Architects deliver ‘civic qualities’ with Shackerley’s ceramic granite cladding

Shackerley has supplied over 900m2 of SureClad® ceramic granite ventilated façade cladding in different styles for Consett Academy and Consett Leisure Centre, adding premium quality external finishes for both parts of this £44 million regeneration project in the North East.

From the outset, the new academy and leisure centre were to be constructed as a single building with many shared facilities, but each part of the development was to have its own clear identity and sense of purpose. The specification of ceramic granite façade panels in different colourways and surface textures has helped to achieve this.

Seymour Harris, architects for the main contractor Carillion, had previous experience of using SureClad® in the education sector and had no hesitation in specifying Shackerley’s patented façade system when developing the detailed design for this scheme.

Multi-format polished and unpolished black façade panels from one of Shackerley’s most popular ceramic granite ranges have been installed ‘broken bonded’ to form a key design element of the main frontage of the Academy.

“Using premium black materials normally associated with the high end commercial sector underlines the message that the Academy is a place of work and that learning leads towards a bigger world,“ commented Seymour Harris Director, Tim Johnson. “The Academy also has a technology specialism and the use of an advanced technical cladding system seems appropriate as it serves to emphasise the focus of the school.”

The adjoining Leisure Centre has been clad with SureClad® ceramic granite façades in a lighter stone colourway, contrasting starkly with black detailing at the main entrance. “The cladding material has given the Leisure Centre the civic quality required, and maintained design continuity with the Academy, whilst the less imposing, brighter colour has given the facility its own fresh identity,” said Tim.

“The SureClad® system gave us the design flexibility we needed,” he added,” It allowed us to manipulate the coursing on the façade to employ both matt and polished layers of different heights and to interface effectively with entrance features and glazing elements. The ease of forming the junctions with other materials was an added bonus.”

He concluded: “The SureClad® ceramic granite just gave us everything we were looking for… excellent clean lines, stunning appearance of quality, robustness with long term low maintenance. The choice available also meant that we were able to reflect very effectively the natural local materials of stone buildings, slate roofs, and strata and outcrops of the surrounding landscape in our designs, whilst maintaining the civic quality demanded and continuity of detailing”.

For further details please contact Shackerley on 0800 783 0391 or visit www.shackerley.com.

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Rinnai’s comprehensive space heater range covers all options

Rinnai Energysaver fanned convection powered flue gas fired space heaters are designed specifically for use in schools, community centres, libraries, conservatories and churches and other large spaces, where they have earned themselves a considerable fan base over the past 30 years.

Now, with a new super energy efficient addition to the range in the form of the Rinnai Energysaver 559FT with sleek good looks, and a matching new streamlined look for the popular Energysaver 309FT, Rinnai is leading the field in large interior space heating.

Sporting a modern, sleek casing, the heaters simply blend into the background in line with modern demands in terms of modern interior aesthetics while offering exceptionally high efficiencies in operation and subsequently reduced running costs.

Changes have been made to the operation board which is now an easy to use touch control pad sited conveniently and discreetly on top of the appliance, (rather than on the front with a flip up cover). The unit is also supplied with a child lock to eliminate any problem of small hands tampering with the controls.

Add to these advantages timer function and eco mode combined with the new unit’s ability to heat spaces fast and the advantages of this super efficient appliance really do stack up.

The 559FT has an input of 6.4kW and output of 5.2kW. The streamlined unit measures 554mm x 750mm x 250mm.

The Rinnai Energysaver 309FT, like the 559FT, sports a similar sleek casing and turns in net efficiencies of 88%.

It has an input of 3.4kW and output of 2.92kW. The streamlined unit measures 695mm x 465mm x 257mm. Natural Gas usage has been pegged at 0.31m3 while LPG consumption is 0.26kg/hr.

Also available is the Energysaver 1004T with its impressive input of 11.6kW and outputs 10.23kW. Its measurements are 670mm x 930mm x 315mm and it has energy efficiencies of 96% under the guidance of Part L 2014. This puts it in the top rank of space heaters in its class.

