PSBJ January 2015

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January 2015

Hybrid systems A robust demand for high performance fenestration solutions

Infection control

Ready for HECA?

Safe enclosures

– clinical competence with Altro wall cladding

– considerations before the deadline approaches

– fencing requirements for outdoor leisure facilities

Library and Art Gallery, Amersfoort, Netherlands.

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Editor

Hannah Frackiewicz hannah@mixedmediainfo.com

Print & Digital Advertising Sam Ball sam@mixedmediainfo.com

Steve Gull steve@mixedmediainfo.com

Studio Manager

Cover image: Despite the Building Schools for the Future programme being scrapped due to cuts in 2010, there is still a commitment on the part of the Government to modernise the UK’s education infrastructure. See page 38.

Chris Lilly chris@mixedmediainfo.com

Welcome...

Production

Last month, George Osborne delivered his final Autumn Statement of the Parliament.

So what did it mean for the construction industry? The news of increased spending in infrastructure was welcomed, along with NHS investment and employer incentives such as tax reductions on apprenticeships.

Jack Witcomb jack@mixedmediainfo.com

Artworker/Sub-editor

David Perry david@mixedmediainfo.com

Accounts

Simone Jones simone@mixedmediainfo.com

Managing Director

Sam Ball sam@mixedmediainfo.com

Publisher

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

According to the Statement, the Government intends to abolish the jobs tax on young apprentices as part of its long-term economic plan to help businesses. Overall, the industry is in favour of the policy, claiming that the Government is acknowledging the need to develop a new generation of skilled young people across all sectors.

David Rowbotham, Mace director, safety & socio-economics comments: “We welcome the chancellor’s comments on apprenticeships. Incentives are being put in place, including cutting national insurance contributions for companies who take on young people under the age of 25. However, a promise to deliver the best schools, skills and apprenticeships for young people, needs the right support. Companies have a key role to play in inspiring the next generation and equipping them with the right skills for our industry’s future needs.”

Yet Brian Berry, Chief Executive of The Federation of Master Builders (FMB), adds: “Apprenticeship funding still hangs in the balance with no clarity offered by the Chancellor in the Autumn Statement. We had hoped government would publish its response to the May 2014 consultation on funding reforms for apprenticeships but as things stand, we are no closer to understanding if Ministers have taken heed of our advice and decided to review their ill-conceived proposals.”

If construction targets are to be met, finding skilled labour to build these projects is going to be extremely challenging. Supporting apprentices and employers fully is the Government’s key priority, and it is clear the latest Statement reflects this.

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

Hannah Frackiewicz

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Public Sector Build Journal 3

Contents 08 06 News A round up of the latest industry news including charity events, awarded contracts, show partnerships and responses to timely construction announcements.

08 Upfront Working for repeat client, Worcester College of Technology, Speller Metcalfe completed the refurbishment and fit out of the former three storey Russell and Dorrell furniture shop in Worcester.

14 Housing

18 Talking Point

26 Education

Russell Roof Tiles has supplied roofing solutions for 300 units in Vineburgh in Irvine, the largest urban redevelopment project in Ayrshire.

Fluctuating costs of oil, potential supply issues and environmental consequences led one Norfolk based housing provider to successfully source an alternative heating solution.

Philip Goldstone, Business Development Manager at Scotts of Thrapston talks to PSBJ about the classrooms of tomorrow, as the demand for school places continues to grow.

16 Doors & Windows

20 Legal & Business

28 Healthcare

Newlon Housing Trust has chosen Delta Security’s Model 9 Steel Doors to optimise the safety and security of its Queensland Road ‘QN7’ development.

HECA is high on the local authority agenda at the moment, with the 31st March 2015 deadline approaching fast. Dale Hoyland at the National Energy Foundation explains more.

Jo McMullen, Colour Activation Manager at AkzoNobel, offers advice on unlocking the potential of colour to create functional healthcare environments.

The all-new psbj.co.uk

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

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

Search ‘psbj’

4 Public Sector Build Journal

www.psbj.co.uk

26

28

34

30 Modular Buildings

36 Energy Management

Jackpad has become the perfect partner for Preston’s Pod Living, which produces fabulously funky eco classrooms.

Bill Bullen, Managing Director of Utilita Energy, tackles some of the myths surrounding smart meters and explains the benefits of this new technology.

32 Leisure

38 Glass & Glazing

Mo Ali of Zaun, the manufacturer of fencing systems, talks to PSBJ about the many benefits of fences when specified for outdoor leisure facilities.

Perfectly positioned to assist specifiers in meeting high performance demands are timber aluminium composite hybrid systems.

Senior Architectural Systems explains more.

34 Cladding

41 Technical Focus

42 Product Showcase

Altro wall cladding has been used to create a groundbreaking solution within the new Endoscopy Unit at Mount Vernon Hospital, in Northwood, Middlesex.

Southmead Hospital in Bristol has demonstrated its energy efficiency credentials, through a programme of air tightness testing.

A dedicated focus of industry news, products and case studies to help architects and specifiers make informed choices when planning.

38

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

Public Sector Build Journal 5

News

Local Plans should allocate land for retirement housing The British Property Federation (BPF) has added its voice to calls for local authorities to include a requirement for retirement homes in their Local Plans.

A new report published by Demos on behalf of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People recommends that local authorities might in their Local Plans allocate land, particularly public land, specifically for older people’s housing. This will mean that retirement developers do not have to compete with commercial developers, who may be able to pay significantly higher prices for land.

The BPF advises using an evidence-based approach to determine sites which could be used for retirement housing. If retirement developers are able to secure land more easily, unit costs could be reduced, making retirement housing more affordable.

The report shows that the UK is facing a severe undersupply of retirement housing, with the number of homes built specifically for older people at around 8000 per annum today, down from 30,000 per annum in the 1980s.

The CCS helps to launch new helpline A construction industry drinks reception held by the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) at the Imperial War Museum was the setting for the Scheme to support the launch of the Construction Industry Helpline by the Lighthouse Club.

The Construction Industry Helpline will provide confidential, 24/7 support to the construction industry’s workforce and their families on a range of topics including finance, depression, occupational health and wellbeing, illness and bereavement.

The new helpline is funded by the Lighthouse Club, donations from individuals, businesses and organisations in the construction industry and through

6 Public Sector Build Journal

the purchase of wristbands and posters.

The industry can show their support for the helpline through purchasing the wristbands, which include the helpline’s number and web address and come with a free information handout card, and A2 information posters to display around sites. Wristbands cost £2.50 (+ VAT) each and A2 posters cost £7.50 (+ VAT) each.

These items can be purchased from the Scheme by calling 0800 783 1423 or emailing enquiries@ccscheme.org.uk.

Hull chooses partner for home improvements Hull City Council has chosen Willmott Dixon as preferred bidder for a £60m Green Deal and ECO partnership to deliver energy improvements to 3000 homes across the city.

Hull City Council is one of only a small number of local authorities to ‘partner’ and work collaboratively with an Energy Efficiency Partner for a period of five years to help residents access Green Deal measures in a simplified way.

Refurbishment work by Willmott Dixon will include improvements to homes in the Preston Road and Orchard Park regeneration areas. It will include external solid wall insulation similar to that delivered in other areas of the city, along with other forms of insulation, plus draught-proofing, double glazing and renewable energy generation, such as, solar panels or heat pumps.

Councillor Martin Mancey, Portfolio Holder for Energy City, said: “This is another positive step forward for Hull in becoming a leading UK Energy City. Bringing significant investment and much needed employment and training opportunities to the city. We have set an encouraging 80% target to use local labour to undertake the improvement works, highlighting our commitment to employing local businesses and residents.”

Scape launches two new Connect brands Scape Group, the built environment procurement specialist, has launched two new innovative Connect solutions which are aimed at alleviating the ongoing school places crisis.

Forecasts from the Department of Education and National Audit office indicate that 240,000 extra school places

– the equivalent of 8000 new classrooms – are required for the 2015/2016 academic year to meet growing demand.

Connect has already helped to provide 4320 pupil places throughout the UK and these new products will help deliver thousands more and provide the flexibility to create new single classrooms or entire schools. ConnectEd is an onsite flexible construction process which can take just 12 weeks to build and ConnectUp uses off-site construction technology to create multiple storeys and takes as little as four weeks to build.

These innovations come at a time of increasing pressure on local authorities, who are not receiving the funding they need. A recent report from the Local Government Association revealed that councils are abandoning building projects, cutting back on school maintenance and borrowing money to find the £1b needed to create the required number of schools places.

Surgo embarks on £1.5m healthcare scheme One of the region’s leading building contractors, Surgo Construction (Surgo), has started on site with a £2m healthcare scheme in Ferryhill, County Durham, to replace an existing branch surgery with a purpose-built, two-storey development.

Working on behalf of Dr Martin Orlandi and the Ferryhill and Chilton Medical Practice, the new Chilton Health Centre will be located on a brownfield site on Tennyson Road, which was previously occupied by housing.

Designed by the multi award-winning architectural and interior design practice, Howarth Litchfield Partnership (HLP), the health centre will include ground floor consulting rooms, counselling rooms and administration and meeting rooms with a shared reception facility.

The building will also incorporate a dental practice, NHS facilities and a medical retail unit. Substantial parking will be provided on site for both staff and visitors.

News

Future of parks is in the hands of partnerships National green services provider, Glendale, has called for the general public to be involved more in the future of parks.

The company has witnessed a decline in spend on parks due to government cuts which has led to an average 15% reduction in funding for green spaces.

In addition, a report by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), the National Trust and the RSPB supported by other environmental bodies and organisations claims there’ll be little or no funding available for public parks by 2020.

Terry Doyle, Glendale’s South West and South Wales Regional Director says: “There is a worrying downward trend in expenditure on parks and green spaces but this can be reversed by having a more commercial approach to the maintenance, use and management of parks.

“Volunteer groups, community interest groups and trusts are also going to be critical in managing parks as they can also tap into alternative sources of funding and help alleviate pressure on local authorities that are already having to juggle scarce resources.”

New social network for the UK construction industry Talk.Build, a new social media network, developed exclusively for the UK construction industry, was officially launched last month. It will be totally free to use for anyone involved in the building business and offers a massive range of functions and benefits for both individual users and companies.

The new network, launched by TTK, the special projects division of CFA, one of Britain’s leading construction based

marketing organisations, fills a major gap in the social media market providing a real choice for individuals and companies frequently unwilling to use other more established portals.

Talk.Build will offer safe and secure real time conversation allowing construction professionals to exchange ideas and make comments. It will also offer users the opportunity to form exclusive groups, open or totally private, allowing them to talk to their own customers or peer groups with ease on a minute by minute basis.

Other facilities include space for blogs, images, videos, the opportunity to have polls on various subjects that affect the industry and much more. To find out just how user friendly it is simply log on at www.talk.build.

Talbot Gateway Central Business District (CBD), worked with the design team and contractor to ensure that energyefficient measures were incorporated into the building.

These included solar glass and passive shading to make the most of the changeable weather, roof-mounted air source heat pumps and photo-voltaic panels and a high-tech heat-recovery system for the data centre which recycles the waste heat from computer servers to reduce the building’s energy requirements.

Tower Hamlets set to benefit from housing boost Two estates in Tower Hamlets are in line to receive increased investment to speed up the delivery of new housing for the borough.

The government has shortlisted funding for two ongoing regeneration schemes in the borough: Blackwall Reach, a partnership with the Greater London Authority which will deliver 1575 new homes and the regeneration of the New Union Wharf estate, which will see 189 homes on the 1970s built estate replaced with 399 modern, energyefficient homes.

Both housing regeneration schemes are currently in progress. The increased investment in Blackwall Reach would help Tower Hamlets Council, the Greater London Authority and developers Swan Housing Association to deliver these homes sooner to meet the demands of housing in the borough.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said: “We are committed to responding to the needs of our residents to build affordable, safe, energy-efficient and liveable homes in our borough. The government’s recognition that we are doing a good job is welcomed, and we will continue to strive to make Tower Hamlets an even greater place to live.”

Swan Housing Association has bid for £50 million for Blackwall Reach programme, and the East Thames Group has bid for £11.3 million of the New Union Wharf estate. Final amounts to be loaned to the two estates are still subject to final contract negotiations and may change.

National Energy Award for Muse office project

Winner of the Energy Efficient Building of the Year category at the Energy Awards, held at the London Hilton on Park Lane on Tuesday 2nd December 2014, the 125,000ft2, state-of-the-art office was praised for its use of energyefficient systems and low/zero carbon technologies.

The Energy Awards recognise and reward both supply and demand-side excellence within the energy sector. The awards acknowledge achievement in carbon reduction and energy efficiency, energy supply, brokering as well as products and services.

The brief was for a ‘low carbon, low energy building’ and Muse Developments, the company behind the

Public Sector Build Journal 7

Upfront

Speller Metcalfe was selected as main contractor for the high profile scheme

College community The Heart of Worcestershire College’s new campus at Provender Mill is situated on a busy junction in the north-east corner of Worcester, overlooking the River Severn.

T

he former furniture store was previously owned by Russell and Dorrell – a well-known local business and landmark. In 2011 the threestorey building was bought by Worcester College of Technology with the aim of creating a new campus prior to their merge with North East Worcestershire College, which formed the new Heart of Worcestershire College in August 2014.

