ATB Issue 4 2012

atb September/October 2012 www.at-b.co.uk

THE ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGISTS BOOK

atb Welcome to the digital edition of September/October’s The Architectural Technologists Book. The latest building news, opinions, products, projects and images - they’re all here!

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contents

Work News and announcements Opinion Building product news Gallery - the BIG pictures Building project news

www.at-b.co.uk Published by: Link2Media Architectural Publications Ltd Editorial Office: Barn 3, Dunston Business Village, Stafford Road, Dunston, Stafford ST18 9AB Tel: 01785 711591 Fax: 0845 862 8639 info@link2media.co.uk www.link2media.co.uk

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Plans Submitted For New Blackburn Bus Station Plans have been submitted for a new £4m bus station in Blackburn.

Designed by Capita Symonds – on behalf of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council – the new station will be situated in the heart of the town centre on the site of the former market, adjacent to the town’s shopping centre and a new market development.

The relocation of the bus station to the new site will increase footfall outside the shopping centre and the new market, while maintaining a direct link with the rail station and the nearby cathedral quarter development.

The brief for the bus station has been developed in conjunction with the future operators/managers of the facility who expressed a desire for a striking yet functional design that provides a safe and secure environment

connected directly to the pedestrian realm. The facility will contain 14 bus stands plus an additional three layover spaces, space for public functions and community events, a café and retail kiosk and a focal hub building.

The design is conceived as a light weight elegant canopy within the centre of the town which sails over the concourse area. The two storey hub building is positioned at the southern end of the concourse and accommodates a travel information centre and public/staff welfare facilities. www.capitasymonds.co.uk

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High end fit out of elegant living space

Luxurious facilities include this high specification swimming pool in the basement

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Grand art-deco inspired entrance with custommade chandelier

ISG Delivers Luxury Hampstead Home ISG has completed a £multi-million project to remodel and fit out a luxury new build home within the grounds of the first Earl of Mansfield’s former mansion in Hampstead, North London.

‘Mansfield House’ takes its name from the original residence, which was demolished a number of years ago. The base build for the new property was carried out by a different contractor, with ISG then brought in to make structural modifications to the internal layout and complete a wide-ranging fit out from shell. ISG worked closely with the Project Manager Jackson Rowe, Architect, Garnett & Partners and prominent Interior Designer, Tim Gosling, to realise the client’s vision, which was based on the grandeur of the SS Normandie, an art-deco classic.

The extensive fit out requirements included a complex control system with lighting, AV and radio systems in every room connected through a central building management system and controlled via a remote control touchscreen interface. ISG also installed a climate control system throughout the property as well as a passenger lift. In the basement, a large heated swimming pool was created, alongside a lounge area, high specification cinema, a games room and staff quarters.

The exceptionally high specification of the fit out included eglomise mirrored panels, gilded coffer ceilings and black and gold marble flooring, with the contractor also installing luxury fittings and joinery elements throughout the property, including a bespoke kitchen and a custom-made, unique chandelier designed by lighting specialist Sharon Marston. Externally, ISG was responsible for all hard and soft landscaping, including the installation of a feature copper water fountain in the garden area.

Grahame Roberts, divisional managing director of ISG Fit Out, commented: “Taking on a project from another contractor can be challenging, but our experience in the luxury homes sector meant that we were quickly able to take charge of the scheme and complete the remodelling and fit out works to the very highest standards. In a bespoke, £multi-million home, achieving an outstanding quality of fit and finish is our core priority and Mansfield House is an excellent example of our craftsmanship and rigorous attention to detail.” www.isgplc.com

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Scape Design Associates Creates A First In Baku For JW Marriott Scape Design Associates, renowned designers of landscapes for the hospitality and luxury lifestyle community, has created a first in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, with a breathtaking setting for the monumental new JW Marriott Absheron. Overlooking the historically significant Azadliq (Freedom) Square and adjacent to Government House, the new building and gardens combine in making an imposing statement of the nation’s emerging status and confidence in its future.

Respectful of both the new architecture and its historic location, Scape’s design for the landscape on the westfacing frontage of the hotel provides for an experience that guides its guests along a processional route from Freedom Square, climbing through a public water garden awash with cascades and water rills up into the hotel environment. At the head of the public gardens, hotel guests follow a further ceremonial covered walkway that leads up between two water hugging covered granite cuboids to the large stylish outdoor terraces of the hotel’s main restaurants, Oro Nero and Fireworks, and finally into the hotel’s bars and restaurants beyond. This entrance is designed as a covered “catwalk” bridging the space between the terraces and providing a touch of glitz and glamour on arrival to the restaurants, embodied at night by fire bowls the reflections of which shimmer across the surface of the surrounding water.

The public gardens rise above Freedom Square like a stepped pyramid created over a series of garden terraces, rising in total five metres above the surrounding streetscape. Throughout these gardens, water – a favoured ingredient in Azerbaijan’s parks – flows and cascades, as a complement to the landmark fountain in the adjoining seafront parkland to the west of the hotel. A central water display and parallel canals, adorned with an array of dancing jets, together with the lines of trees and shrub planting, mirror the lines of the glazing to the hotel exterior and the oval apartment wings flanking each side. The planting has been set out to heighten the drama of the ascent and endorse the sense of exclusive retreat as guests arrive at the restaurants’ terraces.

“It was a fundamental requirement that the elevation facing Azadliq Square had an imposing symmetry and our axial response to the design of the building completes this narrative,” says Phil Jaffa, Managing Director of Scape Design Associates. “Essentially, we have created a modern urban water garden, a new landmark in Baku that shades and celebrates some of the city’s most sought after wining, dining and function destinations.”

Choice of plants was also subject to Baku’s notoriously strong winds, and foliage was selected to shelter guests as they walk or sit on the terraces and to protect them from the dust whipped up by the winds. Planting also acts as an effective acoustic barrier to the noises of the traffic in this central area of downtown Baku. As a result, clusters of hardy bushes at lower-ground level are intermingled with climbing species and a number of large olive trees provide especially good shelter for the windiest north-east corner. Flowering plants surround the restaurant terraces. Many of the plants and trees introduced into the JW Marriott site are already species familiar to landmarks in Baku: the eunonymous hedging, for example, which is associated with Government House and the London Plane trees which also line the city’s corniche.

Since the majority of the guestrooms have a bird’s eye view of the landscape, Scape’s scheme has not only considered issues of human scale at ground level but also visual pattering from above. The ballroom roof, in particular, which extends out at third floor level has been planted with a variety of flowering species.

The main entrance to the JW Marriott Absheron is to the east-facing elevation where Scape has created a dramatic granite-clad water feature. A combination of rough-faced cube grids and ridged panels play with the water to produce, at the same time, both mist and shimmer before the water tumbles at speed over a rough stone wall to achieve a white water effect that drowns out the sound of passing traffic. Two majestic evergreen Thuja trees tower over the water feature, forming an impressive frame to the entrance doors and the hotel within. www.scapeda.co.uk

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New Web Site Is Much More Than 98% Air

The Ultimate In Concrete Surfaces At 100% Design

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) may be 98% air but the latest web site for the popular polymer is heavy on facts and figures which emphasises its heavyweight advantages across applications ranging from building insulation to bike helmets. The new site launched this week by the EPS Group of the British Plastics Federation is packed with facts pointing to the many reasons to specify EPS which it says should also stand for “economy, performance and sustainability”. Downloads include recent support materials designed to help architects and construction specifiers and the site also has links to NBBA (www.nbba.org.uk) for those interested in blown bead insulation. www.eps.co.uk

MASS Concrete, UK manufacturer of bespoke concrete surfaces, put on an inspiring display at 100% Design. MASS unveiled an intriguing collection of three-dimensional patterned and textured surfaces inspired by the different turning shapes of worked natural fibres. Perfect for feature walls and furniture, these engaging new surfaces range from the delicate mesh and exquisite patterns of lace to the twisted twine of rope, the fuzzy texture of course hessian and the shallow ripple of linen.

Also on show was a breakthrough in applying feature tile, mosaic and mural effects to concrete. MASS is a new generation of concrete. It combines high strength, lightness, heat and stain resistance which contrasts sharply with the heavy and porous nature of everyday concrete. www.mass-concrete.com Enquiry No. 2

Enquiry No. 1

Beko Announced As Official Supporter Of The FA Cup The UK’s number one major domestic appliance brand Beko, has announced it is to become an Official Supporter of The FA Cup, the world’s most prestigious domestic cup competition. The partnership, brokered by Sports Revolution, will run through until the end of the 2013-14 football season and grants Beko an extensive range of image rights, advertising and promotional opportunities around The FA Cup. Beko joins a number of blue-chip partners of The FA Cup, whose lead sponsor is Budweiser. Ragip Balcioglu, Managing Director of Beko plc, said: “We are genuinely excited to be supporting the FA Cup. Its heritage and reputation for being inclusive made it a hugely attractive proposition for the brand, and will provide us with a strong platform to communicate to our core target audience of families. Our investment in perimeter board advertising across Premiership grounds for the last four years has consistently built brand awareness.” www.beko.co.uk

RigiSystems Ziplok BBA Certification RigiSystems Ziplok Standing Seam Roof Systems have achieved renewed BBA certification, which now covers the complete roofing system. In addition to the Ziplok profiles themselves, certification now covers the use of RigiSystems unique Thermohalters, and the Corogrid bar and bracket support system, in both standard liner and structural deck applications.

Commenting on the certification, RigiSystems Sales Director Grahame Rankin said, “RigiSystems pioneered the systems approach to roofing. We are very pleased to have now achieved BBA approval for our complete systems and appreciate the confidence which this will give to specifiers and contractors alike in using our products and services.” www.rigisystems.org Enquiry No. 4

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Enquiry No. 3

New CPD notes 16_05_12_Layout 1 17/05/2012 08:46 Page 1

By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Manufacturer and Supplier of Secondary Glazing Selectaglaze Ltd. St. Albans

CPD Update Of Selectaglaze’s ‘ Understanding And Specifiying Secondary Glazing’

SELECTAGLAZE secondary glazing

CPD Seminar Notes

Professional solutions for enhancing window performance

acoustics

thermal insulation

security

Selectaglaze has produced a completely new version of its RIBA Approved CPD. Secondary glazing is extensively used to enhance window acoustics, improve thermal performance and raise security levels within all types of existing building. The presentation offers guidance on standards for noise insulation, conserving energy and security and deals with a full range of design issues. Small product samples are made available and detailed seminar notes provided to all participants. There are a large number of existing buildings which need to be improved or adapted for changed use and this presentation will be of great relevance to Specifiers and conservation specialists involved in this type of work. www.selectaglaze.co.uk/literature/index.php Enquiry No. 5

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Glazing Vision Focuses On Both National And International Growth Glazing Vision invest heavily on technology and service to keep abreast of national and international orders for standard and bespoke rooflights.

The best a lot of UK manufacturing companies can do in the current business climate is tread water, with UK, European and International sales seeing a lean time as economic constraints take their toll.

Not so, Glazing Vision.

With pipeline orders and current completions from as far afield as San Francisco, New York, Russia and Greece as well as the ever expanding home market, rooflight manufacturer Glazing Vision (GV) is proving that strategic investment in technology, production and staff takes you from a market competitor to a market leader in more than one country.

Jeremy Dunn, Technical Director Glazing Vision, said “This confidence is born out when you witness the state-of-the-art factory facilities and processes we now have in place. Our customers demand high standards and need products which are adaptable to their ideas. GV has been built on the fact that we are a bespoke company but with production techniques for the way we build bespoke products. Every aspect of design and manufacture is in-house.

Whether it’s electronics, software or the big new powder coating processes, from start to end, we have total control.”

GV have not stood still in marketing either as Jon Shooter, Sales & Marketing Director points out. “We constantly see our initiatives replicated by other GV are innovators and as such lead the industry and drive standards. Take our website for instance. We have just completed a new online shop offering more stock sizes delivered in just 2 working days and we have also commissioned a new video which not only tells everyone (including our competitors) what we are doing but shows, first hand, our quality production facilities and processes.

Our acclaimed website resource centre used to be password protected but is now open to anyone interested in case studies, technical drawings, imagery and documentation.”

Jon continues “People will always try to imitate what we are doing, but it’s my job to make sure GV doesn’t stand still and we continue to deliver on our promises.”

GV are now entering a further planned expansion phase and the next six months will prove to be an industry defining period. www.glazingvision.co.uk Enquiry No. 6

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Retro Expo – Get The Retrofit Knowledge At the end of October this year, Retro Expo will host the Green Deal Summit.

The conference will be a central attraction of Retro Expo and the definitive statement to date on The Green Deal.

Delivered in partnership with DECC and BRE, it will bring together leaders from across the value chain, from clients to installers and will address key issues such as finance, generating demand, ensuring high standards of workmanship and achieving affordable technological solutions.

It will also see several of the UK’s leading city councils – Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Bristol and Greater London Authority – come together to talk about their future retrofit plans.

The Green Deal Summit will comprise of seven modules including: Module 1: Green Deal Finance Module 2: Green Deal Demand Module 3: Retrofit at Scale Module 4: Retrofit Learning and Innovation Module 5: Social Housing Sector Module 6: Green Deal Skills Module 7: Retrofit for SMEs – Retail & Offices Knowledge Hubs The exhibition floor also plays host to four free of charge seminar and demonstration areas. Dr Peter Rickaby, from Rickaby Thompson Associates, who co-chairs the Retro Expo Editorial Board says: “We have strived to make it as comprehensive, relevant, practical and timely as possible and have secured an exciting line up of speakers. Whether you’re new to low carbon retrofits or an old hand, there will be something for everyone.” The programme is divided into four Knowledge Hubs: Stream A – Building Fabric Retrofit Masterclasses These Masterclasses will show how you can save energy through fabric improvements. Rickaby Thompson Associates, AECB, STBA and others will be looking at insulation solutions, Travis Perkins Sustainable Building Solutions on thermally efficient retrofit and Peabody on dealing with the overheating risk.

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Stream B – Building Services Retrofit Masterclasses sponsored by EAL Guidance on how you can generate efficiencies and cleaner energy through building service upgrades will be given in these Masterclasses. The agenda covers retrofitting communal heating and PV systems, to ventilation and heat recovery options. Speakers include Viridian Solar, Peabody, Devon & Cornwall Housing Association, 1 World Solar, Wattbox and United House.

Stream C – Whole Building Retrofit case studies sponsored by The Technology Strategy Board Real life results from exemplar retrofits across the UK will be presented during these sessions. The Technology Strategy Board and the EST will also be launching their Retrofit for the Future online database providing detailed insights into the design, construction and operational performance of some 100 homes which have been retrofitted with a wide range of innovative technologies in order to cut carbon emissions by 80%.

Stream D – Retrofit Journeys These sessions provide an introduction to The Green Deal and other Retrofit Drivers. PRP Environmental, AEA, Energy Efficiency Partnership for Buildings, Toriga Energy and the National Housing Federation are some of the speakers that will be looking at planning and monitoring retrofit projects; Green Deal models; building the retrofit supply chain, Green Deal Certification plus much more.

The Green Deal Summit’s seven modules can be purchased by delegates individually or in any combination up to and including a full conference pass. Delegate prices range from £75 to £289.00 + VAT per person. For more information visit: www.greendealsummit.co.uk To attend these seminars all delegates need to do is pre-register for FREE at www.retro-expo.co.uk Enquiry No. 7

TRAC

Enquiry No. 8

A new versatile track suspension system, giving mobility & flexibility to the presentation of graphics, sliding panels, shelving & clothing displays, available in single or multi-track versions

Standard & custom made items, design & build services, quick lead times Tel. 01923 818282

. Fax. 01923 818280 . Email. sales@shopkit.com . www.shopkit.com

MADE IN THE UK

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STYROFOAM™-A Insulated Scheme In Green Apple Award Glory

In coming years it can be expected local sports facilities will be more intensively used and need to be designed to meet higher safety and performance criteria.Designers will have to ensure optimum condition for those actively participating and for their supporters.

Hauraton is highly experienced at providing advice about reliable surface drainage and auxiliary components for running tracks and playing surfaces.

Their new 68 page, SPORT catalogue features a comprehensive range of products designed specifically for modern sports venues. Hauraton supports designers with project specific proposals, including expert specification and technical advice from the initial survey through to completion. The new catalogue, available digitally on www.hauraton.co.uk also features drainage and other essential components for IAAF (International Association of Athletic Federations) approved venues.

A housing scheme insulated with STYROFOAM™-A has won a Green Apple Environment Award after competing against more than 500 other nominations. The scheme at Wimbish, Essex, has already won the residential category of the first ever UK Passivhaus Awards.

The Wimbish Passivhaus project is a scheme of 14 dwellings which delivers extremely low fuel bills and has minimal carbon emissions.

The Green Apple Awards began in 1994 and are organised by The Green Organisation, a non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising and promoting environmental best practice. Judges are drawn from the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Chartered Institution for Wastes Management and other independent bodies. The buildings were insulated below the concrete floor slabs with STYROFOAM-A insulation FLOORMATE™ 300-A from Dow Building Solutions. www.styrofoam.co.uk

Enquiry No. 9

Enquiry No. 10

Hauraton New SPORT Catalogue 2012

Kährs Celebrates Consecutive Award Wins For the fourth consecutive year, Kährs has been voted ‘Best Solid/Engineered Wood Manufacturer’ by readers of Interiors Monthly magazine. The decoration follows an earlier award, in which Kährs range was voted ‘Hardwood Flooring Product of the Year’ for the eleventh time - in the 2012 CFJ/CFA Flooring Industry Awards.

Kährs award-winning formula is based on a myriad of design options, combined with a high performance construction and strict eco principles. Numerous wood species, patterns and formats are represented throughout Kährs ranges, in thicknesses from 7mm to 22mm.

