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Crittall ‘Sustainability’ focussed Podcast Series – Edition 4 – Transcript to support learning
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Steel Windows – Sustainability meets Style – Edition 4 – ‘The sustainability plusses emphasised by Steel Windows’
Crittall ‘Sustainability’ focussed Podcast Series – Edition 4 – Transcript to support learning
‘Nobody can doubt the strength of steel as a construction material, but its qualities in the field of sustainability are rather less obvious, but no less impressive’ says Russell Ager, Managing Director of Crittall Windows.
And in this special edition series of bite-sized learning podcasts sponsored by Crittall, we discuss The Strength of Steel, The Life Cycle Assessment of Steel, How to protect Steel Building Materials from corrosion and why Windows are one particular building component that emphasises the plusses of sustainability for the material.
In this fourth edition we discuss ‘The sustainability plusses emphasised by Steel Windows’
So, one particular steel building component that emphasises the sustainability plusses of the material are windows. Manufactured under controlled conditions to reap the benefits already enumerated for steel as a material,
Crittall Windows operates within the constraints of ISO 14001:2004; a recognised international environmental management standard that sets targets for solids, liquids, gaseous emissions and waste generation.
But the finished product itself, which is galvanized for enhanced longevity, offers other benefits because of the nature of the material. Because of their inherent strength steel windows have much thinner frames than is possible with other window materials. This lets in more daylight thus reducing the use of artificial lighting in the buildings in which they are installed. Taken over the elevations of a large commercial building this could lead to impressive savings in both energy usage and cost.
Supreme strength and matchless elegance are unusual partners, but they sit side by side in the world’s most recyclable building material. And who said sustainability and good looks could not go hand in hand.
Thank you for listening to the fourth and final edition of this bite-sized learning podcast series. Make sure you listen to all 4 editions to fully understand how with Steel Windows – Sustainability meets Style!
For more information about Crittall steel windows, please go to www.crittall-windows.co.uk
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Crittall ‘Sustainability’ focussed Podcast Series – Edition 3 – Transcript to support learning
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Steel Windows – Sustainability meets Style – Edition 3. ‘How Steel Building Materials are Protected from Corrosion’
Crittall ‘Sustainability’ focussed Podcast Series – Edition 3 – Transcript to support learning
‘Nobody can doubt the strength of steel as a construction material, but its qualities in the field of sustainability are rather less obvious, but no less impressive’ says Russell Ager, Managing Director of Crittall Windows.
And in this special edition series of bite-sized learning podcasts sponsored by Crittall, we discuss The Strength of Steel, The Life Cycle Assessment of Steel, How to protect Steel Building Materials from corrosion and why Windows are one particular building component that emphasises the plusses of sustainability for the material.
In this third edition we discuss ‘How Steel Building Materials are Protected from Corrosion’
A key element in the use of steel as a building material is galvanizing providing protection against corrosion. In this process the steel is coated with zinc to prevent it from rusting. The cleaned steel is dipped into molten zinc at around 450 degrees C and a series of zinc-iron alloy layers are built up by a metallurgical reaction between the iron and zinc creating a strong bond between steel and the coating.
The galvanizing process is energy efficient taken as part of a whole life cycle which is the only meaningful way of calculating the impact on such a long-lasting material. It prolongs the life of an already long-life product, and it does not affect recyclability or re-use. Galvanized steel can be thrown into the scrap furnace and steel can easily be re-galvanized.
Thank you for listening to the third edition of this bite-sized learning podcast series. Make sure you listen to all 4 editions to fully understand how with Steel Windows – Sustainability meets Style!
In the next edition we discuss ”The sustainability plusses emphasised by Steel Windows’
For more information about Crittall steel windows, please go to www.crittall-windows.co.uk
View Crittall's profile:
Crittall ‘Sustainability’ focussed Podcast Series – Edition 2 – Transcript to support learning
Story
Steel Windows – Sustainability meets Style – Edition 2. ‘The Life Cycle Assessment of Steel’
Crittall ‘Sustainability’ focussed Podcast Series – Edition 2 – Transcript to support learning
‘Nobody can doubt the strength of steel as a construction material, but its qualities in the field of sustainability are rather less obvious, but no less impressive’ says Russell Ager, Managing Director of Crittall Windows.
