UK’s largest brickmaker scoops trio of prestigious awards

Image: Courtyard House Photography Tom Gildon & David Butler

Ibstock, the UK’s largest brickmaker, has further cemented its position as the industry-leader by winning three awards at the 40th annual Brick Developers Association’s (BDA) Awards, which celebrate excellence in design and construction using brick.

This latest success takes Ibstock’s total award wins since 2005 to 77 – more than any other brickmaker. The stunning builds feature bricks from Ibstock’s wide-ranging portfolio of colours, textures, sizes and finishes to achieve a huge variety of aesthetic effects.

Projects using Ibstock bricks picked up the top accolade in three categories, including: Best Individual Housing Development, from Dallas Pierce Quintero for Courtyard House, which showcased a creative application of Staffordshire Blue Umbra Sawtooth and Standard; and Best Large House Builder for Linden Homes by Stride Treglown, which used Audley Red Mixture and Commercial Red to achieve a striking impact.

The distinctive arched pavilion of the Brentwood School Learning Resource Centre in Essex, designed by Cottrell & Vermeulen, won Best Education Building, using brick façades to harmonise with existing buildings using the distinctive Heritage Red Blend.

In addition, Ibstock-Kevington products were also used in Newport Street Gallery, which picked up the Supreme Award. The innovative project used precast lintels and beams, together with CNC cut brickwork, all of which were manufactured by Ibstock-Kevington.

Andrew Halstead-Smith, group marketing manager at Ibstock, commented: “As brick continues to retain its position as the number one construction material of choice, what we are seeing is more innovative and creative applications of brick, which really showcase its tremendous design capabilities.

“Architects, specifiers and contractors are pushing the boundaries when it comes to application to create breath taking designs, which these award-winning projects really demonstrate. We congratulate all those involved.

“The calibre of builds shortlisted at this year’s awards was incredibly high; so to have three projects where Ibstock bricks were used receiving awards, in addition to playing a part in the Supreme Award winning entry, really is testament to the versatility of Ibstock’s wide-range of options.”

A further project which also used Ibstock bricks received the judges’ commendation in the category of Best Education Building, for Merchant Taylors’ School Design Centre designed by Architecture PLB.

For more information visit www.ibstock.com.
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A modular approach

Modular building projects are on the increase, reports Giacomini UK, and most notably in the education sector.

Giacomini UK, one of the UK’s leading underfloor heating providers, has recently noticed an influx of modular projects with its three most notable all being for primary schools or nurseries.

Modular underfloor heating systems consist of pre-built modules, which are installed in transportable sections of various sizes. The sections are created in a controlled factory environment and are then delivered to site and craned into position to simply be connected together.

This innovative system results in projects being completed punctually and quickly as, by using the modules, efficiency and installation speed are maximised with limited disruption on site. However, most importantly for the schools involved, the biggest benefit of using modular underfloor heating is that it is very cost efficient and helps keep the project comfortably within budget and effortlessly within the tight timeframes such as school holidays.

Giacomini was selected by Hull based Servaccomm for the projects which saw the company supplying the underfloor heating materials for the plated modular systems, as well as factory pressure pre-testing the systems and fitting the manifolds on site.

The first project was at Prae Wood primary school in St Albans where the UFH was installed on the ground and first floors as part of the school’s £2 million expansion. This was followed by two further school projects, which saw Giacomini UK and Servaccomm install modular systems within a state-of-the-art nursery and primary school in Milton Keynes.

Matt Lowe, managing director of Giacomini UK, commented: “Underfloor heating is proving to be increasingly popular within schools due to its safety benefits as well as being cost efficient. Further to this, by working with Servaccomm’s modular builds we can ensure minimal disruption is caused to the customer, due to the majority of the construction and installation taking place in the factory with only the final connection taking place on site.”

For more information please visit www.giacomini.co.uk.
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Titon Trickle Vents meet recently revised Scottish regulations

Titon has updated its range of trickle ventilators to include additional versions which comply with the recently revised Scottish Technical Standards – the equivalent of the England & Wales Building Regulations.

The Scottish Technical Standards were amended in 2016 to alter the method of measuring background ventilation from the traditional ‘Free Area’ unit (the geometric area of a ventilation device) to the more widely recognised ‘Equivalent Area’ (EA) unit (based on the rate of air flow through the ventilation device). As a result, all background ventilators in the UK now use the same EA unit, as determined using BS EN 13141-1, ensuring a simpler system can be employed throughout the supply chain.

