ADSA’s tunes up Quartet for Business Support

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The Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) has launched Quartet – a new initiative to provide member support across four essential services: HR, legal, health and safety and tax.

 

The service, delivered in partnership with Quest, includes an online library with more than 450 templates, documents and advice sheets and an advice line for direct contact

It is available to all ADSA members – from major manufacturers to sole traders – but should prove particularly helpful to support smaller businesses without dedicated in-house teams.

 

It will help them to:

 

  • manage problems – such as disciplinary issues, disability requirements, grievance procedures, redundancy/dismissal/pay/capability issues and long-term sickness
  • get answers – to workplace changes such as hybrid working and sick pay
  • stay compliant – on contracts of employment, employee handbooks, understanding responsibilities and changes to legislation
  • support staff – around working practice, maternity, paternity, leave and training

 

By including Quartet as an additional member benefit, ADSA hopes that it will help businesses save money – reducing outsourcing costs and delivering peace of mind.

Said ADSA managing director Ken Price: “ADSA membership is great value and this service is a further enhancement to what we offer. We have a range of member organisations from big manufacturers and distributors to micro companies and sole traders.

“Although all our members will be able to access Quartet, we believe that it will be particularly beneficial for smaller companies which have to manage all aspects of business alongside their core service. We hope that it will present a cost-effective solution at a time when business overheads are increasing. It will also provide a service that can be called upon immediately – help at the end of a phone or touch of a button.”

 

 

ADSA member Kevin Treharne, sales director of Entec Access Systems Limited, said: “Entec has been a ADSA member for many years and we have always found enormous benefit in its services. It has always been the ‘go-to’ organisation for technical expertise and training. This new initiative opens-up a much wider range of services that will be of enormous benefit in supporting wider business operations.”

 

For more information on ADSA membership contact:

rachel@adsa.org.uk or visit: www.adsa.org.uk

 

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BRIGGSAMASCO’S AWARD-WINNING WATERPROOFING

BriggsAmasco supplied the waterproofing and finishes for a stunning, state-of-the-art sports and science centre that will provide a world-class training environment for generations of students.

 

The project, which was delivered by McLaren Construction, formed part of a £38m transformation of Brighton College. Designed by award-winning Dutch architect, OMA, the stunning centre boasts a cinema-style auditorium linked up to science departments across the globe, 18 university-standard laboratories, six break out spaces for personal research and tutorials, a 25-metre pool, a strength and conditioning suite, a rooftop running track with panoramic views and a double-height sports hall.

Selected to fulfil the centre’s waterproofing requirements, BriggsAmasco was confronted with a challenging installation. It involved creating a watertight seal for the centre’s 2,650m2 main roof, a winter garden, entrance stairs, a step tread area and a car park. The college development was planned with the environment in mind. It contains high-quality elevations enclosing a development with high levels of sustainability – the offices boasting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC ‘A’ ratings.

The project’s waterproofing aspect included a number of complexities. The centre’s main roof area was located on the building’s uppermost fourth floor, which meant a standard installation process was not possible. Challenges such as these were exacerbated by waterproofing work taking place during periods of extreme weather, with heat, heavy wind and rainfall making surfacing works difficult. Multiple changes to the working environment and the requirement to work alongside numerous other trades were also hurdles to overcome for Briggs’ installers. Additionally, the team needed to ensure material deliveries were scheduled in advance to allow works access to the onsite crane.

In terms of design, the biggest challenge was to create a waterproofing system that was capable of incorporating a range of features and activities in order to optimise the centre’s main roof space. A rest area with benches and a barbeque, a running track and rooflights were included as part of the imaginative roof design. It also featured a green roof with architect OMA, in conjunction with BriggsAmasco and material supplier IKO, being responsible for the buildability aspect of the main roof’s overall design. Prior to the roof’s installation, BriggsAmasco took part in site inspections, design meetings and problem-solving brainstorm exercises to ensure the roof’s waterproofing programme progressed smoothly.

