The A. Proctor Group, recognised worldwide for its extensive portfolio of technically advanced thermal, acoustic and membrane solutions for the construction industry, has launched a brand new online support package for designers, contractors, and customers.
A new dedicated members area offers designers and contractors full access to all the high-quality technical webinars with downloadable personalised CPD certification for each. In addition, members can easily find and subscribe to the entire library of product documents. By subscribing, the documents will be highlighted in a personal favourites section for quick and easy access and receive notifications when documents are updated. There is also the opportunity to register for early access to the A. Proctor Group’s free online u-Value & Condensation Risk Calculator.
The new Onsite App has been developed to assist customers with installing the A. Proctor Group range of products. Available to download as an App (Android only) or on a web browser, the Onsite App provides quick and easy support for customers with installation on site. Customers can access all the company’s product datasheets, certifications, installation guides and technical properties. In addition, the application allows users to send installation questions along with pictures or videos directly to the A. Proctor Group’s technical team and to request a site visit from a Regional Sales Manager.
The new online support package is another part of the comprehensive dedicated technical back-up focused on providing high-quality advice and support to specifiers and customers from design to construction on site.
DRU Maestro 60 Tall gas fires are available in front, 2-sided and 3-sided options. With a maximum height of 1.2 metres, they are suitable for new-build or refurbished developments.
And with the exclusive DRU Fire app, you can control the flame picture and gas consumption with ease.
DRU is the only UK fireplace supplier to provide a fully comprehensive, RIBA approved online CPD course for this important product range. The course covers gas and wood burning fires, with essential guidance on fuel options, flue types and energy efficiency directives.
Visit: ribacpd.com/dru
DRU Maestro 60 Tall front gas fire
DRU Maestro 60/2 Tall 2-sided gas fire
The construction industry is once again discovering that although it is good to talk, it is even better when the other party is actually listening.
When Michael Gove announced his plan to address the cladding crisis and improve building safety, the tough message was accompanied by an acknowledgement that the Government needed to embark on constructive communication with the industry.
He set a March deadline for clear commitments from the wider industry, but as we enter April the back and forth of letters between the minister and key stakeholders continues. One of the biggest sticking points, addressed by both the Construction Products Association and HBF amongst others, is the failure of Government to provide clear, accurate data on the scale of the issues he is asking the industry to address.
It is a familiar failure of not just this administration but previous Governments too. We’ve had the soundbites, the headline-grabbing tough talk and messages, but as ever the devil is in the detail.
In his latest letter to Mr Gove, the Chief Executive of the CPA Peter Caplehorn raised a number of on-going concerns, including the fact that the number of dwellings affected is unclear. There are estimates from various sources that differ considerably and whilst work is ongoing to establish an accurate understanding, even a clear approximate figure is currently unavailable.
“At this point in time, the construction supply chain has made it clear to the CPA that, given the aforementioned uncertainties and lack of clear information, a consensus is lacking for any model of remediation funding beyond a “polluter pays” model that is limited to the cladding and insulation sector,” he wrote. “Once key information and clarification can be provided as set out above, we can assist the Government further in this endeavour.
“The bad practices and poor behaviours highlighted in the Grenfell Inquiry must be addressed by everyone in the construction supply chain, including product manufacturers. To that end, for over four years the CPA has been heavily focused on work to ensure such practices and behaviours are consigned to the past.”
Paul Groves || Group Editor
Over the past 35 years, the Pendock name has become synonymous with high-quality decorative casing and service enclosure systems. We explore the company’s range, which today includes six distinct product lines, from column casings and building linings to complete washroom systems, backed by comprehensive design, manufacturing, supply and installation services.
NBS has revealed the findings of its ‘Sustainable Futures Survey’, a study aimed at understanding sustainability attitudes and protocols within the construction sector.
The research found that, despite motivation from most construction professionals to deliver sustainable outcomes – only a third usually manage to achieve it within a project.
Worrying still, was that a further third of respondents ‘rarely achieved’ sustainability goals and 1 in 10 never achieve them at all. The study, which polled 608 construction professionals, found that less people are achieving sustainability targets on projects, compared to those in its 2014 Sustainability Report.
Key points include:
• Only a third of construction professionals achieve sustainability targets – whilst a further third ‘rarely achieve’ them
• Fewer people report achieving sustainability targets on projects compared with 2014
• In the past year, just 14% have seen sustainability goals set on every project
• Only 4% have worked exclusively on net-zero projects, whilst more than a half haven’t worked on a single net-
zero project (in the past year)
• Lack of client demand and the cost of achieving sustainability stated as main barriers to sustainability success
Lee Jones, head of manufacturer solutions at NBS and acting head of sustainability at Byggfakta Group, said: “The findings are eye opening – it’s clear that projects need to have clearer guidelines on sustainability goal setting, implementing targets up front during the design phases will help encourage lower carbon outcomes. A further uptake of digital construction will help architects and specifiers ‘design in’ these measures.
“There’s also a need for greater communication and trust between all parties in terms of specific responsibilities. Uncertainty around who is accountable for what is allowing sustainability standards to slip. Further work is needed on behalf of product manufacturers when it comes to providing sustainability information for their products – that way green credentials can be compared and understood.
“Moving forward, it’s clear the industry needs further guidance and commitment from the UK government around sustainable legislation and that we need to prioritise a circular economy, thinking more about recycling and reuse of existing buildings.”
To deliver real progress on net zero, we need to develop a common understanding of what it means for buildings, in practice and in detail.
The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI) has launched new guidance, developed to provide industry-wide definitions and address frequently asked questions.
This guidance, led by Julie Godefroy, Head of Sustainability for CIBSE and Clara Bagenal George, Associate at Elementa Consulting, builds on the definitions developed by WLCN/LETI in summer 2021 and looks at whole life, embodied –referring to total emissions and removals associated with an asset throughout the whole life cycle of an asset; upfront carbon – referring to emissions associated with materials and construction processes up to practical completion; operational energy; and operational water. Crucially
these new definitions are based on meeting operational energy and embodied carbon targets and generating energy from renewable sources.
The new guidance from CIBSE and LETI provide more detail and are intended to be applied consistently in as many real-life situations are possible.
This guidance is for professionals from different disciplines, clients, investors, and occupants so they can be aligned in language and understanding of net zero targets and achievements.
The Structural Timber Association (STA) has released a white paper that demonstrates the vital role timber has in helping the UK achieve Net Zero status by 2050.
The white paper ‘Increased Use of Timber’ explores the stark reality that, without intervention and meaningful change, climate change and its effects will continue to worsen. Contributing an estimated 50% of the UK’s total carbon emissions, it is little surprise that the Government has placed a particular emphasis on the built environment in its efforts to reach net zero.
The Build Back Greener Strategy Document, released in October last year, is the Government’s attempt to address the impact of UK construction. The strategy outlines a clear intent to support the use of sustainable materials within construction, with timber being specifically identified as a key material.
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When you’re creating better buildings and healthy homes, innovation really is everything. With new Building Regulations Part L & F due in June 2022, it’s time to future proof and get ahead of the game.
In 2010-2019 average annual global greenhouse gas emissions were at their highest levels in human history, but the rate of growth has slowed.
Without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, limiting global warming to 1.5°C is beyond reach. However, there is increasing evidence of climate action, said scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released today.
Since 2010, there have been sustained decreases of up to 85% in the costs of solar and wind energy, and batteries. An increasing range of policies and laws have enhanced energy efficiency, reduced rates of deforestation and accelerated the deployment of renewable energy.
“We are at a crossroads. The decisions we make now can secure a liveable future. We have the tools and know-how required to limit warming,” said IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee. “I am encouraged by climate action being taken in many countries. There are policies, regulations and market instruments that are proving effective.
“If these are scaled up and applied more widely and equitably, they can support deep emissions reductions and stimulate innovation.”
UKGBC’s Chief Executive Officer, Julie Hirigoyen, said the IPCC’s message is clear - unless we act now to fix broken climate promises, limiting global warming to 1.5C is simply beyond our reach.
“Our buildings and cities have yet again been singled out by climate scientists as one of the areas contributing most adversely to this stark reality,” she continued. “Failure to drive ambitious retrofit politics compounded by poorly designed new buildings ‘locking in carbon for future generations’, as well as slow efforts to decarbonise energy supplies, are all cited by the IPCC as putting us on track for a climate disaster.
“The good news is our built environment offers significant opportunities to not only mitigate climate change and slash emissions, but to simultaneously achieving other environmental, social and economic targets enshrined by the Sustainable
Quadrum, the global real estate development, investment management and advisory group, has commenced construction on its sustainable office redevelopment at 11 Belgrave Road, which will deliver 108,000 sq ft. of Grade A space in Victoria, London.
The scheme is the first in the UK to achieve an Excellent 5.5-star NABERS* designreviewed target rating for building efficiency and one of only three to be pre-certified across the country.
Designed by Eric Parry Architects, the project is being constructed by BAM Construction. When complete in Q4 of 2023, it will transform the existing site into 108,000 sq. ft of net zero carbon office accommodation. 11 Belgrave also includes 14,000 sq. ft of communal spaces and bestin-class facilities, including a 3,300 sq. ft café and 4,600 sq ft gym.
In addition, 13,000 sq. ft of exceptional green space designed by landscape architects Gillespies will be seamlessly woven throughout. There is a 2,600 sq ft private garden at ground floor as well as spacious indoor and outdoor amenity spaces, a private terrace on the sixth and
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multiple terraces on the seventh floor, plus a rooftop platform offering 360-degree views over London. There will be storage for 178 bikes, 5-star spa-style changing rooms with 19 showers, and 177 smart lockers.
Led by engineering consultancy Max Fordham, it has been designed to be net zero carbon in both construction and operation, surpassing the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge target by 38%. Max Fordham have also led the NABERS process and the WiredScore Platinum and SmartScore Platinum targets, while environmental consultant Delta Green
Development Goals. Many of the solutions already exist – as clearly noted by the IPCC – but what is missing is the political ambition and financial incentives needed to make this happen at scale. Half measures will not halve our emissions, and the UK is no exception to this.
“Ahead of his forthcoming ‘Energy Independence Strategy’, Boris Johnson must heed the IPCC’s clear warnings that fossil fuels have no place in our future energy system, whilst energy efficiency improvements and energy demand reduction must be turbo-charged.
“With energy usage in homes alone representing 16% of total UK emissions, the upcoming energy strategy is a golden opportunity to make significant emissions reductions whilst tackling some of the most pressing issues facing the nation. Reducing our dependence on gas imports, ensuring bills are kept affordable, as well as achieving the Prime Minister’s vision of a ‘levelled up’ Britain are just three of the no-regrets benefits of prioritising domestic energy efficiency in his strategy.”
has advised on a design stage BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating and Ekkist on WELL Platinum.
Ilyas Aslam, Chief Operating Officer at Quadrum, said: “By investing the time and effort to pre-certify its credentials, we can demonstrate real value rather than intention.
“The scheme combines beautiful architecture with exceptional occupier experience, providing the highest quality, flexible workspaces.”
The safety of the built environment and the need for standards to be maintained has never been more important. As a company that places great emphasis on meeting compliance obligations, John Duffin, Managing Director of Keyfix explains the role construction product manufacturers play in the creation of safe and resilient buildings.
Transparency is key and Keyfix works closely with the British Board of Agrément (BBA) and invests in rigorous testing to offer specifiers quality assurances. The company set the standard early in the industry by bringing ground-breaking innovations to market which were developed in response to market demand and by troubleshooting
an issue the company has seen the industry face. Diffentiating itself from the competition, Keyfix always aims to push the envelope and create products that work in excess of what the regulations demand. Keyfix’s Non-Combustible Cavity Tray (NCCT) System is a prime example.
The increasing requirement for noncombustible materials for buildings over 18 metres led to the development of the Keyfix Non-Combustible Cavity Tray (NCCT) System, a product that was created to exceed the minimum standards set out in Building Regulations Approved Document B (ADB). It has been awarded a BBA Certificate, listed on the NHBC ‘Accepts list’ and is approved by Premier Guarantee,
LABC and other major warranty providers. It is the only non-combustible cavity tray system that does not rely on tapes and mastics to make watertight joints, therefore elimating one of the main reasons for product failure.
Discussions with NHBC revealed that the number one reason for reopening the cavity wall of a building after occupation is failure in joints and stopends of DPCs and cavity trays formed using tapes, sealants and mastics.
The Keyfix team addressed this issue by designing a range that doesn’t need tapes or mastics, therefore eliminating the problem. This was one of the main driving points of the product’s development.
Designed and built for best practice on site, the Keyfix system features an ingenious interlocking mechanism that creates a waterjoint joint without sealants whilst forming an integral secondary weep vent. By eliminating the use of sealants at joints, the possibility of installation errors caused by onsite conditions – which can render some tapes, sealants and mastics useless – has been removed.
In short, the responsibility for the most critical part of the system and ensuring the installation of the product is fit for purpose is incumbent on the bricklayer on site. A building site does not have laboratoryperfect conditions, so the slightest deviation from those conditions caused by on-site dust or moisture, for example, can cause system failure. It’s therefore very hard to achieve a robust installation with tapes and mastic.
All buildings must be robust, resilient and safe and this starts with the correct specification of materials. At Keyfix we aim to champion best practice; we do not believe that the target for product development should be the minimum allowable standard, as this does not allow for any “on-site tolerances“. If a system is designed to achieve the minimum allowable standard and then encounters conditions on-site that further challenge its performance, it can easily drop below the minimum required standard. This results in a return to the “gap” between what has been designed and what has been built, which has dominated the headlines in the past few years.
The Keyfix unique range of external cavity wall solutions provides architects, contractors and specifiers with full assurance that the entire system has been designed and tested to achieve the highest industry standards.
Fuse design consultancy’s brief was to maximise the development value of the £33.5m Hudson Quarter site, whilst ensuring planning approval could be gained - not straight-forward when working in historic York and when the site borders the City Walls.
Hudson Quarter (HQ) is a mixed-use development of 127 apartments and circa 4,000sqm office space. The accommodation is housed in three residential buildings and one office, around a central courtyard. Fuse was appointed by Palace Capital plc in 2014 as architects and interior designers for this scheme and were later novated to Caddick Construction during the delivery stages.
When Palace Capital plc purchased the property, it contained an existing 1960’s office building, Hudson House. Fuse was originally appointed to obtain a Permitted Development planning approval for the re-use of the building, which was granted in 2016. However, following discussion with City of York Council (CoYC) the client decided that a full redevelopment of the whole site would be of better long-term benefit for their shareholders and the city.
