"fire escape equipment"

With a glass façade symbolising the transparency of justice and a glossy metal exoskeleton, the new Maison de l’Ordre des Avocats (House of the Paris Bar Association) is a stunning addition to the French capital’s new Batignolles judicial city. For the building owner, safety is a top priority. Therefore, the exoskeleton needed a proven passive fire protection coating that would enable the steel to maintain its load-bearing capacity for up to 60 minutes during a fire, giving those inside valuable extra time to evacuate.The challenge Specialist paint application and surface treatment company ROTH & Cie was contracted to apply the passive fire protection coating system. ROTH & Cie has worked with Hempel for many years and was keen to work with us on this project. However, due to the project schedule, the tubular exoskeleton framework was delivered to the construction site with a competitor’s epoxy primer already applied. ROTH & Cie therefore wanted a Hempel passive fire protection system that would work with the existing primer. Also, as building aesthetics are important in the overall design, the exoskeleton needed a high-quality matt satin finish. The solution Our solution was to specify a system of Hempafire Pro 315 and Hempathane 55750. A single component intumescent coating, Hempafire Pro 315 complies with the EN 13501-2 standard for the fire classification of construction products. It is optimised to provide 60 minutes of passive fire protection, as well as partial protection up to 90 minutes. In addition, thanks to its exceptionally low loadings, Hempafire Pro 315 requires significantly lower dry film thicknesses than competitor products. As a result, ROTH & Cie could apply the coating in a thinner coat, significantly reducing paint consumption, application time and project costs. The full system was completed with Hempathane 55750, a polyurethane topcoat with quick crosslinking properties that provides the matt satin appearance required by the specifications. Our dedicated passive fire protection R&D Centre in Barcelona, Spain verified that Hempafire Pro 315 could be applied on top of the existing primer. The entire system was spray applied using an electric airless pump, which is ideal for construction sites as it does not require an air compressor. The project is just another in a long line of successful collaborations with ROTH & Cie, which also include previous passive fire protection coating projects, most notably La Halle Secrétan covered market and La Samaritaine department store, both in Paris.At a glance Project Name: Maison de l’Ordre des Avocats (House of the Paris Bar Association) Customer: ROTH & Cie System: Hempafire Pro 315 + Hempathane 55750 Volume: 4,080 litres

At the new 6,000-seater Jordal Amfi ice hockey stadium in Oslo, Norway, player and spectator safety is a top priority. The stadium owner wanted a coating system which included passive fire protection, so, when Danish-based Give Steel was contracted to produce the steel structures, they had to not only meet the customer specification for fire protection but also consider the logistics of the project.The steel pieces were produced in Denmark, and Give Steel needed a coating system that was robust enough to protect the steel during transportation and erection onsite.

When designing a new building, the main vision is for the building to appear aesthetically pleasing and be functional to serve its purpose. Located 12km from Melbourne’s CBD, is the remarkable looking Alfa Apartments in Airport West. An incredible and contemporary designed building, offering many amenities to its residents in this progressive and exciting neighbourhood.Construction Specialties Smartclick louvres were selected and installed by Fusion Cooling and Heating for the Alfa Apartments. CS supplied the Smartclick louvre blades in black to compliment well with the whole building. The purpose of the CS Smartlclick louvre is to act as a screening or vision barrier, while it is also used to provide a secure and screened environment and allowing essential airflow to the equipment. The CS Smartclick provides functionality, performance and ventilation to your building while achieving an enhanced modern and sleek aesthetic and hiding unsightly HVAC equipment.Mohammad from Fusion Cooling and Heating said, “The team at CS were very helpful and great to deal with. It’s was the first time using Smartclick and I am very impressed with this product and have used it again for my next project

THE CHALLENGE: House 30+ new HVAC&R mechanical plant equipment and vents. Retrofitted to the roof of a large, multi-level shopping centre without interrupting regular retail operations.THE SOLUTION: We supplied over 30 EasyMech MR (purlin mount) and Span+ (rafter mount), HVACR platforms in Kit form.Our Span+ (rafter-mount) system, was designed to be 100% penetration-free and installed on the surface of the roof over the rafters.We also supplied walkways, up & overs, and ladders – all in Kit form! Providing savings in cost and time.

