Latest innovations and products in the external works section of the construction industry.

Iconic Butlins’ chalets come to life with contemporary new look… thanks to Cedral weatherboard!

Its speed and ease of installation, low maintenance benefits, fresh and modern aesthetic and varied colour options, have seen Marley Eternit’s Cedral Lap weatherboard specified to play a central role in the contemporary re-creation of the iconic Butlins’ chalets at a new £16 million development in Minehead.

West Lakes Village at Butlins’ Minehead resort has been created ahead of the company’s 80th birthday, with the construction of 117 colourful brand new holiday homes inspired by the original chalets created by Billy Butlin in the 1930s.

Architects Allison Pike were actively involved in the project since inception, helping Butlins to evolve the chalet concept to meet the needs of 21st century families. Multi award winning Principal Contractors McGoff & Byrne were appointed for the construction phase of the development.

McGoff & Byrne specified Marley Eternit’s Cedral Lap weatherboard to create the colourful timber aesthetic synonymous with the facades of the original Butlins chalets, but with the longevity and simple installation offered by the fibre cement cladding.

Harry Galloway, Construction Director from McGoff & Byrne, explains: “The original West Lakes Village design utilised timber for the chalets’ cladding. We amended the specification to Cedral as it provided us with a wide colour palette to choose from and would ensure the striking looks of the chalets’ exteriors lasted with minimal maintenance.

“The seaside location of the development means the chalets have to withstand exposure to salt, so we needed a cladding material that could stand-up to this challenge without requiring significant maintenance to keep the look fresh.

“The different pastel colours of the chalets are a key feature and help recreate the original Butlins 1930s’ feel. By using Cedral, we were able to obtain all of the colours we needed from the factory without having to paint on site, including a special made to order colour manufactured specifically for the project.

“The fibre cement cladding helped us to achieve Butlins’ sustainability aspirations with its A+ rating and responsible sourcing accreditation*. Everyone is delighted with the end result; the redesign is very impressive, contemporary with just the right hint of nostalgia.”

Marley Eternit’s Cedral Lap weatherboard has been used as external cladding on all of the one and two storey lakeside, lake view and park view chalets clustered in landscaped parkland around two newly created lakes.

Jayne Arkell, national sales manager – Cedral at Marley Eternit, comments: “We are delighted to be able to help the iconic 1930s’ Butlins’ chalets make a fun and fresh comeback, with high specifications for 21st century families. By using fibre cement weatherboard, rather than timber, the chalets will still be looking this good for many years to come while still paying homage to the original Butlins aesthetic, with the pastel shades and timber effect detailing.”

Fibre cement Cedral weatherboard is a low maintenance, rot free alternative to traditional timber weatherboarding with a life expectancy of 50 years and can be supplied in a standard range of 21 factory applied solid colours and two woodstain finishes. Cedral Lap is specially designed so the planks are overlapped when installed creating a traditional, clapper-board aesthetic. Or to create a more unusual aesthetic, Cedral Click planks are fitted together flush, creating a striking modern and contemporary facade.

The new West Lakes Village development was completed on time and in budget, with the chalets welcoming their first guests in April 2015.

For more information about Cedral, please visit www.cedral.co.uk

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HadleyFRAME™ – offsite residential and commercial construction solution

HadleyFRAME™ provides a pre-panelised, stand alone steel frame structure which is a lighter and easier to erect alternative to steel or concrete primary frames and offers distinct advantages over timber frame construction within the residential property and commercial construction markets.

Properties up to four storeys can be quickly and cost effectively produced. Spans of up to 6m offer the potential to eliminate internal loadbearing walls and thereby provide more options for internal space planning.

As an off-site solution HadleyFRAME™ is manufactured using our cold rolled forming expertise ensuring an accurate, lightweight, fast-track structure with the flexibility to accommodate joisted or concrete floors and support most external cladding systems such as brick and render. It saves on-site time and costs and delivers a superior structure which is future proof, BIM compliant.

As a light gauge piled solution HadleyFRAME™ is especially effective on brownfield sites where, instead of having to remove tons of contaminated soil from site the HadleyFRAME™ solution enables capping of the pile through the contamination, saving significantly on site remediation costs and time. Construction speed is therefore up to 50% faster than traditional construction techniques, providing the earliest possible weathered envelope to a property and no short or long term frame settlement issues. Adverse weather is not an obstacle to construction.