All floors are offered with a choice of durable lacquer or nature oil prefinish, in a spectrum of shades. A variety of designer treatments are also available, including on-trend brushed, bevelled and distressed finishes.

New products for 2012 include a world-first range of floors made from FSC®-Fairtrade® certified wood, the rustic Da Capo range and the new high gloss Shine Collection. www.kahrs.co.uk Enquiry No. 11

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Mapei RIBA Accredited CPDs At Domus Clerkenwell Specification Home Mapei’s five RIBA assessed and accredited CPDs are now available to book at Domus’ New Specification Home in Clerkenwell, London.

Mapei and Domus are delighted to invite you to the first seminar in this state-of-the-art facility, titled Avoiding Ceramic Tiling Failures on Tuesday 23rd October at 8:30am and 12:00pm.

The informative, free of charge seminars cover the topics: Effective Waterproofing; Epoxy Resin & Cementitious Flooring; Fast Track Screeds; Avoiding Ceramic Tiling Failures and Subfloor Preparation. Each CPD covers up-to-date building standards, best practice, technical and current issues in addition to successful projects. Each seminar lasts around 40 minutes.

A certificate for 1 hour’s CPD can be provided once attendee names have been supplied, which contributes to Continuing Professional Development requirements. To book a place for the 23rd October or enquire about further dates email cpd@mapei.co.uk or phone +44 (0)121 508 6970. www.mapei.com/GB-EN/

Advanced Product Selector SIMONSWERK have launched a new website with an online advanced PRODUCTSELECTOR information system. The product selector web directory template allows visitors to input specification details and the system will then identify the best possible hinge solution for the project requirement.

The new website provides technical and service support along with the latest Company News, press releases, reference sites and literature PDF downloads.

To complement the new website SIMONSWERK have produced an updated 84 page catalogue covering their outstanding range of Hinge Systems, complete with technical information, images and drawings. The main feature hinge is the increasingly popular SAMSON TRITECH solid brass hinge with concealed bearings, 25 year performance guarantee and a weight carrying capacity of 160kg – Grade 14. www.simonswerk.co.uk Enquiry No. 13

Enquiry No. 12

Qualicoat Supporting Specifiers Qualicoat UK & Ireland’s first Technical Conference in the UK, was held on the 20th June at the National Metalforming Centre. Specifiers had the opportunity to listen to keynote speakers in the field of Architectural Powder Coating Technology.

The conference theme emphasised the benefits to customers of the QUALICOAT approved system, providing longer life and more sustainable finishes. This is underpinned by the approval process whereby each member’s products or processes must be – Tested, Approved, Licensed and critically, independently monitored – to obtain and maintain the QUALICOAT label.

After an introduction to Qualicoat UK & Ireland by Mo Panam, Qualicoat’s European President, the afternoons keynote speeches were introduced which covered the three main quality issues of Powder Formulation, Pretreatment and Application.

Chris Mansfield of Powder Manufacturer, Valspar, gave the conference an update as to where we are today with Powder Manufacturing Technology. Peter Proctor of Pre-treatment System Supplier, Chemetall, covered the importance of Aluminium Pretreatment before the powder coating of profiles, sheet and castings. Mo Panam, Qualicoat’s President and Managing Director of Barley Chalu, offered the Powder Coaters perspective of a ‘Quality Finish,’ utilising the benefits of both high quality powders and substantial pretreatment systems. Alan Maginnis, Qualicoat’s UK & Ireland’s President and Managing Director of Sprint Coatings, completed the presentations with the closing argument for specifying QUALICOAT for all architectural powder coated finishes in the UK. Copies of the QUALICOAT standard are available through the UK association website together with an up to date list of manufacturers and applicators at www.qualicoatuki.org Printed literature and telephone support is available from Qualicoat UK & Ireland’s Head Office in Birmingham on 0121 601 6746.

Enquiry No. 14

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Trend Signs Exclusive Deal With Missoni Fashion House Underlining its own style credentials, Italian tile maker Trend has signed an exclusive deal with internationally acclaimed fashion house Missoni, renowned for its colourful knitwear designs in a variety of natural fabrics. Under the arrangement, one of Italy’s top design dynasties will use Trend’s authentic Italian glass mosaic tiles and modern agglomerate finishes in all Missoni hotels, boutiques, bars and restaurants around the world.

The two leading Italian names first came together when Trend decorated a series of large, iconic mosaic vases, originally conceived by Rosita and Luca Missoni, and hosted the launch of the Hotel Missoni brand at its luxurious Villa alle Scalette headquarters, in Vicenza. The Missoni fashion house is noted for a multitude of patterns like stripes, zigzags and abstract florals in a kaleidoscope of colours, as well as the use of state-of-the-art machinery and innovative textile techniques to achieve supremacy of design. It should thus have an excellent fit with Trend, which blends artisan processes with modern manufacturing to create unusual combinations of interior finishing materials and colourways that are equally distinctive in concept.

Described as a new kind of luxury hotel for the 21st century, the Hotel Missoni chain is being meticulously built, with a myriad of designer details, and Rosita is the day-to-day Creative Director, each property reflecting her personal style and values. There are already three Hotel Missoni, either completed or under construction, and plans for another ten in fashionable locations around

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the globe; while Missoni sells its ready-to-wear collection through upscale boutiques in Europe, the Middle and Far East, the United States and Russia.

Trend will be supplying high quality decorative finishing products for these and future Missoni sites, helping to provide showstopping theatrical spaces, more intimate and fashionable interiors, and the brand’s flamboyant and eyecatching colours. Trend’s handcrafted glass mosaic tiles and luxurious agglomerate surfaces will certainly provide Rosita Missoni and other in-house designers with vibrant colours and a vast range of patterns and textures, to complement Missoni’s own hallmark flair. Offered in traditional and mini-mosaic formats, the Trend tile collection covers iridescent and enamelled effects, semi-transparent fused glass, eco-chic recycled textures, traditional hand-cut tesserae, and tiles crafted from 24ct yellow and white gold. Its equally striking range of agglomerate cladding and floor tiles provides a rich mix of Italian granite, natural quartzite and recycled glass materials, bonded together with a minimal amount of polyester resin for outstanding performance in high traffic areas.

The outsize vases, designed by Missoni and decorated by Trend with precious glass mosaic, are now showcased in the ultra-stylish lobby of the first Hotel Missoni in Edinburgh, as well as Missoni Home showrooms, and exemplify the new collaboration between these creative Italian companies. Trend’s artistic studio used hand-cut tesserae in 2 x 2, 2 x 1 and 1 x 1cm formats and traditional opus incertum laying techniques to recreate the characteristic graphic patterns of the fashion house. By translating these into Trend decorative materials, they introduce a new dimension and aesthetic to Missoni’s hallmark style. www.trend-group.com Enquiry No. 15

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Litchfield Group Strengthens Top Team For Growth

Judges For HVR Awards Prove Fans Of The Fans

International sustainable building systems company, The Litchfield Group, has strengthened its team with the appointment of Paul Herbert as Group Managing Director. The move coincides with the imminent roll out of the new Sheerframe 8000 window system and plans to extend its Masterdor high performance doors operation across the UK. The Derbyshire-based family business has been at the cutting edge of new developments in window and door technology since the early 1980s and recently extended its building components operation with the addition of an all-British ICF walling system under the ICF Tech brand.

The Litchfield Group employs 500 people worldwide and has successful manufacturing and marketing operations in the US, Germany and Poland. Paul Herbert (53) is a chartered mechanical engineer who specialises in change management programmes. He has over 20 years’ experience in senior management roles as general manager and managing director of a number of multisite international and SME businesses. www.litchfield-group.co.uk

A prestigious national awards scheme rewarding the best in heating and ventilating has seen two products from Kingswinford based Elta Fans make the final shortlist. Following a record number of entries in the 2012 HVR (Heating & Ventilating Review) Awards, the third time the annual awards scheme has been run, the four judges have put through two Elta fans as finalists in the ‘Commercial/ Industrial Ventilation Product’ category. The first finalist is the Raptor SPA, a plate mounted axial flow fan designed for a wide range of building services applications. The other finalist, again from the Raptor range, is the Raptor SDA, a case mounted axial flow fan designed for use in a wide range of duct mounted applications, from sports halls and schools to factories and warehouses.Both fans are new additions to Elta’s comprehensive product offering and are part of Elta Select, a range specifically developed to meet the new energy efficiency legislation1 to be introduced in January 2013.

The winners will be announced at the Awards Gala Dinner on 10 October 2012 at London’s The Grange St Paul’s Hotel. www.eltafans.com

Enquiry No. 16

Enquiry No. 17

Lonza launches Tanalith E 8000 Next-Gen Wood Preservative Lonza Wood Protection (formerly Arch Timber Protection) has launched Tanalith E 8000 wood preservative, the company’s next generation timber treatment, throughout the UK and Ireland.

Tanalith E 8000 will provide an innovative and improved performance for construction and outdoor treated timbers. It answers market demands for proven protection with improved quality, value and performance.

Pressure treatment with Tanalith E 8000 combines the benefits of the unique and proven core Tanalith E product that now has over 20 years of proven performance around the world, with an extra patent pending blend of ingredients, known as BARamine technology, to boost its performance.

This cutting-edge technology provides improved activity against standard fungi and various copper-tolerant organisms, along with a more consistent and deeper penetration of the preservative into the timber. The resulting next generation Tanalised timber is now available from leading treatment companies and stockists throughout the UK and Ireland. www.lonzawoodfamily.com Enquiry No. 18

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Newly-Accredited CPD Sustainability Seminar Trend GB of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, the British distribution and marketing arm of the Italian mosaics producer, has developed another CPD (continuing professional development) seminar for architects, interior designers and specifiers, this time focusing on sustainability in agglomerate and glass mosaic finishing materials. The content and presentation has been accredited by the Construction CPD Certification Service, as conforming to personal and professional development principles. It complements Trend’s earlier certified CPD workshop, which looks in detail at hard surface agglomerates and their widespread commercial applications.

The Construction CPD Certification Service is fully committed to the enhancement of technical skills and knowledge through planned CPD training and provides an independent certification process, which assesses that the content of lectures, presentations and material conforms to universally accepted guidelines.

The Trend Group produces 1.5 million square metres of glass mosaic tiles and 1 million linear metres of agglomerate surfaces annually and over the last few years has implemented an enterprisewide ‘green policy’, designed to reduce its environmental impact and maintain a programme of sustainable products and processes. With green procurement on the new building and refurbishment agenda, Trend’s UK office felt it was timely to produce a professional presentation detailing the green credentials of glass mosaics and engineered agglomerates, arising from the extensive use of recycled raw materials and eco-conscious manufacturing processes.

The informative Powerpoint presentation, illustrated with colourful visual material and project pictures, runs for around one hour, including Q&A session, and is hosted by one of Trend GB’s business development team. It is supported by CPD attendance certificates, seminar notes and self-assessment records for filing purposes, with product samples and technical test data available for inspection.

Suitable for professional audiences of up to twenty or more, Trend’s CPD seminar can be delivered in a suitable conference or meeting room, either to an entire practice or a prearranged gathering of industry colleagues. The seminar is free of charge and Trend GB is able to assist with room hire.

To book a presentation or receive a pdf synopsis, contact Trend GB. www.trend-group.com Enquiry No. 19

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Tremco Illbruck Rolls Out Waterproofing CPD Seminar For Designers Not so very long ago, once an architect had become registered with the RIBA, they could be considered not only fully qualified, but also sufficiently knowledgeable to employ just about any building method or material. But of course nobody can be truly all-knowing, and even the most experienced professional always has more to learn. This fact forms the basis of the concept of “continuing professional development” or CPD. CPD is by no means confined to the architectural profession. Most people recognise the value of encouraging professionals to continue learning throughout their careers. Learning never ceases because the world doesn’t stand still. Technology has never evolved at a faster speed than at present and while that’s especially true of electronics and the media, it is also true of the building industry and building materials.

A designer or specifier of structural waterproofing systems 20 or 30 years ago would most often have had in mind a bitumen or feltbased torch-applied membrane because that was the industry norm at the time. Today, however, the choice of materials and methods is far wider and the performance and ease of application of modern systems far exceeds that of the old traditional systems.

Waterproofing is a minor component of most building projects; it typically represents only 1 or 2% of total building costs. But the consequences of inadequate waterproofing can be many times higher – in fact, failure of a waterproofing system is often catastrophic.

So although some architects may initially wonder why they need to acquaint themselves with the latest in structural waterproofing systems, the reason is not hard to find: a couple of hours’ concentration in the seminar room will bring you up to speed with a technology that is vital to the building industry.

With that in mind, leading sealants and adhesives group Tremco illbruck has developed a CPD seminar designed to explain the role of the latest waterproofing systems to architects and specifiers.

Entitled “A Guide to the Specification of Cold Applied Liquid Waterproofing” the seminar takes participants through the basic requirements of waterproofing,

explaining how this has been done traditionally and then describing in detail how modern cold-applied liquid systems can contribute.

Following a brief introduction to Tremco illbruck and its products, the seminar then proceeds to explore the need for effective waterproofing before discussing the main systems currently available.

Traditional methods, such as hot-applied liquids, felts, single-ply membranes and fibreglass systems, are discussed and their relative strengths and weaknesses outlined.

Participants then proceed to examine the development and adoption of modern cold-applied liquids. The different varieties including acrylics, onepart and two-part polyurethanes, modified bitumen, epoxies and polyesters are described in detail and their different properties are described.

The seminar guides participants through the various applications relevant to the different cold-applied systems, explaining where one type is likely to be more appropriate than another. It then deals with the typical application process for a cold-applied liquid system, from surface preparation, through priming and application of the coating to final testing.

Tremco illbruck is the European arm of RPM Building Solutions Group. A world leader in sealants and coatings, the company has a long track record in the development and manufacture of performance sealing technologies for use throughout the building envelope.

Tremco illbruck is a member of the RIBA CPD Providers Network, a database of organisations assessed by RIBA as providing high quality CPD material.

In addition to a number of existing CPD modules from Tremco illbruck, the new seminar on Cold-Applied Liquid Waterproofing systems now has full RIBA approval. This means it carries the prestige, good name and industry respect that the RIBA provides.

Architects and specifiers who want to ensure they understand specification and application of modern cold-applied liquid waterproofing systems are invited to contact Tremco illbruck and arrange for the CPD seminar to be delivered to staff at their practice. www.tremco-illbruck.co.uk Enquiry No. 20

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American Softwoods Repeat Success At Timber Expo 2012 As part of its European promotion strategy, American Softwoods again exhibited at Timber Expo with a larger stand and more exhibitors.

American Softwoods UK director Charles Trevor said, “Last year our stand was busy for the entire show and we’ve repeated that success. Many members of the Southern Forest Product Association (SFPA) members attended again, coming from all over the U.S. to meet with buyers and UK importers to help develop their business and the wider market.”

American Softwoods exhibition at Timber Expo featured a Southern Yellow Pine deck along with samples of all the main US softwood species and the brand new Guide to American Softwoods Species.

“Our purpose is to ensure that both industry and specifiers are fully aware of the advantages and benefits of American softwood species in a wide range of applications - commercial and domestic, internal and external,” said Mr. Trevor.

“Timber Expo is becoming a really important show for the industry to promote its products to an increasingly receptive audience. UK buyers can be unaware of the versatility and value of American softwoods, and Timber Expo is a great platform for getting our message out there.”

American Softwoods is a promotional partnership formed by three major U.S. softwood trade associations, the Southern Forest Products Association, the Softwood Export Council and APA – the Engineered Wood Association. The campaign is working to increase awareness of America’s commercially available

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species. American Softwoods also works with the timber industry, providing technical information and assistance to develop the market for American softwood species. Renowned for their strength and beauty, American softwoods have been exported for almost 200 years.

Harvested from sustainably managed forests, the success of forest management and conservation in the USA has ensured that forested land is now greater than it was 75 years ago, and is increasing year on year. www.americansoftwoods.com Enquiry No. 21

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atb:opinion

Fire, Hotels And Evacuation www.wrightstyle.co.uk

Jane Embury is a director of Wrightstyle, the Devizes-based supplier of steel glazing systems. Wrightstyle has an international reputation for innovative glazing solutions to mitigate against fire or ballistic or bomb attack.

In June this year the We Found Love singer Rihanna was evacuated from a hotel in London after fire broke out in a lift shaft. The fire was quickly detected and the hotel’s evacuation procedures worked smoothly. There was only limited damage and nobody was hurt. The London incident followed a similar lift shaft fire only weeks earlier in an hotel on the Isle of Wight While both fires were easily dealt with, they underline how lift shafts provide a ready pathway for smoke and fire to travel upwards in multi-storey buildings. Buoyant fire gases in a lift shaft can quickly fill upper floors, and there is much evidence to suggest that the majority of fatalities in such fires occur on higher floors significantly removed from the seat of the fire.

That was certainly true in 1980 MGM Grand Hotel fire in Las Vegas which claimed 84 lives, the worst disaster in Nevada history. In that incident, while the fire primarily only damaged the second floor, most of the deaths occurred on the upper floors, with elevator shafts and stairwells allowing toxic smoke to spread upwards.

Indeed, much of our understanding of the dynamics of vertical fire movement and how to deal with fires in tall buildings come from the USA, the original home of the skyscraper. The first such fire, which entirely rewrote building regulations, was the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York in 1911.

It’s hard to overestimate the impact this fire had on both our understanding of vertical fire movement and on the building regulations to mitigate against

fire risk. The New York fire in a garment factory in a tall building claimed 146 lives, and directly led to new laws on building access and egress, fireproofing requirements, the availability of fire extinguishers, the installation of alarm systems and automatic sprinklers.

