"steel"

This wastewater treatment plant is part of a large and vital infrastructure project across Ireland to stop the flow of raw sewage into the Irish sea.As well as the construction of the treatment plant on the coast of the Irish sea, the project includes two interceptor sewer pipelines and a marine sea outfall to safely discharge the treated water once processed at the plant.One of the biggest projects so far in the development, the €139m state-of-the-art project will provide wastewater treatment infrastructure for up to 36,000 people once complete.ChallengeLocated in a coastal setting, the fasteners and components used had to withstand the harsh and highly corrosive environment. Leading roofing, cladding & façade contractor Crown Roofing & Cladding were contracted to fasten the striking angled façade of the wastewater plant - turning to Fixfast to use their stainless steel façade support system and fasteners to securely fix the façade.The complexity of the façade meant that 4 different sizes of façade bracket were utilised within the construction - however, the Fixfast façade support system is versatile enough to be used in multiple configurations, with a range of different sizes of brackets.SolutionA4/316 stainless steel A4/316 SPIDI Max brackets were used in conjunction with MatchFast moulded head bi-hex fasteners, and DrillFast stainless steel low profile lacquered fasteners to match the colour of the façade.Using A4/316 stainless steel throughout the construction ensured that the fasteners and components would hold for the lifetime of the building - after all, fasteners aren't maintainable so must be suited for longevity and security.(image courtesy of Crown Roofing & Irish Water)"Fixfast is an invaluable supply chain partner to Crown Roofing & Cladding. Their collaborative approach enabled Fixfast to expand their product offering from supplying the fixings for the roof, to use working together to design and engineer the brackets and rails for the corners of the elevations. Their technical support was crucial in getting the necessary submittals approved. By consolidating our supply chain on the project, we've been able to minimise deliveries and keep costs to a minimum. We are now looking forward to implementing a similar bracket and rail solution for an upcoming project in Germany." Crown Roofing & Cladding

BackgroundLocated in a prominent location on the Morecambe seafront, the Broadway Apartments project was large new build steel frame apartment block.A challenging project to be involved with, as M H Stainton Homes wanted to create an iconic building on a corner location. The steel frame was key, combined with curved glazing on the corner elevation of the building. Then a lightweight cladding solution was required for the rest of the façades.K Systems approved installer M & M Façades were contracted to complete the exterior wall insulation and rendering of the 8-storey residential building.Our ServiceWe worked in close partnership with M & M Façades throughout the duration of the project. The K Systems Technical team offered on-site technical and installation support throughout the build process and supported the M & M Façades team at all stages of the project.As the building is over 18 metres, a bespoke specification was produced to ensure compliance with the current building safety regulations.A direct fix system suitable for steel frame structures and all building heights was specified, ensuring the safety of both the building and future residents.Technical Project DetailsAfter numerous design meetings the K Systems Direct Fix M (Mineral Wool) EWI system with a Silicone Render (TC 15) finish was chosen, meeting the requirements of M H Stainton Homes.This system provides high levels of fire resistance and non-combustibility bringing the apartments in line with mandatory Government requirements for buildings over 18 metres tall.We specified the use of multiple thicknesses of insulation boards (50mm, 100mm and 170mm) to allow for the line and level of the steel frame. A U-value of 0.28 W/m²K was achieved, meaning the residents will enjoy thermally efficient homes.For the finish Silicone TC 15, our high-performance thin coat render, was used. With the coastal location, this durable, weather resistant finish offers an eye catching, clean design, creating a modern and crisp aesthetic. Its hydrophobic properties provide a low-maintenance finish.We delivered a safe, thermally efficient, eye-catching design with a long-lasting finish that residents will appreciate for years to come.

