"drain"

This stunning new-build with floor-to-ceiling glass panels is built into the hillside and thus required a robust waterproofing solution for failsafe protection. After the original property on this site in Barnet was demolished, construction began for a new building that could take full advantage of the stunning location. With floor-to-ceiling glass panels on one side of the property , this new-build is the best place to admire the views over London.Built into the hillside, the property was therefore partially-retaining and required a full waterproofing system throughout to protect from unwanted water ingress. As such, Newton Specialist Contractor Stonehouse were called in to expertly install a robust waterproofing system to the entire structure.The client appointed Stonehouse's Richard Allen as the waterproofing design specialist on this project, to ensure a fully BS 8102:2009 compliant build.Due to the partially-retaining nature of the structure, Richard recommended a combination of Type A, B and C waterproofing systems to ensure a Grade 3 habitable environment. Relying on an effective Type B structure, Stonehouse then applied a cementitious coating of Type A Newton 107F to the external surface of the flat roof decks and to the internal area of the lower lift pit.Given the high risk from water, the failsafe Newton CDM System was also installed on both levels of the structure. Newton 508 membrane was securely fixed to the internal walls using Newton's ancillary products, with water from the upper level being bunded and piped down to the lower level, then drained via gravity fall using Newton Basedrain.As one of our most experienced specialist contractors, Stonehouse expertly recommended, designed and installed a truly failsafe waterproofing system that will continue to protect this contemporary home for many years to come. Furthermore, Stonehouse were able to provide a 10-year guarantee for the installation, for complete peace of mind.

REQUIREMENT: Permanent wheelchair access from the new classroom entrance to the playground. The ramp required to comply with both part M and K of the building regulations.END RESULT:The Rapid Ramp included a 1:15 gradient and fully complies with documents M & K of the building regulations.The installation was completed during the summer holidays, ready before the new school year. Plus, it only took a few hours to fit and could be used immediately after.Unlike our steel Rapid Ramp System, a concrete ramp is time-consuming to install due to the drying time required and cannot be fitted in bad weather conditions, e.g. snow or rain,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 FEATURE INCLUDED:Mid Rail - A lower handrail system designed to be used by young children and wheelchair users.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.Fully Compliant Step Unit – complies with Document M and K of the building regulations.

REQUIREMENT: A robust step system with handrails to aid a visually impaired tenant in accessing their garden.The council owns the property; therefore, the specifier required a product that can easily be removed in the future and leave little to no impact on the building.Our system was ideal because safety features, including yellow tread strips, could be fixed along each step nosing, and a rubber crumb cover could be laid over the surfaces to prevent the tenant from slipping.The product is also easily removable and only requires minimal bolting.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: CAD and technical drawings were designed by our specialist designer in-house.END RESULT: A step system with three risers and a platform was installed in less than a day. The steps fully comply with Part M and K of Building Regulations for dwellings. All council properties must adhere to these guidelines. FEATURES INCLUDED:Trombone Ends - these are added to the ends to prevent clothes catching.Mesh Platform - the self-draining mesh allows water to pass through rather than collect on the surface.Standard Handrail - this handrail system ensures users always have support to hold onto.Standard Colour Black – Systems are powder coated black to create a durable finish that is tougher than conventional paint.Telescopic Legs - Legs can be adjusted to accommodate different threshold heights.EXTRA FEATURES INCLUDED: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.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. It is available in a range of colours and will continue to perform in all weather conditions.

Balance pedestals form Wallbarn provide ultimate in precision and performance for roof terrace construction.This large roof terrace in a luxury residential redevelopment of a commercial block next to the Royal Courts of Justice demanded a high end finish. The roof deck had been waterproofed and insulated and 50mm limestone slabs needed to be raised and supported to achieve optimum drainage and ventilation to the structure.The client wanted a flat upper surface with no ridges or interruptions between individual slabs and the Balance self-levelling pedestals were able to create a smooth upper surface with reduced trip hazard and more attractive aesthetics across the terrace.The self-levelling nature of the headpiece meant any blemishes on the surface beneath such as laps between the waterproofing layers and drains, services etc. were accommodated easily without any noticeable effect on the upper surface.Because the self-levelling headpiece has an optic type mechanism it moves in all directions and achieves a perfectly flat upper level by itself, there is no need for installers to wind up and down separate segments of the head. it creates a better finish in much less time. The installer on this project simply loves Balance and will not use any other brand for self-levelling solutions. The limestone slabs were installed in a staggered layout and the Balance pedestals coped with this easily as the positioning lugs could be snapped off at T junction and other detail areas to create clean finishes. Weight tolerance was a major issue as heavy planters, a large barbecue, seating and other furniture were to be placed onto the slabs. Balance pedestals have a normal weight tolerance of 683kg each and a break point of over 1 tonne, so could cope with the additional weight easily. The end result was stunning. The client was delighted with the result and used this terrace on the show flat for the whole development.

