Construction Update - November 2018

CONSTRUCTION Express yourself UPDATE November 2018

with Ecophon Solo™ www.construction-update.co.uk

Photographer: Left: Bartosz Makowski, Right: Studio-e

Ecophon Solo™ is the original acoustic cloud. Launched over a decade ago, it changed the way we improve acoustics. Flatteringly, Solo is often copied, but its creative freedom and product quality has never been bettered. Until now.

To learn more visit www.ecophon.com/uk/thenewsolo To discuss how Ecophon Solo and Baffle can be used in your project, contact our specification team on 01256 855 280.

Commercial Design October 2018

Ecophon Strengthens Its Solo Offer Ecophon has launched the latest extensions to Ecophon Solo™, its market leading family of free hanging acoustic panels. The new additions to the already extensive product portfolio of versatile acoustic absorbers provide architects and designers with even greater choice and creative freedom.

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November 2018 Launched as the first acoustic cloud to the market almost ten years ago, Ecophon Solo™ is a design-friendly, free-hanging sound absorber that due to its versatility can be installed in virtually any space. The Solo range features panels in a variety of standard shapes including square, rectangular and circles while Solo Freedom allows designers to express themselves creatively with custom shapes and colours. The latest expansion of the range introduces larger sizes, integrated luminaries and new baffle designs.

The innovative glass wool core used in Ecophon panels provides a lightweight, stable solution that is strong and rigid regardless of the size or shape. This makes it possible for Ecophon to produce uniquely large panels. This is seen in the newly launched 3000x1200 mm rectangle the largest on the market - and the 2400 x 600 thin rectangle. Ecophon’s Connect Profile and accessories makes installation simple and means that even the largest size panels are quick to fit on site.

The expanded Solo offering now also offers a combined lighting and sound absorption option. The Ecophon Line™ luminaire, one of three normally only available in the Ecophon Focus™ range, has now been integrated in the 2400x1200 mm Solo panel. Solo Rectangle Line is delivered with the opal integrated in the panel so installation is as simple

as hanging the panel, adding the included luminaire and connecting into the lighting system.

Following the recent growth in the architectural popularity of baffles, Ecophon have taken their offer to the next level with Ecophon Solo™ Baffle Wave and Ecophon Solo™ Baffle ZigZag, innovative shapes designed to complement the traditional straight edge baffle. Furthermore, due to the growing recognition of the importance of adding sound absorbers to walls, Ecophon has also added Solo™ Baffle on Wall to the

product family. This simple change allows an architect to continue the baffle design onto the walls, making an aesthetic statement while creating an even better sound environment.

Ecophon recognises that often, either as part of the design or due to a lack of ceiling height, Solo may need to be installed close to the soffit. To make this simple, Ecophon has developed a new, simple, direct fixing solution which makes it possible to easily install the Solo panels as close as 50 mm from the soffit.

Will Jones, Marketing Manager at Ecophon said: “The design of interior spaces has a huge effect on people’s experience, so architects need the freedom to design with solutions that not only deliver the required acoustic performance but also complement and even enhance the design of a space.

“The new products and updates to the Solo range strengthen our offer and mean we have the widest range of freehanging absorbers on the market. Since we launched the original system it has become a favourite among architects and we are proud to still be building on what we started almost a decade ago.”

For more information about the Ecophon Solo™ range visit www.ecophon.com/thenewsolo

Construction Update November 2018

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www.construction-update.co.uk @ConstructionUpd 04| Industry News 12| Commercial Design 32| Windows & Glazing Systems 42| Heating & Ventilation 50| External Works & Landscaping 56| Tools, Equipment & PPE

Editorial Lucy Harris Lucy@construction-update.co.uk

Publishing Director JOdIE Little jodIE@jetdigitalmedia.co.uk 01843 595818

PUBLICATION Manager Cy D’Anjou CY@construction-update.co.uk 01843 595818

Industry News November 2018

OAG hits new heights with multi-billionpound Battersea redevelopment

/2016 12:47 Page 1

Architectural glazing experts OAG are set to take part in the multibillion-pound transformation of one of London’s most famous and recognisable landmarks.

For decades, Battersea Power Station didn’t just provide electricity – it was a cultural icon, featured on album covers, in films and on TV. Since 1983, when it finally ceased production after thirty years, the building has laid derelict. But in 2012, it was acquired by SP Setia, Sime Darby Property and the Employees Provident Fund – and now, it’s the site of a £9bn redevelopment that will see the construction of thousands of homes, workplaces, restaurants, galleries and community spaces aimed at rejuvenating the entire district.

Over twenty years, OAG has built itself into one of the biggest names in UK architectural glazing, providing bespoke solutions for end-users as diverse as O2, the Tate Modern and Network Rail, and collaborating with market-leading main contractors like Lendlease, Mace, Costain and Sir Robert McAlpine.

Now, fresh from taking part in another multibillionpound renovation at London Bridge Station, OAG have been contracted to provide a comprehensive package to the Battersea Power Station redevelopment.

“To be appointed to work on such a prestigious project is a huge achievement for OAG,” comments Director Gary Evans. “Two decades of hard work and expertise

have made us the obvious choice for a project of this size and scale, and I believe no-one else in the industry can provide the quality and versatility we can. We have been working together with the project team for 3 years to develop an innovative solution that will compliment this remarkable scheme.

“This is a hugely ambitious undertaking – when it’s finished, it will have transformed a run-down part of London into one of the most exciting and innovative business, retail, cultural and residential centres in the world.

“Undoubtedly, a project of this scale and complexity will present challenges. Battersea Power Station itself is a Grade II* listed building, and the wider development is subject to stringent English Heritage restrictions.

Our experience gained on the glazing packages at St Pancras Station and other heritage sites provided us with invaluable expertise in this area.

“This will be one of the most exciting projects we’ve undertaken – and the perfect opportunity to show why we’re the best in the business.”

01494 492 700 www.oag.uk.com

THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE! • Easy and quick to apply by trowel or spray • Extremely fast drying time • Universal use: internal or external and new & old buildings • Unbeatable flexibility • Excellent crack-bridging capability >2mm • Strong resistance to hydrostatic pressure • Highly adhesive to most common building substrates • Overcoat in just over 4 hours • UV-resistant • Can be over-coated with Remmers coatings • Extreme resistance to frost and salts • Solvent & bitumen free – low odour

01293 594 010 www.remmers.co.uk

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November 2018 Industry News

ROCKWOOL UK gets go-ahead for Pencoed site expansion ROCKWOOL UK granted permission

by Bridgend County Borough Council to develop a new logistics centre Stone wool insulation manufacturer, ROCKWOOL UK, has been granted permission

by Bridgend County Borough Council to develop a new 20-acre storage area at its Pencoed site in South Wales.

Planning permission has been given for the development of the land to the south of the existing factory site. The works will increase on-site capacity to store and distribute the wide range of stone wool insulation products manufactured at the site. It will also improve traffic management thanks to a new access road and loading area for hauliers.

The new logistics centre will enable ROCKWOOL to utilise capacity created by a factory extension, allowing for a 60% increase in output. This expansion responds to trends in urbanisation and high density, mixed-use developments, which have driven year-on-year growth in demand for sustainable insulation products that perform across thermal, acoustic and fire safety needs.

Darryl Matthews, managing director of ROCKWOOL UK, said: “We are delighted to have already created 50 new permanent jobs this year. This development will result in 65 more jobs at ROCKWOOL, as well as providing opportunities for other businesses through our commitment to working with local suppliers on these works. The new facility comes at a great time when ROCKWOOL will be celebrating 40 years of business in Wales in 2019.”

‘Farrell Centre’ set for Newcastle Over the past 60 years, Sir Terry Farrell has achieved a glittering and award-winning career as a world famous and prolific architect, planner and urban designer. His life has exemplified architectural development in the last 50 years; after he left Newcastle University he partnered Nick Grimshaw and carried out seminal “Hi-Tech” buildings; he then pioneered and later popularised “Post Modernism” in architecture in the 1980s, a movement in which architects rediscovered historical forms, after decades of “functional” modernism; then he went on to become recognised as an international figure in city making through his thought leadership and masterplanning.

Now, the founder of the prestigious Farrells firm (www. farrells.com) is donating £1m for a renovated ‘Farrell Centre’ which will house a major new architectural exhibition centre, an urban room (a core recommendation of the Farrell Review www.farrellreview.co.uk) where anyone can come to learn and discuss the city of Newcastle, its past as well as proposals for its future, and a start-up space for recent graduates.

Sir Terry said: “I’m delighted that my extensive archive will find a permanent home here, and that the “Farrell Centre” will be a focus for exhibition and debate about city making in my home town.”Professor Chris Day,

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Industry News November 2018

Grant Funding Supports Steel Manufacturer’s Growth A steel manufacturer is aiming to grow its turnover by £1million and create new jobs after securing a substantial grant.

Fabweld Steel Products (FSP) was awarded £30,000 from the European Regional Development (ERDF)’s Business Growth Programme as part of an overall £94,500 investment to improve production process and systems at its factory in Telford, Shropshire.

FSP, which designs and manufactures fabricated steel access covers and associated drainage products, says the programme of work will result in greater efficiency and manufacturing capacity and should help it win new contracts within the construction industry.

That will lead to the creation of five new roles including a sales administrator, laser operator and welder/fabricators.

The Enterprise Telford team at the Marches Growth Hub Telford & Wrekin supported FSP in its grant application. The Business Growth Programme is available to businesses across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin and offers grants to small and mediumsized businesses through a range of funding schemes designed to help them grow and target new markets.

Managing Director Richard Hilton said the investment was paying for new equipment and the reorganisation of the shop floor.

“The previous layout created bottlenecks in production so the restructure will simplify and speed up processes. We will be introducing new handling equipment and increasing our internal storage capacity. Carrying out this programme of enhancements will give us more capacity to win new contracts and allow us to respond more quickly to customer demands.

We are hopeful it will add £1m to our existing turnover within 24 months.

“Without the grant funding, we would have had to carry out the work in stages. This wouldn’t have been as effective and would have reduced the opportunities that a quicker production time will bring.”

“An increased turnover and market share will ultimately lead to a more sustainable future for the business, our staff and our supply chain,” he added.

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November 2018 Industry News

Acheson & Glover Precast placed in administration The firm currently employs 105 people mostly at the head office in Ballygawley, County Tyrone, with around 20 support and sales staff based in Birmingham.

Acheson Holdings said the group’s other trading company, Acheson & Glover Limited, which supplies walling, paving and flagging products is unaffected by the decision.

This part of the group employs around 230 people generating revenue of around £20m, and is enjoying its best performance for eight years with a strong orderbook.

