Refurb Renovation News Issue 20 by Lapthorn Media

Issue 20 2016

Tuttoparquet

Beauty and

Substance

‘ORDER... ORDER’... IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF A COURT HOUSE TO A SUMPTUOUS 5* BOUTIQUE HOTEL

FLOWCRETE UK CEMENTS PARTNERSHIP WITH TOTAL PROTECTION

International treats at

MANCHESTER SHOW

CONSTRUCTION COMPANY SDC SAVES SPACE, TIME AND MONEY WITH NEW SMART OKI MULTIFUNCTION PRINTERS

Rinnai offers endusers an infinity of reliability on hot water heating

Schöck makes thermally efficient balcony retrofit a reality

a room with the view

interiors brought to life LQWHULRU Ɠ OP Commercial Use for walls and decorative panels

$ UDQJH RI VXSHUEO\ VW\OHG LQWHULRU Ɠ OPV ZKLFK ZLOO EULQJ DQ\ URRP WR OLIH

Find out more at

.co.uk +44 (0)1376 518037

CONSTRUCTION COMPANY SDC SAVES SPACE, TIME AND MONEY WITH NEW SMART OKI MULTIFUNCTION PRINTERS

BOET HAS NOW BEEN OPERATING FOR 20 YEARS AS A TILE MANUFACTURER AGENCY FOR THE UK AND IRELAND

TOUPRET UK HAVE LAUNCHED THE FIRST RANGE OF DECONTAMINATING SKIMMING FILLERS WHICH CONTAIN THE ACTIVE TOUPRET REGISTERED SANEO FORMULATION

ECO MERCHANT KEEPING A LID ON OVERHEATING

SCHÖCK MAKES THERMALLY EFFICIENT BALCONY RETROFIT A REALITY

THE DURABLE CLADDING SOLUTION FROM LATHAMS

‘ORDER…ORDER’… IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF A COURT HOUSE TO A SUMPTUOUS 5* BOUTIQUE HOTEL

INTERNATIONAL TREATS AT MANCHESTER SHOW

TURN A HOME INTO A SMART HOUSE THANKS TO GARADOR

MOIXA TECHNOLOGY LTD BRUNEL UNIVERSITY STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

A SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH FOR NORTH ENGLAND BUILD

LAWTECH SETS A NEW STANDARD FOR DECENT HOMES

TUTTOPARQUET BEAUTY AND SUBSTANCE

REDLAND THE MASTER CRAFTSMAN

FLOWCRETE UK CEMENTS PARTNERSHIP WITH TOTAL PROTECTION

LEAD CONTRACTORS END OF AN EARACHE?

RINNAI OFFERS END-USERS AN INFINITY OF RELIABILITY ON HOT WATER HEATING

AMPTEAM LTD LINING SYSTEMS THE IMPORTANCE OF FABRICATION

Contents

Issue 20 - 2016

Refurb Renovation News Ltd 20 Whitehall Road Ramsgate Kent CT12 6DF Tel 01843 598625

Assistant Editor Kate Davidson editorial@rrnews.co.uk

Sales Manager Marianne Ward marianne@rrnews.co.uk

Publishing Editor Paul Attwood paul@rrnews.co.uk

Accounts Manager Corrina Smith accounts@rrnews.co.uk

Editor Mike Hills editor@rrnews.co.uk

Sales Executive Jane Parker jane@rrnews.co.uk

Production Manager Matthew Ryan matthew@rrnews.co.uk

very effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in Refurb & Renovation News however, the publishers accept no responsibility for the claims or opinions made by advertisers, manufactures or contributors. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic (including photocopying) or stored in any information retrieval system without the prior consent of the publisher.

3FGVSCJTINFOU PG (BSDJNV×P[ $BTUMF *[BTLVO $IJODIJMMB The Refurbishment of Garcimuñoz Medieval Castle has three main purposes:

t To reinforce the existing structures, coming from different periods of History, avoiding their decay.

t To transform the existing ruins in suitable and safe spaces for public visit and to contribute to their understanding.

t To introduce new cultural and digital uses, proposed by the author of the project, that compensate the lack of cultural equipments within the area and that ensure a self sustained activity and maintenance of the building

ethodology: Main landmarks in the research process for this building has been:

2002 Invited by Spanish Ministry of Public Works to a restricted competition to propose future use and architectural refurbishment of the Garcimuñoz Castle ruins. We analyzed the lack of public and cultural equipment in the area and the seasonal flows of visitors through national statistics. 2003-2005 Tight work with engineers to define a project that could be completely dismantled and reassembled elsewhere. Increase of the number of structural elements to reduce their weight. Research on the compatibility of micropiling with archeological remains. Research on bioclimatic techniques that could be implemented in the Castle. Research in this period was mainly base in design, calculation and analyze of existing buildings. In 2005 the execution project is presented and pre-approved. 2005-2008 Justification of legal requirements for public buildings. In 2006 the actual Technical Building Code became effective. During two years we had to proof to implied authorities how the design was accomplishing through alternative means all legal and safety conditions. Type of work was base in calculation (evacuation times, resistance of particular architectural elements). 2008-2010 Although contract with contractor is signed up at the end 2008 factual works in the site began on March 2010. In the meanwhile there was a tight work with the metal company FERROALUPAL producing first set of prototypes.

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2010-2013 Site supervision works. Complexity of building and context demand mixed methodologies: building production, trial and error, manufacturing techniques, digital methods and plenty of prototyping.

Architects Izaskun Chinchilla Location Cuenca, Spain Project Structural Consultancy FHECOR Ingenieros Consultores. Project Service Consultancy R.ÚRCULO Ingenieros Consultores. Project Year 2013 Photographs Imagen Subliminal Budget, safe and healthy Consultancy Julio Hernánz Cabila. Project Archeologist Joaquim Parcerisas Civit. Collaborators during the project Carlos Jimenez Cenamor. Supervising Director Izaskun Chinchilla Technical Supervisor Urbano Chousa Supervising Co-director from March 2010 to December 2011 Carlos Jimenez Cenamor Structural Consultancy Roberto Marín Sampalo. Execution Supervision Assisttants D-fine S.L. On Site Archeologist Joaquim Parcerisas Civit. Contractor CLEOP S.A. Quality Control On Site Intercontrol Levante S.A.

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MC853 Smart A3 Colour Multifunction Printer

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The versatile smart MFP. Easy to use and integrates seamlessly into your document workflows.

The MC853 A3 colour, 4-in-1 multifunction printer, is the perfect choice for small workgroups, offering excellent print quality all in a compact yet powerful device. This smart MFP has a low total cost of ownership yet provides all the functionality you would expect from higher priced devices. Incorporating automatic double sided copying, printing, scanning and faxing to make life easy it also optimises its speed and power usage to make every saving possible.

Construction Company SDC Saves Space, Time and Money with New SMART OKI Multifunction Printers “Building sites can be a tough environment for any printer. It needs to be able to cope with anything, from dust and mud clogging up its insides to rough-handling by a constant stream of users and being moved from site to site” says Kit Lock, IT technician at award-winning construction company SDC.

owever, this wasn’t the reason the Bedford-based organisation made the decision to replace its site printers. SDC’s existing OKI models handled the wear and tear, and seemed to thrive on it. “They were at least six or seven years old. We admired their durability and the fact that they just kept going,” says Lock.

printer for the usual Word documents such as policies and health and safety forms. Now these MFPs do it all.”

SDC works across a variety of sectors including research and development, commercial, manufacturing, automotive, healthcare and education. As a result, it often has around 20 to 30 concurrent live projects on the go – each with their own temporary site manager’s office.

Significant cost savings

Lock adds that despite the versatility of the MFPs, they are easy to use. “When someone needs to print their time sheet and copy drawings, they don’t want to create lots of settings, they just want to print it out straightaway.”

So the OKI devices now combine all the functionality needed in one compact device, but what other benefits have been noted? “Definitely cost savings. We are expecting to make savings through standardised consumables and a reduction in number of devices” says Lock.

“So our main challenge was space. We had a selection of devices in each of our site offices including A4 mono, A3 colour printers for the many drawings needed for each project, day-today office printing and a separate photocopier causing space restrictions in an already limited workplace,” Lock continues. “These printers came from several different vendors and we had the issue of installing different printers for multiple users as they arrived on site. This was a constant demand on the IT department.” Although SDC’s existing OKI printers were still in good shape, they were older models that didn’t have photocopying capability. The company hire division had a number of photocopiers, which were aging and proving an expensive option. Every time a project finished, these photocopiers had to be moved. As there were various types, all set up in different ways and they were sometimes large and heavy, SDC had to get the supplier to pick them up, move them to the next site and set them up again.

Decision to standardise

“The reason for going for that specific device was to have all the functionality in one place – it can print, scan, fax and photocopy. It is very compact so it just sits in the corner and doesn’t take up any desk space,” says Lock.” Kit Lock, IT technician at awardwinning construction company SDC

The OKI Smart MFP passed the test with flying colours and an order for several new Smart MC853DNCT MFP’s followed. “The reason for going for that specific device was to have all the functionality in one place – it can print, scan, fax and photocopy. It is very compact so it just sits in the corner and doesn’t take up any desk space,” says Lock. “We also wanted a machine that could replicate the finer details on drawings but – at the other end of the spectrum – quickly print out a big Wet Paint sign. We need these quickly because we are working with the public much of the time. They have to be good quality so people can read them,” he continues. “We also needed it to be a typical office

“It has made life in the IT department a lot easier as we are not installing machines right, left and centre. All the devices are set up the same, staff can go to any site and print straightaway. Also there’s no scanning software involved because it’s all done through the machine.” The company’s site users are much happier with the new printing arrangements. “The machines are simple to use and we’ve had positive feedback so far,” he adds. SDC has bought this main batch of OKI MFPs outright but Lock continues to have a close relationship with both Abacus and OKI. “If we do have any issues, we can usually fix it ourselves but if we ever need to we can go straight to OKI’s second level IT support, we don’t have to jump through hoops all the time.” “We have been impressed by the quality, speed and overall performance of the OKI smart printers,” concludes Lock.

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Lock decided that the answer was to standardise on devices from a single vendor. Because the OKI printers had proved robust and reliable, OKI seemed the obvious choice. Working with OKI partner Abacus Leewell and

with OKI itself, it decided to evaluate an OKI MC853DNCT A3/A4 colour multifunction printer (MFP) and check it could cope with the rugged setting and all the different tasks it had to perform.

Frontline Bathrooms starts an industrial revolution in the bathroom Inspired by industrial luxe trends, leading bathroom distributor Frontline Bathrooms is delighted to launch two new freestanding statement baths as part of its 2016 aquabathe collection.

he new season’s arrivals are the epitome of luxury and create an instant focal point for the bathroom, while easily paired with complementary sanitaryware and furniture from the innovative Frontline collection.

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Immediately striking, Knightsbridge is the modern interpretation of the classic roll top bath design. Elegant inside and out it is styled in a rustic aluminium-effect to achieve a stunning contemporary mirrored finish. Instantly transforming everyday bathing into a spa like experience, stepping into the Knightsbridge provides the perfect chance to sit back, relax and unwind in pure opulence.

Form and function combined Zenith is another new freestanding bath. Petite at only 1500mm it’s the latest smart design solution for compact bathrooms or en-suites. The uber cool Zenith provides a realistic luxury freestanding bath option for smaller bathrooms.

RIGHT

BELOW

Zenith

Knightsbridge

Immediately striking, Knightsbridge is the modern interpretation of the classic roll top bath design. Elegant inside and out it is styled in a rustic aluminium-effect to achieve a stunning contemporary mirrored finish. Keep your eyes peeled online as Frontline Bathrooms is soon to launch its NEW “biggest ever” bathroom brochure, showcasing its entire 2016 collection and providing 396 pages of design inspiration.

www.frontlinebathrooms.co.uk 0845 470 2424

Bathrooms & Kitchens

MX – IT’S A ‘ONE STOP SHOP’ FOR ALL THINGS SHOWERING!

MX continues to build its reputation for being a ‘one stop shop’ for all things showering. From the widest range of types and sizes of shower tray to its ranges of electric showers including its popular care range, thermostatic shower mixers, brassware, enclosures and shower accessories, MX offers a massive selection of shower related products.

The range of quality products is huge and you can see these all for yourself by visiting www.mx-group.com, by calling 01684 293311 and asking for information or a copy of the latest MX Collection catalogue. Alternatively you can email sales@mx-group.com with your enquiry.

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NEW PRODUCTS WELCOMED BY CUSTOMERS A new range of products introduced by MX has been warmly received by customers up and down the country. These new products make MX a genuine ‘one stop shop’ for specifiers and installers looking for high quality, reliable showering products at sensible prices – with excellent warranties. These include an exceptional new range of thermostatic mixer showers including the introduction of MX’s Cool Touch technology – an advanced anti scald design achieved by routing the cold water along the full length of the mixer valve before mixing with the hot water to achieve the desired temperature. It’s a simple idea that works and provides added safety to the product.

MX’s first introduction to the brassware market has also been met favourably with a range of four designs of taps and mixers to meet any applications – traditional cross head and lever ranges, the modern Linx range and the Aero range – offering a cost effective choice of quality brassware, all with a one-year replacement guarantee. Its growing range of shower enclosures and screens are also meeting the needs of the customer base and the huge range of accessories offer replacement parts for almost any shower related component from shower cables, to new shower handsets and riser rails, shower curtain rails, rods and tracks to soap dishes, wall outlets and shower caddies.

BOET has now been operating for 20 years as a Tile Manufacturer Agency for the UK and Ireland.

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We represent Italian and Spanish Factories and have now extended our portfolio to include Factories in the Far East and South America.

ur portfolio in the UK and Ireland includes Unicom Starker Group & Batik from Italy, Monopole Ceramica— Nexo Euroamerica & Cithetiles from Spain. Further La Fabbrica, Italy and STN & Arcana Ceramica for the Irish market only.

The office is staffed by three charming ladies who computerise all client orders and act as the contact for our clients with the factories which we represent. Sales department is staffed by five active gentlemen who cover the whole of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

ABOVE

“UNICOM STARKER

Series: Board Size: 60,4x90,6 (24”x36”) Colour: Dust

TOUPRET UK have launched the ﬁrst range of DECONTAMINATING skimming ﬁllers which contain the active Toupret registered SANEO formulation.

PLANEO G with SANEO The first product /tools combination that successfully achieves perfect finishes when manually skim filling walls and ceilings prior to painting or wallcovering. Perfect for renovation and new work. Especially useful for the trades man who needs to quickly patch areas where traditional plastering is not cost effective.

t QUICK TO APPLY t QUICK TO RECOAT t QUICK TO PAINT t CAN BE APPLIED OVER PAINTED SURFACES/ PLASTERBOARD

TOUPRET SKIMMING FILLERS WITH SANEO are unique in their ability to capture and destroy FORMALDEHYDE molecules that are present in the air in your home, work place, schools and other common areas.

OUPRET SANEO products take up to 24 hours to effectively start purifying the air inside, thereafter releasing clean air back into the environment. This process continues for the life of Toupret skimming filler . The benefits of SANEO go further because it still works after being painted by any normal paint system or wallcovering . If combined with a decontaminating paint it reinforces its effectiveness. Toupret UK, s Jim Newark goes on to explain: “FORMALDEHYDE is the NO.1 indoor pollutant recently classified as CMR in Europe and classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation. FORMALDEHYDE is used in many manufacturing processes that end up in the home and workplace. Surprising to many of us normal folk, chemicals given off by scented candles, plug in scented devices and household cleaning products. give of LIMONENE. Unfortunately although smelling fresh and pleasant its chemical reaction with normal air in your house etc. can produce molecules of FORMALDEHYDE” A recent article in The Daily Mail by Jaya Narin reported on recent tests carried

AIRSPRAY FINISH with SANEO

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The first AIRLESS spray product with SANEO that requires no trowelling! Also its machine flow of 2.6 litres per minute combined with a tip size of 4.19 means it can be put through smaller cost effective airless spray machines than most other ready to use or powder skimming fillers.

t VERY WHITE t VERY EASY TO SAND t NO TROWELLING REQUIRED t PAINT AFTER 24 HOURS t CAN BE APPLIED OVER PAINTED SURFACES/ PLASTERBOARD

out by Professor Alaistair Lewis of The National Centre for Atmospheric Science at The University of York who explained the problem and the research that they did .The bottom line of these tests was made very clear in that Formaldehyde causes cancer particularly in the nose and throat .Many of the tests conclusions are in line with what TOUPRET external test laboratory [EUROFINS] have ratified in accordance with ISO 16000 Standard on the claims made by Toupret SANEO and the benefits of acting to reduce this pollutant . The two new TOUPRET SANEO skimming fillers are now available to be ordered through most professional trade Builders Merchants, Independent trade paint stores, Brewers Decorating centres, Crown Decorating centres, Dulux Decorating Centres and Johnstone Paints trade centres. Enquries Toupret office 0203 6916747 or email toupretuk@toupret.com. Website www.toupret.com

The benefits of SANEO go further because it still works after being painted by any normal paint system or wallcovering . If combined with a decontaminating paint it reinforces its effectiveness.

