"general engineering services"

We were approached by a porcelain tile supplier who needed to elevate porcelain tiles around a new build property in Wales. Initially concrete was used to create a base. However the weight of the concrete bent the lintels. The installation proved very challenging due to such a dramtic fall over such a short distance, creating a severe 5% slope. Fortunately our ‘Balance’ self-leveling range of adjustable pedestals provided the answer. Our service team are on call to advise and support installing contractors throughout their project, including site visits.

Swimming Pool Shading SystemsThis project features blind system specifically designed for swimming pools. The ExtraLok blinds are much the same as our KuroLok blackout blind line, but with a greatly heightened resistance to corrosion caused by moisture.This makes them perfect for pools, outdoor projects, and other projects where the shading systems will come into contact with heightened levels of moisture.This project also incorporated custom printing, a service which we can provide when requested. In this scenario, it meant that the curtains became retractable displays.

Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world, it is key to ensure continued support on their projects. FSi Ltd were approached to provide a product to seal new and existing service penetrations in walls and floors up to 120 minutes fire resistance. This has been achieved through the installation of FSi Ltd products by Mitie Fire providing full compartmentalization. Mitie, BAA and Firestopit have a long working relationship throughout the Heathrow Airport complex, which requires careful planning and installation decisions to ensure the correct products are used.

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.”

Escapade Silverstone is a unique new commercial development sat right on the edge of the iconic Silverstone circuit.This prestigious project is comprised of 60 residences, a club house and car storage.The development is due to be completed in 2024, ready for next year’s Grand Prix.It will operate as short-stay accommodation for both the major calendar events and for the rest of the year when people are out on the track testing cars, etc. Escapade guests will be able to enjoy all that Silverstone has to offer.Axter were involved right from the outset. There were lots of complexities with the project, due to the nature of the design and the architect’s intentions, so we were able to recommend different solutions for different sections of the roof.Our video case study shows the progress so far. It's such an exciting project to be a part of and it was great to see the finishing touches being made to the waterproofing works by Embassy Site Services.Wilotekt®-Plus has been used on the new clubhouse and our Ecoflex® system has been specifically chosen for the residencies.It’s been a pleasure to work with Escapade, HG Construction and Embassy Site Services on this project and we can’t wait to revisit the site next year to check out the finished development. Stay tuned for our next video.Systems in useWilotekt®-PlusEcoflex®

West Lindsay Council sought out to build a new crematorium for the area, as statistics showed that 75% of funerals are now cremations. The £6.3m site is state-of-the-art and includes landscaped grounds, remembrance gardens filled with young trees and wildflower meadows, a reflection pool, a car park for 120 vehicles and ample space for further development if necessary; to include a second chapel if there is demand.The new crematorium will be welcome to all forms of religious and/or secular services. With beautiful views of the woodland across Nottinghamshire, this facility will help make a real difference to residents at difficult times in their lives.With the building itself boasting modern design, the chosen paving materials for the hard landscaping were chosen to help complement the rural nature of the area and make the best use of the natural boundaries.Modal textured in Charcoal Grey Granite and Oatmeal Granite were used alongside Myriad Sunlight for the pristine entranceway, working brilliantly with the warm tones of the building and soft landscaping in the surrounding area.Main contractor, Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd. alongside Haverstock as the architects, carried out the project.The result was a warm and beautiful landscaped area. The combination of sizes and colours create an unmissable entranceway that is modern and welcoming. The facilities are now open to the public to provide a much-needed service for local’s in a tasteful and well-designed environment.Images supplied by West Lindsey Council

The Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust is looking to improve its Adult Mental Health Inpatient services and Dart Valley Systems provided products for its new Sherwood Oaks unit. The new unit aims to give patients, staff, and visitors the best form of services and level of care by providing single accommodation and en-suite facilities that will improve privacy and dignity for patients. The products provided for the project are as follows: • 72 x VR01-030 High security V2 basin with integrated backplate (not including sensors) • 72 x SH07-040 High security shower head 30 degree • 36 x VR01-072 High security WC pan less abled with grey top • 36 x VR01071 V2 high security WC pan with grey top • 72 x VR07-004 Washroom control system kit – for DVS High Security backplate & WC Our high-security and ligature resistant products are virtually unbreakable and create a safe solution within all mental health facilities. The Sanitaryware, basins and accessories are manufactured from GRP (glass reinforced polyester) which is cost-effective, vandal-resistant, and completely shatterproof. Complete with a high-grade polyester gel coat finish, GRP provides a more domestic and familiar feel to the room creating a more therapeutic environment for those requiring an inpatient stay.

Established in Eastbourne over 130 years ago, W.Bruford is proud of its reputation for exceptional service, exclusive choice and attention to detail. They are recognised as a prestigious jewellers and pride themselves in offering the highest quality products and services. We wanted to do their brand justice by working closely with them to make their vision for their entrance come to light.Project Year: 2019Product: ASSA ABLOY SL500 Transparent Sliding DoorProject Background: Having worked with Innovare Design on their shopfront redesign, the client approached us to request a bi-parting all glass automatic door with side screens and pocket screens, and for the operator to sit above the ceiling and be the closest match to the bronze finish on their sign. As a high end jewellery store, both security and a clean and sleek look, were priorities for the entrance.Solution:FAAC Entrance Solutions installed the SL500 Transparent sliding door four panel system and finished the operator cover in a 50% gloss Light Bronze RAL Finish. The pocket screens were replaced by flush mounted EN16005 compliant safety presence detecting sensors which together with the 10.8mm glass and a dotted manifestation, contributed to an elegant yet safe entrance. We integrated mechanical bolt floor locks, and first-entry switch and last-exit push buttons for the use of staff. For more information or assistance with any project, please contact enquiries.esuk@faactechnologies.com where we can provide expert guidance and detailed documentation.

