Building and Facilities News Issue 985

Underfloor Heating & Liquid Floor Screed Specialists

Easyflow are Underfloor Heating & Liquid Floor Screed Specialists offering the highest quality innovative solutions for underfloor heating. As well as being extremely cost effective, underfloor heating is proven to provide a more comfortable and even temperature throughout the room.

Easyflow offer hassle-free underfloor heating systems that include Premium manifold for boilers, Flow rate adjusters, 500-gauge polythene separating membrane, CAD drawings, a complete manual, and much more.

Liquid floor screeding provides fast, efficient and precise floor covering with many advantages over traditional screed solutions. It is ideal for underfloor heating installers to place, as the liquid screed flows around the pipes, forming a void-free finish.

Using a range of innovative, pumpable liquid screeds to suit your specific requirements, it is the ideal solution if time constraints are your biggest concern, and works best in areas that require extra strength & higher depths.

To discuss all your underfloor heating and screed needs and more, get in touch below:

T 01743 298001 www.easyflow.org.uk

Unlocking the potential: Embracing Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) for greener communities

We are facing a climate emergency but that doesn’t mean that we need to reduce and restrict our approach to design and management of our greenspaces. What we need is to see urban landscapes as a rich resource that can provide multiple environmental and social benefits. Landscapes that are designed and managed from the onset in this way, also inevitably develop a completely distinctive and unique sense of place, as well as providing significant biodiversity gains. The good news now is that there are many tried and tested examples to learn and get inspiration from.

Sustainable drainage systems offer a range of environmental and economic benefits. From an environmental standpoint, they help to manage the impacts of urbanisation and reduce the risk of flooding by mimicking natural drainage systems. SuDS can also improve water quality by removing

pollutants and sediment from rainwater runoff before it reaches watercourses. They can also enhance biodiversity by providing habitats for wildlife and green spaces for people to enjoy.

Here at Pictorial Meadows™ in Sheffield, a lot of innovative approaches have emerged specifically in response to both new and existing social and

affordable housing. One of the most mature schemes is the award-winning Green Flag Manor Fields Park. A district park created out of a matrix of post war council housing demolition, waste land and abandoned allotments, in what was then branded as ‘the Worst Estate in Britain’. Three distinctively different Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) form the large proportion of this 22 hectare site and all serve varied adjoining housing estates. A fourth major scheme is just about to be retro-fitted, to serve new housing now under construction. The savings made through designing on-site SuDS, rather than off site piped drainage, have been used to create a long-term endowment fund, that has helped provide year on year park management.

To discuss your project with us, call 0114 267 7635 or visit: https://greenestate.org.uk/contact-green-estate

Lanes drainage engineers gunning for safer water jetting

Drainage engineers at Lanes Group plc are among the first operatives to undergo new training designed to develop essential knowledge and skills for when using water jetting for surface cleaning.

The Drain, Sewer and Surface Preparation up to 275 Bar practical module, or DSP for short, developed by the Water Jetting Association (WJA), includes new instruction on surface preparation.

Then course is designed to develop skills that discourage the use of washdown nozzles attached to jetting hoses. These have no mechanism for instantly shutting off the water supply in an emergency.

Safer water jetting Lanes Group Training Manager, Darren Hamilton, has been putting new drainage engineers at Lanes through the course, which combines class and practical learning to enhance productivity and safety.

He said, “Drainage engineers often use water jetting to clean contaminated surfaces, for example to deal with sewage spills, or clean access chambers and open channels.

“We want to eradicate the use of washdown nozzles for these tasks. Water jets from guns is safer. It can be instantly stopped by releasing the trigger. This provides a built-in safety mechanism to control water delivery.

“Lanes aims to set the highest possible standards. By delivering this DSP practical module, we are aligning our training and procedures with the latest WJA red code of practice for drain and sewer cleaning, which incorporates this new thinking on surface preparation.”

T 0800 526488 sales@lanesgroup.co.uk www.lanesfordrains.co.uk

Roof Access & Fall Protection

Mitigate the potential for falls from height with Bilco UK

According to recent figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), falls from height were the main type of fatal accident for workers between 2021/2022.

Architects can mitigate the potential for falls from height by specifying compliant roof safety products at the beginning of a building’s design to provide maximum protection for contractors when working at height.

openings and has been developed to exceed OSHA Fall Protection Regulations (29 CFR 1910.23). The aluminium rail construction and non-penetrating attachment allows quick and easy installation on new or existing roof access hatches and smoke vents with capflashing. The self-closing and latching gate feature ensures the opening is protected at all times.

Bilco UK can assist architects in successfully meeting the unique requirements of their project, whilst providing maximum fall protection and compliance.

For further information on its complete range of roof access solutions, visit: www.bilcouk.co.uk or call 01284 701696.

Bilco UK’s portfolio of roof safety solutions includes:

Fixed vertical ladders

Fixed vertical ladders can be utilised across a diverse range of commercial and residential applications and can be installed on the exterior of a building or internally with a roof access hatch or smoke vent.

Manufactured from corrosion-resistant aluminium to meet the requirements of BS4211: 2005 + A1: 2008, the Bilco UK TYPE BL industrial Fixed Vertical Ladder is available in standard sizes for floor to ceiling heights of 2-6 metres.

If the ladder is to be mounted externally to provide access to a roof, it must be fitted with a safety cage and guard rail to ensure safe and secure access.

If designed to sit below a roof access hatch, at heights above 3 metres, a safety cage is required. Manufactured in aluminium to meet BS4211: 2005 + A1: 2008, these additional safety features prevent individuals from falling backwards or sidewards and ensure compliance with Building Regulations.

Additional protection can be achieved with the specification of Bilco UK’s unique Ladder Up® Safety Post. The telescopic post mounts permanently to the top two rungs of any fixed ladder, providing a secure hand-hold and enabling the user to enter or exit the opening in an upright and balanced position.

Companionway ladders

For permanent access via a roof hatch where the rise is less than 3 metres, companionway ladders provide the highest standards of safety and compliance.

Manufactured from aluminium to meet BS

EN ISO 14122-03 2001 + A1 2010, BS 42112005+A12008 and BS 5395 Part 3, the Bilco UK TYPE BL-COMP companionway ladder is manufactured in four height ranges up to 3 metres.

BilGuard® 2.0

The BilGuard® 2.0 Fixed Roof Hatch Railing System provides a permanent means of fall protection around the top of roof hatch

German engineered, UK delivered: Specialists in sealing solutions

Service Sealing Solutions Ltd is the exclusive, sole distributor for the sealing industry’s top manufacturers: DOYMA, HKD, across the public and private building sectors, offering premium service duct sealing systems for utility services and watertight seals. The DOYMA seals have been used in large-scale, prestigious UK projects such as the ambitious High Speed 2 railway (HS2) and sensitive, heritage restoration work at London’s King’s Cross station.

Company Director, Tina McAra, worked as a technical sales engineer for the previous UK DOYMA distributor, before seizing the opportunity to take on exclusive UK DOYMA distribution herself. With her specialist knowledge, DOYMA knew the products were in good hands and granted her exclusive distribution rights in 2018.

Based in Shropshire, Tina has worked hard to build up a wide UK customer base, with Service Sealing

Solutions Ltd supporting every painstaking aspect of the building project management process. Tina welcomed her husband, Jim onto the management team last year, to further expand the company’s distribution remit.

DOYMA is synonymous with the very best in ‘German engineering,’ – permanently preventing any gas or water infiltration, through watertight sealing of penetration points in walls and floors. The exceptional DOYMA products are precision-designed for optimal watertight sealing solutions, through its rubber mouldings, thereby futureproofing against structural damage.

Many of the DOYMA products come with an extended 25 year warranty, protecting the lifecycle of many buildings. The Curaflex Nova® gaskets are next-generational, purposefully providing sealing solutions across many ubiquitous applications, making it the number one choice for tradespeople.

With many complex man-made building structures across the UK, from power plants, reservoirs, airports, industrial plants to reservoirs,

Service Sealing Solutions Ltd

there is strong demand for cables and pipe work to be permanently sealed. Service Sealing Solutions Ltd provides the right sealing system for varying pipe dimensions through to thermal or chemical construction requirements.

Service Sealing Solutions Ltd also supply FRANK puddle flanges provide steady watertight sealing of pipes through concrete walls, foundation plates and manholes, working in a flexible way to cover a multitude of scenarios. Infused with EPDM properties, the puddle flanges are effective barriers against corrosive acids and

Wherever services are installed through walls, ceilings or floors, penetrating water may cause damage to buildings. Lack of attention to the points of entry of pipes and cables into the building can have serious results: damp cellars, equipment damaged by water ingress and high repair costs.

Service sealing systems ensure professional and perfect pipe sealing, thus presenting excellent preventative measures against structural damage.

The very best in German engineering is used to seal penetration points at the wall to permanently prevent any infiltration of gases and water into the building, and the duct sealing systems are guaranteed for 25 years.

bases, with herculean resistance to ozone, UV rays and other weathering conditions.

Masterfully designed to hold pressures between 8 to 10 bars, the FRANK products are perfect as sealants around service entries in basements and high-rise buildings. With all eyes on the safety of high-rise blocks since the Grenfell fire in 2017, these sealants are purposefully designed to seal off water and gas ingress.

Finally, Service Sealing Solutions supplies HKD products, which are in fact owned by DOYMA. HKD manufactures a winning, large range of pipe sealing systems and service conduits that can withstand up to four bars pressure. HKD systems have an ingenious sealing solution for service conduits cast into concrete, without the sleeves. The seals are supplied and ready to use, requiring no site preparation work prior to installation: perfect for busy tradespeople.

HKD products are particularly indispensable for thin-walled concrete structures, using options such as: KE Socketless service conduits, KG Wall Ducts and Floor Ducts, together with KG Twin Sockets for installation in pump sumps.

T 01952 510050

www.servicesealingsolutions.co.uk

For more information, please call us on 01952 510050 or visit www.servicesealingsolutions.co.uk or email sales@servicesealingsolutions.co.uk

Service Sealing Solutions is the sole UK distributor for the sealing industry’s top pioneering manufacturers: DOYMA and HKD.

Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning

The tool with a big attraction

Fridgenius Ltd has created a ‘superb product’ in the Solenoid Valve Operating Magnet. One of its key functions is that it eliminates the need to wire up the system or even worry about the correct voltage. Furthermore, it is also useful when recovering refrigerant from a plant that has already been decommissioned and power has been removed, and it can be used in any application where a solenoid valve is installed.

Fridgenius Ltd is a family run business that have been supplying National and International Distributors and Partners the Solenoid Valve Operating Magnets since 1995. Suitable for use in Refrigeration, HVAC, oil and gas installations, this innovative tool is an invaluable addition to any HVAC service engineer’s toolkit.

Solenoid valves play an important role in refrigeration and air conditioning systems as they are used to control the flow of refrigerants. Ultimately, the solenoid valve has one main function which is to turn the refrigerant flow on and off to ensure maximum and efficient system performance.

Essentially, if you need to operate a solenoid valve manually, you need a Solenoid Valve Operating Magnet. Designed and manufactured in the UK, this innovative tool is a valuable addition to any HVAC service engineer’s toolkit. It is available in four sizes; 10mm, 15mm, 18mm and 20mm, is fast and efficient, and has helped hundreds of engineers save hours on jobs.

How it works

The magnet operates by lifting the stem assembly and plunger to actuate the valve. It can then be used to assist during installation, recovery of refrigerants, test and troubleshoot, or manually activate and control a direct connected or pilot operated 2-way solenoid, 3-way reclaim or 4-way reversing valve. Fridgenius Ltd is well respected in the industry, so much so, it was chosen as one of the newest sponsors of World Refrigeration Day for WREFD22, helping to play its part in raising awareness of how important cooling is for everyday life.

