PSBJ_October_2012

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Oct 2012

Rewarding build Library adds sparkle to urban regeneration Fabric forms Enhance space using tensile structures

High standards Washroom design to put pupils at ease

Sustainable path Pavegen tiles light the way

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Leading social housing contractor and developer United House has completed a new £6.5m state-of-the-art community library in Clapham. The highly distinctive new 12-storey building has already become an iconic landmark on Clapham High Street.

Editor Hannah Frackiewicz hannah@mixedmediainfo.com Managing Director Sam Ball sam@mixedmediainfo.com Publication Manager Lesley Hobbs lesley@mixedmediainfo.com Design & Production Chris Lilly chris@mixedmediainfo.com Accounts Simone Jones simone@mixedmediainfo.com Publisher Mixed Media Information Barham Court, Teston Maidstone, Kent ME18 5BZ T: 01622 232702 F: 01622 816874 www.mixedmediainfo.com www.psbj.co.uk

Welcome. . .

Following the recent Government reshuffle, all eyes are going to be on the construction industry as new appointments make way for reform. Among the appointments is former construction minister, Mark Prisk, who takes up his new role as housing minister. Whilst RIBA has identified an increased emphasis on quality, the institute insists that with the pressure to build quickly, DCLG ministers must ensure homes are built to quality and stand the test of time.

An outstanding example of commitment to design is featured within this month’s issue of PSBJ. With sustainability at its core, this new housing development in the London Borough of Newham is a unique concept and one that can serve as a template for what is possible and what can be expected for new build local authority housing in the future.

Elsewhere in this edition, PSBJ has produced an exceptional line up of feature areas exploring the significant issues affecting the industry at the moment. Along with its round-up of product news and installations, we address the importance of providing safe, hygienic and fun washroom facilities. To coincide with the success of the well-established Bog Standard campaign, washroom specialist Venesta outlines the key considerations for any washroom refurbishment in an education setting.

We also uncover how best to utilise difficult spaces. With funds increasingly stretched, building extensions are not often feasible. Tensile structures are an ideal way to provide a sheltered area outside or even create an indoor space by joining adjacent buildings. Base Structures, renowned for its rooftop walkway up on the O2, identifies how best to go about specifying these useful designs.

With innovation the watchword throughout the issue, PSBJ profiles Pavegen – the breakthrough tile system that turns kinetic energy into light through human footfall. Invented by entrepreneur Laurence Kemball-Cook, the unique system is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications with a high level of traffic – turn to page 20 to find out more.

Hannah Frackiewicz

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

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Contents

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08 Upfront The Government’s bid to reduce the level of pollutants in the environment has seen building take a greener route. Green screens are among the most effective and accessible solutions, as Mobilane explains.

14 Housing Award-winning architecture firm, Bell Phillips Architects, completes a striking urban makeover with a high-end and sustainable affordable housing development in the London Borough of Newham.

18 Talking Point Obtaining gender balance in the boardroom? PSBJ profiles the achievements and efforts made

by Diane Johnson, ECA Skills Ambassador, to increase female representation in the built environment.

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20 Lighting

26 Education

PSBJ presents Pavegen, the innovative tile system that turns kinetic energy into light through footfall.

PSBJ unveils Hull’s Sirius and Ganton Academy, which has recently benefitted from Technal’s innovative low rise glazing system.

22 Acoustics & Sound With fast changing building regulations, PSBJ takes a look at the evolution of acoustic design in learning environments.

28 Fire Protection Fire Design Solutions leaves athletes feeling safe and secure with a series of smoke ventilation systems.

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30 Healthcare Shepherd Engineering Services delivers a new high dependency unit to James Cook University Hospital, demonstrating how successful integration can work on ‘live’ building projects.

32 Landscaping PermaRock continues to invest in the future by ensuring its key external wall insulation systems are fully Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation compliant.

34 Leisure United House completes a striking community library and leisure centre contributing towards Clapham’s outstanding regeneration.

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36 Canopies, Shelters & Shading Tensile structures are an ideal way to utilise difficult spaces, and with a host of fabrics available, performance is guaranteed, as Base Structures explains.

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39 Kitchens, Washrooms & Bathrooms Venesta outlines how the fun can be put into functional washroom design, allowing children to overcome common toilet turmoils.

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46 Product Showcase A round up of news, products and installations entering the public sector building market.

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News Liverpool’s Central Library celebrated a major milestone in its restoration this week. Construction of the top of the new build element of the scheme is now complete and includes a brand new 1880ft2 glass dome, which is 26m above ground level, a roof terrace overlooking the city and a unique and eye-catching literary wall on the new archive building.

To mark the completion of the highest point of the library and the literary wall, a topping out ceremony was held on Tuesday 4th September.

The work is being carried out by the Inspire Partnership, which is a joint venture between Amber Infrastructure and Shepherd Construction with architects at Austin-Smith:Lord and Cofely as provider of Facilities

Liverpool Central Library reaches new heights Management services.

The literary panel, comprising popular writers associated with Liverpool, are being given prominence on a granite panel that reaches 20m high and is flanked by gold coloured panelling on the new archive building at Liverpool’s Central Library.

Main contractor Shepherd Construction is responsible for the building work including the full restoration of the Grade II listed parts of the building, which date back to 1860, and the famous Hornby Library and Oak Reading Rooms will be fully open to the public for the first time.

RICS publishes embodied carbon paper RICS has formally launched its information paper Methodology to Measure Embodied Carbon of Materials, in the first step to enabling whole-life carbon appraisals on building projects.

The paper responds directly to the Government’s Low Carbon Construction Action Plan (published June 2011), which called for embodied carbon to be considered at every stage of the construction process as well as during operation. To achieve this, a standard method of measuring embodied carbon was required.

The paper is aimed at quantity

surveyors, building surveyors, building control surveyors and project managers and sets out a practical approach by which carbon emissions during the construction of a building can be measured. The methodology has been developed following a successful industry-wide consultation, which saw an unprecedented response from stakeholders and industry bodies.

The paper was well received across the industry with many highlighting possible extensions for the future such as including a measurement for sequestration, the carbon captured in

wood building materials.

Martin Russell-Croucher, Director of Sustainability and Special Projects RICS, who managed the development of this paper said: “This paper is an important first step in producing a carbon assessment system which will support and enable our members to deliver whole-life (embodied + operational) carbon appraisals in line with government ambitions for these to be factored into feasibility studies. By using this methodology our members can therefore contribute to the wider UK carbon reduction agenda.”

Building Safety Group appoints ex-Cowlin MD The Building Safety Group has appointed Neil Sherreard to its board of directors.

Neil returns to the board after a previous 10-year stint whilst he was Managing Director of Cowlin Construction.

Neil Sherreard is currently Non-Executive Director at Beard Construction and a Director of PR firm bClear Communications.

The Building Safety Group currently has over 750 member companies, comprising 20,000 people across 3500 workplaces. Neil’s aim is to help the Building Safety Group to expand its membership, increase the amount of training it delivers and help it to consolidate its position as

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the UK’s leading health, safety and environmental consultancy.

Neil Sherreard says: “The Building Safety Group plays a vital role in raising and maintaining excellent health and safety standards across more than 3,500 construction sites and offices throughout the country. It is because I feel the Building Safety Group plays such a crucial role in an area as important as health and safety that I am pleased to return to the group to assist the board with its expansion plans and to help enhance the services that it offers to its members.”

Neil Sherreard was previously on the Building Safety Group board from 1998 until 2008.

News

Leadbitter to deliver extra care

GB Building Solutions secures Print Works project GB Building Solutions has been awarded a £13.2m fit-out scheme for Leeds City College. It is GB’s second successful project procured through the YORbuild framework, the construction framework for Yorkshire and Humberside. The works will transform the existing 19th-century industrial buildings of the Print Works in central Leeds into phase one of an exciting new city-centre campus for the college.

The scheme will provide a range of different building types and spaces designed for the Catering & Hospitality and Hair & Beauty Therapy departments. Specialist areas include a state-of-the-art production-based catering facility, butchery outlet,

and also a restaurant, deli and hair salons all open to the public.

Leeds City College is the third largest further education college in the UK with over 50,000 students on the register.

Jane Pither, Deputy Principal Corporate Services & Resource Management, says: “We are very pleased to be working with key partners such as GB Building Solutions on our exciting new Printworks Campus.

The College site will prove invaluable to our students as a state of the art vocational training centre, assist in the regeneration of the area, include the renovation of a fantastic historical building, and contribute to an already strong local community.”

The Leadbitter Group has been awarded the contract to design and build new extra care apartments in Portsea, Portsmouth.

Caroline Lodge will provide 43 beds in one and two bedroom self-contained apartments, each with their own kitchen and bathroom. The four-storey block will also include a kitchen, residents’ dining room, lounge and a salon.

Leadbitter is delivering the £4.4m scheme on behalf of elderly care and affordable housing provider Housing 21 in partnership with Portsmouth City Council. The scheme is supported with investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Caroline Lodge is due to open to residents in autumn 2013 and aims to achieve a BREEAM Very Good rating.

David Cook, Regional Director of Leadbitter’s Southern Construction and Housing division, says: “We are delighted to be working with Housing 21 and Portsmouth City Council on this project.

Leadbitter has an excellent track record in delivering extra care schemes.”

Litchfield Group strengthens team International sustainable building systems company, The Litchfield Group, has strengthened its team with the appointment of Paul Herbert as Group Managing Director. Paul has over 20 years’ experience in senior management roles as general manager and managing director of a number of multi-site international and SME businesses. Prior to joining the Litchfield Group he headed the UK

operation of the worldwide Smiths Electronic Systems business.

The Derbyshire-based family business has been at the cutting edge of new developments in window and door technology since the early 1980s and recently extended its building components operation with the addition of an all-British ICF walling system under the ICF Tech brand.

Programme Manager for Smarte East Framework Pick Everard has been appointed as Programme Manager for a four-year Smarte East framework, beating fierce competition from across the industry.

As sole, strategic partner for Smarte East, Pick Everard will provide framework, programme and project management, quantity surveying & construction design management coordination (CDMC), across a £500m public sector capital

works programme for local authorities and other public sector bodies in East of England and London. The appointment, valued at £10m in fees, will further boost the firm’s growing project and cost management services division.

Smarte East, www.smarteeast.co.uk, is a collaborative framework between three local authorities, Essex, Hertfordshire and Suffolk, for improving

the efficiency of capital works procurement, delivering better quality and getting better value for money.

The framework can cover any local authority new build or refurbishment project, from a library, nursery or care home, Fire, Police or healthcare facility, waste or recycling facility, office or industrial building but historically 90% of projects have been in education.

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Upfront

Green streetscapes The use of a living wall in Monaco, giving a flavour of their decorative potential in public spaces

They absorb pollutants, deter graffiti artists and have a calming effect on those who live around them.

Sean Farrell of green screen supplier, Mobilane, explains why living walls can help us breathe more easily, and why the UK's cities need to think green.

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rom hospitals and car parks to libraries and building sites, living walls are starting to play a prominent role in our urban environment.

Even the athletes’ entrance at the Olympic Stadium features one.

Space may be at a premium in big towns and cities, but that does not mean that those places have to lack greenery. Green walls can be incorporated into small gardens, onto previously bland walls and onto roofs. And the benefits of foliage are manifold. Pollutants can be absorbed, habitats created for wildlife, graffiti artists deterred, ambient temperatures moderated, and tempers calmed.

Most of the walls in our public spaces have traditionally been blank, inert and uninspiring. But urban designers are becoming wise to the fact that, by neglecting these parts of the

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streetscape, they are missing a trick.

Rather than being spaces which are easy prey for the vandal’s aerosol can, walls can become screens of green ivy that are simultaneously attractive and good for the environment.

Urban sustainability It is exciting that the popularity of such living walls is increasing. Five-metre high Mobilane green screens have been used on the hoardings around the new £193m Library of Birmingham while construction works takes place, and they have been incorporated into a number of designs for hospital buildings.

Living walls are playing a central role in developments in which designers are keen to convey their green credentials.

At Lister Hospital in Stevenage, a living wall is just one environmentally-friendly feature of a new £8m multi-storey car

park. Other aspects of this forwardthinking development are a silent wind turbine and charging points for electric cars. Similarly, Parkside Hospital in Wimbledon has installed two living walls as part of an expansion programme designed to underscore the hospital’s commitment to sustainability.

The Olympic Stadium in London has also made use of ivy screens as part of the Olympic Delivery Authority’s pledge to put sustainability at the heart of its planning. The athletes’ entrance in Stratford includes a 135m2 living wall – a feature which chimes with the ODA’s Sustainability Plan, whose five key themes included Climate Change and Biodiversity.

The walls can help counter a host of environmental ills in our public spaces.

Pollution is perhaps the primary issue, but graffiti is another problem.

Upfront

Social benefits Policy-makers and businesses are catching on to the fact that living walls can effect dramatic improvements to the look of the public realm. Transport for London has just completed its second green screen in Blackfriars, while Crossrail has introduced three at sites where work on the multi-billion-pound public transport scheme is on-going.

But the benefits of green screens do not just lie in their aesthetic impact; research also suggests that they can have a calming effect on people. A 2001 study pointed to the importance of greenery when it comes to encouraging non-violent behaviour. The researchers concluded that mental fatigue can be higher in areas without greenery. This can, in turn, result in cases of domestic violence being up to 20% higher.

These benefits of green screens are significant and important. But arguably the most compelling reason for their wider introduction lies in the way they improve air quality. Levels of pollution in the UK’s big towns and cities continue to worry health experts and researchers, so much so that creative solutions are needed now more than ever for the well-being of the nation.

Research conducted by the King’s College London’s Exhale programme has underscored the extent to which people walking our streets are bombarded by microscopic matter. The programme has found that in inner cities each cubic centimetre of air on a main road contains around 150,000 particulates, meaning people inhale 60 million with each breath.

In 1999, targets to slash the number of PM10s were introduced by the European Union. Ever since, the UK has failed to hit them. It is a similar story with World Health Organisation guidelines, which are frequently breached in Greater London.

The fact that such targets and guidelines are not being met should not be greeted with a shrug of the shoulders; there is strong evidence that pollution generated by fuel combustion

At Lister Hospital in Stevenage, a living wall is just one environmentally-friendly feature of a new £8m multi-storey car park

can have far-reaching consequences.

The Government’s Environmental Audit Committee estimates that outdoor air pollution causes between 35,000 and 50,000 premature deaths each year in the UK. Part of the answer to cutting air pollution lies in altering the nation’s habits and mind-set when it comes to using cars. The other part of the

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A green screen effectively eliminates the graffiti artist’s canvas. Instead of a blank wall that can invite the unwanted attentions of a vandal’s idle thumbs, there is a screen of ivy that leaves no room for any daubing. And by functioning as a deterrent, it improves both the look and the ambience of our inner city landscapes.

