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.

GEZE’s TS 5000 ECline overhead door closer with guide rail combines accessibility and convenience in one innovative all-round closer.

 

GEZE, a leading manufacturer of door and window control systems has called the product the TS 5000 ECline, pronounced EASYLINE, to highlight the ease of opening the closer offers.

Providing barrier-free, easy to open doors the TS 5000 ECline is suitable for right and left single action doors with a door leaf width of up to 1250mm. It also has integrated back check, hydraulic latching action, and the closing speed can be individually adjusted.

In addition the closer offers flexibility in installation as it can be installed on the door leaf on the hinge side or on the transom on the opposite hinge side and all functions can be adjusted from the front of the closer. The L version of the closer enables it to be mounted on the push side of the door.

It is part of the GEZE family of closers that have the same styling, perfect for when different closers are needed throughout a building, and it has the same fitting footprint as other GEZE closers allowing it to be fitted in place of other closers without having to re-drill the door.

With a closing force of EN 3-5 with variable adjustment the TS 5000 ECline is suitable for fire and smoke protection doors.

Andy Howland, Sales & Marketing Director of GEZE UK, said “The TS 5000 ECline is one of our most flexible closers and can be installed anywhere where the convenience of passing through a door easily is required and perfect for ensuring access for all.

Add in that it is suitable for smoke and fire protection doors and you have a great all-rounder!”

More information is available by visiting the company’s website at www.geze.co.uk

or for a brochure to be emailed or posted out email info.uk@geze.com

 

Natural and hybrid ventilation solutions manufacturer Passivent has launched a brand-new website. With almost 40 years’ experience, Passivent provides a comprehensive range of sustainable and energy efficient ventilation systems to help improve air quality, boost natural daylight and remove moisture.

 

Working with specifiers on a range of projects across the education, general commercial, healthcare and leisure sectors, Passivent has designed its new website to support the specification process and help clients identify the most appropriate ventilation solution for their projects.

 

The new website features an easy-to-use search function so clients can find specific products such as roof ventilation terminals and window and wall ventilators, or identify solutions for a range of ventilation strategies.

 

From schools and nurseries to retail and leisure outlets, Passivent’s extensive product range provides effective solutions tailored to fit multiple sectors. The new website is packed with sector-specific information as well as a host of completed projects offering best practice examples across different building types.

 

The website has been designed to support Passivent’s in-house technical capabilities and provide potential clients with a wealth of information and resources including design support, commissioning and servicing and more – creating a one stop destination for every stage of a project.

 

To find out more please visit www.passivent.com

New smart innovation makes project faster, safer, and cheaper

After more than 60 years in operation, Portland, Maine’s Veranda Street Bridge on I-295 was due for a replacement. The bridge, one of the most heavily traveled in the state carrying around 55,000 vehicles per day, was deemed structurally deficient upon inspection in 2017. Furthermore, the roadway configuration below the bridge was confusing for drivers which caused several intersection crashes and was classified as a high frequency accident location.

To increase safety and to minimize impact to highway traffic, an Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) plan was implemented for the project which only allowed for a 60-hour highway closure. The method of ABC selected for this project by Cianbro Corporation, the lead contractor on the job, involved building the upper portion of the new bridge to the side of the existing one on temporary supports. Normally, this approach requires both lifting equipment and falsework to successfully set the bridge – however a recent Mammoet innovation vastly reduced steel mobilization and completed two-and-a-half hours early.

The new spans were built on temporary abutments approximately 60 meters away from the permanent installation location. In the days leading up to the closure weekend, Mammoet’s team used an innovative Mega Jack 300 SPMT cradle system to jack up each of the bridge spans to the required elevation, which was approximately 7.6 meters (25 ft) high.

Once lifted, each trailer configuration was fastened, relocated out of the way, and temporarily staged until the closure weekend. Raising the bridge sections to their required height prior to execution day provided greater insurance that the job would be completed during the short available time window, while the cost of this was small compared to mobilizing steel falsework to site.

Once the demolition of the old bridge and subsequent clean up were complete, Mammoet successfully drove each 24m x 14m (78 ft x 45 ft) bridge section into location above pre-built permanent abutments and lowered it into position. The team was allotted 12 hours to move both the southbound and northbound spans into place and set them; however, this was accomplished in only 9.5 hours.

This was the first time that Mammoet used its Mega Jack 300 cradle system on a highway bridge. The one-of-a-kind innovative equipment is integrated in that it allows the jacks to sit in cradles which are built inside the trailer. The system allows for building low to the ground which ensures a higher level of safety and more control. This also means far less metal needs to be mobilized to site to support bridges during construction.