The decision to call in administrators at AG Precast follows an in-depth review of the £18m revenue operation over

a 12-month period following a downturn in market demand for its flooring and precast in the UK. Earlier this year, the company closed one of its two factories in Northern Ireland, but demand has continued to fall by around 40% leading to further financial losses.

A statement from the main board said: “We are disappointed to have to make this decision and we will be doing all we can to minimise its impact. Our people are the very heart of our business and we fully understand how difficult this will be for our colleagues so the decision to cease precast manufacturing has only been made after lengthy consideration.

“Earlier this year we consolidated our precast operation into one

plant and set about a major cost-reduction programme.

However, both margins and volumes continued to fall. Over the past 18 months our separate Acheson & Glover Limited business which produces high addedvalue products, largely for the specification market, has continued to grow profitably.

Knauf Insulation completes Cwmbran upgrade Knauf Insulation has completed a £7 million upgrade of its manufacturing plant in Cwmbran, South Wales, which will increase its capacity by 6%.

The improvements include a complete rebuild of the furnace at the heart of the plant. The work has been completed as part of a £200 million investment programme to significantly increase the company’s manufacturing capacity and capability, which includes the construction of new plants in France and Malaysia.

“We’ve seen increased demand over the last 18 months as architects, contractors, developers and regulators have recognised the benefits of high-performance, non-combustible mineral wool insulation,” said John Sinfield, managing director at Knauf Insulation. “All indications suggest this trend will continue, which is one of the reasons we’ve invested in this comprehensive upgrade of our Cwmbran facility.”

The programme of work at the plant was scheduled to take six weeks, but was completed three days early.

It included a complete rebuild of the furnace, and plant-wide refurbishments and modifications taking advantage of the latest technology developments to maintain high product standards.

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Industry News November 2018

Compact Rolflex doors for McLaren Technology Centre The McLaren Technology Centre, designed by Foster + Partners, features Rolflex Folding Doors which complement the overall design of this striking structure

The McLaren Group is a collec tion of high-tech companies involved in the design and development of Formula One cars, highper for mance road c ar s , e l e c t ro nic s y s te ms an d composite materials in the UK. In creating the McL aren Technology Centre, Foster + Partners responded to a challenging brief to create a new headquarters for the majorit y of the McLaren Group’s employees, previously scattered across 18 locations in and around the Woking area in the UK. A s par t of the building specifications for the project Foster + Partners selected Rolflex Folding doors. Both the access ways for cars and the all-glass doors in the curtain walls are Roflex Folding Compact doors. All the doors on the project were custom made ensuring that they would fit seamlessy into the overall design of the building.

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The production centre which opened in 2011 also has Rolflex Folding Compact doors on the outside. At the end of the

production line the cars pass through three glass boxes on their way to the car wash.

Each glass box is opened and closed with a powder coated Full Light Folding Compact door.

Commenting on the project Joost Megens MD of Rolflex said: “We are very proud to have been chosen by one of the worlds leading architects for both phases of this prestigious project. Our Compact Folding Doors’ unique space saving features complimented the architects design and detailing of the external and internal cladding of the buildings” Commenting on Foster + Par tners role Lord Foster added: “ McLaren came to us with a number of preconceptions – not so much about what the building should look like, but more about what the spirit of the building should be, its aspirations and its social generators.” The building’s 57,000 sq m of office space is home to the majority of the McLaren group’s 900 employees, in an area large enough to hold nine Boeing 747 jumbo jets.

B&K to build twin new Nottingham office blocks Bowmer & Kirkland has been linedup to build a “transformational” office development opposite Nottingham Train Station.

Plans have been submitted to the city council by developers Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates to bring 62,022 sq m of Grade A office space to Unity Square.

The scheme is part of the £250m Southern Gateway regeneration project which will create a new business district in Nottingham.

Construction is scheduled to start early next year by B&K on the twin ten and 13 storey buildings.

Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates purchased Unity Square in 2015 and demolished the derelict car park buildings last year.

Ralph Jones, MD of Peveril Securities said: “There is significant long-term investment in this area of the city.

“It is an exciting time for Nottingham with many significant schemes on the horizon and cranes expected on the Unity Square site in the next 12 months.

“Looking ahead, the occupiers of Unity Square will be at the heart of this regenerated area of Nottingham, allowing them to take advantage of the multitude of local facilities and excellent transport links.”

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Case Study November 2018

LONDON’S TWENTYTWO BISHOPSGATE SETS BENCHMARK FOR GLOBAL CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION

Innovative new building is a model case in building smarter, faster and safer In 1990, there were just ten ‘megacities’ (cities of over 10 million). By 2015, that figure had jumped to 28, accounting for 12% of the world’s urban inhabitants.

People are moving to urban centres attracted by the lifestyle and range of opportunities they offer, however more people on the

pavements and soaring land prices mean new buildings need to head skywards.

of new construction solutions in a challenging historic and densely populated urban environment.

When completed next year, Twentytwo, an innovative new development located minutes from the new London Liverpool Street Crossrail station, will stand 278 metres tall and showcase a number

Developers, planners and architects around the world can turn to Twentytwo as a model case in building smarter, faster and safer.

NEW CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGIES DRIVE TALL BUILDING INNOVATION The ability to build higher has long been linked to advances in elevator technologies. Today, elevators are integral to constructing megastructures and moving the millions of tenants who use these buildings.

Twentytwo has over 1,100 men, women and engineers working on the site and when fully occupied will be home to a 12,000-strong workers and visitors so the elevator solution is critical. For this reason, the developers turned to Otis for its SkyBuild® elevator system.

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November 2018 Case Study bringing the Twentytwo’s total elevator count to 57.

The City of London’s medieval street layout and estimated 400,000 daily commuter population pose additional challenges at Twentytwo.

By moving people and materials around the site quickly, SkyBuild enables developers to reduce the disruption to the local environment and community caused by goods delivery. SkyBuild is fully integrated into the site’s logistics which results in better productivity and lower costs.

LONDON IS READY FOR BUSINESS The British capital has a record 510 towers over 20 storeys either in planning or under construction, up from 455 tall buildings in 2016.

OTIS SKYBUILD AND TWENTYTWO BISHOPSGATE Installed at the beginning of construction, the SkyBuild elevator facilitates movement of crews and tools quickly and safely – around eight times faster than a standard goods lift – without the need of a crane or external lift or exposure to weather which can also stall

construction. The elevator’s unique hydraulic piston system enables the lift’s mechanical system to climb one floor at a time in step with the building’s construction.

When complete, the SkyBuild elevators at Twentytwo will quickly transition for service as SkyRise® elevators, Otis’ premier elevator for the world’s tallest buildings,

Twentytwo will be 130,000 sqm of offices, social spaces and public realm and brings with it designs aimed to reflect changes in the workplace, the City and its tenants.

With this in mind, the team behind Twentytwo designed the 62-storey building mindful of what the occupiers of the 2030s and beyond will want. Twentytwo signals to the world that London is active and that the city welcomes people to come here and work, to learn, to have fun. www.otis.com/en/us

For the global video go to https://construction-update.co.uk/2018/11/07/londons-twentytwo-bishopsgate-setsbenchmark-for-global-construction-innovation-global-video/

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Commercial Design November 2018

BARRIER COMPONENTS PROVIDING HARDWARE PRODUCT SOLUTIONS FOR OVER 30 YEARS Barrier Components Ltd, has traded as a specialist architectural hardware supplier since 1987.

Based in Purfleet, Essex they constantly strive to source new and innovative hardware products, from around the world, to provide a one-stop-shop with respected technical support for their customers The company’s product portfolio broadly includes swing, sliding and folding door systems, glass hardware, balustrade systems, gate hardware, shower enclosure components and brush strips and seals.Their success has come not only from a wide product range, it is from the detail and energy they pour into sourcing new innovations, testing them and bringing them to the UK market.

Colcom Biloba Evo Barrier Components prides itself on the long-standing supplier partnerships it has with leading manufacturers across the world.

Brands like FAC of Italy that supply a wide range of steel components for cantilever, swing and sliding steel gates. Their recent additions are bi-folding and telescopic kits for all sliding solutions. LOCINOX of Belgium is another supply partner with a focus on Steel Gate locking systems.

They design and manufacture the largest range of locks for steel gate systems in the world together with self-close mechanisms for swing gate systems. HELAFORM of Finland supply Barrier with heavy duty industrial and agricultural sliding door solutions. The COLCOM group (including SADEV of France) offer a solution for frameless glass facades and balustrade systems and GCC of Taiwan supply an extensive range of glass components for shop fronts and shower enclosures. These are just a few of Barrier Components longterm suppliers, quality brands that ensure that Barrier Components keep on offering the very latest product innovations.

DOOR SYSTEM SPECIALIST

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Swing, Sliding and folding door systems really are a speciality of Barrier Components. They offer

November 2018 Commercial Design

Managing Director, Graham Walker.

“At Barrier Components we have a team of very experienced technical members of staff who have been providing solutions for architects, contractors and installers for many years.

“This technical sales team have either worked within the company for a long time and therefore truly understand the product capabilities, or they have worked within the industry in similar businesses to gain their knowledge and expertise.

“Either way we can offer a range of tried and tested sliding, folding door solutions, which customers can pair with their own sourced doors, be they glass or timber or composite, to create some amazing designs.

“We literally do search the world for solutions and our knowledgeable team is backed by the manufacturers technical team from our long standing partnerships.” a host of domestic, commercial, industrial and agricultural door system solutions.

This range includes Straight Sliding, Stacking, External Bottom and Top Hung Folding, Interior End fold systems together with many Frameless Glass solutions. Barrier works hard to constantly improve

the design and performance of the systems they provide to ensure they carry the latest technology and material finishes.

Their most recently introduced systems are the Barrierslide Strap, Ivan 2 and Crystal that not only save space but reflect the latest look in interior styling.

They are ideal for both residential and commercial applications and they will work with solid, framed and frameless glass doors and feature exposed tracks and industrial style running gear which are right on trend.

They all come complete with fixing stops, guides and both soft close and open devices.

Vistafold 120S Barrier Components pride themselves on being first to the UK market with many new door system innovations. They have been sourcing solutions for this market for over 30 years and their technical team can offer invaluable advice on appropriate solutions to most hardware installations. Their latest brochure, which has been purposely kept as a summary, is of their sliding door ranges and a result of many years of problem solving for their clients according to Managing Director, Graham Walker.

Check out www.barrier-components.co.uk for further details or to purchase on line or call their technical team on 01708 891515.

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Commercial Design November 2018

New apartment complex to be built in Birmingham’s historic jewellery quarter NM Group (North Midland Construction Plc) has begun groundwork at the site of a new apartment complex located in the centre of Birmingham’s iconic Jewellery Quarter.

