"emergency fire shutters barriers"

Kings College London Residences manage accommodation for students at sites across central London. They provide facilities, support, and a programme of activities to help ensure their students have the best possible university experience. With close proximity to the cycle super highway, cycling is a fast, fun and practical solution for students’ transport needs. However, for many students, bike maintenance can be a barrier to cycling.Sustainability is a key theme within KCL residences and the university as a whole. Throughout February the university runs daily events on the topic, including a seminar on cycling in London. With this in mind, the residences team identified our Deluxe Bike Repair Stations as a great way remove the bike maintenance barrier, and to boost cycling culture within their student and staff cohorts.KCL GDSA Residences chose Cyclehoop following similar successful projects undertaken on KCL campuses. Our teams surveyed various locations across two sites, facilitated the eye-catching custom KCL branding, supplied the units and completed the installations. The repair stations offer a dedicated space for bike maintenance, convenient access to high quality tools and a focal point for the cycling community to meet and connect.The bike repair and pump stations are a brilliant asset to enhance our students’ university experience. They promote the benefits of cycling and empower students to choose a sustainable mode of transport, helping fight poor air quality and climate change. Cyclehoop managed the project from supply to installation, the whole process was entirely stress-free.Maddie JammehResidence Manager, King’s Residences

Hush Acoustics were tasked with providing a solution to reduce an impact noise issue on the upper floor of a luxury five-bedroom detached home in Knutsford, Cheshire.Home to a professional football player, the issue stemmed from the noise on the flooring of his snooker room. Impact noise from footsteps when using the room was generating nuisance noise within the living area directly below, which was making it difficult for others in the family to enjoy this space.Working with Short Construction, building contractors based in Wilmslow, Hush supplied 167x sheets of our Hush Panel 33 to solve the issue. This is a versatile, high performing acoustic flooring which is widely used in timber construction, making it ideal for the timber separating floors in this property.With a combination of our eco-friendly acoustic felt and our rubber barrier mat, the Hush Panel 33 performs to all UK Building Regulation requirements as well as the Robust Detail performance targets for timber frame developments. Its unique composition makes it easy to install and quick to use.The product works by creating a high mass barrier and isolating the floor finish from the structure. As the nuisance noise issue in this situation was due to impact noise, it was key to introduce a high performing acoustic floor product to break the connection of the floor finish from the structure. This, in turn, improved the impact performance of noise transmission through the floor structure, giving the client the desired effect and enabling him to use the snooker room as intended.

Fire safety in the heart of Chester! Check out this case study where a strong mix of Nullifire's market-leading passive fire protection solutions were used in this exciting project in Chester City Centre.

