Rene Joppi, Commercial Director at Mackwell discusses the challenges we face and opportunities that lie ahead.

Since the tragic events of June 2017, which saw 72 people lose their lives in the fire that engulfed Grenfell Tower in West London, the area surrounding building safety and compliance is now, more than ever before, at the forefront of people’s minds.

Although not defined as a public or commercial premise, the 24 storey residential tower block contained many communal areas such as escape routes, assembly points and walkways which would have required a building risk assessment to help ensure the safety of the occupants and minimize the risk of fire. Amongst other things, the risk assessment would have defined the need for evacuation aids such as the provision of a fire prevention system, sprinkler system and emergency lighting.

In 2005, engineering consultancy, Capita Symonds compiled a report into the tower which contained a number of health and safety concerns regarding the emergency lighting system installed throughout the building. The report stated that the emergency lighting had fallen below standard and that the system was not being properly managed by the appointed responsible person, and that there was a perceived unwillingness to acknowledge the need for urgent maintenance and repair.

The report went on to specifically highlight the essential requirement for adequate emergency lighting to ensure the safe and immediate evacuation of occupants in an emergency situation, due to a lack of natural daylight in the building’s stairwells. Furthermore, the report stated that the building’s occupants were constantly at risk because of the ‘non-functioning emergency lighting’.

Grenfell Tower is just one example of a residential building where the emergency lighting of communal areas was deemed as inadequate, yet in this area, it is unfortunately not alone, and this continues to be the case. As recently as 2018, a survey revealed that more than 40% of residential housing estates have the same issue of sub-standard and inadequate emergency lighting systems. This 40% figure however, is only representative from actual buildings surveyed and found to have to have non-compliances. In reality the figure is much higher and is estimated to be closer to 80%.

Compliance and emergency lighting

There are a number of health and safety and construction directives together with legislative material which is published to ensure the health and safety of building occupants. In the area of fire safety, the government’s fire regulatory reform order applies, and it is this order that specifies the need for the initial risk assessment.

The risk assessment

Before embarking on the design, a full risk assessment must be undertaken to determine the areas in the building which have a requirement for emergency lighting. This will include escape routes, open areas, points of emphasis such as locations of essential fire safety equipment and any areas deemed as high-risk task. Communal areas within residential properties may only form perhaps 10% of the core area but must still be covered by a full risk assessment, carried out by a qualified, responsible person.

Lux levels and signage

An accurate and compliant emergency lighting scheme design, undertaken in line with the initial risk assessment, and the emergency lighting code of practice, BS 5266-1 and its accompanying standards; BS EN 50172 and EN 1838, will ensure that the areas covered are illuminated correctly and adequately. In many cases however, the risk assessment is not adhered to correctly, partly due to budgetary constraints and unhelpful timescales etc. As a result, the lighting levels can be compromised as lower quality, inferior fixtures are used and the number of fixtures as specified is reduced. This can lead to poor uniformity and ‘dark spots. Similarly, a poorly designed escape route with poor quality or incorrect exit signage can lead to confusion and ambiguity in an emergency escape period.

Component abuse and end of life failure

A scheme designed and installed in line with the risk assessment and the relevant emergency lighting standards will ensure initial compliance. This, however, is just the start. For the emergency lighting to remain compliant throughout its designed lifetime, there are many factors to be considered. The performance of its associated components is heavily dependent on how they are operated and maintained. The rechargeable battery for instance is a critical component but it can be highly susceptible to abuse through neglect, exposure to high temperatures and over-cycling etc. For self-contained emergency lighting applications, the battery must satisfy a four-year design life in line with BS EN 60598-2-22. It is often the case though that the battery has seen many full cycles in a very short period of time due to mains interruptions and power outages associated with ‘pre-handover’ installation periods. In many cases, the battery is connected and installed sometimes weeks or months before the mains power is applied. In these critical periods the battery may discharge to dangerous levels from which it cannot recover. Some control gears use remote software commands such as inhibition mode and rest mode to prevent unnecessary battery discharge, but this is generally in conjunction with a control system. The battery has a maximum ambient temperature rating of 50⁰C but often this figure is exceeded as the battery is placed in thermally unsuitable luminaires during the re-engineering process. Exposure to temperatures above the battery’s maximum rating can impact greatly on the lifetime.

