DOORS, WINDOWS AND GLAZING - A product and project insight

PROFAB ACCESS ADDS A FIVE STAR FINISH TO CARDIFF’S NEWEST LUXURY HOTEL

Leading riser door and access panel solution supplier, Profab Access, has proven its first-class credentials once again as part of the recent completion of a major specification at Cardiff’s new 5-star Parkgate hotel. Located next to the Welsh Capital’s famous Principality Stadium, the Parkgate hotel has been designed to provide a luxurious experience for rugby fans, in addition to city dwellers visiting the country all year round.

Widely coined as Cardiff’s most lavish new location, the hotel includes 170 guest bedrooms and suites, a signature restaurant and bar, a traditional tea lounge and a rooftop spa overlooking the city skyline. As part of the prestigious build, a unique collaboration between the Welsh Rugby Union, property developer, Rightacres, and The Celtic Collection, the hotel required an extensive riser door specification, with safety, high performance and aesthetic appeal key considerations.

In total, 310 Profab Access VEGA 1500 Fire Rated Riser Doors were specified for installation by Hazelwood Carpentry throughout every part of the building, including communal areas and the hotel’s vast range of luxury guest rooms and suites. The VEGA 1500 Series Riser Doors offer the highest standards of fire safety, extensively tested by Efectis in France and Ireland to provide a bi-directionally fire tested product that is available in both single and double door configurations.

This means the riser door sets are fire tested from both sides to 60 minutes, providing the specifiers, contractors and hotel guests residing within the building with confidence the critical fire integrity products offer the highest standard and most up to date evidence for fire safety performance. The range also features a slimline, neat construction, whilst its proven technology ensures permanent, safe access to mechanical and electrical services housed within the riser core.

This provides first class functionality and safety, without compromising the overall interior concept. The steel riser doors also streamlined the installation process, as the quick release pivot hinge and light weight enabled easy handling, allowing Hazelwood Carpentry to complete the job quickly and optimise overall project efficiencies.

In the event of a fire, the VEGA 1500 Series Riser Door sets will maintain the frame and integrity for up to 60 minutes, preventing the spread of fire throughout the property for this period of time. The riser doors are 31dB acoustic rated, smoke sealed and airtight to Part L, whilst also featuring intumescent smoke seals that enable occupants to safely exit the building. By specifying bi-directionally fire tested VEGA 1500 Series Riser Doors, the development is actively future proofed as the comprehensive testing certification provides a complete and transparent audit trail of due diligence that evidences the products are not only fit for purpose but meet the duty of care required to ensure legal compliance.

Profab Access’ diverse portfolio of riser doors and access panels are supported by a wide range of BIM Level 2 and CAD files to aid the specification process and streamline the initial design stages. Manufactured at Profab Access’ Atherstone headquarters in accordance with ISO 9001, the 1500 Series Riser Doors can be specified and installed in a range of configurations to meet each project’s specific measurements and requirements. www.profabaccess.com

RUNDUM MEIR FAÇADE DOORS UNIQUELY REFLECT MANCHESTER LANDMARK’S HERITAGE

A bronze façade featuring integrated Rundum Meir garage doors for two new townhouses in central Manchester has been uniquely designed to reflect the architecture of the nearby John Rylands Library, one of the city’s most famous neoGothic buildings. Their full height bronze façade delivers a striking external appearance that takes a distinctive visual cue from the library, located opposite.

The houses are designed around an inverted living approach, enabling the architects to maximise the footprint of the site and use the space to its full potential. Above the garages are floors accommodating the bedrooms, with the living, dining and kitchen areas on the upper floors, and a rooftop courtyard/garden completing the arrangement.

The aluminium façade of both townhouses features laser cut and acid-etched lacy blind tracery patterns that match those in the windows of the library. The lacy pattern extends over the full height of the façade which includes large folding/sliding shutters.

These balance privacy with natural light requirements for residents during the day whilst being eye-catching at night as internal light shines through the laser cut pattern. This design extends into the twin side sliding sectional garage doors manufactured and installed by Rundum Meir, which effectively deliver a sliding façade at street level. The twin Rundum Meir sliding garage doors each provide a clear opening of 3.8 m for easy vehicle access from the street. Hand made using extruded aluminium, the fully automated bespoke garage doors have an automated pedestrian door as well as the side sliding door that demonstrate the design flexibility offered by Rundum Meir, who create every garage door to meet project requirements.

In addition to the side sliding sectional doors supplied for this central Manchester project, bespoke Rundum Meir garage doors are also available in ‘round the corner’ side sliding, overhead sectional and upand-over styles. www.rundum.co.uk

DING DONG!

An exclusive collection of high-end apartments in the heart of London, Chimes offers luxurious homes coupled with a wealth of amenities within a dynamic local community. Providing automatic access to the main entrance of this exclusive development, TORMAX installed a double set of swing doors that are automated by iMotion 1401 operators that are recessed into the floorspace.

