"treatment of water"

Low environmental impact... CHALLENGE All over the world architects and building owners are trying to create buildings with a low environmental impact. For this private house, the architect wanted to combine an aesthetical finish of a metal roof in combination with PV and hot water panels. The biggest issue for the architect was the fixing of these panels without having leak problems in the future. SOLUTION The roof was waterproofed using a RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing membrane that is mechanically fastened onto the supporting roof structure. Two kinds of PVC profiles were heat welded onto the waterproofing membrane: on the one hand RENOLIT ALKORDESIGN profiles (for aesthetical value only), on the other hand there are RENOLIT ALKORSOLAR profiles, which function as the base to attach the hot water and the PV panels. The gable was also finished with the RENOLIT ALKORDESIGN system.

Cauldwell International Children’s School is an £18 million purpose-built complex and the first of its kind in the UK, a national charity based in Staffordshire dedicated to improving the lives of disabled children.A modern but cost-effective solution was required by the client for their new washroom facilities. Due to this being a charitable organisation, there were budget constraints. Products offered by our competitors were too costly. Water saving was also an important factor to consider.Discussions took place with our product, design and specifications teams to fully understand the project. With the clients’ requirements in mind, we presented various options for review. We provided a sample of our stainless steel infra-red basin curved taps. The touch-free modern design was favourable and the sample was approved.Testimonial“We were thrilled with the approach the TYDE professionals took. They considered all of our pain points. Cost restraints made it more difficult but TYDE offer such a broad range of products, they were able to offer us a solution and we didn’t have to compromise on quality. We love the design and the integrated water-saving technology is a big bonus!”

Products from Kingspan Insulation’s Kooltherm and Therma ranges have helped to transform a derelict water tower in North Yorkshire into a striking family home, as featured on Channel 4‘s Restoration Man. By using insulation that delivers outstanding thermal performance from minimal thicknesses, the owners have been able to create a home that is not only sensitive to the building’s industrial past, but that functions as a cosy yet spacious family home.

CastSlot and Paveslot, the leading channel drainage systems from Gatic Civil Drainage, have been installed at Rushden Lakes, the new high end shopping centre in Northamptonshire. Specified by consulting engineers, BE Design, and working with contractors Winvic, CastSlot with a tread safe top was carefully selected for its robust composition – essential for a busy shopping centre. CastSlot’s tread safe top is important in areas with high volumes of pedestrians, removing the risk of heels getting caught in the grating. PaveSlot was installed in the project’s central boulevard – home to a bespoke water feature.Gatic is a globally recognised brand, specified for many prestigious projects around the world. Its leading range of surface water drainage is strong, durable and reliable, with load ratings from A15 to F900 to suit a wide range of applications. CastSlot’s high capacity channels provide effective surface water management, protecting areas from excessive rainfall. PaveSlot is ideal for paved areas, with a discreet profile that sits neatly in the ground for a subtle and unobtrusive finish.

Liquasil's BBA Approved Metalseal 20 roof coating and Gutterseal system were specified for use on the Airspace Trampoline Park in Wolverhampton. The whole roof was pressure washed and a historical cut-edge corrosion treatment was removed before application; the cut-edges were treated with our SWT Corrosion Primer, with additional reinforcement to the mid-laps through the installation of Liquasil's optional HP Butyl Tape.The whole roof was then coated with Metalseal 20 in Goosewing Grey at a filmweight of c. 300 microns to provide a protective, aesthetically pleasing finish.The gutters were cleaned out and dried before being primed with our SWT Corrosion Primer. Once touch-dry, the joints could then be sealed using our Non-Sag Sealer and a single coat of Liquasil One was applied to the entire gutter. Liquasil One can be immediately applied over the top of Non-Sag Sealer, meaning no time is wasted waiting for it to cure before the works can continue.The end result was a revitalised metal roof with a protective, water-resistant coating that is guaranteed for 20 years.

