"fire protection"

D-marc 105TM demarcation system – a collective protection demarcation solution. The doctrine “prevention is better than cure” is one that rings true in so many instances. Common sense tells us that it much better to prevent a fall than it is to arrest the fall once it has occurred. The Working at Height Regulations (WAHR’s) 2005 reinforce this argument. Whilst in many instances it is not always practical to remove the risk of a fall; rainwater outlets will always require cleaning, rooftop plant will require regular maintenance etc.. there are a number of ways to protect the worker from the immediate hazard the fall presents. The simplest way and that which much closely echo’s the doctrine “prevention is better than cure” is to keep the worker away from the fall hazard. The most effective way of achieving this and that which is advocated by the WAHR’s is through the provision of a Collective Protection solution. A collective protection solution is one which will “collectively protect all those who access the area”. In a rooftop situation where the hazard is a fall from the roof edge, Collective protection can be achieved by raising the parapet or through the installation of a full perimeter guardrail. Alternatively the worker can be kept a safe distance from the roof edge through the installation of a demarcation system. –Health and Safety in Roofwork HSG 33 states that “where work is not done at the edge, demarcation barriers can be provided at a safe distance from the edge (usually at least 2 meters), e.g. work on an air conditioning unit in the middle of a roof.”.      An example of where The D-marc demarcation system has recently been specified and installed at Crown Woods College, Eltham to provide safe access to rooftop mounted plant. The client was looking for a solution that would;Provide a collective protection solutionNot penetrate the existing roof covering and therefore not compromise the roofs waterproofing or air-tightness.Be lightweight so as not to require an additional support structure.Provide easily identifiable access routes ensuring no exposure to fall hazardsBe low maintenance and ideally have good environmental credentials.  D-marc was able to meet all these criteria and has the additional benefit of giving the customer the piece of mind that whilst it does not rely upon any means of mechanical fixing to the roof structure, it is tested to withstand wind speeds in excess of 105 mph. Such testing is a requirement of BS6399-2 Code of Practice for Wind loads which states that all components that form a building are required to withstand a 1 in 50 year wind speed.   D-marc was used extensively on the project as part of the collective protection demarcation system to create clearly defined safe access routes across the roof to theplaces requiring regular maintenance work. Having created the safe routes to the places of work, the D-marc was then used to demarcate the safe working zones upon the roof top. To ensure a complete collective protection solution was provided in isolated areas where it was not possible to keep the worker away from the fall hazard a guardrail was used. The easy to install, non penetrating D-marc system creates a clearlydefined access route and a safe working zone for all those undertaking regular rooftop maintenance works.

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. 

This stunning new-build with floor-to-ceiling glass panels is built into the hillside and thus required a robust waterproofing solution for failsafe protection. After the original property on this site in Barnet was demolished, construction began for a new building that could take full advantage of the stunning location. With floor-to-ceiling glass panels on one side of the property , this new-build is the best place to admire the views over London.Built into the hillside, the property was therefore partially-retaining and required a full waterproofing system throughout to protect from unwanted water ingress. As such, Newton Specialist Contractor Stonehouse were called in to expertly install a robust waterproofing system to the entire structure.The client appointed Stonehouse's Richard Allen as the waterproofing design specialist on this project, to ensure a fully BS 8102:2009 compliant build.Due to the partially-retaining nature of the structure, Richard recommended a combination of Type A, B and C waterproofing systems to ensure a Grade 3 habitable environment. Relying on an effective Type B structure, Stonehouse then applied a cementitious coating of Type A Newton 107F to the external surface of the flat roof decks and to the internal area of the lower lift pit.Given the high risk from water, the failsafe Newton CDM System was also installed on both levels of the structure. Newton 508 membrane was securely fixed to the internal walls using Newton's ancillary products, with water from the upper level being bunded and piped down to the lower level, then drained via gravity fall using Newton Basedrain.As one of our most experienced specialist contractors, Stonehouse expertly recommended, designed and installed a truly failsafe waterproofing system that will continue to protect this contemporary home for many years to come. Furthermore, Stonehouse were able to provide a 10-year guarantee for the installation, for complete peace of mind.