Last year, at precisely 4:45 PM EST, the moment the first fire alarm was sounded in 1911, hundreds of bells rang out in cities and towns across the USA. For this commemorative act, the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition organized hundreds of churches, schools, fire houses, and private individuals in the New York City region and across the nation – underlining its significance in the annals of fire history.

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The basic rule in a fire situation has always been to avoid using the lift.

However, as our understanding of fire dynamics has progressed, even this is being rethought. For example, in London’s Canary Wharf, the use of both lifts and emergency stairs in simultaneous evacuation exercises has significantly reduced evacuation times.

And in the investigation into the World Trade Center 2 collapse it was found that in the 16 minutes before the impact of the second aircraft, 27% of those who evacuated WTC2 used the lifts for part of their escape route. In addition, the investigation found some evidence that the flow rate from WTC2 during these 16 minutes was approximately twice that for WTC1 where only stairs

were available for evacuation.

Fires involving lift shafts pose particular risk in hotels where there can be large numbers of people, some of whom may be elderly or infirm, and in an unfamiliar place. In 2007 alone, it’s estimated that one in 12 hotels and motels in the USA suffered a structural fire. In the same year, there were 1,800 fires in the UK affecting hotels, hostels and boarding houses.

Under current fire safety legislation it is the responsibility of the person(s) having responsibility for the building to provide a fire safety risk assessment that includes an emergency evacuation plan for all people likely to be in the premises, including disabled people, and how that plan will be implemented.

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Such an evacuation plan should not rely upon the intervention of the Fire and Rescue Service to make it work.

within the shaft and not allowed to spread smoke and hot gases upwards and into guest areas – as happened in Las Vegas.

The 1977 Hotel Polen fire in Amsterdam is the example that stands out in recent fire history. In that conflagration, 33 people died. The five-storey hotel, built at the end of the 19th century, was almost entirely made from wood, including load-bearing elements.

Containing fire is also what Wrightstyle glazing systems are designed to achieve. Indeed, we are a key UK provider of integrated fire-rated steel and glass glazing systems for both the domestic and international markets. We understand fire and how to deal with it, and our products and systems have UK and EU certification, with further accreditation in, for example, the USA, Hong Kong and Singapore.

At about 6.20am a member of staff saw smoke coming from a freight elevator but, rather than call the fire department, the night porter instead poured some buckets of water down the shaft. Because of the building’s wooden

Not only do we provide external glazing elements for lift shafts, turning a Author: Jane Embury is a director of Wrightstyle

construction, by the time he did call the emergency services it was too late.

By 7.00am the building had started to collapse, with guests on the upper floors jumping from their rooms. By 8.30am the main part of the building had collapsed.

functional lift into an architectural feature, we can also protect everywhere else in a building - from external curtain walling to internal fire screens and doors. That’s something to sing about.

The cause of the fire was never established, but the likely explanation is that a fire had been smoldering undetected, and which was brought to life by the opening of the lift shaft – providing an inflow of oxygen and allowing fire and hot gases to spread vertically.

Lifts can therefore be both friend or foe and modern building regulations require lift shafts to be properly protected, to ensure that any fire is contained 25

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Where Heritage Meets Heat Efficiency www.brick.org.uk

Simon Hay, CEO, Brick Development Association explores the potential for energy saving as well as the possible pitfalls presented by the Government’s Green Deal and ECO initiatives We are all used to hearing via the television and daily papers about great works of art – so called national treasures – going up for auction with some gallery or museum appealing for funds to help “save it for the nation”. It might be an impressionist painting, a statue or some significant historical artefact; the story is always written much the same, with just the sum of money involved and artist’s name changing.

Happily the Heritage Lottery Fund or some wealthy benefactor often steps forward in time to save the work from going abroad. There is though, a threat to one of Britain’s most prized art forms, where we are facing the prospect of significant examples not simply being spirited away, but actually hidden from public view in such a manner the medium is almost certain to suffer permanent disfigurement and damage.

amazingly a very high proportion of the general public who are expected to fund it, still remain blissfully ignorant – the principle idea is to carry out energy improvements to domestic and other properties: funded by a surcharge on the electricity meter. The BDA fully endorses the policy of promoting both fabric improvements and the installation of low carbon energy systems. For despite the continuing debate over climate change, there is no argument about the fact we are faced with diminishing reserves of fossil fuels, rising prices and concerns over security of supply from around the world.

The Green Deal then – and the accompanying Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) – offer a potential means by which the carbon footprint of individual properties might be reduced; even though there remains uncertainty over the figures and impartiality of the advice being advanced by the different parties who will have to be involved. Then in addition there is the danger of the building envelopes being spoilt by the addition of inappropriate or visually discordant overcladding solutions. We have been down this road before of course: when the boom in double glazing that swept across our towns and cities from the seventies onwards, saw many buildings drastically changed as traditional timber frames or the slender, Crittall type steel windows were replaced by aluminium or PVC systems. English Heritage has waged a lengthy campaign to preserve the sight-lines and kerb appeal of traditional fenestration patterns, but few building owners have ever been forced or motivated to change back, even though high performance timber and steel systems are now available.

What is more, once a brickwork façade has been smothered with insulation and render – normally retained using adhesive as well as mechanical anchors – the chances of it ever re-emerging are miniscule. The drivers for the adoption of Green Deal, and particularly ECO, are strong however, with the big energy companies such as British Gas and E.On. facing crippling financial penalties from Government if they do not achieve the targets they have been set on energy reduction. As has been mentioned, Green Deal is dependent on building occupants signing up to a scheme where they will pay more for their electricity, with the cost being compensated for by a corresponding reduction in their heating bills, due to the improvement in the insulation. This cost comparison is to be made under what is termed the “Golden Rule,” whereby the savings should always exceed the premium on the electricity price.

The potential pay-back figure, however, will be determined by the Energy Performance Certificate for the property, which in itself is based on an observational version of RD SAP, where the assessor makes a series of assumptions about a building’s roof, wall and floor construction, as well as its fenestration. Then the lifestyle of the current or future occupants of the building will affect the level of benefit gained from any improvements; with some stakeholders believing residents will simply enjoy a warmer environment, and thus not save a penny. The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC), along with a large number of industry organisations, have been working on the detail for more than two years now, but much uncertainty still remains.

Brickwork in all its familiar, as well as less familiar forms, is a much loved feature to virtually every urban environment across the country. It defines British aspirations for a safe and secure home as well as financial security.

It has been predicted by many in the industry that while the authorities and the so called Green Deal Providers are trying to persuade the public to sign up to a scheme which will see a surcharge attached to the property for the duration of the loan period – currently being referred to by Government as a “Soft Launch” - the work which will get started quickly will be under the ECO banner. This has been formulated to deal with situations where the Golden Rule cannot be met, most probably due to the poor insulation standards

While as businesses falter and bank balance sheets slide, ‘bricks and mortar’ remain a relatively safe haven for investing money. Even so, the true aesthetic value of brickwork, as a ubiquitous bulwark of our architectural heritage, is impossible to calculate. It is with trepidation then, that the Brick Development Association (BDA) considers the prospect of countless brick built period properties being overclad – their outward appearance permanently altered – as a result of the Government’s well intentioned plans for reducing the energy consumption of our building infrastructure. For those who have not yet heard about the Coalition’s Green Deal initiative – and

of the buildings involved, and the excessive cost of improving them. Past Government initiatives, again funded by the big energy companies, and known by the acronyms CERT and CESP, are generally acknowledge to have tackled the “low-hanging fruit”. That is to say many thousands of homes have benefitted from increased levels of loft insulation, or the installation of cavity wall fill; but it has now left us mainly with the hard-to-treat homes.

This means ones where the restricted roof space or cavity width make it very hard, if not impossible, to achieve any thermal improvement. Prominent amongst this category are the millions of solid wall properties, dating from

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before the War, right back to our earliest building types. With no cavity to address, the owner and Green Deal advisor are left with just two choices: External Wall Insulation or Internal Wall Insulation systems. These are also commonly referred to as insulated render systems and thermal dry-lining; though there are alternatives which would not fit these descriptions. Up until now the number of dwellings being retrofitted with insulated render systems - the majority of them social housing high rise flats – has totalled just 120,000; while under ECO this is predicted to rise to some 170,000 per year.

While the members of the Insulated Render and Cladding Association (INCA) operate a strict code of practice and have a new apprenticeship scheme, there is still a fear of sub-standard work being done by firms from outside its auspices. And poorly executed EWI brings the risk of condensation problems damaging buildings or affecting people’s health. Those involved should also consider the fact that while brickwork is mainly maintenance free, render

some 100 hard-to-treat homes to a standard approaching Zero Carbon performance - utilized a number of internal wall insulation systems.

Varying in thickness and their method of installation, these IWI approaches offer the added benefit that, once treated, a property responds far more quickly to its heating system being switched on, because the masonry is isolated from the occupied space. And one award winning IWI system, featuring the use of laser survey technology, now enables a room’s exterior walls to be thermally dry-lined in just a couple of hours.

Then there is also the largely unexplored potential of installing smart meters in properties in order to help educate the occupants regarding the responsible use of energy; which could also result in significant cuts to consumption.

The Brick Development Association represents a wide variety of manufacturers, artisans and associated parties, and is not, therefore, adopting a dogmatic approach to the implementation of Green Deal and ECO. Indeed it has been Author: Simon Hay, CEO, Brick Development Association

systems are likely to require repainting or other work at intervals of 10 years or less: possibly off-setting the financial benefits of improved insulation.

Some manufacturers belonging to the BDA produce brick slip systems that could be employed as part of an insulated over-cladding solution, which would still maintain a traditional appearance for the exterior of the property.

Meanwhile the Government’s own Retrofit for the Future programme – carried out in cooperation with the Technology Strategy Board, which renovated

working closely with other bodies such as English Heritage and the National Trust, as well as DECC, to ensure a measured and responsible approach can be taken to any energy refurbishments carried out to the nation’s buildings.

The Brick Development Association’s over-riding ambition remains that the beauty and robust sustainability of brickwork, including all styles from English Bond and gauged brickwork through to more contemporary stack bonding, continues to form an intrinsic aspect to Britain’s built environment.

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Inclusive Entrances www.recorduk.co.uk

Electronics and computer technology have changed our world almost beyond recognition over the past couple of decades, though arguably they have been of particular benefit to those people suffering some form of physical disability, even more than the wider community.

There can, for example be no starker contrast than between the tiny blue ‘disabled carriage’ which the state used to provide, compared to the adaptive vehicles offered nowadays through the Motability scheme. Joystick controls and ‘heads up’ technology developed for military aircraft now enable even the most seriously handicapped to enjoy previously unimagined levels of mobility and self-sufficiency.

And while motor travel is of enormous importance to the individual, it is in the design of our built environment where the greatest improvements

- led to a variety of compromise solutions being reached: including the provision of intercom devices outside on the pavement.

This is a situation that should never be reached in new-build situations as the combined influence of the DDA, Approved Document M to the Building Regulations, and the more recent Equality Act 2010, set out very clear guidance for architects and the rest of the design team regarding appropriate access provisions.

As is the case regarding structural stability and fire safety, building consultants look to the industry’s specialist manufacturers to provide both advice on compliance, as well as the practical solutions in the form of ramps, platform lifts and accessible door systems; as well as other products such as high contrast/braille signage for the visually impaired.

As part of a long established European manufacturing group, with vast experience of door automation for the British market, Record UK is regularly called upon to get involved with commercial, retail, leisure and other building contracts – including air, rail and motorway infrastructure projects - at the earliest stages of planning.

While straight sliding and curved sliding have proved extremely popular for forming the main entrance to all types of property from railway stations to high class hotels and business premises, there are a number of other options that can be fully inclusive in their mode of use.

As well as inward and outward curving doors, circular doors are also popular for creating a striking entrance, and can be combined with a straight-sliding one some distance behind, in order to form a draught-lobby which will cut energy loss.

Then revolving doors – which would once have been viewed as presenting a barrier to the less able-bodied – have developed dramatically. In fact the larger diameter units, with wings up to six metres in length, offer ample room for wheelchair users. There are even versions where the wings can be ‘parked’, while a central door is utilized; while another alternative seen in many commercial applications is to fit pass doors to one or both sides, potentially with their own automation.

The actuators themselves have also been the focus for extensive investment in research and development so that they can now be concealed in relatively slim profiles above the door leafs, or buried in the floor. Then specifiers also have the choice of infra-red or radar detectors and induction loops in the floor amongst other means of identifying when a person is approaching.

The over-arching ethos is one of inclusivity, so that no individual should ever feel discriminated against, no matter what makes them different from the perceived norm. And with respect to a building’s main entrance, this is relatively simple to achieve, as contemporary door automation systems will accommodate a fully able-bodied pedestrian, as well as a parent with a pushchair or a wheelchair user in an identical mode of operation.

Record UK has been involved on an extensive modernization programme for one of the country’s biggest high street names, converting hundreds of shopfronts to fit automatically opening, straight sliding doors where swing doors Author: Andy Smith, Record UK

have been made for those members of the population with mobility issues, sensory problems or other specific needs. These changes being driven both by legislation, including the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and a steadily growing level of social responsibility: particularly amongst large businesses.

The ethos of inclusivity and inclusive design is now encapsulated by many companies’ operating policies, with the retail sector and those responsible for our transport hubs leading the way.

When the Disability Discrimination Act originally came into force over 10 years ago it was on the high street where much of the attention was focussed on ensuring that everyone, including wheelchair users, had equal access to goods and services.

The directive, though, was for ‘reasonable’ adaptation to be made, and for most of the national chains with stores in modern shopping centres, the transition was a fairly straightforward one. For many smaller businesses based in old buildings, or even bank branches in outlying locations, the prospect for providing easy access was far more onerous.

Narrow entrances, perhaps reached up a flight of stone steps – all coming under the influence of listed building status or a local conservation area 28

were previously used.

As with any other aspect to the specification for a new-build or refurbishment project, the choice of entrance must come down to a combination of quality, cost, performance and reliability as well as appearance and satisfying legislation.

Thanks to the company’s diverse product range and reputation for providing a high level of service as well as optimum whole life cost benefits, Record UK is ideally placed to assist building professionals meet their own obligations in relation to duty of care and achieving the best outcome for their clients.

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Maintaining A Resin Floor www.resinsurfaces.co.uk

Any flooring solution will last longer with the appropriate cleaning and maintenance regime but this is often overlooked in many commercial and industrial environments. Martin Wroe, Commercial Manager at Resin Surfaces Limited explains how the right floor maintenance programme can extend the life of your resin floor – ultimately saving you money.

easily accommodate. This means that mechanical cleaning can be carried out less often as the waste water produced from other manual methods of cleaning can be easily removed from the surface. This is an important part of the specification process but is often overlooked. If an area such as a busy food production space is particularly difficult to get a scrubber dryer machine into then incorporating drains into the floor is an ideal solution then a power washing cleaning regime can be followed using proven cleaning products which will remove food contaminants and help to maintain a clean surface.

The Right Products It is often tempting to clean a floor with bleach as this is seen as a sterile cleaning solution but we would never recommend this to our customers.

Prolonged contact with bleach can tarnish a resin surface by affecting the top seal coat and also may affect the colour of the floor, if a top seal is

“If any flooring solution isn’t kept in a clean condition contaminants can become harder to remove without more abrasive treatments, so the best way to maintain your floor is to follow an effective cleaning regime. Due to the heavy duty and seamless nature of a resin floor it is very tempting for end users to opt for a mop and bucket as their chosen cleaning apparatus, however this is not an effective way to remove dirt from an area, it often just moves it around to other parts of the floor. The floor may look clean on the surface but any bacteria or contamination which may have been present

damaged the floor will not last as long or may need refurbishment if the aesthetics have been affected. Resin floors should always be cleaned with an alkaline solution because it is less aggressive and will not attack the surface of the floor.

will not have been totally removed. This is something that is particularly critical in hospitals and food production areas. Whilst resin is an increasingly popular choice for these demanding areas due to its seamless properties the benefits of a seamless surface are that it can make it easier to keep a floor clean yet end users will only realise this benefit if they plan and implement an effective cleaning regime regularly.

The Right Equipment The most effective way to clean a resin floor is to use a mechanical cleaner such as a scrubber dryer. A scrubber dryer uses rotating brushes and cleaning solution to agitate the dirt away from the floor; the residue is captured by squeegees and sucked into a holding tank in the body of the machine for later disposal. There are different types of scrubber dryers which you can choose to suit your area, a ‘walk behind’ or pedestrian operated machine and also a ride-on machine for cleaning larger spaces. In large areas these

Optimising the life of your floor We always try to inform our customers how best to maintain their floors; resin is known for its durable properties but customers who look after their floors find they last a considerably long time, some for over 10 years! If the area creates a lot of surface debris then it is important to ensure this is sufficiently removed at the end of each day otherwise leaving debris on the floor can lead to scratches or imperfections in the floor. One reason why resin is such a popular choice for commercial environments is due to the ease of refreshing or repairing the floor. Once a resin has been applied it becomes a permanent fixture of the sub base, this means it is possible to apply a new top coat after a couple of years in order to refresh the area or alternatively you are able to carry out localised repairs on specific areas of the floor.

Inspecting your floor and carrying out repairs in a timely manner can also extend the life of your floor.

Proven Cleaning Solutions The RSL technical team of qualified & experienced chemists have spent time researching & testing cleaning products ideal for resin and have created a range of environmentally friendly seaweed and organic based cleaning products which achieved fantastic results. The seaweed range is naturally biodegradable, developed with care to use as few harmful chemicals as possible so that customers achieve great cleaning results whilst minimising Author: Martin Wroe, Commercial Manager, Resin Surfaces Limited

multifunctional machines also offer cost and productivity benefits in addition to maintaining your floor.

