | 49

U product news

New online store from Kingspan Insulation makes tight deadlines a breeze…

Out of hours insulation from Kingspanstore.com

ingspan Insulation recently launched Kingspanstore.com - a quick and convenient way of ordering insulation online. Customers can access the site via a personalised log-in, order the required insulation and have their product delivered to site or picked up at a local collection merchant of your choice. With a varied range of insulation products available from the website, the new online store makes tight deadlines and last minute orders outside of regular business hours much more achievable. All order histories can also be viewed on your account as well as delivery and service options. According to Kingspan Insulation, benefits of using the new service include ease of use, a repeat customer registration service and 24/7 access. If customers have a question, they can access the ‘live chat’ online support service available on the site and there’s also an opportunity for customers to submit a review of the service. One of the ranges available on the site is Kooltherm, a rigid phenolic insulation for roof, wall and floor with a thermal conductivity from as low as 0.020 W/m.K. The closed cell structure resists both moisture and water vapour ingress and is unaffected by air infiltration – a problem which can be associated with open cell materials such as mineral fibre resulting in reduced thermal performance. Kingspan Insulation also recently launched its Premium and Premium Plus Services (information also available on the new online store). The Premium Service is designed for homes achieving <0.15W/ m2.K area weighted average U-Value and using Kooltherm product in at least two building elements (such as cavity, drylining etc). Customers will benefit from two site visits

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“The product is safe and easy to install and if installed correctly, can provide reliable long term thermal performance over the lifetime of the building.” where they’ll be advised on best practice when it comes to installing the product. The Kingspan Premium Plus Service is designed for homes achieving <0.13W/ m2.K area weighted average U-Value and using Kooltherm product in at least three applications (such as wall, floor or roof). Depending on the nature or complexity of the build, up to five site visits are included to advise customers on each critical stage of product installation. In addition, a certificate of installation will be issued provided all works carried out in accordance with our recommendations. The Therma range of high performance rigid urethane insulants can also be

purchased via the online site and is suitable for roof, wall and floor insulation. According to Kingspan Insulation each product achieves the required fire performance for its intended application, while the product’s closed cell structure resists both moisture and water vapour ingress, a problem which can result in reduced thermal performance. The product is safe and easy to install and if installed correctly, can provide reliable long term thermal performance over the lifetime of the building. For more information, contact Kingspan on 00353 42 979 5000 or visit the new website at www.kingspanstore.com

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U carpet tiles

DESSO BRINGS ORGANIC BEAUTY TO THE OFFICE ENVIRONMENT WITH TRANSITIONS IN STRUCTURE COLLECTION…

Organic carpet design from Desso L eading carpet tile specialist, Desso has launched ‘Transitions in Structure’ - a collection of four new carpet tiles that have been designed to reconnect people with nature, inviting the outside in to soften the interior. As part of Desso’s Carpetecture Transitions Collection, Salt, Rock, Desert and Grain bring organic beauty to the office environment and help create flexible spaces with different areas for working, meeting – and quiet contemplation. The collection has been designed to reflect the ever-changing world, where natural resources are becoming increasingly scarce and where more and more people are living and working in man-made, urban environments. According to Desso, the carpet tiles combine the latest thinking in interior design with that of a circular, regenerative economy.

Desso’s carpet tiles contain on average 50% positively defined recycled content, according to ‘Cradle to Cradle’ principles. Products with Desso EcoBase backing are produced with 100% recycled chalk from drinking water companies. The company’s new ‘Transitions in Structure’ collection is supplied with Desso ProBase as a standard backing. This bitumen-based backing will gradually hold more positively defined recycled content, as Desso increases the supply of chalk from local drinking water companies it can source. It also offers this collection with an EcoBase backing as an alternative, in which case the backing already contains 100% recycled chalk. ‘Salt’ is a two-tone, high/low structure carpet tile with a natural organic structure that helps inject striking, yet subtle colour into a scheme to accentuate furnishings,

“Healthy materials, including residual chalk waste from water companies, are used in the backing of the tiles and combined with the latest developments in interior design.” 52 | NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE

and is available in six neutral and vibrant shades. ‘Rock’ has been designed in 12 complementary hues to sit alongside the distinctive Salt tile to create zones for contemporary and impactful interiors. ‘Desert’ is a non-directional carpet tile that creates a dynamic floor with a different vista from every angle. It is textured with a subtly layered organic design in a choice of nine weathered shades, ranging from muted mushroom to deep charcoal. ‘Grain’ has a natural, free-flowing pattern that adds subtle movement by softening the edges of the interiors and inviting nature inside. It is available in a selection of 12 colourways, including both neutral and vivid shades. A Tarkett company, Desso is a leading carpet, carpet tiles and sport pitches business, active in more than 100 countries. Its products are supplied to corporate offices, education, healthcare, government, homes and also hotels, cruise liners, airlines and premier football clubs. For the latest information about Desso’s latest collection, take a look at the Carpetecture Transitions Magazine at www.dessocarpetecturemagazine.com

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Lagan Tile One of the primary roof tile manufacturers in Northern Ireland, Lagan Tile delivers choice and quality as standard.

HEAD OFFICE: LAGAN CEMENT PRODUCTS - 11B SHEEPWALK ROAD - LISBURN - BT28 3RD. T: 028 9264 7100 www.lagancementproducts.com

U product news

Latest addition to the innovative 7 Series will combat leaks in all heating systems…

Prevent leaks with Plumb7

ontech Building Products – pioneers of the innovative 7 Series of products – has launched a new solution to stop leaks in all heating systems. If you have a leak, then simply reach for Plumb7. Just one bottle of this fast and efficient new solution can be used to seal leaks in closed as well as open heating systems in both household and industrial applications. Plumb7 offers effective solution to leaks in radiators, convectors, circulation pumps, central heating pipes and underfloor heating systems, amongst others. It provides a quick and permanent seal that does not impair flow. Not only that, but in line with the innovative 7 Series, Plumb7 is simple to use, prevents rust and corrosion and enhances the pump lubrication. It is perfect as either a fast and effective solution to stop a leak or as preventative action to stop the occurrence of leaks in the first place. Plumb7 is the latest addition to the 7 Series, with Tec7 respected as the Number 1 choice for those working in the construction trades. For more information on Contech Building Products telephone 07557 766143, e-mail: info@contechbuildings.ie or visit the website at www.tec7.ie

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U ROOFING & Cladding

Embrace the changes with Roofshield and reduce the likelihood of problems and remediation…

BS5534

changes and the implications to the industry

wenty years ago the UK’s top performing vapour permeable underlay, Roofshield, was not even launched. Everyone worked to BS5534:1990:Part 1 (25 pages - now 173) and if you were looking for a roofing underlay you had the choice of either bitumen felt, single layer non-woven polypropylene membranes, Flash spunbond or reinforced polyethylene’s with micro perforations. The only permeability requirement was in fully supported applications and was only 36g/m2/ day in accordance with BS3177. For underlays not fully supported, the recommendations were to use BS747 bitumen felt and, if using a polyethylene film of 0.13mm, the batten gauge should not exceed 100mm. Fast forward to 2015 and vapour permeable membranes are now used on most projects in the UK. Over this time, VPUs (now typically with MVTRs greater than 1000g/m2/day) have allowed ventilation requirements for roofs to be reduced to ridge-only, or for high performance air permeable membrane, such as Roofshield, to be eliminated. Alongside this evolution in technology, climatic factors affecting roof design have also changed, with extreme weather conditions occurring more frequently. The increasing likelihood of violent storm conditions has demanded a more rigorous approach to roof design, amid a growing recognition that the old principles are no longer fit for purpose. The recently published BS5534:2014 reflects this with more rigorous design standards for both the fixing of roof coverings and the robustness of underlays of all types.

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Roofshield is fully compliant with BS5534.

Traditional methods such as mortar bedding of ridges can no longer be relied upon to resist wind loadings, therefore designers and roofers will need to familiarise themselves with the new requirements, and seek updated fixing schedules from material suppliers. For underlay classification the country is split into 5 wind zones (as illustrated). Manufacturers must now clearly state in which zones their underlays are suitable, and if any special installation conditions apply. These specifics may include taping of lap joints, variations in batten gauge or reduced batten spacing in higher wind load zones. The new BS5534 should be embraced by the industry and recognised as a raising of standards and producing less problems on roofs due to wind damage. Based on independent testing, Roofshield continues to demonstrate its performance by being compliant throughout the whole of the UK. For zones 1-3, no special measures are required, beyond ensuring laps are extended to coincide with slate or tile battens. For zones 4 and 5, designers and roofers should consult a company such as A Proctor Group to review the specific application. However, for the majority of fully supported applications (commonplace in these geographic areas) no special measures will be required. If necessary, a detailed specification will be issued giving the options

for compliant installation. While significant changes to long established standards are a source of upheaval and concern to the industry, embracing these changes can only be of benefit, reducing the likelihood of problems and remediation. By continually improving the company’s product ranges, the A. Proctor Group aims to make the transition as painless as possible for its customers. For further information on Roofshield, and the implications of the new BS5534, visit www.proctorgroup.com

The five wind zones that dictate underlay classification in the UK.

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U ROOFING

memberS of the national federation of roofing contractors limited

New roofing standards now in force NFRC raises concerns about new British Standards for the ‘Design and Installation’ of Slating & Tiling and calls on the industry to implement the changes…

embers of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) in Northern Ireland are reminding the industry about the importance of a new British Standard for the Design and Installation of Slating and Tiling. The BS5534 standard came into force last September and the initial transition period has now been completed, meaning that it now needs to be incorporated into all projects. However, NFRC contractors in Northern Ireland have raised concerns that it is not being properly incorporated into the pricing of roofing contracts within the Public sector and, as such, competitors are gaining an unfair advantage. Just as importantly is the fact that, as these roofs aren’t being constructed to the latest industry standards, there is a distinct possibility that they will fail in future.

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Geoffrey Parkinson, Regional Manager of NFRC in Northern Ireland, explained “This should be a major concern for architects, building control, housing associations and other Public sector clients. “All NFRC member contractors in Northern Ireland have completed a tailored course to ensure they meet the BS5534 standard but unfortunately they are not competing on a level playing field as many projects are not properly implementing the new standards. “We are working hard to educate the industry on this issue and inspectors, surveyors, designers and other professionals should all now be looking closely at the BS5534 standard – if they aren’t, then we would be happy to speak to them about it.” New Northern Ireland NFRC Chairman, George Prentice, is fully behind this education process. “Sadly, here in Northern Ireland, many

building and roofing companies are some way behind the rest of the UK in implementing the changes,” said George, who is also Managing Director of Lisburn company, Prentice Roofing. “As a roofing contractor called on to investigate roofing problems, I too often see the costly results of roofing work that has been done badly or not to current standards, so it is vital that we promote excellent standards and quality in roofing within the local industry.”

CHANGE The NFRC is perfectly placed to meet these high standards. It is the UK’s largest roofing trade association, representing over 70% of the roofing industry by value, and during almost 120 years the NFRC has established itself as the voice of the roofing industry, constantly adapting to change and innovation to ensure its members are at the forefront.

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“The new BS5534 brings the primary reference document for this part of the industry up to date with best practice, and points the way forward for better roof design and installation to produce more robust roofs and to thereby minimise roof failures.” As the primary standard for slating and tiling the BS5534 standard has been revised many times to ensure it reflects best industry practice. It sets out recommendations on the construction of pitched roofs and vertical cladding applications; covering the design, materials, application, installation and performance of slates, tiles, shingles and shakes, and their associated components. A separate standard on workmanship is covered by BS 8000-6:2013 (Workmanship on Building Sites) and it is meant to be read in conjunction with BS5534. Two of the key drivers behind the revision were the way in which wind loadings now have to be calculated and to reduce roof failures. As a result of the revision, roofs in the UK will have more robust details and increased fixing specifications than ever before. Numerous updates were made throughout the standard, however, the three main areas include the fixing specifications for single-lap tiles; the status of roofing mortar and the effect that has on bedded hip and ridge tiles; and the changes to how underlay is tested and labelled. An overview of the changes, are as follows:

Single-lap tiles - All tiles need to be mechanically fixed, even if calculations suggest that is not necessary. This means that all tiles will need to be nailed or clipped, and in some cases both, depending on roof pitch, location and product type. All of the major roof tile manufacturers have adapted their software to take this into account so that it produces new fixing specifications in line with the standard. Perimeter tiles – These will need to have two mechanical fixings and, in addition to clips and nails, some manufacturers will allow things like adhesive and dry fix products to count. However, it is important to contact relevant technical departments before work commences to get the correct advice on fixings and how to fix replacement tiles. As tiles will become more difficult to replace (without compromising the fixing specification), it is important that those working on roofs work in a way as to eliminate, or at least minimise, foot traffic on the tiles once laid. Mortar - This will be deemed to have no tensile strength when it comes to design, therefore all bedded ridge and hip tiles will need to be mechanically fixed as well. Some

NFRC Northern Ireland Regional Chairman, George Prentice.

types of ridge and hip tiles may need to be drilled and screwed, in order to comply with the standards; alternatively, it may be worth considering changing the specification to use ridge and hip tiles that can be mechanically fixed, or to switch to a dry fix system instead. Where the ridge and hip tiles are to be bedded only, for example to comply with a heritage or conservation specification, then the work should be recorded as being ‘out of scope’ with regards to BS5534, so that this is not picked up as an issue.

National Federation of Roofing Contractors www.nfrc.co.uk

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NORTHERN BUILDER MAGAZINE | 59

U ROOFING

memberS of the national federation of roofing contractors limited CARRICKFERGUS ROOFING COMPANY IS SOLE DISTRIBUTOR OF ROOFSHIELD AND DURARIDGE…

Innovative solutions from Slate Sales Ireland

arrickfergus company, Slate Sales Ireland (trading as Antrim Roofing Centre) is sole distributor of Roofshield and Duraridge. Roofshield is a unique underlay which is both air permeable and vapour permeable, negating the need for any external ventilation, or cutting the underlay at ridge level. It is fully compliant with NHBC regulations and also complies with the new BS5534 regulations which came into effect in February. When using Roofshield, no tape is required at overlaps in any zone, and it comes in handy one metre-wide rolls for easy handling. Duraridge are inline universal clay ridge tiles with a unique fixing bracket for mechanical fixing, thus eliminating the requirement for mortar application. The system is

produced by one of Europe’s largest clay tile manufacturers and carries a 35-year guarantee. The system was designed to consider Irish weather conditions, such as the frequency of very high winds, and the simple clip fixing system is considered one of the best innovations to hit the ridge tile market in years. These attractive ridge tiles come in two colours, Anthracite and Natural Red.

For more information, telephone Slate Sales Ireland, trading as Antrim Roofing Centre, 028 9332 8880, e-mail slatesalesireland@ outlook.com

CARRICKFERGUS COMPANY OFFERS COMPLETE RANGE OF PROFESSIONAL ROOFING SERVICES…

Award-winning services from Penrose Roofing

ocated in Carrickfergus, Penrose Roofing Ltd operates throughout Ireland and mainland UK, offering a complete range of roofing services, such as slating, tiling, heritage roofing, flat roofing, lead work, copper work, liquid plastics, storm damage and repairs. The company carries one of the largest stocks in Ireland of used concrete and clay tiles, as well as reclaimed slates, and offers a complete consultancy service, from simple reports to expert witness in legal cases. Penrose Roofing Ltd was established in 1967, which makes it one of the oldest roofing businesses in Northern Ireland. A respected, award-winning company, it has grown from small beginnings to one of the largest pitched roofing contractors in Northern Ireland. In addition to a long list of industry awards, the company holds Safe-T-Cert accreditation,

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along with Trust Mark, Competent Roofer and Heritage Masters accreditation. All employees are also CSR and CSCS registered. The company remains a family-run business, with founder Gordon Penrose working alongside his son, Don. Gordon is the company’s Managing Director and he has been heavily involved in helping to raise industry standards over the years. He played an instrumental role in the 1970s by assisting the setting up the first roofing training courses and also forming the Northern Ireland Region of NFRC, which he subsequently chaired. Don, who is a Director of the company, is helping to maintain those high standards and both father and son are also members of the Institute of Roofing.