Schöck solution combines architecture with horticultureThe striking facade of this building in Berlin is the concept of Sergej Dott, a locally-based pop art painter who chose medicinal herbs to represent the building's use as a major medical centre. The Treptow Medical Centre, named after the district in which it is located, is a 19th century listed building and recent refurbishment work has seen the interior transformed into twelve surgeries and a pharmacy. The final flourish of the restoration activity is the addition of the pop art herbs, each one metre in diameter, up to twelve metres high and 600kgs in weight, all grouped around three sides of the building.To incorporate them into the structural design, additional steel beams had to be installed inside the building at varying floor levels and Lorenz Linnhoff, whose engineering firm carried out the structural planning for the building comments: "The optimum solution for fastening the giant flowers to the building envelope was the Schöck Isokorb® T type S, which made it possible to transfer the load of the flower installation via the steel beams to the load-bearing building".The Isokorb® T type S has been developed to create thermal breaks in steel structures, where the modules are used to transfer tensile forces and pressure/shear forces. With this application the product is used only for the latter purpose, as on this occasion it has to perform a structural function rather than ensure thermal partition. Each flower is connected by two T type S modules at the top of the stalk and their modular capability meant that off-site pre-fabrication was possible, helping to reduce on-site costs. Two head plates were welded to the stalks off site and another two head plates attached to the main steel structure with the T type S modules bolted to them. Then flower stalk was then lifted into position and the two plates simply bolted to the exterior connections of the T type S units. The community arts and culture scene in Treptow will benefit too, as each of the herbs is to be sponsored, with the proceeds donated to various art institutions.

The steel beams are 1000mm deep: The elliptical aluminium solar shade blades are 400mm and the blades span up to 5700mm. The exit door on the bottom left illustrates the scale of the installation. Replacement solar shade system designed and manufactured by Dales Fabrications Limited and installed by Roweaver Developments Ltd

Artform Urban Furniture was appointed by Seddon Construction to provide external furniture to a state-of-the-art new Veterinary School in Staffordshire. The Harper & Keele Veterinary School is a joint venture with Harper Adams University and is located on Keele University’s campus. The building is a modern take on the traditional surrounding redbrick architecture. Located in North Staffordshire, the rural campus location consists of extensive woods and lakes, an ideal location for the country’s future vets.To complement the building's distinctive raw umber colour the client opted for a range of corten street furniture. Corten Steel is sandblasted before proceeding with the oxidation process, designed to limit water consumption and achieve a more consistent finish. Pre-Weathering reduces the level of washout onto surrounding surfaces, units can be fully sealed with anti washout or wax protection treatment to eliminate leakage altogether.The street furniture package was to be positioned around the building's entrances and main thoroughfares. The selection of pre-weathered Corten Steel products includes Spencer T Litter Bins which have a modern tapered design, Cube bollards that can also be used as seating, and Vision Bollards that have an in-built LED light that provides a subtle ambient light for the walkways and entrance. Removable Stainless Steel Bollards were also supplied to provide restricted access for authorised vehicles to particular areas of the campus. The Harper & Keele Veterinary School is now a site that provides excellent teaching to aspiring vets, and has a safe and harmonious outdoor space for respite from the heavy workload. 

Client: Meggit Avionics, Fareham Design & Build Contractor: Metpark Specialist Contractor: Thelwell Flooring Main Products Used: Emseal DSM SystemMeggit Avionics produce flight data sensors, systems and displays for all types of civil and military aircraft, including helicopters and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) drones. At the firm’s expanding facilities in Fareham, their success meant that they needed to find a way to provide more parking for the growing number of people working on the site. The solution was provided by Metpark UK, in a complete car park design and build contract, that provided a whole new parking level, raised and built directly above their existing surface car park, which added a further 63 parking spaces. This included a new structural steel frame, with steel access stairs, perimeter crash barriers, and lighting, plus composite steel and concrete decks with waterproof deck surfacing. The structural design used 40mm wide expansion joints brought right through the composite deck to allow the anticipated high joint movement capability required, which was up to +/- 50% (i.e. total 100%). The Emseal DSM system was selected and used to securely seal the exposed expansion joints as it can easily meet and accommodate all these requirements. Emshield DSM is a prefabricated movement joint that is easily installed from above, so other trades can continue uninterrupted below. Additionally it is bonded into position with a structural epoxy adhesive, so there is no potentially damaging drilling required into otherwise sound concrete elements of the new decks.