Each 400t (800,000 lbs.) bridge span was jacked up 5.4 meters (18 ft) in total. The 14 cassettes in the modular jacking system raised the bottom of support girder approximately 6 meters (20 ft) off the ground, with the girder itself providing the remaining elevation. Each span was precisely moved on 24 axle-lines of SPMT in a 3 x 4 configuration before being set into position, aligned, and lowered. Mammoet employed a crew of 6 plus three 3 iron workers.

The project was executed ahead of schedule and without incident or injury. The new bridge is designed to last for the next 100 years. This was the first accelerated bridge construction (ABC) project ever completed in Maine.

COMPAC wins prestigious Red Dot Best of the Best award for ICE of Genesis Collection.

 

 

 

Renowned surfaces company COMPAC have won the prestigious Red Dot Best of the Best Award for its ICE of Genesis collection created by innovative artist and designer Arik Levy.

 

The Red Dot Awards are considered to be one of the leading design awards in the world and regularly attracts over 20,000 entries.

 

Judged by an international panel of 48 professionals from a range of design disciplines, the ICE of Genesis collection was voted the Best of the Best in the product design category for its ‘exceptional and innovative groundbreaking design’

 

The ICE of Genesis collection features a range of unique quartz worksurface designs inspired by the great ice lakes of the Artic and coalesce technology with design and art to create stunning surfaces the like of which have never been seen before.

 

Levy has created four new designs to add to the collection that reflect how seasons change over the year. ICE Green represents nature coming alive in Spring, ICE Gold the sunbeams of summer, ICE Viola autumn lights and ICE Ink the dark nights of winter.

 

COMPAC’s commitment to produce safe, circular, and sustainable products is underpinned by a number of prestigious design and sustainability awards in addition to the Red Dot award the company has recently won.

 

For over 45 years COMPAC have been committed to the environment leading the way by using renewable energies in the manufacture of their worksurfaces, harvesting rainwater and recycling it for use throughout their factories, using organic resins and planting thousands of trees as part of an ongoing reforestation programme.

 

www.compac.es


CPD presentation by Graf UK delivers the ultimate in wastewater wisdom

A CPD that explains the issues around wastewater treatment and advises on the options available for specifiers has been launched by Graf UK.

The 50-minute presentation delivers a multitude of “Wastewater wisdom”, ranging from the fundamentals (what is wastewater treatment and why is it required) to the latest regulations and issues, via a user-friendly mix of “live” presentation and videos.

Graf UK’s new CPD explains the differences between cesspools, septic tanks and wastewater treatment plants, then goes on to detail, and demo, advanced wastewater systems for optimum treatment, such as SBR (Sequence Batch Reactor) systems which are capable of cleaning wastewater to 98% in just six hours.

It also explains the pollution strength of sewage and how Graf systems are capable of reducing the average levels of BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand – the amount of oxygen that microorganisms/bacteria require to break down organic matter) from 300-400mg/l to just seven, suspended solids from 200-300mg/l to 14mg/l, and ammonia (nitrogen compound) from 60-80mg/l to 0.5mg/l.


CLICK HERE to watch the full CPD

 


As well as providing guidance for calculating sewage treatment system sizes depending on the population and type of building, the CPD also explains processes including de-nitrification, disinfection, phosphate removal and carbon dosing. This latter process helps housing developments deal efficiently with sewage underload as their population increases.

Graf UK’s new CPD features a video explaining the new General Binding Rules under which anyone with a septic tank discharging into a watercourse must have plans in place to replace it or upgrade the foul water solution within a reasonable timescale, typically 12 months, or sooner if the property is sold before this date.

It also explains how the impact of nutrient neutrality is making its way north from the south-west of England, where Natural England is clamping down on developments in the Solent area until such time as they can prove they are nutrient neutral.

Build-up of nitrates and phosphates produced from housing developments increases the production of algae and subsequently reduces oxygen levels in rivers and lakes.

The CPD explains that while manufacturers can help specifiers design a solution to redress the balance of nature, only those with European expertise are best placed to do so as the UK does not have the historical data that mainland Europe does in this instance.

Graf UK’s new CPD concludes with the case study of a family attraction in a SPA (Special Protection Area) in Scotland that required a new sewage treatment solution that SEPA (the Scottish Environment Protection Agency) required to deliver phosphate levels of 2mg/l, and 0.2mg/l.

