Archive for category: Building News

Kingspan Kooltherm products have been installed in the new operating theatres at Wrexham Maelor Hospital to provide a versatile, lightweight HVAC solution.

Wrexham Maelor is one of the busiest hospitals in North Wales, with a catchment area of over half a million people. £3 million was invested into the site to create a state-of-the-art modular building, delivered by MTX, comprising day case and endoscopy theatres, allowing the hospital to provide exceptional care.

With the NHS’ commitment to improving efficiency of services, the performance of products was crucial. The premium building service specification included the installation of 2,000 lm of Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe Insulation and 400 m² of Kingspan Kooltherm Duct Insulation by thermal insulation contractor, Midland Premier Insulations Limited (MPI). Scott McCaskie, Director for MTX, discussed the project:

“Given the environment, safety of patients is a priority. Kingspan products were selected for this project as, in addition to their thermal performance which would support the maintenance of comfortable temperatures, they could also deliver excellent levels of indoor air quality with their fibre-free insulation cores.”

Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe Insulation has a best-in-class Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort Gold certificate, recognising it as an outstanding material according to the VOC Indoor Air Quality emissions standards. It also offers premium thermal performance with an aged thermal conductivity as low as 0.025 W/m^.K (at 10°C mean). It is one of the thinnest and most thermally efficient in common use within the UK construction industry today. This supported a fast-track installation whilst ensuring services operate effectively.

Kingspan Kooltherm Duct Insulation is externally faced with an aluminium vapour barrier foil. Its rigid nature ensures the specified thickness is maintained at the corners and can help to create a continuous and fully sealed vapour barrier. It can achieve thermal conductivities as low as 0.022 W/m^.K (at +10°C mean) and is suitable for rectangular, circular and flat oval indoor ductwork applications, within an operating temperature range of –20°C to 80°C. The duct insulation is also manufactured under a BS EN ISO 14001: 2015 scheme and is produced at Kingspan Insulation’s Pembridge and Selby manufacturing facilities which are certified to BES 6001 ‘Excellent’.

The products’ cores are manufactured with a CFC/HCFC–free blowing agent that has zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and low Global Warming Potential (GWP). All Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe and Duct Insulation has a BRE Green Guide Rating of A/A+.

Website: www.kingspanindustrialinsulation.com and www.kingspanductwork.co.uk

The Kingspan TEK Building System has been used to construct five luxury villas at the Porth Veor Manor Hotel near Newquay – providing the perfect seaside spot for holiday makers.

The mid-19^th Century manor sits in two acres of terraced lawn gardens. In 2007, a swimming pool and 12 cottages were added to the resort and, with demand continuing to grow, the owners chose to build a further row of two-storey villas in an underused section of the grounds. The Kingspan TEK Building System of structural insulated panels (SIPs) was specified for the project for a variety of reasons, as Mike Burke from contractors Sip Hus, explained:

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“The design of the units, their location, size and performance requirements meant that the Kingspan TEK Building System was the best choice for the structural shells. The excellent thermal performance of the panels allowed us to maximise the internal spaces within the given footprint without having to compromise on thermal efficiency.”

The Kingspan TEK panels feature a high-performance rigid insulation core which is sandwiched between two layers of OSB/3. The panels were factory cut to the villa’s designs by SIP Hus Ltd. This allowed them to be installed quickly and efficiently once onsite, with the structural shells erected in just 5 weeks.

To reflect the architecture of the surrounding beach front properties, the upper storey of each villa is clad in New England style boarding whilst the lower storey is rendered in light neutral colours.

To help situate the buildings within their natural surroundings, the villas were designed with barrelled green roofs. This curved form presented an unusual challenge for the contractors, as Mike Burke added:

“In order to create a curve, the roof panels were spanned horizontally and faceted then battened and lined with plywood. The step in each villa also added to the complexity of the canopy design.”

The panels feature a unique jointing system which reduces thermal bridging and, in combination with their OSB/3 facing, also allowed air leakage to be reduced. This creates a warm and comfortable environment for holidaymakers, whilst also minimising their long-term heating costs.

Website Kingspan Tek

Rinnai offers big performance, heavy duty, diminutive appliances that offer virtually limitless volumes of hot water at useable temperatures – all through engineering design and excellence. And both ‘E’ (external) – and ‘I’ (internal) versions are offered. Here Chris Goggin, Rinnai Operations Director, explains the why and the where of using either model to suit the application.

