"proofing services"

Metalseal 20 was specified to re-brand a small industrial estate in Swindon. Roofs and external cladding were all stripped of existing finishes using vapour blasting. Cut edge corrosion was treated using SWT Primer and all metal surfaces were coated with BBA Approved Metalseal 20 roof & cladding coating. The finish is now graffiti proof, with any graffiti simply washing off with water, with no ghosting residue. The project is covered by the unique Liquasil latent defects insurance guarantee (including cover for professional design).

Bicester Village, one of the UK’s major outlet shopping villages, has recently undergone a major extension. The work has added additional shopping space and car parking, and Cembrit PB has been used as a render-backer on the exterior facades of the extension. Stockford, the contractor, installed 800m² of Cembrit PB to the steel frame structure and encapsulated it with the stunning MonoTherm TXF system manufactured and supplied by Monocouche Render Systems Ltd to achieve the decorative weather proof finish you see today at the premises.

The project requirements for this client were:Fire retardant - Bfl S1CE accreditedEasy to install over a bad subfloorNo adhesive or damp proof membrane requiredColour optionsHardwearingReduce dust and noiseMust be able to handle forkliftsMust be able to handle manual and electric pallet trucksEasy to clean and maintainR-Tile Textured Dovetail (Dark Grey was chosen by the client) by R-Tek Manufacturing was the clear choice, we supplied and fitted a durable, hardwearing flooring suitable for all their specifications.

This project involved a penthouse with a huge roof terrace. The existing deck was dilapidated and needed complete replacement. The existing decking needed to be lifted, cut up and removed. The terrace was jet-washed and sealed. Using ipe tiles on top of adjustable pedestals keeps the tiles out of standing water and creates space underneath for cables, etc. Rooftop terraces are difficult to access. 500x500mm timber tiles are much easier to manually handle and transport than long plank decking. The tiles aren’t fixed to the pedestals, making them future-proofed.

Our client was a major nursery stock grower in British Columbia with a very large sedum green roof project in Vancouver. The architect was concerned about future-proofing the green roof and wanted to ensure that, if ever they had issues with their waterproofing seal or any other aspect of the structure, the green roof could be taken up without too much disruption. It was decided that a modular solution would be the best route. M-Tray® was included in a worldwide competition to find the most suitable modular design and was judged as the best product available.

Project: Design and manufacture of 2 reception desks and browser in GRC cast and sprayed concrete with brass finishes for ROMO GROUP. Materials used: Hand cast and sprayed GRFC concrete in Silk Mist finished with brass detailing. For Romo’s flagship store in London’s Chelsea Design Centre, the Living Concrete team were faced with the challenge of converting complicated geometrical designs into two precast reception desks and a browser. The single casts were made offsite, with each being over four meters long. They were treated and sealed to make them stain proof.

The final phase of the £500m redevelopment of Kings Cross has been completed with the creation of a 75,000 sq ft square in front of the station.The square has granite benches with inset panels of high quality stainless steel grating supplied by Lang+Fulton, stunning lighting, trees and an area dedicated to art.The 11×66/25×2 heel-proof grating panels for the six separate seating areas were shaped to accommodate the up-lighters, the planting and adjacent watering points and were supplied in stainless steel grade AISI-316L with a satin finish.

The new Vista apartments occupy an enviable location, close to Chelsea Bridge and overlooking Battersea Park. As a high-end residential project, the landscaping was given a high priority.Lang+Fulton were approached by the architects to propose a suitable stainless steel grating for pedestrian use, which would ventilate the underground car park. A grating with a heel proof mesh of 55x11mm was recommended and was designed with support beams and anchor bolts. The stainless steel was pickled and polished. In addition, 31m2 of galvanized mild steel grating with 66x33mm mesh was supplied for an area which was inaccessible to the public.

P C Henderson's Rustic 80 sliding barn door hardware has recently been specified for a home renovation of a period property in Kent. The 11 month renovation included a complete rewire, full house re-plaster, a full damp-proof course, new heating and plumbing system and a new kitchen and bathroom. The couple also required some sliding door hardware for the properties bedroom and bathroom doors. Our Rustic sliding barn door hardware was identified as the best solution for the project due to its beautifully crafted barn style hangers and rustic effect.

Delta Registered Installers, Oaks Damp Proofing having previously undertaken work for the client were commissioned to design and install a Cavity Drain Waterproofing system that would meet BS8102:2009 the British Standard for the protection of structures against water from the ground, Grade 3 (no dampness or water penetration acceptable) to the cellar area of The Blonde Hedgehog. The Cellar having been used historically to store beer was not waterproofed historically. Beer cellars are notable for being very cold and wet. For hundreds of years beer cellars were always underground – because underground rooms are generally quite cool.