The Rondo team worked with the architect and builder to overcome the specific fire curtain wall design requirement for the lobby walls, ceiling and bulkhead. Rondo benefited the project through multiple design options and regular site inspections which supported both the contractor and the builder.

Rondo’s Technical Team supplied emblematic CAD floor plans and designs for wall types including acoustic and fire rating to board to the manufacturer’s specifications. Onsite support from Rondo included assistance in setting out, framing, lining and finishing training as well material supply coordination.

Fairview supplied builder Stokes Wheeler with Vitracore G2 for the Jaguar Land Rover 3-storey showroom at Southport, QLD. The high-end development required a premium finish in Jaguar Land Rover’s corporate colours and Vitracore G2 was selected as the preferred façade solution due to fire compliance.

The Steamrail Adventure Playground at Millars Landing is part of a large residential development in North Baldivis, WA. Created with growing families in mind, the development includes numerous playgrounds, parks and family areas all based around the theme of steam trains, water towers and timber milling. The outdoor play equipment boasts two flying foxes, a 12-metre slide, swing sets, a climb-on steam train structure, picnic facilities, kickabout turf areas, robust timber furniture and railway sleepers. adventure+ took the idea of the landscape architect, which was a simple sketch, and turned it into a practical result. Her idea provided the foundation of the playground design, and the adventure+ team were able to reflect this idea in a way that was economical, standards compliant and required minimal design and installation time. The client’s greatest challenge was finding a company that could accurately make the structure, something adventure+ was able to do.

Construction has concluded on the redevelopment of the ‘old Harris Scarfe’ site at Rundle Mall in Adelaide. The renovations seek to re-energise the area but remain committed to preserve Adelaide’s most cherished department store. Four floors of retail space have had the base built by Interior Projects who have been a valued Rondo customer since 1988. Rondo provided essential technical expertise and design solutions for the fire walls and security mesh between tenancies.

Acrovyn by Design® from Construction Specialties, was specifically chosen for the new Veterinary Specialist Services (VSS) Hospital in Jindalee, Brisbane, Queensland. The overall objective of the project was to create a bright and welcoming space, as well as an extremely hygienic care environment for the veterinary doctors and staff, the patients (pets) and their owners.The combination of both functionality and design flexibility available with Acrovyn by Design® has allowed the creative “cute pet theme” to be installed behind the wash basins as splash-backs. The images used include a collection of cute animals such as kittens and puppies, which could very easily be executed with the design flexibility and functionality of Acrovyn by Design® wall panel sheets.Veterinary hospitals and lobbies are high traffic environments with a significant amount of equipment, including trolleys and stretchers that can scrape or bump against walls. In addition, they have strict cleaning requirements for high hygiene standards that often requires the use of harsh chemicals, such as bleach, to disinfect hard surfaces.The client’s mission statement is to “provide the best possible care”. To this end, they have 4 different locations around Queensland all operating a 24-hour referral and emergency animal hospital. All facilities have state-of-the-art equipment with experienced and helpful staff. The first of the four hospitals opened to the public in 2000.Acrovyn by Design® has a proven reputation as the preferred choice with many major hospital projects across Australia, including The Royal Hobart Hospital, The Memorial Hospital Adelaide, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Adelaide’s Calvary Hospital to name a few. It is wonderful to see that the unique qualities of Acrovyn by Design® are now being recognized as suitable for use in the care of our much-loved pets undergoing veterinary care as well.Did you know that the number of Australians who are adopting or fostering pets since the COVID-19 restrictions were introduced has exploded? According to the RSPCA, many people are now adopting pets because they feel that they finally have the time to settle a new animal into their home. It is also believed that home isolation has increased the desire among many single people for a companion. The RSPCA has reported a 45% increase in dog adoptions and a 20% increase in cat adoptions since COVID19 began.Consider Acrovyn by Design® for your next project; for design flexibility, impact resistance and easy to clean maintenance in veterinary hospital environments. In addition, Acrovyn by Design® allows for fast installation when faced with tight project schedules in 24/7, critical care operating workplaces.

