Building Innovations October 2013 Issue 3

october 2013 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk

BUILDING INNOVATIONS A MAGAZINE FOR ARCHITECTS

BUILDING INNOVATIONS Welcome to the digital edition of October 2013 Building Innovations. The latest building news, opinions, products, projects and images - they’re all here!

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contents gallery products projects

opinion manufacturers have their say

the book news environmental control walls interiors roofs floors fire safety doors, windows & glazing structures projects Front Cover Photograph Supplied by The Wood Awards - www.woodawards.com

Published by: Link2Media Limited Editorial Office: Barn 8, Dunston Business Village, Stafford Road, Dunston, Stafford ST18 9AB Tel: 01785 711591 Fax: 0845 862 8639 info@link2media.co.uk www.link2media.co.uk

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GALLERY/PRODUCT/NATIONWIDE WINDOWS Title: Nationwide Windows’ Bi-Folds Are Secured By Design Application: Doors Visit: www.nationwidewindows.co.uk

Nationwide Windows, the UK window and door manufacturer with a 27 year heritage is delighted to announce that its bi-fold doors now meet the requirements of Secured by Design (SBD) – the official UK Police flagship initiative to support the designing out of crime – following extensive testing by the British Board of Agrément (BBA).

Products submitted for Secured by Design status must pass a series of rigorous standards and tests nominated by the police service in order to demonstrate their effectiveness in preventing or reducing crime.

The bi-fold doors were certified to BS PAS 23-1: 1999 General performance requirements for door assemblies – Part 1: Single and Double leaf, external door assemblies to dwellings; as well as PAS 24:2012: Enhanced Security Performance Requirements for Doors and Windows in the UK - External doorsets and windows intended to offer a level of security suitable for domestic use and other buildings exposed to comparable risk (BBA Certificate of Conformity Granted).

Nationwide added the Eurocell Aspect bi-fold doors to their already extensive product range of designer windows, vertical sliders, composite doors and conservatories in 2011, after which their popularity soared. The doors are perfect for new build or commercial properties due to the scope of design they provide, such as the architecturally designed concertina action, which provides seamless operation, or the huge choice of colours and woodgrain finishes available. Bi-folds are loved as they allow the creation of extra space, by fusing the indoor and outdoor areas, providing additional light to a room, and Nationwide’s bi-folds can create a glass wall up to 6m wide. The SBD accreditation also means that the doors can be used by housebuilders who require their whole building envelope to meet the standard, where previously they may have, through necessity, had to opt for an alternative entrance. The bi-fold door system is listed on the official Secured by Design website at www.securedbydesign.com/companies/ ENQUIRY 2

GALLERY/PRODUCT/KUBEX Title: Kubex Showers Grace Halls Of Learning Application: Shower Cubicles Visit: www.kubex.co.uk

Hotham Court is a purpose built Hall of Residence for the University of Creative Arts at Canterbury catering for the needs of a total of 107 students.

A recent major refurbishment undertaken by Coombs [Canterbury] Ltd. included the replacement of some 56 shower cubicles and clearly, in a student environment, not only the need for efficiency and hygiene had to be met but also robust reliability had to be taken into consideration.

Fortunately Hotham Court had previously installed 20 Kubex shower units in 2011 and these had proved more than adequate to meet all those requirements plus the compact size necessary in an en-suite single student living area. As a result it was an easy decision to call on Kubex UK Ltd. of Hull to supply the replacement shower cubicles. The Kubex Kingston units agreed upon have measurements of only 2000 x 785mm with a depth of 705mm yet give the impression of spaciousness.

Delivered fully assembled, the units fit through a standard door and can be plumbed in ready for use in minutes making the Kubex slogan of”…Just Add Water” remarkably apt. Strength of the cubicles is ensured by 22mm composite side walls, a reinforced 13mm back wall and, in the case of the Hotham Court, pivoting doors in toughened safety glass to EN 12150. Bi-fold, curtain and corner entry models are also available in the Kingston range.

Kubex UK Ltd. has, over the last 20 years developed a reputation for cubicles that are completely leak-free thanks to a unique jointing system, very easy to install and remarkably strong.

Certainly the Kingston units, supplied by the local Travis Perkins branch, show every sign of standing up to hard use yet have the high appearance to be expected in a University Hall of Residence.

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GALLERY/PRODUCT/KÄHRS Title: Kährs New Harmony Collection Reflects Contemporary Woodland Trend Application: Flooring Visit: www.kahrs.co.uk

Kährs new Harmony Collection reflects the key trend for rustic natural surfaces with subtle design features. The cost effective range includes fourteen designs, each crafted in Sweden from sustainable European oak and ash. Handbrushing removes pulpy softwood to expose natural graining and annual rings, which reinforce the natural look. Some designs are bevelled and smoked to add further distinction - and each floor benefits from a durable, easy-care matt lacquer or oil prefinish.

All floors have a three-strip design, which complements all interior styles. Pale toned colour options include Oak Frost and Oak Dew - which have a strong Scandinavian feel, on-trend grey toned Oak Limestone and the lightest floor, white Ash Alabaster, which also has a micro-bevel along all four sides. Mid-toned options include Oak Citrus, Granite, Stone and Ember, in shell pink, camel brown and golden tones. The darkest floors – Oak Smoke, Kernel, Bean, Soil, Moss and Lava – have a distinct rich tone, in earthy and nut brown shades, through to ebony.

Each design from the Collection features Kährs ethical, high performance construction. Based on Kährs original design, patented in 1941, it uses sustainable hardwood down to the floor’s joint, with fast-growing spruce, pine and poplar below. This method, alongside Kährs Woodloc® 5S joint, provides greater stability, promotes fast installation and eliminates gapping throughout the lifetime of the floor. All designs can be laid on most dry, level surfaces – and over underfloor heating systems.

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GALLERY/PRODUCT/SALICE UK Title: Salice Slider 10 Has Attractive Advantages Application: S10 Two-Door Coplanar Sliding System Visit: www.saliceuk.co.uk

SALICE’s new Slider S10 two-door coplanar sliding system has taken the UK market by storm, with its combined reliability, streamlined look and ergonomic advantages, having wide appeal with todays modern designers.

SLIDER S10 is a completely new coplanar sliding system which is suitable for kitchen cabinets, sideboards and small wall cabinets, up to a weight of 10kg.

Due to the horizontal dual-roller carriages and joint free tracks, S10 is able to achieve unrivalled smoothness of movement, with decelerated opening and closing.

In addition, S10 has been designed by SALICE to offer versatile and easy installation as the modular design means that the S10 can be fitted to cabinets of any size. All that is required are fixing with screws, with no additional drilling is required on the door or cabinet.

SALICE will be showing the system at the SICAM exhibition at Pordenone, 15-18th October 2013.

SALICE’s products are specified for use within kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, and offices, and in a variation of domestic and commercial environments.

For further information on the SALICE product range please telephone 01480 413831, email info.salice@saliceuk.co.uk ENQUIRY 5

GALLERY/PRODUCT/DECOFLAME Title: Decoflame® E-Ribbon Fire Application: Fires Visit: www.decoflame.com

Since 2007, Decoflame has become the synonym for Danish Design and Craftsmanship on the market for bioethanol fireplaces. Comprising a large variety of both standard and made to measure bioethanol fireplace models, the decoflame® range of fires are amongst the safest and most stylish currently available.

In February 2012, the Denmark-based manufacturer introduced a second generation of electronically controlled ethanol-fuelled burner – the decoflame® e-Ribbon Fire (patent pending). Featuring cuttingedge technology, this remotely controlled burner can be installed as a stand-alone drop-down unit or as part of the decoflame® made to measure built-in bioethanol fireplace models Montreal and Orlando.

The decoflame® e-Ribbon Fire combines ease of installation and operation with functional safety, introducing the joy and warmth of a real open fire to domestic and commercial fireplace applications without the need for a flue or chimney.

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GALLERY/PRODUCT/COMPAC Title: Absolutely Fabulous Application: Quartz Worksurface Visit: www.compac.es

Absolute Blanc from COMPAC is probably the most vibrant, pure white technological quartz worksurface on the market today. It offers superb consistency of colour, is extremely hard wearing, highly resistant to heat, scratches, staining and is very easy to clean and maintain. Absolute Blanc has a timeless elegance that provides the opportunity to create a truly stunning environment for a wide range of applications- from bars and restaurants to hotel receptions and domestic kitchens. Its purity of colour allows it to blend perfectly with contemporary or traditional designs and layouts. Absolute Blanc can be fabricated for walls, tables, bar tops or kitchen worksurfaces.

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GALLERY/PRODUCT/PORCELAIN WOOD Title: Colourful Inspiration From The Mediterranean Application: Tiles Visit: www.porcelainwood.com

When deciding on the colour of a 'wooden' floor, it's often a toss up between the usual variations of oak, ash, or whichever particular woodgrain suits your individual interior style. Porcelain Wood’s Rutland range, then, is a real game-changer, offering a variety of beautifully distressed wood grains that incorporate a vivid Mediterranean colour pallet, inspired by reclaimed panels taken from disused Spanish fishing boats.

Designed around base palettes of ash and earth, its intricate, ocean-washed patterning provides a desirable shabby-chic finish to any living area. Making inspired use of advanced Inkjet technology, Porcelain Wood’s awe-inspiring tiles – some measuring more than a metre long – are just as comfortable adorning a bathroom floor as they are in the larger expanses of any shopping centre or hotel lobby, as well as being perfectly durable for outdoor installation.

Manufactured for both commercial and residential use, Porcelain Wood’s tiles combine the unrivaled durability and low-maintenance of porcelain with the colour, texture and grain variation of wood to provide a stunning floor and wall covering that is unsurpassed in both quality and design. Porcelain Wood’s products also have the green credentials to match, containing over 40% of recycled content, resulting in a distinct lack of tree chopping required.

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Osmo Is Awarded Ethical Accreditation 2013/14 Osmo UK is celebrating gaining status as an Ethical Company, the result of a successful application to the Ethical Company Accreditation Scheme. The Aylesbury-based company scored highly in an analysis of its approach to Corporate Social Responsibility, demonstrating Osmo’s commitment to customers, staff, trade colleagues and shareholders. Ethical Company Accreditation is awarded to organizations which obtain an outstanding overall score in an evaluation of their Corporate Social Responsibility record, and which are successfully screened against other companies within their market sectors. Osmo can now display the Ethical Award and Ethical Company logos, providing consumers with a guarantee, that as a company, Osmo has good ethical standards. www.osmouk.com ENQUIRY 10

Videx Product Builder Is Long Term Success With Norbain When Videx Security introduced the eighth edition of the renowned Product Builder CD, it provided customers with an even more effective and highly professional means of creating door entry and access control systems. Norbain has been taking advantage of the Videx Product Builder for over five years on a daily basis. By using the Videx Product Builder, the Norbain teams are not reliant on waiting on suppliers to provide quotes as Videx products can be selected quickly. One important feature is that it allows the creation of a door entry or access control system with no prior knowledge of Videx products or systems. To see the new videx Product Builder it in operation, visit YouTube www.youtube. com/watch?v=SJu80zKtQDY Also visit www.videx-security.com/ product-builder/ to register for a copy of Product Builder 8. www.videx-security.com ENQUIRY 9

GEZE Technical Appointment Brings Customer Benefits GEZE UK has appointed a new Technical Manager, a role which will significantly improve service to their customers. Paul Carroll has been with GEZE since 2002, where he started in the design team. This recent promotion into the new role of Technical Manager means he will be responsible for the technical specification of products and support of internal departments. His team will become the information hub which supports GEZE’s project managers and the sales and service teams as they work to provide the most appropriate solution for customers’ needs. Paul commented: “By ensuring all product related information is in one team, GEZE can ensure that this information is shared with our customers in the most appropriate ways. I will also be working to ensure that service engineers have access to cloud based information, so they can access whatever they need to support customers when they are on site.” www.geze.co.uk ENQUIRY 11

Total Signage Solutions For The Education, Healthcare & Leisure Sectors Signlex works across all sectors to provide innovative signage solutions tailored for individuals clients, along with a stress-free personal service at competitive prices.

The Company has specialist departments that work alongside Architects, Contractors, Developers, Designers and Marketing Teams in niche sectors to produce state-ofthe-art signage solutions throughout the UK, showcasing brands with maximum impact and improving environments.

Over the last year the Company has completed several successful developments in the Education sector including: Sixth Form Colleges, Academies and Grammar Schools Dudley College/Dudley Sixth Form, Oakfields Community College; Middlesbrough, Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School, Leeds East Academy, Lakes College; Workington, Watermill School and Ormiston Horizon; Stoke on Trent and Ormiston Venture; Great Yarmouth. Works are currently underway at King Edward V11 Academy; Sheldon Heath, Tibshelf College; Derbyshire, Staffordshire University Academy, Kingfisher School; Enfield and UTC; Sheffield and Reading.

To contact Signlex please email getintouch@signlex.com, quoting reference GP0913 or call 0113 350 7445. To view some of Signlex’s projects, visit www.signlex.com or follow @Signlex on Twitter.

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NEWS/THE BOOK

ANCON Leads The Way With CE Marking Of Brick Support Systems And Windposts ANCON has achieved all the necessary welding and factory production control certification to CE-mark its structural steel components, including masonry support systems and windposts, under the EU Construction Products Regulation.

The certification followed a thorough audit of the company’s design and fabricating operations in accordance with EN 1090. Expert external auditors verified Ancon’s design methods to Eurocode 3, Welding Quality Management System to ISO 3834 and that all welding personnel held EN 287 qualifications. In addition, a number of other procedural and performance requirements were checked to EN ISO 15614, EN 1418 and EN 5817.

The third-party certification means that Ancon can legally supply its fabricated structural steel components with the globally recognised CE-mark. From 1st July 2013, all Ancon bespoke structural steelwork has been delivered with a project-specific CE mark, linked directly to a Declaration of Performance, a Factory Production Control (FPC) certificate and a welding certificate. Further information is available in a free 12-page guide available to download from the Ancon website at www.ancon.co.uk/CE ENQUIRY 13

Howe Green Linear Drainage Products Attain CE Mark Howe Green can give customers further reassurance of quality after its modular linear drainage products met the requirements for CE marking. The accreditation, applied to the company’s HG100 and HG200 channel drains, confirms their high quality build and proven performance and that they have been manufactured, tested and assessed to European standards as required by the Construction Products Regulation. Available in either 304 or 316 austenitic stainless steel, they provide an easy to clean, hygienic drainage solution. Made of stainless steel, products are also 100% recyclable for more sustainable building. www.howegreen.com/en/uk ENQUIRY 14

New HOPPE CPD On The Important Area Of Liability In Door Handles Brand new to the market place, this latest presentation from HOPPE, the manufacturer synonymous with innovation, quality and performance in hardware for the architectural and window and door sectors, looks at regulations affecting lever furniture and how standards can help specifiers and architects meet their requirements. Jam packed with informative and enlightening content, the presentation entitled Liability and Lever Handles – an introduction to BS 8300 and BS EN 1906 includes ways in which to limit liability when specifying lever furniture. To register your interest, or to book a session at an event in your area, please visit www.hoppe.co.uk or call 01902 484 400.

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Cooper Security’s New Suite Of Products Raises The Bar For Quick And Easy Installation Cooper Security, a business unit of diversified power management company Eaton, has announced the introduction of a new series of devices for quick and easy installation in the widest variety of applications. As part of the company’s industry leading Scantronic and Menvier brands, these innovative access control monitors, keypads, communicators and control panels achieve the best in class standards of operation due to their highly functional and intuitive designs.

As part of the Scantronic range, which is specifically designed for small to medium sized installations, the AX300 access control and environmental monitoring system builds on the success of the popular AX200.

Available in a single box, it includes a power supply as standard with an optional back up battery to provide continued operation in the event of a mains failure. In order to offer fully networked functionality it can connect to a PC over a TCP network connection.

Modern keypads must be unobtrusive, robust and match the decor of their environments. The Scantronic KEY-K01, KEY-KP01 and KEY-KPZ01 keypads have been formulated with this in mind and boast stylish and discreet designs.

They can also be uniquely customised to an individual company’s brand using inserts that are available via Cooper Security’s online print-on-demand service due for release in September 2013. The three keypads offer a choice of proximity, non-proximity or proximity with zones. Cooper Security’s ongoing commitment to act upon the feedback gained through the customer consultation exercises it carries out is exemplified in the Scantronic i-on30EXL and i-on30EXDL communicators.

Incorporating all the technology that installers have become familiar with from this successful product set, there is now the option of a larger i-on50 style end station for the i-on30EXL, while the i-on30EXD is also available as the i-on30EXDL. Cooper Security will, of course, continue to supply the smaller end station variants for situations where installation space is limited. Last but certainly not least, the everpopular Menvier range has been expanded with the introduction of the Menvier30, a Grade 2, 30 zone control panel. Fitting perfectly into the existing Menvier40/100/300 family, it is supplied with the same end station and also uses the same peripherals and programming style.

However, the Menvier30 also offers unrivalled levels of functionality thanks to a plethora of ground-breaking features.

These include semi-automatic addressing, which prevents address duplication for bus-mounted devices, thus saving hours of installation and diagnostic time. To celebrate the introduction of these pioneering products, installers can purchase a special launch kit for a limited time only – the Menvier30KPZ – which comprises the Menvier30 and KEYKPZ01 keypad. www.eaton.com www.coopersecurity.co.uk ENQUIRY 16

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GEZE Operations Appointment Brings Customer Benefits GEZE UK has made a major new appointment which is already significantly improving service to their customers. Operations Manager Jim Collins was appointed in the summer and is responsible for all aspects of production, technical, purchasing and warehousing. This new role has been introduced to ensure a more efficient production process and a more integrated approach to planning work.

Jim commented: “My first priority has been to develop new ways of working in our Lichfield-based factory which means we can now accept orders until later in the day, for next day delivery. I will also be looking at the automatics side of the business and how we can carry out more preparation in the factory and so send out a more complete operator, which will cut down installation time on site, making the job easier and quicker.”

Managing Director Kaz Spiewakowski commented: “Jim brings extensive operational experience from other industries and he is already making a significant difference to GEZE customers.” www.geze.co.uk ENQUIRY 17

VMZINC Publishes 40-Page Facades Brochure August saw publication of the new VMZINC Facades brochure, adding to the technical literature already published in 2013 on Standing Seam Zinc Roofing and Rainwater systems. The facades brochure contains information on fully supported and rainscreen facades and explains the underlying principles of standing seam, flat lock, interlocking panel, overlapping panel, sine wave and composite panel systems. Pre-weathered zinc can be used for almost any type of project, not just to provide a lasting appearance but to match the roof covering and rainwater goods. www.vmzinc.co.uk ENQUIRY 18

HELIFIX BowTie – The Solution For Bowed Building Walls The recently upgraded BowTie HD, from Helifix, is the ideal solution to the problem of bulging and unstable building walls. Fully concealed once installed, it rapidly restores structural stabilisation by securing the wall to internal joists or rafters without the need for any unsightly tie bars or pattress plates. Its heavy duty, unique rolled profile with self-cutting end, mechanically connects floor joists or roof timbers. It provides stiffness, generally without the need to install noggins or additional bracing and, once bonded into the masonry, reliably connects the walls to the internal wood frame. The installation causes minimal disturbance to the building’s fabric or occupants and with no external restraining plates it is particularly suited to listed or historic buildings. A All Helifix technical datasheets and over 100 standard Repair Details can be found at www.helifix.co.uk/downloads ENQUIRY 19

Roca Presents Innovative Hotel Design Solutions At Sleep Showcasing its range of innovative and design-led bathroom solutions to designers and architects involved in the hotel industry, Roca will make its first appearance at the Sleep event 2013, on Stand 9 at Sleep, from 20 to 21 November at the Business Design Centre, London. Roca will present many of its key products at the show, not least among them being its revolutionary new In-Tank Meridian WC. Offering a compact sanitary solution to enable flexibility of design, Roca’s InTank Meridian back-to-wall and wall-hung WCs are the first to have an innovative concealed cistern integrated within the pan. The wall-hung option is supplied complete with either a straight or an L-shaped support, enabling it to be fitted to solid or cavity walls. www.uk.roca.com ENQUIRY 20

Fila’s Efflorescence-Blocker Gives Performance Damp Solution Fila’s PW10 offers a safe and permanent solution to tile streaks and stains caused by moisture. The low VOC, solvent-free product is designed for the professional treatment of absorbent materials, including stone and terracotta. Applied to the back of tiles before installation, it permanently stops efflorescence salts, tannin and metals from rising through the substrate to the tile surface, whilst allowing the material to breathe. Offered as part of Fila’s maintenance range, Fila PW10 is suitable for internal and external surfaces, including: natural stone, granite, marble, agglomerates, terracotta and other absorbent materials.

Like all Fila products, it provides high performance protection without altering appearance or forming a surface film. www.filasolutions.com ENQUIRY 21

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Landmark Launches Promap Labs: Providing Early Access To New And Innovative Digital Mapping Datasets And Concepts Landmark Information Group has today announced the launch of Promap Labs; a new online portal that gives architects, surveyors and land or property developers the ability to test brand new digital mapping product concepts before they are launched to the market. The Promap Labs portal showcases new beta mapping datasets and applications that can be tested before they are fully launched.

The first new application to feature on Promap Labs is ‘Promap Labs View’; this provides the ability to easily view a wide range of data in one single map interface.

It is designed to provide a simple way to quickly view a location and understand what environmental factors may affect it, without needing to be a Geographical Information expert.

Visitors to Promap Labs will also have an early preview of the new multi-browser, multi-device Promap digital mapping service, which is scheduled to launch next month.

To access Promap Labs visit http://labs.promap.co.uk Alternatively, for more information visit www.landmark.co.uk ENQUIRY 22

NEWS/THE BOOK

The Anatomy Of The Perfect 3D Visual Tool STOP PRESS: ‘The MCC and master planners Populous announce Lords Cricket Ground site redevelopment’; ‘Rydon Construction & HTA Architects win planning for Queen Elizabeth Hospital’; ‘Quintain Estates announce next phase of Wembley City.’

These press announcements and many more, used CGI’s (computer generated imagery) to communicate a vision. (our images in fact!) Architects, developers and marketing teams have been using us for over 15 years, to sell off plan, inspire commentary or explain a change to the public realm.

secure planning permission, win competitions or bids, market projects and generate press coverage. They also help everyone involved in a project to understand what is being planned. Working together with developers and architects allows us to be part of their integrated design process, using CGI to explore design possibilities.

