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

New Product Downloads

Marflow Hydronics has further developed its website to now allow customers to download relevant technical information, including BIM Models, via a brand new Product Downloads section.

With BIM Level 2 being a new requirement from April 2016 and the move towards complete BIM compliance getting closer every day, Marflow Hydronics has introduced a brand new Product Downloads area on its website that allows people to download BIM Models as well as other technical documentation. Marflow Hydronics is dedicated to providing customers with the information that they require, and this is just another part of the company’s added value service. In addition, all product pages can now be captured in PDF format at the press of a button and can be used as a data sheet, another way the company is trying to make life easier for product users.

Chris Forbes, Managing Director, says “We are continually seeking to add value for our customers and we are constantly looking at ways to develop our website further to provide people with access to the information they need. The Product Downloads area is very new and we will be working hard over the coming weeks to make sure all relevant documentation and BIM Models are included. We encourage our customers to let us know if there’s something they need that they can’t find.”

The new Product Downloads area can be accessed via the relevant button at the top of all product pages or in the Knowledgebase. Also on all product pages, there’s a new PDF Download button that will export the product information into a PDF at the click of a button.

Access to the new area is found on the Marflow Hydronics website: www.marflowhydronics.co.uk.

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Cembrit B5 upgrades Penlan holiday homes

Cembrit B5 corrugated sheets have been installed on eight Swiss-style lodges at a holiday village in Swansea. The refurbishment of the roofs has updated the building, and provided a finish that exudes that holiday retreat feel.

Located in the heart of the beautiful Teifi Valley, Penlan Holiday Village is a small family run holiday park that is set amongst beautiful woodland and parkland. The development includes two and three bedroom detached lodges, a heated open-air swimming pool, picnic area, playing field and parking. The holiday village attracts many visitors throughout the year, as it provides quick access to the beautiful Teifi Valley and the West Wales Coastline.

Graham and Alistair Greenshield, the owners of Penlan Holiday Village wanted to replace the thirty year old roofs, as they were looking tired, and not performing very well. Graham chose to take on the job himself, and after looking at the options, decided to purchase Cembrit B5 corrugated sheets. Approximately 150 black coated B5 corrugated sheets have been installed on five lodges also utilising close-fitting one piece Cranked Crown Ridge to fit perfectly into the roof pitches.

“The exceptional quality of Cembrit’s B5 corrugated sheet helped us to enhance the exterior design of the lodges,” comments Graham Greenshield, part-owner of Penlan Holiday Village. “Time has been of the essence, considering the size of the project, and the fact that we didn’t want to close the business for too long. Cembrit’s B5 corrugated sheets have saved us a great deal of time, as it is quick and easy to install. In addition, its cost-effectiveness and design features ticked all the right boxes for us. I am not only pleased with the end result, but I enjoyed installing the product.”

The rust and rot free B5 Corrugated Sheet is the perfect solution for someone looking to clad or repair single-story buildings such as stables and garages. B5 is available in fourteen different lengths ranging from 4′ to 10′ 6″ the sheets are approximately 40% wider than traditional 3″ profile which allows for much better coverage per sheet. They also offer superior water shedding capacity due to the profile of its corrugations.

B5 offers numerous advantages that are helpful for the installer. B5 sheets have a small overlap, and as sheets are approximately 40% wider than comparative products, so it offers a much better coverage per sheet. This has the advantage of decreasing the weight of the roof covering. There is less side lap and overhang, and increased maximum end lap. B5 can be laid to a 5° pitch for small roof areas if the end laps are extended to 300mm and are double sealed with mastic strips. A number of accessories come with the B5. A one-piece close fitting Cranked Crown ridge that can fit into roof pitches, two-piece lose fitting ridge which is adjustable to roof pitches and the Plain Wing Angle ridge that can create high level ventilation. Also there is the Cemsix Barge Board which is used to close verges at gable ends and the one-piece and two-piece Roll Top Finial which forms an integral part of closing a verge apex.

For further information, please visit www.cembrit.co.uk.

