Latest innovations and products in the building fabric section of the construction industry.

Alumasc’s BluRoof and Blackdown Green Roof systems protect Cambridge Assessment’s new international HQ

The Triangle, Cambridge Assessment’s new international headquarters, brings together all the company’s Cambridge-based staff under one Alumasc-protected roof.

Designed by HLM/Sidell Gibson Architects, all flat roof areas utilise Alumasc Roofing Systems’ Hydrotech Hot Melt and Alumasc XPS insulation, offering a total system solution. All upper main roof areas drain onto 3 x single storey podiums that have the patented, single source Alumasc BluRoof Drainage System, along with Blackdown Green Roof to provide a habitable space for people to enjoy.

Alumasc’s BluRoof system reduces and controls the peak rate of storm water discharge from roof areas. Detention of storm water up to a prescribed maximum hydraulic head occurs, with subsequent discharge controlled over an elongated time period.

The BluRoof drainage strategies were introduced at design stage to help meet SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) requirements, and Alumasc worked extensively with Capita to achieve the required reduction in rainwater run-off.

Wayne Farrington from Cambridge Flat Roofing, the Alumasc-registered approved contractor which carried out the installation, acting as sub-contractor to Bouygues UK, said “This has been an excellent contract to be involved in, one of our first major BluRoof projects. The level of service and input from Alumasc’s Technical department, both internally and on-site, along with Alumasc’s Customer Services team, have been outstanding.

“Combined with the Hydrotech BluRoof Structural Waterproofing system, a system we have significant trust and experience in installing, we feel we’ve delivered a project we can be proud of. The feedback we’ve received from our client has been extremely positive and we look forward to our next Alumasc BluRoof.”

For further product information about Alumasc’s BluRoof Drainage System click here or call our technical team on 03335 771 500.
Further details about Alumasc’s full range of waterproofing systems can be found at www.alumascroofing.co.uk or call the Alumasc technical team on 03335 771 500.
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Bigger rewards with VELUX® this Spring

VELUX® is offering people who buy white painted roof windows for their home renovation or extension projects rewards, redeemable at top brand retailers and restaurants, during March and April.

The promotion will reward installers, builders and homeowners across the UK and Ireland who choose VELUX white painted products.

The rewards of £25 in the UK are redeemable at a range of retailers and restaurants. In the UK, this includes M&S, Argos, Thomas Cook, Curry’s PC World and Tesco.

Customers have a two-month window from 1 March until 30 April to buy white painted products, perfect for homeowners wanting a lighter, brighter living space.

Richard McArthur, marketing manager from VELUX said “We have timed the offer to coincide with spring, which is traditionally the time of year when many families start sketching their plans to transform their homes, from smaller projects such as replacing windows through to large-scale single storey extensions.

“We’re urging our customers to take advantage of the offer, which includes the entire VELUX white-painted roof window range, from manual, centre-pivot and top-hung standard roof windows to combination solutions, and automatic electric and solar VELUX INTEGRA® roof windows.”

To receive rewards from VELUX, upload your proof of purchase at www.velux.co.uk/rewards.
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New SFS Flat Roofing Catalogue now available

SFS, the world’s leading manufacturer of fastener solutions for the building envelope, has published a new catalogue for its flat roofing product range which is presented in a user-friendly format.

Now available to download at www.sfsintec.co.uk and to request as a printed catalogue, the new 200+ page Flat Roofing Catalogue is a comprehensive update to the previous issue to reflect the extensive range of products and systems offered by SFS. The catalogue details the innovative solutions available for the three main SFS systems – the isofast® fully metallic system, the isotak® thermal break fastening system and the isoweld® induction welding system.

The easy-to-use format, makes finding the right SFS product quick and simple and encompasses fastener solutions for steel, concrete and timber deck, along with critical decks and a new section for flashings, upstands and termination bars. It also includes details of fasteners for metal deck to steel and timber structures, as well as information on SFS’s tools and accessories. The catalogue is also available on SFS’s interactive e-Literature platform at www.sfsliterature.com along with its Roofing and Cladding Catalogue.

Martyn Holloway, SFS Flat Roofing Business Unit Manager, comments: “The new catalogue provides an easy to follow guide to our market-leading range of fastening systems for flat roofing. This will assist customers to choose a reliable, fully approved and easy to install solution for fixing membrane, insulation and termination bar to every type of substrate.”