One other challenge faced by Fuse was that the site is overlooked by both York’s planning office and is a stone’s throw from Historic England’s office.
Hudson Quarter occupies the site of York’s first railway station, which was originally built in 1841 by ‘Railway King’
Project: Hudson Quarter, York Architect: Fuse Suppliers: Solus Ceramics; Green-tech; Quest Solutions; Caddick Construction; Re-form Landscape Architecture
George Hudson. Main contractor, Caddick Construction built the three impressive residential blocks, each named after a famous British Station (Kings, Waverley and Victoria), in a nod towards York’s railway heritage. In addition to the 127 luxury apartments, a fourth building, aptly named HQ, houses 34,500 square feet of Grade A office space. The HQ office building has been awarded a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, with a final certified score of 73.5%.
“The site is in a highly sensitive location, only a few metres from York City Walls, and required a very sympathetic design solution,” explained the design studio. “The massing of Hudson Quarter’s buildings was carefully designed to step down from Toft Green towards the City Walls, so as not to dominate the latter. A single brick type was used to clad the buildings: its selection key in tying the buildings to their location and providing the architecture with a calm, timeless quality. >>
Central to this place-making approach is the residents’ fully landscaped courtyard, providing the apartment dwellers with valuable external amenity space and secure access to each of the residential buildings.
>> “Central to this place-making approach is the residents’ fully landscaped courtyard, providing the apartment dwellers with valuable external amenity space and secure access to each of the residential buildings. The courtyard includes a gazebo with power and lighting, which residents can use when working (or playing!) from home.
“Hudson Quarter boosts the first speculative office to be built within the City Walls in decades, HQ’s office has been designed to be let either to a single occupier or on a floor-by-floor basis.
“The office’s massing was carefully conceived to minimize the visual impact when viewed from outside the City Walls
and be respectful to the adjacent listed Toft Green Chambers building. The result is a cut-back and roof terrace at both ends of the building.”
“Those familiar with working in the city will know that having a scheme with “Yorkness” written through it is particularly important. Hudson Quarter was designed with this in mind:
“The buildings have been deliberately pushed close together, to mimic tight spaces in the city. Rooflines and upper floors of the buildings undulate, to reflect in a contemporary manner the organic roofscape of the Micklegate area. Furthermore, the external walls are angled to reflect the organic nature of York’s core and the window heads are similarly angled, to ensure a consistency across the design.
“Lastly, the site’s connection with its railway past (it was once the site of the original rail station) has been expressed in design features, including track “motifs” in external balustrades, gates and even in the HQ Office reception desk.”
Re-form Landscape Architecture was tasked with ensuring that the green areas of this iconic site were as impressive as the buildings themselves.
This was achieved with a central courtyard garden offering tranquil respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, as well as areas of public realm, with the boundaries between public and private carefully considered.
Atlas Green was awarded the landscaping contract, which included lawned areas, tree planting, and shrub beds planted with species chosen to offer an ever-changing variety of shape and colour throughout the seasons.
Green-tech has worked with both Re-form and Atlas Green for many years. To ensure that the trees and shrubs thrive, it is crucial to give them good quality soil to grow in.
Atlas Green chose Green-tech’s British Standard Green-tree topsoil, and around 900 tonnes was supplied to site in staged deliveries, along with top quality bark mulch to finish the planting beds.
Irrigation was supplied in the form of Greentech’s Mona tanks, an underground reservoir system that requires filling on average every 5-6 weeks depending on conditions. More than 60 anchor systems were supplied to ensure the ongoing stability of the trees until they become fully established.
Finally, 380 square meters of GT RootBarrier and geo-textiles were used with ArborTex used to line the base of the rain garden beds.
Knauf UK & Ireland has launched its Planner Suite specification tool platform enabling customers to find, import and specify Knauf products and systems quickly and easily.
Amarket first, the new project design tool is available as a BIM Plug-In for Revit and ArchiCAD and a browserbased version (system finder), reducing time spent manually searching for products and cross-checking data.
Knauf Planner Suite contains the most up
to date and market leading performance data. Its guided search function provides specifiers with an overview of products and systems that match their specific project requirements, such as fire protection or sound insulation. The tool also considers factors such as regional availability to ensure only products
relevant for the project location are recommended. Data accuracy over the full BIM model lifetime is guaranteed with the data validation function and product information such as data sheets, EPDs and stockists can be accessed.
Dan Roehner, Head of Technical at Knauf UK says, “We are delighted to be able to support our customers at all stages of their planning journey with this suite of tools. Planner Suite will make project planning simpler and more efficient and because Knauf has the most up to date system performance data in the market it will minimise errors at planning stage too.”
Planner Suite is available now for the specification of Knauf solutions from standard components to high performance systems.
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The team responsible for the £56 million redevelopment of an Aberdeenshire community campus has employed a comprehensive selection of Kalzip® profiles in different colours and widths to complete the roof and cladding of the major structures: including the main teaching block, swimming pool and sports hall; subsequently winning the Development of the Year (Public Buildings) category at the Scottish Property Awards.
Inverurie Community Campus was designed by Halliday Fraser Munro for Hub North Scotland, who delivered the project on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council, while Robertson Construction was the main contractor.
The latter employed Kalzip® extensively on the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre some three years ago and so was renewing its involvement with the manufacturer, while Glasgow based Curtis Moore, the specialist installer in this instance, was awarded a £3 million subcontract for all of the cladding and roofing work.
Amongst the Kalzip® profiles supplied to Curtis Moore for the contract were 65/400 and 65/500 flat panels in the 0.9mm gauge with in two tones of bronze for the facades; as well as 65/500 1.0 mm gauge material
featuring a PVF2 finish to the roof. There were also 35/200 perforated as well as plain liners. Materials for the vapour control layer installed under special acoustic insulation included clear membranes, foil and tapes.
One of the key design challenges which Kalzip’s technical department helped the
project team address was the setting out of the windows; the solution to which involved employing three different sheet widths to achieve the most economic use of material, as well as creating aesthetically attractive elevations.
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Go is the new-generation, single-loop fire alarm control panel from Advanced.
Versatile and packed with premium features, Go provides cost-effective access to MxPro 5 range performance, quality and ease of use, in a simpler, non-networkable format for complete fire protection peace of mind.
Go is the ideal solution for a wide range of single-panel sites – from restaurants, bars and guesthouses to small offices, shops, salons and surgeries.
On straightforward jobs, Go’s fuss-free installation and configuration save time and money. However, the new panel also makes light work of more complex sites requiring sophisticated cause and effect programming options as well as false alarm management and reduction solutions.
Go has been developed with the needs of installers, engineers, and end users firmly in mind. A host of features make Go a breeze to set up. An easy-fit chassis with unique door design enables fast fitting, while familiar controls and menus mean there’s no lengthy learning curve. Intuitive new configuration software makes programming quicker and easier than ever, and a powerful design checker proves the system will work even before visiting site. In addition, enhanced diagnostics mean fewer faults, faster fixes, and better long-term performance.
With small-site budgets in mind, cost-efficiencies for customers have also been central to Go’s development. The panel has 15 zonal LEDs as standard for clearer visual indication and BS 5839 compliance without the need to buy a separate LED zone card.
Compatibility with three leading detector protocols provides wired and wireless options, as well as greater freedom over design and maintenance provider costs.
The launch of a new website by architectural casing and enclosures specialist, Pendock, not only marks its 35th year in business, but is also the latest in a long line of initiatives and product developments that support architects, specifiers and contractors. We look under the ‘skin’ of Pendock with additional insight from their Technical Projects Manager, Gavin Byram.
For many, Pendock’s name is synonymous with high-quality column casings and service enclosure systems, but what is perhaps less well known, is that the company has evolved and diversified, since it was formed in 1987, enabling it to respond to the changing needs of specifiers and the wider construction market.
Today, the range includes six distinct product lines, ranging from column casings and building linings to complete washroom systems, backed by comprehensive design, manufacturing, supply and installation services.
A history of innovation Initially, Pendock produced casings and enclosure systems manufactured from preformed plywood with a choice of finishes, including laminated real wood veneers. The adaptability and performance of its products meant that it was soon supplying a wide range of interior and exterior solutions aimed at concealing or protecting unsightly structural elements and building services on new-build and retrofit projects.
Pendock’s relationship with architects and specifiers runs in parallel with the introduction of new products, but its visibility increased considerably when the company co-sponsored the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2004 and 2005.
11 metre high stacked column casings from the Radius range
Earlier in 2005, Pendock launched its washroom solutions range, which broadened its reach and offered a wide range of products from single cubicles to complete washroom and IPS panel systems.
More recently, Pendock’s long-standing relationships with housing association and local authority specifiers have enabled it to play a key role in retrofitting fire sprinklers on social housing projects.
In 2021 a new brand structure was introduced, which amalgamates key product ranges with the aim of simplifying specification and upgrading access to product and technical information online.
The six brands comprise Radius, Linea, Profiles, Washroom, SafeHeat and Ducting, enabling casing solutions to be selected and sourced from the company’s comprehensive range of standard and bespoke products
Gavin Byram explained: “Prior to the restructuring, all our products simply fell
under the Pendock name and had no clear distinction between type or relevant application. Now they have specific identities, which eases specification and access to information.”
The extensive Pendock Linea range comprises nine different types of building lining and architectural finishing product, from exterior rooflights, parapets and soffits, to interior pilasters, perimeter casings and ceiling features.
Suitable for a wide range of applications, they can be manufactured from plywood, MDF, compact laminate, HPL, moulded GRG or GRP, plus stainless steel, aluminium and textured metals.
“The range now allows architects to specify several lining elements within a project, as opposed to these items being unlisted or ‘floating’ within various sections of the specification document,” adds Byram. “It also allows consistency, as the elements can be manufactured, supplied and/
or installed from a sing le source. This in turn reduces risk, mitigates potential coordination issues on site, and ensures a uniform, high-quality finish.”
Designed for concealing interior and exterior structural steelwork or concrete columns, Pendock Radius unites the company’s six individual column casing types. The range includes interior only casings manufactured from pre-formed plywood and GRG, alongside aluminium, stainless steel and GRP models, which can be used for exterior and interior applications. Each product is available in a range of standard dimensions and shapes, as well as bespoke options.
Pendock Washroom is designed to meet most specifications and requirements and includes five systems – Classic, Classic Plus, Robust, Ultimate and Education – as well as modular IP panels and bespoke solutions. Vanity units, back panels and accessories are available across the range, ensuring design homogeneity, versatility and cost- effectiveness.
Depending on the range, they are manufactured from 18mm melamine faced (MFC) or high-pressure laminate (HPL) faced chipboard or from 12mm compact laminate for use in high traffic applications or wet areas. DDA and Approved Document M compliant solutions are also included.
Forming a key offering for local authorities, housing providers and the education sector, the Pendock Profiles range of casings for services, includes pipe boxing and casing solutions for concealing pipework used on heating systems and fire sprinkler installations, as well as classrooms and other education applications, such as STEM teaching laboratories.
Among the six product ranges available are the MXF fire sprinkler boxing and the CHM-MXM metal casings range, which are designed to provide protection for external pipework used in low carbon district heating, as well as ground source or air source heating solutions.
Pendock SafeHeat low surface temperature (LST) radiator guards are designed to reduce the risk of burn injuries in a wide range of sectors, including care homes, schools and hospitals. There are three core models: Prima, Ultima and ST, each of which also has a ‘Plus’ model variant that incorporates hidden fixings and lockable, drop-down access panels. All models incorporate anti-bacterial coatings as standard, as well as anti-ligature options.
Simple but highly effective, the Pendock Ducting range is designed to conceal pipework, electrical cabling and other utilities, while also ensuring easy accessibility for maintenance. Secured to the surface of the subfloor before screeding, the two-part system is available in standard or bespoke sizes, comprising of a pre-formed, hot-dip galvanised steel tray with decorative plywood cover, that sits flush with the finished floor level.
“We have a very low staff turnover,” commented Byram. “This means that our workforce, from shop floor to the management team, have decades of experience, which provides huge breadth and depth of knowledge. Consequently, we can provide specialist input and guidance for specifiers, which could help them avoid pitfalls and save time. We know what works and, more importantly, what won’t work.”
Pendock’s ability to tailor existing products and/or provide completely new solutions on a project-by-project basis is perhaps one of its greatest strengths. “Although standard products still form the largest percentage of our business, particularly with column casings, many specifiers require bespoke designs where a solution must be engineered to solve the needs of a particular application,” continued Byram. “By innovating and working closely with specifiers, we are able achieve not only the desired aesthetic, but also ensure the results are a precise match for the specification,” he concluded.
Last, but not least, at the end of March 2022, Pendock launched a completely redesigned and restructured website with the aim of helping specifiers locate the product ranges and information they need more quickly and easily.
New images and information have been added, together with a new project gallery section, which combine to provides clear examples of the practical and aesthetic benefits of the products in use. Technical details, product brochures, drawings and NBS clauses for each range are also clearly marked and simple to download.
The increased requirements for fire safety in the construction of buildings means that the correct selection and application of membranes are critical to comply with building regulations and protect occupants’ lives. In this article, the A. Proctor Group, specialists in technically advanced thermal, acoustic and membrane products, provides an understanding of the fire performance of construction membranes.
The standard BS EN 13501-1:2018, assigns construction products and building elements a classification of reaction to fire based on their performance in tests designed to assess the capacity of a material to spread fire. Classifications range from A1 for materials that offer no contribution to fire, to F, for materials with no tested performance.
Fire resistance and fire retardancy are different yet are often confused in practice. Fire resistance is a time, provided in minutes, for which any given system will resist specific criteria of fire.
Typically, this consists of some combination of resistance to structural collapse (or loadbearing capacity), resistance to fire penetration (integrity), and resistance to the transfer of heat (insulation). Resistance usually applies to tested systems, for example, full wall buildups, which provide an hour’s fire resistance. In addition, individual components, such as plasterboard, may state that they offer a specific fire resistance on their own that may be included in the overall element’s fire resistance.
In contrast, materials that offer an element of fire retardation actively work to suppress a fire. They typically include an intumescent material, which expands to restrict flame spread. In addition, this expanded material can provide additional levels of thermal insulation protecting the underlying layers from heat, such as in fire protection coatings applied to steelwork.
