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Saint Gobain PAM UK has extended its range of cast iron Vortx roof outlets to include two-way outlets suitable for parapet wall applications.

The new range of two way outlets has a cast iron body with a 100mm BSP threaded joint and a stainless steel angled, boxed or flat grating design. A spigot adaptor allows the outlet to be attached to either a 50mm, 75mm or 100mm spigot.

Says Mike Rawlings, marketing manager for Saint-Gobain PAM: “With an epoxy coated cast iron body and stainless steel grate, these new outlets provide a hard wearing and anticorrosive finish for a long life. In common with other Vortx roof outlets, the new range has been flow tested and will connect to most drainage systems on the market.”

The Vortx range consists of floor, roof and shower drainage products and a range of stainless steel channels and gullies.

For further information about Vortx roof outlets. Visit www.saint-gobain-pam.co.uk.

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Saint-Gobain PAM UK has introduced an access pipe as part of its Cyclone steel rainwater systems range.

The access pipe is a 340mm long steel downpipe with large diameter access point that can be installed into any new or existing Saint Gobain PAM Cyclone steel system.

It enables homeowners to save maintenance time and costs by allowing easy access to the drainage system in order to clear blockages that might occur such as a build up of leaves over time. The access pipe is available in all of the colours in the Cyclone range.

The Cyclone steel rainwater system has a contemporary look and feel and is available in a variety of colours. It is cost competitive with higher value plastic systems, takes no longer to install and with its tough and hardwearing nature will last decades with minimal maintenance.

For more information on the Cyclone range, visit www.saint-gobain-pam.co.uk

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New fenestration for an iconic listed arts centre at the University of Sussex presented a particular challenge for architects RH Partnership but the successful outcome has been achieved thanks to close collaboration with steel window experts Crittall.

The University’s Attenborough Centre for Creative Arts (ACCA) was designed in the 1960s by Sir Basil Spence and subsequently listed Grade 2* by English Heritage.

The building’s curved brick exterior is punctuated at ground floor level by steel windows and doors that, along with the rest of the structure, had fallen into a state of disrepair.

Extensive consultation was undertaken by the Brighton-based architectural practice with English Heritage (now Historic England) and Brighton & Hove City Council’s conservation team for the most acceptable solution to replace the existing metal framed, single glazed windows and doors.

“RH Partnership have worked very closely with Crittall Windows to reproduce the patterns and profiles using W20 sections and to incorporate double glazed units,” says architect David Sweeney.

“With large areas of glazing in the front-of-house spaces, the capability to add slim line double glazed units has drastically improved the thermal performance of this building.”

Solar control glass has also been added to particular south and east facing windows so as to reduce overheating during summertime and natural ventilation has been improved by an increase in openable windows and the introduction of trickle vents.

The complete refurbishment of the building, including a main auditorium with a flexible 350 seating arrangement, exhibition spaces, four differently-sized studios and teaching rooms and the development of an area beneath the auditorium to provide 33% more usable space than was envisaged in the original design, has provided the University with a cultural flagship structure.

Says David Sweeney: “Working on a Sir Basil Spence, Grade 2* Listed Building such as this can be a real challenge. The solution provided by Crittall Windows has been very successful both in terms of its performance and the appearance of this 1969 iconic building.”

Also on the University campus a second Sir Basil Spence, Grade 2* listed structure, the Chichester 1 building, is undergoing refurbishment and, once again, Crittall products – the Corporate W20 and Corporate 2000 windows – have been specified.

Corporate W20 windows and doors offer designers great versatility including the ability to create or reproduce many styles. They deliver very slim sightlines, are English Heritage approved, and find widespread favour with planners and conservationists. Corporate 2000 are equally suited for residential, institutional and commercial applications, and can be used to produce unusual and innovative window wall designs. Major user sectors are offices, hotels, hospitals, universities and schools.

www.crittall-windows.co.uk

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Leading radiator manufacturer Stelrad has provided the radiators for the new Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery, recently opened in Bangor on the north west Wales coast. The new Museum and Art Gallery has been named ‘Storiel’ – a name that combines the Welsh language words for the two main purposes of the museum and gallery, stori – the stories about each of the artefacts cared for and exhibited, as well as being a gallery or ‘oriel’ showing contemporary and historical art.