HadleyFRAME™ also provides excellent acoustic and thermal performance, is fully compliant with the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Foundation requirements can also be reduced as lightweight HadleyFRAME™ can be utilised on poor ground conditions. Fewer deliveries to site minimise disruption to established neighbourhoods and reduce on site waste.

Any waste is also recycled during the manufacturing process. A typical two storey home can be constructed from as few as 12 wall panels and the panels for up to four houses can be delivered on one lorry. The resulting robust structure HadleyFRAME™ creates affords early commencement of initial dry lining, just two weeks after floor installation. First fix M or E and roof coverings are also more rapidly achieved.

Hadley Steel Framing can also provide expert structural engineering advice throughout the project lifecycle, working with architects, specifiers and installers to optimise the variety of house styles used and plan a rapid build schedule.

For more information please call 0121 555 1385 or visit http://www.hadleygroup.com/hadley-steel-framing.aspx

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New Ronald McDonald house roof in good health thanks to Sika-Trocal

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) provides free ‘home away from home’ accommodation for the families of young patients being treated in hospital. For the charity’s new-build facility at South Glasgow Hospital Campus, Sika-Trocal has supplied 600m2 of its single ply membranes as part of a high performance waterproofing system that includes a living roof and a series of projecting window pods.

Designed by architectural practice Keppie on behalf of RMHC, the new building on the South Glasgow Hospitals Campus replaces the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Yorkhill. Expected to be completed by summer 2015, the new building comprises three white brick traditional forms with slate pitched roofs, with each connected to the other by glazed openings as part of a bright and welcoming aesthetic.

Working with main contractor CCG, McConnell Roofing was appointed to complete the single ply elements of a roofing contract that included an expansive green roof and outwardly projecting window pods. For the main roof area, McConnell Roofing applied 500m2 of Sika-Trocal SGmA as part of a complete green roof system comprising vapour control layer, PIR insulation, Sika-Trocal SGmA waterproof covering, Sika-Trocal SBv protection and separation layer, drainage layer and vegetation.

Quick, lightweight and economical to install, the mechanically fixed SGmA system ensured McConnell completed this crucial project element on time and with minimal impact on other trades on site. Mechanical fastening also allowed McConnell to secure both the membrane and the insulation in one go, reducing costs and time with a strong and safe fixing method.

As part of the overall application, McConnell also installed 100m2 of Type S single ply membrane over a series of window pods. Offering exceptional waterproofing and durability, the cold-applied Type S roofing membrane is also approved by the British Board of Agrément (BBA) to have a life expectancy of up to 35 years.

“We have been installing Sika-Trocal single ply membranes on successful projects for many, many years,” said Ken Wales, General Manager at McConnell Roofing. “With the tight site and a series of intricate detailing works presenting a number of challenges, Sika-Trocal’s single ply membranes once again proved the perfect solution at Ronald McDonald House.”

Completed within a two-month period by a project team of four, the innovative application of both the SGmA and Type S solutions by McConnell Roofing ensured the project remained on track for its summer 2015 completion. With its high quality and reliable roofing solutions, Sika-Trocal will once again help to keep an important building watertight for years to come.

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Waterproofing Simplified with Remmers Multi Tight 2K

Multi-Tight 2K is a new, flexible, mineral based waterproofing product which has all the performance properties of older technology polymer-modified thick bitumen emulsions, whilst being “bitumen free”.

Using unique rubber granulate filler technology Multi-Tight 2K has a crack-bridging capacity which is five times more effective than standard flexible mineral-based waterproofing systems.

The versatility of the product allows it to be used to waterproof below ground externally and internally offering excellent resistance to ground or water pressure as well as frost and salts.

It is very quick and easy to apply by trowel or spray application, has fantastic levels of adhesion to most substrates including old bitumen and dries very quickly in less than 18 hours.

Multi Tight 2K is UV stable but can also be over-coated with Remmers Concrete Acrylic in any colour allowing Clients to aesthetically blend in areas of waterproofing on building facades.

Waterproofing your building has now been truly simplified by Multi Tight 2K.

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

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REHAU stages free fenestration surgery

REHAU will be staging its first ever Windows, Doors and Curtain Walling Surgery on Thursday 15th October at the newly opened REHAU Hub in The Building Centre, London.

Construction professionals who want to discuss the fenestration requirements on any of their planned projects can book an individual 45 minute slot with REHAU’s commercial manager Kevin O’Neill and get free tailored solutions and expert advice.