Part of an energy efficiency drive, the landlord aimed to reduce carbon emissions and the effects of fuel poverty on 96 units in 8 blocks at Hornby Flats, Liverpool. Triple-glazed PVC-U windows and doors using the Profile 22 70mm system by Walsall-based Approved Window Contractor Select Windows, with extensive experience in social housing. Profile 22 worked closely with Select Windows and One Vision Housing, facilitating the entire process from conception to completion. The project was completed on-time and in budget. One Vision Housing was able to future-proof, while improving the quality of living for tenants.

The client was looking to replace an old 67 metre long wooden walkway surrounding a pool. Their contractor recommended the Decking system due to the low profile aluminium substructure and moisture-proof composite boards which require far less ongoing maintenance. The installer removed the old decking to reveal the sub base, then used Wallbarn’s heavy duty MegaPad pedestals to underpin the iDecking rail system. Our proposed laying pattern complemented the architect’s original design, drawing the eye down the length of the walkway. The entire job took two weeks to complete. The client is delighted with the results.

Founded in 2002, the Gardens of Peace Muslim cemetery is located in a green belt area in Chigwell, London. Beautifully landscaped and purpose-built, the cemetery is a calm, comforting space for the local Muslim community. Earlier this year the Outdoor Deck Company were commissioned to supply and install high quality composite deck boards to create a large deck area surrounding the new cemetery building. Providing an attractive but future-proof solution, composite decking was specified for its anti-slip, mould-free and low-maintenance attributes providing a safe, less slippery surface for the year-round cemetery visitors.

As part of a major Heritage Lottery funded refurbishment project to transform Hull’s Grade II* listed Maritime Museum, Limelite Whitewall One Coat Plaster was chosen as part of a damp proofing system for the converted basement. The moisture resisting properties of the plaster makes it ideal for use with cavity drain membrane systems and tanking systems in underground and humid environments. By helping to control humidity it would protect museum artifacts while in storage . The tough, impact resistant finish would also help protect the walls from accidental damage when items were moved in and out of storage.

Future-proofing their facilities, Hirwaun Primary School included space flexibility as a key feature of a new £10.5m building, that opened in Autumn 2020. Allowing teachers to quickly adapt one of the main classrooms, Style worked with contractor Morgan Sindall and architects, Boyesrees, to install a Dorma Hüppe Variflex moveable wall system. With an impressive 55dB Rw acoustic rating, once the wall is in place, separate classes can run undisturbed on either side, making this an ideal solution for isolating pupil bubbles, as well as being intensely practical in accommodating a wide variety of ongoing daily activities.

Metrotile Lightweight Steel Roofing now adorns the rooftop of the Bryn Bach Country Park visitor centre near Tredegar, South Wales. Installed to replace the previous leaking so-called ‘traditional’ material roof, that was allowing water ingress in the cafeteria area, the new Metrotile roof has given the facility a new lease of life and an attractive makeover, in time for the busy summer season. Some 2,600 of Metrotile’s vandal proof Slate 900 profile, each covering almost half a square metre but weighing just 4.6kg, now cover the 1,300 square metres roof of the visitor centre.