Gas fired appliances such as hot water heating units or domestic or light commercial boilers tend to be wall hung on the interior of a site. Having a unit sited internally on a kitchen wall or a plant room makes for convenience for the end-user and for the installer or contractor in terms of installation, maintenance or servicing.

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However, external models of hot water heating units have become increasingly popular. We are seeing more and more units sold as installers seem to be favouring external siting for a variety of reasons.

Firstly, having a gas fired unit internally has its own restrictions – lack of internal space, flueing restrictions and impediments, exact siting for installer convenience, inspections etc. On external units a whole stack of advantages come into play – starting with the fact that it is a gas fired appliance and it is outside habitable space; and with no need for a flue there’s greater flexibility on exactly where you place the unit; it is easier to service and maintain; all units have robust casings and comprehensive weather controls, for example a Rinnai external appliance is frost protected down to minus 25ºC.

All these factors add up to possible economies for the end user and ease of installation for the installer.

Rinnai offer several units in both external – ‘E’ – and internal – ‘I’ – models. They are in the more heavy-duty part of our product range – 1600, 1500, 55 but also at the smaller end – the 17e.

Rinnai’s HDC1600i/e low NOx, gas-fired continuous flow water heater, delivers commercial qualities of hot water, up to 37 litres per minute on demand – to any site and application. And they are ErP ‘A’ rated.

The Rinnai external version HDC1200e gives end users 105.5% net efficiency* because the condensing process delivers up to 95% thermal efficiency, translating to significant energy savings when compared to standard tankless water heaters.

All of which makes the HDC continuous flow hot water range by far the best option for all types of applications. With a continuous flow water heater you can never run out of hot water no matter how many individual baths or showers or delivery points are being used simultaneously.

The only time the unit is using energy is when there is a demand, in other words it is only burning gas when a tap or shower is being run and, design improvements by Rinnai have increased the lowered NOx levels and increased efficiencies to market ready levels.

The Rinnai 17e is designed for use directly off the mains, with no need for large, ungainly storage vessels. Weighing just 17kg and measuring 503mmH x 355.6mmW x 181mmD the Rinnai 17e has been developed to allow maximum flexibility as it can be easily mounted on an external wall thereby eliminating the need for flueing and freeing up valuable interior space. This feature gives greater flexibility at the design stage and can offer an alternative solution where flue runs are problematic or internal space is not available.

A range of external ancillary items including a pipe cover box and security cage are available where necessary. Capable of flow rates of up to 510 litres per hour at a 50°C rise, the 17e is suitable for multiple applications, such as cafés, small restaurants and kitchen facilities.

 For more information visit www.rinnaiuk.com

RCM, the leading through wall supplier continue their successful growth by forming a strategic partnership with Allface Smart Fixing Systems.

As the newly appointed sole Allface Smart Fixing Systems partner for UK distribution, RCM have secured further success in delivering complete through wall solutions to the UK industry. This appointment allows RCM to offer indicative and fully designed façade framing solutions to its customer through the Allface partnership.

As part of the overall solution, RCM are also able to provide an extensive optimisation service forming part of the complete facade package.

The Allface Smart Fixing System is manufactured from structural grade extruded aluminium. It offers a comprehensive selection of solutions for all types of rainscreen cladding projects. The system is compatible with all façade types, including ACM, ceramics, fibre cement, laminates, stone, glass, terracotta, etc and is suitable for fixing to masonary, timber and steel primary structures.

An already successful business, RCM are continually investing within its product offering and fabrication services, keeping the company at the forefront of the industry requirements and keeping systems competitive.

This, together with other developments, make RCM one of the country’s leading experts in providing specialists cladding solutions, as well as offering innovative and advanced complete through wall solutions.

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Stock of the Allface Framing System will be available from RCM’s distribution centres for nationwide distribution

“We are delighted that we have found such a skilled, experienced sales partner as RCM. RCM’s powerful presence represents a major opportunity for us,” says Johannes Mitterbacher, Managing Director of Allface GmbH. “We expect this cooperation to improve our market penetration in this economically important region.”

 “RCM are very pleased to have been able to secure a strategic partnership with Allface Smart Fixing Systems. The systems that they offer will further enhance our product offering within the UK.

One of the biggest challenges over time is to stay creative, innovative and launching systems that meet the stringent requirements of the ever-changing UK construction industry.