Asset management firm, BAML has signed-up to use FireDNA’s Fire Door and Doorset Monitoring Software and Mobile App.With the introduction of Regulation 10 back in January 2023 which requires the owners of buildings over 11 metres to carry out quarterly inspections on all fire doors. The FireDNA software and Mobile App allows users to undertake on-the-spot audits and inspections, capturing the data in real time; the data is then stored and managed through the FireDNA cloud.The programme is being rolled-out in 10 developments across London, managed by BAML, including Embassy Gardens in Nine Elms, Wardian London’s iconic two towers in Canary Wharf, Royal Wharf in the Royal Docks area and the Brentford town centre regeneration project adjacent to the River Brent.“We are delighted to be awarded this contract and look forward to working in partnership with BAML.” said Tony Millen, FireDNA’s Operations Director. “Across the 10 developments, our FireDNA Inspection Partners will inspect, tag and monitor 25,000 Fire Doors using our Mobile App, making the inspection process efficient and compliance easier.”(About BAML – BAML is a property management organisation providing customer-focused services to residents in more than 11,000 homes across London. This includes managing the planned maintenance, capital expenditure programmes and financial accounting and onsite services).

We supplied 24,000m2 screed binder to our Smet Supported Partner, Fast Floor Screed Ltd. The industry experts pump-applied Südanit 280 Alpha Hemihydrate Screed using their fleet of Mobile Screed Factories in the new hospital complex, The National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS) in Portrane. We supplied 20,000 m2 Rapidur® B5 Rapid Drying Floor Screed which was laid by industry experts, B Doherty Screeding Mobile Screed Factory).The NFMHS is a new state-of-the-art facility located 22 km from Dublin City in Portrane, North County Dublin. The project was awarded by Health Service Executive to the Joint Venture formed by OHL (50%) and OHL’s local delivery partner JJ Rhatigan (50%).The project, which commenced works on site in 2017, comprises the construction of a forensic mental health hospital, as part of St. Ita’s Hospital complex. It covers a floor area of 24,000 m2, not including the energy, maintenance, and gardening buildings. The new hospital will accommodate 170 patient beds, distributed as follows: National Forensic Hospital: 120 beds; Mental Health Unit for Children and Adolescents: 10 beds; Intellectual Disability and Mental Health Unit: 10 beds; and the Intensive Care Rehabilitation Unit: 30 beds. The construction project also includes the execution of spaces related to energy production systems, maintenance, and horticulture.

Armourcoat's three dimensional Sculptural Barcode wall finish has been specified at a high profile office fit-out in Eastpoint Business Park, Dublin. The project interior, designed by Meehan Associates, includes a series of ‘huddle rooms’ and meeting spaces with wonderful use of bold accent colour to help orientate staff. The colours also act to highlight the clean, crisp detailing of the linear ‘Barcode’ design used to link the spaces. Armourcoat Sculptural creates seamless wall surfaces with impactful designs and cast relief. Each design is created from cast GRG (Glass-fibre Reinforced Gypsum) panels, CAD generated to enable a continuous pattern or unique decorative effect.Over 600m2 of Armourcoat’s Sculptural Barcode finish was applied to achieve the seamless finish to walls, together with banded polished plaster finishes in various colours throughout the building.The project was delivered by Meehan Associates to meet USGBC LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards.The architects were keen to specify sustainable materials to ensure their positive contribution to the project. In keeping with the eco specification, Armourcoat finishes include 40% pre-consumer recycled marble and no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).

Providing 21 affordable homes in the first ‘carbon negative’ housing community of its kind in the UK. The initial concept began in 2009 with the aim of creating carbon negative housing. The project is ground breaking with a plan to lock away as much carbon as possible whilst generating excess energy from systems installed.Lewis Deck light weight steel/ screed composite floor system providing acoustic floors improving Building Regulations Part E standards by at least 8dB was installed in the apartments.This project achieved a Zero Carbon certification under the Code for Sustainable Homes and achieved Passiv Haus standards, but was not certified under this system. The performance was monitored by the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) as well as how the social tenants found the experience of living there given the lifestyle adjustments that were needed.The Lewis Deck was used as it achieved the enhanced acoustic and fire performance required in this project, especially given that this was a timber frame development. The elements of the building also had to achieve an A+ Green Guide to Specification rating from the BRE, this was achieved by using a liquid screed on top of the deck that contained a high recycled content.The project won a number of awards and was marketed as the UK's 1st "Carbon Negative" social housing scheme.

