Building and Facilities News Issue 978

Editor Recommends

Construction firm goes Elite

A North East construction firm has achieved a top industry health and safety accreditation.

Teesside-based WOODSmith Construction Group, which forms part of The SDDE Smith Group, has been awarded the highest level of CHAS accreditation, Elite, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining excellent standards.

CHAS (The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) is one of the most recognised safety schemes in the construction industry and allows businesses to show their compliance and commitment to health and safety.

Elite accreditation is the highest and most comprehensive level of the scheme, with a lengthy application process. To achieve accreditation, the firm had to report its practices in all elements of the business, from policies and finance to the likes of mental health, before these were signed off by CHAS.

WOODSmith Construction Group was launched in 2021 and is already proving itself to be a key player in the industry, winning contracts with major-name firms such as British Steel within its first year of operating.

The firm is now working to achieve other industry accreditations to strengthen its offering, including RISQS and ISO.

For more information about WOODSmith Construction Group, please visit: www.woodsmithgroup.com

Don’t Panic: Strand Hardware makes emergency hardware specification simple

Allied Telesis Smart Building connectivity solutions

At The Smart Buildings Show, Allied Telesis showcased its portfolio of IoT and SDN-enabled products and solutions, discussing with visitors how converged IP network architecture, intelligent monitoring, network automation, and data-driven insights from OT, IT and IoT sources reduce network cost and complexity, and minimise environmental impact. Its customised, state-of-the-art IoT solutions at the edge empower innovation, improving process agility and helping build a competitive advantage for smart building customers globally.

“When all a building’s systems work together on one reliable, secure, and scalable IP network, it’s possible to experience new levels of efficiency and productivity,” said Chris Dyke, Sales Director

UK & Ireland at Allied Telesis. “Our Smart Building solutions are efficient, agile, and secure. Combined with our intelligent monitoring and network automation tools, you spend less and get more.”

The company is committed to providing its customers with solutions designed and built to the highest standards and quality. Allied Telesis manufacturing conforms to ISO 9001 standards and all its facilities adhere to the strict ISO 14001 standard to ensure a healthier planet.

Chris Dyke, Sales Director, UK & IRE Allied Telesis: chris_dyke@alliedtelesis.com https://www.alliedtelesis.com/gb/en https://www.onnecgroup.com

Jangro marks milestone in Sorrento

Jangro, the largest network of independent janitorial and cleaning distributors in the UK and Ireland, officially marked its fortieth birthday in September, after the outbreak of COVID-19 halted celebrations in 2020.

Celebrating this huge achievement in style, Jangro hosted 160 members and suppliers in the beautiful resort of Sorrento, Italy for a very special annual conference and lots of fun!

Experiences included excursions to Pompeii and Capri, as well as a spectacular celebratory dinner to mark the momentous occasion.

During the conference, founder and honorary lifetime president, Bryan Squires, was presented with a lifetime achievement award. Squires founded the Jangro concept in 1980, by drawing together five like-minded independent distributors. Today, Jangro is the largest network of independent janitorial distributors in the UK and Ireland, with 46 strategically located distributors that provide national coverage with a local, fast and reliable delivery service.

The five-day trip provided the perfect opportunity for Jangro to show their appreciation to all the suppliers and members with whom they have established relationships. As well as celebrating the network’s 40 years of success in the cleaning and FM industry, the group discussed the future of Jangro and how they can continue

to be a market leader providing quality products, innovation and unrivalled service.

A raffle was also held during the week away, in which £5,043.48 was raised for The Trussell Trust, the charity that Jangro is supporting this year. This worthy charity supports a nationwide network of food banks to provide emergency food and care to people locked in poverty.

Jangro’s mission is to provide its customers with national coverage and a local, professional service, supply quality products, always lead on innovation, added value and environmental sustainability, whilst maintaining competitive pricing throughout.

For more information, please visit: www.jangro.net or call: 01204 795955.

Strand Hardware is taking the panic out of buying emergency exit solutions by outlining key considerations for specification. It urges customers to put ‘safety first’ – prioritising functionality, quality, and performance at the head of decision-making.

CE marked products for fire and escape doors are necessary for architects and specifiers and best practice determines that products comply with Construction Product Regulations.

Strand Hardware’s Antipanic Emergency Exit and Panic range meet these requirements. In an emergency or panic situation, they release exit doors by means of a push bar, touch bar or a push pad on outward opening single or double doors.

For day-to-day use, doors can be opened from the outside with an outside access device.

“When an emergency door can be locked or opened from the outside, it should still be freely released from inside – maintaining security without compromising its basic panic function,” said Strand Hardware Managing Director, Steve Marshall.

For more information on Strand Hardware's emergency exit and panic hardware range, please visit: www.strandhardware.co.uk email: info@strandhardware.co.uk or call: 01922 639111.

CumulusPowerTM

Quality Stock and Bespoke Hinges since 1790

Gold & Wassall are the UK’s No.1 manufacturer of hinges, who provide a fully comprehensive manufacturing service, which enables it to offer any hinge, for any application. All hinges are manufactured at the company premises in Tamworth, and the company has a huge stock range, all of which are available for immediate dispatch. These include: Continuous Hinges; Butt & Backflap hinges; Lift-Off hinges; Heavy Duty hinges and Special Purpose hinges.

As well as the undoubted quality of the stock range, what really sets Gold & Wassall apart from other similar companies is its ability to create bespoke hinges. The in-house toolroom can create a tool to suit any hinge requirements, and this gives the company total control over exactly what it can produce. Whether it is something as simple as rounded corners, or as complex as multiple bends and spring assisted opening, it’s experts can produce the exact hinge that any customer requires, and in spite of making over 250,000 unique hinges, it has yet more new patterns being produced on a daily basis.

Gold and Wassall offer a huge range of continuous hinges, and its range can be made from ¾” open to 12” open, in 22g up to 3/16” material, right up to 96” lengths. 72” continuous hinges without holes, and self-colour, are always available from stock for immediate dispatch.

range of these hinges, and each hinge has been specifically manufactured for a unique application.

The Butt & Backflap hinges are supplied flat-backed, undrilled and with riveted pins unless otherwise stated, and these hinges can be used as they are, or can be reworked, cranked, pierced or cropped to a customer’s own specification. In addition to standard blanks, the majority of items are also available with standard piercing.

Also able to customise colour, add branding and create a smooth premium finish, this array of finishing options is perfect for increasing protection, complementing the application or to create that smooth premium finished look. Even the most difficult elements to a bespoke hinge can be achieved, with a tool made especially for the job in hand, and it also offers subcontracting for toolmaking and wire eroding.

in lengths up to 2,500mm long and up to 4mm thick material, and the company can roll plates in any material up to 6mm thick, with any inside roll diameter – these rolled pieces can be cranked, drilled and finished as per any other hinge. With a history spanning across centuries, Gold and Wassall Hinges has seen and experienced many tribulations for the world and its industry since its fruition and has been able to maintain its production and dominate its industry. During the uncertainty for many industries during the on-going COVID-19 Pandemic, many manufacturers saw a halt in production and in sales. Demonstrating its renowned manufacturing capabilities, Gold and

Continuous hinges are used in a wide variety of applications. Originating from use on pianos (hence the crossover term of ‘piano hinge’), Continuous hinges help to distribute the load of the moving part throughout the application. These hinges can be cut to size to suit the length of the application, and can be pierced, polished or finished to suit.

Gold & Wassall’s special purpose hinges are a collection of non-standard hinges, used on various applications. The company website displays a wide

Gold & Wassall likewise specialise in the manufacture of all types of heavy-duty hinges, for any application where strength and durability are the priority. These hinges are designed to withstand extremes of climate, wear and misuse associated with civil and general engineering fitments, and this heavy-duty range can be supplied in a wide variety of materials.

There is a number of finishing options available for hinges, and the company offers finishes for a number of purposes, whether it's protection from the elements, to match the application, or simply to make the hinge more aesthetically pleasing. These finishes include powdercoating, plating, polishing and engraving. The latter is a very recent venture into laser engraving, during which hinges were first powdercoated black, and were then laser engraved to leave the base metal showing through. After successfully producing a full batch of these engraved hinges, Gold & Wassall can now offer this as a regular service, and can even design the artwork to go on the hinges, for a nominal fee.

Gold & Wassall’s hinges range 1” square butt hinges, all the way up to 6’ lengths of 4” open continuous hinge, and it stocks an array of hinge types, whether it’s a caravan window hinge, standard door hinges, or specialist concealed hinges. The automatic sections at the manufacturing headquarters contain 8 lines of automated machines, allowing the company to make hinges quicker and to almost any length.

The special tooling available for these machines mean that they can complete multiple operations in each press, and with a press capacity of up to 160 tons, Gold & Wassall has the capacity to produce presswork of all shapes and sizes. It offers a manufacturing service for specialist presswork, for all materials, and single operation and multi-stage tooling is both planned and manufactured in its own toolroom.

Press brake capacity of 50 tons is also available,

Wassall Hinges maintained production and was approached for providing hinges for the Nightingale hospitals.

Looking to the future, Gold & Wassall Hinges as well as much of the world, is looking towards a brighter, more productive year as the world slowly moves away from the restrictions of COVID-19. The shortterm future is all about continuing to pull away from the struggles of the pandemic, and ensuring steady growth back to pre-pandemic levels of production. Longer term, the goal is for Gold & Wassall is to grow as much as it can within the current market share, and look towards growing its export relationships too.

For any further information, please see details below:

T 01827 63391

sales@goldwassallhinges.co.uk

www.goldwassallhinges.co.uk

ADVECO: Building sustainability with hot water

By Greg Brushett, UK Sales Manager, Adveco

2022 has been demanding as the UK moved on from the pandemic, which delayed many building projects, into a period characterised by the challenging issue of sourcing raw materials and supplies. Adveco has responded by refocussing on what we do best, being a specialist provider of application design, product supply and servicing of larger-scale domestic hot water (DHW) systems for commercial properties.