Other examples of intumescent materials in use include fire barriers that expand to close off cavities when exposed to excessive heat. Flames can spread through voids and cavities in a building unless these spaces are designed to restrict fire spread.
Because heat rises by convection, fires are particularly good at spreading upwards. This rising airflow can also draw additional oxygen to fuel the fire’s growth. Therefore, vertical voids can rapidly spread fire by allowing the fire to develop upwards and drawing in additional oxygen to support combustion.
Fire barriers are used to subdivide such voids horizontally and vertically, preventing this convection-driven fire spread. But in subdividing these voids without considering the effect of ventilation and moisture movement, drainage and vapour egress problems can arise.
So, in addition to ensuring materials and systems are appropriately rated, it’s vital to ensure that systems are correctly designed to work together.
Following the tragedy at Grenfell tower in 2017, fire considerations in construction have become more prominent. As a result, Approved Document B was updated in December 2018, providing significant changes relating to the external walls of relevant buildings.
Relevant buildings are defined as those with an inhabitable storey that is 18m / 11m in Scotland above ground level and contain one or more dwellings, an institution, or a room for residential purposes, excluding hostels, hotels, and boarding houses.
Buildings close to a boundary are also subject to specific requirements. In particular, buildings of any height and function less than one metre from a boundary need to have at least the relevant wall constructed to B-s3,d2 (A1 or A2 in Scotland).
Places of assembly or education need to protect 10m above any accessible space or roof, with C-s3,d2 or better materials.
In addition, any section of wall above 18m on any building needs to be built using materials of or exceeding class B-s3,d2.
Scottish Building Regulations define a high rise as being over 11m rather than 18m but generally imposes similar requirements on the materials used.
In these “relevant buildings”, the amended Approved Document B specified that all materials used in the construction of external walls should achieve at least class A2-s1,d0, with some exceptions. Exceptions were provided for materials that are difficult or impossible to manufacture to meet class A2 or better, and include:
• Cavity trays in masonry cavity walls
• Roofs
• Door frames and doors
• Electrical installations
• Insulation and waterproofing materials below ground level
• Intumescent and fire-stopping materials, where required.
• Membranes
• Seals, gaskets, fixings, sealants, and backer rods
• Thermal break materials where required.
• Window frames and glazing
Some of these are included by necessity – intumescent materials react to fire by definition and so cannot be non-reactive by the very nature of the material. This type of material includes intumescent paints, which protect steelwork, some cavity barriers –particularly in rainscreen cladding systems, and the A. Proctor Group Fireshield® breather membrane.
Other systems are included in the list of exemptions as they are made of materials that contribute to the spread of flame, but for which there are no alternatives. Typically, these materials occupy only a
tiny area of the building envelope, so while they contribute to the development of the fire, this contribution is minimal and is outweighed by the benefits provided.
Subsequently, section 10.15 of the same document draws attention to the requirement for membranes as part of external wall construction to meet at least class B-s3,d0. This means that they will have only a limited contribution to fire, and although they are allowed to produce any amount of smoke, they should not create any flaming droplets.
Membranes are typically located at interfaces where they would not be overly exposed to sources of fire, such as between or behind layers of plasterboard or between sheathing boards and insulation, all of which would be class A1 or A2. Therefore, there would be limited opportunities for a membrane to propagate flame spread under normal conditions.
There are two main types of membrane used in external wall constructions: vapour control layers and breather membranes.
As the name suggests, a vapour control layer is designed to restrict the movement of water vapour in the construction and is located on the warm side of the insulation, typically installed at the internal lining. Commonly, these are made of polythene or foils.
Warmer and more humid air creates a vapour pressure, which moves from warmer to colder spaces. In the UK and other “heating climates,” this usually means from inside to out. As warm, moist air follows this path through a construction element, it cools.
The warmer air is, the more moisture vapour it can hold, so if this air cools to a temperature lower than the “dewpoint temperature”, the airborne moisture vapour will condense, depositing liquid water. If this happens inside the wall, it is called interstitial condensation and could cause damage to materials such as the frame. A vapour control layer limits the passage
of moisture-laden air into cold spaces, reducing this risk.
There are arguments that a vapour control layer should not be counted as part of the external wall, as it is inside the structural element. This would mean that it would not need to meet the fire performance requirements.
However, as it is positioned at the internal lining, fire in a service cavity or spreading through a service penetration could be spread on the vapour control layer. It is also vulnerable to fire before the internal lining is installed during construction. Therefore, treating the vapour control layer as any other part of the external wall and applying the appropriate fire protection is correct.
Breather membranes are the other membrane used across the main section of external walls. These are designed to keep out liquid water, which could be driven in by precipitation. Without a breather membrane, this could damage structural members through corrosion, rotting, or saturate insulation. During construction, the breather membrane is critical before the external cladding is applied when this construction element is most at risk from fire. If the breather membrane here is easily ignited, it could lead to flames spreading across the façade, and depending on the stage of construction; it may allow ingress into the building.
Construction sites use a range of equipment that could start a fire, so having a membrane that does not contribute to the spread of flame is often essential.
The culmination of years of research into membranes by the A. Proctor Group has led to developing a range of highperformance vapour control layers and breather membranes tested to meet the latest regulations on fire safety. Products include Procheck® A2 and Procheck® FR200, Façadeshield® UV, Wraptite®, Wraptite UV, Fireshield®, Probreathe® A2 and Probreathe® A2 Air.
A. Proctor Group – Enquiry 17
Ian Miller, Digital Access Solutions Academy Manager at Abloy UK, explains why specifiers should broaden their skills by learning more about digital access solutions.
The way we live, work and move is continually evolving, and the secure and convenient movement of people is a challenge increasingly evident throughout the built environment.
Research shows that digital access control solutions are becoming the new norm, with 77% of end-users currently operating an electronic system, 38% of which feature wireless access too.
Furthermore, the demand for mobile keys is also on the rise, with 26% of organisations stating they already offer mobile credentials, and 39% of organisations likely to implement mobile credentials within 2 years.
The shift towards remote and flexible working has created the need for more agile access control, and an easy way to manage access permissions with instant delivery, increased security, and sustainability.
With this in mind, Abloy UK has launched a new Digital Access Solutions Academy - a purpose-built facility to showcase, work with, install and test the company’s extensive range of products, with particular focus on new digital solutions and ecosystems.
The new Digital Access Solutions Academy is a very important and exciting milestone in the ongoing development of the comprehensive training and CPD offering from Abloy.
Education has been a crucial focus at Abloy UK since it first launched the Abloy Academy back in 2008, which is now widely regarded as a centre of excellence for education within the industry.
The company recognised there was a need to create a new area of the Academy for its growing customer base, to focus specifically on Abloy’s expanding range of digital access solutions.
Abloy believes people learn best by doing something, so the training is designed to be hands on and shows how to specify, install and support customers requiring an access control solution.
The first focus of training at the new facility centres on the IncedoTM access control
product range, and is aimed at security engineers and sales teams.
IncedoTM Business is a flexible security ecosystem that combines ASSA ABLOY’s world-leading range of wireless locks and other access hardware with flexible software, multiple management options and the ability to scale on demand, in any direction.
Incedo connects security software and hardware within a single, seamless platform with the ability to have complete remote control of a premises and manage the ever-changing movement of people across multiple sites.
To meet increasing demand for mobile credentials, Abloy has recently launched ASSA ABLOY’s IncedoTM Business Mobile Keys that offer secure mobile access, simplified management and user convenience and efficiency.
The second area of focus is how to commission the Aperio® solution. Aperio technology offers cost-effective, integrated access control, and is the ideal retrofit option to update an existing access control system to wire-free, providing a simple, intelligent way to upgrade the controllability and security level of a premises.
It utilises a short distance wireless communication protocol, designed to link
an online electronic access control system with an Aperio-enabled mechanical lock, offering affordable online door control of internal doors, existing access control system extension, and enhanced security.
Digital Access Solutions is a relatively new area for Abloy UK, and the ultimate goal is to have a comprehensive range of training courses to include our whole portfolio, including SMARTair, CLIQ, Escape Door Systems covering integration and compliance, equally benefiting our customers and Abloy UK.
To find out more about the training at the Abloy Academy and Digital Access Solutions facility, and to book your place on a course, go to https://bit.ly/3NQStRt.
For further information on products and services available from Abloy, visit www.Abloy.co.uk,call 01902 364 500, or email info@abloy.co.uk.
Abloy UK – Enquiry 19
Prevent everyday wear and tear in busy environments, with Yeoman Shield’s extensive range of maintenance free, wall and door protection.
Our hygienic, easy-clean products, provide an attractive and economical solution to protecting all types of surroundings.
Protect the life cycle of your building with Yeoman Shield and you’ll find costly repainting and repair becomes a thing of the past!
A comprehensive Fire Door repair & maintenance service available with Yeoman Shield Fire Door Services.
Amtico has unveiled spacia stones – a new set of realistic and fresh LVT flooring designs that are simple to specify and convenient to install across a variety of commercial applications. In seven contemporary neutral palettes, the new stones make it easy to inject subtle colour into a project.
Responding to customer demand for a modern and easy-to-install alternative to natural terrazzo, Amtico’s newest innovations Terrazzo and Elemental Terrazzo are two unique and very different interpretations of the on-trend material, providing all the decorative detail but in a lightweight LVT format.
The six new Terrazzo colourways are densely packed with ‘chips’, from the light and pearlescent Gibson to the dark and dramatic Highball, each capturing the scope for creativity in commercial flooring design. The combination of scale and colour makes the designs perfect for effortless transformations across a breadth of different applications, from small decorative areas to flooding a space.
The bolder Elemental Terrazzo features larger ‘marble’ pieces scattered in dense clusters, all set within a ‘concrete’ base for a highly dramatic effect. Available in two colourways, Elemental Terrazzo’s beauty is in its detail, from pieces of grey stone with quartz lines, through to warm marble chips.
To help create subtle zoning, Amtico’s designers have also created two coordinating concretes – Rialto and Villa. These can be combined in varying ratios with Elemental Terrazzo to change the focus of different areas, making them brilliant for classic department stores or supermarkets. Plus, they work wonderfully on their own, providing a simple ceramic look.
Meeting the need for wellbeing-focused design, Tones is a contemporary-style ceramic with a chalky feel, available in nine soft shades. Creating an easy backdrop for any space, this versatile palette includes fresh pale hues, greys and deep charcoals, with colour injections
inspired by nature – an important influence in commercial design for 2022. Tones beautifully complements other Spacia materials, such as Terrazzo and the new Oaks.
Following the success of the flagship Signature collection’s high-quality marble LVT designs, Amtico has also introduced the trend-led product to the Spacia collection.
Marble echoes the traditional material, but in a soft, tonal palette that combines soft movement and decadent detail in four organic shades: Black, White, Grey and Rose. When laid in the Checkerboard laying pattern, Black and White create a more classic aesthetic, perfect for impactful entrances, while Rose adds contemporary freshness with its trend-led blush hues.
To help with specification, Spacia Stones have been arranged into seven versatile and usable palettes, including Cool, Neutral and Pale.
Spacia products have a 0.55mm high density wear layer and can be specified in over 90 designs with either Acoustic backing or 36+ enhanced slip resistance finish. The LVT collection carries a 10-year commercial warranty and accreditations, including M1 building emissions classification.
Amtico
Turn forgotten into fantastic with Saniflo. Whether it’s a dishwasher downstairs or a utility room in the cellar, with Saniflo’s range of innovative products, showing your customers the potential of their unused space has never been easier. For limitless ways to make perfectly practical places, visit saniflo.co.uk
DELABIE’s has launched a touch-free thermostatic version of its flagship SPORTING 2 shower panel, bringing the comfort of home to public washrooms. The new SPORTING 2 SECURITHERM ingeniously combines the hygiene benefits of touch-free, electronic control with anti-scalding thermostatic technology in a stylish, yet compact silhouette.
Inside the shower head a thermostatic cell blends the water at the point-of-use to a safe temperature, simultaneously ensuring user comfort and removing any scalding risk. A failsafe shuts off the hot water if the cold supply fails (and vice versa), further reducing the scalding risk. The same shower head also houses a solenoid which opens and closes the water flow automatically when a hand passes in front of the sensor.
Designed specifically for public places, SECURITHERM SPORTING 2 helps combat Legionella. The hot and cold water supplies connect directly to the mixing valve, removing potential dead legs where water can stagnate - ideal conditions for Legionella bacteria to develop. If unused for long periods, a duty flush occurs, ensuring the water circulates within the system, also minimising stagnation.
SPORTING 2 SECURITHERM promotes fractional showering: water only flows when required, avoiding waste due to user neglect. A pre-set 6 litres/minute flow rate guarantees water efficiency without compromising comfort, while an anti-blocking system prevents voluntary waste. Powered by batteries, the solenoid valve uses active-pulse infrared technology, ensuring low energy and water consumption, delivering up to 80% water savings compared to domestic showers.
The panel is easy to install with no electrical connection required thanks to integrated batteries. With the flow rate and detection distance pre-set, no additional adjustments are required on installation. Accessible filters, integrated non-return valves and standardised components ensure maintenance is kept to a minimum. The SPORTING 2 SECURITHERM integrates recycled materials and standard
parts that require minimal resource to install and maintain. And, at the end of its considerable lifespan, the materials are fully recyclable. It therefore has a very low environmental impact.
Intended for non-domestic use, its sleek profile is discreet, blending naturally into any architectural style. Thanks to low water and energy consumption, building owners also benefits from lower utility bills, perfect for gyms, leisure centres, education buildings and offices that offer employee changing facilities.
Delabie – Enquiry 23
Hydro International is launching the new Downstream Defender® Select, a modular next-generation hydrodynamic separator optimised for the treatment of surface water runoff.
Combining the industry-leading performance of the Downstream Defender® with a wide range of customisation options, installation of the Downstream Defender® Select is easier and more cost-effective thanks to an extended range of chamber sizes, multiple connecting pipe sizes, and up to three inlets. This removes any need to factor in costly, complicated pipe connections, couplings or additional chambers.
For quick and straightforward installation, the Downstream Defender® Select is delivered pre-installed inside a concrete chamber so that, once positioned, it can be directly connected to pipework. For sites where access to heavy lifting equipment is difficult, the Downstream Defender® Select can also be supplied in a lightweight, easyhandling plastic chamber.
The modular nature of the system means that designers are able to select from a spectrum of configuration options to deliver site-specific treatment objectives, from simple betterment to advanced vortex separation with oil and floatables removal and retention enhancements.