For more information, telephone 028 9335 1650, e-mail contact@penroseroofing.co.uk or visit www.penroseroofingcontractors.com

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memberS of the national federation of roofing contractors limited SPECIALISING IN ALL ROOFING DISCIPLINES, D.HARKIN OFFERS EXPERT ROOFING SERVICE FROM A RENOWNED CONTRACTOR…

Qualified to the highest standards

ith a reputation for excellence that extends across the island of Ireland and into Scotland and the UK, D.Harkin Roofing is known to go the extra mile to deliver the highest standards. A member of the NFRC, the company has recently had all its operatives trained and qualified in the new BS5534 Code of Practice, which was introduced in November 2014. “We are perfectly positioned to meet this new standard, and being up-to-date with areas such as this is something we take a lot of pride in,” said Managing Director, Danny Harkin. D.Harkin Roofing specialises in all roofing disciplines, from installation, repair and refurbishment to heritage roofing and roofing material supply. An NFRC Heritage Roof Master Company,

it is in big demand in this specialist field, with an impressive portfolio that includes the refurbishment of Queen’s University’s historic Lynn Building. “Whether working on listed buildings, old properties that have fallen into dilapidation, or roof maintenance works for a property of historic importance, our approach is thorough, considered and professional,” said Danny. D.Harkin & Co Roofing Ltd began trading in 1987, as a labour-only subcontractor. In 1989, it began to expand the business into supply and fix, mainly with concrete tiles at first, then progressing to supply and fit on all types of roof coverings. Today, it specialises in natural slating,

amongst all the other disciplines of roofing, and has worked on many prestigious contracts such as Belfast City Hall, the Ulster Hall, and the Slieve Donard Hotel.

For more information, telephone 028 7135 9249, e-mail enquiries@dharkinroofing.com or visit www.dharkinroofing.co.uk

BUILDING ON EXISTING SKILLS, CONSTRUCTION SERVICES IRELAND ADDS TO PORTFOLIO WITH ROOFING SERVICES COMPANY…

Jameson Roofing Services provides dedicated service

ortadown-based Construction Services Ireland Ltd is a re-active and planned maintenance contractor that specialises in all aspects of construction works across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain. The company’s property maintenance services are designed to ensure clients’ properties are maintained to individual requirements. “We have extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, helping to provide multiple-site clients with extremely cost-effective property maintenance and peace of mind,” said Timothy Jameson, Managing Director. “We can also offer professional building services to the public and private sectors, carried out by our in-house team of trained professionals. Over the years we have gained

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a wealth of knowledge and experience diagnosing all aspects of building defects in residential and commercial properties, enabling us to offer our clients cost-effective solutions. “Due to the rapidly increasing proportion of roofing work being carried out, we launched Jameson Roofing Services in November 2014 in order to provide a more dedicated and specialised roofing service.” Jameson Roofing Services is predominantly involved in the application of flat roofing systems such as Derbigum, Icopal and Iko high-performance felt, Alkorplan and Armourplan pvc membranes, asphalt and Alumasc Hydrotech hot melt. The company also carries out green roofing, Decra lightweight metal tiling, Kingspan composite panel and Trespa cladding.

The green roof at Banbridge Community Treatment and Care Centre.

“We are currently completing our largest project to date at Banbridge Community Treatment and Care Centre, which consists of 4,000m² of Hydrortech, Derbigum and intensive green roofing,” said Timothy. “Between the two companies we are now able to offer a constantly increasing range of services to our clients.”

For more information, telephone 028 3833 3340, e-mail info@cs-ireland.co.uk or visit www.cs-ireland.co.uk

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U ROOFING

memberS of the national federation of roofing contractors limited SPECIALIST SERVICES MEANS THORNTON ROOFING IS A ONE-STOP PACKAGE FOR BUILDING CLIENTS…

‘Grand Designs’ from Thornton

hen County Antrim architect, Patrick Bradley needed help with his ground-breaking house in Maghera, he turned to his friend, Stephen Thornton, of Thornton Roofing. As one of Northern Ireland’s most experienced roofing and cladding contractors, Stephen’s involvement in the project was invaluable in helping bring the radical design of this unique building to fruition – as many viewers saw when the house was featured on Channel 4’s ‘Grand Designs’ programme last year. “The house was built using four 45ft steel shipping containers,” explained Stephen. “At the start, I thought Patrick was being a bit eccentric, but the more I got into it, the more I understood his vision and what he was trying to achieve.

“In addition to roofing, our main areas are contract works, small works and metal works. This specialist ability gives us a competitive edge in areas such as steel cladding, sheeting, and flat roofing and it was easy for us to source the raw materials, so we were able to take Patrick’s visual design and make it succeed. There were a lot of structural issues – for example, when you cut a steel container it loses it integral strength and we had to find a way to combat that, but I enjoy making things and the job gave me a lot of satisfaction.” Thornton Roofing fabricated the steel, was responsible for the Corten cladding, glass balconies, and internal and external staircase, and fitted an Icopal bitumen flat roof, with

anti-fungal properties, to protect against the effects of having grass laid on top of it. “The whole experience was educational from start to finish, and it was an honour to be involved in such an iconic project,” concluded Stephen.

For more information, telephone 028 7965 0368, e-mail info@thorntonroofing.co.uk or visit www.thorntonroofing.com

HIGH LEVELS OF SERVICE FROM PRENTICE ROOFING, WHATEVER THE JOB…

Prentice helps raise roofing standards

stablished in 1983, Prentice Roofing has grown to become one of the most respected roofing companies in Northern Ireland, offering supply and fitting services for slating and roof tiling to a wide range of clients, from private individuals with re-roofing or new build projects through to developers with multiple sites. As an independent contractor, the company is not limited to one range of products, but can offer professional advice on a wide range of roofing products from all leading manufacturers, such as concrete or clay tiles, natural slates, lead flashing and ventilation products. “We like to get involved with clients as early as possible,” said John Murray, a company partner at Prentice Roofing. “Our focus is to advise on the best roofing products for their project, then supply and fit those products correctly and

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professionally using our highly skilled staff.” Health and safety is at the forefront of Prentice Roofing’s operations, with risk assessments and method statements produced for each project. As part of company policy, staff and sub-contractors regularly attend various training courses. Membership of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) also shows a commitment to continued involvement in the roofing industry, enabling Prentice Roofing to ensure it is always up-to-date with current industry standards and able to offer the highest quality of workmanship available. This year, George Prentice strengthened this commitment when he became the new NFRC Northern Ireland Regional Chairman.

“One of the most respected roofing companies in Northern Ireland.”

For more information, telephone 028 9082 7187, e-mail info@prenticeroofing.co.uk or visit www.prenticeroofing.co.uk

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memberS of the national federation of roofing contractors limited NEW ROOFING AND WALLING COMPANY PROMISES ADDED VALUE AS A SOLUTIONS PROVIDERâ&#x20AC;Ś

Welcome aboard the Ark

rk Profiles Ltd is a new provider of standing seam, twin skin, structural metal deck profiles and rain screens for roofing in commercial, leisure, education and industrial buildings. By combining years of experience, a low cost base, on-line data and telesales, technical support and product quality, Ark Profiles aims to be the supplier of choice, thanks also to good pricing, great service, and prompt and reliable technical support. The company offers a wide range of standing seam, 32/1000 and structural deck profiles to create a roof system to suit every need. ArkZip profiles are 65mm and 50mm deep, straight, pre-curved or tapered mechanically zipped standing seam profiles, available in aluminium and steel, and with a choice of cover widths. Production is on-site at ground or eaves level or in the factory, subject to requirements.

ArkRoof is a 32/1000 profile in 0.7mm steel, while ArkClad is also available in 0.5mm steel. ArkRoof and ArkClad systems are an ideal envelope solution for the roof and walls of industrial style buildings, new build or over-roofing, and include non-combustible insulation, U values as required, and low air permeability. The Arkdeck range of profiles goes from 32mm deep 32.200.1000 to 200mm deep 200.375.750 with a choice of gauges. For acoustic roofs, profiles can be provided with perforated webs to enable sound absorption Ark Profiles provides a free design service to assist the specifier or installer in selecting the optimum deck profile for an application.

For more information, telephone 0787 2693 053, e-mail enquiries@arkprofiles.com or visit www.arkprofiles.com

Experienced and professional service, backed up with quality work is the mark of H. McLarnon & Son...

Expert roofing and cladding specialist

stablished in 1958, H.McLarnon & Son Ltd has been dedicated to providing the best quality service and workmanship in the roofing industry. A family-owned industrial roofing company, the company specialises in industrial and commercial roofing, cladding and refurbishment works. It provides a wide range of services, including the supply and fit of standing seam, composite and single ply roofing systems, structural decking, architectural facades and rainscreen, composite cladding systems and structural wall systems. Having built up a strong reputation over the last 55 years, H.McLarnon & Son takes pride in its commitment to provide a professional and competitive service

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at all times, whilst maintaining the highest levels of quality of work. All projects undertaken by the company are controlled and managed by an experienced project team, from design to handover, with health and safety given as much importance as quality and production. H.McLarnon & Son also provides an extensive range of other services. Among these are full arrest systems, structural steel erection, safety netting, edge protection, metal fabrication and an asbestos removal service.

For further information, telephone 028 2586 3003, e-mail enquiries@hmclarnonandson.co.uk or visit www.hmclarnonandson.co.uk

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JORIS IDE INSULATED JI 1000 R/W PANEL For easy installation and excellent thermal insulation, JORIS IDE Insulated Roof & Wall panelling is indispensable in industrial and agricultural surroundings.

RILCO ROOFING & CLADDING MATERIALS Is the only source you’ll need for all your roofing and cladding materials. Backed by over 50 years of management experience in the supplying and selling of roofing materials. RILCO offers technical support, along with sample products and unbiased advice. We give you all the facts about the best roofing materials to use in order to help you to make that important decision. With our vast range of roofing products, you’ll get the right product for your building. If you want expert roofing & cladding advice, contact RILCO today. Tel: 020 3368 8469 E-mail: info@rilco.co.uk www.rilco.co.uk Richard Whiteside (NI Sales Manager) Tel: 0771 3974424

New profile available – JI Ecopanel

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Rilco offers a comprehensive range of quality roofing and cladding products…

s the sole supplier to the Irish market of SVK fibre cement slates, corrugated sheeting and façade panels, RILCO offers customers a large range of roofing and cladding solutions for all projects. SVK materials are backed by over 100 years of manufacturing, supply and technical expertise in the field of fibre cement. RILCO roofing and cladding materials have been used on many prestigious housing developments, self-build homes, industrial and agricultural buildings throughout Ireland , Northern Ireland and the UK . RILCO offers its clients technical support, along with sample products and unbiased advice, and will provide a range of options for any roofing or cladding project the client may be working on at any time. So whether it’s for a one-off house or an industrial/agricultural project, with RILCO’s vast range of roofing products you are sure to get the right product for your building. RICLO’s roofing and cladding materials are all supplied from one source. The company is one of Ireland’s leading importers

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All your roofing and cladding needs from one source and distributors of natural roofing slate, sourced from only the most renowned Spanish quarries. When it comes to quality, these slates are at the very top end of the market, giving the end user the satisfaction of having on their roof one of the finest Spanish slates on the market. With this range, quality is assured and customer satisfaction guaranteed. RILCO supplies LPCB certified Insulated Roof Panels for pitched roofs or horizontal and vertical wall applications, and as an external insulated cladding panel for industrial, agricultural and public sector buildings. Due to its metal inner and outer sheet, it combines thermal resistance with big spans. The minimum pitch to be applied is 4° or more after deflection. If you are looking to let light into your new or refurbished building then RILCO ‘s polycarbonate sheets are outstanding roofing and cladding materials that offer superior physical properties. Due to its high impact strength and wide service temperature range, the SUNPAL and SUNTUF brands are favoured by professionals for non-corrosive industrial

structural roofing and siding, and by home-owners for a multitude of DIY applications. RILCO also provides Filon superior quality roof lights manufactured from glass Richard Whiteside, Rilco reinforced Regional Sales for NI. polyester resin (GRP), with unique light diffusing additives which scatter light passing through, to provide effective day lighting without hot spots or excessive glare.

For further information contact, T: 020 3368 8269 or Richard Whiteside, Rilco Regional Sales Representative for NI, on 07713 974424, e-mail rwhiteside@rilco.co.uk or visit www.rilco.co.uk

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Kingspan and BENCHMARK products have been used on the new student hub and auditorium at Queen’s University…

Fit for Queen’s S hortlisted for the 2015 RIBA/RSUA Northern Ireland Awards, the David Keir Student Hub and Auditorium is the latest addition to the Queen’s University campus in Belfast. The Hub has been built as an extension to the existing David Keir building which was constructed in 1959 as part of a major expansion of the university site and has been designed to offer students an engaging space for group or individual work. According to Kingspan, the new extension both complements and contrasts with the original building. The deep copper-brown tones of the façade work well with the brick palette of the original while the sharp, angular lines of the new structure rebel against the symmetrical regularity of the rest of the building. Architects on the project

were Burwell Deakins who have created a space for future generations of students without compromising the architectural and aesthetic heritage of the university campus. Achieving this juxtaposition was no mean feat. Main contractor Graham Construction and installer Thornton Roofing faced a significant challenge when it came to meeting the required shape, style and performance in the specification, all within a tight construction schedule. Choosing the right products for the job was vital and working closely with Kingspan’s technical team, a product solution was found to meet all of the design requirements for the building. The walls were constructed with an insulated panel façade system and 80mm insulated core BENCHMARK Karrier panels were fitted directly on to the steel frame of

“The Hub has been built as an extension to the existing David Keir building which was constructed in 1959.” www.northernbuilder.co.uk

the structure. These were then mounted with Corten Steel hook-on cassettes. Corten Steel is a weathered steel façade that naturally rusts over time, producing a striking finish and creating a highly durable, protective coating. As it met both the aesthetic and functional requirements of the brief, it was the perfect choice for the project. The roof of the building was constructed with Kingspan Roofliner sheeting with an insulated core thickness of 175mm. This liner sheeting was weatherproofed using an Armourplan PVC roofing membrane with standing seam profiles. The insulated cores in both the Kingspan Roofliner and the BENCHMARK Karrier products ensure that the new building meets high energy-efficiency performance standards and is future-proofed against further rises in energy costs or performance requirements. For more information, telephone 00353 42 969 8500 or visit the website at www.kingspanbenchmark.com

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Cladding solutions from Cranwood Industries Providing the industry with technical expertise and modern technology combined with experience and service…

ranwood Industries is part of the Murdock Builder’s Merchants Group, which is a multi-branch building material and timber supplier in Northern Ireland and Dublin. Cranwood has been in business for over 30 years and the company’s primary focus is customer service. Located on a purpose-built three-acre factory site in Warrenpoint, Co Down, Cranwood Industries holds over 20 different species of hardwood in stock at any time and combines technical expertise with modern machining technology to provide a bespoke service in a wide range of species. The company manufactures specialised custom moulded timber products in hardwood, softwood and MDF, specialist sheet materials, and external pre-finished and unfinished cladding. Importantly, the company provides its customers with a unique offering – a site-based and face-to-

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face advice and support service from start to finish on their project.