Going back to our roots has enabled us to re-evaluate our product lines and seek new supplier partnerships around the globe. This has let us extend our existing ranges of water heaters, pumps and hot water cylinders while adding new lines including electric boilers, all while retaining good stock availability for customers. This is despite the demand for renewables, particularly air source heat pumps (ASHP) and solar panels, continuing to climb.

With a predicted one-third rise in non-domestic floor space by 2050, much of the current focus resides on new builds, but this still leaves more than 1.6 million pre-existing non-domestic buildings in England and Wales, generating almost one-fifth of the UK’s carbon emissions, needing expert, practical support.

Our approach will therefore be one of offering gas, hybrid and completely carbon-free products. We see this more balanced approach as the most practical for many customers, and it is one that the wider industry is coming to realise as organisations grapple with the realities of attaining net zero systems. For many, this means retaining gas-fired water heating and introducing in the short term a 30-40% mix of renewables.

demands of commercial DHW projects, reducing wider system complexity and cutting costs as well as carbon emissions. We also will continue to support the development of solar thermal systems with drainback capabilities to make more effective use of often limited roof space while reducing the operational costs of preferred all-electric systems being introduced as part of carbon reduction strategies.

Adveco planned for tougher market conditions, and we know some in the sector have seen drops in sales of as much as 45% on certain lines. However, by putting new procedures in place, recruiting additional specialists, adapting the way staff work with more remote and flexible working and refining product lines, we are well on track to exceed the forecast sales targets for the year. Redeveloping our national accounts has been a particular success story, with the adoption of our pre-sized hybrid ASHP FUSION system being a particular success story.

As part of this process of business refinement, Adveco recently opened a new sales hub in Milton Keynes, extending the internal sales team and providing a more centralised point of business for the regional sales teams. By relocating sales, our Farnborough HQ has become the focus for technical and logistics with an increase in facilities for both teams. We are currently updating our in-house training facilities to support a new range of sustainable water heating CPD courses under the guidance of a newly created training role.

ASHPs have become the poster child technology for the government’s net zero strategy. When deployed in a hybrid approach, ASHP such as Adveco’s FPi32 or L70, are used to preheat commercial DHW. This is combined with either gas-fired or more preferably an electric top-up to achieve the required 60°C temperature for safe commercial operation. The additional system complexity is where cost can creep in. But by correctly balancing a system through a mix of physical spacing in the vessel and system monitoring with dedicated controls, as developed for the Adveco FUSION, the system no longer fights itself, working seamlessly to deliver the highest operational efficiencies.

Topping up system heat with an electric boiler, such as Adveco’s ARDENT, which is similarly priced to an immersion heater, is also advantageous. The system cylinder is significantly less likely to develop damaging limescale in hard water areas. An additional level of redundancy is also gained that is not achieved with a single immersion heater.

Looking forward, we continue to develop our existing product lines and innovate new applications to garner the best possible efficiency for lower emissions and operational costs. We recognise that some projects will have the budget to go ‘full BREAMM’ carbonfree, but many more commercial organisations will have to deal with existing, ageing building stock and rely on older gas connections.

To support this, we will continue to expand our lines of gas-fired condensing water heaters, such as the AD and ADplus, improving efficiencies and making the best of smart, connected services to enhance operations and reduce maintenance costs. While we can already demonstrate 20% hydrogen blend-ready gas water heaters, we have high expectations for hydrogen as a cost-effective and more familiar means for businesses to attain net zero through the later 2030s and 2040s. Our programme of development will address increasing blends in the near term before moving our attention to units capable of operating on a 100% hydrogen feed. With the work required to upgrade the national gas grid, this is a long-term project, but one commercial organisations are more likely to see as advantageous.

Smart metering is also a crucial development, and we will be extending our services to enable businesses to gain real-world insight into current system operations. This is necessary for correctly assessing and sizing for integration of renewables so that capital costs are controlled.

In the short-term, our focus on renewables will continue with further developments in lowering the global warming potential (GWP) of our heat pump ranges whilst increasing the working flow temperatures to meet the

Adveco also champions the advantages of offsite construction, providing ready-to-install bespoke hot water applications in a plant room ‘pod.’ This approach can dramatically reduce project build times whilst making better use of overlooked or wasted space around or upon a building. Our work on creating bespoke and pre-sized variants that incorporate ASHP into all-electric applications continues at pace, with further developments undergoing field testing.

Being named Building & Facilities News’ Company of the Year demonstrates the advantages of Adveco’s proudly independent approach to innovation. With more than 50 years of heritage in the design, supply, and servicing of robust, efficient, and cost-effective business-critical hot water systems we are pleased to have our company recognised for our work in responding to the ever more urgent need for low carbon, cost-effective applications that help achieve net-zero operations. It’s a real accolade for our entire team who work tirelessly in close partnership with our customers to create and deliver these better, more sustainable, and future-proof resolutions for modern commercial operations.

T 01252 551540

enquiries@adveco.co

www.adveco.co

Greg Brushett, UK Sales Manager, Adveco

Cleanbox Technology: Supporting business and employee safety since 2018

Businesses are open, the work force is starting to return to the office, and people are traveling again. While things are mostly ‘back to normal,’ for businesses, there is a new normal. Companies across industries have seen a significant shift in employees moving from one company or industry to another, or altogether (for a time, anyway) out of the workforce.

One business fact that has only been amplified over the past two years is the need for companies to take their employee’s health and safety seriously. Cleanbox Technology, as the Global Leader in Smart Tech Hygiene, helped keep businesses alive and their employees safe during COVID and continues in their mission to increase employee safety and mitigate risk for businesses.

Introducing the OmniClean2

The OmniClean2 is the ideal solution for general employee health and wellness. It is a product that meets business pain points well past the XR market and into general decontamination.

In 60 seconds, the OmniClean2 can decontaminate anything that employees frequently touch, from electronics to their personal phones, glasses, wallets, badges, and more. It’s a way of reducing the spread of contagions, and by placing it in high-traffic areas such as breakrooms, workrooms, hospital waiting areas, employees have easy access that doesn’t interrupt their workflow. In the US

alone, 2.5% of the workforce stays home with the cold and flu (not COVID!), and according to the CDC, 80% of this type of contagion is caused by people touching contaminated surfaces and objects and touching their face, eyes, ears, and nose. OmniClean2 stops the spread by enabling employees to quickly and easily decontaminate anything they frequently touch in 60 seconds.

CX Series: Tried and trusted cleaning and drying of HMDs in 60-seconds

The CX Series supports 10,000 hours of run time for consistent and human errorfree decontamination and drying of headsets – providing a comfortable and safe endconsumer experience you can’t get from wipes. The latest CX models feature an adjustable hook, a lockable door for safe storage, and a USB/C charger.

While the CX Series decontaminates any HMD currently on the market, the OnmiClean provides 360degree cleaning on anything that fits in its 12” interior. Just like the CX series, the OmniClean uses the same proprietary UVC engineering that decontaminates in 60 seconds. The OmniClean is designed for safe cleaning of any device including cell

phones, tablets, stethoscopes, eyewear and microphones.

Patented, tested and trusted UVC LED Engineering

How do Cleanbox products work? Using proprietary UVC LED engineering, Cleanbox products kill 99.999% of contagions on any surface in a simple one-minute cycle. Our products are eco-friendly and chemical free, and don’t require heat or liquids for decontamination. Cleanbox services customers around the world, shipping directly to Europe, MENA, Asia and South America. We also have reseller and bundle partners across Europe, Asia Pacific and South America.

For more information, visit our website at: www.cleanboxtech.com or email us at: info@cleanboxtech.com.

Specialists in Safety

DCON Safety Consultants is passionate and highly committed to continually improving health, safety and wellbeing management in collaboration with our clients. The safety and wellbeing of our people, our client’s staff and those around them is at the heart of our business. DCON Safety Consultants’ resources have extensive experience in the provision of health and safety consultancy services and the provision of specific health and safety advisory services in the large complex project and development public & private market environment.

Our unique approach to the services we provide is focused heavily on assisting our clients, firstly by obtaining confidence that you have compliance and secondly, showing how you might improve performance. The skills, knowledge and experience of our staff places them at the forefront of their profession, and we welcome the opportunity

to bring such resources and benefits to our clients.

DCON Safety Consultants is able to prioritise and specialise in the highest levels of informed and intelligent advice, senior project resource allocation and compliance assurance. DCON Safety Consultants understands that every project contains both benefits and risks and the company is dedicated to helping assess each individual clients needs, utilising its team of highly experienced construction professionals consistently to ensure each client’s best interest and statutory conformity.

One of the main benefits of engaging with DCON Safety Consultants is its utilisation and primary resource of its exceptional team of technical construction and safety consultants who provide team-oriented services on an

as needed basis. DCON Safety Consultants uses both its experienced team’s knowledge and support of its portfolio of alliances with other key individuals and organisations, to support clients in matters involving all divisions of design and construction safety.

Providing a transparent, reliable service, DCON Safety Consultants has gained a strong reputation for its responsible, trustworthy and efficient service. Dedicated to maximising quality, minimising risk and managing compliance, DCON Safety Consultants is well equipped to provide integral advice and services for its clients.

Principal services provided by DCON Safety Consultants includes that of a Project Supervisor for the Design Process (CDM Advisor Plus), Pre-Planning Compliance, Safe Design Adherence, Health & Safety Strategy Creation, Client Advisory Roles, Physical Site Safety Auditing and Expert Witness. Through these services, DCON Safety Consultants support and influence the design of proven, health, safety & wellbeing strategies that seek to help its clients achieve high-quality, cost-effective work for the safe design, construction and operation of their assets.

DCON Safety Consultants provides its services for a wide and varied selection of

customers, which includes public sector departments, corporate owners, real estate developers, main contractors, design professionals and infrastructural bodies. No project is too simple or too complex for its team of high-quality PSDP consultants. DCON Safety Consultants’ team of consultants are construction professionals, which individually average 20+ years’ of experience in the built environment. This vast knowledge base and skillset, enables the company to provide tailored, distinctive and innovative ideas born from traditional PSDP service inputs and outputs.