Deciding on Your Cleaning Regime Before you install a new Floor The most important factor to be considered is how will the contamination on the floor be removed?

Food production, pharmaceutical and healthcare environment can benefit from having drains incorporated into the floors, something that resin systems

environmental impact. All of RSL’s cleaning products are specifically created to complement RSL’s resin products and help maintain and prolong the life of your floor.

Advice & Support We are always happy to offer advice to our customers on the best methods of maintenance we would recommend for particular areas and products.

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Premium Wood Protection From Remmers Whether skin or wood – protection is important and what counts is the sun protection factor. Remmers have developed a new product called Long Time Stain UV that provides considerably better and longer lasting protection from UV-Rays that destroy wood. Whether fences, facades, windows and shutters, doors or garden furniture, the solvent based, medium solid, translucent coating is designed for universal use on wood outdoors and is a joy to apply. It is drip inhibited and therefore makes overhead work a lot easier. The silk gloss finish repels soil, is easy to maintain and, as the name indicates, the coating protects for a long time. www.remmers.co.uk Enquiry No. 23

The ALL NEW Dataterm IHC Can Knock A Massive 25% Off Your Fuel Bill!

The all new Dataterm IHC can now control up to 4 heating zones and hot water all from 1 handy control pad allowing you to be in total control of your heating and how much it costs you. So if central heating is a burden to your budget enquire about Dataterm today, after all it is the control that can pay for itself in as little as 2 years and its good for the planet too! Suitable for all heating systems, it simply replaces existing time clocks and thermostats allowing greater flexibility and control. Features include illuminated display, optimum start/ stop, close temperature control, wireless sensing and an average 25% savings in fuel spend per annum. www.warmworld.co.uk Enquiry No. 24

New Aqua HIU Offers Heating And Hot Water Solution For Multi-Dwelling Developments

Aquatiere Has The Soft Touch

The new Aqua Heating Interface Units (HIU) from Johnson & Starley offer a robust and cost effective solution to safe, reliable and instantly available heating and hot water in modern, high density multi-dwelling developments.

There are many benefits with a decentralised plant approach to heating incorporating HIUs. There is no need for individual gas boilers in dwellings, thereby reducing the risks associated with a gas distribution pipe work. Annual gas safety inspections are typically restricted to the plant room and there is a reduction in operating costs as a result of reduced boiler service requirements.

Meter reading and energy billing can be carried out without entering the dwelling and remotely from a central location. Capital installation and whole life costs can be lower for a decentralised scheme and further financial savings can be made due to increased efficiency. Gas consumption is reduced through the decentralised plant efficiencies and CO2 reductions of up to 44% are achievable against standard new build individual gas boiler installations. www.johnsonandstarley.co.uk

The Aquatiere No Scale saltless water softener is steadily making its mark amongst architects and specifiers.

Recently installed at the National Railway Museum and on North Sea Oil Rigs, the innovative softener is proving invaluable where avoiding the need for the provision of salt and ongoing maintenance is an effective method to reduce costs. A conventional salt based softener can waste up to 180,000 litres of water over a few years. The Aquatiere No Scale softener uses Template Assisted Crysalisation to change the limescale in the water to microcopic crystals of magnesium and calcium which in there natural seperated state, do not form hard scale. The unit is simply fitted onto the incoming water main and requires no power, no drain and no seperate drinking water tap. www.aquatiere.co.uk

Enquiry No. 25

High Performance, Sustainable Roofing From Lindab Lindab’s renowned steel manufacturing capability has enabled the company to produce Seamline - a high performance and sustainable standing seam roofing system that offers; an impressively low carbon footprint, minimal thermal movement, resistance to corrosion, is virtually maintenance free and long lasting and can be fully recycled.

Seamline is so flexible it can be fixed down to a pitch of only 5.7 degrees, even lower in certain circumstances. It can be laid up to 15 metres in one continuous length for rapid completion of the roof. A choice of 15 high build (CFC Free) polyester colours, supported with a Lindab ‘peace of mind’ 15 year warranty allows the opportunity for Seamline to be specified on many types of buildings. An Aluzinc version of Seamline which offers a 20 year warranty is also available – this has a factory applied coating of aluminium and zinc to provide a stunning silver shimmering effect roof. www.lindab.co.uk Enquiry No. 26

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Enquiry No. 27

atb:products

Hörmann Meet The Style Challenge As market leaders in both garage and industrial doors, Hörmann has the technical expertise to provide the right solution whatever the project. When it comes to style and design, both up-and-over and sectional garage door frames are available to clad in a material and finish of your choice.This way doors can be created to blend in with the building style and design or simply become a design feature in their own right.

The steel up-and-over frame is fully welded for strength, pre-drilled and then galvanised and coated in high-grade polyester primer.

The design allows the frame to be either completely hidden or used as the door edges as a part of the desired look.

With space saving, insulated, weather-sealed sectional garage doors established as the standard across Europe, Hörmann has now developed an aluminium sectional door frame that can also be clad to suit your requirements. Based on the proven ALR industrial door this is especially stable and designed for reliable long term operation.

New handsets, designed for the latest, series 3, automatic operators from Hörmann, are also adding style with their Red Dot award winning design.

Available in either a black or white high gloss finish that replicates piano lacquer, the new higher quality, tactile hand transmitters from Hörmann, are not only more stylish but also more secure. Featuring Hörmann's BiSecur radio system, the elegant design fits comfortably into the palm of your hand.

The BiSecur system is a bi-directional FM radio signal that uses the same 128 bit encryption favoured by banks for their online services. Signal strength is greatly improved and operational distance increases, however one of the key benefits of the BiSecur system is a remote status query function. A simple push of a button will tell you whether an out of sight door is open or closed. The multicolour LED light shows red if the door is open and green if closed.

The door can be closed even when out of sight, the LED displaying a blue light until the door is closed and the light turns to green. In this circumstance It is recommended that an additional photocell is installed for added safety.

Whatever your design challenge, Hörmann has the range, knowledge and expertise to deliver the style you want.

For more details simply call 01530 516888, e-mail info@hormann.co.uk or go to www.hormann.co.uk Enquiry No. 28

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Stelrad Unveils Radical Stelrad Radiators, the UK’s leading radiator manufacturer, has unveiled its brand new Radical radiator. Radical is the first genuinely energy efficient radiator on the marketplace, offering a 10.5% gas saving compared to a standard heating system, a fact independently confirmed by KIWA - and includes some very clever technology that makes it stand apart from the crowd.

It’s the first ‘serial feed’ radiator on the UK market place and it’s an ideal companion to lower temperature renewable heating systems, with the return flow from the heating system to the boiler being at a lower temperature, ensuring that the condensing boiler is actually able to condense efficiently. www.stelrad.com Enquiry No. 29

Rainwater Harvesting – From The Experts Rainwater harvesting is fast becoming a standard feature in new build designs. The design and construction industry understands the integral part rainwater harvesting plays in creating sustainable buildings. Polypipe’s Rainstream systems are predominantly targeted at domestic installations but can be used in light commercial applications too. Rain harvesting can replace up to 50% of household mains water consumption, and up to 85% on commercial installations. One third of all water used in the home gets flushed down the toilet. The roof on an average 4-bed family home captures more than 100,000 litres of rainwater each year – most of which currently goes down the drain. www.polypipe.com/building-products/products/water-managementsustainable-solutions/rainstream Enquiry No. 30

Timoleon Lowboard – The Slimline System For Floating Floors One of the many under-floor heating products to come from Timoleon under-floor heating (UFH) specialists is the innovative LOWBOARD, specifically designed for situations where there is minimal height available for floor build-up.

The product consists of 13mm high density panels which are preformed to accept 12mm polybutylene pipe to BS7291 class S, in an optimal conformation for UFH heat diffusion.

The LOWBOARD panels can be laid directly on any existing reasonably flat surface.

They are simple and quick to install and the ultra flexible pipe is easily pressed into the grooves directly from the roll when they are in place.

The grooved panels [in dimensions of 1200 x 600mm] are manufactured from high-density, moisture resistant MDF with an aluminium layer bonded to the underside so that the heat spreads upwards throughout the board and into the floor.

When the panels and piping are in place a 6mm layer of plywood or similar material is firmly fixed in place over the top to give the system complete integrity before the eventual floor covering is installed. The LOWBOARD system is the ideal solution for renovation projects of all types of buildings where there is little room to increase the floor depth. www.timoleon.co.uk Enquiry No. 31

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Cinder For Small Places JIS EUROPE of Haywards Heath has introduced another heated towel rail to its Sussex range named The Cinder. The towel rail is manufactured for places with restricted space with only three horizontal rails. The Cinder is ideal for the smaller bathroom, wash room, downstairs cloak room or the kitchen.

The measurements are a compact 370mm high by 520mm wide. It can be used in dual fuel formats or electric, which will allow the rail to be heated when the central heating is turned off. The Camber towel rail is manufactured in 100% stainless steel, with satin finish available to order, making this radiator durable and hygienic and it is covered by a 25year guarantee. www.thecoastalrange.co.uk Enquiry No. 32

sea mline | s u s t a i n a b l e ro o f i n g s y s t e m s i n s t e e l

Pitch Perfect Seamline from Lindab is a high performance and sustainable standing seam roofing system that has a low carbon footprint, minimal thermal movement, highly resistant to corrosion, is virtually maintenance free - and at the end of its serviceable life, can be fully recycled.

Seamline can be fixed down to a pitch of only 5.7 degrees and can be laid up to 15 meters in one continuous length.

A choice of 15 high build (CFC Free) polyester colours* or an Aluzinc finish in a shimmering silver supported with a Lindab ‘peace of mind’ 20 year warranty allows the opportunity for Seamline to be confidently specified for use on many types of industrial, commercial, domestic and agricultural buildings.

Enquiry No. 33

* 15 year warranty on polyester colours

Lindab Ltd | Building Products Division | Shenstone Trading Estate | Halesowen | West Midlands | B63 3XB Telephone: +44 121 585 2780 | Facsimile: +44 121 585 2782 | Email: buildingproducts.sales@lindab.co.uk | www.lindab.co.uk

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New Slide 2000 Door From Smart

On The Deck Or On The Wall - Woozen Is The Sustainable Solution Surface material specialists David Clouting Ltd now offer Woozen - a unique cladding & decking system manufactured by LG Hausys from high quality wood flour derived from recycling the waste elements of tree thinning from managed conservation forests. The wood flour is extruded with a mixture of eco-friendly olefin resins to create Woozen - the ultimate in truly sustainable products. Woozen offers all the aesthetic values of wood combined with high performance features. It is extremely hardwearing, it will not rot, is highly resistant to weathering and insects, requires no painting, varnishing or cleaning and is easy and quick to install. Requiring virtually no maintenance, Woozen delivers excellent whole life costings. Its impressive carbon footprint in contrast to other cladding and decking materials ensures that Woozen will deliver on performance and sustainability issues. www.davidclouting.co.uk

Slide 2000 is the latest system in Smart’s popular series of elegant sliding doors and windows. An evolution of the original Slide system using continental style construction, Slide 2000 features the signature slim line profiles and minimal sightlines associated with the range, coupled with modern thermal break technology that provides consumers with both enhanced thermal performance and the option of dual colour profiles in a wide choice of colour finishes. The system is designed for use as sliding patio doors in residential applications for both new build homes and refurbishment projects. Slide 2000 is also suitable for use as horizontal sliding windows for light commercial use such as external serving hatches in restaurants.

Sliding windows are also ideal for applications where increased ventilation is required. The window offers a solution where applications, such as schools and hospitals, require an open sash that does not project creating an obstruction. www.smartystems.co.uk Enquiry No. 35

Enquiry No. 34

Alumasc Rainwater And Stormsaver - Working Together To Provide Rainwater Harvesting Expertise The recent partnership of Alumasc Rainwater and Stormsaver has created a major new force in commercial Rainwater Harvesting.

The two industry giants joined forces to provide the construction industry with a one stop solution for rainwater management and recycling. The partnership, which was launched at Ecobuild 2012, brings together Alumasc’s experience in roofing and rainwater run-off with Stormsaver’s expertise in the collection, filtration and reuse of rainwater.

As one of the leading suppliers of metal rainwater goods in the UK, Alumasc has provided roofing and guttering solutions for some of the most prestigious sites in the UK and was keen to associate with an industry heavyweight who could work with them to provide an unrivalled environmental solution to a joint client base.

Managing Director for Alumasc Rainwater, Paul Hetherington, explains, “Stormsaver’s rainwater harvesting systems reflect our high quality standards, have proven effectiveness and give our clients great value for money. The fact that we can now offer this combined expertise, provides the industry with an invaluable resource and further strengthens the position of both companies within this ever-growing sector.”

Stormsaver’s Managing Director Michael Farnsworth comments, “Our business relationship with Alumasc has, so far, been a great success. Our joint presence at Ecobuild earlier in the year brought about a huge response from the visitors who were excited to see that a one stop shop for rainwater solutions is now available. The coming year will cement our partnership further as we begin to work together on more and more sites together.”

For more information, call Alumasc on 01744 648400 or Stormsaver on 0844 884 0015 www.alumascrainwater.co.uk Enquiry No. 36

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New Solid Back Entrance Mats

Cooking Up A Storm in Kitchen Tap Designs

Frontrunner SB and SB+ are new high performance solid backed mats introduced

by Plastic Extruders Ltd to extend the range of products available in its wellknown Frontrunner Entrance Flooring System. Frontrunner SB is a ‘scrape and clean’ matting which removes the dirt from the traffic area and contains it locally for ease of cleaning. Its open ribbed top surface is designed to trap dirt from shoes so it is not transferred inside, thereby reducing cleaning and maintenance costs. Frontrunner SB+ has the addition of absorbent inserts which removes dirt and moisture and dry shoes all in one movement.

Both mats are manufactured from flexible PVC which means that they are sturdy enough to withstand heels and wheeled traffic, whilst the hollow tube construction is light in weight and easy to handle. Their 6mm overall grid height means they can be located on existing floors removing the need for a recessed matwell. www.frontrunnerplus.com

The Francis Pegler Designer kitchen tap collection boasts a large array of innovative and adventurous models with distinctive control mechanisms and body design, perfect for adding high-end panache to a plethora of kitchen styles. The Galiceno is a design statement that boasts a straight spout complimented by a spring tap sink mixer. The Chef, a single lever monobloc chrome mixer is ideal for professional kitchens. The Adorn is a symphony of circles, cylinders and curves that encompass a wide diameter spout with a contrasting pencil like single lever control. The Cyber boasts a softened angled shape with smooth curves the spout is supported by a tubular foot that holds the side action single lever control. www.pegleryorkshire.co.uk

Enquiry No. 37

Enquiry No. 38

Technal Announces New Thermal Performance Data For Casement Window System – Exceeding Building Regulations Requirements Technal has announced new thermal performance data for its FXi65 casement window system, which exceed Building Regulations requirements. The figures demonstrate that even with a 24mm double glazed unit, a Uw value of 1.4w/ m2K can be achieved. The revised calculations compare the Uw values that can be achieved using a typical window size of 1.25m x 1.48m under a variety of conditions and parameters, and are available for fixed light, open-out and openin configurations. Technal’s FXi65 commercial aluminium window is a technically advanced framing system with slim sight lines. The system can accommodate 17mm up to 48mm glazed units, allowing more economical glass specifications to be used, whilst still delivering the targeted Uw value. A composite open-out window can also be supplied, as well as a tilt/slide option. In tests up to 600 Pa, the FXi65 window achieved the highest classification for air permeability. It is fully watertight up to 1200 Pa and is rated up to the equivalent pressure of 2000 Pa for wind resistance. www.technal.co.uk/FXi65

PC Henderson Evolves Smoothly Into Automated Market For more than 90 years PC Henderson has been at the forefront of sliding and folding door hardware systems.

Now, the company launches into the automated market with a brand new Henderson brand, Entrematic. The first Entrematic product onto the market is the Evolve range, which has been built to provide an automated solution. This will be welcomed by specifiers and endusers tasked with providing automated access at a cost-effective price. As well as providing easier access for people with limited mobility, for example, commercial businesses may look to use Evolve for areas of the business where trolleys are often deployed and boxes are emptied and loaded – and automatic door entry is desirable. Three Evolve systems are available, Evolve 60, Evolve 80 and Evolve 80 SIM Kit, that can deliver automation to pocket, single and double sliding doors weighing up to 80kg. The range is suitable for smaller internal applications. www.pchenderson.com Enquiry No. 39

Enquiry No. 40

New KNX LED Dimmer From IMP KNX UK Association member IMP, the sole distributor for Vimar Spa with their ranges of KNX certified products, has introduced their new KNX certified LED dimmer into the UK. It is designed for all lighting loads, but is especially useful for LED Lighting with a minimum power requirement of two watts.

The KNX dimmer is designed to control two individual channels of varying loads and lighting types per channel. The loads can range from 2 watts to 500 watts for one channel use or 300 watts when both channels are used.

The dimmer can also control 230V halogen lamps and low voltage halogen lamps connected to electronic or conventional transformers. Other technical characteristics include a power consumption of 4.5 watts, an output power of 300W/VA, up to a maximum of 500W/VA if just one channel is used and a minimum load of 2 watts. www.knxuk.org Enquiry No. 41

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Smart Launch Single Track Sliding Door

FAKRO Roof Window Offers Highest Protection Yet

Slide Mono Rail is a single track residential sliding door system that provides consumers with an attractive slim line sliding door that has all the advantages of modern thermal break profiles. The doors are ideal for use as an economic replacement for yesterday’s aluminium sliding doors with traditional UK style construction whilst upgrading thermal performance for today’s regulations. The slim sight lines are also ideal for contemporary new build applications.