The first platform lifts is placed adjacent to the pool deck, linking the underground levels to the outdoors. A customised glass and steel structure protects the lift from weather exposure, whilst maximising on the stunning sea views. The A5000 was a great choice to provide accessibility, luxury and ease of installation at this seaside residence.

An undulating stainless-steel cladding added dynamic and vibration to the space. It was transformed into a major transport and shopping hub, stimulating economic growth and regeneration in Britain’s second city. Effisus Ecofacade solutions were used for protection of façade components against chemical aggressions, as well as for protection to the environmental agents.

Guy and Tracy chose Bushboard’s Definition range in SGL for their shower and toilet cubicles. Full height, flush fronted and finished with stainless steel hardware, Definition SGL is the perfect choice for washrooms that need to wow customers and stand the test of time. Read the whole case study on our website.

As part of a mixed-use commercial development in King’s Cross, Ambar Kelly have supplied bespoke riser flooring system. The rise flooring is providing to an ideal riser flooring solution for a complex construction project involving reinforced concrete frame and steel frame buildings, to improve buildability and safety.

Jo Richardson Community SchoolProduct: Tarnhow Dome Free Standing Timber CanopyTimber Stain Colour: Antique PineCanopy Size: 35m x 11mEstimated Value: £90,000Installation Date: August 2017Contractor: KCH Contractors Ltd.The BriefJo Richardson Community School is a large school in east London. The School has around 1400 pupils between 11 – 19 years of age.In one part of the School there is a generous sized space that is enclosed on three sides by school buildings. The School has many courtyard spaces like this but this one is the busiest because it is next to the canteen and on the most direct route to the separate sports hall. As the space is uncovered it offers little shelter to pupils and staff. To transform this area, so that it could be protected and safe to use for dining, break times and other activities, the school wanted to cover it with a canopy.Initially they requested a steel framed canopy with no central posts. This would allow maximum use of the space (with no posts to restrict the flow of people or potential uses). There were two major drawbacks to this approach. The first was cost. A steel structure large enough to cover the space and work without central posts would not be cheap. The second was that using a steel structure, that was big enough to fit the space, had the potential to not be sympathetic to the surrounding buildings and environment.As this was such an important project it was essential that any solution satisfied both practical and aesthetic requirements. This can be seen in the rendered image below which shows how the all steel structure would have looked.A second, more cost-effective option was then proposed. This still used steel but included posts that would support from the centre. This gives more flexibility to the installation process and reduces costs, but does place limitations on the use of the space and flow of pupils under the canopy.In both cases a steel canopy was proving not to be the ideal option.The SolutionTo overcome the issues of using steel we suggested to the School that they consider our Tarnhow Dome Free Standing Timber Canopy. This would allow them to maximise the space, work within a manageable budget and use a material that would complement the existing buildings and make a strong and appealing visual statement.The final size was a canopy that measured 35 metres in length, by 11metres wide, with a height of 5 metres. This could be installed without central posts, thereby ensuring the space could be maximised and used for different activities and occasions.While timber was not the first thought for the customer it proved to be the perfect choice. With its good looks, provision of effective weather protection and value for money price, it ensured the school achieved their project goal of a transformed space that would provide value for them well into the future.InstallationThe final installation not only gave the school everything they needed in terms of weather protection but it also looked extremely impressive with the dramatic lines of the wooden Tarnhow frame drawing the eye through the structure to the end wall. The substantial height of the canopy added to the feel of space and depth that will mean the school can use it for all sorts of activities and events and not just as a seating area.It also allows large number of pupils to move around the space safely with plenty of room for seating and other equipment, such as a hot snack trolley, to be used.The installation itself was a textbook process with the frame going up quickly and then the roof panels being added to the structure. Our pre-installation visits and accurate measurements allowed us to have all the elements in place before the agreed installation date, meaning we could finish on time and on budget. We were even able to design and construct a neat bespoke solution where the canopy had to fit with the existing building – see image to the right.This meant that the protection from rain and snow was complete wherever you were under the canopy and would allow the school to get the most from their new space all year round.