Schüco is launching its new AS FD bi-fold door, delivering its slimmest frames yet, larger pane sizes and improved performance over its predecessor, the ASS 70 FD. The AS FD 75 launched earlier this month and the AS FD 90.HI will be available from September.

 

Responding to market demand for greater transparency, Schüco has built on its second-to-none engineering to develop the ultimate bi-fold door.

Seamlessly connecting the outside with the inside in the most stylish and functional way, the new bi-fold door is available with very large pane sizes of up to 3.5m high x 1.5m wide. This means doors can be taller with fewer separate panes per opening, which combined with sightlines of only 90mm offers greater views with minimal obstruction.

Increased airtightness enables the AS FD 75/90.HI to achieve U-values as low as 1.0, which is the lowest in the company’s bi-fold door range. This could mean the crucial difference when working towards a warm, energy-efficient building that also allows the luxury of ample glass.

Come September 2022, Schüco will be rolling out the new bi-fold doors in in more opening configurations with additional flush, barrier free threshold options, providing even greater design flexibility.

Meanwhile, no compromises have been made in terms of security either, ensuring the utmost security while enabling an overall more streamlined look with fewer hinges and the option of a new 3-point handle operated lock. The new bi-fold door is tested to burglar resistance PAS24/RC2 and is also covered by Secured by Design, the official police security initiative of which Schüco UK is a member.

 

CLICK HERE

To experience the ultimate design freedom to create maximum light with

minimum frames with this pioneering new glazing solution

 

 

Sika UK is pleased to announce the completion of a large-scale redevelopment of their Wishaw plant near Glasgow, acquired in 2019, and one of four sites within the UK which is dedicated to manufacturing a range of mortar and render product lines.

 

As a result of this redevelopment, the Wishaw site is projected to allow the production of up to 35,000 tonnes of mortars and 12,000 tonnes of Sika’s market leading single coat render, Monorex per year – bringing the combined total for all Sika UK sites to over 100,000 tonnes of both mortars and façade products annually.

Previously dedicated to the manufacture of Enewall products, the site will now focus on the production of SikaWall; a range of renders and systems from the trusted Sika brand. Incorporating Sika’s renowned high levels of customer service with a quality product, the newly rebranded SikaWall range is one which customers and applicators can have confidence in.

The redevelopment of the Wishaw site further strengthens Sika’s capability to manufacture market leading products within the UK and consequently improves our ability to mitigate supply chain issues which have affected the building industry over the last two years.

Commissioning of the Wishaw site was carried out at the beginning of April with production scheduled to commence later in the month.

 

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SIKA WEBSITE

The Adveco GL family of low-cost carbon steel storage tanks offer a selection of off-the-shelf vessels for commercial hot water (DHW) projects requiring direct electric heating, buffer storage, indirect heating or preheat.

“Tough enough to deal with water conditions typically encountered across the UK, the new GL family expands options with a versatile choice of vessels with single and double coil variants, as well as no coil and the option for electric immersion to quickly and cost-effectively replace vessels in ageing commercial hot water systems,” said Bill Sinclair, technical director, Adveco.

Adveco GLE, designed to serve as buffer vessel or electric water heater, is available in a range of sizes from 200 to 5000L to support larger all-electric systems. Compatible with a wide range of direct electric immersion heater options available from Adveco, the GLE supports duty immersions from 3 to 36 kW, as well as secondary supplementary immersions from 3 to 6 kW for additional heating, or as backup to ensure continuity of service from a single unit.

Adveco GLC carbon steel calorifiers with a single fixed indirect heating coil at low level are designed to serve as indirect water heaters or preheat vessels. Available in 200 to 3000 litres capacities, GLC can also accept a 180mm 3-36kW electric immersion.

For organisations looking to introduce heat pumps as part of their sustainability strategy, a combination of the GLC & GLE will provide the basis of a compact air to water heating system. With an air source heat pump connected to the GLC with immersion, the calorifier provides system preheat.  The GLE then provides the necessary after heat from a top up immersion able to deliver system workflow above the necessary minimum of 60°C for safe commercial operation.

Adveco GLT carbon steel calorifiers are designed to serve as indirect water heaters. The tanks, also available in 200 to 3000 litres capacities, incorporate two fixed indirect heating coils, one each at low and high level, designed for use with two separate heat sources.

To prevent corrosion the tanks are constructed from a carbon steel shell with a high-quality inorganic enamel lining. They are suitable for use in systems with maximum working pressure up to 10 bar and temperatures up to 85°C and include as standard a magnesium sacrificial anode (pre-fitted in 300-1000L variants), and a temperature gauge (pre-fitted in tanks up to 1000L).

