PSBJ JanFeb 2012

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Jan/Feb 2012

21st Century Healthcare Outstanding buildings for pioneering facilities

A sense of belonging how urban regeneration unites communities

Learning Landmarks Sustainable college makes the grade

Knowledge is power!

The difference energy information can make

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Editor Dawn Frosdick-Hopley editor@psbj.co.uk

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Publishing Director Sam Ball sam@mixedmediainfo.com

Account Executives Steve Gull steve@mixedmediainfo.com Adele Mason adele@mixedmediainfo.com

Design & Production Andie Page andie@mixedmediainfo.com

Credit Control Manager Vickie Crawford accounts@mixedmediainfo.com

Welcome. . .

They say you should steer clear of discussing religion and politics at social gatherings for fear of causing offence. From personal experience over the recent holiday period, I should like to add the subject of public v private sector to the ‘topics to avoid’ list. With many friends and family having wide experience in the public sector, from planning officers to head teachers, and an equal amount working in private sector organisations, I can safely say that ‘sector envy’ is well and truly thriving!

It could be argued that having the debate is often more important than reaching an outcome, but at times it felt as if I was sitting in the middle of the House of Commons! Thorny issues such as expenditure constraint, job creation and infrastructure funding, were all brought to the table, with the brave person raising the subject of pensions, only just escaping with his life!

So on which side is the grass greener? From my point of view as editor of a public sector building magazine, this latest issue of PSBJ is filled with just a small selection of the latest outstanding public projects which should make us feel very proud. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion based on their experience, and although the public sector is going to face severe challenges in 2012, there is room for optimism – as without that, life can be very hard indeed.

Publisher Mixed Media Information Barham Court, Teston Maidstone, Kent ME18 5BZ Dawn Frosdick-Hopley | Editor | editor@psbj.co.uk T: 01622 232702 Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and return addressed envelope. No responsibility F: 01622 816874 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 artistic belongs to Mixed Media Information Ltd. The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of ABC_0112_StoakesSystems:Layout 7 13/12/11 17:26 orPage 1 W: www.mixedmediainfo.com advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the www.psbj.co.uk publisher. The Publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.

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Contents

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08 Upfront PSBJ examines the approach taken by the Leadbitter Group on urban regeneration and how it is creating a lasting legacy of thriving communities across the country.

14 Education As one of only 15 colleges nationally to be given a £1m building grant by the Government, South Staffordshire College is now enjoying state-of-theart, sustainable learning facilities.

18 Talking Point Nick Wellington from Navetas, discusses how the public sector can improve energy efficiency and support the Government’s energy carbon reduction targets.

20 Renewables The design of integrated energy efficiency systems has led to significant success for Nu-heat.

22 Healthcare

26 Play Equipment

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Providing young people with a range of developmental benefits, the groundbreaking product Street Snooker from Playinnovation, is taking the play world by storm.

24 Renewable Energy A multi-million pound new build development at Nottingham Trent University is benefiting from a major installation of Kingspan Renewables’ Thermomax solar thermal vacuum tubes.

28 Energy Management PSBJ looks at how energy management software from t-mac Technologies can help public sector organisations identify their energy use and costs.

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Public Sector Build Journal

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30

59

30 Leisure

36 Housing

43 Swimming Pools

Forming part of a planned £127m sustainable Urban Village, the outstanding new leisure centre in Bilston, Wolverhampton, has a striking appearance and a sustainable future.

Forward-thinking residents in Kent, are reaping the benefits of lower heating bills, following the decision by their housing association to improve and upgrade their existing insulation and heating systems.

PSBJ looks at how waterproofing, concrete repair and joint selant products from Sika, can be used to modernise and improve the UK’s ageing swimming pool facilities following years of neglect.

Neil Sanders, Technical Manager at F. Ball and Co. Ltd., highlights key factors when specifying and preparing flooring within a healthcare environment.

38 Roofing & Cladding

44 HVAC

PSBJ discovers how translucent walls and roofs can transform public sector projects and dramatically reduce their energy costs at the same time.

Swindon Borough Council recently completed the building of 13 ‘carbon zero’ houses with help from an exhaust air recycling process designed by NIBE Energy Systems.

34 Flooring

40 Drainage & Waste Water

The new £48m Sirius Academy in Hull, has been fitted with a range of Tarkett flooring products to meet a multitude of different performance requirements.

Adrian Gatford, National Sales Manager of Kingspan Water, discusses why the floodgates may be opening for public buildings and rainwater harvesting.

33 Flooring

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

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News

JCT launches sustainability: life cycle consultation The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) has launched a consultation to gain views from the property and construction industries about building life cycle matters in the context of sustainability and building contracts. The purpose is to provide a focus for sustainability to improve the property and construction industries’ performance and to help deliver the Government’s Strategy for Sustainable Construction.

It follows an earlier consultation in 2008, which subsequently reinforced the inclusion of sustainability clauses in JCT contracts and the publication of new sustainability guidance, ‘Building a Sustainable Future Together’ in 2009 (recently revised 2011).

This new consultation will seek views and opinions from construction and

property professionals, the supply chain and other interested parties on life cycle matters, in particular the importance placed upon the long-term performance of a building in terms of sustainability.

Dr Andrew Flood, chair of the JCT sustainability working group said: “The Government has committed to reduce carbon emissions in the UK by 2050. As part of its carbon reduction commitment, various policies such as the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, feed-in tariffs and the Green Deal, have been introduced. Coupled with this focus on reducing carbon is the growing concern over increasing energy prices, in particular in the long-term.

“Property companies and other large property procurers have an interest in the long-term performance of their

Duke tours Leeds College of Building

buildings, not merely their construction or refurbishment. In addition, evidence suggests that institutional investors, tenants and others are increasingly interested in the performance of buildings.

“However, at present, the property and building industries are arguably fragmented. Employers often separate development teams from asset management teams, while contractors are appointed separately from facilities managers. This does not help with joined-up thinking in terms of building design, procurement and life cycle matters.”

The consultation, which is online at

www.jctltd.co.uk/life-cycle-consultation. aspx will run until 5 April 2012 and the results will be published in the summer.

The UK’s only specialist construction college, Leeds College of Building, has enjoyed a royal visit following the successes of its students.

The Duke of Gloucester requested a tour of Leeds College of Building’s North Street Site and to meet the Principal and students. The Duke is known for being passionate about construction after studying architecture at Cambridge University and working as an architect in London.

The Duke was met by Principal Ian Billyard and toured the College which included watching a Computer Aided Design demonstration, talking to students studying HNDs in Construction and Built Environment and visiting the Services Department where he met with Plumbing, and Heating and Ventilation students. He also visited the timber and wood machining workshops, where he watched students making a plaque in honour of his visit which he later unveiled.

'Wellbeing' kitemark proposed for new homes A University of Warwick professor is proposing a new kitemark for housing developments to ensure new homes will not make residents unwell or depressed.

Professor Libby Burton, Professor of Sustainable Building Design and Wellbeing at the University of Warwick’s School of Health and Social Studies, claims living in houses that are badly designed in areas that do not have enough space or greenery, can seriously affect our health and wellbeing.

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Public Sector Build Journal

The kitemark would ensure new housing developments meet minimum ‘wellbeing’ standards.

Professor Burton is proposing the scheme as part of a programme of work she is undertaking for her newlyawarded Dream Fellowship. One of only eight in the UK, the Fellowship has been granted by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Professor Burton said: “My area of interest is the buildings and environment

that surround us every day. What if we could make our environment one that helps us to be happier? For example we could have homes designed that minimise the friction between members of families; street design that gives us the ability to retreat when we want to, but also to meet our neighbours and feel part of a community.”

For more information contact Kelly Parkes-Harrison at

k.e.parkes@warwick.ac.uk

News Company News Jayne Law, Sales and Marketing Manager for Dow Building Solutions in the UK and Ireland, has been made an MBE in the 2012 New Year Honours List for services to the insulation industry.

Jayne joined Dow in 1987 as a Field Sales Representative for STYROFOAM after previous roles in the construction, cement and concrete industries. Roles as a sales and industry specialist followed, before she moved into a European marketing management position for the company.

She took up her current role in 2004, alongside which she sits on the governing council of the Association for the Conservation of Energy, a lobbying and campaigning organisation in the field of energy efficiency. “It was quite amazing to receive such an honour and to be honest I’m still in shock!” said Jayne.

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has announced the appointment of Gavin Smart as its new Director of Policy and Practice. Gavin joins CIH from the National Housing Federation where he was Assistant Director - Research and Futures, and brings with him substantial housing experience and knowledge. Gavin will be assuming his new role on 2 April 2012.

“It is a great privilege to be joining CIH,” commented Gavin, “It has earned a fantastic reputation as the professional body for housing, supporting excellence across the sector.

Now more than ever, we need robust and lasting solutions to provide the best possible homes and services to resolve today’s housing need, and to build homes for tomorrow’s generations.”

ISG secures Dudley sixth form project ISG has secured a second project at Dudley College in the West Midlands to build a multi-million pound sixth form facility named ‘Dudley Sixth’.

The new sixth form centre is to be delivered in a fast-track 41-week programme that will enable it to open its doors to students for the beginning of the new academic year in September 2012. Students attending Dudley Sixth will also have access to a gym, sport facilities, theatre and other facilities housed within a new campus area being developed in the centre of the town called the Dudley Learning Quarter.

A three-storey teaching block that will accommodate state-of-the-art classroom and laboratory facilities, Dudley Sixth is set to provide ‘A’ level teaching across a range of traditional and contemporary courses. Constructed using piled foundations and a composite frame, the building features a pre-cast concrete ground floor and steel frame structure for the remaining two storeys, with metal deck and in-situ concrete floors. External finishes to Dudley Sixth’s façade include brickwork, copper cladding and curtain walling.

Social media launches for ABE The Association of Building Engineers (ABE) has launched its new website – www.abe.org.uk – marking the culmination of a comprehensive refocusing of the association’s missions and visions.The professional body for those specialising in the technology of building, ABE hopes that this new website will better reflect its modern approach to building engineering. Additionally, the website sees the addition of social media channels including Twitter, Facebook and a LinkedIn discussion group and the redevelopment of its members’ area.

ABE president, Colin Bell, said: “ABE is committed to facilitating communication and co-operation between the different construction professions. I have every confidence that our new, sleek and easy-to-use website, along with our improved social media outlets, will achieve this.”

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Upfront

A sense of belonging

For regeneration schemes to be most effective, it is vital that a contractor becomes involved in the design and specification of social housing at the earliest stages. When the Leadbitter Group was named as one of four framework contractors to work in partnership with the Sovereign Development Consortium at Barton Hill in Bristol, its community engagement model was key to the appointment

Over the last two decades, urban regeneration has become an increasingly important topic for UK governments. But regeneration is about much more than improving infrastructure, it is also about creating a better quality of life for the whole community. In this special feature, PSBJ looks at major schemes undertaken by the Leadbitter Group and the lasting legacies communities across the country are now enjoying.

U

Throughout the programme at Barton Hill, Leadbitter continually liaised with local residents to keep them informed of project progress

08 Public Sector Build Journal

rban regeneration now has an increased profile within the UK policy agenda, especially given the development demands associated with the 2012 Olympic Games amidst the wider challenges of the dramatic economic downturn.

In 2011, 89% of the UK’s population lives in urban areas, so now more than ever, contractors face multiple challenges on urban regeneration projects. Not only do they have to respond to economic pressures and meet government building regulations, it is also vital that they address a plethora of social and cultural factors, such as improving employment and education opportunities and reducing

anti-social behaviour, whilst also giving due consideration to good governance and community engagement.

In order to be genuinely sustainable over the longer term, urban regeneration has to underpin and expand the sense of place for residents and visitors, improving living conditions, whilst also delivering tangible economic and social benefits.

With its focus on quality, training, local employment and genuine community engagement, the Leadbitter Group is at the forefront of urban regeneration.

Major schemes it has undertaken in Bristol, Kent and London are exemplars of what can be achieved with a 360Âş approach to sustainability.

Upfront Creating new communities For regeneration schemes to be most effective, it is vital that a contractor becomes involved in the design and specification of social housing at the earliest stages, as it requires a great deal of skill and engagement to balance the varying needs of different stakeholders. These stakeholders may include the planning authority, which will initially set out design requirements; the client, which wants to offer its residents the best it can; and the residents, who ultimately have the clearest understanding of what they really want from their homes.

When the Leadbitter Group was named as one of four framework contractors to work in partnership with the Sovereign Development Consortium at Barton Hill in Bristol, its community engagement model was key to the appointment. Leadbitter was seen as able to deliver a commercially viable development on eight different sites, whilst also ensuring community buy-in.

Throughout the programme at Barton Hill, Leadbitter continually liaised with local residents to keep them informed of project progress.

The company’s community engagement model, which seeks to contribute to

economic, social and environmental sustainability, has been vital to ensuring a sense of ownership, and good communication was key to achieving this goal.

With all the Barton Hill sites in an approximate radius of half a mile, establishing a central hub was a perfect solution, providing Leadbitter a base of operations in the community and giving residents a single point of contact. The hub took the form of a shop for the local community, displaying programmes, plans, newsletters, progress photographs and, importantly, photographs of the team working in the area. It also contained a construction corner to keep children entertained whilst parents talked with Leadbitter staff.

Educating the next generation For the £35m regeneration project for the London Borough of Brent in South Kilburn, London, Leadbitter’s Eastern Construction and Housing division, Denne, has worked in partnership with client L&Q to develop a comprehensive community engagement programme that incorporates not only local people, but local schools and colleges too.

The South Kilburn project will see the regeneration of the last significant area of Brent not to have received

The £35m regeneration project for the London Borough of Brent in South Kilburn, London, will provide 2,400 homes as well as a new transport infrastructure, a school, healthy living centre, community space, offices and sports provision

Leadbitter's community engagement model for Barton Hill has been vital to ensuring a sense of ownership, and good communication was key to achieving this goal

investment. It will provide 2,400 homes, as well as a new transport infrastructure, a school, healthy living centre, community space, offices and sports provision.

Denne, which is currently delivering 286 new homes in the first phase of the regeneration scheme, is working closely with local educational authorities to include the schools and colleges of Brent in the construction process.

With over 600 pupils attending site visits during the first phase of the development, Denne has presented a number of innovative initiatives to involve the local children. Infant workshops have been generated to incorporate nursery rhymes and fables into the ‘building materials’ curriculum. These workshops have been in addition to health and safety talks supplied to schools across London warning them about the dangers of live building sites.

Denne is also working with local colleges to provide workshops for students studying a BTEC in Construction.

It has also helped these students with CV development and assisted them with their interview techniques ahead of their graduation.

Public Sector Build Journal 09

Upfront

© Steve Hawkins

The regeneration of Stanhope in Ashford, Kent, included the refurbishment of 325 houses over 36 months to Decent Homes Standards, plus the construction of 442 new homes to be delivered over 60 months

Residents' aspirations Providing another excellent example of genuine engagement with the local community, Ashford Borough Council’s wide-ranging consultation process during the redevelopment of Stanhope in Kent, ably demonstrates best practice in how to establish the priorities for change.

The Stanhope Estate was built in the 1960s. One of the so-called ‘London overspills’ popular at the time, its design was based on pedestrian Radburn principles that quickly became outmoded and, by 2000, had become contributory factors in both anti-social behaviour and a failing reputation.

In particular, the layout of the Stanhope estate suffered from a number of aesthetic and practical weaknesses. The outdated tower blocks and unused open spaces contributed to a poor quality living environment in which residents took little pride. The roads to the rear of homes were unattractive, while lack of security at the front and rear of the houses created a sense of vulnerability among residents.

The regeneration of Stanhope included the refurbishment of 325 houses over 36 months to Decent Homes Standards, plus the construction of 442 new homes to be delivered over 60 months.

From the start of the project

10 Public Sector Build Journal

Stanhope’s residents were central to the planning decision-making process, from the initial Planning for Real programme undertaken by Ashford Borough Council to the PFI Steering Group, which took on board radical changes to the proposed plans in favour of more traditional housing.

Denne consulted with local people in the pre-contract stage to establish what they sought from the process and to incorporate those wishes into the planning of the scheme. Residents confirmed that they wanted a new identity and sense of place for Stanhope, which would improve perceptions of the neighbourhood, fostering a greater sense of ownership and pride among residents.

Leaving a lasting legacy Creating a more balanced community was identified as important, which meant demolishing nine blocks of flats and replacing them with high quality housing that would be available to both tenants and private home owners. The interconnections between the buildings were considered equally significant – from improving the gardens, parking and streetscapes to enhancing the open spaces with public amenities.

Regeneration is about much more than improving infrastructure, it is also about creating a better quality of life for the whole community by creating training and employment opportunities

that provide lasting benefits beyond the bricks and mortar of construction.

During the regeneration of Stanhope, Denne established a dedicated Skills Centre to manage the delivery of the project’s training plans, with the aim of establishing a new benchmark for the creation of local training and employment opportunities.

The Stanhope Skills Centre was the first in the UK to be accredited by the National Skills Academy (NSA) for construction – and the first ever for a housing project. Covering four principle areas, the Centre delivered work experience, apprenticeships, National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). In addition, it provided school visits and workshops, continued professional development (CPD) events and on-site CSCS health and safety testing for construction and building services.

The programme also had a dedicated skills training co-ordinator who worked with a local college to provide work experience placements for trainees involved in full-time courses and subsequently, for those taken on as apprentices to allow them to complete their NVQ certifications.

Since 2007, the Skills Centre has contributed enormously to local employment and training. Twentythree apprentices and eight trainees were taken on to work on the regeneration project, with eight local people considered long-term unemployed being recruited directly through the Skills Centre.

To further support the development of young people in Kent, the Centre

© Steve Hawkins

During the regeneration of Stanhope, Denne established a dedicated Skills Centre which contributed enormously to local employment and training

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Upfront

© Andrew Hazard

Mariners Quay in Cardiff, another Leadbitter regeneration project, is located in the Old Town Dock area of Newport and consists of 101 sustainable homes for local people, the first of its size in Wales

© Andrew Hazard

All of the properties at Mariners Quay are built to the CfSH Level 5 and won 'Sustainable Larger Housing Project of the Year' at the 2011 Sustainable Housing Awards

has delivered 310 NVQs and 298 CSCS health and safety tests, plus a wealth of educational and training experiences, including 138 school visits to the centre and 36 visits to site; 46 curriculum workshops and 72 work experience placements.