The importance of foliage - and in particular green screens - in our urban streetscapes was made clear by research published in the July edition of Environmental Science and Technology journal

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Upfront through photosynthesis, plants clean the air by soaking up nitrogen dioxide and PMs.

Instant impact

answer is provided by the smart use of vegetation to absorb the high levels of harmful particles found in our large cities. And this is where green screens come into their own.

Those who aspire to improve the UK’s air quality focus on reducing the

amount of particulate matter (PM) that we breathe in. And the key focus is reducing PM10s – particles that have a maximum diameter of 10 micrometres.

Foliage plays an essential role in reducing PMs from the air. As well as turning carbon dioxide into oxygen

Foliage plays an essential role in reducing PMs from the air. As well as turning carbon dioxide into oxygen through photosynthesis, plants clean the air by soaking up nitrogen dioxide and PMs.

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The Olympic Stadium in London has made use of ivy screens as part of the Olympic Delivery Authority's pledge to put sustainability at the heart of its planning

That is all well and good, urban designers might point out. But where do we conjure up the space for such greenery? Our inner cities have precious little room to allow new trees to be planted, let alone new public parks.

This is where green screens come in.

A 17-23m2 Mobilane green screen will remove the same PM10 particulates from the air as an average-sized city tree. And while a tree takes decades to grow, the screens can be provided immediately. The living wall at the Olympic Stadium took two weeks to install.

The use of the living wall at the Games is significant, not least because it underscores how their use is capturing the imagination of the country’s decision-makers. There is increasing momentum growing behind the idea of incorporating them into public spaces and public sector buildings.

Among the political big-hitters who are keen to further explore the uses of green screens is Boris Johnson. The Mayor of London is using a slice of the cash available to him through the Department for Transport’s London

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Upfront edition of Environmental Science and Technology journal. Academics from Birmingham and Lancaster universities examined the health benefits that could arise through the smart positioning of foliage. Professor Rob MacKenzie and colleagues concluded that green walls were the best way of removing pollutants from the air.

Timely strategy “The benefit of green walls is that they clean up the air coming into and staying in the street canyon – planting more of these in a strategic way, could be a relatively easy way to take control of our local pollution problems,” said Prof MacKenzie.

As the UK continues to struggle to meet its air quality targets, those words are timely. The hour has come

A 17-23m2 Mobilane green screen will remove the same PM10 particulates from the air as an average-sized city tree

for all those involved in urban design to branch out and cultivate more foliage in our public spaces – for the sake of our health and for the sake of the appearance of our streets.

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Clean Air Fund to invest in an array of foliage that can be strategically placed to soak up PM10s. As part of his drive to improve air quality in the capital, Johnson has introduced green walls in pollution hot-spots, including Edgware Road Tube station.

When he unveiled the 200m2 green wall, Johnson gave a clear indication that the smart deployment of foliage is playing an increasingly prominent role in government thinking on air quality. As such, the wider use of living walls on public buildings would seem inevitable. “Delivering cleaner air for London is a top priority for me and this ingenious green wall traps harmful pollution on one of our busiest roads, helping to cleanse the air at this popular spot as well as helping to soften and beautify the local environment,” said Johnson.

Such sentiments are helping to propel green screens to the forefront of the debate on how public projects can help air quality. And they go some way to explaining why one of the biggest engineering projects of modern times, the £15b Crossrail scheme to bolster London’s rail-based transport network, is also embracing the clever use of foliage.

While work on the vast project takes place, Crossrail is using living walls as part of a programme to improve the look of its building sites and mitigate the damage to air quality. The ivy walls are in place in Finsbury Circus, Hanover Square and Park Lane.

www.mobilane.co.uk

Improved air quality Crossrail Chairman Terry Morgan believes living walls are important to ensure the UK, and London in particular, hit their emissions goals.

“To help London meet its sustainability targets, living walls are now an increasingly common feature of construction sites in the capital and also deliver air quality benefits,” he said.

The support of politicians and business leaders for the use of vegetation in cutting pollutants is not just on a whim but is evidence-based.

The importance of foliage – and in particular green screens – in our urban streetscapes was made clear by research published in the July

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Living walls are playing a central role in developments in which designers are keen to convey their green credentials

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Housing until it burnt down in 1999. The derelict site became a magnet for anti-social behaviour. To deal with this problem London Borough of Newham’s Empty Properties Team carried out a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO). The East London Regional Development Fund provided the funding for Compulsory Purchase of the site, and subsequently also gave £646,000 towards the £1,000,000 construction cost.

The remaining sum required for construction was provided by the GLA Innovations Fund on condition that the development achieve Code for Sustainable Homes level 5.

© Tim Crocker

Access to light

Bell Phillips Architects, working in collaboration with Sustainability Consultants AECOM, developed a design approach based on low-tech robust products that would be cost effective whilst also ensuring longevity

Urban dwellings Bell Phillips Architects has made waves with the completion of six new, high quality, sustainable homes. These are part of a local authority housing development in the London Borough of Newham, the first affordable housing development commissioned by the council in more than two decades.

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his Newham development of houses and flats are the first to be constructed for over 30 years. Won by Bell Phillips Architects through a two-stage design competition, the development sets a benchmark for the quality of

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new housing in the borough. The project demonstrates how high levels of sustainability and amenity can be achieved at high density for an affordable budget.

The site had been occupied by a vacant pub, the Nottingham Arms,

The scheme provides six houses and flats (four 3-bedroom houses, one 3-bedroom duplex flat and one 2-bedroom flat) in a compact low-rise design. Due to the constrained site there is very little space for private amenity. Therefore the homes have been designed with living rooms and large south-facing terraces on the second floor which provide panoramic views towards the Royal Docks.

Kitchens and dining spaces on the ground floor provide open, light living space giving on to small rear gardens.

The scheme achieves Lifetime Homes and Secured by Design standards as well as Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5. All internal partitions have been designed to be non-loadbearing to allow for future adaptability. Despite being a low rise development it attains an impressively high density of 818 habitable rooms per hectare and 175 dwellings per hectare.

Central to Newham’s brief was the requirement for a high level of sustainability delivered for an affordable budget. In order to meet this, Bell Phillips Architects, working in collaboration with Sustainability Consultants AECOM, developed a design approach based on low-tech robust products that would be cost effective whilst also ensuring longevity.

From the outset, the development was designed to maximise passive solar gain and minimise heat loss.

Where possible habitable rooms

© Tim Crocker

Housing

The photovoltaic array projects over the second floor terraces as a brise soleil providing shade to the terraces and living room glazing

A highly insulated, airtight envelope was fundamental to reducing heat loss and energy demands. Traditional masonry was selected as a robust, cost effective construction method.

The thermal mass gives a more stable internal temperature particularly in light of anticipated temperature rises as a result of climate change.

A 200mm wide cavity fully filled with blown polystyrene bead insulation gives a highly insulated envelope with an overall U-value of 0.16w/ m2k. Using a traditional construction method enabled the widest range of contractors to tender. As a result the client was able to select a local contractor (Kind & Co.) thereby supporting local business, creating training opportunities and minimising traffic generation. Airtightness is achieved by wet plastering the internal

these details were fully considered.

Apart from the conventional array of sustainable features (low energy light fittings, efficient gas combi-boilers, A+ rated electrical goods, recycling provision, composting facilities and so on) the dwellings incorporate a number of particular features.

The roof is a sedum roof throughout incorporating a large array of photovoltaic cells. The sedum roof was specified with shade-tolerant plants that can thrive below the

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Local support

face of the blockwork throughout to create an airtight envelope achieving 2.5m3/m2/hr.

The design aimed to avoid complex forms where possible to avoid weak spots in the integrity of the envelope.

Particular attention was paid to corner and junction details to ensure a fully airtight envelope that avoided cold bridges in accordance with Enhanced Construction Details. The design was developed by Bell Phillips Architects in collaboration with the BRE so that

© Tim Crocker

are located on the south elevation to maximise passive solar gain and natural light. Brise soleil and balconies help to reduce overheating from sunlight during the summer months.

Incorporating a draught lobby to the houses helps to minimise heat loss as well as providing a location for ‘wet’ storage.

The scheme provides six houses and flats in a compact low-rise design

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Housing photovoltaic array. The photovoltaic array projects over the second floor terraces as a brise soleil providing shade to the terraces and living room glazing. The panels provide typically 2634kWh/year of energy per dwelling.

The design was developed by Bell Phillips Architects in collaboration with the BRE so details, such as airtightness, were fully considered

Planting to the front and rear gardens incorporates 10-14 indigenous species of plants and the tree planting incorporates five different indigenous species.

borough. Bell Phillips Architects are working with Newham to deliver similar homes at a more extensive scale and are also working on similar proposals in Greenwich, Waltham Forest and Camden.

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To reduce water consumption the homes have been fitted with domestic grey water recycling systems provided

by Ecoplay. This system re-uses water from showers and baths to flush WCs. This feature, in conjunction with the specification of aerated taps with flow restrictors and low flush WCs, results in a water consumption rate of less than 80l per person per day (compared to 125l required by Building regulations).

Each dwelling is fitted with a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system to minimise heat-loss whilst providing adequate levels of ventilation.

Given the constraints of building on such a small site, opportunities to improve the natural habitat were limited. Nevertheless the green roof, incorporating 10 different plant species will help to unite two separate breeding populations of Black Redstarts (a local Biodiversity Action Plan Species) that are known to breed just north and south of the site.

© Tim Crocker

Minimal heat loss

A model development

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www.bp-k.com

© Tim Crocker

© Tim Crocker

Smart meters were provided to the dwellings to enable residents to monitor overall energy and water consumption.

As a result of these features, the dwellings achieve over 90 points on the Code for Sustainable Homes.

The development would meet CFSH Level 6 if it was possible to generate more energy on site. Each dwelling will save 1800-2000Kg per annum of CO2 compared to the same dwellings constructed to CFSH Level 3/Current Building Regulations.

The hope is that this development becomes a model for affordable, sustainable housing that can be replicated on gap sites across the

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KLP® - sustainable solutions from recycled plastics!

Case study with KLP® recycled plastic for Sussex Wildlife Lankhorst Recycled Products were recently called upon to help revive a wildlife area within Hastings town centre. Sussex Wildlife wanted to encourage more visitors to an area of natural beauty and with this in mind they contacted Lankhorst Recycled Products to find a viable solution.

In a meeting shortly after the first point of contact, the benefits of KLP recycled plastic were outlined and included some of the following: maintenance free; vandal proof; life span of 50+ years; using materials otherwise heading to landfill; and a ‘fit and forget’ material.

After a site visit and a discussion about what they wanted to achieve, Lankhorst in tandem with their R+D department, designed an environmentally-friendly viewing platform, which met all the client’s requirements and also met all the regulations needed under EU law.

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Durable & Environmentally friendly Online Enquiry 007 Public Sector Build Journal 17

Talking Point

During Diane Johnson's ECA presidency, she created Wired for Success, an initiative bringing together like-minded organisations to break down barriers preventing women from entering the industry

Building more balance There has been much talk in the media about the important role that women play in the construction sector, so why are so few of them in the board room? PSBJ takes a look at the life of ECA president Diane Johnson who has made significant achievements in bringing women to the fore.

L

ord Davies’ report found that fewer than 10% of directorships in the FTSE 250 are held by females and that 45% of FTSE 250 boards are still all-male.

Research carried out by CITBConstructionSkills in 2011 into the number of women on boards in the Top 10 construction companies found that there was less than 7% female representation. Twelve months later this has increased to nearly 12%, which is still not headline news but at least a step in the right direction. However, if the Government’s recommended quota target of 25% is to be met by 2015, then construction needs to get a move on!

The First Women Awards, created

by Real Business and championed by the CBI, has been celebrating the achievements of trailblazing women for 8 years now. For most of that time, however, women in the built environment have not been represented, just as they

18 Public Sector Build Journal

are underrepresented in construction industry leadership.

The “First Women in the Built Environment Award” was conceived

Diane Johnson is ECA Skills Ambassador and Finance Director for Eric Johnson of Northwich.

by Construction Industry Solutions (COINS) Marketing Director Bev James.

“COINS really wanted to be a part of the awards and felt that as a significant contributor to GDP (currently over 10%), construction needed to be highlighted.”

When it comes to the electrical contracting sector, women make up just 1% of the workforce. It is a measure of her business success and industry leadership that the inaugural winner of the First Women in the Built Environment Award, Diane Johnson, became the first female president of the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) in its 100 year history.

Diane, ECA Skills Ambassador and Finance Director for one of Cheshire’s oldest electrical companies, Eric Johnson of Northwich, has campaigned tirelessly to raise the profile of vocational training. During her ECA presidency, she created Wired for Success, an initiative bringing together like-minded

Talking Point

Flexible placements Her time and role with the ECA provided the perfect platform to launch Wired for Success. At present, 12 females aged 25 to 51 are working their way through this bespoke, flexible programme of training, designed to fit around family commitments and term times. Working with L&Q Housing Association, the programme combines technical training, on site placements and business skills, in order to offer these females a firm platform on which to start a career in the electrical industry or to set up their own business.

With the elderly and those from different cultures preferring to have women in the home, Diane believes this blueprint could also be applied to other trades and rolled out across other housing associations and other sectors.

Diane was amazed to have won the First Women Built Environment award. “It was all a bit of a shock as the standard of entries was very high. It’s very difficult to recruit females into the electrical industry so I’m hoping to use the First Women in the Built Environment award to promote our sector as a place for women to achieve great success if they are prepared to work hard,” she says.

Diane has also been encouraged by the recognition locally. Shortly after winning the award she was approached in her local bank by a lady who had seen the news in the local newspaper.

She was a governor of a Northwich school and asked if Diane would come and talk to the girls about her achievements. “I was delighted to be asked as it is really important to keep spreading the word, this award enables me to open doors and continue the work I’ve started,” says Diane.

Driving force The judges of the First Women Awards were very impressed by Diane’s achievements and her passion for her training scheme, the individuals within it and the wider implications that are born from it.

The other candidates were all high achievers but the judges said that the passion from Diane came through so strongly and her driving force was so altruistic. She recognised that there were not enough women in her industry and therefore set herself the challenge to do something about it, working tirelessly to actively take women out of unemployment and put them in a scheme that enables them to secure a

job at the end of their training.

