PSBJ December 2016

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December 2016

STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE School provides best environment for learning and discovery

Design for longevity

Negotiating contracts

Play provision

How specifiers and local authorities can extend the lifespan of kitchens

Why now is the time to shop around in order to save money on your water bills

The increasing demand for play equipment catered towards teenagers

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Welcome Note Editor in Chief

Hannah Frackiewicz

hannah@mixedmediainfo.com

Editorial Assistant Rebecca Kemp

rebecca@mixedmediainfo.com

Print & Digital Advertising Sam Ball

sam@mixedmediainfo.com

Rebecca Stratten

ree@mixedmediainfo.com

Studio Manager Chris Lilly

chris@mixedmediainfo.com

Production

An impressive development for Highgate School, designed by Architype, has now been handed over. See page 22.

Jack Witcomb

jack@mixedmediainfo.com

David Perry

david@mixedmediainfo.com

Sofia Franchi

sofia@mixedmediainfo.com

Accounts

Simone Jones

simone@mixedmediainfo.com

Charlie Ivy

charlie@mixedmediainfo.com

Managing Director Sam Ball

sam@mixedmediainfo.com Publisher

Mixed Media Information

Pear Platt, Woodfalls Industrial Estate, Gravelly Way, Laddingford, Kent, ME18 6DA T: 01622 873229 F: 01622 320020 www.mixedmediainfo.com www.psbj.co.uk

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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.

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Welcome to the December issue of PSBJ...

It has been the year for unforeseen results in Government, and quite frankly, after the unexpected outcome of the EU referendum, it should have come as no surprise that last month’s US election would see Trump make President. Even though there was something bizarrely predictable about the US election, the results of these two monumental votes will undoubtedly go down in history as those that shocked the world.

Donald Trump’s presidency will not only greatly impact a host of US sectors, but it will also – and to some extent, it already has – have a knock-on effect to an already unstable Britain, post-Brexit.

Yet despite the initial nervousness and uncertainty, it seems Trump’s presidency could have some positive long-term effects on the UK. He has already expressed that he is a fan of Britain, which might bode well for future trades between the US and UK. What’s more, Theresa May has already insisted she wants to maintain a strong commercial partnership with the US. To truly ascertain the impact of Trump’s policies, we can only sit and wait for the terms and conditions to be unveiled. Until then, our focus shall be on the Government’s appeal to trigger Article 50. In this month’s issue, John Houlden, a procurement and projects specialist at law firm Burges Salmon, talks to PSBJ about where we are now and how Brexit and Article 50 is likely to impact on public procurement. Turn to page 20 to find out more.

Also in this edition, we bring you the latest high-profile case studies and talking points on Doors & Windows, Paints, Coatings & Finishes, KBB, Fire Protection and Water Management.

You will also find a dedicated focus on each of the four key areas of the public sector – Housing, Leisure, Education and Healthcare.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, you can also access all of the magazine’s features, product news and supplier information at your fingertips via Public Sector Build Journal’s state-of-the-art app. To download your version free of charge, simply search ‘PSBJ’ on Google play or the App Store.

Hannah Frackiewicz | Editor in Chief | hannah@mixedmediainfo.com Follow us on Twitter:

@psbjmagazine

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Contents 06 News A round up of the latest industry updates including charity events, awarded contracts, completed projects and much more.

08 Upfront Opened in May 2015, the £10.5m Filwood Green Business Park development is a new sustainable workplace located in Knowle West, Bristol.

14 Talking Point Adam Tilford, from the National Energy Foundation, discusses reducing the performance risk and protecting the reputation of local authorities.

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16 Leisure

20 Legal & Business

24 Housing

Timberplay discusses the increasing demand for play provision catered towards young teenagers in our society.

John Houlden, procurement and projects specialist at Burges Salmon, discusses Brexit, Article 50 and procurement law.

Could clever engineering solve the lack of housing stock currently available in the UK? Tom Shaw, Director at Ramboll, explains more.

18 Technical Focus

22 Education

26 Healthcare

Manufacturer and installer, CMS Window Systems explores how its high-performance units help vulnerable residents retain their independence at Weavers Court.

An impressive development for Highgate School, designed by Architype, has now been handed over in time for the start of the new academic year.

How off-site construction, delivered by the Portakabin Group, has created space for further development at the University Hospital Southampton.

The all-new psbj.co.uk Your revitalised and purpose-built portal for public sector building specification PSBJ unveils the new-look online resource for building products designed for the public sector built environment.

Offering more content in an easy-to-navigate format, this refreshing, tailor-made new portal delivers the right content to the right audience in the shortest time possible.

Search ‘psbj’

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www.psbj.co.uk

Contents

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24

26

28 Paints, Coatings & Finishes

36 Fire Protection

Charles Corner, Managing Director of full service sheet metalwork manufacturer, Malton Laser, discusses the advantages of choosing powder coating for a metal finish.

Steve Cookson, Technical Services Manager at Sika Liquid Plastics, discusses the inherent risks of hot works during roof refurbishment projects.

30 Doors & Windows

38 Water Management

David Thornton, Chairman of The Window Company (Contracts), explains why expert advice isn’t just for when things go wrong.

Chris Quinn at utility management specialist, Orchard Energy, offers his expert advice on negotiating your water contract.

34 KBB

40 Product Showcase

How do public sector specifiers create longevity for kitchens while helping to minimise the cost of ongoing maintenance and replacement?

A dedicated focus of industry news, products and case studies to help specifiers and local authorities make informed decisions.

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Read the latest issue online Gain insight from industry experts Source products and suppliers Keep up to date with industry news Discover new innovative technologies Browse the archive of features and issues Manage your subscriptions Download the PSBJ app for your iPad, iPhone or Android

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News

INDUSTRY UPDATES

Each month PSBJ rounds up the latest public sector construction updates, from new contracts to industry awards.

Housebuilder award accolade continues success for CALA

Joseph Priestley immortalised in new university building Birmingham City University officially unveiled its latest building last month, which has been named in honour of Scientist and Theorist Joseph Priestley.

Situated on the university’s City Centre Campus in Birmingham’s Eastside, The Joseph Priestley Building is home to around 400 staff from the institution’s support services.

The four-storey building comprises 45,500ft2 of Grade A office space and has been leased to the university from global property group, Goodman. The transfer marks the completion of the first phase of the developer’s 1.25 million sq ft canal side regeneration scheme, Eastside Locks.

Joseph Priestley lived in Birmingham for over 10 years during the 18th century, where he was an active member of the Lunar Society circle of manufacturers and inventors. His educational theory aimed to move students away from classical learning towards a more modern, practical curriculum.

The building was officially opened earlier

by Lord Lansdowne, Charles Maurice PettyFitzmaurice, ninth Marquess of Lansdowne.

His home is Bowood House in Wiltshire, which includes the preserved laboratory where in 1774, Joseph Priestley, then tutor to the first Marquess’ two sons, discovered oxygen.

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A thriving developer with its headquarters in Scotland has been named the UK’s Best Medium Housebuilder of the Year.

CALA Homes collected the accolade at the prestigious Housebuilder Awards 2016 in London, one of the most notable dates in the construction industry’s calendar.

Alan Brown, Chief Executive of CALA Group, said: “I am delighted that CALA’s efforts have been recognised by the Housebuilder Awards.

“Every single person in the company can be immensely proud of the part they played in helping us to earn this title. Awards are an indication of how a business is performing – and we are in a very good place.

“Everything we do is driven by our attention to building the highest quality homes to create sustainable developments in the most soughtafter locations, all the while retaining a keen focus on providing exceptional service to our customers. We have never deviated from that, which means customers know what to expect from CALA Homes.

“The whole CALA team works exceptionally hard to deliver such high standards while continuing to expand the business in line with our growth strategy. It’s a company I am extremely proud to be part of.”

Community hub in Toft Newton officially opens its doors Celebrations have taken place to mark the completion of a new village hall in Toft Newton, Lincolnshire.

The fit-for-purpose building received one of the largest Big Lottery Fund grants ever given, receiving £793,362 thanks to architecture, sports and leisure firm LK2, which drove the project forward and helped to secure muchneeded funding. A further £75,000 was also secured through West Lindsey District Council and Lincolnshire County Council.

The modern village hall has replaced a temporary building that was erected more than 25 years ago and had minimal facilities. The new build incorporates kitchen facilities, two sports changing rooms, two function rooms and a bar.

Andrew Kitchen, Director at LK2, said: “The new village hall has helped to create a stronger sense of community wellbeing and provided improved access to existing and new activities. Thanks to the substantial funding we secured for the scheme, we have been able to support the scheme through business planning, funding applications and architectural services.”

Morgan Sindall celebrates key milestone Construction and infrastructure company, Morgan Sindall, is celebrating reaching a key milestone in the construction of Glenwood School, a £15.4m special educational needs school in Essex.

The state-of-the-art education facility is being delivered for Essex County Council and will provide support for 210 children and young adults with severe (and multiple) learning difficulties.

Castle Point Mayor, Andrew Sheldon and Cllr Ray Gooding, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, joined the Morgan Sindall project team at the Glenwood site to celebrate the start of the building’s timber frame structure.

Once completed in 2017, the new building will feature 26 spacious classrooms, a hydrotherapy pool and specialist facilities to help meet the young people’s sensory needs, including swing therapy rooms and a trampoline room to help promote body awareness, sequencing space, postural control and organisation of the senses.

The Morgan Sindall project team will also deliver an independent living area within the school, which will help older students prepare for adulthood, and an immersive room that uses projection imagery to simulate a range of environments.

New accommodation welcomes over 500 students The University of East Anglia’s (UEA) Blackdale development, designed by LSI Architects and constructed by R G Carter, has reached completion in time to welcome 514 students to Norwich for the start of the autumn semester. The scheme also includes a large landscaped courtyard, a launderette and a cafe with roof terrace. The two new student residence buildings have been named Hickling House and Barton House.

The project achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and further supports UEA’s environmental policies and carbon reduction plans to promote sustainable design. The two new buildings have been delivered to BIM Level 2 including the delivery of an Asset Information Model, with useful data brought together in a useable format for the client for facilities management purposes.

LSI Architects drew on design principles and lessons learned on their previous UEA accommodation project, Crome Court, winner of a 2015 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Award for its innovative design. The buildings are formed in CLT to reduce the embodied carbon and to enable a rapid form of construction to deliver the project within the programme.

Conlon breaks ground on £40m hospital Conlon Construction has begun a 65-week project to build a new £40m, two-storey private hospital in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

Commissioned by One Healthcare and designed by Manning Elliott, the facility will span four acres and comprise 21 beds, three of which will be designated for critical care, three ultra-clean ventilation (UCV) theatres, 14 day-case pods, two treatment rooms and 10 outpatient consulting rooms. In addition, it will also have a high-tech imaging suite, offering MRI, CT, UD and digital XR scans.

Situated in the centre of the town near to the University of Hertfordshire's College Lane Campus, the facility will provide ample parking.

Funded by Octopus Healthcare, a leading developer of innovative and purpose-designed

National Police Air Service boosted, thanks to Pick Everard Leading independent management, design and construction consultancy, Pick Everard, has started work on a project to deliver a new air hangar at Doncaster Sheffield airport which will boost the service provided by the National Police Air Service (NPAS).

The new hangar will further improve the service operated by NPAS across the region and beyond. Work to deliver the scheme is now on site.

Pick Everard is delivering project management and quantity surveying for the scheme via Scape Group.

The works include new hangar facilities, modular ancillary accommodation together with a new apron, taxiway and associated external works.

The main hangar envelope comprises a galvanised steel frame and tapered design clad with durable PVC fabric. The office and ancillary accommodation is to be formed from modular units being constructed off site, which will be craned into position on to preprepared foundations.

From its network of UK air bases, NPAS police air support can reach 98% of the population of England and Wales within 20 minutes. Doncaster Sheffield is one of the fastest growing airports in the UK forecasting 1.3 million passengers for the year ahead and has one of the UK’s longest runways.

Norfolk school contract win for Morgan Sindall Construction and infrastructure company, Morgan Sindall, has been appointed to construct an £11m Special Education Needs (SEN) school in the heart of Norfolk.

The new Chapel Road School on Abbey Road will replace the current facility in Attleborough, allowing the school to double its capacity,

accommodating 110 primary age pupils.

The two-storey school is being completed for Norfolk County Council and will include 14 classrooms and several specially-designed learning rooms, including a sensory room and a hydrotherapy pool room. The school will be renamed Chapel Green School when it moves in time for the start of the academic year in 2017, and begin increasing pupil numbers at the start of the calendar year in 2018.

Morgan Sindall will also deliver external works, including the creation of a main access road and several outdoor play areas. The project team will also create a terraced garden for outdoor learning.

Morgan Sindall is well-versed in delivering high-quality education schemes and is currently on site delivering a £15.4m special educational needs school in Essex.

The project, funded by Essex County Council, involves the team delivering Glenwood School, a specially-designed education facility for young people aged 3-19 years with severe learning difficulties.

News

healthcare premises, One Hatfield Hospital will be managed by a team which over the years has funded, developed and operated more than 50 private units (15% of the entire UK private hospitals), boasting in excess of 50 years’ experience.

More than 150 jobs are expected to be created in-line with completion of the facility.

One Healthcare was established in July 2014 to develop and operate state-of-the-art private hospital facilities across the UK. One Hatfield Hospital, expected to open by the end of 2017, is its second of 10 facilities in the country.

Conamar completes medical centre upgrade Building and refurbishment specialist, Conamar, has recently completed a complex 65-week refurbishment and extension programme for Chells Surgery in Stevenage – doubling the size of the original medical centre building to create a new state-of-the-art facility.

Conamar worked to a staged, four-phase project timeline to allow the surgery to remain open and treating patients throughout the work.

In addition to delivering a complex refurbishment, Conamar created three new extensions on three sides of the original singlestorey surgery. Link work was carried out to connect the new buildings with the original renovated clinic, including constructing a new main entrance, reception and waiting room.

Externally, hard and soft landscaping was completed and new lighting was fitted.

The surgery has been equipped with a high-specification mechanical and electrical installation to meet current NHS guidelines.