The new Flat Roofing Catalogue is part of SFS’s extensive programme of support for roofing contractors, specifiers and membrane suppliers. This includes UK-wide sales and technical teams who provide on-site pull-out testing, wind load calculations and resources including BIM data and project support where required, as well as training facilities to ensure the best possible result in the finished building envelope.

Expert technical support has been at the core of SFS’s success in serving the building envelope market for more than 30 years with a wide range of fasteners for flat roof, pitched roof and façade construction. Operating from its UK HQ in Leeds, the company is part of the Swiss-based SFS Group which has annual sales in excess of £1.1bn and a history dating back to the 1950s serving customers in the construction, automotive, electronics, industrial and medical products markets.

Download the new Flat Roofing Catalogue now at www.sfsintec.co.uk or use the e-Literature site to navigate the catalogue online – www.sfsliterature.com
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Cembrit Slates Turn Heads in Dursley

Easy to install Cembrit Moorland Blue/Black slates have been used on phase two of St Modwen’s new build housing development in Dursley, Gloucestershire. Chosen for their attractive appearance, and following a successful phase one, the Moorlands were once again supplied by Willis Westcott and installed by Mcdonnell-Price, a local roofing contractor.

The properties at Littlecombe have been built using a blend of modern and traditional materials which gives the development a timeless appeal. The Moorland Blue/Black slates provide a contrast with the light coloured fascia materials and surrounding greenery. This clean appearance is enhanced by the first class installation work carried out by McDonnell-Price across the development, which features roofs with Velux windows and many vents and valleys, alongside several pitch variants of between 30 and 45 degrees. Brandon McDonnell, of McDonnell-Price is very satisfied with the end result:

“I’m pleased with the way the project came together – everything just seemed to click into place. We like Cembrit’s Moorland slates and with a project like this, one that involves a lot of detail, it was good to have a slate that is lightweight, as well as easy to cut and fix. I also like the way dark Blue/Black colour stands out and nicely defines the roof lines against the surroundings.”

Moorland 600×300 slates were supplied by Willis Westcott, a large roofing supplies merchant in the region, as well as ‘doubles’ for the verges. The slates are fixed with two copper nails at the top of each slate with a copper rivet supporting the bottom of each slate. Moorland slates have an appearance close to that of natural slate. Their smooth surface and authentic dressed edges lend themselves to all manner of prestigious applications. They are manufactured to the highest European standards and are lightweight, pre-holed, suitable for all types of projects, easy to handle and install, durable and an economic alternative to natural roofing materials.

Moorland slates are manufactured using Portland cement together with a non-asbestos formulation of superior blended synthetic and cellulose fibres. Moorland slates are pigmented during production and are fully compressed. They are finished with a high quality, semi-matt acrylic coloured coating to the top face and edges and a tinted, high performance binder to the back face.

For further information visit www.cembrit.co.uk, email sales@cembrit.co.uk or tel: +44 0208 320 1184.

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SFS reports strong sales growth as it unveils first complete envelope package

(Photo caption: the recently completed new Alchemist bar and restaurant at Salford Quays, which features a striking golden building envelope installed by Longworth, created using fastening systems by SFS. Courtesy of Artez / James Andrews.)

Global group sales growth of 13.7% in 2017 for fastening systems manufacturer SFS, reflects the growing customer demand here in the UK for high performance fixing solutions for the building envelope, which the company is set to support further with its unveiling of the industry’s first complete package for rainscreen systems.

In addition to an expanded range of SFS-branded products and services being readied for launch in 2018, the company now offers Nvelope rainscreen support systems after the manufacturer joined the SFS family in 2016. This enables SFS to provide high performance Nvelope bracket and rail systems for rainscreen cladding and SFS-branded fasteners as one package, offering important warranty benefits and a simplified supply chain.

An extension to this package is also available to customers seeking to incorporate a working at height safety system as part of their envelope project. This is provided by SFS with its industry-leading Soter Safety Systems solutions, giving specifiers and contractors the assurance that key elements of the building envelope’s construction and installation are provided by a market-leader renowned for its technical excellence.

Across the globe, SFS provides fastening solutions in a diverse range of industries, including medical equipment, automotive, electronics and industrial. In the UK, SFS is synonymous with high performance fasteners for roofing and cladding, as well as other structural applications, and its range of precision-engineered door hinges. Over the last 12 months, its organic sales have grown strongly by 7.4%, to achieve overall sales of around £1.24bn (CHF 1.633bn Swiss Francs).

