"protection services"

Stockport NHS Trust runs both community NHS services and Stepping Hill Hospital, which serves people across the areas of Stockport and the High Peak.With the responsibility of the safety and comfort of so many patients and staff, it is important that the trust maintain a high-quality standard within the built environment.When fire doors in the ground floor corridor of the hospital were identified as having minor damage to edges and panels, the trust engaged with Yeoman Shield to provide a solution to stop the damage from becoming a major concern. Left unchecked this type of impairment can lead to the non-conformity and malfunction of a fire door.Yeoman Shield supplied and installed fire rated FD30 Door Edge Protectors to the leading and hinged edges of double swing door sets along the corridor.Door faces were fitted with Yeoman Shield 2mm thick FalmouthEx protection panels, to guard against impact damage mainly caused by the movement of wheeled and motorised trolleys.Now that the hospital’s fire doors have Yeoman Shield protection fitted, the life cycle of the doors will be extended, avoiding the costly task of replacing them.Yeoman Shield door protection products have been fully fire tested to the current standards required.For fire test and product information on the complete range of wall and door protection go to www.yeomanshield.com or call 0113 279 5854.

Royal Holloway, University of London Library and Student Services Project Profile - features a 10,000 sq metre installation of Milliken modular carpet including a range of designs: Culture Canvas, Laylines and Clerkenwell - Three Corners. This case study demonstrates the acoustic performance of Milliken's cushion backed modular carpet tiles.

As part of a 200 Streetpod purchase deal with East Midlands Trains (EMT), a single Streetpod was installed amongst standard bike racks at EMT head office to trial the product to their own independent standards. “This is a fantastic product that will be very beneficial to our cyclists. Not only is it 100% green, which supports our objective to provide greener travel, but the single locking facility makes it even more secure, providing maximum bike protection for our cyclists.” David Horne, East Midlands Trains Customer Service Director

This elegant collection of apartments will benefit from far-reaching views towards the City, Regent’s Park and Hyde Park. With architecture by renowned architects Squire & Partners, this development comprises an approved scheme of 672 residential apartments with 24-hour concierge and business lounge, 25m pool, spa, gym, cinema room, entrance lobbies and receptions, private gardens. Servicing and parking for 286 vehicles is arranged over two basement levels. Effisus Vapour FR membrane Class A1 was chosen to protect the insulation and building interior.

Location: Canary Wharf, LondonMain Contractor: Canary Wharf Contractors LtdWood Wharf B2 is a modular construction project located on the edge of Blackwall Basin, Canary Wharf.All 279 serviced apartments were manufactured at their specialist construction site, fitted with kitchens and bathrooms and even furniture — before being transported to the site and craned into position.OBEX supplied fire-classified membranes that have been developed specifically for modular construction, including the 0400FR Class B Modular Roofing Membrane, as well as the 0223FR Class A2/W2 Breather Membrane.Storeys: 21Apartments: 279OBEX Fire-Rated products required: 4

The modern hotel is just one of several new developments being constructed, as the existing town centre is being physically moved and relocated a few miles away.Working with Glasfasader Norr AB, we supplied our Pyroguard Protect toughened fire safety glass throughout the hotel’s internal atrium.

A busy access corridor linking one wing to another at a major Yorkshire Hospital now benefits from a wall protection system supplied and installed by Yeoman Shield.The heavy footfall, wheeled equipment and bed trolleys continually traversing the path between two busy wings was starting to take its toll on the walls and corners of the corridor in the form of marking, denting and scratching.Keen to maintain the high smart standards as well as lifecycle and sustainability of the property, the hospital choose a protection system from Yeoman Shield to overcome such damage.200mm Protection Rail was fitted “flat-back” to the wall on one side of the access way with FalmouthEx Wall Protection Panels installed below the rail.Rubber stop ends/returns (new to the Yeoman Shield range) were applied to the rail as added defence against heavily laden trolleys and carts that may come into contact.The opposing wall was also offered protection by the same Yeoman Shield 200mm Protection Rail this time installed on 60mm “stand-off” allowing the system to become a supportive rail for those who require it. The rail was again finished with the durable hardwearing rubber accessories.Matching 75 x 75 mm Corner Protection Angles were put on vulnerable corners on both sides of the walkway completing a comprehensive wall protection system that will help to reduce the time and money spent on redecoration and repair over the lifecycle of the building.More information on Yeoman Shield’s cost-effective wall & door protection systems can be found at www.yeomanshield.com or by calling 0113 279 5854.

