"fire protection"

Location: Canary Wharf, LondonMain Contractor: Canary Wharf Contractors LtdWood Wharf B2 is a modular construction project located on the edge of Blackwall Basin, Canary Wharf.All 279 serviced apartments were manufactured at their specialist construction site, fitted with kitchens and bathrooms and even furniture — before being transported to the site and craned into position.OBEX supplied fire-classified membranes that have been developed specifically for modular construction, including the 0400FR Class B Modular Roofing Membrane, as well as the 0223FR Class A2/W2 Breather Membrane.Storeys: 21Apartments: 279OBEX Fire-Rated products required: 4

A Bradford railway bridge near a junior school needed a proven solution to keep road users and the young pedestrians safe as part of a renovation. The solution for this project was the use of our Trief GST2 kerbs to protect both the footpath and the parapet to each side of the railway bridge and to stop vehicles from deviating onto the pavement and, ultimately, accidental incursion onto the railway lines. To view the whole case study please click on the link below.

A new fulfilment and distribution facility in the centre of Barcelona utilising high end robotic technology is treated to future proof gas protection with GP® TITANFLEX® protective barriers.

The Trumpington Residents’ Association and Cambridge City Council wanted to update a 60-year-old pavilion at the heart of the village in a £600,000 community project.Cambridge architects 5th Studio designed a striking colourful exterior cladding. They turned to an artist specialising in the treatment and perimeter fencing manufacturer Zaun to create the multi-coloured stripe effect with a specialist bright green protective steel mesh ‘cage’.The SolutionTrumpington Pavilion employs an unusual multi-coloured exterior treatment. An artist specialing in the technique has dribbled green, blue, red and yellow randomly onto a corrugated plastic sandwich sheet, which is then covered with Zaun’s Duo8 mesh in bright green, fixed to coloured timber battens.The pavilion includes a main building with a hall, youth room, kitchen, toilets, office and inter-connected changing rooms for two teams plus an officials’ room.The doors to the changing rooms are in boldly contrasting colours. At the same time, an eight-metre green mesh electric sliding gate protects the building but opens to provide unrestricted access to the patio and the King George V Playing Fields beyond.Zaun installed the Diamond cantilever sliding gate with Duo8 mesh in-fill, KeyFob and internally mounted switchto ensure both the safety of all users of the pavilion when the gates are operated especially children, and the security of the contents when the pavilion is not in use.The original pavilion, built in the early 1950s, was about half the size of the new main building, including a small hall and changing rooms.

Yeoman Shield FalmouthEX Wall Panels in Red, Stainless Corner Angles, Special Timber Pattress (covered in Black PVC), Duo Fender (Black with Red inner) and Stainless Steel Footrail were supplied and installed throughout the Mount Pleasant depot. D Fender and a Special Pattress Duo Fender along with HD100(H) High Vis Heavy Duty Corner Protection were installed in the van delivery and collection loading bay.

The fire station and training centre at Edinburgh Airport worked with Flowcrete UK to identify and install a floor finish that would be able to cope with the difficult on-site conditions. A new floor was required as the previous quarry tile surface was incorrectly laid to a fall, this caused water to run in the wrong direction - ending up at the back of the building as well as ponding between the bays.

Demanding and prestigious, Reading’s Minerva House project required doors with both specialist colour effects and fire rating. The specified solution, Strongdor’s Firedor series, surpassed those requirements while remaining within budget.In order to maintain the aesthetic coherence and tension between the interior and exterior spaces and create continuity, it was necessary that the doors should be fitted with themed ironmongery.

MacMillan Academy, responsible for the care and education of 1500 11- 18-year olds, undertook during the summer of 2019, a large project to further refurbish many corridors within its central building, with the help of Yeoman Shield wall protection products. As a campus site the Academy’s central building is one of the oldest dating from around 1940 and in a bid to meet today’s expectations and blend seamlessly with the newer, fresher facilities it was key to find a solution which both enhanced the overall appearance, whilst also ensuring hardwearing durable areas were achieved.

