No Compromise with Axim’s New Electric Strike

To meet the ever changing demands of the hardware market and specifiers installation requirements the new Axim ES-2100 Electric Strike series is a remote access control device, suitable for doors fitted with the Axim LK-2100 deadlatch series.

A reduction in installation time and maintenance ensures a reduction in costs for installers.

Suitable for the most demanding commercial environments the new Axim ES-2100 Electric Strike replaces the standard fixed strike plate of the deadlatch.

The Axim ES-2100 electric strike is supplied with a flat faceplate for installation into a frame of a single leaf door or the inactive leaf of a pair of doors. Available in 12vDC & 24vDC Fail Safe or Fail Secure.

  • Axim’s innovative development solutions on the ES-2100 Electric Strike make the ES-2100 series a market leading product which now surpasses other leading brands.
  • Suitable for use on single & double Aluminium Doors
  • Electrical actuation unlocks the strike jaw, therefore releasing the latch bolt without having to operate the latch manually.
  • Compact mechanism fits into an aluminium jamb section as shallow as 44.45mm.
  • Non Handed
  • Powered by Internal Solenoid
For more information/technical details please visit www.axim.co.uk, call 0208 685 2313 or email orders@axim.co.uk.
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Updated Gardens & Drives brochure gives landscapers a new secret weapon

Updated and refreshed from top to bottom, Brett Landscaping, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of high quality aggregate and paving products, have launched their Garden & Drives 2017 aimed at supporting merchants and contractors selling into the homeowner audience. The brochure provides comprehensive guide to the stylish and innovative products and services available from Brett next year.

Gardens & Drives 2017 has been designed to be of maximum benefit to consumers facing difficult decisions over their landscaping requirements. The brochure provides clear and concise information as well as high quality imagery to show the Brett product range with new clarity.

To help landscapers to decide on their preference of style for their projects, each product group in Gardens & Drives 2017 has been split into three colour-coded categories:

  • Contemporary paving: Made up of products that offer crisp clean lines and stylish surfaces to create a truly modern aesthetic for your home.
  • Traditional paving: Comprised of products that offer softer aged lines and riven surfaces designed to help recreate a more rustic appearance.
  • Value paving: Requiring great paving on a stricter budget? This paving range performs every bit as well as the rest of our products, with slightly less accessories available.

Gardens & Drives 2017 also contains “A day in the life of a Brett Approved Installer” section, which illustrates just what a great resource these approved installers can be for your next landscaping project if you don’t already have a contractor in mind.

As well as providing 5-Year Installation and 10-Year Product guarantees, “A day in the life of a Brett Approved Installer” uses high quality imagery and case studies to demonstrate the flexibility and excellent workmanship possible with from approved installers across the country.

The brochure, along with the Brett Trade Guide, will be available over the counter from builder’s merchants from the week commencing December 12th 2016, as well as on request online on http://www.brettpaving.co.uk/brochure/brochure-request/.

Brett Landscaping takes pride in the fact that it provides customers with a high quality service offering worthy of the products available from the brand, and with the new Gardens & Drives 2017 brochure, this will continue next year.

For more information please visit www.brettpaving.co.uk.
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Charcon Construction Solutions supplies new Adventure Centre in Derbyshire

Precast concrete products manufacturer, Charcon Construction Solutions, part of the Aggregate Industries group, has successfully supplied and installed structural precast concrete materials for the new, state-of-the-art Mount Cook Adventure Centre in Derbyshire.

Set in five acres of grounds, the centre can accommodate 130 guests and includes wheelchair accessible facilities. The eco-building uses solar power to generate hot water and electricity, rainwater collection to flush toilets and air source heat to warm the rooms.

Charcon Constructions Solutions was awarded the contract by Novus, the appointed main contractor, to help deliver the flooring and stairs for the build; a complex hexagonal central core design with two rectangular wings.

Novus specified Charcon Construction Solutions’ bespoke Block and Beam flooring system, composed of pre-stressed concrete beams with standard concrete infill blocks laid in between, for the complicated central core area on the ground floor.

Charcon’s pre-stressed Hollowcore flooring slabs, which range from 150mm to 400mm and achieve a rapid strength of over 60N, at only 28 days, were then used to floor the building’s rectangular wings. A heavy density Hollowcore sound slab was used on the first floor and roof level to effectively meet sound regulations. Two pre-cast staircases, ground to upper floor levels, manufactured using custom built moulds, were also supplied and installed.

Richard Baldry, General Manager for Charcon Construction Solutions, comments: “Due to the complexity of the building’s design, we needed to value engineer a solution that would fast track construction and allow immediate access to following trades.