An impressive basement extension, housing a swimming pool and sauna, required a robust waterproofing solution at this large country home.Newton Specialist Contractor Stonehouse were brought onto this large residential project to waterproof an underground extension including a swimming pool and sauna. Set in a small village in Berkshire, the impressive countryside home was designed by architects Spratley and Partners.For the new below-ground structure, Stonehouse were required to install a failsafe and maintainable waterproofing system that would completely protect the luxurious basement from unwanted water ingress.Ensuring that the project was fully compliant with BS 8102:2009, Stonehouse recommended a combined waterproofing solution using a Type B reinforced and water-resistant concrete structure designed to BS EN 1992, combined with a full Type C internal cavity drain membrane system.As the most reliable and completely maintainable Type C waterproofing solution, the Newton CDM System was the ideal choice for this structure. Firstly, Newton 508 membrane was securely fixed to the internal walls of the basement using Newton's specialist MultiPlug fixings.Any water that is captured by the membrane is then drained away with Newton Basedrain channels, and pumped out of the property using a Titan-Pro sump chamber fitted with two NP400 pumps and supported by a failsafe battery back-up system.As an extremely experienced waterproofing contractor, Stonehouse were able to confidently recommend, design and install a comprehensive and truly failsafe waterproofing system that will protect the property from unwanted water ingress for many years to come. Stonehouse also provided complete peace of mind by offering a 10-year guarantee on the installation.

A former brownfield industrial site alongside the River Roding in Essex is converted into attractive mixed-use community housing. The Met Police custody and patrol base for the borough, industrial businesses, restaurants, river moorings and 1000 homes.The developer wanted to replace old and damaged wooden hoardings around a section of the Fresh Wharf Estate perimeter in Barking and prevent damage to a bus shelter from stone chips thrown up by passing vehicles on the adjacent A406.The SolutionFresh Water Developments approached Zaun to devise a bespoke solution for the site on the banks of the Roding, a Thames tributary. They wanted a sustainable perimeter, deflected flying stone chips, minimised noise and met their aesthetic, design and functional needs.Zaun has integrated a new highly resistant laminate made entirely from mixed waste plastics with its market-leading Duo fencing to produce a system that won’t rust or rot. In addition, it is low maintenance and reusable or recyclable if damaged.The innovative product design named DBS Security boasts great acoustic-loss properties, rated B3 and 36dB loss, and gives protection against damage from flying objects flicked up by passing vehicles.DBS Security protects a bus shelter close to the North Circular that constantly has to undergo repair. A large section of the perimeter to the industrial site and housing is fitted with Zaun’s twin-wire Duo fencing system. Two horizontal wires resist being welded on either side of the vertical wire.Zaun combined both standard and bespoke fencing to tailor the overall solution to the site’s specific requirements.

MSA Safety’s recent Height Safety Day gave nearly 100 workers at INOVYN’s Runcorn site a first-hand look at how the global safety equipment manufacturer is innovating in fall protection and brought them up to speed on the latest regulations. The information day took place at the INOVYN site in Runcorn, owned by INEOS Group, a global manufacturer of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and oil products.

A host of products from Johnstone’s have been used to help restore Portsmouth F.C.’s Fratton Park stadium to its former glory. The decorators have been aided significantly by the performance qualities of products from Johnstone’s range. These included Covaplus Vinyl Matt, for its washable finish with excellent opacity and coverage, Stormshield Smooth Masonry in team colour Pompey Blue on brickwork, Flortred for flooring areas and Smooth Metal Paint to protect metal barriers in the lower North and West Stands.

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".

Cross contamination is a concern for any food prep area dealing with raw meats. With the help of BioCote Technology (found in BioClad products) restaurants can ensure they uphold the highest level of hygiene within food preparation areas. The antimicrobial technology works 24/7 to eliminate the threat of harmful bacteria such as E.Coli. In addition to its proven antimicrobial protection, the BioClad antimicrobial cladding is extremely easy to clean.