We prefer to model in detail, giving accuracy, photorealism and clarity to the final image. It also means we can animate CGI’s, extending their usability. And merge new buildings into photos or video of an actual site to showcase how the development will fit into its surroundings. Animations and flythrough are increasingly cinematic in their delivery. They make for exciting viewing, as well as evoking a sense of atmosphere and lifestyle. Realistic CG images and animations inspire purchasers to invest in a development off plan, before it is built.

One of the UK’s leading architectural visualisation agencies, Munrostudios deliver CGI, Animations, Verified Photomontage & Visual Impact Assessment for Planning, ZTVI, 3D flythrough and 3D interactive maps. We built our company through client recommendation and work with: Populous, Atkins Global, PRP Architects, Rolfe Judd, Wates, Rydon Construction, HTA Architects, Quintain, Benoy, UBS, Dexter Moren, London 2012 Bid Book, The Palace of Westminster and many more! www.munrostudios.com

They recognise the benefits of CGI to promote their developments even before the first stone is laid. Planning officers rely on accurate visual representation in the form of Verified Photomontages during the Planning Process. Architects or developers can communicate their vision effectively to their clients. CG images change how people think, feel and respond. So understanding our clients expectations and brief is paramount. It ensures we deliver visual tools that are successful. These help our clients raise funding,

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Wood Awards 2013 Shortlist Showcase A shortlist of 30 projects has been selected from a record entry of 318 in the Wood Awards 2013, the UK’s premier award scheme celebrating excellence in design in wood in British architecture and furniture.

This year’s 30-strong shortlist features unique private houses, stunning small projects, outstanding restorations, impressive public buildings and extraordinary bespoke and production-made furniture, ranging from the traditional to the cutting edge.

The independent judging panel of architecture, engineering, craftsmanship and design experts and specialists led by Michael Morrison of Purcell UK and Sean Sutcliffe of Benchmark Furniture now see the shortlist in person before making their final decisions. The winners of the Wood Awards categories and which project will receive the coveted Gold Award - the winner of winners - will be announced on the 19th November at a reception hosted by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters.

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The shortlisted projects range from dRMM’s unique Festival House ‘Tower of Love’ in Blackpool using spruce and fir cross laminated timber, the stunning Dune House in Thorpeness by Mole Architects also using CLT and Scandinavian whitewood cladding, to PAD Studio’s floating Exbury Egg on the Beaulieu River in Hampshire using recycled timber from garden fences, sheds and disused doors. In the Furniture categories, Angus Ross’s deconstructed Tay Bench in Scottish and European oak is shortlisted alongside a second Atmos Studio project, 16 metres of continuous integrated landscape furniture in Latvian birch plywood with seating for 80 people.

Michael Morrison said, “The diversity of this year’s entries demonstrate the range of flexibility and problem solving which timber brings. This is exciting to see, and the quality of entries this year has made the selection of the shortlist particularly difficult.”

NEWS/THE BOOK

David Hopkins, head of communications and external affairs for major sponsor Wood for Good, said, “Looking through the entries for this year’s Wood Awards, it is hard not to be struck by the impact that the timber industry is having on the face of urban architecture throughout the UK. Timber is carving itself an ever larger niche in the construction market and one factor which is repeated throughout the entries is sustainability. Timber is finally being recognised as a solution to achieving affordable, low-carbon urban development goals.”

For the first time, the shortlisted Furniture categories pieces were exhibited at this year’s 100% Design - the biggest event during the London Design Festival, and the full shortlist was showcased at Timber Expo in Birmingham, along with a series of talks from selected shortlisted projects.

As the flagship for wood in the best of British architecture, furniture and design, the Wood Awards is made possible by the major sponsorship of AHEC, Canada Wood, the Carpenters’ Company, TRADA and Wood for Good. Other sponsors include American Softwoods, BRE and the Forestry Commission. www.woodawards.com ENQUIRY 24

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Timbertastic – Experts Galore At Timber Expo With only a few days to go before doors open for business the Timber Expo team and exhibitors are getting ready for what promises to be the best show yet.

As green shoots appear in the UK economy and confidence begins to grow across the construction sector, visitor numbers for this year’s show are set to top 5,000 over two days. Timber Expo Pre-Registration figures are up 23% compared to 2012 on the likefor-like period.

The increase in new exhibitors from all over the world, a wealth of new products and technologies on show and an exceptional line-up of over 50 world-class speakers at the Timber Talks programme shows that Timber Expo has fired imaginations and grabbed the attention of built environment professionals everywhere.

Organised by TRADA, the 2013 Timber Talks programme show is drawing in a huge preregistered audience of architects, designers, engineers and contractors to understand better how to use the leading mainstream low-carbon building material.

An exceptional line up will include speakers from the likes of Arup, Architype, B&Q, BDP Architects, Bailey Garner, Knox Bhavan Architects, Land Securities, Mace, Mole Architects, Price & Myers, Ramboll UK, Richards Partington Architects, Willmott Dixon and Waugh Thistleton.

Subjects will surround BIM, CLT, energy performance, Part L and why ‘Grown in Britain’ matters, to a collection of stunning case studies of timber in use from some of the 2013 Wood Awards shortlist, alongside groundbreaking entries from the TTJ Innovation Award.

Every one of the 45 sessions over the two days of the show are free to attend Module 1 - From Blueprint to Building: a client and contractor perspective Module 2 - Low Energy High Impact: mixing efficiency and effectiveness Module 3 - Organic Mechanics: connecting engineering and a renewable resource Module 4 - Designing the Future: TTJ Innovation Awards Module 5 - Grown in Britain: creating a reliable UK supply Module 6 - Pushing Boundaries: Stretching Imaginations Module 7 - Architects & Timber: Striking Designs Module 8 - Engineers & Timber: Ingenious Structures As part of the Timber Talks programme you will also be able to hear about projects from the 2013 Wood Awards shortlist. This year’s 30-strong shortlist was whittled down from a record breaking 318 British projects. Shortlisted Wood Awards projects sharing the secret of their success in the Timber Talks programme include: The Exbury Egg, RoominaRoom, Abraham Darby Sports and Learning Academy, Rigg Beck, The Dune House, Abbotsford Visitor Centre, Bishop Edward King Chapel, Mary Rose Museum, Festival House Tower of Love.

Alongside TRADA, Timber Expo once again sponsored the TTJ Innovation Award and 2013’s five shortlisted candidates will be on hand at the show during the Timber Talks.

You can find out more about Hess Timber, the final awards winning entry from Frame Wise, X-Lam Alliance, SpanoTech and a joint bid by architect Pablo Zamorano and engineer Nacho Marti.

Everything about the show can be found in our Visitor Guide 2013 which is now available online at www.timber-expo.co.uk Register now and simply print off your badge on arrival – www.timber-expo.co.uk/book ENQUIRY 25

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NEWS/THE BOOK

Marmox Thermoblock Supporting Perimeter Energy Saving The issue of heat loss at the perimeter floor/wall junction, as well as other cold bridges around the building envelope can be successfully addressed through the use of Thermoblock, manufactured by Marmox (UK) Ltd. The loadbearing composite product has been developed to be incorporated into various wall constructions as a horizontal layer, equivalent to a course of bricks, in order to address a critical area of heat loss; thereby reducing energy bills and making a significant contribution to SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) calculations. Each length of Thermoblock is comprised of ultra-high performance XPS insulation, encapsulating miniature columns of concrete; while the top and bottom are covered by alkali resistant glass-fibre mesh, retaining a surface of fibre reinforced polymer concrete to facilitate bonding.

Individual units are 65 mm deep and feature a 15 mm overlap at either end, giving them an installed length of 600 mm; they are available in widths of 100 and 140 mm and are installed at the base of the inner leaf to an exterior masonry wall, normally level with the insulation beneath the floor screed. They can, however, be employed within a timber frame construction and at other positions such as beneath window openings or at first floor level, the roof-wall junction and under party walls.

Although a conventional DPC should still be incorporated into any wall construction, the impervious nature of Thermoblock means it forms a further horizontal barrier to moisture ingress. Wherever they are installed, the XPS with its ultra-low thermal transmittance increases the path for heat loss, making it a highly effective solution to dealing with the increasingly important effects of cold bridging. To achieve Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes requires a 44 per cent improvement on energy performance set out in the 2006 edition of Part L to the Building Regulations.

In the very important area of the wall/floor junction, Enhanced Construction Details can cut heat loss by between 35 and 55 per cent; but utilizing Thermoblocks can reduce CO2 emissions still further to between 60 and 90 per cent, offering an important contribution to the points required in achieving CSH Level 4 or above. With the concrete columns having a y-value of 0.225 W/mK but occupying only 10 per cent of the overall area, compared to the XPS insulation with its thermal conductivity of 0.033 W/mK, the combined y-value is 0.052 W/mK. Crucially, being able to employ a defined, very low thermal transmittance – derived by thermal modelling or measurement – offers a far more advantageous result than adopting the ‘default’ figure offered in SAP. Using standard ACDs will add a heat loss of 0.08 Watts to the U-values for a property, while Enhanced Construction Details can cut this to 0.04 Watts; but incorporating Thermoblock can bring this right down to 0.01 Watts or less.

The same principle applies to the European PassivHaus standard or the recently launched Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard (FEES), which the Government is now promoting as the route to achieving Zero Carbon construction. Overall Marmox Thermoblock presents a fully compliant solution to addressing the issue of cold bridging which is also CFC and HCFC free with a zero Ozone Depletion Potential, offering ease of installation.

Furthermore the reduced energy consumption can also guarantee a pay back in as little as two to three years, depending on building configuration. Marmox (UK) Ltd. has published a fully illustrated, 16 page technical brochure on the benefits and application of Thermoblock, as well as offering a comprehensive specification advisory service. www.marmox.co.uk ENQUIRY 26

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OPINION

www.aico.co.uk Article By: Aico Ltd Title: FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS HAVE CHANGED Author: Neil Perdell, National Technical Manager

Section 12.2, note 3 says: 'It is also of advantage to provide means for silencing short term unwanted alarms from smoke alarms. A suitable means can comprise an alarm silence facility conforming to the requirements of BS EN 14604, provided the facility can be operated by occupiers of the dwelling when standing at floor level. ' Most good alarms, including all Aico units, are now fitted with Silence buttons in accordance with BS EN 14604. However, if the alarm is correctly positioned, it is very unlikely that the button can be operated by someone standing at floor level.

Therefore, it's well worth considering adding a wall mounted control switch to any alarm system. This will allow the occupant to Test alarms from floor level, as well as Locate the alarm that triggered a system and Silence the alarms if no fire is present. Control switches have real benefits to offer, particularly for vulnerable, disabled or elderly tenants. By providing full control while standing at floor level – as the standard recommends - the tenant does not have to try to climb up to reach an alarm, which could result in an accident.

In Section 15.5 (relating to Power Supplies), the British Standard recommends that alarms are installed on “a separately electrically protected, regularly used local lighting circuit in which case there should be a means for isolation of the smoke alarm(s) from the lighting circuit (e.g. for maintenance).”

BS 5839-6:2013, the British Standard for domestic smoke alarm installation, was revised in June of this year. Despite it being a revision rather than an overhaul, nonetheless it has significant implications for specifiers in the housing sector.

It's important to understand not just the technical aspects of the new standard but also the effects these are likely to have on fire safety in the home. For social housing providers and private landlords used to installing battery powered alarms, this is no longer an option, but the changes also require knowledge of other, perhaps previously unfamiliar, fire safety technology.

Mains Powered Alarms for Rented Properties At Aico, we consider the most important change to BS 5839-6:2013 is that now all rented properties – whether new or existing – should be protected by a Grade D system; that is mains powered smoke alarms with battery back up. This is a very positive step forward as we have always maintained – and the statistics reinforce our view – that in a fire battery smoke alarms cannot be relied upon because the battery may not be present or working. According to DCLG’s ‘Fire Statistics Great Britain, 2011 to 2012’ 39% of all battery-powered smoke alarms failed compared to just 19% of mains-powered alarms. Missing or flat batteries accounted for 30% of all failures in battery-powered smoke alarms.

Landlords have a clear Duty of Care to provide adequate fire protection at all times, but can they rely upon tenants changing batteries and not disabling them? The new standards clearly think not.

Care still needs to be taken however over the kind of back-up battery used in mains powered alarms. The standard specifically recommends rechargeable Lithium cells for use in two-storey properties and above ground floor flats. While that would seem to imply that replaceable Alkaline battery back-up would be acceptable in other circumstances, experience tells us it’s preferable to stick with non-removeable long life rechargeable Lithium cells in all installations; it's best practice, removes the prospect of tampering and therefore gives better protection under Duty of Care.

False Alarms Addressed BS 5839-6:2013 revisions also cover, in detail, the best ways to deal with false alarms.

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Many interpret the statement in 15.5 as requiring an isolation switch or fused spur, but it’s not necessary if you specify the right kind of alarm, as clearly stated in Note 2: “A number of manufacturers use a fixed base for the electrical connections, and the smoke or heat alarm can be readily removed by use of a tool operated release tab, etc.” Aico’s mains powered smoke, heat and multi-sensor alarms, for example, receive their power through an easi-fit or RadioLINK base.

Once you have removed the alarm from the base, the alarm is isolated from the circuit.

Protection in Lofts It's becoming increasingly common these days for electrical equipment – such as inverters for photovoltaic systems, downlighters, water pumps, and heating equipment – to be installed in loft spaces; this has become a new potential source of fire risk.

The new standard addresses this for the first time and suggests that a smoke alarm may be appropriate in a loft space where such equipment is present. This recommendation is another significant step forward and something that Aico has recommended for a number of years. While the standard suggests the use of an ionisation type alarm, we suggest that the final choice of alarm technology should be left to the specifier after conducting an individual risk assessment.

Loft areas have traditionally been a difficult area to interconnect with hard wiring on a conventional mains powered system and may have been avoided for that reason. However with the introduction of wireless systems it's no longer a problem as alarms can be interconnected via RF signals rather than expensive and disruptive hard wiring.

OPINION

Multi Sensors Make their Debut The new standard also address multi-sensor alarm technology for the first time.

Multi-sensor alarms have been an important new innovation in recent years, allowing specifiers to offer better alarm coverage in areas in particular where there is more than one type of fire risk.

Section 10.1.6 states: “Multi-sensor domestic smoke alarms are available (e.g. incorporating a smoke sensor and a heat sensor). As in the case of multi-sensor fire detectors used in systems to which BS 5839-1 applies, these have the potential to offer... benefits....such as a broader spectrum of fire detection.'

The standard suggests multi-sensors as an acceptable alternative to optical alarms.

“Smoke detectors installed within circulation areas, such as hallways, staircase landings and corridors, should be of the optical type (or multi-sensor type incorporating an optical sensor)”. But what is the benefit of choosing a multisensor over an optical alarm? A multi-sensor alarm that features optical and heat sensing technology detects two very different by-products of fire – smoke and heat – which gives the best response to all types of fire. the depth of the beam or 500 mm, whichever is less.”

We suggest interpreting this in the following way to achieve Best Practice. If a beam is more than 10% of the height of the room, treat it as a wall and fit an alarm either side of the beam – normal siting advice stands (fit more than 300mm away from walls and obstructions).

If a beam is more than 10% of the room height, but less than 600mm, fit an alarm on the beam. For example, the average ceiling height is 2400mm, so if the beam is between 240 and 600mm, install the alarm on the underside of the beam.

Of course, 600mm is a huge proportion of a 2.4m high room and could severely affect the response time of an alarm, so we recommend following the original recommendation of installing an alarm either side as a precaution.

If a beam is less than 10% of the room height, fit one alarm in the room. It must be no closer than twice the depth of the beam or 500mm – whichever is less. For further information about siting around beams, the Aico Specifiers Pocket Book is a useful source of advice.

Some concerns have been raised about increased false alarms if the environment in which the alarm is sited is less suited to one of the two detection technologies.

However, because two separate sensors are being monitored, multi-sensor alarms actually offer improved resistance to false alarms. Good multi-sensor alarms, such as Aico’s Ei2110, also have an automatic dust compensation feature that adjusts for contamination within the sensor whilst still retaining sensitivity to an actual fire.

Amendments to BS 5839-6:2013 provide a real step forward in fire safety and, by following the Standards and taking advantage of the best alarm technology and recent innovations, social housing providers can really make life significantly safer for their tenants and meet their Duty of Care obligations to the full.

Overcoming Obstacles One last new addition worth looking at in detail – because of its complexity – is Section 11.2 , which now makes recommendations for siting smoke alarms where beams are present: “Where structural beams create an obstacle to flow of smoke across a ceiling: 1) if the depth of the beam is greater than 10% of the ceiling height, it should be treated as a wall (i.e. detectors should be provided on both sides of the beam) or, if the beam is less than 600 mm in depth, a detector should be installed on the underside of the beam; 2) in other cases, detectors should not be installed closer to the beam than twice

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OPINION

www.nullifire.com Article By: Nullifire Title: Safeguarding The Community – Why Professional Fire Protection Cannot Be Compromised Author: Jeff Dyson

Protection against fire risk is one of the fundamentals of modern construction and the statutory requirements even for the humblest new home are onerous. When it comes to providing fire protection for large multi-occupancy buildings such as offices, hospitals or residential apartment blocks, the science becomes even more complex and the engineering highly technical.

But this is not an excuse for short-cuts or half-measures – the stakes are too high, as the evidence at January’s inquest into the fatal 2009 fire at Lakanal House, a councilowned apartment block in south London, demonstrated. Here, an electrical fire in one flat quickly spread to neighbouring units, killing six residents. Most fires can be tackled successfully if they are detected early enough and are contained but if they are allowed to spread the chances of bringing the blaze under control quickly diminishes. Even those building professionals who have witnessed fire tests on components such as doors or party walls will have very little idea of the sheer speed with which the flames can spread and consume every combustible element in their path - generally preceded by suffocating smoke and fumes.

In buildings where the various compartments are not adequately sealed, high pressure smoke will travel at up to 120 metres per minute making escape extremely difficult, even for fully mobile people alerted by smoke or heat alarms. Half of those who perish in building fires were not actually in the room or area where the blaze began; around 80 per cent of fatalities in a fire are caused by smoke inhalation. Of those who survive such a fire, around half report having been able to see less than three metres during their escape.

Even the least observant layman will be familiar with the sight of fire extinguishers, fire doors and sprinklers in public buildings. These are the outward indications of the fire protection measures building into the design. But the life-saving measures designed to contain fire and prevent the spread of heat, flame and smoke to other parts of the building are usually less evident.

Naturally, the use of non-combustible materials, such as fire rated concrete, masonry or plasterboard in walls and intermediate floor slabs are the first line of defence against the spread of fire. But it is virtually impossible for builders to completely close the gaps where different building elements meet. These gaps are therefore closed using a range of fire-proof sealants, some of which also fulfil the roles of increasing air-tightness and reducing the transmission of noise, as required under Part E of the Building Regulations.

Air-tightness is now an important metric in measuring the energy-efficiency of a building and as such is included in Part L of the Building Regulations. But it is also one of the prime factors in preventing the spread of fire and is therefore a potential life-saver. A wide variety of specialist products have evolved to properly seal these holes and gaps in the building fabric, including coated mineral fibre batts, flexible intumescent bags, fire curtains, pipe collars and pipe wraps. Linear joints within a building – for example, between floors and walls – can be sealed with silicone or acrylic gap sealants and trowel grade or sprayable mastics.

In large buildings with substantial service risers, switchgear cupboards and so on, there is a need to provide not just a fire-stop but also a load-bearing surface integral with the floor itself. Products such as Nullifire’s B220 and B270 structural fire stopping compounds are designed for such applications, offering 700 mm and 1800 mm unsupported spanning distances with load bearing capacity of up to 2.5 kN/sq m. Like all the best systems, Nullifire’s products carry third-party accreditation – a prerequisite for any system if it is to comply with the relevant Regulations. But while these products are capable of providing the best possible passive fire protection, none can be depended upon unless it is correctly specified and professionally installed.

Intumescent coatings, which are used to protect steelwork, provide a case in point.

These coatings are designed to expand when exposed to heat thus providing an insulating layer over the steel substrate. Each system is carefully specified to give the correct level of fire resistance and although they look like paint, their application is crucial in dictating the amount of protection provided. The majority of fire protection sub-contractors are skilled professionals who are affiliated to specialist third-party certification schemes, such as FIRAS and the LPCB. The performance of the system and the manufacturer’s warranties both depend upon correct specification, professional applications and successful test and inspection routines. When you’re dealing with fire protection, your building and its occupants are at stake. Employ qualified specialists for this type of work and make sure the system is properly specified. To try and save money by cutting corners is utter folly.

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OPINION

www.aperam.com Article By: Aperam Stainless services and Solutions UK Ltd Title: Stainless steel – fast forward to the future Author: Kevin Jones

The increasing use of metal façade and roofing systems has been driven heavily by the diverse, contemporary styles they can be used to create. The current economic climate, however, has prompted closer evaluation of material and design life costs, to the benefit of stainless steel. Its excellent thermal and acoustic performance and light weight have always given it a distinct technical edge. Perhaps more importantly, the development of nickel-free, ferritic grades has also made the material cheaper to manufacture and far less susceptible to cost fluctuation.

The ‘alloy surcharge’ of constituent metals such as nickel led many to consider that specifying stainless steel presented too great a risk. Stainless producers have developed grades to meet design challenges across diverse industries and with the choice of colours, patterns and textures this is once again providing a compelling case for the metal’s use. Suitable for conventional standing seam, self-supporting, cleated seam, interlocking panel, ribbed profile, cassette and shingle systems, it offers considerable design flexibility.

Used at thinner gauges than other metals, stainless steel has exceptional tensile strength and a coefficient of expansion around half that of aluminium and copper.

Spans can be up to 20 metres in length and products have been developed which take on a matt grey, patinated appearance similar to that of aged lead sheet. This prompted publication by English Heritage of a Guidance Note endorsing stainless steel as a lead replacement.

Perhaps the most immediately identifiable stainless steel facades are those with bright mirror finishes. They can be further polished not just to reflect the surrounding environment but to create differing effects as light changes. They require minimal maintenance and retain their installed appearance for years even in urban and marine environments. Aperam Ugibright® was used for Leicester’s 34,000m2 John Lewis Store and Cineplex in which, to add to the subtle interplay of light, the façade was ‘pleated’ to diffuse the area into a series of reflective surfaces.