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Whatever the exposure – EJOT has the anchor

Buildingspecifier offers an insight into the service and fixings solutions offered by EJOT UK Ltd., the Leeds based specialist.

The Met office may be regretting deciding to individually name every new weather front that approaches the UK – at the current rate Storm Zebra should be with us before Easter – though it does underline the frequency with which high winds and driving rain affect the country. Which is why specifiers require the technical support and general savvy of a company like EJOT UK.

Those attending the recent RCI show at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena will have witnessed the diversity of fixing solutions for flat roofing, rainscreen systems and other construction challenges offered under this global brand; but the products are really only part of a holistic, service based technical offering.

We are all familiar with the map detailing the different exposure conditions to which structures are subjected, but it requires real expertise to translate wind speeds into the right fixing patterns and types. Crucially the EJOT range encompasses different options for mechanical and chemical anchors to suit all the common exterior substrates: including plywood, metal sheeting, brick or blockwork masonry and cracked or uncracked concrete.

By engaging with EJOT, contractors and consultants can access the company’s testing capabilities which will confirm the suitability of certain solutions to the location, the height or configuration of the building and the material which a rainscreen system or built –up roofing system is being secured into.

Brian Mack Technical Business Development Manager for EJOT UK Ltd  said “Globally EJOT is expanding its product offering relating to concrete, brick and block substrates: by consolidating our existing brands, through research & development, and from consultation with OEM’s and engineers. We have the products within the range to meet all installation issues into the different substrates, to tackle a wide variety of applications and performance criteria.”

A further example of the latter would be the Trio ‘general application’ anchor for insulation materials, which is aimed at sub-contractors tasked, say, with securing insulation as part of a rainscreen installation. Described by Brian Mack as versatile and reliable as well as being very cost effective, Trio comprises two types of fixing pin, both of which combine with the same high quality sleeve.

Meanwhile, the three Trio components can be used to fix into concrete or clay bricks including perforated types and aircrete blockwork. The 10mm diameter sleeve itself is manufactured from high density polyethylene to create a variable anchor zone, from 30 to 60 mm depth. The glass-reinforced nylon pin is intended to be used for securing lighter weight insulation such as expanded polystyrene back into brickwork or concrete. Then the metal pin will normally be used for heavier insulation types, though still being suitable for lighter EPS material. EJOT Trio then presents a generic, non-system specific product solution.

Also prominent amongst the products showcased on EJOT’s stand at RCI the company was introducing its new HTK-75-2G 75 mm diameter tube-washer, for part-adhered flat roofing installations.

Importantly it meets SPRA guidelines for bonded/mechanical hybrid installations and is suitable for securing insulation back into either ply or profiled steel decks.

EJOT’s technical sales engineers will advise on the correct fixing centres in relation to wind-load calculations, while the tube-washer and threaded fastener not only address cold-bridging concerns, but the telescopic design provides resistance to imposed loads. With the insulation and membrane permanently secured using EJOT’s hybrid solution, the job is completed by folding and heat welding the laps.

With such a comprehensive collection of fixing products to choose from, and technical resources including site testing available to back them up, potential customers need to investigate the EJOT offering fully.

For more information email info@ejot.co.uk or call 01977 687040.

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GEZE UK is ‘The Automatic Choice’

GEZE UK has published a new technical guide to provide contractors, fabricators and architects with the information they need to specify the most appropriate and effective automatic operator.

Easy-to-use, ‘The Automatic Choice’ brochure encompasses GEZE’s extensive range of sliding, swing, revolving and folding doors including the latest Powerturn swing door drive and the Slimdrive range. This is supported by information and advice about how to specify the right products when taking in to account accessibility requirements, sustainability and industry regulations.

Available to download from the company’s website or in hard copy, the guide features double page spreads dedicated to each product with technical drawings and photography showcasing the products in situ across a range of different buildings. The detailed product data pages make comparisons between products quick and easy.

As well as GEZE’s complete range of automatic operators, it includes information about supporting products such as activation devices and safety systems, as well as advice about supply and installation, and repair and maintenance contracts.

