"zinc"

The new office development for the New Gorbals Housing Association in Glasgow features a variety of aluminium fenestration solutions. Together these have helped create a light and airy workspace and an impressive centrepiece for the wider regeneration of the area.Located on Crown Street, the new commercial office building is complemented by a new civic piazza and has been designed by Page & Park Architects. Flexibility and adaptability were key focuses for the overall design, with the incorporation of daylighting and natural ventilation strategies to boost wellbeing, and large glazed facades to better connect the building with the local community.The welcoming main entrance has been created using Senior’s slimline and thermally-enhanced SF52 aluminium curtain wall system and SPW501 aluminium commercial doors. The fenestration package also includes Senior’s SPW600e aluminium windows which were used throughout. The ground floor glazing has been recessed to provide privacy to the internal work spaces whilst complementing the overall ‘open’ design of the scheme. In contrast, the first-floor glazing protrudes slightly to maximise views of the surrounding city. Senior’s products were fabricated and installed by Scottech for main contractor CCG.The office environment includes both large areas for group work and smaller, more private booths and is centred around a large timber-clad atrium. The use of internal and external glazed partitions and windows helps balance the space, providing links with both the other areas of the building and the outside. The fenestration package has also been designed to provide those using the building with multiple aspect views and daylighting, whilst avoiding overheating and glare from the summer sun. To further complement the overall façade design which features dark grey zinc cladding, and to boost the durability of the aluminium frames, the windows, doors and curtain wall systems were powder coated.

ChallengeWork is underway to create a new theatre that will transform the existing 1932 Royal Shakespeare Theatre whilst retaining the original Art Deco and Victorian elements of the building. Due for completion during 2010, the theatre will give artists and audiences alike the best environment in which to perform and enjoy Shakespeare with improved public spaces both inside and surrounding the theatre.The challenge for the project design is to blend the key aspects of the existing buildings with the new theatre designs. Specialist roofing contractor, Varla (UK) Limited were awarded the contract to design, manufacture and install the zinc standing seam roof and wall package. Varla (UK) Limited challenged Knauf Insulation to propose a solution to meet the demanding specification for this unique project.SolutionKnauf Insulation provided detailed ongoing technical support during the design stages of the project and proposed solutions based on the results of unique three-dimensional heat loss calculations. The unique 3-D calculation support service, provided by the Technical Advisory Centre, was an integral part of the product specification process to ensure that the exact thickness recommendations were proposed in order to meet the project’s specific U-value requirements.Knauf Insulation were able to provide a solution that met all of Varla’s insulation requirements by using 160mm of Knauf Insulation FactoryClad Roll 32. This is a flexible, lightweight roll of resilient Glass Mineral Wool with exceptionally high tear strength and a thermal conductivity of just 0.032 W/mK.In addition, Knauf Insulation FactoryClad Roll 32, recommended for this project, is manufactured from Glass Mineral Wool, which is ideal for limiting the spread of fire since it holds a Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification for non-combustibility. The product will not burn, will not give off toxic smoke nor will it suddenly ignite in a fire due to ‘flashover’. For public buildings such as this, superior fire performance is crucial.

BACKGROUND: The Pavilion was being refurbished, ready to be re-open as a new café to help increase tourism to the town.Plans included creating a new terrace at the front, a small rear extension, and a portable office/store at the back.REQUIREMENT: A modular ramp to the terrace for pedestrian and wheelchair use. END RESULT:Our installers fitted a Rapid Ramp, which included a pedestrian walkway with a loading capacity of 1,000kgs. It is designed to safely support the weight of varies public traffic, including walkers, prams, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters.The installation was completed within a few hours on a snowy late evening.FEATURES INCLUDED: Mesh Platform - self-draining mesh allows water to pass through rather than collect on the surface.Trombone Ends - these are added to the ends of a Rapid Ramp to prevent clothes catching.Telescopic Legs - these can be adjusted to accommodate threshold heights.Continuous Handrail - this handrail system ensures users always have a support to hold onto.Standard Colour Black - ramps are powder-coated black to create a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint.EXTRA FEATURES INCLUDED:Infill Handrail - this product prevents users from climbing or falling through gaps.Yellow Tread - this is a safety feature designed to help those with impaired vision identify the nose of the ramp and helps users distinguish any level changes.CONCRETE VS PEDESTRIAN METAL RAMP INSTALLATIONS:Unfortunately, newly poured concrete must be protected from freezing for the first 24 to 48 hours and requires drying time before use. Therefore, concrete installations are heavily reliant on good weather conditions, and cannot be completed in snow or frozen temperatures.Unlike concrete, our pedestrian ramps can be installed in most weather conditions, including snow. Plus, the product is manufactured from galvanised steel.Galvanising is a process where a protective coating of zinc is applied to prevent rusting and to kill moss.

REQUIREMENT: Replacing a worn-out wooden ramp with a compliant Rapid Ramp System.The system had to be strong enough to withstand impact from electrically operated wheelchairs, support users in the case of a fall and have handrails that confirm with BS 6180: 2011. Our ramp achieves all these requirements.Plus, the steel components of the Rapid Ramp System are zinc coated, and hot dip galvanized in accordance with BS EN ISO 14713-2:2020.All ramp handrails and guardings are powder-coated to BS EN 12206-1:2004.END RESULT: Once the wooden ramp was dismantled, the Rapid Ramp system was fitted.The ramp was fully installed by the end of day one, and day two was spent evenly distributing the rubber crumb over the walkway surface.FEATURES INCLUDED: Infill Handrail - this product prevents users from climbing or falling through gaps.Yellow Tread - this is a safety feature designed to help those with impaired vision identify the nose of the ramp. Additionally, it helps users distinguish any level changes.Trombone Ends - these are added to the ends of a Rapid Ramp to prevent clothes catching.Mesh Platform - the self-draining mesh allows water to pass through rather than collect on the surface.Rest Platform – a rest platform at 5 metres is required to allow the user to pause.1100mm High Rail – these handrails attach to any level sections.Continuous Handrail - this handrail system ensures users always have support to hold onto.EXTRA FEATURES INCLUDED:Underside Mesh Hoarding - this mesh is designed to prevent children from gaining access to the underneath of the ramp.Safetread Rubber Surface - this is a soft, slip-resistant surface that reduces the impact of falls. The product is made from the same materials used in soft play areas and is ideal for nurseries, schools, and public facilities. Plus, it is available in a range of colours and will continue to perform in all weather conditions.