Altro Ensemble hits perfect note for music store

Altro Ensemble luxury vinyl tiles have been used in hi-fi and home cinema specialist Fidelity Acker & Buck’s flagship Hamburg store.

The store concept includes six studios designed by renowned artist Margarita Kriebitzsch, giving Fidelity’s customers a realistic impression of how their chosen home entertainment system could look and sound at home. Each studio features different design and equipment, and there is also a headphone lounge for audio / video installation systems – a comprehensive sound universe.

For the 1,000m² of floor space for the studios on two floors, the designer Roman Mundhenk of WildWalls recommended Altro Ensemble modular flooring system, which offers 15dB sound reduction, to Fidelity. The premium floor combines the functional requirements of the studios with their aesthetic and high-quality atmosphere.

Fidelity took several months to design and implement the studios, which included testing Altro Ensemble at the studio. This showed its 15dB sound reduction meets the requirement for a noise-reducing environment. The high-quality flooring was also selected as it is extremely hard-wearing and durable, while being easy to clean.

“It was very important to us that the floor is absolutely quiet, so that our customers can hear very fine signals undisturbed,” explains Hans-Joachim Acker, Managing Director of Fidelity. ” The room acoustics are excellent.”

Altro Ensemble modular flooring system is the next generation of luxury vinyl tiles that combines design possibilities for creating stunning effects, superior function and durability, and ease of installation. The four modular sizes and choice of inspiring colours, textures and designs can be mixed and matched to create unique patterns. The low-reflective surfaces, good acoustic properties with 15dB reduction in impact noise, sound transmission, and 2.6mm thickness with added comfort underfoot and durability, make it perfect for reception and general circulation and living areas as well as student accommodation and dining areas in restaurants and cafés.

About Altro – www.altro.co.uk

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Modular buildings meet demand for bigger and better schools

The demand for new school places and the crumbling state of primary and secondary schools is a pressing issue for Local Councils all over the UK. The situation, however, is starting to improve thanks to Government funding – in 2017 a pot of £2.4 billion was allocated for their improvement and maintenance.

Presuming that funding is in place, Councils still face a number of challenges before building can take place. For example, focus on the environment and growing energy costs mean that Councils are under more pressure than ever to deliver low energy, efficient spaces – all while sticking to budget. Safety of pupils and minimising disruption during term time of course remain pressing issues.

This need to focus on myriad issues, including the small task of ensuring the future sustainability of schools in their area, means that Councils are uniquely placed to take advantage of modern methods of construction.

Modular schools, delivered to site in segments over 2 or 3 days, such as those manufactured and installed by Wernick, are helping to solve many of the challenges presented by the education sector. And new frameworks are revolutionising the school building procurement process.

Wernick Buildings’ Divisional Manager for Scotland Chris Hart says that there is a “felicitous synergy between the education sector and modular construction”. Last year, the Wernick Scottish division experienced its busiest summer to date, tripling its turnover. Summer 2019 is expected to be even busier following the Scottish Government’s announcement of a £1 billion fund for rebuilding and refurbishing Scotland’s schools in November 2018.

Edinburgh, Inverness and Highlands Councils took receipt of ten new modular buildings from Wernick last summer. Installation, fit out and inspection took place over the summer vacation and the buildings were ready for pupils upon returning to school.

Ben Wernick, Director of Construction at Wernick explains “Modular building projects can be completed up to 50% quicker than traditional construction methods as the indoor ‘offsite’ construction process can take place alongside site and foundations work which also means very little delay due to the weather. Finishing buildings over the summer holidays means no disruption to teaching and no risk to pupils.”

More and more schools are switching on to the speed of factory manufactured buildings, but what about the aesthetic? The characterless demountables of the past have given way to digitally-led, modern designs, indistinguishable from ‘on-site’ constructed buildings and lauded by architectural firms such as ÜberRaum and Glancy Nicholls.

“The preconceptions are there but the reality is that when people walk into a modern modular building that Wernick has made, they realise this is a big step up from what they’re used to” commented Chris Hart, who has found that old feelings towards modular buildings die hard: “I’ve heard of teaching staff trying their best to avoid moving into the new building. Once the building has been handed over, they are trying to get in there first! They’re warmer, cleaner, bright and airy. From a teaching perspective, it’s a considerable improvement on a lot of the accommodation the teachers are currently working in.”