We were approached by engineering and construction company Planet Construction to help with a project at Windsor Castle.Our experts met the professionals at Planet Construction on-site to gain a deeper understanding of what was required. The toilets located in the St George's area needed upgrading. The facilities needed to be robust yet stylish and in keeping with the fixtures and fittings. It became clear that the cisterns required weren't a standard size so further investigations were needed to ensure the correct products were installed.After discussions, our specifications team suggested the Dudley Electroflo range encompassing infra-red WC flushing and basin taps. This range was specifically developed to save water and maintain hygiene. A trial took place to ensure the bespoke cisterns wouldn't present any problems before the full installation was carried out. The Electroflo products are also easy to service, saving both time and money on-site which was another important factor.Testimonial“We wanted to use a supplier who had a good reputation for providing quality products with great service. The facilities needed to be upgraded and hygiene was an important factor so the touch-free infra-red technology was ideal and the modern design was very complimentary. Installation was simple with no issues at all.”

Amazon has invested heavily in its UK operations in recent years and more recently with the accelerated growth of online shopping, significantly increasing its number of warehouses across the UK. One such distribution centre is in Kingsnorth, Kent. This 34,000 square metre warehouse opened in 2018 and has benefitted from the installation of a Gatic Slotdrain CastSlot system.With its high-capacity surface water intake and high-performance loading capabilities, the CastSlot system from the Gatic Slotdrain range is specifically designed to bear load ratings of up to F900, which amounts to 90 tonnes – making it the ideal product for major distribution centres such as this. In an area where unremitting, slow turning HGV traffic is a major consideration, Gatic’s CastSlot drainage system provides reliable water management.“Gatic CastSlot was specified by global professional services firm RPS, to provide high-capacity drainage that had a discreet finish, within the service yard and car park for the distribution centre,” said Zach Graham, Gatic Area Sales Manager for London and the South East. “They valued the design put forward to them and accepted to take away unnecessary costs to client and project without reducing performance of the system.”“In addition, RPS have used the Gatic range before and will look to use the system on a design whenever possible.”

Selectaglaze secondary glazing was chosen to help improve the thermal, acoustic and security properties of one of London’s most renowned and historic palaces.

A residential property in Lancashire saw a variety of Schlüter-KERDI waterproofing products aid in the correction of a previous installation, resulting in a stunning high-end steam room ensuite.

Gatic Civil Drainage was recently specified for Waitrose’s new store in Oxford for its CastSlot system from its market-leading Slotdrain range. Gatic’s CastSlot is designed to create a continuous interception of surface water, as well as provide a discreet and durable surface opening. Manufactured in three metre lengths of galvanised steel, it benefits from fewer joints and improved flow performance. A high flow inlet and channel capacity meant CastSlot provided a tidy, unobtrusive and functional solution. The cast iron finish gives the system a highly durable and ductile iron top.

Abode, award-winning designer and distributor of market leading kitchen taps, sinks, bathroom taps & showering solutions bring eco-luxe convenience to a unique water tower restoration project in Castle Acre, Norfolk with Pronteau: a high-specification range of steaming hot water taps with exclusive safety features.

The first part of a vital £23m project to alleviate the risk of flooding in Hull has been completed with product, design support and on-site assistance from Brett Landscaping.Brett Landscaping has worked with contractor Morrisons Water Services, Yorkshire Water and Hull City Council to retrofit Rosmead Street, a residential street vulnerable to surface water flooding, supplying 4,000 square metres of concrete block permeable paving.The Rosmead Street scheme is the first part of a £23m investment in surface water management schemes planned across Hull and East Riding due to be completed over the next five years, coordinated by the Living With Water partnership. Hull has always been a city susceptible to flooding, due to its location on low lying land alongside the Humber estuary and River Hull. Surface water from the surrounding area and city itself has to flow through a series of drainage and sewer networks to discharge into the estuary. This system was challenged in 2007 when over 9,000 properties were flooded. Since then the partners have joined together to work on increasing the cities resilience through awareness and engagement, alongside investment in the infrastructure. The Living With Water partnership was set up by Hull City Council, East Riding Of Yorkshire, Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water and University of Hull with two key objectives to educate the community and look at ways to mitigate the problems with surface water drainage in the area, based on the concerns and requirements of residents.At Rosmead Street the Living With Water team committed to a SuDS retrofit scheme that would help to mitigate any future serious rainfall incidents by removing the original MacAdam roadway and using permeable paving to attenuate the water flow and ease pressure on the sewer systems.