Known as Assay Lofts, the new development by Elevate Property Group will be situated directly across from Birmingham’s stunning St. Paul’s Square and constructed using materials in keeping with the traditional look and feel of this important conservation area. Scheduled for completion in the summer of 2019, the scheme worth £3.9M will see NM Group construct and deliver 32 one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments.

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With the Jewellery Quarter still responsible for 40% of all jewellery made in the UK, the area is currently experiencing a transformation, with many new creative businesses now flocking there; and bringing with it the need for modern accommodation that still continues to respect the traditional red-bricked aesthetics of the area.

Nick Banks, Operations Director at NM Group’s building division, said: “The successful negotiation of the Assay Lofts scheme is a great opportunity for us to develop a long-term relationship with our client Elevate Property Group. Assay Lofts, when complete, will significantly contribute to the resurgence of the Jewellery Quarter area of Birmingham. Our teams are on site and have a programme of works scheduled for the coming months to create this elegant development.”

David Hofton, Sales Director from Elevate Property Group, said: “We are delighted work has commenced on this superb scheme in which there has already been huge interest. The site is situated opposite our offices in St Pauls Square and we are watching, with great interest, developments on a daily basis”.

November 2018 Commercial Design

Architecture and interior design practice remodels former - a new, central focus for Hox Victorian gymnasium Park student to create Hox Haus campus

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Commercial Design November 2018 The original 330 sq m Grade-II listed brick building dates from the 1890s and was originally designed as a standalone gym building for the Indian Engineering College, which occupied the site between 1890 and 1905. A singlestorey, north-facing extension was added in the early 20th century and another extension in the mid-century, which was subsequently removed as part of the enabling work.

Whilst the building had continued to house a wide variety of sporting and social functions, it had lain empty for the last 10-15 years prior to refurbishment. ‘Our assessment showed that the building had structurally-sound walls, but was otherwise very dilapidated’, commented David Holt. The original slate roof was beyond repair, meaning a new slate roof was proposed and installed, using reclaimed slate tiles. All the floors were also beyond repair.’

Manchester-based architecture and interior design practice 74 has completed a major project to extend and remodel a Grade II-listed, two-storey, Victorian brick building in a semirural location in Englefield Green, just outside Egham.

The repurposed 453 sq m building – Hox Haus – will serve as the central focus, clubhouse and social amenity for Hox Park student campus, newly-created by developers Moorfield Group for students attending Royal Holloway, University of London.

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rchitecturally, Hox Haus is a stylish, eye-catching and dynamic 2-storey building that seeks to blend its original Victorian brickwork with two new glazed ‘light box’ interventions, creating a light-filled and largely transparent overall space that brings the outside in, references the building’s semi-rural location and offers a warm, comfortable and relaxing home-from-home for students. The two new interventions constitute a double-height, 44 sq m gatehouse to the building’s east elevation and a 35 sq m, covered terrace section on the first storey, offering views over the whole campus. The terrace extension sits behind the parapet of an existing ground-floor extension, making it subservient to the host building.

Both new interventions are clad or semi-clad (at first floor level for the gatehouse) with bronze-coloured, 4.6m-high, anodised aluminium fins. The fine, hard surfaces of the glazing and metal fins create a striking and elegant contrast to the rough-textured and robust solidity of the original structure, adding refinement and reflectivity to the building as a whole.

The heritage of the building was a key driver for the interior approach and, unlike many architectural projects, the interior was in fact the key driver overall, so that the architecture is subservient to both the existing host building and the functions within. The overriding concept was to create a space that felt like a country retreat or clubhouse-with-a-twist. The new gatehouse provides a sense of arrival, whilst offering a separation between the functions of ‘reception’ and the need for a comfortable student social space monitored, but not overlooked, by staff.

While certain areas have key functions, such as the two group study areas or the TV and gaming lounges, others are multi-functional, for students to make use of as they wish. The central zones are more

obviously social, whilst quieter zones areas can be found along the edges of the two-storey space and within the first floor extension directly above the welcome area.

It was an important part of the scheme’s design that natural ‘collision points’ for interaction were encouraged, as David Holt explains: ‘We considered social psychology throughout the planning stages of the interior. Whilst students spend as much time as they wish on their own in their individual rooms, the idea here was that individual activity would always have a social aspect, so that no one feels isolated by their location. Gaming booths,

November 2018 Commercial Design

for example, have been designed with glazed screens and without doors in order to retain connectivity at all times. We have introduced several planting elements within the scheme additionally to introduce a strong biophilic aspect and enhance students’ sense of wellbeing.’

Another major design driver was the building’s rural aspect and the design therefore strives to make the most of views over the historic surrounding countryside, as well as bringing the outside in via natural references and creating a rich, textured and high-quality feel with a materials palette that includes marble-effect Hanex solid surfacing

and brass detailing. Upholstery fabrics include textiles that nod to British rural tradition, such as checks and tweeds, whilst colours span a whole nature-inspired autumn-towinter palette and feature greys, browns, rusts and moss greens, with bursts of berry brights and large-scale, nature-inspired print wallpaper on opposing feature walls at the ends of the ground floor.

‘It was important that the fabrics and colours created a warm and welcoming atmosphere’, David Holt added. ‘This is very much a walk-inand-use environment, offering an immediate appeal and a sense of welcome and comfort’

Sadie Malim, Head of Special Projects and Legal at Moorfield Group, commented on the project, ’74 excelled themselves on the design work for Hox Haus. The combination of their devoted attention to detail and design flair resulted in a scheme that sets the new standard for student accommodation in the UK. They understood easily what we were trying to achieve and were able to deliver a knock-out scheme, which encompasses necessary practical considerations, but also delivers the wow factor.’

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Commercial Design November 2018

Performance Door Solutions Deliver For Innovation Centre James Latham recently supplied performance timber fire door specialist Ahmarra Door Solutions with a number of Moralt FireSound 44dB and Halspan FD30 and FD60 Optima door cores, which have been used in the £7m extension to Fareham Innovation Centre.

Ahmarra manufactured over 100 bespoke laminate-faced fire doors to the customers’ specific requirements including specialist acoustic doors.

All doors were supplied and installed under the Q-Mark Fire Door Manufacturer and Fire Door Installer Schemes, which ensures a fully compliant and third-party certified product.

James Latham Door Champion, David Green, who is based at the company’s Fareham depot, commented, “We are delighted to have worked with Ahmarra on this specification.

This is a really impressive project and one which demanded the highest quality and most technically superior products to be delivered and installed both on time and on budget.

“The Moralt FireSound 44mm door blank has been extensively tested in the UK and boasts an acoustic value

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of dB40 and a fire rating of FD30, making it one of the ‘best-in-class’ performance door blank products available on the market.

“Made from 3-layer particle board designed specifically for the fabrication of interior solid core doors, Halspan Optima offers both 30 and 60-minute fire-rating and is one of our most popular door cores and is regularly specified in the education, healthcare, hospitality, commercial, residential, retail and government sectors.”

The project has been developed and funded by Fareham Borough Council and supported by £2m funding from Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) from HM Government’s Local Growth Fund.

For more information on these and James Latham’s extensive range of door blanks click on www.lathamtimber.co.uk or emailmarketing@lathams.co.uk

SECTION NAME September 2018 08

Create Transform Innovate

EX20-white and zebrano rouge

Designing doors is an art form which comes naturally at Vicaima.

Blending on-trend colour tones and surface materials such as veneer, laminate and foil with lacquers and stains to elevate the simple to surprising. Capturing truly fresh ideas that have the ability to harmonize with an existing theme or completely transform their surroundings.

Among the many recent creations to make the leap from drawing board to reality are two new additions to Vicaima’s Exclusive range. The Ex20 collection blends the purity of white, acting like a canvas to off-set striking and modern grain patterns, forming a door which is almost abstract art.

This collection presents no less than five models and offers a choice of grained tones, including Dark Ebony, Bleached Oak and Zebrano in both Golden and Rouge.

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For designers and specifiers looking for a more geometric style, the Ex70 collection displays multiple grain directions intersected by a commanding jet black and curved groove. These real Ash veneered

doors come in four models and are stained in a choice of contemporary tones, which include Warm Umber, Dark Taupe and Charcoal Brown; making them perfect for modern environments Of course innovation is not only confined to the appearance of a Vicaima door. The beauty of these products go far more than skin deep. With manufacturing expertise that has been honed for almost 60 years, Vicaima performance solutions in acoustics, security and of course fire doors, are widely recognised in the industry as a benchmark to which many aspire.

Aside from its many attributes, Vicaima’s suitability for multiple locations makes them an ideal choice for luxury living, hotels and commercial applications.

If you would also like to know more about Vicaima’s latest collections or indeed any of the design and performance solutions provided, visit the website www.vicaima.com. Alternatively call 01793 532333 today.

Vicaima EX72

Commercial Design November 2018

Protecting the workplace The sheer scale of modern facilities, density of occupation and growing user demands present particular challenges for fire safety and emergency evacuation. With over 100 million detectors installed across the globe, Siemens Building Technologies offers solutions that address the importance of immediate smoke detection, resolve the issue of false fire alarms and ensure safe evacuation.

Intelligent smoke, flame, heat and carbon monoxide detectors will detect minute smoke particles and will provide an instant fire alert. Importantly, they will also determine false fire phenomena due to issues such as toasters, poor housekeeping, airborne particles, welding, humidity and temperature change, and will not alarm in these instances. The impact of false alarms on the workplace is immense, as lost working hours and the upheaval of evacuating premises adds up to significant financial loss. Modern smart devices can even be adapted to reflect environmental changes in room usage.

In the event of a fire or major alert, rapid and orderly evacuation is of the highest priority. Emergency evacuation highlights the need for greater control during a major incident and voice alarm systems play an integral role in managing these critical situations. Studies reveal that many people do not know how to react to conventional alarms such as bells or sirens.

Many assume that it is a test

or false alarm; others remain confused and unsure of what to do. Comprehensive messages about the nature of the incident, and the appropriate action to take, using clear language will minimise the potential for panic or confusion.

Zoned voice alarm involves the delivery of high-performance messaging across multi-level, multi-occupancy buildings, offering controlled evacuation where selected floors are evacuated, while others are simultaneously alerted.

Evidence has shown that multiple alerts are more effective; the combination of audio and media such as SMS has a greater success rate.