As a consequence of the Grenfell tragedy, an assessment of the building envelope was carried out on the 275nr residential apartment block in the centre of Leeds. It was found to be non-compliant with current regulations and in urgent need of replacement.The VariAL-SF system was selected as it complied with an A2 fire rating, with EN13501-1 classification by third parties, and satisfied the detailed planning constraints.The importance of the cladding refurbishment and replacement on this high-rise residential building cannot be understated. The building was identified by West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service late in 2019 as being high risk from the perspective of residents safety, due to the fact it was clad in flammable panels and onus was placed on the building owner to take swift action to make the building safe. As such, an ambitious 52 week programme for complete removal of the existing cladding and replacement was set out and achieved by the project team, despite significant limitations in terms of access and logistical challenges.To the passer-by, there is barely any discernible difference in the aesthetic of the building’s new facade, the colour-matching of the panels is incredibly accurate and allowed for a seamless transition to a much safer environment for the building’s residents.The apartment block was in the middle of a built up residential area. The contractor needed to obtain road closures from Leeds city council for two main roads which ran the full length and one side elevation.Furthermore the other main elevation was a pedestrian walkway with access to the apartment block , a hotel and several commercial buildings therefore safe access routes and segregation had to be installed and coordinated with the various parties involved.In addition, the building had to be reclad using 125ft cherry pickers working off the main road and pedestrian walkways therefore protective tracking systems had to be laid over the tarmac and paving to protect the existing materials.Throughout the building refurbishment, which took exactly 52 weeks, access to all the various buildings was maintained and contractor site personnel worked closely with adjacent building owners and especially the management team of the apartment block which accommodated 270 apartments to ensure minimal disruption.

Location: LondonMain Contractor: Berkeley Homes LtdWest End Gate is a mixed-use development by Berkeley Homes Ltd on Edgware Road in London W2, near the prestigious neighbourhoods of Marylebone and Little Venice.The development comprises 844 apartments (including 175 affordable), 8 shops and a restaurant, along with a new public plaza and improvements to Edgeware Road Junction.The full OBEX CORTEX Class A Through-Wall System has been specified on this project, including fire-classified Breather Membrane, Vapour Control Layer, Interface Sealing Membrane system, and the Score'N'Snap Cement Board system.With each OBEX product carrying a Class A fire-classification, it puts this façade installation by OCL Facades Ltd at the pinnacle of full compliance and highest performance.Residential Apartments: 844Buildings: 8Storeys: 29

JUTA UK is leading the way with the new Facebook Data Centre in Ireland. As the first geosynthetic on site, JUTA Gas Protection geomembranes are being utilised to protect the building, and the future workers from Ground Gas emissions such as Methane, Carbon Dioxide and Radon. Following many months of working together in partnership with Baridek Services Ltd (Installer), JUTA UK Gas Protection membranes were selected to provide the foundation for future proofing the development. The Facebook project is split over two phases, Phase one will deliver two buildings with a gross floor area of 50,800 square meters.

We supplied and fitted a combination of Wall Protection solutions at St Ninian’s High School in East Renfrewshire, reducing the impact of scuffs and scrapes in the school’s corridors, improving its internal appearance and enhancing the environment. “We were looking for a way to deal with wear and tear and how to keep the school in pristine condition, particularly after the refurbishment of certain areas,” explains Anne O’Neill, Business Support Manager at St Ninian’s. “It was clear that a new approach was needed, so we contacted Gradus about their wall protection solutions.”