Bev James adds: “COINS recognises the importance of having the mixed set of skills that women and men bring to the workplace and we are proud to demonstrate this through our support for these awards. A Women in the Built Environment Award such as this serves to reinforce and motivate the generation of women coming through, from apprentices and graduates, to middle management. Diane Johnson is a shining example of what can be achieved with hard work and determination. She has raised her profile not for her own selfinterest but to help tackle unemployment and is a true First Woman champion.”

Mark Farrar, Chief Executive of CITB-ConstructionSkills concludes: “Awards such as these are a great way of highlighting female successes. The recent increase in the number of women on boards of the top 10 construction companies is welcome news. It gives female entrants confidence of representation at the highest level as well as aspiration around progression. It will help to drive this agenda further and explore how industry can better facilitate a more diverse workforce.”

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organisations to break down barriers preventing women from entering the industry – critical at a time when a record 1.1 million women are out of work.

After 17 years in banking, Diane Johnson joined the family business Eric Johnson of Northwich as a part time credit controller. Two days a week rapidly turned into a full time role as she became immersed in the business.

She started to attend local meetings of the ECA, where she was the only woman present and suddenly found that she was developing a passion for an industry which fascinated her. Diane soon became enlisted to the executive forum of the ECA’s regional branch and before she knew it, she was staring the ECA’s UK Presidency right in the face.

Diane has concerns that the UK education system is not advising young females on the breadth of careers available to them, with too much emphasis being placed upon gaining a degree and not enough on gaining a trade or skill.

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A Women in the Built Environment Award serves to reinforce and motivate the generation of women coming through, from apprentices and graduates, to middle management

Public Sector Build Journal 19

Lighting

Pavegen is proving a big hit for indoor and outdoor applications striving to utilise renewable energy solutions

The future's bright With a raft of enterprise and sustainability awards under its belt, Pavegen Systems has truly cemented its position as a UK innovator offering a technology which harvests renewable energy from human footfall.

P

avegen is the invention of Laurence Kemball-Cook, an industrial design engineer and graduate of Loughborough University.

As Laurence witnessed the increase of demand for a more achievable

After rigorous testing, these tiles have the ability to stand the test of time upwards of 10 years, indoors or out

20 Public Sector Build Journal

renewable energy solution, he began working on a technology that did not rely on less practical options such as solar or wind.

The solution itself is in the form of a Pavegen tile. When stepped upon, the surface is depressed by an almost imperceptible 5mm, generating electricity in the base of the unit through Pavegen’s patented technology. The energy generated can be stored in an on-board battery or used immediately to power a variety of applications such as lighting, information displays, powered signage, charging phones and sound devices.

Pavegen’s technology can also transmit detailed statistics on energy generated, crowd behaviour and patterns in footfall, which can be monitored online.

Each footstep can harvest between 5 to 7 joules of energy, generating 5 to 7W per footstep (as the average footstep lasts around a second),

depending on the weight of the person. Pavegen represents a realword crowdsourcing application, designed specifically to harness small contributions from a large number of people in areas of high footfall, such as transport hubs, schools and retail environments.

Paving the way After rigorous testing, these tiles have the ability to stand the test of time upwards of 10 years, indoors or out.

Its durable nature is thanks to the casing, which is made from a recycled polymer low carbon concrete, while 97% of the top surface is made from recycled truck tires, both durable and environmentally friendly. The base of the next version of the Pavegen system will be constructed from at least 60% recycled materials.

With several commercial installations to date since its inception in 2009, Pavegen is proving a big hit for indoor

Lighting and outdoor applications striving to utilise renewable energy solutions.

One of its most recent applications includes a Kent Grammar School which has gone a step beyond the norm by installing the acclaimed Pavegen energy harnessing system, drawing praise from the former Minister for Science and Technology, Ian Taylor MBE.

Technical tiles

Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys near Canterbury is the first school to take advantage of the multi-award winning technology, installing Pavegen's electricity-generating floor tiles in a busy school corridor

with keeping the lights on in a world less reliant on fossil fuels. Pavegen challenges us all to consider energy and how it’s sourced in a completely new way.

Setting the benchmark “Pavegen and the issues it raises tie in perfectly with a number of academic subjects, including Science, Geography and Design & Technology – I hope that the system can be used to help teach all of them.”

Langton Grammar School’s Design & Technology subject leader Brian Hurlow has been delighted with the installation: “We’re constantly trying to find new ways of exposing students to the very latest in innovation and technology, so having something as cutting edge as Pavegen’s solution at Langton’s is a real coup.”

Brain concludes: “The benefits for our students is simple: Pavegen has given them a unique opportunity to engage with real innovation created by someone not much older than themselves. If that’s not inspirational I don’t know what is.”

Another notable installation includes

a pioneering walkway that led visitors to the Olympic Park. The awardwinning British renewable technology was commissioned by the Olympic Delivery Authority to light the temporary bridge leading from West Ham Station. 12 energy harvesting floor tiles generated as much as 72 million joules of energy – enough to power small electric car for 397 laps of the Olympic athletics track.

The power was used to illuminate the walkway for eight hours at full power during the night, and 16 daylight hours at half power. As well as 24-hour lighting, the installation produced an energy surplus of around 35%, stored as a contingency in batteries on board the unit.

David Stubbs, Head of Sustainability at the London Organising Committee (LOCOG) says: “We wanted people coming to the Games to be able to do their bit for the environment and this is a great example where, literally in a few steps, people have actively contributed towards making these truly sustainable Games.”

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Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys near Canterbury is the first school to take advantage of the multi-award winning technology, installing Pavegen’s electricitygenerating floor tiles in a busy school corridor. Every time a Pavegen slab is stepped on by one of 1100 staff or pupils, kinetic energy is converted into electricity, which lights an LED on the surface of the slab, as well as helping to light the interior of the school’s main corridor.

Pavegen’s technology is also being used to help students to better engage with subjects such as Science, as well as assisting in the teaching of sustainability modules for Design & Technology.

The collaboration has impressed the former Minister for Science and Technology, Ian Taylor MBE, who is a champion for technological innovation and now is a Non-Executive Director or advisor working with several companies in the technology and environmental sectors.

“This is a great credit to Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys, which is now benefitting from the installation of Pavegen’s paving technology. Sustainable innovation is often more complex than it appears, and turning ‘green ideas’ into commercially viable products represents a huge challenge. This success is an example of how young people in the UK can be stimulated by highly innovative teaching.”

Pavegen’s founder and CEO, Laurence Kemball-Cook comments: “Pavegen addresses so many of the issues that are important to young people today – such as innovation, sustainability and energy. It’s today’s school leavers that will be tasked

www.pavegen.com Public Sector Build Journal 21

Acoustics & Sound design compliance under Requirement E4 (excluding mandatory pre-completion sound testing of schools which had, to date, not been enforced). In addition, the guide also contained advice for education premises specific for special educational needs (SENs), cursory advice for which had only been present in previous guidance including BB77: Designing for pupils with Special Educational Needs dating back to 1992 (subsequently superseded by BB102).

Embracing design

A sound future?

Alex Krasnic, Senior Acoustician at ZBP Acoustics examines the evolution of school acoustic design and its current status in the wake of last year's James Review. Following the Government's announcement to implement the School Premises Regulations alongside the much vaunted Priority Schools Building Programme, what does the future hold for school acoustics?

T

hink about school acoustics and one normally thinks of Building Bulletin 93: Acoustics Design of Schools but historically, school acoustic design had already been well developed by the advent of Part A of Building Bulletin 87: Guidelines for Environmental Design of Schools as first introduced by the then Department for Education and Skills (DfES) back in 1997.

Whilst much research into school acoustics has taken place globally in recent decades, notably in Scandinavia and North America, by the time the DfES had published BB93 on the 1st July 2003, a great deal of research had already been amassed in the UK and in no small part to the exhaustive work conducted by Julie Dockrell at the Institute of Education (IOE) and Professor

22 Public Sector Build Journal

Bridget Shield at the London South Bank University, now the current President of the Institute of Acoustics (IOA).

BB93 heralded a new era for school acoustics and was duly introduced as a means of compliance with Part E4 of the Building Regulations 2000, Approved Document Part E (2003 edition). Indeed, before the arrival of the current Building Regulations, the Education (Schools Premises) Regulations, 1999 (which applied to both new and existing premises), contained a similar statement to that in Requirement E4 with regards to the need for appropriate acoustic conditions in schools.

The arrival of BB93 finally brought a standalone and comprehensive design guide for school premises, underpinned by Building Regulation

t

King George V Sixth Form College, Stockport, featuring Ecophon Solo free-hanging acoustic rafts

Fast forward to the James Review of 2011, an independent audit conducted

by Sebastian James (Dixons Group) of the Department of Education’s approach to Capital. James proposed, after considerable industry consultation and evidence gathering, that a new methodology be introduced to replace existing regulations governing school premises and to effectively reduce the quantity of guidance published by the Department of Education (DoE).

The impact this could have on the school design and build industry would be keenly felt and soon after publication, members of both the Institute of Acoustics (through their Sound Schools campaign) and the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC) voiced their suggestions as to how the new regulations should embrace appropriate school acoustic design.

Following additional guidance from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and under the auspices of Partnership for Schools (PfS), a proposal was put foward by a select acoustics industry committee aiming to retain key design elements of BB93 (and associated guidance; BB101: Ventilation of School Buildings and BB86: Music Accommodation in Secondary Schools) in the revised School Premises Regulations (SPRs). It appeared at this time that BB93 would be consigned to the history books alongside its predecessor; Part A of BB87 but the announcement of the revised School Premises Regulations presented the opportunity for new guidance, in whichever form that would take.

A key consideration for the new guide would be how to deal with derogations against the recommended design

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Online Enquiry 009 Public Sector Build Journal 23

Acoustics & Sound

criteria – now referred to as Alternative Performance Standards – which had been the cause of consternation with some school premises refurbishments, in particular for period or listed-status stock, which are usually subject to extensive Local Authority building and planning conditions.

By May of this year, Mairi Johnson, Deputy Director of Design and Sustainability for Schools at the Education Funding Agency (EFA, successor to PfS) had made an announcement at a school acoustics event organised by Saint-Gobain Ecophon, indicating that acoustics would be among 8 of 24 regulations to be retained under the Government’s new SPRs and that the EFA would work with the Schools Committee of the ANC to devise a suitable update to BB93.

Shortly after this announcement, both the IOA and the ANC issued statements

welcoming the news but in response to the Government’s ambition to conduct an extensive review of the Building Regulations in the future, including ADE, the Immediate Past President of the IOA; Professor Trevor Cox was quick to address Ministers of industry concerns, stating that removal of Part E4 of ADE could have disastrous consequences for future generations of pupils if not appropriately replaced by some statutory mechanism that bore equal gravitas.

In the meantime, prominent members of the ANC under guidance of Professor Shield, had already been commissioned

by Essex County Council to undertake a study of how current acoustic design practices affect both teachers and pupils alike, the results of which are published in the Essex Study – available on the Acoustics Bulletin website of Ecophon.

The findings of the study showed that a less vocally demanding teaching environment, which can also dramatically improve pupil learning, could be attained through practical acoustic design measures which bettered the minimum standards under Requirement E4 of ADE.

Utilising research

Budmouth College, Dorset featuring Focus A ceiling tiles from Saint-Gobain Ecophon

24 Public Sector Build Journal

This compelling acoustic design evidence comes in the face of the Government’s decision to proceed with the £2b Priority School Building Programme (PSBP), successor to the now-defunct Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme introduced by

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Walton High School, Milton Keynes, featuring Ecophon Solo free-hanging acoustic rafts

the previous Government. In effect, the revised SPRs are envisaged to form the output specification for all new projects due to be funded under the PSBP and replacing Section 1 of BB93.

In light of all this legislative activity, and despite the EFA’s recent assertions that the simplified SPRs would not lead to ‘identikit’ school premises but rather form the basis for a baseline design information pack, a number of high-profile contractors and architects have begun unveiling their proposals for developing standardised, cost-effective solutions for providing the next generation of SPR-compliant school buildings, in an bid to achieve the Government’s target of reducing costs by 30%.

So once again, the spotlight falls on acoustics with the question now being “how will appropriate school acoustic design be adopted following these fastpaced changes for the requirements of both new and refurbished school premises?”

One of the biggest trends in the industry is the drive to roll out Level 2 Building Information Modelling (BIM) across all public sector projects by 2016. No doubt following the revisions to the SPRs and the keenness of the Government to pursue BIM, this should present itself as an apt opportunity to utilise the extensive acoustic research on school premises to achieve the requirements of the SPRs by dovetailing school acoustic design of the future with technological advances such as BIM.

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Online Enquiry 010

Education

© Balfour Beatty

The MODAL system is highly versatile, has accommodated the shape of the building

A visionary campus Ian Smith, Senior Manager at architectural aluminium facade systems specialist, Technal, looks at one of the first applications of its revolutionary new low rise glazing system - a £48m state-of-the-art academy and visionary special school in Hull.

S

irius and Ganton Academy is a dynamic 21st century learning environment – and the UK’s first academy to be constructed using Technal’s revolutionary low rise glazing system.

Designed by Aedas and built by Balfour Beatty Construction, this Hull National Academies Framework project has replaced Pickering High School and Ganton Special School.

The new education campus provides an inclusive, student-centred community that includes a 1650-place academy, specialist support for

26 Public Sector Build Journal

40 pupils with visual and hearing impairments, and a special school for 88 pupils with special needs.

Around 4000m2 of Technal’s MODAL aluminium low rise facade system have been used across the campus – the largest application of this innovative new product in the UK to date.

Finished in grey with grey glass and contrasting white windows, MODAL features on every elevation of this ovalshaped building, both as fixed lights and with a slim integral opening vent to minimise sight lines. Vertical aerofoil caps provide shade from the sun and

Technal’s robust GXi balcony door, which is fully integrated with the facade system, was also specified.

Commenting on the choice of glazing, Chris Le-flohic at architects Aedas says: “The MODAL system is an exceptionally good product for the application and has proved to be faultless on this project. Our specification was for a glazing system that would maximise natural light, and accommodate large floor-to-ceiling spans of glass without bulky frames. It also had to co-ordinate with the rainscreen cladding.

“The system is highly versatile, has accommodated the shape of the building well, and has helped us to achieve a high light ratio. It is sufficiently robust for a demanding secondary school environment, has effective thermal performance to minimise heat loss and gain, and has delivered high levels of acoustic protection, which are important as the site is located near a busy road.”

John Cowie, Design Manager at Balfour Beatty Construction, adds: “The MODAL system allowed us to keep the frame weight and size to a minimum for both aesthetics and natural light. It has the benefit of a fully integrated opening vent that reduces the visible aluminium as an effective alternative to inserting a window into curtain walling.”