PREMIUM SEALANTS

25 YEAR MOULD FREE GUARANTEE

• PAINTABLE • STAYS WHITE • SOLVENT FREE • STAYS FLEXIBLE • MOULD FREE GUARANTEE • CE MARKED FOR SANITARY www.graft.co.uk Tel: +44(0)1484 42103 Email: post.uk@graft.co.uk facebook.com/polyseam

twitter.com/polyseam

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Bal House Terry & Terry Architecture Conceived for a retired couple, the open and accessible design integrates the living space with the rear garden to create a well-lit domestic extension.

omprised of two floating volumes, the addition formally designates the bedroom to the west and the main (common) space to the east. The two wings gradually diverge from the original structure to generate a glass-clad fissure in between. This void space pulls the garden inwards, injecting elements of the outdoors into the core of the house. The bedroom wing/volume, which is located on the west side of the house encompasses the existing bedroom volume which was extended toward the rear in the form of a wood tube to accommodate an additional bedroom. This bedroom volume opens out to the garden.

Terry & Terry Architecture prides itself on its ability to combine innovative architectural theory and practice. The partners, Alexander and Ivan Terry, each have over twenty years of experience, offering both design concepts and professional production services in architecture. Architects Terry & Terry Architecture Location Menlo Park, CA, USA Project Team Alex Terry, Ivan Terry, Matt Bisset Area 2000.0 ft2 Project Year 2011 Photographs Bruce Damonte Manufacturers Benjamin Moore, Dibiten, Emerald Steel, Fleetwood, Grohe, Hafele, Holiday Kitchens, Le Corbusier, Lumiere Lighting, Omnia Industries, Penofin, Piero Lissoni, Tobias Grau, Toto Project Engineer Santos Urrutia Structural Engineers Inc. San Francisco Contractor Timberline Construction

The second volume, which comprises the main space, houses the kitchen, dining and media areas. The east wood wall plane of the main space folds onto two concrete walls to form the main roof plane. The main space produces large transparent openings or voids that open out onto a deck at the rear garden. The main roof plane extends forward to form the carport roof near the front of the property. A garden concrete wall stretches out from the media room toward the garden adjacent to a rear ramp and forms part of the cantilevered bench that echoes the concrete wall material in the main space. The original structure, which houses the music room, two bedrooms and a bathroom, was retained and renovated. A new steel bay window seat was inserted at the front bedroom to replace a small existing window. The front entry porch was extended and rebuilt with hardwood decking connecting to the new driveway. The fireplace chimney was reconstructed and, along with the carport storage volume, was skinned with recycled epdm rubber. A new hallway/ passage and wood skinned storage wall were designed into the core of the structure to engage and connect the materiality of the new addition with the existing structure. This project has won numerous honour and merit awards from several AIA chapters, one just recently from the AIA San Francisco chapter as well as other design awards from SPARK and Residential Architect Design Awards (RADA). Terry & Terry Architecture prides itself on its ability to combine innovative architectural theory and practice. The partners, Alexander and Ivan Terry, each have over twenty years of experience, offering both design concepts and professional production services in architecture. Terry & Terry Architecture aspires to improve the quality of life through design excellence-- thus exploring design challenges at all levels, from furniture design to urban design with a focus on innovation in response to changing conditions.

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Doors, Windows & Fittings CURRENT DOOR TRENDS As a company that supplies and fits doors, we’ve picked up on a number of trends based on consumer shopping habits. Mortice knobs (door knobs) were the norm in pre-Edwardian times and have become hugely popular over the last five years; whereas before, levers on a rose or back plate had a dominant place in the ironmongery department. People have indeed been looking to the past for modern inspiration. Another example would be the rise in popularity of panelled doors, but not quite exactly your usual Victorian or Edwardian design. More elaborate panel designs have sprouted up. Here we have an example of a three panel door, but the shape and size of the panels is slightly unusual if you compared it to a traditional door. Metal inlays have become fashionable, whether they are placed inside a panel, running down the edge of a door or surrounding the leaf as a whole. Combining unusual panel design, metal inlays, various finishes such as high-gloss or bespoke stains have opened several doors to interior designers. Now, more than ever before, there is an almost never ending amount of combinations to personalise doors and make them part of the furniture, complimenting themes of rooms and much more. Possibly another indirect contribution to trends from the fire regulations are glazed doors. Because at one point, people needed self-closing doors, hallways became rather dark places, absent of much light. Having glass panels surely

eliminated that issue and is now a commonplace in some new builds. Oddly enough, grey has become prevalent in households. A lot of new, modern builds seem to take advantage of this. From stone flooring, grey tiles on walls and now doors have been tarnished with the grey brush. Due to demand, man-made veneers have appeared in the last five years. There are almost no types of wood in this colour, so special processes must be applied to give the illusion of grey-wood veneers. Perhaps we will see grey spread everywhere, just like brown and cream once did decades ago. We have been involved in the supply and install of more and more sliding doors over the last 5 years. This is a trend that would often be found going into bathrooms which were quite small and the client didn’t want to open a hinged door into the room. However this has extended to the main areas of the house especially in central London where square footage is at a premium. There are companies that can provide a sliding door cage system for singles and even double doors that have fire certification, which has helped sliding doors to be used almost in any area of the house or apartment.

With an established reputation for commitment to innovative design, unsurpassed craftsmanship and excellent client service, Solid Wooden Doors offers the very best in manufacturing bespoke timber doors for residential and commercial purposes. www.solidwoodendoors.com or 01932 851081.

ELLEN UPVC DOOR AND WINDOW SEALS Celebrating our 10th Year!!!!

RENOVATION SILICONE SEALS

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A UNIVERSAL SOLUTION TO REPLACE PERISHED OR WORN WEATHERSTRIPS ON UPVC DOORS AND WINDOWS

6 PROFILES FOR THE MOST COMMON UPVC WINDOW AND DOOR SYSTEMS

RESEAL DOORS AND WINDOWS, MAKING THEM AIRTIGHT AND WATERPROOF AGAIN

SEALS GAPS UP TO 8 MM

HAS A SERIES OF PEELABLE LAYERS

RRNews - Issue 20

LARGE HOLLOW CHAMBER FOR BETTER SOUND INSULATION

Made to measure interior wooden shutters 0800 321 3324 020 3131 3155

www.bespokeshutters.com

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WWW.ZEROPLUS.CO.UK

‘Order…Order’… in the transformation of a Court House to a sumptuous 5* Boutique Hotel It was once a building where juries deliberated and judges passed sentences, the Police investigated crimes and placed criminals under arrest. However, this Grade II Listed Magistrates Court and Police Station on Old Street, has been given a fresh lease of life and now stands as a sumptuous 5* boutique hotel.

riginally built in 1903 by John Butler, Old Street Courthouse was a formidable building containing two courthouses and offices. The buildings were in use from 1903 until 1996 and the police station was operational until 2008. To change this Grade II Listed building from a Courthouse to a hotel, careful consideration had to be given to improve the thermal performance as well as mitigating the ingress of noise, to create a warm and peaceful haven for guests. As the building is Listed, the original primary windows could not be removed; so Selectaglaze was approached by the principle contractor McAleer and Rushe to provide a solution for the vast range of different style windows. A total of 106 units were installed including curved, raked, casement doors and a beautiful double floor height feature window which was 5.287m high and 2.045m in width. The circular windows on the top floor required particular care and a bespoke fixing method for installation had to be created to meet the client’s requirements. Secondary glazing is an independent window installed on the room side of

Selectaglaze is the specialist in the design, manufacture and installation of secondary glazing, with fifty years’ experience and has held the Royal Warrant since 2004. It has a wealth of experience working on all building types. a building, which reduces noise ingress creating a quieter environment; a reduction of 45dB is achievable. As well as noise reduction it can also virtually eliminate draughts and aids in retaining the heat of a building, reducing heat loss by up to 50%. As it is a fully reversible adaptation, it is often the only solution to enhance poor performing primary windows in Listed properties and is accepted by most heritage bodies. With great attention to detail paid to all aspects of the design and build, Old Street Hotel is currently on target to achieve a ‘BREEAM Very Good’ rating. Selectaglaze is the specialist in the design, manufacture and installation of secondary glazing, with fifty years’ experience and has held the Royal Warrant since 2004. It has a wealth of experience working on all building types. Selectaglaze will be exhibiting at the BIID Annual conference on the 16th of June at the Royal Geographical Society.

RRNews - Issue 20

For further information, please contact Selectaglaze on 01727 837271, e-mail: enquiries@selectaglaze.co.uk or visit: www.selectaglaze.co.uk

TOUCH IRONMONGERY LTD www.atouchofbrass.co.uk 210 Fulham Road, Chelsea London SW10 9PJ

THE PERFECT TOUCH

stablished 33 years ago in October 1982, Touch Ironmongery is one of Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading ironmongers. Originally called Âł$ 7RXFK RI %UDVVÂ´ WKH ÂżUP changed their name in 2003 in reaction to slowly advancing market changes in architectural ironmongery which is no longer supplied solely in brass, and to DOVR UHĂ&#x20AC;HFW WKH EURDGHU UDQJH RI SURGXFWV DQG ÂżQLVKHV WKDW they sell. In fact today, Touch can VXSSO\ D ZLGH UDQJH RI ÂżQLVKHV including Brass, Satin Brass, Polished Chrome, Satin Chrome, Polished Nickel, Satin Nickel, Copper, Bronze -solid and plated, BMA, Antique Brass, Black, Pewter, Ceramic, Leather, Stainless Steel, Satin Stainless Steel, Gun Metal, and the list NHHSV JURZLQJ :KDWHYHU ÂżQLVK you require, Touch can help you get the right look.

RRNews - Issue 20

Touch occupy their recently refurbished showroom at 210 Fulham Road, Chelsea, where they display a vast range of their 5,000 products. With a customer base including Interior Designers, Builders and individuals who are interested in the top end of the

Ironmongery market, Touch mainly supply to residential SUHPLVHV EXW KRWHO DQG RIÂżFH properties also contribute to their vast clientele. The company also have a healthy export market to all corners of the world, namely the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. Touchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s owner and founder, Bill Benham, has 33 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience in the ironmongery trade, as do his colleagues Jim Haselup and Alan Blanchard. Saleem Qureshi is the newest member of our team and has 10 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience, meaning their knowledge is unrivalled in this industry. The range of products supplied by Touch date from circa 1640 French (Louise XIV) and cover all subsequent periods (Georgian, Edwardian & Victorian), art deco and contemporary pieces also make up the product ranges. In addition, Touch showcases the very best of British manufacturing; the best ranges are still produced in the Midlands by craftsmen in factories dating back 200 years or more. Touch also sell European manufactured goods

which is considered to be of a very good quality and in recent years they have introduced some of the far eastern made products, albeit in a limited range but cost effective. With trends continuously evolving, new innovative products are constantly under development. Touch understand that keeping up with the fashion-shifts is imperative in order to provide every customer with the best solution for their requirements. ,URQPRQJHU\ FDQ EH D GLIÂżFXOW and complicated aspect of a building project, as a result Touch aim to take this awkward aspect and make it user friendly and clear to understand by offering an onsite service where they carry out a detailed door by door, window by window, room by room Ironmongery schedule, highlighting all requirements and identifying any items that can be refurbished. Refurbishment is a large part of the business; Touch will undertake complete ironmongery refurbishment projects, and can restore old paint covered door furniture to their former glory, looking as new, at a fraction of the cost to replace.

For more information about Touch Ironmongery or to arrange a showroom visit please call 0207 351 2255 or alternatively visit www.atouchofbrass.co.uk

OLARIA BARCELONA has now come to London Olaria full range is now available from Touch Ironmongery. Olaria are manufacturers based in Barcelona. Est.1934. Suppliers of luxury hardware to the most emblematic buildings of Barcelona such as Casa Berenguer and Casa Mila of Architect Gaudi, Old Hotel Ritz, Hotel Avenida Palace, Hotel Majestic and many commercial and luxury buildings. www.olaria.es

Design Range 102 Ruby Red

Design Range 103 Signal Blue

Design Range 103 series

Design Range 104 Grey Aluminium

TURN A HOME INTO A SMART HOUSE THANKS TO GARADOR Garador has seen a sudden surge of interest in its stand out range of exclusive Design garage doors.

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Design Range 109 Fir Green

FrontGuard Entrance Door 810 Golden Oak

On top of that there is a range of design elements that can be added to give a truly individual look to any property. These designs, featuring a number of clean looking shapes and patterns, can be added to either side of the door and are cut out of 2mm thick brushed stainless steel to ensure durability and a lasting strong look to the door.

n recent years, there has been no real choice of affordable solution for stylish garage doors on modern buildings in the UK. So Garador introduced the Design Range, an ultra-modern steel Up & Over garage door collection. Available in a choice of contemporary designs and colour finishes they provide a more individualistic looks for both new builds and also for refurbishment projects. So it’s no surprise that sales of these doors are on the up. The Design Range comprises Series 100, constructed from four wide horizontal skins; and Series 200, constructed from three wide vertical skins. The wider panelling in both Series offers a clean minimalistic styling that sits well with modern looks and architectural styles. All Design Range doors incorporate the same innovative engineering and production techniques used in other Garador steel Up & Over doors; including secure euro cylinder with solid locking rods, a strong box section chassis with superior lifting gear and a smooth rivet free panel. Like all Garador doors, they are low maintenance and can be fitted with canopy, retractable and retractable plus operating gear. But it is in design where they really stand out. Doors in both the 100 and 200 Design

Range Series come in a wide selection of colours available as standard. This covers the full spectre of glorious deep colours from ruby red and signal blue to moss green and ochre brown and more subtle shades including ivory and grey. There is also a new Titan Metallic colour with a structured metallic finish that is exclusive to Garador’s Design Range doors. On top of that there is a range of design elements that can be added to give a truly individual look to any property. These designs, featuring a number of clean looking shapes and patterns, can be added to either side of the door and are cut out of 2mm thick brushed stainless steel to ensure durability and a lasting strong look to the door. Furthermore, many of the Design Range doors have been designed to match Garador’s range of modern FrontGuard front doors, so you can buy a matching garage door and front door from one place. The FrontGuard range comes in a variety of styles and colours, as well as featuring excellent thermal insulation, security and a functional door design that will work time and again. The FGS 700 FrontGuard front door, for example, is a great match for the Design Range 210 garage door, and both come in a selection of matching colours.

Find out more about Garador’s Design Range collection at www.garador.co.uk or call 01935 443798

THE DESOWOOD REPAIR SYSTEM

INTRODUCTORY PACK Including

FREE *Dispensing gun for RAP /Quick / RAP -4H

Dispensing Gun worth over £40

Mix the Quantity of Desowood RAP – 4H required.

Introductory Pack cost: £138.06 including VAT and carriage Introductory Pack content: 1 set Desowood SAP-4H (two bottles), 3 sets Desowood RAP-4H (2 tubes x 3), One Dispensing Gun.

This offer is for new customers only and is limited to one free dispensing gun per customer / company. The offer may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice.

To purchase the Introductory Pack please call us or send us your details by e-mail.