This brings colour and changing patterns to a design which challenges the often uninspiring style of such buildings.

By contrast, RMJM’s Laboratory of Molecular Biology at Addenbrooke’s Hospital Cambridge saw 0.7mm Ugitop® shingles used on four towers to provide a matt surface with low reflectivity and flatness. Covering an area of over 27,000m2, the system is produced using a skin pass process which engraves a micro texture onto it.

Architects BDP chose a Ugisand® stainless steel façade to provide a silky smooth, matt, scratch-resistant surface when designing their BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rated Manchester office building. Redevelopment of the Birmingham Bullring saw Chapman Taylor specify the same system to create a subtly curving ‘ribbon concept’ roof which links three new restaurants with seating areas and a striking green wall.

So Is Stainless Steel Expensive?

Installed stainless steel can weigh as little as 3.2kg/m2 compared to an equivalent in other metals at over 5kg. Current material costs of £6.69/kg for stainless when compared with zinc at £4.63/kg for example translates as £21.40/m2 for stainless steel yet zinc is over £23.00/m2. A simple roof area of 300m2 requiring around 1 tonne of stainless steel will also weigh 1.5 tonnes in zinc or copper and over 10 tonnes in lead sheet. In terms of environmental and manufacturing sustainability, each tonne produced uses around 80% recycled material. Once installed, it presents no risk to potable water, rainwater harvesting systems or water run-off and will not stain masonry or timber.

Having effectively designed out the problems with which stainless steel was once associated, growing awareness of its high performance and visual distinctiveness are once again increasing the metal’s design profile. As economic confidence grows, its cost-effectiveness is therefore likely to generate an increasing share of the hard metal market.

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OPINION

www.styrofoam.co.uk Article By: Dow Building Solutions Title: Making U-Value Calculations For Inverted Flat Roofs: Three Vital Considerations Author: Steve Johnson, Technical Manager

introduces an additional mechanism for heat loss: rainwater can flow beneath the insulation boards and remove heat directly from the building fabric, before finally running off the roof and down the rainwater drainage outlet.

This effect is known as Rainwater Cooling, and it must be addressed when we do a U-value calculation. So how do we do that? First, calculate the U-value without taking it into account, and then add a correction (known as Delta U) to obtain the final U-value.

Obviously, the more rain which flows under the boards, the more heat is lost. The additional heat loss due to Rainwater Cooling will therefore be dependent upon the average rainfall in the building’s location and the percentage of that rainfall which reaches the waterproofing layer.

Reviewing or making a U-value calculation for an inverted flat roof? Then you should bear these three vital considerations in mind according to Dr Steve Johnson, Technical Manager for STYROFOAM insulation manufacturer, Dow Building Solutions: 1. U-values: Location, Location, Location.

2. Design and declared lambda values: know the difference.

3. Roof build up and potential condensation effects.

BS EN ISO 6946:2007 outlines a method which can be used to calculate how much the U-value is affected by rainwater, and by how much we need to correct it. For an edge-profiled, interlocking board, a substantial proportion of rainwater can be expected to flow beneath the boards: European Technical Approval Guideline (ETAG) 031-1 stipulates that 75% can be assumed for Delta U becomes increasingly important as calculation purposes. the U-values become smaller. It is particularly important for today’s low U-values.

This large percentage can be reduced by placing a water control layer (not to be confused with the waterproofing layer) over the insulation and beneath the ballast layer. Tests have shown that this can reduce water flow beneath the boards to typically around 5%, making a significant reduction to the Delta U you would otherwise calculate.

Whatever the magnitude of the penalty that Rainwater Cooling brings, it needs to be correctly taken into account when making U-value calculations for inverted flat roofs.

“We are all aware of the importance of U-values when it comes to the long term energy performance of well-constructed buildings. U-values can in general be calculated easily, and there is software available to make such calculations very quickly.

Anything that makes the job easier is welcome – but that doesn’t mean we should overlook vital factors which can lead to misleading calculations if not addressed.

With the spotlight turning on the actual energy performance of buildings – not just the designed performance – ensuring U-value calculations are robust is a responsibility the industry must take seriously.

The inverted flat roof is a building element with many unique aspects, which must be tackled at the outset in order to avoid errors when making U-value calculations.

Water vapour movement as well as heat transfer should be calculated, and in addition condensation issues need to be satisfactorily addressed if a robust design solution is going to be achieved. Let’s take each issue in turn.

1. U-values: Location, Location, Location.

Most people understand that two identical buildings, with identical U-values, would not deliver equal energy efficiency performance if built in different locations, due to differences in local climates. But you wouldn’t expect this to affect a U-value calculation itself - or would you?

Inverted flat roof construction Rainfall can vary by as much as a factor of is simple in principle; just five from the driest to the wettest locations place the insulation above in the UK. the waterproofing layer rather than below it, as would occur in traditional, warm roof construction. Interchanging the position of the waterproofing and insulation layers brings numerous advantages, but also

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2. Design and declared lambda values: know the difference.

When calculating U-values, we need to assess the individual materials which make up the construction element and know their respective thermal resistances, which can be derived from their thermal conductivity and thickness.

If proprietary materials are used, a manufacturer should be able to provide relevant and - more importantly - accurate information for the calculation. In other circumstances, it may be acceptable to use generic information for the materials.

Whatever the approach, there must be no confusion about the thermal conductivity value to be used for the thermal insulation material, since the overwhelming majority of the total thermal resistance which will contribute to the final U-value is down to the thermal insulation layer.

All insulation products have some degree of intrinsic variability in thermal conductivity. European

Approximately 90% of the thermal contribution to an inverted roof’s U-value comes from the thermal insulation.

OPINION

Products Standards therefore take thermal test results and subject them to statistical analysis to create a level playing field. This improves the robustness of thermal conductivities used in calculations, and helps ensure that a consistent approach is used throughout the entire process. It also takes into consideration mechanisms such as aging into account.

This analysis delivers a socalled “declared” lambda value in accordance with the relevant European norm for the insulation being considered.

For extruded polystyrene (XPS) such as STYROFOAM this norm is BS EN 13164.

This declared lambda value is sometimes referred to as the 90/90 value, i.e. 90% of production achieves the quoted conductivity value with a 90% confidence level. Building designers have come to accept that declared (90/90) values for thermal insulation can be used as a design value as they represent a performance over a 25 year lifespan. However in inverted flat roof applications this declared (90/90) value needs to be additionally modified, by applying correction factors based on the unique end use conditions.

ETAG 031-1 states that possible moisture absorption over time needs to be determined by examining two particular mechanisms for water absorption: by diffusion and by freeze/thaw, because the efficiency of thermal insulation is impacted by the amount of moisture it contains. Only when the moisture levels have been determined can the relevant correction factor be applied - calculated in accordance with BS EN ISO 10456 to the declared 90/90 lambda value, in order to derive a relevant application design lambda value.

Adding these correction factors will mean an increase in the thickness of insulation required to achieve the same U-value.

Ignoring them can lead to a significant underestimate of the amount of insulation required to achieve a target U-value.

The possibility of interstitial condensation on an inverted flat roof is further diminished, as the waterproofing layer is on the warm side of the insulation boards and thereby acts as an efficient vapour control layer. Surface condensation will also present a low risk, as the insulation boards maintain the roof’s waterproofing close to the building’s internal temperature.

Nevertheless, while condensation risks are low, they are not zero, and we need to consider what other physical mechanisms may contribute. As already outlined, rainwater is able to flow beneath the insulation boards, removing heat from the roof structure. This results in a sudden drop in temperature and can lead to condensation.

For concrete decks - which have Rainwater cooling condensation is a a significantly large thermal phenomena that can happen both in the inertia - the duration and extent summer and winter months of deck cooling and therefore the consequent risk of either interstitial or surface condensation can be considered minimal. For lightweight decks, however, rainwater cooling can pose significant risks unless steps are taken to address it.

Strictly speaking, the inverted flat roof concept involves placing all the insulation above the waterproofing layer.

However, designers from time to time may be faced with design constraints, and they may want to consider placing some insulation below the deck within the ceiling void. Care must be taken with this approach, as increasing the thermal resistance below the waterproofing layer only increases the risk of condensation forming.

This increased risk cannot be offset by any ventilation of the insulation layer inside the building, as this would effectively provide a thermal “short circuit” and render the roof insulation ineffective altogether.

There are no hard and fast rules as to how much thermal insulation can be accommodated within a building before problems with condensation effects emerge. However, it is generally recognized that for an inverted flat roof design to perform effectively, the overwhelming majority of the insulation must be placed outside of the building and above the waterproofing layer.

In summary, yes, there is more than meets the eye when calculating U-values for inverted flat roof systems and bearing issues such as condensation in mind.

However, guidance is available to help ensure we all get it right – and help protect the reputation of the building industry as a whole.”

3. Roof build up and potential condensation effects.

The optimum location for insulation is the outside of the building structure: this minimizes thermal issues and helps to ensure that the dew point is on the outside of the building.

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OPINION

www.baxicommercial.co.uk Article By: Baxi Commercial Title: Warming Up To A New Routine Author: Sean Green, Senior Product Manager

(Sean Green, Senior Product Manager for Baxi Commercial, whose brand names include Andrews Water Heaters, Potterton Commercial and Baxi-SenerTec UK, considers the energy saving choices open to leisure and recreational establishments in an age of increasing heating bills.)

Exercising Control As energy bills rise, the operators of communal buildings such as sports or leisure facilities will be concerned to take whatever steps are possible to reduce energy costs. Aware that the building services system may well account for half of the building energy demand, the first and perhaps easiest action will be to ensure that energy using equipment is only switched on and drawing power when actually needed. Once this is done, facility managers will need to turn their attention to ways in which they are able to influence the provision and best use of the power on which building services systems rely. Firstly, the amount of utility power being used can be reduced and the shortfall drawn from an alternative power source at considerably less expense. Secondly, the efficiency of the way in which energy is used can be improved without reducing the effective operation of equipment and systems.

Team Work The new Oswestry Leisure Centre has a range of facilities and offers a variety of activities for all ages. Designed in compliance with Shropshire County Council sustainability policy, the Centre incorporates a number of renewable technologies to minimize both carbon footprint and running costs. The performance specification for the building’s mechanical services included a solar thermal water heating system to supply pre-heated water to a water heater and accompanying storage vessel. This system supplies all the domestic hot water for the building, serving 38 showers, 40 wash hand basins, three cleaners’ sinks and two tea room sinks.

The array of eight glazed flat plate solar collectors required, which are Solar Key Mark Approved and mounted on the main roof, transfers maximum heat to a 900 litre, unvented twin-coil cylinder, which in turn supplies pre-heated water to a gas-fired condensing water heater linked to a 500 litre storage vessel.

The Right Track The provision of hot water may not always be the biggest energy user and where meeting the space heating requirement uses the most energy, the boiler will be the focus of attention.

Running Free The alternative power sources available to individual energy users will generally use latent, renewable energy freely available in the environment, involving only the cost of capture at the individual location and conversion by microgeneration to useable, measurable energy. A further cost effective and well established alternative option is CHP (Combined Heat and Power). Most suitable for a building with a simultaneous electricity and heat demand consistently through the year, this technology generates electricity that can meet all or part of the building’s needs in place of grid power, as well as generating useful heat to service the building heating system.

For over 90 years the Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa, has provided the community with quality live theatre in a succession of buildings with the most recent dating from 1968. An ageing boiler was the cause of concern, as the cost of heating front of house, backstage and bar areas was one of the biggest overheads. A high efficiency condensing boiler was selected as the replacement, to provide space heating using the existing radiator system. The chosen boiler has inbuilt weather compensation, summer/winter changeover and time control features. Occupying considerably less space in the plant room than its predecessor, the replacement boiler offers fully modulating control for complete heating flexibility, which reduces energy bills whilst delivering ultra low NOx emissions.

The more efficient use of energy is made possible by condensing technology and leading manufacturers in the heating industry provide condensing technology boilers and water heaters that are fully compliant in both new build and retro-fit applications. Importantly, the heating industry can also supply proven solutions that enable the integration of renewable technologies in both new and existing building services systems. Consequently, the operators of many sports and leisure facilities have already taken effective action to counter the relentless increases in fuel bills, whilst at the same time considerably reducing their carbon emissions.

One of the country’s premier visitor attractions, Warwick Castle dates back to the 13th century and regularly plays host to an extensive range of events. For some three decades the heating system was reliably served by the same boilers, but time took its toll and the decision was made to replace the existing plant room system with three cast-iron boilers to serve the vintage cast-iron radiator system, as well as convectors. The replacement units each comprise six sections and this sectional design removed any potential difficulties with access to the ground floor plant room. To minimise inconvenience to the castle’s day to day operation, the boilers were delivered and installed in a single day. These advanced units have specially designed heat-exchangers, with a large chamber capacity that ensures environmentally sound combustion and reduced CO and NOx emissions.

Going Swimmingly Oakham School, Rutland, a prestigious independent co-educational day and boarding school, has a wide range of sporting facilities, including a dedicated sports centre incorporating a 25m indoor pool. Refurbishment of the heating system serving the swimming pool and sports hall was a challenge, bearing in mind the constant demand of the swimming pool for heat. The chosen solution was to use CHP technology to provide heat for the pool and to generate electricity to power the swimming pool, sports hall and several classrooms in the centre’s upper story, with the domestic hot water needs being met by a condensing technology water heater.

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The chosen mini-CHP unit acts as lead boiler, supplemented by two condensing boilers that have high energy efficiency and ultra low NOx emission levels, whilst the selected condensing water heater services all the showers and wash hand basins in the changing rooms. During the first ten months following its installation, the CHP unit ran for a total of 6,529 hours and generated 35,909 kWh of electricity and 89,867 kWh of heat, representing a significant saving in running costs and carbon emission.

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Fitness First These examples show that the heating industry is currently able to offer leisure, recreational and sports facility operators the means to directly influence the way in which their building energy requirements are produced, or put to the most effective use, or both. The opportunity is available now to significantly reduce building energy costs and carbon emission levels by integrating renewable energy sources, drawing on free latent energy, together with advanced high efficiency, low emission equipment.

OPINION

www.uk.roca.com Article By: Roca Title: All A-Flush With Water-Saving Credentials Author: David Bromell, Specification Executive

Recycle water, don’t waste Dual flush systems have been available for many years, with some modern systems going as low as 3 litres and saving up to 5,840 litres a year. The latest sustainable trend however, is recycling, with grey or rainwater used to flush the toilet. In some instances the waters journey is a very short one, with water from the wash basin filtered and transferred directly into the cistern. Roca’s innovative W+W is one such example, conserving space as well as water, reducing water usage by up to 25 per cent compared to a standard 6/3 litre dual-flush WC. Theatre of dreams W+W has recently been installed at one of the most respected arts venues in the UK, the Arcola Theatre in Hackney. Aiming to be the first carbon neutral theatre in the world, the venue, housed in a converted paint factory, has undergone a ‘green’ transformation over the last three years, with the W+W being installed last summer.

The Arcola has been monitoring its water usage since 2010 and, following W+W’s installation, the savings have been dramatic - spring 2013’s figures were 50 per cent lower than the previous year.

Roca’s L20 and L90 basin taps have water-saving built-in, whilst a Cold Start function also prevents unnecessary energy consumption by only firing up the heating system when the handle is turned to hot.

Specifying sustainable, water-saving plumbing solutions to reduce a public building’s water consumption is becoming ever more crucial as climate change and population growth take hold. Roca’s Specification Executive, David Bromell, explores some of the options available to specifiers working on commercial projects.

With the pressure on the UK’s water resources reaching near critical levels during the last few years, the requirement to address how we use water in our buildings has never been greater. Hosepipe bans have become an almost inevitable side effect of our recent longer, drier summer months, whilst the increasingly very dry winter seasons have only served to exacerbate the issues surrounding how we use, and potentially waste, water on a daily basis.

Not only are our water resources coming under ever increasing pressure, but the water that we use as a nation also has a significant carbon footprint, which is adding to climate change and leading to those longer, drier seasons. In fact, according to Waterwise, water company treating, pumping and other processes account for almost one per cent of total greenhouse emissions in the UK. And of course as well as conserving precious water resources and mitigating some of the effects of climate change, water conservation also makes sound financial sense, as water consumption can add greatly to public and commercial sector costs.

Flushed away Perhaps unsurprisingly, the majority of the water we use on a daily basis is simply flushed down the toilet, with each of us flushing the toilet an average of 5.2 times a day, according to the latest research from America into people’s living habits.

This adds up to almost 12,000 litres of water per year being flushed away if a standard six-litre cistern is used. Frighteningly, this figure can be multiplied even further when public washrooms are taken into account, as users tend to be even less frugal when they aren't the ones footing the bill for the water rates.

This all means that the biggest key to water-saving lies in the sanitaryware specified for washrooms in public buildings. The onus is on specifiers working on both new buildings and refurbishment projects to source solutions that will minimise water consumption without affecting the overall performance.

Ruth Mulandi, Arcola’s Commercial Manager, commented: “When we researched water-efficient toilets, Roca’s offering just made good sense. We loved the design of their products and now they’re in situ, visitors find them so intuitive to use.”

In addition to saving water, W+W saves space, with the wash basin housed on top of the cistern. It’s modern, L shaped design, fits snugly into the restricted area of Arcola’s toilet cubicle.

Water-saving on tap The W+W features Roca’s reuse technology, which Besides toilet flushing, the filters the water from the basin and reuses it to other major contributor to flush the WC, making it the greener option for water wastage, particularly washrooms in public buildings. in public buildings which have a high footfall, is hand washing. Solutions in this area of the bathroom included flow limiters, which can be added retrospectively, or the new breed of brassware which has this technology in-built.

Other ways to encourage less wastage include built in Eco-Disc cartridges which have a level of resistance to encourage less water usage and to try to prevent users absent mindedly putting the tap on full.

An important point to note regarding all of these washroom solutions is that not only do they save water, but they do so in a way that will never be noticed by the user as their performance is not compromised. Of course, they also add to the aesthetics of their environment, offering stylish yet extremely effective ways of saving water that no public building can really afford to ignore.

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OPINION

www.heatpumps.danfoss.co.uk Article By: Danfoss Ltd Title: TAKING A POSITIVE APPROACH TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY Author: Chris Dale, Director

Chris Dale, Director of Danfoss Ltd, looks at why air source heat pumps are increasingly being specified for new developments.

Building requirements, such as the Code for Sustainable Homes, mean that renewable energy has very much come to the forefront when planning new developments. In the past, the increased cost of a heat pump fitted into a property over a conventional boiler may have deterred their use in new developments. However, with homebuyers becoming increasingly concerned over their carbon footprint, developers are taking a long term view and using heat pumps to gain a competitive advantage, by demonstrating to potential buyers how their properties will be much more affordable to run in the long term.

Air source heat pumps are helping developers to meet the energy requirements of the Code for Sustainable Homes, due to the credits that can be gained for selecting renewable technologies. As we move towards the planned carbon zero requirements of 2016, this trend towards renewable energy looks set to continue.

Research shows that around 4m people in this country are in fuel poverty, which is approximately 18% of the population. Many of these households are in ‘off gas’ areas, where residents are even more vulnerable due to their reliance on oil or LPG and therefore more susceptible to fluctuations in price. Developers that are building in off-gas areas are increasingly opting for heat pump technology to help buyers avoid the escalating cost of oil.

Air source heat pumps are a popular choice, as the latest technology ensures better performance than ever before. This includes having improved seasonal performance, with the heat pumps working to external temperatures as low as -20OC. The new generation of heat pumps also offer lower noise levels, for example, with the Danfoss DHP-AQ it is designed in such a way so as to minimise the vibration and noise levels. In addition, they have been designed to be

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more aesthetically appealing, which is important due to their location outside a property. Some of the latest air source heat pumps have compact designs and minimalist styling to minimise their visual impact and enhance their aesthetics.

Air source heat pumps are being widely specified for new builds to reduce energy bills and make homes less reliant on fossil fuels. Recently, the developers of The Bay, an exclusive collection of holiday cottages in Filey, North Yorkshire gave homebuyers the option to upgrade their new properties with heat pumps and solar PV. More than half of homebuyers decided to take up the option, as they recognised how they could offset their energy bills over the long term, which just goes to show how renewable technologies help to make homes more saleable. The homes were built using a modern Energy Block system, which offers high levels of insulation and also helps to optimise the running of the heat pump. The homes achieve level four on the Code for Sustainable Homes, providing excellent energy efficiency.

The trend towards renewables continues around the country, especially in light of recent energy price rises combined with the desire for developers to reduce the carbon footprint of their properties.

Many builders and developers are finding that this form of renewable energy system is also making homes more attractive to buyers, who recognise the immediate savings they can make.

Technological advances in air source heat pumps means that the households of the future will be less reliant on fossil fuels and more capable of generating their own heating and hot water from the space or ground outside their homes. As the housing market starts to pick up, it is the new homes which offer added-value features, such as air source heat pumps, which are set to appeal to the cost and environmentally-conscious buyer.

More advice can be found on the website www.heatpumps.danfoss.co.uk or by calling: 0114 270 3900.

Notes from the Alu-Timber design team...

Innovative magnetic fixing: pulls mullion and transoms together.

External aluminium for protection and timber internally for thermal performance Reassurance: CWCT Tested to 3600Pa Sequence B.

60mm curtain walling system.

Palette of timber species Larch, Oak, Ash.

Standard profiles range allows Capped, 2 or 4sided Structural Glazing.

ENQUIRY 27

Alu-Timber

EFT

After extensive consultation we are pleased to launch the first British 60mm timber/ aluminium curtain walling system.

For more information about Alu-Timber EFT please contact us:

Alu-Timber EFT is a 60mm curtain wall system which offers capped, 2sided structural glazing with vertical or horizontal capping, and 4sided structural glazing.

+ 44(0) 20 8685 9685 Tel: Email: projects@parksidegroup.co.uk Web: www.comar-alu.co.uk

Alu-Timber EFT provides thermally efficient Larch timber with time tested aluminium for protection. To maximise spans and centres, there is a wide range of aluminium mullions and transoms available. The inherent properties of timber provide two advantages: high strength as well as low U-values, ensuring our partners can meet the demands of future carbon reduction plans.