Pre-construction Now one of the largest private building contractors in the West Midlands, Speller Metcalfe was selected as main contractor for the high profile scheme. A twostage project, the contractor was highly involved from design stage alongside KKE Architects to eliminate uncertainties, advise on buildability issues and undertake value engineering.

Initial design concerns by the College were how the internal layout and fit-out was going to be put to best use; overall

8 Public Sector Build Journal

the scheme was aimed at enhancing facilities for practical training but there was uncertainty regarding suppliers and product types. A lot of time was spent facilitating decision-making and obtaining catalogues and prices on products such as specialist tables, chairs and lighting.

The latter saw the entire design team accompany the College to a lighting manufacturer in nearby Redditch who were chosen as the new, local supplier situated within 30 miles of site – a big cost reduction from the original Italian manufacturer.

The College also had a scheme of bespoke furniture costed for specialist subjects such as Hair & Beauty – priced at £180,000 and made up of 50% new stock and 50% recovered furniture from the College. Following negotiations, Speller Metcalfe enabled the College to buy off-the-shelf products from REM, one of UK’s largest beauty salon providers.

This saved around £40,000 and enabled

Overall the project received a BREEAM Very Good score of 61%

the College to deliver a ratio of 90% new stock to 10% recovered. The Mechanical & Electrical cost savings also enabled a further £40,000 of value engineering at design stage.

Archaeological findings Originally the site had existed adjacent to St Clement’s Church and graveyard, which is no longer in existence. In the 1950s the site was acquired by Worcestershire Farmers and 

Upfront

Speller Metcalfe subsequently added in additional drainage to help release the flow of future floodwater

east side of the existing building during excavations for a lift pit in 2003. This corresponded with cartographic evidence showing the projected line of the city wall in the 19th century – surviving 1.5 metres below ground level, and it is now marked by a de-marker line running through the campus floor.

Construction phase

The mechanical plant utilises the highest efficiency condensing boilers for hot water and heating

Provender Mill was built as the farmers mill and storage unit – adjoining what had since become the cattle market – before being converted into the furniture store at a later date.

Following planning approval, conditions were put in place to safeguard any buried archaeological remains and Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service (part of Worcestershire County Council) was appointed to undertake excavation of the site.

Within the excavation, post-medieval graveyard soil was revealed along with a large quantity of human bone remains – equating to at least 10 individuals buried on the site. As well as the graveyard, the medieval city wall had previously been discovered running through the

10 Public Sector Build Journal

Following the two year project, a range of facilities and classrooms now form the new St Dunstan’s campus. These include Health & Beauty training rooms and a commercial salon, a Fashion, Art & Design multimedia suite, textiles workshop, screen printing and a cutting room.

Alongside provision for these courses, the campus also incorporates a Travel Agent, staff offices and cafe facilities.

Prior to its refurbishment, the steelframed building stood on concrete foundations and incorporated timber flooring on the first and second floors.

The three-storey building also housed four concrete staircases; the two middle staircases were subsequently removed and infilled to create a bigger floor plan leaving a staircase at each end of the building.

The existing steel columns were left in place while all internal walls were removed and replaced with permanent acoustic partition walls and three additional acoustic partition folding walls – enabling two smaller rooms to become one larger room around various

parts of the building. The entire existing structure was also made fireproof alongside some minor additions to the framework to support heavy mechanical plant during construction and the folding partition walls.

Externally the traditional, solid masonry walls were upgraded thermally by a system of fixing the insulation to the outside of the brickwork and then rendering it with Alsecco – a method used in the upgrade of old buildings and in particular housing stock. The roof was then stripped back to its existing trusses and fitted with new metal purlins and a Kingspan insulated roof deck system.

Finally, Speller Metcalfe undertook the full fit-out of works and following completion in September 2014, the College has a building delivering state-ofthe-art facilities for students in the heart of Worcester.

Achieving BREEAM Very Good Overall the project received a BREEAM Very Good score of 61%; Speller Metcalfe is well regarded for their sustainable expertise and in 2014 delivered the highest rated BREEAM project in the world for Western Power Distribution, achieving an unprecedented 101.9% post-completion.

To achieve the Very Good rating at Provender Mill, the team secured an impressive air test result of 10 air changes per hour – a challenge when refurbishing older properties. Acoustic

Upfront

ratings were all to BB93 requirements and every room attained the required less than 40 decibel limit. The mechanical plant utilises the highest efficiency condensing boilers for hot water and heating and overall 100% of credits were obtained within the materials section of the assessment.

A Building Management System was also installed that automatically controls all heating, ventilation and some key lighting areas. This is linked back to the main Estates team where energy and 105m² of photovoltaic roof panel production is monitored and controlled, allowing the team to compare energy  usage to other building stock.

The College has a building delivering state-of-the-art facilities for students in the heart of Worcester

Following the two year project, a range of facilities and classrooms now form the new St Dunstan’s campus

Public Sector Build Journal 11

Upfront

The site operatives were given free haircuts throughout the project by Hair & Beauty trainees

Challenges Working within an existing building always has its challenges, and at Provender Mill one such difficulty was bringing in and fitting materials within the existing floor to ceiling heights and window lines. In particular, the M&E first fit was difficult negotiating the existing ductwork in the ceiling voids when trying to fit new ceilings to the existing ones.

The rendering process also proved difficult as it had to be undertaken during winter due to project programme; because of the cold temperatures the rendering struggled to go off and set.

The cold can also have a destructive effect on the construction of the render, ultimately breaking it down and leaving it unusable. To overcome this challenge, Speller Metcalfe worked on the warmest

A Building Management System was installed that automatically controls all heating, ventilation and some key lighting areas

days and protected the scaffolding using reinforced plastic sheets to keep the majority of weather at bay. The building also twists quite substantially and it was almost an optical illusion to ensure the walls were level and render lined up due to the imbalance of the original facade.

However, the biggest problem the site experienced is notorious in Worcester – flooding. Not only does Provender Mill sit within a busy junction with limited room for deliveries and manoeuvre, the building is only metres from the River Severn which has produced a spate of flooding over the last few years.

In February 2014, the BBC reported Worcester as ‘a city under siege’ and Provender Mill was no different, suffering from up to half a metre of floodwater and two weeks site closure; once cleaned up, trades remobilised and damaged

materials reordered this turned into a month off programme. Following the incident Speller Metcalfe subsequently added in additional drainage to help release the flow of future floodwater.

Client collaboration As part of the project, Speller Metcalfe used Provender Mill as a platform to provide learning opportunities for a range of courses; Graphics students worked with Speller Metcalfe’s marketing department to rebrand the Worcestershire Construction Apprentice Academy – an independent charity set up by the contractor to improve apprenticeship opportunities locally.

The design students produced new logos, a website rebrand and marketing merchandise across a six month module for the Academy, which saw two teams go head-to-head for the opportunity to have their work put into production.

On site the team worked with engineering students and other trade subjects to deliver progressive site visits, alongside apprenticeships that were delivered through sub-contractors.

The site operatives were also given free haircuts throughout the project by Hair & Beauty trainees, with the overall project achieving impressive Considerate Constructors Scheme scores of 40 and 43 out of 50. Following their work at Provender Mill and other registered projects, Speller Metcalfe has since been appointed an Associate Member of the Considerate Constructors Scheme. 

 www.spellermetcalfe.com

12 Public Sector Build Journal

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Housing

Regenerating Vineburgh

The Scottish Government has boosted housing supply budgets by investing ÂŁ1.7b in affordable housing since 2009.

Through its partners in councils and housing associations, it has now delivered more than 21,000 new affordable homes.

R

ussell Roof Tiles has supplied roofing solutions for 300 units in Vineburgh in Irvine, the largest urban redevelopment project in Ayrshire, a major social regeneration project by award-winning social landlord Cunninghame Housing Association (HA) that is now entering its fourth phase.

In 2006 North Ayrshire Council commissioned established, multi-awardwinning architects Austin-Smith: Lord LLP, to undertake the preparation of a Regeneration Masterplan for a local community within the Vineburgh area of North Irvine.

The Masterplan outlined a number of

Russell Roof Tiles (RRT) provided a full roofing solution which includes both tiles and fixings

14 Public Sector Build Journal

proposals for the area, with the overall aim of regenerating the local community. The Masterplan set out a detailed regeneration programme involving the demolition of 308 properties and the construction of 306 new build houses to create an area in which people want to live.

Appointed by North Ayrshire Council as Lead Developer, Cunninghame HA, in partnership with authority has delivered the ÂŁ37m housing led regeneration Masterplan through the redevelopment of the housing for rent and new supply shared equity.

As part of its bid for Vineburgh, Cunninghame HA also committed itself

The modern homes built comprise a range of different house types, and are unusual designs for the area

to securing maximum training and employment opportunities from the housing investment in the local area.

This Vineburgh project has been delivered over four phases, with 205 new rented houses provided over phases one to three. All the homes were designed by Glasgow-based MAST Architects who, with their expertise in housing projects, were selected as the Vineburgh Project Architects by a panel formed of representatives from North Ayrshire Council, Communities Scotland, Strathclyde Police and the Vineburgh community.

Phases one to three also provided 53 homes for sale on a new supply shared equity basis. The latest and final phase, phase four, will comprise 48 new build units. The Vineburgh Project, when complete, will have delivered almost 300 affordable new homes over a five year period.

Research carried out by Social Value Lab based on a Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis, shows the considerable impact that housing led physical regeneration can have on the health, confidence, pride and general wellbeing of tenants. It has revealed significant positive effects not just on the tenants of these new homes, but also on the wider community of Vineburgh and

Housing other local stakeholders.

The analysis shows that every pound invested in Vineburgh Phase 1 achieved a social return of £3.25. With an investment of almost £7.5m, the total social return of Phase 1 of the Vineburgh development is forecasted at £24.3m over 30 years.

The modern homes built comprise a range of different house types, and are unusual designs for the area, and are being built by Ashleigh (Scotland).

Russell Roof Tiles, which is this year celebrating 50 years at its Scottish factory in Lockerbie, worked closely with Cunninghame HA, the leading social enterprise in Ayrshire, and was chosen due to the outstanding quality of the product. After MAST Architects had seen all of the options that were needed for the specification, Russell Grampian was selected as the tile of choice.

Grampian tiles are a standard flat interlocking roof tile, combining the traditional yet stylish appearance of slate with the security of an interlocking design and the economy of concrete.

For this project Russell Roof Tiles (RRT) provided a full roofing solution which includes both tiles and fixings.

RRT products, like many other leading manufacturers are designed and tested for use in combination with each other.

It is a condition of the Russ Spec guarantee for example that specification is followed in detailed in accordance the fixing specification and instructions.

Products must be installed using normal standards of good workmanship.

The substitution of RRT components with other products at any stage of construction invalidates this guarantee.

David Smith, Joint Managing Director at Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd., comments: “This was our first Russell Roof Tiles project and was extremely easy to run. They quickly identified the best solution for our needs and delivered a fantastic solution. They assured top-quality tiles at a controlled cost.”

Following the success of the third phase of the Vineburgh development, Russell Roof Tiles will be supplying the roofing materials for the fourth phase which fully comprise of housing for rent.

Andrew Hayward, Managing Director at Russell Roof Tiles comments: “The use of Grampian tiles shows a growing trend in the use of our slate-type products that have an economic concrete element.

“Concrete roof tiles are a long-life, durable product and require minimal

Russell Roof Tiles has supplied roofing solutions for 300 units in Vineburgh in Irvine, the largest urban redevelopment project in Ayrshire

maintenance once installed. The versatility of concrete allows for an authentic slate or clay effect roof tile with the benefits of offering greater strength. Concrete tiles allow for a straight forward quick installation especially interlocking tiles and thereafter require little or no maintenance as they are highly resistant to freeze thaw conditions.”

Over the four phases Russell Roof Tiles has delivered 250,000 tiles for the project.

The new homes in Irvine also have a full Russell Roof System which includes a full dry fix solution: Russell Dry Ridge System, Russell Dry Verge System and RussFast Mono Ridge for the single pitch roofs Russell Roof Tiles’ dry fix products (Russell Dry Ridge, Russell Dry Verge, Russell Dry Valley And Russell Dry Hip systems) are all fully compliant with the new British Standard Code of practice for tiling and slating, BS 5534:2014, which was published in August in the face of

these more frequent extreme weather events and is designed to make roofs more secure.

The key changes to BS 5534 will increase roofing integrity and safety in a climate where adverse weather requires a strategy in place to mitigate its catastrophic effects. BS 5534 will become mandatory practice from the end of February 2015.

RRT’s range of slate and clay effect roof tiles are sympathetic to local materials and are more economic and sustainable than traditional materials.

Its dry fix products are all fully compliant with the new British Standard Code of practice for tiling and slating. Russell Roof Tiles is currently working with a number of housing associations across the UK on other innovative social and extra care projects. 

 www.russellrooftiles.co.uk Grampian tiles combine the stylish appearance of slate with the security of an interlocking design



Public Sector Build Journal 15

Housing Doors & Windows

QN7 is one of Newlon’s many landmark projects

Resilience assured for residents

Newlon Housing Trust has chosen Delta Security’s Model 9 Steel Doors to optimise the safety and security of its Queensland Road ‘QN7’ development – the final housing phase of the ‘Arsenal on the Move’ regeneration project.

N

ewlon is a charitable housing association providing nearly 8000 affordable homes in north and east London. QN7 developed in partnership with Arsenal Football Club and Islington Council will also be home to the new Arsenal Sports Centre, which the local community will be able to use and where the Club’s educational and social inclusion community programmes will be held.