TEL: 01767 682446 E: sales@desofil-uk.com Web-site: www.desofil-uk.com

THE DESOWOOD REPAIR SYSTEM

Editor’s Choice

Snickers’ new LiteWork garments are revolutionising workwear styles this summer

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The innovative new Fabric in these working clothes – using 37.5 technology – makes them a must for the summer months. Snickers’ Next Generation of Work Trousers and garments have quickly become known for their contemporary designs packed with must-have features that focus on fit, comfort and freedom of movement as well as using innovative fabrics that deliver long lasting protection. The latest new LiteWork Trousers are just what the name suggests. They’re trousers that have all the features and functionality of the other Next Generation working clothes, but without the heavier weight fabrics. They are super-light, quick-drying garments that keep you looking and feeling cool wherever you are on site in warm weather. They have an advanced, modern design and are made from durable rip-stop fabric featuring the revolutionary ‘37.5 technology’ that delivers outstanding working comfort and ventilation in the warmer summer months. Telephone Number: 01484 854788 Website: www.snickersworkwear.co.uk

NEW from Snickers – the Solid Gear Hydra GTX Safety Shoe With the unique BOA closure system for maximum comfort Nowadays, good safety shoes are part and parcel of a day’s work on site – just like good working clothes and quality hand tools. The Hultafors Group’s new ‘Solid Gear’ brand - available through Snickers Workwear stockists in the UK - is revolutionizing footwear on site – just look at the new HYDRA GTX trainer-style safety shoe. It’s a highly technical safety shoe that integrates modern design with best-in-class materials for water protection, durability and a sporty look. Waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® lining keeps your feet dry and comfortable, while the Vibram outsole and Cordura ripstop fabric offer great protection and ruggedness. What’s more, the unique BOA Closure System – used on many top-brand sports shoes - distributes the pressure of the fastened shoe evenly across your feet to ensures a glove-like fit all day maximum comfortable protection. To get more information on Solid Gear - the Next Generation of Safety Footwear - visit the website at www. solidgearfootwear.com alternatively, call the Snickers Helpline on 01484 854788

Cater House Refurbishment Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems, with their approved fabricator Anglia Fixing Ltd; recently completed a change of use refurbishment at Cater House in Chelmsford, Essex. The former 8 storey purpose built office block which boosts a city centre location adjacent to the River Can, has been converted into 35 apartments. This change of use projectwas completed using Comar 5P.i Top Hung Casement Windows to the communal stairways. Comar 5P.i ECO Casement, Top & Side Hung windows and Comar 7P.i ECO Rebated Doors being specified for the apartments. The aluminium P.i window and door systems use trademarked Polyamide Insulated (P.i) that provides exceptional thermal performance and reduces heat loss through the thermal break ensuring low U-values and therefore ensuring energy bills are minimised. Comar 7 Doors are a natural choice in a busy residential building and were selected for the main entrance doors and external staircases. For further information visit: www.comar-alu.co.uk

Editor’s Choice RISK ASSESSMENTS FOR LEGIONELLA IN RENTED PROPERTIES ON THE INCREASE SAYS APHC The number of landlords arranging for essential legionella risk assessments and monitoring to be undertaken in their rented properties is on the increase, the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) has announced. Commonly found in freshwater areas, legionella is a bacteria which can sometimes enter into artificial water supplies. On people coming into contact with the bacteria by inhaling water droplets they can contract the often fatal lung infection Legionnaires’ disease. By law, all hot and cold water systems within any property that has a commercial use or is open to public access must be assessed for risk of legionella. This includes residential properties that are let by private and social landlords, care homes, schools, sports facilities and changing rooms, and APHC has observed a growth in the number of risk assessments undertaken on these types of buildings. One reason for this is an increased demand on landlords by estate agents to have risk assessments undertaken in line with regulations in this area. APHC’s dedicated scheme, Legionella Risk Assessment and Disinfection, allows property owners to meet their obligations by sourcing and working with plumbing professionals who satisfy the scheme’s criteria. Membership demonstrates to property owners that they are dealing with a professional and competent plumber, and plumbers receive recognition for their knowledge and understanding of the risks associated with legionella, that they can carry out a risk assessment, and carry out remedial action where necessary. John Thompson, Chief Executive at APHC commented: “We’ve been pleased to observe a steady increase in the numbers of legionella risk assessments being undertaken on rented properties. Landlords have a responsibility to protect the welfare of their tenants and at APHC there has certainly been evidence to suggest that the legislation in this area is working to achieve this. By choosing a member of the APHC Legionella Risk Assessment and Disinfection Scheme, property owners know that they are dealing with a competent professional, giving them peace of mind in knowing that they are fulfilling their legal obligations as landlords.”

RRNews - Issue 20

The Epos Professionals Since 1982 Cashless Systems, Door Access Systems & CCTV Systems

C.C.R Systems (Northern) Ltd 142 Bebington Road, New Ferry, Wirral, Merseyside CH62 5BJ Tel:- 0151 644 8296 Web:- www.ccrsystems.co.uk Email:- epos@ccrsystems.co.uk

RRNews - Issue 20

External Works & Landscaping

RIVER LOOK-OUT TOWER PROTECTED BY WESSEX GALVANIZERS Part of Wedge Group Galvanizing, Wessex Galvanizers has played its part in the restoration of an historic look-out tower situated by a quaint river in West Sussex. In partnership with Walberton-based Geoff Burse Trailers, the plant provided its hot dip galvanizing treatment to over four tonnes of steelwork for a staircase in the observation tower at the entrance to the River Arun, which has recently undergone a major refurbishment. The work took four weeks to complete, with the spiral staircases being designed and fabricated by GB Fabrications before being transported by Geoff Burse Trailers to Wessex Galvanizers for its protective coating. Steve Dicker, Managing Director at Geoff Burse Trailers, explained: “Galvanising was specified due to the look-out tower being situated so close to the water and to increase

RRNews - Issue 20

the staircase’s life-span. We have worked with Wessex Galvanizers for over a decade

and knew they would provide a first-class service which will ultimately meet – and exceeded – our client’s needs.” Richard Whiddett, Sales Manager at Wessex Galvanizers, commented: “The staircase is now protected against weathering and rust for many years to come, and will ensure the entrance remains aesthetically-pleasing for visitors and locals. We look forward to working with the team at Geoff Burse Trailers again in the near future.”

External Works & Landscaping KELKAY SPRING INTO ACTION TO GET THE GARDEN TIDY Kelkay kits out the consumer getting gardens ready for spring. The leading UK aggregates manufacturer and distributor have the products to help people keep their driveways, pathways and patios clean. The all encompassing range of products includes Kelkay Path & Patio Cleaner, Kelkay Path & Patio Sealant and Kelkay Patio Joint Fill. Dirty and tired looking paving can be revived using Kelkay Path & Patio Cleaner. This is a powerful and fast-acting cleaner will remove mould, algae lichen and moss along with everyday dirt and grime. The product comes in a 2.5 litre container – enough to treat up to 100 squaremetres and is safe for pets, wildlife and garden pond areas. Joints can be renewed and refreshed using the easy to use Kelkay Patio Joint Fill available in Buff, Grey orMushroom. Simply brush into paving joints and allow to set giving paths, patios and drives a new lease of life. For the finishing touch, apply Kelkay Path & Patio Sealant to the surface of your cleaned and revived paving. The high performance low sheen sealant provides long lasting protection against stains and water penetration. Antony Harker, managing director at Kelkay, said: “The consensus of opinion among experts

Kelkay’s brand portfolio includes Borderstone®, Build Mate, easyfountain® and Henri®, providing retailers with a single source of supply for awide range of garden products. These include aggregates, stone, water and garden features, paving, edging and walling, building materials, horticulture, growing media and winter garden products. By promoting aggregates, paving and fountains with eye-catching point of sale, merchandising units and display stands, garden retailers have seen sales grow in these categories.

in the industry is that the big changeswe’ll see in the foreseeable future are in the types of products we’ll be using to make gardening simpler. People are concerned about protecting their patios, drives and pathways and against whatever weather is thrown at them. At Kelkay, we have everything they’ll need.”

For further information: Email: salesenquiries@kelkay.co.uk Or visit: www.kelkay.co.uk/contact/

RRNews - Issue 20

Measuring Performance H Pre- and post-refurbishment building evaluation studies have been used by Oxford Brookes University to underpin a systematic approach to a low energy refurbishment explains Professor Rajat Gupta, presenting a paper on the subject to the recent CIBSE Technical Symposium in Edinburgh.

eritage buildings generally have high levels of fuel use and provide low levels of user comfort. They are also more challenging to refurbish because a revamp will generally include the need to preserve the character and features of the building both internally and externally.

a systematic building performance evaluation (BPE) approach based on preand post-refurbishment studies to evaluate the impact of innovative improvement measures on a three-storey hunting lodge, which was built in the 1830s and is currently in use as an office building by the local council and other tenants.

Now a study by the Low Carbon Group at Oxford Brookes University has used

Before its refurbishment commenced, a BPE study was used to ascertain the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in-use characteristics and to identify the appropriate interventions for its refurbishment. The buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s construction is typical of its era: the ground floor walls are uninsulated solid brick and stone; the first floor walls are timber frame construction with a vertical hung-tile exterior; the pitched clay tile covered roof encloses an unused second floor attic; and windows are single-glazed sash units.

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The buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fabric performance for the pre-refurb study was assessed through an air-permeability test and thermal imaging survey; gas and electricity consumption data was obtained from bills; indoor air temperature, relative humidity and CO2 levels were recorded over winter. The findings were then cross-related with occupant satisfaction feedback collected through questionnaire surveys and interviews.

This initial study revealed the need to focus on improving the thermal performance of the building fabric to help reduce heating demand and improve occupant comfort. The study showed that the building had an air permeability of 20.5m3/hour/ square metre of envelope, a long way short of the current Building Regulations requirement. Annual gas consumption was 137kWh/m2.

Findings Air Permeability was ultimately reduced to 9.3m3/h/m2 and a thermographic study of external walls showed an improvement in the performance of the building fabric for the half of the building which had been refurbished when compared to the half that had not. The post BPE found that the MVHR unit had not been installed and commissioned appropriately and in some spaces the system failed to provide the minimum ventilation rate of 8litres/second/person. It was recommended that occupants use the higher fan-speed levels in winter and the system be re-commissioned and set to higher flow rates. Following its refurbishment the building achieved a 67% reduction in electricity use and a 22% reduction in gas use giving a 58% overall reduction in annual energy consumption – as predicted - and the building’s annual heat energy and electricity use were found to be lower than the CIBSE TM46 energy benchmark.

Following its refurbishment the building achieved a 67% reduction in electricity use and a 22% reduction in gas use giving a 58% overall reduction in annual energy consumption – as predicted - and the building’s annual heat energy and electricity use were found to be lower than the CIBSE TM46 energy benchmark.

The study demonstrated the success of a two stage BPE study in identifying and delivering innovative refurbishment solutions for a historic, non-domestic building showing that it is possible to successfully refurbish heritage buildings.

To decide on the most appropriate energysaving measures to adopt, dynamic thermal simulation modelling was used to estimate energy - and CO2 - savings from various low energy improvement measures to help select the most appropriate solutions. The modelling showed the most effective improvement was the application of internal insulation to the walls and the fitting of double-glazed secondary glazing to help insulate the windows. Refurbishment took place between Nov 2013 and April 2014. Only half of the area of the building occupied by the local council was refurbished (17 rooms) with the remainder was used as a control study. The scheme is the first non-residential building to use an innovative insulation system more commonly used for the refurbishment of housing. This is based on a laser-survey of each room. The dimensional data is then fed into a factory-based cutting machine which precisely cuts sheets of insulated-plasterboard into sections to cover the entire wall. The solid ground floor was also insulated as were the eaves to avoid gaps occurring between the insulated walls and the roof insulation. Ventilation for the first floor was provided by a combination of user-opened sash windows and a centralised mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery (MVHR).

Once the works had been completed the researchers set out to measure whether the newly refurbished building performed as predicted.

RRNews - Issue 20

Overall the refurbishment measures were predicted to achieve a 58% saving in energy use and a 37% reduction in carbon emissions.

Floors & Flooring MODULEO IMPRESSES IN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT Leading digital media company, Ziff Davis, has fitted Country Oak from luxury vinyl flooring manufacturer Moduleo, in the recent renovation of its London office. Workplace interior design company TheJones London completed the project and opted for Country Oak from Moduleo’s Impress collection, as the colour and finish of the product perfectly complemented their design vision. Louise Coombs, interior architect at TheJones London comments: “We wanted to find flooring that was easy-tomaintain and hard-wearing, while reflecting the ‘urban concrete’ theme we were creating throughout the space. “After doing a bit of research we found that Country Oak from Moduleo fit the bill perfectly, and offered the ideal aesthetic and specification. The product looks just like natural wood but has none of the usual drawbacks, while the shade of the product works perfectly with the colour palette of this project.” Moduleo’s Impress collection boasts five wood designs and 22 colour options, all with registered emboss to create an accurate wood-effect finish that is the epitome of realistic design. David Bigland, managing director of Moduleo UK and Eire, explains: “It’s great to see another architect choose Moduleo. The new Ziff Davis office looks fantastic and it is real testament to the design of our product, that it has been chosen for such a cutting edge space. “Our flooring has a slip resistant rating of R10, excellent acoustic properties, and is incredibly durable making it ideal for office environments.

As our products offer unrivalled durability, they can withstand a great deal of wear and tear from heavy workplace footfall, and are extremely easy-to-clean so spillages can be easily dealt with, without any scuffing or staining.” As part of IVC, a global top three manufacturer selling 100 million m2 of vinyl flooring every year since 1997, Moduleo has a strong heritage and offers unrivalled eco-credentials. Louise concludes: “The overall finish looks amazing. We’re For more information, visit – extremely pleased that we chose Moduleo and would www.moduleo.co.uk certainly recommend this product for those looking to or contact the Moduleo team on 01332 851 500. create a stylish office environment.”

UZIN SYSTEM USED AT NEW BUCKLAND HOSPITAL IN DOVER

RRNews - Issue 20

UZIN products were used to install over 6000 m2 of flooring at the new Buckland Hospital in Dover. The hospital is committed to providing the highest standards of health care, so required an environmentally friendly solution for the refurbishment. The flooring contractor, Oxden Floors therefore selected UZIN’s products to ensure that these health standards were upheld. The new two storey hospital provides safe, patient focused and sustainable health services. The new facilities include a wide range of co-located diagnostic services as well as renal dialysis, child health and minor injury services.

A suitable range of EC1 and solvent-free UZIN products were therefore used for the installation. Some cracks in the substrate were repaired using UZIN RR 2013 crack repair, UZIN NC 182 rapid and UZIN NC 888 feather coat. The substrate was then protected against residual moisture using UZIN PE 414 DPM, followed by UZIN PE 280 primer. UZIN NC 150 smoothing compound was then used, before the floor coverings were installed. UZIN KE 2000 S was used to install the safety flooring, while 3200 linear metres of set in and coved skirting were adhered using Remur tape. The job was exceptionally well finished resulting in a sound and durable floor. www.uzin.co.uk www.oxden-floors.co.uk

info@uzin.co.uk

Tel: 01788 530 080

uite apart from the main collection that encompasses a huge choice of floor types, sizes, finishes and wood species there is one outstanding reason we love working closely with Listone Giordano: the company is fundamentally innovative. There is a constant search for a good balance between aesthetics and ethics. The original innovation was Professor Giordano’s engineered multi-parquet itself. It is still the only hardwood floor that Tuttoparquet guarantees totally in bathrooms. Aesthetics are as important as the technology at Listone Giordano: architects and designers are invited to contribute to the collection as well as designing their own floors for projects. Daniele Lago, the renowned Italian furniture designer feted for his “floating” furniture, designed “Slide” for the Listone Natural Genius Collection.

Medoc collection design by Michele De Lucchi The unique wood flooring collection which celebrates the association of the naturalness of the wood matter with the contemporary design genius.

BEAUTY AND SUBSTANCE Tuttoparquet launched the Listone Giordano flagship store in London in 2004, showcasing and installing high quality hardwood flooring that represents the best of traditional Italian craftsmanship and modern technology.

The latest innovation is more technical but goes beyond product innovation. It’s about listening to the change in cultural values and sensitivity to the environment in art and lifestyle. It follows on from responsible sourcing of materials and traceability throughout the production process to concentrating on ecologically sound, unique glue for production and installation, which is well below limits set by the most stringent E1 regulations, and the latest innovation: Crystalcare. It’s a substance developed and manufactured by Listone Giordano which is added during the industrial process to the varnishing finish of the surface rendering it bacterial-free. No downside, only the advantage of better hygiene and contribution to well-being. Tuttoparquet Ltd

RRNews - Issue 20

Slide collection design by Daniele Lago The concept is based on the idea of a rectangle cut in two by a diagonal that generates two rectangular trapeziums. These combine with each other in numerous ways, generating countless configurations

Biscuit Collection

Biscuit collection design by Patricia Urquiola Re-thinking traditional wood floor, where rounded, bevelled and curved boards along with a slight”bombé” effect of the surface create a new language.

tuttoparquet.co.uk info@tuttoparquet.co.uk 0207 435 8282

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LEVATO MONO porcelain paver system The Levato Mono porcelain paver system is the pinnacle of external raised flooring technology; enabling the specification of lightweight, slip resistant and attractive raised flooring solutions, combining incredible technical properties with uncompromising aesthetics; making them the ideal choice for commercial and domestic use alike.