Enhanced efficiency Historically, low rise glazing systems have been seen as a poor relation to curtain walling. There has been little innovation in recent years and aesthetic options have often been limited. Increasingly, specifiers and contractors are looking for systems

© Balfour Beatty

Education

© Balfour Beatty

that are faster and simpler to install to minimise work on site, and that offer enhanced thermal efficiency.

Technal saw this as a huge opportunity, particularly as low rise facades on many projects in sectors such as education may be reaching the end of their life and are in need of replacement glazing but with a higher performance alternative.

Robust performance

MODAL has been designed to provide robust, stylish and high performance glazing for low rise applications, such as schools

Key to the MODAL system is its modular design, developed to reduce work on site. Its technically advanced yet simple modular frame uses a square cut and screw port construction for the mullions and transoms to create the framing modules which are assembled with a unique airtight clip system. This

is faster to install, provides enhanced weather resistance and allows greater quality control because the frames are prefabricated off site.

The modular design also allows a wider variety of infill, glazing and vent combinations – the widest choice of options currently available in the UK for low rise facades. Variations include double or triple glazing (infills from 24 to 70mm), fixed lights, integral opening vents, doors, integrated sliding window and door system, insulated infill panels and compositions.

MODAL is also the UK’s first low rise facade system to achieve such a high level of security, performance and thermal efficiency without the need for any modification to the standard system.

This makes it ideal for projects required to meet Secured by Design criteria.

The Sirius Academy scheme achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for the design stage. Features designed to minimise its impact on the environment include biomass boilers, a wind turbine, rainwater harvesting, an air source heat pump, natural ventilation and highly glazed elevations to maximise natural light.

The scheme is set to make a lasting impression on the local community, with its creative design for a bright and modern learning environment. Its diverse facilities include performing arts and dance studios, a hair and beauty salon, external construction workshop, industrial-standard food technology rooms, and ICT-rich specialist rooms.

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© Balfour Beatty

Following a two-year development and testing programme, Technal’s response was to launch MODAL – a rapid build system which incorporates a number of industry firsts and innovations, and which is set to revolutionise low rise glazing in the UK. MODAL has been designed to provide robust, stylish and high performance glazing for low rise applications, such as schools and colleges, healthcare facilities and leisure projects.

The MODAL system allowed the design team to keep the frame weight and size to a minimum for both aesthetics and natural light

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

Fire Protection

Fire Design Solutions ensures safe village Fire Design Solutions assisted CF Møller Architects UK and DRMM De Rijke Marsh Morgan Architects with the £15m contract of the Athletes Village in Stratford for the 2012 Games. The village has accommodated over 17,000 athletes and will now undergo further changes with the athlete's accommodation now being converted into residential blocks of flats in Stratford London.

N

ick Waterfield, Managing Director of Fire Design Solutions, says: “Initially we were appointed to design, supply, install and commission the smoke ventilation systems in the residential accommodation flats and car park ventilation systems of the Athletes Village.

“We received approval for our fire safety systems within six weeks and were the first company to get approved for the Athletes Village. Logistically the project was quite difficult in terms of security and delivery in terms of getting logged in and cleared by security daily before going on site as well a 48hr clearance being required prior to delivery on site. However, we managed to deal with all these issues ensuring that productivity was continued and that the completion delivery date was met.”

A number of smoke vent systems were installed into the village which included one in each of the five blocks

28 Public Sector Build Journal

in plot N13 and each of the nine blocks at plot N26 of the Athletes Village.

Smoke vent systems were installed for the residential floors where in case of a fire, smoke would be extracted from the building enabling people a clear route of escape and allowing the fire brigade to take control of the building.

Considerate installation Later in the project, Fire Design Solutions received a further variation to install a smoke vent system into the car parks. An enhanced ventilation system was installed to incorporate smoke extraction as well as CO (Carbon Monoxide) monitoring and smoke extraction. This was to ensure that there was sufficient air extraction to remove day to day pollutants properly, while maintaining maximum energy efficiency. During the installation of the extraction systems, numerous features were used to minimise noise wherever possible while keeping life safety priority.

The fire protection systems were successfully installed on time making the Athletes Village fire safe in accordance with the Building Regulations and within the client’s timescale. The athletes’ accommodation is currently being transformed into residential accommodation which should be ready for occupation in 2014.

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© EG Focus

The project allowed the expertise of Fire Design Solutions to deliver a cost effective smoke venting solution and a safe environment.

The two car parks on site required natural ventilation. In the event of a fire, natural venting systems use natural air flow dynamics to remove smoke.

Natural ventilation can be achieved by opening windows or vents, an automatic opening vent (AOV) or, where there is no external wall, a vertical smoke shaft.

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Smoke vent systems were installed for the residential floors where in case of a fire, smoke would be extracted from the building

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Healthcare team was able to gain access ahead of start on site and remove some of the building’s fabric.

This exercise exposed existing services including a mechanical services riser and importantly, immoveable structural steelwork which was to prove critical to SES’s approach to designing the complete range of buildings services. This included medical gasses, fire alarms, IT and electrical services as well as ventilation ducting.

Minimal disruption

SES developed a solution in conjunction with its unique offsite prefabrication facility PRISM and air handling unit manufacturer, Barkell, to create five, bespoke air handling units specifically designed for rooftop installation

A critical development Continuing with its significant investment programme to remodel and enhance The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (the Trust) has completed its latest £4.5m project, creating a new state-of-the-art 16-bed high dependency unit (HDU).

T

he redevelopment of Ward 23 into a highly serviced HDU has been a complex process, presenting SES and the team, comprising architect P+HS; building contractor, Interserve Construction; leading building services contractor, Shepherd Engineering Services (SES) and mechanical and electrical design consultants, Jackson Coulson and with many challenges throughout the 40-week build programme which commenced in July 2011.

On a project of this type, early intervention by the whole design and build team, coupled with a close working relationship with the client and its medical teams, paved the way to a successful completion, albeit, with

30 Public Sector Build Journal

a number of challenges to overcome throughout the design and subsequent build process. As the ward had remained empty for some time the

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust now provides a new state-of-theart 16-bed high dependency unit

One of the earliest challenges to overcome and one which would affect the project team throughout, was the unit’s unyielding location between two storeys, sandwiched above and below by live wards. This impacted on the scheme on a number of levels, not least the installation and routing of the new building services at twice the level of what was originally installed, access for deliveries, planning for minimisation of disruption and inconvenience to patients and visitors and, most critically, the logistics of keeping the hospital ‘live’ at any time of the night or day without disruption to utilities supplies and medical gas supplies.

On the original design a courtyard space had been identified as a suitable location for an external plant room.

However, due to the level of structural steelwork required to support such a plant room, it was deemed too expensive an option. Following close collaboration with project partners and the Trust, SES developed a solution in conjunction with its unique offsite prefabrication facility PRISM and air handling unit manufacturer, Barkell, to create five, bespoke air handling units specifically designed for rooftop installation.

Situating the air handling units on the roof presented its own set of challenges, not least lifting the units across a distance of 92m and lowering them into place, requiring a 750 tonne crane to do so.

Conscious of minimising disruption with regard to hospital entry for construction staff, material deliveries and the removal of waste, whilst maximising labour efficiencies, the Trust agreed that the construction team could access the building using the cardiac

Healthcare

Situating the air handling units on the roof presented its own set of challenges, not least lifting the units across a distance of 92m

SES had to upgrade existing BOC main oxygen pipe work, evaporators, C11 panels and modify the existing vacuum in plantrooms. This phase of development was not only crucial, it was possibly one of the most nerve wracking phases as oxygen and medical gases supplied from the mains system had to be disconnected and supplied from a temporary source until the upgrade work was completed.

Successful delivery Numbering each of the drainage holes and using its specialist plumbing knowledge to install renal dialysis drainage to Cat 5 Lab system standards, SES developed a detailed 16-week plan to install one drainage point at a time, thereby ensuring the wards would remain unaffected and fully functional.

Speaking about this latest project to improve the facilities at the hospital

which is categorised as a major trauma centre, clinical director of critical care, Dr Stephen Bonner, MRCP, FRCA, FFIC says: “Previously, our lack of HDU facilities led to concerns over managing critically ill patients safely on the wards.

This related to lack of patient monitoring as well as the inability to deliver life saving organ support such as dialysis, non-invasive ventilation or blood pressure support. This development was crucial for our Trust, especially as it is a regional referral centre for specialist surgery including neurosurgery, major trauma, vascular and upper GI surgery, which require both high level specialist nursing care and organ support.”

In addition to providing the design and installation services already mentioned above, SES was also responsible for installing fire, data, and emergency lighting as well as a building management system.

Speaking about his time on the project, senior project engineer, Phil Green says: “This has been a challenging yet rewarding contract, with no two days being the same. Rarely are you afforded the luxury of early intervention prior to start on site, as we were on this occasion. Our use of modularisation and building services innovation and technology certainly came to the fore on this occasion and I believe our earlier experience of working on construction of the Endeavour Unit, smoothed with the way for the successful delivery of a particularly complex project.”

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arrest bridge. In order for this approach to work efficiently and effectively, SES installed a blue light signalling system at the entrance. This proved to be a hugely successful system which operated on the principle that access by the site team was not permitted when the blue light was flashing.

With these issues ironed out, the SES team turned its attention to the installation of both the building services and Level 2 medical services – key design aspects.

Using valuable experienced gained on the earlier construction of the Endeavour Unit, modularisation and prefabrication came into its own when designing and manufacturing the air handling units. Two units feed the six-bed wards, while the isolation rooms, which have their own ‘airlock’ lobbies and operate a pressure regime equal to that of 10 Pascal, each required their own AHU in accordance with HTM03-01.

Removing the original walls to open up the floor spaces, the ward has been remodelled and now benefits from two six-bed wards, three isolation rooms and a Cath lab.

Each of the 16 beds is served by specialist medical, mechanical electrical systems from a bespoke, ceiling mounted pendant outlet system which includes specialists medical gases and Renal Dialysis equipment. As this is an HDU each bed required twice the level of gasses (N+1) by comparison to that of a normal ward, to ensure that standby levels remain at 100%.

To meet this demanding requirement,

Removing the original walls to open up the floor spaces, the ward has been remodelled and now benefits from two six-bed wards, three isolation rooms and a Cath lab

www.ses-ltd.co.uk Public Sector Build Journal 31

Insulation

PermaRock insulation leads the way

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PermaRock has focused its investments so that its key insulation products are fully Green Deal and ECO compliant

accredited body the Building Research Establishment (BRE).

BRE Certificate No.158/12 reflects PermaRock’s constant commitment to the quality of its lead products and expands on their previous scope of accredited external wall insulation and render systems, placing PermaRock in a strong position to supply external (solid) wall insulation systems under Green Deal and ECO. The certificate provides accreditation for mineral fibre, phenolic, EPS and EPS-premium (Grey) based external wall insulation systems with acrylic and silicone-based through-coloured renders, traditional dashing stone, brick effect render, brick slips and limebased render decorative finishes.

Under the requirements set out under the Green Deal, Green Deal Providers and Installers will only be able to install products and systems as defined within the scope of their certification.

In the case of external wall insulation, ETA or UKAS certificated systems can be installed only onto the wall construction types for which they are accredited. They must also comply with all applicable European and Domestic legislation relevant to the testing, performance, and quality of the system.

For PermaRock, BRE Certificate 158/12, permits installation of their key external wall insulation systems onto nearly all traditional and non-traditional substrate types, including masonry (brick/block), dense and no-fines concrete (PRC) and sheathed light gauge steel frame and timber frame constructions.

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With the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Government's new flagship energy efficiency initiative, the Green Deal - due to launch this month, it is good to hear that at least one company is geared up and ready to supply fully compliant external wall insulation systems, a key measure under the Green Deal and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO).

P

ermaRock, one of the UK’s longest established and leading external wall insulation system suppliers, has continued to focus investment to ensure that all its key external wall insulation systems are fully Green Deal

32 Public Sector Build Journal

and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) compliant and meet all the requirements set out in the Draft Code of Practice.

This investment has led to the recent award and publication of a new certificate (No.158/12) by UKAS

BRE certification reflects PermaRock's constant commitment to the quality of its lead products

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Leisure

Curved composition An unusual material was used - white bricks infused with a mineral aggregate - giving The Library Building's facade a natural sparkle

Leading social housing contractor and developer United House has completed the challenging construction of a new £6.5m state-of-the-art 19,000ft2 community library in Clapham with a dramatic spiral 'drum' design and three-storey height atrium. The highly distinctive new 12-storey building by cutting-edge architects Studio Egret West has already become an iconic landmark on Clapham High Street.

T

he new library forms one of the key elements of the Future Clapham regeneration, which was initiated by the London Borough of Lambeth to provide new community amenities. The L-shaped site on the corner of Clapham High Street provided the opportunity to deliver transformational change in outstanding contemporary architecture on a site that was formerly

home to Mary Seacole House – a nine-storey under-utilised office building occupied by the council’s social services department, plus car parking.

The council identified the building as surplus to requirements and decided to develop it, and a second site on Clapham Manor Street, under the Clapham One mixed-use regeneration scheme. This was made possible by

The 21st century sports facility bucks the current trend for severe public spending cuts, and features a six-lane 25m swimming pool with moveable floor

34 Public Sector Build Journal

an innovative £80m public private partnership (PPP) project between United House, Cathedral Group PLC and the London Borough of Lambeth. This PPP allowed the entire development to be built at no cost to the public – funded entirely by the sale of private residential apartments across both sites.

Both sites have been redeveloped to provide maximum benefit to the Clapham community. As well as a new library, the project includes a new multi-million pound community Leisure Centre, a 20,000ft2 primary care medical centre, a cafe plus 136 high specification private apartments. The public leisure centre was the first new centre to open in Lambeth in 30 years.

The 21st century sports facility bucks the current trend for severe public spending cuts, and features a six-lane 25m swimming pool with moveable floor, 100-station fitness gym, four-court sports hall and dance and fitness studio.

The mix of uses delivers key local employment incentives, providing jobs directly and increasing access to work.

Leisure While Clapham One provides only private homes – the second site being developed under the PPP scheme features two thirds affordable housing.

The scheme is now central to Clapham’s social and economic sustainability and is already playing a high-profile role in the daily lives of Clapham’s residents.

A technical challenge

The new library forms one of the key elements of the Future Clapham regeneration

From a distance, the cladding appears to be uniform and smooth but when viewed close-up it is irregular and textured providing visual interest

and materials achieved the goal of a shorter installation period with the added benefits of improved thermal performance and a more aesthetic appearance.

From a distance, the cladding appears to be uniform and smooth but when viewed close-up it is irregular and textured providing visual interest. The building also has a technically demanding cantilevered element, supported by a large column nicknamed ‘the stiletto’.

