"fire escape equipment"

OverviewMechanical Smoke ventilation system designed and installed by Dyers Environmental Controls Ltd at Droylsden Marina.Project BackgroundThe Wharf, set alongside Droylsden Marina offers a collection of modern 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments which required a mechanical smoke ventilation system. Dyer Environmental Controls Ltd supplied and installed a mechanical smoke ventilation solution in a Watkin Jones Homes development. The fully automatic EN certified system allows safe escape for residents and clear access for firefighters.Project SolutionDyer Environmental Controls Ltd supplied and installed a mechanical smoke ventilation solution in a Watkin Jones Homes development. The apartment block has 6 levels connected by a central staircase. Dyers installed EN certified dampers to each floor along with local smoke detection. The fans were placed within the smoke shaft with a Powrmatic N-SHEV Roof Opensky louvred ventilator situated above them, providing weather protection. A control panel operates the duty and standby fans. Two AOV smoke dome vents are in place to provide smoke clearance, one located on level 6 and the other on the central staircase.Project ResultThe Powrmatic open sky louvre is situated above the smoke extract fans, providing weather protection. If smoke is detected in the building the system will open the corridor AOV, smoke shaft damper, head of stair vent and open sky louvre. The duty fan will run to extract any smoke located in the corridor. In the event of a power failure the standby fan will engage. Dyer’s fully automatic system allows safe escape for residents and clear access for firefighters.

PROJECT OVERVIEWWorking for a global biopharmaceutical CDMO, we designed, manufactured and installed our fully flush Medline Partition System with integrated services and coving, along with our Metal Pan Ceiling, the Steel Single Door set and bespoke Emergency Dual Escape Panels to create new cGMP compliant biotech cleanrooms.OUR SCOPE OF WORKTo meet the stringent project specification, Norwood provided our wall lining and Mediline panels in various sizes, doors and metal pan ceiling, supplying over 400 sqm of our cleanroom partitions and 240 sqm of ceilings. Our system was utilised to deliver Grade D cleanrooms, including Cold Stores and Storage facilities. 

The Royal Armouries is the national museum of arms and armour, and the guardian of a unique collection of over 8,500 objects displayed across five themed galleries at its Leeds museum, some of which have transformed the world as we know it.As well as the museum and exhibition spaces, the Royal Armouries also provides conference and theatre facilities to hire for public, theatrical or corporate events.One such facility, the Bury Theatre, with an audience capacity of 100, was receiving damage to the lobby and entrance doors from the footfall of people, being further exacerbated with the movement of technical and performance equipment.Stephen Cohen, Building Contract Manager at the Royal Armouries, took time to explain:“We strive to offer a high-quality visitor experience throughout our organisation and after the floods that affected some of the building in 2015, the Bury Theatre had undergone a minor refurbishment.“As part of the project we decided to improve the look of the fire doors in the theatre lobby and auditorium area which had suffered some marking and damage. As an organisation that receives funding, sponsorship and public donations it is important we invest stakeholder’s money wisely and so we were looking for a product that would also damage-proof the doors for the future, eliminating the need for further repair and replacement costs.”Yeoman Shield were able to provide such a product in the form of their fire rated door protection systems which were installed by their own directly employed operatives.Full height, 2.0mm thick FalmouthEx door protection panels were fitted to the outer doors in graphite grey. Door edge protectors were added to the clashing and hinged edges to protect these vulnerable parts from damage that could impede the functioning of the door in the event of a fire.The theatre’s internal doors also received full height protection panels and door edges, this time in black to suit the requirements of the auditorium.All Yeoman Shield’s door protection products are fire rated and have been tested to the current standard required.“We are very pleased with the outcome of the Yeoman Shield door protection installed. Having received favourable feedback from members of the team we hope to roll out the product to other areas of the building in due course”. commented Mr Cohen.For more information on Yeoman Shield’s wall & door protection products go to www.yeomanshield.com or call 0113 279 5854.

Architect: Pascall + Watson Ltd.London, UKContractor: Laing O’RourkeDartford, UKInstaller: EKSPANSheffield. UKThe ProjectA £1 billion expansion of Terminal 2 that will be 150 percent larger than the original to boost passenger capacity and provide gate and tarmac space for the largest jets now in operation. The new terminal will feature 32 new shops and food and beverage outlets.Unique ChallengeArchitects were concerned about thermal movement creating a 20mm difference in floor heights across the slabs or sections of the terminal. This would present a trip hazard for pedestrians transiting the terminal, which could potentially be present over weeks or even months during the hottest or coldest times of the year.Solution ProvidedInpro® product designers created a project-specific “glide plate” floor joint. This custom solution had to move in three directions while simultaneously addressing the rigorous heavy-duty loads encountered in this major transportation hub. The new solution was presented as a 3D-printed prototype model only days after the idea was discussed with the architects. The new system can withstand the extreme movements and the additional loading present in airport concourses, from wheeled luggage up to passenger transport vehicles and maintenance equipment.The new 300HD system easily accepts the flexible Fireline® 520 fire barrier, which recently passed testing for all the European standards.Inpro® Products Used• 300HD Glide Plate floor-joint system• 811 Series cover plate system• Fireline® 520 fire barrier