Meadow House is a 17 storey, block of flats situated in Coventry. The residential apartment block was built in 1967 and is the second tower block, in Coventry, to be painted using KEIM for its fire-resistant certifications.Similarly to Falkener House, located near Coventry cite centre, this project required a fire-resistant coating and must classify to A2-s1,d0, to meet current building regulations.The applicator, Elhance Limited, who are Leicester based, contacted KEIM to provide a fire-resistant paint. The painted concrete balcony surrounds, and painted brickwork were in relatively good condition. There was general dirt from the urban environment as well as moss and green growth on the surface which required cleaning before any decoration was to take place.KEIM Soldalit-ME was specified due to its A2-s1,d0 fire classification. It is a durable exterior paint that has the added benefit of breaking down organic material and contaminants, which will keep the surfaces cleaners for longer.The facades will not require decoration for another 10-15 years, if not more.A final tower block, also situated in Coventry, has been commissioned to be painted using KEIM Soldalit-ME again due to its fire resistant and durable benefits.

Baldovie EFW CHP Facility is a energy from waste site using around 110,000 tonnes of residual waste per year from Dundee and Angus to generate electricity. Project/doors:7 Insulated Roller Shutter Doors1 High Speed Door - Speedor StormThe challengeDue to the nature of the build and technical challenges from the onset, Hart worked direct with the contractor and the consultants in the design phase to provide a solution to suit each challenge faced such as corrosion, odours, noise and infestationThe solutionInsulation is a key feature of an energy saving environment. Insulated roller shutters have a thermal value of minimum 0.69w/m.sq.k and 18db to minimise operational noise. The Speedor Storm is an extremely robust door with wind class 5 up to 8m. Moisture-controlled electrics protect from varying temperatures within a building, and mechanical components are protected from dust and dirt controlling the escaping dirt, odours and noiseThe successFollowing extensive communication with the contractor and the consultants to ensure the smooth running of the project, the steelwork was designed and installed correctly to allow for the timely installation of the Hart manufactured doors. Each door was made to measure and each activator and safety device fitted to suit the environment

Located at Swansea University’s Bay Campus, and designed and constructed by SPECIFIC Innovation and Knowledge Centre, the Active Office and Active Classroom are both designed to be energy positive buildings, capable of generating more solar energy than they consume during a typical annual cycle.The Swansea area of South Wales is synonymous with steelmaking as Tata Steel’s Port Talbot steelworks is just a few miles away from the Bay Campus. For this reason, SPECIFIC wanted to use steel as much as possible on these structures and so a Tata Steel wall and roof cladding system was chosen using Colorcoat Prisma® pre-finished steel, all made in Wales.The Active Classroom also feature Tata Steel’s Colorcoat Renew SC® transpired solar collectors, The system captures heat from the sun and draws it into the building through a microperforated collector on the exterior of the building. Heated fresh air from the cavity is then used as a pre-heater to the main heating system. A transpired solar collector can collect around 50% of the energy falling on its surface, which equates to approximately 500wp/m2 of the collector’s surface area and can deliver around 250KWH/m2per year or up to 50% of space heating requirements.

Top-of-the-range lab solution for a major new production siteNext to the company’s headquarters in Aalen, 70km east of Stuttgart in Southern Germany, Papierfabrik Palm – one of the leading European manufacturers of papers for the printing industry, corrugated base papers and corrugated packaging – has built a brand-new paper mill. Its scale alone sets it in a category of its own: Palm invested half a billion Euros into the project, and to supply the production process with the required amount of steam, the site relies of the two largest water boilers in the world.This new paper mill, though, is just one of many milestones. Founded in 1872, Papierfabrik Palm operates in the meantime 33 production sites. In 2020, the company generated 1.5 billion Euros in global revenues. In terms of size and success, Palm epitomises the ‘hidden champions’ of the German economy ­– family-owned businesses that have combined highly professional management with ambitious international growth strategies to expand far beyond the usual bounda­ries of the category. In addition – and today more than ever – Papierfabrik Palm is ideally positioned to reap the benefits of sustainability: since its inception, the company has been using exclusively recycled raw materials.

RESIN BOUND FOR RBG KEW WALKWAYAddagrip Terraco are delighted to have been involved in the Broad Walk project at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew with the installation of over 3000sqm of our innovative resin bound porous paving system, Terrabase Rustic.SURFACING REQUIREMENTSAddagrip Terraco were approached as the UK ‘s leading manufacturer of resin exterior surfaces and together with approved contractor, True Grip Ltd, carried out extensive surveys and put together several specification options and costs that Kew could consider. Kew selected Addagrip’s new patented resin bound surfacing system Terrabase Rustic as it offered a larger 6-10mm stone size providing the rustic looking finish that Kew required and could be installed over the existing macadam with minimum environmental impact and disruption. Drainage was another key requirement and the larger stone size of this bound system provides maximum porosity.As the Terrabase product was relatively new, the surface had to meet many exacting performance criteria put forward by Kew which Addagrip was able to substantiate. After 9 months of discussion, True Grip Ltd were appointed to work via main contractor Kier Facilities Services to install the Terrabase Rustic Oak finish. Despite challenging weather conditions and site restrictions due to the public use of the main areas, True Grip Ltd installed 3,163m2 over the entire Broad Walk, following behind Kier Facilities Services who were installing extensive drainage services and brick edging.The new Terrabase Rustic surface is hard wearing, low maintenance with no loose stone and provides a seamless, natural rustic pathway which looks very much at home in the grounds of London’s historic Royal Botanic Gardens.This exciting project has created the longest double herbaceous borders in the UK. The 300m long borders either side of the Broad Walk from the Orangery to the Palm House Pond, were planted with swathes of vibrant summer flowering perennials, grasses and bulbs to form a spectacular new horticultural feature. Planting continued into early summer 2016 to complete the project.Image credit: Richard Wilford, RBG Kew

