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Product & Industry News
Medical training facility completed at Nottingham Trent University
WORK on a three-storey, specialist training facility for those in the healthcare sector has now been completed at Nottingham Trent University’s (NTU) Clifton Campus.
The renovation of existing NTU buildings and the completion of a new building will serve as a base for the Institute of Health & Allied Professions, which offers a range of specialist courses such as adult and mental health nursing and paramedic science. The whole facility is focused on equipping the healthcare providers of the future with the knowledge and hands-on skills required for modern healthcare.
Leading independent property, construction, and infrastructure consultancy, Pick Everard provided architecture, interior design and principal design services from concept to completion, working with main contractor Henry Brothers during the construction period.
Devika Parmar, director of architecture at Pick Everard, said: “We are delighted to have provided services for such an important scheme for the university and its healthcare students. We won this project via a competition under the NTU consultancy framework, where we put forward our concept proposals to create a gateway building to the campus that would be visually striking, functional and inspirational for anyone hoping for a career within health services. We’re thrilled that the completed building aligns very closely with our original concept sketch.
“Blending our healthcare and HE knowledge, we designed a building that caters to nursing, paramedical, and other healthcare professionals. It accommodates a variety of clinical simulation spaces that support teaching, assessments, and learning opportunities.
“Underpinning our design approach was a modular grid and a simplicity in design to create flexibility and standardisation in space planning and construction delivery. Working closely with university stakeholders, we meticulously planned the building to meet user requirements and allow for new educational technologies to support the evolving learning demands.”
With flexibility of use in mind, multi-use spaces have the potential to provide students with fully immersive experiences. The new building also provides a welcoming gateway building to the campus with the external façade treatment and quality materials providing aesthetic interest.
One floor of the new development is dedicated to realistic simulated healthcare environments for the training of healthcare students. This includes hospital wards, consultations and counselling rooms and a mock flat for home and emergency care scenarios. Meanwhile, a further two floors provide office and flexible teaching space to accommodate creative learning approaches.
David Shaw, national design director at Pick Everard, said: “The architecture of the new development has been designed for maximum visual impact on arrival to the campus. We wanted to ensure this new addition to an evolving campus would be complimentary but also distinctive both externally and internally.
“The whole consultant team worked closely to deliver this project to ensure the architecture, interior design and engineering has been holistically considered. We were intent on combining the existing building into the project, with the atrium space connecting the refurbished and new accommodations to bring people together in a central collaboration space.
For more information about Pick Everard, please visit www.pickeverard.co.uk
New models, new finishes added to KI’s UK-made Grafton seating collection
The expansion of KI’s Grafton seating collection includes new stool, task stool and sled-base chair options. These new models bring Grafton’s distinctive perforated backrest to additional spaces and applications, joining the existing collection of stacking and task chairs. The collection now includes a total of 7 variants, available in 8 polypropylene colours and 3 powder-coated steel frame finishes. Optional upholstered seat pads can be added to all models
The new, stackable Grafton stool with a seat height at 760mm is ideal for use with poseur-height tables, bars and multipurpose spaces requiring tiered seating. Where height-adjustability and 360° rotation is required, the new Grafton task stool featuring a chrome foot ring offers a seat height range of 560-820mm. The new sled-base chairs are stackable and offer an alternative to the 4-leg chairs.
In addition to the new models, 2 new polypropylenematched frame finishes have been introduced across the collection. This will offer customers better options to mix and match for any colour scheme. The ‘Cool Grey’ frame is a very light grey, almost off-white, whilst the ‘Blue Grey’ as the name suggests is a mid-grey tone that replaces the now-discontinued ‘Silver Grey’. Although these two options were similar, the ‘Blue Grey’ has been chosen to supersede the ‘Silver Grey’ as a match for the corresponding polypropylene option, allowing the specification of a clean, uniform look. Black frames are still available across the full collection.
Designed and manufactured in the UK, the Grafton collection is available from stock on rapid lead times and comes with a 15-year warranty.
For more information, visit: www.kieurope.com
Faster, safer, building evacuations with advanced dynamic safety signage
Fire and life safety systems manufacturer, Advanced, has extended its emergency lighting range with Dynamic Safety Signage (DSS) – proven to make building evacuations faster and safer.
In emergency situations, lack of information and confusion mean people often make poor decisions. DSS uses green moving and pulsing LED arrows to clearly indicate safe exits and red LED crosses to boldly show no-go areas. This distinctive indication supports effective escape and avoids congestion at exits.
