"coping"

Slip-resistant steps for Villa ParkDegafloor were thrilled to be involved in the redevelopment of Aston Villa’s famous Villa Park football stadium. Slip-resistant steps were required for the Holte End of the stadium in addition to new facilities, including a new bar and suite complex.As part of the project, slip-resistant steps were required. The entire 600m² staircases were treated with Degafloor concrete crack seal, followed by a flexible waterproof membrane to deliver a impervious solution to protect the new bar and suite complex. The staircases were then finished with a bespoke Degafloor Quartz Trowelled with Aggregate System, finished in a unique Terracotta Quartz.To comply with current DDA legislation (Disability Discrimination Act) the stairs were finished with a separately formed nosing in White.Due to the tight project timescale and to overcome traditional British weather constraints, Flo-Dek (UK) Ltd recommended a range of fast curing Degafloor resin systems. As well as being fast curing, all Degafloor systems exhibit excellent UV resistance – essential for external environments – whilst the QTA system applied to the treads offers unrivalled slip resistance to ensure spectator safety, whatever the weather conditions.Speaking on behalf of Flo-Dek (UK) Ltd, Sales Director Dave Cope said, “This was a very complex and demanding project. The colours had to match perfectly and the hand formed nosings required a high level of skill and attention to detail”.

Addenbrookes Hospital Surge Centre2000m² Of CemfloorA temporary surge facility on the site of Addenbrookes Hospital to relieve pressure on the main hospital as part ofthe NHS' regional surge planFloor Screeding Solutions installed 2,000m2 of Cemfloor, the chosen screed for the project, which was supplied by Mick George Concrete, Cambridge.With the rising case numbers of Corona virus during the pandemic, hospitals were coming under increasing pressure for more critical care beds, and Surge Plans were put in place across the country to help alleviate this pressure.Addenbrooke Hospital in Cambridge sought to construct a ‘Surge Centre’ to cope with the additional demands on the hospital, and Cemfloor was chosen for the project due to its faster installation time and drying time compared to traditional sand and cement screeds. This helped to keep the project on track with its tight building schedule.Lewis Deck construction offered a strong light weight flooring option for the large pour area. As Cemfloor is a flowing screed, 500m2 of screed per day was poured over this by Dave Washbrook and his team from Floor Screeding Solutions, eliminating the need for on-site mixing.The main advantage Cemfloor has over other flowing screeds is the quicker drying times, and that it can accept foot traffic after 24 / 48 hours, meaning that construction could continue quickly and efficiently to meet the project deadline.

Designed by architects Studio E, the BREEAM Excellent rated building features over 2,000 Ultima aluminium insulated panels in varying lengths and depths up to 4500mm and 800mm respectively, finished in four different RAL colours The company also supplied a range of ventilated Bird’s Beak style panels, pressings, copings and cills that further added to the overall aesthetic of the building’s façade. The Ultima aluminium insulated panels were designed, supplied and manufactured by Metalline Architectural Fabrications. Metalline has become one of the UK’s leading fabricators of specialist architectural fabrication in the UK, developing innovative solutions for a range of flagship projects. Finished in four different RAL colours – reed green, pastel green, light green and mint turquoise – the overall effect of the multi coloured, multi-dimensional panels is one of inspiration that sits perfectly with the ultimate goals of the Academy’s vision for its pupils future. Metalline’s Ultima aluminium insulated panels are extremely versatile and possess excellent acoustic, thermal and fire performance ratings. They are typically produced using class A1 non-combustible insulation core and can be adapted to fit a variety of facade details, which include the ability to be glazed into a standard curtain walling or structural glazing system. The panels can also be perforated and manufactured into a variety of shapes to meet the most challenging design criteria. Ultima aluminium insulated panels can be fabricated up to an impressive 6000mm in one length.

THE PROJECTAPO Barking is an exciting location located on the banks of the River Roding and opposite Abbey Park , Barking, East London – offering a brand new ‘living’ style and completely flexible membership. This new residential development provides London renters with access to thoughtfully designed Build to Rent apartments and a bucket list of services and amenities that take the hassle out of everyday life.Their mission is to create a living network that listens and responds to the everyday needs of its members. ‘Life admin’ is made easier – for example all utility costs are wrapped up in one simple monthly payment, myRENZbox digital parcel lockers take in deliveries 24/7 and their mailboxes enable the secure and easy delivery of all mail in one location.THE PRODUCTSLB installed 126 no. myRENZbox parcelboxes in various sizes , arranged in one large system which look suitably impressive within the reception area in matt white. The customised process was created specifically for them to suit their exact needs and resulted in a future proofed solution to cope with the growth of e-commerce and parcel volumes. H1 model mailboxes were installed in a postal area to ensure both mail and parcels were considered and a suitable and aesthetic solution provided.PROJECT DETAILSProject Type: BTRProduct: myRENZbox parcel boxesInstallation: FreestandingDetail: Both Mailboxes and Intelligent Parcel solutions installed

A lightweight solution... CHALLENGE A lightweight solution was required for the mounting of the PV installation on a production hall from Opel in Rüsselheim. For some years there existed no smart solutions for PV installations on roofs. Today we start to see the downside of PV roof installations that are not coping well with the weather conditions on top of roof constructions. Common mistakes made on PV roofs: • PV panels flying off the roof due to high winds where the attachments have not been strong enough and not fully tested. • Water leaks due to structural damage from the PV installation itself. Mainly due to the minute movement of the metallic/ aluminium PV-mounting on the roofing membrane. • Water leaks due to perforations through the roofing membrane when fixing the PV installation to the roof. • Roofs collapsing due to an excess of ballast of the ballasted PV installations. • Accelerated ageing of roofing membranes due to the use of incompatible materials on the roofing surface. SOLUTION RENOLIT ALKORSOLAR PV fixing system. This lightweight PV fixing system does not require extra ballast nor perforates the roofing membrane. The main parts of the system are PVC or EVA profiles that are heat welded onto the synthetic roofing membranes. This system is the only system that is fully tested for wind loads up to 200 km/h, has an Avis technique (France) and a DIBT approval (Germany).