Situated in Sherbourne, Coventry the success of the Duckham Court housing project largely depended on the combination of the protection, durability and finish that the Securidor range offers.It was essential that these high traffic doors worked seamlessly with the access control systems. Integrating these elements can often be a source of snags and delay on site. Working with our partners within the industry and construction trade, Strongdor identified and resolved potential issues before the doors where delivered.

Trief Cadet GST1A were used across Vale Road bridge which connects the Rhyl to its rail station. Cadet offered a unique solution to protect the Victorian bridge structure without compromising the existing access across the bridge. Vale Road bridge had many design aspects which included protecting the structure from the rigours of passing traffic, without reducing the width of the carriageway available for traffic to pass and maintaining access for pedestrians. A further challenge was the effective drainage of rain water build-up to the rear of the kerbs. To view the whole case study please click the link below.

The Knauf ThroughWall system has been specified for use on the Roxburghe Hotel in Kelso, on the Scottish borders. Designed by ISA Architects with Sharkey as the main contractor, the Roxburghe Hotel extension will provide 58 additional bedrooms, as well as spa and conference facilities. The project team at Sharkey were impressed with the technical knowledge and support of the Knauf Team. “Knauf really stood out from a technical point of view – we’ve had the same point of contact at Knauf throughout this project. Even during Covid they demonstrated the technical components of the systems that have been used, took us through the brochure and handling the Knauf products”.A one-stop shop for a completely warranted (system performance warranty) exterior infill wall panel system, Knauf ThroughWall is BBA certified and combines a range of high-quality products into a single solution. Knauf ThroughWall is designed to meet required building performances whilst allowing for a diverse range of exterior finishes to be applied.Furthermore, the Knauf ThroughWall system can be used with a selection of internal finishes, such as Knauf Airless Finishes. Highlighting the efficiency benefits of Knauf products and systems, the team at Sharkey continued: “the ThroughWall System was ideal for this project. It received a good response during the design approval process and offered the most cost-effective design. The ThroughWall guarantee is also a big plus.” This guarantee would provide the added peace of mind and protection the client and contractor were looking for. The hotel is situated within rural Scotland, so ensuring the building materials are protected from the elements was essential. Integral to the Knauf ThroughWall system is Knauf Windliner, a 12.5mm specialist paper-faced gypsum sheathing board designed to provide protection against the weather for the outer face of the Knauf SFS frame.It has a fire and moisture resistant core and is faced with treated terracotta coloured paper to reduce moisture ingress. Left exposed to the elements, it provides protection to the building during the typical construction programme of up to 6 months.Having come under new ownership in 2018, the hotel needed to be modernised with a breath of new life. By employing these modern methods, the team have been able to ensure a cost-effective, high-quality and efficient construction to bring the hotel into 2023. 

London 1 Data Centre has been in operation since December 2020, providing a critical IT load of 32MW. Located in Dagenham, it takes up 25,600m2 of data centre server space. It joins the existing data centres that the client currently operates in Hemel Hempstead and Slough.With a layered security approach, London 1 Data Centre prioritises keeping their customers data protected. The multiple security measures include a 24/7 Security Operations Centre and Service Control Centre, CCTV, and physical security.ChallengeAs one of the UK’s largest data centres, the client had the issue of needing to secure the building from intruders with a range of entrance solutions. With several areas that were at risk, the client required multiple ways of protecting the data centre from physical attack while managing its high throughput. To find out more please follow the link. London 1 Data Centre, Dagenham | Meesons A I Ltd | NBS Source (thenbs.com)

Lucent W1 is a high profile mixed-use building comprising 111,000 sqft of CAT Acommercial space, 30,000 sqft of retail space and seven new residential units in WestLondon. The development is built with sustainability at its core, including a BREEAM‘Excellent’ rating and pending Gold WELL accreditation.The design of the building, behind the famous Piccadilly lights, meant that traditionalinstallation methods could not be used while maintaining the fire separation wall. Thisconstraint meant building could only commence from one side and required a newsolution. We designed bespoke wind posts and cut the boards to the exact anglesrequired so that they could be fitted from one side only. Combined with Specwall’sinherent firestopping properties, this made us the perfect choice to solve the designissues at Lucent W1.