Another consideration is the maintenance of the emergency lighting fixture. For instance, if placed in a dirty environment, the light source may not be delivering its declared luminous flux, resulting in lower levels of illumination.

Intelligent diagnostics and compliance

Taking into account the requirements and challenges mentioned above, it is easy to see how difficult it can become for the appointed ‘responsible person’ to maintain the compliance of the emergency lighting scheme. Upkeep of the logbook, including logging any changes to building layout, structure and the internal fabric. Reparations, changes to the décor, colour schemes, all have an impact on the on-going compliance of the scheme. Monitoring the health of the battery and control gear manually, without an automatic test system renders the task almost a full-time role.

To take the battery as an example, it is almost impossible to monitor its health whilst ensuring it still operates within its designed parameters throughout its life. Some manufacturers have now started to develop diagnostics through on-board software to monitor battery health.

Diagnostics allow the user to interrogate several parameters from the emergency lighting control gear, as it logs and records through its lifetime. The idea is to provide the responsible person with preventative data regarding the on-going performance of the associated equipment and to highlight any potential problems or drop in performance.

One example of diagnostic data collection is the ability for the control gear to monitor and record its own temperature for retrospective and on-going analysis. This can then be used to help maintenance of the battery for instance, as it approaches end of life, rather than after end of life failure.

Additionally, and perhaps more significantly, diagnostics can be used to monitor and record the number and frequency of emergency switching cycles. From this it can be interpreted whether the components are being operated correctly within their designed parameters.

Diagnostics can be used to measure and record the battery voltage, again providing valuable preventative information on battery health and status.

These are just some of the benefits that intelligent emergency control gears can offer through their diagnostic functionality. As developments expand, many more values can be recorded and used to aid more efficient, preventative maintenance and thereby ensure the scheme remains compliant and effective, whilst keeping tighter control of the costs associated with reactive maintenance.

In a rapidly changing world where technology is evolving on a daily base and impacting on our personal lives, it is logical to presume that more intelligent technologies will find their way into public buildings as well.

Diagnostics, if used correctly and as intended will help to ensure that safety critical systems, such as fire prevention and emergency lighting, benefit in terms of compliance and efficiency whilst helping to keep occupants safe.

The Capita Symonds report highlighted the lack of a compliant emergency lighting system in Grenfell tower in 2005. Whether this situation remained in place up to and during the tragic events of June 2017 is not clear, but what is certain is that a non-compliant emergency lighting system could only have added to the general feeling of panic and disorientation. In short, it would have served as a hindrance rather than help. If we have the opportunity to help maintain the on-going compliance of these buildings and the safety of their occupants, by producing intelligent technologies, we should take it. These are just some of the benefits that intelligent emergency control gears can offer through their diagnostic functionality. As developments expand, many more values can be recorded and used to aid more efficient, preventative maintenance and thereby ensure the scheme remains compliant and effective, whilst keeping tighter control of the costs associated with reactive maintenance.

Further information is available from Mackwell on 01922 742145 by email info@mackwell.com or by visiting the company’s website at www.mackwell.com

Kee Safety, a global supplier of fall protection equipment and safety railing systems, has expanded its range of safe access solutions for roof top walkways and stepovers with the introduction of Kee Walk® with Guardrail. A cost effective and modular approach to guardrail protection, this system provides roofers, contractors and maintenance teams with a clear demarcation route to eliminate potential fall hazards.

Designed to provide a level, anti-slip walking surface on standing seam, composite panels and metal roofing, Kee Walk® with Guardrail can be easily adapted to a wide range of roof surfaces, slopes, steps, traverses and pitches up to 35⁰. Thanks to its modular design, the system can be quickly and easily set up and mounted to the roof, with no need for any on site assembly, bespoke brackets or fabrication. The guardrail – which is built from 48.3mm tubes and Kee Klamp® corrosion resistant fittings – is fixed directly to one or both sides of the walkway subframe, restricting the need for too many fixings into the roof, therefore reducing the possibility of roof leaks in the future. The walkway is available as standard in nylon or aluminium trends and supplied in pre-assembled 1.5m or 3m sections to suit the requirements of different roofs.

