PSBJ April 2012

www.psbj.co.uk ÂŁ4.00

April 2012

Holistic Headquarters New home for Staffordshire County Council

Combined strength working together for better housing

A warm front demand rises for communal heating

Youth culture innovative design meets modern needs

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The new £21.75m headquarters for Staffordshire County Council is a mixed-use, office-led, landmark development built on the site of a council-owned car park and lies within the heart of Stafford's multi-million pound regeneration masterplan. It has been hailed as a potential model for UK town centre development

Editor Dawn Frosdick-Hopley editor@psbj.co.uk Publishing Director Sam Ball sam@mixedmediainfo.com Account Executives Andy Turner andy@mixedmediainfo.com Adele Mason adele@mixedmediainfo.com Design & Production Chris Lilly chris@mixedmediainfo.com Credit Control Manager Vickie Crawford accounts@mixedmediainfo.com Publisher Mixed Media Information Barham Court, Teston Maidstone, Kent ME18 5BZ T: 01622 232702 F: 01622 816874 www.mixedmediainfo.com www.psbj.co.uk

Welcome. . .

Looking around my eldest son’s grammar school, there are large parts of it which have definitely seen better days. And despite growing research which tells us that student achievement and behaviour is linked to the physical buildings they occupy on a daily basis, we console ourselves that it’s the quality of teaching that matters and not the bricks and mortar. No, I don’t completely believe it myself either.

We have two relatively new Academies in the borough, whose premises are modern, light and airy, boast technology NASA would be proud of, and sports facilities which would keep Olympic athletes on their toes. Five years ago these schools were underachieving, but slowly and surely, student grades are steadily rising and parents are starting to put them down as first choices.

A major policy aim of this Government is to reduce the cost of public sector building projects by 20% during this parliament and this will certainly have an impact on any future school projects. From April 2012, Partnerships for Schools (PfS) will become part of the Education Funding Agency (EFA), a new Executive Agency within the Department of Education. The key role for PfS is to ensure that investment in schools represents good value for money and strongly supports the Government’s ambitions to reduce the deficit, raise standards and tackle disadvantage.

I will be very interested to hear Peter Lauener, the Chief Executive Designate of the EFA, deliver his maiden speech on school building at Building Future Education in May (see page 24), outlining how the EFA plans to build on the work of PfS and deliver new schools in the next few years. He’s definitely a man with a mission!

Dawn Frosdick-Hopley | Editor | editor@psbj.co.uk Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and return addressed envelope. No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editors hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Mixed Media Information Ltd. The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher. The Publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.

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Contents

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08 Upfront Hailed as a potential model for UK town centre development, PSBJ takes a look at the new headquarters for Staffordshire County Council.

14 Education Constructed by the inspiredspaces consortium, Harton Technology College and South Shields Community School, are outstanding examples of excellent design in practice.

18 Talking Point Phil Shanks, founder of SAF Housing Solutions Ltd., explains why the Government must embrace a stronger partnership with the private sector in order to address Britain’s growing social housing needs.

20 Heating PSBJ looks at the approach taken

by Nu-Heat to address the growing specification of community heating and hot water systems.

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22 Housing

26 Building Access

Mike Shaw, Commercial Director of Evinox, explains why communal heating systems are becoming more prevalent in the UK.

Stannah Xtralifts have been installed in the brand new Hammersmith Academy, giving user-friendly access to nearly 800 students, staff and visitors.

24 BFE UK Preview

28 Flooring

Formerly known as BSEC, Building Future Education is a key opportunity for those in the education sector to hear the latest initiatives and exchange views with decision makers.

With the Government hoping for a lasting sporting legacy in the UK following the Olympics, Tarkett is helping to achieve this aspiration by providing versatile and appropriate sports surfaces.

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30 Leisure

37 Doors & Windows

44 Energy Management

The Yate Youth Café is an innovative and highly sustainable building delivered by Speller Metcalfe, to welcome and support young people in South Gloucestershire.

GEZE UK’s Operations Director, Simon Bowden, looks at why architects need manufacturers to continually innovate.

33 Naidex Preview

38 Healthcare

The public sector is increasingly demanding smarter ways to reduce energy consumption and costs.

Dr. Alex Mardapittas, Managing Director of EMSc (UK) Ltd, discusses why voltage optimisation is the solution to turn to.

With over 300 exhibitors, exciting feature zones and a cutting edge conference programme, Naidex National is once again set to be the UK’s largest disability, rehabilitation and homecare event.

PSBJ takes a look at the new Simpson Birthing Centre recently completed by Premier Interlink for NHS Lothian.

34 Doors & Windows Crittall Windows has supplied a selection of its Corporate W20 profiles and Corporate 2000 doors for a replacement fenestration programme at the iconic Falmer House at the University of Sussex.

41 Lighting The LED marketplace is quickly changing, and during 2012, LED lighting will become more accessible for all. Michael Renecle, Managing Director of Exled Ltd., explains why.

47 Roofing Essential maintenance of school buildings not only protects the fabric of the building but can also improve its thermal performance, as Redhills Primary School in Exeter has discovered.

52 Product Showcase The latest product and installation news, helping specifiers make informed choices.

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News

Survey reveals public sector is eager for private collaboration A survey of 3,000 senior leaders reveals that the public sector is increasingly keen to create public/ private collaboration and a significant proportion suggest that the next five years will see a huge improvement in public sector efficiency and effectiveness.

KPMG’s annual survey of senior executives, suggests that public sector bosses have accepted the need to adapt in the face of ongoing publicity about reduced funding and budget cuts: • almost two-thirds (63 per cent) identified the need to ‘change business operations’ as a hot topic for concern, compared to just 43 per cent in the private sector • 28 per cent are looking to seize opportunities for greater interaction between the public and private sectors

• as many as 1 in 3 (32 per cent) are also in the process of preparing their organisation for changes to the way they operate, a figure that compares to just 1 in 4 elsewhere (25 per cent).

However, only 22 per cent in the public sector see ‘improving cash and working capital management’ as a critical priority and a mere 9 per cent are ‘embedding sustainability in their business model’.

These are surprising statistics given 40 per cent of public sector respondents also believe that deficit reduction measures will have made a major contribution to improving efficiency and effectiveness within five years.

Alan Downey, partner and head of KPMG’s UK public sector practice, comments: “Deficit reduction and

the need to restore public finances to health hang over the public sector, so it is encouraging to see a thirst for change. Our survey results certainly suggest that public sector leaders are more cost conscious than their private sector counterparts, and more willing to contemplate major changes to their business models.

“It may be a timing issue as the private sector has already faced up to the cost challenge and is moving on to other issues, whereas the public sector is only just embarking on what is likely to be a long period of austerity.

Whatever the cause, one thing is clear – namely that there is more to be done if the public sector is to really succeed in a changing world.”

Full findings from KPMG’s 2012 Business Leaders Survey can be found at www.kpmg.com

Chartering a successful partnership Representatives from North Somerset Council, Scape and Kier, have signed a partnership charter to cement the strong working relationships that have already been forged between the local authority, procurement body and private sector construction firm.

At an event hosted at the Council’s Castlewood Offices in Clevedon,

in March, the three organisations celebrated their commitment to this voluntary code of practice which outlined the collective vision to share in the regeneration of the district.

It also set out the steps required to support the local economy and its supply chain by recruiting and training people from the area for specific construction projects.

Advanced procurement solution Irwell Valley Housing Association, an award-winning organisation providing affordable homes in and around Manchester, has selected the Soprano ‘Purchase to Pay’ Procurement Solution to gain greater visibility and control over its financial commitments.

The centralised ordering system will enable the company to better manage purchase order and invoice processing to minimise unauthorised

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Public Sector Build Journal

expenditure, whilst reducing administrative requirements by as much as 50 per cent.

Soprano will provide an effective purchasing solution for 40 budget holders across 30 departments within the Irwell Valley operation.

All orders will be subject to a structured electronic approval process to ensure the appropriate authorisation by managers and the finance department.

News

Campaign urges local authorities to 'Think Thermal' Foremans appoints new managing director Foremans Relocatable Building Systems, one of the UK’s largest suppliers of recycled and refurbished modular buildings, has appointed Mike Williams as Managing Director.

Previously General Manager for the Hire Division of sister company, Portakabin, Mike joined the Shepherd Group in 1977 during which time he has held a number of commercial positions. He has more than 30 years’ experience in the modular building sector.

In his new role, Mike will continue to develop Foremans’ business in the education, healthcare, and commercial sectors, for both its sales and hire operations.

Leading plasterboard manufacturer, Lafarge Plasterboard, has launched its ‘Think Thermal’ campaign to help local authorities understand thermal boards and how they can help meet thermal insulation requirements.

‘Think Thermal’, which launched in February, aims to provide clarity in the often complicated thermal board market, helping to explain what products are available, how to use them, and where and when they should be used.

Sioned Webb, trade marketing and communications manager at Lafarge Plasterboard, explains: “‘Think Thermal’ is about helping local authorities navigate the frequently confusing thermal board market. Rising energy prices, as well as the financial incentives from the Green Deal, mean local authorities will be seeking new products they possibly haven’t used before as they start to ‘Think Thermal’.”

As part of the campaign, Lafarge Plasterboard will be developing ‘Think Thermal’ tool kits, which will contain essential information for local authorities such as a guide to Part L and thermal

board solutions which includes a thermal board product selector to help specifiers choose the right board.

Lafarge Plasterboard will also provide a dedicated technical enquiry line for instant advice for specific projects.

OPUN launches discounted design support for local councils The Leicester-based Architecture Centre for the East Midlands, OPUN, in partnership with East Midlands Councils (EMC), is rolling out a scheme to all local authorities in the region which offers them access to its design review services at an affordable price.

OPUN’s design support and review schemes provide independent built environment expertise and advice to local authorities, developers and communities. These services mean that the buildings and places created across the towns, cities and rural areas of the East Midlands meet the social, environmental and economic aspirations of local people.

OPUN’s offer to EMC members will enable councils to secure independent design advice throughout the year on plans to manage and develop local

land and buildings. Each authority will have access to two full design reviews to make sure that ambitions for a specific development have given due consideration to their impact on an area.

Julie Tanner, OPUN’s Chief Executive, (above) said: “It’s really important that during these times of austerity, good design doesn’t get overlooked. We’re already seeing budget cuts leading

to redundancies within local authority design teams, as well as a radical overhaul by Government of the current planning system.

“With all this change, there is an increased risk of badly designed schemes slipping through local planning processes. We want to make sure that doesn’t happen, which is why we’ve been working with EMC to introduce this new package of support.”

Andrew Pritchard, Director of Strategy at EMC, said: “The National Planning Policy Framework when published in 2012, is likely to encourage design review as part of the planning application process. We want to make sure that local authorities across the region are ahead of the game, so we’re delighted to be working with OPUN in offering this important service to our members.”

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Upfront

Holistic headquarters The new £21.75m headquarters for Staffordshire County Council is a mixed-use, office-led, landmark development, built on the site of a council-owned car park and lies within the heart of Stafford's multi-million pound regeneration masterplan

Hailed as a potential model for UK town centre development and winning praise from the Commission for Art and the Built Environment (CABE), the new 135,000sq. ft. headquarters building for Staffordshire County Council, is now complete and occupied. PSBJ looks at the approach taken by architects 3DReid to deliver improved civic facilities and an enhanced working environment.

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taffordshire was the first council in the UK to commit to achieving an 80% reduction in carbon emissions from its operations by 2050 and its new headquarters is key to those aspirations, generating 60% less carbon dioxide than a conventional office.

The £21.75m, mixed-use, office-led, landmark development, built on the site of a council-owned car park, lies

within the heart of Stafford’s multimillion pound regeneration masterplan, creating a vital public service operation above a 18,000sq. ft. retail experience offering shops and cafés. The building has been designed to increase the efficiency of the council’s operations by consolidating its resources, integrating 1,750 county council staff from outdated properties. It will also improve

The new building has been designed to increase the efficiency of the council's operations by integrating 1,750 county council staff from outdated properties

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public engagement, reduce running costs and create a footfall between two blocks to feed a significant retail and public realm element.

Regeneration masterplan The project, which was won at competition and secured in the midst of the recession, forms part of a masterplan to release the town’s growth and prosperity potential and will act as a catalyst for further regeneration, bringing massive investment to the area and boosting local employment opportunities, positioning Stafford and Staffordshire as a primary growth point for the Midlands. The masterplan for the Civic Quarter links the existing historic town centre to the modern Riverside shopping and living corridor along the River Sow, as well as the development of shopping and parking at North Walls, the revitalisation of Stafford College and the St George’s Hospital site development.

With the use of LABV’s and similar approaches, and the ongoing debate

Upfront

By providing a turnkey service, 3DReid was able to save additional time on the construction programme by developing the interior design and fit-out co-ordination in parallel with the building shell

• Solar shading – different on each façade to suit orientation; • Low air permeability; • Upflow ventilation to provide a high air quality with free cooling and good air movement within the building; • Biomass boiler plant – using Staffordshire County Council’s own resources to deliver 85% of the building’s thermal energy requirements; • Highly efficient fluorescent lighting with presence and daylight controls; • Highly flexible HVAC control system.

The building is mechanically ventilated using a floor supply, upflow air delivery system to provide excellent fresh air for ventilation, whilst maintaining high levels of thermal comfort for occupants.

The design considers the application of the CIBSE Adaptive Comfort Model, as recommended in TM36:2005, to

achieve high occupant satisfaction ratings and commensurate energy and carbon emission savings.

The building is heated by low temperature hot water (LTHW) generated by a biomass boiler backed up with high-efficiency, modular, natural gas-fired boilers and slim panel radiators to the central cores. Where there are windowsills, or full height glazing, trench heating is used to offset cold down draughts. Common parts are also heated with radiators and all heating and cooling pipework within the building is concealed. Heating plant is based upon high efficiency, low NOx boilers for maximum energy efficiency.

The heating, mechanical ventilation and cooling plant are located in dedicated plant areas on the roof, with an area of 2,600m2.

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over the future of PFI, the Staffordshire County Council HQ provides a good example of how to successfully deliver improved civic facilities, with significantly lower running costs and representing outstanding value for money.

The building has a concrete frame construction with a stick curtain walling system. The site was surrounded by buildings of varying scale, height and type (some of them listed), from one storey to a 9-storey residential tower block.

The diagonal street at the heart of the scheme provides a successful route to draw people through the site connecting it to the town centre and future development to the south.

The two office blocks, set around a series of linked public spaces, have been sympathetically designed in consultation with English Heritage, to complement the historic urban fabric and varying scale and heights of the surrounding buildings. The design of the building’s floorplates and planning grid also present the potential for multiple tenancy and future adaptation to ensure a long lifespan of the building.

Energy-efficient technology has been blended with modern commercial dynamics within the demands of a historic setting and conservation area and the building has achieved a European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive Rating ‘A’ for its sustainability, and an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM for Offices rating is anticipated. The Energy Performance Certificate ‘A’ rating under the 2010 Building Regulations, which is a challenge in any commercial building, required a considerable amount of thermal modelling using IES ‘Virtual Environment’, a computational fluid dynamics software package. The positioning, form and massing of the two buildings, the thermal mass of the structure and façade and the materials for the building envelope, were all considered and refined through the design stage. The resulting design incorporated the following features: • Concrete frame for thermal mass; • Optimised areas of glazing on each façade to balance heat gain with natural light; • Low ‘g’, low ‘U’ value glazing;

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Upfront

The elevation treatment embodied a holistic approach to design a sustainable, energy efficient BREEAM Excellent building through three different strategies (vertical fins, vertical cladding and horizontal louvres)

the west facing façades rely on a combination of vertical fins, projecting perpendicular from the full height glazed façades. These fins screen the glass wall in the afternoon while still affording excellent views of the surroundings and maximising daylight penetration.