Stefan St Hilaire-Brown, Head of Building Services for Newlon Housing Trust, explains that part of his role in the project was to work with the design and development teams to find solutions that worked from a design, functionality and security point of view on all the communal aspects of the buildings: “Following the completion of each site, our aim is to learn from our experiences to improve each new development.

One housing block near Caledonian Road suffered incidents of anti-social behaviour (ASB) after football matches

16 Public Sector Build Journal

Delta Security developed the Model 9 Steel Door so that its aesthetics suited the requirements of Newlon Housing Trust

and so we sought an access control solution that would increase the safety and security of tenants, whilst also retaining high-quality design.

“We looked at the products of numerous suppliers, before deciding upon Delta Security, as our experience had given us valuable insight into which door components and materials would be most suitable. Delta Security showed us the Model 9 Steel Door in situ and the re-enforced glass, inbuilt tamper-proof twin maglocks and auto-closing hinging mechanism made the door the ideal choice from a security point of view.”

Delta Security developed the door so that its aesthetics suited the requirements of Newlon Housing Trust and it was fitted as a replacement to the communal doors at the development near Caledonian Road. The door uses 19mm thick anti-bandit glass and complies to Secure by Design and LPS1175 security rating specifications, even with the high glass content of the doors, which has been used to suit the modern design of the developments.

“The new door is highly resilient to vandalism and following installation, ASB at Caledonian Road was immediately reduced,” continues Stefan.

“The Model 9 Steel door has since been used for all the communal entrances at the QN7 project, which has 354 homes, and is the largest single development of the Arsenal Regeneration Project.

We have also written the Model 9 specification into our Employer Requirements, which details that all our building contractors are required to use the Model 9 Steel Door or one that is equivalent in specification and design.”

Stefan described the installation on retro fit projects as being very slick: “It happens on the day specified and within the specified timescale, workmanship has been of a very high standard and the tenants have actually taken the trouble to thank us for the doors!”

Dave Mundy, Operations Manager at Delta Security is delighted to have the opportunity to work with such highprofile housing projects: “QN7 is one of Newlon’s many landmark projects; it has transformed the area and we are pleased that we can play a part in increasing the safety and security of the development.” 

 www.deltasecurity.co.uk

Where aesthetics and fire safety meet Every company, every building, every façade has its own unique story.

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With the new ‘FS-Xtra’ grade, the ROCKPANEL range gives you unlimited design freedom, even in the most challenging locations where fire safety and performance requirements are particularly demanding. Whether coloured, metallic, or in a striking wood design, ROCKPANEL ‘FS-Xtra’ façade cladding can meet European fire classification A2-s1, d0.

Please visit www.rockpanel.co.uk/fsxtra for more information or to request your FS-Xtra brochure.

The A2-s1, d0 Board

Talking Point

Providing system protection UK oil prices have reportedly dropped by 12% in the last year, but many claim it's still the most expensive way to heat the home because the industry isn't passing savings on to the country's 1.5 million oil heated households.

T

he fluctuating costs of oil, potential for supply issues and its environmental consequences, have prompted one Norfolk based housing provider to successfully source an alternative and ensure it’s properly protected and maintained to reap maximum benefits for them and their tenants.

Freebridge Community Housing owns and manages Beaupre Hall, one of 17 sheltered housing schemes in West Norfolk, where accommodation comprises a mix of bedsits and onebedroom flats for elderly residents. The properties are supplied with heating and hot water powered by a large oil-fired boiler system housed on site.

Keen to reduce the £30,000 annual oil bill to fuel the site, Freebridge sought the help of renewable energy technology experts Green Home Energy Solutions (GHES) in Norwich. Andrew Edmonds, Head of Property at Freebridge Community Housing, explains: “Reducing the annual cost of fuel was obviously our main consideration in wanting to replace the oil system that was in place and we wanted to identify more costeffective solutions available.

18 Public Sector Build Journal

“Working with GHES, we made the decision to overhaul the existing system and replace it with new water buffer stores and most importantly, two large wood pellet biomass boilers from ETA. We’re confident of the long-term savings that can be achieved for the organisation and our customers.”

Minimum disruption Removing the huge floor-standing oil boiler system and pipework was a difficult job and took a week for a team of four to dismantle, explains Kevin Cooke from GHES: “Getting the old system out was a big and dirty job but thankfully we were able to leave the pipework in place after giving it a good clean out with a thorough hot water flush. We then fitted two ETA biomass boilers into an existing boiler house and connected them up – this was actually the easy part of the changeover!

“Biomass systems require the additional installation of buffer stores which in this case were two 1500 litre tanks, and at Beaupre Hall these had to be lifted and manoeuvred into a

A hugely respected personality and voice within the heating industry, Kelvin Stevens joined ADEY as Managing Director in 2011 having taken PTS, one of the country’s largest merchants, to one of the most successful periods in the company’s trading history.

small loft space. Once these were in place we then needed to get a large 2” MagnaClean Commercial filter on to some intricate pipework.”

Given the size of the job, it was completed with minimum disruption to the elderly residents on site says Andrew Edmonds: “We provided the residents with electric heaters and ensured there would be enough hot water to meet their daily needs while the system was offline. Communication was also key to the

Talking Point

Freebridge Community Housing owns and manages Beaupre Hall, one of 17 sheltered housing schemes in West Norfolk

GHES recommended the installation of a MagnaClean Commercial filter

success of the changeover as there was a danger that residents would question why they were facing disruption simply to replace a perfectly good working system.

We needed to ensure they understood how the changes would benefit them.”

Darran Burrage, ADEY’s Area Sales Manager for Anglia, says: “For Freebridge and its tenants changing from oil to a renewable energy system has been an investment for the long term. GHES recommended the installation of a MagnaClean Commercial filter to help ensure the system delivers those long term financial benefits, by ensuring the system remains as efficient as possible for the whole of its lifespan.

“Damaging black iron oxide sludge doesn’t just affect traditional domestic heating systems, it can build up in any system type including those fuelled by renewable energy sources, causing serious inefficiencies and the eventual breakdown of the system. Going from oil to biomass is quite a change and although GHES took care to flush the system through, the Freebridge maintenance team will need to service the MagnaClean filter around three times a year as it continues to collect and remove the dirt left in circulation.”

Andrew Edmonds concludes: “We’re really pleased with the new system, we can see the dirt being collected by the filter after just a few months and have also seen an impact on our energy bills which we’ll continue to monitor. We’ve also been visited by similar organisations keen to see how the biomass system is working for us and we are about to start a second biomass conversion at another site which will also benefit from MagnaClean protection.”

maintenance that places magnetic filtration technology at its heart:

• Clean – introduce a good quality

chemical cleaner to the heating system

• Flush – thoroughly flush the system to remove sludge and debris

• Maintain – install an effective magnetic filter to prevent sludge build-up – service annually in line with annual boiler service • Protect – dose the system with a good

chemical protector and top up annually

“Using our proven filters could reduce an authority’s maintenance call-outs by up to 37%, and save tenants 6% on heating bills year on year. However, the key to achieving these results is to fully understand the effectiveness of the products being used as part of a best practice approach to maintenance,” explains Stevens.

“In the ten years since ADEY invented magnetic filtration, many competitor products have entered the market, but there are big differences between them all so authorities need to do their homework and make sure they invest in effective maintenance and system protection. The same principle should be applied to chemicals as a key part of best practice and, as a minimum, authorities should look to use only those that achieve the BuildCert standard.” 

Savings for all systems Kelvin Stevens, ADEY’s Managing Director, comments: “The cost of heating housing stock is hugely expensive and it’s great to see forward-thinking housing associations like Freebridge, embracing new technologies to save money.

“However, for many different reasons, others are unable to make that investment but they could still experience similar benefits and cost-savings by ensuring a comprehensive central heating maintenance programme is in place.”

To deliver maximum results, ADEY developed its award-winning four-step best practice approach to heating system

 www.adey.com

Keen to reduce the £30,000 annual oil bill to fuel the site, Freebridge sought the help of renewable energy technology experts Green Home Energy Solutions

Public Sector Build Journal 19

Legal & Business

Getting ready for HECA HECA is high on the local authority agenda at the moment, with the 31st March 2015 deadline approaching fast. Here Dale Hoyland, Local Authority Services Manager, National Energy Foundation talks to Public Sector Build Journal about the requirements.

T

he next Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) reporting deadline is 31st March 2015. Under the guidance produced for the original legislation, “Local authorities are uniquely placed to assess the needs of their areas and local residents and to act as catalysts for change. The Act recognises local authorities’ ability to use their position to improve the energy efficiency of all residential accommodation (such as owneroccupied, privately rented and social housing) in their areas.” (Guidance to English Energy Conservation Authorities issued pursuant to the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995).

By the end of next March, councils will have to report on their actions from their last reports, set out their energy-saving ambitions and targets, and outline the key actions and partnerships needed to deliver them.

The HECA guidance also:

• Requires the publication of a publically-

available report on the council’s plans to achieve improved energy efficiency, and for the council to report on progress in implementing the proposed measures every two years.

• Asks for targets to be set and a timeframe for delivery to be in place.

• Encourages working with key local partners, such as social housing providers and community organisations, to develop and implement the plan.

• Encourages the take-up of financial mechanisms from central Government initiatives such as the Green Deal, Energy Company Obligation and Renewable Heat Incentives.

It’s quite likely that some councils will need

20 Public Sector Build Journal

help to achieve what’s asked of them.

Some will struggle with the necessary resources, skills and tools, while simply making things happen might also be an issue. During the winter heating season, it’s crucial that councils ensure that they make best use of all available grants – helping to tackle fuel poverty and achieve carbon savings for their local areas.

Here at the National Energy Foundation, we provide tailored, cost-effective services to suit local authorities’ individual requirements, enabling them to meet their statutory requirements. There’s a range of external services a council might need: • Expert input into its HECA report. This should align with and support other activity – for example, help target where area-based approaches should take place for maximum benefit, as well as grant/ project management.

• Expert input into its HECA report. This should align with and support other activity – for example, help target where area-based approaches should take place for maximum benefit, as well as grant/project management.

• A basis for the roll-out of targeted approaches, with maximum benefit.

• Evaluation of its current home energy efficiency improvement projects.

• Feedback and the gathering and disseminating of ideas for future projects.

• Help gaining recognition for successes achieved since its 2012 HECA submission.

An ideal service would be based around:

• Data analysis. Obtaining, analysing and interpreting data relating to buildings, insulation, energy consumption and

Dale Hoyland is Local Authority Services Manager at the National Energy Foundation. He leads on HECA, training and Affordable Warmth services and works closely with many local authorities across the south-east region and beyond. socio-economic factors. Based on this analysis, an interpretive report should be produced, which can be used to inform an area-based approach to home energy conservation, target affordable warmth measures and identify funding opportunities.

• Policy review. Desktop research and gap analysis of existing strategies and policies from the council and its key partners. Information on on-going initiatives should also be considered at this stage.

• Feedback. A strategy workshop involving the council’s key personnel and stakeholder organisations.

• Strategy preparation. The production of a draft strategy and action plan, which will meet HECA requirements and serve as a fuel poverty and energy conservation strategy, building on the work done for the first ‘New HECA’ submission in 2012. 

 www.nef.org.uk

P B S SBP RY A R LIB

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Door & Wall Protection Flooring

Mapei provides peak performance Mapei floor systems have been installed at three leisure complexes, in Fife and Aberdeen. They include a new £18m regional sports academy in Glenrothes – The Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre, Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre and the new Aquatics Centre at Aberdeen Sports Village.

Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre includes swimming, gym and dryside amenities

22 Public Sector Build Journal

Flooring

Aquatics Centre at Aberdeen Sports Village

A

ll Mapei products were installed

by Architectural Ceramics for main contractor, GRAHAM Construction.

Located on the former site of Fife Institute, The Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre provides competitionstandard facilities for community use, including extensive swimming, dryside and outdoor amenities. Nearby, Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre includes swimming, gym and dryside amenities, as well as a multi-activity children’s play centre. The largest complex – Aberdeen Sports Village – is a premier sport and exercise centre, that hosts a range of world-class sporting facilities.

The floor specification at Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy included Mapei Mapescreed 704 and screeds containing Mapei Topcem binder; a high performance, fast-drying hydraulic binder which reduces installation time to 24 hours for ceramic and two days for stone tiling. Mapei Mapeprim SP synthetic resin-based and solvent-free primer was then applied.

Mapei adhesives – Keraquick, Keraflex, Kerapoxy and Adesilex P9 – were used to bond a variety of ceramic surfaces, throughout wet and dryside areas, at all three centres.

Mapei Ultracolor Plus – a fast setting and drying flexible grout – was then applied, providing anti-efflorescence, water-repellent and anti-mould properties essential in a leisure environment.

 www.mapei.co.uk 

The Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre provides competitionstandard facilities for community use

info@mapei.co.uk  0121 508 6970

Public Sector Build Journal 23

JOIN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY’S NATIONAL TOURNAMENT Play in your region, build business relationships and have fun! We take care of the matching – you play the golf! Now in its 23rd Year, the nationwide six round knock-out competition starts March 2015, culminating in the Grand Final at the prestigious Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club in October.