Well known as one of North Norfolk’s gems, not just because of its historic setting - it’s believed to be Holt’s oldest building - Byfords is the place to go for delicious home-cooked food, from breakfast, lunch and dinner to everything in between.Busy all year round with loyal locals and visitors to the popular upmarket town of Holt, Byfords is so much more than just a restaurant. On entering, guests are shown through the store, jam-packed with savoury pastries, hot food and cakes to take-away, before arriving at the striking but homely vaulted dining-cafe. Those lucky enough to be staying the night or two are shown to a sumptuous B&B suite upstairs.January 2020 saw Byfords renovate the ‘conservatory’ area of the restaurant, adding an impressive open marble-topped serving bar, behind which are positioned coffee machines and everything needed to make the ever-popular hot drinks throughout the day. One element of this key area that also needed upgrading was the water boiler. Used almost non-stop to fill teapots and cafetieres, Byfords looked to upgrade their current boiler to ensure it could meet the restaurant’s needs.General manager Richard Knights explains: “All of our kitchen & Bar products need to be able to meet a high level of demand, along with being reliable, as we don’t want to be replacing appliances every year.” Richard selected an Instanta product after researching boilers and being impressed with the capacity options and dedication to quality manufacture.A SureFlow Counter Top Filtered (CTS11F) boiler was installed, providing the cafe with up to 162 cups of boiling water per hour, with its built-in multi-functional filtration. This filtration can be adjustable for any catering facility in hard water areas to not only ensure the product isn’t affected by limescale build-up but also to keep hot drinks tasting fresh.“The team makes numerous hot drinks throughout the day,” continues Richard, “so it was vital we have a boiler that is up to the task. The tap is at the right height for filling tall teapots and cafetieres and we never have to worry about waiting for the water to be at the right temperature. As it is in a front-of-house location, it’s also great that it looks good! The smart stainless steel styling complements our other products and looks professional.”The positive feedback from Byfords team means Richard wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Instanta to the other restaurants in the Norfolk Passport brand. “When we come across a product that works so well we always share our insights and I’ll certainly be letting the other teams know that they might be missing out on something!”

The challengeCeiling systems by Zentia have provided form and function for an award-winning Grade A office building at the heart of one of the largest regeneration projects in the UK.Zentia’s Cradle to Cradle™ certified mineral tiles were specified by regular Zentia users Falconer Chester Hall Architects for the Kingsgate building at Birkenhead in Wirral Waters which was built at a cost of £11.4 million.The solutionThe decision to choose Zentia Prestige hA+ Tegular24 tiles with Prelude 24mm XL2 grid was made simple due to the 30 year system warranty and both having Cradle to Cradle certificates helping achieve Kingsgate’s BREEAM Excellent rating.Manufactured with up to 41% recycled content, the Prestige family is available in three core densities that allow specifiers to engineer sound absorption and attenuation for optimum acoustic performance – standard Prestige giving medium density, Prestige hA+ giving low density (both of these variables were used at Kingsgate) and Prestige dB giving high density, up to 41 dB.Stephen Fieldsend of Falconer Chester Hall said the Zentia systems were specified to reduce acoustics in the open plan office areas which serve as the core business for The Contact Company in its role as a contact centre. Flexible open-plan office spaces allow greater flexibility for the call centre which takes up three of the four storeys, with offices and meeting rooms on the top floor. While its design concept references Liverpool’s past and the trading vessels that once negotiated the waters on its doorstep, the building remains forward focused on sustainability.