Headquartered in London, vXtream is a leading Private Cloud Managed Service Provider that has 7 global data centre locations. Having built up 2 years’ experience, vXtream services are relied upon by international companies, businesses of all sizes, and creative professionals. In order to protect their vast clientele’s data and hardware, a multi-layered security approach has been put in place featuring 24/7 on-site security, high-definition CCTV cameras, and biometric security approved by the NPSA (National Protective Security Authority). ChallengeDue to the ISO27001 certification that vXtream holds, they are committed to continuous improvement and risk management; therefore, a further layer of security was identified as needed for their data hall. This further layer of security had the challenge of preventing tailgating into the data hall to ensure access could be controlled and monitored. The solution would also need to integrate with vXtream new biometric system to enable fingerprint recognition entry. As well as this, the space within the data hall needed to be preserved so that further expansion could happen in the future with the data centre’s planned growth.  To find out more please follow the link. vXtream Data Centre - Case Studies - Meesons

Building contractor Eversley Building Services Ltd required a roof access ladder for emergency use in the event of a fire. However, the application constraints presented many challenges, in particular the small skylight aperture. As such, a particularly compact loft ladder was needed. Furthermore, because the loft ladder would be used during an emergency, it had to be easy-to-operate and safe for its occupants. Read more about this challenging project and how the Piccolo Premium provided the ideal solution...

The Home Office and British police forces wanted a rapidly-deployed high-security temporary fencing solution that would resist forcible attack by crowds or vehicles and with no below-ground foundations to help cut the cost of policing party political conferences.The solution had to pass Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) and crowd control/mob attack testing and offer protection normally only available from permanent fixed installations. It also had to be installed and removed quickly within tight timescales.The SolutionZaun developed its RDS Fence and RDS PAS68 and then worked with the Home Office and Sussex Police to take it through testing against attack by 2.5 and 7.5-tonne vehicles to PAS68:2010 V2500 (N1G)/48/90:4.7/0.0 and PAS68:2010 V7500 (N2)/48/90:6.0/0.0 standards.RDS, which won the Security Innovation Award 2013, uniquely provides HVM up to 30mph in a rapidly deployed temporary fencing solution and was tested on- event for the first time at the European Committee of Ministers meeting.It was such a success that Sussex Police advised it was bought for the autumn party conferences, estimating a saving of 90% of police time when it was next used at the Lib Dem Conference.The Home Office initially bought 600 metres of RDS fencing, including access portals, turnstiles and gates, which was then used for the Labour and Conservative conferences that followed. It has since quadrupled the amount.RDS Fence is Secured by Design. It goes up to 3m and can include CCTV, PIDS, vehicle gates and pedestrian portals. It suits sites with moderate undulations in ground levels and differing standards of ground standings.

The well known high street retailer Next has come a long way since 1864, when it was originally founded by Thomas Hepworth in Leeds. Since changing its name in 1982, the store has not looked back and now boasts about 700 stores worldwide.One such store, based near Edinburgh, made use of Steeldor to protect entrances to the back of the unit.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be the first tournament held in an Arab region, taking place across a 21 mile radius of Qatar. In total, there are eight stadiums with a total capacity of just under 400,000 people, which are linked by a metro system.Bradbury Group was approached by HBK Contracting Co. W.L.L. to supply over 600 doors with high levels of security and additional fire integrity, ranging for LPS 1175 Security Rating 2 (SR2) to LPS 1175 SR3.

Location: LondonMain Contractor: Berkeley HomesOval Village is a mixed-use development in Kennington, London SE11, built on the site of the Oval Gasworks. The 2ha site overlooks the Oval Cricket Ground and will be redeveloped with 738 new homes, offices, retail and leisure facilities.This is another landmark project where the OBEX CORTEX 0500FR Class B Membrane and the 0771FR Class B Paste Adhesive were specified - critical to the installation achieving the required performance standards and fire-classification.New Homes: 1309Acres: 8Office Space: 12798 sq.mRetail Space: 2525 sq.m

Stowmarket High School, a new purpose built education facility to replace its former 1950’s building, was built under the Department of Education’s Priority Schools’ Building Programme. Understanding that the school was subject to high usage and frequent traffic, it was important to use coatings that would stand the test of time. With this in mind, coatings from PPG’s JOHNSTONE’S® Trade brand were used to bring the project to life while ensuring that the surfaces within the school were protected.

