Storage solution firm wins Queen’s Award

Specialist metal storage manufacturer Trimetals has been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Awards for its impressive export achievements.

Sales of Trimetals’ sheds and storage units for new-build and renovation projects have been growing across the world helping the company win this prestigious Queen’s Award for International Trade.

Popularity of the PVC-clad steel units has been steadily growing among home-builders, architects and facilities managers looking for secure and durable storage solutions.

Unlike wooden or plastic alternatives, Trimetals’ stores are fire-resistant (a certificate is supplied with each product) and they will not warp, become weak and brittle, crack or discolour over time.

The maintenance-free units are guaranteed for 25 years and are available in many sizes to accommodate everything from garden tools and outdoor furniture to lawnmowers and motorbikes. Smaller units are equally as accessible as larger sheds with each featuring a unique and easy to use spring assisted opening action. This allows complete “walk in” access and means heavy or awkward lifting is virtually eliminated as stored items are within easy reach.

Speaking about the accolade, Trimetals Managing Director Garry Smith said: “Our products have been gaining popularity among discerning specifiers in the UK market for some time and it’s clear that security, functionality and reliability are appreciated. It’s great to see that word of these benefits is spreading internationally with our stores now being specified as far afield as Australia and Japan.”

More information on the complete range of Trimetals products can be found at www.trimetals.co.uk.
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Fire safety, smoke control and compliance – charting a path through the regulations

The legislative environment governing the smoke control and fire safety industry is, unsurprisingly, complex, far-reaching and absolutely vital to ensure that these systems not only operate faultlessly when they’re needed, but also provide effective safety protection and allow people to escape.

Even so, you would probably be surprised by the number of construction companies that contact us after they have completed a block of apartments and find that Building Control has rejected the structure due to the omission of a smoke ventilation system, which is required by law for any residential building of 3 storeys and above.

Clearly, there’s no suggestion that designers, specifiers and building companies are brazenly flouting the regulations, but it is apparent that the main issue is ignorance of the complex and essential regulatory framework that governs this sector. But, as is often quoted, “Ignorance is no defence.”

Navigating the maze

Building Regulations Approved Document B, The Machinery Directive and The Construction Product Regulations, via the various parts of the European EN12101 standard, provide a tight and far-reaching regulatory framework. Yet, this is only part of the story.

The Smoke Control Association’s (SCA) ‘Guidance on Smoke Control to common escape routes in apartment buildings’ quickly became the default reference document for many designers, installers and approving authorities throughout the UK, when first published in 2012 and has since been updated with even more key information.

Alongside this, BS 9991:2015, which covers ‘Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings – code of practice’ is also a vital reference when addressing fire safety specification and requirements.

However, if your seeking a signpost to provide an effective route to achieving compliance, then, arguably, the best start point is the BS7346 – Part 8 Code of Practice. Prior to this, no single document existed that provided guidance for the industry from initial design, through installation to maintenance.

The core benefit of BS7346-8 is that by adhering to its guidelines; designers, installers, commissioning engineers and maintenance teams can create, install and operate a fully compliant smoke control system.

Clearly, providing any definitive guidance in the space available is impossible, but as the penalties for non-compliance are punitive and can involve imprisonment, it is always advisable to seek professional specialised input from organisations such as SE Controls, that work with the regulations on a daily basis.

The main things to remember is that you have obligations for safety, design and construction, which cannot be avoided.

For more information please visit www.secontrols.com.

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NVELOPE achieves top class finish for a student accomodation

Thanks to the installation of NVELOPE cladding support systems, a purpose built mixed use development in Liverpool features an attractive external envelope that adds a bold statement to the city centre.

Paramount is a ten storey mixed use development that has been built on the land where the Paramount Theatre was previously located. Following the regeneration of the area, the development comprises top quality student accommodation, a spa and gym, as well as commercial space. The accommodation offers 488 units, with a variety of en-suite student bedrooms and studio study rooms complete with a kitchen. Centrally located, the development provides accommodation to the students of Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool Hope University and the University of Liverpool.

North West Developer, PHD1 Construction’s aim was to regenerate the 3500sq m2plot to meet the needs of the community. The developer wanted the development to include a fresh, contemporary piece of architecture, and to achieve this, required a cladding support system that could achieve a contemporary look with a smooth finish. Bak Cladding Solutions, the sub-contractor on this project ordered NVELOPE’S NV3 systems through Vivalda in Manchester

“The orientation of the building panels presented some challenges for fixing the cladding support systems onto the building’s envelope,” says Alan Trueman, Contract Director at Bak Cladding Solutions. “We were impressed with the flexibility of the NVELOPE NV3 system, and this helped us overcome the challenge. The support system provides concealed fixing, which achieves a seamless effect that complements the appearance of the external envelope.”