The Hadspen Bull Run Reserve playground is an excellent example of a community playground that suits everyone! Located within the Meander Valley Council in Tasmania, the park is a central hangout for the community in Hadspen. The vast range of equipment within the park is what makes this playground so special. There is something for all ages and interests, with a play unit, flying fox, multi-user rocker, wheelchair carousel, swings, single rocker, interactive panels, and a fitness station. While there is plenty for children, the fitness station also provides for the older demographic that may be minding the children on the playground, or doing their morning workout. Having the playground accessible was an important feature in the brief provided to adventure+. To reflect this, our design team included rubber paths for access through the playground, with access to low-level interactive panels and a wheelchair carousel. With our serious approach to play, we always aim to make our playground designs engaging and enjoyable. But, making the playground attractive is also essential. Selecting a modern colour scheme, as well as a play panel with an engraved bull image, makes the playground enticing, and ties the design to the name of the park.

Supercar, Super FinishThe new Porsche dealership in central Hamburg provides customers with the high-level comfort, convenience and safety associated with the brand. A striking new complex is being erected in Hamburg city centre, which includes the Porsche Center Hamburg Alstergate, due to open this spring. Hamburg is a leading Porsche stronghold, reputed to have the highest density of Porsche owners in the world, with a 0.8% quota of the city’s car population and nearly 1,000 vehicles a year sold regionally since 2014. Covering almost 8,000m2 of land, the Alstergate plot has over 200 parking spaces, including an underground car park with valet parking service. Attending to the growing Porsche model range, the building will have four new charging points for electric and hybrid vehicles and will be one of the few German competence centres for the 918 Spyder supercar and Carrera GT. Along with the new building, Porsche’s workforce in the region is set to grow to 115 employees.Such a prominent Porsche dealership in northern Germany’s foremost metropolis demands extraordinary standards from the construction and décor contractors entrusted with the project. Applicators Strahl, Reinigungs & Anstrichtechnik of Kiel, with whom Hempel already has long-standing commercial relations, were required to produce the extra smooth surface finishes sought by thedesigners. Furthermore, public safety is an inherent factor that has to be considered in all aspects of construction, so applicators chose to apply Hempacore One as the intermediate coat on ready-primed steelworks, prior to finishing with a topcoat of our Hempathane 87481 enamel.Both Hempacore One 43600 and its fast-drying 43601 version provide up to 120 minutes retardation in the event of fire, a factor of great importance in buildings designed for public access. Significantly on this occasion, Hempacore One does not just offer excellent passive fire protection but also certain additional features of great value to designers and applicators alike. The fact that its full fire retardant properties can be achieved with much lowerlayer thicknesses makes for speedier work and also more natural aesthetics on visible steelwork. Lower layer thickness naturally means less paint consumption, thus allowing project managers to make significant savings.Porsche’s new state-of-the-art centre in Hamburg underlines the company’s values of Tradition & Innovation; Performance & Practicality; Design & Functionality; and Exclusiveness & Social Acceptance and the professional application of Hempel coatings help to uphold and enhance those same values.

45 Clarence St, is a striking office tower located in the busy western corridor of Sydney’s commercial district, with extensive views of Darling Harbour and Barangaroo, it is a prestigious building with various companies operating inside this office building, such as Business Sydney and CBRE.As part of the refurbishment, which included the lobby upgrade, CS worked extensively with the property management team, architect, builder, and installer to deliver the architectural grilles for this project. There was a unique vision to use the Econoline indoors in a commercial building instead of using it as an outdoor vision barrier grille. The focus of this refurbishment was to provide a bespoke architectural grille to line the ceiling and vertical walls of the lobby and modernise the building.The Econoline is typically used in locations such as parking garages, concealing mechanical equipment and for many refacing applications. Having the Econoline installed in a commercial building is a unique opportunity that will result in more products being used for aesthetic purposes. The challenge that was faced with the Econoline being used indoors was that the tapered vertical walls on two sides as grilles needed to be a certain distance above ground level and to be structurally sound.On completion, the lobby at 45 Clarence St Sydney is unique from your typical office building. This is also exciting for CS, to be part of a project that has been transformative and elegant in design.