Every false fire alarm is costly, but in a post-COVID world, there is now even more pressure on the leisure, retail, and hospitality industries to prevent false alarms in their premises.The leisure, retail, and hospitality industries were hit hard by COVID-19; as we begin to emerge from the pandemic businesses will be keen to make up for lost time, avoiding the loss in revenue caused by false fire alarms.Home Office figuresDespite two years of restrictions and lockdowns, false fire alarms continue to cost the UK, Home Office figures reveal that there were a total of 2,497 false fire alarms caused by the “malicious activation of [a] fire call point/alarm” in England for the year ending September 2021 – surpassing challenged hoax calls as the largest reason for malicious fire alarms.Accidental activations too remained a significant cause of false alarms; 12,732 false fire alarms were recorded due to the accidental and careless activation of fire alarm and fire-fighting equipment, including manual call points.With the restrictions, closures, and reduced footfall faced by businesses, we might have expected to see the number of false fire alarms fall significantly during the pandemic. This serves as a timely reminder of the persistence of unwanted fire alarm signals, and the need for leisure, retail, and hospitality premises to seek a solution to avoid further disruptions post-COVID.Although necessary once a fire alarm sounds, a preventable evacuation ultimately means unhappy customers, disruption for businesses, and unnecessary strain for our stretched emergency services.At a time where it is prudent to avoid the crowded corridors and large gatherings at assembly points that follow a needless false alarm evacuation, it has become even more important to prevent false alarms.Continuing to be the largest incident type, false fire alarms accounted for 41 per cent of the incidents attended by Fire and Rescue Services in England for the period – fires accounted for just 27 per cent.Over £1 billionWith 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 including leisure, retail, and hospitality premises, with a poor false alarm record.A false alarm is defined as a fire alarm signal caused by means other than a genuine fire, which has activated a fire detection and alarm system, these can include: equipment false alarm, environmental influences, accidental damage, and inappropriate human action, including the malicious activation of a manual call point.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 to call points is a must to assure proper operation, but it is not the only proactive approach.BS 5839-1:2017As recommended in BS 5839-1:2017 manual call points should 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.”Following the introduction of the new recommendations in 2017 malicious false fire alarms have fallen by 18%, an indication of the effectiveness of protective covers, however, every false alarm is still costly.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.LeisureLeisure premises are particularly susceptible to false fire alarms, whether it be wayward sports equipment in sports hall and gymnasiums, or high-traffic areas in music venues, cinemas, and theatres.Concerts, football matches, and even pantomimes have all been interrupted mid-performance in the UK, and in some cases even cut short by false fire alarms – resulting in disgruntled fans and calls for refunds.Government fire safety guidance for theatres, cinemas, and similar premises, highlights the need for protective covers to combat both accidental and malicious activations: “To reduce the risk of malicious or accidental operation which may promote panic you should consider as part of your management plan alternative arrangements such as the guarding of manual call points (e.g. with a simple, easily removed, cover).”A hinged cover around a call point is also likely to solve the problem of accidental activation or damage in storage areas where there is a continual movement of equipment.Whilst guidance for open air events and venues draws attention to the high risk of malicious activations in certain public areas, such as large beer tents – in this instance, alarmed call point covers might be more effective.RetailFor retail premises, trollies and shopping bags threaten the accidental activation of manual call points and the evacuations that follow threaten both a loss of customers and profit. However, robust polycarbonate covers can be fitted to protect sensitive break glass units and deflect heavy blows.This is reinforced by the Government’s fire safety risk assessment for shops: “False alarms from electrical fire warning systems are a major problem (e.g. malicious activation of manual call points) and result in many unwanted calls to the fire and rescue service every year.”Shopping centres and supermarkets are regularly forced to evacuate hundreds of shoppers due to unwanted fire alarm signals; abandoning their shopping on conveyor belts, baskets, and trollies. Owing to the disruption many choose not to return to complete their purchases.HospitalityThis phenomenon can be particularly detrimental for the hospitality industry, where evacuations following false fire alarms leave restaurants and bars vulnerable to incidents of “dine and dash.” Some hospitality premises have lost out on upwards of £1,000 when customers walked off without paying after a false alarm.Fire safety guidance for licensed premises reinforces the need to put a stop to false fire alarms within the industry: “Fire alarm systems should normally conform to the current edition of BS 5839, with consideration made for prevention of false alarms.”Alarm fatigueRepeated false alarms reduce the public’s confidence in fire alarms, contributing to alarm fatigue and a complacent attitude towards 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 – having potentially fatal effects.The Manchester Woolworths fire in 1979 is a devastating example of alarm fatigue, as the fire alarm sounded customers were reluctant to leave the store. By the time they realised they were in danger, it was too late, ten people died in the blaze.Alarm fatigue also poses a serious threat to the hospitality industry, with Government fire safety guidance for sleeping accommodation, such as hotels, stating: “If there are excessive false alarms in your premises, people may become complacent and not respond correctly to a warning of a real fire. In such circumstances, you may be failing to comply with fire safety law. All false alarms should be investigated to identify the cause of the problem and remedial action taken.”In some areas of hospitality premises, such as function rooms in a hotel, call points can be vulnerable to malicious and accidental activations – to reduce this risk, protection for manual call points is advised.Some hotel guests react casually to fire alarms, often wrongfully believing them to be a “hoax” or “prank”, reducing response time and delaying evacuation. As recommended in BS 5839-1:2017 manual call points can be fitted with a protective cover preventing false alarms whether accidental or malicious, halting alarm fatigue.Call point protectorsSafety 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.As we enter transition to the “new normal” it is imperative the leisure, retail, and hospitality industries prevent false fire alarms in their premises. Conforming to BS 5839-1:2017 to protect manual call points from false activation, whether accidental or malicious. Not only to aid economic recovery post-pandemic but to keep fire safety at the forefront of customers’ minds. Failure to address false fire alarms allows alarm fatigue to manifest, and this can prove to be costly – in every sense of the word.

