Latest innovations and products in the interiors section of the construction industry.

Introducing Airflow’s new generation of MVHR commercial units

During UK Construction Week 2015, Airflow Developments launched the new Duplexvent ROTARY range. Representing a significant advancement in the compact construction of a high performance of Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery system, the range utilises a rotary thermal wheel principle to allow for up to 85% heat recovery and the delivery of air volumes from 8000 to 16,000m³/hr. Furthermore, all units comply with the latest ErP Regulations.

The Duplexvent ROTARY Wheel Ventilation with Heat Recovery system is the latest addition to Airflow’s popular Duplexvent range. Each unit houses a thermal wheel, which rotates. Heat is picked up from the exhaust air stream in the top half of the rotation and given up to the fresh air stream in the bottom half of the rotation. This creates a higher flow of air through the unit, despite a more concise space.

Available in a rooftop or indoor version and suitable for commercial or industrial applications, the units are delivered in three parts. The units can be customised with a choice of duct orientations where supply and extract ports can be rotated by up to 90 degrees to allow connections to be installed within the demands of the building’s size and layout.

Quiet in operation, with low Specific Fan Power (from 0.45W/m³H, dependent on flow), Airflow’s Duplexvent ROTARY units provide significant energy savings through its EC fans. The units consist of double skin construction, with high performance 45mm mineral wool with thermal bridging to class T2 and a heat bridge factor of TB2 – contributing towards heat transfer characteristics of 0.037W/mk. In addition, the units are fitted with anti-cross contamination technology, which includes a crossbar across the rotary component, to guard against air contaminants entering the new, fresh air supply.

The equipment is fully specified with a range of optional components and full BMS and Internet connectivity, while optional additions include mixing dampers, integrated heating or cooling coils and purge chambers.

“Our new Duplexvent ROTARY Wheel Ventilation with Heat Recovery system represents a significant evolution in capability,” explained Toni Wong, Product Marketing Executive at Airflow Developments. “The range provides anyone responsible for ventilation within a commercial or industrial environment with a range of easy to install units that offer powerful performance and outstanding energy efficiency.”

For further information, please follow @AirflowD on Twitter, search Airflow Developments Limited on Facebook, or visit www.airflow.com

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Bostik the complete solution for Lincolnshire Flooring in Healing School project

Bostik, a global leader in adhesives and sealants, has been chosen by flooring specialist, Lincolnshire Flooring, to provide all sub floor preparation and adhesive products for a landmark £3m project at Ofsted’s ‘outstanding’ rated Healing School in Grimsby.

JemBuild was taken on as the main contractor for the science academy’s three-story development, who then sub-contracted the 2,500 square metres of flooring required. The project provided Lincolnshire Flooring with some challenging demands, on account of the site’s anhydrite screed alongside the need for luxury vinyl tile, slip-resistant vinyl sheet and carpet tile finishes.

Seven Bostik products were deployed for the operation, including the Laybond Screedmaster Universal Primer, Epoxy Primer, Carpet Tile Tackifier, Vinyl Adhesive, HT Adhesive and Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, plus the Screedmaster Flow.

Bostik’s wide product and service offering, including analytical support and on site testing, was seen as a key driver in winning the project. With the scheme running from mid June to the end of July 2015, timely execution was also essential.

Steve Horton, Contracts Manager at Lincolnshire Flooring, commented: “Being a world leader in flooring adhesives, we were aware of the wide range, quality and competitive pricing of Bostik’s products. However, it was the company’s complete solution offering that really made the difference for this diverse and challenging job.

“Even before the contract was signed, Bostik’s team of technical experts was pro-actively offering the ideal product package, technical advice, measurement surveys and on-site services. The value added by these additional practices cannot be underestimated, especially as this was our first job partnership with the main contractor, JemBuild.

“Another benefit was that, by using a single brand’s products, we had the added confidence that product compatibility would not be an issue. You know what to expect and how the different substances will work with each other.”

One of the biggest challenges faced on the project was the anhydrite screed subfloor accompanied by the under-floor heating on all three levels of development. Whilst the thinness and spread of the calcium sulphate screed is positive from a builder’s perspective, the moisture suppression presents both technical and working difficulties for the floor laying.