For any further information on the company, please see the details featured below or give them a call on the number stated:

T +353 (0)1 611 1556

www.dconsafety.com

Housing development consultancy experts

Established in 2017 by Martin Hawthorne and Ray Priest, North-East based Bright Ideas Consultancy & Development has two main strings to its bow. Firstly, the company offers consultancy advice to housing associations, local authorities and developers who are looking to build housing, and secondly, BICD undertakes developments itself and then sells them on.

Martin told us, “We are about to come to the end of a 61-unit scheme in Middlesbrough which has a value of £7.8 million; a mixture of two and three bedroom houses, and two bed apartments. Our team have developed this scheme working right through from start to finish, from identifying the site to putting in the planning application, which was approved with no local opposition. Once this was all agreed and the funding arrived, we saw the project through to completion.”

These are aimed at 20–35-year-old professional renters, looking for good quality, central accommodation, and include very important features. BICD has a strong commitment to a low carbon energy future, and while these were still in the design stage, Martin and Ray insisted on them being heated using air source heat pumps, which use electricity which can be zero carbon. The properties also have very high levels of insulation and there is no gas on the site as gas is a fossil fuel.

Martin continued, “We were the first developer in Teesside to get a special deal with Virgin Media to produce a fibre optic cable that will have the capability of 1,000mb of broadband speed for each property. This means that people can work from home, use their transport less and build a happier working and family life.”

BICD is particularly focussed on providing homes to the economically active in this location. Rents in the area are historically low, so the aim was to create more viable rents; the effect of which increases the overall value of the area. The company maximised style, size and standards in order to justify high values – balconies were essential, as was a high-quality level of design; the bedrooms are equally sized, one with an en-suite, in order to enable easy sharing if required.

Looking forward, BICD’s next scheme is going to be in Newcastle, and this is going to be fully modular. A major advantage to Modular Housing is its multiple sustainability benefits as its construction requires less transport of materials, meaning less carbon is emitted into the atmosphere. It also uses far less water than traditional housing, and the streamlined process of design and construction means that far less waste is produced and put into landfill, and better-quality assurance on construction ensures that insulation is of a higher quality.

Martin continued, “By building homes in a factory, the quality is supreme. This production line method produces excellent results, as at every single stage it is tested to check that everything is perfect – this is just a better way of building.”

The success of BICD is due to Ray and Martin’s knowledge of the construction industry, its deeply entrenched dedication to green technology, and the commitment to new sustainable building techniques. Martin concluded, “In the modern world where carbon is king, we are always looking at our supply chains to ensure that everything we do is better, more efficient, cheaper and built faster – we have the experience to help others in this also.”

For more information, please see below:

T 07714 412689

www.brightideasdevelopment.co.uk

We need to get smart with energy

Growing the economy

The need to substantially reduce fossil energy use has shifted from aspiration to emergency. Increases in energy and fuel prices, and widespread realisation that climate change is seriously impacting our lives, have raised this subject high on our list of priorities. When effectively planned and implemented, improving energy efficiency is one of the quickest and cheapest ways for any government to help reduce UK energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions.

The multi-billion pound engineering services sector provides active measures to deliver improved energy performance, productivity and wellbeing across the UK built environment. Actuate UK, the engineering services alliance, are contributing their expertise, initiatives and leadership to the wider industry and to Government. Actuate UK focuses on the whole-life carbon performance of buildings, and the successful integration of passive and active measures. We support continual grid decarbonisation.

Smart homes for the future

People are now aware that new homes will differ significantly. Newly constructed buildings will adopt a ‘fabric first’ approach at the design stage, maximising the performance of materials and components.

These improvements are being supplemented by advancing technologies. Improved cabling and faster fibre optics are increasing a range of building functionality. Smart heating and ventilation systems can assess the temperature and air quality of our homes and automatically adjust to the healthiest and most efficient setting. Lights can be switched on and off or adjust. Smart, fast electric vehicles’ (EVs) charging points in homes will be more common.

Battery energy storage will become a familiar domestic and commercial feature. Batteries capture and store energy from solar panels, which is then used to supplement or replace the energy drawn from the grid at times of high-energy cost/demand and even sell electricity back to the UK grid.

The introduction of the Future Homes and Buildings Standards in 2025 can make change on a larger scale; the Standard will include improved insulation standards, efficiencies of fixed building services and indoor air quality, and will impact the way we design, construct and commission new buildings and retrofit our existing building stock.

Not just new buildings

Futuristic projections for homes cannot be about new buildings alone; 80% of our buildings today will still be in use in 2050. Decarbonising our existing stock is essential and requires retrofitting around 28 million homes.

Copyright: Actuate UK

Actuate UK supports the Construction Leadership Council’s National Retrofit Strategy and building services engineers will play a pivotal role bridging the gap across products, installation and sustained practical energy performance. We want to see more government and industry attention in closing the persistent ‘performance gap’ – the gap between designed and actual energy and other building performance.

Competence, capacity and co-ordination

Co-ordination and awareness across the industry is also key to progress. A continuous supply of skilled engineering services professionals who are tuned in to the new technologies is vital to realise UK’s carbon reduction targets. They will need to be trained and competent to design, advise, manage and install new products and systems. Actuate UK’s Skills Group is currently mapping the skills gaps with a view to lowering barriers to necessary training so that the industry can deliver the net zero targets.

Responding to the current Chris Skidmore review, Actuate UK argues that net zero transition will further increase UK economic growth, generate thousands of high quality, well-paying engineering services jobs and deliver significant environmental and social benefits. However, economic incentives are still required to enable the changes needed with more investment focus in UK renewable energy generation and infrastructure.

As an alliance, we advocate increasing the value of the Home Upgrade Grant and expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. But this should include better information for consumers to take advantage of opportunities for net zero retrofit at the system end of life phase.

Actuate UK calls on policy and decision makers to talk with the professionals whose skills and experience can turn their vision and targets into a practical reality for everyone.

More information on Actuate UK: www.actuateuk.org.uk

Copyright: Shutterstock (from Actuate UK account)

Exhibitor of the Month

A complete waterproofing solution for your entire building from Carlisle Construction Materials

can be installed using an induction system, which provides fast and efficient mechanical fixing. This aids circular sustainability by allowing the membrane to be removed cleanly and completely for re-use or recycling at the end of its service life.

With products suitable for both new build and refurbishment projects, Carlisle Construction Materials is a building materials manufacturer, specialising in providing watertight solutions for flat roofs and facades. The company works with everyone from architects and building surveyors, through to building owners, and contractors.

Carlisle was established as the Carlisle Tire and Rubber Company in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 1917.

In Europe, the company was established in 2012 by the merger of the European EPDM manufacturers

PHOENIX Dichtungstechnik GmbH, Hertalan B.V. and Hardcast B.V.can. Thanks to more than a century of innovation and strategic acquisition, Carlisle is now a global leader in advanced products for roofing and the building envelope.

Carlisle serves customers throughout the UK from the company’s offices in Nottinghamshire, where it also has a vulcanisation facility. There is also a production site in Derbyshire, and a further five locations across Europe, along with 41 manufacturing and office locations throughout the USA.

The company is a leading manufacturer of EPDM roofing membranes; a technology recognised as the most sustainable roofing material, which provides an anticipated service life of 50+ years.

Alongside its made-to-measure Hertalan® EPDM sheets, Carlisle also offers a number of other roofing systems, including the unique bitumen/EPDM hybrid roofing membrane, RESITRIX®, and the Arboflex® range of liquid-applied waterproofing membranes,

along with a wide range of sealants. The company can provide the correct solution for any flat roof, façade or building envelope project and its experts provide a complete technical support service, including specification guidance, contractor training and on-site troubleshooting and quality assurance.

In a crowded marketplace, Carlisle works hard to stand out. Its products are proven in installations around the world and backed by technical support from company experts. The company offers a choice of roofing systems, along with specification support and advice, so that specifiers can always be certain of using the most effective solution for their building or project.

At Carlisle, research and development are a constant process, so the company regularly adds to its product range and is at the forefront of all industry developments. There are a number of innovative solutions that are unique to Carlisle. For example, the Hertalan EPDM roofing membrane

Meanwhile, RESITRIX® is the award-winning roofing and waterproofing membrane that combines the material advantages of synthetic rubber EPDM and high-quality, polymer-modified bitumen. The polymer bitumen underlayer means that this market-leading roofing membrane can be installed on virtually any substrate and welded easily, quickly and safely, with no naked flames.

For further information regarding case studies, visit: https://www.ccm-europe.com/gb/casestudies. There is also product literature available for download from the website: https://www.ccmeurope.com/gb/downloads and installation videos can be viewed here: https:// tinyurl.com/y5z8bwmb

For more information, please see below:

T +44 (0)1623 627285 info.uk@ccm-europe.com www.ccm-europe.com/gb

Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning

Introducing Panasonic’s pioneering Aquarea A2W K and L Generation Heat Pumps

As the global demand for energyefficient heating and cooling solutions increases, Panasonic is expanding its Aquarea range of air source heat pumps. Speaking during Interclima 2022 in Paris today, Mr Masaharu Michiura, President, Heating & Ventilation A/C Company, Panasonic Corporation, outlined the company’s strategy for growth and revealed its latest additions to the range, the Aquarea K and L Generations.

Available from Spring 2023, the Aquarea K and L generations are the latest innovations to emerge from Panasonic’s R&D centres and reflect the company’s values through innovation and are in keeping with its vision of creating technologies for a low-carbon society. The new models are focused on improving energy performance and offering a series with natural refrigerant.