Like its predecessor, the Downstream Defender® Select provides exceptional treatment performance, reliably capturing and retaining sediments, oils and hydrocarbons, litter and floatables from surface water runoff from roads, car parks or any impermeable area.
In addition, Hydro-Logic® Smart Maintenance technology can now be integrated into the system. This remote monitoring capability provides real-world insight into sediment and/or water levels,
sending automated alerts to notify users of when the Downstream Defender® Select needs emptying or if a blockage occurs downstream.
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hall space maximised with Style moveable wall
The large sports hall in the new £22.5m Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre offers considerable functionality thanks to a Dorma Hüppe Variflex moveable wall installed by partitioning experts, Style.
Featuring semi-automatic operation with an impressive 59dB acoustic barrier between divided areas, the wall allows the hall to be quickly separated into two dance and fitness studios or opened-up to accommodate activities requiring the entire area.
Ensuring a long-term return on investment, the Variflex panels are manufactured separately from the frame, allowing individual ones to be easily changed if they become damaged. This represents a highly cost-effective solution, compared to having
the entire moveable wall replaced, and is an essential feature for a busy facility like this where a wide variety of sports are being enjoyed.
Working with architect, GT3 and contractor, Metnor Construction, Style advised installing the Dorma Variflex moveable wall, effectively increasing the useability of the sports hall, allowing the space to be rapidly adapted to meet the varied demands. Finished in a contemporary pearly grey laminate, the Variflex benefits from semiautomatic operation which means, once the wall has been moved into position, the acoustic seals are applied to the perfect pressure every time without the need for manual intervention.
Style Partitions – Enquiry 26
Aquatechnica™ system-based tiles for swimming pools are now available exclusively through Strata Technical Tiles. For tile solutions that deliver enhanced durability and slip-resistance for swimming pools and spas turn to Aquatechnica™. Available exclusively through Strata Technical Tiles, Aquatechnica’s systembased approach lets you develop a unique tile specification that meets the necessary requirements of pools and spas while upholding aesthetic principles and delivering on cost. The Aquatechnica portfolio includes everything needed to deliver a tile specification that works hard for swimming pool or spa projects. Aquatechnica delivers a total answer from design to installation.
Parkside – Enquiry 27
DRU Polo gas stoves bring warmth and comfort
DRU Fires, in partnership with leading Cornwall fireplace dealer Kernow Fires, has supplied five DRU Polo balanced flue gas stoves for the new beach lofts at one of Cornwall’s leading hotels – the Watergate Bay .The DRU Polo gas stoves were chosen by Dynargh Design for their contemporary design, fitting in with the overall design and aesthetic of the beach lofts. In addition, they were selected for their A energy rating, 92% efficiency and the convenience of gas with easy remote-control operation. They have all-year-round use and are suitable for chilly autumn days and cool summer evenings.
DRU Fires – Enquiry 28
Cathedral visitor centre easily accessed via TORMAX entrance
Creating a welcoming entrance to the new Lincoln Cathedral visitor centre, TORMAX has installed a set of two-leaf automatic swing doors, powered by invisible iMotion 1401 underfloor operators.
Set into a striking dark grey façade developed by AccentHansen, the automatic entrance is understated yet contemporary, providing the perfect complement to the Cathedral cloisters on one side and the Deanery on the other.
Designed in-house at the TORMAX HQ in Switzerland, the iMotion 1401 door operators are concealed in steel casings set within the floorspace, delivering automation without the need for external operators. Invisible automation such as this is only possible thanks to the innovative iMotion motor which features none of the parts that usually wear out, such as gears and brushes, ensuring minimal maintenance and enhanced efficiency in the long term.
The state-of-the-art visitor centre has been created as part of a National Lottery funded project to upgrade and improve the overall experience for all visitors to Lincoln Cathedral.
Successfully marrying the new building with the old was one of the biggest design challenges for this development. Demonstrating a commitment to detail, TORMAX was able to deliver an automatic entrance that provides clear access for all users.
TORMAX – Enquiry 29
Turn
The market for offsite housing is estimated to have increased by 6% at manufacturers sales prices, although this is lower than the 2019 estimate of 12%, according to AMA Research
Although growth in offsite housing was lower than predicted, this is due to the impact of the pandemic throughout 2020 which caused a decline of around 11% due to the huge disruptive nature from distribution issues and site closures at the peak of restrictions.
Many areas will be responsible for the demand in offsite housing construction. There is still an ongoing shortage of homes, especially across England. We must also look towards the continued decline in numbers of key skilled trades and professionals. On the plus side there has been an increase in the capacity for offsite housing manufacturing as well as the number of systems with quality assurance.
The availability of quality assurance and warranties for offsite housing systems is key to growth especially considering the broad lack of which has up to this point been a barrier. There has been an increase recently in the number of firms and propriety offsite housing systems which are obtaining BOPAS certification and/or NHBC or other provider warranties.
A key area to look at will be where offsite methods are particularly well suited, for
example large scale build to rent and affordable housing developments. Both of which see an urgency to accelerate the build times and increase the rate of completions. Offsite construction will make a significant contribution.
Alex Blagden, Senior Market Research Analyst at AMA Research and editor of the Offsite Housing Report comments: “Offsite construction is key to accelerating the development of affordable homes, both social housing and build for sale properties.
“Many factors are driving up both demand and supply, among the most important being the urgent need to increasing affordable housing supply; a chronic shortage of skilled ‘wet’ trades; an increase
in offsite housing manufacturing capacity and an increase in the number of firms and proprietary off-site housing systems obtaining BOPAS (Build off-site Property Assurance Scheme) certification and or NHBC or other providers warranties.”
Where timber frame has always taken the majority share in the offsite construction market, there will now be growth in demand and the use of volumetric and closed panel systems. Particularly as there are now several large factories that have recently started operation. These factories are capable of producing 2,000+ units per year.
Hastings Borough Council has granted Reserved Matters Approval for 140 new homes pursuant to an Outline Planning
Many factors are driving up both demand and supply, among the most important being the urgent need to increasing affordable housing supply
Permission in Harrow Lane, Hastings. Following approval, leading modular housing pioneer ilke Homes will begin to deliver a mix of apartments and houses, ranging in sizes from one to four bedrooms family homes.
The homes will be manufactured offsite at ilke Homes’ factory in North Yorkshire, where precision-engineering techniques enable the company to deliver highly sustainable homes. This means ilke Homes is able to commit to helping tackle the local council’s climate emergency, declared in 2019, while delivering much-needed affordable housing.
The announcement marks ilke Homes’ continued expansion in the South East region, where the company is already committed to delivering in excess of 1,200 homes across six sites.
Precision-engineering techniques mean that ilke Homes will be able to deliver the 140 affordable homes in half the time of traditional methods, thanks to most of the construction stage taking place offsite. By manufacturing offsite, the homes delivered will be of the highest quality, as ilke Homes is able to benchmark standards at numerous stages of the build cycle.
Once complete, the homes and complementing open spaces will be managed by a registered provider of affordable homes.
A significant milestone in one of the DfE’s ‘Low Carbon Pathfinder’ projects has been reached with an end-of-module-installation ceremony taking place at Merstham Park School, near Reigate in Surrey.
The ceremony was attended by representatives from DfE - including Paul Mustow, Divisional Director for DfE - GLF Schools and the project’s principal contractor, McAvoy. With final fit-out and site works now underway, the multi-millionpound school that will provide learning space for around 900 pupils is scheduled
Kier Construction Western & Wales, working with Elliott, has unveiled a revolutionary pilot project that uses smart technology solutions to cut carbon emissions by up to 25% on its site accommodation at the Winterstoke Hundred Academy Expansion.
Elliott Moduflex buildings were specified by Kier for use as welfare, offices and meeting rooms on its Net Zero, 900-school place Winterstoke Hundred Academy School Expansion Build in Weston-super-Mare.
Energy saving features and smart technology is being used in the Moduflex modules to monitor, manage and reduce carbon and electricity use. This will contribute to significant carbon savings during the 80-week construction schedule.
Elliott supplied the Moduflex modules fully furnished and ready for the smart
for final handover in time for the new academic year in September. The new 2-3 storey building will replace the school’s temporary facilities that have been in use since the school’s opening in 2018 and will provide pupils with high-quality classrooms, play space, a dance studio, an all-weather sports pitch, and a sports’ hall.
The ‘Low Carbon Pathfinder’ school for pupils aged 11-16 seeks to minimise energy usage by implementing the ‘Be Lean, Be Clean, Be
technology. The technology will monitor energy within zones, taking readings across a wide range of parameters every few seconds to optimise energy use and identify any interventions required.
These are in addition to other energy saving features built into Elliott’s marketleading Modulflex modular building system as standard: time-controlled heating, instantaneous water heaters, low energy LED lights with PIR sensors to automatically switch off when spaces are not in use.
Moduflex is made using responsibly sourced recycled PVC-U and recyclable timber from certified/managed forests. Even the temporary foundations are made using sustainable, reusable materials that haves significantly less embodied energy compared to traditional concrete foundations.
Green’ energy hierarchy which focuses on reducing the demand for energy at source through passive measures before considering efficient systems and renewable technology. The building will run mainly on electricity and will feature roofmounted solar panels. The biophilic design approach encourages pupils and staff to engage with nature, trees will be positioned around sun boundaries to create an inviting environment and assist with cooling.
All the school accommodation, apart from a new sports hall, has been manufactured in a factory-controlled environment at McAvoy’s state of the art facilities. Over the course of six weeks McAvoy’s expert team craned 178 modules into place. Its onsite team will now carry out final ground works and fit-out in advance of official handover later in the year.
A concept house for sustainable living developed by one of the UK’s major housebuilders has been installed with reflective, insulating wall membranes from Glidevale Protect to deliver an airtight and energy efficient building envelope. Z House, built by Barratt Developments PLC, is a unique zero carbon home built on The University of Salford’s main campus and is a collaboration between the housebuilder, industry partners and University of Salford academics.
Glidevale Protect supplied its reflective wall membranes Protect TF200 Thermo and Protect VC Foil Ultra as part of the build to deliver a low emissivity solution through the use of still airspaces, with the products providing strong aged thermal resistance to reduce energy consumption and heat loss, thereby helping to achieve a low overall U-value. The membranes were installed offsite to timber frame closed panels by specialist manufacturers and designers Oregon Timber Frame Ltd before being delivered and constructed on site.
Z House is constructed using MMC to reduce build time by half and is packed with cutting edge technology to reduce carbon emissions and substantially surpass the Future Homes Standard, being the first home built by a major housebuilder to achieve this. Glidevale Protect is one of over 40 organisations involved in the project from across the housebuilding, sustainability and technology sectors, supplying a wide array of advanced low
carbon technologies including PV solar panels, battery storage and electric vehicle charging points. Continually monitored for energy performance, the Z House will be lived in by University of Salford academics to better understand the customer experience of zero carbon living.
“We’re delighted to be involved in this ground-breaking project which goes beyond current regulations to deliver a future proofed design with carbon reduction at its heart,” explained John Mellor, Glidevale Protect’s senior product manager. “With
energy efficiency and net zero carbon high on the agenda, we’re proud that our thermally efficient construction membranes have played their part in this build.”
“The Z House takes a fabric-first approach, supported by a range of smart and renewable technologies, to ensure high standards of energy efficiency in this zero carbon home,” said Oliver Novakovic, Group Technical and Innovation Director at Barratt Developments PLC. He added, “Glidevale Protect is an important partner on this project, who has provided high quality reflective membranes to enhance the wall’s thermal performance, helping to reflect radiant heat and prevent energy loss from the timber-frame home.”
For more information visit www.glidevaleprotect.com, email info@glidevaleprotect.com or call +44 (0)161 905 5700, quoting ‘Z House.’ Follow us on LinkedIn. Glidevale Protect
At the forefront of PVC-U waste recycling for more than 20 years. With our advanced closedloop recycling system, old PVC-U and off-cuts from fabrication processes are not just recycled, but turned back into brand new extruded plastic products – all at the same site. So we keep PVC-U out of landfill sites and in productive use for potentially hundreds of years.
PVC-U is a highly sustainable product, robust enough to be recycled and repurposed up to 10 times without its quality or performance deteriorating. At our recycling plants in Ilkeston and Selby, we process up to 70,000 old PVC-U window frames per week, or around 3.5 million frames per year.
Eurocell is providing sustainability options for specifiers through its market-leading PVC-U ‘closed loop’ recycling and manufacturing processes. They are reducing the amount of plastic waste window and door frames heading for landfill and enabling the creation of new sustainable PVC-U profiles.
The new Part L and the forthcoming Future Homes Standard - which is seeking a 75% reduction in CO2 in new buildings by the middle of the decade - is tasking specifiers with selecting building fabric product choices that can support a more sustainable, energy efficient, less wasteful future.
PVC-U is already playing its part in helping to meet important environmental and regulatory obligations. Set against other potential product choices such as aluminium or timber composite, PVC-U offers long-term durability and high performance, attractive aesthetics to support design visions, cost effective value and, through Eurocell’s vision and industry leading recycling processes, a truly sustainable product solution.
Eurocell has been committed to supporting the aims and ambitions of recycling for more than 20 years. Its recycling service allows the company to meet two primary objectives: it helps prevent clients having to send plastic window and door frame waste to landfill and, secondly, it enables Eurocell to recycle old plastic waste into new PVC-U extrusions.
Two waste plastic recycling plants are at the heart of the Eurocell-Recycle service and their combined effort is delivering real benefit. Using a ‘closed loop’ recycling system that deals with both post-consumer and post-industrial plastic window waste, the
plants are now responsible for processing over 40,000 tonnes of plastic window and door frame waste per year, a figure that has been steadily rising as demand for recycled product solutions has escalated.
The closed loop system is a six-stage recycling process. Old and discarded plastic windows, door frames and other plastic offcuts are collected by Eurocell’s fleet from company sites and waste management centres across the UK. On arrival, the material is sorted and separated to divide metals, white polymer, and coloured materials, as well as capturing material which is non-recyclable.
After a transformative process which creates a powder or pellet form, the
recycled plastic is used together with virgin PVC-U material by Eurocell to manufacture its extensive range of extruded plastic products.
To further substantiate the sustainability credentials of PVC-U product solutions, the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University recently reviewed an array of data sets and modelling emanating from peer-reviewed publications. This has established a life cycle assessment of the use of recycled PVC-U window frames within Eurocell’s manufacturing operations.