The crown line for the Herringbone E931 has been set out very well, however the floor has not been protected and the equipment has been left on the new floor.The actual floor will easily get damaged and the client will probably end up with a damaged floor and probably expensive repairs because of the lack of care.What should happen is that the floor should be covered at all times, and the site kept clean, with adhesive and other equipment kept off the new floor, that has been fitted

Heated Lockers were the focus of Helmsman’s most recent project. We travelled up to South Kirby in Pontefract, Yorkshire to work alongside Triton Construction at the brand-new Innovation Hub at Production Park. Production Park is a unique support environment for the live events industry, uniting technology, creative spaces and education. Their newest venture is the brand-new Innovation Hub, with a large research studio with connected offices and teaching spaces. The new innovation hub features specialist equipment designed to support the live events industry as well as a business support programme focusing on assisting SMEs.In an area off the main entrance lobby, Helmsman installed a set of Wet Specification Heated Lockers. With a mix of 1, 2 and 4 compartments, these lockers are designed with a single or twin tube heater at the bottom of the locker, hidden within the locker stand, and perforations throughout to allow warm and/or damp air to circulate and escape the locker. Triton Construction requested a modern, heavy duty laminate finish for these heated lockers. The body of the lockers was manufactured from aluminium and powder coated in colour Ice, whilst we used Biocarbon’s Solid Grade Laminate in colour Elegant Grey for the locker doors, end panels and cladding. This laminate is a great choice as it is carbon neutral as well as being moisture resistant and easy to clean, perfect for a semi-public area such as this project. Our heated lockers can either come with a standard 3 pin power plug or can be available with a spur to wire into a fused switch. Triton construction requested a plug which was positioned on the end panel of the bank of lockers.We paired stainless steel numbers recessed into the doors with Lowe and Fletcher camlocks for a seamless finish to the lockers.  This option of lock is simple and cost effective, whilst also safe and secure.It was great to work with Triton Construction on this project and we look forward to hearing about the success of the Innovation Hub at Production Park in the future. If you have a similar project, or want to know more about our Heated Lockers, contact us today on 01284 530427.

WILDLIFE KERB SOLUTION FOR PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCILWhen local wildlife rangers reported significant numbers of amphibians trapped in roadside gullypots, Perth and Kinross Council were concerned that many of these animals would be unlikely to escape or survive. In order to provide a safe and sustainable solution to prevent this issue, the council turned to ACO’s Wildlife Kerb to eradicate the problem.  Following prior observations during routine drain maintenance, Perth and Kinross Council Countryside Ranger Service set out to conduct the Amphibians in Drains Project throughout the region. The surveys revealed that significant numbers of trapped amphibian wildlife – primarily frogs and toads – were being found, having fallen through the drain grid. In fact, nearly 70 percent of the gullypots surveyed contained amphibians and small animals. Crucially, once trapped, it is unlikely they are able to escape or survive. Furthermore, the majority of animals were found in August and September, and the road gullies they had fallen down were less than 500m from a breeding pond – which suggests they were dispersing to their hibernation sites. This gave rangers enough information to infer that roadside drains have a significant impact on their populations. Amphibians typically follow the side of the kerb along the road which directs them straight into a traditional gullypot. Following funding from the SITA Trust, the Ranger Service was able to obtain ACO Wildlife Kerbs, which provided the perfect resolution. As part of their eco-friendly design, ACO Wildlife Kerbs contain a recess which allows amphibians  to follow the lower edge of the kerb and bypass  the gullypot.  The council piloted the use of Wildlife Kerbs at a site on Elm Drive in Blairgowrie. Following the success of the trial, the products were subsequently rolled out throughout the area.To read the full case study visit www.aco.co.uk/casestudies