THE BOOK/ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

30 Metre Glass Sculpture Lit By Sill LED Projectors

Elta Fans Brings Breath Of Fresh Air To The Edinburgh International Book Festival

The Wellcome Trust’s headquarters is the Gibbs Building in London’s Euston Road. At the western end of the atrium is the stunning Bleigiessen sculpture. Its fluid, cascading form of 142,000 glass spheres suspended along steel wires, represents the intriguing pattern created by dropping molten lead into water.

Sill Lighting UK was specified for the original metal halide scheme to light both the atrium and sculpture in 2004.

However both have now been replaced by an energy and maintenance saving LED solution, again by Sill UK. Sill’s 141 and 140 high efficiency projectors, with warm white LEDs, replace previous Sill metal halide fittings in the atrium. Both fittings are also used to accent light the Bleigiessen, but here neutral white LEDs are used to achieve the strongest aesthetic effect. Using LED replacement light fittings with 0-10V dimmable control options has cut energy consumption by over 60% in the Gibbs building. www.sill-uk.com

Elta Fans has supplied one of their units to ventilate one of the main marquees at the 2013 Edinburgh International Book Festival. They had supplied one of its Revolution SLC710 fans via its Edinburgh distributor, Systemair Fans & Spares ltd, to keep air constantly circulating throughout the whole marquee. The organisers’ objective was to create a cooling effect within the structure and hence a comfortable environment for everyone.

Robust and heavy duty, they are housed in hot dipped steel casings, which are welded and then galvanised after fabrication to BS 729 for even greater strength and durability. The casings have integral spun flanges to allow for a smooth flow of air. The fans are fitted with adjustable pitch, aerofoil section bladed impellers made from high quality, pressure die cast aluminium. www.eltafans.com

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ENQUIRY 29

Luxury Scottish Honeymoon Cabins Reap The Benefits Of Renewable Energy Two honeymoon log cabins within the luxury wedding venue, The Vu in West Lothian, are reaping the rewards of renewable energy, following the installation of two Danfoss DHP-AT air source heat pumps. The new build cottages each host an 8kW unit, used for heating and domestic hot water. Both cabins are highly insulated and feature underfloor heating throughout. The DHP-AT air source heat pumps provide all the heating and hot water requirements for the properties and are also used for cooling during warm periods. The DHP-AT range consists of two affordable heat pumps – 6kW and 8kW models, which are ideal for small homes or developments where a sustainable form of heating is required. The modern attractive DHP-AT air source units provide energy efficient space heating, hot water and cooling for smaller-scale properties. www.heatpumps.danfoss.co.uk ENQUIRY 30

Potterton Commercial Launches The New Sirius Two WH Boiler Range Potterton Commercial, a market leading brand of Baxi Commercial, single source supplier of high efficiency and low carbon heating and hot water solutions, has launched the Sirius two WH. Developed over the last three years from the successful Sirius WH, the all new Sirius two WH represents the very latest in condensing wall-hung boiler technology.

Most notable are improved boiler efficiencies and reduced carbon emissions resulting from advanced boiler controls and a market-leading modulation range now operating at an impressive 9:1 ratio. This enables optimised heating comfort for end users as well as cost savings through close matching of the boiler heating output to the demands of the building.

The new compact dimensions, giving a reduction in height and depth as well as in case width (from 600mm to 450mm), have resulted in a range of significantly smaller appliances that are lighter, by 25kg for some models, and therefore easier to transport and install.

Offering thermal outputs from 50kW to 110kW, the Sirius two WH has an efficiency rating of 94% gross ∆T50°C. The stainless steel heat exchanger material has excellent heat transfer properties providing the ability to cope with the rigours of modern heating systems and varying system water supply quality.

The new modular boiler frames and accessories for cascade management are critically important when installing high kW thermal outputs in a confined space, facilitating a professional plant room installation. An outside weather sensor, supplied as standard in every boiler in compliance with Building Regulations Part L2, (current version), further increases heating efficiencies.

The latest Siemens controls facilitate flexibility of boiler operation and plant room application with options for: multi-boiler cascade management, which is supplied as standard, multi-zone management and domestic hot water control with a supporting range of room units and accessories. Also supplied as standard is an Energy related Products (ErP) ready control for modulating pumps. In addition, these boilers are capable of full BMS integration. www.pottertoncommercial.co.uk ENQUIRY 31

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ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL/THE BOOK

Tectite Flexible Metal System - A Plumbing Revolution By Pegler Yorkshire Pegler Yorkshire has launched the future in domestic plumbing for the UK! The company has drawn on 125 years of British manufacturing to create the unique Tectite Flexible Metal system, a product like no other on the market. Tectite utilises multi-layer composite pipe (MLCP) tubing, which is constructed using a thin layer of aluminium flanked by cross-linked polyethylene, an environmentally friendly, industrial-strength plastic. Tectite is malleable enough to be shaped by hand, yet it is more resistant to warping than plastic piping, and it can handle temperatures of more than 100°C and working pressures up to 16 bar. Designed for installation alongside the high-performance metal push-fit fittings range from Pegler Yorkshire, jointing does not require any expensive tooling - and is twice as quick as the capillary method, thanks to the use of pre-lubricated seals. www.pegleryorkshire.co.uk www.tectitetube.co.uk ENQUIRY 32

Rising Energy Prices Hots Up Demand For Insulated Loft Boards A desire by homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient has led to an increase in demand for Styroloft loft boards from Panel Systems. Styroloft is manufactured from birch plywood bonded to both faces of Styrofoam extruded polystyrene insulation. It is available in thicknesses ranging from 18mm to 115mm and at 50mm it provides 15 times greater energy efficiency than standard 18mm chipboard.

Styroloft is compliant with the CITB-Construction Skills guidelines ‘General Requirements for the Installation of Loft Insulation.’ The guidelines state that timber or flooring grade chipboard with a minimum thickness of 18mm should be installed above existing insulation material, if a walkway or storage space is required and also require loft panels or boards to have a minimum width of 300mm to allow entry through a normal loft hatch. The boards are lightweight, weighing less than 3kg each. www.styroloft.co.uk ENQUIRY 33

Market-Leading Ecodan® Heat Pumps On Display At Big Green Home Show The Ecodan® renewable heating system will be on display at the Big Green Home Show at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre, Swindon (25-27 October). Manufacturer Mitsubishi Electric will also be explaining about the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) to visitors at a special presentation at 10am on the 25th October. The Show gives selfbuilders and those looking to improve their home, the chance to get the best advice and see the latest developments and government incentives, through a packed programme involving expert speakers, live demonstrations, guided tours, real-life experiences and individual, impartial consultations. Ecodan uses the latest inverter-driven technology to upgrade renewable energy from the outside air or ground and can reliably provide all the heating and hot water a home needs even in the depths of winter. www.mitsubishielectric.co.uk ENQUIRY 34

Red Kite Takes The Lead Red Kite Community Housing has launched a programme to make sure that every single one of its tenanted and leasehold properties has a carbon monoxide alarm by installing Kidde Fyrnetics’ 10LLCO alarms.

The 10LLCO alarms were specially branded for Red Kite and are part of Kidde Fyrnetics’ TenYCO range - the very first battery carbon monoxide alarms with a full 10-year guarantee covering both alarm and sealedin lithium battery. These self-contained, state of the art CO alarms are designed for quick and simple installation by anyone and for low cost of ownership, offering ‘Best Value’ over a 10-year life.

The new 10LLCO and its digital display 10LLDCO equivalent anticipate future changes to the European CO alarm product standard with an extra End-of-Life/Fault LED and “ramp up” horn. They also offer “Quick Test” functionality whereby the unit can be tested with carbon monoxide gas spray and react instantly to confirm the presence of carbon monoxide, rather than the normal response times required in BS EN50291.

They are BSi Kitemarked and comply with the latest edition of BS EN 50291:2010. Both models are small in size with a slim profile and can be wall-mounted or used free-standing. They are simply activated by the slide-on back plate, so preserving battery freshness until needed, and a tamper resisting self-locking installation system avoids battery theft. An event activity data log for each alarm is available, upon request from Kidde. The TenYCO range also enjoys the same 10-year replacement cycle as Kidde’s Ten-4 smoke alarm, simplifying property management.

Kidde Fyrnetics has produced a helpful video discussing carbon monoxide risks and demonstrating installation of the latest CO alarms. This video can be seen at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=waH1rXuEKOg&feature=youtu.be For more information on CO alarms, visit: TenYCO.kiddefyrnetics.co.uk or email: kiddefyr@ukgateway.net ENQUIRY 35

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ISO Energy Delivers £6K Savings For Listed Wiltshire Property The energy bill for heating and hot water incurred by the owners of a large country house in Wiltshire is expected to be reduced by as much as £6,000 a year, following the installation of a ground source heat pump solution by green technologies specialist, ISO Energy. The 17th century property, which is in the William & Mary style with accommodation over three floors has, until now relied on an oil fired boiler for warmth.

Fuel prices, though, had rocketed in recent years, while repetitive maintenance was a further burden on the estate’s owners.

However, when ISO Energy surveyed the Grade II* listed house and surrounding grounds last autumn, its engineers realised there was clear potential for the place to benefit from the renewable heat energy, which can be harvested by a ground source heat pump.

For while in many instances, these high performance units have to be linked to pipework drilled deep into bedrock, the proximity of a 10 acre field was the ideal location to install relatively shallow ground arrays.

While the existing boiler room towards the rear of the house was plenty large enough to accommodate two large light commercial high temperature heat pumps and the necessary hot water storage, the fabric of the building still presented challenging load conditions. Despite being altered, added to and renovated several times over the centuries, the building’s construction of brick and stone, along with many large single-glazed sash windows, offers minimal insulation standards.

Nevertheless, ISO Energy’s survey and calculations concluded that the combination of a 10 kW and 34 kW CTC heat pump, with a nominal primary flow temperature of 65º degrees centigrade, would be adequate to provide good levels of comfort for the

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occupants using the existing radiators. Meanwhile the supply of domestic hot water from the trio of factory insulated, 800 litre storage vessels would far outstrip the performance of the original system.

ISO Energy duly organized the installation of a fan shaped array of ground collectors that spread out across the field, navigating their way around the established broadleaf trees. A total of 11 separate 300 metre long, 40 mm diameter collectors connect back to a manifolds, which is in turn linked to the plant room by the 65 metre long flow and return pipework.

A spokesperson for ISO Energy comments: “There is a perception amongst architects and even some M&E consultants that heat pumps are only suitable for use in highly insulated properties with fairly low demand for heating and hot water. What this project in Wiltshire demonstrates, however, is that even a centuries old structure with very poor U-values and Grade II listing preventing any real improvement, can still have all its heating and hot water demands met using ground source heat pumps. Linking them to ground arrays keeps the capital cost down while the annual saving compared to relying on an oil boiler is going to be in the region of £6k p.a. That is impressive enough but when annual subsidies [partly estimated until the Renewable Heat Incentive Phase 2 is in place] of well over £7k are added, the figures are truly remarkable.

“The large storage capacity provided enables the heat pumps to run for long cycles which makes them more efficient than stop-start operation; while the controls are very straightforward for the occupants to use.”

CTC EcoPart heat pumps can be connected in series to meet the needs of the largest private residence and most commercial buildings including schools, hospitals and even swimming pools. They can draw their renewable energy from either sub-soil, hard bedrock or lakes and can deliver it - via their advanced refrigerant gas cycles, offering seasonally adjusted coefficients of performance (COP) of up to 4.5 – through new or existing radiator and under-floor heating circuits. www.iso.co.uk ENQUIRY 36

WALLS/THE BOOK

Lathams Look To The Future With Latest Cladding Solution Accoya® - the modified, highly durable and dimensionally stable certified softwood – is now available from all ten of James Latham’s nationwide distribution sites. Accoya® wood is a perfect solution for exterior cladding, siding and façades where aesthetics, less frequent maintenance, dimensional stability, durability and insulation value are key factors. Accoya® wood can be used to create simple or complex designs with a choice of coating finishes, delivering typically improved lifetimes. It can be opaque coated or, for those wishing to enjoy the natural look of wood, translucent coated. Plus, with a 50-year guarantee when used externally and 25-years when used in the ground, Accoya®’s low maintenance requirements add to its ‘whole life’ cost effectiveness and environmental credentials and this versatility makes it ideal for use in residential, commercial and industrial applications.

Paul Leach, James Latham’s Group Product Sales & Development Manager for Accoya said, “Accoya® wood is fast becoming the material of choice for architects, contractors and joiners for many exterior applications which were once only feasible with non-sustainable material. In addition to cladding, sidings and facades, Accoya® is also ideal for windows, doors and decking. As well as our established customer base who are now seeing the benefits of Accoya® for cladding and other exterior projects, we’ve also seen it open up opportunities with new customers as demand for sustainably modified products continues to grow.” He added, “Accoya® is a fantastic material for external specification and fits perfectly with our already established range of sustainable products.” www.lathamtimber.co.uk ENQUIRY 37

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VFB Kit in situ

Tenmat’s Ventilated Fire Barrier (VFB) Kit Provides The Flexibility To Solve Almost All Cladding Fire Barrier Issues With A Single Product Combined With An Economical Price The cost of bought in materials can be measured in both straight forward monetary terms and also the cost of project delays, issues which are focussed upon in these times of tight resources on building projects. Ventilated Fire Barriers can represent both a high monetary cost and be the cause of many delays.

Where external building cladding systems require both ventilation and fire protection, the installation of preassembled Ventilated Fire Barriers has become the norm, however these products have the following limitations: The pre-assembled items are made to fit specific cavity sizes and do not allow for significant cavity size variation.

The test data supplied is often very restrictive and does not allow for different materials of cavity construction.

The size of the ventilated opening is often limited to 25mm, restricting ventilation.

The pre-assembled products need to be manufactured as custom made products, which takes time and leads to delays onsite.

The TENMAT VFB Kit overcomes all of the above problems as it allows fire barriers to be simply assembled onsite, covering a large range of sizes and constructions, which is backed by the TENMAT enviable range of test data. www.tenmat.com ENQUIRY 38

VFB Kit expanded during/after a fire

Armourcoat Provides Seamless Finish at Spa Tervis Hotel Estonian agent Stelling installed the new Armourcoat Sculptural design ‘Vapour’ at the Spa Tervis Hotel in Pärnu. Located on the Baltic Sea coast in southwestern Estonia, the spa has provided professional treatments for over forty years. Pärnu is a popular health tourism destination in Estonia, famed for the local curative mud of Lake Ermistu. Spa Tervis offers accommodation for its guests in the 500 room hotel, which consists of seven buildings that have been connected by glass galleries. Stelling expertly installed the new Sculptural seamless wall finish as ‘artwork’ elements on each floor, together with a large floor-to-ceiling application in the restaurant. www.armourcoat.com ENQUIRY 39

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INTERIORS/THE BOOK

The Bathroom Kartell By Laufen, Designed

By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba, Is Here Kartell by Laufen is a complete integrated project for the bathroom that made its debut at ISH (Frankfurt), the fair leader in the bathroom and energy world, followed by a launch to the international public at the Milan Furniture Fair, where it was presented at the Kartell flagship store.

On one hand, Kartell, Italian, creative, colourful and iconic. The family company that has marked the history of design and revolutionised furnishing in the use of plastic materials for over 60 years. On the other, Laufen, Swiss, rigorous and reliable. Two companies that have a great deal in common, which is why they have chosen each other: an industrial approach to production, a vocation in research and technological innovation, an international market, a distribution with hundreds of retailers all over the world and a genuine passion for quality design.

Serving as the link between these two players are the award winning designers Ludovica + Roberto Palomba, who themselves are leaders in designing for the bathroom.

With design and total quality as its watchwords, the Kartell by Laufen bathroom takes shape as an integrated architecture; an interconnected ecosystem where washbasins, sanitaryware, faucets, units, shower bases, bathtubs, lights and accessories coexist with the maximum flexibility, changing their appearance like chameleons to meet the taste requirements of all. The glassy transparencies of latest-generation polycarbonate and the bare edges of the totemic floor-mounted washbasin will attract those who love minimal, moon-like, rarefied environments; the ambered plastic, the round softness of the washbasin, the bathtub in the style of a infinity pool. The rigid geometry of the ceramic items is tempered by the multicoloured lightness of the plastic elements. www.laufen.com ENQUIRY 40

New Space Saving Solution Squeezing an extra designer wall-hung WC and furniture into the smallest space just became a lot easier thanks to the Ultra Slim hidden-in-the-wall WC support frame and cistern from Bauhaus.

Ideal for smaller spaces; like under stairs or in a new ensuite tucked into an existing bedroom, the new Bauhaus Ultra Slim is also ideal for bathrooms with restricted wall cavities.

The depth of Ultra Slim is significantly thinner than a normal frame at just 9cms which means it will fit into the narrowest wall cavities, and reduces how far the pan protrudes into the room. The noise of flushing is quieter as the cistern is in the wall and there is the added option of additional pads to deaden sound further. The unit carries WRAS approval and provides dual flushing. Ultra Slim is capable of holding 400kg in weight and is easy to install with all fixings supplied. www.bauhaus-bathrooms.co.uk www.crosswater.co.uk ENQUIRY 41

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Inta’s New Enzo Range Fuses Style With Good Sense Anti-scald tap, shower and valve manufacturer, Inta, has launched a stylish new range of showers that give users the opportunity to save energy without compromising on the ultimate showering experience.

With the option for 6, 8 or 12 litres per minute flow regulation, Inta’s Enzo offering gives users the flexibility to tailor their shower’s water usage. All showers in the range feature Inta’s anti-scald thermostatic cartridge technology, as well as being designed with a safe touch body to completely remove the threat of scalding. The Enzo range is also visually striking, comprising Inta’s new ‘Applewhite’ finish soakers and ecoair handsets, for a stylish look. Functionality doesn’t end there, with Fast fit brackets supplied as standard. www.intatec.co.uk ENQUIRY 43

New RAK RIMLESS™ WC Offers Host Of Combined Benefits RAK’s new edition RAKRIMLESS™ Compact Deluxe WC offers a host of benefits – in terms health, hygiene, ease of maintenance, the environment and accessibility. It also features a stylish contemporary design - and is the most competitively-priced quality rimless WC on the market. RAK’s rimless format eliminates the need for a hidden rim or channel. On flushing, water is fired from three separate jets – which ensures that the whole surface of the pan is cleaned, both vertically and horizontally. As germs cannot collect under a rim, the completely visible surface is easy to clean – and the need to direct cleaning products under hidden channels is completely eliminated. The ‘new edition’ model features a quick-release soft seat, so areas under hinges can be easily cleaned. www.rakceramics.co.uk ENQUIRY 42

Laminating History Abet Laminati has opened a museum to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The displays, at the company’s Bra factory near Milan, are organised chronologically to take the visitor on a historical tour of laminates in design. The museum comprises 600 square metres and includes over 137 pieces of art. It also includes information about Abet Laminati’s culture of research, innovative experimentation and creative concepts. The paleblue facade of the museum and the multi-coloured bridge that connect the two main galleries are both clad in MEG panels, a self-sustaining, high-pressure decorative laminate designed for exteriors. The entry hallway features laminated walls printed with the names of the many designers and design companies that have worked with Abet’s products. www.abetuk.com ENQUIRY 44

Aquatiere Has The Soft Touch Designed for commercial use the No Scale Commercial Saltless Water Softener is Chemical free, Salt Free, Maintainance free, Power free units offer Guaranteed Scale prevention and removal. The TAC Water Softener is capable of 99.99% internal Scale prevention and removal. It does not require regeneration or backwashing. 50% more effective than basic vessels. These units are ideal for coffee machines or commercial dishwashers.

It is supplied with a 3 year peformance guarantee. Units using Polyphosphate remove only 81% of Scale, release chemicals into the water and require regular replacement.

The unique media creates a ceramic template which allows the calcium ions to form into non-scaling crystals (guaranteed). Comes complete with post filter.

Aquatiere’s popular water conditioning system contains ceramet and ceramet sp for whole house saltless water softening and state of the art water filtration. Great for people with skin conditions and those who are chlorine intolerant.

Designed to protect the internal pipework and equipment in a domestic plumbing system, the No Scale Plus unit will reduce spotting on glass and chrome surfaces but will not eliminate it entirely.

This unit is often bought by customers who can not fit a traditional salt based softener due to difficulties in fitting a drain, seperate drinking water tap or power to the unit. Some customers buy this unit because they can no longer store or carry salt or for environmental reasons (no water wastage or pollution). It comes complete with granulated activated carbon pre filter and post filter, fittings and full instructions. www.aquatiere.co.uk ENQUIRY 45

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INTERIORS/THE BOOK

Classic New Towel Rails Join Stelrad Range Stelrad Radiators has unveiled two stunning additions to its collection of towel rails – range extensions to existing radiator designs. Available now are the Caliente and Concord towel rails, both high quality exquisite radiators in their own right but now part of the ranges that bear their name.

Caliente has quickly become a favourite designer radiator model and adding a towel rail model to the range made huge sense. The Concord towel rail offers a sleek, flat tube design, that complements the four design options in the Concord range. Whilst the products come as standard in white, both new products are available in a range of 35 colours making matching and contrasting to colour schemes an exciting additional option. www.stelrad.com ENQUIRY 46

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Introducing Trackit, A New Suspension System From The Shopkit Group TracKit, is an extremely versatile track suspension system providing mobility and flexibility to the presentation of banners and graphics, sliding panels/ room dividers, shelving and clothing displays.

Trackit can facilitate different types of elements to be hung at different heights along straight or curved sections of track and repositioned easily and is proving to be a popular display solution for Receptions, Galleries, Retail interiors, Window displays, Home, Hotels and the rest of the Leisure industry.

TracKit can be wall or ceiling fixed and is available with a choice of single, twin or triple tracks, enabling the design of multi-track installations, giving displays the potential for depth and innovation.

This system offers static and mobile suspension options, via a roller wheel, which allows for easy re-positioning of complex displays and shelving as well as large panels and room dividers etc, by simply sliding the roller wheels

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along the track. The suspension track is available in both aluminium and stainless steel and there are six different support methods that can be hung from the track, each with a vast array of accessories and Shopkit can help determine which is most suitable for each application.

Made to Measure and Installation options available The dimensions and material finishes of the different suspension systems and accessories can be varied to suit clients’ requirements and Shopkit can deliver and install all elements within this range - quotations will be supplied on request. www.shopkit.com ENQUIRY 47

INTERIORS/THE BOOK

Making Acoustics Beautiful…

RAK’s Best-Selling Lounge Tile Range Reaches 20 Million Sqm Sales Milestone RAK Ceramics has announced a new milestone. Production of its best-selling Lounge Collection has reached 20 million square meters. The Lounge Collection includes porcelain wall and floor tiles, as well as slabs and decorative insets. It is sold in more than 120 countries and has become a best selling range in the UK market, where it accounts for 85% of tile sales.