Jamie Graham, Operations Manager, StonehengeThe new visitors’ centre at Stonehenge opened in December 2013. It was designed to deal with the increased footfall that we have experienced here, as a result of which we’ve had to open the new Groups Welcome Centre and in that we have installed URIMAT waterless urinals, in addition to the ones that we have at the regular visitors’ centre. These were installed in October 2017. Waterless urinals by URIMAT were specified by the architect as part of the building programme.Here at Stonehenge we’re not connected to any mains water supply so we need to extract water from a borehole, so we need to limit the use of freshwater on site in terms of maintaining our commitment to the environment – URIMAT’s waterless urinals really do help with that process.All of our waste water is treated here at Stonehenge before being tankered away. In terms of the load on the sewage processing plants that we have here on site, the URIMAT waterless urinals really are key to ensuring that that load is reduced.So when we were specifying the groups welcome centre that we have here we were looking at technology that we had already implemented, technology that works well for us, so that’s why we made the decision to install them in the new groups welcome centre.On a busy day during the summer period we can see round about 9,000 or more visitors on site so it’s really important that the technology copes with that amount of footfall, and since installation we’ve had no problems whatsoever.

Delta’s Structural Waterproofing Consultant, Paul Green, CSSW alongside Delta’s MD, Kevin Dodds, were appointed to the design team to collaborate with the Architects, Engineers, Main and Sub-Contractors to fulfil the role of Waterproofing Design Specialists in providing a reliable, watertight solution for this substantial project.The large-scale basement project consists of a 4-storey deepbasement located close to the River Thames in Central London.The proposed subterranean space would offer multiple usage. This complex project required a waterproofing design which is, able to cope with intermittent/regular hydrostatic pressures created not just by groundwater, but also geographical tidal impacts from the river Thames and potential stress challenges caused by the surrounding infrastructure such as heavily trafficked railway lines in the development’s vicinity.Structures that experience a high level of vibration fromsurrounding infrastructure can, over time, have a high propensity to suffer cracks, which could lead to failure of some waterproofing solutions, so therefore careful considerations should be incorporated into the overall waterproofing design from those aspects and, the impacts these factors can have on an elected waterproofing system.Delta’s design philosophy rotated around creating a robust and suitable waterproofing design, the structure design, a continuous system, sequencing and installation, future maintenance, and serviceability, whilst able to fulfil requirements set out in BS 8102:2022 Protection of below ground structures against water ingress. Code of practice. The British Standard which governs waterproofing of substructures.

Altro wall solutions support fight against COVID-19ChallengeNew Jersey’s Holy Name Medical Centre was at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19, coping with an alarmingly high rate of new COVID case admissions. It became clear that for Holy Name Medical Centre to continue providing its patients with crucial life-saving care, their existing Intensive Care Unit (ICU) space would need to undergo an essential update.Approach“Our ICU was built in the 1960s and was in need of an upgrade,” stated Melissa Candela, Holy Name Medical Centre’s Manager of Design and Construction. “Our experience at the epicentre of New Jersey’s outbreak triggered an action plan to transition the outdated space to a unit with the highest technology, safety, and design standards, in addition to strong functionality.” The design of the unit needed to prioritise interiors that could endure frequent cleaning and disinfecting routines while helping to create a design-oriented space with a patient focus.SolutionHoly Name Medical Centre selected Altro Whiterock White and the decorative Altro Whiterock wall designs throughout the ICU to create a high design, hygienic space for patient treatment. Altro Whiterock is a hygienic walls system, providing smooth impact-resistant surfaces and leaving dirt and bacteria nowhere to hide. This is especially practical in the case of Holy Name Medical Centre’s ICU, where thorough cleaning is vital in promoting the safety of patients and staff alike. Altro Whiterock wall designs can be used alongside Altro Whiterock White to create a less clinical feel in patient areas.

This amazing swimming pool refurbishment project in Knutsford, Cheshire was undertaken by Abstract Pools Ltd. Tiles from Designworks and more than 100 JACKOBOARD® construction boards were used.Manufactured with an extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam core and a special coating on both sides, JACKOBOARD® construction boards form an ideal base for tiling. The surfaces of the JACKOBOARD® system provide an extremely strong bond and can be used on virtually any substrate. The boards are waterproof, thermally insulating, truly lightweight and very strong. This combination of characteristics makes them ideal for pool hall work. The result of this refurbishment is absolutely stunning and the owners of the property are delighted unsurprisingly.The owner was abroad while the renovation was carried out. The pool was situated in the basement of the house and had been left empty for a few years. The contractor was tasked with refurbishing the pool hall and bringing it back to life. They stripped everything back to the existing substrate, and then rendered and screeded the pool itself, the jacuzzi and the pool surrounds.A new steam room was added, using JACKOBOARD®. All of the pool hall walls were lined with JACKOBOARD®, ready to receive tiles. All tiles on this project were supplied by Designworks Tiles, the specialists in tiles and mosaics for swimming pools and spas. The tiles used on the project were Ezarri Lisa Black Mosaic for the pool tank, District Grey 1200x600x10mm for the pool hall walls, District Dark Grey for the pool coping tiles and District silver 600x600x10mm for the pool floor surround