David Wigglesworth, UK Managing Director of SFS, said: “The SFS brand stands for quality and engineering excellence, so our customers can be confident that every solution we provide meets the highest expectations. Nvelope and Soter Safety System are, therefore, perfect additions to the SFS family as architects seek greater certainty on building envelope quality and performance, and installers look to solutions that help them work quicker, more profitably and safer.

“With our new family of systems, SFS is unique in the market in providing a complete solution that is underpinned by quality and reliability. Customers of SFS fasteners have long benefited from the extended life of our superior A4 stainless steel fasteners, often with powder coated colour finishes for outstanding visual appeal, and our innovative flat roofing systems, but they can now access so much more for projects incorporating rainscreen and where a reliable safety system is required.”

Superior quality products backed by expert technical support has been at the core of SFS’s success in serving the building envelope market for more than 30 years with a wide range of solutions for pitched roof, façade and flat roof construction. The company is part of the SFS Group which has annual sales in excess of £1.1bn and a history dating back to the 1950s serving customers in the construction, automotive, electronics, industrial and medical products markets.

Find out more about SFS at www.sfsintec.co.uk.
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Historic Chocolate Works preserved with Sika Sarnafil

Eight years after being put on the ‘At Risk’ register by English Heritage, the landmark Terry’s Chocolate Factory has a new lease of life, following extensive refurbishment. The 1926, Grade II listed building now starts a new chapter as a care village owned by Springfield Healthcare.

Once home to famous brands such as Chocolate Orange, the factory and offices were closed in 2005 and fell into disrepair over the subsequent decade. Eventually the building, which is part of a 27-acre site, was acquired by Henry Boot Developments for conversion. The renovations included a full roof refurbishment that was undertaken by Hull-based roofing contractor L.A. Hall using a Sika Sarnafil single ply system.

One of the key focuses of the work was to preserve and retain the art deco features of the building while increasing its lifespan. A vital element of the repairs was the work on the existing flat and slate roof areas that were in a very poor state, and a roof for the new additional floor of the building.

Principal contractor Simpson (York) Ltd., brought L.A. Hall on board to complete the roofing works, which comprised a number of disciplines, including heritage Westmorland slating, single ply, zinc cladding and leadwork.

L.A. Hall suggested using a Sika Sarnafil system for the flat roof areas, as it matched the client’s requirements for longevity and sustainability, and is the company’s preferred membrane choice. The project’s conservation officer was initially concerned that the system would be too shiny, but Sika Sarnafil provided a number of samples, and after discussions, the specification was welcomed by all parties.

The project was complex due to the multiple roof areas and detailing. To begin, the existing slating on the central north light roof slopes, which were remaining in place as part of the new scheme, were re-covered using a fully adhered Sika Sarnafil system including G410-EL membrane in Lead Grey.

In addition to the existing roof areas, an extra floor to the building was constructed around the north lights. Its steep slated mansard-type external elevation included approximately 60 dormer windows, which required zinc on all the vertical faces and Sarnafil on the tops. The flat roof area of the extension was then also covered in the Sarnafil system, along with 140m of parapet guttering detailing, and a new roof terrace area.

Nigel Drysdale, Technical Advisor at Sika Sarnafil said “We had a great number of details to consider in order to preserve the original look of the building. For example, the architect and conservation officer required a timber mop roll detail to the perimeter of the main roof and the dormers. So all the parties worked closely to achieve a practical and aesthetic solution, which involved creating detailed life-sized models of key elements. This collaborative and applied approach gave the conservation officer confidence that the detailing was sympathetic to the building’s heritage and that’s what we eventually installed.”

The L.A. Hall team overcame various challenges, including working on sloped areas, tight time scales and challenging winter weather, but thanks to the skill of the fitters and the flexibility of the Sarnafil system, the project was finished to an impeccable standard and on time.

All members on the team agree that the newly refurbished roof looks stunning and will defend this iconic building from the elements for many years to come.

For more information please call 01707 394444, or visit http://gbr.sarnafil.sika.com
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Kingspan Insulation invests in new production lines

Leading insulation manufacturer, Kingspan Insulation Ltd, has announced it is investing €17 million in two state-of-the-art, low waste production lines at its facilities in Derbyshire and North Yorkshire, further enhancing its portfolio of construction and mechanical engineering insulation products.

The prototype Continuous Process Line 3 (CPL3) – which is expected to go live at Kingspan Industrial Insulation’s site in Glossop in August 2018 – is the latest evolution in the firm’s Queen’s Award winning CPL technology. The twin manufacturing line will provide greater capacity, meeting growing market demand for the premium performance building service insulation. Its precision central bore design will also set a new benchmark for production accuracy.

