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Howe Green supplied over fifty aluminium floor access covers for the award-winning Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL) at the University of Birmingham’s Edgbaston Campus, part of a £40 million plus investment by the university into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

The robust 6,700 m2 brick structure was designed by architect Sheppard Ross. It has won four awards in the RIBA West Midlands Awards including Building of the Year 2019. The building design was meticulously detailed, and the materials used were chosen to minimise maintenance and enhance the life expectancy of the building.

Howe Green 5000 Series Light Duty Aluminium and 7500 Series Medium Duty Aluminium Floor Access Covers were supplied to main contractor Morgan Sindall and were specified by the architect, Sheppard Ross. The covers were installed and infilled with ceramic floor tiles.

In addition to ceramic tiles the 5000 Series and 7500 Series can be used with marble, terrazzo, concrete, resin, wood or parquet flooring. The 5000 Series is suitable for use in areas with pedestrian traffic and the load performance of the 7500 Series is for cars and light delivery vehicles up to 5 tonnes pneumatic tyre load.

The access covers can be removed, safely and easily, for maintenance purposes with the use of lifting keys or Howe Green Access Cover Skates. The access covers fit perfectly flush with their surround to avoid the risk of hazard from slips or trips.

Howe Green has over thirty six years of experience in supplying floor access covers. Howe Green’s access covers can be found in many educational settings including John Moores University in Liverpool, St Bernadette’s Primary School in Antonshill, Scotland, and the University of Surrey.

If you would like Howe Green to assist with your requirement for a solution to access
concealed building services located under hard flooring please call 01920 463230 or visit
www.howegreen.com.

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Shower brand Kinedo from Saniflo kicks off Spring with the launch of two new shower tray ranges and a new shower tray brochure, all available to retailers now.

The spa-like, textured Kinerock Evo shower tray is made from Biolex, which is a robust and damage-resistant mineral composite containing 80% mineral with an acrylic resin and gel coat surface. Available square, rectangle and quadrant and in five colours – white, black, grey, anthracite and sable –the Kinerock Evo is 30mm thick and comes with an extra-flat waste and a metal waste cover to match the chosen tray colour. Sizes range from 700x700mm up to 2000x1000mm.

Equally impressive is the new designer tray Kineline, which features a linear tray and a granite look and feel. Also made from Biolex and available in the same five colours as Kinerock Evo, the Kineline is 26mm thick and available square and rectangle with side and linear waste. Sizes from 800x800mm up to 1800×900.

Both models can be cut to size on site if required.

Saniflo Head of Marketing and Product Management, Ann Boardman, says: “The two new Kinedo shower tray ranges offer a quality, versatile, designer product at an attractive price point. The Kinedo Kinerock Evo and Kineline bring a touch of elegance to any bathroom or wet room. They’re low maintenance and safe, delivering a consistently superior showering experience.”

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As the UK population slowly regains the freedoms it yearns for, advice from ventilation systems supplier VORTICE is to ventilate, purify and sanitise to maintain good indoor air quality at home and at work and avoid the transmission of germs and viruses in indoor spaces.

Marketing Manager Jennifer Quinn reveals the company’s thinking in the first of a series of podcasts from VORTICE in conjunction with BusinessNet Explorer. Over the next few months, Jennifer will cover topics such as continuous mechanical ventilation, heat recovery systems, sanitisation using UV-C ultraviolet light and hygiene products such as hand dryers and soap dispensers.

Jennifer Quinn said: “We’re delighted to work with BusinessNet Explorer for its Brand Leader Podcast series. The importance of ventilation has risen to the fore since the pandemic struck and I’m pleased to be able to explain how good ventilation systems can bring health benefits to building occupants.”

For more information about VORTICE and its products visit www.vortice.ltd.uk

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In January, Saniflo UK welcomed new Sales Director, Simon Emmons. Based at the company’s head office in Watford, Simon brings a wealth of senior level experience to the role. Simon will strengthen the distribution network for the domestic range and oversee growth of commercial pumps and lifting stations and the Kinedo range of showers, trays and baths.

Latterly, Simon was Sales & Marketing Director at Yale, the security hardware company and prior to that spend many years in the white goods sector; working for household names including Whirlpool, LG, CDA and Electrolux.

Commenting on his appointment, Simon Emmons says: “It was business as usual for Saniflo last year with the company staying open to provide essential products and services to frontline organisations. In 2021 the company has not only seen a return to pre-epidemic business levels, but an increase in sales possibly due to pent up demand as well as the strength of the construction sector. To manage anticipated growth, which has also been stimulated by the launch of new products including grease traps, submersible pumps and commercial lifting stations, my appointment is key and I’m delighted to be a part of the Saniflo team. I look forward to strengthening the distribution network for the domestic range and overseeing growth of commercial pumps and lifting stations and the Kinedo range of showers, trays and baths.”