Making an Entrance at London's leading net zero CAT A ProjectWithin London’s Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Holbein Gardens is a remarkable building just off Sloane Square that seeks to lead the way for companies seeking to achieving net-zero goals. Blenheim House Construction (BHC) helped realise Grosvenor’s vision to turn a tired old 1980s building into a net zero exemplar.A bare bones CAT A project, the site boasts quadruple environmental certification, including BREEAM Outstanding and WELL gold accreditation. Naturally, market-leading sustainable Entrance Matting was required to echo the space’s green ethos.INTRAsystems was the obvious choice thanks to our extensive range of sustainable products that help meet WELL and BREEAM standards.A sustainable successAcross the entire scheme, suppliers were challenged to use the industry’s most innovative, sustainable products, aiming at the highest levels of recycled content and recyclability.INTRAform DM Low Profile was chosen in the unique wood effect finish, which ticks all the boxes including validated data on embodied carbon and packing a double punch of sustainability and performance. Cool black Elite fibre inserts are made from 100% post-consumer waste with extremely low whole-life carbon emissions.Specified in 2020 but delayed through COVID, installation was completed in 2023. INTRA liaised with contractors to reschedule site surveys once pre-works were completed sufficiently for the entrance area to be assessed accurately. This was particularly crucial since the Entrance Mat sits in a lower position surrounded by steps and a raised floor level.Beauty and Brawn - Wood-effect Recycled Aluminium for Sustainable Entrance MattingThis smart wood-effect finish was new to the market back in 2020 but the client was confident it would meet their quality demands based on the many successful projects we’ve collaborated with them on across a variety of settings.Today the faux wood variant is a market-leading product that beats similar looking products made of real bamboo in terms of strength, longevity and good looks. Real wood systems don’t handle excessive moisture well, so the wrapped aluminium is ideal and more sustainable too. Read our bamboo vs aluminium blog to learn why.Fir for purposeNext door to London’s Sloane Square tube station, the 25,000 square feet office building is designed to house 2,500 office workers plus service staff and visitors. The entrance is immediately off the street with a small canopy and no draft lobby, so the matting will be exposed to direct and prevailing rain.Technically, INTRAform DM Low Profile was an ideal choice for a Cat A project like this as it can cope with high footfall and provides more flexibility than other systems. This 12mm profile variant can be surface mounted or shallow recessed for easier integration with whatever finishes the future tenants choose. And the interlocking plank system makes installation and onward retrofitting easy, if required.Entrance Matting Triumphs in Durability and Moisture AbsorptionINTRAform DM, with the Elite inserts will cope with rain with ease thanks to being happy in external (zone 1) and internal (zone 2) locations. It is typically found in shopping centres and office complexes as it’s hard-working and hard-wearing with excellent moisture absorption and dirt removal.The closed construction format and extra wide inserts make cleaning and maintaining INTRAform DM a breeze too. This will be essential to protect any materials chosen for the expansive lobby of this high-spec building.

Hush Acoustics provided an effective solution to ‘noise break-in’ at a newly built primary school in Chester to ensure the internal acoustic environment was supportive of learning goals.The Huntington Primary school was designed by Cheshire West and Chester Council to cater for 420 primary age pupils and a 26-provision nursery. The former primary schools it replaced had a capacity of 120 children, but to cope with the demand of 1,200 new houses being built nearby on the former Saighton Army camp, the decision was made to build a new school to meet the requirements.An acoustic concern highlighted was ‘noise break in’ which is caused by issues such as the sound of rain falling onto the roof, which in turn would detract from the learning environment. In order to resolve this potential issue and to guarantee the children a healthy setting free from noise disturbance, we specified our Hush 10kg Barrier Mat to be installed in the roof of the building.Hush Barrier Mat is a vinyl sound barrier mat loaded with naturally occurring minerals. The product is free of lead, unrefined aromatic oils and bitumen. Designed to improve the sound insulation of existing panels of metal, wood, plastic etc., at all frequencies. The mat is normally fixed in intimate contact with the original panel. Hush barriers are particularly effective in overcoming coincidence dip resonance found in stiff lightweight composites such as plywood sheets and hollow core panels.Working alongside Kier, were Delta Group, who we supplied with 1100 sheets of our Hush 10 kg Barrier Mat. They then applied this to the roof of the school in 3x layers, to give a mass of 30 kg/m2 and improving acoustic performance across all frequencies.

Altro wall solutions support fight against COVID-19ChallengeNew Jersey’s Holy Name Medical Centre was at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19, coping with an alarmingly high rate of new COVID case admissions. It became clear that for Holy Name Medical Centre to continue providing its patients with crucial life-saving care, their existing Intensive Care Unit (ICU) space would need to undergo an essential update.Approach“Our ICU was built in the 1960s and was in need of an upgrade,” stated Melissa Candela, Holy Name Medical Centre’s Manager of Design and Construction. “Our experience at the epicentre of New Jersey’s outbreak triggered an action plan to transition the outdated space to a unit with the highest technology, safety, and design standards, in addition to strong functionality.” The design of the unit needed to prioritise interiors that could endure frequent cleaning and disinfecting routines while helping to create a design-oriented space with a patient focus.SolutionHoly Name Medical Centre selected Altro Whiterock White and the decorative Altro Whiterock wall designs throughout the ICU to create a high design, hygienic space for patient treatment. Altro Whiterock is a hygienic walls system, providing smooth impact-resistant surfaces and leaving dirt and bacteria nowhere to hide. This is especially practical in the case of Holy Name Medical Centre’s ICU, where thorough cleaning is vital in promoting the safety of patients and staff alike. Altro Whiterock wall designs can be used alongside Altro Whiterock White to create a less clinical feel in patient areas.Altro Whiterock wall designs give elegance to interior walls while providing the durability you expect from an Altro Whiterock wall sheet.