Combining aesthetic and performance benefits, RAK’s Lounge Collection is renowned for its high strength, low water absorption, frost, acid and alkali-resistance, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor wall and floor application. Tiles and mosaic formats are offered in a range of mottled shades - both polished and unpolished – alongside polished Listello borders with chrome glass insets. Large-format Lounge polished slabs offer seamless continuation and can be fabricated to create practically any surface - from vanity unit to external cladding. www.rakceramics.co.uk ENQUIRY 48

BCL acoustic timber panels allow you to create unique walls and ceilings, giving you the choice of over 2500+ design options. Choose from 50+ timber species, 40+ acoustic fabric colours, Acoustic Classes D – A, Class 1 / 0 SSF fire protection and Recycled insulation options.

BCL also provide BIM model objects for walls and ceilings, giving you the chance to model different panel configurations in your building, helping to find the right look and feel for your space. For more information please visit www.bcltimberprojects.co.uk or call 01189 344 155.

ENQUIRY 49

Beko Built-In: The Finishing Touch For Bournemouth Development A prime example of design, sustainability, energy efficiency and a high standard of contemporary living combining to make a big impact is Central Park - a complex of 30 two-bedroom and six one-bedroom apartments, near Bournemouth’s city centre. Beko’s built-in range of kitchen appliances has been specified by SDA Distributors for this prestigious private residential development. Each kitchen features a Beko four-burner gas hob and double built-under fan oven - in stylish stainless steel complementing the kitchen’s design - and integrated frost-free fridge freezer, washer dryer and full-size dishwasher. These appliances were specified for their streamlined styling, high performance, energy-saving technology. www.beko.co.uk ENQUIRY 50

Kubex Showering You With Solutions –The Eclipse 800 Kubex UK Ltd., a UK based manufacturer, has been producing shower pods for over 20 years. A family runs business, it is now operating under Managing Director, Anthony Cook, who took over the ownership of the company from his father in 2011. The latest addition to the range is the Eclipse 800, which reflects the polished expertise built up over those years. The Eclipse range arrives as an easily assembled and installed sectional pod, which once in situ offers a reassuringly low maintenance shower area that requires no tiling or grouting.

A high gloss finish and smooth curved lines allow for easy cleaning and the fact any mixer can be added allows the user to tailor their Kubex shower pod to their specific design wishes. With a footprint of 800mm square and standing at 2000mm tall when assembled, the Eclipse Range delivers a leak proof shower area which eliminates the issues faced with traditional construction methods.

The GRP construction affords a lightweight yet strong and durable shell that due to the sectional nature of the Eclipse range enables access and installation into the tightest of spaces.

This new Kubex shower unit is suited to a variety of installations including new build properties, en-suites or indeed any retro fit application. A choice of pivot or bi-fold door, a waste, trap and raising kit all accompany the Eclipse 800 to allow immediate installation and complete satisfaction. kubex.co.uk ENQUIRY 51

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THE BOOK/ROOFS

UNILIN Insulated Roof Panels Help Meet Revised Part L Requirements In line with revisions to Part L of the Building Regulations announced in July 2013, developers and specifiers are turning to UNILIN Structural Insulated Roof Panels for a fast track and reliable roofing solution compliant with the more stringent legislations.

Available in varied thicknesses of insulation, UNILIN Structural Insulated Roof Panels can deliver a U-value in line with the 0.11 W/m2K for new domestic builds set out under the new regulations.

UNILIN panels allow tight tolerances to be achieved, improving air tightness. Coupled with the sandwich design of the panels that incorporate a PIR foam layer, the roofing system is engineered to offer maximum thermal insulation and to reduce construction material normally required by traditional systems. The BBA certified panels can be rapidly installed, sealing together to create an energy efficient roof that is water, air and wind tight. www.unilininsulation.com ENQUIRY 52

Satisfied Builder Once Again Chooses Yeoman Rainguard Yeoman Rainguard has been fitted to an impressive house (part of which dates back to the 18th century) as part of a major renovation carried out by Wiltshire based A G Builders.

Yeoman Rainguard supplied XL Aluminium 125 x 55mm half round gutter & 75mm diameter downpipe in a special lead grey coloured textured finish.

A G Builders, director, Barry Gill, said: “We have used Yeoman Rainguard on many different projects (including new build and renovation) and have always been satisfied with its products and prices and the service and advice provided by its area sales manager, Tim Hanks.” www.rainguard.co.uk ENQUIRY 53

Fakro Bespoke Conservation Roof Windows For Flagship Edinburgh Hotel The latest Fakro project in which bespoke roof windows have been supplied is the new 208-room Motel One Edinburgh Royal in Market Street. A range of roof windows in conservation style were specified by Morgan McDonnell Architecture for the German group’s first hotel in the UK, which also has 29 luxury serviced apartments and overlooks Waverley station. As part of the 140,000 sq.ft. conversion of 16th and 18th century listed buildings, 25 roof windows have been installed including smoke vent, flat roof, fixed closed and bespoke top hung designs. www.fakro.co.uk ENQUIRY 54

Kemperol Delivers A Factory Finish The advanced chemistry of Kemper System’s innovative Kemperol V210 cold liquid-applied waterproofing membrane will help ensure efficient manufacture of fluorochemicals and fluoropolymer materials thanks to a roof refurbishment project at AGC Chemicals in Lancashire.

AGC Chemicals is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of fluorochemicals and fluoropolymer materials, and its production plant not only requires a dry environment on the inside but also needs a durable roof surface on the outside to accommodate regular footfall from maintenance staff.

The concrete slab roofs on two production site buildings at AGC Chemicals had asphalt surfaces that were widely failing with a potential risk of leaking into the building below. This was evident by patches of blistering. Moreover, the seal around a number of redundant roof lights had also failed so AGC opted to refurbish the roofs as part of a general upgrade to the buildings and Kemperol V210, a cold liquid-applied waterproofing membrane from Kemper System, was chosen as a solution that could be applied quickly with minimum remediation to provide a tough, flexible and long lasting surface.

Castle Contractors Ltd stripped away the existing loose material before making good the failed areas using Kemper System’s ‘D’ Primer to prepare the surface; flooding the areas where the old substrate had been removed with special resins and graded fillers to create an even surface. The contractor then applied Kemper System’s Kemperol V210, a fleece reinforced resin based waterproofing system which cures to create a seamless, elastomeric, membrane that is durable enough to withstand regular footfall from maintenance teams and that also has an effective working life in excess of 25 years. www.kempersystem.co.uk ENQUIRY 55

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It’s Great When Things Just Click. Rainline, Click And Fit Technology Unlike plastic systems, Rainline steel gutters and downpipes from Lindab are precision engineered to simply click together for a perfect watertight fit and offer the ultimate in rainwater control. Rainline is hardwearing and robust it will not fade, leak or crack and is comparable in price to a mid-range plastic system.

Available in 10 stylish high build polyester colours, the finish of which is guaranteed for 15 years including the increasingly popular Silver Metallic, Rainline is also available in a natural copper finish. With a very low carbon footprint and supported by a range of comprehensive performance and installation guarantees Rainline gives total peace of mind to the architect and building owner. www.lindab.co.uk ENQUIRY 57

Pioneering Liquid Roofing For 50 Years Sika Liquid Plastics is celebrating 50 years of innovation in the liquid roofing market and looking to the future with the construction of a multi-million R&D facility at its Preston headquarters. The new unit will become Sika’s European Centre of Excellence for liquid roofing and underlines the company’s continued commitment to world-leading innovation.

Recognised as the market leader in liquid roofing, Sika Liquid Plastics has long been at the forefront of product innovations and leads the flat roofing industry by providing safer installations without the need for any heat or naked flame.

Its key product – Decothane – has been manufactured for over 28 years and has been used on many prestigious projects around the globe. As a further mark of its 50th anniversary the company is running a special ’50 at 50’ campaign dedicated to showcasing 50 of its top projects. www.liquidplastics50.co.uk ENQUIRY 56

USE BITUMEN

Bitumen Is Good

BLACK IS GREEN

Bitumen – black in colour but with the greenest of credentials. Bitumen is good for the building and good for the environment. For over 3000 years bitumen has provided waterproofing solutions and is still the environmentally safe, robust answer for flat and low slope roofs.

Axter specialises in the manufacture of high quality, fully integrated bituminous membranes, engineered to provide excellent performance and design flexibility in new build and renovation projects and to protect buildings from the elements for 50 years and beyond when properly designed, installed and maintained. Axter recommends early consultation with its design team. www.axter.co.uk/enquiry.html ROOFING - GREEN ROOFS STRUCTURAL WATERPROOFING SOLAR PV

USE BIM www.nationalbimlibrary.com/axter www.axter.co.uk

ENQUIRY 58

New Planning Guidelines Make Green Roofs A"No-Brainer" RIEFA is a development of an insulation product made by Riefa Fornatec, based in Reitburg, Germany. The mission of the company was produce a hi-tech yet sustainable insulation product, initially for the sound proofing of doors. Continued research and development led the company to manufacture granular formats for loft insulation and cavity fill, and has further developed into the production of wall insulation batts.

The RIEFA boards are made from a mixture of tree bark, rye flour and other materials which are understandably kept a closely guarded secret, and the key to the efficiency of the product is the production process and mixture ratio of it’s ingredients. The raw materials are sourced from sustainable suppliers across Europe, and are then processed at the factory.

The insulation boards are of 40mm thickness, and for installation in harsh environments, a staggered layer of 18mm boards is required. Riefa roof boards are 100% organic, low in profile, 36 mm, light in weight - 36kgs per m2 when fully saturated, including the sedum layer. Riefa is ideal for retro fitting due to it’s weight and low profile advantages.

Due to the lightness of the boards the installation time is extremely quick and can be undertaken by one person. The system does not require any filter fleeces, drainage layers or granular fill. www.riefagreenroof.co.uk ENQUIRY 59

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Klober Roofing Underlays Set New Standards There can be no doubt that vapour permeable underlays transformed pitched roofing but despite the proliferation of products with BBA certification, ultimately many proved to be inadequate. Despite clear differences in product performance the reliance on third party certification gave rise to what has been charitably described as misplaced confidence in many cheaper products. Ultimately, however, it was only the dramatic increase in roofing claims under the NHBC Buildmark warranty which led to the decision that VPMs alone could not be relied on.

Roofing accessory manufacturer Klober was among the first to develop a VPM and that product, Permo® forte, remains one of the market’s leading brands. Such 4-layer membranes not only offer highly effective vapour permeability but exceptional tear resistance for safety working at height. This tangible aspect of quality has given specifiers and contractors confidence but in some respects it understates the extent to which underlay technology has developed.

The high level of moisture in new buildings and growing intensity of moisture creation in homes had prompted demand for ‘air-open’ underlays even before the NHBC decision affecting VPMs. Homes left unheated after use of power showers, condensing dryers and ovens provide ideal conditions for condensation to occur but even so only two air-open underlays are currently available. This bears testament to their level of sophistication but even between these products the degree of performance variation is such that, at 2736 g/m2/day, the water vapour transmission rate of Permo air is 13% better than its competitor.

Damp or humid conditions and weak spots in a building’s insulation can put further demands on an underlay so such performance has attracted considerable attention across projects which include listed buildings. Permo® air was used in the refurbishment of Islington Arts and Media School, a late Victorian building, the design of which was targeted with achieving a high BREEAM rating. Mark Walker of BDP Architects commented, “We needed an air-open roofing underlay to solve the problems posed by the existing roof construction and Permo air’s performance met our requirements and was supported by U-value calculations and a condensation risk analysis”.

The introduction of vapour permeable underlays for metal roofs is an area of product development which attracts little attention. Used predominantly with standing seam copper, zinc, aluminium and stainless steel roofs a product such as Permo sec can be laid on timber boards or rigid insulation. As another 4-layer fleece / foil combination, its monofilament mesh outer layer channels any moisture between the outer metal covering and the underlay to the eaves. It also covers irregularities in the deck, makes a tangible contribution to acoustic performance and prevents condensation occurring on the underside of the metal.

A more recent development is that of underlay for use on low pitches. Permo® extreme RS SK² is a tear-resistant VPM which has double, self-adhesive strips to provide a permanent seal of overlaps. It enables tiles or slates used on extensions to be laid below their minimum pitch. Suitable for use at 10°, this means concrete or clay plain tiles normally laid at 35 - 40° can be fitted to match the main roof.

Being stable at high temperatures, it can also be used in situations where an in-roof PV or solar thermal system is to be installed. Permo® extreme is light in weight and, being tear-resistant, can be used with airtightness tapes and sealants for bonding to eaves flashings or sealing transverse seams and T-joints. Its wind shear resistance is critical in low pitch situations where tiles may lift if inadequately fixed.

Natural draughts in homes once provided passive ventilation but as the quality of doors, windows and roof construction has improved and open flues have disappeared increasing depths of insulation have made living spaces warmer and roof spaces colder.

Complex roof design can also give rise to areas of inadequate ventilation in which condensation can form.

As a result, the pressures on underlay performance have never been greater. The risks arising from use of inadequate products are now all too clear but so too are the means to prevent them. The generic approach to underlay procurement may not yet have disappeared but the use of products such as air-open underlays will undoubtedly reduce roofing complaints dramatically in the future. www.klober.co.uk ENQUIRY 60

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FLOORS/THE BOOK

Kährs And Reflex Sports Flooring Specified At Flagship Leisure Complex Kährs and Reflex Sports flooring has been specified at Bangor Aurora – an award-winning flagship aquatic and leisure complex, situated in County Down, Northern Ireland. Designed by AFLS+P, in association with McAdam Design, the new £38m facility features an Olympic-sized swimming pool, diving pool and flumes, as well as health and fitness suites, sports courts and outdoor pitches.

Throughout the complex, over 1825m² of Kährs Maple Activity floor, Multisport Beech and Reflex PRO-SQUASH was installed by CB Contracts for main contractor, Farrans Construction. The project was specified by Reflex Sports, through AFLS+P. Situated on the site of the Valentines Playing Field, the development includes a £15m investment from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), administered by Sport Northern Ireland. Individual floor installations included the main ‘eight court’ sports hall, where Kährs Multisport Beech was specified across 1450m². A further area of Kährs integral Maple Activity flooring was laid throughout the centre’s studio, whilst Reflex PRO-SQUASH was installed throughout the squash courts. www.kahrs.co.uk ENQUIRY 61

Howe Green Access Cover Fits The Bill At The Fish & Chip Shop UK Manufacturer Howe Green has supplied an access cover solution to fit the bill perfectly at The Fish & Chip Shop in Islington, the latest venture from former Ivy head chef Des McDonald.

The interior scheme for London’s newest high-end chippy was the remit of retail and restaurant refurbishment specialists Du Boulay Contracts.

They transformed the interior and exterior of the building to deliver an authentic blend of industrial and vintage styling, with colourful prints, 1940’s furniture, bare lightbulbs and clapboard panels enhancing the restaurant’s unique look and feel.

A Howe Green 5000 series aluminium access cover was fitted into quarry-tiled steps leading to The Fish & Chip Shop’s impressive show kitchen to unobtrusively cover all the kitchen’s essential mains drainage services and provide fast access to them for easy maintenance. Howe Green’s access covers are designed to be virtually invisible. They can be fitted into all types of hard floor finish and are manufactured to sit perfectly flush with their surround to prevent any slips or trips – essential with the heavy pedestrian traffic in a busy restaurant.

They also provide the highest possible standards of hygiene and safety making them the ideal choice for restaurants, kitchens and other food preparation areas. Double-sealed on the top edge to prevent water or bacteria ingress, Howe Green access covers will remain corrosion and maintenance-free over their lifetime, ensuring The Fish & Chip Shop can keep the kitchen open and the cod and chips coming. www.howegreen.com ENQUIRY 62

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Oxfordshire School Wins Supacord Carpet Competition The Cooper School in Bicester, Oxfordshire has won Heckmondwike FB’s popular ‘Carpet for Schools’ competition.

The competition received an overwhelming response this year, with over 350 entries, with the Cooper School selected at random to win Heckmondwike FB’s Supacord carpet, plus fitting, to a value of £1,000. The Cooper School, which is a comprehensive with over 1,300 pupils, has chosen to upgrade the foyer/entrance lobby to its Sports and Performance Halls.

The School chose Pebble from the Supacord range for the outside edges of the area, which was inset with purple panels, to reflect the school and post-16 centre’s corporate colours. Sample cards for Supacord are available on request by calling +44 [0] 1924 406161 or visiting the website www.heckmondwike-fb.co.uk ENQUIRY 64

LG Hausys Flooring Range From David Clouting – Covering All Applications The LG brand is one of the most powerful and fastest growing brands in the world. In the UK, David Clouting Ltd is LG Hausys largest distributor of surface materials including an innovative range of vinyl floor coverings for a wide range of applications. LG Hausys have heavily invested in technology to create a superb range of vinyl floor coverings designed to work in an array of demanding environments from schools and offices to hospitals and retail outlets. The LG Hausys vinyl flooring range is available in a wide range of colours and designs in sheet or tile formats. www.davidclouting.co.uk ENQUIRY 63

Sika Flooring Finds The Ideal Home Sika has supplied its ComfortFloor system for the innovative and high-end refurbishment of a Victorian house in Surbiton, Greater London. Combining noise suppression and durability with a flawless finish, Sika ComfortFloor proved to be the ideal solution – meeting the client’s aesthetic requirements, whilst delivering a hard-wearing system that guarantees outstanding long term performance. As well as ease of maintenance for the homeowner, the seamless Sika system offered toughness, durability and an increased life expectancy .Available in a range of colours to meet numerous aesthetic requirements, the decorative and durable system is weather and abrasion resistant ensuring longevity and minimal maintenance. www.sikaconstruction.co.uk ENQUIRY 65

New Homogeneous Vinyl Flooring Transforms Industry’s Gold Standard International manufacturer Gerflor is redefining the industry's performance benchmark for homogeneous vinyl flooring.

By combining the renowned hard-wearing Mipolam range with its new, patented Evercare™ surface treatment, Gerflor is unveiling a sheet vinyl floor which has unparalleled stain resistance to blood and chemicals, including iodine; the best slip resistance in its field; astonishingly low maintenance; and unique environmental credentials.

The Mipolam range of future-proof flooring comprises five product ranges: Mipolam Symbioz™; Mipolam Esprit; Mipolam Elegance; Mipolam Cosmo; and Mipolam Troplan; Mipolam Esprit; Mipolam Elegance; Mipolam Cosmo; and Mipolam Troplan. Collectively, there are 101 new colour references incorporating directional and non-directional patterns for maximum design flexibility. All suitable for heavy, or normal to heavy use, Mipolam’s directional stability resists indentation from static weights, or rucking from heavy moving loads. The whole range is completely recyclable, but now Mipolam Symbioz™ contains the more environmentally friendly bio-plasticizers, rather than chemical ones, and is 100 per cent bio-degradable. www.gerflor.co.uk ENQUIRY 66

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Forbo’s Allura Forms A New Dimension New Allura Form from Forbo Flooring Systems marks a step away from traditional luxury vinyl tile (LVT) ranges and offers the opportunity to experiment with the latest on trend ‘form’ elements to create different flooring design styles and effects. The collection extends the core Allura concept with new shapes, bigger sizes, and the popular mix and match modularity format, as well as an earthy neutral palette and novel patterns. These distinctive themes and shapes have been introduced to inspire new floor design concepts that are contemporary, unique, and practical in traditional LVT markets such as hospitality, leisure and retail.

The collection includes Allura Form Square tiles in an oak design, cut diagonally with a 90 degree grain that can be used to create a beautiful parquet and inlaid flooring effect, and Allura Form Triangle, comprising two contrasting smooth, fine grain woods that produce bold and striking design statements and monochromatic floor coverings with a signature look.

Harlequin styles and 3-dimensional effects can be created using Allura Form Diamond tile, available in four colours, all of which can be mixed and matched. Allura Form Stone Dimensions is a neutral, natural-stone-look tile range (offered in 3 sizes up to 1m2) that is perfect for high-end retail concepts, cool office environments and similar spaces. Finally, the supersized Oak XL plank-shaped tiles in a versatile multi-width offering and choice of five colours offer a new level of realism that is ideal for mixing and matching.

The new Allura products follow in the footsteps of the standard LVT range and are built around a glass fleece to provide enhanced dimension stability, while the calandered production method gives Allura tiles their extrastrong character. Meanwhile, the high quality PU lacquering ensures an even longer lasting performance without the need for initial or intermediate treatment. Last but not least, Allura Form complies with AgBB and REACH. www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/moreinfo ENQUIRY 67

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THE BOOK/FIRE SAFETY

Are Towering Infernos A Thing Of The Past?

It Would Seem Not - Peoples Lives Are Still Being Put At Risk

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FIRE SAFETY/THE BOOK

• • • • • • •

Fire In Kilburn Park Tower Block - September 2013, Fire In Norbiton Tower Block - September 2013 34Th Floor Flat Fire In Canary Wharf - September 2013 Arson Attack, Tower Block Seaton, Aberdeen - September 2013 Enfield Tower Block Damaged By Fire - August 2013 High Rise Flat Fire In Newton Heath - August 2013

House; also attending were representatives from the London Fire Brigade and the main contractor, Morrison.

After an initial investigation of the Lakanal House site it was clearly visible that the fire had found every possible void, allowing it to spread. Envirograf also inspected Marie Curie, the sister block and were asked to advise on how the block could be made fire safe, to insure this type of fire spread would never happened again.

Fire At Apartment Block Salford - June 2013

These are just a few examples of how this problem has not gone away, and we must upgrade our tower blocks to prevent a lethal disaster happening like Lakanhall House.

On 3 July 2009, one of the most terrible fires seen in recent years broke out in one of the flats of Lakanal House in London, killing 6 people including a three week-old baby, a six-year old, a seven-year old child. At least 20 people were reported to have been taken to hospital.

Lakanal House was built in 1959 and is typical of the ‘high rise’ period. This twelve storey tower block contains a total of 98 flats and forms part of the Sceaux Gardens Estate, Camberwell. The design of each flat is made up of two bedroom maisonette apartments, of a distinctive ‘scissor’ design. Each flat entrance is located from the right or left side of a central access corridor. Although the fire exit provisions were included in the original design, an investigation by The London Fire Brigade revealed that Lakanal House had been identified as being at risk of enabling a fire to spread if one should occur in any one of the flats.