The grade 2 listed building that houses the new facility is the site of the old Town Hall in Bangor and the museum and art gallery have literally moved across the road from the old home for the exhibits. It’s close by to the University and the Cathedral in the city. The renovation project has cost £2.4 million with £1.4 million coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Stelrad Radiators selected for the project were mainly Classic Columns and models from their Compact range, with a small number of Low Surface Temperature LSTi Plus radiators for the toilets for those with disabilities, in the building.

Project Manager for the new building is Esther Roberts: “We chose the Classic Column radiators for the main areas where the visitors will be and the Compacts for the staff areas and corridors around the building. The building is a very light and airy one, and the white radiators blend well into the décor of the building.”

“We’re delighted to be involved in such a prestigious development,” says Stelrad’s Marketing Manager Chris Harvey. “The Classic Column radiators could have been designed for a building like this and work really well in the reception area. They offer a classic design that complements both contemporary and traditional interiors so well. They provide a real, style statement that perfectly suits the space at the Storiel.”

Full details of the options available from Stelrad can be found at www.stelrad.com, you can call for brochures and information on 0844 543 6200 or email marketing@stelrad.com. You can follow Stelrad on Twitter @Stelrad or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StelradRadiators.

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It is increasingly important in all sectors of industry to save energy, both for cost as well as environmental reasons. This is not least the case in the healthcare industry where monitoring the flow of water plays a vital part in this ambition. Buckingham-based Triple Red are specialists in laboratory equipment and a major supplier of equipment and servicing for water purification in the laboratory and healthcare sector. They were contacted by a blue chip pharmaceutical company for help and advice on an ongoing energy saving project. The company’s technical personnel had identified the need to replace a 22kW pump on a pure water distribution system that operated continuously. Ron Griffiths, Triple Red’s Project Manager made a site visit and formulated a plan to remove the pump and replace it with an inverter-driven, 5.5kW pump. However, it was vital to ensure that the new pump achieved the required flow rate but the existing system was fitted with five stainless steel loops and no means of measuring the flow of water through the pipes.

Jeremy Allen, Technical Manager, researched the market and identified a number of products which might fulfil the requirement. He decided to select the Micronics Portaflow 220 because Micronics is a UK based company which would ensure good, local product support and aftercare. Furthermore, the unit’s simplicity and economy of operation were attractive. The unit simply clamps onto the pipe without any need to cut into the pipe and therefore the time to verify flow rates around the system were minimal and the potential disruption to the running of a very busy research facility was minimal.

Jeremy was pleased with his selection: “I attended the site with an engineer to test and validate the Portaflow 220 and found it simple and straightforward to use with a good, menu-driven setup. I was impressed with the product design and build and am sure that it will prove to be a useful addition to other instrumentation we use out in the field.”

For further information on this project or the Micronics range call Micronics on +44(0)1628 810456, or visit www.micronicsflowmeters.com.

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Saniflo UK – a leading name in the plumbing & drainage sector – is reporting a successful exhibition at Ecobuild, which took place earlier this month at the Excel Centre in London.

This was the company’s second time exhibiting at the show and this year the focus was on the prestigious Kinedo range of shower cubicles with a Kinedo Horizon shower cubicle, a Kinemagic Design shower cubicle and the Saniflo Sanifloor all on display.

Saniflo UK Customer Services and Marketing Manager, Ann Boardman, comments: “Ecobuild was a great success for us. Showcasing the Kinedo range comes at a time when we’re noticing more specifiers, house builders and installers switching to cubicles from enclosures.

“Ecobuild provides us with a great opportunity to reach a wide, live audience. It’s taken a while for the sector to latch onto cubicles and the benefits of them have often been misunderstood, but as soon as industry professionals experience them in the flesh they realise the potential and benefits.

“We spoke with a high number of industry professionals who are working on residential, hotel and leisure projects. They love the fact that the Kinedo range not only looks great, but as the cubicles don’t need silicone and grout for installation and the internal opaque panels eliminate the need for tiling, they can be up and running in just a few hours in a pre-prepared area, meaning projects can be turned around faster and with less hassle.”

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Heat pump manufacturer, Mitsubishi Electric has just released a short animation which explains the new approach to heating and hot water provision now available from the latest addition to the Ecodan range of air source heat pumps.

As the nation looks to build new homes to meet demand, the hot water requirements of these houses requires a different approach, to help reduce emissions whilst delivering warm and cosy places for people to live.