Dart Valley Systems (DVS), part of Franke water systems was chosen for the washroom revamp at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London. The client required a setup that was robust, modern, and aesthetically pleasing. During the initial phase, DVS worked closely with the client to create a solution based on the project teams’ requirements. DVS has in-house capabilities to create bespoke product specifications and has worked alongside the client previously at their leading training facility. This was a great opportunity to put forward tried and tested products which were tailored to the client’s specific needs. DVS put forward customised programmable sensors for WCs, urinals and showers, alongside WC flushvalves. The stadium is now equipped with an intelligent and fully customised washroom system that saves water, increases hygiene and allows data capture. DVS is proud to have contributed to what is considered by many as the benchmark for future stadium and entertainment venues worldwide.

Our latest distributor case study shows how along with our valued distributor, FreshGround, we were able to provide Kings College Hospital, London, with a complete drinking water solution for providing clean, filtered, safe drinking water for their patients, staff and visitors by offering a combination of the E6 Chilled-only, T3 integrated tap system and the E7 water dispenser.

Working with big global brands to produce video content, RD Content is a busy agency based in Covent Garden. When it came to moving into their new office, the company decided to leave nothing to chance, and instead made sure every single element was designed by them.

The HydroTap Arc All-in-One keeps Alison Potter's modern family home plastic bottle free

Owner of interior design company Studio Fortnum, Rebecca Wakefield is no stranger to being briefed on all manner of interior design and architecture. Specialising in understated, modern, relaxed living spaces, Rebecca’s portfolio is a stunning array of calming wall colours, comfortable areas to relax and thoughtfully considered artwork.

Beautiful design is at the forefront of Sleeper Magazine’s publication, so they needed an office interior that was equally inspiring. Sleeper Magazine called on creative design studio NoChintz to create the workspace they were after, which included the addition of a new HydroTap.

Developer IM Properties is used to delivering projects for a range of clients, but 2019 also saw it complete a stunning new headquarters for its own parent company, IM Group. Known as The Gate, the new building - which houses IM Properties and International Motors, has been designed with wellbeing and sustainability in mind.

With a staff force brimming with talented journalists, designers, marketers and advertising pros, sharp, creative minds are in abundance. To keep those minds on top form, Time Inc. UK knew that a high performance hydration solution was key.

Launched in 2003 by Olly Olsen and Charlie Green, The Office Group pioneered the concept of shared workspace in response to a fast-changing commercial world. Today the company boasts 17,000 members and over 40 locations, 31 of which are in London. Beautiful workspaces and vibrant communal areas foster creativity and collaboration among members, from app creators and entrepreneurs, all the way to financiers and architects.

The Zip HydroTap Celsius Arc chosen for new Purelake luxury London development

Interior stylist and Instagrammer reduces single-use plastic waste while retaining style in her beautiful home

Making a development stand out is a priority for housebuilders, who want to attract buyers in an increasingly competitive marketplace. The kitchen is always going to be a key room for buyers, with the average Brit spending 253 minutes per week in the kitchen cooking meals. Add on top of that washing-up, cleaning, preparing packed lunches and even helping with homework, it’s fair to say that we spend a lot of time in the kitchen. So how can developers ensure they seduce buyers with a functional, striking kitchen, that also adds an element of luxury to daily life?

Alicante Port, the well renowned commercial and cruise ship terminal has been upgraded to benefit from a Gatic Slotdrain high-capacity surface water drainage system.Slotdrain UltraSlot was specified during the re-conditioning of Dock 19 to increase capacity from 300,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) to 463,000 TEU.“UltraSlot was chosen by specifier SETI, SA, who are well established within the ports sector and who have worked with Gatic products for many years,” said International Sales Manager – Luis Triguero “The engineer in charge was familiar with the mechanical and hydraulic advantages of UltraSlot and requested a competitive price for the project. As Gatic is so well established in the Spanish market, we could exceed their expectations.”UltraSlot is used in external concrete areas which are subject to constant traffic, such as airports and ports. This high-capacity system is designed to ensure sufficient depth of concrete cover over the main body of the channel to withstand ultra-heavy-duty loads of up to F900 - 90 tonnes.“The biggest challenge we faced was ensuring the system could withstand the consistent, heavy traffic that will always be moving throughout the port,” continues Luis. “However, thanks to its capacity to bear heavy loads, UltraSlot proved to be one of the best drainage options on the market.”