Koster Epoxy flooring systems were installed to the concrete bund of a chemical plant in Wales. There was a need to prevent chemical spillages entering the concrete so they could be cleaned in a safe manner. Koster Aquatecnic worked with the engineers and client to design a system which could be installed and offer the most suitable level of protection. The cleaned surface was prepared with Koster Polysil TG500 and Koster NB1 Grey. Koster SL Premium was used to provide a strong level surface to accept the Koster LF-VL on the floor and Koster EM-VS on the up-stands.

Alarm fatigue occurs when a person becomes desensitised to an alarm due to repeated false alarms and consequently fails to react appropriately in an emergency.Every false fire alarm is costly, disrupting schools and businesses, placing unnecessary strain on our emergency services, and reducing the public’s faith in fire alarms.A false fire alarm is: any fire alarm signal other than a genuine fire or signal test. The cause of these false fire alarms can be as a result of human behaviour, either good intent or malicious, or due to apparatus.‘Good intent’ are calls made in good faith with the belief that there really is a fire, for instance a customer in a shop sees what they believe to be smoke and activates a manual call point.Conversely, ‘malicious’ activations are made with the intention of getting the fire and rescue service to attend a non-existent incident, for example when someone breaks the glass of a manual call point despite knowing there is no fire.‘Due to apparatus’ false alarms are incidents initiated by a fire alarm and fire-fighting equipment activating, such as by burnt toast or steam in a kitchen.Continuing to be the largest incident type, false fire alarms accounted for 39 per cent of the incidents attended by fire and rescue services in England in 2022 – fires accounted for 29 per cent.With similar figures reflected throughout the Home Nations, over £1 billion is lost every year in the UK due to false fire alarms.To recoup this cost, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service joined the London Fire Brigade in recovering costs from hospitals, airports and student halls with a poor false alarm record.The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service recently changed the way their firefighters respond to automatic fire alarms in commercial premises to reduce unnecessary call outs from unwanted fire alarm signals.However, the reduction of unwanted fire alarm signals to fire and rescue services does not necessarily reduce false fire alarms and therefore may leave fire safety issues unaddressed. This may not only lead to disruption for businesses, but also to alarm fatigue for the occupants – successfully reducing false alarms, will also reduce unwanted fire alarm signals.Why are false fire alarms dangerous?Fire crews should be at real emergencies – where they could be saving lives.The ‘crying wolf’ factor – frequent false alarms in a building cause staff to become complacent and less willing to act quickly when the alarm activates.Unnecessary risk – fire crews travel at high speed to attend ‘emergency’ calls and accidents can happen. False alarms put the public and crews at unnecessary risk.The ‘crying wolf’ factor of false fire alarms creates complacency that delays evacuation and can prove fatal in a real emergency.From the UK to the UAE, alarm fatigue is an international issue. Fires at the Marina Torch in Dubai demonstrated the threat of alarm fatigue; engulfed by flames twice in two years, on both occasions residents believed the signal that was there to protect them was a false alarm.At this year’s Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, a fire alarm sounded for several minutes at the match between the USA and Portugal. Despite the alarm, and voice alert urging fans to find their nearest exit, stands were not evacuated and play continued on the field – only later was it declared a false alarm.The major fire at the Bolton Cube student accommodation also served as a stark reminder of the deadly impact of alarm fatigue; residents ignored the fire alarm as the blaze burned through the block of student flats because fire alarms would sound “almost every day.”The issue of alarm fatigue was recognised in the Incident Report by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service: “It was reported subsequent to the fire that some residents of The Cube did not immediately respond to the fire alarm as ‘…it goes off all the time…’. This perception has the potential to delay an appropriate response, and hence the ability to safely move to a place of safety.”Tragically, not every student who falls victim to alarm fatigue is so lucky. Three students died and 62 others were injured after a fire at residential halls at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, USA. Authorities said students fatally delayed leaving the dorms after a series of recent false alarms had “lulled them into a false sense of security.”Whether accidental or malicious, there are measures that can be taken to reduce the number of false fire alarms and suppress the threat of alarm fatigue.Key steps to reduce false alarms:Reviewing your Fire Safety Risk Assessment and keeping a log of all false alarms to identify any trends which should be raised with your alarm engineers.Creating an action plan to reduce the chance of any false alarm occurring.Check detector types and their locations – would moving detectors or changing the type used reduce activations? Seek advice from your alarm engineer.Upgrading automatic fire detection (AFD) systems that are obsolete with more modern technology e.g. ‘multi-sensing’ detectors.Fitting manual call points with protective covers in problem, vulnerable or high traffic areas.Ascertaining whether any false alarms are a result of activating the wrong call points such as green emergency door release points.Keeping AFD systems appropriately maintained.Considering whether a link to an Alarm Receiving Centre is necessary or if it is appropriate to suspend the automatic dialling function whilst buildings are occupied or at certain times of the day.Seeking further guidance and advice from their alarm system provider or servicing agent as well as their local legislative fire safety officer.As recommended in BS 5839-1:2017, manual call points can be fitted with a protective cover to prevent false fire alarms. The British Standard Institute recommends in section 20.2b, that: “All MCPs should be fitted with a protective cover, which is moved to gain access to the frangible element.“It is now recommended that a protective cover is fitted to a Type A manual call point to help prevent false alarms.”Recent Home Office research and analysis of ‘trends in fire false alarms and fire false alarm policies’ reported a decline in false fire alarms caused by malicious or accidental activation of manual call points due to the introduction of protective covers.Safety Technology International manufacture a range of protective covers, from integral covers to outdoor and sounder models; there are variations to suit all applications. These covers are specifically designed to protect manual call points from false fire alarms.