Restoration of the Old Rectory in Clifton Village, Nottinghamshire: A Testament to Exquisite Craftsmanship and Heritage PreservationThe Old Rectory, a remarkable Grade II Listed Georgian-style property dating back to the mid-1700s, has undergone a magnificent restoration, showcasing the timeless beauty of timber sash windows. This noteworthy project, carried out with the assistance of Gowercroft Joinery's exceptional craftsmanship, serves as a testament to the commitment to heritage preservation and attention to detail.Key DetailsThe Old Rectory, a Grade II Listed Georgian-style property in Clifton Village, Nottinghamshire, has undergone a £5 million restoration project.Tomlinson Homes, a division of G F Tomlinson Group, collaborated with architects CBP, Nottinghamshire County Council's conservation team, and the local community to ensure the preservation of the property's heritage assets.The restoration project retained and reinstalled many period features, including the original square stairwell with wooden cantilever stairs and purpose-built rooms.Gowercroft Joinery's Classic Range timber windows and doors were chosen as high-quality fixtures and fittings that respected the property's heritage.Products Used48 traditional Chatsworth sliding sash windows with elegant Georgian glazing bars and durable Accoya® frames.23 Hardwick casement windows.6 Kedleston tilt & turn windows.12 Melbourne doors with traditional styling and performance features.17 sets of internal decorative shutters in various designs, maintaining the period look.OverviewThe restoration of the Old Rectory in Clifton Village, Nottinghamshire, stands as a remarkable example of a meticulously executed heritage restoration project.Tomlinson Homes, a division of G F Tomlinson Group, collaborated closely with architects CBP, Nottinghamshire County Council's conservation team, and the local community to ensure the preservation of the property's historic character.The £5 million development, known as Rectory Gardens, encompasses the conversion of the iconic landmark into luxury homes while respecting and restoring its heritage.Preserving the HeritageThroughout the restoration process, great care was taken to retain and restore the property's distinctive period features, including its original square stairwell with wooden cantilever stairs and spacious purpose-built rooms.The project aimed to honour the heritage assets that had withstood the test of time, ensuring that the finished design harmoniously merged the old and the new.Exquisite Timber Windows and DoorsGowercroft Joinery's Classic Range timber windows and doors were meticulously selected as high-quality fixtures and fittings, perfectly suited for this prestigious restoration project.The Old Rectory's original wooden sash windows were replaced with 48 traditional Chatsworth sliding sash windows. These windows faithfully replicated the elegant Georgian glazing bars, featuring slim and durable Accoya® frames with a stunning maintenance-free white finish.Complementing the sash windows, the restoration included 23 Hardwick casement windows, six Kedleston tilt & turn windows, and 12 Melbourne doors. All these products were carefully chosen from Gowercroft's Classic portfolio, offering a perfect blend of traditional aesthetics and high-performance features.A Thoughtful RestorationAs part of the restoration, Gowercroft Joinery also supplied 17 sets of internal decorative shutters in a range of opening and fixed designs. These shutters beautifully complemented the carefully restored period look of the property, adding a touch of sophistication and functionality.Andrew Madge, Managing Director of Gowercroft Joinery, expressed immense pride in contributing to the conversion of this historic property into a collection of exceptional residential homes. He emphasised how the Classic windows and doors from Gowercroft offer architects and specifiers an ideal solution for upgrading older properties while preserving their traditional appearance, thanks to their well-balanced proportions, exceptional energy efficiency, and remarkable durability.For architects and specifiers involved in large construction firms, the Old Rectory restoration project exemplifies the meticulous attention to detail and commitment to heritage preservation that elevate any development into a truly exceptional masterpiece. The inclusion of Gowercroft Joinery's Classic Range timber windows and doors ensures a seamless blend of timeless aesthetics, superior performance, and enduring quality.

HMS Belfast, the most significant surviving Royal Navy warship from the Second World War, has been equipped with L1 category fire systems from Advanced. The decommissioned destroyer, which is permanently moored as a museum ship on the River Thames in London, was fitted with eight-loop and two-loop MxPro 5 fire panels, plus a TouchControl touchscreen remote control terminal and repeater.Fitted on behalf of the Imperial War Museum, which owns and operates the historic vessel, the new fire system covers six of the warship’s nine decks, as well as its on-shore visitor pavilion.Advanced’s long-standing partner, ADI Global, was responsible for the supply of the fire alarm control panels for the project at HMS Belfast, while facilities services company Atalian Servest was responsible for the installation, commissioning and networking of the fire panels in accordance with BS 5839. The panels were integrated with around 700 Apollo XP95 detectors and interfaced with VESDA aspirating smoke detection.