The Skills Centre provided the ideal environment for existing workers at Stanhope to improve their skills and professional performance. In partnership with Kent Adult Education, Denne provided training for eight workers to help develop the skills they need to be supervisors, including literacy, numeracy and communications.

Inter-trade performance meetings were also held at the Centre, during

12 Public Sector Build Journal

which plumbers, carpenters, plasterers and electricians plus their supervisors and apprentices, met to discuss how they could work together more effectively.

By engaging with the community and investing in training and employment, while providing quality design and construction, it is possible to deliver vibrant and sustainable communities across the country in areas where regeneration is much needed. It is the support that companies like the Leadbitter Group offer to these communities during construction that can help to bring social, environmental and economic benefits to the neighbourhoods that need it most.

www.leadbitter.co.uk

South Kilburn Worth £35m, the housing contract is part of the London Borough of Brent’s major regeneration project, which will be delivered over an estimated 24 months in partnership with London and Quadrant.

Denne’s contract to provide 286 new homes is formed of two sites – Albert Road and Carlton Vale roundabout. The Albert Road redevelopment involves the provision of 153 new homes in eight apartment blocks of five to 11 storeys and the demolition of an existing block. The roundabout site involves the redesign of the road layout and the provision of 133 new homes across two blocks Barton Hill The scheme at Barton Hill is part of a £50m New Deal for Communities regeneration programme, which was set up to help improve the environment and quality of life for residents on behalf of Sovereign Housing. The affordable homes and commercial units provided by Leadbitter are part of a much wider programme of initiatives including a new urban park, primary school and academy, a healthy living centre and community hub, to encourage people to put down roots in the area and build a stable, vibrant community.

Stanhope Driven by the Chrysalis consortium, the regeneration of Stanhope has so far taken five years and will cost £150m in total. This particular regeneration project is notable for the involvement that residents of the original neighbourhood had in the design of their new community.

Stanhope has won a number of awards including the Best Urban Regeneration Project at the First Time Buyer Awards in 2010 and the Regeneration Team of the Year at the Housing Heroes Awards in 2009.

This work has included the refurbishment of 325 houses over 36 months to Decent Homes Standards, plus the construction of 442 new homes to be delivered over 60 months. Denne has also undertaken a range of external improvements including playgrounds, footpaths and landscaping, as well as a new community building and housing office.

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Education

Learning Landmark

The 1500m2, two-storey steel-framed Foster Learning Centre at South Staffordshire College, is clad in gabions, timber and curtain walling. The upper part of the building has 'thermowood' cladding, a sustainably sourced softwood (pine) which is heat treated to give it excellent weathering properties

The Government's recent announcement that South Staffordshire College was one of only 15 colleges nationally to receive a £1m building grant, gave the College the green light for its plans to provide a highly sustainable, state-of-the-art learning and teaching block at its Rodbaston campus.

S

Wildgoose Construction used fast-track steel construction and a mixed mode building services strategy as primary design drivers to meet the tight build deadline

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outh Staffordshire College is home to over 20,000 students across its four campuses at Lichfield, Tamworth, Cannock and Rodbaston. The Rodbaston Campus, covering over 190 hectares, plays a key role within the local rural community, providing land and construction-based FE and HE courses to over 1500 students and includes a commercial farm and Animal Management Centre.

The brief to East Midlands architects Maber Associates for the Rodbaston

campus, was to consolidate existing teaching accommodation by creating a new centralised social and learning facility. This laid down a challenging set of criteria for the design and procurement of the building – to create a landmark which provided the social focus for the campus and promoted South Staffordshire College’s agenda of environmental responsibility within an agricultural context.

The strict funding arrangement required the building to be BREEAM Excellent and to be open within 12

Education

The two timber-clad classroom blocks accommodating seven classrooms, are positioned around the central atrium. Large expanses of glazing create light and airy spaces

months, and adding to the complexity, the site was located on Green Belt land.

South Staffordshire College met with stakeholders at a pre-planning advice meeting and arranged a site visit for local councillors. They also undertook internal stakeholder consultations with staff, students and governors to keep everyone up to speed with plans.

“Our approach was to carry out a detailed feasibility study that addressed these criteria and secure funding,” explained Maber’s Project Manager, Jamie Madeley. “ We used our experience of fast-track construction and delivered BREEAM Excellent buildings to resolve design challenges early in the process. The finished product, the Foster Learning Centre, adopts a contemporary take on an agricultural vernacular that sits comfortably within the Green Belt.”

Grounded proposal Derby-based Wildgoose Construction used fast-track steel construction and a mixed mode building services strategy as the primary design drivers to meet the tight deadline for the build, which took just 35 weeks.

The two-storey steel-framed building is clad in gabions, timber and curtain walling and is approx.

1500m2. Sub-divided into three linear blocks, the first floor level (820m2) has two timber-clad classroom blocks (accommodating classroom spaces) positioned around a central atrium.

In contrast to this, the ground

floor (905m2) forms a plinth that is ‘anchored’ to the ground using stone filled gabions. The horizontal proportioning minimises the apparent height of the building (within the green belt context) and draws the eye to the granary. It also keeps the proposal grounded in much the same way as modern agricultural structures.

Materials used included external cladding to the ground floor – wire gabion baskets filled with crushed stone. This provided an attractive finish and the nooks and crannies in between the stone will provide a potential home for bats, insects and mosses etc. The upper part of the building has ‘thermowood’ cladding, a sustainably sourced softwood (pine) which is heat treated to give it better weathering properties and is a more cost-effective timber than Cedar, which is more usually used for external cladding.

A Biomass ‘woodchip’ boiler heats the building, with woodchips sourced locally from sustainable timber reserves, and a highly sophisticated Building Management System runs the heating and ventilation systems, all aimed at high efficiency and low running costs.

The large area of exposed concrete upper floors and roof slab, to provide a ‘thermal mass’, even out heat buildup in summer and cooling in winter.

Most of the building is naturally ventilated – the Building Management System provides an indicator light within classrooms and other areas to let the building users know that

FACT FILE Construction Project Manager: Armsoms Lead Designer: Maber Associates Contractor: Wildgoose Construction Quantity Surveyor: Armsoms Structural & Services Engineers: Jackson Purdue Lever Landscape Architects: Maber Associates

The refectory, catering for up to 320 people, is housed within the atrium, which provides natural daylight and forms the social hub of the Campus where students meet and interact

Public Sector Build Journal 15

Education windows should be either open or closed in order to provide optimum ventilation and cooling efficiency.

A recessed entrance with porte-cochére and picture frame window provides architectural features that respond to key views of the building when approaching from the West.

Tim Walker, managing director of Wildgoose Construction said: “We feel privileged to have worked closely with the South Staffordshire College professional team to deliver a facility that not only reflects the aspirations of the College but also their commitment to the environment and the promotion of green technologies.”

The new Foster Learning Centre meets the demands of students and staff alike. The seven new classrooms on the upper floor offer light and airy spaces with modern equipment, including state-of-the-art projectors suspended from the ceilings.

Learner Services facilities, a games room and refectory (catering for up to 320 people) are housed within

Sustainable features in the Foster Learning Centre include: l Use of abundant natural daylight to provide a sense of well-being and reduce the need for artificial lighting l A biomass boiler utilising local sourced woodchip fuel l High thermal mass to retain heat and reduce the carbon footprint l Rainwater harvesting to conserve water by its utilisation in sanitary flushing l PIR and daylight sensors to all classrooms to reduce the unnecessary use of artificial lighting l Landscaping that serves as a peaceful recreational environment whilst supporting biodiversity through its water feature and wildlife planting l The innovative use of gabions to provide a rustic rural facade that will reduce the heating requirements and provide habitats for nesting birds, bats and insects l Improved cycling facilities to reduce the dependence on car travel l The use of building materials with a low environment impact l Extensive sub metering of both energy and water coupled to a BMS with the objective of reducing the building’s running costs.

16 Public Sector Build Journal

Landscaping around the Foster Learning Centre serves as a peaceful recreational environment whilst supporting biodiversity through its water feature and wildlife planting

the atrium, which provides natural daylight and forms the heart of the building, the social hub of the Campus where students meet and interact.

Attractive soundproofing panels suspended in the ceiling are an architectural feature and provide adequate acoustic insulation to prevent any disturbance to effective teaching and learning caused by noise.

The Foster Learning Centre has been designed to be a low emission sustainable building and to meet the international recognised standard of BREEAM Excellent. Mark Phillips, Head of Environment and Sustainability said: “South Staffordshire College places sustainability at the heart of its activities as reflected in its ISO14001 accredited status and its recent partnership with the Carbon Trust (The Further Education Carbon Management Programme). The College has set itself a commitment of a 25% reduction in its carbon footprint by 2016 and The Foster Centre will play a crucial role in realising this aspirational target.”

Visitors to the Foster Learning Centre can look at dashboards displaying energy consumption as it is actually happening. The screen shows building performance and demonstrates the sustainability initiatives used in the building.

The Centre provides a learning tool for practical study of environmental responsibility in line with the progressive ethos of South Staffordshire College, the curriculum and the industry it represents. Outdoor areas are supported by wireless ICT, allowing the landscape

to become an informal extension of the classroom and students can enjoy practical study of plants, trees and even local wildlife in line with the landbased curriculum.

Students also contributed to the landscape detailed design, including a formal ornamental garden space incorporating non-native species to vary the habitat potential of the proposal, and an art installation.

The building is already making an impact on students studying at Rodbaston Campus. Sarah Winson, a L3 Agriculture Progression Coach commented: “The Centre’s spacious state-of-the-art classrooms create the ideal learning and teaching environment for all levels catered for by the college.” And Ben Kovacs, an Animal Management Progression coach said: “It’s brilliant to have such excellent ILT resources available to us on a large scale.”

Steve Grant, Estate Director at South Staffordshire College, is very proud of the new build. “The Foster Learning Centre demonstrates that South Staffordshire College is committed to leading the way in sustainable development within the education sector.

“A central location was identified to provide a new heart to our Rodbaston Campus providing an outstanding learning and social environment for our students. South Staffordshire College realises the importance of land-based industries to the economic future and security of the country and has ensured that continual improvement and investment in this sector is paramount.”

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Talking Point

Knowledge is power!

With a single, overall figure on a public building's utility bill, it is very difficult to know which services are hitting the purse strings

The Government plans to overhaul the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme in an attempt to deliver improvements with minimum burden on business. The big question for those organisations within the public sector is how they can improve energy efficiency and support the Government's energy carbon reduction targets, without making significant investment. Nick Wellington, Head of Strategic Communications at Navetas, explains why having the correct energy information is vital.

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he introduction of the Government’s Carbon Plan in 2011 and its accompanying ‘Green Deal’ for homes and businesses, has put energy efficiency firmly on the political agenda. The Carbon Plan sets out three key areas of focus to assist the Government’s efforts to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions by 80% by 2050; and one is homes and buildings.

According to the Government’s Carbon Plan, the nation must “ensure that the homes and buildings being

18 Public Sector Build Journal

built now and in the future, are as energy efficient as possible”. The Government has also set out to drive energy efficiency in large public and private organisations through mandatory participation in the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme.

Over 2,000 organisations are involved in the CRC, including hundreds of public sector organisations such as universities, NHS Trusts, Government departments and Local Authorities. Regardless of whether they want energy efficiency to sit at the heart of their organisation,

mandatory participation in the scheme means cutting carbon emissions has become a priority for the public sector.

Incentives for energy efficiency The Government is promoting a number of mechanisms to aid public sector organisations on their energy efficiency journey. The recently published CRC league table puts the spotlight on the largest energy users in the public sector, listing all participants according to their energy efficiency performance.

By publishing these figures for public viewing, the Environment Agency is

Talking Point making energy efficiency a reputational issue for the 2000+ organisations that are taking part, including major supermarkets, retailers, restaurant chains, hospitals and government departments. Participating organisations will have to carefully consider the impact the carbon league table could have on their public image and consider taking decisive action to improve their rankings.

Other schemes outlined in the Carbon Plan include: l Voluntary Business Energy Efficiency Agreements with energy suppliers to provide energy efficiency advice, audits and services l Carbon trust advice on energy efficiency l Energy performance certificates and display energy certificates, providing businesses with information on the energy performance of their buildings l Smart meters, to facilitate improved energy efficiency.

According to the Government, having the right information will be key to success. And in my view, this is exactly why organisations are not set up to drive the carbon emission cuts.

Why the right information is key Energy certificates, smart meter displays and energy audits all sound like valid approaches to achieving an understanding of energy usage in a building, but what do they really tell us? In the case of smart meters, these devices promise accurate readings and bills, but organisations will still be faced with an overall energy consumption figure and total cost.

Likewise, audits may enable organisations to identify areas of focus for reducing energy usage in their buildings, but how will they know the true impact of any investment they make to change their infrastructure or alter the behaviour of their staff?

In large-scale public sector organisations, this lack of transparency and knowledge can be a minefield when managing big premises that house several thousand staff, students, patients or civil servants.

Public sector organisations need to be empowered to fully understand

the energy consumption of their buildings and the people that live and work in them.

Technology innovation may well hold the answer such as Navetas’s energy disaggregation – measuring energy from a single point without the need of additional sensors. It’s a technology that will allow organisations of any size and type to identify energy consumption at a detailed level, to truly understand where energy is being used. As a result, clear actions can be set out that will make the biggest impact to the carbon footprint – and energy bill.

In my experience, organisations and households make many incorrect assumptions about what consumes the most energy. Is it air conditioning, servers or canteen facilities that are driving up energy bills in a local authority building? Or white boards, lighting or the library in a university? With a single, overall figure on their utility bill, it’s very difficult to know which actions are hitting the purse strings and without this insight, any wellmeant energy efficiency strategies could be thwarted from the outset.

The Government has set out some ambitious energy reduction targets, supported with high profile schemes such as the CRC and initiatives like the smart meter roll-out.

But having access to the right information will be key, and in my view this will only be achieved through the use of energy disaggregation technology in public sector buildings, providing a granular level of detail into the energy that is used at every point in the organisation.

Smart meters need to be transformed from simple displays to intelligent energy management and monitoring systems; energy audits need to assess every energyconsuming part of a building at a micro-level; and organisations need an accurate breakdown of their energy usage to make informed decisions on the energy saving initiatives that will lead to a more sustainable future.

The Government is promoting a number of mechanisms to aid public sector organisations in their energy efficiency journey

Nick Wellington is a well-known figure in the energy management industry.

He has worked for a number of years in the public affairs and communications industry, providing advice to companies such British Airways, John Lewis Group, Prudential and Sainsbury’s on a range of issues. He has been with Navetas since October 2008.

www.navetas.com Public Sector Build Journal 19

Renewables

Integrated solutions

This affordable housing development in Brongarth, Brecon, reached Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes by including a communal air source heat pump and 8-panel solar thermal battery combined, feeding into the ground floor plant room buffer vessel

Nu-Heat underfloor heating and renewable technology products are continuing to experience significant success in the design of integrated energy efficiency systems for a variety of construction projects across the country. PSBJ takes a look at three of the company's most recent installations.

I

n Brongarth, Brecon, an affordable housing development reached Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes after various options were weighed up including exhaust air heat pumps, which were considered too big for the compact apartments, and individual air source heat pumps which were deemed impractical. The definitive solution was a communal air source heat pump and 8-panel solar thermal battery combined, feeding into the ground floor plant room buffer vessel.

Nu-Heat’s design included sizing radiators to cope with a flow temperature of 45°C and the specialist supply of high gain domestic hot water cylinders capable of extracting the maximum energy from the lower hot water temperature produced from the heat pump systems. Nu-Heat also incorporated a building management system (BMS) to ensure smooth running of the system, enabling remote billing.

A second project, an award-winning eco-school in Dartington is enjoying the benefits of a Nu-Heat integrated air source heat pump, solar thermal and underfloor heating system. The parameters for the school, designed by architects White Design, were to use modern construction methods and natural materials. Thorough insulation measures include wood

fibre insulation, taping of joints and energy efficient double-glazed windows with insulating argon gas between the panes.

Heating is based around a NIBE 2025 air source heat pump. There are four clusters of classrooms with varying integration of products: two clusters have one air source heat pump with under-floor heating, one cluster has solar thermal with underfloor heating and the largest cluster has two air source heat pumps with under-floor heating. All of the heat pumps are linked to the hot water supply. Adding to the energy efficiency of the building is the fact that the air source heat pumps are powered by zero carbon photovoltaic panels.

Currently in progress is a mixed property development in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, providing 60 contemporary homes built to be environmentally sustainable whilst still reflecting the original design principles of the Garden City. The heating system for the 18 private houses incorporates Nu-Heat’s solar thermal for hot water whilst the 42 social housing apartments utilise an integrated system comprising under-floor heating, air source heat pumps and solar thermal controlled via a series of BMS. In total there are nine Stiebel 12kW air source heat

pumps serving four to five apartments each. These heat pumps were originally chosen as they could be sited internally but it was then decided to site them externally within the nine communal stairwells. The plant rooms are located under the stairs and house the buffer tanks, pumps and BMS. This particular BMS, which includes heat metering and heat pump performance, is being linked back to Nu-Heat’s offices for monitoring purposes.

Nu-Heat’s development team is committed to ensuring that every product or combination of products supplied, fit together seamlessly and achieve the highest possible energy efficiency, whatever the project.

marketing@nu-heat.co.uk

This award-winning eco-school in Dartington, is enjoying the benefits of a Nu-Heat integrated air source heat pump, solar thermal and underfloor heating system Online Enquiry 010

20 Public Sector Build Journal

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Healthcare

Safe and secure Built on a brownfield site of the existing hospital estate, Ferndene Children and Young People's Centre is composed of two elements, a two-storey shared activity centre and a single-storey residential block. It is not only safe and secure, but also domestic and homely in order to avoid creating an institutional feel

The £27m Ferndene Children and Young People's Centre in Prudhoe, Northumberland, is the first facility of its kind in the UK to bring together multiple agencies and tiers of care to offer an integrated Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Service.

A

lthough there are still enormous variations in the quality of buildings dedicated to those with mental health issues, the last few years has seen a sea change in design emphasis. At long last, the broadly institutional approach has given way to the creation of environments in which individual dignity, choice of amenities and access to outdoor space have become key considerations.

