By the seaside with Kingspan Kooltherm

The premium performance of the Kingspan Kooltherm K108 Cavity Wall Board has led to its specification on a new residential development in Hendy, North West Swansea, helping the project to meet its thermal performance requirements with a slim construction build up.

Situated in one of the most desirable postcodes in Wales, Cwrt Y Bedw is a collection of 82 two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, including 19 affordable homes, being constructed by Persimmon Homes West Wales. With an intimate village location and easy access to the region’s beautiful coastline, the development has been designed with first-time buyers and families in mind. In order to ensure the dwellings were as energy efficient as possible, Persimmon Homes used a variety of techniques and cutting-edge technologies throughout the project, including Kingspan Kooltherm K108 Cavity Board.

Carl Davey, Construction Director at Persimmon Homes West Wales, explains “The Kingspan Kooltherm K108 Cavity Board provided the technical solution we needed to easily secure a compliant level of thermal performance, within a standard cavity depth, at an economical price. Our site teams found the product clean and easy to install and we were impressed with both the product’s features and the quality of the installation we have achieved at the Cwrt Y Bedw scheme.”

Kingspan

Part of Kingspan’s new Kooltherm K100 range, Kingspan K108 Cavity Board features a fibre-free phenolic core with an outstanding thermal conductivity of 0.018 W/m.K. This excellent performance enables housebuilders to meet or exceed target external wall U-values, without encroaching on living space or moving away from preferred cavity sizes. 460 m2 of Kingspan Thermapitch TP10 was also installed on the slated pitched roofs of the new homes, providing a high thermal performance of 0.022 W/m∙K.

All Kingspan Kooltherm, Therma and KoolDuct insulation products and cavity closers manufactured at Kingspan Insulation’s facilities in Pembridge and Selby are certified to BES 6001 (Framework Standard for the Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products) ‘Excellent’. The products are manufactured with a blowing agent that has zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and low Global Warming Potential (GWP).

For further information, please call 01544 387 384, email info@kingspaninsulation.co.uk or visit www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk.
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Osmo introduces a new range of tools

Eco-friendly wood and finish specialist, Osmo UK, introduces a new range of quality tools to its impressive portfolio of products, including an innovative Osmo System Telescopic Handle. The assortment of tools aims to aid users in creating a premium finish to their Osmo projects and ease product application.

Osmo’s new offering of tools includes a wide selection of the highest quality brushes, rollers, scrapers, mops, pads and machines, each of which are specially designed to provide the perfect criteria for the intended appearance or effect that is desired. Whether users are looking to preserve the natural colour of the wood, add a subtle washed effect or highlight the grain of the wood itself, there is a tool for it all.

Whilst protection is assured, the results will also be aesthetically pleasing. Tailored to suit various surfaces and needs, the Osmo tools and accessories collection provides users with the requirements for the best application and maintenance of wooden surfaces.

“Buyers can often fall into the trap of purchasing cheaper tools, however these low-cost alternatives can often compromise the overall finish and quality of the project due to their poor quality and design,” comments Steve Grimwood, Managing Director of Osmo UK. “It is important to Osmo that our products offer a premium and high quality finish and that we are consistently achieving a high level of customer satisfaction. Osmo’s products are high in viscosity and have a thick consistency to ensure the finish is applied thinly and spread evenly. These tools are made from aluminium and are designed to be long lasting.”

The all new Osmo System Telescopic Handle is a universal attachment for the full assortment of application tools including:

  • Osmo Floor Brush
  • Osmo Floor Roller Set
  • Osmo Small Roller & Brush Set
  • Osmo Decking Brush
  • Osmo Decking Brush Set
  • Osmo Pad Holder with Joint

The same handle can also be used in conjunction with the cleaning tools:

  • Osmo Cleaning Kit for Floors
  • Osmo Decking Cleaning Brush
  • Osmo Pad Holder with Joint

Osmo tools are now easier than ever to use, thanks to the Quick-Connect technology that allows for the convenient attachment of the telescopic handle and the SoftTouch Grip, for user comfort. The back-preserving, adjustable length of the handle allows users to effortlessly extend the brush, in order to apply Osmo product on floors, decking and hard to reach areas with ease. The handle simply connects to the joint with a secure fitting and has an adjustable pole which can be extended in length from 120-200cm.

To find more information and for your nearest stockist of the Osmo range of environmentally friendly wooden products and specialist finishes, call Osmo UK direct on 01296 481220 or alternatively visit www.osmouk.com.
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Tooling range extended by Pegler Yorkshire

Pegler Yorkshire, the leading UK manufacturer of VSH XPress fittings has expanded its range of tools to meet the demands of the marketplace.