Fulham JettyBauder Bakor 790-11 hot melt structural system with Bauderflex waterproofing system and BauderGREEN sedum systemSynopsisFulham Wharf is a landmark regeneration scheme that began in 2013 and included the ecological enhancement of an abandoned jetty on the River Thames. This redevelopment was designed to provide the local community with an ecological education centre and bio-diverse wildlife reserve.Bauder Building BoardProject:Fulham JettyLocation:LondonRoof Area:1,000m²Specifier:FabrikApproved Contractor:Accurate RoofingProject challenges One of the major challenges for this roof was installing the central sloped section, which required exceptional levels of technical input and workmanship. This roofing area was waterproofed with the same bituminous green roof system as the upper roof; however a special timber design for retaining the substrate and sedum blanket was also needed. Since its official opening in October 2013, the lower wildflower roof has become a haven for a variety of different birds and insects.The resultThe building’s new roof swoops down to become a continuum with the jetty deck and is covered with a green habitat providing three distinct environments for wildlife; one on the flat roof, one on the slope and the third on the jetty deck. The education centre roof was waterproofed with Bauder’s root resistant bitumen membrane before then having a sedum blanket fitted. On the lower roof, 650m² of Bauder’s hot melt structural waterproofing was installed along with a wildflower blanket, providing an instant carpet of vegetation. Systems installedBauderflex bituminous waterproofing system1 BauderPLANT E 42A torch applied, SBS elastomeric bitumen capping sheet. The product features chemically treated bitumen to deliver superior root resistance which has been tested and approved by the FLL. The membrane is reinforced with 250g/m² spunbond polyester fleece to allow the finished product to cope with structural movement without fracture.2 BauderTEC SPRINT DUOSelf-adhesive bitumen underlayer with “DUO” lap technology to ensure thorough sealing of lap joints, even in lower temperatures. The product features a glass fleece reinforcement for strength and stability. The product benefits from cleaner, safer, and faster installation than traditional torch-applied membranes.3 BauderPIR FA-TELightweight, PIR flatboard insulation board with aluminium foil facing on both sides. This product has zero ozone depletion potential.4 BauderTEC KSD FBSSelf-adhesive air and vapour control layer with a mica finished upper surface to allow easy bonding of insulation using the specified Bauder Insulation AdhesiveBauder Bakor 790-11 hot melt waterproofing system1 BauderPLANT E 42Torch-on root-resistant, green capping sheet. Reinforced with spunbond polyester fleece to allow the finished product to cope with structural movement without fracture.2 790-11 with reinforcement layerHot melt rubberised bitumen asphalt with a percentage of post-consumer recycled materials that infills and fully bonds to all minor deviations in the deck.3 DeckPrimed concrete.Bauder XF 301 Sedum system1 BauderGREEN XF 301Sedum vegetation blanket instantly providing at least 90% coverage on an extensive green roof. Integrated water retention and filter layer.2 BauderGREEN AL 4040mm high perforated edge/drainage trim frames and retains the Bauder XF 301 sedum system.3 BauderGREEN SDFMulti-functional drainage and filtration layer which prevents the roots of sedum plants from becoming waterlogged.4 BauderPLANT ETorch-on root-resistant capping sheet green

Retrofit RefurbishmentGastronomy Restaurants UK contacted us in 2023 as they were about to start a refit programme of KFC restaurants across the country. Stores had small, recessed matwells, but the open-construction Entrance Mats were filled with dirt and greasy food spills. They had become unsafe and unfit for purpose. With KFC's new strategic focus on quality and carbon reduction, they wanted a cost-effective, sustainable retail Entrance Matting product. It needed to cope with heavy footfall in a greasy environment and be easy to clean daily. INTRAlink2 is the ideal system for heavy, multi-directional traffic, with the wide fibre insert squares in INTRAlux Elite for maximum absorption. The team at INTRAsystems supported at every stage, providing expert insight, including test data and real-life case studies from other nationwide retail customers. Fixing Old, Small & Unsafe MatsWith limited space and an average of only 3-4m2 recessed Entrance Matting, KFC was struggling to limit slip incidents in wet weather. Cooking oil, which is in the air and cooking areas, settles around the store and is ultimately soaked up by the Entrance Mats. In addition, bits of spilled food and drink were getting stuck in drainage channels. This was limiting the performance of the small, recessed mats and providing little to no absorption or protection from the rain. Food technicians do most of the cleaning at the end of service, so the mats needed to be easy to clean with simple hoovering and brushing. A deeper clean every few months would then help ensure longevity. Heavy-Duty and High-PerformanceINTRAlink2 is a modular tile offering high durability and cost-effectiveness for retail entrance matting. The high-performance, 100% recycled PVC system has outstanding sustainability. And importantly, its closed construction keeps dirt and debris sitting on the surface instead of falling into drainage channels. So, it's much easier to vacuum and spot clean daily. With a cost-effective PVC structure, it's quick and easy to cut to shape than install, as each tile clicks into the next. Available with a choice of three fibre insert ranges with multiple colourways, it will enhance any retail interior. Gastronomy Restaurants chose INTRAlux Elite Anthracity 607 to match the new grey floor tiles being fitted, and complementing the 'more inviting...rustic, farmhouse décor' used in the refurbished KFC stores. Preventing Slips with Recycled Ocean PlasticsINTRAlux Elite is a high-density pile made from Econyl - 100% recycled nylon created from recovered ocean and landfill plastics. The fibre's density and coarseness deliver excellent moisture absorption and can cope with heavy and consistent traffic. Plus, it boasts impressive fire resistance and sound absorption. Green credentials abound with the fact that INTRAlink2 is manufactured from 100% recycled PVC. Being more sustainable in this way doesn't mean a compromise in quality. We're so confident in the product's hard-wearing performance, it comes with a 5-year warranty. "A Superior Product"Following successful trial installations by Jephsons Shopfitters at New Milton and Lichfield restaurant refurbishments, they have now confirmed the INTRAlink2 specification for the national brand rollout across 40 stores.“We’re going to be using your lovely matting on all the new builds and store refurbs from now on. It’s early days and we’ll see how it looks in 3 years, but it definitely seems a far superior product to the old system.”Facilities Manager, Gastronomy Restaurants. Gastronomy join the ranks of other satisfied retail customers with INTRAlink2, such as Waitrose, The Howard Centre and Co-Op. With a wide range of products to meet the retail challenge, high stock levels, short lead times and efficient installation, we’re the supplier of choice for this demanding sector.

The development of a new emergency care centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead was an investment of £32m. The project provided state-of- the-art healthcare services to people across the region. The centre now provides a smoother service to its patients and a more efficient way of treating people.Artform Urban Furniture were asked to provide seating and litter bins to the main entrance of the hospital's drop in centre, as well as the car park and the taxi drop off / pick up point. The products had to complement the soft landscaping whilst also being durable enough to cope with the extensive usage. The Artform team proposed items from the Multiplicity range, with their cast anodised aluminium frames, offering superb longevity and minimal maintenance requirements.The overall project was constructed within a tight budget and the street furniture supplied by Artform needed to be of a very high standard, ergonomically designed for comfort and all delivered within the economic constraints.The products also had to be on site and installed within a short time frame, due to the fast track nature of the project. The Artform team provided full technical drawings and specification information to ensure that the client’s facilities team were supported fully and the installation process was seamless.OutcomeThe completed emergency care centre is now a busy hub for all types of emergency healthcare services and the entrance provides a clean and welcoming first impression to all those using the centre. The landscaped outdoor areas including the entrance, the car park and the busy taxi point, offer an engaging space, for use by staff, patients and visitors alike, with the thoughtful distribution of attractive seating and clean, modern litter bins.Ian Renwick, chief executive of QE Gateshead commented: "This is a unique hospital building and the environment for patients and visitors is really something special."