Kevin says: “In many of my meetings with architects and specifiers, they tell me how challenging it is to keep up to date with the ever changing standards and regulations governing this sector and to stay in touch with the latest developments in things like coloured PVC-U and Passivhaus solutions.

“This new initiative means that they can book a dedicated slot with me at The REHAU Hub and I will address all of the regulatory or technical issues which apply on any projects they’re working on and give them technical and design advice.

“I expect to be covering everything from wind loading and U-Values to fire ratings, acoustics and Passivhaus specifications. The aim is to share best practice and give practical, personalised help for individual builds and developments.”

The new REHAU Hub is a dedicated exhibition and presentation space housed on the ground floor of The Building Centre in Store Street, London, WC1E 7BT.

Surgery slots are available from 9am to 6pm on 15th October. For further information view our Video on YouTube or if you would like to book a place, click here.

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A specialist product for a specialist project

CR27, from Bradite’s extensive portfolio of high quality paints and decorative coatings, is a fast drying, universal road marking and line paint, suitable for application on asphalt, bitumen, concrete and brick, and on roads, runways, car parks and sports facilities. To achieve optimum results, the company recommends that surfaces be dry, dust free and clean of any contamination prior to application.

Based on a combined alkyd and chlorinated rubber binder system, this specialist paint is surface dry in 10 minutes with a minimum one-hour overcoat time recommended. Application can be by brush, roller, conventional air spraying or airless spraying, depending on the particular job.
CR27 dries to an eggshell sheen and comes in a choice of white or yellow, with bespoke colours also available, as demonstrated by the colours requested for this particular project. If thinning is required, Bradite recommends its TB34 thinner and stresses that equipment should be cleaned immediately after use with its TC32 thinner.
Additional features of CR27 Line Marking Paint include strong adhesion and abrasion resistance, as well as good light reflection properties which can be enhanced by the addition of glass beads. This paint is also resistant to water, oil and brine, leaves no bleeding on asphalt or bitumen roads, and can be used with a low slip additive.

Only the best for this contractor

Established 55 years ago and based in Co Armagh, F&KP Smyth specialises in restoration and decoration services for industrial, commercial, private and listed buildings, as well as specialised projects such as the Co Down road motif.

Company director, Francis Smyth, explains why Bradite’s CR27 Line Marking Paint was suitable for this particular application: “CR27 was the right product for this project because it is quick drying, comes in a full range of colours, and of course, is suitable for external application.
“All of these features were critical to this project which was not without its challenges,” Francis explains. “Not only were we working to a tight time frame, but also the church was in full use while the work was going on. In addition, given the coastal area location which is naturally prone to adverse and unpredictable weather, we needed to apply a paint designed to withstand such conditions.”
So how does F&KP Smyth rate Bradite CR27 overall? “Because it is not thick or sticky, this paint can be applied just like ordinary conventional coatings,” Francis continues. “CR27 offers an excellent colour choice, which includes the full range of BS and RAL colours, and our order was delivered within a week by Brewers’ Milton Keynes branch.
“On completion, the motif looked as though it was brand new and the contracts manager was extremely impressed with how the project turned out.”
This was not the first time F&KP Smyth has used a Bradite branded product. “As we only use paint from leading suppliers,” Francis concludes, “we have used Bradite products previously as specified by Harry Stone at Brewers. Harry has every confidence in the products, and we in turn have full confidence in the brand as well.”

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Stirling Lloyd’s pioneering Bridge Deck Waterproofing gains European approval

Stirling Lloyd is proud to announce that its Eliminator Bridge Deck Waterproofing system has gained European Technical Assessment (ETA) certification from the European Organisation for Technical Approvals (EOTA) through the British Board of Agrément (BBA). The ETA is based on the testing requirements as set out in European Technical Approval Guideline (ETAG) 033. Eliminator is the first UK manufactured system to achieve this level of accreditation.

The ETA certificate confirms that Eliminator has been tested and meets the very latest, high-level European requirements that are specific to the waterproofing of bridge decks. Unlike most other systems, which use more generic standards to CE mark their materials, Eliminator is CE marked to a specific standard.

Clients, specifiers and contractors in EU Members States can be confident when selecting Eliminator that it fully complies with the EU’s design, installation and performance requirements. The certificate provides assurances that the product will perform to consistently high standards, helping to bring greater quality to the construction industry.

As well as confirming the effectiveness of Stirling Lloyd’s advanced polymer technology, Eliminator’s ETA certification provides the latest Factory Production Control (FCP++), which includes audits of production processes, QA/QC testing and full traceability of raw materials through to the finished product.