For the installation, BriggsAmasco installed the following waterproofing systems: IKO Permatec Antiroot (IKO Permaflash-R reinforcement and IKO Permaguard-F protection membrane), IKO FCS liquid cold-applied system and an IKO built-up felt system. BriggsAmasco’s excellent workmanship was underpinned throughout by a superb collaborative working relationship with IKO and OMA. Quality inspections were carried out throughout the project’s lifetime and as part of the company’s all-round service provision, BriggsAmasco drafted a detailed works programme to ensure deliveries were timed and workflows were not disrupted. The schedule included one-month ‘look aheads’ to incorporate programme changes, crane and weather conditions. This intensive project management was required throughout the works programme to ensure the new facilities were delivered within a rigid timeframe.

The redeveloped Brighton College was opened in January 2020. Described as ‘an expression of global ambition’ by architect OMA, the site’s new facilities have introduced a world of academic and sporting opportunity for students. For BriggsAmasco, as well as taking pride at having delivered an intricate waterproofing programme with such precision and panache in the time available, its performance on the project earned the company a ‘Contractor Recognition’ honour at the annual IKO Awards.

 

www.briggsamasco.co.uk

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DEANESTOR WINS SECOND MODA BUILD-TO-RENT FITOUT PROJECT

DEANESTOR WINS SECOND MODA BUILD-TO-RENT FITOUT PROJECT – A £4M CONTRACT FOR MIDGARD

 

Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading furniture and fitout specialists, has been awarded a £4m fitout contract for main contractor Midgard for a £260m build-to-rent community in Hove, East Sussex. This is Deanestor’s second project for a Moda Living neighbourhood.

Designed by Whittam Cox Architects, Sackville Road is an intergenerational urban village on a 9-acre site which will provide 564 apartments for rent to suit all ages, lifestyles, and requirements. Residents in the six apartment buildings will benefit from communal lounges, roof spaces and open terraces, private dining areas, cafes, shops, 24/7 gyms, and 50,000sqft of office and co-working space.

Deanestor will manufacture and install 572 bespoke kitchens for the studios and one, two and three-bed apartments and offices, and 916 fitted wardrobes, all to Moda’s high specification interior design.

Commenting on this latest contract award, William Tonkinson, Managing Director of Deanestor, said, “We are delighted to have secured our second and largest contract for Moda to date. Our sister company Offsite Solutions is providing the bathroom pods for this development – which means that between both businesses, we have been awarded more than £8m of contracts for Sackville Road.”

Manufactured in the UK, the bespoke modern kitchens will be L- or U-shaped with some linear configurations. The base cabinets and 3-drawer units will have a dark grey horizontal woodgrain finish with wall cabinets in a lighter matt colour and contrasting white marbled quartz worktops and splashbacks. The units have a handle-less design for a sleek and contemporary appearance, and there will be LED lighting under the wall cabinets. Some of the kitchens will have breakfast bars.

High quality integrated appliances include combi or dual fan oven, microwave, dishwasher, tall fridge freezer, extractor, four-ring induction hob, dishwasher, and washer/dryer fitted in a specially designed utility cabinet.

The built-in floor-to-ceiling wardrobes will be manufactured in three sizes and two or three-door configurations with double hanging rails, full-height internal mirror, storage spaces, deep red back panel, and shelving. The doors will have a contemporary integrated handle design.

Construction on the site of a disused industrial park is now underway and scheduled for completion in 2024. The masterplan also includes 260 community care homes, as well as a public square, landscaped pathways, and extensive public realm and gardens.

Also now underway is a £3m furniture and fitout contract for a new build-to rent neighbourhood for Moda in Glasgow. On this project, Deanestor is working with Robertson Group to provide the kitchens and fitted wardrobes for Moda Holland Park. This will bring the total number of kitchens being manufactured by Deanestor for Moda to over 1,000 and wardrobes to more than 1,500.

