BRE joins UK Construction Week as content partner

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Welcoming one of the industry’s most well respected names, UK Construction Week is pleased to announce that BRE has joined as official content partner for the event.

Drawing on its significant expertise in every aspect of the built environment and associated industries, BRE (Building Research Establishment) is the leading voice for impartial research, testing and training within the construction industry. Its focus is on helping clients create better, safer and more sustainable products, buildings, communities and businesses, as well as supporting the innovation needed to achieve this.

In its role as content partner, BRE will provide invaluable support in shaping the direction of UK Construction Week, sharing its unique perspectives to develop an informative and highly insightful programme of seminar content.

With a strong emphasis on innovation, training and future construction trends, the seminar programme will provide a vital platform for sharing knowledge and exploring the key issues facing the industry. BRE’s wealth of specialist expertise will add real value to the conversation, with expert speakers joining a number of the debates, workshops and panel discussions.

In particular, BRE will take the lead in representing BIM content, including the most comprehensive BIM education programme ever seen in the UK plus seminar content across the whole event.

Miles Watkins, BRE’s Group Business Development Director commented: “Our key focus at BRE is on helping industry and government meet the challenges of the built environment. UK Construction Week is set to provide a unique chance to interact with professionals from all sectors, giving us a fantastic opportunity to engage, share best practice and help move the industry forward.”

Bringing together nine shows under one roof, UK Construction Week will be the biggest construction trade event the UK has seen in years. Taking place at the Birmingham NEC from 6 – 11 October (with the trade only days from 6 – 8 October) the event will unite 1,000 exhibitors with an expected audience of 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, HVAC 2015 and Smart Buildings 2015.

Richard Morey, Group Events Director at Media 10, the event company producing UK Construction Week, commented: “BRE’s ability to generate new knowledge plays a vital role in driving innovation within the built environment as well as helping government shape construction industry policy, so the considerable value and insight this will bring to our seminar programme cannot be overstated. We are delighted to welcome BRE on board as content partner for the show.”

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

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How Value Engineering is driving commercial door innovation

With higher standards of thermal efficiency and security now top priorities for commercial door specification, Jack Aluminium’s high performance Jack Door offers a cost effective solution due to its value engineered design.

The requirement for external doors with advanced locking solutions has been driven in part by three new Secured by Design Guides published in the last year. High energy performance is also increasingly important to building users. Commercial door and window specialist Jack Aluminium Systems has developed its thermally enhanced Jack Door TD68 in standard hook lock, anti-panic and Mag Lock variants. All 3 doorsets have achieved PAS 24 and the system is BM TRADA Q Mark certified so fabricators can easily produce doors that meet Secured by Design approval.

Jack Aluminium designed Jack Door TD68 from scratch to provide a best in class product that is highly competitive. “For low volume applications, system suppliers often adapt an existing product and this adds extra cost for the fabricator that often can’t be passed on,” explains Jeff Pearson, Sales and Marketing Director at Jack Aluminium. “Adopting value engineering principals has helped us innovate products that improve performance without adding unnecessary cost.

“Jack Door enables fabricators to deliver energy efficient doorsets with enhanced security benefits, and remain competitive in the price sensitive construction market.”

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Interphone launches home automation and entertainment business

A new business has been set up to develop advanced home automation and entertainment systems that will combine familiar technologies to bring added simplicity, convenience and enjoyment to everyday life. Ingeny, launched by security systems and building technology integrator Interphone, will work closely with property developers, architects, interior designers and home owners to create individually-tailored solutions that are designed to meet exact entertainment, communications, comfort and security preferences.

Whether it is a Tower Block, individual home or other large multi dwelling estate Ingeny will handle everything from design and consultation through to installation and ongoing support. These integrated and smart building solutions will give residents, along with property owners and managers, complete control at the tap of a touchscreen, smartphone or tablet from the comfort of the home, onsite or remotely wherever they are. As a result, it will now be possible to monitor and manage virtually any system in the home or building from a single device.