Buildings account for 44 per cent of all UK CO2emissions (more than industry or transport) and space heating and hot water account for almost 75 per cent of total energy consumed in homes.

Yet the balance between hot water and heating is different in new built properties is different from older homes because of a reduction in fabric U-values and thermal bridging, which reduces the energy requirements for heating and makes hot water the dominant load.

The animation explains how the new 4kW Ecodan QUHZ unit works to efficiently match the hot water requirements, whilst still meeting the lower heating demand of today’s well insulated properties.

To find out more about the Ecodan QUHZ visit http://ecodanerp.co.uk/180 and to view the animation, visit the company’s dedicated video channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/mitsubishielectric2 .

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Klober has launched Permo® therm, a Kooltherm® insulation board with tongue and groove edges, integrated underlay and self-adhesive edge strips for sealing laps. With full LABC approval, it is suitable for all pitches but, unlike square-edged boards won’t provide an air leakage path. Permo therm is installed as over-rafter insulation and therefore provides added height within the roof space. Boards are 80 mm thick and can be laid on boarded or un-boarded roofs, either from left to right or right to left. No ventilation of the batten/counter-batten cavity is needed with most tiles or slates as these are primarily classed as air-open but for impervious or tight-fitting roof coverings ventilation is necessary. A range of fittings are available to ensure correct installation, thermal performance and airtightness including a Universal Roll for dressing over ridges, hips, valleys, verges and abutments. These can be used to complement Klober’s range of airtightness tapes and sealants.

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Marflow Hydronics has further developed its website to now allow customers to download relevant technical information, including BIM Models, via a brand new Product Downloads section.

With BIM Level 2 being a new requirement from April 2016 and the move towards complete BIM compliance getting closer every day, Marflow Hydronics has introduced a brand new Product Downloads area on its website that allows people to download BIM Models as well as other technical documentation. Marflow Hydronics is dedicated to providing customers with the information that they require, and this is just another part of the company’s added value service. In addition, all product pages can now be captured in PDF format at the press of a button and can be used as a data sheet, another way the company is trying to make life easier for product users.

Chris Forbes, Managing Director, says, “We are continually seeking to add value for our customers and we are constantly looking at ways to develop our website further to provide people with access to the information they need. The Product Downloads area is very new and we will be working hard over the coming weeks to make sure all relevant documentation and BIM Models are included. We encourage our customers to let us know if there’s something they need that they can’t find.”

The new Product Downloads area can be accessed via the relevant button at the top of all product pages or in the Knowledgebase. Also on all product pages, there’s a new PDF Download button that will export the product information into a PDF at the click of a button.

Access to the new area is found on the Marflow Hydronics website: www.marflowhydronics.co.uk.

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Valerie Owen was appointed Chair of the BBA’s Governing Board in February 2016. On her appointment, Valerie said: ‘I am delighted to take on this worthwhile position. As the UK’s leading Certification body for innovative building materials and construction installation techniques, the BBA has a key role to play in helping drive forward the construction sector, which is such an important contributor to our economy.’

Valerie is a multi-disciplinary property professional – she is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), the Royal Society of the Arts (RSA) and the Chartered Society of Environmentalists (CEnv).

An expert in economic and sustainable development, Valerie is a co-founding director of Le Vaillant Owen Consultancy, an innovative company specialising in sustainable development and community regeneration. The business was established in 2004, with offices in London and Kent. In her earlier executive career, Valerie was a Director of international real estate Consultants Jones Lang LaSalle, after which she worked as Managing Director at London First, where she delivered economic development programmes in sustainable development, housing, regeneration and health in collaboration with local, national and regional Governments.

Valerie operates at the highest levels, and now has a portfolio career comprising a number of nonexecutive Directorships and Ministerial appointments. Valerie is Chair of Swan Housing Group which is currently regenerating 1,600 homes on the Blackwall Reach estate in Tower Hamlets, London; she is also Chair of Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for land-based and environmental industries.

In 2001 Valerie was made an OBE for service to ‘architecture, and the community in East London’. In December 2009 she was made a Cabinet Office Ambassador to champion equality and diversity in Ministerial/Public Appointments, and in 2015, she won the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in the National Women in Construction Awards.

Valerie is married to Bob Le Vaillant and has three daughters.

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