Category Archives: Construction

1920's revival for Island Arcade

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Worcester Sources Crittall Windows

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As part of an extensive and long term project to revitalise the Lowesmoor area of Worcester, Crittall steel windows have been specified for one of the most familiar buildings on the site.

The Great Filling Hall was a feature of Worcester’s historic vinegar works and dates back to a time when the city was renowned for its industrial heritage, in particular trade from Lowesmoor along the Worcester to Birmingham canal. This listed building is prominent on the site and is one of many being refurbished to bring them to their former glory. Plans for the £75m redevelopment of the site include an ASDA superstore, and a further 18 retail and restaurant properties, which will transform the site from a rundown quarter to a new and thriving town centre shopping complex.

Planning demands were stringent for the Filling Hall, with conservation officers insisting upon like for like replacement for the windows, in order to maintain the continuity of appearance and character of the architecture and of the surrounding environment.

Main contractors for the Filling Hall refurbishment, Vinci Construction specified the Crittall W20 steel profiles for clients, Carillion Richardson who has overall responsibility for the development and according to David Scally, contracts manager for Vinci, these windows were the obvious choice. “The building is steeped in history and is a familiar landmark in the city,” he explained. “The building has been refurbished as the new headquarters of the TA in Worcester and therefore, we had to ensure that the profiles not only complied with planning requirements but also offered security and strength.”

Crittall W20 windows, with their minimal sightlines, enable the architectural value of a building to emerge, providing the necessary thermal performance required for double glazed units and offering immense inherent strength. The result is an historic structure, renovated in its own particular style but upgraded to meet all contemporary energy requirements.

Now completed, the replacement Crittall window programme enhances the appearance of the building, helping to restore it to its previous splendour, and assisting in the overall ambition to regenerate the 7.5 acre Lowesmoor site.

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Sheraton Prague

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A stunning family of bespoke pendant shades has been manufactured by Chelsom for the five star Sheraton hotel, Prague. Designed by Jestico and Whiles, the shades feature contrasting colour combinations of pongee silk in bold cylinders that perfectly complement the geometric theme of the hotel.

Manufactured in various sizes, the largest being 1800mm x 1000mm, the shades are suspended throughout the restaurant, reception and public areas of the hotel, creating striking visual impact as well as effective ambient lighting.

Featuring high performance, energy efficient Philips 33W lamps, the luminaires offer maximum light output with the benefit of extremely low running costs and minimal maintenance. In addition to supplying public area lighting, Chelsom has manufactured bespoke burgundy bedroom shades, bedside LED reading lights and contemporary desk lamps together with white glazed globes, randomly suspended in the Brasserie Delice.

The five star Sheraton Prague Charles Square, offering 160 bedrooms including 38 suites, is the first hotel to be opened by Starwood in Prague under the Sheraton brand.

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The hidden value of roofing airtightness

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The VMZINC standing seam roof extension at the Four Seasons Hotel in Park Lane was completed in late 2010. The project is a showcase for how a utilitarian flat roof can be transformed into one of aesthetic and practical value.

The project comprised building an additional storey to house a rooftop spa. Due to planning requirements a high specification roof with a traditional metal covering was specified. Specialist metal roofing installer, Roles Broderick Roofing installed the VMZINC PLUS® system, specification of which was due to the fact that its underside coating makes the system ideal for areas of consistently high humidity. Its compatibility with Foamglas® insulation enabled a 'compact roof' build-up to be provided, a benefit of which was the absence of obtrusive ventilating details at the ridge and other abutments. The location of the hotel, overlooking Green Park at the southern end of Park Lane in Mayfair, precipitated objections by influential neighbours with outlooks overlooking the new roof. These were overcome with some sensitive detailing by Eric Parry Architects with the help of VMZINC in close cooperation with the contractor.

Two zinc specifications were used on the project, VMZINC QUARTZ-ZINC PLUS® on the main barrel vaulted roof and small areas of vertical cladding and ANTHRA-ZINC PLUS® on the 'skirt' and gutters around the perimeter. Apart from a few small sections, all the zinc was laid onto Foamglas over a plywood substrate.