Challenge750m2 roof with a large quantity of vents, air conditioning units and other equipment on the roof. Add to this problem damaged aging torch membrane, combined with Governments regulations regarding solar absorption and reflectivity of the building posed a real challenge for the applicator when determining a solution for the job.A second challenge for this job is the location of the building was located in the built up CBD of Parramatta with neighbours in close proximity, which meant the solution needed to be neighbourhood friendly.SolutionGiven the complexity of solution required for such a job AlphaGuard BIO is the only product which ticks all the boxes. AlphaGuard BIO is an extremely high performing composite waterproofing system, designed with a focus on roofing restoration. Due to AlphaGuard BIO being a liquid, it makes it ideal for jobs where there are machinery on the roof which needs to be worked around.AlphaGuard BIO has the ability to be installed over various existing roofing membranes in order to minimise tenant disruption and extend the life of the roof for an additional 20 years.It cures to form a durable rubber membrane surface that provides a lasting and easy-to clean waterproof coating. AlphaGuard BIO may be used to apply a seamless, monolithic waterproof membrane to concrete, primed metal, or existing roofing membrane surfaces.AlphaGuard BIO’s low VOC will minimise offensive odours to current tenants and applicators. The white top coat provides high solar reflectance, reducing the building’s operation costs and complying with Section J1.3(b) of the 2019 NCC.

Warwick Hotel Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, PA, is quite satisfied with the functioning and cost savings of their Boon Edam Tournex revolving door. The Tournex is an example of a classic automatic revolving door and is designed to handle high capacity applications. The historic building housing the Warwick Hotel Rittenhouse Square originally had a manual revolving door flush with the building’s facade. Somewhere along the way, it was decided to remove the relatively smaller gauge revolving door and replace the entrance with a double set of sliding doors. “Our HVAC system was designed for a revolving door entrance,” said Ray Hewitt, the hotel’s Director of Engineering, “we wanted to put a revolving door back in to address the negative pressure we were experiencing in the lobby.” That negative pressure was pulling in cold air during the winter months, and cooled, conditioned air was escaping out the double doors in the summer. During a complete lobby renovation project a few years back, designers worked to return to a revolving door lobby entrance. Because the Warwick is in a historic building, they could not change the facade of the building, so they pushed the entire entrance into the lobby itself. The architects and the designer chose a 12’ diameter Boon Edam Tournex automatic revolving door, with three door wings and a highly polished (mirror) stainless steel finish. The Boon Edam door is enclosed in a stylish glass cube, accented with purple neon lighting. Now, those entering the hotel first pass through a double set of sliding doors at the building envelope, leading to the revolving door. Swing doors are also available on either side of the revolving door to enter the lobby itself. The effect of the sliding doors and the revolving door in a cube is to virtually eliminate air flow from outside in, and vice versa. The Warwick has 301 hotel rooms and 106 permanent residents. On any given day, between guests, residents, staff, and visitors, up to 1000 people are passing through the entrance. Since the installation of the new entrance, the effect has been night and day—guest and visitors utilise the lobby space longer and in greater numbers. A big community table is usually filled all day long and the lobby is accented with attractive fireplaces. The hotel lobby also offers two full service food and beverage outlets (Bluestone Lane & Prime Rib Steakhouse), with a third to be announced sometime this year. In addition to a now grand sense of arrival and more useable, comfortable space, the new entrance is also paying dividends on energy savings. “With the old entrance, our HVAC was running constantly, it could not keep up. Now, the unit can shut down periodically; that’s good for the health of the system, and we’re seeing substantial savings on energy bills,” said Hewitt. The Boon Edam revolving door has an important feature for installations like a hotel or large office building—in the event of an emergency, the doors stop and the wings can be “book folded” to create wide open ingress and egress. The hotel has a maintenance contract with Advanced Door, but since installation the Boon Edam revolving door has been virtually trouble free.