WHY CHOOSE TIMBER CLADDING? There is now a widespread use of timber cladding on both domestic construction as well as larger commercial projects. One of the main reasons for the appeal of timber in external cladding applications is recognition of the environmental benefits of timber as a building material, as well as its pleasing aesthetic appearance.

TYPES OF TIMBER CLADDING Timber cladding can be used in many forms to achieve a wide variety of pattern, texture and colour, ranging from the use of shingles or shakes through to unfinished panels. However, most timber cladding applications use timber boards laid horizontally, vertically or diagonally, with either flush or overlapping faces. When you add to this the range

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Branches… Banbridge Scarva Road Industrial Estate, Banbridge, Co. Down, BT32 2QG T: 028 4062 8227

Belfast – Castlereagh 14 Orby Link, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT5 5HW T: 028 9521 0360

Belfast –Duncrue Duncrue Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT3 9BP T: 028 9074 4744

Belfast – Kennedy Way 11 Kennedy Way, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT11 9DT T: 028 9060 5855

Derry-Londonderry Skeoge Ind. Est., Beraghmore Rd., Skeoge, Galliagh, Derry, Co. Londonderry, BT48 8SE T: 028 7135 4888

Dungannon 3 Granville Road, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, BT70 1NQ T: 028 8772 2760

Newry Greenbank Industrial Estate, Rampart Road, Newry, Co. Down, BT34 2QU T: 028 3026 7626

Newtownards 21 Jubilee Road, Newtownards, Co. Down, BT23 4YH T: 028 9182 1222 of board widths, surface finishes, profile faces, joint designs, a wide range of colours, combined with the texture and character of unfinished timber, then the versatility of timber cladding becomes very apparent. Cranwood Industries also supplies cedar shingles which provide an aesthetically pleasing look combined with superior insulation quality.

PROFILE DESIGN FOR CLADDING With its own state-of-the-art Tool Room, Cranwood Industries can offer an extensive bespoke service when it comes to choosing the profile for your timber cladding project. The company cuts its own irons on site and can offer profiles to suit horizontal, vertical and diagonal cladding. Notably, Cranwood also has designed and developed its own timber cladding system which offers a ‘Hidden Nail’ timber cladding profile, secondary protection membrane and fixing

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solutions as a complete package which can be specified for projects.

Lisburn

PRE-FINISHING & MAINTENANCE OF TIMBER CLADDING

17a Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, BT28 2SA T: 028 9264 6092

Timber cladding is often specified in its unprotected (uncoated) condition, normally with a view to keeping maintenance costs to a minimum. Whilst uncoated cladding can be used very successfully, clients should be aware that uncoated timber will weather more quickly than coated timber and that some fissuring and slight in-service movement of the boards should be expected.

Balbriggan Unit 4, M1 Business Park, Balbriggan, Dublin T: 00353 1690 4300

Murdock Roof Trusses Greenbank Industrial Estate, Rampart Road, Newry, Co. Down, BT34 2QU www.murdockrooftrusses.com

Cranwood Industries For more information on the products and services available, visit cranwoodindustries.com

Milltown East Industrial Estate, Upper Dromore Road, Warrenpoint, Co. Down, BT34 3PN

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Icopal specialist products, Monarplan and Seal-A-Leak available at JP Corry

To find out more about Icopal’s range of roofing products, visit your local JP Corry Roofing Centre • CARRICKFERGUS • L/DERRY • CASTLEREAGH www.jpcorry.com

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Effective waterproofing and repairs with the Sealoflex Liquid Waterproofing™ range…

Seal the deal with JP Corry P roducts from Sealoflex Liquid Waterproofing™ (part of the Icopal Group) are helping to provide effective waterproofing and repairs for roofs. The complete product range is available at JP Corry branches and includes the recently launched Seal-a-Leak™ liquid repair kit and the Enviroflex™ liquid membrane. Sealoflex Liquid Waterproofing™ is designed to deliver a complete or emergency waterproofing repair to damaged or punctured flat roof membranes. Each kit comprises of an amount of liquid coating, primer and reinforcing fabric and is intended for use in all types of roofing application, including: • Emergency repair - Where a flat roof membrane is visibly punctured and water is entering the building, Seal-a-Leak™ solves

the problem with one simple application that provides an immediate patch repair. Capable of being applied above damp substrates, the single component liquid immediately plugs the puncture, stopping water from entering the building and causing further damage.

• Complete repair - Where a more permanent repair is required, application of the liquid coating, incorporating the reinforcing fabric above the prepared surface, can provide a long lasting repair that is rainproof in less than 30 minutes. Once opened, the Seal-a-Leak™ kit is completely reusable, making it the ideal product to keep for an emergency. Another superb product is Enviroflex™. When applying liquid roof waterproofing systems, installation challenges such as restrictive weather conditions, unpleasant material odours and multi component products are all too familiar for roofing contractors. Enviroflex™ has been introduced as an innovative liquid membrane which eliminates many of these challenges and is considerate to the needs of the installer. Benefitting from a fast curing

process, Enviroflex™ forms a completely seamless, durable and flexible membrane that is tolerant of minor building movement and allows for completed areas to be trafficked within the same day. Dependent upon climatic conditions, the product can tolerate foot traffic approximately four hours following installation and is weatherproof in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for projects with short or limited timescales. Enviroflex™ is manufactured completely solvent free and does not contain any volatile organic compounds. As a result of this innovation, the user benefits directly as there is no risk associated from unpleasant odors that can make installation uncomfortable for installer and client alike. As standard, Enviroflex™ is manufactured in either a grey or white finish, giving a matt appearance when fully cured. Where necessary, a range of components and accessories can also be combined with the Enviroflex™ system. This includes primers reinforcing fabrics and an anti-skid walkway designed to protect the waterproofing membrane from foot traffic. Sealoflex Liquid Waterproofing™ is now part of the Icopal group, renowned for supplying world-class roofing products to the industry and its contractors.

For more information on the Sealoflex Liquid Waterproofing™ range, telephone 028 9024 3661, speak to staff at JP Corry trade counters across Northern Ireland or visit www.jpcorry.com

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Pitched roof solutions from ISOVER Take a closer look at one of the best possible options available on the market to protect timber roof structures…

SOVER offers one of the safest options for insulating pitched roofs both in new build and renovation projects. ISOVER offers a complete solution, comprising of Metac Insulation as well as the Vario Airtightness system. ISOVER Metac is a high performance mineral wool insulation ‘slab on a roll’ which, when used with the company’s Vario Airtightness and Moisture Control System, offers one of the safest and best performing thermal systems on the market. This is one of the best possible combinations on the market to protect timber roof

structures. Metac insulation can be fully filled in rafters even in non-breathable roof structures. It is also the safer option; as it is a fully breathable solution with moisture protection for the building fabric. VARIO Xtra Safe membrane is an intelligent membrane for greater moisture safety, offering a higher variability for optimum protection from moisture. With an Sd value ranging from 0.3-20m, the membrane can be simply and quickly fitted by just one installer, thanks to its innovative fleece material, which adheres to the Xtrafix tape. Xtrafix tape is more forgiving, as it allows for application and reapplication. Xtrafix tape is more forgiving, as it allows for application and reapplication, as well as well as allowing for removal or replacement of a membrane without staples. Added to

this, the system provides are airtight barrier which actively manages moisture and reduces the risk of condensation issues. The most exceptional characteristic of VARIO Xtra Safe, in pitched and flat roof applications, is that it allows installers to fully fill the insulation space between rafters, with no need for an air gap. This is particularly beneficial in cases where it can be challenging to provide ventilation in non-breathable pitched or flat roofs. ISOVER systems are designed for optimum performance, for the best possible results. This all adds up to extra safety and innovation from ISOVER. A new Pitched Roof Solutions brochure is available at http://www.isover.ie/ literature-downloads/64 Full installation details and technical information are available at www.isover.ie or from the company’s Technical Team on 0845 3990 159 or via e-mail at tech.ie@saint-gobain.com

VARIO Xtra Safe membrane is an intelligent membrane for greater moisture safety, offering a higher variability for optimum protection from moisture. www.northernbuilder.co.uk

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ENGINEERED TIMBER SPECIALIST, QUINN TRUSS, BOASTS AN INNOVATIVE PRODUCT OFFERING, WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO BACK IT UP…

Pro-active solution to passive house roof

he Quinn Truss engineering team has created a dynamic trussed roof on a passive house build at Killavil in County

Sligo. This exciting new build required a barrel roof, as the local authority planners wanted a roof form that resembled the vernacular farmyard barns in the area. “Working with architect, Michael Moloney, our truss designers devised a unique structure in keeping with the design specification,” said Operations Manager, Conall Quinn. “With over 5m clear span and extensive depth for insulation, this roof design is a great

achievement in structural design, whilst also catering to the passive stipulations of the build, the tight budget and delivery time.” The architect was impressed with the proactive and ‘can-do’ approach Quinn Building Supplies took in solving the design problem posed. “The planners were insisting on a vernacular building form and we agreed on a barrel roof with a fixed ridge level to the garage as a suitable solution at planning stage,” explained Michael Moloney. “Detailing the roof, while maximising the limited space beneath, was a real design headache. It was at this stage that the client suggested we engage with Quinn

Building Supplies. “They had supplied the trusses for the main dwelling house and had managed to integrate the enclosed attic space into the truss design. Within a week they had a solution and shortly thereafter we had a delivery of robust and accurately constructed trusses for the barrel roof. It’s a comfort knowing that there is this kind of flexibility out there in the marketplace.” For more information, telephone 028 8673 7655, e-mail info@quinnbuildingsupplies.com or visit www.roof-truss.ie

LEADING THE WAY IN ENGINEERED TIMBER INNOVATIONS • • • • • • • •

TIMBER MOULDS POSI/SPACE JOIST BESPOKE FEATURE TRUSSES ROOF TRUSSES/ATTIC TRUSSES SLAB TRUSSES BARREL/BOWSTRING TRUSSES PASSIVE TRUSSES GLULAM

ENGINEERED TIMBER Quinn Truss, 78 Kilmascally Road, Ardboe, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone BT71 5BJ T. +44 28 8673 7655 - F. +44 28 8673 6351 - E. info@quinnbuildingsupplies.com www.roof-truss.ie

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www.northernbuilder.co.uk

Facade Specialists for the UK and Ireland

We specialise in complex, challenging projects, regardless of size or value, and are continually expanding our in-house resources to address new challenges and opportunities. We carry out full Retrofit Façade Contracts. Inclusive of value engineering, full design, manufacture, supply, install, test and warrant.

SERVICES: • Rainscreen Cladding: Aluminium, HPL, Timber, Cassette panel, Zinc, Terracotta, Copper, Glass. • SFS Framing: Metsec, Hadley, Ayrshire. Large scale packages, including CP board and airseal. • Weatherings: PPC Alum. Cappings, window pods, cills, feature beams, louvres. • Insulated Render: Sto, Weber, Kilwaughter. • Aluminium Curtain wall/Windows: Metal Technology. • Design: Full bespoke Cad design package, including structural/thermal/condensation/acoustic analysis. (PI £5m). • Testing: Onsite weather testing in accordance with CWCT. Value Engineering.

Going the extra mile for client satisfaction 9 Main Street, Portglenone Ballymena Co. Antrim BT448AA Tel: 02825822500 E: office@mclarke.co.uk W: www.mclarke.co.uk

U company profile

Following on from success in England, M.Clarke & Sons gets a new name and a new direction as the company aims to re-establish itself in Northern Ireland…

Clarke Facades - a new name for an experienced company

hen in business, sometimes it pays to let your company name do the talking for you, and that is certainly the case for Clarke Facades. The company recently completed a transition that has not only created a new focus but also a new company name. Originally known as M.Clarke & Sons, the Portglenone company was established 30 years ago by Michael Clarke and over the last three decades has made its name as an expert in wet trades such as screeds and plastering. However, a successful company only remains successful by diversifying,

and after completing a number of facades projects this became an area that has been continually developed. Now that transition has been completed, with Clarke Facades – the new name for the company – better reflecting what it offers. “We actually finished our last wet trades project just a few weeks ago, but we have been fully committed to the facades sector for a number of years now and thought the name of the company should reflect that,” explained Eugene Clarke, Managing Director. Another key driver for the name change was the company’s extensive work in England,

where Clarke Facades has a growing list of clients, specifically in London and the south of England. “No-one knew who we were in England so having a company name that immediately describes your specialism gives you a good head start,” added Eugene. “Being a family firm also makes a difference and my father, Michael, is still very much involved as our Contracts Director. “We can look back on our history with pride and this change is simply just a new chapter in that.” The fact that Clarke Facades has been able

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company profile

Managing Director, Eugene Clarke (left) with his father and Contracts Director, Michael Clarke.

Complete package... to complete a diverse range of projects in such a competitive marketplace in England speaks volumes about the high standards the company can deliver. However, the company is keen to carry out more projects in Northern Ireland in the future. “When the recession hit, we were forced to look beyond Northern Ireland for work and while it wasn’t an easy task, it has helped take the company to a new level,” added Eugene. “We now want to bring this expertise to more projects in Northern Ireland and that is where we will be focusing more and more in the coming years. “We work closely with architects and contractors to highlight the many positive aspects of working with Clarke Facades and how our high quality systems can make a significant difference to their project.” These positives include working with a company that can provide a complete package to customers, starting with initial budgets and design right through to the installation. Clarke Facades operates

extensively in both the new build and retrofit markets, providing state-of-the-art cladding and facades that are specifically tailored to meet the needs of the project. The company works with a range of market-leading manufacturers and has its own team of designers, providing CAD drawings and 3D modelling where required. Clarke Facades is also developing its BIM expertise ahead of next year’s deadline for Public Sector contractors. “We will work with architects and contractors to find the right system for each project,” said Eugene. “With our product range, we can meet almost every need with a selection of colours and finishes to choose from. Our systems are also designed to speed up the construction process too, which is an increasingly important aspect in today’s competitive marketplace. “It is very much a partnership approach and we are keen to establish strong relationships within the industry.”

Clarke Facades provides a complete package on both new build and retrofit projects, not only delivering value engineering and full design but also the supply, installation, testing and warranty of the systems. The company’s offering includes: • Rainscreen cladding - aluminium, HPL, timber, cassette panel, zinc, terracotta, copper and glass. • SFS framing - Metsec, Hadley, Ayrshire. Large scale packages, including CP board and airseal. • Weatherings - PPC Alum, cappings, window pods, cills, feature beams and louvres. • Insulated render - Sto, Weber and Kilwaughter. • Aluminium curtain wall/windows - Metal Technology. • Design - full bespoke CAD design package, including structural/thermal/ condensation/acoustic analysis. • Testing - on-site weather testing in accordance with CWCT. • Value engineering.

Clarke Facades, 9 Main Street, Portglenone, BT44 8AA T: 028 2582 2500 – F: 028 2582 0164 – E: estimating@mclarke.co.uk www.mclarke.co.uk

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U clarke facades associates

Sto Ltd Unit 69 Western Parkway Business Park Ballymount Road, Dublin 12 Phone: 003531 4602305 Mobile: 00353 8768 08857 Contact Declan Fehily

Sto - Happy to supply their full range of products to Clarke Facades

Trade DIY ARCHITECTURE SELF-BUILD 18 BRANCHES ACROSS IRELAND Ballymena • Bangor • Belfast • Cahir • Carrickfergus • Castledawson • Derrylin • Downpatrick • Dromore • Galway • L’Derry • Lisburn • Newry • Portadown

WWW.JPCORRY.COM CELEBRATING 200 YEARS SUPPLYING QUALITY PRODUCTS TO THE BUILDING INDUSTRY

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company profile

London Road, Barking.