The new year saw the start of a roll-out of the UK’s leading bike hangar design for Sheffield City Council, creating a new network of secure cycle parking across Sheffield’s Crookes suburb, located to the west of the city centre.The Bike Hangars provide secure, on-street cycle parking facilities for residents who don’t have access to private cycle parking, such as a garage or shed. The bike hangars provide secure lockable storage for up to 48 bikes and are located across streets within the suburb including Bates Street, Hadfield Street, Heavygate Avenue and Brighton Terrace Road.As well as manufacture and installation, Falco is also providing a fully managed service with key rental management for the residents and bike hangar maintenance on behalf of Sheffield City Council’s Highways and Infrastructure team.The Falco Rentals website enables Sheffield residents to look for free spaces in the bike hangar network, book an available space and pay online, all in one place. The Falco Rentals website also provides a useful video along with other ideas and tips on safely looking after a bike.In addition to the Bike Hangars for Sheffield City Council shown here, Falco also provide a fully managed service of Bike Hangars for a number of other Council’s across the UK including; Brighton & Hove City Council, London Borough Southwark, London Borough of Camden, London Borough of Merton and Bath and North East Somerset Council.The FalcoPod bike hangar as shown here in Sheffield, is a simple and effective cycle parking facility designed to meet the needs of cyclists who don’t have access to private cycle parking facilities. Operating like a giant bread bin, each hangar is a secure and lockable unit capable of accommodating up to six bikes each. The innovative cycle parking solution is also available with an App enabled smart lock, enabling residents to access the unit with their smartphone, eliminating the needs for physical keys and fobs.For more information about the FalcoPod Bike Hangar, the FalcoPod Bike Hangar service or your cycle parking scheme, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080. 

Bath and North East Somerset Council is the latest local authority to receive a network of the UK’s most user-friendly bike hangar design - the FalcoPod. Falco manufactured, supplied and installed four units complete with both smart app electronic access and manual key access to three residential areas across the borough.The FalcoPods were installed this winter as part of a two-year trial to provide secure, on-street cycle parking facilities for residents who don’t have access to private cycle parking, such as a garage or shed. The bike hangars provide secure lockable storage for 24 bikes and are located across the north of Bath on New King Street, Sydney Buildings and Great Stanhope Street.Each mobile app bike hangar and mobile app cycle hub provides Southwark residents with quick and easy accessibility via the users smartphone. The user registers for a place through the Falco Rentals website, downloads the app, is granted accessibility via the back office and then can access their chosen hangar within minutes. For users without a smartphone, a physical key can be supplied instead.As well as manufacture and installation, Falco is also providing a fully managed service with both app and key rental management for the residents and bike hangar maintenance on behalf of Bath and North East Somerset Council Highways and Infrastructure team.The Falco Rentals website enables Bath residents to look for free spaces in the bike hangar network, book an available space and pay online, all in one place. The Falco Rentals website also provides a useful video along with other ideas and tips on safely looking after a bike.In addition to the Bike Hangars for Bath and North East Somerset Council shown here, Falco also provides a fully managed service of Bike Hangars for a number of other Council’s including the London Borough of Southwark, the London Borough Westminster, London Borough of Brent, London Borough of Camden, London Borough of Merton and Brighton & Hove City Council.For more information about the FalcoPod Bike Hangar, the FalcoPod Bike Hangar service or your cycle parking scheme, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080. 

Twinfix has over thirty years’ experience designing, manufacturing, and installing school canopies, playground shelters and covered walkways for education establishments, including nursery schools, primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and universities. Each structure is designed to fit and enhance its surroundings while providing the school with the type of canopy, playground shelter or walkway they need. Twinfix provide a full in-house service, from design right through to installation.Outdoor areas that are currently not usable during hot or wet weather conditions can be made into fully productive parts of the school or nursery. Canopies installed adjacent to a nursery classroom create an easily accessible area for sand and water play, while a walkway can give protected transit for staff and pupils between buildings at any school site.Golborne High School is a coeducational foundation secondary school located in Golborne, Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, England.The oldest part of the school was opened in January 1954 and today it is a trust school under the umbrella of the newly formed Golborne and Lowton Co-operative Learning partnership.Last year, Twinfix were approached by Parklands Services to design, manufacture and install three fabricated, lean-to mono-pitch canopies at the school. The canopies all served a different purpose: one provided cover for an outdoor eating area, provide shelter to pupils outside their classroom as they learn and play and to provide cover to parents and students waiting to enter and leave.The structures spanning a total of 162 square metres comprise of Twinfix’s innovative Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile (NF) roofing system, glazed with 25mm multiwall polycarbonate. The roofs are non-fragile in accordance with the HSE’s test for fragility ACR[M]001:2019, an important factor when installing canopies where children may try and access the roof. Each canopy has an aluminium frame, powder-coated to RAL 7016 anthracite grey.Being a one-stop shop for designing, manufacturing and installing such outdoor structures Twinfix are proud to offer a seamless service to any school or other education establishment looking for a canopy or walkway. The staff and pupils at Golborne High School are delighted with the latest additions to their school.

