NVELOPE provides the right support to Sterte Court

NVELOPE cladding support systems have been installed on Sterte Court, a development of high rise and low rise flats in Poole, which has received a facelift that has not only improved the visual appearance and sustainable factors, but also extended the buildings’ life for at least 30 years.

Sterte Court is a residential building in Poole, which dates back to the 1960s. When originally built, the two 10 storey and two 4 storey tower blocks consisted of 134 one and two-bedroom flats. Constructed with rendered concrete wall panels on a concrete frame, the buildings were poorly insulated. A project to upgrade the development began in 2013, when Poole Housing Partnership, an Arms Length Management Organisation, which was set up under the Government scheme to bring investment for improvements to homes across the Borough of Poole, got involved.

Poole Housing Partnership appointed Keepmoat as the main contractor for this £6.7 million project. With the aim being to improve the residents’ living conditions, reduce fuel poverty, and update the visual appearance of the four blocks, the project would take around 18 months to complete. When it came to focussing the attention on the new façade, NVELOPE’s NV1 cladding support system was specified to hold the vertical cladding in place, and fitted by Kent-based façade installer, Teiko Ltd.

“The project benefited from ECO (Energy Company Obligation) funding, which requires the systems used to be BBA certified, and for the installer to be PAS 2030 certified” comments Adrian Buckmaster, Technical Manager, Teiko Ltd. “NVELOPE is BBA certified and Teiko Ltd is the only installer to be certified for Rainscreen Cladding to PAS 2030 standard.”

A key requirement for this project was to improve the thermal bridging. Thermal bridges cause increased flow of heat and need to be considered in the design and installation of a façade system. Since the fixing of ventilated cladding must go through the thermal insulation into the substrate, it cannot be avoided. It’s therefore important to achieve a thermal decoupling of the substructure from the ventilated façade through thermal separation layers. NVELOPE’s N1 brackets are pre-assembled with thermal isolators which help reduce thermal bridging and also prevent a chemical reaction which could occur between the aluminium bracket and the lime in a concrete frame.

NVELOPE’s NV1 flexible point brackets were well suited for this project as they allow for expansion and contraction of the cladding when under strain from various weather conditions including strong winds. The NV ranges provides a secure fixing solution for façade materials including high pressure laminate (HPL), timber, weatherboard, fibre cement, fibre concrete, ceramic, thin stone, aluminium composite material (ACM) and many other metals. Stand-off sizes for the vertical ranges are from 40 – 300 mm.

NVELOPE holds extensive stock to ensure orders can always be met and where necessary, immediate delivery can be provided. All NVELOPE cladding systems can be engineered to project specific requirements thanks to the expertise of its technical design support service. This provides architects and specifiers freedom with an almost infinite range of façade appearance and layout options.

Manufactured in the UK and developed using the highest specification alloys, NVELOPE products and systems are ideal for supporting a wide variety of façade materials.

For more information please visit www.nvelope.com

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Cembrit provides architects with BBA Certified slates

The importance of BBA (British Board of Agrément) certification is well-known as an independent mark of approval for suppliers to the construction industry, and Cembrit has the distinction of having its complete range of fibre cement fully accredited by the organisation.

The BBA is the UK’s major authority offering approval and certification services to manufacturers and installers supplying the construction industry. BBA certification is a sought after accreditation, and one which is incredibly important to architects. Cembrit holds five BBA Certificates for its fibre cement slate range, ensuring that whichever system is chosen, 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.

“BBA certification enables architects to specify Cembrit fibre cement slates with confidence,” says Ged Ferris, Marketing Manager of Cembrit. “Our fibre cement slates range provides a high quality roofing finish that is both attractive and long lasting. Architects specify the slates for use on both residential and commercial properties, and have in the past, praised the product for delivering the desired results.”

The Cembrit range of fibre cement slates includes Westerland, Moorland, Zeeland, Jutland and Diamond, all offering their own unique appearance. The slates are ideal for use on conventional pitched timber roofs with a rafter pitch of 20° and over, or hung vertically as cladding on external walls. The slates are complemented by matching fibre cement ridges, ventilation solutions and fixings.

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. Cembrit fibre cement slates are the most accredited on the UK market.