For the new Ferndene Children and Young People’s Centre in Prudhoe, the brief was to provide access to a variety of areas where patients could either group together or enjoy quiet time alone. The ground floor accommodates therapy rooms,

22 Public Sector Build Journal

a sports hall, café and youth club, education, art and woodwork studios, while the first floor houses offices and quiet workrooms. Each patient has a bedroom with en-suite facilities, and there is also a visitors’ flat for use by families.

Young people were involved in the overall design as part of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust’s policy of involving service users and carers.

Built on a brownfield site of the existing hospital estate, the scheme is composed of two elements, a two-storey shared activity centre and a single-storey residential block accommodating four wards. The 40-bed inpatient centre caters for young people aged 8-18 with patients receiving treatment

for conditions such as severe depression, psychosis, bipolar disorder and challenging behavioral conditions. Four beds are dedicated to intensive care and two specifically to very young children.

From an interior designer’s perspective, this type of project places heavy emphasis on door fittings and access control. In this case, Orbis anti-ligature ironmongery from Laidlaw Solutions was used on interior and exterior doors, as architect David Davies of Medical Architecture explains: “Building on successful relationships from previous projects for the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (with Laing O’Rourke under

Healthcare the NHS ProCure21 framework), Medical Architecture’s engagement with Laidlaw Solutions around the specification, procurement and supply of ironmongery commenced during an early stage of the scheme.

“From the outset, a key design driver shared by ourselves and the clinical service managers, was to create a series of buildings for children and young people that were not only safe and secure, but also domestic and homely in order to avoid creating an institutional feel.

Support and assistance “The role of supply partners in this process became one of great importance as we worked from concept to construction, notably in finalising the detail of key fixtures and fittings such as door furniture in and around patient activity and living spaces. Throughout the process this necessitated the wider design team being supplied with ongoing support and assistance at every level.

“Towards completion, when it became apparent that bespoke, (particularly anti-ligature) ironmongery solutions were required for specific situations, design and technical input was ongoing until resolution, satisfactory to all, was achieved.

The final outcome is a collection of buildings finely tuned and subtly crafted which are appropriate to

Anti-ligature pull handle and locksets were specified for communal rooms.

The anti-ligature fittings used are unobtrusive, yet subtly distinctive

Ferndene's cafeteria illustrates the inclusive approach to interior design

individual user groups. The ironmongery sits comfortably throughout in successful co-ordination with other elements and interfaces. Ultimately, our aspirations have been exceeded and standards have been met in a discreet and well executed manner”.

Discreet access control has enabled the design of ground floor areas to have a more open look and feel, with large areas of glazing providing carefully considered views. The building is conceived as fingers reaching into the landscape with links between them forming courtyards for relaxation, therapy and play. At the southern end of the site, the living and games room opens up to long views into the woods and wider landscape.

The anti-ligature fittings used are unobtrusive, yet subtly distinctive.

Their appearance however, often belies the fact that aspects of performance such as spring loadings have been adjusted to meet the specific needs of the project. In addition to providing tamper-proof and back-to-back fixings, products such as conical style doorknobs, thumbturns with finger grooves to aid grip, and clutch operation, prevent both attempts to self-harm and barricading.

The environmental design approach maximises the use of natural daylight and ventilation and is similarly designed to enhance the immediate micro-climate of the scheme. In such a way, this minimises the use of mechanical services traditionally associated with hospital buildings.

Wonderful place to work Recommendations in New Horizons, the 10-year shared vision for mental health strategy, sought to bring together organisations from national and local government to voluntary agencies and local communities.

The aim was to work towards a society that values mental well-being as much as physical health. The end result of projects such as Ferndene is best articulated by Eddy Wilkinson, its Education Activities Co-ordinator who commented: “We are so pleased with Ferndene. It doesn’t feel like a hospital and is a wonderful place to work. Fellow staff and young people have literally drawn gasps when visiting and that confirms how well it was designed and conceived.”

Laidlaw Solutions www.laidlaw.net Public Sector Build Journal 23

Renewable Energy

Solar advantage Thermomax collectors from Kingspan Renewables are now delivering the Nottingham Trent University campus with 33,000 litres of hot water a day, while lowering energy bills and providing a reduction in CO2 emissions of 61 tonnes a year

A multi-million pound new build development at Nottingham Trent University is benefiting from a major installation of 3960 Kingspan Renewables' Thermomax solar thermal vacuum tubes, in what is one of the UK's largest-ever solar thermal projects.

C

ompleted in September 2011, the new student accommodation at Clifton Campus at Nottingham Trent University, was built using the University Partnerships Programme’s (UPP) Eco Residence Model for sustainable development to considerably cut carbon emissions and meet strict government targets. To achieve this, while servicing the hot water needs of its 727 students, Notts-based solar specialists MG Renewables specified 132 Thermomax solar thermal vacuum tube collectors, covering more than 6000 sq. ft. across the roofs of 12 accommodation blocks.

The top-of-the-range Thermomax collectors were specified for their high performance and reliability and are now delivering the university campus with 33,000 litres of hot water a day, while lowering energy bills and providing a reduction in CO2 emissions of 61 tonnes a year.

MG Renewables’ company directors Martin Dowd and Gerry Kennedy are both highly satisfied with the results of the installation. Dowd says: “We are delighted to have been involved in this project, providing and installing Kingspan’s Thermomax solar vacuum tubes for one of the largest installations undertaken in the UK to date. We launched MG Renewables five years

24 Public Sector Build Journal

ago when most people thought of solar power as science fiction. That’s all changed now, as more and more people and institutions wake up to the benefits of renewable energy.”

Business partner Gerry Kennedy adds: “People are becoming increasingly passionate about reducing their carbon footprint and government incentives now mean there are financial drivers too. People think the weather in the UK and Ireland isn’t suitable for solar power to work well, but that is a myth. Solar energy systems such as Kingspan’s Thermomax work even on overcast days.”

Thermomax vacuum tube collectors are specifically tailored for Northern European climates and deliver an exceptional transfer of solar energy into heat, providing up to 70 per cent of the university campus’s hot water requirements throughout the year.

The vacuum inside each tube provides perfect insulation by protecting the system from outside influences, such as cold, wet or windy weather, resulting in quality performance all year round. The vacuum tubes also allow energy from the sun to be collected efficiently and effectively, so that solar-heated water is always readily available. Kingspan Renewables Managing Director Cameron Holroyd

said: “We’re delighted that our Thermomax collectors have been identified as the best solution for such a large-scale install at Nottingham Trent University, boosting its green credentials, cutting energy costs and delivering optimum performance for its students.

“With the RHI now firmly underway, there has never been a better time to invest in solar thermal technology and the substantial carbon reduction savings provided by Thermomax means organisations participating in the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme can also significantly reduce their mandatory payments to the government to cover emissions.”

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Play Equipment

Right on target!

As Street Snooker can be played by throwing or kicking, it crosses a number of boundaries and is naturally a very inclusive idea.

Players can range from highly energetic seven year-old children though to pensioners looking for a fun way to stay fit

Playinnovation's mould-breaking approach to outdoor games provides young people with a range of developmental benefits - physical, educational and social - all whilst having great fun. In this special feature, PSBJ finds out how the company's latest product Street Snooker, is taking the play world by storm.

T

The level of play is defined by spinning a selector wheel and then shooting from the relevant ground symbols at varying distances

26 Public Sector Build Journal

he best product ideas are usually the most obvious and simple, often leaving us thinking: “Why didn’t they come up with that sooner?”. In most cases however, even the most straightforward of ideas need to be nurtured, developed and tested thoroughly before they see the light of day.

Street Snooker, an innovative new playground and sports field product available to public sector specifiers, was officially launched for sale into councils and schools across England at the beginning of 2011. Street Snooker is a kick wall product and concept which can be installed as a new build in any park or open space, or as a retro-fit addition to enhance existing Multi Use Games Areas. The product is built for outdoor environments and played by throwing a normal football or tennis ball at snooker inspired targets on a 3m high x 5m wide kick wall resembling an upright snooker table.

Following the same basic rules of snooker, the aim is to see who can score the most points by shooting for the red target (symbolising the

red balls) and then selecting a colour and repeating the process if your target skills are up to scratch.

The level of play is defined by spinning a selector wheel and then shooting from the relevant ground symbols at varying distances. The closest ground spot to the target wall is called OTP (Over the pocket) and the furthest away is named ‘S’ (Snookered) for obvious reasons!

As the game can be played by throwing or kicking, it automatically crosses a number of boundaries and is naturally a very inclusive idea. Players can range from highly energetic seven year-old children though to pensioners looking for a fun way to stay fit.

From an educational viewpoint the positive outcomes and life skills that can be attained through playing snooker have been largely ignored until now and rarely mentioned by the world’s top snooker players, although the governing body (World Snooker), is desperate to get more young players into the traditional version of the game in a bid to bring back the same levels of interest achieved in the 1980’s.

In China, snooker is already on

Play Equipment the school curriculum and with over 50m recreational players and growing, clearly the game has taken off to stratospheric levels.

Whilst snooker encourages and develops life skills such as concentration, setting personal goals, patience, thinking analytically and respecting others, it can also help with hand-to-eye co-ordination and building self-esteem.

Street Snooker is not intended to replace the traditional version of the game, however it does a very good job of encompassing every one of the above key educational benefits, whilst adding more just for good measure!

Marco Boi, the inventor of the concept and founder of the company behind Street Snooker, London-based Playinnovation, explains: “If you think about the processes and rules of snooker, you will find that it can help so much with positive outcomes and skills that are important to every child and which can be taken into adult life – concentration, goal-setting, teamwork, patience, etc. Street Snooker simply and genuinely brings many of these benefits to the outdoors and adds a huge physical exercise element to the game.

“I personally developed in a number of positive ways from playing snooker as a child and felt that if these days children are not being encouraged to join a snooker club or even have a table at home, then I had to find a way to bring an outdoor version to their school or park. By linking it to football and handball, we hope to create another way for children to play a version of snooker whilst linking it to a physical workout.”

Around 7,000 (and counting!) people, from school children through to pensioners, are estimated to have had a go at Street Snooker since it’s actual product launch in early 2011.

BBC1 Breakfast picked up on the work being carried out by Playinnovation and ran a special feature on Street Snooker with sports presenter Mike Bushell. The program aired on December 3rd 2011 and was repeated throughout the morning show.

Also in 2011, Sheffield City Council and World Snooker enquired about showcasing the Street Snooker game

Marc Boi (back row, centre) inventor of the Street Snooker concept and founder of Playinnovation, pictured with participants at the Stratton St Margaret workshop

at the World Championships, which resulted in a 16-day stint, including a number of live BBC News appearances and special sketches filmed with John Parrott for the intervals for the main snooker program.

Community engagement A number of permanent Street Snooker installations have already been completed around the country and Playinnovation is proud of its community approach in working with councils and schools. The company is on a mission to bring the developmental benefits of Street Snooker to as many kids as possible and it offers special community workshops to further increase the sustainability of the project long-term and enhance community engagement in each area.

One such project was with Stratton St Margaret Parish Council in Swindon, Wiltshire. The client identified that an existing Multi Use Games Area in Greenbridge Park was under utilised by the wider community and was actively looking for ways in which to enhance the facility whilst potentially reducing anti-social behaviour. The Street Snooker wall was installed as a retro-fit by removing a section of post and fencing from the existing

ball court and then installing a Street Snooker kick wall complete with galvanised steel structural system, the vandal resistant scoreboard and thermoplastic ground markings.

Playinnovation and workshop partners CHILD UK, then carried out a workshop with a group of young people from a Pupil Referral Unit to further test the playability of the game with yet another set of user groups.

Parish Clerk Paul Russell commented: “Street Snooker has been very well received by everybody and the Parish Council is now looking forward to encouraging the formation of a local Street Snooker team so they can compete against other parish leagues and in competitions.”

Pupil Referral Unit teaching assistants Michelle Sheppard and Kelly Perring added: ”All the boys really enjoyed the Street Snooker.

They were engaged and played for over an hour which is a real achievement.

It was great to see them all participating and having fun at the same time. We would love to see Street Snooker facilities closer to our education centre site as we would certainly take advantage of them if they were.”

www.playinnovation.co.uk Public Sector Build Journal 27

Energy Management

Managing energy t-mac's Energy Analysis software is designed to provide users with information on the efficiency of their building, energy costs, how much energy is being wasted as well as return on investment. The software also provides live data and statistics on a building's performance

The need for public sector establishments to reduce costs is particularly strong in the current economic climate. Tight budgets and new carbon reduction targets mean the penalties for not reducing costs have never been greater. PSBJ looks at how energy management software from t-mac Technologies, can help schools in particular, identify their energy use and costs.

N

ow more than ever, communities are looking to organisations such as schools to set a good example by demonstrating their commitment to the environment.

Yet it can often be difficult for such large establishments to identify precise running costs and inefficiencies. This means that energy intensive equipment such as heating, lighting and air conditioning can be over used, undermining the school’s best attempts to gain control of their energy consumption.

Derbyshire-based energy management company, t-mac Technologies Ltd., helps businesses of all kinds to monitor their energy use and identify equipment which could be used more efficiently.

By metering multi-utilities as well as sub-metering key activity areas such as canteens, sports halls, floodlit pitches, car parks and staff quarters, t-mac can enable organisations to identify energy inefficiencies and make savings.

A recent project in Rochdale is a prime example of how technology can help education establishments to monitor their energy consumption. t-mac installed sub-metering and energy analysis software at Wardle High School to enable the establishment to monitor the energy consumed by its swimming and hydrotherapy pools, and to identify the impact of using pool covers on its energy costs. t-mac provided energy management

28 Public Sector Build Journal

software to monitor the electricity, gas and water used by the pools. So far it has shown that by using covers, the school has reduced the energy consumption of its pools by approximately 25 per cent with estimated savings of around £10,000.

Lisa Gingell, director of t-mac Technologies Ltd., said: “Sub-metering helps organisations to manage their energy consumption as it allows users to gain information on energy costs without delay. Sub-metering doesn’t just apply to standard building equipment, this technology has a wide range of applications as shown by its use at Wardle High. A key benefit of submetering is being able to identify day and night energy profiles for selected activity areas and highlight potential saving opportunities.”

Impressive service t-mac’s Energy Analysis software is designed to provide users with information on the efficiency of their building, energy costs, how much energy is being wasted as well as return on investment. The software also provides live data and statistics on the school building’s performance.

By accessing t-mac’s Energy Analysis Dashboard display, the school can immediately compare live and historic meter readings from all mains and sub-metering points in the building.

Jamie Butterworth, financial controller

of Wardle High School, said: “We are very impressed with the service we have received from t-mac and the meters have allowed us to get a total cost for running our pools very easily.

“In today’s climate it’s important for schools to set a good example to their communities by monitoring the energy they use and we want to highlight the advantages and positive effects monitoring can have on a school’s energy profile. The system has been so effective and easy to use that we are now considering installing t-mac to our main meters to monitor the energy consumption of the whole school.”

Gingell continued: “The heating and ventilation of swimming pools consumes a lot of energy and can be very expensive. t-mac enables users to remotely monitor their swimming pool conditions including temperatures, chlorine and Ph levels. When the parameters are breached, t-mac can send SMS or e-mail alerts to allow remedial action to be taken as soon as possible.

“Wardle High School is a great example of how using metering and energy analysis data can help schools to identify their energy use and costs. This knowledge gives users the opportunity to take control of their energy consumption and reduce costs.”

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Leisure

Sustainable community To overcome the large spans required over the pool area at the Bert Williams Leisure Centre, cellular beams were selected as part of the steel frame, which also reduced the load on the foundations given the three-storey design

Community engagement was a high priority for Shepherd Construction during the building of the new £18.6 leisure centre in Bilston, Wolverhampton. Forming part of a planned £175m sustainable Urban Village, this outstanding facility is now being enjoyed by local residents of all ages.

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he Bert Williams Leisure Centre, named after the legendary Wolverhampton and England goalkeeper, formally opened in December 2011 and is the first tranche of development for the £175m Urban Village planned

by Wolverhampton City Council and Advantage West Midlands.

The 5,600m2 leisure centre has been built on derelict land that had once been an ironworks site. The new building, which replaces the existing ageing leisure centre, is a flagship development that fronts onto a pedestrian boulevard and will eventually provide a link between Bilston’s town centre and the Urban Village.

As well as providing much-improved sporting and leisure facilities, the leisure centre has been designed to be welcoming, encouraging social interaction as well as reflecting the ethos of the Urban Village in creating a sustainable environment where work, live and play activities are in close proximity to each other.

Right at the start of development, promoting a sustainable community

30 Public Sector Build Journal

was an essential component. Soon after being appointed main contractor, Shepherd Construction worked with the Council to draw up a community engagement and training plan that would emphasise the leisure centre as a ‘facility-for-all’ and ensure the local economy benefited from the building work.

As part of the plan, Shepherd challenged its supply chain and sub contractors to identify opportunities where local suppliers could be used for materials and products during construction.

This resulted in the local economy benefiting with £5.9m worth of orders for material and equipment, more than a third of the cost of the build, being placed with suppliers within the West Midlands. This included recycled aggregate, concrete, steel rebar and lifts for cranes.

One of the first tasks in the construction programme was the excavation of more than 10,000 cubic metres of soil to re-shape the site prior to work starting on the leisure centre’s foundations. All of the soil was recycled with 6,000 cubic metres being donated

to Wolverhampton City Council’s Bowmans Harbour project where it was used to form attenuation ponds.

The remaining soil was used to help in the landscaping of the new South Wolverhampton & Bilston Academy adjacent to the leisure centre.

Employment and training opportunities were also an important focus during the 21-month construction period; an aspect that the construction team embraced. More than 150 workers employed on site during construction lived in the West Midlands and Shepherd was able to create a number of paid work placements for people locally.

The creation of a sustainable community message was reinforced through the construction team’s regular dialogue and attendance at meetings held by the neighbourhood partnership group as well as links forged with Loxdale Primary School that resulted in the site being used as a ‘live classroom’ for pupils.

In addition, a display of street art created by youngsters aged 11-16, working with Bilston Craft Gallery, went on display on the construction site hoardings, and the construction

Leisure team have hosted several visits

by Bert Williams who has shown a keen interest in the progress of the leisure centre.