Some more key features are that you can service, test, diagnose or manually operate and control any direct connected or pilot operated system, it can be used to keep a solenoid valve open during recovery of refrigerant so the system can be accessed,

it is available internationally, and it can be customised to fit in with your branding. Whether its for retail use or for your own company workforce, the Fridgenius Solenoid Valve Operating Magnet can be provided in any colour to match corporate branding and can be printed with your company logo.

For more information on the product, get in touch below:

T 02381 550189 enquiries@fridgenius.com https://fridgenius.com/

Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning

Adveco introduces the next generation of packaged electric water heating for commercial projects

Commercial hot water specialist Adveco introduces the next generation of FUSION electric water heating for commercial projects.

FUSION-E is a tough, high-efficiency electric water heater. FUSION-T expands the system with the addition of a system-integrated heat pump and advanced controls. Both ranges can be further expanded with the addition of an electric immersion for greater reliance (FUSION-Eplus and FUSION-Tplus).

FUSION is the perfect response for commercial building projects with small to medium basin and sink-led hot water demands. Taller buildings with basement plant rooms and businesses that depend on 24/7 hot water provision for continuity of service all gain advantages from FUSION as well as reducing carbon emissions and controlling costs.

FUSION starts with all new specially designed single- (ATSI) or twin-coil (ATST) corrosionresistant stainless steel high-pressure indirect cylinders. Offering capacities from 200 to 500 litres, the cylinders feature dedicated mounting

points for Adveco’s 12 or 16kW ARDENT electric boiler. By mounting the electric boiler directly to the cylinder FUSION is a more compact, space-saving option. Supplied with pre-built pipework the latest generation of FUSION is now faster and easier to install.

The electric boiler, with multiple immersions inside its sealed storage tank, provides automatically balanced usage to prolong system life and immediate resilience for the boiler.

Used in a sealed ‘primary’ loop, the electric boiler heats the same water continuously effectively eliminating limescale issues typically found in electric systems used in hard water areas.

For the FUSION-T renewable variants, the 6 or 10kW monobloc air-to-water FPi-32 heat pump (ASHP) is used as a source for system preheat. Contribution from the ASHP is maximised via the bespoke FUSION Control Box. These controls smartly balance the two heat sources, enabling the water in the cylinder to be heated in the most efficient way. As the electric boiler is not required to work as hard to raise flow temperatures to the 65°C demanded by commercial applications. Electrical demand on the boiler is reduced by as much as 30%, delivering operational savings and reducing carbon emissions by up to 71%.

The FUSION-T variants are perfect for organisations seeking to invest in a water heating application as part of a decarbonisation strategy without losing sight of higher operational costs associated with all-electric systems compared to equivalent gas-fired water heating.

Where hot water demands become a businesscritical service, FUSION will also support the addition of an Adveco backup immersion providing additional resilience. Fitted into the front-facing clean-out access, the immersion ensures there is no single point of failure for assured service provision.

When only used as an emergency heating source, or during periods of unplanned excess demand, the inclusion of an electric immersion can be extremely advantageous. For FUSION systems incorporating the additional backup 6 or 12kW immersion (FUSION-Eplus & FUSION-Tplus) controls are further extended to incorporate SMS output to advise building managers of a fault scenario and automated engagement of the immersion back-up to guarantee business-critical hot water supply. For commercial organisations seeking a hot water system for new buildings faced with the regulatory changes on new gas connections or planning to move from existing gas-fired systems to electrical alternatives, FUSION provides an impressive range of choices. Whether cost, sustainability or business security are the driving factors for specification, FUSION offers a comprehensive response that can be quickly matched to the requirements of a project.

https://adveco.co/

Project Management

Specialists in Safety

DCON Safety Consultants is passionate & highly committed to continually improving health, safety & 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 and 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

Fire Safety

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 & 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,

FireDNA monitors Fire Doors and more

With the new Fire Safety Regulations having been in force for several months, Contractors, Fire Door Inspectors and Building Owners see the real benefit in using FireDNA. Post Grenfell, we saw an opportunity to introduce a new and innovative way of Monitoring Passive Fire Products in the built environment using the latest digital technologies.

FireDNA is an ‘award winning’ Cloud-based Software and a Mobile App that has been developed for everyone involved in Passive Fire Product Manufacture, Installation, Inspection, Management and Maintenance. As well as for those that live and work within environments where Passive Fire Products are installed and are now required, under new legislation, to be digitally logged and monitored.

FireDNA delivers that digital ‘golden thread’ for all Passive Fire Products in the built environment from Fire Doors, Panels and Partitioning (including all intumescent seals, glazing and ironmongery), through to Fire Cables, Dampers and Ductwork.

FireDNA software catalogues Manufacturers product data, digitally shares it with

Introducing the Ei3030

Introducing the newest innovation in Multi-Sensor alarms from Aico, the Ei3030 Multi-Sensor Fire and Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm. The flagship alarm in Aico’s technologically advanced 3000 Series, the Ei3030 combines individual Optical, Heat and CO sensors, for the ultimate fire and CO response. Aico continues to evolve its offering to provide products that align with its customers’ requirements while maintaining the simplicity that Installers love.

The Ei3030 multi-sensor Fire and CO specifications include:

s Fire Response – The device contains a Thermistor Heat Sensor and highperformance Optical Sensor that intelligently work together, but will also

operate independently.

s CO Response – The proven electrochemical CO Sensor provides an accurate CO response. The CO response is in line with BS EN 50291-1:2018.

s Visual Indicators – The Ei3030 has visual Fire and CO indicators. The relevant indicator flashes depending on what has triggered the alarm.

s Kitemarks – This device holds Kitemarks for British Standards BS EN 14604:2005, BS 5446-2:2003 and BS EN 50291-1:2018.

The Ei3030 also has a range of additional benefits, including built-in dust compensation technology. The unique self-monitoring dust compensation mechanism reduces the risk of false alarms. The optical sensor chamber

Contractors and Installers, who in turn add their installation data, passing that onto Building Owners, Facilities Management Teams & Tenant Management Organisations.

That data can then be used by Building Control, Maintenance Teams, Fire Inspectors and viewed by Tenants and Residents alike, with a simple swipe of a mobile device.

FireDNA digitally links everyone in the chain of responsibility and creates a ‘Golden Thread’ of information across the full product lifecycle from cradle to grave.

To find out more about how FireDNA can assist you, or for more information about our products and services, please visit: www.fire-dna.com or call our team on: 01403 597590.

continually self-monitors minute changes in dust levels, automatically recalibrating the alarm’s trigger point when necessary to reduce false alarms. The Ei3030 can also be fitted in any room where both Fire and CO protection is required (excluding the kitchen) meaning coverage can be provided with fewer alarms.

To learn more about the Ei3030, please visit: www.aico.co.uk/product/ei3030-multisensor-fire-and-carbon-monoxide-alarm/

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

Aico’s HomeLINK Connected Home Solution

English Heritage cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites – from world-famous prehistoric sites to medieval castles. Across these 400 sites are thousands of buildings and spaces which need to be covered by a reliable fire and (CO) system as well as being easy to manage from a repairs and maintenance perspective.

To help them overcome the geographical challenges of managing large estates, English Heritage have opted to trial Aico’s HomeLINK Connected Home Solution which consists of Aico’s Ei1000G Gateway, smoke alarms and Ei1025 Environmental Sensors at one of their sites in Yorkshire, Pickering Castle.

Pickering Castle resides in the North York Moors-Edge

market town of Pickering. This 13th Century castle has been used through the centuries and now contains a variety of buildings including a ticket office, chapel, classroom and toilet block.

The system installed provides fire detection in the various buildings connected to the Ei1000G Gateway which tracks when events are triggered within the alarm system. Device events are processed by the Gateway as they occur and are reported to the HomeLINK Portal via

www.aico.co.uk

its GSM connection. Events such as fire alarms, button tests, mains absence, faults, removal of the alarm head and end of life are all reported to the HomeLINK Portal. English Heritage can also set up notifications when events are triggered via email or text message. This information is valuable to those managing a dispersed estate as it ensures they are informed of any events in the system.

Fire Industry Association

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) is a not-for-profit association, on a mission to prioritise the professional status of the UK fire safety industry. Established in 1916, it is now Europe’s largest trade association for the fire protection industry. For decades, the FIA have been keenly committed to lobbying the UK Government and working with key industry partners, to further promote the ongoing professionalism of the fire industry. This has never been more in focus since the tragic events at Grenfell tower.

Ian Moore, FIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), attended this year’s FIREX as a distinguished guest on the panel for the seminar, “3rd party approval: looking beyond the logo, competency and beyond.” Ian discussed the importance of 3rd party certification for products used in the active and passive fire protection systems and the companies that install and maintain them. Ian further commented, “FIREX has got a reputation as the most important show of the year, we have a great relationship going back well over 20 years.”

Active fire protection includes smoke alarms, extinguishing systems and firefighters, whereas passive fire protection is actively installed into the building during construction and remedial works, such as fire-resistant doors, cavity barriers and fire dampeners. Third party certification (TPC) offers a consumer, credible protection scheme, allowing for transparent accountability in fire protection. FIA has over 1,000 members, all holding 3rd party standard fire safety accreditation. The FIA annually trains over 8,000 professional fire engineers to the new Level 3 BS 5839-1 Fundamentals qualification and FD&A advanced qualifications.

T 020 31665022

info@fia.uk.com

www.fia.uk.com

www.facebook.com/thefireindustry

Solutions for offsite: Passive & inter-module fire protection

For the offsite sector, the focus is not just on building efficiently, but also manufacturing safe and complaint buildings. To achieve this, it is important that offsite manufacturers and their suppliers collaborate at the earliest opportunity.

CPG Offsite Solutions, which encompasses seven brands – Nullifire, Illbruck, Tremco, Flowcrete, Dryvit, Nudura and Vandex – is an excellent example of how collaboration in practise has allowed us to develop specialist products for the offsite market. CPG Offsite Solutions offer a range of passive fire protection products for both service penetrations, and inter-module junctions.

Penetration Seals – In the event of a fire, the penetrations caused by services can undermine the integrity of a buildings fire safety precautions.

Nullifire’s FP220 Service Sleeve and Nullifire FP170 Intucollar Intumescent Pipe Collar are service penetration seals that expand when exposed to fire to maintain the fire resistance of a wall of floor.

Module Junctions – Offsite manufacturing inherently creates joints between modules or panels.

Ensuring that adequate protection is installed within these areas is critical to the fire strategy of the building. Our tested and certified passive fire protection products for module junctions include Nullifire FJ203 Fire Resistant Rope, as well as Nullifire FJ400 Intuspan Intumescent Joint Filler.

Find out more about CPG Offsite Solutions today: www.nullifire.com/en-gb/ www.cpg-europe.com/en-gb/

QUALITY, CUSTOM MADE JOINERY

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 & Joinery

Bespoke fire doors, frames, windows and more

Founded in 2014, Pandor is a Bespoke Door and Panel Manufacturer with over 40 years’ experience in the door and panel industry.

Whether you’re looking for or in need of a unique, challenging, different or normal requirement, Pandor has excellent customer service, expert know-how and industry experience to deliver exactly to your specifications.

Pandor’s extensive portfolio includes fire doors and door sets – certified to FD30/FD60/FD90/FD120 as required, acoustic doors, joinery and panelling, each made to your sizes and finished either clear or in paint as required. Each product comes manufactured to superlative quality with the upmost attention to detail and delivered to you in the shortest lead times.

Manufacturing out of its factory in Sittingbourne, Kent, Pandor has high-quality state of the art machinery helping to achieve the best standard of manufacturing. From the Holzher 5 axis CNC twin bed router to heavy duty sanding machines, veneer presses and lipping and edge banding technology, Pandor can achieve maximum throughput, competitive lead times and accurate, high-quality standards to rival any large-scale

competitor.

Quality, Service, more Quality and more Service.

A proud manufacturer of BM TRADA Q Mark Scheme Fire doors and doorsets.

