9 minute read
Interiors & Lighting. . . . . . . . . . . 82
Inside products insight
Paul Groves takes a look at this month’s product news
THERE IS THE USUAL MIX OF PRODUCTS IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE AS WE ALSO EXPLORE SOME KEY ISSUES WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.
Fire doors are important safety devices which help prevent the spread of fire and are required to be kept closed.
However, closed fire doors can prove to be frustrating and a hindrance. Wedging or propping open the doors may seem a convenient way to allow fresh air in but poses a dangerous risk in the event of a fire.
Freedor offers an ideal solution. Freedor is an overhead fire door closer that makes opening fire doors effortless. It allows the user to place it open in any position, enabling greater ease of access and provides freedom for everyone in the building.
Fresh air has many positive effects as it increases happiness, boosts the immune system and improves general wellbeing. It also reduces triggers of allergies and building-related illnesses such as Sick Building Syndrome.
Air conditioning systems are one way of achieving this. Nevertheless, a lack of outdoor air coming into the building can actually mean that air conditioning systems bring more contaminated air in.
This poor quality air can then result in a buildup of pollutants which everyone can inhale; this can trigger symptoms such as fatigue, throat and eye irritation, headaches and dizziness.
Being able to keep fire doors open and bring in the outside air improves ventilation and removes odours in the building providing a fresh and pleasant environment. Simply fitted to the top of a fire door, the unit is wireless and battery powered. This ensures a quick install with no disturbance. Freedor continually listens out for the sound of the fire alarm, and once the alarm has been verified, will automatically close the door, making it a safe and legal solution.
A trusted product with over 15,000 in the field, Freedor is proving to be a popular and versatile product that also gives greater accessibility, safety and ensures compliance.
Complying with the relevant British and European standards, Freedor is a safe and easy solution to the problem of wedged open fire doors.
Hadley launches a new purlin and side rail system
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS AND FABRICATORS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY SIGNIFICANT SYSTEM WEIGHT SAVINGS THANKS TO THE LAUNCH OF A NEW PURLIN AND SIDE RAIL SYSTEM, WITH IMPROVED SUPPORTING SOFTWARE.
Developed by the Hadley Group in response to customer demand, the new UltraZED™2 delivers on average weight savings of between six and 13 per cent compared to other market leading systems.
The UltraZED™2 purlin, UltraBEAM™2 side rails and all components in the range have been completely redesigned and tested extensively. The result is a new purlin profile that is both lighter and stronger than competitor systems. It has a generous 70mm flat fixing face, enhancing both sheeting installation and air permeability performance.
Available in both single and double span systems, the section range has been expanded to fill design criteria cases where solutions were not available. There are now 59 UltraZED™2 sections manufactured from high strength S450 steel. These range from a section depth of 145mm to 305mm enabling engineers to design for spans up to 13 metres. The products offer considerable improvements to the load capacities across the full range of systems which include sleeveless double span, sleeved and Heavy End Bay systems.
Hadley’s advanced Design Suite™PRO software has also been completely redesigned to support the new purlin range, making choosing the right gauge and depth option for the job both quick and easy. With contemporary user interfaces the software is designed to be completely intuitive and can be used with the minimum of training.
It features SCI Assessed section properties and system capabilities considered in accordance with Eurocode BS EN 1993 1-3, (current BS version incorporated). The integral module utilises BreVe.3 for calculating wind loadings and features an extended range of Internal Pressure coefficients as well as a bidirectional wind wizard. The wizard assesses wind speed from 12 directions in just six steps, and allows for custom labelling of each face of the building under consideration for quick and easy identification of correct loads. All elements of the building can be incorporated in a stored project database, which can be configured to the user’s output and reporting requirements in Microsoft Word or .pdf formats.
Hadley – Enquiry 144
Surface & Materials Show announces diverse seminar schedule
As preparations for the inaugural UK Construction Week take shape, Media 10 has announced its detailed seminar programme for the Surface & Materials Show.The Surface & Materials Hub will run for the first three days of UK Construction Week, 6 –8 October in partnership with SCIN Gallery, an industry leader in bringing new and innovative materials to the marketplace. Visitors will also be able to attend Grand Designs Live, the Build Show, Timber Expo, HVAC 2015, Energy 2015, Kitchens & Bathroom Live, Plant & Machinery Live and Smart Buildings 2015.
UK Construction Week –Enquiry 145
Leading foundation trust chooses Yorkon off-site solution to expand ward accommodation
Frimley Park Hospital chose a Yorkon off-site building solution from the Portakabin Group for a new 34-bed emergency care ward to help address the increased pressure on health services particularly during peak periods. The use of an offsite solution for this ward building also helped to address the site challenges. The pre-installed Yorkon concrete floor system was specified throughout the building for a robust and high performance finish. The new wards are linked to an existing ward building at both ground and first floor levels which required precision engineering of the steel-framed modules.
