Alumasc’s Monoscreed – bringing deck deflections back to tolerance quickly and effectively

Alumasc Roofing Systems’ Monoscreed is a fast-curing, solvent and isocyanate-free PMMA-based compound screed that can be cold applied to concrete decks (3mm – 50mm) to reduce deck deflection/back-falls and bring deck levels back to tolerance – i.e. zero falls.

Fast cure time

Unaffected by ambient temperatures, the system is rainproof within 15 minutes of being applied and will fully cure in circa 45 minutes, thus offering significant programme benefits when compared with more traditional screeds.

Application to substrate

Comprising resin, filler and aggregate mix, Monoscreed can be mixed at roof level and applied directly to suitably prepared – free from dust, dampness, laitance, grease, oil and other contamination, and if necessary primed with Alumasc Bitumen Primer – cementitious concrete.

The system comes in pre-measured packs of components palletised to ensure easy transportation to roof level and accuracy of the compound mix.

Overlaying

Monoscreed is also suitable to be installed over Hydrotech 6125, Derbigum bituminous membranes and Caltech QC cold-applied liquid where necessary.

For further information regarding Alumasc Monoscreed please visit www.alumasc.co.uk call our technical team on 03335 771 500, alternatively call (0)3335 771 500.
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Gatic launches new precision engineered access covers

Gatic Civil Drainage, a global leader in engineered surface water drainage, adds to its range of high performance access covers with the launch of LFA assist lift for rapid access, and Composite solid and vented covers with ThruBeam® technology.

The LFA assist lift achieves a load rating of F900 and is designed for heavy duty environments with slow moving traffic, such as aircraft pavements, taxiways of civil airports and dockyards. They are manufactured from Ductile Iron, M-Struts® for a maintenance free alternative to conventional gas struts, and stainless steel grade 304.

A key benefit of Gatic’s new LFA covers is that they can be lifted and closed by a single operation for easy and quick access to underground services. Other technologically advanced benefits include automatically engaging anti-accidental closure mechanism, a slam latch, a locking feature that requires a single Allen key for opening and an integrated lifting handle. All these features allow for easy access, without comprising user safety or the security of the access cover.

Gatic’s Composite is a comprehensive system of single duct and multi-span access covers and frames suitable for a load category of up to B125. The innovative design is ideal for pedestrian areas where an anti-slip, lockable and aesthetic solution is required. The covers have undergone independent testing for anti-slip properties in both wet and dry conditions. They are extremely strong, yet lightweight, which reduces the risk associated with lifting for installers and inspectors.

Gatic Composite covers are available in a range of colours so they fit in seamlessly with the surrounding environment. Colours include black, grey, blue, green and red with others available on request. The frame work is galvanised steel.

All Gatic covers are lockable and cannot be removed without the correct lifting key so unauthorised lifting is virtually impossible.

Sales Director Martin Neale comments “Gatic’s outstanding reputation and longstanding experience and expertise in the design and manufacture of high performance engineered access covers are unmatched. We are continually innovating and adding to our range so that we can provide the most robust and durable solutions for all applications and load classes, from the Olympic Stadium in the UK and Heathrow Airport to Abu Dhabi Airport UAE and Sydney Airport.”

For more information on Gatic’s new range of engineered access covers, call 01304 203545 or visit www.gatic.com.
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webermineral TF render marked 10/10 at Poyntzpass Primary School

High performance webermineral TF render has been specified for an extension to the Poyntzpass Primary School in Newry, Northern Ireland. Designed to overcome delays caused by wet weather conditions and low winter temperatures during application, webermineral TF was specified by Maurice Cushnie Architects Limited, Portadown, and applied by main contractor Maghera Developments Limited, County Down.

“Wet weather always hinders building schedules but when you have to finish an extension to a school, the timetable is especially critical,” says Pat McAreavey, Saint-Gobain Weber. “The building team at the primary school were hampered by a continuously damp summer this year with June being especially wet.”

Concerns that the weather would delay render application were overcome with the technical attributes of webermineral TF, a through-coloured, textured decorative finish designed for use with multi-coat render systems including Weber’s thermally efficient External Wall Insulation. This cementitious render can be applied at temperatures as low as 1°C. webermineral TF has rapid drying benefits that prevent wash-off in 1 hour, making it ideal for wet conditions and winter working, and achieves a durable, resilient and weather resistant finish for all year round protection.