The House of St Johns’ is a beautifully restored andrenovated Grade I listed building in the heart of Bath, UK.The building now houses a mix of flexible office spaces,dedicated desks, meeting rooms and modern eventsspaces – offering a fully flexible working environment formodern times.Working in close collaboration with architect FelidenClegg Bradley Studios and contractors Emery BrothersLtd, Allgood provided a complete ironmongeryspecification throughout, while Allgood Secure designedand installed a security and access control system thatmet with the client’s requirements.The Modric range in a Spectra bronze finish was chosenthroughout the building as its timeless aesthetic andelegant simplicity matched the architect’s vision for thespace. Our Holt range was also fitted onto the lowerground floor communal doors and shower rooms from European oak, Holt’s super circular design providesa welcoming, warm to the touch feel that suited thedesign intent to provide welcoming spaces.Allgood Secure designed a comprehensive securityspecification for this project, including an access controlsystem, CCTV, and a video intercom system. All of thiswas backed up with powerful cloud-based software,Brivo Access, giving the staff full visibility across the siteand allowing them to lock and unlock doors remotely.The system was also integrated with House of StJohns’ room booking system, meaning members canunlock meeting rooms themselves using their accesscredentials.A key part of the security system was the installationof Eagle Eye cloud-hosted CCTV cameras. Thesecameras are fully integrated with the Brivo Accessplatform, allowing the team to view the live video feedsfrom anywhere and with ease. All of this is backed upwith expertly selected and fitted electronic locks andironmongery from the wider Allgood team, ensuring alldoors are compliant with the relevant fire, escape andaccessibility criteria.

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.

Playground equipment helps to keep children fit and active by encouraging them to play outdoors at Fairisle Primary School.

Physical activity is encouraged at Kingsgate Primary School through the creation of a school playground packed with exciting and inclusive equipment.

The new £8.5m Allam Diabetes Centre at Hull Royal Infirmary plans to treat and care for patients with diabetes and metabolic bone diseases.It also includes a significant amount of clinical research facilities supporting not only diabetes and endocrinology, but also vascular surgery, neurology and other research departments. Its curved towers flank a glass entrance, which leads to a large waiting area and reception. Spread over three storeys are consulting rooms, specialist treatment rooms, office space and changing rooms as well as a roof terrace on the second floor. Designed to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘very good’, the thermal performance of the insulation specified for the Allam Diabetes Centre’s flat roof was hugely important. Another crucial factor was fire safety. Although the application doesn’t fall under current fire regulations banning combustible insulation, the architect specified that only non-combustible materials should be used during construction.  Main contractors Zenith Developments appointed specialist contractors Fosters Roofing to install the roof. They in turn tasked DANOSA UK with supplying all the materials for the roof construction, including the insulation. “The build-up of the Allam Diabetes Centre was a single-ply warm roof with a tapered insulation scheme to provide the fall required for rainwater run-off,” explained Steve Downey, Commercial Director at DANOSA UK. “Tapered insulation schemes are always more difficult than traditional flat roofs, so we asked Knauf Insulation for technical advice on how to achieve the required U-value of 0.18 W/m2K.” The Knauf Insulation Technical Support Team recommended Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab. It is BBA certified for use on mechanically fixed flat roof build-ups and is suitable for all types of roof deck.  As well as excellent thermal performance, Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab is non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification. It also provides excellent sound absorption so will help reduce the drumming effect of rainfall.  Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab contains a special water repellent additive and is manufactured using Knauf Insulation's Krimpact® Technology which provides high levels of compressive strength and durability. As the project was a tapered insulation scheme, Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab was manufactured to order to ensure the correct fall was created. The tapered insulation scheme wasn’t the only challenge with the Allam Diabetes Centre – it also features a curved façade, which added complexity for the installation team at Fosters Roofing.  Paul Foster, Managing Director at Fosters Roofing said: “Insulation needs to be carefully cut to the exact shape of the building otherwise heat can escape making it less energy efficient. Thankfully Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab was easy to cut and quick to install, so it wasn’t a problem.” Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab has also been designed to knit together during installation so there are no gaps that could affect thermal, fire or acoustic performance. By using Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab, Fosters Roofing and DANOSA UK were able to achieve the required specification for the tapered insulation scheme on the new Allam Diabetes Centre. This will contribute to the energy efficiency needed to achieve the BREEAM ‘very good’ rating. 

We designed, supplied, installed, and surfaced this new playground in East London, with the project completing in December 2023. The customer was looking for strong, durable, and attractive looking equipment, and our stainless steel range from Spiel Bau was perfect for the requirement. Spiel Bau equipment comes with lifetime guarantees on stainless steel elements, and has been designed to provide excitement and challenge for children of all ages.The centrepiece unit, the Beeskow multiplay, features two decks linked by an inclined rope bridge, monkey bars, a fireman’s pole, traditional slide, rail slide, and an overhanging climbing wall. The stainless steel uprights combined with hardwood robinia decking and panelling gives a beautiful, architectural finish. The large size and wide variety of play features ensures a high number of children can use the structure at any one time, making it a great piece for parks in high use areas such as this.The multiplay was complimented by two stainless steel climbing frames, the first a crow’s nest look out tower and the second an linear, obstacle course style structure. A stainless steel rope end swing, Stainless Steel seesaw, Zip Wire, and two springers rounded off the equipment, all of which was surfaced by our inhouse surfacing teams with black and green fleck wet pour rubber. We loved working on this project, introducing high quality equipment and surfacing to a park in much need of redevelopment.