William Sheardown, Chells Surgery Practice Manager, said: “Conamar’s helpful, flexible and professional approach has been key to the successful completion of this project. Working alongside a busy surgery, which remained operational throughout, is always challenging and Conamar’s engaging and inclusive approach has ensured the successful delivery of a muchneeded new facility with minimal disruption.”

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Upfront

GREEN CAPITAL SHOWCASES SUSTAINABILTY IN BRISTOL FASHION Project: Filwood Green Business Park Location: Bristol Architect: Stride Treglown

The £10.5m Filwood Green Business Park development is a new sustainable workplace located in Knowle West, Bristol

As the 2015 European Green Capital, the city of Bristol wanted to showcase a new business park that placed environmental sustainability at the forefront of its ambitions.

The building’s performance requirements were clearly defined at the design stage

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T

he dream: Applying new methodologies, build techniques and adopting green technologies to boost its environmental credentials and set the standards for future developments in the city. The reality: A BREEAM score of ‘Outstanding’, contributing to the project’s distinction as the second most sustainable industrial building in the UK. Opened in May 2015, the £10.5m Filwood Green Business Park development is a new sustainable workplace located in Knowle West, Bristol, and provides 3700m2 of flexible workshop and office accommodation with the potential to create up to 350 new jobs in the area.

The idea of a sustainable green business park came from the local community during the development of the 20-year Knowle West Regeneration Framework. In order to achieve this vision, Bristol City Council appointed a design team that included architect Stride Treglown, engineering and sustainability consultant CH2M, project manager Currie & Brown, and Midas as contractor; a team with strong environmental credentials and a track record in sustainable projects.

The downturn in the economy meant that a private sector developer was unlikely to take forward a new business park in this regeneration area, so

Optimising performance

The business park is visibly green with landscaping that reflects the original biodiversity of the site

Bristol City Council successfully applied for £5.495m ERDF funding to make it happen.

The project has also received £6.236m funding from the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership’s Revolving Infrastructure Fund. A condition of the grant was that the design should meet the highest environmental standard –

BREEAM 'Outstanding'.

In planning the wider development of Filwood Park, an enquiry by design process involving local people was coordinated by the Homes & Communities Agency, then owners of the site. This process was recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute as an example of Planning Excellence

Upfront

into the design, such as a green roof. A key focus for the entire team from the outset was to reduce the building’s carbon emissions focusing specifically on the ‘performance gap’ – where buildings designed for low carbon emit significantly more carbon than planned when in operation.

Consequently, the building’s performance requirements were clearly defined at the design stage and pushed through the entire supply chain at the construction stage.

Intelligent controls, smart metering and comprehensive maintenance of the building would ensure that the building will operate well through its whole lifecycle.

in its 2013 Awards. The Outline Planning permission granted was for the green business park, 150 new homes and an improved park area.

Local stakeholders were then invited to take part in a design charrette, which produced the final layout and form of the business park. Ideas from local people have been incorporated

The green agenda for the building, as recommended by BREEAM, was also agreed early at the briefing stage in order to achieve the highest performing build at the lowest cost. The process started with deciding on the form, orientation and building envelope in order to allow natural ventilation and natural daylight. 

A key focus for the entire team from the outset was to reduce the building’s carbon emissions focusing specifically on the ‘performance gap’

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Upfront The building provides exemplary levels of natural light

Project Architect James Horner, from Stride Treglown, said: “This was an essential part of the brief to ventilate the building as naturally as possible. However, with its proximity to a busy road there was quite a challenge with acoustics from open windows. I think this typified the BREEAM approach, with ourselves and the rest of the team completely in sync looking for solutions, and the client too, who was actively engaged at all stages of the project.”

Intelligent controls, smart metering, post completion monitoring and comprehensive maintenance of the building ensured that the building operates well through its whole lifecycle by minimising the operational energy consumption.

A great emphasis was also put on the BREEAM Health and Wellbeing issues, moderating the internal summertime temperatures and providing exemplary levels of natural light.

To improve the building fabric performance, a high standard of insulation and materials with BRE Green Guide ratings of A/ A+ were selected, reducing the energy demand by 30%.

Combined with on-site energy generation provided by 138kWp photovoltaic panels, the building achieved a 40% CO2 reduction, saving an estimated 46 tons of CO2 annually.

In order to maximise water efficiency, low water-use

To improve the building fabric performance, a high standard of insulation and materials with BRE Green Guide ratings of A/A+ were selected

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appliances were specified including waterless urinals, which contributed to over 50% reduction of potable water consumption. The use of sustainable transport modes has been encouraged through the provision of electric vehicle charging points, cycle paths, secure cycle parking and facilities including showers, a drying room and a bicycle spares kit.

Site biodiversity The biodiversity of the site was further enhanced by a sedum green roof and a sky garden with a wide range of species. The business park is visibly green with landscaping that reflects the original biodiversity of the site and includes a wildlife-friendly zone on the western edge of the site, a new pond and native tree species planted along the frontage and planters in the car park area used for local growing projects. The project has also made a financial contribution to Bristol’s Tree Pips initiative to involve primary age schoolchildren in learning about and planting 36,000 new trees across the city. In addition, Filwood has also achieved outstanding scores in BREEAM waste, pollution and management categories. 

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Upfront The biodiversity of the site was further enhanced by a sedum green roof and a sky garden with a wide range of species

The business park is well served by several travel options to give a range of choice to commuters. Help is provided to tailor individual travel plans for tenants. The Hengrove Bus Depot is immediately adjacent to the business park and has up to 30 buses serving the site in peak times Monday to Friday.

Importantly, this flagship development promotes the benefits of BREEAM, ‘green’ design and building management

through its website and visual displays of the key environmental performance measures in reception. Local community continue to be involved and educated through links with public arts events in and around the site.

Green ambition As a result, the Filwood Green Business Park has received a BREEAM rating of 'Outstanding' with a score of 93% and has

Ideas from local people have been incorporated into the design, such as a green roof

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become the second most sustainable industrial building in the UK – a key driver in attracting and retaining tenants.

George Ferguson CBE, former Mayor of Bristol, said: “Achieving BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ was the ambition for Bristol as European Green Capital in 2015. This project sets the standard for future industrial developments in the city, and for the wider regeneration of South Bristol. It is the first BREEAM

‘Outstanding’ development of its type in the South West, aimed at attracting the environmental sector and low-carbon businesses that Bristol needs to take forward our vision for a greener, healthier and more sustainable city.

“Tailored to new and growing small- and mediumsized enterprises, the comfortable and attractive working environment with low running costs and a work hub area designed to facilitate interaction, the Green Business Park provides the best possible support to this growing sector of the economy, in an area undergoing major regeneration.”

The building was a finalist at the 2016 BREEAM awards and was also selected as the winner of the ‘Eco Green Building’ award as part of the 2015 European Green Capital; took the top slot in the 2degrees Champions Award for New Building 2015. The Filwood Green Business Park was recognised as a ‘Champion’ pushing the boundaries for sustainable business by the 2degrees network. This award is based on peer votes from over 5000 professionals in the sustainability sector. 

 www.breeam.com

Talking Point

In a typical house, there are around 1000 components affecting energy performance

ASSURED PERFORMANCE PROCESS Adam Tilford, Senior Energy Specialist at the National Energy Foundation, discusses reducing the performance risk and protecting the reputation of developers and local authorities. too often, the actual A llenergy performance of new homes fails to meet their design standards. Despite the efforts planners, designers and developers put into achieving efficient energy use, occupied homes typically use at least twice as much energy as predicted.

The question is: how can developers and local authorities ensure that new housing schemes achieve their design standards and provide customers with the performance they expect?

One solution is to use the Assured Performance Process (APP). It maps to the RIBA Plan of Work and provides specialist expertise in five stages of impartial review and assessment.

The APP means that the energy and low-carbon aspirations expressed in the brief and planning stages translate into executable designs that deliver

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as they were intended. It also ensures that the original designs are implemented faithfully on site, thereby eliminating discrepancies that undermine energy performance when a home is handed over.

Inception and strategy At the early stage of design, there might be no more than a site plan and some sketches. But this is the prime opportunity to fine-tune the orientation, massing and glazing ratios. It is also when any low-carbon technologies are chosen (or ruled out). Therefore, this is a critical time to intervene, but there are so many options it can be hard to see the wood for the trees. Using APP can help.

Planning and early design Detailing junctions, rainwater goods and insulation (and the

Adam is the National Energy Foundation’s specialist on the Assured Performance Process.

He specialises in low-energy and sustainable construction, and works with architects, developers and building owners to improve building energy performance to the highest levels.

choice of energy systems) all shape the energy use profile of a home for years to come. Poor decisions at this stage might not be obvious and might not surface until much later in the programme, when it’s difficult and costly to undo and correct them. Using APP can help spot them early.

homes fast means short-cuts are commonplace, but not always visible. Airtightness and insulation are especially vulnerable. Also, energy systems are often either commissioned incorrectly or installed in ways that undermine performance.

Using APP can reveal the mistakes.

Detailed design

Verification and assessment

In a typical house, there are around 1000 components affecting energy performance.

The detail matters, and no-one has time to scrutinise all the components and how they come together in the design, especially when the developer and builder are anxious to start on site. Using APP can help do this.

Construction The difficulties of site work and the rush to complete

Testing on completion and evaluating how occupants interact with their buildings (post-occupancy evaluation) closes the feedback loop enabling designers, builders and specifiers to learn from the experience. Ideally, this should be linked to energy monitoring; comparing actual energy use against the design targets during the early life of the building.

Using APP can help you do this.

Talking Point

Benefits of the Assured Performance Process Lower energy demand and lower carbon emissions from every home More confidence that homes will meet their predicted design standards Improved comfort and satisfaction of residents Certainty of delivering highquality homes without spending lots of time policing each stage More sustainable buildings without the box-ticking of the old Code for Sustainable Homes Reassurance for stakeholders that action is being taken without firm policy from central Government Protection of both the developer’s and local authority’s reputations.

Quebec Park case study Quebec Park in Bordon, East Hampshire, is a medium-size development of 100 two, three and four-bedroom homes on the site of the old Quebec Barracks.

The homes use a timber-frame construction, with additional rigid insulation inside the frame.

Some units have photovoltaic panels on the roofs and there is a mixture of house types ranging from detached houses to flats.

The homes are designed to the

The difficulties of site work and the rush to complete homes fast means short-cuts are commonplace

Zero Carbon Homes standard.

In addition to identifying a range of risks and making recommendations at every stage in the process, the Assured Performance Process resulted in recommending: 1 The appointment of a nominated person to be accountable for the final energy performance of the completed homes

2 Publishing the expected energy performance of the homes in its sales literature.

Inception and strategy 1 Orientating as many homes as possible south, with southfacing roofs, to make it easier to provide summer shading and to make the PV as efficient as possible 2 Adopting better U-values than the minimum requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations, and following the fabric efficiency standards proposed by the Zero Carbon Hub.

Planning and early design 1 Modelling thermal bridges at all junctions and improving on enhanced construction details 2 Giving careful attention to the summer overheating risk (a particular risk for timber frame homes with low thermal mass), using shading and night-time ventilation to lower temperatures.

Detailed design

The APP means that the energy and low-carbon aspirations expressed in the brief and planning stages translate into executable designs that deliver as they were intended

1 Reducing the ‘timber fraction’ (the proportion of timber stud to insulation material) at junctions and lintels. These weaken thermal performance by increasing the average U-value, leading to thermal bridges and possible condensation points.

2 Moving the windows in relation to the insulation layer

to reduce thermal bridging – by omitting planned spandrel panels (which pushed down the window sills) thereby creating an avoidable thermal bridge 3 Extending a warm roof across a terrace of several homes to cut the number of thermal bridges 4 Avoiding ambiguity in design drawings by drawing thermal bridge details 5 Omitting planned weather compensators and zone controls for heating systems, because super-insulation, good airtightness and modest dwelling sizes mean that there will be no energy-saving benefit 6 Reducing boiler capacity to better suit heat losses and reduce boiler cycling – also resulting in savings in construction costs.

Construction Regular visits were made to the site to examine energy-related elements of the construction; checking on assembly of details, insulation type, thickness and installation quality. Advice was also given on detailing and best practice to avoid thermal bypass and ensure thermal bridges are reduced as per the design intent. Also, the timber fraction was examined and recommendations were made to reduce the risk of underperformance as the site build out progressed. 

 www.nef.org.uk

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Leisure

PLAY PROVISION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

Lilly Elbra, Marketing Manager for Timberplay, discusses the increased demand for play equipment catered towards teenagers in our society.

If equipment is sited outside a designated play space, teenagers are far more likely to gravitate towards it

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If designed well, public spaces can still include playful elements that will appeal to teenagers

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s Whitney Houston once warbled, ‘children are the future’, but teenagers, on the other hand, are the scourge of society, engaging in antisocial behaviour and mob rule, or so the media would have us believe.

What is it that leads to this sudden slide in public perception between the ages of 12 and 13, how can we learn to understand this better and be more accommodating to the needs of teenagers?

Teenagers, as a distinct group in society, did not materialise until the 1950s, when, amongst other things, the proliferation of the motor car enabled young adults to be more independent.

This created a space in time where children could find out about themselves before entering into marriage and employment. Still processing the impact of sustained war in Britain and simultaneously increasingly free from their constant presence of their parents or other fully grown adults, teenagers began to develop their own culture, experimenting with fashion and lifestyle choices before ‘settling down’.

Sporting activities are the most well catered for in teen activities, with Multi Use Games Areas being a feature of most public spaces and parks.

strikes me as odd that primary educators recognise play as an essential part of learning. Steps are routinely taken to ensure effective play experiences are provided. However, this provision disappears overnight, or more accurately over the six week summer holiday, when children enter secondary school.

Play is suddenly the preserve of small kids.