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runs through the centre of the scheme.

A shadow analysis determined the elevation strategy, locating minimal glazing in solar gain locations, and maximum glazing in areas suffering heat loss. In addition to solar shading, the modular arrangement stimulates a ‘playful’ and distinct approach to the façade, avoiding the monotony of a single or double horizontal fenestration element. Through the use of vertical windows, energy consumption is reduced, as sunlight can deeply penetrate the floor plates. Glazing was also located in order to capitalise desirable views across historical Stafford.

In recognising the town’s predominately vertical architectural emphasis, the solar protection on

Where the greatest potential for solar gain exists on the south elevation, fronting South Walls, very little glazing could be exposed. Here, rather than relying heavily on solar louvres, opaque or fritted glazing, large overhanging louvres or second skin technology, glazing was only used in long vertical slots set at the eye level appropriate to standing or seated occupants of the offices which affords good views but significantly reduces solar gain and glare.

The ‘feature’ glazed areas such as Atria, high-level glazing and the projecting office ‘pods’ in the gateway areas of Tipping Street and South Walls, employ a system of ‘Brise Soleil’ which may be automated on the west elevation of Building B, if necessary, which affords the

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Smart glazing The elevation treatment embodied a holistic approach to design a sustainable energy efficient BREEAM Excellent building through three different strategies (vertical fins, vertical cladding and horizontal louvres). Each strategy aimed to limit the amount of direct sunlight reaching the glazing, in various locations across the proposed elevations, as concluded from the Sun Path and Solar Heat Gain Analysis.

The amount of solid panelling, ‘Fin’ louvres and glazing, varies between elevations, dependent on the severity of the potential solar gain, which resulted in increased glazed areas upon the north and north east elevations, along with the ‘internal’ façades. This glazing addresses the pedestrian street which

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Upfront

character of these feature elements to read distinctly from the rest of the building and maintain a high degree of visibility.

By providing a turnkey service, 3DReid was able to save additional time on the construction programme by developing the interior design and fit-out coordination in parallel with the building shell.

Tom Hewitt, Design Director at 3DReid, explains: “This wasn’t just a straight forward fit-out design, but a more in-depth analysis of how the Council staff worked and assisting them in managing a change process

in working methods. We were bringing 1,700 staff together from 19 separate locations across the county.”

Understanding how the Council functioned was critical to a successful fit-out; the general office areas have been planned, designed and finished through comprehensive consultation with the Council in an open and dynamic process. By allowing a degree of flexibility within the fitout, various workstyles have been accommodated whilst retaining future flexibility and controlling cost. 3DReid

is now working with other Borough Council’s in the region to review their workplace strategies to improve working efficiencies.

This is the second BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rated office scheme in a conservation area that 3DReid has delivered in the Midlands. 3DReid designed the first BREEAM Excellent office building to be delivered in Birmingham, in George Road, Edgbaston, back in 2007.

www.3dreid.com

FACT FILE Client: Staffordshire County Council Developer: Stoford Developments Architect: 3DReid Main contractor: Volker Fitzpatrick Structural engineer: Arup Services engineer: ESC Quantity surveyor: EC Harris Planning supervisor: Turleys Associates

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The Staffordshire County Council headquarters are set around a series of linked public spaces and have been sympathetically designed in consultation with English Heritage

There are optimised areas of glazing on each façade to balance heat gain with natural light

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Education

Inspired spaces The inspiredspaces design of Harton Technology College plays a large part in supporting the school's delivery of the curriculum and fresh approach to teaching, thanks to the way it creates links between internal and external spaces

Harton Technology College and South Shields Community School are just two projects in the north east of England, which benefited from inspired design and innovation under the ÂŁ175m South Tyneside and Gateshead Council (STaG) BSF programme. PSBJ takes a detailed look at the projects constructed by the inspiredspaces consortium, a joint venture comprising contractor Carillion, Ryder Architecture and SES (Shepherd Engineering Services).

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nitially constructed on its present site in the 1930s and later added to in the 1960s, Harton Technology College (Harton) has developed a sound reputation as a school which specialises in technology, languages and vocational subjects and was the first school in the north of England to be awarded triple subject specialist status.

It has recently undergone something of a significant transformation in terms of its physical appearance, with the construction of a new pavilion building coupled with a major refurbishment of the existing teaching block.

The ÂŁ25m project, constructed by the inspiredspaces consortium, a joint venture comprising contractor Carillion, Ryder Architecture and SES (Shepherd Engineering Services), was delivered across three phases.

Striking a noticeable contrast between the original structure, the style and appearance of the pavilion building complements its older neighbour. The

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two buildings sit comfortably together, seamlessly blending the old and the new.

Constructed over three storeys, the pavilion has created spaces which were either not available or achievable in the original building. These spaces include dining facilities and a learning research centre for use by the whole school, coupled with a technology barn, 120seat lecture theatre, design technology, maths and sciences spaces, as well as sixth form seminar areas.

Open & exposed Considering its technology specialism, the school itself has been designed, in part, to be used as a learning tool.

Open and exposed ceiling areas reveal structural elements and mechanical and electrical building services, thereby providing students with the unusual opportunity to visually observe construction and design.

Innovative building services contractor, SES, faced a number of

challenges on the Harton project, namely taking building services from the new build element and linking them to those in the refurbished structure.

SES was able to achieve this by taking the electrical and mechanical services underground.

Further to this, while working on the refurbishment phase of works, installing new building services and concealing them was of key importance to the completed scheme to ensure that the 1930’s building retained its original charm. The inclusion of a biomass boiler was instrumental in the project achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating.

The final phase of works at Harton called for demolition of some separate 1960s single-storey accommodation presenting the school with an opportunity to reorganise the site layout and create a new external pedestrian plaza which not only connects the two buildings, but also

Education

Sympathetic setting The £20m redevelopment of South Shields Community School presented the school with an opportunity to

The £25m Harton Technology College project, constructed by the inspiredspaces consortium, was delivered across three phases

create a building which would better reflect its approach to teaching and learning and at the same time, develop a facility whose form would work on a level reflective of the school’s specialism in business and enterprise.

The inspiredspaces design concept on this occasion was to create a building with a floorplate measuring 9,184m2, which would be sympathetic to its green belt setting and set the scene for those approaching the building to be in no doubt about its credentials as a ‘business school’.

South Shields Community School is arranged over two-storeys split into five notional blocks. Three college bases have created distinct teaching spaces to cater for design technology

The new pavilion includes dining facilities, a learning research centre, a technology barn, design technology, maths and sciences spaces

and science; business and enterprise and an area which houses a dining hall, sports accommodation and administration space.

These areas are linked by a twostorey street which at 85m long and 13m wide, acts as the main circulation route for students and teachers around the school. This innovative feature has enhanced the teaching spaces within the school typically from an area of 56m2 to accommodate 30 pupils to an increased area of 65m2.

The increase in teaching space provides both enormous flexibility and greater opportunities to deliver the curriculum using a variety of teaching styles. The enclosed and fully glazed street, although not heated, is very much the heart of the school. Apart from acting as the main arterial route for students moving from lesson to lesson, it is also a meeting space where students can gather socially. Additionally, the main hall opens up to the street which allows for extended assemblies and other activities to take place.

As this project was wholly new build, it presented SES with an opportunity to showcase its extensive capabilities and commitment as a thinking business, to produce and install innovative modular solutions. The contractor used the latest BIM (Building Information Modelling) technology to carry out 3D modelling which it used to construct and

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creates a formal place of arrival and a strong visual identity for the school.

The inspiredspaces design of Harton Technology College plays a large part in supporting the school’s delivery of the curriculum and fresh approach to teaching, thanks to the way it creates links between internal and external spaces. Additionally, the design provides the school with a more flexible floorplate. This was achieved by the implementation of a regular structural grid as well as grouping service areas together.

Speaking about the project, Headteacher Ken Gibson said: “We have a fine new building and refurbishment project which is both aesthetically pleasing and functional in many ways. The students are very happy with the buildings and the new environment is a pleasant space to work for both students and staff.

The fact that the building is completed, now means we have far greater capacity within the senior team to re-focus on our core business of teaching and learning.”

Community provision was also a key driver of this project to ensure that Harton Technology College continued to extend its reach to those wishing to carry on learning beyond school age and in so doing it remains firmly at the core of the community it represents.

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Education

install the building services.

Using its dedicated off-site PRISM (Prefabricated Integrated Services Modules) facility, SES was able to carry out prefabrication of pipe work and containment modules, as well as partial prefabrication of the school’s plantroom.

This ability to prefabricate ensures that the building’s services can be fully tested prior to arriving on site, installation time is reduced and construction waste kept to a minimum bringing a range of benefits to both the client and the environment.

College, a combination of the two, we base our approach to each project on what is the best engineered solution we can provide within the constraints of the scheme, be they physical or financial.”

Combined with its specialist status for business and enterprise, the new state-of-the-art South Shields Community School is now better

placed to develop and forge links with local businesses. This will encourage engagement and bring a range of teaching and learning methods into the school, thereby nurturing an enterprise ethos and a natural link between the school and the local community.

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A 120-seat lecture theatre forms part of the new pavilion.

www.ses-ltd.co.uk

Enviable reputation Speaking about the projects, SES regional director, Steve Joyce said: “SES has amassed a significant level of experience and knowledge across a wide range of sectors and has an enviable reputation within the education sector for our ability to deliver creative solutions for the design, manufacture and installation of buildings services.

“It makes little or no difference to SES whether we are working on a new build project or a refurbishment or, in the case of Harton Technology

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The increase in teaching space at Harton, provides both enormous flexibility and greater opportunities to deliver the curriculum using a variety of teaching styles

STEEL

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Online Enquiry 007 06/03/2012 14:37:21

Public Sector Build Journal 17

Talking Point

Combined strength

© Stocker1970

The government cannot meet its social policy objectives without the private sector but it can only engage it when there is complete confidence that this will not result in abuse

Phil Shanks, entrepreneur and founder of SAF Housing Solutions Ltd., explains why the Government must embrace a stronger partnership with the private sector in order to address Britain's growing social housing needs.

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uring the term of the last administration, the role of the private sector in helping the government deliver its objectives grew dramatically, only to be undermined by unscrupulous contractors and accusations of unjust enrichment. As we face huge economic and social challenges, it is time to reignite the passion in a relationship which has huge potential and widespread benefits.

The government cannot meet its social policy objectives without the private sector but it can only engage it when there is complete confidence that this will not result in abuse. And so the hallmarks of any new approach have to be complete transparency and reasonable return – addressing the reward that companies receive for their activities and the way in which services and responses to need are designed.

The last Government was widely criticised by the opposition and media outlets like Private Eye, for its relationship with the private sector.

Elements of this condemnation seem to have been just as we are left with

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a legacy of PFI contracts; committed into the hundreds of billions of pounds. Sadly, for the sake of much needed debate, this figure pales into insignificance as it dwindles under the weight of the recession.

This Government’s approach to

Phil Shanks, founder of SAF Housing Solutions Limited, former advisor to Local Authorities and advocate to hundreds of disadvantaged people. philshanks@safhousing.co.uk

replacing public sector jobs is for the private sector to step up and deliver growth while carrying out more of our public sector activities.

Enterprising answers I sincerely doubt that the nation wants to return to the wasteful and costly PFI contracts of old, nor does it want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. What is required is an entire paradigm shift in the approach to public/private sector partnerships – built on a willingness to consider new ways of working to try new ideas. That means bringing new players to the table, not simply appointing the same old, usual suspects.

The way forward lies in promoting the role of SMEs in satisfying government procurement requirements.

But although this government has attempted to make it easier for small businesses to win business, it has done little to meet the needs of SMEs. By way of an example; I shrugged when Lord Sugar, A-list business Tsar and media personality, was appointed to promote the role and capabilities

Talking Point

During the last administration, the role of the private sector in helping the government deliver its objectives grew dramatically, only to be undermined by unscrupulous contractors and accusations of unjust enrichment

sizes. This is the spirit which must be adopted more widely.

As it stands most government procurement needs fall outside of the ability of SMEs, either due their sheer size or due to geographical challenges.

That, however, is because of the way in which the contracts are specified.

Energetic approach needed Entrepreneurs are fiercely independent and want to deal in their own right rather than simply act as subcontractors to large businesses who are currently the only ones able to win and service government contracts.

But if contracts were designed to take advantage of what SMEs can offer, the economy as a whole would see the benefits. To do this central government must embrace the very entrepreneurial spirit which I described earlier.

In practical terms it means creating a role for someone to identify how contracts can be broken into smaller

parts before it is drawn up to ensure SME participation. This will require an energetic approach which engages with colleagues at local government level, and for that someone to proactively go out into the marketplace and drum up interest and bidders.

This isn’t really a new approach.

We already do it every single time we make a major purchase: seeking out the best prices and people to do the job. There is no reason why central government couldn’t do the same. Of course there is the argument that it is easier to manage a single large contract as opposed to many smaller ones. I respectfully disagree. With modern technology and communication systems, this challenge isn’t much of a challenge at all. Besides, isn’t making demanding logistics work one of the things we pay the government to do?

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of SMEs. I certainly do not doubt his credentials, but it is some time since he was in charge of a small business.

I fear he might be out of touch with the needs of us ‘small fry’.

To truly engage with small and medium enterprises, we need more than simply a small relaxation of lowcost procurement rules. Access to information on contracts which then call for enormous reams of paperwork just to apply will not do it either. SMEs need a helping hand. And since we are, at least in part, charged with dragging Britain out of recession, I don’t feel that is an unfair request.

I consider myself to be an experienced and sophisticated business person from the SME sector; versed in meeting the challenges of working with central government departments. Only a few months back I launched a new venture which meant negotiating my way through the maze of Whitehall. Progress was, and still is slow, and the walls we are climbing would have put off most of my fellow entrepreneurs a few milestones back.

So what’s the answer? Well we all have to start getting entrepreneurial: officers and SMEs. Business works best when we communicate, face-to-face. It establishes the trust that has to be at the heart of every deal, transaction and investment. That means it cannot be done successfully from Whitehall; the decision makers need to get out into the local communities or, alternatively, delegate the power to a body that can.

There is widespread recognition that local authorities are better at engaging with SMEs than central government.

I can certainly attest to this. My first business was developed while being nurtured by a public sector in desperate need. In the early days we needed sympathetic contracting and fast tracked payments. The authority gave us that and in return we made sure their needs were met and created 16 jobs in an area of high unemployment. This is not an isolated example: I can name many senior local government officers who already adopt an entrepreneurial approach – using detailed knowledge of their local market, local needs and local relationships with providers of all

www.safhousing.co.uk Public Sector Build Journal 19

Heating

Proactive design District or community heating and hot water systems are familiar in many European countries and are starting to make their mark in the UK as developers look for ways to meet the higher levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes. PSBJ examines the approach taken by Nu-Heat in this growing technology.

N

u-Heat Underfloor & Renewables has been proactive in the design of community heating and hot water systems, based around both air source and ground source heat pumps usually integrated with underfloor heating. Generally speaking, in social housing community heating systems, air source heat pumps are specified, as they are practical and cost-effective.

The less common option of a ground source heat pump system with ground loops or more commonly boreholes, also offers great potential to developers.

The capital cost of ground source heat pump equipment is higher than for an air source heat pump, and there is also the drilling of the boreholes to be factored in. However, a system considered as commercial that utilises a ground source heat pump, can attract payments from the proposed RHI and

20 Public Sector Build Journal

means that a ground source heat pump becomes a viable alternative.