Client: Sunderland City CouncilLocation: Sunderland, UKSector: Mixed-Use FacilityYear: 2021Project Size: 3,500 m²System: vebro Classic TerrazzoA durable, attractive, impressive terrazzo flooring solution for the atrium, staircase, café, walkways and breakout spaces in the new City Hall development in Sunderland.FaulknerBrowns’s City Hall scheme provides a mix of private and public uses comprising two blocks, one five-storey and one six-storey tower, linked by a covered central walkway.Project backer Sunderland City Council is expected to move around 1,200 employees into the seven-storey building on the plot which, until recently, had laid dormant since the brewery’s demolition in 1999.Bringing together council staff from eight different offices around the city under one roof, the project is set to deliver net operational savings to the council of around £22 million over 25 years. The building will also include customer services areas, a fitness room, and an employment centre.The former Vaux Brewery site in Sunderland has been redeveloped as part of an ambitious £500m plan to deliver state-of-the-art commercial offices, residential, retail, leisure, hotel, and dining space.The brownfield site, which sits to the north-west of the city, is being developed in phases to bring a new mixed-use neighbourhood to the area. With the first phase that originally commenced in 2016 now complete, the second phase of the plan (Vaux 2) comprises the 17,775 square metre, £42 million City Hall, Sunderland.Vebro Polymers supplied its decorative epoxy terrazzo flooring system, vebro Classic Terrazzo, in two unique colour blends, RAL 3009 Red Oxide and RAL 7044 Silk Grey as part of the flooring package at the new Sunderland City Hall, which has been expertly project managed from prep through to finish by the team at MJF Group over a 4 month period.These terrazzo materials have also been used to create several pre-cast elements including the dining hall counter, central feature stairwell, and other items of furniture.vebro Classic Terrazzo is a highly decorative, but highly durable and long-lasting epoxy terrazzo flooring system. The material is installed as a slurry of wet components mixed with a blend of handpicked decorative marble aggregates onto the primed substrate.MJF Group is an established support services company providing specialist solutions to businesses nationwide.Since 2006 the company has built an enviable reputation in the commercial cleaning market, fuelling a later expansion into site services and specialist flooring alongside growth from local to national level.MJFs dedicated team of flooring experts are a group of highly skilled professionals who deliver a first-class service, ensuring all of their flooring solutions achieve outstanding results within an efficient and timely manner.MJF pride themselves on offering their clients extremely competitive prices, without ever compromising results.

Recent Home Office research and analysis of ‘trends in fire false alarms and fire alarm policies’ reported a decline in false fire alarms caused by malicious or accidental activation of manual call points due to the introduction of protective covers.Still every false fire alarm remains costly, disrupting schools and businesses, placing unnecessary strain on our emergency services, and reducing the public’s faith in fire alarms.Continuing to be the largest incident type, false fire alarms accounted for 42% of the incidents attended by fire and rescue services in England year ending September 2023 – fires accounted for 24%.Home Office figures show that there was a total of 3,030 false fire alarms caused by the “malicious activation of [a] fire call point/alarm” in England during the 12-month period, surpassing challenged hoax calls as the largest reason for malicious false alarms.Accidental activation remained a significant contributor, 15,609 false alarms were recorded due to the accidental and careless activation of life safety devices, including manual call points.With similar figures reflected across the UK, over £1 billion is lost every year due to false alarms.To recoup this cost, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service joined the London Fire Brigade in recovering costs from hospitals, airport and student halls with a poor false alarm record.Dangerously, false fire alarms divert fire crews away from real emergencies; creating unnecessary risk as crews travel at high speed to attend ‘emergency’ calls. The ‘crying wolf’ factor caused by frequent false alarms causes staff to become complacent and less willing to act quickly when an alarm activates.The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service recently changed the way its firefighters respond to automatic fire alarms in commercial premises to reduce unnecessary call outs from unwanted fire alarm signals.However, the reduction of unwanted fire alarm signals to fire and rescue services does not necessarily reduce false fire alarms and therefore may leave fire safety issues unaddressed. This may not only lead to disruption for businesses, but also to alarm fatigue for the occupants – conversely, successfully reducing false alarms will also reduce unwanted fire alarm signals.Repeated false alarms reduce the public’s confidence in fire alarms, contributing to alarm fatigue and a complacent attitude toward evacuations. Alarm fatigue occurs when a person becomes desensitised to an alarm due to repeated false alarms and consequently fails to react appropriately in a real emergency.As recommended in BS 5839-1:2017, manual call points can be fitted with a protective cover to prevent false fire alarms. The British Standard Institute recommends in section 20.2b, that: “All MCPs should be fitted with a protective cover, which is moved to gain access to the frangible element.“It is now recommended that a protective cover is fitted to a Type A manual call point to help prevent false alarms.”Consequently, Home Office research examining the long-term trends in false fire alarms found that the introduction of protective covers was a contributing factor in the decline of false fire alarms caused by malicious or accidental activation of manual call points.As the original call point cover manufacturer, Safety Technology International produce a range of protective covers, specifically designed to prevent false alarms whether accidental or malicious.The STI story began in 1980 with a challenge by a school headteacher who wanted to stop their false fire alarms. Founder, Jack Taylor, used his expertise in security systems to invent the first and original Stopper® polycarbonate protective cover. From low profile covers to outdoor and sounder models, there are variations to suit all applications.The tamper-proof polycarbonate covers ensure call points are protected without restricting legitimate use in a real emergency, a combination of optional warning alarm, flashing beacon and break seal acts as a deterrent against malicious activation.

