CMS spearheads quiet revolution with new acoustic windows

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A decade since it pioneered the first zero carbon 0.8 U-value PVCu window for the mainstream UK market, CMS Window Systems is first again, this time with the launch of the country’s first Quiet Mark approved acoustic PVCu window.

Its development marks a step change in how noise issues for homeowners and tenants can be effectively tackled through window and door design, manufacture and installation. Building on the current superior performance of the CMS window range to add a noise barrier, the CMS Silent-Therm Window prevents everyday noises outside from disturbing the peace and quiet within. The result is a sound insulating window delivering A-rated energy performance, compliance with the enhanced security requirements of Secured by Design and significantly improved furniture ‘fade control’.

Developed in conjunction with leading sealed unit manufacturer GLASSOLUTIONS and independently tested at Aerotech Laboratories, the CMS Silent-Therm Window significantly outperforms standard windows in terms of its ability to reduce external sounds, such as traffic and barking dogs. It offers huge potential to the millions of people who suffer the devastating effects of unwanted noise, especially at night: research shows that people whose sleep is disturbed by noise are at greater risk of developing a variety of serious health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, strokes and depression.

Key to the CMS Silent-Therm Window is a smart window design which utilises the specialist acoustic glass from Saint-Gobain, Stadip Silence, plus the market leading low-e glass Planitherm Total+ combined with a Sheerframe energy efficient PVCu frame. These windows are able to reduce sound travel into a room by 5db, whilst at the same time optimising heat insulation and solar gain.

Such is the effectiveness of the window’s noise control capability that it has been approved under the Quiet Mark scheme – the internationally recognised certification of the UK Noise Abatement Society. In becoming approved, CMS joins some of the UK’s best-known brands in this rapidly emerging scheme, including Dyson, John Lewis and Virgin Atlantic.

The CMS Silent-Therm Window is available in six window types to suit all types of PVCu window application, including casement, reversible, and tilt and turn. These are all created using Sheerframe PVCu window profiles, all of which are 100% calcium organic stabilised and fully recyclable, UK-made and provide superior thermal insulation thanks to an advanced multi-chamber profile design.

Andy Kerr, Managing Director of CMS Window Systems says: “Noise is a huge issue for so many householders, but until now there has been no approved window specification to help building professionals, architects and homeowners properly address the issue. We’ve changed that with the launch of our acoustic thermal window: by utilising the best technology and investing in Quiet Mark approval we aim to give total confidence that the window will enhance acoustic insulation in the home.”

Employing around 250 people at its 15-acre main manufacturing base and HQ near Glasgow, plus its facilities in Fife, CMS Window Systems is one of Scotland’s fastest growing manufacturing businesses. In addition to its range of PVCu windows and doors, the company also designs, manufactures and installs aluminium and timber composite systems for commercial construction projects as well as offering total building envelope solutions through the installation of external wall insulation (EWI) and cladding.

Find out more at www.cmswindows.com

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Innovative offsite designs that shatter all perceptions

It is now widely accepted within the industry that off-site construction can provide high quality, fast and disruption free buildings that rival more traditional construction. But can they provide design led innovative buildings or is this still an area of compromise when you decide to build off site?

When asked, Rachel Davis, Business Development Director, said ‘With Premier Modular the answer is NO, we never compromise. What we bring to the market are design solutions that push past the normal modular limitations. Sloped roofs that can create ceilings heights over 5m and incorporate north lights to bring daylight and ventilation to areas that would otherwise be inaccessible. Floor to ceiling windows and curtain walling to give a light and airy feel and roof top ball courts and play areas to make the best use of tight sites in city environments’.

Each project is solution focused, Premier Modular Ltd takes the opportunity to ‘think outside the box’ and move forwards with each building they produce, every endeavour breeds innovation.

Inner City Constraints

Premier Modular Ltd recently delivered a scheme in Westminster, London, acting as the main contractor. Premier worked with the client design team to ensure that 75% of the building could be built offsite due to the restricted inner city residential site.

The project was a four storey community scheme, incorporating a nursery, staggered to create roof top play areas with laser cut steel panel/ glass balustrades and green roof outers. The laser cut panels were also replicated as Juliet balconies and external stair cladding. Another design feature was the double height sports hall with large floor level and high level windows. The building also had many sustainability features built in to achieve London Plan and BREEAM Excellent.