High performance resin for mortuary flooring areasAs with many high-care environments, mortuaries and post-mortem rooms require high performance flooring to cope with extremely demanding conditions. Any floor finish must be slip-resistant, hygienic, totally impermeable and incredibly durable.Traditional mortuary flooring specificationTraditionally, mortuaries and post-mortems rooms have utilised vinyl sheet or terrazzo floor tiles. However, both have inherent problems such as failed joints, cracks and poor slip resistance making them less than ideal. The failure of these traditional finishes can allow water and other contaminants to penetrate into the substrate below, which creates significant hygiene challenges.In addition to hygiene challenges, failed floors can create health and safety issues such as trip hazards and any repairs will be time consuming and disruptive.High performance mortuary specificationDegafloor have developed an alternative, high performance flooring specification, ideal for post-mortem and mortuary flooring. The Full Broadcast and QTA systems are ultra durable, seamless and highly slip-resistant finishes that can be easily cleaned.Both offer a profiled surface finish that provides outstanding slip-resistance and durability. Despite the surface texture, Degafloor flooring systems are easy to clean and and the seamless nature of these floors results in outstanding durability, avoiding contamination issues.Degafloor high performance flooring systems can bond to a variety of substrates, and cure both chemically and physically within 2 hours of installation. This ensures that every solution we deliver can be installed extremely quickly and cost effectively, resulting in minimal disruption.Our mortuary flooring projects include; Peterborough City Hospital, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barnsley General Hospital, Luton and Dunstable Hospital and Basingstoke & North Hampshire hospital.

An architect designed, self-build house with annexe for a multi-generational family built to zero-carbon standards.The scheme’s design is influenced by the architectural vernacular of the area. The surrounding houses are a legacy of the Land Settlement Association scheme, with distinctive mansard roofs, steeply sloping gables and dormer windows, constructed in a simple red brick with terracotta plain tiles.The mansard is reflected in the new house with the roof extending down to form the walls. Instead of terracotta tiles, large format slate has been used to form a modern equivalent. The house is mainly slate tile; however, it was felt important to also reflect local brickwork. As such, brickwork was used for two huge brick-faced chimney stacks that rise through the gable.PROJECT INFOTo form a contrast with the very smooth grey of the slate, a textured red brick with slight colour variation was sought. White mortar lightens the brickwork while recessed mortar joints are used inside to provide shadow to each brick. Perforated brickwork surrounds the stone coping on both chimney stacks, adding visual interest to the building through both the materials and the shadows created by the brickwork perforations.The brick selected was stock thrown Hampton Rural Blend from Forterra’s Ecostock range. It has a rustic finish resembling handmade brick. Ecostock bricks are manufactured using the latest technology in sustainability and production efficiency, producing bricks with low embodied energy as well as advanced colour consistency, dimensional accuracy and quality.The structure incorporated huge amounts of insulation, a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system, and a solar photovoltaic array at the bottom of the garden, along with a ground-source heat pump. These installations will ensure that the house generates more electricity than it could ever use.

Newton System 500 provides a complete waterproofing solution for a boathouse situated on the River Thames, installed by Newton Specialist Basement Contractor Stonehouse. Newton Waterproofing Systems were contacted to provide a solution for a delightful boat house on the River Thames.The property originally had a wet dock but this had been back filled and capped with a concrete floor. The client wished to use the ground floor as a bedroom, but during a recent flood the water level had reached 500mm internally.Newton System 500 provided the ideal solution, as it works by redirecting the water, rather than trying to hold water back – which would be impossible under such pressurised conditions. Newton 508 Mesh was chosen for the walls, Newton 520 to the floor with a Newton Basedrain ring around the perimeter. Two Newton Titan Pro pump systems were used, which included a battery back up system.Newton System 500 was installed to this property by Newton Specialist Basement Contractor Stonehouse BasementsRather than holding water pressure back, therefore, it was accepted that the river would penetrate the structure and would be pumped out. The system is designed so that ingressing water is depressurised by the Basedrain and then moved around the Basedrain ring to the two Titan sump chambers. The chambers each had 40mm discharge lines exiting the structure. Both pump systems had non-return valves so if the river rose over the level of the pipe the pumps would still be effective.The full waterproofing system was installed in a little over a week. The major test came when the River Thames rose against the property to a depth of over one metre! The Newton System 500 waterproofing system coped with the water ingress as designed. At the height of the flooding, all three pumps in each sump chamber were operational. The system proved to be fully successful.

Comfortable space created for parents and babies at university hospitalIssueLa Paz University Hospital in Madrid is a national centre of expertise in neonatal care. They wanted to transform the Neonatal Acute Unit, to allow families to stay together with their babies while they are receiving treatment and care. In total, 24 units were created to accommodate and make this visit more comfortable.ApproachA homely, family-friendly space was needed that was also hygienic and reduced the transfer of noise. Víctor de las Casas, Architect at EACSN studio, said: “We wanted to modernise the neonatology area: not only in terms of materials, but in the very “neonatal concept” of La Paz, which wants to encourage parents to be with their children in the most normal and welcoming way possible”.SolutionSandra Fuentes, Maintenance and Works Technician at La Paz said: “The professional high standards of the medical team had not been reflected in the quality of the neonatal unit, and that was frustrating.” The flooring needed to be able to cope with foot traffic, hospital beds, trolleys and wheelchairs. It also needed good looks and design flexibility. The hospital team opted for robust Altro Operetta flooring, which provides 4dB impact sound reduction, comfort underfoot and ease of cleaning.Altro Operetta is a robust floor perfect for medium to high traffic areas and is easy to clean and maintain. Designed in line with the Bauhaus ethos that style is as important as function, it has multiple attractive, natural colours and finishes to fit in your interior design scheme."Altro Operetta gives the same warm feeling that carpet does, but also provides safety to both staff and patients." Sandra Fuentes Maintenance and Works Technician, La Paz University Hospital"Basically, all the technical issues have been resolved and the floor has provided more comfort for families staying in the unit." Víctor de las Casas Architect, EACSN Studio