Slide Mono Rail offers the option of 2 or 4 pane doors. The 2 pane monotrack option provides a single opening sash sliding over a fixed pane. The 4 pane option allows for two opening sashes in the centre sliding over fixed panes on either side.

The doors are fitted with a multi-point locking mechanism that locates into a one piece stainless steel keep offering enhanced security and ease of fabrication. www.smartystems.co.uk

Product developments in the roof window sector continue to influence style and functionality in equal measure. In addition to setting new standards of thermal efficiency and airtightness, however, FAKRO has launched the FTP-V P2 Secure roof window to provide a previously unseen level of burglary protection. It not only utilises the company’s unique topSafe system of hinge and lock reinforcement but Class P2A laminated anti-burglary glass, a system to prevent the glazing unit from being broken and an additional safety lock. 13 sizes are available in both standard and conservation style, with all having an automatic vent to prevent unnecessary heat loss. www.fakro.co.uk

Enquiry No. 42

Enquiry No. 43

Decoflame® e-Ribbon Fire Since 2007, Decoflame has become the synonym for Danish Design and Craftsmanship on the market for bioethanol fireplaces. Comprising a large variety of both standard and made to measure bioethanol fireplace models, the decoflame® range of fires are amongst the safest and most stylish currently available. In February 2012, the Denmark-based manufacturer introduced a second generation of electronically controlled ethanol-fuelled burner – the decoflame® e-Ribbon Fire (patent pending). Featuring cutting-edge technology, this remotely controlled burner can be installed as a stand-alone drop-down unit or as part of the decoflame® made to measure built-in bioethanol fireplace models Montreal and Orlando. The decoflame® e-Ribbon Fire combines ease of installation and operation with functional safety, introducing the joy and warmth of a real open fire to domestic and commercial fireplace applications without the need for a flue or chimney. www.decoflame.com Enquiry No. 44

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Flush And 3D Bevelrock Tiles Join RAK’s Surface Collection RAK Ceramics has launched a new stone-effect tile range. New Bevelrock has a speckled matt finish and is available in a range of earthy tones, patterns and formats which combine rustic and contemporary design elements. Different tile finishes can be combined to create both flat and 3D ceramic effects, providing a wealth of creative options alongside high performance benefits.

New Bevelrock is available in 33cm x 50cm and 25cm x40cm formats, with a 45cm x 45cm coordinating floor tile. In addition to plain matt finishes - in ivory, beige, grey and brown – multi-toned 3D décor tiles are available which feature a unique textured finish that gives an embossed appearance. The distinct design is created using the latest digital printing technology which applies tiny droplets of colour seamlessly across the surface of the tile.

Other new tile ranges to join RAK’s surface collection include Craft – a series of polished rectangular ceramic tiles in glossy white, brown, beige and ivory, and Sandust - a range of rectified porcelain tiles with a Lapato finish. www.rakceramics.co.uk Enquiry No. 45

New Condensate Traps From Dallmer The latest products to be introduced to the UK market by Dallmer Ltd. is a range of Condensate Traps specifically designed to drain the condensed water created by air conditioners, chiller cabinets, dehumidifiers and other heating and cooling appliances.

The new trap range utilises the STOP technology developed by parent company Dallmer GmbH that is already proving very popular in mainland Europe since it prevents foul air infiltration even in the absence of condensate water by use of a ball valve cut-off.

The new Dallmer Condensate Traps, manufactured in polypropylene and conforming to DIN 19541, consist of two models, the 138 and the 136 although the latter has a further variant, the 136.3. The 138 is a built-in trap that can be recessed or wall mounted and has a drain body and inspection cover housing a transparent trap cartridge to allow simple inspection of the condensed water if present and the cut-off action of the otherwise floating ball if the trap is dry. The horizontally mounted 136 trap is swivel jointed to allow flexible fitting and has a cleaning eye/tray and a 1.1/4” back-nut on the inlet tube and the 136.3 is similarly designed but for vertical fitment. There is also a swivel-jointed Dallmer 136.2 trap already on the market, in this case with a transparent inlet tube that may be filled via a built-in hose connector in case of water deficiency. All Condensate Traps are suitable for positive or negative pressure up to 2800 Pascals. www.dallmer.com Enquiry No. 46

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Yorkon Launches Revolutionary New Building System – Offering The Widest Range Of Modules From Any Off-Site Manufacturer In The UK Award-winning off-site specialist, Yorkon, has launched a new building system which is set to revolutionise modular construction in the UK. Yorkon now offers the widest range of building modules currently available from any off-site manufacturer in the UK – giving architects, contractors and construction clients the unrivalled design flexibility to meet almost any building footprint.

This revolutionary building system, which has thousands of configurations and permutations, will realise the full potential of off-site construction as a more efficient alternative to site-based building methods but with absolutely no compromise on design, aesthetics or layout.

The Yorkon system has been launched following a three-year development and testing programme which has included significant investment in new stateof-the-art production facilities in York – now the most advanced facility of its kind in Europe.

The new building system incorporates a host of innovations including: • Columns that are no longer visible either internally or externally, for a

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seamless façade that can be specified with or without cladding • The facility to fit any building footprint, including those designed for traditional site-based construction – reducing architects’ design time and resources • Module lengths from 6m to 18.75m that give even greater flexibility and the option of using larger but fewer modules to reduce cranage, transport costs and site works • Two module width options of 3m and 3.75m; three height options for singlestorey buildings, and seven different heights for ground and intermediate floors on multi-storey schemes to facilitate linking to existing traditionallyconstructed buildings • All connections between modules will now be carried out from inside the building – which is more efficient, quicker and safer on site • The option of angled corners for further architectural variety • A system built to engineering rather than construction tolerances for even greater accuracy and build quality • A new wall construction which offers improved insulation and acoustic

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performance, and an even wider choice of window and fenestration options • A new insulation production system to further improve quality and consistency • A new 30-year structural warranty for even greater peace of mind.

Yorkon also offers the widest choice of cladding, glazing and roofing options to create outstanding architecture and landmark buildings – or bespoke facilities which complement existing schemes – with all the advantages of an off-site construction solution.

These include programme times reduced by up to 50 per cent; 99.9 per cent recycling of waste material in the factory and 92 per cent recycling on site; less disruption during construction; improved thermal efficiency for lower running costs and reduced carbon emissions, and much greater assurance of delivery on time and on budget.

Commenting on the new building system, Joe Biggs, Managing Director of P+HS Architects, said, “We have worked with Yorkon for a number of years and have found its off-site solutions offer significant quality, site and programme benefits to our clients. Yorkon also recognises the importance of offering unrivalled flexibility in design and layout to suit individual project requirements, as well as a fast and efficient response. The new system is a tremendously exciting development which could potentially revolutionise the use of off-site construction and the design possibilities of the approach.”

Simon Ambler, Director of Yorkon said, “The launch of the new system follows extensive research with our customers and construction partners. It has been developed specifically to meet their needs and particularly the requirement for a more flexible off-site solution that offers genuine freedom of expression in terms of layout, footprint and aesthetics.”

“As a Group we have invested in new state-of-the-art production facilities, which further demonstrates our commitment and the scale of this R&D process – particularly in the current challenging economic climate. This is a major milestone for the business and we are delighted to have scored yet another industry first for Yorkon by offering the widest range of configuration options of any off-site manufacturer in the UK. The design potential is simply limitless.”

The new Yorkon off-site building system has many applications, ranging from teaching facilities for schools and academies; hospital buildings and health clinics; laboratories; to control centres and amenity buildings in the power and utilities sectors; superstores, retail kiosks and convenience stores; and passenger and operations facilities for railways and airports. www.yorkon.info/newsystem Enquiry No. 47

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DuPont Develops Breakthrough Technology Enabling The Production Of Advanced Flame Retardant Breather Membranes For Buildings With a new patented technology offering a significant increase in building safety, potentially saving lives and reducing costly damage, DuPont has combined its world-class know-how in both materials science and chemistry, to developed an eco-friendly breakthrough solution. Suitable for roofs and walls and offering extremely high levels of flame retardancy (up to Class B) new DuPont™ Tyvek® FireCurb™ also enables delivery at a competitive cost.

This flame retardant performance adds to the multiple and renowned properties of DuPont™ Tyvek® breather membranes for buildings, such as long-term protection, effective vapour diffusion and a significant contribution to energy efficiency and interior comfort. The initial types of DuPont™ Tyvek® FireCurb™ featuring a higher flame retardant performance will be available to the market in autumn 2012 and are suitable for applications in high rise buildings for ventilated façades and for wall membranes in timber frame constructions. Additional membrane types for roofs and walls will be introduced in a second phase.

“Large scale fires have increased pressure on authorities and as a result, the construction industry has had to adapt to ever-tougher restrictions. Accordingly DuPont has now added a new dimension to the protection performance of DuPont™ Tyvek®. Having led the way in highperformance protection from wind and water, we are committed now to also improving the reaction of wall and roofing membranes to fire. When flames meet Tyvek® FireCurb™, they stop, die down and go out. Tyvek® FireCurb™ limits flame propagation between floors through the external envelope. While crucially offering higher safety to occupants and fire fighters, this new product line also potentially reduces the damage and cost caused by fires,” says Karel Smolders, DuPont Building Innovations, EMEA Marketing Manager for Building Envelopes.

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“Typically installed onto the external side of the insulation material or integrated into the wall structure system, DuPont™ Tyvek® FireCurb™ membranes represent an excellent solution to protection for such important and long-term investments as buildings. Extremely versatile, they will be available in variations for ventilated façades, open rain screen cladding, timber frame and roofing constructions. In addition, DuPont™ Tyvek® FireCurb™ membranes will provide protection during the installation phase: sparks at building sites have frequently been the cause of fires and now this risk can be considerably reduced,“ adds Patrick Mousel, DuPont Building Innovations, EMEA and AP Product Manager for Building Envelopes.

“The new DuPont™ Tyvek® FireCurb™ range of flexible building membranes uses a novel flame retardant technology to reduce the flammability of polymer based substrates. This technique does not involve the use of any halogens.

Instead, it employs a phosphorous containing agent, to promote the formation of a ‘char’ layer at the surface when it is in contact with an ignition source.

This thin layer of carbonized polymer is very resistant to burning and forms a barrier, slowing the release of flammable materials from the membrane into the flame. Starved of fuel, the flame spreads over the membrane more slowly or not at all. DuPont flame retardant flexible building membranes also produce less smoke when the membrane does burn; another advantage for people attempting to flee a burning building,” explains Carlo Weber, DuPont Building Innovations, EMEA Technical Marketing Specialist for Building Envelopes.

In this new product range, DuPont has combined a number of its proprietary technologies to produce a family of building membranes with a superior combination of advanced properties to meet the needs of the construction industry. www.FlameRetardant.tyvek.com Enquiry No. 48

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Non-Com Exterior First Fire Retardant To Be Approved By The WPA Non-Com Exterior, Lonza’s long established fire retardant protection for exterior timbers, has just become the first product of this type to achieve certification as a WPA Approved Product, the highest quality approval from the Wood Protection Association (WPA). Already a ‘Listed’ product within the WPA Flame Retardant Specification Manual, the new ‘Approved Product’ status makes Non-Com Exterior the only leach resistant type flame retardant to achieve this higher, third party certification of quality.

‘Listed’ status is awarded solely on the manufacturer’s own declaration on the hygroscopic and leach resistance properties of the product, with no independent assessment of fire data and other ancillary properties. Whereas ‘Approved’ status involves a rigorous assessment of fire performance data by an independent panel of experts appointed by the WPA. www.lonza.com Enquiry No. 49

BREEAM Targets Boosted By Sudscape's Landscaping System A unique SUDS-compliant hard landscaping system, Sudscape ™ can earn a construction or hard landscaping project up to eleven BREEAM credits due to its range of excellent ecocredentials, based on criteria information provided in the Green Guide to Specification.

Sudscape is a pioneering system comprised of a sub layer of recycled car tyres combined with a porous top layer of resin bound aggregate. Rainwater is able to soak through the top layer where it is held in the voids of the sub layer before being naturally absorbed back into the water table, thereby eliminating the risk of standing water. It is suitable for use across a range of applications including paths and pavements, driveways and borders, and it requires minimal maintenance.

Specifically it complies with the following sections of the Green Guide: • Hard Landscaping Materials Section: recycled surfacing material equates to one credit • Responsible Sourcing of Materials Section: being made from recycled car tyres, use of Sudscape can achieve up to three credits • Flood Risk Section: its surface water attenuation properties equates to two credits • Minimising water course pollution section: Sudscape's surface water source control treatment equates to one credit • Innovation Section: Sudscape's main component of recycled car tyres qualifies it for a further credit.

The Sudscape system has been rigorously tested at the BRE Innovation Park over a three year period where it is the only landscaping product to have remained porous with no maintenance required at all in a wooded environment. The patented system allows water and air to pass through, but not light, and it can therefore be simply power washed or vacuumed to minimise any fines build-up. In addition, in freeze thaw tests it does not laminate, as is often the case with other resin products when placed on top of concrete or tarmac. www.sudscape.co.uk Enquiry No. 50

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A Planning Friendly Solution To Solar Panels

Kristallo Video Intercoms Now Available With Memory For Added Security Videx Security has now added an optional video memory function to its Kristallo video intercoms range for door entry systems.

The intercoms can now store up to 128 still pictures and up to 66 fifteen second video clips. The images or videos are date and time stamped and provide an extra level of security for any building occupier.

Furthermore, it is possible to copy these images to a micro-SD card, allowing them to be viewed on a PC or card reader.

Picture or video clip storage can be triggered automatically or manually.

When in automatic mode, the videophone stores a picture or a 15 second video clip upon receiving a call. This enables the user, whilst away from home, to record visitors who have called, with the date and time stamp showing when the event occurred. Kristallo units will complement modern interior designs and lifestyles. They are available in either black or white, with a crystal smooth surface finish. Compact flush and low profile surface mounting versions are available. www.videx-security.com Enquiry No. 51

As a pollution-free and inexhaustible method of energy production, solar power is an ideal solution forarchitects looking to incorporate renewable energy generation into a property.

However, planning constraints placed on older properties and within conservation areas can often prove restrictive.

Standard solar panels can have a dramatic effect on the design of any property and this is where Solar Slate provides the perfect solution.

Solar Slate is the world’s first in-roof solar panel that combines the latest in photovoltaic technology with the aesthetic of a natural blue / grey slate. Unlike standard panels, Solar Slate blends in with traditional roof slates and has been installed on listed buildings within conservation areas and in national parks because its aesthetic is sympathetic to design and environmental considerations. www.solarslate-ltd.com Enquiry No. 52

Enquiry No. 53

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PureGlaze Range Expands The PureGlaze range of windows and doors was developed in-house at Cantifix, and is as close as you can get to all-glass double-glazed doors. The range works on the concept of sandwiching an aluminium frame between two sheets of glass, in order to incorporate the locking and weathering systems needed for an external door. This frame is then hidden with a 70mm wide back painted band – which can be painted in any RAL colour.

At Cantifix we are committed to continually improving and expanding our product range – and PureGlaze is no different. This year has seen many aesthetic and functional developments made – leading to a new version of the PureGlaze door, as well as a new PureGlaze window.

The PureGlaze Door The new and improved PureGlaze door is designed around 180 degree pivot operation – allowing for a wide variety of building uses. It has been has been carefully re-detailed, so that a wider variety of locks and closers can be incorporated into the profile – allowing greater continuity across the range.

The introduction of a double bottom bearing has increased the sizes possible for the PureGlaze door – with heights up to 3 metres now available. The profile is thermally broken, and with standard glass achieves average u-values of 1.6 W/m2/K. This value can be improved by integrating Heat Mirror film into the doors. Other enhancements to the PureGlaze door include an extra line of woolpile around the frame – to improve weathering performance, and a

relocation of the closer to the head of the door – to reduce the size of the threshold and improve drainage.

Security is solid - with a 3-point deadlock operated by a Europrofile cylinder from both inside and outside. Slave leaves in sets of double doors are secured at top and bottom by centrally operated flush bolts hidden within the glass; and concealed closers in the head keep the doors tightly closed. Although the PureGlaze door can be fitted with a wide variety of handles; the most popular option is stainless steel pull handles in 650mm long – which are bolted through the glass; and cranked to allow access to the key. The new ‘PureGlaze leaf’ can be configured for both sliding and stacking, to allow larger panel sizes and wider clear openings. Planned future developments include an option for a folding PureGlaze – as well as testing to allow leafs wider than 2 metres.

The PureGlaze Window The PureGlaze window is available in either manual or electrical options, up to widths and heights of 1.5 metres. The window has no visible framing from either inside or outside, making it ideal for facades where a perfectly flush finish is desired. Overall average u-values are 1.1 W/m2/K – 1.5 W/m2/K – depending on the glass specification. The PureGlaze window is also available with Heat Mirror film integrated, for optimum thermal performance.

As with the PureGlaze door, security is robust – with the manual version featuring key lockable handles which operate 2-point dead locking espagnolette bolts. The weatherproofing is excellent – as shown in our water test video. www.cantifix.co.uk Enquiry No. 54

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MCS Certification For Klober Solar Accessories Range As part of the UK’s commitment to the EU target that 20% of energy should be from renewable sources by 2020, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) has published a new requirement for pitched roof solar installation kits.

In addition to setting out clear performance criteria this requires all products to achieve certification within a maximum of 18 months from March 2012. It will confirm the fire rating and level of resistance to wind uplift and ensure

that, as far as weathertightness is concerned, the presence of solar accessories do not reduce roof covering performance. For Klober’s Solar-Line range of solar PV and solar thermal accessories this will provide welcome endorsement of performance.