Low-carbon solutions

The K generation utilises R32 refrigeration, making it an excellent solution for new homes. Meanwhile, the L generation uses the natural refrigerant R290, which has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of only 3. The redesigned construction of the outdoor units of both generations provides a high level of safety, as the unit is hermetically sealed for easy and flexible installation. Furthermore, the K generation retains a refrigerant link between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, while the L generation features a hydraulic link. www.aircon.panasonic.eu

Humidity Solutions is the leading independent specialist in humidity control

Humidity

Solutions

a leading independent specialist in humidity control, offering a range of humidifiers and dehumidifiers from the world’s leading manufacturers. “We have a highly experienced and knowledgeable team of sales and aftersales engineers who can design a bespoke solution for each unique application and supply, install and maintain the equipment throughout its life. This endto-end solution enables us to offer unbiased advice, streamlining the process to help customers to protect their greatest assets: be that people or equipment – or both,” said John Barker, Managing Director.

Established in 2008, in response to the markets need for a dedicated specialist in humidity control, Humidity Solutions vast became an independent leader in its field, providing innovative solutions for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications. Humidity Solutions has a UK wide coverage for all maintenance, installation and service requests.

The considerable technical knowledge, expertise and experience within the team, allows Humidity Solutions to provide a full turnkey service, from design and installation, through to commissioning and ongoing maintenance.

Correct humidity levels also have a direct impact on health and wellbeing and is crucial to many industrial and commercial processes such as medical research, data management, and packaging. Furthermore, it plays a vital role in the safe storage, display & protection of many consumer goods. Humidity Solutions has a strategy to minimise its environmental impact by offering alternative low energy solutions to the more traditional, high energy usage equipment.

Contact T 01372 571200 info@humiditysolutions.co.uk www.humiditysolutions.co.uk

New small duct heating and cooling system set to tackle rising temperatures in UK homes

A new small duct heating, cooling and ventilation system by US manufacturer Unico Systems has been launched in the UK.

The Unico System, which is installed in half a million homes and businesses throughout the US, provides heating, cooling and ventilation along with improved air quality and wellbeing.

The decision to make the Unico System more widely available to UK residents follows a series of recordbreaking summers, as well as increasing demand for greater climate control.

The near silent, system, which operates at under 30 decibels, uses aspiration to deliver draft free heating and cooling ensuring temperature differentials are no greater than one degree throughout the home.

Richard Soper CBE, of Unico Systems UK, said, “The US is used to much larger variances in temperature, meaning that domestic ventilation and air conditioning is often installed as standard. As a result, the Unico system is fully adapted to the needs of domestic properties; providing effective climate control, but also operating at a barely audible sub-30 decibels. For self-builders and renovators this provides a unique opportunity to give occupiers the same level of climate control and comfort that they’ve come to expect in cars, hotels and gyms, no matter the season.”

Contact

T 01384 422094

unico@bellplumbing.co.uk www.unicosystem.co.uk

Industry specialists in sealing solutions

Service Sealing Solutions Ltd

is the sole UK distributor for the sealing industry’s top manufacturers; DOYMA, FRANK and HKD.

DOYMA granted

Tina McAra the exclusive rights to distribute their products in the UK in August 2018, leading to the formation of Service Sealing Solutions Ltd.

Distributing the industry’s best manufacturers, Service Sealing Solutions Ltd offers the UK the most extensive range of products, providing the best in German engineering to seal penetration points in walls and floors to permanently prevent any infiltration of gases and water into the building. DOYMA’s products are designed to solve all watertight duct sealing requirements and prevent against structural damage.

Service Sealing Solutions Ltd supply the full range of DOYMA products, to suit all situations from power cables, communications cables, pipes and ducts and district heating pipes.

Service Sealing Solutions Ltd specialises in highquality service duct sealing systems for utility services and watertight seals, offering the highest level of expertise to developers and specifiers for sealing against water and gas entering around service entries in basements and high-rise buildings.

DOYMA is at the forefront of innovation, developing practical solutions for sealing and fire systems. The main ambition at the company is to create safe building penetrations for pipes and cables that seal off fire, gas and water. The company operates in three main competencies areas of civil engineering, building services technology and power supply, providing sealing systems for pipes and cables, single and multi-line house entries for supply and disposal lines, fire protection products for preventive structural fire protection and special designs and custom-made sealing systems.

DOYMA maintains a wealth of experience spanning over 50 years, utilising this experience and vast knowledge base the company ensures its seal range produces effective, simple solutions to meet all watertight service sealing requirements. This in turn, ensures that DOYMA’s products provide the highest level of safety for sealing buildings where pipes and electrical cables pass through.

HKD which is now owned by DOYMA, manufactures a vast range of pipe sealing systems and service ducts with a guarantee that its products can withstand up to four bars of pressure. All of the HKD product range can be combined with the DOYMA’s Curaflex range, one of the most popular DOYMA ranges.

In terms of new developments, DOYMA has recently released its new generation Curaflex Nova® gaskets – professional solutions for tradesman with uniquely safe installation. Providing tradesmen with professional gasket inserts, the new generation of Curaflex Nova® gasket inserts instantly solves sealing problems and is adaptable for multiple applications.

For any more information, please see below:

T 01952 510050

www.servicesealingsolutions.co.uk

DK Tools extend Amtech reach into builders merchants

DK Tools Limited is a family-owned company which was established in 1986, from humble beginnings. The business started out selling tools from a market stall in North West London and now they manufacture and distribute both hand tools and power tools under the Amtech brand.

For over thirty years, DK Tools have maintained their core family values and have built the business on a foundation of exceptional customer service and their 5-star Trustpilot reviews are certainly testament to that level of integrity.

Ishan Kalra, Director at DK Tools commented, “My father has built and maintained strong working relationships with key customers across Wholesale, Cash and Carry and Retail over the years and our

product portfolio now spans 2000+ tools for the home, garage, and garden. My objective is to continue with this legacy of adding value where it matters for all our trade customers.”

Trade customers really value the ease of ordering Amtech stock, either via their award-winning dktools. com website or even via WhatsApp for next day delivery!

The Amtech DIY brand has also grown significantly across Independent Retail and consumers really value the free end-user support that is provided at amtechdiy. com. Furthermore, and as the cost-of-living crisis settles in, the Amtech brand also now appears to be resonating with Builders Merchants, as both Buyers and Tradespeople begin to source more value for

money, whilst still maintaining good tool quality.

You can become an Amtech stockist or register for a trade account at dktools.com.

For more information, please see below: T 01895 435556 contact@dktools.com www.dktools.com

Elevate: ‘Construction Made Easy’

Elevate is a management solution software for the Construction Industry. Which encompasses the whole process of managing a construction project, whether it be a multimillion-pound project, simple house extension or to manage a portfolio of projects, elevate has been designed to be as proficient in any situation.

Elevate starts from the very beginning, helping, Monitoring, and guiding the Pre-Construction stages including, Design, Finance, Programmes. Elevate then guides all through the Construction Phase and manages the contract administration, Design, Finance, Health

Building Products & Services Tool Fair Review –

and Safety and construction works, with 90% of the process automated, elevate monitors and guides you every step of the way.

Designed from within the industry, elevate guides all with three simple methods, a colour coding system giving real time priorities, email notifications giving warning and instruction of works that need to be either completed or addressed and audio instruction and guidance regarding the set up and implementation of a contract. With all process linked together and dependable on each other, Elevate ensures that the correct work is

undertaken at the right time. This in turn increases productivity, improved quality control, reduces stress in the workplace.

Elevate has been designed for all, from the complete novice to the multifaceted construction team, by simply guiding everyone in the same direction. With the software self-funded and no shareholders costs have been kept to a minimum, which makes elevate an excellent choice for your next project.

Contact Steve McGowan, T 01962 761693 M 07824 724377 steve@elevate-software.co.uk www.elevate-software.com

Top Exhibitors

Power tools, hand tools, building equipment

Toolfair is a regional show brought to you by the publishers of Professional Builder magazine. Toolfair is the perfect show for builders who work in the trade who largely depend on quality tools to enhance the efficiency of their work.

The show offers attendees the chance to see first-hand new products, special offers, witness live demonstrations of the latest tools and equipment available within the industry as well as build up their CPD approved hours, meet the manufacturers and network with other trades.

Each year, Toolfair opens its doors in six different locations to a visitor base of a variety of trades and merchants. Running alongside ElexShow as well as the Heating & Plumbing training zone, visitors can access any area, which encourages a vast amount of exposure for all participating brands and exhibitors.

Upcoming Toolfair 2022-23 venues include:

▲ BOLTON ARENA, BOLTON:

9TH & 10TH MARCH 2023

▲ ALEXANDRA PALACE, LONDON: 30TH & 31ST MARCH 2023

▲ YEC, HARROGATE: 27TH & 28TH APRIL 2O23.

For your chance to meet Big Wipes, DeWALT, IRWIN, WERA, MAKITA and many other industry leading brands, book your free tickets now.

https://toolfair.info

Jangro celebrates two years of Planet Mark certification

Jangro, the largest network of independent janitorial distributors in the UK and Ireland, is delighted to announce that it has achieved its second year of being Planet Mark certified.

This renewal means that the company has been successful in reducing its carbon emissions by at least 5% over the past twelve months. In fact, in the latest reporting period (1 Jan 2021 – 31 Dec 2021), emission sources including electricity, natural gas, water, fleet, business travel, waste, and paper were reduced by 6.9% per employee.

Teacrate appoints new Sales Director

phs Teacrate has appointed a new Sales Director as the business continues to expand across the UK.

Becky Brown joins the team at the UK’s leading crate services provider with over 20 years’ experience in packaging sales. She has spent the last seven years as UK Convenience Sales Director for a US listed global business specialising in printed cartons for some of the world's biggest international brands.