Standing tall in a prime location at the entrance to the Salford Quays – one of Greater Manchester’s most vibrant and prominent media and culture hubs – Anchorage Gateway is here to make a statement. The 250,640 sq ft, 29-storey residential high-rise, completed three months ahead of schedule, is set to be the tallest residential brickwork building in the UK.  Yet, behind this traditional brick façade finish is a design that demanded a modern approach to diverting moisture from the cavity to the outside of the building, using construction methods far more efficient than the conventional. Key information Completion date September 2023 Sector Residential Developer Cole Waterhouse Main Contractor Domis Construction Façade Contractor Kinlan Brickwork Delivery Architect Jon Matthews Architects  Products used Siderise CT Cavity Tray  Design and specification Representing the gateway entry point into Salford Quays, the build-to-rent (BTR) Erie Dock Apartments (Eda) development replaced a vacant four-storey office block of 1990s construction with a building designed to offer a truly contemporary residential experience. Hosting 290 apartments of various sizes and private amenities such as co-working spaces, a fitness studio, a screening room, and more, it was important that the building’s exterior reflected a feeling of home and community, giving it a sense of place in this rapidly developing part of the city.  The building’s L-shaped footprint is emphasised by the use of stepped massing, with the slimmer block extending to the top of the building and external rooftop terraces at the crown of each ‘block’. Each elevation is constructed from pale-coloured brickwork, supported by an SFS System and concrete core works, giving the building a solid and striking, yet clearly domestic feel in an area dominated by glazing and cladding.  Moisture management is a fundamental element of any masonry construction, and cavity trays must be installed to ensure that any rainwater entering the wall cavity through the external brickwork is directed away from the inner structure, reducing the risk of internal damp and mould. Main contractor, Domis Construction, and brickwork contractor, Kinlan, had previously been using the traditional approach comprising metal cavity trays. However, in their search for a more efficient method that could improve the speed and cost of delivery without compromising on quality, they came across Siderise CT Cavity Tray.  After carrying out their due diligence, the team engaged the Siderise Site Services to deliver training onsite, which included a benchmark installation. It was then that Domis Construction and Kinlan realised the huge labour and time-saving benefits Siderise CT Cavity Tray could offer and that ‘it did what it said on the tin’. The factory-engineered system was subsequently trialled on a section of another Salford project before being put forward to the fire consultants and building control officers for the high-rise Anchorage project.  The CT Cavity Tray achieves an A2-s1, d0 reaction to fire classification to EN 13501-1, is BBA certified and can comply with NHBC, LABC and Premier Guarantee warranty requirements.  David Ashworth, Project Manager, Domis Construction: “Siderise CT Cavity Tray has been a gamechanger for us. We’d been using traditional all-metal cavity trays, site-formed and pre-formed. Even though we’d used Siderise Cavity Barriers and Firestops before, we were somewhat unsure about this single-fix tray and insulation combo at first.   Nevertheless, we researched the product, confirming that it met regulatory compliance criteria and seeing the potential benefits in terms of time saving ability, labour cost reduction, and scaled-down site complexities associated with specialist tools, equipment, and segregated workshop areas for onsite fabrication.”  Installation and inspection Over 3,200 units of Siderise CT Cavity tray were used on the project, helping to realise installation benefits that carried real value for the project. On previous projects where traditional cavity tray solutions were used, the installation teams would need to share masts with the bricklayers on a 50/50 circa ratio. This meant that the bricklayers would take longer to complete their job, due to the time it would take to form and fit the cavity trays, as well as other products, ahead of them.   By using the pre-engineered Siderise CT Cavity Tray, which combines a flexible aluminium tray with non-combustible insulation, the installation team was able to install this lightweight element much faster with just a cutting knife and sealing tape for joining at details such as corners or windows. The requirement for specialist equipment, isolated onsite workshop zones, vast site storage facilities, soldering, sealants and installing insulation as a separate fix and was eliminated, enabling them to free up mast usage, with an estimated ratio of 70/30 in the bricklayers’ favour, speeding up the build programme.   David Ashworth, Project Manager, Domis Construction: “Working with our brickwork contractor, Kinlan, the Siderise Site Services team came down and delivered an in-person practical training programme before the install and it was during this in-depth session that we started to realise the operational advantages it would have. They have also been supporting us continually on the build, checking how we are installing their product and giving us any advice necessary to ensure a top-class delivery.”  Summary Anchorage Gateway demonstrates, with tangible evidence, how traditional building methods can be improved using modern products that have been engineered and tested to meet the demands of contemporary construction, allowing the creation of beautiful brickwork buildings without sacrificing on speed or quality of build.  