Stretto-11 grating has been incorporated into the facade at Here East, the former Olympic Broadcast Centre. Soffit and cladding panels made from Stretto-11 have been used around the central entrances of the 280-metre length of the building and within the recessed openings. The contemporary exterior, featuring a glass frontage with digitally printed ceramic frit, is punctuated by nine projecting and three recessed balconies. These break up the colossal scale of the building and introduce an intense orange accent. Lang+Fulton also supplied decking for the projecting balconies made from PL-66×11 pressure locked heel-proof grating.

 Adidas chose the R-Tile Dovetail Textured Light Grey for their refurbishment project in Stockport.The R-Tile not only met all their strict accreditation needs, but it also provided the solution to their functional constraints.   The project requirements were:Surface area to cover 3,000m2Must be able to handle manual and electric pallet trucksFire retardant - Bfl S1Fast installationImpact resistantNo adhesive or damp-proof membrane requiredHardwearingReduce dust and noiseEasy to clean and maintainCE accredited R-Tile Textured Dovetail by R-Tek Manufacturing was the clear choice, we supplied and fitted a durable, hardwearing flooring suitable for their needs and requirements.

Increasingly intelligent and unconventional design solutions involving community buildings is high on the agenda for Vienna based architects ARTEC Achitekten. This is certainly reflected in their approach to a high density project in Tokyo Street, Vienna. In total, 720 Isokorb® T units are incorporated into the Tokyo Street project. In addition, 134 Schöck Tronsole® units have also been used in the staircase construction as soundproofing. Today, good sound proofing is an increasingly important characteristic, particularly in the stairwells of apartment buildings. The Schöck Tronsole® is a complete, dependable, ready to build impact sound insulation system that is quick and cost-effective to install and meets compliance with the necessary building stairway regulations.

THE CLIENTThe Novotel Leicester is a modern hotel in the heart of the city, convenient for business or leisure guests. The hotel boasts easy access to many of Leicester most exciting attractions, close to the Leicester Tigers Stadium and King Power Stadium, the National Space Centre and The Curve Theatre. THE CHALLENGETo provide shading to expand their outdoor dining area for the NINEB Restaurant, as well as added brand visibility with the addition of sign writing on the awning and side blindsTHE SOLUTIONThe Markilux Pergola was chosen for the frame and roof, with the addition of Markilux 790 side blinds to offer additional wind protection, partitioning and brand awareness.Markilux PergolaThe Markilux Pergola awning shelters large areas from the sun. Two slender support posts at the front provide excellent stability, even during showers, and unobtrusive lateral guide tracks. The pitch of Markilux Pergola is easily adjustedMade to measure and manufactured in GermanyRated for wind speeds up to 30mph (Beaufort 6)Water resistant, dirt proof, non fading acrylic fabric with UPF 50+ sun protection4 frame colours and hundreds of fabrics choices as standardChoice of electric or remote control operationExtended product and workmanship guarantee availableMarkilux 790The Markilux 790 is simple to operate and has a compact cassette which fits to the wall vertically. It extends manually and fixes to a freestanding post or bracket fixture on a fence railing.Made to measure and manufactured in GermanyWater resistant, dirt proof, non fading acrylic fabric with UPF 50+ sun protection4 frame colours and hundreds of fabrics choices as standardExtended product and workmanship guarantee available

When building their forever home, Cibes Lift UK’s latest customers decided on including a Cibes Air platform lift. Guaranteeing they future-proofed themselves and their property from any potential mobility issues was a key consideration of their projected build.The customisability of the Cibes Air allowed for a perfect fit within the clients’ aesthetical palette and has since become a focal point of their new entrance hallway.Having the opportunity to design their home from scratch they benefited from a smarter, cleaner, and more flexible blueprint with the unique ergonomic design of the Cibes Air fitting effortlessly within their space. Simultaneously complimenting their lifestyle with its timeless Scandinavian design.Thanks to the modular design of The Cibes Air, your lift can be installed in as little as 2 to 3 days, with minimal structural intrusion making it perfect for renovation projects or just like our latest clients, building a home from scratch.The couple were able to find the perfect combination of colour and texture to fit in with their style, finishing their Cibes Air with a granular bamboo back plate and surestep black seagrass flooring.The panelled glass door fits seamlessly with the other modern architectural features of the home and supports in accentuating natural daylight throughout the property.A combination of intuitive design and timeless elegance makes the Cibes Air the perfect choice for a future-proofing endeavour. The Cibes Air home lift comes with a breadth of personalisation to ensure you can create the lift of your aesthetical dreams.Designed with wood, fabric, and metalClose to 300 different coloursLift shaft with panoramic glazingAvailable in 17 platform sizesReduced work and building costsMinimal interruption of your daily life