In its largest building project in over 100 years, the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Exhibition Road Quarter achieves architectural cohesion between museum and street with the help of Alumasc Water Management Solutions (AWMS) and Alumasc Roofing Systems. In a project that demonstrates expertise across the full building envelope, Alumasc Wade HCE drainage channels and access covers were installed to provide almost invisible yet functional water management, and a bespoke hybrid roofing system installed using Hydrotech and Derbigum waterproof roofing.Designed by Stirling Prize-winning Architect Amanda Levete and her practice AL_A, the landmark project aimed to “break down the barrier” between the great cultural artery of Exhibition Road and home of over 5000 years’ worth of cultural history.The entire project encompassed the construction of the Salisbury Gallery, a flexible 1100m2 temporary exhibition space, the Blavatnik Hall, a new entrance into the V&A from Exhibition Road, the Aston Webb Screen, a newly created colonnade formed from the original 1909 structure, and the Sackler Courtyard, a key area that strives for unity between the street, the museum, the historical and the modern.

Hotel Café Royal has just undergone a complete refurbishment and internal re-build. Part of the new complex is a state-of-the-art Spa and Gym which is located in the basement. Directly next to the hotel is Regent Street, below which runs the Bakerloo underground train line.Structure-borne noise levels from the trains were far too high to create the relaxing environment required for a top class Spa. The acoustic consultants therefore specified that all of the noise sensitive spaces must be isolated on a Stravifloor Deck concrete floating floor system.Café Royal’s 1,200 sqm Wellbeing Centre provides a personal and intimate holistic experience. It has a large lap pool and four different areas, corresponding to the four natural elements: spa/water, gym/fire, yoga/air and organic bar/earth.The spa offers a variety of Watsu hydro-experiences, a private and communal Hammam and signature Akasha treatments. Moods are enhanced by restorative music, aromas and gentle lighting. The gym has the most advanced fitness equipment, including Kinesis machines. There is a spacious aerobics studio and a private training room. Yoga, Tai-Chi and Pilates are offered in the calming area, with bespoke classes.

The metal roof to this large distribution centre was affected by cut edge corrosion and all of the metal valley and eaves gutters were affected and leaking & corrosion. The gutters were first cleaned and dried, then treated with Liquasil’s corrosion primer. All gutter joints were coated with non-Sag Sealer, a highly elastic silicone polymer, before the whole gutter was coated with Liquasil One to provide a seamless gutter lining to prevent further leaks. Liquasil systems are covered by a unique Latent Defects Guarantee.

Guests to a new luxury spa at one of London’s most famous hotels are relaxing in comfort after the installation of the environmentally friendly underfloor heating system, Schlüter®-BEKOTEC-THERM, by Schlüter-Systems.

Edinburgh based football club, Heart of Midlothian Football Club (Hearts FC) is a city institution and its Tynecastle stadium is classed as a ‘must-visit’ destination for any football-mad tourist. The recent multimillion pound redevelopment has seen it undergo a major transformation to ensure visitors have the most memorable and safe experience possible.It’s no surprise that football fans want refreshments while at the stadium, so the concourse houses a number of food and drink kiosks around the ground. Something that can be found at each and every kiosk is an Instanta InstaTap – and with 30 new machines purchased as part of the refurbishment programme, that takes the total up to 50 so far.“We originally started using Instanta about three years ago”, comments Graeme Pacitti, head of hospitality and catering operations, “after the competitor product we were using back then just kept breaking down. We looked around for a replacement and narrowed it down to two products, but went with Instanta because we liked the idea of being with a British manufacturer. It means if we do need to contact the team, it’s very quick and efficient.” Graeme is impressed with not only how the Instanta products work, but also how well they fit in to the kiosks. “We have both under-counter and counter-top water boilers, and they fit the compact space very well, but still deliver the high volumes we require on match days. They also look good and are extremely reliable.” Ben McCosh of Arumba Coffee, who supplies the stadium with its catering machines, adds: “The Instanta machines deliver what they promise. Match days are hectic, with a lot of pressure on the refreshment kiosks, but the water boilers don’t let the team down.”