Ireland’s second largest legal firm, Arthur Cox, has moved to its new headquarters, Ten Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin. Located a stone’s throw from St. Stephen’s Green, the LEED Platinum fit-out building is a marker of sustainable design. Architects, Scott Talon Walker, had a specific design requirement in mind so chose SAS International for their longstanding relationship and expertise. To accommodate the number of recurring apertures, Scott Talon Walker collaborated with SAS to create bespoke service panels within the SAS330 hinged mega panel tartan grid. The panel design features five unperforated squares which create a single unit capable of housing fire detectors, movement sensors and other electrical devices. These unique panels satisfy the client’s M&E stipulations, ensuring the building’s sustainable performance well into the future. Additional SAS systems installed include: SAS500 acoustic lighting baffles and SAS150. Both of these systems assure complete design flexibility and service maintenance in equal measure. Nominated for Fit Out Project of the Year – Large Office, SAS International has once again exceeded the mark to deliver premium metal ceiling solutions for its client.

After nearly 100 years of serving the local community, the Petersham RSL club moved to a new home this year, in a redevelopment centred on style and comfort. Part of the design brief for the architects and developers was that the indoor spaces were comfortable for guests, particularly in reception, which can often feel the effects of wind and debris entering through open doors. The developers chose a fully automatic Tourniket revolving door from Boon Edam Australia to make a grand first impression to the classy new club, which was recently opened by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. It is the same type of cost-effective entrance used by leading hospitality venues globally to protect patrons and workers against wind, weather, and pollution, while also controlling traffic flow and opening up new sheltered areas for productive amenities. Petersham RSL CEO, Danny Fitzgerald, said “The Boon Edam revolving door creates an impressive entrance to our modern club, and was the perfect fit for our redevelopment. With this door, Boon Edam met two key specification requirements – enhancing climate control inside the club, and enhancing personal comfort in the reception area.” A welcoming entrance The 3-wing Tourniket revolving door pictured has a height of 2,650mm and diameter of 2,800mm to allow ample room for entry and egress. It has four LED warm white downlights for a pleasant and welcoming experience. A powder coated black grey finish on the exterior of the door allows it to effortlessly blend in with the building’s overall aesthetic and design. Boon Edam Australia Managing Director Michael Fisher says that a major benefit of revolving doors is that they allow visitors and staff alike to enter into a new world inside – one that is calm, quiet, and protected against allergens and climactic extremes. “In addition to customising the door to the club’s aesthetic preferences, we worked closely with Petersham RSL to deliver the doors within a complex installation involving temporary doors while other elements of the façade and reception were completed, prior to the arrival and installation of the revolving door,” he said. Boon Edam Australia is a part of the globally leading revolving door manufacturer, Royal Boon Edam, and the door selected by the Petersham RSL is a type already used by architects, builders and specifiers for Fortune 500 companies globally and for major Australian hotels, clubs, banks, offices, legislatures, and buildings. “The teams worked well together, and the result was an outstanding front façade and entrance, which will have a long-term impact on climate control and comfort,” said Fisher. Always Open, Always Closed A key benefit of revolving door systems in addition to access control is energy conservation, with their “always open, always closed” functionality providing lower HVAC losses while increasing the temperature stability and comfort of people inside. These advantages have been proven in many of the world’s leading clubs, hospitals and hotels, where visitor comfort is paramount. “Think about how much air escapes when a sliding door opens, or how much dust, pollution, or pollen can enter the front reception area. With a revolving door, only one quadrant of air is moving around each time, providing a highly effective method of controlling the indoor climate,” said Fisher. Further economy and versatility are provided where required by night locking entrance options including electromechanical locks that can be unlocked with a key or by means of an optional key impulse switch.  “These climate control features are not always considered at the design stage, so Petersham RSL has shown great foresight by specifying these outcomes early,” added Fisher.