For further information visit www.cembrit.co.uk, or email sales@cembrit.co.uk

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Bauder BioSOLAR Generates Green Roof and PV Synergy

Flat roof manufacturer Bauder launched its revolutionary solar PV mounting system for biodiverse or extensive green roofs, Bauder BioSOLAR, at the inaugural ‘European Biosolar Roof Conference’ that took place in September at City Hall in London. Designed primarily for new build applications where environmentally friendly solutions are required to meet planning and BREEAM requirements; this integrated system addresses the misconception that green roof and PV technologies are mutually exclusive options.

The construction industry has long been calling for rooftop solutions that include a duality of technologies for environmental advantage, and a biosolar roof delivers just that providing reciprocal benefits in terms of maximising the energy output from the PV module and the footprint for the green roof. Bauder’s innovative BioSOLAR system uses the substrate and vegetation to provide the ballasted installation mechanism, removing the need to penetrate the waterproofing to secure the mounting units to the roof and making the most of the available area for vegetation, enabling the entire roof to qualify as a biodiverse green roof.

A key feature of Bauder’s unique system is that the front edge of the polycrystalline PV panel is raised 300mm above the finished green roof level, allowing light and moisture to reach beneath the panels whilst ensuring the mature vegetation will not shade the panels and can be easily maintained. The mixture of sunny, shaded and sheltered areas together with a variable depth of FLL compliant extensive substrate gives a matrix of different habitats that allow a broader range of plant species to thrive, and a rich foraging environment for bees and insects.
The biosolar solution also delivers advantages to the building, as the cooling effect of the vegetation and water held within the green roof system preserves the ambient temperature around the PV array, which in turn increases the solar output by over 5%. The PV mounting frame features a 100% recycled high-density polyethylene base board and consists of just three components – a quick fix angle support, profile module rail and module fixings – that make for an extremely quick and simple installation process.
Although well suited to new build applications, the Bauder BioSOLAR system can also be retrofitted on many existing roofs without the need for any structural modification to the building; and with Bauder able to supply and install all of the waterproofing, green roof and PV elements you can be confident of the significant synergy effects created by this energy efficient and cohesive system.
For more information please visit www.bauder.co.uk

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Electric heating hots up

Flexible electric heating is becoming more and more popular in response to the UK’s homes becoming increasingly airtight. Jenny Smith, product marketing manager at Vent-Axia, explains how advances in technology make it an attractive option.