Deanestor provides high quality contract furniture solutions to construction clients and contractors for healthcare, education, student accommodation, build-to-rent and laboratory projects – both new build and refurbishment. It offers bespoke design services to meet specific project requirements and is responsible for installation to provide a seamless approach for its customers and a single point of contact.

For further information

visit www.deanestor.co.uk

call 01623 420041 or

email enquiries@deanestor.com 

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Promote Hand Hygiene in School Washrooms with the Modern XLERATORsync® System

As anyone who has stepped into a school washroom knows, students can leave quite the mess—leaving paper towels on the floors and standing water pooled on the counter. At Excel Dryer UK, we have worked hard to combat unsanitary conditions like these by providing touchless, high-speed and hygienic hand dryers to all types of facilities. But we don’t just stop at wall-mounted hand dryers: we’ve combined one of our innovative hand dryers along with soap and water in a single washbasin for a hygienic, intuitive and unified experience with the new XLERATORsync® system.

 

An all-encompassing hand hygiene solution with a cutting-edge design, the XLERATORsync system features our touchless XLERATORsync® Hand Dryer along with a motion-activated faucet and soap dispenser on a custom washbasin manufactured from HI-MACS® Natural Acrylic Stone. This sink system is the product of modern design innovation that will lead to cleaner and more hygienic washrooms, as users wash and dry their hands all in one location without ever having to touch the system.

 

Working behind the scenes in the sink system is a HEPA filtration system that is proven to eliminate 99.999% of viruses and 99.97% of potentially present bacteria at 0.3 microns from the airstream. That means that the XLERATORsync system is not only promoting proper hand hygiene but is also actively creating a cleaner restroom environment.

 

The XLERATORsync system comes equipped with adjustable speed and sound controls, adjustable heat settings and a patent-pending sound suppression and air delivery system.

 

There is no such thing as a standard system size, as everything is manufactured to order. In addition, the XLERATORsync Hand Dryer can be coloured and branded however you want—even the natural stone washbasin can be finished in 112 different colours.

If you are a school facilities manager who is looking to elevate your school’s restroom

by retrofitting it with our hygienic XLERATORsync system,

CLICK HERE and reach out to us today

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Failure of Competency in Fire Testing

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The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has committed to fighting for the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to be renationalised.

The commitment came in the form of a motion passed at the union’s annual conference, the first in-person conference since the pandemic. In the union’s view, BRE’s private ownership has led to failures of competency, and BRE going too far to please the corporate clients whose products it tested and whom it relied on for income.

The BRE is involved in the testing and certification of materials for the construction industry. It was responsible for testing several of the key materials used in Grenfell Tower’s refurbishment, including cladding and insulation materials, and fire safety tests. BRE was privatised in 1997, and continues to test building materials as a private company today.

In the motion the union describes this privatisation as a “disastrous decision, opening the testing regime to commercial pressures and commercial interests”, and says that renationalisation would “ensure greater accountability, including a clear obligation to act in the public interest and without pressure from business and commercial interest”.

In its submissions to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the union has previously expressed the view that errors and oversights at the BRE contributed to the Grenfell Tower fire, and that BRE testing allowed manufacturing companies to persuade others that their products were regulation-compliant and that these errors and oversights were caused at least in part by the BRE being privately owned.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “Building Research Establishment private ownership has been a complete disaster. Corners have been cut and building safety compromised as the BRE bowed down to the building material companies which pay its wages. There is even information that suggests that BRE failures may have had a role in Grenfell. It’s time to end this utter mess now.”

The conference motion specified that ‘Oversight of this restored public testing and research facility should be by a board, representative of tenants and residents, local and national government, trade unions representing workers in Fire and Rescue Services and the construction industry’.

 

Source: Scottish Construction Now

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F.H. Brundle: the UK’s leading Betafence distributor

Betafence is one of Europe’s top suppliers of quality fences, gates, gabions and more – and buying them from long-standing F.H. Brundle comes with a whole range of benefits.