The ChallengeAs the building has listed status, any expansion would need to be carefully considered, allowing the building to become more suited to modern demands without losing its heritage.As part of this, meeting the necessary safety requirements of today’s building regulations was crucial – something which could be achieved by specifying materials appropriately.The SolutionTo ensure a product that could meet all the fire and loading requirements was specified, Pyroguard provided expert technical guidance to cater for the project’s constraints of working within a listed building, helping with the specialist design of additional fire-rated glazing to be incorporated in existing timber windows and doors.Due to the ambitious nature of the project, more than 300 square metres of Pyroguard toughened glass, including Pyroguard Firesafe T EW30/6, Pyroguard Rapide Plus EI30/EI60 and Pyroguard Protect T-EI60, was chosen for its unrivalled quality and safety features.Protecting against flames, smoke and radiant heat, the selected glazing range has the advantage of providing Marr College with additional radiant heat control and greater fire protection.In tests this glass demonstrates the ability to maintain the amount of radiant heat to below 15 kW/m2 on the unexposed face, protecting critical evacuation routes for occupants.

Resilient, flexible and reliable lift solutions enable logistics services in ZurichIn 2018, Welti-Furrer approached Lödige Industries to install three OLYMPUS heavy goods lifts at their newly build logistics facility in Dielsdorf near Zurich. Logistics service providers and transportation companies are two important service providers across the globe. They ensure that all goods are always reliably and safely in the right place at the right time. Welti-Furrer has been on the road since 1838. As one of the oldest transport companies, Welti-Furrer relies on over 180 years of experience and is therefore very familiar with the central challenges and requirements of lift solutions.Long-term advantages with resilient lift solutionsForklift drivers in logistics centres work highly efficient and at a fast pace. Therefore, it is not possible to completely avoid damage to the facility equipment. However, a large part of the damage can be avoided through intelligent planning of the lift solution. One of the main reasons why Welti-Furrer decided for lift solutions from Lödige Industries is the generic strong resilience of the OLYMPUS heavy goods lift.In addition, other aspects of the lift design were optimised in order to further increase the robustness of the lifts. The wall soffits in the prefabricated concrete shafts were intentionally built smaller than the clear cabin width, thus protecting the whole cabin floor from damage. The outer trays are offset inwards so that they are protected from damage by forklift trucks or similar.Flexible use thanks to integrated card reading systemNext to the resilience of the installed heavy goods lifts, the local service team from Lödige Industries ensures high reliability at any time.Furthermore, in order to maintain the highest flexibility standards, the installed OLYMPUS heavy goods lifts were equipped with an internal card reading system. This functionality allows Welti-Furrer to define individual access rights for their employees.SolutionWelti-Furrer decided for lift solutions from Lödige Industries because of the generic strong resilience of the OLYMPUS heavy goods lift.Several aspects of the lift design, such as the wall soffits and outer trays were optimised in order to further increase the robustness of the lifts.The local service team from Lödige Industries ensures high reliability at any time.The integrated card reading system allows Welti Furrer to define flexibly use the goods lifts.