The building site was also a very tight one to work in as the structure occupies the full footprint of the site and is surrounded on three sides by residential housing and Clapham High Street on the fourth side, a Transport for London red route. Severely restricted access and minimal storage space were overcome by ‘just in time’ delivery planning and fully monitored and controlled access onto site. It was essential that dust and noise were kept to an absolute minimum throughout the process since the building is surrounded by homes and busy local businesses.

Jeffrey Adams, Group Chief Executive of United House Group, says: “It is fantastic to have The Library Building completed and open on schedule, already receiving a high volume of visitors from the local community. Clapham One is very close to our hearts at United House – we have been involved in every step of this landmark regeneration project as investor, contractor and developer. It has been hugely rewarding to deliver such significant public facilities for Lambeth alongside Cathedral Group and we are now looking forward to delivering our next joint venture project together in the heart of Deptford – which will revitalise another of South London’s neglected corners.”

Richard Upton, Chief Executive of Cathedral Group, says: “This partnership with Lambeth Council is an excellent example of how great public buildings can be delivered in today’s economic climate if the public and private sector work together entrepreneurially.”

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United House secured the £29m contract to design and build the scheme as joint developer and investor with Cathedral Group. The company embarked on the project’s complex £29m build programme in January 2010 at short notice, working to tight timescales and rigid working hours.

The ambitious building was technically demanding to construct. Designed to have a curved facade without any square corners to reduce impact, United House’s team had to be incredibly precise and skilled in order to create the three, sculpted masses which are arranged in a ‘stepped’ formation.

The original plan for the external facade design – a traditional cavity construction – was modified mid-build due to the need to speed up the works programme to achieve an early weather tight structure by incorporating a special cladding system which was developed uniquely for this scheme. An unusual material was used – white bricks infused with a mineral aggregate – giving The Library Building’s facade a natural sparkle.

The blocks are formed by breaking a single-cast element into two sections, making each block unique and threedimensional in finish. Using this system

www.unitedhouse.net Public Sector Build Journal 35

Canopies, Shelters & Shading Lealands School in Luton received a £16.5m grant to rebuild and remodel their school under the government’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. In addition to providing better learning facilities, a major requirement of the scheme was to deliver a vibrant new student social space at the ground level suitable for use in all weathers. A low cost scheme was put together to cover the new atrium area that now sits at the heart of the school using a 410m2 barrel vault roof, incorporating gable end panels and a large fabric wall area to the schools frontage.

Sheltered spaces

Beaufort Community School specified a PTFE fabric roof to serve as a break out area

Reclaiming difficult spaces

The translucency offered by the structural PVC fabric ensures plenty of diffused natural daylight still enters into the exciting new communal space but also delivers a high degree of background lighting through all the classroom windows which look out into the new covered courtyard area.

Beaufort Community School in Gloucester similarly required a covered area, in this instance between two existing buildings. Serving as a break out area, a PTFE fabric roof provides welcome year-round shelter for staff and students and has transformed the school grounds with a striking

There is an ever-increasing number of applications for tensile fabric, from gigantic freestanding structures and temporary sporting pavilions to covered walkways and small entrance canopies. Base Structures outlines the various fabrics that can be specified.

I

n recent years fabric has really come into its own when used to transform an existing problem area or underused space – be it providing sheltered cover on a roof terrace or for converting a gap between buildings into an ‘interior street’. With a significantly lower cost than glazing and the possibility of uniquely stunning three dimensional forms, it is not hard to see why fabric can make a big impact on both budget and facilities.

Voids between buildings may have a few token benches dotted around in

36 Public Sector Build Journal

a vain attempt to encourage people to make better use of them, but a far more effective solution is to create an interior space. A fabric canopy can easily span the distance between two existing buildings, creating an interior street or courtyard that allows light and air to permeate whilst keeping everyone dry.

Ideally suited to a complex of buildings, fabric can have a truly transformative effect, whether refocusing the heart of a campus or simply extending sheltered breakout spaces.

A curvaceous double cone form is one of the most efficient uses of fabric

Canopies, Shelters & Shading

The TEXO system is modular in that the frames can be built and covered in a controlled factory environment

ensure a speedy installation, taking four operatives just one day to install up to 75m2 of the roof.

Building extensions Whilst fabric is more cost effective and easier to install than traditional options like glazing, it can do far more than simply create an interior space. One of the most common uses for tensile fabric is to extend the use of an exterior space

so that it is usable in all seasons and weather conditions. The most affordable option is commonly a standard structure, essentially a pre-designed, free standing structure that can have a whole multitude of uses from café seating areas and playground shade structures to stage canopies and point of sale structures.

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architectural feature. Utilising PTFE fabric ensures a long life span and, unlike glazing that can cost 50% more, easily allows the use of architecturally interesting forms to create the interior street.

Nottingham University Samworth Academy was the first project in the UK to use the Italian designed TEXO tensioned fabric framing system, in this instance to frame panels of clear ETFE foil. As part of the Government’s initiative to roll out academies across the UK, Nottingham University and Leicestershire businessman David Samworth co-sponsored the building of a brand new secondary school in Nottingham – the Nottingham University Samworth Academy or NUSA. One element of the architect’s design for the academy featured a cable supported, single skin clear ETFE foil roof over an unheated internal street.

The roof’s main function, as well as providing a shelter, was to allow a high level of natural light to enter the street as it was going to be bordered by classrooms.

The design incorporates a single layer of ETFE foil mounted with TEXO – an extruded aluminium frame that uses a high-tech plastomeric strip to keep the foil under constant tension, even under varying wind loads. The benefits of the system include a high translucency roof that is a fraction of the weight and costs considerably less than a toughened glass alternative.

The TEXO system is modular in that the frames can be built and covered in a controlled factory environment off-site and delivered as complete and finished units, which are then fixed into a prepared structural steel frame and gutter system. In this way expensive site time is reduced and the risk of damage to the ETFE foil is limited.

www.basestructures.com

Rapid installation With each 8 x 1.2m panel weighing just 45Kg, they can be easily lifted by two men – avoiding the need for expensive lifting gear. Two engineers could handball the panels into position with the help of operatives working under the roof from cherry pickers to

Another popular problem-solving fabric structure is a covered walkway, a practical solution for well trodden exterior routes

Public Sector Build Journal 37

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Kitchens, Washrooms & Bathrooms •

Washroom confidence

t

The Academy range is specifically designed with secondary schools in mind

Safety – children have the right to be safe at all times. Balancing privacy with the need to supervise children is something that should be carefully considered. Low level and shaped doors allow adult supervision where it is needed, but also privacy as well.

Safety hinges on doors can ensure no more trapped fingers and door lock options with emergency release will give you extra peace of mind.

• Privacy – safety may be one of the top priorities, but children, especially in their older years, also have the right to privacy. With full height and floor to ceiling cubicles available for secondary and further education, privacy can be ensured. Urinal privacy screens can also be used to further increase an individual’s privacy whilst in the washroom.

• Colour – children love colour and bold designs. By using fresh and vibrant colours you can ensure that a washroom is created that any child will enjoy using. A tip is to get children involved with the design and colour choice. Venesta has a Design Studio on its website, with a palette of 36 colours and digital prints – the design opportunities really are endless.

• Hygiene – a hard-working washroom should be one that is easy to maintain. Hygiene is paramount and cubicles should feature fittings that

Supporter of the UK-wide campaign, Bog Standard, washroom designer Venesta, reveals why in the education sector, it is vital that pupils feel comfortable within their environment and are provided with hygienic and secure facilities.

V

isiting the school toilets is a common fear for many new pupils, especially if they are in a poor and unkempt condition. A quarter of pupils in England’s schools avoid using toilets because they are dirty, old and smelly, which can lead to poor drinking and toilet practises. This, along with hygiene and encouraging pupils to look after toilets in schools, were the key drivers of the Bog Standard campaign, which promotes better toilets in schools.

Despite the campaign running for a number of years, there are still many schools in the country that have not benefitted from the campaign or toilets

that have been refurbished are not a vast improvement on what was there previously.

Fun facilities The toilet provisions for pupils are clearly set out to advise the number of toilets and wash basins that should be provided. Everyone in a school environment uses the toilets, the key considerations are dependent on the age group, but one fact overrides if the washroom area is fun and functional it encourages children to use them regularly and respect them, it also decreases the chances of vandalism.

Genesis was selected at Belleville for its design and variety of height options making it the natural choice

Public Sector Build Journal 39

Kitchens, Washrooms & Bathrooms

make for easy cleaning. Solid grade laminate is available which is totally impervious to water, which means it can withstand intensive cleaning.

• Anti-vandal – robust designs can also be stylish which all helps to encourage respect and discourage vandalism. Where vandalism maybe more likely, in secondary schools and further education, look for cubicle features such as durable metal fittings and steel cored anti-vandal structures.

Demonstrating its extensive capabilities, Venesta was recently called upon at Belleville Primary School, to provide a clean, safe and fun environment for the school’s pupils.

Secure design Named ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2007, Belleville School in Battersea, looks after 730 pupils, aged between 4 and 11. Housed in a classic Victorian building, the school is committed to providing a warm and friendly environment for children to learn and spends a lot of time and effort ensuring its pupils feel safe, secure and stimulated.

40 Public Sector Build Journal

Charged with an extensive refurbishment to the whole school, chartered surveyors, Wilby and Burnett, briefed Venesta to provide a cubicle range that would answer the school’s need for a fun, safe and hygienic environment.

“Before this project went ahead we stipulated that our suppliers needed not only to provide highly thought out, stylish systems but also to be hot on the quality of their service too. I’m delighted to say, we got both from Venesta,” comments Mr Grove, Head Teacher at Belleville Primary School.

Genesis was selected for its design and variety of height options making it the natural choice. School Head, Mr Grove, was particularly impressed by Venesta’s online design studio which allowed him to visualise different colour mixes before making his selection.

A key consideration on this project was timing. The refurbishment was planned for the school holidays, meaning it had to be gutted and refitted in just six weeks.

Thankfully, the highly efficient Venesta team was able to rise to the

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Venesta's school toilet cubicles raise the standard of primary school washrooms as in the Surf range

challenge and delivered.

Venesta was also able to meet the demands of Tudor Grange in Solihull – a mixed, 11-16 age academy, formed in 1974 from the combination of well established boys’ and girls’ grammar schools on the same site.

The academy has a reputation for excellence and academic achievement and is popular with parents and students alike. When it came to refurbishment, Facilities Manager, Graham Turner, was looking for a highly robust, high specification cubicle that would be able to withstand the many rigours of this large and busy academy.

Solihull Council, having specified Venesta in the past, chose the Centurion range for the six male and female toilet facilities situated throughout the campus. Centurion combines strength and rigidity with wall channels and pilasters that extend to the floor, obviating the need for pedestals. This gave the academy the long-lasting quality that they were looking for.

Graham Turner comments: “To meet the rigorous demands of this type of environment, all facilities in our academy have to be robust, efficient and fit for purpose. Centurion has fulfilled these requirements, and has given an excellent finished appearance in all washroom areas.”

www.venesta.co.uk

Solihull Council chose the Centurion range at Tudor Grange

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Cistermiser’s electronic urinal and WC flush controls and taps only work when they are needed and ensure the minimum volume of water is used for an effective flush.

• Sensor controlled flushing ensures a flush only after each use.

• Hands-free operation eliminates cross-contamination and the spread of germs.

• Electronic control minimises tap run-on and wastage. No drips.

• Anti-flood and vandal features.

• Cost of purchase and installation saved in 6-10 months.

0118 969 1611 sales@cistermiser.co.uk | www.cistermiser.co.uk Online Enquiry 020 Public Sector Build Journal 41

Drainage & Landscaping

School and community sports facilities under pressure Tim Connolly, Sales and Marketing Director at Hauraton Limited, considers how current UK Government thinking will impact on the provision of school and community sports facilities.

Even though it has been reported there could be a possible reduction in the size and number of sports fields, the Government is seemingly now set to encourage more sport participation in schools and the community in general.

It can be expected local sports facilities will be more intensively used and need to be designed to meet higher safety and performance criteria.

Be it an athletics track or playing field, school, community or regional facility, designers will have to ensure optimum condition for those actively participating and for their supporters.

Just like national or prestigious international venues, smaller local facilities will have to be robustly

designed to withstand higher use and incorporate surface drainage systems to control rain water run-off.

Over the years, Hauraton has built a trusted reputation of supplying products for sports facilities to exacting specifications. The company is highly experienced at providing advice about reliable surface drainage and auxiliary components for running tracks and playing surfaces. Our new 68-page, SPORT catalogue features a comprehensive range of products designed specifically for modern sports venues. At Hauraton, we support designers with project specific proposals, including expert specification and technical advice

from the initial survey through to completion.

The new catalogue, available digitally on www.hauraton.co.uk, features drainage and other essential components for IAAF (International Association of Athletic Federations) approved venues as well as surface drainage and safety products for school and community athletics and other sports facilities including synthetic running tracks, tennis courts, artificial turf playing pitches and playgrounds.

tim.connolly@hauraton.co.uk

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Winn & Coales' products application film

Yeoman Rainguard fitted to iconic pier Yeoman Rainguard, the market leader in rainwater systems, has been fitted to Worthing Pier as part of a major external improvement project carried out by the main contractor, Full Metal Jacket.

Yeoman Rainguard supplied the contractor with special Cast Iron products – 210 x 150mm MOG Cast Iron Gutter and 150 x 100mm cast iron pipe, supplied ready for them to paint in their choice of colour. Paul Rawlinson, Managing Director of Full Metal Jacket, says: “We were very pleased with the service we received from Yeoman Rainguard.”

sallyann@rainguard.co.uk enq 022

42 Public Sector Build Journal

A new film featuring the wide range of applications of Denso, Archco-Rigidon, Densostrip, SeaShield and Sylglas products has just been released by specialist anticorrosion and sealing products manufacturer Winn & Coales (Denso). A free DVD of the film is available upon request but the film can also be seen on the company website, www.denso.net. The full version of the film is approximately 15 minutes long but for those in a hurry or with a specific problem area to deal with, it is also available online in segments, each one lasting just a couple of minutes. mail@denso.net enq 023

Forest Pennant secures market paving As part of the ongoing regeneration of Maesteg town centre in South Wales, Forest Pennant has supplied Bridgend County Borough Council with 1700m2 of its Royal Forest Pennant paving, for the revamp of the town’s outdoor market.

Forest Pennant had to supply its natural stone paving in an incredibly tight timeframe, just four weeks from the date of the contract award.