Finalists enjoy free golf, gala dinner and overnight stay. If you work within the UK construction industry*, fill in the entry form and send it to the Freepost address along with your cheque for just £40 per team. You can also enter at www.thegolfclassic.co.uk or by calling 01892 752300. Your entry needs to reach us by 9th February 2015.

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Flooring

The HardieFloor substrate offers specifiers many benefits such as being quick and easy to install

A revolution in acoustic flooring

a 56db noise level for both airborne and impact noise. With the batten HardieFloor dB can be enhanced to achieve an impact noise level of 49db and an airborne level of 55db.

Launched late 2013, the HardieFloor substrate offers specifiers many benefits such as being quick and easy to install and weather resistant, allowing for up to 90 days of adverse weather exposure throughout the build; negating the problem of creaking floorboards and cracked tiles.

Additional benefits include the facility to apply tiles directly to the boards and build structural walls off them. For those wishing to use concrete for structural floors but are faced with a restricted site, HardieFloor structural floor offers a viable alternative, whilst providing many of the benefits of concrete it is much more flexible on site.

Damon McEwan, R&D Manager at James Hardie said: “We are very excited to bring this revolutionary product to the market, there is currently nothing like it available, making it a totally unique breakthrough innovation. There are many acoustic boards but there are none that offer all of the additional benefits of HardieFloor dB; which is why we feel it will become a core product in our smart flooring range.”

James Hardie is launching the first ever fibre cement acoustic structural flooring product into the UK construction products market. The building materials manufacturer is adding the new solution to its interior products range with the launch of HardieFloor acoustic solutions, part of the company's smart flooring range; a range of products that solve many common structural floor related issues.

H

ardieFloor dB, the central product in the acoustics range, offers house builders and architects all of the benefits of HardieFloor structural flooring, but with optimum acoustic performance against both impact and airborne noise. For the first time specifiers now have a board that offers much more than a solution to an acoustic problem.

Using SmartFloor Technology, HardieFloor dB combines the structural HardieFloor board with robust integrated acoustic matting to offer optimum noise resistance. These 27mm slim-line tongue and groove boards provide an effective combination of airborne and impact noise reduction without compromising on space or reducing ceiling height.

Part E of Building Regulations states

o2 rs 2012 12

that new builds need to meet the following requirements with regards to noise: 62db for impact noise (lower the better) and 45db for airborne noise (higher the better). For conversions the requirements are 64db for impact noise and 43db for airborne noise. For new build projects HardieFloor dB reduces impact noise by a further 8db to only 54db and airborne noise by an additional 10db to an outstanding 55db far surpassing current regulations.

Also available is the HardieQStrip batten accessory that can be added direct to the joists prior to the installation of either the original HardieFloor board or a HardieFloor dB board. Using the HardieQStrip the original boards can be turned into acoustic boards that achieve

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 www.jameshardie.co.uk info.europe@jameshardie.com  0800 068 3103

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Public Sector Build Journal 25

Education

The changing face of education buildings Philip Goldstone, Business Development Manager at Scotts of Thrapston talks to Public Sector Build Journal about the classrooms of tomorrow.

It is crucial that adequate heating systems are put in place to ensure that the temperature remains at an optimum level

O

ur schools are bursting at the seams. It’s a very real concern for councils right across the country: an ever-increasing number of pupils and a finite amount of space in which to house them.

While the system could be said to be just about coping at present – or surviving, at least – education chiefs have a fearful eye on the future. Last year the Office for National Statistics released figures demonstrating that more babies were born in the UK in 2011-12 than any year since 1972. A recent press article suggested that the number of pupils in England’s schools could boom by more than a million in just 10 years.

That would mean that by 2024, the number of school children will top eight million

– the highest level in almost half a century.

Add to that increased immigration and it’s inevitable that the need for additional classroom space, particularly at primary school level, will increase once this new cohort progress from nappies to school uniforms.

Some councils have been able to juggle their finances to build new schools in recent years, but for others, the pot has run dry. For decades the immediate solution to space shortage has been portable buildings. It’s easy to see why. They are a quick-fix and can be craned into position in a matter of weeks.

But these buildings have a lifespan.

They are (rightly) treated as temporary accommodation but too many schools

across the country have modulars which have outstayed their welcome. They are typically there for an initial seven years with temporary planning permission …and then it’s rolled over for another seven years, and are treated as part of the school building and a permanent solution.

Many people will have negative perceptions of portable buildings having spent much of their school years being taught in quite miserable surroundings. A solution is required which allows schools to add much-needed teaching space without the huge expenditure of bricks and mortar – and here at Scotts of Thrapston we are seeing people turn to timber framed buildings as an alternative.

Our core range of single and double classrooms are constructed to meet the exact requirements of each client.

Our single classrooms are designed for 30 pupils and have 60 square metres of teaching space, while our double classrooms are made for up to 60 pupils and have 120 square metres of teaching

It is important that teachers are supported with welldesigned, well-thought out buildings

26 Public Sector Build Journal

Education

Scotts of Thrapston's core range of single and double classrooms are constructed to meet the exact requirements of each client

space. The building can incorporate all the ancillary rooms for a selfcontained teaching environment. These include entrance lobby and cloakroom, washrooms and disabled toilet, store room and classroom sink area. Outside the building, non-slip decking provides ramped access up to the entrance.

What we are increasingly finding is that school leaders are finally taking heed of the vast amount of evidence which points to children’s education being closely linked to their surroundings. Even the best teachers and the most motivated of pupils will struggle to reach their full potential in poorly thought-out, uncomfortable classrooms.

Scotts of Thrapston's classrooms are ready for use within just five months of pushing the button on the project

Learning in comfort There are a few simple yet crucial measures that can be taken to ensure that the classrooms of tomorrow are inspiring.

Ultimately, it’s all about comfort. First we look at the size of the room. Ofsted requirements state that a room for 30 pupils should be 57 square metres, but at Scotts we also consider volume. Higher ceilings in the classroom make the room much more spacious, and therefore comfortable and conducive to learning.

Another key factor is light. If you want high concentration levels, you don’t want direct sunlight beaming into the room. If that is the case, typically people will pull blinds down and you’re left with a room that is too dark. We advise on door and window positions based on a building’s orientation – avoiding light from south facing elevations which can result in uncomfortable solar glare in summer and western aspects, which can lead to unpleasant glare on winter afternoons.

Another important issue is the acoustics

of the building. The Government’s Building Bulletin 93 has guidance on acoustic levels in schools and we fully embrace that. Our walls are drylined and we are careful about the materials we use so that sounds don’t bounce off them.

This makes life considerably easier for the teacher when they are trying to project their voice to a class.

Temperature and productivity are intrinsically linked. We’ve all been in buildings which are too hot and stuffy and know the fatigue that can cause. Similarly, studies have shown that more mistakes are made when working in a cold room than a warm one. It’s crucial that adequate heating systems are put in place to ensure that the temperature remains at an optimum level.

All of these little things can add up to make a profound difference to the way teachers and pupils perform while in the classroom.

Energy costs are a big consideration for schools and any new structures or technology

must meet strict guidelines for efficiency.

Well insulated roofs, walls and floors provide a building ‘envelope’ that is efficient to heat whilst remaining cool in the summer.

Our classrooms are ready for use within just five months of pushing the button on the project. And, in fact, we’ve found that the construction process can be used as lesson in itself by getting children involved in the process. We can provide a viewing area so that pupils can safely watch, week by week, as the building rises from the ground. It might just whet the appetite and encourage the construction professionals of the future.

So many teachers do a fantastic job in our schools. It’s important that they are supported with well-designed, wellthought out buildings that allow them to flourish, even when a million more little ones are entrusted into their care in just a  decade’s time.

 www.scottsofthrapston.co.uk

Public Sector Build Journal 27

Healthcare

Unlocking the potential of colour Colour can have a big impact on the ways in which we feel when we are in a space. This makes the use of colour in healthcare environments, such as hospitals or care facilities, especially important. Jo McMullen, Colour Activation Manager at AkzoNobel, offers advice on unlocking the potential of colour to create functional healthcare environments that positively impact well-being.

A

wealth of research has been conducted into the psychology of colour and whether it can have a tangible effect on people. While these claims are not set in stone, and evidence sometimes conflicts, academic studies can help provide ideas when designing an environment that is conducive to recovery.

The vast colour spectrum that’s available for specifiers can make choosing shades for any environment difficult.

However, if you consider that shades on walls, floors, in furniture or artwork, are able to positively or negatively impact wellbeing, each colour selection has more than a purely aesthetic value. For example, it has been suggested that orange stimulates mental activity, which could be beneficial in healthcare environments where patients might be spending a long period of time and require inspiration. On the other hand, using orange shades in mental health units that treat people with severe psychological conditions might be considered too emotionally stimulating, having a negative impact on patients.

When it comes to finding the right shades for healthcare environments, it is essential to remember that it is the combination of colours that has the most impact on how an area is viewed. Soft tones and white shades, such as magnolia, are used predominantly

28 Public Sector Build Journal

because of their neutrality and association with cleanliness, which can have a calming effect. However in reality, blanketed neutral colours can make a space seem too conservative and absent of personality.

Defining spaces The public spaces in hospitals have different requirements which are influenced by the people who occupy them. Patients and visitors spend a considerable amount of time in waiting areas, so it’s important that these spaces are both calming and uplifting. To achieve this, any broad neutral colours used on walls can be dispersed with flourishes of bolder colour to add interest. Accented colours can also function as an extension to artwork, for example, by taking a green shade from a painting that depicts a placid natural environment and using it on the walls. Research has shown that we have an inherent affinity to nature and creating spaces that mimic natural environments, for example through the use of colours, can help to alleviate stress.

Colour is also a great tool for marking out spaces. Different shades can be used as visual aids for patients and visitors, as a wayfinding tool or to identify departments.

People from all walks of life will visit a hospital, many of whom will be unfamiliar

with their surroundings, so navigating around the different areas should be made as easy as possible. Well-placed colours can be used to create pathways, accentuate doorways, or highlight areas not suitable for the public. Using colour blocking can help reception desks stand out and corridors can be divided with strong accent colours to reduce confusion.

When designing areas to be used by elderly patients, choosing specific colours can again be beneficial. Patients with advanced dementia may struggle to differentiate between blues and greens. Using orange or red based shades on doors and to point out hazardous areas like stairs can help these patients struggling with blues and greens to find their way around safely. Pastels can also be used in elderly patients’ rooms to create a relaxing atmosphere and aid wellbeing.

Similarly, paediatric units that will be used by children should be visually interesting. A bold, vibrant palette can be fun and capture a child’s sense of imagination, helping to reduce anxiety.

While in intensive care units, which need

Healthcare

The mural was brought to life using a bright colour palette

Coatings from Dulux Trade were recently used to create a bright, inspiring mural for an innovative sensory garden at Bristol Royal Infirmary

Dulux Trade Weathershield Smooth Masonry paint was used to create the mural, which aims to help engage and stimulate patients

to be restful and calming, soft, neutral colours are recommended. This doesn’t mean that the area need be devoid of colour – muted, soothing accents can stop the space from looking too clinical, and provide warmth and comfort.

Brightening Bristol Infirmary It’s not just internal spaces that can benefit from the use of colour. Exterior coatings from AkzoNobel’s leading paint manufacturer, Dulux Trade, were recently used to create a bright, inspiring mural for an innovative sensory garden at Bristol Royal Infirmary.

Dulux Trade Weathershield Smooth Masonry paint was used to create the mural, which aims to help engage and stimulate patients who have experienced head trauma at the hospital’s Paediatrics Neuroscience Department.

Celebrated artist, Sinta Tantra, was asked by the hospital to help design the garden, due to her experience of creating high-impact art installations. In addition, Sinta selected plants for the garden with distinctive scents, a chalkboard, a wheelchair-friendly gardening table and a swivelling mirrored kaleidoscope installation, creating an

The artist Sinta selected plants for the garden with distinctive scents, a chalkboard, a wheelchair-friendly gardening table and a swivelling mirrored kaleidoscope installation

interactive space for patients.

The mural was brought to life using a bright colour palette to create an attractive and restful space for people with severe neurological traumas to recuperate in.

digital resources available, ranging from tailored colour cards that include example colour schemes appropriate for locations such as hospitals, to downloadable and interactive guides, which allow specifiers to explore a variety of colour options for healthcare environments.

Finding the right balance between standard neutrals and more colourful shades, which can have different effects on people, is vital in a healthcare environment. With some creative thought it is possible to design spaces for all kinds of building occupants to ensure buildings are aesthetically pleasing and function effectively. 

The right specification Using colour in simple and creative ways can have a huge impact, not only on the patients in a healthcare environment, but on staff and visitors too.

A good paint manufacturer will be able to provide colour advice and support, help take the trouble out of choosing and combining colours, and advise on resources that can help to inform best practice. In addition, there are a number of print, online and

 www.akzonobel.com

Public Sector Build Journal 29

Modular Buildings Pod Living's modern designs are inspirational and relaxing places to learn

Funky foundations Preston's Pod Living produces some fabulously funky eco classrooms, designed to inspire the children and teachers who work within them. What's more, they have a minus zero carbon rating and use sustainable building techniques – all of which makes Jackpad the perfect partner for providing ecofriendly foundations for the buildings.

J

ackpads are made using 100% recycled, 100% recyclable and 100% reusable plastics and steel which makes them an ideal partner for Pod Living’s eco classrooms. The latest projects in Watford and Birmingham with which they have been involved are now inspiring children’s learning.