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Last month Saniflo UK welcomed new Business Development Manager for Kinedo, Warren Knowles. Warren’s main objectives are to increase brand recognition, raise awareness of the range of shower cubicles, enclosures, trays and shower baths and identify new contract and specification opportunities.

Prior to joining Saniflo Warren was National Business Development Manager at JT Ellis & Co and is highly experienced in winning contract work, particularly from housebuilders and large construction businesses.

The new addition to the team follows hot on the heels of the appointment of new Sales Director Simon Emmons in January.

Speaking about the appointment, Warren says: “Kinedo offers an outstanding range of shower cubicles and I look forward to continuing the momentum of success that the brand has had with housebuilders and specifiers.”

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Shower brand, Kinedo, is delighted to announce the appointment of Nicola Lees to the position of Business Development Manager. Nicola joined the team on 1st Feb 2020 and has hit the ground running thanks to her extensive knowledge of the sector.

Prior to joining the team at Kinedo, Nicola worked for City Plumbing Supplies (Part of Travis Perkins Group) for five years as a Senior Account Manager. She was involved with new build plumbing contractors and housebuilders and prior to this she worked in sales for over a decade with some of the UK’s leading housebuilders.

Nicola is tasked with gaining specifications with regional housebuilders and to develop sales in the leisure sector as well as within bathroom showrooms. She will also be first line of support for national and independent merchants for both Saniflo and Kinedo.

Outside work the mum of one spends her spare time travelling and is planning a wing walking challenge – just for fun.

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As a well-known and trusted market leader for domestic and commercial macerators, pumps and lifting stations, Saniflo recently added the renowned Zehnder pump range to its extensive product portfolio; creating an opportunity for a new member of the sales team. As such Saniflo is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Hassan to the role of Technical Sales Engineer.

Michael’s new role will include identifying opportunities in commercial sector for this wider range of products and to highlight the larger pumps in the range to new and existing customers. He has a wealth of experience in the sector that includes 13 years of B2B pump sales with companies including Thermo-Fisher, Cole-Parmer, Grundfos and Watson Marlow. Over this time Michael helped to specify pumps in a wide range of industries and applications. From small R&D pumps in labs, food & beverages and dosing pumps for the water utilities to heavy duty pumps for industry and commercial buildings, Michael has assisted a multitude of clients to get waste liquids from A to B in the most expedient way.

Outside work Michael is a big gamer and enjoys building custom gaming PCs. His most recent build has been featured in a benchmark leader board. True to his nature of solving problems he also blogs with advice on PC parts, building and crypto mining to help others in the gaming community.

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UK leading Manufacturer of Type C Cavity Drainage Systems, Delta Membrane Systems are revolutionising the waterproofing sector with the launch of their MS 500 Fire Retardant system.

With Delta MS 500 Fire Retardant membrane it is now possible to specify a Type C, Cavity Drainage Membrane that offers not only protection from water or vapour ingress but also protection in the event of fire.

The Delta Fire Retardant range has been manufactured with DELTASAFE, a new innovative fire-retardant property which achieves a Euroclass rating of B-S2, d0 in accordance with EN 13501-1:2018 meaning it is now possible to specify a Type C Cavity Drainage Membrane that meets building requirements of today, but also that of tomorrow, without having to radically alter specifications.

Delta MS 500 Fire offers the same design flexibility as MS 500, whilst maintaining its strength, durability, functionality and workability.

A Type C Cavity Drainage System is a maintainable basement waterproofing solution suitable for new-build basements, refurbishment and retrofit projects. The Type C System comprises of a Cavity Drain Membrane, Drainage system, Submersible Package Pump and Control System. This type of system is designed to combat water ingress and can be used to habitable in grades 1-3 according to BS 8102:2009.

As with all Delta products, no one knows protection like we know protection. We’ve learnt how to protect buildings from the most extreme conditions imaginable all over the world. Quality is consistent because of our unparalleled manufacturing and quality control processes.

Whether it’s structural waterproofing residential basements, to fire retardant Type C systems on a multi-level new-build, our Technical Team will be happy to provide a full specification and offer guidance throughout a project.

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As one of the UK’s most visited heritage attractions, situated at the very heart of the City of Bath World Heritage site, the Roman Baths houses one of the greatest religious spas of the ancient world.