Project OverviewBuildtec Acoustics partnered with Sacyr Somague to provide a critical acoustic solution for the new 66,000-square-meter University of Ulster campus in Belfast. Our focus was on the Nanotechnology and Integrated Bio-Engineering Centre (NIBEC) laboratories, which house highly sensitive equipment and apparatus susceptible to vibration.ChallengeThe NIBEC laboratories required a stringent vibration control solution to ensure optimal functionality of the delicate equipment. Traditional structural solutions posed challenges, potentially impacting headroom heights, building usability, and incurring significant costs.SolutionBuildtec Acoustics identified Highmat 50, a high-performance acoustic flooring system, as the ideal solution. A total of 2,000 square meters of Highmat 50 was installed beneath a 200mm screed throughout the laboratories.BenefitsSuperior Vibration Control: Highmat 50 effectively isolates structure-borne vibrations, creating a stable and vibration-free environment for sensitive equipment within the NIBEC laboratories.Preserved Functionality: The installed solution ensures the optimal performance of the laboratories' equipment, safeguarding critical research activities.Cost-Effective Approach: Highmat 50 provided a practical and cost-effective alternative to traditional structural solutions, optimizing project efficiency.Project TeamArchitect: HJ LyonsEngineer: Design IDMain Contractor: Sacyr SomagueFlooring Contractor: MastercraftProduct: Highmat 50Quantity: 2,000m²ConclusionThe University of Ulster project showcases Buildtec Acoustics' expertise in delivering innovative solutions for complex vibration control challenges. Highmat 50's exceptional performance ensured a vibration-free environment within the NIBEC laboratories, fostering optimal research conditions and protecting vital equipment.We are committed to providing tailored acoustic solutions for your project. Contact Buildtec Acoustics today to discuss your specific requirements.

Care Spaces played a crucial role in enhancing the living conditions of a private client, referred to as Mr B, who had experienced a spinal injury leading to a loss of physical independence. Collaborating with an architect to design a bespoke extension, we focused on the bedroom and bathroom to cater to his specific needs. The centrepiece of the design was an XY ceiling track hoist with a magnetic transition gate system, facilitating safe transfers between the bedroom and bathroom. Care Spaces also recommended bathroom equipment tailored to Mr B's needs, including a washer/dryer toilet, a static-height hand basin, and an Avero care bath with an air spa system for therapeutic benefits. With Mr B's approval, we oversaw the installation of the hoist system and bathroom equipment, provided necessary training, and ensure routine servicing for optimal functionality. Mr B is now delighted with his improved living space, and Care Spaces remains committed to maintaining the excellence of his care equipment.

The JR provides acute medical and surgical services including trauma, intensive care and cardiothoracic services. It is situated in Headington, about three miles east of Oxford city centre. It is the largest of the Trust’s hospitals, covering around 66 acres.SDS was pleased to work with Mclaughlin and Harvey Contractors and to have been specified by Lewis Hickey Architects.The new extension to the existing Emergency Department was designed to provide better use of space, more diagnostic equipment and improved dignity and privacy for patients as well as improved turnaround times for ambulances.Facilities include an extra nine bays for the immediate care of seriously ill patients, including a paediatric resuscitation room and an isolation room. An additional CT scanner with control room, as well as a nurses’ bay and improved bereavement and relatives’ rooms, will also be provided in the new area.Dfendoor doors were used throughout this scheme, where impact resistant doors were key to maintaining fire door and infection control compliance throughout the busy area . A wide range of SDS colours were used from midnight blue through to lupin – also our range of wall protection products were used in matching colours to create a very impressive finish throughout.

Hotel Café Royal has just undergone a complete refurbishment and internal re-build. Part of the new complex is a state-of-the-art Spa and Gym which is located in the basement. Directly next to the hotel is Regent Street, below which runs the Bakerloo underground train line.Structure-borne noise levels from the trains were far too high to create the relaxing environment required for a top class Spa. The acoustic consultants therefore specified that all of the noise sensitive spaces must be isolated on a Stravifloor Deck concrete floating floor system.Café Royal’s 1,200 sqm Wellbeing Centre provides a personal and intimate holistic experience. It has a large lap pool and four different areas, corresponding to the four natural elements: spa/water, gym/fire, yoga/air and organic bar/earth.The spa offers a variety of Watsu hydro-experiences, a private and communal Hammam and signature Akasha treatments. Moods are enhanced by restorative music, aromas and gentle lighting. The gym has the most advanced fitness equipment, including Kinesis machines. There is a spacious aerobics studio and a private training room. Yoga, Tai-Chi and Pilates are offered in the calming area, with bespoke classes.