Location: The Whiteley, LondonMain Contractor: Laing O'RourkeDesigned by Foster + Partners, the new Whiteley will deliver 139 world-class, modern residences, 20 new shops, cafes and restaurants, a central public courtyard, a cinema, a gym and London’s flagship Six Senses hotel and spa with 110 rooms, as well as its social wellness club, all set behind a retained and restored Grade II-listed façade.OBEX were selected to supply the CORTEX ‘Fire Rated’ products, not only to ensure compliance with the latest regulations, but to give peace of mind that the required performance standards would be met.World-class Modern Residence: 139New Shops, Cafes & Restaurants: 20Room Hotel & Spa: 110

Gradus has supplied and fitted a range of wall protection solutions as part of the £16m newly built Bitterne Park School in Southampton. The new school includes 80 new teaching classrooms, a purpose-built assembly hall/theatre, a new dining space with a fully fitted kitchen and purpose built fully fitted classrooms to house the students as part of their Food and Nutrition studies.

Louvidor doors and panels are the essential solution where security is critical and airflow essential. Strongdor’s high quality, fully louvred panels and doors are designed to protect and ventilate without compromising either function.With the same level of performance and high standards of quality and service which Strongdor has now set as the industry benchmark, these products allow 50% airflow through any given panel size.

Gradus has recently installed its market-leading Wall Protection systems in the new NHS Rainbow Community Hub in Elland, West Yorkshire, which provides healthcare for young people with complex healthcare needs. 

A busy recycling centre in Coedcae Industrial Estate, Pontyclun South Wales, suffered from a crippling fire that destroyed one-third of the building leaving the rest in severe disrepair from fire damage.Garland Technical Manager, Dale Thomas, was instructed by long-term partner Cushman Wakefield to assess the extent of the damage and secure the optimum waterproofing system to get the warehouse unit returned to its former glory as a hive of activity for the local area.Dale conducted a thorough condition survey and supplied a detailed written report to the client, highlighting the severity of the building damage and the poor condition of the existing roof sections and walls. Approximately 2,000 sqm were either damaged beyond repair or had fallen into a state of disrepair, meaning that a full refurbishment of all roof and wall sections was required before the optimum waterproofing system could be implemented.

A variety of products from Johnstone’s Trade’s Ecological Solutions range have played their part in ensuring a new £74 million state-of-the-art campus building for Kirklees College has received a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’.The team decorated the vast majority of the building’s interior with Johnstone’s Acrylic Durable Matt and Covaplus Vinyl Matt; two core products from the range. In addition, Johnstone’s Satin Finish was used for the interior wood and metalwork, while Johnstone’s Professional Undercoat and Gloss were used to protect the exterior steelwork.

This old Mill House in Cornwall has undergone a huge conversion and extension to become a luxurious five-bedroom home, protected by the failsafe Newton CDM System. Simon Williams purchased the 18th Century Water Mill in 2015 with a view to renovating, developing and extending the beautiful property, located in Blowinghouse just South of Perranporth, into his private residence.Once planning permission was gained for the required conversion and extension to transform the mill into a luxurious 5-bedroom family home, Simon liaised with CAD Architects on the design, which incorporated a waterproofing design specified by Newton.An additional large garage with charming two-bedroom ancillary accommodation was also added to the grounds of the property, which required specialist steel and concrete foundations, given the close proximity of the water.In order to restore the old mill and achieve a Grade 3 habitable environment, BS 8102:2009 recommends that a Type C internal cavity drain membrane system is one of the primary forms of waterproofing, as it is the most failsafe system that is least prone to defects and issues.The Newton CDM System is also completely maintainable, and was therefore ideal for the 18th Century structure, considering that Williams Creative Homes did not want to compromise the external appearance of the thick stone walls.The proximity of the river also meant that there was a high risk of water ingress, however, Newton's robust cavity drain waterproofing is designed to capture water using Newton 508 membrane on the walls, then drain it away via gravity using Newton Basedrain.Finished to an incredibly high standard by Williams Creative Homes, Simon has been living in the property ever since, whilst the Newton waterproofing system successfully ensures that his home is completely dry and protected.