The Solar-Line Solar Outlet Kit ensures that cables can be passed neatly through the roof while remaining fully watertight around the point at which they do so. It enables the roofer to avoid cutting tiles and leaving wires either exposed or susceptible to abrasion. The kit contains a Universal Base Tile or Slate, cable outlet and Sealing Collar in any of 5 sizes. The collar can be used for up to 8 cables of 4-8mm including those from other services including those fitted at a later date. The long-term guarantee that wires and cables will pass through the roof without risk of damage prompted Alliance Homes to use the product on 1200 homes in North Somerset. The housing association places heavy emphasis on renewables to help meet carbon reduction targets and the Solar Outlet’s cable insert enables services to be accessed easily at any time.

Other products in the Solar-Line range include a Solar Panel Support which absorbs any stress placed on tiles (up to 2500 N/m2) and prevents humid air from entering the roof. A Universal Panel Flashing Apron has added relevance to MCS certification which requires a test of drenching of in-roof panels on a low profile roof. www.klober.co.uk Enquiry No. 55

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Ancon Thermal Breaks: Proven Through Thermal Modelling To Reduce Heat Loss

Dow Extends XENERGYTM Insulation Range After Launch Success

Brick support systems from Ancon can now be supplied with Thermal Breaks to minimise heat loss through cold bridging, and improve the energy efficiency of a building. Thermal bridging occurs where the insulation layer is penetrated by a material with a relatively high thermal conductivity.

Ancon Thermal Breaks work by inserting a material with a very low thermal conductivity between the brackets and the frame. They are proven through thermal modelling to reduce heat loss and can typically enable details to comply with BRE IP1/06 floor junction. Shaped like a standard Ancon key-hole shim, these Thermal Breaks are designed to locate quickly and easily on site. They are manufactured from a durable fibrereinforced thermoset plastic which combines high compressive strength with a thermal conductivity of just 0.3W/mK. www.ancon.co.uk/Thermal

Dow Building Solutions has extended its range of XENERGY extruded polystyrene (XPS) products in response to industry interest. XENERGY XPS combines the features of STYROFOAMTM XPS – durability, reliability and strength – with improved insulation performance, thanks to the addition of infrared blocking particles to scatter and reflect heat radiation within the foam board.

XENERGY SL - designed for insulation of inverted flat roofs – was launched in spring 2012 as an extension to Dow’s well-established ROOFMATETM SL-A product range. With a declared U-value of 0.032 W/mK, 4mW thermal conductivity gains are possible at 140mm,160mm, 180mm and 200mm thicknesses, an 11% improved insulation performance compared with ROOFMATE SL-A. XENERGY XPS is blown with CO2, giving it a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of less than five. It offers low water absorption and excellent freeze/thaw performance as well as durability and high compressive strength. www.dowxenergy.co.uk

Enquiry No. 56

Enquiry No. 57

Rigisystems Introduces Rainscreen Panel Range RigiSystems has developed a range of rainscreen cladding panels, using Alubond ACM. RigiSystems has the exclusive rights to distribute Alubond products throughout the UK and France, and the new range of rainscreen panels offers unlimited opportunities for creative, innovative and individual designs, using the wide palette of colours and finishes available.

In addition to the aesthetic properties, the high formability, durability and excellent weather resistance of Alubond, combined with the low panel weight, make the rainscreens suitable for any application. There are three basic panel systems – hook-on, face fix and adhesive – designed to cover most cladding situations. The addition of rainscreen cladding to the RigiSystems product portfolio further enhances the company’s position at the forefront of metal cladding solutions. www.rigisystems.org Enquiry No. 58

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Balfour Beatty Engineering Services Helps Deliver Flagship Sustainable Marks

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& Spencer Store Balfour Beatty Engineering Services (BBES) has completed a £4.1 million sustainable mechanical and electrical package at the new flagship Marks & Spencer (M&S) at Cheshire Oaks – the company’s most environmentally conscious store.

Designed by Aukett Fitzroy Robinson and built by main contractor Simons Group, the Cheshire Oaks store is one of the most high profile sustainable retail projects ever undertaken in the UK. Specifically designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, the new 148,000 sq ft store incorporates a range of cutting edge technologies and building materials to deliver energy and carbon savings of between 30% and 35% when compared to the company’s traditionally built stores.

For the delivery of the building services package BBES employed a range of sustainable manufacturing and installation techniques, such as the offsite prefabrication of the building’s plant room.

This has helped to minimise energy use in the store’s construction process.

BBES’ comprehensive M&E package included full fit out and external works including energy monitoring, waterless urinals, lighting controls, a biomass boiler, HFC free air handling units, displacement ventilation, electric car charging points and an 80,000 litre rainwater harvesting tank. Also, in line with a nationwide energy efficiency scheme which has seen BBES upgrade the lighting in 170 of the retailer’s existing stores, LED low energy lighting has been installed externally at Cheshire Oaks.

As well as sustainable M&E systems, environmental impact has been carefully considered throughout the design, specification and construction process.

Materials, systems and building fabrics were all carefully selected, such as bird boxes and roof insulation made from recycled bottle glass, a roof-light, hydrocarbon refrigeration system and walls made from Hemclad® – a revolutionary and renewable hemp and lime based cladding system which allows the store to ‘breathe’.

The building’s complex roof structure incorporates an impressive exposed ceiling that was made using only 100% FSC certified glulam beams, which removed the need for a suspended ceiling. This once again reduces the use of materials and complements the project’s sustainability credentials, including responsible specification of materials and minimisation of waste.

Officially opened on the 29 August, M&S Cheshire Oaks will stand as a flagship development for sustainability in retail construction. Support for Marks & Spencer’s aim to become the world’s most sustainable retailer by 2015, was perfectly demonstrated by the use of BBES’ sustainable M&E solutions which helped create the most carbon efficient mainline store in the company’s estate. www.bbesl.com Enquiry No. 59

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Moving In Top-Drawer Circles‌

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Thanks to a Stannah Double Decker Microlift 100kg service lift, upmarket downtime has never

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been better for the clientele of a new invitation-only members’ club at 55 Shepherd Market, a lively area of Mayfair W1 – London’s top-drawer address.

By ferrying food and dining-ware between dining rooms and kitchens ranged over two floors, this double-capacity dumbwaiter has brought superior cuisine and service to discerning diners. Although ‘behind the scenes’, it plays a vital role in a refurbishment that forms part of the regeneration of Shepherd Market as a secondary location in Mayfair into a leading village-style hamlet bordered by Park Lane, Curzon Street and Piccadilly.

Operating at a speed of 0.35m/s, the Double Decker Microlift service lift provides two lift cars in the same shaft, making it ideal for use in the restricted space.

Loading and serving is at floor and counter levels with fully automatic push button control call and despatch facilities at each entrance for ease of use.

An intercom features as an additional option and assists in communication and

use. The lower car entrance has a hinged landing gate and the upper car has riseand-fall shutters fitted with safety locks for secure transportation.

Constructed in mild steel, the product is finished in satin stainless steel with a stainless steel base and removable stainless steel shelves for easy, hygienic cleaning.

Supplied in a longlife galvanised structuresupported frame, the Double Decker Microlift was easy to install as it does not require a separate motor room or load-bearing lift shaft. In this instance, a reduced pit depth modification accommodated the lift into a restricted footprint. The motor is mounted at the top of the lift structure and drives a high quality reduction gearbox fitted with a traction vee-sheave.

An electro-magnetic disc brake is supplied, with emergency release mechanism. The reliable controller and counter-balance drive system ensure electrical consumption is minimal.

Stannah Microlifts Sales Engineer, Melody Hughes, comments: “We were delighted to deliver a complete Stannah lift package to our client’s exact specification – from supply and installation to commissioning and a 1-year warranty for year-round, 24hour call-out to keep the lift in top working order. Available space was tight but, by providing two cars in the same lift shaft, the Double Decker Microlift proved ideal for this first-class refurbishment project.”

For added reassurance, not only does the Stannah Double Decker Microlift comply with the Essential Safety Requirements (ESRs) of the Machinery (Safety) Regulations (also known as the Machinery Directive and EN 81-3 where applicable), it is also serviced by the London & South East branch of Stannah Lift Services, part of a nationwide network providing 24 hour, 365 days a year support. www.stannahlifts.co.uk Enquiry No. 60

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Balcony Systems Curved Patio Door Makes Impressive Statement At nearly 10 metres wide, David and Lynn Walton’s curved patio door with four fixed and four sliding panels makes a truly impressive statement at their Nottinghamshire home. It is also one of Balcony’s largest curved patio doors installed in the UK and amply demonstrates the spectacular appeal of the product.

“It certainly achieves what we wanted; that is to make the most of views to the garden and we have brought the garden into our home,” said David. “The door is a focal point in the living room where it forms an entire wall at one end. It’s so striking and everyone likes it! Now we have fitted the decking the curved patio door really comes into its own. It is never too hot or too sunny and the pleasure of the panoramic view of the garden cannot be over emphasised.”

The door, finished with a RAL 7038 Agate Grey powder coating, was installed as part of extensive renovations to the 300-year-old property, which now comprises three former farmworkers’ cottages in one. Measuring 9.81m by 2m, the door forms a circular glass ‘wall’ flooding the living room extension with light. Directly above is a bedroom topped with an Oast House-effect pointed roof with glass apex that casts light into the room below.

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The circular shape was originally designed with oak uprights, but the plans changed once the couple saw Balcony’s curved patio door at the Grand Designs show and that sealed the deal for them.

“The price was right - and quite competitive - for what is a totally bespoke job,” added David. “The door is so dramatic and there really is nothing quite like it on the UK market.”

David and Lynn are now planning to fulfil their dream of a complete new self-build project and have put their four-bedroom home on the market at £675,000. Balcony Systems is a specialist in sophisticated glass and aluminium balustrading solutions and stunning curved patio doors. Straight or curved external and Juliet balconies are supplied to exact client specifications.

From single balustrades to multi-apartment developments, the company works with architects, designers and specifiers to deliver the most cost-effective, stylish and durable balustrade solution to exact client specifications. www.balconette.co.uk Enquiry No. 61

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Hardware From CRL Helps Create Stylish Glass Door Entrance Architectural glass hardware and fittings by CRL provided form and function for the stunning new glass door enclosure at Scotland’s largest Cathedral, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral. Practical and beautiful, the glass door system perfectly fulfilled the client’s requirement for an elegant bright and draft free entrance.

A combination of CRL hardware was used in this installation to create the ‘glass box’ entrance.

The special box construction was created with toughened laminated glass and CRL fins, and installed using a crane. Bottom rails and patch fittings to create the door openings, and heavy duty 4 arm "V" fin mount frame spider fittings (Cat. No. FMH4BS) attached the inline glass panels at high level. 90 degree swivel glass to glass fittings (Cat. No. RB55SB) were also used on this special application to connect the glass panels at 90 degrees and give rigidity to the walls and ceiling glass. The 90 degree swivel fittings reduce installation headaches because they adjust 16 degrees (8 degrees in any direction) to accommodate for segmented or out of line glass panels.

Stuart Anderson of Glass Installation Specialists Hurry Brothers commented; “CRL’s technical department are a great help when putting together designs, their product knowledge and advice on glass door hardware combinations is of real benefit.

I was able to discuss the project with CRL prior to the design stage to ensure the most suitable solution was found.”

CRL’s innovative TAPER-LOC System was also used on the installation to enable fast and easy installation of the glass wall panels to the base shoe channel, 21.52mm toughened laminated glass was used.

The precision measured control gives high quality, 50% quicker installations every time. The system is intended for toughened/toughened laminated glass from 12mm-25.52mm thick, and is tested to meet the strictest building code requirements BS6180:1999 and BS6399-1:1996.

St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, the Mother Church of the Diocese of Edinburgh, and the only Cathedral in Scotland to maintain the tradition of daily Choral worship. With its three spires dominating Edinburgh’s western skyline, St Mary’s is a renowned masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture. Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, the Cathedral was consecrated in 1879, and has been open daily for public and private prayer ever since. It is also host to many concerts and cultural events throughout the year.

C.R. Laurence is the leading supplier to the architectural, glazing, railing, construction, industrial, and automotive industries.

Offering more than 50,000 products, the company serves the industry from locations throughout North America, Europe, and Australia. www.crlaurence.co.uk Enquiry No. 62

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Portakabin Helps To Meet Rapid Growth In Demand For Primary School Places

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Figures from the Department of Education have suggested that more than 450,000 extra primary school places will be needed by 2015, even though many schools are already at or over capacity.

As a result, more local authorities across the UK are turning to Portakabin modular solutions to deliver high quality teaching accommodation as a fast response to these demographic changes.

Commenting on the issue, Robert Snook, Director and General Manager of Portakabin Hire said, “High levels of international migration and increasing birth rates are putting acute pressure on primary school places nationwide, with particular rises in demand being seen in London, the South East and in the major cities such as Bristol and Birmingham.”

“The provision of teaching accommodation using modular construction is a highly effective solution that more LEAs are turning to, allowing them to react very quickly to an increase in demand for places, which can be very difficult to predict. However, if a child is learning in an interim building for two years that could be one third of their time at that school – so the quality of the education environment has to be of the very highest standards.”

Portakabin completed a complex project to deliver a range of permanent and interim classroom solutions for Bristol City Council. It provided a series of buildings to create an additional 630 primary places in 12 schools across the city, which were all delivered on budget and on time.

The buildings ranged from single classrooms hired for up to two years, to a permanent two-storey brick clad building with a lift and suspended ceilings. All the classrooms were supplied to tight timeframes and with features such as toilets, climate control, access ramps, security and alarm systems, children’s sinks, finger guards on doors and projector mountings. Portakabin also undertook all planning requirements, project management, foundations, landscaping, services and fitting out.

Commenting on this challenging project, Mike Bosdet, Principal Building Surveyor at Bristol City Council, said, “We expect to need at least 3,000 more primary places across the city by 2015. To accommodate the increased demand for places, Portakabin successfully delivered a range of buildings to the programmes we needed. A rapid response is always critical to help us address place planning issues and we simply could not have built classrooms conventionally in such a short timescale.”

“The performance of the Portakabin team was excellent throughout and we have total confidence in them. They are technically excellent and their ability to project manage and organise the different requirements of each school is second to none.”

“Whilst there may still be a perception issue around modular classrooms, particularly for interim use, our experience has shown Portakabin buildings to be excellent – light, warm, modern and comfortable. We are also impressed with the size of the classrooms, which is often superior to the school’s existing classrooms.”

Rob Worsfold, Head Teacher at Air Balloon Hill Primary School, said, “We have five other interim buildings on our site but the Portakabin building is by far the best. It is more modern, spacious and warmer through the winter. It allowed us to increase the number of reception classes from three to four and will remain in use until our new permanent building has been completed. I am pleased to report that we have not had one negative comment about the interim classroom and the teacher was over the moon with it.”

Portakabin modular teaching accommodation can be configured and fitted out to the exact requirements of the school and the site. The approach is also completely flexible – classrooms can be linked to the existing school, the floor area can be increased or reduced in line with local needs, and the building can remain in use for as long as it is needed. www.portanews.co.uk Enquiry No. 63

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The Source For Mill House Heating?

‘Water Of Course!’ Says ISO Energy There has been a watermill in Farnham, Surrey for many centuries although the present building is comparatively recent. Consequently when the present owner decided to embrace renewable energy in a big way the use of water as a heat source proved a powerful attraction. An intriguing blend of ancient and modern systems was selected with an Archimedes Screw, a basic design over two thousand years old, used as a hydroelectric source and the very latest heat pump technology utilised for hot water and central heating in the Mill House and the delightful and ancient granary outbuilding nearby.

For the design and installation of the hot water heating system the owners called on ISO Energy, a wholly independent company with great experience of renewable energy systems of all types. With a fast flowing ‘leat’ where the Screw is situated leading into the mill stream directly in front of the house, ISO Energy’s Justin Broadbent selected ground water sourcing as the basis for the system especially as water/water operation delivers the most transfer of heat.

The agreed design consists of a submersible river heat exchanger tailor-made for the project and consisting of five stainless steel plates with approximately 15.2 sq.m. heat transfer placed just upstream of the Archimedes Screw. The residual heat in the water is stored in a non-freezing vegetable based glycol mixture which is then passed to the Viessmann 30kW heat pump system.

The system used is an exceptionally quiet and compact unit and has at its heart a powerful and energy efficient compressor that rapidly squeezes up the liquid’s heat, extracts it and passes it to a buffer tank at a temperature suitable for

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providing heating and hot water to both buildings. Since the input of electrical power needed to fuel the heat pumps will be met from the hydroelectric output of the Screw, the water heating system is self-sufficient and free.

The whole project, Archimedes Screw and Viessmann heat pumps, is integrated not only to supply the total energy needs of the Mill House by non-fossil fuelling, but also to deposit a substantial electrical input to the National Grid. The benefit from this is that the owner of the house qualifies for the Feed in Tariff, in the same way that solar photovoltaic panels can generate a payment by both generating electricity at a tariff of 41.3p/kWhr, depending on the type and size of the system used to generate renewable energy and through exporting electricity at a tariff of 3p/kWh when you export any surplus back to the grid.The system is also extremely carbon efficient, helping with Government efforts to meet ambitious emission targets.

Every aspect of eco-friendliness has been built into the project and indeed the choice of the Archimedes Screw as a power source was partly motivated by the fact that it offers safe and easy passage for fish. The Mill scheme that combines practicality and cost efficiency with positive visual impact and the greenest of green credentials is of the greatest credit to the owner and his professional advisers and installers. www.isoenergy.co.uk Enquiry No. 64

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Neaco’s Spectrum Range Becomes A Church Regular A combination of contemporary performance and a design versatility which can meet the aesthetic of traditional buildings has made Neaco’s Spectrum balustrade and structural glass range a popular specification for church developments. In recent years a variety of major church refurbishments and redevelopments have featured Spectrum, a pre-engineered modular system which offers a huge range of design options and finishes. These projects required Spectrum to integrate within buildings which are centuries old, demanding the ability to adapt to their distinctive ecclesiastical style and structurally restrictive features.

