"access equipment and safety systems"

Project: Parking de la Gare (Railway Station), Nancy, France

Project: Le Signe, National Center of Graphic Design, Chaumont, France

Project at Manchester Airport using Hoardfast partition walling to create corridors to segregate passengers from phased works

Project at V.A. Whitley using Hoardfast partition walling to create a new allergen control production area

Sonata Vario Class A suspended acoustic absorption panels installed within the dining room at Burlington House School to control reverberation and noise during use.

Project at Arla Foods using Hoardfast partition walling to segregate live production line during new line installation

Project at Royal Mail distribution centre to enclose open canopyied area using Anchorwall partition walling (with Flexiwall above) to protect employees from the weather

A college in East London lost the use of their sports hall due to a flood that infiltrated the building. The Customer Care Team from @DYNAMIK Sport inspected the existing sprung floor and were able to offer a seamless Polyurethane (PU) re-coating application from leading coatings manufacturer @herculan.DYNAMIK Technical managers were asked to confirm the sports performance of the existing sprung structure and it’s suitability for refurbishment rather than a total replacement. This solution avoided the costs associated with uplifting, disposal and the installation of a new replacement sprung base. DYNAMIK have many playing surface and repair options available that can breathe new life into an old sports floor. This type of transformation is fast, cost effective and extends the life of the floor, not to mention the massive environmental benefits associated with not having to uplift and dispose of the sprung system. Most wear and tear shows up on the top-layer playing surface, which often shows signs of cracking, loss of slip resistance or damage caused by non-sporting events or the use of table and chairs without suitable protection. Re-coating old surfaces with a Herculan PU by DYNAMIK can seamlessly repair the issues of the past and create a solution for the future. A re-application of line marking can also be carried out at the same time as the refurbishment process, as can club or school logos, coloured surrounds, highlighted court zones, as seen at many of DYNAMIK Nationwide sports flooring projects where their “Be-Spoke Court Design Service” has created the wow factor.If you have a damaged or worn out solid timber court, solid block tile, vinyl, lino or seamless PU playing surface, and need trusted advice for refurbishment options that could save your facility time and money by simply applying a new Herculan by DYNAMIK re-coating system. Please contact their Technical Team who are always happy to meet and test your floor to confirm compliance to the new comfort and shock absorption requirements which protects users from injury caused by non-existent or very low levels of shock absorption and comfort. @Craig Jack, Commercial Director of DYNAMIK Sports Floors, recently attended a technical group meeting, where leading indoor sports flooring manufacturers, suppliers, installers and consultants meet to discuss ways of maintaining standards but also ways of improving the performance and safety of products and systems available to end-users throughout the UK. The group discussed overlay options and their success and suitability within the modern sports and activity environment and highlighted some important points worth considering, prior to any overlay option being approved.Jack commented “Solid tile or thin playing surfaces used in the past, before standards existed are being coated with a paint like surface or simply over laid with another thin pad and playing surface but in reality, this only makes the surface look good and doesn’t consider the safety, comfort or compliance to the latest flooring standards, which now require any multi-sport space to have a shock absorption value of more than 25%”.Jack also explained the importance for responsible contractors to test existing surfaces prior to over coating, confirming the shock absorption values required and expected within indoor sport and activity spaces. “Rather than just kicking the can down the road, expecting others in the future to upgrade the playing surface, we need to act now as it is just not the right or responsible thing to do and highlights a grey area in terms of what is considered a sports flooring refurbishment or what is considered a regular maintenance process”.An existing leisure facility is only required to meet the 2007 indoor multi-use sporting standard EN14904, when they upgrade or replace their old sports flooring. The interpretation of this requirement has created a grey area which confuses the difference between a maintenance coating and a playing surface upgrade.It is Jacks view that safety requirements should not be lost in greyness and the industry needs to provide clarity and help protect users of indoor sporting and activity spaces.When asked, Jack confirmed, “I for one wouldn’t be happy to have my family play any form of sport or activity on a solid floor, no matter how fresh or colourful it looked. A quick fix coating or thin pad overlay just doesn’t provide the safety I expect from a sports or activity floor, especially when considering the standard came in 15 years ago. I can’t believe any facility considers painting solid surfaces or tiles but sadly, some still kick that can down the road and expect kids to play on a solid concrete or painted tile, non-compliant surfaces. It’s shocking and quite scary when you think about how many floors still do not get upgraded to the current standards and are in use today”.DYNAMIK Technical consultant Sarah Beck clarified that “DYNAMIK always put safety and compliance first, above anything else. Playing surface compliance should be top of any list and our sports flooring team certainly see why 15 years ago, the standards were implemented to improve safety and performance within multi-use indoor facilities, big or small. Just because you can paint an old solid surface doesn’t mean you should, which is why we check the comfort and safety levels of old surfaces, prior to offering overlay options”.    For a free survey of your existing sports flooring to check its suitability for re-coating or refurbishment, please contact the DYNAMIK Technical Department on 0117 456 5024.  

