NEW – Stannah Stairiser CR: The slimmest platform lift on the market – updated!

The already ground breaking Stairiser range has some exciting new updates! The lift is designed to carry one person safely up a straight or curved stairway – seated in a wheelchair, or on the fold down seat provided – for when a passenger lift simply isn’t an option.

The Stairiser CR, or ‘curved rail’ model, now boasts the same compact drive motor as its sister ‘straight rail’, or SR, range. This means the lift fits in tight squeeze public places, improving access for wheelchair users, whilst keeping the stairway free for regular use.

Stairiser CR is now not only easier to use and maintain but it is also more energy efficient. The updated unit uses a single-phase power supply rather than the previous three-phase and a new state of the art digital diagnostic display helps you identify any problems and shows running times. This means a skilled Stannah engineer can now identify a fault over the phone and arrive ready with anything you might need to get your lift back in perfect working order. With a new improved speed of up to 0.15m/s, the Stairiser CR is now offering reduced journey time whilst maintaining rider comfort.

Previously a charged extra, radio controlled hall calls are now as standard – they can be portable or wall mounted, so no messy wiring or disruptive builders work will slow your installation down. For added reassurance, battery backup is supplied as standard.

Our Stairiser inclined platform lifts are ideal access solutions, if your building cannot accommodate a vertical lift, helping you offer an even bigger welcome to wheelchair users.
For internal or external use, both models are fully automatic and easy to operate by the wheelchair user and /or a companion, carrying one person seated in a wheelchair or on the seat provided.

The Stairiser SR and CR are available with different mounting configurations for maximum flexibility, for load requirement and building type and comes in a wide range of platform sizes and finishes. All statutory guidance is met, including the Equality Act 2010.

For full information on the new features of the Stairiser CR, visit the Stannah website: www.stannahlifts.co.uk/platform-lifts/inclined/

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Flush Tilt-Turn Window System creates design perfection

Profile 22 has launched a unique externally Flush Tilt-Turn window system designed for commercial applications, especially medium and high rise buildings. The distinctive sleek, urban and modern design of its flush exterior frame avoids the overlapping of framework associated with conventional PVC-U systems, making it especially suitable for applications such as new-build apartments, housing hotels, offices, universities and colleges.

The Profile 22 externally Flush Tilt-Turn can achieve A++ WER Rating (U-Value 0.8 W/m2.K, in line with Passivhaus standards) with argon-filled triple-glazed units, due to its energy effi-cient six-chamber sash and five-chamber outer frame as well as the inclusion of Profile 22’s innovative Aeroframe thermal barrier. This window design offers superb thermal perfor-mance thus eliminating the need for expensive krypton-filled units. The high performance weather seal system allows for more efficient drainage of water, greatly improving weathering and thermal capabilities.

Profile 22 Commercial Sales Director Andrew Reid said: “The externally Flush Tilt-Turn offers sleek simplicity in its appearance, combined with the functionality of the tilt-turn and the high specification that can be expected from any Profile 22 product, making it the ideal choice for commercial applications of all types. It offers the benefit of a clean finish internally due to concealed hinges, top opening for ventilation or fully opening from the side for cleaning the exterior from inside, and has the option of restrictors for added safety above ground level.”

The Profile 22 externally Flush Tilt-Turn window has a large maximum opening size of 2,300 height x 1,450mm width, with 28, 36 and 44mm glazing options and is available in 28 col-oured finishes.

Product features include:

  • High performance weather seal system – optional triple seal
  • Secured by Design and BES6001 accredited
  • Anti-slam as standard
  • Compatible with common types of hardware
  • Flush, urban and modern design
  • No overlapping of framework externally
  • High performance centre seal system – optional third weather seal
  • Triple glazing can achieve u-values in-line with “Passivhaus” to 0.8 W/(m2.K)
  • Achieves WER A++
  • Design flexibility with maximum opening size up to 2300 height x 1450mm width
  • Glazing options: 28, 36 & 44mm
  • Perfect for medium-high rise buildings
  • Several window styles available in BIM format
  • Available in a range of 28 colours including dual options
  • Sash is neatly positioned inside the frame
  • Six-chambered sash and five-chambered outer frame with “aeroframe” technology
  • Concealed hinges & gearing
  • Overcomes design issues with traditional tilt-turn windows
  • Recycled composite outer frame reinforcement
  • Designed & manufactured in Great Britain

Andrew Reid added: “The demand for a flush style window came from architects requesting a window that is more ‘commercial’ in appearance, with greater colour options and with a higher performance in both weathering and thermal. The simplicity gives the architect carte blanche to build a design around the frames without the distraction of overlap, chamfer or sculpturing.”

