Building News is an information portal for all professional building specifiers. Here you can find all of the latest construction news from around the UK and the rest of the world.

Keylite helps housebuilders meet current regulations

Many of the UK’s national and regional housebuilders are opting to specify Keylite Roof Windows (Keylite) as their preferred supplier, due to the market-leading and innovative product solutions that come as standard.

 

With several changes made to Building Regulations in England and Wales last year, including additions to ‘Approved Document L: Conservation of fuel and power’ and ‘Approved Document F: Ventilation’, housebuilders have been looking for products that take the headache out of compliance by ensuring they meet current requirements.

The purpose of Part L is to ensure energy efficiency in buildings, with new and existing homes in England now being subject to higher building performance targets in an interim step towards the Future Homes Standard and Future Buildings Standard that will arrive in 2025.

When it comes to heat loss, one of the biggest issues for housebuilders is thermal bridging, which is an area of a building construction which has a significantly higher heat transfer (loss) than the surrounding materials. One example of where this would occur is with junctions around windows, including roof windows.

If this area is not insulated it can lead to cold bridging on roof windows; this is where the gap between the roof and window creates a cold section all around the frame due to the temperature differentiation between the outside and inside, which contributes toward heat loss and can eventually lead to condensation and mould.

Keylite has taken the lead in ensuring it removes the possibility of this occurring, ensuring its products are designed in such a way that housebuilders don’t have to consider the ‘gap’. These built-in features help eliminate thermal bridging, which reduces the risk of non-compliance and delivers a build that is closer to the expected energy performance.

 

Lee Squelch, Regional Sales Director (GB) for Keylite, comments:

 

 

“One such feature is Keylite’s patented Integrated Expanding Thermal Collar, which ensures the thermal integrity of the window and roof is as designed, thus removing the reliance on an additional thermal collar and helping achieve Approved Document L requirements. It also improves airtightness and Psi Values for SAP, helping housebuilders meet new regulations.

“Part F requirements for background ventilation are also supported through Keylite’s cleverly designed top handle, allowing for controlled trickled ventilation when the window is fully closed and securely locked. National House-Building Council (NHBC) will not accept other window types that provide background ventilation by being latched in the partially opened position.”

 

Keylite Roof Windows is helping its many housebuilder customers meet current regulations throughout the UK and Ireland.

 

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

 

or CALL 01283 200 158

 

or CLICK HERE TO EMAIL KEYLITE

 

 

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LEVIAT BECOMES AN INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS APPROVED EMPLOYER

Leviat, a world leader in lifting, connecting and anchoring technology for the construction industry continues its determined support of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers by becoming an Approved Employer for the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).  

 

Leviat has successfully joined the list of Approved Employers from ICE, which enables them to provide structured training schemes for civil engineers looking to develop further professionally. ICE helps civil engineers gain their professional qualification by providing industry experience through over 450 company training schemes, but the employer also has an important part to play in supporting students to develop their knowledge and experience in their journey towards becoming qualified. The Initial Professional Development Panel (IPDP) has formally approved Leviat’s Technical Director, Mark Smith, to act as the Supervising Civil Engineer for the ICE training scheme.

 

This could not come at a better time, as the demand for engineers and personnel in the UK construction sector is rapidly increasing. According to latest figures from CITB, an additional 225,000 construction workers are required by 2027. Furthermore, the industry is presently facing a skills shortage, which refers to the widening gap between the number of unfilled construction positions and the number of qualified individuals who can take on these roles.

 

The green light from ICE means that engineers employed at Leviat can gain the skills, knowledge and experience needed to complete their initial professional development on their path to becoming professionally qualified. This provides them with an effective path for career advancement and encourages more individuals to take advantage of on-the-job training, thereby addressing the skills shortage issue in the industry. The endorsement is a significant recognition of the quality of both Leviat’s training and its experience in the industry.

 

To showcase their achievement, two recent graduates employed at Leviat recently attended Brunel University in London and successfully delivered a presentation about Leviat’s place in the construction industry and potential career opportunities. The event was a major success, receiving positive feedback from students and teachers.