“Using our precast Block and Beam and Hollowcore flooring systems meant there was no need to wait for concrete slabs to cure. Once grouted, floors formed a ready-to-work base for follow on trades. Additionally, Hollowcore is very easy to transport and handle during construction, and requires less material to manufacture compared to solid concrete slabs. This thereby reduces carbon emissions. Both solutions provide an immediate solid floor surface able to accommodate service pipes and electrical wiring, as well as suspended ceilings. Providing stairs, manufactured offsite, also ensured a cost and time effective alternative to traditional timber built staircases.”

In addition to supplying quality offsite manufactured precast products, Charcon Construction Solutions offered a fully integrated solution on the project, providing Novus direct access to its design and planning expertise.

Dean Povey, Commercial Manager at Novus Solutions, comments: “Charcon Construction Solutions carried out a difficult project in a difficult location under extreme weather conditions and on budget, a job well done.”

The Mount Cook Adventure Centre opened this summer. The centre is using local facilities to provide a range of adventure activities from rock climbing, kayaking and orienteering and will also offer an educational insight into the local history and mining heritage of the area.

For further information, visit www.charconcs.com.
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Sika waterproof roof membrane caps shopping centre’s seasonal showpiece

Sika-Trocal helped save Christmas by supplying the durable, easy-to-apply waterproof roof system for a spectacular seasonal attraction.

With the festive season fast approaching, KD Decoratives were the supplier to The Mall retail complex in Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, which required a new roof for the fairytale focal point of its alfresco “Winter Wonderland” experience – a sparkling Santa’s castle. The sky blue, portable building replete with a 20ft turret has been installed at the Mall every Christmas for a number of years, but its existing roof had started to display signs of wear and tear.

For retailers, the run-up to Christmas is their most profitable time of the year. It was essential, therefore, the Mall’s Winter Wonderland crowning glory was installed and fully-waterproofed as quickly and safely as possible in order to provide an additional draw for families and children. Flat roofing specialists, Single Ply Services, from Clevedon near Bristol, in conjunction with main contractors, KD Decoratives, specified Sika-Trocal SGK as the solution – a rapid-apply, best-cost performance bonded membrane.

The castle consists of six modules which were re-roofed during an off-site operation which also involved the installation of Sika-Trocal SGK membrane. The modules were then weathered together onsite at the Mall. Suitable for both new build and refurbishment applications, in both warm roof and cold roof construction, the membrane provided the age-resistant, weather-proof covering to the modules’ metal deck. With the roof installed, the castle was transferred to the shopping centre where it was craned into its position then weathered together – the Mall’s outdoor car park.

Single Ply Services had four days off site to install a new warm roof weathered with Sika-Trocal SGK and then just one day on site to fully-seal the roof’s connecting joints to ensure its weather-tightness and readiness for Winter Wonderland’s grand opening.

Robin Hambly, Small Works Manager at Single Ply Services, said: “We chose Sika-Trocal SGK because it is quick and easy to apply. It is also extremely reliable, and as its job is to keep Father Christmas, his helpers and all his young visitors safe and dry during the festive period, the system’s durability was essential to its specification. We didn’t want to ruin anyone’s Christmas.”

The fully-adhered Type SGK roofing membrane is approved by the British Board of Agrément (BBA) to have a life expectancy in excess of 35 years. It’s easy-to-apply properties ensured Winter Wonderland’s star attraction was completed in-line with the client’s strict deadline, whilst providing an aesthetically-pleasing finish to enhance the castle’s magical appeal for young visitors throughout the festive period.

For more information please visit www.gbr.sika-trocal.sika.com.
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Senior provides recipe for success at new kitchen showroom

Combining superior thermal performance with minimal sight lines, Senior Architectural System’s SF52 aluminium curtain walling is helping to attract customers to a new flagship showroom for kitchen manufacturer Magnet.

Fabricated and installed by Aire Valley Architectural Aluminium Ltd for main contractor Castlehouse Construction, the SF52 curtain wall was specified as a toggle structural glazing system which thanks to its slim 52mm profile, provided the perfect solution to achieving a façade that features uninterrupted large expanses of glazing and an attractive flush finish.

The thermal performance of the SF52 system has also been enhanced through the use of double-glazed low emissivity glass, helping to contribute to the overall energy-efficiency of the building and the creation of a comfortable internal environment.

Senior’s curtain walling has been further complemented by the use of its thermally broken SPW500 commercial doors and SPW600 windows which together help to provide a light and welcoming space for customers.