Full specification, design and technical advice is available from Profile 22 specifi-er@profile22.co.uk telephone: 01952 290910. BIM objects on this product are available on Bimstore and www.profile22.co.uk.

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All black proves a winner at Oxford

The Blavatnik School of Government is one of the youngest and most vibrant departments of the University of Oxford. Founded in 2010, thanks to a £75 million donation by American philanthropist Leonard Blavatnik, the aim of the school is to improve the quality of government and public policy-making worldwide.

Their new multi million pound building designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron and built by Laing O’Rourke features two horseshoe-shaped lecture theatres providing seating for 120 and 80 students.

There are also large flexible teaching spaces that can be used for lectures and conferences. The stunning open forum, around which teaching spaces are located, ensures natural light reaches into lecture theatres.

The entire construction of the building has been designed to meet the highest standards of environmental sustainability.

For the washroom facilities, 30 Kemmlit Classic Cell floor to ceiling cubicles in black with stainless steel fittings and full height duct panels, were specified.

The Classic Cell cubicle system with its straight profiled lines is a timeless design classic and features 42mm thick smooth surfaced welted doors and sound reducing floor to ceiling dividing partitions.

The Classic Cell’s concealed edges and recessed leg supports produce an elegant yet functional design that creates the unique impression that the cubicles are ‘floating’ above the floor without support.

Its robust construction makes it the ideal choice for all types of washroom applications.

The Classic Cell is available in a range of colours and finishes and is part of an extensive range of high performance cubicle and locker systems from Kemmlit who also offer a design, project management and installation service.

For more information please click www.kemmlituk.com.

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The easy answer for FSC® compliant pipe boxing and boiler casing

With sustainable sourcing and procurement policies now a vital part of the building products supply chain for both social housing and private residential developments, it’s good to know that Encasement is the UK’s only FSC® certified manufacturer of pre-formed plywood pipe boxing and boiler casings.

When you need to box in pipe work quickly and easily while ensuring that you’re caring for the environment and complying with your company’s sustainable procurement policy, Encasement is the clear choice.

All our FSC® boxing products carry a full ‘Chain of Custody’ certification from the Forest Stewardship Council to verify that the timber used is from sustainable and managed sources, so you don’t have to worry about compliance.

It’s quick and easy to fit on-site too. As our pipe boxing an boiler casings are pre-formed and pre-finished in durable melamine, they can be fitted in less than half the time of site made alternatives and there’s no need for painting, which saves time and money.

For FSC® compliant pipe boxing or boiler casing – Encasement has it covered.

For more information on our boiler pipe casings, please visit
www.encasement.co.uk/boiler-pipe-work-casing.html
www.encasement.co.uk/gallery_boiler-pipe-casing.aspx
www.encasement.co.uk/riva-pipe-boxing.html

View our FSC® certificate here.

Learn more about our sustainable products here.

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Rental Regulations Compliance Clarified

Kidde Safety makes sense of the complicated new requirements for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in private rented housing.

New Regulations apply to all private rented premises in England occupied on or after 1st October last year. They call for a smoke alarm on each floor and a CO alarm in any habitable room with a solid fuel appliance. The landlord must check that alarms work at the start of each tenancy and replace any that do not, highlighting the need for long-term reliability.

The new Regulations do not specify the type, location or power-source of smoke alarms. However, these aspects are covered in the Code of Practice BS 5839-6:2013. For most existing – as well as new – houses up to 3 storeys and individual flats, the Code recommends smoke alarms in any areas where fires might start, such as living rooms, heat alarms in all kitchens and smoke alarms in all escape routes.