Steve added: “The drying aspect of the anhydrite sub-floor will always provide a test, as it is imperative that we only apply the primer once the correct relative humidity (RH) is achieved. Inevitably, managing the school’s under floor heating makes the testing process more complex. Bostik’s moisture testing service was a real asset in this regard, as it gave us an added sense of security as to when we could proceed.”

Bostik’s specialist products were another key part of the project’s solution. For the vinyl areas, Screedmaster Flow was deemed the most appropriate smoothing compound offering exceptional flow and curing characteristics to give a superior finish on which to bond vinyl. However, due to the nature of the anhydrite screed it was necessary to utilise a high performance barrier primer, Screedmaster Epoxy Primer, prior to applying the Screedmaster Flow to prevent interaction between the subfloor and the smoothing compound.

The Vinyl, HT and Pressure Sensitive adhesives offered Lincolnshire Flooring the correct products with a high level of tack, as well as good resistance to plasticiser migration and high temperatures in the various vinyl sections.

For the carpet tile areas, which made up 1,500 square metres of the project’s total flooring, the Screedmaster Universal Primer was used to prepare the floor to receive the Carpet Tile Tackifier adhesive, making it an efficient procedure.

For further information on the extensive range of subfloor preparation and adhesive products available from Bostik, please visit www.bostik.co.uk or call 01785 272625.

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ROCKFON launches their whitest ceiling tile ever: ROCKFON® Blanka™

After years of research and testing with architects and installers, ROCKFON has developed their smoothest, whitest ceiling tile ever: ROCKFON® Blanka™.

A perfectly white ceiling is what architects want, but has been difficult to attain without sacrificing other crucial technical properties – until now. ROCKFON Managing Director, Anders Juhl Thomsen explains why they’ve developed a visibly whiter tile:

“To take suspended ceilings to the next level, we asked our customers what the ultimate improvement would be to them. The architects said they want a ceiling that combines aesthetics – especially whiteness and smoothness – with technical performance, such as fire resistance and acoustics. Installers and building owners look for simple installation and a long lifecycle. Choosing a ceiling shouldn’t be a trade-off between properties, so we decided to create a ceiling that delivers it all in one tile.”

The solution to achieving a whiter than white ceiling was literally out of this world. By applying a specialist coating sourced from the US space industry to a high performance stone wool core, ROCKFON® has developed an incredibly durable, matt ceiling tile that is visibly smoother and significantly whiter. The ultra-white ROCKFON® Blanka™ tiles have outstanding light reflection and light diffusion properties to maximise the uniform spread of natural light. Independent tests show that ROCKFON® Blanka™ has a light reflection index above 87% and an L Value of 94.5+, which makes it their whitest ceiling tile ever.

Thanks to this unique coating, the ROCKFON® Blanka™ tiles have a smooth surface that allows for easy installation because the tiles are patternless and can be installed in any direction, saving time and reducing waste. Surface durability tests rate ROCKFON® Blanka™ top of its class. The anti-static properties of the coating make ROCKFON® Blanka™ resistant to site dust and the tiles are easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth. The tiles are designed to be hard-wearing and can resist up to 100% relative humidity without losing their shape.

ROCKFON® Blanka™ delivers all the unique stone wool performance characteristics you would expect from ROCKFON including outstanding acoustic performance and fire safety properties. ROCKFON® Blanka™ tiles are produced from up to 42% recycled materials, are fully recyclable and come with a 15 year warranty to ensure building owners a long product lifecycle.

The ROCKFON® Blanka™ range is available in ceiling tiles for sound absorption and sound insulation as well as a complimentary wall panel range; all in a variety of sizes and edge details to provide architects with complete design freedom.

For more information about ROCKFON® Blanka™, please visit www.rockfon.co.uk.

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Panasonic unveils state-of-the-art digital controller

Panasonic has launched its latest controller, an innovative and easy to use interface that offers full functionality with an integrated schedule timer and system controller, making managing heating and cooling systems easier than ever before.

Marc Diaz, UK & Ireland Country Manager comments “This new Panasonic control system, the CZ-64ESMC3, is a significant step forward not just in the functionality it offers, but also in how the user actually operates the system. The new controller features a digital screen and large, simple buttons making it much easier to use, so that even those without experience of heating and cooling systems can operate them and achieve the best solution for their needs.”