Automatic coloured lighting systems can then be employed to direct personnel to the most appropriate emergency exit routes to further ensure personnel safety during the evacuation. It is vital to only evacuate those at risk and this combination of verbal instructions, messaging alerts and wayfinding will maximise safety procedures.

www.siemens.com/buildingtechnologies 22

November 2018 Commercial Design

with smart fire safety

Main image: Smart detectors will only alarm if there is a genuine fire. Left: Safe and phased evacuation is vital during a major incident. Right: Integrated fire protection from a single source will maximise life safety

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Commercial Design November 2018

New Protective Adjustable Eliminates Construction Yeovil-based Cavity Trays Ltd has developed a ready-to-use solution to eliminate a reoccurring construction problem when building on contaminated land. Originally conceived for Radon gas situations, it is called the Type PAT - Protective Adjustable Threshold.

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here gas barriers are present within the external cavity walls of a building and the door openings interrupt the arrangement, maintaining gas-tight integrity and dampproofing measures is always difficult. Commonly door openings are at a different level (access requirements) and interrupt the protective arrangement against rising gas.

Using flexible DPC requires support from higher courses and creates a cumbersome arrangement in which achieving a gas and watertight arrangement that links with threshold and closers is difficult.

The Type PAT eliminates this problem.

The new Protective Adjustable Threshold (Type PAT) from Cavity Trays provides both gas and water protection under and to the sides of every opening and does so in a way that eliminates discontinuity and provides adjustable connection with adjacent barriers.

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The Type PAT – Protective Adjustable Threshold – is a threedimensional DPC unit that is bedded within the external wall opening. Integration between wall barriers and the Type PAT is achieved using the adjustable side connectors that attach to the Type PAT and slide up and down to the requisite level. The cavity face of each connector has a projecting connection profiled to match that of the external wall

November 2018 Commercial Design

Threshold Problem

DPC/barrier profile. Once in position, all lapping sections are lap-sealed and gas-tape bonded. The footprint membrane is integrated in the usual way to maintain gas-resistant integrity.

The side connectors are supplied with different projecting profile options to match the wall barrier profile selected by the designer.

The Type PAT DPC threshold unit is usually supplied in three sections consisting of two corners and an infilling channel base length. These three components overlap so always accommodate the as-built structural opening width. Wider openings of any dimension can be formed by introducing additional lapping channel base lengths across the opening and sealing using gas-grade bonding strip.

The reveal closers (compatible caviclosers available) descend into the cavity-projecting sides of the Type PAT, terminating within its channel base in which are located flexible drainage conduits*.

(This channel base can additionally accommodate an optional insulating strip if thermal enhancement is sought under the sill.

For more information call 01935 474769 or visit the website:

www.cavitytrays.co.uk *Part C, page 37. 5.32 describes closers having fins These provide capillary breaks in the reveal closing arrangement and allow water to gravitate between fins for discharge at the closer base.

The flexible conduit provides the water escape route, without compromising Type PAT continuous gas protection across the base of the opening.

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Commercial Design November 2018

Prime Oak Chevron with Natural finish

Specialising in quality timber products from solid boards, precision engineered, parquet to bespoke staircase and cabinetry, the Treehouse showroom in London’s Notting Hill carries an extensive range of hardwood species rich in character, colour and form.

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orking directly with clients, designers or architects, supplying materials or providing full installation, Treehouse can advise on all aspects of specification including the selection of timber, method of fit, design detailing and bespoke finishes.

Treehouse was established in 1997 by furniture maker John Tate who with a passion for wood, has over 25 years experience in the industry.

RESIDENTIAL Whether you require new or refurbished wooden flooring, staircases or bespoke cabinetry we have worked in many residential properties all across London.

COMMERCIAL Colaborating with architects, designers and contractors from new build to refurbishment advising on all aspects of wood flooring and staircase specification.

New extra wide and long board floor 3 - 5 mtrs long in a bespoke colour and match the new treads, risers & scotia.

THREE REFURBISHED STAIRCASES AND WENGE FLOORING IN A HAMPSTEAD HOME Liasing directly with the client and interior designer Hazel Collins, Treehouse Flooring was commissioned to refurbish the flooring and staircases in this 3 storey home in Hampstead.

Treehouse now offer their own bespoke colours, using traditional methods and eco friendly oils.

Clad an existing staircase with new treads, risers and scotia in engineered Oak with solid nosing, side returns and scotia.

As they are specialist in staircase work, the same finish to the treads, risers, spindles and handrails can be matched.

Contact; George on 02074600376 email: treehouse116@icloud.com

www.treehouseflooring.co.uk

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Balau solid decking panels

Prime Wenge engineered flooring through 3 storey Hampstead house.

High quality exclusive and bespoke furniture created for distinctive homes and business.

Individually designed and fashioned by John Tate.

Contact Treehouse 020-7460-0376

www.treehouseflooring.co.uk

QUALITY ENVIRONMENT FOR QUALITY OF LIFE. Specialists in high quality solid and sustainable hardwood flooring.

We carry a huge range of woods from around the world, displayed at our Notting Hill showroom in large sample boards to assist clients, designers and architects, in planning interiors.

Engineered, board and strip flooring wood block and decking, bespoke floor production. Other services, special project installation, wall panelling, staircases, doors, worktops, cabinetry, natural stone & many other interior related products.

Exceptional value, experienced craftsmen, quality installation.

Showroom: 116 Talbot Rd, Notting Hill, London, W11 1JR E-mail: info@johntate.co.uk Tel: 020-7460-0376

Commercial Design November 2018

Airshow contractors embrace Armstrong’s recycling lead

Armstrong leads the green agenda at its sixth Farnborough International Airshow.

Armstrong Ceiling Solutions has recycled more than 10,000m2 of mineral tiles from this year’s Farnborough International Airshow, the sixth time the manufacturer has provided the recycling service at the bi-annual event.

This is continual evidence of the manufacturer’s peerless green philosophy, with their pioneering recycling programme already having diverted over 15 million square metres globally of used ceiling tiles from landfill since its launch in 1999.

At Farnborough International Airshow, the ceilings are recycled from more than 200 temporary corporate hospitality and business chalets and exhibition halls. To date Armstrong has recycled over 60,000m² of mineral fibre ceiling tiles from the show site to its UK manufacturing site in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

As a testament to the growing importance and emphasis sustainability has on the industry, this year saw a marked increase on the number of airshow contractors actively returning the ceiling tiles for recycling themselves.

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host and produce a world-class airshow but also that we champion the environment through the recycling service that Armstrong has introduced to us.”

The tiles for recycling (Dune, Fine Fissured, Cortega and Mezzanine DL100 to name a few) were collected in bags and stored in the exhibition hall then returned on trucks to Armstrong’s production facility in Gateshead for recycling back into the mix with the help of the Southampton branch of specialist distributor SIG Interiors.

The corporate hospitality and business chalets, which are used by such prestigious exhibitors as Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Rolls Royce, typically take five weeks to build and fit out and one week to dismantle.

Protecting the planet is synonymous with good business for Armstrong which is why their full acoustical ceiling tile recycling service is offered to all projects during the demolition, construction and renovation stages, not just the Farnborough International Airshow.

The service saves contractors (whom Armstrong does not charge for the service) costs in landfill and skip hire tax. It also saves tonnes of virgin raw material, kWh of energy, CO2 equivalent greenhouse gasses, and litres of potable water.

Since its launch in the UK the programme has evolved to include all mineral tiles, no minimum quantities, a growing network of “Green Omega” installers and partnerships with national distributors to further support customers’ local recycling requirements.

Head of airshow operations, Ben Gleeson, said: “We are proud to mark the fact that not only do we

More information is accessible via the Armstrong Ceilings website CLICK HERE

November 2018 Commercial Design

Thus it now has ranges of standard, high performance, site assembled and acoustic louvres, available in a range of ratings for weight, ventilation, weather, insects and even bird ingress. Even fixings can often be tailored to individual site preferences.

FIT FOR PURPOSE? A specification validation service has been developed to help ensure the practical and aesthetic longevity of screening louvres.

“So often, the aesthetics of the external facade, particularly the cladding, can be spoilt by rusting or peeling louvres,” observes Ian Rogers, Gilberts Sales Director.

“The issue is exacerbated as those louvres are often in inaccessible locations- high up on an elevation, on the roof. It could be avoided just by appropriate, suitable product specification at the outset. This includes considerations as simple as changing the material from steel to aluminium, the quality of the finish.”

Gilberts Blackpool - Britain’s leading independent manufacturer of screening and ventilation louvres- has developed the service to enable specifiers to be assured, from the outset, that the material, finish and format of the louvres will deliver, within budget.

Gilberts has developed its own louvre product range over the years to provide a comprehensive package to keep pace with the evolution of building design and structural interfaces, initially and as/if the building structure is altered.

Innovatively, with its in-house design expertise, Gilberts has the capability to create bespoke configurations which can be both CFD modelled, and tested within its own laboratory to give customers complete ‘fit for purpose’ peace of mind.

Gilberts also offers a comprehensive range of PPC,PVF and PVF2 coatings across its louvres, available in any RAL colour, applied to louvres of almost any size.

“Isn’t it worth taking a few moments just to ask, and get it right, rather than face the hassle of trying to rectify a problem that could have been avoided?” asks Ian Rogers.

Founded over half a century ago, and still family-owned, Gilberts is the UK’s leading independent air movement engineer. It is unique in its ability to design, manufacture and test all products- including bespoke fabrications- in-house, to the extent it even designs and manufactures its own tools at its 95,000 sq ft head office and production facility. www.gilbertsblackpool.com

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Windows & Glazing Systems November 2018

The complete package: The latest laminations from VEKA with a full spectrum of support Industry-leading systems supplier VEKA Group has added another string to its bow, for the benefit of fabricators and installers. The Burnley-based PVC-U giant now offers perfectly colour-matched laminated mouldings.

And, for a year that has seen the window systems supplier increase its ex-stock offering to 16 combinations, from its 29-strong Variations colour collection, and launch the Imagine BiFold Door in Grey Base; this latest piece of news that VEKA has created a simple (and fast) supply solution for matching laminated mouldings, further proves the company’s commitment that its customers’ success is integral its own.

Marketing Director Dawn Stockell explains: “VEKA Group continues to make significant investment in our lamination department for the benefit of our customers. We know that this is one of the fastest growing areas of our industry, and laminated product currently makes up 39% of VEKA and Halo profile sales, which is well above the industry average.

“We’ve partnered with Allied Profiles to create a comprehensive laminated moulding offering that perfectly complements all the colours in our Variations range. This makes for the ideal professional finish to any project. Customers can order online for direct deliveries, so there’s no need to visit a trade counter and, obviously, no longer any need to spray mouldings during fabrication.”

The significant investment in lamination

by VEKA Group was announced earlier in the year as part of a £5M budget allocated for plant and machinery, which included acquiring a building adjacent to the existing VEKA HQ; increasing the former 380,000 sq ft site by a further 40,000 sq ft and expanding lamination capacity by a staggering 50%.