The in-house designed TORMAX iMotion 1401 door operator is entirely maintenance-free thanks to the unique design of the powerful synchronous motor. The drive is certified protective class IP67, making it resistant to water, humidity and soiling. TORMAX developed the iMotion 1401 door operator to allow discreet automation of swing doors for locations where a minimalist finish is required or in historic locations where maintaining the original aesthetics is essential.

With none of the elements that usually wear out, such as gears and brushes, the iMotion 1401 motor does not even require periodic replacement or overhaul of its’ parts, making it entirely feasible to situate the drive within a steel box, 125mm under the floor. Acting directly on the rotational axis of the door it can also serve as the lower pivot bearing.

The iMotion control unit incorporates the latest hi-tech sensors, delivering obstacle recognition on both opening and closing. Simplifying operation for Chimes’ staff, the opening movement and the door held-open time can be saved as two separate, pre-defined settings. www.tormax.co.uk

PUTTING PEDESTRIAN SAFETY FIRST

Since it was introduced in 2013, the European safety standard EN 16005 remains a key standard to be followed to ensure pedestrian safety at automatic doors. GEZE UK has revised and updated its popular and informative RIBA- approved CPD Safeguarding Pedestrians from Accidents at Power Operated Doorsets. The 40-minute seminar looks at the European standard EN 16005 in detail and explains the responsibilities of all involved to ensure safety and compliance at all stages of construction.

It explains everything from activation distances for escape routes and non-escape routes; the danger points of automatic sliding, swing and revolving doors and how safety features such as finger guards and protection leaves can be used to reduce the risk of injury; and looks at revolving doors which are potentially the most dangerous and which received the most significant changes. Offering architects and specifiers invaluable advice and guidance, which contributes to their continuing professional development, this updated training seminar gives a better understanding of the standards and regulations surrounding pedestrian safety at automatic doors.

The seminar is included in RIBA’s core curriculum: Design, Construction and Technology; Health, Safety and Wellbeing; and Legal, Regulatory and Statutory Compliance for the General Awareness knowledge level. It can be presented in person or virtually via a variety of online platforms and at a time to suit. To find out more or to book a CPD seminar, email cpd@geze.com or visit the cpd information page on www.geze.co.uk under services. www.geze.co.uk

CRITTALL WINDOWS HIT THERMAL TARGETS AT WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Crittall Corporate W20 windows are an important component in the refurbishment and upgrade of a prominent industrial site in historic Bath. Newark Works is recognised as a masterclass in the retrofitting of heritage buildings that has transformed a former riverside heavy engineering factory into 21 st century workspace. The buildings, dating from 1857 to 1905, are Grade II listed and sit within Bath’s designated World Heritage Site.

They were formerly the home of world-renowned crane makers Stothert & Pitt but had fallen into serious disrepair. Their location as part of a larger Bath Quays redevelopment spurred their re-use, underpinned by sensitive treatment, to create 40,000sq.ft of modern workspace. “We specified the Crittall W20 system to replace the existing, single-glazed, cast-iron framed windows that were at the end of their life and deemed beyond repair,” said Nick Brown, Director of Ferguson Mann Architects.

He explained: “The Crittall W20 system was chosen due to the need to use a window system that could sympathetically reproduce the fenestration of the large industrial windows – many of which were 3.6m tall - but also provide a huge thermal improvement.The slim profiles of the Crittall W20 system meant we didn’t have to compromise on the amazing amount of natural light coming into the interior whilst improving the air tightness and reducing the overall heat loss of the building through the windows,” said Brown.

Consulting engineers Buro Happold calculated that just replacing the existing single- glazed windows with new double-glazed alternatives with a U-value of 1.8W/m2K would result in a 16 percent annual energy saving. That translated to 21.4 tonnes of CO₂. Over the building’s lifespan of, say, 25 years, that equated to a 535-tonne reduction in CO₂ emissions.

The local authority was keen that the buildings should be brought back into use after several previous failed attempts. They wanted the site’s historic significance to be respected while avoiding the desire to turn Newark Works into a ‘museum piece’. The installation of Crittall W20 was approved and two of the original cast-iron windows have been retained and refurbished as a reminder of the original building but not in a way so as to compromise the improved thermal performance of the whole. www.crittall-windows.co.uk

VICAIMA DESIGN BOWLS THEM OVER AT THE HEYFORD HOTEL

A new and stylish Boutique Hotel at the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside has specified Vicaima trend setting door designs to complement the mood of its relaxing and entertaining interiors. With its select and elegantly appointed rooms, The Heyford Hotel provides a refreshing visitor experience in the picturesque and rural Oxfordshire location of Upper Heyford, yet less than 30 minutes’ drive from the City of Oxford. Situated at the heart of the famous former military airbase and with a nod to its past American connections, the hotel includes its own bespoke bowling alley and themed bar for those wishing to enjoy tastes from across the pond.