The core function of a hospital is to attend to the physical, emotional, and mental needs of its patients. Also, the environment must be comfortable, clean, and serene to assist with a patient’s recovery. New Royal Adelaide Hospital (NRAH) is a perfect example of a state-of-the-art facility that provides a great service for city of Adelaide and surrounding regions.This 800-bed hospital is the largest hospital in South Australia. Sprawling across 25 acres, containing open green spaces throughout the precinct to assist with healing and relaxation, a commercial zone with underground car park and featuring a comprehensive range of clinical care to an estimated 85,000 inpatients and 400,000 outpatients each year.Many CS products were specified and installed in the development of the New Royal Adelaide Hospital. Our expansion joint covers were installed throughout the interior and exterior of the hospital, these expansion joint covers are critical for the development of the hospital to safely accommodate extreme building movement. An example would be the expansion joint SJHD, this seismic metal floor cover can be used in both interior and exterior settings and can provide 760mm of plus movement during a seismic event, and the expansion joint SGR is perfect for interior applications, it is hygienic and accommodates lightweight wheeled equipment, making it ideal for the NRAH. Our expansion joint covers offer a range of sizes, aesthetics, and performance variations. Each model perfectly suited for different environments.Our Acrovyn products were also installed throughout the NRAH. Acrovyn provides wall and door protection throughout the interior space of the building. In an environment like a hospital where there’s a lot of foot traffic and wheeled movement, it is imperative to have your walls protected from any potential impact. Our SCR-64N crash rail was installed throughout the hospital, mainly in the corridors to protect the walls from the bed carts. The HRB-10C, our handrail/crash rail combination is another product installed, which our ligature resistant featured component (a common feature used in behavioural health facilities) and the HRB-10C was supplied in both our Acrovyn Solid Colours and our Acrovyn Woodgrain as the handrail component. Throughout the hospital, the corners were also protected from damage by installing Acrovyn and Stainless-Steel corner guards. Both corner guards are a simple yet effective solution in protecting the vulnerable areas of the hospital. For hospital settings, Acrovyn is an environmentally friendly product, that is pleasing to the eye but also very functionable.The NRAH has been operating since 1841 and it was a privilege to have CS products featured throughout the hospital.

One New Change features SAS International bespoke metal ceiling panels with an expanded metal mesh, finished in silver, red and black. The ground-breaking, bold and perceptive £300 million One New Change mixed-use development project won the MIPIM AR Future Project Award 2010. Now complete, the building has become known as the ‘Stealth Bomber’ after the radar-proof combat plane that inspired its faceted form and has also won a RIBA 2011 Award for London and LDSA Building Excellence Award. The design incorporates pedestrian arcades converging at the core of the building, reinstating a historic north-south pedestrian route and allowing new panoramas of London’s landmark St Paul’s Cathedral. SAS International supplied the ceiling solution for the retail corridors of the development with a concealed suspension system, working closely with the architects to create a result where no visible fixings can be seen through the ceiling plane. To complement this, bespoke metal ceiling panels were produced with an expanded metal mesh, finished in silver, red and black. A challenging material to work with, to ensure the mesh held a uniform shape and corners for the panels could be formed accurately, SAS International’s solution was to create a ‘picture frame’ behind each panel. This also helped to provide support for the concealed attachment bolts. Design challenges at One New Change included the building grid size and shape (it was termed the most difficult site in Europe), the complex geometry of the structure (including some tight ceiling to structural beam heights), and a shared fire strategy between retail and office storeys. Requirements to achieve an environmentally-friendly building, complying with Part L and BREEAM ratings, were also critical and the design uses a materials palette of limestone, metal, mirror and a new method of fritted glass on the exterior to help shield the interior from glare.