One holiday cottage complex in Poppinghole, Kent has installed a NIBE 1330, 22kW ground source heat pump with a borehole array to provide heating and hot water to four converted cottages and a 10m x 45m swimming pool complex. In this instance the hot water is centralised as no individual metering is required, and an underfloor heating system installed in screed is the chosen heat emitter. A second installation in Hampshire consists of five live/work units that are using a single NIBE1330 40kW ground source heat pump with a separate hot water cylinder and underfloor heating in each unit and separate meters for billing purposes.

Alongside sufficient insulation, the key to performance in a community or district heating system is the correct

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Nu-Heat design for a ground source heat pump district heating system supplying five live/work units

sizing of the heat pump. Many heat pump suppliers quote a Coefficient of Performance (CoP) figure and heat output based on an outside temperature of 7°C and a flow temperature of 35°C. Nu-Heat quotes the parameters of its heat pump range based on -3°C outside air temperature and water delivery temperatures of 45°C, which are more indicative of the real situation.

Nu-Heat has developed its own specialist software, Predictor, to ensure the correct sizing of heat pumps through performance simulation. Predictor takes published data from various manufacturers into a common platform, so performance levels of any model and any make can be easily compared. Once heat loss has been assessed, Predictor runs a simulation of performance over an average year, based on local, monthly weather data from the Met Office and taking account of the changing seasons.

Predictor uses the daily temperature cycle for the simulations to include cold nights and warm days; acknowledging the fact that a heat pump has to respond to increases and decreases in temperature.

When a heat pump is being integrated with underfloor heating, Predictor is used a second time, after the underfloor heating design is completed, to double check that the heat pump specified is still appropriate.

marketing@nu-heat.co.uk enq 008

A NIBE1330 ground source heat pump

The

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Everything you need... under one roof • How to... sessions, build-system talks, products presentations and case studies • Free appointments with more than 20 industry professionals in Expert Alley • Tours of our full-sized renovation house and real-life examples in the Educational Journey • More than 200 companies in our Exhibitor Area

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Housing minimal maintenance requirements.

When designing a communal heating system, energy metering, monitoring and billing should be a key consideration from the outset to ensure the best solution is provided for the residents and the building owner or operator. Available solutions range from simple read-only meters with data provided for independent billing through to a Pay-As-You-Go system, or a complete remote billing solution using BUS communication to provide the end user with a fully itemised energy bill.

Talking sense

A communal heating system supplies heat to a number of dwellings from a common heat source or 'Energy Centre'

Smarter heating There are more than 5000 district heating schemes across Europe, currently supplying more than 9% of total European heat demands.

In cities like Copenhagen, Helsinki and Warsaw, as much as 90% of residential heat demand is satisfied by district heat. Mike Shaw, Commercial Director, Evinox Ltd., explains why this type of communal heating system is now becoming more prevalent in the UK.

A

communal heating system supplies heat to a number of dwellings from a common heat source or ‘Energy Centre’. It may comprise of, for example, a system heating a block of apartments or a larger scale system heating many individual homes and other buildings.

Heat interface units contained in each dwelling convert the heat generated by the ‘Energy Centre’ into independent, fast recovery hot water and high efficiency heating for each residence. This removes the requirement for individual boilers and a gas supply in each home. The use of an ‘Energy Centre’ reduces a buildings’ carbon footprint and allows the

22 Public Sector Build Journal

integration of renewable heat sources, such as solar, air or ground source heat pumps or CHP, and can help achieve SAP ratings for the building.

This type of heating system provides end users with the same autonomy as if they had their own boiler and tank and just as with their own independent heat source, they pay for only the energy they use. The heat interface units in each dwelling incorporate an energy meter, which accurately monitors and records the energy used to provide heating and hot water. There is no requirement for a flue, gas supply or additional room ventilation in each dwelling, making installation simpler, with easy access for servicing and

Evinox’s unique SmartTalk technology goes one step further. Using twoway data communication, the system in each dwelling can be remotely metered, controlled, interrogated and tested. Evinox Modusat software has the ability to not only download data from the heat interface unit but to also upload data to provide control remotely.

The two-way control system provides a number of important benefits: • The system in each dwelling can be fully controlled remotely, including timings and settings, and provides remote diagnostic capability and client support; • Fault alarms can be checked by testing the operation of components; • Empty apartments can be

The Evinox ModuSat TP Twin Plate Heat Interface Unit

Housing

■

monitored and controlled without the need to site visit, for example, un-sold or un-let properties can be left on frost protection and if the unit is sold or let or simply has a viewing, then the heating can be turned on from the management office; • SMS text message control facility to enable occupiers to set heating and hot water remotely and view consumption; • Avoids unnecessary call-outs as a result of user error; • Data logging of apartment temperatures.

Previously, landlords and housing associations have been required to maintain a debt fund for a communal heating scheme. This is used in circumstances where residents fail to pay for the energy they have consumed. This leads to an increase in the tariff rate for all residents of the scheme, to cover the debt fund.

This can be eliminated by providing a system where residents pay for energy in advance, which keeps the tariff rate down due to less administration and less debt management service being required. Evinox offers a Pay-As-YouGo system where residents can pay for energy using a Payzone card at their local retail outlet, via the internet 24hrs a day or over the telephone – making it simple to top up energy at any time.

www.evinox.co.uk www.evinoxenergy.co.uk

Highbury Gardens Recently awarded ‘Best New Place to Live’ by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson at the 2012 London Planning Awards, Highbury Gardens is a mixeduse housing scheme that has been developed by First Base Islington Ltd. The development consists of 119, one, two and three-bedroom homes, including 62 for private sale and key workers being delivered with the HCA, the national housing and regeneration agency. A further 57 apartments will be owned by the housing association partner, Southern Housing Group, providing a mix of tenures to meet local housing needs. First Base chose to use the revenue management services of Evinox to provide tariff control and billing management for residents via the Evinox ModuSat communal heating system.

Benefiting from an Evinox communal heating system, the residents buy energy ‘on demand’ (heat) rather than ‘raw fuel’ (gas). The central boiler plant also generates less carbon emissions and uses less energy to run than the equivalent of individual gas boilers in each apartment.

In addition, the scheme includes solar thermal panels on the roof that provide a renewable energy contribution.

To control costs and ensure the system operates debt-free, the Evinox card reader system is being used. The Housing Association decided the card reader system was perfectly suited to Highbury

Gardens as it provides their residents with a choice over how they pay for their heating and hot water. The Evinox solution offers flexibility, with the option to Pay-AsYou-Go, where tenants will purchase their energy from the local Payzone point as energy units are required or alternatively tenants can pay online at the Evinox Energy website or via direct debit.

The Evinox BUS system at Highbury Gardens has been utilised so that the meters are read remotely via a GSM modem. This solution also provides heat energy consumptions as well as flow rates and temperatures to and from the apartment from the communal heating central plant room. These temperature and flow readings provide an overview of how the system is operating and are useful for an engineer to see if the system is balanced correctly and can identify areas of poor flow or an individual meter problem without the need to visit the site.

It also provides data for providing detailed energy reports for the system.

The Evinox card reader system controls costs and therefore keeps the tariff rate down due to less administration and less debt management service being required. As a result of this, the occupiers can all benefit. The building owner and managing agent also have the peace of mind that the communal system is being managed efficiently without ongoing increasing costs.

SmartTalk™ Communal Heating Technology Using two-way data communication, the Evinox SmartTalk system in each dwelling can be remotely metered, controlled, interrogated and tested

Two-way command and communication

Public Sector Build Journal 23

BFE Preview

The new building blocks of education Formerly known as BSEC, Building Future Education is the UK's only focused conference and exhibition for the finance, procurement, design, construction and furnishing of education buildings.

It's a key opportunity for those involved in the sector to see first-hand outstanding initiatives and exchange views with leading education exponents.

Peter Lauener, Chief Executive Designate of the Education Funding Agency (EFA), is a keynote speaker on Day One of the BFEUK Conference

24 Public Sector Build Journal

Government Construction Adviser, Paul Morrell. On day one, the EFA chief will deliver his maiden speech on school building, outlining how the EFA plans to build on the work of PfS and deliver new schools in the next few years.

Mike Coleman, Director of Programme Delivery at Partnerships’ for Schools, said: “Building Future Education 2012 will be a great opportunity to hear from key people in the industry, and learn about major policies and future capital projects alongside their delivery. This year’s event includes the chance to hear about the launch of the Education Funding Agency, which will be responsible for the allocation and distribution of around £50bn of revenue and capital funding each year, as well as the delivery of capital investment in schools.”

Challenges & changes ahead Day two of the Conference is headlined

by Paul Morrell. Morrell is responsible for overseeing many aspects of the government’s construction strategy.

A major policy aim is to reduce the cost of public sector building projects by 20% during this parliament. This is an immense challenge and major changes to project management for school projects are being planned.

By way of contrast, Sir Jonathon Porritt will be discussing sustainability and whether a low-carbon ethos can be maintained and improved during the age of value engineering.

Visitors will also have access to all four free feature areas, including the Masterclass and Green Learning Theatres, Refurb or Rebuild LIVE! and the Modular Classroom.

BFEUK endeavours to provide a comprehensive overview of education

Last year's design competition where children have to develop designs for new and refurbished spaces in their school

buildings relevant to all members of a project team. The Masterclass Theatre reflects this with a diverse range of presentations looking at various types of education building and giving the perspective of many different stakeholders. The viewpoint of teachers, architects, contractors, university estates managers, and education consultants will come to the fore as a series of presentations explore a suite of issues surrounding education buildings today.

Following on from the successful launch of the Green Learning Theatre at last year’s BSEC event, this seminar area gives exhibition visitors the chance to get a detailed insight into how sustainable building principles are being applied to education buildings today.

Refurb or Rebuild LIVE! is a competition for schools to develop designs for new and refurbished spaces in their school with the chance to win a single-storey, fully furnished modular classroom, completely free of charge!

To register for the event, just visit the exhibition and conference website.

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A

new event for 2012, BFEUK was borne out of combining the best of BSEC (Building Schools exhibition and conference) and Remodelling Education Spaces. As the only two-day event dedicated for the education built environment sector in the UK, BFE covers the shift of focus from new building to refurbishment in the education sector over the past 12 months following the changes in Government policy and funding.

Visitors to this year’s event, which takes place at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London on 9th-10th May, can expect to see dozens of innovative ideas and designs as well as hear some of the most influential commentators on the government’s policy towards schools’ investment in their educational spaces.

It’s been announced that the invited keynote speakers for the BFEUK Conference, are Chief Executive Designate of the Education Funding Agency (EFA) Peter Lauener and Chief

www.bfeuk.com

Heatrae Sadia has the answer In addition to a range of class leading water heating and drinking water products developed specifically to meet the demands of busy environments such as health clubs, offices, service stations, bars and restaurants, Heatrae Sadia also provide a UK based customer support package.

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On-site service support including parts and labour.

Service call centre open 363 days a year.

A team of 280 field engineers covering all parts of the UK and Northern Ireland.

For more information contact Heatrae Sadia on: 01603 420220, email: specifier@heatraesadia.com or visit: www.heatraesadia.com

Online Enquiry 010

Door-size graphics _ G-1-2-3 _ printed on the external lift doors make the lifts easily located at each floor

London academy is Xtra special Hammersmith Academy is a brand new, non-denominational, all-ability, co-educational school and 6th form specialising in Creative and Digital Media and IT. PSBJ looks at how Stannah Xtralift passenger lifts have given user-friendly access to facilities over four floors, to nearly 800 students, staff and visitors.

E

nvironments don’t come much busier than the state-of-the-art Hammersmith Academy in West London – which is why it features two 13-person Stannah Xtralift passenger lifts to help bring access between four floors for school personnel and mobility compromised users, including students.

With around 780 students, staff and visitors to cater for on a daily basis, democratic movement between all facilities is vital for the Academy.

Operating over a distance of 13.2m each, the lifts feature plasticised, light-grey walls, ‘Domino’ suspended, downlighter-effect ceilings, and stainless-steel consoles, skirtings and car doors. Door-size graphics – G-12-3 – printed on the external lift doors make the lifts easily located at each floor; and swipe-card access ensures that they can only be accessed by card-carrying users.

The Xtralifts were specified by

26 Public Sector Build Journal

Nathan Beevers, Associate of BHM Architects, a London practice with a pedigree in designing academies: “As with all such projects, Hammersmith Academy demonstrates our response to the physical and emotional demands of the environment,” explained Nathan.

“In both product and performance, Stannah has supported this ethos and made a significant contribution to the efficiency and good health of the school. Having used Stannah on numerous projects we knew they would perform well from initial consultation to installation, commissioning and after-care.”

Stannah’s Xtralift range is designed for busy surroundings to carry more people a little faster and a little higher.

A super-efficient, oil- and vibrationfree, gearless traction drive ensures a smooth ride with low noise, energy use and running costs. Compact controls located at the top of the shaft save space; and fast, efficient installation is

ensured by a modular structure and unique rail system giving precision, durability and reliability.

Available in models for up to 33 persons, with many features, finishes and options, Xtralifts comply with EN 81-1, are CE marked and in full compliance with The Lift Directive 95/16/EC; and ensure that Hammersmith Academy’s owners meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

The Xtralifts are serviced by the London and South East branch of Stannah Lifts Services, a nationwide network providing 24 hour, 365 days a year support. This covers service, repair, modernisation and refurbishment of all types of lifts, stairlifts, escalators and moving walkways – not only those from the Stannah product range, but also other lift manufacturers’ equipment.

Stannah also offers a bespoke lifts service, custom-building lifts to meet customers’ specific requirements.

■

Building Access

www.stannahlifts.co.uk

The Xtralifts feature plasticised, light-grey walls, 'Domino' suspended, downlighter-effect ceilings, and stainlesssteel consoles, skirtings and car doors

Delivering answers June will see thousands of housing professionals join forces for three days of intensive debate, radical thinking and practical solutions to the challenges facing us at a time of enormous change. It’s the place where housing shares the latest ideas and insights with trailblazers, generates fresh strategic directions and exchanges good practice and hands-on solutions.

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Flooring

Firm footing for sporting success The Government has set out its plan for using the London Olympics to deliver a sustainable legacy including making the UK a worldleading sporting nation by inspiring young people through sport.

Tarkett is making sure that this can be attained by providing the correct sports surfaces to aid sporting achievement.

B

y 2012, the Government is aiming to offer all 5-16 year-olds, five hours of sport a week, and all 16-19 year-olds three hours a week.

For children up to the age of 16, the expectation is that schools will provide three of the five hours, with community groups and clubs, often using school facilities, providing the remainder. So it’s essential for schools to offer suitable facilities with playing surfaces that will help reduce the risk of injury and enhance performance.

BS EN 14904 relates specifically to indoor surfaces for multi-sports use and sets out criteria for force reduction, vertical deformation and skid resistance.

It aims to ensure that uniform friction is achieved across the entire surface to give consistency of grip and slide, and ball rebound characteristics.

The level of impact absorption or force reduction offered, will be a key consideration when determining the most appropriate surface to install, since the ability to absorb impact is essential in reducing the risk of injury

28 Public Sector Build Journal

to participants. Elasticity indicates the capacity of the surface to restore the energy of an impact, while ball bounce should be created as close as possible to that achieved on a concrete slab.

Deformation characteristics will depend on the type of flooring chosen, but should not be too soft. Grip is partly guaranteed by contact between the sole of a shoe and the floor, but the surface should also allow for controlled sliding and ease of foot movement, with sufficient grip to prevent slipping.

The options for sports flooring are many and varied, with solutions available in PVC, polyurethane, linoleum and wood. Basic point elastic floors can be laid directly onto the subfloor, while area elastic systems can be sprung or semi-sprung with solutions to suit different floor voids.