One of the UK’s largest utility companies required adequate security protection to their portable water sites. Water is treated from the local river supply at the site, which then supplies the local area. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the site is protected from any trespassers or any other miscreants who may be up to no good. Sites of this nature must be kept safe and secure to ensure that the water supplies to the public are kept as clean and safe as possible. The site is operated 24/7 and required additional security support to ensure the large site is kept safe and secure.Project Brief for Water Treatment Works SecurityThe site is required to be protected in line with the company Risk-Based Approach (RBA) and security requirements from DEFRA with recommended security upgrades to the physical perimeter security fencing, video surveillance systems (VSS), access control and intruder detection systems.Perimeter security fencing was required to be upgraded to at least LPS 1175 SR2 (B3) level with detection and access control and careful consideration to the surrounding forest, home to several animals, including Wild Boar. This causes several problems for the site, including damage to the existing fence and potential water quality issues. In addition, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) are particularly interested in the vermin and pest control for the site, so designing the security solution had to consider this.The SolutionBinns Security was appointed as principal contractor for CDM and project managed the whole project from start to finish, including coordinating works. Based on the site's requirements, Zaun’s HiSec Super SR2 fencing was selected to upgrade the existing non-rated perimeter fencing and gates to LPS1175 SR2 standards, providing the client with perimeter fencing system with a guaranteed delay of at least 3 minutes.Designed with a height of 2.4m as a minimum with a 358 anti-climb mesh configuration makes it very difficult to scale and prevents climbing aids. To combat vermin and pest control, the perimeterfencing is also required to be buried at 300mm, which stops the vermin and also prevents burrowing from any potential intruders.Both pedestrian and vehicular gates were also upgraded to LPS1175 SR2 to match the fence line and provide operational access without compromising the site's security. This single layered LPS1175 SR2 rated fencing system was accompanied by Harper Chalice’s perimeter intrusion detection system (PIDS) FenceSecure, which provides an early warning for any unauthorised access. Additionally, this system provided a full perimeter PID system covering fencing, gates and pedestrian access points.more...

The Ochiltree Community Hub is in the heart of the Cumnock community in Ayrshire, Scotland. EGGER were delighted to donate EGGER Protect structural flooring boards and Joint & Joist Adhesive to this community project. Located less than 2 miles from EGGER’s Barony plant in Auchinleck, the contribution to the redevelopment by the company helps to benefit the residents of the local area. The aim of the community centre development has sought to support the local community and surrounding areas with a number of initiatives in line with their charitable aims.

Cemcrete TX manufactured by Sherwin-Williams provides great external protection against the elements for the Norwegian Wassiliof Hotel in Stavern.

Yeoman Shield engaged with Equans and The Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust to continue to improve the lifecycle of wall coverings in key areas of Pinderfields Hospital.Previously Yeoman Shield Imagery wall protection panels had been installed on the lower section of walls in the gate areas of the hospital. These panels perfectly replicated the design of the wallpaper which was becoming damaged and starting to look unkempt.Showing to be successful in fending off impact damage, scratching, and marking the decision was taken to repeat the same process to the upper part of the wallpapered walls.Yeoman Shield’s team copied images and dimensions from the printed pattern on the original wall covering taking care to align the top and bottom graphics.The designs were programmed into Yeoman Shield’s in-house CNC machine then cut from Yeoman Shield’s 2.0 mm Falmouthex protection panels and fitted together to emulate the design and colourways.The panels were installed by Yeoman Shield’s fixing operatives to provide a decorative, hygienic, and impact-resistant covering that remains true to the original design brief. Minimising future redecoration and repair requirements, the panels will assist in reducing maintenance budgets providing a long-lasting, durable solution to impact damage.Richard Bebb, Equans Lifecycle Manager commented, “The Yeoman Shield fixing team were great and worked well and with respect in live areas and we are very pleased with the product and finished installation.”

Requiring optimal hygiene, adhering to industry regulations and requesting antimicrobial protection, a revolutionary new bio-manufacturing science park in Scotland has now installed 2,000 sqm of BioClad in their high standard (ISO Class 5, 6, 7) cleanrooms and labs. BioClad was chosen to ensure the science park complied with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).