“A walkway with a guardrail is the preferred fall protection system as dictated in the hierarchy of control measures” comments Ben Rutter, Kee Safety Product Manager – Safe Access and NPD. “It provides the highest level of collective fall prevention for roof access and work at height. We have introduced this new walkway system to provide our customers with a collective solution that eliminates the need for personal protection equipment (PPE) or harnesses, allows multiple people to use the system at the same time, and is suited to retrofit and new build projects.”

Kee Walk® with Guardrail is CE approved and compliant with EN 516:2006 (Prefabricated Accessories for Roofing – Installations for roof access – Walkways, treads and steps). It exceeds the deflection criteria and slip resistance requirements of this standard and achieves almost double the friction requirement of BS 4592 in both wet and dry conditions, providing assurance that the treads are safe to walk on in all weather conditions. Thanks to reinforced nylon treads that are fire rated to Class HB of UL94, this roof top walkway system will have the same, if not better, fire rating than the roof itself. The guardrail complies to BS EN 14122-3, BS EN 13374 and OSHA requirements to provide customers staff and contractors with the best possible protection.

Kee Walk® with Guardrail can be used in conjunction with Kee Safety stepover platforms to provide safe access across roof mounted pipework, low level walls and other plant equipment.

Boasting almost 85 years in business, Kee Safety has the knowledge, technical excellence and awareness of regulation requirements to be able to market some of the best safety products in the industry. Despite having a large product offering already in place, Kee Safety continues to launch new solutions — Kee Walk® with Guardrail is Kee Safety’s 14th product launch in the last ten years.

For more information, visit www.keesafety.co.uk

Creating a seamless transition between internal areas by opening or closing space is now possible with new single or double leaf sliding doors from Crittall’s range of InnerVision interior screens. The new doors offer wider opening areas than more intrusive hinged alternatives by virtue of their sliding design maximising use of inside room space, particularly where it may be limited.

Offering the strength and ultra-slim profile which are the hallmark of the Crittall range of products the InnerVision range allows the sub-division of internal commercial or domestic spaces without interrupting the transmission of light or reducing valuable space.

In commercial applications screens and sliding doors can be used to create quiet spaces in busy offices, schools and colleges, or calm interiors in restaurants while hectic kitchens or bars are still in full view.

Matching an existing décor presents no difficulty as the steel frames can be powder-coated to the customer’s choice of RAL or BS colours.

A range of glazing options are available to provide privacy or reduced noise levels.

The new sliding door features concealed top positioned running gear and a bottom guide for particularly large models.

Fully compatible with other InnerVision products, the sliding door variant can be specified with a secure latch-able configuration. The doors are available with a wide range of handle styles and brass finishes.

Each screen or door is created specifically to suit the application, panel shape or size, with single or double glazing using clear, decorative or obscure glass.

www.crittall-windows.co.uk

When a homeowner in Norwich was looking to transform his 1920s bungalow into a contemporary home that featured the most aesthetically pleasing building products on the market, he turned to Cembrit Westerland slates to provide a natural roof finish that complemented the new look of the property.

Previously a brick building with red Norfolk pantiles, the property looked run down, outdated and was badly insulated. Once the outside walls were insulated and rendered and new triple glazed aluminium windows were installed, Jon Barrell, the owner of the property, turned his attention to the roof.

“We became aware of Cembrit Westerland slates after researching what roofing materials are available” commented Jon Barrell. We wanted a light weight option that would look natural in its surroundings and would colour match the windows. The Cembrit Westerland slates ticked all these boxes. Not only that, but thanks to the thinness of the slate, we were able to raise the rafter line by 3″ to allow for an extra 2″ of insulation. We achieved this without having to alter the existing roofline or the need for planning permission.”

A total of 3,000 Westerland slates and 30 metres of Cembrit Slate Duopitch Ridge Ventilation were used to complete the re-roof, which was completed by Scott Sell Roofing. Jon didn’t want to introduce cement edges to the gables as a finishing detail, so opted for Cembrit PVC dry verges, which provided the perfect colour match to create a consistent finish across the roof. Following the project, Jon fed back to Cembrit that the roofing team enjoyed working with the Cembrit slates, as they found them easy to cut and fit.