Andy Howland, sales director of GEZE UK said: “We have worked hard to ensure that ‘The Automatic Choice’ technical guide is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to specify an automatic operator. It provides a comprehensive overview of all our automatic door systems allowing comparison between the benefits and functionality of different products to be carried out with ease.”

“This technical guide provides contactors, fabricators and architects with a good introduction to our range of products so they can make informed choices and select the best product for the job.”

‘The Automatic Choice’ brochure is available to download from GEZE’s website. Alternatively call 01543 443015 or email info.uk@geze.com for a printed brochure.

For more information www.geze.co.uk.

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GEZE UK supports BD Architect of the Year Awards

Leading door and window control system manufacturer, GEZE UK has reinforced its commitment to architects and specifiers by sponsoring an award at the BD Architect of the Year Awards.

The Office Architect of the Year Award is open to architects working on the design of offices whether new built or refurbishments of existing structures. Eight leading architects have been shortlisted, and the winner will be announced at the London Excel Platinum Suite on Wednesday 9th March. Hosted by Stephen Fry the prestigious event will be celebrating the 12th edition of the awards and will be held on the evening of Ecobuild’s Architecture day.

Speaking about the awards, Kaz Spiewakowski, managing director of GEZE said: “We work closely with architects on a daily basis to help make their vision become a reality and are delighted to be sponsoring the Office Architect of the Year Award.

“The quality of all the practices shortlisted demonstrates just how much talent there is in the UK and reinforces the country’s position as a centre of innovative architectural design.”

Founded in Germany in 1863, GEZE is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of door and window control systems. Investing millions in research, development and manufacture of innovative solutions, GEZE sets the global standard for advanced door and window technology.

For more information about GEZE’s comprehensive range of automatic and manual door closers call 01543 443000 or visit www.geze.co.uk.

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Armstrong Ceilings set to debut at Resource 2016

Armstrong Ceilings’ sustainability guru also set to present recycling and Cradle to Cradle case studies.

Leading UK manufacturer Armstrong Ceilings is debuting at Resource 2016 AND delivering a presentation in the exhibition’s #buildcircular learning hub seminar.

The company’s sustainability manager Jeremy Sumeray will talk on the Wednesday (March 9th, 2-3pm) about how architects and specifiers can take lifecycle into account in specification via the use of appropriate materials and resource-efficient product design.

He will also discuss how these factors drive innovation, what the motives are and what the payback is for owners, using case studies that show how Armstrong has recycled old ceilings and installed Cradle to Cradle-certified products to provide safe, healthy and endlessly reusable materials as lifecycle thinking in practice.

Armstrong’s stand (R8030) at the event, which co-locates with Ecobuild (March 8-10) at ExCel, will reinforce the company’s position as the world’s first mineral ceiling tile manufacturer to win Cradle to Cradle certification for a single tile, and then a complete range, as well as its pioneering of ceiling recycling schemes in the UK.

Visitors to the stand will be entered into a prize draw to win a Cradle to Cradle certified Herman Miller Setu chair.

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

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Chapter House of St Paul’s Cathedral becomes a more ecologically efficient office

Grade II* Listed Chapter House is a striking building sitting adjacent to the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral, it was designed by Christopher Wren and his son and built between 1712-1714.

The building was originally used as accommodation for the Dean and other members of the Chapter. However, after suffering severe damage during the Second World War it was refurbished in the 1950s into offices, and has since been viewed as the administrative heart of the Cathedral.

Recently Chapter House underwent a major revamp to bring it up to modern and ecological office standards. A key requirement was to improve the thermal insulation throughout the building, retaining the buildings heat and reducing energy bills.

As a specialist in the design, manufacture and installation of secondary glazing, Selectaglaze was specified as its tested products can reduce heat loss by up to 50%. This can be achieved by the bespoke fitting of the secondary glazing alongside the use of high performance seals.

A number of Selectaglaze slime line products were used to suit the various window styles and sizes. These units were mainly chosen as the units are discreet, and a reversible adaptation and are accepted by heritage agencies across the UK.