Eliminator has an unparalleled 30-year global track record. The product has already provided protection of over 15,000,000m2 of bridge deck, on more than 20,000 structures in over 60 countries, in extreme climates, on both road and rail, under heavy traffic on steel and concrete.

John Volpicelli, export director at Stirling Lloyd comments: “It’s fantastic news that Stirling Lloyd has received this ETA accreditation. We operate in many countries both in and outside Europe, and this high level of testing and auditing means all our clients can be assured that Eliminator meets the EOTA standards in manufacture, specification and performance. Stirling Lloyd is proud to be constantly improving standards in engineering.”

Dr Frank Swallow, technical director at Stirling Lloyd oversees all research and development and was heavily involved in the assessment. Frank commented: “During the assessment, BBA technical officers oversaw a large number of comprehensive tests on Eliminator, testing key features and validating the test reports.

“We were confident that our product would come through the assessment with flying colours, as all our products are put through rigorous in-house testing, to ensure they always exceed industry standards. The attainment of the internationally recognised ETA certification through the BBA demonstrates Stirling Lloyd’s commitment to high quality product innovation.”

For more information please visit www.stirlinglloyd.com

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Hydro-Brake Optimum® Delivers Tight Fit For New Homes Flood Storage

Engineers challenged to solve a “tight-fit” surface water management challenge on a new homes development in West Yorkshire turned to Hydro-Brake Optimum® to keep flood protection measures well within safe limits.
At the Saffron Park housing development in Liversedge, the designers Paul Waite Associates Ltd needed to engineer stormwater attenuation in an extensive pipe storage area, necessary because of the topography of the site and the preference of the water authority.
To ensure that the discharge rate limits were met despite the site constraints, Hydro International’s Hydro-Brake Optimum® vortex flow control was specified to control the outflow to the drainage network.
“When we calculated the drainage discharge from the site and the available storage provision, it was going to be difficult to achieve the maximum limit of 110 l/s for 1 in 100 years flood event, plus an allowance for climate change. Using conventional flow control devices would have required more back up storage than would fit in the space available,” explains Luke McCabe of Paul Waite Associates.
“However, when we used the online Hydro-Brake Optimum® Design Tool, it showed that we could recommend a Hydro-Brake Optimum® as it required less storage and met the Environment Agency’s planning requirements easily. The Design Tool allowed us to output drawings and data and was simple to use.”
Saffron Park, in Liversedge, is located between Huddersfield and Leeds and comprises 52 two to five bedroom houses on a plot sandwiched between existing housing and two roads. The site falls nearly three metres from north to south, and surface water from roadways and drives drains via gulley traps to the temporary storage provision along the lower perimeter next to Miry Lane.
“Yorkshire Water had indicated that they preferred concrete pipe storage to cellular storage reservoirs if they were going to adopt the drainage scheme,” continued Luke McCabe. “This necessitated nearly 220 m3 of storage in three 1.2 m concrete pipes, each nearly 50 metres long.
“The pipes were buried at a depth of nearly three metres under the narrow landscaped strip at the lower perimeter; there was no room for more pipe storage if we had wanted it. The Hydro-Brake Optimum® discharges to the public storm drain.”
Since its launch in 2012, Hydro-Brake Optimum® has set new standards in design versatility with its unique ability to achieve up to 15% additional stormwater storage savings compared to conventional vortex flow controls. Independently certified by the BBA and WRc, Hydro-Brake Optimum® is the only vortex flow control whose physical geometry can be precision engineered by fine-tuning the all-important hydraulic design curve.
Hydro-Brake Optimum® is included within the latest industry-standard Micro Drainage design tool allowing engineers to precisely specify the size and hydraulic performance of flow controls to meet their design objectives. The complimentary Hydro-Brake Optimum® Design Tool at www.hydro-int.com provides online support for engineers to design flow controls and output detailed design drawings.

For more information about the Hydro-Brake Optimum® call the Hydro-Brake® Hotline on 01275 337937, email enquiries@hydro-int.com or visit the www.hydro-int.com.