T 020 82797611 mike@pandor.ltd pandorltd@hotmail.com https://pandor.ltd

Hörmann high speed sectional doors keep things moving at Audi

Helping to accelerate the movement of vehicles through a busy handover bay, six high speed sectional doors from Hörmann UK have been installed at Audi in Bradford. The installation was carried out by Hörmann partner Crucial Engineering and formed part of a retrofit programme, with the new doors being chosen specifically as they provide high speed operation, security, and excellent thermal efficiency.

Replacing a previous complex installation of a sectional door plus a high-speed door fitted to each entrance and exit, the installation of the Hörmann doors solved the operational issues created by this set up and provided Audi with a simple, fast solution.

Three ALR F42 aluminium glazed doors were installed at the entrance to the handover bay, with three SPU F42 sectional doors being fitted to the exits.

Constructed from a lightweight, yet strong, aluminium framework, the ALR F42 glazed doors consist of large, clear glazing panels bringing maximum light into the working environment and creating an unimpeded view.

The glazing panels include the unique Hörmann DURATEC coating which protects the panes from

scratching and damage caused by cleaning over the long-term, providing a permanently clear view.

The SPU F42 sectional doors have a hardwearing Stucco textured interior finish, with a micro grain exterior creating an elegant surface finish to complement the building’s modern façade. The doors are all coated with RAL 9006 White aluminium.

For further information on Hörmann UK’s visit Industrial Sectional Doors Industrial Doors from Hörmann (www.hormann.co.uk) or call 01530 516868.

Clear benefits with new

TurboLux Spiral Door from Hörmann UK

Hörmann UK have launched a new transparent, high speed spiral door, the HS5040 TurboLux and Turbolux S. With an impressive market leading opening speed of up to 4m/s, the TurboLux range combines high speed operation with optimised transparency, strength, and durability, making the doors ideal for demanding warehouse and logistics applications where efficiency and visibility are key.

The TurboLux range offers a pleasingly symmetrical and compact design, with transparent door laths manufactured from a clear, high-grade polycarbonate, which provides high impact and breakage resistance. Providing 90% transparency, the door has been designed to maximise light and visibility, helping to reduce accidents, ensure smooth and efficient transport processes, and provide brighter working environments to improve operator conditions.

With TurboLux doors providing impressive opening speeds of up to 4m/s and closing speeds of 1m/s, operator safety is paramount. Situated within the side panels of the door is a light grille which monitors the door closing zone up to a height of 2,500mm while a gentle soft-stop function stops the door in the event of an obstacle being detected. Standard door sizes of up to 5,000mm x 5,000mm can

be achieved and the door can offer an optional wind load resistance of Class 4, speeds of up to 133km/h, making the Turbolux suitable for both external and internal installation. Narrow side panels of 250mm result in a door that offers maximum flexibility as it can be fitted into confined spaces, with key components being supplied pre-assembled to aid fast and efficient installation.

Commenting on the introduction of the TurboLux range, Phil Thorpe, Industrial Division Manager at Hörmann UK says, “We are excited about the launch of the Hörmann TurboLux, our new high speed, transparent

spiral door – a door that has been designed using highquality materials to ensure a long service life and the ability to stand up to the wear and tear of challenging working environments.

“Together with industry leading opening speeds and maximum visibility, TurboLux offers the market the chance to further speed up workflow processes and reduce energy costs. Once again, Hörmann are supplying the market with a real difference, and we think we have produced a clear winner.”

To find out more about Hörmann, please visit: www.hormann.co.uk or call: 01530 516868.

Kaz for President

GEZE UK MD, Kaz Spiewakowski, looks to focus on education and further developing relationships with RIBA and overseas members as well as ensure value for members as he takes over the two year presidency of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI). Kaz has already held the vice president role for the last two years working closely with outgoing president Mario DelSignore.

The focus on education will look at improving the process for developing new material and how it is delivered. The GAI will explore getting the content validated and third party audited as well as looking at producing new content.

Said Kaz, “I am delighted to be taking over the presidency of the Guild. CPD and compliance is vital for our members – becoming trained and demonstrating competence. The work done over the past few years has increased the focus on professionalism, particularly the REG AI status and the aim is to continue that.”

Simon Forrester, Chief Executive of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers, added, “We are delighted that Kaz has taken over the role of GAI President. We have a long association with GEZE with many of their team holding GAI qualifications or sitting on Guild committees. We wish Kaz a successful presidency.”

To find out more about GEZE and its comprehensive range of automatic and manual door closers and window technology products, email: info.uk@geze.com or visit: www.geze.co.uk

Building materials to the trade

Established in 1998 and now in its 25th year Ecomerchant is a successful independent employee-owned business that supplies building materials to the trade, covering the whole of the UK from a number of warehouse locations. Based on the core values of ethical trading, healthy materials, and sustainability, Ecomerchant has built up an excellent reputation as the ‘go-to’ source of reliable and proven construction materials.

Ecomerchant considers the whole product supply chain from raw material production to end use, to ensure not only the lowest possible environmental impact but also endeavour to ensure that there are no negative impacts on human health. Issues such as building durability and indoor air quality are high on Ecomerchant’s agenda for consideration.

Key to any design is durability, carbon reduction, cost and quality. Ecomerchant has developed solutions with combinations of products which give best performance with least impact on our planet at the most affordable rates. Please contact us to find out about our range of sustainable building solutions. Ecomerchant promotes a fabric-first approach to building looking to reduce the operational energy

required, the more efficient the building is the more the importance of material choice increases as it becomes the main source of embodied energy or potential to pollute. Our product ranges are targeted at this basic approach to construction, get the fabric right first.

Ecomerchant supplies materials to a wide range of construction areas including private housing, self/custom build, refurb, renovation and restoration, social housing and the health and education sectors, these sectors are the ones that tend to build beyond Regs often up to Passive House standards, it is these customers that will help drive change and raise standards in UK construction, it won’t be done through building to minimum standards but by a desire to build better, more durable, healthier buildings, this is where some of the best examples of genuinely sustainable construction can be found.

Ecomerchant supplies a vast range of materials including, insulation, airtightness, sheet materials, performance windows and doors, lime and clay plasters, renders and mortars, natural paints, off-grid systems, groundwork

and landscaping materials and much more all chosen to help create healthier and more energy efficient homes, schools and workplaces.

Ecomerchant offer a responsive and flexible approach to ordering building materials. In addition, there is a wealth of news, informative articles, videos and technical information hosted on the website plus regular newsletters to keep subscribers up to speed on building materials and best practice.

Services and products:

s Insulation, wood fibre insulation boards and batts, sheep’s wool, hemp and cellulose

s Airtightness membranes tapes & accessories

s Lime Plasters, mortars, renders, putties and paints

s Internal wall insulation

s External wall insulation

s Boards and sheet materials

s Roofing materials

s Paints, and timber protection

s Lime floor screeds

s Performance timber windows and doors

s Roof Lights and Sun pipes

s Steel Guttering

s Rainwater harvesting

s Sewage Treatment

s Erosion control and water management

s Natural landscaping geotextiles and weed control

s Natural cleaning and maintenance products

Visit the website to see more; many products are available to buy online. Ecomerchant’s knowledgeable and helpful staff will be happy to price your enquiry, answer technical questions, take orders or provide quotations.

T 01793 847444

info@ecomerchant.co.uk

www.ecomerchant.co.uk

Ecomerchant covers the whole of the UK from its base at the National Self-Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon

Online-training program in Safety Data Sheet authoring

Environmental Science Group Ltd (ESG) announced recently the launch of its first ever commercially available training course, in the field of Safety Data Sheet authoring. Following a successful roll out among their current intern program, ESG is now opening this exciting development opportunity up to all. Available nationwide, via online, interactive learning modules, the complete training course provides candidates the chance to develop an entry-level skill base for a career opportunity, in what is, at the moment, a largely underrepresented and exclusive technical sector.

Here is what some of the internship delegates had to say:

“Even as someone with very limited knowledge in this particular field, I found the course very easy to follow. It progressed logically and at a pace that allowed me to absorb the material properly... I was always made to feel comfortable when asking questions and the lecturers were patient with everyone, ensuring we were able to grasp what we were learning...”

“I loved that we were asked questions which encouraged

Work safely in potentially explosive areas

us to really think about how our theoretical skills would apply in practical settings... this really helped me to build confidence...”

“I feel really privileged to have been a part of this training program, as there are so few people with considerable expertise in this specific aspect of safety regulation. What a fantastic opportunity!”

Release of the first module is currently planned for October 2022. Candidates wishing to register their interest can do so via the company website at: www.envsciencegroup.com

T +44 (0)1354 653222 enquiries@envsciencegroup.com

First Mats expands product line

First Mats, a leading online retailer best known for their matting products, is proud to announce the launch of their new and improved range of Board Trolleys. The expanded range is designed to cater to various industrial and commercial uses, with a host of new trolleys ideal for carrying sheet products, including plasterboard, fence panels, glass sheets, and tube & bar materials.

Board Trolleys are specialised equipment designed to transport boards, panels, and other flat sheets of material in an upright position. They are the go-to solution for transporting materials such as plasterboard, plywood, MDF, and other large, flat sheets. Available in various sizes and

equipped with casters or wheels tailored to the application’s specific needs, Board Trolleys are a crucial piece of equipment for any builder or tradesperson who handles large, flat sheets of material or sells fence

Hardware Warehouse

Hardware Warehouse is one of the UK’s largest online stockists of metal and plastic profiles, sheet metals, hooks and flooring accessories. As well as having a large stock holding, they also offer next day delivery as standard, meaning you get your order as quickly as possible. With no minimum or maximum order value and graduated pricing, it means the more you buy, the more you save. Both commercial and domestic customers are equally catered for. If you need a bespoke quote on a large quantity – no problem, simply get in touch and get the best possible price. The products are widely used in numerous applications and industries, including glazers, engineers, designers, and plumbers to name a few. This is mainly due to the vast

range that is stocked. Most popular materials are PVC, Mild Steel and Brass. Most of the profiles are available in 1m and 2m lengths. If you have a commercial address, you can benefit from reduced 2m delivery rates by simply registering as a business customer through the Hardware Warehouse website. Plus spend £100 or over on 1m lengths (ex VAT) and £150 on 2m lengths (ex VAT) and get your delivery absolutely FREE! The last couple of years have been tough for all industries, especially retail, however Hardware Warehouse have powered through and continued to provide their customers with top quality products and first-class service. They recently launched a Click and Collect service, meaning customers can not only save

panels and sheet materials.

The team at First Mats have worked hard to ensure customers have the best information available to make the right choice for their needs. The range includes Britishmade LoadAll Folding Plasterboard Trolley, Board and Long Goods Platform Trolleys, and the specialist Beam Kart Panel Buggy.

First Mats has earned a 4.8/5 star Trustpilot rating, establishing itself as a trusted name in the industry. The company is committed to offering quality safety products at competitive prices, backed by excellent customer service.

www.firstmats.co.uk/collections/ board-trolleys

Schmersal presents new safety light curtains/grids in Ex design

The Schmersal Group has expanded its range of optoelectronic protective devices with a series of safety light curtains/grids in Ex design. The new EX-SLC/ SLG440 series is designed in the ignition protection types EX d (gas atmospheres), EX t (dust atmospheres) and EX op is (optical radiation) and is thus especially suitable for access protection of potentially explosive areas in industrial production –namely for zones 1 and 21.

There is an elevated risk of explosion in many areas of manufacturing, such as in the chemicals industry, in refineries or paint shops where flammable coatings are being used. In industries that process bulk materials, such as in the animal feed or recycling industries, as well as in sawmills and plants that process cereals and grains, there is a risk of dust explosion and the occasional formation of a potentially explosive dust cloud during normal operation.

Schmersal has developed the SLC/SLG440 safety

light curtain/grids in Ex version precisely for these applications. These devices can be installed in potentially explosive gaseous and dusty atmospheres of zones 1/21 and 2/22, category 2GD and are used to protect hazardous areas and machine access.

