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Dulux Trade has launched a new CD Rom to help specifiers create aesthetic colour schemes that also meet the duties of the DDA Guidelines. Drawing on Project Rainbow research from ICI, the University of Reading, the RNIB and Guide Dogs for the Blind, the Dulux Trade Colour & Contrast Design Guide allows specifiers to address the visual contrast elements of Part M and BS8300, without compromising on good design.

Project Rainbow led to the development of Part M and BS8300, Key DDA guidance documents. Under Building Regulations Approved Document Part M specifiers are advised to contrast visually adjacent critical surfaces such as walls, ceilings, doors and floors by differentiating the colours used by a light reflectance value (LRV) of more than 30 points. BS8300 suggests minimum visual contrast as 20, preferably 30, points difference in LRV. However, this can lead to monochromatic, unappealing colour schemes and potentially little scope for colour choice.

The Dulux Trade Colour & Contrast Design Guide is designed to offer the specifier the widest colour choice possible within the required parameters. By using the Dulux Trade Colour Palette fandeck, the unique colour notation allows specifiers to identify the LRV of a colour. By utilising the Project Rainbow Research, the guide is able to offer specifiers additional flexibility when it comes to colour scheming.

Once a guideline has been chosen to work within, e.g. Part M, a user can approach a scheme in three ways. The CD Rom contains a series of pre-selected schemes that allows users to apply designs created by Dulux Trade Colour Consultants – based on a selection of the most popular colours from the Dulux Trade Colour Palette. Alternatively, specifiers can build a scheme from a chosen colour tone area, i.e. red or yellow, or from a specific colour notation taken from the Dulux Trade Colour Palette Fandeck or Trade Classic Colour Card name.

Once developed, a visual representation of any colour scheme, together with details of the colour specification, can be saved and printed from the CD Rom. The colour specification has been formatted to enable the user to pass the document to clients or building officers for approval. The user can also link to the Dulux Trade website to order samples of the chosen colours.

The Dulux Trade Colour & Contrast Guide is available from 1st November 2006 free of charge from Dulux Trade. Email: colour_contrast@ici.com or telephone 0870 769 7668 for further details.

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Further information released by Daikin Europe NV, underlines the VRVIII-HR system’s considerable advance on the earlier VRVII-HR model.

VRVIII-HR, which is ideal for use in commercial office complexes, hotels, apartment stores, restaurants and a wide range of public sector buildings, offers important benefits in energy efficiency and cost savings to installers and their end user clients.

Many new features.

Among its many new features is the ability to connect up to 64 indoor units (40 for VRVII) to a single outdoor unit in increments of 2HP up to 48HP. Outdoor unit modules can be configured on a combined ‘multi’ basis between 18 and 48HP or in a ‘stand alone’ version from 8 to 16HP, which makes the latter the largest single unit currently on the market. VRVIII HR also offers indoor unit connection ratios up to 200% for a single outdoor module system and 160 to 130% on double or triple multi modules. Operating range is wide at -50C to 430C in cooling and -200C to 15.50C in heating.

Whereas contemporary VRF systems cease operating during defrost and oil return operations, separate defrosting of each heat exchanger on VRVIII HR multi module outdoor units and of the dual outdoor coil of single modules allows continuous heating to be supplied from the indoor units throughout defrost cycles.

Refrigerant leakage prevention is ensured by the use of brazed joints in place of flanged and flared connections before the shut off valves as well as by brazed pressure sensors and electronic gauges instead of sensors and gauge ports. There is also on average, 10% less refrigerant charge compared to a similar sized VRVII system.

The ‘night quiet’ mode is also important and can be set automatically to cut in 8 hours after peak daytime temperature and run for 10 hours before reverting to normal operating mode. Alternatively, starting and ending times can be input manually via a time clock or both automatic and manual modes can be combined as required. During the night quiet cycle, operating sound can reduce to 45dBA.

Design flexibility is enhanced by the incorporation of a powerful new inverter driven outdoor unit fan, which provides a higher ESP of 78.4Pa (58.8Pa for VRVII). The outdoor unit footprint is less than similar capacity VRVII models and piping lengths are the highest in the industry at 1000m (total system), 165m (maximum run), 90m (maximum level difference) and 90m (longest branch).