Hard-wired Alarms

The Code also recommends Grade D hard-wired, interconnected smoke and heat alarms with back-up power, excluding Grade F battery-only alarms from all rented homes. This is already a legal requirement for rented properties in Scotland. With hard-wired alarms, there is a growing interest in energy saving and Firex smoke and heat alarms from Kidde offer substantially lower, maximum mains energy consumption of less than 15mA – in the order of just 3.5W. This is less than many household items left on standby and represents a 70% energy saving over previous models.

Another Firex innovation is the introduction of long-life lithium battery back-up options for all three sensing technologies. This offers back-up throughout the whole alarm life at a much lower price than rechargeable products, enabling landlords and their agents to meet legal requirements for working alarms at the start of every tenancy and avoiding low-battery warnings.

Carbon Monoxide

The same requirement for a working alarm at the start of every tenancy applies to CO alarms as well under the new Regulations for England. But these only require a CO alarm with solid fuel heating appliances. In contrast, the latest rules for rented properties in Scotland require a CO alarm wherever there is a combustion appliance, including in inter-connected spaces such as integral garages. Appliances include a boiler, fire, heater or stove – whether using gas, oil, wood or other fuels – although, unfortunately, it does not cover fittings used solely for cooking, despite recent deaths from misused gas cookers. A CO alarm is also needed where a flue passes through a bedroom or main living room.

For peace of mind, all Kidde CO alarms are BSi Kitemarked and comply with the latest edition of BS EN 50291:2010. Kidde also manufactures its own sensors, allowing tighter quality controls to be applied. They use safer, environmentally friendly de-ionised water rather than acid-based electrolytes as well. Kidde’s self-contained 10LLCO and 10LLDCO carbon monoxide alarms enjoy a full 10-year guarantee covering both the alarm and sealed-in lithium battery, helping landlords meet their obligations, cost-effectively over the longer term.

Smart Interconnect

Alternatively, Kidde’s 4MCO and 4MDCO hard-wired CO alarms can not only be interlinked with each other but also Firex hard-wired smoke and heat alarms, using Kidde’s unique ‘Smart Interconnect’ feature. Importantly, all the hard-wired alarms have different, distinct alarm sounder patterns for carbon monoxide and fire, supported by different display messages on the 4MDCO model. So, without the need for any further operation of the system, Smart Interconnect automatically alerts occupants of the specific hazard, allowing them to make the right choice for either fire or carbon monoxide.

For more information, call: 01753 766392, email: sales@kiddesafety.co.uk or visit: www.kiddesafetyeurope.co.uk.

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False alarms: A burning issue

The Fire Industry Association estimates that false alarms are costing the UK taxpayer in excess of one billion pounds every year.

As well as this financial burden, high levels of unnecessary alerts also have other negative consequences for both fire services and businesses.

A recent Government report suggested the average response time to non-domestic building fires in England and Wales in 2014-15 was 8 minutes 28 seconds, an increase of 21 seconds from the previous year.

Not only do false alarms distract fire and rescue teams from attending genuine incidents, they can also cost businesses significant amounts of money from lost worker productivity and, in some cases, fines.

There are a number of simple actions that organisations can take to reduce false alarms in their premises.

According to Government figures, nearly two thirds of false alarms are due to apparatus issues. In England and Wales alone, faulty equipment accounted for more than 141,000 incidents in 2015. In most cases, this is due to improper maintenance or installation, as even the most high-spec fire safety equipment can malfunction if neglected or fitted incorrectly.

By choosing a reputable installer to fit intelligent, high integrity systems, building owners and managers can help minimise any potential issues from the moment of installation.

During the lifecycle of the fire safety system, regular inspections and servicing of equipment must be undertaken and recorded in a logbook according to recommendation BS 5839. By doing this, building owners and managers can accurately build up a pattern of false alarms, as well as stay on top of the required maintenance processes, ensuring compliance.

By taking simple steps to confront the issue of false alarms, building managers and owners can help increase occupant safety and avoid the legal and financial ramifications.

For more information, including a free-to-download white paper on the subject, visit www.hochikieurope.com.

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To get ‘FIT’, go to Telford in April

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The full benefit of this workout will be for window and door specifiers, producers and installers…It’s a B2B exhibition and seminar in Telford with 175 exhibitors.