CPL production technology automates the lamination of the product’s internal and external liner and has allowed Kingspan Industrial Insulation to achieve significant reductions in manufacturing waste when compared with the ‘cut from block’ approach.

A further €10 million investment is being made at Kingspan Insulation’s facility near Selby with the introduction of a manufacturing line for Kingspan Styrozone insulation. The new facility will offer even greater choice to specifiers and installers, producing boards in a comprehensive range of lengths, thicknesses, densities and compression strengths. Once fully operational, the line’s advanced design will also ensure a 100% recycled waste stream.

Richard Burnley, Managing Director at Kingspan Insulation Britain & Ireland commented “At Kingspan, we are constantly working to identify and employ new and advanced manufacturing methods, keeping our products at the cutting edge of the market. These new lines will allow us to continue to meet the growing market demand, providing greater choice to customers whilst also achieving significant improvements in the efficiency of our production processes.”

For more information www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk.
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Longworth chooses SFS Fasteners for Birmingham’s new tallest building

Leading building envelope contractor Longworth is working with SFS in the construction of two iconic towers in the heart of Birmingham, one clad in brass, the other silver. The proposals will transform the city’s skyline and deliver a mix of luxury apartments and retail spaces.

The striking Left Bank development in the city centre’s popular West End is the brainchild of Regal Property Group, with finance by Aprirose, and will create the tallest exclusively residential building in Britain’s second city when it is completed in Summer 2019. Designed by Glancy Nicholls Architects, the buildings are already taking shape on a key site close to the entrance to Brindley Place. The first 22-storey building will accommodate 189 luxury apartments and 3,580m2 ground floor retail space, with the second phase being a 31-storey residential tower with retail space too.

The development is a prime location for residents as it’s within easy walking distance of the major attractions and landmarks of central Birmingham. It will also offer amazing city views as well as the relaxing canals, bars, restaurants and shops that align Broad Street. Due to Birmingham’s mix of modern and historic buildings, Glancy Nicholls Architects designed these two towers in response to the Grade II Listed building, the adjacent Brasshouse building, and the industrial heritage of the site.

Longworth was appointed by main contactor Wates Construction at an early stage, and worked closely with them, alongside the architects, for over a year in the pre-construction phase of the project. This allowed for expert building envelope input during a period in which there were numerous specification changes and as well as the overall design for the first tower. The final choice of surface finishes for the envelope demanded high quality fastening solutions that would stand the test of time and perfectly complement the crucial aesthetic goals.

The partnership agreed on the supply and installation of an Alucoil Larson ACM FR – Brass Brushed panel with a fire-rated mineral core. This drained and back-ventilated rainscreen cladding system for Tower 1 was fitted with an Nvelope bracket and rail system and powder-coated SLA3 frame fasteners, SLA 5 fasteners, as well as SX3 and SX5 A4 (grade 316) stainless steel fasteners from SFS.

Ben Parker, Business Development Manager at Longworth, comments: “We’re very proud to be appointed on the Left Bank development contract for cladding. We have brought a more creative project approach to provide a solution for an application that would usually be fixed with a rivet. Instead we chose to use self-drilling fasteners from SFS for several key reasons.

“Firstly, these fasteners enabled us to overcome the architect’s concerns regarding the colour match of the fixings to the ACM panels. We collaborated with SFS at an early stage to produce a number of fastener samples to get the closest match possible. Despite the challenge of the panel board’s marble effect which shimmers in different light, the tenacity and determination of the SFS team to deliver the right powder coated fastener result was impressive, and on the sixth version we knew we’d achieved the perfect match.

“We used the SLA5 fastener to help fix the panel to the frame as this fastener provided significant time saving benefits over predrilling for rivets, and they offer a secure installation with prevention of overdriving and unwinding. SFS supported us by making several pull out tests on site to prove the fasteners’ effectiveness. We also used SX3 and SX5 fasteners in A4 (grade 316) stainless steel fasteners from SFS for their improved corrosion resistance.”

Graeme McIlroy, SFS Regional Sales Manager, comments, “It was a pleasure working with Longworth on this prestigious project. It’s a perfect demonstration of our powder coated fasteners capability which enables over 200 RAL colours. For this project, we were happy to go that extra mile to ensure a truly bespoke finish for our powder-coated fasteners and ensure the architects vision of the building could be fully realised. Tower 1 looks set to be a stunning building and I’m sure Tower 2, which will be clad in shades of silver, will make a striking contrast.”