Portakabin –Enquiry 146
Koppers’ micronized technology helps preserve timber for longer
Industrial wood preservative specialists, Koppers, has extended its revolutionary micronized copper treatment range, MicroPro - the leading wood preservative technology. MicroPro allows contractors to build with a timber material that is more natural looking in its appearance. Traditional methods of getting copper into timber involve dissolving the copper in a solvent, but Koppers’ MicroPro technology is different; it does not use organic solvents. Instead, it uses micronizing technology that grinds the copper particles so small that they can easily penetrate the wood in solid form.
Koppers –Enquiry 147
Bragging rights on snagging
According to manufacturer Durisol UK, its building system that makes use of hollow blocks that are simply placed one above the other then filled with concrete, promise far fewer snagging issues than timber frame or traditional brick and block construction. External walls can be built using the 500mm long by 250mm high by 365mm wide Durisol blocks which are made from softwood chippings that are mixed with a specially formulated cementitious compound before being pressed into a special mould.Part of the formulation is incorporated to ensure the timber does not rot, and will not burn. Clear channels are created in the block –running from top to bottom – that allow the installation of insulation at manufacturing stage (PIR or Graphite polystyrene) and, once assembled on site, the pouring of concrete to create the strong, rigid structure.
Durisol UK –Enquiry 148
IFSEC 2015: open standards ensure customers access new technology faster, says ASSA ABLOY
ASSA ABLOY will use this year’s IFSEC to explain why open communication platforms are the way to win business—and to keep customers happy in the long term. Across Europe approximately 70% of the OEM market has integrated one or more of ASSA ABLOY’s product lines. On a global level, over 100 leading access control OEMs have integrated an ASSA ABLOY solution. In part, this is because of ASSA ABLOY’s flexible approach to communication platforms. Open platforms allow customers with existing access control or security systems to extend and upgrade without the need for a complete replacement.
ASSA ABLOY –Enquiry 152
Bison receives sevenfigure precast concrete order for Southampton vehicle terminal extension
Bison Manufacturing has secured a substantial order for its market leading precast concrete units to be used in the extension of one of the Port of Southampton’s vehicle handling terminals.
Bison’s appointment by main contractor Morgan Sindall to supply 56,000m² of its 150mm deep Hollowcore units comes two years after the manufacturer was initially brought on board to provide materials for use in the facility’s construction.
Selected due to Bison’s proven ability to provide high quality units to tight tolerances and with mechanically inserted lifting hooks, the slabs will be delivered to the site from summer until December 2015.
Meeting European Standard EN 206-1:2000 exposure class XS1, the units are certified as suitable for use in areas where they will be exposed to airborne salt, making them ideal for installation in coastal areas.
Paul Finch, Morgan Sindall contracts manager, said: “Having worked with Bison during the terminal’s initial construction, we were aware of the company’s ability to manufacture and deliver high quality units in line with construction time frames. In using Bison units for the extension works we’re confident that the same advantages will also be provided for this project.”
Bison Manufacturing –Enquiry 150
Innovating with aircrete
H+H, the UK’s leading aircrete manufacturer, is proud to be sponsoring ‘Homes for Britain’, the 2015 Sunday Times British Homes Awards. Launched in March by the then Housing Minister Brandon Lewis MP, this year’s awards challenges architects and designers to produce a standard house type suitable for Garden City type developments, with a focus on innovative designs which are both buildable and replicable. This year all entries must be designed using H+H aircrete blocks. The closing date for entries is 10 July
H+H –Enquiry 149
Howarth Timber and Building Supplies has launched a brand new online training academy designed to improve the knowledge and skill base of the UK building industry. The Howarth Timber Training Academy arrives on the market with a huge array of online courses that will give building professionals confidence across a wide range of specialisms and products. Each course has a set pass rate and participants are tested at the end to see if they have reached the required level of knowledge. If they pass, they can then print off a certificate to acknowledge the achievement.
Howarth Timber –Enquiry 151
FUHR – it’s the automatic choice
First impressions matter, so when Brian Newbon designed a new solid wood front door he wanted a locking device that would complement its style and enhance levels of security. Extensive research led him to another front door – that of FUHR’s UK distribution hub in Telford. Having tried several other routes unsuccessfully FUHR proved to be sympathetic and only too willing to help to find the perfect solution. The FUHR MULTI-SAFE 833 is suitable for PVC-u, aluminium and timber doors and the multipoint locking device features automatic locking to prevent unauthorised access.
FUHR –Enquiry 153