With the Poyntzpass Primary School project at risk, Saint-Gobain Weber’s technical team advised the specification of webermineral TF, not only to overcome weather delays, but because it closely matched the existing colour and texture of the original structure’s finish.

“This is the first project in Ireland to specify webermineral TF,” says Pat McAreavey. “The blockwork substrate was coated with weberend OCR, a basecoat render which is applied in one coat avoiding the drying time associated with traditional sand and cement render, and offers excellent weather protection and durability. weber PR310 primer was then applied in preparation for the 1.5mm textured decorative finish of webermineral TF in Ivory.” weber PR310 primer reduces suction and ensures that the subsequent finish will have a minimum life of 10 years. It is easy to apply using a roller allowing both speed and economy. “Weber also provided on site supervision and guidance for the first-time application of this advanced render finish that will prove highly beneficial in avoiding expensive site delays in the cold and damp climates of northern Europe.”

webermineral TF is easy to apply by hand using a steel float. It is available in four colours – White, Cream, Ivory and Stone Grey, supplied in 20kg sacks, and requires only the addition of clean water on site. This product is manufactured in the UK at facilities in Shropshire, helping to ensure product quality, uniformity and availability with reduced transportation costs and CO₂ emissions.

For more information about this project, or for technical support including award winning training courses, please contact Saint-Gobain Weber on 08703 330 070, or visit www.netweber.co.uk.
A free download of the Weber App for iPhone and iPad users is also available from iTunes and from Google Play for Android smartphones and tablet users. Follow Saint-Gobain Weber on Twitter @SGWeberUK for the latest company news and updates.
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Senior’s sleek finish adds style to Royal Enfield’s new R&D facility

As one of the world’s oldest and most famous motorcycle manufacturers, Royal Enfield is known for creating modern classics and the company’s cool and contemporary style has inspired the design of a striking new technology centre in Leicestershire, which features a range of aluminium glazing solutions from Senior Architectural Systems.

Designed by LE1 Architects, the highly glazed façade of the impressive two storey research and development facility has been created by leading fabricator and installer Unique Window Systems Ltd for main contractor Stepnell.

With the need to maximise the flow of natural light whilst ensuring a comfortable internal working environment a key requirement, the attractive slim sightlines and enhanced thermal performance of Senior’s popular SF52 aluminium curtain wall system was the perfect choice for the building’s dramatic glazed entrance. To complete the fenestration package, Senior’s slim profile thermally-broken SPW300 aluminium windows were also specified, alongside Senior’s high-performance SPW500 and SPW501 aluminium doors which are ideally suited to high traffic applications.

Having successfully worked with Senior Architectural Systems on previous contracts, Unique Windows Systems Ltd recommended the use of Senior’s products for this high-profile scheme where achieving the desired aesthetics and performance was paramount. The strong yet slim profile of Senior’s SF52 aluminium curtain wall and SPW300 aluminium windows have helped to create the sleek, modern finish that the architect and client desired, with the low U-values offered by both systems also contributing to the overall energy-efficiency of the building.

Commenting, Patrick Marston, marketing manager at Unique Windows Systems Ltd said: “Senior Architectural Systems provide an excellent range of aluminum products for us to fabricate from. We often have complex budget and performance requirements from our customers to consider and Senior have a portfolio of products that means we can offer our clients an array of options to best suit”.

Located on the site of a former airbase in Bruntingthorpe near Lutterworth in Leicestershire, the new technology center for Royal Enfield is set to play a vital role in the manufacturer’s long-term product development strategy and as well as providing new office and design space, also includes state of the art facilities for the testing of new motorcycles.

For more information about Senior, visit www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk.
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Gradus step up to the mark at the University of Derby

XT stair edgings from contract interiors specialist Gradus, have been installed to all core staircases at the University of Derby’s Nunnery Court halls of residence to create a safe and inclusive environment.

Situated on Nuns Street, Nunnery Court has recently undergone a major refurbishment to its rooms and communal areas to modernise the fittings, fixtures and décor. The development, which is one of nine halls of residence, has 308 premium and standard student’s rooms.