Artform were a part of this project from the very beginning and were available to tackle the challenges with their expertise. Specialist lifting equipment was needed for the installation due to the 4.4tonne weight of the Moonstones. The Artform team, having installed Moonstone Benches previously relied on their knowledge to make the install as smooth as possible offering full assistance to the site team. The new Ice Arena has improved a part of Slough by revitalising the space it inhabits to encourage the wider community to come together and be social.

The Bořislavka shopping center equipped its ceilings with Barrisol® The Recycled sheets with a P50 perforation (2.8 mm) in order to improve its acoustics while bringing a touch of aestheticism in this place with a unique and contemporary architecture.It is nearly 1800 m² distributed in 151 recycled sheets which were installed in the alleys of the shopping mall. The range of Barrisol® Recycled sheets is 100% recyclable and is manufactured from recycled Barrisol® materials (50% pre-consumer).

The Aberdeen Altens Hotel is the perfect base for exploring the beautiful Scottish Highlands and east coast. Conveniently located just outside the city, this popular hotel also offers a well-equipped contemporary business and conference centre. Architect and design consultants ICA was appointed to design a flexible open plan restaurant and bar area that would reflect the beauty and history of the locality and offer a high quality dining experience for discerning hotel guests as well as local residents and businesses.

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”.

Thriving family run garden centre upgrades their automatic sliding door entranceLocated in Ayrshire, the long established Hayes Garden Land Symington replaced their existing entrance with a new solution.Project Year:  2022Product: ASSA ABLOY SL500 Frame 4 Panel Bi-parting door. Project Background: As a returning customer, Hayes Garden Land approached us with a brief to replace their tired sliding door system with a modern solution which also tied in with the existing building fabric and internal decoration. With energy prices soaring, it was also important to come up with an efficient solution which maximised heat retention within the building.Solution: We successfully designed, manufactured and installed a 4 panel bi-parting SL500 fully framed system in matching Terra Brown finish, resulting in a seamless integration within the building. To mitigate operational issues & improve safety features - due to close proximity of internal swing doors - we supplied and installed clear glazed barriers and removed several potential risk factors during the design process. The end product is a modern, compliant system which has also added energy efficiencies due to the double glazing and upgraded aluminium profile system.For more information or assistance with any project, please contact enquiries.esuk@faactechnologies.com where we can provide expert guidance and detailed documentation.