In the event of a malfunction automatic back up is provided on outdoor models, enabling a twin compressor single module to operate on a single compressor until the fault is rectified and continuous operation for 8 hours on for example, two out of three multi modules, after the remote controller has been reset.

Automatic charging and checking

Consideration of forthcoming ‘F’ Gas regulations is reflected in VRVIII’s capability for refrigerant containment monitoring during both charging and system operation. This important facility enables the amount of additional refrigerant charging during commissioning to be controlled automatically. Charging ceases as soon as the correct amount of refrigerant is transferred and refrigerant cylinder ‘empty’ status is indicated on the remote controller.

Improved efficiency

Efficiency improvements stem from the application of new technology, resulting in a 3 – 10% increase in airflow rates from the new aero spiral high output dual DC fan and grille assembly and low pressure loss bellmouth. Also, the new 3 wall heat exchanger increases effective coil surface. Friction losses are also reduced by virtue of its high thrust mechanism, which reduces operating noise as well as generating improved efficiency.

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UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) has announced that Hambleside Danelaw will be one of the four finalists of the 2007 Building Exchange competition in Valencia this month for construction companies who are designing and developing new and innovative technologies and solutions.

The news comes as the British roofing products manufacturer reported results from a customer survey which scored the Group at least 8 of 10 in virtually all areas of quality and service.

Hambleside Danelaw has won the opportunity to showcase its cutting-edge products to industry leaders at the 2007 Building Exchange (BEX) event to be held from 18-20 June in Valencia, where the finals of sailing's America's Cup are taking place. The overall winner of the BEX competition will be announced at the event.

Last year the Group won the Queen's Award for Enterprise: Innovation for its highly energy-efficient range of Insulator rooflights which are extremely effective in limiting carbon emissions. The Group has recently been accredited with the Plant Positive mark for its environmentally responsible approach to manufacturing.

UK Trade & Investment chief executive Andrew Cahn said attending the high profile BEX event could potentially generate huge amounts of business for companies looking to expand their business or export to overseas markets.

“Innovation is vital to the future of the construction industry. Each of the finalists was chosen for their commitment to promoting sustainable construction through technology and innovation,” Mr Cahn said. “The UK construction industry provides more than £7billion worth of exports every year and has an international reputation for being a leader in intelligent buildings and sustainable design and construction.”

Customer satisfaction rates remain high

Building on very encouraging results from the previous year, the latest survey of Hambleside Danelaw's customers continue to show that the Group generates a high level of satisfaction among its clients in the three main product areas of rooflights, roofing systems, and roofing and ventilation products.

The quality of the Group's building materials, for example, score from 89 to 96% in the three areas, while overall performance ratings range from 84 to 99%.

One international products supplier remarked in the survey: “Hambleside keep on improving year on year – we will need another box soon after excellent” Another leading supplier to the UK building industry said: “Dealt with Hambleside Danelaw for years; never a problem.”

Chris Avery, Hambleside Danelaw's group managing director, who is attending the BEX event in Valencia, commented: “Hambleside Danelaw's three-way approach to growth through innovative products, excellent customer service and on-going commitment to environmental responsibility has really paid off over the past two years. An increasing number of major players in the industry want to work with us and we are working hard to ensure that our performance remains high in response.”

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As metallic finishes continue to drive the showering market, the launch of Triton’s striking new T80xr Chrome and T80xr Satin/Chrome electric showers look set to expand the popular appeal of its bestselling model even further.

Incorporating up-to-the-minute chrome styling and ergonomic slim-line design, these two new additions to the range give consumers the choice of two very different contemporary looks – whilst continuing to offer installers the same advanced features and ease of installation as other models in the XR range.

The T80xr Chrome’s sleek, all-chrome fascia, control and power selector dials and push start/stop button make this easy-to-use shower ideal for customers looking to make a statement in the bathroom.

Or, for those preferring a more subtle design option, the T80xr Satin/Chrome electric shower offers a chic, matt chrome fascia with eye-catching all-chrome dials and start/stop button, to produce an equally striking overall look that will complement any modern bathroom.

Additional features of the T80xr Chrome and Satin/Chrome electric showers include an easy-grip, numbered temperature dial to ensure straight forward temperature selection, a push start/stop button and cold, economy and high power selections for an even wider choice of showering options. An all-chrome shower kit includes an easy-to-fit, riser rail and hose, and a five-mode showerhead. Rub-clean nodes on the showerhead make it simple to clean after use.