Constructing buildings offsite, in a controlled environment, means that a building can be made water-tight and weather resistant with quality controls ongoing throughout the build. Modern modular buildings are simple to maintain, are well insulated and achieve high EPC ratings – and green technologies can be easily incorporated into the design to further support their eco credentials.

Chris Hart says that the feedback on Wernick’s projects has been overwhelmingly positive, adding: “Using factory construction, we can build faster, to higher standards, and at any time of the year. There are also environmental benefits with reduced waste and less emissions. In modular construction we can really meet a lot of the requirements in the education sector – that’s why we think it’s a perfect match.”

For more information please visit www.wernick.co.uk or call 0800 18 18 22.
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Change is in the air

Government departments are pouring over technical data and preparing new directives, trade bodies are examining every aspect of potential market implications. No, this is not another missive on Brexit, but the reality of the changing world concerning Fire Doors and related risk critical products. Change is in the air and everyone should be aware of the urgent need to specify truly compliant products that play a significant role in the process of safety.

Following the tragic events of the Grenfell disaster in 2017, a greater understanding began to emerge regarding the lack of a holistic approach to fire safety and the evident shortcomings of custom and practice, where the cheapest solution took precedence over properly certified and tested fire safe product solutions, such as fire doors and fire door assemblies.

The recently published document Building a Safer Future, commits the government to a programme of reform which includes:

  • The implementation of the Hackitt recommendations
  • Create a more effective regulatory and accountability framework
  • The introduction of clearer standards and guidance
  • A vision to create a culture change

The result of these actions will mean tougher sanctions for those who disregard residents’ safety, and more rigorous standards. In fact the Government has committed to carrying out a full technical review of Approved Document B. This will propose potential changes to a range of technical issues within the current Approved Document.

While we all await the inevitable changes to legislation and good practice, it is encouraging to learn that Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent recommendations will form a cornerstone of the changes to come. Shaping future product specification, installation and ongoing use throughout the life cycle of buildings.

For specifiers struggling to evaluate fire door solutions in this changing world, especially in respect to residential high-rise and complex buildings. It is comforting to know that Vicaima fire performance products offer a benchmark to the industry, with exceptional test evidence and incorporating key elements of Hackitt’s recommendations that less enlightened manufacturers have yet to adopt. Third party accreditation is assured, as Vicaima adhere to not one but two nationally recognised and highly reputable bodies to verify the performance of our products, namely BWF-Certifire and BM TRADA Q-Mark. In each case traceability is always visible with the use of tamper evident labels and plastic plugs to provide clear understanding of fire rating and of course origin of manufacture. This simple but effective marking, alongside a detailed inkjet stamp system to identify exact date of manufacture, enables Vicaima to establish complete control of our products throughout their lifecycle.

Of course the fire door in itself does not provide the complete solution, this can only be achieved with compatible and rigorously tested components, including the correct frame and ironmongery. This is why alongside fire doors, Vicaima also manufacture an extensive range of door kit solutions to create a complete, fully tested assembly via our Easi-Fit and Portaro brands. These products provide complete peace of mind, with a full scope of performance characteristics for current and future housing specifications, namely:

  • Fire Tested to BS 476 Part 22 and BS EN 1634-1:2014
  • Secure by Design approved products
  • Acoustic performance, both inherent and additional as required
  • FD30 and FD60 rated, plus smoke seals to FD30s and FD60s
  • Durability with DD171 and EN 1192 severe duty rating
  • Mobility provision via glazing and dimensional flexibility
  • Environmentally robust (all products are FSC Certified)
  • Longevity with a 10 Year Guarantee

As specialist fire performance door manufacturers Vicaima have long understood the need to go above and beyond industry norms and simple compliance to provide cutting edge and safe solutions that are fit for today’s market. Vicaima has always prided itself on the construction of its fire doors, never cutting corners or compromising, regardless of whether it’s a humble painted door or a fashion conscious designer product. Performance and design go hand in hand at Vicaima with innovative designs options encompassing finish foil, veneer, laminates and paint lacquered surfaces; including cost effective products for demanding projects.

Whatever future regulatory changes lie in store for our industry you can be assured that Vicaima fire performance offers appropriate solutions and the first choice for a safer tomorrow.