 

One student commented:

“It was an eye-opener that further boosts my morale to pursue excellence in the engineering industry.” Dr Esmaeel Esmaeeli, Lecturer in Structural Engineering at Brunel University said: “Students found the presentation very interesting, and it gave them a better understanding of engineering within the UK construction industry, knowledge of innovative structural concrete connection systems and a better understanding of possible career opportunities after graduation.”

 

The event is only part of Leviat’s wider strategy to engage with leading universities to attract future talent and enhance their technical departments. They plan to attend additional open days and career fairs, invite students to visit their headquarters in Sheffield, arrange site visits and offer internships for final-year students to get a taste of the industry at work.

 

Bryan Jex, Sales Director for Structural Connections at Leviat said:

“We are thrilled to join the list of Approved Employers for the Institution of Civil Engineers. It is evidence of our ongoing commitment to inspire future generations to join our industry, and it’s great to be acknowledged for the talented leaders we have at Leviat who make it their mission to provide invaluable training for the next cohort of civil engineers.”

CLICK HERE For more information about LEVIAT

 

or CLICK HERE to visit the CRH website

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SIDERISE LAUNCHES TECHNICAL DEEP DIVES

  

SIDERISE LAUNCHES TECHNICAL DEEP DIVES

TO SHARE ITS KNOWLEDGE OF PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION

AND NOISE CONTROL

 

Siderise has launched the first in the series of its new Technical Deep Dives— short free e-learning modules designed to help construction professionals get to grips with key areas of passive fire protection and noise control in the built environment.

 

Edition 1 explores the challenges imposed upon perimeter firestops resulting from curtain wall façade and building movement, and the consequential performance requirements for providing effective compartmentation. This includes examining the test standards to look out for when specifying these products.

 

With one set to be released bi-monthly, these Technical Deep Dives break down key application issues in an easy-to-understand and visual way. They have been created to share the knowledge, experience and insights of the manufacturer’s Technical Experts who have worked on all kinds of projects all over the world helping designers and contractors to understand how they can deliver best practice passive fire safety and noise control.

 

CLICK HERE TO EXPLORE THE FIRST EDITION

 

 

 

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Single-Sex Toilet Regulations

The government has announcedit is acting to bring forward changes to regulations that will mean all new non-domestic public and private buildings will be required to provide separate single-sex toilets for women and men and/or a self-contained, private toilet as a minimum.

The change comes amid dignity and privacy concerns from women and elderly people who feel they are being unfairly disadvantaged as publicly accessible toilets are increasingly being converted into gender neutral facilities.

Concerns over the rise of neutral gender facilities has meant that public have been forced to share cubicle and hand-washing facilities, leading to increasing waiting in shared queues, decreased choice and a limitation on privacy and dignity for all.

New regulations and guidance will mean women, who may need to use facilities more often because of pregnancy or sanitary needs, will now be guaranteed appropriate facilities either through a separate single-sex space or through a self-contained, private toilet.

The action taken today builds upon the government’s commitment and wider approach to the protection of single sex spaces.

In addition to single sex toilets becoming the default and minimum for new non-residential buildings and places undertaking major refurbishment, the guidelines will encourage the consideration of self-contained toilets, which are a fully enclosed toilet room with a wash hand basin for individual use.

This new approach will help to maximise privacy and dignity for of all, which will be explicit in the guidance.

A new short technical consultation to shape the changes has opened.

Kemi Badenoch, Minister for Women and Equalities, said:

It is important that everybody has privacy and dignity when using public facilities. Yet the move towards ‘gender neutral’ toilets has removed this fundamental right for women and girls.

These proposals will ensure every new building in England is required to provide separate male and female or unisex facilities, and publish guidance to explain the difference, protecting the dignity, privacy and safety of all.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Faith & Communities, Baroness Scott, said:

It is extremely important women can feel comfortable when using public facilities, so we are taking action to restore dignity and privacy at the centre of all future provision.

These proposals will mean separate toilets for men and women, as well as self-contained toilets for those that need them, become a requirement for every new building across England.

A previous call for evidence on increasing the accessibility of toilets for men and women gathered over 17,000 responses and represented a full range of views – generally calling for greater consideration in the range of toilets to preserve dignity, access, equality, and privacy for all.