Neaco’s national sales manager, Richard Richardson-Derry, commented: “Church developments invariably involve the sensitive refurbishment of an historic listed building with a design scheme which refreshes its interior yet works in harmony with its original character and layout. It’s a difficult balance to achieve but I’m pleased to say that our Spectrum range has been very successful in doing so across a number of extensive redevelopment projects, including Holy Trinity Church in Ripon, Norton St. Phillip Church in Somerset and St. Peter’s Church in Arnesby. The recent launch of Timberline, our woodeffect aluminium balustrade system, means that we are now better equipped than ever to meet the aesthetic demands of traditional church buildings.”

At Holy Trinity Church in Ripon, Spectrum Clearline structural glass was specified by RBA Moody Bros (Contractors) Ltd for balustrading on a mezzanine floor. A spokesman for RBA Moody Bros said: “Neaco worked diligently and proactively with ourselves and the project engineers to ensure that all the 'tricky' detailing relative to the facetted balustrading was thoroughly investigated and practically resolved in a manner that in no way compromised the aesthetic aspirations of the client.”

At Norton St. Phillip Church, Chedburn Design and Conservation designed new facilities for the Grade II listed building in Somerset, winning Country Life’s Village Church for Village Life Award as the finest example of a church being adapted to serve the 21st century needs of its village. Neaco’s stainless steel balustrade with glass infill was selected to complement traditional oak paneling.

Angela Dudley of Chedburn said: “we were very happy with Neaco’s contribution to the project. They produced a balustrade design which was ideally suited to our requirements and their team of installers completed the work to a very high standard.”

At St. Peter’s Church in Arnesby, Neaco worked from a brief which required unobstructed access to the church bells above the balustrade for occasional maintenance purposes. They collaborated with Corporate Architecture to produce a solution in which the whole unit, including glass panel infills, could be easily lifted from its anchoring set into the floor.

Jason Edwards of Corporate Architecture said: “We’ve used Neaco’s Spectrum balustrade on previous projects and knew it was a system of proven quality, but Neaco helped us to make a modification to its usual specification - rather than using permanent wall fixtures, everything is secured in place with a base in which the removal of a few key fixings allows the balustrade to be removed, thereby allowing easy access to the church bells. The design works superbly and we also specified Neaco’s flat-bar stanchion option to maximize visibility for the view of the church’s stained glass.” www.neaco.co.uk Enquiry No. 65

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Skylight Solutions for Greenwich Foot Tunnel

Drinking in the New Design Bureau By The Lough, the Greater Belfast-based bar and restaurant business, has undergone a £250,000 redesign. One of its stunning features is a long bar front clad with Oberflex American Walnut real wood laminate from ABET LAMINATI. The design was inspired by the work of Paul Henry, a northern Irish post-impressionist painter, and this is reflected in MCA’s choice of materials and colour. The Oberflex laminate, complete with a mottled hammered finish, adds to the natural and atmospheric styling. Oberflex is a collection of real wood laminates which offers architects and designers the ability to combine the natural beauty of a real wood finish but with all the advantages and durability of high pressure laminate. www.abetuk.com

SkyLight Solutions have recently completed the design, fabrication and installation of a new glazing system to the south rotunda of the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. SkyLight Solutions were selected by Greenwich Council and their framework contractor, Lakehouse, as part of the £11.5 million upgrade of the Greenwich and Woolwich foot tunnels. The Greenwich foot tunnel was opened in 1902 and is now used by 1.5 million people a year, linking Tower Hamlets and Cutty Sark Gardens.

Cutty Sark Gardens form part of the Greenwich Maritime World Heritage Site, home of the Cutty Sark, the last surviving tea clipper and the fastest and greatest of her time.

The scheme was completed to coincide with the completion of the £46m restoration of the Cutty Sark and re-opening by the Queen in April 2012, and in time for the 2012 Olympics. The new glazing to the rotunda utilises Schuco FW50+ aluminium profiles and single glazed toughened / heat strengthened laminated glass with a Vanceva white architectual interlayer. www.skylightsolutions.co.uk Enquiry No. 67

Enquiry No. 66

Mapei Bring Cutty Sark Back To Life Mapei has assisted to bring London landmark and national icon of British maritime history, Cutty Sark, back to her prime after being badly damaged by fire in May 2007. Cutty Sark, which is preserved in Greenwich, London, has since undergone major refurbishment.

Mapei’s high performance, flexible cementitious adhesive; Keraflex and Mapei’s flexible, versatile, multi-purpose grout; Ultracolor Plus in new Limestone colour were utilised in the project to complement Domus’ 1200x600, 600x600 and 600x300mm modular format Porcelain Creta Beige tiles. The installation involved cutting the Domus Porcelain Creta Beige tiles to form a tiled floor to the entire dry berth beneath the famous ship extending over some 1,000m2 plus viewing area and reception at the bow and stern of the ship The floor installation was expertly completed by stone, marble and ceramics contractors - Stone Concepts.

Keraflex and Ultracolor Plus were ideal for the heavy amount of foot traffic anticipated at the tourist attraction. They were also ideal to fit with the strict timescales Stone Concepts were faced with which saw three shifts of fixers work around the clock to ensure the floors were completed on schedule. Ultracolor Plus is also mould resistant and water-repellent with BioBlock® and DropEffect® technologies respectively, which assist in the prevention of mould and the reduction of surface water absorption, thus providing a long lasting aesthetic finish.

Mapei’s Keraflex and Ultracolor Plus were also used to fix tiles in the reception area and new cafe. Alongside these areas Stone Concepts were responsible for restoring the floors within the historic tea clipper’s galley within one of her deck houses. After three months of searching, tiles were finally sourced to match the original tiles used on the ship. Again a combination of Mapei’s Keraquick adhesive and Ultracolor Plus grout (this time using Jasmine shade) were utilised to install the tiles. www.mapei.co.uk Enquiry No. 68

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BSRIA WI5 Monitoring For Barratt’s Hanham Hall Project The Hanham Hall development by Barratt Homes on the outskirts of Bristol has created great interest nationwide for its potential contribution to and, perhaps even more important, its long term monitoring of domestic energy efficiency. Barratt’s is determined that its homes should be practical and affordable to run, coinciding with the goal of creating a situation where tried and tested energy efficiency can be replicated elsewhere in time to meet the anticipated Zero Carbon Building Regulations in 2016.

In addition to a total refurbishment of the Grade II Listed Hall itself, the Hanham Hall development will consist of a deliberately varied selection of over 180 one, two, three, four and five bedroomed homes. It is set in twelve acres of open landscape with an area of green space running through the heart of the estate and will be a truly pleasant environment in addition to its importance to the Construction Industry.

The first houses are already nearing completion and an official opening of the show-home area is expected within the next month. The project’s importance however will not end with the completion of the housing for of equal value will be the constant monitoring of energy efficiency in an unobtrusive manner

that will in no way interfere with the daily life of residents. It is here that the Wi5 wireless monitoring systems supplied by BSRIA Instrument Solutions will prove invaluable. Barratt Homes has ordered a total of 185 Wi5 systems from BSRIA for Hanham Hall. They will undertake a monitoring period of three years commencing as each dwelling is completed and inhabited.

Each home will be checked for utilities consumption – gas, electricity and water – and in addition a random selection of houses will be monitored for internal environmental living conditions. These include temperature, humidity and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions as well as the energy used for hot water, the quantity of water used domestically from rainwater harvesting and photovoltaic generation sold into the Grid. The data collated over the monitoring period will be invaluable in assessing the development’s total energy efficiency and also the accuracy of energy predictions for the project.

BSRIA Instrument Solutions supply of effective and affordable testing equipment to the construction industry for sale, hire or operation by BSRIA’s own staff is a service that becomes ever more essential as Building Regulations criteria become increasingly stringent. The wireless Wi5 kits supplied to Barrett for Hanham Hall are typically suited to the task in hand, fully supplying the information required via equipment that is easily concealed and designed to be largely unnoticed by the householders being monitored. www.bis.fm Enquiry No. 69

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Carea Cladding Holds The Key To Merchant Square Development 4 Merchant Square East in Paddington is a magnificent addition to the Merchant Square Development but crucial to the design of this distinctive and elegant £87 million residential building is a facade system which includes cladding from leading specialist Carea.

Designed by The Kalyvides Partnership, the sixteen storey residential building forms part of the Paddington Basin waterside development and is now a focal point in the area due to its striking and aesthetically pleasing exterior façade, designed to create a visually stimulating building.

To achieve the impressive façade, The Kalyvides Partnership specified a number of different materials, including glass, curtain walling and rainscreen cladding, a key ingredient being mineral cladding from Carea.

To create the stunning façade specialist contractor Prater, working for main contractor Carillon, were called upon. The challenging project saw them complete the installation of the 9,700 m2 facade which required the management and installation of 20 different products and systems across multiple interfaces – Carea’s Acantha and Artema cladding being two products.

The Kalyvides Partnership specified 14mm low pressure Acantha cladding which along with the 16mm Artema created a chequerboard pattern effect. Chosen in white with a smooth finish to create symmetry in the building’s decorative facade, the high quality of each Carea cladding panel creates a stylish finish which met the architect’s vision.

‘The concept for the use of the Carea stone was to form an organising sheer wall component,’ commented Tryfon Kalyvides, Partner at The Kalyvides Partnership.

‘This commenced at ground and first levels, progressing as a winding aesthetic system encapsulating the façade elements, rising to the thirteenth floor and

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then descending vertically to the ground on the east.’ Each of the Acantha and Artema panels were installed by Prater using innovative grooves at the top and bottom edges to create a seamless finish. As well as an efficient secret fix installation process, Carea cladding panels provide several performance benefits and were crucial to the building achieving a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. Offering a high degree of insulation, they will play a pivotal role in the development’s thermal efficiency, thereby lowering its heating needs and aiding sustainability.

Carea panels can be quickly installed to minimise labour costs and are also exceptionally low maintenance. Highly resistant to the climate, they can be easily cleaned to extend their life cycle even further. Their non-porous composition also ensures that they are unaffected by graffiti, again making them ideal for buildings in urban area.

Carea panels are available in over 30 different shades and a range of textures.

Providing excellent thermal efficiency and eliminating cold bridging – as well as comprising around 95% natural minerals – they are highly sustainable and an ideal choice for contemporary and environmentally conscience construction.

With this striking new development along the Grand Union Canal now complete, Carea has been instrumental in creating a building which will continue to perform and look great for generations. www.carea.uk.com Enquiry No. 70

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World Wide Success For SmoothFlow Ultra Floor’s Prime IT AR, Level IT one HDB and Level IT SmoothFlow have been used to lay new flooring in Google’s Haifa office in Northern Israel.

Internet search engine Google employs over 80 engineers in its second office in Haifa, Israel’s technological centre. The Haifa office is just two thousand meters away from the beach and features a rooftop deck with WiFi and gorgeous views of the Mediterranean Sea. Each room has its own theme with walls and furnishings of all colours, there’s a meeting room filled with giant legos and a pinball machine as well as an on-site gymnasium. The lobby is littered with toys and beanbag chairs and employees can eat for free all day long. All these facilities are designed to get the engineers’ creative juices flowing, according to Google.

The Haifa site has recently undergone refurbishment to maintain the high standard of office space and to continue inspiring its team. Technocrete Ltd, leading flooring contractor in Israel, has recently finished subfloor preparation and application of heavy duty flooring sealant in a number of rooms at the Google office.

The work was carried out in two phases within a 3 day window using Ultra Floor Prime IT AR, Level IT one HDB and Level IT SmoothFlow. Prime IT AR is an acrylic emulsion primer suitable for use on porous substrates. It helps reduce the absorbency of the floor and improves the adhesion of cementitious underlayments. It was applied to the concrete substrate prior to levelling with Level IT one HDB. Level IT one HDB is uniquely formulated for the preparation of all types of cementitious sub-floors. It has a working time of 20-30 minutes and will set within 2-3 hours. It is designed to smooth undulations and to build depths of up to 50mm prior to levelling with an Ultra Floor levelling compound. It was used in this instance to raise the floor level before a second coating of Prime IT AR and the application of Level IT SmoothFlow at 7mm. The additional coating of primer was critical to ensure sufficient bond between the two levelling compounds.

Level IT SmoothFlow, is Ultra Floor’s premium single part concrete floor leveller. The product contains a blend of specially graded fillers, fine cements and polymers for smoothing and levelling uneven internal floors, prior to the application of decorative floor coverings. It has a rapid set time of approximately 2-3 hours, and can be laid at depths from 3mm to 10mm. Ideal for use over vast areas, it is suitable for trowel application, yet expertly formulated so excellent flow can be achieved when applied by pump, maximising the product's usage. Such flow characteristics allow for coverage of up to 5.5m² at 3mm thickness, resulting in an exceptionally strong and perfectly level underlayment. www.ultra-floor.co.uk Enquiry No. 71

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Ringing The Changes At Fort Nelson

Great Expectations For Yeoman Shield

Once an impenetrable ring of masonry and earthworks, designed to protect Britain’s premier naval dockyard in Portsmouth, Fort Nelson is now open to all visitors thanks to a range of easily accessible automatic entrances. The glass entrances have been installed as part of a £3.5m redevelopment of the impressive Royal Armouries Museum. GEZE UK installed two circular glass entrances to the visitor centre to reflect the round nature of the new building and the hill fort itself, before installing an unusual glass lobby within the original building’s ancient arched entrance. As well as complementing the shape of the new building, GEZE’s two circular entrances featuring Slimdrive SCRs, were chosen because they provide a feeling of light and space, maximising the available light within the centre. Suitable for high footfall, the 360o door systems also create a wide space to allow easy access and act as a draft lobby with an integral air curtain, preventing heat loss and gain. www.geze.co.uk

As part of a £1m refurbishment of a maternity unit carried out by main contractor E Manton, Yeoman Shield wall and door protection has been supplied and fitted into the new Midwife Led Unit (MLU) at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton. Corridors of the unit have been fitted with Yeoman Shield ‘FalmoutEx’ wall sheet along with 200mm Protection Rail and Strip. Other products installed include door frame protection and kickplates. www.yeomanshield.com Enquiry No. 73

Enquiry No. 72

Sika Watertight Concrete On Bilston Swimming Pools

Bond Timber Scores With Tanalised Clear At Plymouth Argyle Bond Timber, main sponsors of Plymouth Argyle football club, has delivered real support with the design and manufacture of brand-new dugouts at the club’s Home Park ground. The two stunning structures have been built with high performance timbers including Tanalised Clear pressure-treated Western Red Cedar shiplap cladding.

Tanalised Clear treated timber is protected with Tanalith M, an innovative waterborne, metal free wood preservative from Lonza Wood Protection. Designed to protect outdoor timbers used in above ground situations, the treatment has proven performance against fungal decay and insect attack, and also retains the natural colouration of the timber, allowing it to remain cleaner and fresher for longer. www.whbond.co.uk Enquiry No. 75

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Sika® Watertight Concrete was chosen to ensure that the two swimming pools at the recently opened Bert Williams Leisure Centre in Bilston were watertight. The swimming pool and training pool, plus the surrounding slab, were constructed using 500m3 of Sika® Watertight Concrete, supplied by Bardon Concrete. This innovative product ensures total watertightness by incorporating Sika admixtures to prevent water penetrating through the concrete.

To complete the system, construction joints were sealed with the SikaSwell® jointing system. The use of BBA certified Sika® Watertight Concrete system together with Sika’s hydrophilic joint profiles, ensures not only dependable, leak-proof swimming and competition pool facilities, but also protects any basement or below ground structures from water ingress. Bert Williams MBE, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers and England goal keeper, officially opened the centre. www.sikawatertightconcrete.co.uk Enquiry No. 74

Comar And K2 Pool Talent Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems, with their approved fabricator K2 Aluminium Systems, recently completed the £12M showcase Harborne Pool & Leisure Centre in Birmingham which has achieved a BREEAM rating of “excellent”. Comar 6 curtain walling is a versatile thermally efficient system designed to integrate panels and glass of different widths into the façade with special profiles to include opening vents and doors. Comar 6 was selected due to its slim 50mm profiles which maximised the glazed area for natural day lighting. www.comar-alu.co.uk Enquiry No. 76

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Rainline Specified For Luxury Timber Clad Lodges

Yeoman Rainguard Fitted To Iconic Worthing Pier Yeoman Rainguard, the market leader in rainwater systems, has been fitted to Worthing Pier as part of a major external improvement project carried out by the main contractor, Full Metal Jacket. Yeoman Rainguard supplied the contractor with special Cast Iron products – 210 x 150mm MOG Cast Iron Gutter and 150 x 100mm cast iron pipe, supplied ready for them to paint in their choice of colour.

Paul Rawlinson, managing director of Full Metal Jacket, said: “We were very pleased with the service we received from Yeoman Rainguard.” www.rainguard.co.uk Enquiry No. 77

Cumbrian based Retreat Homes (Manufacturing) Limited, designs and builds a range of premium quality, custom designed timber lodges.

When considering rainwater control for the lodges the company wanted a product that not only performed well but its quality and aesthetic styling was also important. Each Retreat Home features, depending on its size, approximately 30 linear metres of Rainline in a galvanised finish.

Rainline is one of the most effective solutions for the control of rain drainage on all types of buildings. Manufactured from high quality steel, Rainline offers minimal thermal movement and UV stability. It will not crack, fade, blister or peel, is highly resistant to corrosion and virtually maintenance free.