HMS Victory, situated in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, is best known for her role in the Battle of Trafalgar; HMS Victory currently has a dual role as the Flagship of the First Sea Lord and as a living museum to the Georgian Navy. She transferred to The National Museum of the Royal Navy in 2012.A new Under Hull Walkway providing visitors to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with the ability to walk beneath HMS VictoryVisitors are now also able to experience the HMS Victory Under Hull Walkway. The new walkway will enable visitors to safely descend into the dry dock base and view the 3600-tonne ship from below.Project criteriaThe under-hull walkway required new access walkways, landings, and stairs for visitors to visit this ship area. Therefore, it was essential to provide a safe solution that met but exceeded the criteria for public access walkways, treads & landings while also meeting the design brief.The solutionThe solution constituted a complete solution consisting of OPTIMO O5-M treads, landings & walkways. The combination of the choice of product and material provides excellent slip resistance, multi-directional, stiletto proof, walking stick proof, DDA compliant colour contrasting Nosings, self-draining & strength to weight ratio.The project success was determined by close collaboration with the partner, discussing product capabilities, loading criteria, etc., working closely with our technical sales & drawing office. This enabled them to detail/design their support steelwork to suit, saving them detailing time & money on unnecessary support/steel.Additionally, PcP was involved with product development & design assistance to supply a suitable safe solution to the brief.The resultMore than 150m2 walkways/landings plus stair treads with DDA compliant Nosings for public access at HMS Victory.

More than 20,000m² of Sto’s external wall insulation system has been specified for two residential schemes at Cherrywood, Ireland’s largest urban development driven forward by real estate group Hines and its joint venture partners, APG Asset Management over the past seven years.Located on a 360-hectare site to the south of Dublin, Cherrywood is expected to serve a population of 25,000 people, offering more than 7,700 new homes, six schools, three parks and leisure facilities.Henry J Lyons Architects selected the StoTherm Mineral insulation system for apartment blocks forming part of the first and second phase of the residential construction. Now complete, the first scheme comprises 431 homes divided into two equally-sized blocks. The second consists of 520 units spread across three blocks and is due to be completed in Summer 2023. Sto installation work was carried out by applicators Platt Reilly.Consisting of mineral fibre insulation boards, the StoTherm Mineral system provides a high level of thermal performance and fire protection. It has been installed onto lightweight steel frames using Sto-Rotofix Plus. Thanks to a unique spiral design, these fixings help to create a seamless façade across all the blocks as well as a cavity behind the insulation board allowing any excess moisture to drain. Using the Sto-Rotofix-Plus, any unevenness in the substrate can be easily rectified by adjusting the insulation boards after they have been installed. This means there is no need for unsightly expansion joints and a smooth surface can be created ready for applying the render.All the apartment blocks will be finished with the StoSilco silicone resin render to provide high levels of water repellence and resistance to algae and fungus growth. 

About Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Milton KeynesHotel MK is a Hilton-branded hotel built into Stadium MK, home of MK Dons FC and 2015 Rugby World Cup venue. It has 304 bedrooms as well as multiple event spaces. Its conference space regularly accommodates up to 700 people for banquets, 1,000 for conferences and up to 2,500 on match day. Consequently the urinals in the conference area can experience very high usage. The hotel operates under the Hilton brand and so must comply with Hilton’s brand standards. It also takes part in Hilton’s Lightstay programme, designed to reduce energy and water usage throughout the Hilton portfolio.In 2016 Sue Dawson, the hotel’s Operations Director, was tasked with arranging the refurbishment of the two blocks of toilets in the hotel’s conference area. Waterless urinals were already in use in the Stadium and the hotel was keen to reduce its water usage further by installing them in the conference areas.Why did Hotel MK choose waterless urinals?Waterless urinals offered several benefits to the hotel. The conference area is not used every day so moving to waterless urinals means no water is used on the days that the conference area is not used. The hotel also needed to ensure that the installation fitted with Hilton’s brand standards for design. Waterless urinals offer an aesthetic advantage as the waste from them simply runs directly into the drains, eliminating the need for ugly pipes on show or any need to box pipes in. Draining into a wide pipe, rather than a narrow pipe as is the case with traditional urinals, also means that waterless urinals are highly unlikely ever to block.Why did Hotel MK choose URIMAT urinals?"I searched online for waterless urinals but none of the ones I looked at were particularly nice looking and it was very important to us to get something that fitted with the overall look of the facility and with Hilton’s own brand standards. When I came across Ecoprod I felt that their products were much more attractive and fitted with the clean look we wanted to achieve. They ticked all the boxes for us.The key selling points were the fact that the urinals were eco-friendly and the aesthetics of their design – that’s what sold me."Sue Dawson, Operations DirectorSmooth and quick installationThe installation was done by the hotel’s in-house team of builders and joiners in conjunction with external plumbing contractors and took only a few days to complete."I liaised with Edward at Ecoprod and together we agreed a plan and a delivery date. Everything went very smoothly. The products were all delivered on time. We arranged a split delivery so that one set of urinals could be installed while a second set remained in use."Sue Dawson, Operations DirectorPositive feedback from staff and customers"There have been no operational issues at all since launch. Edward came down to demonstrate the cleaning regime and everything is really hunky-dory. Ecoprod has been very helpful and on the case the whole time, very diligent and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed on time and knew what we were doing the whole time."Sue Dawson, Operations Director"Conference people notice the new urinals, and we do a lot of show arounds. They look so much better – much more hygienic than standard urinals.The cleaners have also noticed a difference. These urinals are mounted onto a wood board rather than tiles, so there’s no grout or other areas where dirt and residue can accumulate. The wood is much easier to wipe around. The hotel design is all driven by making things easier to clean so this is a really important consideration for us."Mark Watson, Operations Manager."It’s a very modern-looking facility – we’re very happy with the results – it feels fresh and modern."Sue Dawson, Operations Director

A high profile residential development located on the derelict site of the once mighty Wimbledon FC, completed in 2008.OverviewAxter designed and supplied a complete structural waterproofing, insulation, drainage and landscaping solution to all elevated podia. The areas were intensively landscaped combining hard and soft finishes, creating a mixture of meandering pedestrian walkways and landscaped recreational gardens with a combined area of 6000m2.ChallengesThe primary challenge was to achieve a robust structural waterproofing system that could provide construction programme design, installation and cost efficiencies.A complex site drainage strategy, combined with multiple hard and soft landscaped finishes of varying depths, resulted in the need for additional drainage and water retention measures to be designed and implemented throughout the site.A high cost and varied landscaping design, with a relatively short seasonal installation time frame, demanded a waterproofing system designer and manufacturing partner that could meet these challenges.SolutionsThe design supply and installation of Wilotekt-Plus, unique second generation hot melt structural waterproofing system, provided 30% quicker on site installation speeds than traditional first generation hot melt systems. This ensured the waterproofing was completed swiftly, in excess of 500m2/day, which enabled landscaping finishes to be installed within deadline.The drainage strategy was simplified across all podia through the creation of a horizontal drainage zone above the waterproofing. Axter’s combined reservoir and drainage board was installed, retaining appropriate moisture levels for the specified plant requirements, whilst allowing excess moisture to drain freely away. It also acted as a permanent shutter for concrete works that allowed secondary structures to be built off these areas without contacting the waterproofing system or interrupting the drainage zone.Intensive hard and soft landscaping was completed by Frosts Landscapes Ltd using conveyor technology to distribute the soil and plants across the podia with ease.Systems in useWilotekt®-Plus

Heavy rainfall on the Orkney Islands meant that the basement room of Kirkwall Air Traffic Control Tower suffered from frequent flooding, with water levels reaching 1.2m at their highest point. Newton Waterproofing and Specialist Contractor Wise Basement Systems were called in to remove the existing water and then waterproof the structure to protect it from future flooding, all in just one week.Kirkwall airport is located on the main island of the Orkneys, 10-miles off the North coast of Scotland. Presented with a logistically challenging location and a tight project timescale of just 1 week, Newton had no hesitation in recommending the expertise of Wise Basement Systems as the specialist contractor to Building Surveyor Pick Everard.Getting involved at the very start of the project, Wise were immediately able to design, advise on and install a system to remedy the 2 inches of water in the existing basement of the Air Traffic Control tower.Cavity Drain Waterproofing, or ‘Type C’ waterproofing as it is defined by BS 8102:2009 is often the most effective means of achieving a completely dry ‘Grade 3’ environment in an existing structure below ground. It was therefore no surprise that Wise Basement Systems designed a Newton CDM System for this existing basement area.To begin, Wise installed 120m2 of Newton 508 on the walls and 80m2 of the recycled Newton 520 eco to the floor, above the closed-cell Fibran XPS 500-C insulation. The drainage membranes were supplemented with a perimeter channel of Newton Basedrain, directed to a Titan-Pro sump chamber containing two NP400 Pumps to remove the water.Finally, to ensure that the system will continue to work in all eventualities, even in a complete power outage, Wise installed a backup system with dual Northstar batteries and a Victron Power Inverter.Even with a project located 10 miles from the mainland, and 1 week to waterproof a basement with only a 600mm wide access hatch, Wise Basement Systems delivered a completely dry space for the client that was also compliant with BS 8102:2009 and backed by their guarantee.

