Industrial Textiles & Plastics Ltd

Developers Bewley Homes, who specialise in building homes in prime locations, are currently constructing Amberley Park at Tetbury in the heart of the Cotswolds. The collection includes two-bed apartments and maisonettes, semi-detached terraced houses and detached homes.Assessment of the site determined that low levels of methane, radon and CO2, naturally occurring gases, were present at the site on the London Road in the Cotswold town. Powerbase Low Perm gas barrier membrane, which was developed by North Yorkshire firm Industrial Textiles and Plastics Ltd, was specified for the project. ITP launched the new membrane last year to meet the need for a barrier membrane to provide protection against the presence low levels of methane, CO2 and radon, and is compliant to NHBC Amber 1 gas protection measures.Low Perm is BBA certified and independently tested for permeation rates to EN ISO 15105-1. This is thesame standard required by BS8485 Code of practice for the design of protective measures for methane and carbon dioxide ground gases for new buildings, which was revised in 2015. Paul Harrision, ITP’s geomembrane account manager and technical expert, was an advisor involved in the final draft of the revision of the Code of Practice.Installation at the Amberley Park development was conducted by ReeveTec Membranes Limited and consisted of a complete line out of the site, sealing all penetrations ready for the concrete pour, using more than 6600 sqm of Powerbase Low Perm. “It’s a good product, competitively priced and compliant with the ground contaminants at the site,” said Dan Squire, Project Manager at ReeveTec.ITP are industry leaders in developing technically advanced gas, VOC and hydrocarbon chemical resistant barrier membranes.

Birmingham University’s new £55 million sports centre, scheduled to open September 2016, has been constructed using robust materials that will improve with age, enhancing the heritage of the Edgbaston campus buildings. Designed by London-based architects Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, the 13,200-sqm complex includes Birmingham’s first 50-metre swimming pool, featuring a moveable floor to accommodate a variety of aquatic activities. Among the other facilities are a sports hall with 700 bleacher seats and twelve badminton courts, a hybrid sports hall, six squash courts, a dojo and a climbing wall.The steel-framed, multi-block project is clad in red brick and copper panels. The innovative façade specification for the copper-clad main block required a high-performance, UV-stable breather membrane to ensure long-term protection to the building envelope. The solution was Powerlon© UV Colour, a technically advanced membrane supplied by Industrial Textiles and Plastics Ltd that is particularly suitable for exposed installations behind timber, glass and metal mesh façades.In addition to exceptional UV stability and flame retardancy to Class O, the membrane has outstanding breathability, allowing moisture to diffuse quickly to provide good climatic comfort and conditions. The Powerlon© UV Colour in “coal” colourway was installed by NDM (Metal Roofing and Cladding) Ltd at the complex, which has been engineered to provide an Environmental Performance Certificate “A” rating.“The superior durability of Powerlon© UV will provide long-term protection for this high-performance centre,” said Marc van der Voort, Managing Director of ITP.

ITP’s Powerlon UV 120 has been installed to provide breathable solar protection on one of London’s most forward-thinking office developments.Located in Shoreditch, the Black & White Building is Central London’s tallest mass timber office building, created by The Office Group (TOG) in conjunction with Waugh Thistleton Architects and Daytrip Studio. The boundary-pushing design reflects TOG’s vision for what future workspace should look like, embracing innovative construction processes and sustainable materials to significantly reduce its carbon footprint in comparison to equivalent concrete structures. With a focus on wellness, the scheme also offers a yoga studio, roof terrace and a variety of creative work environments.The Black & White Building takes its name from the monochromatically painted, low-rise brick building that stood on the site before TOG began to redevelop it. The building has been constructed from cross laminated timber and laminated veneer lumber, two completely circular, responsibly sourced wooden building materials with impressive sustainability credentials. Using timber has locked away carbon – the CO2 that was absorbed by the trees while they were growing – for the lifespan of the building. It has trapped 945 tonnes of carbon into the structure – the equivalent carbon to a Boeing 747-400 flying for 4,059 hours.A timber-louvre curtain wall forms the external ‘skin’ of the building, supported by the installation of ITP’s Powerlon UV 120, a breathable membrane engineered to provide long-term protection for the building envelope in wall applications. Designed for installations behind open or closed ventilated rainscreens and facades, Powerlon UV 120 is highly UV resistant with superior durability compared to conventional breather membranes.ITP Account Manager, Caroline Collins, said:“ITP are proud to supply a key element of a project which represents an outstanding example of sustainable design and construction. The development has transformed the site into a high quality, flexible and social workspace.”Powerlon UV 120 is one of a wide range of options available within ITP’s range of building protection systems. The company also supplies Euroclass A and B breather membranes, Euroclass A and B vapour control layers, roofing underlays, house wraps and ground barrier membranes.

ITP vapour control layers support major university development programmeITP’s advanced vapour control layers have been used as part of a major development plan at Bournemouth University, where a multi-million-pound investment in new facilities is supporting and enhancing the learning and working environment for students and staff.The Estates team has rolled out a wide-ranging construction programme in the past few years, creating new learning spaces, amenities and infrastructure to support the realisation of Bournemouth University’s corporate strategy and vision, BU2025. Recent developments include the new Poole Gateway Building providing high-quality technical facilities to support undergraduate and postgraduate courses as well as research.Comprising 5,000 square metre, Poole Gateway Building houses the latest professional-level facilities featuring two multi-camera TV studios equipped with 4K cameras, a film studio and sound stage, music studios, a cinema, edit suites, sound suites, green screen and motion capture studios for animation. The building features carbon-reduction measures designed to achieve BREEAM ‘excellent’ certification in line with the university’s commitment to sustainability.VCL 250, one of ITP’s range of high-performance vapour control layers, was supplied for the university’s latest development work via the Newmarket branch of Encon, the UK’s leading independent distributor of thermal and acoustic insulation, interior systems, fire protection, construction products, roofing and external façade materials.  Essex-based roofing experts, Prestige Industrial Roofing, installed the system to ensure that the building envelope is sealed to control ventilation, prevent heat loss and protect insulation from interstitial condensation. Suitable for roof, wall and floor installations, VCL 250 is manufactured from reinforced polyethylene with high tensile scrim reinforcement.Bournemouth University continues to invest in its facilities with major development projects. The new Bournemouth Gateway Building comprises 10,000 square metres of space which is the new home for the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences. The construction of the university’s Arne House building will provide teaching and staff facilities for the Faculty of Science and Technology, expected to be open for use during the 2024/25 academic year.

An Artful Residence The Camberwell College of Arts campus in London is benefiting from a £62 million regeneration, led by architects Stephen Marshall LLP. The project includes a regeneration of the existing ‘Brutalist’ 1970s building, a new academic building and Gardens House, a new 264-room residence for students.The facade of the new student residential block features an attractive open rainscreen. “We used Powerlon UV Colour FR for areas of perforated cladding where the perforations were greater than fifty percent of the panel area. The membrane needed to be waterproof, breathable and UV stable. We also wanted a dark, neutral background to the perforations. The UV Colour membrane suited this application perfectly,” said architect Jess Paull.Powerlon UV Colour FR also offers superior flame retardant protection, being Class 0 (Building Regulations 2000 Approved Document B) and Class B-s2,d0 (EN 13501-1). It is supplied exclusively by Industrial Textiles & Plastics Ltd, a North Yorkshire manufacturer with specialist expertise in flame retardant and chemical barrier materials.The breather membrane is available in eight attractive, unprinted solid colours, offering architects exciting and creative design possibilities.