Project DetailProject: St Bernard’s HospitalLocation: London, UKProduct: ITS.11204 Surface slide arm closer with cushion stopProject DescriptionSt Bernard’s Hospital underwent a redevelopment to upgrade infrastructure. It required approximately 60 concealed, slimline closers for locations that needed to adhere to high hygiene standards. The closers also needed a means of back check or the ability to stop doors from bumping into objects behind them. The hospital installed the ITS.11204 because it:Comes with an adjustable angle cushion stop for easy fittingHas cam actionIs easy to openAdheres to high hygiene standardsIs suitable for fire doorsComes with a 10-year guarantee as per requirements‘They work as if they are not there! Very smooth and not obtrusive.’ – Staff Nurse

Newton Specialist Contractors ASF Waterproofing were called in to investigate why the Bridge Master’s Quarters at No.1 Tower Bridge was suffering from damp and proceeded to install multiple Newton products to resolve the issue.At the world-famous Tower Bridge, landscaping contractor Maylim was commissioned by the City of London Corporation to investigate why the Bridge Master's Quarters at No.1 Tower Bridge was suffering from damp.After excavating, they discovered that the structure had no effective damp proofing protection. Newton Specialist Contractor ASF Waterproofing were commissioned to install new damp proofing measures to solve the issue.ASF Waterproofing approached the project in two phases, using multiple products to effectively damp proof both inside and outside the building. At the start of phase one, ASF correctly prepared and cleaned the internal wall surfaces before installing a new damp-proof course by injecting Newton 804-DPC into the walls at regular intervals, then sealing the holes with Newton 313-WP. The walls were then smoothed with a new internal render, ready for Newton 103-S to be quickly and easily sprayed to provide a final barrier to water.For phase two, the ASF team turned to the external walls of the structure, preparing and cleaning the surface before applying a new external render coat. The wall was then thoroughly waterproofed with four coats of the flexible, resilient Newton 109-LM. To ensure that the building was completely protected externally, the waterproofing began at 1 metre below ground level and extended all the way up to the existing windowsills.Thanks to their meticulous attention to detail and high standard of installation, ASF Waterproofing were able to provide both the contractor and the client with a high-quality and comprehensive damp proofing solution. As a result, the City of London Corporation can now hand over the building to the new lease holder, safe in the knowledge that it is well protected from damp.

Pyroguard’s range of toughened fire safety glass was recently installed inside this prestigious government building in New Delhi, India with framing partner M/s. Sukriti Doors.

CS provided a comprehensive wall protection package for the King Edward Building, Bristol Royal Infirmary. The scheme included: impact resistant, textured Acrovyn Sheet, a range of Acrovyn Corner Protectors in circulation areas, and Acrovyn bed head protectors in the hospital’s wards. In addition, custom printed Acrovyn by Design wall mural was installed at the entrance to a new multi-faith sanctuary space. Installed by the company’s in-house installation team, Conspec Contracts, durable Acrovyn products will protect the facility from the effects of impact damage and wear & tear, ensuring the interior is easy to clean and maintain for years to come.

Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) operates services in 200 locations across Rotherham, Doncaster and North Lincolnshire. It provides an inpatient and community mental health, learning disability and addiction services for adult, young people and children. The trust required a solution to help prevent the possibility of suicide from door tops while not compromising the integrity of the door in terms of fire, safety, privacy and functionality.

Chartek 7 was specified for this project, as an epoxy intumescent coating with an outstanding track record of protection against hydrocarbon fires dating back to 1995. The PFP system had to be able withstand explosion loads in excess for 4bar while maintaining its integrity, and Chartek 7 easily met these requirements. Using Chartek also provided productivity benefits, due to its high build and simple meshing system, along with a low weight per unit area, helping to reduce transportation costs for pre-fabricated units.Pre-fabrication played an important role in this project, due to the harsh environmental conditions and remoteness of the site. Steel components were constructed at locations across Europe, with the emphasis on minimizing installation and delivery costs. The ability of AkzoNobel to provide standardized global products and a high level of technical support helped to streamline and add value to this process, complementing the productivity benefits of Chartek.