Located within the Kirtley building, close to the cycle storage compound, are changing facilities with a number of showers, hairdryers and mirrors. As part of the upgrade to these facilities, the University has installed Heated Z Lockers. The shape of these lockers was chosen so that the user has the full height of the locker to gently dry their clothes and equipment that they used to cycle to university.This unique shape makes them the perfect design for heated lockers. Simply hang your damp clothes inside and let the Heated Z Locker do the hard work. Air flows easily inside the locker, with a perforated base, and perforated slots at the top allow the damp air to escape. Single and twin tube heaters are available, with the heat source plugging into a 3-pin power socket, or wired into a fused switch.A range of materials and colour finishes are available, and the University of Derby chose Laminate Z Locker doors in two colours. Laminate is a great choice of material as it creates a more Heavy Duty locker less likely to scratch, dent or damage.With a large range of laminate manufacturers, including a carbon-neutral laminate supplier, our Heated Z Lockers can be a bright pop of colour through to a neutral wood affect laminate. The University of Derby chose two contrasting laminate colours in colours Sage and Elegant Grey from BioCarbon Laminates, providing a modern look to the Z Lockers. The lockers were also manufactured with seat stands, with the slats matching Elegant Grey door colour from BioCarbon Laminates.We can also provide a range of accessories, from multiple lock options through to wrist straps, particularly popular with leisure centres and gyms. The project at University of Derby included oval laminated numbering, Lowe & Fletcher coin return locks and grey wrist straps.The university were very pleased with their Heated Z Lockers, and we have since been back to measure up for some more laminate lockers. It was great for our team to work with University of Derby on this project, and we look forward to returning for the next project soon. If you need some Heated Lockers or want to find out some more information about our range of products, call 01284 727626 or contact us here.

Ampteam Limited, were asked to provide a UNIFOLD® scheme for the conversion of level gutters, serving the central roof area of the building, to falls conditions, with a brief to eliminate standing water and leaks which had plagued the building for some time.Some 900 metres of valley gutters serving four separate Atrium roof areas in banks of six, which in turn are served by 5 metre wide valley gutter sections serving as Access and escape link bridges, were requested to be converted from level to laid to falls.Lower valley gutter bounding the periphery of the roof area serve and discharge the main roof area via 5 metre wide chutes from the escape link bridges. Positioned in the less sensitive areas, these were allowed to be laid level, although their existing holding capacity has been improved.The existing roof and gutter areas had initially received a PVC membrane when built. This, however, was patched in many areas and showing signs of deterioration. There were many concerns about the continued longevity of this installation.UNIFOLD® Gutter Lining System was chosen for its versatility, unfailing ability to replicate existing systems, provide falls conditions in level gutters and its long life. The system is also guaranteed for 20 years.Tapered Cork insulation was chosen to provide the base for the gutters and this was supplied in cut sets. The fall ratio was based on a minimum of 1:150. The Unifold gutters were purpose made to suit the falls ratio and provided in numbered sets to suit the individual gutters.Full site information was provided including schemes of falls, laying sequences and special details and instructions. In all, more than 50 separate drawings were issued to site. In accordance with Ampteam policy, all fabrication was factory manufactured and sealed prior to delivery to site. This ensures complete installation quality and integrity. The valley gutters serving the central Glazed Atrium roof areas were installed first. These comprised an apex at the central position of the gutters with falls arranged down to discharge ends at the Escape Link Bridges.As the glazed Atrium roof was above a sensitive area, no weekday work was allowed.Friday deliveries were permitted but all work was conducted during weekends.The end Atrium Roof area valley gutters were single fall from a transverse gutter at the outer perimeter edge.Access into the transverse gutter was extremely tight and normal joints could not be made so sections of UNIFOLD® were supplied to span individual Atrium ends and joins were made at the junctions with the valley gutters via factory manufactured tees, using UNIFOLD® patented clip joints.The existing transverse gutters were already higher than the valley gutters to aid discharge, but in order to create the necessary falls the UNIFOLD® transverse liner was lifted sufficiently to provide the required falls for the valley gutters.There was space to achieve this condition without compromising the capacity of the original transverse gutters.