“We had so many problems with the pantiles we used to have on our roof, and all of these issues have stopped now that we have had the Cembrit slates installed” adds Jon. “We no longer have moss growing and rolling down the gutters. Due to the surface of the ridges, the birds that used to sit on the ridges and leave mess no longer perch on the roof, meaning the roof always looks spotless! With the slates being installed in the correct tight-fitting manner, there is no draught between the slates or any vermin or other insects that used to be able to get in. We weighed the old pantiles against the Cembrit slates and have reduced the weight on the roof by 4 tons, which means no more creaking timbers or rattling tiles on a windy day. We feel that by opting for the Cembrit slates, we have achieved a classier looking project without the expense of a more costly product, which is not easy to do these days. We are over the moon with our new roof.”

Cembrit’s Westerland slate has a surface texture and dressed edge similar to that of natural slate but does not need grading and sorting prior to installation. Finished with a semi-matt acrylic coloured coating to the top face and edges and a tinted high-performance binder to the back face, the finish is of the highest quality. Easy to work with, as no power tools are needed to re-size the slates, Cembrit’s fibre cement slates simplify the install period and act as an economic alternative to natural roofing materials.

Westerland slates are manufactured in accordance with a quality assurance system to BS EN ISO 9001-2015 standard and to the requirements of BS EN 492: 2012 product specification for fibre cement slates and their fittings. Westerland slate has been awarded the BBA Certificate No. 03/4041. Cembrit’s fibre cement slates achieve the highest approvals from local national and international agencies in the fields of product quality and sustainability.

Cembrit Slate Duopitch continuously ventilated ridge tiles are specifically designed to provide a high level of ridgeline ventilation. Colour matched for use with Cembrit fibre cement slates, the ridge is suitable for pitched roofs ranging from 20° to 40°. The range includes start and end caps for a neat finish. Weighing 4kg, the product is lightweight, making it easy to transport and carry up to roof level. At 530mm in length, it is possible to carry two linear metres of ridge at a time.

Cembrit Slate Duopitch Ridge Ventilation is a fibre cement product that complements the smooth, flush look of the fibre cement slates. The ridges are lighter in weight than concrete alternatives, making them easier to install for a roofer working at height. The ridges do not require electric power for cutting, or any dust suppression equipment, equalling a much easier and quicker fitting process. They can be dry fixed with readily available colour matched Torx countersunk screws and installation is not dependent on getting the correct mortar mix, or having to wait for dry weather.

For further information visit www.cembrit.co.uk, email sales@cembrit.co.uk or tel: 020 3372 2300

Jedburgh Abbey, a 12th century Augustinian abbey located on the Scottish Borders, has selected the industry-leading MxPro 5 panel, from Advanced, to protect a rich heritage of treasures on display in its visitor centre.

Founded by David I, King of the Scots, nearly 1000 years ago and famed for its unusual architecture, Jedburgh Abbey is one of the four great abbeys established in the Scottish Borders. The Abbey’s museum houses some of the famous works of art associated with the early history of the site and some of the artefacts discovered during excavations.

Advanced were specified by the team at SAFE Services who were appointed to design, install and commission the replacement of an ageing fire system within the Abbey visitor centre, gift shop, staff rooms and offices, utilising existing cable runs and containments to avoid exposed wiring.

Graeme Millar, Fire Systems Technical and Sales Engineer at SAFE Services, said: “We have worked with Advanced for many years and as our first choice for addressable fire panels we have installed them in a wide variety of locations. The MxPro 5 was ideally suited for this project due to its high reliability and open protocol which meant that we could more easily replace the old system at a lower cost to the customer.”

MxPro is the fire industry’s leading multiprotocol fire system solution. It offers customers a choice of two panel ranges, four detector protocols and a completely open installer network, backed up by free training and support. MxPro panels can be used in single loop, single panel format or easily configured into high speed, multi-loop panels in 200 node networks covering huge areas. MxPro’s legendary ease of installation and configuration and wide peripheral range make it customisable to almost any application.