ITP-supplied products are demonstrating their value in a post-Grenfell construction sector as part of a re-cladding project at the City Gate apartment buildings in Castlefield, Manchester.With decades of experience in building facade projects, Bell Building Projects (BBP) was appointed as principal contractor overseeing the replacement of dangerous cladding. BBP chose cladding contractor, Everclad, to replace the aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding which was fitted by the original developer over 15 years ago and does not meet the latest fire safety regulations introduced in December 2018 in response to the Grenfell disaster.As part of the façade upgrade, Everclad installed the Safe One breather membrane, the first product of its kind in the UK to combine a W1 rating for water resistance with an A2 rating under the Euroclass system for assessing the fire risk of building materials. ITP are exclusive suppliers of Safe One in the UK. As well as offering unrivalled fire safety and water repellence, Safe One provides high water vapour permeability to control condensation within the building’s interior, maintaining the long-term condition of its construction.The remedial programme also utilised ITP’s Powerclad FR scaffold sheeting to provide containment and protection in support of Everclad’s work. Chosen by Cheshire Scaffolding, Powerclad FR’s reinforced polyolefin scaffold sheeting provides a flame retardant grade to Class B-s1,d0 EN 13501-1 with third party approval to the highest standards (TS 62/63) for both printed and non-printed sheeting. The scaffold sheeting was installed in printed and non-printed form across various City Gate buildings.ITP Account Manager, Caroline Collins, said:“ACM cladding installed before the Grenfell disaster is currently being replaced throughout the UK and in many cases the building membranes are also being replaced as part of the work. BBP have been chosen to carry out many of these projects in major cities like Manchester. Unlike cladding materials, building membranes are not required to achieve a Euroclass rating of A2 or higher, but that situation may change in the years ahead as there is a compelling case to make membranes subject to the same stringent laws as those which apply to cladding. At City Gate, BBP and Everclad decided that the membrane should meet the same fire safety standards as the cladding, resulting in their decision to use the Safe One system.”Powerclad Standard FR sheeting is one of a wide range of options within ITP’s range of Powerclad products which are compliant with BS 7955 and TS 62 / TS 63 accredited. Safe One is a one of a wide range of building membranes offered by ITP. The company also supplies flame retardant vapour control layers, roofing underlays and UV resistant breather membranes.

David Wilson Homes North West (DWH) are building homes, apartments and a business park on this derelict land in Kew over the next 10 years.This technically challenging site required remediating and decontaminating the land in advance of construction. ITP’s innovative engineered barrier membrane will prevent the ingress of volatileorganic compounds (VOCs) and harmful gases into the new constructions. A total of 45,000 squaremetres have been supplied to the project.Powerbase® VOC is a composite membrane that complies with Ciria C748, BS8485, NHBC Chapter 4.1 and NHBC Red Gas Protection Measures

FlameOut Breathe chosen for 649-home regeneration projectITP’s FlameOut Breathe breather membrane is being used on another landmark regeneration project in London following the product’s specification at Get Living, a new 649-home scheme from Muse Developments and build-to-rent operator, Get Living PLC.Muse and Get Living have agreed a £252m forward funding deal for the delivery of the second and final phase of the development in Lewisham. The residential accommodation will be complemented by c.25,000 sq ft of retail space, c.15,000 sq ft of food and beverage space, a gym, 10,000 sq ft of offices and Lewisham’s first major multiplex cinema. Balfour Beatty plc has been appointed as main contractor.Get Living will operate the completed scheme comprising 106 London Living Rent and 424 market rent homes alongside 119 co-living homes. Co-working will form part of the commercial space, providing an attractive amenity for residents and a hub for businesses. The wider development is a joint venture between Lewisham Gateway Developments – a subsidiary of Muse Developments, the London Borough of Lewisham, the Mayor of London and Transport for London, supported by Homes England.FlameOut Breathe is being installed within the external wall of Get Living’s high-rise apartment blocks. The product provides excellent water repellence to prevent rainwater ingress and high-water vapour permeability to control condensation within the building’s interior, preventing moisture from building up in the insulation layer. The membrane also has self-extinguishing, flame-retardant properties independently tested to EN 13501-1. FlameOut Breathe’s Euroclass B,s1-d0 fire safety rating is compliant with Building Regulations.ITP Account Manager, Caroline Collins, said:“ITP are delighted to supply one of the largest regeneration schemes in Southeast England. Muse Developments has been leading the way in delivering transformational urban regeneration and Get Living has established a name as the UK’s most progressive build-to-rent operator of residential neighbourhoods, with a strategy to support the creation of large-scale residential-led neighbourhoods, primarily in the Greater London area and other major UK cities. Over the past few years, many of London’s biggest residential projects have invested in the use of FlameOut Breathe and other membranes in ITP’s portfolio to protect the long-term condition of the building envelope.”

ITP supplied two Euroclass A-rated building membranes for the redevelopment of Longton Lane Community Primary School in Rainhill, Merseyside.

ITP’s FlameOut Breathe flame-retardant breather membrane is being used for a new urban regeneration project which will deliver much-needed social rent homes in Bermondsey as part of an ambitious programme launched by Southwark Council.Designed by Saunders Partnership and overseen by main contractor, ARJ Construction, the development at Maltby Street involves the demolition of existing Woodville House garages and pram sheds to make way for the construction of a new reinforced concrete frame block with brickwork facade over five storeys. The completed building will comprise 24 apartments offering a mix of one, two and three bedrooms living, including four wheelchair duplexes with their own private entrances.Provision has also been made for disabled car parking, external cycle storage and landscaping, including communal green space and playground. The Maltby Street apartments form part of the wider development of the St Saviours Estate alongside 16 similar apartments at Fendall Street with internal cycle storage, a new ball court, play area and communal gardens.Lords Builders Merchants supplied FlameOut Breathe to multi-disciplinary construction company, Vidi Construction, for installation within the external wall system, providing a protective membrane with all-round performance including W1 water tightness and advanced breathability to control condensation within the building’s interior, preventing the build-up of moisture in the insulation layer.  The product is independently tested to EN 13501-1 and has a Euroclass B,s1-d0 fire safety rating in line with requirements set out in the latest Building Regulations.ITP Account Manager, Marisa Schofield, said:“ITP’s protective membranes have been used on developments throughout London and many of these projects have sourced our products from Lords Builders Merchants, a trusted name for high quality building solutions. Many of Lords’ customers have chosen ITP’s systems because they offer self-extinguishing, flame-retardant properties which enable full compliance with fire safety regulations.”Southwark Council has made a historic commitment to deliver 11,000 new homes in Southwark by 2043, providing quality housing that improves the local area and the lives of Southwark residents. To address the borough’s acute need for housing, the council has turned towards unlocking new and innovative ways of building new homes, with a special focus on thinking about land resources and capacity in new ways.CGI courtesy ARJ Construction