DSS is ideal for settings where large numbers of people may be unfamiliar with emergency escape routes, e.g. university campuses, hospitals, stadiums and transport hubs. The new range of signage provides different tiers of functionality making it very versatile in meeting requirements across a wide range of sites and scenarios.
The lighting can be used standalone or integrated with conventional/addressable fire alarm panels to trigger emergency lighting if an incident occurs. Cause and effect can be programmed, allowing DSS to be used adaptively. This ensures that as evacuation situations evolve, only the safest escape routes are highlighted whilst unviable exits are clearly marked as no-go areas. For added safety, DSS is also compatible with Advanced’s LuxIntelligent emergency lighting test system, making it easy to prove compliance and identify any parts of the system requiring attention.
Matthew Jones, Emergency Lighting Business Manager at Advanced, said: “Research shows that people rarely notice passive escape signage during an evacuation, preferring to follow familiar routes which are often not the safest or fastest. Advanced’s range of dynamic safety signage has been developed on the back of research into human behaviour during fire incidents. By directing building occupants to the closest, safest exits in emergencies, DSS measurably reduces evacuation time, congestion and the threat to life.”
A study, conducted by the University of Greenwich, revealed that during a simulated emergency in an unfamiliar built environment, only 38% of people noticed conventional static emergency signage. When it was replaced with dynamic signage, 77% of people noticed it and 100% of the test group went on to follow the safe exit route.
Dynamic safety signage hardware consists of recessed, IP65 wall-mounted and wall/ceiling-mounted escape signs that are easy to install, can be retrofitted onto existing systems and provide a fully auto-tested system when used with LuxIntelligent, ensuring compliance with BS5266-1. DSS can be triggered manually via a key switch, or automatically by integrating with any existing fire system using simple input/output modules.
Advanced offers a complete range of emergency lighting solutions, including LuxIntelligent, the automatic, addressable, emergency lighting test system, that shows all emergency lights are compliant and functioning, with no engineer involvement required. Each panel can automatically test and monitor nearly 1,000 luminaires and is easily networked using existing wiring and lights, keeping installation costs to a minimum. The system also offers optional cloud monitoring and management via mobile and web apps.
Advanced is a world leader in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire and life safety systems. Advanced’s reputation for performance, quality and ease of use see its products specified in locations around the world, from single-panel installations, to large, multi-site networks. Advanced’s products include complete fire detection systems, multiprotocol fire panels, extinguishing control, fire paging, false alarm management systems and emergency lighting.
Advanced is owned by FTSE 100 company Halma PLC – a global group of life-saving technology companies with a clear purpose to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day.
New £3.5m fund designed to accelerate uptake of Clean Air as a Service in schools before Autumn term
Schools and colleges struggling to cope with the twin challenges of staff and pupil safety and energy efficiency can now finance ‘Clean Air as a Service’ through a new £3.5 million fund established by leading energy efficiency firm, Energys Group. Repayment costs are a little as 5p / per day per pupil on a 5-year agreement.
The fund, which ‘goes live’ today (27th June 2022) is designed to be off-balance sheet; simple to administrate and apply for; and presents no commercial risk to successful applicants. Any educational establishment – local authority maintained, academy, or faith school - is eligible to apply. Independent schools are also eligible and welcome to apply.
Energys Group is already well-known for its installations of energy efficient retrofit technologies including LED lighting in over 1000 schools and colleges. The Company believes its new Clean Air as a Service (CAaaS) model and dedicated £3.5m fund, will act as a much-needed driver for safer, more energy efficient schools, in line with a school’s duty of care to provide a safe environment.
Well-managed indoor air quality delivers a wide range of benefits including: • lower rates of sickness and absenteeism • higher levels of productivity and cognition, leading to better results • peace of mind to staff, pupils and other building users
Energys Group’s CAasS finance model is very similar to that used in other sectors where the upfront cost of investment in hardware is prohibitive to uptake. For a pre-agreed monthly ‘packaged fee’, a school can benefit from Energy Group’s Goji Air indoor air management technology, any ongoing maintenance and spares, plus warrantees. Energys Group calculates that, on average, the cost of monthly payment will be 5p per child, per day – averaging at £17/per month over a 5-year agreement.