With hundreds of people passing through the halls of residence each year, the staircases need to be able to withstand heavy footfall, whilst also providing a safe and inclusive environment for students, staff and visitors alike.

GXT11 aluminium stair edgings from Gradus’s market-leading XT range were chosen at Nunnery Court due to their safety and durability. They protect the step edge and surrounding floorcoverings from damage, subsequently reducing ongoing maintenance costs at the facility. The XT range features an insert that extends around the leading edge of the profile to ensure that foot contact is always made with the slip-resistant element, this helps to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls. To further increase safety on the stairs, Xtra-grip inserts were chosen which offer increased surface roughness to reduce the risk of slip particularly where the stair edgings may become wet. Specified in the colour ‘Vapour’ (grey), the inserts harmonise with the interior design but also provide the correct LRV (Light Reflectance Value) to highlight the step edge, crucial for helping to prevent slip, trip and fall accidents.

Victoria Parry, Hall Manager for Nunnery Court, commented “We required a robust stair edging system that could withstand the large amount of people accessing the halls and using the staircases on a daily basis. We’re extremely pleased with the finished outcome, not only do they look great, we have the added reassurance that they have been manufactured by a company with over 50 years’ experience.”

Anthony Roberts, Group Marketing Communications Manager, said: “It’s been great to be involved with the refurbishment as I attended this University as a student and understand the importance of stair safety in such busy environments. The XT stair edgings range combines safety, performance and aesthetic for a complete solution that minimises slip accidents on stairs. GXT11 was the perfect fit for Nunnery Court, providing a safe solution that also complemented the modern and clean aesthetic of the building.”

The XT range has been developed specifically in line with the latest legislation in Approved Document M of the Building Regulations 2010, and all of the XT stair edgings are available to download as BIM objects. This provides specifiers with up-to-date, accurate technical information to build into their next project.

For further information on Gradus’ full range of XT stair edgings, please contact Gradus Technical Support on 01625 428922 or visit www.gradus.com.
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Advanced Protection for London Symphony Orchestra Discovery Project

LSO St Luke’s, home of the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra’s community and education programme, LSO Discovery, is now protected by industry-leading fire panels from Advanced.

LSO St Luke’s is an 18th-century Grade I-listed Hawksmoor church in the London Borough of Islington. The church, which has an unusual obelisk spire, opened in 1773 and was deconsecrated in 1959 due to subsidence. It lay derelict for almost 40 years before being brought back to life in 2003 as the new rehearsal space and education centre for the London Symphony Orchestra.

The upgrade of the fire system was undertaken by the team at Sussex-based Crays Fire, who selected the latest Advanced MxPro 5 panel due to its versatility, reliability and upgradeability, as well as the first-class customer support offered by Advanced.

Paul Woodhams, spokesperson for Crays Fire, commented: “We were responsible for the original installation at LSO St Luke’s during its renovation and, when it came to replacing the panel, we were confident that the MxPro 5 panel would deliver the specific cause and effect programming required for this system, with the flexibility to add further key switches and inputs to the control panel in the future.”

MxPro is the fire industry’s leading multiprotocol fire solution, offering customers a choice of two panel ranges, four detector protocols and a completely open installer network that enjoys free training and support. MxPro panels can be used in single loop, single panel format or easily configured into multi-loop, high speed, 200 panel networks covering huge areas and thousands of field devices.

Anne Basley, spokesperson for LSO St Luke’s, said: “The safety of our staff, those who perform at LSO St Luke’s and the visitors to the venue was paramount when selecting a fire system and, thanks to the recommendation of Crays Fire, Advanced ticked all the boxes. The church itself is a listed building and it requires the very best protection so we can continue to maintain it and guard against threats such as fire.”

MxPro 5 is Advanced’s highest performance analogue panel. It is EN54 2, 4 & 13 approved and is backward compatible with MxPro 4, offering long-term peace of mind for MxPro customers.

Amanda Hope, Advanced’s UK Business Development Manager, commented: “The installation at LSO St Luke’s show that Advanced panels are not only suitable for larger buildings. We have worked closely with Crays Fire for a number of years and MxPro is now their first choice of panel for all new installations and upgrade projects, as well as being the ideal choice for a historic building like this one.