Branches all around the UK allow for nationwide coverage, with large stocks for immediate delivery, while a fleet of over 60 vehicles gives the company the capability to transport even the largest panels. What’s more, all orders over £150 come with free delivery.

F.H. Brundle is able to offer an extensive array of quality Betafence products.

Betafence Nylofor mesh panel fencing is designed for rapid and efficient installation. Nylofor 2D is made from heavy gauge Weldmesh panels, with twin horizontal wires for increased rigidity and cutting resistance, and offers excellent through vision.

Nylofor 3M (also known as Nylofor 3D PRO XL) comes in large three metre panels, and requires 20% less posts, 20% less concrete and 20% less installation time compared to other systems available.

Nylofor 3D features V-shaped panels at the top, centre and bottom edges, both to provide extra strength and improve the overall aesthetics, while Betafence Paladin fencing is an ever popular part of the company’s Weldmesh range due to its unique mesh pattern, which allows for clear through visibility.

Paladin FX offers the same benefits, but with more rigid panels, and a universal fixing bracket system for easier assembly.

Securifor 358 excels in contexts where security is a priority, thanks to its toe and finger-proof mesh aperture and resistance to vandalism.

Zenturo is a range of versatile gabion fencing, that’s an excellent way to create a closed partition, or a natural alternative to a fence or wall in a garden.

The panels can be filled with a variety of natural materials to create boundaries, and are available in a contemporary anthracite RAL 7016.

F.H. Brundle also stocks Roll Top fencing, suitable for areas where safety is a consideration, because of its lack of sharp or raw edges.

The above products and other Betafence offerings are used extensively in the industrial, commercial, energy, public and other sectors.

If you’d like to learn more about these products

please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01708 398048

or visit www.fhbrundle.co.uk

 

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Brett paving used in Premier League club’s £20m academy

Brett Landscaping played a key role in the completion of Crystal Palace’s new £20m academy and training ground when they were able to offer the best product with the shortest lead time.

 

The leading independent concrete paving manufacturer was selected to provide more than 1,300 square metres of the new high performance Invicta block paving at the Premier League club’s new complex in Beckenham.

Architects KSS worked very closely with the Crystal Palace chairman and senior management in selecting premium products for the exterior at the prestigious site -and Brett’s Invicta Pearl and Invicta Onyx met the high standards of everyone at the club.

The club and architect required a high-end product, with the flexibility of large plank sizes for larger areas, but that would match up and blend with a more striking pattern in a diamond configuration for the entrance into the academy building itself. Brett was able to provide all of these elements with readily available, high-end aesthetics with multiple sizes and colours which allowed flexible and varied design.

The Invicta range has a specially formulated surface layer creating a hard-wearing paving block with a durable but vibrant finish which shimmers in different lights. Brett’s AggTech manufacturing process allows unique natural aggregates to be used on the surface of each paving block to create a stunning durable finish.

As well as the premium products, Brett was able to provide a full Auto-CAD design service in less than 24 hours, meaning they were able to get the right information, product and quotation back to the architect quickly.

Antony Spencer, Civils Sales Manager for Brett Landscaping, said: “This is one of the most prestigious projects we have been involved with. It demanded effective and timely communication, design and problem-solving as well as delivering a product which matches with the client’s extremely high expectations.

“We had almost daily communication with the club, architect and contractors and everything was delivered as scheduled allowing for the build to remain on schedule.”

The Crystal Palace academy has six full-size pitches as well as classrooms, lecture room, analysis and meeting rooms. It has allowed Crystal Palace to bring their facilities up to ‘Category One Status’ in the Elite Player Performance Plan rankings.

Brett Landscaping worked with KSS architects, Clive Richardson Ltd (main contractors), TriAgg (groundworks contractor) and Wolseley MPS Fareham.