Nick Clegg from Pod Living says: “We have enjoyed working with Jackpad – its recyclable portable foundation system is ideal for our projects because it can overcome falls in the ground levels and can be moved at a later date if required.”

Pod Living’s modern designs, and the environmentally friendly materials used in construction, make its pods inspirational and relaxing places to learn. Pod Living’s classrooms can be designed and tailor made for all educational facilities from nursery level to schools and universities.

The pods come in standard and bespoke sizes so they can be used for varying numbers of students and functions, with large classroom size pods or multiple rooms on a singular basis or as a network of interlinking pods.

Nick Clegg adds: “The project in

30 Public Sector Build Journal

Sparkbrook, Birmingham was a wide site but with significantly restricted access – we were installing the eco classroom pod onto a multicoloured Astroturf playground. Jackpads were superb for this job, we were able to lay them out, line them up and level them directly onto the Astroturf surface and an hour and a half later we were ready to install the building.

Our jigsaw design eco pod classroom suited the playground perfectly!”

Jackpads have been designed to be used in both temporary and permanent positions and are fully calculated and accredited by Building Control. Whilst Jackpads have been used in public and private sector projects throughout the country for the last fourteen years, some of the proven advantages they offer over concrete foundations are only now being truly appreciated. Apart from their environmentally friendly credentials, installation is quick – same day installation can be achieved, all weather installation can be achieved, there are no remedial works, they offer flexibility of crane position, reduced time on site and are re-usable.

For Greenfield Primary School in Watford, the head teacher had a

desperate requirement for more space to cope with an influx of new children. Her current building was a 1960s concrete and steel built Grade II listed structure with little scope for extending, so the eco classroom pod from Pod Living offered a creative solution allowing cost-effective additional space beside the main building for the nursery and Early Years children.

Nick Clegg continues: “Jackpad’s simple foundation system allowed us to move onto the site after school on the Friday afternoon and have foundations complete by the Saturday morning, meaning that on the Monday the timber frame was up!” 

 www.jackpad.co.uk

Jackpads have been designed to be used in both temporary and permanent positions

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Public Sector Build Journal 31

Leisure

The perfect pitch

To the untrained eye, a fence is just a fence. But when it comes to enclosing sports areas, it can keep balls in play, reduce maintenance, provide safety and security, deter vandalism and graffiti and even be an integral part of the field of play, says Mo Ali of Zaun, manufacturer of fencing systems.

I

’m on a mission to better inform specifiers and architects on the many benefits they can reap and risks they can minimise from properly specifying what to most appears to be just a simple sports fence enclosure.

Certainly most specifiers I speak to are surprised at the range of questions I ask before I will recommend the most appropriate fencing solution for their sports area.

For me it is vital that anything I recommend is functional, safe for users, low maintenance, good value and fits in with its environment. But all of that is largely irrelevant to me if it doesn’t create a place in which I would want to play – and more importantly still that I would want my kids to play in.

And that brings to mind the issues of both safety and security – which is ever more critical for school or council bosses in these days of increased propensity of parents or residents to sue and authorities being seen to do everything in their power to protect children and vulnerable adults.

But before we get onto the risks, let’s address the upside benefits from wellspecified fencing.

Planning for long term use

Many specifiers are using netting above a fencing line – and even as a full canopy roof – to keep balls in

32 Public Sector Build Journal

Firstly, consider how you want your space to be used and what sports are going to be played on it. Our most popular requests are for five-a-side football, basketball and netball, followed by tennis and then hockey.

All will require different markings and runoff areas around the pitch or court – and appropriate goal areas, which in the majority of cases can be incorporated into the perimeter fencing with good planning.

So think about the orientation of play

Leisure

5m high fencing will obviously keep more balls within the sports area than 3m

– you might want capacity for a full-sized football pitch, with smaller five-a-side variants running at right angles to that.

A single orientation of play might allow you to reduce side fences to just 1.2m to reduce cost and create a less caged-in field of play that is more open and inviting.

This may not be possible if the plan is for multiple sports use.

We often specify combined basketball hoops and back boards with football goals, or incorporate full size goals with recesses to store them beyond a 3m run-off at the pitch ends, with recesses for smaller goals on the side of a pitch beyond a 2m run-off – or for coaching staff and substitutes to stay clear of the field of play and surrounds.

Integral enclosure By contrast, on a pitch exclusively for five-a-side use, the enclosure will become an integral part of the field of play and a product like our Super Rebound becomes a must rather than an option for rebound properties that mimic an indoor wall.

In a similar vein, the architect for a new hockey pitch at King Edward’s Five Ways School in Birmingham specified our finegrade hockey mesh installed by Midlands CSB for the full 3m height of fencing behind the goals to reduce maintenance and whole life costs associated with more traditional wooden hockey boards.

So think about your needs three or five years down the line, for instance if you are planning to rent out the space to provide an income stream, as the more you can plan and specify usage at the outset, the more you can keep cost down as it evolves.

Next, think what is the environment like.

Is this a pitch or court within school grounds,

Position access gates at opposite corners of the field of play

with use restricted solely to students at the school? Or is it in a public park with unrestricted play often out of hours?

Will play be supervised or not and pre-booked or not? Depending on the answers to these questions, how are you going to restrict access to appropriate players and keep everyone safe, and felling safe, when inevitable clashes occur?

And what situation is your sports area located in? Nearby busy roads, railway tracks, canals or rivers and utility stations can pose risks and potential death traps for when balls inevitably escape the field of play.

climb up to retrieve their ball?

But net roofs are not designed to take a person’s weight – and the surface beneath is very hard. Protruding wires at the top of a fence line are perfect snag hazards for a ring as people jump up to dislodge a ball and I sadly know of too many instances of fingers being wrenched off in this way.

That’s why we have introduced a safety channel that ‘caps off’ protruding wires.

Be aware also of complying with disability discrimination laws, so all gates should be 1.2m wide rather than 800mm and typically should open outwards, unless this risks them opening straight onto a ramp or stairway.

Position access gates at opposite corners of the field of play and perhaps colour them differently from the rest of the fencing so they are obvious even in the dark as an escape route for a solitary younger child feeling vulnerable if older teenagers arrive to play.

And even consider the ambient atmosphere. For instance, we recommend a special dual-layer ipond coating for the mesh developed by marine technologists for any pitch near to the sea, where salty air can reduce the life of fencing to a tenth of its normal.

Minimise risk 5m high fencing will obviously keep more balls within the sports area than 3m – and minimise the risk of children running out of the enclosed area to follow a ball, potentially on to a busy main road.

Because of the risk of culpability, many specifiers are using netting above a fencing line – and even as a full canopy roof – to keep balls in.

But even these are imperfect as they deteriorate quickly, require a lot of maintenance and provide a roof or pockets above the fencing where balls can get trapped. And which 14-year-old with a brand new football isn’t going to



 www.zaun.co.uk

Public Sector Build Journal 33

Cladding

Clinical competence

Altro Whiterock Chameleon offers vibrant solid colours, or more natural tones, in a high gloss finish

Altro wall cladding has been used to create a groundbreaking solution within the new Endoscopy Unit at Mount Vernon Hospital, in Northwood, Middlesex, where infection control and patient wellbeing are paramount considerations.

T

Altro recommended one of its specialist installers, Wallclad Floors and Doors to fabricate and clad the door assembly

34 Public Sector Build Journal

he new £800,000 Endoscopy Unit has been created to offer the very latest technology within an attractive, relaxing environment.

Importantly, the four-bedded ward has been designed to ensure a streamlined journey for patients from admission on to the unit, through to the procedure itself and discharge home. In the existing facility, patients were required to retire to a separate sitting room before being discharged.

Bernard Stilwell Architects designed and managed the project. Bernard Stilwell explains the thinking behind the creation of the new unit. “Our brief was to design a self-contained endoscopy unit where patients could relax, receive treatment and recover in a well-structured journey, all within one ward.

“In a clinical environment the first thought when choosing surface finishes is infection control, yet aesthetics and the patient experience are for us equally important. Ultimately, the wellbeing of patients and staff depends on both a hygienic, easy to clean environment and a visually pleasing design.

“Altro Whiterock was a first for us and an excellent choice: a good range of colours and the potential for a seamless appearance across a variety of surfaces.

It helped us unify the appearance of the interiors, to produce a calm, harmonious, well ordered end result.

“We carried out detailed feasibility

studies at the site, consulted with a range of clinicians and on the basis of this we created the design. Typically, clinical equipment and fittings are strong primary colours, often blues and whites, so we selected Altro products to complement this.”

Design challenges included the electric sliding doors to the endoscopy recovery bay. These are glazed with the mechanism built into a steel structure in the walls. The door set also contains a fire shutter, which will drop down in an emergency to protect the unit.

Detailed design “Keeping infection out of the recovery bay was obviously a key consideration, so the doors had to be easy to clean with as few joints as possible to reduce bacterial invasion, as well as being tough and impact resistant,” explains Bernard Stilwell.

“We wanted to ensure that it complemented the rest of the design and colour scheme of the unit to create an overall cohesive feel. With all these considerations in mind, we decided to completely clad the structure in Altro Whiterock Chameleon.

“Altro recommended one of their specialist installers, Wallclad Floors and Doors to fabricate and clad the door assembly. This company took our sophisticated 3D model we had produced to detail the design, adapted it to suit their workshop requirements and did a fantastic job throughout, from fabrication

Cladding vibrant solid colours, or more natural tones, in a high gloss finish, allowing for bold designs or more muted interiors in a variety of customer-facing environments.

Danny Robinson, Director of Wallclad Floors and Doors, explains how his company tackled the challenge of using Altro Whiterock in such an innovative way: “We are known for our specialist joinery, but this project was something we had never done before, so it was a very exciting prospect.

incredibly versatile Altro Whiterock can be in creating visually stunning designs in healthcare environments where patient safety and hygiene are top priorities.”

Andrew Clark, Deputy Estates Director at Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation, commented on the installation. “The project went very well from start to finish and the Altro floors and walls look great. It was vital for us that patients coming to the new unit would have a positive experience, and that psychologically the environment would reassure them of a positive outcome to their visit.

“In a recent national hospital survey, participants cited ‘light’, ‘air’, ‘space’ and ‘cleanliness’ as the assurances they needed to feel confident in their clinical surroundings. The finish of the Altro floors and walls meets all these criteria because they help to create a light, uncluttered atmosphere and a feeling of space. The overall effect is one of a practical, yet visually appealing clinical environment, where patients can feel comfortable, safe and relaxed.

Andrew Clark continues: “The door set entrance to the unit, which is clad in Altro Whiterock Chameleon, is not only a practical solution to clinical hygiene needs, it’s also a striking feature that works visually to complement the design of the unit and ensure an integrated look. A very innovative solution.

“The staff are very pleased as well and are really proud to work there. They identify with the space and have a real sense of purpose. Cleaning staff find the floors and walls easy to clean.” 

The challenge

In a clinical environment the first thought when choosing surface finishes is infection control

to installation.”

Altro Whiterock Chameleon in ‘Slipstream’ and ‘Pure Innocence’ were specified for ‘decorative’ surface treatment of the door surrounds and adjacent walls in the entrance and patient waiting/recovery areas. Altro Whiterock White was used in the cleaning rooms, lobbies and corridors.

Using the two products together gave flexibility in design and added another dimension to the overall finish.

Altro Whiterock is a cost-effective sheet extruded from a high quality PVCu polymer. It is easy to clean, impact resistant and grout-free. It meets all current EU Directives on health and hygiene.

Altro Whiterock Chameleon offers

“Our initial task, once we had seen the architectural designs, was to create it through 3D modelling, which took two weeks. This enabled us to see very clearly the practical challenges we faced in fabricating and installing it, and as a result we made a few adjustments to the design to make it feasible.

“We were able to thermoform the material in our workshop offsite. This process heats the Altro Whiterock to a specific temperature, whereby components can then be moulded into the desired shape. So the entire over-cladding for columns, surrounds, lintel, and the working mechanism for the doors and fire shutter was prepared offsite ready for installation. It was essential to keep joins to a minimum to reduce infection on the ward, so we created a sealed finish wherever possible.

“Fabrication in our workshops took two weeks, and then the installation was another week. This was a very complex process, made possible by our 3D modelling system. It is the most difficult job we have ever done, but shows how

 www.altro.co.uk

Altro Whiterock is a cost-effective sheet extruded from a high quality PVCu polymer

Public Sector Build Journal 35

Energy Management Smart meters and in-home displays increase awareness of energy usage

The truth about smart meters With the Government committing to roll out smart meters to homes across the country by 2020, Bill Bullen, Managing Director of Utilita Energy, tackles some of the myths surrounding smart meters and explains the benefits of this new technology.

A

s with the introduction of all new technology, many people will have reservations about bringing unknown devices into their homes.

There are several campaigns challenging the Government’s rollout project and perpetuating myths about the dangers of smart meters, when in fact they are no more dangerous than having a mobile phone or DVD player in your home.

I have a smart meter in my home and the benefits of using one far outweigh the supposed downsides. There have been concerns the networks smart meters supply information through could be hacked, and data stolen. But in fact, all smart meters are connected to a secure network over GPRS and all meters are subject to the same safety regulations and testing as other in-home technological devices, including baby monitors. Utility companies are bound by data protection laws and cannot give away information regarding customers’ activity to landlords and housing providers, so customers can be confident their privacy is being maintained.

