Cembrit Slating expertise now available in print

Cembrit has developed a Fibre Cement Slates guide to provide specifiers, craftsmen and trades people with the relevant information for the successful design and installation of pitched roofing with the ever popular fibre cement slates.

The book demonstrates how all forms of slating and fibre cement technology offers users peace of mind not available from other suppliers and highlights the wide range of slates and accessories the company offers. The 80-page document, entitled ‘A Guide to Double Lap Slating with Fibre Cement Slates’ provides a full explanation on technical specification, design considerations, colour availability and installation advice.

“Cembrit has been manufacturing fibre cement products for over 80 years” explains Ged Ferris, Marketing Manager of Cembrit. “The content of the brochure draws on that depth of experience to offer detailed advice to anyone wanting to specify and install fibre cement slates. Fibre cement man-made slates continue to grow in popularity due not only to the cost and installation benefits but also aesthetic advantages over concrete tiles. Our aim is to support this move by providing a useful document that covers the key aspects of fibre cement specification.

The Cembrit range of fibre cement slates has grown over the years and now includes Westerland, Moorland, Zeeland, Jutland and Diamond, all offering their own unique appearance. The slates are complemented by matching ridge, ventilation 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.

To download the brochures and to find out information on all other Cembrit products, visit www.cembrit.co.uk

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More Dates for PICV CPDs

After yet another hugely successful run of courses earlier this year, Marflow Hydronics announces new dates for its CPD training courses on Pressure Independent Control Valves in October.
The free CPD courses are aimed at consultants, designers, specifiers and key influencers who want to learn more about the products, improve their skills and specify, purchase or commission a PICV. The sessions are designed to provide delegates with knowledge on how PICVs work, innovative pipe layouts and how to make systems more economical, including the introduction of electronic balancing.
The half day sessions are free for anyone to attend, but delegates should have a good prior knowledge of water distribution systems to get the most out of the day.
Nick Martin, Technical Manager at Marflow Hydronics, says “We had excellent feedback from those who attended the courses in April and May and we’ve been getting numerous requests from people asking us when our courses are going to be repeated. It’s so great that people are learning so much from these training sessions and that they’re able to take what they’ve learnt and use it in their jobs.”
Places are limited on these popular courses, strictly on a first come first served basis, so immediate registration is recommended. To register or for more information visit www.marflowhydronics.co.uk/events, call 0121 358 2012 or email training@marflow.co.uk.

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Introducing New Genesis GRP Kiosks

New to the Glasdon collection are Genesis GRP portable kiosks, a range of high quality buildings which are available off the shelf for quick delivery (free to mainland UK).

These economical GRP buildings are ideal for a large variety of outdoor applications such as car parks, security gates and toll booths. Perfect for limited budgets!

The Genesis range of glass reinforced plastic buildings, provide a strong, versatile and comfortable accommodation solution for employees.

These stylish GRP kiosks come as standard in four layouts, offering high quality materials at a budget-conscious cost.

Portable and adaptable, the sizes available are as follows: 1.5 x 1.5m GRP kiosk, 2.3 x 1.5m GRP booth, 2.3 x 1.5m GRP building (double sliding window model) and 2.7 x 2.2m GRP cabin.

The largest GRP kiosk in the Genesis range is suitable for retail purposes, as kiosks offer a low cost way of enhancing your brands visibility and presence at venues and events. From goods inward offices and portable offices to gate houses and sentry posts, this size unit would be ideal.

The GRP building with double sliding window allows you to easily communicate with visitors and provide quick customer service, perfect for information kiosks and busy ticket sale areas. Ideal for football and other event programme selling. This model is also suited as a security cabin, as the double window space allows a higher visibility span.

Insulated and weather resistant, the Genesis GRP kiosk range come as standard with fully flame retardant white panels. A wide range of optional extras available to kit out the cabin to your specification, and stickers can be used to personalise and brand the outside.

The practical and multifunctional Genesis GRP units are sturdy and robust, available in a wide range of sizes that are low–maintenance and affordable.

Glasdon also produce a wide range of GRP Modular Buildings, GRP / Steel Housings and Equipment Cabinets.

With an infinite set of uses within the industrial and commercial sectors, GRP and IP-rated units provide a quality, reliable and cost effective solution. The durable constructions deliver an impressive focal point and superior accommodation for a large range of applications.

If you have any questions contact Glasdon today on (01253) 600410, email sales@glasdon-uk.co.uk, or visit www.glasdon.com.

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Capital Safety champions protection against dropped objects with acquisition of Python Safety, INC

Capital Safety, the world leading provider of safety solutions for workers at height has announced the acquisition of specialist manufacturer of tool drop prevention equipment, Python Safety, Inc.