For more information regarding Vicaima Fire and other performance solutions visit www.vicaima.com
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New and improved EZWall Launched

Construction material specialist, Euroform, is continuing to widen the variety of finishes available in its already popular EZWall cladding system range, which cleverly combines the advantages of modern construction techniques with the appeal of traditional brickwork. The range has been expanded due to an increase in demand for decorative cladding applications where installation is quicker and to a higher standard than traditionally built masonry walls.

Designed with aesthetics in mind, EZWall provides both a decorative and durable finish to vertical external walls and can even be matched to existing brickwork with its growing choice of sizes, patterns, stone and brick types. The improved cladding system range is a reliable solution for applications on domestic and commercial buildings, from garden to gable walls. EZWall can be fitted to all types of substrates including steel frame systems, timber frame systems and block work.

John Taylor, Technical Director at Euroform, said: “There has been increasing demand in the market to find solutions for creating authentic brickwork designs on buildings without the high cost of materials and labour. EZWall is as visually attractive as traditional brickwork yet far more cost effective to install on a multitude of substrates. Euroform offer an extensive and growing range of EZWall designs for any project.”

The cladding system is lightweight at approximately 35kg/m2 based on a 15mm slip, making it easy to handle and install. Its low weight also means EZWall can be used in areas that have no load bearing support structure, and no specialist tools or clips are required for installation.

The system benefits from full depth mortar joints combined with a dual weeping mechanism design which allows for superior drainage of accumulated moisture, developed for years of strength and durability.

For more information regarding EZWall please visit www.euroform.co.uk or email info@euroform.co.uk.
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SE Controls creates dedicated smoke control solution for Urban Sciences Building

Newcastle University’s innovative and multi-award winning Urban Sciences Building (USB) is using a combined smoke control and environmental ventilation solution that incorporates a SHEVTEC control system, which was engineered by SE Controls to meet the unique requirements of the project.

Designed by architects, Hawkins Brown, the 12,800m2 USB is the first structure to be completed on the 24 acre Newcastle Helix development and is home to the university’s world leading School of Computing, as well as providing extensive teaching and research facilities focused on digitally enabled urban sustainability.

The building incorporates a diverse range of innovative technologies, sustainable design features and fresh thinking, which includes a PV-T array, rainwater harvesting and a 560m2 wild flower green roof, as well as a bio-dome, which uses waste CO2 heat and water from the building to grow food for the university’s restaurant. Also, 4,000 digital sensors and embedded computing technology make it one of the UK’s most monitored high performance buildings.

As energy efficiency and sustainability are key aspects of the building design, these principles were also carried through to the glazed façades, curtain walling, environmental ventilation and smoke control systems.

Cladding and glazing systems specialist, Dane Architectural Systems, were involved from the early stages of the project and used Schueco FW 60 + SG, with AWS 114 ventilators including TipTronic concealed actuators.

To ensure they could meet the demanding design intent of the system, which required these vents to be linked to the BMS for managed day-to-day ventilation, Dane Architectural turned to SE Controls a specialist contractor capable of providing a fully compliant solution.

As the Automatic Opening Vents (AOV) have specific zone requirements and operate in banks of 3 for normal ventilation needs, SE Controls designed the operation of the smoke control system to maintain the functionality and flexibility of the TipTronic control, while integrating with the system and providing effective smoke ventilation to the building in the event of a fire.

To achieve this, SE Controls worked in close collaboration with Dane Architectural and developed the new OS2 TipTronic SHEVTEC Controller, which is dedicated to Shueco’s TipTronic actuator system, enabling it to provide effective smoke and heat exhaust ventilation (SHEV) to the building.

Following the production of a detailed design, which included integration matrices, schematic drawings, operational documentation and installation details, SE Controls installed more than 40 of the new OS2 TipTronic controllers at the USB.

Andrea Hayward, SE Controls Senior Key Account Manager on the project, explained:“ The Urban Sciences Building is a technological and sustainability ‘tour de force’ which reflects the advanced research activities undertaken at the university and we are delighted to have our own innovative technology incorporated within its design.”

Further information on SE Controls products, solutions and projects can be obtained by visiting www.secontrols.com, emailing sales@secontrols.com or calling +44 (0) 1543 443060.
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Heading Off-site Manufacturing – A faster more rewarding way to accommodate your new student intake

Although provision of student accommodation, both in the private sector and University has increased over the last five years, demand for quality accommodation remains high.

When considering the provision of purpose built student accommodation timescales are frequently tight, with investors looking for a quick return on their investment.

