"iae impact protection"

Yeoman Shield Anti-Ligature handrail system is being utilized in a newly commissioned dementia unit in South Wales.Ysbyty George Thomas, as part of Cwm Taf Health board’s Valley Life Initiative, has recently undergone a refurbishment to become a health and wellbeing centre for people with cognitive and memory problems.Throughout the design process of the new Dementia Unit, comfort and functionality for clients who would be accessing the area was paramount. Not only were aesthetics taken into consideration with a stunning welsh valleys mural wallpaper installed in between bright colourful “front doors” but safety aspects were of a prime concern.For safeguarding measures Yeoman Shield’s Anti- Ligature Guardian Handrail was chosen, as both a supportive and wall protection rail system, along the main corridor of Ysbyty George Thomas as well as through the Dementia Unit.This Anti-Ligature handrail has a continuous fixing block which runs the full length of the back of the rail eliminating any points that can easily have a length of material or cord wound around it, preventing the possibility of harm to patients. To ensure that the terminating ends of the handrail are not used in a similar way, a tightly fitted wall return is added to totally enclose the ends allowing no gaps between the wall and the rail.Supplied in a dark grey colour as a good contrast to the light wall colour scheme, the Guardian Handrail also dovetailed perfectly into the wall paper design by resembling the top of the depicted drystone walling.“We are exceptionally pleased with the new Dementia Unit and the complementing look, quality and functionality of the Yeoman Shield Anti-Ligature Guardian Handrail.” Commented Jeanne Smith, Directorate Support Manager, Mental Health, Cwm Taf University Health Board

New Farnley Cricket Club in Leeds, when given the greenlight to open their bar and restaurant, wanted to ensure that their returning clientele would feel comfortable by providing facilities in line with the government guidance on Covid 19 safety.Along with clear signage and establishing a one-way system through the club house, New Farnley CC commissioned protective screening from wall & door protection specialists Yeoman Shield.To help protect staff and customers alike from viral loads that can be expelled by coughing, sneezing or shouting, Yeoman Shield installed a bespoke 800mm high screen using 4mm thick clear uPVC affixed around the bar with attractive chrome brackets and fixings.Yeoman Shield portable protective screens were also supplied to help with the configuration and separation of dining tables and the social distancing of patrons whilst waiting in the expected queuing systems.Being lightweight the screens can be moved around easily to accommodate requirements whilst being sturdy enough not to be knocked or tipped over.The portable screens are available in a range of options such as clear or frosted uPVC or with the alternative of a clear top half giving a sense of space coupled with a through coloured, frosted or design printed bottom half.The club’s Chairman, Mr John Baldwin, commented “It’s been great that Yeoman Shield were able to provide us with the right solution to our social distancing requirements to enable the club to re-open, which like other sports clubs, provide amenities to the local community.”Yeoman Shield have also been providing similar solutions for Hospitals, Schools and Offices allowing visitors, students and employees to return to safe environments.

Yeoman Shield were proud to supply Guardian Handrail, incorporating signage, to a pioneering scheme by Bradford Teaching Hospitals to provide a dementia friendly environment in their hospitals. The Horton Ward at ST Luke’s Hospital was transformed using a grant from the Prime Minister’s “Challenge on Dementia Fund”As part of the refurbishment, which involved the use of art, colour and signage to help dementia patients to navigate their way round the hospital, Yeoman Shield were approached by Bradford Teaching Hospital to supply a handrail that would also act as a directional guide.“We have worked with Yeoman Shield many times and when we gave Area Sales Manager, Steve Hawke, the brief for the refurbishment of The Horton Wing, Steve presented us with the Guardian Handrail that has the capacity to carry signage on the face of the rail which would ideal for this project.” Stated Project Manager, Shane Embleton.The Guardian Handrail, installed by Yeoman Shield’s directly employed fixing operatives, to corridors on level 1 & 2 of The Horton Wing, was supplied in a Dusty Grey colour with contrasting accessories in Mid Grey to highlight the corridor openings to doorways and lifts.Signage was incorporated flush to the face of the rail in White offering directional information to hospital visitors and patients.Ultra Corner Protection Angles were also fitted to vulnerable corners of walls to prevent damage which is easily caused by passing people, trolleys and equipment.“Not only did the Guardian Handrail lend itself perfectly to the environment the trust wanted to create but offered the obvious functionality of a hand/protection rail which will help to keep the newly refurbished corridors looking smart well into the future.” Concluded Shane Embleton.