Enniskillen Hospital.

Diverse range of successful projects highlights the versatility of Clarke Facades…

A project portfolio to be proud of

larke Facades can point to a wide range of projects to highlight the company’s innovative and high quality approach. The company has extensive experience across a wide range of sectors - specifically healthcare, residential, commercial and education – that includes both new build and retrofit work. Key to the company’s success is its ability to tailor the product range to the needs of the project. Central to this is the design stage, which is used to tease out any issues before work begins on site. In this way, Clarke Facades is able to provide a faster and more efficient installation process which, in itself, is also a major benefit when working with the company. While the company’s facades solutions have been used to breathe new life into old buildings across the UK and Ireland, it is important to remember that this product range is more than simply an ‘add on’. Facades systems have been extensively developed and now form an integral part of the full building envelope on new build projects. This requires a high level of expertise, as the façade system has to focus on the internal and external needs of the building to deliver specifics, not only on general aesthetics but also in terms of thermal and sound controls. From design through to installation and warranty, this complete system can be delivered by the team at Clarke Facades.

Premier Inn, Brentford.

Mayfield School.

Southampton City Gateway.

Enniskillen Hospital.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Hampton by Hilton.

Clarke Facades, 9 Main Street, Portglenone, BT44 8AA T: 028 2582 2500 – F: 028 2582 0164 – E: estimating@mclarke.co.uk www.mclarke.co.uk

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Sika’s roofing product range is now available on NBS National BIM library to make life easier for specifiers, designers and contractors…

Sika is BIM ready! S ika, which was founded in 1910, is a globally active company specialising in the manufacturing and supply of chemically based products to the construction industry. Sika works across seven key markets, from flooring, sealing and bonding, to concrete, waterproofing, refurbishment, industry and roofing. The company is at the forefront of developing innovative products and systems, evidenced by Research and Development centres across its sites in the UK and the rest of the world. Sika was an early responder to the Government Construction Strategy, which requires collaborative 3D BIM information on all its projects by 2016. As a result, Sika Ireland is now BIM ready on its roofing products and has added its objects to the NBS National BIM library. Importantly, Sika’s BIM objects have been created in conjunction with RIBA, ensuring their compatibility with the vast majority of current software packages used by designers and specifiers. Specifiers, designers and contractors can now visit the BIM Library to freely download BIM objects for typical Sika Trocal, Sika Sarnafil

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and Sikalastic MTC (Liquid Plastics) British Board of Agrément (BBA) approved roofing systems. The BIM objects include adhered roofs, mechanically fastened roofs, ballasted and green roofs, all on a wide variety of deck types. In other news, the BBA has recently reviewed Sika’s ever popular Trocal ‘S’ membrane and increased its anticipated service life from 30 years to in excess of 35 years. In terms of recent innovations in roofing products, Sika has invested heavily and in 2015 brought to market the following products: • Low odour Sikalastic MTC 641 (also

known as ‘Decothane Ultra’) liquid applied membrane. This is the next generation of liquid applied roof membranes which is a low odour, one component liquid applied membrane system. Being low odour means it is the ideal choice for sensitive areas such as food manufacturing plants, hotels, schools and hospitals. It is also highly versatile making tricky detailing more manageable. • Sarnafil self-adhered membranes - Sika has launched two new self-adhered roofing membranes within the Sarnafil roofing membrane range - one for exposed roofs, Sarnafil G 410 FSA, and the other for inverted roofs, Sarnafil G476-SA. Sarnafil roofing membranes have been independently assessed by the BBA and are certified, in their opinion, to have a life expectancy ‘in excess of 40 years’. Sarnafil G 410-FSA is a self-adhered hot air weldable exposed roof membrane, which is suitable for new construction and refurbishment projects. It combines all the traditional and proven advantages of a Sarnafil membrane with fast and easy installation thanks to a strong self-adhered attachment. Sarnafil G476-SA is a composite synthetic roof waterproofing sheet consisting of a reinforced thermoplastic waterproofing membrane and a foam backed coating with a pressure sensitive adhesive. It is a cold applied solution which has been specially designed for inverted roof situations and requires no hot works. These dependable waterproofing solutions are an excellent choice where timescales are tight, or sites have special requirements to minimise disruption and they also eliminate the need for hot works which is advantageous from a health and safety perspective. For more information on Sika roofing products including specification advice or obtaining details of approved installers, Sika’s telephone 028 9336 5868 (NI) or 00353 1862 0709 (ROI) or click the ‘Contact’ tab on www.sika.ie.

NEW WEBSITE Click on Sika Ireland’s new-look website at www.sika.ie and don’t forget to play around with the innovative ‘Smart City’ feature showing cross sections through healthcare facilities, sports stadia, hotels and many other structures to see how our ‘Basementto-Roof’ expert solutions could benefit your projects.

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newS T The successful CIOB health and safety legislation event.

New £11million Magee project gets the green light

CIOB seminars debate and discuss industry issues

number of educational events on health and safety and developments within construction sector – all organised by CIOB – have proved a hit with industry In May, Hill International in association with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) hosted a one-day Masterclass at the Europa Hotel in Belfast. The event concentrated on delay, disruption, contracts and the latest developments in the construction industry. On the day, Gerard Graham from CIOB Novus talked about the role of CIOB Novus and the current skills shortage in the construction industry. Other speaks included Aaron Boyle from Arthur Cox; Tim Kinney from Tughans; May Winfield from Kennedys and Ralph Montague from ArcDox; Roddy Wilkie from Cadogans and John Delaney from Hill

International. Also speaking at the event was Steve Briggs and Karen Best from Hill International; Lisa Boyd from Clever Fulton Rankin; Stuart Murphy from Carson McDowell and Rónán Hanna and Edmund Neuberger from Atkin Chambers Barristers. In April the CIOB held an event on new health & safety legislation. The main focus was on the proposed new Construction (Design and Management) Regulations and speakers included Nancy Henry, Christine Edwards & Ian McCullough from HSE NI; Lisa Boyd from Clever Fulton Rankin; Jim Armstrong from DIMENSIONS Design & Management; Ronan Peace from H&J Martin; and Colin Morrissey from Dickson & Co. For more information on CIOB, contact Mandy Coleman on 00353 1 6401804.

he development of a new teaching block at Ulster University’s Magee campus has been given the go-ahead Set to increase the capacity of the campus in line with the One Plan’s interim target for an additional 1,000 students, the new teaching block will include a 340-seat lecture theatre which is a significant increase on present facilities at the campus. Construction of the £11million teaching block will commence later this year and will take two years to complete. Commenting on the announcement, Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry said, “This new teaching block will address the existing pressures on capacity and also facilitate some further investments in the numbers of students should the current business case from the Derry-Londonderry Strategy Board be approved and the recurrent revenue funding found by the NI Executive to address current deficits in higher education funding and to facilitate the expansion itself.”

Employment & Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry (left) with Professor Alastair Adair (Acting Vice-Chancellor, UU) and Professor Deirdre Heenan (Provost, Magee) announcing the development of a new teaching block at the University of Ulster, Magee.

Gaelectric and North West Regional College announce ‘Gaelectric Construction and Renewable Energy Scholarship’

Announcing the new Gaelectric Construction and Renewable Energy Scholarship are (from left) Norah Canny, Limavady Campus Manager; Dr Danny Laverty, Head of School for Science and Technology, North West Regional College; Nick Cullen, Gaelectric’s Operations & Maintenance Manager; and Hugh Logue, Gaelectric Board Member.

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aelectric, the renewable energy group, and North West Regional College have joined forces to launch a Construction and Renewable Energy Scholarship scheme which aims to increase awareness of the value and economic impact of sustainable construction and energy. Patrick McClughan, Gaelectric’s Head of Corporate Affairs, and Chair of Northern Ireland Renewables Industry Group (NIRIG), said the joint venture will support those studying on STEM courses in the College’s Limavady and Derry~Londonderry campuses. He said, “Northern Ireland has a growing renewable industry sector and there is significant potential within this sector for job creation. It is important that our young people understand the wide range of opportunities that exist within the renewable sector.”

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U CIOB News

Professional construction CIOB NI members Neil McStravick and Ruairi Lavery from Farrans Construction provide an update and overview of the key stakeholders and the process being adopted within Northern Ireland in relation to BIM Implementation…

BIM – who can help?

he momentum of BIM implementation within Northern Ireland has been building and will continue to gather pace over the next 12 months in preparation for the mandated date of April 1, 2016. Whether you are just starting out on your BIM journey or are well into the process, you will still have questions – but where do you turn for help? Here are just some of the main stakeholders in Northern Ireland –

The NI BIM Hub Chaired by Mark McKane from the Ulster University and formed in 2013, the NI BIM Hub Steering Group is at the forefront of BIM Implementation in Northern Ireland. It is the organisation in Northern Ireland that is responsible for ensuring the dissemination of the most up-to-date and consistent information on the UK Government Level 2 BIM programme as well as providing a local feedback mechanism to the Government BIM Task Group at grass roots level. The NI BIM Hub is there to address all construction professionals with information about BIM to assist with the wider implementation and should be the first point of call for anyone wanting to know more about BIM. Within the last couple of months there has

been a fresh intake of members with the total number of principal members rising to 15 with 6 additional rotating members. The membership consists of a broad cross-section of the industry, including representatives from CEF NI, CPD, various consultant bodies, main contractors and academia – all of which should provide easy

access for anyone who wishes to contact the group via any of the members. The NI BIM Hub has been and will continue to organise awareness events and training advice for the whole industry and is currently using the Linkedin portal to communicate with all members and non-members regarding the latest developments and recent and upcoming events. You can follow the NI BIM Hub whether you are registered on Linkedin or not by adjusting the settings to receive email notifications of any latest developments or trending discussions. The NI BIM Hub also has a dedicated section on the BIM Task Group Website where the same information can be found.

Central Government As part of the process of implementing BIM in Northern Ireland, the NI BIM Hub is currently collaborating with the two public client groups specifically formed to implement BIM into both central and local

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BIM4LG NI

government procurement and capital build delivery. These are BIM4LG NI (Local Government) and the CPD-led BIM Task & Finish Groups (Central Government). The BIM Task & Finish Group, chaired by Michael McLornan, was established in September 2014 to develop the process of implementing the NI BIM Policy and undertake the following: 1. Consult with NI Government Departments, their Centres of Procurement Excellence (COPEs) and Industry on best practice guidance for adoption of BIM Level 2 by 2016, 2. Prepare and publish the Procurement Guidance Note (PGN) for the adoption of BIM Level 2 by 2016. The publication of the Procurement Guidance Note (PGN) will be another significant milestone in terms of BIM Implementation in Northern Ireland. The development of the PGN has been ongoing via regular BIM Task & Finish Group meetings, regular industry engagement events in conjunction with the NI BIM Hub and consultation with BIM4LG NI to ensure a consistent approach. The planned date for publishing the draft PGN is mid-2015 which will be followed by a series of public consultations with the Procurement Practitioner’s Group (PPG),

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Construction Industry Group for Northern Ireland (CIGNI), BIM for Local Government (BIM4LG NI) and the Procurement Board with publication expected later in 2015. Perhaps the most significant measure of the progress and commitment to BIM implementation in Northern Ireland (and an indication of what may be contained in the PGN) is captured by the BIM Task & Finish Group having recently published its intention to mandate BIM on all appropriate (subject to a value test) construction projects which are procured by a COPE which have an above EU threshold value (£4.3M) from the 1st April 2016. This statement of intent also gives an indication of what main contractors, subcontractors and construction consultants who intend to tender for publically procured construction contracts need to be doing now if they are interested in bidding for future Government construction contracts. This includes: • Adopt BIM Level 2 Work Practices within their organisations • Develop training for their staff in the use of BIM authoring software • Implement the methodology for delivery of projects to BIM Level 2 maturity in accordance with the Publically Available Specifications (PAS) 1192 series and • Promote collaborative working practices within their design and supply teams

BIM4LG NI was established in the summer of 2014 to provide a dedicated focus group within local government in relation to the implementation of BIM Level 2. Local councils are not COPEs and are not subject to the same public procurement scrutiny as central government unless those projects are funded in part or wholly by a central government or European department or body which is quite often the case. In this instance that funded project will traditionally involve input from CPD and be subject to public procurement legislation and CPD policies. BIM4LG NI had been meeting on monthly basis and liaising with both the NI BIM Hub and also the BIM Task and Finish Group. This included industry engagement events to try and develop the implementation of BIM into local government in line with CPD to ensure that both central and local government adopted a common approach to implementing BIM Level 2. Some industry experts are stating that the implementation of BIM Level 2 is a bigger change within the construction industry than the move from the drawing board to CAD. If that is the case, then it is safe to assume that the process of Level 2 BIM Implementation will run far beyond April 1, 2016, but it is clear that the process is well underway in Northern Ireland. Early adopter projects are already in the public realm and it may not be long until PQQs will be asking for evidence of three projects in the last three years which have been fully level 2 BIM compliant. If you work within the construction industry in Northern Ireland and want to know more in relation to how BIM may affect you now or in the near future, you can find out more at the http://www.bimtaskgroup.org/bimregional-hub-northern-ireland/ or through Linkedin. For more information on the CIOB, contact Mandy Coleman on 00353 1 6401804 or e-mail mcoleman@ciob.org.uk www.ciob.org

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U tiling

The benefits of calcium sulfate screeds are numerous but they have caused some issues in the tiling industry recently. The following guidance from The Tile Association will help to avoid costly mistakes…

Tiling onto calcium sulfate screeds what you need to know

irstly, preparation is important when it comes to calcium sulfate screeds and good practice at this early stage cannot be overstated. It doesn’t help that it’s not always obvious that a screed is or is not calcium sulfate based. Although calcium sulfate screeds tend to appear lighter than a sand:cement screed, it can often be difficult to tell them apart. When they have been laid properly calcium sulfate screeds appear smooth, not granular, in appearance as is often the case with sand:cement screeds. There may be very few, if any, joints in the floor span because the product would most likely have been pumped in one pour, without the need for stress joints. However, it’s important to know if the screed is calcium sulfate-based as there can be a reaction between normal cement-based adhesives and the calcium sulfate. If you have any uncertainty at all, then chemical analysis will have to be carried out. Calcium sulfate screeds are not suitable for tiling onto in areas which may become wet. There are three steps to follow for successful, trouble-free tiling installations on calcium sulfate screeds:

1. Correct drying out Before ceramic floor tiles are laid, the moisture content of the screed should be checked to make sure it is adequately dry. Unlike cement-based materials which can remain strong even when wet, calcium sulfate-based materials gain strength by a process of crystallisation and must be fully dry before covering. The residual screed moisture must not exceed 75%RH (Relative Humidity) when using a hair hygrometer in accordance with BS8203-1.

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2. Surface preparation – including sanding During surface preparation (and subsequent floor covering installation) the area should be kept clear of all trades to avoid any contamination or damage to the floor covering. All calcium sulfate screeds must be buffed or ground. As calcium sulfate screeds dry, a layer of laitance forms on the surface which, if not removed, will result in tiles debonding with adhesion failure generally occurring at the interface between the laitance and screed. All traces of dust, laitance and loosely bound particles must be fully removed by using abrasive sanding equipment and then vacuumed. Some suppliers are now stating that their product does not need to be buffed but The Tile Association recommends that the responsible person should ensure that the surface of the screed has been correctly prepared to ensure

removal of all laitance and loosely bound particles. This can be achieved by using abrasive sanding equipment and vacuum cleaning. For a more effective, dust-free and environmentally friendly technique, a contained shot blasting equipment with vacuum extraction is recommended. The tiling contractor should ensure this has been carried out before tiling begins.