Lorna Fellowes, managing director for Triton showers comments:

“The bathroom has become such an important statement room in the home, and these two new T80xr Chrome and Satin/Chrome models not only provide the perfect options for customers completely revamping their bathroom to those simply wanting to replace an existing electric shower with a more up-to-date model.

“By combining the latest electric showering technology with contemporary style, the T80xr Chrome and T80xr Satin/Chrome models provide the looks, functions and ease of installation that is sure to continue the T80xr’s runaway success.”

The T80xr Chrome and Satin/Chrome models are available in 8.5kW, 9.5kW and 10.5kW versions and have a two year guarantee.

As with all Triton showers, the new XR chrome additions come with the reassuring backing that a big brand offers along with unbeatable customer service and after sales support, that means installers can simply ‘fit and forget’. Triton’s technical team is also on hand to answer installation questions before, during and after installation, and the XR showers are available on a next day rapid replenishment service if ordered before 5pm.

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The new Jennett's Park housing development in Berkshire has embraced a pioneering method of underground drainage to minimise the risk of flooding to the area.

The surface water attenuation system installed at Jennett's Park, which is the largest of its kind in the UK, comprises over 29,000 individual polypropylene AquaCell infiltration modules developed by Wavin Plastics and installed in conjunction with WSP Development and Transportation Limited, Thames Water, Persimmon Homes Ltd & Redrow Homes (Southern Ltd) consortium, Ashridge Construction Ltd and SEL Environmental. The innovative structure has been designed to cope with the drainage requirements of this substantial development of up to 1500 houses.

Originally manufactured for use within sewerage systems, these purpose built attenuation tanks have been designed to cope with future storm patterns and will capture and store high volumes of water associated with extreme weather conditions.

Modules are clipped together to form two box-like structures which, once encapsulated in an impermeable, watertight geo-membrane, form two large underground tanks. These tanks are together capable of storing up to 5500m3 of storm water run off. The water is then stored and slowly released to prevent flooding to the development and surrounding area which includes a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) located immediately downstream of the Jennett's Park development.

On a typical housing development, surface water run-off can increase to 80% of rainfall compared to a figure of 20% typical of Greenfield sites, resulting in large volumes of stormwater flowing into traditional drainage systems. In the absence of suitable conditions for the use of infiltration drainage, it was evident that a large development site like Jennett's Park would require a substantial storage tank to prevent an increase in flow to the SSSI.

The entire drainage system for this site had to be planned very carefully. The overall design also had to take into account the fact that all the water from the system drains directly into the SSSI where prevention of flooding, water erosion damage and pollution is essential. As surface water run-off in urban areas may contain small quantities of oil or petrol, an oil interceptor has been installed at Jennett's Park to ensure the water is stripped of these pollutants before it drains into the SSSI downstream.

Lightweight and simple to install, the system offers a low risk solution to urban drainage, lessening the hydraulic impact of a housing development on a previously rural site.

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Wavin Plastics has launched the OSMA AquaGrid pervious paving system to offer a new way to manage rain and surface water drainage.

Continuing residential and commercial development means more hard-standing impermeable surfaces, less ground where natural drainage is still possible and more pressure on man-made drainage.

The AquaGrid is an easily installed alternative to hard impermeable surfacing. There is a solution for both light to medium and heavily trafficked areas such as open car parking and access roads and for verge reinforcement and landscaped areas.

This innovative system is quick and easy to install. It comes in lightweight interlocking square sections of recycled plastic, designed to receive pervious infill material for surface water drainage.

The 500 x 500mm units are secured by pins to ensure full system stability and integrity so that, once assembled, it is extremely strong and can withstand vehicle traffic and parking.

There are two versions available. AquaGrid 50 is a 50mm deep version and AquaGrid 75 is a 75mm deep version. Wavin Plastics will advise on the suitability of each version depending on the application. AquaGrid 50 is suitable for gravel and landscape environments with light to heavy traffic.

AquaGrid 75 is recommended for areas of regular heavy traffic loading or where premium grass quality is of the highest priority. AquaGrid 75 provides extra assurance in a higher traffic loaded application.

The 75mm version includes features such as lateral arches to optimise grass root growth and protection.