For example, a typical semi-detached house comprising seven windows and a pair of French doors will see an average weight of post-consumer PVC-U within the eight products plus cavity closure of 122kg. Therefore, a development constructing on average 2500 units of semi-detached houses will save around 627 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year by specifying recycled Eurocell windows and cavity closures over a competitor who is using full virgin PVC-U windows.
For more information about Eurocell’s range of PVC-U solutions and its commitment to a sustainable future, please visit: www.eurocell.co.uk/eurocell-recycle
Eurocell – Enquiry 32
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An exciting project to create a seven-story modular building featuring a series of modern New York apartments has been fitted out with the high-performing Wraptite® airtight membrane. The superior airtightness performance of Wraptite from the A. Proctor Group is an ideal solution for offsite developments, delivering huge benefits to the combination of in-factory manufacture and on-site construction.
East Broadway Residences is located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York. The building has been designed and manufactured as a volumetric offsite project by Brooklyn based architects Think! Architects to create an apartment block consisting of 63 volumetric modules. OCCA Offsite based in Istanbul, Turkey is the manufacturing contractor for the volumetric modules.
One key benefit of Wraptite concerning offsite is that it is designed to ensure that the performance of the factory fitted membrane is not compromised during transportation from factory to
site. Wraptite offers a simplified system and provides a fully self-adhered vapour permeable air barrier certified by the BBA and combines the important properties of vapour permeability and airtightness in one self-adhering membrane.
The self-adhesive membrane was applied in the factory, bonded externally to the exterior walls and roof. Ensuring the membrane was held firmly in place was critical to maintaining the quality of the system during ocean transportation and stacking at the construction site.
Applied externally on the outside of the structural frame, Wraptite simplifies the process of maintaining the
envelope’s integrity, as there are fewer building services and structural penetrations to be sealed. Window frames were installed offsite and detailed with the Wraptite self-adhesive membrane to attain a watertight window and facade system. Each of the volumetric modules was fully furnished with bathrooms and kitchens including MEP systems and as well as fire sprinkler systems. A site installed rainscreen facade from natural stone was mechanically installed on site.
The installation of Wraptite was a rapid process due to its advanced, easy to apply self-adhesive design and ensured complete water tightness during all phases of manufacturing and the final installation on-site.
The high vapour permeability of Wraptite allows the substrate beneath to dry quickly and moisture vapour to escape, and reduces the likelihood of mould, mildew, condensation, timber distortion and metal corrosion.
Intrastack, part of Saint Gobain’s OffSite Solutions division, has developed and launched its panelised steel-frame system for the UK’s building sector.
The new, panelised, light gauge steel frame solution has been designed to help contractors and housebuilders deliver multi-storey, multi-occupancy residential and commercial projects. Intrastack can provide a full, steel-frame building structure of up to 12 storeys high, delivering greater efficiency and reducing the need for extensive on-site construction works.
Intrastack’s offering provides the full loadbearing structure in light gauge steel, which has an NHBC Stage 1 certification from the Steel in Construction Institute (SCI). The steel frame is available with either LGSF cassette mid-floors and roofs or composite concrete floors and roofs. Following comprehensive fire resistance and acoustics testing, the steel frame systems will provide 120 minutes of fire performance.
The new panelised system is highly versatile and can be adapted to suit any standard or complex requirements of a build. Whether you’re working on a hotel, apartments, student or low-rise housing, Intrastack will ensure simplicity and safety, while increasing the speed of construction by up to 50 per cent in comparison to traditional methods.
Each panel is manufactured and assembled at Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solution’s 15+
acre, multi-disciplined Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) facility in the NorthWest of England.
Andy Higson, Business Director at Intrastack, said: “Following extensive market research, it was clear that clients, developers, and contractors required clarity around four key factors when considering a new system. Firstly, the solution must perform well and be tested, manufactured and assembled in a controlled factory setting.
“Secondly, accurate information on exact tolerances must be communicated; thirdly, the system must be quick to erect and integral in speeding up the wider construction programme.
Finally, costs must be accurate and clear. By working closely with our existing customers across multiple schemes, it is clear that we’ve delivered on market requirements and will continue to retain our keen focus on innovation and developing further MMC solutions.
“We work closely with our customers at the earliest stages of a project, we support concept ideation, detailed system design, installation, and ongoing interaction with associated follow-on trades.”
If you have a current or upcoming project you’d like to discuss with us, get in touch by emailing intrastack@saint-gobain.com
If you’re an installer and interested in joining our national network, please contact us to find out more. For regular updates, follow us on LinkedIn @Intrastack.
To
West Fraser’s SterlingOSB Zero is the answer
Speed and efficiency favour off-site housebuilding; off-site favours timber frame; and timber frame favours West Fraser’s SterlingOSB Zero. The result is less reliance on traditional site-based trades and a re-shaping of the housebuilding sector. Using West Fraser’s SterlingOSB Zero is just the ticket in terms of green, speed and cost when considering essential board materials. Offsite construction is one of most environmentally-conscious processes in the industry through the use of sustainablyproduced materials manufactured locally around the UK and Ireland. West Fraser’s oriented strand board, SterlingOSB Zero, is one of the most widely-used components of UK timber frame systems.
West Fraser – Enquiry 35
Architectural wall cladding specialist Spanwall is one of the sponsors of the ground-breaking Seismic demonstrator building which has launched in Watford.
Seismic, created to help drive a shift towards Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), have developed a platform-based approach for construction projects using the latest in digital and manufacturing technologies.
The pioneering technology, developed in line with the principles of the UK government’s Construction 2025 strategy, simplifies the design and construction process whilst cutting costs by up to 25%.
The ground-breaking SEISMIC demonstrator building showcases some exemplar architectural metalwork produced by Spanwall Facades who has delivered a wide range of specialist cladding solutions to projects in more than a dozen countries over the past 55 years.
Using the latest 3D design tools, Spanwall’s design team produced a set of complex geometric shaped panels for the building’s feature balcony to the front elevation, replicating the panels Spanwall created for the iconic Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast.
Feature panels with a bespoke perforated pattern to create the signature of Seismic to the side elevations were also produced, helping to demonstrate the ability of smart façade design to complement the standardised offsite system that the Seismic team have developed.
Spanwall – Enquiry 36
Glass balustrades make a sleek, stylish and minimal impression, leading them to be chosen increasingly on highprofile commercial projects. Simon Boocock, Managing Director of CRL Europe, takes a look at one example.
With high visual appeal and a host of practical advantages, glass balustrades are a popular choice for interior use. Glass offers lots of advantages in terms of thermal insulation, solar control, acoustics, fire protection, safety and security. Visually too, glass is a versatile material that can be combined easily with any décor.
It was these qualities that led to glass balustrades, fitted with the CRL MEGAgrip system, being chosen for the refurbishment of The Fire Station, a live music and performance venue in the heart of Sunderland’s city centre.
Steeped in history, the building is a familiar landmark in the local area. Successfully blending old with new, this is an impressive restoration of the 1908 Central Fire Station. Now housing a state-of-the-art auditorium and the Engine Room bar & bistro, the use of glass balustrades throughout the interior is a natural choice that brings a modern twist to this most traditional of settings.
The frameless structure of CRL MEGAgrip was preferred to enhance the aesthetics, which with its clean sightlines and minimal hardware improves the view from all angles, and particularly so as the balustrades run throughout a significant expanse of the interior.
However, public safety was very much a priority for the refurbishment’s main contractor Brims Construction, who were keen to ensure no compromises were made in terms of aesthetics either. That meant using reliable solutions for installation of the balustrades, with CRL’s MEGAgrip meeting all the requirements, installed by Dale Fabrications.
The requirement was for a fully adjustable 3kN commercial balustrade system designed as a highly-durable public safety barrier. In such a busy public venue, the strength to weight ratio was an important consideration, with extruded aluminium with a geometrically hollowed out core meeting the necessary standards for safety and security. Having worked with CRL adjustable balustrade systems on previous projects, the team at Dale Fabrications knew that it would meet their needs and fulfil the brief.
The dry-glazed system requires no specialist tools, making it easy to
remove the glass and replace it if required for maintenance purposes. On this project, it was also important to be able to align the glass within the channel from either side of the base shoe ensuring a straight line. Internal glass clamps then enable the glass to be moved forwards and backwards to achieve the perfect fit.
For more information call CRL on 01706 863600, email crl@crlaurence.co.uk, or visit www.crlaurence.co.uk
CRL – Enquiry 38
Pilkington Suncool™ 70/35
Perfect for all aspects of residential glazing, Pilkington Suncool™ 70/35 provides high light levels, superior protection from solar heat gain and thermal insulation; helping to ‘future-proof’ windows and doors to meet proposed new building regulations for overheating in new dwellings for England and Wales from 2022. It’s definitely the smart choice.
To find out more, visit www.pilkington.co.uk/suncool
An access solution was required for West London’s new destination garden centre, Hillier Garden Centre Syon Park, which is adjacent to magnificent Syon House and Gardens. The Platform Lift Company was engaged to provide and install a commercial platform lift solution to reach the mezzanine area of the retail store.
The historic site, originally a riding school, had been previously used for retail space before being taken over by Hillier Garden Centres. Plans to improve and transform the site into an inclusive destination included the provision of step free access to the upper floor.
To overcome the architectural barrier of the steps, the Platform Lift Company recommended installing a Motala 2000 commercial platform lift as the best solution to serve both floors and facilitate the travel of 2.6 m. Renowned for having the largest internal platform size with the smallest external footprint, this vertical platform lift is ideal within a retail environment where space is premium. It is also energy efficient and has a unique dual guided chain system which is virtually silent in operation and requires minimal maintenance.
The Motala 2000 comes with its own selfsupporting shaft which requires no fixings, allowing it to be positioned where required. Installation was carried out by the Platform Lift Company’s qualified engineers within a three-day period, ready for the grand opening of Hillier Garden Centre Syon Park in spring 2021.
The clean, modern appearance of the platform lift, with its white, freestanding shaft and glass door, blends flawlessly within the contemporarily designed store. Its position next to the stairs makes an obvious statement to customers that there is an alternative way of accessing the mezzanine floor, a popular area of the store where seasonal products such as summer furniture and Christmas goods are displayed.
Hillier Garden Centre Syon Park reports that the platform lift is in daily use by disabled
customers and others including the elderly and families with pushchairs. Overall, it has enhanced the visitor experience of the store which also has wheelchairs available for customer use.
For more information about the Motala 2000 commercial platform lift please visit: www.platformliftco.co.uk
Platform Lifts – Enquiry 40
The Project Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf is a tourist attraction at Bournemouth Beach.
For safety purposes, it was necessary to fit Stair Nosings onto a fire exit staircase at the site.
The installation would have to comply with all of the health and safety guidelines in British Standards 8300 Part 2 (BS83002).
The Approach Status Flooring, a specialist flooring contractor based in Poole, were employed to fix Stair Nosings on to the emergency staircase. Status Flooring got in touch with Quantum Flooring Solutions to discuss options. It was decided that Quantum’s slimline SF160R Stair Nosings with yellow EcoGlo tread material would be the best fit for the job.
EcoGlo is Quantum’s unique photoluminescent tread material for Stair Nosings. It provides 24 hour visibility,
illuminating the step edge to help reduce slips, trips and falls. The tread is recharged through exposure to both natural and artificial light, while being UV resistant to help prevent dimming of the material over time. EcoGlo is also very durable, with high slip resistance for extra safety.
Quantum’s cartridge adhesive, Q-Fix, would be used to attach the Stair Nosings to the steps. Q-Fix has excellent adhesion properties, ensuring a strong and durable waterproof bond between Quantum Stair Nosings and almost any step surface. The Outcome Status Flooring fitted Quantum’s SF160R Stair Nosings with the minimum of fuss.
The slimline profiles fit perfectly onto the metal steps, with the ramped back of the Stair Nosings helping to prevent any trips on the staircase.
The slip resistant tread also helps to keep people safe, and ensure that the installation complies with all BS8300-2 health and safety guidelines.
Quantum Stair Nosings – Enquiry 41
To make an enquiry – Go online: www.enquire2.com or post our: Free Reader Enquiry Card
Optima products, a leading manufacturer and installer of aluminium-framed glass partitioning systems, announces the publication of Environmental Product Declarations ( EPDS ) across ten of its product categories.
As building products are becoming increasingly scrutinized for their environmental impact, the move represents a major milestone in Optima’s objective to become one of the world’s most sustainable partitioning system manufacturers.
The publication of Optima’s EPDs is the culmination of a 5-year process, requiring a high-level of accurate and comprehensive information to prove the business’s sustainable credentials.
Based on factual data derived from Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), EPDs are composed in compliance with ISO 14025:2006 Environmental Labels and Declarations - Type III Environmental Declarations. Subject to rigorous external inspection and audition, 12 months of production data from Optima’s manufacturing facility in Radstock, UK was verified by an independent third party to ensure full transparency before the EPDs could be confirmed.
Significantly, as the data presented in EPDs follows a standard format, eliminating the need to interpret different kinds of Life Cycle Assessments, or data claiming to be an LCA, it simplifies the specifier’s comparison process.
Optima also holds ISO 14001 certification, reflecting an emerging industry standard around measuring the environmental impact of individual components. As criteria specifiers are increasingly curious about LCAs during the product selection process, it’s a must-have for any building product manufacturer in the age of green design.
Ultimately, Optima’s EPDs give specifiers the confidence, clarify and affirmation they are working with certified products that have undergone rigorous assessment, and meet official standards which guarantee environmental best practice.
Christian Mabey, Managing Director of Optima Products says: “Optima has always strived to be at the forefront of
the environmental agenda and to surpass specifier requirement and expectations.
“As the EPDs offer thorough data and information about the manufacturing of each of our products, architects, designers and fitout professionals alike can be confident they are making a sound decision when it comes to specifying partition systems which meet the brief’s requirements for sustainable, functional and stylish office spaces. Representing the
next step in our ongoing ESG strategy, we hope this achievement will further encourage commercial specifiers to make greener choices when it comes to product selection.”
The EPDs are now available across the Optima range of products, this including: the recently launched Optima Adaptable Wall (OAW), the Adaptable Meeting Room (AMR), single glazed/double-glazed partitions and the entire door systems range.
A plethora of products from leading UK ceilings manufacturer Zentia met a multitude of challenges at a redeveloped Welsh school.
Five square-edged mineral products from Zentia were used on the £20 million regeneration of Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg school in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, that included additional BB93 accommodation for 300 pupils.