Like the Energy Saver 559FT and 309FT, the 1004T heater is also suitable for central timer control. This feature allows the building manager to run any number of Rinnai space heaters off a central time clock providing heat to the largest of spaces. The Energysaver Multi controller is not limited to single Energysavers as the flexibility of the system guarantees units can be mixed and matched to satisfy even the most unique of buildings.

Rinnai Energysaver units are very easy to install as they do not need expensive (and extensive) ductwork, nor do they involve the necessity to run domestic heating circuits for radiators or pipework to boilers. This cuts down drastically on cost and time at the point of installation

Rinnai Energysaver range delivers energy-efficient and consistent warm air powered by Natural Gas and LPG options and is built with fully modulating burners so heat output and energy input is reduced as the space warms up.

The Rinnai Energysaver range comprises fanned convection-powered flue models that exceed seasonal thermal heating guidance under Building Regs Part L.

In a building with high vaulted ceilings, with conventional convector heaters as the heat will immediately rise to the ceiling. With the Energysaver range Rinnai has successfully come up with a solution that heats from the floor up and by modulating gas usage in relation to room temperature, provides unparalleled levels of comfort combined with efficiency.

For more information on the RINNAI product rage visit www.rinnaiuk.com.

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Rinnai UK’s technical knowhow on tap

Rinnai UK, the leading supplier of ‘A’ rated continuous flow Infinity gas fired water heaters, has a dedicated technical service team to ensure customers get service performance that matches the excellence of product performance, with a view of adding value that by far surpasses the transaction stage creating long-term value for our customer base.

Rinnai Technical Services offers all customers help and advice throughout the complete lifecycle of a product – from inception to disposal. The team can and will respond to any queries on specification, installation and operation of Rinnai unit.

Pete Seddon, Technical Team Leader says, “Architects and consultants are really into conservation, energy efficiencies and gas consumption and nowadays they are looking at the complete building whereas before it was all about product choice, space and siting of a unit. We offer assistance and advice – as unbiased as possible – to help them decide.”

Operating from Rinnai UK’s Cheshire headquarters the principle members of the team includes Ian Jenkins, Technical & Compliance Officer; Pete Seddon, Technical & Product Development officer and Danny Kay, Design Support Officer. The tech depart will happily check over designs and schematics and advise on changes.

“Some people need talking through the advantages of changing from a traditional storage system to a wall mounted instantaneous water heater system and we can help them make the decision and then the transition,” says Pete.

“We can also advise on whether they should be using 3, 4 or 5 units or drop a couple off and replace with a storage vessel for a renewables set up instead i.e. 2 x Rinnai 2 x solar storage tanks and/or heat pumps/solar.”

Pete continues: “Caravan and leisure parks especially need lots of hot water concentrated in peak times for showering and if there isn’t enough they can suffer from bad visitor reviews online which can affect bookings. Owners tend to get really involved in the choice of system used – they really get it,” he says. “Again, hot water demands for restaurants are very different from those for domestic use and larger commercial buildings so we can advise on the right system there.”

“The end user will often undertake their own research before installation and they want to hear our advice before they commit themselves. Consumers are smart and want to do their own checking before parting with their money and, of course, they are mining the internet for information too.”

“Rinnai is in its twelfth year in the UK and more and more engineers are having positive experience with the brand. If your first encounter with a infinity is when called to service a unit, we are on hand to take away the fear of taking on unfamiliar technology. Rinnai units are technically advanced but really easy to understand so we can alleviate any fears they may have about undertaking the job.

Installers can also call on the Rinnai technical department for training, which is provided free. “We have recently increased the training portfolio adding different packages and these sessions open engineers’ eyes to the possibilities of Rinnai technology. They are becoming ever more popular and this week alone we trained in excess of 40 people in the UK and Ireland – and all free.

“However, we recognise that for an engineer driving up to Cheshire from Cornwall, for example, that would mean 2 days off work with a stopover so we have been offering remote training at venues closer to home. For this we would need a minimum of four people. If we can’t get an appropriate room nearby then we can always bring along the Rinnai dedicated training trailer.