The Natural History Museum in London is a museum that exhibits a vast range of specimens from various segments of natural history. It is one of three major museums on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, the others being the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. The Natural History Museum's main frontage, however, is on Cromwell Road. The Natural History Museum in London stands as a revered institution, renowned for its priceless collections and historical significance. Ensuring the protection of both its artifacts and the safety of its visitors is of paramount importance. This case study highlights the successful collaboration between the Natural History Museum project and Rapid Access Ltd, a trusted supplier of Riser Doors equipped with Fire Door Keep Lock Shut Signs and advanced 3-Way Locking Systems, bolstering fire safety and security.Challenges:1. Fire Safety and Security: Preserving the museum's invaluable collections and ensuring the safety of its visitors demanded robust fire safety measures and enhanced security.2. Architectural Sensitivity: The project necessitated access solutions that respected the museum's architectural and historical significance, ensuring minimal disruption to its aesthetics.3. Advanced Locking Systems: The museum sought advanced security measures to protect against unauthorized access and potential threats.Solution:Rapid Access Ltd, known for their expertise in access solutions, was selected to address the specific requirements of the Natural History Museum project. The solution included the installation of Riser Doors featuring Fire Door Keep Lock Shut Signs and advanced 3-Way Locking Systems, designed to meet the following key criteria:1. Riser Doors: Rapid Access Ltd provided riser doors that seamlessly integrated with the museum's architecture while offering secure access to utility areas.2. Fire Door Keep Lock Shut Signs: Prominent signage was installed to ensure that fire doors remained locked shut when not in use, promoting fire safety awareness within the museum.3. 3-Way Locking Systems: Advanced locking systems were incorporated to provide an extra layer of security, protecting against unauthorized access and potential security threats.Implementation:The installation of Riser Doors with Fire Door Keep Lock Shut Signs and 3-Way Locking Systems by Rapid Access Ltd was carried out meticulously, ensuring that the security measures were seamlessly integrated into the museum's architectural framework.Conclusion:The collaboration between the Natural History Museum project and Rapid Access Ltd exemplified the successful integration of fire safety and security measures into a historically significant and culturally important institution. The installation of Riser Doors with Fire Door Keep Lock Shut Signs and 3-Way Locking Systems not only met the museum's fire safety and security needs but also preserved its architectural integrity. This case study underscores the importance of selecting the right access solutions provider for projects that require a sensitive and integrated approach to safety and security in a historical setting.

North west installers Fire Queen Limited combined a state of the art Advanced Go fire panel with cutting edge wireless devices from Hyfire to protect artwork at The Art of Banksy exhibition, housed in a temporary venue at Media City, Manchester.The Fire Queen team were given just one week’s notice to survey, specify and install a BS5839-1-2017-compliant fire system to protect the exhibition, which housed a range of the mystery street artist’s most iconic works. Using a combination of the Advanced Go Quick Edit tool and the Hyfire Taurus app, combined with active support from the teams at both brands, it was possible to deliver a system in record time that met all the requirements of the event organisers and their insurers.

The Problem:Associated problems caused by damp and flooding are commonplace throughout the UK’s housing stock. Growth of black mould and efflorescence caused by salt transfer can lead to thedelamination of the plaster and there is no simple resolution. Often the only choice left to the housing association or local authority is to remove the original plaster and treat the walls with a Damp Proof Course (DPC), before waiting for it to dry to receive a backing plaster – all at the expense of the landlord or local authority.The Solution: A Modern, Lightweight Renovating Plaster:Limelite Renovating Plaster solves all of these problems. Firstly, it can be applied to damp walls, saving an enormous amount of money for time that would be otherwise spent waiting for the walls to dry out – it effectively controls dampness passing through walls, as well as providing a barrier against salt transfer – ultimately allowing the substrate to dry naturally. Secondly, and crucially, Limelite Renovating Plaster will withstand damp issues caused by future events, which may be likely in properties susceptible to damp and flooding.Thirdly the Limelite plaster system offers Thermal Insulation by drying the walls rapidly, reducing loss of heat and insulating the internal walls to meet modern day standardsThermal Conductivity, λ10,dry,mat, P=50% = 0.17W/m.KThermal Conductivity (k) at 0% moisture = 0.13W/m.KAnother benefit with Limelite plasters for internal use is their fire resistance/protection as a non-combustible product (as defined by BS476:Part 4) which can be assigned Class O in accordance with the requirements of the National Building Regulations and Reaction to Fire = Euroclass A1 Making the Difference for Local Authorities Dudley Council in the West Midlands is among the many local authorities that specify the use of Limelite Renovating Plaster when tackling such issues in social housing.“Where a renovating plaster is required we use the original and proven, Limelite” said Andy Pratt, Specification and Design Manager for Dudley Council, which has been specified by the council for over 40 years.Where existing plaster is sound, a small area of plaster is removed and replaced with Limelite.In more severe cases where the existing plaster is unsound, all plaster is removed and the wall is treated with a DPC before Limelite Renovating Plaster is applied. Limelite Renovating Plaster is also used for patch repairs in areas such as window reveals, where again the damaged plaster is removed and replaced with Limelite.A BBA Approved SystemLimelite Renovating Plaster is a BBA approved solution, when used as the backing plaster in a 2-part system, finished with our High Impact Finishing Plaster - a hard, durable finishing plaster that produces a Grade D impact resistant surface.

he BriefAddenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridgeshire were looking for a wall mounted canopy to provide shade and shelter over the main entrance of their Accident and Emergency department. At the time of enquiry, they didn’t have any form of shelter over the entrance and patients and visitors were exposed to the elements when queuing or waiting outside.Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Project Manager came to Able Canopies for a quotation in hope that we could offer a product that met their design needs, whilst providing the weather protection required. The canopy specification presented to Able Canopies was a wall mounted canopy with a polycarbonate roof and toughened glass or polycarbonate front panels.

The Bournemouth Gateway Building showcases modern architectural elegance, with anodising playing a pivotal role.Selecting a finish that complements the building's design while ensuring resilience against environmental factors was crucial.Anodising emerged as the optimal solution, offering corrosion resistance and customisable color options.Anodised aluminium provided enhanced aesthetics, durability against elements, color stability, and sustainability.The integration of anodising into the Bournemouth Gateway Building exemplifies a fusion of aesthetic appeal, durability, and sustainability in contemporary architecture.Main Contractor - Kier ConstructionLocation - BournemouthRainscreen Cladding - Sotech Optima Interlocking PlankFinishes:100A Natural SilverRegency Gold 1Anolok 541

“We used Venesta’s SGL range for a proven high quality, durable product from a trusted provider that we have worked with for years.” - Mark Norton, Chartered Construction Manager, Gray Baynes and Shew. A full height cubicle range, Unity provides a modern, durable washroom environment, with low floor clearance for maximum privacy. Emergency release mechanism indicator bolts were an ideal choice for education washrooms, where safety is paramount. Our Vepps (IPS) pre-plumbed panelling system, with Ideal Standard sanitaryware fitted and tested in our factory, made installation quick and straightforward without the need for specialist onsite skills.

This Edwardian office building in a London west end conservation area has undergone a remarkable transformation, re-emerging as luxury apartments. The project, led by architects De Metz Forbes Knight, redesigned and updated the stone-fronted property on the corner of Great Portland Street and Langham Street, which boasts high windows and fine London. We were appointed to design, supply and install 71 heritage casement windows which would reflect the original styling yet provide modern thermal containment. We created the windows using Slimlite double glazed units with larch frames, and also applied EPDM sealant to further contribute to energy efficiency.

Reference project for our CR60 with ONE actuator, specifically selected for the distinct feature of "safety at all time", where the fire damper can be activated and fire safe without the need for mains power (needed for most motors in the industry)

Fire and security service providers, Securecom Claddagh Ltd, carried out the replacement and upgrade of an ageing fire alarm system, installing a Go panel in each of the three-storey apartment blocks.A Go panel was installed near the front door of each building, covering their hallways and landlord areas. The panels were hard-wire integrated with Apollo detectors and with a CSL fire-specific remote monitoring communication device that communicates to an alarm receiving centre, allowing the relevant key holders to be informed when triggered.Securecom Claddagh has been using Advanced fire panels for a number of years in its projects due to their ease of programming and standardisation across sites, as well as the panels allowing effective technical phone support from Advanced in the event of a fault or unwanted alarm.

Premier Security & Fire was commissioned to design, fabricate and install six sets of security doors at University College Hospital London (UCLH).Instructing clients Kyotec Group required a LPS1175 SR2 security standard on all doors, including one set of double doors with a 60-minute fire rating.Premier's portfolio of certificated doors, screens and gates ranges from LPS1175 SR2 to C5 (SR3); D10 (SR4) including fire-resistance to EI 60 and E90, and thermally-broken options.For more details of Premier Security & Fire’s extensive range of security doors, windows, screens, and gates, including Secured by Design standard, call our Managing Director Neil Johns, on 0208 559 8295. He will be happy to take your call.