The XPress Press Power Tools range offers a variety of tooling to support press-fit installations from 12mm to 168.3mm and sprinkler systems. In addition, the range includes the popular combined package of AC0203 with 15-35mm jaws in a single case.

Amy Sedgwick, Pegler Yorkshire’s Market Manager for Press Systems, commented “With over half the work carried out by heating engineers and contractors being on ‘live’ sites, press-fit jointing has become the preferred choice because of its safety credentials and ease of installation. With that in mind it was a natural progression to provide our customers with not only the best press-fit fittings on the market but the full range of tools to complete the job too.”

The improved range of press tools provide greater performance whilst being lighter and easier to handle. Incorporating an ‘X’ symbol, visible on the pressed fitting, the range of tools provide an instant visual aid to indicate the joint has been pressed offering continual reassurance. The range includes a number of kitted options enabling complete sets of tools, jaws and slings to be ordered under just one product code.

In addition, the new tooling brochure is designed to showcase all XPress tools and accessories in one easy to use comprehensive guide. It also includes a tool compatibility table to easily identify the best tool for the job requirements and a full installation guide for all sizes from 12mm to 168.3mm.

Further information about Pegler Yorkshire can be found by visiting www.pegleryorkshire.co.uk.
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New Cavity Wall Insulation Installer Assessment and Surveillance Scheme from Kiwa

Kiwa has launched new approval schemes for injected systems and their installers and has recently awarded BDA Agrément® to Warmfill Moulded Foams, Energystore and Thermabead. These documents are easily accessible via the website www.kiwa.co.uk/bda, and readers can see that all relevant performance factors have been assessed. The approvals cover the use of the system in the UK and the Irish Republic, where applicable, all subject to consideration of the location of the installation and degree of exposure.

The installer must be approved by the System Designer in the first instance, and there is an on-going rigorous and thorough independent check in the form of the Kiwa Installer Assessment and Surveillance Scheme to address installer competence via training and qualifications, as well as site practice – all verified by site and office inspection.

Properties under consideration for CWI must be surveyed thoroughly before any material is installed. A detailed check-list form must be completed, looking at the exposure of the location, the layout of the property, details of its construction, chimneys and heat-producing appliances and type and position of the damp proof course. The age of the property should be established and the topography – the position of the property in relation to the area around it – must be described.

Considerable attention must be paid to defects in the property – is there external or internal damp penetration, evidence of bulge or heave in any elevation? The condition of windows, doors and rainwater systems must be reported and any damage to render or defects in masonry, such as spalling, loose mortar joints or damage due to failed or failing services must be noted.

An assessment of the wind-driven rain conditions typically experienced by the property, using the guidance given in BS 8104 and relevant national Building Regulations, must be made. BRE Report 262; thermal insulation avoiding risks in walls up to 12m high should also be consulted. Gradings run from Sheltered – less than 33 litres per rain spell to Very Severe – 100 or more litres per rain spell.

At survey stage a borescope investigation must also be carried out, looking at the condition of the cavity. Is it clear and are the wall ties clean or covered with mortar snots, contributing to both thermal bridging and damp transfer from outer to inner leaf? Is there any existing insulation already, a batt or slab, and if so, what is its condition?

Any remedial measures required should be set out and must be completed before any CWI measures are undertaken.

If the property is considered suitable for CWI the surveyor will detail the drilling pattern from the System Designers’ Installation Guide and determine the volume of material required.
Once the installation has commenced, the leader of the team must document details of the fill material and equipment used, as well as on-site test data: for example, the box test to check material density. The installer must sign off the job once completed, declaring the work has been undertaken correctly and all required checks have been carried out.
All documentation should be retained and is subject to audit by Kiwa inspectors.

The Kiwa scheme is rigorous and thorough and it provides the customer, whether developer, housing association or householder with the assurance they should be entitled to. And if more installers are doing what good installers are doing anyway, who can argue with that!?

For more information please visit www.kiwa.co.uk.
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Rinnai – another ‘Standard set’ – out of hours tech support during the whole of the working day

Rinnai, the UK leader in continuous flow hot water delivery systems and units, has introduced a new service which gives contractors access via telephone or internet to unlimited Technical Support and Management.

The service is available, free of charge, with immediate effect to all installers, premises owners and facilities managers which have Rinnai units or systems on site.