Pete explains how Rinnai’s recent massive investment in R&D in the products themselves (all ‘A’ rated under stringent ERP energy labelling legislation), increasing the numbers of specialist personnel and improving the Rinnai website is a boon to customers.

“The technical department works as a cohesive group with the customer service team and the sales consultants. We all have our specialisms but we wouldn’t be successful if we didn’t work together. The set up we have at Rinnai UK at the Cheshire headquarters seamlessly links everything together.

“When somebody phones customer services with a technical question it is passed on to us to answer quickly with the caller speaking to a person and definitely not somebody reading from a script,” Pete concludes.

For more details on RINNAI products visit www.rinnaiuk.com.

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Sika Sarnafil specified for roof refurb at two of London’s biggest tourist attractions

The National Gallery and the Science Museum – two of London’s major and iconic visitor attractions – have benefitted from a planned roof maintenance programme, using Sika Sarnafil membranes and specialist contractor, Delomac Roofing.

Working with the National Gallery since 1995, a programme of roof replacement and thermal upgrading has seen in excess of 12,000sq m of Sika Sarnafil membranes installed, together with insulation, roof lights and walkways in a series of over 30 completed projects – including the complete Sainsbury Wing in 2008.

Working closely with the client and architect, specifications have been delivered using the Sika Sarnafil Partner Supply Chain to ensure watertight and long lasting protection to the priceless works of art on display.

At the Science Museum, ageing and poorly insulated roof coverings were targeted for upgrade and replacement in a series of tender awards, all successfully won by Delomac and Sika Sarnafil.

Brendan McNulty said: “With the impact of rising utility costs, effective thermal upgrades were completed with the roof works, delivering tangible cost savings.”

The Science Museum’s Flight Gallery houses many historic planes, including a Spitfire, a prototype Harrier and a cut cross section form a Jumbo Jet. Visitors were able to safely enjoy these exhibits without disruption while these important roof works were completed close by.

At both sites, environmental and whole life cost considerations were key in material specification – with a target to reduce energy use.

Equally, the lightweight membranes and considered planned specifications allowed system overlays with an entirely flame-free cold application, ensuring minimal internal disturbance to visitor experience.

“As with all London sites – particularly with huge public visitor numbers, logistical issues were challenging; but the advantage of a unified supply chain with out of hours early deliveries ensured zero risk to arriving footfall.”

“The roof refurbishments on both buildings have been designed to an exceptionally high standard. Our effective installation, backed by Sika Sarnafil’s robust guarantees ensure the client has peace of mind for years to come.” Brendan added.

For more information on Sika Sarnafil’s products and services, call 01707 358500, email sarnafilroofing@uk.sika.com or visit www.sarnafil.co.uk.

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Sika Liquid Plastics protects National Sailing Academy from the elements

Sat on the seafront in Pwllheli, North Wales, the Welsh National Sailing Academy and Events Centre boasts stunning architecture and design, but was a challenging build. Anglesey-based Weatherwell Roofing was contracted to waterproof the roof and walls, during a winter project that required the skilful application of a variety of Sika Liquid Plastics products.

Due to the location of the sailing academy, standing between the dunes and marina of Pwllheli, the main requirement of Ellis Williams Architects was to achieve a striking design that could withstand the elements. Any products used on the project would have to offer a flawless finish alongside durability and strength, backed by guarantees.

Sika Liquid Plastics’ liquid applied waterproofing systems fitted the bill and were specified across the building envelope. On the gabion walls, a Decothane Gamma 20 system was used, and on the concrete walls, a Sikalastic 618 15 year coating. All of the gabion walls were waterproofed down to the foundations of the building, with the liquid system seamlessly joining the walls to the roof areas. This created a 100% waterproof junction between the two, an extremely important factor for a building that must weather the coastal environment. In addition, Decothane has excellent elastic properties, making it UV stable and tolerant of thermal movement.