Owned by Shaanxi Tianhong Silicon Materials Co. Ltd., the Shaanxi Yousr Polysilicon Plant in China will produce polycrystalline silicon material for the solar photovoltaic and electronics industries. When engineering company Fluor was asked to design the plant, it was faced with a specific challenge.Much of the plant’s pipework and equipment is exposed to high temperatures, making it prone to corrosion under insulation. Fluor knew that conventional anti-corrosive solutions are often not able to protect equipment in these conditions, and the company was looking for an alternative but reliable and proven coating solution.Fluor chose our Versiline CUI 56990 coating to provide long-term protection for pipework, equipment and other hot surfaces. Versiline CUI 56990 can resist temperatures up to 650°C/1202°F and thermal shock and cycling in dry or wet service conditions. Versiline CUI 56990 is extremely resistant to micro-cracking and corrosion, even in tough operating conditions.

The now disused St Margaret’s Head Tunnel was a structure originally formed as part of the Dunfermline to North Queensferry railway line, providing a link to the ferry service until the opening of the Forth Bridge in 1890 and remaining in limited use for freight until 1954. The vaulted roof and brick lined tunnel is located 15 metres below the A900 trunk road and the B981, adjacent to the northern approach to the Forth Road Bridge. Cordek were asked to supply a structural fill solution, encapsulated within a protective membrane to fill the entire cavity of the tunnel.

As one of the leading off-site blasting and painting applicators, specialising in intumescent coatings, Vale Protective Coatings strive to stay at the forefront of technological advancements. Using the latest coatings and techniques is integral to support their offer of ‘unrivalled service’ to their customers in the steel construction industry.With a history of supporting trials for new products, Vale were the ideal partner to test our new Hempafire Pro 315 Fast Dry.The purpose of the trial was to prove that Hempafire Pro 315 Fast Dry applies more efficiently, significantly increasing productivity, without compromising coating quality.

Challenge: C-Probe's LoCem® +chase® anode mortar has been installed at the Omni Shopping Centre Car Park in Edinburgh, Scotland to 4 levels of underground car parking as part of a comprehensive corrosion management strategy. Overtime the popular car park had succumbed to structural damage and corrosion caused by the ingress of chlorides from de-icing salts from above.Solution: This system comprised of 42 ICCP zones and 7 additional monitoring zones forlevels protected using surface-applied corrosion inhibitors. In addition to this, some 6000 C-Puck galvanic anodes were used to protect newly repaired areas to 2 levels. All the anodes and monitoring could be controlled and data accessed remotely throughoutthe car park with AchillesICP and AchillesIES, helping to extend its service life for 100+ years.Outcome: This ESG compliant approach meant there was no need for demolition or extensive reconstruction using new materials, helping to reduce waste and harmful emissions. Reconstruction was also a near-impossible strategy due to underground facility and electric tram on land, meaning something non-invasive like cathodic protection was essentialto minimise social disruption. 

The overarching challenge was to establish an enhanced level of security at the premises, combined with effective, easy to manage access control, but with absolutely no compromise on the overall aesthetics of the site. This product is supplied as standard with natural timber slats, which (as per all Jacksons timber) have been kiln dried and Jakcure pressure treated to offer long lasting and highly effective protection against rot and wood boring pests. However, the client required the timber slat inserts to be provided in the house colour grey, which we sourced from Denmark to remain consistent.

We have improved the drainage system at this lorry park and service station in this town to the north of London.  The problem was that the drainage system installed in the area did not have sufficient capacity to drain the rainwater, leading to dangerous accumulations of water on the road surface.Service stations and lorry parks have a constant flow of vehicles. There are also some areas where HGVs turn, making it necessary to guarantee the safety of the installation of the channels in order to prevent breakages and accidents.Good advice on your drainage system avoids problems and gives you peace of mind.In these cases, it is essential to have a consultancy service that, taking into account all the necessary parameters (location, rainfall, surface slope, weight to be borne by the grating (load type) and length of the drainage line), defines the model best suited to the site.In this project, 250 ml of Civil-F polymer concrete channels, model F150K, were installed for load type F900. And it has a grating secured at 8 points. It is important for you to know this.