When one or more of the beams is interrupted, hazardous movements are brought to a halt.

The series is ATEX certified and further certification – IECEx, INMETRO and CCC Ex – are due to follow. The sensor system is accommodated in a protective enclosure made from non-breakable glass.

Ex-SLC440 safety light curtains for finger, hand and body detection are available in versions with a resolution of 14 and 30mm as well as ranges of between 0.3 and 20m. Ex-SLG440 safety light curtains are suitable for access control to hazardous areas.

The waterproof and dustproof devices achieve IP66 and IP67 protection class and also have the capability to be used outside.

Contact: Steve Watkins, Marketing & Business Development

T 01684 571980

swatkins@schmersal.com www.schmersal.co.uk

Building Products & Services

New user-friendly website

money on delivery cost, but also order and collect their products the same day. “We are based in Romsey, Hampshire and knew we needed a solution to ever increasing delivery costs, especially with the size of the products we sell. The Click and Collect service has been so popular with the businesses that surround us as they can get their hands on what they need pretty much immediately!” commented owner, Katie Clarke.

T +44 (0)330 333 5030 info@hardware-warehouse.co.uk www.hardware-warehouse.co.uk

Topping out of cancer centre

A state-of-the-art cancer care facility being constructed in Guildford has reached a significant milestone in June 2023. Representatives from Developer Prime plc, VINCI Building, operator GenesisCare, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and Assura plc gathered to mark the topping out of the centre, celebrating a major step forward in advancing healthcare in the region. The centre will offer highly advanced oncology treatments and patients will have access to the latest treatment options, including highly targeted radiotherapy using a Magnetic Resonance Image Linear Accelerator (MR Linac), and Theranostics, an innovative treatment that combines diagnostic imaging & radionuclide therapy to seek and destroy advanced cancers without damaging healthy tissue.

In addition to offering advanced cancer treatments to private patients, GenesisCare and the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust will partner to offer some NHS patients access to technology not currently available on the NHS.

Richard Powell, Director of Construction Strategy at Prime, said, “We are thrilled to reach the topping out phase of the new GenesisCare cancer centre. Not only does the build signify

a beacon of hope and progress in our ongoing battle against cancer, but this project has been a testament to the collaborative efforts of our dedicated team, committed to constructing a world-class facility that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families.”

The cancer centre’s construction remains on schedule, and with the topping out phase completed, the focus now shifts towards the interior construction, installation of advanced medical equipment and final preparations for the grand opening scheduled for early 2024.

Contact: Laura Pocknell, PR & Marketing Manager, Prime

T 01905 362120

M 07935 504364 laura.pocknell@primeplc.com

CPG UK’s Flowcrete is thrilled to announce the launch of its new website aimed to transform the user journey for architects, specifiers, and contractors. The newly revamped website boasts a clean and modern design, reflecting CPG UK Flowcrete’s commitment to innovation and industry leadership.

One of the key objectives behind Flowcrete’s new website redesign was to simplify the process of finding the right flooring solutions for each specific construction project. By carefully analysing the flooring demands in a myriad of markets and sectors, we’ve been able to develop tailored flooring solutions and now architects, specifiers, and contractors can easily explore Flowcrete's extensive range of products and systems, download technical information, navigate through expert insights as well as read case studies. This wealth of resources empowers building professionals to select the most suitable flooring systems and make informed decisions on their next project.

Rejoice Chikosi, brand and communications manager for CPG UK’s Flowcrete brand, says, “We are delighted to introduce our new website which is a testament to our commitment to continuously improve the user

experience for our audience. Taking onboard feedback from our valued industry network, we have ensured the new site’s layout, navigation menu and search functionality are developed in a clear and concise manner, allowing for ease of use & information finding.

“By providing a user-friendly platform that simplifies the architect, specifier, and contractor journey, we aim to support our valued audience in finding the perfect flooring solutions for their projects with ease.”

Visit the new Flowcrete website at: www.flowcrete.eu/en-gb/ and experience the future of flooring solutions first hand.

Structural thermal bridging solutions

Armatherm™ is one of the leading suppliers of structural thermal break materials for the construction industry. Providing architects, structural engineers and building design professionals with effective solutions to prevent thermal bridging, Armatherm™ is present in both the UK and USA.

Armatherm™ was initially produced by Armadillo Ltd as a response to an EU initiative which set out to improve the energy performance of buildings even further.

Armadillo Ltd recognised that thermal bridging is a significant contributing factor in building envelope heat loss. Armatherm™ 500 thermal break material (TIM) range was designed to significantly

reduce energy lost from thermal bridging in building envelope connections and can also be used on Tekla products. Armatherm™

structural thermal break materials can be provided to a variety of specifications to minimise heat loss. This makes it suitable for any building envelope applications including balconies, canopies, parapets, masonry shelf angles and

cladding connections. The Armatherm™ Thermal Break plugin can now be used for Tekla Structures. The Armatherm™ component details the Armatherm™ FRR structural thermal break material that has been used in thousands of structural steel framing connections across the construction industry as a thermally separate structural connection. By transferring load in moment and shear conditions, it provides a combination of low thermal conductivity and high compressive strength at the same time.

T 01274 591115 info@armatherm.com www.armatherm.co.uk

Sustainable Water Management Company of the Year

The Green Connection

Systems probably offer the only truly sustainable water management system that eliminates the need for joints on PE pipe and therefore creates a leak free system.

The Groundbreaker has been designed with a working life of over 50 years and can be used on either new or existing dwellings. As a world leader in management of water services, Groundbreaker Systems has had a tremendously successful past 12 months, and 2023 is also setting up nicely for further accomplishment.

Steve Leigh, Managing Director at Groundbreaker Systems, mentioned, “The last 12 months have been pretty good all round, previous research and product developments appear to be bearing fruit after many years of trials, tribulations, etc. COVID-19 didn’t help, but I think we came out of it quite well given the ‘flexible’ structure of the company. Sales have done pretty well too. We performed to forecast but it has helped that there has been the added bonus of the national focus more in line with net zero carbon targets.”

Since the company began, its project to derive energy from portable water has been the holy grail of water management, and as Steve puts it, “It’s taken us about four years of hard work, working with independent research establishments to achieve this.” Groundbreaker Systems is proud to now have the full patent protection, and is looking to work with like-minded organisations to deliver it to the water industry.

In this issue of Building and Facilities News we have selected Groundbreaker Systems as our Company of the Year for its Innovation in Sustainable Water Management.

With the ongoing pressure we are facing as a planet to be more aware of climate change and how best we can incorporate a more sustainable way of living, Groundbreaker Systems is proud to be doing its part in offering practical and cost-effective solutions to the water and construction industries.

There are many ways that water can be managed sustainably. Simple changes such as turning off the tap when it’s not in use, or cutting those long showers short, and even using energy-efficient and water-saving devices are not only great for being in and around your home, but also when it comes to running a business. However, switching to more environmentally friendly solutions can be tricky and even knowing where to start can be difficult.

Boasting an extensive and successful 20 year track record, previous Utility Company of the Year for 2018 by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) – Groundbreaker

Steve explains further, “As part of our R+D projects, we were recently granted two new patents, one to help manage the volume of water delivered to a property and the second to demonstrate that we can deliver energy from a potable water supply.

“For the former, this is something that we started looking at some years ago, and have developed products that can cut water consumption and since saving water can also save energy, we are advised by independent reports show that savings of about £100 per year per property can be achieved.

“The latter opens the way for more efficient water metering and will reduce the demand for expensive lithium batteries that are also very difficult to dispose of.”

The Groundbreaker and what is it?

Groundbreaker is an insulated, surface mounted enclosure for a secure water management system and smart water meter as required, manufactured using reprocessed materials to meet the green agenda. It is perfect for use on greenfield sites, contaminated (brownfield sites), urban regeneration, new build, modular homes, park homes & caravan sites, temporary water supplies, and provides the perfect platform for a ‘smart’ meter – linking to the home ‘hub’ for remote reading.

“Apart from leaving water management tools accessible to the home owner/occupier, which also designs out street furniture and joints on PE pipe, the signal from a smart meter located within our Groundbreaker unit could have a range of over 3 miles, as compared to as little as 3m if underground,” Steve commented.

From this, the Groundbreaker product range extends to a number of accessories made of UV stabilised materials that are capable of resisting direct sunlight and can withstand temperatures of up to 50ºC as standard.

One of its most recent products added to the

range and has just been granted a patent for is the NRv2® Turbine that has been designed to work in and with any concentric water meter in the UK. The turbine is designed to provide useful energy to smart water meters, transmitters, sensors and other devices by harnessing the power from domestic water supplies. Being able to provide power to water management devices means that the battery life of any apparatus could be extended by a factor of 3, 4, 5 or more times which also means that there would be significantly less wastage in both manpower and materials than traditional systems and to facilitate further developments in these areas.

The standard NRv2® is designed as a cost-effective way of protecting water services from backflow issues caused by boilers and/or faulty valves in older boundary boxes. It works by being a simple ‘plug and play’ system that fits between a water meter and can manifold in

Groundbreaker surface mounted boundary box

Groundbreaker allow easy access to meter and stop tap

Steve Leigh, Managing Director at Groundbreaker Systems

any underground meter chamber. NRv2® can either upgrade any backflow protection up to fluid category 3 or remediate failing apparatus in the highway without expensive excavation. It can also be used with any concentric meter, is quick and easy to install and requires no special tools or excavations. Also ideal for equestrian, agricultural and park home situations, when compared to the average cost of replacing a boundary box which is the equivalent of £250.00+, the NRv2® is a great cost-effective solution.

“The NRv2® and our newly patented LoFlo system is

Sustainable Water Management Company of the Year

designed to not only remediate back flow issues from older boundary boxes, but to manage the volume of water to any given property, significantly reducing per capita consumption as well as the carbon footprint (net zero),” added Steve.

The NRv2® LoFlo is a derivative of the patented NRv2 product and is designed to manage and regulate the flow of water to a property by means of a smart non-return valve. Marked as the most cost-effective method, as Steve mentions its ability to reduce per capita consumption and to find ‘water neutrality’ is second to none. With the ability to reduce water consumption by up to 20 litres per person per day, the NRv2® LoFlo could save the average property £100 per year, this assuming two people accommodate the building.

The NRv2® LoFlo is perfect for use with all boiler systems including combi boilers as it does not affect water pressures or minimum flow pressures offered by the UK water industry. It certainly is a great addition to the NRv2 family.

Another notable product that Steve was keen to mention is the INSUduct. “Our INSUduct product has a proven track record in helping consumers and water companies to be able to replace lead and leaking water services quickly and efficiently.”

Essentially the INSUduct makes it child’s play to replace lead water services. Standing for Insulated Ducting, INSUduct can protect up to three 32mm OD water pipes from frost outside the thermal envelope of a building and can be used with the infamous Groundbreaker product, the Firebreaker, or just on its own.

INSUduct is simple to install and can facilitate the replacement of lead or leaking water service pipes in less than two hours without needing to dig up floors. It complies with both BS5422 standards and falls within Water Regulation (4) of which includes extreme conditions. Perfect for use in new or existing dwellings or any urban regeneration project, INSUduct can also climb first, second and higher floors which comes in use as it removes the need to have to bring water services in at any level.

Ticking every sustainable box, not only is the process greener, it has been built and fabricated using reprocessed materials to meet the green agenda. The ability to adjust and cater to individual requirements is also available here. To protect pipes larger than 32mm OD, Groundbreaker Systems can fabricate bespoke INSUduct for pipes up to 63mm OD and possibly even larger.

Lastly, The SHalloduct, an insulated ducting that is designed to protect water pipes from frost outside the thermal envelope of a building where water pipes cannot be laid at the prescribed depth of (>750mm + <1,350mm). Great for use in either standard PE or barrier pipe of either 25 or 32mm diameters, you should use SHalloduct in areas such as over rock, foundations, ditches, tree roots or overland for ‘temporary’ services.