For the cold roofs, warm roofs and green roof area, totalling over 1000sq m, Decothane Delta 25 with applied on to various primed surfaces, from concrete deck to a mix of flat board and tapered Decotherm insulation. All the roof areas were covered by timer decking for use as viewing galleries and cafe seating areas, where a Sika Liquid Plastics protective layer was also used.

Kristian Lewis, Weatherwell company manager, said “We completed our portion of the project in 14 weeks, despite working through winter in very difficult conditions. Even in low temperatures we were able to expertly apply the Sika Liquid Plastics waterproofing membranes. The liquid applied nature of the products allowed us to get a great finish, even around the more complex detailing.

“It’s great to be involved in a project that will give so much back to the local community and open the door for new sailors in the area.”

The Sika Liquid Plastics technical team were on hand throughout the project to offer expert guidance, from initial design and specification to quality control during installation and final inspection, resulting in the issue of single point guarantees.

The National Sailing Academy, commissioned by Gwynedd County Council, secured funding of over £8m for its construction, in order to increase opportunities for the surrounding community and boost the local economy. The facility has been constructed to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standards with sustainable features including biomass heating, solar panels and rainwater harvesting. Officially opened in the summer of 2015, the centre acts as a hub for national and international sailing events, as well as hosting a number of clubs and training activities.

Decothane is available throughout the UK from Sika Liquid Plastics. For further information visit http://gbr.liquidplastics.sika.com or call the Enquiry Line on 0800 112 3826.

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weber.rend MT System gains BBA certification and NHBC approval

The high performance weber.rend MT multi-coat render system from Saint-Gobain Weber, the leading UK formulator and manufacturer of innovative materials, systems and solutions for the construction industry, has recently gained full BBA Certification. This accreditation meets NHBC requirements for new build housing where house builders are constantly seeking modern methods of construction for speed and cost efficiency. The weber.rend MT system is designed to rapidly finish buildings with a frame and panel construction.

weber.rend MT is a high performance, light-weight, render system which incorporates glass-fibre meshcloth reinforcement and a resin-rich adhesive coat that can carry a choice of textured finishes in a wide range of colours. This modern render system is designed for large areas of stable render carrier boards without the need for expressed joints to create smooth, modern design aesthetics. Equally weber.rend MT is ideal for uneven masonry or mixed substrates where crack resistance is essential.  Application can be by machine spray or by hand with a float and dry-sponge to achieve a render smooth finish.  It is ideal for a variety of synthetic textured and coloured finish coats to produce weatherproof, vapour permeable protection.

“Achieving BBA Certification for the well-proven weber.rend MT system underlines this product’s suitability for modern methods of frame and panel construction which is essential to speed the build process,” says Tracey Dempster, marketing manager, Saint-Gobain Weber. “The BBA testing has been carried out using three market leading render boards, Knauf Aquapanel, Siniat Bluclad and Euroform Rendaboard but equally the system is ideal for mixed substrates or repaired, uneven surfaces.  It is a very versatile render system.”

The British Board of Agrément is the UK’s leading authority providing accreditation and inspection services to manufacturers and installers that supply the construction industry. The BBA’s custom-built testing centre carried out extensive product tests on weber.rend MT including accelerated ageing analysis, weather resistance, impact strength, fire related performance and longevity to ensure the system performs satisfactorily for a period in excess of 30 years.  Holding BBA accreditation assures house builders, housing associations, building regulation authorities and contractors of the product quality and suitability for new build and regeneration projects.

The weber.rend MT system has been used by Barratt Homes to achieve the ‘Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year’ in the Housebuilder Awards for the Hanham Hall project of 185 bespoke, energy efficient homes.  The timber frame and SIP panel construction method determined the selection of a clean, simple aesthetic finish for the properties and the light-weight of the weber.rend MT system was of benefit here.

A BREEAM outstanding rating and the BREEAM Education Award has been achieved by a £39m school and community campus project in Bridgend, South Wales in the Gateway to the Valleys scheme where the weber.rend MT system has contributed significantly to the high levels of sustainability and low energy demands of the building.