The Isotec is a heavy duty commercial loft ladder offering up to 120 minutes fire protection. It also offers very high thermal insulation (U value 0.33 W/m2K) and an airtight seal (class 4). Available made-to-measure

A major United States oil refinery has chosen Hempel’s Hempaline solvent free epoxy lining as an interior tank lining for a 200 foot / 61 metre tank diameter sour cured oil storage tank.Hempaline epoxies are 100% solid materials that can often be applied in a single coat and have rapid curing properties. This saves our customers time and money in application costs and completion times. Faster project completion allows them to return a unit to service quickly producing revenue.Hempaline epoxy was chosen for this application because of its ability to resist acid conditions of the tank’s cargo, high sulphur crude oil. Hempaline will provide long lasting protection to the tank, minimising future maintenance and repainting costs.Our Hempaline Defend 630 is a fast cure, highly chemical-resistant internal coating designed specifically for severe service environments, such as those found in the oil and gas industry.

During the core renovation of the Frankfurt office tower, the Lindner Group was entrusted with the complete basic fit-out and one of the tenant fit-outs. In addition tocarrying out various drywall works, high quality raised floors and energy-efficient heated and chilled ceilings were installed in combination with lighting systems fromLindner. High-quality wooden doors from Lindner’s own production, related joinery work, as well as flexible system glass partitions complete the construction package. Lindner also carried out plastering and painting work as well as tile, coating and flooring work, and additional installation services.Despite numerous challenges such as (heritage-protected) construction in existing buildings and the high logistical effort involved, the vision of a modern office tower wassuccessfully realized. Thanks to sustainable construction systems and building services combined with effective thermal insulation measures, the Global Tower is set tobe awarded with the DGNB Platinum certification.

A Stannah Maxilift MRLi motor room-less passenger lift and Goodsmaster CD chain drive goods lift are the moving solutions of choice for Meridian Grand, a luxury banqueting, conference and events venue in Edmonton, North London. Both Stannah lifts help Meridian Grand deliver a first class service, whether this is for small, intimate gatherings or large, corporate occasions – from weddings to big-number fund raisers – all in opulent surroundings that are the hallmark of this family run business.

It’s time to change the way we finish and protect our interior and exterior wood forever. We are now live on NBS - a platform, which enables architects and specifiers to easily find the products that are perfect for the projects they're working on.Rubio Monocoat provide environmentally friendly interior and exterior oils for wood preservation. With 0% VOCs and the environmental credentials to back it up, we really are the future of wood staining and protection.Who are Rubio Monocoat?Born and based in Belgium, we have expanded over the globe and into the UK and Ireland. In 2000, the company started with the development of an oil, based on a revolutionary technology called molecular bonding, conducted by Dr. George Barrell. This innovative technology has played a huge part in the success of our products.Molecular Bonding is the process of the oil adhering with the fibres of the wood. Within a couple of minutes, the oil has bonded with the upper microns in the wood, meaning no film formation or saturation. The innovative technology means wood is protected in just one single layer.The environmental credentialsRubio Monocoat products contain no VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or harmful chemicals that emit into the air or come into contact with your skin. Three years before the introduction of the first VOC regulations, we decided to set a high bar and go for a 0% VOC label. As a company, we are dedicated to looking for environmentally friendly solutions and strive with the utmost care to provide products with high quality and standards.Rubio Monocoat is the first in the wood treatment sector to get the Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort Gold label. Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort Gold is a sign of our focus on quality and contribution to a healthy indoor environment. The label combines the most relevant emission specifications and requirements in one certification. The Indoor Air Comfort Gold label shows compliance with specifications on VOC emissions set out globally. As well as having these incredible certificates to our name, our products are also food safe and toy friendly. We also have the M1 Emission Class for Building Material certification and are EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) certified, meaning we are transparent with the information surrounding the life-cycle and environmental impact of our products. Why are Rubio Monocoat launching on NBS?At Rubio Monocoat, we know architects could benefit from everything our oils have to offer from staining and protecting cladding, to refreshing interior wood panelling. It’s an industry we have only just touched the surface of, but with our environmental credentials, efficient application process and high quality finish, we know we’d be a great addition to any wooden project.With NBS, architects are able to browse our environmentally friendly interior and exterior products, read case studies from all over the world and locate all our certifications, literature on safety, and technical data sheets. It's also the perfect place to keep up with projects from around the globe to find inspiration. This is a huge step for Rubio Monocoat into a market that we've always highly valued and we look forward to providing architects and specifiers with expert advice on our 0% VOC products. Are you interested in a workshop near you?We’re looking to hold workshops for architects and specifiers who want to learn everything about what Rubio Monocoat can offer them and their projects. These will involve demos and the chance to get hands-on. If you’re interested, please register here, making sure to state the town you’d like us to come to: https://form.jotform.com/221983606853363You can contact our Business Development Manager Derek at consult@rubiomonocoat.com for more information or a demonstration on our products, and see us live on NBS now: https://nbs.fyi/gwuq8i