The rollout will cost every household an

36 Public Sector Build Journal

estimated £215, spread in small amounts across bills in the run-up to 2020, though critics suggest the cost could rise further. In fact, the cost will be offset by customers’ ability to save money from a lower cost to serve as suppliers can access meters remotely and diagnose faults quicker, making the service more efficient for customers. We also install all our smart meters free of charge. Smart meters and in-home displays also increase awareness of energy usage – customers can save money if they assess and evaluate their energy needs.

There have also been misguided comments surrounding the effect of smart meters on customers. In fact, smart meters are like any other appliances or device in the home and have similarly minute effects on users. There were similar concerns when mobile phones were first introduced and now about 93% of the UK population own a mobile phone. The amount of radiation you could be exposed to from a smart meter is much less than what you could be exposed to from a mobile phone, making it very unlikely that living in a house with a smart meter increases the risk of cancer.

Yet there are also many benefits of using smart meters that are not considered.

They are efficient, flexible and can save customers money in the long-run.

Prepayment customers only pay for the energy they use, putting an end to overpaying (or underpaying) for energy.

They can also benefit from flexible top-up options and friendly credit, ensuring no inconvenient disconnections.

Smart meters also mean representatives from energy companies will no longer have to visit customers’ homes to read a meter, saving staffing and transportation costs and increasing efficiency.

Most importantly, in-home displays give customers real-time feedback on energy usage and what it is costing, along with a better oversight and ability to manage their energy use. Some 50% of smart meter users use their in-home displays to cut their energy use according to a survey carried out by uSwitch.

We work closely with housing providers to offer residents the opportunity to save money with our prepayment tariffs, which also offer customers the flexibility to top-up their smart meters remotely, from their phone or online. We are constantly researching and improving the technologies we use so our meters and displays are at the forefront of technology.

The Government’s decision to embrace new technology is a step towards making homes more energy efficient, addressing energy wastage and helping to reduce the country’s environmental impact. The rollout is a real opportunity for housing providers and tenants to change their energy usage as well as potentially saving money. It’s time for the naysayers to take advantage of the benefits that come with having a smart meter. 

 www.utilita.co.uk

In-home displays give customers real-time feedback on energy usage

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Public Sector Build Journal 37

Glass & Glazing

These hybrid solutions offer excellent design flexibility, with the ability to powder coat the external aluminium in any RAL colour

Taking education T to the next level Despite the Building Schools for the Future programme being scrapped due to cuts in 2010, there is still a commitment on the part of the Government to modernise the UK’s education infrastructure.

Not only is the internal timber of hybrid systems of benefit to the environment but it can also add a sense of warmth to surroundings

38 Public Sector Build Journal

his commitment is most notably witnessed in the Priority School Building (PSB) programme, a centrally-managed government initiative which intends to rebuild or refurbish 261 schools, with all work delivered by the end of 2017.

While this is clearly good news for the education sector in the UK, it also comes as a significant boost to many product manufacturers operating in the glazed facades sector. The PSB programme will mean there is still going to be a robust demand for high performance fenestration solutions in schools which will help architects achieve environmental requirements, thermal performance targets and, of course, aesthetic demands.

Perfectly positioned to assist specifiers in meeting these demands are timber aluminium composite hybrid systems – available as high quality window, door and curtain wall systems.

Hybrid systems are the perfect solution for specifiers thanks to their ability to combine the advantage of long life and low maintenance of aluminium externally with all the aesthetic and performance benefits of responsibly sourced engineered timber internally.

The thermal efficiency of a building is a critical consideration and hybrid windows, doors and curtain wall systems are perfectly placed to offer the thermal efficiency of timber and the latest in

Glass & Glazing timber internally to provide an ideal combination of aesthetics, high insulation properties and strong environmental benefits.

Powder coated externally in dust grey and internally in pine with a clear lacquer for added protection, the hybrid composite timber and aluminium system incorporates double glazed units comprising a laminated pane and a toughened pane for security and safety of the children. The soft coat low-e units provide exceptional acoustic and thermal performance whilst reducing solar gain, achieving an overall U-value of 1.5W/2K. To help meet the required BREEAM rating, the building incorporates a sophisticated building management system, including manually operated hybrid top opening vents within the curtain wall system, together with a high level of automated vent control.

Actuators are built in to the hybrid frames to enable automatic operation of the top light windows without the use of handles for added safety.

Other examples of hybrid in use in school environments include at Frensham Heights School in Surrey and The Lady Eleanor Holles School in Middlesex. For both buildings, Senior’s Hybrid systems were specified to ensure a tranquil, inspiring atmosphere throughout, with the internal timber creating a natural, welcoming environment.

Installing hybrid systems in buildings such as schools is now an aesthetic and environmental choice the specifier can make in confidence knowing that the project in question will be protected with a stunning facade for years to come, which bodes well for the next generation of schools in this country. 

The low maintenance of a hybrid system provides the advantage of fully pre-treated engineered timber internally

glass technology to produce U-values well below the current and anticipated future Building Regulation requirements.

The low maintenance of a hybrid system provides the advantage of fully pre-treated engineered timber internally, so any possibility of warping or twisting is eliminated. The use of timber means specifiers and architects are now seeing the benefits of using high performance engineered timber profiles which can be treated to withstand up to 10 years of weathering without the need for recoating, ensuring that systems installed in high-traffic environments such as schools will last.

Some experts suggest that timber and aluminium hybrids are the lowest cost options when a 40-year life cycle analysis is undertaken against other materials and combinations, which also means these systems can be a more financially viable option for school environments.

In addition, these hybrid solutions offer excellent design flexibility, with the ability to powder coat the external aluminium in any RAL colour whilst the timber internally can be provided in a range of wood types and finishes. The unique cradle to cradle approach which many manufacturers take when it comes to the environment means that materials can often be safely recycled at the end of their life.

Not only is the internal timber of hybrid systems of benefit to the environment

but it can also add a sense of warmth to surroundings, unlike UPVC alternatives.

The homely feel promoted by the timber gives students, teachers and others inside educational buildings a more inspiring, natural setting in which to work, which can only assist in day-to-day learning and progression.

One example that showcases the stunning aesthetics and performance attributes of a hybrid system is the £18m Broadwater Inclusive Learning Campus in Tottenham, which benefits from copious amounts of natural light and ventilation through the incorporation of hybrid curtain wall and windows systems.

These systems offer an aluminium external profile providing exceptional performance, long-life and low maintenance with contrasting engineered

 www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk

The hybrid composite timber and aluminium system incorporates double glazed units comprising a laminated pane

Public Sector Build Journal 39

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Technical Focus was formed from external elements of the construction.

Conducting the tests The objective of the tests was to measure the volume of conditioned air escaping through the building envelope via uncontrolled ventilation at an induced pressure difference of 50Pa. The tests involved setting up multiple fans in multiple locations to pressurise the building. Numerous pressure difference readings and fan flow rates were recorded, taking into account environmental conditions.

Measurements were taken in over 20 places for each test to ensure that that the air pressure was increased across the entire volume of the building, and not just in localised areas, since this could give rise to false readings.

Against the mandatory requirement of less than 10m3/h/m2, the area weighted average of all tests conducted was an impressive 8.41, meaning that the client was able to apply to Building Control for a Completion Certificate, without conducting any remedial work.

Commenting on the service provided

by BM TRADA, Carillion Project Manager Keith Hutton says: “By working closely with the BM TRADA team we were able to overcome the challenges presented by this large and complex project. The expertise of the engineers was invaluable in helping to plan for the testing process, enabling us to conduct the tests with minimum disruption and achieve air permeability ratings well under the levels required.” 

Numerous pressure difference readings and fan flow rates were recorded, taking into account environmental conditions

Healthy results for Southmead

Southmead Hospital in Bristol has demonstrated its energy efficiency credentials, through a programme of air tightness testing conducted by BM TRADA.

T

he £425m Southmead Hospital project is one of the largest privately funded construction projects in the UK. Built by Carillion, the building covers a total footprint of 115,000m2 and offers 800 acute beds, 24 state-of-the-art theatres, a helipad for the emergency services and an accident and emergency department capable of coping with large numbers of patients.

Air tightness testing in a building of this size and complexity is not a simple process. BM TRADA worked closely with the design team, building control and the site management team to decide how the hospital would best show compliance with the Building Regulations Approved Document L1A, Conservation of Fuel and Power, which require air permeability

 www.bmtrada.com/testing

ratings of under 10m3/h/m2.

Inspections and detailed reviews of the design were carried out for almost a year before any part of the hospital was tested. The sheer scale of the building meant that the building had to be tested in sections in order to prove compliance.

This presented a real challenge for the site team since testing in sections meant that it was essential to ensure internal walls were air tight, as they would be relied upon during testing. This is not normal practice.

Fortunately, the design of the hospital lent itself to being divided up into areas that minimised the use of internal walls as the air barrier. Testing of multiple wards at one time allowed BM TRADA to ensure that around 90% of the air barrier

The sheer scale of the building meant that the building had to be tested in sections in order to prove compliance

Public Sector Build Journal 41

Doors & Windows

Guaranteed protection with safety hinge

This specialised hinge will eliminate the possibility of trapping fingers in the hinge side of the door

Door hinges and small fingers have never been a winning combination and continue to pose a health and safety issue to establishments across a variety of sectors.

T

his could soon become a thing of the past as leading manufacturer of door and wall protection Intastop, has drawn on its previous experience and technologies to create a finger safety hinge which will prevent fingers being caught in the hinge opening side of the door. It also comes with a cast iron guarantee to last the lifetime of the door it’s being fitted to, which means protected fingers for years to come.

The unique continuous geared

Finger trapping in door hinges can be painful for all concerned

mechanism of the hinge works with the door, lessening the impact while creating a typical gap where fingers can fit, meaning the door is entirely suitable for educational, nursing and childcare establishments.

“Our Finger Safety Hinge provides the perfect solution to this common problem and is easily fitted to new or existing doors,” says Sarah Barsby Marketing Director Intastop. “This specialised hinge will eliminate the possibility of trapping fingers in the hinge side of the door

giving councils, owners and maintenance engineers complete peace of mind.”

Sarah continues: “Our Finger Safety Hinge is very popular with schools, nurseries and specialist child healthcare units as it reduces worry for staff and parents, as well as ensuring caretakers and maintenance engineers experience continued reliability with little or no ongoing maintenance requirements.”

In addition to the safety benefits, the hinge is also impact resistant which puts an end to the possibility of doors splitting on impact and is discreet enough to be aesthetically pleasing. Performance tested to 1.5 million cycles the hinge is robust to support any level of usage and will last for the lifetime of the door making them commercially viable in comparison to traditional (knuckle) hinges which may require regular replacement in such heavy traffic areas.

Furthermore, there is little or no maintenance required due to the even weight distribution of the door in comparison to alternative hinges where the weight is centred in certain points, making the product attractive to maintenance professionals too.

The Finger Safety Hinge is fire tested to BS476: Part 20 & 22 for 30 minutes and can also resolve door alignment problems such as doors dropping.

Intastop remains a market leader in the healthcare and public sectors for door and wall protection due its knowledge, expertise and ability to develop products that fulfil customer requirements. 



42 Public Sector Build Journal

 www.intastop.com marketing@intastop.com  01302 364666

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Public Sector Build Journal 43

Health Roofing, Health &&Safety Cladding Safety & Insulation

The A-SAFE barriers’ strong, flexible, absorbent natures dissipate impact forces

Structural streamlining Protect the workplace from post-Christmas lethargy with A-SAFE’s maximum performance products.

I

t’s all too easy to go back to work after the seasonal festivities suffering from the one-turkey-sandwich-toomany blues; and workplaces, like people, can also suffer from a post-Christmas comedown. They can sag a little, lose a bit of their gleam, be a little reluctant to rev-up and restart.

In fact, the New Year condition of your workplace will set the tone for overall productivity and efficiency in 2015. Therefore, in the same way that January gyms are full of enthusiastic new members working on their newlyexpanded waistlines, the New Year is the perfect time to get your workplace fit, active and in-shape for the business demands of the coming year.

First: lose the excess Too many workplaces suffer from unfit management of vehicles and pedestrians. Points where vehicles and pedestrians cross over should be reduced to a minimum and, where these crossover points are unavoidable, properly managed with barriers, gates and signage. It’s time to shape-up and shed the excess with a fully fit traffic

44 Public Sector Build Journal

management programme – and greatly reduce the chances of collisions and subsequent downtime, damage and associated costs.

Second: get lean and mean Just like a personal trainer will ensure you’re getting the most out of gym equipment and using it in the most efficient way, responsible workplace managers will know that modern Health & Safety practices do not hinder efficiency but, over time, boost it. A world-class barrier system will not just protect vehicles, structures and pedestrians, it will also act as guide and pathway to direct and lead personnel safely around the workplace, streamlining efficiency in the process.

Third: add some bulk Hand Rails and Pedestrian Barriers will look after some traffic management concerns, but it is inevitable that collisions will still occur on workplace structures. A rogue forklift driver can over time make repeated impacts on your workplace’s vital structures and these can seriously challenge the structural integrity of a whole building. When A-SAFE’s heavy duty barriers flex their muscles, it’s not through vanity. The barriers’ strong, flexible, absorbent natures dissipate impact forces, ensuring they remain intact, the floor undamaged and vital structures untouched.