Rockfon® Lamella has been awarded Product Innovation of the Year in the Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment category of the FIS Innovation Awards 2023. The modular wall system provides Class A sound absorption for commercial projects and boasts a unique range of wood veneers in different colours and dimensions, allowing for an impressive 650,000 design combinations.Nigel Watkins, Commercial Sales Director for Rockfon, expressed his excitement about the recognition, saying, "We are thrilled that Rockfon Lamella has won this award only a few weeks after its launch." Rockfon Lamella's development was based on effective collaboration, knowledge transfer, and partnership along the project team, satisfying two initial criteria for Rockfon innovation: modularity and customisability, and occupiers' well-being through the use of colour, biophilic-inspired design, and natural surfaces.Combining the warmth and beauty of wood with a stone wool sound-absorbent panel, Rockfon Lamella creates a serene and inviting environment inspired by the biophilic design trend. Customers have expressed their satisfaction with the combination of these elements, with Nigel Watkins sharing that "The feedback we’ve had from customers is that the combination of a stone wool sound absorbent panel with biophilic wood makes interiors feel calm and connected to nature."Joe Cilia , Technical Director of FIS who was one of the Innovation Award judges, was impressed that Rockfon Lamella has such comprehensive test data, covering the whole system, not just individual components. “The furniture, fixtures and equipment (FFE) sector suffers from a lack of standardised testing and compliance for acoustic and fire performance, leading to clients choosing products that don’t perform as well as they should. The judges were impressed that Rockfon Lamella has clear, transparent test data that shows how the whole system performs.”Rockfon Lamella sets itself apart from other acoustic fixtures and fittings by offering exceptional fire performance classification of c-S2,d0, in line with EN 13501 standards, and Class A sound absorption that adheres to ISO 11654 regulations. Additionally, accessing all the necessary specification data, BIM Objects, and CAD drawings on NBS Chorus, NBS Source, and pCON is quick and easy, making the specification process quick and effortless.Rockfon Lamella simplifies installation by providing a complete kit that includes all necessary components. In-house facilities teams can easily follow the straightforward installation process, thanks to specially designed mounting clips. As Teemu Rekonen, Head of Design & Innovation at Rockfon, highlights: "This advanced product... enables individual placement of the slats to create the perfect acoustic environment. Once the platform is in place, installing Lamella slats is a quick and hassle-free process that requires no tools".Visit www.soundsbeautiful.com/lamella  for more information on Rockfon Lamella.To view all the FIS Innovation Award winners visit www.thefis.org/membership-hub/fis-awards/innovation/

A wide range of high quality outdoor furniture, play equipment and cycle parking products from Broxap Street Furniture complement the landscape at Kingsbrook View Primary Academy.

Bender UK delivers critical power supply solutions and equip four state-of-the-art theatres at the new £100 million The Harborne Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK.  

This year, the playgrounds in Kazincbarcika are being beautified again. The refurbishment across the city's 22 playgrounds began this spring with the replacement of rubber coatings and the refurbishment of sandboxes, followed by the necessary repairs to equipment and structural elements. The work is expected to be completed by autumn.With the arrival of spring weather, many are eager to spend time outdoors, and families with young children enjoy spending time on playgrounds. Among the city residents we surveyed, many consider the area around the Boating Lake a prime destination due to its proximity to nature and the presence of a playground nearby.It is important that children can play in the safest, well-maintained environment possible. Barcika Park Nonprofit Ltd. is responsible for the operation of 22 playgrounds, which include 220 play equipment. The company's staff continuously repair any detected faults and deficiencies, and they annually review the condition of the playground equipment. Some of the equipment is repaired on-site, while others are taken to their workshop for repairs after transportation.Parents can also assist the professionals with their observations through the city's official mobile app, KolorApp. Thanks to these reports, it was discovered that the rubber coatings on the playgrounds were worn and damaged, prompting the company to replace all of them for the safety of the children. Additionally, they regularly rake the sand surfaces, disinfect and refill the sandboxes, and refurbish or install new playground equipment, as communicated by Márton Rosza, the construction group leader at Barcika Park Nonprofit Ltd."The major replacements and repairs, for example, are taking place at the Barátság Square playground, the Völgy Street playground, the Instrument Technician Street playground, and in the Völgy Park. Currently, the replacement of spring toys, balance swings, and swinging swings is underway. We strive to show the residents potential innovations," stated the expert.Márton Rosza added: His colleagues also take care of emptying waste containers, managing green areas, caring for vegetation, and cleaning sandboxes, shock absorbers, and coatings. Safety is also ensured by a regulation that mandates a triennial review of the playgrounds, which is always performed by an expert company. Thus, everything necessary for uninterrupted and high-quality relaxation is available in Kazincbarcika. However, during the maintenance work, they ask for the patience and cooperation of the children and their parents.

We were delighted to be commissioned to provide a complete playground regeneration project, for a prestigious school in Sussex. The current play facilities were starting to feel dates, and the school wanted some fresh, colourful and natural themed equipment and surfacing to reenergise the areas.3 different areas on the site catered to various age groups, and the level of challenge on the equipment reflected this. A mixture of climbing, trim trails, multiplays, a zip wire, and some tall slides will make playtimes fun for many years to come. Equally, the safety surfacing was designed to be colourful and informative, with inlaid graphics featuring windmills and electric charging points on the track helping reinforce the importance of a low carbon future.