Developers Dorchester Living have collaborated with Vicaima over many years, in their transformation of the former RAF and USAF Upper Heyford airfield. Therefore, it was only natural that they should chose Vicaima for this jewel in their crown. With a reputation for close attention to design detail and ability to reflect the desired blend of contemporary decor, yet sympathetic to the project’s historic heritage, Vicaima were able to realise the harmonious interiors. Working in conjunction with partners ABL Doors on this phase, Vicaima products included third party accredited and rigorously tested and certified FD30 Fire doors, which Vicaima supplied as popular Portaro® Door Kits.

These completely matching door and frame assemblies; designed for easy and rapid installation, were factory finished in Crown Cut Ash veneer with a Marina Grey semi-translucent tone. This attractive face finish also included a final addition, with the inclusion of two vertical and parallel black inlays, positioned close to the doors closing edge. Supplemental to doors and frames, Marina Grey toned skirting boards were also supplied by Vicaima, thereby completing the overall theme.

Portaro® door kits and Marina Grey finish from the Naturdor® stained range are just two examples from an extensive selection of imaginative ideas from the comprehensive Vicaima Design Collections. With performance and decorative solutions for a multitude of hotel and leisure projects, Vicaima offer everything from standard and ‘off-the-shelf’ to completely bespoke designs via their Infinity Brand. For more information visit www.vicaima.com or to request samples/literature, contact marketing@vicaima.com

CRITTALL'S T60 WINDOWS MEET OXFORD CHALLENGE

A theatre seating 200 people, study bedrooms for students, teaching rooms, kitchens and ancillary space have been created in the new threestorey building whose stone-faced elevations have been finished in honey coloured ashlar limestone to complement its heritage setting. The building also features a pitched, slate covered roof.

The T60 windows are set within stone surrounds and finished in an attractive bronze coloured Duralife polyester powder coating. Many are fitted with trickle ventilation. Triple glass is installed in the windows of the theatre auditorium for improved sound attenuation. T60 features an advanced highdensity polyurethane isolator as a thermal barrier that together with double or triple glazing surpasses the requirements of current regulations.

The cold formed steel profiles nevertheless retain Crittall’ s hallmark slender sightlines that ensure maximum light ingress. The Levine Building project also features cold form doors and internal fire screens on ground and first floors. www.crittall-windows.co.uk

PADDINGTON STATION PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS SUITABILITY OF STOVENTEC GLASS FOR TRANSPORT SECTOR APPLICATIONS

The specification of a StoVentec Glass cladding solution at London’s new Paddington Elizabeth line station has highlighted the growing popularity of this system for use at transport hubs such as rail stations and airports. Paddington is the latest in a growing list of transport sector projects where StoVentec Glass has been installed, and it underlines the system’s ability to satisfy the very specific and demanding requirements of this type of application.

Specified by Weston Williamson + Partners, the StoVentec Glass system was installed in a large public area which leads onto the main station concourse, and the StoVentec Glass panels were screen-printed with a circular, patterned design. “Transport infrastructure projects impose a fairly rigid set of requirements on any construction material, and that is particularly true of glass,” comments Sto’s Product Manager, Greg Astill.

“Safety, sustainability and the ability to accommodate a wide variety of design requirements, especially on refurbishment projects where existing structures are involved, are just some of the key requirements, and StoVentec Glass is able to satisfy all these, and many more.”

Recently relaunched, the next generation StoVentec Glass A is suitable for use either as an external rainscreen cladding system or as part of an interior design scheme, and is the only UK system with a BBA certificate for all standard applications. This includes independent assessment of wind loads, reaction to fire, safety and durability.

Rigorous testing under extreme conditions has proved that StoVentec Glass A meets NHBC standards and Building Regulations, including a reaction to fire classification of A2-s1, d0, and has a minimum durability of 30 years - an important factor for high profile projects such as Paddington Station.

“The system is perfect for use in high traffic areas as the glass has passed all industry standard soft-body and hardbody impact tests, in accordance with CWCT requirements,” adds Greg.

It also has excellent impact performance and has passed stringent bomb blast tests in accordance with the latest ASIAD, SIDOS and CPNI requirements. In terms of sustainability, StoVentec Glass A façades are extremely hardwearing and weather-resistant, with the panel carrier boards manufactured using natural perlite.

From a design perspective, the ability to specify any RAL or custom colour, bespoke sizes and shapes, and to screen-print logos and designs onto the glass provides the sort of versatility and flexibility that is often desired for transport station projects.

The manufacturing process includes the fusing of colours on to the back of the glass, before the toughening process. The colour melts into the glass providing permanent coloured glass panels that will not wear, scratch, fade, or incur water damage.

“Sto’s technical and design team offer great support, right from the initial stages through to the completion of the projects,” adds Graham Chadwick of Craft Interior, Sto’s authorized applicator who installed the StoVentec Glass system at Paddington station. “

As everything is manufactured on a bespoke basis, including the subconstruction design, joint detailing and penetrations, this helps remove any problems before they arise and ensures that the projects run smoothly.”

Craft Interior have extensive experience of the StoVentec Glass system, having installed it on a wide range of transport sector projects ranging from internal ticket halls to external lift shafts. www.sto.co.uk