Now complete, the leisure centre is an exciting new landmark on Bilston’s horizon. Arranged over three storeys, the centre comprises an eight-lane, 25m swimming pool, studio pool, sauna, dance studio, four squash courts, sports hall, gym that also includes dedicated equipment for older people and youngsters, café, soft play area and meeting rooms.

Striking appearance The building has a strong visual presence with a curved façade and glazed frontage shaded by brise soleil facing onto the boulevard that creates a feeling of openness and engagement with the community and fills the atrium with natural light. A Cadisch cladding system – a pattenated profile aluminium cladding sheet 22mm thick – has been used to create a low maintenance, striking appearance.

The atrium’s light-filled space is enhanced further with the addition of a translucent ETFE roof. The overall effect is a space that encourages people to mingle and dwell particularly as the café and soft play area are clearly visible from the boulevard and atrium.

To overcome the large spans required over the pool area, cellular beams were selected as part of the

The new leisure centre has a strong visual presence with a curved façade and glazed frontage shaded by brise soleil

steel frame which also reduced the load on the foundations given the three-storey design.

The approachability of the centre is reinforced by windows running around the perimeter of the building, showcasing the swimming pools and other sporting activities.

The building’s use of natural light and ventilation, together with the installation of a gas-powered CHP boiler which supplies low carbon heat and electricity to the centre, has increased the energy efficiency. The leisure centre is expected to achieve a ‘Very Good’ BREEAM rating. A CHP boiler was chosen because the constant thermal base load of the swimming pool will mean

Arranged over three storeys, the centre comprises a sports hall, an eight-lane 25m swimming pool, studio pool, sauna, dance studio, four squash courts, gym, café, soft play area and meeting rooms

that the boiler achieves the running hours needed to make it cost-effective.

“Rather than just delivering the bricks and mortar aspect of the leisure centre,” explained Peter Millett, West Division managing director for Shepherd Construction, “we worked hard with our supply chain and subcontractors to adopt and embed the Council’s vision for a facility that would enhance the lives of the local community and create a more sustainable neighbourhood.”

Councillor Elias Mattu, Wolverhampton City Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Communities, said: “This is a fantastic new leisure centre and I am sure the people of Bilston and the surrounding areas are going to be delighted with their new facilities.

“We have worked hard to ensure there will be a wide range of new facilities to suit all ages at the centre, including the very latest fitness equipment with specially designed pieces for older and younger customers, a main hall which can be used for a number of different sports, and two pools for swimmers of all abilities.

“We have also provided more exercise stations as well as a brand new sauna, sports hall and dance studio – and the best news for our customers is that we have been able to keep charges for the new centre at their existing levels.”

www.shepherd-construction.co.uk Public Sector Build Journal 31

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Following careful consideration of the key factors required, 500m2 of floors in the main reception areas and corridors at St. Charles Hospital in London, were upgraded using products from F. Ball and Co. Ltd., as part of continued maintenance

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With the reduction of hospital-related infections a key concern in healthcare buildings, specified products must be able to meet the strict hygiene requirements of these sensitive environments.

Neil Sanders, Technical Manager at F. Ball and Co. Ltd., outlines the importance of subfloor preparation and highlights some key factors to consider when selecting products.

A

n obvious place for dirt to build up and bacteria to flourish in healthcare buildings is the floor, so it is essential that specifiers take care to select products that promote the long-term maintenance and safety of the installation and reduce the need for any costly remedial work in the future.

Hospital floors by nature, receive a significant dose of wear and tear over their lifetime, particularly in highly trafficked areas such as waiting rooms and corridors. A recent project at St. Charles Hospital in London, illustrates the key factors involved when specifying flooring products for healthcare buildings. As part of continued maintenance at the hospital, floors in the main reception areas and corridors, covering a total area of 500m2, were upgraded.

The first stage when installing a new floorcovering is to assess the moisture content of the subfloor.

This will help to determine whether or not a waterproof surface treatment is required. Failure to treat excess moisture can lead to failure of the bond between the adhesive and floorcovering, which can cause it

to lift around the edges, creating a hotbed for bacterial growth.

A digital hygrometer provides a definitive reading of the Relative Humidity (RH) level within the subfloor.

Where the RH level is 75 per cent or above, the installation should not proceed until an effective waterproof surface membrane has been installed.

However, in the case of St. Charles Hospital, moisture treatment was not required.

Long-term performance Equally crucial is creating a smooth and level surface onto which the chosen floorcovering can be laid. In hospital environments, an even surface helps to ensure that medical equipment such as monitoring devices and trolleys, can be transported safely around the building, as well as protect patients, staff and visitors from trips and falls.

Floor smoothing underlayments are the simplest and most cost-effective method of achieving this and they also help with the aesthetic appearance of the floorcovering. Heavy-duty underlayments that offer a high impact resistance and long-term performance are generally recommended for health-

care environments such as St. Charles Hospital. The increasing issue over the use of natural latex is also of concern when specifying underlayments to be used in clinical areas. Indeed, many healthcare facilities will not permit the use of products that contain natural rubber latex.

Stopgap Green Bag 114 floor smoothing underlayment was specified for St. Charles Hospital and applied onto the primed subfloor at a thickness of 7-8mm. This product has been specifically formulated to avoid the need for the natural rubber latex contained in many traditional underlayment products. Stopgap Green Bag is protein-free and low odour, ensuring its suitability for use in biologically sensitive and clinical areas. In addition, Stopgap Green Bag is designed for use in heavyduty applications, which enables it to withstand the wear and tear floors are typically subjected to in highly trafficked areas.

Following the installation of the smoothing underlayment, Styccobond F46, a solvent-free, pressure sensitive adhesive was selected to install the final vinyl floorcovering. Designed specifically for vinyl materials, this adhesive dries to form a permanent tack with high bond strength, helping to maintain the long-term performance of the floorcovering.

www.f-ball.co.uk Public Sector Build Journal 33

Flooring

Flooring for the next generation The Sirius Academy in Hull can accommodate up to 1400 students, so new flooring had to be able to withstand very heavy daily use, particularly in the circulation zones. For these areas, around 4,500m2 of Tarkett's iQ Granit vinyl flooring was specified

Choosing the best flooring solutions for schools can be a complex process. Tarkett flooring was specified for the new £48m Sirius Academy in Hull to meet a multitude of different performance requirements.

F

looring demands in education environments can be everything from extra slip resistance for the toilets and changing rooms to additional hygiene for the kitchens and food technology classrooms, and even a sports surface for the gymnasium. Main entrances, circulation zones and stairwells need an extremely hardwearing flooring and there may also be a requirement for an acoustic solution to help control noise levels. Aesthetic and environmental considerations and budget constraints are also important factors.

Whatever type of flooring is chosen, it needs to offer low cost, easy maintenance as this typically accounts for up to 92% of the overall lifetime costs. Trying to save a few pounds on the initial purchase may prove more costly in the long run if the flooring requires higher maintenance when in service, and with schools under increasing pressure to manage their budgets effectively, this is a vital consideration.

This was certainly the case at the new Sirius Academy in Hull where students have recently moved into a new, inspirational school building, which houses state-of-the-art facilities and features a variety of flooring solutions from Tarkett. The £48m building provides contemporary science and ICT facilities, a recording studio, hair and beauty salon, construction bays and an ecodome for environmental science.

The building can accommodate

34 Public Sector Build Journal

up to 1400 students, so the new flooring had to be able to withstand very heavy daily use, particularly in the circulation zones and stairwells.

For these areas, around 4,500m2 of Tarkett’s iQ Granit vinyl flooring was used. As part of Tarkett’s highly successful iQ Range, Granit offers excellent life-cycle costs together with outstanding quality, performance and design characteristics. It features a 3rd generation PUR surface reinforcement that guarantees no wax or polish will ever be needed and thanks to its Unique Surface Restoration, simple dry buffing will restore the flooring surface to its original appearance and properties.

This gives extreme longevity and helps to minimise maintenance costs.

Enhancing safety Tarkett’s Safetred Spectrum safety flooring was installed to all the classrooms and the hair and beauty salon to enhance safety underfoot in these busy areas.

Safetred Spectrum is a heavy traffic vinyl flooring ideal for applications where slip resistance, attractive design and ease of maintenance are key requirements.

Its Safety Clean PUR surface treatment is reinforced with slip resistant granules in addition to those within the wear layer, to provide lasting performance. Safetred Spectrum offers R10 slip resistance and, being manufactured to EN 13845,

this is guaranteed to be sustained throughout the flooring’s lifetime.

The installation also included around 600m2 of Tarkett Omnisports flooring for the Ganton Sports Hall.

Ganton is a special school for children with severe or complex learning difficulties and is now co-located in the new facilities at the Sirius Academy. Tarkett’s Omnisports range of specialist sports surfaces are available in four specific thicknesses to satisfy varying degrees of shock absorption and performance requirements. All products are easy to install and feature Topclean XP, a sanitised surface treatment that reduces maintenance costs and resists development of bacteria and fungi. The highly cellularised acoustic foam also reduces the transmission of sound.

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Online Enquiry 018 Public Sector Build Journal 35

Housing

Rural heating solutions Owing to their semi-rural location, residents of Stockers Brow in Rodmersham, Kent, were limited in their heating choices until AmicusHorizon Housing Association offered them an exciting alternative

AmicusHorizon Housing Association gave residents at Stockers Brow in Kent the opportunity to improve their insulation and upgrade their heating systems in April 2011. As a result, forward-thinking householders are now enjoying lower heating bills, down from around £75 to less than £22 a month!

S

tockers Brow in Rodmersham, is in a semi-rural location at the brow of a hill, overlooking a vast expanse of the beautiful Kent countryside. As is often the case in rural locations, the neighbourhood is off the mains gas grid – and connection to the grid is not a viable option.

Most of the homes are currently reliant on storage heaters, which are relatively inflexible for householders and don’t always heat up the fabric of the building adequately. Damp and condensation can be associated with poor heating which can cause problems for residents. Storage heaters charge up overnight and release the stored heat during the day, so the system can’t be turned off once charged or set to recharge if all the stored heat has been expended.

Given the off-grid location of the homes, practical alternatives to the storage heaters were quite limited – a replacement heating system had

36 Public Sector Build Journal

to be either oil, solid fuel, LPG or electric. As a result, many residents in the area are vulnerable to fuel poverty, an issue AmicusHorizon is keen to tackle.

Commitment to residents As a provider of homes and services to communities across Kent, Sussex, Surrey and South London, AmicusHorizon manages over 28,000 homes. The company is committed to providing more than bricks and mortar, aiming to improve the lives of residents through innovative programmes and training schemes.

In this instance AmicusHorizon was keen to improve the heating systems for residents at Stockers Brow.

In addition to making other energy efficiency improvements such as providing cavity wall insulation and extra loft insulation, AmicusHorizon investigated the feasibility of introducing more energy

efficient and user-friendly heating systems. The team considered LPG and oil heating systems but, as well as the high environmental impact of gas or oil systems, the gas canisters could be stolen, creating a potential security issue for residents.

AmicusHorizon decided to trial air-to-water heat pumps – the first time it had introduced the technology into any of its homes. The company opted for the Daikin Altherma range of heat pumps, from Daikin UK. Daikin is known for high performance, controllability and efficiency, even when the weather outside is sub-zero.

AmicusHorizon offered local residents the opportunity to convert to a Daikin Altherma heat pump system and the Hobdey family at Stockers Brow was one of the forward-thinking households which seized the opportunity. They are now already enjoying lower fuel

Housing bills and improved control of their heating system as a result.

Steve Bunce, Clerk of Works for the Kent region of AmicusHorizon commented: “While some residents preferred to stick with the existing storage heaters, other householders jumped at the opportunity to have a more controllable system, potentially reducing their energy usage.

“We are now introducing smart meters to monitor exactly how much electricity each heat pump system is using. Based on the first year’s results we’ll look at introducing heat pumps to more AmicusHorizon homes.”

An 8kW Daikin Altherma Low Temperature Split system was chosen for the installation. The LT Split system typically comprises an outdoor unit plus an indoor wall-hung hydrobox and separate hot water cylinder. At Stockers Brow however, Daikin UK recommended using an integrated all-in-one indoor unit, which combines a floor standing hydrobox with the domestic hot water storage stacked above it in one continuous cube.

An 8kW Daikin Altherma Low Temperature Split system was chosen for the Stockers Brow installation. The LT Split system typically comprises an outdoor unit (pictured above) plus an indoor wall-hung hydrobox and separate hot water cylinder (pictured below left)

This stainless steel unit is highly insulated for low energy losses and offers excellent hot water performance up to 60ºC with high flow rates and rapid re-heat times. The hot water supply was set at safe hot water temperature from 7am-7pm.

“Although the initial installation cost of a system like this is higher than a normal heating system because the materials are more expensive,” explained Steve Bunce, “it’s still cheaper than oil and the running costs are much lower too.”

The inside unit was installed in an outhouse which many properties in the neighbourhood benefit from.

The smart meter was fitted in the kitchen so that residents can see at a glance how much electricity their heat pump system is using.

Reliable system The installation of the system was carried out in April 2011 by Swale Heating and took just four days for plumbing and heating engineer Simon Evans to complete, with assistance from a trained refrigeration engineer who connected the outside refrigeration unit.

Ms Hobdey recalled, “The work was quick and the workmanship was very reliable. Simon was very polite and cleaned up continuously so there was very little disruption even though we had new radiators, new piping and a new system

throughout. We were very pleased with the speed that it was put in and the reliability of the system since then. We’ve had no problems with it, it’s very economical and we don’t hear any noises from outside, which is good.”

The Hobdey family were quick to enjoy the benefits of their new Daikin Altherma heat pump system.

As Ms Hobdey explained: “The problem with the old storage heaters is that you couldn’t really control them, whereas now we can be in control of our heating and hot water. This new system is very quick to heat up and we feel the difference in just 20 minutes, even when it’s really cold outside.

“The storage heaters were expensive and weren’t even fully heating up the room. Previously our electricity bill from August to April was over £75 a month.

But in the first three months from April to June, the total running costs were just £64. While we’ve not had much cold weather yet and haven’t needed the heating on all the time, it’s still a lot less than what we were paying before.

“When we were offered the chance to get a new heating system we liked the fact that it is eco-friendly.

Making the right choice does make a difference!”

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

Roofing & Cladding

Sports halls favour diffused daylighting for clerestory and/or roofing where the evenly lit interior, without curtains or blinds, enjoys a shadow-free playing surface

Daylight savings Architect and journalist Christopher Sykes, throws light on how translucent walls and roofs can transform public sector projects, dramatically reducing their energy costs.

M

aximising daylighting is now considered to be fundamental to good design. Why? Because, in the same way that sunshine changes everything, so natural daylight radically influences how people feel and how they react. The problem, of course, is to reconcile this with increasingly stringent regulations about energy loss through the building envelope. Happily, glazing and translucent system manufacturers now offer new technology designed to provide effective solutions. One such solution is the US manufactured cladding and rooflighting system known as Kalwall.

Kalwall is claimed to be the most highly insulating, diffuse light-transmitting, structural composite technology available.

This is because other translucent materials cannot match its high performance and unique benefits.

The random distribution of glass fibres within the panels disperse natural daylight evenly and deep within the interior space so that even direct sunlight is converted into an even illumination with reduced glare. In other words, this is ‘museum quality’ light without glare

38 Public Sector Build Journal

or shadows and where there is no need for blinds, curtains and solar control.

Diffused daylighting has increasingly caught the imagination of architects because they are able to maximise areas of wall or roof daylighting while at the same time minimising energy loss, with consequent savings in the running costs of heating, aircon and artificial lighting. Importantly, the U value of the system (Kalwall) can be increased to 0.28 W/m2K by filling the panels with Lumira translucent aerogel (previously called Nanogel). Based on the world’s lightest and best insulating solid material, this gives the translucent panel the same insulating performance as a solid wall!

projects, most recently seven PFI ones in the Knowsley area under the Building for Schools programme.

Sports halls favour diffused daylighting for clerestory and/or roofing where the evenly lit interior, without curtains or blinds, enjoys a shadow-free playing surface. Eccleshill swimming pool, a local authority run leisure centre near Bradford, is a good refurbishment example where the failing 1960s steelframed curtain wall has been replaced.

Running costs have been reduced and insulation/energy costs improved. Less glare on the water makes it easier for lifeguards to see a swimmer in distress.

Healthcare examples include Norfolk’s primary health centre at Thetford, designed by LA Architects, which combines consulting and treatment rooms flooded with light and yet, still private. Another is the dramatic suspended walkway at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, designed by BDP, clad with Kalwall and pierced at intervals with clear glazed full height windows.

Larger public projects include the concourse of Glasgow International Airport, Liverpool South Parkway station and the Translink depot, Belfast.

Clearly, insulated daylighting is widely accepted as an energy-saving tool, a ‘building product’ with which architects can transform their projects, users can enjoy museum-quality natural light and management can dramatically reduce their energy costs!

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Projects in practice Architects now specify diffused daylighting for every type of project, both new build and refurbishment.

It is particularly popular for schools because of its proven effect on children – influencing their behaviour, creating a calming environment and improving learning. Aedas architects, for example, have specified Kalwall for many

Norfolk's primary health centre at Thetford, combines consulting and treatment rooms flooded with light

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Drainage & Waste Water

Water wisdom

Capturing rainwater - the joined up answer to global warming

Alongside low energy technologies, responsibly sourced materials and a need to reduce carbon emissions, there has also been a drive to manage water resources more efficiently and reduce mains water consumption. Adrian Gatford, National Sales Manager, Kingspan Water, discusses why the floodgates may be opening for public buildings and rainwater harvesting.

I

n recent years, the public sector has been at the forefront of sustainable new build developments, both in terms of ethos and the number and range of installations. This has, of course, been helped in no small part by the focus provided within building assessments such as the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM. This includes a focus on more effective management of our water resources and a reduction in

our mains water consumption.

Current levels of water usage, which average 150 litres/person, are deemed unsustainable as resources and infrastructure are put under pressure from global warming, climate change and population growth.

The Code tackles this issue head on, requiring mains water usage to be restricted to 80 litres per day by 2013 for public sector housing and

Campion School pupils in front of their Kingspan Water SmartRain rainwater harvesting system

40 Public Sector Build Journal

by 2016 for private sector housing (WAT1 and WAT2 of the Code).