Pennant sandstone from the Forest of Dean was specified as part of the brief, to match an earlier phase of street regeneration. Forest Pennant won the competitive tender based on its business capability, proven track record and its ability to meet the deadline. sales@forestpennant.com enq 024

Drainage & Landscaping

BREEAM targets boosted by Sudscape's landscaping system A unique SUDS-compliant hard landscaping system, Sudscape can earn a construction or hard landscaping project up to 11 BREEAM credits due to its range of excellent eco-credentials, based on criteria information provided in the Green Guide to Specification.

Sudscape is a pioneering system comprising a sub-layer of recycled car tyres combined with a porous top layer of resin bound aggregate. Rainwater is able to soak through the top layer where it is held in the voids of the sub layer before being naturally absorbed back into the water table, thereby eliminating the risk of standing water.

Specifically it complies with the following sections of the Green Guide: • Hard Landscaping Materials Section – recycled surfacing material equates to one credit.

• Responsible Sourcing of Materials

Section – being made from recycled car tyres, use of Sudscape can achieve up to three credits.

• Flood Risk Section – its surface water attenuation properties equates to two credits.

• Minimising Water Course Pollution Section – Sudscape’s surface water source control treatment equates to one credit.

• Innovation Section – Sudscape’s main component of recycled car tyres qualifies it for a further credit.

The Sudscape system has been rigorously tested at the BRE Innovation

Park over a three-year period where it is the only landscaping product to have remained porous with no maintenance required at all in a wooded environment. The patented system allows water and air to pass through, but not light, and it can therefore be simply power washed or vacuumed to minimise any fines buildup. In addition, in freeze thaw tests it does not laminate, as is often the case with other resin products when placed on top of concrete or tarmac.

sales@sudscape.co.uk

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INNOVATIVE, ECO-FRIENDLY SOLUTIONS THAT PROTECT

Water repellent, oil repellent, stain-resistant and graffiti repellent Total protection of all porous building surfaces See more information about our range of protection on www.guardindustry.com

Online Enquiry 026 Public Sector Build Journal 43

Hardware Systems

Barrier Components aims to provide a one-stop-shop, offering quality and effective accessories together with the company's sliding components.

Component catalogue for high-end specification Barrier Components Ltd, established in 1987 and a recognised brand supplying steel gate, industrial door and frameless glass hardware, has announced the arrival of its new Sliding Hardware Systems Catalogue.

44 Public Sector Build Journal

The company’s kits are supplied with the components needed to overcome all on-site installation requirements therefore removing specification difficulty. Barrier Components offer this market leading range at market leading prices.

The extensive service includes a state-of-the-art, live web site www. barrier-components.co.uk through which products can both be priced and/or ordered together with a team of product specialists manning its phone line (01708 891515) during office hours that provide technical and specification assistance.

â–

T

he Sliding Hardware Systems range has been developed by the Barrier Components team to reflect the demands of today, covering the commercial, industrial and residential market sectors. The company has brought together from sources all around the world a quality, high specification offer which meets the demands made by designers and end users.

Barrier Components has designed this range to offer innovative solutions for steel, timber, aluminium and frameless glass systems. The goal is to provide a one-stop-shop, providing quality, good looking and effective accessories together with the company’s sliding components.

sales@barrier-components.co.uk enq 027

Barrier Components offers a vast supply of sliding door components

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

Sika Sarnafil specified for Hull BSF school When JM Architects was commissioned to create a new, single building to house two schools in Hull as part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme, it didn't hesitate to specify Sika Sarnafil single ply roofing to complete the job.

Winifred Holtby secondary school and Tweendykes special needs school were recently united in one BREEAM Very Good-certified building, designed and

constructed with sustainability in mind.

It is thanks to its strong environmental performance that 7860m2 of Sika Sarnafil membrane

G410-15ELF in Lead Grey was chosen to top the modern, modular building.

Led by main contractor Morgan Sindall, Rotherham-based specialist roofing and cladding contractor Roofdec installed the Sika Sarnafil roofing system across the sports hall, swimming pool and concrete deck areas. The team also completed all the vertical cladding to provide an envelope solution to protect the school from the elements.

Commenting on the specification of the system, Andy Morgan from JM Architects says: “Sika Sarnafil is a product we know and trust, and we find it is flexible enough in its application to get over most detailing problems.”

Better still, the Sika Sarnafil single ply used not only benefits from an independently assessed BBA-certified life expectancy, which states a life in ‘excess of’ 40 years in its opinion, but also an industry-leading 15-year product guarantee.

sarnafilroofing@uk.sika.com

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Kemperol takes in the sea air Kemper System has helped to ensure Marine Hall in Fleetwood carries on for another generation. The existing flat roof was leaking with water ingress so Wyre Council brought in specialist contractor, Castle Contractors, to upgrade the roof as part of a wider refurbishment. The contractor used Kemper System’s ‘D’ Primer before applying Kemperol V210 to the new roof deck. The cold liquid resin saturates a non-woven reinforcement fleece that is tailored to the exact contours and details of the roof on-site. The waterproofing is installed in a single process and cures to provide a durable, flexible waterproof membrane that bonds directly to the roof substrate. enquiries@kempersystems.com enq 029

Telling launches new eco insulation Launched this month is a new internal insulation made from natural materials designed for solid exterior walls, from Telling Lime Products. Homatherm is a superior insulation material made from wood fibre which has excellent vapour permeability and provides high levels of thermal insulation, heat protection and sound insulation for optimum energy saving. It is ideal for the thermal upgrading of exterior walls which are solid with no cavities. Manufactured as slabs in three different thicknesses of 40, 60 and 80mm, Homatherm is made in a single thickness process, obviating the lamination layer glues that exist in some other systems, which can have a detrimental effect upon the true vapour permeability. info@telling.co.uk enq 030

Steni assists with building facelift Four colours of Steni UK rainscreen cladding panels are bringing a new lease of life to some local authority offices. Some 238m² of Steni’s Colour panels, in olive, grey, light blue and dark blue, have been used to overclad the brick walls of an internal courtyard at Halton Borough Council’s Municipal Building in Widnes.

Manufactured from a fibreglass reinforced polymer composite, they feature a surface of electron beam cured acrylic that is applied without the use of solvents. The 7mm thick Steni panels were fitted on the part-glazed two-storey building in a pattern of vertical strips in two lengths but a constant 295mm width.

info@steni.co.uk

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Public Sector Build Journal 45

Flooring scheme and achieves an A+ rating.

Forbo’s application of green design principles also means there is a minimum of installation wastage, as Flotex Metro does not have a pattern repeat.

Unique structure

New Flotex Metro - a choice not a compromise As the popularity of modular flooring products continues to grow, Forbo has launched Flotex Metro, a stylish and versatile range of flocked floorcoverings available in 50 x 50cm tile (and 2m wide sheet) format.

Metro's bright palette and understated pattern has been designed for wide appeal, to fit easily within integrated modular floor schemes.

F

lotex has already established itself as a unique floorcovering combining the looks, warmth, comfort and acoustic properties of a carpet with the durability and washability of a resilient finish. Now, new Metro is taking Flotex in a new design direction. The subtle textile-like aesthetic lends itself perfectly to heavily trafficked spaces such as reception areas, corridors and lobbies in hotels, offices and leisure facilities. Confirming the collection as a design-led choice for a wider range of interiors, Metro’s colour palette comprises 24 colourways including 14 contemporary trend shades.

Accordingly Flotex Metro tiles are manufactured with a recycled content of 59% by weight, while Flotex sheet is the only flocked floorcovering to have been assessed under the BREEAM

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Flotex has a unique composition, made from millions of electrostatically flocked fibres

Jason Holmes, Head of Textile Design at Forbo Flooring Systems, says: “We have created an effect of colour and texture that offers a new look for Flotex, inherently more textile-like and more generic in its pattern, but employing trend shades. Flotex Metro is not trying to replicate a carpet; instead it combines the benefits of both a textured product and a resilient. It’s definitely a choice – not a compromise.”

Flotex has a unique composition, made from millions of electrostatically flocked fibres. This construction traps allergens and safely releases them to standard vacuum cleaners and has earned Flotex the prestigious Seal of Approval from Allergy UK. Thanks to the highly effective antimicrobial treatment Sanitized, Flotex also offers constant protection against bacteria, including MRSA, E-coli and the development of moulds and odours.

These unparalleled benefits combined with the introduction of new trend colours and a versatile, textile like aesthetic, makes Flotex Metro the right choice for a wide variety of interiors.

info.flooring.uk@forbo.com

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Green design Forbo has adopted a ‘4-Rs’ approach – Reduce, Renewable, Reuse, Recycle – to all product development.

46 Public Sector Build Journal

The subtle textile-like aesthetic lends itself perfectly to heavily trafficked spaces such as reception areas, corridors and lobbies in hotels, offices and leisure facilities

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ARE YOU LOOKING FOR QUALITY CDM TRAINING AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE? Shaping and sharing best practice in construction health and safety risk management

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Online Enquiry 033

APS Accredited Training Providers have been vetted by the Association for Project Safety, the leading organisation for construction health and safety risk management.

APS Accredited Courses include:

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For a full list of APS Accredited Training Providers and details of their Accredited Courses, dates and locations, go to www.aps.org.uk

For more information go to

www.aps.org.uk OR CALL 08456 121 290 Online Enquiry 034

Online Enquiry 035 APS_FCA_Feb.indd 1

24/01/2012 14:07

Public Sector Build Journal 47

Walls, Floors & Ceilings

Polyflor checks in with The Hotel Inspector Polyflor, manufacturer of commercial and residential vinyl flooring, has been showcased in the latest series of Channel 5's The Hotel Inspector. Hosted by Alex Polizzi, Polyflor provided Forest fx 3110 Stained Maple for the refurbished bridal suite bathroom featured in the show at the haunted White Hart Hotel in St. Albans.

Now into its 9th season on Channel 5, The Hotel Inspector Alex Polizzi visits struggling hotels across the UK to help breath new life into them and attract new customers.

The classic design and warming chestnut tones of Forest fx Stained Maple marries beautifully with the traditional yet contemporary styling of the en-suite, with its olive green brick-set tiles and dark wood furnishings. The durable and practical construction of Forest fx makes it an ideal solution when looking for bathroom flooring, and its high-quality PUR coating provides a polish-free

surface for the lifetime of the product.

Forest fx is 100% recyclable and achieves BRE A+ certification for major use areas based on a life cycle analysis approach over a building life of 60 years. All these qualities make the collection environmentally preferable whilst meeting decorative, practical, budgetary and maintenance objectives.

Readers can watch Polyflor featured in the show through Demand5 via the link www.channel5.com/shows/the-hotelinspector/episodes/episode-7-297.

info@polyflor.com

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Good practice with A. Proctor

Great expectations for Yeoman Shield

As part of a £1m refurbishment of a maternity unit carried out by main contractor E Manton, Yeoman Shield wall and door protection has been supplied and fitted into the new Midwife Led Unit at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton. Corridors have been fitted with Yeoman Shield ‘FalmoutEx’ wall sheet along with 200mm Protection Rail and Strip. Other products installed include door frame protection and kickplates. Lyndsay Durkin, midwifery unit manager, says: “We are delighted with the way the unit looks and having Yeoman Shield fitted has given us an attractive finish which will help us to keep it looking pristine for many years to come.”

sallyann@yeomanshield.com enq 037

48 Public Sector Build Journal

A. Proctor Group recently supplied Profloor Levelling System to its Profloor distributor Artisan Timber, of Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire for the Royal College of General Practitioners at 30 Euston Square, London, NW1. Profloor Levelling System was developed in order that a level, finished floor could be laid on a cambered, stepped or uneven sub-floor. The Levelling System is used on typical structural concrete floors where differences in level are too great for a finished floor. The floor is levelled by inserting packers in each Levelling Base to adjust the level of the timber battens and thus create a level finished floor, wet trades being completely eliminated. ask@proctorgroup.com enq 038

Wind-powered flooring from Moduleo Vinyl flooring specialist Moduleo has announced that it has received planning permission to build a dedicated wind-farm at its eco-production site in Avelgem, Belgium. David Bigland MD of the UK and Eire comments: “We have built our innovative production plant to ensure that maximum efforts are made to recycle production waste and have also made this additional active investment in renewable energy. We are proud to announce that we have now obtained a licence for three wind turbines which will have a maximum energy output of 6.9 MW, corresponding to 43% of the total energy usage of IVC on an annual basis.”

salesuk@moduleo.com enq 039

Walls, Floors & Ceilings

Advanced building membranes from DuPont The new Ben Wyvis primary school in Scotland has been designed to meet the highest standards of teaching accommodation, site facilities and sustainability. As part of the build, close attention has been paid to the envelope structure and to issues such as insulation, air-tightness, greater energy-efficiency and optimum comfort.

Several high tech membranes from DuPont have been specified for a variety of applications, from ceilings and walls to roofs and facades.

These include the advanced breather

membrane DuPont Tyvek Supro Plus as a protective roof underlay and wall ‘wrap’, DuPont AirGuard Reflective air & vapour control layer to interior walls and DuPont Tyvek UV facade behind the

rain screen cladding on the sports hall.

This 10-classroom school is arranged in two wings perpendicular to a main wing, with maximised glazing to enhance the views in and out of the building and ensuring good use of the sun paths throughout the day. However, it was crucial that this building be conscious of public resources and energy use, protecting the structural investment and ensuring occupant well-being and interior comfort as well as thermal performance.

Richard Jack, Chartered Architectural Technologist for the Highland Council, comments: “It was imperative that the renovation observed the highest standards of sustainable building practice and a holistic and reliable membrane solution in the envelope was a key part of this overall ethos.

“As well as being energy efficient, the interior climatic environment also needs to remain comfortable for the children and staff, to enhance well-being and productivity and this combination of DuPont membranes offered the optimum solution.”

julie.roberts@gbr.dupont.com enq 040

PRO-RAILING

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The Stainless Steel Handrail Component System

Let there be light!

NEW

CATALOGUE OUT NOW!

Lumenrail® low voltage LED lighting fits discreetly and securely into our standard Pro-Railing split tube handrail. The brilliant cool white light gives a stylish finish to internal or external stairwells and walkways. As a standard component in the range it’s available from stock for next day delivery anywhere in the UK.

01708 25 35 45

prorailing@brundle.com

www.fhbrundle.co.uk

Online Enquiry 041

Online Enquiry 042 Public Sector Build Journal 49

HVAC

Chevin Housing heats up its homes with NIBE Chevin Housing Association has installed eight NIBE Fighter 200P exhaust air heat pumps to efficiently meet the heating needs of an affordable housing block in Sheffield. The heat pumps are helping provide residents with a high performance, easy-to-use and dependable space heating and hot water solution.