Essential Protection for Tall Buildings.As one of the world's leading coatings companies, we strive to be at the forefront of design trends and our International range of protective coatings and passive fire protection products is developed to complement architectural innovations.With its curved façade and spiralling form symbolizing China’s emergence as a global financial power, the Shanghai Tower is world's second tallest building (behind Burj Khalifa in Dubai), after its six-year construction was completed at the end of 2015.Shanghai Tower is one of the most advanced sustainable tall buildings in the world and goes to great lengths to generate its own energy.Around 200,000 liters of our protective coatings and intumescent fire protection products, including Interchar 1983, were used to provide fire protection for stair steel structures and the façade’s supporting steel structures for up to 90 minutes.We were the company of choice for the owner, painting applicators and the fabricator.

Lewis Deck was chosen, on this particular project in London, for a number of the key benefits the system brings. These being the strength of the system with only needing a thin concrete screed on top, the acoustic qualities & vibration control properties and the speed an ease of installation. This project even requested much longer sheets than standard in an effort to speed up the installation process. In fact you can see from the main photo above that some of the sheets were extremely long. The longest being just over 6.5m.This project was the installation of a new suspended, loadbearing concrete floor above an existing floor below. The space being used as a plant room for the hospital. The Lewis Deck was installed over a suspended steel grid of Light Gauge Steel C-section joists. A thin concrete was then installed over the top.This was a quick installation with the Lewis Deck being installed and then used as a safe working deck ahead of the screed being pumped in.

INTRAgrille XT and INTRAdisc create a highly functional yet unique entrance to the brand new YOTEL in Glasgow. Available in three standard sizes with or without flange, in your choice of stainless steel, aluminium or brass, INTRAdisc entrance matting can be used alone or in combination to create unique scattered designs.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) were looking for a new solution to manage access of the Lifeboat crews at Sennen Cove Lifeboat station in Cornwall. The solution, recommended by the installation company, South West Garage Doors, was to install a BFT Automation Maxima Ultra 36 barrier in stainless steel finish.

Clean lines and a soft colour palette, makes this summer house a modern, scandinavian dream. The house is located in beautiful Gilleleje, and was decorated by danish interior designer and influencer Emil Thorup. The bathroom is attired with products in brushed steel from the Qtoo collection, and the minimalistic design is an immaculate match with the aesthetic expression of the house. 

The distinctive, semi-elliptical shape of the new 90m high glass and steel office building at 70 St Mary Axe in London required proven passive fire protection and acoustic solutions that could fit with the unique curved frame. Leading manufacturer of fire, acoustic and thermal insulation products, Siderise, met the challenge.

Somerset-based Housing Association Homes in Sedgemoor has once again specified Metrotile lightweight steel roofing, following their use of our roofing products on their successful ongoing Cornish Unit refurbishments. Instead of an estate of homes, the subject for renovation this time was the flats at Canal View, located in Bridgwater, Somerset. (More at the link)

This 473 bedroom purpose built student accommodation development, is located on a prominent gateway to the city. The scheme provides high quality facilities with a mix of cluster apartments, providing panoramic views of the city and Nottingham Castle.Interpon D2525 Steel Bronze 2 selected as the primary finish across windows, solid and perforated panels, and doors.