At phs Teacrate, Becky will manage an external sales team of six people based across the UK working with a variety of businesses, including the food industry, to meet their product moving and storage needs.

phs Teacrate is the market leader in crate rental services with sites across the UK, including Manchester, Edmonton, Durham, Livingston in Scotland and Curdworth in Birmingham. It provides crate rental and washing services, as well as packaging, to a wide range of sectors, including removals and storage, food processing and distribution and retail. It moves over nine million crates a year and has capacity to wash over 600,000 crates per week nationally.

phs Teacrate opened a dedicated food crate wash site in Edmonton earlier this year, which increased its food crate washing service capacity across the UK by nearly 30%.

T 0800 980 6996

www.teacrate.co.uk

Washroom design: Practicalities and expectations

Is your washroom meeting the standards expected by your visitors?

There is more to a good washroom than just hygiene.

Good design makes a critical difference to the cost of managing a washroom and to the user experience. However, the definition of what makes a ‘good design’ is never truly fixed. In addition, as society changes the requirements of washroom, best practice needs to evolve.

In Dudley Industries’ latest guide they provide advice on designing washrooms taking into account the latest regulatory requirements, health and safety, cost, privacy and social changes.

Design assistance

These are common considerations but they are by no means the only ones that must be kept in mind when creating designs for new or refurbished washrooms. Individual designs will vary according to user numbers, available space, structural constraints and the purpose of the building as a whole.

To read the full guide, please visit: dudleyindustries.com or if you would like to speak to someone for advice on washroom dispensers, call: 01253 738311.

Through this ongoing accreditation, Jangro is furthering its commitment to realising a brighter and more sustainable future. It continues to measure and reduce its footprint, plan long-term ambitions and motivate its team to innovate. Additionally, it remains committed to measuring its social value contributions (the net social and environmental benefits generated by its team).

As part of the Planet Mark certification, Jangro has committed to making a year-on-year reduction of its carbon footprint by 5% annually.

Planet Mark is a sustainability certification that verifies and measures carbon and social data to reduce emissions and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

View Jangro’s latest Planet Mark certificate at: https://www.planetmark.com/member/jangro

For more information about Jangro, visit: www.jangro.net

For more information about Planet Mark, visit: www.planetmark.com

Landscaping & External Works

Wagstaff, a brand you can trust

Wagstaff Interiors Group was first established in 1903 and has become one of the most prominent names and an industry leader in the interior furniture and fit-out industry.

Wagstaff Interiors Group is a leading commercial office design and fit-out company, and is one of the UK’s largest independent interiors companies. Wagstaff Interiors Group provides a broad range of linked offerings, including interior design interior fitout, design and build, furniture solutions, workplace consultancy, move management, hire services & reuse/recycle.

Wagstaff Interiors Group has been trading for 118 years, and it’s that longevity that gives it a respectable depth of experience and an impressive history of accomplishments. Through a combination of passionate individuals and a true love of working within the commercial interiors industry, the company completes hundreds of projects each year. Its financial strength and independence create a unique and powerful base to operate from, and a freedom to work without restriction to deliver fantastic projects time-after-time.

Each team member holds vast experience and expertise in specific areas to help each and every customer complete their project, through its comprehensive services comprised of analysis, design, visualisation, presentation, quoting, communication, managing logistics, managing suppliers, processing information and project delivery.

In terms of its office designs, Wagstaff Interiors Group is highly skilled in its delivery of creative office designs based on extensive analysis. Wagstaff Interiors Group has worked with a wide range of organisations and by utilising the expertise of its team of leading workplace consultants, has been able to help its customer’s organisation cut their operational overheads amid rising real estate and employment costs.

By creating a Best Practice Workplace (BPW) assessment, Wagstaff Interiors Group is able to provide its customers with the latest product innovations and services, to benefit and enhance their workplace. In addition, the company also informs its customers on new ways of working, that incorporate the latest technology and research into the generational differences in the way we like to work.

Through its buying power, Wagstaff Interiors Group not only reduces its own costs but passes the savings onto its customers. Wagstaff Interiors Group work for you, negotiating on your behalf with suppliers to provide you with the most relevant products at the most competitive prices.

With a vast history, industry leading skillset, impressive financial strength and independence, Wagstaff Interiors Group has built a strong reputation for its agility, skill and quality, echoed by its customers whose relationships it has maintained for decades. The company is committed to the relationships it builds and maintains with its customers, with a belief that good relationships are key to a successful business.

If you would like to find out any further information on the company or discover what Wagstaff Interiors Group can do for you, please see the details below.

Contact

T 0844 375 9690 businessdevelopment@wagstaffgroup.co.uk www.wagstaffgroup.co.uk

Landscaping & External Works

Boughton joins NBS Chorus & NBS Source

Leading landscaping products supplier, Boughton, has further expanded its reach and renewed its commitment to supporting the landscape architecture and garden design sectors by joining the NBS’s leading resource –Chorus and Source.

Specifiers looking for the perfect supply partner can utilise both these tools to search by product or manufacturer, helping to nurture new relationships across the country. It is via NBS Source and Chorus that has helped Boughton to build a number of new relationships and to work on several landmark projects.

NBS Chorus, described as ‘a dream for engineers, manufacturers and contractors,’ is a cloud-based specification writing platform for the construction industry, designed to facilitate the production of highquality specification with improved collaboration across the board. For Boughton, which has an extensive NBSspecified product portfolio, a presence on NBS Chorus provides a powerful and targeted channel to showcase its products, enabling it to reach more specifiers, generate more leads and further cement its position as advocates for the ‘as dug’ movement.

Like NBS Chorus, NBS Source offers an unrivalled opportunity to get the full Boughton portfolio –including topsoil and green roof substrates –in front of the key decision makers.

To enquire about your next project, contact Boughton by calling: 01536 510515 or email: sales@boughton.co.uk.

The UK Concrete Show 2022 Review – Top Exhibitors

UK

Concrete Show 2022

Back on 5th-6th May 2022, Birmingham’s NEC hosted the UK & Europe’s biggest and best standalone Concrete Show, now entering it’s 11th year.

Running a business and staying up to speed with the latest technology is not easy, but at the Concrete show companies were able to cover all bases. There were both new market entrants and world-famous big brands on display, who were ready to discuss industry requirements.

All of the companies exhibiting agreed that, after a couple of obviously very difficult years, the best part was being able to meet actual and potential customers face to face again.

The event was full of enthusiastic visitors, and excited exhibitors all ready to catch up with old friends, as well as networking and exchanging views with industry colleagues.

The UKCS states proudly that unlike multitrade, general co-located construction shows,

Sercal: Non Destructive Test Equipment Ltd

Sercal NDT Equipment Ltd, an integral part of the Oceanscan Group, stands as an independent company. Established in 1987, Sercal provides a one-stop shop for the Rental, Supply, Service and Calibration of NDT equipment to the Non-Destructive Examination Industry. Based in Cannock, its central UK location offers local and international support to its varied customer base.

visitors did not have to brush shoulders with electricians, roofers, carpenters or plumbers in the aisles at UKCS – this show was all about concrete and was attended by concrete people.

The UKCS will next be held on 15th-16th March 2023, see the website for more information.

This is our pick of the top exhibitors from this year’s event, listed here in alphabetical order: 1st Class Transport, Sercal, Stuart Canvas & Vico. Further details can be found on this page. www.concreteshow.co.uk

Tipper Truck and Mixer Hire nationwide

1st Class Transport is a second-generation family business with over 40 years’ experience in truck hire and related services. Based in Sheffield, the business was founded in 1977 by Bashir Ahmed and has since provided the UK and Northern Ireland with a first-class service to customers large and small.

Experienced in hundreds of diverse projects across various sites, the company prides itself in not only offering first class equipment but also on its professionalism and dedicated team of drivers and support staff.

1st Class Transport has a range of industryrecognised services including Mixer Truck Hire, Tipper Truck Hire, and HGV services. For Mixer Trucks, there is the option to choose between four, six and eight-meter trucks, all of which are Crossrail approved. All drivers are qualified holding CSCS and MPQC cards as well as being Crossrail inducted.

Tipper Trucks are available on a nationwide scale and come equipped with sleeper cabs and validated drivers. The company’s HGV services offer qualified and experienced mechanics that do

Stuart Canvas: Over 50 years of British manufacturing expertise

Stuart Canvas is the leading manufacturer of aggregate bay retractable protection covers in the UK. Our bay covers provide an innovative waterproof covering solution to protect all types of bulk products being stored outside. Stuart Canvas are able to produce retractable bay covers which can operate independently (single & multiple bays) and use a wall mounted tracking system to allow the cover to retract for loading and unloading of products.

Our systems also included protection for the front and rear of the bays to prevent water ingress from all sides. This type of solution has proven to offer excellent protection for kiln-dried products, reducing the amount of wastage by 30%.

Stuart Canvas has over 20 year of experience in producing retractable tunnels for some of the UK largest companies. We offer a design, supply and installation service and also have a dedicated R&D team that can solve any unusual covering issues or requirements you may have. This allows for covers to be produced to suit each bay. Our bay tunnels use the Kadar system, which means individual panels can be replaced if damaged, saving both time and money when repairing complete systems.

Visit our website to find out more: www.stuartcanvas.co.uk

HGV servicing alongside inspection which includes a specialist mixer service and mixer repair. Its mechanics are also well qualified to undertake welding, re-blade services and build up removal. Offering exemplary customer service, with 24/7 support, 1st Class Transport has been a reliable and trustworthy company to its clients since 1977. Recommended by some of the biggest names in construction, get in touch today to see how its services can help your business.

T 07534 325339

info@mixers-fct.com

www.1stclasstransport.co.uk

From Ultrasonic Testing sets to Inspection Lamps, Ground Penetrating Radar to Hardness Testers and Test Blocks, Sercal NDT can meet most requests.