‘Paradigm shift’
The Covid-19 Pandemic has led to a paradigm shift in attitudes towards indoor air quality,” says Kevin Cox, CEO at Energys Group. “Last Autumn, we saw two things happening in the school’s market. Our customers were already struggling to cope with the rising cost of energy in a volatile market, whist Covid safety concerns led to national guidance that ‘open windows’ meant ‘safer spaces’. Of course, the truth is, open windows do not necessarily result in ‘safer environments’. Plus, of course, it creates a massive additional demand for space heating – and this is something most schools and colleges can ill afford,” he says.
Goji Air technology
Energys Group offers best-in-class technologies as part of its technology portfolio. Its patented technology, sanitises and protects like no other air purifier on the market. It is trusted by a multitude of businesses and facilities around the world including hospitals, schools, transport operators, wellness clinics, residential care homes and in the hospitality industry. Goji Air is also the only medical grade air purification system with NCCO Technology, proven, in laboratory conditions, to minimise the transmission of airborne viruses like seasonal flu and Covid-19 by neutralising such viruses with 99.95% efficiency.
Next steps
Schools and colleges interested in applying for its £3.5m fund for Clean Air as a Service are urged to act quickly – as funds will be released on a first-come-first-served basis; and demand is expected to be high. The first stage in the process is to register with Energys Group to book FREE No-obligation Trial with a Goji Air Unit. To do so, schools can contact Energys Group via the web
Fellowes champions IAQ in education with the clean air for classrooms initiative
To mark Clean Air Day (16th June 2022), Fellowes has launched a major initiative to provide a FREE AeraMax Pro® Air Purifier with H13 HEPA Filtration to 100 education providers. The Clean Air for Classrooms freeto-enter draw is open to UK-based schools, colleges and universities.
Everyone deserves clean air, including students, teachers and those visiting busy educational environments. The Clean Air for Classrooms initiative has therefore been devised to champion the installation of air purifiers within learning environments, to help prevent transmission of viruses, relieve allergy symptoms, such as hay fever, and improve concentration.
Clean Air for Classrooms runs from the 16th June to the 18th July 2022 – and each week 20 schools, colleges or universities will be awarded a free Fellowes AeraMax Pro Air Purifier. Registration is easy, with a simple online form at https://www.fellowes.com/gb/en/airpurifiers/healthy-air/clean-air-for-classrooms.aspx
Tim Browning, Head of Air Treatment UK at Fellowes said: “The crucial role air purifiers can play in improving the health and wellbeing of students and staff within an educational environment is becoming increasingly recognised across the world. Indeed, Fellowes has been selected for over 250,000 air purifiers across 45 states in the US, where the Government has provided funding to ensure educators, students, and administrators safely return to on-site learning after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our hope is that the Clean Air for Classrooms initiative will achieve some much-needed noise around the issue of indoor air quality within education - and provide a solid demonstration of the difference air purifiers can make to the learning environment.”
AeraMax Pro Air Purifiers are independently proven to capture 99.99% airborne coronavirus1 and 99.95% of particles as small as 0.1 microns, including pollen, allergens, and bacteria. The smart technology works hard when contaminants are detected, then shifts to standby mode when the room is empty, or the air is clean. This provides maximum protection, while allowing for fewer filter changes and energy savings.
The 100 winners will each receive a freestanding AeraMax Pro Air Purifier, designed to maintain the air quality of a classroom up to 55m2
For further information visit www.aeramaxpro.co.uk
What is the best waterproofing solution for your education building?
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your building and a properly installed and maintained roof will provide reliable service, protecting your estate and all its occupants for many years.
As you plan your next project, it's important to ensure that all decisions to upgrade are based on the current condition and performance of the roof, to ensure you take any unknowns out of your budgeting process.
Whether you are looking to refurbish an existing roof or undertake a new-build project at your education estate, there are a variety of waterproofing systems to consider to ensure you specify the right system for the right application. We’ll take a closer look at some of the best waterproofing systems to consider for education estate roofs.
Modified Bitumen Membranes
With an extremely long lifespan of up to 50 years, modified bituminous membranes are durable enough to withstand whatever weather conditions come their way and flexible enough to contour easily to the shape of the building without cracking.
Available in two kinds of application methods: torch-on and self-adhesive (flame-free), both options can be designed into tapered roof insulation schemes that will mitigate ponding water and improve the overall thermal efficiency of the building
Standing Seam Metal
Offering quick installation and aesthetically striking results, standing seam metal roofs are popular for new-build, refurbishment and asbestos encapsulation projects. Metal roofs are incredibly low maintenance making them ideal for education estates, and are 100% recyclable at the end of their life. Standing seam metal roofs can last for up to 50 years, making it one of the most durable and long-lasting options on the market.