CS provided a comprehensive wall protection package for the King Edward Building, Bristol Royal Infirmary. The scheme included: impact resistant, textured Acrovyn Sheet, a range of Acrovyn Corner Protectors in circulation areas, and Acrovyn bed head protectors in the hospital’s wards. In addition, custom printed Acrovyn by Design wall mural was installed at the entrance to a new multi-faith sanctuary space. Installed by the company’s in-house installation team, Conspec Contracts, durable Acrovyn products will protect the facility from the effects of impact damage and wear & tear, ensuring the interior is easy to clean and maintain for years to come.

Gradus has supplied a variety of wall protection systems as part of a refurbishment project at the University of Liverpool’s Small Animal Teaching Hospital based at the Leahurst Campus in the Wirral. The Small Animal Teaching Hospital is part of the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Veterinary Science and employs over 350 staff, including over 100 veterinary surgeons and 280 students. The facility is one of the largest and most innovative veterinary hospitals in Europe, teaching students the very latest theory and techniques.

South Queensferry School received an express service from Yeoman Shield to complete staircase wall refurbishment works during the February half term holiday period.With the requirement to protect 3 staircases and stairwells, Yeoman Shield were able to facilitate the supply and installation of 375 metres of FalmouthEx wall protection panels to suit the 4-day window allowed for the work to be carried out.Fitted to 1250 mm high along these areas, in 3 different colours to identify different departments, Yeoman Shield experienced installers were able to accommodate faultlessly the rake angle of the staircase walls, as well as removing and then reinstalling the original handrail when the panelling had been completed.South Queens Ferry School’s Business Manager commented “Yeoman Shield’s team of installers made an excellent, professional job of the wall protection project and we are very pleased with the results.”The implementation of wall protection to school interiors prevents impact damage caused by the movement of pupils, staff, bags and equipment. Stopping scratching and marking will result in reduced maintenance and redecoration costs in the future whilst serving to extend the lifecycle of interior walls.The easy to clean, inherently hygienic properties of the rigid PVCu wall panels ensures a high standard is maintained around the school enhancing the interior design and the welfare of pupils and staff.For more information on how Yeoman Shield can help schools reduce costs on re-painting and repair costs go to www.yeomanshield.com or call 0113 279 5854.

HAG took great pride in being selected to install industrial doors at the new headquarters of Dorset Fire Service, a project envisioned by Prince Charles, now King Charles. This £3 million architectural marvel embodies grand neo-classical design, complete with a mock balcony, presenting unique challenges for our installation team. With meticulous attention to detail, we ensured that our industrial doors seamlessly complemented the three-storey fire station's aesthetic while delivering the high levels of security and user convenience demanded by the situation.Our industrial Q Doors emerged as the perfect solution, striking a harmonious balance between breathtaking aesthetics and the structural robustness essential for this prestigious undertaking. This collaboration exemplifies HAG's commitment to marrying form with function, enriching architectural masterpieces with innovative security solutions tailored to meet the most exacting standards.

Working with a number of architects and contractors, Style delivered flexible space solutions in the business school, nursing hub and performing arts centre located in a multi-million-pound development at the University of Gloucestershire. Contemporary Dorma Hüppe moveable wall systems allow lecturers and teaching staff to utilise open plan areas for larger classes, seminars and performances or alternatively, they can quickly divide the space to allow smaller sessions to run simultaneously and undisturbed. Style has also provided the University with a comprehensive annual service and maintenance contract that covers all the partitioning walls, protecting into the future.