If designed well, public spaces can still include playful elements that will appeal to teenagers – seating fences, for example, are often the chosen perch for teens as they represent unconventional rest points. Vantage points are important – so they can keep an eye out for those coming and going, be they friends, perceived threats, potential suitors or unknowns. Large scale climbing structures are ideal as they require focus and skill to conquer the equipment, but once you reach the summit you are the master of all you survey. In our experience we have found that fences segregating the play area act as a barrier to teenage participation – the act of entering the playground is seen as too childish. If equipment is sited outside a designated play space, teenagers are far more likely to

Teenagers, as a distinct group in society, did not materialise until the 1950s

Leisure

Funding can be hard to find and community groups and local authorities are keen to protect this investment, but sometimes the steps taken to do this can significantly limit their use.

Lighting can often be turned off in the evening, unless an organised group has booked and paid for the space. In winter time, this act prevents the space from being used for long periods of time for more ad-hoc activities. One approach to promoting better use of these spaces is to start exploring more responsive technologies, for example motion sensitive lighting systems which can be activated when required.

Sports, by their very nature, will only appeal to certain teenagers that are physically confident and happy to fit in with the rigid rules and practices that dictate a sport.

These rules and structures can be very inhibitive to other teenagers, who may benefit from less rigid interaction with the public space.

Although they may have already taken on an adult build and physique, teenagers are still children, with a different set of needs which we are meeting with limited success. As an individual whose background is primarily in play, it always

Large scale climbing structures are ideal as they require focus and skill to conquer the equipment

gravitate towards it, as it feels and appears like a spontaneous act.

High energy equipment is also appealing, pieces like the Queen Swing or the Giant Revolving Disc providing a fast paced real thrill.

Parkour and Skate are effectively a half-way point, not as rigid as traditional sports, but not as free as fixed play equipment.

Still dogged by associations with anti-social behaviour, Skate, BMXing and Parkour can deliver real tangible benefits to child development, helping develop dedication, discipline and motor skills to perfect tricks and building confidence and staying healthy along the way. Although some research into the health and social benefits of wheeled sports has been conducted, more needs to be done to remove the veil of fear which shrouds wheeled sport developments. Where traditional sports sometimes fail to engage, skateboarding, scooting and BMXing can be particularly effective in delivering health benefits and building self-confidence. Moreover, skate

and wheeled sports fulfil a very important need – to create spaces where older children and teenagers are free to develop, express creativity, be inspired and be themselves.

This dedicated space, carved out of wider society and exclusively designed for their use is important in signposting society’s acceptance of teenagers.

Teen or youth shelters are also crucial for this, set aside from playgrounds, formal gardens, cafes and visitor centres. These exclusive spaces are critical in supporting the development of autonomy and identity.

Since time immemorial, every generation has been afraid of the next. Maybe this is down to basic human programming, but as a society, it is time we began to more actively question this hard wiring, stopped being scared of teenagers and instead began to have more conversations with them and embrace them into our community. 

 www.timberplay.com

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Technical Focus

GROUNDBREAKING HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

CMS was contracted to manufacture and install casement windows, as well as single and double doors for the development

Project: Weavers Court Location: Alnwick Main Contractor: Galliford Try

Leading window and door designer, manufacturer and installer, CMS Window Systems, has completed work on a pioneering housing project in the north-east of England, which offers older and vulnerable residents the opportunity to retain their independence, while providing them with the support services they require.

Northumberland’s W ithpopulation ageing faster

Smart grey PVCu casement frames from Sheerframe’s 8000 range ensured a sleek, modern appearance

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than that of England as a whole, the 58 modern apartments in the Weavers Court development in Alnwick represent a seachange in accommodation for older residents, offering improvements in lifestyle and support whilst not compromising on the quality of their living space. Led by housing company Isos, the £5m scheme enables those with chronic and other health conditions to live in the community, preventing admissions to residential care whilst giving residents and their families the reassurance that help is always on hand.

Brought to the project by main contractor, Galliford Try, CMS was contracted to manufacture and install casement windows, as well as single and double doors for

Elevation 2-2

the development. A highly energy-efficient specification was required to maximise the cost-saving benefits of the installation for residents.

Additionally, to ensure that Weavers Court would be a desirable and attractive place to live, it was important that the aesthetics of the works package would complement the rest of the building design.

CMS met the brief with high-performance units to help create an energy-efficient building envelope, eliminating draughts and reducing

heat transfer to create a comfortable environment and ease residents’ heating costs.

Smart grey PVCu casement frames from Sheerframe’s 8000 range ensured a sleek, modern appearance, with the layout of glass panels in the building envelope helping to create a light, bright interior for the building and ensure fantastic views towards the south of Alnwick.

Ensuring a secure building envelope was also crucial to the project. Besides the primary benefits conferred by

good security, an overarching priority for Weavers Court was to create homes in which residents could feel safe, protected and in charge of their own space. CMS responded to this need by using products accredited by Secured by Design, a police-led initiative promoting superior safety specifications for building materials, to exceed security standards and ensure residents’ peace of mind.

CMS’ work on the Weavers Court project was completed in June 2016, with the

CMS WINDOWS AT WEAVERS COURT

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Technical Focus

WEAVERS COURT

development opening officially in mid-2016. CMS’ Managing Director, Andy Kerr, welcomed its completion: “Weavers Court represents a really unique opportunity for older and vulnerable residents of Alnwick, and demonstrates that the needs of this sector of society are being increasingly well catered for.

“The pairing of high-quality housing and on-hand care facilities is an ideal solution to helping residents maintain their independence for longer while ensuring they are enjoying the quality of life they deserve.

The support that the Extra Care scheme offers to tenants is invaluable, and it was a real pleasure for CMS to be able to contribute to its creation.”

Mark Massey, Senior Partner at idpartnership, the architect of Weavers Court, said: “The design of Weavers Court reflects best practice in inclusive design and design for wellbeing. The scheme will be a step-change in housing for the elderly, enabling them to become the focus of the community, offering a hotellike environment in which an active and positive old age can be enjoyed.” 

 www.cmswindows.com 2

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Legal & Business

BREXIT AND ARTICLE 50 – WHERE ARE WE NOW?

Despite the Government’s defeat, it is difficult to envisage a situation where Brexit will not happen

John Houlden, procurement and projects specialist at law firm, Burges Salmon, discusses Brexit, Article 50 and procurement law.

B

rexit is back on the front page as the Government was defeated in its attempt to retain the right to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty without further parliamentary approval. The Government will fast track its appeal to the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, with a final decision expected in early December. Within hours of the decision, the value of the pound rose, only for the Bank of England to triple its previous inflation forecasts for 2017 due to the fall in the value of the pound since the Brexit vote in June. Both these indicators show the sensitivity of the UK economy to our membership, or otherwise, of the EU. Despite the Government’s defeat, it is difficult to envisage a situation where Brexit will not happen. Parliament will remain under significant pressure to abide by the decision made in

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the referendum. However the process may well be delayed, especially if the Government loses its appeal in the Supreme Court and parliament has to vote to trigger Article 50.

There has been debate over whether the aim should be hard Brexit or soft Brexit, or something in between. But what does that mean and what might the impact be on public procurement and its law?

At one (and, before the court’s ruling, an unlikely) extreme, a “soft” Brexit would see the UK retain access to the single market, retain open borders and crucially, retain EU laws. The relationship that Norway has with the EU being an example. Such an arrangement would mean no substantive change at all.

At the other end of the scale, a “hard” Brexit would see the UK surrender its access to the EU single market and be entirely

free from the constraints of EU law. In this case, the UK would most likely fall back upon the procurement rules of the World Trade Organisation – once issues over its membership have been resolved. These rules still require Governments to conduct open, fair and transparent procurement processes among WTO members. The current regime satisfies these, meaning that no change is necessary – but is possible so long as it remains within the constraints of the WTO. This begs the question to what extent is there an appetite to revolutionise public procurement in the UK? Given the issues the Government is facing and the time required to properly restructure the current regime, it is unlikely there will be any change in the short term. The “Great Repeal Bill” is evidence of this. Any change in the medium or long term will be driven by the Government’s

John Houlden is recognised as a leading procurement and projects lawyer with a track record of advising on highprofile and complex regulated procurements across a number of sectors for a wide range of public and private sector bodies.

procurement philosophy (i.e. is procurement about best value or policy?) and, crucially, the nature of any trade deals it brokers.

For those involved in public procurement (as supplier or purchaser) the reality is that competitive procurement is likely to be here to stay, regardless of Brexit. 

 www.burges-salmon.com

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Images © Dennis Gilbert

Education

BUILDING STRONG LINKS TO NATURE

Lit by continuous overhead glazing and sections of floor-toceiling glazing, the feeling of light and airiness is akin to that of an atrium space

Project: New Junior School Highgate Location: Highgate, London Architect: Architype

An impressive development for Highgate School has been handed over in time for the start of the new academic year. The inspired scheme by architect firm, Architype, pays homage to the school’s passion and long-term commitment to achieving excellence in education. on Bishopswood S ituated Road in leafy Highgate,

The modern finishes of the new building artfully meet the restored Victorian brickwork of Ingleholme

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the historical site has long been the home of the junior school. The plan conceived for the school incorporates an inviting entrance and wellorientated layout, coupled with a continuous connection to the established landscape; creating a strong civic presence on the street side and direct visual links out to the cricket pitch on the west side.

The unfettered presence of the new school sits subtly in its established surroundings, despite the building’s footprint and multi-storey design. With a minimal yet striking entrance, the school building extends into the site incorporating Ingleholme, a 19th century villa that has been sensitively refurbished as part of the development. As one of the last of its era in Highgate, Ingleholme has been linked to the new element through a

The space assumes a wide variety of uses, from secluded pods for focused study, to amphitheatre-style arrangements

series of glazed units, creating an attractive rhythm to the new public-facing elevations whilst allowing the ornate Portland stone and decorative brickwork of the original building to be on display.

Contemporary grandeur The heart of the school is a generous, naturally-lit circulation space to which each element of the school is directly linked. Ceramic flooring, interrupted with colourful marble patterns to reflect the school’s passion for natural sciences, command a sense of contemporary grandeur, complemented by 17 inspired sculptures and reliefs in and around the school, including a stone-carved chameleon on the stone staircase and a bronze cast pangolin hanging from one of the overhead glulam beams, offering a sense of intrigue and

thought-provoking fun to the young pupils.

The space assumes a wide variety of uses, from secluded pods for focused study, to amphitheatre-style arrangements for informal performance and creative learning experiences. Lit by continuous overhead glazing and sections of floor-to-ceiling glazing, the feeling of light and airiness is akin to that of an atrium space, without the negative effects of overheating and glare thanks to the smart use of shading and an MVHR (mechanical ventilation with heat recovery) strategy, which circulates fresh air at optimised temperatures throughout the school, supporting the building’s passive design principles.

Arranged along a westfacing crescent, each standard classroom benefits from open views to the landscape, shaded by protruding vertical fins,

space and the incorporation of natural materials into a cleverlyconsidered collection of spaces that flow together naturally and which also commune seamlessly with the outside teaching and play areas.”

Education

constructed from some of the 55,000 handmade bricks that dominate the school facade, and topped by 580m2 of wild flower meadow green roof.

In addition to the classrooms are shared specialised areas, such as a fully-equipped art studio, science labs and design technology workshop. The performing arts department is located entirely in the retrofitted Ingleholme building, for which the primary access has been re-routed internally through the main school, creating an elegant and dynamic junction. The modern finishes of the new building artfully meet the restored Victorian brickwork of Ingleholme, which proudly remains a dominant and influencing lynchpin of the design.

Mark James, School Principal, said: “The new junior school is both an exciting challenge and wonderful opportunity. We now have a site, which provides the best possible environment for learning and discovery.”

Estates Director, Chris Birbeck, who played a key role in shaping the brief and managing the project from the client side, said: “Architype understood perfectly the ingredients required to create an optimal learning environment; the use of light,

Sustainable future Besides adding a layer to Highgate School’s deep-rooted history, the passive approach to the energy strategy will form the basis of a sustainable new future for the school, designed to a 100-year lifecycle. Benefitting from superb airtightness and a robust heating and cooling strategy, the school is providing up to 10% of its own energy, with the integration of photovoltaic solar panels. 

 www.architype.co.uk

FACT FILE: Contractor: Wates Construction Quantity Surveyor: Gardiner and Theobald Planning Consultant: Turley Planning Consultant Structural Engineer: Built Engineers M&E Consultant: Skelly & Couch LLP

The passive approach to the energy strategy will form the basis of a sustainable new future for the school

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Housing

TAKING STOCK OF THE HOUSING CRISIS

Precast concrete could now provide a solution to the lack of available housing stock

Tom Shaw, Director at Ramboll, asks: could clever engineering solve the lack of housing stock currently available in the UK? I write, the industry is A sbracing itself to see what

were built. National planning policy up and down the country sets a framework for the future development of areas, with Local Plans identifying pockets of land for new homes to be built on.

Only recently was the draft Local

© Daniel Shearing

another Autumn Statement will bring. Many will be hoping the new Chancellor will address one of the largest social problems we currently face; the housing

crisis. Will Hammond introduce new policies? Is the construction industry equipped to build fast enough? In London alone, the population is growing by about 100,000 annually, but last year, only 25,000 homes

The London Borough of Hackney’s ‘timber first’ policy is a testament to the confidence now held in this versatile and dynamic material

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Plan consultation for Epping Forest launched, earmarking 11,400 homes for the district.

However, as well as finding land to build on, in order to get more homes built, we need to find engineering solutions that enable rapid construction on a much larger scale. Homes could be made cheaper, easier and quicker to build, making large scale housing projects more viable and affordable.

Lack of collaboration Interestingly, the recent Government-commissioned review by Mark Farmer, “Modernise or Die”, highlighted that the construction industry needs to take radical steps to avoid “inexorable decline”.

Unlike other industries that have constantly improved with time, construction has plateaued for decades with a lack of collaboration and innovation, and an increasing labour shortage causing cost inflation as more leave the industry than join. The report may be difficult reading, with controversial recommendations such as a “carrier-bag tax” for developers being suggested, but the only way we can resolve the housing crisis is by overcoming these issues and deploying more effective methods.

To rapidly construct on a much larger scale, we need to open up supply chains and increase market capacity. Particular encouragement is needed for those developing new technologies to flourish amongst more traditional construction techniques. This is not a matter

The luxury Merano tower in Vauxhall highlights how the use of precast simplified construction on an extremely constrained site

engineering that vastly diminish construction times could provide an answer now.