“We are offering customers a minimum of 12 hours per each working day – from 7.00am until 7.00pm – of dedicated Technical advice, support and information,” says Rinnai head of operations Chris Goggin.

“Our units and systems are low maintenance and high performance with the lowest or minimal mal-function rates. But we see our role as ensuring that customers – contractors, consultants, end-users – have that extra peace of mind in terms of Technical Information & Support out of ordinary working hours. Each site is unique in its requirements and installation configuration so we are here ready to help, by telephone or by internet,” he adds.

Rinnai’s range of continuous flow gas fired water heaters includes heavy duty and condensing units which are all engineered and ErP rated to produce the highest efficiencies and lowest running costs of any hot water heating unit.

For example, the Infinity HDC1600i, Rinnai’s premium condensing water heater has been tested to below 20 ppm NOx, producing the lowest emissions on the market, with 97% gross efficiencies.

There is also an established range of award winning condensing heavy duty condensing internal and external water heaters which give an energy performance of 107% net efficiency while the larger HDC1500 internal and external models have 105% net efficiency. Rinnai Infinity condensing units also exceed all the demands of Part L Building Regulations.

Rinnai units can be used as a gas booster to solar thermal or heat pump installations maximizing renewable heat gains. It is the only booster that ensures a hot shower or bath any time of the day or night. The rest of the time the gas fired unit is inactive minimizing energy usage.

For commercial buildings, Rinnai’s development and investment in integral smart controls for its appliances enable smart integration with sophisticated BMS systems allowing multi data monitoring which in turn identifies areas where energy, service and breakdown efficiencies can be improved.

Rinnai also fields a common header flue system to streamline manifolded installations of its award-winning Infinity condensing units.

And another simple but effective idea which safeguards against lime scale build up occurring in Rinnai continuous flow water heaters is a scale control system that continually monitors the appliances for lime scale deposits around the heat exchanger.

Rinnai also offer the Infinity Solo water heater, the first Rinnai product for the UK which combines the advanced technology of its wall mounted water heaters with a stainless steel storage cylinder all in one. And it boasts very low heat loss figures.

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com.
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MSA Safety’s V-TEC™ self-retracting lifeline is first to use dampener technology for additional safety

MSA Safety is launching its new V-TEC™ self-retracting lifeline (SRL). It is the first in the market to include an inbuilt retraction dampener which allows the user to release the cable safely via controlled retraction; this prevents potential injury to the user and damage to the main body of the unit. It also offers safe operation and a reduction in costs and downtime.

Part of the innovative and easy-to-use V-Series of safety harnesses and SRLs, in addition to the inbuilt dampener, the V-TEC also benefits from patented radial energy absorbing technology which ensures control over any force exerted on it. Together, the radial energy absorber and dampener translate the latest technology into ease of use, inspection and maintenance.

Its construction is based on an award-winning design first used in the MSA Personal Fall Limiter. A clear outer casing allows instant inspection and peace of mind, while the radial energy absorber requires no calibration or adjustment before use. A convenient carrying handle is fitted for easy transport.

“The V-TEC carves out new territory in SRL design and shows the kind of engineering innovation and user-friendly features the world has come to expect from MSA Safety fall protection,” says Alastair Hogg Director for Fall Protection Sales and Business Development, International, “our team at the Fall Protection Centre of Excellence in Devizes, Wiltshire, deserves much credit for keeping us ahead of the field.”

He adds: “The V-TEC SRL and other V-Series products have been designed for use with our Latchways® engineered lifelines to bring customers the highest specification of fall protection on the market.”

The V-TEC SRL is made using stainless steel and engineered plastics for great durability and, when necessary, its cable, energy absorber and retraction dampener can all be quickly replaced on site. A choice of galvanised or stainless cables, is available to meet the needs of different situations.

MSA Safety’s new V-TEC 6m self-retracting lifeline is now available from registered suppliers. Other lengths will be launched later this year.

For further information please contact your local MSA affiliate or visit MSAsafety.com.
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Altro ideal for £25 million Welsh super school

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Award-winning Altro XpressLay™ safety flooring has been used throughout a £25 million secondary ‘super school’ in North Wales. At 4,500m2, it is the biggest ever Altro XpressLay installation in the North West.

The new Rhyl High School has been funded by Denbighshire Council and the Welsh Government, and built by Willmott Dixon. It accommodates 1,200 students, and also provides a base for 45 students from a nearby community special school. The whole building was constructed to achieve a rating of “excellent” on the BREEAM scale.