Being one of the largest public healthcare precincts in Australia at 160,000 m² and spread across 20 hectares of land at Birtinya north of Brisbane, we present the 750 bed Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH). The SCUH has been designed for Queensland Health to be a world class health facility providing exceptional healthcare to its patients as part of Queensland Health’s vision for the future.Incorporated within this Hospital’s health precinct, this state-of-the-art facility offers numerous services for staff and patients. With all that the SCUH has to offer, it was vital that all the equipment and fittings that were required needed to be compliant, safe, practical and had an exceptional appearance. This is where the CS Group was able to provide a portfolio of products to the project that were both practical and aesthetically pleasing.All hospitals have high volumes of wheeled corridor traffic, these day-to-day movements are commonly encountered in a busy hospital. Due to this traffic, it is difficult to keep walls in their original pristine condition. To try to limit the damage that can be caused by wayward trolleys and gurneys, wall protection is put in place.Construction Specialties have supplied a portfolio of products to the SCUH to meet these needs. Starting with their corner protection for the gyprock walls, the CS Group’s VA 250N corner guard can be found throughout the Hospital in both 90 and 135 degree configurations protecting salient corners from damage. Protecting the walls from damage is CS Model SCR-48N crash rail, a 152 mm wide x 32 mm deep Acrovyn crash rail that is installed in the Hospital in both single and double runs for maximum protection. CS Model HRB-4CN Acrovyn handrail, which also acts as a high-level bump rail, completes the wall protection package.Posing a separate challenge to designers were the two Isolation Wards. Both are located within the Hospital in such a way that neither has access to an external window. Rather than have patients stare at blank walls during their stay, CS were asked if we had a solution to the problem. Our graphic imaging product, Acrovyn by Design was suggested as a possible solution and was accepted. Both wards now have a full height wall mural of a relaxing beach scene to look at rather than a typical blank white hospital wall alongside their beds.With such large footprints, each floor of the Hospital required extensive use of expansion joint covers. Construction Specialties were called on to help with the design and specification of expansion joint covers for the project. The CS Group’s SGR Model expansion joint cover was selected for the project as it is available in various widths, the Hospital being 5 floors, as well as allowing a flush mounted finish. The SGR was also chosen for its ability to accommodate wheeled traffic and meet the stringent requirements of infection control associated with a hospital project.Beautiful and practical are two words that can be used to describe the Sunshine Coast University Hospital. An amazing project featuring various CS products throughout the Hospital.

To protect the priceless infrastructure and mission-critical IT information in Australia’s first custom built, high-tech data centre, Polaris, Project Manager Thiess turned to the leading manufacturer of specialist building products, Construction Specialties.Integral to the $121 million construction was the regulation of airflow to safeguard the computer hardware; Construction Specialties’ customised performance louvres were the only product in Australia able to meet this construction challenge.Boasting 14,000m2 of floor space on 5 storeys with 7000m2 of raised floor over three data centre levels, the project, based in Springfield, Queensland, is the largest of its kind in Australia and will be Queensland’s only Tier 3+ data collection point.So important were the Construction Specialties performance louvres to the development, much of the building design was driven by the positioning, material specifications and design of the louvres.Lawrence Issa, Project Manager for Construction Specialties, and project partners Darryl Wright and Steve Emery of Project Sales worked closely with the Polaris construction team from project inception to completion to devise the most effective weatherproofing and airflow option for the building which also matched the intended aesthetic.“In-depth collaboration with the Polaris team led to the selection of our Architectural Line Louvres, of which two types were used – our RS7305a and LSM louvre models,” Lawrence said. “Unlike other louvres on the market, this range prevents up to 99% water penetration and maximises airflow, while also complementing the building facade as the horizontal louvre frames selected are hidden from view.“Our performance louvres cover 345m2 of the exterior building and are specifically customised in terms of size, shape and colour for the data centre,” Lawrence said.Miguel Thievent, Senior Project Engineer at Thiess, remarks that the CS Louvres perform to the highest standard, which was essential in meeting the building specifications.“It was vital we didn’t compromise on weather proofing and airflow,” Miguel said. “For example, we have six generators integral to maintaining the whole IT system in case of power failure which would not run if the airflow was affected or they were damaged by rain.“The Construction Specialties performance louvres were the only ones on the market that could guarantee damage would not occur as a result of bad weather conditions,” Miguel said.Construction Specialties’ performance louvres are at the leading edge of louvre design and are tested under real world conditions to meet the maximum standards demanded.Construction Specialties offers a broad selection of louvres under 3 main categories:Storm Resistant/Performance Louvres – The main objective of Performance Louvres is to allow the passage of air, whilst providing the area beyond the room with protection from rain penetration.Standard Louvres – A standard louvre will provide the maxiumum airflow required, but with minimal rain defence.Screening Louvres – Screening louvres, are low cost solutions that hide plant or other equipment from view.CS Louvre systems are available in a comprehensive range of finishes and colours, ensuring there is a Construction Specialties Louvre system to suit most aesthetic and performance needs.Louvre panels are factory assembled in a controlled and quality assured environment and provided to site in a fully finished modular form; thus, allowing for trouble-free and fast installation.A comprehensive range of accessories including insect/bird mesh and blanking panels in various materials and finishes is available to complete the application.