Broadly termed, ‘off-site manufacture’ enables us to construct faster and has proven to be key in ensuring high

© Daniel Shearing

of replacing well-established traditional forms of construction, but of increasing construction volumes through supplementing existing methods. While there are a plethora of embryonic solutions, modern methods of

Dalston Lane, a 121-unit residential development, is one of the latest to be constructed in the borough

residential development, is one of the latest to be constructed in the borough.

Alongside the use of CLT, precast concrete could now provide a solution to the lack of available housing stock, having suffered a decline in favourability in the past thanks to poor quality control in the 50s and 60s. However, looking past these historic issues, precast construction now provides both advanced finishes and, crucially, significant savings in construction time. Precasting consists of pouring concrete into a reusable mould in a factory, before transporting these elements to site where they are lifted and fixed into place. The luxury Merano tower in Vauxhall is an excellent example of this, highlighting how the use of precast simplified construction on an extremely constrained site, the size of two tennis courts.

Housing

quality and consistent finishes, whilst minimising labour on site.

Construction workforces are reducing, and as those wanting to work on construction sites wanes, factories offer new centres of employment without the need for workers to travel long distances to work on site. In looking to explore how engineers could address the housing crisis problem now, we believe off-site manufacturing is key, and various methods of construction that can be fabricated off site are already leading the way.

The use of timber, and specifically Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), is one such method. Compared to traditional counterparts, CLT is much lighter in weight and significantly quicker to build. This is ideal for constrained inner city sites where there may be various weight restrictions (such as over railway tunnels), allowing a greater number of apartments to be built more rapidly within the same space. Having overcome issues of fire, longevity, mortgages, insurance and availability, we are starting to see more CLT buildings constructed in the Capital. The London Borough of Hackney’s ‘timber first’ policy is a testament to the confidence now held in this versatile and dynamic material. Dalston Lane, a 121-unit

A new approach?

Prefabricated volumetric pods offer an entirely new approach to construction. The manufacturing of full rooms or apartments in a factory environment enable the whole unit to be transported using lorries before being stacked on site by cranes – saving both overall project time and time spent on site. It has already been successfully utilised by hotels and student housing projects, but has more recently become popular for more typical residential housing project, such as the Pocket Living development recently completed in Streatham, that provides modern housing for middle income Londoners.

So could the above engineering methods help solve the housing crisis? What is clear is that pumping in Government resource is not enough; we need to create space and methods of construction that enable us to build to meet the needs of our society. The industry must innovate and embrace new ways of building. These modern twists on more traditional forms of construction allow building on a cheaper and quicker scale, while still remaining affordable – all of which are crucial if we are to meet the ever-growing housing demands. 

 www.ramboll.co.uk

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Healthcare

The site is in the centre of the hospital and was extremely constrained

The new building was required to provide purposedesigned, permanent business support offices and meeting space for around 85 staff from the Medical Physics and Dietetics teams who were relocating from outdated temporary facilities. That accommodation could then be demolished to allow construction work to start on a new seven-storey car park. The upper two floors of the office scheme will provide additional space for the Trust’s future expansion without any further impact on the hospital site.

Complex logistics

OFF-SITE CREATES SPACE FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT

Project: University Hospital Southampton Location: Southampton Area: 1300m2

Off-site construction is increasingly being used to provide innovative building solutions to optimise space on the most constrained hospital sites. Here, Steve Newell, General Manager at the Portakabin Group, looks at a programme-driven scheme at the University Hospital Southampton which was on the critical path of a wider development. less than five months A fter on site, the Portakabin Group has handed over a £2m, four-storey scheme for office support staff at the University Hospital Southampton. This was to create space for further

26

development to the benefit of the local community and frontline patient services.

The University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust provides healthcare services to around 1.9 million people

in Southampton and South Hampshire, and specialist services such as neurosciences, cardiology and children’s intensive care to more than 3.7 million people in central southern England and the Channel Islands.

Portakabin was appointed as design and build contractor for the project, and manufactured the 1300m2 facility using a Yorkon off-site solution. The site is in the centre of the hospital and was extremely constrained, fronting a busy road and next to a number of clinical buildings. Fast completion was essential so work could be started on the car park development as soon as possible.

Portakabin had to undertake complex logistics and meticulous planning throughout to manage traffic flows and maintain access at all times for bus and ambulance routes and for around 800 deliveries each day along the road immediately adjacent to the site.

Off-site fitting out Because of the severely restricted working area, the Yorkon building modules were craned into position around 70% fitted out, with partitions, plumbing and electrics preinstalled in the factory to further reduce work on site.

Commenting on the project, Neil Haskell, Senior Project Manager at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The restricted time to build this scheme was the key driver for modular construction.

Site-based building methods could not have delivered the building in the timeframe we

Frontline patient services Portakabin delivered the building on time, met all the requirements for functionality and layout, and in an extremely tight timescale

Architectural off-site solutions can be engineered to meet almost any design brief

Portakabin worked on the project with Interserve Prime, which is in a joint venture – Commercial Estates Development Partnership (CEDP) – with the Trust to develop a programme of new hospital facilities. This will enhance the patient, visitor and staff experience and will generate an income that can be reinvested into frontline patient services.

Ben Gwilliam, Development Manager for Interserve Prime, said: “This scheme was on the critical path for a wider project and so was very programmedriven. We needed to have the new offices fully operational as soon as possible for the relocation of staff from various departments. Portakabin delivered the building on time, met all the requirements for functionality and layout, and in an extremely tight timescale.

Portakabin was appointed as design and build contractor for the project, and manufactured the 1300m2 facility using a Yorkon off-site solution

This allowed us to progress other essential development works for the hospital, to the benefit of patients and staff.

“We have been very impressed with the Portakabin team throughout. They provided the full range of construction services, including design, ground works and fitting out.

We would certainly recommend Yorkon off-site solutions, and the services and approach from Portakabin, to others.”

Buildings required to expand capacity on hospital sites are often complex, specialist and highly-serviced facilities that are needed on already extremely constrained sites. There is also the critical issue of minimising disruption to hospital services during construction. These requirements are increasingly being met using Yorkon off-site solutions from Portakabin – in up to half the time of site-based building methods, with much less disruption to patient care, greater certainty of completion on budget and on programme, and to stringent NHS quality standards.

Healthcare

had, and were not feasible on such a tight site. The space for the new facility was extremely limited and so lent itself well to moving as much of the construction into the factory as possible.

“The use of a Yorkon solution also resulted in much less disruption because most of the fitting out was done off site and we were able to maintain access 24/7.”

Meeting building requirements Architectural off-site solutions can be engineered to meet almost any design brief, hospital site and building footprint with greater efficiency, less disruption and shorter programme times.

Buildings can be installed in enclosed courtyards, on the roofs of existing buildings and on steel platforms to increase capacity on highly-constrained hospital sites.

These solutions have been used extensively across the UK for ward extensions, self-contained theatre blocks, emergency care units, haemodialysis centres, offices, community clinics, and complete hospitals, delivering all the advantages of off-site construction.

Services from Portakabin include design, planning, groundworks, module manufacture, fitting out, landscaping, testing and commissioning – a full and efficient turn-key service for both healthcare clients and contractors. 

 www.yorkon.co.uk

27

Paints, Coatings & Finishes

Malton Laser’s powder coating machine at its factory in Malton, North Yorkshire

THE BENEFITS OF POWDER COATING FOR A METAL FINISH Charles Corner, Managing Director of full service sheet metalwork manufacturer, Malton Laser, discusses the advantages of choosing powder coating for a metal finish, and how selecting this method can result in numerous benefits for a business and its clients. there are numerous W hile metal finishing methods on the market, manufacturers and engineers are constantly on the look-out for new technologies that will not only offer a superior level of strength and long-lasting durability, but will also keep application costs to a minimum.

One of the most sought-after metal finishes available on the market is powder coating.

This finish is considered a hard-wearing and economical finishing option, which is why

The powder coating process at Malton Laser

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this is the go-to metal finishing method we use at Malton Laser, as we believe that the advantages of using this method far outweigh those of more traditional paints and coatings.

We chose to introduce powder coating as a metal finish due to the speed in which the coating can be applied. The powder can be used straight away, with no need to combine it with other fixing materials, such as solvents or catalysts, meaning clients receive a quick, efficient service that can be swiftly applied by the operator.

In addition, by immediately powder coating components that come through from our fabrication facility, we’re offering an elevated, full metalwork service to our clients.

Another advantage of using powder coating is that it poses little to no danger to the operator implementing the finishing process – a consideration that is of paramount importance for manufacturers when selecting a metal finish.

Other metal finishing methods, such as wet paint finishing, require an operator to remove residual material from their skin with powerful, potentially harmful

solvents. In some instances, specialist industrial cleaners will be used in order to remove paint from the skin.

The powder used when powder coating doesn’t usually cause skin irritation and can be easily removed with water, limiting the health and safety risks for operators.

More and more professionals within the manufacturing industry are choosing powder coating as no solvents are used during the application process, reducing both health and safety and fire risks for businesses.

Since the need for solvent ingredients is eliminated during the powder coating process, the metal finish is also less harmful to the environment.

Solvents volatilise during application and stoving, usually deeming them unrecoverable.

Due to strict legislation, these volatilised solvents cannot be released into the atmosphere, meaning businesses need to invest in costly after-burning equipment, which effectively eradicates the problem, as well as paying for qualified attendants to safely operate the machinery.

Another major consideration for businesses when selecting a metal finishing method is cost.

Powder coating is one of the most economical finishes on the market for a number of reasons.

When using powder, material loss can be kept to less than 5%.

Any residual powder collected when applying the process can be recovered and reused, removing the need for costly waste removal services.

The process of air extraction when powder coating is much less intensive in comparison to the air filtration systems required when using solvent-based materials, meaning ventilation costs are reduced considerably.

The safer nature of powder coating minimises the costs on a business’ statutory safety features, as well as decreasing insurance premiums that are subject to flammable liquid regulations.

An additional, key deciding factor for manufacturers when selecting a coating method is the overall resulting metal finish, as a poor finish can lead to negative customer feedback, which could have a knock-on, detrimental effect on a business’ reputation.

In comparison to surfaces finished with wet paint, powder coated components are less likely to chip, scratch, fade or wear, minimising the need for recoating and touch-up applications, resulting in reduced costs.

Colour options Many of our customers require metal finishes in a wide variation of colours, and powder coating offers a plethora of different colours for clients to choose from, that don’t dull or distort when applied to the metal. Varying texture options are also available when powder coating, which can be useful for clients looking to hide metal surface imperfections after fabrication.

At Malton Laser, we believe that powder coating should be a business’ go-to metal finishing method. The safety, performance and environmental benefits of utilising this technique all speak for themselves, while the cost savings that could potentially be achieved are reason enough to incorporate the method into various manufacturing processes. 

 www.maltonlaser.com

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Doors & Windows

ADDED VALUE THROUGH EXPERT ADVICE

The influence of installers is growing as they become bigger and more capable

David Thornton, Chairman of The Window Company (Contracts), explains how clients are increasingly listening to specialist installers. social housing T raditionally, providers have had a fairly distant relationship with the company installing their windows and doors on either new-build or replacement projects. They were essentially a sub-contractor appointed by the main contractor on a job and as such they would be largely invisible to the client.

All that is gradually changing though, with the growth of a new breed of highly professional, specialist commercial installers, like The Window Company (Contracts) who are bigger, more capable and more confident than ever before. We no longer need or want to be hidden behind the main contractor but instead, we can join in the technical discussions and not hear about a problem third hand.

30

In fact, the influence of companies like ours is growing as we are increasingly able to demonstrate directly to clients the value of our expertise, in terms of maximising the return from their investment in windows and doors and, to a degree, future proofing their installations. We have much greater skilled resources than ever before and, because we are generally not tied to any one manufacturer or window system supplier, we can offer totally independent advice.

Whether main contractors choose to introduce us to clients or whether clients make the decision to come to us direct, there is no doubt that companies like ours are emerging from the shadows. îš…

Installers can help clients to get the best value from their budget

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Doors & Windows

From a client’s perspective, it obviously makes sense to also liaise with the installer direct because they can then benefit directly from our experience in advising them on specifications and they can turn to us to sort out any problems quickly and easily.

Direct communication Obviously, some clients prefer to have a single financial arrangement with a main contractor but that doesn’t mean that communication needs to be exclusively through them. In my experience, that all too often leads to misunderstandings and mistrust and a better outcome can be achieved by clients talking to installers direct within the framework of any contractual arrangements.

The fact is that installers are experts at what we do. In previous years, main contractors might have had their own generalist window fitting teams but even that is getting less common as dedicated installation companies provide a more flexible, and often experienced, alternative.

To give you an example of how our experience benefits clients directly, we were involved with a council in west London earlier this year. They faced problems with windows which were leaking in a new-build social housing development.

The windows had been fitted off site in what were prefabricated pods, but the company supplying them had run into difficulties and quality issues meant that by the time residents had moved in, the majority of the windows and doors leaked.

We were approached by the main contractor who we had worked with many times before and were put directly in touch with the client to help them come up with a solution.

Obviously there were lots of issues – the fabric of the building was being damaged by the leaks, some of the residents were by then being housed in hotels because the living conditions were unsatisfactory and the client was faced with an expensive repair bill. The client wanted a fast and cost-effective solution which would work long term rather than a quick fix.

Whether it is working at height or advising on repairs, installers have a bigger role to play

Our design and specification team visited the site and soon realised that the doors had been wrongly designed for the application and the windows had not been installed correctly.

Rather than simply recommend a complete replacement, which would almost certainly have been simpler and more profitable for us, we came up with a solution which protected the building, saved the client money and meant that the residents could return to their homes much more quickly.

The solution

Working at height on an 8m cradle fitting fully reversible windows in Walthamstow

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Our team re-proofed all of the 120 windows in the block so that they met our best practice guidelines on quality of installation and we replaced all 32 door sets which were simply not up to the job. Our expertise and the relationship we have built up with both the main contractor and the client meant we were able to identify a solution which saved the client money and did not compromise the integrity of the finished job.