Roof with a message... CHALLENGEFor the renovation of the arena Antwerp Sports Palace the architect wanted to design a roof that gave a message. From the air people should see an “A” appearing. This A would be the A of the county Antwerp and not the A from the city Antwerp. Also with the possibility to have (solar) energy production installed on the roof. SOLUTION Six new colours within the RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing range were developed specially for this prestigious project. The existing green coloured synthetic roof was used as substructure. The whole roof received extra insulation (thermal and acoustic) and the new RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing membranes were mechanically fastened following an installation plan. All the membranes for the Antwerp Sports Palace not only had a special colour but also a special finish with an invisible protective coating. All membranes have excellent fire resistance for roofs with a higher slope. On the south side of the roof amorphous solar panels were installed upon the RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing membranes. 

City of London Freemens first opened in Brixton in 1854 for ‘the maintenance and the religious and virtuous education of orphans of Freemen of the City of London’. Paid for by the Corporation of London both boys and girls were enrolled from the outset making it the one of the oldest co-educational independent schools.In 1926 the school moved to Ashtead Park in Surrey. The Grade II* listed Main House at Ashtead Park had been the home of Sir Robert Howard, Chancellor of the Exchequer during the 17th century.In 2016 an ambitious development project was commenced, due to span the next decade. The modernisation of the Main House, now the Sixth Form Centre, involved a redesign of the building and the new layout required fire screens to ensure the building met with current Building Regulations. Clement Windows Group supplied the internal fire rated doors and screens at the top of the adjacent internal stairs which are access controlled and linked into the main fire control of the building.

Vehicle manufacturer Scania has signalled its commitment to its UK network by investing in a new £6m flagship commercial vehicle centre in Brooklyn Park, Maidstone. With a large number of HGVs coming in and out at all hours of the day, Scania wanted to make sure that unauthorised personnel were kept out of harm’s way while also securing their investment from theft and damage. As experts in delivering safe and secure sites, Jacksons Fencing was specified to supply and install perimeter solutions for the new depot, protecting Scania’s assets and ensuring the safety of members of the public.

Making fearless explorers of us all - Latchways emboldens tourists with a sense of safety and a feeling of trust. To make this tourist destination attractive, The O2 called on Latchways to team up with designers to create an artistically engaging, user-friendly fall protection system that would accommodate multiple users. Latchways’ state-of-the-art horizontal cable system, was the perfect answer. The system requires user input, it satisfied The O2’s request for tourists to be able to control their own climb. And, because the BridgeLatch is so simple and intuitive to use, tourists needed only minimal training.

FIRETITE is a Class A2 fire-rated, clay mineral insulation ideal for new and refurbished cavity wall insulation. This innovative system combines the benefits of a hydrophobic and open-pore mineral insulation material with the fast, safe and seamless airtight process of a self-sealing system.The world's first 3-component clay mineral in-situ insulation material; it has been developed over many years of extensive research to create an exclusive formulation.

Market Quarter Rugby is a new residential scheme, providing 360 apartments for private rental. The development comprises a mix of 175 one-bed and 185-two bed apartments, across four blocks, which benefit from their proximity to the local train station and local town centre. The scheme completes the regeneration of the former Cattle Market site which has stood derelict since its closure in 2008.The Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard was chosen to be installed as standard in all 360 apartment kitchens as a more cost-effective solution to a fire suppression system.

Another one of our lovely customers recently sent in some pictures of them having used Owatrol products to restore their hardwood decking.As you can see, their efforts paid off and his garden deck looks as good as new!Here’s what he had to say about it:We have recently renovated our hardwood decking with Prepdeck, Net-trol and Textrol. The decking was laid three years ago and treated with a decking stain (not Owatrol!) but it started to turn grey very quickly.These pictures were taken over the course of a few days. The process was simple to follow and we’re very pleased with the results.Products usedPrepdeckPrepdeck is a water-based, high-grade stripper/cleaner specially designed for the removal of old, solid and semi-transparent stains, unsightly grade stamps and other types of finishes from wood.It is a three-in-one product: Its main purpose, when used undiluted, is an effective way to prepare wooden surfaces for further treatment.When used diluted, Prepdeck can reduce the mill glaze on new wood to prepare the surface to accept a saturating finish.Net-TrolNet-Trol is a powerful wood cleaner and brightener which restores greyed and weathered wood back to its natural colour. It easily removes surface and ground-in dirt to leave the wood looking fresh and new again. All without damaging the wood’s fibres.Net-Trol is fast-acting and can restore the colour of your wood in as little as 15 minutes. All without sanding!It is also is biodegradable and does not contain solvents or bleach, making it safe to use in multiple environments.TextrolTextrol is a highly saturating oil for exterior soft and hardwood. It works by saturating the wood to protect it from within, meaning there’s no film on the surface and so it will not peel or flake.Textrol is available in 7 shades, including clear, and enhances the natural beauty of the wood whilst providing a mildew-resistant finish.This offers exceptional and long-lasting protection from the effects of moisture, weathering and UV rays.Thank you so much for sending us over these pictures of your renovated hardwood decking, Paul!