The vessels are protected by a tough PVC jacket enclosing a rigid high-density polyurethane foam or removeable polyester fibre insulation, pre-fitted for tanks up to 1000L.

The Adveco GL range of storage tanks carries both WRAS and Kiwa’s KUKreg4 certification of product compliance with the water supply (water fittings) regulations for England, Scotland, and NI.

www.adveco.co

LANOS is available with a diameter of 320, 400 or 500 mm, so it can be perfectly matched to the space and architecture of the installation site.

This is made even easier by the fact that it can be fitted as a pendant, ceiling or wall-mounted luminaire as desired.

 

Clean lines, subtle elegance, and impressive versatility are the hallmarks of the new LANOS circular luminaire from Zumtobel. The outer edge and the circular interior of the LED panel form a visually seamless whole but can be controlled and dimmed separately. The LANOS range is highly versatile, thanks to the many colours, sizes, and installation methods to choose from.

LANOS means “beautiful flower” – the perfect name for the new decorative circular luminaire from Zumtobel. The clean, geometrical lines; the patented halo effect; the optics that can be adjusted as required; the time-saving installation process, and the numerous design options are all characteristics that make LANOS so timelessly elegant and eye-catching.

LANOS designed by Stefan Ambrozus, STUDIO AMBROZUS with Zumtobel, provides both functional wide-area light and a light ring to create evocative scenarios. The outer edge and the circular interior of the LED panel form a visually seamless whole which can be controlled and dimmed separately. The outer ring of light illuminates’ ceilings and walls, appearing as if it is suspended. Thanks to this halo effect, LANOS blends into a wide range of lighting concepts – from hospitals and care homes or hotels and guesthouses to the hallways and stairwells of office buildings, schools, and universities.

 

In corridor mode, the narrow, individually controllable light ring functions as a nightlight. When the interior LED panel is switched off, the outer edge generates light at only 20 per cent power – enough light for people to orientate themselves in a room or find their way.

High energy efficiency thanks to demand-based lighting

In corridor mode, the narrow, individually controllable light ring functions as a nightlight. When the interior LED panel is switched off, the outer ring of LEDs generates light at only 20 per cent power – enough light for people to orientate themselves in a room or find their way.

When a user passes the luminaire, a microwave sensor detects the motion and activates the interior of the luminaire. A light output of 100 per cent then ensures perfect visibility. The sensor detects when the user has left the area and dims the interior LED panel or turns it off completely. This prevents the luminaire from remaining unnecessarily switched on all night. Instead, LANOS is used intelligently and with maximum energy efficiency – only when it is really needed.

Numerous variants of a single luminaire

With LANOS, Zumtobel has focused on customisability as well as energy efficiency. The luminaire housing is available in colours from sophisticated black to elegant white and will complement any design scheme. With its high-quality textured paint coating and high degree of protection against water and dust (IP54), it is sure to impress – and it is also impact-resistant (IK08).

The circular luminaire is available with a diameter of 320, 400 or 500 mm, so it can be perfectly matched to the space and architecture of the installation site. This is made even easier by the fact that it can be fitted as a pendant, ceiling or wall-mounted luminaire as desired.

 

 

 

Depending on the application, LANOS is available with two different optics. The opal variant provides diffuse light and soft shadows, creating a cosy atmosphere with an inviting ambience. This works particularly well in stairwells, hallways, and corridors, which can often have a sterile feel. When the luminaire is used in spaces such as meeting rooms and offices, the LRO optic ensures low glare and a comfortable working lit environment.

Balanced LED light spectrum

The interaction of natural daylight and the human eye is unique. That’s why Zumtobel uses SPECTRUM technology for LANOS. This harmonises the light spectrum, reduces the intensity of the blue wavelengths and can imitate natural light, leading to improved visual comfort and significantly relaxed vision. What’s more, LANOS also features high colour fidelity (CRI 90) and excellent glare control (UGR < 19). The light colour and intensity can be harmoniously combined using the innovative controls and tunableWhite technology. Users can adjust the lighting to their individual requirements with colour temperatures from warm white (2700 K) to daylight white (6500 K).

LANOS can be controlled via DALI, with either the on/off or dimming function. Alternatively, it can be controlled via Bluetooth.

The clean, geometrical lines; the patented halo effect; the optics that can be adjusted as required; the time-saving installation process and the numerous design options are all the characteristics that make the LANOS so timelessly elegant and eye-catching.