Just a few of the benefits at a glance: 9 )) ,+. !( %* , 2!./ 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 9 (+ 0%*# "(++. 8 %*/0 (( 0%+* +2!. /%*#(! ,(5 )!) . *!/ 9 0!.* ( ,.+ 1 0 6!.+ ) %*0!* * ! .!-1%.! 8 +""!.%*# ) //%2! +2!. (%"! / 2%*#/ 9 %#$(5 . /%+* * /0 %* .!/%/0 *0 9 %#$(5 /(%, .!/%/0 *0 * $%!2! 1, 0+ 3!0 %* 0$! ,!* 1(1) 0!/0 9 %#$03!%#$0 8 '#/ ,!. )2 9 %#$ (+ ! .%*# * %), 0 .!/%/0 * ! 9 %) !. /0+*! !""! 0/ 7 *%/$!/ 2 %( (! 9 ! ( "+. ( +*%!/ .++" 0!.. !/ * ,% 66 / "+. +0$ +))!. % ( .!/% !*0% ( 1/! 9 +),(!0!(5 *+* ,+.+1/ 9 %.! ".+/0 ,.++"

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Flowcrete UK Cements Partnership with Total Protection

Flowcrete UK has undertaken the extensive refurbishment of a large garage and car park area owned by Cambridge Council alongside Total Protection, its exclusive applicator partner for social housing projects in the South of England.

his project exemplifies the ability of resin flooring manufacturer Flowcrete UK and specialist coatings contractor Total Protection to provide every product and service required for large-scale social housing flooring projects. This holistic approach includes identifying existing issues and delivering a complete package throughout pre-contract specification and inspection to post-contract maintenance and warranty.

of different suppliers and contractor teams before they could embark on a project such as the one at Newtown, however our new partnership avoids all this hassle, streamlining the route to a high quality floor finish.” The products used during this project included Flowfast F1 Mortar to repair the substrate and gullies as well as infill voids and buried joints. Isocrete Isopol SBR created a waterproof screed and a waterproof render band around the perimeter of the walls and Isocrete M-Bond primer was applied to protect against rising moisture.

Before & After photos

The site in Newtown consists of a 45-unit garage as well as a two-storey car park and ramp. When the 1,580m2 site was reviewed, a number of issues were recorded, including water migration, cracking, leaking gullies and undulations in the concrete slab. In the garage area a 100ml recess in the concrete slab’s centre was collecting water. Cambridge Council could source all of the repair mortars, screeds, damp proof membranes, PU injection systems, corrosion protection and resin coatings as well as the knowledge required to upgrade the site directly from Flowcrete UK and Total Protection.

Flowcrete UK’s Managing Director, Kevin Potter, said: “Previously specifiers would need to spend time assembling a variety

Flowcoat SF41, a hard wearing epoxy resin coating, was applied as a wearing surface with anti-slip aggregates across the 850m2 garage. 700m2 of Deckshield was installed on the car park’s top deck and ramp to create a robust surface able to withstand traffic, weather and automotive chemicals. The project was completed in 2 ½ months, meeting the council’s 3-month deadline. The site’s operators were supplied with a comprehensive O&M manual to help maintain and manage the new floors.

www.flowcrete.co.uk

RRNews - Issue 20

This was a significant factor behind choosing this supplier and applicator partnership, as it meant that the client did not have to spend time and resources finding a number of different manufacturers and contractors.

The products used during this project included Flowfast F1 Mortar to repair the substrate and gullies as well as infill voids and buried joints. Isocrete Isopol SBR created a waterproof screed and a waterproof render band around the perimeter of the walls and Isocrete M-Bond primer was applied to protect against rising moisture.

Garden Bothy, Cumnock Upgrades to walls, ﬂoors, windows & door The aims of the trials at the Garden Bothy, which are reported here in this Refurbishment Case Study, can be summarised as follows:

t To test, in situ, a range of energy efficiency improvement measures t To further demonstrate the applicability of vapour permeable materials in a traditional building t To provide a replicable whole building refurbishment case study

n important element of the energy efficiency improvement research work carried out by Historic Scotland during recent years has been to trial a range of measures in situ, monitoring specific interventions after having been installed in a building. This gives a more realistic indication of the performance and limitations of a material or measure than had it been tested in a lab or modelled using standard computer software. Another guiding principle behind the research on site is that any building element being improved should maintain vapour permeability. Vapour barriers should not be created when energy efficiency fabric upgrades are being carried out in a traditional building. Building on the above aims was a desire that the building could be used as a case study for the sensitive upgrade of traditionally constructed properties in the future. All the measures used at the Garden Bothy were executed by contractors from the local area and were reasonably straightforward to carry out. This was important as, to be truly replicable, it must be possible to source the appropriate professionals with relative ease. Cost was also a consideration; an initial plan drawn up for the work came to over £200,000 and, had this been followed, the upgrades would have been beyond the reach of most building owners and could seldom have been replicated.

except from on the rear elevation which is lined on the outside with brick, forming part of the walled garden. Originally, all internal walls were lined with lath and plaster. This had been lost throughout the ground floor rooms due to previous extensive refurbishments, although it had survived more or less intact in the upper floor rooms. A number of workshops are built onto one gable end, reaching the level of the first floor. The property, whilst not derelict by any means, had suffered the effects of at least five years of inoccupation and many years of

Building on the above aims was a desire that the building could be used as a case study for the sensitive upgrade of traditionally constructed properties in the future. All the measures used at the Garden Bothy were executed by contractors from the local area and were reasonably straightforward to carry out. British sandstone flagstones laid as a finish to the lime concrete floor

Whilst planning the energy efficiency improvements it became apparent that a number of tasks were required to bring the building up to a sufficient level of repair to allow the subsequent improvement work to be carried out. The main aim of this work was to prevent water ingress. Repairs were carried out to the roof, involving the replacement of missing slates, new lead flashing where required, the replacement of defective rainwater goods on both the front and rear elevations, and the formation of lead gutters at the skews.

The building being discussed in this Refurbishment Case Study is the Garden Bothy on the Dumfries House Estate, Cumnock, East Ayrshire. It is a two storey building with a living room and kitchen on the ground floor and two bedrooms and a small bathroom on the upper floor. The walls are formed of sandstone rubble masonry,

RRNews - Issue 20

The new insulated replacement front door, the only external door to the bothy

limited maintenance prior to this. This had led to water ingress at several points and subsequent damage to building fabric.

The clay plastered walls with kitchen units in place

The hearth and flue in the sitting room, finished with a plain wooden surround

The work undertaken at the Garden Bothy represents a ‘whole building’ approach to what can be achieved when sensitively upgrading the thermal performance of a traditionally constructed building. Four different materials for insulating walls were trialled, two of which are appropriate where original lath and plaster wall linings remain intact, and two for where the wall lining had been lost. Additionally, a highly insulated lime concrete floor was laid, and the timber windows were upgraded with new double glazed units. The loft was insulated and the front door was upgraded. Together, these measures demonstrate a comprehensive package which shows what can be achieved to improve the thermal performance of a traditionally constructed building.

Solutions for Problem Floors Uneven joints, high spots, contaminants, worn coatings, sticky residues, old tiles and broken down screeds? We can supply the equipment, or a qualified team, to ensure the successful application and durability of your new flooring system.

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Heating & Ventilation

Panasonic Generates Significant Smith’s Space Saver SS80 Goes New City & Guilds Accredited Electricians’ Course Soon to be Savings In Restored Water Tower Dutch And Swedish Smith’s Fan Convectors market-leading Space Saver plinth An abandoned water tower on the outskirts of Harrogate, Available Nationwide heater has been given a profile boost in the Dutch and

Yorkshire, has been converted into a stunning family home by Carol and Majid Nadry from Bradford. Sustainability and energy efficiency were at the heart of the project, so they chose an air source heat pump from Panasonic to provide a low-Carbon heating and hot water solution. Energy efficiency was one of the core principles of their restoration project, and this presented a number of challenges to Cumbria-based renewable heating firm Heacol, who were asked to design and install the heating and hot water system. Heacol specified a Panasonic Aquarea T-CAP heat pump, which was integral to delivering the efficient solution and capacity they needed to heat a large home like the converted water tower. The T-CAP was the ideal solution as it is not just efficient and powerful, but also extremely reliable. For more information on Panasonic’s range of heating systems, please visit www.aircon.panasonic.eu

Swedish markets. A new slim-line version of the Smith’s Space Saver was launched last year - the Smith’s Space Saver SS80 - making it the only plinth heater in Europe that fits IKEA-style 80mm plinth heights. The Space Saver SS80 fits much narrower plinths found in kitchen designs popular in Scandinavia and Germany. Like its taller counterparts, installing the Space Saver SS80 frees upwall space for extrawork surfaces and more storage or desirable kitchen appliances. It provides an alternative for home owners having to make do with a panel radiator or expensive under-floor heating. The SS80 is now available nationally from all good merchants and online stockists. For more information contact Smith’s Environmental Products on 01245 324900 or at www.smiths-env.com or sales@smiths-env.co.uk

PASSYFIER DEHUMIDIFIER VENTS Ever since the ‘greenhouse effect’ raised its ugly head, everyone has been conscious of the need to conserve energy. They may not be doing it, but they are aware of it! The easiest way to conserve energy is to insulate properties to stop heat escaping. Unfortunately, that also stops moisture vapour escaping - about two gallons per day for the average household - and leads to condensation on cold surfaces.

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The dilemma has been either to insulate and invite condensation and black mould (potentially hazardous to the health of the very young or elderly), or to continue losing heat and suffering draughts. Well, the answer lies in a thinking person’s vent. It combines a through-the-wall, ‘warm’ telescopic sleeve with a slab of insulant inside, louvred vent internally and an appropriate external cover. The insulant is transparent to the seepage of moisture vapour whilst simultaneously preventing cold draughts so householders are not tempted to block them up with paper.

Passyfiers take advantage of the differential partial moisture vapour pressure that is normally higher inside an occupied building than on the outside. This pressure is completely independent of that in the air. For example, a typically cold foggy British winter’s day (a green light for condensation) may have an outside temperature of 5°C and humidity at 100%, while the inside temperature is at a comfortable 20°C. Keeping the inside relative humidity to 70% generates a difference between inside and outside moisture vapour pressure of 8 millibars, ample to alleviate condensation, all this with little or no heat loss. www.condensationshop.com

Following a successful launch, a brand new electricians’ course is nowdue to be rolled out to training centres across the country. The City & Guilds accredited NA7232-(5) Competence in the Installation and Testing of Electrotechnical Systems, launched by NAPIT Training, allows students with at least two years’ experience in the electrical trade to formally demonstrate the level of competence necessary to join an electrical self-certification scheme. The course has drawn prospective electricians to centres in Mansfield, Bristol and Oldham. It has also started to gain interest fromcandidates at NAPIT’s first Approved Satellite Centre, Fulcran Engineering and Compliance based in Middlesbrough, producing the course’s first success story. Fulcran Engineering and Compliance is an established electrical training centre with an overall pass rate of 98%. The centre offers a wide range of electrical training. For more information, visit www.fulcran.co.uk.

22 years in the business! Est. 1993

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Call 01799 528 528 or visit www.condensationshop.com for superior domestic ventilation products

RINNAI OFFERS ENDUSERS AN INFINITY OF RELIABILITY ON HOT WATER HEATING Rinnai, designer and manufacturer of the ErP labelled A-rated Infinity range of continuous flow gas fired hot water heaters, is not only supplying the UK with the most reliable individual units* on the market, it offers end-users the peace of mind that comes with having chosen the most efficient, cost effective and reliable total hot water systems, too.

he ErP A-rating** applies over the complete Infinity range – from small domestic models to XXL sized industrial units. Rinnai is the only manufacturer that can field a complete range of gas fired water heaters that more than complies with the demands of new legislation on fuel efficiencies and offers outstanding reliability throughout the life of the appliance. Building owners and business operators, public and private sector, from hairdressers and launderettes to hospitality, healthcare, education and on to heavy industrial users are all looking for a hot water system they can rely on, now and in the future. One of the biggest downsides to a hot water storage system – it may be gas fired, electric or heated via a coil from a boiler – is the size of the storage vessels themselves. Where do you put a bank of large cylinders in today’s world where every inch of space in a commercial setting equates to money? Those precious square metres could well be put to better use rather than housing a bank of archaic hot water cylinders better consigned to the pages of plumbing history. This size issue and cost, not only in wasted space but also capital expense, restricts the amount of cylinders that can be installed as there is only a finite amount of space. Plus, the kW rating tends to be higher and the higher the kW rating, the higher the cost of purchasing single units. Another problem with stored hot water systems is the downtime incurred by servicing. Cylinders have to be drained

down for inspection. If a business is running on just one cylinder, the hot water system would have to be shut down to allow it to be drained and inspected as part of the service and the business may have to cease operating for a few hours while the work is carried out. Break down is another problematic area associated with storage systems. If the only source of hot water fails, then there is no means to provide hot water until the fault is rectified. If we take the worst-case scenario of a cylinder failure the whole thing needs to be replaced and this is no easy task especially when you consider the weight. You are now looking at multiple problems: a) You have lost all hot water capability. b) You need to pay for a replacement (if it isn’t covered by warranty). c) You have to pay for engineers to remove the faulty one and replace it, which can take days to change.

The Rinnai 26

BOTTOM LEFT

Rinnai 26 HCD 1500e FO with ErP label

If we then look at a Rinnai Infinity water heater or multiples thereof, the down time would be reduced to around 30 minutes or, in the case of multiple units, putting up with reduced capacity for a very short period of time.

“Some facilities even opt to buy an additional heater so that the system will always operate at full capacity even during servicing.”

Servicing not only reduces the down cost of the business but can also reduce the servicing cost as a Rinnai water heater can be fully serviced and back operating within one hour. If a unit fails and needs replacing, this can be done in a couple of hours and a bank of heaters maintains the facility to provide hot water, albeit at a slightly reduced capacity, while one of the heaters is down.

* With regards to the reliability of the units themselves a comparison of unit sales from 2013 until April 2016 against Rinnai UK’s warranty database shows 0.003% first year failure rate. (2013 is when the new database was set up.)

According to Rinnai UK Associate Director Chris Goggin: “Because a Rinnai Infinity hot water system draws water directly from the mains and only heats the water needed at the time there is no need to incorporate a storage vessel in the system.

** All water-heating products sold in the UK need to meet minimum energy performance criteria in order to be legally placed on the market, and require an energy label.

“Rinnai gives large consumers of water the added benefit of maintaining operation by using multiple heaters; let’s say three so

Goggin concludes: “Business and building owners need to talk to the growing body of installers who have come to realise the advantages of the Rinnai system. Significant apex and opex saving can be achieved by considering continuous flow over stored hot water systems while at the same time offering built-in reliability and peace of mind that their businesses won’t grind to a halt due to a lack of hot water – ever.”

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com

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“The configuration of the Rinnai system is supportive of reliability, as it incorporates built-in redundancy, multiple heat engines therefore a percentage of the system is always in operation ensuring no downtime. Conversely, if you have a cylinder and you need to service it, or it breaks down, you are left with nothing but a standing body of water. And Legionella can breed in a standing body of water.

the total system is made up 33.3% by each heater. If one breaks down or needs servicing there is still 66.66% of the system operational so there is no downtime for the hotel, restaurant or any other facility that uses hot water as a criteria feature.

IN IT FOR THE LONG TERM Trying to plan for what things might look like in five, ten, or 15 years from now is tough in any business, but never more so when the heat is on to complete a renovation to time and budget. However, making smart choices at the design stage is vital to cost efficiencies and ultimately, return on investment. Here, Neville Small, sales director at Potterton Commercial, explains why investing in quality products and equipment makes for a better project in the long run.

s UK government continues on its mission to improve productivity across the country, the built environment remains a strategic cornerstone in the drive to get the economy moving – providing plenty of opportunities for architects, specifiers and contractors.