ITP’s FlameOUT Breathe flame-retardant breather membrane has been specified for the construction of a cutting-edge SEND school in Bromley, London.Marjorie McClure School is designed to provide learning and development for students with a range of different complex needs, which include physical, medical and/or moderate or profound learning difficulties and disabilities. Designed by Haverstock, the new single-storey building has a capacity for 100 students ages 4-19 and is built to be fully inclusive, allowing easy and independent access to all the facilities. The scheme also incorporates a hydrotherapy pool and two courtyards with a range of accessible amenities including sensory gardens, storytelling and performance spaces, in addition to external dining and growing areas.Overseen by main contractor, Galliford Try, the project to re-build the school was initiated as part of a Sustainability Pilot by the Department for Education in response to the UK Government’s target to achieve net-zero ‘greenhouse gas’ emissions by 2050. Heating and hot water generation is provided sustainably by means of an air source heat pump and photovoltaics which generate energy to be offset against overall usage.The building is constructed from timber Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) which offer enhanced fabric performance through the inclusion of additional insulation and triple glazing resulting in reduced energy running costs. The SIPs system has also allowed the building to be manufactured offsite, reducing embodied carbon in the construction process.Leading specialist façade contractor, Apex Facades, installed FlameOut Breathe within the school’s external wall system along with steel framing, cladding, soffits, flashings and fire breaks. FlameOut Breathe’s advanced membrane is engineered to combine W1 water protection and high breathability to allow the release of water vapour, preventing the build-up of moisture in the insulation layer. The textile also has self-extinguishing qualities and Euroclass B-s1, d0 flame retardancy independently tested to EN 13501-1, making it compliant for use on high-rise and high-risk buildings.ITP’s wide range of membranes are designed to provide durable and reliable protection for the building envelope. To complement its breather membranes, the company also manufactures FlameOut Block, a high-quality vapour control layer which improves air tightness and protects insulation against the movement of warm, moist air from a building’s interior.Images courtesy Apex Facades

ITP’s FlameOut Block Standard building membrane has been chosen for another outstanding regeneration project in London following its specification at Napier and New Plymouth House.The joint venture between Havering Council and Wates Residential will replace two poor quality 13-storey tower blocks with 197 properties offering a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments of which 64% will be affordable homes. The 0.79-hectare site is being transformed into a new integrated community with residential, leisure and amenity space arranged around new open spaces, including three generously proportioned podium gardens and a new dedicated cycle route.Low-rise buildings are being constructed to the north and west to sensitively address the existing residential edge, with increasing height along New Road. The design by JTP Architects references nearby Rainham Marshes, with a marshland-led landscape scheme and complementary colour palette, and the use of Rainham steel for the entrances and wayfinding. More than £1.3 million has been invested into the Havering community so far, through the Napier and New Plymouth House site alone.FlameOut Block Standard became part of the specification when PIB Contractors chose the system to provide a flame-retardant vapour control layer for the buildings. ITP’s polyethylene-based solution is independently tested to British and international flame retardant standards. It has a Euro Class B,s1-d0 (EN 13501-1) rating, demonstrating the limited combustibility required for projects of this nature, and includes a mono-filament reinforcement scrim to provide excellent tensile strength and nail tear resistance.ITP Managing Director, Marc van der Voort, said:“In a post-Grenfell construction sector, reducing fire risk is fundamental to any project design. Our flame-retardant building membranes have been developed to protect against that risk while performing their primary role in preventing water vapour from reaching insulation and forming condensation. In providing that performance requirement, FlameOut Block Standard is meeting widespread demand from multi-storey developments like Napier and New Plymouth House. ITP are delighted to be part of this far-reaching renewal programme.”Napier and New Plymouth House is the first site in phase one of Havering Council’s £1.5 billion programme which will deliver around 3,500 high-quality new homes across 12 estates over the next 12 to 15 years. When completed, the programme will double the amount of council rented accommodation and more than double the number of affordable homes.Councillor Damian White, leader of Havering Council said:“This project will provide much-needed quality, affordable homes for local people in our special borough. It will leave behind a legacy of skills, training, jobs and aspiration which goes far beyond just bricks and mortar.”Images courtesy JTP – produced by Atelier 78

ITP has supplied Stamisol Safe One, the UK’s most advanced breather membrane, for one of Kent’s most popular heritage destinations as part of new facilities at the National Trust’s Ightham Mote property in Sevenoaks.WW Martin Ltd was appointed as the main contractor overseeing the construction of a reception building, shop and visitor car park on the site of the Grade I listed medieval moated manor house which dates back to the 14th century and is registered as a Scheduled Monument. The enhanced facilities will support the National Trust’s conservation of the historic house and gardens for future generations while enabling the estate to accommodate a projected increase in annual visitor numbers.Appropriately designed to reflect their surroundings, the buildings will be fully sustainable with the use of hempcrete walling, air source heat pumps, a green roof and sustainable surface water management. Stamisol Safe One was sourced for the project via leading specialist builders merchant, SIG, to protect the long-term condition of the buildings. The membranes will prevent the ingress of rainwater while facilitating the release of internal water vapour, preventing the build-up of condensation in the insulation layer.Winner of Product of the Year in the 2022 Façade Design and Engineering Awards, Stamisol Safe One offers a market-leading range of performance attributes. The product is the first breather membrane in the UK to combine a W1 rating for water tightness, breathability to BS5250 standards, waterproofing of 7,000mm, UV resistance of 5,000 hours and a Euroclass A2 limited-combustible fire rating.ITP Account Manager, Paul Harrison, said:“Stamisol Safe One is ideal for projects that are designed for longevity in support of conservation. Its combination of fire safety and all-round protection is unrivalled. Unlike other breather membranes on the market, the product is independently age-tested, so it can be specified with confidence in its ability to stand the test of time and maintain the condition of the building envelope in the long-term.”Stamisol Safe One is one of a wide range of building membranes supplied by ITP. The company’s product range also includes vapour control layers, roofing underlays, house wraps, UV façade membranes and gas barrier membranes. Solutions are available in Euroclass A1, A2 and B ratings, all fully compliant with fire safety regulations on high-rise and higher-risk buildings.

CASTLEHOUSE CONSTRUCTION is a Yorkshire based firm with four decades of experience constructing major commercial and retail projects. For a new supermarket development in Greater Manchester, they turned to another Yorkshire firm, Industrial Textiles & Plastics of Easingwold, North Yorkshire.ITP manufacture protective membranes for the building and construction industry, including the Powerbase range of geosynthetic vapour and gas barrier membranes. Vapour and gas barrier ground membranes protect buildings from the ingress of water and naturally occurring gases such as radon, methane and CO2. At the top end of the Powerbase range is Powerbase VOC, a multilayered, composite membrane that provides additional resistance to hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).ITP has more than 25 years experience developing engineered textiles and flame retardant technology. Paul Harrison, the geomembranes specialist at ITP, was involved in the revision of the Code of practice for the design of protective measures for methane and carbon dioxide ground gases for new buildings (BS 8485: 2015)Other ground membranes produced by ITP include damp proof membranes, BBA certified radon barriers and reinforced multigas barriers.

Genoa infrastructure programme is latest port of call for PowerbaseITP’s Powerbase VOC ground barrier membrane has been used for the development of industrial land as part of the Port of Genoa Mega-infrastructure Investment Programme in Italy.The Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority has commenced the plan funded by a 2.3 billion Euro investment addressing the key European transport and logistic priorities of the Port of Genoa. A range of 30 major infrastructure projects will establish the port as a more accessible, sustainable, intermodal and digital hub.As well as implementing a far-reaching overhaul of the port’s accessibility, the project will include a shipyard expansion, waterfront redevelopment and green policies. It will improve the competitive position of maritime and rail transport by enabling modal shift from more carbon intensive transport modes, enhancing interoperability between transport modes and providing for additional alternative fuels infrastructure which will reduce related GHG emissions. The port’s new breakwater has been designed to give ships direct access to its terminal facilities and, unlike the existing breakwater, it will incorporate a wide turning basin that will allow ultra-large ships to manoeuvre safely.Powerbase VOC has been installed on a key phase to protect against ground contaminants within the industrial land. Its multi-layered design provides a durable barrier which prevents harmful gases from entering a building through cracks, construction joints and service openings in the floor slab. Effective against methane, radon, CO2, hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the system is Independently tested to ISO 15105-2 and Compliant to BS 8485:2015 + A1:2019.ITP Account Manager, Peter Winter, said:“The use of Powerbase VOC at this major infrastructure programme reflects growing demand for the product across Europe.  The system is ideal for regeneration projects on industrial sites as it protects against hazardous gases and soils contaminated with hydrocarbons or toxic industrial pollutants. Hazardous gases and VOCs migrate up through the soil and collect in a sump under the Powerbase membrane, where they can be safely dispersed into the atmosphere via vents. Powerbase VOC also acts as a damp proof membrane and can be used for groundwater and environmental protection installations.”Powerbase VOC is one of a wide range of ground barrier membranes which ITP manufactures to protect against harmful gases, toxins and contaminants on brownfield and industrial land. The company’s product portfolio also includes breather membranes and vapour control layers for wall and roofing applications.