The Royal Blackburn Hospital, located in Lancashire, England, was dubbed a “ticking time bomb” that could “collapse without warning” due to the failure of its existing reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) roof. This issue was part of a larger nationwide crisis, with 34 NHS buildings, including Blackpool Hospital, and thousands more schools, offices and more at risk of collapse due to the deterioration of RAAC structures. The estimated cost of repairs for these buildings loomed at over £1 billion. In the face of this urgent and challenging situation, The Royal Blackburn Hospital sought a solution to ensure the safety and integrity of its infrastructure.The Royal Blackburn Hospital's existing RAAC roof had reached a critical state of disrepair. The risk of a catastrophic collapse was real and imminent, posing a serious threat to patients, staff, and the hospital's ability to provide essential medical services. The financial burden of repairing or replacing such a roof was substantial, and the hospital needed an innovative, cost-effective, and expedient solution.The hospital administration and engineering team explored various alternatives to address the RAAC roof crisis. After careful evaluation, they opted for Britmet's Tactray 90 Structural Liner System as the best solution to mitigate the risk of a roof collapse. Tactray 90 offered the necessary structural reinforcement while ensuring long-term durability and stability. The installation could be completed with minimal disruption to hospital operations, a critical consideration given the hospital's 24/7 operation.Project Outcomes:Implementing Britmet's Tactray 90 Structural Liner System at The Royal Blackburn Hospital resulted in several significant benefits. The hospital's roof regained its structural integrity, mitigating the risk of collapse. The hospital saved a substantial amount by opting for the Tactray 90 system as it provided a weatherproof roof covering to minimise the impact of construction so that the hospital could resume full medical services quickly, ensuring continuity of patient care. Conclusion: The Royal Blackburn Hospital's adoption of Britmet's Tactray 90 Structural Liner System offered an innovative solution to a critical structural problem caused by the failure of the existing RAAC roof. This case study demonstrates that even in challenging situations involving aged infrastructure, cost-effective and efficient alternatives exist to safeguard structural integrity, ensure safety, and enable the continued provision of vital healthcare services. The success of this project serves as a model for other NHS facilities grappling with similar RAAC-related challenges, providing hope for the resolution of the wider national crisis.

In September 2022, Bradbury Group installed eight ClassicAL doors at a low-rise block of flats for Central Bedfordshire Council.The replacement doors installed were a combination of Front Entrance and Rear entrance doors, providing fire integrity and security protection to the communal housing, as well as Network Communication Systems Limited, NCS, Chorus remote access management. The new intelligent door sets were designed to replace existing doors which were aged and not secure, leading to several instances of anti-social behaviour.

This project includes 50 luxury studios, one, two and three-bedrooms in Poole town Centre. As a resident in this area, you can have access to numerous destination boutiques cafes as well as chains, shops and restaurants, making this location a modern living area. As a project development it is very modern and futurist because it was the first one being designed and constructed in BIM. In order to protect the façade building from moisture, driving rain and wind the solution Effisus A2 Fire Rated Breather FR System was applied.

Valley gutters with limited access on fragile asbestos cement roofs are always difficult to maintain and repair. A liquid gutter liner is often the only solution in cases like this and none are easier than Liquasil’s Gutterseal system. The metal gutter was first cleaned and dried, then treated with a coat of Liquasil’s corrosion treatment before being over-coated with Liquasil one liquid gutter liner. All joints were treated with Liquasil Non Sag Sealer, providing a fleece-free, very strong joint and seamless gutter lining.

As part of the iconic Manchester Central Library's three-year overhaul to make its facilities more accessible, a bespoke flooring solution was supplied of Resuflor Terrazzo and Resuflor Screed to complete this refurbishment and give the buidling a great new appeal. The terrazzo provided a super smooth decorative floor and the epoxy screed incorporated fine aggregate on the surface to the stairs and ramped areas of the building to promote an anti-slip finish.The multi-million pound refurbishment project saw public entrances of the Grade ll listed building restored to their 1930's appearance. New staircases and lift shafts were inserted to improve access throughout the building.The brief on this project was to provide a modern functional flooring solution that complemented the library's unique neo-classical style.The besposke design of Resuflor Terrazzo was supplied in a special colour pallet to complement the neo-classical design features of the library. The system was chosen because of its seamless properties, ensuring a flat, continuous floor surface with extreme durability for a long term solution.The product was also used as a pre-cast terrazzo system on some central stair areas of the library.Resuflor Screed was supplied and applied on the ramped areas as a semi-decorative finish with a special aggregate bead incorporated for improved slip resistance.The end result was a functional floor capable of withstanding heavy footfall that fitted with the aesthetic requirements of the overall design superbly.

REQUIREMENT:A ramp to the entrance of the council house.Rapid Ramp’s demountable system was ideal as it requires no groundwork.Once no longer needed, the ramp can be removed and reinstalled at a different property owned by the local authority.END RESULT:The front door ramp was installed within only a few hours. The system fully complies with Document M, Volume 1, Dwellings.FEATURES INCLUDED:Mesh Platform - the self-draining mesh allows water to pass through rather than collect on the surface.Trombone Ends - these are added to the ends of a Rapid Ramp to prevent clothes catching.Standard Handrail - this handrail system ensures users always have support to hold onto.Powder coated Finish – Rails are coated with thermosetting powder to provide a non-conductive, non-slip and scratch resistant surface.Telescopic Legs - these can be adjusted to accommodate different threshold heights.EXTRA FEATURE INCLUDED:Step & Gate Unit - access for able-bodied users.