Premier Modular, is an off-site manufacturer with over 60 years’ experience in the market, with a strong commitment to research and development, ensuring they bring the most innovative products to market, for both hire and sale.

Premier Modular has developed a highly efficient light gauge steel frame based factory engineered product. Constructed by skilled assembly teams in Premier’s 22 acre site in East Yorkshire, the system is ideal for a full stand-alone build, whilst also suitable for rooftop extensions in tight inner city locations.

The primary benefit of this product is a reduced programme; the product is manufactured on a flow line and therefore removes any impact the weather may have on delivery. Rooms can be manufactured at a rate of 25 per week, with minimal onsite time. This speed of construction not only reduces labour rates and prelims but gives a much faster return on investment whether clients are selling or gaining a monthly rental income.

Speed of manufacture does not mean compromise in other areas though; modules are constructed to exacting levels in a quality controlled factory environment and with as much as 75% of the buildings manufactured offsite, the risk of accidents on site is greatly reduced. Impact on the local environment is also reduced, with reduced deliveries to site and most of the fit-out happening at Premier Modular’s factory.

Premier Modular, working as a supply chain partner to Sir Robert McAlpine completed a 5 storey 206 bedroom student accommodation block in Sept 2015. Located in Newcastle Upon Tyne city centre it consisted of a mixture of 54 studio flats, 105 en-suite bedrooms and 2 accessible en-suite rooms with associated living spaces, kitchens and study areas.

Premier was chosen as the preferred supplier due to speed of programme and the high quality finish that could be provided. The project was driven by an immovable programme requirement of the September student intake, Premier efficiently manufactured 300 modules fully fitted out and decorated in the factory – an excellent demonstration of the enormous time benefits realised by using the off-site system.

Significantly the foundations and demolition commenced on site whilst the modules were being manufactured – ensuring no time was wasted in the process.

Dan Allison, Divisional Director – Sales Division at Premier Modular said “Completing this project using off site construction not only gave the investors a whole year of additional return, it was also a deciding factor in ‘The Foundry’ in Newcastle winning ‘Project of the Year Up to £10m’ at the Construction News Awards. The client is at the centre of everything we do and we take great pride in pushing the limits of modular design whilst balancing other key project drivers.

“We always strive for innovation and excellence, coupled with a customer-focussed service ethos, and are proud and excited to have been shortlisted for an Offsite Award on another recently completed project. These awards are confirmation for ourselves that we continue to be forward thinking and creative.

“In a market where an increased rate of build is required, building standards are increasing, sustainability is of upmost importance and high quality lifestyle choices are an expectation – Premier Modular’s offsite construction has the answer.”

For more information please visit www.premiermodular.co.uk.
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The evolution of MMC

It was after the Second World War the UK saw a rapid demand for house building and solutions needed to be provided quickly and efficiently. It was during this time that new techniques and products were introduced to the building industry to meet these demands, but unfortunately there was an oversight in quality due to the extreme quantity that was being produced leading to many publicised failures.

Sixty years on and modern methods of construction (MMC) has seen a staggering evolution and investment. Legislations have forced a change in the way we build, based on climate change, performance based building standards and the code for sustainable homes. Much of what MMC promotes is efficiency, quality, environmental performance, sustainability and short time scales using better products and processes. The methods consist of offsite construction where parts are manufactured and assembled in a factory and brought to site already complete, or onsite construction which brings components and systems together onsite.

At Premier Guarantee we have a product and system approval process which has been developed to help manufacturers gain accreditation under our technical requirements. For developers and builders this is important as we want to make sure the MMC products and systems you use are approved by us and accepted by our warranty cover.

We are continuously working with manufacturers to expand our approved MMC products and systems. To see which ones have already been given the seal of approval, please see our product approval page.

For more information please visit www.premierguarantee.com.
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Quality is the main driver towards MMC use, NHBC report finds

The term ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ (MMC) is often mentioned when discussions occur about the need to build more new homes. Richard Lankshear, Innovation Manager at NHBC, explains more about this approach…

At NHBC we have a specific way of assessing MMC Systems so we can understand the detail of the system and support our customers by carrying out a thorough review.

As such we identify MMC as offsite manufacture, innovative technologies and other non-conventional methods of construction that form the structure and envelope of the home. This includes sub-assemblies, volumetric and panelised systems manufactured off site as well as site-based MMC.