They supplied 1,352 square metres of Invicta 80mm, in Pearl and Onyx 200×100, 200×200, 300×200, 600×200. There were seven size/colour combinations installed.

 

www.brettlandscaping.co.uk

 

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THE IMPORTANCE OF THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Education is returning to its rightful place on the national agenda now steps are being taken to improve access, outcomes and opportunities for children across the UK as they return to school in the post Covid era.

 

While the emphasis has traditionally been on resources and teaching quality, the role of the immediate environment is becoming even more important in helping students learn in spaces where the focus is now more than ever on wellbeing, with acoustics, light reflectance, low VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and cleanability at the forefront.

Here Zentia looks at how the specification of appropriate ceiling systems have helped two very different schools with their requirements.

 

Morley Meadows

 

A new school for a new community in Plymouth has relied on Zentia’s ceiling solutions for delivering both form and function.

Some 1,200m2 of Zentia’s Perla OP 0.95 Tegular 600mm x 600mm tiles, which were the first mineral tile in the world to win Cradle to Cradle status, feature in the classrooms, offices, stores and communal areas at state-of-the-art Morley Meadows primary school.

Part of Persimmon Homes’ Saltram Meadows development in Plymstock, the £5.8 million primary school also features Zentia’s 100% humidity resistant Hydroboard 600mm x 600mm tiles with Prelude 24 non-corrosive grid in the kitchen, showers, toilets and changing areas.

Designed by Stride Treglown architects, and delivered by main contractor Halsall Construction, the two-form entry school accommodates 420 pupils, with part of it able to be cordoned off so it can be used by other community groups out of hours.

Specialist sub-contractor Vizion Interiors had a team of up to 10 on site for eight months, installing a total of 1,650m2 of the Zentia products on ceilings, that in the main part, unusually, sloped to degrees of 35° to mimic the sloping roof.

For form, the Perla OP 0.95 tile features a smooth, low-gloss monolithic visual with best-in-class fully painted edges for additional aesthetics as well as durability. The tile also features high light reflectance (up to 86%) to reduce reliance on artificial light and Class A acoustic performance to sound absorption 0.95αw.

For function, as well as its Cradle to Cradle certification, Perla OP 0.95 also provides optimum indoor air quality (due to ultra-low A+ VOC emissions) and is manufactured from up to 64% recycled content and fully recyclable.

Hydroboard also features Class A acoustic performance to sound absorption 0.95αw and light reflectance of 82%.

Vizion Interiors’ contracts manager Andy West said: “The Zentia products were already specified but we would have put them forward regardless because they are superior products which are more readily available, and we have a fantastic working relationship with the area sales manager.

“They had to perform both aesthetically and acoustically and we also promoted the Cradle to Cradle factor as well as the long-term potential recycling benefits. They look fantastic. The grid coped with the design magnificently and the client and local authority have all commented very positively.”

He added: “This project was challenging due to the design and numerous clashes on site with other trades. Setting out was laborious as all the classrooms had to follow the raking roof pitch but in the end it was effective.”

 

Adam Church, director in charge at Persimmon Homes Cornwall, said: “Saltram Meadow is a major development which has already rejuvenated the area. As well as delivering much-needed homes, we are committed to providing the infrastructure essential for building a community for new residents and a key part of that is the school. The building offers an exceptional learning environment for the children living on the development.”

The distributor for Morley Meadows primary school was SIG Plymouth.

 

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg

 

A plethora of Zentia products met a multitude of challenges at a redeveloped Welsh school.

Five square-edged mineral products from Zentia were used on the £20 million regeneration of Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg school in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, that included additional BB93 accommodation for 300 pupils.

The modernisation and upgrade of facilities at the school saw the construction of five new extensions, including a design and technology teaching block, a new sports hall, and a reception area and dining hall.

Zentia’s Perla tiles, which feature light reflectance of 86%, were used in the corridors and circulation spaces while sister Perla dB tiles, which perform to sound absorption Class C, featured in the classrooms.