This is over and above the recently introduced limit imposed within building regulations (Part G) which requires usage levels to be reduced to 125 litres/person. BREEAM, similarly, places a heavy emphasis on reducing mains water consumption to achieve an Excellent rating.

All of these are targets that would be hard to achieve without the installation of water-saving devices such as water-efficient washing machines and aerated taps – and, most particularly, rainwater harvesting.

Rainwater harvesting systems collect the water that falls onto roofs, and recycle it in a range of non-potable uses including flushing toilets, washing clothes and vehicles, as well as watering gardens.

A typical system is relatively uncomplicated in terms of the technology it employs. Rainwater is passed from the roof via the guttering and downpipes. It is filtered before being stored in large tanks either above or below ground, from where it can be pumped either to a header tank or direct to the appliance such as the WC or washing machine.

Its rapid take-up and success as a technology has been broadly as a consequence of its proven ability to reduce the amount of water used by householders by more than 50%, and by commercial users by as much as 80%. Furthermore, rainwater harvesting systems

DEFRA's award-winning environmentally-friendly offices in Alnwick, Northumberland

Drainage & Waste Water

Pictured top: How a municipal building can recycle rainwater for non-potable uses using the Envireau system. Above: Kingspan Water's gravity-fed Envireau rainwater harvesting system installed in a domestic new build

are now a necessity for gaining planning permission in some areas of the UK that could be at risk of flooding, or where the mains water simply cannot support demand and requires back up.

As a consequence, there has been widespread (re-)introduction of rainwater harvesting systems into new developments within social housing, offices, schools and other public buildings.

A prime example, is DEFRA’s awardwinning environmentally-friendly offices in Alnwick, Northumberland, which was awarded the 2008 BREEAM Office Category for Excellent Environmental Performance. The building was designed to achieve the highest possible BREEAM rating, and in the process, to minimise mains

water consumption. Its Envireau system, which comprises a pretank filtration system, a 12,000 litre underground storage tank, and an electronic control system and pump, is designed to provide sufficient water for every toilet in the building.

However, despite its growing popularity, until now rainwater harvesting systems have been somewhat restricted in terms of application to new build developments (or buildings requiring extensive renovation), rather than being applied more widely to existing properties and housing stock. This is because there is an intrinsic need for the systems to be integrated with a building’s internal plumbing. The problem for sustainable

water management in this country really lies in the need to improve the ratings of current housing stock and properties.

Given the obvious environmental and financial benefits afforded by rainwater harvesting, Kingspan Water has been hard at work at solving this conundrum.

The upshot is an above-ground system that has just been launched through a number of pilot schemes. It has been designed to be retro-fitted onto a wide range of buildings from offices and schools, to prisons - even aircraft hangers!

Earlier this year, a school in the West Midlands became the first academic institution in Britain to have a system fitted onto an existing building.

Campion School, a mixed comprehensive in Leamington Spa, has had a SmartRain system installed – a move that is expected to reduce mains water usage by up to 85 per cent and save around 250,000 litres per year.

SmartRain collects water from the roof of the sports centre and uses it for flushing WCs within the block.

The rainwater is stored in a 5000 litre tank outside the sports hall and if there is insufficient rainfall to meet demand, the system will automatically default to using mains water, ensuring total continuity of supply. A Kingspan Water Vision remote monitoring pack provides information about its operations to a wall-mounted control panel, making installing, managing and maintaining it, easy to do. Within the control panel is a GSM card. A unique web address was set up for the school, which can be accessed from any computer with wireless Internet access, so pupils can see how much water they are saving.

For those considering retro-fitting rainwater harvesting onto an existing building or portfolio of buildings, the initial steps will need to include a (free) assessment of the property’s suitability as well as an audit of the level of savings in an average year. This is based on a number of variables such as the annual rainfall in the region, the size of the roof area, the size of the storage tank, WC usage levels etc.

www.kingspanwater.com Public Sector Build Journal 41

Swimming Pools

Master stroke The 'cradle' of concrete columns and beams which supported the pool tank at Scotland's Dollan Aqua Centre, were suffering from cracking and spalling, and Sika supplied a comprehensive concrete repair solution as part of the £7m refurbishment

Subjected to years of underfunding and neglect, the UK's swimming pool facilities are in desperate need of modernisation and improvement.

With shrinking budgets, changing building regulations and a shortage of available land, PSBJ looks at why refurbishment, rather than replacement, appears to be the ideal solution.

A

lthough new swimming facilities are being created, there are a number of Victorian municipal baths and council-built pools constructed in the 60s and 70s still in operation which are reaching the end of their lifespan. During the refurbishment of these facilities, there are many elements for consideration. Constantly under attack from the British weather as well as internal condensation, the concrete structures require significant repairs, whilst the obvious need for 100% watertightness in the pools themselves is achieved.

Sika waterproofing, concrete repair and joint sealant products, are renowned for providing outstanding performance and longevity in use, as demonstrated at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in London. When the swimming pool had to be extended to 50m in length for competitive use, the specification that has kept the pool watertight for more than 50 years was the natural choice.

With a track record dating back more than 100 years – and having kept the original pool watertight for

42 Public Sector Build Journal

half a century – Sika 1 was once again specified to safeguard the centre’s extension including internal waterproofing of the pool, plant rooms and ventilation tunnels. A prebagged waterproofing system, it is certified by the British Board of Agrément (BBA) to last the lifetime of the building for outstanding durability and reliability in the most challenging waterproofing environments.

As well as BBA certification, Sika 1 is supported by the Sika Waterproofing Registered Contractor Scheme, created to minimise risk for specifiers, main contractors and clients. It ensures all projects that require waterproofing benefit from the product’s proven performance as well as exceptional technical service from Sika’s team and first class installation from one of the company’s Registered Contractors.

When refurbishing ageing swimming pools and their structures, a waterproofing system will often be applied alongside concrete repairs. As many of the nation’s swimming pools were built during the 60s and 70s, these concrete structures are beginning to

show signs of deterioration and are in need of major repair – both internally and externally.

At the £7m refurbishment of Scotland’s Dollan Aqua Centre, South Lanarkshire Council was faced with one of the most complex and essential restoration projects – including 3,500 individual concrete repairs and two miles of treatment to concrete surfaces.

Built in 1968, a distinctive feature of the building is the pool tank which is supported in a ‘cradle’ of concrete columns and beams. However, the tank’s supporting concrete beams and peripheral supports and columns were suffering from cracking and spalling due to reinforcement corrosion.

Sika, demonstrating the versatility of its product range, supplied a comprehensive concrete repair solution.

To ensure maximum durability and performance at the 1960s Category A listed building, the substrate of the pool tank was first lined using fibre reinforced dry spray concrete which enabled the effective application of the Sika 1 waterproofing system. Further repairs were also required to all movement joints and cracks, sealed using a high performance jointing system as well as strengthening plates to strengthen the pool walkways from the underside.

Each of the Sika products offers a proven track record exceeding the requirements of BS EN 1504, the regulations for concrete repair and protection. With an easy installation process once on site, the concrete repair system offers a cost-effective and reliable way to repair the damaged areas and extend the life of the nation’s ageing swimming pool facilities.

www.sika.co.uk

Sika 1 was specified to safeguard the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre extension, including internal waterproofing of the pool, plant rooms and ventilation tunnels

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HVAC

Air recycling reaps rewards

The new development at Malmesbury Gardens, Swindon, includes an exhaust air recycling process designed

by NIBE Energy Systems and powered by a NIBE F410 Heat Pump, helping it to achieve 'zero carbon' status

Swindon Borough Council recently completed the building of 13 'zero carbon' houses, bringing to only 132 the national total for these super eco-homes. Helping to achieve this status was the inclusion of an exhaust air recycling process designed by NIBE Energy Systems.

D

esigned by architect Nigel Grainge of HEARTHuk, part of the NPS Group, and conforming to the stringent requirements of Level 5 in the Code for Sustainable Homes, a new development at Malmesbury Gardens in Wiltshire, consists of two, three, four and five-bedroom houses to a traditional design that conceals the amount of new technology that has gone into the remarkable energy conserving and generating qualities they contain.

Allied to the very latest insulation techniques including innovative ‘hemcrete’ external walls, the homes have photovoltaic panels for generating electricity and solar panels to partly provide the hot water that is stored at the comparatively low temperature ideal for under-floor heating. The energy conserving features and particularly the ultimate reduction of emissions to achieve ‘zero carbon’ status, are completed by the inclusion of an exhaust air recycling process designed

by NIBE Energy Systems and powered by a NIBE F410 Heat Pump.

The theory behind NIBE exhaust air heating is very simple. The air,

44 Public Sector Build Journal

carbon rich and fully heated by the under-floor central heating plus background warmth from human and other sources, is harvested at roof level before it reaches the ‘vented void’ ventilation system in the roof of the house. This heat is passed down to the NIBE F410 unit where a sophisticated and super-efficient heat exchange process squeezes every last vestige of energy from the exhaust air and raises its temperature by compression before feeding it back to boost the hot water system.

The final emissions into the outside atmosphere are at a temperature very close to freezing and therefore virtually free of CO2 and other harmful gases.

bills are so low will help a lot of tenants,” said Nikolai, “But it’s also great that we are living in a house that is so environmentally friendly.”

The ‘zero carbon’ rating is also very much approved by Swindon Council, which benefited from a major grant from the HCA and by the Government itself, which provides such funding to aid local authorities in achieving the major carbon savings that are necessary if the UK is to achieve its stated emission targets.

www.nibe.co.uk

Positive reaction from residents Early reactions from the residents of Malmesbury Gardens to their new homes are very positive. As an example, Nikolai Stone and his partner Helen, who have moved from a one-bedroom flat, report that their monthly electricity bill has reduced from £50 to £30 despite the fact that they now have efficient under-floor heating and a very much larger home. “The fact that the

Residents of Malmesbury Gardens have already noticed the reduction in heating bills and are very happy to be living in homes that are so environmentally friendly

HVAC

Efficient heating system saves money Swan House, originally built for students and now run by Lee Housing Association, has had its on/off under-floor heating system replaced with an efficient and cost-effective Space Air Daikin Altherma HT System.

Swan House is split into four blocks, each block contains four five-shares

and eight two-shares, all of which were served by the original under-floor

heating system. Lee Housing was looking for an efficient heating system where all components could be stored outside the apartments due to space constraints. Consequently, Climate Facilities, a Space Air/Daikin approved dealer, installed the complete Space Air Daikin Altherma HT System.

Each block now consists of two, 16kW heat pump units - a total of 128kW with a nominal COP of 3.08 (the original system had a nominal COP of 0.8 when installed). The out-of-date under-floor heating system has been replaced with radiators provided with TRV’s (thermostatic radiator valves) for residents to control the internal temperature. Independent reports suggest that replacing the old underfloor electric system with the Space Air Daikin Altherma HT high temperature heat pumps, provides a 68% reduction in heating fuel use and cost and a payback period of 15 years. Based upon 8p/kWh this equates to an annual saving of £18,986 in year 1.

altherma@spaceair.co.uk enq 024

Hospital taps beat bugs To help combat the spread of infectious diseases, a new range of hospital taps from Pegler Yorkshire is being manufactured using Antimicrobial Copper.

The range boasts the Antimicrobial Copper Cu+ mark, which signifies the products are capable of continuously killing pathogenic microbes even in between cleans. Pegler Yorkshire has combined this technology with a selection of its Performa range of healthcare taps and mixers – a range specifically designed to suit the needs of healthcare professionals, patients and care home residents.

brochures@pegleryorkshire.co.uk enq 025

Electric heating solutions Electrorad has electric heating systems to suit all installations, whether it’s independent electric radiators or traditional central heating powered by an electric boiler. Both ranges of electric radiators – Aeroflow (right) and Digi-Line – are rated 100% efficient and are highly controllable, having a choice of either built-in thermostat and programming controls or radio frequency central controls.

Both ranges have the look and heating performance of traditional central heating radiators. The built-in electronic room thermostats ensure energy use is kept to a minimum. If the consumer electric is bought from renewable sources, electric info@electrorad.co.uk enq 026 heating is carbon zero.

Rising heat!

As part of the refurbishment of their two-bedroom cottage, the owners decided to install central heating from a renewable source. HT Energy Ltd., devised a ground sourced system involving the burial of 500m of ground looped plastic piping at a depth just below the frost level.

Filled with an anti-freeze solution, the pipe is linked to a NIBE F1245 8kW Heat Pump. In turn, the NIBE unit is linked into the under-floor heating system on the ground floor and to the radiator heating on the first floor. The heat pump will also supply the domestic hot water requirements of the entire house.

info@nibe.co.uk enq 027

Public Sector Build Journal 45

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Environmental Assessment

A fitting assessment

© Architon

As Croydon Council sought to upgrade existing buildings such as the Jeanette Wallace House, the RICS Ska Rating was the ideal way to measure the environmental performance of the Council's fit-out against key sustainability criteria

Launched in 2009, Ska Rating is a RICS-led and owned environmental assessment method for commercial fit-outs. In this special feature, PSBJ details how Ska can help landlords and tenants adopt good practice when fitting out and refurbishing interiors.

W

ith around 11 per cent of the UK’s total construction spend going on fit-outs and the average building having 30 to 40 fitouts during its life-cycle, these projects are vital to meeting the Government’s sustainability targets.

The Ska Rating from RICS not only offers good practice to landlords and tenants, but also helps them to reduce their environmental impact, set standards, and benchmark and improve their sustainability best practices.

Croydon Council recently became the first public sector organisation to use the Ska Rating for the refurbishment and fit-out of Jeanette Wallace House – a multi-purpose office building providing children’s services to vulnerable young people.

The project formed part of Croydon Council’s ‘Transforming our Space’ programme, which aims to modernise where and how the Council works through integrating new workspace, technology and processes. As Croydon Council sought to upgrade existing buildings, Ska Rating was the ideal way to measure the environmental performance of its fit-out against key sustainability criteria.

Jeanette Wallace House was designed and built with an environmental impact recorded as above standard national practice. The interior project achieved a Ska Rating of Silver and was reviewed under the following categories: Energy and CO2, Water, Waste, Transport, Pollution and Materials.

The majority of materials used in the fit-out were selected with environmentally -friendly elements. Examples include: ● All timber items that had full chain of custody FSC certification ● Ceilings containing an average of 50 per cent recycled content ● Wall and partition insulation which had over 50 per cent recycled content.

In addition to this, 90 per cent of the construction works strip-out and works waste was diverted from landfill.

The interior services are all connected to a BMS (Building Management System) that monitors the system’s efficiency and regulates energy and water consumption. It also provides the data to use for future efficiency plans and year-on-year targets.

Given the restrictions of the original building as well as the Council’s limited budget, Ska Rating was an efficient way for Croydon Council to become as environmentally friendly as possible.

The project has succeeded in providing better services to customers, generating efficiency savings and helping the Council to become more sustainable.

The newly converted building has been fitted out with recycled materials where appropriate and updated technology and equipment which, through the introduction of new ways of working, allows over 350 staff to work more efficiently and flexibly.

Croydon Council intends to measure its energy and water consumption over the next 12 months through the BMS, which will help with understanding the

Specific sustainable design features at Jeanette Wallace House: Air conditioning: surplus hot and cold air is circulated within the system where required instead of reheating/ cooling additional amounts.

Lighting: the luminaires on the perimeter of the office space adjacent to a window incorporate daylight linking. When the perimeter area is illuminated to a specified level due to natural daylight through the window, the perimeter lighting is dimmed or switched off.

External Lighting: the external lighting operates under the dictates of PIRs, a time-clock signal and photocells.

Passenger Lifts: the two passenger lifts incorporate a control system with a sleep/standby mode when not in use.

Paints: all walls and ceilings have been painted with certified ‘VOC Low’ paints for the wellbeing of occupants and to reduce the emission of VOCs. Water use: all sink/basin taps and WC fittings have been selected to include water efficient properties.

Water meters measure the building’s annual consumption and assist in identifying future opportunities for water efficiency.

© Architon

commercial and environmental performance of its office space as well as demonstrating any cost savings that have been achieved.

contactrics@rics.org Online Enquiry 031 Public Sector Build Journal 47

Doors & Windows

A Class Act High acoustic performance was required of the window specification at New Hall and Mumford & Wood's products can reduce unwanted noise entering or leaving a building while still achieving a traditional appearance

In a prestigious education project in Essex, Mumford & Wood met the challenging brief of the architect and client with products of standard specification and only minimal adaptation, providing ultimate levels of modern performance.

C

onservation™ timber sash windows, casements, external doors, doorsets and special shaped windows by specialist manufacturer Mumford & Wood, have been designed and installed in the new Priory Court classroom block at New Hall School in Essex.

Tew & Smith Architects, Northampton, worked with contractor Cadman Construction Limited of Colchester, over the two-year project.

Approached from a mile-long tree-lined avenue, the main building occupies the magnificent former Tudor Palace of Beaulieu. In 1517, the estate was acquired by King Henry VIII from Sir Thomas Boleyn, father of Anne Boleyn, who greatly enlarged and enhanced the building and called it Beaulieu. For many years it was the home of Mary Tudor and was subsequently granted to the Earl of Sussex by Queen Elizabeth I. Latterly, Oliver Cromwell procured the estate, commonly called New Hall, for five shillings.

Mumford & Wood’s high performance products, which are made from premium quality, clear-grade, laminated larch or oak, were architecturally specified for the new Priory Court classroom block which is adjacent to the Grade I listed Palace building and the surrounding historic park and gardens. Doubleglazed Conservation™ products are designed and manufactured in the UK and offer BSI energy ratings A-C, depending on choice of specification.

They provide an overall frame U-value of 1.4 W/m2K which out-performs the requirements of current Part L Building Regulations. At the same time these products offer the charm and character of traditional originals which successfully blends old with new while providing ultimate levels of modern performance.

High acoustic performance was required of the window specification, as befits a school environment with upwards of 1000 pupils. Mumford & Wood’s products can reduce unwanted noise entering or leaving a building while still achieving a

traditional appearance. Working closely with gasket, acoustic and glazing specialists, Mumford & Wood has developed acoustic variations of 38dB for Conservation™ casements and 36dB for sash and box sash windows. Performance has been independently UKAS tested in accordance with BSEN ISO 7171:1997 to provide outstanding levels of air and sound resistance.