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.

PROJECT BACKGROUND:As pressure continues to build on the UK’s health service, Conquest Hospital's Emergency Department urgently needed to transform their current staff welfare area with additional space, achievable with a modular extension.The design included a canteen space, toilets, shower rooms, storage areas and lockers for NHS staff.REQUIREMENT:External developments included an accompanying ramp to overcome the exterior door threshold. The works needed to be achieved within a quick turnaround time and with minimal disruption to the daily running of the department.SITE SURVEY & DRAWINGS:We responded rapidly with a site survey soon after the initial enquiry.This project benefitted from the Lidar scanning technology used by our site surveyors.The machine scanned and plotted the heights and widths of the objects in view, including different floor levels.Our in-house designer then created a 3D visual of the ramp on top of the lidar model, ensuring to draw around any obstructions.The final 3D & 2D drawings were after given to the client with their quotation.END RESULT:Once the extension was near completion, the ramp was fitted in an L shape configuration within a day, minimizing disruption.FEATURES INCLUDED:Standard Handrail - this handrail system ensures users always have support to hold onto.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.Powder Coated Finish – rails are coated with thermosetting powder to provide a non-conductive, non-slip and scratch resistant surface.Telescopic Legs - these can be adjusted to accommodate different threshold heights.EXTRA FEATURES INCLUDED:Yellow Powdercoated Handrails – yellow is one of the easiest colours to see because of its ability to reflect light.Yellow Tread - this is a safety feature designed to help those with impaired vision identify the nose of the ramp and any level changes.

The Post Building development completely remodels the former Royal Mail Sorting Office located on New Oxford Street in Central London into modern Grade A offices, with street level retail and restaurant space along with rooftop gardens, terraces, and leisure areas. The project received a prestigious RIBA London Award in 2022 and the main roof terrace is open to the public, providing panoramic views over the city. In order to gain planning approval, the development had to be repurposed in line with the ‘SuDS manual’ best practice guidance to minimise surface water run-off in the event of a storm and in order to meet the maximum discharge consent limits set by Thames Water.Basement SuDS storage is expensive and often impractical to achieve in city centre locations. ABG’s blueroof system was therefore chosen as an easy to install alternative to provide stormwater attenuation at roof level. The system is installed across three main roof areas and includes 14 restrictor chambers positioned above rainwater outlets to limit the outflow rate. The system is calculated to control stormwater in the event of a 1 in 100 year storm, based on the local Flood Studies Report (FSR) rainfall data, plus 30% allowance for climatic change.The roof design incorporates a variety of surface finishes, including a resin bound play area, biodiverse green roof areas and paved & decked terraced areas. The roof also includes solar PV arrays and planters supported on top of the blue roof.The ABG blueroof system drains like a normal roof during everyday rainfall events, but throughout the critical design storm periods restricts stormwater run-off, continuously releasing rainwater at a controlled rate until empty.The discharge rate is site specific and forms part of the scheme wide SuDS plan, and means that other downstream measures are not required. The scheme also included sedum green roofs to improve site biodiversity across two further areas.ABG provided project design calculations and all blue roof materials required for the different roof levels, plus our installation service.