Impact Group UK were pleased to be able to assist a fellow contractor recently who had been let down at the last minute, we were installing IPC Wall Protection at the QE Hospital, Gateshead and some Wall Cladding works had gone seriously wrong.We were able to supply new materials at cost price and reinstall this project using ImpactPRO, all within a 2 day turnaround, happy to say the contractor now has a very happy client, and no delays were incurred.

Summit Park in Mansfield is the site of a major logistics warehouse development for Amazon. Brandsafe was tasked with making the 500,000+ sq. ft. development safe for its new owner. Outside the building, Brandsafe supplied and installed and array of Armco safety barriers, bollards, pedestrian handrail, speed bumps and wheel stops. To complete the package, further bollards were installed inside the building, along with lift door protection, guardrail and handrail routes for pedestrians and secure cages to protect crucial infrastructure and assets.

Doors can be an expensive commodity at the best of times but even more so when they have to be fire doors to conform to RRO regulations in buildings used by the public, such as Schools, Offices, Factories, Hospitals, Hotels and Leisure Facilities.A damaged fire door can render the door’s fire rating ineffective and can be costly to replace.By protecting against damage with Yeoman Shield fire rated door protection products, doors can maintain their performance and look.Click on the short video below to learn more.

The ChallengeLocated in a densely populated area of London, the Balham branch of Waitrose had a responsibility to minimise the impact of its operations on the surrounding neighbourhood. Supermarkets are deceptively noisy, a solution was required in order to maintain low noise levels within the proximity of the store.Closely monitoring store activity, Waitrose identified that deliveries risked causing a disturbance to nearby residents – because metal cages used to carry stock generated high levels of noise when rolling across the uneven concrete floor, particularly when empty.To reduce noise levels during delivery times, Waitrose needed a durable acoustic flooring solution that would directly attenuate sound and withstand the impact of the cages. This was where CMS Danskin were able to step in and provide a valuable and reliable solution.The SolutionAfter reviewing the performance requirements of the store, CMS Acoustics recommended and installed High Impact Mat. Manufactured from a non-reflective and slip resistant material which exceeds the highest safety standards, CMS High Impact Mat reduces excess sound by cushioning and absorbing impact sound.Composed of reclaimed rubber, EPDM granulate and PUR binder, CMS High Impact Mat is an environmentally friendly product available in a range of thicknesses, from 4mm to 12mm. At Waitrose, the material was specified at a thickness of 10mm.The ResultQuick and easy to install, CMS Acoustics completed the 150m2 installation of High Impact Mat in just two days. Critical to minimising disruption to store operations, CMS High Impact Mat was able to carry traffic just 24 hours after installation.Waitrose branch manager, Steve Baller, commented: “As part of our commitment to minimise disruption to our neighbours it was important to find a product that would reduce noise. CMS High Impact Mat has proven to be an excellent product, the sound levels have been reduced substantially and the floor is able to withstand the weight of loads coming into the warehouse.”

Marks & Spencer has a vast distribution centre located in Bradford. Despite its massive size, they still required a new three-storey mezzanine in order to increase their overall storage capacity. With pallet trucks being operated on these floors, Brandsafe were brought in to provide the required custom solution. A combination of 2.4m high security fencing with built-in pedestrian handrail and low-level Armco protection was produced and installed on-site by Brandsafe. Polymer column protectors were also supplied to protect the mezzanine supports at ground level.

Looking at the choices of carpet tile products which offer high sustainability credentials, focusing on the products impact and the opportunities to offset to become carbon neutral

Impact recently installed ImpactPRO Hygienic PVC Wall Cladding to the ambulance wash bay walls at Newham University Hospital, this constantly "wet" environment is now able to benefit from the many mechanical advantages that the PRO System has to offer such as, exceptional resistance to impact, chemical substances, moisture, stains, and spills.

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

Impact supplied and installed ImpactPRO for a cost-effective hygienic wall cladding solution.

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.

Delish is a new Pizza, Milkshake & Kebab chain based in Sheffield.Impact supplied and installed ImpactPRO Gloss to the main restaurant area in a shocking pink to match the company branding. We also installed Stainless Steel Cladding behind the cook lines.