Project DescriptionThe Forbury Place development began in 2014 as the largest speculative office development in the UK outside of London, and is now considered to be Reading’s newest urban business district. The estate offers 600,000sqft of prime office space across 3 office buildings in the heart of Reading’s city centre. No1 Forbury Place is home to global company SSE, and has deservedly been recognised for architectural excellence thanks to its distinctive exterior façade.Specific Project ChallengesProject specific design and application of a floor to floor spanning rainscreen support system.Bespoke designed and fabricated 3D peel effect aluminium panels.Continuity of façade finish, from rainscreen panels across to brise-soleil and curtain walling systems.Solutions OfferedThe specification and engineering of the S150 VariAL H box mullion allowed floor to floor spanning, fixed at slab levels, to prevent point loading of the rainscreen system back to the SFS.Trial panels were manufactured in-house prior to supply on site to ensure architectural intent was interpreted accurately.Powder coating procurement through a single source applicator for all elements of the façade, to guarantee colour continuity.

Situated in a peaceful borough of the busy Capital of London, Cox architects designed an accessible house swimming in style. They were able to meet necessary needs for the family whilst holding on to aesthetic features that add a stunning look to the property. A open and spacious interior was a must for this property, as were sliding pocket doors, hoists and a wheelchair lift. Essential materials were used to make this house accessible for the couples youngest daughter, who was diagnosed with a rare genetic illness at 18 months old.  The decision to extend the property was decided very early on with the potential of a large extension. The couple was able to add nearly 70sqm to the ground floor alone, helping to give the family more independent freedom and space. Accessible elements were incorporated in to an everyday home such as ECLISSE pocket door systems and ECLISSE hoist pocket door systems to create an environment that wasn't consumed by accessibility needs. LOCATION: London Borough of Lambeth, SW17STATUS: Completed 2019BUILT: Elson Construction & Co. LtdENGINEER: Steve NicolaouARCHITECT: Cox ArchitectsSPECIALIST GLAZING: Vision Design Projects LtdPHOTOGRAPHER: Matt Clayton PhotographySHOOT STYLIST: Camilla Hegarty

Design & Build construction of a purpose build student accommodation development to provide 1,025 bedrooms and once completed it will provide a dramatic new addition to the Birmingham skyline.The buildings comprise of two bold, angular towers with sharply defined ‘razor’ edges and a smooth, highly detailed, gloss black finish, rising 13 and 24 storeys respectively. The towers are anchored by a middle section rising to 10 storeys and finished with a traditional, matt brick with defined window reveals and texture.The building is designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating and the student beds arranged principally in cluster units.Noise absorbing window ventsDucoMax SR is a self-regulating, acoustic vent (sound attenuating ventilator), specifically engineered for situations exposed to high levels of noise disturbance. The various types are attractively designed and offer excellent acoustic and airflow performance. Suited to high-rise applications, the SkyMax variant was also placed in this project. The SkyMax SR is an upgraded version of the DucoMax SR making it applicable to heights up to 70 meter. The acoustic vents ensure that the students have a carefree night's sleep in a bustling city. 

d² Dura Grating Mini Mesh, Dura Profile & Dura Platform 40 | Case StudyDura Composites was engaged by Premier Marinas to work with their engineering company to produce a composite floor structure around their travel hoist supported by large 305mm GRP Dura Profile beams between 6-10m in length. The team chose the GRP material over steel due to its superior performance in corrosive salt-water environments. Unique in the market, Dura Profiles exceed the higher performance E23 grade requirement of the BS EN 13706 standard.Also central to the efficient operation of the washdown and hoist are Dura Grating and Dura Platform 40 flooring made from moulded and pultruded high-performance GRP panels which are unique in design to Dura. The open mesh section utilises 55mm d2 Dura Grating Mini Mesh in dark grey, which facilitates drainage whilst maintaining strength and unrivalled anti-slip properties. The solid surface sections were created using patented d2 Dura Platform 40, which are crankable to create an in-built fall to aid water runoff.

Buildable"Glass Fibre Concrete (GRC) was identified early on as the ideal material for the project to achieve the desired civic aesthetic but also to avoid adding significant stress to the existing structure." - Nat Keast, Associate, Wilkinson-Eyre.DesignableThe project is an AJ Retrofit Higher Education & Campus Award 2023.The lightweight, three-dimensional GRC cladding panels featuring a stylisation of LSBU’s “sail” emblem give the building a welcoming, civic quality."We worked closely with subcontractor Tellings during the design phase to develop the three-dimensional panels, as well as vertical slats and horizontal bands. Alongside the 100% white bromo brick with white grout used for the existing concrete stair cores and shear walls, GRC helped change the perception of the building."We had to fight hard to keep the GRC through various value engineering exercises, but the university supported us and was able to appreciate the impact of the new facade." - Nat Keast, Associate, Wilkinson-Eyre.SustainableThe building has received a very good BREEAM rating and by retaining the existing structure, total embodied carbon is half of the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge target benchmark.