Lindner realised the tenant fit-out for Zürich Versicherungs-Gesellschaft AG with partition wall, door and room-in-room systems: the full panel partition system Lindner Logic Timber – cladded with perforated real wood silver fir veneer – ensures good acoustics.It is complemented by Lindner Life Stereo 125 glass partitions framed by powder-coated aluminium profiles in black and by profiles veneered with real wood – also in silver fir. The glass partition wall system is Cradle to Cradle® Silver certified and thus takes account of the sustainability concept. Wooden door elements veneered with silver fir and supplemented by wooden block frames provide access to the different areas and round off the clear visual impression.A total of 18 identical Lindner Cubes offer additional space for meetings or concentrated work – including heated/chilled ceilings, optimal lighting and acoustics as well as copying areas at the front of the outer wall. Completed WorksPartitionsPartition Systems GlassLindner Life Stereo 125Partition Systems Full PanelLindner Logic 100 TimberRoom-in-RoomLindner Cube duo

Emergency escape lighting that can be monitored remotely to save time, ensure safety and avoid unnecessary interventions in hazardous or sensitive areas.

Pyroguard’s range of toughened fire safety glass, Pyroguard Protect, was recently installed inside Bangalore’s new commercial offices, Emudhra.

The currently ongoing project at Latham’s Yard is a large-scale refurbishment of a range of apartment buildings with new cladding and decking to adhere to post-Grenfell fire legislation.Project BreakdownThis multi-phase project see’s no less than 10 high-rise apartment buildings being fitted with building materials that pass updated safety regulations.The SolutionOur 150 Aqua Channel Aluminium Decking was chosen for this balcony refurb as it is easy to install and has an A-class fire resistance rating. These deck boards are extremely low-slip and feature a passive drainage system that allows for management of water runoff.Project DetailsSize: 4000 m²Product: 150 Aqua Channel Client: :  Taylor Wimpey Architect: PRP ArchitectsSub-contractor: KDD ConstructionLocation: London

We recently completed a refurbishment of the washrooms at Fulwell Bus Depot in Twickenham, regularly used by over 300 bus drivers. As part of this project we installed:-4 No. Samoa Deluxe WC packs complete4 No. Urimat Ecoplus urinals with Visutal digital screen upgrades1 No. Tristone wash trough4 No. CONTI+ Ultra GM 20 tapsNew under vanity by Formwise in Grey Zebrano laminateNew WC duct IPS panels by Formwise in Grey Zebrano laminateNew lighting throughout by Ineco EnergyNew hygienic wall cladding throughout by JemicladNew suspended ceiling grid by Gemstone InteriorsNew air extraction system completeNew R12 Safety Vinyl c/w marine style wall upstand by Jemiclad

Lionweld Kennedy designed, fabricated and supplied modular flat packs of both steel and GRP gratings, handrails, barrier ladders and gates to the 'GDF Suez Cygnus Bravo' gas field, which is owned by Heerema Fabrications. Using both steel and GRP, Lionweld Kennedy were able to design a system of walkways and handrails around the 250km2 field. Cygnus Bravo is an unmanned satellite wellhead platform tied-back to Cygnus Alpha’s processing platform. Cygnus Bravo is located approximately 150km off the coast of Lincolnshire, UK.Both our steel and GRP products can withstand harsh environments, such as oil rigs due to their durability from the high-quality material.Using both products in conjunction allows for a cost-effective flooring and safety solution for the client.

Park of Poland is one of Europe’s premier holiday centres. Located in Wręcza, around 60 kilometres from Warsaw, the park offers a range of attractions, including an indoor water park, theme parks and other facilities such as hotels, bungalows, office spaces and apartment buildings. Park of Poland was completed at the end of 2019 and is expected to attract millions of visitors each year.Our coatings protect all 4,500 tons of structural steel at Park of Poland and include a high-quality passive fire protection system based on our intumescent coating Hempacore One FD to improve safety for visitors and staff. Applied to the structural steel, Hempacore One FD will expand if exposed to high heat, insulating the steel beneath. In a fire, this will extend the steel’s load-bearing capacity for up to three hours.