Antimicrobial Bioguard Acoustic tiles, which also perform to sound absorption Class C, were used in the food technology classrooms, and Bioguard tiles, which can be used in clean rooms with ISO 5 classification in accordance with ISO 14644-1:1999, in the kitchens. Finally, Hydroboard tiles, which are 100% humidity resistant and perform to sound absorption Class A, were used with a Prelude non-corrosive suspension grid in the changing rooms and toilets.

They were selected by Austin Smith Lord architects, who have specified Zentia many times before for school projects, as they met the aesthetic and acoustic requirements of this particular 11,000m2 steel-framed scheme.

Architect Matthew Wray said: “Our valued client, Vale of Glamorgan County Council, was extremely happy with the project overall and it’s something we’re really proud of.”

Specialist sub-contractor Richard Kemble Contracts, who are a member of Zentia’s Pinnacle partnership scheme, had a team of up to 10 working on site, installing a total of 7,168m2 of Zentia products, for 28 months.

 

Richard Kemble said: “This project was challenging as we were just starting when the pandemic hit which caused materials and labour shortages. It was also part phased refurbishment and that meant working around the school children and teachers during term time.”

He added: “Zentia provided technical backup as some classrooms needed to have additional acoustic rating so further calculations were carried out and the Perla dB tile was specified and used in the majority of classrooms to maintain the optimum levels of acoustic performance.”

 

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg brings to life the school’s vision to create an exemplar environment on a single campus, where pupils start primary school and finish sixth form all within one site. IT and the remodelled sixth-form area are now at the heart of the school, promoting Welsh language learning post-16.

Main contractor ISG won the contract on the influential SEWSCAP capital works framework as part of the Welsh government’s 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme, designed to transform and upgrade the country’s education estate.

Externally, ISG delivered six new multi-use games areas and a floodlit 3G all-weather rugby sports pitch, which is available for community use out of school hours.

Zoe Price, group director for public sector frameworks at ISG, explained: “Important capital frameworks like SEWSCAP provide the space and early involvement that enables contractors to problem solve creatively and develop innovative solutions that prove transformative to programmes, budgets and social value outcomes for our local communities.”

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg won a ‘Highly Commended’ across the Value and Sustainability categories in the 2021 Constructing Excellence Wales awards. It was also a finalist in the Digital Construction and Innovation awards. The Vale of Glamorgan were also a finalist in the ‘Client of the Year’ award category and the council’s 21st Century Schools programme was also a finalist in the Integration and Collaborative Working and Value’ categories.

The distributor for Ysgol bro Morganwgg was SIG Cardiff.

 

www.zentia.com

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MORE POWER, MORE CONNECTIVITY

GEZE have completely upgraded their control panels for smoke and heat extraction systems. Control units are the brain and the power supply of the smoke and heat extraction systems in a building.

 

The new THZ N4 and THZ Comfort replace the previous versions and offer a more powerful power supply, increased connectivity and easier installation.

In addition to extracting smoke from staircases the THZ N4 and THZ Comfort can also be used for smaller smoke and heat extraction systems such as a foyer and are suitable for use on new buildings and retrofitting. In large event venues with smoke extraction installed in the roof or with a machine smoke extraction system the THZ N4 is particularly suited for operating fresh air drives such as GEZE’s RWA K 600.

Both versions have received a hardware and capability upgrade; the more powerful power supply enables an increased output of 4.5A from the 3.4A in previous models which broadens the panel’s specification possibilities and allows more drives to be connected.

The motor line connection has also been upgraded to a spring level motor terminal to allow for easier installation and both can now be interfaced with the GEZE ST 220 service terminal for quick and easy commissioning.

Both control panels have a compact and attractive design; the THZ N4 has a plastic housing in white whilst the THZ Comfort has a robust metal housing in orange.