Rawson Carpet Solutions Felkirk Polypropylene carpet tiles have been installed at the Idsall school Independent Academy in Shropshire, a thriving and highly successful school that believes every student can reach their potential. J Daniel Flooring have installed carefully chosen carpet tile colours to match with the school logo and branding which has provided a great new aesthetic to the refurbished rooms, including the library, corridors, sixth form centre and various teaching rooms.Rawson Carpet solutions provide a broad range of designer and durable contract carpet tiles to suit any design or budget aspiration. Felkirk Carpet Tiles in colours ‘Blackout’ with random Tiles in ‘Turf’ complement the schools branding colours. The entrance matting is Rawson’s primary entrance solution, ‘Dominator’ entrance tiles in colour ‘Anthracite’.Felkirk Carpet Tiles by Rawson Carpet Solutions are a popular choice nationally for Education Carpet solutions as there is a proven durability and reliability in the product after so many years of successful historical use. The Tiles, specifically engineered for the workplace and learning sectors, have class 33 heavy contract rating and offer castor chair suitability.

The Dixon Hotel has been created by conversion of the former Tower Bridge Magistrates Court and Police Station, with the historic façade retained, and it is named after John Dixon Butler, the original architect. The redevelopment was carried out by McAleer & Rushe and consists of a 200 bedroom, 5-star hotel, with prestige bars and restaurants, plus business conference facilities, and all just 200m from Tower Bridge. This complex redevelopment project necessitated skillful integration of the historic façades and the original courtroom inside, with a new modern structure having to be built behind and around these original features. This integration meant that it was necessary to seal wide and variable width, external joints running vertically between the historic façade and the new modern structure. This required a movement joint system that could accommodate these different widths and still maintain a watertight seal with up to 100% joint movement capability. Emseal’s innovative Colorseal system was the engineers first choice as the ideal solution to meet these requirements, with the additional advantages that Colorseal is bonded into position, so requires no invasive mechanical fixings to be drilled into sound areas of the historic structure, or indeed, into the new façade panels. 

The iconic architecture of the three Kranhäuser buildings in Cologne’s former commercial harbour is reminiscent of the old loading cranes that could once be found here. While the two initial structures were designed as office spaces, the last in the collection – Kranhaus Nord – is entirely residential. This means there were high standards to meet with regard to impact sound insulation in this construction. Fortunately, Schöck Tronsole® type T offered the perfect system solution in this regard.Both the structural engineering and architectural planning processes for this residence had to be adapted accordingly to suit the high-end use of the building. Unlike the design of the office buildings, the bridge abutments are connected via an atrium that leads to the premium apartments rather than being separated.The main stairwell runs right alongside premium apartments, which means sound proofing was a key consideration. This was required not only due to standard building regulations, but also for the fact that “as a provider of luxury apartments complete with a whole host of amenities for international clients, people expect top quality. Thus, the decision was made to use the Schöck Tronsole® sound proofing system: A tried-and-tested solution for integration into stairwells.”

The University of Northampton campus is split up into several learning blocks.We were tasked with supplying and installing an acoustic lining system into most of these learning blocks. Areas included: – creative hub, learning hub, research & enterprise hub, as well as the engine shed.Included in the Acoustic Lining package were a multitude of acoustic systems and finishes to create a dynamic yet acoustical stable atmosphere within the campus. Systems included; Soundis Absorb-R Gypline aw, Absorb-R WoodTec Panels and Acoustic fabric paneling systems. The combination of a seamless acoustic spray plaster in conjunction with the dynamic acoustic timber veneer wall slats and acoustic fabric panels brought depth and character to the learning environmentsIncluding sound absorption systems within the large open spaces helps to minimise the amount of noise reverberation, in turn creating a much calmer environment ideal for learning / educational spaces. Soundis are you your stop provider in all absorption solutions, whether it be polyester or cement. Our Absorption range helps our clients to create a calmer environment, without compromising on aesthetics, in fact aiding to the decor.

Made-to-measure satin-brushed stainless steel worktops and sinks from GEC Anderson have been used to enhance the light and contemporary spaces they are situated in at Brockholes Nature Reserve near Preston, Lancashire.The nature reserve was formed over 10 years out of a former gravel quarry, with a range of habitats added to existing woodlands and water, carefully crafted to attract different species of birds, animals, fish and plant life. The project is the winner of 2 Civic Trust Awards and has achieved the new and highest rating of sustainability, BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ for interim design stage.Owned by the National Wildlife Trust, Brockholes combines a visitor centre with a 67-hectare nature reserve funded by the North West Regional Development Agency. Brockholes is one of the best sites in the UK for many species of birds and different habitats have been created throughout the area to encourage them and other wildlife to visit the siteThe buildings and open spaces form a village-like cluster, floating on a large pontoon and include various facilities such as a café, gift shop and information area. The kitchenette is situated in the conference centre, which is available for hire by companies and individuals for private functions. The small kitchen space is used for general washing up tasks as well as for the storage of crockery and cutlery, includes two GEC Anderson made-to-measure brushed-satin stainless steel sinktops. Designed to fit the compact space available, the stainless steel worktops combine robust functionality with their professional and attractive appearance.The Education Classroom is situated in the Visitor Village and accommodates up to 60 people. It is used for school and adult education activities during term time and family activities during school holidays. A single piece, 3.5 metre, GEC Anderson made-to-measure brushed-satin stainless steel sinktop is located within this area, that includes a special 2.2 metre trough sink to a 180mm depth. This special trough sink is used for general wet activities and for cleaning of art and craft equipment. Kath Knight, Manager at Brockholes said, “Stainless steel provides clean lines and good looks in a modern classroom environment and compliments the surrounding building materials, which are mainly timber.”For the architect, it was also the obvious choice for this busy educational space, as it is hard wearing, hygienic, maintenance free and retains its original appearance over time. GEC Anderson was also chosen for their ability to provide the sinktop configurations to meet the design requirements.Managing Director of GEC Anderson, Martin Tye, comments: “This is a situation where practical requirements must be satisfied but where design and use of natural, balanced, honest materials are, equally, of importance. Stainless steel worktops tend to blend-in so well precisely because of their neutral appearance.”