 

 

The corridor mode prevents the luminaire from remaining switched on unnecessarily. Instead, LANOS is used intelligently and with maximum energy efficiency – only when it is really needed.

 

Clever minimalism makes installation easy

LANOS is also sure to impress when it comes to installation: it is simply separated into two pieces before mounting. First the device holder is mounted, then the luminaire is inserted and tightened. This ensures that installation is easy – even for a single electrician – saving time, effort and money and making maintenance much simpler. During tricky installation work, such as the drilling of holes in the wall or ceiling, the delicate luminaire can be put to one side and protected.  With its versatile options for design, application and installation, the new LANOS is the perfect luminaire to provide an elegant, functional, and energy-efficient focal point in hallways, stairwells or corridors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balanced LED light spectrum

The interaction of natural daylight and the human eye is unique. That’s why Zumtobel uses SPECTRUM technology for LANOS. This harmonises the light spectrum, reduces the intensity of the blue wavelengths and can imitate natural light, leading to improved visual comfort and significantly relaxed vision. What’s more, LANOS also features high colour fidelity (CRI 90) and excellent glare control (UGR < 19). The light colour and intensity can be harmoniously combined using the innovative controls and tunableWhite technology. Users can adjust the lighting to their individual requirements with colour temperatures from warm white (2700 K) to daylight white (6500 K).

LANOS can be controlled via DALI, with either the on/off or dimming function. Alternatively, it can be controlled via Bluetooth.

CLICK HERE to visit the Zumtobel website

Formica Group, the world’s leading and original creator of laminates, has launched a striking and sophisticated new collection, drawing inspiration from the natural world to create a range of complementary palettes.

 

The Formica® Collection introduces 15 new plain colours, 34 new wood patterns, and eight new Plus Colors in four premium finishes, addressing a growing trend in design that brings natural influences, colours and patterns into our interiors.

 

Nina Bailey, European Design Lead for Formica Group explains: “The new collection encompasses a sense of organic sophistication. Both the new colours and woods resonate with current culture and the ongoing trends for natural and earthy interior environments, combined with the move towards artisan design and the handmade approach.”

 

For the past two years as the world shut down, people adapted to living their lives almost entirely from home. Working, shopping, exercising – even online doctor appointments – were conducted from the comfort of our living rooms. People sought comfort and reassurance from their surroundings, resulting in an interior design trend for indoor plants, and colours and textures derived from nature.

Now, as the world reopens, commercial, hospitality and leisure spaces are embracing so-called biophilic design – incorporating nature and natural inspiration into interiors – as they welcome back employees and entice customers into their stores, hotels, restaurants and other public spaces.

 

Nina agrees: “It was important to us that our new collection evoked a sense of calm that the natural world provides – even our richer colours are deeply connected with organic hues.

“Redefining commercial interior design is where we excel, and as retail, hospitality and offices reopen, this is a golden opportunity to rethink how those spaces are used and presented.

 

Introducing the new collection:

 

 

Plain colours

“There are three series in the new plain colour additions – Greens, Reds and Night, and one single colour, Brite White,” explains Nina. “The earthy, grounding colours bring the outside in, and range from light blush terracotta to the deepest blue/black. These shades are uncompromisingly rich, luxurious and elegant. Our Brite White addition is already a firm favourite around the world, and we’re excited to add it to our collection here in Europe.”

                                                                             

Plus Color

 It is “the ultimate laminate tool box for interior designers, providing the chance to experiment with colour and texture in multiple ways,” explains Nina, “the range taps into many core trends, such as tone on tone palettes and the tactile approach to sensory design. The addition of eight new on-trend colours to the Plus Color range, in a selection of premium finishes that tap into texture trends for rhythmical repeats, matte soft touch and glossy finish options adds sophistication and grounding tones ideal for multiple uses and sectors.”

 

Woods

Nina comments: “The wood additions to the collection link us to our immediate surroundings, with a focus on local European species, such as Oak, Ash, Walnut and Elm. As we learn to appreciate our habitats, we want to introduce its natural beauty into indoor spaces. Moving towards greyed and desaturated tones of woods in both warm and cool tones gives our woods palette a beautiful variety and balance of tone and colour.”

 

The new Formica Collection recently launched in the UK at Formica Group’s new flagship showroom in London. The showroom charts the company’s history and rich pedigree in interior innovation, and is a hub for architects, designers and specifiers to learn how to incorporate Formica® laminate into projects.

 

To see the new colour palette and wood finishes for yourself,

book a visit to Formica Group’s showroom by visiting:

www.formica.com/ukshowroom