High-rise safety upgrade reflects growing preference for best practice.A £22m fire safety programme has been rolled out at various high-rise buildings in Portsmouth, going above and beyond minimum regulatory requirements with the use of the Safe One advanced breather membrane supplied by ITP.The city council has introduced a range of measures to its residential stock following detailed Fire Risk Assessments which identified areas where improvements could be made to several buildings, including Ladywood House in Somers Town, Nickelby House in Buckland, Handsworth House in Quinton Close and Sarah Robinson House in Queen Street. Buildings have been retrofitted with new sprinklers and fire doors while façade specialist, All Facades UK Ltd, has replaced panelling made from coated glass reinforced plastic, high pressure laminate and PVC composite. The replacement panels are manufactured from materials which meet a Euroclass A2 fire safety rating in keeping with requirements by law for cladding and other external wall elements. Safe One, which is also Euroclass A2 rated, is being fitted beneath the panels to ensure that the façade upgrade is completed to maximise fire safety.ITP Account Manager, Jess Harrison, said:“Post-Grenfell, there has been a lot of discussion about the removal and replacement of cladding made from combustible aluminium composite material, also known as ACM. The changes to external elevations at this programme in Portsmouth demonstrate that there are other façade features and materials which require attention on many of the UK’s existing high-rise buildings. The work carried out by All Facades UK Ltd is a reflection of a growing preference to not only meet but also exceed the fire safety standards set out in current regulations– breather membranes are not required by law to have a Euroclass A2 rating, but Safe One has been chosen as its A2 classification is in keeping with a commitment to best practice which ensures that every part of the building envelope minimises fire risk.”Safe One offers a combination of high-performance attributes which is unique in the UK market. In addition to a Euroclass A2 rating and a high level of breathability, the system has a W1 rating for waterproofing and an unrivalled water resistance of 7000 mm – an especially valuable advantage for high rise buildings exposed to driving rain. As well as being UK suppliers of Safe One, ITP manufactures a wide range of other protective solutions for buildings, including ground barriers, vapour control layers, roof underlays, UV resistant membranes and house wraps.

An innovative, UV resistant roofing underlay with high water resistance opens up exciting alternatives to traditional roof coverings. Traditional pitched roofs call for traditional roof covering materials—classic thatch, slate and clay, and metals such as lead. They all completely cover the underlying breather membrane. Roofing felt breather membranes provide the necessary combination of water resistance to prevent any moisture entering the structures. Water vapour permeability allows moisture from the interior to disperse, preventing interstitial condensation damaging the building envelope. They work effectively under a closed covering system, where they are not exposed directly to precipitation, as, while they are water resistant, they are not impermeable. Nor can standard roofing underlays be exposed to sunlight for any length of time; typical installation instructions specify that breather membranes should not remain uncovered for more than two months while the roof is being installed. The damaging effects of UV radiation will cause the material to degrade and no longer be fit for purpose. Partially open timber cladding, as well as metal mesh and composite rainscreen systems are becoming increasingly common in modern façade design. But extending this cladding to the roof, giving an aesthetically pleasing effect for pitched and mansard roofs? Not possible. However, an innovative, highly water and UV resistant roofing underlay allows for creative exterior cladding design, not just limited to walls. One project features this creative u n i f i e d f a ç a d e / r o o f c o n c e p t . Designed by Robert Houmøller of Merrett Houmøller (initial design in collaboration with Eva Willoughby), their boathouse sits at the edge of a lake. The outer cladding of Japanese scorched timber extends up the walls and over the pitched roof. The building was constructed using structural insulated panels, with Powerlon UV Colour façade m e m b r a n e f o r t h e w a l l s , a n d owerlon UV Roof protecting the roof. These technologically advanced membranes protect the walls and roofs with exceptionally high UV and water resistance, combined with excellent water vapour permeability. Both are well suited for use with SIP construction, but are compatible with all substrates. They come with a ten-year warranty, when installed a c c o r d i n g t o g u i d e l i n e s u s i n g proprietary adhesives and detailing accessories. Powerlon UV Roof can be used on pitched roofs, including those with a shallow slope – greater than five degrees - and provides protection in even the harshest weather conditions. It can be used in both ventilated and unventilated roof installations, and can also be glued directly onto wood, metal or rendered supporting structures. Another feature of UV Roof is its extremely high nail tear resistance. UV Roof comes in two colours, brown and black, while the UV Colour façade membrane is available in eight colours. Typically the UV Roof membrane has been used with timber rainscreen cladding, with gaps up to 40mm. UV Roof should be installed in conjunction with Powerlon Eco, an economical breather membrane suitable for roofs with a slope greater than fifteen degrees. Together, they allow for a complete water and UV protected installation with openwork timber panels.

A new hotel in the heart of London has become the latest high-profile development to feature a flame-retardant building membrane supplied by ITP.The world-renowned hotel chain, RIU Hotels & Resorts, is entering the UK market with its first hotel in London. Designed by architects AROS, the RIU Plaza Hotel Victoria is one of a series of major projects carried out in the capital’s commercial and hospitality sectors by main contractor, McLaren Construction. Created within an existing building in Neathouse Place, the new 4-star hotel comprises 441 rooms and superior suites with views of the city, using refurbishment options that have enabled McLaren Construction to embrace the latest products and solutions for efficient and sustainable construction. One of the products is ITP’s FlameOut Block Standard, a flame-retardant vapour control layer which was installed by façade specialist, Colorminium, and sourced from the Colchester branch of SIG, a leading supplier of insulation, roofing materials, and sustainable building products.The property was originally constructed in the 1960s and was fully renovated in 1997 to the designs of Avery Associates Architects. The existing 12-storey building includes 18,476 sq.m of office accommodation and ground floor retail use, a basement and a rooftop plant room. In 2018, RIU Hotels & Resorts acquired the building for a total refurbishment which will enable the company to open a hotel in its Riu Plaza urban line.FlameOut Block Standard is widely specified by architects and contractors for major refurbishment programmes and façade upgrades, providing a reliable and effective system to enhance air tightness and prevent moisture within the building’s warm air from reaching the insulation layer. Its polyethylene-based vapour control layer has a mono-filament reinforcement scrim to provide excellent tensile strength in wall and roof insulations. Fully compliant with all regulations, FlameOut Block Standard has a Euroclass rating of B,s1-d0 meeting requirements for external walls on residential buildings over 18m.ITP Account Manager, Marisa Schofield, said:“In recent years, ITP have supplied products for various landmark hotel developments in city centres, including The Gantry in London and the Leonardo Hotel in Manchester. The RIU Plaza is the latest major hotel project to choose our membranes to provide advanced protection within the building envelope.”