PhotonCheck-A1 VCL Protects Katara Lusail Hotel Qatar

VICTORIA VIEWS - ARUNDEL CRESCENT DEVELOPMENTS, PLYMOUTH CLIENT: TIMBER PAK (SW) LTD PRODUCTS USED: PROTECT TF200 THERMO PROTECT TF INTERFOIL PROTECT VC FOIL ULTRA THE CHALLENGE Timber PAK (SW) Ltd, a specialist in closed panel timber frame manufacture from a dedicated factory in Ivybridge, Devon, was given the contract to construct the apartments in structural timber. This involved the production of closed and insulated wall panels, followed by delivery and installation on-site, ensuring strict build tolerances and timescales were met.

Prepping decking with PrepdeckAfter cleaning their decking with bleach and removing any loose or flaking bits from the surface, our customer then used our professional stripper, Prepdeck to remove the old stain from their decking.Our customer applied Prepdeck in small areas that he could complete in 15-30 minutes, then, after leaving it to do its magic, used a stiff nylon brush to ‘lift’ the stain from the wood, ensuring that they worked in the direction of the grain.They then thoroughly rinsed the product off the decking using a garden hose – again, working in the direction of the grain.If you want to make this part of the job a little easier, you could opt for hot water instead.This is a great product, as it can also be diluted to make a powerful cleaner for weathered woods and can even be used on thermo (burnt) wood.Next neutralise with Net-trolThe customer then used our wood cleaner Net-trol to neutralise the surface of the decking, in preparation for the finish.After applying Net-Trol to the wet decking, they scrubbed the surface with a brush.They then left it to stand for around 15 minutes, keeping an eye on it to ensure that the surface of the decking didn’t dry.If it had begun to dry, he would have had to dampen it with a mist of water.They then scrubbed the decking again, this time whilst rinsing it.Now, it was just a matter of leaving the wood to dry for 48 hours before applying the finish.Choose a finish to protect your deckingThis customer opted for Aquadecks, our water-based penetrating finish. One of the great things about this product is that not only does it protect the wood from warping, splitting, cracking and UV damage, it is also easy to apply and maintain, as our highly penetrative formula guarantees there will be no peeling or flaking.Plus, it dries quickly and has a low odour, so you can be back on your decking with a glass of wine in hand, in no time at all.Our customer applied an initial coat of Aquadecks and allowed it to penetrate into the wood. Then, after around 15-20 minutes (when the ‘wet look’ of the first application had disappeared), they applied a second application and allowed this to penetrate.After a further 15 minutes, they brushed out any puddles so that the decking wouldn’t dry with shiny spots on the surface. Aquadeck’s place is in the wood, not on top of it!“Very pleased with all products purchased.”This customer was so delighted with our products, they got in touch to tell us how well everything had gone.“On advice gratefully received from Ken I had several stages to complete. It’s looking great and I am hopeful the results will last”, he continued.For more information on Aquadecks, please click here.

A wedding venue that showcases a Historic England perfectly has been transformed using Johnstone’s decorative paints. Specified for its high quality finish and whiteness properties, Johnstone’s Covaplus Vinyl Matt in off-white was used to paint the elegant hallway of the grade 1 listed building. As well as being applied on the walls and ceilings of the spectacular reception. Johnstone’s Acrylic Durable Matt was used in the food and bar area, due to its outstanding durability. Additionally, Johnstone’s Satin Woodstain was used on the hand rails of the balconies to protect the wood from decay.

