Round-up

Raising fire safety standard in schools

Door Group, a unit of ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland, is stressing the need for greater awareness of fire safety in education buildings, with a large percentage of fire doors in schools found to be non-compliant while undergoing inspections. Research released last year by Zurich shows that in the last five years schools have been hit by 2,300 fires, which have destroyed 47 primary and secondary school buildings alone. Door Group is committed to raising the standard of fire door safety in schools and provides a fully comprehensive inspection service, which can be carried out every three, four, six or 12 months to suit specific requirements. Following inspections, Door Group then offer detailed reports containing advice and recommendations on necessary improvements, with the knowledge that identifying any potential issues that could impact safety and product performance can be lifesaving. Door Group inspectors are BRE-certified. Cambridge school sees big improvement in IAQ

A school in Swavesey, Cambridgeshire has reported a significant improvement in indoor air quality throughout the school since the installation of air purifiers, donated by Swedish air purification company Blueair and its UK distribution company, Cambridge-based BEAM Group. Swavesey Primary School now joins several schools in the UK enjoying the benefits of improved indoor air quality as part of Blueair’s Clean Air for Children programme. 13 Blueair Classic 605 units with Particle and Carbon Filters were installed throughout the school. These filters also have an activated carbon sheet to help the removal of gaseous pollutants such as NO2, O3. Following a recent test at the school carried out by BEAM Group using a laboratory grade particulate monitor, Blueair and BEAM were able to show an impressive 95% reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 particles.

■ More information on ASSA Abloy Door Group’s inspection services here www.rdr.link/lac007 ■ For more information on Blueair and its air purifiers visit www.rdr.link/lac008

New primary school completed in 32 weeks

Hatchlands Primary School in Redhill, Surrey — developed as part of the DfE’s Modular-A Primary School framework — has been completed in just 32 weeks thanks to the speed and versatility of the Elliott permanent modular building system. The BREEAM Very Good-rated school is within the top 25% of buildings in terms of sustainability, aligning with the goals of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council. Elliott was awarded the project because it demonstrated excellent value for money and was able to provide a full turnkey solution. The Elliott Ibex permanent modular building system was specified, which is fully Building Regulations compliant with passive ventilation and has a minimum 60-year design life. The school features a contemporary style aesthetic achieved using brick, cedar cladding and purple panelling to complement the school’s branding, as well as render and significant glazed elements to create light-filled teaching spaces.

■ More information on permanent offsite solutions from Elliott here www.rdr.link/lac009 ■ More information on the Viessmann Vitocal 300-G Pro Ground Source Heat Pumps here www.rdr.link/lac010

GSHP installation to generate CO2 savings for college

As part of its ZeroCarbon Schools Initiative, managing contractor ReEnergise is transforming the carbon footprint of St George’s College Weybridge in Surrey, installing four Viessmann heat pumps. Initial groundworks have been completed at a large heat pump installation at the college. In late January, the sole remaining drilling machine made the last of 132 bore holes in fields that will be returned to use as sports pitches and for outdoor events. The four 230kW Viessmann Vitocal 300-G Pro Ground Source Heat Pumps being installed replace the school’s previous gas heating system as the main heat generator in an adapted plant room in the college’s Kean Building complex. Once commissioned, the new heating system will save about 250 tonnes of CO2 per year.