Richard O’Connor, Contracts Director of Roles Broderick Roofing commented, “Although the project had a relatively high proportion of detail work for a large roof there were two particularly challenging elements that required more than their fair share of design and development. These were the setting out of the zinc trays over the 'lazy S' area of the barrel and the open louvred areas along each side. In the latter case, a large section of each tray has been omitted but the seams continue from the roof, supported on a lightweight frame. It is these areas along with the bullnose eaves to the skirt that have received the most comments and compliments to everyone involved”.

The VMZINC PLUS 'compact roof' approach can also be taken using mineral wool, PIR and composite insulation boards. 0.7 mm thick panels, in sheets of up to 13 metres length, can be formed in either straight or curved profile in Natural, QUARTZ-ZINC® , ANTHRA-ZINC® and PIGMENTO® colours. Specially designed clips are used to avoid penetration of the surface.

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Saint-Gobain PAM EEZI-FIT Shows United Front In Hastings

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Iron technology solutions provider, Saint-Gobain PAM UK, has secured its first major order for its recently launched 150mm diameter Ensign EEZI-FIT range of push-fit cast iron above ground drainage systems supplied through the local Hailsham branch of one of its major distributors, Drain Center

Saint-Gobain PAM UK fought off tough competition to secure the contract to replace the sanitary soil stacks as part of a major refurbishment of four 17-storey tower blocks in Hastings, East Sussex, from main contractor United House. Each block contains 96 flats, and is owned by AmicusHorizon. United House, one of the largest specialist housing construction companies in London and the South East, has been contracted by AmicusHorizon to undertake this major £6.5 million refurbishment of the four blocks. As a resident-focused housing association, it was important for AmicusHorizon to work closely with its contractors on this flagship project to develop solutions to improve local residents’ homes and community.

Steve Madell, Regional Asset Director (Sussex) of AmicusHorizon said: “This is a ground-breaking project, whereby residents are able to remain in their homes during the replacement of soil stacks. Through careful planning with both our residents and contractors, disruption to residents has been kept to a minimum.”

Ensign EEZI-FIT was approved following extensive trials on a three-floor test stack, in which Saint-Gobain PAM UK assisted throughout to prove the effectiveness and speed of installation of these products.

John Ryan, Site Manager for United House, explained: “We selected Saint-Gobain PAM UK as Ensign EEZI-FIT provides a versatile platform for refurbishment of the tower blocks with far less complications than alternative materials. Compared with competitors, this was the best product for the job and has meant we could complete the project quickly and efficiently.

“We needed a solution which minimised the impact of the works on the residents who continued to live in their homes during the refurbishment, which had a high fire and sound rating, and which offered ease and speed of installation. There are six soil stacks in each of the four blocks, so this was a major installation with the potential for a lot of disruption for the residents, many of whom are elderly. The Saint-Gobain PAM UK solution ensured that this was minimised.”

Mike Rawlings, Marketing Manager – Soil & Drain at Saint-Gobain PAM UK, added: “One of the main issues for consideration was noise reduction in the soil stacks. A major benefit of the Ensign EEZI-FIT system is that it has excellent acoustic properties; tested to BS EN 14366, it has been proven to be the quietest drainage solution on the market, ensuring noise transference through the drainage system will be the lowest possible.

“Unlike systems that require solvents for jointing, the installation and testing of the newly-fitted EEZI-FIT stacks could be completed in one day, saving United House any ‘out of service’ charges, and could actually be fitted while residents remained in their homes.

“Ensign EEZI-FIT, which is kitemark approved to BS EN 877, was ideal for this project – it meant minimal disruption for residents as we could complete a stack in a day, during working hours. And, as EEZI-FIT has a life expectancy of 50 years, AmicusHorizon can be assured that this is a long-term solution.”

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detectomat's RCP 6B – Wireless detect chosen by HMO landlords in Gloucester

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HMO’s (Houses in Multiple Occupation) continue to be a rapidly expanding sector of the UK’s residential building stock and detectomat’s Wireless detect fire alarm system supplied by CIS Wire-Free Alarms of Stroud has been chosen by a number of landlords in the Gloucestershire area as a fast and effective, no mess solution to their fire detection requirements.

Martyn Young of CIS says “Landlords want a safe environment for their tenants but they also want to avoid the inconvenience – mess and potential damage to decoration associated with installing conventional fire alarm systems and we propose the detectomat system because it’s a reliable, fast fix, no damage solution, which can be installed in hours as opposed to days.”