However, the Scottish Technical Standards stipulate more background ventilation is needed per dwelling; this means a higher number of ventilators are required in Scotland than in England & Wales. This has led to Titon redesigning its trickle ventilator sizes where possible, ensuring the ranges have denominations of sizes which comply with the average EA totals stipulated in the revised Technical Standards. These changes have been made throughout the company’s mainline plastic and aluminium ventilator ranges – including its newest and high performing SF Xtra model. This surface-mounted slot ventilator is now available in a version which supplies 5,500mm2 EA (or 6,000mm2 depending which canopy is used), meaning the average 11,000-12,000mm2 EA required for new build projects in Scotland can be achieved with just two vents in a room, as opposed to three.

In order to reflect and explain the implications of the revised Standards, Titon has also updated its Scottish Ventilation Regulations CPD (Continuing Professional Development) presentation accordingly. Specifiers seeking to understand the new Standards as they take effect can now arrange for Titon to visit their offices and present this CPD seminar free upon request.

Titon is very active in Scotland, which remains an important market for background ventilators. The company has an established presence, with local representation and a network of distributors in place to assist customers.

For more information please visit www.titon.co.uk.
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Ibstock showcases award-winning design

Following the Brick Development Association’s (BDA) Awards which took place last month, the latest edition of ‘Design’ (the inspirational magazine from Ibstock) is showcasing a number of cutting-edge projects using Ibstock bricks, which were shortlisted for the prestigious accolades.

The latest issue, which is available now, also offers a multitude of technical advice and recommendations for creating curved brickwork, and features a number of recent building projects where such techniques have been applied to maximum effect.

The latest issue offers an in-depth look at Incurvo, a private house in Oxfordshire, where the use of radial brickwork has been used to create striking aesthetics. In addition, further projects showcased in the latest edition, include: Cottrell & Vermeulen’s The Bean Learning Resource Centre at the independent Brentwood School in Essex, and Domino houses in North London.

Andrew Halstead-Smith, Group Marketing Manager at Ibstock, comments: “This edition of Design highlights that the construction industry is still incredibly forward-thinking, and is continuing to push the boundaries of modern design, embracing changing trends and styles, and that brick, as the number one construction material, is helping it to do so.

“The projects featured are from both private and public sectors and showcase the ways in which buildings can be set apart by eye-catching aesthetics. We are delighted to have been able to play a part in the creation of such inspirational buildings and to have all the projects featured in this latest edition also recognised at the BDA Awards, only serves as further testament to the powerful results achievable with brick.”

To obtain the latest issue of Design or find out more about the range of bricks available, visit www.ibstock.com.
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Sika provides watertight solution to town centre car park

Water ingress was being experienced to the exposed Asphalt split level decks at Sunbury Cross Shopping centre. With the site providing nearby residents with their only parking means, it was vital the system used to waterproof the existing surface allowed for a rapid installation which could withstand long-term vehicular stress. Sikafloor® RB58, a quality, highly-crack bridging system from global building product manufacturer Sika, met all the project’s requirements.

Sunbury Cross multi-storey car park in Middlesex serves the High Street’s busy shopping centre. The asphalt surface of its top two decks – which are reserved for residents – had become cracked and blistered due to long-term exposure to the elements. Contractor Makers Construction was appointed by clients, real estate leaders Colliers International, to install Sikafloor®-RB58 to refurbish the damaged surface as part of a five-week programme of repairs.

Selected for its dynamic crack-bridging, incredibly fast curing-times and high abrasion resistance, Sikafloor®- RB58 comprises of a fully reinforced system to guarantee the surface is watertight and free from cracks which allow the passage of water.

Wayne Greenwood, Site Manager at Makers Construction, commented: “Sikafloor®-RB58 was perfect for this project. The Sikafloor Primer allowed us to adhere directly to the asphalt, minimizing the surface preparation required.”

As part of the repair system, Sikafloor®-10 Pronto, a medium-viscosity, fast-curing primer was applied to the car park’s 3,000m2 asphalt surface. To fully strengthen the base coat, glass fibre reinforcement mat, Sika® Reemat Premium, was applied and embedded into the Sikafloor 32 Pronto. A further layer of Sikafloor®-32 Pronto filled with 1:2 Sikafloor® -Pronto Filler was also applied and fully broadcast with Quartz Sand.

Sikafloor®-18 Pronto, which offers excellent mechanical and chemical resistance, provided the system’s fast-curing, solvent-free seal, giving the floor a superb skid and slip-free finish sufficient to meet HSE regulations.

Wayne Greenwood added: “Sikafloor®-RB58 Pronto is incredibly easy to apply and as promised; fast-curing, which was vital to ensure the project was completed in good time.”

Despite work being intermittently disrupted by bad weather, repairs to the car park decks were completed on schedule and to the client’s full satisfaction. Sikafloor®-RB58 has ensured residents have renewed, hard-wearing, aesthetically pleasing and safe car park decks which offer long-term resistance to the elements as well as traffic-based wear and tear.

