With great height, comes great responsibility

ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® has been installed on a new high rise building in Manchester to provide a fire safety solution that also delivers reliable thermal performance and superior acoustics.

In March 2016, construction began on a new high rise development, named One Regent, on Water Street in Manchester. Made up of 307 apartments, including six townhouses and 326 sqm of commercial space, the project sits at the gateway to Manchester’s city centre. The development was partially funded by the Greater Manchester Housing Fund, which aims to alleviate growing demand for residential property. Many new developments across Manchester are reaching great heights, presenting a number of different challenges for building contractors. In particular, fire spread.

This project required an insulation solution that would provide optimal fire safety, a thermal performance U-value of 0.18 W/m²K, and acoustic protection. Due to this, developer and main contractor, Renaker Build Ltd chose 21,000m2 of ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® in 125mm for the project. ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® is a dual density insulation board that has been specifically designed for high rise buildings. It’s robust and weather proof thanks to a compressed 15mm primary fleece that’s placed on top of the insulation and achieves a thermal performance of 0.18 W/m²K. A European classification: A1 non-combustible product, RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® has been designed to slow the spread of flames and provides vital fire protection, allowing all occupants to evacuate the building safely in the event of a fire.

John Messer, Project Manager at Renaker Build, comments “As well as its leading thermal efficiency and fire resistance, one of the main qualities that stands out when using ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® is the fewer fixings that are required to install the product. This helped us keep costs down during installation, in terms of product and manual labour.”

Renaker Build also liked the fact that ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® offered better acoustic protection than other façade insulants on the market. With development in Manchester on the rise, acoustics has become an important issue for building contractors to overcome. ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® significantly improves the acoustic performance of the external building structure from airborne noise because of its high density and randomly assembled fibre structure.

John concludes, “The project was completed to schedule in July 2017. ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® not only saved us time in the long run, but greatly achieved the desired thermal performance required. It also provided us with a fire resistant material that gave the building unrivalled acoustic insulation, which is becoming an ever increasing concern for our clients. The versatility of the product was ideal for the project and gave us the optimum solution to each of our requirements as well as aesthetic freedom. I’m confident to say, this won’t be the last time we install ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB®.”

For more information please visit www.rockwool.co.uk.
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Altro resins transform University renovation

A package of Altro resins products have been used to transform a 30 year old building, which was previously part of the Hewlett Packard campus in Bristol, into the University of the West of England (UWE) Future Space. The building is used by Research and Development project teams to nurture start-up companies working in the fields of robotics and smart-controlled machinery and vehicles. The renovation project was completed by BAM Construction.

The timelines for the project were tight, but an added complication was that half the building needed to continue to be occupied by the staff of the Bristol Robotics Laboratory. This meant that noise, dust, vibration and odours had to be kept to a minimum. Lucie Phillips, at WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff architects said “We felt, as designers, that a standard resin or vinyl floor finish would look bland in such a large space so we started to explore the options of using a feature resin and we are exceptionally happy with the results of the final product.”

A combination of Altro resins products was used to create solutions for areas such as the circulation hub, main access route from the entrance to the hub, laboratories, workshops and corridors. Products were selected for their UV stability and slip-resistance, flexibility and durability.

The renovation of an old building into a home for such hi-tech industries demanded a significant transformation. Large new sky-lights flooded the central circulation hub with natural daylight, which in-turn greatly increased UV light illuminating the light-coloured quartz floor, so Altro and WSP Parsons Brinkerhoff enhanced colour stability by including clear UV-stable seal coats.

Polydeck Resins Ltd were selected to install the floors, but the project still faced a number of challenges, some of which were not anticipated. Polydeck were able to provide ongoing specification guidance to improve the resultant finishes and problem-solving assistance with programming before and during the installation in order to help to bring the project to completion by the required date.