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon has undergone an ambitious and exciting £112m project to install a brand new auditorium inside the skeleton of the art-deco original. The internal refit created some interesting acoustical challenges. One of the most important aspects of the project was to ensure that theatre performances were not disturbed by noise from other parts of the building. In particular, the gantry – from where scenery changes and lighting are managed – was identified as requiring a specialised acoustic solution, to stop the noise of people working behind the scenes from carrying through to the audience. This is where CMS Danskin stepped in.The SolutionAs soft flooring subcontractors on the project, Loughton Contracts installed CMS High Impact Mat in the gantry. Composed of reclaimed rubber, EPDM granulate and PUR binder, CMS High Impact Mat is a durable, environmentally friendly type of floor covering that reduces excess sound, prevents unwanted noise and has excellent impact reduction. CMS High Impact Mat is available in a variety of thicknesses and colours. Simple to install, LoughtonContracts fitted 573m² of blue, 10mm thick CMS High Impact Mat onto wooden, concrete and screeded floor areas in the theatre gantry. As a non-reflective, slip and tear resistant material that meets the highest safety standards, it provides a safe surface for an area of the theatre where there is constant movement of scenery, people and heavy lighting.CMS High Impact Mat also has other qualities which made it the preferred specification for this refurbishment. As well as providing high acoustic performance, it offers an aesthetic, ‘final floor finish’ which is warm underfoot and has anti-fatigue properties. It creates an attractive, comfortable and quiet working environment in the gantry, as well as contributing to the quality finish that runs throughout the theatre.

Impact carried out the hygienic wall cladding at The National Mathematics and Science College, we supplied and installed ImpactPRO to the College's main Kitchen.

Prior Park College is a Grade 1 listed building which stands on a very large hill overlooking the city of Bath and dates back to 1830's, so as you'd expect, this project came with some very interesting quirks.Impact supplied and installed ImpactPRO to the College's main kitchen and store areas.

Jaguar Land Rover's site in Solihull is a major operation for the global car manufacturer. The nature of the production and logistics centre means that there is constantly high flow of industrial and domestic vehicle traffic around the building, as well as pedestrians. Brandsafe designed, supplied and installed a range of safety systems to meet the needs of the client, both aesthetically and operationally. The new pedestrian walkway system is a key component of this, with safety barriers and gates, as well as highly visible HGV clatter bars to help protect against vehicle collisions.

Impact Group has been on site at the brand new purpose built Little Pioneers Nursery & Preschool in Warwick, where we've supplied and installed ImpactPRO Hygienic Wall Cladding to specified areas.We've also prepped, latex'd and laid new Altro safety flooring throughout the space.

Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) operates services in 200 locations across Rotherham, Doncaster and North Lincolnshire. It provides a range of inpatient and community mental health , learning disability and addiction services for adult, young people and children. The solution offered by Intastop was to ensure the door had full anti-ligature protection with the Door Top Alarm and fully clad the door in high quality anti-bacterial impact protection sheet which prevents water absorption and protects from damage.

Impact Group UK have been lucky enough to have been part of transforming the vaults of London’s historical Royal Exchange.We supplied and installed ImpactPRO to the Vaults Kitchen. The space will consist of a 7,000-square-foot bar and restaurant, The Libertine, a drinking and dining destination that has been in the planning since pre-pandemic times.Paying homage to the building’s history as the first venue to serve alcohol in London with a Royal Licence, The Libertine will feature a large bar, more casual drinking and dining spaces, as well as two private dining rooms and a restaurant.It’s brought to you by "Incipio" (the group behind Pergola, The Prince, and Lost in Brixton) who intend to bring to life the histories and stories of the Square Mile in this historic space.

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.

