Archive for category: Building News

Troldekt’s wood wool acoustic ceiling panels have made a major contribution to the Enterprise Centre at the University of East Anglia. Dubbed the greenest building in the UK, it is also one of the most sustainable.

It is recognised as the first large scale project to target both Passivhaus Certification and BREEAM Outstanding and one which meets the highest energy and environmental standards. Designed by sustainable architects Architype, in collaboration with contractor Morgan Sindall, it is a great signal for clever thinkers and designers to be equally inspired in their choice of materials.

The rationale behind the decision was to make the Centre a live and educational demonstrator of the performance of renewable materials. Here it would be possible to see any changes over time and to understand their impact, including energy efficiency and carbon offsetting. The building has become a classic source of knowledge for designers and builders.  The more they are informed of the environmental impact on their own projects and the options available to them, the easier it becomes to break with convention and design something innovative using traditional natural materials.

In addition to the Troldtekt wood wool panelling, good examples from this project include the interior glulam beams which make up the main timber frame and the thatch for the wall panels which is an innovative system comprising hundreds of straw cassettes. This makes the Centre the largest exterior thatched building in Europe with one of the finest interior acoustics for learning and study.

Founded on the Cradle-to-Cradle design concept, Troldtekt’s natural and inherently sustainable panels are available in a variety of different surfaces and colours and contribute positively to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB and LEED ratings. In addition to their high sound absorption and tactile surface, they offer high durability and low cost lifecycle performance. Available in various sizes and in four grades from extreme fine to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour.

Samples, case studies and technical guidance is available from tel 01978 664255 or Troldtekt.co.uk while more information about the project can be found here CLICK

Widely specified for its fire resistance and all round stability in the cladding build-up to apartment blocks as well as a render backer and sheathing board, IPP’s highly versatile Magply boards have been employed by a regional developer as a fireproof sarking board beneath traditional thatched roofing for a development in a beautiful Dorset village.

The 12mm thick version of the high performance MgO material was selected by Poole based Charlew Developments, to comply with the project architect’s performance specification for the solitary thatched roof building on a nine house scheme in the village of Owermoigne, near Dorchester.

Reflecting an aesthetic ethos similar to that adopted for Prince Charles’ landmark Poundbury development on the outskirts of Dorchester, local planners made the inclusion of a thatched property a stipulation of planning permission for the development and the exterior to the four bedroom dwelling also includes panels of flint-work between the bands of handmade brick which form the window surrounds.

The thatch was installed by specialist roofing company, RV Miller from Keynes Wareham in Dorset. The overall roof construction saw the 12mm Magply boards being nailed down across the main rafters and covered by a breather membrane before battens were secured in the conventional manner, running across the pitches. The authentic reed thatch was then laid up the pitch and shaped around the eyebrow dormers at the roof edge and verges.

The site agent for Charlew Developments, Jules Peach, commented: “The project architects, Anders Roberts, specified the use of a one hour fire resisting board to be installed beneath the thatch covering. I researched a number of different board types before talking to our merchant, Travis Perkin, which recommended the Magply product. We have found the boards very straightforward to cut and fix before covering them with the breather membrane and battens.”

Backed by BDA Agrement certification, Magply MgO boards present a fire-safe and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plywood or OSB products. Additionally, the unique production process keeps the chloride content to just 0.01^%, enhancing both stability and long-term durability. The different thicknesses of panel are also widely used as a substrate board for flooring and flat or pitched roof build-ups as well as render systems.

www.magply.co.uk 

 Kentec Electronics, a leading manufacturer of life-critical control systems, has launched the Ekho wireless fire detection range exclusively to its Kentec Installation Partners (KIP), providing a highly-sophisticated, reliable, convenient and aesthetically pleasing alternative to wired systems.

The launch comes as installers are looking to provide their customers with solutions to prevent the need for costly Waking Watch services, which are being used to mitigate fire safety dangers within buildings with unsafe cladding or fire safety issues.

A wireless translator module, which sits at the centre of the system, is hard-wired to the fire alarm control panel loop and communicates continuously with the wireless devices.