Most schools will want to offer a broad range of sports to encourage maximum participation, so a multi-sports system may be preferable. The sports hall may well be used for non-sporting activities too, such as assemblies, dining and

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Tarkett's comprehensive range of indoor sports surfaces are suitable for multipurpose, multisport and specialist sport applications

examinations. There are two options for dealing with this, the first of which is to install a multi-sports system designed to cope with occasional non-sports use.

The alternative is to select a performance sports surface and combine it with a floor protection system that can be quickly and easily installed and removed as required.

Tarkett’s comprehensive range of indoor sports surfaces are suitable for multipurpose, multisport and specialist sport applications. Solutions are available in wood, PVC and linoleum and comply with all sports surfacing standards, including EN14904.

Tarkett’s Omnisports range offers PVC sports floorings that deform at the point of impact, in a choice of thicknesses to satisfy varying degrees of shock absorption and performance requirements. All Omnisports floors feature TopClean XP surface treatment for easy, low-cost maintenance and enhanced durability. Tarkett’s wood flooring systems offer maximum flexibility of performance and ease of installation. They are manufactured in beech or oak using 22mm engineered wood boards for dimensional stability.

Tarkett’s Lumaflex is the ideal subsurface solution for level sub floors and, when combined with a PVC or linoleum surface, it increases the performance characteristics of the system to facilitate the highest standards of sport. Lumaflex Linosport is the ideal surface for all levels of sport as well as non-sports activities, with no need to protect the floor due to the resilient nature of the linoleum top surface.

marketing@tarkett.com enq 012

All Omnisports floors feature TopClean XP surface treatment for easy, low-cost maintenance and enhanced durability

Upfront

Online Enquiry 013

LED Lighting,

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Online 24/01/2012 Enquiry 014 12:05 Public Sector Build Journal 29

Leisure

An innovative and attractively designed community building, the Yate Youth Café in South Gloucester, incorporates both traditional and modern materials. The main structure is of steel and glulam frame with a double skin timber frame forming the envelope

Vibrant youth venue Yate Youth Café is the culmination of years of campaigning for a dedicated youth venue to serve the young people of Yate and the surrounding areas. Highly experienced in dealing with projects for young people, Speller Metcalfe has delivered an innovative and highly sustainable building that is not only welcoming and supportive, but also has a real 'wow' factor.

Y

ate Youth Café in South Gloucestershire, was proposed in response to the expressed social needs for the provision of a safe, neutral meeting point for young people between the ages of 13-19 in the Yate area.

The centre was developed as a social enterprise venue aimed at providing employment, training, personal development opportunities, advice and information; in part addressing Government, Council and Local Plans and Strategies targets such as investing in children and young people, weekend youth provision and maintaining economic prosperity.

Main contractors Speller Metcalfe, worked in partnership with clients South Gloucestershire Council and Yate Town Council, to provide the innovative build and serve the 3000+ young people in the community of Yate.

Based on an original plot of scrubland, the shape was a response to the client’s desire for a ‘wow factor’ building and the unusual curved site characteristics.

The armadillo shape creates a hard protective shell to the north side and

30 Public Sector Build Journal

the adjacent road traffic. The ‘soft’ side encloses a protected garden area with a multitude of glazing that takes advantage of the south aspect and existing trees.

Three youth members were installed on the planning board and played a key role in developing the designs and selection and appointment of sub-contractors. In early discussion, appointed architect Jim Hayles of Quattro architects talked with board members at length about the challenge of how to make the building open and welcoming while providing a degree of privacy and intimacy. At latter stages, consultations looked at the design of specific items such as the bar layout and the use of materials.

Chris Willmore, Chair of the Armadillo Project, said: “The whole ethos was to have a project board that was making all of the key decisions – three out of the nine board members were 15-yearolds, who saw the project all the way through. We’ve learnt that give them the right question, and a 15-year-old is as capable as a 50-year-old.”

The building incorporated a range

of sustainable elements to create an efficient build while remaining sympathetic to the external aesthetics of the surrounding environment.

Speller Metcalfe’s willingness to embrace change and utilise new technologies became apparent from tender stage. Previous experience of working with lime materials was built upon as the contractor’s improved their knowledge to work with the newly available Hemcrete insulation materials – developed to provide excellent insulation values and thermal mass.

The shape of the café was a response to the client's desire for a 'wow factor' building

Leisure

Social & environmental aims Other technologies included Sedum roof planting, which was employed to encourage bio diversity and negate the impact of the building on a green site.

As well as creating a more aesthetically pleasing exterior, the roof also forms part of the sustainable drainage system; rainwater run-off is reduced as water is stored by the grass roots, and instead percolates at a lesser rate avoiding surface water and localised flooding.

“Early design co-ordination of the sustainable elements ensured a smooth construction sequence and successful outcome,” explained Adrian Speller, Environmental Manager for Speller Metcalfe. “For example, the high levels of insulation will contribute to a lowcost building to run, with the use of low embodied energy materials contributing to its sustainable features.”

Overall the building received an Energy Performance Asset Rating of 36 – a marked achievement considering no renewable technologies were employed as a means of offsetting carbon emissions.

Inside, the building is lime plastered with each room finished in a different bold colour

only been built for young people, but is being run as a business by them as well. Speller Metcalfe understands how dealing with a project for this age group is so desperately important in providing facilities and opportunities for them to develop future skills and training, as well as feeling safe and valued.”

The final cost of the project came in £30,000 under the original tender value at £1,028,110. Following its successful completion, HRH Prince Edward Earl of Wessex, officially opened the Armadillo centre in December 2011.

■

Not only was Speller Metcalfe using innovative and sustainable materials for particular build elements, it also provided training to its sub-contractor supply chain to ensure understanding and improve knowledge at all levels. These included toolbox talks and training days to develop the skills needed to use new materials.

The Café met all principle aims of the original design concept, which were: • To provide a place that young people wish to visit and use; • To create an exciting and inspiring building for users and passers-by; • To develop a building with sustainability as a key consideration.

An innovative and attractively designed community building, the Yate Youth Café incorporated both traditional and modern materials. The main structure is of steel and glulam frame with a double skin timber frame forming the envelope. Beneath the brightly coloured lime rendered and timber clad façade, the timber frame is filled with 350mm of Hemcrete.

The building has a light airy feel by the generous use of glazing, but also a solid feel due to the thickness of the walls. Inside, the building is lime plastered with each room finished in a different bold colour.

Due to its location adjacent to a live leisure centre, close co-ordination of the build to avoid disturbance was key, as well as keeping local residents and businesses involved with, and informed of, developments on site.

Overall, the build received a ‘Very Good’ Considerate Constructors Score of 35.5, as well as winning the highly acclaimed South West LABC award for ‘Best Community Café’ in 2011.

“The most impressive attribute to Speller Metcalfe was the ability to deliver on time, to budget and to specification – even when we were making changes along the way,” said Chris Willmore. “The centre has not

www.spellermetcalfe.com

The design of areas such as the bar were discussed with youth members

Public Sector Build Journal 31

Issue 10

w.fca-magazine.co.uk

Issue 13

www.fca-magazine.co.uk

www.fca-magazine.co.uk

Issue 14

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Greenhouse Hot property! West Hartford’s new Fire Station

Sustainability in Development

Greenhouse

Employing Passivhaus principles

The first Passivhaus-certified retrofit in the U

Voice of the Industry

Design & Desire

Why good design is no accident

Timber Frame

TRADA discuss the best practi for low energy timber fram

Dali in Florida – art in architecture

Cooking up a storm at Cuisine De France

How wetland treatment systems maximise biodiversity

Sustainability in Development

Spotlight on the LABC Building Excellence Awards

Insulation

Our favourites from the RIB Awards 2011 shortl

Sustainability in Development

Employing Passivhaus principles

Design & Desire

A new twist on insulation at The Skewed House

Design & Desire

Drainage & Wastewater

Greenhouse

Design & Desire

Urban redevelopment at Printworks

Design & Desire

Malta’s ambitious property regeneration project

Green getaway – Bournemouth’s eco hotel

June 11

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October

Issue 16

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Greenhouse

Retrofit is changing the landscape of social housing

sun’s out! We look at hotels, golf clubs, and the link between play & sport

oe Housing’s ‘Retrofit for the Future’ project

egal & usiness

Design & Desire

Sustainability in Development

g positive action

A Grade 2 listed hotel has a futuristic extension

Live, work & play: a mixed u

Greenhouse

Sustainability in Developmen

Clapton Girls’ Technology College, catching the eye of RIBA and BCSE award judges

An Ashden Award-winning retro-fitting proje

Glass & Glazing The art of architectural glass

visit the CoRE of sustainable refurbishment

November 11

Greenhouse

development in Nottingha

Sustainability in Development

Hotel & Leisure Focus:

ustainability in evelopment

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Earth-sheltered carbon-neutral work and home spaces

an overview of Outlook Place

boration between archtects offsite companies

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Design & Desire:

MC

Design & Desire

Doors & Windows

Unravelling the sector’s regulatio

Future architects showcased in “Changing the Face/Moscow 2011”

January 11

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Issue 10

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Greenhouse Hot property! West Hartford’s new Fire Station

Sustainability in Development Employing Passivhaus principles

Voice of the Industry

Design & Desire

Why good design is no accident

Dali in Florida – art in architecture

No half measures in urban regeneration

Cooking up a storm at Cuisine De France

Design & Desire

A new twist on insulation at The Skewed House

Sustainability in Development

Sustainability in Developmen

Employing Passivhaus principles

Insulation

Heads up for 2013’s new timber regulations

How wetland treatment systems maximise biodivers

Sustainability in Development

Spotlight on the LABC Building Excellence Awards

Timber

Drainage & Wastewate

Greenhouse

Design & Desire

Design & Desire

Urban redevelopment at Printwor

Design & Desire

Malta’s ambitious property regeneration project

Rural project creates stunning family home

Green getaway – Bournemouth’s eco ho

May 11

June 11

July 11

August 11

September

Issue 15

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Greenhouse The first Passivhaus-certified retrofit in the UK

Timber Frame TRADA discuss the best practice for low energy timber frame

Design & Desire

MMC

Design & Desire:

Sustainability in Development

Hotel & Leisure Focus:

Greenhouse

Subscribe FREE at www.fca-magazine.com Our favourites from the RIBA Awards 2011 shortlist

Earth-sheltered carbon-neutral work and home spaces

an overview of Outlook Place

Collaboration between archtects and offsite companies

Sustainability in Development

Retrofit is changing the landscape of social housing

sun’s out! We look at hotels, golf clubs, and the link between play & sport

Hastoe Housing’s ‘Retrofit for the Future’ project

Legal & Business

Design & Desire

Greenhouse Clapton Girls’ Technology College, catching the eye of RIBA and BCSE award judges

Glass & Glazing

Keep up-to-date with the latest news, legislations, projects & building information with FC&A Sustainability in Development

Taking positive action

A Grade 2 listed hotel has a futuristic extension

visit the CoRE of sustainable refurbishment

October 11

Issue 20

November 11

The art of architectural glass

February 11

March

Issue 10

Issue 12

Issue

If you are an Architect, Building Contractor, Specifier or Developer, Greenhouse and have the power to purchase building products, subscribe now for free. www.fca-magazine.co.uk

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Hot property! West Hartford’s new Fire Station

Sustainability in Development

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Employing Passivhaus principles

Voice of the Industry

Design & Desire

Why good design is no accident

Dali in Florida – art in architecture

Greenhouse Live, work & play: a mixed use development in Nottingham

Sustainability in Development An Ashden Award-winning retro-fitting project

Design & Desire No half measures in urban regeneration

Timber

Heads up for 2013’s new timber regulations

Future architects showcased

“Changing the Face/Moscow 201

January 11

Issue 21

www.fca-magazine.com

Design & Desire

Design & Desire

Spotlight on the LABC Building Excellence Awards

Insulation

A new twist on insulation at The Skewed House

Greenhouse Cooking up a storm at Cuisine De France

Sustainability in Development Employing Passivhaus principles

Design &

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Inspirational event for independent living

The Naidex Conference offers free CPD knowledge building

With over 300 exhibitors, exciting feature zones and a cutting edge conference programme, Naidex National is once again set to be the UK's largest disability, rehabilitation and homecare event.

N

aidex National, the inspirational event for independent living, opens its doors from 1st-3rd May 2012 at the NEC, Birmingham.

Touch, test and compare all the latest products from stair lifts and cars to daily living aids and furniture as well as get free help and advice from dozens of industry and healthcare experts.

Exciting new features include the Sports and Rehab Zone, dedicated to sports and FES products, and take part in the Otto Bock Action Park or try out Cyclone Mobility’s mini gym.

Experience the Sensory Room, exploring the worlds of space, sea and nature and get expert advice on autism and communication from our KideQuip seminars.

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The Independent Living Show Home invites you to see how the most innovative products work in a home environment, improving independence and mobility, whilst the New Product Showcase celebrates what’s new in the industry.

Compare the latest wheelchair accessible vehicles in the Car Zone, try out the latest toys and children’s equipment in KideQuip and see 1000s of independent living solutions being showcased by leading companies.

There will also be a wealth of free help and advice provided by OTs, counsellors, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and paediatric experts. Healthcare professionals will also benefit from attending the new Naidex Conference, offering free CPD knowledge building and career enhancing seminars and workshops.

With dedicated streams in three theatres, topics include: moving and handling, DFG guidance, dementia, mobility assessments and telecare.

Event Director Liz Logan comments: “2012 is going to be a fantastic year in the history of Naidex and the excitement of the Paralympic Games is certainly giving the show a fresh buzz.

We aim to provide visitors with an experience that will inspire and engage them, and with enhanced features and innovative new products on display,

a visit to Naidex National this year is a must.”

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■

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Touch, test and compare all the latest products at Naidex National

Public Sector Build Journal 33

Doors & Windows

The narrow sightlines of the Crittall Corporate W20 profiles minimise any obtrusive mullions and transoms and allow the glazing to blend unobtrusively into the existing architecture, enhancing its aesthetic value

A class replacement F

almer House at the University of Sussex, which houses various University services and the University of Sussex Students’ Union, was designed by famous architect Sir Basil Spence in the 1960s. Brick faced with a vault and column structure and extensive glazing, the unusual building is the first to be seen when entering the campus.

The window replacement scheme is part of a multi-million pound venture to upgrade the self-contained site, which was awarded a bronze medal from RIBA for its design and architecture and which enjoys a Grade I listed status for a development of exceptional interest. It is also one of the most beautiful campus locations in Britain, being situated in rolling parkland on the edge of Brighton and bordered by the South Downs National Park.

The window specification therefore had to be sensitive to the original design criteria and not detract from the visual appearance of the building.

Platinum sponsors Crittall supplied its Corporate W20 profiles as a like-for-like replacement.

34 Public Sector Build Journal

English Heritage-approved, the W20 profiles were the ideal choice for the replacement scheme, with the narrow sightlines minimising any obtrusive mullions and transoms, and allowing the glazing to blend unobtrusively into the existing architecture, enhancing its aesthetic value.

In addition, a number of Corporate 2000 windows are also being used in Mandela Hall in Falmer House.

These were selected as they offer larger panes, meeting the structural requirements for the double-glazing.

The Crittall Corporate 2000 range is a re-design of the traditional hot rolled steel window. While retaining the slender styling so characteristic of steel fenestration, Corporate 2000 has just three master sections. The slimline rigidity of steel sections allows the design of flat and unobtrusive ‘minimum’ coupling, with no protruding mullion or transoms, forsponsors allsponsors but the Platinum Platinum Platinum sponsors largest glazing spans.