The high-performing FirePro fire rated system — fully developed by Radii’s in-house product development Centre for Excellence — was a key feature in the fit-out for global asset managers Blackstone in London’s Berkeley Square.Working on Level 3 of the building, fire rated solutions comprised FirePro Ei30 glazed fire screens, five FirePro Ei30 single doors and double door sets respectively, and three Firepro Ei60 double door sets. Fire doors were installed with power-assisted openers.Furthermore, our high acoustic performance Linear 50 Plus single glazed partitions (up to Rw 41 dB) and a single glazed Hogan lobby double door set with access control completed the glazed partition package.

The waterproofing to a large residential flatted development in London was carried out using the Koster TPO membrane.This warm roof design incorporated the Koster TPO Fleecebacked membrane mechanically fixed through PIR insulation, Koster Vapour Barrier and into the timber substructure as per the wind load calculation.An interesting project with many challenges that were all individually designed by the Koster technical team in collaboration with the project architects.The final roof incorporates hard standing areas, sedum and green roof sections, a solar panel farm and decorative stones.A beautifully deigned and usable area providing residents an amazing view over London.

A series of metal column casings with a bright red PPC finish are being used to conceal structural steelwork around the perimeter of Stevenage railway station’s recently opened multi-storey car park in Lytton Way.Bespoke manufactured from aluminium, the 400mm diameter column casings range between 2.7m and 3.0m in height and incorporate apertures to accommodate the galvanised steel ‘crash barriers’ which either pass through the casings or are joined inside.The red finish not only add a splash of colour to the car park’s design, but also provides clear high contrast signalling of its entrance and exit points.

Delivering privacy between the design office and meeting room of leading toy and games specialist, John Adams, Style has installed a chic moveable wall system that combines three glass panels with a single solid panel and solid inset pass door. The DORMA semi-automatic sliding partition allows natural light into the divided space whilst still offering 47dB Rw acoustic rating, for excellent privacy when required. Staff at John Adams can quickly and easily slide the panels into place, whereupon substantial rubber seals automatically expand to form the optimum acoustic barrier, every time.

On the banks of the River Thames, in the London borough of Newham, the Royal Docks area - the Royal Group of Docks - comprises three docks: the Royal Albert Dock, the Royal Victoria Dock and the King George V Dock. Opened between 1855 and 1921, they were one of the largest freight bases until the second half of the 20th century. Today, their history and growth continue unabated, driving cultural, commercial, and residential development in the east of the English capital. Consultancy firm Mott MacDonald is involved in the program, improving infrastructure and enhancing the biodiversity of the area through interventions at the Thames Barrier Park, Connaught Bridge, and the Royal Albert Way Overpass.

Marioff provided an efficient and environmentally sustainable fire protection solution.The unique structural requirements and responsibility of protecting more than 2,000 staff members, plus the public, called for a reliable and trustworthy partner in fire protection.The Brent Civic Centre, a council and community space in London, chose Marioff HI-FOG® water mist fire suppression to safeguard their sustainable building. The Centre serves as the headquarters of Brent Council, a London Borough local authority. It is situated in the Wembley Park area of Brent and opened in 2013 and was designed to be the greenest public building in the UK.The Centre needed an efficient and environmentally sustainable fire protection solution for the one-of-a-kind nine-story building. The structure features a five-story atrium, which doubles as an events venue, and a drum-shaped area that hosts a wide range of government functions, community events, and services.Brent Civic Centre chose Marioff HI-FOG as a sustainable solution. The fire suppression system put in place, validated by real fire tests, discharges fine water mist particles to efficiently cool radiant heat. This is accomplished while using significantly less water than a traditional sprinkler system — in keeping with the Centre’s sustainability focus. HI-FOG provides peace of mind to administration while safeguarding lives and ensuring continuity for the critical city hub.