The changes will be made through building regulations and guidance. The aim of the new requirements will ensure that:

  • separate single-sex toilets facilities are provided for men and women and/or
  • self-contained, private toilets are provided where space allows to ensure privacy and safety
  • mixed sex shared facilities are not an option, except when lack of space allows only a single toilet

Changing the rules for single sex and/or universal toilets to be required would have positive equality outcomes for those who may not currently feel safe while using toilet facilities.

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RINNAI – BIOMASS STRATEGY A POSITIVE STEP

RINNAI – BIOMASS STRATEGY

A POSITIVE STEP TOWARDS

A JUST TRANSITION FOR OFF-GRID SITES

 

Rinnai has welcomed the UK Govt’s policy paper “Biomass Strategy 2023.” that outlines the growing importance of biomass fuels as well as a future expansion which will see production levels rise. Biomass energy is comprised of materials of biological origin such as plants, wood and waste (manure).

Professor Paul Monks, the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of Energy Security comments in the report,” The United Kingdom has set an ambitious target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Meeting this target will require a significant shift in our approach to energy and low carbon technologies. There has never been a more crucial time to take action.

“Biomass can play a significant role in decarbonising nearly all sectors of the economy. The UK is already a global leader in biomass policy and technologies, with biomass accounting for 8.6% of our energy supply in 2022.” Biomass materials are nationally sustainable with 66% of domestic biological ingredients deriving from the UK.

 

UK policy makers are keen on introducing alternative energies that prevent the release of emissions and provide clean power to commercial and domestic applications. Another form of alternative bioenergy is  DME. DME is renewable dimethyl ether and it is produced from renewable and recycled carbon feedstock. It is a clean-burning fuel which is chemically like propane and butane, so it behaves in the same way as LPG.

Just like LPG, DME is easily and safely transported as a liquid in pressurised cylinders and tanks. It is specifically important to off grid sites up and down the UK.

DME is a simple solution that allows commercial and residential users to further reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a more sustainable future.

DME maintains a low greenhouse gas footprint, reducing emissions by up to 85% compared to fossil fuels. Depending on the feedstock and production process used, DME can even have negative greenhouse gas emissions.

Says Rinnai’s Chris Goggin, Operations Director, “We are in advanced developments of DME heating and hot water units that deliver identical operational performance results to that of a traditional water heater. Rinnai has already produced water heaters that accept LPG and BioLPG in anticipation of widespread carbon clean fuels being introduced into the UK energy market.

He continues, “Rinnai fully endorse the UK’s Biomass Strategy and constantly strives for technological solutions that encourage carbon neutrality and economic use for customers. Rinnai continue to design and manufacture pragmatic, economic and technically feasible products that are aimed at low and no carbon solutions.

He adds, “Rinnai understand that policy shifts affect the options of UK customers who seek decarbonising products. Rinnai is working hard to navigate any divergence in future UK power policy by providing multiple products that operate on electrical power with our Heat Pump and direct electrical ranges and gaseous fuels including Hydrogen and DME. The latter has a potentially huge role in supporting off grid sites that require practical, technological and economically viable solutions.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE RINNAI WEBSITE

or HERE to EMAIL RINNAI

CLICK HERE For more information on the RINNAI product range

 

RINNAI’S H3 DECARBONISATION OFFERS PATHWAYS
& CUSTOMER COST REDUCTIONS FOR
COMMERCIAL, DOMESTIC AND OFF-GRID HEATING & HOT WATER DELIVERY

                                                   

Rinnai’s H3 range of decarbonising products include hydrogen / BioLPG ready technology, hybrid systems, and a wide range of LOW GWP heat pumps and solar thermal. Also, within Rinnai’s H3 range is Infinity hydrogen blend ready and BioLPG ready continuous flow water heaters which are stacked with a multitude of features that ensure long life, robust & durable use, customer satisfaction and product efficiency.

Rinnai’s range of decarbonising products – H1/H2/H3 – consists of heat pump, solar, hydrogen in any configuration, hybrid formats for either residential or commercial applications. Rinnai’s H3 range of products offer contractors, consultants and end users a range of efficient, robust and affordable decarbonising appliances which create practical, economic and technically feasible solutions. The range covers all forms of fuels and appliances currently available – electric, gas, hydrogen, BioLPG, rDME solar thermal, low GWP heat pumps and electric water heaters.