Manufactured from aluminium alloys, NVELOPE’s NV3 system is ideally suited for concealed fix or mechanically fixed vertical cladding applications. The system is secured using hangers and undercut stud anchors or screws to provide a concealed fixing. Horizontal NVELOPE channel profiles are fixed to the vertical profiles. Rainscreen panels are secured on to these horizontal profiles using hangers and adjustable hangers.

NVELOPE ‘T’ and ‘L’ profiles are fixed using NVELOPE support brackets through a series of flexible points. Flexible point brackets absorb wind loading and allow for expansion and contraction, whilst fixed point brackets absorb both vertical dead loads. NVELOPE brackets allow for adjustment between the face of the primary support to the outer face of the vertical profile, providing important flexibility in the cladding. When under strain from various weather conditions, including strong winds, the cladding is thus able to expand and contract.

The NVELOPE materials used were manufactured from extruded aluminium alloys conforming to BS EN 573-3 and production BS EN 755.

For further information on NVELOPE Rainscreen Systems, visit www.nvelope.com or call the company direct on +44 (0)1707 333 396.
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Acme clay plain tiles used for pioneering Zero Bills Home

An innovative, affordable zero bills home created by architects Zed Factory, is using Acme clay plain tiles from Marley Eternit to help meet strict sustainability criteria.

The demonstration house launched at the BRE Innovation Park in March 2016. It will be one of the first properties to be assessed under the new Home Quality Mark (HQM), which gives credits for the use of responsibly sourced building materials with the lowest environmental impact.

Zero Bills aims to be the first commercially viable home with no net annual energy bills and enough surplus electricity to power a small electric car. Built with traditional construction materials, Zed Factory has incorporated high levels of energy efficiency and renewable energy into the design. A mansard roof has been created with a clear integrated photovoltaic roof on one side and Marley Eternit’s Acme single camber clay tiles in Red Sandfaced and Red Smooth on the other.

Rehan Khodabuccus, from Zed Factory, explains: “As well as looking at energy efficient products for the home, we also needed to consider the construction materials themselves to make a building with the lowest embodied carbon possible. Responsible sourcing was also very important, not only from an HQM assessment point of view but also because we wanted to maximise the use of materials from the UK to minimise the carbon footprint. We wanted a clay tile to create a traditional aesthetic as a contrast against the solar PV on the other side of the mansard roof. We selected the Marley Eternit tiles based on their responsible sourcing and sustainability credentials.”

The Acme single camber clay plain tiles have a ‘Very Good’ BES 6001 responsible sourcing accreditation, an A+ rating under the BRE Green Guide and low embodied carbon. As well as the demonstration home, the tiles are included in the specification for the first 96 Zero Bills Homes planned to be built on a site owned by the Sir Arthur Ellis Trust at Newport, near Saffron Walden in Essex.

The Zero Bills Home is a pre-designed, engineered and costed housing system with a wide range of custom build design options. The concept is aimed at low to medium density developments with a range of house types available from a kit of parts, delivered to site in containers for easy assembly.

Daniel Weait, specification manager at Marley Eternit, adds: “We are delighted to be providing tiles for such a pioneering zero bills development, which could not only help to meet carbon reduction targets but also tackle the need to increase the output of quality homes in the UK. The homes offer a sustainable and cost effective alternative that still uses traditional construction materials and local labour and minimises cost. This blend between traditional materials and renewable technologies creates homes that could quickly and affordably be replicated across the country, yet can be sympathetic to local vernacular.

“Responsible sourcing is becoming an increasingly important part of specification and we are proud that using our products helps architects and housebuilders to get credits under the environmental section of the Home Quality Mark. As one of the first homes to be assessed under the new HQM scheme, we hope to see the Zero Bills Home being offered at developments across the country.”

Marley Eternit’s range of clay plain tiles is now available in 24 different colours to help match local vernacular and meet planning requirements. For further details and samples, go to www.marleyeternit.co.uk/clay.

For more information about the Zero Bills Home, visit www.zerobillshome.com.

For further information on our range of products and services just ask ME at www.marleyeternit.co.uk or call ME on 01283 722588. You can also follow ME on Twitter @MarleyEternit. If it matters to you it matters to us, that’s why with ME it’s all about you.
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New standard paves the way for Alkali-activated cements in the construction industry

Lucideon, the international materials technology company, has been developing and applying their proprietary MIDAR technology based on alkali-activated cements for several years. Though technically authenticated to meet the requirements for many applications, the lack of acceptance by building standards has proved to be a major hurdle when planning a route to the European market. BSI has recently published a new standard, ‘Construction Materials – Alkali-Activated Cementitious Material and Concrete – Specification’, which will remove this obstacle.