Through our growth and continued investment, I see RCM further developing into a market leader in the supplying and fabrication of trusted products and through wall systems.” (Ian Quinton, Managing Director RCM)

RCM are exhibiting at UK Construction Week, 8-10 October, NEC Birmingham – stand B485. Allface Smart Fixing Systems will form part of the display.

Website

The Space Field Lane refurbishment includes a brand-new, ultra-green ceiling from Armstrong.

A year after it won Armstrong Ceiling Solutions’ competition for an admirable cause to win a new ceiling, a community centre in West Yorkshire is heralding a New Beginning for local residents.

The Space Field Lane is a £480,000 renovation project using Armstrong’s ultra-green Dune eVo ceiling tiles. The community centre had lain empty for almost seven years, on the Field Lane estate in Rastrick near Halifax.

Dune eVo is the next evolution in ceiling tiles. Fully recyclable, it provides class-leading aesthetics and improved acoustic performance through a new surface which is both brighter and smoother. It is also the first ceiling system in the industry to gain Cradle To Cradle accreditation.

The project was entered for Armstrong’s eVoNewBeginnings competition by the project’s coordinator Neil Hardaker of Pickles Architecture in Brighouse.

The competition for up to 250m² of Dune eVo tiles and grid plus up to three days of free installation by a member of Armstrong’s national network of approved Omega installers was promoted through Armstrong’s social media sites (LinkedIn, Twitter and Pinterest).

Open to any non-commercial project in the UK and Ireland that serves a community, it was judged by two internal and one external judge, with the winner being the project they thought most deserved a charitable helping hand.

Neil said: “We heard about the eVoNewBeginnings competition through an email from Armstrong Ceilings and we passed it onto the client. We thought The Space would benefit from the help that Armstrong Ceilings and the competition offered. I think it’s given The Space the opportunity to save some capital costs and use that money for other areas which are more needed for the local community.”

He added: “We have worked for many years with the Armstrong name. We think they are a good brand and we do specify them on projects. I think the new Dune eVo tile has given The Space and the building a fantastic look and a very modern, sleek appearance which we all wanted to create. I think the end result is what we all wanted for the charity and we’re proud to have all been involved.”

Centre trustee Mary Green said: “It was a tremendous opportunity. We were very anxious we wouldn’t succeed because we had to value engineer our project so many times but here was an opportunity to add value to the project with such a super ceiling. The installation went really, really well and really quickly. All the Armstrong people we have been involved with have been super, very friendly very helpful and generally excellent to work with.

“This really is a new beginning for the community. Without Armstrong’s involvement we certainly wouldn’t have been able to have such a super new ceiling. We would have had to have had something much less specified and would have had to save money elsewhere in the building. The £16,000 value of this ceiling was really important to us. Using an ultra-green ceiling tile like Dune eVo was really important to us because we have tried, with everything we have done in the centre, to use materials which are environmentally friendly.”

In a letter to Armstrong, Mary added: “I wanted to write personally to thank you all so much for the New Beginning you gave to our building and our project and to our community. The contractors have now moved out and we have moved in and it is all so fabulous. To be quite honest I can’t quite believe that we, just a bunch of locals, have achieved all this and we wanted to stress the very significant contribution you have made to our project.

“I also wanted to thank you for your patience since our project took so much longer to reach ceiling installation stage than we could have imagined. A lot of that was due to our last-minute decision to add a Changing Places accessible toilet to the project – this is not just a ‘disabled loo’ but is one with an adult changing bed and hoist so that people with all levels of disability are not excluded from the building.”

Quality Ceilings of Elland, who are a member of Armstrong’s Omega network of approved installers, had two men on the project for a total of a working week. They installed a total of 350m² of Dune eVo tiles in the main hall, offices, toilets and kitchen area.

Managing director Craig Sutcliffe said: “We were selected by Armstrong to carry out the installation because we were the most local Omega installer to the project which is just a mile down the road.

“We had not previously been aware of the campaign to renovate the community centre but were pleased to be asked to help. We work very closely with Armstrong. They give us a lot of support so we reckon it works both ways.

“It wasn’t a challenging project or anything like that as we have used the Dune eVo tiles for a couple of years now so the product is not new to us. We use Armstrong products on the vast majority of our contracts.”

The Space Field Lane was selected as the winner by judges Sara Rees, head of fundraising at the Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity (Armstrong’s chosen charity for 2018), Armstrong sales director Graham Taylor and Armstrong HR director Sara Carter.

More information is accessible via the Armstrong Ceilings website