Rinnai H1 continuous water heaters and boilers offer practical and economic decarbonization delivered through technological innovation in hydrogen and renewable liquid gas ready technology.

Rinnai’s H1 option is centred on hydrogen, as it is anticipated that clean hydrogen fuels will become internationally energy market-relevant in the future; Rinnai water heaters are hydrogen 20% blends ready and include the world’s first 100% hydrogen-ready hot water heating technology.

Rinnai H2 – Decarbonization simplified with renewable gas-ready units, Solar Thermal and Heat Pump Hybrids. Rinnai H2 is designed to introduce a practical and low-cost option which may suit specific sites and enable multiple decarbonisation pathways with the addition of high performance.

Rinnai H3 – Low-GWP heat pump technology made easy – Rinnai heat pumps are available for domestic and commercial usage with an extensive range of 4 – 115kW appliances.

Rinnai’s H3 heat pumps utilise R32 refrigerant and have favourable COP and SCOP.

Rinnai is a world leading manufacturer of hot water heaters and produces over two million units a year, operating on each of the five continents. The brand has gained an established reputation for producing products that offer high performance, cost efficiency and extended working lives.

Rinnai’s commercial and domestic continuous flow water heaters offer a limitless supply of instantaneous temperature controlled hot water and all units are designed to align with present and future energy sources. Rinnai condensing water heaters accept either existing fuel or hydrogen gas blends. Rinnai units are also suited for off-grid customers who require LPG and BioLPG or rDME.

Rinnai products are i2HY20 certified, A-rated water efficiency, accessed through multiple fuel options and are available for purchase 24/7, 365 days a year. Any unit can be delivered to any UK site within 24 hours. Rinnai offer carbon and cost comparison services that will calculate financial and carbon savings made when investing in a Rinnai system. Rinnai also provide a system design service that will suggest an appropriate system for the property in question. Rinnai offer comprehensive training courses and technical support in all aspects of the water heating industry including detailed CPD’s. More information can be found on Rinnai’s website and its “Help Me Choose” webpage.

 

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UK’s number one lintel distributor puts customers first with £5m investment programme

Civils & Lintels, the UK’s largest steel lintel distributor, is making life easier for housebuilders across the country by opening four regional distribution hubs.

Civils & Lintels has committed more than £5 million to create four regional lintel distribution hubs – including new yards in Nottinghamshire and the South East.

This fresh investment increases capacity and ensures that the business always has £30m* plus of stock available to meet any needs customers may have – further enhancing service levels to the UK residential sector. Lintels will be available at high volumes and on time wherever in the country you are and with the great service that customers have come to expect.

A new facility has been set up at Kirkby-in-Ashfield and a further site in Erith converted solely to a Lintels platform – alongside investment in sites at Bolton and Westbury in Wiltshire – with all sites offering an impressive range of stock.

As a specialist lintels supplier, the Civils & Lintels teams are focussed on delivering not only excellent customer service, but the broadest depth of products from all key manufacturers so can assure customers that the products will be delivered on time and in full.

Reliable supplier

Civils & Lintels works with its many regional and national housebuilder customers to develop tailored delivery schedules and provide help and advice on the selection of the best lintels for each development. The lintels hubs can also offer plot-banded deliveries if requested. This provides housebuilders with the reliability they need to complete a build programme.

Bespoke fabrication

In addition to the technical knowledge that the teams have, Civils & Lintels will supply bespoke fabrication services through sister company Harvey Steel Lintels.

So, if the customers need something unique or extra heavy duty such as bespoke lintels or arches for a specialist project, Civils & Lintels will manufacture it for them without it leading to costly delays in the build as they offer shorter lead times than major competitors.

Customer commitment

Phil Sheldon, Head of Residential from Civils & Lintels, said:

“This investment reflects the ambition that Civils & Lintels has as a business in the UK housing sector.

“We are already the largest distributor of steel lintels in the country and this investment will not only mean that we can continue to offer the best products, but we can also be even more efficient and flexible with our service proposition ensuring our customer commitment is exceeded.

“Customers can rest assured that, as standards change to match legislation, Civils & Lintels continues to be at the forefront by ensuring that new products are stocked – for example, for Part L, thermally insulated lintels are available in volume.