Find out more about SFS fasteners at www.sfsintec.co.uk.
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Thinking fast with Kingspan Kooltherm

A new special education and training college, dedicated to the future of the UK’s rail industry, is the latest project to benefit from the outstanding thermal performance of the Kingspan Kooltherm K110 Soffit Board.

The National College for High Speed Rail, which opens its doors to learners for the first time in September, is the largest of five new national colleges being created by the Government to ensure British workers learn world-class skills.

The Birmingham-based college has been designed by Bond Bryan Architects to embody the institution’s mission to pioneer technical excellence in the next generation. Constructed by Willmott Dixon, the facility contains a variety of practical and classroom-based learning spaces inside a visually striking, yet simple building shell formed from two intersecting blocks. The solid bronze cladding, redolent of the site’s industrial past, has been perforated in places with binary code patterns. This is effectively juxtaposed with the transparency of large areas of glazed curtain walling which allow onlookers a glimpse of the activities within.

This commitment to creating a truly contemporary facility also included ensuring the building was as energy efficient as possible and, in line with funding guidance from BIS and the Skills Funding Agency, a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ has been targeted for the new development. To meet these requirements, a fabric first approach was adopted and several Kingspan Kooltherm products were specified across the site, most notably the new Kingspan Kooltherm K110 Soffit Board.

The main entrance is defined by a simple yet striking cantilevered upper floor, providing a sheltered social space in front of the building. To insulate this, Kingspan Kooltherm K110 Soffit Board was installed by Sage Roofing. The product is a premium performance insulation board comprising an advanced fibre-free rigid thermoset phenolic insulation core with a thermal conductivity of 0.018 W/m·K across all board thicknesses. This performance, combined with its BRE Green Guide rating of A+, help to contribute towards the award of credits within the BREEAM assessments.

The boards can be fixed directly to concrete soffits using thermally broken fasteners, making installation quick and simple. The product offers excellent fire protection, passing all the requirements of FM approval to FMRC 4880 Class 1 fire classification. Further details on the fire performance of Kingspan Insulation products may be obtained from the Kingspan Insulation Technical Service Department.

For further information, please visit www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk.
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With great height, comes great responsibility

ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® has been installed on a new high rise building in Manchester to provide a fire safety solution that also delivers reliable thermal performance and superior acoustics.

In March 2016, construction began on a new high rise development, named One Regent, on Water Street in Manchester. Made up of 307 apartments, including six townhouses and 326 sqm of commercial space, the project sits at the gateway to Manchester’s city centre. The development was partially funded by the Greater Manchester Housing Fund, which aims to alleviate growing demand for residential property. Many new developments across Manchester are reaching great heights, presenting a number of different challenges for building contractors. In particular, fire spread.

This project required an insulation solution that would provide optimal fire safety, a thermal performance U-value of 0.18 W/m²K, and acoustic protection. Due to this, developer and main contractor, Renaker Build Ltd chose 21,000m2 of ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® in 125mm for the project. ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® is a dual density insulation board that has been specifically designed for high rise buildings. It’s robust and weather proof thanks to a compressed 15mm primary fleece that’s placed on top of the insulation and achieves a thermal performance of 0.18 W/m²K. A European classification: A1 non-combustible product, RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® has been designed to slow the spread of flames and provides vital fire protection, allowing all occupants to evacuate the building safely in the event of a fire.

John Messer, Project Manager at Renaker Build, comments “As well as its leading thermal efficiency and fire resistance, one of the main qualities that stands out when using ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® is the fewer fixings that are required to install the product. This helped us keep costs down during installation, in terms of product and manual labour.”

Renaker Build also liked the fact that ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® offered better acoustic protection than other façade insulants on the market. With development in Manchester on the rise, acoustics has become an important issue for building contractors to overcome. ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® significantly improves the acoustic performance of the external building structure from airborne noise because of its high density and randomly assembled fibre structure.

John concludes, “The project was completed to schedule in July 2017. ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® not only saved us time in the long run, but greatly achieved the desired thermal performance required. It also provided us with a fire resistant material that gave the building unrivalled acoustic insulation, which is becoming an ever increasing concern for our clients. The versatility of the product was ideal for the project and gave us the optimum solution to each of our requirements as well as aesthetic freedom. I’m confident to say, this won’t be the last time we install ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB®.”

For more information please visit www.rockwool.co.uk.
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