For more information visit www.altro.co.uk.
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Eurocell raises the bar with lower threshold

As a part of its drive to continuously improve its systems, Eurocell – the UK’s leading manufacturer, distributor and recycler of PVC-U window, door, conservatory and roofline products – has introduced a new PVC-U low threshold for its Eurologik 70mm chamfered and ovolo doors that offers users an alternative to aluminium that will cut energy bills and improve comfort.

This threshold is superior to aluminium equivalents because it reduces cold bridging and is more thermally efficient. Using the PVC-U low threshold improves the U-value by roughly 0.1 W/m2k depending on the style and specification of the door. Put another way, using the PVC-U threshold can boost the energy rating of a door by up to one energy band, over the aluminium equivalent.

This threshold has another advantage too: Eurocell has designed it so that it can be removed and replaced without removing the whole door if damaged.

Fully tested to BS 6375 and PAS 24 both on residential and French doors, the threshold complies with Part M of the Building Regulations (Access to and use of Buildings), which govern disabled access, when installed complete with a choice of specific ramps from the company.

For more information please visit www.eurocell.co.uk.
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Scottish school sets tough test for Redland Cambrian

Lochwinnoch Primary School has provided a showcase for Cambrian Slate, showing how an early 1900s traditional building can still retain its original appearance using a modern slate substitute, along with traditional slate detailing. The roof of the 111-year-old school was originally slated using Scotch slate that was at the end of its lifespan so rain penetration was causing a major issue.

The challenge was to retain the school’s original appearance, complete with complex details such as hips, valleys, skews, the interface between flat roofs and around skylights, without costing as much as slate.

Renfrewshire Council and Redland developed the answer to the challenge: Cambrian Slate, precision engineered and manufactured using 60% recycled Welsh slate. “Cambrian was the ideal choice for this project, offering the performance and ease of use of a modern tile, while providing a roof that was sympathetic to the naturally-tiled appearance of the original building,” said James Grant, the Project Architect for Renfrewshire Council.

Redland carried out a full Redland SpecMaster roof specification together with James Grant, examining every aspect of the roof in detail. These included raking valley details, sprocketed eaves, changes of pitch on the roof slope, detailing of top edge and side abutments, flat to pitch lead, ventilation at eaves and ridge, and underlay details.

The council’s concern about the finish of the Cambrian Slates meant that an especially high standard of workmanship was required. This was constantly monitored by an on-site Clerk of Works and Keepmoat’s own site management team, with Redland’s Account Manager dropping in regularly to offer guidance.

As the roof was originally slated there were many traditional details where the modern tiles had to be adapted to traditional details and interface with lead skews and flat roofs. These details were originally finished with slates directly onto sarking so DM Roofing had to adapt this for modern interlocking slates by the inclusion of counterbattens and tile battens, whilst keeping the traditional appearance.

The change of pitch at the hip junction was difficult so Redland produced a sprocket detail that overcame the issue. Another area of difficulty, where the flat and pitched roof meet, included a lead secret gutter – something that was completed with immaculate results.

All work was carried out in compliance with BS 5534: 2014 Code of Practice for Slating and Tiling and BS 5250 Code of Practice for the Control of Condensation in Buildings, ensuring that high and low-level ventilation was provided along with two mechanical fixings for each tile.

On top of the Council’s aesthetic concerns was the issue of working on a live school for five weeks of term time and the careful management that had to go with this. One of the main challenges was keeping a live school wind and weathertight in the face of Scottish weather.

Work also had to be scheduled with the school administration to organise the works to various areas while focusing on leaving a high-quality finish. Overall, the spokesperson for the Council was “absolutely delighted” with the finished roof which was completed on time, with the assistance of two apprentices on site.

For more information please visit www.redland.co.uk.
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Eurocell opens up new vistas with StudioGlide

Eurocell – the UK’s leading manufacturer, distributor and recycler of PVC-U window, door, conservatory and roofline products – is extending its range of bi-fold doors with the launch of StudioGlideTM, a breakthrough aluminium bi-fold system that promises minimal sightlines, maximum performance and unlimited flexibility.