Contracted to re-roof a 4000m2 area on an existing industrial building, specialist commercial and industrial roofing contractor Blade Roofing faced multiple challenges throughout the project. ChallengeThe building was required to be operational throughout the process, as the loss of shutdown time for the client would have resulted in project setbacks and potential financial losses. On a tight schedule and with the premise of completing the works while the facility was continuing to operate, Blade Roofing carried out the refurbishment of the roof with careful coordination and innovative solutions. Also included was the removal of 198 penetrations, and the re-instalment of 98 back onto the roof. SolutionBlade Roofing installed KS1000RW QuadCore composite panels utilising Fixfast's MatchFast stainless steel fasteners for light steel, alongside various accessories such as strip and cartridge sealants, stitchers, and rivets. Moulded goosewing grey to match the panels, Fixfast's MatchFast fasteners are suitable for a range of applications - being available in A4, A2 stainless, or carbon steel. Completing the project with zero shutdowns and no loss of production for the client, Blade Roofing's expertise enabled them to conduct the extensive re-roof works without drawing undue attention, ensuring a seamless transformation of the production facility. (With thanks to Blade Roofing for both text statements and images)"Working with Fixfast has shown us that exceptional service isn't just a priority - it's the cornerstone of their business ethos. Ryder has been instrumental, handling issues swiftly and efficiently, embodying stellar customer service. Their products are not only excellent but also adapt seamlessly to our evolving needs. Fixfast listens attentively, addresses concerns promptly, and implements improvements seamlessly - a testament to their relentless pursuit of product excellence."Ben Gill - Head of Contracts for Blade Roofing

THE PROJECTThe brand new ‘Bay Campus’ at Swansea University is now open, and we’re extremely proud to say that we played a part of this fantastic project. Developed over a 2 year period, the £450M project will provide academic, student accommodation and research space to over 5000 students and 1000 staff, and is one of the few global universities with direct access to the adjacent beach and its own seafront promenade.THE PRODUCTThe student accommodation includes a mail room featuring multiple banks of freestanding mailboxes designed in compliance with the strict branding guidelines set out by the university and project architects.The mailbox chosen for the project is the Steel 1 product that has been modified to feature a 380mm depth that allows for a larger storage of mail than if using the standard Steel 1 that features a depth of 120mm. The larger depth Steel 1 variant required a number of bespoke pedestal supports that would ensure the mailboxes were secure and stable when configured into large banks of mailboxes.THE FINISHThe banks of mailboxes used in the project feature a variety of colour finishes that met the branding guidelines set out by Swansea University and the project architects. Each mailbox is finished with polyester powder coated paint with either of the following colours:RAL 7024 (Graphite Grey)RAL 7031 (Blue Grey)RAL 7038 (Agate Grey)The layout of the colours was randomised which is a very popular choice for student accommodation projects, ensuring all standard branding colours are adhered to whilst promoting a fun and vibrant style in the location area. This project also benefitting from the services of The Safety Letterbox Company specialist installation team who safely delivered and installed the mailboxes.

Designing and manufacturing gearbox motors for industrial uses, Parvalux Electric Motors Ltd is a 75-year-old British manufacturing firm based on the south coast of England.To accommodate existing operations and add capacity for the future, Parvalux repurposed an 8.75-acre brownfield site in Poole that combines both an HQ and factory onto the same location.Work began in 2020 on the 160,000 sq ft site - which includes a £3 million investment in new manufacturing capabilities.Putting it at the forefront of efforts to decarbonise construction, the eco-friendly building has achieved a net zero rating.ChallengeStructural steel and industrial cladding specialists Jade-Aden Services were contracted to deliver the complete design and build of the new facility. Selected through previous working relationships with locally based larger companies, Jade-Aden brought in a local supply chain to complete the project, ensuring high quality throughout the entire project build.SolutionThe large roof and wall area gave Jade-Aden the opportunity to install Kingspan composite panels with the use of Fixfast DrillFast A4/316 stainless steel composite fastener range. Fasteners are irreplaceable and meant to match the lifespan of the construction they sit within, so using A4/316 stainless steel fasteners ensure the lifespan of this building is secure, even though the building is situated in a coastal environment.As a demonstration of Fixfast's continuing commitment to quality, the fasteners were supplied as part of the QuadCore Assured warranty from Kingspan - providing reassurance for the lifetime of the building."Jade-Aden wishes to thank all their supply partners for the support given to deliver the Parvalux project."Jade-Aden Services