The BriefThe Facilities Management Team Leader from Leicestershire Traded Services which is part of Leicestershire County Council, contacted us as they were looking for a product that would provide all-round weather protection to the external café area at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre.The SolutionA meeting was scheduled with our Area Sales Manager and the Facilities Management Team Leader and the Heritage Team who will be using the Umbrellas, to finalise the products required and to determine the area they were to be installed.From the meeting, a firm quotation was produced for three 4 metre x 3 metre Richmond Umbrellas.

The Klimatec 160 is a high performance solution for passive and low carbon buildings. Not only does it offer superb thermal insulation and an airtight seal, but it also benefits from 30-minute fire protection. The Klimatec 160 is the latest product in the Premier Loft Ladders range to be certified by the Passivhaus Institut (PHI) for use in passive buildings. It offers very high thermal insulation, achieving a U-value of just 0.34 W/m2K. It also features a class 4 certified airtight seal. As such, it is extremely effective at keeping the warmth in the building.

AFL Architects wanted design consistency across the separate psychiatric intensive care unit and adult inpatient rehabilitation wards in this new Mental Health facility, in Leigh, Wigan. Our electronic locksets were used across the wards, offering superior safety for staff and service users – as the only electronic locksets with Staff Override System, staff can always gain access in an emergency. And offering service users control over their own living space by issuing a harmless key fob also met the trust's requirements of promoting service user independence and restoring dignity.

Network Rail has redeveloped the 180-yearold London Bridge station – the fourth busiest station in the country with over 54 million passengers passing through every year. To redevelop such a vast, complex site Network Rail required a team that would work together with one goal in mind and add value by presenting viable solutions. Eurosafe chose the MSA Latchways Constant Force Post (CFP) cable system for a complete rooftop fall protection solution. It is the only system approved by Kalzip, who supplied the roof at London Bridge.

A combination of primer and non-slip, waterborne lacquer from Bona was used to renovate the oak floor in a food service area at Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa, Leeds. Bona Intense primer delivered a subtle grain enriching effect and Bona Traffic HD Anti Slip was chosen for its combination of high durability and low level slip potential that surpasses the HSE’s low level slip classification of 36+ when tested using the Pendulum (CoF) test. Floors finished with Bona Traffic HD can be put back into full use after just 12 hours – perfect when avoiding downtime is a key requirement.

A record number of manual call points were maliciously activated across England for the year ending March 2022.The highest annual number of malicious false fire alarms on record came as people returned to public buildings en masse in a period markedly unaffected by COVID-19 lockdowns.The latest Home Office figures reveal there was a total of 3,212 false fire alarms caused by the “malicious activation of [a] fire call point/alarm” in England for the year ending March 2022, surpassing challenged hoax calls as the largest reason for malicious fire alarms.Accidental activations also increased over the period; 14,452 false fire alarms were recorded due to the accidental and careless activation of life safety equipment, including manual call points.Every false alarm is costly, disrupting schools and businesses, placing unnecessary strain on our emergency services and reducing public confidence in fire alarms.Despite online learning, working from home and limits on social contact, false fire alarm numbers, although down, persisted during the pandemic.As schools, offices and shops saw reduced attendance and footfall, malicious false fire alarms survived; now in a post-COVID world, there has been a boom in the number of false alarms plaguing the country.Continuing to be the largest incident type, false fire alarms accounted for 40 per cent of the incidents attended by Fire and Rescue Services in England for the period – fires accounted for just 26 per cent.Repeated false alarms reduce the public’s confidence in fire alarms, contributing to alarm fatigue and a complacent attitude toward evacuations. Alarm fatigue occurs when a person becomes desensitised to an alarm due to repeated false alarms and as a result, fails to react appropriately in an emergency.Safety Technology International manufacture a range of protective covers, specifically designed to prevent false alarms whether accidental or malicious.The STI story began in 1980 with a challenge by a school headteacher who wanted to stop their false fire alarms. Founder, Jack Taylor, used his expertise in security systems to invent the first and original Stopper® polycarbonate protective cover. From integral covers to outdoor and sounder models, there are now variations to suit all applications.The tamper-proof polycarbonate covers ensure call points are protected without restricting legitimate use in a real emergency, a combination of optional warning alarm, flashing beacon and break seal acts as a deterrent against malicious activation.In Wales, malicious false fire alarms rose by 33% to 426 during 2021-22, the highest figure for half a decade. And with similar figures reflected across the UK, over £1 billion is lost every year due to false alarms.To recoup this cost the London Fire Brigade became the first fire service in the country to recover costs from buildings like hospitals, airports and student halls with a poor false alarm record.Firefighters respond to fire signals as if they are real, this exposes the public and fire crew to unnecessary risk in their swift response to false alarms, directing them away from real emergencies.Under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order Act 2005, it is the responsibility of the building owner or the “responsible person” to ensure effective fire precautions are in place to protect staff, customers or visitors.Several precautionary steps can be implemented to prevent false fire alarms before they occur; routine testing and maintenance of call points is a must to ensure proper operation, but it is not the only proactive approach.As recommended in BS 5839-1:2017, manual call points can be fitted with a protective cover to prevent false fire alarms. The British Standard Institute recommends in section 20.2b), that: “All MCPs should be fitted with a protective cover, which is moved to gain access to the frangible element.“It is now recommended that a protective cover is fitted to a Type A manual call point to help prevent false alarms.”