Ekho sensors are supplied in three variants: optical; thermal; and multi-criteria, with the optical and multi-criteria sensors featuring adaptive signal processing and double dust traps to prevent false alarms. Thermal detectors can respond to a fixed temperature threshold or detect a rate of rise in temperature. Wireless sounders, call points and testing kits are also available within the range.

Ekho’s wireless expander modules are used to extend the radio mesh network, increasing the reach and capacity of the overall system. It works by creating a self-healing mesh network, which constantly relays field device signals back to the translator module. Each wireless device determines which expander has the strongest signal path and automatically connects to it. The expander mesh network, therefore, guarantees an ‘always on’ connection between the wireless devices and the translator/fire control panel.

Fast and simple to install, and not damaging to the fabric of a building, Kevin Swann, Managing Director of Kentec, says Ekho addresses an immediate and urgent need for the market:

“It provides robust assurance that fire incidents are detected and communicated immediately. Its simple design and fast commissioning process means systems can be installed in a matter of days – and because the Ekho system can be designed, programmed and commissioned from the complementary ‘Ekho Configurator’ software prior to installation, there is less time required on site – also important for Covid-safety measures,” he says.

“We are delighted to offer this important solution through our ever-expanding network of KIP installers, who are benefitting from Kentec’s training and product support, and helping us to remain focused on customer requirements.”

Patrick Carnell, Managing Director of PJC Electrical, an installer on the KIP scheme that has already installed an EKho system, says the range’s ‘self-healing’ mesh technology significantly increases its reliability and system performance:

“It means the system utilises additional transmission routes if one signal is broken and adapts automatically to changing operating conditions.”

Commenting on its ease of use, he says: “We were able to programme the devices at our offices, so when we got on site it was just a matter of fixing and turning them on. Spending less time on site benefits us, and also provides peace of mind to the occupiers. I will definitely be using and recommending Ekho for future projects.”

Ehko’s advanced, next-generation capabilities include: a communication range of 1200 metres, approximately eight times further than typical wireless devices; the use of unlimited devices per expander; and detection device battery life of 10 years, approximately twice that of typical systems.

The Ekho system is fully-expandable and configurable to any size and complexity of building. In addition to LPCB approval, it is also the only wireless full-range fire detection system to have the radio equipment directive (RED) approval, which sets essential requirements for safety and health, electromagnetic compatibility, and the efficient use of the radio spectrum.

www.kentec.co.uk

THERMAL BRIDGING ISSUE MUST BE CROSSED TO MEET AS-DESIGNED BUILDING EXPECTATIONS

With one eye on the UK government’s target for carbon neutrality by 2050, the construction industry continues its drive to improve the energy performance of the country’s housing stock. Indeed, the thermal efficiency of new-build homes is the focus of a long-awaited consultation relating to Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations. The codes, which relate to insulation and ventilation, are part of the Future Homes Standard (FHS). Due for introduction in 2025, the FHS will require new-build homes to be future-proofed with low-carbon heating and ‘world-leading’ levels of energy efficiency.

Improved and more stringent fabric efficiency is among the FHS’s headline considerations. It’s proposed the unprecedented level of energy performance will be met by minimising heat loss from walls, windows, doors, floors and roofs, as well as by paying more attention to junction details. Putting a thermal seal on these elements will reduce the need for mechanical heat resources which fuel greater energy output. Heat loss from gaps around a window, for example, is greater than the amount that escapes from the window itself. This is caused by thermal bridging and the insulation failing to protect the element as a whole. Heat lost in this way is calculated via the PSI value method, which the Future Homes Standard review is looking to standardise according to different window types.

Put a seal on performance gap

If approved, a bespoke PSI value system for windows as a measure of thermal performance will doubtless increase the workload of designers and property assessors, but it must be welcomed if it helps plug a significant source of energy leakage and results in buildings performing as-designed. A well-insulated wall is all well and good, but its thermal performance will be nullified if windows continue to be a conduit to heat escape. The performance gap issue was addressed by Dame Judith Hackitt in her report, ‘Building a Safer Future: Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety’, in which she spoke of the need for a ‘Golden Thread’ of information to ensure best practice was upheld between all stakeholder links in the building supply chain. This, along with an upskilling of workers throughout the construction industry, was highlighted by the report as being essential to improving building standards and creating safe, thermally-efficient homes. Let’s hope all those involved in the building supply chain take Dame Judith’s learned recommendations on board.