Over 120 units have been installed in six different colour finishes to match the existing frames.

Established in 1966 and Royal Warrant holders since 2004, Selectaglaze has a wealth of experience working in all building types, as well as an extensive range of products to suit all projects.

For further information, literature and test results, please contact Selectaglaze on 01727 837271/e-mail:enquiries@selectaglaze.co.uk or visit: www.selectaglaze.co.uk.

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It’s a cover up!

Although modern renovation plasters are a superb alternative to tradional types; don’t overlook the possibilities impervious coverings – along with hybrid and insulated plasterboards. So says Hudson Lambert, director of Safeguard Europe.

Impervious coverings come in a few varieties, yet easily the most popular are meshed cavity drainage membranes. These are attached to walls using special fixing plugs, and then can be plastered over using traditional gypsum, lime or other plasters. Effective as they are, it should be remembered that despite a notional air gap behind the membrane, these systems are not breathable and will drive rising damp further up the wall unless controlled at source using a high specification remedial damp-proofing cream or rod.

More recently, fleeced DPMs are a natural development from meshed cavity drainage membranes. First, a flexible waterproof adhesive is applied to wall, then the fleeced DPM applied over adhesive and, finally, traditional plasters can be applied on top.

These have the same disadvantages as meshed cavity drainage membranes; yet are faster to apply and their lower profile makes it easier to blend them in with existing plaster finishes.

Beyond these two types of membrane are new systems based around ‘hybrid’ plasterboard. The design intention of these is to utilise the convenience of plasterboard, yet enhance it to reliably allow its on walls susceptible to damp. This is especially useful in situations where speed is important (e.g. tenanted properties where decanting may be inconvenient) and decoration can take place as soon as the system is installed (when using dry joints rather than a plaster skim).

Although they are not suitable where wall surfaces are particularly uneven, they are Breathable (except where foil-backed or insulated plasterboard is used) and BBA approved types are available – which acts as reassurance to clients such as local authorities.

Installation is relatively straightforward: water-repellent/salt-disrupting silane cream is applied to wall and plasterboard applied in the traditional way (although water/salt resistant MS-polymer adhesive is used instead of traditional gypsum-based plasterboard adhesive). ‘Synergistic’ chemistry ensures a high strength chemical bond between the silane cream and the MS-polymer adhesive (due to covalent bonding between the silane components of both materials).

While a plaster skim is usually applied over the plasterboard, using a ‘dry jointing’ method allows the fastest results – and means walls can be re-plastered and re-decorated in less than 24 hours.

If required, the system can be used in conjunction with insulated plasterboard. However, as is always the case when using internal wall insulation, certain precautions are required to minimise condensation risk and it will hinder drying out of the wall compared with when standard (porous) plasterboard is used.

For more information please visit www.safeguardeurope.com.

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Flush Tilt-Turn Window System creates design perfection

Profile 22 has launched a unique externally Flush Tilt-Turn window system designed for commercial applications, especially medium and high rise buildings. The distinctive sleek, urban and modern design of its flush exterior frame avoids the overlapping of framework associated with conventional PVC-U systems, making it especially suitable for applications such as new-build apartments, housing hotels, offices, universities and colleges.

The Profile 22 externally Flush Tilt-Turn can achieve A++ WER Rating (U-Value 0.8 W/m2.K, in line with Passivhaus standards) with argon-filled triple-glazed units, due to its energy effi-cient six-chamber sash and five-chamber outer frame as well as the inclusion of Profile 22’s innovative Aeroframe thermal barrier. This window design offers superb thermal perfor-mance thus eliminating the need for expensive krypton-filled units. The high performance weather seal system allows for more efficient drainage of water, greatly improving weathering and thermal capabilities.

Profile 22 Commercial Sales Director Andrew Reid said: “The externally Flush Tilt-Turn offers sleek simplicity in its appearance, combined with the functionality of the tilt-turn and the high specification that can be expected from any Profile 22 product, making it the ideal choice for commercial applications of all types. It offers the benefit of a clean finish internally due to concealed hinges, top opening for ventilation or fully opening from the side for cleaning the exterior from inside, and has the option of restrictors for added safety above ground level.”