A Degafloor Approved Installer - The National Flooring Company Ltd were approached by a A 4-star hotel, in the South of England, who had decided to update their flooring system around the swimming pool. The existing floor tiles, which had started to debond posed a trip hazard and therefore needed to be replaced. The client also advised they were experiencing problems with standing water.Following the removal of the existing floor tiles, the installation of a new screed was required to build back the levels and ensure there were adequate falls in the floor for water to run back into the pool. Throughout the installation, the gym remained open, and it had been advised that the pool closure needed to be kept to an absolute minimum. The National Flooring Company installed the Degafloor Deep Fill Mortar Repair system, a fast-curing underlayment, which ensured the refurbishment programme could continue with no downtime due to curing.The existing drain was removed and replaced, along with the light box and leveller covers, which all received new stainless-steel units. A new trim was fixed around the perimeter of the pool and the Degafloor resin system, which has an excellent bond to metal surfaces, was abutted up to all the stainless-steel items. The Degafloor QTA system used within the project, is a quartz trowelled system that can be laid to falls. The system is broadcast with aggregate to provide an extremely slip resistant finish, even under wet conditions, making it ideally suited to a swimming pool surround. Coved skirting was installed around the perimeter of the room creating a completely impervious finish, with no weak spots and therefore reducing future maintenance costs. The full refurbishment was completed over 12 days, ensuring that the closure was kept to a bare minimum.The clients main requirements were they required an anti-slip floor that would eliminate the current situation they had with standing water. They specifically requested that the closure was kept to a minimum as they are a "member's club" as well as facilitating the hotel, which remained open throughout the installation. The client was extremely satisfied with the end result and felt they now have a floor finish that is much better suited to their environment.

Located in Earls Court, London, the Lillie Square development will eventually stretch from Chelsea football ground to Kensington Olympia, and comprises of over 800 multi-million pound luxury dwellings. The development will also contain London’s largest private residents’ club, which boasts a lounge, library, private dining room, cinema, gym, spa facilities and 20 metre swimming pool with jacuzzi.Lillie Square Phase 1 required the formation of a watertight basement to house the luxury private residents club serving the entire property development. A large portion of this luxury clubhouse, including a swimming pool, spa, sauna, steam room, gym and function room, is below ground. The project therefore required robust waterproofing to protect the internal environment.Newton Specialist Contractor Stonehosue were consulted at an early stage to be part of the design team and provide a guaranteed waterproofing solution that would comply with the requirements of both BS 8102:2009 and any third-party warranty providers.The long-term partnership between Newton Waterproofing Systems and experienced Specialist Contractor Stonehouse has seen both companies partner on a vast portfolio of properties across the UK, and Stonehouse brought this experience to the table at Lillie Square.In order to provide the maximum level of protection, Stonehouse combined two Types of waterproofing in order to achieve a completely dry ‘Grade 3’ internal environment as per the recommendations of BS 8102:2009.The first of these products was the Type A, cementitious, liquid-applied waterproofing membrane Newton 107F, which was particularly suitable to this large-scale project due to the fact that it could be quickly spray-applied over large areas.The 107F was supported by the Type C Newton CDM System cavity drain waterproofing, installed throughout the basement area of the clubhouse, with four Titan-Pro sump chambers containing dual NP400 pumps, as well as Newton High Water Alarms, Inverters and Battery Back-Up protection creating a truly failsafe system.By working with Sir Robert McAlpine at the design stage it was possible to consider the lifetime performance of the structure as well as the cost in order to design and install thorough waterproofing protection.

BACKGROUND: Oxburgh Hall is a moated mansion set within 70 acres of formal gardens and woodlands.A £6 million improvement project was underway at the site, with works including repairing the roof, windows, chimneys, and medieval gatehouse.REQUIREMENT: As part of enhancements, a fully compliant ramp was needed from the south entrance and chapel to improve wheelchair accessibility. SITE SURVEY:Oxburgh Hall was the first project to benefit from the Lidar scanning technology used by our site surveyors.The machine scans the whole area, including the building and terrain.Once the photographing process was completed, our CAD designer was able to plot a 3D visual of the ramp on top of the lidar model.The final CAD designs were given to the client with their quotation.The lidar modelling process helps contextualise the drawings by placing the systems in a virtual representation of the real environment; in this example, a historic setting with grass & dry terrain.We aim to carry out site surveys efficiently and within a minimal time frame. This technology enables us to continue to achieve these objectives and more.END RESULT:The two systems were installed within a week and included a compliant 1:15 gradient and width of 1500mm.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 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.Continuous Handrail - this handrail system ensures users always have support to hold onto.Standard colour: Black - Ramps are powder coated black to create a durable finish that is tougher than conventional paint.EXTRA FEATURE INCLUDED:Compliant Step Unit - an ideal addition to any ramp installation, providing the access needed for able-bodied users. They can also be stand-alone units, independent of the Rapid Ramp System.