Capital Safety’s industry-leading products, which include harnesses, lanyards, self-retracting lifelines, engineered systems and rescue devices, are sold through the globally recognised brands DBI-SALA® and PROTECTA®. The addition of Python Safety to the portfolio will support Capital Safety’s mission to bring every worker at height home safely by focusing on eliminating accidents from dropped tools.

Falling objects are a leading cause of injury for workers. According to DROPS, the Dropped Objects Prevention Scheme, more than 850 incidents have been recorded in the oil and gas industry alone since 2010, with predicted incidents on the rise*. Ensuring employers are focused on providing a total safety solution to protect workers at height, as well as those on the ground, from dropped objects is paramount to reducing and ultimately eliminating these incidents.

Nate Damro, President – Europe, Middle East and Africa at Capital Safety, commented: “We are very excited to have Python Safety become part of Capital Safety. This acquisition is a natural extension for us and in line with our continued commitment to bringing workers home safely.

“Struck-by falling objects is a leading cause of injury for workers and Python Safety’s portfolio of products are designed to prevent tools and equipment from falling. This deal enables us to bring a broader range of solutions to our customer base and helps them keep their employees safe.”

Mark Caldwell, CEO of Python Safety, added “We are delighted to join Capital Safety. As a combined organisation, we will be able to leverage Capital Safety’s global organisation and distribution channels with our core strength in drop prevention to broaden our reach and bring even more innovative solutions to a larger customer base. It will also allow us a better opportunity to expand the definition of fall protection to include tools and equipment.”

Capital Safety will be launching the premium range of dropped object prevention products for tools and equipment – including tool holsters and pouches, attachment points and lanyards – at the upcoming Safety & Health Expo. Taking place on 16-18 June 2015 at the ExCel exhibition centre in London, the event will offer delegates access to Capital Safety experts who will be available to discuss specific application challenges and solutions for workers at height. Stand – P2200.

For further information on Capital Safety, visit www.capitalsafety.com.

For details on Python Safety, go to the website, www.pythonsafety.com.

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Bracknell roofing tops off new £250m Center Parcs

A stunning sustainable roof installation has been completed by roofing specialist Bracknell Roofing at Center Parcs’ new £250m Holiday Village in Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire.

The team was commissioned to carry out the roof works due to its expertise in sustainable roofing solutions and the recently completed project, which was shortlisted in the Roofing Industry Awards 2015, saw the Bracknell team install Western Red Cedar Shingles as an alternative to traditional roof tiles to the site’s main centre building.

Housing a number of restaurants, the structure sits at the heart of the site’s ‘Village Square’ and the innovative roof has been installed to deliver optimum aesthetic appeal, as well as boost the building’s sustainability credentials.

Timber shingles supplied by John Brash Limited were chosen for the roof covering due to the site’s location in Woburn Forest and, being a low carbon material, met the demanding sustainability requirements.

Bowmer & Kirkland was the main contractor on the new build and appointed the specialist Bracknell Roofing team. Steve Marsh, contracts manager for Bowmer & Kirkland, comments: “On a high profile project such as this we needed a roofing expert we could rely on completely. We have worked with Bracknell Roofing before so knew it had the in-house skills to tackle a high profile project of this scale. Shingles are often a complex roofing material to work with, due to the natural variation in colour and grain, which is another reason we appointed Bracknell as a specialist partner.”

The success of the project has been reflected in its shortlisting in the Roofing Industry Awards 2015, which are led by the National Confederation for Roofing Contractors to recognise outstanding workmanship and safety across the roofing industry.

Dave Cook, regional contracts director at Bracknell Roofing, adds: “At Bracknell Roofing, we’re committed to delivering bespoke services and solutions to meet our customers’ individual needs. For this project, due to wooded surroundings at the site, it was important that we created a roof space to complement the natural vernacular, as well as deliver sustainable results. We were delighted to work alongside Bowmer & Kirkland to achieve just that.”

Bracknell Roofing is part of the Etex Group, a major European construction company, and is committed to the ongoing investment of skills and development across its national network of branches. The company works as both a principal contractor and sub-contractor, depending on customer needs.
To find out more about how a project could benefit from Bracknell Roofing’s specialist skills, call 08705 626800, or visit www.bracknellroofing.com/contactus 

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Fast curing Cold Liquid Systems provide Blitz Waterproofing Solution

Morris Blitz Court is a residential housing estate located in Hackney that has recently undergone an extensive amount of refurbishment works as part of the Decent Homes Programme. Included within the approved scheme was the refurbishment of all of the building’s balconies and walkways, as well as the transformation of the 1,000m2 concrete podium deck located above the car park into an aesthetically pleasing social space.