Conservation™ entrance doors installed at New Hall were made to measure with decorative fanlights.

Mumford & Wood uses traditional mortice and tenon joints and a 57mm thick leaf within a substantial 68mm frame for ultimate strength and stability and feature a Secured by Design PAS 23/24 approved multi-point locking system. Specially adapted enhanced security catches on the Conservation™ sash windows were approved by the Crime Prevention Officer of S.E. England.

Installation was an important element of the brief and Mumford & Wood was able to provide installation teams from a register of approved installers who ensure work is carried out to the most exacting standards. Delivery of over 90 Conservation™ products, in four consignments, met the critical schedule and installation work was essentially carried out during New Hall’s school holiday calendar to avoid any disruption or impact to pupils and staff.

The New Hall project was nominated in the British Woodworking Federation’s 2011 John Hedgecock Memorial Award.

sales@mumfordwood.com

The new Priory Court classroom block is adjacent to the Grade I listed Palace building and the surrounding historic park and gardens Online Enquiry 032

48 Public Sector Build Journal

Doors, Windows & Lifts

Sliding doors aid airport security Leading door manufacturer and supplier Gilgen Door Systems, has developed and installed bespoke sliding doors for new checkpoint security lanes at Manchester Airport.

Gilgen Door Systems has installed bespoke sliding doors that form part of new security gate systems at Manchester Airport. A total of 10 gates have been installed, five in terminal 1, three in terminal 2 and two in terminal 3 and form part of departure security systems that allow passengers to pass from landside to airside.

The new security checkpoints direct passengers through a turnstile and a magnetic body scanner leading to a glass pod. When a passenger passes the security check, one of the Gilgen sliding doors opens, allowing the passenger to continue through to reclaim belongings scanned by baggage scanners. If they do not pass the security

check, the adjacent sliding door opens, lane is opened enabling the closed door directing the passenger through to an to form a screen to prevent passengers area where further security checks from walking through the wrong lane. are undertaken.

The bespoke SLX sliding door systems Each gate required two sets of use intelligent Communication Bus two single sliding automatic doors.

(CAMBus) technology unique to Gilgen Each door set is mounted on a single to enable remote interfacing with the header operating system, but operates security gate system. independently, ensuring only the correct hannah.jukesjones@gilgenDS.com enq 033

Intelligent automatic doors The new £10m bus station in Swansea, owned and operated by City & County of Swansea, has been fitted with a combination of Dor-O-Matic Single Slide and Compact Slide automatic doors to help keep passengers warm, safe and secure. Supplied by Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies and installed into curtain wall screens, the Single Slide automatic doors, which lead to the 23 bus bays, have been cleverly configured using induction loops so they will only open when a bus is at the stand and a passenger is waiting. info@ingersollrand.co.uk enq 034

Façades of the future Architectural aluminium façade specialist Technal, launched a series of new curtain walling, window and door products at Batimat 2011. Products launched included the Soleal door and casement window range, an innovative motorised side hung open-in window and a concealed parallel opening vent option for Technal’s MX curtain walling. Three innovative façade design concepts were also featured: a dual skin façade which ‘folds’ to help accommodate a building in its environment; an alternative façade concept which blends the façade with the roof, and a design for brise soleil sunshading which supports planting.

info@technal.co.uk enq 035

Versatile sensing The Elevator Position System from Memco provides information to an elevator’s displays about floor number, direction arrow and direction of travel; this is then seen by passengers on the car display screen. A magnet is located on each floor and, as a sensor attached to the elevator car passes a magnet, it increases or decreases the floor number depending on the direction of travel. The system works with all elevator applications with speeds of up to 3.6m/sec. and can cover up to 32 floors. Installation is simple, requiring the sensor to be mounted on a bracket, and a magnet glued at each floor level.

Jennifer.Fenton@memco.co.uk enq 036

Public Sector Build Journal 49

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Energy saving

Best of Britain!

2012 is set to be a landmark year for Britain. Not only are we hosting the Olympic Games and celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, but manufacturing is set to become an economic and emotional totem for British business. Dr. Alex Mardapittas, managing director of EMSc (UK) Ltd., tells PSBJ why he is proud to be waving the flag for Britain.

A

cting as advocates for the future of British manufacturing, EMSc (UK) Ltd, is championing the cause with Powerstar MAX, its innovative next generation voltage optimisation system. Manufactured in the UK, Powerstar MAX is capable of delivering up to 50% more energy savings than other fixed reduction voltage optimisation or voltage power optimisation systems available globally.

Powerstar MAX is particularly relevant for sites with daily fluctuating voltage of 10v or more and those with critical equipment or high night loading.

Powerstar MAX optimises the voltage in line with the characteristics and loading of each specific site or through electronic-dynamic variable reduction.

The product requires no maintenance and offers protection against voltage spikes, voltage phase balancing and an intelligent interface to track product and site performance in real time.

Additional benefits include: l Guaranteed savings – Over 95% of sites can save more energy by using Powerstar MAX – a triple wound system – instead of simple double wound systems

Dr. Alex Mardapittas, managing director of EMSc (UK) Ltd.

l Constant voltage output, voltage

supply stability, secure voltage output, regardless of the input voltage variations l The opportunity for site managers to change the voltage at any time l Electronic-dynamic optimisation to ensure optimum voltage is always supplied l Minimising the risk of equipment failure by providing stable voltage in the event that voltage drops to 220V l Added protection for site equipment and improved power quality by eliminating harmonic distortions.

EMS has successfully installed its system at Tower Hamlets Council in London, one of the five host boroughs for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

In line with its vision to become a council with a progressively lower environmental impact and to set an excellent example of leadership in environmental good practice to the community, Tower Hamlets Council commissioned EMS to survey its facilities at Albert Jacob House – the offices for its Homeless and Housing Advices Services – to determine the effectiveness of voltage optimisation on the site.

An onsite survey identified that a minimum saving of 12% in electricity consumption could be achieved through voltage optimisation. This equates to a saving of £6,411 on the annual electricity charges, while carbon emissions would also be reduced by 30 tonnes per annum.

The system has also been installed in one of the London 2012 headquarters at London City Hall, where a 7% saving in energy consumption has been achieved.

Following these successful installations and due to a sustained upsurge in enquiries, workload and resulting success within the public sector, EMS has appointed designated

Manufactured in the UK, the voltage optimisation system Powerstar MAX from EMSc(UK), optimises the voltage in line with the characteristics and loading of each specific site or through electronic-dynamic variable reduction, and is particularly relevant for sites with daily fluctuating voltage of 10v or more

consultants with comprehensive and specialist knowledge of local authorities, central government and the NHS. As such, public sector organisations seeking reliable, proven energy saving technologies that can help reduce carbon emissions while realising significant savings on energy consumption, can be assured of professional and specialised service from EMS. Powerstar MAX not only represents the next generation of voltage optimisation systems, but also serves as proof of the excellence of British manufacturing. British companies have an excellent reputation for innovation, but manufacturing successes often go unnoticed. That is why EMS is acting as advocates for British manufacturing.

tracy.eaton@ems-uk.org Online Enquiry 038 Public Sector Build Journal 51

Kitchens, Bathrooms & Washrooms

Contemporary and practical Rimless WCs join RAK's stylish Compact bathroom range RAK Ceramics has introduced a range of new WRAS-approved Rimless WCs, combining quality, contemporary styling and practicality Part of RAK’s popular Compact bathroom collection, the new range of WRAS-approved Rimless WC’s includes six toilets which feature a small footprint and curved design.

In addition to standard formats for hygiene-conscious consumers, three extended projections are available for wheelchair users in both back-to-wall and close-coupled designs. All models comply with the Department of Health’s HTM64 Standard and will be showcased at KBB Birmingham 2012, from 4-7 March (Stand No. E95).

RAK’s Rimless format eliminates the need for a hidden rim or channel.

On flushing, water is fired from three separate jets, ensuring that the whole surface of the pan is flushed, both

vertically and horizontally. As germs cannot collect under a rim, the completely visible surface is easy to clean. All RAK Rimless models also offer a soft close wrap-over toilet seat.

Compact, close-coupled handsfree options are also available, which feature Cistermiser sensor-controlled water managed systems, as well as models with hidden cisterns and support mechanisms. In its pursuit of product excellence, the entire RAK WC range is also being converted to reduce water wastage; a revised trap design and modified Geberit cistern fitting will reduce flushing volume by 33.5% to just 4.0/2.5 litres.

Other toilet options within RAK’s Compact collection include traditional back-to-wall, wall-hung and closecoupled WC’s in both standard, mini, extended height and fullaccess formats.

kevin.j@rakceramics.co.uk enq 039

New Polyrey laminate collection unveiled A brand new cubicle and washroom collection, has just been launched by laminate manufacturer Polyrey. The 48-strong palette of laminate finishes includes 14 brand new designs that collectively cover all the bases for bright primary colours, stone abstracts, graphic prints and luxurious woodgrains, offering extensive design freedom for projects including hotels, leisure centres, restaurants, pubs, offices and schools. Also new to the collection are four brand new glass-effect work surfaces in black, red, white and frosted glass.

Brand new literature is available which includes sample chips, a product reference guide and technical specifications. polyrey.uk@polyrey.com enq 040

Simplifying specification Population trends are triggering an increase in the specification and purchase of disabled equipment.

As a result, specifiers are having to adapt to developments in the sector – an adaptation simplified with advances at Total Hygiene. The company has extended its range to deliver a flexible offering that efficiently creates a well-functioning accessible bathroom, toilet, washroom, or Changing Places facility in domestic and commercial environments. The Complete Bathroom Collection comprises height adjustable washbasins, baths and shower seats; British-made height adjustable and fixed Clos-o-Mat ‘wash and dry’ toilets; height adjustable changing tables, toilet lifters, hoists and body driers.

info@clos-o-mat.com

52 Public Sector Build Journal

enq 041

Splendid isolation The new expanded Ballofix range from Pegler Yorkshire includes everything from the latest lockable push and press fittings, through to modern filter valves, providing the perfect tamper-proof solution for a wide range of public sector buildings.

The range offers valves suitable for everything from potable water and hot and cold water, through to oil and compressed air and gas services. All come complete with colour-coded handles tailored to the service they are installed on and components can be removed without closing down the whole system.

brochures@pegleryorkshire.co.uk enq 042

www.psbj.

co.uk ÂŁ4.00

November

2011

Leisure Pu

rs

The NPPF - will it be a friend or fo of the public e sector?

- a lasting le uits gacy for community regeneratio n Achievem ent by desig n - the importa nc academic en e of vironments

Modular trium ph - innovativ e construct ion in the healt hcare sect or

Subscribe FREE at www.psbj.co.uk Keep up-to-date with the latest news, legislations, projects & building information with Public Sector Build Journal.

As a product information magazine PSBJ showcases the latest innovative building products as well as showcasing them in use within public sector building.

If you are an Architect, Building Contractor, Specifier, Developer, Local Authority, or work within building for Healthcare, Education, Housing or Leisure and have the power to purchase building products, subscribe now for free.

Online Enquiry 043

Façades

Ceramic granite offers outstanding qualities A highly polished white ceramic granite facade panel supplied by Shackerley, was selected to clad all four elevations in the stunning enclosed contemporary courtyard, at the heart of the Institute of Transplantation at Newcastle upon Tyne's Freeman Hospital

Gleaming ceramic granite ventilated façade systems supplied by Shackerley, have provided an exceptionally high standard of aesthetic finish at the UK's first dedicated organ transplantation centre in Newcastle upon Tyne. In this special feature, PSBJ looks at the premium qualities delivered by ceramic granite and the outstanding visual finishes it offers.

S

hackerley’s façades have not only helped Ryder Architecture to deliver a landmark healthcare building for Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; the company’s Sureclad ventilated cladding system, which allows thermal and acoustic insulation to be installed within the air cavity behind its façades, has also helped the project team to achieve a BREEAM standard of ‘Very Good’ for its client.

The new state-of-the-art facility, the Institute of Transplantation at Newcastle upon Tyne’s Freeman Hospital, was built by BAM at a cost of over £25m and is one of only four such medical centres of excellence in the world. It covers 9,500m2 over four levels and brings together under one roof, new operating facilities, critical care provision and multiple ancillary services such as radiology and pathology.

Polished ceramic granite was always envisaged as one of the main exterior cladding finishes for the new facility because of its premium aesthetic

54 Public Sector Build Journal

qualities and its durable hardwearing and low maintenance characteristics.

The architectural team at Ryder had employed Shackerley’s Sureclad façade systems to great effect on a number of other prestigious new build projects, and the Trust also had previous experience of using ceramic granite on other areas of the hospital site.

Accordingly, a highly polished white ceramic granite façade panel was selected to clad all four elevations in the stunning enclosed courtyard at the heart of the facility. This contemporary open space provides an attractive and accessible oasis for staff and visitors and a pleasing aspect for the patients being treated in the surrounding clinical spaces. With its ceramic cladding and pastel tinted fenestration, the courtyard boasts such an unusual degree of reflectivity that its appearance is continually changing in response to the prevailing weather conditions.

The same highly polished white ceramic granite panel has also been used to the front of the building where

it ‘frames’ the main entrance to the facility and also provides a highly effective and practical ‘shield’ from a bulk oxygen storage zone. To provide visual continuity, the architects have

A single course of ceramic granite panels has been used externally to 'frame' the entrance area

Façades used the same façade system and a similar ceramic granite panel internally, installing sleek, reflective wall cladding from floor to ceiling, inside the lofty entrance area and atrium. A contrasting ceramic granite panel, again with a highly polished finish but this time in charcoal black, has also been employed to clad adjacent elevations and lift lobbies on each floor of the building, providing maximum dramatic effect.

High quality finish All the exterior and interior ceramic cladding was installed on behalf of BAM by roofing and façade installation specialist Keyclad, part of the Bowmer & Kirkland Group.

Ryder Architecture Associate Mike Melia said: “The Trust was determined that the new building should leave staff, patients and visitors in no doubt that this is a world-leading healthcare facility providing groundbreaking medical treatment and unrivalled standards of patient care. We were not to be constrained by preconceptions of how a hospital should look, and we were urged to specify premium quality materials throughout.

“We knew from past experience that we could rely on Shackerley’s ceramic granite to deliver a high quality finish for internal and external elevations, but when we saw the finished results we were really pleased how attractive it looked, particularly in the reception and courtyard.”

Steven Bannister, Director of Estates and Facilities for the Trust agreed: “Having worked with Newcastle Hospitals for a considerable period, Ryder Architecture understood our requirements intimately in terms of space, light, finishes and standards.

I am delighted to say they have exceeded all our expectations, especially where the interior and exterior cladding finishes are concerned.

“Our new facility really is top class.

It makes a bold and unequivocal statement about the confidence and pride the Trust has in its worldleading transplantation services and the quality of patient treatment and care we are able to offer.”

info@schackerley.com

To provide visual continuity, the architects have used the same Shackerley façade system and a similar ceramic granite panel internally, installing sleek, reflective wall cladding from floor to ceiling, inside the lofty entrance area and atrium Online Enquiry 044 Public Sector Build Journal 55

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

Cost study shows savings for fire rated walls An independent cost comparison study of non-load bearing fire rated compartment and partition walls, has shown cost savings of up to 40% per m2 for Firemaster panel solutions from Eurobond Laminates, when compared to conventional jumbo stud and blockwork constructions.

The report, by leading cost consultants Faithful+Gould, looked at current costs for walls in two common applications and used data from the company’s Cost Database and relevant information from a sample of approved contractors.

The first scenario was a single storey industrial or retail building with 2-hour fire separation wall 7.5m-8m high.

When compared to a jumbo stud wall

the Firemaster Wall Extra solution could save up to 40% per m2. When compared to blockwork, the Firemaster Wall Extra solution could save up to 22% per m2.

The second scenario was a retail store back wall with 1-hour fire separation wall 4m-4.5m high. When compared to a jumbo stud wall the Firemaster Wall Lite solution could save up to

20% per m2. When compared to blockwork,the Firemaster Wall Lite solution could save up to 12% per m2.

The approved Firemaster system provides a tested fire resistance in order to perform as internal firewalls, ceilings or compartmentation walls, and is designed to be integrated with Eurobond’s Firemaster doors for a complete fire resistant solution.

At the core of each Firemaster panel is non-combustible stone wool insulation that guarantees the highest level of fire performance and low environmental impact.

sales@eurobond.co.uk enq 045

Kingspan Group takes major energy step Kingspan Group’s head office in Kingscourt, Ireland, has been able to take a major step along the road to net-zero energy with the installation of the Kingspan Roof PowerPanel System.

1000m2 of state-of-the-art photovoltaic modules have been installed by certified PV Installer, Northeast Electrical to more than offset the total annual electricity usage of the Group offices in what is thought to be one of the largest PV installations in Ireland. The 130kWp system, which comprises of 553, 235Wp Yingli crystalline PV modules, is expected to generate circa 100,000 kWh per annum.

Care centre is airtight

According to Simon Jones, business development director for Boise Cascade, designers and engineers who need to incorporate bulky building services within suspended floors should choose timber I-joists for maximum flexibility. Jones believes that the ability to make service penetrations in the thin oriented-strand board (OSB) web of an I-joist is sometimes overlooked by designers. Services can be routed through a series of timber I-beams diagonally and more directly if appropriate without complicating the installation or weakening individual joists. “It’s even possible now to install the heat recovery plant itself between joists,” says Jones.

A £3.5m scheme to provide accommodation for those with early stage dementia has seen Klober’s Wallint 50 Air Barrier used with Solar-Line airtightness accessories. The residential wing has been built to CSH Level 4 and the non-residential area to a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating. Phil Goffin of Brown Smith Baker explained: “We wanted an air barrier/VCL to meet a minimum vapour resistance of 250 MN/sg provided by Wallint 50.

It was installed on the warm side of rafters behind plaster stops in conjunction with Klober’s Pasto Sealant and Permo TR Tape. Pipe work penetrations were sealed using the Solar-Line Sealing Collar.

boise.ewp.eu@bc.com enq 047

klober@yourresponse.co.uk enq 048

info@kingspanpanels.com enq 046

Timber I-joists offer optimum flexibility

56 Public Sector Build Journal

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

Pioneering roof tile

Solar kit keeps roofs weathertight

An innovative roof tile that absorbs asthma-causing pollutants has removed the equivalent of 500,000 car miles worth of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the air since its launch four years ago.