The detectomat Wireless detect system includes optical smoke detectors with integral sounders (no need for separate sounders), break-glass call points and heat detectors. The primary means of automatic detection and alarm is detectomat’s HDv3000 system standard, third party certified, self-contained smoke alarm, which is combined in a radio network with other field devices and a six zone panel to form a wire-free, radio fire alarm system. Reduced installation time is a significant advantage and whereas a conventional system may take 10 days to install, the detectomat system takes typically less than 8 hours, an obvious benefit for landlords when considering their requirements. In many applications there are also direct as well as indirect cost savings from using a wireless solution but the main decision factors are usually minimum installation time, disruption, mess and potential damage to the building fabric and decoration.

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Airbloc puts Darwen Academy at the top of the class for energy efficiency

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Darwen Aldridge Community Academy, the £32million state-of-the-art facility, recently opened its doors for the new school year to reveal 12 revolutionary air curtains from Airbloc. The Academy welcomes more than 1,600 pupils, teachers and staff through its doors every day. With this high footfall, and multiple entrances in regular use, the Academy turned to Airbloc to solve the common problems caused by frequently opened doors – temperature fluctuations, wasted energy and increased running costs.

Airbloc supplied ten of its wall mounted AC Series and two of its recessed ACR Series air curtains to provide a cost-effective, energy efficient solution. Located above twelve external doors, the Airbloc air curtains will reduce the demand for air conditioning and heating systems by cutting heat loss by up to 80%. AC Series air curtains were the perfect solution for many of the Academy’s exposed entrances. The innovative semi-circular profile, whilst aesthetically appealing, serves a more functional purpose as it can be installed closer to the doorway for a stronger, more effective seal.

Designed for discreet positioning, Airbloc’s ACR Series of recessed air curtains were installed above two entrances. Suspended in the ceiling above the Academy’s doorways, the ACR Series’ subtle, refined finish proved ideal for the contemporary design of the Darwen Academy. The AC and ACR Airbloc air curtains create a high-velocity wall of heated or ambient air that prevents the external atmosphere from passing through doorways. By separating the internal and external climates, the Academy maintains a comfortable internal temperature, improving working conditions for staff and students.

As well as improving the building’s internal climate, installing the air curtains will also have a positive effect on the Academy’s energy costs. By preventing fluctuating temperatures within the building, the air curtains will substantially reduce the energy consumption of air conditioning and heating systems. The Darwen Academy places considerable value on ‘education for sustainable development’. By installing Airbloc air curtains, it is certainly leading the way in sustainability, reducing carbon emissions and cutting energy loss, whilst also providing a comfortable environment for staff and students.

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Intelligent building control at your finger tips – ABB's new Busch-Comfort Touch panel

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The new ABB Busch-ComfortTouch panel offers the sophistication of intelligent building control in an easy-to-use, one touch display. Suitable for hotels, housing and commercial properties, it combines state-of-the-art control with exciting new energy efficiency and security features, providing users with full control of all living areas and building functions from one location.

The ComfortTouch panel gives users a single point of control for a range of functions including lighting, security, temperature and humidity. An intuitive colour coding system that distinguishes different aspects of the building – yellow for light, amber for heating, blue for blinds, orange for climate control and purple for living scenarios – makes the system easier to use for those with little or no experience.

The control panel allows users to operate or dim the lights, adjust blinds, regulate the room temperature or create scenes from a combination of the functions listed. For further ease of use, a all functions can also be controlled remotely where there is line-of-sight between the panel and the remote control pad.

Another key feature is the panel’s energy monitoring function. The Busch-ComfortTouch panel provides access to energy consumption data, enabling property owners to monitor and reduce energy use by identifying areas for improved lighting efficiency, energy consumption and security.

The security function makes it possible to simulate presence within buildings, applying realistic living patterns even when nobody is there. The security system is designed to detect when doors or windows have been left unlocked and can even detect breakages. Once an alarm has been raised, an alert is sent to the user’s mobile phone informing the user of the problem. The panel can also be linked to external monitoring systems, such as surveillance cameras, to monitor and record parts of a building directly from the touch panel.

with a built in MP3 player, The Busch-ComfortTouch makes it possible to create audio files or play films. Users can monitor the weather, look at the latest traffic reports, track up-to-date news, access their e-mails and even use the panel as an alarm clock. The panel can also be used to leave voice or written messages for other users to view.