In a busy workplace a world class barrier system will offer a huge return in investment over a relatively short period of time

Last: reap the rewards No fitness routine is complete until you start to enjoy the time between workouts. In a busy workplace a world class barrier system will offer a huge return in investment over a relatively short period of time. Gatwick Airport used to report over £100,000 worth of repair costs to their luggage handling areas per year. After installing A-SAFE barriers, they reported a reduction in repair, maintenance and replacement costs to just £3000 over a five-year period.

Before your factory starts to flag, shapeup with the best performing products for protection, efficiency and responsible management. The return on investment benefits are long-term and the health and fitness bonuses can be felt immediately.

A-SAFE is the inventor and manufacturer of fixed polymer safety barriers; used around the world to offer unbeatable, money-saving protection for buildings,  personnel and equipment.

 www.asafe.com 

sales@asafe.com 01422 344402



Always Supplying Advanced Flexible Excellence

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Improving skill and technique is vital in any competitive activity. But in the ultra-competitive world of business, industry leaders must continually invent and innovate to stay ahead.

A-SAFE’s new iFlex range of safety barriers improve an already world-leading collection of products with enhanced strength, superior modularity and a host of innovative features.

Tone-up your factory fitness with A-SAFE – the gold-medallists of workplace safety.

A-SAFE is the inventor and manufacturer of an award-winning system of impact-absorbent and cost saving protective barriers used in warehouses, car parks, factories, airports and other workplaces across the world.

To contact A-SAFE call +44 (0) 1422 331133, email sales@asafe.com, or visit asafe.com for more information.

Kitchens, Bathrooms & Washrooms Door & Wall Protection

Aspirational Changing Places facility at town hall A new Changing Places facility installed in Chorley Town Hall has been praised as ‘aspirational’. Meeting all the requirements of BS8300 for disabled access within public facilities, the new installation in Chorley Town Hall goes above and beyond the minimum expectations.

Andrew Lowndes, UK Sales Manager at Pressalit Care, specialist in the design of facilities for those with limited mobility, says: “The content and quality of this bathroom are to be praised – this is a fine example of what an accessible bathroom

can look like. It is truly aspirational.

Chorley Council should be congratulated for their commitment to best practice in this facility.”

With around 1 in 10 people now estimated to be in need of support while

using bathroom facilities, it is more important than ever for public buildings to offer effective accessible amenities.

At Chorley Town Hall, the wheelchair friendly bathroom, that provides a spacious environment for those who need the help of a carer, has been designed in coordinating anthracite grey and white for an aesthetically pleasing contrast with adjustable height products from the Pressalit Care range.

Among the Pressalit Care elements included are the Nursing Bench 3000, featuring a head and neck support, and curved contour making the bench extremely comfortable and safe; the Select Wash Basin, which has a concave front edge to help stabilise a standing as well as a seated user, with wall mounted grab rails; and the Select Toilet with hinged arm supports. The electrically powered toilet, with its smooth lines and surfaces for ease of cleaning, not only allows the user to find the most comfortable seating position, but also acts as a sitting or standing aid.  www.pressalit.com 

uk@pressalit.com 0844 880 6950



Young talent creates lasting accolade To celebrate Franke Sissons’ 230 years of design, innovation and manufacturing in Chesterfield the company has commissioned a stunning new stainless steel sculpture for the town. Working with the company’s design and engineering apprentices and the children of Parkside Community School Franke Sisssons’ invited the students to come up with concepts and designs for the project estimated to be worth in excess of £5k. The final design was formally unveiled as part of Chesterfield’s Made in Chesterfield Event. The new sculpture is situated in the pocket-park donated to the town by the District Civic Society.  www.franke.co.uk



ws-marketing.gb@franke.com



01246 450255

Future-proofing Scottish inclusivity in education A school for disabled children aged between 5 and 18, has the aim of providing an environment tailored to individual pupil requirements in education, therapy, health and personal support. As part of that target, it has upgraded its toilet facilities to accommodate the immediate needs of current pupils, but in a way that optimises adaptation for future requirements. The upgrade has involved replacing two Clos-o-Mat Samoa automatic shower (wash and dry) toilets with the more up-to-date Palma Vita model, complete with soft seats, soft ‘one touch’ operating pads, and Rifton paediatric support systems. The combination was developed in partnership with Clos-o-Mat, to achieve optimum flexibility now and long-term.  www.clos-o-mat.com

46 Public Sector Build Journal



info@clos-o-mat.com

Improving patient quality of care Improving the quality of patient care is being taken to new dimensions in Cheshire, as a result of commitment by local campaigners and the privacy & dignity team. The new dimension is installation of a Changing Places assisted accessible toilet at Leighton Hospital. With more space for manoeuvrability than a conventional wheelchair-accessible WC, a Changing Places toilet also has as standard a hoist, adult-sized height adjustable changing table, and privacy screen.

Supplied and installed by Clos-o-Mat, the toilet also features a Palma Vita automatic shower toilet, in place of a conventional WC, to further improve hygiene.  www.clos-o-mat.com 

 0161

969 1199

info@clos-o-mat.com  0161 969 1199

Search ‘inex-online’

in + ex ex in + The Inex app for or iPhone, iPad and Android Free download available now BROWSE | SPECIFY | SOURCE | DIGEST

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Inex is the comprehensive online specification portal for interior and exterior design professionals.

To support the fast-paced lifestyles of our audience, all Inex content is pushed via the stylish and easy-to-navigate app for smart phone and tablet users. The Inex app is a vital portal for accessing information on the move.

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Fila provides surface protection at IWM London A Fila floor protection system has been specified, alongside Mapei Ultratop cementitious flooring, at IWM London, the flagship branch of the Imperial War Museums.

Recently transformed to mark the centenary of the WW1, the London museum attracts around one million visitors each year. Fila products chosen for the heavy traffic environment

included high performance FILAFOB stain protector and FILA Cleaner; part of the eco award-winning Fila Green Line range. All site works were coordinated by Construction Manager, Lend Lease and

Fila systems were applied by Polished Concrete Designs, for Trade Contractor, ITC Concepts Ltd. Designed by Foster + Partners, the revamped Museum includes world-class First World War Galleries centered around a dramatic new atrium space within which large iconic objects are suspended – from a Harrier jet to a V2 rocket. Other new features include Truth and Memory – the largest exhibition of British First World War art; a major family exhibition, Horrible Histories Spies; new retail areas and a new cafe, which opens onto Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park.

Following the floor installation, Mapei Ultratop was sealed with oil and stain proofing FILAFOB; a non film-forming treatment that protects against stains without altering surface appearance. Fila Cleaner was chosen to maintain the cementitious floor; the bio gradable detergent is pH-neutral and cleans without damaging the sealant or leaving a film.  www.filasolutions.com  filauk@filasolutions.com  01584

877286

Cleaneo Akustik aids acoustics for landmarks The refurbishment of Manchester city centre landmarks, the Central Library and Town Hall Extension (CL-THX), has been achieved using a range of products from Knauf – a leading manufacturer of lightweight building materials and systems. Knauf was appointed by main contractor, Laing O’Rourke at the start of the project, advising on products and detailing required to meet modern standards of acoustic, thermal and fire protection while remaining sympathetic to the existing finishes and materials. According to John Travers, Contracts Manager with sub-contractor Prestwich Plastering, Knauf’s Cleaneo Akustik ceiling system enabled them to create a seamless, monolithic appearance through combining Cleaneo Akustik boards with Knauf Uniflott to create a strong, tapeless joint.  www.knauf.co.uk



kd@web-response.co.uk



01795 424499

Remmers Floomix DQ the ideal solution The main production area of the Express Contract Drying factory in South Wales required refurbishment. The existing slabs created significant substrate challenges due to the mixture of old finishes and bare concrete. TPS360, the contractor for the project, was instructed to produce a new floor finish that needed to be slip resistant with good chemical resistance whilst providing an attractive and highly durable finish.

Remmers Floormix DQ flooring system was chosen for its special blend of decorative colour quartz aggregate and extreme durability which was ideally suited for this application.  www.remmers.co.uk

48 Public Sector Build Journal



sales@remmers.co.uk

 0845

373 0103

New Polysafe Verona PUR makes a splash Polyflor’s latest advancement in safety flooring is already making waves at Cardiff’s International Pool. 240m2 of Polysafe Verona PUR sheet vinyl has been installed into customer and staff areas to provide an attractive, fresh and safe surface. Specified and installed by Leeway Carpets & Flooring, a combination of Polysafe Verona colours Horizon Blue 5208 and Nightfall 5207 are laid in the extensive walkway behind the spectator seating area that surrounds the venue’s 50m Olympic Pool as well as in an adjacent lighting room and judges’ meeting room.

The circulation area involved Leeway’s skilled team of fitters installing a border using Verona’s dark blue hue.  www.polyflor.com 

info@polyflor.com  0161 767 1111

LEVATO MONO – porcelain paver system Designed for fast cost effective installation over most surfaces; including single ply waterproof membranes and other waterproofing systems using height adjustable/slope correcting supports. Available in 40+ plus colours and finishes in both ultra-realistic timber and stone effects, combining 3D printing and mould making technology, to reproduce identical copies of natural materials and with up to 30 prints available for each paver range , once laid, the eye is unable to discern any replicated pattern allowing for a completely natural looking surface – as specified for Theatre Royal Portico terrace and ZSL external dining areas.

• 20mm porcelain pavers 40x80 45x90 60x60 75x75 30x120 40x120 60x120 • ‘Floating floor’ – installation over single ply membranes • Eternal product - zero maintenance required – offering massive over-life savings • Highly abrasion and stain resistant • Highly slip resistant ; R11 and achieved up to +65 wet in the BS pendulum test • Lightweight – 45kgs per m2 • High load bearing and impact resistance • Timber & stone effects ; 40+ finishes available • Ideal for balconies, roof terraces and piazzas, for both commercial & residential use • Completely non porous • Fire & frost proof • Height-adjustable support from 9mm up to 550mm

t: 0845 2700 696

e: info@thedecktileco.co.uk

www.thedecktileco.co.uk

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Public Sector Build Journal 49

Focus & Innovation

F. Ball launches fast-track Styccobond F5

Decorative render finishes – the Weber way A concealer is without question a girl’s best friend – just a little expert cosmetic application hides shadows, blemishes and breakouts. Saint-Gobain Weber’s flexirend highbuild works in much the same way – and it doesn’t wash off! Perfect for new and old surfaces this decorative and protective resin-based render coating provides a high quality, flawless weather resistant finish that can be applied to exterior and interior surfaces. Flexirend highbuild is versatile enough for use on almost any surface provided that it is suitably smooth and flat to achieve a durable and consistent finish.  www.netweber.co.uk  

enquiries@netweber.co.uk 08703 330070

A leading UK manufacturer of flooring adhesives and subfloor preparation products, F. Ball and Co. Ltd., has launched Styccobond F5 fast-track vinyl floorcovering adhesive. Fast drying and solvent free, Styccobond F5 has been specifically designed to allow for maximum flexibility when installing a wide range of tile and sheet vinyl floorcoverings in fast-track applications. The fibre-reinforced formulation of Styccobond F5 has excellent initial grab and fast drying properties that allow for early placement of floorcoverings. Vinyl tiles can be placed immediately, but it is advisable to allow the adhesive to dry for just five minutes, which will significantly reduce the risk of tiles sliding.  www.f-ball.co.uk



mail@f-ball.co.uk



01538 361633

Comar Window Systems improve performance With ever-increasing demands on the performance of glazing and opening vents, Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems has developed and rigorously tested its aluminium window systems to meet the very latest performance and specification demands, ensuring their clients have a future proof solution. The Comar range of solutions, Comar 5P.i and Comar 9P.i High Performance window systems, offers specifiers a comprehensive single source solution that achieves an increased range of window sizes. Comar 9P.i also offers optimum heightened performance in terms of weather and security. Comar 9P.i windows achieved market leading results in terms of water tightness at 900Pa; this ensures that Comar 9P.i will maintain its water integrity.  www.comar-alu.co.uk



projects@parksidegroup.co.uk



020 8685 9685

Access control at Dorchester House Overhead transom door closers from Alpro have been installed at a student accommodation development in Bournemouth. The transom closers are a means of hydraulically controlling the opening and closing of aluminium doors.