3. Priming When cement-based adhesives and/or levelling compounds are used, surface priming is necessary to avoid adverse chemical reactions between Portland cement and the calcium sulfate screed (i.e. ettringite formation). The primer application needs to provide complete coverage and must be adequately absorbed in the calcium sulfate surface in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions. Specifically designed calcium sulfate adhesives that eliminate the need for primers are also available.

Liquid screeds Flowing screeds Hemi-hydrAte screeds Gypsum Screeds Anhydrite screeds

More information is available in The Tile Association’s ‘Tiling to Calcium Sulfate Screeds’ section on the website at www.tiles.org.uk or telephone 0300 365 8453.

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Centre of

Excellence INSIGHT INTO THE NEW FOYLE ARENA – A £12MILLION INVESTMENT IN LEISURE PROVISION FIT FOR THE 21st CENTURY… g

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U project profile

Overview FOYLE ARENA

EXCElLENCE AT THE CORE OF £12MILLION STATE-OF-THE-ART NEW LEISURE CENTRE IN DERRY-LONDONDERRY…

Flagship leisure centre at Foyle Arena

erry City and Strabane District Council’s state-of-the-art leisure and events facility, the Foyle Arena, opened its doors to the public in April, following a 20-month build by main contractor, O’Hare & McGovern. The build work was carried out while still managing to retain access to the parks facilities and car-park, and was sequenced to minimise disruption and to maintain continuity of work, including deep excavations for the pool and climbing arena. Hailed as the city’s flagship leisure centre, the new centre at St Columb’s Park in the Waterside area of Derry-Londonderry has been described as one of the most exciting and ambitious capital build projects ever, putting the city on the map in terms of providing a sports facility and events venue of regional scale and significance. In addition to significant sport and leisure

facilities, the Foyle Arena will also be a permanent venue for cultural, entertainment and commercial events. The new arena provides a multi-purpose indoor sports hall featuring retractable bleacher seating, with 400 seats that can be reduced or increased, according to event size, between one to seven rows. With a capacity of up to 2,000 people, this main hall can host everything from concerts to conferences, and has portable staging.

EXCELLENCE Facilities at the new arena include a multi-use studio, fully equipped fitness suite, strength and conditioning room, and purpose-built sports development and athlete support services area. It also houses a 25-metre swimming pool with a moving floor (an upgraded replacement for Lisnagelvin Pool) alongside a separate

children’s play pool and a floodlit 3G outdoor five a-side area, incorporating two new outdoor synthetic five-a-side pitches. As its crowning glory, the ultramodern centre is also a Centre of Excellence for judo, wrestling and indoor wall climbing. This wall is the only full-size international standard climbing wall in Northern Ireland and is large enough to accommodate a number of groups at any one time. It can cater for a variety of groups, from beginner to international standard, and includes a technical bouldering section (said to be the most advanced of its kind anywhere in Ireland), three-story 15 metre sections, top roping walls and lead roping walls. There are also 3,000 climbing holes with colour coded sections which are changed at regular intervals. Main contractor, O’Hare & McGovern worked with a number of specialist sub-contractors to bring the vision of Belfast architect, Samuel

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Stevenson, to fruition. “Everyone was very professional and worked well together on this prestigious project,” said Paul McNamee, O’Hare & McGovern’s Project Manager on the Foyle Arena build. “This was especially important because of the nature of the build, which threw up a number of complex issues. “For instance, the climbing wall featured a complex frame, built in the central core of the building by Walltopia, a world leader in the manufacture of climbing walls, with its head office in Bulgaria. Only one of their representatives on site spoke English. By the time we had completed the build, I had learned to speak a lot more Bulgarian,” laughed Paul. “Our job was to provide the open space for them to install the climbing wall, and one of the main challenges was in timetabling and co-ordinating the work as a whole. Access

was difficult too. When you go in at ground level it’s fine, but this was at basement level. “We had to get five tonnes of machinery lowered into the basement and this required a lot of planning. We left one of the external façades unfinished to allow the crane in, with a lot of the materials all dropped in to the prepared space. We even had to use the crane to move a specially designed Niftylift, which was used for transporting the workers up and down, into the basement area.”

PLANNING The main basement area included the space for the pools as well as the climbing frame area and, in total, took up around one third of the building area, underground. The planning for the climbing frame also involved the creation of a 4D design which allowed the team to plan ahead with regards to the positioning and installing of services,

such as lighting. Paul continued, “With regard to other services, there are four separate plant rooms on site for the pool areas - ventilation, filtration, a gas-fired boiler room, and a gas heat pump (GHP) unit. We had to move an existing gascontrolled boiler from the Lisnagelvin Leisure Centre – a £1/4million piece of equipment – and move it to the new Foyle Arena site. It was a complex operation but it’s a very sustainable way to generate electricity and was worth the effort. “We worked with a lot of new sub-contractors on this job but everyone worked well together. A key part in ensuring this was our pre-start meetings, where we sat down in advance of the work and agreed what everyone was doing and how. Like many of these big projects, timing is important, with everyone slotting in as planned to get the whole operation running smoothly and on schedule.”

O’Hare & McGovern Ltd, Carnbane House, Shepherds Way, Carnbane Industrial Estate, Newry, BT35 6EE T: 028 3026 4662 – E: carnbanehouse@ohmg.com www.ohmg.com

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Mechanical & Electrical Services FOYLE ARENA

SOLID REPUTATION FOR HIGH STANDARDS HELPS HARVEY GROUP WIN TENDER…

Harvey Group shows innovation through experience

ith a proven record in high-end projects, Harvey Group was delighted to win the contract to provide the extensive mechanical and electrical services on the prestigious Foyle Arena project. “Our experience meant we were able to come up with fast and efficient solutions when presented with the kind of unique challenges that arose during the work,” said Harvey Group Senior Contracts Manager, Geoffrey Stewart. One such challenge was with the climbing arena and sports hall. “The climbing arena ceiling was some 16m high and, because of access difficulties, we had to provide systems that are as maintenance free as possible,” explained Geoffrey. “This climbing arena is one of the highest in Ireland and had to be illuminated from high level with special track-mounted LED light fittings. These were necessary to achieve the lux levels on both the climbing walls and floor space that were needed to

ensure the safety of users. We also installed a Vesda smoke detection system, LED floodlights and a UPS for the emergency lights.” The swimming pool services presented a further access challenge. “With minimal maintenance a constant theme, the lighting was wall-mounted with access to the light fitting above the Hunter Douglas ceiling being from the first floor level service corridor,” said Geoffrey. “Over and above the strategic placement of the lights, all materials were specifically selected to prevent corrosion due to the pool environment.” Overall, Harvey Group provided an extensive range of electrical services, which included an addressable fire alarm system, PA/VA, 3G pitch floodlighting, a stage lighting scheme, ICT installation and testing and commissioning of all services. Mechanically, Harvey Group were tasked with developing, coordinating and installing the

“Because of access difficulties, we had to provide systems that are as maintenance-free as possible.”

LPHW heating system CHP, gas systems, VRF systems, Public Health systems, Ventilation systems and a comprehensive BEMS. “Due to spatial constraints and a subsequent need for a combined mechanical boiler house/electrical plant room, we were confronted with a number of challenges to ensure that all services could be situated properly. This was met head on with detailed co-ordination drawings and setting out which has resulted in a well presented, multiservice plant room.” said Geoffrey. “We are extremely proud to have been involved in such a great project that will benefit many people in the future and wish it every success.” Harvey Group prides itself on being an integral part of the project team and that was again evident at Foyle Arena. Stephen Lynch from Integrated Services Design (M&E Consultant) said, “The efforts of Harvey Group helped to make this phase of the building’s life a success. From my own perspective, my dealings with Harvey Group were, at all times, courteous and helpful, and more importantly they did what they promised to do.”

Harvey Group, 14 Glenwell Park, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim. BT36 7RF T: 028 9034 2444 – E: info@harveygroup.co.uk www.harveygroup.co.uk

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Automated access FOYLE ARENA

THE ELECTRO AUTOMATION GROUP PROVIDES AN ENVIABLE COMBINATION OF QUALITY EQUIPMENT SUPPORTED BY EXCEPTIONAL TECHNICAL AFTER-SALES SERVICE…

Making an impressive entrance is made easier with Electro Automation

ontrolling the entrance of pedestrians, members, guests and visitors at any busy location can be a time consuming business, and at the Foyle Arena it was vital to ensure that the entrance area was efficiently controlled. When main contractor, O’Hare and McGovern was tasked to select the best control available, it came to Electro. Electro Automation Group is commonly acknowledged as Ireland’s key provider of automation systems for the built environment, providing integrated access and automation solutions for turnstiles, doors, gates, barriers and car parks. A key factor for the Foyle Arena was the design requirement to have two wheelchair accessible lanes that could be approved by Disability Sport NI, including one that was able to automatically cope with sports wheelchairs, which have a wider track than normal. Electro’s experienced surveyors quickly established what was required and were able to specify a combination of Electro’s Intelligates, Dual Intelligate and Glassgate 150.

The turnstiles were configured so that any unauthorised entry attempt would attract a scalable first stage alarm, while further efforts to push past a turnstile will escalate the response and sound a second louder alarm. Entry is controlled by an access control system which allows authorised users to enter automatically, while visitors can be allowed entry using the control console at reception. In the exit direction, all turnstiles were configured to open in the exit direction upon fire alarm or power failure, ensuring that safety is paramount, and light beams sense obstructions to reduce wing speed operation and further enhance safety. Turnstiles were also configured to open automatically from the inside, allowing efficient ‘Free Exit’ to all users. Importantly, lanes were designed to be dualuse for both wheelchair users and able bodied, promoting a sense of unity, and making more efficient use of the available space. Electro worked seamlessly with the contractors, architects and designers, installing a level of control that the Arena will enjoy for years to come.

Jim Fleming, Managing Director of Electro Automation (NI) Ltd, said, “Foyle Arena is an ideal illustration of what we offer, namely providing fast, cost-effective solutions for contractors, specifiers and architects. “When O’Hare & McGovern approached us, we knew that our combination of 30 years of expertise and exceptionally reliable products would be of benefit, and looking at the end result, we are delighted to have been of service.” Based in Lisburn, this progressive group enjoys a reputation for world class customer service and product quality. With branches in Dublin, Surrey and Germany, it boasts a true 24/7/365, with manned technical support service to ensure all its products are supported. “Our reputation is built on expertise, experience, innovation and reliability,” added Jim. “Our premises contain state-of-the- art diagnostics and technical support equipment. Business demands 24 hour service and readily available technical support, advice and spare parts – and that’s what we provide.”

Electro Automation (NI) Ltd, Unit 21, Crescent Business Park, Enterprise Crescent, Lisburn, BT28 2GN T: 028 9266 4583 - E: info@electroautomation.co.uk www.electroautomation.co.uk

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Roofing FOYLE ARENA

Foyle Arena illustrates the perfect example of the bespoke solutions provided by this leading roof specialist…

Edgeline showcases the company’s complete product portfolio

he work completed by Edgeline Metal Roofing Limited at the new Foyle Arena is one of the most complete projects to showcase the company’s work. “This one project basically includes every specialism we offer,” explained David Hylands, the company’s Quantity Surveyor. “It is an amazing project to be involved in and a building that will become a landmark in the North West, so we are delighted to have been part of it and to again be working closely with the main contractor, O’Hare & McGovern.” The work carried out by Edgeline includes all the zinc work on this extensive project, as well as Swiss Pearl fibre cement cladding, Rodeca polycarbonate cladding, and the louvre systems.

As the work incorporates the new swimming pool at Foyle Arena, Edgeline had to ensure that the zinc systems could withstand this environment. The louvre systems were also specially designed to meet set airflow measurements. This level of attention to detail is nothing new to the company, however, with Edgeline enjoying a strong reputation as zinc and copper specialists. Working across Northern Ireland, the company’s local work includes roofing systems installed at two of Belfast’s best known landmarks – the Waterfront Hall and Titanic Belfast. The company has also completed projects across the UK and also as far afield as Disneyland Paris. “We were brought in last year to provide

a zinc finish to the windows of the new Ratatouille attraction in the theme park. It was a highly prestigious job and we were extremely pleased to have been involved,” added David. Based in Magherafelt, County Londonderry, Edgeline Metal Roofing Limited provides the complete roofing solution, offering a total range of commercial services alongside main contractors across Ireland and the UK. The company also provides beautiful bespoke private dwelling roofs to customers across Ireland looking for that special design and immaculate finish. Edgeline Metal Roofing Limited has a diverse portfolio of products, meaning that bespoke solutions can be delivered to meet the needs of each individual project.

Edgeline Metal Roofing Limited, 44 Smith Street, Moneymore, BT45 7PG T: 028 8674 8455 – E: david@edgelineroofing.com www.edgelinemetalroofing.com

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Scaffolding FOYLE ARENA

Helping businesses reach the top

trabane company, P.O’Neill Building Services Ltd, delivered the contract to look after the scaffolding requirements for the building work at Foyle Arena. “We were responsible for all of it, from hiring to erection and then dismantling,” explained Manager, Peter O’Neill. “It was all pretty straightforward, but it was a big job and there was a lot of it – some 2,500sqm of scaffolding in total. “We have 70 full time employees and all our scaffolders are fully qualified through CSC, Construction Skills Certification Scheme.” With a reputation for providing a fast and professional service, P.O’Neill Building Services is in demand for its skills and

expertise across Ireland and the UK. “We work for a lot of different contractors and have a particularly good working relationship with the main contractor on the Foyle Arena project, O’Hare & McGovern,” said Peter. “We are currently working with them on a number of different projects, including Windsor Park Stadium redevelopment scheme, Ballymena Health Centre and South Eastern Regional College, Bangor. It’s a busy time for us at the moment.” A family business, P.O’Neill Building Services was established in 1994 by Peter’s brother, Patrick O’Neill. Since then, P.O’Neill Building Services has grown substantially.

P.O’Neill Building Services Ltd, Head Office, 51a Towncastle Road, Strabane, Co Tyrone, BT82 0AJ T: 028 7186 1234 – E: peter@patoneillbs.co.uk www.patoneillbs.co.uk

Structural and Civil Engineering FOYLE ARENA

Engineering excellence from Doran

oran Consulting provided a full range of civil, structural, traffic engineering and CDMC services for the Foyle Arena, where the original sloping nature of the site provided many engineering challenges. The site works included a 3G five-a-side pitch, re-grading of the site to accommodate new car parks, and provision of a rainwater harvesting system. “Soil stabilisation, using cement powder and rolling dynamic compaction, was utilised under the building footprint,” explained Sean McShane, Senior Structural Engineer at Doran Consulting. “This improved the groundbearing capacity and reduced the general foundation sizes and depths. It also reduced earth excavation and offsite disposal.” Various in situ reinforced concrete retaining

walls were required to support and form the complex arrangements for the two swimming pools, associated plant and the 4m deep recess created for the climbing arena. “The contemporary building profile, combined with the requirements for the judo, wrestling and mountaineering, resulted in a complex structural frame and roof design. The various key structural elements included long span steel trusses in the main sports hall, laminated timber roof beams over the swimming pool and a braced steel frame for the central climbing arena. “Close liaison and co-operation between the design and contracting teams ensured the successful completion of the work.”