The new standard defines raw material and product performance specifications; this gives manufacturers of construction materials the opportunity to develop products based on alkali-activated cement technologies, safe in the knowledge that they comply with a European standard of approval. The standard refers to, and benchmarks against a number of well used cement standards, thus ensuring consumer confidence in the new technology.

Rebecca Law, Development Scientist, Lucideon, said “This new standard is an exciting opportunity for not only the construction sector but many other industries who can explore alternative raw materials in their products without fear of market rejection.”

“With the help of our materials experts, manufacturers can develop products using alkali-activated cement technology. This could potentially improve the performance and reduce the raw material costs and carbon footprints of products. At Lucideon, we not only have the experience to develop a new formulation to meet client application requirements, but also the backing of our state-of-the-art laboratories to ensure that new products meet the EU standard.”

Lucideon develops materials technologies to meet the needs of a wide range of industries, including construction, healthcare and nuclear. MIDAR technology has the potential to be used in a variety of application areas, such as flooring, roof tiles and cladding. The MIDAR production process is not energy intensive and utilizes readily available, cost effective materials which make it a promising prospect for the construction sector.

For more information about Lucideon’s MIDAR technology, contact Kambiz Kalantari, Operations Manager, Materials, on +44 (0)1782 764343 or kambiz.kalantari@lucideon.com. Alternatively, visit www.lucideon.com/midar-products.
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Cembrit BBA certified slates provide natural finish to new housing development

Jutland, smooth and Zeeland, textured BBA certified fibre cement slates from Cembrit, have demonstrated their versatility, design and performance features on a stylish, nature-inspired housing development in the seaside town of Weymouth.

Pemberly consists of 176 houses, townhouses, apartments and bungalows, varying from one bedroom to four bedrooms in size. While the development is centrally located and within walking distance to shops, schools, amenities, a community centre, library and local transport, it still offers a tranquil living space.

Poole-based building contractor, F.H.Cummings worked with roofing specialist, Weatherbury Roofing on this project. Having installed Cembrit slates in the past, the roofer specified Jutland and Zeeland fibre cement slates for the new build properties. Finding a roofing material that would blend in with the natural surroundings, accommodate the varying roof pitches and meet the high specification requirements was a challenge for the contractor.

“We have experience of working with a number of different roofing materials, and this allowed us to make an informed decision that fibre cement slates would be the best option for this project”comments Simon Coleman, Contracts Manager of Weatherbury Roofing. “Cembrit fibre cement slates are lightweight and pre-holed, two features that were beneficial to us. This, combined with the fact that these slates don’t require any grading or sorting, meant that we were able to speed up the installation process. The fact that Cembrit’s slates come in a variety of surface textures allows us to choose a slate for each design.”

Cembrit holds five BBA (British Board of Agrément) Certificates for its fibre cement slate range, ensuring that whichever system is chosen, roofers and architects can be confident in the specified product. To achieve this status, Cembrit fibre cement slates completed a comprehensive testing process and successfully met all the requirements set out by the BBA.

Jutland and Zeeland slates are manufactured to the highest European standards using Portland cement together with a formulation of superior blended synthetic and cellulose fibres. Cembrit fibre cement slates are finished with a high quality, semi-matt acrylic coloured coating to the face and edges and a tinted, high performance binder to the back face. The slates are manufactured in accordance with a quality assurance system to ISO 9001 and to the requirements of BS EN 492:2012 product specification for fibre cement slates and their fittings.

Cembrit A/A+- rated fibre cement slates can contribute to achieving an environmentally outstanding building. The five variations (Jutland, Zeeland, Westerland, Moorland and Diamond) allow designers to achieve the highest ratings for roof specifications and are currently the only fibre cement slate certificated.

For more information, and to download the fibre cement slate guide, visit www.cembrit.co.uk. Follow us on Twitter at @CembritUK and Facebook at Cembrit UK.
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New retirement housing development to benefit from Polypipe Ventilation’s MEV solutions

Polypipe Ventilation’s highly efficient, Silavent CMX Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV) units with Domus Radial duct systems, have been specified for a new retirement housing development in Fleet, Hampshire.

Keble Court in Church Crookham is owned by Anchor, England’s largest non-profit provider of housing and care for older people. When completed, it will consist of 72 luxury apartments and one guest suite over three storeys, including communal facilities. All apartments will come with high quality fixtures and fittings as well as carefully considered design features, making life easier for older people. These include continuous Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV), to improve indoor air quality and environmental comfort by reducing humidity within the dwelling.