Developed for both residential and commercial projects, StudioGlide will fit any aperture because it is scaleable to frame heights of up to 2.5m and widths of up to 6.5m. Individual sashes of 1.2m wide can be assembled in multiple configurations of up to seven sashes with the choice of inward or outward opening doors.

Comfort – and lower heating bills – are assured by high-specification energy efficient glass and a thermal break in the frame that reduces heat loss so that StudioGlide can achieve U-values as low as 1.6W/m2k for double glazing and 1.3 W/m2k for triple glazing.

Security is not sacrificed for style, despite the ‘glass wall’ appearance, as StudioGlide comes with full PAS 24 accreditation and is glazed from the inside for increased security, using bespoke gaskets to get the best possible seal against the weather.

Frames are available in a range of classic colours, complemented by shoot bolt and door handles in a wide choice of colours and finishes, including colour matched handles and magnetic door holders.

Doors can open in or out using the same profiles and there is the option for external access on any configuration to make planning and installation simpler. A choice of a ‘fully weathered’ threshold for external use or a ‘low level’ threshold for room dividers is offered and both come complete with integral locks while an adjustable jamb enables the fine tuning needed for the perfect fit.

Easily fabricated and quick to install, StudioGlide is a product that’s built to last so both the bi-fold door profiles and the door furniture are guaranteed for ten years.

For more information please visit www.eurocell.co.uk.
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Rinnai system thinking brings business specific hot water systems

Rinnai’s bespoke business specific solutions deliver a new generation of fully integrated, high efficiency hot water systems

Rinnai UK is spearheading a new concept for economic and efficient hot water delivery that brings together all the components of a system in one handy, bespoke designed pack for any kind of business, large or small.

Rinnai UK Associate Director Chris Goggin says that simply supplying a water heater unit (or multiple units) has become an antiquated notion that simply is not good enough. “System thinking is what is going to give us the edge as we head into a future where fuel prices are going to need to be managed with pin-point precision.

System thinking has led Rinnai to the point where it can offer a service to design and deliver a complete hot water system in one easy to install, fully specified and energy efficient ‘pack’ delivered direct to site – meeting all the demands of the client in one seamless operation.

“Why would busy installers and end users want to waste their time planning and then assembling all the parts of a jigsaw when Rinnai’s water heating experts can specify, design and deliver the total solution?

He says specifiers and designers of both commercial and domestic projects can simply consult with Rinnai engineers and rest assured they will have the right system for the job when they need it and with the minimum of fuss. “What advantage is there in unit thinking when system thinking is so much more effective?” he asks. “And not just at the delivery stage but ongoing through the system’s lifetime.”

“With our integrated system concept we have gone far beyond simply manufacturing a product to being in a position to offer a complete turnkey service from planning through installation and commissioning to on-going maintenance,” says Goggin.

A total solution including water heaters, flues, scale protection, unvented cylinders, valves, prefabrication racks, advanced BMS controls – even water sampling equipment – can be specified, designed and delivered by Rinnai.

“The heat generator on the system is Rinnai’s HDC condensing water heater which offers 95% gross efficiency which is maintained for the lifetime of the system due to the design principles and controls. Therefore, the design, combined with the system-thinking approach, promotes best-in-class energy efficiencies.

“The principles of system thinking add value to the customer as they take away compliance issues like legionella control, for example. We have already developed these packages for multiple corporate customers and for our distribution partners, and these pioneering projects have been very well received. The system thinking principle applied by Rinnai is now being adopted mainstream meaning more and more efficient systems are in use.

“A key demand is to provide better on-site efficiency at point of installation and as the system is supplied to site in a pack, this demand has been answered. Using the principles of system thinking we aim to take the headache out of system design and supply complete solutions that go well beyond the heat generator and offer our customers performance and compliance for many years to come.”

“The water heaters (the complete Rinnai range is A-rated under ErP labelling demands) far surpass the thermal heating credit requirements for domestic and commercial hot water systems in new and existing buildings to ensure current and future compliance,” Goggin says, adding: “It is a complete turn-key solution that guarantees easy installation and tight time and labour control and standardisation of both product and spare parts supply.