County Hall - LondonSystem Used - TerraSmart Aluminium IGNOA hub for businesses, a site of attractions and accommodation, London's iconic County Hall is as stunning on the outside as it is on the inside, made even more beautiful thanks to our TerraSmart Aluminium.In order to create a venue for events, Coronado Property Developments Ltd needed a solution for the huge steel floor installed into the lightwell.A Grade II listed building required a decking solution that would complement the overall aesthetics and cater for the increased load requirements: the design load went from a 2.0kN Concentrated Load and 2.5kN/m2 uniformly distributed load (UDL) (used for areas of residential activities, typically used for balconies) to a 4.0kN concentrated load and 5.0kN/m2 UDL (as an area where people may congregate).TerraSmart Aluminium was selected as the ideal system to meet the client's loading criteria. Aluminium decking is a lightweight system when compared to other paving solutions, but very strong. Coronado Property Developments Ltd were very impressed with the solution provided by RYNO and the work done by Pritchard & Pritchard, who installed the system in both lightwells in the building.The TerraSmart Aluminium system featured the ADB80 Deck Board, selected specifically for its increased top surface thickness, delivering superior durability, ADS50 Aluminium Joists to suit the spans of the steel frame underneath, and RD-FR Non-Combustible Joist Support Pedestals for guaranteed supporting strength.The steel grillage was supplied by another manufacturer and installed around the decking to meet the ventilation requirements of the air-conditioning units below.The County Hall was opened over 100 years ago by King George V and it's great to see our systems in London's most versatile, historic building.

HMS was appointed to lay specialised resin bound paving to the communal gardens, car park, and cycle lane. PROJECT OVERVIEW Sector: Housing DevelopersLocation: Ashford, Kent Product: Resin Bound PavingColour: Steel Grey & Golden Amber Application: Right-of-way cycle lane, car park demarcation, communal gardens, and footpaths.Area: Approx. 1,000 m2RESULTS 36 tonnes of aggregate In total, we laid 36 tonnes of aggregate and used 340 resin kits to deliver beautiful communal gardens that will continue to look great for years to come.Visually Appealing The cycle lane and car park demarcation look stunning with the contrast of the steel grey and golden amber.What they said“HMS kept us informed at every stage of the project, which enabled us to communicate with the residents and arrange alternative parking.“Their efficiency and workmanship ensured the job was completed in a timely manner and the team left the site clean and tidy.” Hayley, Concierge Victoria Point

Bespoke Access Structure | Case StudyThis two-level access structure with staircases, cladding, edge protection handrailing and anti-slip grating flooring was designed by Dura Composites in conjunction with our client ENGIE Fabricom UK, who provide engineering and construction services to sectors including renewables, oil and gas, power, chemical and energy from waste.With the ability to supply both composite timber cladding for the containers and all the required GRP elements for the project, Orsted chose to work with Dura Composites. Although steel had previously been considered, the rising cost of steel versus GRP and its tendency to corrode in coastal environments made composite materials a far more durable and cost-effective option.The resulting access structure is safe, looks attractive and is non-conductive and non-corrosive. With a long design life and 25 year warranty, the GRP components are part of the latest d² range from Dura Composites which offer safer, stronger, faster and proven properties.

THE PROJECTThe Dallston Junction project features two banks of Stainless Steel 2 mailboxes that have been recessed into the wall to minimise the amount of room taken up by the mailboxes in the area of installation. This particular project required the mailboxes to be recessed into the wall to ensure that the project met building regulations in a main walkway through the project.The banks of mailboxes feature a high-quality Sapele Surround which was provided by ourselves with the mailboxes. The Sapele surround was specified by the client and we worked with a specialist joiner who created this surround. The wood is also used in a central storage area where items can be placed when depositing mail into the boxes (as shown in the photographs), or notices can be used by the management for residents to read etc.The Stainless Steel 2 mailbox both accepts and allows for retrieval of mail at the front of the product. This particular project uses engraved mailboxes that have been infilled with a Jet Black (RAL 9005) contrasting colour for the residents and postal workers to easily identify specific mailboxes.