The UK’s heating industry has been in a period of transition ever since the introduction of Part L ‘Conservation of Fuel and Power’ in 2000 which has driven energy efficiency developments to lower carbon emissions and meet UK carbon targets.
At the same time the UK has had to adjust to declining oil and gas reserves. Historically the UK has been fuel rich in the form of gas, but with this in decline electricity generated via other sources becomes vital as we search for a secure and de-carbonised energy supply.
As a result manufacturers of electric heating have developed systems that meet the comfort needs of households and energy efficiency demands of legislation. In addition, increasingly air tight homes mean that heating demands reduce, making flexible electric heating with new controls an attractive option.
Electric heating offers an affordable heating solution for households with low capital and installation costs. The flexibility of the units is an added financial bonus since heaters can be installed as stand-alone heaters or as larger systems.
Using electricity as a fuel the technology is ideal for rural households that are off the gas grid. Meanwhile electric heaters cause little installation disruption since they don’t require the pipework needed by traditional boiler heating systems.
Free of the installation headache of flue siting and pipework, electric heating also has the flexibility to be installed almost anywhere in a room so households locate the heaters where best suits their needs. Almost maintenance free with no moving parts, with electric heating households have the comfort of not needing to worry about costly annual boiler checks.
Ultimately, as we move towards zero carbon homes and a decarbonised energy supply electric heating will become the heating technology of choice. Manufacturers, like Vent-Axia, are ahead of the curve as they prepare for this transition by developing products that meet both the demand and the needs of the market.
This next generation of electric heating offers greater flexibility to households since electric heating quickly warms a room and technological developments mean that accurate controls ensure high energy efficiency.
The new advanced electric heating systems incorporate highly sensitive, integral thermostatic controls. For instance, Vent-Axia’s Opal range of energy efficient aluminium radiators feature dynamic fluid with high thermal inertia and are slim and stylish in design. Featuring controllers that are fully programmable this type of electric heating system offers closer energy management, thus saving money for homeowners.
Ideal for both new build and refurbishment projects the newest electric heating features on-board energy monitors allowing occupiers to see exactly how much energy is being used to heat a room, and thus make an informed decision on thermal comfort.
The inclusion of highly sensitive silent operating digital controlled thermostats accurate to +/- 0.5° allows electric heating to act quickly to maintain consistent room temperature levels, reducing temperature overrun and minimising energy consumption. Allowing homeowners to manage the warmth in their homes to meet their needs the radiators are easy to operate coming with seven heating programs and three temperature settings for comfort, economy and frost protection.
Households can now expect improved efficiency and control across a wide range of electric heating technology. Towel rails are traditionally marketed to homeowners for their aesthetics rather than efficiency. However, the next generation of heated towel rails now quickly and efficiently warms and drys towels while adding to the overall style, temperature and comfort of a room. Vent-Axia’s new range features high quality white or chrome finishes with ten different models, split into flat, curved and designer styles, allowing customers to choose exactly the right towel rails to suit their individual home.
As ever, control is central to the range, with the towel rails featuring an advanced controller offering five heat outputs. Providing an eco-mode ideal for use when drying towels to ensure minimal energy use, the controller turns the rail on full power for 30 minutes and then reduces the output to the user setting for a further 90 minutes, before turning the towel rail off. As a result households have warm dry towels without wasting energy, bringing greater comfort to the towel user but also adding to the overall temperature and comfort of the room.
As we move towards zero carbon homes and a decarbonised energy supply electric heating is set to become the heating technology of choice. Already boasting improved efficiency and control, electric heating offers contractors a technology that promises their customers the operational control, comfort and style they desire.
For further information on all products and services offered by Vent-Axia telephone 0844 856 0590

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A specialist product for a specialist project

CR27, from Bradite’s extensive portfolio of high quality paints and decorative coatings, is a fast drying, universal road marking and line paint, suitable for application on asphalt, bitumen, concrete and brick, and on roads, runways, car parks and sports facilities. To achieve optimum results, the company recommends that surfaces be dry, dust free and clean of any contamination prior to application.

Based on a combined alkyd and chlorinated rubber binder system, this specialist paint is surface dry in 10 minutes with a minimum one-hour overcoat time recommended. Application can be by brush, roller, conventional air spraying or airless spraying, depending on the particular job.
CR27 dries to an eggshell sheen and comes in a choice of white or yellow, with bespoke colours also available, as demonstrated by the colours requested for this particular project. If thinning is required, Bradite recommends its TB34 thinner and stresses that equipment should be cleaned immediately after use with its TC32 thinner.
Additional features of CR27 Line Marking Paint include strong adhesion and abrasion resistance, as well as good light reflection properties which can be enhanced by the addition of glass beads. This paint is also resistant to water, oil and brine, leaves no bleeding on asphalt or bitumen roads, and can be used with a low slip additive.

Only the best for this contractor

Established 55 years ago and based in Co Armagh, F&KP Smyth specialises in restoration and decoration services for industrial, commercial, private and listed buildings, as well as specialised projects such as the Co Down road motif.

Company director, Francis Smyth, explains why Bradite’s CR27 Line Marking Paint was suitable for this particular application: “CR27 was the right product for this project because it is quick drying, comes in a full range of colours, and of course, is suitable for external application.
“All of these features were critical to this project which was not without its challenges,” Francis explains. “Not only were we working to a tight time frame, but also the church was in full use while the work was going on. In addition, given the coastal area location which is naturally prone to adverse and unpredictable weather, we needed to apply a paint designed to withstand such conditions.”
So how does F&KP Smyth rate Bradite CR27 overall? “Because it is not thick or sticky, this paint can be applied just like ordinary conventional coatings,” Francis continues. “CR27 offers an excellent colour choice, which includes the full range of BS and RAL colours, and our order was delivered within a week by Brewers’ Milton Keynes branch.
“On completion, the motif looked as though it was brand new and the contracts manager was extremely impressed with how the project turned out.”
This was not the first time F&KP Smyth has used a Bradite branded product. “As we only use paint from leading suppliers,” Francis concludes, “we have used Bradite products previously as specified by Harry Stone at Brewers. Harry has every confidence in the products, and we in turn have full confidence in the brand as well.”