Sercal NDT was the first UK based UKAS Accredited Calibration Laboratory, No. 0381, for the calibration of Ultrasonic Flaw Detectors, Eddy Current (via our parent company Oceanscan), Thickness Meters and Transducers. Sercal NDT Equipment Ltd offers the Non-Destructive Examination Industry assurance that they have the technical competence to work to the requirements of BS EN ISO 22232-1:2020, ASTM E317-21, ESI 98.9, BS EN 15317:2013, ESI 98.7, ESI 98.8, and ESI 98.2 as well as ISO IEC 17025: accredited calibration laboratory qualifying us as an approved

supplier for the IATF 16949 requirement for the calibration of inspection and measurement equipment. Customer service is key to our day-to-day activities. Sercal has special arrangements with a wide range of suppliers and manufacturers, allowing competitive pricing and availability of equipment to keep operators on the move. We operate on a nationwide basis, as well as internationally, serving a wide range of customers and industries.

Please feel free to contact Sercal NDT for all your NDT needs: T 01543 570074 enquiries@sercal.co.uk www.sercal.co.uk

Visual & graphic concrete: Explore the creative potential

Vico are specialists in visual and graphic precast architectural concrete for internal, external and landscape spaces, from office lobbies to museums, public spaces and visitor centres.

Our approach is to understand the architect’s vision and technical requirements of all stakeholders to arrive at solutions that meet the aesthetic, structural, durability and cost demands of creating bespoke visual concrete. Based in the UK with a focus on achieving excellence in visual and graphic concrete; in aesthetic finish and technical performance to meet your project requirements.

With a combined experience of decades in industrial and graphic design, precast specification, drafting and manufacture; our team is highly experienced and qualified to deal with a wide range of challenges in visual concrete; from design management to final production.

As any visual or graphic concrete requires specialist knowledge, skill and facilities, our network of experienced manufacturers across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe enables us to get almost anything produced; from GRC (Glass-fibre Reinforced Concrete) cladding panels and graphic panels to 3D landscapes and structural precast.

Our in-house technical and design team produce detailed, and engineer approved drawings for mould making, CNC and precast production, including graphic concrete patterns.

Contact T 0208 144 29 58 info@visual-concrete.co.uk https://visual-concrete.co.uk

Castle Gates & Automation

Castle Gates & Automation prides itself on always striving to produce gates to the highest quality standards, with installations to match. Wherever possible cabling is threaded through gate box sections, not pinned to the outside. Where there is no option but to have cabling externally, such as to bridge the gap between gate and pillar, door loops are always used. Underground cabling is always installed in ducting.

Its gates are bespoke manufactured to meet customer, architect or builder specifications in style and finish. Access control is supplied likewise, and Castle Gates & Automation provides advice as to the best forms of access control to use, from various types of intercom to exit, entrance and safety loops.

The GSM Multi Switch (12v)

In designing gates for maximum safety, cost is kept low by designing out the need for excessive safety measures. This is done without compromising safety in any way & also reduces the number of electrical components that could go wrong over time.

As well as gates, Castle Gates & Automation can construct and install fences and railings to match the gates. Once installed, a full automation maintenance service is offered. Such a service is also available for customers with existing gate automation systems.

T 01442 253341 info@castlegatesandautomation.co.uk www.castlegatesandautomation.co.uk

Extreme working conditions

Tenneil Olivier, Warehouse & Distribution Business Development Executive, Conker, looks back at extreme conditions of 2022 and fit-for-purpose rugged devices, designed to last.

Largely shaded red and dark red, weather forecast maps of the summer of 2022 were tracking what turned out to be the hottest summer on record for Europe. From June to September persistent heatwaves affected no fewer than 16 countries across the continent. The highest temperature recorded was 47 degrees Celsius and the waves of punishing temperatures resulted in significant danger weather warnings, evacuations and widespread droughts.

In the United Kingdom, temperatures surpassed 40 degrees Celsius for the first time since records began.

Climatologists1 and scientists predict that continuing changes in the jet stream will cause heat waves with increasing frequency across Europe causing hot areas to stay hot for long periods of time.

Base Structures involved in the UK’s first ever dedicated drone port

Base Structures are proud to be a key part of this groundbreaking project to design and construct a dedicated drone airport in Coventry –the first ever in the UK.

The project sees multiple partners working together to create ‘Air One,’ an ambitious fabric structure that hosts a moveable hydraulic FATO platform (final approach and take-off area) in the structure’s centre.

The 45m diameter structures was clad with PVC coated polyester fabric and included a fabric lining incorporating clear visual panels to the internal drum wall.

 INPUT: 240vac

During the unprecedented record-breaking temperatures across Europe, many companies undertook a hazard assessment of extreme conditions to identify the potential harm to staff – a standard requirement for many firms. As most staff will use equipment of some description, extending the assessment to machinery, equipment and tools that workers use to perform their roles makes sense.

The rapid digitalisation of global supply chains, the advent of industry 4.0 and interest in progressive advanced technology and tools such as AI means that very few industries if any, escape

the need for computer devices for on-site staff and remote workforces working in all conditions.

However, day-to-day commercial pressures such as rising costs coupled with improved and advanced functionality such as built-in image readers that decode barcodes and QR codes, buying lowercost, standard off-the-shelf devices can be tempting. However, do they have sufficient battery life and can they withstand the rigours of extreme working environments – day in and day out and what happens when they go wrong or get broken?

Many working environments including warehousing, manufacturing, transport and logistics and utilities rely on realtime information that provides visibility of all elements of the supply chain, where goods are or how critical services are being delivered. The cost of failure can be substantial not just in the cost of downtime but in customer satisfaction and brand reputation.

For further information, please visit: https://www.weareconker.com

1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_ European_heat_waves

Although we’re at the forefront of such technology, it’s widely believed that drones will play an increasing transportation roll across the world and may be a more familiar sight in the skies above us. UK company Urban Air Port look to grow such an industry, with one day hosting electric and Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft from their Vertiports that could be used to transport paying passengers.

For more information about this project, visit: www.urbanairport.com or contact: sales@basestructures.com.

For more information about Base Structures, visit: www.basestructures.com and have a look at their extensive portfolio of tensile fabric solutions and canopies for outdoor areas.

For any questions or to chat through some options with the team:

T +44 (0)1179 115250 sales@basestructures.com

Innovation of multisensor alarms continues with new product range

Innovation continues for Aico, the European Market Leader in Home Life Safety, as they launch two new products, the Ei660i and Ei660iRF multi-sensor fire alarms. These brand-new additions to Aico’s 600 Series, boast all of the benefits of their award-winning multi-sensor fire alarm in a self-contained batterypowered unit.

With Aico striving to deliver products that align with their customers’ requirements, the Ei660i and Ei660iRF were developed to fulfil the need of a battery-powered multi-sensor fire alarm within their product range.

The products are a complementary addition to the multi-sensors within Aico’s mains-powered 3000 Series, and include the same technologically advanced heat and optical smoke sensors to offer total fire protection, with an increased resistance to false alarms.

The Ei660i is a stand-alone device, while the Ei660iRF includes built-in RadioLINK+ technology, offering wireless interconnection with compatible Aico alarms via radio frequency.

The new products have a range of additional benefits, including built-in dust compensation technology. The unique self-monitoring dust compensation mechanism allows the alarm to tolerate up to twice as much dust contamination than a conventional optical alarm. The optical sensor chamber continually selfmonitors minute changes in dust levels, automatically recalibrating the alarm’s trigger point when necessary to reduce false alarms.

To find out more about the Ei660i and Ei660iRF, please visit: https://www.aico.co.uk/series/600series

Wrap it or regret it – now!

Don’t let the cold catch you out this winter

Burst pipes are the most common cause of home insurance claims in the UK1 and cost an average of £3,500 in damage to property and contents. The expense is not the worst of it; months of disruption follows as the property is dried out and repaired.

hole through the wall, at an appropriate point to connect with the internal plumbing. This enables most water supply replacements to be completed within a couple of hours, without the traditional mess and disruption to the householders or occupiers. The improvement in work efficiency and reduction on the impact to occupants is a win for both contractor and customer. There is also little impact to the exterior appearance of the property, as the INSUduct system provides a neat, clean finish to the job – perfect for planned replacements of old lead water supply pipes.

INSUduct is also perfect for redevelopment and refurbishment projects. It is the ideal product for the replacement of original lead water pipes, turning a disruptive and intrusive job into a quick and easy task. INSUduct is also ideal for developments of multi-occupancy properties.

Steve Leigh, developer of the range and Managing Director of Groundbreaker, has over 40 years’ experience in the water industry.

“We’ve been putting pipes in holes in the ground to protect them from frost for decades,” he explained. “Although it works, today’s new materials allow for a much better solution.

“Keeping pipes on the surface reduces the risk of leaks developing and allows for easy repair and maintenance. It’s just a much better method of working.”

Throughout the winter, frost is the greatest threat to water services. UK Water Regulations require any fitting or apparatus to be correctly insulated to prevent frost, unless in a location that is heated for more than 12 hours a day2. It seems obvious when you are scraping the ice from the car on a frosty morning. However, the insurance claims show that many homeowners, landlords and tennants seem to be unaware of this requirement.

In the worst-case scenario, the replacement of water supply pipes is required. Traditionally this has required major excavations outside a property and usually a great deal of disruption and trauma within, over several days and possibly weeks – inevitably at high cost.

Water supply replacement – an easy alternative!

Whether or not the cause is bad weather, the replacement of a leaking, or an old and unreliable water supply can extend timelines and inflate costs, sometimes to the detriment of other aspects of a project. However, there is now a cost-effective solution to this previously expensive operation. The use of Groundbreaker’s INSUduct allows the new water service to be routed up the external face of the building and connected to the internal plumbing above ground level.

INSUduct only requires one simple core drilled

Designed to optimise space within the insulating casing, up to three 32mm OD water pipes can be installed to the exterior of the building, allowing supplies to be installed at multiple levels of a property with a single insulated duct running up the property exterior.

Groundbreaker products are designed to provide long lasting and effective thermal protection to water pipes and fittings outside the thermal envelope of a building. They offer frost protection for 3 days or more with temperatures as low as -15°C – temperatures we rarely reach in the UK, even with today’s erratic climate!