Its principle feature, the Sacred Spring, facilitates the rise of over one million litres of water each day at a temperature of 46°C. Excess water escapes through the spring overflow to the Roman Drain, before finally reaching the River Avon, 400 metres away.

As part of a significant redevelopment project to upgrade the visitor experience by displaying the Roman Drain and its impressive historical engineering, Howe Green’s innovative brushed stainless steel Floor Access Panels were specified to ensure the long term efficiency and effectiveness of the attraction.

Due to the Roman Drain being located below floor level, combined with the water’s high temperature and mineral content, the very nature of the development, which was managed by Scena Projects, presented a range of diverse challenges that required the highest quality building components to successfully overcome.

Manufactured to bespoke specifications in sizes of 5m x 0.5m, the two durable Howe Green Floor Access Panels were installed in parallel with robust sheets of glass, which act as both a walkway and viewpoint for visitors.

The bespoke Floor Access Panels allow steam to continuously escape from the drain, providing sufficient ventilation that eliminates the potential for the glass to become obscured by a build-up of condensation and mineral deposits.

The high quality panels also provide secure and safe access to underground services, with the stainless steel construction resilient enough to withstand heavy footfall, yet light weight to support easy lifting and handling.

Paul Norman of Scena Projects said: “Howe Green produced exactly what we asked for – the stainless steel Floor Access Panels have a high quality finish and are ideal for an application of this nature.”

The streamlined construction of the access panels also ensured flush installation in conjunction with the glass and surrounding hard flooring, ensuring compliance with all relevant health and safety regulations.

Chris George, Business Development Manager at Howe Green, said: “The unique nature of this project required bespoke solutions that could facilitate the demanding requirements of such a unique Heritage Site. We are extremely proud to be part of such an iconic project, which is testament to the wide reaching capabilities of our robust manufacturing offering.”

As a member of the official Made in Britain organisation, Howe Green manufactures its extensive portfolio of floor access solutions at its UK headquarters in Hertfordshire to exact client and project specifications, meeting the functional and aesthetic requirements of any environment.

For further information on Howe Green’s high quality range of floor access solutions, visit www.howegreen.com or call 01920 463230.

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As architects, designers and lovers of beautiful buildings prepare to celebrate the very first World Art Deco Day Crittall Windows is pleased to mark its contribution to some of the UK’s most iconic examples of this eclectic style.

Russell Ager, Managing Director of Crittall Windows, says: “ Our windows have helped to define some of this country’s best loved heritage buildings and are synonymous with the Art Deco period of the 1920s and 30s.”

Not only do the company’s slender steel frames feature in many of the surviving original structures but Crittall has also been called upon to supply like-for-like replacements where restoration projects seek to retain the appearance while upgrading to meet modern day thermal and acoustic performance requirements

Art Deco landmarks such as the Hoover Building and Battersea Power Station were designed with Crittall windows. In other projects such as Gateshead’s Baltic Flour Mill, steel framed fenestration was added when the building was saved and sensitively re-designed as a major arts centre.

Battersea Power Station was built with steel windows punctuating the brick clad elevations of the boiler houses, turbine halls and control rooms. The redeveloped site features Crittall windows in the first new-build bar and restaurant in the locality where MW40 windows and doors were specified precisely to reflect the area’s industrial heritage.

New Crittall windows were added to the north and south elevations of the transformed Baltic Flour Mill that sits alongside the River Tyne at Gateshead. Blending with the traditional architecture the full height fenestration now floods with daylight what was previously an enclosed space.

Less well-known Art Deco gems include Pegasus House, Bristol. Built in 1936 to house the employees of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, it boasted 430 Crittall windows, all of which were replaced with their modern equivalent – the Corporate W20 system – when the building was saved from its dilapidated state in a restoration several years ago.

And two housing estates, one in Wilmslow, Cheshire, the other in Richmond, south London, provide examples of Streamline Moderne, an offshoot of the Art Deco movement. The Grade II listed Appleby Lodge in Wilmslow, designed in 1936, features characteristic cantilevered balconies and curved cornices. During a recent refurbishment the original single glazed Crittall windows were upgraded with a mix of Homelight Plus and Corporate W20 systems.

By contrast, Litchfield Court in Richmond features layers of long horizontal white painted balconies that give the buildings the appearance of an ocean liner, also characteristic of the Streamline Moderne style. Crittall replaced all its original windows throughout the estate, including a few inappropriate installations that had been added in intervening years, returning the blocks to their pristine, original appearance.

www.crittall-windows.co.uk

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