Neil Parkin, Regional Sales Manager at Advanced, said: “Advanced fire systems are renowned for their quality and ease-of-use, which makes them ideal for projects such as this. Our products are specified in large buildings and networks but also smaller sites, such as the visitor centre, which showcases an important part of the Abbey’s heritage. As a site of such historic significance it is even more important to offer the reassurance of a high-quality system and our MxPro panels offer all the key attributes required for this type of installation.”

Advanced has an impressive pedigree in historic and heritage site protection. Notable installations across the globe include World Heritage Sites; Durham Cathedral, Scotland’s most sacred site, Iona Abbey and Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia as well as other landmark buildings such as the Royal Albert Hall and London’s Natural History Museum.

To help users, installers and specifiers Advanced has created a brochure outlining some of the solutions available for the unique challenges they face. To request a copy of the brochure, please contact: marketing@advancedco.com

For further information please visit www.advancedco.com

An Altro floor-to-ceiling solution has helped to provide celebrity chef, Richard Bainbridge, with a dream kitchen for his award-winning Norwich restaurant.

Richard won BBC2’s Great British Menu in 2015, and opened Benedicts, in Norwich, three years ago. The restaurant has since won a raft of awards and been named in The Times Top 100 Restaurants in the UK, Square Meal Top 100, and been awarded 3AA Rosettes.

“We opened Benedicts on a shoestring, all we had was passion and dedicated staff,” says Richard. “I’m delighted to say that our hard work is now bringing us some great success, and first on the list was that new kitchen. My vision was to expand, with a new extension into the back-of-house to form a larger, more open working environment, with dedicated preparation areas, including a new bakery and butchery zones.

“I promised my staff that as soon as we had the money, I would put in the professional kitchen they deserved, one that we would all be proud to work in, which is what we’ve now done.

“It was essential that the kitchen was modern, well-equipped, easy to maintain and clean, safe, practical and the best possible working environment for my staff. I approached Elite Foodservice Design with my brief and they immediately understood what we wanted to achieve.

“They also impressed me as having superb knowledge, experience and some great ideas — one of which was their recommendation of a top-down Altro solution of floors and walls to give us the integrated, hygienic, sealed box I wanted to work in.”

Daniel Ridd, Design Manager at Elite, says: “The proven combination of Altro Stronghold 30 safety flooring and Altro Whiterock White wall sheet is one we install widely in hard-working commercial kitchens.

“It’s a bullet-proof system that always delivers, so we knew it would be ideal for Benedicts too. Elite has been an Altro Whiterock Premier Installer for many years, and this system is the best you can get.”

Richard Bainbridge adds: “We now have a beautiful new kitchen and everyone at Benedicts is so proud of it. The Altro floor-to-ceiling solution is playing a key role in bringing everything together and it completely delivers on its promise.

“The Altro floor is incredible; it’s not only great to look at, but very safe underfoot, and so easy to clean. Elite put in some gulleys so water drains away, and that’s particularly good for the cleaning regime, as it dries very quickly.

“The wall sheet is superb, with nowhere for the dirt to hide, it’s professional, bright and, again, very easy to clean. When you work the long hours we do, you want to spend as little time as possible cleaning, but it’s so easy to keep this system pristine.

“Our dream of a beautiful kitchen is a reality. We are now happy to show customers around the kitchen. With our reputation growing, having a kitchen like this is a huge boost and has made us even more ambitious. It will enable us raise our game, set higher standards for ourselves, and create even better food for our customers.”

The Altro floor-to-ceiling solution

Altro Stronghold™ 30 achieves Altro’s highest rating for slip resistance and is designed to minimise risk in areas exposed to grease, oils and fats for the lifetime of the flooring. As well as helping to keep staff safe from slips, it also helps reduce their fatigue, thanks to its 3mm thickness which provides noise reduction and comfort underfoot.

Altro has added five new colours to the Altro Stronghold range and also increased the guarantee from 15 to 20 years.

Altro Whiterock White is the perfect, hygienic alternative to ceramic wall tiles, offering a proven, high performance option. Impact resistant, grout-free and easy to clean, its smooth white surface and classic purity make it a timeless choice for any interior.