Located in Leeds, West Yorkshire, the new flagship showroom for Magnet has been designed by LoRoc Architects and also features a new trade counter, office and warehouse facility.

With a wealth of experience in delivering high-quality solutions for commercial and retail applications, Senior curtain walling and glazing systems have been designed to help specifers working in this market meet the required environmental requirements by creating high-visibility shop frontages that minimise solar gain to create a comfortable consumer experience.

For more information about Senior, visit www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk.
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Martindale sponsors SkillElectric

As part of its commitment to supporting the next generation of electricians and inspiring others to take up electrical apprenticeships, Martindale Electric was delighted to sponsor this year’s SkillElectric 2016, the electrical industry’s premier skills competition.

The challenge was set over a two day period and saw eight top apprentices from around the UK carry out a series of practical tests and tasks at the NEC, in a bid to secure a place at the World Skills Event in Kazan, Russia in 2019. The event was organised by the two charities, NET Services, specialists in accreditation of electrical skills, and Worldskills UK.

Using top of the range safe isolation kits, which were donated by Martindale Electric, apprentices were faced with a selection of workplace scenarios, typically faced by electrical installers.

Safe isolation is a crucial element of electrical work and a key skill for any electrician, so Martindale Electric was delighted to be involved in this prestigious event. “We were very pleased to support good practice in electrical safety and equip tomorrow’s electricians with the tools they will need to enjoy a safe and successful career” comments Steve Dunning, Managing Director at Martindale Electric.

Over the two day competition where all entrants demonstrated an exceptional level of workmanship, Stuart Graham secured Gold, Patrick Carr (Silver) and Steven Harper (Bronze). They will go on to compete against the 2017 UK finalists to determine who will represent the UK in the world’s largest professional skills competition in 2019.

Held every two years, the World Skills Event, brings together competitors from around the world, aged between 18 and 23, to demonstrate their excellence in a wide range of skills, including electrical safety. WorldSkills International is a non-profit association aimed at raising the value and standards of professional training and skills worldwide.

NET is an independent charity that develops and administers Assessments of Occupational Competence (AOC) on behalf of the electrotechnical and electrical engineering industries in the UK

Leading the way in safe isolation, Martindale Electric provides simple and reliable solutions to ensure that circuits have been de-energised and properly isolated prior to maintenance and modifications.

To learn more about Martindale Electric and its range of electrical test and safety equipment, visit www.martindale-electric.co.uk.
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Are you missing the connection?

Aico releases new information on part 6 and part 1 fire alarm system integration.

Launched in 2014 and immensely popular in the social housing sector, the Ei414 Fire/CO Alarm Interface from Aico provides a cost-effective, convenient means of interconnecting Aico Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms to third party life safety systems such as Fire Panels, Telecare Devices and Sprinkler Systems. To help clarify the most popular connection options, Aico has introduced a new dedicated brochure, ‘Are you Missing the Connection?’

Most properties now have Fire Alarms – and many have CO Alarms, but these systems mostly work in isolation. The Ei414 Fire/CO Alarm Interface provides a dedicated connection between these alarms and third party life safety systems, enabling an emergency signal to be transmitted directly to that system if fire or CO is detected.

The new Aico brochure explains how the Ei414 works and provides an installation overview, showing just how simple it is to install the Interface. It looks at the three most common safety systems to connect to – Fire Panels, Telecare/Warden Call Systems and Sprinkler Systems – using clear graphics to help demonstrate the benefits and the system set up. For example, one of the most widespread uses of the Ei414 is to integrate a BS5839 Part 6 Fire Alarm System with a Part 1 panel based system installed in communal areas of a property. The Ei414 can be used to maximise safety by ensuring the communal alarm can be heard within each property, but without allowing individual flats’ alarms to activate those in the communal areas or within other tenant’s homes. This solution has proven popular in homes in multiple occupation (HMOs) and sheltered accommodation across the UK.

The Ei414 Fire/CO Alarm Interface can be powered directly from the mains or from a 12-24V DC supply and has built-in tamper-proof rechargeable Lithium Cells which will power the device in the event of any mains failure. Exceptionally easy to use, it comes with a removable key with three settings – On, Off and Test (with the Off setting being particularly useful if a property becomes vacant) – and LED indicators for visual confirmation of mains power and fire or CO alarm activation.