The Busch-ComfortTouch is available in a black or cream coloured, high quality polished finish. Users can customise the screen colours to suit their own personal preferences. Once installed the touch panel will work in tandem with ABB’s KNX intelligent installation system as a source of control within a building. The number of control functions available through the ComfortTouch is up to the individual to decide when they are installing the system.

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Easilift's New High-Tech Dock Management System To Be Installed In Tesco DCs

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An innovative hi-tech management reporting and safety system designed to prevent the premature departure of vehicles from the loading bay is set to be installed at the Goods In section of every one of Tesco’s distribution centres across the UK.

The supermarket is investing in the Dock Management System, which was jointly developed by UK firms Easilift Loading Systems and Traka, after it impressed during a pilot scheme at Tesco’s distribution centre in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

The system combines Easilift's dock door and associated control equipment with Traka's electronic key control system and was tailored to complement Tesco's existing safety processes, creating a high-tech solution to the problem of vehicle drive-off accidents.

The Dock Management System works by using electronic keys – known as iFobs –each containing a unique electronic chip, which is individually programmed to open or close one specific door when inserted into a control panel.

At Hinckley, the system is now an integral part of a robust protocol whereby drivers are required to hand in their ignition keys when they arrive at the Goods In office. The keys are clipped to an iFob, which is inserted into the main Traka control panel, allowing a corresponding iFob to be removed and handed to the driver.

Only then is it possible to open the bay door, when an authorised operative inserts their personal iFob into a secondary control panel located adjacent to each door.

Once loading or unloading is complete, the operative closes the door. This sends a message to the Goods In control box, permitting the removal of the driver’s keys – but only after the deposit iFob is inserted back into the box.

Tesco trialled the Dock Management System at 26 Goods In loading bays at the Hinckley depot. The bays are used by between 300 and 400 vehicles each day, many of which arrive from overseas, representing a stern test for the new Easilift system.

“We have an excellent safety record at Hinckley, but worker safety is paramount and there is always room for improvement,” said Joe Carthy, distribution health and safety manager for Tesco UK and Ireland.

“It was important therefore that the system was tested in the Goods In section, where we deal with a high volume of drivers, many of whom will be unfamiliar with the layout.

“If the system worked there, we knew that it would be able to achieve our objectives at other loading bays too.”

Fitting the system involved surface-mounting cabling on the inside of the exterior walls and linking 26 individual boxes stationed next to each loading bay door with the control panel in the Goods In office.

“The Easilift Dock Management System was attractive to us because by using control boxes and indicator lights, it lessens the chance of human error,” said Joe.

“This was a limited trial, but the results were fantastic. The system was easy to operate and to understand, and it took a huge amount of human element out of the process. Importantly, it made people feel safe and put them at ease.”

Although the system was developed with a health and safety angle in mind, it has a whole range of other benefits. The system minimises the amount of time the door is open – which can save money and reduce carbon footprints for chilled distribution centres – and, furthermore, can provide an audit trail, logging who used what door and for how long.

This can not only improve efficiency and assist companies in tracking down any missing stock, but can also help with servicing costs. By using the information recorded within the system and the reports generated, a company can devise a servicing programme which takes into account how much the door is used over a set period of time.

The Dock Management System can be easily retro-fitted to virtually any loading bay door and will now be installed in all of Tesco's distribution centres, representing what David Whyatt, sales director at Easilift Loading Systems, described as an excellent way to launch the product onto the market.

He added: “We are thrilled that Tesco has agreed to roll out the Dock Management System UK-wide and by doing so has shown great foresight by investing in a solution which has the potential to cut out serious accidents.

“There could have been no tougher test for the system than to trial it at Hinckley, which is an extremely busy depot where any shortcomings in the system would have been very quickly highlighted.

“It is testament to the technology and expertise at Easilift Loading Systems and Traka that the system proved itself to be watertight and demonstrated that it goes further than any other system on the market to offer peace of mind.”