Manufacturer Marley Eternit, developed the groundbreaking EcoLogic tile which has a ‘pollution-eating’ coating, containing a catalyst activated by the sun’s rays. This removes NOx from the air along with other atmospheric pollutants responsible for smog and acid rain. Based on Marley Eternit’s ever-popular Ludlow Major concrete tile, EcoLogic tiles have a brown granular textured surface that complements a wide range of architectural styles

Klober’s Solar-Line range of PV and solar accessories ensures that roofs remain fully watertight and airtight around penetrations.

A Solar Outlet Kit contains Outlet, Universal Base Tile or Slate and a Sealing Collar which is available in five sizes. The Outlet can be used with up to eight cables which can also be retro-fitted. Other products include a Tile Guard and a Panel Support which absorbs any stress on tiles while preventing humidity from entering the roof. A Universal Solar Panel Flashing Apron completes the range, sealing low profile panels to the roof covering.

info@marleyeternit.co.uk enq 049

admin@longrakespar.co.uk enq 051

klober@yourresponse.co.uk enq 050

Southern Sales Manager appointed Decorative Aggregate Supplier, Long Rake Spar has appointed Chris Bourne as Southern Sales Manager.

Chris joins Long Rake Spar with more than 10 years of aggregates experience from a national aggregates supplier. Chris will be responsible for Long Rake’s existing customers in the South East whilst seeking new opportunities to grow the business in this key region.

This appointment reflects Long Rake Spar’s continued emphasis on developing and strengthening sales.

College reflects on Sarnafil benefits A state-of-the-art Sarnafil White SR (Solar Reflective) membrane is maximising the performance of a new solar roofing system installed on Banff and Buchan College in Fraserburgh, Scotland. Sarnafil registered contractor Briggs Amasco, installed approximately 2,500m2 of Sarnafil single-ply membranes to the various roofs that make up the college’s new entrance wing, while the solar aspect was installed by Renewable Resources. Part refurbishment and part new build, the roofs feature areas of Sarnafil S327-18EL membrane in Light Grey, as well as the White SR membrane and solar system. sarnafilroofing@uk.sika.com enq 052

1000 smartroof and counting!

Barratt Homes will soon be taking delivery of the 1000th smartroof®, a complete panelised ‘room in roof’ system developed by Wolf Systems and Wyckham Blackwell. Manufactured regionally under licence and delivered to site ‘just in time’, three to four plots can be installed in a day. The factory-insulated panels simply interlock to give 100% habitable space. Ongoing product development of smartroof® has secured NHBC and Robust Detail approval, and, as Building Regulations continue to tighten towards ‘Zero Carbon’, smartroof® has solutions for U values from 0.2 to as low as 0.09.

karl.foster@wolfsystem.co.uk enq 053

A lesson in roof safety Safesite Ltd has installed 126m of its System 2000 freestanding guardrail at Central Sussex College’s Crawley campus in order to allow safe access to the roof for maintenance purposes.

Safesite’s BBA Approved System 2000 freestanding guardrail provided the ideal solution as it enables edge protection without the need to mechanically fix the protection system to the roof itself. This overcomes possible damage to the roof’s membrane which can cause water penetration, costly repairs and insurance invalidation.

marketing@safesite.co.uk enq 054

Public Sector Build Journal 57

Doors, Windows & Façades

Revolving gateway The four wing revolving entrance system from TORMAX on the new Ashford Gateway building in Ashford, Kent, is combined with an iMotion® automatic swing side door, providing easy and efficient access for all potential visitors.

Driven by the powerful TORMAX 5201

Universal operator, the aesthetically impressive revolving door offers low maintenance operation combined with a high level of functionality. Suitable for a wide range of applications, the TORMAX 5201 revolving door system is often used when space is limited as it has a particularly narrow header profile, requiring just 140mm installation depth.

Secure doors for Salford housing trust Social housing fenestration specialist Total Glass, is supplying high-security communal entrance doors to Salford’s City West Housing Trust as part of an on-going multi-million pound homes investment programme. Manufactured from heavy-gauge aluminium, the Power Frame doors are being installed in dozens of low-rise housing blocks across the city.

Specifically designed to withstand the toughest environments, all doors feature robust hinges, fully tamper-proof fixings and secure electronic solenoid bolt locks linking to video and entry phone systems; providing the highest levels of security to protect occupants.

Laminated and toughened glass in the large glazed panel delivers high impact resistance and safety, while also achieving low U-values depending on glass specification. This greatly improves heat retention within communal areas, reducing heating bills and carbon emissions. Glass can be customised with corporate designs and logos if required.

Enhancing buildings with their contemporary and welcoming appearance, the doors let more light into communal areas and give residents an immediate, reassuring view of visitors outside. Greater visibility helps to reduce the potential for anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

sales@tormax.co.uk enq 055

sales@totalglass.com enq 056

Glazing elements help achieve top rating Glazing elements by architectural aluminium systems supplier Kawneer, have helped the first phase of the redevelopment of the city centre campus of the University of Wales, Newport, achieve a BREAAM Excellent rating. Kawneer’s AA®100 curtain walling, AA®601 top-hung casement windows and AA®605 low/medium duty swing doors and series 190 heavy-duty commercial entrance doors, which feature on all elevations of the striking building, have also helped BDP architects achieve the design objective of it being open and transparent to the community.

kuk.kawneer@alcoa.com enq 057

Lighting up community care Bespoke FAKRO roof windows have been used in Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association’s £2.85m Airdferry Resource Centre at Carr Brae, Dornie. Architects Bracewell Stirling required non-opening windows to provide natural light through a cantilevered walkway canopy which links the centre to six elderly residents’ homes. The roof windows ensure there is no adverse effect on daylight reaching rooms adjoining the balcony and is a further example of the diverse ways in which FAKRO products are now being used.

fakro@web-response.co.uk enq 058

58 Public Sector Build Journal

Doorset solutions Doorsets from Leaderflush Shapland’s Designer, Extended Performance and Plasform ranges were specified for the new Children’s Ward and Observation Unit at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. All Leaderflush Shapland veneered doorsets incorporate Hygienilac as standard into the wood lacquer. Hygienilac is a highly effective antimicrobial finish which kills most species of bacteria including C.diff, Salmonella and E. Coli, reducing the potential risk of such bacteria causing Healthcare Associated Infections. The doorsets can cope with the most demanding requirements such as high fire resistance, sound reduction and smoke control to comply with HTM 69 guidance.

enquiries@leaderflushshapland.co.uk enq 059

Doors, Windows & Timber

Log building for Norfolk school

Timber protection The Netherlands Institute for Ecology is now housed in a purpose-built timber and glass building designed to the highest standards of sustainability, and Arch Timber Protection’s fire retardants are safely protecting the building and staff at the site.

Thermally-modified Plato WOOD, produced from sustainable spruce, has been used for external beams and cladding. These components are protected using Arch’s NONCOM Exterior, a polymer-based fire retardant.

Interior Plato WOOD spruce timbers used in the public areas of the building are fire retardant-protected with Arch’s DRICON.

Logwise Ltd, the official agent for Honkarakenne Oyj (Honka) in the UK, has recently supplied a bespoke log building for Hingham Primary School in Norfolk. The building has been constructed from Honka’s laminated logs at 112mm wide. There is an additional insulation wall structure with Warmcel recycled newspaper insulation which helps to ensure the building is as sustainable as possible. Speed of build was one of the deciding factors for Norfolk Property Services in choosing Logwise to supply the building, and sales@lodgico.co.uk enq 061 the log kit was erected in less than a week.

Flexible profiles

Alu-Timber, with its approved fabricator K2 Aluminium Systems, worked on the second phase of the Glynllifon campus development in Gwynned, Wales – a new build teaching block designed to meet BREEAM Excellent standards. Alu-Timber, from The Parkside Group Ltd., was specified due to the flexibility it offers. The extensive range of profiles, which are always kept in stock, create options for large glazed framing areas which integrate seamlessly with Alu-Timber windows and doors. The complete Alu-Timber range includes casement, tilt and turn windows, open-in and open-out doors, framing and curtain walling.

David.law@lonza.com enq 060

projects@parksidegroup.co.uk enq 062

Wider windows Now available from members of the Steel Window Association, W40 windows provide continuity of style with the same casement sightlines as the established W20 range but the 40mm wide profiles permit even more effective double-glazing with 26mm thick units. The insulating glass units are drained and ventilated in accordance with modern best practice and can be gasket glazed to ensure consistent neatness and reliability of seal. Weathertightness is also significantly enhanced and fittings can be less obtrusive with variable geometry hinges, friction pivots and multi-point locking cremone bolts concealed within the profiles. info@steel-window-association.co.uk enq 063

Strength and elegance Designers looking for doors which combine slender frames with high strength and durability are increasingly opting for cold-formed tubular steel from members of the Steel Window Association.

Tubular steel extends the scope of steel construction into heavy-duty doors, screens and curtain wall systems by retaining the high strength of steel with long spans and slender lines. Tubular sections offer lightweight frames which maximise the ratio of glass to steel, producing very light, transparent façades which are ideal for busy info@steel-window-association.co.uk enq 064 showcase entrances.

All wrapped up!

De Montfort University has taken an innovative approach to ensuring refurbishment of a 1960’s faculty building delivers optimum sustainability, with help from Glidevale Ltd. Main contractor Baggaley Construction, on the instruction of project architects JSP, wrapped the building shell of Bosworth House in the latest membrane pioneered by Glidevale, Protect 200 Façade. Purpose designed for open rainscreen clad buildings, Protect 200 Façade simultaneously allows excess vapour within the structure to escape, yet still prevents external moisture in wind, rain and snow etc., from penetrating inside.

sales@glidevale.com enq 065

Public Sector Build Journal 59

Flooring

Making an entrance Forbo's Nuway Tuftiguard HD classic, an engineered product with a heavy pile double wiper strip and unique aluminium scraper bar design, has proved ideal for the heavily trafficked areas at Manchester Piccadilly station

As part of one of the single largest entrance mat contracts ever placed in Europe, involving safety upgrades to nine British Network Rail stations across the country, Manchester Piccadilly has recently been fitted with Forbo's Nuway Tuftiguard HD and Coral Brush Activ entrance flooring.

M

anchester Piccadilly station accommodates over 98m people per year so the entrance flooring products specified had to meet all safety concerns and perform to the highest level of functionality whilst adding to the aesthetics of the station.

Master Matting Installations in Halifax, an approved Forbo Entrance Systems Specialist Installer (FESSI), was subcontracted by Amco to carry out the installations. Commenting on the contract, director Sam Webb said: “The main priority was safety, so the project required a heavy duty entrance barrier matting system for internal use that would be highly effective at removing and retaining moisture and dirt within the entrance system to prevent any hazardous areas on the interior floor that people might slip on – a key consideration for all publicly accessed buildings.

“The heavy and frequent traffic throughout the station includes wheeled vehicles and heavy suitcases, so another requirement for the flooring was the load-bearing capabilities and

cost-effective way to achieve the optimal level of soil removal and moisture absorption throughout the entrance areas.

Sam Webb continued: “We have worked with Forbo Flooring Systems for more than 20 years and have no hesitation in recommending them to our clients. We have always been very impressed with the professional service and high quality, high performance products.”

Peter Rock, Project Manager at Network Rail, commented: “With the amount of people entering the station at any one time, safety is our number one concern. Having had Forbo’s effective Entrance System products installed by a FESSI contractor, we are confident that the entrance areas will effectively keep the interior floor surfaces clean and dry to minimise the likelihood of slips and retain its smart appearance for many years to come.”

info.flooring.uk@forbo.com

performance, whilst achieving an aesthetically pleasing appearance.”

Forbo’s Nuway Tuftiguard HD classic, an engineered product with a heavy pile double wiper strip and unique aluminium scraper bar design, proved ideal for this application. Pivotal in protecting people from slips, this highly effective entrance flooring system is the best method of preventing wet and dry soiling from causing serious hazards. It can withstand static loads of up to 900kg/cm2 and has a level surface for ease of movement of wheeled vehicles and luggage making it suitable for use in the most heavily trafficked passenger interchanges.

High performance products Whilst Nuway Tuftiguard HD was used in the areas with the heaviest footfall, Coral Brush Activ anthracite, an attractive and hardwearing ‘clean off’ entrance flooring product was used in areas at the side of the entrances where lighter traffic was anticipated.

This zoned approach recommended

by Forbo was adopted as the most

Manchester Piccadilly station accommodates over 98m people per year, so its entrance barrier matting system needs to be highly effective at removing and retaining moisture and dirt to prevent any hazardous areas on the interior floor that people might slip on Online Enquiry 066

60 Public Sector Build Journal

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Paving the way

Seamless finish for custody block

A new issue of Interpave’s digital magazine has just been published with the latest projects and news on urban and landscape design, SUDS and commercial paving. This issue looks at how Oxfordshire County Council has been taking a positive and pragmatic approach to adopting streets and other areas using concrete block permeable paving for some 15 years as part of its SUDS strategy.

Interpave spent a day out with the Council’s Highways Adoption Officer looking at projects old and new, and learning from his experience. Visit www.paving.org.uk to download the latest issue of e:Pave.

Resin Surfaces Limited (RSL) recently completed a prestigious project for The Greater Manchester Police in conjunction with Carillion, to build a modern state-ofthe-art police station in Newton Heath, which included the construction of a highly efficient custody block. The floors and walls of the specialist cells needed to adhere to a strict brief which focused on durability whilst providing a seamless finish. RSL worked with Aedas Architects to specify RSL’s wall coating Ecuclad for the walls and ceilings and Resuscreed info@resinsurfaces.co.uk enq 068 Quartz for the floor areas.

New composite timber decking A new, heavy-duty composite timber decking that could transform public walkways, has been launched

by Dura Composites. Dura Deck 225 HD (Heavy Duty) has a unique below-surface high capacity fixing system, so it’s quicker to lay, safer to walk on, withstands greater loads and lasts longer than conventional walkway and decking systems – composite or natural wood. Dura Deck 225 HD is 225mm wide and spans up to 700mm for standard pedestrian loads. All Dura Deck products are made from a highly developed mix of reclaimed wood and high-density polyethylene, with an attractive hardwearing anti-slip finish.

info@paving.org.uk enq 067

Bridging the gap

info@duracomposites.co.uk enq 069

Bridging the gap between commercial and domestic flooring, Insight from Gerflor is a brand new, competitively priced, luxury vinyl available in tile or plank sizes with bevelled edges. The impressively large palette of highly realistic Wood, Mineral and Urban designs ensures that the product range is ideal for enhancing interior décor. The Insight range has been specifically developed for medium and high traffic wear and has an overall thickness of 2.5mm, made up of a transparent 0.55mm thick wearlayer, a design film and a compact underlayer. Insight is also 100% recyclable.

contractuk@gerflor.com enq 070

Functional & stylish Luxury ID Premier wood-effect vinyl tiles from Tarkett have been installed at the College of St Hild and St Bede, the largest college at Durham University. The original building of St Hild’s College dates back to 1857 and now houses 163 students, along with the main administrative and student support services. Tarkett’s ID Premier features a 0.7mm or a 0.5mm pure PVC transparent wear layer, which is exceptionally hardwearing and indentation resistant. The TopClean XP PUR reinforcement offers extreme resistance to abrasion as well as easy low-cost maintenance, while the composite glass fibre-reinforced structure provides additional dimensional stability, toughness marketing@tarkett.com enq 071 and durability.

Repair & protect A range of concrete repair products from Sika have been used in the refurbishment of George Loveless House (above) and the neighbouring James Hammett House in The London Borough of Hamlets. These complexes were two of the first to feature highlevel blocks using reinforced concrete, but over the years had fallen into disrepair. Two of the products specified were Sika’s Armocrete, a cementitous free-flowing micro-concrete repair system, used to repair large sections of the building columns, while all the exposed concrete and brick surfaces on the building were protected by SikaGard 702W, a silicone coating which is water repellant.

sales@uk.sika.com enq 072

Public Sector Build Journal 61

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Improved colour card from Dulux Dulux Trade has unveiled a new and improved colour card for its Light & Space colour range. The handy tool now has an easy-to-digest layout, updated photography and more detailed technical information, making it easier for users to confidently advise their customers on the many benefits of the light-enhancing offering. The updated colour card features sample swatches of the 26 harmonious shades within the Light & Space palette as well as product information for the variety of Dulux Trade finishes available within the Light & Space colour range.

Multi-solution flooring Tarkett has reinvigorated its iQ Optima range of homogeneous vinyl flooring with fresh new colours and formats and enhanced performance characteristics. iQ Optima features self-regenerating properties that mean simple dry buffing fully restores the flooring’s appearance. The range also has VOC emissions below quantifiable levels, creating healthier, people-friendly interiors. With 64 colours to choose from, iQ Optima has a solution for every mood and style, offering timeless classics alongside unique new designs including wood and combination colours.

duluxtraderesponse@tangerinepr.com enq 074

Designer Contracts strengthens position Designer Contracts, one of Britain’s largest floorcovering contractors to the new build industry, has bolstered its position with an acquisition in the South West of England and the expansion of its Scottish operation.

The company has acquired the contracts division of Cornwall-based Premier Carpets and Flooring and doubled the size of its Scotland operation by moving to new premises at Castings Court in Middlefield Industrial Estate, Falkirk. Managing Director Peter Kelsey said: “Premier Carpets is a great fit with our existing framework and we look forward to working closely with our new customers, while our new Scotland facility provides us with capacity to grow in future.” enquiries@DesignerContracts.com enq 075

marketing@tarkett.com enq 073

A brighter future A brand new primary school in South Wales has been made brighter with help from the Dulux Trade Light & Space colour range. Used in Frosted Dawn, Willow Creek and Javan Dawn, the innovative light-reflective coating was applied to interior walls at Ysgol Gymraeg Brynsierfel School in Llanelli, helping create a stimulating learning environment for pupils. Light & Space was used in a Diamond Matt formulation to bring superior durability to the school’s high traffic areas as it is up to 10 times more durable and 10 times more stain-resistant than standard vinyl silk emulsions. duluxtraderesponse@tangerinepr.com enq 076

Ceilings make the grade Knauf AMF Ceilings have recently been specified for a flagship regeneration project at the new £12m Michael Faraday Community School on the Aylesbury Estate in London – the largest social housing complex in Europe. Over 1000m2 of Knauf AMF ceilings were specified for the new school, including around 400m2 of Thermatex Acoustic ceilings for the ‘Living Room’, a large open-plan learning space at the heart of the school. Other Knauf AMF products specified included 500 AMF Baffles installed in the classrooms to help improve the acoustics and the speech intelligibility, and AMF Fibrafutura ceilings in the main building.

sales@amfceilings.co.uk enq 077

62 Public Sector Build Journal

Intelligent flooring

Students at the new Freebrough Academy near Middlesbrough can now enjoy school meals in attractive, comfortable surroundings thanks to the installation of iQ Granit flooring from Tarkett. Made from high-quality raw materials, iQ Granit features a 3rd generation PUR surface reinforcement that guarantees no wax or polish will ever be needed.