To obtain a free digital or postal copy of Aico’s ‘Are you Missing the Connection?’ Ei414 brochure, please register at www.aico.co.uk/publications. Information on the Ei414 is also available on Aico’s relaunched website, including a step by step guide on domestic alarm integration in the new Innovation and Technology area of the website. This new section has been introduced by Aico to provide easy to understand overviews of the new technologies developed by Aico and incorporated across a wide number of products.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Ei Electronics, Aico is the market leader in residential Fire and CO protection in the UK. All alarms are designed and built in Ireland specifically to meet the UK standards and regulations. With more mains powered domestic Smoke Alarms installed in the UK’s social housing than any other manufacturer, Aico is tried, tested and trusted.

For more information please go to www.aico.co.uk or contact Aico on 01691 664100 or enquiries@aico.co.uk.
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Bespoke designs with Marley Alutec

In partnership with Associated Architects Birmingham and leading commercial roofing company Briggsamasco, Marley Alutec has supplied a unique rainwater solution for the cascading roofs of Leicester’s Centre for Medicine.

The £42 million Passivhaus and BREEAM Certificate of Excellence holding Centre for Medicine built for The University of Leicester comprises three towers of differing heights linked by glass-roofed atria. Whilst visually stunning, the building posed a significant rainwater drainage challenge, therefore complex calculations and bespoke components had to be made to cope with the cascading run-off.

Tony Wereszczynski, Technical Director at Marley Alutec, commented: “As a medical building, the roof drainage design specification for the Centre for Medicine had to meet what is known as Category 3 standard, which dictates that rainwater systems must have capacity for extremely high levels of rainfall. When combined with the unusual roof structure of the building, this meant that we had to design and develop specially wide and long rainwater chutes which included roof membrane clamping flanges and which penetrated the complex parapet wall configuration.

“Purpose made hoppers and downpipes were also required to suit. In addition, some of the rainwater pipework intended to be run internally had to be diverted to drain outside the building before transferring to internal drainage, something which was not originally intended.”

Marley

Marley Alutec worked very closely with the architects and roofing contractor, providing all flow calculations and matrices for the complicated cascading roof system. Duncan Philbin, Project Supervisor at Briggsamasco, said: “The high level of specification on this project demanded the best quality products and high quality workmanship. As the main roofing contractor responsible for the waterproofing, capping, green roof and rainwater system installation, we were in constant communication with Marley Alutec’s technical department and the architects.

“During the pre-design meetings it was clear that Marley Alutec were very knowledgeable and their expertise made our job much easier. Equally, working with aluminium products, particularly at height, was preferable as they’re extremely lightweight yet offer the durability required.”

Complementing the high quality ethos of the build, all of Marley Alutec’s products installed are made of marine grade aluminium and have a life expectancy of 50 years or more. What’s more, this extended life expectancy is virtually maintenance free, reducing life cycle costs and any disruption to the building’s operation. Roof and roofline products can be particularly expensive to maintain due to the costs of access equipment, so any reduction is of great benefit.

Another extremely important consideration on this project was the sustainability of the building materials used as it strived for BREEAM certification. Marley Alutec’s aluminium products were the perfect fit as they are amongst the most sustainable in the UK. Made from the third most abundant element in the world they are completely recyclable at the end of their life span. In fact, it is estimated that 75 per cent of all aluminium ever produced is still in use today.

For more information please visit www.marleyalutec.co.uk.
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Sika provides flexible solution for Stokesley School

A North Yorkshire school has built its motto ‘Being the Best We Can Be’ into the fabric of its school campus following a roof refurbishment involving two of its buildings, using Sika Liquid Plastics’ Decothane Ultra 20 year system.

Located 10 miles south of Middlesbrough on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, Stokesley School is the founder member of the Areté Learning Trust, a multi-academy trust (MAT) that aims to drive excellence and engage with locally-based businesses.

The school operates on an existing campus of 1970s construction and both the main teaching block and the art & geography block have been fully refurbished, including an overlay to the existing roof, as part of a phased seven-month programme.

The refurbishment project addresses condition issues to ensure Stokesley School’s buildings continue to offer a high quality teaching and learning environment, whilst also improving energy efficiency and future-proofing the site. Staff and pupils were decanted from the main teaching block prior to the start of works on site and the main contractor removed a service hatch and several roof lights prior to the start of the roofing scheme.

Sika Liquid Plastics worked closely with Gateshead-based Northpoint Architects to develop the technical specification for the roofs and carried out a full site audit to assess the condition of the existing roof and recommend the most appropriate solution.

The project is funded by the EFA’s Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) with Sika and Northpoint working closely with the school to prepare the technical specification and independent professional advice required for the bid.

Joe Moore from Northpoint Architects, said: “Not only did Sika’s cold-applied liquid system, provide the ideal solution for this fast-track refurbishment scheme but the company’s thorough approach to assessing the condition of the existing roofs and developing a technical specification compatible with the substrate ensured a high quality finish.”