FlexEJ has completed the design and fabrication of a batch of metal expansion joints for a UK pharmaceuticals manufacturer.Specifying an expansion joint in a pharmaceutical production line can be problematic. For this project, the piping design required expansion joints but a fundamental requirement was ease of cleaning and a complete avoidance of product retention.A possible solution could have been a pharmaceutical rubber expansion joint which is crevice free but its inherent design limits its flexibility and – as with any rubber expansion joint – it has a relatively low operating temperature limit.This formed the basis of the specification brought to FlexEJ’s engineering team. The design case was to meet 270 Deg. C and 10 Bar G with a high degree of flexibility so a metal bellow would be best suited to this application. But in a conventional bellow or expansion joint the convolutions are prone to retain product or contaminants. A liner can sometimes be used but again product can get behind the liner so the problem is not entirely eliminated.So how to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness inside the bellow once installed and in operation? The solution lay in designing a specific ‘open’ convolution profile which prevents contaminants getting lodged within the joint. The team’s clever design of profile, combining with the unit being used in vertical alignment leads to the bellow being self-draining – and at all movement positions. To achieve the high levels of purity and cleanliness required for this application’s flowing media, the bellow had to be fabricated in 316 stainless steel with a very high surface finish.The expansion joint also includes threaded mounting bars – these enable the bellows to be contracted slightly to enable easy removal from the pharmaceutical line when required. The smooth, polished rods seen in the image here are limit bars to prevent accidental over-extension. Each joint is also fitted with pharmaceutical grade aseptic flanges – smooth on the inside and sealed with an ‘o’ ring. On completion, the complete units were electro-polished for additional surface improvement and cleaning – and that gives them their photogenic qualities seen here.If you are interested in finding out more about FlexEJ's range of pharmaceutical & aseptic metal bellows, please contact our Technical Sales Team on +44 (0) 1384 881188 or send an email to sales@flexej.co.uk.

As a part of a wider extension of the Barking Riverside area, the Barking Riverside project has prepared the railway station for huge numbers of new residents. The new London Overground station now connects passengers to central London in just 22 minutes in the first extension of the Overground Line since 2015. High volumes of foot traffic are expected in an area now capable of connecting thousands of new residents to the centre of the capital, so the Entrance Matting had to be extremely heavy duty for such a busy railway station. INTRAflow Plus proved the perfect solution to achieving market-leading functionality in the highest footfall areas.The obvious choiceINTRAflow Plus was chosen to meet the tight deadline for this project. This extremely durable recessed Entrance Matting is also quick and easy to install. The heavy-duty, open construction recycled aluminium planks can withstand all kinds of foot traffic and allow water to drain away.Double width fibre inserts aid moisture absorption, and the performance scraper action of INTRAlux Elite Fibre prevents dirt and debris being carried into the railway station from the high volume footfall. With a large open entrance that is exposed to the elements, moisture and dirt absorption was a clear priority for the project.The interlocking sections of the INTRAflow Plus mean that installation is a simple process. Working with DMC Contracts, ease of installation was a key feature to avoid any delays – given the strict deadline and tight time-frame for the project. INTRAflow Plus is fully DDA compliant, allowing railway access to people of all mobility levels. As the station becomes one of over 60 step-free stations along the Overground Line, INTRAsystems has been able to further the efforts to ensure full inclusivity for all.Future proofAlong with the high functionality, durability and inclusivity features of INTRAflow Plus, its sustainable nature made it the perfect choice as Transport for London look to build for the future. The aluminium planks are 100% recycled, and the fibre inserts are made from ECONYL – 100% recycled nylon made from materials such as discarded fishing nets.With the Entrance Matting now in place, the new Overground Railway Station at Barking Riverside is now well placed to handle the high daily volume of foot traffic.