Solutions for easy-fit, long-term thermal performance

Hard foam insulation products such as Eurowall Cavity or the full-fill version, Eurowall +, offer an effective, easy-to-fit solution to heat loss caused by thermal bridging in cavity walls. User-friendly, the Eurowall PIR panels match the height of a wall’s blockwork, thus eliminating the need for on-site cutting and resizing to result in a time and cost-effective installation.

Eurowall + panels feature an innovative tongue and groove detail on all four sides. This means the panels not only slot together easily, they produce a tight-locking finish that minimises heat loss through thermal bridging and offer increased protection against wind-driven rain, as well as improved airtightness. Available in a range of thicknesses, Eurowall + can achieve a 0.18 U-value with a 90mm-thick panel in a 100mm cavity. To reach the same thermal performance with mineral wool, for example, the project would require a much thicker insulation. Therefore Eurowall + also helps reduce a building’s footprint; a crucial characteristic where plot size is limited.

Design-out bridging issues

Eliminating thermal bridging in wall, window and door junction details is a proven enabler to reducing a property’s carbon load. It is also enhances the health and wellbeing of occupants by mitigating the risk of damp or mould growth caused by cold spots. It’s a performance issue that ought to be addressed at the design and construction phase, but too often it reveals itself once the property is in situ and so the new-build-to-retrofit cycle begins. It’s a failing of standards that comes at a cost to homeowners and the environment and should not be tolerated if future emissions, as per the government’s 2050 pledge, are to be null and voided.

www.reticel.com

Altro flooring will now be fitted as standard in all new-build programmes undertaken by Adra, a leading affordable housing provider in north Wales. The most recent of these projects is a large scheme of mixed housing units in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, where Altro Wood^TM has been fitted in all kitchens and Altro Aquarius^TM in all bathrooms.

Elliw Owen, Senior Development Surveyor at Adra, says: “We have a longstanding and very strong relationship with Altro. Our decision to exclusively use their flooring going forward will ensure consistency and a high level of quality, durability and aesthetics across the homes we have available where we have developmental control.

“We want to offer our residents beautiful, stylish flooring they can be proud of. Adra means ‘home’ in Welsh, and we build quality affordable homes. We are pleased to be working with Altro, their flooring ticks all the boxes for us. We at Adra provide homes, opportunities and jobs locally.”

With proven durability combined with good looks, performance and impressive safety credentials, Altro products have delivered great results for Adra over many years with long-term sustainability of quality and standards.

The scheme in Caernarfon is the first mixed tenure project for Adra, offering 46 properties in total, comprising two- three- and four-bedroomed houses and bungalows available as Market Sales, Rent to Own and Social Rented units.

Altro Wood safety flooring has been fitted in all kitchens, using the colours Vintage Cherry, Bleached Oak, or Washed Oak. Homely and stylish, Altro Wood is a great biophilic safety option — bringing nature indoors — and offers a choice of designs, plank sizes and shades in a roll. It’s suitable for indoor public spaces such as entrances, care homes, school corridors, student accommodation, restaurants and dining areas.

All bathrooms and shower rooms in the scheme have been fitted with Altro Aquarius safety flooring, in the colours Swan, Cygnet, or Tern. This specialist flooring solution is designed for combined wet and dry, shoe and barefoot areas, so is ideal for bathrooms, showers, saunas and spas.

Elliw Owen says: “The first phase at Caer Ysgol, Caernarfon, has been finished for over a year now, and there is a very high satisfaction rate among residents. We have not had one problem with the flooring, and the 12-month assessment reported it looked as good as the day it was fitted.

“Altro are always on hand for excellent flooring advice, and committed to helping us move forward in terms of colour choices, styles and keeping on-trend. Their proactive and forward-thinking attitude means we always have an eye on improvement — like creating a communal lounge, which Altro is showing us samples for.

“Another big plus for us is that our local flooring installers love working with Altro flooring because it’s an easy product to lay and work with. This means we don’t need to bring in expensive specialist flooring contractors, and we can keep it local.”

www.altro.co.uk