Cold-applied Liquid Coatings
Flame-free roofing systems have become an increasingly important solution to the education sector's flat roofing requirements, playing a significant role in mitigating the danger of roof fires.
Liquid waterproofing can be tailored to strengthen and waterproof a failing roof as part of a refurbishment project, or be used in new-build projects looking for a smooth and modern aesthetic finish.
Sustainable Roofing
Green roofs can be combined with bituminous membrane and standing seam metal systems to provide long-lasting waterproofing and multiple benefits to an education estates environmental initiatives. By improving the thermal efficiency of a building, a green roof can also contribute to your site's net-zero carbon operational targets.
Many education estates are now incorporating a solar PV energy system into their roofing design, to significantly reduce the operational carbon output and save money on the overall running costs.
With a breadth of waterproofing solutions to consider on the market today, each will have their own advantages and disadvantages depending on the application and Garland UK can support your next roofing project with expert advice from a local Technical Manager.
For further information visit www.garlanduk.com
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University of Glasgow’s ARC officially opened
A flagship research facility at the University of Glasgow was opened today (Wednesday 8 June) by Nobel prize winning Chemist, Professor Sir David MacMillan.
The £118 million Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre (ARC) will be the creative and collaborative heart of cross-disciplinary research at the University of Glasgow.
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow welcomed guests to an event in the atrium of the new building. Nobel Laureate, Professor Sir David MacMillan, addressed attendees before unveiling a plaque to mark the official opening of the building.
The University’s UNESCO Poet in Residence, Tawona Sithole, performed a specially commissioned piece of poetry, entitled ‘arc’, to celebrate the occasion.
The Mazumdar-Shaw ARC will provide a unique environment for delivering world changing research; it is designed to promote collaboration and pioneer new ways of working.
It will also act as a catalyst for strengthening relationships between the University of Glasgow and its stakeholders including funders, industry, civic bodies, and the public.
The building is named after University of Glasgow graduate John Shaw and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who donated $7.5 million to the University of Glasgow for the building’s construction and to fund a Professorial Chair.
Speaking at the event, Prof Sir MacMillan said: “I am honoured to open the Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre at the University of Glasgow. This truly is a unique and inspiring building, which recognises and reflects the University of Glasgow’s world changing research ambitions.”
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, said: “The Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre creates an environment that enables bold and creative research with world-changing potential.
“This would not have been possible without the hard work of all our colleagues who have helped bring the ARC to reality and all the people and organisations who believe in the University of Glasgow’s vision. I would like to thank you all for your support”
Kiran and John Shaw said: “It is our fervent hope that the Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre will provide a unique environment that supports the kind of inter-disciplinary, collaborative research that leads to breakthrough and world changing innovations, which will enhance the quality of life and through the betterment of human society.”
Bouygues UK has handed over the West Hub to the University of Cambridge. The first building of its kind for the University, the West Hub is located at the heart of its West Cambridge site, where the Ray Dolby Centre, the new centrepiece of the Cavendish Laboratory, is also currently under construction by Bouygues UK.
The West Hub, which opened its doors on 26 April, has been designed to promote a collaborative environment on the site, connecting people from different departments of the University. Constructed by Bouygues UK under a design and build contract, the building provides a lively –new facility for the West Cambridge Innovation District
Moving away from the more institutionalised buildings on the site, this facility welcomes all - students, academics, researchers, businesses and the wider community - to share, learn and collaborate in its open and flexible spaces. The café bar and canteen facilities on the ground floor provide a varied range of catering options and, along with a convenience shop, will be open to all, encouraging the surrounding community to experience what the West Hub has to offer.
A collection of library, study, teaching and meeting room spaces can be found on the upper floors the building which will be shared by the current and future users of the site. The teaching rooms are adaptable and open for business and community use outside core teaching times.
The West Hub is a low-energy building which has scored an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) rating. A 10% reduction in carbon emissions has been achieved using zero and low carbon solutions such as a ground source heat pump.
Neil Pixsley, Project Director at Bouygues UK said, “Following the completion of the Triangle Project for the University of Cambridge, we are proud to have been part of the team to deliver this outstanding building. The architecture and attention to detail has resulted in a truly inspirational building for both the University and the wider community which everyone who has been part of the project can be proud of.’’