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Game, Set, Match for Ahmarra Installations

Bespoke joinery fit-out for The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) at Wimbledon.

Ahmarra Installations have completed a joinery fit-out sub-contract for the world famous tennis club.

A series of orders were secured with the AELTC in which Ahmarra’s skilled joiners worked to tight deadlines to deliver the scheme in time for this year’s Championships, whilst ensuring the promised high quality levels of finish and design.
Ahmarra Installations undertook work in the Aorangi Pavilion, Millennium Building and the new areas underneath Courts 14 and 15, which houses the 24-hour media restaurant, a bespoke working area for some 250 photographers as well as new accommodation for the ball boys and girls. This order forms part of AELTC’s Master Plan for the Club and The Championships which includes the construction of a new retractable roof over No.1 Court.
“We are delighted to be associated with such a prestigious British institution and we hope that our efforts will evolve into a long term relationship with this landmark sporting venue” commented Richard Panrucker, Ahmarra Installation’s Director. “Our installation team worked to a very tight programme of works whilst still providing enough flexibility in the project plan to allow for any unforeseen challenges, as it was vital that that we had no negative impact on the day-to-day running of Wimbledon” said Richard.
The highly bespoke works included press, writers and radio desks, dressing room benches, player support desk, wall planter system, counter tops, roller shutter cupboards, shelf units, vanity units, changing cubicles, lecterns and internal fire doors.
For more information, call Ahmarra Installations on 02392 389 076 or visit www.ahmarrainstallations.co.uk

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Trend goes with the flow with its new PICV range

Trend Control Systems, the leading international manufacturer and supplier of state-of-the-art Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS), has extended its range of control system components with a new range of pressure independent control valves (PICVs). These innovative devices have been designed to fully optimise the control of thermal comfort and provide significant energy savings.
The Trend range of PICVs is perfect for use in variable flow systems in new builds for both commercial and industrial applications. Now a well-established technology, PICVs provide constant flow regulation under varying pressure conditions and a single product replaces the use of three separate components that would traditionally be required to be installed – a differential pressure regulator, a maximum flow limiter and a temperature control valve.
Ideal for system designers, installers and commissioning specialists looking for a fast, reliable, quiet and easy-to-use solution, Trend’s PICVs improve a building’s thermal comfort, whilst maximising energy savings at the pump. By controlling flows through fan coil units, air handling units and chilled beams fed from variable flow heating and cooling systems, they can adapt to variations in pump speeds, saving energy and minimising wear and tear on these expensive plant components. They also contribute to balanced flow rates and heat outputs across all areas of a building, something that can often be difficult to achieve with traditional configurations.
Trend’s PICVs make specification and installation easy thanks to the ability to pre-set the flow rate between 10-100 per cent of nominal value for the valve. In addition, they also improve system stability and controllability when the flow percentage is adjusted by not limiting the stroke of the flow, but by an independent control element within the valve.
Chris Monson, Trend’s Strategic Marketing Manager, commented, ‘Our new range of PICVs offers absolute and precise control of flow, guaranteed system performance and full optimisation of energy usage. The ability of these devices to reduce excessive flow and pressure acting against control valves also improves the performance, operation and valve lifespan. This new product range is great news for those looking for a single source supplier of control system components, which also includes our popular range of actuators.
For further information please call Trend Marketing on 01403 211888, email marketing@trendcontrols.com or visit www.honeywell.com.

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Stirling Lloyd’s pioneering Bridge Deck Waterproofing gains European approval

Stirling Lloyd is proud to announce that its Eliminator Bridge Deck Waterproofing system has gained European Technical Assessment (ETA) certification from the European Organisation for Technical Approvals (EOTA) through the British Board of Agrément (BBA). The ETA is based on the testing requirements as set out in European Technical Approval Guideline (ETAG) 033. Eliminator is the first UK manufactured system to achieve this level of accreditation.