In Autumn 2020 Hochiki launched Ekho, a new generation of hybrid wireless fire detection and alarm equipment. EN54-25 approved and RED compliant, Ekho takes hybrid wireless fire detection to new levels of reliability, flexibility and performance and has been crucial to helping a North London Borough to improve life safety in six blocks of apartment buildings.Using the latest in radio networking technology, Ekho provides a robust ‘always on’ network of devices which automatically adapt to changing environmental conditions. It was this innovative design element that led Fire Alarms Fabrication Services (FAFS) to choose Hochiki for their latest project in a north London borough where they were installing a new life safety system in place of the Waking Watch scheme operated in several high-rise multiple dwellings. The Ekho range they say was “crucial” and offered them “an unparalleled level of reliability.”Following the Grenfell Tower disaster, Waking Watch schemes are used in buildings identified as fire risks, until dangerous cladding is removed. Due to high operational costs, building owners and local authorities are looking to life safety manufacturers and installers to help with more reliable and cost-effective alternatives.Ekho is used in these high-risk buildings, with customers such as FAFS, saying that this technology helps residents feel safer compared to relying on a team of people prone to human error, and building owners are reassured due to the self-configuring mesh network which keeps the devices connected and communicating with the fire panel 24/7.The Ekho devices were installed to provide round-the-clock monitoring in place of manual inspections, with devices installed adjacent to all windows, communal areas, corridors, stairwells, and living spaces. The devices were connected to an existing control panel via a hard-wired Translator, and with the rest of the system being completely wireless, the project was carried out with minimal disruption to residents.If needed, the Ekho system can also be easily removed after the remedial cladding work has been carried out, without damaging the building. Alternatively, the system can be permanently incorporated into the existing life safety systems. It is this flexibility that customers say is the major benefit.A key Ekho USP is that there is no need to install cables, vital in reducing disturbance during installation. This innovative feature was crucial for the team at Fire Alarms Fabrication Services, Kevin Dodge, sales Account Manager at FAFS told us“This was an incredibly complex and highly involved project, we worked closely with the team at Hochiki, they consulted on best devices for this complex project”This was a huge site, with six buildings each with 16 floors. A Waking Watch team of six patrolled the stairs, corridors, and communal areas at a cost of £10,000 per week. However, because the teams could not be in all places, at all times they might not be able to detect a fire escalating up the outside on the cladding. To add to this Waking Watch teams are not permitted to enter private apartments meaning early detection could be missed here too.Commenting on this issue, Dodge said“The Ekho range offered a wireless solution which allowed us to work around issues such as cabling inside private spaces. Ekho being wireless still allowed for early detection and most importantly detection outside of the building on cladding by installing heat sensor devices adjacent to every single window, including the windows for individual dwellings. This meant there was an early detection system in place. We also installed devices on all corridors, stair wells and communal areas and exits. Using the Hochiki technology in this way gave the residents peace of mind that the new system was ‘always on.’The Ekho range is ultra-dependable, and much more cost effective than the existing Waking Watch scheme.”Following the successful completion of the project Regional Sales Manager, Tony Obadipe said“Hochiki are passionate about protecting people, buildings, and assets. Our 100 years plus experience has given us a unique insight allowing us to not only provide what is needed now, but also predict future trends, keeping us at the forefront of cutting-edge life safety technology.We are pleased that our Ekho product range is making such an enormous difference in keeping people safe. The fact that our technology is also helping to drive huge cost efficiencies for our partners and their end users is a bonus. In the current economic climate this cost saving is essential, especially for local authorities. We are also incredibly proud of our teams that have been involved in the design, manufacturing and selling of this product, it really is protecting people’s lives".