When building their forever home, Cibes Lift UK’s latest customers decided on including a Cibes Air platform lift. Guaranteeing they future-proofed themselves and their property from any potential mobility issues was a key consideration of their projected build. The customisability of the Cibes Air allowed for a perfect fit within the clients’ aesthetical palette and has since become a focal point of their new entrance hallway. Having the opportunity to design their home from scratch they benefited from a smarter, cleaner, and more flexible blueprint with the unique ergonomic design of the Cibes Air fitting effortlessly within their space. Simultaneously complimenting their lifestyle with its timeless Scandinavian design. Thanks to the modular design of The Cibes Air, your lift can be installed in as little as 2 to 3 days, with minimal structural intrusion making it perfect for renovation projects or just like our latest clients, building a home from scratch. The couple were able to find the perfect combination of colour and texture to fit in with their style, finishing their Cibes Air with a granular bamboo back plate and sure step black seagrass flooring. The panelled glass door fits seamlessly with the other modern architectural features of the home and supports in accentuating natural daylight throughout the property. A combination of intuitive design and timeless elegance makes the Cibes Air the perfect choice for a future-proofing endeavour. The Cibes Air home lift comes with a breadth of personalisation to ensure you can create the lift of your aesthetical dreams. Designed with wood, fabric, and metal Close to 300 different colours Lift shaft with panoramic glazing Available in 17 platform sizes Reduced work and building costs Minimal interruption of your daily life.

Whitbread Plc’s Premier Inn chain is one of the UK’s biggest and fastest growing Hotel companies, with over 700 hotels nationwide.A key part of the Premier Inn brand is the guarantee of a good night’s sleep – something that is impossible without decent sound proofing and acoustic flooring.To make good on that promise of a good night’s sleep, the Soundis high density Dry Screed flooring is a standard specification for Premier Inns. The robust monolithic finish provides a high density floating floor with a remarkably shallow profile. This particular Premier Inn in Lewisham required the fitting of dryscreed boards to all upper floors of the project, over 1,500m2 in total. Installation was carried out by UK Acoustic Systems.