The New Year has seen the start of ScotRail’s Cycle Parking Upgrade Works with the roll-out of the first tranche of cycle parking facilities across ScotRail's network of over 300 stations. Pictured here are two of the latest installations at Conon Bridge and Muir of Ord Stations incorporating the latest FalcoLevel-Premium+ two-tier cycle rack.The scheme, which got underway this winter, involves the surveying of stations, proposing solutions and the manufacture, supply and installation of cycle parking systems to help implement ScotRail’s cycling strategy.Two key products of the programme is the innovative FalcoLevel-Premium+ two-tier cycle rack and the spacious FalcoRail cycle canopy. The latest two-tier rack offers superior practicality compared to other cheaper models and is exceptionally user-friendly, quieter in operation and offers enhanced security. The FalcoRail cycle canopy was purposely designed to compliment the two-tier system and offers maximum coverage whilst promoting a open spacious and lightweight design and additional snow loading to cope with harsh Scottish Winters!Falco has already carried out the design, manufacture, supply and installation of secure cycle parking facilities for Conon Bridge, Muir of Ord, Keith and Insch stations, with more than twenty further stations to receive secure cycle parking this spring. Upcoming stations include:InvernessFort WilliamGlasgow Queen StreetPerthDunkeldElginHuntlyKirkhillLenzieGourockRosythNewcraighallMarkinchGlenrothesCuparBarrheadPitlochryLadybankPatrick Harvie MSP, Minister for Active Travel, announced a £2million cycling legacy fund to promote and enhance cycling infrastructure and services across Scotland’s Railway. As part of the legacy fund, a bespoke secure cycle hub will be installed at both Inverness and Fort William stations.For more information about the ScotRail cycle parking project please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.

Altro flooring keeping school a step aheadIssueJapan’s school lunch program is a step ahead of others around the world where school children are provided lunch every day. Each day chefs cook nutritious meals for students usually consisting of carbohydrates, lean protein, vegetables and a dessert. The meals are sent to the classroom where a group of rostered students serve up the meals. They then enjoy the meal together including the teacher.This helps children to get a real world experience and to learn about nutrition, portion control, community, and an appreciation for healthy locally made food.ApproachBeing a food production area the meal centres need to provide a high level of hygiene and safety. A kitchen can be a danger zone. With oil and food scraps falling on the floor slip and trip risks are at an all-time high. It is important to provide a high level of slip resistance and cleanability. That’s why Altro was chosen.SolutionAltro’s safety flooring provides lasting slip resistance, durability and abrasion resistance, along with additional comfort underfoot. It is the ideal slip-resistant tough flooring for busy catering areas, where potential for spills and safety is a major factor.Altro Reliance 25 offers a choice of 27 colours, to create one solution for your tough areas. It can cope with high levels of foot and wheeled traffic without compromising on slip resistance and provides additional comfort underfoot. It achieves PTV ≥ 36 on the pendulum test giving sustained slip resistance throughout the lifetime of the product. Combine with Altro Fortis wall protection system for your toughest areas."Altro had an advantage over the competitor products due to its high reputation, slip resistance, the wide colour range, easy maintenance and project references." ABC Trading Co., Ltd."The combination of customer service and product value won us the project." ABC Trading Co., Ltd.

A popular brewery brand recently expanded its headquarters to support the increase in demand of its craft beer range. John Lord Flooring were approached to specify the resin flooring and Aspen Stainless steel products were utilised for the drainage system. The Uragard-HT62W antimicrobial resin flooring was an ideal solution for the project due to its durability, chemical resistance and anti-slip properties. The floors and drains worked hand in hand to distribute waste water into the central drainage channel within the processing area.Aspen Stainless Davos Plus drain channels were installed to cope with the high level of waste demand within the brewery. The channel profile was carefully designed to provide an easy to clean surface with a self-draining slope feature. The strictest level of hygiene standards are required within food and drink facilities due to the build-up of bacteria and possible cross contamination of liquids.   It's essential the drainage is perfectly compatible with the flooring to ensure a seamless connection and high performance. This partnership with John Lord supports optimum performance compatibility by preventing the elevation of floor plates that can compromise hygienic performance.The drain channels are designed in compliance with EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group) to support safe hygienic engineering in food manufacture. The EHEDG states ‘product contact surfaces must be easy to clean, non-absorbent and not present a toxicological hazard by leaching of substances and foodstuffs’ the cleanability of the drainage is also an important hygiene requirement as stated in the EHEDG ‘Improperly or insufficiently cleaned equipment cannot be effectively disinfected’ A perfectly fitted drainage system will have a positive impact on boosting the hygienic performance of the entire facility. This includes employee health & safety, operational costs as well as consumer safety. The dedicated project managers worked closely with the contractor during the installation process to ensure the highest standards for drainage and protection were achieved. If you have any questions regarding our drainage solutions, please email aspen@canalengineering.co.uk or visit our site and speak to one of our technical advisors for more information. 