Both versions of AquaGrid are suitable for grass, soil or gravel infill. White marker blocks can be supplied to denote parking spaces.

When assembled both products allow lateral flow and offer up to 90% of their surface area for water permeation through the chosen pervious infill.

Wavin Plastics tests every AquaGrid unit for strength, loading and durability. The system can be used to drain captured rainfall and stormwater either into the underlying ground or into an underground attenuation structure.

AquaGrid is designed for use in conjunction with AquaCell and AquaCell Lite stormwater management systems.

Wavin Plastics' customer marketing manager Denise O'Leary explains how it aids sustainable drainage. “This system contributes directly to water conservation and eases pressure on local mains drainage by providing an alternative to impermeable surfaces.”

“It offers immediate capture and controlled release of surface water, including during extreme storm events, ensuring its safe onward management.”

By contributing to sustainable drainage systems in this way, the AquaGrid supports the aims of Part H of the Building Regulations.

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Coffer from Aeon Radiator Heaven takes its name from the decorative sunken panel in a ceiling, dome, soffit, or vault, which it resembles. Like its namesake, Coffer creates a feeling of added depth in a room with its twin set of four mirror polished elements being recessed towards the centre.

The three dimensional effect of the Coffer radiator leads the eye straight to the centre of the design, with its fashionable sharply defined square shape fitting comfortably with the up to the moment design cues and clean-edged finishes of modern apartments and houses.

Coffer, which is at first machine polished and then finished by hand to create its mirror like finish from the solid stainless steel base, can be hung horizontally or vertically. When hung vertically it can be used as a towel rail as well as a radiator. Hung horizontally, Coffer appears as a contemporary piece of modern art.

Saffet Kalender, Aeon design chief, commented: “Coffer is slightly unusual in that its styling means it can sit comfortably in a bathroom, bedroom or living area. It started life as a simple towel rail, but once we saw the stylish nature of the end design and its high heat output relative to size, we made some changes to give Coffer the versatility that would allow it to be placed practically anywhere in the home.”

Coffer is available in two sizes. The larger Coffer 511 is 1,090 mm high x 540 mm wide, the smaller Coffer 490 measures 890 mm x 440 mm. Both variants share a common depth of 65 mm. Heat output for the range is from 868 Watts – 1,188 Watts.

This new Aeon Radiator Heaven design is available in hand polished mirror finish or brushed satin finish stainless steel. Retail price ranges from £1,353 for the satin finish Coffer 490 to £2,011 for the mirror finish Coffer 511.

The entire Aeon Collection is produced from the highest grade solid stainless steel and ranges from small towel warmers to the mighty 31,611 Btu (9,254 Watt) output Millennium. Every radiator is hand-finished to create the collections’ stunning ‘metal in the raw’ brushed or mirror finish stainless steel effect. The craftsmanship and quality of the Aeon Collection is such that a 20 year guarantee applies across the range.

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Tensar International, the global market leader in the supply and manufacturer of geogrid solutions for soil reinforcement and ground stabilisation, has announced the launch of TriAxTM geogrid – the most significant advance in ground stablisation technology for 25 years.

Tensar, the original inventors of geogrid technology, has spent six years perfecting the innovative new structure to achieve significantly improved aggregate confinement and soil stabilisation properties compared to conventional bi-axial geogrids.

The TriAxTM geogrid is formed using the most stable geometric shape – the equilateral triangle – as opposed to the rectangular or square structure which makes up the conventional bi-axial product. Extensive independent trials have shown it to have superior performance in multi-directional stiffness and aggregate confinement, enabling a reduction in granular layer thickness. It also has the potential to achieve cost-in-use savings.

John Kiely, Commercial Director at Tensar International UK said: “We are very excited about TriAxTM, which we believe will eventually become the new standard for geogrid technology. All the comparative testing has confirmed the performance of TriAxTM as superior to conventional bi-axial geogrids.

“TriAxTM sets proven geogrid performance standards at a new level. It's not just an enhancement of an existing bi-axial geogrid but a true revolution. “

The new TriAx™ geogrid's unique configuration is the result of redeveloping and improving the key structural elements of the geogrid. In particular, deeper ribs with a concave profile maximise the aggregate confinement and create a mechanically stabilised composite structure with greatly increased trafficking performance and load spreading capability.