The first installation in Australasia has been completed of Boon Edam’s Circleslide architectural curved automatic sliding doors that elegantly cater to access for disability needs of modern and traditional buildings. The Circleslide installation for Mark Moran Group at Pacific Highway Warrawee on Sydney’s North Shore provides a prestigious, weather-protected entrance to a development of up-market aged care accommodation built by Next Group for Benson McCormack Architecture.  The door’s practical advantages also apply to a wide range of buildings in Australia and New Zealand, including commercial and public and private facilities, including offices, aged care, health, hospitality, restaurant, retail, tourist and transport facility uses, says Boon Edam Australia Managing Director, Michael Fisher.Circleslide installations consist of two sets of curved sliding doors – one on each of the entrance and exit sides – to provide a larger opening than traditional sliding doors, and retaining the elegant shape of revolving doors. This extra space is a major advantage for people with a disability, or those that require mobility aids. Enhanced accessibility Circleslide curved automatic sliding doors provide spacious and comfortable access for everyone using them including especially people with disability and their carers, and particularly people those with mobility issues who rely on wheelchairs, mobility scooters, wheeled walkers and other mobility devices commonly used in workplaces and public facilities. “Access to public and private facilities is an important and increasing issue for more than five million Australians and New Zealanders living with disabilities. This growing sector of the population includes the higher proportion of older people with limited mobility, including more than 750,000 Australasians who use mobility aids,” says Mr Fisher. “Where building professionals seek to provide for such people but want to retain the prestigious shape and functionality of revolving doors, Circleslide doors are an ideal solution that provides the additional capacity required,” he says. Circleslide doors complement Boon Edam’s global ranges of revolving doors, which is one of the world’s most comprehensive ranges. Their elegant design and access control functionality are preferred by architects, builders and designers for Fortune 500 companies in 27 countries. Customisable features The Circleslide door has an optional “winter mode” whereby only one sliding door opens at a time, which can reduce HVAC losses and contribute to the overall sustainability of the building. Like all Boon Edam revolving doors, Circleslide is available in a wide variety of colours and finishes, so it can be customised to the look and feel of contemporary and period buildings. The self-learning technology incorporated in the curved sliding door mechanism ensures extremely quiet and smooth movement of the doors. Options include: Interlocking modeConnection to external alarm system (e.g. fire alarm, smoke detector)Push-button free outKey impulse switchDirection sensitive motion detectorsGlass protection sheetsFloor matsAuthorised night entry·        Air curtain technology to create a barrier of air flowing from the revolving door’s canopy or sides to further extend revolving doors’ built-in advantage of excluding heat or cold to save HVAC costs through their unique always-open, always-closed configuration.  Night Locking Options include an electromechanical lock that can be unlocked with a key or by means of an optional key impulse switch.