The CZ-64ESMC3 will be available from November 2015, and includes Panasonic’s popular schedule timer, which gives users full flexibility over when they want their property heated or cooled. Users can adjust the system for holidays, pausing operations for long periods of time so that energy isn’t wasted heating/cooling an empty home or office. The controller also allows six operations per day to be programmed, including operating or stopping units, and allowing or prohibiting access by individuals. This again ensures that the system is run as efficiently as possible, and that disruption is not caused by unauthorised individuals making frequent changes to operations.

In the past, simply having a schedule timer would not have been sufficient, as it could not control the operation mode or temperature setting, and would have required a separate system controller. However, this new solution integrates these functions, removing the need for more than one controller. By bringing the schedule timer and the system controller together into one easy-to-use unit, installation is simplified, reducing the amount of wiring needed and the complexity of the system.

With the integration of the system controller the user has much more control over their heating and cooling rather than simply setting a schedule of operation for the system. The user can allocate up to 64 units into zones, and then divide the zones into groups, allowing them to control up to 64 individual groups. Settings within each group can then be controlled such as operation mode, fan speed and air flow direction, creating a totally flexible heating and cooling system.

By integrating the schedule timer and system controller into an advanced unit with a digital display, Panasonic has made operating and controlling heating and air conditioning much easier, ensuring more efficient and effective systems.

For more information on Panasonic’s range of control systems, please visit www.aircon.panasonic.eu.

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Interior Film – refurbishment made simple

Interior Film from David Clouting Ltd is a self-adhesive, decorative film designed for a wide range of applications where speed of refurbishment is often time critical.

Interior Film can be applied to almost any surface including: wood, metal, plaster board, plastics and melamine. This enables walls, doors, furniture, skirting and architrave to be quickly transformed with minimum disruption and at low cost.

Features & benefits:

  • Safety – Self-extinguishing when tested for flammability
  • Application – no air bubbles
  • Durability – resistant to impact, abrasion and scratching
  • Stability – remains stable when exposed to heat, cold and humidity
  • Flexibility – can be adhered to complex shapes and curves
  • Economical – rapid installation, easy to repair or remove
  • CE Certificated –specify with confidence
  • Manufactured – by LG Hausys

Available in a range of designs and finishes including: Exotic woods, Leather effect, textured metals and Natural stone, the Interior Film range is also available to view on the BIMSTORE website.

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

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Relcross Automatic Door Systems Continued Growth at Harper Adams University

The relationship between Relcross Ltd and Harper Adams University goes back a long way with specialist installer Rowsman Ltd the happy intermediary. Since 2008 Rowsman have installed 25 Relcross LCN Auto Equalizers around the campus to provide occasional automatic opening for doors designed primarily for manual operation. The six latest to be installed are all in their new, and very impressive, Agricultural Engineering Innovation Centre.

Harper Adams University recognised that some of their staff and students would struggle to operate some of the doors encountered in the course of their normal daily routines. So, since 2008 they have been steadily installing LCN Auto Equalizers. These can be activated in a variety of ways including wall mounted push buttons and wheelchair mounted fobs.

When activated, the pneumatically powered Auto Equalizer silently pushes or pulls the door open depending on which side of the door it is mounted. After a short delay the integral traditional door closer takes over to close the door and complete the cycle. Power is supplied by a pneumatic compressor tucked away out of sight in a convenient cupboard or cubby hole and a single compressor can power up to 5 or 6 doors. The capacity of the compressor is selected carefully at the specification stage to accommodate the likely traffic profile (i.e. frequency of use of doors) and the distances involved between the compressor and the doors to be controlled. In fact costs per door leaf decrease significantly as the number of door leaves increases.

An added advantage is reliability and ease of service. A lack of reliance upon micro-processors and (often) complicated electronics means the Relcross Auto Equalizer has much less opportunity for failure. It has been independently tested to over three million full load cycles and requires only occasional, minimal servicing of the compressor, usually with easily available proprietary components. The compressor is almost silent in operation with a noise level of dB (A)/1m 45 – equivalent to a ‘country quiet’ sound level.

The extreme reliability of the system is one of its major attractions. Estate Foreman Arthur Broadhurst said “They are very cost effective and virtually maintenance free whereas electric doors almost always need something replacing at a service”. Some of the doors are fire doors and are in a “hold open” state which is automatically released in the event of a fire alarm. UK Fire Certification is in accordance with BS EN 1634-1:2014 (timber) – 120 minutes.