A demonstration suite, located at Interphone’s Harrow headquarters, has been opened to show how all the complementary systems and control solutions come together in a truly seamless way. It combines all aspects of home and smart building automation to provide a live, integrated facility covering energy management, security, home application controls, such as blinds and lighting, ) and audio visual technologies. The suite provides a unique living, concierge and property management environment that showcases the intuitive user experience along with the practical advantages of complete system integration.

 

Julian Synett, Managing Director of Interphone commented: “Our longstanding involvement in the commercial residential sector stretching back over fifty years means that we are uniquely placed to implement the latest integrated technology solutions incorporating all aspects of home and building control, including in-home entertainment systems. The solutions we offer at both enterprise and individual home level are modular and flexible so as to respond to the precise needs of building owners, home owners and property managers. At the heart of all that we do is the desire to deliver seamless integration, simply controlled and efficiently maintained.”

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EJOT fastener creates fast installation for Standing Seam Support brackets

EJOT UK has a developed a new application-specific fastener as an addition to its highly successful EJOfast range. The new EJOT® Seamclip fastener utilises the unique EJOFAST pierce point tip and thread geometry to create a fast and efficient method of fixing stainless steel support clips for fully supported standing seam roof systems. Originally designed for installation into thin steel composite skins, trials completed during the testing and development phase also revealed that the new fastener performs exceptionally well into timber and OSB substrates, yielding maximised pull-out performance from the timber and steel substrates.

EJOfast Seamclip’s official EJOT product code is the JF3 STX2 4.8 x 25. Available in a standard 25mm length, the buttress thread has been combined with a low profile countersunk head with Torx® recess for a positively controlled installation. The new fastener is manufactured in A2 stainless steel for corrosion resistance and to provide compatibility with the clip and standing seam material. Like all products in the EJOfast range, minimal swarf is created resulting in a fast, clean and strong installation process.
The EJOfast portfolio already includes hex-head stainless, dome headed Super-SAPHIR and integral nylon headed Colorfast options. In addition to the new Seamclip fastener, EJOT is also manufacturing a carbon steel EJOfast stitcher as a further extension to the range.
For more information please visit www.ejot.co.uk

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Modern heating technology helps museum protect artefacts for future generations

Maintaining precise temperature and humidity levels to protect its extensive artefact collection, while keeping energy costs and emissions down at its award winning Downland Gridshell Building, were key requirements for the management at the Weald Down Open Air Museum when selecting a replacement for an inefficient old boiler serving the building’s underfloor heating system.

Their choice was an ATAG Q60S condensing combination boiler, one of the most efficient light commercial boilers on the market, supplied by Chichester-based ATAG Heating UK.

‘The new boiler will ensure the correct level of relative humidity within our artefact store for the continued wellbeing of the important collections housed there,’
said Guy Viney, Gridshell Manager.

“We needed a boiler with a track record of efficiency, longevity and reliability, with affordable running costs,” he said. “Guided by our heating engineer Damien Lindley and Robin Osborne from ATAG and following testimonials from colleagues within the heritage industry, we felt confident that ATAG would fulfill all these requirements.”

In line with the overall ethos of the museum, environmental issues were also top of the agenda in their choice of boiler. The Q60S delivers strongly in this aspect with what ATAG believes to be the lowest NOx emissions in its class at below 30ppm.
With an output up to 57.3kW, the Q60S features ATAG’s tried and tested 316 stainless steel heat exchanger technology currently used throughout their boiler range, and gives a class leading efficiency of 109.3% (EN677) achieved through seamless upwards modulation. This enables the boiler to deliver precisely the amount of heat required any one time to preserve the artefacts, while ensuring maximum efficiency and lower energy costs for the museum.

All models in the Q Series have 3 BREEAM points for their excellent energy saving credentials and low emissions. Easy to install and occupying a small footprint, Q Series boilers are well proven in the marketplace and have an enviable reputation for their ease of servicing and reliability. Reliability was a key factor, as the correct humidity levels have to be maintained 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Downland Gridshell itself is an award winning building, combining traditional materials and 21st Century technology. The building is on two levels with the basement housing the museum’s unique collection of tools and artefacts, while the upper deck  is a workshop and layout space for building  conservation and training.