Zentia’s Perla tiles, which feature light reflectance of 86%, were used in the corridors and circulation spaces while sister Perla dB tiles, which perform to sound absorption Class C, featured in the classrooms.
Anti-bacterial Bioguard Acoustic tiles, which also perform to sound absorption Class C, were used in the food technology classrooms, and Bioguard tiles, which are clean room classified to ISO 5, in the kitchens. Finally, Hydroboard tiles, which
are 100% humidity resistant and perform to sound absorption Class A, were used with a Prelude noncorrosive suspension grid in the changing rooms and toilets.
They were selected by Austin Smith Lord architects, who have specified Zentia many times before for school projects, as they met the aesthetic and acoustic requirements of this particular 11,000m2 steel-framed scheme.
Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg won a ‘Highly Commended’ across the Value and Sustainability categories in the 2021 Constructing Excellence Wales awards. It was also a finalist in the Digital Construction and Innovation awards. The Vale of Glamorgan were also a finalist in the ‘Client of the Year’ award category and the council’s 21st Century Schools programme
was also a finalist in the Integration and Collaborative Working and Value’ categories. The distributor was SIG Cardiff.
Komfort Partitioning’s working relationship with Oktra, one of the UK’s leading office Design and Build companies, ignites a shared passion for creativity and designing unique and memorable interiors.
Located in the heart of Clerkenwell, the new workspace is designed to be people-centric, with Komfort and Oktra working together from the initial concept.
From the outset, it was important to Komfort to realise how Oktra intended the occupants to use, move and interact throughout the space, along with the technology, acoustic, wellbeing and safety considerations.
As part of the fit-out, Oktra have showcased Komfort’s enhanced Polar partitioning range and latest door systems to help unite and accommodate different working styles and to maintain a bright and open space.
This showcase includes Komfort’s slimline Polar 54 system, Polar 100 double glazed partitioning system with impressive acoustic ratings, Komfort’s SwitchGlass technology and much more.
Each system complements the peoplecentric design brief, maximising the feeling of openness and offering leading performance. You can read more about each of these systems by downloading our brochure.
An acoustic ceiling system provided by Sto has created a quiet and calm environment for a museum in Hampshire. The StoSilent Distance system has been installed in Petersfield Museum, which has been created by the conversion and refurbishment of Victorian premises that previously housed a police station and court house.
“The StoSilent Distance system is wellsuited to this type of refurbishment project,” comments Sto’s acoustics project manager, James Gosling. “It delivers outstanding acoustic performance, but also offers tremendous flexibility as it can be used to create large seamless ceilings, sharp joints and creases, or curved ceilings and vaults. This gives architects and designers great freedom while still allowing them to accommodate the existing structures found on a refurbishment project such as this.”
The Sto system was specified for the building by Hampshire County Council Property Services, as part of a project to create a series of new, welcoming spaces at the museum. “This is just the latest in a long line of projects where our StoSilent acoustic solutions have been installed in museums,” adds James. “A room’s acoustic performance can influence our
sense of well-being, and if that performance is poor, noise from speech, movement and everyday activity can create an unpleasant environment where sounds are unclear, communication is difficult, and concentration is impossible. The need for acoustically absorptive measures is therefore clear and the StoSilent Distance system can provide both outstanding acoustic performance and the sort of unobtrusive visual presence which is essential for this type of building.”
Installed on this project by specialist applicators The Broadsword Group, the StoSilent Distance system can function as a suspended ceiling, or as a wall-covering over a cavity. It features a metal profile subconstruction fitted with acoustic panels, which are manufactured from expanded glass granulate, making them lightweight and easy to handle, and allowing them to be adjusted to suit any room shape and create
a smooth, seamless surface. Different system variants are offered to suit different types of application.
The boards were finished with StoSilent Décor M, a spray-applied acoustic plaster which can be tinted to match an extensive range of shades from the StoColor system. This solvent and plasticiser-free plaster creates a classic fine-stipple finish which is ideally suited to a museum environment. It is also Natureplus approved and easy to refurbish.
The construction work formed part of the museum’s £3.75m ‘Pathways into the Past’ expansion and refurbishment project. This has seen the museum’s buildings and exhibition spaces undergo a complete transformation, along with the creation of an exciting new outdoor courtyard space. Sto – Enquiry 43
Designing individual, on-trend bathrooms and wet rooms has never been easier. The lightweight and at the same time enormously stable wedi modules allow for the realisation of almost anything from the floor to the ceiling and practically everything else in-between. Free-standing or partially attached creative partition walls, shower solutions,
customised bathroom furniture or complete system solutions: all bespoke items are test-built in the wedi factory and marked for easy assembly. Seen here, a popular T-module utilising all 3 sides for toilet, shower and wash basin - including all technical components and reinforcements - can be built on site within just 1 hour.
A new ceiling system that gi ves you the freedom to design both aesthetically and acoustically using a felt material that intrinsically deli ver s a performance enhanced finish to any ceiling void.
Simplicity, sustainability, durability and speed of installationHeartFelt® Origami unites all these values in a single product.
For more information and inspiration, please visit our website:
www.hunterdouglas.co.uk
The way we divide office spaces has evolved. To engage, focus and inspire collaboration between employees, workplaces require quiet and private spaces to be solitary and captivating places to collaborate.
Essentially, this all comes down to acoustic control.
Komfort is excited to introduce their unique Kube+ pod and booth range to encourage a more agile and functional work environment. With Komfort’s specialist understanding of acoustics, the pioneering Kube+ range offers enhanced performance through intelligent glazing and door design, with single- and double-glazed options available.
Sound insulation and ambient noise levels influence privacy in busy open-plan environments. Komfort is launching their range with the Kube+ Solo pod system to offer escapism, a place of quiet and concentration for individuals in these spaces, achieving acoustics ratings of up to 37 dB (DnT,W).
This system focuses on adaptability, wellbeing and technology-enabled innovation to accommodate future change. Here are some of the key features of the Kube+ range:
Sometimes it can be difficult to have private conversations and remote meetings in a busy environment. The Kube+ Solo provides the perfect solution for agile working, uninterrupted tasks, meetings, phone calls and downtime such as listening to a podcast or reading a book.
What makes the Kube+ range unique is the integration of our acoustic doors and glazing, ensuring high acoustic insulation is maintained. Together with the option of single or double glazed partitioning, this system provides privacy in busy working environments. Acoustic materials and fabrics can also be specified as part of the design to enhance acoustic control.
This Kube+ range is designed for future change and adaptability as it stands directly on the office floor with no base. The entire system can be assembled and dissembled quickly and be used time and time again. The robust structure and materials make it safe and quick to install and easy to relocate.
The Kube+ range has been manufactured to allow for complete design freedom. As standard, there is a choice of 12 fabric colours available for the interior and exterior acoustic lined side panels, and special
finishes will be available upon request. The aluminium framework can also be powder coated to any RAL or BS colour to add contrast or synergy with the surrounding environment. The back panel can be glazed or solid, depending on your requirements and design.
The system is also adaptable to user mood, daylight and temperature with LED lighting and air circulation fans operated through passive infrared sensors upon entry. Power modules and USB chargers are also integrated within the Kube+ range as standard.
The Kube+ range helps designers create environments where people want to spend their time through well-considered design.
Contact the Komfort Specification team for further details – specifiersupport@komfort. co.uk | +44 (0)121 332 2550
Komfort – Enquiry 46
An acoustic ceiling system provided by Sto has created a quiet and calm environment for a museum in Hampshire. The StoSilent Distance system has been installed in Petersfield Museum, which has been created by the conversion and refurbishment of Victorian premises that previously housed a police station and court house. The boards were finished with StoSilent Décor M, a spray-applied acoustic plaster. Sto’s acoustics project manager, James Gosling, said: “The StoSilent Distance system can provide both outstanding acoustic performance and the sort of unobtrusive visual presence which is essential for this type of building.”
Sto – Enquiry 47
Optima Products (Optima), a leading manufacturer and installer of aluminiumframed glass partitioning systems, announces the publication of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) across ten of its product categories. As building products are becoming increasingly scrutinized for their environmental impact, the move represents a major milestone in Optima’s objective to become one of the world’s most sustainable partitioning system manufacturers. The publication of Optima’s EPDs is the culmination of a 5-year process, requiring a high-level of accurate and comprehensive information to prove the business’s sustainable credentials. Optima’s EPDs give specifiers the confidence, clarify and affirmation they are working with certified products.
Optima – Enquiry 48
With flexible working now established as the norm across many professions, Tradelink Window Solutions, one of the UK’s most trusted trade suppliers, is seeing a boom in demand for its glazed aluminium screens which are ideally suited to replicating the classic look of steel screens; at a fraction of the cost. The extruded aluminium, polyester powder-coated screens are manufactured to order at Tradelink’s dedicated production facility in March, Cambridgeshire, for specialist installers to fit within their clients’ homes. They are perfect for creating a home office or otherwise helping re-designate space within a property, or cutting heat loss in garden rooms.
Tradelink – Enquiry 49
with conscience.
Shackerley, the specialist in UK-manufactured non-combustible façade systems, has secured a BBA Agrément Certificate for the company’s BrickClad® mechanically fixed brick cladding system.
Launched last year to enable specifiers to select a robust A1 rated façade system that combines high-quality, kilnfired brick, with high-grade stainless steel or Magnelis-coated brick cassette profiles, the BrickClad® system has achieved BBA certification 22/5998. The new BBA certificate adds to a portfolio of BBA certified products in the Shackerley range, which includes the company’s SureClad® Ceramic Granite system (BBA Certificate 14/5130), and its SureClad® Engineered Stone system (Product Sheet 1, and BBA Certificate 14/5130, Product Sheet 2).
Brian G Newell MBE, founder and chief executive of Shackerley explains: “Providing BBA certified cladding systems is very important for us because it demonstrates that our façade systems have undergone rigorous testing to meet the standards required by building regulations and the quality architects need for a robust and hardwearing facade installation.
“Not only are we now able to offer BBA certification for our façade systems, we have also been successful in including our extra-large format SureClad® Ceramic Granite panels up to 3200 x 1600mm under BBA Certificate 14/5130, Product Sheet 1, enabling architects to specify seamless slab-to-slab spans.”
The latest cladding system to join Shackerley’s portfolio, which also includes the company’s SureClad® Natural Stone and Terracotta ranges, BrickClad® is an innovative brick façade system that has been developed in-house by Shackerley’s Queen’s Award-winning technical team. The system’s brick cassette profiles are made at Shackerley’s ISO 9001 Lancashire factories, utilising the company’s bespoke roll-forming production machinery and 0.5mm thick Magnelis-coated steel or stainless steel, which is 40% thicker than other systems, providing improved strength, performance and corrosion resistance.
The innovative BrickClad system in installed using a supporting grid of Shackerley’ SureClad® primary support brackets, which are fixed to the façade. Vertical SureClad® ‘T’ profile extrusions are then inserted into these brackets and aligned to
ensure planarity, before being secured with stainless steel fixings. Isolator tape is then applied to the face of the vertical T profiles and the BrickClad® cassette channels are fixed to the SureClad® support framework. The BrickClad® bricks are then fitted with the help of a rubber mallet to locate and engage brick sections into the cassette.
Brian continues: “The BrickClad® system is A1 Euroclass rated for fire safety and offers a contemporary, streamlined aesthetic, free
from all visible fixings. It allows specifiers to combine the timeless appeal, natural beauty and warmth of traditional bricks, with the installation benefits and robust service life of Shackerley’s innovative fixing system.
“We are delighted that BBA certification has been confirmed for BrickClad®, along with our SureClad® Ceramic Granite and Engineered Stone façade systems”.
– Enquiry 51
or post our: Free Reader Enquiry Card
The Marley Plumbing & Drainage Golf Classic has evolved. Join us for just £46 per two-ball team – play in your region, make friends and build networks on your way to the Grand Final. We do the matching so you can enjoy playing golf in this famous five round tournament. Share green fees and compete toward the September 2022 Grand Final at the fabulous Slaley Hall Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa. Finalists enjoy free championship course golf, gala prize-giving dinner and luxury overnight stay. Simply visit www.thegolfclassic.co.uk email info@thegolfclassic.co.uk or call 01892 752300 now to enter. Entrance closes at the end of March 2022 with the 1st round in April.
People are becoming more aware of the global climate emergency and questioning the role of the built environment in challenging this issue, particularly in terms of renovation and converting redundant buildings.
While policymakers have long focused on reducing emissions from operating buildings, this is just a part of the story. There is a growing realisation that converting or renovating older buildings can be better for the environment than creating something new. The cost to the environment of demolition and rebuild is greater than renovation as there is embodied carbon within the structures of buildings. In light of climate change, is it time to consider extending the useful life of our existing stock of buildings rather than replacing them?
Eurobrick products and systems have been used on many renovation and conversion projects over the last 30 years helping to bring redundant buildings back to life. With flexible brick slip systems to suit any project, they can provide solutions that not only transform the appearance but also offer excellent energy saving benefits as
well as creating a healthier environment for occupants’ wellbeing.
Extruded brick slips typically use only 30-40% of the energy used to produce standard full sized bricks. They are also considerably lighter which helps to save on transportation, foundations and other structural elements. If you add to this that the insulation panels in Eurobrick’s X-Clad system can achieve significant improvements to U-Values, it shows that Eurobrick offer excellent solutions for sustainable renovation projects.
Renovation projects reimagine the old to breathe new life into communities. Whether converting or refurbishing an existing
building, there is often a way to make better use of what is already available to us. And if that helps with climate change too, surely it should be the way forward?
For more information on Eurobrick systems and products, please call 0117 971 7117 or email info@eurobrick.co.uk.
Eurobrick – Enquiry 53
Imperial Bricks’ Weathered Original Scotch Common and Original Giscol Common bricks are ideal, sustainable alternatives to reclaimed bricks for RMI and new build. Both bricks were originally used in industrial towns in Scotland and the North of England.
The Original Giscol Common is a rough-cast, wirecut brick with a ‘burnt’ appearance that features coal spotting, natural banding and colour variation - characteristics of the traditional manufacturing methods. This process has been faithfully recreated to achieve an authentic reproduction of the original bricks, historically made by the Glasgow Iron and Steel Company.
Imperial’s Weathered Original Scotch Common is slighter smoother and has less coal spotting, but still has plenty of character. It features a unique ‘dual-faced’
design, where each brick has one tonally weathered face and header, and the reverse side is left plain. This allows for the creation of custom blends on site – all plain, all weathered or a custom blend of the two.