The ETA certificate confirms that Eliminator has been tested and meets the very latest, high-level European requirements that are specific to the waterproofing of bridge decks. Unlike most other systems, which use more generic standards to CE mark their materials, Eliminator is CE marked to a specific standard.

Clients, specifiers and contractors in EU Members States can be confident when selecting Eliminator that it fully complies with the EU’s design, installation and performance requirements. The certificate provides assurances that the product will perform to consistently high standards, helping to bring greater quality to the construction industry.

As well as confirming the effectiveness of Stirling Lloyd’s advanced polymer technology, Eliminator’s ETA certification provides the latest Factory Production Control (FCP++), which includes audits of production processes, QA/QC testing and full traceability of raw materials through to the finished product.

Eliminator has an unparalleled 30-year global track record. The product has already provided protection of over 15,000,000m2 of bridge deck, on more than 20,000 structures in over 60 countries, in extreme climates, on both road and rail, under heavy traffic on steel and concrete.

John Volpicelli, export director at Stirling Lloyd comments: “It’s fantastic news that Stirling Lloyd has received this ETA accreditation. We operate in many countries both in and outside Europe, and this high level of testing and auditing means all our clients can be assured that Eliminator meets the EOTA standards in manufacture, specification and performance. Stirling Lloyd is proud to be constantly improving standards in engineering.”

Dr Frank Swallow, technical director at Stirling Lloyd oversees all research and development and was heavily involved in the assessment. Frank commented: “During the assessment, BBA technical officers oversaw a large number of comprehensive tests on Eliminator, testing key features and validating the test reports.

“We were confident that our product would come through the assessment with flying colours, as all our products are put through rigorous in-house testing, to ensure they always exceed industry standards. The attainment of the internationally recognised ETA certification through the BBA demonstrates Stirling Lloyd’s commitment to high quality product innovation.”

For more information please visit www.stirlinglloyd.com

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Hydro-Brake Optimum® Delivers Tight Fit For New Homes Flood Storage

Engineers challenged to solve a “tight-fit” surface water management challenge on a new homes development in West Yorkshire turned to Hydro-Brake Optimum® to keep flood protection measures well within safe limits.
At the Saffron Park housing development in Liversedge, the designers Paul Waite Associates Ltd needed to engineer stormwater attenuation in an extensive pipe storage area, necessary because of the topography of the site and the preference of the water authority.
To ensure that the discharge rate limits were met despite the site constraints, Hydro International’s Hydro-Brake Optimum® vortex flow control was specified to control the outflow to the drainage network.
“When we calculated the drainage discharge from the site and the available storage provision, it was going to be difficult to achieve the maximum limit of 110 l/s for 1 in 100 years flood event, plus an allowance for climate change. Using conventional flow control devices would have required more back up storage than would fit in the space available,” explains Luke McCabe of Paul Waite Associates.
“However, when we used the online Hydro-Brake Optimum® Design Tool, it showed that we could recommend a Hydro-Brake Optimum® as it required less storage and met the Environment Agency’s planning requirements easily. The Design Tool allowed us to output drawings and data and was simple to use.”
Saffron Park, in Liversedge, is located between Huddersfield and Leeds and comprises 52 two to five bedroom houses on a plot sandwiched between existing housing and two roads. The site falls nearly three metres from north to south, and surface water from roadways and drives drains via gulley traps to the temporary storage provision along the lower perimeter next to Miry Lane.
“Yorkshire Water had indicated that they preferred concrete pipe storage to cellular storage reservoirs if they were going to adopt the drainage scheme,” continued Luke McCabe. “This necessitated nearly 220 m3 of storage in three 1.2 m concrete pipes, each nearly 50 metres long.
“The pipes were buried at a depth of nearly three metres under the narrow landscaped strip at the lower perimeter; there was no room for more pipe storage if we had wanted it. The Hydro-Brake Optimum® discharges to the public storm drain.”
Since its launch in 2012, Hydro-Brake Optimum® has set new standards in design versatility with its unique ability to achieve up to 15% additional stormwater storage savings compared to conventional vortex flow controls. Independently certified by the BBA and WRc, Hydro-Brake Optimum® is the only vortex flow control whose physical geometry can be precision engineered by fine-tuning the all-important hydraulic design curve.
Hydro-Brake Optimum® is included within the latest industry-standard Micro Drainage design tool allowing engineers to precisely specify the size and hydraulic performance of flow controls to meet their design objectives. The complimentary Hydro-Brake Optimum® Design Tool at www.hydro-int.com provides online support for engineers to design flow controls and output detailed design drawings.