En Route to Academic Success The Route 39 Academy, founded in 2013, was Devon’s first free school. Currently with more than 130 students, it has been housed in temporary accommodation in Higher Clovelly. In 2016, they received planning permission to construct new premises at Steart Farm, on the site of a former camping park, between Hartland and Bideford.The new school will accommodate up to 700 students, aged 11-18, and has been designed by AHR Architects. It will have a recording studio, learning café, dance suite and performance area, science “superlab”, sports hall and learning resource centre.Main contractors Willmott Dixon’s sustainability team has been working with the district council to ensure that the special environmental needs of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty site are respected. The new school has been designed to reflect the history of the site, with a sympathetic façade design. John Boughton, Deputy Managing Director for Willmott Dixon said, “This sustainable building is timber clad to blend in with the beautiful North Devon landscape, connecting the land with outstanding views over the coast.”The façade design features gaps in between the timber, necessitating a breather member with high UV resistance to ensure long-term protection to the building envelope. And, as the membrane is visible behind the façade, an attractive, solid colour was also required. Powerlon UV Colour FR in the “coal” colourway was installed by roofing and cladding contractors Progressive Systems Ltd. In addition to providing exceptional UV resistance, the membrane is also flame retardant to Class 0 to the standard BS 476 Parts 6 & 7, essential for such a safety critical installation.Powerlon UV façade membranes are produced by Industrial Textiles & Plastics Ltd (ITP), a North Yorkshire company with specialist expertise in flame retardant and chemical resistant technologies.

ITP’s Powerlon UV 145 FR breathable membrane has been specified as part of a major external wall upgrade at Royal Liverpool University Hospital.Existing cladding made from aluminium composite material (ACM) is being replaced to make the building compliant with the latest fire safety regulations which were introduced in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Martifer is carrying out a 20-month remedial programme which includes the removal of 10,000 square metres of existing curtain wall followed by the installation of new rainscreen cladding and a new curtain wall.Powerlon UV 145 FR will form part of the new building envelope, installed behind the rainscreen as a fire-retardant membrane providing long-term protection and UV resistance. The system will repel water to keep the insulation layer dry while allowing moisture to escape, preventing the build-up of condensation.Redevelopment work at Royal Liverpool University Hospital dates back to 2014, when a wide-ranging project commenced to extend and improve the existing facilities, including the creation of one of the largest emergency departments in the North West of England. Laing O’Rourke took over the scheme in 2018 after the original contractor, Carillion, went into administration. A structural review of the building in 2018 reported that some parts of the cladding used in early phases of the development failed to meet the Building (Amendment) Regulations which came into effect in December 2018, requiring stricter standards of fire safety on external walls. The overall project is scheduled for completion next year.ITP Account Manager, Marisa Schofield, said:“The impact of Grenfell has been widespread across thousands of existing buildings and recent developments which pre-dated the new fire regulations. ACM cladding replacement projects have become commonplace throughout the UK, and ITP’s fire-retardant membranes are an ideal specification to complement the changes necessary to make external walls fully compliant with regulations. They are compatible with all substrates.”Designed for installations behind open or closed ventilated rainscreens and facades, the Powerlon UV facade membrane is engineered to provide superior durability compared to conventional breather membranes. With a Euro Class B,s1-d0 (EN 13501-1) rating for flame retardancy, the system is one of a wide range of options within ITP’s Powerlon range, which also includes Safe One, the UK’s only W1 water resistant non-combustible building membrane.

A former pallet works in Saddleworth is the home for a new secondary school. Saddleworth School is being rebuilt under the Government’s Priority School Building Programme (PSBP). The new location for the school is the mining town of Diggle, 2km away from the current school. Interestingly, the new 22-acre site has had several industrial uses and records dating back to 1854 show that the site was initially used as a mill; demolished in the early 1900’s, the mill made way for a loom works. More buildings were constructed until the land was taken over by W.H. Shaw Pallet Works, reputedly one the largest factories of its type in Europe. The factory assisted in the war effort during WWI when the buildings were used for munitions, and again in WWII, when the factory-made parts for Russian submarines.To make way for the new larger capacity school all the industrial buildings have been cleared, except for a gothic clock tower that forms part of an original administrative building that is grade II listed.The site investigation report assessed the ground gas regime as a Characteristic Situation 2, requiring gas protection measures to mitigate the risk. However, a further ground report inspection by our groundwork’s specialist Paul Harrison, showed historical ground contamination, mainly hydrocarbon by-products. These hydrocarbons were outside of the scope of standard test codes, and as such no membranes were tested to the specific contaminants found at the site. Using ITP’s unique hydrocarbon modelling software, Paul put to test the specific contaminants vapour permeation when using our advanced barrier membranes. The results enabled the ground consultancy to confidently specify Powerbase VOC.Speaking about the analysis that Paul carried out, Bryan Woodcock, SpS Substructure Protection, said “We have a great working relationship with ITP, they operate as an extension to the SpS team, and their full range of products fulfil almost every type of installation requirement we have, easy to install at a reasonable cost.Special consideration should be given to sites contaminated by hydrocarbons or VOCs as the mobile compounds migrate with relative ease through unsuitable membrane materials. Aluminium laminates are superb gas barriers, but these materials will delaminate when exposed to hydrocarbon vapour/VOCs and the aluminium layer is susceptible to oxidation due to moisture penetrating exposed edges.Powerbase VOC, was supplied to SpS Substructure Protection, the installers at the site. A specially engineered multilayer composite barrier membrane, Powerbase VOC is made from protective polymeric layers on both side of a chemical resistant hydrocarbon barrier inner core, offering exceptional resistance to hydrocarbons and VOCs (volatile organic compounds); it complies with Ciria C748, BS8485, NHBC Chapter 4.1 and NHBC Red Gas Protection Measures.

Disused Railway Tunnel Made Safe When a disused Victorian-era railway tunnel in Scotland was shown to be degrading, threatening the roads above, the structure needed to be made safe. A key element of the challenging infill solution was provided by an advanced hydrocarbon and chemical resistant barrier.The St Margaret’s Head Tunnel was originally part of the Dunfermline to North Queensferry railway line and lies under the northern approach to the Forth Road Bridge. Amey, the Forth Bridges Operating Company, determined that preventative measures needed to be taken to ensure the tunnel’s structural integrity. The tunnel, which is 420m long, 4.3m wide and 5.1m high, had been sealed off, with only two vertical shafts at either end for access points. The Amey engineers decided the best solution would be to fill the tunnel with a low-cost infill material.Expanded polystyrene (EPS) blocks – strong, durable and easily cut to size for handling in the shafts and tunnel – were the answer. However, hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can damage EPS materials, so the blocks needed to be protected from these by-products of oil and diesel contamination. Powerbase VOC, a technologically advanced barrier membrane, provided what the project and site demanded. Manufactured by Industrial Textiles & Plastics (ITP) of North Yorkshire, Powerbase VOC has been tested to EN ISO 15105-2 for a large range of harmful hydrocarbons and chemicals and is BS 8485: 2015 + A1:2019 compliant. Performance data demonstrates the barrier membrane’s superior resistance to challenge chemicals. Both the EPS blocks and Powerbase VOC were supplied to Amey by Cordek Ltd. A video showing the progress of this exciting installation can be viewed on YouTube.Once the body of the tunnel was lined with Powerbase VOC and filled with EPS blocks, the two access points were filled with concrete to seal the access shafts. The safety of the busy roads and buildings above in South Queensferry is now secure for the future, but should it ever need to be reopened, the blocks can easily be removed.ITP manufacture an extensive range of temporary containment materials, building membranes and gas barrier membranes. The company has specialist expertise in chemical resistant and flame retardant technology