Sitting on the banks of the River Clyde, the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel (GJCH) has recently been refurbished to a create hygienic, neutral and relaxing environment for guests. Designed by SPACE Solutions, Forbo Flooring Systems’ Allura Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) were specified to fulfil the cleanability and design requirements set by the hotel.The GJHC provides accommodation and conference facilities in the centre of Glasgow and sees a range of guests, from hospital staff and pre/post-operative patients to conference goers and more. As such, it was important that the rooms could satisfy the needs of every guest.SPACE Solutions was tasked to refurbish the 53 rooms, prioritising hygiene and comfort. Gillian Ralston, Senior Architect at SPACE Solutions spoke on the brief they received, saying: “With this project we wanted to create a welcoming, warm and inviting setting, with easily cleanable furniture and flooring. To make this happen, we had to design the rooms in a way that would minimise the risk of contamination for not only the guests, but also the staff who have to clean the rooms after a stay. However, we had to do this without compromising on the aesthetic value of the rooms. That’s why Forbo’s Allura LVT was perfect for this project.”Forbo’s Allura Decibel was specified in the Seagrass Anthracite and Light Grey Seagrass colourways, which both have a similar patterning. As well as this, the grey and green hues matched some of the design inspiration Gillian took from the surrounding environment.Gillian continued: “We chose Allura as it was available in designs that matched the scheme we had in mind, whilst also being easy to clean, fulfilling the hygiene requirements, and providing underfoot comfort. We also specified the Decibel format, which helps to reduce impact sound by 19 dB – an important factor for a hotel, where people expect a good night’s rest!”The Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel won ‘Commended’ in the Forbo Escapes 2021/22 competition.To find out more about Forbo’s Allura LVT products, visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/allura or to learn more about the Forbo Escapes competition, visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/forboescapes

The two access control systems from SIEGENIA for house and apartment entrance doors leave no desires unfulfilled: the keypad and the fingerprint scanner combine elegant design with maximum ease of use and efficient access management for the building. They are therefore an ideal solution for the increasing demand for smart home applications in private housing construction. The two systems are equipped with a comprehensive access log, simple, clear user administration as well as a rechargeable battery-buffered timer. The emphasis is on ease of use – e.g. with a simple touch of the finger on the fingerprint scanner or the standardised equipment with integrated WIFI and Bluetooth technology. This enables both the use of the smartphone as remote control as well as convenient control and administration with the aid of the SIEGENIA Comfort app. 

GEC Anderson stainless steel back bar counters and units were specified for the Foyer Bar and Mezzanine Kitchen at landmark London theatre, the Lyric.Mica architects were asked to handle the extensive refurbishment and GEC Anderson were awarded the contract to supply and install their specialist back bar equipment. Although the overall area of the bar is quite large, including all of the required items and equipment within its confines was quite challenging. Careful planning and design was necessary to achieve it and some unique fabrications and inventive use of available space were needed. Careful co-ordination and liaison between the GEC Anderson, the theatre and the design team enabled the end result to be realised.

The Mercy Hospital architects needed fire rated sliding doors for operating theatres. Due to tight space, hinged doors would take up too much swing room in the corridors, sliding doors would provide ease of trolley bed entry to the theatres. As well as a high hygienic standard, the doors also needed to have fire rating to the New Zealand fire standards due to being used in a fire rated wall. Dortek were able to provide the necessary certification for these door types. Dortek were able to provide our hygienic GRP fire rated sliding doors with auto opening and safety sensors.

• Location: Thornton House Apartment Tower Block, Birmingham • Contractor: Assured Passive Fire Protection • Challenge: Fire protection required on timber batons around the windows. • Solution: Applying Zeroflame Fire Retardant Treatment on the batons to achieve Class 0 spread of flame and fire propagation as required by building control. Zeroflame Treatment didn't take long to dry between coats, it was very simple to use and it is fully tested and certified for building control.

Glan Clwyd hospital is one of Roché’s many public sector customers.The hospital required a total of fifteen shutters: a mix of M411 shutters and fire shutters.Roché’s fire shutters are linked to the building’s modern fire control and security management system, helping to prevent the spread of fire outbreaks, ensuring the safety of patients and staff.M411 shutters are used on reception counters to protect sensitive documents and controlled areas during closed hours.

Lang+Fulton have supplied Terra-34 balustrade panels, open mesh flooring, stair treads and louvred screening for escape stairs at three new buildings at Milton Park, Oxfordshire.There were five stair towers in total, 10.7m and 15m high, also designed to provide access to service facilities. The stair treads were manufactured from a heel-proof open mesh grating EF-15x76; the balustrade panels were made using Terra-34 which is an anti-climb architectural grating.The Italia-80 louvres effectively screen all the service ducting and were supplied with demountable panels with D-handles for inspection points at each landing and ground level. The result was a smart solution in keeping with the high specification of the development.The balustrading, stair treads and flooring were hot-dip galvanized; the louvres were supplied with an additional polyester powder coating RAL7016.