The Profile 22 externally Flush Tilt-Turn window has a large maximum opening size of 2,300 height x 1,450mm width, with 28, 36 and 44mm glazing options and is available in 28 col-oured finishes.

Product features include:

  • High performance weather seal system – optional triple seal
  • Secured by Design and BES6001 accredited
  • Anti-slam as standard
  • Compatible with common types of hardware
  • Flush, urban and modern design
  • No overlapping of framework externally
  • High performance centre seal system – optional third weather seal
  • Triple glazing can achieve u-values in-line with “Passivhaus” to 0.8 W/(m2.K)
  • Achieves WER A++
  • Design flexibility with maximum opening size up to 2300 height x 1450mm width
  • Glazing options: 28, 36 & 44mm
  • Perfect for medium-high rise buildings
  • Several window styles available in BIM format
  • Available in a range of 28 colours including dual options
  • Sash is neatly positioned inside the frame
  • Six-chambered sash and five-chambered outer frame with “aeroframe” technology
  • Concealed hinges & gearing
  • Overcomes design issues with traditional tilt-turn windows
  • Recycled composite outer frame reinforcement
  • Designed & manufactured in Great Britain

Andrew Reid added: “The demand for a flush style window came from architects requesting a window that is more ‘commercial’ in appearance, with greater colour options and with a higher performance in both weathering and thermal. The simplicity gives the architect carte blanche to build a design around the frames without the distraction of overlap, chamfer or sculpturing.”

Full specification, design and technical advice is available from Profile 22 specifi-er@profile22.co.uk telephone: 01952 290910. BIM objects on this product are available on Bimstore and www.profile22.co.uk.

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Crittall helps maintain ‘industrial heritage’ of striking London landmark

A new landmark headquarters building in West London has been created using Crittall windows to reflect its historical context and satisfy conservation requirements.

184 Shepherd’s Bush Road is a striking redevelopment of a Grade II listed garage and showroom originally constructed for the Ford Motor Company. Erected in 1915-16 the building was designed by Manchester-based architect Charles Heathcote who drew on contemporary American practice utilising what was then a pioneering engineering solution to structural framework. The resulting reinforced concrete frame and modular plan of the three-storey structure influenced strongly architects Collado Collins in their design for the new building.

The character of the building’s broad frontage has been retained – an important consideration because of its listing and its location in a conservation area – with Crittall large form Berkeley windows providing a significant visual aspect in the street scene. The Berkeley was originally created in order to replace existing 1920s and 1930s steel windows that were predominantly single pane leaded glass, exterior putty glazed. With the Berkeley, Crittall developed an entirely new series of hot rolled sections where a solid steel chamfer replicates exterior putty glazing, whilst the interior glazing improves access for reglazing and security.

Berkeley offers an ideal solution for both replacement projects and new construction where minimum sightlines, maximum daylight, and fine detail are desired. The system is suitable for high-end residential, institutional and, as in the case of Shepherd’s Bush Road, commercial applications.

In complete contrast with the traditional frontage, the redevelopment – which was completed in June – has added three further storey’s beneath a glass dome completely enclosing the roof.

Roy Collado, Partner of ColladoCollins, said: “This is an exciting reimagining of an important local landmark. The designs sympathetically maintain the industrial heritage of the building and the surrounding area, whilst proposing a sleek and contemporary aesthetic… The use of innovative techniques to inform and influence the design is something that we believe could really enhance the site.”

In order to meet the requirements of the project Crittall Windows tackled a number of challenges associated with the physical size and weight of the Berkeley units specified. So as to optimize capacity to deal with the quantity required by the contract the company utilized a newly installed piece of equipment – its 4 axis CNC Machining Centre – which ensured that consistently accurate machined components could be produced with short lead times assisting the flow of the product so as to meet the stringent on-time needs of the installation programme.

The 115,000 sq ft office building has now been occupied by customer science company Dunnhumby as its European headquarters.

For more information please visit www.crittall-windows.co.uk.

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