Neville Small, Sales Director at Potterton Commercial

For the commercial end of the market, there is support for the renovation of out-of-use properties in the shape of the Business Premises Renovation Allowance (BPRA). However, with the scheme closing for applications next April 2017, architects, specifiers and contractors would be right to expect a final push from clients as they seek to overall heating systems and install modern, high performance heating systems over the next 12 months. On the public sector side, the government’s announcement in December 2015 that it would be investing £23billion in the school estate creates its own opportunities to make improvements to the heating system in order to establish a more energy efficient environment and deliver carbon and cost savings. Whether fuelled in part or wholly by state funding or not, careful management of budgets is a given. But while totting up the immediate outlay has to be front of mind, when assessing the cost of new plant it’s essential that specifiers go one step further by scrutinising how appliances will perform over time. Cue a whole life costing approach, which produces a spend profile of the product over its expected life. By looking at the long-term operational cost of each individual asset within the build, rather than the initial purchasing and installation cost, building designers can be safe in the knowledge that they are recommending a solution that’s cost effective in the truest sense. When it comes to the heating system and commercial boilers specifically, whole life costing should include anticipated energy,

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Given that heating is vital to a commercial or public building operating effectively, reliability and efficiency are key. However, often components which are cheaper at the initial stages can easily end up costing more in the long run, whether as a result of operational costs or because they need repairing or replacing more quickly.

installation, maintenance and servicing costs. Given that heating is vital to a commercial or public building operating effectively, reliability and efficiency are key. However, often components which are cheaper at the initial stages can easily end up costing more in the long run, whether as a result of operational costs or because they need repairing or replacing more quickly. Careful selection of high quality, long-lasting, and efficient heating equipment will help bring these costs down. At the same time, it’s essential to make robust calculations before plant is specified, taking into account both the maintenance costs and the energy efficiency of the product in question. Both the contractor and the end-user should be clear on the what, when and how. What work will need doing to that particular component throughout its life? When throughout its lifetime should the work be done? And, finally how much it will cost to do the work, taking into account access and downtime? The answers to these questions don’t have to be complex. Straightforward payback calculations are useful to demonstrate the benefits of investing in higher quality products from the beginning to reduce energy consumption in the long run. Maintenance costings should take into account both predictive and reactive work, as well as disposal costs and any downtime. These calculations alone will give a good indication of how a component will perform, and an idea of the expense it will incur to the customer as a result. For a more accurate forecast, other factors such as depreciation, assumptions on energy costs and even inflation can be included, depending on the application and level of detail required. The proof and value of making whole lifetime calculations is in the building’s operational costs. An appliance made of lasting, quality components and materials which may cost more to purchase initially, may cost much less to run throughout its lifecycle, with a shorter payback period, resulting in better savings. In this way, the specifier can be sure that the end-user will be left with the best system to suit their functional and financial requirements. For example, several commercial boiler solutions are available on the market today to suit different applications, and the lifecycle

A whole life costing approach doesn’t always need to be complex, but it does need to be considered in some form or other to deliver the best ongoing results. To achieve a truly cost effective solution, architects, specifiers and contractors should look beyond attractively priced products which are likely to cost more in the long run. costs of these can vary greatly depending on the type of equipment used. So, researching the credentials of the various solutions and suppliers as well as carefully considering the building in question’s usage and demand, will lead to an all-round better solution. And lifecycle costing doesn’t just provide system and performance benefits for a facilities manager; it can actually provide valuable cash flow forecast insight for energy managers and financial directors, and make a commercial building more attractive to longterm tenants, helping to guard against voids. The advent of the Energy Related Products Directive (ErP), which came into force in September last year, introduced tougher performance rules on complete building services systems, with an emphasis on how they perform over time, putting efficiency

under the spotlight. And though this will help, contractors, specifiers, operators and end-users alike need to remain proactive in their decisions and make them for the long, rather than short term.

For further information please visit www.pottertoncommercial.co.uk

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Engineered by Nature

Private house, East Sussex Architect: Nicolas Pople Built using Steico I Joists, wood fibre boards and batts

Rigid Insulation Systems Flexible Insulation Sheathing and Sarking

I Joists LVL

Insulation enquiries +44 (0) 1793 847 444

Construction product Performance timber products for passive enquiries standard healthy building +44 (0) 1727 515 120

www.steico.co.uk STEICO: A Living Business

Keeping a lid on overheating Imagine two scenarios a caravan and a stone built house, imagine them both on a warm summer’s day. In the caravan, as soon as the outside cladding starts to heat up, heat output is recorded within minutes on the inside face as some heat quickly transfers through the aluminium / lightweight insulation composite; whereas as the face of the stone wall heats up, the heat is absorbed by the stone as it progresses slowly from the outside to be delivered from the inside surface several hours later.

Decrement delay – what is it and why is it important? Different materials allow the passage of heat at different rates. The time it takes the peak temperature on the outside of a material, such as a wall or a roof, to make its way to a peak temperature on the inside face, is called ‘time lag’, ‘phase shift, or, more commonly, ‘decrement delay’. The effects of decrement delay are of concern where the outside temperature fluctuates significantly higher and lower than the inside temperature.

he interesting, and often baffling, aspect of this phenomena is that the two materials can have very similar u-values – so that in steady-state conditions where heat applied at a constant rate over a period of time to the external face of both materials, there is an equally constant flow from the inside surfaces of diminished heat. What is different about the caravan and stone house examples is that the heating is not steady-state: real life heating from the sun varies throughout the day. The variability is known as ‘periodic heat flow’, and, fortunately for the purposes of building design, it is almost entirely predictable. It doesn’t take much to rapidly heat a building through a lightweight structure such as a roof, as we make better use of our living spaces turning attic rooms into bedrooms and creating top floor living spaces with vaulted ceilings it’s not surprising that these spaces are often the hottest areas within a building.

Decrement delay is an important factor in the design of lightweight buildings, typically roofs or steel or timber frame. By controlling decrement delay it is often possible to control and prevent the overheating of a building. A period of between 8 and 12 hours might be considered optimum.

Decrement factor A stable indoor temperature is an aspect of thermal comfort. In conditions where the outside temperature fluctuates relatively widely, a constant indoor temperature is desirable. For example an outside temperature might vary between 10ºC and 30ºC while internally it might vary just 1º above or below 20ºC. The fabric of the building envelope has effectively dampened the degree of oscillation. The ability to attenuate the amplitude of the outside temperature to that of the inside is known as the ‘decrement factor’.

During warmer and sunnier weather a building will absorb heat (solar gain) through windows, walls and roofs this heat moves up to the top of the building as hot air rises. If you are designing a loft living space or vaulted ceilings then it is important to remember a traditional timber roof is a lightweight material with low thermal storage capacity, the heat from the sun will quickly heat it up and this heat will transfer into the attic space, just like in the caravan. In addition a pitched roof area is quite large compared to the internal volume of the space and so this increases the risk of heat transfer which can be exacerbated by the type of cladding material, we all know how hot a black slate roof tile will get, if left in direct sunlight it may well be possible to fry an egg on a slate roof even on a sunny afternoon in June. To give you a ‘heads up’ on what a difference material choice can make see the table below

Hence the closer the decrement factor approaches zero, the greater the effect the construction element has on attenuation. I.e. the smaller the decrement factor, the more effective the wall / roof at suppressing temperature swings. The decrement factor is determined by the type and thickness of the materials that make up the wall or roof that the heat passes through.

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The importance of decrement delay

One of the more common criticisms directed at lightweight construction is the lack of thermal mass – which can lead to the familiar ‘caravan effect’ above. Whereas masonry construction has the obvious benefit of ‘heavy’ materials such as brick and block, framed structures are typified by combinations of cavity and lightweight insulation – leading to higher thermal diffusivity and so little in the way of decrement delay. In more conventional roof construction types, heat is transferred rapidly

from the absorbent roof finish through to the interior. By using wood fibre boards, the transfer of heat can be significantly delayed until the hours of darkness when overheating is less of a problem. Perhaps the optimum way of utilising wood fibre insulation is shown in the example below. It shows wood fibre sarking as the windtight layer applied immediately over the tops of the rafters. Allowing for a substantial depth of insulation over the tops of the rafters will effectively raise the temperature at that location above the dew point and so reduce the risk of condensation. Flexible wood fibre bats are friction mounted as infill between the rafters to provide the bulk of the insulation. Vapour control and airtightness is achieved through the use of membranes and or OSB (with additional taping of joints) protected by a service zone behind the plasterboard finish.

It is particularly important to consider Amplitude Dampening and Phase Shift in roof areas (see comments above). The ratio of external surface to room volume is very high, so attic rooms have a high area for potential temperature transfer. The areas directly under the roof coverings can get very hot in summer (under slate or aluminium for example temperatures could easily rise up to 80 °C) and this leads to increased heat in the rooms below. As many roof constructions have a very low thermal mass, they are particularly suitable for the installation of wood fibre insulation. With the exception of the roof cladding and the internal plasterboard the thermal mass of the roof construction is entirely reliant on the insulation. It is therefore vital for amplitude dampening and phase shift that insulation with a low thermal diffusivity is used.

Wood fibre insulation boards (Steico) used on a pitched roof.

So why is this not a common roofing solution in the UK?

In hot summer conditions you can get very different results using various insulation materials. If you compare 2 roofs, which both have a U value of 0.18 W / (m2*K), utilising mineral wool with a thermal conductivity of 0.035 and a density 20 kg / m3 you achieve an Amplitude Dampening of 6 and a Phase Shift of 6.8 hrs.

Basically there are four reasons

t We live in the UK and don’t think that we get hot weather so we don’t consider it a problem

t The industry norm is to default to synthetic insulation such as polyurethane, polystyrene or mineral wool.

t We don’t know that there is a solution to the problem t We base our insulation choices on U value When we build, and in most cases, insulation products are chosen mostly on the basis of a combination of their u-value and their thickness since the most commonly used insulation materials such as polystyrene, polyurethane and mineral wool have broadly similar densities and heat capacities, their decrement capabilities are relatively insignificant so we end up with thinner sections that sit on top of the building (the roof ) with little thermal mass and no capacity to buffer or moderate heat transfer… which inevitably leads us back to the caravan effect. However using wood fibreboard insulation materials which boast, comparatively low levels of diffusivity, designers can realise thermal performance more closely mapped to traditional masonry construction and begin to moderate internal temperature through the materials. . Compared with conventional insulation materials like glass wool, Steico wood fibre insulation products come with especially high density. This density is the key to summer heat protection as mass acts as a heat buffer. This leads to a phase shift, which is the time span between the highest external temperature and the highest internal temperature. The aim of summer heat protection is to delay the heat transfer through the fabric of the building so that the high midday temperatures would only reach the internal side when it is already cooler outside. You can see by the illustration below that a phase shift (measured in hours) of over 12 hours is possible even with roof joists of only 220mm

This results in an internal temperature under the roof of 29 °C at 20:00 hrs. This is considered far too hot for comfortable sleeping conditions. The external temperature at this time is also 29 °C so there is no respite if you try to cool the room by opening the windows. If you swap the mineral fibre for Steico Flex wood fibre insulation the situation changes dramatically. The insulations have the same thermal conductivity but the wood fibre has a density of 50 kg/m3 which increases the thermal storage mass by 5 times, due to its improved thermal storage capacity. In this scenario the amplitude dampening rises to 12 and the Phase Shift to 11:00 hrs. This results in an internal temperature of only 21 °C at 01:00 hrs. If this is still too uncomfortable then opening the windows will cool the building as the external temperature at that time is only 15 °C. Designing to manage overheating is critical for refurbishing and utilising lost space such as attics and roof spaces, and equally so for larger open spaces, more glazing and lighter construction systems. Designing with wood fibre insulation is becoming recognised for the considerable benefits it brings to the thermal performance of a building.

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If you see the potential wood fibre insulation can play in making buildings more efficient, more comfortable and better to live in the why not talk to us at Ecomerchant about using wood fibre in your build or come to one of our training days at the National Self Build Centre in Swindon. To learn more call 01793 847 444

SchĂśck makes thermally eďŹ&#x192;cient balcony retroďŹ t a reality The debate over the environmental, sociological and financial pros and cons of demolishing or renovating older housing stock will undoubtedly continue. However, increasingly it appears renovation and refurbishment will remain the most significant contributors to progress in terms of energy efficiency and environmental preference.

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here is now a huge variety of thermally efficient insulation solutions for old building renovation and the overall effect of modern exterior insulation technologies, along with the appropriate render, can improve the character of even the most unremarkable of buildings. When it comes to installing balconies onto such structures however, it is vital that due consideration is given to potential thermal bridging problems.

Crucially, thermal bridging must be minimised Low surface temperatures at the thermal bridges, combined with the relatively high air humidity resulting from the newly sealed building envelope, will result in energy loss

A leading European supplier Schöck has grown to become Europe’s leading supplier of innovative structural load bearing insulation products. The main product is the Schöck Isokorb – a thermal break for various types of cantilever constructions in new buildings and for renovation. Its headquarters are at Baden-Baden in southern Germany and there are subsidiary companies in Great Britain, France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Hungary, Russia, Japan, Canada and the USA. Sales teams and partners operate in many other European countries and also Australia and South Korea. Schöck is committed to providing the highest level of technical back up and comprehensive customer service to the construction industry.

and condensation. This in turn can lead to structural integrity problems with absorbent materials. Worse still, it encourages mould growth, which has serious implications for building occupants and may cause them to develop certain medical conditions such as respiratory problems and dermatitis. A dedicated solution from Schöck offering verifiable energy efficient balcony renovation and refurbishment is the Isokorb type R – a ready-to-install component which allows residents to remain in the building during external renovation, with no damage risk to internal finishes and decoration. The installation method is that drill holes are first marked with a template in position on the face of the building. Holes are then drilled into the concrete slab, adhesive injected and the type R load-bearing reinforcing rods slipped into position and anchored by means of the pre-injected adhesive. Structural screed is poured into a special pocket between the type R and the concrete slab to ensure a perfect contact between the two structural elements. Once both the mortar and the screed are cured the structure is ready for the new balcony to be connected

All solutions meet full compliance with the relevant UK building regulations and offer BBA Certification and LABC Registration. When the Isokorb products are incorporated into residential buildings, the required fRsi value – the temperature factor used to indicate condensation risk that must

The Isokorb type RKS being installed

FAR LEFT, TOP

The Isokorb type RK LEFT, TOP

LEFT, BOTTOM

type RKS

The Isokorb

Two examples of retrofit installation

FAR LEFT, BOTTOM; BELOW

be equal to or greater than 0.75 – is always comfortably met. The range also complies with the Government Standard Assessment Procedure, SAP 2012, concerning CO2 emissions from buildings and respectively heat losses through non-repeating thermal bridges.

For a free copy of the Schöck Thermal Bridging Guide and / or the Thermal Bridging Solutions brochure – contact the company on 01865 290 890 or visit www.schoeck.co.uk

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There are two main variants of the type R. The first is the Isokorb type RK, a load-bearing thermal insulation element for cantilever balconies with a reinforced concrete slab, or supported pre-cast concrete slab balconies. The second being the Isokorb type RKS, designed to minimise thermal bridges at concrete-to-steel connections during renovation. As a load bearing thermal insulation element, the Schöck Isokorb type RKS transfers negative moments and positive shear forces, allowing enormous scope for design. Unlike new-build, product selection

for renovation is subject to certain restrictions. The solution will very much depend on the specific project requirements, the existing building and its structure, as well as the development of customised design proposals. The Schöck design team is on hand to provide extensive technical support on all these issues, for architects, developers, support structure specialists and contractors

A dedicated solution from Schöck offering verifiable energy efficient balcony renovation and refurbishment is the Isokorb type R – a readyto-install component which allows residents to remain in the building during external renovation, with no damage risk to internal finishes and decoration.

Kew Green Hotels realises creative vision for ibis Styles brand with DI-NOC Architectural Finishes by 3M

Innovatively crafted, decorative surface finishes from 3M have been selected to refurbish a curved main reception desk at the ibis Styles Crewe hotel. Luxury wood tones transform the ordinary desk into a sleek and aesthetically pleasing feature in keeping with the “vintage travel” theme of the refurbishment.

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ew Green Hotels currently operate over 50 hotels across the UK, and worked with interior design consultants Hampton Design Studios and graphic design and signage specialist Voodoo DesignWorks, to complete the soft refurbishment and branding of its ibis Styles Crewe hotel. DI-NOC Architectural Finishes by 3M were recommended by Voodoo DesignWorks for their highquality authentic appearance, reliable adhesion, and hard-wearing durability. This, combined with the fast and easy installation, enabled the team to achieve the high-quality results required within the tight project timeframe and at a fraction of the cost of replacement.