As members of the GGF and holders of the BS82134 Kitemark for window installation, we always adhere to their very latest best practice guidelines on window and door installation and, when we are

working directly with clients, we always advise them to include these guidelines in their window and door tender documents.

In fact, the role of specialist installers in helping to draw up these specifications is increasing all the time. With solutions for meeting the energy performance and security requirements changing constantly, clients have shown time and time again that they value the help we provide in navigating and interpreting the requirements and coming up with a specification which means their projects always comply.

Our overriding priority is to make sure clients get value for money from their window or door installation whether that means working directly with us or via a main contractor. We are not concerned with bypassing the main contractor but rather with broadening our role and our influence in the supply chain so that the client can benefit directly from our expertise rather than seeing it being diluted or filtered by a third party. That is certainly happening already and I expect it to continue as specialist companies like ours demonstrate the added value that they can deliver. 

 www.thewinco.co.uk

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For public sector specifiers – housing associations and councils in particular – there is a constant tension between the price and lifespan of kitchens installed

Hinges – One of the innovations supplied through Buildbase are hinges that open cabinet doors to 1700. If someone walks into an open door or a child rams his trolley into it, there’s less risk of the door being ripped off.

Sink liners – Wipeable, aluminium cabinet savers line the bottom of a sink unit to protect it from water or other liquids, meaning less chance of having to replace whole cabinet.

EXTENDING THE LIFESPAN OF KITCHENS Robert Newton, Head of Marketing of Symphony Group and Peter Loftus, Lead Divisional Showroom Manager at Buildbase, discuss how public sector specifiers can create longevity for kitchens, while helping to minimise the cost of ongoing maintenance and replacement. public sector specifiers F or– housing associations and councils in particular – there is a constant tension between the price and lifespan of kitchens installed.

With reduced investment budgets, there is pressure to buy at the lowest price; but this ignores lifecycle and maintenance requirements and costs beyond the upfront purchase of kitchen furniture and appliances.

Quality standards It’s vital that social housing providers ensure the kitchens they specify conform to the most rigorous standards.

The most important is the BS6222 Part 2 Level H (Heavy Domestic Rating) which forms part of FIRA (Furniture Industry Research Association) testing.

Kitchen furniture that meets the FIRA Gold benchmark for product performance is proven to last longer – but not all kitchen manufacturers have it. This assesses the quality, robustness and lifespan of cabinets, hinges and hanging brackets for wall units.

Cabinets and worktops are

34

subjected to a 450N force applied to a base unit and a vertical load of 100kg applied to a worktop, along with physical and chemical tests involving blades and everyday substances such as tea, butter and oil. Drawer tests assess strength and potential misuse by loading a drawer with marbles and slamming it open and shut 10 times while shelves have a vertical load of 100kg applied to the bottom surface to simulate someone climbing into a unit. This is the weight of a heavyweight boxer.

Supply arrangements Having access to a reliable and rapid source of kitchen furniture supplies is also key to ensuring that overall costs are managed and efficiencies maximised. For example, Buildbase works with Symphony on several major projects across the country. One example is in the management of Portsmouth City Council’s housing stock to make sure materials are available when needed so there’s no waiting for installation, replacement or repairs. Buildbase’s co-location

with a contractor means that materials are moved more efficiently to where they’re needed by the council.

Kitchen furniture innovations A number of kitchen innovations help tackle the issues of longterm damage and cost in public sector spaces: Soft close drawers and hinges – Drawers close gently when pushed to avoid damage if the user is careless. Kitchens last longer and this innovation adds little to the cost. In an average kitchen, it’s a small uplift overall to have soft closing units and hinges.

Tile guard – This strip between tiles and worktop mean worktops can be replaced without damaging the tiling.

Tile strip – This aluminium strip protects the end of a worktop, a well-known vulnerable area in the kitchen.

Replacing components – Using cam and dowel assembly rather than gluing units means you can remove a unit to replace a panel without ruining the original cabinet. To demonstrate this concept, Symphony can provide whole-life costing data that generates typical maintenance costs depending of the specifications of the kitchen.

And Buildbase ensures all component parts are available to rectify quickly any damage.

The combination of quality assured kitchen manufacture, clever components and the streamlined operation of materials suppliers will ensure contractors help social housing organisations save money and expect years of kitchen durability. 

 www.buildbase.co.uk

It’s vital that social housing providers ensure the kitchens they specify conform to the most rigorous standards

Glass & Stainless Limited offer a range of architectural glazing solutions to enhance the aesthetics of any building. Our systems include:

G-GLAS BESPOKE GLASS Available in a variety of different thicknesses and finishes from screen printed to curved.

G-CUVA CANOPY SYSTEMS & POINT FIXINGS High quality 316 grade components are used in either connecting rod or universal wall mounted system.

G-LINE SLIDING GLASS DOOR & PARTITIONING SYSTEMS To suit a wide range of applications from fixed and non-fixed panels and have the ability to mount to a wall, ceiling or glass.

G-RAIL ALUMINIUM AND STAINLESS STEEL RAILING SYSTEMS Premium quality modular balustrade systems designed to offer flexible solutions to everyday challenges.

G-CUBE GLASS SHOWER CUBICLE SYSTEMS Hinges, handles, knobs, channels and clamps.

G-FLOR BESPOKE GLASS FLOORS Made to measure bespoke glass floor individually tailored to suit your home, manufactured on a either a supply and install or supply only basis.

Request a copy of our 2017 brochure at glassandstainless.com

Get in touch:

0843 504 4545

sales@glassandstainless.com

www.glassandstainless.com

Glass & Stainless Limited | Martins Court | West Street | Congleton | Cheshire | CW12 1LB

Fire Protection

Flat roofs are a common feature of public sector building stock and a small issue with the integrity of the waterproofing membrane can have a dramatic impact on its performance

CONSIDERING THE ALTERNATIVES TO HOT WORKS Steve Cookson, Technical Services Manager at Sika Liquid Plastics, discusses the inherent risks of hot works during roof refurbishment projects, highlighting the implications for building managers and occupiers and suggesting alternative approaches to mitigate risk. local authority F rom offices to schools and libraries, flat roofs are a common feature of public sector building stock and a small issue with the integrity of the waterproofing membrane can have a dramatic impact on its performance and ability to protect the building.

Not only does water ingress affect the roof build up, it can also disrupt the comfort and wellbeing of the building’s occupants, disrupt operational activities and even damage

interior finishes and contents.

Ideally, roof refurbishments should be part of planned maintenance and cap-ex programmes, however, they are often carried out as urgent remediation, with like-for-like, bitumen-based roofing systems chosen on installation rather than whole-life cost basis.

This is a false saving in terms of service life, maintenance costs and the risks associated with hot works vs many liquid roofing systems which avoid the need for hot works completely

Roof refurbishments should be part of planned maintenance and cap-ex programmes

36

and offer a low-maintenance, best-value alternative.

What are the risks?

While the safety risks of hot works are taken very seriously by contractors to ensure team wellbeing is maintained, the building, its occupants and the general public, all hot works involve an inherent fire risk. Even in the most capable and safetyconscious hands, hot works is one of the biggest health & safety risks associated with roofing schemes, particularly when they involve the use of a blow torch.

Where and how hot works equipment is stored on site out of hours is vitally important.

Whilst blow torches are taken off site, gas canisters continue to present a fire risk. With a requirement to be stored safely and securely, the onus remains on the contractor to ensure that the cages are both supplied and locked when not in use.

Moreover, contractors must be extra vigilant when undertaking fire watches. A

necessity at the end of each working day, a keen eye for detail is required as potential hazards could be developing under the surface and may not be identifiable at first glance.

Using an alternative to hot works not only avoids the need to bring potentially hazardous equipment to site during the installation but also means that they will not be required at any point in the future to carry out repairs. A cold-applied liquid system can also provide the ideal solution for upgrading the roof’s thermal performance as part of a fully cold-applied warm roof system.

Knock-on effects The use of hot works during a roof refurbishment not only carries a health and safety risk but could also result in a number of knockon effects.

In order to manage safety on site, a contractor using hot works may have to control access into and around the building, which could cause inconvenience or logistical issues for the occupants.

If a fire should occur, it could cause structural damage to the building, along with potential smoke and water damage. If this damage makes the facility uninhabitable or causes sections of it to be closed while repairs are carried out, temporary accommodation may have to be found, which could be costly.

The fire might also damage or destroy the building’s contents, including equipment, furniture and paperwork; it could even lead to data loss.

While insurance may cover some or all of the repair and knock-on costs of a fire, the claim could also have a significant impact on premiums in the future.

Alternative thinking Traditionally, hot works have been a feature of roofing projects because there was no alternative. With the array of cold-applied systems now available, it’s time to think differently about the safest way to deliver a roofing scheme. 

 gbr.liquidplastics.sika.com

ed ed! lifi is ua gn t q co Ge et re g &

The MCIAT Professional Assessment

– a new qualifying route What is the MCIAT Professional Assessment?

The MCIAT Professional Assessment is a flexible, rigorous, robust and quality assured qualifying process, based on performance and designed to recognise the diversity of Architectural Technology.

Candidates must provide an in-depth critical analysis clearly summarising their professional experience. This should be a reflective report and should refer to challenges and successes encountered whilst working on projects and how any issues were resolved.

Applicants should also undertake a self-evaluation highlighting their strengths and weaknesses in relation to their area(s) of practice.

The Professional Assessment process is based on four core competencies: • Designing • Managing • Practising • Developing (self)

Who can apply for the MCIAT Professional Assessment?

Any applicant working in or on, for example, academia, general practice, component design, refurbishment, small residential projects, large commercial projects etc within Architectural Technology, should be able to apply their own experience to the Professional Assessment process, but they must hold one of the following membership grades: ACIAT, TCIAT or profile candidate.

Each application will be assessed on its merit. However, each applicant will need to demonstrate a sufficient level of knowledge and understanding and professional competence/experience in relation to their sphere/s of practice and demonstrate to the Institute they can meet the expectations of a Chartered Architectural Technologist, MCIAT.

How much does it cost?

To apply for the Professional Assessment, applicants are required to pay £300 for the assessment of the application and the Professional Assessment Interview.

For further information email our Membership Director, James Banks via james@ciat.org.uk or call us on +44(0)20 7278 2206

Water Management

NEGOTIATING THE BEST DEAL ON YOUR WATER SUPPLY Chris Quinn, Commercial Water Manager at utility management specialist, Orchard Energy, offers his expert advice on negotiating your water contract. consideration C areful needs to be made when designing and maintaining schools, hospitals, leisure centres and other public sector buildings to ensure the right water saving measures are in place. Knowing how to save and reuse water in order to keep water costs down to a minimum is fundamental.

The number of people on site has a dramatic impact on water usage. Consider the amount of people that will flush a toilet on a daily basis, shower after a sports session; the number of flower beds that need watering or amount of windows that need cleaning. Combined with boilers that need heating and

Get your data cleansed by an independent utility specialist before going to the market

38

Knowing how to save and reuse water in order to keep water costs down to a minimum is fundamental

evaporative losses from pools, water wastage can be excessive and lead to expensive bills.

One simple measure to save money on water bills is to see if you’re getting the best deal from your current water supplier. Did you know that from 1st April 2017, retail competition will be introduced in the water market in England, allowing public sector organisations to switch water supplier for the very first time?

There are 1.2 million potential customers in England who will be looking to switch come April 2017. To avoid delays, it’s worth setting up your contract in advance of that date to ensure you are able to negotiate the best rate possible for your water supply.

Can you imagine if every customer went to the market at the same time? This is why the regulator allows a period of ‘shadow operation’ for businesses to take advantage of now.

The water market is heavily regulated which means there’s no drawback to negotiating early and the retail charges won’t change after being set by the industry regulator. It is expected that the regulator will publish these charges in the coming weeks.

Ultimately, if you ignore the switch you’ll be paying too much and will be at risk of losing out on four to five months of potential discounts – even if you may only see a

discount of between 4-7%, this can be a valuable saving for any public sector organisation.

Here are five top tips on starting the switching process: 1 Consider your options – it’s the first chance you’ll have to analyse the market, so take advantage of this opportunity.

If you’re short of time and worried about missing out on the best tariffs, why not work with an experienced utility broker to handle the process for you?

2 Get your data cleansed by an independent utility specialist before going to the market. With such tight margins available, any discrepancies within your bill have the potential to affect the price you’re able to achieve when you put your business out to tender. An independent broker can carry out historic invoice analysis to find out if you’re being charged correctly.

3 Manage and track your water usage as this can impact on your quote.

4 Become water efficient by investing in automatic meter reading (AMR) and smart metering to control your data.

5 You’re now switch ready! Start negotiating now to ensure you obtain the best contract terms for 1st April 2017. Don’t delay, get ahead and switch your water supplier now to get the best savings on your water bills. 

 www.orchardenergy.co.uk

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Balustrades

A 360° UNOBSTRUCTED CAMPUS VIEW

The Grotius building appears to consist of just three floors, but in fact there are five

Project: Radboud University Location: The Netherlands Architect: Benthem Crouwel Architects

The Grotius building, situated in the spacious, green surroundings of the old Heyendael estate, is a new addition to the campus of Nijmegen’s Radboud University in the Netherlands. Completed in 2014, the building is predominantly used by the university’s Faculty of Law. Grotius is part of a T hemasterplan to restore the estate’s original character.

Accordingly, new buildings are designed with a compact footprint, and are arranged in such a way that they blend in with the surrounding parkland.

Benthem Crouwel Architects designed a 26,000m2, sustainable structure that fulfils this brief perfectly. With its futuristic looks, the Grotius building makes an eye-catching feature. Extensive use of glass, and the careful articulation of forms, ensure that it has a wonderful feeling of openness, whatever side you view it from.

Natural materials, such as stone, wood and leather have been chosen for the facades, floors and furniture, bringing warmth and comfort to the contemporary aesthetics.

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In 2015, the outstanding design of the Grotius building was awarded the Nijmegen Architecture Prize.