The Hurlford Avenue new build project, situated on the former Garscadden Primary School site, truly harnesses innovation and design. This ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ project, completed in partnership with CCG, showcases technical prowess and constructional excellence.Garscadden Primary School closed back in 2017 but the 1930s school building remained standing. Spotting the potential for something impressive on the site, Glasgow Housing Association proposed a modern replacement – a portfolio of properties.The key requirement was to build modern, energy efficient homes which would provide much-needed affordable housing in the sought-after area of Dumbarton and make a significant difference to the local community.After extensive planning, focusing on matching an appropriate insulation system with a complementary finish, K Systems devised a comprehensive delivery plan using our unrivalled experience and expertise.CCG fabricated the building off-site with timber kits and incorporated elements from our Aricco system, with the final finish being completed on-site. This approach was advantageous for a few reasons, including the speed of construction and a reduction in required labour.Hurlford Avenue is a prime example of our experience with off-site modular builds and our project-specific approach to EWI solutions. We brought Glasgow Housing Association’s vision to life and delivered 28 houses and 42 flats for mid-market rent.Our ServiceThe build of the Hurlford Avenue development wasn’t without its challenges. Precision planning was required to ensure minimal disruption to the residents in surrounding estates. All traffic ways remained free for passage and noise pollution was kept to a minimum.During the build, our team encountered some detailing challenges. However, working directly with the contractor and main contractor, these challenges were quickly resolved by key colleagues within our Technical Team, and the build remained on schedule and of the highest quality.From specification and design to planning, delivery and evaluating, our team transformed a derelict site to a contemporary multi-dwelling development that rejuvenated the Dumbarton area.“I would like to thank everyone on the K Systems technical support team for their contribution in accomplishing the Aricco System project at Hurlford Avenue. The regular visits from senior technicians always go a long way to keeping any project in check and it makes the job of our management much easier by having honest, professional judgement to go back to our guys, with well earned praise on this occasion. Everyone was onboard from the outset in working around any potential difficulties and you will agree it shows in the final results.”Garry Barton, Contractor.Technical Project DetailsAs the client of this project, Scotland based construction company CCG, approached K Systems to provide a suitable façade solution that would complement their design. A build with timber kits and a drained ventilated cavity system was specified, along with a silkolitt thin coat render finish.CCG are renowned for off-site manufacturing (OSM) and manufactured the kits from their production site in near-by Cambuslang. They sourced the correct material according to our exact specification. CCG’s ‘iQ’ System was chosen, which is designed with a fabric-first approach where greater tolerances are determined by fewer junctions and thermal bridges to deliver enhanced U-values and significantly improve airtightness. By incorporating OSM and the iQ system into this project, it is just a small insight into our unrivalled knowledge and expert approach that we take to fulfil the requirements of our clients.For the supporting façade, the K Systems Aricco system was specified - a drained ventilated cavity system perfectly suited for use in low rise buildings, particularly new build projects and timber framed construction. The Aricco system is also the most compatible with offsite/modular construction techniques and boasts an A2-s1, d0 fire rating and therefore complies with the latest building regulations, ensuring the safety of all residents.The finish was just as important as the façade system, with the cost-effective, industry-leading Silkolitt thin coat render specified. Silkolitt renders provide a contemporary finish to new-build applications, something this project very much required to modernise the area. Silkolitt is simple to apply, and its hydrophobic properties makes the render low maintenance. It also has excellent vapour permeability, allowing the Hurlford Avenue properties to breathe and avoid interstitial condensation. It is the most flexible system on the market, making cracking over its lifetime less likely and therefore delivering a pleasing aesthetic with outstanding longevity.The combinations specified by the K Systems team resulted in the build of impressive dwellings boasting a U-value of 0.13W/m ² K – meaning homes were easier and cheaper to heat, a particularly attractive benefit given the current cost of living crisis.

Pure Design - Bolidtop 525 and Bolidtop 525 TFColour - S 4005-Y50R1700m2Architect - KSS GroupProject Main Contractor - McLaughlin & HarveyProject Installation Dates - Jan 20/Sept 20  A building designed to “create the future” and materials used to interpret the club’s values and reflect its strength and ambition. Stratum were chosen to install 1700m² of Pure Design - Bolidtop 525 and Bolidtop 525 TF with 150mm integrated skirting throughout, to the new state-of-the-art training facility. The scheme comprised of a foyer entrance, a double height atria space, changing rooms, commercial studio and connecting spaces. The requirements were quality and robust materials, hygiene, ease of cleaning and simplicity in aesthetics.Bolidtop 525 was installed in all spaces with an additional textured finish to the showers for increased slip-resistance. The building featured underfloor heating throughout, covered by a 75mm thick screed. In the showers the resin was neatly dressed into the drains. All floors are entirely seamless and feel comfortable underfoot with sound-attenuating properties, fulfilling the functional requirements of the building. Challenge-      To navigate around the core areas of a busy construction site with sensitive floor finishes, and to maintain the highest quality of finish.-      Coordination with other trades.-      To ensure delivery of materials ran smoothly from the Netherlands during the challenging times of Covid-      To follow the government guidance on Covid safety whilst ensuring we worked to programme Solution-      Despite the challenges of Covid, Stratum worked closely with McLaughlin & Harvey ensuring a successful phased install, navigating around the project whilst maintaining access to adjoining areas for other key trades.-      To arrange delivery of materials in ample time for each phase.  Benefits/Installation-      KSS Group had worked with Stratum and used Bolidt products before, therefore they knew they were getting a resin floor of the highest quality and service to match.Result-      Stratum provided the specialist training facility with an attractive high end functional floor which uniformly flows seamlessly from core areas to changing rooms and wash areas. The floor will be easy to clean and maintain for the onsite management team with a long service life.  “We are very happy with the appearance of the resin flooring, which achieves precisely the clean, simple, high quality aesthetic we were seeking”. Michael McCollum| Associate Director | KSS Group