The creation of an ultra-modern Teaching Building as a new core to a long established school in Oxfordshire, has included the installation of custom designed and manufactured stainless steel sinks, worktops and splashbacks and other units from GEC Anderson for several of the different technical spaces.The Tudor Hall School, originally founded in 1850 by the Rev TW and Mrs Todd at a site in Salisbury, has been at its present location at Wykham Park in Banbury since World War II, while the past decade has seen some £15 million invested in ensuring the Independent Girls Boarding and Day School offers the best possible facilities.The Birmingham office of ADP Architects has been responsible for the design work on this latest project, while Clegg Construction Ltd of Nottingham was the main contractor carrying out the work. Acting as a specialist sub-contractor, GEC Anderson conducted site visits and liaised with the project team in order to ensure its custom fabrications met the schools’ health & safety as well as technical and teaching requirements. The manufacturer also worked closely with Tudor Hall’s Bursar, Neil Farquhar to ensure its site installation visits in no way interfered with the academic activities as lessons continued throughout normal term time. One of the architects involved with the project from early on commented: “The GEC Anderson sinks, work-surfaces and other fabrications were specified for the Food Technology Area as well as units for the Ceramics and Textiles rooms. The new centre opened on schedule last Easter in time for the start of the 2018 summer term and everyone involved has been pleased with the results.”A spokesperson for Tudor Hall added: “The new Teaching Centre is the largest and most ambitious addition to Tudor Hall facilities to date and sits at the heart of the school site. Designed to provide teaching spaces for the core subjects of Mathematics and English and specialist classrooms for the creative arts, the Teaching Centre transforms the teaching provision which Tudor Hall offers and we are delighted to have it operative, and we are already witnessing its impact.” Since its formation in 1962, GEC Anderson has built its reputation for the supply of top end stainless steel sinks and sanitaryware on a combination of innovative design, top quality materials and expert craftsmanship. In addition to the company’s Decimetric system of cabinets, sinks, drainers and other equipment - widely specified for sectors including health and catering – it is able to create custom engineered solutions to exactly fit any space or specification.

The International Rugby Experience in the Georgian Quarter in Limerick, which is in honour of the worldwide game of Rugby, combines culture with pleasure and is a real visitor experience. It was particularly important to the architects and builders that thebuilding fits perfectly into the traditional cityscape: To guarantee authenticity, historical town houses in the traditional Georgian style were studied in advance. The architectural style was implemented in detail, using brick and concrete elements in the interior and exterior of the building.Lindner Group won its first major hollow floor project in Ireland with the contract for this floor trade. In collaboration with the architects from Níall McLaughlin Architects and the Irish business partner Cableplan, Lindner supplied the FLOOR and more® G40hollow floor. The special feature is the clinker bricks, typical of the Georgian style, which were laid on the floor system using a special laying method. Lindner also implemented access hatches in the floor for quick access and easy maintenance. Upon the architect's request, these flooring had a Satin Brush Finishing.

Places for People, a group of more than 20 housing providers, developers, property managers and care providers, and known for their full-spectrum approach of placemaking, called upon CDM Stravitec to isolate a gym in one of their latest commercial property developments.Like many other contemporary office buildings, Places for People’s latest project houses a gym. People working in the building can make use of this popular amenity before or after work or during their lunch-break. In order not to disturb those working in the surrounding spaces, the gym needed to be acoustically isolated from the rest of the building structure.A tailored Stravigym XP gym floating floor was installed to acoustically decouple the gym located on the 5th floor of the office building, preventing vibrations from fitness equipment such as falling dumbells, kettlebells, and treadmills from disturbing the people working above and adjacent. The added dBooster® strips increase the system’s performance even further, by decoupling the load distribution layer from the resilient supports.To achieve the finished floor height specified by the architect and to deal with any irregularities of the structural floor, timber chims were placed underneath the dBooster® channels.