Project DetailsSystem: Bespoke INTRAshape and INTRAform DM low profileSpecification: Silver anodised with INTRAlux Elite Grey 606 inserts and multi-directional rubberClient: Buckley Gray YeomanInstaller: SyncrosLocation: 199 Bishopsgate, LondonBespoke INTRAshape Provides a Welcome Flourish199 Bishopsgate, near Shoreditch, is a 12-storey office refurbishment designed by Buckley Gray Yeomans (BGY). With over 57,000 sq ft of sustainable workspace, it is home to world-leading companies and start-ups across the legal, financial, technology and media sectors.BGY has used INTRAsystems products in several projects and the team are firm fans of INTRAshape and the creative flexibility it offers. So, they had INTRAshape in mind when designing their striking lobby concept. The full width Entrance Matting is as expected, but the design feature of inset fibres within the geometric tiles pushes creative options and challenges expectations from Entrance Matting.INTRAform Follows FunctionBGY specified INTRAform DM low profile in the revolving doors and full width across the primary section of the lobby for clean lines as well as clean and dry feet. The secondary intricate INTRAshape and tile scheme adds creative impact while providing extra absorbency and scrubbing function.They chose multi-directional rubber inserts within the revolving doors to cope with direct water ingress. Then, INTRAlux Elite fibres span the full-width of the entrance to soak up excess water. They selected Grey 606 fibres as a neutral yet practical palette, while co-ordinating with the geometric tiled section, which reflects the ceiling details.A Perfect Fitting PrototypeOur client shared their concepts early in 2022, so we worked closely with them to make their vision come to life. From initial drawings to refining grout tolerances and tile dimensions, we collaborated to get the right specification. INTRA developed prototypes to test in situ and thanks to careful planning and precision measurements, those prototypes went into final production with no dimensional changes.The result looks incredible and proves what’s possible with creativity, collaboration and a keen eye for detail!

10 South Colonnade is a modern office development located in the heart of Canary Wharf, providing 560,000 sq ft of Grade A office space. It now serves as a government hub housing multiple government departments.Background Situated in the vibrant Canary Wharf area, 10 South Colonnade serves as the office hub for civil and public servants in East London. The relocation from Whitehall is part of an initiative to modernize the Civil Service in line with the then-new Workplace Plan.ChallengeThe client sought a company experienced in the government sector, understanding its associated risks. With numerous employees moving through the building, they needed an entrance solution that could handle highthroughput demands while providing enhanced security features.A solution was desired to be at the main access point within the building that would prevent tailgating, ensuringaccess to the upper floors via lift lobbies was secured at all times. Only allowing authorised personnel within the building.Solution To cope with the high numbers of staff transiting through the building daily, Meesons installed fifteen lanesof EasyGate SPT, consisting of thirteen standard-width lanes and two wide access lanes, across two entrances.To complete the secure line to the escalators and lift lobbies, cabinet-hung and post-mounted infill were used to secure the space at the sides of the Speed Gates.The EasyGate SPT-G was specified due to the glass wing barriers' quick opening and closing speed, allowing the transit of up to 40 people per minute. The SPT Speed Gate also offers a holding force over 650N, preventing the wings from being forced open by unauthorised users.Outcome Meesons' commitment to quality and innovation was evident in every aspect of the installation. The robust construction and reliable performance of the Speed Gates provided the client with peace of mind, knowing that their security needs were met without compromising on style or efficiency. This project not only showcased Meesons' expertise in delivering tailored security solutions but also reinforced their reputation as a trusted partner in the industry.

Project OverviewClient: Mather & SmithFinish: Powdertech Anomatch™A prestigious residential block in London’s Knightsbridge was designed to feature stripes, or ‘fins’, of beautiful anodised aluminium running vertically up the building. The metallic sheen of these vertical fins would form a continual line giving a stylish and contrasting definition to the pale red brick of the exterior. The window sills would also be anodised aluminium.The ProblemThe aluminium fins are 4m in length and intended to be seamlessly joined after anodising to provide the effect of one continuous metallic stripe. It quickly became apparent that the anodising process was not able to provide a consistent shade on the metal. Every strip was a slightly different colour and once erected on the building the patchwork effect was untidy and unsatisfactory. The smallest inconsistencies in shade, within an area intended to be homogenous, will mar an intended visual effect.The SolutionPowdertech Anomatch™ achieves a similar appearance as anodising, enhancing the metal with a soft sheen. Furthermore, it provides excellent colour stability and consistency between batches, regardless of the origin of the metal, and negates any differences in base material grain. Powdertech Corby became involved in the project when the developer had aluminium fins and window sills in different stages of preparation, many already anodised, some part-finished and others unprepared. Powdertech Corby collected all of the aluminium in its various states and chemically stripped the anodised fins back to base metal, before processing and coating 500 square metres of aluminium in Anomatch™ 547.Despite the varying states of the aluminium on arrival at Powdertech, Anomatch™ gave a consistent colour to every piece, thus meeting the design brief for the vertical fins, window cills and copings uniformly throughout the development.Benefits of using AnomatchConsistent colour shade between batchesExcellent resistance against corrosion.Cost savings as lower grade aluminium can be used, rather than the high grade needed for anodising.Faster turnaround than anodising.Sections can be drilled or cut without fracturing the coating.Steel can be coated with Anomatch™

The global drinks manufacturer Britvic have recently completed the expansion of its manufacturing site in Rugby. This particular investment involved installing a fourth canning line, growing the site capacity by 18%.This new, state of the art canning line was designed to boost Britvic’s Rugby facility, which continues to produce recyclable cans for popular drinks brands such as Tango & Pepsi. The additional capacity will also be used as a platform to drive further innovation and expansion within the business.Aspen Stainless Davos Plus drain channels with ladder covers were installed to cope with the high level of waste demand on site. The channel profile was carefully designed to provide an easy to clean surface with a self-draining slope feature. The strictest level of hygiene standards are required within food manufacturing facilities due to the build-up of bacteria and possible cross contamination of liquids. The new drainage channels were designed to match the existing flow and volume capacity of their existing drains and included bespoke outlets, tied into the building’s underground drainage systems.Banff outlets were also installed with a hinged trap, the removable trash baskets were designed to efficiently dispose of the non-liquid waste, which has built up within the outlet. It’s essential the drainage is perfectly aligned to ensure a seamless connection across the entire site to boost performance standards.The drainage channels are designed in compliance with EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group) to support safe hygienic engineering in food manufacture. The EHEDG states ‘product contact surfaces must be easy to clean, non-absorbent and not present a toxicological hazard by leaching of substances and foodstuffs’ the cleanability of the drainage is also an important hygiene requirement as stated in the EHEDG ‘Improperly or insufficiently cleaned equipment cannot be effectively disinfected’The perfectly fitted drainage system boosted the overall hygienic performance of the new drinks recycling facility. This included employee health & safety, operational costs as well as consumer safety. The dedicated project managers worked closely with the contractor during the entire installation process to ensure the highest standards for drainage and protection were achieved.If you have any questions regarding our drainage solutions, please email aspen@canalengineering.co.uk or visit our website and speak to one of our technical advisors for more information.