There were several key areas as well as the design which contributed to this complex project, removal of asbestos during the demolition phase, piled foundations working over the London Underground system and road closures. Premier’s skilled project management team worked with the local police, client bodies and the local communities to minimise disruption to the local residents.

Unique Places to Learn

Premier Modular Ltd working as a specialist subcontractor to Conlon Construction are currently building a new Free School in Manchester, New Islington School. This will be a new home for 420 children and is due to open for the September term 2016.

Premier worked with their architectural partners Vaughan Architecture & Design to create this visually stunning building with angular external walls, a feature entrance with oversailing roof, picture windows, a lightwell running the full length of the building bringing light from roof to ground floor and an external cladding panel giving the school a very modern finish. The building also includes a roof-top teaching space to maximise the space available on site and an external play area linked to the building. Sustainable and wildlife features were also included such as PV panels, bird and bat boxes and a Redstart habitat was created on the roof.

The New Islington School values are Creative, Innovative & Unique. These fit well with Premier’s own values and have certainly been captured in the new school building.

Rachel Davis, Business Development Director at Premier Modular said ‘The client is at the centre of everything we do, we feel that having the right environment around us as we work, learn and live can inspire us, support us and motivate us therefore making our schools the best place to learn is essential’

‘Giving children and teachers a quality environment with all the spaces required to teach and learn makes them feel valued and builds confidence. An inspired, confident and motivated culture breeds; Therefore creating inspiring buildings which teachers, students and the surrounding community can be proud of will take our education forwards maintaining it as one of the best in the world’

So at a time where an increased rate of build is required, budgets have been cut and there is a squeeze on available space, Premier Modular has firmly proved that design doesn’t have to take a back seat.

For more information please visit www.premiermodular.co.uk.
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Securikey works the room with its new Modulprim features

Leading physical security specialist, Securikey, has made innovative modifications to its range of Modulprim security rooms. The Modulprim is a bespoke modular vault solution for both new builds and existing buildings and is a convenient and cost effective method of adding a high security strong-room to a building. The Modulprim offers a complete storage facility for money, documents and pharmaceuticals and is adaptable to most building specifications, even those with limited space or those located on upper floors. This impressive level of adaptability has now been increased further with the introduction of new lighter-weight materials to offer even further convenience and more storage space.

Securikey’s Modulprim components have now been adapted, using new materials, to provide further options, ease of installation and accessible space. New light-weight panels combined with reduced steel work decrease the weight of the original Modulprim by up to 25%. In addition, the new method allows for unsupported space of up to 12 metres with no internal pillars, compared to 7.4 metres on the original, providing the customer with a much greater amount of useable space along with increased flexibility in layout.

Pre-fabricated off-site to precisely fit a detailed floor plan drawn up by Securikey, the Modulprim components are welded together from smaller panels allowing installation in difficult to reach locations which means that it can be easily modified at a future date and it is also possible to disassemble the vault and transfer it to another location.

The Modulprim can be installed on any floor capable of taking the minimum load capacity, the scope of which has now been widened with the introduction of the new lighter weight components and, although extremely robust, the walls are relatively small in width enabling the Modulprim to be installed in more compact areas without compromising on security.

Consisting of four walls, a floor, celing and vault door as standard, the Modulprim can also be supplied as a five sided solution if desired, as is often a requirement for the pharmaceuticals market. The Modulprim door, which is manufactured from steel and delivers a level of protection that is equal to or higher than the vault room itself, is available in Grades ranging from 0-9 depending on the level of security required. All vault elements are subjected to exhaustive tests to meet European security standard EN1143-1, ensuring European wide approval and, in addition, each product is branded with the appropriate badge as proof of certification – the Modluprim also has the approval of SBD (Secured By Design), the official UK Police flagship initiative combining the principles of ‘designing out crime’ with physical security.

As testimony to Securikey’s reputation for efficient and user-friendly products, the unique construction of the Modulprim also allows for the space above the Modulprim to be used for storage of up to 500kg per square meter if required, meaning that not an inch of space is wasted.

For more information about Securikey’s Modulprim or to download the latest strong-room catalogue, visit www.securikey.co.uk/vaults-and-safe-deposit or call 01252 311 888.