Altro Whiterock White is made from a high-quality, food-safe PVCu polymer that can handle temperatures up to 60°C. It meets all current European Union (EU) Directives on health and hygiene, making it particularly suitable for commercial kitchens.

About Altro – www.altro.co.uk

The construction of a massive new warehousing facility in Northampton has involved Hadley Group supplying unusually large quantities of its UltraMezzTM components to long-term customer Mezzanine International, with Hadley Group also supporting the successful erection programme throughout.

The two-tier mezzanine structure will provide Decathlon Distribution – a German based sports goods supplier – with some 17,000 square metres of space for storage and racking; and is the latest landmark project undertaken by the mezzanine flooring supplier and manufacturer during an eight-year relationship.

Kent-based Mezzanine International, which is active throughout the multi-channel retail, E-fulfilment, office development and other sectors, first tendered to Decathlon’s construction arm, ABK, for the contract in December 2016. Hadley Group responded to the scale of the work with a competitive price and reacted immediately when the work was awarded earlier this summer.

Beginning during the first week of August, Hadley Group has made weekly deliveries to the site on Thomas Dascher Way, keeping Mezzanine International’s team of two supervisors and up to 15 sub-contract operatives supplied with C-section joists, cleats and other custom formed components.

The Project Manager for Mezzanine International, Andy Parsons, commented: “This is a very large two-tier mezzanine, which has been designed and tendered for using Hadley Group’s dedicated DesignSuite Pro software package. The company also offered us an attractive volume discount to assist in our bid. Furthermore, the regularity of the design – on a 5.0 x 5.4 metre grid – means there is a minimal list of components required, but we are still taking a delivery of three lorry loads from Hadley Group’s Midland premises every week.”

DesignSuite Pro is an intuitive and customisable software package that supports the design and specification of projects based on Hadley Group’s cold rolled, high strength, lightweight UltraZed purlins and UltraBeam side rails and floor beams making project planning and specifying easier than ever before.

“The mezzanine rises 4.2 metres to the first level and 8.4 metres to the second. A big advantage of using the C-section joists is that our installers can hang them on the cleats as they bolt them up. Everything is rolled to order and pre-punched as necessary for fixings. Progress has been very good and we are expecting to complete two weeks ahead of schedule on a 10 week programme,” Andy Parsons continued.

While similar mezzanines would normally be completed with the application of an intumescent paint system and non-combustible boarding beneath the decking, the Decathlon Distribution vinyl- coated decking construction and its conveyor belts are to be protected with a full sprinkler system.

Going on to talk about other recent successes for the partnership, Andy Parsons added: “We have worked with Hadley Group on a number of high profile projects including a large warehouse for speciality drinks to store wine and other lines, and new distribution facilities for Amazon at Warrington, Bolton and Tilbury. All of these contracts involved very high loading requirements, for which we specified our Mezz-7 system. This involves Hadley Group supplying its B-Deck to support the main floor – making the installation seven times stronger than a standard mezzanine.

Hadley Group’s UltraMezzTM selection of components can facilitate the rapid and cost-effective erection of mezzanine floors for both new-build and retrofit applications. Offering enhanced performance based on the manufacturer’s unique UltraSTEELTM process, the UltraMezzTM design and project management process cuts waste and avoids errors, while further support is available from Hadley Group’s technical sales team.

For further information please visit www.hadleygroup.com

Ben Towe, Group Managing Director at Hadley Group

Global cold rolled manufacturer of steel solutions with real world applications, Hadley Group is pleased to announce the acquisition of Hadley Steel Framing Ltd (HSF). HSF will continue to operate as a stand-alone business but will have the resources of the wider Hadley Group available for support.

Hadley Group originally acquired a 50% stake in Hadley Steel Framing Ltd (HSF) ten years ago, supporting the growth of the company by manufacturing and delivering its cold rolled steel framing products. This latest development in HSF’s ownership means it will be business as usual with no changes to the manufacturing or delivery aspects of the business. Hadley Group will provide HSF with the stability and security that comes with being part of a large international group.

Hadley Group operates across the globe, providing a significant breadth of product solutions across a diverse market. The company’s expertise, market insight and manufacturing capabilities have positioned it as a world leader in advanced cold rolled steel technology.