With 35 years’ experience in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of high quality loading bay equipment and industrial doors, Easilift Loading Systems is the UK’s leading specialist supplier of total loading bay solutions to some of the biggest names in retailing, manufacturing, logistics, distribution, warehousing, building, construction and the service sector.

In addition to its unique new Dock Management – Anti Drive-Off System, the company provides a complete range of loading bay equipment, including dock levellers, dock shelters & seals, industrial & high speed doors, and lifting platforms, together with a wide selection of safety aids & accessories such as dock plates, dock bumpers, dock & traffic lights, wheel guides & vehicle restraints, and integrated control systems. Easilift also provides comprehensive service and maintenance programmes for all makes and types of loading bay equipment – irrespective of the manufacturer.

Easilift was also one of the pioneers in the design and installation of dock pod systems, which are complete stand-alone loading bay enclosures that can be installed directly onto the external face of a building. Suitable for new buildings, extensions and refurbishments, they can be quickly and easily re-positioned, if required, and are ideal for use with the increasingly popular and highly cost-effective double deck trailer units.

As the UK’s leading loading bay specialist, Easilift was one of the first in its sector to achieve the prestigious SAFEcontractor accreditation in recognition of its excellent health & safety record and competence, confirming to prospective customers that effective policies and systems are in place.

Easilift is a member of the Loading Systems International Group, one of Europe’s foremost manufacturers of loading bay equipment. The Group has over 450 employees across Europe and a total turnover in excess of 60 million Euros.

An active member of the Association of Loading & Elevating Equipment Manufacturers (ALEM) and the Confederation of Construction Specialists, Easilift operates to the International ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Standard. The company has Investors In People Bronze status accreditation and is a participant in the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), with all its engineers fully qualified under the CITB Site Supervisory Training Scheme.

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FENDOR REVOLUTIONISES SECURE FENESTRATION AT RAMPTON

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Specialist Glazing System company Fendor, working in close cooperation with the consultants and main contractor, has developed a window system that offers a revolution in terms of both performance and the living environment for a new secure unit at Rampton high secure Hospital.

The new High Security Learning Disability Unit at RamptonHospital in Nottinghamshire has been built by Laing O’Rourke with Gilling Dod Architects being the architectural practice leading the design team. Knowing Fendor's expertise in relation to supplying window systems meeting the highest standards of security, the main contractor approached the company to take a radical approach to meeting the facility's needs.

As a result, Fendor has supplied double glazed curtain walling for communal areas, as well as double glazed windows to patients' rooms and other vulnerable locations, offering a wide range of attributes. These include full anti-ligature protection and patient control over ventilation, as well as high levels of natural light and resistance to attack.

Project Architect Mark Cowpland from Gilling Dod, comments: “In recent years at RamptonHospitalthey have used a polycarbonate glazed window, which meant there were no thermal properties and there were also condensation issues. So with the Learning Disability Unit we were re-introducing glass into the facility for the first time in over 30 years.

“Although it was not clear exactly what the client wanted at the beginning, we were given the brief that there was to be natural ventilation, operated by the service user themselves, and as much daylight as possible; while it should also meet Part L2 of the Building Regulations. Laing O'Rourke brought Fendor on board early and the manufacturer helped us work up a design, supplying numerous window sections and samples of glazing for testing.

“Fendor was therefore an integral part of the design team and has performed very well, while the windows themselves meet all of our aspirations on safety, security and energy as well as natural light and ventilation.”

For the Therapeutic Core building there were 27 areas of AlphaLine Aluminium curtain walling installed with SwingVent opening windows on actuators. Fendor also supplied steel glazed doors and 26 Steel SwingVent windows incorporating anti escape top hung vents.

In Houses A, B, C & D, the manufacturer fitted 22 high security SwingVent bedroom windows that were fully anti ligature and anti-pass. These windows are a special composite steel and aluminium frame. They were triple glazed with a laminated glass centre pane protected by a 'sacrificial' polycarbonate inner layer. The opening vents are operated by the patient via an internal anti ligature control knob, which is on a continuous turn mechanism to prevent potential damage to the operating gear by the patients. Fendor further supplied nine steel entrances for each building, incorporating doors and anti-escape top hung SwingVents.

The installation teams had to be fully vetted for working in secure areas, and were trained by Fendor to ensure quality standards were maintained throughout the contract.

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