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Achieving the impossible with Sika Sarnafil

In a complex new build roofing project that was deemed almost impossible, Contour Roofing stepped up to the challenge with a Sika Sarnafil membrane to achieve truly stunning results.

32 Ewart Grove, a Paul Simon Homes residential development minutes from Wood Green tube station, required a high-performance roof with a striking aesthetic result to match the contemporary luxury flats within. Located in a prominent position at a fork in a road, the roof can be seen when travelling up to the building, as well as from the upper floors of surrounding buildings.

With its extremely intricate design, including two barrel roofs and a large, unique triangulated tower at the front, the project presented a real challenge. Originally the specification for the 400sq m area called for a metal roof but the cost implications of this meant that another solution was needed, and fast.

It was thought that such a complex roof design could not be done, especially with the time and budget available. However Jonathan Woods, director at Contour Roofing, alongside senior contracts manager, Lee Clift, sought to prove that the roof could indeed be covered using a high quality single ply membrane, if the correct product and level of expertise were applied.

Jonathan and Lee met with the architect and the director of Paul Simon Homes to discuss amending the roofing specification. Jonathan explained: “With our previous experience of Sika Sarnafil products, we knew that we could get the perfect finish within budget. In partnership with Sika Sarnafil we quickly presented a new bespoke specification; an adhered system using Sarnafil G410-15ELF Lead Grey with a polyester fleece backing as the main roof sheet for a flawless result and Sarnafil G410-15EL Lead Grey for all the detail work flashings.”

The installation was very challenging, with various shapes, details, upstands and intricate sections to cover.

Lee added: “Working closely with the carpenter, the plywood deck had to be spot on to make sure the membrane could be laid smartly and correctly. Absolute attention to detail and skill were required to make sure the membrane was flush with the substrate below. Décor profiles were used to imitate the standing seams of a metal roof, which is what the original designs had envisaged.

“The project really took installation to new frontiers and pushed the boundaries of what can be achieved in roofing.”

Sikalastic was used for the guttering when the space was just too tight for single ply, demonstrating the compatibility between Sika’s various roofing products. Both the Sika Sarnafil and Sika Liquid Plastics systems were awarded a 20 year guarantee.

Carly Tan, quantity surveyor, Paul Simon Homes, said: “We didn’t think this project could be done within the budget, but Contour assured us that they could take on the challenge with single ply. No one else would even try.

“The roof is unique and when I saw the end results on a site visit I was really impressed with the finish. The Sika Sarnafil membrane looks very smart and mirror the metal look we originally wanted. The skill of Contour is obvious in the results. It meets our requirements perfectly, matching the luxury feel we wanted to achieve throughout the building.”

The project impressed the judges of the upcoming NFRC UK Roofing Awards and has been shortlisted in the Single Ply category. The winners will be announced in May.

For more information on Sika Sarnafil’s products and services, call 01707 394444, email sarnafilroofing@uk.sika.com or visit http://gbr.sarnafil.sika.com.

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MVHR-Easy with Posi-Joist

The Posi-Joist floor system was recently used on high quality homes for Severnside Housing, incorporating the latest in Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery systems.

Severnside Housing is one of Shropshire’s largest social landlords owning more than 5,400 properties in Shrewsbury and the surrounding areas. A not-for-profit company they invest in their neighbourhoods and work closely with residents, partners and the wider-community to deliver their vision of ‘Excellent Homes in thriving communities’. Morris Property Ltd were chosen by Severnside due to their reputation for building high quality homes and the long standing relationship between the companies. Morris Property are keen to partner on future development projects in Shropshire. The contract commenced on the 23rd March and is scheduled for completion in June 2016.

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AC Roof Trusses were chosen by Morris Property to supply and install the timber frame walls, roof trusses and Posi floor joists for the 28 room, 3 floor apartment block. The apartments are to have a robust detail sound floor along with a MVHR system in each of the apartments.

The two bedroom apartments all have ‘state of the art’ Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery systems supplied and installed by SCS Group (Shropshire Cooling Services) who although local to the site also operate nationwide.

MITEK-INSERT-2SCS commented on the Abbey Foregate job “We recently used Posi joists supplied by AC Roof Trusses and found that because of this, we were able to provide a more competitive installation price due to the reduced labour costs. Because they were metal web Posi joists we did not have to cut any holes for the ducting to pass through. It also enabled our electricians and plumbers to save time on installation and on materials costs. Having to use a core drill every time our ducting passed through a joist would have taken a lot of time and effort, but we didn’t because they were Posi-joists.”