ITP’s FlameOUT Breathe flame-retardant breather membrane has been specified for an extension project at Strood Academy secondary school in Rochester, Kent.The school, which is run by the Leigh Academies Trust, has enhanced its facilities with a new two-storey teaching block dedicated for children with special education needs. Designed by Bailey Partnership in Sevenoaks, the building comprises four new classrooms accommodating around 25 pupils and 18 staff.Main Contractor, Directline Structures, has overseen the construction of the extension, which is supporting Medway Council’s aim to provide more special resource provision places and enable more young people with Education Health and Care Plans access mainstream education with support from a special resource provision.Leading specialist façade contractor, Apex Facades, installed FlameOut Breathe within the external wall system of the new teaching block. FlameOut Breathe’s engineered textile provides an outstanding combination of W1 water tightness to prevent the ingress of rainwater and advanced breathability to facilitate the release of water vapour, preventing the build-up of moisture in the insulation layer. Also suitable for roof applications, the membrane has self-extinguishing qualities and Euroclass B,s1-d0 flame retardancy independently tested to EN 13501-1.ITP Account Manager, Paul Harrison, said:“We have supported Apex Facades in numerous projects across Southeast England. They have an outstanding reputation as a façade contractor that offers expertise on all types of projects and façade installations. Apex Facades  know that ITP’s range of flame-retardant membranes provide the high performance required to meet their exacting standards. Every membrane in our FlameOut range has a Euroclass A or Euroclass B fire safety rating which has been independently tested to EN 13501-1.”ITP’s range of building membranes are designed and manufactured for full compliance with all relevant Building Regulations. To complement its breather membranes, the company also manufactures FlameOut Block, an advanced vapour control layer available in Euroclass A or Euroclass B rated grades.

ITP supplied our VCL 250 vapour control layer as a protective solution underneath a stunning façade design at the Advanced Technologies Centre (ATC), Tameside College’s £10.5 million learning facility in Greater Manchester.Located within the Beaufort Road campus, the ACT is central to the college’s plan to develop courses in science, technology, engineering and maths that inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists. The building accommodates a range of specialisms including electronics, engineering, science, hydraulics, computer coding, medical and forensic laboratories.The ACT features a customised architectural facade solution with aluminium panels featuring a unique pattern of differently-sized circular perforations designed, supplied and installed by Levolux. Supplied for the project via the Encon in Chorley, ITP’s VCL 250 forms part of the external wall system below the bespoke façade. With a mono-filament reinforcement scrim for tensile strength, its polyethylene-based membrane ensures that the building envelope is properly sealed to control ventilation, prevent heat loss and protect insulates from interstitial condensation.ITP Account Manager, Caroline Collins, said: “The ATC has been widely praised for the creativity of its design, most notably the beautiful façade which is the building’s signature feature. ITP are proud to see our vapour control layer form part of the external wall system, providing long-term protection to ensure that this outstanding facility remains in excellent condition.”Jackie Moores, Principal at Tameside College, said: “As the demand for advanced skills in science, technology, engineering and maths continues to grow, Tameside College will be at the forefront to develop talent for the sector.”VCL 250 is one of a wide range of protective membranes manufactured and supplied by ITP. The company also offers roofing underlays, house wraps, UV-resistant façade membranes, gas and hydrocarbon barrier membranes, and breather membranes, including solutions which meet Euroclass A2-s1, d0 and B,s1-d0 fire safety ratings for full compliance with building regulations.

Opened in August 2018, The Christie Proton Beam Therapy Centre is one of only two NHS proton beam therapy centres in the UK (the other being built at University College London). The new centre has been designed by international architects HKS, who specialise in designing hospital and health care buildings.The new centre features lighting and quality cladding to emphasise the facility’s importance and position near the hospital’s main entrance. The design also focuses on patient experience, with waiting areas facing outer walls and courtyards.The roofing and facades contractor is Sky Green Limited of Birmingham, who are installing 7,000sqm of Shackerley Granite and Kalzip FC Rainscreen Façade fixed to a steel framing system, and 6,000sqm of Resitrix single ply membrane roofing system. Protecting the building envelope is Powerlon VCL 170, a vapour control layer produced by North Yorkshire firm Industrial Textiles & Plastics (ITP), which has more than 25 years’ experience producing premium quality protective materials for building and construction.Air and vapour control layers act as barriers to prevent moisture within the building’s warm air from reaching the insulation layer and forming interstitial condensation. As they are impermeable, they also improve the building’s air tightness. Powerlon VCLs are suitable for roof, wall and floor installations. The new building will be as sustainable as well as life-saving: energy efficient, with reduced carbon emissions and lowered running costs, to achieve a BREEAM “excellent” environmental rating.Proton beam therapy is a specialist form of radiotherapy that targets tumours with less damage to surrounding healthy tissue and is particularly appropriate for certain cancers in children, who are at risk of lasting damage to growing organs.

ITP’s FlameOut Breathe flame-retardant breather membrane has been specified for a major remediation project upgrading the façade of an apartment complex in Brighton.CBG Construction Ltd was appointed to oversee a comprehensive refurbishment to address safety issues at the Grand Parade apartments, which were built before stricter safety regulations came into effect in the wake of the Grenfell disaster. Leading specialist façade contractor, Apex Facades, was contracted to undertake the full stripping works and supply and fit new steel frame systems, cladding and external wall insulation along withFlameOut Breathe to prevent the build-up of moisture within the internal insulation layer.FlameOut Breathe’s advanced membrane is highly breathable, facilitating the release of water vapour while providing W1-rated water tightness to protect against rain ingress. Its engineered textile also has self-extinguishing qualities and Euroclass B-s1, d0 flame retardancy independently tested to EN 13501-1, making the product fully compliant for use on high-rise and high-risk buildings.Paul Harrison, Account Manager at ITP, said:“Apex Facades have become a go-to contractor for major external wall renovations, utilising all their expertise and experience in bringing high-rise buildings in line with the latest safety regulations. We have supplied our breather membranes for a wide range of projects undertaken by Apex, and we’re delighted to support them on this latest scheme in Brighton.”With in-house manufacturing facilities and decades of experience in the development of protective textiles for construction, ITP manufactures a wide range of membranes engineered to provide high-performance protection for the building envelope. As well as offering a range of breather membranes, the company supplies advanced vapour control layers which enhance air tightness and protect insulation against warm air moisture from a building’s interior. The company’s product portfolio also includes house wraps, roofing underlays, UV-resistant façade membranes, and ground gas barrier membranes for developments on contaminated land.Images courtesy Apex Facades

Named after Hull’s famous aviator, the Amy Johnson development by Keepmoat Homes on Hawthorn Avenue is a major project building new homes for sale and for social rent through Places for People. The Hawthornes @ Amy Johnson is part of Hull City Council’s programme of regeneration of the area, which also included improvements to the exterior of existing homes.Keepmoat Homes have completed the first phase of 148 homes, with a further 491 being constructed. The project includes three-bedroom homes as well as affordable housing. Prior to construction beginning, an assessment of the site determined varying levels for NHBC required gas protection measures. Specialist installers of gas barrier membranes and waterproofing tanking systems, SPS Substructure Protection Ltd, chose two high-performance membranes produced by Industrial Textiles & Plastics Ltd (ITP) of North Yorkshire. Protecting some of the homes is Powerbase VOC, a specially engineered multilayer composite barrier membrane with exceptional resistance to hydrocarbons and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Under other homes, Powerbase Multigas 300 has been installed. This is an aluminium laminate incorporating a foil between two layers of LDPE and a reinforcing scrim.“Our expertise in gas and chemical resistant technology, developed over more than 25 years, means we can provide the right solution for any installation,” said Paul Harrison, ITP’s geomembrane technical advisor. “We are adding new products, such as tanking membranes and DPCs to complete our existing products, creating an integrated, comprehensive groundworks solution for specifiers and installers.”In addition to the Powerbase range of gas barrier membranes, ITP also produces the industry-leading Puraflex barrier membrane, as well as a range of advanced building membranes and temporary containment solutions, including flame retardant materials.