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he units were specified by Chevin Housing as it faced the challenge of sourcing a cost-effective alternative to traditional electric heating, whilst meeting the stringent energy efficiency requirements of Level Three of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Each of the eight two-bed apartments in the block were fitted with a Fighter 200P system, which not only recovers heat from warmer areas of the home and utilises this for space and water heating, but also provides the desired level of ventilation for the well-insulated properties.

Efficient solution Adam Pearson, Technical Manager at NIBE, explains: “Being an off-gas, new build development, the specifiers were keen to source an effective alternative

50 Public Sector Build Journal

to costly direct electric wet boilers and space heaters, whilst helping meet energy efficiency regulations.

This is where our exhaust air heat pumps proved the ideal solution. They provide an efficient and cost-effective alternative to more conventional electric systems, significantly cutting electricity consumption – all without compromising on performance and consistency.

“An added benefit for this particular new build development is the ventilation the NIBE system provides. With today’s Building Regulations stipulating high levels of insulation and heat loss prevention, buildings are at an increasing risk of issues like damp and mould.

By drawing fresh outside air into the properties and circulating it throughout, the exhaust air system provides a well-ventilated living environment and

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The units were specified by Chevin Housing as it faced the challenge of sourcing a cost-effective alternative to traditional electric heating

improved air quality for residents.”

NIBE’s unique Exhaust Air Heat Pump system works by recovering warm stale air from inside the property’s wet rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms, and feeding this back to the heat pump through a ducting system. The energy from this warm air is then re-used to provide space heating and hot water.

Once the heat pump has extracted the necessary energy from the recovered warm stale air, the used stale air is released outside and fresh air is drawn back into the building via a system of external wall vents.

The vent system delivers the required air changes inside the property to provide it with sufficient ventilation, without the need to open windows and waste heat.

Adequate ventilation is a particular must in well-insulated new build properties. By circulating fresh air in this way, the heat pump also keeps the air in the property clean, dry and healthy, preventing issues like condensation, damp and mould – another growing issue for properties meeting high insulation requirements.

Phil Hurley, Managing Director of NIBE UK, adds: “The development is the perfect example of a project that has successfully specified a solution that not only meets residents’ heating needs efficiently and cost-effectively, but also helps towards Code for Sustainable Homes requirements. As we move towards the 2016 Zero Carbon Homes target, specifying alternatives to fossil fuel heating is becoming increasingly important and it is great to see developers like Chevin Housing setting the standard using NIBE’s exhaust air heat pump technology.”

info@nibe.co.uk

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Resident Mrs Depledge discussing the system with a NIBE representative

HVAC

All go for Uponor and Thunderbirds Uponor's extensive family of plumbing and heating solutions has signalled an end to compromise when it comes to aesthetics and efficiency at an innovative building in Poole, Dorset.

Modelled on the original ‘Thunderbird’ building, the £3.9m project of the same name features open plan design across more than 200m2 of living space. Every inch of the residential property has been planned to the last detail and to the highest specification, including the heating and plumbing installation.

The demand for clean lines and

uncluttered wall space made Uponor’s Multi Layer Composite Pipe (MLCP), the logical solution for both underfloor heating and plumbing within the property as it had no impact on the overall visual appearance.

Another important consideration in specifying the heating system was the installation time. The MLCP pipe was combined with Uponor’s very simple press fitting system offering a fast yet secure and permanently sealed joint.

The press fit tool used to secure the joint eliminates the need for the time-intensive welding, thread cutting, soldering and gluing processes required for traditional copper installations whilst offering complete peace of mind as installers can visually see the fitting tightening around the MLC pipe.

Nuaire expands MVHR solutions Nuaire has revealed the newest mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR) system that will extend its latest range of wall-mounted products. The MRXBOX95-WM2 is a high efficiency, low power and low noise product which has been designed to help meet current newbuild regulations while providing energy-efficient, quality ventilation in modern residential build setups. This latest unit will cater for homes with up to five wet rooms, adding to the product range which already includes the smaller WALL unit, a compact solution for smaller homes, and the powerful WH1, which is capable of ventilating homes with up to seven wet rooms. info@nuairegroup.com enq 045

Modusat simplifies regulation compliance Current Part L1A Building Regulations stipulate that all new heating systems in dwellings that are not open plan must include at least two heating zones, each controlled by a thermostat and zone valve. The Evinox Modusat heat interface unit for communal heating systems not only makes it easier for the M&E consultant to achieve building regulation compliance, but also simplifies the installation process for the contractor. The Modusat uses two room controllers providing time and temperature control, which are wired on a BUS within the dwelling. The Modusat features two 230v power outputs that control two zone valves, one for each circuit. info@evinox.co.uk enq 046

More than 1000m of Uponor’s MLCP were installed for the plumbing system and 3500m of the same pipe for the underfloor heating installation.

Further installation time was saved as the pipe was provided in lengths of up to 500m reducing the number of joints required. This also meant that the flow of water through the system was not affected.

The entire heating system is controlled by Uponor’s UP36 advanced weather compensating control device.

enquiries.uk@uponor.com enq 044

Jaga launches freestanding LST radiator For specifiers and consultants looking for a freestanding radiator that meets LST criteria but does not need a wall to sit against, the Tempo LST Freestanding from Jaga Heating Products ticks all the boxes. Ideal for use in projects with large expanses of glazing or curtain walling, the Tempo LST Freestanding features a low surface temperature in a discreet low height unit. It is faster to respond than other proprietary LST radiators on the market today – small, but mighty. It can also be equipped with Jaga’s DBE technology to provide even higher output on low temperature systems.

jaga@jaga.co.uk enq 047

Public Sector Build Journal 51

HVAC

Xpelair specified at major affordable housing development Xpelair Ventilation Solutions has been specified for a major affordable homes development being built on a Greenfield site by Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (bdht) and West Mercia Housing Group.

The £16 scheme, supported by a grant from the Homes and Communities Agency and Bromsgrove District Council, aims to tackle the housing shortage that sees over 3000 residents on waiting lists for homes in this area.

Developed by Wates Living Space, the project features 158 new properties comprising of one- and two-bedroom apartments; two-, three- and four-bedroom houses and two-bed bungalows available as shared ownership and rental.

As part of the development, Xpelair has supplied its popular Premier Ultra DC3 range of fans. Designed to meet the latest Building Regulations for either intermittent or decentralised MEV extract use, the Premier Ultra DC3

Ultima Solar appointed as exclusive distributor Ultima Solar of Chelmsford, Essex, has been given sole distribution rights in the UK for the Thermodynamic Panel. Unlike traditional solar thermal heating, the Thermodynamic panels work day and night because the panels are capable of absorbing both solar and environmental energy all year long. Installation is straightforward as the panels can be fitted to a wall eliminating the need to clamber over a roof. The overall dimensions of the cylinder — 600mm wide x 590mm deep x 910mm/1360mm/1925mm high) — allow installation in an airing cupboard, utility room, garage even a loft space, and replaces any existing hot water cylinder.

info@ultimasolar.co.uk

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unit is suitable for through-the-wall or ducted applications in bathrooms, kitchens, toilets and utility rooms.

A key benefit of Xpelair’s Premier Ultra DC3 is the constant trickle feature.

When it is installed in every wet area of a property it can be classed as a

decentralised MEV whole house system, allowing it to comply with current building regulations for either intermittent or continuous extract ventilation.

Another feature of the Premier Ultra DC3 range is an integral power supply, which means no additional external electrical connections are required.

This simplifies the installation process and saves installers time on site. Each unit has energy efficient DC motors, a simple to remove front cover and clip off impeller and an easy fit motor cassette for simple maintenance and cleaning. Finished in white as standard, each unit comes complete with a five-year motor guarantee.

daniela.martino@redringxpelair.com enq 048

Haverland launches new product brochure Haverland, a leading designer and manufacturer in the new generation, electric heating market, has published its new catalogue for the 2012/2013 season.The catalogue, which covers a wide spectrum of application areas, outlines the technical background, specifications and accreditations for seven of the company’s new generation radiator ranges, which includes the latest TT range with built-in energy monitors and a new conservatory radiator, specially designed for rooms with ‘dwarf’ walls. The catalogue also features the new XTAL – an innovative, state-ofthe-art range of designer towel rails to complement stylish, contemporary design environments. XTAL also meets the growing demand for enhanced towel rail heating comfort and performance. heat@haverland.co.uk enq 050

Evinox at CIBSE Building Services Event Evinox, specialist in communal heating solutions, will be exhibiting at this month’s CIBSE Conference at London’s Olympia. Along with demonstrating its SmartTalk twoway data communication technology, which enables the system in each dwelling to be remotely metered, controlled, interrogated and tested, the Evinox ModuSat heat interface unit will also be on display. Visitors can talk to technical specialists about its two-zone control technology, which makes it easier for M&E consultants to achieve building regulation compliance and also simplifies installation for the contractor. Alan Metchem, Technical Sales Executive of Evinox, will be discussing the benefits of installing modern communal heating systems in residential buildings in a CPD seminar at the exhibition.

info@evinox.co.uk enq 051

HVAC

Residents benefit from Monobloc Many of Wealden District Council properties are off the gas mains and heated by storage heaters or direct electricity, an expense passed onto tenants. Having already experienced Space Air and the Daikin Altherma heat pump system, a three-bedroom semi detached 96m 2 home in Berwick was identified by WDC to upgrade the inefficient and bulky storage heaters to an air-to-water heat pump system.

Following Space Air’s site survey, the low temperature single-phase Daikin Altherma Monobloc air/water heat pump was selected, connecting to slim line radiators throughout and a 200L DHW storage cylinder positioned in the loft, with a 3kW immersion heater to raise the temperature for legionella protection. This system also gave the tenants the much-needed extra space inside their home.

Space Air’s bespoke accessories used on this project included: the prefabricate piping kit, to fully optimise and protect the Daikin Altherma system as well as reducing onsite installation time and costs; wall brackets for mounting and a protective mesh cage to prevent accidental damage to the outdoor unit which is positioned on the

rear wall of the property in the garden; A condensate tray to drain off surface water to prevent build-up of ice during the winter months was also supplied; and finally as with all Space Air-supplied Daikin Altherma systems a wattmeter to monitor the heat pump energy use.

A Space Air approved dealer undertook the installation causing minimal disruption to the tenants and ensuring sufficient space was left around the unit for the annual serving and maintenance. Space Air’s heating and hot water software simulation program predicts the residents will save at least 30% towards their heating and hot water bills.

marketing@spaceair.co.uk

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Danlers boosts energy savings Danlers heater boost switch, for the control of electric heating loads, automatically turns the load off after a selected time period has elapsed. There are four different time settings to choose from – 15 minutes, 30 minutes, one hour and two hours.

Pressing the button selects each time lag choice in turn. The switch is manufactured by Danlers in the UK and is designed for use with immersion heaters, heated towel rails and other suitable electric heating loads. It is ideal for use in student or military accommodation, social housing etc. The control is also available as a multi selectable time lag switch for other types of loads. sales@danlers.co.uk enq 053

City Plumbing Supplies goes extra mile Employees from City Plumbing Supplies, plumbing merchant and part of the Travis Perkins Group, have hiked, canoed and cycled to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust as they took part in the Brave the Brecon Beacons challenge. The twoday event last month took place on one of the largest mountain ranges in South Wales, Brecon Beacons. 12 members of staff from branches across the UK faced the gruelling task of canoe rafting along the reservoir, a 30km bike ride and strategic orienteering. City Plumbing Supplies began its two-year partnership with Teenage Cancer Trust in January and the team is hoping to raise over £10,000. tct@teenagecancertrust.org enq 054

Daikin UK to support funding scheme Following the announcement of further RHPP funding, by the Department of Energy & Climate Change last month, Daikin UK is supporting registered social landlords (RSLs) in their bids for Government funds. The Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) social landlords’ competition has been reopened for RSLs who did not apply in the last phase, plus further funding is also being available for phase two applicants who have already won their applications. Social housing providers are now being urged to make contact with Daikin UK, who can assist with funding applications, up to the equivalent of €200,000.

renewable@daikin.co.uk enq 055

Public Sector Build Journal 53

Doors, Windows & Balustrades

20 year celebration for Intastop One of the UK's leading suppliers of door and wall protection is celebrating a milestone anniversary. Intastop based in Doncaster, South Yorkshire has reached its 20th year of operation and is posed to grow the business significantly over the coming years. sector. To be officially launched at the Health Estates show this month, the patented Double Swing Hinge now comes complete with an anti-ligature concealed floor mounted closer, giving end users an option that combines anti-ligature and fire protection for bedrooms in mental health applications and a door top alarm system, both are the first products of their kind ever seen in the UK.

Valued partnerships Additional to product development, Intastop has customer requirements and engagement high on its list of priorities and is one of the first company’s in the industry to launch a mobile ready website.

Sarah continues: “It is imperative

Double Swing Hinge

Impact Protection Sheet

Launched in 2011, this revolutionary product is designed to be the perfect solution for doors that need to swing 180 degrees, making it the only viable option to replace pivot door springs.

The patented Double Swing Hinge now works with a concealed antiligature floor mounted closer giving end users an option of a ligature free self-closing device for bedrooms in mental health applications. There is also the option of the new Finger Protective Double Swing Hinge, which allows greater than 90° opening in both directions whilst retaining a clearance gap that avoids fingers being trapped even at the hardest slam.

Impact protection sheet from Intastop provides the perfect solution for unsightly or damaged walls and doors. This product benefits from being highly impact resistant, available with a wipe clean anti-graffiti and anti-bacterial coating, class ‘O’ fire rated; tested to BS476 parts 6 and 7 and can be totally bespoke.

The nature of the product means that it is safe and durable and can be made to fit any decorative requirements. It is available as smooth or textured and can be digitally printed, it can be ordered cut to size, shape or simply and easily cut on site. There is also the option of a post formed, fully clad door set.

54 Public Sector Build Journal

for companies today to provide tools for their customers that make the process of research, whether that be for product or company services, as easy and simple as possible. Our new mobile website delivers on this as our smart phone ready version addresses the requirement from consumers today to have information available to hand wherever they may be!”

Sarah concludes: “The success Intastop has experienced to date has a lot to do with the team, our partnerships with valued suppliers and customers alike, plus compliancy to our own rigorous company standards and procedures. By achieving our recent five year plan in just two shows our customers how driven we are in providing products, solutions and innovations, of which we will continue for the next 20 years and beyond.”

■

I

ntastop supplies the healthcare and both public and private sectors with door and wall protection and anti-ligature products and solutions.

Company Marketing Director Sarah Barsby comments: “Intastop was born from our staple product, the Aluminium Door Edge Guard which is still as popular today. Yet we believe that our customers, some of which have been with us since the start, don’t just look upon us as a supplier but a partner and solution provider. We often develop products in conjunction with our customers when an off-the-shelf solution is not available.”