Andy Iredale, National Sales Manager for Automatic Doors and Window Control, said “These new control units offer even more options for smoke and heat extraction as more drives can be connected due to the more powerful power supply which in turn allows more options on where they can be used’”

To find out more about the THZ N4 or THZ Comfort visit GEZE’s website

or for a brochure email info.uk@geze.com

For more information on GEZE’s comprehensive range of door and window control products visit www.geze.co.uk       

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BACK TO SCHOOL

Learning environments are some of the most important places, and the way they function is just as important as how they look. Mark Johnstone, Head of Commercial – UK, Middle East and Ireland, at Altro, considers the key criteria when specifying for primary schools.

When it comes to specifying for education environments, there is a greater need than ever for durable, easy to clean, comfortable and attractive surfaces – and thankfully plenty of smart solutions to meet those demands. We have worked through the decades to develop solutions to age-old issues; safety floors to prevent slips; sustainable adhesive-free floors to reduce downtime; shoe and barefoot flooring for safer changing rooms; floors that reduce impact sound reduction for quieter working spaces; and walls and doors that impress, yet don’t compromise on hygiene and easy-maintenance.

Specifiers have a lot to balance. We’re aware of the changing views on learning spaces, for example the positive impact that biophilia – using natural shades, including wood-look options, and images of nature – has on learning. We’re aware of the benefits that adaptable learning spaces and effective way-finding solutions, among other design concepts, have for those with autism or Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) needs – and that, actually, these should not only be considered for specialist spaces, as the same things hugely benefit all children.

We understand the challenges of complying with regulations designed to keep our children safe, whether finding solutions that have the required 30-point light reflectance value difference between floors and walls, installing safe disability access ramps, or giving reassurance that our doors and walls meet the required standards for fire resistance.

We appreciate that education buildings are among the busiest public spaces, meaning durability and easy maintenance are essential. We know specifiers must also meet sustainability requirements – there is a lot to take into consideration.

 

 

Entrance and reception areas

In primary schools, this area has a variety of functions: it’s an office space, a waiting room and, as the first area of the school that parents and visitors see, a room that represents the school’s ethos. First impressions count here and, as a work space, it needs to be a calm oasis in the surrounding bustle. For ultimate design freedom, consider options such as Altro Whiterock Digiclad (Custom) for walls and Altro Orchestra Custom floors to make your individual mark.

As most people in this area will be coming in from outside, the risk of walked in rainwater, and therefore a slip, is high, so a safety floor will protect students, staff and visitors from slips. There are plenty of great options, including sustainable adhesive-free floors which can halve installation time, and are 100% recyclable pre- and post-installation.

Corridors

Constantly in use by both little and large feet plus equipment trollies, floors for corridors and general circulation areas need to be tough while looking good. These spaces can be noisy as pupils move from one space to another, so impact sound reduction is welcome here, reducing distraction for those still concentrating.

Ease of cleaning is an important consideration, as is downtime in an area that’s in constant use. Ranges such as Altro Operetta, Altro Orchestra and Altro Serenade offer multiple attractive, natural colours and finishes that are robust and easy to clean, with a custom option for a bespoke approach too. Consider adhesive-free options with installation time halve that of a traditionally adhered floor: you can weld and walk the same day, even over fresh concrete. There are no rucks or movement when down, and at the end of its life the entire floor can be uplifted and reused or recycled.

For walls, consider systems such as Altro Fortis wall sheet combined with corner protection – dense, impervious and resistant to bumps, it is ideal for use in these busy, vulnerable areas.

Classrooms

Primary school classrooms go from calm to chaos and back again throughout the day. The floor you choose contends with constant use from 30-plus pairs of feet, activity debris and chair-scraping. It needs to support quiet learning, tired feet, act as the occasional seat and play its part in creating an inspiring space to work and learn in.

A good option here is a vinyl floor with acoustic properties for impact sound reduction and comfort, as well as ease of cleaning and durability.