ITP’s Powerlon UV 145 FR façade membrane has been chosen to provide breathable solar protection for a new creative centre at the Roundhouse in London, a legendary music venue which is steeped in cultural history.From its Victorian beginnings as a steam-engine repair shed, the Roundhouse became an iconic building providing the backdrop to concerts by Jimi Hendrix, The Doors and Pink Floyd in the 1960s and 1970s. The Grade II listed venue re-opened in 2006 following a £30m refurbishment, hosting the likes of Amy Winehouse, Little Simz and The Chemical Brothers to re-establish it as one of London’s most iconic performance spaces.The site’s latest transformation has been delivered in the form of the Roundhouse Works, a new facility including three large rehearsal spaces for young theatre makers, musicians, film makers, circus and performance artists plus a dedicated podcast studio run by Transmission Roundhouse. It has doubled the capacity of the current site to support 15,000 young people. The estate includes the Ronson Studio, a specially designed space for music-based youth programmes, and the Richard Mintz Studio, a dedicated home for skills sessions, seminars, and activities for workspace users. Alongside these facilities, a new Backstage Studio will offer a triple-height studio with an aerial rig for large-scale performing arts skills development.Main contractor, Borras Construction, specified Powerlon UV 145 FR for the façade at the Roundhouse Works, with Eden Facades overseeing the installation of timber cladding and metal profile cladding. Specialist architectural joinery company, Simpson & Liddard, also supported construction. ITP’s Powerlon UV 145 FR is a breathable membrane engineered to provide a flame-retardant solution for the long-term protection of the building envelope. Designed for installations behind open or closed ventilated rainscreens and facades, the product is highly UV resistant with superior durability compared to conventional breather membranes. The system is independently tested to meet a Euroclass B-s3,d0 fire safety rating.ITP Account Manager, Marisa Schofield, said:“ITP are proud to be involved in the latest development of this famous world-class venue. The new centre will support young people with their early careers, providing a space for them to explore their creative interests, meet and collaborate. We have supplied our UV resistant membranes for some of London’s most exciting and creative building projects. The Roundhouse Works can now be added to that list.”Powerlon UV 145 FR is one of a wide range of options available within ITP’s range of building protection systems. The company also supplies flame-retardant Euroclass A and B breather membranes, flame-retardant Euroclass A and B vapour control layers, roofing underlays, house wraps and ground barrier membranes.

ITP’s FlameOUT Breathe flame-retardant breather membrane has been specified for the multi-million-pound redevelopment of the Stephenson building at Newcastle University.Built in the 1940s, Stephenson Building has a long history of training engineers. In the past 70 years, it has been the home to more than 25,000 engineering students and is well known as a highly visible gateway to the University’s engineering quarter.International architecture and engineering practice, NORR, have led the design of a project which is harnessing the building’s 70 years of heritage and transforming it into a hub for the future, creating a facility for the 21st century and beyond. The original footprint is home to a new 18,000 m2 cutting-edge building providing extensive space for education, research, innovation and industrial collaboration.Bowmer + Kirkland was appointed as the main contractor to oversee the project over two phases between September 2023 and autumn 2024. The rear of the building was demolished to make way for new-build space and the front has been retained to minimise demolition and reduce the carbon footprint. The original building’s teaching and office spaces are also being renovated.FlameOut Breathe was supplied via the Wolverhampton branch of builders’ merchant, M Markovitz, and installed by facade specialists, Keyclad. Providing high breathability to facilitate the release of water vapour and protect the condition of the building envelope, its advanced membrane technology combines W1-rated water tightness with a B-s1,d0 fire safety rating which is independently tested to EN 13501-1.ITP Account Manager, Caroline Collins, said:“We are delighted to contribute a specification on this project and support Keyclad, one of the industry’s leading experts in external envelope solutions. The Stephensons Building redevelopment is one of many major developments in the educational sector to utilise our flame-retardant building membranes. Our products are widely used in buildings of this nature because they provide advanced performance in their primary function along with exceptional durability and full compliance with all Building Regulations, including fire safety standards.”

The Latest Word In Digital TechnologyThe Word is a stunning new library and digital media centre designed to be the landmark focus of a £100 million regeneration of South Shields in Tyneside. Scheduled for completion in Autumn 2016, the advanced facility will include digitised archives, an immersive storytelling area, exhibition space, design studios and a rooftop terrace offering views over the river.The new North East Centre for the Written Word was designed by award-winning practice FaulknerBrowns. “South Shields is a state-of-the-art modern take on a community library. The individual pages of a book were the inspiration for the building’s exterior, to be realised using an open façade system. This presented the challenge of providing full weather resistance protection to the building envelope whilst also allowing the structure to breathe,” explained director Malcolm Brown from FaulknerBrowns Architects. “The Powerlon UV Colour product achieved both of these critical technical performances, therefore allowing us to deliver our architectural ambition.”To create the visual effect of an open book, a James and Taylor terracotta baguette open rainscreen cladding system was mounted to Envirosip structural insulated timber panels. These in turn were protected by Powerlon UV Colour (coal colourway) UV resistant membrane. According to senior project manager John Osborne of contractors Bowmer & Kirkland, “The product is excellent and is the only façade membrane on the market that could meet the design intent and warrant an open rainscreen construction in excess of 100mm. The final result has certainly delivered on the promise and met expectations of the design team and clients. In addition, the support and advice during the design and construction stage from the ITP technical team was excellent.”UV Colour is a polyacrylic breathable membrane, developed to provide long-term protection to the building envelope and for use on exposed installations behind timber, glass, metal or composite materials. It is available in eight standard colours offering creative design possibilities and has a 10-year guarantee.

ITP supplied an advanced vapour control layer to protect the long-term condition of the building envelope at the new 412-bedroom TRIBE Hotel near Manchester Airport.The 12,300m2  hotel has been built at the foot of the £6m pedestrian and cycle bridge connecting Airport City with Wythenshawe as part of a strategic development by Manchester Airports Group. The nine-storey building forms part of the wider hotel district which comprises a cluster of nine new properties offering more than 2,400 new hotel rooms. It is only the second TRIBE hotel to be launched in the UK.The design by Studio Moren aims to give the hotel a distinct urban identity within the Manchester Airport City Masterplan, while retaining a strong connection to the wider development. The accommodation includes four restaurant and bar areas, working spaces, a gym and a crew lounge for airline staff travelling through Manchester. The hotel’s glazed central atrium leads from the main lobby area, with many of the rooms offering views of the atrium.Main contractor, MY Construction, oversaw construction work which includes the fitting of ITP’s FlameOut Block Class A vapour control layer to enhance the building’s air tightness and prevent moisture within the interior’s warm air from reaching the insulation layer. With a Reflective surface for extra energy efficiency, FlameOut Block Class A provides a Euroclass A2-s1,d0 fire rating for enhanced safety in keeping with the minimum regulatory requirements for external wall elements such as cladding.FlameOut Block Class A features a glass-based woven scrim and an aluminium layer with a special coating to protect the aluminium layer from corrosion. The glass reinforcement scrim provides excellent tensile strength in wall and roof insulation.FlameOut Block Class A is one of an extensive range of protective membrane solutions supplied and manufactured by ITP. The company’s diverse architectural product portfolio also includes breather membranes, roofing underlays, house wraps and ground barrier membranes. ITP supplies membranes in a range of fire classes, including A1, A2 and B, s1-d0 which are fully compliant for use in high-rise and higher-risk buildings.

