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Humidity control specialist, Condair, has released an easy-to-follow 10-point guide to specifying humidifiers, aimed at HVAC consultants. The document presents an overview of the most important elements in designing a humidification project. It covers topics such as AHU vs in-room strategy, psychrometrics, product sizing, technology selection, installation and hygiene management.

Dave Marshall-George, Sales Director at Condair, commented, “We are delighted to publish this accessible guide to humidification for specifiers and consultants. It comprehensively walks a designer through, from the initial psychrometric calculations, to considerations around commissioning and maintenance. It includes some very useful rules of thumb and will prompt a consultant to review important aspects of a project they may not have otherwise considered.”

The free document can be downloaded from Condair’s website at www.condair.co.uk/guide

Dave continues, “The illustrated guide covers humidification of both air handling units and direct room humidity control, comparing all types of humidifier technology. The comprehensive advice it presents is unbiased and has been developed from experience across thousands of projects by Condair’s expert sales and service teams.”

The Condair Group is the world’s leading specialist in humidification and evaporative cooling, with energy efficient, hygienic and innovative technologies for commercial, industrial and heritage applications. Condair is represented in the UK by Condair plc, 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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Sanifos is a range of underground pumps from leading macerator supplier, Saniflo. Three original pumps with capacities between 110 and 500 litres were originally introduced to take the waste away from buildings with no gravity drainage by a pump that could be sited underground. Now, this range has been refreshed with two model upgrades and extended with a number of new models.

The Sanifos 280 replaces the original 250 and offers an additional 30 litres capacity, whilst the new Sanifos 610 provides a huge 110 litres additional capacity over its 500 litre predecessor. Both models have two macerating options – a grinder or a vortex impeller and can pump up to 14m and 16m respectively. All models feature a wired alarm for early warning of any problems, whilst the Sanifos 610 offers a choice of single or twin pumps, three phase or single phase, stop and check valve and a SMART unit as standard on models with two pumps.

For public buildings or for multiple smaller buildings, Saniflo has introduced four large capacity models starting with the Sanifos 1300 which can pump waste up an impressive 17m. This unit features two pumps mounted on a cast iron mounting base with stainless steel guide bars. A choice of inlet height position is available and a template is provided for this purpose. Three further models – the 1600, 2100 and 3100 – enable customised lifting station solutions according to the project in hand. This includes single or three phase, alarms and control boxes, covers, float and pump options, as well as multiple connections required.

Whether it is for a full house, an extension, a series of glamping pods or the installation of a washroom, the Sanifos pumps provide a solution when traditional drainage is not available or civils works are too costly and troublesome.

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Small improvements in productivity add up to large savings for the contractor. PAM have launched a new pre-assembly service for the Ensign cast iron above ground drainage system. Watch our video here to see how our pre-assembled Ensign cast iron stacks can make not only productivity savings (saves 60% time on site), reduce site movements but also minimise the impact on the environment and easily maintain social distancing on your construction site. What’s more, the beauty of them is they are preassembled at our Telford factory and delivered ready to install safely and quickly on site.

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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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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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Originally built as a factory, Springfield House in Hackney, East London, now provides spacious accommodation in the form of some 90 apartments. A complete refurbishment of the building has been completed with Crittall steel windows helping to reinforce its character appeal.

Locally listed, the seven-storey brick building had been built, in 1902, with Crittall fenestration. Hackney Council planners insisted that like-for-like window profiles must be used for the refurbishment and that the external putty on the windows should be replicated.

Crittall Corporate W20 windows & doors were installed, powder coated black, featuring a mix of opening styles and configurations. Steel spandrel panels were also included to conceal floor slab and ceiling spaces,

Crittall Windows Project Manager Peter Cutts explains how the local authority’s putty ‘requirement’ was achieved. He says: “We used a high-performance low modulus silicone sealant, colour matched to the frames, that retains the glass and replicates the original appearance. It is a bespoke method that we often use to meet planning requirements, and it does look really smart.”

The entire refurbishment project was undertaken with residents in-situ with Crittall’s installers working closely with them to keep disruption to a minimum by ensuring the windows and doors for each flat were replaced in a single day

The converted building retains many original features inside and out, including exposed brickwork. The flats benefit from high ceilings and good daylight throughout, the latter enhanced by the slim profile of Crittall steel windows.

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