Both bricks are available in a solid 73mm imperial size, with the Original Giscol Common also available in metric.
“These bricks fill a gap in the market that’s existed for many years,” explains Gary Dawber, Imperial’s Area Sales Manager for the North. “Homeowners, builders and developers in the North of England have had
limited options for refurbishing, extending or building new properties in keeping with the local architecture, as the historic factory ceased production a long time ago and suitable reclaims are scarce. We can offer a ready and sustainable supply of Scotch and Giscol bricks - a real opportunity for merchants and developers.”
View Imperial’s branded range of bricks at www.imperialbricks.co.uk, or for further information email sales@imperialbricks.co.uk.
Imperial Bricks – Enquiry 54
Street tree planting and retention of existing trees in developments, with provision for long-term maintenance, are now embedded in planning policy. Concrete block permeable paving offers an important opportunity to help satisfy these requirements, as Interpave explains.
The 2021 ‘National Planning Policy Framework’ (NPPF) for England states that: ‘Planning policies and decisions should ensure that new streets are tree-lined and that opportunities are taken to incorporate trees elsewhere in developments’. But measures need to be put in place to allow trees to mature, generally for decades, enabling them to actually deliver their real potential –including net carbon storage, urban cooling through shading and evapotranspiration, biodiversity and public wellbeing. So, the NPPF also requires that: ‘appropriate measures are in place to secure the long-term maintenance of newly-planted trees, and that existing trees are retained wherever possible’.
Local planning authorities now need to incorporate long-term tree maintenance measures in their planning consents and
a straightforward spatial solution, such as permeable paving, offers a multifunctional solution. Urban trees and paving have traditionally been seen as in conflict. But this is not the case with concrete block permeable paving (CBPP), a key sustainable drainage (SuDS) technique to reduce flood risk and make cities more liveable. CBPP offers unique opportunities to collect, attenuate and treat rainwater runoff, removing pollutants for a gradual supply of clean water irrigating green infrastructure.
Irrigation
Unlike conventional impermeable hard landscape materials, CBPP allows the same pattern of run-off transfer to the ground as natural vegetation, allowing water to reach tree and shrub roots, despite providing an attractive hard surface above. In addition to irrigation directly from rain, with CBPP there is scope for water storage and rainwater capture away from trees and their canopies for gradual conveyance laterally to them –optimising summer rainfall.
In addition, CBPP enables air to reach roots and poisonous CO2 to escape from them. The favourable environment created for tree roots avoids pavement surface disruption from upward root growth and facilitates natural growth into lower levels for stability in high winds and longevity. CBPP can be used alongside trees within new developments or regeneration schemes with new tree planting, and also for ‘rescuing’ stressed mature trees. It can be used in conjunction with raingardens, bioretention areas, tree-pits or proprietary
systems (while avoiding the need for air pipes, reservoirs or other devices).
Another important innovation – particularly for regeneration – is the retrofitting of CBPP as an overlay to existing, conventional road bases or other hard surfaces. These thin, low-intervention overlays create attractive, safe and sustainable shared-surfaces. They can be particularly effective when used to supply a gradual flow of clean water horizontally into raingardens with trees and other green infrastructure, via simple slot inlet/outlets, to store water for irrigation and biodiversity, as well as SuDS.
This approach is exemplified in Bridget Joyce Square, London, where a typical, adopted asphalt street and adjacent parking areas were transformed for community use with CBPP overlay shared surfaces and tree-planted raingarden basins. The basins provide water storage for SuDS to reduce overloading existing drains as well as for irrigation. Interpave revisited the project in August 2021, around 5 years after completion, and noted that trees and other green infrastructure were healthy, substantial and particularly wellestablished.
www.paving.org.uk
Interpave – Enquiry 55
For architects looking for an extension of the green envelope, turning the car parking areas of any building development, commercial or housing development, into a sustainable green car park provides the perfect combination of green vista with proven SuDS performance.
Yorkshire based Grass Concrete Ltd has been installing sustainable environmental solutions for more than fifty years. Grasscrete, a permeable grass paving system is frequently used for flood alleviation, SuDS ponds and grass covered carparking.
The permeability features of Grasscrete grass paving directly address SuDS issues. Hard landscaped areas can often provide high volumes of rain run-off into the sewer network especially during heavy flash floods. A more permeable grass paving mitigates surface water run-off and its implications for the local storm water network.
With the notion that Grasscrete can permeate at up to 90% the rate of natural grass a safe source control can be achieved. The ability to also store water within the system ensures a low risk of ponding, until the ground can naturally re-charge is a significant plus. Lag time is beneficial in the prevention of flooding and can be extended by introducing an underlying drainage blanket across the full extent of the paved area. The drainage blanket can be used to either attenuate permeation to the water table in areas of otherwise poorly draining ground or it can be a vehicle for rainwater harvesting. Grass Concrete offers two types of system, Grasscrete and Grassblock. Larger projects
favour cast-on site concrete pour to produce Grasscrete. Smaller installations often consider Grassblock, easy to install precast blocks. Both systems are ready to be infilled with top-soil and appropriate grass seeds to suit the environment.
In 2015, when Britain’s top Rugby Union team Saracens FC called for a new car park to be constructed it came with a need to fully complete within the 3-month period between seasons. Leaving just 6 weeks for the Grasscrete installation. The project came with several additional requirements; the need to incorporate an aisle of EV charging points and to provide for heavy plant and vehicle access to Phase 2 to be constructed at a later date.
With the majority of the area designated for car parking the 76mm thick Grasscrete GC3 was selected for traffic up to 4.3 tonnes. Here spectator movement was aided by walkways defined by gravel infill in lieu of topsoil and grass.
Access to the future phase 2 area was achieved by a link road within the car park that was upgraded to the 150mm GC2 system, which enabled 40 tonne vehicle loads.
This Phase 2 began in 2019 with the construction of a new Outside Broadcast hardstanding area again using the
heavyweight GC2 system, followed by a further 2 phases of installation to extend the GC3 parking areas from the original phase.
Now fully operational these large areas of Grasscrete, provide the ideal combination of engineering performance together within a naturally grassed landscape.
F.H. Brundle’s well-regarded range of Rinato fencing has passed stringent acoustic testing.
Arobust, versatile and cost-effective alternative to timber, Rinato is now accredited to BS EN1793-1 standard.
To pass BS EN1793-1, a product is subjected to rigorous testing designed to measure how much sound it’s able to absorb, and whether it’s suited to reducing traffic noise in busy roadside settings. This gives Rinato another strong USP that makes it an excellent choice for residential, commercial, transport, education and industrial contexts.
Paul Smith, F.H. Brundle’s Head of Marketing, comments: “Noise pollution has come under the spotlight more than ever in recent years.
“Far from being just a nuisance, it’s increasingly being linked to an array of medical concerns, with the World Health Organisation warning that 1 in 5 Europeans are regularly exposed to sound levels
at night that could significantly damage health.
“We’re delighted that our exceptional range of Rinato fencing has been demonstrated to offer great acoustic performance, and are confident it will go on to deliver privacy, security and sound reduction in thousands more projects and developments around the country.”
Durable, stylish and weatherproof Rinato polymer fencing and gate infill boards come in three authentic finishes, golden oak, anthracite and rustic oak, and all feature a decorative wood-effect laminate wrap. The embossed range is more cost-effective, but still provides a realistic heat-embossed woodgrain finish with a choice of four colours – black, grey, brown and green. Rinato WPC fencing boards are made of 60% FSC-certified recycled wood and 40% plastics, meaning they’re more sustainable than many alternatives
They’re virtually maintenance free – without the need for the time-consuming regular painting most timber products require.
Available in four colours, birch, chestnut, ebony and twilight grey, the boards come in standard fence heights of 1.8m with 1.8m post centres, and a choice of concrete-in or bolt-down posts.
To learn more, call 01708 398048 or visit www.fhbrundle.co.uk.
F.H.Brundle – Enquiry 59
Delivered on behalf of Denso UK, Fitzgerald Contractors transformed the Hortonwood Roundabout to help celebrate Telford’s 50th anniversary in 2018.
Using EverEdge steel edging to create and define the shapes and borders on the roundabout, Fitzgerald have done a great job of building a lasting legacy which has been designed to recognise the importance of Telford since building of the town first commenced in the 1960’s.
The roundabout is sponsored by Denso UK
and coincided with the company completing a new skills and training centre in Telford, highlighting their commitment to the area.
The roundabout looks fantastic and is a wonderful example of the versatility of EverEdge steel landscape edging.
The edging has been used to create a border on grass, resin bonded surfaces and gravel and will offer a maintenance free edge for years to come.
Everedge – Enquiry 61
Exclusively available from Parkside Architectural Tiles and Strata Technical Tiles, Vista20 is a versatile tiling solution for the growing adoption of outdoor spaces. Outdoor areas are increasingly being considered holistically within the design of commercial spaces. Vista20, a specially developed outdoor tile range, is just one of the solutions offered as a response to this approach by Parkside and Strata Tiles. A 20mm thick outdoor, frost-resistant porcelain floor tile with 36+ PTV slipresistance, Vista20 consists of stone, wood, marble, concrete and terrazzo effects – some matched by an indoor 10mm specification for a floor finish that flows from indoors to outdoors.
Parkside Architectural Tiles – Enquiry 60
Now available with a 120° or 3 section walkway – the first security rated LPCB Turnstile on the market with a larger rotor configuration, giving users more room to pass through the turnstile.
The Platinum Turnstile successfully resisted an intensive attack test programme to LPCB’s LPS 1175: Issue 8 to Security Rating B3; toolkit B for 3 minutes. This involved a series of attack tests each lasting at least 3 minutes using a wide array of hand tools and battery powered tools.
How does the LPCB test the product? Check out this video here: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=-1sdI6rYKN0
The Platinum Turnstiles join Frontier Pitts other Security Rated Turnstile the Terra Diamond Turnstile which is LPS1175 to security ratings 3 & 4, and approved for Government use, please contact CPNI.
A Secured by Design Pedestrian Control Turnstile.
For further information please visit our website https://www.frontierpitts.com/ products/turnstiles/lps-1175-platinumturnstile-b3/
The Platinum Turnstile is also a finalist in the Datacentre DCS Awards 2022 in the category of Safety & Security Innovation of the Year. Vote for us now! https:// dcsawards.com/vote
Sustainable
To learn more, talk to the experts.
Grass Concrete Limited info@grasscrete.com Tel: +44(0)1924 379443
@grasscreteworld
Ceramics PJSC has announced the signing of a Share Purchase Agreement for the 100% acquisition of KLUDI Group (including 49% of KLUDI RAK Joint Venture), at a total valuation of EUR 39 million.
KLUDI Group is an established leading German-based company engaged in manufacturing high-quality kitchen and bathroom faucets and showering systems.
In 2007, RAK Ceramics entered into a joint venture with KLUDI Group, to establish the brand “KLUDI RAK”, for the production and sale of fittings in the Middle East.
Over the years, this partnership has grown and proved to be successful and profitable, recording impressive growth and sustainable margins solidifying as such the company’s foundation to endure recent challenging market conditions.
The strategic acquisition of KLUDI Group represents an opportunity for RAK Ceramics to strengthen its growing existing core businesses across German and European markets; the brand is also anticipated to complete RAK Ceramics suite of products
Knightsbridge, one of the UK’s leading brands of wiring devices, accessories and lighting, has enhanced its best-selling range of screwless sockets and switches with the introduction of two new finishes: smoked bronze and anthracite. Smoked bronze is an excellent alternative for customers looking for a subtle, cool finish that chimes with the trend for more natural, earthier tones. Anthracite has grown enormously in popularity as a go-to colour for home décor including doors and windows, offering an understated yet high quality feel. Both finishes are available across a comprehensive range of products including grid accessories and a modular faceplate.
Knightsbridge – Enquiry 65
and grow its offering to include taps and faucets, strengthening as such KLUDI brand exposure in RAK Ceramics core markets.
The transaction is expected to realise operational manufacturing synergies, leveraging both companies’ plants presence across Europe, the UAE and Asia.
Abdallah Massaad, Group CEO, RAK Ceramics said: “It provides RAK Ceramics with the opportunity to spearhead our expansion into European markets and
Viega opens new London exhibition space
enhances our positioning in projects across the sanitaryware and faucets business.
“This will also provide an opportunity for KLUDI Group to leverage on RAK Ceramics network to push further faucets value.”
RAK Ceramics – Enquiry 64
Viega has opened the doors to its ‘LONDON’ space in the Building Centre, providing a central location for showcasing products and interacting directly with visitors. In the heart of the capital, architects, designers, engineers and installers alike, can now view the company’s innovative portfolio offering of Profipress, Megapress, Viega Smartpress, Sanpress Inox, flush plates and Prevista, Viega’s latest generation of water compliant cisterns; providing visitors with a much more tactile understanding of what they are capable of. The space can also accommodate live demonstrations and video content of the Viega products in action, as well as hosting customer events.
Viega – Enquiry 66
To make the specification process easier and more efficient, Forbo Flooring Systems has joined NBS Source, with the flooring manufacturer’s large portfolio of solutions now available to be viewed digitally through the website.Fast becoming the information platform for the global construction industry, NBS Source provides a cloud-based specification system that enables architects, designers and contractors to work smarter and to make more informed choices. An invaluable resource, NBS Source’s innovative search function will facilitate a far more accessible product selection process for Forbo customers, with detailed product information helping to ensure the best flooring solution is selected for the respective project.
Forbo Flooring Systems – Enquiry 67
Award-winning housebuilder
self-builders is close to completing a development
of
OMNIE provided full drawings and specifications for each plot, indicating the layout of their Staple and TorFloor UFH arrays across the ground and first floor to each dwelling.
Dale Jones of MJ Plumbing & Heating added: “The TorFloor in particular, combining a floor and heating system in one structural panel, is a fantastic system and really quite straightforward to install. The carpenters have fixed thepanels across both engineered and conventional timber joists for ourselves to lay the pipes and connect back to the manifolds which range from six to 12 port..”
As a fully proven and very versatile, panel based underfloor heating system, OMNIE’s TorFloor presents building services consultants and contractors with an unrivalled combination of performance
benefits. Crucially the TorFloor panels combine the ability to span upper storey joists or battens fitted across a ground level slab, to provide high efficiency underfloor heating and a structural deck in one product. Thus saving both time and money on installation, while avoiding the need for separate particleboard or other flooring.