The ibis Styles branding philosophy is for each hotel to have a distinctive design and personality. “As Crewe has long-standing links with luxury car makers and the rail industry, we chose “vintage travel” as the theme for the reception and bar areas,” explained Janine Powell of Hampton Design Studios. “We sought to evoke the luxury wood tones of a classic dashboard or Pullman coach, but we had to think creatively to achieve the effect we wanted.” The plan was to keep original features such as the main reception desk, to keep tight control of the project schedule and costs while also minimising disruption to the hotel and its guests. The curved main

“Our aim is always to deliver a high-quality customer experience at our hotels, and this refurbishment has surpassed my expectations. The DI-NOC Vinyl Films have enabled us to achieve the look and feel we wanted within the available budget. We are now moving on to our next project, in Barnsley, and will select from DI-NOC Range of metallic finishes to pay tribute to the area’s industrial past.” Kris Legg, Group Director of Property at Kew Green Hotels desk and other fittings precluded the use of conventional wood cladding or veneers, which would be expensive to produce and unable to conform to the shapes required. DINOC Architectural Finish MW-1420 Metallic Wood by 3M was selected for its rich colour, sleek appearance and flexibility to conform to the curved surface, and provided the look, quality and authenticity the team was seeking. Tony Baxter of Voodoo DesignWorks added, “As a design-led consultancy with our own inhouse studio, we are able to work with clients at a conceptual level. The wide range of DI-NOC Architectural Finishes gives us a great palette to achieve almost any desired effect. There are more than 250 wood finishes, and we were able to choose a rich dark tone with authentic graining to create exactly the desired ambience at ibis Styles Crewe.” Voodoo’s applicators received specialist training in the use of DI-NOC Adhesive Vinyl Films at 3M headquarters in Bracknell, which Baxter believes has provided the key to achieving the best possible results. The training provides full information and handson experience, and covers aspects of surface preparation and application that are unique to the DI-NOC Product Range. “DI-NOC Films are easy to work with, and can be used over challenging contours such as tight curves that would be impossible to cover using other types of vinyl.” Kris Legg, Group Director of Property at Kew Green Hotels, expressed satisfaction at the result. “Our aim is always to deliver a high-quality customer experience at our

hotels, and this refurbishment has surpassed my expectations. The DI-NOC Vinyl Films have enabled us to achieve the look and feel we wanted within the available budget. We are now moving on to our next project, in Barnsley, and will select from DI-NOC Range of metallic finishes to pay tribute to the area’s industrial past.” The full range of DI-NOC Architectural Finishes provides over 700 effects to choose from, including pure colours, natural finishes like stone or sand, leather, metallic effects, carbon fibre, and a variety of wood tones including fine or grainy textures. Abstract finishes such as rust and soft tints are also available. DI-NOC Films feature an advanced adhesive that has a network of microstructure air channels. Once pressure is applied to the film, any trapped air can escape via the tiny channels ensuring perfect adhesion and a bubble free finish. The film can be removed leaving the original surface material clean with no residue, ideal for any future changes or re-designs. DI-NOC Architectural Finish is highly durable, being resistant to smoke and other pollutants, the ingress of water and dirt, impact wear, abrasion and mould, and very easy to maintain in a pristine condition without the need for harsh chemical cleaning agents. It has been tested to meet IMO flammability requirements and the majority of patterns carry a Class O + 1 rating. It is guaranteed for eight years when used for indoor applications, enhancing the suitability for interior commercial applications including counters, doors, partitions, elevators, ceilings and walls.

For more information about DI-NOC Architectural Finishes call 0800 121 4739, email commgraphics.uk@mmm.com or visit www.3M.co.uk/innovativefinishes. Follow 3M on facebook.com/3MgraphicsUK or twitter.com/3MgraphicsUK

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CLAUGHTONS DECKS OUT LAND ROVER BAR’S HQ Leading UK furniture manufacturer fits out home of British Challenger for the 35th America’s Cup

eading nationwide office and furniture manufacturer, Claughtons, part of British Thornton, has completed a fit out of Land Rover BAR’s new America’s Cup headquarters in Portsmouth - specifying, designing, producing and installing a complete furniture solution.

stylish, comfortable working environments.

Land Rover BAR’s high-spec, ultra-modern new build has been built to BREEAM excellent standards, and includes Land Rover, BT, BAE Systems, KPMG and Siemens as partners. The facility covers 6,874 sq m across four floors and includes technical, meeting, office and hospitality areas and a roof terrace.

“For example, the basement tech area is a wet working space, as prototype boats come straight in off the Camber and IT people and crews analyse performance data there and then. All furniture there must be readily moved, containerised and shipped to race locations worldwide. Meanwhile, high-end fixtures were needed for various interior spaces and inviting, weather-proof furniture for the roof terrace, which is exposed to all the weather the English Channel can throw at it.”

It was developed as an operational headquarters for the company, which aims to compete in the 35th America’s Cup, in June 2017 in Bermuda. Sited on the Camber in the heart of Old Portsmouth, boat design and full crew development is carried out onsite. Claughtons worked closely with Land Rover BAR designers, having previously fitted out its temporary headquarters, in Southampton. Seating was commissioned from Boss (work spaces) and Frovi (dining areas), with the designer and manufacturer producing and installing everything else.

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The brief was to get the look and utility right for each of a range of spaces which included the need for wet working spaces, mobile units and outdoor furniture, while creating

Claughtons sales director, David Claughton, said: “We were asked to provide furniture for technical operations, offices, canteens and breakout areas. Working across such varied zones – inside and outside the building – posed a number of challenges.

David Powys, Base Manager at Land Rover BAR, said: “As Land Rover BAR’s permanent base in the UK and the focal point for the design, construction and development of

“Given that Land Rover BAR’s main ambition is to challenge for Britain to bring the America’s Cup home, it was wholly appropriate for us to work with a British furniture manufacturer. The furniture Claughtons has provided is innovative, durable and works in harmony with the building’s design.” David Powys, Base Manager at Land Rover BAR

the team’s boats it was imperative to create a modern and agile environment, befitting of a team competing on an international stage. “The furniture brief for the building was wide-ranging, including internal and external requirements as well as numerous functional areas, so the ability to work with just one supplier for all of our needs was a major advantage. “Also, given that Land Rover BAR’s main ambition is to challenge for Britain to bring the America’s Cup home, it was wholly appropriate for us to work with a British furniture manufacturer. The furniture Claughtons has provided is innovative, durable and works in harmony with the building’s design.” Claughtons is now pitching to fit and furnish Land Rover BAR’s new visitor centre, for the public, schools and other educational establishments

www.claughtons.com

THE DURABLE CLADDING SOLUTION FROM LATHAMS Accoya®LathamCLAD - the modified, highly durable and dimensionally stable certified timber cladding – is now available from all eight of James Latham’s timber depots.

reated from sustainably sourced wood and completely nontoxic, Accoya®LathamCLAD is a revolution in wood technology. And with the 15mm profile having recently received TRADA approval for use as an external cladding product, Accoya®LathamCLAD is a perfect solution for exterior cladding, siding and façades where the wider board offers numerous features and benefits including enhanced aesthetics, less frequent maintenance, dimensional

ACCOYA® and the Trimarque Device are registered trademarks owned by Titan Wood Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Accsys Technologies PLC, and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.

stability, durability and improved insulation values. Suitable for horizontal or vertical installation, Accoya®LathamCLAD can be used to create simple or complex designs. And with a choice of factory coating finishes, it can be opaque coated or, for those wishing to enjoy the natural look of wood, translucent coated. Plus, with a 50-year guarantee when used externally, Accoya®LathamCLAD’s low maintenance requirements add to its ‘whole life’ cost effectiveness and environmental credentials and this versatility makes it ideal for use in residential, commercial and industrial applications. Paul Leach, James Latham’s Group Product Sales & Development Manager for Accoya said, “When it comes to cladding, Accoya®LathamCLAD ticks all the boxes and is the perfect solution for many exterior applications which were once only feasible with non-sustainable material. Use of the wider cladding boards is allowed by the improved dimensional stability, plus cladding joints do not open, tolerances remain tight and twist is prevented. In addition, the wood’s natural appearance is retained for longer, thanks to the superior resistance to the effects of UV exposure.”

In addition to cladding, sidings and facades, Accoya® wood is also ideal for windows, doors and decking.

To learn more about Latham’s complete product range please visit www.lathamtimber.co.uk. Information is also available from Latham’s marketing department by e-mailing: marketing@lathams. co.uk or by calling: 0116 257 3415

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He added, “Accoya®LathamCLAD is a fantastic material for external specification and fits perfectly with our already established range of sustainable products.”

Plus, with a 50-year guarantee when used externally, Accoya®LathamCLAD’s low maintenance requirements add to its ‘whole life’ cost effectiveness and environmental credentials and this versatility makes it ideal for use in residential, commercial and industrial applications.

INTERNATIONAL TREATS AT MANCHESTER SHOW International exhibitors feature in upholstery, cabinet and accessories at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Manchester Furniture Show, (17-19 July, Manchester Central). From high design Italian leather sofas to rustic Indian hard wood, the Manchester show will be a tour around the globe.

talian giants Camel Group join the Show from their North-East Italian manufacturing base. They are bringing a selection of their dining and bedroom cabinet collections, together with samples from their leather and fabric sofa and chair collections. All full of Italian chic and sharp edged design. Also from Europe are Nolte Mobel and Rauch Mobelwereke, both are experts at producing high-end and highly engineered wardrobe systems and bedroom cabinets. Showing a wide selection of their glossy veneered, glass and formed synthetic finishes in a myriad of colours, their stands are sure to be busy.

Not so far from home and also with highly contemporary designs are VIDA Living. This Irish company has been designing and supplying clean-lined furniture for 33 years. From marble dining collections, sofabeds and office chairs they offer a comprehensive approach to interior furnishing. Also from Ireland and of a similar age are Derryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Showing at Manchester for the first time they will show a selection of their comprehensive furniture and accessory collections for retail and contract sectors. With a focus on furniture and accessories for the hotel and leisure industry their stand will feature a huge variety of items and styles. From much further afield come Chinese Skyline and Hydeline. Both design and manufacture leather and fabric upholstery

As well as a great international designs on show there will be new designs launched by some of the best UK suppliers and manufacturers including, Westbridge, Baker, Wade, Morris, Lebus, Mark Webster Designs, Devonshire Pine & Oak, Whitemeadow, Corndell, Buoyant and Ashley Manor.

in styles from traditional to modern. Skyline, export their sofas, chairs, recliners and sofabeds globally. Using hides from Australia and North America, and plain and highly patterned fabrics, they produce models specific to the UK market. Hydeline who specialise in engineered leather sofas and chairs with multi reclining movements exhibit for the first time. Also from the Far East come Global Home and Indian Hub. Global Home are launching new cabinet collections in a variety of woods and finishes, simply styled and with plenty of choice in sizes they will show furniture for every size of space. In a completely different style Indian Hub will show some of their unique Indian rosewood, mango and teak collections. From their base in Jodhpur their funky, rustic furniture is eye-catching and different.

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Come and see the best new international and UK designs at The Manchester Furniture Show. To register for your free entry and see the full list of exhibitors visit: www. manchesterfurnitureshow.com

MANCHE

uly 201 J 9 1 7 1 L A R T N STER CE

Yeoman Shield Protects 24/7 at North Birmingham Academy North Birmingham Academy opened the doors of its £23.6 million state of the art facilities in 2013. Not only does the building cater for the everyday requirements of a school environment for 11-19 year olds but also accommodates out of hours school clubs and activities, some like The Zone sports hall and conference facilities open to the general public.

ecause of the myriad of uses and the amount of people and equipment that moves around the building almost 24/7, we noticed that very quickly the new walls particularly were getting marked and damaged detracting from the appearance of the Academy. “Image says a lot to both pupils and visitors about a school and with the amount of money invested into the building we were very keen to find a solution that would halt the damage and help to maintain a pristine and attractive interior. That’s when we contacted Yeoman Shield for advice on their wall and door protection products.” Explained the premises manager for NBA.

Yeoman Shield’s Area Sales Manager undertook a free site survey and furnished North Birmingham Academy with a fully itemised quotation along with samples of the products. FalmouthEx 2.0mm thick wall protection panels were fitted, by a team of Yeoman Shield’s directly employed fixing operatives, at 1250mm high along the busy 1st and 2nd floor corridors. Having to co-ordinate with the contemporary decor scheme already in place Yeoman Shield’s new Aubergine colour proved to be the perfect choice.

“We were thrilled with the service and workmanship from Yeoman Shield and we will be continuing to roll out the wall protection throughout North Birmingham Academy.” Academy’s premises manager

The wall of the Academy’s frequently used sports changing rooms were also protected with Yeoman Shield FalmouthEx wall panels, this time in a Mushroom colour which whilst guarding against everyday wear and tear has proved easy to clean. The busy reception area of The Zone sports hall, which is frequented by students and is also open to the public between 5.00p.m. & 10.00p.m. on an evening and over the weekend, benefited from wall panels fitted around the notice board area in striking Regatta Blue and Mushroom. “Fitting Yeoman Shield will definitely show a saving on our annual redecoration budgets which can cost anywhere up to £50.00/m2 for the repainting of walls. It will also save staff time who will be able to be re deployed to other important projects helping us get through our workload more efficiently.

For more information on cost saving wall & door protection go to www.yeomanshield.com, email sallyann@yeomanshield.com or call 0113 279 5854.

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“We were thrilled with the service and workmanship from Yeoman Shield and we will be continuing to roll out the wall protection throughout North Birmingham Academy.” Concluded the Academy’s premises manager.

Lighting & Electrical

ControlZAPP â&#x20AC;&#x201C; More than a Stand New Additions Light Up BLT Direct Active+ Self-learning Lighting Alone Energy Saving Control LEDMR16 Range Solution t 7FSTJPOT GPS TXJUDIJOH POMZ %"-* %JNNJOH BOE 7 %JNNJOH t 3FBM 5JNF TDIFEVMJOH GPS TXJUDIJOH MVY DPOUSPM PS GVODUJPO DIBOHFT t 1SPHSBNNBCMF CZ "OESPJE QIPOF PS UBCMFU t 1*3 PDDVQBODZ TXJUDIJOH BOE BEKVTUBCMF QIPUPDFMM GPS EBZMJHIU DPOUSPM t 4XJUDIJOH EJNNJOH GVODUJPOT DBO CF DPOUSPMMFE CZ TVOTFU BOE TVOSJTF QSFEJDUJPO t "VUPNBUJD UJNF BEKVTUNFOU GPS #45 t *OOPWBUJWF UXJO MFWFM UJNF MBH GVODUJPO XJUI TIPSU WJTJU NPEF GPS FWFO HSFBUFS FOFSHZ TBWJOHT Tel: 01249 443377 - Fax: 01249 443388 Email:sales@danlers.co.uk - Website: www.danlers.co.uk

The UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading lighting supplier has kicked off 2016 with two new additions to its range of LED MR16 bulbs. With a cheaper price tag and the same ultra-bright light output as its predecessors, the new EnLite LED bulbs from BLT Direct have already emerged as best-sellers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s number one lighting supplier we have a responsibility to offer our customers eco-friendly choices that are both efficient and affordable. When products such as the EnLite LED MR16 bulbs hit themarket we do everything we can to get them on our shelves as soon as possible. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve already become best-sellerswhich is a great reflection of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to an energy efficient future,â&#x20AC;? says Steven Ellwood,Managing Director of BLT Direct. Both EnLite 5W Non-Dimmable LED MR16 lamps are currently on sale for just ÂŁ8.99, reduced from ÂŁ18.99. To find out more about BLT Direct and browse the new range of energy efficient EnLite LED MR16 bulbs available to purchase online, visit: www.bltdirect.com

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Lighting control for the Doâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ts

DANLERS new range of PIR occupancy switches with SHORT VISIT MODE and COURTESY EXIT MODE can save even more energy through automatic presence based switching with optional timed manual intervention Manual option for short visits to reduce lights ON time (time lag) Manual option when exiting to reduce lights ON time (time lag) Always returns to standard automatic mode after short visit / exit functions Hence ideal for both those who DO switch lights off AND those who DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T Adjustable photocell so lights do not come on unneccessarily Made in the UK

DANLERS Limited, Vincients Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 6NQ U.K. Tel: 01249 443377. E: sales@danlers.co.uk

www.danlers.co.uk

Helvarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Active+ is an out-of-the-box standalone solution consisting of an LED driver and â&#x20AC;&#x153;our smallest sensorâ&#x20AC;? yet, Active+ sense built into the luminaire. By using 60-100 hours of automatic learning, on full lighting, Helvarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new smart Active+ driver utilises the Active + sense which is connected directly to the luminaire. The Active+ driver and Active+ sense work together learning about the surrounding environment, detecting change in lighting conditions from other luminaires and light sources. Active+ can also detect human presence. In areas with several luminaires, if the area becomes vacant and the lighting isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t needed in the environment the Active+ driver and Active+ sense signals to the luminaire to go into daylight energy saving mode. It dims the light when presence is not detected near but does this smoothly so the change of lighting level doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t disturb other people sitting or working nearby. In areas with windows energy is saved by daylight harvesting. Tel:01322222211 Fax:01322617229 or visitâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;www.helvar.com

PLAY THE LIGHT: TRESPAÂŽ METEONÂŽ RANGE EXTENDED WITH LUMEN

Trespa has announced the launch of its newTrespaÂŽMeteonÂŽ Lumen range. This allows architects and designers to playwith the composition of light reflection on your faĂ§ade. By doing so, natural light can be creatively introduced as a design element. It can be reflected, scattered, enhanced or muted according to architectsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;wishes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trespa Meteon Lumen changes theway designs are perceived, it changes howpeople interactwith structures and howbuildings interactwith their surroundings,â&#x20AC;?says Lucas Stevens, Design Expert at Trespa. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With Trespa Meteon Lumen, you can play with the compositions of light reflection on your faĂ§ade, within a single colour. This new diversity of finishes enhances design creativity and ensures faĂ§adeswill truly stand out.â&#x20AC;? Bring your colour to life with reflections of light Trespa Meteon Lumen is available in three variations across eight colours. Each of the three Lumen variations is available in grey, black andwhite and several terra cotta tones. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Diffuseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; removes glossiness, reflection and texture, resulting in instant tranquillity. Scattered light gives faĂ§ades a smooth, subdued appearance. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Obliqueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; has a pleasantly uneven matt-and-gloss surface that brings a natural, weathered look to any faĂ§ade. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Specularâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; reflects its surroundings, adding liveliness with deep colours and gloss. Buildings become seamlessly integrated into their environment. Experience the effect for yourself See what TrespaÂŽ MeteonÂŽ Lumen can do: order your samples today on new.trespa.com. For further details regarding our delivery programme, please visit trespa.info.