Shortly after the fire the chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, said: ‘In blocks such as this one you should be safe for an hour before fire jumps from floor to floor. That wasn’t the case in these circumstances and I think we need to know why the fire spread so quickly.’

A number of architects raised particular questions about the materials used in the 1959 building, including modern plastic window frames and facades.

The Government commissioned an immediate investigation that was published, only 21 days after the fire itself. The report established the key factors that contributed to this tragedy and outlined the main issues to be addressed. However, despite the immediacy of the initial report, it was apparent that further research was required to establish why and how the fire spread in the manner in which it did.

Although the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) agreed with the initial areas of consideration identified in the report, none of these were new in themselves. The fire safety of any premises depends on a range of interdependent factors, from the design of the building, the materials used, the quality of the workmanship, the maintenance of the structure and the training given to the residents. As the report suggests, third party accreditation, the use of passive and active fire suppression measures and better education and understanding of individual responsibilities under the Fire Safety Order would all play a role in ensuring high fire safety standards.

Having completing the inspection a full report was submitted stating the recommendations required to make these buildings fire safe. Southwark Council and Morrison Construction then commissioned Envirograf to fully implement the recommendations and asked for installation works to commence as soon as possible.

All installation works out by NAPFIS trained installers.

Riser cupboards (upgrading pipes and cables penetrations Above existing suspended ceiling (penetration to other dwellings) Front doors to each dwelling plus internal doors Fire breaks every 10m above new suspended ceiling Upgrading of riser cupboard doors Voids in riser dwellings Envirograf products installed: AM Intumescent mastic IS60 Intumescent slab LBL1 Intumescent letter box liner IS14/S Intumescent fire and smoke seals SCH self closing hinges Intumescent wraps Intumescent pillow 80 minute 1.5 Graphite cloth applied to the underside of staircase sections After the successful completion of the Marie Curie block, Envirograf have continued work with Southwark Council and Morrison Construction on nearly twenty other blocks of flats that are under Southwark Councils jurisdiction, helping to keep tower blocks in London fire safe for residents to enjoy for many years to come.

01304 842555 www.envirograf.com sales@envirograf.com ENQUIRY 68

With this in mind Southwark Council contacted Envirograf to consult and supply the appropriate passive fire systems to upgrade the whole estate, ensuring effective fire stopping if unfortunately another fire was to occur.

An Envirograf Technical Fire Consultant was contacted by Southwark Council (environment and Housing Asset Management) and invited to a site meeting at Lakanal ISSUE 3 2013

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THE BOOK/DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

Glazing Vision’s X-Vent

Uniform Sets Up UK Company For Composite Windows

A smoke vent is a life critical product and must open to 140 degrees in less than a minute to allow any smoke from a building in the event of a fire stay smoke free in vital areas.

From the 1st July 2013 any natural smoke vent has to be CE marked and has to have a Declaration of Performance, (DoP). To conform to this standard the whole vent, frame and mechanism has to be tested which means it will no longer be possible to take a tested/certificated actuator and fit it to any rooflight or window and supply it as a smoke vent without it having first been fully tested as a product/assembly.

Glazing Vision’s X-Vent has been fully tested in accordance with BS EN 12101-2:2003 and carries all the appropriate supporting documentation making it fully compliant with the requirements of the CPR. Our declaration of performance is available on www.glazing-vision.co.uk/hinged_xvent_aov ENQUIRY 70

Following some 25 years of successful business in Italy and mainland Europe, the composite window specialist Uniform has set up a UK subsidiary Uniform Architectural Ltd in Bristol.

Directors Chris Dixon, Adrian Youd and Matteo Giaretta all have long experience in the window and door industry and are based at the new Bristol head office in Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol. Chris and Adrian will be keeping up their connections with specifiers and contractors to satisfy project requirements and Matteo as operations director, will be co-ordinating with the group’s European factories for the speedy deliveries for which the group is known. The Uniform Architectural Ltd parent company Uniform SpA based in Verona, Italy is a £100 million turnover manufacturer of top quality composite windows. Its range now introduced to the UK market has a much wider range of options than others offer, particularly with regard to the varieties of wood available such as oak, cherry and larch. www.uniform-arch.co.uk

Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems are delighted to have become a Secure By Design Licence holder for their Comar 5P.i, Comar 9P.i and Comar 7 range of windows and doors. ‘Secured by Design’ focuses on design and security and aims to bring together the principles of designing out crime, effective crime prevention and security standards for a range of applications and products.

‘Secured by Design’ is endorsed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), and has the backing of the Home Office Crime Reduction Unit. Comar offers the latest crime prevention features such as anti-snap and anti-bump locking systems. On points of attack stainless steel plates and protectors ensure that with prolonged abuse/attack entry is not attained. www.comar-alu.co.uk

ENQUIRY 69

ENQUIRY 71

Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems Accredited Secured By Design Licence

Store Street’s Latest Exhibit When it comes to specifying commercial window systems, Senior’s is rapidly becoming the premium choice for specifiers in the South East. In support of the growing demand for their systems, Senior’s have installed a permanent exhibition stand at the Building Centre where a wide range of products are on display.

Installed in 2012 and updated this summer, the new stand offers specifiers the opportunity to view and operate some of Senior’s newest and most innovative products. Alongside high performance aluminium systems, the stand displays the companies range of Hybrid systems, which consists of aluminium and timber plus the ground breaking Fibre system which deploys the latest in pultrusion technology.

The stand benefits from updated graphics which includes the companies popular RIBA CPD, ‘Designing Sustainable Fenestration Systems’ and updated project photography. Lighting has been further improved, the video presentation relocated and an iPad installed. The iPad offers an interactive perspective on the systems on the stand and includes videos of recent projects, products and company services.

Built into all Senior’s products is the ability to offer specifiers the highest levels of sustainability for all forms of building projects. From the high quality aluminium coatings, applied in Senior’s own state of the art powder coating plant, to the ‘cradle to cradle’ use of recycled aluminium, everything is simply designed by Senior’s to meet todays’ needs for a long lasting product in service.

The award winning Hybrid system is designed to combine the long life and low maintenance of aluminium on the outside with the high insulation, environmentally focused benefits of 100% PEFC accredited timber to the inside.

This combination offers excellent sustainability characteristics, easy future deconstruction and the ability to completely recycle used profiles in the future. www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk ENQUIRY 72

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DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING/THE BOOK

Hรถrmann Sectional Garage Doors The First With Secured By Design Accreditation The break in resistance of Hรถrmann automatic sectional garage doors has been recognised with the award of Secured by Design status. The accreditation applies to the combination of Hรถrmann insulated or solid timber sectional doors with the Series 3 BiSecur ProMatic or SupraMatic operators. The double skinned, insulated EPU and LPU doors both feature solid, CFC free polyurethane insulation that adds strength and rigidity to the door.

With the EPU door the insulation is 42mm thick at the section joints and 20mm thick across each panel. For the LPU door this insulation is a constant 42mm thick, leading to even better thermal values. The LTH solid timber doors are offered in a number of styles and buyers also have the option to have their own individual design recreated by Hรถrmann.

These doors can be ordered in either Nordic Pine or Hemlock. The ProMatic and SupraMatic operators which are part of the Secured by Design accreditation both feature a mechanical lock. This unique automatic latching system makes it almost impossible to lever these doors open, and as it is a purely mechanical system, it remains fully functional even in the event of a power failure. A wide range of styles and colours and even bespoke timber designs ensure there are doors to suit any home or project. Additionally matching entrance doors are available including the Hรถrmann ThermoPro range which also has Secured by Design accreditation. www.hormann.co.uk ENQUIRY 73

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3M Finishes Create Shimmering Colourful Surface Effects Without The Expense

Roto Tilt&Turn Hardware Makes Opening Windows a Breeze

Diversified technology company 3M has announced the launch of its innovative range of colour shift products to produce dazzling effects at a fraction of the cost of authentic dichroic glass or coloured acrylic panels. Its main characteristic is that it has a transmitted colour and a completely different reflective colour which shift and shimmer depending on the angle it is viewed from. Dichroic Film from 3M is available in Chill and Blaze colours for application to glass, plastic or acrylic surfaces as a visual opaque or decorative graphic.

Depending on the application requirement, designers can opt for the film only version – DF-Chill and DF-Blaze – or the adhesive version – DF-A-Chill and DF-A-Blaze – which can also be printed on in order to incorporate logos or designs. Whereas these two products are recommended for plastic or acrylic surfaces only, the third product in the range – DF-PA Chill and DF-PA Blaze – is recommended for use on any smooth glass material. This film is not printable and features a pressure sensitive adhesive. www.3M.co.uk/innovativefinishes

The new generation of Roto Tilt&Turn hardware offers more benefits than ever before, an example being the built-in brake stay, a standard feature of the Roto NT Designo Tilt&Turn system. When someone wants to hold the sash open in turn mode, all that they have do is move it to the position that they want – anywhere from 15 to 90 degrees – and turn the handle down into the locked position. This engages the brake stay, preventing the sash from moving in either direction. It’s strong enough to hold any sash steady, even in a gust of wind. www.roto-frank.co.uk

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The VEKA UK Group Launches Extended Colour Range The VEKA UK Group continues to enhance its offering with the unveiling of Variations; a new extended range of coloured foils for both VEKA and Halo customers. Ongoing product development is at the heart of The VEKA UK Group and the new foil offering is the latest in a long line of enhancements to the ranges. The new coloured foils range has been developed after listening to customer feedback and the result is a much broader range of colours, available in smaller pack sizes, with a clear and simple ordering and pricing policy. In addition to this, VEKA and Halo foiled profile is now available to order in vastly smaller quantities – just one pack. The VEKA UK Group's new swatch books also include a wall chart, so that VEKA and Halo customers can see at a glance which profiles can be foiled on the various systems. www.vekauk.com ENQUIRY 76

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ISSUE 3 2013

DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING/THE BOOK

Technal Glazing Systems For Award-Winning National Breeding Centre The new state-of-the-art National Breeding Centre for Guide Dogs, which features extensive use of Technal’s aluminium window, door and curtain walling systems, has won its first award.

Designed by Broadway Malyan and built by Morgan Sindall, the project at Bishops Tachbrook near Leamington Spa has won the RICS Award for Community Benefit (West Midlands region). It is the Guide Dogs’ largest development to date and is providing additional capacity to increase the breeding of puppies to 1,500 per annum.

The scheme comprises a series of interconnected gull wing buildings situated around a central courtyard, accommodating the centre’s dog breeding population, from the initial intake of dogs, mating, whelping, adults, puppies and the associated dog care and welfare facilities.

Replacing an existing set of buildings, which dates back to the 1960s when the breeding programme was founded, it also provides public viewing areas, offices and staff living accommodation.

Each of the nine buildings on the site had a different curtain walling or window specification, resulting in a complex range of sizes, configurations and glazed units, including low E, solar control, laminated and toughened glass.

Fabricated and installed by Elite Aluminium Systems, Technal’s GEODE-MX Visible Grid curtain walling system was used to deliver high levels of natural light to the areas accommodating the dogs and puppies, and the offices. It has created shaped ribbon clerestory glazing, main entrances and other curtain wall screens, contrasting with white render, cedar cladding and profiled metal cladding and roofing.

Technal’s FXi65 casement windows feature as both punched hole configurations and curtain wall inserts for natural ventilation. The CD commercial door system provides the automatic sliding doors to the entrances and was set into a rebated frame for the areas housing the doors to the kennels.

Commenting on the glazing requirements for the project, Kevin Harnett, Project Architect at global architecture, urbanism and design practice, Broadway Malyan, said, “We were looking for a range of glazing systems that would have a contemporary appearance and offer good thermal performance. We have used Technal’s products on other projects so know them to be proven systems.”

“The curtain walling, windows and doors have delivered exactly what we wanted for the project and the materials have come together very well.”

The FXi65 casement window system features curved profiles and delivers superior thermal efficiency using a 19mm flush polyamide thermal break and innovative gasket detailing to meet or exceed the revised Building Regulations. The 65mm module will accommodate 17mm up to 48mm glazing units for wider choice to provide even greater thermal or acoustic performance.

Configuration options include fixed lights, top, side and bottom hung, tilt/turn and tilt/slide.

GEODE-MX curtain walling is fully compatible with the FXi window suite, and can be used to create a variety of architectural compositions from a single grid system – low to high rise façades, horizontal or vertical emphasis, and ribbon, structural, faceted, beaded and sloped glazing. GEODE-MX Acoustic for additional noise protection and GEODE-MX62 for larger glass sizes are the latest additions to the extensive range of curtain walling options.

The National Breeding Centre project had to meet strong sustainability objectives to minimise its required carbon footprint. Features include the orientation of the buildings to maximise natural lighting, rainwater harvesting for washing down kennel areas, and biomass boilers for heating. The buildings are also designed to be open plan for longterm flexibility, allowing them to be reconfigured according to the charity’s changing future requirements. www.technal.co.uk ENQUIRY 78

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THE BOOK/DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

GEZE Hits American Standards

Award-Winning Housebuilder Chooses Vicaima Doors Award-winning housebuilder Junnell Homes has chosen Vicaima doors for its inspirational development of new homes at one of Hampshire’s most exclusive locations. Vicaima’s innovative Dekordor 3D interior door is specified throughout this exclusive development of just four substantial detached homes where 68 doors were fitted. Dekordor 3D is an innovative new dimension in door design, with its striking horizontal embossed finish and excellent performance features, such as its high resistance to water, mildew, scratches and abrasion. It is also lightweight, stable and easy to clean, making it a perfect choice for a modern living environment. The Dekordor 3D range is environmentally friendly and is available in four finishes, white, camel, grey and black and can be specified with matching door frames. It is also FSC certified. www.vicaima.com ENQUIRY 79

The UK’s leading door and window control system manufacturer, GEZE UK, has achieved another international standard, gaining approval from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for many of its products.

GEZE’s door closing devices have all been independently tested in accordance with the ANSI standards, which are comparable with CE marking used in Europe but which require independent testing in the USA. Products tested and approved by ANSI include the overhead door closers TS 1000, TS 1500, TS 2000 V, TS 2000 NV, TS 3000 V and TS 5000. It also includes the concealed closer range Boxer and floor springs TS 500 NV and TS 550 NV. www.geze.co.uk ENQUIRY 80

Halo's Flushsash Offers Classic Style With Modern Performance The latest innovative window system to come from Halo - a highly-specified brand of The VEKA UK Group - has been hailed as an innovation in heritage fenestration applications. The newly-unveiled FlushSash has been designed to sit flush within its frame and mirrors the elegant window styles of the 19th Century, making it perfect for heritage and conservation projects. Yet, however traditional this window may look, it offers deceptively modern performance. The FlushSash comes from the System10 suite of profiles and offers all the strength, security and energy efficiency you would expect from a Halo product. Energy-efficient, five-chamber PVC-U frames with double or triple glazing will ensure period properties are more weatherproof and draughtproof. For more information call 01282 716611 or email salesenquiry@veka.com with 'FlushSash' as the email title. www.halo-uk.com ENQUIRY 81

Smart Completes Major London Landmark Situated at the heart of London’s Canary Wharf, the two towers that make up the Landmark development comprise 804 prestige apartments and penthouses on 45 and 30 floors respectively, together with two lower-level buildings that are situated around a central courtyard.

Developed by CPL and designed by architects Squire and Partners, the apartments and penthouses are finished to the highest quality specification, offering residents stunning views across London and Canary Wharf.

The ground floor areas to all four blocks were completed in 2013 with Smart Architectural Aluminium’s MC Curtain Walling system installed by Avdon Bristol Limited, one of the company’s specialist partners. With in excess of 1,600 square metres of curtain walling installed and including Smart Wall commercial entrance doors, the system perfectly completes the development which contains café areas as well as a Tesco convenience store.

Completed for the Landmark project in a polyester powder coated grey finish, the slim profiles of the Smart MC Wall curtain walling system allow maximum light into both single and multi-storey buildings, with a special feature transom cap with concealed mullions for uninterrupted ‘glass to glass’ joints. The versatile, polyamide thermal break system, may also incorporate a top hung frameless vent and can accommodates any of the company’s windows and doors.

Commenting on the completed project, Trevor Evans from Avdon said: “Landmark is a stunning development right in the heart of London and we were delighted to have developed and installed a Smart system to complete the project, with MC Wall providing the perfect solution for the programme. Proven in projects throughout the UK, the system is fast to install and extremely versatile and allowed us to deliver an elegant and robust solution to complete the ground floors of the four Landmark blocks". www.smartsystems.co.uk ENQUIRY 82

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STRUCTURES/THE BOOK

Portakabin Provides Record Number Of Primary School Buildings In Past Year And Teaching Accommodation For 10,000 Children The increasing demand for school places has resulted in a record number of orders over the past year for interim classroom buildings from Portakabin, the UK’s leading modular building manufacturer.

David Laws, Minister of State for Schools, has announced the need for 417,000 additional school places by 2015 under the Targeted Basic Need programme to help address the impact of rising birth rates across the country. According to the Office for National Statistics, more babies were born in the UK in 2011-12 than in any year since 1972, which will have a significant impact on primary school places.

The Local Government Association has said some areas will face a 20 per cent shortfall in places by 2015 and around 1,000 of the local school planning districts will be over capacity by 2015-16.

In the last 12 months, Portakabin has worked with more than 300 primary and secondary schools and colleges, delivering around 400 interim classroom buildings to accommodate up to 10,000 pupils and students. The biggest demand has been for primary school facilities and particularly in the London area, but with projects spanning from Tyneside to Cornwall and delivered to the shortest lead times.

According to Robert Snook, Director and General Manager of Portakabin Hire, “The use of a modular solution speeds up the build process and so allows schools, colleges and local authorities to respond to the urgent need for additional places more quickly. By completing most of the building work before getting to site, we are able to radically reduce programme times, improve the safety of school sites and ensure much less disruption to teaching. There is also no compromise on the quality of the classroom accommodation just because the buildings are for short-term use.”

All interim facilities provided by Portakabin are designed and constructed to permanent standards and in line with the latest Department for Education guidelines for teaching and learning. The buildings incorporate design best practice, current thinking on antibullying strategies and generouslysized, light, modern classrooms. They can be configured as learning clusters, standalone teaching blocks and even single classroom buildings to meet a school’s precise requirements.

Portakabin buildings can be fitted out as classrooms, offices, toilets and changing rooms and for more specialist applications such as dance studios, dining rooms, domestic science and general science laboratories. There is also now the option for buildings to be clad to create a more permanent appearance and to help integrate the facilities on an existing school site.

Interim teaching facilities give schools, colleges and local authorities the flexibility to increase school places to maintain the highest standards of teaching during major construction or refurbishment work or to meet a short-term surge in pupil numbers.

Portakabin manufactures a wide range of buildings for interim applications and has the widest hire and visitor centre network in the UK. It can deliver bespoke projects and standardised accommodation solutions in the most challenging timescales, with less disruption and less impact on the environment. www.portanews.co.uk ENQUIRY 83

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GALLERY/PROJECT/CAREA Title: Carea Cladding Chosen For New Flexible Format John Lewis Store Location: Exeter Application: Cladding Visit: www.carea.uk.com

At the £8.5 million refurbishment of an ageing multi-storey building into a new John Lewis department store, Carea Ardal cladding has been specified to create the building’s new eye catching, decorative façade.

Refurbished by Midas Interiors and with Glenn Howell Architects undertaking the role of shell and core architects, the project has seen the transformation of a 1960s retail store into one fit for the 21st century. At less than half the size of an average full line John Lewis department store, the 65,000 sq ft branch in Exeter is the first of a new range of ‘flexible format’ branches the company plans to open across the UK. Originally concrete clad and comprising two eight storey towers, Glenn Howells Architects was appointed to create a stylish and contemporary exterior. A connecting four storey extension was created which was clad in glass and a permanent ceramic artwork. To complement the modern aesthetic, high quality cladding was required for the existing towers – with Carea’s Ardal range offering the perfect solution.

For the building’s larger tower, Ardal rain screen cladding was specified in a speckled Névé finish to create an attractive appearance of stone and curtain walling. This was complemented by silver anodised aluminium vertical feature caps. The smaller tower was also transformed by Ardal cladding, specified in a ‘Basalte’ finish and framed by a stack bonded brickwork surround.

Carea panels are available in over 30 different shades and a range of textures, in a variety of panel sizes, and matched by a selection of comprehensive joints and fittings. Providing excellent thermal efficiency and eliminating cold bridging – as well as comprising around 95% natural minerals – they are a highly sustainable choice.

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Installation is quick and simple with the Carea facade system, as each panel is supplied with specialised horizontal rails that fit onto vertical cladding supports.

With precisely routed grooves on the top and bottom, the simple fix provides a totally seamless finish to maintain the stunning appearance of the project.

Once installed, Carea’s panels will provide the client, staff and customers with a wide range of benefits including excellent thermal efficiency and the elimination of cold bridging. As well as outstanding thermal performance, the system offers exceptional acoustic and aesthetic performance, can be easily cleaned and requires minimal maintenance – offering an economical cladding solution that will look good for years.

For more than 30 years, Carea has been providing industry leading know-how and product expertise to cladding projects all over Europe. Now open to the public and welcoming thousands of customers through its doors every week, the stylish and carefully designed department store offers the highest standards of aesthetics on the outside too – thanks to the Ardal cladding system from Carea.

ENQUIRY 84

GALLERY/PROJECT/ENCASEMENT Title: Encasement Chosen For New Hove Town Hall Customer Services Centre Location: Hove Application: Conceal Interior Structural Columns Visit: www.encasement.co.uk

Bespoke ‘Forma’ aluminium column casings from Encasement have been used to conceal interior structural columns at the new customer services centre in Hove Town Hall, which provides local residents with access to a range of services from Brighton & Hove Council.

All of the casings supplied and installed by Encasement are finished in RAL 5015 Blue PPC finish and stand 2700mm high, however two of the casings are designed to not only conceal structural columns, but also act as features within the building.

While the standard casings used on the project are 600mm diameter circular casings, the two feature column casings were manufactured as two semi-circular halves, which are joined by a recessed black coloured panel on each side to give a final diameter of 1600mm.

Every column incorporates a matte black skirting collar, which integrates with the finish on the contrasting magenta coloured reception desks within the main area, while the top of the columns finish flush with the suspended ceiling.