6,200 m2 of concealed fixed RF50. Anodised panels were punched or laser cut, routed and folded. The facade leans out at an angle of up to 18 degrees and 900 of the 2000 panels were unique.The Titanic Visitors Centre is arguably the most iconic project to feature and showcase Spanwall's expertise in sheet metal fabrication. From a distance the 3-dimensional rainscreen panels manufactured from almost 120 tonnes of 3mm J57S Aluminium look to be two-tone coloured but were all anodised in natural silver and covers the four-pointed 28-metre-tall hulls of this maritime museum. With approximately 2,000 different panels this was a challenging project. Spanwall was also able to incorporate it's RF50 Rainscreen carrier system into the design for the installation. Most panels measure 4-metres on the diagonal. Spanwall also worked on the interior where custom-rusted steel sheets were used for walls and ceilings, with the undulating system of steel plates having a patina in keeping with the site's ship-building heritage.

Two New Bailey is the 188,500 sq ft state-of-the-art of office development in the heart of Salford, Manchester.The building is designed to provide flexible working environments full of character; referencing the spirit of Salford’s industry and the site’s setting on the River Irwell. The unmissable red steel structure is exposed and brought to the outside to provide solar shading for the elegantly fabricated façade, created using Reynaers bespoke EF 86 unitised curtain walling - a complicated solution where the steel actually penetrated the façade!Sustainability and occupier wellbeing is at the heart of this impressive ten-storey office development and can be seen throughout, the building achieves a Grade A BREEAM-rated specification, and is equipped with bike storage, outdoor terraces and stunning panoramic views of Salford and beyond.Two New Bailey is already home to some prestigious companies with others following suit. We’re thrilled to be involved with such a vibrant and unique project! Products used: EF 86 bespoke unitised curtain wallingContractor: StaticusFabricator: Bowmer & KirklandArchitects: AHMM

Based in the poplar region of the LondonBorough of Tower Hamlets, the Streamlight Tower is a 24-storey high-rise building comprising of 90 flats.Higgins Partnerships was appointed by Swan Housing toundertake reclad works to bring the building in line withmodern building regulations.For this installation ROCKWOOL Steel Frame Slab non-combustible stone wool was used.

"Reducing the risk of working at height is a key focus for Kautex. Providing safe access and fall protection to maintain our machinery is critical."Eurosafe Solutions provided the client with a safe method of accessing these areas, utilising both structural steelwork on the machine itself and the steel frame of the building to provide overhead Latchways ManSafe Systems and PPE Anchor Points.

The outdoor shelters have been a hit with the community at Carmel College; the new facilities have eased the pressure and crowding inside the buildings at break times so everyone has more room to relax and dine. The steel benches were a welcome addition too, and the staff love how they match the canopies with their unobtrusive, grey colour palette.

ASF 650 Trough Bollards were chosen for the service entrance / players entrance of Anfield Football Ground. As there would be coaches and HGV access to that part of the ground the 'Boston' version of the ASF 650 was chosen, which offers a lid that is rated to H20 (US) loading standards. The ASF 5002 stainless steel bollard was chosen to be housed in the trough

The challenge was to make the homes as sustainable as possible, with an array of environmental specifications, whilst also working within increasingly tight budgets. Denovo say, “Mild steel rainwater goods were specified because they need no maintenance, are more durable, much stronger in resisting snow loading than plastic, have the lowest carbon footprint and are 100% recyclable.”