Not all offsite manufacture is necessarily a Modern Method of Construction as many conventional forms of construction are assembled offsite. We do not treat a system as MMC if the construction is described in the NHBC Standards and where the system components can be inspected on site.

We know that vast majority of homes are built with traditional cavity masonry – 74% in 2017 with 16% in timber frame and 1.5% in light steel frame with the balance in framed structures or unique systems.

However, what we are seeing is an overall much greater interest in MMC systems. In the past we received between four and eight innovative systems to review each year, but this changed dramatically from about 2015/16 with over 30 systems received in 2016. Last year saw a record 38 new systems submitted.

And this is also seen in the investment by house builders and housing associations in their own offsite production and the emergence of new, sizeable, manufacturers of MMC systems. The Government’s White Paper and the MHCLG report “Modernise or Die” set out the opportunities for greater use of MMC and industry is certainly responding.

The 2018 NHBC Foundation report “MMC: Who’s doing what”, identified “Quality” as the primary driver towards the use of MMC. This potential raising of standards is welcomed by NHBC, but it is not always achieved. What is clear from our review of multiple MMC systems is that quality is only achieved through investment – investment in design, in manufacturing procedures, in training and in construction.

For more information please visit www.nhbc.co.uk/mmchub
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MVHR-Easy with Posi-Joist

Cambium Gardens, located within walking distance of the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, is a new ‘urban village’ location surrounded by protected parkland. It offers 55 apartments and 55 houses in the leafy setting of Southfields, all carefully designed around a 200 year old oak tree, believed to have been planted by renowned landscape architect Capability Brown.

The project is designed to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4, the development meets the Lifetime Homes standards with 10% wheelchair accessible and the Mayor’s London Housing Design Guide.

About the project

When McLaren Construction (one of the UK’s most successful privately owned businesses) involved Howarth Timber Engineered Solutions in this ambitious project, they shared with them a brief to construct very energy efficient buildings with large open rooms but keep the building mass to a minimum for their luxury development apartments and houses.

McLaren Construction teamed up with Howarth Timber Engineering Solutions, via the carpentry installers J A Stott, in order to use their expertise and the MiTek PAMIR software to meet the required specification.

Whilst working on the Cambium Gardens project, it was identified at an early stage that the pre-cast concrete slabs originally specified would not work and an alternative in the form of MiTek’s Posi-Joists was tabled. This lightweight solution allowed for the complex Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) ductwork & building services to be hidden within the floor joist zone, maximising the living space within the buildings.

Howarth Timber Engineered Solutions, using the latest EC5 compliant MiTek software PAMIR to design not only the Posi-Joist floor joists but also using the 3D capabilities of PAMIR, ensured that the MVHR ductwork was able to traverse the floors of the luxury apartments and houses. HTES worked directly as an integral part of the project design team producing interactive 3-D models and BIM compatible design solutions so that the entire design team could check and sign off the proposals before any work was carried out on site. The MiTek PAMIR software is able to produce not only .dwg drawings, but also .pdf files, CAD drawings as well as Industry Foundation Class (IFC) files – to be imported into Revit. This coordinated approach saved both time and money on the build for the Contractor, Architect, Engineers and M&E designers.

About MiTek

Based in Dudley in the West Midlands, MiTek specialise in the development of software solutions for structural timber engineering and the provision of steel connector products for floor and roofing systems.

From humble beginnings in the mid-1950’s, they have gone from strength to strength, growing both organically and through acquisition to become market leaders, operating worldwide by delivering leading software solutions that are second to none. Needless to say, this made them the preferred company of choice for McLaren in this project.

PAMIR

The modern roof designer needs to be able to design a roof very quickly. With several new enquiries arriving on their desk every day, they need software solutions that enable them to design and quote roofs in no time at all. This is one of the many reasons that it was used within the Cambium Gardens project.

Pamir’s speed of framing is undoubtedly amazing. In just four clicks of the mouse the user can input this sizeable building, fully framed and ready to price. With Pamir you can quickly edit the building dimensions and watch the roof dynamically re-frame. Whether you are moving walls, adding an attic room, changing the roof pitch, or mirroring roof features, Pamir’s powerful dynamic framing allows you to make the change in seconds.

PAMIR combines roof layout, truss engineering and high quality CAD output features, all into one integrated software platform. This means that roof designers have just one environment to learn and are more productive, faster.