The Hove Town Hall facility is one of two customer services run by Brighton & Hove Council with the other being located at the five-storey Bartholomew House in Brighton, where Encasement also supplied a series of bespoke column casings for the £1.8 million refurbishment project.

ENQUIRY 85

GALLERY/PROJECT/SE CONTROLS

Passmores Academy in Harlow is using a natural ventilation system from leading smoke and natural ventilation specialist, SE Controls, to provide a comfortable and stimulating learning environment for pupils while Title: SE Controls Helps Create A Stimulating Learning Environment At Passmores Academy helping to reduce the school’s carbon footprint.

Location: Harlow A range of low impact design features and sustainable technologies have Application: Ventilation Systems Visit: www.secontrols.com been incorporated in the BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rated school, including solar shading, biomass boilers and energy efficient glazing together with the use of a natural ventilation strategy to improve and mange indoor air quality while reducing the need for mechanical cooling.

To provide the level of control and flexibility required for the school’s natural ventilation system to operate effectively within the pre-defined set points, SE Controls supplied and installed 7 OS2 control panels to operate the rooflights, atrium louvres and entrance screens. In addition, the company also supplied and installed the rooflight and window actuators through specialist glazing contractor, English Architectural Glazing and were responsible for commissioning the complete natural ventilation system, which is interfaced with the school’s building management and fire safety system. SE Controls’ Project Manager, Darren Wainwright, explained: “Indoor air quality in schools is a vital consideration as it not only manages the temperature within the building, but more importantly, the level of carbon dioxide present, which has been proven to reduce learning ability if it exceeds pre-defined national guidelines. Even the classrooms have CO2 monitors fitted so that the level can be monitored and the windows manually opened, if required.”

He added: “By incorporating natural ventilation and linking our control panels to the BMS, Passmores Academy can not only ensure that the air quality and environment is effectively managed but also that the energy costs are kept in check.”

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GALLERY/PROJECT/TROLDTEKT Title: Exercising In Silence Location: Faroe Islands Application: Acoustic Panels Visit: www.troldtekt.co.uk

Torshavn gymnasium in the Faroe Islands is a major addition to the existing municipal stadium. Its design by BBP Architects is very simple but also very flexible and transparent. Gyms are often cold, echoing and not particularly welcoming places. However, for this project, careful consideration has been given to the function and performance of the room. Instead of being cheerless, it positively encourages activities and social interaction with its warm colours, transparency, tactile materials and comfortable acoustics.

To help achieve this, the architects opted to use Troldtekt acoustic panels to create a warm and friendly environment. Apart from the ceilings, they are also used on the walls, such as in the main room where a single row of panels have been spray-painted in situ. Lise Sehedsted, architect and partner at BBP also expresses her enthusiasm for the integrated Troldtekt lighting, such as in the gym which is fitted with transversal armatures while round ones have been used in the corridor and other areas.

Troldtekt acoustic panels are made from 100% natural wood fibres mixed with cement. Their benefits include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low cost life cycle performance and sustainability. The panels are widely specified throughout Europe and in the UK to improve acoustics in many potentially noisy environments, such as schools, swimming pools, sports halls, industrial environments and public buildings. Available in various sizes and in three grades from ultrafine to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour and can be supplied complete with accessories including speakers, lighting and decoration as needed Their sustainability was recently recognised with certification at Silver level within the Cradle to Cradle concept.

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ISSUE 3 2013

GALLERY/PROJECT/DUPONT™ CORIAN® Title: DuPont™ Corian® Launches New DeepColour™ Technology Location: London Application: DeepColour™ Technology Visit: www.corian.co.uk

Once again, DuPont™ Corian® has set the pace for originality and creativity in surfaces. At the London Design Festival 2013 DuPont launched its innovative new DeepColour™ Technology (patent pending) with a pair of high profile and striking installations. In the grand setting of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, the hub of the London Design Festival, DuPont™ Corian® was the material of choice to form the new festival information desk and the first point of contact for visitors.

Employing the sophisticated beauty and benefits of the new Deep Nocturne colour for Corian®, Giles Miller Studio (renowned for their expertise with surface texture) conceived a multi-faceted, multi-directional design that created a fascinating interplay with the light and made a dramatically modern counterpoint to the classical stones within the museum’s main entrance.

The depth of texture in the ‘Louvres’ desk design is enhanced by the application of this significant new colour technology for Corian® in the form of Deep Nocturne – a profoundly dark, rich and robust shade that writes a fresh chapter in the surface design palette. “I hugely enjoyed the experience of working with Corian® on applying our own studio’s surface techniques to such an intriguing, adaptable and functional material. The opportunity to be one of the first to experience and appreciate the benefits of the new DeepColour™ technology is also very satisfying.” says Giles Miller.

Meanwhile, at 100% Design, the DuPont “Endless Evolution” stand presented a sculptural wall installation of sleek and seamless pyramids, mirrored at a smaller scale by fascias to an impressive island unit and display plinths, also in the rich and saturated new Deep Nocturne colour for Corian® – winning an award from the exhibition in the process.

DeepColour™ Technology is a pioneering process from DuPont that enables the manufacture of deeper, more intense and more durable colours that also offer easier fabrication and enhanced wear performance for the darker hues. Deep Nocturne, a beautifully pure, solid tone of black, is the first of a series of new colours for Corian® using this technology to make its debut in the UK. A short film about the making of the Louvres Desk is available to view at www.youtube.com/coriandesign ENQUIRY 88

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Sika Paves The Way In Bexleyheath The Sika® Pave NF system from Sika Limited is an important ingredient in the exciting major scheme to revitalise Bexleyheath Town Centre. The system is being employed to bed and grout the granite setts and tegula block paving that are giving a facelift to the streetscape area on and around the Broadway. The completed areas will have to withstand heavy traffic including up to 1,000 bus movements a day. In the Sika® Pave system, Sika® Pave Aggregate, a pelletised, lightweight sintered fly ash, is used as a bedding medium rather than using a bedding mortar. This allows the bedding to be carried out regardless of weather, as there is no cementitious product to be affected. The round nature of the aggregate makes for easy bedding of the slabs. (For large joints of over 15mm width, the aggregate can also be used to partially fill the joints).

The whole system is then post-grouted with Sika® Pave NF grout from a mixer/pump unit. This is a high performance, shrink compensated grout, percolates through the aggregate down to the base layer, bonding the whole system together. www.sikaconcreteadmixtures.co.uk ENQUIRY 89

KNX: An Intelligent Solution For Spicers House KNX UK member Design Innovation’s ability to deliver seamless, fast integration of all building control systems using KNX has been underlined at Spicers House in Oxshott. Design Innovation’s client was building a speculative residential property and looking for a home automation system which needed the minimum amount of installation before marketing the house. A combined solution of Control 4 with KNX was provided by Design Innovation. The completed installation has allowed connection for the control of underfloor heating, ventilation and cooling, lighting, blinds, access & CCTV, audio & AV distribution. A wall mounted panel has provided the perfect front end for the user to control all the elements all via over the KNX bus. Each room has basic scene setting and absence detection is available. www.knxuk.org ENQUIRY 90

Leamington Culvert Needed A New Approach Lanes’ reputation for tackling out of the ordinary relines was given another boost when the team faced an awkward manmade culvert in Leamington Spa. The Severn Trent Water sewer was badly damaged but its location meant that a fast repair was imperative. The site was earmarked for CIPP lining, but there were complications. Lying a metre beneath the road surface, this manmade culvert had been hewn out of the ground so its sides were formed from rock. The bottom was not curved but flat, and the structure had been finished off with a brick roof. Thanks to this handcrafted build and erratic shape, the laser profiler, which is designed to record changes to a given shape rather than actual measurements, was unable to gather any meaningful data. Lanes carried out a man entry of the culvert so that it could be measured and the laterals plotted manually. With all laterals finally opened, a survey showed that the relining had been a complete success. www.lanesfordrains.co.uk ENQUIRY 91

Graze Factory Gets The Press Fit Treatment Graze.com is the newest concept in healthy snacking, with delicious and nutritious treats ordered online and delivered straight to customers’ doors. A modern and contemporary company, Graze’s factory is currently upgrading from its existing Feltham location to a purpose-built facility in Hayes. Graze chose Geberit’s easy-to-fit pipe solutions and other plumbing essentials to fulfil all of the factory’s plumbing, heating and drainage requirements. Geberit’s pipework was specified after Graze team members, Neil Thompson and Jason Low took part in a ‘pressing’ initiative, through merchants, BSS, in Reading. Armed with a set of Mapress fittings and tools, the duo never looked back thanks to the simple process of fitting Geberit’s press-fit solution together; in fact, they went on to win first place in the Geberit Challenge 2012 – a competition to find the fastest and most efficient installer.

Ease of installation is not Geberit Mapress’ only attractive quality: according to a BSRIA report financial savings can be in excess of 35% compared with traditional systems. In addition, any connections that aren’t properly fixed during installation are automatically detectable during the leak test, allowing for the quick rectification of problems.

Further security is provided by indicator foils which are removed after the correct pressing operation. These indicators are colour coded by material type, and branded with the dimension size to aid the installer. Beyond Geberit Mapress, Geberit HDPE is used for all drainage on site, a sustainable and safe product that does not leak.

Geberit HDPE is made from a compound which has no environmental impact and is fusion welded, meaning no need for hot works. Geberit’s Duofix frames for wall-hung WCs and Geberit Duofix for wall-hung urinals are also fitted in the factory’s toilet blocks. www.geberit.co.uk ENQUIRY 92

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PROJECTS/THE BOOK

Yorkon Increases School Capacity With Off-Site Construction A new two-storey teaching block for an expanding Leicestershire school completed by off-site construction specialist, Yorkon, a member of the Portakabin Group, has been described as an ‘iconic building’.

One of the highest-performing state schools in Leicestershire, Martin High School in Anstey, is expanding from a middle school for 11-14 year olds to a secondary school, catering for 1116 year olds. A new building was then needed to accommodate 50 per cent more pupils over the next two years.

The new facility provides eight classrooms and 12 toilets. The Yorkon pre-installed high performance concrete floor has been used to deliver superior acoustics and a robust finish for a demanding secondary school environment.

Full height curtain walling to the entrance has created an impressive exterior and a combination of spandrel panels between floors, brickwork and cedar cladding give the scheme a distinctive and contemporary appearance. Off-site construction allowed the building to be delivered with much less disruption than a site-based solution and the modules were installed over a weekend.

traditional construction rather than a facility built off site and we would be very happy to work with Yorkon again in the future.”

“This was a new venture for the school and we have been very pleased with both the finished result and the construction process. The building is designed to make the most of the fantastic views from the windows of the nearby beauty spot, Bradgate Park. The design of the cladding blends in well with the countryside and we have created a truly iconic building for the school.”

Yorkon has an extensive track record in the primary and secondary education sectors, having completed a wide variety of bespoke modular projects including self-contained teaching buildings, classroom extensions and complete schools, delivering all the speed, quality, sustainability and efficiency benefits of offsite construction.

Following completion of this project on time and on budget, Yorkon has since been awarded its fourth academy project in the Midlands – a two-storey sixth form centre at Woodbrook Vale High School in Loughborough. www.yorkon.info ENQUIRY 93

Martin High School’s Business Manager, Sue Plunkett, said, “There were a number of benefits to working with Yorkon, including the speed of construction and low level of disruption to a busy school environment. The finished building feels more like a

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THE BOOK/PROJECTS

Kemmlit Sails Through Specification Requirements

Stertil Stokvis Retro Dock Simplifies Multi Deck Loading

Datchet Water Sailing Club is set on inland reservoir overlooking Windsor Castle in Berkshire. The recently refurbished waterside clubhouse features Kemmlit’s Variocell cubicle system.

Variocell is a tough, durable, stylish cubicle system, easy to maintain and importantly, its anticorrosion features make it ideally suited for wet area applications –all qualities project architects Martins Camasuli were looking for.

The Variocell cubicle system specified features 30 mm composite elements of aluminium (also available in steel) with a special sound absorbing inlay – the doors and walls were attractively finished in Anthracite with contrasting satin anodised aluminium fittings.

Available in a range of colours and finishes Variocell is part of an extensive range of high performance cubicle and locker systems from Kemmlit that are available exclusively in the UK from Skirmett Washrooms. www.skirmett-washrooms.co.uk

By converting a series of existing loading bays with the installation of its new Retro Dock, Stertil Stokvis has enabled a leading high street retailer to load and unload multi deck vehicles. During construction of a distribution centre at Sherburn In Elmet six years ago, Stertil Stokvis installed a series of 58 loading bays, each featuring a conventional swing lip dock leveller. Following the retailer’s recent acquisition of the site, the company decided to allocate six of the bays for the loading and unloading of multi deck vehicles and trailers. As a result, Stertil Stokvis was appointed to convert the bays with the installation of its innovative Retro Dock. The novel design of the Retro Dock system eliminates the need for any civil works to be carried out. Instead, by utilising the external skeletal frame of the dock leveller it replaces, the new platform and cylinder can be simply installed within the empty space. www.stertiluk.com

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Clad Tidings For Residents Of Canning Town A refurbishment programme carried out by Newham Council has seen the improvement of 15 timber framed properties in Canning Town, E16. With the aim of improving the thermal insulation of the 1960s pre-fabricated houses, and increasing the sustainable elements of the build, the works included the replacement of the timber cladding with PVC-U cladding from Swish Building Products. The PVC-U alternative was used tfor a higher quality of finish without the associated cost of upkeep as it requires less long term maintenance.

In addition to the extra thermal insulation offered by the Open V cladding the substructure was also fitted with 50mm wall insulation, in accordance with Part L (0.2). A breathable vertical membrane was fitted behind the cladding to deter moisture build-up while ventilation grills were installed at roof and ground level to ensure a continuous and clear air path through the cavity. www.swishbp.co.uk

Grammar School Head Takes Design Lead For Brett Paving Project Brett Landscaping has successfully enabled a Headmaster with a side-line flair for design to pave his own success, by creating and implementing the installation of an impressive 3,000 sq m of road and footpath paving using Brett materials at Chase Grammar School in Cannock.

School Head of 17 years and former engineer Mark Ellse used his previous career experience to oversee the complete design, supply, modification and completion of the project, This incorporates Brett block paving to create an attractive hard landscaped footpath area, with the further addition of a reinforced road to complement the pedestrian paving.

Architectural practice, J. Mason Associates of Cannock, supplied site plans for the project, which combined the paving with an attractive landscaped vista. Effective drainage was essential to the paving scheme’s design; so graduating slopes leading to a central flower bed containing pin oak and landscaped side beds were incorporated within the design for rainwater from upper areas to flow into. The choice to select Brett as the project’s supplier was made from a recommendation by builders’ merchant Ranton Building Supplies, as well as Mark’s own ground-level research of other suppliers’ installations in the locality, which confirmed the aesthetic and functional qualities of the Brett range.

Mark selected Brett’s classic Omega rectangular block, and the homely feel of tumbled Alpha Antique in Autumn gold to deliver the right practical and visual solution. This combination successfully divides the space and offering contrast, while also providing traffic guidance. The paving has been supplied in 60mm for pedestrian, and the thicker 80mm for roads to withstand the greater vehicular pressure. www.brett.co.uk ENQUIRY 97

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PROJECTS/THE BOOK

Below Ground Waterproofing For New Build Farmhouse Landmarks (UK) Ltd, a Yorkshire based developer, has used Triton waterproofing systems in the construction of a traditional two storey farmhouse. The property sits on a natural gentle slope, so the basement is fully buried to the rear with a raised patio area to the front. The property was built using ICF (insulated concrete formwork) where polystyrene forms are used to contain the wet concrete when casting in-situ concrete walls - and are left in place. The lower slab was made waterproof by the installation of a membrane beneath it and the inclusion of Triton’s TT Admix in the mix. TT Admix contains active chemicals that react with fresh concrete to generate a non-soluble crystalline formation that seals the concrete itself against the penetration of water or liquid. Triton’s TT Waterstop, a pre-formed water bar which swells up to 350% when in contact with water, was placed into all joints. When TT Waterstop is fully encapsulated by poured concrete, the expansive forces form a seal against the concrete surfaces to resist hydrostatic pressure and to stop water from entering the sub-structures.

The shuttering around the slab had made provision for the concrete groove in the face of slab and the TT Waterstop was fixed into the groove using Triton’s TT Swell Mastic expansion sealant. TT Swell Mastic swells up to 100% when in contact with water, and has long lasting adhesive and hydro-swelling properties. TT Waterstop was also placed in the centre of the wall on top of the slab so that the joint between the wall and the slab was protected. Triton TT Admix was incorporated in the concrete mix used to form the basement walls. The walls were filled in one day, with over 60m³ of concrete being pumped and compacted. All joints between the polystyrene panels were protected with a width of Triton Fleeceband reinforcing fabric to give extra tensile strength. (The Fleeceband was bedded in to a priming coat of TT Vapour Membrane).

The external toe of the concrete slab had Triton Fillet Seal, trowelled into a wedge shape to make sure any flowing water flowed away from the joint. This joint was also protected with Triton Fleeceband. Externally the basement walls were treated with two coats of Triton TT Vapour Membrane, a ready blended, single component acrylic modified coating, that provided the primary waterproof and gas proof barrier.

Platon Double Drain, a membrane which, in this application, provides a drainage and

protection layer, as well as working as a traditional cavity drain membrane which allows air movement between its face and the formwork, was then draped down the walls to connect to the land drain that had been constructed at the bottom of a French drain around the rear and sides of the building. This drains into a watercourse on the low side of the building. The geotextile layer of the Platon Double Drain membrane is extended over the land drain to ensure that fines are kept out of the system.

The external walls were then back filled, maintaining a divide between the 20mm dust free gravel of the French drain and the soil backfill by using sheets of plywood, which were gradually lifted with the digger as filling took place. The back fill was compacted using a steel wheeled vibrator.

Jon Rowlands, a director at Landmarks UK Ltd explained that although his company is steeped with traditional skills, they are actively seeking and using modern methods of construction to build energy efficient housing with low maintenance, and low running costs. He said “We use Triton products because they are ideally suited to our Nudura ICF system and they have a long and respected history in the trade. For example, the TT Admix is self-healing which is essential for use with ICF because each web that ties the polystyrene panels together is a potential leakage point. The panels are strong enough to withstand a poker when full of wet concrete, so we don’t have issues with voids, but if there is capillary action along the webs, then the self-healing properties of the TT Admix are able to deal with this scenario. The high density polystyrene is also an ideal base for the application of TT Vapour Membrane because the two products bond together naturally.”

He explained “ICF works at its best when dry, so that full use can be made of the insulating characteristics of the product. This is why we use Platon Double Drain and TT Vapour Membrane to keep water away from entering the fabric of the building. Using TT Admix in the concrete is the safety back up system because if there is a problem this can be repaired from within the building relatively easily.” www.tritonsystems.co.uk ENQUIRY 98 ISSUE 3 2013

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Hauraton Drainage At Heslington East Campus, University Of York As early as 1617 permission to establish a university at York was recorded, although it would take another 343 years before university status was to be granted in 1960.

Opened 1963 and located in three historic buildings the new University had just 230 students. In less than 50 years York has become one of the top ten universities in the United Kingdom for teaching and research with more than 15,000 students.

During the 60’s and through to the late 90’s the University of York went through a phased development establishing eight Colleges and other facilities on their Heslington West site. To maintain its high rank status as one of the top universities in the world, the University authority decided to upgrade and expand to meet the national higher education agenda and help drive the regional and local economy.

In addition to improvements to the existing Heslington West Campus, a 117 hectares site just East of the existing facility was to be developed.

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The new £750 million, 65 hectare Heslington East Campus is now well underway with phases 1 and 2 already commissioned, although it will be 2020 before the approved Master Plan nears completion.

The development so far includes; The Ron Cooke Hub Building, four new departmental buildings – The Catalyst, Law & Management, Computer Science, Theatre, Film & Television, two colleges – Goodricke and Langwith including student accommodation and a sports village.

The new buildings on the East Campus are designed in clusters, each cluster being separated from the next with a sensitively designed landscaped green space. A roadway and paths connect each cluster with the next and the Heslington West Campus.

Being situated to the South of the Badger Hill residential area and Kimberlow Hill with its views of York Minster, the Heslington East site slopes away gently from these hills down to the flat lands of the Vale of York. One of the

tasks architect’s Building Design Partnership (BDP) were asked to accomplish by the University, was to produce a plan that would be environmentally sensitive to the local geography. This meant any Sustainable Urban Drainage Scheme had to prevent rainwater from roofs and hard surfaces cascading uncontrolled to flatter land beyond the site’s boundaries.

As part of the scheme a lake was created along the southern boundary of the development. Rainwater from roofs, road and pathways is directed in a series of culverts, surface drainage channels and rills, eventually discharging into the lake.

The drainage system was engineered by Arup Limited and Hauraton FASERFIX® channels were chosen to create the culverts and surface drainage between the buildings whilst RECYFIX® SLOTTED channels with their unobtrusive galvanised slot inlets were specified for the pedestrian routes and concourses.

PROJECTS/THE BOOK

The Sustainable Urban Drainage Scheme devised by Arup included the control of rainwater from roofs via downpipes into a series of buried, stepped shallow culverts made from two sizes of FASERFIX® SUPER channel fitted with solid ductile iron covers. Surface water drainage with ductile iron gratings were provided in the same channel runs where channels crossed paved footpaths or asphalted areas. Pairs of FASERFIX® SUPER 300 channels fitted with solid covers were also installed adjacent to each other in the rills to create tunnels under roadways and paths.

Hauraton FASERFIX® channels were specified because of the large, standard sizes available. The channels are made from the company’s Reinforced Fibre Concrete (RFC) which allows for the easy cutting, without breakage, of mitres and the holes required for the many downpipe access points. FASERFIX® channels also feature the company’s SIDE-LOCK boltless grating/cover fixing system which allowed for quick fitting of these components. For example, 10 metres of grating or cover can be fitted in about 70 seconds.

Colin Taff, Hauraton‘s Project Engineer comments about the project, “There have been over 1600 metres of Hauraton drainage channel installed so far in this project by Howard Civil Engineering Limited. They were please to report no breakages of Hauraton components, even during necessary mitring and hole cutting in the FASERFIX® channels”. www.hauraton.co.uk ENQUIRY 99

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Foremans Hands Over 5th Project To Tata Steel – A New Project Office For Major Redevelopment Scheme Foremans Relocatable Building Systems, the UK’s largest supplier of refurbished Portakabin buildings, has handed over its fifth building to Tata Steel in Scunthorpe – a new project office for a major redevelopment on the integrated steelmaking site.