The company has implemented a development strategy which will see the introduction of two new products this year aimed at the healthcare

marketing@intastop.com

enq 056

The patented Double Swing Hinge now works with a concealed anti-ligature floor mounted closer

Doors, Windows & Balustrades

Door closer ticks fire safety boxes Samuel Heath’s controlled, concealed door closer, Powermatic, ticks all the right boxes when it comes to meeting legislation, regulations and product performance standards that govern fire safety. From a product performance standpoint, the door closer meets the requirements of BS EN 1154 and, as such, carries the CE mark. It has also been tested by an independent laboratory and proved to meet the requirements for one hour and half-hour fire doors under BS EN 1634-1, boasts Certifire accreditation and is approved for use by the British Woodworking Federation under its fire door and doorsets scheme.

info@samuel-heath.com enq 057

Sapphire ensures modern retirement living Safe and stylish internal and external balustrades have been manufactured and installed by Sapphire Balustrades to enhance retirement living for elderly residents at Richards Close in Harrow. Balconies and stairways in two new blocks of purpose-designed apartments feature several different balustrade solutions from Sapphire’s aluminium and stainless steel systems. Sapphire’s flexible design and manufacturing expertise ensured that custom features could be incorporated to create a bespoke product package for the multi-million pound project, from Iroko hardwood handrails to colour laminated glass infill panels to complement the apartments’ vibrant facades. sales@sapphirebalustrades.com enq 058

Rehau windows meet criteria A Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 development in Gorton, Manchester features more than 800 windows in Rehau’s S706 70mm PVC-U system and 20 screens in the Rehau Polytec 50S composite curtain walling system.

The focus throughout is on sustainability, security and lifecycle costs and the Rehau PVC-U window and curtain walling system satisfied all three criteria with a WER ‘C’ rating on the windows, a Uf-value as low as 0.88 W/m2K on the curtain walling, Secured by Design accreditation and proven low maintenance and long term performance. All of the frames were coloured grey on the exterior using Rehau’s enquiries@rehau.com enq 059 Acryl II PVC-U colouring system.

Versatile systems for leisure complex Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems recently completed the £12m Harborne Pool & Leisure Centre in Birmingham which has achieved a BREEAM rating of Excellent.

Comar 6 curtain walling was selected due to its slim 50mm profiles which maximised the glazed area for natural day lighting. Comar 5P.i windows and Comar 7P.i doors were also selected. Polyamide Insulated (P.i) window and door systems provide exceptional thermal performance. In a busy leisure environment, Comar 7 commercial door sets are a natural choice. Not only are they available in swing, pivot, sliding, auto-sliding and sliding folding, they have been designed specifically for applications where high traffic solutions are required. projects@parksidegroup.co.uk enq 060

Five star facade for Burton's homes Geze UK has created a custom-made curved sliding glass door and facade for Chestnut Grange, a development of ‘extra-care’ retirement homes in Burton-on-Trent. With such high requirements for the busy main entrance, glazing specialist Syte Architectural Glazing called upon Geze UK to provide a safe, effective and elegant solution. A Slimdrive SC operator was tailored to a bespoke radius and door dimension, providing sophisticated automated access. Just inside the building, a Slimdrive SL automatic sliding door was also installed, creating a lobby area that minimises heat loss or gain, enhancing the sustainability of the development. info.uk@geze.com enq 061

Sporting success for Tormax

The new automatic sliding entrance to the Sports Centre at Rugby School delivers DDA-compliant access for all pupils, staff and members of the public. The double set of two-leaf sliding doors were designed and installed by Norman and Underwood and are powered by reliable Tormax Win Drive 2201 door operators.

Neatly compact, a Tormax Win Drive 2201 door operator measures just 142 x 100mm, allowing an automatic entrance to be installed in almost any location. Mike Smith, Site Manager at the School, comments: “While there may be cheaper products available the Tormax system looked and has proven to be, a wise choice.”

sales@tormax.co.uk enq 062

Public Sector Build Journal 55

Focus & Innovation

Hear the difference with Marcrist Marcrist International has been a market leader in the field of diamond construction tools for over 30 years and is now launching an innovative diamond blade in the UK. The new blade offers revolutionary levels of noise reduction combined with outstanding cutting performance.

It is currently estimated that 2,000,000 people are exposed to potentially harmful levels of occupational noise and 500,000 people are already suffering due to exposure to noise at work in the UK – occupational noise has become a National epidemic.

The groundbreaking BF850 SilentMAX not only gives the operator many advantages in blade cutting performance expected from Marcrist, with the fastest cut and longest life combination, but also reduces the potential dangers of hearing loss through the use of blades on handheld machines.

The Marcrist BF850 SilentMAX is the only blade on the market today that offers noise reduction that complies with current UK law and also gives superior cutting performance.

This blade has been independently tested by a leading EU Health & Safety Organisation. Tests have shown the BF850 SilentMAX gives up to 16x noise reduction in the range of diameters from 115 to 400mm.

The Marcrist BF850 SilentMAX gives the employer the opportunity to comply with the law and ensure he has taken all available steps to control noise exposure. It also ensures operators are less at risk from occupational hearing damage through the use of this new technological break though.

Marcrist has long encouraged diamond blade users to ‘experience the difference’. Now, it asks users to ‘hear the difference’.

info@marcrist.com enq 063

Yorkon publishes guide to BREEAM

Ecobase launches showroom

Ecobase, a company dedicated to providing energy saving and renewable solutions, is to launch its first store in Crowborough, East Sussex. Part of leading UK plumbing and heating merchant Plumbase, the launch of the Ecobase showroom in Crowborough will be followed by the opening of a further two stores in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, and Haslemere, Surrey, in advance of a national rollout. The Ecobase team is fully trained to provide impartial advice on the most suitable technology from leading manufacturers, including high efficiency boilers, energy efficient radiators, solar thermal and photovoltaic as well as biomass heating systems.

business.centre@ecobase.com enq 064

56 Public Sector Build Journal

Off-site construction specialist, Yorkon, has published a new technical paper for construction clients and contractors – A Practical Guide to BREEAM – An Essential Tool for Sustainable Development, Design and Construction. The new technical paper sets out the most recent changes to the BREEAM methodology and provides a valuable guide to the process and how it should be thoroughly integrated into the design and construction phases of a project. The report, which can be downloaded from www.yorkon. info/industryreports, outlines how the Yorkon approach to off-site construction can add significant value to the BREEAM process, promoting both sustainability and whole life value. contact@yorkon.co.uk enq 065

Sika puts the seal on development For Minerva Plc’s 640,000ft2 commercial office and retail development – The Walbrook Building, designed by Foster + Partners – air and water tightness around the building’s facade was vitally important. To provide a long-term, weatherproof seal around the curtain wall and window installation, specialist contractor Josef Gartner used Universal Membran, an advanced sealing system from global building product manufacturer Sika. Sika Universal Membran regulates and controls the amount of moisture escaping from the inside of a building thus minimising the risk of interstitial condensation. Manufactured in 25m x 0.6mm rolls, Sika Universal Membran is available in a variety of widths ranging from sales@uk.sika.com enq 066 100 to 1400mm.

Focus & Innovation

FINSA launches new Superpan TECH P6 The UK division of the multi-national Spanish wood-based board manufacturer has announced the introduction of the super board to give major advantages to the construction and industrial sectors.

Superpan TECH P6 is a new patented board that offers structural, performance and sustainability advantages to architects, specifiers and project managers.

Superpan TECH P6 is essentially a composite board formed from two MDF faces enclosing a particle board core produced in a patented single

process. It offers greater bending strength and traction than standard chipboard and is therefore much more versatile in general construction and structural applications. In particular Superpan TECH P6 is ideal for special partitioning, and industrial flooring for access surfaces, mezzanine decks and shelving in

cantilever and other racking.

The P6 classification meets the more stringent building regulations and architects and planners will appreciate the ability to have any side tongue and grooved for easy assembly and installation.

Critically in the modern environmentally-aware world, Superpan TECH P6 is a highly sustainable product being 100% recyclable and reduces the carbon footprint by acting as a CO2 store.

Furthermore full PEFC and FSC certification guarantee that the raw material used to manufacture Superpan TECH P6 comes from sustainable natural sources.

FINSA UK Managing Director Rafael Willisch says: “We are very excited about introducing Superpan TECH P6 into the UK and our stock holding facilities in Birkenhead will offer the UK construction sector easy and immediate access to this high performance board.”

uk@finsa.es enq 067

Public safety in winter Keeping the public safe during ice, snow and plunging temperatures is as simple as making sure the right products are used in the right situation.

DMMP has a varied stable of products, which includes spreaders designed to handle potentially more difficult damp salt which may have been stored for some time. The vehicle-mounted Magnum BLS240P is ideal for difficult-to-spread materials, as it can have a vibrator unit added to the hopper to assist the movement of salt to the specially-designed auger, which pulls the material down to the spinning disc. Included in the range offered by DMMP are pedestrian spreaders and industrial spreaders. colin@dmmp.co.uk enq 068

Easy-clean stretcher A new easy-clean, perforated stretcher is featured on the latest addition to the Pressalit Care range of nursing benches and tables – the Nursing Bench 2000. Designed for both changing and showering, the Nursing Bench 2000 has a wide range of applications in bathrooms, washrooms and hygiene rooms. Meeting the requirements of BS8300:2009, the Nursing Bench 2000 is ideal for Changing Places facilities, as well as home adaptations, schools, day centres and care homes. The stretcher, which can be unzipped for washing, allows water to pass through into the water collection tray below. uk@pressalit.com enq 069

Datum Systems sets the standard Datum Systems has brought a fresh approach to the old problem of troublesome flat roofs by offering a fully integrated turnkey approach to all projects and simple cost effective solutions. With costs of flat roof replacement rising and the roof still at the mercy of the quality of products and installation, an over-roof option of lightweight engineered sections provides a permanent solution at a fraction of the on-going costs of a flat roof. This resolution provides the opportunity to extend the life of a building, offers cost savings through improved thermal efficiency and enables the opportunity to introduce PV.

sales@britmet.co.uk enq 070

Public Sector Build Journal 57

Focus & Innovation

Deb's Global Range is universally understood Every day, every single employee is faced with a choice as to whether they use a skin care product or not. PSBJ takes a look at how the Deb Global product range has provided a simple, yet costeffective solution to help employers and employees make the right choice.

With an approach to product development that focuses on both Chemistry & Dispensing Technology, the Deb Global product range was created to meet the specific skin safety needs and cultural diversity of both local and international organisations; providing ‘best in class’ formulations and rigorously engineered dispensing systems.

Throughout many years of working with the users of their products and dispensing systems, Deb has gained a deep insight into the factors that affect skin care compliance – one of the key issues being to ensure that users know which product to use and how to use them.

Phil Spark, Marketing Director at Deb explains: “Our products are created with the final objective in mind – every person in the organisation doing the right thing with regard to skin safety.”

Technal glazes leisure complex

A new sustainable leisure complex in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France is showcasing a range of facade options created using Technal’s Geode-MX aluminium curtain walling suite. At the Balneoludique de Gruissan, the glazing is designed to provide panoramic views of the stunning landscape. Technal’s GeodeMX Trame Verticale faceted system and Geode-MX Visible Grid curtain walling, together with its aluminium casement windows and exterior doors, enhance the visual appeal of the building and have helped to create a transparent facade. The curtain walling for the south and south east elevations also features solar control glazing that allows light penetration of 70% whilst ensuring optimal energy management.

info@technal.co.uk

58 Public Sector Build Journal

enq 072

Phil continues: “Our aim is to ensure that our skin care products and dispensing systems are easily understood and easy to use. As such, a combination of language neutral iconography, strong visual colours and clear, unambiguous wording has been applied across all products, dispensers and education materials to visually identify the product type and its usage.”

With Deb’s product development philosophy being to design products which are innovative, fit for purpose, pleasant to use, convenient, cost effective and tested to the highest internationally recognised protocols, the Global Product Range is a simple skin care solution that meets the universal needs of employees and visitors alike.

talktous@debgroup.com

enq 071

Portakabin publishes guide to expand facilities Portakabin, a leading modular building specialist, has published a new guide to help healthcare providers rapidly expand hospital facilities to reduce patient waiting times and meet more stringent Government targets. The new report, which can be downloaded from www.portanews.co.uk/reports, provides a useful 10-step guide to expanding ward accommodation to rapidly increase capacity whilst maintaining the highest healthcare standards. It looks at items such as the cost benefit analysis of hiring a building, how to find a site, how to select a modular building supplier and how to manage the building installation phase. information@portakabin.co.uk enq 073

Compact design from Polyrey Polyrey has launched a range of White Core Compact solid grade laminates combining purity of design with high performance practicality.

There are 56 design options to choose from including 32 plain colours, five woodgrains and 18 patterns, all with a stylish solid white edge detail. The new White Core Compact is a self-supporting high pressure laminate that is machineable, shock, scratch, stain, heat and water resistant. Polyrey White Core Compact is antibacterial as standard at no additional cost and fire retardant on request. It is available in four thicknesses of 8, 10, 12.5 and 13mm and in a larger polyrey.uk@polyrey.com enq 074 than average sheet size of 2600 x 2050mm.

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minibin

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Online Enquiry 075

lightweight, but not on

performance • Available as FSC. • Lightweight, hardwood core door blanks, easy to handle and fix.

• Manufactured with a calibrated three layer tri-laminated hardwood timber core.

• Dimensionally stable. No core gaps, rippling or telegraphing.

• Excellent substrate for easy machining and door blank conversion.

• Supplied with either MDF or Plywood faces as lipped or unlipped.

• Can be laminated, painted or veneered.

• Available up to 3050mm x 1220mm.

Dimensionally stable - eliminates core gaps, rippling and telegraphing

Manufactured with a special three layer tri-laminated hardwood timber core

Continuous edge gluing

SPECIFICATIONS

Can be supplied lipped or unlipped

MDF or Plywood faces

• DD171 and BS EN 1192 ratings for durability/wear and tear • PAS 23 - PAS 24 • Manufactured and tested in accordance with British Standard BS476 (Part 22 1987) and BS EN1634-1 • BWF Certifire approved, BMTRADA Q Mark • Awarded the Forest Stewardship Council's Chain of Custody.

• U values as low as 0.9W/m2K for thermal insulation • Sound insulation as high as 35dB

www.flamebreaktechnical.com

Information and samples can be obtained from James Latham

Phone: 0116 257 3415 Email: marketing@lathams.co.uk or click on www.lathamtimber.co.uk

Online Enquiry Online Enquiry076 xxx