Features include a 40mm front to Gold sponsors back dimension and insulated double glazing up to 29mm thickness

The Crittall Corporate 2000 range is a redesign of the traditional hot rolled steel window

using dry gaskets and aluminium glazing bead. All products are Hot Dip galvanised and undergo a Factory-applied Duralife polyester powder coat finish A high performance, pressure equalised design, Corporate 2000 is equally suited for residential, institutional and commercial applications, and can be used to produce unusual and innovative curtain wall designs. Major user sectors are offices, hotels, hospitals, universities and schools.

With Phase 1 of the Falmer House project completed and Phase 2 already under way, this iconic building is being restored to its former glory with the new windows and doors enhancing the original and innovative Spence architectural design. In total, the university is investing £100m through a campus-wide capital programme lasting three years, which Gold sponsors Gold Gold sponsors sponsors will see the University’s facilities and buildings fully rejuvenated.

Event partners Event Event partner partn

■

When a replacement fenestration programme was proposed for the iconic Falmer House at the University of Sussex, Crittall was contracted to supply a selection of its Corporate W20 profiles and Corporate 2000 cold form doors for the project.

Event partners

Media partners

www.crittall-windows.co.uk

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Conference Programme

Formerly known as BSEC, Building Future Education is the UK’s only focused event for the finance, procurement, design, construction and furnishing of education buildings. Book your place at www.bfeuk.com/psbj

Topics include:’ Education Funding Agency exclusive – the future plans of the Department for Education’s school building division Government policy overview – what are the aims, objectives and philosophy behind the radical reforms being pursued by the Coalition Government?

Olympic dreams – how sport helps pupils engage with the learning environment Overview of the new school building schemes – Priority Schools Building Programme, Free Schools, UTCs, Studio Schools and Basic Need Funding – how do education clients secure adequate finance for large-scale projects?

Speake rs include:’

Peter Lauener, Chief Executive, Education Funding agency Platinum sponsors Platinum sponsors

Tim Byles, Founder, Cornerstone

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Creative technology

Doors & Windows

With investment in refurbishment outstripping new build in the public sector, the need for innovative solutions that do more, for less, is greater than ever. GEZE UK's Operations Director, Simon Bowden, looks at why architects need manufacturers to continually innovate.

Guernsey's Public Library, installed iContact on its entrance, making maintenance far easier and more cost-effective

how our technology can be adapted, altered and enhanced to meet the demands of specific projects.

At GEZE UK, we have an incredible team of experienced and imaginative people who have a superb track record of innovating with individual architects to create groundbreaking entrances. Many of the innovations that happen on the ground go on to become new products in their own right. This is exactly what happened at Durham Town Hall, where we combined our hidden under floor operator, the TSA 160 UFO, with a surface mounted guide rail to use with the valuable, listed doors which were already in situ.

Raising the bar In addition to innovating on site, it’s essential that manufacturers like us continue to bring out new products that can achieve more and save more.

As an independent business that has the resource to invest continually in innovation and new technology, I do believe that this is the only way to ensure quality improves and set new standards of best practice.

Over the last year we’ve launched many new products that can be used in older buildings. For small, premium internal spaces, where architects are demanding extreme aesthetic simplicity, we’ve developed the Levolan sliding glass door system that requires minimal fixtures and fittings which is compatible with toughened or laminated safety glass, retaining a high level of security and functionality.

School, hospital and care home refurbishments have been demanding fully concealed units that are completely safe and compliant, tackling the

At Durham Town Hall, Geze combined its hidden under floor operator, the TSA 160 UFO, with a surface mounted guide rail

combined challenges of fire safety, personal safety, Building Regulations compliance, aesthetics and durability, but also enable easy opening for those that need it. The Boxer EFS has proved to be the ideal solution.

New technologies like remote diagnostics, which we’ve pioneered in this market with iContact, means that entrances can be monitored remotely 24/7 and if any operational or safety issues occur, the problem is immediately reported and can often be remotely repaired. Guernsey’s public library, Guilles Alles, installed iContact on its entrance so it makes the maintenance far easier and cheaper. Comprehensive reports about the usage, footfall and efficiency of the door can be produced, so users of the building can effectively assess their environmental impact. It’s innovation like this, being used in older, refurbished buildings, which is helping architects deliver what their customers need.

This ability to invest in innovation, the flexibility to develop new products and services on demand, is what will fuel innovation in our sector, and I fervently hope that architects continue to request even more from manufacturers like us.

■

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cross the public sector we’ve seen a big surge in demand from refurbishment projects, where architects are looking to manufacturers to provide solutions beyond the normal boundaries. It’s clear that architects are trying harder than ever to retain the essential elements and structures of original buildings, and to keep the building’s aesthetic appeal and traditional integrity.

As many buildings are being used in ways that were not originally intended, this presents architects with unusual spaces, extra wide entrances, or small gaps, which must be accommodated.

Just as architects use their creativity with every refurbishment project they approach, we need to be creative about

www.geze.co.uk Public Sector Build Journal 37

Healthcare and sourced any required services and plant using specialist contractors.

The project was a total D&B contract which is DDA compliant and was designed and built to comply with HTM specifications. From ground works to completion took a scheduled 28 weeks, which ensured that the project was delivered to budget.

Design flexibility

The Simpson Birthing Centre adjacent to the Royal Infirmary at Edinburgh, has been built to give more mothers a bigger choice in the birth of their baby

Modular birthright Births in Edinburgh and the Lothian area have been rising by over 10% per annum and the £2.1m contract for a 650m2 new birthing centre was recently completed by Premier Interlink (Waco UK Ltd) to meet the demand for extra maternity services.

A

warded by Consort Healthcare, working for NHS Lothian, the contract for the Simpson Birthing Centre was part of a multimillion pound investment in maternity care. The new midwife-led centre has a capacity to treat an extra 1500 expectant mothers in what is an extension to the main hospital building.

This is the biggest and busiest maternity unit in Scotland, with over 6000 babies being born there every year and the new facilities have been built to give more mothers a bigger choice in the birth of their baby.

38 Public Sector Build Journal

The Simpson Birthing Centre building comprises 27 PremierPlus bays to create six, state-of-the-art birthing suites with en-suites and birthing pools, administration areas and a first floor plant room. All equipment is stored in high-tech Mediwall built-in cabinets when not in use to comply with HTM specifications. The exterior is clad in attractive laminated Cedral cladding, which is low maintenance to complement other buildings in the hospital complex.

Premier Interlink was the main contractor throughout the project

PremierPlus is a steel-framed, permanent building solution that provides clean, modern and comfortable healthcare environments in a significantly shorter time compared to traditional build – up to 50% faster than a conventional building and at a highly competitive price. Premier Interlink’s building systems have long-term warranties with a design life exceeding 100 years, excellent acoustic performance and standards of thermal efficiency that exceed building regulations, which can radically reduce energy and maintenance costs.

Flexibility is central to the design ethos of the Premier range of products, with the ability to link or stack units in multiple combinations. The application of this with the new birthing centre was no exception, with the units blending in seamlessly with the architecture of the existing building.

The siting of the building was essential to the smooth running of the hospital.

All aspects of the work were carefully planned by the Premier Interlink team, in conjunction with the end users, to ensure the specific requirements of the birthing centre were encompassed within the design.

Alex McMahon, NHS Lothian’s deputy director of strategic planning and modernisation, said: “Lothian is a thriving area that’s attracting a lot of people from the rest of the UK and abroad. We want to reflect the views of expectant mothers and others on the sort of care we should be providing, from pre-conception advice through to post-natal care”.

The new birthing centre is large enough to cater for up to 1,500 births a year, while facilities at the Livingston hospital are also enjoying a substantial upgrading.

Premier Interlink has over 50 years

Healthcare

experience in delivering modular buildings to restricted site locations.

For projects located on restricted sites with limited access and severe logistical constraints, modular construction can be the ideal solution.

In the case of the new birthing centre, the delivery and installation took careful management of the relevant safety issues to reduce the impact on such a busy hospital site. As most of the company’s buildings are manufactured at its East Yorkshire manufacturing facility, many of the issues associated with building sites are reduced.

what it is supplying is a solution so even the standard, very basic buildings, are built to a very high standard of finish. The company uses standard A and A+ materials listed in The Green Guide (published by BRE) to assist with BREEAM ratings. Premier Interlink is able to match award-winning designs of existing buildings, install passenger lifts, glazed atriums, entrance canopies as

well as provide rainwater harvesting or ground source heating solutions.

High quality finishes are used throughout. As well as hospital applications, many hotels, student accommodation and food chains use modular build methods to provide up-to-date modern environments.

■

The new modular building was provided with low maintenance Cedral cladding to the external walls to blend in with the existing buildings

www.waco.co.uk

Premier quality The new modular building was provided with low maintenance Cedral cladding to the external walls to blend in with the existing buildings, providing a very modern looking addition.

Matching aesthetics for planning future extensions is not always necessary, but it is reassuring for clients to know that Premier Interlink is able to provide a solution that does blend in with the existing environment if required or offer a complete contrast to the existing building.

Temporary ‘pre-fab’ modular buildings are a thing of the past with advances in speedy off-site production.

Nevertheless, there often exists a perception of low-grade, poorly designed modular building solutions.

Premier Interlink takes the view that

The Simpson Birthing Centre building comprises of 27 PremierPlus bays creating six, state-of-the-art birthing suites with en-suites and birthing pools

Public Sector Build Journal 39

30 RS YEA

IO G IBIT DIN EXH LEA ENT THE EM AS ANAG M RGY ENE

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Lighting

The future's bright for LED lighting Lower prices, reduced energy consumption, carbon emission cuts and systems requiring little or no maintenance for at least a five-year period, mean that adopting LED lighting can add real value to an organisation

L

ED lighting is a technology that most people are aware of, but if they made further enquiries, it is often difficult to source in the UK and/or very expensive compared to conventional lighting solutions. However, that is all about to change, in a large part thanks to the global television industry.

Over the last few years, all the largest

producers of televisions, Samsung, LG, Sony and other well-known brands, have been heavily investing in LED manufacturing to provide the backlighting in television sets and other LCD display devices including mobile phones. With sales slowing down in electronics, these companies have a large surplus production capacity and

consequently have started to supply to the lighting industry.

These LEDs are of high quality and made in large volumes meaning much lower prices than the existing established LED manufacturers. Since the LEDs themselves represent the major cost in the manufacturing of LED lighting fixtures, this is a radical shift that few lighting industry experts anticipated even 12 months ago. The share prices of stock in the established LED manufacturers has plummeted as the lighting industry realises there is no longer a need to pay high prices for high quality LEDs. Because the LEDs used in backlighting are small form factor devices with low heat emissions, they are easily incorporated into traditional lighting products without the need for complicated engineering. Suddenly the payback periods (the period of time it takes for the energy saved by switching to lower energy LED lighting, equals the higher initial installation cost) have been dramatically reduced. LED equivalents

Public Sector Build Journal 41

â–ź

The LED marketplace is quickly changing, and during 2012, LED lighting will become more accessible for all. Michael Renecle, Managing Director of Exled Ltd., explains why.

Lighting

Switching to LED lighting saves electricity, and of course the more energy you use, the more you will save

42 Public Sector Build Journal

lighting installed and there are numerous trials of LED lighting on public roads and car parks.

Delivering reliability But as any facilities manager will know, the reduced energy costs will only provide overall savings to the organisation if the LED lighting systems deliver the promised reliability, illumination and working lifetime periods quoted by the manufacturers. So the pressure is on LED lighting suppliers to deliver longer product guarantees as compared to conventional lighting systems. Five-year warranties are now often requested on large scale LED installation projects, forcing LED manufacturers to improve the quality of all system components and fixture designs to live up to the ‘it will last

50,000 hours’ claims so readily made

by LED suppliers.

All of this is good news for the consumer. Lower prices, reduced energy consumption, carbon emission cuts and systems requiring little or no maintenance for at least a five-year period, mean that adopting LED lighting can add value to an organisation by allowing managers to turn their attention to improving energy efficiency and reducing maintenance cost in other areas, rather than worrying about replacing light bulbs.

At Exled we offer no obligation site visits for commercial organisations that are interested in the potential savings that LED lighting can provide for new or retrofitting lighting projects.

â–

for T8 tubes, 600 x 600 modular panel fittings and 2D bulkhead lights for example, now use less energy than their Fluorescent counterparts. Coupled with reduced maintenance costs provided by removing the need for regular relamping, many organisations are now starting to take a lot more interest in LED solutions.

Switching to LED lighting saves electricity, and of course the more energy you use, the more you will save. Meaning that organisations with premises where the lighting is typically on for 10 hours each day or longer, stand to reach their payback point much quicker than organisations where lighting is in use only a few hours each day. Major supermarket chains are now trialling LEDs in test areas, most UK airports already have some LED

www.exled.co.uk

Online Enquiry 019

Energy Management

Power to the public sector The public sector is increasingly demanding smarter ways to reduce energy consumption and costs. Dr. Alex Mardapittas, Managing Director of EMSc (UK) Ltd, a leading energy solutions manufacturer, explains why true voltage optimisation is the solution to turn to.

Right: EMS' market-leading voltage optimisation system Powerstar

Dr. Alex Mardapittas, Managing Dorector of EMSc (UK) Ltd.

44 Public Sector Build Journal

While these savings are impressive, public sector bodies need to consider the following when choosing a voltage optimisation solution: Speak to the experts: When it comes to energy management, public sector organisations want to be assured of a professional and specialised service, delivered by an experienced team at all times. To meet these needs, and as part of our turnkey solution, EMS employs two dedicated Powerstar public sector consultants with comprehensive and specialist knowledge of voltage optimisation in local authorities, central government and the NHS. Find a solution that fits: Every office, leisure centre, college, school or library has unique requirements and it is essential that a comprehensive analysis of a building’s power conditions is completed before the installation of a voltage optimisation system. Our tailored approach enables us to recommend and install the most cost-effective and suitable Powerstar solution for any site.

Reputation is everything: There EMS manufactures the marketleading voltage optimisation solution Powerstar, an award-winning system that can help companies realise energy consumption savings of 12-15% (energy savings of up to 26.1% have been recorded). The company has been manufacturing voltage optimisation systems in the UK for over a decade, boasting over 4,500 installations with 100% reliability. It has been accredited with the Made in Sheffield accolade in acknowledgement of the quality of its manufacturing process, its expansion into international markets, and the overall success of Powerstar.

are various types of equipment that misleadingly touts itself as ‘voltage optimisation’ technology. Public sector bodies should not be influenced by unrealistic promises on price and payback periods – voltage optimisation is an engineering solution and therefore a true engineering solution should be adopted to maximise energy savings and carbon emissions reductions. Always consider reliability, security and guarantees offered.

The Powerstar interface

Don’t accept sub-standard substitutes: Installing the right type of system is essential to ensure that facilities, operations and services are not negatively affected. This is particularly important during power dips and surges. By opting for a true voltage optimisation solution, equipment will operate as efficiently as possible at all times, the lifetime of equipment will be maximised, and maintenance costs will be significantly reduced.

Ultimately, true voltage optimisation is the ideal solution for public sector organisations seeking reliable, proven energy saving technologies that can help reduce carbon emissions while realising significant savings on energy consumption.

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D

espite rising energy costs and mounting concerns around climate change, public sector organisations have never been in a better position to take control of their energy costs, as there are a number of powerful energy efficiency tools and technologies at their disposal.

One solution that is commonly recognised as a proven and reliable way to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions is voltage optimisation, an electrical energy saving technique in which a device is installed in series with the mains electricity supply to provide an optimum supply voltage for a site’s equipment.

Voltage optimisation systems – such as EMS’ market-leading Powerstar – are increasingly being used by public sector organisations to help meet their sustainability needs as it presents an excellent opportunity for savings.