 

“As a company we design and install whole systems and with the Posi joists we were able to bring it all together much quicker and more efficiently.”

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

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Lucideon launches new balustrade testing service

Lucideon, the international materials technology company, has launched a new balustrade testing service. The testing covers free standing glass, post, rail, spindle and infill balustrades to BS 6180: 2011 ‘Barriers in and about buildings’ and Eurocode 1.

The new service will allow designers, manufacturers, distributors, importers and suppliers of new balustrades, and Health and Safety and Facilities Managers of existing in-situ balustrades, to obtain performance testing to ensure that the temporary or permanent barriers (panels and structural components) protect people from hazards or restrict access.

Balustrades can be tested in Lucideon’s large-scale construction laboratory in Stoke-on-Trent or on-site, if the system is already in place. It is crucial that balustrades are safe and fit for purpose before installation and during service.

Steve Newman, Product Manager, Lucideon said “Balustrades can look great in any setting, but without complying with regulations and meeting specifications, they can pose a serious risk. Loading tests ensure the safety and performance of balustrades and their components.”

In addition to balustrades, Lucideon also offers testing for staircases, balconies, handrails, and Glass-reinforced Plastic (GRP) products. The GRP products include canopies, chimneys and dormer windows.

To find out more about Lucideon’s balustrade testing services, visit www.lucideon.com/balustrades.

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COMPAC launch Unique Calacatta – inspired by the beauty and elegance of natural stone

COMPAC have just launched Unique Calacatta, a quartz worksurface that offers a stunning contrasting grey veining design on a pure white background.

Inspired by the beauty and elegance of natural stone, Unique Calacatta offers a mechanical and chemical performance that is superior to nature’s own.

Combining traditional skill with innovation, COMPAC has been able to create a worksurface that makes it possible to decorate private homes and public spaces with elegant overall compositions that transmit serenity and harmony.

The striking contrast of pure white with the powerful grey veins characteristic of marble will give any space clad with Unique Calacatta a truly magnetic personality.

Architects and designers can now specify this new finish for their projects with the confidence. Every reference in this new product category is unique on the market, because just like in nature, each slab presents different nuances and patterns in design.

Added to this is an enviable set of technical specifications, the natural hardness of quartz comes hand in hand with a waterproof, hygienic finish offering even greater resistance.

This means that Unique Calacatta is especially appropriate for intensive use areas such as kitchen surfaces, floor tiling or wall cladding.

For more information www.compac.es.

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Charcon Materials used in London’s best new place to live

Charcon, the commercial hard landscaping division of Aggregate Industries, has collaborated on a top London residential project, Trafalgar Place in Elephant & Castle, which is being hailed by The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson MP for design innovation and longevity.

The project, part of a wider £1.5 billion, 28 acre regeneration scheme to upgrade and reconnect Elephant & Castle with the mostly derelict Heygate Estate, saw an office block converted into a development of 235 homes.

With a brief to create a quality urban residential space, Charcon was consulted to recommend approximately 3,500m2 of hard landscaping options that would establish a strong relationship between the green spaces of both the private communal and public areas, to the adjacent buildings and edges.

1,840m2 of Charcon’s Andover Textured flag and block paving in Midnight Grey, Silver Grey and Light Grey was supplied, offering a premium quality block paving product at an affordable price. Pairing the unique three colour blend with five different block sizes specified Andover Textured offers an eye-catching design solution that runs throughout all of the main tree-lined avenues of the scheme.

1,050m2 of premium Appalachian flag paving in Leemoor Ground was used for an upper private courtyard podium. Incorporating up to 60% recycled and reclaimed materials, the uniquely formulated granite aggregates offer exceptional performance and durability.

Charcon’s technical specialists also created a bespoke product for the project, producing 250m2 of ‘Special’ Appalachian Leemoor. Using a double process prior to sandblasting to expose a greater amount of aggregate, the end product was a unique polished and sandblasted finish which, when laid alongside the Leemoor Ground, created a distinctive contrast of textures within the private courtyard.

In addition, 100 linear metres of hard wearing Natural Granite kerbs and radii in Silver Grey were incorporated to create features throughout the scheme, and 240m2 of Europa block paving in Brindle was the ideal solution for the heavy-use pedestrianised areas.