“We also have a wider associated vertical product offering such as Lintel soffit cladding, wind posts, cavity trays, masonry support and roof windows. These are all available from Civils & Lintels to help ensure that our customers can get all they need for their project or build stage directly and conveniently from us.”

Civils & Lintels is dedicated to servicing the construction industry and

are proud partners of all the major manufacturers

including Birtley, Catnic, IG, Keystone & Naylor.

 

CLICK HERE To view all Civils & Lintels products

 

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Palace secures acquisition of former Norcros Adhesives brands

Palace Chemicals has cemented its market-leading position in the tiling sector by acquiring several brands formerly owned by Norcros Adhesives.

The move follows the collapse of Stoke-on-Trent based Norcros Adhesives earlier this year with the loss of 70 jobs.

As part of the acquisition deal, Palace has taken on a number of Norcros Adhesives’ popular brands, including Rock-Tite, Pro Gyp-Base, Ultim8 and NX.

Palace Chemicals, the UK’s leading independent manufacturer of tiling, construction and DIY products, has also ensured brand continuity and client confidence by appointing key former employees of Norcros Adhesives.

Jon Hall, who clocked up 10 years at Norcros Adhesives, joins Palace as a Technical Sales Manager, Rob Kyle, who spent 19 years at Norcros Adhesives, has been appointed as Key Account Director, while Bethan Bright has been newly appointed with various sales responsibilities across the Palace product range.

The three new recruits will work with Commercial Director Steve Ball and Sales Director Simon Clough to help propel Palace Chemicals towards its next exciting phase of growth, particularly its targeted expansion in the DIY market.

Steve said:

“The new team members will no doubt help move the business forward, with their unbeatable combination of experience, contacts and knowledge.

“We’re delighted to be able to offer these roles following the sad closure of Norcros Adhesives. The move will provide that added bond with clients of the Norcros Adhesives brands that we’ve acquired.

“The new appointees will be joining an already successful and capable customer-facing team and will collectively help us continue to demonstrate the capability and quality that Palace Chemicals has proven to the market for well over 40 years.”

The former Norcros Adhesives brands now under the Palace umbrella will add weight to the Liverpool firm’s stable of products, which already includes more than 250 items.

Rock-Tite is a system for fixing porcelain tiles in external locations; Pro Gyp-Base enables rapid tiling over anhydrite screeds; Ultim8 is a brand of ready-mixed tile adhesives; and NX is a popular mixed range of tile adhesives.

Rob Kyle, 58, who has spent 44 years in the tiling industry, said:

“I’m always up for a challenge – challenges are what makes the world go round. A challenge at 18 is the same as the challenge at 58 – you’ve got to have something to get your teeth into.”

CLICK HERE

  

To discover the full range of tiling, commercial and DIY products manufactured by Palace

 

 

 

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Clarity called for on safety mark announcement

Decision to indefinitely suspend the replacement of an EU product designation for safety testing with new UK version is not expected to apply to HVAC and construction goods

Manufacturers of construction and HVAC products are calling for urgent clarity from the government about the future use of the EU’s CE safety mark on their products.

The government this week announced that is has indefinitely suspended plans to introduce a new UKCA marking for a number of industries to show compliance with safety standards. This scheme was devised to replace the CE mark as part of a post-Brexit plan for certification and testing.

However, the announcement was unclear whether this suspension of the UKCA mark for industries working under the remit of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) would also apply to the construction and HVAC sectors.

This UKCA mark was originally intended to be mandatory on all goods sold in the UK from 2022, but these requirements were eventually delayed until 2025. The decision was taken to address concerns from industry specialists about the testing capacity within the UK to obtain the right approvals to ensure goods could continue to be sold in the country by the deadline.

‘Ambiguity’ for construction and HVAC product makers

A range of trade bodies representing manufacturers of components and systems required by the building engineering and construction sectors have warned that there is continued ambiguity about whether they will still need to ensure the UKCA is present on its products by 2025. This clarification should also determine if a valid CE mark would otherwise be sufficient to show safety compliance on the UK market.

Actuate UK, an alliance of engineering services trade bodies including manufacturers, testing specialists and contractors, has warned that any continued ambiguity on the certification requirements could be detrimental to the industry and public confidence in the safety of its products.