According to Jovan Nel, head of Style’s moveable wall service and repair division, the need to ensure that operable walls are in good working order has caused a surge in demand. “Businesses, hotels, education facilities, local authority venues, community centres and healthcare trusts have all been booking our technicians to carry out routine servicing and inspections while lockdown restrictions eased,” said Jovan. Style has a nationwide team of fully trained engineers who are fully accredited to service and repair all makes of moveable wall, even if Style didn’t install it, from fully automatic systems to simple folding partitions.”

ClientManchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) Market SectorHealthcare The Project BriefWythenshawe Hospital is a major acute teaching hospital part of the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT). Its area of specialisms includes cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, heart and lung transplants as well as cancer and breast care services and supports patients from across the North West and beyond.During the upgrade of the Emergency Department (E.D) the team decided on both protection and preventative measures to ensure only the highest of standards were adhered to which were in line with the Hospital’s renowned reputation. The SolutionIntastop Ltd was chosen to supply and fit a range of protective products designed specifically to integrate seamlessly with the hospital aesthetics.They included Bed Head Protection, Hand Rails, Sanparrel® Wall Sheet and Corner Guards from the Inpro product range in addition to Intastop’s innovative I-Gienic Smooth Hygienic Sheet and Rigid Frame Guards. Impact protection sheet along with the other products installed at Wythenshawe Hospital boast a plethora of benefits including high impact resistance, Class ‘O’ Fire Rated; tested to BS476 Parts 6 & 7 and available in a variety of colours. Additional Benefits of Impact Protection SheetEnsures staff and patient safety in the event of a fire by maintaining fire integrity of the surface.Protects against localised damage.Maintains a clean, safe environmentAchieves colour contrast for critical surfaces to assist with visually impaired staff and patientsWhat the client saysMarcus Ashurst, project manager for the emergency department said“With a collaborative approach from the inception of the project through to completion, the Trust was mindful that the new emergency department operating 24 hours a day would require careful thought and consideration with regards to the finishes selected. With leading healthcare architects IBI plans were drafted with full engagement with the clinical teams to develop an extremely well-considered and effective design – fit for purpose.Working with Interserve, the principal supply chain partner appointed to construct the new development, Intastop were nominated to supply and install a fully comprehensive system of door and wall protection that would not only withstand and protect the built environment, but also enhance the aesthetics of the environment. The holistic approach taken and end result was indeed most satisfactory.”

To create a Blob... CHALLENGE For the design of a Texaco service station on the highway near Antwerp the architect decided he wanted to create a Blob (Binary large objects) architectural design. The service station consists of three functional lobes that together look like an oil stain. The actual gas stations are covered with 4 lobe-shaped canopies. To accentuate this futuristic design the architect wanted to create liquid formed shapes in a metallic look. As the walls of the main building were planned using a polurea metallic finishing coating the architect sought a suitable compatible material to finish the rest of his Blob roof surfaces. SOLUTION Synthetic roofing membranes are the most flexible materials on the market and are suited to waterproof almost all possible roof shapes. For this particular project the silver coloured RENOLIT ALKORPLAN membrane was the best solution. This silver membrane is produced with a protective coating creating a roofing membrane that is easy to clean. The RENOLIT ALKORPLAN Metallic membranes combine excellent durability with added aesthetical appearance.