The ChallengeWith the architects hoping to realise their vision of space and light on the ground floor, but the fire officer demanding fire safety partitioning around the base of the lift shafts, Pyroguard tendered a stylish, high-performance solution – a lobby encased in glass and steel, capable of delivering best-in-class performance credentials and aesthetic appeal in abundance.Working closely with steel frame and glazing specialist Pacific Fire Control, Pyroguard designed a modern glass wall, with a glazed door and stylish, thin steel frames which were independently fire tested by Efectis France.The scheme amendment was accepted by both the architects and the fire officers, declaring Pyroguard as their manufacturer of choice for this flagship leisure development.The SolutionA subsidiary of India’s largest business conglomerate, the Tata Group, the Indian Hotels Company is known for its relentlessly high standards, which are visible across its portfolio of hotels.Meeting this quality benchmark head-on, Pyroguard supplied 390 square metres of ultra-thin lightweight Pyroguard Firesafe, which offers protection from flames, smoke and radiant heat for between 30 and 120 minutes.This EW-classified product is UV stable and offers exceptional light transmission, making it the perfect solution for encasing the lift lobby. The toughened glass was installed in fire-resistant steel screens and door frames around the lobby.

This residential block in Ealing, London required replacement cladding, in part due to recent fire regulations and rules that have come into effect.Klasse G-board was utilised on this project due to its ease of use and A1 fire-rated, fully non-combustible classification.

On the roof at the famous Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, London; is a very considerable amount of equipment for services such as air-conditioning, electricity, and gas. Specialist contractor Mid Kent Roofing were approached and asked by Vinci Facilities to provide a walkway solution to this need, and the DukMat walkway system was the only option. Supplying more than two kilometres of the walkway system, Fixfast worked closely with Mid Kent Roofing to provide the solution - easy to install and neatly packaged, the DukMat system is second to none."Deliveries were perfect and times adhered to which stopped any traffic flow problems with emergency services also using the same access points as the deliveries"Stave Cayford - Mid Kent Roofing

PROJECT OVERVIEWWorking for a global biopharmaceutical CDMO, we designed, manufactured and installed our fully flush Medline Partition System with integrated services and coving, along with our Metal Pan Ceiling, the Steel Single Door set and bespoke Emergency Dual Escape Panels to create new cGMP compliant biotech cleanrooms.OUR SCOPE OF WORKTo meet the stringent project specification, Norwood provided our wall lining and Mediline panels in various sizes, doors and metal pan ceiling, supplying over 400 sqm of our cleanroom partitions and 240 sqm of ceilings. Our system was utilised to deliver Grade D cleanrooms, including Cold Stores and Storage facilities. 

Supply and delivery of bespoke fire-rated clean room panels for a global pharmaceutical companyThe Puracore® fire rated panel range was chosen by leading engineering company and cleanroom specialist, FH Chase as the preferred product for a firewall application in a cleanroom environment.THE END USERS SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTSThe customer is a successful global Biopharmaceutical company based in Massachusetts. The company pioneers in the discovery and development of innovative medicines that help prevent and cure serious diseases.Due to developments and modifications on the site, the customer was left with an opening that needed to be fire-rated, finished with uPVC and delivered fast.

Skibbereen Community School, situated on the southern tip of Ireland in County Cork, is a new state-of-the art learning facility created as part of an ambitious multi-million PPP programme. ROCKFON ceiling solutions were installed to help create the ideal conditions for learning and enhance the architect’s contemporary design. ROCKFON ceiling systems were selected for Skibbereen because they either met or exceeded the acoustic requirements specified by the Department of Education. Fire safety was also an important factor and ROCKFON products provide Class A1 fire resistance, the safest fire classification.

A QuickZone conventional fire alarm system from UK manufacturer, Advanced, has been installed at BlocHaus Climbing, Manchester’s newest bouldering wall.BlocHaus Climbing boasts an array of facilities at its East Manchester site, including 130 climbable boulders, routing roof and on-site café. As part of the active fire protection for the site, the 4-zone QuickZone conventional fire panel from Advanced has been installed alongside Hochiki conventional heat/smoke detectors, Apollo conventional call points and Roshni conventional sounders.Responsible for the design, installation and commissioning of the fire system at BlocHaus Climbing were Manchester-based, Surefire Protection Ltd. Surefire installed the QuickZone panel alongside music shutdown integration to ensure clear audible notification for all building users in scenarios where the system goes into alarm.

Designed to provide 240,000 sq. ft of Grade A commercial space over ground and thirteen upper floors, an iconic building located in the heart of developing city Birmingham utilises a range of Nullifire passive fire protection products to ensure that its complex fire strategy is achieved.