TriAxTM promises improved performance and cost savings for a variety of ground stabilisation applications including unpaved roads and permanent paved roadways, as well as differential settlement on weak or variable sub-grades for housing developments.

Comprehensive independent trials were conducted by the Pavement Research Centre at the University of Nottingham, the Transport Research Laboratory and the UK Building Research Establishment (BRE). The performance of TriAxTM was exceptional in trafficking tests and during field trials by groundworks contractors. Large scale bearing capacity tests showed that the increased stiffness and confinement provided by TriAx™ results in even greater load distribution capacity.

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With on-site safety becoming increasingly important to both client companies and contractors, Weatherite Service and Maintenance Limited announce that they have achieved full accreditation status under the SAFE CONTRACTOR health and safety scheme.

SAFE CONTRACTOR is a nationally recognised contractor accreditation scheme that ensures safe site working practices are adhered to by contractors and also helps client companies meet their legal obligations to ensure that contractors visiting the premises operate in a safe and professional way.

To achieve accreditation, Weatherite Service & Maintenance Ltd underwent a thorough review of their on-site operating procedures, including COSHH assessments, H&S training, emergency procedures, equipment testing and maintenance, personal protective equipment, manual handling and risk assessment.

By achieving SAFE CONTRACTOR accredited they assure that the company has been assessed by an independent specialist organisation to ensure they not only take health and safety issues seriously, but they are professionally competent in the way they operate and carry out contractual duties.

“We see this as a win/win arrangement” said Mike Tulley, General Manager, Weatherite Service and Maintenance, “with SAFE CONTRACTOR accreditation, we can save our clients a good deal of time and administration, as the accreditation provides them with all the health and safety assessment documentation needed to meet their legal obligations when letting a contract. From Weatherites perspective, we now have full safety accreditation, by an independent, nationally recognised body that proves the quality of our H&S standards and procedures. And in an industry where there’s continual pressure to raise standards and reduce risk, that can only be a good thing!”

Weatherite Service and Maintenance is part of the £40m Weatherite group, one of the UK leaders in air conditioning and air handling equipment, and specialise in the service and maintenance of all aspects of heating, ventilation, refrigeration and air conditioning across all sectors of industry.

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An expoxy structural grout, manufactured by Triton, has been used to help strengthen centuries old pine structural beams in historic Watermen's Hall in London. Trimol 36, is a three component system designed primarily for timber repairs to rotten, insect or fire damaged timbers and to remake joints or breaks.

Bryhill Technical Services, of South East London, carried out the design and strengthening works to the two 6m x 250mm x 220mm beams, with the approval of English Heritage. The works had been prompted by a dipping floor in the Hall's first floor Court Room, together with evidence of splits and shakes along some sections of each beam. After supporting the ceiling below and removing steel restraining straps fitted across the top of the beams and floor joists, the Bryhill team marked and cut a channel along the length of each beam. The Trimol 36 system was then mixed on site and the first 50mm layer poured into each channel before inserting four 25mm steel reinforcing bars. A total of 14 steel bars had been specified for each beam which were inserted in stages after each layer of Trimol 36 was poured. (The Trimol 36 is poured in layers which should be allowed to gel, so as to avoid excessive build up of exothermic heat.) Before pouring, Triton's lightweight epoxy mortar was used to plug cable holes etc. in the beams.

The splits and shakes were also repaired by stitching with steel dowels set in Triton's Trimol 23 epoxy resin. Trimol 23 is a thixotropic, 2-component gap-filling adhesive which forms a strong bond to wood, metal and plastics.

After completion of the works, an in-situ load test was carried out on one of the beams at the request of the 'City of London District Surveyor's Office.' A load of 17.35 kn was applied over the centre of the beam with a span of 4.6M. The beam deflected 3.6mm under this applied load (permissible deflection limit is 13.8mm). As a result the District Surveyor expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the strengthened beams.

The Company of Watermen and Lightermen was established in 1555 to control the Watermen on the River Thames responsible for the movement of goods and passengers. The present Hall dates back to 1780, remains the only original Georgian Hall in the City of London, and has Listed Ancient Monument Status.

Triton manufactures a comprehensive range of timber and masonry preservation and repair products and more information can be found at www.triton-chemicals.com or by telephoning Triton's technical department on 020 83203929.

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