‘Customers and end-users can be assured that their system is–G3 compliant and has good practice when concerning Legionella (ACOP L8) guidance as well as being best in class under Part L building regulations.

* Rinnai is a BIM steering committee advisor to CIBSE for water heaters, boilers and air heaters and ICOM ‘s chosen expert for the RUK UK review of EN26 and EN89.

For more details on RINNAI products visit www.rinnaiuk.com
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Cembrit expands its Glendyne natural slate range

Cembrit, the leading roofing and cladding specialist is proud to announce the addition of two new sizes to its Glendyne range of natural slates, 60×30 and 50×30, offering roofers larger slates and more versatility when working on lower pitched roofs.

On a roof with a lower pitch, the large size of the slates will not let water sit between the slates and prevents the water from getting through. Larger slates work well on low pitched roofs and are best suited for use in coastal areas where the environment has a greater degree of moisture content.

The larger sized Glendyne natural slates, 60×30 and 50×30, can be pitched at a minimum of 25° and 20° in moderate exposure zones and 30° and 22.5° in sever exposure zones respectively. The slates exceed the common 2:1 length width ratio, allowing for specification on greater range of roof pitches. The range offers a quality alternative to Welsh Slate and is readily available. Cembrit also has the facility to examine individual cases and offer specific advice on minimum pitch per project outside the parameters of BS 5534.

Glendyne is a high quality slate that combines first-class performance with all the inherent beauty of natural slate, making it the ideal ‘natural’ choice for specifiers and roofers. Available exclusively from Cembrit in the UK, Glendyne is a distinctive blue-grey colour. The Glendyne quarry is one of the most modern slate quarries in the world. The quarry operates a quality management system based on EN ISO 9001 which is externally audited. This standard is adhered to rigidly, as are all quality standard procedures required by each regional market the quarry supplies. Glendyne, like all natural slate from Cembrit, is tested to BS EN European standard, BS EN 12326-1:2014 which requires many of the laboratory tests (‘type testing’) to be performed at least annually and the factory production control (FPC) performed and recorded as a matter of routine by the producer.

For further information visit www.cembrit.co.uk, email sales@cembrit.co.uk or tel: +44 (0) 208 320 1184.
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Cardinal joins timber’s tour-de-force at FIT Show 2019

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The development of timber windows in the FIT Show line-up has been further strengthened with the news that traditional sash manufacturer Cardinal Windows has signed up to the 2019 event.

The company, whose key staff boast over 150 combined years of experience, offers bespoke windows to specifiers and installers who seek traditionally styled, timber sliding box sash windows but which come with the latest standards of high performance. Having seen demand grow for real wood windows, the firm now sees the FIT Show as the best shop window to reach its trade target markets, as Marketing Manager Jamie Hackett explained:

“We want to talk to a range of potential customers including window installers and specifiers together with architects, developers and small building companies and we know we will meet many of them at the FIT Show. Our customers include designers and builders of new homes right through to those responsible for the most sensitive period renovations,” he said.

“The event has proven itself to be the focal point for all of the UK window industry, so that is where we want to be, especially now that so many others in the timber window sector are thinking the same thing.”

Cardinal’s heart may be in the tradition of timber but its route to market is right up to date, with online ordering and a window-builder facility complete with instant quote function, all designed to make choosing – and pricing – a timber window as easy and cost-effective as PVC or aluminium. With pine, sapele or oak products based on German engineering backed by full UK customer support, Cardinal Windows have a U value of 1.5 W/m²K and are available in any RAL colour and with a range of bespoke and hardware options.

Jamie Hackett concluded: “Everyone in PVC and aluminium is shouting about their ‘authentic timber alternatives’ but what they are really doing is emphasising how much people still aspire to having the real thing. More and more homeowners and trade customers are realising this. As a manufacturer, we have the skills and the infrastructure to satisfy this need and, in the FIT Show, we have the vehicle to get that message across.”