Advanced is a world leader in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems. The legendary performance, quality and ease-of-use of its products sees Advanced specified in locations all over the world, from single panel installations to large multi-site networks. Advanced’s products include complete fire detection systems, multi-protocol fire panels, extinguishing control, fire paging and false alarm management systems.

More details can be found on the website at www.advancedco.com.
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On the buses with Heckmondwike’s pure care carpet

Thanks to Heckmondwike, one of UK’s leading carpet manufacturers, St Andrew’s School, Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, now has hard-wearing, aesthetically pleasing Pure Care carpet in its new library bus, creating an environment perfect for pupils to enjoy reading.

The static library bus at St Andrew’s School, was gifted to the school by a parent who works for Moving People Ltd and refurbished by B&G Sears Ltd of Blackburn. The school wanted to create an interesting library bus interior that was hard-wearing, bright and easy to maintain.

Headteacher Mrs Wilkinson said: “We are so lucky to have this fantastic resource where the children can enjoy reading to their friends or with an adult. The shape of the bus is excellent for a whole class to sit around the edges and the addition of the colourful, hardwearing carpet makes the whole space so lively and fun. Just as it should be in a school!”

Michelle Burton, Sales Manager from flooring contractor Rishton Flooring, who managed the carpet installation for the bus said: “This was such an unusual and fun project, but the challenges for the flooring solution were considerable; high footfall, environmental contamination (mud/grass etc.) and fluctuations in temperature all meant that the carpet had to be very durable. But given that the bus was also a learning environment for young children, the school wanted a flooring solution that was colourful, contemporary and soft underfoot.”

Heckmondwike’s Pure Care offered the durability and visual appeal needed for this project. Available in 8 colours, Pure Care also offers high stain resistance and still feels comfortable, essential with young children. St Andrew’s was also keen to reflect its school colours in its choice of flooring for the library bus, so Pure Care in ‘Sapphire’ was the perfect choice.
Flooring design plays an important role in creating stimulating learning environments, which is why it is so important to find a hard-wearing carpet that can withstand the demanding school environment and retain its appearance for many years.

Pure Care and Total Care are Heckmondwike’s tufted carpet solutions; they are ideally suited to educational establishments, whether in classrooms, corridors or school office areas. Available in different pile weights, both types of carpet feature a fully impervious backing, are highly resistant to staining and cleaning products. They are also manufactured to meet all relevant flammability tests and offer antistatic properties.

Another popular carpet for schools is Supacord. Available in a choice of 42 colours and renowned for being able to withstand heavy wear and tear, it retains its aesthetics and performance properties for many years. Schools are also choosing colourful carpet for their entrance areas too and some schools also opt to have their school branding, colours and/or ethos integrated within their entrance area carpet to add impact and reinforce the values of the school, as soon as pupils or visitors walk through the door.

Sample cards are available on request by calling 01924 413637 or by using Heckmondwike’s online sample form. For more information please visit www.heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.
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Amber Precast strengthens with brand refresh

Amber Precast Group, the Alfreton-based manufacturer of bespoke precast concrete, has cemented new foundations by rebranding the business.

As a single-source manufacturer with over 25 years’ industry experience, Amber Precast is renowned for producing a wide range of architectural, structural, and glass fibre reinforced products for the housebuilding, construction, civil and nuclear sectors.

The brand refresh includes a new look, a restructured offering and a new website, and is designed to strengthen the business as it moves into the future.

Amber appointed industrial marketing specialists Armstrong to lead the design and development work. The full-service agency from Chester is experienced in corporate rebranding and developing collateral for manufacturing companies.

Mark Johnson, Amber Precast Managing Director, said “We’re very pleased with our new positioning. The Amber Precast brand has been thoroughly modernized, reflecting our true status within the industry, and, moving forward, we are now well-positioned to serve our clients with a ‘one stop’ solution for all precast concrete product types.”

For more information please visit www.amberprecast.co.uk.
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A complete roof is resolved with Cembrit Moorland slates

High quality fibre cement slates from Cembrit have complemented the quality new build homes that David Wilson Homes has developed in South Wales. Providing a sleek and stylish finish, the dressed edge Moorland slates have made light work of a complex roofing project.