Natural transitions The Grotius building appears to consist of just three floors, but in fact there are five. It has an underground area and a penthouse-like space at roof level, which is almost invisible from the ground. As students pass through the main entrance, they are welcomed by a bright atrium and a cascade of wide stairs. The interior plan evolves naturally from open public spaces on the lower floors – such as a parking garage, a communal study area, a large library, a lecture hall and a restaurant – to smaller, more private rooms on the upper levels.

Extreme safety and maximum transparency The main contractor and the facade installer for the project were both committed to using Q-railing’s top-mounted Easy Glass 3kN glass railing system.

Capable of withstanding linear side forces of over 3kN, it more than fulfilled their demanding safety requirements while still providing maximum transparency.

In total, around 600m of glass railing were installed alongside stairs and balustrades. The base shoe was delivered according to customer specification. Attractive finishing touches were provided by wooden handrails and base shoes powder-coated in black. 

 www.q-railing.co.uk  sales.uk@q-railing.com  0800 781 4245

Extensive use of glass, and the careful articulation of forms, ensure that it has a wonderful feeling of openness

Relieve the pain of rising patient numbers

A rise of patient numbers means hospitals and clinics could face a facility shortfall putting pressure on healthcare management to provide more space quickly and economically.

Modular buildings from Wernick provide a modern, spacious, energy efficient environment for patients and medical staff which are fully HTM and HBN compliant. What’s more, while the building is being manufactured, the foundation is being prepared on-site. This makes it possible for us to deliver a building of exceptional quality very quickly and with a saving of up to 50% when compared to a traditional building.

Modular buildings can form permanent buildings with traditional features such as a brick finish and a pitched roof.

Why Wernick Modular Buildings?

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Speedy completion Lower cost than traditional build More dependable build programme HTM and HBN compliant 25 year structural warranty Planning and building regulation service Full project management Sustainable form of building Choice of traditional or contemporary finishes HIRE and LEASE options available

Sustainable construction without compromise Sustainable construction without compromise For additional information visit www.wernick.co.uk/healthcare

0800 18 18 22

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

Powdertech Corby keeps it real with Landscape Earlier this year, Powdertech Corby launched its Landscape range – a collection of high-performance architectural polyester powder coatings with shades and textures reflecting those found in our natural surroundings.

For the designers of the ‘Justice Court’ collection of retirement homes in Cromer, Norfolk, Landscape has offered a perfect solution for coating the aluminium guttering and eves system, and the fascia on the building.

The design intention was that these aluminium elements should resemble the feature stone band running in contrast across the red brick of the building and become design statements in their own right.

“We tested a number of Landscape shades to find the closest match,” said Richard Besant, Sales Director of Powdertech Corby.

“Sandstone was a clear winner. Recent photographs of the building show how well this shade has worked – you could be forgiven for thinking that the architects have included guttering made of stone. We currently have over 40 shades and textures in the Landscape range and more are being added.”

 www.powdertechcorby.co.uk  pcl@powdertech.co.uk  01536 400890

Sika reinforces failing residential buildings

VMZINC etched-zinc facade for research centre The BREEAM Excellent-rated, £26m Maxwell Centre at the University of Cambridge was designed by BDP as a centrepiece for research and industrial partnerships in the physical sciences.

Located on the West Cambridge science campus, it has a flat lock and standing seam VMZINC facade in a mix of dark ANTHRA-ZINC and etched AZENGAR. Bringing together Cambridge’s unique strengths in physics, materials science and engineering, it will pioneer new, interdisciplinary approaches to fundamental science. The 5000m2 building will house around 230 people and is next to the Physics of Medicine building which has a flat lock ANTHRAZINC PLUS facade.

 www.vmzinc.co.uk  vmzinc.uk@vmzinc.com  01992 822288

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A total corrosion management concrete repair specification from Sika provided the protective solution for residential buildings’ deteriorating exterior. Spalled concrete had occurred throughout the buildings, with steel reinforcement exposed. The exposed repair area surfaces were applied with Sika Monotop-610, which required mixing with water to provide a reinforcement corrosion protection, and bonding primer in preparation for concrete repairs using Sika Monotop-615. To address the carbonation-induced corrosion within the concrete, which hadn’t yet propagated cracking or delamination, Sika Margel VPI 580 was installed. Sikagard-550 W Elastic provided the final application over the existing coating.

 www.sika.co.uk

 enquiries@uk.sika.com

 01707 394444

Innovative bracket boosts insulation integrity In line with the company’s commitment to fire prevention and its focus on innovation, building envelope specialist, CA Group has launched its new and improved spacer bracket. The new bracket maintains its 240 minutes of structural integrity and is now capable of achieving 120 minutes of insulation integrity – a four-fold increase on the existing system, which is already market leading.

The MatriX Spacer System, incorporating the fully re-designed and MatriX Bracket with FireWall option – both of which are patent pending, was designed, developed and fully tested by CA Group’s team of engineers and replaces the highly successful original Matrix bracket.

 www.cagroupltd.co.uk

 info@cagroup.ltd.uk

 01388 834242

S&

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SAFETYWORKS & Solutions Ltd ...the complete fall protection & access providers

Walkways

Handrails

Lifelines

Flexideck Walkway system is a combination of GRP and polyethylene that provides safe access for foot traffic on fragile roofs.

Ideal for installation on standing seam aluminium roofs where regular access is required for maintenance personnel.

Rooflights, protective fall guard panels.

Access across fragile roofs.

Suitable for roof perimeters or the designation of access ways for both retrofit and new build projects. Available galvanised finished or powder coated.

• Easyguard Handrail system - permanent freestanding handrail.

• Easyguard II - clamp-on handrail system for modern standing seam roofs.

• Bespoke systems also available.

Uniline horizontal and vertical wire-based fall restraint and fall arrest lifeline systems.

Provides secure, hands-free access over high-level areas where solid barriers cannot be achieved.

Lifelines are waterproof, chemical resistant and available in orange, black or grey.

HANDRAILS LIFELINES WALKWAYS FALL GUARDS FLEXIDECK DEMARKATION LADDERS STEELWORK

Tel: 01487 841400

www.safetyworksandsolutions.co.uk

44 Public Sector Build Journal

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Latham's range includes a new fireretardant plywood, Finesse FirePLY

LATHAM'S RANGE OF FR PRODUCTS IS SECOND TO NONE James Latham offers one of the biggest ranges of high-performance, fire-retardant panel and timber products on the market, all directly available from stock through its nationwide network of depots. in buildings F irecandamage be devastating and as a result, flame-retardant products are being specified in construction to help reduce this impact. Latham’s extensive collection of fire-retardant products includes CE Marked birch plywood, timber cladding, chipboard, MDF, MF/MDF, OSB and decorative products for interiors including Valchromat, MFC, HI-MACS solid surface, laminate and fire door blanks.

All products are certified and independently tested to Euroclass B or Euroclass C and copies of these reports and the Field of Application are available to download from Latham’s website.

These fire tests are carried out for the manufacturer by an approved third party and measure readings such as rate of fire propagation, lateral fire spread, total heat release and

44

smoke production.

Andrew Wright, Director of Lathams, said: “The number of projects where fire-retardant products are being specified is increasing. When the correct fire-retardant product is specified and installed in accordance with the Field of Application, they can provide the first line of defence in a fire, helping to protect lives in both commercial and residential properties.”

Andrew Wright added: “We are continually reviewing our range to ensure we have the most up-to-date offering available for all our customers, and our team of knowledgeable and experienced staff can provide information and samples for all these products.” 

 www.lathamtimber.co.uk  marketing@lathams.co.uk  0116 257 3415

Latham's extensive range of fire-retardant products includes timber cladding

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Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Altro resins break new ground on new college campus Altro resin flooring is providing the ultimate in colour, flexibility and durability on an award-winning, £10m refurbished campus at North Hertfordshire College in Hitchin.

Altro Flexiflow and Altro MultiScreed EP Naturals have been used within the multifunctional hub space on the new campus, which links three teaching buildings. The award-winning design for the new campus was created by international design practice, Scott Brownrigg.

Associate, Clark Barton, explains how Altro resins played a part in his vision: “The new campus is open-plan, bright, colourful, modern yet functional, and it was vital that the flooring should reflect and complement this. We specified Altro resins for the college hub because these products offer the range of colours and textures to enable us to be innovative and flexible in our design.”

Altro Flexiflow resin flooring was one of the key products in the specification, as

Clark explained: “We chose this flooring for the ground floor hub, and leading into each of the other three buildings, because we wanted a seamless, solid, practical surface.”

Altro Flexiflow is tough enough to handle high-impact areas, yet flexible enough to move with a building. It gives a uniform and seamless finish with uninterrupted lines, and is self-levelling, which makes installation easy. With 28 colour options, it’s flexible enough to fit into any design vision.

On the upper floor of the college hub, Clark and his team chose another resin flooring – Altro MultiScreed EP Naturals, in White Yorkstone. “This flooring works very well in contrast with the smooth texture of the Altro Flexiflow. It’s also a tough, practical flooring that’s easy to clean.”

 www.altro.co.uk  enquiries@altro.com  01462 489516

Interface impresses University of Hertfordshire with inspiring flooring

Mapei UK products used for Gatwick Airport refurb Mapei UK has recently helped complete a flooring refurb project in Gatwick Airport’s North Terminal Departure.

Mapei specified a screed containing its Topcem binder, also including Mapefibre NS12 polypropylene fibres, to replace up to 9000m2 of the previous flooring.

Porcelain and conglomerate tiles were then laid with Mapei’s grey coloured Granirapid – a rapid-setting, high-strength, flexible tile adhesive. The floor tiles were grouted with Mapei’s popular Ultracolour Plus Grout in the ‘Cement Grey’ shade.

The airport required an abrasion-resistant flooring for some 400m2 of the baggage area floors. Mapei’s Ultratop Industrial was specified because of its excellent abrasion and wear resistance.

 www.mapei.co.uk  info@mapei.co.uk  0121 508 6970

46

Interface worked in close partnership with the university to devise floor designs which would help bring to life different environments. In the Buxton Centre for Learning, flooring tiles from Interface’s Transformation collection, in the colourway Azure, were used in the break-out areas on two floors. Tiles from the New Horizons II collection, in the colourway Steel, were chosen for the student accommodation at the de Havilland campus to create a relaxing atmosphere for students. Flooring tiles from Interface’s Transformation collection, in the colourway Steppe, were chosen for the main walkways through the Mercer Building, making pathways to guide students. Lastly, Interface’s Composure tiles in Serene and Deliberate colourways were installed in the office and informal areas.

 www.interface.co.uk

 interface.uk@interface.com

 0207 490 3960

Education CPD launched by fermacell A RIBA-approved CPD, which details how gypsum fibreboard out-performs other partitioning boards, has been launched by specialist manufacturer, fermacell. The 45-minute presentation is designed to help architects design more cost-effective, low-maintenance and high-performing partitions, understand materials for sustainable education construction, recognise and understand the true maintenance costs of an education building and how better building materials can reduce them in the long term, and how to maximise a project’s performance without compromising quality. The new CPD explains how gypsum fibreboard’s greater density than plasterboard makes it harder to damage, and even when it is, easier to repair, thus making it ideal for the particularly onerous education environment.

 www.fermacell.co.uk

 joanne.banks@xella.com

 0121 311 3480

Mapei UK comfortably secures shortlisted place at FeRFA Awards

Mapei is delighted to announce that it has been shortlisted at the prestigious annual FeRFA resin flooring awards for 'Small Commercial Project of the Year' for its work with Coatech at BDP Architects' practice in Bristol.

Mapei’s innovative ‘Mapefloor Comfort’ flooring system in AR/X Grey was installed to cover 180m2 of flooring in the meeting and bathroom areas, simultaneously providing a modern resin flooring solution

and acting as a demonstration tool for prospective clients.

National Specification Manager, Mo Aljan, commented: “The shortlisting not only reflects how great the Mapefloor

Roofing, Floors, Cladding Walls & Insulation Ceilings

Comfort flooring system is, but also all of the hard work Mapei’s technical team and the installers, Coatech, put into this project.”

Initially, the carpet tiles, and multiple layers of vinyl tiles, were removed exposing the sub-base. A cove was installed to all walls in the washroom area, ensuring the floor area remains easy to clean and maintain.

Mapecomfort rubber mat was adhered to the floor with Mapefloor Pore Filler, then coated with the Mapefloor Pore Filler again. Once this had cured, Coatech applied a coat of Mapei Mapefloor PU 460, a 2-3mm flexible, self-smoothing polyurethane. To finish, two coats of Mapei Mapefloor Finish 58 W, a matt finish polyurethane coating, was applied.

Coatech said: “The Mapefloor Comfort Resin flooring system is a fantastic, innovative product and it was great to be involved in the very first installation of it worldwide and work alongside Mapei on this project.”

The comfortable level of flooring is provided from the elastic matting at the base of the system, which has excellent soundproofing capabilities, reducing the impact of noise transmission into areas below.

 www.mapei.co.uk  info@mapei.co.uk  0121 508 6970

Playground Liquid De-icer

Playon Liquid De-icer is a liquid de-icer which starts to act the moment it is applied. It is easy and effective to use, as well as being environmentally friendly (biodegradable and non-toxic).

It can protect your wet pour rubber crumb play surfacing for 24-48 hours and the surface will stay ice-free after application.

For further information on Playon Liquid De-Icer and the full range of resin coatings, screeds, car park systems and safety surfacing, please contact: Tel: +44 (0)1978 661991 Fax: +44 (0)1978 664664 Email: info@conren.com  conrenlimited www.conren.com

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P B S SBP RY A R LIB

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sustainable-buildingproducts.com Your essential new reference for sustainable building product information web | mobile | tablet

HVAC/HVP

Self-regulating window vent for wind-impacted applications As a specialist in natural ventilation, Renson provides window vents that ventilate buildings and at the same time meet the acoustic requirements. Renson Fabrications in Maidstone provides these solutions to the UK construction market.