The history of Harper Adams University goes back more than a century. In 1892 a wealthy Shropshire gentleman farmer called Thomas Harper Adams died and bequeathed his considerable estate ‘for the purpose of teaching practical and theoretical agriculture’. The institution developed throughout the 20th century offering a wide variety of agricultural diploma courses progressing to the development of degrees and achieving its own degree awarding powers in 1996. Today Harper Adams University is highly regarded nationally and internationally and was runner-up University of the Year at the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2015.

The University Campus is a single site and includes a commercial farm of about 550 hectares involving both arable and livestock enterprises. Their quest for excellence in all their activities is equally reflected in everything from their academic standards to the quality of the maintenance and facilities management.

For further information call Relcross on 01380 729600, email sales@relcross.co.uk or visit www.relcross.co.uk.

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Manifolds from Marflow Hydronics

Reacting to what customers want, as always, the technical team at Marflow Hydronics has modified its portfolio of manifold solutions and has just relaunched them as the Diversiflow range.

A centrally located, multi terminal manifold unit provides significant benefits when compared with the conventional approach of installing individual valve sets at each terminal unit. The Diversiflow manifold system houses all of the valves required for a group of terminal units in a single, insulated box and this provides easy and convenient access for the commissioning and maintenance of a number of chilled beams or fan coil units.

Nick Martin, Technical Manager, says “We have extended our range and we now offer four different types of multiple valve sets. We have the Large Linear, Small Side Entry, Large Bi-Lateral and Small Linear. They are all designed to be used with multiple terminal units and massive savings can be made in terms of commissioning time, as there’s no longer a need to visit each individual terminal unit to perform the task. Just visit the one manifold box and all the units can be adjusted.”

For more information on the Diversiflow range from Marflow Hydronics, go to www.marflowhydronics.co.uk/diversiflow.

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Contour unveils new low cost, ‘no fuss’ LST radiator range

A new value-engineered low surface temperature (LST) radiator has been launched by Contour, the leading designer and manufacturer of LST heating systems.

Primarily designed for general healthcare, educational and commercial environments, the Covora range is ideal for building services contractors and heating and plumbing installers who are working to price-sensitive budgets but require simple, high quality safety compliant radiators.

Leigh Simpson, Managing Director at Contour said: “We have developed this new range after listening carefully to the needs of our customers. For the past 12 years, we have gained a reputation as one of the sector’s most innovative companies, designing exceptional products that meet the highest demands for safety and hygiene in very sensitive environments such as hospital wards and mental health units.

“However, many contractors have told us that they want to use our radiators and guards in more general environments that may not have to meet such stringent hygiene standards.

“With this in mind, we have created the Covora range, specifically for projects where no performance specification or brand has been demanded by the client. It means contractors can continue to use our products secure in the knowledge that they are high quality and meet safety needs. Essentially they can ‘fit and forget’ with confidence.”

No corners have been cut to create the Contour Covora LST radiator, which is made in the UK. It is available in a range of colours, including Oyster White (RAL 1013), Tele Grey (RAL 7047) and Jet Black (RAL 9005), making it ideal for areas such as hotel lobbies, leisure centres and retail spaces, where appearance as well as functionality is important.

It is also available in more than 150 sizes to suit single convector (Type 11), double panel plus (Type 12) and double convector (Type 22) radiator models. The radiator cover is manufactured from 1.2mm mild steel as standard.

Bullnose corners and half bullnose edges increase product strength and reduce the risk of injury in the event of a fall against the cover.

The Covora radiator guard is supplied as a one-piece unit, complete with pre-fabricated cut-outs for valves, skirting boards, and pipework, for ease and speed of installation.

Crucially, the radiator cover is punched with 5.5mm wide radius grilles, which makes it easy to clean, while the narrow grille width prevents most small items, including fingers, being inserted.

And for added peace of mind, Covora radiator emitters and guards are covered by Contour’s ten- year and five-year product warranties respectively.

Powder-coated to an average thickness of 60 microns internally and externally, with white RAL 9003 paint as the standard finish, the Covora range also comes with optional silver-based anti-microbial BioCote® coating, which will help to reduce the risk of infection transmission in environments where the maintenance of hygiene is of significant importance.

“We anticipate our new range to be very popular in environments such as GP surgeries, day care and nursing homes, schools and colleges and general commercial venues, where safety needs to balance with cost-effectiveness,” said Leigh.

Covora is available to order directly from Contour, with short production lead times available from 10 days.