Chris Yates, chief executive of Actuate UK member the Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA), said the announcement failed to address uncertainty about product testing and compliance for its members.

Mr Yates said that the announcement on suspending the implementation of the UKCA mark as a mandatory requirement for products sold in the country was only for a range of goods overseen by the DBT. It would not therefore apply to many construction goods.

He added:

“The industry has already made significant investment to make the move to UKCA and manufacturers had to decided which construction products to put on the market based on approval costs.”

It would now be crucial for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to decide whether it will remove the requirement for all construction and HVAC products to carry a valid UKCA mark by 30 June 2025.

Nick Mellor, managing director of Actuate UK member, the Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA), said that the DBT statement meant it was now possible for lifts and other machinery produced by its members to carry the CE Mark indefinitely beyond 2024. This was seen as a welcome development for the sector.  However, Mr Mellor said that a more comprehensive strategy was now needed with regards to UK testing requirements for all goods manufactured and sold in the country.

Other groups representing the construction sector have also called for the government to be clear on future plans for safety certification.

The Construction Products Association (CPA) said there was frustration and uncertainty among manufacturers of a range of products including HVAC equipment and components about requirements to carry the UKCA mark.

The association said it was obliged to continue to advise its members to prepare and ensure their goods can carry the UKCA mark to ensure they can continue to be sold in the country beyond the summer of 2025.

This advice would remain until the government can confirm it would be extending recognition of valid CE marks to other industries outside of the scope of the DBT.

Other critical concerns for the association was whether there would be sufficient testing capacity in the UK to ensure goods can carry a UKCA valid mark. It also has warned about the costs and regulatory burden for manufacturers to carry separate safety marks for products provided both in the UK and EU.

This uncertainty had led to some manufacturers announcing intentions to pull some products from the UK market, the CPA added.

CPA chief executive Peter Caplehorn said that the DLUHC had clarified that the announcement about the indefinite extension of the CE mark would not pertain to products produced for use in construction and the built environment sector.

He said:

“The situation for our sector remains the same; that is, recognition of the CE mark for construction products in Great Britain will continue until 30 June 2025, when implementation of the UKCA marking scheme is set to become mandatory.”

“We fear that policy makers do not fully understand or appreciate the gravity of this policy position not only for our sector and the construction industry, but indeed for any government ambitions related to the UK’s housing, schools, hospitals, infrastructure and wider built environment.

Mr Caplehorn said he hoped to see the government commit to further discussions with the industry on addressing concerns about certification and safety marks.

He added:

“The CPA has long argued that every day that manufacturers have to wait for clarification from government causes more damage.  This uncertainty has exacerbated product availability issues, led to UK and foreign manufacturers pulling products from the UK market, diminished investment and R&D, and therefore negatively impacted jobs and the ability of the product sector to support the UK construction industry every day.”

“We hope that the announcement reflects a new appreciation by policy makers of the cost and burden caused by the UKCA Mark scheme.”

Source: H&V News

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Marano Integrated: the new modular fencing range from F.H. Brundle

Marano Integrated is the latest addition to F.H. Brundle’s stylish aluminium fencing range.

This versatile system consists of boards, screens, posts and inserts that can provide either total privacy, or boards with 25mm gaps between them. Multiple spacers can also be used to create larger spaces between boards.

In common with the broader Marano range, Marano Integrated is long-lasting, requires extremely little maintenance, and is therefore highly cost-effective.

The system’s posts have been specially designed for Marano Integrated, measuring 80 x 80mm, with a narrow 20.6mm slot on two sides, and an extra wide slot on the third side. The post can be used as an intermediate, corner, end and T-post by adding or removing extrusions.

The Marano Integrated infill range consists of four hollow sections – one 55mm section (Half Round system), a 50mm rectangular section (Parallel 50 system), a 100mm rectangular section (Parallel 100 system), and one that features a tongue and groove (Connect 150 system).

But perhaps the range’s most notable feature is its decorative screens, made of lasered aluminium sheeting.

These attractive additions can be incorporated in several ways. The full height 1825mm screens, measuring 300 or 1000mm wide, can be used in conjunction with the Half Round, Parallel 50, Parallel 100 and Connect 150 systems, and can be installed either horizontally or vertically. Alternatively, you could build a fence using only the screens.