The InvisiventEVO HR is a self-regulating, thermally-broken overframe flap ventilator, which offers a maximum airflow of 15.9 l/s/m at 2Pa and a sound reduction in open position up to 42dB. This solution provides the ideal solution for wind-impacted applications, such as high-rise buildings (up to 1200Pa) and apartment buildings on the coast. It contains acoustic material that muffles external noises as much as possible (e.g. wind, seagulls, traffic), which increases user comfort.

The presence of various types of sounddamping foam in the interior profile provides three possible levels of sound insulation (basic, high or ultra). In addition, the rain cap, which is mounted as standard, ensures perfect water-resistance in even the most

extreme conditions. Extra mounting screws and clips guarantee satisfactory stability and sturdiness of the entire window.

Renson Sonovent is a thermally-broken acoustic vent which can be installed on glass or at transom. 16 options are on offer though as there are four types, each with four different free area possibilities.

This acoustic vent offers a maximum airflow of 26.7 l/m/s at 2Pa. Equipped with non-combustible mineral wool as noisedamping material, it provides an excellent sound attenuation figure whilst in open position: up to 56dB.

 www.rensonuk.net  info@rensonuk.net  01622 754123

Paul Woodbourne joins Stelrad team Paul Woodbourne is the latest recruit to the Stelrad specification team joining as a Business Development Manager for the leading radiator manufacturer in the south west of the country. Paul has been working in the heating industry for more than 20 years, during which time he has run merchant branches for Plumb Center and PTS. More recently, he has worked as a Business Development Manager for Plumbase Industrial. This included getting the business established from scratch as it was a newly-formed division of the company. In his new role with Stelrad, he will be utilising his wealth of knowledge from working with plumbing and heating contractors, ME&P contractors and M&E contractors.

 www.stelrad.com

 info@stelrad.com

 0844 543 6200

Newcastle housing company invests in whole house ventilation Your Homes Newcastle (YHN), the Arms Length Management Company of Newcastle City Council, has invested in Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) from EnviroVent for 150 properties in the last 12 months as a way of reducing mould and damp in its tenants’ homes. EnviroVent recommended a Positive Input Ventilation system as it provides a healthy living environment by supplying fresh, filtered air into a property at a continuous rate. This eliminates surface condensation, prevents mould growth and reduces house dust mite populations. EnviroVent’s PIV systems are ideal for fitting into existing homes and offer low energy consumption, so are very affordable to run.

 www.envirovent.com

 innovation@envirovent.com

 01423 810810

Vent-Axia MVHR unit Highly Commended at HVR Awards British ventilation manufacturer, VentAxia, impressed the judges in the ‘Commercial Ventilation Product of the Year’ category at the prestigious HVR Awards 2016 in October.

The Sentinel Kinetic Advance was Highly Commended at the award ceremony in London. The judging panel for the seventh annual HVR awards looked for innovation, outstanding technological achievements and service capabilities and the Sentinel Kinetic Advance impressed in all areas. VentAxia’s Sentinel Kinetic Advance is a new breed of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) unit. With best in class performance and offering nearsilent, energy-efficient and high pressure operation, it is perfect for care homes and student accommodation, as well as new build residential properties.

 www.vent-axia.com  info@vent-axia.com  0844 856 0590

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Doors, Windows & Balustrades

Secure education access from TORMAX

Situated in a busy location in the Tower Hamlets area of London, the Central Foundation Girls' School now benefits from a TORMAX automatic entrance system, designed in conjunction with S&D Contracting Services.

With a contemporary aluminium profile, the two glass swing doors are powered by technologically-advanced TORMAX iMotion 1201 drives. Delivering improved security, the new doors allows reception staff to safely control visitors into the school, with teachers having swipe card access.

The swing doors are situated in an extension to the school that was completed a few years ago and deliver improved access that complies fully with DDA and security requirements.

With an installation height of just 85mm and a length of 640mm, the TORMAX 1201 operator is sufficiently compact to make installation possible in most locations.

Housed in an anodised aluminium casing, it is a discreet and unobtrusive solution.

As with all TORMAX automatic door drives, the 1201 delivers outstanding reliability in the long-term with minimum requirements

for routine maintenance. Whisper-quiet operation is assured thanks to the precisionengineered, high-torque motor developed at the TORMAX HQ in Switzerland.

Allowing the school to minimise energy requirements and to precisely match door operation to user requirements, the TORMAX 1201 operator has a number of different settings. In addition to full power mode, the swing door can be set to power assist mode which helps users open the door manually, or low energy mode which to limits power and speed and is useful for periods of relatively low traffic.

As the 1201 door drive is modular by design, as requirements at the school change over time, the entrance can easily be upgraded.

 www.tormax.co.uk  sales@tormax.co.uk  01932 238040

Glazerite installer completes anti-ligature project

REHAU’s AGILA fire door now available nationwide

REHAU has announced that its AGILA fire door is now officially available from a network of fabricators. Barnsley-based Euroglaze and Shepley in Manchester have all been fully trained in the manufacture of the doors and have successfully completed their fabrication trials. Since the FIT show, the AGILA fire door has been fully tested and accredited at Exova BM Trada to a 30-minute fire rating in a full range of configurations including top and sidelight combinations. REHAU says that the AGILA fire door is quicker and easier to fabricate than its original RAUFERNO branded fire door and has been successfully value engineered so that it is a more costeffective option for specifiers.

 www.rehau.uk  irene.smith@rehau.com  01989 762600

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Doncaster-based AK Glass and Glazing has recently completed a demanding project at a specialist rehabilitation hospital in Cheadle, Stoke on Trent. Director Ian Gelantly, who was part of the installation team, along with contractor Pacey & Wheatley, explains: “We have worked with Pacey & Wheatley on a number of care home projects over the years, and after supplying a sample of VEKA’s Matrix 70 anti-ligature casement that was supplied by The Glazerite UK Group, we were pleased to win the contract. The approved and proven anti-ligature handles and window restrictors were fitted externally, and met the strict specification from Woodhouse for the new hospital unit.”

 www.glazeritewindows.co.uk

 sales@glazerite.net

 01302 391139

Phoenix balustrading rises to the occasion Cooke Brothers is making a significant investment in the launch of a comprehensive modular stainless steel handrail and balustrade system: the Phoenix range. Phoenix is an innovative balustrading and handrail solution undergoing testing to all relevant European standards and Building Regulations. As it is an entirely modular system, the Phoenix balustrading range allows complete design flexibility with a huge range of tubes and infill panels to suit any interior design scheme. The modular nature of the Phoenix system, with myriad tube and infill panel options, means that it can be adapted and bespoke manufactured for any design scheme with ‘mix and match’ solutions.

 www.cookebrothers.co.uk

 sales@cookebrothers.co.uk

 01922 740001

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Doors, Windows & Balustrades

Regenerating the George Dixon Academy Leading fenestration partner to the educational sector, Nationwide Windows & Doors, has finished phase 1 works on the Birmingham school whose original founder was the inspiration for the classic TV series, Dixon of Dock Green that ran from the 50s to the 70s.

Four decades later and the Edgbaston school is a converter academy, teaching up to 1100 students aged from 11 up to 19. Recently invited to be a ‘leading edge’ school, it enjoys the privileged position shared by only the

top 300 schools in the country for promoting and disseminating best practice.

John Whalley, Managing Director, explains: “The George Dixon Academy has made great strides in recent years and even received a

letter from the Minister of State for Schools affirming its position as one of the top 100 performing schools for progress in the country. It’s therefore only right that the building fabric itself matches the progressive and positive achievement that goes on within its four walls.

“The school’s impressive early 20th century, Arts & Crafts-influenced architecture will now be perfectly complemented by the 347 new slate grey Kawneer aluminium windows we’ve manufactured and installed to date. We will shortly be moving into phase 2, due to be completed by summer 2017, which will see us complete the project comprising a total of 685 windows and 13 doors.

“Energy-efficiency improvement is also a key consideration and all the windows achieve 1.8W/m2k. Being a school, safety and durability are top priorities and all the high-level windows are fitted with Teleflex manual winding gear, and toughened and laminated glass is used throughout.

But going beyond product, the academy recognises the replacement of the windows as an important feature in its drive to continually improve and create and enhance the students’ learning environment.”

 www.nationwidewindows.co.uk  enquiries@nationwidewindows.co.uk  01788 569228

Crittall proves popular at Poplar Crittall steel windows provided the original fenestration in the Art Deco Poplar public baths when they were built in 1934 in London’s East End. Weather-tight, energy-efficient Crittall products were the ideal replacement when the Grade II Listed building was refurbished and transformed into a state-of-theart leisure centre that was re-opened this September.

In its heyday, the public building – designed by the then borough engineer Harley Heckford – was feted in the architectural press as ‘one of the finest and best equipped baths of comparable purpose in this country’.

It served the local population until it closed in 1986 and the fabric declined to the extent that it featured on English Heritage’s Buildings at Risk register. But salvation came in 2012 when a four-year transformation project commenced on behalf of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Brixton-based architects Pringle Richards Sharratt (PRS) designed a masterplan to restore and refurbish the most iconic parts

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of the original structure combined with some partial demolition and new build.

The result is a 25m public pool with learner and plunge pools and a leisure centre, comprising a four-court sports hall, gym and a rooftop multi-use games area.

The design was undertaken in close cooperation with English Heritage and local conservation officers and it was in this respect that replacing the steel windows became an important consideration.

A mix of Crittall Corporate W20 fixed lights with screwed in vents, Corporate C2000 fixed lights and cold form doors were installed; more than 170 units in total.

The slim profiles of the steel windows make a major contribution to the light and

airey appearance of the sports hall with its arrangement of hyperbolic concrete arches.

Equally impressive are the two-storey-high entrance door and window arrangements that are such a strong feature of the Egyptian style front elevation that faces the East India Dock Road.

 www.crittall-windows.co.uk  hq@crittall-windows.co.uk  01376 530800

Photograph courtesy of Carmo Wood, Portugal and Câmara Municipal de Arouca, Portugal

The durable choice

Long-standing preservative performance

For more information visit: www.kopperspc.eu

*Registered Trademarks of Koppers Performance Chemicals Inc. Protim Solignum Limited is a Koppers company and trades as Koppers Performance Chemicals. Koppers is a registered Trademark of Koppers Delaware, Inc. All products are produced by independently owned and operated wood processing facilities. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Registered England – 3037845

Photograph courtesy of William & Henry Alexander (Civil Engineering) Ltd.

Looks different because it is different

A new environmental benchmark for timber preservatives

For more information visit: www.kopperspc.eu

*Registered Trademarks of Koppers Performance Chemicals Inc. Protim Solignum Limited is a Koppers company and trades as Koppers Performance Chemicals. Koppers is a registered Trademark of Koppers Delaware, Inc. All products are produced by independently owned and operated wood processing facilities. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Registered England – 3037845

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Focus & Innovation

ALLEVIATING PRESSURE ON HOME CARE PROVISION

Adapting the bathroom to be more accessible could alleviate the need for home care provision for over 1/4million people in England alone. to a new A ccording Age UK report – Later Life in the UK – over 370,000 people aged 65+ in England receive community-based care and support; 68% of people receiving care and support services said it helped them most in personal care.

“If they only need help getting around the bathroom, on and off the toilet, imagine what a difference provision of assistive technology would make to pressure on home care budgets,” observes Robin Tuffley, Marketing Manager for Clos-o-Mat, one of Britain’s leading providers of accessible bathrooms solutions at home and away. “To put it in perspective, even something as advanced as a toilet lift to help someone get on and off the loo without help, equates to just 10 weeks’ average care worker pay. Yet it is something which enables the user to remain independent and without care support for potentially years to come, and has a positive impact

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on their feeling of wellbeing.

And it frees care workers for other needy cases, so the provider achieves best value.”

Pensioner James Randall says he now has the ‘best bathroom in the world’, with the inclusion of Clos-o-Mat’s body drier, toilet lifter and wash and dry toilet. He elaborates: “It has turned my life around, I couldn’t cope on my own without it.”

It’s not just the home that needs to address the provision of accessible and user-friendly bathrooms. By law (Equality Act 2010), venues need to make anticipatory ‘reasonable adjustments’ to the built environment to prevent disabled people being put at a ‘substantial’ disadvantage – that includes suitable toilets!

To help all involved in the decision-making process get it right, Clos-o-Mat has produced a new white paper. ‘Accessible Toilets, Washrooms & Bathrooms – The Provisions Beyond Building Regulations Approved Document M’ explains why Approved

Document M type toilets do not meet the needs of up to 14 million people, and outlines the relevant British Standards and guidelines for compliance.

“There is an assumption that a Document M type wheelchair accessible toilet ‘does the job’,” says Robin Tuffley. “But for up to 14 million people, who need more space, and/or more equipment, it doesn’t. It therefore precludes their ability

Accessible bathrooms solutions at home can make a world of difference to home care budgets

to access the venue. So by not accommodating their needs, you are shutting the door on 20% of the UK population, who spend £86bn a year at least. Can you afford to do that, especially when all that is needed to open the door to them is a minimum 7.5m2 (including a standard unisex wheelchair-accessible toilet), an adult-sized changing bench, and a hoist? Our white paper simplifies the legal and ‘best practice’ considerations, in one useful reference tool.”

The new white paper is available free of charge for download from Clos-o-Mat’s website. 

 www.clos-o-mat.com  info@clos-o-mat.com  0161 969 1199

By law, venues need to make anticipatory ‘reasonable adjustments’ to the built environment to prevent disabled people being put at a ‘substantial’ disadvantage

Architectural glazing systems by Kawneer feature on the £19m exemplar redevelopment of an integrated public transport interchange. Kawneer’s AA100 SSG (structurally silicone glazed) mullion-drained curtain walling with toggle fixings and concealed vents has been used on the concourse of Altrincham Interchange in Cheshire, complemented by framing and 10D light/medium-duty commercial entrance doors on a replacement link bridge. The Kawneer systems were specified by architect firm AHR for client, TfGM (Transport for Greater Manchester), for the redevelopment which was designed to cater better for existing and future passengers in terms of accessibility, safety and security while retaining the valuable heritage of the original facility.

Four steps to specifying the right commercial door Commercial aluminium systems specialist, Jack Aluminium has made it easy for architects and specifiers by creating four steps towards specifying the right commercial door for every project.