This latest scheme, which is sustainably constructed from recycled and refurbished steel-framed building modules, will accommodate around 60 project engineers who were previously working from a number of locations across the Scunthorpe site which spans 27 square miles. Foremans has already delivered three office buildings and a canteen on the same site. The threestorey building, now known as ‘The Palace’

by Tata Steel staff, provides open plan offices and conference, induction and meeting rooms, as well as shower and toilet facilities.

Foremans supplied the building around 70 per cent complete, with doors, windows, partitions, flooring, plumbing and electrics all pre-installed to reduce disruption to Tata Steel’s day-to-day operations.

Data communications, fire and security systems were also installed by Foremans.

Commenting on the project, David Norris, Project Manager at Tata Steel, said “We looked at new manufacture and traditional brick build at the start of this project, but a refurbished Portakabin building gave us the benefit of significant savings in both

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cost and programme. We were also impressed that the building structure has a 60-year design life.”

“We were very pleased with the level of service we received from Foremans and their performance throughout. This is an excellent building delivered within our cost constraints and it looks brand new – you would never know its structure is recycled.

We have used Foremans buildings previously on this site – and will be issuing a commendation via our purchasing department for their team’s performance on this project.”

Tata Steel is one of the world’s largest producers of steel, with operations in 26 countries.

Scunthorpe is home to its Long Products UK Hub. Steel manufactured in Scunthorpe has been used in a wide range of applications from the construction of the Petronas Towers in Malaysia, the T’sing Ma bridge in Hong Kong, Heathrow Terminal 5 and the new Wembley Stadium, to simple everyday objects such as paperclips and light bulbs.

The use of recycled Portakabin buildings is one of the most environmentally sound methods of construction. It generates less than 10 per cent of the carbon emissions and uses less than 3 per cent of the energy during construction, compared to a newly manufactured building of equivalent size (source: MPBA/Arup). Other benefits include programme times reduced by up to 70 per cent, reduced cost, and the buildings can be easily expanded, reconfigured or removed if an organisation’s requirements change. www.foremansbuildings.info ENQUIRY 100

PROJECTS/THE BOOK

Ultrascape Creates A Grand Entrance In York

Sporting Daylight

Fishergate Bar is a one storey gateway on the historic York Walls. In need of regeneration, the gate’s paved surrounds were re-laid using the Ultrascape mortar paving system.

The gate’s new footing was created using Ultrascape’s BS 7533 compliant mortar paving system.

The Ultrascape mortar paving system, is a range of bedding, priming and jointing materials which meet and exceed the strict demands of BS 7533.

Ultrascape Pro-Bed HS is a fine bedding mortar that can be laid from 10mm to 75mm. The product creates the ideal foundation for laying paving elements where a rigid or bound base is required. Ultrascape ProPrime slurry primer is specifically formulated to provide an exceptional bond of greater than 2N/mm² between all types of stone. Ultrascape Flowpoint, a rapid setting flowable grout, is fast and efficient to apply, offering the ability to grout significant areas of paving quickly and cleanly. www.ultrascape.co.uk

Kalwall® diffused daylighting is playing a major role at Wakefield’s new Sun Lane Leisure Centre. Kalwall is used for translucent floor to ceiling walls in the Centre’s gymnasium and at clerestory height over the pool. The light diffusing qualities of the product is ideal for sports halls because it eliminates stark contrasts of light and shadow and creates an ideal playing surface. It is of particular benefit for swimming pools because the diffused daylight eliminates glare and veiling on the water which means that lifeguards can see underwater swimmers better. Kalwall is the most highly insulating diffuse light transmitting system available. It comprises a translucent structural composite sandwich panel permanently bonded to a grid core constructed of interlocked thermally-broken aluminium I-beams. www.structura-uk.com/kalwall

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ENQUIRY 102

Making Water Sculpture Safe Heronrib barefoot matting from Plastic Extruders Ltd is keeping visitors safe as they experience the innovative ‘Appearing Rooms’ water fountain sculpture by Danish artist Jeppe Hein outside the Southbank Centre in London.

This innovative mix of architecture and sculpture, which creates rooms via thin jets of water, is a huge hit with both children and adults alike. The matting helps them stay on their feet as they dash between the sprays. An important benefit is that the matting is impregnated with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal additives which make it hygienic for bare feet as it reduces the risk of cross-contamination. Heronrib matting is a popular choice for all barefoot and wetside applications. Its embossed surface is warm, comfortable and slip resistant. www.heronrib.com ENQUIRY 103

Copper Gardens Aurubis Architectural’s Nordic Blue Living pre-patinated copper provides material continuity for a range of additions that transform a London public space.

Architects BDP recently completed a rejuvenation of Brown Hart Gardens, set within a residential area in the heart of Mayfair, immediately adjacent to Oxford Street. The Gardens form an elevated public square above a Grade II listed electricity substation, originally built in 1905. The project provides greatly improved public accessibility and facilities for relaxation, recreation and community events, with flexible planting and seating elements, and a pavilion.

New interventions include a staircase and lift structure, clad in Nordic Blue Living, to meet modern accessibility demands and announce the Gardens’ entrance to pedestrians approaching from Oxford Street. The glass box of the café, which unifies outside and inside spaces, is pierced by a copper service structure and planters with concealed lighting are also clad in Nordic Blue Living. Continuing the Gardens’ long tradition of water features, a new bronze reflective pool playfully trickles water down the ribbed bronze back added to an original seat, adding movement and sound.

Copper, as well as other lightweight materials, met the structural constraints of the original deck but was also central to the design concept. BDP Project Architect Sara Edmonds said: “We wanted to use copper as it has historic associations as well as being a modern material. We decided on the unusual, gentle blue-green shade of Nordic Blue Living from Aurubis to complement the Portland stone. Aurubis were closely involved throughout the design process, providing material samples and advice.”

Nordic Blue has properties and colours based on the same brochantite mineralogy found in natural patinas all over the world. Other Aurubis Architectural surfaces include Nordic Green factory-applied patinas, Nordic Standard ‘mill finish’ and Nordic Brown pre-oxidised copper with either light or dark brown oxidisation.

Copper alloys include Nordic Bronze, Nordic Brass and Nordic Royal with a long-lasting golden colour. www.aurubis.com/finland/architectural ENQUIRY 104

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English Heritage At The Engine House, Swindon – Selectaglaze Awarded Return Ticket In 1840 Daniel Gooch, the newly-appointed 21 year old locomotive superintendent of the Great Western Railway wrote to Isambard Kingdom Brunel recommending Swindon as the location for a much needed engine works. In his letter he recommended that the then tiny hilltop town was the perfect location with “the great advantage of being on the side of a canal communicating with the whole of England, and by which we could get coal and coke”. He went on to say that collection of water might be a problem but “we have a great deal of side cutting that might be converted into reservoirs, and should even this fail us we have the canal”. And so, just four years later, the GWR Central Engine Station was a reality.

The site was subsequently extended with the provision of a three-storey building in the 1870’s to provide general office accommodation and airy light-filled drawing offices. In 1903 an additional storey was added in order to provide extra office space. Having ceased operating as an Engine Station this section of the building was acquired by English Heritage in 1992 to house the organisation’s extensive archives.

As part of the 1992 interior refurbishment to this Grade II* Listed building Selectaglaze, the UK’s leading designer, manufacture and installer of secondary glazing treated windows on the south elevation in order to improve noise insulation from the railway lines.

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Recent rationalisation of English Heritage’s office space around the UK has resulted in an increased number of the organisation’s responsibilities being delivered from The Engine House by over 500 members of staff. This now includes a public access library, dark rooms, photographic conservation laboratories and meeting rooms. To facilitate these extra areas of responsibility the building required further renovation and conversion works which were put out to Public Tender. This included the requirement for “The thermal upgrading of windows by installation of secondary glazing units and draught proofing of windows” to specifications prepared by Oxley Conservation, an historic buildings consultancy. The successful applicant for the secondary glazing element was, again, Royal Warrant Holder, Selectaglaze.

A total of 100 sash windows of different sizes were treated using the slim profile Series 20 system for smaller windows and the heavy duty Series 90 range for ‘monumental’ style sash windows some with curved heads. Low emissivity glass was incorporated throughout to optimise the thermal performance.

Each window was individually measured and a bespoke frame made that fitted precisely to ensure a good seal. The windows arrived fully fabricated and were installed quickly and with minimum disruption to the fully functioning office. Selectaglaze, founded in 1966 and a Royal Warrant holder since 2004, works with a very wide range of clients and has developed particular expertise in the treatment of period buildings.

The company provides an extensive range of literature and guidance notes covering acoustics, thermal performance and security and also offers a technical advisory service and a RIBA approved CPD Seminar for professional designers. www.selectaglaze.co.uk ENQUIRY 105

PROJECTS/THE BOOK

Siemens Secures Arctic Airbase Thule Air Base in Greenland, the US Armed Forces’ northernmost location, has some of the most extreme weather in the world. Temperatures down to -60oF are commonplace, and the world’s second highest wind speed of 207 miles per hour was measured on the base. Despite these challenging conditions, standard SiPass Entro access control products from Siemens have been in use at the base for more than 10 years. They have proven to be so dependable that the installation has been extended over the years from originally one to approximately 380 doors.

Thule Air Base is home to several US military groups, including the 12th Space Warning Squadron that operates a Ballistic Missile Early Warning System designed to detect and track intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) launched against North America. Around 150 members of the US Armed Forces and 450 Danish support personnel live on the base, with the non-military facilities for this small “city” being operated and maintained by a Danish company, Greenland Contractors. Despite the remote location of the base, security of even the non-military buildings is an important issue.

Access control for these buildings was originally provided using ordinary key locks and digital locks. However, around ten years ago, the decision was made to move to an electronic access control system which would make access management easier and give much greater flexibility.

Finding a suitable system was not easy, however. Since many of the card readers would need to be installed outside, they would not only have to withstand the harsh arctic weather, but also operate reliably in the worst

weather conditions to ensure that personnel is never stranded outside. In addition, the system would have to cope with high levels of static electricity resulting from the very dry air at the base.

After carefully evaluating the available options, Greenland Contractors decided to install a system using products from the SiPass Entro range, not only because they operate dependably in harsh environments – it has even been suggested that the vandal-proof card readers used in outdoor locations could resist polar bear attacks – but also because the system combined flexibility and scalability with ease of use and excellent value for money.

The original Siemens installation covered 280 doors in 36 buildings, including doors giving access to accommodation areas, leisure facilities and dining areas. Centralized control was provided by four computers in the base’s Hilltop security facility. Additionally, provisions were made for base technicians to plug a portable PC directly into the segment controllers in each building to help with error diagnosis and maintenance.

In addition to the standard access control functions, which include an anti-pass-back feature to prevent double access, the installation was configured to provide a booking system for the solarium, which is very popular during the three months of the year when the sun is permanently below the horizon. Those wishing to use the solarium log into the SiPass Entro system’s website to make a reservation. When they arrive at the solarium, they use their access control card to “turn on the sun.” If they show up at the wrong time or without a reservation, however, the system ensures that they get no sun. Provisions are also made for unlocking and locking doors remotely from the Hilltop central control station to ensure that personnel who forget their cards can get into the buildings to escape the sub-zero temperatures prevalent at the base. Additionally, the system offers a person count facility that can be used to ensure that all persons are safely indoors when a bad weather alert is in force.

When the decision was made to enlarge the living quarters on the base, Greenland Contractors looked carefully at the best way to expand the access control system in order to cover an additional 99 doors. Once again, the company decided to use SiPass Entro because the original installation had performed flawlessly for a decade.

An important additional benefit was that today’s Siemens products retain full backwards compatibility although the products in the range have evolved greatly since their initial installation at the base. This makes it easy to integrate the new and existing modules of the installation and to provide unified management for the entire system. www.siemens.co.uk/securityproducts ENQUIRY 106

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TVS Hits the Right Note at Chetham's School Of Music Chetham's is the largest specialist music school in the UK and the only music school based in the North of England. A new building was commissioned to modernise and expand the school. The layout of the old building meant that practise and rehearsal rooms were cellular. The rooms were falling into disrepair and there was a lack of sound insulation.

The design for the new building required very high levels of sound insulation. 'Rooms within rooms' were created to provide nearperfect sound-proofing, which is important for musicians because Chetham's is situated in a city centre location next to a train station and a bus route.

Most of the internal rooms were designed as independent 'floating boxes'. The concert hall was also designed to sit on springs, with an internal structure that is entirely independent of the rest of the building.

Total Vibration Solutions was selected by main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine to design, install and commission 2,169m2 of concrete- and steel-reinforced acoustic jack-up floors over five levels of the building, for 58 individual teaching and practice rooms, and a 100-seat recital hall.

TVS made the teaching and practice rooms sound-proof by installing two concrete floors, separated by rubber jacks. The acoustic floors, constructed of 110mm deep steelreinforced concrete, were subsequently jacked-up by 50mm to allow acoustic separation between the finished room floor and the original building sub-slab.

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The concert hall required the most stringent acoustic performance levels. It has a 150mm steel-reinforced concrete floor supported by 366 individual jack-up mounts and is designed as a 'box within a box' structure. These support the weight and high point loadings of steel columns supporting the roof beams, the mezzanine floor and the walls.

“We’re problem- solvers, so we relish a challenge and the opportunity to deliver bespoke solutions that meet the demanding requirements of architects, acoustic consultants and structural engineers. New materials and techniques that isolate vibration and suppress noise are not just solving existing problems but also opening up a wealth of new opportunities.”

It is thought to be the largest acoustic jack-up floor project of its kind undertaken in the UK. “The projects demanded design and materials at the very cutting edge of the acoustics industry, so we were delighted to be selected,” explained TVS Managing Director Paul Lafone.

Michael Oglesby, Executive Project Leader and Feoffee of Chetham’s said "We have, today, built a new school of the highest quality and standards that the 21st century can provide, which is only right for our truly outstanding students to allow them to grow and develop." The project is part of the ongoing regeneration of central Manchester. www.totalvibrationsolutions.com ENQUIRY 107

PROJECTS/THE BOOK

Baxi Commercial Preferred Suppliers For Coventry & Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust Some years ago, Baxi Commercial equipment was selected as their preferred option

by Coventry & Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, which provides mental health and learning disability services for the people of Coventry and Warwickshire, as well as community health services for the people of Coventry. The latest property to be refurbished by the Trust is the main block at St. Michael’s Hospital, Warwick where the existing heating and water heating plant has been replaced by Potterton Commercial condensing boilers, Andrews Water Heaters high efficiency condensing storage water heaters and an Andrews air source heat pump.

The refurbishment was carried out due to obsolescence of the heating plant and in order to reduce both operating costs and carbon footprint. The system was designed by the Trust in collaboration with the installers, Mitchell Heating & Cooling Ltd. and Baxi Commercial. The existing four boilers were removed from the plant room and replaced by three Potterton Commercial Sirius FS 160kW condensing boilers which serve existing LST radiators, air handling units and radiant overhead panels. Also installed in the plant room were two Andrews Water Heaters ECOflo 380/980 high efficiency gas-fired storage water heaters supplying DHW to showers, wash hand basins and kitchen with approximately 65 outlets. Each has a capacity of 380 litres and a recovery rate of 980 litres per hour through a temperature rise of 50oC. An Andrews AMBIflo 20kW air source heat pump provides a pre-heated water supply for the Andrews ECOflo units via a single coil storage cylinder. The new space and water heating system is linked to the site Building Energy Management System.

keeping running costs to a minimum. The water heaters incorporate Vitraglas® silica lined tanks which provides protection against the corrosive effect of hot water and guarantees a longer working life. All models incorporate Correx maintenance free powered anodes as standard, which substantially reduce service time and costs. The factory fitted Hydrojet® sediment reduction system on the cold inlet connection helps to prevent sediment build-up at the base of the tank giving a longer and more efficient working life. All ECOflo models can be flued either vertically or horizontally as room sealed, balanced flue appliances, offering the ultimate in siting and installation flexibility. As with all Andrews Water Heaters, heat input and flow are carefully regulated to produce a closely controlled water temperature and a high temperature anti-Legionella program is incorporated as standard.

The AMBIflo Air Source Heat Pump from Andrews Water Heaters offers a solution for pre-heating mains cold water to support domestic hot water production via a gas fired water heater such as an Andrews ECOflo. The unit captures latent heat from the outside ambient air and uses this to raise mains cold water to a higher temperature. This is achieved using a system which is similar to a reverse refrigeration process. The unit consists of four main components: evaporator, compressor, condenser and expansion valve. Refrigerant (R407C) is circulated around these components, changing state as it transits through the four elements of the cycle.

Potterton Commercial’s Sirius FS is a technically advanced range of floor standing, stainless steel condensing boilers, backed by a comprehensive five year warranty. Using the latest stainless steel heat exchanger technology in conjunction with a sophisticated controls system, the range delivers maximum condensing boiler performance. Sirius FS commercial boilers are easy to handle and install and, with ample internal space providing easy access to key components, is convenient to service and maintain.

The AMBIflo system is enclosed in a weatherproof steel casing with circuit connections available from either left or right hand side and is suitable for internal or external location. Features of the heat pump include: a self-contained one piece unit with a closed and pre-charged refrigeration circuit - no need for external refrigerant pipework or refrigerant handling during installation; a CoP of 3.2 based on an air temperature of 2oC and water at 35oC; anti-vibration mountings are included and the unit has an operational noise level of 44.1 dBA (at 10 metres); a BEMS interface is provided and duplex stainless steel pre-heat cylinders are available as an option.

Features of the Sirius FS range include a modulating pre-mix burner adjustable between 30% and 100%, energy efficiencies up to 107% net at 50oC flow and 30oC return and Part L2 seasonal efficiency of 96% gross. An in-built weather compensation facility optimises seasonal efficiency and encourages the boiler to condense whenever possible.

The range offers a full fault diagnostics system and in-built time controls as standard with system controls options available and, as in this case, BEMS connectivity.

In addition to supplying equipment serving the main block at St. Michael’s Hospital, Baxi Commercial has previously supplied heating and water heating equipment for two other facilities on the site: Hazelwood Terrace and Rosewood Unit, as well as another unit located at Woodhoes House. All have been fitted with Potterton Commercial Sirius floor standing condensing boilers and Andrews’ water heaters, either ECOflo or NEOflo models. www.baxicommercial.co.uk

ECOflo condensing storage water heaters are high efficiency units featuring a low NOx pre-mix power burner that is quiet in operation, and a gross efficiency up to 98%,

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Dallmer Aids Drainage At Newmarket Spa The privately owned Bedford Lodge Hotel in Newmarket, a Victorian property once part of the estate of the sixth Duke of Bedford has recently launched a new Spa. The Bedford Lodge Hotel management called on Barnes Construction, a Suffolk based construction company, to carry out the refurbishment work to their respective high standards. The Spa offers a range of Heat Experiences as well as a Hydrotherapy pool cleansing, mud treatments, showers, steam, and sauna rooms, beauty rooms and a Spa lounge. With regard to most of the services provided, an abundance of water is used and needs to be drained away efficiently and unobtrusively, therefore a suitable product for wet rooms was required.

Barnes Construction contacted Dallmer, a company with over 100 years experience in this sphere and sought advice as to which of its extensive range of products would be suitable. Dallmer recommended its floor channel Ceraline Pronto F 60Omm with a built in depth of only ….which would be suitable for each location in the Spa. The Pronto was extremely simple to install, flanges securing the drain to the floor are grade quartz sand coated onto an epoxy glue which gives optimal waterproof adhesion.

The Pronto has sound insulated adjustable leveling legs as well as adjustable screws for leveling the steel cover plate. The drain body has a removable trap insert for easy cleaning and in each case a stainless steel cover plate was used. Each of the floor channels was then connected to a Dallmer Tisto one piece FAST TRAP, which is perfect for wet rooms on timber or solid floors. Tested to a flow rate of 45 litres per minute, the trap is specifically designed for use with the latest high-powered showers. www.dallmer.com ENQUIRY 109

NEACO Products Now Available In National BIM Library NEACO’s Spectrum range of modular handrails, balustrade, balconies and structural glass is now available in the National BIM (Building Information Modelling) Library, the construction industry’s free-to-use online resource of NBS standard BIM content.

Developed and managed by NBS, National BIM Library enables construction professionals to locate and download generic and proprietary BIM objects available in industry-neutral IFC format and formats compatible with Autodesk Revit, ArchiCAD, Vectorworks, Tekla and Bentley. It is the latest NBS initiative designed to provide, share and maintain quality information for the built environment. The service aims to host a comprehensive range of systems and products for various building elements to become the primary source of standard and proprietary BIM objects.

NEACO’s national sales manager, Richard Richardson-Derry, said: “With their classleading Lifetime Guarantee and modular systems guaranteeing uniform quality and design accuracy, NEACO’s precision-engineered products are ideally suited to National BIM Library, which is fast emerging as vital means of establishing a common approach to quality standards across the construction industry and encouraging consistency and best practice.”

Available in powder coated aluminium or stainless steel - or a combination of both Spectrum is characterized by smooth, clean lines offering a high architectural aesthetic which is extremely durable and maintenance-free. The range includes a wood-effect finish and a comprehensive choice of infills, from toughened glass and rails to mesh, grilles and perforated panels.

Modular assembly is achieved with internal fixtures and provides low-energy, ecofriendly construction requiring no welding or hot works. For industrial environments the mill-finished Spectrum Genesis is extremely durable, fully recyclable and corrosion-free.

Neaco’s BIM entries can be accessed via their website at www.neaco.co.uk ENQUIRY 110

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Cantifix Brings Natural Light To Oxfordshire Home This property in rural Oxfordshire was adapted in 2012 to open up the corner of its large kitchen, and to bring in plenty of natural light. Cantifix designed and installed a Sky-Frame configuration that involved 8 metres worth of doors.

All 4 panels can slide, and the doors also open at the corner to create a stunning and technically intriguing façade – as well as allowing a great view of the beautiful countryside around the property.

Sky-Frame doors were the perfect product for this home, with their slim frames complementing the clean design of the kitchen perfectly. The flush threshold of the doors has been emphasized by the use of similar floor tiles on the inside and outside – allowing the two spaces to blend visually. www.cantifix.co.uk ENQUIRY 111

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