To download Covora size options and heat output information visit: www.contourcasings.co.uk/products/safe-surface-temperature/lst-radiators/covora-lst-radiators/

Contact:
Tel – 01952 290 498
Email – sales@contourcasings.co.uk

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British Spirals & Castings hops in for the Old Brewhouse

A 16th Century building in Suffolk has been given a contemporary twist thanks to a stunning cast aluminium spiral staircase created by British Spirals & Castings.
The Grade II listed property had already seen a good deal of change in its lifespan, originally being used as a dairy range and a brewhouse, before work began to convert the building into a dwelling. After the project stalled under the previous owners, Peter and Christine Rodgers took on the oak-framed wattle and daub farm service building and transformed it into the home it is today.

Peter Rodgers commented, “To give ourselves a little more room, we wanted to build a new two storey extension, however, the layout of the old building made it difficult to create access to the new first storey bedroom from the adjoining rooms. We therefore decided to install a spiral staircase from the new living room directly below. This saved a lot of space compared with a straight option and also provides a dramatic design feature.”

“We initially visited a number of specialist showrooms which showed examples of mainly Italian made staircases but we were unhappy with the design and quality of the models. We then started to look for UK suppliers, and that’s when we came across British Spirals & Castings. Having noticed that all their staircases are designed and manufactured here in the UK, we visited their showroom for a consultation and from there our staircase was born!”

British Spirals & Castings Managing Director, Richard Harding said ‘We were more than happy to take the Rogers around our showroom and workshop in Chapel-en-le-Frith to help them to get a feel of the type of staircase they wanted, and to also discuss design preferences so we could create a staircase truly tailored to them. As the bedroom has a sloping roof, we also carefully designed the staircase to ensure there was sufficient headroom to comply with the Building Regulations.”

The couple opted for a white coloured cast aluminium spiral staircase from the modern art deco range, providing a simple yet stylish finish which beautifully compliments its surroundings. Typically these staircases will have plain round or square balusters, but other balusters options can also be used.

British Spirals & Castings have been designing and manufacturing bespoke spiral stairs, straight staircases and balconies since 1980; all hand crafted here in the UK to each customers requirements.

For further information please contact:

Tel: +44 (0) 1663 750 716
email: sales@britishsc.co.uk
Website: www.britishsc.co.uk

https://twitter.com/BritishSpirals
https://www.facebook.com/britishspiralscastings

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Prestige Johannesburg office development stays cool with SE Controls

A new prestige office development in Sandton, Johannesburg is using a combined smoke and natural ventilation system, involving automatic window vents in the building’s elliptical glazed central tower, which is actuated and controlled by an integrated solution from SE Controls Africa.

Located in the Sandton business area, which is regarded as one of South Africa’s prime commercial locations, the R208 million (£10.7 million) Capital Hill development combines seven floors of office space with residential apartments, as well as covered parking for almost 400 vehicles.

Designed by MWLF Architects, the building not only provides high quality business facilities and residential accommodation, but is also highly energy efficient and is constructed to achieve a ‘Four Green Star’ rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa.

As part of this process, the building’s 12 storey elliptical central tower features a fully glazed external facade within an aluminium lattice structure, which incorporates an automatic window and vent opening system to provide natural ventilation and overnight cooling, as well as smoke ventilation in the event of a fire.

To achieve the necessary level of versatility and control required for the automated vent system, SE Controls supplied 49 SECO N 24 25 twin chain actuators with a 350mm stroke length together with 7 SHEVTEC® control panels and manual control points (MCP), which were networked using the company’s OSLink network cards. An external weather station was also installed to provide an information feed on ambient conditions into the system.

In normal operation, the windows open and close automatically, to provide cooling and a supply of fresh air, but in the event of a fire this is over-ridden and vents are opened to allow smoke to be vented, enabling escape routes to be kept smoke free.

Russel Cramb, General Manager with SE Controls Africa, explained: “Capital Hill is an iconic building and has already attracted a lot of attention for its eye-catching design, green credentials and the quality of facilities it provides. We have an immense amount of experience in combined natural and smoke ventilation solutions, which we used when working with the architect to create a solution that wouldn’t compromise the smooth architectural lines of the external glazed facade.”

Further information on SE Controls’ products, solutions and projects can be obtained by visiting www.secontrols.com or calling +44 (0) 1543 443060.

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