Light, air, acoustics and spatial organisation are well recognised as essential elements when designers work on medical and healing facilities. This is because they have an impact on the treatment of body and mind. Now a wealth of information is available from Troldtekt, a leading developer and manufacturer of acoustic ceiling and wall solutions. This is available in an online series of articles which focuses on visions and practices opportunities and pitfalls within healing architecture. Interestingly, the internationally acknowledged MIPIM Awards have in recent years started celebrating outstanding healthcare design. The award is an acknowledgement of the role architecture plays in healing and treatment of both physical and mental illnesses. The UK’s recent Mental Health Awareness Week also reinforces the severity of the issues around mental health.Right design is especially critical for people suffering from mental illness or feeling unwell. According to Swedish architects White Arkitekter, a good example is their design for the Ostra Hospital psychiatric facility where traditional conventions have been replaced by an open and unrestricted environment characterised by tranquillity and light. The area is also not isolated from the rest of the building. Another key aspect has been specifying superior acoustics, such as in the psychiatric ward in their design for the Södra Älvsborg Hospital in Borås. Recently shortlisted for the European Healthcare Design 2021 Awards in the Mental Health Design category, their starting point was that the architecture must cater for people’s need to feel safe and to improve their well-being. In designing the interior, the emphasis has always been on soft, round shapes (no sharp edges), while the colours strike a balance between providing stimulating sensory impressions and instilling a sense of calm. They say that the choice of materials, such as wood, also plays a key role because it adds warmth and naturalness. “Sound is an environmental factor that we’re very careful to incorporate correctly in psychiatric buildings,” explains White architect Peter Johnstone. “Creating subdued and comfortable acoustics helps to counteract stress and anxiety that can otherwise be triggered by a noisy environment. Apart from Sweden, international research shows that the therapeutic environment can be crucial to the treatment of mental disorders. In fact, research from Chalmers University of Technology proves that the right interior design, including perfect acoustics, can reduce both the use of physical restraint on psychiatric wards as well as the number of sick days among employees.Founded on the Cradle-to-Cradle design concept, Troldtekt’s natural and inherently sustainable panels are available in a variety of different surfaces and colours and contribute positively to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB and LEED ratings. In addition to their high sound absorption and tactile surface, they offer high durability and low cost lifecycle performance. Available in various sizes and in four grades from extreme fine to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour. Samples, case studies and technical guidance are available from tel 01978 664255 or Troldtekt.co.uk while the theme can be found at https://www.troldtekt.com/news/themes/healing-architecture

Impact Group UK have been awarded the Hospital Wall Protection Package at the new £21m contract awarded to Premier Modular Ltd for the offsite construction of a 3,450sqm, four-storey modular healthcare building.The use of an offsite solution for this project is ensuring faster delivery and earlier occupation to the benefit of patient care. It is also radically reducing disruption to staff and patients and the surrounding residential community during it construction.Stephen Hatcher, Project Manager, Associate, P+HS Architects “The building was designed to minimise impact on the environment over its life and is targeting a BREEAM excellent rating. It will have areas of green roof to encourage biodiversity, a highly insulated building fabric to reduce heat loss and running costs, energy-efficient ventilation and electric air source heat pump system for heating, and solar panels for electricity generation.”THE OFFSITE SOLUTIONThe £21m contract was awarded to Premier for the offsite construction of a 3,450sqm, four-storey modular healthcare building.The use of an offsite solution for this project is ensuring faster delivery and earlier occupation to the benefit of patient care. It is also radically reducing disruption to staff and patients and the surrounding residential community during it construction.CHALLENGESHigh degree of energy efficiency to reduce carbon emissionsCompliance with the current and emerging London PlanA highly restricted site on a live hospital campus. The new building has access roads to three sides and is immediately adjacent to the Normanby Building.A short build programme to bring the facilities into use as fast as possible, to the benefit of patient careThe requirement to avoid any disruption to the air ambulance during the building installation phase.CAREFUL LOGISTICS PLANNING132 steel-framed modules weighing up to 11.5 tonnes each were installed using a 500-tonne crane in a complex operation.This involved careful logistics planning to maintain access through the hospital campus at all times, and to co-ordinate cranage to avoid any disruption to the helipad and air ambulance helicopters.THE FACILITYThe new outpatient services building will provide 48 purpose-designed consultation rooms and eight procedure rooms for a range of services, including dermatology, rheumatology, respiratory, neurosciences, pain management, and urology as well as other aspects of surgery and therapies.EXCEEDING TARGETS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCYThe building had stringent requirements for energy efficiency in compliance with the London Plan and new SAP 10 carbon factors, to reduce emissions by:At least 15 per cent from non-renewable measuresBy 35 per cent overall in the final building.The project has achieved a total reduction of 48.16 per cent of regulated carbon emissions using a combination of low carbon measures and energy from renewables:Enhanced building fabric specification with high levels of insulation to reduce heat loss and running costsHighly energy efficient system for precise heating and cooling and using heat recoveryAn efficient radiant panel system powered by air source heat pumps and as an alternative to radiator heatingHot water provided using a bivalent system – 65 per cent from air source heat pumpsHigh efficacy LED lighting throughout with daylight dimming control to rooms with windowsA photovoltaic array of solar panels to generate around 45kWp of electricity output.The new building is designed in compliance with BREEAM 2018 Ene01 excellent requirements and will have areas of green roof to encourage biodiversity.The offsite construction of the building structure also enhances the building’s sustainability credentials – with precision manufacturing to reduce heat loss, fewer vehicle movements to site, and zero waste to landfill.