It is fair to say that the entire Groundbreaker product range is simply outstanding and comes completely unrivalled in the current water management market. Of course, there is always more to come, so we asked Steve what are the company’s plans for both the short and long term.

“In the short term, we will be continuing to support the water industry and indeed consumers to get best value for money when installing new or replacing water services. Within that framework, we are about to move our warehousing and logistics support to a new and efficient operation that will ensure that every part of the UK is able to receive our products efficiently. In the longer term, we look forward to working with others in delivering the applications and benefits that our products can offer.”

It’s important to always keep an eye on the future and stay ahead of the competition so that you can always best serve your current and future customers. However, the future can be completely unpredictable at times, but Steve

and the rest of the Groundbreaker team are well versed to any industry changes that may arise.

In closing Steve states, “In the future I think that there will be even more demand for efficient services for minimal costs in the next few years. Protection of the environment is going to become even more important and we want to be there to meet that requirement. The energy crisis and the move to net zero are good examples of the likely political direction.”

If you would like more details about the Groundbreaker product range and their applications, please visit: www.groundbreaker.co.uk or get in touch using the contact information below.

T 01379 741993 sales@groundbreaker.co.uk

Warehouse & Logistics

Bradshaw Electric Vehicles takes centre stage at recent RTX Expo 2023

is furthermore complemented through their newly formed relationship with vehicle conversion and racking specialists, Bott – who fitted out a G2 box van with their market leading racking systems.

Bradshaw, the UK’s leading manufacturer of industrial electric vehicles, found themselves at the forefront of the recent RTX Expo at Stoneleigh’s NAEC where their Club Car Tempos and Carryalls helped to ferry exhibitors and visitors throughout the show.

The event, which took place between 28th and 30th June, successfully championed the road haulage sector over the course of three days by bringing together the latest trucks, trailers, tankers and everything in between into one far-reaching show.

Along with the fleet of all-electric three Tempos and two Carryalls, Bradshaw was also proudly exhibiting its G2 and G4 Goupil utility vehicles, which enable businesses and organisations to make their last-mile distribution and overall operational needs more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Priding themselves on their bespoke offering, the Goupil vehicles can be equipped with lead acid or lithium batteries and can each be tailored directly to the customer’s requirements – which

An all-electric compact road utility vehicle, the G2 range offers an ideal solution for customers who have multiple sites which are connected by public highway. Available with pick-up, cage and van bodies, the G2 has been expertly designed to transport payloads of up to 600kg, while retaining small and compact size for convenience of use.

With an operational range of between 27 to 62 miles the G2 range has a payload of between 415 to 533kg and 78 to 596kg depending on the chosen model.

This year Bradshaw also exhibited a G4 at the

bustling show, this time with an innovative offering; a combi pickup with a 200 litre pressure washer fitted with a demountable hill tip salt spreader provided by Peacocks Salt – ultimately showcasing the versatility of the vehicle and its many applications and uses. There was also a G4 cage tipper exhibited on the stand which comes with all the same features as the pick-up model but with the added feature of a hydraulic tipping body that can be controlled from outside the vehicle.

With an operational range of 68 miles and a maximum speed of 31mph, the G4 range can be equipped with an array of body types to cater to the customer’s specific requirements and feature a safe and secure cabin and both left and right hand drive options. The G4 road vehicles on offer also include pick-ups, vans and waste collectors, all designed to transport people and equipment for a variety of different applications.

Ramsy Labassi, Marketing Manager at Bradshaw Electric Vehicles, commented, “It was fantastic to see our Club Car Tempos and Carryalls play a role in ensuring that the RTX Expo ran smoothly by ensuring visitors and attendees alike got from A to B seamlessly.

“We were also delighted to exhibit once again for the second year running and showcase our versatile Goupil vehicles – the G2 which featured our bespoke fitouts provided by Bott as well as the G4 tipper and a combi pickup with a 200 litre pressure washer fitted with a demountable hill tip salt spreader provided by Peacocks Salt.

“With environmental sustainability at the top of the industry’s agenda, especially with Net Zero etching ever closer, we were delighted to be on hand to discuss the benefits and versatility of our Goupil range to businesses and organisations who were actively looking to make the allimportant switch to electric.”

enquiries@bradshawev.com

www.bradshawev.com

2023 trends for the cleaning industry

Green and sustainable

The last few years has seen a keen increase in the interest of sustainable and ‘green’ products. With ESG being the new focus across the board, there is far greater awareness of goals and expectations from contractors and customers alike which extends to their supply chains, manufacturers and distributors. Even as costs continue to rise due to the price of raw materials, the appetite for investment here is steady with suppliers looking to reduce chemicals, VOCs and plastic usage in their products.

Robotics

While the jury may still be out with regard to robotic cleaning machines, they are increasing in popularity. Robotic machines can genuinely provide a far better standard of cleaning compared to the old-fashioned mop and increase levels of productivity too. With recruitment challenges remaining across the industry, machines that are able to map floor plans and complete tasks without human operators are becoming an attractive solution for staff shortages too. However, the initial investment required for a long-term return on investment (ROI) still remains a barrier for some.

Technology

It’s all about the data. Customers today are keen to track data driven, real time reporting. There has been a clear shift since 2000, with an emphasis on quality, moving from products to services. Increasingly we are moving to daytime cleaning to pick up issues throughout the day. Using innovations in technology helps us to achieve improvements in quality by increasing productivity and creating improved reporting systems and processes. These can be tracked via sensors placed in meeting rooms and washrooms. Wireless sensors or QR codes provide flexibility for usage anywhere and can track trends for the busiest times of the day in specific areas. Over time, the information can be used to predict and plan for when a presence is required in washrooms for example, ensuring teams are focused in the right areas at the right times.

Staffing

With the exodus of cleaning operatives from the industry during the pandemic, roles such as delivery drivers and warehouse operatives were filled due to the rise in online shopping. Staff

shortages are therefore an ongoing issue in the battle to attract the workforce to return to the cleaning industry, although improvements are rippling through the sector. The pandemic shone a positive spotlight on our industry to highlight the frontline work in keeping people safe, which has changed perception and appreciation of our workforces. However, the work needs to continue ensure our operatives feel valued, well remunerated and supported. Reward schemes, employee assistance programs and wellbeing initiatives should all be standard practice these days. The British Cleaning Council is also supporting to raise the profile of our industry as a viable career path with qualifications through an Apprenticeship Levy funded industry-wide Apprenticeship for the cleaning and hygiene sector which has been submitted to the approving body. It is hoped that the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) will give the final agreement and confirmation for the Apprenticeship Standard and End Point Assessment within a couple of months although there is no fixed timeline at the moment.

Costs

How are customers and service sectors adapting to a post COVID19, Brexit world and war in Ukraine? With the rise in energy costs, interest rates, raw materials and payrates there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight currently on the impact on the price of products and services for end users across the FM sector.

By Nina Wyers – Marketing

Group

& Brand

Director at The

Floorbrite

Floorbrite is a 2nd generation family business providing commercial cleaning, specialist cleaning, window cleaning, washroom, hygiene and consumable supplies, waste and environmental management, pest control, plants and grounds maintenance, security & high-level building access solutions. With 50 years’ industry experience, Floorbrite has grown to become one of the leading soft service providers in the UK FM sector.

www.floorbrite.co.uk

Homebuilding & Renovating Show Review – Top Exhibitors

Let’s go to the show

From practical tips to inspiring advice and the latest products, it’s all under one roof at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, the go-to exhibition for self builders and renovators, held at Birmingham’s NEC from 23-26 March 2023. No matter what stage your project is at, the show will help you to bring it to life! Come along for tailored, one-to-one advice; browse 1,000s of new and innovative products to improve your home; and discover the ins and outs of everything from planning regulations for extensions and managing renovation budgets, to stylish kitchen design and integrating underfloor heating.

Self-build specialists, renovation experts and leading brands are all under one roof. Discover the latest products, understand how to maximise your budget or seek an architect's opinion. From small plots to big builds, this is the place to pick up tools and tips from the brightest and best in the business.

The show returns next year to Birmingham’s NEC from 21-24 March 2024. This is our pick of the best exhibitors from this year’s Birmingham show, listed here in alphabetical order: Enville Oak Ltd, Glenn Cavill Architecture, New Forest

Quickslide

There was a real buzz around Quickslide’s stand at the Surrey Homebuilding & Renovating Show, as visitors flocked to see Indi-fold, the new versatile aluminium slide-and-stack door system. Since the early 20th Century, bi-fold doors have been on every homeowner’s wish list, & this new generation door seems to have captured the interest of bi-fold door fans who worry they won’t always open the doors fully.

Indi-fold lets you have the best of both worlds!

The leaves aren’t hinged so when the primary door is opened (just like a bi-fold) the panels can then be slid open individually. Plus, no allowance for the concertina effect is required, allowing furniture or plants to be positioned right up to the door. And you still get the wide, uninterrupted opening when the sun finally comes out!

This modern slide and stack system developed specifically for the Indi-fold door means the possibilities are virtually endless. Owned and manufactured exclusively by Quickslide

Womersley’s

Womersley’s

Limited is based in Yorkshire and is a supplier of quality lime products, breathable building materials and paints for the care, restoration, and insulation of older buildings. We manufacture a range of products on-site in Yorkshire including: Lime Putty Plasters, Clay plasters, Natural Hydraulic Lime pre-mixed Mortars, Hot Lime, Burnt Sand Mastic, Finest Buxton Limewash and Stone Repair mortars.

We import Natural Hydraulic Lime binders from St Astier and Socli. We work with several like-minded manufacturers such as Lime Green, Cornerstone, Beeck and DPM Mashel to supply an extensive range of breathable building materials and paints.

We also supply pre-washed high quality aggregates, natural insulation materials, quality Italian Tools, timber laths and associated products. Womersley’s Ltd has been a leading supplier and manufacturer of traditional, sustainable, breathable and natural building materials and paints for over 20 years. As a small family company, we pride ourselves in supporting and guiding our customers through any restoration project small or large.

We are here to help you with every stage of your project. Contact us at: info@womersleys.co.uk or visit our website at: www.womersleys.co.uk

New Forest SIPs

New Forest SIPs is a family run business with over 20 years’ experience in the industry. We specialise in SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) a high performance, eco-friendly alternative to traditional building methods.

Garden rooms – Extensions – New build homes

Our Benefits:

s Fully BBA certified and mortgageable

s Fully fire rated panels

s Eco building method – Low material wastage

s Over 20 years’ experience

s Excellent thermal performance – Save money on energy bills

s High precision manufacturing

s Airtight construction

s Streamlined design, manufacture and installation process

maintaining a thermal regulated, consistent environment throughout the year.

SIPs, Quickslide, Sunshield, TechVision & Womersley’s. Further details can be found on this page and the next. But the Homebuilding & Renovating show is held seven times throughout the year (see website for details) and the next show is at London’s ExCeL from 22-24 September 2023.

https://national.homebuildingshow.co.uk/ www.homebuildingshow.co.uk

s No need for extra insulation

SIPs are a composite material utilising incredibly dense PU insulation, bonded to OSB3, creating a rigid superstructure. This replaces the block and insulation of traditional methods, combining it into one unified component. We use around 70% less timber than timber frame and provide a consistent thermal envelope around the building, due to the controlled factory process. This can be combined with an MVHR system to get fresh, filtered air to your home while

Due to the precision, prefabricated nature of SIPs, time on site is drastically reduced. The average 3 bedroom house can be installed in under 3 weeks, cutting total build time by up to 4 months.

Have an upcoming project? Want to build better? We’d love to discuss how your build could benefit from SIPs.

Visit: www.newforestsips.co.uk or email: sales@newforestsips.co.uk or call 01590 642087.