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As a large, and long-established company, VEKA is proud to be light footed and adaptable to changing market trends. As such, as the last few years has seen demand grow drastically in specific areas, VEKA has, in turn, stepped up to the plate by adding Anthracite Grey

Smooth to its ex-stock list this summer, as well as Cream to the Vertical Slider in both VEKA and Halo systems. The increased lamination capacity though, doesn’t just speed up production and output of the more popular tonal trends, it also means VEKA can respond to smaller runs, and ‘quirkier’ orders faster; getting the profile to fabricators more quickly, so that installers can complete jobs efficiently.

November 2018 Windows & Glazing Systems

When it comes to colour, providing products that fit the bill is just beginning, and each VEKA order also comes with a full spectrum of support from start to finish, as Dawn explains: “Here at VEKA, we go above and beyond to offer a level of support that is unsurpassed in the industry, from marketing materials and guarantees, to sales support, technical advice and much, much more. This is just another example of the team demonstrating our

partnership approach in trying to make every aspect of our customers’ working days a little easier.

“In the face of a relatively flat market, VEKA is proud to be part of a Group that will continue to invest in order to see our partners succeed.

This year’s investment in plant and machinery is not only about increasing the potential volume of our output, but more importantly, supporting customers with flexibility and efficient service. This means

that they can further build their businesses upon our reputation, and provide an equally flexible and efficient level of service to delight their customers, be they homeowners or commercial specifiers.”

Call 01282 716611 or email salesenquiry@veka.com to order a brochure and learn more about laminated mouldings, including pricing, lead times and technical spec.

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Windows & Glazing Systems November 2018

The VELUX Group to acquire JET-Group from Egeria The agreement is subject to approval by German and Austrian competition authorities

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ELUX A/S and Dutch investment firm Egeria have reached an agreement concerning the sale of JET-Group to the VELUX Group. The decision to acquire JET-Group, a European leader in industrial roof light systems, is in line with the VELUX Group’s growth strategy and specifically the desire to grow its business in the non-residential market for daylighting solutions. The acquisition of JET-Group is the second by the VELUX Group this year, with Wasco Products Inc., a US skylight manufacturer, announced in April.

The VELUX Group has been the market leader in the residential market for roof windows for more than 75 years. The VELUX Group’s first step into the commercial (non-residential) market was in 2012 when it launched the VELUX Modular Skylight (VMS) system. Today, the strategy is to develop a leading position in this business area through organic growth and acquisitions.

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“We have had a very positive dialogue with Egeria and the JET-Group. We immediately felt that the ambitions and cultures of the JET-Group and our company complement each other nicely. Through the acquisition of JET-Group, we will strengthen our foothold within the commercial market in several countries and add several new product categories to our commercial offering in Europe,” says David Briggs, CEO of the VELUX Group.

November 2018 Windows & Glazing Systems The commercial market consists of two main segments: • An architectural glazing segment, which has a greater focus on design, with architects playing a significant role in selecting glass or acrylic glazing solutions, and • An industrial flat roof segment, which consists almost entirely of acrylic solutions, such as domes or continuous roof lights (CRLs).

The two segments vary significantly in their target customer groups and sales processes. The VELUX VMS business has a strong presence in the architectural glazing segment while JET has a leading market position in the industrial flat roof segment.

“We look forward to becoming part of the VELUX Group and we see a lot of growth potential and possibilities to strengthen our European business to the benefit of our customers and employees,” says Ralf Dahmer, CEO of JET-Group. Mark Wetzels, Partner at Egeria, is also pleased about the transaction: “I am impressed by the VELUX Group and confident this combination will be good for both companies, their employees and their offering to the market.

“With the acquisition of JET-Group we immediately become one of the leading players in the commercial market in Europe and will begin to merge our VMS operations with the JET-Group to build a new commercial division, which can drive further growth in this market. We also see opportunities to improve JET’s wholesale business by selling some products through the VELUX distribution network, which will also bring more business to our dealer partners. VELUX has always focused on providing daylight and fresh air to create better living and working environments, and the acquisition of JET helps us gain scale and extend our business into a whole new market segment,” says David Briggs, CEO of the VELUX Group.

The acquisition must be approved by the competition authorities in Germany and Austria before it can be completed. The companies will not disclose further information about the agreement until final approval is granted.

be made and communicated to the market. Synergies are expected from developing common functions and key accounts across the two organisations, which will form the basis for a new VELUX commercial division.

Pending approval and subject to completion of the acquisition of JETGroup, JET products will continue to be sold under the JET brand and through the existing organisation, while VELUX will continue to sell VMS products until customers are familiar with the change of ownership and a structured transition to the VELUX brand can

VELUX has been assisted in the transaction by EY Corporate Finance and Dentons and Egeria has had Houlihan Lokey and Allen & Overy as advisors.

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Windows & Glazing Systems November 2018

The Importance of System Design Flexibility Buildings today perform exceptionally well and, as a result, are generally more complex in their construction. No longer does the ‘one size fit all’ approach work, with many building products now being available with various options, often with ‘off the shelf’ availability. Where a solution is currently not available, a bespoke solution is designed and this can often become a stock solution.

This is what drives our current construction processes and we have become accustomed to a constant process of change.

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indow designs and their interfaces with the building structure is a good example of this constant state of flux. No longer does the interface with the building structure conform to any standard. Designers now freely develop high thermal performance interfaces which reduce cold bridging, whilst keeping the whole assembly weathertight. The key here is the importance of ‘system design flexibility’.

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One good example of this flexibility is that of the Atlas Building in Stratford, originally designed as the East Village for the 2012 Olympics, the building comprises of windows used in various applications, such as used in balcony door configurations

into punched openings. Detail design and installation using Aluprof high performance MB-70US was completed by GLASS & A.L.U. CAD LTD of County Meath in Ireland.

When choosing a system for any project, one of the key requirements would be to always look to the suppliers range of profiles per system. The wider the range of profiles and options will ensure that virtually all building interfaces can be accommodated and be completed on site to meet a robust detail. Aluprof have a very wide range of profiles and options for their systems and when a solution is not available off the shelf, a bespoke solution can be designed, extruded and suppled in a matter of weeks.

November 2018 Windows & Glazing Systems

Aluprof UK’s head office and extensive distribution centre is located in Altrincham, Cheshire.

Aluprof systems are increasingly being specified on a wide range of residential and commercial projects across the UK including Passivhaus projects. Systems are designed, fabricated and installed by selected, specially trained local companies, to ensure each fabricated product meets Aluprof’s exacting standards.

Further information is available on the company’s website at www.aluprof.eu and specialist advice is available directly from Aluprof’s UK offices on 0161 941 4005.

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November 2018

Wellbeing by Design: The Hungry Fox, a Café in Melbourne in Thermally Modified American Tulipwood

Australian designers seem to have a unique affinity with the natural environment and an innate understanding of how best to bring nature closer to life and leisure.

The latest example of this skill is a café which recently opened its doors in Melbourne. The Hungry Fox (by LaManna) at Autocentro at Essendon Fields has been designed using natural materials from around the world and has a mouthwatering global menu (Peking duck bao buns and homemade ricotta gnocchi) that combine to provide a uniquely uplifting Australian experience.

The café is the first project in Australia to use thermally-modified American tulipwood in exterior cladding. Selected for its rich colour and uniform texture, American tulipwood provided not only the aesthetic impact sought by Bruce Henderson Architects, but also the stability. The thermal modification process heats the tulipwood to almost the point of combustion.

The link between our physical environments and our emotional wellbeing has been substantiated by a number of studies.

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November 2018 pendants created to Lukas Partners’ design by local bespoke lighting specialist Bad Wolf.

The playground adjacent to the café has been created by Adventure+. Australian white cypress thoughtfully treated with a tint to match the American tulipwood cladding means that the Hungry Fox is a magnet for families in addition to local professionals and shoppers from the nearby LaManna supermarket.

The rich and welcoming space creates a true sense of wellbeing.

Perhaps the biggest accolade is from the staff themselves.

This changes the molecular structure of the timber and results in a material that durable for outdoor use. It requires minimal attention once outside which makes it a perfect choice for a project such as this.

area and the laser cut American walnut veneer panels that mask an acoustic board with style making the café the perfect venue to meet for relaxed conversation. The look is completed with vast drum

“I love coming to work here. It feels like a log cabin and it’s really cosy.

Especially in winter” says Hayley Cardis, who has worked at The Hungry Fox since it opened. It’s a healthy habitat in every way for all who visit.

Interior Architects, Lukas Partners, took on the challenge of creating a contemporary, warm and inviting interior for the café.

Aware of biophilic design principles and their emotional impact, the mood they looked to capture was one of earthy Australian fauna.

Their focus was on natural materials, inspired by gum nut and eucalyptus tones. The vaulted ceiling, taking its lead from the exterior design, is also an expanse of thermallymodified American tulipwood.

This richness is offset by a stone counter. A velvetfinished granite with a steel edge adds impact front of house and counterbalances the exposed concrete floor.

Chunky American ash tables, created by local high-end manufacturer Charles Sandford, are accompanied by cahairs created from the same timber with perforated leather seating and wool which has retained its natural colour variation. This perforation forms a motif throughout the space, the screens in the waiting

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November 2018

T: +44 (0)1825 764737 E: info@appeng.co.uk www.appeng.co.uk Applications Engineering Ltd, 16 Horsted Square, Bellbrook Industrial Estate, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 1QG

Dual port Fire Sprinkler ValVe Set • Dual ports that enable the flow switch to be mounted on either side.

• Available with optional CPVC mating sockets.

• 100% pressure tested.

• 1” and 1 ¼” full bore test valve • Easy access for servicing 41

November 2018

Panasonic Starts HVAC Manufacturing with Aquarea Production Line in Europe Panasonic Corporation today announced that it has started residential airto-water heat pump production at Panasonic AVC Networks Czech, s.r.o.

(PAVCCZ) in Pilsen, Czech Republic in October 2018, as part of its efforts to enhance the air-conditioning business in the European market.

Europe has seen exponential demand for more renewable energy solutions.

Providing heating, cooling and hot water, the Aquarea heat pump utilises energy from the air, providing a cheaper, cleaner and sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuel or electric systems.

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Panasonic had exported air-towater heat pumps to Europe from its Malaysian air-conditioning factory. The new production facility provides Panasonic with a better capability to meet growing demand for energy-efficient heating and cooling, in properties across the region. It will also create a more localised and agile approach to product design in

line with European regulations. For Panasonic customers in Europe, Aquarea lead times will be reduced thanks to short-haul transportation links, which also contributes to a reduction in the environmental impact of long-haul product shipping from Malaysia.

us in Europe. We’ve seen year-onyear growth in demand for our Aquarea air-to-water products and I’m looking forward to satisfying that demand in Europe” commented Enrique Vilamitjana, Managing Director at Panasonic Appliances Air-Conditioning Europe.