Profab Access adds a five star finish to Cardiff’s newest luxury hotelLeading riser door and access panel solution supplier, Profab Access, has proven its first-class credentials once again as part of the recent completion of a major specification at Cardiff’s new 5-star Parkgate hotel. Located next to the Welsh Capital’s famous Principality Stadium, the Parkgate hotel has been designed to provide a luxurious experience for rugby fans, in addition to city dwellers visiting the country all year round. Widely coined as Cardiff’s most lavish new location, the hotel includes 170 guest bedrooms and suites, a signature restaurant and bar, a traditional tea lounge and a rooftop spa overlooking the city skyline. As part of the prestigious build, a unique collaboration between the Welsh Rugby Union, property developer, Rightacres, and The Celtic Collection, the hotel required an extensive riser door specification, with safety, high performance and aesthetic appeal key considerations.In total, 310 Profab Access VEGA 1500 Fire Rated Riser Doors were specified for installation by Hazelwood Carpentry throughout every part of the building, including communal areas and the hotel’s vast range of luxury guest rooms and suites.The VEGA 1500 Series Riser Doors offer the highest standards of fire safety, extensively tested by Efectis in France and Ireland to provide a bi-directionally fire tested product that is available in both single and double door configurations.  This means the riser door sets are fire tested from both sides to 60 minutes, providing the specifiers, contractors and hotel guests residing within the building with confidence the critical fire integrity products offer the highest standard and most up to date evidence for fire safety performance.The range also features a slimline, neat construction, whilst its proven technology ensures permanent, safe access to mechanical and electrical services housed within the riser core. This provides first class functionality and safety, without compromising the overall interior concept.The steel riser doors also streamlined the installation process, as the quick release pivot hinge and light weight enabled easy handling, allowing Hazelwood Carpentry to complete the job quickly and optimise overall project efficiencies.Jamie Homer, Senior Site Supervisor at Hazelwood Carpentry, said: “As a remarkably impressive build designed to bring a new age of modern luxury to Cardiff’s historic setting, it was important we used the most innovative, highest quality products.“From the start it was clear that there was no contender to Profab Access and its unrivalled capabilities when it comes to high performance, quality fire rated riser doors.“The Profab Access team recommended the VEGA 1500 Series, which proved a fantastic choice, as it was incredibly easy to install and offers a superb finish, whilst ensuring the highest standard of fire integrity. Plus, being manufactured in the UK ensured quick lead times, which was essential in keeping the project on track for its opening this autumn.“As usual, the team, who we have worked with many times before, were incredibly helpful and quick to respond to any queries. Needless to say, we look forward to working with Profab Access again on future projects to come.”In the event of a fire, the VEGA 1500 Series Riser Door sets will maintain the frame and integrity for up to 60 minutes, preventing the spread of fire throughout the property for this period of time.The riser doors are 31dB acoustic rated, smoke sealed and airtight to Part L, whilst also featuring intumescent smoke seals that enable occupants to safely exit the building. By specifying bi-directionally fire tested VEGA 1500 Series Riser Doors, the development is actively future proofed as the comprehensive testing certification provides a complete and transparent audit trail of due diligence that evidences the products are not only fit for purpose but meet the duty of care required to ensure legal compliance.Marcus Parnham, Commercial Director at Profab Access, said: “At a time when the hospitality sector has been subject to so much disruption, the Parkgate hotel will play a key role in attracting rugby fans during the peak international season and revitalising the city’s appeal to visitors looking for the ultimate luxury stay.“The pedigree of our VEGA 1500 Series fit the brief perfectly. Combining functionality and visual appeal, the specification has enabled great performance without comprising aesthetics. More importantly, the specification of our bi-directionally fire tested line ensures the building features the highest levels of riser shaft fire protection currently available on the Irish and UK markets.” Profab Access’ diverse portfolio of riser doors and access panels are supported by a wide range of BIM Level 2 and CAD files to aid the specification process and streamline the initial design stages.Manufactured at Profab Access’ Atherstone headquarters in accordance with ISO 9001, the 1500 Series Riser Doors can be specified and installed in a range of configurations to meet each project’s specific measurements and requirements. For further information on Profab Access and its range of access panels, riser doors and steel doors, call +44(0)1827 719051 or visit https://www.profabaccess.com.

At Soprema, we like to think big. We continually invest in innovative, future-proof products and solutions and we frequently contribute to projects that form entire communities and offer residents everything they need. Think of London City Island , which includes residential properties as well as cafes, shops, restaurants and cultural facilities, or Chobham Manor , which was waterproofed with 14,000 m2 of ALSAN PMMA. The Ropetackle Development in Shoreham-by-the-Sea, which was shortlisted for an Inside Housing Development Award, deserves special mention, too. The new development on a former industrial site bordered by the River Adur, the South Coast Main Railway Line and the A283 Old Shoreham Road was completed in March 2021, providing much-needed new housing in the area.

Design and fit-out specialist, Peldon Rose, selects premium TopBrewer coffee experience for office refurbishment project.With a culture very much based on family values, Peldon Rose designed their Wimbledon office to be a welcoming, homely environment that is future-proofed to facilitate collaboration and smart working concepts.With its design-led, minimal aesthetic, the award-winning TopBrewer helps to create a streamlined look and feel to the kitchen area, leaving the worktop area clutter-free and the brewing equipment fitted in the cupboards below out of view."The quality of the coffee has encouraged staff to grab a coffee at the office rather than visiting local coffee shops, which is a great incentive for the team." - Sophie Rutter, Front of House Manager, Peldon Rose