With a wide variety of activities taking place in the classroom, a sink is a common feature, making splashes and spills and therefore slips, likely. With so much going on, it’s not always possible for teaching staff to spot or wipe spills straight away.

You probably won’t need to install a safety floor for the whole room; you can install just around the sink. Altro safety floors mean you can reduce the risk of a slip to one in a million in that space. You can choose to match the shade to the rest of the floor, or deliberately create a contrast to remind pupils that it’s an area they need to be careful in.

Kitchens

Prepping and cooking hundreds of meals, all to be served within an hour, or less, means school kitchens must operate efficiently and quickly, without compromising on safety. As staff work to get multiple dishes ready, there’s no time to worry about oil splashes or food debris on the floor, which increase the risk of a slip accident. Once prep and service are over, clean-up and next day prep mean there’s no rest for staff feet, so a floor solution that can take the burden of a day spent standing will be welcomed.

Kitchens need a specialist safety floor such as Altro Stronghold 30, designed specifically to deal with these challenges. They also benefit from hygienic wall systems – grout-free, easy to clean and impact-resistant.

Multi-purpose halls/canteens

A primary school hall masquerades as gym, restaurant and conference room. A versatile space needs a versatile floor that can handle changing needs, looks good and provides a comfy seat. This key area for a school can’t be out of action for long, so is an ideal area to opt for our sustainable adhesive-free floors with quick and straight-forward installation over an existing floor, or over new concrete.

An option such as Altro Wood adhesive-free meets each need: a slip risk of one in a million for those lunchtime water spills; 14dB impact sound reduction to help keep outside noise out, inside noise in, and to lessen foot and chair noise within the room; comfort underfoot to go easy on jumping and dancing feet, and on little bottoms; shades to create a warm, comfy look; and no adhesive, halving installation time, with no associated adhesive odours. What’s more, you can reuse it elsewhere or recycle i: the perfect sustainable solution.

For walls, Altro Whiterock Digiclad (Custom) enables a school to put its own stamp on its main space, with durable and scratch resistant properties to look good long-term. Choose from the school logo or photographic images of the children playing sport, or of local landmarks, to inspire knowledge and pride: the possibilities are endless. In addition to photos or art, this walls system can be used to support wayfinding, featuring signage or instructions.

Libraries

Primary school libraries are no longer the intimidating, quiet rooms they once were but, as a space where story-telling comes to life or a pupil curls up to enjoy their first novel, there’s a need to reduce noise distractions, so an acoustic floor that’s thick enough for comfort underfoot is a good option here.

Staff rooms

Staff areas are well used; lots of feet, chairs, desks so the floor needs to be durable. As a space used for work, meetings and well-earned breaks, it needs to look homely and feel comfortable: the floor plays a central part in creating a space where staff are happy to be. With staff areas in constant use, installation or refurbishment needs to be quick and easy, so this is another area where adhesive-free floors can be used to great effect.

Toilets

With no time for staff to constantly monitor the state of the toilets, the floor needs to prevent slips from sink splashes, walked in water and any little accidents, so safety floor is ideal here. It has to be easy to clean, whether a quick wipe or the thorough end-of-the-day clean. Look for slip resistance that lasts the lifetime of the product, to give peace of mind that pupils will be as safe from slips when they leave school as when they started. There is a huge range of colours now available, so it’s possible to make the bathroom more fun, theming the space, or using different colours for each cubicle and the hand wash area.

Hand hygiene is more important than ever, and can be a challenge at primary school age. When it comes to school toilet walls, they can play a role in reducing the number of places bacteria can lurk. Walls need to be easy to clean. Tiled walls are popular, but problematic – with grout present and cracks common, tiles will not support effective hygiene and maintenance. Look to a hygienic walls system, such as Altro Whiterock, that can be wiped clean. Grout-free, impact-resistant, quick to install and backed up by lengthy guarantees. And plenty of colour and design options on offer too.

 

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About Altro – www.altro.co.uk

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