For more information about the Hydro-Brake Optimum® call the Hydro-Brake® Hotline on 01275 337937, email enquiries@hydro-int.com or visit the www.hydro-int.com.

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Village School Sets a Standard in Education Buildings

Teachers and pupils at a Northamptonshire school are excited to start the academic year in new and modern classroom facilities thanks to the arrival of a sustainable timber framed building.

Leading joinery manufacturer, Scotts of Thrapston, were approached by the 210-pupil Weldon Church of England Primary School following an enquiry for a new classroom by the headteacher Lynne Wildman who was looking to replace an old inefficient and ineffective mobile classroom building.

She explains: “We had been looking for years for a solution to the problem of an old mobile classroom that was being used for classes of our Key Stage 2 children. I discovered Scotts when I was looking through one of their fliers after it was placed on my desk.

“Scotts’ modern and efficient standalone classroom structures seemed to be the perfect answer to replace our dilapidated building. From the very first contact I made with the company they have been responsive and easy to work with coming up with a bespoke solution to meet our needs and providing a fantastic environment for our children to learn in.”

Scotts, who have been making and distributing timber products since 1920, first started creating education buildings in 2014 and like the rest of the company’s projects, Weldon Primary School’s new classroom was constructed and ready for use in a matter of weeks.

Mrs Wildman was delighted with the completed classroom, commenting: “The old building was small, cramped and had no running water. The end result is amazing, better than we could have imagined. It’s just so airy, bright and the children will love learning in there.”

An education in timber frame

Scotts offers a core range of education buildings but more often than not, provides bespoke solutions to meet its customers’ individual needs. Each of the designs, including the one at Weldon CE Primary School, are ideal learning environments as well as being environmentally friendly.

The buildings are designed with plenty of windows, allowing in lots of natural light, saving on electricity bills and allowing for plenty of ventilation when opened making it more pleasant to be indoors.

Philip Goldstone, Scotts of Thrapston’s business development manager, explains how the company perfectly combines traditional craftsmanship with the latest technology. He said: “Ultimately our education buildings are designed to make the best use of the space available and to provide optimum energy efficiency.

“We believe that the ideal learning environment begins with a building that inspires and motivates by its architectural form. To achieve their full potential, pupils need to feel comfortable in their environment and research has shown that acoustic conditions can have a profound impact on both children’s learning and staff performance. The feedback we have had from the pupils and the teachers who have used the new classroom is that they all enjoy their new environment.

“The Scotts design service takes into account all elements of the building design including light, ventilation, thermal comfort and acoustics. The right amount of light, both artificial and natural, is crucial. We advise on door and window positions based on a building’s orientation – avoiding light from south facing walls which can result in uncomfortable solar gain in summer and western aspects which can lead to unpleasant glare on winter afternoons.

“Space is also a huge consideration and a stand out feature of Scotts’ education buildings is the high ceilings that provide a feeling of spaciousness.

“The beauty of Scotts’ education buildings is that they can be completely tailored to suit the setting and are designed to precisely meet the end user’s specification. As well as the classroom the buildings include a lobby, cloakroom, washroom and store and we can also cater for any special needs requirements, accessibility issues or existing structures that need to be taken into consideration.”

Inspirational structure

As an added benefit, children are able to see the new building take shape. Pupils at Weldon CE Primary School took an interest in the construction of their new building and although there was a fence put up around the site, the structure remained visible so that the children could watch its progress. Some of the children have been so inspired they are considering careers in building and architecture when they grow up.

Offering a range of highly affordable and versatile sizes and shapes, Scotts of Thrapston can provide a multitude of products for any school looking for either a refurbishment or an extension on existing buildings. With affordable pricing and quick-build times, it really is the perfect option for any school looking for a change.

For more information visit www.scottsofthrapston.co.uk

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