Carefully fabricated to provide long lasting and effective thermal protection to water pipes and fittings in external situations, the products exceed British Standard 5422 and all relevant Water Regulations for frost protection.

This isn’t just Steve’s opinion. INSUDUCT is the preferred method of water supply replacement of a number of UK water companies, and back in 2018, Groundbreaker was recognised by the HBF (Home Builders Federation) as the Utility Company of the Year for its innovative range that meets the highest standards in both product specification and leak free installation design.

The company is also a contributor to the BPEC (British Plumbing Employers Council) Groundworker, Service Pipe and Meter Housing Installation Training course3. The course highlights the elements of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, relevant to groundwork and ensures contractors have met the minimum competency requirements for entry into WIAPS Approved Contractors Scheme (Groundworker Section).

In addition to INSUduct, the Groundbreaker range includes SHalloduct. Another innovative product enabling easy installation of water supply in situations where water pipes cannot be laid at the recommended depth of 750mm – e.g. over rock, concrete, tree roots, etc. SHalloduct offers a viable alternative to expensive excavations or damage to the local environment. Fabricated to the same high thermal resistivity as INSUduct, SHalloduct offers a practical solution to awkward situations.

Products are available through most builders’ merchants and online, details are available on the ‘where to buy’ pages of the Groundbreaker website.

For more information or advice, please visit: www.groundbreaker.co.uk, call: 01379 741993 or email: sales@groundbreaker.co.uk

For more information and applications, why not sign up for our occasional newsletter for up-todate industry information and product news via email or online?

1) www.lovemoney.com/news/19726/the-mostcommon-homeinsurance-claims

2) www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/1148/made

3) https://bpec.org.uk/qualification/groundworkservice-pipeand-meter-housing-installation

Feeder Pillars and Belisha Beacons –All in stock

We have our versatile Mini Pillar ranges SDMP and BD in a wide range of sizes to suit most applications. We also keep some larger Pillars from our FFP Range. You could have your Feeder Pillar from within 24-48 hours of Order and not have to wait for weeks.

Bespoke and Made to Order sizes are available from just 2 weeks!

Our Belisha Beacons are also in stock – Standard AmberGLO8, Refuge and illuminated column OlympiadIPB. We also have spares and extras like LED Crossing Spotlights, Courtesy Shields

and LED Beacons in Pre-Wired and BC22 fittings for retro fitting – available for both Belisha and Refuge Beacons.

We’re celebrating our 40th year in business this year at Fisher & Company! We have been manufacturing high quality products since 1982 for a wide

Now with new accessories: Slimline AZM150 Solenoid Interlock

variety of purposes. Feeder Pillars and Wall Boxes, Sign & Light Brackets, Belisha & Refuge Beacons – Mains & Solar and Electrically Insulated Digging Tools. See: www.fisherandcompany. co.uk to view our great range of Feeder Pillars – galvanised, stainless and GRP. Our full range of Belisha and Refuge Beacons and other products.

To get a quote for your latest project, please contact the Sales Team on: 0333 666 2122 or email: info@fisherandcompany.co.uk.

With the new practical DHS-150 door handle system, the slimline AZM150 solenoid interlock from Schmersal is now even easier to use. The ergonomic DHS-150 avoids the need for a separate door handle and is suitable for machine enclosures or fencing and for all standard aluminium profiles with a width of 40mm. The robust door bolt is particularly useful on heavy swing doors and in for use in harsh environments.

One benefit of the new accessory is that the actuator is pre-

positioned by the bolt in the DHS system, thus ensuring its optimal insertion into the device. This gives the system stability against lateral forces. In the event of lateral forces on interlocks that

cannot be overcome, the safety door will not be opened – thus causing delays in the production process. In this regard, the DHS-150 door handle system, in conjunction with the AZM150 solenoid interlock, contributes to improved system availability.

The AZM150 solenoid interlock has an interlocking force of 1,500 Newtons and is characterised by a slimline, space-saving design. uksupport@schmersal.com www.schmersal.co.uk

Bull Products appoints new CEO to deliver ambitious growth plans

Sandy Damm (pictured) joins the team at Bull Products, A UK-based manufacturer of life-saving fire protection equipment.

Bull Products has announced the appointment of Sandy Damm as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), whose primary role will be to spearhead the company’s ambitious growth plans within the fire protection market. With more than 25 years of experience, Sandy is a highly experienced and entrepreneurial individual with vast international expertise across several continents, including Europe, Middle East, North America and Asia-Pacific.

Bull Products is recognised in the industry for manufacturing and supplying fire safety equipment,

namely wireless fire alarms, extinguishers, first responder trolleys and other associated products primarily to the construction industry.

Sandy will lead the next stage of the business’s growth plans, with the intention of increasing the size of the organisation fivefold by 2028. Given his experience and expertise, Sandy is well placed to achieve this goal, having previously held the position of Managing Director of Sontay Ltd, a leading manufacturer and supplier of control peripheral products for the heating and ventilation industry. He has undertaken roles including Managing Director, CEO and Divisional Managing Director during his career, and in turn has held P&L responsibilities ranging from £5m to £90m revenue on behalf of privately invested, family-owned and multinational firms.

T 01432 806806

sales@bullproducts.co.uk www.bullproducts.co.uk

Facilities & Estate Management

Property Maintenance Services

SERVICES

Maintenance

We are one of the UK’s leading property maintenance companies. Reactive, planned & compliance property maintenance remains at the core of our services. Covering the whole of the UK, Ireland and Europe we offer a comprehensive range of trades innovatively and cost effectively.

Visit

Projects

We are here to help with any one-off maintenance projects. There are many reasons why you may require MSL to undertake bespoke project work including refurbishment, renovations & more. Our maintenance project case studies demonstrate a breadth of experience covering the UK.

Facilities Management

We offer a broad range of facilities management services to help meet our customers every property need including security, energy & lighting and cleaning. Our customer service centric is based on our 24/7 Helpdesk, inSYNC FM system and a strong focus on account management.

Small tool with big attraction

Fridgenius is a family run business and has a network of national and international distributors, which supply the Solenoid Valve Operating Magnets that are suitable for use in refrigeration, air-conditioning, water, oil and gas installations. The Solenoid Valve Operating Magnet was designed to solve the problem of operating solenoid valves when a system is without power. Its small and easy to use application is shaped similar to a cotton reel and when placed onto a solenoid valve (with coil removed), causes the armature to open and close.

Launched at Installer 2022, an innovative new concept exclusive to Navigator

When can it be used?

The Solenoid Valve Operating Magnet can be used to operate valves in a plant or system, which has yet to be wired-up or has been decommissioned. Alternatively, it can be used when recovering refrigerant from a plant, which has already been decommissioned and power removed. In emergencies, such as the failure of a solenoid valve coil, it can be used to keep a system operating while a replacement coil is found.

Described as a ‘superb product’ by fellow

engineers in the industry, Fridgenius has many success stories and testimonials singing praise of its product. The Solenoid Valve Operating Magnet is available in three sizes, 10mm, 15mm and 18mm and can be customised to a colour of your choice and with company logo printing available.

Contact

T 02381 550189 enquiries@fridgenius.co.uk www.fridgenius.com https://www.facebook.com/FridgeniusLtd

Pumping Station selection for foul and drainage waters

The provision of a pumping system is becoming more common in many developments as gravity cannot always be deployed and a pumped solution would be critical to the success of the scheme.

without the risks that GRP brings both in manufacturing quality control, life expectancy and potential environmental risk.

RADMAG is a new product invented and designed in the UK, to be a fast and economical way to install magnetic protection in a domestic heating system with a minimum of tools and without breaking into any existing pipework.

It can be fitted in minutes into most towel warmer and designer type radiators. It’s totally unobtrusive and aesthetically pleasing and incorporates a high-quality chrome cap with an integral bleed nipple, enabling the system to be checked and maintained regularly. The unit contains a high-powered magnet array, which can be extended to optimise the ferrite capture area. It can be retracted periodically for inspection and wiped clean before re-inserting to continue removal of harmful ferrous particles.

The unique point of sale packaging is completely free of plastic and the components are all fully recyclable.

Features & Benefits

▲ Low-cost magnetic protection

▲ Improves efficiency of heating system

▲ Fast & simple retrofit installation

▲ Extendable reach

▲ Integral bleed nipple

▲ High quality chrome cap

▲ Easy to clean

▲ Zero plastic packaging

Visit our website to see the RadMag installation and cleaning video here: www.navigatormsl.com/ radmag

Frequently, specifiers find the design and selection of a pumping station to be complex and most specifiers rely on the supplier to size the pumping station and select the pump(s) to achieve the required pumping performance.

Focusing on Package Pumping Stations have become popular due to the economy, short lead times and speed of installation, replacing the old method of labour-intensive construction of the chamber. The market has many providers who supply packaged systems based upon price, rather than quality reliable construction and endurance.

Pump chamber design has changed dramatically over the years with a preference to polyethylene being a stronger and more durable material,

The selection of a pumping station and key components within requires specialist knowledge to achieve the economy and environmental performance, along with the understanding of the application that the system will serve plus the risks associated.

The manufacturers design of the package pumping station should be carefully considered, and evidence should be sort for the design integrity in the form of FEA (Finite Element Analysis) and certification by a recognised test house such as BBA (British Board of Agrément), that the chamber will be able withstand the hydrostatic pressures at the required installation depth.

Contact

T 01630 647200 www.ttpumps.com

Whether you are looking for a one-off custom made gate, a staircase, or a production run of doors and windows for a new housing development, or a new interior for your pub, restaurant or office, we can deliver exactly what you are looking for.

We have been manufacturing top quality, purpose made joinery for the domestic and commercial markets since 1972. In our 7,000 square foot factory we can manufacture in hard or softwoods, and veneered & painted panels. We have a modern spray paint and lacquer facility, enabling products to leave the factory in a fully finished state.

No article is too big or too small: In the past we’ve supplied items as small as a 1m length of moulding; but maybe the most unusual article we’ve produced is 10m high oak hardwood catapult for a castle!