As with most new-build school projects, cost and time were major factors in the construction of Rhyl High. Flooring company Linney Cooper — who were appointed by Willmott Dixon to install the flooring throughout the new school — were well aware of this. But even though Altro flooring had not originally been specified, Linney Cooper recommended switching to Altro XpressLay.

Robert Goring, Senior Project Surveyor at Willmott Dixon, said “We have been working with Linney Cooper for many years. Their expert knowledge of flooring led to a recommendation to change our specification to Altro XpressLay, which is a proven cost and time saving product. In addition, the flooring met the stringent criteria for safety, quality and design.”

James Sullivan, Linney Cooper Contracts Manager, said “For the Rhyl High project, Altro XpressLay and its properties presented themselves as a better alternative flooring solution to the one specified, for many reasons. The substrate floor at the new school was a power-floated concrete that would take a great deal of preparation with diamond grinding and laying a dpm. But, crucially, Altro XpressLay can be laid without a dpm, because it can be put down straight onto a damp subfloor or a new concrete floor at up to 97% relative humidity. This means quick and easy installation without having to wait for the substrate to dry.

“In addition, Altro Xpresslay can be laid without adhesive. There is no waiting for it to ‘cure’, we just lay, weld and walk on it the same day. There are no tacky areas, or having to plan installation in stages because of drying times.

“The flooring can be taken up and re-used elsewhere, and if we need to replace areas of damage or wear in the future, we can do so, very easily, with minimal disruption. There are no adhesive odours, either, which is perfect for sites such as schools.”

James continued: “Altro XpressLay is not a short-term solution, it is a proven, groundbreaking flooring that holds as effectively as an Altro safety flooring installed using adhesive, and there are no rucks, no movement at all.” It offers the same guarantees and lifetime slip resistance of other Altro safety flooring. The floor can be removed easily, reused and is 100% recyclable at the end of its life.

In addition to Altro XpressLay, Altro Whiterock™ White walling and Altro Stronghold™ 30 safety flooring were installed in the school kitchen. These products are often specified together as they deliver a proven combination of safety and hygiene in hard working environments.

Altro Whiterock White is the hygienic alternative to tiles that’s impact resistant, grout-free and easy to clean. Its smooth white surface and classic purity make it a timeless choice for any interior.

Altro Stronghold 30 achieves Altro’s highest rating for slip resistance and is designed to minimise risk in wet and greasy conditions for the lifetime of the flooring. As well as helping to keep staff safe from slips, it also helps reduce their fatigue, thanks to its 3mm thickness which provides noise reduction and comfort underfoot.

Linney Cooper installed the Altro Stronghold 30, while MI Contracts fitted the Altro Whiterock White.

For more information please visit www.altro.co.uk.
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Gatic’s NEW comprehensive Product Guide for Surface Water Drainage

Gatic has completed a new 80-page product guide for its extensive range of surface water drainage. The comprehensive brochure includes detailed information on Gatic’s innovative Slotdrain, Filcoten® and ProSlot ranges, as well as Harmer’s SML below ground drainage for the complete solutions package.

The brochure goes into some detail on load classes, product applications, technical tables, 3D render images and technical support. It also covers Gatic’s free Drainage Design Software and its association with MicroDrainage software.

Sales Director Martin Neale comments “Our wide range of civil drainage means customers benefit from a versatile choice of surface water channels, high capacity channels, linear and slot drainage. The new product guide helps specifiers, engineers and contractors choose the right solutions for their projects, whether it’s a light pedestrian scheme or an airport where a more robust system is required.”

Gatic’s innovative surface water drainage products are also supplied by Alumasc Group under its umbrella brand: Alumasc Water Management Solutions (AWMS).

For a copy of Gatic’s new product guide call 01304 203 545 or download at www.gatic.com. Follow @GaticDrainage.
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CATS College uses Metframe to complete project ahead of tight schedule

Founded nearly 65 years ago, CATS College is an innovative independent education provider with four campuses across the UK and USA, and provides residential education to students studying GCSEs, A Levels and International Baccalaureates. With the continued success of CATS College and its growing number of students, the Canterbury campus identified the need to expand its accommodation facilities as well as its social and catering spaces.

A new student accommodation block was commissioned to offer 87 en-suite rooms, a café, common room and flexible social areas for the students. The project had a tight timeline to ensure a handover date to coincide with the academic year, and needed to be completed within just 14 weeks, so speed of build was paramount.

Another key consideration of the project was the design. With CATS College’s prestigious locations and buildings, it was important that the features of the new building complemented the existing architecture and blended in.