A lightweight structure made of oak laths similar in construction to the fuselage of the famous World War II Wellington bomber, a cross section of which is also displayed at the museum, the Gridshell was completed in 2002 with financial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Artefacts on display include an extensive and unique collection of traditional carpentry, plumbing and blacksmithing tools.

The Museum’s 40-acre site in the heart of the South Downs National park incorporates 50 exhibition buildings with many of the houses on show furnished to recreate historic domestic interiors. Buildings include workers’ cottages, shops, farmhouses, barns and even a church. Many have been rescued from demolition or from simply falling down, then dismantled, conserved and painstakingly rebuilt.

“Preserving and stimulating interest in buildings of architectural or historical interest and the ancient crafts and trades that go into them is our prime objective,” said Museum Director, Richard Pailthorpe. “We have over 120,000 visitors every year, including those staying in the area and as a registered charity rely on a veritable army of volunteers to ensure the highest standards of care for our collections.”

There is a regular programme of domestic and craft demonstrations, including cooking in a Tudor kitchen; milling flour in a fully working watermill; blacksmithing in a Victorian smithy and other seasonal demonstrations and events.

Full details of this unique museum can be found at www.wealddown.co.uk or by phoning 01243 811363.

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Low odour with no compromises

Low odour with no compromises

Decothane Ultra sets new standard for the roofing industry

The next generation of liquid applied roof membranes has been launched by Sika Liquid Plastics. Decothane Ultra is a low odour non-disruptive roofing solution that achieves more than 80 percent reduction in odour strength five minutes after application and greater than 95 percent reduction after just one hour against a similar one-component competitor. These results were established by independent testing.

Decothane Ultra utilises a range of new novel curing agents developed and patented by Sika. This new chemistry offers a versatile platform from which to formulate extremely low solvent content and low odour liquid applied membranes for a wide range of applications.

Extensive field tests have been undertaken on the product prior to launch and a large number of these applications were in odour sensitive areas such as food manufacturing plants, hospitals and schools. They were all successfully applied without disruption to activities within the buildings.

Commenting on the introduction Nigel Blacklock, head of technical at Sika said: “Over the past decade, concern about construction product emissions has grown significantly especially from those involved in their supply and installation. European regulation now imposes strict controls on Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) contents, together with a growing focus on ensuring relating chemicals are non-hazardous in their use.

“This backdrop posed a significant development challenge for us but we were keen to achieve a successful outcome without compromising other aspects of the product. In particular, there are problems that occur with low solvent and solvent free products which often handle poorly, exhibiting high viscosity at lower temperatures and sagging on vertical applications at elevated temperatures. Additionally, they do not permit the use of glass fibre reinforcement and are therefore forced to rely on fleeces that can be more time-consuming to install. Our goal with Decothane Ultra was to tick all the boxes and make no compromises.”

During the development of Decothane Ultra, Sika Liquid Plastics worked closely with a consultancy specialising in the testing of occupational health exposures to develop a test method intended to replicate the ‘worst case scenarios’ on roofs using a closed test area without ventilation. A cross-section of single component polyurethane liquid membrane products were tested under these conditions and all were found to breach workplace exposure limits however, through careful engineering and innovation Sika Liquid Plastics has produced Decothane Ultra, a single component polyurethane that when tested within a confined space was found not to breach any workplace exposure limits. “We see this as the new benchmark for liquid applied roof membranes,” commented Nigel Blacklock.

Sika Liquid Plastics quality assured contractors have been trialling the product prior to launch and have already identified its increased advantages. Martin Eyre from Surface Protection commented: “Surface Protection has worked with Sika Liquid Plastics for many years and so we were more than happy to take part in trialling Decothane Ultra, testing it in sensitive areas, such as hospitals where we’ve now used Decothane Ultra in more than 15,000sq m on various hospital roofs.

He added: “Surface Protection has even been able to use it at a highly sensitive nuclear site, as it was the most suitable roofing membrane for this challenging project.”

While Daniel Devlin of Designed Roof Systems said: “I would happily recommend Decothane Ultra, as it’s an excellent product, applying it is even easier and the odour is hard to detect. This makes it the ideal choice for sensitive areas which are highly populated, such as shopping centres, food manufacturers, schools or hospitals.”