The existing main teaching block had a felt roof covering that had reached the end of its serviceable life, with unprotected bitumen visible in many areas and vapour blisters and delamination along the laps of the felt. The felt roof on the arts and geography block was similarly degraded and required additional insulation in order to bring the building up to current building regulations standards. On both roofs, there was extensive preparation to be done to make good previous patch repairs, delamination, blistering and upstands.

Following preparation of the substrate, roofing contractor, BriggsAmasco, installed a Decothane Ultra system – a two coat liquid applied membrane, incorporating fibre matting. Throughout and upon completion of the project, Sika Liquid Plastics’ dedicated field technicians thoroughly inspected the project to ensure a single point guarantee of 20 years could be issued.

For the art and geography block, the installation began with 60mm Decotherm insulation board to supplement the existing insulation. Sika Liquid Plastics self-adhesive S-VAP 5000 E SA carrier membrane was then installed prior to application of the Decothane Ultra System to the roof in the same base coat, Reemat, top coat process.

The buildings were unoccupied during the refurbishment works but both projects were carried out on a live school campus, making the cold-liquid applied system ideally suited to the scheme, with no hot works or nuisance odours.

Steve Wilkinson, property services manager at Stokesley School, added: “This project marks the first phase of a five-year plan to modernise and improve the Trust’s estate, reduce energy consumption and optimise the use of our facilities. The Decothane Ultra solution recommended by Sika not only provided an ideal solution for minimising disruption to staff and students during the works but the BBA-certified, single-point guarantee will provide us with peace of mind for a generation.”

For more information please visit http://gbr.liquidplastics.sika.com.
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Rinnai training courses for 2017

Rinnai UK’s 2017 training programme has been designed to cater for the growing number of engineers and specifiers looking to utilise the energy saving benefits of gas fired continuous flow water heaters.

Since the introduction of ErP last year, Rinnai has seen a massive increase in interest for its complete and comprehensive range of highly efficient A-rated continuous flow water heaters, and a commensurate surge in demand for training on the units. The company supplies models from the small domestic multi-point units to bespoke industrial hot water solutions.

The Rinnai training department has trained 66% more engineers than in the year preceding implementation. These have included bespoke courses designed to fit in with the modern time demands for professionals and the company has also seen a large increase in CPD modules all over the UK.

Rinnai’s series of tailor-made, flexible courses allow engineers the opportunity to obtain hands-on experience of the practical and energy saving benefits of continuous flow gas fired water heater technology.

The most popular course modules are ‘Understanding ACOP L8 and hot water system design’ and ‘System design incorporating continuous flow and renewables’.

Engineers courses have already been booked through until the first week of February at Rinnai’s dedicated Runcorn training facility and at various venues in the South of the country. Additional courses have been added that will take place on 9 and 23 February and 9 and 23 March at Runcorn, with more courses in the process of being added.

According to Rinnai training specialist Ian Jenkins: “The sizing course is extremely popular, certainly with the specifiers, and the L8 module is also proving to be in demand. We trained 22 British Gas engineers in August alone last year – this is the third time we have trained groups of their engineers.”

The hands-on training events are aimed primarily at engineers and facilities managers, covering both traditional and new technologies for commercial water heating, highlighting the considerable energy and monetary savings that can be achieved by the installation of a continuous flow hot water system.

Courses can be arranged to suit individual requirements either at Rinnai’s dedicated training facility at their Runcorn, Cheshire HQ or if preferred, Rinnai will take training to a customer’s workplace or other convenient venue.

The engineer training course line-up for 2017 includes nine modules: Rinnai product overview; Continuous flow and the future of water heating; Intermediate water heater; Continuous flow – Excellence in design; Service and fault diagnostics (Water heaters); Service and fault diagnostics (Energy saver warm air units); Understanding ACOP L8 and hot water system design; Maximising renewable gain in hot water design; and, Continuous flow as an innovative method of satisfying energy and regulatory demands.

CPD Roadshow courses are also available, designed by Jenkins for M&E consultants and specifiers, design and build engineers, facilities managers and gas contractors. These courses have already attracted praise from CIBSE. For example, it says of the CONTINUOUS FLOW WATER HEATING SYSTEM SIZING AND DESIGN course: “The course delivers what it outlines and is well constructed.”

For more information contact Ian Jenkins on +44 (0)1928 531 870 or email training@rinnaiuk.com.
For more details on RINNAI products visit www.rinnaiuk.com.
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