Car lift enables new parking garage for MIPIM award winner in AmsterdamSpace saving PEGASOS lift provides access to new basement parking levelThe PEGASOS car lift was delivered in 2019 by Lödige Industries to DCV Bouw B.V. in Amsterdam, Netherlands. About the building and projectThe Diamond Exchange, Diamantbeurs in Dutch, was built in 1911 to a design by Gerit van Arkel as the centre of the Amsterdam diamond trading industry. It housed a large trading hall on the first floor and offices above that. In 2015, the building was purchased by Sijthoff Media Groep and Zadelhoff Beheer and underwent a significant renovation and transformation based on designs by Zwarts & Jansma Architects and Heyligers design + projects. The new design aimed at three objectives: to restore the original qualities of the Diamantbeurs in its full glory, to adapt the interior for use as a modern, flexible office environment and to build a contemporary addition open to the public. The most prominent new addition to the 2020 MIPIM Award winner, is the elongated dome of steel and glass on the roof, called High Light. The curved glass structure incorporates solar cells, which generate solar energy as well as shade. The shape of the structure, which houses a public space, references the property's past as the center of the diamond trade. Today, under its new name, ‘Capital C’, it serves as a centre for the creative industry and houses conference and event venues as well as co-working spaces for various companies. Offering enough parking spaces by enabling access to parking garage via car liftParking spaces around the building located in the centre of Amsterdam are rare and costly. As the Capital C building offers co-working spaces it benefits from the excellent public transport connections in the area. Nevertheless, it needed to find a way to offer parking spaces for cars and bicycles. To solve this a new basement was added to the building to create the space needed for parking. The inclusion of a ramp for access, however, would have severely limited the number of spaces on offer.The PEGASOS © car lift is the most space saving car lift on the market today. It requires neither pit nor engine room and thanks to its extremely slender shaft geometry it offers an access solution even in very restricted space situations.Today tenants of the building simply drive up to the lift, press their remote and enter the lift for a quick delivery to the garage – a fact that is very popular with the users of the co-working spaces in the building. About the customerDCV BOUW B.V. was founded in 2006. Since then, it has grown into an important player in the construction sector of the Netherlands.DCV BOUW carries out a wide range of projects for its clients. Recents projects include the renovation of ‘De Oliphant’ and newbuild of the Orato Offices in Amsterdam, as well as the Aon building renovation in Rotterdam.Challenges of parking at DiamantbeursThe Capital C building was renovated and now houses a new creative centre offering co-working spaces and event venues, leading to increased parking requirementsParking spaces are limited in the city centre of Amsterdam,The building had an underground level for parking cars and bicycles but no space for a conventional access ramp. Given the integration into the existing building, there was limited headroom available above any potential lift.The customer required access not only for cars, but also for bicycles and egress for building management functions such as waste removal.Enabling access to parking garageThe Lödige PEGASOS© car lift installed serves as a space efficient and convenient entry to the underground parking garage.Cars are being transported vertically to the parking garage, without the need for a conventional access rampThe design of the PEGASOS car lift needs no pit and minimal headroom, facilitating integration into the existing buildingCars and bicycles can be comfortably transported to the underground parking garage. The lift also enables easy waste removal and goods delivery.

First fully inspired Cradle to Cradle development in the Netherlands uses Accoya Cladding. The Bosch Siemens HOME (B/S/H) office, called The Inspiration House, is the first building designed for Park 20|20 (the first Cradle to Cradle-inspired full-service development in the Netherlands). The Inspiration House 20|20 was designed by architect William McDonough with Michael Braungart, the founder of the cradle-to-cradle movement. Accoya wood was chosen for the external cladding and windows because it is the only wood product that has achieved the prestigious Cradle to Cradle Gold Certification.

The innovative £26 million building at Edge Hill University, contains the University’s Library, Careers and Student Services, within its contemporary 8,000 square metre space. The original design included a roof terrace, which increased the outdoor space, with carefully thought out landscaping and additional seating for the Library. The FGP range, by Artform, was selected due to the co-ordinated design, including seating & litter bins. A key feature was the use of anodised aluminium frames, which offers a tough and durable finish, due to it being through coloured and not painted.

Victoria Gate is one half of Victoria Leeds; a beautiful shopping district, recognised as one of the premium shopping destinations in the North of England. The award-winning Victoria Gate opened in October 2016 and is a modern interpretation of Victoria Quarter, paying homage to the surrounding architecture. Artform were asked to supply a mixture of street furniture items to the prestigious city centre development. The products specified were the Parc Vue seats, with and without armrests, the Loop cycle stands and the Spencer litter bins. Artform also provided a full supply and installation service on this project.