For more information about this project, or for technical support, please contact Saint-Gobain Weber on 08703 330 070, or visit www.netweber.co.uk. Customers in Ireland should call 028 9335 2999 or visit www.weber.ie.

A free download of the new weber.app for iPhone and iPad users is also available from iTunes and from Google Play for Android smartphones and tablet users.  Follow Saint-Gobain Weber on Twitter @SGWeberUK for the latest company news and updates.

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Rinnai official event sponsor of FIFA Club World Cup 2015

Rinnai, designer and manufacturer of the A-rated energy efficient Infinity range of continuous flow gas fired water heaters, has announced its official event sponsorship of the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup tournament.

The event, which is FIFA’s largest annual event, will take place in Japan from 10-20 December and is expected to attract millions of TV viewers in 219 countries across the world.

Rinnai’s official event sponsorship provides them with rights locally within Japan and will see its logo reproduced on banners around the perimeter of the pitch at the FIFA Club World Cup 2015 matches as well as on signage around the participating stadia in Osaka and Yokohama. The Rinnai logo will also be imprinted on all official marketing material for the tournament and on the FIFA website.

The football competition is a fitting platform for the company’s sponsorship. Rinnai is a global leader in gas appliance manufacturing, specialising in the development of commercial and domestic water heaters.

The FIFA Club World Cup 2015 sets the winning clubs of the six main continental football confederations competing for the title of Club World Champion 2015 along with a team from the host country.

The FIFA Club World Cup 2015 will feature clubs including River Plate, Barcelona, TP Mazembe, Club América and Auckland City as well as the winners of the 2015 AFC Champions League and of the 2015 J1 League.

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com.

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Polypipe provides perfect attenuation solution for new housing development

Polypipe, the UK’s leading manufacturer of engineered sustainable drainage solutions, has seen its popular Ridgistorm-XL large diameter piping system installed as part of a water management attenuation solution for residential developers Kensington Developments.

Situated in the village of Marton, near Blackpool, the Magnolia Point development consists of 45 detached and 38 semi-detached three and four bedroom new family homes.

Due to the layout of the site, there was a limited public open space available to install a suitable attenuation system capable of storing the required stormwater for the development. Polypipe was approached to review the initial site drainage plan and worked alongside Consultant Engineer, Elluc Projects Ltd to design an alternative solution to meet the needs of both a 1 in 30 and 1 in 100 year storm events under Section 104 agreement.

The selected system was required to fit within an area of 1.25km² and store 680m3 of stormwater. In order to meet these requirements Elluc Projects Ltd specified an attenuation tank formed of 482m of Ridgistorm-XL 1200mm diameter SN2 pipe and fittings. Polypipe was able to take into account the site conditions in order to engineer the Ridgistorm-XL system to exact structural calculations. These calculations ensured that the Ridgistorm-XL system was designed to accommodate vehicles onsite, both during the backfilling and post installation.

The modularised system boasted 17 pipe runs as well as 20 prefabricated fittings, including 17 1200mm 90 degree bends, C and F sections, as well as 3 1800mm RIDGISTORMAccess Manholes. The system was connected together with sealing rings, the simplest jointing method which does not require welding, helping to save time during the installation.

Manufactured in Polypipe’s in-house specialist facility, the Ridgistorm-XL system was delivered to site in ready-to-install modular units, allow for easy handling, whilst reducing the need for heavy plant and minimising time and installation cost.

Richard Fox, Quantity Surveyor at Kensington Developments, said: “It was of paramount importance that the attenuation system used could be designed to fit into our limited available footprint. Polypipe’s pre-fabrication facilities meant that the system was designed and delivered to fit. The pre-fabricated fittings also assisted for a speedier installation, and reduced health and safety risks on site.”

Vikki Woodhouse, WMS Residential Manager at Polypipe Civils, said: “We have vast experience in providing water management solutions. The Ridgistorm-XL attenuation tank needed to be designed to fit within the limited space available and so Polypipe’s technical experts were on-hand to advise on the design from the beginning of the project. We were given a very unique project and designed a fully engineered system, taking all of Kensington Development’s requirements into consideration providing expert stormwater for the site.”