And in this special edition series of bite-sized learning podcasts sponsored by Crittall, we discuss The Strength of Steel, The Life Cycle Assessment of Steel, How to protect Steel Building Materials from corrosion and why Windows are one particular building component that emphasises the plusses of sustainability for the material.
In this second edition we explore ‘The Life Cycle Assessment of Steel’
Produced using iron, the most abundant element on the planet, steel manufacturing impact is calculated by the World Steel Association using what
is called the ‘system expansion’ method of life cycle assessment. This looks at steel to be part of a global system of supply and demand and takes account of co-products used in the manufacturing processes that save energy or reduce emissions. One example is waste gases from the process being re-used to generate electricity for the process.
The full life calculation, which also takes account of steel’s high strength-to-weight ratio (meaning less achieves more) means that overall CO2 emissions associated with a steel building – from component manufacture through its life in use – will be lower than for other materials.
Moving away from the mathematics the nature of steel and its construction also augments its sustainability tally. All the fabrication process, the testing and the certification takes place in a controlled and monitored factory environment. This ensures adherence to consistently high standards and quality. This in turn leads to quicker, safer and more predictable outcomes on-site. Construction processes can therefore be more efficient, not to mention more cost-effective.
Thank you for listening to the second edition of this bite-sized learning podcast series. Make sure you listen to all 4 editions to fully understand how with Steel Windows – Sustainability meets Style!
In the next edition we discuss ‘How Steel Building Materials are Protected from Corrosion’
For more information about Crittall steel windows, please go to www.crittall-windows.co.uk
View Crittall's profile:
Crittall ‘Sustainability’ focussed Podcast Series – Edition 1 – Transcript to support learning
Story
Steel Windows – Sustainability meets Style – Edition 1. ‘The Strength of Steel’
Crittall ‘Sustainability’ focussed Podcast Series – Edition 1 – Transcript to support learning
‘Nobody can doubt the strength of steel as a construction material, but its qualities in the field of sustainability are rather less obvious, but no less impressive’ says Russell Ager, Managing Director of Crittall Windows.
And in this special edition series of bite-sized learning podcasts sponsored by Crittall, we discuss The Strength of Steel, The Life Cycle Assessment of Steel, How to protect Steel Building Materials from corrosion and why Windows are one particular building component that emphasises the plusses of sustainability for the material.
In this first edition we explore the ‘The Strength of Steel’
It is the strength of steel that contributes to its credentials as a sustainable, environmentally sound and cost-effective choice. Quite simply, it can be recycled or re-used continually without deterioration of its fundamental properties. This translates into a high value placed on the product throughout its long life.
Steel components have been recovered for many years and the process for recycling is therefore highly developed. Current rates of recovery from demolition sites in Great Britain are an astonishing 99% for structural steel and 94% for all types of steel construction. These percentages leave far behind all other types of building material.
Currently some 86% of steel gathered as scrap is returned to the furnace while 13% is dismantled for direct re-use. This leaves just 1% that is lost to rust or landfill.
On a worldwide basis some 40% of all steel produced is based on the use of recycled scrap, that’s 500 million tonnes per year or the equivalent of 180 Eiffel Towers per day. For the UK market, that could be translated into 25 Forth Rail Bridges!
Of course, sustainability is more than just re-use and recycling and other important considerations include the environmental cost of manufacture.
Thank you for listening to the first edition of this bite-sized learning podcast series. Make sure you listen to all 4 editions to fully understand how with Steel Windows – Sustainability meets Style!
In the next edition we explore ‘The Life Cycle Assessment of Steel’
For more information about Crittall steel windows, please go to www.crittall-windows.co.uk
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The sky is the limit for the Riverside Museum, Glasgow, with the help of Bilco UK
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Housing the Glasgow Museum of Transport, one of the UK’s foremost transport and technology collections, the Riverside Museum reflects Glasgow’s historic role as a centre of shipbuilding, train manufacturing and engineering.