Great emphasis is placed on safety in Pasadena, a suburb of Houston, Texas. As America’s oil stronghold and home to NASA’s legendary Space Center, the region is famous for its particularly dangerous and hazardous working conditions. The Houston Area Safety Council (HASC) was therefore established back in 1990 on the initiative of local industrial operations as a non-profit institution to provide safety training. The objective here was to train workers in order to raise their safety awareness as a way of preventing workplace accidents. Some 25 years later, this idea has developed into a leading international training and occupational safety center that trains over 1,500 people every day. Construction of a dedicated occupational health clinic with emergency care represented another key step on the HASC’s holistic support program. The clinic design by Kirksey Architecture gets its distinctive face from the semicircular main entrance. GKD-USA used a new etching technique for the design of the 100 square meter roof parapet, which is made from semi-transparent Omega 1510 stainless steel mesh from GKD – GEBR. KUFFERATH AG. This led to a silhouette-like panoramic view that reflects the dynamic economic region and the everyday working life of the people that live in it.Oil and gas have been produced in Houston for more than 100 years. However, the region experienced a genuine boom from shale oil drilling and fracking. Today, around one third of all oil produced in the US comes from Texas. With its Mission Control Center, which has enjoyed worldwide fame since the Apollo flights to the moon, the Space Center Houston has been just as important for the development of the city. Space flights are still monitored here to this day and astronauts from across the globe are trained for future missions. The city’s skyline is characterized by massive production plants from the oil, gas, chemical and food industries, as well as research institutes and countless buildings of the supply industry, construction and service sectors. The huge influx of workers resulting from the oil boom led to enormous growth of the city. With 2.3 million residents, Houston is today the fourth largest city in the US – behind New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Starting in 2009, the new campus of the Houston Area Safety Council was created in three construction stages. It was constructed on a 34 hectare site in Pasadena, just 15 kilometers from Houston, that was acquired one year previously. Local architecture firm Kirksey, which specializes in green buildings for industrial operations, planned the entire project. It designed the campus as a one-stop shop for employee selection, training and development, background screening, workplace and site safety as well as company health and welfare services. The first phase of construction focused on the 6,300 square meter training center with twelve classrooms, a 220-capacity auditorium, computer laboratories with 650 workplaces, various convention and common rooms, as well as a car park for 1,000 vehicles. It was opened in 2013 as the new HQ of the HASC. Just one year later, the campus then opened two further large areas, boasting 2,700 square meters each. Providers of tool and workplace equipment, as well as a training center for practical training, complemented the location’s offer from then on. Construction of a 1,580 square meter occupational health clinic with emergency care marked the third and last major construction phase to date. This meant that within a period of just six years a state-of-the-art campus employing the latest training facilities was established, offering 1,500 practical and computer-based training sessions every day – which represents over a million units per year. To cater to these requirements all buildings were equipped to the latest technical standards. They also set standards in ecological and energy-usage terms and are all LEED-certified.Visualization of identityThe Occupational Health Center of the HASC was also planned with a keen eye for detail. Ceiling-high windows create friendly rooms in the clinic that are flooded with light and whose inviting ambience is underlined by a carefully coordinated interior color concept. The challenge for the planners was to make the atmosphere light and pleasant, yet robust enough to withstand the rough day-to-day operations with heavy footwear or soiled work clothing of the patients. A fully-glazed semicircular entrance area underlines the building’s welcoming effect. Its raised canopy bears the clinic’s name and also creates the stage for one of the rooftop parapets made of stainless steel mesh that follow the semicircular building form. The shimmering texture combines technical aesthetics with a large number of functional performance characteristics. The mesh thereby guarantees efficient solar protection for the recessed windows on the top floor, while granting unrestricted views of the beautifully sculpted green spaces on the campus. Despite its sophisticated appearance, it also offers reliable protection from the hurricanes regularly encountered in the region. Low-maintenance, durable and almost completely recyclable at the end of its useful life, the mesh supports the LEED-certified sustainability of the building. For the architects, however, the decisive impetus for selecting this material came from the specific mesh design, which facilitates imaging by etching. Their design included an illustrated balustrade as an identity-creating element of the clinic that visualizes working life in the region and thereby also the focus of the HASC. The image developed by Kirksey shows the skyline of Houston with skyscrapers, drilling rigs, chimneys and cranes together with the people that work there. This complex perspective was applied to the stainless steel mesh in a silhouette-like form using a special etching process developed in-house by GKD-USA. The smooth surface and relatively tight structure of the Omega mesh provided ideal prerequisites for this. Using blasting abrasives, GKD modified the metallic surface in such a way that the template, which was highly filigree in places, appeared finely contoured. When using etching, all surfaces that are to remain untouched are usually masked off carefully. However, the complexity of the motif specified by the architects at Kirksey presented the mesh specialists with the challenge of designing multiple levels to lend the image the desired spatial depth. Unlike a painting, with etching it is not possible to achieve dimensions, perspective and depth simply by using different colors. In comprehensive tests, GKD therefore developed a process with which the design template could be blasted with the desired level of detail and spatial effect. This led to a visually seamless panoramic view of the hustle and bustle in the region over a total area of 100 square meters, comprising seven panels – each measuring 3.4 x 4.3 meters. Without any further surface treatment, this imagery is both permanently weather-proof and UV-resistant. Depending on the incidence of light and the viewing angle, the images can appear either transparent or opaque. At night, spotlights lend the scenery the appearance of a shadow theater using targeted light accents.