Howe Green Ltd supplied over 850 specially designed and manufactured floor access covers for an underground station which required safe, secure and easy access to building services concealed beneath the flooring. Howe Green designed bespoke duct covers based on the 7500 Series Medium-Duty Floor Access Covers. With a 69 mm depth the access covers were manufactured with an extra thick base plate and reinforcements to meet the demands of what will be a highly trafficked area. The access covers were infilled with two different types of flooring dependent upon their location - Conservation Smooth pavings from Marshalls and Granazzo.

The urgent need for a replacement rear goods entrance at a high-turnover commercial fast-food restaurant brought our proposed comprehensive solution to address both security and functionality concerns.Recognising the critical role of a secure entrance in the restaurant’s operations, we recommended the installation of a commercial-grade steel door and frame. This robust system not only provided enhanced security but also ensured ease of use for restaurant staff, crucial for maintaining smooth workflow amid the bustling environment. Anticipating the challenges posed by the high usage typical in such establishments, we tailored the solution to withstand heavy use and abuse, including the impact of large food delivery cages. To bolster the door’s durability, we integrated a custom heavy duty pyramid bumper bar system, extending its lifespan and longevity against daily wear and tear.Moreover, to enhance security measures and streamline access control, we incorporated a digital keypad externally. This feature allowed the door to be kept closed and locked securely while granting staff convenient access from outside. Not only did this improve security protocols, but it also contributed to rodent control efforts by minimising entry points. Additionally, to impress trade visitors and further elevate the entrance experience, we introduced a modern digital video door entry system. This innovative technology provided a seamless connection between the entrance and kitchen staff, enabling real-time visual identification of visitors and ensuring efficient management of incoming deliveries and guests. By seamlessly integrating security, functionality, and modern technology, we successfully revitalised the rear goods entrance, ensuring it could meet the demands of the fast-paced restaurant environment while enhancing overall operational efficiency and security measures.

A leading European mail-order company for work wear and protective equipment, wanted to use a building material that was ultra durable and therefore reflected and complemented their brand image. Accoya® wood, used as screening for the building, illustrates to perfection the hard-wearing and practical elements of this work wear brand. Roggemann, Accoya’s German and Polish distributor, supplied 500 m2 of Accoya® for the project. The Accoya wood was additionally coated with a transparent stain to highlight its natural beauty.

We were delighted to complete this project for Worthing district council in Sussex, in the summer of 2023. Showcasing our Spiel Bau range of equipment, we installed a beautiful stainless steel multiplay structure, and stainless steel aerial runway. Fun colour combine with excellent play features, with the Mikado tower’s nets, slides, climbing walls and bridges giving children hours of endless fun. We surfaced the area with black with blue fleck wet pour rubber flooring. 

We designed and installed a beautiful LEAP for a housing developer in Wickham, Hampshire, that added a fantastic new play area to the estate. Given the rural nature of the site, with a stream running adjacent to the park and wild meadows next door, a natural theme was required for the surfacing and equipment. Lappset’s Flora range was ideal for the setting, and a Spell Hill multiplay made for a fantastic centrepiece to the area. A Basket Swing, standard swings, springers, and junior multiplay completed the area, which was surfaced in a green blend TigerMulch mix.