Falco continues with the roll out of the next tranche of cycle parking facilities across ScotRail's franchised network of over 300 stations across Scotland. Pictured here are four of the latest installations at Huntly, Nairn, Larkhall, Lenzie and Gourock Stations.The New Year saw the start of ScotRail’s Cycle Parking Upgrade Works with the roll-out of the first tranche of cycle parking facilities across ScotRail's network of over 300 stations.The scheme, which got underway this winter, involves the surveying of stations, proposing solutions and the manufacture, supply and installation of cycle parking systems to help implement ScotRail’s cycling strategy.In order to create a network-wide brand feel to encourage more people to cycle to stations ScotRail’s strategy is to install standard facilities throughout the network so that cyclists know exactly what to expect regardless of which station they use.Two key products of the programme is the innovative FalcoLevel-Premium+ two-tier cycle rack and the spacious FalcoRail cycle canopy. The latest two-tier rack offers superior practicality compared to other cheaper models and is exceptionally user-friendly, quieter in operation and offers enhanced security. The FalcoRail cycle canopy was purposely designed to compliment the two-tier system and offers maximum coverage whilst promoting a open spacious and lightweight design and additional snow loading to cope with harsh Scottish Winters!Falco has already carried out the design, manufacture, supply and installation of secure cycle parking facilities for Conon Bridge, Muir of Ord, Keith and Insch, Huntly, Nairn, Larkhall, Lenzie and Gourock stations, with more than twenty further stations to receive secure cycle parking this spring. Upcoming stations include:InvernessFort WilliamGlasgow Queen StreetPerthDunkeldElginRosythNewcraighallMarkinchGlenrothesCuparBarrheadPitlochryLadybankKirkhillPatrick Harvie MSP, Minister for Active Travel, announced a £2million cycling legacy fund to promote and enhance cycling infrastructure and services across Scotland’s Railway. As part of the legacy fund, a bespoke secure cycle hub will be installed at both Inverness and Fort William stations.For more information about the ScotRail cycle parking project please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.

Teesside-based logistics firm AV Dawson has built a new 130,000m3 warehouse specifically to store £15m-worth steel coils for a nearby international car manufacturer. With the steel at risk of ‘sweating’ and rusting in high humidity levels exceeding 65%, the company was tasked with ensuring a very specific climate for the warehouse (without which the steel would be rendered unusable), while also maintaining low energy costs.The SolutionHoward Tribick, director at local renewable energy specialist and NIBE Pro Installer HT Energy, specified, designed and fitted ten NIBE F1345 ground source heat pumps (GSHPs). Given the site is built on top of an active water table (the River Tees), Howard and the team were able to make the most of the surroundings as a natural energy source. The heat pumps collect heat from 70 bore holes, each 150m deep – a total of 10,500m of active bore hole depth. Each 60kW GSHP is paired with its own ventilating unit and 500L NIBE UKV buffer tank – producing a total output of 600kW. Solar panels on the roof provide an additional 220kW to help meet the warehouse’s electricity needs.ResultsWith the ten GSHPs now fully operational, the results have been even better than expected – with a seasonal performance factor (SPF) of 3.65 and average humidity levels of just 47%. Interconnected with 3km of header pipes, the GSHPs are spaced equidistantly along one side of the 264m-long building. The units are set up as separate systems, so they can work independently of each other or together as required. This provides an added level of security for the customer, ensuring the system can cope at all times and the steel is kept at optimum conditions.Customer Testimonial“This system made perfect commercial sense for us. While the initial outlay was greater than some of the other alternatives, GSHPs provided the most cost-effective solution by far in the long term. In fact, compared to natural gas, we will be making an impressive energy saving of 1.58 million kW/h each year. Our projected payback period is just ten years and we’re also benefiting from Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments for each unit of renewable energy we’re generating.”Gary Dawson, managing director, AV Dawson

Belvedere CourtBauder Hot Melt structural waterproofing systemSynopsisThe impressive Belvedere Court 4-storey building, which was converted from a hotel into 16 prestigious residential apartments in 2008, recently underwent further development including extensions for additional accommodation, basement housing, a communal swimming pool, a theatre and an underground car park.As part of the refurbishment of the site, the failing waterproofing of the green roof on the car park roof deck needed to be removed and replaced. Bauder approved contractor, The Complete Roofing Company (TCRC), initially proceeded to remove the existing pathways and landscaping before removing the failed system and providing remedial repairs to the damaged roof.Bauder Building BoardProject:Belvedere Court​Location:Sidmouth, Devon​Roof Area:1,316m²​Specifier:The Complete Roofing Company LtdApproved Contractor:The Complete Roofing Company LtdEnvironmental Focus:Intensive green roofThe specificationWith the car park roof also being used as a recreational green roof for the residents of Belvedere Court, the Bauder Hot Melt Intensive Green Roof System was an obvious choice. The Bauder Hot Melt Bakor 790-11 EV with Polyester reinforcement creates a resistant monolithic waterproofing membrane whilst the Bauder AP2 root barrier provides resistance to the system allowing for a green roof to be installed above. As stated by BBA certificate 06/4350, this system provides a durable waterproofing solution for the service life of the structure that it is incorporated in. The resultOn completion of the waterproofing elements the roof was leak tested to ensure the roof’s integrity. The TCRC then installed the Bauder green roof components; PE foil, FSM600 protection membrane, DSE40 drainage layer, filter fleece and over 300 tonnes of Bauder intensive substrate. Finally, Rowland Gold turf was then installed with a drip line irrigation system installed under the turf. Upon final assessment, this project met the criteria to be issued a 20 year product and workmanship guarantee.System Installed1 BauderPLANT E 42Torch-on root-resistant, green capping sheet. Reinforced with spunbond polyester fleece to allow the finished product to cope with structural movement without fracture.2 790-11Hot melt rubberised bitumen asphalt with a percentage of post-consumer recycled materials that infills and fully bonds to all minor deviations in the deck.3 DeckPrimed concrete.