TechVision Hidden TVs

We manufacture and supply beautiful hidden Television solutions, including: Mirror TVs, Kitchen Splashback TVs and Bathroom Vanity Mirror TVs. We also make full length Mirror TVs for Bedrooms and Gyms. Based in West Yorkshire and established in 2006, we are a family business offering quality products at competitive prices. Our customer support is second to none and all you would expect from a friendly family business.

using high quality aluminium and finished to the highest standards, Indi-fold is the next generation door and has already taken the home improvements market by storm! Ask for Indi-fold.

T 03332 412240 sales@quickslide.co.uk www.quickslide.co.uk

All our hidden TV solutions use the latest Samsung QLED TVs. These TVs are Smart, high definition and have built-in WiFi, with all the usual apps, such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, etc. Our entry level solutions use a bright QLED screen, whilst our high end options include Samsung Neo QLED TVs.

Customers are welcome to visit us at our showroom in Huddersfield or you can see us at the Homebuilding & Renovating Shows, around

the country. Our next shows are; London (ExCeL), 22-24 September 2023 and Harrogate, 3-5 November 2023.

T 01484 851717

info@techvision.co.uk

www.techvision.co.uk

www.facebook.com/TechVisionUK

www.instagram.com/techvisionuk

A sustainable window shading solution that enhances living space, reduces energy consumption and adds a WOW factor to your home design.

Our stunning louvres are practical and sustainable, creating an effective solution for managing daylight, avoiding glare and controlling heat from the sun.

Homebuilding & Renovating Show Review – Top Exhibitors

Bespoke oak structures lovingly handcrafted

Enville Oak Ltd was back at this year’s Homebuilding & Renovating show at the NEC from 23- 26 March, showcasing its expertise in bespoke, solid-oak frame structures. The oak frame consultants were on hand to discuss potential project ideas with attendees, with the full portfolio range covering: porches, gazebos, pergolas, garages, garden rooms, orangeries extensions, stables and all outdoor structures.

Based in Stourbridge, West Midlands, the family-run business is happy to supply and build oak frames throughout the UK, on flexible full-build or supply-

Design for life

only options. With a firm commitment to customer service, the team are happy to collaborate with local carpenters/tradesmen, to help ensure projects are more cost-effective.

With the two Managing Directors carefully overseeing every project, meticulous attention to detail is guaranteed at all times and customers receive regular updates from the team carpenters throughout the project. All the oak frames are hand-made in our workshop using the traditional method of mortise and tenon framing, resulting in the exceptional high-quality.

The website is full of glowing five-star testimonials from customers praising the high levels of workmanship, “We cannot recommend Enville Oak highly enough! They have been superb and our oak building is utterly stunning. The most incredible craftmanship, with amazing attention to detail, always helpful, responsive and nothing was too much trouble. Incredibly professional and totally trustworthy. Wouldn’t hesitate to use them again!”

For a full home or business consultation today, see the details below:

T 01384 210289

info@envilleoakltd.com www.envilleoakltd.com

Facilities & Estate Management

Architectural Designer (CIAT affiliate) Glenn Cavill always aims to impress and recognises that every great design is the result of a combination of ideas.

Glenn Cavill is an Award-Winning Architectural Design Studio that works across the UK and Internationally providing full architectural services on extensions, alterations, eco and self builds, bespoke new builds and listed buildings including conservation and greenbelt locations.

Alongside Design4Structures, Glenn Cavill exhibited at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2023 earlier this year. The stand was a roaring success with many attendees enjoying the masterclass presentations as well as the professional advice and expertise given out by the team over the course of the show. Whether you’re looking to design a contemporary building or renovate an old property, Glenn Cavill has years of expertise in the Architectural Design industry and can work with you from initial consultation through to the design & planning and advise you on all regulations and build plus onsite project management.

Whatever stage your project is at, get in touch with Glenn Cavill today to discuss your options:

M 07933 792354 glenn@glenncavill.com www.glenncavill.com

Perfect for apex glazing

SUNSHIELD’s tiltable external louvres are the ideal choice for apex glazing, providing a range of benefits for your home or building. These louvres not only offer sustainable window shading but also enhance your living space while reducing energy consumption. They bring a touch of sophistication to your home design, adding a talking point that is sure to impress.

Our stunning louvres are not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical and sustainable. They provide an effective solution for managing daylight, preventing glare, and controlling heat from the sun.

With their exceptional performance, our louvres meet the Building Part ‘O’ Regulation requirement for overheating standards.

Crafted with top-quality materials, our louvres are built to last. We prioritise manufacturing excellence, ensuring that our louvres deliver durability and reliability. Additionally, our louvre systems are completely tailor-made, allowing for customisation to fit any window size and shape seamlessly.

With a beautiful functional design and a complete view-through, our louvre systems are completely tailor-made, therefore applicable for any window size and shape. Visit: www.sunshield.uk/projects to take a look at our most recent installations.

T 01746 250042 info@sunshield.uk

Big Yellow self storage

As one of the biggest national storage companies, Big Yellow recognises the importance of creating an environmentally friendly and sustainable business. They own 98% of their buildings and of these, 95% are run on clean energy. They’ve gradually been moving away from gas towards generating their electricity with rooftop solar PV panel systems, allowing them to greatly reduce their carbon footprint and generate their own energy.

Big Yellow had initially decided to install solar PV systems at two or three of its UK locations each year. Prior to the commencement of any solar panel installation, there were two things which had to be addressed; procuring the PV panels and ensuring that the intended roof was fit for solar.

The solar PV systems to be installed have a 25 year warranty, so aligning this with the life expectancy/warranty of the roof would be crucial. After concluding the roofs were not fit for solar in their current condition, following a report from Sharmans, the decision was to re-roof, replace or refurbish.

Re-roofing was discounted due to the risk of water ingress damaging their customer assets during the work and the lack of ‘green’ credentials and embodied carbon this would generate.

Over-sheeting was considered, again this option came with the benefit of extending the life expectancy of the roof. However, concerns were raised over the structural integrity of the building with the added weight of the additional roof. Not least when factoring in the possibility that over-sheeting could be needed again in another 20-25 years.

Finally, it was decided that roof refurbishment using Sharmans’ industry leading roof coatings would be the best course of action.

Backed by a 25 year product guarantee, Delcote® 25 represents the most sustainable solution and aligns perfectly with the expected life span and warranty of the solar panel systems. With minimal extra weight added to the roof, compared to over-sheeting, it eliminates issues with structural loading and incurs less than five times the amount of embodied carbon than replacing a roof.

A Sharmans representative conducted and produced a condition report at each site. It was decided that any roof with a life expectancy of 10 years or less would be treated with Delcote® in order to bring the roof back to the required standard. Due to the costs, time and lack of a guaranteed roof lifespan, patch repairs were immediately ruled out.

Big Yellow have refurbished the roofs at 10 locations using Delcote® 25 and each of these roofs is now guaranteed to last for

Classic BTM pull down range launch

The distinctive feature of these new products is their ‘pull down’ mechanism, which facilitates easy replenishment. The units are equipped with lockable sliding cartridges that drop down below the cabinet, allowing convenient access to the soap and paper towel containers. After refilling, the cartridges can be raised back and securely locked, protecting the consumables from tampering.

Unlike many other cabinet systems, which require the front-facing mirror to be opened outward like a door, these dispensers offer a different approach.

Installation of the dispensers is straightforward. A hole needs to be cut into the cabinet’s base, and the dispenser is then inserted and securely fastened. Dudley Industries provides the necessary technical data and installation guide with each order.

Manufactured at Dudley Industries’ production facility in Lytham, Lancashire, the products in the ‘pull down’ range come with a 10 year warranty.

Detailed specifications for the new Behind-the-Mirror dispensers can be found on NBS Source and www.bimobject.com

Contact www.dudleyindustries.com

The Devana Centre for Environmental Recovery

Ground Control launches new The Devana Centre for Environmental Recovery in West Wickham, Cambridgeshire. Devana will build back UK’s natural recovery, champion Cambridgeshire’s regional objectives, provide jobs and give greater access to nature for the local community.

Named after ‘Via Devana’, the Roman road which passed through Cambridgeshire, and ‘Devana’ the Slavic goddess of wild nature, the centre forms the latest example of Ground Control’s long-standing commitment to building a network for nature recovery through direct action. The Centre will be Ground Control’s second site, adding to its 296-acre Wildfell Centre for Environmental Recovery in Braintree, Essex.

Today, the UK’s natural environment is at crisis point, with nearly half of biodiversity lost since the industrial revolution. As such, the new 100-acre West Wickham site will be dedicated to increasing environmental and societal value for generations to come. The site announcement coincides with the third edition of Green Gains Live, Ground Control’s annual summit which brings together key stakeholders to discuss ways

to better utilise land to support environmental recovery.

At Devana, Ground Control is currently undertaking baseline surveys including habitat & ecology, soil nutrients & carbon, trees & hedgerows to inform optimum habitat types to create and provide a science-based starting point to measure progress against. This follows similar detailed surveys at The Wildfell Centre for Environmental Recovery with partners such as The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust aimed at reversing the loss of plants and pollinators.

T +44 (0)1277 650697 info@ground-control.co.uk www.ground-control.co.uk

at least another 25 years. Upon completion of the installations, coupled with the fact that Big Yellow sells around 80% of all the power generated back to the National Grid, it is expected that the PV panels will pay for themselves within 10 years.

You can find more information on Sharmans’ roof refurbishment systems below; alternatively, you can book a condition report for your site at: www.hdsharman.co.uk/contact-us/ www.hdsharman.co.uk/installing-commercial-pv-panelsystems/

An Englishman’s home is his castle

Home security is becoming a must for homeowners across the country: protecting properties and gardens from potential thefts. Castle Gates & Automation is a leading security company offering the highest-quality gates, intercoms, CCTV, and full servicing.

Based in Great Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, Castle Gates & Automation can provide peace of mind for families and elderly loved ones. Having a robust gate is a sure-fire theft deterrent, immediately improving the security of your property.

Castle Gates & Automation offers a full gate consultation, allowing for bespoke tailormade design specifications. The expert, dedicated team will install and service the gate as part of a complete package. The gates are designed with a three-pronged approach: reinforced security, absolute privacy and beautiful aesthetic wooden or metal designs. The gates can be manually operated, automated or even have a sliding design.

Castle Gates & Automation ensures that all new gate installations must pass health & safety risk assessments, carry a declaration of conformity and have CE marking.

For further security assurance, automated gates come with remote control access fobs, offering ease of entry. The keypad entry system and audio/ video system give a clear visual image of visitors: from expected family and friends, delivery drivers to more undesired cold callers. There is a wide range of intercoms from GSM audio/video to wired audio/wired video, to suit different residential security requirements.

CCTV has become another indispensable security resource, providing secure 24/7 visual, recorded imagery. When you are away on business or

holiday, the clearly mounted camera acts as a known deterrent to opportunistic thieves. With a superb range of short, long range and even wideangle imagery, you have the knowledge that every inch of your property and garden is protected, with no blind spots.

Castle Gates & Automation will carry out all repairs and servicing on gate installations, even if the gate was installed by another company. The gate engineers will fix problems quickly and ensure the gates are running at optimal efficiency. For an extra charge, a force test will inspect if the gate is fully compliant with rigorous, safety regulations.

Contact T 01442 253341

enquiries@castlegatesandautomation.co.uk www.castlegatesandautomation.co.uk

Facilities & Estate Management

Enviro-tech company appoints a new MD to drive growth

An enviro-tech company that uses AI to help decarbonise buildings has appointed a new managing director to accelerate its growth plans.

Harmonic has appointed David Grundy to the new role. He brings over 20 years of experience, having previously held senior positions at ISS Technical Facilities, E.ON Control Solutions, Mitie Energy and Honeywell.

Commenting on his new role, David Grundy said, “Harmonic is at the forefront of technology in this critical area, and it’s exciting to join the company at the start of its journey. The company only launched in May and already has customers on board that are

benefiting from the carbon reduction capabilities of the platform. Organisations are more committed to Net Zero than ever, and we can support them on that important journey.”