Available in 10 stylish high build polyester colours and Aluzinc, the finish of which is guaranteed for 20 years, Rainline is also available in a natural copper finish and can itself be totally recycled, further underpinning its carbon footprint and whole life costing credentials. www.lindab.co.uk Enquiry No. 78

Hydrotech Prescribed For New Medical Research Centre Hydrotech MM6125 Structural Waterproofing from Alumasc has been used in the construction of the Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine (SCRM) - a brand new 9000m2 research facility for the University of Edinburgh.

Approximately 1500m² of Hydrotech was installed on the protected roof area by Alumasc’s approved contractor, Grainger Building Services Ltd, using the proven hot melt liquid application method. Hydrotech is a seamless waterproofing membrane that proved ideal for the intricate detailed design elements of the unusual roof. Throughout the design and installation stages, Alumasc worked closely with Grainger Building Services to successfully meet the varied demands of the project. There were numerous plant decks requiring roof penetrations but it was essential that there could be no risk of water ingress into the building. At this point, Hydrotech came into its own, offering a high performance bituminous rubber blend allowing fast and simple installation around the penetrations and various architectural features including two glass atriums. Hydrotech’s unique formulation guarantees lifetime performance and is manufactured using 10% post-consumer recycled material. Hydrotech is fully warranted, BBA accredited and has European Technical Approval ETA-05/0152. www.alumascwaterproofing.co.uk Enquiry No. 79

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Green School Chooses Howe Green Howe Green’s 7500 Series access covers provided St Bernadette’s Primary in Antonshill, near Stenhousemuir with an easy and reliable solution to accessing essential under-floor building services. The energy-efficient building design was the work of Falkirk Council Architects with the construction delivered by Kier Scotland. Featuring solar-paneled water heating, recycled newspaper insulation and many other green initiatives, the new school is set to meet BREEAM’s Very Good sustainability objectives.

A glass-roofed central atrium spanning 85 metres in length forms the backbone of the building.

Providing a versatile activity space, it also serves to maximize the natural use of light and its raised floor houses the school’s sprinkler network, hot and cold water supplies and electric and data cabling. Council architects needed an easy and reliable solution to accessing these essential services for the lifetime of the building and Howe Green’s 7500 Series aluminium access covers were chosen because of their excellent quality and the firm’s reputation for first class service support.

A. Andrews & Sons installed 79 of Howe Green’s aluminium access panels to cover a continuous run of 75 metres of floor space with additional multipart units also fitted onto adjoining legs.

Capable of tolerating heavy pedestrian traffic, the access covers are designed to be in-filled with a floor finish to match the surrounding area, which in this case was an industrial grade carpet. For optimal hygiene, the covers are double sealed to ensure that no dirt or grease can penetrate them and they are also resistant to rust and corrosion. Offered in a range of sizes to meet the needs of different applications, 7500 Series panels have a standard depth of 75mm with a minimal show-edge for a seamless look. Fire rated covers are also available in line with BS476:Part 20 1987 and Howe Green manufactures bespoke sizes to order with no additional lead times required or price premiums to pay.

St Bernadette’s cost £7.1m in total and the new school serves over 10,000 households in the Larbert, Stenhousemuir, Torwood, Carron and Carronshore areas.

It opened its doors for the first time this term providing the area with a progressive learning environment for up to 217 primary and 80 nursery children.

Falkirk Council Architect commented, “St Bernadette’s offers first-class facilities for education in a building designed for a long and efficient life. Howe Green access covers are of excellent and their technical support was second to none”. www.howegreen.com Enquiry No. 80

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Telescopic Doors Provide Open Access To Magnificent King’s Cross Concourse

Wicona Façade Solutions Specified For First Business Centre In Goriska Region Of Slovenia

Gilgen Door Systems has supplied and installed manual telescopic sliding doors together with a moveable glass wall system as part of the western concourse development of King’s Cross Station, London. Working with seele, Gilgen supplied two manual telescopic doors and a moveable wall system all of which have been installed in the curved entrance façade of the amazing western concourse extension at the heart of the development.

Each telescopic door is 13 meters wide and consists of 6 manual panels. The custom made solutions are mounted on curved track to ensure they fit exactly with the curve of the ground breaking new structure. They also feature slim line profiles and 10.8mm laminated safety glass. The moveable glass wall consists of eight manual panels and also spans across 13 meters. Both the moveable panels and door leaves stack inconspicuously when open and close with ease when required. www.gilgendoorsystems.co.uk

The first business centre in the Goriska region of Slovenia has been completed, creating a new ‘vertical city’. This ambitious project, which is set to bring new life into the town of Nova Gorica, features a range of aluminium façade solutions from Wicona. Both Wicona’s unitised and stick curtain walling systems, and concealed windows were specified for the 15-storey scheme, to form a highly glazed, contemporary building envelope. Eight storeys of the tower, which provide 8,000sqm of prime office accommodation, have a double skin façade constructed using the WICTEC 50 unitised curtain wall. This solution allowed work off site to be maximised so construction was less affected by the weather.

Unitised curtain walling applies the principles of off-site construction to the building envelope. The units are fully glazed and sealed in a controlled factory environment, and the complete units are moved to site for fast installation on to pre-prepared fixings. www.wicona.co.uk

Enquiry No. 81

Enquiry No. 82

Coffee Fuelling The Volkswagen Group The Volkswagen Group UK (Ltd) is offering visitors to its headquarters in Milton Keynes a special treat, following the installation of the world’s most revolutionary beverage system, the TopBrewer by Scanomat in its reception.

The TopBrewer represents an entirely new category of coffee systems, combining simplicity and beauty with modern technology. All that is visible to customers and staff is the patented Swan Neck, which dispenses beverages tailored to the most particular consumer. Drinks can be ordered wirelessly via an iPhone or iPad, or by an iPad on the unit. As well as gourmet bean-to-cup coffees, users will be able to choose from fresh milk speciality beverages, luxury chocolate, temperature controlled hot water and ice-cold filtered water.

Nick Laws, Head of Facilities at the Volkswagen Group commented: “Our UK headquarters must epitomise all that is great about the Volkswagen Group – the innovation, the quality and the commitment to be eco-friendly. These values need to permeate across the whole customer experience. So when we decided to redesign our entire reception we knew needed a state-of-art beverage system in our refreshment area that would reflect the our values. The TopBrewer fitted this specification perfectly. Not only does it exude style but its unique design has enabled us to save on the cost and space associated with purchasing and running a separate water system.

We are thrilled to be one of the first organisations to be fitted with the TopBrewer.” www.scanomat.co.uk Enquiry No. 83

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Selectaglaze Helps The Ages To Work Together Built on the site of the former Lewisham Bridge Primary School, the new Prendergast Vale College has opened for the start of the 2012/2013 academic year. The College is intended for all ages, from nursery though to age 16, with a capacity of 835 made up of 25 full-time nursery, 210 primary and 600 secondary pupils. The complex consists of 6 separate units designed to facilitate the integration from nursery through primary to secondary whilst providing separate and secure spaces both inside and outside.

The original school building which received Grade II Listing “as an outstanding example of Edwardian school architecture”, with English Heritage particularly praising its interior, has been carefully incorporated into the overall design and now provides the College’s imposing main entrance, Reception, Library, Art Department and Sculpture Garden, linking seamlessly with its contemporary surroundings.

The building needed sympathetic refurbishment and adaptation for the present day and the imposing single glazed windows presented a significant challenge for the College’s energy efficiency targets.

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As secondary glazing is a reversible adaptation acceptable to heritage bodies and can markedly improve window insulation levels, HKR Architects together with main contractor Costain’s sub-contractor Lucas Fit Out, consulted with Selectaglaze, the UK’s leading designer and manufacturer of secondary glazing systems.

Selectaglaze proposed a range of treatments that complemented the designs of the existing windows whilst providing access for ventilation and cleaning. Low emissivity glass was recommended as it can reduce heat loss through traditional windows by up to 60%. High performance seals were also recommended in order to markedly reduce drafts. Selectaglaze installed nearly 200 secondary windows, mostly vertical sash, some with arched heads.

All were finished in white powder paint. An additional bonus from the installation of secondary windows is the high levels of noise insulation, typically 40-45dB. The large airy rooms now provide a comfortable, draft-free, quiet environment, conducive to learning. www.selectaglaze.co.uk Enquiry No. 84

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Acoustic Ceilings Enhance Fine Wines Hedonism Wines is a new drinks boutique which recently opened in the heart of London’s upmarket Mayfair district and sells around 1000 spirits and 3500 different wines. Its creation is the result of extensive refurbishment and the formation of one large unit from the separate supermarket and cafe which used to occupy the site. The success of this beautifully designed shop is largely the result of the innovative creative thinking which has been applied to create a stunning and inviting design. The interior ambience is achieved through a masterly combination of clever display, subtle lighting and an inspired choice of building materials and finishes.

Sound absorption was particularly important because of the wood floors and hard surfaces, so the solution was to install ceilings comprising Troldtekt ultrafine tiles. The 2400 x 600mm tiles also create a very attractive surface which complements and helps tie the whole interior together. Danish manufactured Troldtekt tiles are made from 100% natural wood fibres mixed with cement. Their benefits are high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low cost life cycle performance and sustainability. www.troldtekt.co.uk Enquiry No. 85

JS Air Curtains ‘At Home’ In John Lewis Leading retailer John Lewis has selected JS Air Curtains as its air curtain supplier for four new build ‘at home’ shops. The four recently opened shops all have Zen air curtains from JS helping to maintain a consistent and comfortable temperature for customers and staff. The air curtains also minimise the energy consumption of the stores’ heating and cooling systems by preventing cold air entering during the winter and warm air during the summer.

The new ‘at home’ shops at Tamworth, Chester, Chichester and Newbury each feature totally white Zen air curtains above their main entrances and, in some shops, additionally above their customer collect entrance.

The Zen is part of JS Air Curtains’ Designer Range and is decorative with a contemporary architectural style.

Smart and minimalistic, the unit can be fitted with bespoke fascia panels of different materials and any RAL colour, and also carry signage, branding or even elements such as clocks.

The air curtain comes with anodized aluminium covers and a black inner section as standard but the units selected by John Lewis had totally white covers and inner sections, seamlessly tying-in with the white interior design of the stores’ entrances. www.jsaircurtains.com Enquiry No. 86

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A New Life For The Trampolines Hotel On The Italian Riviera Thanks To The Technical Beauty Of DuPont™ Corian® n Riccione, Italy, a historic symbol of the social life of the Romagnola Riviera has been completely transformed by architect Antonio Scarponi from the Zurichbased studio Conceptual Devices. This is both a functional revolution, with the

conversion of the original ‘Trampolines’ landmark into a hotel restaurant, and a technical-aesthetic revolution, with an architectural construction inspired by cruise ships and featuring an articulated facade made with DuPont™ Corian® high-tech surface. It is the largest facade created in Italy using this globally renowned, cutting-edge material for architecture and design, and has been fabricated by the Udine based company, Altha®. The Romagna region and its architecture have a long tradition of renewing themselves in seasonal cycles, with annual renovations and face lifts, so as to be in perfect shape for the coming summer.

“Who passes through Romagna, observing the city and walking the beaches, can't help but think of a grand costume ball. Each building is a protagonist, a fragment of a city where anything goes. The architecture is masked and ready for that never-ending Saturday night, typical of Romagna summers.

The architectural disguise has an ancient iconography. Just think about the Malatesta time in Rimini, characterized by a "dress" of fifteenth century Istrian stone on a medieval building, designed by Leon Battista Alberti. Or think about the urban architecture of Andrea Palladio and the several building facades he created: architectural masks on pre-existing medieval buildings.

The Trampolines Suite Hotel project was designed within this spirit,” says architect Antonio Scarponi.

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The architect Antonio Scarponi, founder of the studio Conceptual Devices (with the collaboration of architect Andrea Zausa for the preliminary stage, and of architect Stefano Massa for the executive stage), decided to "redo the make-up" of Trampolines with the use of DuPont™ Corian®, an advanced and highly popular material for interior design that is now emerging as an important contender in the exterior cladding field.

“The Trampolines Suite Hotel is characterized by an architectural shell of over a thousand square meters entirely made of DuPont™ Corian®, a material that has caught my attention for its unique combination of aesthetics, design flexibility and functionality. Forty years of Trampolines history have been redesigned, renovated and interpreted in only two winters to create an architectural structure masked by a ship's appearance: Fellinian spirit, minimalist culture, Romagna heart,” continues architect Antonio Scarponi. “The eighteen suites of Trampolines Suite hotel, overlooking the sea and a beautiful solarium with hot tubs, are architecturally enclosed within a classic naval design. Large terraces and balconies reminiscent of huge cruise ship decks are completely clad with DuPont™ Corian® high-tech surface.

The homogeneity and full color throughout the entire thickness of DuPont™ Corian® gives the building the elegance and rigor of a totally white dress, in cruise style,” added architect Scarponi.

The Trampolines is a perfect example of successful Italian entrepreneurship. Born in the Sixties, it is a place that, thanks to the passion and vision of several generations of family ownership, has been transformed from the original playground inclusive of trampolines (hence the name Trampolines), into a restaurant, and finally into a hotel. In 2012, it becomes the Trampolines Suite hotel, wearing a luxury resort “dressing” and dives, completely rebuilt and in perfect shape, into another explosive season of the Romagnola Riviera.

The architect Antonio Scarponi of Conceptual Devices, with the cooperation of Sinventa studio, has used DuPont™ Corian® - often in combination with natural wood – also for interior applications, such as minimalistic design furniture for the reception, suites and tables of the restaurant area, in a cool white colour, in an elegant aesthetic continuity with the outer shell of the building.

The fabrication and installation of DuPont™ Corian® were undertaken

by Altha® (Udine, Italy), a “Corian® Quality Network” company.

Equipped with excellent technological know-how and significant manufacturing and application experience, Altha® has collaborated on major interior design and architecture projects in Italy and in many other countries. www.corian.co.uk Enquiry No. 87

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Timoleon UFH Graces Belgravia When developer J.A.S. Truscott & Son of Westminster purchased a three bedroomed mews property in prestigious Belgravia it was the beginning of a transformation. S. J. Henderson & Company of Dulwich, chosen as main contractor for the project, ripped out the entire interior, leaving the beautiful Georgian façade overlooking the cobbled mews as an empty shell.

A basement was excavated increasing the floor area from 1,950 to 3,500 square metres enabling a conversion plan to a luxury four floor, four bedroom, four reception rooms property with a large kitchen and breakfast room area. It was at the ‘gutted interior’ stage that Timoleon, experts in all aspects of under-floor heating, was asked to produce detailed designs for heating all four floors of the mews house, these included plans for Timoleon’s Staple System, ideal for the screeded floor in the newly created basement and for the company’s Toron System, designed specifically for timber floor joist constructions, for the other three floors.

The Staple system in the Basement provided a quick, flexible and simple method of installing heating into a screeded floor. The Timoleon gridded insulation is layed on the sub floor, the 15mm polybutylene pipe is then stapled onto the insulation with barbed staples, this can be done by hand or with a pipe Stapler following the grids clearly marked. Once the pipe work has been pressure tested a screed is applied. The remaining floors used the Timoleon Toron system; this is suitable for conventional timber batten floors.

The standard Toron panels measuring 2400 x 600x 22mm are tongue and groove moisture resistant flooring chipboard, which are pre-routed to accept 10mm polybutylene pipe. The system is unique as it can be used as a structural floor across the joists. As the pipe work is embedded within the floor, there is an excellent transfer of heat, also specified strips of adhesive

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backed foil can be applied over the pipe work to provide additional output from the system.

An overboard layer of 6mm plywood completed the floor construction ready for carpet, wood flooring or vinyl. The efficiency of heat transfer using the Toron system is such that it is possible to run the system down to a temperature of 45 degrees rather than the 55 degrees norm, this makes it ideal for use with a Heat Pump or solar heated water and is at the same time extremely energy efficient and the heating performance will not deteriorate during the installed life of the floor.

Two Timoleon Axios Manifolds control the total heating system, one monitoring the two lower floors in the basement, the other covering the first and second floors in the loft. These manifolds proved simple to install and they have many inbuilt sophistications of design, possibly the most important, being the ability to balance individual circuits then isolate, thus ensuring accurate performance for each room. Auto air vents, technically advanced mixing valves and simply fitted but secure pipe connectors are also featured. www.timoleon.co.uk Enquiry No. 88

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Steadmans Provides Products For Motor Museum Roof Building products manufacturer Steadmans has supplied materials for a new roof at an East Lothian motor museum.

Home to a large collection of vintage cars, commercial vehicles and motor bikes, Myreton Motor Museum now has exhibition space which utilises 270 linear metres of Steadmans’ 40mm AS35 insulated steel roof panels, finished in pigeon grey. Steadmans’ ‘one stop shop’ capability also saw it supply olive green, pigeon grey and terracotta flashings, fixings and gutters.

Installer and specifier David Miller, managing director of David Miller Contracts, based in Gifford, East Lothian, commented: “The quality of Steadmans’ products is second-to-none. We have used them for years and, in particular, on all our steel projects.

“The company’s bespoke products are ideal for what we do and the diversity of the Steadmans range means we can order everything we need from a sole supplier. This is hugely beneficial to us, saving us both time and money.”

Comprising two outer steel skins with an integral PIR insulation core, Steadmans’ AS35 insulated panels are available in a wide range of colours and complement the company’s broad variety of pre-engineered construction products, such as gutters, flashings, rooflights and doors. The company also recently announced the introduction of a new 120mm panel – the thickest available – into the AS35 range. www.steadmans.co.uk Enquiry No. 89

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