Since 2010, Panasonic Aquarea has set the standard for Air to Water heat pumps in Europe, with its reliability, simplicity and innovation.

The new factory, starting with one production line, will progressively increase manufacture to reach 40,000 Aquarea units yearly, according to Panasonic’s mid-term plan, becoming one of the main factories for Aquarea.

With over 60 years of heating and cooling experience on its side, Panasonic continues to develop products with energy-efficiency and sustainability in mind.

“We are very proud of this new facility and the capabilities it gives

Its new manufacturing line will increase Aquarea production to meet the needs of the European market, ensuring a more energyefficient future for Panasonic customers. www.panasonic.com/global

UK Spares: your one-stop-shop for domestic and commercial electrical spares Call or email our friendly team TODAY... www.uk-spares.com or email sales@uk-spares.com Tel: 01454 620500 Twitter: @UKSpares Unit 1155, Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol BS32 4TF

November 2018

GeoMax develops new field Software

By David Price, Director of UK distributor for GeoMax

Construction projects in the 21st century are getting bigger than ever before. Where, on the one hand, the advantages like long-term planning and economies of scale are obvious, on the other hand, it is vital to pay attention to the smallest measurement detail no matter how big the project.

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The latest technology in highly accurate instruments deliver a vast amount of data about the topography of the construction project. This information needs to be collated, processed and interpreted to help with the next phase of the project. Long before the spade breaks the ground on a new construction site, topographic information will have determined where exactly that will happen.

Building Information Modelling

(BIM), required for many public sector contracts, also relies on accurate data, thus making topographic information a lasting legacy.

Topographic instruments and software are available in a number of configurations. The latest GeoMax Robotic Total Station, Zoom70, can help to increase efficiency and accuracy considerably.

Equipped with the long-range BluetoothÂŽ handle, the Zoom70 transforms into a true one man total station. It supports the advanced prism search, based on the GNSS position of the controller, mounted on the pole and integrates seamlessly into X-PAD ULTIMATE field software. As there is no need for special, expensive and power-consuming active prisms, this total station is ideal on any worksite.

The Zoom70 aims accurately at any prism, without the need to look through the telescope. Once locked onto, the instrument remains accurately aimed even on fast moving targets.

X-PAD Ultimate is a tailored, flexible, modular, ideal, customised software for high end topographic tasks, such as measure, stake-out, cadastral, BIM check and control, roading, mapping, bathymetry and GIS. Running on any Android device, X-PAD Ultimate brings the latest technology directly to the field.

Key features include: a direct data exchange with a cloud platform for

November 2018 a direct connection between field and office, the use of all sensors for a better experience in the field and voice commands to control the operations hands-free.

X-PAD Ultimate includes a real topographic 3D CAD rather than just a simple graphic viewer, with specific functions to draw, edit, measure and calculate the position of new elements that can then be used in stakeout operations.

Measuring the position of the points is the main purpose to use the topographic equipment, but X-PAD Ultimate goes further because it can integrate the position, photos and notes.

The integrated GIS feature allows to create a GIS features and to define the corresponding attributes that can be filled when the point is stored. With BIM, IFC files can be loaded, displayed in the main CAD view and also in survey, stakeout and COGO commands. Elements can be selected, hidden or isolated.

From BIM models, it is possible to extract points, lines, surfaces and cross-sections for stakeout and checking operations.

X-PAD Ultimate is specifically tailored for users and has the right modules and language for surveyors and construction experts, as it is split in two modules: Survey and Build. With a set of different modules, X-PAD Ultimate Survey covers all the needs of professional surveyors in the field using TPS and GNSS measure tools.

X-PAD Ultimate Build is a special and tailored version of X-PAD Ultimate Survey, from which it inherits all the main features and functionalities, but differs because it is specifically addressed to construction companies that can solve all measuring situations onsite in an autonomous and independent way, improving productivity and reducing costs. To use X-PAD Ultimate Build the user doesn’t need to be a surveyor; all procedures are guided and can also be used by those who use this type of equipment for the first time.

Contact us at www.workswhenyoudo.com David Price +44 1753 201200

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November 2018

Managing the risk Through the right training and correct use of equipment, there are various ways employers can support lone workers to help them remain safe. Here, Matthew Bailey, Divisional Manager for Inspection and Certification at HCL Safety explores how to minimise risks for those working alone at height.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines a lone worker as someone who works by themselves without close or direct supervision. The number of lone workers across the UK is on the rise. In fact, over 8 million people are estimated to be lone workers, and not just within roles which involve work at height.

According to the HSE, almost one third of fatal injuries affect those self-employed and working in construction. The construction industry alone is responsible for a shocking 59% of falls – and while the industry is working hard to put procedures in place, there is still a lot more to be done.

Being alone while working at height, does not automatically mean workers are exposed to new risks that they wouldn’t be in groups. While the

employer can mitigate the risks that all workers are exposed to in a given work environment, the workers themselves have a duty to take care of their own health and safety – as well as of those which may be affected around them.

Managing the risk Before work begins at height, by law, employers need to ensure lone workers are not put at risk by considering several factors. Key legislation that employers need to adhere to include The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, as well as The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

It is down to the employer to assess any potential risks which may occur around manual handling, medical stability, as well as whether the working area itself presents a risk. It is then important for the employer to take steps to remove risks where possible and put control measures in place to carry out the task in hand, safely.

Employers should talk to their lone workers to understand what potential risks they have identified. This discussion should include any previous incidents or near misses, so they can be explored, and causes recognised before any work takes place.

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It is important to highlight that each job will present its own unique risks, so this process must include risk assessments for each individual site. There is also a dynamic aspect to think through when completing a risk assessment as conditions on a site change regularly.

For example, surfaces can

of lone working

November 2018

become slippery due to a change in weather, so external factors need to be a key consideration.

Employers should also look at the level of training needed for the lone worker to be able to work at height safely. With this, the level of supervision required should also be considered so that the lone worker meets all requirements for the job in hand and is competent enough to work at height.

Training

Monitoring

Training is a crucial part of lone working at height as there is usually very limited supervision. Lone workers should be trained in how to carry out a risk assessment, working at height, rescue at height as well as manual handling. Training is also particularly important to help control uncertain or unexpected situations to implement practical risk avoidance strategies.

Lone working isn’t a case of getting the right training and carrying out a risk assessment before being left to work completely alone. Keeping the lone worker safe requires more communication which may include scheduled visits or contact with lone worker by phone, radio or email; monitoring the lone workers to check they are following the right working procedures.

What’s more, while other workers may be able to ask more experienced colleagues for support and guidance on a task, lone workers are unable to do so.

Extra training may be needed in situations like this so that lone workers fully understand the risks of working at height.

There are training providers out there that will help deliver thorough training to all participants, leaving people feeling engaged with the knowledge and understanding to do their jobs even better. It’s important that employers do their research before taking out any training for their employees so that they can be assured the training is up to scratch.

Employers should also consider manual/operated warning devices which can be used to trigger an alert if a signal is not received from the lone worker in a certain timeframe.

HCL Safety understands the potential risks associated with lone working and while it may be needed in certain instances, the business does not encourage lone working. HCL Safety always recommends there are at least two workers on site at any given time to ensure the best action is taken should something go wrong.

For more information, visit: www.hclsafety.com

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November 2018

Following extensive research and testing over the past two years in the UK and Scandinavia, this year PoolLock is excited to introduce its new HeatLock Thermofoam canvas with enhanced insulation properties.

Thanks to the foamed insulation layer applied to one side of the canvas, heat transfer across the membrane is reduced by a factor of 3 when compared to standard fabrics for similar applications. HeatLock’s closed-cell foam structure ensure that PoolLock covers are not only the safest, but also the most energy-efficient available on the market.

PoolLock’s unique hydraulic-drive system means that you do not need to have any electrical components near your pool. The electrical power pack used to operate the cover and drive the two hydraulic motors can be placed as far from the pool as required. Opening and closing the pool is as easy as turning a key switch, which means that the cover (and the pool) are actually used once installed.

PoolLock safety covers provide a solid barrier between the water and surrounding area, effectively preventing any access to the water and making them the safest covers on

PoolLock Safety Covers

the market. In addition, all PoolLock covers will reduce the amount of heat, water and chemicals lost through evaporation, which means pool owners can save money on electricity and chemical usage.

PoolLock Automatic Covers offer you the safest, most convenient, most reliable and energy-efficient way to cover your pool.

With over 30 years of experience, and installations in over 20 countries, PoolLock is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of automatic safety and slatted covers for swimming pools.

PoolLock Slatted Covers

With over 30 years of experience, PoolLock is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of automatic and manual safety covers, automatic slatted covers and heat pumps for swimming pools. Thousands of satisfied customers in Britain over the past 10 years bear testament to the quality, service and reliability of PoolLock products.

In 2013, PoolLock opened its first UK production facility in Gatwick, London, with installation teams that are available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.

The result: even better service and faster delivery times for our UK customers.

For more information on our complete range of products, please contact us at www.poollock.com

48

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External Works & Landscaping November 2018

Workforce productivity: What makes a good GPS tracking system?

“If a GPS system helped you take on one extra job per week, and if overtime payments could be reduced by a couple of hours per week, what would your return be per employee?”

L

andscape contracting is labour intensive.

With many vehicles, drivers and sites to manage, and customers spanning a wide radius, a popular tool for improving workforce productivity is GPS tracking. A good tracking system doesn’t just tell you where your vehicles are, it provides information that is directly relevant to your business operations. The following points will help you choose a system with the strongest reporting capabilities:

1. Which reports will I need to improve productivity and operating costs?

Accurate timesheets teamed with late arrival and early departure alerts will reduce undue overtime claims and ensure your customers get the hours of service that they pay for. Matt O’Conner, Managing Director of John O’Conner Grounds Maintenance advises “Quartix vehicle tracking lets you take control of your fleet, improve operational efficiency and manage costs, safety and time.”

Tracking reports also provide proof of attendance on-site, and the data is useful in response to customer queries.

2. Which reports can identify actions needed to lower fuel costs?

To help your drivers become more fuel efficient, you must know how your vehicles are being driven. Reports that include daily route logs, driving style reports with acceleration and braking metrics and geofencing alerts to flag unauthorised journeys and unwarranted use of company fuel can help. “It doesn’t happen often, but if a driver does use our vehicle at a non-agreed time, we will see that on the system,” says Julie Renshaw of John O’Conner Grounds Maintenance. Helping a driver to improve their driving style can lower fuel costs significantly, in fact by up to 25% (Frost and Sullivan 2015).