The installation of the Ridgistorm-XL attenuation system was completed in September 2015.

For more information please visit www.polypipe.com.

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Alutec and the future of housebuilding

Alutec’s aluminium rainwater systems have been installed on a landmark new housing project developed by Wienerberger, the leading provider of wall, roof and landscaping innovations. The Wienerberger e4 brick house™ at the BRE Innovation Park has been designed to be a future archetype for sustainable and affordable housing in the UK.

Designed in conjunction with global engineering and design consultancy ARUP, the e4 brick house™ is based around four fundamental principles of energy, economy, environment and emotion. Designed using Building Information Modelling (BIM), the Wienerberger e4 brick house™ has a build time of just 12 weeks, which is around half that of standard housing, and has the flexibility to work just as effectively through shared ownership as it would for a privately-owned home.

Central to the project’s ethos is the use of market leading building products and solutions that offer excellent sustainability credentials as well as high levels of performance. Specified for the coping, fascia and soffit system was Alutec’s Evoke range in RAL7016 Anthracite Grey. Made from highly durable composite aluminium, the Evoke range has a life expectancy of 50 years or more and features a unique nano self-cleaning coat resulting in minimal maintenance requirements.

Also specified was Alutec’s Evolve Half Round guttering and downpipes in the same colour. The Evolve product range is manufactured from marine grade aluminium and as this high quality material is so impervious to corrosion, it provides the same 50-year life expectancy as the coping, fascia and soffit. In addition, aluminium is also extremely light – up to 65 per cent lighter than cast iron alternatives – making it much safer to handle on site and quicker to install.

Paul Surin, Head of Built Environment at Wienerberger, commented: “The Wienerberger e4 brick house represents a significant step forward in the progression of UK housing and offers an accessible model that can be implemented now. Choosing the right materials was therefore crucial in achieving a build that met the strict requirements the future industry will demand and that we set for ourselves.

“Alutec’s products were a perfect fit in this respect as their longevity, sustainability and low maintenance requirements meant we could deliver not only the type of building we wanted to but the intended lifestyle for the future residents as well.

Importantly, Alutec’s products are available as BIM components which meant they could be seamlessly integrated into the design and allowed us to meet the tight deadlines we had set ourselves for the build of this project.”

Alutec has the most comprehensive BIM portfolio of components of any rainwater product manufacturer and has an experienced technical team that can assist with bespoke design and project management. What’s more, Alutec’s products installed on the Wienerberger e4 brick house are full recyclable at the end of their extended life span, making them some of the most sustainable products available in the UK.

Designed to achieve standards such as the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 without renewables, 2016 Part L and complying with Lifetime Homes and the London Housing Design Guide, the Wienerberger e4 brick house provides a real solution to the current housing crisis.

For more information about Alutec please visit: www.marleyalutec.co.uk.

For more information about Wienerberger and the e4 brick house please visit: www.wienerberger.co.uk/e4-house

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Sika Trocal delivers five star roofing solution at luxurious Riverbank Hotel extension

Single ply roofing membranes are extremely versatile and ideal for virtually any flat roofing project, offering speed of installation and a huge reduction in costs. At the Park Plaza Riverbank in Central London, the installation of high performance Sika-Trocal Type S and Type SGmA membranes will ensure the hotel’s multi-million pound extension and reconfiguration is completed on time and to the highest standard.

Located on the South Bank of the River Thames, within a short distance of Big Ben and the London Eye, Park Plaza Riverbank welcomes guests from all over the world. As part of a European development programme by parent company PPHE Hotel Group, including three new hotels in London and one in Germany, an eight-storey extension complete by 2016 will add 184 new rooms and a new private penthouse with terraces to the hotel.

Working with ESA architects and Gear Construction, the design has been delivered which includes the creation of eight separate roof areas of different sizes, shapes and pitches. With a fast and reliable installation a key requirement, the mechanically fixed Sika-Trocal S and SGmA systems proved to be the optimum roofing solution, offering a smooth and rapid installation, excellent flexibility and crisp, simple detailing.