Creative Connectivity for Performing Arts Centre The new £12 million Performing Arts Centre, currently under construction in Berkshire at Wellington College, is an ambitious, creatively designed architectural solution for a specific brief. The new auditorium building will be linked to the existing theatre with a glass-encased “cultural living room” which will act as performance and exhibition space, green room, meeting room and lobby. The design, by Studio Seilern Architects, won the World Architecture Festival’s Future Educational Project award in 2015.Located at the edge of the Bracknell Forest, which adjoins the grounds of the historic public school, the new complex features an unusual wood façade that will connect it visually to both the forest and the Victorian-era school buildings. The rough sawn larch cladding has been stained to a natural-looking soft dark colour that blends with the forest backdrop.Protecting the building envelope behind this creative facade is Powerlon UV Colour FR, an advanced UV resistant breather membrane that is flame retardant to Class 0 (BS 476 Parts 6&7) and Class B (EN 13501-1), an important consideration for this safety critical installation. The membrane’s outstanding UV resistance, attractive colour and high specification mean that natural gaps between the vertical wooden strips of the facade do not compromise the building’s integrity. Powerlon building membranes are produced by Industrial Textiles & Plastics (ITP), a UK manufacturer with specialist expertise in flame retardant technology.“The circular form of the performing arts centre dictated a requirement for an external cladding material able to form a curve; the larch planks were chosen not just for this ability, but also to ‘blend’ into its woodland setting. The design for the cladding featured gaps between each plank and as it would be partly visible, SSA required a solid black backing membrane with UV, water and tear resistance. Powerlon UV Colour FR was specified due to its aesthetic quality and high resistance to UV exposure,” explained Christina Seilern of SSA.Realising the project are main contractors, Beard Construction. Project Manager Bob Still said, “The performing arts centre is a prestigious project for our customer and finding the most suitable and robust materials to use is always priority. The Powerlon membrane was a simple product to install with clear and concise instructions on its application. The site team found ITP very knowledgeable and helpful when investigating the best product to use and their service was quick and efficient.”

ITP has supplied Stamisol Safe One, the UK’s most advanced breather membrane, for the construction of a new radiotherapy building at Weston Park Hospital in Sheffield.A semi-derelict former coach house on Wellesley Road has been demolished to make way for a facility housing Linac equipment used for the delivery of high-energy X-rays or electrons. Part of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals’ masterplan to redevelop the site, the completed project will help to serve growing demand for treatment. The development represents one phase of a wider expansion of the hospital, which is a national centre of excellence and the only provider of radiotherapy in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire.Façade specialists, Eden Brickwork, installed Stamisol Safe One within the external wall to provide highly durable protection against rainwater with a breathable membrane which allows the release of internal water vapour, preventing the build-up of condensation in the insulation layer. Winner of Product of the Year in the Façade 2022 Design and Engineering Awards, Stamisol Safe One’s advanced textile technology combines a W1 rating for water tightness, breathability to BS5250 standards, waterproofing of 7,000mm, UV resistance of 5,000 hours and a Euroclass A2 limited-combustible rating which represents best practice in façade fire safety.ITP Account Manager, Caroline Collins, said: “Stamisol Safe One has become a preferred specification for high-rise projects and higher-risk buildings such as hospitals. Designers, contractors and façade specialists recognise its ability to maintain the long-term condition of the building envelope while providing fire safety performance which goes above and beyond regulatory requirements. Unlike some breather membrane products on the market, Stamisol Safe One’s Euroclass A2 rating is independently age-tested as a full system, including adhesives, to ensure that safety standards aren’t compromised during the installation. The product’s exceptional longevity ensures that all key functions remain effective in the long term.”

A major creative arts centre in the heart of York St John University campus houses a high-tech 210 seat auditorium, a recital hall, critical listening theatre, and specialist areas for computer science, writing, and media production. A new atrium facing York minster has been created to link all of the teaching areas with the auditorium and is planned as a civic space, providing an area for public performances.The university appointed Kier as the main contractor to deliver a £13m new creative centre. Built across 2,600 sqm and spanning three floors, the state-of-the-art design uses timber throughout to create a warm atmosphere, whilst a glass and timber roof lets natural daylight flood into the building purposely unobstructed by interior columns. BCL Timber Projects were awarded the contract to deliver approximately 2,500sqm of external timber cladding. The project designed by Tate Harmer Architects features a striking curved auditorium wrapped in Siberian Larch. Protecting the building envelope behind this striking creative facade is ITP’s Powerlon UV145 FR, an advanced UV resistant breather membrane that is flame retardant to Class B (EN 13501-1), engineered to provide long-term protection for the building envelope; it is breathable, water repellent and highly UV resistant with superior durability compared to conventional breather membranes.Speaking about the material specification, Marc van der Voort ITP’s MD, said “It is always great to be involved in a project that is on our doorstep, and living locally I have witnessed the site evolve and the scheme come to life. I am delighted that our material has been installed in what promises to be a spectacular building in the heart of the city”.

The Hayes branch of Lords Builders Merchants supplied ITP’s FlameOut Breathe flame-retardant breather membrane for the transformation of an iconic 1960s building in Croydon familiar to fans of the cult TV sitcom, Peep Show.Zodiac Court is being converted into contemporary apartments by development company, Common Projects. The 1960s building is divided between the first four floors of offices, which have been empty for more than 30 years, and the residential tower, Zodiac House, rising above it. As the home to Mark and Jez in Peep Show, Zodiac House is better known as the fictional Apollo House in Channel 4’s comedy classic.The whole site is being revamped with a scheme designed by renowned architect, shedkm, which will be transformational for the local area, defining a centre for Broad Green with a new common, along with community facilities. The project includes shedkm’s radical reimagining of a large derelict forecourt into ‘Broad Green Common’ comprising a community garden, new café, and a public pavilion on the corner of London Road and Charfield Road. Common Projects collaborated with community group, Big Local Broad Green, to come up with ideas for the area. With an objective to deliver something brand-new without the huge environmental impact of demolishing the existing buildings, shedkm worked with Common Projects to upgrade the existing residential tower and expertly redesign the vacant office into 78 new homes, shops, a nursery, workshops, courtyards, and shared social spaces.Multi-disciplinary construction company, Vidi Construction, has installed FlameOUT Breathe in combination with FlameOUT tape, an advanced system which provides W1 water tightness to repel rainwater and high breathability to facilitate the release of water vapour, preventing the build-up of moisture in the insulation layer. Suitable for roof and wall applications, the membrane is made from non-woven fabric with superior self-extinguishing qualities and Euroclass B,s1-d0 flame retardancy independently tested to EN 13501-1.ITP Account Manager, Marisa Schofield, said:“shekdm have applied their expertise in socially responsive design to create an exceptional regeneration project which is revitalising the Broad Green area. ITP are proud to supply a key element in the rejuvenation of these famous buildings as part of the work carried out by Vidi Construction. FlameOUT Breathe will protect the long-term condition of the building envelope to ensure that the transformation stands the test of time.”CGI courtesy shedkm/Common Projects