The boards are available in four colours, with a stylish matt finish – basalt grey, pebble grey, beige grey and black sand, as well as two wood effect finishes in oak or grey.

Mill finish is also available, allowing you to powder coat to any RAL colour.

Lightweight and easy to fit, the design possibilities are endless with this truly versatile system.

To find out more call 01708 398048

or visit www.fhbrundle.co.uk

 

 

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AIM’S CAVITY BARRIERS SELECTED FOR ‘PATH-BREAKING’ UNIVERSITY ACCOMMODATION

AIM (Acoustic & Insulation Manufacturing) has supplied Wall Cavity Barriers and open state cavity barriers (OSCBs), along with technical support, for a ‘path-breaking’, 900-room student accommodation development at the University of West England Bristol’s Frenchay Campus.

 

The new-build, low-carbon design development, which includes three buildings, six stories high, is to help meet demand from students for high-quality on-campus accommodation.   The first rooms will be available from September 2023.  Designed by Stride Treglown, the project’s main contractor is Vinci Construction.

AIM worked with Maple Sunscreening on the rainscreen façade system assembly from the ground floor upwards, which is mainly cassette panels with AIM’s OSCBs incorporated horizontally and AIM’s Wall Cavity Barriers installed vertically.

Maple is a leading designer, manufacturer and installer of solar shading, weather protection and screening for building exteriors and interiors – best known for architectural façades, louvres, brise soleil and rainscreen cladding systems.

AIM also supplied and supported installers Sandford Building Contractors during the construction of the extruded polystyrene (XPS) filled sub-floor cavity, which included a layer of AIM’s Wall Cavity Barriers directly above the XPS, and all two masonry storeys.

AIM won the business after supplying barrier samples for BS 8414 mock up fire testing, which was successful.  AIM’s products were supplied through SIG Manchester.

On multiple occasions, AIM attended site to provide product training and technical assistance.

Joe Hemming, senior project manager for Maple Sunscreening said,

“Maple’s commitment to the highest level of quality installation and recording has proved vital in maintaining confidence with the client, to date Maple’s on-site team have worked closely with AIM and the client to deliver product training with certification for over 60 operatives and managers currently work on this project.  This is now reflecting within Maple’s and AIM’s quality audits.”

 

Designed for use within ventilated rainscreen facades and timber frame cladding systems, AIM’s OSCBs allow free airflow and drainage and improve fire safety, providing fire resistance of up to two hours insulation and integrity in suitably supporting structures.  In the event of a fire, heat activates an intumescent strip which expands quickly to fully close the cavity.

Manufactured from high density Rockwool stone wool and faced with the higher performance intumescent strip, AIM’s OSCB range provides either a 60 or 120-minute rating for both integrity and insulation.  The OSCBs are an effective barrier to the passage of hot smoke as well as fire.  The AIM range has been tested to TGD 19 and the general principles of BS EN 1363-1.  They have been exposed to BS 8414 Fire performance of external cladding systems fire tests and assessed to BR135 to achieve pass results with a variety of third-party cladding systems.  The range has been tested in masonry constructions to establish the performance of the product itself and non-standard constructions representing site conditions.

AIM Wall Cavity Barriers are made from foil faced high density Rockwool stone wool and are suitable for use in all masonry cavity walls, as well as for fire stopping between a masonry curtain wall system and a concrete floor slab.  The barriers prevent the passage of heat, flame and smoke within the cavity they fill for one- or two-hour fire-resistance rating periods.  They are tested to BS 476-20.  The barriers also reduce airborne transmission of sound by a minimum of 21db Rw.

William Liew, Chief Financial Officer of UWE Bristol, has described the new accommodation as a “path-breaking project which will set new standards for sustainable development at-scale and provide accommodation and social facilities of the highest standard for our students.”

UK-based AIM (Acoustic & Insulation Manufacturing) has over 30 years-experience in the design, testing and manufacturing of high-quality fire, thermal and acoustic barriers.  The company produces a wide variety of bespoke insulation products to customer specification and a range of standard fire, thermal and acoustic insulation products.

WEB LINKS

www.aimlimited.co.uk

www.uwe.ac.uk

www.vinci-building.co.uk

www.maplesunscreening.co.uk

www.sandfordbuilding.co.uk

 

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