Doors & Windows

Nationwide Louvre Company

Nationwide Louvre Company manufactures high quality aluminium Louvres, Louvred Doors, Louvred Plant Screens, Acoustic louvres, Acoustic Screening, Aluminium & Timber Brise Soleil/Solar Shading.

Nationwide Louvre Company offers a full supply and installation service to its customers throughout the UK and have completed a number of projects in the Channel Isles and Europe. The business installs

Retrofitting windows and doors – warts and all!

George Barnsdale has announced the latest in its series of CPD webinars – ‘Retrofitting windows and doors –warts and all,’ which launches online on 17th November 2022 at 1pm.

Whilst we all recognise that retrofit is one of the keys to our drive for zero carbon in construction, it’s not an easy option. Aside from the issue of VAT on such projects compared with zero on new buildings, there are often a few hidden nasties hidden away in the building’s envelope.

The session will cover:

▲ Why there's never been a better time for Retrofit

▲ The principles of ESG: How large social landlords are leading the way

▲ A fresh look at the opportunities retrofit can create for us all

▲ A Developer’s perspective: Julia Webb – Building Surveying Director at Dorrington PLC talks about her own personal commitment to retrofit in her role

▲ A warts and all look at the potential problems you can face when installing new windows and doors into old buildings with Stephen Wright, George Barnsdale.

Scan the QR code to sign up.

Contact T 01775 823000 contactus@georgebarnsdale.co.uk www.georgebarnsdale.co.uk

Classifieds

Site Management

bespoke made to measure quality products on residential, commercial and construction projects.

Nationwide Louvre Company specialise in Brise Soleil and louvred plant screening. Brise Soleil projects are supported with computer simulation software to assess the effectiveness of our products in reducing the effects of solar gain on buildings.

Brise Soleil not only enhances the appearance of a building but will provide a much better living or working environment for the building’s occupants, with the added benefit of reducing glare to help with

computer work and will reduce the running costs of mechanical ventilation and air conditioning.

Our Screening Louvre Systems are used to hide roof mounted plant and equipment and are available in a range of blade shapes and sizes. Supplied in an enormous range of colours and finishes will screen unsightly equipment and enrich the building façade.

Contact T 01922 457204 sales@nlc-louvres.co.uk www.nlcontracts.co.uk

Hörmann UK Series 60: High Speed Industrial Sectional Door seeing is believing

The new high-speed industrial sectional door from Hörmann UK, the Series 60, has been designed and developed to provide quality construction, high security, and easy installation. When fitted with the new WA 500 FU operator, the Series 60 can achieve an impressive door opening speed of up to 1 m/s making it the fastest sectional door on the market, helping speed up warehouse operations and reduce building heat loss.

To illustrate just how fast the Series 60 is, Hörmann have produced a speed test film, which clearly demonstrates the superior speed of the new door when compared directly with an older version of the door. The video is available to view by scanning the QR code provided.

Not only does the Series 60 door offer an exceptional opening speed, but optimised track radii and enlarged rollers result in up to 5 dB(A) quieter door operation together with improved stability, leading to low wear and smoother door travel. Easy fitting and maintenance are aided by reduced components and the provision of pressfitted screws, whilst transition sleeves provide a precise fitting of the track and radius. The

Material Handling

YOUR

HANDLING PARTNER.

THE RIGHT SOLUTION FOR EVERY APPLICATION.

01902 420123 / 01952 915060 sales@davison-forklift.co.uk www.davison-forklift.co.uk

Sanitiser Sprays

door is supplied factory set to the optimum speed but can be easily adjusted and the speed varied to suit individual operational requirements.

For added security anti-lift kits are fitted on both sides of the bottom section of the door as standard, and optional RC 2 security measures are available according to DIN/TS 18194. Operator safety is enhanced by the inclusion of an in-line light grill, which automatically stops the door if an obstruction occurs whilst the door is closing.

The new WA 500 FU operator features soft-start and soft-stop for gentle, smooth door travel, and constant travel speed for both high-lift and vertical track applications.

The set-up and commissioning of the Series 60 door is fast and simple with the provision of an innovative Bluetooth app. Accessible using either a mobile phone or tablet, the app provides users with friendly, easy to follow step-by-step instructions and also provides straightforward fault finding and diagnostic data.

Phil Thorpe, Industrial Division

Exterior Paints & Coatings

Manager at Hörmann UK comments, “We are all excited about the opportunities the new Series 60 sectional door offers the industrial door market. It can provide the opening speed normally associated with a spiral door, combined with the inherent qualities of a sectional door – all at a competitive price point.

“Obviously seeing is believing, so our short speed test film has been produced to illustrate the fast-opening speed in an informative and fun manner.”

To find your local Hörmann, please visit: https://www.hormann.co.uk/industrycommerce-and-public-authorities/industrialdoors/industrial-sectional-doors or call: 01530 516868.

Fixings

Steel AV Cabins Smoking Shelters

Chemical Stores & Storage Units

Staircases & Steps Effluent Tanks

Water Bowsers Turnstiles

www.modconcabintrader.com

T +44 (0)333 404 8822

M 07842 318869

alan@modconcabintrader.co.uk

www.modconcabins.co.uk

Meters & Metering Equipment

SWIFIX AWARD-WINNING FIXINGS FOR EWI & MMC

Swifix fixings have been designed and developed specifically for refitting and installing lightweight and heavy items through EWI systems. The fixings can be used during or after the EWI system installation, providing a cost-effective and maintenance-free solution, while also ensuring the integrity and protection of the EWI system. Fully tested and recommended by numerous EWI system providers and installers, the fixings are manufactured from high quality recycled plastic and provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to enhance newly installed external wall insulation.

Fixings are available from www.swifix.co.uk and from various distributors and builders’ merchants throughout the UK

A breath of fresh air into your home

In this issue of Business and Facilities News, we are proud to announce Total Air Quality Ltd as our Ventilation Specialist Company of the Month.

Total Air Quality Ltd is considered one of the UK’s best domestic ventilation specialists and is Directed by Mark Phillips whose expertise and knowledge is highly respected seeing him represent the ventilation industry at Grand Designs Live on the ‘ask the expert panel’ at both the Birmingham and London exhibitions since 2011.

Covering primarily the south of England from the Midlands down including London, Birmingham, Luton and Oxford, the company is well accredited with BPEC, NICEIC and a long-term member of Construction Line.

“Our office is based in Hayle, Cornwall but we cover the whole of the UK. Our storage units and engineers are based in Milton Keynes & Leighton Buzzard. Our main role is that we design, supply, and install ventilation systems. We also commission and service any type of ventilation system. We pride ourselves in providing an informative and reliable service from design to completion,” stated Ieasha Mullins, Business Manager.

Ventilation is perhaps the single most important element of any building. Having a reliable, working MVHR system is essential to providing fresh filtered air into a building whilst retaining most of the heat that has been generated into the building. With over 35

the importance of having clean air in buildings to reduce the transmission of all pollutants.

Our solutions bring a breath of fresh air to your home,” mentioned Ieasha.

If you’re in need of a ventilation system, Total Air Quality Ltd has a full design service available on ventilation systems for new properties, where the company will work with leading manufacturers to achieve the most suitable system for your property. There are three teams of qualified installers who are experienced in installing all types of ducting systems, and clients can choose between supply and install or installation only.

years’ experience in the ventilation industry and being one of the UKs leading ventilation installers, Total Air Quality Ltd has a commitment to ensure all homes and buildings across the UK are correctly ventilated.

No job is too big or too small as Total Air Quality Ltd work across the construction industry with all customers from someone who is looking to build or renovate a domestic property to a large business looking to enforce cleaner air into their office buildings. In fact, any building that suffers with poor ventilation and is susceptible to condensation and mould such as a chalet, bungalow, flat, cottage, a listed building or new build property, Total Air Quality Ltd has the solution.

“We cannot emphasise enough the importance of maintaining all ventilation systems. Particularly since the rise of COVID-19 that has even more so highlighted

This service is also available for restoration and renovation properties where older properties that are usually more airtight and therefore affected more by problems such as running condensation on windows and walls, damp, and musty odours, black mould on walls or fabrics, and overall general poor air quality which can have dramatic effects on health. The main cause of all the above is condensation, and is a common symptom of modernised and more energy efficient houses.

Total Air Quality Ltd can offer a solution to these problems alongside a great service at a competitive price.

It is good practice to service your ventilation systems at least once a year. As it is the main supply of fresh air to your property, it is essential that the correct airflows

are maintained for the benefit of your health and the health of the building. When ventilation units are not maintained, the quality of airdrops, which can then encourage humidity, carbon monoxide and mould growth, not mentioning the obvious increase in operating costs, which can increase by as much as 60% if your filters are not changed regularly.

Total Air Quality Ltd offer a reliable, trustworthy and cost-efficient maintenance service where its qualified engineers will replace all filters, clean the unit and heat exchanger (MVHR only), clean all supply and extract grilles, re-commission and rebalance your system, provide a service certificate, and all of this work is guaranteed for 12 months.

A recent addition to the company’s portfolio is that, “We have now added air conditioning to our portfolio,” stated Ieasha. Air conditioning in a building is an excellent way to cool the building which has been very well insulated. Insulated properties retain the heat and air conditioning speeds up the cooling process. It is still particularly important since the outbreak of COVID-19 to keep all indoor areas well ventilated, therefore by installing MVHR into your building will minimise any future infections or viruses and reduce the transmission of all pollutants.

It is clear to see the remarkable success and achievements that Total Air Quality Ltd has accomplished over the last few years in encouraging those involved in the construction industry to incorporate clean air systems into their buildings. In closing, we asked Ieasha what the company had planned for the future, she answered. “We will endeavour to build on the success we have achieved and continue to grow the business as we have done for the past five years.”

For more information, please see below:

T 07435 975367 https://totalairquality.co.uk