Atkin Trade Specialists was awarded the framing element of the contract, and used voestalpine Metsec plc’s Metframe solution to overcome the complex structural design challenges as well as achieve the tight timescales. Metframe is a pre-panelised system which is used to provide the load bearing structure for low to medium rise structures. The system uses stud, track and zed ledger sections which are bolted together off site to form panels providing the benefit of speed of build, with Metframe structures regularly taking under two weeks per floor to construct. Each structure is bespoke to allow flexible architectural design as well as to complement the surrounding buildings on campus. The building design incorporated several traditional features such as large bay windows with castellation, feature stone-work and mansard roofs, inspired by the existing architecture of the adjacent buildings.

The complex mansard roof configuration had multiple valleys and hips that needed to be incorporated into the design and the flexibility of the Metframe solution meant that the roof for the project could be formed using steel. It’s a competitive solution; rather than needing to commission a second company to design and form a roof, Metsec could supply one package, including a steel roofing solution, which added value and provided significant time savings to the project.

Inside, the building was designed to be future-proof. Internal walls were left out in the build to provide flexibility and enable rooms to be opened to form larger ones if required. This element had to be accounted for in the design and hot rolled steel beams were integrated into the design to provide this flexibility.

The detailing process involved in the design began with the import of the architectural CAD modelling into a bespoke 3D environment. This determined all setting-out and allowed structural components to be fully modelled in this environment. In turn, this enabled Metsec to precisely manufacture all of its components according to the agreed design. Manufactured at its UK facilities to the design specified lengths, even the holes in the product are punched that are required for both off-site panel assembly and on-site final build. Atkins selected the Metframe solution for its ability to be prefabricated off-site enabling the onsite construction to be completed by only five personnel in just 13 weeks, a week ahead of schedule.

The CATS College project demonstrates a broad range of environmentally friendly material and processes. The cold rolled steel used in Metframe offers an excellent strength to weight ratio meaning that not only did the project require less steel overall, but the lightweight structure required shallower foundations to be installed, providing material, time and cost savings. In addition, the structural components are manufactured to the precise length required reducing site waste.

James Gallear, of Atkin Trade Specialists, says “This project not only meets the client’s current design requirements, but it exceeds them by providing a future-proof solution.

“The modern design provides flexible additional space for the college, coupled with the architectural reflection of existing buildings on campus meaning that it blends in with the style of the surroundings buildings.”

Ryan Simmonds, sales director of Framing at Metsec, adds “This project challenges the common perception of the type of building which is suitable for off-site construction. With special design elements such as the mansard roof at CATS College, installers will often disregard the off-site option, but our project with Atkin Trade Group shows that off-site can not only be an efficient and cost-effective solution, it can also provide solutions to complex architectural designs.”

For more information on the Metsec product range visit www.metsec.com. Alternatively, connect with Metsec via @MetsecUK or facebook.com/MetsecUK.
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New ductwork installation guide from Kingspan

Kingspan Insulation has released a new installation guide for Kingspan Kooltherm FM Ductwork Insulation and Therma Duct Insulation, available for download from www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk.

The easy-reference document covers all aspects of the installation process for rectangular, circular and flat oval ductwork applications; from initial preparation, to TICA recommended methods of insulating flanges, stiffeners and connections. Clear annotated diagrams are included throughout, illustrating best practice in a range of areas such as dealing with radius sections and circular bends.

Both Kingspan Kooltherm FM Ductwork Insulation and Therma Duct Insulation offer a number of advantages for installers. The product’s high and premium performance insulation cores can help to keep ductwork dimensions to a minimum, without compromising energy performance. They’re suitable for indoor and outdoor applications on ductwork and associated products within an operating temperature range of –20°C to 80°C. Whilst their fibre-free insulation cores make them particularly well suited to controlled environment applications such as laboratories, food preparation and server rooms.

For further peace of mind, Kingspan Kooltherm FM Ductwork Insulation is also certified by FM Approval to Factory Mutual Research Approval Standard – Pipe Insulation Class Number 4924, when manufactured and installed in accordance with the conditions defined by the approval.

Kingspan Kooltherm FM Duct Insulation and Therma Duct Insulation produced at Kingspan Insulation’s Pembridge and Selby manufacturing facilities are certified to BES 6001 ‘Very Good’ and have been assigned a highest possible 2008 Green Guide Summary Rating of ‘A+’.

For more information please call +44 (0) 1544 388 601 or visit www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk.
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