Innovation in action

Due to the city centre location, two roof pitches of 25° and 44°, and both the complexity and number of roof sections, a forward-thinking application method was required. With the company’s unique and innovative abseiling solution, ICS Roofing was appointed as the project’s roofing contractor. With the complexity of the design, ICS employed specialist Sika-Trocal installers Brightside Roofing to complete the application over a projected 18 week period.

“After careful planning and co-ordination with Gear, they supplied a cantilevered scaffold off the building which allowed us to abseil equipment as a means of fall arrest and to create safe access to the various roof areas,” said Tom Peach, Contracts Manager at ICS Roofing.

“Many flat roof membranes do not lend themselves to installation using an abseil, due to the double fix method of insulation and membrane. Heat welding can also become an issue when working on steeper pitched areas, however, Sika-Trocal system offered us a speedy installation that saw the first two roofs installed in under two weeks – much quicker than the 25 days predicted.”

Working for ICS throughout the project, Brightside installed a total of 1,755m2 of the Sika-Trocal Type S roofing membrane across the three main roof areas. Using the unique Sika-Trocal Laminated Metal Discs and thermally broken fasteners, this provided a rapid and economic roofing solution by allowing ICS to secure both the membrane and the insulation in one go, reducing the fasteners required by 40-60% and speeding up installation.

As well as being one of the most rapid and economic systems to install, it allowed the installation team to achieve exceptional waterproofing and durability – approved by the British Board of Agrément (BBA) to have a life expectancy, in their opinion, of in excess of 35 years.

Devil is in the detail

The unreinforced nature of Type S membrane offers exceptional malleability and allows high quality detailing works to be completed to an exceptional standard. On the 44° pitched roof, insulation was cleverly installed in a step formation to allow installers safe and easy access to the highest point of the roof – with the membrane allowing a single continuous application towards a stunning box gutter and parapet detail.

For a number of complex details, ICS turned to Sika-Trocal Metal for a neat aesthetic and crisp finish to perimeter flashings and junctions. As well as a stylish aesthetic and a fast application, health and safety of site operatives and members of the public has been a prerequisite from start to finish.

Working closely with Gear Construction, as well as other trades on site from cladding specialists to steelworks contractors, ICS carefully coordinated site deliveries and use of the crane to minimise disruption and risk. With long term performance of the membrane an absolute must for safety both inside and outside of the hotel, ICS also carefully considered wind load calculations prior to the application.

“Due to the complexity of the roofs and with health and safety absolutely paramount, it was imperative that the roofs were correctly designed and secured to resist wind loads, ensuring outstanding performance and longevity,” added Tom Peach.

Sustainable solutions

As part of the overall application, ICS Roofing appointed Eco Green Roofs to complete the installation above 227m2 of Sika-Trocal SGmA membrane. The system was overlaid with sedum matting to create a living roof area and improve the roof’s thermal performance.

The garden roof systems are compatible with all existing membranes and once installed, will extend the life of the green roof, help reduce heating and air-conditioning costs and even water sewage charges. The living roof system consists of everything from traditional sedum mats, drainage layers and edge trims, to security railings and harnesses.

With low environmental impact a key factor on site, ICS utilised a complex array of insulation ranging from flat board and tapered to new ultra-thin vacuum insulation panels (VIPs). Installed on a series of four terraces, 100m2 of the highly innovative new VIPs were used to overcome the common on-site challenge of door threshold heights.

Completed over a four month summer period, but with the wettest August on record, the innovative, fast and high quality application of Type S and SGmA single ply membranes from Sika-Trocal have ensured that Park Plaza Riverbank remains on track for its 2016 completion date. Thanks to careful collaboration between Gear Construction, ICS Roofing and Sika-Trocal, this stunning extension and reconfiguration will soon welcome thousands of new visitors from all over the world to the highest quality accommodation in the heart of London.

Sika Limited’s head office is based in Welwyn Garden City at Watchmead, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 1BQ. Call 01707 394444 or visit www.sika-trocal.co.uk.

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