Generally, voltage optimisers can save between 12% to 15% of total electricity consumption and related CO2 emissions without compromising supply.

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Online Enquiry 023 Tcards_FCA_Feb.indd 1 46 Public Sector Build Journal

26/01/2012 11:08

Roofing

The Kemperol 2K-PUR system was specified for Redhills Primary School

Essential maintenance of school buildings not only protects the fabric of the building but can also improve its thermal performance, as Redhills Primary School in Exeter has discovered, thanks to a recent roof refurbishment.

T

he 30+ year-old Redhills Primary School, still had its original threelayer felt roof, and though this had been repaired in several places, it was widely failing. Devon County Council’s building surveyor, NPS South West Ltd, was brought in to specify the best approach to renewing the roof, and having used the Kemperol 2K-PUR solvent-free, wet-on-wet waterproofing membrane successfully on other roof refurbishment projects, specified the system for Redhills School along with Kempertherm PIR insulation board.

Skinner Construction was contracted to carry out the roof refurbishment, with Stormforce Roofing brought in to install the insulation and waterproofing membrane. Like most school maintenance projects, the refurbishment was scheduled to take place within the summer holidays, however, the 2,500m2 size and complexity of the roof meant the programme had to run into the autumn term.

Andrew Sturgess from Skinner Construction commented: “Obviously having an occupied building, especially with children on site during the work, limits the options available for refurbishing the roof. That is why the Kemperol 2K-PUR system was the ideal choice. As a cold-applied, wet-on-wet system, it is quick to install and avoids the need for any hot works on site and its solvent-free, castor oil formulation, means there are no unpleasant fumes during or after the project. This allows the school to continue to operate with the minimum amount of disruption.”

The ability to lay the new insulation and waterproofing membrane on top of the existing roof was also a key advantage as it minimised site time and avoided the cost and building risk of removing the existing substrate. In fact, the old waterproofing system is effectively recycled by being utilised as a vapour control layer in the upgraded roof buildup. Stormforce began by carrying out

■

School warms to new roof

minor preparation work to the original felt roof to allow adhesive bonding of the Kempertherm insulation board.

Kempertherm can be supplied in varying thicknesses to suit the requirements of individual buildings and at Redhills Primary, 70mm insulation board was used which successfully enhanced the building’s thermal performance in line with current Part L requirements to achieve a U-value of 0.18W/m2K. While the building is of a flat roof construction, it features five pyramidshaped raised domes which had to be insulated and waterproofed to the same high standard as the rest of the roof. Once again, the ease of installation of the chosen system simplified this potentially complex task.

“The insulation board is cut to shape and, following application of the Kemperfix polyurethane adhesive, it is laid directly onto the existing substrate,” explains Neil Phillips from Stormforce.

“The 2K-PUR liquid system is then applied, fully saturating the reinforcement fleece, the resin cures to form a durable and seamless waterproof membrane.”

The roof at Redhills Primary School features a hidden guttering system which was not protected by the previous felt system and the refurbishment also addressed a common problem with school roofs: leaks caused by blocked guttering. The flexible nature of the Kemperol 2K-PUR system and its ability to bond to a variety of substrates, meant that it could be applied directly onto the guttering system and the contractor also installed weirs and increased the height of up-stands to provide further protection from overflows caused by obstructions in the guttering.

www.kemper-system.com

Five pyramid-shaped raised domes also had to be insulated and waterproofed

Public Sector Build Journal 47

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

Project specs at the click of a button

Brit-Spec is the professional’s quick and easy system for producing complete Tactray 90 project specifications and associated information requirements within 4 to 5 ‘Clicks’. All information can then be stored in a project specific folder for future use and for distribution to the entire design team. The information provided by Brit-Spec can be specifically tailored to suit the designer’s personal requirements or the requirements of each individual project. The Tactray 90 Structural Support System provides unique and BBA Certified qualities and benefits for each and every project.

sales@britmet.co.uk

New generation of roof insulation Dow Building Solutions has launched XENERGY SL, a new generation extruded polystyrene (XPS) for insulation of inverted flat roofs. XENERGY XPS combines durability, reliability and strength, with outstanding insulation performance thanks to the addition of infrared blocking particles to scatter and reflect heat radiation within the foam board. Roof designers and contractors are the first to be offered XENERGY SL designed for inverted roof insulation, an extension to Dow’s already popular ROOFMATE SL-A product range. XENERGY SL is available in steel grey and in single extruded thicknesses of 100, 120, 140 and 160mm. 4mW thermal conductivity gains are possible at 140mm and 160mm thicknesses.

FKLMAIL@dow.com enq 025

enq 024

Top of the class Permo® air, one of the most breathable air-open roofing underlays available, has been used in the refurbishment of Islington Arts and Media School.

The late Victorian building had been in need of complete refurbishment and was targeted to achieve a BREEAM ‘Very good’ rating. Mark Walker of BDP Architects commented: “We needed an air open roofing underlay to solve the problems posed by the existing roof construction and Permo® air’s performance met our requirements.

We also found that Klober’s technical support set it apart from other roofing manufacturers, not least because they provided us with U-value calculations klober@yourresponse.co.uk enq 026 and a condensation risk analysis.”

High performance combination A combination of high performance insulated roof and wall panels with Polycarb Rooflights from Kingspan Insulated Panels, have been used to give a new lease of life to a number of industrial units on Dragon Ville Industrial Estate, Durham. David Tilley, Managing Director of MITIE Tilley Roofing Limited, and owner of the multi-let industrial units, specified and installed the Kingspan KS1000 RW Trapezoidal roof and wall panels in Kingspan XL Forte Goosewing Grey to replace the existing built-up system and also added Kingspan Polycarb Rooflights. The panels are through fixed systems with options of valley or crown fixings using matching colour headed fasteners. info@kingspanpanels.com enq 027

Dashing range extended Long Rake Spar has re-launched its pebble dashing aggregate range to develop an iron-free selection of decorative finishes.

Dashing aggregates are used to protect the external fabric of both new and refurbished buildings whilst providing a wide variety of maintenance-free, visually attractive finishes. Long Rake Spar has developed three product ranges of dashing aggregates to reflect traditional, contemporary or exclusive styles. The Heritage Range is an established selection of traditional products; The Renaissance Range represents a contemporary selection of South European marble products, and the Venetian Range is a fashionable selection of North European Quartzes admin@longrakespar.co.uk enq 028 and Quartzites.

48 Public Sector Build Journal

Gold Award for Bracknell Roofing Bracknell Roofing has achieved the prestigious Gold Award in this year’s Safety in Roofing Awards’ Scheme run by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC). The NFRC recognised that Bracknell Roofing had comprehensive health and safety procedures in place, complied with all relevant statutory requirements and Codes of Practice, carried out ongoing training and achieved a consistently low accident rate. Jim Forsyth, Managing Director of Bracknell Roofing, said: “Receiving this prestigious award is a welcome achievement for Bracknell Roofing and demonstrates our high standards when it comes to safety.”

enquiries@bracknellroofing.com enq 029

Britmet Lweight_Layout 1 31/01/2012 10:16 Page 1

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

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Online Enquiry 030

Online Enquiry 031 Public Sector Build Journal 49

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

Innovative new website launched

by Eurobond Following 12 months of intensive work, Eurobond is pleased to announce the launch of it's new website. Behind the fresh and clean appearance, the new site is designed to seamlessly respond to both customer and specifier requirements.

The new Eurobond website: www.eurobond.co.uk delivers a more refined visitor experience, enabling swifter navigation to the required information. In addition, the site content has been totally reviewed and updated.

One of the innovations is a new project gallery with a navigable map to pinpoint the location of projects supplied across the UK. A registration page, via the product sites, provides access to detailed technical information and visitors can

be kept up-to-date and informed of the company’s latest developments through subscription to its e-newsletter ‘The Core Issue’.

The new main website, also acts as the hub to quickly direct visitors to the most appropriate Eurobond product micro sites, should this be needed. These micro sites are also new and have been sequentially rolled out over preceding months. They include, a brand new Eurobond Doors website, a sister company of Eurobond

Laminates, and a supplier and manufacturer of complimentary door and ancillary products to the Eurobond panel range.

The site is dynamic and provides open access for future enhancement by the Eurobond marketing team.

The company’s aim is to keep the information up-to-date and accessible and it hopes you will find time to visit the site and it welcomes your feedback.

sales@eurobond.co.uk enq 032

Striking roof glazing

Top of the class protection

One of the largest UK applications of Wicona’s Wictec 50 aluminium roof glazing system has been completed at the new £53m Hartlepool College of Further Education. The scheme comprises two blocks which are linked by a full height atrium created with Wicona roof glazing and forming the main entrance and circulation space. The central atrium has a complex fanshaped roof which uses faceted glazing that radiates outwards and follows the curve of the building. Two mono-pitch glazed roofs with a 15° incline were specified for the north and east wings, with automated roof lights to the vertical areas to provide natural ventilation when needed.

Driffield School’s lower school block was first built in the 1960s and comprised a concrete-decked felt roof build up. East Riding of Yorkshire Council procured and part-funded the scheme to upgrade the roof coverings and insulation to bring the building in line with current regulations. Just under 1,000m2 of Sarnafil G410 15EL Light Grey membrane was installed by contractor Briggs Amasco’s Hull branch. “We decided to install a cut-to-falls insulation system beneath the Sarnafil,” explained Martin Milner, the council’s senior building surveyor. “The council uses single ply membranes on the majority of its flat roof refurbishments due to the system’s ability to deal with complicated details.” sarnafilroofing@uk.sika.com enq 034

info@wiconaprojects.co.uk enq 033

50 Public Sector Build Journal

Durable, stylish roofing Durable, lightweight and stylish, a Metrotile roof is at home on a brand new school building as it is on a refurbished nontraditional home. The extra-secure .900 Metrotile Bond profile was recently used for Housing Association-owned BISF homes in Maesteg, Wales, where the rooftop required extra strength for foot traffic, longterm maintenance considerations and the ability to retrofit a third-party solar panel system. Everything required for your rooftop can be sourced directly from Metrotile, including the company’s integrated Photovoltaic System, while each of its roofs is backed by a 40-year weatherproof guarantee. sales@metrotile.co.uk enq 035

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

The learning zone Ennerdale School in Cumbria has recently had an extension built based on the 'Adaptahaus' design engineered concept with frames and panels finished with Vinytherm Stonechip cladding.

Developed by Alan Dawson, the impressive ‘Adaptahaus’ concept is one of steel framed, sustainable, high performance and affordable buildings to conform to, and exceed, the current high standards for energy and environmental requirements.

Recticel helps award-winning architect Recticel Insulation Products has donated over £7,000 of its Eurothane GP insulation board to help transform a derelict building into a new multi-purpose Community Centre in Dunoon, Scotland, in a major community refurbishment project organised by a trust led by awardwinning architect John McAslan.

The high-perfomance Recticel Eurothane GP board provided, is ideal for this type of project. It is a multipurpose board with a foam core, faced on both sides with a multi-layer, coated aluminium foil. This makes it well suited to many different types of pitched roofing, flooring and framed wall applications.

enquiries@recticelinsulation.co.uk enq 037

Prefabrication is the essence of the system with units precision made in a factory environment to a very high standard, complete with services built in, ready for rapid erection and push fit connecting.

For the extension to Ennerdale School,

frames and panels were finished with Vinytherm Stonechip facings. Stonechip is lightweight yet extremely robust, hardwearing and versatile, making it easy to handle on site. It is easy to cut on site using conventional hand tools and its click fit locking mechanism makes for simple and rapid installation.

The system is designed to incorporate insulation if required, reducing noise and significantly reducing heating fuel bills, as well as providing an aesthetic finish which complements adjacent rendered properties.

It also carries 30-year guarantee and has BBA certification, making Vinytherm Stonechip an excellent cost-effective, long-term solution for the exterior façades of either domestic housing or public buildings.

The Vinytherm Stonechip system also met the important additional requirement from the council’s planning department for a seamless finish to the walls to complement the adjacent existing rendered buildings.

info@vinylit.co.uk enq 036

EWI used in Cambridgeshire pilot tests A pilot test being conducted now in selected properties and villages in South Cambridgeshire, include the weber.therm XM External Wall Insulation (EWI) system by Saint-Gobain Weber. weber.therm XM is a lightweight external wall insulation and render system incorporating thin-coat polymer render and meshcloth reinforcement. Properties have been externally insulated with 70mm of phenolic foam boarding mechanically fixed to the original substrate. The application of a 5-6mm coat of weber.rend LAC seals the insulation material and also beds in the fiberglass meshcloth reinforcement. When fully dry, the render is coated with weber PR310 primer. mail@netweber.co.uk enq 038

'Self-cleaning' renders PermaRock ‘self-cleaning’ ThermoSan-NQG renders incorporate the latest innovation in clean façade renders – Nano-Quartz technology, which offers superior levels of performance in terms of cleanliness, colour stability and provide unparalleled resistance to the elements. The renders provide the added benefit of cost savings over the lifetime of the cladding system through reduced maintenance requirements in comparison to standard acrylic and silicone based renders. ThermoSan-NQG renders are constructed from organically cross-linked nano-particles which form a compact, mineral-hard, three dimensional quartz-matrix structure which protects against soiling and keeps façades cleaner for longer and the special silicone resin/binder combination also generates water repellent, highly water permarock@permarock.com enq 039 vapour permeable surfaces.

Public Sector Build Journal 51

Download Building Product Brochures and Videos Download the latest building product brochures and technical videos from the likes of Monodraught, CMD, Polyroof, Armstrong, Dow Building & Linak directly from the FC&A library.

www.fca-magazine.com Online Enquiry 040

Kitchens, Bathrooms & Washrooms

Instant jointing techniques Pegler Yorkshire has developed a range of instantaneous jointing fittings which benefit from faster and easier installation, greater high performance and offer cost-effective solutions to any plumbing application.

Tectite from Pegler Yorkshire, provides versatility giving the installer a choice of one fitting to suit numerous tube/pipe variants or a dedicated fittings range for particular applications. Tectite has already proven itself as the alternative metal push-fit fitting, giving peace of mind to installers, specifiers and plumbing engineers alike. The proven technology from a Tectite fitting not only boasts ease of use or speed of installation but high performance – operating from –24°C up to 114°C, and reliability – offering up to a 30-year guarantee.

Shallowest shower system

Providing a total installation height (including drain) of only 65mm, wedi Fundo Plano is a problem-solver in the renovation of existing buildings.

In many renovation projects, design and installation options are restricted to running all drainage and water services ‘surface mounted’ above the existing finished floor level. Such cases can present problems in the consequential excessive increase in height to internal floor levels. wedi Fundo Plano comes with an inbuilt uniform fall of ≥ 2.4%. This makes laying tiles much easier and optimises surface drainage. In addition, floor-level elements are wheelchairaccessible from a tile size of 5cm x 5cm with no further work necessary.

sales@wedi.co.uk enq 042

Tectite Classic is a demountable fitting manufactured from gunmetal and DZR brass. This fitting can be used with copper tube, PB and PEX pipe or chrome-plated copper tube and is available in sizes 10mm-28mm.

Tectite Sprint is a non-demountable fitting ideal for fast and efficient heatfree jointing. The fitting offers a visually appealing, low profile design which can be easily installed in confined spaces.

Developed for the rigorous demands of the mechanical services sector, Tectite Pro offers enhanced

performance over an extended size range from 15mm-54mm.

The 316 System is a stainless steel option which has been developed for use with 316 System tube for potable water applications where water quality and hygiene are key considerations.