Matching their generosity Safety Technology International have partnered with a community charity to preserve and protect a life-saving donation for when it is needed most.The Post Office Anglers Society (POAS) is a family fishing club with a long history stretching back to the early 1970s; initially the brainchild of now honorary member David Butt and a fellow group of Post Office Telephone Engineers the Society now has nearly 300 members.In 2005, the Southend-on-Sea based Society purchased a 4.5 acre site in Sutton, Essex to develop their very own two lake fishery, Beauchamps, to supplement their existing leased fishery. The POAS’ Beauchamps Fishery was recently fortunate enough to receive an automatic electronic defibrillator (AED) donated by the Finish Line Fund.The AED was to be installed in the fisheries meeting area, a location partially open to the elements and only accessible to members. It was vital, therefore, the new life safety device be properly protected for use in an emergency.As is customary, the AED operator’s manual offered clear instructions for proper installation and maintenance, including guidance on impact protection, equipment visibility and environmental protection requirements.Drawing on the life safety expertise of its membership, STI’s AED Protective Cabinet (STI-7531AED) was identified by the POAS and carefully chosen to protect the sophisticated medical device as it exceeded all of the criteria set out by the manufacturer and all with a three-year guarantee.POAS Member and Fire Safety Professional, Ken Pearce, said: “The POAS contacted STI to discuss the enclosure and its importance in protecting the possibly life-saving AED.“We were delighted to hear that STI offered to donate the enclosure to the club to safeguard the AED from the elements and allow us to be able to carry out the installation in line with the AED manufacturer’s guidance.”It was determined the impact-resistant UV-stabilised polycarbonate enclosure could withstand any amount of accidental knocks from fishing equipment and fishery maintenance tools; the clear polycarbonate housing and thumb lock allowing the portable AED to remain both highly visible and easily accessible, vitally important in an emergency.From the scorching days of the POAS Summer League matches to the chilly Winter League matches fished by the hardiest of fishermen, the typical working properties of -40°C to 121°C greatly exceed the wildest of temperatures expected at the fishery throughout the year – An internal gasket guards against ingress.Ken added: “The AED Protective Cabinet was installed by a member of the POAS Maintenance Team who found the installation to be extremely straightforward, and was particularly pleased with the supplied wire shelf and steel mounting backplate, which ensured a secure installation – The enclosure was successfully installed in under an hour.“All members would like to thank STI for this great donation and we can have confidence that the equipment, should it be needed, will be easily accessible and well protected.”

The recently opened Tameside Macmillan Unit offers cancer treatment and support services to local residents. To help create a calming and healing environment for patients, bespoke artwork, bright colours and natural finishes were incorporated into the interior design. CS Acrovyn wall protection solutions were used to help create a welcoming and functional facility. Stylish HR6CS timber Handrails provide mobility support in general circulation areas, whilst Acrovyn Crashrails, Corner Guards and textured Sheet offer necessary impact protection to walls and corners in waiting and clinical areas. CS wall protection solutions ensure the centre remains functional, damage free and easy to clean.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have announced their new policy on Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS) that came into effect at the start of this month.The policy affects all calls to the fire control operators who will confirm a fire before the incident requires the fire service to be dispatched.Scotland have a continuously high rate of false alarms attended by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, with over 57,000 unnecessary journeys a year. This is why the new policy adopts a ‘call challenge’ policy to reduce the number of false fire alarms attended by the service.False fire alarms cause disruption in various ways, from impacting the time and resources of fire and rescue services, implicating people’s safety and harmfully impacting the environment. False alarms are also costly procedures, not only for the Fire Service but also businesses where the false alarm takes place.These UFAS have many detrimental effects:They impact on resources available to attend real fires.They impact on time available for other valuable work, such as training and community safety activities. Where fire crews comprise on-call (retained) fire fighters, the crews may be unnecessarily taken away from their place of work.They impact on road safety, as a result of fire appliances travelling under emergency conditions.They impact on the environment from the number of appliance journeys. The new guidance on safe investigation of unwanted fire alarm signals aims to challenge calls to confirm fire or signs of fire in order to ensure resources and time are being used effectively. However, the SFRS will continue to attend calls received from automatic fire alarm systems and if the signal has been initiated by a manual call point (MCP), heat or smoke detector or sprinkler system, in premises in which people sleep. There will also be fire service attendance in non-sleeping risks if there is physical signs or technological indication of a real fire, such as the fire alarm signal triggered by a manual call point.Although the policy will significantly reduce the number of false alarms attended by fire crews, there is still more to be done to decrease the vast number of unnecessary call outs.Protective covers from STI help to reduce both malicious and accidental activations of manual call points, available in various sizes, mounting options and custom text available to suit all applications. The tough polycarbonate covers have been specifically designed to help deter false alarms and prevent vandalism of various devices. The range of Call Point Protectors are highly effective without restricting legitimate operation of the devices, meaning they are easily accessed in emergency situations.For more information on the new policy, visit the FIA website here: https://www.fia.uk.com/news/guidance-on-safe-investigation-of-fire-alarm-signals-in-scotland.html?utm_source=Fire%20Industry%20Association&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=14001136_June%202023%20MMU