EVAC-ALERT, C-TEC’s powerful BS 8629 compliant evacuation alert system is protecting seven high-rise residential tower blocks in the heart of London. Guinness Square in Southwark and the Houses of Aubin, Clemoes, Maitland, Sherratt, Southgate and Sweeting in Brixton’s Loughborough Park are all managed by The Guinness Partnership, a 130-year-old charitable organisation that prides itself on providing high quality homes to improve people’s lives. The upgrading of the life safety systems was deemed vital to ensure the protection of residents living in the properties.Orestone Controls, the BAFE SP203 and SP207-accredited specialist systems integrator, was tasked with equipping the blocks with fully BS 8629 compliant evacuation alert systems to assist the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) in evacuating part, or all, of a building in an emergency.  Ryan Mullen, Orestone’s CCO said: “Demand for evacuation systems is at an all-time high due to a combination of improved fire safety standards and new legislation. We’ve particularly noticed an increase in enquiries and orders since the new Part B of the Building Regs came in last year, as this says they must be installed in all new high-rise residential buildings over 18m in England. The new HSE ‘Be Ready’ campaign will also no doubt trigger new contracts with local councils and private companies over the next six months.”Ryan said: “We chose to specialise in EVAC-ALERT primarily for the ‘handholding’ service C-TEC provides, namely the first-class technical support that is so important on life-safety system projects. From the very first demonstration of EVAC-ALERT at our offices, to where we are today, C-TEC has supported us and our relationship has gone from strength to strength. We are experts at installation, highly conversant with the standards and because of this we have had to expand our fire division again with additional dedicated engineers to deal with growing demand. We have also started to work for other Housing Associations including GreenSquare Accord on some of their high-rise buildings.”As BS 8629 is a relatively new standard, C-TEC is very keen to ensure to educate people about its requirements. Throughout a project, the company is there to make life easier for the client, be that the consultant, the installer, the owner or building management company and they can assist with plans, technical drawings and the loop calculations required.By using the unique evacuation alert system software created by C-TEC’s R&D team and undertaking an assessment of a building, Orestone calculated exactly which devices are required. Special requirements for, say, elderly, vulnerable and disabled residents, were also taken into consideration. For example, visual indicators, vibrating pillow pads, etc. C-TEC also provided free advice and training on commissioning, cause and effects.  Ryan said: “Our engineers are constantly expressing how simple and intuitive EVAC ALERT is to install. The wiring is very straightforward and the flat interface units give you confidence that any short circuits will be isolated protecting the integrity of the loops. There’s no doubt that the system’s simplicity has allowed us to achieve minimal disruption to residents and work around their busy lives as we can be in and out of each flat in under an hour.  “Customer satisfaction is very important to Orestone and we consistently score five out of five on reviews. We take time to engage with residents and explain how the systems we are installing are designed to protect them. At Guinness Square we even held a joint open day with The Guinness Partnership to showcase the technology to residents, which the London Fire Brigade also attended and which was very successful.”The systems in each high-rise typically consist of 2-loop control panels connected to a host of single and multi-way interface units, self-testing sounders and visual indicators. Simple and intuitive, with manual controls to allow firefighters to easily operate the evacuation alert devices located inside flats on a floor-by-floor basis, the panel is stored in a secure vandal resistant cabinet which can only be accessed by the FRS using a special copy-protected key.Peace of mind that there is a Plan B if everything else goes wrong is crucial in the current climate, not just for owners and residents, but also for the fire service. By installing an evacuation alert system, building management can be confident that every precaution possible has been taken to protect the people residing in the property.EVAC-ALERT is powered by C-TEC’s CAST protocol and is fully compatible with ENVISION, its powerful new Cloud-based fire alarm remote access, service and site management software package which can be used to provide duty holders with a verifiable audit trail of system activity and device testing. 