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November 2018 External Works & Landscaping

3. What other fleet insights can help reduce costly overheads?

Real-time vehicle utilisation reports, often extending to ride-on equipment, ensure fewer vehicles are out of action and reduce unnecessary costs. Keeping all your fleet on the road will help to increase your capacity to service and charge customers. Some tracking systems also allow you to set up vehicle MOT, service and maintenance reminders.

One of the reasons that Worcestershire-based Whiting Landscape opted for Quartix vehicle tracking was to monitor staff remotely. With most work completed on customer premises, the company could unknowingly lose a lot of money if staff were to leave early or arrive late.

Quartix also offers the ability to identify your nearest vehicle to a postcode, so that you can best deal with requests in real-time. In one instance a John O’Conner driver had unintentionally parked a company van in an unsafe place. With this feature of the system, staff were able to quickly identify the driver and contact him about the issue.

4. How will a GPS tracking system support and help my drivers?

The contracting market is competitive, and it’s critical to keep operational costs low and ensure quotes are competitive to help the business grow.

Share these motivations with your workforce and encourage them to embrace GPS tracking by introducing incentives for exemplary driving behaviour, e.g. most improved driving style or most jobs completed on time. John O’Conner runs a staff incentive scheme, whereby the two best scoring drivers receive cash prizes each month, provided all drivers meet a certain standard.

Your drivers are also well covered when it comes to false claims about their driving or punctuality.

“Quartix vehicle tracking actually works in our drivers’ defence, it’s their personal protection in case of unfair claims”, Matt O’Conner explains.

Drivers can be given access to their own tracking data and driving scores via the Quartix mobile app. This provides immediate feedback on their daily trips and lets them take control of their own progress.

With Quartix, short-term and rolling contracts offer you optimum flexibility - should your number of vehicles change, you aren’t tied in for several years. If you have a fleet of 40+ vehicles, special rates and longer-term contracts are optional.

To learn how Quartix can help your business visit www.quartix.net, email enquiries@quartix.net, or call 01686 806 663.

51

External Works & Landscaping November 2018

S

tringent regulations which demand a 50 year service life for shelters, coupled with Abellio Great Anglia’s brief of creating more sustainable and aesthetically pleasing installations, led joinery firm Benjamin Stedman to recommend Accoya as the material of choice.

Not only does the wood comes with a 50 year above ground guarantee, but its superior structural stability, high durability and low maintenance needs make it a unique solution

Abellio Great Anglia selects Benjamin Steadman to install modular Accoya® rail shelters Over the past few months, a series of new rail and bus passenger shelters have been installed around Cornwall, with a complimentary response from the public.

The shelters are truly modern - based on durable renewable materials and at the forefront of modified wood engineering - and sit alongside an additional range of modular Accoya and Tricoya shelters designed for particularly narrow platforms. These shelters provide an entrance into the railway platform area and home the seating and digital services, from ticket machines to signage, making them ideal for unstaffed stations and offering great value as they can serve many different functions. Most impressively, all of Benjamin Stedman’s shelters can be fully installed in just two days.

Unlike most other shelters in the UK, which are usually made from painted steel, aluminium or at the higher end - stainless steel, these new shelters are predominantly crafted from Accoya, the world-leading highperformance sustainable timber.

These new rail shelters are replacing the older, weathered, steel shelters that came before them, whilst the 68 bus shelters around Cornwall are a mix of replacement and first time installations. An additional 40 shelters now exist along Network Rail, including those at Althorne, Battlebridge, Great Bentley and Harwich Town, with interest for larger orders in the pipeline.

Accoya is the dominant material specified in the design, and was chosen not only for its impressive sustainability credentials, but also for its warmth in contrast to metal shelters.

“After all”, explains Dr. Yorick Benjamin, Director of Benjamin Stedman: “who wants to sit on a metal seat?”.

Accoya® wood is produced using Accsys Group’s proprietary acetylation process, which chemically alters the cell structure of the wood to resist distortion. Certified Cradle to Cradle™ (C2C) Gold in recognition of its sustainability credentials, Accoya® wood has the added benefit of offering peace of mind for the environmentally conscious.

52

Accoya® wood is available to buy throughout the UK and Ireland. www.accoya.com.

November 2018 External Works & Landscaping

Making Waves at Rossall Coastal Defence Ecology Park Three bridges with unique ‘wave’ style parapets were installed

by CTS Bridges Ltd in the Mythic Coast inspired Ecology Park as part of the Rossall Coastal Protection Scheme.

Artist Stephen Broadbent of Broadbent Studios was responsible for the design of the ecology park and his concept for the bridges required the parapets to have a wave effect made from hardwood spindles.

CTS worked with Balfour Beatty and Broadbent Studios to develop the design into a buildable solution for the three bridges.

Twelve spindles formed one wave effect and each of the ekki hardwood spindles were cut from a larger timber section to achieve the exact shape required. Once cut they were numbered prior to being methodically fitted by our joiners.

The Ekki hardwood deck has Hi-Grip Excel non-slip inserts to provide a slip resistant surface on the multi use bridges.

The three bridges were manufactured by CTS at their factory in Huddersfield prior to being delivered and installed on site in time for the opening of the Coastal Flood Defence scheme carried out by Balfour Beatty for Wyre Council in partnership with the Environment Agency.

CTS Bridges Ltd specialise in the design, manufacture and installation of footbridges in timber, steel or FRP. For more information contact enquiries@ctsbridges.co.uk www.ctsbridges.co.uk

DESIGN BUILD INSTALL Delivering quality structures across the UK

• BRIDGES • BOARDWALKS • STRUCTURES • LOCK GATES • DECKING

01484 606416 enquiries@ctsbridges.co.uk www.ctsbridges.co.uk

53

External Works & Landscaping November 2018

Home House, London

Image © Neil Kenyon @ Arki Magazine

Home House is an award winning private members club, located in Portman Square, London. Based in a series of historic Grade II listed Georgian town houses, Home House

CASE STUDY

provides outstanding facilities for its members including luxurious accommodation,

...............................................

superb restaurants and bars, a fitness suite and unique private room hire spaces.

Project Summary

Ecodek Select Club installer, the Outdoor Deck Company were commissioned to install over 220sqm of new ecodek® Heritage composite decking on Buzon support pedestals to create a large decked terrace area within the club’s private garden.

Set within the walled courtyard of the House, the garden is a real hidden gem with

Central London terrace refurbishment

...............................................

seasonal flowers, a striking raj tent, parasol tables and a champagne bar.

Client

Home House were looking for a durable, minimal-maintenance, slip resistant flooring with

Home House

superior safety qualities without compromising on aesthetics for this glamorous outdoor

...............................................

space. After much consideration the carefully selected ecodek® Heritage composite deck

Installer

boards delivered all this and more….

The new composite decked terrace is the perfect outdoor space for members to enjoy drinks and dining during the summer months.

Outdoor Deck Company

...............................................

Product & Colour ecodek® Heritage boards in Pennine Millstone ecodek® AT Grooved Ribbed Reversible Board in Pebble Grey

...............................................

Image © Neil Kenyon @ Arki Magazine

Ecodek Unit 13 Abenbury Way, Wrexham Industrial Estate Wrexham LL13 9UZ UK Phone: 01978 667 840 email: enquiries@ecodek.co.uk

54

www.ecodek.co.uk

November 2018 External Works & Landscaping

Home House, London Image © Neil Kenyon @ Arki Magazine

Jessica Bardwell of Home House had this to say about the impact the new area has had on members and staff alike; ‘From Sunday BBQs, al fresco dining and early glasses of champagne, Home House members are very much enjoying our newly installed decking.

For early evenings throughout the summer, the Garden often becomes the heart of action of the House, a fabulous way to unwind and meet friends and colleagues and the newly fitted decking really sets the tone for a quality evening ahead.’

Jessica continued ‘Members and staff alike have commented on the new installation, which has proved to be slip resistant and free of gaps for ladies in stilettos and we are extremely pleased to have worked with Ecodek, who have showcased their product at a fine level in the grounds of Home House.

55

Tools, Equipment & PPE November 2018

The electric drill inventor keeps fuelling its cordless revolution Having launched new cordless grinders, and a hammer drill earlier in the year, FEIN is extending its 18 V product range with the ASCM 18 QSW 4-speed cordless drill/driver.

This is an alternate version of the 12 and 18 volt ASCM machine, already popular within the community but with two new benefits. Firstly the Multi-Volt feature allows the machine to be powered by a 12 to 18 V lithium-ion battery, and secondly the body is lighter and more compact, weighing just 1.7kg.

Tradesman value professional tools – and Dieter Zimmermann is one such person. His surname (which means “carpenter” in English) is spot-on, because he undertakes a lot of renovation work and takes pleasure from doing so, even using the tools at home.

“I’ve renovated my apartment’s two floors, and will do the bathroom next year.” In addition, the 39-year-old has helped many of his

56

friends, some, like him, have also purchased apartments in old buildings or houses from the 1960s and 1970s.

“Some of them had to be completely renovated.”

To tackle such work, Dieter Zimmermann relies on FEIN. His latest acquisition is the ABH 18 rotary hammer, with which he recently punched

November 2018 Tools, Equipment & PPE

“There was nothing it couldn’t do; without it we wouldn’t have finished the job. It really felt like the batteries maintained their charge right to the end. And, the battery’s charge lasted an extremely long time, which frankly surprised me – in a positive way.”

In addition to its powerful performance, he finds the FEIN battery system highly practical. “Once the rotary hammer’s battery was flat, I just plugged in the one from my MultiMaster. Then I got back to work.” slots in concrete for routing electric cables, and drilled holes for electrical outlet sockets in a kitchen.

Professionals in particular need high-quality power tools that they can depend on to do the job, are easy to use and can be used for a variety of tasks. The issue of time is also an important factor for professionals because they often only have a small time window to install the kitchen in the customer’s premises or to complete interior work in general.

To make this possible it is key that all the drills are supported by what is referred to as the FEIN QuickIN interface, meaning the end-user can change over accessories tool

free, with a large compliment that helps turn a drill into one universal tool for numerous applications.

We now have the SKE drill chuck, an automatically re-tensioning drill chuck from Röhm that prevents drill bits and taps from slipping.

Even in reverse running, the

drill chuck is stable and remains reliably closed. Other new additions include tapping collets, which can be changed just as easily without the need for tools.

The collets transmit the torque to the square surface of the tap, which prevents slippage.