HSF is a future market leader in steel framing design, assembly and installation with core strengths in its bolted system certified to 12 storeys. The company’s expert technical, structural and design ability ensures it can provide a single solution from concept to completion on building projects in all sectors, both on site and off site.

Ben Towe, Group Managing Director at Hadley Group, said: “We view the acquisition of HSF as highly complementary to our other current construction product offerings and intend to support them as they continue their progression in the markets they serve. Architects, specifiers and contractors trust HSF to deliver industry standard and bespoke construction solutions on a world stage and we are delighted to confirm the addition of HSF into the Hadley Group.”

The acquisition complements both company’s growing reach with the announcement coming soon after Hadley Group’s acquisition of EWS (Manufacturing) Ltd.

Hadley Steel Framing has recently launched a new website which showcases all of their products and expertise. For more information on HSF, please visit: www.hadleysteelframing.com

For more information about Hadley Group, please visit: www.hadleygroup.com

Viega has launched two new products to its award-winning drainage and overflow range – the Multiplex Visign M9 and the Multiplex Trio Visign MT9. Suitable for all bathtubs with a standardised overflow hole, the range is also simple to retrofit.

Easy to install, the new additions have the same functional unit for all equipment sets to allow for simple design selection. In retro-fit situations, the fittings come with a conversion kit which consists of a fastening glance and rotatable collar to easily replace the old equipment.

Adding further bathing comfort, a gentle touch at the rotatable collar allows for the water level to be raised an additional five centimetres ‘above normal level’. A gentle pull at the unit then lowers the water to return to normal levels. In both cases, the overflow function remains active, to prevent flooding. If the overflow function is not active, the water will flow away through the rotatable collar.

Additionally, the Multiplex Visign M9 and Multiplex Trio Visign MT9 have a small installation depth of 33 mm which ensures that the products can be fitted to any bathtub with a standardised overflow hole, particularly models with a modern narrow rim design. The MT3 and MT5 equipment sets allow for the water jet angle to be adjusted to the inclination of the individual bathtub rim. The fittings have a water seal height of 50 mm, drainage capacity accumulation height 300 mm 0.85 l/s and spillway capacity accumulation height 60mm over mid of spill hole 0.63 l/s.

“Nominated for the German Design Prize, “Designpreis Deutschland” and a winner of the Red Dot Design Award, the sleek design lines of the Multiplex series provides an unobtrusive feature that complements all commercial bathtubs,” said Scott James, Managing Director at Viega. “Available in three sizes (560 mm, 725 mm or 1,070 mm) to accommodate every size and design of bathtub, the range can be specified with a chrome-plated or a coated stainless-steel finish. This means specifiers can be assured the products will be flexible towards any modern bathroom design.”

For more information on Viega, please visit www.viega.co.uk.

Century Casino Bath Limited

A new multi-million pound casino has opened its doors in Bath, further transforming the Saw Close and Kingsmead areas of the City, which are already a hub for bars, nightclubs and restaurants.

Younique® by Formica Group was chosen for Century Casino’s new washroom cubicles, vanities and duct panels and were supplied by laminate fabricators Laminform.

The Younique service allows architects and designers to create a unique pattern or design, capture a photograph or corporate logo in Formica® laminate. The service offers both screen and digital print solutions to ensure the optimum replication of any design.

In this instance, the use of Younique digitally rendered panels enabled the design team to deliver cubicle doors that matched the floral carpet design inside the casino, providing the venue with a visual consistency from casino floor to washroom.

The entertainment and leisure centre has 18 game tables, 35 slot machines and 24 live gaming terminals. The complex also includes a four-star hotel and a number of restaurants. Neil Priscott, Head of Marketing at Visit Bath, said: “Bath is a city rich in history but with a dynamic contemporary culture that is often underplayed. The addition of Century Casino to Bath complements the many and varied attractions that are on offer to visitors and residents alike, and will help us to attract people from all over the world.”

The Colorado Springs-based company Century Casino currently owns and runs casinos all over the world including America and Argentina, Poland, the UK and on-board cruise ships.

For further information please visit www.formica.com