Twinfix is a family run business. For more than 30 years they have supplied modular polycarbonate panels for use as rooflights in many railway stations and depots. Replacing the old canopy glazing used at rail stations with products from Twinfix’s range of polycarbonate glazing options floods the area with daylight while eliminating the common issues that occur with historic railway roof glazing. Last year, Twinfix assisted with the refurbishment of two of the UK’s historic stations, Gerrards Cross and Headstone Lane.Gerrards Cross StationGerrards Cross Station is a fantastic example of one of the nation’s historic stations. Built in 1906 as part of the Great Western and Great Central Joint Railway it has recently undergone a series of upgrades to improve the station for passengers.As part of a £2.4m Railway Upgrade Plan investment by Network Rail, the following areas were refurbished:Full replacement of the platform’s canopy – ensuring passengers are protected from the weatherInstalling lighting throughout – making the station safer and more secureRe-roofing of the main station’s roofWindows repairs where necessaryApplying fresh coats of paint to steelworkRefurbishment of the canopy roofHeadstone Lane StationTravel eleven miles east of Gerrards Cross and you arrive at Headstone Lane station. Another of the UK’s historic stations, this station opened in February 1913 and consists of a small single storey brick-built station building adjacent to the Headstone Lane road bridge, with two platforms.This station was also part of the Railway Upgrade Plan, with investment in the refurbishment of both platform canopies.An innovative roof glazing systemA team comprising of Network Rail, Principal Contractor J. Murphy & Sons Limited, and specialist Design Consultant Arcadis Consulting (UK) Ltd were assigned to the job to ensure that the correct roof glazing was specified and installed over the platforms.The product chosen for both stations was the innovative Twinfix modular non-fragile Multi-Link-Panel NF (Non-Fragile) system, glazed with 6mm clear solid polycarbonate. Approximately 225 square metres of these panels were required to re-glaze the five canopies across both stations, with panels delivered to site ready for quick installation.Each panel of the innovative Multi-Link-Panel NF system comprises of a powder-coated aluminium frame and fitted with polycarbonate glazing. The panels are built completely off-site in a quality-controlled factory environment, reducing the risk, and cost, of site mistakes, and are delivered on-site fully glazed and ready for rapid installation. The system has a unique linking design feature that results in incredibly quick installation times, making the system very much suited to rail work due to its restricted possession times.The Multi-Link-Panel NF system is an innovative roof glazing product that has been well utilised for many years on station canopy roofs, and it has been thoroughly tried and tested in that time.It was the chosen system for this project for a number of reasons:sustainability – these panels are virtually unbreakable in manufacture, transit and in situ, meaning that, unlike glass, maintenance costs will be eliminated.safety – Twinfix Multi-Link-Panel NF (Non-Fragile) conforms to the HSE recommended test method ACR[M]001:2019 (as outlined in document HSG33) and achieves a ‘B’ Classification.off-site construction – The panels are pre-assembled in Twinfix’s factory ensuring strict quality guidelines are adhered to, which is not always guaranteed when roofing products are assembled on site.ease of access – The Multi-Link-Panel NF system can be fitted with In-Line Access Hatches, to allow cleaning of gutters and roof. These hatches are hardly visible and allow safe access through the glazing without needing to get on the roof.weight – The Multi-Link-Panel NF is light in weight and due to its modular format, it is very quick to install which allows for short rail possession works.appearance – the clear polycarbonate panels have the appearance of glass and provide just the right level of light transmission onto the platforms below.This project demanded a collaborative approach, requiring Twinfix to liaise closely with Principal Contractor J. Murphy & Sons Limited, installation company Orchard Roofing & Building, and design consultancy Arcadis, where early engagement with the team ensured that all aspects of the project ran smoothly from the onset.Richard Nash, Contracts Manager at J. Murphy & Sons Limited commented: ‘Throughout the design and implementation stages of our refurbishment works at Gerrards Cross and Headstone Lane Railway Stations, Twinfix have been a pleasure to work with. Working alongside both our designers and approved installers, they have provided a professional end to end service resulting in a quality finished product.’Piotr Stencel, Senior Project Manager at Arcadis Consulting (UK) Ltd commented: “All the Twinfix team we have been in contact with have been very helpful to provide information, contact and help resolve issues. We were also invited to their offices in Warrington back in 2019 where we could see/touch Twinfix products and discuss design/constructability aspects which is always better than just seeing on the product data sheet.”The Twinfix team are proud to be part of this journey that will see the UK rail network revolutionised and sees exciting times ahead for the company.

Broadleaves, in Boughton, near Ollerton, is the fourth ‘housing with care’ scheme to be opened by Newark and Sherwood District Council. The state-of-the-art scheme has been designed for people aged over 60.There are 30 spacious and accessible apartments designed to meet possible future needs, with features including a wet room and wider doorways.SMART Balustrades were contracted by NMCN to design, manufacture and install their stainless steel balustrade system with oak handrail to 4 stairs as well as 15 stainless steel Juliet balconies, 250m of timber corridor handrails, and a large external terrace with 1600mm high stainless steel balustrade.SMART’s timber balustrade system comes complete with a steel core rail to ensure the balustrades meets the required 0.74kN/m horizontal line load requirements.