Teesside-based logistics firm AV Dawson has built a new 130,000m3 warehouse specifically to store £15m-worth steel coils for a nearby international car manufacturer. With the steel at risk of ‘sweating’ and rusting in high humidity levels exceeding 65%, the company was tasked with ensuring a very specific climate for the warehouse (without which the steel would be rendered unusable), while also maintaining low energy costs.The SolutionHoward Tribick, director at local renewable energy specialist and NIBE Pro Installer HT Energy, specified, designed and fitted ten NIBE F1345 ground source heat pumps (GSHPs). Given the site is built on top of an active water table (the River Tees), Howard and the team were able to make the most of the surroundings as a natural energy source. The heat pumps collect heat from 70 bore holes, each 150m deep – a total of 10,500m of active bore hole depth. Each 60kW GSHP is paired with its own ventilating unit and 500L NIBE UKV buffer tank – producing a total output of 600kW. Solar panels on the roof provide an additional 220kW to help meet the warehouse’s electricity needs.ResultsWith the ten GSHPs now fully operational, the results have been even better than expected – with a seasonal performance factor (SPF) of 3.65 and average humidity levels of just 47%. Interconnected with 3km of header pipes, the GSHPs are spaced equidistantly along one side of the 264m-long building. The units are set up as separate systems, so they can work independently of each other or together as required. This provides an added level of security for the customer, ensuring the system can cope at all times and the steel is kept at optimum conditions.Customer Testimonial“This system made perfect commercial sense for us. While the initial outlay was greater than some of the other alternatives, GSHPs provided the most cost-effective solution by far in the long term. In fact, compared to natural gas, we will be making an impressive energy saving of 1.58 million kW/h each year. Our projected payback period is just ten years and we’re also benefiting from Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments for each unit of renewable energy we’re generating.”Gary Dawson, managing director, AV Dawson

6500SQM OF OPTIMA FC IN COR-TEN WEATHERED STEEL RAINSCREEN PANELS HAVE BEEN USED IN THE STATE-OF-THE-ART STUDENT ACCOMMODATION ON RIVER STREET.As described by Architect Simpson Haugh, the student accommodation comprises three distinct volumes: a volume stepping from ten storeys fronting Garwood Street, down to five storeys facing River Street, and a 32-storey tower.Cor-Ten, a steel alloy which forms a rust-like appearance over 18 – 36 months, was selected for the project due to its striking appearance and in tribute to the copper shades surrounding River Street’s built environment. Cor-Ten is immediately recognisable with its bright red and orange tones.The strong textures of the Cor-Ten provide a fantastic contrast to the dark-blue glass cladding covering the inner elevations.Originally designed for use in coal carriages in 1930s American, the name Cor-Ten was patented in 1933 by U.S Steel, deriving its name from ‘Corrosion Resistance’ and ‘Tensile Strength’.Whilst it might look like the metal is rusting, the outer layer of the metal is actually undergoing a planned corrosion process under the influence of outdoor weather elements, which protects the metal from further corrosion over time.Referencing the corrosion process, Sotech Specification Manager Charlie Mclaughlin said: “Cor-Ten panels developed a patina in-situ on the buildings as a response to the elements. The local climate should be ideal. It was great to do another job with Simpson Haugh, especially on a site just a stone throw from their office.”Sotech’s Optima FC secret fix hook-on rainscreen system was installed to carry the panels, this fully tested system had the added precautions of stainless steel hooks and polyester powder coated rails to eliminate any bimetallic reaction between the Corten panels and aluminium support system.As you can see from the project photos, the Cor-Ten panels were perforated with hole cluster patterns positioned to coordinate with extractor vent outlets in the backing wall. This is achieved through a laser cutting process.As experts in the industry with over 30 years’ experience, Sotech wasn’t just involved at the manufacturing stage, but were engaged from design stage, offering details, advice and budget costs during the project.With 792 bedrooms and state of the art social space, the building fills a spot in Manchester’s landscape that had been empty for years.

Teesbay is an out of town retail park in Hartlepool. A safe environment was required for pedestrians walking around the site, and cycle parking was needed to visitors and employees. Artform provided Corten steel bollards and cycle stands to compliment the facades of the existing shops and eateries. The products chosen provided a coordinated finish, durability and ultimate protection which matched the clients needs.