Prior to any work commencing on site, Hackney Council hosted regular consultation meetings with all Morris Blitz residents where plans were presented and discussed. Upon receiving approval for the proposed refurbishment works the building was surveyed by flat roofing specialists Bauder to investigate the options available for improving the aesthetics and functionality of the podium deck, and to determine what course of action needed to be taken to ensure the building was watertight. The client’s main priority for the podium deck was for it to be totally free draining so that there was no standing water, which had previously caused problems. Various waterproofing system options were explored, however it was decided that Bauder’s cold liquid applied systems would be the most suitable solution given all the requirements.

One of the major challenges for this project was the low door thresholds connecting to the podium deck, which couldn’t be raised, meaning that the entire build-up for the majority of the cold liquid waterproofing and landscaping elements would need to be less than 100mm in height. Because of these restrictions the only drainage and protection board suitable within the system was Bauder’s Versicell 20, which is just 20mm in height but can withstand extremely high loading. The LiquiTEC system also incorporated 140mm of Bauder’s JFRI insulation in sunken areas of the podium, ensuring a level surface across the deck and combining thermal efficiency with environmental friendliness. The surface of the deck consists of three distinct finishes; permeable paving on the ground floor patios and walkways, artificial turf featuring fibreglass planters to serve as a communal garden and rubber mulch to create a play area for children.

The cantilever style balconies and communal walkways were waterproofed with Bauder’s LiquiBALKON system; demanding a high degree of workmanship from Bauder approved contractor Armour Group due to the amount of intricate detailing requirements. This waterproofing system features PMMA resin technology that provides exceptionally fast curing times and can in fact withstand foot traffic within an hour of being installed. This was essential as the residents of Morris Blitz remained in situ throughout the installation and working hours had to be scheduled between 10am and 2pm to accommodate for school hours. Despite the various design, technical and installation challenges encountered all waterproofing and landscape works were completed on time and to budget much to the delight of all project stakeholders.

Harsha Amin, Project Manager from Hackney Homes, stated “The required refurbishment works at Morris Blitz Court were by no means straight forward. However Bauder were able to deliver a comprehensive, single source waterproofing solution of the absolute highest quality; providing expert technical support throughout the project and demonstrating exceptional levels of workmanship. They caused minimal disruption to residents and have successfully transformed this housing estate in terms of appearance and functionality; creating a visually appealing and inviting communal space where residents of all ages can relax and socialise.”

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

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Safety Conscious Stormking

Safety conscious contractors will welcome StormFix – a new product from prefabricated building products specialists Stormking.

StormFix from Stormking

StormFix fixing kits have been sourced in partnership with RAWLBOLT and the packs are exclusive to Stormking and offer fixing bolts to ensure safe and secure fixing of structural frames to all common types of external wall applications.

Choosing the correct anchoring with such a diversity of wall types can pose problems for contractors – and getting it wrong can have severe consequences.

The new StormFix fixing packs remove all the uncertainty of choosing the correct bolts to ensure risk-free anchoring for the full Stormking range of grp entrance canopies and bay window roofs. When finished with tiling, these can impose considerable demands on the building structure and it is essential that the fixing bolts are able to bear this load.

The StormFix packs are supplied with the Stormking canopies and roofs and are available for both lightweight and structural units and come pre-packed with matching bolt cap covers. They come in two sizes – 80mm and 120mm – and in packs of four or eight, to cover the complete range of Stormking roof and door canopies and are the ideal reassurance for housebuilders’ Health & Safety managers and contractors who carry the responsibility for ensuring safety in their building works.

The Stormking ranges of bay window roofs and entrance canopies offer housebuilders an almost limitless choice of styles and sizes to create a distinctive street scene. Made to the highest quality standards, Stormking prefabricated building products are a highly cost effective alternative to using traditional building materials such as stone, slate, concrete and timber. They also have many advantages, especially saving time and cost by eliminating site fabrication and the inconsistencies which can often result. They are also virtually maintenance free and have proven longevity.

Manufactured to comply with European approvals, StormFix from Stormking offers the one-stop, simple but totally safe and reliable, easy to install structural frame fixing, providing the confidence developers need as they become evermore responsible for safety in the houses they build.

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

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HVAC 2015 unveils impressive seminar schedule

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Preparations are gaining momentum for the strongest trade event the building and construction industry has ever seen as Media 10, the UK’s biggest design and build event company, announces its comprehensive seminar programme for HVAC 2015, part of UK Construction Week.UKCON0615-BS-ARTICLE

Spanning the first three days of UK Construction Week, 6 – 8 October, HVAC 2015’s seminar schedule is packed with debates, workshops and panel discussions that focus on the key issues facing the HVAC industry today. With participation from some of the leading innovators, training providers and manufacturers, as well as the opportunity for visitors to join in, HVAC 2015 provides a valuable platform to engage with and learn from professionals at all levels.