Tectite Carbon is the latest addition and is available as a system incorporating both tube and fittings from 15mm-54mm and is supported with a range of accessories.

brochures@pegleryorkshire.co.uk enq 041

Investment increases productivity Dewsbury-based Rixonway Kitchens has made a significant investment of £450,000 in machinery at its 175,000 sq.ft. factory to further strengthen its position within the affordable and social housing market and improve its efficiency.

The company has become the first in the UK to install a specialist Fusion machine produced by Italian company Essetre. The machine allows Rixonway to cut and edge its kitchen worktops in a single process halving the time taken and improving safety for workers. Rixonway Kitchens delivers in excess of 12,000 rigid units a week. info@rixonway.co.uk enq 043

Height adjustable nursing table Thanks to its electric hand control, the low-start Nursing Table from Pressalit Care, makes washing, dressing and changing young children safe and convenient, allowing parents and carers to choose a work position to suit their own height, alleviating the need to lift heavier or older children. The Nursing Table can be raised smoothly to maximum height of 1m, and with its low-start of 300mm, mobile toddlers are able to climb on themselves with the support of an adult. Already used widely throughout Scandinavia, the 800mm x 1400mm table, has an integrated sink, tap and pull-out shower head, uk@pressalit.com enq 044 with the feed and waste system included.

Public Sector Build Journal 53

HVAC

Perfect solution for a coastal environment A new development of unique duplex and triplex luxury apartments with seafront location, 'The View', is an ideal showcase for the quality of the Daikin Altherma air/water heat pump system.

The Daikin Altherma outdoor units are encased in powder-coated galvanised steel; the heat-exchanger fins are precoated with a special anti-corrosion treatment providing five to six times more resistance against the more corrosive, coastal environment; and the provision of rust-proofed steel sheets on the underside of the units give additional protection. These features are standard across the Daikin range.

Daikin Altherma was specified by the Bryant & Reina group, as air/water heat pump systems are a perfect match for a mix of underfloor and radiator heating in new-build properties. The low temperature Daikin Altherma integrated split heat pump & DHW cylinder, was considered an ideal

solution for this development. Having previous experience of the ‘complete’ Daikin Altherma system on an earlier project, the client specified Space Air for ‘The View’. Pre-fabricated ancillary piping kits only available from Space Air, simplify the installation and ensure each system can be exactly replicated.

Mark Houghton from Space Air Solutions said: “This project is an excellent example of where the build quality of Daikin equipment really counts, not just in terms of performance and reliability but also, with the outdoor units all pre-treated to resist corrosion from the coastal environment, longevity in relatively harsh conditions.”

altherma@spaceair.co.uk enq 045

Communal heating for flagship building The recently completed Kent History and Library Centre has been described as one of the most innovative in the UK, providing local people with state-of-the-art facilities and better access to Kent's rich culture and heritage.

This £27m joint scheme with Kent County Council, Bouygues UK and Warings Contractors, is a mixed-use development. The building provides a home for the new flagship Library and archives for the county of Kent, alongside 57 extra care apartments for Housing 21, and 60 affordable homes for West Kent Housing Association.

In order to provide energy efficient, sustainable housing, the West Kent Housing Association apartment block, Tennyson Lodge, has been constructed to the very latest building standards and benefits from an Evinox communal heating system. All of the apartments are heated from a communal boiler system, which provides instantaneous

heating and hot water via ModuSat Twin Plate Heat Interface Units.

The Evinox Communal Heating system includes central plant equipment that operates on Biofuel and Gas. The Evinox boilers were chosen due to their excellent seasonal efficiency performance, which enabled the client to obtain extra points for BREEAM certification. The Evinox ModuSat TP heat interface units were supplied with bespoke flow and return connection positions to meet the requirements of the design specification and Evinox pre-installation rigs were used to ensure installation was quick and simple.

The Evinox card reader system is being used at Tennyson Lodge to control costs and ensure the system operates debt-free.

info@evinox.co.uk enq 046

54 Public Sector Build Journal

www.firmanglass.com

Processing Excellence • Glass toughening 4mm – 19mm (3000mm x 5000mm) • CNC cutting equipment • CNC straight & shaped edgework • CNC drilling, notching & routing • Water jet cutting for glass, steel and stone to 100mm thicknesses

For more information contact sales@firmanglass.com or visit www.firmanglass.com Firman Glass,19 Bates Road, Harold Wood, Romford, Essex RM3 OJH Tel: 01708 374534

www.firmanglass.com Online Enquiry 061

Online Enquiry 047

Now with

Polysafe Standard, the tried and tested range you know and love now features the exclusive Polysafe PUR reinforcement for great maintenance benefits • Improved colour retention & soil release

• Conforms to European Safety Flooring Standard EN 13845

• Cross-linked & fused to product for

• Sustainable wet slip resistance for guaranteed life

enhanced performance • Superior stain & chemical resistance

• 16 colours with the usual high availability

• Life cycle cost savings of up to 60%

• BRE A+ Certified (ENP 336)

• Fully HSE Compliant – 36+ Pendulum wet test

Online Enquiry 048

• Agrement Rated for 10 year product performance

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Decorative flooring

RSL (Resin Surfaces Limited) recently produced over 2000m2 of its decorative floor finish RS Terrazzo, for a brand new treatment facility for the Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust. RS Terrazzo is a heavy duty, decorative terrazzo effect floor produced from marble aggregates combined with an epoxy resin system to produce a seamless floor. The specific brief of this project resulted in RSL producing a bespoke product.

This was done by formulating a new aggregate blend, introducing white, grey and black marble along with granite aggregates. They also incorporated an unusual reflective mirrored glass giving the end product an unusual and added effect.

ivy.wroe@resinsurfaces.co.uk enq 049

New carpet colourways New colourways have been introduced to provide an extended variety of specification and design options for Heckmondwike’s Supacord and Broadrib fibre-bonded carpet ranges. The Supacord range now features a refreshed and extended range of colourways which further increase the versatility of this well-proven, British-made carpet. Now available in 42 colours, Supacord’s rugged, fibre-bonded and narrow-rib construction, allows it to be cut and laid with great precision and without the danger of fraying. With a similarly revised selection of colourways, the heavy contract carpets in the Broadrib range offer all the properties of Supacord but with a distinctive wider rib. achandler@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk enq 050

Dulux Trade simplifies choice Dulux Trade has made it easier for specifiers to fulfil performance and sustainability criteria, and achieve an excellent standard finish, with the launch of a new version of its Ecosure Gloss and Undercoat Pure Brilliant White. The upgraded system has been developed to provide specifiers with improved standards of opacity, whiteness and gloss level, without compromising on the product’s environmental credentials. Improved opacity and adhesion are two specific enhancements to the updated Ecosure Undercoat, which enable painting contractors to achieve a higher standard of finish in less time. Similarly, Dulux Trade Ecosure Gloss has also been updated with benefits such as improved opacity and enhanced duluxtraderesponse@tangerinepr.com enq 051 gloss levels.

New carpet design for academy Heckmondwike’s Supacord carpet tiles have been used to create a series of attractive and highly practical floorcoverings for a newly refurbished academy in Northampton. Malcolm Arnold Academy features a number of large open-plan spaces, and a wide range of Supacord colours were used to define different sections of these spaces according to their intended purpose. Supacord’s tough, fibre-bonded construction has been proven to deliver reliable performance, and this rugged construction also enables Supacord carpet to be cut on site, so that individual flooring designs can be created without any risk of the carpet fraying or unravelling.

achandler@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk enq 052

Ceilings showcase Stunning and sustainable examples of how ceiling and wall systems have met the aesthetic and acoustic requirements of projects in the office, retail, leisure, transport, education and healthcare sectors, now showcase in a new, aptlynamed A Book from Armstrong Ceilings.

The brochure features a variety of UK and Europe-wide new-build and renovation case studies that use Armstrong’s outstanding portfolio of products, manufactured from materials including mineral, metal, wood and resin and in all types of shapes, from monolithic MNicholl@armstrong.com enq 053 to discontinuous ceilings.

Improved Standard Polyflor’s popular Polysafe Standard safety vinyl flooring collection is now available with Polysafe polyurethane reinforcement (PUR).Cross-linked and UV cured, Polysafe PUR is a super strength reinforcement designed to make Polysafe Standard PUR even easier to clean, provide optimum appearance and colour retention as well as improved soil release. Using a micro mop maintenance regime, chemical usage, energy intensive cleaning and water consumption are significantly reduced and lifecycle maintenance costs of up to 60% are achievable over a 15-year period when compared to untreated safety flooring.

info@polyflor.com enq 054

Public Sector Build Journal 57

Doors, Windows & Facades

Total transparency at Tasman Toren Tasman Toren, is an iconic apartment complex in the Netherlands with 218 units of owner-occupied apartments over 23 floors. For this stunning building, Solarlux provided the parapet element SL Modular and folding glass door SL 60, both thermally insulated.

The 75m high Tasman Toren has an almost entirely glazed façade, which is accentuated by solid concrete sections with exposed basalt. Deep black aluminium frames surround the individual glass façade elements, which

make the apartments stand out visually.

The façade uses a combination of four fixed glazing elements for the parapet and six folding glass elements that can be opened fully. In total, 230 SL Modular frames with 1380 folding

panels were installed, the height of the fixed glazing and folding panels was an impressive 2.4m with an opening width ranging from 4.55 to 5.65m. Like the surrounding frames, the narrow aluminium sections are powder-coated. Double glazing with a U value of Ug = 1.1 W/ m2K was chosen for the glazing.

The height of the building meant that the façade had to meet specific requirements for resistance to wind and rain and were subjected to a series of tests of up to 2400 pascals (approx 230kph) in the Solarlux wind tunnel.

Reinforcement of the cross-beams ensured that any possible deflection of the window was minimised.

Stainless steel running gear and rails ensure that the folding glass doors are easy to open and close. Special fittings were mounted to facilitate external cleaning of the glazing elements from the inside. The combination of folding glass doors and a fixed glass parapet element in an integrated system, has ensured clarity and transparency.

info@solarlux.co.uk enq 055

Smooth operation

Versatile protection With over 45 year’s experience, Yeoman Shield, a market leader in wall and door protection, is expert at successfully overcoming the hurdles of keeping both interiors and exteriors smart by preventing pedestrian and vehicular damage.

Yeoman Shield’s products are designed to be easily retrofitted for refurbishment projects resulting in precious savings in these times of tight budgets. Yeoman Shield’s heavy duty D-Fender, designed to protect areas vulnerable to heavy duty traffic including loading bays, storage and manufacturing areas, is now ‘up and running’ at the Olympic and Paralympics Village.

sallyann@yeomanshield.com enq 056

58 Public Sector Build Journal

As part of the restoration of the Grade II Harpurhey Baths, north Manchester, Walker Simpson Architects specified electrically operated blinds to the continuous central roof. CBS installed 16 of its System 8/140 motorised blinds with all the blinds on each elevation operating together as a group. The blinds stack neatly on the cills and run up unobtrusive guide cables to the apex. The System 8/140 blind is designed for sloping or horizontal glazing and requires no relief rollers or intermediate support which makes it very unobtrusive. Stainless steel cables guide the blind on its travel and keep the fabric taut at all times. sales@cbsblinds.co.uk enq 057

Unobtrusive security Edinburgh’s new Royston Wardieburn Community Centre has been specified with sophisticated security shutters from Charter Specialist Security. The centre is built to Secure by Design standards, featuring toughened glass and requiring security shutters.

Due to the height of the glazing, standard security shutters were not an option and the Charter-Integr8 180V vertical rise shutter from Charter proved to be an ideal solution. The shutter rises vertically from a base-mounted housing hidden at ground level, ensuring effective and unobtrusive security. Ideally suited to protect glazing, the system is operated with stainless steel sales@chartergroupuk.com enq 058 cables spanning widths of up to 6m.

Doors, Windows & Timber

Open heart

Listed solutions For buildings either of Listed status or in a conservation area, FAKRO conservation style roof windows can be installed to sit neatly within the roofline. Many projects, such as the Co-operative Pioneers’ Museum in Rochdale also entail bespoke requirements. Architects Loop Systems selected the FTP-V window to replace eight old rooflights set within a traditional stone slate roof, as part of the reinstatement of the top floor. FAKRO’s EZJ flashing provided the required profile flush with the roof covering and as the mid-Victorian building was within a conservation area, the windows were also supplied with a double mullion bar.

fakro@web-response.co.uk enq 059

Offering DDA compliant access for staff, residents and visitors to Willowfields, a £7m Midland Heart development, TORMAX has installed a double set of bi-parting automatic sliding doors to the main entrance.

Working with Dotcom Glazing Ltd, TORMAX recommended using four of its Win Drive 2201 door operators to ensure reliable and energy efficient operation for many years to come. Ensuring easy access for residents whilst helping retain heat in the reception area, a lobby has been created between two sets of TORMAX automatic sliding doors. A simple keypad allows staff to quickly programme the doors to match foot traffic requirements and weather conditions. sales@tormax.co.uk enq 060

Swinging into action Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems has launched its next generation of commercial swing door sets. By taking the extensive range of solutions from its market-leading Comar 7 Door range and coupling this with its trade-marked Comar Pi (polyamide insulation), the new Comar 7Pi Commercial Door offers even lower U-values housed in robust profiles for high traffic areas such as hospitals, schools, public buildings and communal flat developments. Available in single or double configurations with options for double action open-in and open-out, the doors also have aesthetically pleasing round anti-finger trap stiles. A range projects@parksidegrp.co.uk enq 061 of locking options is available.

Identifying security needs Door security experts UAP Ltd is leading the fight to improve homeowner and tenant security after developing a range of anti-theft products.

The UAP Identity Card Slot is an easy-to-fit, corrosion-resistant product, which allows tenants and homeowners complete control over who they open their door to and gives a warning to bogus callers that the property is protected. Fitting an Identity Card Slot acts as a visual deterrent to fraudulent doorstep callers as they know they will have to push an identification card through a slot so the details can be studied safely and they will often turn away. customer.services@universal-imports.com enq 062

Making an entrance Finished in an appropriate pillar box shade of red, the robustness and aesthetics of the Total Glass aluminium high-security communal entrance doors, provide the ideal solution for the new 1,200-capacity Embassy Nightclub in Bangor, North Wales. Developed to withstand tough environments and high-usage, the Powerframe door is ideal for applications requiring high levels of security combined with ease of use, thermal-efficiency and long-term durability. Manufactured from thermally-broken aluminium profiles, both doors feature the Adams Rite DC860 cam-action integral closers, which are designed to provide a controlled closing of single or double action aluminium doors sales@totalglass.com enq 063 compliant with Approved Document M.

Arch goes back to school

Arch Timber Protection is protecting children and staff at the new build Highfields and Penn Fields School in Wolverhampton. The 80m3 of Siberian larch cladding on the outside of the school has been treated with NONCOM Exterior fire retardant, which defends the new campus against fire without affecting the look and strength of the wood. NON-COM Exterior uses an approved leach-resistant, polymerbased formulation and is applied by vacuum-pressure impregnation, ensuring a long-term built-in fire protection. The battens supporting the cladding were also NON-COM Exterior treated to provide a complete fire retardant protection.

david.law@lonza.com enq 064

Public Sector Build Journal 59

Energy management

CMD's new Footprint takes the concept of desk-level power monitoring to a new level. Pictured above is the Footprint Power Module Unit

CMD, a leading British manufacturer in advanced office power products, is putting the power of energy monitoring and scheduling into the hands of businesses, with its new desk power control system _ Footprint.

C

MD is offering businesses exciting new ways to ensure they meet current or future mandatory energy efficiency targets, together with the opportunity to save energy and money, with its breakthrough new Footprint system.

All the power modules in any one

The CMD Gateway employs the latest low power wireless technology Zigbee

system work in conjunction with its allocated CMD Gateway which employs the latest low power wireless technology Zigbee (which has been designed for wireless mesh networking, enabling devices to feed information to one another at real time). This enables users (different admin levels are available) to monitor and schedule all the power modules in their organisation, meaning no power will be wasted unnecessarily.