Located at the first locks of the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal, the second phase of the £1bn Middlewood Locks development in Salford delivers 546 apartments across 4 new buildings with private podium gardens. Phase 2 of the development is part of the wider mixed-use scheme to regenerate 25 hectares of brownfield land with new apartments, office space, a hotel, bars, restaurants, car parking and a gym.The large catchment area of the development discharges to the newly renovated balancing basins that service the confluence of adjacent canals and the River Irwell. An extensive podium drainage landscaping design was required to meet the site’s strict discharge limits and reduce the impact of surface water run-off to less than that of the pre-developed brownfield land.The ABG blueroof storm water attenuation system specified for the scheme covers over 9,500 m2 and restricts rainfall outflows to below the 16 l/s discharge limit on Plot G of the site and within the 20 l/s limit for Plot H. The system incorporates 27 ABG restrictor chambers above rainwater outlets which are configured to restrict outflow rates to within the discharge consents.The system is designed to attenuate a 1-in-100 storm event (data extrapolated from the local FEH 2013 flood report), plus 30% allowance for the effects of climate change. The geocomposite drainage and attenuation layers and network of restrictor chambers serve to filter surface water run-off pollutants to treatment train stage one of the SuDS process, meaning no other filtration measures are required. The top of the chambers are designed to sit flush with the porous resin paving surface, and different configurations and thicknesses of drainage composites were used to achieve the correct height of system to match the different surface levels. The ABG Deckdrain geocomposite layer provides multi-directional flow capacity to efficiently channel rainwater to the nearest restrictor chamber outlet whilst the integral geotextile filter helps to prevent the cuspated drainage core from becoming blocked.The choice of hard and soft landscaping materials specified for the development are of a very high standard and the inclusion of large areas of green spaces and substantial planting creates valuable new private gardens and amenity spaces for the area.The attenuation system configuration was designed and supplied by ABG and installed over a 6 month period by ABG Installs. As part of the storm water attenuation system design, a new restrictor chamber diffuser was developed to fit directly onto the downpipes of the apartment buildings. The attenuation voids were modified to allow for cable ducting to pass through them and a method was also developed to provide structural drainage beneath the concrete footings of the stone planter walls.

The Dimplex Edel air source hot water heat pump has proved its credentials as an exceptionally efficient, easy to install and cost-effective renewable water heating system for one resident on the island of Jersey.

Peri Ltd, one of the world's largest manufacturers of formwork and scaffolding, recently had Gatic CastSlot installed at its extensive multi-purpose service yard, where heavy lorries and vehicles come and go constantly.Our Area Sales Manager who worked on the project - Zach Graham revealed “The Gatic system was opted for due to its great hydraulic capacity and extensive reputation.” “This particular project required a safe solution that could bear the load of up to 40 tonnes, or D400, in technical terms. However, the Gatic range is designed to meet the needs of delivery or distribution areas where load ratings can reach up to 90 tonnes, or to F900 level, making it well within its capabilities.”Where continuous, slow turning traffic is a major consideration, Gatic CastSlot, from the Gatic Slotdrain range, is the front runner for ensuring a reliable water management system. The reputation of Gatic Slotdrain as the go to drainage range for infrastructure hubs such as airport runways and major ports, made this the obvious choice for this project.

Lee Valley White Water Centre offers a unique mix of white water rafting and paddle sports, including family activities. The attraction, which is in Hertfordshire’s scenic Lee Valley Country Park, needed a new decking solution for its Terrace Bar & Café. Because many visitors choose to relax over a drink or a meal straight from their water sports experience, it was important to have decking that would be non-slip, even with surface water. And with the Terrace offering a packed programme including live music events, it also needed to be hardwearing. Gripsure supplied nearly 4,000 metres of Balau Hardwood anti-slip decking, an extremely durable product with an expected in-service life of more than 50 years. Lee Valley Regional Park Authority’s surveyor, Robert Kearney said: “We needed decking with the greatest resistance to damp, which we could use to create safe non-slip walkways. We were looking for many years of durability, so this is a long-term investment for us.”