St Canna’s Green is a newly built David Wilson Homes development comprising 40 three, four and five bedroom properties. Located in the village of Llangan in South Wales, the homes have been carefully crafted to meet the needs to today’s lifestyles, delivering stylish, spacious, light and airy spaces that perfectly match modern lifestyle and aspirations. Multiple properties within the development feature complex roofing designs, with different roof pitches ranging from 35° to 45°, rafter pitches, dormer and rooflight windows requiring a roof covering that could accommodate these details.

Bridgend-based roofing company, Rooftop Tiling Ltd was appointed as the main contractor for this project. Having referred to the project requirements, the contractor recognised that the requirement for a roofing material that could be easily cut and installed on multi pitched roof designs. Whilst looking natural from the ground, Rooftop Tiling Ltd specified Cembrit Moorland dressed edge slates and sourced these products in 600mm x 300mm blue/black from its local builder’s merchant, Robert Price Ltd.

“David Wilson Homes is known to deliver high quality new builds which are aesthetically pleasing,” says Nick Pritchard, Commercial Manager at Rooftop Tiling Ltd. “We wanted to ensure we deliver this finish to the St Canna’s Green project by installing a visually attractive slate that could also handle the complex roof design. We are pleased with the end result. The slates complement the design of the individual properties, and the development as a whole”

Moorland fibre cement slates are manufactured using Portland cement together with a non-asbestos formulation of blended synthetic and cellulose fibres. Each slate is pigmented during production and fully compressed. The edges are dressed and then the slates are finished with a high quality, semi-matt acrylic coloured coating to the top face and edges, and a clear binder to the back face.

Cembrit Moorland Slates are manufactured in accordance to BS EN ISO 9001: 2000 and BS EN 492: 2004 product specification for fibre cement slates and their fittings.

For further information visit www.cembrit.co.uk, email sales@cembrit.co.uk or tel: 0208 320 1184.
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Kingspan OPTIM-R provides slim solution for Scottish renovation

A derelict Grade B listed hotel in Kinross, Scotland, has been transformed into an impressive modern family home, with help from the ultra-slim Kingspan OPTIM-R Flooring System.

Delivered by M&S Character Homes, the renovation plans combine the former Royal Hotel’s main two storey building with the L-shaped additional building to create a single dwelling home. Built in the early nineteenth century, the property boasts striking period features such as oak beams and low ceilings. However, both the owners and architect’s dedication to retaining as many of these features as possible and the listed status of the building, meant there were some inherent design issues that needed to be considered in order to comply with the Scottish Building Standards.

Architect Scott Strachan commented: “the much-altered historical building fabric, current dilapidated state of repair & new owners’ enthusiasm for the property provided a unique opportunity at this stage in the life of the building to both conserve the existing historic building fabric and create a new 21st century chapter in the history of the building.”

Ceiling height in the ground floor hallway where a new staircase needed to be installed was particularly low. To meet the Building Standards for both the head height for the staircase and thermal performance, the Kingspan OPTIM-R Flooring System was specified in a 30 mm thickness. Homeowner and Director of M&S Character Homes, Murray Mitchell, explains:

“As the property is Grade B listed, there are certain limitations to how far it can be altered. The Kingspan OPTIM-R Flooring System was used as it met our thermal requirements at a third of the depth of a normal insulation board. Additionally, the head height in the other part of the hallway is very limited as there is an oak main beam. If Kingspan OPTIM-R hadn’t been used, the floor-to-ceiling height would have been 60 mm less.”

Kingspan OPTIM-R vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) feature a microporous core which is evacuated, encased and sealed in a thin, gas-tight envelope. This design allows them to achieve optimum levels of insulation performance with a declared value thermal conductivity of 0.007 W/m.K despite their minimal thickness.

As with every installation of a Kingspan OPTIM-R System, Kingspan’s specialist technical team provided detailed System layouts and instructions for the project to help streamline the installation whilst keeping the construction thickness to a minimum.

20 – 40 mm thick Kingspan OPTIM-R panels are the only vacuum insulation panels in the world to be certified under the independent BDA Agrément scheme. This confirms that the products will perform as expected when installed to Kingspan Insulation’s recommendations. The certification is also recognised by bodies such as the NHBC and LABC.

For more information, please call 01544 387384, email info@kingspaninsulation.co.uk or visit www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/optim-r.
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