ASF worked with AECOM and Barhale Construction for the new fish pass and viewing platform at Mid Calder, Livingstone. A standard base plate version of the ASF Buckden 2 Rail post was used, manufactured in 100% recycled cast iron, for the fish pass itself offering a safety barrier for Scottish Water and fish pass technicians when accessing the riverside area. A bespoke version of the posts were manufactured for the viewing platform that were supplied as a panel post with vertical infill bars so that the public can view the fish pass. A matching lockable gate with vertical infill was also manufactured to link the viewing platform and the fish pass itself.

ASF were initially approached to supply the standard ASF 5002 bollard to use in the protection for car charging units situated at motorway services across the UK. After some initial discussion it was decided that a variation on that bollard would be best, offered at 2 standard diameters (101mm and 114mm) and as both straight and cranked bollard profiles.This allowed a standard spec to be circulated around several installation contractors that was at once consistent whilst also having the flexibility to be used on individual sites that typically have slightly varied needs.The bollards are finished polished with a green visibility band in a machined recess and off a robust and effective barrier whilst being relatively unobtrusive not displeasing to the eye.

To help meet the client’s architectural ambitions and acoustic challenges, Rockfon acoustic ceilings were specified. In designing its new HQ DocuSign wanted to break down barriers and find new ways of working to empower employees. Open plenum ceilings, polished concrete floors and warm timber express the space’s raw, contemporary architecture. Crina Toderic – Henry J Lyons, “…a number of meeting rooms had one solid wall with the remaining three being glazed. It was agreed Rockfon® Mono® Acoustic be installed for its high sound absorption. Being completely seamless, the system allowed us to easily integrate with the rest of the interior aesthetic.”

Motorised drives from SIEGENIA make opening and closing windows easy, convenient and barrier-free. Whether they operate turn-and-tilt windows or inaccessible skylights, whether they operate via pushbutton, app or via the building control system, they ensure room comfort and well-being. SIEGENIA has now expanded their product range: as a supplement to the tried and tested DRIVE axxent DK, the DRIVE CL is now also available to fabricators and end users. While the DRIVE axxent DK, by reason of its compact dimensions, also enables integration into the wide range of aluminium profiles, the DRIVE CL is a magnificent choice in case of high demands with regard to cost-effectiveness.

Radmat Building Products has supplied the waterproofing roofing system for the Crossrail Place shopping development and roof garden in Canary Wharf. The system provides high performance waterproofing and thermal insulation – guaranteed for the lifetime of the structure – and has enabled the construction of an extensively planted living roof.• The 310m long roof arches 30m over the park and opens to allow natural irrigation• Highly insulating roofing materials help create a microclimate for the gardensRadmat Approved Contractor Prater delivered a 9,300m² roofing solution using PermaQuik PQ6100 Hot Melt Monolithic Waterproofing Membrane, EshaFlex 370 WS Root Barrier and ProTherm insulation.Construction access to the complex inverted timber roof was challenging, so Radmat’s products were chosen for their quick and flexible application and fast-sealing properties.PermaQuik is widely used beneath green roof installations where long-term weather tightness is a necessity, and it was chosen to support the extensive and densely planted gardens, which are the main feature of the Crossrail Place roof terrace.The PermaQuik membrane was followed by EshaFlex 370 WS Root Barrier, a reinforced bitumen membrane that is torch applied to the base sheet. It was selected because of its thermal efficiency and suitability for use with living roof systems. Partnered with ProTherm’s excellent insulation, the complex timber roof now boasts a waterproof system that is BBA Certified to last the lifetime of the building.The wooden structure evokes the ships that once sailed into West India Dock and provides a warm, natural counterpoint to the steel and glass towers of Canary Wharf.And with Radmat’s high performance products and lifetime guarantee, the green roof terrace at Crossrail Place will be a living oasis in the heart of London’s financial district for years to come.

Location: Tooley Street, London BridgeProject: RestaurantProduct: Raking Fascia Secret Fix Soffit Panels (facetted to both concave and convex radii)Finish: United Anodisers Anolok Bronze 541Fire Rating: A1 – Non-combustibleProduct: Plain Verge Fascia Finish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7013 Brown Grey MattFire Rating: A2 s1, d0 Non-combustible (Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018)Client: Tom Sellers Restaurant StoryArchitect: Spacecraft ArchitectsMain Contractor: McGee Ltd