Whitby Hospital is a Community Hospital providing inpatient, outpatient and community services. Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust provides community and out of hours services to Whitby and surrounding areas, and currently has a population of approximately 14,000 residents. A selection of Gradus Wall Protection systems alongside Gerflor flooring was specified for this critical ProCure 22 project.

𝗕𝗘𝗜𝗥𝗨𝗧 𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡Beirut explosion 4th August 2020.On August 4th 2020, a major explosion in the port of Beirut estimated as the equivalent of between 1,000 and 1,500 tonnes of TNT was witnessed. The explosion in Beirut was one of the largest man-made non-nuclear explosions ever witnessed and created widespread devastation through a supersonic blast wave radiating throughout the city.Fortunately for some, Abbey Protect 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗦® were fitted to a number of windows throughout Beirut. While these were originally fitted as counter terrorism measures, the benefits of having these installed were clear.In one building, the difference in protection between “bomb blast window film” and 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗦® where the blast filmed windows had significantly fragmented and caused damage to the interior offices. The offices fitted with 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗦® “it looked as if nothing had happened” (quote from client).𝗔𝗯𝗯𝗲𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 are very proud of the performance of our blinds in this significant event, the injuries and deaths that were avoided as a result of their installation are priceless.

Gradus has supplied and installed a range of bespoke wall protection solutions throughout the new Same Day Emergency Care building at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Fitted by the Gradus Contracts Team, the system includes wall guards, corner guards and combination handrails.

It never ceases to amaze us what a difference a new finish makes to wood cladding. We have recently had a customer who was in desperate need of a makeover for cedar clad garden office & gym.Roger at R and A Pressure Washing has given us another great case study to show you and we think it’s looking amazing. When the office was installed 2 years previously, the customer had used Seasonite new wood protection to protect and stabilise the new wood. The wood therefore needed a good clean before a finish could be applied, as you can see:Now they wanted to complete the look and were straight back to Owatrol products with the help of Roger!Firstly, he applied Net-TrolBy using this powerful and fast acting wood cleaner and brightener, Roger was able to restore the natural colour of the cedar cladding and decking and clean it quickly and easily. Before starting work, Roger masked off all the areas of the building which he didn’t want to be treated.Net-Trol is non-aggressive and is harmless to plants, so Roger didn’t need to worry about it damaging the grass next to the garden office.Firstly, he wet the cladding and the Southern Yellow Pine decking with fresh, clean water.They then applied Net-Trol with a synthetic roller and then scrubbed the surface with a stiff synthetic brush.After leaving it to stand for around 15 minutes, the customer then scrubbed the surface whilst simultaneously rinsing it with water. You could also use a pressure washer, max. 60 bar.If the surface starts to dry while you’re leaving the Net-Trol to work, simply mist it with some water.If you want, you can repeat the procedure but in this case, the client did not have to.The customer then left the cladding and decking to dry for 48 hours before applying the finish.Next, Aquadecks was appliedA water-based penetrating wood finish that provides advanced UV protection, Aquadecks was the ideal choice to revive and protect this customer’s cladding and decking.One of the great things about Aquadecks is that maintenance is easy, with no sanding or stripping required.Roger applied a liberal amount of Aquadecks. He worked in sections that he could complete within 30 minutes, working in the direction of the grain.After the ‘wet look’ of the first application disappeared, he then applied a second coat of Aquadecks. He then allowed it to penetrate for 15-20 minutes.Roger then wiped away any excess Aquadecks that had not penetrated. This avoided it drying in shiny spots on the surface of the cladding.Aquadecks comes in a variety of colours but in this case the customer chose a Honey tint, which we think looks stunning.By using Net-Trol and Aquadecks, Roger has given his customer’s garden office and gym a makeover that has brought the building and adjacent decking back to life.