“There are lots of factors to consider when choosing a commercial door, but by looking at a few fundamentals you can balance legislative requirements, style, functionality and cost to achieve a greatlooking, high-performance door that is built to last,” says Jeff Pearson, Sales Director at Jack Aluminium. To specify the right door, Jack Aluminium advises to: achieve security and efficiency in performance; address versatility in design; select convenience in manufacture and installation and consider harmony with the environment.

 www.kawneer.co.uk

 kuk.kawneer@alcoa.com

Focus & Innovation

Kawneer systems help a transport interchange move into the 21st century

 01928 502500

Charcon appoints new Specification Manager Charcon, the commercial hard landscaping division of Aggregate Industries, has appointed Robert Davenhall to the role of Specification Manager. Robert has a wealth of experience within the commercial hard landscaping sector, having worked for the past five years at Kilsaran International and previously with Tobermore Concrete.

In his new role, Robert will be responsible for managing existing clients and developing new relationships with architects, specifiers and local authorities in the northwest region and M62 corridor. He’ll also be focused on growing Charcon’s natural stone and permeable paving business with local authorities in the region.

 www.jackaluminium.co.uk  sales@jackaluminium.co.uk  0247 646 7449

 www.charcon.com

 01335 372222

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Focus & Innovation

Crown Trade helps tackle the issues of 'condensation season' in social housing Mould is often an issue faced in the social housing sector.

Poor heating or air movement can allow mould to develop, particularly in void properties over winter.

The issue is further exacerbated as we come up to the time of year where the ‘condensation season’ sets in, characterised by steamy windows and dampness on walls.

Trade Steracryl Mould Inhibiting Paint.

Available in matt and eggshell finishes, this durable product contains an effective fungicide, specially developed to maintain decorated surfaces by inhibiting the development of mould growth on the paint film.

Debbie Orr, Crown Paints’ Trade Marketing Manager, said: “As the condensation season starts to set in, properties can be affected by additional water around windows and walls as temperatures start to drop. This combination of lower temperatures can lead to water droplets forming on surfaces. Over time, these wet areas can provide a perfect breeding ground which allow mould spores to form.

“Crown Trade Steracryl Mould Inhibiting Paint has undergone stringent fungal tests carried out to the British Standard BS3900:G6. The acrylic eggshell system is also washable, making it ideal for use in kitchens and bathrooms where condensation can be more commonplace, so it’s ideal to help tackle the issue.”

As well as the mould inhibiting formulation, Crown Trade’s Steracryl coatings include an anti-bacterial product, ideal for communal bathrooms and kitchen areas where hygiene is paramount.

If a client reports problems with mould in their property, Crown Paints Specification Services can offer a solution to help manage the issue, with the application of Crown

 www.crownpaintspec.co.uk  info@crownpaintspec.co.uk  0330 024 0310

Portakabin Group hands over Pyrford Primary School

Getting on top at the Crick The Francis Crick Institute in central London is a world-leading centre of biomedical research and innovation. Its research groups are now beginning to move into a new state-of-the-art building, featuring an extraordinary roof screening solution from Levolux. Levolux worked collaboratively with the project design team to develop a custom roof screening solution to satisfy unique and challenging project-specific requirements. The resulting solution is impressive in scale; extending 160m in length and 80m in width, and reaching up to more than 43m above street level.

The enormous roof screening structure resembles a modern vaulted roof, divided into two interlocking shells.

 www.levolux.com  info@levolux.com  0208 863 9111

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Off-site construction specialist, the Portakabin Group, has handed over the first new school in the £28m Surrey and Kent batch of the Priority School Building Programme. The £5.6m building for Pyrford Primary School, near Woking, has been designed in line with stringent Department for Education teaching standards to create an outstanding learning environment and is being delivered using Yorkon advanced off-site building solutions. The new school is designed to have high levels of natural light to improve concentration levels. Externally, the building has been finished in a materials palette of brickwork, neutral white render and panelised metal in white, dark grey and subtle blues to complement the rural surroundings.

 www.yorkon.co.uk

 info@yorkon.co.uk

 0845 200 0123

Hazlemere gets a First at Reading University with major refurb

Hazlemere, the supplier of premium architectural aluminium, has recently completed a major refurbishment project on buildings owned by the University of Reading. Installation work worth £375k was carried out on the university’s maths block, which was fitted with multiple Sapa VS windows equipped with tilt functionality for easy cleaning, and special locking catches to prevent unauthorised use. Hazlemere Commercial also completed work on the university’s JJ Thompson building – fitting large Sapa pivot windows equipped with heavy-duty hardware to cope with weights well above normal size limitations, as well as several commercial doors, and huge entrance screens that required cranes to lift 200kg panes of glass into position.

 www.hazlemere.co.uk

 info@hazlemere.co.uk

 0808 231 6594

Makita extends 10.8v range Makita has added a slim, lightweight yet powerful multi-tool to the 10.8v range of cordless tools. The performance of these advanced tools is proving very attractive for many lighter operations, such as kitchen and bathroom installations and interior fit-out, where the power of the market-leading 18v lithium-ion tools is not essential. The new Makita TM30D CXT Multi Tool uses the OIS adaptor with 12 posts to take the many alternative blades and abrasives available in the Makita accessory range. Blades can be fitted at 12 angles at every 30° from 0° to 360°.

The oscillation angle is 3.2° per stroke and the new TM30D will run between 6000 and 20,000 oscillations per minute.

 www.makitauk.com  leads@makitauk.com  01908 211678

ROCKWOOL has launched “Origins”, a new integrated marketing campaign which takes customers on a journey to explore the deeper benefits of stone wool insulation, alongside the innovation and exceptional service at the heart of the ROCKWOOL brand. “Origins” comprises a combination of branding, digital and print advertising, web, promotional, PR and social activity, together with animated and dynamic video content at its core. The stone wool journey originates with volcanic, basalt rock, which is followed as it transforms through manufacturing to ultimately being shaped into the final insulation product. The campaign will enable customers to navigate the ROCKWOOL assets to focus on their own particular area of interest by market, application and/or insulation attributes.

 www.rockwool.co.uk  customersupportcentre@rockwool.co.uk  01656 862621

Bostik launches new floor levelling compound Bostik has launched Screedmaster Speed 30, a new rapiddrying floor levelling compound with a walk-on time of just 30 minutes – making it ideal for contractors who require a fast track solution for their flooring project. Formulated from the latest advances in cement technology – Turbodry technology, the Screedmaster Speed 30 will smooth uneven surfaces prior to the laying of decorative floorcoverings in as little as three hours, with a loose lay time of 45 minutes. Consisting of a 20kg powder bag and 4 litres of polymer liquid, the two-part product is suitable for use with underfloor heating systems and will cover up to 5m² at 3mm thickness.

 www.bostik.co.uk

 flooring.uk@bostik.com

First phase of £44m school campus is handed over Constructed using a Yorkon off-site solution, the new special educational needs (SEN) school for Riverside Bridge has doubled its capacity in time for the start of the 2016/17 academic year, providing much-needed additional places at an earlier stage. The purpose-designed facility has doubled the capacity of Riverside Bridge School to 64 children and will have space to expand to 160 places. Portakabin phased the construction programme to allow the SEN school to open on its new site, ahead of the other buildings at Riverside’s campus. The use of a Yorkon off-site solution from the Portakabin Group for the curriculum areas of the campus has reduced the programme time for faster completion.

 www.yorkon.co.uk

 info@yorkon.co.uk

 0845 200 0123

Education brochure launched by fermacell A brochure has been launched by leading European manufacturer, fermacell, highlighting the fact that with fermacell gypsum fibreboard all that education specifiers have to choose between is six systems, compared to dozens when using conventional plasterboards. The new 24-page, A4 “Solutions for educational buildings” brochure details the reasons why fermacell should be used for educational buildings, ranging from impact resistance (for which fermacell now offers a 20-year warranty) to its hanging strength, which negates the need for most pattressing and helps to makes walls and rooms easier for architects to design.

 www.fermacell.co.uk

Focus & Innovation

ROCKWOOL takes insulation customers back to the beginning

 fermacell-uk@xella.com

 0121 311 3480

 01785 272625

Move freely with Snickers’ FLEXIWork jackets The Snickers FLEXIWork range of clothes takes working comfort and flexibility to a whole new level.

This advanced workwear features stretch fabrics and advanced body-mapping designs – just the job for the fast-paced professional. The FLEXIWork jackets are designed for ultimate flexibility and freedom of movement on site. There’s a selection of stretch jackets, hoodies and fleeces, plus a brand-new stretch waterproof shell jacket. It’s a three-layer waterproof jacket with taped seams to give great protection from the pouring rain. Its engineered fit comes with prebent sleeves and mechanical stretch that combine to ensure optimal freedom of movement wherever you are.

 www.snickersworkwear.co.uk  info@snickersworkwear.co.uk  01484 854788

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Focus & Innovation

The biggest ever modular build construction project in the UK

Premier Modular, the East Yorkshire-based manufacturer and constructor of modular buildings, has been appointed to provide a series of modular building complexes at Hinkley Point C in Somerset following EDF Energy’s final investment decision. The complex will deliver offices and site welfare facilities required for the construction phase of the new nuclear power station.

The 38,000m2 of office space will house all the management and technical personnel required during the construction stage of this much-needed new nuclear power plant. Almost 1000 steel framed modules are being constructed off site, before being transported to site for final assembly and fitting out.

 www.premiermodular.co.uk  sales@premiermodular.co.uk  0800 316 0888

Latest thermal break technology to produce windows for the next generation

Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems’ market-leading Comar 9P.i Framing system offers fast-track, semi unitised construction for floor-to-ceiling glazing, allowing tilt/turn or casement windows to hang direct from the Comar 9P.i frame as well as rebated doors. With the addition of thermal foam and triple glazing, Comar 9P.i offers U-values down to 0.77, creating a future-proof solution for its architectural, contractor and fabricator partners. Comar announced it has incorporated the technology from its Comar 9P.i system into the Comar 5P.i window range, and is now launching the Comar 5P.i Advanced Casement and Tilt/Turn window system which integrates seamlessly into Comar 9P.i, creating the option for standalone, high-performance windows.

 www.comar-alu.co.uk

projects@parksidegroup.co.uk 

Stunning finale to 2016 Golf Classic This year’s final took place at the beautiful Hanbury Manor Hotel, set in 200 acres of stunning Hertfordshire parkland. The final was the culmination of six rounds of knock-out golf played across the country. The lucky finalists and sponsors enjoyed a day of competitive golf on the hotel’s acclaimed England Championship Course, followed by a gala dinner, prize presentation and luxury stay. Congratulations to competition winners Paul Cornish (Civil Engineer at Dave Lucey) and Drew Wrintmore (MD at Nicolas James Developments).

Marley Plumbing & Drainage’s Managing Director, Stan James, presented the winners with their claret jug trophies and £200 gift vouchers.

 www.thegolfclassic.co.uk  info@thegolfclassic.co.uk  01892 752300

 0208 685 9685

A premium finish, at a sensible price

uvex safety group expands global reach The uvex safety group announced that it has acquired a substantial interest in US-based HexArmor. This strategic investment in HexArmor significantly expands the uvex safety group presence in the Western Hemisphere. In 1993, uvex Winter Holding, parent of the uvex safety group, sold its US business including the trademark rights in the Americas. “In light of this, we are delighted to return to the world’s most important industrial health and safety market after 20 years,” says Michael Winter, Managing Partner of the uvex group. Customers can anticipate many new product offers from both uvex safety group and HexArmor in the coming months.

 www.uvex-safety.co.uk  safety@uvex.co.uk  01252 731200

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Polyx Oil from Osmo UK is a premium wood finish, guaranteed to keep wooden surfaces in top condition.

Ideal for solid engineered or laminate wood floors, it is a high-quality, water-repellent and tread-resistant wood finish based on natural ingredients. Available in matt, clear and satin-matt finishes, the Polyx Oil range offers the highest coverage of any oil on the market – 2.5 litres can cover approximately 30m² with two coats.

Polyx Oil is also extremely easy to apply. Simply brush onto the wood surface to achieve deep, long-lasting penetration. Another key benefit is that Polyx Oil has a reduced solvent content, making it a much healthier product to use.

 www.osmouk.com

 sales@osmouk.com

 01296 481220

Expona flooring is fashion-forward at Handbag Clinic

Vinyl tile flooring from Polyflor’s Expona commercial collection was recently chosen as part of a sophisticated, stylish interior design scheme for Handbag Clinic in Islington. Expona Commercial luxury vinyl tiles in the Crème Swirl design were selected for the shop floor area. The subtle Crème Swirl design from the Abstract Effects collection has high-end design appeal, complementing the store interior and the handbags on display.

With a 2.5mm gauge and 0.55 wear layer, the Expona Commercial range features a total of 55 high-design wood, stone and abstract effects which are ideal for use in the retail sector.

 www.polyflor.com

 info@polyflor.com

 0161 767 1190

Reflex-Rol

bespoke roller blind systems

. . . protect your eyes from harmful glare and dazzle Reflex-Rol is a proven solar shading system offering state-of-the-art glare and dazzle control CUTTING EDGE HEAT CONTROL

PERFECT FOR BESPOKE INSTALLATIONS

With g-values as low as 0.23, Relex-Rol blinds reflect up to 77% of incoming solar energy*, compliant with EN14501(12) and EN13363(13) standards.

Suitable for vertical blind installations (rolling up or down), for unusually shaped windows, as well as for angled or horizontal sky and rooflight windows.

Choice of manual or automatic operation, including a photovoltaic option.

If you know of another sunblind system which offers all this, then use it! If not, contact us at:

Tel: 01989 750704 • www.reflex-rol.co.uk Reflex-Rol (UK) insulating solar & Glare Control systems

reflex-rol (Uk), ryeford Hall, ryeford, ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire Hr9 7pU tel: 01989 750704 Fax: 01989 750768 email: info@reflex-rol.co.uk Web: www.reflex-rol.co.uk * Accredited data reports from Sonnergy of Oxford - copies available on request

Reflex-Rol is a division of De Leeuw Ltd

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