Developed by MiTek’s large European team of software professionals, PAMIR has been enthusiastically welcomed by the industry and looks set to change roof and floor design as we know it.
In conclusion

Lend Lease, head of residential Richard Cook, said “Cambium will create a vibrant new community in the heart of Southfields and we are delighted to welcome councillor Cook and pupils from Our Lady Queen of Heaven today to mark this significant development milestone: the start of work on site.

”A highly sustainable scheme, Cambium delivers the best of contemporary and eco-friendly living for new and existing residents in the borough of Wandsworth.”

Customer:
Lend Lease

Client:
McLaren Construction

Contractor:
McLaren Residential

Architect:
Scott Brownrigg Associates

Structural & Civil Engineers:
Walsh

Posi-Joists Supplier:
Howarth Timber Engineering Solutions

M&E Design & Install:
Emico

Posi-Joist Installer:
J A Stott Joinery

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How modular approaches are transforming building services

2018 felt like a breakthrough year for offsite construction, with developers across the country embracing modular methods and the government dedicating £420m to the development of new technologies. The building service sector has been amongst the most successful adopters of these approaches, achieving significant reductions in the scale and complexity of onsite work along, with greatly improved predictability.

BIM

As with other areas of the construction industry, the rising use of offsite approaches in the service sector is intimately linked to the adoption of Level 2 Building Information Modelling (BIM).

Building service engineers have traditionally been required to take a pragmatic approach to their work. Service specifications are often not finalised until projects are well progressed and practitioners typically must work around late changes in the design and layout of spaces when they arrive on site. In contrast, the collaborative approach of modelling, sharing and integration within Level 2 BIM, is now allowing service designs to be effectively ‘locked in’ before work even begins on site.

To give a sense of the scale of this change, the Building Engineering Services Association estimates that a typical BIM model may comprise just 70 standard drawing components for the main structure, compared with over 70,000 for mechanical and electrical services .

The ability of modelling software to automatically flag clashes has proven especially beneficial, allowing issues to be resolved at the design stage. The accuracy of these models is further aided by product-specific BIM objects, which are available from online libraries such as BIMstore. This certainty in design has been fundamental to the adoption of offsite approaches.

Offsite

By moving fabrication of services to dedicated manufacturing facilities, chaotic building sites and occasional scheduling conflicts are replaced with a clear, controlled and safe process. Large modular service units can be fabricated in preassembled standard configurations to a reliable schedule. Fabricators are readily able to access all sides of the sections without restrictions, allowing focused quality control, particularly on large and complex service modules. Problems with availability of skilled labour can also be reduced as staff are able to operate from a single location.

Once completed, sections can be held in storage until the site is ready to receive them and larger modules can be lifted into place with heavy machinery, often eliminating the need for scaffolding. In addition, as large, complex sections can be installed in a single action, the time spent working on site is cut down and site waste is greatly reduced.

Several firms have already reported significant improvements in operating efficiency through the use of BIM Level 2 and modular construction. For example, NG Bailey has highlighted typical cost savings of up to 35% (including labour reduction costs of 40%) and overall programme time savings of 90% .

In Practice

One project to benefit from the use of offsite service approaches is Airedale International Air Conditioning’s Headquarters. Following a serious fire, the building needed to be quickly reconstructed. BAM Construction used BIM at the design stage, and made the decision to deliver the industrial development as a turnkey project to help save time and resources.

Nick Howdle, project manager from BAM Construction, discussed the project: “Using BIM has been an invaluable resource for ensuring that we could accurately estimate the costings and timings, including effectively overlapping M&E installations without incident. We would have struggled to achieve the programme without offsite methods. BIM helped with clash detection, and we had zero snags with the pipework. On a £1.3 million package that is highly unusual, if not unheard of.”

The use of BIM also helped the project team to identify solutions which could meet the demanding performance criteria. For example, all pipe insulation used on the project was required to have FM Approval, whilst the pipe insulation fitted within the research and development test chamber had to support an extreme temperature range of between -20 to +50 degrees Celsius. The product BIM object and accompanying literature for Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe Insulation showed it could meet these requirements with a slim insulation thickness.

Next steps

The rise of modern methods of construction is only set to continue this year, with five government departments now committed to making a ‘presumption in favour’ of offsite manufacture for suitable capital programmes. By utilising modular building services within this approach, project teams can help to achieve further savings in project timescales and costs.

For more information please visit www.kingspanindustrialinsulation.com.
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