Doran Consulting, Norwood House, 96 – 102 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7BE T: 028 9033 3443 - E: info@doran.co.uk www.doran.co.uk

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Tiling FOYLE ARENA

Tiling quality from Contract Tile & Stone

ontract Tile & Stone (NI) Ltd has successfully completed the tiling sub-contract at the new Foyle Arena sports complex. This not only included the supply and fitting of Italian ceramic and porcelain tiles and mosaics but also the application of specialist pool tank renders, waterproof tanking membranes and high specification epoxy grouts and sealants to the two new pools, changing village, showers and sauna. The company was initially shortlisted for selection based on its proven ability and 30 years of experience in managing similar, technically demanding, fast track building projects. Another reason is the ‘contractor friendly’ approach adopted by Contract Tile & Stone - which is particularly important on

complex projects such as Foyle Arena. Alan Craig, Managing Director, Contract Tile & Stone, commented, “We keep our heads down and complete our section of the project without fuss and in co-operation with all other trades. On the Foyle Arena, as always, we formed an excellent working relationship with the O’Hare & McGovern site management lead by their Project Manager Paul McNamee & Site Manager Pat Logue and we are delighted with the final finish.” Contract Tile & Stone (NI) Ltd is a specialist tiling contractor supplying and fitting the full range of ceramic and natural stone wall and floor tiles. Working solely within the commercial construction sector, the company carries out work throughout Ireland and the UK.

Contract Tile & Stone (NI) Ltd, Unit 4A, Tullygoonigan Industrial Estate, 93 Moy Road, Armagh, BT61 8DR T: 028 3752 6733 – M: 0771 898 6006 - E: (Enquiries) Alan Craig alan@cts.ie or (Estimating) Owen Treanor on owen@cts.ie - www.contracttileandstone.co.uk or www.cts.ie

Precast Flooring and Stairs FOYLE ARENA

Tailored service from Creagh Concrete

reagh Concrete was delighted to work with O’Hare & McGovern in providing tailored precast flooring slabs (3000m2) and precast concrete staircases (100T) for this impressive stateof-the-art leisure and events facility that is set to become a new landmark for the North West. “With every project, time is of the essence and that is why our solutions make such a difference, particularly in the initial stages of the project,” explained Barry McMullan, Creagh Concrete. “Being able to manufacture our products off-site helps to ensure a smooth

installation process that allows the next trades to move in almost immediately. This is an excellent project and we were delighted to be involved and continue our strong working relationship with O’Hare & McGovern.” This project is another reflection of why Creagh Concrete remains so successful. The company is built upon customer service and flexibility, with each project considered from the customer’s point of view. This ethos is combined with a diverse portfolio of products that showcases the limitless possibilities and potential of precast concrete.

Creagh Concrete Products Ltd, Blackpark Road, Toomebridge, County Antrim, BT41 3SE T: 028 7965 0500 – E: info@creaghconcrete.com W: www.creaghconcrete.com

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interior

design

style

displays furniture

shop fitting

QUALITY MEETS DESIGN DIBOND® is the versatile material used for shop fitting, interior design and furniture construction, exhibition stands and displays, PoS/PoP displays as well as photomounting and high quality digital printing.

KEY BENEFITS:

• Only aluminium composite panel with AlMg1 alloy - ideal for 3D processing • Black polyethylene core with UV-protection for longterm exterior applications • Wide range of different colours and attractive surfaces: mat, high gloss, metallic, as well as DIBOND®mirror, DIBOND®butlerfinish and DIBOND®decor (wood-design) for interior and exterior applications • Anodised panels which have a metallic appearance and are abrasion-resistant as well as scratch-proof • Special surfaces for digital printing – DIBOND®digital guarantees best ink adhesion and allows higher printing velocity • DIBOND®FR meets the fire classification “flame retardant” – for higher fire protection requirements for signs and interior claddings in public buildings such as airports, train stations, hospitals, museums, shopping malls, etc. • High quality lacquer on both sides – lacquer does not contain heavy metals and is therefore exceptionally eco-friendly • Conform to RoHS, Reach and WEE • Only manufacturer with its own recycling concept

Brought to you by

Amari Plastics, Unit 12A, Falcon Road, Adelaide Industrial Estate, Belfast, BT12 6RD T: 028 9068 1111 – E: Belfast@amariplastics.com www.belfast.amariplastics.com

U decorative stone

Rockin Colour Azure Blue decorative gravel received a positive response when it was launched at this year’s Balmoral Show.

CES QUARRY PRODUCTS LAUNCHES MANUFACTURE OF NEW ROCKIN COLOUR DECORATIVE GRAVEL, AVAILABLE AT ONLINE STORE…

About Rockin Colour...

Coloured rock innovation

ant to make a real impact with decorative stone? CES Quarry Products is now manufacturing Rockin Colour bright blue decorative gravel – a coloured rock innovation with great versatility – it’s ideal for water features or to create a faux river pathway in a garden to name only two uses. It also blends well with Rockin’s shades of Plum Red and Midnight Black, and is ideal for mulching and pathways. “We’ve only just started producing this, and we got a really positive response when it was launched in May at the Balmoral Show,” explained Steven Oldham, Sales and Marketing Executive at CES Quarry Products. “The bright colour attracts, and it’s a very solid blue - you get a great consistency with the colour. “We’re also very excited to have just launched our new decorative stone online store, where you can buy our Rockin Colour Innovative Coloured

Stone range and Rockin Nature Decorative Gravel range,” added Steven. Rockin is available in handy packs, and samples can be easily ordered online via a link on the CES Quarry products website to the Rockin Colour website - www.rockincolour.com - which is dedicated to promoting the new range of Rockin Colour products. “You can buy small bags or place large orders, and the website also features a wide range of other colours in the Rockin range,” explained Steven. “The website has the added option of allowing you to buy a 2kg sample bag for peace of mind before ordering a large amount of products, and you will be refunded the cost of the sample bag if you go on to make a larger order of stone.” For more information, telephone 028 9751 9494, e-mail info@rockincolour.com or visit www.rockincolour.com

Rockin Colour decorative gravel is versatile and full of design impact.

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“We’re very excited to have just launched our new decorative stone online store.”

Rockin Colour is a coloured rock innovation by CES Quarry Products. With over 60 years’ experience working and experimenting with rock, the creative team at CES have developed an exciting, range of coloured rock unlike anything else available in Ireland. A truly multi-purpose product, the uses of Rockin Colour are endless. From decorative landscaping and surface finishing to product development, it can be used to bring a serious amount of colour and texture to any project. Rockin Colour is available in Azure Blue, Plum Red, Midnight Black, Chestnut Brown and Oak Gold. With a variety of sizes, from sand and small fragments to 20mm and bigger rocks, the options are limitless. “Since the rock is quarried and coloured on site in Northern Ireland we can create any size customers want, for that perfectly bespoke look and finish,” said Steven Oldham, Sales and Marketing Executive at CES Quarry Products. “Because we have full control of the manufacturing process we can also ensure our Rockin product is consistent. That means long-lasting vibrant colour and exceptional quality, competitively priced.” CES has a wide range of decorative gravel in stock at its Moneyreagh production site. Small loads can be collected or full tipper loads delivered.

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CES QUARRY PRODUCTS

Manufacturers of Quarry Stone and Concrete Products T: 028 9751 9494 - E: sales@cesquarryproducts.com www.cesquarryproducts.com

Concrete Block & Brick

Ready-Mix & Mini-Mix Concrete

Decorative Gravel

Supply & Lay Screed Services

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New office, new staff and a new website will further improve accessibility to innovative roof insulation technology…

Further expansion by One Step Insulation

ne Step Insulation has marked another year of success by announcing further expansion plans. The company has now opened a new office in Maghera, created a number of new jobs and also launched a new website – all moves aimed at further enhancing an already high level of service across Northern Ireland. The opening of the new Maghera office adds to existing offices in Coleraine, Armagh, Antrim, Ballyclare and Belfast and follows an investment in new vans at the end of last year. All this is helping to expand the popularity of the company’s Icynene Insulation system – an innovative, evolutionary roof insulation technology that is helping householders and businesses to reduce their energy bills. The Icynene Insulation system is the market leading spray foam insulation worldwide and has been in existence since 1986. Icynene’s unique polyicynene formulation means that it will not ‘off-gas’ or lose thermal resistance over time. Each application comes with

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a lifetime guarantee, offering up to 50% greater energy savings over conventional insulation thanks to its unique air sealing qualities. Icynene is the only 100% water blown, 100% open cell foam on the market, containing no harmful chemicals, blowing agents, HFCs, HCFCs or volatile organic chemicals. Icynene is also the most certified product on the market, having achieved IAB, BBA and ETA approvals and certification. The company’s BBA covers One Step Insulation to spray directly to breathable and non-breathable products while Icynene is the only spray foam on the market that can be sprayed directly onto breathable felt with

a single batten. One Step Insulation sprays domestic homes, new build homes, farm buildings and commercial buildings all over Northern Ireland. For more information, telephone 028 9521 1753 or visit the website at www.onestepinsulation.co.uk

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HIGH QUALITY MATERIALS, PRODUCTS AND SERVICE FROM ALPHA QUARRY PRODUCTS…

Alpha holds prime position in market

lpha Quarry Products Ltd is a family business servicing customers with high quality quarry materials, floor screeds and concrete products. “We supply many building sites and self-build customers throughout Ireland and further afield,” explained Paul Stevenson, Managing Director, Alpha Quarry Products Ltd. “We also deliver high PSV screenings to Belfast harbour ready for shipping to Great Britain and the rest of Europe.” In the last year liquid floor screed has become another very important part of the Alpha Quarry Products’ business. The company’s hemihydrate Eco liquid Screed is the preferred product when used in conjunction with an underfloor heating system, encapsulating your underfloor heating pipe work and becoming the ideal transfer medium in turning your floor into a radiator rather than a slab of concrete.

After floor installation, Alpha Quarry Products can monitor the curing process and give guidance when tiling should begin – all at no extra cost. To complement the company’s screeds, Alpha Quarry Products also supplies floor tile adhesives suitable for all tile types and compatible with calcium sulphate floors, eliminating the need to seal or sand the floor. Paul added, “Our technicians can also advise you on the most efficient temperature control systems on the market, using both floor and wall sensors to give maximum control to reduce the possibility of overheating your room, saving our clients’ money every day.” In addition, Alpha Quarry Products’ Castlenavan depot outside Seaforde has produced its first concrete. This new facility can batch up to 60m³ per hour and

will improve the company’s service and competitiveness in new areas. Customers can now collect concrete ex-works at Castlenavan quarry or contact Alpha’s Newcastle depot, which is continuing to schedule all concrete deliveries. “Alpha Quarry Products is always glad of customer feedback, as our customers are, and always have been, the most important part of our business,” said Paul. “Whether large or small businesses, they enable us to trade successfully and to streamline our systems to meet their varying needs. “Our staff are always glad to help and to discuss any subject related to construction. They are especially keen to help self-build customers who may be struggling with a challenging project. “Give us a call any time for prices and to find out more about the availability of our product range.”

Alpha Quarry Products Ltd, Castlenavan Quarry, 131a Newcastle Road, Seaforde, Downpatrick, Co Down, BT30 8PR T: 028 4481 1845 - F: 028 4481 1846 - E: sales@alphaquarryproducts.com W: www.alphaquarryproducts.com

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www.northernbuilder.co.uk

eco-liquid Screed We’ve got it

covered

• Eco-Liquid Screed (hemihydrate), the best product on the market, minimal reaction time, maximum heat transfer • Eco-Liquid Screed floor moisture testing and monitoring after installation if required (FOC) • Eco-Liquid Screed tile adhesive specifically designed for calcium sulphate floors applied directly to the finished floor (no sealing or sanding required)

The only company in Ireland to offer this complete package for your finished floors We also MANUFACTURE • Traditional floor screed • Ready mixed concrete • Concrete block and brick • Light weight block/brick • Precast pre-stressed lintels • Building and Plastering Mortar • Quarry stone and sand • High PSV Aggregates Alpha Quarry Products Ltd, Castlenavan Quarry, 131a Newcastle Road, Seaforde, Downpatrick, Co Down BT30 8PR. T: 028 4481 1845 - F: 028 4481 1846 E: sales@alphaquarryproducts.com - www.alphaquarryproducts.com

U PROJECT INSIGHT – LARNE MARKET YARD

Victoria Park, Belfast.

Larne Market Yard.

Exposa® decorative concrete and ready-to-use lime putty mortar make the difference in restoration of Larne Market Yard…

RTU helps Larne project on its way to awards success

wo products from RTU made a significant difference in the renovation of an award-winning project in Larne. After fire damage and years of underuse, Larne Market Yard has now been restored and is, once again, an integral part of the town. The extensive renovation project by architect Kennedy FitzGeralnd and contractor Mascott Construction has transformed the Grade B1 listed buildings to create office and workshop accommodation, community facilities, indoor and outdoor market and event spaces - all within the existing building structure. Not only is the project a local success, but it also caught the eye of the judges at the prestigious RICS Northern Ireland Awards, winning a Highly Commended award in the Regeneration category and only losing out the eventual winner of the Project of the Year accolade. The RICS Awards celebrate inspirational built initiatives in Northern Ireland, including the talent behind them who help develop, regenerate and conserve the local environment. The project named faced a number of

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challenges when completing the restoration of Larne Market Yard, not least repairing years of damage while working to retain the Listed status of the buildings. The exterior features of The Market Yard have been enhanced thanks to two specialist solutions provided by RTU - Exposa® decorative concrete and ready to use lime putty mortar, which were selected to retain the Market Yard’s resonance. The impressive Exposa® decorative concrete by RTU was the ideal answer for the 1800sqm of Larne Market Yard. Exposa® offered the perfect balance of providing a hard wearing, slip resistant finish and was the product of choice over plain concrete, traditional paving, asphalt and loose gravel. Exposa® offered a natural aggregate finish with the durability and structural integrity of concrete but with a wide variety of rich colours and textures. This allowed the architect to tailor the product to retain the Victorian look of the Market Yard. Over time, weathering and decay caused voids in the joints of the Market Yard’s original stone walls therefore require much attention. RTU supplied a ready mixed lime putty mortar to repoint the walls which

brought them back to their former glory. RTU has the perfect solution for a complex restoration or contemporary new-build. Over two decades of practical knowledge and product range gave them the capabilities of meeting exact and individual requirements. With clients stretching across Northern Ireland they’re consistently a top-class provider for leading architects and builders. For more information on RTU, telephone 028 9085 1441 or visit the website at www.rtu.co.uk

Project portfolio... RTU works on an extensive array of projects across Northern Ireland and recent successful projects using Exposa include: • Castlerock Promenade • Whiterocks Beach • Victoria Park, Belfast • Orangefield Park, Belfast • Carnfunnock Country Park, Larne • Scarva Visitor Centre • Stramore Park, Gilford • Belfast Zoo

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Castlerock Promenade

U COMPANY NEWS

Company aiming to raise the profile of its Genuine campaign with an addition to the team and a new look for its vans…

New face and new look for Simpson Strong-Tie

o further support its customers, Simpson Strong-Tie has expanded its nationwide merchandising team with the recruitment of a new member - Allen Docherty. The team has also been kitted out with all new vans, complete with Simpson Strong-Tie livery. Country Manager for Ireland, David Mooney, explained, “We have the largest team of

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merchandisers in our sector and between them they cover over half a million miles each year, visiting our distributors to provide sales and promotional support. “We saw this as a great opportunity to push our new ‘Genuine’ message. However, it also means our guys on the road are even better equipped to help keep our customers stores ship shape.”

