"access hatch"

Project: Surespan custom-designed a hatch to provide access to a Biomass storage plant at the new Criminal Justice Centre, Northampton.Product: The double leaf hatch – measuring 2750mm x 2900mm – is electrically operated by a key switch and has synchronised leaf operation with a safety grid. Rated to FACTA Class A pedestrian loading, it was designed with a chequer plate lid to match the surround and incorporates a rain skirt apron and Sureguard handrail system on both sides. A secondary 1000mm x 1000mm gas spring-operated floor hatch was installed with a retractable hand hold and ladder for safe and easy access.

Bilco UK supplied 21 special size Ladder Access Roof Hatches to the British Museum’s newest gallery, the Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic World. Ladder access was required to the roof void area to allow for routine maintenance activities. Bilco UK’s SS-50TB Ladder Access Roof Hatches were specified by the architects, HoK. The installation was managed by the Principle Contractor, Coniston Limited

We have terms and conditions under which the Access Panels and Hatches manufactured are covered under a manufacturers warranty. 

Project: London Architectural Glazed approached Surespan to design and manufacture bespoke roof access and AOV Hatch. The project had a requirement for a huge 4700 x 1300 Smoke vent with access however due to EN12101-2 testing, Surespan only has CE Certification up to 1800 x 3000mm. Surespan designed a solution which involved combining a large 3628 x 1300 electric roof hatch with a separate 1300 x 1218mm SRHE/AOV unit combined into one frame.

Glass loft hatches are an attractive period feature and offer a source of natural light into otherwise dark areas of a home. However, they are often the only way to access the home’s loft and finding a suitable loft ladder for a glass loft hatch is not easy. Premier Loft Ladders were able to offer an innovative solution for this very problem, allowing the owners of a traditional Victorian home the benefit of easy access to the loft, as well as maintaining period features and not obscuring the natural light.Learn more about this case study and the versatile Piccolo Premium Vertical loft ladder...

Bilco UK has supplied an innovative replacement roof hatch for a medieval church in Norfolk. St Mary’s is one of the 653 churches within the Diocese of Norwich. When it came to providing a means of safe access to the roof area a product was required that was both technically and architecturally suitable. Medieval Masonry Ltd, a specialist contractor in the restoration and conservation of historic buildings with over 50 years of experience in the industry, installed Bilco UK’s S-50VMTB VersaMount® Replacement Roof Hatch.

We can make any size and shape access panel: Antibacterial Paint Special Antibacterial Paint available with the added benefit of an effective antibacterial agent which kills most species of bacteria, including the deadly MRSA, Salmonella, E coli and C difficile. Ceramic Tile Doors Plasterboard Faced Metal Faced Loft Hatches Fire Rated Acoustic Rated Airtight Rated Smoke Tested Special Paint Colours for your Project needs. Available Panel Sizes: 100x100mm to 3000x8000mm

SkyGard proved the obvious choice for this low cost canopy for one of the Nation’s biggest clients. Special bracketry was required in accordance with the architects design and strategically spaced access hatches, provide access for cleaning the box gutter. SkyGard Patent Glazing combined with laminated glass provides one of the most economical glass canopy solutions with an expected 30-35 years design life and virtually non-existent design life costs as maintenance is minimal.

Project:Surespan designed and manufactured a massive Biomass access hatch for a fuel plant in Coatbridge, Scotland.ProductBiomass Cover features an opening 3500 (137?) x 4000 (157?) with a sliding cover features fixed external rails and electric operation.A further two sliding covers were supplied sized 2500 x 4000 and 1500 x 4000mm

Anyone with a sloped ceiling loft hatch will appreciate the difficulty of finding a suitable loft ladder, particularly when positioned over a staircase. This is exactly the problem faced by Michael Hall, who needed an easy to operate loft ladder to provide safe access to the loft space in his home. The Elite Vertical loft ladder from Premier Loft Ladders provided the perfect solution. It's highly engineered counter-balance system makes it easy to operate, as well as being safe. In addition, the Elite Vertical is designed for heavy duty use. As such, it is particularly robust and rigid.