Harmonic uses a combination of IOT technology and an AI-driven platform to identify and remove waste, reducing building energy consumption, costs and carbon emissions. By integrating human behavioural and space analytics data with utilities usage, Harmonic can predict, manage and minimise spiralling energy costs and carbon emissions.

The technology uses a people-centric web platform, mobile app, and optional sensor devices, which can

interface with metering and other building data as well as integrate with third-party systems and data feeds. Harmonic is the first to integrate resource and amenity booking management, sensor data, and building operations.

Harmonic is backed by the Solution Performance Group (SPG), a diverse company that spans digital transformation, software development and tech talent recruitment.

Contact https://spgtransformation.com https://spgresourcing.com www.thinkharmonic.com

JCD Cleaning

JCD Cleaning & Support Services are delighted to announce a significant contract signing with Historic Sussex Hotels, a privately owned collection of prestigious hotels. They will be administering commercial cleaning services to two of their three hotel sites as per their new contract valued in the region of £50k per annum. The agreement will see JCD become the exclusive provider of cleaning services for these sites, marking a significant milestone after their recent contract with Knauf UK last year that valued around £900k.

JCD are currently one of the fastest growing commercial cleaning companies in the South East. They offer a complete range of cleaning services delivered by fully trained staff equipped with top-ofthe-line tools to deliver on long-term or short-term cleaning contracts. They are proud to join forces with the esteemed collection of hotels in picturesque Sussex locations, contributing to the hotels’ quality reputation.

This contract spans seven days of the week & requires two cleaning staff, each working two hours, resulting in four staff members covering the week. The scope of work will include cleaning the hotels’ reception area, pool area, steam room and sauna, changing rooms, showers, & sports studio so guests are consistently hosted by clean and healthy environments.

T 020 7126 7646 chris.guilfoyle@jcdcleaning.uk www.jcdcleaning.uk

78 Engineering

78 Engineering is the South East’s fastest growing engineering solutions company. We pride ourselves on supplying quality products and services to Industry. Accredited to ISO9001 & Safe Contractor Approved.

Our core areas of focus are:

s Bearings and Power transmission (Energy Efficient upgrades

s Condition Monitoring (Thermography & Vibration Analysis

s Energy Efficient Electric Motors, Fans, Inverter Drives & Pumps

s Electro Mechanical Repairs within our own repair facility

s Fabrication

s Filtration

s Hazardous Waste Collection & Processing (All aspects including WEEE Waste and Chemistry)

s Onsite Services include – Electrical/Mechanical Services

For more information, please see our website at: www.78engineering.co.uk or email: sales@78engineering. co.uk or call 07853 068252 or 01622 8438804.

For all your platform needs

two and a half years, proving that IAS is indeed a heavyweight distributor.

With an astonishing 35 years’ experience across the access industry, Managing Director and Owner, Richard Martin, and his trio team have built a company that offers exceptional, costeffective access platform solutions. These include the Easylift Spider Platforms, SOCAGE Truck Mounting Platforms, the versatile Leonardo HD and Bravi HD: a lightweight mobile platform.

The IAS team are more than happy to help homeowners, contractors and business owners find the ideal access platform for particular projects.

The relationship doesn’t end there: customers can contact IAS at any point if there are any access issues at any future point, pointing to a thorough aftersales service.

Independent Access Sales (IAS) has a leading range of platforms, from spider platforms, truck-mounted access to push arounds, for all your home, business or site needs. Established in 2020, this Huntingdon-based company has already grown exponentially, with exciting partnerships to help reach new customers across the construction trade, cleaning facility, arborists and many more. To date, the team has sold over £2 million worth of Spider machines over the last

Furthermore, the expert, experienced team offer consultancy for all new and existing customers with full servicing across the range. Customers are reminded when the six-month inspections are due and with access to a large stock of components: repairs and maintenance are easily scheduled. The in-house team will arrange certifications, making sure platforms meet industry compliance regulations, leaving you to focus on the jobs at hand.

The company has many repeat customers, who recognise the built-in industry knowledge, not just of the comprehensive product range but of changing health & safety compliance, leaving customers rest assured that they are dealing with bona fide experts.

The recent addition of the SOCAGE truck line earlier this year, has been popular with customers and the company will be adding new lines shortly. The SOCAGE 20T can carry a large load up to 230kg, making this trade mounted platform

ideal for the most challenging work at height. The SOCAGE 21DJ can work at a maximum height of 20.3M across all industrial and urban applications.

For those working in tree surgery or specialist cleaning at height, the Easylift srl Piattaforme Aeree R360 has a turret rotation of 360°, coupled with a working height of 35.4m. It is an ideal platform for working with heritage or historical buildings with limited space. The R260 model has a maximum height of 26m, with an outreach of 13.5m. This is the ideal choice for maintenance and installation jobs.

The Bravi Platform HD is the perfect substitute for scaffolding or ladders, through its ability to fit through doorways or tight spaces.

Looking to the future, IAS is hoping to employ more staff as it expands further across the access industry. The main objective is to further increase product awareness of the extensive product portfolio and Richard is hoping to employ specialist sales team members to help reach new markets and customers.

M 07483 246878 enquiries@iasales.co.uk www.iasales.co.uk

Experts in construction project coordination and management

Established in 1875, Fennell Green & Bates is a Chartered Minerals, Waste, Energy and Building Surveyors practice based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. As specialists in Construction Project Coordination and Management, the company’s portfolio of services includes Building Surveys, Land Condition Surveys, Coal and other Mining

Reports, Contaminated Land Audits, Land and Mine Surveying, and Site Investigation said John Carlon a Partner at the firm.

The company was formed by Mr Fennell and Mr Green after taking over the practice from the eminent Mining Engineer, Mr White. Since this take-over, the company has grown in size and success, developing experienced team members who all hold expertise in all types of land and former use with a large archive of material to research and inform modern solutions to ground conditions problems.

“One of the main benefits to our service is that we are very familiar with mining law, land law

and regulation. Our staff members have a wide range of expertise in redeveloping land. We are also familiar with development of former coal mining areas and solutions to stabilise land and provide coal mining risk assessments for planning applications.”

Whether you are looking for help with a selfbuild, an SME house builder or commercials developer, Fennell Green & Bates wants to work with you. Offering unrivalled professional expertise, the company has recently introduced the use of digitisation for most of its important drawings and reports that has helped its processes to become more streamlined and its practice to become more time and cost efficient for both the client and themselves.

We asked John what makes Fennell Green & Bates services stand out from the competition, he answered, “Anyone thinking of purchasing land or property should engage a Chartered Surveyor to advise them on the condition so that issues relating to mining, contamination or boundaries of the land can be addressed at an early stage. We are always looking to grow

the practice, and unlike some of our competitors, we offer as much time and effort to the smaller developers too to ensure we find them the most cost-effective solutions to ground conditions and contamination.”

Fennell Green & Bates is a specialist in all things surveying, mining and the environment, and is able to coordinate large scale project management across a wide range of engineering and land development portfolios. With rich, historical archives at its digital fingertips the company is expertly placed to help a diverse range of clients from single self-builds to major housing development, land restoration schemes, large remediation earthwork projects, communicate with legal representatives on behalf of the client, introduce any scheme to local planning officers and Government departments to all projects.

Get in touch below to see how they can help you:

T 01924 255666

M 07483 164372

fennellgreenandbates@gmail.com

Landscaping, External Works & Drainage

Premium exterior finishing ECS… Quality & value WITHOUT compromise

Quality timber cladding offers architects and builders a sustainable, aesthetic and insulating exterior finish.

Timber is naturally insulating and when installed it enhances the thermal efficiency of a building, however, this isn’t the only benefit of this building material.

Our market-leading Shou Sugi Ban® premium charred cladding is responsibly sourced, professionally prepared and safe to use on domestic & commercial builds.

Skilled in the traditional Japanese wood preservation technique, our team apply controlled burning to alter the cell structure and increase the resilience and durability of our timber cladding.

Handcrafted in our workshop, Shou Sugi Ban® charred timber cladding offers:

s Weather, rot, fire & insect resistance

s Long-lasting preservation through a chemical-free process

s Minimal on-going

maintenance

s A 100% recyclable building material

Working with Larch, Cedar and Oak, as well as modified Accoya®, Kebony or Yukari timbers, we offer a range of tones and textures that add unique character to contemporary build and heritage restoration projects.

See the full range on our website: https://exterior. supplies/charred-timbercladding

Exterior Solutions Ltd is a specialist in the manufacture and supply of Shou Sugi Ban® charred timber cladding.

Please get in touch for further information, quotes and samples on 01494 711800.

SureSet takes home Best Permeable Resin Bound Paving Company 2023

SureSet, a leading provider of innovative permeable resin bound paving solutions, is proud to announce that they have been honoured with the prestigious Design & Build Award for Best Permeable Resin Bound Paving Company 2023. This recognition reaffirms SureSet’s commitment to excellence, sustainability, and cutting-edge design in the construction industry.

The Design & Build Awards celebrate exceptional achievements and advancements in the field of design, construction, and development. The esteemed panel of judges recognised SureSet as the industry leader in creating high-quality, environmentally-friendly, & visually stunning resin bound paving solutions.

SureSet’s success in winning this award is attributed to their relentless pursuit of perfection in every project they undertake. With a team of highly skilled professionals and a commitment to customer satisfaction, SureSet has consistently delivered outstanding results. Their expertise lies in creating permeable resin bound surfaces that not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of any space but also provide sustainable drainage solutions.

“We are thrilled to receive the Design & Build Award for Best Permeable Resin Bound Paving Company 2023,” said Ben Shave, Commercial Director of SureSet. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. We are committed to providing sustainable and visually appealing paving solutions that exceed our clients’ expectations.”

T +44 (0)1985 841180 website@sureset.co.uk www.sureset.co.uk

Eco Clipper FM4 Sport for sporting grounds

Eco Clipper offers large area mowers that help field managers minimise mowing costs while producing a professional cut. The Eco Clipper mowing system was originally developed to replace the cylinder mower in turfgrass production. The aim was to retain the cutting performance of a well-tuned cylinder mower, but not the high maintenance requirements and sensitivity to mowing conditions, such as wet grass and weeds.

The system

The smooth cutting decks with fast spinning small blades ensure a high quality of cut and a good distribution of clippings. Even in wet grass, the clippings are well distributed. This makes it possible to schedule this mower almost independently of the weather.

Thanks to the electrically driven blades, the mower is very economical and quiet. The large wheels and smart mower deck linking system ensure good contour following and enable high mowing speeds.

Municipalities and sports field and park managers have also discovered the advantages of the Eco Clipper mowing system. For them,

Eco Clipper offers the EC-FM4 Sport. This 4.11m wide mower has four independent mowing decks. Its position in front of the tractor provides excellent visibility and comfort for the tractor driver.

The benefits

Users report high productivity gains, a factor two compared to 5-gang self-propelled cylinder mowers, and appreciate the low maintenance need and the ability to schedule the mowing even in less favourable mowing conditions, such as early morning dew and wet autumn.

info@vanmac.co.uk

www.ecoclipper.com

Established in 2002, ECS are THE specialists in surface and waste water management, with a successful track record both nationally & Internationally. With our head office situated in Newcastle Upon Tyne in the North East of England, our experienced team offer independent, quality advice on a large selection of products and services, ensuring that what we offer is the best solution for your scheme in hand. Our company has two core divisions, the main one specialising in Construction/Civil Engineering Products, formed in 2002 and the other focusing on Agricultural Products, under our ‘Farmers Friend’ brand, launched in 2003.

All ECS products are supplied to the highest quality specifications available in the market and our commitment to maintaining competitive prices without

compromising the quality of our products and services is fundamental to our business.

We never have, and never will, supply products that are not ‘fit for function’ or do not pass rigorous pre dispatch quality assessments.