The multi-directional design includes integral aluminium diffusers, to help create an even distribution of warmth to the occupied spaces, while an additional
6mm thick plywood covering layer has to be bonded to the TorFloor panel, to complete a structural deck and accept floor finishes.
OMNIE – Enquiry 68
Delta advises on BS 8102:2022 update Domus Ventilation exhibits at Specifi events
A new state-of-the-art business incubation building has been completed with the use of an integrated package of Sto thermal insulation and external render and paint products. The company’s StoTherm Vario and StoTherm Classic insulation systems were specified for the new Innovation Studio at the Arts University Bournemouth, along with StoSilco exterior render and StoColor Dryonic façade paint. Although an alternative insulation system was originally considered, it was decided that Sto solutions could provide the same thermal performance, but also deliver cost benefits. StoTherm Classic K insulation was also specified for certain parts of the building.
With much anticipation, BSI launch BS8102:2022 Protection of below ground structures against water ingress. Delta Membranes states that BS8102:2009 is without doubt, a great Standard which has been enhanced with the launch of BS8102:2022. In an ever-changing industry where reduced risk and higher quality is required, you need a waterproofing design partner that is proactive and dedicated to help you keep up with new technologies and solutions to ensure your projects thrive. Whatever the needs of your business, the #DeltaTeam will provide the right advice, support, and practical help at exactly the right time to keep you ahead of the competition.
Delta Membranes – Enquiry 70
This year, Domus Ventilation is pleased to announce it is exhibiting at even more Specifi Mechanical Services events than ever before. Three shows - in Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham - have already been held and a further five are booked for the remaining year, in London, Edinburgh, Dublin and Leeds. Aimed at the full gamut of specifiers in the construction sector, the Specifi events provide a more relaxed, informal alternative to major exhibitions. For more information on the location and times of Specifi events, plus to register for free attendance, go to www.specifi.co.uk.
Domus Ventilation – Enquiry 71
a built-in acoustic layer.
Named TIERacoustix™, the floor board is manufactured in the UK, has UKCA approval and received CE certification in late January 2022.
TIERacoustix™ consists of a thick UV oiled oak wear layer suitable for commercial use, a Regupol® Eco 18db reduction layer and a laminated birch core. A variant, TIERacoustix™ Magnetic, also incorporates Tier Global’s patented magnetic backing for dry lay projects where access to raised access floor voids is required.
In addition to the good acoustic dampening qualities of the new product, the tongue and groove version reduces installation time by up to 50 per cent and the magnetic version cuts installation time by up to 75 per cent.
TIERacoustix™ is produced at Tier Global’s production line in the UK. CMS Danskin Acoustics supplies the acoustic Regupol®
The switch from traditional tiling to installing Fibo waterproof wall panels in their bathrooms has allowed Places for People, one of the UK’s largest property management companies, to improve its installation rate by up to 133%.
Manufactured in an ISO 14001 quality assured environment, Fibo wall panels have a decorative, high pressure laminate surface, bonded to a specially developed high quality 9mm seven-layer WBP Plywood core with a balancer laminate on the reverse. They come with a manufacturer’s 25 year product warranty and are certified antibacterial. The plywood core material is all either PEFC or FSC certified.
Fibo – Enquiry 73
layer, which is laminated into the middle of the board. A sustainable product, Regupol® is manufactured from recycled aircraft tyres.
Tier Global director Dale Nunn explains, “Installing TIERacoustix™ and TIERacoustix™ Magnetic is considerably swifter, because both involve just two components, that means fewer site visits and deliveries and easier unloading. Without compromising quality, the incorporation of the Regupol® layer has resulted in a major reduction in critical path on site.”
Both TIERacoustix™ and TIERacoustix™ Magnetic have undergone rigourous testing and Chris Fitzpatrick, head of product development at CMS Danskin Acoustics, says TIERacoustix™ is a major advance: “This is
Altro brings vibrant designs to life
an innovative product that is already generating considerable interest from architects, specifiers and building contractors attracted by its noise reduction properties, the speed with which it can be installed and the magnetic option for use on raised access floors.”
CMS Danskin Acoustics – Enquiry 72
Altro Ensemble modular flooring system has been paired with Altro Whiterock Digiclad (Custom) wall panels to deliver the ‘wow’ factor front of house at the El Mexicana restaurant in Chelmsford.
Harriet Lazzeri of Lazzeri Creative Interiors was looking to update the styling while also incorporating the new Don Churro desserts brand.
She turned to Altro’s designer ranges to help bring her creative ideas to reality: “As part of the development of adding Don Churro into the existing El Mexicana brand we were looking to have a quirky and colourful backdrop to the servery counter – something that offered brand identity and was easily customisable from site to site but that also offered a practical and hygienic solution.
“Altro Whiterock Digiclad fitted the bill perfectly, giving us our rustic whitewashed brick effect finish, synonymous with traditional Mexican cantinas, but with the added element of colourful and site-specific graphics.”
Great for areas where looks count, for feature walls, entire spaces, and to aid with way-finding, Altro Whiterock Digiclad™ (Custom) wall panels give total creative freedom with the quality and performance you expect from Altro walls.
Altro Ensemble™ is a modular flooring system of luxury vinyl tiles that gives complete design freedom to create stunning floors for interior spaces.
Altro
The historic Bath Abbey has undergone extensive repair and conservation work, with FCBStudios designed a new timberlined choir practice room where up to 60 singers can rehearse. The oak-panelled room features Junckers solid 20.5mm Oak Harmony plank flooring. With an expected lifespan of well over 60 years, the floor forms part of the design to future-proof the Abbey. Naturally low in carbon, a Junckers solid hardwood floor comes sustainability credentials including EPDs, FSC®, PEFC™ and Indoor Climate certification as well as an A+ rating in the BRE Green Guide.
Junckers – Enquiry 76
The long-running &-collection, perfectly coordinated carpet tiles from modulyss, has been expanded with Cambridge& and Perpetual&. With the introduction of Cambridge& and Perpetual&, modulyss brings even more possibilities to the &-collection. Through the perfect harmony of colour and texture, the rich, cut pile texture of Cambridge& brings a luxurious and comfortable look to commercial interiors, presented in a range of colours that coordinate perfectly with the rest of the collection. The elegant, loop pile structure of Perpetual& is a classic style that never dates, making it easy to combine the look into any &-collection for instant sophistication.
modulyss – Enquiry 75
UNILIN Panels has launched its 2022-2026 decorative range, giving architects, designers and interior fabricators a choice of more than 200 decorative finishes available across a range of high-quality panels. With 222 designs, including 67 brand-new looks, the UNILIN Panels 20222026 decorative range offers an extraordinary collection of surface finishes that can be used to bring big ideas to commercial interiors. No matter whether the originality and authenticity of Master Oak or metallic, marble, stone, concrete, textile and solid colour effects; the 2022-2026 decorative range always delivers a flawless finish that’s durable and easy to maintain.
Combining the comfort benefits of natural cork with the classic looks of wood and stone, Vita Classic by Granorte has been updated to include new looks. Capturing the unique textures of natural wood and stone, Vita Classic uses state-of-the-art digital technology to print directly onto a layer of high-density cork, bringing the look of more conventional natural finishes but with the comfort, sustainability and performance of cork. Granorte has updated Vita Classic with five new wood looks and a brand-new concrete design in five colours, bringing the collection up to an impressive 46 unique designs.
Granorte – Enquiry 78
comfortBackeco is the new sustainable carpet tile backing from modulyss®, now available on the Belgian manufacturer’s high-quality carpet tile collections. Combining shock and noise absorbing benefits with a sustainable and circular construction, comfortBackeco is the modulyss carpet tile backing that gives best of both worlds. Consisting of 62% recycled material, 100% PVC and bitumen free and with the ability to be disassembled and recycled back into itself, comfortBackeco is a carpet tile backing that’s better for the planet and better for people. Thanks to a 90% recycled polyester felt, it soaks up noise and absorbs footfall for a floor finish that adds an extra layer of comfort.
modulyss – Enquiry 79
IVC Commercial Carpet Tiles, Luxury Vinyl Tiles and Heterogeneous Vinyl floors have been utilised in the new offices of Plastribution, supporting brand identity and keeping it practical. Across 1,000m2 of space, a range of flooring solutions from IVC Commercial have been used. In the main desking areas, Art Style and Art Fields carpet planks have been installed in a range of colours that reflect Plastribution’s colourful and vibrant brand identity. The circle theme is continued with Optimise 70 acoustic sheet vinyl and Moduleo 55 Ceppo LVT installed in thoroughfares, kitchen, breakout and collaboration areas for an easy to maintain, durable floor finish.
IVC Commercial – Enquiry 80
A more sustainable way to better comfort
A new building in the grounds of historic Trinity College, Oxford, illustrates how 21st Century environmental performance can be married seamlessly with traditional aesthetic requirements.
Crittall’ s T60 thermally broken steel windows make a major contribution to the Levine Building’s sustainability credentials.
The new buildings have been designed by ADAM Architecture in what is described as a restrained classical manner to augment the distinctive character of the surrounding conservation area that includes listed structures.
It is the first major building project to have taken place at Trinity College for more than 50 years.
A theatre seating 200 people, study bedrooms for students, teaching rooms, kitchens and ancillary space have been created in the new three-storey building whose stone-faced elevations have been finished in honey coloured ashlar limestone to complement its heritage setting. The building also features a pitched, slate covered roof.
GEZE UK has updated its Product Guide and Price List to help architects, architectural ironmongers and specifiers choose the most effective product for their needs.
The detailed, illustrated technical guide provides specifiers with essential information about GEZE’s extensive range of door closers, window control systems, sliding door fittings, glass door fittings, and smoke and heat extraction systems.
Created to be completely user-friendly, the guide is divided into five easy to use sections so that the comprehensive range of products can be found quickly and efficiently, whilst also providing users with a handy reference guide to the applications of all GEZE products.
It includes technical drawings, application descriptions and finishes as well as glass preparation information and technical information on a wide variety of solutions for toughened glass.
The Product Guide is available electronically or as hard copy. To order a copy call 01543 443015 or email info.uk@geze.com.
Andy Howland, Sales and Marketing Director of GEZE UK, said: “The industry is constantly changing, new guidelines and legislation are introduced regularly and GEZE continually innovates to ensure that our products remain at the forefront of technological innovations.”
GEZE UK – Enquiry 82
The T60 windows are set within stone surrounds and finished in an attractive bronze coloured Duralife polyester powder coating. Many are fitted with trickle ventilation.
Triple glass is installed in the windows of the theatre auditorium for improved sound attenuation. T60 features an advanced high-density polyurethane isolator as a thermal barrier that together with double or triple glazing surpasses the requirements of current regulations.
The cold formed steel profiles nevertheless retain Crittall’ s hallmark slender sightlines that ensure maximum light ingress. The Levine Building project also features cold form doors and internal fire screens on ground and first floors.
www.crittall-windows.co.uk
Crittall Windows – Enquiry 81
Garador’s GaraGlide roller door continues to grow in popularity as it is quick to install, easy to transport to site and precision engineered for durability. An affordable price point has also made it a popular product amongst builders and homeowners alike. The speed and ease with which the GaraGlide can be installed is a significant advantage. The door itself has a pre-assembled box cover and barrel and requires as little as 12 fixings all round. The door curtain rolls up into a neat box at the top of the opening and is operated by two remote hand transmitters. It is is available in sizes up to 5000mm wide and in a range of 20 colours. Find out more by visiting www.garador.co.uk or call 01935 443722.
Garador – Enquiry 83
FIREX International 2022 sponsor Nullifire will be demonstrating how its best in class intumescent and fire stopping solutions, backed-up with exceptional technical support and guidance, offer complete assurance in passive fire protection.
From its stand number FI1222 at the Excel event, the Nullifire team will be operating two product demonstration areas and explaining more about the unique traceability technologies Optifire and Optifire+.
Some of the brand’s bestsellers will also be promoted, and visitors to the stand will be able to find out more about Nullifire’s new ‘It’s All About’ campaign.
Manufactured within the UK, Nullifire’s products have a time proven and trusted track record of performance and compliance, with the range tested extensively by third body associations and fully certified for a range of fire protection needs.
Nullifire’s Sales Director, Gary Pullinger,said: “We are really looking forward to FIREX International. It is going to be a great opportunity to see existing and potentially new clients face to face.
“Visitors to our stand will be assured of a warm welcome and the chance to catch-up. During Covid we’ve made a significant multimillion pound investment in our company, in areas including new technologies and innovations, staff, facilities and our service too. As a result, we’ll have lots to talk about at the event.”
Nullifire will also be promoting some of its best-sellers, including FS719 HP Blue for CPVC, a unique sealant developed specifically for CPVC materials, and FS709 Intumescent Sealant, a high expansion/ pressure exerting graphite intumescent sealant.
Nullifire – Enquiry 84
Hospital specifies TITAN LITE 120:60 from FIREFLY
An 18-month contract being carried out by a leading UK fire contractor has involved installing large quantities of the TITAN Lite™ 120:60, manufactured by TBA FIREFLY™, to create fire barriers above ceiling voids throughout many parts of the hospital.
The hospital has 660 beds and provides medical and surgical care to a third of a million people with the building dating back to before the beginning of World War II.
Owners of a luxury Surrey residential property are already seeing the vast benefits of installing the new LINEO QUIET ES extractor fan in their en-suite. Ventilation specialists Better Indoors were approached by the homeowners to help overcome an issue they had with excessive heat retention on the second floor of their home. Better Indoors specified and installed the innovative LINEO QUIET ES in line fan. The unit which is equipped with electronically controlled EC motors offers an acoustic lining making it extremely quiet to run, but also offers high performance rates therefore reducing mould and damp.
Following early appraisals of the fire protection requirements within the ageing property and taking into account the large quantities of different mechanical services to be accommodated into the upgrades, the hospital’s estates department decided to raise the specification for the work from
30 minutes integrity rating to a full two hours.
FIREFLY™ TITAN Lite™ 120:60 has been developed as a flexible fire barrier to provide compartmentation of larger concealed spaces within different types of buildings including factories, warehouses and railway stations.
By offering 120 minutes integrity and 60 minutes insulation, TITAN Lite™ 120:60 exceeds the minimum requirements relating to Fire Barriers as detailed in the UK Building Regulations: Approved Document B (Fire Safety). Firefly is manufactured using specially treated woven glass fibre fabrics.
TBA FIREFLY – Enquiry 86
For