For more information please click here.
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Forbo brightens up new Urgent Care Centre at Chorley Hospital

The patients and staff of Chorley Hospital’s Urgent Care Centre can view the colourful life of the ocean’s coral beds, thanks to Forbo Flooring Systems’ digitally printed vinyls that allow designers and specifiers to create completely bespoke floor coverings without compromising on quality.

David Simmons, Interior Designer at Frank Whittle Partnership said: “We wanted to create a stimulating and vibrant environment for the patients and staff of the hospital, and one that they would be proud of. A range of Forbo’s floor coverings was specified for the project including Eternal and digitally printed vinyl, as the vibrant colours and the ability to create bespoke designs fitted the brief perfectly.”

For the children’s waiting area, an underwater scene of colourful tropical fish was digitally printed onto vinyl flooring to create a playful environment for the young patients to enjoy, and to distract them at what could be a traumatic or upsetting time.

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Throughout the corridors, reception and main waiting areas of the centre, David chose to use Eternal in Silver Chestnut, because of its heavy wear resistance and superior appearance retention – key requirements for a busy hospital environment. The natural wooden aesthetic of the floor covering acted as a backdrop for the contrasting bright and vibrant Eternal colourways installed in the wards and consulting rooms of the centre and at the reception desks. Shades such as Petrol Sparkle, an eye-catching blue, and Honey Sparkle, a mustard-like tone, were installed to brighten up the wards and create a very individual environment.

David continued: “We also interspersed blocks of bright Eternal colours throughout the waiting areas. These blocks matched colours used in rooms on the wards as well as the reception desks and other furniture.

“We are very pleased with the overall design of the hospital and we were very fortunate to have a forward-thinking client that was brave enough to embrace the colourful design scheme.”

Forbo’s Eternal range is coated with a PUR Pearl finish which makes floors easy to clean and ensures low lifecycle costs – ideal for hospitals where budgets are tight and where staff and patients require a hygienic environment in which to work and be treated.

For more information please call 0844 822 3928, email info.flooring.uk@forbo.com or visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/healthcare.
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“Construction industry showing encouraging signs of change to offsite methods”

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Speaking at Explore Offsite Futures at Birmingham’s NEC last week (24th November 2016), Fusion’s head of business development, Robert Clark spoke about the past, present and future opportunities for offsite manufacturing, saying he was starting to see encouraging signs of adoption by the construction industry.

As a designer and manufacturer of light gauge steel frames used by some of the UK’s most significant developers, Fusion is at the forefront of driving education and awareness of how offsite manufacturing methods hold the key to the future of construction in this country.

In his presentation to an audience of around 180 delegates from across all disciplines within the construction industry, Robert outlined the history of Fusion. He spoke about its experience in designing and building frames for low rise housing units through to high rise apartment blocks, and how its strategic view now is to focus on low rise, volume house building to help reduce the UK’s desperate shortage.

Robert recounted stories dating back 15 years when some of Fusion’s first projects were completed and little was really know or understood about the possibilities for offsite manufactured steel frames. Looking at the present, he referred to the widely-read Farmer Review: ‘Modernise or Die’, facing the truth about the drastic shortage of housing in the UK and the devastating decline of skilled labour in the construction industry.

Robert said: “The construction industry – or house building in particular, is faced with a dire situation. We’re still trying to make traditional building methods work but as Mark Farmer said in his review, radical steps need to be taken if we are to avoid an ‘inexorable decline’.”

With offsite recommended as one of a number of solutions, Robert explained projects which were currently underway using Fusion’s intelligent end to end service of design and manufacture and build – but pointed out that up until now, projects have largely been one off developments.

Robert continued: “A change in mindset needs to happen and I’m pleased to say it’s starting to. If we’re to make a serious impact on the construction process and housing shortage in the UK, offsite manufacturing needs to work in collaboration and as part of a developer’s integrated supply chain.”

Robert explained how Fusion was starting to see encouraging signs of change and an adoption of offsite manufacturing methods, from school building projects to a trial programme with the UK’s largest house builder. He also alluded to a branding idea called ‘4LP Homes’ or ‘four little pigs’, the fourth pig having his home made out of steel – strong, warm and built in a factory.

Robert was one of 16 speakers at today’s Explore Offsite Futures event – run as part of series of one day conference and exhibitions creating a platform for construction clients and their professional advisers to explore the latest offsite construction solutions, providing a dynamic and interactive learning experience for all visitors.

For further information visit www.fusionbuild.com and www.exploreoffsite.co.uk.
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Window security – a clear solution

Window security is a key design requirement with all market leading systems tested to the PAS 24 standard to meet the demands of the Secure By Design (SBD) initiative and Building Regulations Approved Document Q (ADQ).

Automated windows that are utilised for ventilation strategies will also need to comply to the standard, which requires the actuators to resist 3000N of negative force when the window is closed. This is becoming commonplace in applications such as school refurbishment where façade automation remains a popular and cost effective solution of providing improved ventilation performance over manually operated windows.