Matt Allen, Project Director at the University of Cambridge said, “We are delighted that Bouygues UK has successfully delivered this strategic hub building which will significantly enhance the facilities at the University’s West Cambridge site. The West Hub is a vital milestone towards supporting an impactful innovation district that will help the University to retain its globally competitive position.”
Building managers must question if existing emergency lighting systems are ‘fit for purpose’ – says Abtec BT
As the Building Safety Act 2022 comes into force, a leading provider of building management services is urging facilities and building managers to ensure their emergency lighting systems are ‘fit for purpose.’
The call for action from Abtec Building Technologies (Abtec BT) comes following a number of fires in high rise buildings in recent months, and at a time when the call for the ‘stay put’ policy to be abandoned. Welcoming the new legislation, the company believes such incidents place a much-needed spotlight on the need for more integrated approaches secure, robust emergency lighting reporting solutions which allow occupants to safety exit the building.
Abtec BT, who launched ARGOHub – a software as a service (SaaS) offering, believes too many buildings reman ill-equipped with outdated emergency lighting systems and testing practices. This means they are not fit for purpose and cannot be relied upon in the event of an incident. Fully supportive of the current industry standards, ARGOHub can be tested in accordance with BS EN 50172:2004/BS 5266-1:2016, which specify the minimum provision and testing of emergency lighting for different premises.
“Emergency building services is about more than fire alarms,’ comments Dave Watkins, Director of Abtec Building Technologies. “As the focus on building safety continues to increase, it is absolutely vital that those with responsibility for building safety take a good look at their existing systems and ask whether they are truly fit for the purpose they were installed for?.
“Building managers must be sure they can control, monitor and test their emergency lighting systems with ease and confidence. We know from experience that integrating technology such as ARGOHub into building management systems will enhance overall building safety and bring peace of mind to building owners, operators and users everywhere. For any building manager who remains unsure of how things can be improved or made more robust and reliable, we are here to help.”
For more information and to download ARGOHub’s white paper visit www.argohub.com
Mul-T-Lock Achieves a First in Security with Bristol University
As part of an ongoing complete security upgrade throughout the campus, Bristol University has benefitted from Mul-T-lock’s MTL™600 master key suites, designed and installed by Guardian Security Systems in Bristol.
Bristol University is one of the most popular and successful universities in the UK, ranked 62nd in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2022.
Mul-T-Lock has worked closely with Guardian Security Systems in Bristol, supplying high security MTL™600 suites to over 20 buildings across campus, all operated on a master key suite basis.
Says Antony Blundal, Security Services Manager (Systems) at Bristol University: “University premises present a number of security challenges due to the open nature of the campus sites. There are different access requirements across all the facilities to consider.
“Working closely with Guardian Security Systems and Mul-T-Lock we developed a specification using MTL™600, which offers high security and is flexible to accommodate these issues and remain cost-effective. The master key operation is invaluable to keep maintenance to a minimum and the patent protection allows us better control of how many key copies are in existence.”
Patent protected until 2032, MTL™600 presents a superior locking solution, with a combination of several technological elements to create strong resistance against different types of lock manipulation.
The high security solution is available in various formats, to allow Guardian Security Systems to create master keying systems with different locking products across campus, including a wide range of cylinders, padlocks and locks, providing necessary protection and maximum convenience.
Ken Ham of Guardian Security Systems in Bristol commented: “MTL™600 uses the latest design technology and highly automated production techniques to deliver precision engineering with unparalleled performance. This is why it was particularly suitable for Bristol University, who we worked with to design, build and maintain the master key suites across campus to ensure high-quality security, whilst also providing necessary access for staff and students.”
Ian Thresher, Regional Sales Manager of Mul-TLock added: “The changing nature of the university ‘ecosystem’ in the UK, with significant developments such as rising tuition fees has many implications, including consequences for the safety and security of students, staff and the public.
“The legal and reputational issues arising from any failure to protect and secure people, physical assets and information data, are also increasingly severe. Hence, it is integral for suppliers like Mul-T-Lock and Guardian Security Systems to work closely with universities like Bristol, to understand the bespoke security requirements and install the best solution, such as MTL™600 to protect all those who attend.”
For more information on Mul-T-Lock’s range of patented master key suites, please visit www.mul-t-lock.co.uk