The FIT – ‘Fabricator Installer Trade’ – Show is the UK’s only specialist event for anyone involved with the £4.5 billion + fenestration industry, or what was known in another age, as the double-glazing business.

For in addition to the hard core of manufacturers and installers of windows, doors and conservatories for the private home improvement sector the event provides a fertile buying ground for housebuilders and public sector landlords, who may be looking for that extra touch that will sell more private homes, or bring public sector estates up to scratch. The options for both are simply staggering….

The FIT Show, launched in 2013 and taking place for the third time at The International Centre Telford, takes place in its third iteration in April this year. And no less than 175 exhibitors will be taking part in four sizeable halls at this modern and airy exhibition centre, just a few miles north of the NEC.

On show will be quite literally thousands of products in a showcase that provides evidence of the relative health and vitality of a sector that, despite almost 90% of UK homes now having been fitted with double glazing of one sort or another, continues to thrive. The fact of the matter is that the latest windows and doors offer levels of performance that were simply not a twinkle in the eyes of the most ardent home improver or estates manager twenty years ago. Security and especially energy efficiency have taken giant leaps forward whilst costs, in real terms, have fallen significantly.

As a few hours at this extraordinary event will demonstrate…

The Fabricator Installer Trade (FIT) Show takes place at The International Centre Telford on 12th, 13th and 14th April 2016. For more information including FREE registration go to: www.fitshow.co.uk.

For details of the FREE Seminar programme go here: www.fitshow.co.uk/seminars

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Crittall helps maintain ‘industrial heritage’ of striking London landmark

A new landmark headquarters building in West London has been created using Crittall windows to reflect its historical context and satisfy conservation requirements.

184 Shepherd’s Bush Road is a striking redevelopment of a Grade II listed garage and showroom originally constructed for the Ford Motor Company. Erected in 1915-16 the building was designed by Manchester-based architect Charles Heathcote who drew on contemporary American practice utilising what was then a pioneering engineering solution to structural framework. The resulting reinforced concrete frame and modular plan of the three-storey structure influenced strongly architects Collado Collins in their design for the new building.

The character of the building’s broad frontage has been retained – an important consideration because of its listing and its location in a conservation area – with Crittall large form Berkeley windows providing a significant visual aspect in the street scene. The Berkeley was originally created in order to replace existing 1920s and 1930s steel windows that were predominantly single pane leaded glass, exterior putty glazed. With the Berkeley, Crittall developed an entirely new series of hot rolled sections where a solid steel chamfer replicates exterior putty glazing, whilst the interior glazing improves access for reglazing and security.

Berkeley offers an ideal solution for both replacement projects and new construction where minimum sightlines, maximum daylight, and fine detail are desired. The system is suitable for high-end residential, institutional and, as in the case of Shepherd’s Bush Road, commercial applications.

In complete contrast with the traditional frontage, the redevelopment – which was completed in June – has added three further storey’s beneath a glass dome completely enclosing the roof.

Roy Collado, Partner of ColladoCollins, said: “This is an exciting reimagining of an important local landmark. The designs sympathetically maintain the industrial heritage of the building and the surrounding area, whilst proposing a sleek and contemporary aesthetic… The use of innovative techniques to inform and influence the design is something that we believe could really enhance the site.”

In order to meet the requirements of the project Crittall Windows tackled a number of challenges associated with the physical size and weight of the Berkeley units specified. So as to optimize capacity to deal with the quantity required by the contract the company utilized a newly installed piece of equipment – its 4 axis CNC Machining Centre – which ensured that consistently accurate machined components could be produced with short lead times assisting the flow of the product so as to meet the stringent on-time needs of the installation programme.

The 115,000 sq ft office building has now been occupied by customer science company Dunnhumby as its European headquarters.

For more information please visit www.crittall-windows.co.uk.

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Avoid hoarding up problems by sourcing all timber on site responsibly

Just because construction site hoarding is temporary doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have to be considered as part of a responsible sourcing strategy. Despite the fact that many clients and contractors are now insisting on greater levels of sustainability across all aspects of projects, this is one area that is being overlooked when it comes to timber sourcing.