The SECO N 24 25 twin actuator from SE Controls has successfully passed the PAS 24 test and in addition to presenting physical resistance to intruders, it also provides a signal to the controller, should the window fail to close fully, to maintain the integrity of the security system, as requested by the SBD schools standard. Two locking points in one neat enclosure with programmable gasket relief optimise weather performance and security to meet BS 6375 parts 1,2 and 3 in addition to the PAS 24 test.

Bespoke fixing brackets and reinforcement to the window is often required to provide sufficient strength for the fixing, which is usually the weakest point of resistance, as the actuator provides 2 x 4000N of resistance to forced opening.

The ability to manufacture bespoke body lengths allows SE Controls to locate the locking points on different size windows exactly as tested, relative to the corners, to maintain consistency of performance and compliance. Test conducted with an actuator located at the centre of a vent will either not pass the test or can only be utilised for different widths.

Martin Oates

Similar to EN12101-2, the fabrication and installation solution requires a process that is audited by an independent notified body and must be re-tested annually.

If you have requirements for SBD or ADQ certified automated windows, please contact the SE Controls team or visit www.secontrols.com.

Written by Martin Oates – Commercial Director with SE Controls
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PFC Corofil launches brand new versatile fire protection solution

Seeking to continually provide fire protection solutions, which meet high standards of quality, stand up to challenging requirements and also offer easy on-site installation, PFC Corofil is pleased to introduce PFC Universal Wrap to the market.

The multi application material, comprising an intumescent composition based on elastomeric thermoplastic polymers and binders, provides a versatile solution for apertures containing plastic and metallic insulated and non insulated pipes, offering up to 2 hours fire protection.

Available in 25m rolls and easy to install, PFC Universal Wrap provides consistent protection by wrapping multiple layers around each size of pipe penetration to provide high volume expansion and pressure seal. In the event of a fire, as the differing plastics soften in the heat, PFC Universal Wrap expands to close off the void left by the pipe, helping to contain the spread of the fire.

PFC’s newest product, which has been tested to EN 1366-3 2009, is CE marked and suitable for a variety of applications, including:

  • Patress coated panel systems through drywall (wrap in a batt)
  • Various thicknesses and densities of insulated pipework
  • Installation directly into drywall
  • Masonry floors
  • One product fits pipe sizes up to a 250mm diameter

Describing PFC Corofil’s brand new fire protection solution, Business Director Calum Irvine commented: “We’re very excited to introduce this new product to our range. PFC Universal Wrap further demonstrates our commitment to providing versatile fire protection materials, able to meet the demands of building and fire regulations and providing the contractor with easy to install solutions that deliver quality and peace of mind.”

For more information and technical details, please visit www.pfc-corofil.com or send your particular pipe configurations to tech@pfc-corofil.com.
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A top deck finish for Worksop Bus Station from Encasement

‘Circa’ and ‘Quadra’ pre-formed decorative column casings from Encasement are helping provide a practical aesthetic and comfortable environment for passengers and staff using Worksop’s £3.2 million bus station.

Handling around 1 million passengers each year, the bus station is has rapidly become a landmark in the town centre since it was opened and the main building boasts a range of facilities including a café, a staffed information and ticket area, as well as free Wi-fi and CCTV monitoring for security and passenger safety. Sustainable design features, such as Solar PV cells and rainwater harvesting are also incorporated to help reduce energy consumption.

As the bus station is predominantly a glazed structure to create an open and environment and provide plenty of natural light, the designers wanted to ensure that the structural steel supports were concealed to improve the finish and attractiveness of the interior. As a result, 15 separate, circular, rectangular and square column casings from Encasement were used to meet the design brief.

All of the Encasement column casings are manufactured from pre-formed plywood, which are finished with a decorative and hard-wearing Formica F6305 ‘Limed Strand’ laminated surface. This not only makes the casings highly durable and resistant to scuffing, essential in a busy environment, but also integrates with the bus station’s interior colour scheme.

In addition to three 350mm diameter ‘Circa’ column casings, Encasement also supplied and installed two 400mm square ‘Quadra’ casings and 10 rectangular ‘Quadra’ casings measuring 250mm x 480mm.

Located around the perimeter of the bus station’s interior, the casings stand 5150mm high and were cut and fitted precisely to accommodate low level bulkheads, as well as structural beams and M&E services in the building.

Encasement’s Managing director, Martin Taylor, commented: “Circa and Quadra casings are perfectly suited to projects of this type, where the need to improve the interior aesthetics and provide a practical casing solution can be address with a single product. The versatility of our pre-formed plywood casings coupled with their cost effectiveness and durable laminated finish have been put to great use at Worksop bus station.”

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