Around 750m2 of iQ Granit in two complementary colours were used in the restaurant to create curves in the flooring that mirror the ceiling line. The installation was then completed using Tarkett’s new multicoloured weld rods to ensure invisible joins throughout.

marketing@tarkett.com enq 078

Focus & Innovation

Underfloor heating range expanded Saint-Gobain to exhibit at CIH Saint-Gobain Weber is exhibiting at the Chartered Institute of Housing’s (CIH) London & South East Conference and Exhibition 2012 to be held at the Hilton Brighton Metropole, March 6th8th. The company will be displaying a comprehensive range of high performance products targeted at senior landlords in the social housing and refurbishment sector. Products and systems for concrete repair and protection; façade renders including the through-coloured A+ Green Guide rated monocouche renders weber. pral D and weber.pral M; and the versatile, award-winning weber.therm External Wall Insulation (EWI) systems, will all be on display as well as other leading products.

mail@netweber.co.uk enq 079

Focusing on providing a comprehensive range of high quality underfloor heating (UFH) systems, Gaia Climate Solutions (formerly DEVI Electroheat) now designs, supplies and installs hydronic UFH as well as the electric alternative. The hydronic, ultra-efficient wet UFH system, is suitable for a wide range of applications and provides high comfort levels by circulating water at low temperatures through a series of pipe loops laid within a screed, or between timber joists, beneath the floor surface.

The ultra-flexible and lightweight pipes are simply unrolled and clipped into the projects@gaiacs.com enq 080 supplied tracks.

Drop a degree and save the planet!

Haverland, a leading innovator and manufacturer of new generation electric heating, has recently launched a ‘Drop 1 degree to Save the Planet’ campaign.

The campaign is designed to encourage energy users to drop one degree on their thermostats to help reduce energy consumption – this environmental initiative not only helps reduce energy bills – but also helps to reduce consumer carbon footprints. Last winter, a major international banking group embraced this initiative throughout its European Headquarters, and dropped one degree on all electric heating thermostats, saving the company several million Euros. heat@haverland.co.uk enq 081

Equipment provides dynamic play Watford Community Housing Trust has worked with Sutcliffe Play to revitalise five play facilities for children across the town. The bespoke playgrounds have been built using Better Communities Funds following consultation with local residents and school children. The playgrounds have an exciting range of equipment suitable for children of all ages, including a bespoke train unit that encourages imaginative and social play for toddlers. A Playzone unit caters for older children with different sections including a slide, fireman’s pole, a vertical net and a pole climb. Dish roundabouts have also been installed allowing for fast, dynamic play.

info@sutcliffeplay.co.uk enq 082

Severn Gorge puts Trust in NBT Natural Building Technologies’ (NBT) Pavawall and Pavaroof systems have been used to help create an awardwinning, high performance structural building envelope for the new Severn Gorge Countryside Trust headquarters building at Telford in Shropshire. The NBT solution combines excellent thermal performance and breathability to deliver a warm and healthy internal environment for the building. As well as delivering U-values of 0.20 W/m2K and 0.15 W/m2K for the walls and roof respectively, the NBT constructions contributed to an airtightness of 0.64 m3/hr/m2@50Pa, greatly outperforming the Building Regulations’ requirement s.honey@natural-building.co.uk enq 083 of under 10m3.

Sustainable roofing solution Metrotile Lightweight Steel Roofing continues to enhance its reputation as a durable, sustainable roofing solution that is ideal for many applications due to a combination of outstanding benefits and stunning aesthetics. During 2011, Metrotile Lightweight Steel Roofing could be found in a number of public sector building projects, from homes in Glasgow and Tyneside to Metrotile’s largest single project yet – The Priory Lincoln Academies. A full range of bespoke accessories is also available, including the integrated Metrotile Photovoltaic System. Each Metrotile roof is backed by an industry-leading 40-year guarantee.

sales@metrotile.co.uk enq 084

Public Sector Build Journal 63

Focus & Innovation

Top Safety Accreditation for Createability Development partner Createability has received SAFEcontractor accreditation, a leading-edge scheme that recognises high standards of health and safety practise amongst UK contractors.

Recent clients for Createability, which specialises in the design and build of bespoke leisure environments, include Nuffield Health, DC Leisure and a number of leisure trusts. Ian Cotgrave, Managing Director said: “This SAFEcontractor accreditation is proof and recognition of all the hard work that

goes on behind the scenes as we strive to achieve safer working environments for our staff and clients.This industryrecognised qualification goes hand-inhand with our CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety) registration, setting Createability apart from other contractors working within the same arena.”

SAFEcontractor accreditation is expected to enhance Createability’s ability to attract new contracts and its commitment to safety will be viewed positively by insurers when the company liability policy is up for renewal.

Under the SAFEcontractor system, businesses undergo a vetting process which examines health and safety procedures and their track record for safe practice. Companies meeting the high standard are included on a database – only accessible by employer-organisations that have signed up to the scheme - enabling them to access the database and vet potential contractors. As users of the scheme, they agree to only engage accredited companies.

More than 150 major nationwide businesses, from several key sectors, have signed up to use the scheme when selecting contractors for services such as building, cleaning, maintenance, refurbishment or electrical and mechanical work.

info@createability.co.uk

enq 085

LPCB approval for Geberit Mapress Geberit, a leading supplier of sanitary, supply and drainage systems, has been awarded the first ever Loss Prevention Certification Board approval for a pressfitting system for fire protection systems.

The accreditation, which applies to Geberit’s innovative Mapress Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel, covers all dimensions of Geberit Mapress piping up to 108mm.

Geberit Mapress is now the approved pressfitting pipework for use on all fire protection systems including wet and dry sprinkler systems, pre-action systems, low pressure water spray and mist systems, foam water sprinkler systems, deluge systems, hydrant systems and extinguishing water pipes. info@shelan.co.uk enq 086

Powerful presentations With electricity costs continuing to rise, data centre managers are under increasing pressure to monitor power consumption usage even more closely, and efficiency demands from Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems are greater than ever before. Borri Ltd, a leading supplier of high-efficiency UPS systems, has launched a campaign to help data centre managers explore the vast efficiency saving opportunities that computing and electrical infrastructures present.

Over the next few months, Borri’s team of specialist engineers will be holding presentations nationwide, demonstrating how its UPS solutions are able to provide superior efficiency levels without compromising power protection.

Ian.Tucker@borri.co.uk enq 087

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Be prepared!

New products being distributed by DMMP Limited this season to help fight ice and snow include the Magnum salt-spreader range. This hardy range can be fitted to vehicles, trailers, forklifts or even quad bikes, with prices from just £799 for the spreaders and £150 for accessories.

Also available is the CSK61808 Chapin Pre-treat and De-icer Knapsack SprayerBackpack, which has a 15.1 litre capacity, continuous spray feature and easy pumping action (£90 plus VAT and carriage per unit). Existing products include salt, de-icers, salt bins and snow shovels.

info@dmmp.co.uk enq 088

Focus & Innovation

Confident Customer Charter

New meets old Modular Wiring Systems, a subsidiary of electrical cable manufacturer Tratos Ltd., has designed, manufactured and supplied modular power and lighting distribution systems for Kings Cross Station in London. Modular Wiring Systems has designed the distribution systems to run mainly underfloor through key parts of the Western Range. Due to limited on-site storage facilities, just in time delivery was required. This was made possible by the offsite pre-fabrication of the system, including pre-wired distribution boards, which can be stored and delivered to site at the exact time and date specified by the client.

info@modwire.com enq 089

Foremans Relocatable Building Systems has launched a groundbreaking Customer Charter, which it believes is an industry first. The new Charter provides an assurance that every building purchased from Foremans will be delivered on time and ready for beneficial occupation.

In the unlikely event that the agreed completion date is not achieved, Foremans will now refund one per cent of the contract value for every week a project is delayed up to a maximum of five weeks. Other contract terms apply. Over the last three years, analysis has shown that Foremans has completed 99 per cent info@foremansbuildings.co.uk enq 090 of its projects on time and on cost.

Portaloo launches multi-faith facilities Portaloo, part of the Portakabin Group, has launched a specially designed range of multi-faith toilet and washing facilities, which are now available to hire for a wide variety of situations. The Portaloo Natural and Purity buildings have been developed in response to an increase in demand for ‘natural position’ toilet buildings and wudu washing facilities. The first application of the multi-faith personal washing facilities was a project at Brunel University, which had a requirement from students who required a high quality pre-prayer washroom while a major new building was under construction. information@portakabin.co.uk enq 091

High ranking for AkzoNobel AkzoNobel, parent company of UK-leading trade paint brand, Dulux Trade paints, has been ranked in 100th place in the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) league table, putting the company in the top 5%. The inaugural CRC performance league table, released by the Environment Agency, assessed 2000 leading organisations on how they manage energy usage.

This performance reflects the early action taken by AkzoNobel to maximise energy efficiency across the business. AkzoNobel has implemented extensive sub-metering programmes and operational improvements across the organisation, and has held the Carbon Trust Standard since 2009 across its Decorative Paints business. duluxtraderesponse@tangerinepr.com enq 092

Interpave relaunches website The trade association Interpave has re-launched its commercial paving and hard landscape website www.paving.org.uk providing a definitive information resource on all aspects of the paved environment for architects, urban and landscape designers, planners, engineers and contractors. The re-designed website includes sections on master-planning and creating attractive spaces between buildings; all aspects of sustainability and how precast concrete paving and kerbing satisfies them, and essential information on sustainable drainage (SUDS) and permeable paving.

All these issues are illustrated with project case studies with updates available info@paving.org.uk enq 093 on Interpave’s digital magazine, e:Pave.

Rainwater system XLs!

Yeoman Rainguard’s XL Aluminium rainwater system excelled in value for money, aesthetic appearance and ease of installation when it was recently chosen as a perfect replacement for old cast iron pipes and gutters. Following the demolition of an old farmhouse, the bricks were reclaimed to build a larger new family home. XL gutters and pipes replaced the original cast iron rainwater system which had fallen into disrepair and helped to retain the essential character of both the house and the original outbuildings which were renovated into garages and an office.

sallyann@rainguard.co.uk

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Public Sector Build Journal 65

Focus & Innovation

Energy monitoring at the heart of your business The new Pulse Plus wireless sub-metering system from Marshall-Tufflex Energy Management, allows energy and facilities managers immediate access to current energy use across any number of sites.

Pulse Plus is a non-invasive, easily installed energy sub-metering solution that uses the mobile phone network to report its findings. It has been designed specifically for the energy management market, quickly delivering precise energy usage data for any number of commercial and industrial locations.

The system has already created much interest in the market due to its remote monitoring capabilities – it’s perfect for recording energy use across geographically dispersed sites, for example offices, leisure and sport venues and even social housing schemes.

The GSM enabled DIN rail unit mounted in a small consumer enclosure, covers a range of 10-5000 Amps using Sinergy Clip-to-Cable or Flexeclamp CTs. Pulse Plus begins operating immediately on power up and will store time and date stamped current, voltage

and PF data on its onboard memory.

Data can be extracted at any time via the host PC(s) but it is normal for a data collection routine to be set up on an automatic daily download basis.

The CSV files can be exported to Deltrax5 graphical energy use analysis software supplied with Pulse Plus.

Alternatively, Excel provides a tabulation of average kW/kVA demand over 15 or 30 minute integration periods with daily kWh totals. Marshall-Tufflex Energy Management works closely with third party software houses and will recommend multiple channel monitoring and targeting software solutions.

Pulse Plus is fast and cost-effective to install and, with all connections being plug-in, and the CTs split core, fitting is its ability to measure single or three easy and power supplies do not need phase loads, with only a single phase to be isolated or cables disconnected. voltage connection. marketing@marshall-tufflex.com enq 095 A key advantage of the system is

Top tool discounts!

Poppers Senco UK Ltd., has put together a six-page discount leaflet – ‘Tool Box Bargains’. £160 can be saved on a new Senco Fusion, the world’s first cordless pneumatic finish nailers.

There are half price Senco pneumatic nailers and staplers, up to £280 off DuraSpin collated screwdrivers, huge discounts on compressors and clearance savings on Senco cordless and pneumatic nailers and staplers. What’s more, with every tool or compressor purchased, customers will receive a Free Mini MultiTool.

Be prepared!

Award-winning off-site construction specialist, Yorkon, has delivered a challenging project to double capacity of the cardiac catheterisation unit at Lister Hospital in Stevenage. This involved adding a new storey on to the roof of the existing unit that was provided by Yorkon in 2004 and represents a significant £4.5m investment in service delivery for the Trust. The 24-module extension has provided a range of purpose-designed facilities including a second catheterisation laboratory, clinical support areas, control room, preparation and recovery rooms, consulting and examination suites, offices, reception and waiting area.

With winter now upon us, Portakabin is urging organisations to make sure they are fully prepared to help avoid the disastrous effect of burst pipes.

Advice from Portakabin includes making sure heating is on a constant setting at between 5° and 10°C if the building is to be left unoccupied at weekends, and that water pipes in unheated areas are well insulated and if left exposed, trace heating fitted. With over 50 locations from Inverness to Plymouth, Portakabin is ideally placed to provide emergency accommodation to many businesses, public sector organisations and schools across the UK.

info@yorkon.com enq 097

information@portakabin.co.uk enq 098

sales@poppers-senco.co.uk enq 096

Challenging roof-top extension to hospital

66 Public Sector Build Journal

Sports surfaces

Welsh hat-trick for Playrite

Heolddu Leisure Centre required the excavation of the previous redgra surface and the creation of a new base before 6,100m2 of Playrite's Conqueror 40 could be laid on top. The leisure centre wanted a multi use games area that could be used throughout the day, every day of the week, regardless of weather conditions

Three leisure centres in South Wales have been lucky enough to be chosen by Caerphilly District Council to receive an upgrade to their current sports pitches. PSBJ looks at how third generation surfaces manufactured by Playrite, have dramatically added value to each centre.

T

he three centres selected by Caerphilly District Council for an upgrade had always been popular, but over the last few years, level of usage had lessoned as the state of the pitch surfaces worsened.

Two of the old surfaces were needlepunch and one a redgra, but it was decided that the leisure centres could improve their facilities by providing a third generation surface manufactured

by Playrite, which due to its longevity, would add value to each centre as well as being suitable for a wider range of sports and applications.

Nigel Powell at Caerphilly District Council selected Conqueror 40 as being the ideal surface to meet all three leisure centres’ requirements as it looks like real grass and offers similar playing characteristics whilst meeting FIH and FIFA 1 Star equivalent IATS performance standards as well as EN 15330 part 1.

Heolddu Leisure Centre was the first project and required the excavation of the previous redgra surface and the creation of a new base before Playrite’s

Conqueror 40 could be laid on top.

The leisure centre wanted a multiuse games area that could be used throughout the day, every day of the week, regardless of weather conditions.

The centre in Mid Glamorgan has a vision to improve the physical and cultural well-being of the residents and visitors of Caerphilly County Borough, and now thanks to the 6,100m2 new sports pitch, Heolddu Leisure Centre has achieved this with record figures.

Increase usability Newbridge Leisure Centre was the second project and this time required the removal of the previous needlepunch surface that had been installed for many years. After the success at Heolddu Leisure Centre, it was decided that Newbridge deserved the same update so that its pitch could be used for both hockey and football, and with the correct maintenance, could last the club for 10 years.

Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre near Blackwood, was the third Caerphilly Council project. Previously the pitch

had a needlepunch surface installed and although the surface had served the centre and local schools for many years, it was decided that a new 3G surface would provide a better playing surface and increase the pitche’s usability.

Changing the pitch also meant that the centre now had the opportunity to increase the size, and approximately 6890m2 of Playrite’s Conqueror 40 was installed in November 2011.

Gary Kneller, from contractor South Wales Sports Grounds, commented: “We’ve been laying Playrite’s surfaces for over 15 years and we’ve always been more than happy with the quality of its products. The fitters found laying both the underlay and the top surface trouble-free and straightforward, even though each site had different requirements and sub bases.”

Nigel Powell of Caerphilly Council worked very closely with Playrite’s Sean Colbert to ensure the projects went as smoothly as possible. “I have been extremely pleased with the Playrite Conqueror product and the installation provided by South Wales Sports Grounds,” explained Nigel. “I am sure that the efforts of both companies will be a benefit to the local community for many years to come”.

marketing@playrite.co.uk Online Enquiry 099 Public Sector Build Journal 67

Building homes for the future?

Better build in Sky±HD

Talk to Sky about the digital entertainment buyers want Whoever your new builds are aimed at, your buyers will be looking for digital entertainment that keeps pace with technology. Increasingly, that means Sky±HD.

Our Specialist Installation Team can work directly with you, or your chosen contractors, to fit this future-proof solution. So arrange a free survey today.

By integrating a ‘5 cable IRS’ system and having 2 signal feeds to each satellite point (the only way of getting all the features Sky±HD offers), your residents will be able to enjoy TV the way they want it. And that makes your properties even more attractive to potential buyers.

Go to sky.com/newbuild or call 08442 410 374 Sky TV: Sky box and Sky TV subscription required for customers to receive Sky digital programming. Only compatible with digital satellite. Two satellite feeds required for full Sky±HD functionality.

You must get all consents required (e.g. landlord’s). General: Minimum Sky TV, Sky±HD subscriptions are 12 months. Further terms apply. Calls cost up to 5.1p per minute and up to 12.5p connection fee for BT customers. Calls from other providers may vary. Information only applies to residential customers in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Information correct at 5 January 2011.

Online Enquiry 100