The move to outfit the merchandising fleet follows the launch of Simpson Strong-Tie’s ‘Genuine’ campaign, the objective of which is to convey the fact that there is much more to manufacturing a steel connector. David continues: “We want to speak about service, quality and innovation.” For more information on Simpson StrongTie, visit www.strongtie.co.uk

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in Omagh

Sweet success How the former Nestle Factory has been transformed into a new business hub and headquarters of Donnell & Ellis Heavy Haulage Ltdâ&#x20AC;Ś g

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Overview FORMER NESTLE FACTORY, OMAGH

No sticky situations for GA Adams at former Nestle Factory Impressive new headquarters of Donnell & Ellis Heavy Haulage sees a derelict site completely transformed…

A Adams Building and Roofing Contractors managed to avoid any sticky situations when revitalising the former Nestle Factory in Omagh into the new headquarters of Donnell & Ellis Heavy Haulage Ltd. The building had been in a serious state of disrepair for a number of years and had also

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suffered from fire damage as it lay derelict before being taken over by Donnell & Ellis, a leading heavy haulage firm that works right across the world. The original buildings were retained, while a new office section was added to provide a new base for the company. However, transforming a former factory into premises suitable for some of the sizeable products that Donnell & Ellis is responsible for meant some major adjustments to the site. “As a local company we are delighted to be involved in a project that revitalises the town and turns what was an eyesore into a productive company,” said Gordon Adams, Managing Director of GA Adams Building and Roofing Contractors. “Willie McDonnell of Donnell & Ellis deserves credit for his vision and investment in this project.” The project was a step away from the comfort zone of the residential properties that GA Adams Building and Roofing Contractors is generally accustomed too.

However, the relatively smooth running of this project highlights the company’s vast expertise in construction. Some of the main changes to the site focused on the more practical elements required by Donnell & Ellis and involved alterations to various entrances to allow access for the articulated lorries and for large goods to be safely stored. A new, state-of-the-art office block was also added, which now acts as the hub of the Donnell & Ellis operation. “At all times, the client had a clear idea of what he wanted and, as a contractor, that makes our life so much easier,” added Gordon. “We generally focus on the domestic sector, but this provided us with a great opportunity to work on a local commercial project and we have taken a lot of positives from this experience. “We had the chance to work with many of new materials that we hadn’t used before, but in this industry you are always learning, so we will be able to utilise this experience on future projects.”

Experience and expertise... GA Adams Building and Roofing Contractors has been in operation for over 16 years, with Managing Director Gordon Adams having worked in the trade for over 27 years. The company specialises in the residential sector, providing services for new build projects and extensions as well as repairs. All work is carried out to Health & Safety Regulations with on-site Health & Safety trained personnel. GA Adams carries out all types of construction projects including: • New Build Projects undertaken from green field site to completion with Building Control Certificate issue. • Commercial premises. • Renovations and alterations including disabled adaptations. • All projects carried out to high quality standards and covered by a warranty, if required.

GA Adams Builders, 1 Mullaghmena Avenue, Gillygooley Road, Omagh, Co Tyrone, BT78 5QH T: 07703 565239 – E: gaadams@btinternet.com www

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Architectural Consultant FORMER NESTLE FACTORY, OMAGH Omagh-based company delighted to have been involved in restoring site to its former glory…

Local pride for David McKinley (Architecture)

ocal pride was very much at stake for David McKinley (Architecture) when working to transform the former Nestle Factory in Omagh. Based in the town, David McKinley worked alongside main contractor GA Adams Building and Roofing Contractors - another local company – to restore this site to its former glory. “I really enjoyed working alongside Donnell & Ellis and GA Adams on this project,” explained David. “The site had become a real eyesore and it was a shame that it was left in a derelict state. But it now has pride of place in the town and has become a productive location that has created new jobs and new opportunities, not only now but in the future.

As a local company, we are delighted to have played our part in that.” In effect, the site of the former Nestle Factory has now become a distribution and storage hub, with Donnell & Ellis Heavy Haulage taking the main hub alongside a catering supply company. This is a mixed-use development and a number of additional units are currently available, including a 2,000sqm unit that would suit a call centre and a 4-5,000sqm unit for further storage, distribution or manufacturing. “Overall, the site is around 10 acres and between what we already have in place and our future development plans, there’s plenty of scope,” added David. “Clearly, the high standards that we have achieved at this initial

David McKinley Architecture, Tarlum Road, Omagh, BT78 5QQ T: 07754 155390 E: dave.mckinley@virgin.net

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stage gives us a great foundation for the future.” For David, this project was all about size. “Donnell & Ellis use articulated lorries and also haul some massive equipment that requires storage, so we had to take this into account when designing the building. We also had to include areas for new workshops, while the addition of the new offices was also an important factor overall. “We retained the former Nestle Factory building but we have adapted this extensively to meet a range of needs - both of current clients and future tenants.” The final result is a highly impressive facility that perfectly blends the original buildings on the site with the various new additions. “From working with Donnell & Ellis and alongside Gordon Adams of main contractor GA Adams, this was a superb project. We had a great team all pulling in the same direction and I think the proof is in the high standards of this project. I would certainly welcome work with them both in the future.” The success of this project is reflective of the high standards that David McKinley (Architecture) is renowned for. The company works in both the residential and commercial market, including eco-build projects, and has a strong reputation in all areas. David has also recently moved into the heritage sector as well, adding another specialism.

David McKinley Architecture

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Tiling FORMER NESTLE FACTORY, OMAGH

Tiled to perfection

s with many of the team working on the project to transform the former Nestle Factory in Omagh, local pride was at stake for the team from Omatile. As the new headquarters of Donnell & Ellis Heavy Haulage, the finish to the reception areas in the new offices had to be of the highest standard so a tiling solution from Omatile proved ideal. The company prides itself on providing a complete tiling package and was proud to have been involved in this local project. Lynsey Young, Omatile, commented, “It is great to see this area of the town brought back to life and we are delighted to have played our part in that. We have a wide range of tiles to suit every taste and that made the difference on this project.”

Omatile is an independently owned tile shop supplying ceramic, porcelain, marble and Victorian tiles at competitive prices. The company also offers a complete range of adhesives and accessories to provide a complete package.

Omatile, 47 Dromore Road, Omagh T: 028 8224 0540 www.omatile.com

Electrical Supplier FORMER NESTLE FACTORY, OMAGH

Reliability from Cable & Accessories, Omagh

able & Accessories once again delivered reliability when working on this project to transform the former Nestle Factory in the town. The fact that the award-winning electrical wholesaler has a base at Derry Road on the edge of Omagh proved one key advantage. However, location means little if you don’t have the stock and can’t deliver on time. “Service is everything and that is where our primary focus lies,” explained Paul Brown, Manager of Cable & Accessories Omagh. “While price and location are clearly important issues for any customer, we feel that overall service is vital and in order to achieve that, you have to have stocks. “That philosophy is vitally important and helps us to win contracts such as this.” The company has been in business for

30 years and over these three decades has expanded from one branch in DerryLondonderry to five, making Cable & Accessories one of the largest electrical wholesalers in Northern Ireland. The other branches are located across the west of the province and into Donegal and are based at Buncrana, Omagh, Limavady and Letterkenny. This distinct geographical spread, combined with a dedicated team of staff and superb stock holdings, has allowed the company to thrive. From a staff perspective, many of the team at Cable & Accessories have in excess of 10 years’ service while Cable & Accessories is also part of the largest independent buying group in the UK, allowing the company to gain a strong foothold in the competitive electrical wholesaler industry.

Cable & Accessories, 53 Derry Road, Omagh, BT78 5ED T: 028 8225 2642 - F: 028 8225 2645 Branches Provincewide - Buncrana, Omagh, Limavady, Derry, Letterkenny www.cableandaccessories.co.uk

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Kitchen & Office Equipment FORMER NESTLE FACTORY, OMAGH

Bespoke package from Mountfield Kitchens

ountfield Kitchen Centre prides itself on delivering a bespoke package and that was in evidence during the project to transform the former Nestle Factory in Omagh into the new headquarters of Donnell & Ellis Heavy Haulage Ltd. The company created the new kitchen for use by Donnell & Ellis staff as well as providing new office equipment, including desks, chairs and other furniture, for use on the stylish new offices. Michael McIhatton, Mountfield Kitchen Centre, said, “At all times, our focus is on meeting customer needs and we have developed our product range to create bespoke solutions. “We work in both the commercial and

residential sectors but regardless of the project we place the same emphasis on each project and aim to provide the highest standards.” Michael has been in the industry for over 36 years and in that time the company has provided a range of award-winning Interior design solutions to homes and businesses. The most recent example of this is another local project - Loughmacrory Outdoor Centre in Omagh – which won the ‘Community Benefit’ title at the RICS NI Awards. “We are proud to have been involved in such an excellent project that is helping the local community here in Omagh and we are delighted to see it being recognised with this award,” concluded Michael.

Mountfield Kitchens, 3 Mulnafye Road, Mountfield, Omagh T: 028 8077 1226 www.mountfieldkitchens.com

Plumbing & Heating FORMER NESTLE FACTORY, OMAGH

Energy-efficient solutions from Ian Short

ith over 16 years’ experience and expertise, Omagh plumbing and heating contractor, Ian Short was able to provide added value to the plumbing and heating requirements at Donnell & Ellis Heavy Haulage’s new headquarters. Ian and his team installed the radiator heating system throughout the new office block but, even before this, Ian was involved in the design process, working in collaboration with building contractor, Gordon Adams and haulage company owner, William Donnell and his site foreman, Peter Thompson to advise on the system best suited to their needs. “We installed a Grant Vortex condensing oil boiler, which was chosen because of its high efficiency levels. We also fitted quality Myson radiators and used Uponor Q&E pipe system

components, as they offer an extremely flexible plumbing solution for commercial radiator system installations,” explained Ian. “To guarantee even greater energy efficiency, we modified the heating system to provide individually controlled radiators in each of the rooms. We also installed an unvented hot water system to help ensure delivery of a powerful supply of hot water, and fitted all the sanitary ware in the new building.” “It was a good job to get, and there was very little trouble with it,” agreed Ian. Since completing this work, Ian and his team have been awarded a variety of jobs which continue to showcase the company’s diversity. These include a nursing home in Derry-Londonderry, a special needs school in Enniskillen and a Dungannon Council depot.

Ian Short Plumbing & Heating Ltd, 124 Moylagh Rd, Beragh, Omagh, Co Tyrone, BT79 0TQ T: 028 8284 0779 - M: 07887 878166 E: ianshort@utvinternet.com

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Congratulations

Kyle Weir South West College

Young Apprentice of the Year 2015

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Dr Stephen Farry, Minister for Employment and Learning; Kyle Weir, South West College, Gold winner in joinery and Young Apprentice of the Year; Sarah Travers; and Maurice Johnston Chairman of CITB NI at the Skillbuild NI 2015 Finals held in Belfast Metropolitan College, Castlereagh Campus.

Best local construction talent highlightS a bright future for the industry…

Super-skilled construction apprentices compete at Skillbuild NI 2015

he best local construction apprentices from across Northern Ireland tested their skills in 11 different construction trades at Skillbuild NI 2015, held at Belfast Metropolitan College’s Castlereagh campus in April. Skillbuild NI, run and governed by CITB NI, is held annually each spring, with the top local construction apprentices competing to win coveted titles in skills areas ranging from brickwork to wall and floor tiling. The winners may then go on to represent Northern Ireland in the Skills Show UK and potentially at WorldSkills. Commending the competitors on their hard work and dedication shown in their area of expertise, Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry said, “Skills are widely accepted as a key driver in how Northern Ireland can achieve our

CITB NI, Nutts Corner Training Centre, 17 Dundrod Road, Crumlin, County Antrim, BT29 4SR. Tel: 028 9082 5466

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

economic goals. Developing the skills and talents of our young people is central to enabling local businesses to develop and grow, to improve our collective prosperity and meet the present and future needs of our economy. “This competition is an excellent opportunity for our young people in the construction sector to showcase and celebrate their high levels of skills and talent, as well as reflecting the high standards of training in our further education colleges and training organisations. “Skills competitions are an essential part of the pursuit of excellence in our training systems and working practices. “The last few years have been an exciting and successful time for skills competitions in Northern Ireland. There has been a year-on-year increase in the number and

range of skills competitions taking place and competitors taking part, and I hope this trend continues. “Northern Ireland has a proud record of success in skills competitions at regional, national and world level. I am confident once again that Northern Ireland will have an excellent representation on Team UK competing at WorldSkills 2015 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in August.” Skillbuild NI not only encourages trainees to improve their own skills, but provides an example of the high quality work being produced in training organisations and colleges across NI. The Skillbuild test pieces are designed to challenge the ability of apprentices, testing skills within tight timeframes and the competitors are being continuously assessed throughout the twoday competition.

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Dale Calderwood, won a gold medal in the Plastering & Dry Wall Systems.

Dylan Fitzpatrick, receives his gold medal and trophy for Painting & Decorating from (from left) Maurice Johnston, Chairman, CITB NI, special guest Sarah Travers and Minister for Employment & Learning, Dr Stephen Farry.

Gavin Rice, won gold in Plumbing Pipework.

Gary Knight, Industrial Heating, pictured receiving his gold medal award from Sarah Travers. Also included are Employment & Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry and Maurice Johnston, Chairman CITB NI.

Philip Kernohan won gold in Cabinet Making.

Stuart Graham collected the gold medal in the electrical installation category.

Joinery student wins Young Apprentice of the Year title as SWC sweeps the board with 11 medals…

Kyle takes top prize on great day for South West College

yle Weir capped a fantastic day of success for South West College by collecting the Young Apprentice of the Year award at this year’s Skillbuild NI finals. Taking part in the joinery category, Kyle caught the eyes of the judges on his way to a Gold medal in this section, winning the event’s top prize. In fact, South West College had a clean sweep in the joinery section, with Gareth Elliott taking the silver and Jonathan Smith the bronze medal.

This success was reflective of apprentices representing South West College. With 27 students taking part, SWC won a total of 12 medals on the day and the Skillbuild NI Chairperson’s Cup for the second year in a row. In addition to the clean sweep in the joinery category, success for South West College included gold medals for Dean O’Neill in carpentry, Stuart Graham in electrical installation, and Dylan Fitzpatrick in painting and decorating.

Taking silver medals were Edwin Lewis (brickwork), John Teague (industrial heating) and Alex Rooney (plumbing pipework), while bronze medals were awarded to Garry Gray (carpentry), Connor McCartan (plastering) and Shane Quinn (plumbing pipework). Overall, Skillbuild NI 2015 saw gold medals awarded to apprentices representing five different colleges. In addition to the success of SWC, also receiving gold medals were SERC’s Jemel Chamos in brickwork; Philip

CITB NI, Nutts Corner Training Centre, 17 Dundrod Road, Crumlin, County Antrim, BT29 4SR. Tel: 028 9082 5466

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Skillbuild Results… PRIZE

COLLEGE APPRENTICE

Brickwork GOLD SERC SILVER SWC BRONZE SRC

JEMUEL CHAMOS EDWIN LEWIS THOMAS FEGAN

CABINET MAKING GOLD NRC PHILIP KERNOHAN SILVER SRC CHRISTOPHER JEFFREY BRONZE SRC RICHARD SHANNON

Jemel Chamos, on his way to gold medal success in Brickwork.

The gold medal winner in the carpentry category was Dean O’Neill.

CARPENTRY GOLD SWC DEAN O’NEILL SILVER NWRC CAMERON NUTT BRONZE SWC GARRY GRAY ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION GOLD SWC STUART GRAHAM SILVER NRC AARON TOPPING BRONZE NWRC DAVID FALCONER INDUSTRIAL HEATING GOLD SRC GARY KNIGHT SILVER SWC JOHN TEAGUE BRONZE SRC CURTIS JACKSON

Kieran Magee receives his gold medal for Wall and Flooring Tiling from Maurice Johnston, CITB NI Chairman, Dr Stephen Farry, Employment & Learning Minister and Sarah Travers.