60 Public Sector Build Journal

Due to its versatile nature, the mesh network also means that if one device fails, the system will continue to operate by finding alternative paths.

The control centre of operations is the CMD Dashboard, which can be accessed via any standard web browser, allowing users from all levels to monitor their activities and get involved. The Dashboard will collect energy usage and display it as usable data in the form of expenditure, CO2, and kWh used.

Not only a monitoring tool, the Dashboard system allows you to control the entire system as well as allowing the schedule to be overridden or removed at anytime. For those who prefer, a threshold can be set instead, meaning when the energy of the master sockets falls below a set point, the auxiliary sockets turn off, always allowing power to be used - the master socket(s) remain on.

CMD’s new Footprint takes the concept of desk-level power monitoring to a new level, allowing users to manage the power consumption and settings of their office/work equipment from any web browser anywhere, anytime.

The system shows how to identify measures where desk power and cost savings can be easily made with a little investment in smart equipment.

CMD Footprint is a way of

■

Footprint puts power into businesses hands

introducing measures to make savings and recognises that not everyone has the time or resources to undertake a full carbon management program.

Introducing CMD Footprint can be a positive step to start making sustainable changes at a very achievable and everyday level where everyone can get involved and make a difference.

Steve Cole, CMD’s Managing Director, explains: “Everybody is looking for ways to save energy these days in the office/work environment.

Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to save when you can’t even get a clear picture of how much energy the devices in your organisation are using at any given time. With our new Footprint system, we’re giving businesses the opportunity to control virtually any electrical device in their office/workspace, from screens and printers to photocopiers and task lights. Our sights are set on sustainable results!

“It’s the little things that can make the difference,” continues Steve. “CMD knows all about being trusted to work behind the scenes from the underfloor power track supplying power to locations throughout the room, to gas assisted monitor arms that place ergonomics at the heart of the user.

Having a company culture that fosters sustainability is the most constructive way of seeing sustainability permeate through to employee attitudes, to defining responsibilities and bringing in accountability, with a view to improving operational practices.”

jennybell@cmd-ltd.com enq 065

The control centre of operations is the CMD Dashboard, which can be accessed via any standard web browser

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Online Enquiry 068 Public Sector Build Journal 61

Drainage

Alumasc replicates historic designs at Marylebone A bespoke Heritage Aluminum Rainwater system from Alumasc has played a key role in the major roof refurbishment at Marylebone Station.

The recent £4m refurbishment project at Marylebone Station saw the renovation of Marylebone’s 150m long station shed roof covering four of the station’s six platforms.

With their distinctive red, black

Pump technology on the move Leading pump specialist WILO has made the world of high efficiency pump technology accessible on the mobile Apple devices of specialist technicians and consultants for technical building equipment.

The free ‘Wilo Assistant’ app for iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, provides access to information and functions that were previously only available in written form or on the Internet, in a single mobile application with a host of practical benefits. HVAC craftsmen are offered support with the preand post-planning of service and installation appointments and all work carried out in the customer’s boiler room, as well as with the provision of consultation services.

sales@wilo.co.uk enq 070

62 Public Sector Build Journal

and silver livery, the hoppers and downpipes at Marylebone were one of the defining details of the Grade II listed train shed. In order to meet English Heritage guidelines, these cast iron fittings had to be replaced

with exact copies. Alumasc’s Heritage Cast Aluminium was specified to replicate the original cast iron system, delivering high performance and low maintenance requirements with all the benefits of modern manufacturing technology.

As one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of rainwater systems, Alumasc is known for its heritage ranges and ability to replicate historic components. The Heritage made-toorder range in cast aluminium, met the needs of the project on every level, and required high levels of involvement from Alumasc’s technical team.

The historic status of the building, restricted schedule and central London location, presented many challenges to the manufacturers, suppliers and installers working on it. From the outset, Alumasc liaised closely with BSS Drainage, and installers Cover Structure, in order to plan the schedule in detail, with a lot of work taking place overnight while the station was empty.

info@alumasc-exteriors.co.uk enq 069

RainWater Harvesting supports 'Home for the Future' RainWater Harvesting Ltd has been chosen to play a key part in Bicester’s new eco development plan by supplying a rainwater harvesting system for the demonstration building. Garth House is the first ‘Home of the Future’ example from the Bicester zero-carbon development which will incorporate innovative features to achieve more sustainable living standards.

The system used for Garth House includes a Carat 2700 litre tank (right) installed underground. Rainwater stays cool and fresh underground and the tank takes up no space.

The Carat tank comes in two halves to facilitate delivery and site handling.

The Platin and Rondus tanks come in one piece but do not need to be dug in so deeply as the Carat. All tanks come in different sizes to cater for differing rainfall, catchment areas and household needs. Garth House was also fitted with RainWater Harvesting Ltd’s energyconscious Rain Director® gravity info@rainwaterharvesting.co.uk enq 071 feed system.

Security

Comprehensive coverage from CCTV cameras With just 10 models, the new range of high-performance IP CCTV cameras from Security Products from Siemens, allows security system designers and installers to easily select the most appropriate camera for every application without having to choose between dozens of models from several different ranges.

The new Siemens IP camera range includes box, fixed dome, high-speed dome and vandal-resistant models, with the box and fixed dome range being available in VGA, HD 720p and 2.0 MP (full HD) versions.

The vandal-resistant model is a full HD camera with an IP66 protection rating, ensuring that it is capable of withstanding the toughest conditions, indoors or out. This model also includes integrated IR illuminators that

allow it to continue producing clear pictures even in total darkness.

The cameras in the range feature day/night operation, generating high quality colour pictures in bright conditions, and clear monochrome images at low light levels. The HD 720p box and fixed dome models feature wide dynamic range operation, allowing them to produce excellent images even in difficult high-contrast lighting conditions.

Maintenance and servicing are also simplified, as only a small number of spare cameras are needed to deal with all eventualities.

Box cameras in the range feature a standard C/CS lens mount, allowing users to select the most appropriate lens for their application, while the fixed dome and vandal-resistant cameras are supplied with integrated varifocal lenses. The high-speed dome camera, which has a maximum pan speed of 400º/s, is available with a choice of 18x, 28x and 36x zoom lenses.

ross.wilks@siemens.com enq 072

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Online Enquiry 074 Public Sector Build Journal 63

Focus & Innovation

DRICON celebrates 25 years of BBA accreditation In April 2012, DRICON, Arch Timber Protection's water-based fire retardant, will celebrate 25 years of continuous British Board of Agrément (BBA) accreditation.

DRICON, which has been used to protect solid timber and timber panels for more than 30 years worldwide, is the only BBA-approved fire retardant protection for timber.

“BBA is recognised as an important approval by architects and specifiers sourcing assured and proven products,” explains BBA Sales & Marketing Director, Alan Thomas.

“With 25 years of continuous approval, DRICON is one of our longest certified products covering both its production and in situ performance.”

As well as BBA accreditation, Arch has classification reports from independent certification organisations for a wide range of species and thicknesses of timber for a number of different end uses, to confirm customers’ confidence in the fire retardant properties.

Arch Fire Retardant Product Manager, Jacqui Hughes says: “Correct design specification of timber components and the use of proven modern fire retardant treatments, can make wood into a long-lasting and safe choice of material. By slowing the rate of combustion and the spread of flame, DRICON can provide extra minutes that can help save lives and reduce damage to buildings. Our BBA accreditation is a prime indication to specifiers that DRICON is a fully independently tested and approved product, from its production right through to its longterm performance.”

Pictured left is Passmores Academy in Essex, one of the latest projects to include Dricon fire retardant protection.

david.law@lonza.com enq 075

Efficiency with sustainability

Underlays for the connoisseur After listening to its customers, Ball & Young, a Vita Group Company that is a leading manufacturer of carpet underlays, believes there is a real interest in higher specification products in the middle and upper market sectors. Consequently, it has launched the second generation of CLOUD 9 – Connoisseur Collection. The high density, luxury CLOUD 9 Connoisseur range, has a new upmarket underlay and is sophisticated in appearance.

All Ball & Young Carpet Underlays are proudly made in the UK to British Standard 5808 (1991).

bysales@ballandyoung.com enq 076

64 Public Sector Build Journal

In a world first for efficiency and sustainability, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is bringing the CO2 heat pump to the commercial market. The new Q-Ton, an air-towater heat pump, cuts energy use and significantly reduces running costs and carbon emissions. The unique system heats sanitary water to 90°C, boasting an efficiency of 430% and cuts running costs (compared with electric/gas boilers) by 75/58 per cent. Des Franklin, MHIE Sales Manager, explains: “The Q-Ton is revolutionary as it allows users of large volumes of hot water to utilise their energy extremely efficiently, being both cost-effective and eco-friendly.” des_franklin@mhie.com enq 077

Flooring adhesives make the grade A range of F. Ball and Co. Ltd.’s high-performance flooring adhesives have been used to refurbish the floors of bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens in King’s College London’s student halls in Hampstead. In the bedrooms, Gradus carpet tiles were installed to the subfloor using Styccobond F41 Carpet Tile Tackifier.

Styccobond F58 Rubber Flooring Adhesive was used to install Polyflor rubber floorcovering throughout the corridors and in the small washroom area in each of the 431 self-contained bedrooms. In the communal kitchen and bathroom areas, Styccobond F60 Contact Adhesive was applied to secure mail@f-ball.co.uk enq 078 the new Altro vinyl floorcovering.

Focus & Innovation

Luxury protection

Sustainable solution Arch Timber Protection’s KEYWOOD Treated Pine has been chosen by landscape designer Alistair W Baldwin to be part of a site landscaping project on the grounds of a zero carbon house near Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The project uses the durable timber in decking around a swimming pond installed by Garden Style of Sheffield. KEYWOOD is a modified softwood created by treating FSC-certified Radiata pine with a biomass-based thermosetting resin.

This makes the timber more durable and usable indoors and outdoors without the need for a coating, and its attractive light colour blends with all surroundings.

djlaw@archchemicals.com enq 079

Kidde Fyrnetics Slick® smoke and heat alarms are providing discreet fire safety measures at The Lancasters – 77 luxury apartments overlooking London’s Hyde Park. Interconnected smoke alarms are located extensively throughout each apartment in living rooms and bedrooms, with heat alarms in kitchens. Generally, they are positioned in line with recessed downlights to appear as unobtrusive as possible. Each apartment is ‘self-contained’, so the interconnected alarms in any one apartment do not trigger alarms anywhere else in the building. Each alarm system is interfaced with the Building Management System so the concierge is alerted and can investigate further. kiddefyr@ukgateway.net enq 080

Campaigning website Portakabin has launched a new website as part of its campaign to change the perception of modular building and to demonstrate what is now possible with this highly innovative and flexible approach to accommodation for interim and permanent uses.

The site: www.portakabin.co.uk, has a number of key features, including: • More than 2,000 images to illustrate the almost limitless design possibilities of this modular approach • A 32-page photo gallery which showcases some of the most innovative applications of Portakabin buildings from across the UK and Europe for both interim and permanent use • 100 layout drawings so potential users can information@portakabin.co.uk enq 081 visualise their own accommodation.

Self-build show boosts confidence If you’re still dreaming of building your own home, planning to renovate, or have a project that’s stalled, and in these uncertain times feel nervous and unsure of how and where to start, then the National Self Build & Renovation Show, April 14th-15th is for you. With a raft of seminars, talks, tours and demos, more than 200 exhibitors, three fullscale houses, and a range of industry experts to help you every step of the way, you’ll be sure to get all the knowledge, confidence and contacts you need to progress with your project and create your dream home.

nationalcentre@buildstore.co.uk

enq 082

How to maximise your sports facilities Sports clubs must have a common goal – to make their home into a commercial fortress. So says Mick Gallagher, who after 32 years in local government, has now joined forces with two other businessmen with sporting connections to launch Stadia and Arena Consultancy UK. “Football, rugby and cricket clubs all need to maximise their stadium facilities to increase their income and then reinvest to bring success both on and off the field,” explains Mick.

“Local authorities now recognise more than ever the positive way in which people associate towns and cities with their sports clubs. Their success, prosperity and local pride is barrie@stadiaandarenaconsultancyuk.co.uk enq 083 very strongly linked.”

Low-rise facade system for special school

One of the first applications of the MODAL low-rise façade system from Technal is at the visionary new Forest Park School for children with learning difficulties near Southampton.

Finished in dark brown with contrasting bronze doors, MODAL is used as fixed light glazing and with FXi65 windows. Sound attenuated louvres provide additional natural ventilation, and the GXi sliding patio door, which is fully integrated with MODAL, was also specified, together with Technal’s CD commercial door.

MODAL is a rapid-build low-rise façade system – and the first in the UK to offer integral opening vents.

info@technal.co.uk

enq 084

Public Sector Build Journal 65

Balustrades

Right on track Delta Balustrades, manufacturer of bespoke handrail systems, put safety first with the installation of new handrails and balustrades at the most recent upgrade of Manchester's City Centre Metrolink.

T

he Manchester City Centre Metrolink project, which comprised improvements to stations at St Peter’s Square and Piccadilly Gardens, saw Delta Balustrades completing a £240k contract to install new Orbis™ tubular balustrades and Ultra™ stainless

66 Public Sector Build Journal

steel double handrails to meet DDA requirements. Self-cleaning clear 10mm toughened glass was specified in line with the stringent safety standards of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE).

Commenting on the project, a Delta

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OrbisTM tubular balustrades and UltraTM stainless steel double handrails from Delta Balustrades were specified for the improvements to Manchester City Centre Metrolink to meet DDA requirements. Self-cleaning clear 10mm toughened glass was also installed

Balustrades spokesperson said: “The nature of the contract brought with it specific challenges and required our team to work out of normal working hours to minimise disruption to the network. Working in close collaboration with the main contractor and architect, we were able to produce and install the balustrades within a very tight timescale thereby contributing to the overall successful completion of the project.”

Appointed by Balfour Beatty and working to specifications by Atkins architects, Delta Balustrades has been praised for its speed of installation and proactive approach. Balfour Beatty’s Commercial Manager thanked the team for their ‘smooth execution of works’, with Atkins’ Associate Architect highlighting a proactive discussion enabling agreement on details and specification to be quickly reached.

“A combined approach to the resolution of details, setting out and site installation, which was not straightforward, was quickly finalised and when completed, the project and installation as a whole looked impressive. Specifically we were pleased with the professional, technical and design input of Delta Balustrades’ Design Manager and also pleased with the speed of installation. I would definitely work with Delta Balustrades again and recommend the company to others,” he said.

marketing@deltabalustrades.com enq 085

architectural glass

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visit www.firmanglass.com to find out more about Colorfirm applications To find out more about these products visit www.firmanglass.com Firman Glass,19 Bates Road, Harold Wood, Romford, Essex RM3 OJH Tel: 01708 374534 Fax: 01708 340511 Email: sales@firmanglass.com

www.firmanglass.com Online Enquiry 086

Stand B214

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Grand approach to railings

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From spiral staircases to stunning panoramic balconies, there’s a Q-railing system for any project.

At Q-railing we understand that sometimes you want the reassurance and ease of a full supply and fit service. That’s why over the years we’ve developed a network of recommended installers who we trust to work on our behalf and provide the same great Q-railing quality and standard.

For the first time, we’re pleased to be sending our Recommended Installers to Grand Designs Live to demonstrate what makes our design led railing systems so unique.

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Tel 0800-7814245 Fax 0800-7814246 Twitter @Q_railing_UK sales@q-railing.co.uk www.q-railing.co.uk