Decothane Ultra is available in the UK from Sika Liquid Plastics. For further information visit www.decothaneultra.co.uk or call the Enquiry Line on 01772 259781

Further reading

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Hat-trick of Encon companies notch up a brace of certifications

Hat-trick of Encon companies notch up a brace of certifications

Three members of the Encon Group have gained two internationally recognised certifications.

Pictured from left: Will Barker and Richard Prince

The Encon Group has achieved a brace of performance standards.

Specialist distributors Encon Insulation and Nevill Long and passive fire-protection manufacturer PFC Corofil have gained the environmental standard ISO 14001:2004 AND the Occupational Health and Safety standard OHSAS 18001:2007.

This was achieved in just five months across all of the group’s 21 sites and its Head Office from the UKAS-accredited body NQA using an integrated management system some 15 years after Encon became the first national insulation distributor to gain the quality standard ISO 9001 across all its sites.

Encon Insulation was founded more than 30 years ago with the aim of providing energy-saving solutions to customers so ISO 14001 was a logical progression. The Encon name also derives from Energy Conservation.

Group systems and quality manager Richard Prince is tasked with ensuring it meets its KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) for the next three years in terms of reducing commercial fuel usage by 5% and increasing the recycling of waste.

Group Health and Safety manager Will Barker has been instrumental in a drive to make reductions in 3 key areas. This has resulted in 2013/14 seeing lost work time incidents reduce by 29%, lost working days by 42% and RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) incidents by 57%. Another positive note was an improvement in the way the company are reporting potential incidents, thus helping to reduce future injuries.

Encon’s chief operating officer John Bedford said: “Gaining these certifications forms a key part of our distributor and employer of choice strategy, showing the industry and our employees our commitment to Health, Safety and the environment and the values embodied in these standards.

“The fact that we achieved certification in a relatively short time bears testimony to the high standards that each site operates to and the engagement of every employee involved in the process. The work now starts to ensure we continually look to raise our standards and share best practice across the business to the benefit of our customers, suppliers and employees.”

For further information, please visit www.encon.co.uk/

Further reading

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Jutland Slates installed on Somerset homes

Jutland Slates installed on Somerset homes

Jutland fibre cement slates from Cembrit have been installed on a development of innovative ‘heritage-styled’ new homes in Somerset. Built by Redrow Homes, the development is located on the outskirts of Wellington in the County, and the Jutlands have been installed on 33 of the 112 new build homes to help achieve an Arts and Crafts inspired traditional exterior for each property.

The Bagley Green development is in an idyllic semi-rural location, close to the Blackdown Hills, as well as Exeter and Taunton. The development consists of two, three, four and five bedroom homes from Redrow’s New Heritage Collection. North Roofing of Somerset used Jutland slates to ensure the project achieved the desired architectural and period detail for the property.

“Jutland is an attractive looking fibre cement slate that combines traditional appearance with contemporary performance,” says Warren from North Roofing. “Furthermore, it is easy to install which is particularly important on a housing development where any weaknesses in a product will be exposed. Jutland was the perfect slate for this project as it has been for many of our other similar jobs.”

Cembrit’s decades of expertise mean that their Jutland slates are created with a smooth surface which creates an aesthetically pleasing finish. They are also lightweight, pre-holed and have consistent dimensions. The slates can be cut with hand tools – all that is required is a scribe and straight edge – and no power tools with associated dust suppression equipment are necessary. Jutland slates are manufactured to the highest European standards and are suitable for all types of projects. The slate is easy to handle and install, it is durable and offers an economic alternative to natural roofing materials.

For further information, please visit cembrit.co.uk

Further reading

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Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital Improve Access with Axis

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital Improve Access with Axis

The ongoing refurbishment programme at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital identified a set of emergency exit doors on the Holly Suite Cardiac Day Care Unit being regularly used as a delivery point for supplies and exit for waste materials. The doors were not automated which made it difficult to move trolleys through the doorway and left them prone to damage, both cosmetic and functional.