Previously located in a former tram depot on the Glasgow South Side, the Transport Museum’s exhibits have moved to The Riverside Museum, designed by renowned architect, Zaha Hadid.
The museum’s iconic and beautiful design dominates its riverside location, whilst paying homage to the heritage of its surroundings. Crucial to the museum’s flowing design is its roof, which curves and undulates and continues around the east and west sides of the building to constitute the majority of the external structure.
Silver-grey zinc panels complete the effect, placing the building firmly in the context of the River Clyde. As part of the roof construction, Bilco UK was commissioned to manufacture and supply a E-50TB Roof Access Hatch, in addition to two ESW-50REM Smoke Vents, to meet strict requirements for convenient access and building safety regulations.
Both the roof access hatch and smoke vents were custom-designed to unique specifications by Bilco UK’s in house team and clad in zinc to create a seamless, aesthetic finish with the museum’s distinctive roof.
Expertly engineered to meet the requirements of Manual Handling Regulations, the E-50TB Roof Access Hatch allows for regular and convenient maintenance by facilitating easy one-handed operation. The Access Hatch will enable engineers with small tools to safely access the roof to conduct essential maintenance, whilst its overlapping cover design, fully welded corners and insulated cover ensure both weather tightness and energy efficiency to deliver the highest standards of longevity for the museum.
Specified to ensure strict adherence with relevant fire safety regulations, the two ESW-50REM Smoke Vents open to 140 degrees in the event of a fire within 60 seconds, guaranteeing the highest standards in fire safety and allowing for the venting of smoke, heat and noxious gases in the event of a fire.
Mark Baird, Sales Operations Manager at Bilco UK, said: “Knowing that Bilco UK’s products are part of such a unique and ambitious project, especially one which is so architecturally significant, is incredibly rewarding. The Riverside Museum is a great example of how taking a bespoke approach to roof access solutions can achieve unparalleled aesthetics, without compromising on convenience or safety.
“Not only do our custom-made access hatches and smoke vents integrate seamlessly into the overall design, they also offer the highest possible standards of fire safety and efficiency.”
Open to Glasgow to the North and the Clyde to the South, the museum’s interior is complex, inviting visitors to snake their way around the various exhibits. The building “flows from city to waterfront, symbolising the dynamic relationship between Glasgow and the ship-building, seafaring and industrial legacy of the river Clyde.” (Zaha Hadid).
For further information on Bilco UK’s complete range of roof access solutions, visit www.bilcouk.co.uk or call 01284 701696.
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CONDAIR LAUNCH RAPID RESPONSE SERVICE
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Condair has long offered planned preventative maintenance (PPM) contracts to ensure optimal operation of its clients’ humidifiers across the UK and Ireland, for any make and model. It also provides breakdown response for customers both with and without an existing PPM contract. However, the company is now providing an 8-hour call-out service, with engineers on call round-the-clock, to support clients with critical applications.
Tony Tullett, Service Director at Condair, commented, “It is great that we are able to add this rapid response service to our product offering. It enables us to provide additional reassurance to our clients who operate sites like data centres or pharmaceutical production facilities, and who cannot be without humidity control for extended periods. All of our PPM customers have access to our expert telephone support line, but with this additional feature activated, customers also get 24/7 telephone support and rapid response call-out options. Depending on the urgency of the issue, customers can choose to receive an engineer on site within 8, 24 or 48 hours.”
Condair has 18 service engineers strategically located across the UK and Ireland. Alongside system design and sales, the company offers installation, commissioning, service and spares supply.
The Condair Group is the world’s leading specialist in humidity control and evaporative cooling, with energy efficient, hygienic and innovative technologies for commercial, industrial and heritage applications. You can find out more by visiting the company’s website at www.condair.co.uk.
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Learn how Saint-Gobain PAM’s Rodding Branch massively reduces installation times for basement pipe systems
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By combining 8 separate parts into one unit, Saint-Gobain PAM’s Rodding Branch massively reduces installation times for basement pipe systems, boosting productivity and reducing labour demands. Watch our time trial of the video to see just how much time you can save on your project!