We are members of British Water, Constructionline, APEA, NECC & FSB and are accredited to ISO9001, ISO 14001 & ISO18001.

We pride ourselves on the products we supply and the service we give and are sure that you will not be disappointed when entrusting us with your requirements.

Our products and services include, but are not limited to: Stormwater Attenuation tanks (supply and install), Separators, Flow Controls, Pump Stations, Waste Water Treatment Plants, Non/Potable Water Tanks – Above and Below Ground, Oil Tanks & Septic Tanks.

We also provide a range of GRP building products such as Pre Formed Lift Liners, Dormer Windows, Kiosks, Canopies, Copings and Chimneys – all manufactured from high quality materials under strict quality control conditions from one of our approved UK manufacturing facilities.

ALL products supplied by ECS meet the relevant British and European Standards, giving our valued customers peace of mind that they are working with one of the industry’s best.

Contact T 03456 123332 enquiries@ecs-sales.co.uk www.ecs-sales.co.uk

Flete Estate improve environment for people and pollinators with switch to Foamstream

Flete Estate, home to Mothecombe Gardens, has eliminated herbicide use and created a more environmentally friendly space for both people & pollinators, by switching to Foamstream.

Sustainability has always been a focus for the family-run estate and now, under the management of John Mildmay-White, the site is another step closer to being completely organic and chemicalfree.

After trialling various alternatives, the team settled on Foamstream.

“There are various tools that all claim to provide an effective nonherbicidal solution. We did some research and tried various options such as burning, which was very labour intensive, expensive, and not overly effective.” He adds, “There were lots of positives

about Foamstream, it’s all organic and can be used it in all weather conditions which means you’re not reliant on the perfect weather to conduct the operation.”

Foamstream is an herbicide-free weed control solution that kills weeds using a combination of hot water and a biodegradable foam. In trials, Foamstream has demonstrated similar efficacy to glyphosate, outperforming other non-herbicidal alternatives. “It was clear during our research that Foamstream had been thoroughly tried and tested and would give us the results we wanted.”

“We purchased an L12 in August 2022 and it’s been a brilliant investment, we’re delighted with how it works and how this will help in our drive to provide a cleaner environment for everybody, including wildlife, to enjoy.”

T +44 (0)203 909 0050 info@weedingtech.com www.weedingtech.com

Revolutionising porcelain patio installation with Azpects

Azpects, the trade and DIYers’ favourite, offers innovative products that transform a porcelain patio installation: EASYPrime, EASYTileAlign, and EASYGrout. Together, the full product range makes the installation process more efficient.

The installation journey begins with EASYPrime, a high-strength bonding agent perfect for laying natural stone and porcelain paving. This easyto-apply, polymer-modified cementitious slurry primer ensures full and permanent contact with the aggregated mortar in the bedding layer. Suitable for various environments, its coverage is dependent on the application rate, but as a guide, a single 5kg sachet of EASYPrime covers a minimum of approximately 8.0m2

Following priming, EASYTileAlign comes into play. This innovative levelling system offers a straightforward ‘Fit – Spin – Snap’ approach, ensuring a smooth and even surface. Designed to be user-friendly, it incorporates a tile spacer

and levelling cap, plus optional protective shields. Notably, some components can be reused, providing excellent value for money.

The final step is to use EASYGrout, a high-quality slurry grout designed specifically for ceramic and porcelain. It provides a fine, non-permeable, finish. Packaged in 3 x 5kg bags per tub, EASYGrout ensures minimal waste and caters to a variety of aesthetic requirements as they come in a range of colours.

In summary, with Azpects’ innovative products: EASYPrime, EASYTileAlign, and EASYGrout, a high-quality installation can be achieved. These products symbolise Azpects’ commitment to simplify complex construction tasks, save time, and ensure professional results. With such practical, efficient solutions at hand, you can create a longlasting, visually appealing porcelain patio.

Discover the full range of Azpects products that will keep your porcelain patio looking great all year round. Visit: www.azpects.co.uk

BBL Batteries

BBL Batteries is a leading UK battery specialist, embracing the latest technology and helping businesses make the most of a fantastic opportunity.

BBL Batteries is a leading, multi branch, UKbased, battery business that is increasingly focused on the development, introduction and distribution of new and improved battery technologies to today’s market.

Founded in 1972 and proud to remain one of the few fully independent family enterprises in the aftermarket, BBL Batteries understands that being successful in an ever increasingly competitive market is down to a number of core competences.

These include experience, expertise and unrivalled, superior customer service as well as the desire to solve problems and advise on solutions that work for our customers.

We source our batteries from across the globe and have long standing relationships with the world’s leading manufacturers. This enables us to ensure a consistent stock holding and onwards supply of premium quality batteries at fantastic value. We have a dedicated, in-house

Leading supplier of cable grommets and mini floor boxes

Gromtec Europe specialises in the manufacture and supply of raised access floor cable grommets for data centres and general office installations.

team that assemble both bespoke and ‘off the shelf’ battery packs which can be delivered the next day.

Our VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) ranges include the full suite of Yuasa NP and Yucell batteries. In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of Fire & Security batteries and battery packs covering Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Li-Ion (Lithium Ion) which are commonly used for Emergency Lighting applications. Indeed, we can offer a quality solution for every conceivable application. If the application is unique, our specialist Battery Pack specialists can design and assemble bespoke battery packs based on a customer’s exact requirements.

For further information, advice or to order, please do contact us on 0808 168 0635 or email: sales@bblbatteries.co.uk

Gromtec Europe has worked with a plethora of well-known names including: Next, John Lewis, Wimbledon Tennis Club & many more leading brands.

The company’s latest offering is the SIMONBOX, an IP66 rated weatherproof floor box designed for use in hard floor areas, which require occasional power, data connection and an IP protection rating.

The floor box is extremely versatile and boasts the ability of being installed in almost any public or private place, for example: department stores, community centres, airports,

train stations, car showrooms, shopping centres, hospitals conference halls, hotels, museums, terraces, gardens and sport centres. Apart from private users, the SIMONBOX is installed in a wide range of commercial projects including NEXT Home Stores, John Lewis and Tesco.

Another additional use, as the floor box is designed as an

occasional power socket, it is ideal for pop-up applications such as display stands, providing access to power at your feet when traveling or in outdoor settings. Gromtec Europe also supplies a range of specialist mini floor boxes for general construction projects.

To find out more information, please see below or contact your local Electrical Wholesaler: T 0203 2867949 info@gromtec.com www.gromtec.co.uk www.simonbox.co.uk

For over 25 years, Gromtec has supplied its grommet products a wide range of customers & is proud to include Amazon, London Stock Exchange, Goldman Sachs & Digital Realty as some of its end users.

Green solutions for heating and water supply technology

In this issue of Building & Facilities News, we are proud to announce Reflex Winkelmann GmbH as our HVAC Manufacturing Company of the Year.

Reflex Winkelmann GmbH is an expert, leading supplier of innovative product solutions for heating and water supply technology. The product portfolio includes pressure maintenance (both static and dynamic), vacuum degassing systems and separation technology, hot water storage and buffer tanks along with bespoke manifold technology. The company is renowned for its exceptional expansion vessels producing in excess of 6 million pieces each year, all manufactured to comply with the latest UKCA & CE Directives.

The company was established in 1889 from humble beginnings, with a kitchen and household appliances workshop set up by founders Heinrich Winkelmann and Caspar Pannhoff, to a now truly global company with over 30 business units and production facilities across the globe.

The headquarters remain in Ahlen, NorthRhine-Westphalia in Germany to this day and the company is continuing to enjoy a growth portfolio in all sectors. We caught up with Tim Williams, Country Manager – UK & Ireland for Reflex Winkelmann, to find out how the company has fared over the last twelve months, “The past year has passed by in a blink of an eye with many challenges continuing to occupy all in the industry. Despite the many (well documented) challenges regarding energy, labour, materials and, dare I say it global politics, Reflex Winkelmann continues to maintain solid and sustainable growth in all sectors.

“In order to get a better understanding on the actual performance of the business, the business have looked closely at our operation in order to mitigate any inflation effect and the results have been extremely encouraging.

“Over recent years, we have strived to continuously improve our service levels, and the Winkelmann Group are investing €25+ Mio.

in a central distribution centre in Poland which is due to go online in 2024. In addition to this and in order to service the explosion in buffer tank demand (heat pumps), an announcement was made last month on a major investment on a new production facility due to go online in 2025. In addition to the operational aspect, focus is moving towards digitalisation across all parts of the business from marketing & sales though to production, logistics & service. Looking closer to home, we continue to grow the UK & Ireland operation with particular focus on emerging and after sales & service.”

In an ever-changing environment in which heating, ventilation & air conditional are considered critical to maintaining comfortable indoor environments, continuous innovation & sustainability is crucial for the future for the business. One area of focus is system water quality and if poorly maintained, the results could lead to inefficient operation at best to catastrophic failure at worst.

Taking this into account, one Reflex solution which is gaining momentum is the range of Reflex Servitec vacuum degassers which although have been around for almost 30 years, the design has evolved to meet (and in some cases exceed) the customers’ expectations with regards to functionality, connectivity (control Smart), & enhanced results (energy savings and comfort in the dwelling).

“In order to meet the increasingly hungry appetite of sustainability and energy efficiency,

the heating industry are really embracing the Servitec vacuum degassing technology.

“Over recent years and adopting the principles used in the commercial Servitec units, the Servitec Mini was developed for the smaller (residential) systems which is ideal for systems up to 1m³ which, coupled with the new control technology (Control Smart), the domestic Servitec Mini version is really gaining traction with the main driver being significant energy savings to a heating system coupled with the improvement in system water quality,” adds Tim.

The best-selling Servitec range is precisiondesigned to offer sure fire protection against air ingress in almost all heating and chilled water systems. This is due to the active degassing of dissolved gases. A limited flow of the content water is re-routed from the system, degassed under vacuum and redirected, virtually gasfree to the system. Premium engineered components coupled with the latest controls are used in the manufacture of a robust and reliable product fit for most applications.

The latest addition to the product range is the new Servitec S. Designed as the perfect solution for small to medium-sized systems, with a maximum water volume of 6m³ or water-glycol mixtures up to 4m³, as typically seen in school or smaller office buildings, it offers peak water quality and maximum safety features.

Combined with the Reflex Control Smart App, facility management

teams can easily manage services and scheduled maintenance via Bluetooth. Furthermore, Reflex potable water and buffer storage tanks are ideal for reduced energy levels and efficient hot water solutions across the building and refurb industries. The Storatherm Aqua tanks for example, come with an enamel coating for optimal corrosion protection, in accordance with DIN 4753 PART 3 and is popular across the residential, commercial and industrial building sectors.

With the new central distribution centre in Poland and another planned production facility in 2025, the future looks bright for Reflex Winkelmann, with increased demand across all sectors. We asked Tim what it meant to receive our coveted Company of the Year Award, “As a manufacturer, quite often you just get on with the plans laid out but when these activities are recognised by organisations outside the immediate business, it does make you stop and reflect on what we have achieved and, more importantly, where do we as a business go in the coming years. Thank you for the recognition. It’s appreciated.

“It is crucial for the industry to continuously innovate; combining the new creativity of the younger and tacit knowledge of the older generations together to create visionary designs for the future.”

Reflex offers CIBSE-approved CPD training sessions in the following subjects:

s Static & dynamic pressurisation systems explained

s Deaeration & degassing explained

s Hydraulic thermal separation in multi-circuit systems explained

See Reflex at the following Autumn trade fairs:

s Specific Events – Edinburgh (15th Sept), Belfast (26th Sept), Dublin (28th Sept, Leeds (18th Oct) & London (6th Dec)

s Mosecker – Münster, Germany: 15-16

September 2023

s Vakbeurs Energie – Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands: 10-12 October 2023

T +44 (0)161 266 1043

sales@reflexuk.co.uk

www.reflex-winkelmann.com/en