The 16,500m2 new Faculty of Social Sciences building is designed to meet the future growth demands of the department up to the year 2035 and creates a world class, BREEAM outstanding building that encourages collaboration and enhances the Faculty’s reputation for excellence in teaching and research.The landscape design for the new University of Sheffield building set out to create a large area of public realm on the social sciences campus, with provision for sustainable drainage systems including extensive use of tree pits and rain gardens. As part of the SuDS design specifications, a Blue Roof stormwater drainage system was considered as an alternative option to underground attenuation tanks to keep surface water run-off within the discharge consent.ABG were able to demonstrate that specifying a shallow Blue Roof attenuation layer involved much lower carbon emissions than excavating underground storage tanks.The volume of vehicle movements required to install underground stormwater attenuation compared to the ABG blueroof system was calculated (delivered from ABG’s factory based 25 miles away), and a carbon footprint saving of 59% was estimated. The reduction in construction emissions was deemed particularly important given the site’s proximity to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.The 108mm ABG blueroof system design was fitted over a 4,500m2 roof catchment area by the ABG Installs team over a period of 8 weeks. The inverted roof system build-up includes a 245mm XPS insulation installed onto the waterproofing with a Water Flow Reducing Layer (WFRL) above. The ABG Deckdrain 4mm geocomposite drainage layer is installed above a 100mm void former, wrapped in a Terrex NW20 geotextile layer to prevent debris entering the drainage voids. The roof build-up is completed with a surface finish combination of stone ballast and 63mm pavers.For the majority of the year, the roof drains into the rainwater outlets as normal, however during prolonged spells of heavy rainfall the void formers begin to temporarily attenuate the stormwater. During storm periods the rainfall outflow rate is slowed using 13 stainless steel restrictor chambers, positioned above each rainwater outlet.This controls the volume of water that is able to discharge from the roof during the storm, minimising surface water run-off and reducing the risk of flooding in the local area. The system is calculated to only reach maximum attenuation volume during a 1-in-100 year storm event, as calculated using the Flood Estimation Handbook rainfall data for Sheffield, plus 40% allowance for climatic change. The system features an integrated overflow outlet in the event a storm occurs that exceeds this designed capacity.

GEC Anderson stainless steel worktops were included in a recent Cornwall kitchen refurbishment, designed and installed by George Robinson Kitchens who produce hand crafted, bespoke kitchens, near Penzance. For homeowners, Mr. & Mrs. Bull, the choice of materials was pivotal to the design of their home kitchen, particularly, as their long-term plan is to use the space as a cookery school. Stainless steel was therefore a key element and was chosen not only for its visual properties and low lifetime cost but also for its ability to withstand heavy usage, to be heat resistant and to remain germ-free. From a visual perspective, the work surfaces make up a significant proportion of the colour and texture in the room. In this Georgian property in Cornwall, the materials and textures chosen make for an eclectic yet functional space. The inherent durability and unsurpassed hygienic properties of the brushed stainless steel elements from GEC Anderson will make it perform extremely well as a professional kitchen. The Tulip wood and Oak wood with its different painted finishes together with the white Silestone quartz top on the central island top provides a striking contrast to the stainless steel in one corner, giving a light and pleasant, contemporary, feel.The L-shaped brushed satin stainless steel worktop and integral sink is made to measure and benefits from being manufactured in one continuous piece thus maximising the use of space in the corner in which it is situated. Furthermore, with no joins at the sink bowl, edges and upstands, the surface remains germ free as well as being free of visual clutter and noise. One side of the L-shape includes a generously sized (500x400mm) single bowl and draining area, whilst the other, provides useful and practical work surface. A 100mm high, integral, back upstand was also specified, providing a neat, practical and watertight junction to walls.Owner Dr Matt Bull says, “My wife and I liked the toughness of the stainless steel and the fact that it can take hot and cold, doesn't stain, reflects light and provides an hygienic surface that is easy to clean. Stainless steel also gains character as it ages, where many surfaces will deteriorate, so that’s a real bonus.” He added, “We struggled to find anyone locally who could manufacture the stainless steel elements of the kitchen to a sufficiently high standard. The neatness of the welding and the configuration of the shape, drainer recess etc. were key to what GEC Anderson could offer.”GEC Anderson stainless steel worktops are supplied fully sound deadened, plastic protected