Together with the buildings, planting and communal space, Trafalgar Place has been praised within the industry as an example of exemplary design, scooping prestigious awards such as The Mayor’s Award for Planning Excellence and Best New Place to Live, both at the London Planning Awards 2016.

Architects dRMM worked with landscape architect Grant Associates to create the regeneration masterplan. The project was managed by developer Lend Lease and leading landscape architecture company Randle Siddeley was invited to complete the detailed landscape design.

Sharon Chan, Project Landscape Architect at Randle Siddeley, comments: “Peter Brown from Charcon was very professional and extremely efficient in providing us with technical information we needed during both the design stage and construction stage. Andover and Leemoor are cost effective products that meet the planning requirements but do not compromise the aesthetics of the landscape scheme.”

Mike Davies, Specification and Major Projects Manager at Charcon, said: “This has been a fascinating project to watch evolve and we’re very proud to have played a role in what has become a flagship for urban regeneration in London. Our goal is to provide innovative solutions using the highest quality and most sustainable materials across every aspect of the construction industry, and these credentials married perfectly with Randle Siddeley’s vision for the development.”

More information is available on www.charcon.com.

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New heat network design guide created with efficiency in mind

Evinox Energy have launched a Heat Network Design Guide and CPD Seminar for Communal & District heating systems.

Packed with useful information, our Heat Network Design Guide contains all of the key factors to consider when planning, designing and delivering a communal or district heating project.

The scope of any heat network project begins at the planning stage, and carries through to system design, product selection, network maintenance and end user support. Attention to detail must be applied at every stage of the project in order to deliver a successful, efficient and cost effective heat network.

Successful design, installation and operation relies on a large number of factors, that can vary from project-to-project. Our free guide is a useful tool for system design and product selection process, supplementing other industry standards, guidelines, regulations and codes of practice.

Our CIBSE approved CPD seminar provides the opportunity to explore this topic in depth and identify new ways to add value, performance and efficiency to your heat network project.

Visit our website to download the guide, or contact us on 01372 722277 / info@evinoxenergy.co.uk to request a hard copy or book a seminar.

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Kee Safety provides safe access with self-closing safety gates

Kee Safety, a global supplier of fall protection equipment and safety railing systems, has launched Kee Gate, a range of self-closing safety gates, which provides industrial workers with a safety solution when working at height and on ground level.

Designed to work both internally and externally, on ladder and stair access points, roof hatches, walkways and roof tops, Kee Gate, ensures maintenance, inspection and warehouse staff can fulfil their job, follow best practices and comply with current safety standards, without putting their safety at risk. Kee Gates are spring loaded so can automatically close behind the user, providing an added level of security and overcoming the potential for human error. This type of system is the preferred solution to chains, bars or sliding tubes, as these traditional forms of protection can lead to a hazardous void, when used incorrectly.

Kee Safety self-closing safety gates are available in galvanised steel and if required can be powder coated in safety yellow. The safety gate is available with standard ‘U’ bolts for fixing to uprights of 33.7, 42.4 and 48.3 mm diameter, enabling the gate to be fixed quickly to existing supporting structures, posts or stringers. An additional fixing pack is provided which allows the gate to be fixed to square, flat or angle uprights. Easy to install on all types of handrails or to retro-fit existing structures, such as galvanised handrails and roof edge protection systems, Kee Gate is 1 metre wide. Designed to be trimmed on-site, this solution saves companies the time and money it takes to fabricate their own gates.

Kee Gate is compliant with the requirements of EN 13374 Class A, EN ISO 14122 Part 3 & Part 4 and is CE marked to EN 1090. The range is also compliant with international standards, meeting OSHA, O.B.C and I.B.C requirements. The system has undergone extensive testing to ensure total reliability of the gates. These include salt spray testing to ASTM B117-11 Neutral solutions over 200 hours to assess the coating’s corrosion resistance, life cycle testing to BS 6375-2:2009 Clause 6.5 – Opening and closing of Gate through 90 degrees 50,000 cycles and Abuse Testing where 9 x 25kg weights were suspended from the gate to test what happens if pressure is applied. This ensures durability, superior corrosion resistance and defence against signs of wear.

For more information, please visit www.keesafety.co.uk.
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