Discussions with Axis Automatic Entrance Systems of Northampton led to the replacement of the old doors with a set of half glazed aluminium doors automated with Axis ax85 Universal swing door operators. These allow push button operation to open the doors from the inside of the building with a delayed action setting allowing ample time for users to pass through the doorway before they automatically close to maintain security and fire protection. From the outside door operation is initiated by a magnetic card reader which restricts access to authorised users.

The name ax85 comes from the 85mm height dimension of the unit making it one of the neatest systems on the market. The universal qualities of the ax85 drive system derive from its electro-mechanical construction and its modular design. When the door drive motor operates, it simultaneously tensions a spring integrated in the drive housing. The closing movement uses energy stored in the spring, which, if necessary, is motor assisted.

Optimum power deployment is achieved in the entire door swing area, even without motor assistance. This moves the door reliably to its end position and also complies with the norms and standards of current safety requirements. The ax85 is approved as a hold-open system for fire protection barriers and can be used with various fire-protection profile systems.

Elsewhere on the site, a pair of swing doors on the ambulance entrance to the Critical Care Unit was causing problems. The old operators installed by another company some years ago were failing to cope with the strong winds that regularly blow directly onto the doors of that part of the building. This time Axis recommended a single leaf Stanley Dura-Glide sliding door system that opens automatically when the monitored safety and activation (combined) sensors detect an approaching ambulance crew or other user.

The new sliding door is not affected by the local wind and shuts securely every time. The sliding configuration also maintains clear access to a store area that was previously reduced by the operation of the old swing doors.

Axis Automatic Entrance Systems also supply, install and maintain a wide range of folding doors, bypass doors and bifolding doors. The range includes doors for specialist installations such as hospital intensive care units as well as shopfronts, curtain walling, security roller shutters, turnstiles, car park barriers and architectural ironmongery. Complete access control systems can also be supplied and installed.

Axis employs ADSA Authorised Technicians (Automatic Door Suppliers’ Association) for the specification, supply, installation and maintenance of automatic door operators as per the guidelines of EN16005 (formerly BS7036:1996 – Code of Practice for safety at powered doors for pedestrian use).

For further information call 0844 504 6525, email sales@axisautomatic.com or visit www.axisautomatic.com

Further reading

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Gebrik System Awarded BBA Certificate

Gebrik System Awarded BBA Certificate

Aquarian Cladding Systems Ltd announced today that the wide range of applications of its Gebrik Insulating Brick Cladding System has been recognised by the British Board of Agrément (BBA) with the inclusion of an additional product sheet within its existing BBA certificate 07/4403.

The new product sheet covers the use of the innovative brick cladding system onto lightweight steel frame systems (SFS), timber frame and structural insulated panel (SIP) systems up to a height of 18 metres, and for use on SFS over 18 metres in accordance with the recent successful BR135: Annex B fire test, carried out at the Building Research Establishment (BRE). This is in addition to the certification for use onto clay and concrete masonry buildings, which has been held for over 10 years.

The system was subject to rigorous evaluation by the BBA across a range of factors, including thermal performance, strength and stability, behaviour in relation to fire, the risk of condensation and durability. The certificate confirms that when correctly installed, used and maintained, Gebrik satisfies or contributes to satisfying the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations (in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales), the CDM Regulations (2007) and the NHBC Standards (2014).

Upon receiving the certificate from BBA Chief Executive Claire Curtis-Thomas, Paul Richards, Aquarian Cladding’s Managing Director, said: “As the UK’s most recognised independent assessment and testing authority, the BBA is respected throughout the industry so we and our manufacturing partner Isosystems are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this addition to our certificate.

“Gebrik is the only off-site manufactured, insulating brick cladding system to be backed by a BBA Certificate, reinforcing its position as the best-tested system on the market. The BBA award follows earlier successful testing of Gebrik both for weather-tightness with the CWCT and fire performance with the BRE.”

Already proven in a wide range of education, residential, commercial and healthcare applications throughout the UK, the Gebrik insulating brick cladding system delivers significant operational, performance, construction and aesthetic benefits. For more details, visit www.aquariancladding.co.uk or call the company’s support team on 0844 334 0077.

Further reading

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