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Queen Mary University Library Collecting Solar Energy

The library roof at the Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) had surpassed its natural life expectancy and been experiencing considerable water ingress, requiring urgent remedial work to prevent disruption to students.
In order to determine the most appropriate remedial solution the 2,000m2 roof area was surveyed by flat roof specialists Bauder, who proposed stripping the existing roof covering down to the structural metal deck and replacing it with a high quality and long lasting bituminous system. The client also decided to use this opportunity to make a positive and visible contribution to the university’s carbon reduction programme through the addition of energy producing solar panels. The library is the core study area for most students and is unsurprisingly one of the highest consumers of electricity out of all the campus buildings, so it seemed extremely appropriate that the PV would be situated there.
The main library roof and three connecting tank rooms were all waterproofed with Bauder’s premium bituminous system, BTRS, which is capable of withstanding permanently sited loads of up to 2000Kg/m2 and has a life expectancy in excess of 40 years. The system build-up included a highly efficient 120mm PIR FA-TE insulation for superior thermal performance, achieving the required 0.18 U-value. Tapered insulation was also used around the perimeter of one of the tank room roofs to effectively provide drainage falls without having to incorporate them into the structure.
Roof areas totalling 1,000m² were fitted with 126 monocrystalline PV modules, set at a 10 degree angle to optimise energy generation. The panels are expected to generate 32.43 MWh of energy within the first year and deliver CO2 savings of 17.155 tonnes, equal to 8,358 kg of coal burned. The PV system was installed using a unique drill-free technique that ensures the integrity of the roof is completely upheld; and the simplicity of this method also meant that roofing contractor, R T Roofing Services, could install the entire array in just two days.
One of the major challenges for this project was performing the required works on a busy campus and keeping noise levels to a minimum. To overcome this challenge the project team worked closely with the client to develop a work and delivery schedule; with many of the materials brought to site and unloaded at the weekend. Bauder also provided ear plugs for all library users to make sure that they weren’t disturbed from their work. Despite these logistical challenges, all roofing works were completed in time for the start of the new academic year and were undertaken as part of the university’s long term maintenance and regeneration programme.
Jennifer Raagas, QMUL Project Manager, stated her delight with the finished works at the university, “We are incredibly pleased with the work performed by Bauder and their approved contractors on the library roof. They have been extremely accommodating during an eventful summer period at the university, and their service has been of the absolute highest quality. Our new BauderSOLAR PV panels will not only help us generate our own solar energy but will also provide excellent research and learning opportunities for our students. With Bauder delivering a single source solution of roof renewal with PV install we have complete peace of mind over our roof’s guarantee and long-term future performance.”

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SPV News Today

Randolph Hotel, Oxford

SPV have recently undertaken the reactive works to reopen the 5* Randolph hotel in Oxford following the recent fire which broke out at the property.

 The fire at the 150-year-old building in Beaumont Street was sparked by a flambéed beef stroganoff in its kitchen, ripping through three floors.
At the height of the fire on 17 April, 14 fire engines were on the scene as crews battled the blaze while thick black smoke spread across the city.
More than 80 people were evacuated, though there were no reported injuries.
Thanks to the hard work of the fire brigade and SPV reactive works, the Gothic building reopened its doors to hotel guests and customers within only 5 weeks.
Jonathan Dawson, regional management director for Macdonald Hotels, said he was “delighted”.
SPV are now continuing work on site carrying out the fire reinstatement project to both internal and external areas of the Hotel.

Cathedral Court, Birmingham

Working on behalf of our Client Bluu, SPV are currently undertaking the scaffolding, roofing, stone repair cleaning and glazing works at Cathedral Court, Birmingham. 

The scaffold is a full design scaffold with each lift being fully boarded complete with bird netting.

On completion of the scaffolding, SPV then commenced stone cleaning and stone repairs to the building, roof repairs and window repair works.

The stone repairs are being undertaken by means of a Torik stone cleaning system and the results are exceptional.

 

Ivor Good site Hoarding Competition

SPV are delighted to report that our fantastic artwork has been chosen as an Ivor Goodsite Hoarding Competition Runner-up for 2015!

Once completed, the hoarding was sited at our ongoing project at Albany House, Birmingham. Even Ivor himself lent a helping hand, much to the delight of the children!
The Office building which is owned and operated by RVB Investments is currently being refurbished by SPV Group with a new external facade system and new glazing to all elevations.
Owen Jones, one of the children who took part from St Michaels Church of England Primary School commented; ‘I have had a brilliant time decorating the hoarding and I really enjoyed visiting a real building site to learn more about the construction trade. When I am older I want to work for SPV Group!’

The new SPV Group website is now online

 

SPV Group are delighted to announce that our new website is now online. The new site has a brand new look and feel as well as having a range of new features.

Take a look at www.spv-uk.co.uk

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