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

Project: Bin Bays for Worthing HomesWorthing Homes recently completed an external project at Pearson’s Retreat, Worthing.The original timber bin bays had seen better days and were in much need of repair or replacement.Worthing Homes chose Normandy bin bay panels from Goplastic Ltd, and uniquely designed bays which also incorporated large clothes drying areas.The panels, which come ready assembled in various heights and widths, are constructed from solid recycled plastic meaning the bays are extremely robust, weather proof and maintenance free.Normandy Bin Bay Panels have been used to create neat communal areas for housing bins and drying clothes.Job type: Supply onlyContractor: Worthing Homes

Stoneham Park is a primary academy that can place 315 children aged 4 to 11. Sponsored by the University of Winchester, the academy is set over two floors with 11 classrooms, group working rooms, library, multi-use games area and grassed play areas. All the while, it maintains stunning views of its historic deer park setting. Conceived as a lean, compact and energy efficient two-storey form, the building is modest in scale and future-proofed for expansion to the east.Cellecta’s ScreedBoard 28 was specified by Hampshire County Council due to its unrivalled acoustic performance, typically 5dB better than legislative requirements. The interlocking edges on our ScreedBoard 28 makes it easy to install.Morgan Sindall Construction was awarded this 600m² contract to construct this development within the Hampshire area.

Doors in underground stations not only have to meet fire protection, security and safety requirements, but in particular they have to be able to handle pressure. This was also one of the key requirements for the doors of the new Crossrail stations in London. Here, security doors were required that had to be fire, sound and pressure resistant. Teckentrup was able to offer appropriate door solutions with corresponding conformity, which also complied with the revised, stricter version of LPS 1175 for proof of product certification. In addition, all required values for soft impact tests, structural strength data, „U“ values, cycle tests and life cycles could be met. This tipped the scales in favour of the German manufacturer when the project was awarded and, with the stations Whitechapel and Liverpool Street marked the start of a successful collaboration.

Project: Manufacture and installation of concrete worktops at the office canteenClient: Everybody’s Music ManagementMaterials used:  Bespoke BTX GRC 2500 x 65 x 30 mm precast and hand polished concrete worktops in Silk Mist finish.Three large concrete panels; each 2500 mm long and 650 mm wide with side returns; were installed by the Living Concrete team in the communal office space at Everybody’s Music Management offices in North London.The worktops were cast to the client’s individual and unique specifications using our BTX Ultra High Performance Concrete mix with a hydrophobic agent to limit moisture absorption. The worktops were cut to fit various kitchen appliances and then treated and sealed to make them stain proof. Concrete worktops are extremely strong and durable and designed to withstand high level of use.

On this fast turnaround project we worked closely with Clarke Penman Architecture to manufacture and install polished concrete kitchen worktops and splash-backs.Concrete worktops are extremely strong and durable and designed to withstand busy family use. These were cast to the client’s individual and unique specifications using our BTX Ultra High Performance Concrete mix with a hydrophobic agent to limit moisture absorption. The worktops were cut to fit various kitchen appliances and then treated and sealed to make them stain proof.Spanning over 6 metres, separate large BTX concrete panels were carefully assembled on site and fitted with brass sink and taps by our experienced team. The finished effect is a modern, industrial look that complements client’s design style and blends perfectly with the raw plastered walls and concrete floors, which together create a truly unique and highly functional kitchen.

Auriens is a luxury retirement home for people over the age of 65 that provides 56 high-end one and two-bedroom apartments alongside health and leisure facilities. Echoing the classical Georgian architecture of the area, the build is subtly future proofed with on-site private healthcare and high-spec wellness amenities. These include a pool, spa, personal trainer, salon, speakeasy bar, cinema, top restaurant, sunken garden, and a library.Cellecta’s HiDECK Overlay 18 was specified by Studio PDP as the overlay flooring solution. It’s ideal for flooring applications incorporating an underflooring heating system due to its high thermal conductivity which provides rapid reaction times, saving on running costs. In addition, its high density makes it perfect for a variety of acoustic applications.Multiplex was awarded this 10,000m² contract to construct this retirement home on Dovehouse Street, Chelsea.

20 TopBrewer coffee machines offer maximum choice for members at Orega's serviced officesOrega prides itself on delivering a premium service with quality amenities and unrivalled customer service.Orega first installed 2 TopBrewer Pro Series in the Gracechurch Street location in early 2019, and since then has added 18 more TopBrewer coffee machines in 13 other Orega locations throughout the UK, highlighting their commitment to delivering a first-class coffee experience on-site for members. "TopBrewer for us is absolutely amazing. Our clients love it, and it feels like a really premium service because it’s fresh bean to cup."