Brunel University Student Accommodation Moixa Technology, in conjunction with the UK Government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change, have installed 16 maslow® energy storage units and high efficiency LED lighting into Fleming Hall at Brunel University London. It is part of a 300 site deployment of maslow systems to demonstrate end-user and aggregate grid balancing services.

he technology.

Storage Maslow is a distributed 2kWh battery storage system that provides smart power to homes, offices and flats and supports a DC Microgrid to avoid AC-DC conversions. It also increases the efficiency of LED lighting and consumer devices. Maslow can store energy on smart tariffs at night or when local solar is in surplus, then export energy from its battery to reduce peak grid demand or avoid peak pricing. Moixa has worked with Kiwi Power and 1248 to provide Demand Side Management capability. A cluster of maslow units can be used as one larger storage resource, like a virtual power plant. DC LED Lighting Brunel and Moixa have used Surelight’s LED low voltage Apollo, Selene and Cubus range of downlights and wall lights in conjunction with the maslow system. Surelight’s LEDs use up to 90% less energy, with much longer projected lifetime than conventional lighting.

5. 6. 7. 8.

avings and Benefits.

Energy savings (per year) 42.2MWh. There was no high-resolution data prior to the installation of maslow so the pre-install consumption profile was estimated using a reduction factor. This assumption is justified, as the pattern of usage is independent of whether the load is on AC or DC. Load reduction 85% 9,142 Wh total daily energy pre install (estimated) --->1,340 wh total daily energy Post install measured Carbon savings (per year) 21.6t. Aggregating the 16 flats, the overall carbon produced for the year drops from 25.3t to 3.7t Cost savings (per year) £5,655 Assuming 13.4 pence per kWh the annual bill for the 16 flats reduced from £6,628 to £972.

he installation.

A single Maslow was installed in each of 16 flats to supply all the utility DC lighting (corridor and kitchen). The flats varied from six to ten single occupancy bedrooms; each with a main light, and one light in each ensuite bathroom. All rooms were, for all intents and purposes, identical. AVC NextGen

1. 2. 3. 4.

carried out the installation of the maslow units and replacement of the existing fittings with LED lighting.

Solar PV panels converts light to DC electricity Inverter converts incoming DC into AC Fuse box Maslow battery stores excess solar PV energy and powers appliances when you need it LED lighting powered by DC Electronic devices and appliances powered by DC current through USB sockets Connection to mains. Surplus solar PV energy exported to grid You can view your energy use and generation in realtime, anywhere

Resilience A further benefit of the maslow system is that if a grid power outage occurs, lighting continues to operate meaning students with a maslow are not affected. The maslow can provide power for several hours; through most typical power outages.

“We are delighted to take part in trials like this. There’s no substitute for practical experience in trialling new low energy technologies ahead of making decisions about embedding them in refurbishment programmes.” Bob Stiff, Energy Sustainability Manager at Brunel University Peak Lopping The UK faces a significant peak capacity crunch. The residential sector represents the majority of UK energy demand in peak hours so maslow combined with LED lighting ensures peak reduction.

uture actions.

The installation of maslow with LEDs has helped trigger a number of other positive actions:

For more information please contact Moixa:

Direct Current (DC) Current (AC) Alternating Direct Current (DC)

info@meetmaslow.com 0207 734 1511 www.moixatechnology.com

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1. PV was recently installed and will be connected to the Maslow units to provide solar shift and extra savings. 2. Smart VDC sockets are to be installed in some flats to analyse data and provide experience of DSM on consumables, as well as providing ultra-efficient DC power. 3. Further analysis of the detailed consumption data and trialling of DSM interventions.

HOW OFTEN DID YOU USE YOUR POOL LAST YEAR? Our bespoke telescopic swimming pool covers help you enjoy your pool all year round

Visit our website: www.poolcover.co.uk FREEPHONE: 0800 804 8025 email: sales@swimex.co.uk Tel: 01832 275 333

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Michelle MaCalef in her newly-refurbished kitchen

LAWTECH SETS A NEW STANDARD FOR DECENT HOMES With the Government continually challenging the social housing sector to provide ever greater standards of comfort and energy efficiency for residents, UK Contractor Lawtech Group is playing its part in the delivery of homes which are not only warm, dry, secure and meet the Decent Homes Standard but also offer high quality kitchens and bathrooms.

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geing, inefficient and poor social housing has become a pressing issue in recent years which is why Lawtech has drawn on its industry-recognised expertise to transform and improve the quality of life of residents in some of the most run down estates in the UK. Having recently completed refurbishments of more than 300 homes across North & East London, Lawtech prides itself on retrofits completed within budget and to the highest standards, taking it to a level beyond a set of regulations. David Smith, Marketing and Business Development Manager at Lawtech, commented: “We believe

“I was very impressed with the level of communication and the care taken in my home by the workmen. The fact Lawtech went to every length to work with my housing provider to give me the kitchen I wanted meant the world to me.” Michelle MaCalef, from North London

decent homes work should be exactly that, not just refurbishing homes to a regulation, a minimum standard, but to a ‘decent home’ that you would be happy living in. And a key part of any home is the kitchen and bathroom.” While the key to any retrofit is forming a partnership with the key stakeholders, it’s also vitally important to engage with the residents. Proper and effective

resident consultation cannot be understated. In the case of kitchens and bathrooms, the Lawtech Survey team can not only design a kitchen to meet a regulation, but they will also have a view on whether the retrofit design is possible and satisfies a resident’s individual needs. It is after all their homes that are being refurbished. If you engage with them and they like what

is being done then they will be more likely to look after it after the refurbishment works have been carried out. This will also help with the smooth running of the project. Pilot phases on estates will allow other residents to see what has been achieved prior to roll out. Michelle MaCalef, from North London, said: “I was very impressed with the level of communication and the care taken in my home by the workmen. The fact Lawtech went to every length to work with my housing provider to give me the kitchen I wanted meant the world to me.”

About Lawtech Group: Lawtech Group Ltd is a Principal Contractor fulfilling multi-million pound regeneration contracts nationwide across all building types, from houses to high-rise towers, civic and commercial spaces. Our holistic approach to asset management ensures exceptional value for money, delivered by our in-house team who offer full design and cost solutions to meet your requirements, together with professional site management and resident liaison. Lawtech is a modern business with a “green” agenda. We work with Local Authorities, Housing Associations, public bodies and the private sector to improve buildings and neighbourhoods, creating low-carbon communities that all stakeholders can be proud of. Our technical and quality-led approach, true understanding of Social Value and unrivalled expertise in the Energy Efficiency sector make Lawtech the preferred choice for our diverse and dynamic client-base.

Central to Lawtech’s ‘decent home’ approach is to provide a first-rate service and customer interaction. Lawtech’s skilled team of designers, surveyors, and energy specialists regularly assist clients to maximise regeneration opportunities, offering advice and practical assistance for planning, funding, product specification and lifecycle costs.

For more information about Lawtech Group please visit www.lawtechgroup.co.uk

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KEMPER SYSTEM PROVIDES ODOURLESS ROOFING SOLUTION FOR KENT SCHOOLS reinforcement fleece was cut to size and shape on site to ensure accurate detailing around skylights, gutter details and curbs. The resin was applied in a single wet-on-wet process before the system was allowed to cure, creating a tough, flexible monolithic membrane that cannot delaminate and bonds directly to the substrate.

Two schools in Kent will be making a more watertight start to the new term thanks to roof refurbishment projects using Kemper System’s solvent-free Kemperol 2K-PUR waterproofing system.

At Ashford Oaks Primary School, the recently completed scheme involved the roofs to the school’s main hall and adjoining classrooms. It is the second project to be completed by Capital Roofing at the school as part of a phased programme and follows the success of a scheme to renew the roof areas above the kitchen, dining hall and reception area using Kemperol 2K-PUR.

t Columba’s Catholic Boys’ School in Bexleyheath and Ashford Oaks Primary School in Ashford have both invested in upgrades to their roofs, installed by specialist roofing contractor, Capital Roofing.

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A 14-week programme at St Columba’s has involved overlaying the entire existing roof surface with a warm roof build up from Kemper System to improve the building’s thermal performance and provide effective waterproofing.

The project was carried out while the school was fully operational and Kemper System’s solvent free Kemperol 2K-PUR provided significant advantages because it is both odourless and suitable for overlay directly onto the existing single ply surface.

“Using the Kemperol 2K-PUR to refurbish the school’s roofs means that the schools can carry on as normal with minimal waste removal or nuisance odours to disrupt staff or pupils, and without the fire risk of hot works.” Terry, Capital Roofing

Capital Roofing used the existing mineral felt as a vapour control layer, making minor repairs and preparing the surface before installing Kemper System’s PIR insulation board.

Following installation of the Kemperol 2K-PUR, maintenance walkways were added, with Capital Roofing using Kemper System’s TC resin and quartz aggregates, followed by a sealant, to create an anti-slip surface in designated areas.

Kemper System’s Kemperol 2K-PUR odourless, solvent free waterproofing system was then used to complete the roof overlay scheme. Capital Roofing applied Kemper System’s D primer before applying the cold-applied liquid resin. The system’s

Comments Terry from Capital Roofing, “Using the Kemperol 2K-PUR to refurbish the school’s roofs means that the schools can carry on as normal with minimal waste removal or nuisance odours to disrupt staff or pupils, and without the fire risk of hot works.”

Kemperol® Liquid rooﬁng and waterprooﬁng at its very best

Ideal for ﬂat roof refurbishment, repair and new build rooﬁng projects.

Complete solvent free and odourless waterprooﬁng systems available that can be laid whilst the building is operational - Ideal for schools, hospitals, food factories and ofﬁces. Have the work done when you want it or need it.

Kemperol® is a cold liquid application removing the ﬁre risk of hot works.

Laid in a single wet-on-wet process, our Kemperol® waterproofing resin saturates a tough reinforcement fleece and cures to form a totally seamless, durable, UV stable, elastomeric waterproofing membrane that cannot delaminate and is fully bonded to the substrate.

With BBA Approval and a life expectancy in excess of 25 years your rooﬁng budget will never be better spent.

For more information visit www.kempersystem.co.uk

KEMPER SYSTEM LTD. Kemper House, 30 Kingsland Grange Woolston, Warrington, Cheshire United Kingdom WA1 4RW Tel: 01925 445532 Fax: 01925 575096 enquiries@kempersystem.co.uk

Kemperol Liquid Waterprooﬁng

The Master Craftsman

Redland’s Rosemary Clay Craftsman tiles have been used to reroof a grand Edwardian building in Leamington Spa which was devastated by fire back in February 2014.

RRNews - Issue 20

lackdown Hall, which had been converted into luxury apartments, was engulfed by flames, destroying over half the roof. The fire affected the attic and five first-floor flats while the remainder of the building suffered as a result of smoke damage.

As part of the restoration project, Coventry-based ProRoof had to completely remove the remains of the existing roof and rebuild it using materials sympathetic to the original and in keeping with the other buildings within the estate grounds. Speaking about the project, Darren Dodd, Redland Account Manager, said: “I visited the site

“Everyone involved in the project was delighted with the outcome. The service from Redland was first-class and the Craftsman tiles work perfectly in terms of how they look and fit with the surrounding area.” Mark Ludlow, ProRoof

to gather samples of the original tiles to ensure they matched the tile that I thought would best work as a replacement, the Rosemary Clay Craftsman in Albury. “This tile, in this particular colour, was in keeping with the surrounding roofs and the client was happy with the match. “The Craftsman is handcrafted to provide authentic natural textures and a heritage, weathered look but with all the qualities and strength of a brand new tile.” The project used around 31,000 tiles in total. Due to the restricted size of the onsite compound, these had to be supplied in small usable

quantities, and were delivered direct from the local Redland plant in Bedworth, where the tiles are manufactured. Mark Ludlow from Pro-Roof, said: “Everyone involved in the project was delighted with the outcome. The service from Redland was first-class and the Craftsman tiles work perfectly in terms of how they look and fit with the surrounding area.” The refurbishment of Blackdown Hall was completed in Autumn 2015. The building has been restored to its former glory and now comprises nine luxury apartments.

For further information visit www.redland.co.uk

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Sahtas... Going the extra mile! You would think choosing roof tiles for your new home would be a fairly straight forward process, but not for one Leicestershire couple. Their search took them slightly further than going to the local roofing supplier.

RRNews - Issue 20

A Stunning New Build

Some 30 years ago, Malcolm & Diane Healey took on the massive

years. The attention to detail is very apparent throughout every

challenge of building their very own family home. Now with the

aspect of the build and has cost the Healeys much time, in both

kids grown and flown the nest, they crazily decided to do it all

research and sourcing of the right type of materials to meet their

again. A piece of land became available in a neighbouring village -

very specific brief. Resulting in the most wonderful character

they bought it and began the journey of building their dream

house, which stands majestically on this plot of land; with its

house, and what a house it is too; a stunning new-build, which

magnificent stone windows, authentic old style narrow bricks and

amazingly looks as though itâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s been standing for many, many

Sahtas handmade roof tiles setting off the whole look, perfectly!

In the beginning of their search for roof tiles, it was very

Once the process of fitting the tiles began, a number of the

important to the Healeys to have the right kind of tile - they

builders were not entirely convinced the right choice had been

â&#x20AC;&#x153;wanted something to create that old feel and look as though it

made after all; even Diane â&#x20AC;&#x153;thought they might be too much on

had been around for a while.â&#x20AC;? They had a particular look in mind

such a large area.â&#x20AC;? But Malcolm loved them from the start and

and a particular colour, but were struggling to find anything even

once the roof was finished, everyone concerned were all in

close. They attended numerous exhibitions, spoke to other

agreement - they were exactly what the house needed and looked

building suppliers, thumbed through reams of literature and

as though they had always been there. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the great thing about

exhausted hours of research on the internet. They eventually came

Sahtas roof tiles, they are perfect for period properties and so in

across Sahtas and absolutely loved the look of their handmade

keeping with their surrounding areas; they usually keep the local

tiles, but although the style was just perfect, the colour choices on

Planning Department happy too! Malcolm and Diane were

offer were still not quite right for what they wanted and they

absolutely thrilled - as were we!5 #(5 -. ,65 ". -5 5

wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t waiver until they found it.

#, .), said â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so nice to work directly with clients who really appreciate the quality and craftsmanship of handmade

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talk Turkey

tiles. It has been an absolute pleasure to be involved in the

During a break from project managing the house build, Malcolm

them for choosing our tiles.â&#x20AC;? Diane said they â&#x20AC;&#x153;get a

and Diane happened to be visiting Turkey with family. They

constant stream of compliments from people visiting the site.

decided to take full advantage and arranged an appointment to

Everyone asks where the tiles are from and they all just love

actually visit the Sahtas factory. Although they had numerous

the roof - we would definitely recommend Sahtas to others.â&#x20AC;?

samples from Sahtas UK, this visit gave them the opportunity to

You cant get better than that!

creation of the Healeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new home and we would like to thank

see all the handmade tiles in even larger quantities, including some brand new tiles, which turned out to be exactly what they were looking for! Having the tiles delivered direct all the way from Turkey did give Malcolm and Diane a few reservations, but they neednâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have worried as Sahtas UK looked after everything and quickly sorted any issues that arose.