The European Timber Regulation (EUTR) stipulates that all timber used on construction sites needs to be legally sourced. This means ALL timber, from that used in construction of the building to the hoardings used to shield the site from prying eyes. Timber hoardings may also be used to convey an appropriate message to the outside world. This might include a project’s sustainability credentials as part of promotional information about the developers’ and contractors’ CSR efforts, all designed to give the local and wider community a feel good factor about the project.

However trumpeting a project as a leading example of sustainability on hoardings which breach regulations on responsible sourcing, no matter how temporary they are or how good the rest of the site is, is an irony which might lead some to seriously doubt the integrity of the project’s other claims. Cheap Chinese plywood accounts for a large chunk of the problem. A recent report by the National Measurement Office found that only two of the 16 companies investigated which import Chinese timber met the requirements of the EU Timber Regulation for due diligence in the sourcing of legally harvested timber.

The issues around imported plywood extend far beyond variable quality to mislabelling of products as certain species which they subsequently turn out not to be. Greenpeace has campaigned to end the use of illegal and destructive rainforest plywood since 2000. It found evidence that a large quantity of Chinese plywood was faced with veneers from slow growing tropical species sourced from endangered rainforests. By contrast SmartPly, part of Coillte the Irish forestry company, has access to sustainable, well managed fast growing softwood timber. OSB, unlike plywood, uses forest thinnings which are smaller diameter logs unsuited for use by the sawmills, therefore maximising the overall resource.

The concerns over illegal timber extend beyond the actual material itself to the pay, reward and working conditions for those harvesting timber or laying out the plies of material for plywood production. Sustainability is not just about protecting vulnerable resources but also ensuring the preservation of community and individual economic sustainability.

The big problem in the UK construction industry is making sure that timber hoardings are seen as part of the whole construction project when it comes to product specification and timber sourcing. On the whole, focus is concentrated on the building, and protection of the site perimeter during construction is left to the contractor who has a lot of other priorities. With one or two exceptions in the form of more enlightened firms, poorer quality and potentially illegal plywood is the dominant choice for hoarding applications, but one which can undermine a project’s sustainability credentials and wider image.

SmartPly SiteProtect OSB offers the answer to the problem, a high quality hoarding solution with a pre-primed smooth finish ready for painting. Manufactured under factory controlled conditions to European standards, dependable product performance is ensured for long lasting looks with no delamination. With raw material supplied from our own well managed local forests we have not only security of supply but also we know exactly what timber we are using, ensuring a robust chain of custody for FSC Certification. This enables clients to have confidence that their sites are compliant with binding UK and European responsible sourcing regulations, and that they are not contributing to the illegal timber trade or unsustainable practices.

To find out more about SmartPly, please visit www.discoversmartply.com.

 

Mike Harrison, Marketing Manager, Coillte Panel Products
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Midland Lead launches new cladding solution at RCI 2016

Midland Lead, leading British manufacturer of machine cast lead, launched a new range of metal cladding solutions at this year’s RCI Show; the UK’s annual roofing, cladding and insulation event.

Industry professionals visiting Midland Lead’s stand were given the opportunity to see the firm’s new customised cladding range for individual facades, available in zinc, copper, aluminium and lead.

With the company’s machine cast lead having been successfully used to weatherproof a number of prestigious projects across the UK construction sector over the past 30 years, Managing Director Boudewijn Tuinenburg explains that diversifying into metal cladding was a natural progression for Midland Lead and a response to customer demand.

“Having established our reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality lead sheet, we’ve built up extensive expertise in the metals arena. Keen to expand our offering, metal cladding was a natural bolt-on to our current product range and a great way to offer our customer base a new range of architectural design solutions,” says Boudewijn.

As well as opening up new possibilities for a building’s aesthetics and working to preserve the structure, the new metal cladding solution is an environmentally-friendly, lightweight, weatherproof product that offers a full suite of practical features, including fast installation, low maintenance, large panel size opportunities and pre-fabrication options.

Launched under Midland Lead’s Construction arm, the introduction marks part of a longer-term strategy that will see the firm diversify into differing markets and products, alongside its core business of manufacturing and suppling machine cast lead.

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

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