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Sanifos Makes Glamping Possible
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Saniflo UK – a leading designer and manufacturer of pumps and macerators – continues to provide drainage solutions to unusual and remote places guaranteeing business continuity for some of the country’s prominent staycation attractions locations.
Galley Hill Farm situated on the edge of the rolling Lincolnshire Wolds, an ‘Area of Natural Beauty’, is a farm with a successful ‘Pick Your Own’ business and a caravan site with 10 pitches in a stunning woodland grove adjacent to the family farmhouse.
The busy caravan site encompasses a block with shower and WCs and has recently expanded from 5 to 10 pitches plus two sizeable glamping pods complete with bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and living room..
Waste from the house and the toilet block is discharged to a septic tank that was recently upgraded due to new regulations that came into effect in 2020. A separate chemical disposal point was also installed for the caravan site.
The proposed space on site for the glamping pods did not have sufficient gravity fall to reach the septic tank, which was 70m away, and thus required a pump to discharge the waste. A Sanifos 610 underground lifting station provided the perfect solution; with sufficient capacity to accommodate more units in future.
A clearing behind the farmhouse was prepared which included concrete bases for the pods, a large pit for siting the Sanifos and trench for the main connection pipe. A small shed was erected to house the electrics and alarm for the Sanifos. The pods were dropped into place and the waste connections installed from the borehole water supply, which has its own water filtration system.
The Sanifos 610 has a 612-litre tank and is offered with a choice of one or two pumps. Galley Hill Farm specified the twin pump model to ensure continuity of service. The pumps work alternately to ensure even wear of the motors, but in the event of one pump failing, the other will activate to ensure it keeps working. It is supplied with a smart control box which is an interactive, intelligent station monitoring system and integrates an alarm for early warning of any problems.
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Service Growth At Condair
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Humidity control specialist, Condair, has appointed Ryan Mooney, as a humidifier service engineer based out of London. Strengthening its engineering presence in the capital allows Condair to provide an even more efficient response time to its many customers in the region.
Ryan has many years’ experience in the building services and environmental control sectors having worked at companies including Aqua Compliance Services and Certifact.
Tony Tullett, Service Director at Condair, comments, “We are very happy to welcome Ryan to the Condair service team and are proud to be expanding our nationwide network of engineers to 18. Condair boasts the largest specialist humidifier service department in the UK by far and we are perfectly placed to deliver the manufacturer’s engineering expertise on-site, no matter where in the UK that humidifier is located.”
The Condair Group is the world’s leading specialist in humidity control and evaporative cooling, with energy efficient, hygienic and innovative technologies for commercial, industrial and heritage applications. Condair is represented in the UK by Condair Limited, which offers system design, manufacture, supply, installation, commissioning, maintenance and spares. You can find out more by visiting the company’s website at www.condair.co.uk
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Crittall On The Right Lines With Crossrail
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Crittall is making a major contribution to new and refurbished West London railway stations on the multi-billion pound Crossrail infrastructure project.
Working for Network Rail contractors Hochtief Construction UK and John Graham Construction, Crittall has been creating the fenestration for a series of AfA (access for all) link bridges over the railway lines between platforms and ticket offices. W20 glazed pivot windows coupled on a fixed light with a PPC steel cement board made up the majority of the frames required.
The existing stations undergoing refurbishment and modification are at Southall, West Drayton, and Hayes and Harlington. The work, carried out by Hochtief, also included new buildings, platform widening and extensions, lift shafts and staircases.
John Graham Construction was responsible for completely new stations at West Ealing and Acton Mainline. In all cases Crittall, working with the main contractors, organised the contracts so as to minimise disruption to the operation of the railway which has now been renamed the Elizabeth Line.
Just over half of the frames were fixed and glazed off site in Wiltshire and Rotherham then transported by the contractor to the site and craned into place during specific set times controlled by Network Rail.
The remaining windows for the contract had to be fixed and glazed on site at the stations during controlled ‘possession’ time slots at nights and weekends when the railway lines were closed of a period of time.