Impact Group UK has stepped in to transform Barry's bedroom following the family’s two-year council battle to make it safe.The Daily Record reported three weeks ago how mum Caitlyn is in constant fear of him hurting himself and has been fighting for work to be carried out.A roll of lino, supplied by WDHSCP, has been lying in her hall since last summer, with the walls and floor still bare and electrics yet to be completed.Impact had previously supplied a quote for the work over a year ago, which Caitlyn says she passed onto the council but nothing came of it.A little Vale boy is going to have his dream bedroom after a big-hearted company stepped in to end the family’s two-year council battle to make it safe.Five-year-old Barry McLaughlin has Pica, a rare condition which causes him to chew wall and floor coverings, and has been waiting on West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership to carry out vital adaptations.Commercial director James Cooke read our story online and reached out to Caitlyn pledging to safely kit out the space, including an ocean-themed feature wall and built-in TV. Caitlyn said: “This means so much to us. After the story was in the Lennox I thought it would maybe give the council a push but I never thought for a minute that a company would reach out.How we found out “Somebody had tagged James in the story and he sent me a message on Facebook.“He said ‘If you don’t mind we would like to come out and get Barry’s room as safe as possible. You won’t need to worry any more. We’re going to make it safe and fun for him’. “I couldn’t believe it. I was in floods of tears. I thought it was such a nice thing to do. “They did a quote over the year ago which I showed the council but they said it was too expensive. I offered to pay part of it as it included the cost of a TV which I didn’t expect them to pay.”Director Michael Blake told the Lennox Herald the company, which specialise in installing hygienic surfaces in healthcare facilities, hospitality, leisure and in homes, didn’t think twice about contacting Caitlyn after seeing our story. He said: “We didn’t hear anything else after doing the quote so presumed it had been carried out.“When we found out she was in the same situation we knew we had to get the job done.“We’re going to make a really fun, safe environment for Barry and it will give Caitlyn peace of mind knowing her son is safe.”The mum-of-two previously told how there was “no dignity” in his bedroom, which only has a bed in it for Barry to sleep. He has eaten the floor underlay, skirting boards and wall coverings and requires materials around him which he cannot try and eat or rip up.Impact Group UK specialise in the work requiring to be done and James and his team travelled up from England last week, spending five hours assessing the work needed to be carried out. They are planning to return in a couple of weeks to carry out the work over four days, replacing wall and floor coverings and installing a fun aquarium feature wall.Caitlyn said: “They sent me some different options for the feature wall and I picked one I knew Barry would like. “It’s got fish, corals, whales and turtles. I was expecting a plain wall but he said they wanted to make it fun for him. He’s going to love it. “They are going to put a TV in with a perspex screen over it. There will be a fake wall with wires and sockets behind so there will be no chance of him chewing any of it. I don’t need to worry about him sticking his fingers into the sockets. “It’s going to be amazing and I can’t wait to see his face when it’s done.“He has a few wee friends who he’ll be able to invite round to play in his room and it’s going to be really good for him to be able to have his own space. “For me, it means I can go to sleep at night without the fear that he is going to choke on something he’s eaten. “I am so grateful to them.”Jackie Baillie MSP previously hit out over the delay after it was revealed WDHSCP was sitting on £6million of reserves.She said: “I very much welcome the intervention from Impact Group UK, but it is shameful that they have had to step in to complete a job that WDHSCP should have carried out in 2020.“Families with urgent needs should never have to wait years for help and this cannot be allowed to happen again, especially given that the HSCP is sitting on £6m of reserves.“The HSCP must do the right thing and pay for the work to be carried out and apologise to the McLaughlin family for not helping when they should have intervened.”A WDHSCP spokeswoman said: “We strive to provide a responsive and efficient service to all of our residents and would again like to apologise to Ms McLaughlin that timescales for these works were impacted by staff absence as a result of the pandemic.“We will continue to liaise with Ms McLaughlin to provide support and ensure all works to her home are completed as required.”