Sahtas UK Ltd Galleon Wharf Old Wolverton Road Milton Keynes MK12 5NL

www.sahtas.co.uk Email: sahtasuk@sahtas.com Phone : 01908 311411

End of an earache?

As the search begins to find his successor, Ray Robertson looks back at his own experiences and one particularly consistent aspect that has always shaped the development of the Lead Contractors Association and Federation of Traditional Metal Roofing Contractors.

part of what was to become the British Lead Group.

couldn’t possibly have imagined that when I took up my first job in September 1973 that almost 43 years later I would still be involved with the same specialist sector of the construction industry. Fresh from college with a general purpose Business Studies qualification I had no idea (and in those pre-internet days, no easy way of finding out) who Brunton and Company actually were. A cursory search at the local library really didn’t reveal much, other than they were a remote manufacturing subsidiary of Guest, Keen and Nettlefold. However this I thought was quite impressive and so obviously a long term, upwardly mobile career within a blue chip engineering group beckoned. My first visit to the Brunton’s factory, under the railway arches at Vauxhall in London was a bit of a shock and as far removed from a blue chip corporate engineering environment as I could have imagined. I still remember walking in the dark through the rain and mud, past the pile of scrap lead to look at the extrusion presses and sheet cutting bays, taking in the loading and storage areas crammed into every conceivable space.

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This wasn’t “engineering” this was the high volume manufacture of lead sheet and pipe at its most basic by a small but rapidly growing business. The company moved shortly afterwards to brand new and far larger premises in Wandsworth and – after several environmental upgrades and morphing through Girdler Brunton, BLM Girdler and BLM Special Products – became

In that time I became directly involved in the specialist leadwork side of the business with a rapidly growing awareness of the widely varied uses of lead for isotope storage and transportation, X-Ray shielding, in nuclear submarines and for radioactive waste transportation, sound attenuation, design engineering (e.g. for the Thames Barrier), battery plates and terminals, sand cast decorative planters and plaques, extruded leaded lights as well as spin-offs in solder, pewter and plating anodes.

“The over-riding ethic of quality over quantity or price is one I have been exposed to throughout my working life and it has been an easy one to adopt and promote, particularly when working with such like minded individuals.”

FTMRC’s UK Guide to Good Practice for hard metals (based on the Lead Sheet Manual)

The one enduring theme throughout this mix of products and applications was the quality standard to which they were made – after all you couldn’t afford to mess up radiation shielding or building an X-Ray room! Even mass produced products like the Group’s core lead sheet business was dominated by the priority of manufacturing to a quality standard. Originally the British Standard BS1178, then to become the BS European Norm 12588, dictated absolutely how the product was made, allowing no deviation in composition or size (a thickness tolerance of +/- 5% was and is sacrosanct). It is this prioritising of quality which has made such a lasting impression and why after crossing from the manufacturing to the contracting side of the sector (via a five year spell at the Lead Sheet Association) I have found it so easy to identify with the passion and pride that contractors have for the work that they do.

Taking over in 1993 from the original Secretary George Noyes, I quickly had it drummed into me that there could be no compromise when it came to LCA members installing lead sheet. At the time “Mr Lead” Richard (Dick) Murdoch was the LCA consultant, having recently stepped down from his role as Senior Technical Officer for the Lead Sheet Association. Dick had produced the first technical specification and installation manual (Lead Sheet in Building) and before leaving the LSA had just written “Lead Sheet Manual Volume I” all based on the British Standard Code of Practice BS6915. Just like the manufacturing standard (BSEN12588) for the manufacturers, the installer’s guide was sacrosanct to LCA members and all of their work had to be installed in accordance with the Code of Practice on which it was based. There was no compromise allowed and the LCA’s vigorous self policing policy through the annual vetting programme meant members’ work was regularly inspected by members of Council and any non conforming detail had to be put right if a contractor wanted to remain part of the LCA. I clearly remember at the LCA’s National Seminar, Dick publicly berating members that he felt had allowed their standards to slip, those who thought having achieved LCA membership meant they could take their foot off the pedal a little in that respect. Not a bit of it as far as Dick was concerned, there could be no easing up of the constant

drive to improve the quality of an installer’s work, to improve their skills, to widen their knowledge and to instil in them the same passion for good leadwork as he had and still has to this day. Dick has long since eased into a well earned retirement but his name and quality ethic are at the heart of the Murdoch Awards, created by the LCA and sponsored by Associated Lead Mills as an annual award recognising the best leadwork from LCA members – effectively the best of the best – and the ultimate accolade for the leadwork craft. Dick still chairs the judging panel for the awards and although his days of scrambling over a roof are well behind him, he still dissects the finest detail from the photographs provided by entrants and woe betide any that are found wanting in any respect. The members of the governing body – the LCA Council – are equally passionate about their craft, carrying forward Dick’s uncompromising stance on quality to the present day. This has often led to accusations of the LCA being a bit of a club that you can’t join if your face doesn’t fit. This mostly comes from contractors who have tried and failed because their work was not up to the standard required. I can’t emphasise strongly enough from my own experience in the 23 years that I have been the Secretary of the LCA that the ONLY qualifying standards for membership of the LCA is that your work is in accordance with BS6915, that you have been in business for more than two years and that you purchase the lead sheet that you fit (i.e. not trading as a labour-only sub contractor). If a contractor ticks all those boxes there is nothing to prevent them becoming a member of the LCA. Conversely, if any of those boxes are not ticked, a contractor CANNOT become a member of the LCA, no matter how big they are or how much money they have. The quality standard ethic was the foundation for forming the Federation of Traditional Metal Roofing Contractors in 2006, an organisation of hard metals installers that has grown rapidly in size and influence and now boasts almost as many members as the LCA itself. Supported by an equally committed associate membership comprising all the main European metal manufacturers, the FTMRC is developing the same quality standards tools - annual vetting, technical seminars, a technical Guide to Good Practice and a robust governing council – which have been the bedrock upon which the LCA has been built and has prospered. Operating independently but as sister organisations with the same secretariat has provided LCA and FTMRC with the opportunity to share their resources and experiences in the face of constant demands to sacrifice quality for price.

Especially in those years during recession, the construction industry in general – and the specialist sector in particular – has come under huge pressure to reduce costs. Being at the end of the food chain, the specialist installer was on a daily basis subjected to relentless questioning of costs and charges in the face of competition from contractors that could not hope to match quality and could therefore only undercut on price (which they did savagely).

Lead centurions on the St James’ Market building in Lower Regent St / Jermyn St, London, by NDM Metal Roofing & Cladding Ltd

I am delighted that with the economic recovery there also seems to be emerging among clients and specifiers a growing recognition of the benefits of long term value for money over short term, cut price expediency. There is perhaps an appreciation that the price quoted by a member of the LCA or FTMRC may be higher, but that is because they are required by their respective organisations to do the job right first time (or it could cost them their membership). And I would ask what that does that say about the contractor that has offered a price 20 – 30% cheaper? What corners are being cut and what compromises are being made to achieve such a reduction and yet still presumably make a profit? The over-riding ethic of quality over quantity or price is one I have been exposed to throughout my working life and it has been an easy one to adopt and promote, particularly when working with such like minded individuals. Of course over the past 23 years there have been a huge number of wide ranging issues in the lead sector – unfair competition, unsympathetic government / clients / suppliers / main contractors, changing workforce, European influence in labour and material specification, environmental issues, alternatives to lead sheet, changing architectural design, metal theft, lack of demand, too much demand, lack of skilled workers, not enough work for skilled workers, outside market forces, price, price, price – the list is endless. Paul Mulry (centre) of 2015 Murdoch Award winners Lead Tech Roofing, with LCA Chairman Stuart Bailey and Dick Murdoch

“It is this prioritising of quality which has made such a lasting impression and why after crossing from the manufacturing to the contracting side of the sector (via a five year spell at the Lead Sheet Association) I have found it so easy to identify with the passion and pride that contractors have for the work that they do.”

Most of these are outside the control and influence of the specialist and typically the lead price has been a particular bone of contention. As with any international market the lead price is subjected to a number of outside influences (I remember in 1974/5 the London Metal Exchange lead price shot up because the grain harvest and failed in Russia and speculators had dived into metal to recoup losses), but try to explain that to a contractor that has quoted one price for a job, won the job and now when ordering the actual metal has to pay a lot more because the market has changed. In such challenging environments and under such pressures the specialist installer has a lot to contend with from all sides and over the years some have quite often made their feelings known to me quite vociferously over the telephone or across the meeting room. As with many people in my position, my role has grown to be a mixture of sounding board, comfort blanket, soapbox, invigilator, instigator and general source of all round information, all rolled into one. But always and throughout, the uncompromising edict of quality still shines through in both thought and deed from most of those I deal with and the complaints are mostly of frustration that sometimes the playing field is far from level. Therefore, far from being the earache that it could have been for so many years, being Secretary to two organisations of such passionate and individual craft specialists has been a rare privilege and I have been very proud to be part of what has been achieved individually and collectively Now we just need to find a successor to rise to the challenges of the next 23 years……………

Contact the Lead Contractors Association on 01342 317888, or email info@lca.gb.com

RRNews - Issue 20

Get value for money? Cheap work has hidden cost implications What is CompetentRoofer? CompetentRoofer is the Government-licenced Competent Person Scheme that allows professional roofing contractors to self-certify that their roof refurbishment work complies with Building Regulations within England and Wales. The scheme encompasses all roofing types for domestic, industrial and commercial properties.

Cheap work has hidden cost implications Your property is one of the most expensive and important things that you can own so risking any building work to unregistered contractors, simply because it is the cheaper option, is false economy. Cowboy builders can leave your roof unsafe or unfit for purpose, and put the safety of others at risk their work could also invalidate your building insurance You need to either notify your roof refurbishment work via your building control or you can register it via CompetentRoofer, a Government-licenced Competent Person Scheme that allows roofers to self-certify their own work, meaning: we notify the council when the work is completed you have the added reassurance that the contractor has already been vetted prior to becoming a member and will continue to have their work checked you will automatically receive a ten year insurance-backed warranty, which includes breach of Building Regulations and contractor insolvency. Don’t forget that as a Co mpetentRo contractor, ofer registe you can self For info visit red -certify for Regulations Building Compliance www.competentroofer.co.uk Certificates following dis (BRCC) under ciplines: the

Are you making the most of your membership…?

The beneﬁts of being a CompetentRoofer registered contractor All domestic roof refurbishments up to a value of £50,000 will be automatically issued with a 10 year warranty. Insurance warranties are also available for large, industrial and commercial projects where the building is four storeys or less.

T: E:

020 7448 3189 or 01375 650 675 info@competentroofer.co.uk @CompetentRoofer www.competentroofer.co.uk

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Our unique dam system makes light work of heavy storms Torrential rains have become an increasing problem for businesses with storm water overwhelming guttering systems, disrupting production and damaging stock. Unidam is a unique computer-designed solution that completely eliminates this costly problem. To ďŹ nd out how our innovative rainwater management system will work for you, call 01384 252777 now or email unifold@ampteam.co.uk for free professional advice.

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Lining Systems This first photograph shows part of a fabrication that was probably one of our most complex and certainly one of our largest.

The importance of Fabrication By R D Mantle FIoR, Managing Director of Ampteam Limited

ometimes a spark of clarity will result in a “eureka” or “light bulb” moment and an idea will evolve into a unique product.

I don’t know how many people get such moments but it is certainly not uncommon as it is one of the things that makes us Human, our inventiveness! Such was the case many years ago when the idea for the Unifold® hinge was born, only I called it my “beer mat” moment, because at the time I was bending a beer mat and you can probably guess where I was when I was doing it! Since those early days of trials, tests, disappointments and triumphs, Unifold® has become a complete system and this has been achieved through an evolutionary process more by necessity than design, most often encountering a problem on site and returning to the factory and solving it in the workshop, employing fabrication techniques and whatever tests were necessary to prove the solution.

And this is the complete fabrication in situ, 18 pieces in total! And five gutters entering a single space! Not easy, and not a common occurrence, but if you are going to “set your stall” to line gutters then the ability to cope with such circumstances is elemental and vital.

Most of the fabricated components which are vital to the Unifold® system were designed in the early years of product development and we had many “light bulb” moments in that process along the way, such as the patented Clip Joint used for difficult and narrow applications. We learned the use of our hinge principle in so many ways to aid the fabrication process and to produce components which would be impossible any other way. From the outset this produced fabricated components fit for purpose and of exemplary quality. We also realised early on that site working inside a gutter cavity could often be very difficult and to expect site operatives to “cut and carve” and then effectively seal a lining system was too much to ask, so our intention was and has been throughout for us to provide all fabrication, factory manufactured with simple gutter joints so the installation is constant and repetitive and as easy as we can make it. We became a “single product company” concentrating on providing product and service excellence. The system has proven to be entirely versatile with the ability to correctly line almost any existing system whether it is a level gutter or laid to falls.

This is a two piece corner detail with an intruding pier section.

Some of our fabricated components are corners, tees, side boxes, sumps and expansion joints and these are just a few! In fact there are solutions for any circumstances however difficult or complex. For quite some time now we have insisted that anyone who installs Unifold must be trained to install the system. This is to ensure conformity and continuity of the system quality on site. This supports our 25 year comprehensive guarantee that includes the installation as well as quality of materials and manufacture. An industry first in gutter lining applications.

RRNews - Issue 20

It is also without doubt that Unifold® is a technical product which the following photographs clearly demonstrate.

This photograph shows a sump unit with two coned outlets and demonstrating that each end is a gutter section for ease of installation. Can you imagine attempting the manufacture of this on site?

The message is clear, any lining system must be able to cope with whatever the site conditions dictate and if a 25 year guarantee is offered then this must warranty that the system is going to work, without leaking, for that period of time and beyond.

Our quality and fabrication expertise means we are content with our promises.

RRNews - Issue 20

CONAMAR COMPLETES SUSTAINABLE REFURB OF GRADE II* LISTED ENERGY INSTITUTE

About Conamer Founded in 1982, building, fit-out and refurbishment specialist Conamar offers a full range of construction services, from multimillion pound design and build contracts for national businesses to small, specialist projects for individuals. It has particular expertise in retail and hospitality fit-out projects, sustainable construction and restoring historic buildings. Conamar operates across the residential, education, defence, retail and other commercial sectors throughout the UK. Many of its clients have worked with the business for more than 20 years and it has successfully delivered projects for numerous blue chip clients in the retail, defence, education, commercial, health and residential sectors.

Building and refurbishment specialist Conamar has completed a £1.8 million refurbishment at the Energy Institute (EI) on New Cavendish Street, London W1, transforming the 1,264 sq m (13,606 sq ft), five storey, Grade II* listed building with a 1950s extension into modern headquarters for the organisation.

Named Business of the Year in the 2014 Herts Business Awards, the company is accredited by the FMB (Federation of Master Builders), NHBC and CHAS; it is part of Constructionline and holds ISO9001 and ISO14001 certifications. Neil Dower, Managing Director at Conamar, said: “As a well-respected industry body that offers professional advice on energy in all its forms and applications, the EI deserves a headquarters building that reflects its role as an authority on retrofitting older stock to increase energy efficiency. “Managing the building’s interior upgrade given its listed status was a challenge, but this work has transformed the EI into an exciting place to learn and research.”

The EI refurbishment is the fifth project undertaken by Conamar in the London W1 area; others in close proximity include the London Claremont Eye Clinic, Les 110 de Taillevent restaurant and John Lewis Oxford Street.

fter a 999-year lease was signed during the late 1950s, the building was left largely untouched for six decades until the EI embarked upon its comprehensive refurbishment programme. Improving the energy efficiency performance of the premises was a major project objective of the project; the building now rates a high C, which is impressive for this type of property. Conamar’s role helping to achieve this rating involved installing a number of energy saving features within the constraints of the Grade II* listed building. The measures included: double glazing to the newer building; insulation; solar PV panels; a new energy efficient lighting scheme; more efficient heating and cooling systems; a building energy management system; and a green roof.

“Our goal with the refurbishment was to provide our members and visitors with a modern environment in which to develop their skills and knowledge, and to apply good energy management and sustainability practice in doing so.” Louise Kingham OBE FEI, Chief Executive, Energy Institute

RRNews - Issue 20

Louise Kingham OBE FEI, Chief Executive, Energy Institute, explained: “Our goal with the refurbishment was to provide our members and visitors with a modern environment in which to develop their skills and knowledge, and to apply good energy management and sustainability practice in doing so. We want to lead by example and will work to continue improving our efficiency performance. We’re only just short of a B rating and hope that additional measures will enable us to reach that target in the near future.”

www.conamar.co.uk

RRNews - Issue 20

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