For more information please visit www.fitshow.co.uk.
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A strategic partnership based on trust

When energy industry guru Mike McDonald recognised that the commercial underfloor heating sector was becoming “commoditised”, with installers choosing a pick ‘n’ mix policy of bringing together the various components on a lowest cost basis, he took a decision to base his young business on a manufacturer’s brand.

With a life-time in the energy industry, including as Divisional Board Director at BSS and Managing Director of two BAXI Commercial Heating businesses, Mike approached Giacomini UK, a company whose products and expertise he knew well, and formed a strategic partnership with his Cardiff based Ecofit Energy Systems business.

“Five years later Giacomini accounts for more than 80% of our UFH products and we would not have enjoyed our great rate of growth without the support of Giacomini. We are a true partnership, playing to each other’s’ strengths. We identify and win the business, and they design the systems and provide the components, with full technical support,” says Mike.

Ecofit Energy Systems offers a complete design, installation, testing and monitoring service for environmentally friendly energy systems throughout Wales, the South West and along the M4 corridor into central London.

“When you are working with major commercial undertakings, local education authorities and universities, you need the confidence of the guarantees, product supply and technical support that only a major manufacturer, such as Giacomini, can offer,” he adds.

His is a real family business with his daughter Lauren as managing director and her partner Kieran technical director.

The business partnership goes from strength to strength and has recently won a contract to provide underfloor heating at five primary schools in Powys and its largest order yet, a 174 apartment development in Bristol. Mike often works with Giacomini’s approved sub-contractors as part of the package.

“It is rather like a marriage relationship. We have been together now for five years and are looking forward to even greater benefits from our partnership. Pooling our separate skills into one symbiotic relationship enables us to target bigger and more complex installations with confidence,” says Mike.

For more information about Giacomini UK visit https://uk.giacomini.com/
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Weber’s technical mortars ensure residents of Northwood enjoy the good life

High performance technical mortars by Saint-Gobain Weber have been specified for the repair of concrete balconies with metal railings to apartment buildings in Northwood, Middlesex in the London borough of Hillingdon.

Metal railings to attractive balconies on the first and second storey apartments had rusted at the base over time and this in turn lead to spalling of the surrounding concrete. “This was both visually unattractive and a potential safety risk for the residents,” says Karl Roberts, contracts manager of main contractor Alfred Bagnall & Sons Limited, facades coating specialists, who have branches throughout the UK.

With technical advice from Weber’s specialist Barry Ephgrave, the team from Alfred Bagnall cut away the spalled concrete and repaired the metal barrier before reinstating the concrete. Saint-Gobain Weber’s webercem concrete repair system was specified, a multi-component system compliant with BS EN 1504 for concrete patch repairs.

The system contains webercem HB40 for high-build repair and levelling, the associated bonding slurry webercem bondcoat and finally a high performance finishing coat of webercote smooth.

webercem bondcoat, a cementitious bonding aid, provides high initial grab to improve the build of the repair mortar and promote the bond to the concrete. It contains fibres for improved thixotropy, is solvent-free and simply requires mixing with clean water onsite.

“There were also areas where concrete had spalled due to corroded reinforcement,” states Karl, “and again we treated and repaired these areas with lightweight, polymer modified, high-build webercem HB40 structural repair mortar. The complete system has a proven track record demonstrating its quality and performance and allows speedier completion of work. We use it regularly on projects similar to this.”

Once repaired the balconies were coated with webercote smooth which provides excellent anti-carbonation protection. It has a minimum 15 years life expectancy and is protective, durable and decorative. webercote smooth can be applied by brush, roller and spray and is resistant to chloride ingress.

“With a life expectancy in excess of 15 years residents can be sure these buildings will continue to look as neat and tidy as they do now, not to mention safe and secure,” comments Karl. “It was in Northwood in the 1970s that comedy series the Good Life was filmed so we are confident the Leadbetter’s would approve of this smart remedial programme of work which we hope has exceeded everyone’s expectations.”

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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