The installation of Polypipe Ventilation’s Silavent CMX and Domus Radial ducting is being carried out by building service engineers Heatcare Limited. Heatcare is a long standing Polypipe Ventilation customer and regularly uses its award winning ventilation and ducting systems on projects nationwide.

For the Keble Court development, Heatcare specified the Silavent CMX MEV system due to its performance and slim-line design. At just 125mm in depth and 3.25kg in weight, the CMX is one of the most compact and lightweight MEV units on the market, enabling it to be easily installed into a central location such as a loft, cupboard space or even small ceiling voids. The CMX’s versatile design also means that these units can be easily installed horizontally or vertically, ensuring ease of installation in limited or awkward spaces.

Polypipe Ventilation’s Domus Radial ducting system was chosen to work with the CMX. Richard Bamford, Heatcare Contracts Manager, explains why – “the building is constructed via a fusion frame system, so the Domus Radial semi-rigid ducting was the most appropriate approach to the install – thus saving space. In addition to this, the system is a lot more cost effective on application, in regards to both labour and materials, ensuring a better overall solution in comparison to the other options we considered.”

Unlike traditional ducting systems, Domus Radial duct systems serve each room vent (air valve or grille) by singular or dual Ø75mm semi-rigid duct runs which connect directly to a central distribution system, splitting the air from a slim-line, compact Radial manifold. Domus Radial has been specifically designed for use within whole house ventilation systems and whilst it is much easier to design and install, its benefits also include less air leakage, increased air flow, easier installation and commissioning, as well as elimination of room to room cross talk and a reduction in air noise.

For Heatcare, product quality is only part of the story: “It is always great to receive a first class service where we can request certain specifications and receive a full design brief and optimal solution, as well as offering positive feedback where possible. With Polypipe, we have received this and more.” states Richard. “The product happened to be the best solution on this particular contract and moving forward, it is definitely something we would consider utilising again on future contracts.”

Silavent CMX MEV and Domus Radial systems have a deserved reputation for quality; supported by excellent technical support from a market leading manufacturer and designer. Polypipe Ventilation is well placed to offer immediate, practical solutions to Building Regulations Parts F & L. The company continues to provide differentiated solutions in the private and social housing sectors, transforming the way developers, specifiers, installers, distributors and home owners meet emerging environmental standards.

For more information please call 03443 715523 or email vent.info@polypipe.com
www.polypipe.com/ventilation
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Lucideon to Host Digital Construction Forum on 16 June 2016

Lucideon, the international materials technology company, will be hosting a ‘Digital Construction Forum’ at its Stoke-on-Trent headquarters on Thursday 16 June 2016. The forum will draw together leading industry experts who will discuss the role that current and developing digital technologies will have on the construction industry.

The forum is free to attend and will provide attendees with the opportunity to learn about the latest initiatives and projects in the construction industry from the developers themselves. Talks and presentations will be followed by a Q&A session; there will be time for further discussion and networking over lunch. The day will conclude with optional tours of Lucideon’s purpose-built construction laboratories.

Steve Newman, Product Manager, Lucideon, said “The construction industry is at an exciting stage with emerging technologies that allow new methods and approaches to be utilised to meet industry demands. Bringing industry leaders together to present their latest projects and technologies is a great way for everyone in the sector to share knowledge.
“We really want to encourage attendees to get involved and discuss the challenges and potential solutions affecting the construction industry today.”

The Digital Construction forum will include presentations from BSI, Majenta Solutions, Bryden Wood and Buildoffsite.

Lucideon’s dedicated construction facilities in the UK perform a wide variety of specialist services, including wind loading, weatherability, balustrade and curtain wall testing and dispute resolution, to name a few. Lucideon also partners with North Carolina State University (NCSU) to provide construction testing services in the US.

To find out more about the forum and/or to register to attend, visit www.lucideon.com/forum.
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Keston Boilers score top marks at lancing college

Leading British Manufacturer Keston Boilers has supplied three 55kW Heat Only twin flue boilers and a Frame and Header Kit to Lancing College in Lancing, West Sussex, which have been installed as part of a refurbishment project to improve the reliability of the heating system in one of the accommodation blocks and reduce overall running costs.