As experts in supplying balustrades to the Education sector, Delta’s powder coated Orbis balustrades with glass infill created an impactful and eye-catching feature stair and communal space for pupils.Delta also installed powder coated Orbis balustrades with vertical bar infills on the stairs.The construction of Pencoedtre High School by Bouygues UK was part of the £34m investment by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Welsh Government.The three-storey building with state-of-the-art facilities was built to accommodate 1250 pupils and as part of the 21st Century Schools programme to transform educational facilities.

Zaun was contracted to supply high security and anti-protestor fencing for leading fracking companies to protect their sites from trespass or intrusion by protesters.This case study investigates the fundamental role of temporary high-security fencing in protecting sites from protesters.Why was it important to protect the site?Fracking is a subject that often dominates the news and can generate heightened emotions. In addition, fracking regularly attracts protesters, resulting in the crucial necessity for site protection, such as high-security fencing.Protesters could pose a significant danger to the site's running and risk their own health if they could get onto the site.What Fencing Was Selected?Zaun installed two types of high-security temporary fencing systems to protect the site. One of these fencing systems was MultiFence temporary security fencing. Multifence is durable and mobile. In addition, concrete blocks are utilised for mounting the fencing, which can be a viable space-saving option and extremely secure and robust.The second temporary security fencing used at the fracking site was RDS Original, Zaun’s Rapid Deploy Fencing system. Why Were They Selected?Zaun’s Multifence system and RDS system are high-security solutions to temporary fencing needs. Both robust, strong and durable, they have extensive intrinsic security features that deliver the highest level of protection.Both systems have been mob tested, which means they can withstand considerable force from crowds. Thus, they are ideally suited for this purpose. Due to a lack of footholds, protesters cannot climb or scale the fence. This offers dual protection because not only does it prevent protesters from intruding onto the site, but it also significantly reduces the risk of injury to the protesters too.The Multifence and RDS systems have the potential for hostile vehicle mitigation security upgrades to the fencing if necessary. This can be crucial if there is the possibility of hostile vehicles attacking the site.As no ground penetration is necessary for installing either the Multifence or RDS, this protects the environment around the site’s perimeter. It also maintains the integrity of the site ground. They are also easily movable and redeployed over multiple sites.

Aldi are a supermarket chain with over 700 stores throughout the UK, many of which are located in or around city centres or other areas which have a high population density. One of the issues this creates is noise pollution, which can emanate from the stores throughout the day as a result of deliveries from heavy goods vehicles in the loading bays, where heavy machinery is often used to transport pallets of goods. As a responsible member of their community, two Aldi stores in Kent came to Jacksons looking to reduce the impact of noise coming from their property.

Hush Acoustics provided an acoustic solution for the Aviation Academy in Norwich as part of its project to transform the building through the creation of an innovative learning environment. Based within a World War 2 aircraft hangar, home to a museum, cafe and now classrooms, catering for pupils and youth organisations as well as holding events and conferences, this academy accommodates a wide variety of uses and needs. Hanson Barron and Smith Architects worked on the design of the custom facility, with the aim to create a mezzanine floor within the atrium on which classrooms would be created.The atrium itself holds conferences that can accommodate over 300 people, so in order to ensure the acoustics within the building were fit for purpose, a site visit was conducted to assess how the required acoustic standards could be achieved.On visiting the site, an acoustic concern within the building was the footfall noise being created from the mezzanine floor.The solution proposed after calculating the requirements of the areas was 1500m2 of Hush Panel 17, which would be fitted over the structural plywood deck.Hush Panel 17 is a thin overlay board which minimises floor build-up without compromising performance. By reducing impact sound transmission through the separating floors, it achieves excellent results, with the upper layer of moisture resistant MDF providing a consistently smooth surface for application of floor finishes.Working with Robert Goss from Hanson Barron and Smith and RG Carter who were the main contractors on site, over 2000 sheets of Hush Panel 17 were supplied and fitted to the area.