The first day kicks off with an introductory guide to under-floor heating systems designed to help those looking to capitalise on the current increase in demand for more efficient heating solutions. The focus then moves to the future of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps, as experts share their opinion on the direction technology and the industry as a whole is heading. The first day will also include a discussion about energy reduction strategies for commercial buildings.

Day two of HVAC 2015 will feature a detailed look at the best high-efficiency boilers available in the UK, as well as a practical session on how to future proof HVAC design. A more technical session will follow on the properties of air and how it can be influenced to obtain specific environment requirements.

The third and final day of seminar content will tackle the diversifying field of HVAC controls, with experts sharing tips on how to get the most out of control systems and what is set to become possible with controls in the near future. Energy efficiency in central heating systems will also be on the agenda.

Each of the three days will be concluded with a Meet the Installer networking session, designed to link main contractors and manufacturers with installers. These sessions will provide a valuable opportunity to generate new business and long-term partnerships, offering visitors maximum return on the time they invest attending the show.

Richard Morey, Group Events Director at Media 10, said: “We have worked really hard with our event partners to develop the seminar content for this year’s UK Construction Week and I’m confident that what we have come up with will meet the needs of today’s construction professionals.”

Taking place at the Birmingham NEC from 6 – 11 October (with the trade only days from 6 – 8 October), UK Construction Week will be the biggest construction trade event the UK has seen in years. Bringing together nine shows under one roof, the event will unite 1,000 exhibitors with more than 55,000 visitors.

Visitors will be able to attend Grand Designs Live, the Build Show, Timber Expo, the Surface and Materials Show, Energy 2015, Kitchens & Bathroom Live, Plant & Machinery Live and Smart Buildings 2015, in addition to HVAC 2015.

For more information please visit www.ukconstructionweek.com or follow @UK_CW on Twitter.

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Freefoam Launch New Style Double Shiplap Cladding

Freefoam, a leading manufacturer of a wide range of innovative products for the building industry in Ireland, the UK and Mainland Europe, has made a valuable addition to its popular cladding range and launched Fortex Pro, a new style double shiplap board.

The new product features an increased width of 333mm and thickness of 9mm creating a stronger board through improved profile design and offers greater coverage at 1.665sqmt per board with a quick and easy calculation for specification purposes. Colour choice is important for any exterior building product and as colour specialists Freefoam have now added four new colours to this product range, Misty Grey, Cement Grey, Slate Grey and Cappuccino, making a total of ten. The combination of all these new features and the addition of superior colourfastness and weatherability properties using advanced skin technology makes Fortex Pro the perfect choice for all building professionals.
The Fortex® cladding range includes a double shiplap plank format 300mm wide, a weatherboard style at 170mm wide both with an attractive embossed textured wood effect finish and a 250mm wide board with an authentic render finish.

PVC-U cladding requires minimal maintenance once installed, a major benefit for property owners and a compelling feature for any property developer or public sector housing provider. With significant environmental credentials, being awarded an A+ rating from the Building Research Establishment’s (BRE) ‘Green Guide To Specification’ when installed with standard components, the range makes a real alternative to timber and fibre cement products.

Aidan Harte, Managing Director, Freefoam, comments: “We’ve seen a surge in our Fortex cladding with sales doubling last year. Now is the right time to augment our existing range with a product specifically manufactured for the professional trade market. A robust board with an attractive finish and impressive range of colours will give our customers a valuable addition to their portfolio of products and a real opportunity to develop new business streams”

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Fermacell embraces BIM

Systems from Fermacell are now available through bimstore.

Systems from Fermacell, manufacturer of the “ultimate building board”, are now available through bimstore.

Downloadable in the Revit format, more than 30 Fermacell systems for walls, floors and ceilings are now available through the UK’s largest BIM portal, www.bimstore.co.uk, as well as through www.fermacell.co.uk.

The Fermacell BIM components include steel and timber stud partitions, steel and timber wall linings and SFS wall systems as well as dry floor screed and steel frame and timber ceilings.

Fermacell’s BIM models provide 3D digital replicas of the products as well as the critical COBIE data which an architect will need about them to guide them through the whole design and construction process.

The 3D images complement the drawings and details that are the legal documents in the design and construction process when the information model is a basis for tenders and proposals.

Fermacell general manager Gary Carter said: “Fermacell sees BIM as an integral part of the strategy to maximise the construction process from inception through to completed construction.”

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