“By hosting Skillbuild NI here at Belfast Met we can showcase and celebrate the high levels of local talent entering the workforce.’’ Kernohan from NRC for cabinet making; SWC’s Gary Knight in the industrial heating category; and Dale Calderwood who took home the top award in the plastering and dry wall systems category for Belfast Met, which hosted the finals. Marie-Therese McGivern, Principal of Belfast Met, which hosted this year’s finals, said, “We at Belfast

Metropolitan College are honoured to have been selected to host Skillbuild NI 2015. The College has a long-standing relationship with CITB NI and we are delighted by their ongoing support for this flagship skills event. “By hosting Skillbuild NI here at Belfast Met we can showcase and celebrate the high levels of local talent entering the workforce.’’

CITB NI, Nutts Corner Training Centre, 17 Dundrod Road, Crumlin, County Antrim, BT29 4SR. Tel: 028 9082 5466

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

JOINERY GOLD SWC KYLE WEIR SILVER SWC GARETH ELLIOTT BRONZE SWC JONATHAN SMITH PAINTING & DECORATING GOLD SWC SILVER NWRC BRONZE NWRC

DYLAN FITZPATRICK RYAN GORMLEY CAOLAN CURRAN

PLASTERING & DRY WALL SYSTEMS GOLD BMC SILVER SWC

DALE CALDERWOOD DYLAN WILKINSON

PLUMBING PIPEWORK GOLD SRC GAVIN RICE SILVER SWC ALEX ROONEY BRONZE SWC SHANE QUINN WALL & FLOOR TILING GOLD SRC KIERAN MAGEE SILVER SRC SHAUN THORNTON BRONZE BMC KURTIS HAMILTON

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investing in the fUture • Investing in the fUture • investing in the fUture • investing in the fUture

The Skillbuild NI NATIONAL FINALS competition receives the support of companies from the local construction industry. This sponsorship is very much appreciated by the organisers of the Skillbuild competition. listed below are SOME OF the companies who have invested in the future wellbeing of both the competition and the industry.

NEWRY - BANGOR - PORTADOWN - LISBURN - BELFAST COLERAINE - LARNE - BALLYMENA www.haldane-fisher.com

Copper Initiative, 5 Grovelands Business Centre, Boundary Way, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 7TE. Email: info@copperalliance.org.uk www.copperplumbing.org.uk

Ballygowan Road, Hillsborough, Co Down, BT26 6HX. Tel: +44 (0) 28 9268 9500 - Fax: +44 (0) 28 9268 9600 Email: graduates.students@graham.co.uk www.graham.co.uk

Old Paper Mill, Ballyclare, County Antrim, BT39 9EB Free Phone: 0845 3990159 E: tech.ie@saint.gobain.com www.gyproc.ie

47 Boucher Road, Belfast, BT12 6HR. T: +44 (0)28 9066 4334 www.gilbert-ash.com

Unit 53, Banbridge Enterprise Centre, Scarva Road, Banbridge BT32 3QD Tel: 028 4062 3788 Fax: 028 4062 5492 email: info@mmajoinery.com mmajoinery.com

Kingscourt Country Manor Brick Co. Ltd. 12 Herdman Channel Road Belfast Harbour Estate Belfast, BT3 9LG Tel: 028 9077 7321 - Fax: 028 9077 7245 www.cmb.ie

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skillbuild T

Praise for industry backing that is helping to nurture future talent…

Industry support is vital The continuing support of the construction industry is vital to nurturing future talent, and the organisers have been keen to thank those who continue to back the event. Skillbuild NI is supported by the Department for Employment and Learning, Construction Employers Federation, Subway, Haldane Fisher, City and Guilds, Colleges NI and the Health and Safety Executive, along with local construction employers who sponsor each competition category.

Maurice Johnston, Chairman CITB NI, said, “Skillbuild NI is the premier skills competition for construction, and we recognise the accomplishments of all the competitors taking part in the 2015 finals. “This competition provides the perfect platform to demonstrate the enormous talent we have in the construction industry in Northern Ireland, helping to showcase the professionalism of our brightest recruits and industry as a whole.

“Skillbuild NI couldn’t happen without the support of the local sponsors and we thank the local employers for investing in the future of the construction industry. The Skillbuild NI national competition is a superb event which enables participants to benchmark themselves against their fellow competitors in Northern Ireland. The apprentices competing have been preparing hard for this event and credit must be given both to them and the trainers involved.”

SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Aaron Topping, Electrical Installation.

Alex Rooney, Plumping Pipework.

Cameron Nutt, Carpentry.

Christopher Jeffrey, Cabinet Making.

Dylan Wilkinson, Plastering & Dry Wall Systems.

Edwin Lewis, Brickwork.

Gareth Elliott, Joinery.

John Teague, Industrial Heating.

Ryan Gormley, Painting & Decorating.

Shaun Thornton, Wall and Floor Tiling.

BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS

Caolan Curran, Painting & Decorating.

Jonathan Smith, Joinery.

Shane Quinn, Plumbing Pipework.

Kurtis Hamilton, Wall & Floor Tiling.

CITB NI, Nutts Corner Training Centre, 17 Dundrod Road, Crumlin, County Antrim, BT29 4SR. Tel: 028 9082 5466

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

David Falconer, Electrical Installation.

Richard Shannon, Cabinet Making.

Curtis Jackson, Industrial Heating.

Garry Gray, Carpentry.

Thomas Fegan, Brickwork.

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U training

Positive changes for KDM Hire, with new agency, new hire fleet and training provisionâ&#x20AC;Ś

KDM becomes mobile access tower agent

DM Hire has recently been announced as Northern Ireland agent for Youngman Mobile Scaffold Towers and Access Products, offering both hire and sales of this extensive range of products. Youngman has long had a presence in the Northern Ireland market and is widely regarded as market leader in the UK. Known for setting industry standards, Youngman has been associated with safety, quality and innovation since it was founded in the 1920s. KDM has also taken the opportunity of updating the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scaffold tower fleet, recently replacing its entire fleet with the Youngman Advance Guardrail (AGR) System.

Thomas Meheust from Youngman congratulates Michael Millar from KDM Hire on the company becoming Northern Ireland agents for Youngman Mobile Scaffold Towers and Access Products.

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KDM Hire replaces fleet with Youngman AGR alloy scaffolding

KDM Hire has made a considerable investment in upgrading to AGR towers.

DM has made considerable investment in a full range of single and double width towers, available with platform heights from 2.7m to 10.7m. KDM believes the Advance Guardrail System offers customers considerable benefits over conventional systems. The advance guardrail cam lock system provides an easier and safer alternative to building scaffold towers. The advantages of using this system is that the guardrail is in place before users ascend the platform. The rigidity of the tower is created by the positive easy-to-use cam lock. The towers are also quicker and simpler to build with fewer components, saving set-up time. This is also ideal if the towers have to be dismantled and rebuilt regularly. With fewer components they are also less susceptible to loss and damage.

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

PASMA training As an approved PASMA training provider, KDM is committed to the highest standards of practice, both in the hire of alloy scaffold towers and the training provided. All PASMA training centres are audited annually to ensure that they continue to meet stringent standards. A PASMA-trained operator will be taught how to assemble, dismantle, move and inspect mobile access towers. PASMA strongly recommends that you only buy, hire or use a mobile tower which is

certified to product standard EN1004. All Youngman products easily conform to these standards which include material quality, strength, stiffness, stability and the provision of proper instructions and information, to name but a few. With strategically located depots in both Cookstown and Belfast, KDM can service customer requirements throughout Northern Ireland. For further information or competitive prices on the hire, purchase or training of all access products, call 0845 3381388.

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U vans

does this remind you of your van? Don’t just make do – buy a quality used van from Bridge Commercials…

The game is back on... LET’S DO BUSINESS! if so, you need to contact Patrick or Brian to organise its replacement We specialise in

Sales | Service | Hire and customer support Before we sell a van we have been Over and under it In the front and back of it Outside and inside in the engine inspected it driven it and approved it!…

fter years of having to make do and mend, tradesmen are once again showing enough confidence in the current climate to invest in new vechicles – and they are turning to Bridge Commercials to find the best deal! From vans, crew vans and dropsides to minibuses, tippers and pick-ups, the extensive choice available at Bridge Commercials is just one reason why tradesmen are visiting the company’s premises just off the A1 Dual Carriageway close to Hillsborough. Another reason is that this superb level of choice also provides plenty of options – a great benefit to the many customers working on a strict budget. Customers also enjoy the peace of mind that the selection of low mileage used vans come with a range of guarantees. All used vans on sale at

Bridge Commercials undergo a rigorous servicing and inspection process to provide even higher levels of value. Patrick Winter, Director of Bridge Commercials, commented, “When the recession hit, the industry was really hit hard and since then most in the trade have just been making do with the vans they have on the road, simply because they have no other choice. “That they’re coming back to purchase replacement vans is a great sign that the industry is becoming more confident and we’re seeing that in the fact that more and more are willing to make this investment. “We have plenty of choice on offer to meet your budget, all with the peace of mind of a great back-up service.” For more information, contact Bridge Commercials on 028 9268 9000 or visit the website at www. bridgecommercials.co.uk

165 Dromore Road, Hillsborough, bt26 6ja. E: bridgecommercials@hotmail.com www.bridgecommercials.co.uk

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AXA offers some handy hints to ensure you stay safe on the road…

Tips for van driver safety

ood driving and road safety are a priority for the thousands of van drivers on Northern Ireland’s roads. Here are some tips on how to drive safely and reduce your chance of having an accident on the road: • Regular vehicle checks - It’s your responsibility to make sure that your vehicle is road worthy, so you should carry out regular checks and maintenance. You should also check your lights and tyres regularly in case of poor driving conditions. • Take breaks on long journeys - Van drivers sometimes can’t avoid long journeys, but if you are travelling for a long time make regular stops along the way. Also if possible try and share the driving with others to avoid driver fatigue.

• Plan your journeys to find the safest route - Some minor roads are unsuitable for larger vehicles, particularly if you are towing a trailer. You should plan your journey to find the safest route and avoid any unnecessary risks. • Look out for other road users - You should also think of other road users as you drive, particularly cyclists and motorbike users who might be harder to see. Remember to check blind spots and take off slowly from junctions and roundabouts. • Get the right insurance cover for your van - It’s important to get the right cover for your vehicle in case you have an accident,

particularly if you rely on your vehicle to keep your business running. Your insurance could give you cover for a replacement vehicle or personal injury cover which can be a great benefit to business owners. For more details about van insurance, contact the AXA Insurance Van Team on 028 9002 0419. AXA provides cover to van drivers across Northern Ireland and has a dedicated team based in Belfast to help get you the right cover for you and your van. AXA also has a local claims team and 15 branches across Northern Ireland, so you will never be far from someone to help, if you need it.

FREE BREAKDOWN ASSISTANCE

with AXA Van Insurance AXA Insurance limited is authorised by Central Bank of Ireland, and authorised and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details about the extent of our authorisation and regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority are available from us on request.

www.northernbuilder.co.uk

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U new products

Knauf Render Systems transforms new shopping area

Mira launches screwless Title enclosure range

n A former builders’ merchant and hardware store in Chipping Sodbury has been transformed into a new shopping development, thanks to products from Knauf Render Systems. All units were rendered in a top coat of Conni S, a pre-mixed silicone-based render finish that once dry, provides a water-repellent, vapour-permeable finish. Existing masonry walls were primed with VP-Vorspritzer and treated with a basecoat of UP210, a lime/ cement basecoat render. Products used also include SM700 render which can be used as a render or basecoat for concrete brickwork, expanded polystyrene, mineral fibre, approved carrier boards and existing render. For more information, visit www.knauf. co.uk or telephone 01795 424 499

n Mira has developed ‘Twist & Lock’ for its Leap range of shower enclosures, an installation system that removes the need to drill and screw through the door profile, wall jambs and channel. It uses a 3mm Allen key to secure the doors and side panels. Initial tests have shown installation time is improved by up to 50%. An emphasis on minimising work on site means that only eight screws are needed to fit each door, the door-stops are pre-installed and the double rollers, pivot blocks and ball catches are all adjustable to fit the particular project. For more information, visit www.mirashowers.co.uk or telephone 01242 221221

Safeguard’s response to damp gets BBA approval n The British Board of Agrément (BBA) has certified the Safeguard Europe’s Dryzone Express Replastering System which enables a skilled operative to treat rising damp, re-plaster and complete re-decoration in 24 hours. The system condenses the process of treatment and room reinstatement to a fraction of the time required by traditional methods. An Agrément Certificate is the mark of quality, safety and reliability that means the product is fit-for-purpose and is only awarded to those products and systems that have successfully completed a series of comprehensive assessments. For more details, e-mail info@safeguardeurope.com or telephone 01403 210 204

Crossline laser is on the level Title

New Blue blocks from Forticrete

n Measuring tools manufacturer Stabila has launched the LAX400, available in the UK through Hyde. The Stabila LAX400 produces a 360° horizontal line for marking, alignment and levelling around the entire room. Featuring Stabila’s Manual Alignment technology, it forms a 90° angle from two vertical lines with the knob on the laser’s housing then used to finely adjust them manually for guaranteed accuracy. The laser lines can be pivoted to a target position without losing the position of the plumb-line dot, making it the ideal tool for positioning partition walls with U-profiles. For more information, call 0121 705 7987 or visit www.brianhyde.co.uk

n Forticrete has extended its range of Dense Concrete Masonry with the addition of the new Blue block, developed to create non-distracting internal finishes within sports halls. As part of the company’s ECOBLOCK range of masonry, these machine manufactured decorative concrete facing blocks are manufactured using up to 45% secondary aggregate content. Finishes featured in the Sports Blue block range include Fairfaced, which provides a structural product and finish in one, shot-blasted, which provides a weathered appeal, the popular Burnished Venezia and Polished Florentine which is used to create expanses of reflective walls. For further information, call 01525 244900

Wienerberger launches Porotherm Coursing Brick n Typically used for infill above doors and windows, coursing at floor and ceiling level and making up between joints, the new Porotherm Coursing Brick comes in a standard 215x102.5x65mm format. Richard Brown, Category Marketing Manager for Wall at Wienerberger, said, “The Porotherm clay block walling system has been incredibly popular due to its ease of use and cost effectiveness. We are consistently looking for ways to enhance and improve the system, making it even easier to work with on site and the new Porotherm Coursing Brick provides the perfect ancillary product to those using the system.” For more information, visit www.wienerberger.co.uk

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Introducing...

Energy Store Mains Pressure Cylinder Range The MaxiPod System is available in many options and is simple and easy to install. MaxiPod Thermal Storage Systems work by reversing the function of the Primary (Heating) and Secondary (Domestic) waters. The Primary water is stored in the cylinder and heated by either a boiler or immersion heaters. When heated by a boiler, the water can also be pumped around the radiators to provide space heating. The Secondary water comes directly from the mains and passes through a specially designed heat exchanger which draws heat from the MaxiPod. This water then passes through a thermostatic mixing valve which blends it to the correct temperature before it reaches the taps.

Why choose MaxiPod? • Vented mains pressure • Instant hot water and heating • Energy efficient, reducing running costs No annual maintenance/service • Simple and easy to install • No attic pipes to freeze • Fresh water at hot and cold taps Suitable for multi-fuel situations

The advantages of a copper cylinder • • • •

Tried and tested materials Proven to be safe and healthy in the home Long life span 100% recyclable, which benefits the environment

T: (+44) 028 7965 9736 F: (+44) 028 7965 0000 E: info@copperindustries.co.uk

www.copperindustries.co.uk

“Cottage Stone is a natural stone cladding system which consists of real pieces of natural stone placed onto a cement reinforced backing panel.”

NATURAL Finishes • Slate • Quartz • Granite • Multi-Coloured Slate • Fixings and adhesives supplied

SLATE

QUARTZ

From

£25 +VAT

Sq metre GRANITE

MULTI-COLOURED GRANITE