This leading private hospital offers rapid access to the very latest diagnostic equipment and tests, including CT, MRI and PET scanning. It has five main operating theatres, a fertility lab and a cardiac catheter lab.

Designed by Fife Council Property Services, the newbuilding constructed at Auchmuty High School inGlenrothes, Scotland, sees the new development replacethe old high school with better learning facilities andadvanced learning equipment.Allgood provided Fife Council with a complete accesscontrol and ironmongery solution, which makes the majorityof the school keyless.Allgood Trio created an advanced access control package,containing proximity readers and access control handlesets, that provide traceable audit throughout the buildingand in addition to the ability to control access to variousareas. The package also included software which allowsthe deletion of a card if it is lost or stolen, providing a betteralternative to the expensive process of replacing lost keys.Allgood Trio also supplied and installed the automatic doorset solution, which satisfied Fife Council’s requirement forthe doors to automatically drive open and remain open inthe event of the fire alarm being activated, providing smokeventilation through the main central core area of the school.The solution also allowed staff to control the main entrancedoors and pupil entrances during specific times. (i.e.granting pupils access during school; start, finish and breaktimes and being locked outside these time periods).The whole package provided by Allgood Trio was deliveredon time and within the clients budget, including theinstallation of both access control and automatic doorsetsby Allgood Trio engineers.

Residents benefit from space-saving PEGASOS in apartment buildingElegant apartment building in the modern residential area of Königstein gets more parking space through boundary development with PEGASOS car lift.In the wooded slopes of the Taunus mountains in the catchment area of Frankfurt lies the climatic health resort of Königstein. People who want to escape the big city find a pleasant home in this modern and preferred residential area outside of Frankfurt. Rents have been rising throughout the Frankfurt area for many years. Also in Königstein rents are well above the average in Germany. Lödige Fördertechnik GmbH supplied a PEGASOS car lift for an apartment house in Koenigstein, Germany. The lift is used as an access to the garage in the basement.Creating attractive living space despite rising rentsMany residents and commuters in this region are dependent on own cars because of public transport connections. Anyone who has visited Königstein is familiar with the parking conditions: hilly, narrow streets lead to a low number of parking spaces. The owner of this project was faced with the question of how living space could be designed attractively despite the rising prices and lack of parking spaces?The Karl Dudler Architects had a vision for the centrally located private building in the heart of Königstein: a modern and comfortable apartment building with straight and clear structures, consisting of 2- and 4-room flats.Installed in November 2014, Lödige Industries was able to successfully implement the architects' vision with the PEGASOS ® car lift. As the shaft head in this project was installed outside the building and thanks to the narrow shaft geometry of the lift, it looks like a single garage from the outside when equipped with roller doors, which underlines the modern design of the building. The PEGASOS car lift also stands out for its ease of installation, as this model does not require a pit and can thus reduce underground engineering costs. Also, a machine room is not required. Residents can easily reach the desired floor with the help of a remote control.  The building, which was completed in November 2014, is a KfW Efficiency House (55). Thanks to reduced drive power and higher efficiency, the PEGASOS is significantly more energy-efficient than hydraulic car lifts and can therefore also be used in KfW-efficient houses, as here in Königstein.We are pleased to have achieved an all-round positive result for the customer. The car lift is maintained by Lödige Industries as part of a service contract.Application of the elegant, space-saving solutionDue to the surroundings and the layout of the building, the owner was looking for a space-saving parking solution. The property did not have a straight side boundary. The PEGASOS® car lift offers the ideal solution for, this situation, because due to its low shaft head height, this model can be used as a boundary construction.The parking space regulations in Königstein set a precise number or parking spaces for residential buildings, which could not be achieved here using the conventional way, an access ramp. Thus, the owner was threatened with a high redemption sum.The owner could reduce civil engineering costs due to the simple installation and the fact that this model does not require a pit.Compared to hydraulic car lifts, the PEGASOS is significantly more energy-efficient thanks to reduced drive power and higher efficiency.Due to the outside installed shaft head and the narrow shaft geometry of the lift, it looks like a single garage from the outside when equipped with elegant roller doors.

A new residential development project is currently in progress in Kentish Town, Camden, featuring a multitude of contemporary flats equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. The construction includes Klasse C-board as the external sheathing board used throughout.

Ark Oval Primary Academy were in the process of having multiple works completed at their academy in Croydon, London which included a new build, re-surfacing the entire playground and various outside equipment including a new canopy.