Lancing College is an independent boarding and day school, providing education for boys and girls aged 13-18 years. The boilers have been installed in Gibbs House, an accommodation block providing boarding facilities for 650 boys. Like all the buildings at Lancing College, Gibbs House is over 170 years old and the old heating system had previously been served by a central boiler room located in the main building over 50 metres away. The old boilers were not only unreliable and less energy efficient, but the long external pipe run resulted in excessive heat loss, as did the five inch cast iron pipework delivering the hot water to the radiators in the building, all of which contributed to high fuel bills.

The new Heat Only Boilers were installed on Keston’s Frame and Header Kit, which was delivered in prefabricated modules that were then quickly and easily assembled on site by Chris Smith, Heating Engineer. The system was installed in a new plant room within the building, eradicating the need for a long pipe run, and serves 60 radiators. Around 200 yards of new 67mm copper piping runs along four foot high tunnels located throughout the building, ensuring they are out of sight and retain the character of the school.

There are around 30 Keston boilers installed throughout Lancing College and this installation was the first that utilised the new range of Keston boilers, which were launched in 2013. Chris Smith commented, “The Keston Heat Only boilers were very straightforward to install, especially with the Frame and Header kit as supplied by Keston. They have been running perfectly since their installation and the increased energy efficiency has meant a large reduction in running costs for the school.” He added, “The flexible flueing options offered by Keston twin flue boilers were perfect for our needs, as they allow us to hide the flues so they do not affect the character of the buildings by emerging from the original flintwork.”

The Keston Heat Only condensing boiler range includes 45kW and 55kW outputs and it is the only dedicated boiler on the market for domestic or light commercial applications that combines twin flue capabilities with a fully modulating Energy related Products (ErP) approved pump built into the framework of the appliance. Continuing to make boiler efficiency easy for customer and installer alike, the Keston Heat-Only range is also supplied with integrated weather compensation and an outside sensor as standard. Weather compensation is instantly activated when the outside sensor is installed, creating a simple ‘plug and play’ solution with no intricate programming required.

Keston’s boiler range for both domestic and light commercial applications, manufactured in Britain and launched in 2013, includes system, combi and heat-only boilers, all of which incorporate market-leading twin flue capabilities that are highly adaptable, offering the perfect solution for awkward installations. All boilers in the range offer a high SEDBUK efficiency rating, are Energy Saving Trust endorsed and also feature on the Energy Technology List (ETL), qualifying them for inclusion in the Government’s Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme.

For more information on Keston’s condensing boiler ranges, visit www.keston.co.uk, email info@keston.co.uk or call 01482 443005.
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Insite Energy appointed at former Olympic Village energy centre scheme

District heating specialist to meter and monitor heat network performance at the Chobham Farm development of registered housing provider East Thames.

Insite Energy, the district heating specialist, has been appointed to provide full metering, billing, payment and monitoring services to one of the UK’s largest energy centre schemes. The community energy network which previously supplied the Olympic Village in Stratford, London, will now distribute heating and hot water to the 176 flats and houses of Chobham Farm, a new development by registered housing provider and social regeneration charity East Thames.

East Thames Group says monitoring the network will ensure residents pay the appropriate amount over the long-term, promptly identify if any faults occur in the system. Data gathered from this scheme will help East Thames Group develop the most efficient energy systems for housing schemes in future.

Simon Page, project manager at East Thames Group, commented: “In a competitive tender process, Insite Energy impressed us with its ability to provide a comprehensive service, which crucially will include monitoring overall heat network performance on site. Insite also demonstrated an excellent approach when working with the construction contractors to ensure successful metering system deployment.”

Anthony Coates-Smith, Insite Energy’s Business Development Director, said: “The planning consent for this site requires East Thames to connect to the district heating scheme operated by Cofely, taking away some control over the cost of heat supplied to their residents. Through Insite Energy, East Thames receives detailed information on heat network performance within their buildings, safeguarding the element of heat costs they can influence and reducing the risk of costly penalties included in the supply agreement with Cofely.

“With the provision of Insite’s flexible pre-payment and billing system, East Thames is also able to keep in touch with residents’ needs and protect itself from the risks associated with operating a heat network.”

The Stratford site’s energy centre scheme – which includes combined heat and power (CHP) units and biomass boilers, creating 20% fewer CO₂ emissions than a conventional system – was the largest in the country, with approximately 10 miles of energy distribution networks, when officially opened by Mayor of London Boris Johnson in 2011. It was designed at the outset to be adopted after the 2012 Olympics by new buildings and communities and the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) has granted planning consent to ultimately build a family neighbourhood of more than 1,000 new homes on the six hectare (14.8 acre) Chobham Farm site.

Insite Energy is the provider of metering, billing and payment services to more than 120 communal and district heat networks and 15,000 end-customers across the UK.

For more information please visit www.insite-energy.co.uk.
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