They are being used at Dorchester House, a 540bed residence let exclusively during term time to Bournemouth University and students on Kaplan International Colleges programmes. The transom units can have light, medium or heavy spring strengths to suit type of usage, with a 90 degree hold-open option. This is particular important for a student population which may include wheelchair users, and site managers appreciate the ability to fine-tune the door force.  www.alpro.co.uk



info@alpro.co.uk



01202 676262

Timberplay opens its first UK skate park Hull’s Pennine Way is the proud recipient of the UK’s first Timberplay skate park, including state-of-the art pre-fabricated skate elements from Concrete, designed to deliver exceptional ride-ability. The opening on Monday 17th November saw a group of skaters from The Works taking to the concrete to put the park through its paces. The park has been created using a combination of prefabricated elements, for example the penny, london gap and funbox, and bespoke in-situ features such as the volcano and pool corner. Timberplay worked closely with its Dutch partner, 2Move, a specialist skate design consultancy established by landscape designers with a passion for skating.  www.timberplay.co.uk

50 Public Sector Build Journal



joanne@timberplay.com



0114 282 3474

Frontrunner Plus goes to school As part of a refurbishment project, Frontrunner Plus entrance matting was installed in several entrances at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), the oldest and largest university and research institution in Denmark. Supplied by distributor Top Matting, this entrance flooring system was chosen for its ease of maintenance, quick installation time and ex-stock availability. Manufactured from flexible PVC in the UK and USA

by Plastic Extruders Ltd (Plastex), the product features an open grid which scrapes dirt off shoes and allows it to fall through, whilst the absorbent inserts capture moisture, keeping internal floors clean and dry.  www.frontrunnerplus.com  

enquiries@plastex.co.uk 01268 571116

SBP ARY

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The smarter way to plan, design, and decorate self-build homes. With its easy-to-navigate format, users can benefit from a variety of useful tools, such as the magazine’s latest issue, digital archive, suppliers and newsbank. The App is also synced with SBP Library (sustainablebuildingproducts.com) providing an essential specification portal.

| Bespoke, reader-friendly features tailored to professionals on the move | | Timely industry news delivered at the touch of a button | | Manage print & digital subscriptions |

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Public Sector Build Journal 51

Focus & Innovation

Mobility kerb project inspires new product line

A specialist mobility kerb that has been installed across regions of South Yorkshire has proven so successful that manufacturer Brett Landscaping, has added the product within its standard paving catalogue, thus making it freely available to national developers and local authorities alike.

The kerb, which features an upstand of 30mm between carriageway and footpath provides adequate channel drainage, and also aids mobility for wheelchair users and pushchairs; while a protruding lug at the rear of the kerb helps to hold it reliably in place. This subsequently provides greater stability throughout the kerb’s lifetime.

So far, the kerb style has been successfully put to use across four districts of South Yorkshire, predominantly throughout private development sites, which have and will be adopted by the local authority, as Jamie Gledhill, Northern Specification Manager at Brett Landscaping explains: “In modifying this traditional style of kerb, we’ve developed a product that is extremely high quality, has proven capability and is also cost effective.

So far, it has been introduced across adoptable roads throughout Barnsley, Doncaster & Rotherham, with the most recent installation having been completed within a private housing

development by Persimmon Homes.”

The Brett Landscaping kerb is also among the solutions used by Sheffield City Council Highways Adoption Group.

Jamie goes on to detail why the concept for developmental improvement was made: “We felt that introducing a nib at the rear of the kerbstone would be a progressive development; one which would be beneficial, not only to aid level setting, but actually increase the longevity of the stones; as a more stable installation is far less likely to be affected by potential vehicular impact.” 

 www.brettpaving.co.uk landscapinginfo@brett.co.uk  0845 60 80 577

Safe as houses with Kidde Kidde customer Place Group UK is one of the first private landlords to be awarded the respected DASH Landlord Accreditation in Lincoln. All Place Group properties are protected by hard-wired Kidde smoke, heat and CO alarms with back-up power. Place Group has refurbished period houses in Lincoln offering a range of safe, secure studio-style bedrooms, many with their own showers and kitchens, together with communal kitchens and laundry rooms. Kidde’s Firex range has been installed and every studio bedroom now has its own smoke and heat alarm.

All kitchens and food preparation areas also have heat alarms, linked to those in each bedroom.  www.smoke-alarms.co.uk



sales@kiddesafety.co.uk



01753 766392

Hauraton Surface Drainage unveils projects website A case studies website, www.drainage-projects.co.uk has been activated by Hauraton Limited a leading provider of surface water drainage systems in the UK. Utilising the latest software, the new website can be viewed on all digital devices using responsive technology – i.e. the new website automatically resizes fonts and images so they can be easily read on I-phone, I-pad, Mac computers, android phones, tablets and Windows computers via the internet.

The website also incorporates a Customer Support portal and links to Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Hauraton’s product website www.hauraton.co.uk.  www.drainage-projects.co.uk

52 Public Sector Build Journal



tim.connolly@hauraton.co.uk

Profloor system used in hospital refurb The A. Proctor Group has supplied Profloor Dynamic Deck 26 system to a former hospital site in St John’s, Chelmsford. Profloor Dynamic Deck 26 system provides a high degree of isolation resulting in significant improvements in impact sound insulation and is robust detail compliant FFT5.

Profloor Systems are designed to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations and Robust Details for impact sound. Solutions are available for timber and concrete floors on both new build and refurbishment projects.  www.proctorgroup.com 

 01582

501380

ask@proctorgroup.com  01250 872261

Focus & Innovation

Munters creates the right climate Munters is a leader in humidity control, with products and services for dehumidification, humidification, air cooling, and services for water and fire damage restoration. Dry air provided by Munters systems prevent condensation, corrosion, mould and improves productivity by controlling humidity, Munters creates optimal conditions for people, plants, goods, and machinery. The technology is energy efficient, and based on nature’s own laws of dehumidification and humidification, relating to how moisture, temperature and energy interrelate. Munters dehumidifiers create the right climate for a variety of applications, enhancing many sectors including pharmaceutical, military, chemical, utilities and data centres.  www.munters.co.uk

 dryair@munters.co.uk

 08708

Portakabin Group awarded £10m hospital contract The Portakabin Group has secured a £10m contract for the off-site construction of two new buildings which will provide clinical services during the 3Ts Redevelopment of the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. Procured under the ProCure21 framework, the contract, which uses a Yorkon off-site solution, includes construction of the Portakabin Group’s first six-storey building in the health sector.

By using a Yorkon modular solution for both schemes, the facilities will be built to permanent standards with a 60-year design life and in compliance with NHS requirements, but have the flexibility to be removed, recycled and relocated to another site or can remain in place.

505202

Waterloo launches discrete lay on ceiling tile diffuser The lay on ceiling tile diffuser from Waterloo Air Products plc forms an integral part of the company’s comprehensive range of ceiling products. The LCT20 has been specifically developed to be mounted on top of 20% open area ceiling tiles. The LCT20 is available in a range of sizes to suit specific flow ranges.

The tile diffuser is supplied in black (RAL9005) as standard.

An optional acoustic lining is available providing reaction to fire class C-s3-d0 to EN 13501-1: 2007. Ease of installation is a key feature of the design. The diffuser can be readily installed using two-sided adhesive strips or by using edging clips.  www.waterloo.co.uk



alan.smith@waterloo.co.uk

 www.yorkon.co.uk  

contact@yorkon.co.uk 2000 123

 0845

01622 717861

Bosch heater now eligible under ECA scheme

Schindler UK raises £25,000 for charity A team from Schindler UK, a leading provider of lifts and escalators, has completed a gruelling 140-mile coast-tocoast cycle challenge from Whitehaven in Cumbria to Tynemouth on the North East Coast, raising £25,000 for charity. The organisations who benefited from this achievement were Crohn’s and Colitis UK – Schindler’s preferred charity for 2014, and Cancer Research UK. This tough and exciting challenge saw the Schindler team cycling through some of the UK’s harshest terrain over two days. The route passed through the Lake District, the Pennines and up into Northumberland before touching the North Sea at Tynemouth.

Bosch Commercial and Industrial Heating’s CWi47 continuous flow water heater is now included on the Energy Technology List, making it eligible for the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme. Bosch’s CWi47 water heater, which provides instant hot water for high end residential, and both small and large commercial applications, can be cascaded with up to 12 appliances to offer a combined flow rate of up to 247 l/min. With no storage of water within the appliance, the energy loss is near zero, when compared with traditional hot water storage systems, easing challenge of managing heat losses.  www.bosch-industrial.co.uk



info@gb.schindler.com 01932 758100

bob.chapman@uk.bosch.com

 0330

123 3004

Keep black mould at bay Guaranteed to protect against black mould for five years, Dryzone System Mould Resistant Emulsion Paint from Safeguard Europe provides lasting protection against the effects of condensation and is easily applied over standard paint finishes. Dryzone System Mould-Resistant Emulsion Paint has been designed for ease of application.

First the area must be prepared as it would be for normal re-painting and then walls, ceilings, window frames and joinery must be washed with Soluguard Multi-Surface Biocide to remove all traces of mould. Two coats of mouldresistant emulsion are then applied using a brush or a roller.

 www.schindlerlifts.co.uk 



 www.dryzonesystem.com



info@safeguardeurope.com



01403 220130

Public Sector Build Journal 53

Roofing, Focus & Innovation Cladding & Insulation

Portakabin Hire sees record demand from schools

Levolux brings a ‘smile’ to Birkenhead The award-winning St Catherine’s Health Centre in Birkenhead, dubbed ‘The Smile’ for the way its facade curves around the adjacent church, is already making a positive impact on healthcare provision in Birkenhead. As a leading UK solar shading specialist, Levolux was tasked with developing a custom solution to be applied externally, against the curved east-facing elevation, which accommodates a full height internal street that connects five wings. The solution comprises six bays of horizontal Aerofoil Fins, each measuring 400mm wide, with free spans of up to 8m. In total, Levolux installed 966m of extruded aluminium Aerofoil Fins, which are faceted to accommodate the curved facade.

Portakabin Hire, the UK’s leading interim modular building specialist, has delivered a record number of school buildings and classrooms to accommodate around 22,000 school children in the last academic year.

Demand was so high that in the two months prior to the start of the new autumn term, Portakabin Hire installed over 1000 modular units at schools from Penzance to Penrith, accommodating nearly 9000 children. This is an increase in pupil accommodation of more than 40% compared to the same period last year. Portakabin Hire offers a complete package of services to ensure every project is completely hassle free.  www.portanews.co.uk



information@portakabin.co.uk



info@levolux.com 020 8863 9111

0845 401 0010

Wild weather workgloves from Snickers Snickers now has a range of workgloves that cope with even the harshest of weather conditions.

From tough, hard-wearing weather essential gloves to weather cut protection gloves, these top-quality Snickers products will keep your hands properly protected and warm. There’s eight different styles in the range that will suit all types of working environment and weather condition.

Typical of these bad weather gloves is the weather dry glove, which is made from advanced materials to deliver precise dexterity, friction and grip even in wet, cold and slippery conditions.

 www.levolux.com 



 www.snickersworkwear.co.uk



info@snickersworkwear.co.uk



01484 854788

Metal Technology takes extra care at Clarence Park Architectural aluminium systems company Metal Technology has supplied its window products to a 101 apartment retirement village in Worcester Road, Malvern. Designed and built for Fortis Living (formerly Festival Housing) by contractor Galliford Try, the imaginatively designed £20m extra care complex includes a restaurant, bar, village hall, cafe, gym, IT suite, library and a hair and beauty salon. With sustainability and accessibility at the heart of this flagship scheme, Metal Technology’s System 4-35 Hi+ casement window and System 5-20Dhi+ door offer the designer a wide and diverse range of profiles that provide structural integrity, weather performance, thermal enhancement and security.  www.metaltechnology.com



sales@metaltechnology.com



028 9448 7777

Helifix enables demolition to proceed A number of dilapidated Victorian three-storey buildings were to be demolished to make way for some new retail units. However, a laser survey showed that the adjacent concrete frame building had been built into the gable end wall of the properties to be demolished. The project engineers asked Helifix to design a suitable structural solution and a scheme was devised using grouted CemTies and SockFix grouted sock anchors. The Helifix ties and anchors provided a fast, efficient and economical solution and, with the wall fully secured, the main contractor was able to proceed with the demolition without any major contract delays.  www.helifix.co.uk

54 Public Sector Build Journal



sales@helifix.co.uk

Aico firecap reinstates fire barrier at new hospital Thousands of Firecap Socket/Switch Inserts from Aico are being installed in to the new Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington to maintain the fire integrity of wall partitions where holes for wall sockets have been cut. When a hole is cut in a wall for a socket or switch box, the fire stopping capability of that wall is compromised and heat loss and air leakage will occur into the wall cavity.

Fitting a Firecap Socket/Switch Insert provides a highly effective fire stopping seal for up to two hours and minimises heat and air loss.  www.aico.co.uk 



020 8735 5200



enquiries@aico.co.uk 01691 664100

Emergency...

. . . Solutions To comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, as an employer it is your legal responsibility to ensure all staff and visitors in the workplace can evacuate safely in an emergency, this includes able bodied people as well as the mobility impaired.

It is paramount that the appropriate procedure and equipment is readily available, as an employer you can no longer rely on the intervention of the Fire Service.

Failure to do so could result in criminal prosecution; or in the event of a fatality be prosecuted for corporate manslaughter.

Can you evacuate safely?

Evac+Chair International are the world’s No.1 supplier of evacuation chairs. www.evacchair.co.uk DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED IN THE UK

Not having safe evacuation procedures in place could be potentially dangerous for you, your company and your staff.

Call 0121 706 6744 for your FREE Evacuation Assessment

FIRE-RESISTANT GLASS

SECURITY GLASS

ELECTRONICALLY TINTABLE GLASS HIGH-PERFORMANCE GLASS BY VETROTECH: ELEGANCE, COMFORT AND FUNCTIONALITY COMBINED. Vetrotech safety and comfort glass offers the ultimate protection for people and property, while providing the aesthetic and multicomfort qualities you expect from architectural glass. More than 30 years of experience means we are able to deliver solutions for virtually any application, worldwide. Visit www.vetrotech.co.uk to learn more about our factory in Coventry and our comprehensive product range, or call 0247 654 7620.

Vetrotech Saint-Gobain UK distributes SageGlass©, electronically tintable glass for improved comfort and energy efficiency.