The big news though is that following numerous requests by community members FEIN has now launched an angle head, which enables users to work around corners, even in tight spaces. This product development is one of many that will occur in response to ideas and tooling requests by British tradesman within the FEIN UK community.

For more information on Fein’s cordless revolution please go to https://fein.com/en_uk/ or contact FEIN directly on 01327 308730.

57

Tools, Equipment & PPE November 2018

Airborne Hazard Defence with the New Force™10 Typhoon™ Full Face Mask from JSP The NEW Force™10 Typhoon™ is an extremely lightweight, easy to maintain full face mask at only 365g with a completely clear panoramic visor to maximise light levels within the mask giving optimum visibility.

T

he optical class 1 panoramic visor conforms to EN166.B offering impact protection at speeds of up to 270 mph (tested using a 6mm steel ball bearing). The visor can have the option of a replaceable peel-off visor protector to prolong its life.

58

Extensive research has been carried out by NIOSH (ISO16976-2) to distinguish the world’s 5 most common facial shapes. Using this research JSP have digitally optimised the ergonomics of the Force™10 Typhoon’s™ face seal to maximise wearer compatibility.

The Force™10 Typhoon™ is available in 3 sizes (small, medium and large) as comfort and fit is a key feature of this ultra-lightweight mask. The web like structure of the harness cradles the user’s head ensuring that the wearer is comfortable throughout the working day.

The unique Typhoon™ exhalation valve has been designed to reduce breathing resistance, heat and moisture build-up. The valve is unaffected by any moisture, and therefore can be used with the same performance under very

low temperatures (-40°C tested).

The Force™10 Typhoon™ Mask is compatible with both JSP Classic filters and JSP PressToCheck™ filters, which allow for Daily Face Fit Reassurance™ so the user is confident of an excellent fit.

This mask has been meticulously engineered to incorporate a small number of key components.

Disassembly, cleaning and maintenance are effortless with replacement parts available if necessary. www.jsp.co.uk

SECTION NAME September 2018

Are You Prepared For The Winter Rain and Wind?

Snickers NEW Waterproof Jackets will keep you warm and dry – all day, every day! protection with Snickers Workwear NEW AllRoundWork Waterproof Jackets. They’ll make your working day easier and more comfortable with built-in quality, functionality and high performance features to cope with the very worst that the weather can throw at you.

With lightweight and heavier-duty designs and styles for professional tradesmen and women, these jackets are 100% waterproof. The

60

insides are fully sealed from the worst of the weather and every seam is taped or sealed. Even the pockets and cuffs are specially designed to keep the weather out and dry warmth in.

There’s a host of designs, styles and extensive size options so you can select just the right jacket for you and your job. To back them up, Snickers has a great range of Winter Vests and Bodywarmers,

even a Body Mapping Micro Fleece so you’ll be well looked after all day, every day.

Getting information on Snickers Worweark Jackets is easy. You can call the Snickers Helpline on 01484 854788, checkout the website and download a digital catalogue at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or emailinfo@snickersworkwear.co.uk

November 2018 Tools, Equipment & PPE

Dr. Martens – Supporting Women in the Workplace How many women, out shopping for a new wardrobe for the office, would venture into a men’s shoe shop and settle for a pair of lace up brogues in a size small enough to fit their feet comfortably?

It sounds like a crazy scenario, when we know there are 100s of fashion brands offering shoes that are designed and styled to suit and fit women’s feet.

This is an everyday experience for most women working in industry jobs (such as building sites or factories) where their feet need to be protected from possible injury.

Rather than footwear designed to meet their size and shape, women are offered small size men’s clothing and footwear that are ill-fitting, uncomfortable and potentially hazardous.

Dr. Martens, the iconic footwear brand, recognised this as a serious issue for many working women. Through a social media campaign with online publication for professional women in industry, Womanthology, Dr. Martens discovered that the issue of badly fitting PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) continues to be a real issue.

Many readers tweeted their experiences of having to make serious adjustments to men’s size coveralls to prevent tripping up

and stuffing tissue into the toes of their workboots in an attempt to get them to fit. Dr. Martens acknowledged that the modern workplace is a constant challenge – individual and team performance rely on having the right tools for the job, and quality safety footwear is one of those.

Jon Marchant, Global Category Director at Dr. Martens, began developing a women’s line of safety boots in response to the growing numbers of women working in industry who deserve comfortable, high quality and safe footwear.

“Manual work isn’t just a ‘man’ thing,” Jon says, “it’s an ‘us’ thing and we want to champion women in industry and offer them footwear that fits correctly and keeps them safe at work. I’ve been shocked by the typical ‘shrink it and pink it’ approach to women’s fit PPE and the feedback we have from talking to many women is that they don’t want to be treated differently but with respect for the job they are doing and with their safety and comfort in mind.”

So, in early 2018, Dr. Martens launched their own industrial Women’s Collection, giving women

a choice of protection, style and comfort with no compromise on quality or safety. The strength of Dr. Martens’ fashion business influenced and guided the way the collection was designed. Jon continues, “First, we started with the right shape. We developed a women’s specific ‘last’ (the foot model that gives the length, width, in-step and overall foot volume) and then re-engineered the shape of our SoftWair sock-liner that gives underfoot airflow and great cushioning at the forefoot and heel.

We think the collection is a real gamechanger for the industry. Women demand and should expect the same level of comfort and protection as any man in the workplace, if they’re serious about their job, then they will also be serious about their choice of footwear.”

Dr. Martens has a heritage of shoe-making expertise ensuring that durability, protection and performance remains the clear focus within the safety footwear offering. With the introduction of its Women’s Industrial collection, it has introduced iconic styling to a range of work boots that deliver maximum safety functionality for all women in the workplace.

61

Tools, Equipment & PPE November 2018

Providing access to quality repairs WernerCo, the leading supplier of BoSS access towers, is providing a unique service to its customers to extend the life cycle of its products while ensuring their equipment is serviced to the highest standard.

The BoSS Service and Repair Centre, located at WernerCo’s facilities in Maldon, provides technical support, tower repairs and maintenance through its team of fully trained BoSS technicians.

As part of the offering, the Service and Repair Centre repairs BoSS access towers, podiums and its MiniMax access towers to ensure they are in safe working order.

Ideal for hire customers whose towers may be subject to a lot of wear and tear, it prevents costly replacement fees and ensures all repairs are fully compliant to the relevant standards.

It is crucial when repairing and replacing tower components they are from the same manufacturer, as working at height equipment should comply with specific standards, which gives approval to the overall tower structure rather than specific components.

Sophie Ellam, Product Manager for WernerCo, commented: “Our after-sales service is ideal for our hire customers who are stocking a lot of equipment, which is often on the move. It’s not uncommon for equipment to come back damaged so having towers repaired by the trained BoSS technicians offers a whole host of benefits.

“It provides users with the assurance that genuine components have been used and quality control procedures have been met.

“All our repairs conform to the Kitemark standard meaning once repaired a tower is as good as new.”

62

The centre offers pioneering plasma cutting and welding technology to ensure that all the work is carried out to the highest

standard and the equipment is etched with a unique code to allow users to trace the service history, offering additional peace of mind.

WernerCo has an extensive range of access towers including the MiniMax Towers and the BoSS range. These products conform to the relevant British or European

standards ensuring that they meet minimum safety requirements.

To find out more about WernerCo and its comprehensive range of BoSS access towers or for more information on its Service and Repair Centre visit, www.bossaccesstowers.com/uk or contactuk.customercare@wernerco.com

November 2018 Tools, Equipment & PPE

Bartell and Interhire pass for asphalt – new diamond blade success With the launch of the their brand new range of diamond products announced only a few weeks ago, Bartell Global are already celebrating a major success for their advanced asphalt blades.

One of the first officially appointed stockist/distributors was the Ilkeston based equipment hire and consumable supplier, Interhire Power Tool Service Limited. Their MD, Ian Duff, explained, ““I have known Terry (Grinstead – Bartell’s Diamond Sales Manager) for a very long time and have trusted his judgement and integrity throughout. Therefore, I decided to give him and his new brand a chance as we saw it as an opportunity to bring a new product to the market place.”

Subsequently, Interhire offered a trial with one of the Bartell asphalt blades to a large Civil Engineering company based nearby. The company completed an extensive test over a significant period of time with an emphasis on both the blade life and its speed of cut.

“We knew that this company would be thorough with their tests, so we knew we had to be patient,” continued Ian. “But it was worth the wait,

based purely on their given criteria, we were able to secure all of their diamond cutting business. Such was the performance of the blade, the company has now placed a significant order for asphalt blades in 300mm, 350mm and 450mm diameters.

Thank you to Bartell and Terry for securing this business for Interhire and the best of luck on your new venture” stated Ian.

established in 1981. Their 37 years of experience have established them a superior reputation for providing quality tools, accessories, fixings and ironmongery at very competitive prices. They boast a team of well-trained, friendly staff who can offer technical advice and have the right expertise to supply only the most appropriate tool for the job.

Terry Grinstead added, “It’s great to have such an experienced firm as one of our dealers. Their new client saw the benefits of using a top quality blade and based their judgement on performance as against the price, a standard which, sadly, some misguided firms still rely on.”

Bartell Global has been manufacturing concrete surface and preparation equipment for over sixty years. They currently have six brands, each of which works together to create a unified manufacturing company that create high-quality products for the construction, automotive, appliance and electrical industries. Their UK operations are based in Lincoln.

Interhire Power Tool Service is a family owned business,

www.bartellglobal.com

63

www.firmanglass.com

Anti-Slip GlASS RAnGE

INTERNAL USE ONLY

10mm DREAM BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 64

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 55

10mm DREAM CLEAR BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 64

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 19

INTERNAL USE ONLY

10mm ELEGANCE BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 61

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 43

10mm ELEGANCE CLEAR BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 61

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 34

• Tested To UK and European Standards • Toughened and Laminated

• Multi Laminated with Vanceva Coloured Interlays 10mm SECRET BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 62

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 51

• Can be processed, Shaped, Drilled as required

10mm TRUST BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 62

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 47

• GLASS FLOORS • BRIDGES • STAIR TREADS • WALK-ON ROOFLIGHTS 10mm COMFORT BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 60

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 44

CAN BE APPLIED TO ANY GLASS THICKNESS

FIRMAN SANDBLAST BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 65

NEW PRODUCTS 2017 NEW

NEW

CAN BE APPLIED TO ANY GLASS THICKNESS

10mm TRAIL BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 65

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 52

FIRMAGRIT BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 71

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 68

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 59

10mm COMFORT SANDBLAST BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 65

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 61

CAN BE APPLIED TO ANY GLASS THICKNESS

AVANT GARDE BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 72

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 61

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