Koster Epoxy flooring systems were installed to the concrete bund of a chemical plant in Wales. There was a need to prevent chemical spillages entering the concrete so they could be cleaned in a safe manner. Koster Aquatecnic worked with the engineers and client to design a system which could be installed and offer the most suitable level of protection. The cleaned surface was prepared with Koster Polysil TG500 and Koster NB1 Grey. Koster SL Premium was used to provide a strong level surface to accept the Koster LF-VL on the floor and Koster EM-VS on the up-stands.

Schöck in the "Green Center". New Residential Complex in Linz.In the Upper Austrian capital city Linz, a new urban district known as the "Green Center” is being created. It will provide about 800 apartments. In this context, the Schöck Isokorb® T is a substantial component.Seven non-profit real estate developers are building a new heart for the city on an area of 87,000 m² in its geographical center – the largest urban development project in Linz for decades. As of 2016, a total of 800 apartments will have been erected and in accordance with the socio-demographic development, 50 assisted living housing units and a kindergarten – all on the site of the former freight railway station.In this complex we wanted to create "a sea of green, stretching from private gardens, terraces, loggias and balconies up to the roof tops, " explained the city officials. This is also where its name comes from.14,000 m² of parklandAll objects are being built with net zero-energy efficient features. Solar collectors are being installed on many roofs to provide hot water. As part of the thermal insulation, Schöck’s Isokorb® T thermally separates elements while forming part of the structure. It is being used here on a massive scale in different variants. Around 1,700 units were installed in five different building complexes. The versatile range of Schöck Isokorb® T structural thermal breaks allowed the planners great scope for design and energy efficient solutions, since they not only offer thermal separation and additional fire protection but also freedom of interface access (e.g. balcony to living space). In addition to Isokorb® T, Schöck Dorn (shear reinforcement, heavy-duty dowel), Schöck Bole® (punching shear reinforcement) and the Sound Protection System Schöck Tronsole® (for stairwells) were used in many installations.A total of 89 apartments with 75 balconies will be built whereby the ground floor apartments each have their own small garden. The roof surfaces are all planted. The living areas of balconies that extend outwards have an L-profile. The resulting visual plant staircase on the sunny facades creates the impression of a hanging garden for the residents and neighbors. This has a relatively striking effect and yet this version of gradation and the enclosed balustrades provides a certain degree of privacy for the inhabitants. To achieve the desired level of green, balconies are to have two flower boxes each (1.5m in length) that will be tended to by the residents. The three-meter deep balconies are thermally separated with Schöck Isokorb® T elements.Arcades thermally separated"We have done everything that is technically expedient to save energy. The Isokorb® T has been installed in the terraces and arcades" (Karrer). A solar system was installed on the roof. "All the green diminishes the specified high construction density," says the architect. Gradated terraces ensure that even in the courtyards there’s good light. The buildings were handed over in the summer of 2014.

Electricity interconnectors play a crucial role in the EU’s strategy to achieve a competitive and integrated European energy market to increase energy security and apply downward pressure to wholesale electricity prices.The 500MW EirGrid East–West Interconnector links the British and Irish markets and brings Britain’s interconnector capacity to 4GW with the 2GW IFA to France, 1GW BritNed cable to Holland and 500MW Moyle interconnector to Northern Ireland.The SolutionThe East-West Interconnector project was financed by a €300 million loan from the European Investment Bank, capital investments from commercial banks, EirGrid equity and a €110 million grant from the European Commission.With such huge sums and massive power in play, security is vital on the 47 miles of subsoil and 116 of submarine cable that connects the Woodland HVDC static inverter plant at Rush North Beach, County Meath, and the Shotton plant on Barkby Beach in North Wales.Zaun secured the two inverter plants for Irish national grid operator EirGrid with around 600 metres of ArmaWeave fencing to 3 metres in height, buried in a concrete cill and combined with a 4.6 metre high Harper Chalice electric fence, which systems integrator Crime & Fire Defence Systems installed.The fence line had to be connected to an intricate underground earthing grid and to incorporate vehicular sliding gates, pedestrian turnstiles and manual gates.ArmaWeave achieves the highest rated standards for fencing defending against forcible attacks. Its unique properties and tight mesh pattern provide no climbing aids and resist cutting attacks with hand, powered and non-contact tools.