PRODUCT INNOVATION

Market-leading manufacturer ARC Building Solutions has developed the TCB Square to deliver a safer, easier-toinstall and more robust cavity fire barrier for timber frame construction.

Designed to act as a continuous fire barrier around penetrations in the external wall, TCB Square addresses critical on-site challenges for installers and inspectors, contributing to the delivery of safer buildings and homes. Eliminating the need for linear barriers to be specified in this context, TCB Square offers a comprehensive, specialist solution designed to friction fit around a pipe penetration for complete coverage and enhanced safety.

In the existing regime, linear barriers are used to ‘box in’ or ‘wrap’ the pipe, with barriers cut into box sections or bent to size and shaped to fit around the opening. Not only is this a timeconsuming and costly process, it creates a significant safety risk, given the possibility of breakages or incorrect installations.

With TCB Square, ARC has designed an innovative, continuous product that ensures easy and efficient manual installation and complete protection of the space. Manufactured from noncombustible rock fibre mineral wool, TCB Square exceeds the performance requirements of Approved Document B, providing up to 60 minutes of fire integrity. Its innovative design and central hole accommodate pipework up to 150mm in diameter and removes almost all margin for human error with simple push-fit installation – no fixings required. www.arcbuildingsolutions.co.uk

Having consulted with its customers throughout product development, the value of TCB Square is truly recognisable, as is its impact on the safety of homes.

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01. TCB Square addresses critical on-site challenges for installers and inspectors projects underway including the creation of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), progressing towards accreditation to the ISO 50001 energy management standard and tracking recycling levels and energy consumption across its UK based manufacturing facilities. The business is also investing in closed loop recycling of its product waste and is looking at other ways to improve the environmental footprint of its packaging. and where necessary we are consulting with industry experts who can assist us in our sustainability roadmap.”

The company has established a dedicated Group Sustainability Board and has gained a silver accreditation from the Supply Chain Sustainability School, which highlights its commitment to employee engagement and training.

Glidevale Protect is at the forefront of designing ‘hidden protectors’ such as specialist roofing and construction membranes and ventilation solutions, that help to improve a building’s overall thermal efficiency and airtightness, whilst reducing the risk of condensation. The manufacturer is working to improve the sustainability and operational efficiency of its business, with key

John Mellor, sustainability lead for Glidevale Protect says: “Our current activities are being implemented from the front line with both internal and external customer drivers and we are not paying lip service or greenwashing with regards to reducing our environmental impact across our factory sites. Our key stakeholders within the business engage in monthly meetings to help push through positive changes www.glidevaleprotect.com

Glidevale Protect is a UK producer and a subsidiary of Building Product Design Ltd – one the UK’s leading forces in the development of building ventilation solutions and specialist building products.

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01. (L-R) Glidevale Protect Commercial Director Ben Gerry, Senior Product Manager and sustainability lead John Mellor and quality technician Dean Horner, holding granulated ABS made from waste offcuts from its tile ventilation production line, which is compounded, moulded and recycled back into products.