BMI The Somerfield Hospital is part of BMI Healthcare, a leading provider of independent healthcare with a nationwide network of hospitals. Gradus SureProtect Pure hygienic wall protection in White was specified for use in the anaesthetic and sluice rooms, specifically designed for areas of a hospital where cleanliness is a priority, the hygienic wall cladding creates an impermeable barrier to moisture and bacteria and has a smooth, easy to clean surface. It offers a tough and durable finish helping to protect against impact and abrasion from passing equipment, trolleys and beds, thus reducing any ongoing repair and maintenance costs.

Gradus Wall Protection products have been fitted throughout the £350m Grange University Hospital, the first major hospital to be built in Wales in more than two decades. Hannah Capel, Senior Programme Manager at The Grange University Hospital, commented: "It is now widely accepted that creating a positive environment in healthcare settings has a significant impact on patients’ wellbeing.The wall protection installed by Gradus provides a hygienic solution and the wonderful designs create a less institutional and more relaxing environment for our patients, which benefits them considerably."

At a Glance:New £253m resettlement prison required complete and secure cabling infrastructureManufacture and off site build of completed chambers reduced onsite labour by one third minimising COVID / H&S risksLighter, recyclable materials cut fuel use, accelerated installation and reduced environmental impactHMP Five Wells has won 15 major industry awardsThe ClientKier (www.kier.co.uk) is a leading UK construction and infrastructure services company, providing specialist design and build capabilities for vital economic and social building projects across the UK. Kier was awarded the contract by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for a new build resettlement prison in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire – as part of their New Prisons Programme. The aim of the programme is to reform and modernise the prison estate to provide more safe, secure and functional prison places focused on supporting rehabilitation.The ChallengeKier needed a cable access infrastructure that could satisfy the extremely secure access requirements of a prison environment spanning a 36-acre site.Over 1100 components were supplied to ensure a fully secure cable access system with features such as custom cabling.Kier’s goals for efficiency and cost-effectiveness, as well as for environmental sustainability and social responsibility, is in line with their brand values.The site required a simplified installation, reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions solution that would both endure and be recyclable at the end of their life. The benefits of Kier’s approach came to the fore during the COVID-19 pandemic.As Kier’s project director Rob Stanton explains, ‘new ways of working and offsite manufacture were embraced to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on project delivery’.The SolutionUsing polypropylene products from Clark-Drain, via subcontractor Mitchellson, significantly reduced the weight of the components as compared to traditional concrete. This removed the need for lifting equipment, reduced the on-site labour required (and the attendant health and safety risks), and dramatically shortened the installation time on this £253 million project.From a sustainability point of view, too, these lighter components scored highly, not only in respect of reduced fuel consumption and end-of-life recyclability, but also in terms of provenance, robustness, and therefore long-life durability.Clark-Drain also made several prior visits to site to assess the project requirements, and, based on these early engagements, added further value by designing, building and deploying, in relatively short timeframes, two new chamber bellmouths, to protect below-ground cabling. The bellmouths enable cables to be easily routed within the inner chamber walls during installation by site operatives, but also enable ducts to be securely housed and connected, inside the chamber walls, prior to concrete backfill being applied during installation. Clark-Drain manufactures over 70% of its products inhouse, including the completed chambers, which were manufactured and built offsite at its yard in Yaxley, Peterborough.Demonstrating its commitment to social value and equitability throughout, Kier also involved its Digital Apprentice trainees in the project, and created a project bank account to ensure easier and quicker supplier payment.Outcomes and ResultsThe figures speak for themselves:Cable access for the project is being assembled 22% faster than if traditional construction methods had been usedLighter materials meant that one third less labour was required on-site to install the chambersSurveys were carried out 70% faster using dronesMillions are being saved on post-project snagging using cloud-based review and QA technologiesThe project has won 15 major industry awardsAnd as for the environmental benefits, long life and recycling apart, the polypropylene chambers are only 38% of the density of concrete, greatly reducing the project’s fuel consumption and carbon emissions.Rebecca Wade, Bid Director at Kier, describes the project’s successes: ‘Thanks to the deployment of agile digital methods and next-generation suppliers, we are delivering efficiently and cost-effectively, whilst respecting our commitments to our society, our community, and our planet.’For more information on how Clark-Drain can help your business deliver robust, cost-effective, environmentally responsible cable access solutions, no matter how big or small your project, get in touch.

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.”