Situated in South Kensington, the home of science, arts and inspiration, and directly opposite the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal College of Music is one of the world’s great conservatoires, training gifted musicians from all over the world for international careers as performers, conductors and composers. Opened in 1883 by the then Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), the RCM has trained some of the most prestigious figures in British and international music life, including composers such as Holst, Vaughan Williams, Turnage and Britten; conductors such as Leopold Stokowski, Sir Colin Davis and Sir Roger Norrington; singers such as Dame Joan Sutherland, Sir Thomas Allen and Alfie Boe and instrumentalists such as Sir James Galway, John Lill, Gervase de Peyer, and Natalie Clein. Bringing an older building up to code regarding health and safety is always a challenge. Modern amenities were squeezed into spaces as they became available, but the emphasis was always on preserving as much of the original building as possible; going back in – often decades later – to make those spaces safe for maintenance crews or to replace outdated systems that involves crawl-spaces, false walls and hidden hatches.It was just such a request we received recently. A GRP Cat Ladder and RiserDeck floor with access hatch were required to allow work on the hidden pipework within a very narrow space. The ladder needed to be positioned in such a way that the pipe behind it wouldn’t be kicked; the hatch would be small, so needed to be 100% snag-free and the ladder height required safety hoops to help prevent falls. After drawings were approved by our client, the ladder was built onsite at Step on Safety and cut in half to allow it to be loaded onto a flat bed vehicle and to ensure it could be manoeuvred into position once it reached RCM. You can see from the photos that even the two-man installation team would have been a tight squeeze! GRP is lightweight so the fact that only two people could be there to lift it into place wasn’t a problem and being GRP, now the ladder is there, it will last for decades to come.Find out how Step on Safety can fill the gaps in your Health & Safety certification by calling Amber on 01206 396 446.

Glasgow’s latest redevelopment project, located on Langside Road, is built upon the former site of the city’s Victoria Infirmary and consists of a large housing development that includes 413 flats, offices and retail space. The 3.75 hectare site, which is situated next to Queen’s Park on the south side of the city, forms an important part of the Battlefield area’s character, with the buildings’ exterior reflecting and complementing the surrounding heritage by using the city's traditional blonde coloured sandstone.  As part of the construction process, Bilco UK was commissioned to supply six ESW-50REM Smoke Vents, in addition to seven E-50TB Roof Access Hatches, to provide the highest standards of safety and efficiency, whilst being sympathetic to the project’s overall design.  Installed onto the roof areas of four blocks of flats by Scottish contractors, Procladd Small Works Ltd, Bilco UK’s ESW-50REM Smoke Vents were specified to provide essential ventilation in the event of a building fire. Featuring a linear actuator operating mechanism that opens the cover to 140 degrees within 60 seconds, the smoke vents ensure compliance with Building Regulations Approved Document B, BS9999 and EN12101-2.  The built-in wind deflector also provides protection against smoke being blown back into the vent in the event of a fire., whilst the newly-designed closed-cell EPDM sponge gasket helps meet Building Regulation air leakage targets by providing a better seal of the cover to the curb. With the addition of a fixed vertical ladder, the smoke vents can also be used by maintenance engineers for roof access.  Billy Baillie, Managing Director at Procladd Small Works Ltd, said: “We have a longstanding relationship of over 20 years with Bilco UK, and will continue to do so over the forthcoming years, due to their impressive product quality and outstanding service. Bilco UK’s Roof Access Hatches and Smoke Vents were incredibly easy to install, and knowing they’re engineered to meet the highest industry standards, it provided both ourselves and the client with the confidence that the installation would set the standard for performance and longevity.” Constructed with corrosion-resistant materials, Bilco UK’s E-50TB Roof Access Hatches were also installed to provide engineers with safe, regular and convenient access to the roof to conduct essential maintenance. Engineered with compression spring operators to provide easy one-hand operation, the roof access hatch meets the requirements of Manual Handling Regulations, whilst the automatic hold-open arm locks the cover in the open position to ensure safe egress. The overlapping cover design, fully welded corners and insulated cover also ensure weathertightness and energy efficiency to deliver the highest standards of resilience. Mark Baird, Sales Operations Manager at Bilco UK, said: “Drawing on our longstanding relationship with Procladd Small Works Ltd, it was fantastic to work together on this project, which has been designed to positively impact the city’s culture. The products installed were manufactured with fire safety and efficiency in mind, delivering assurance of the durability and suitability of the installation for years to come.”For further information on Bilco UK’s complete range of roof access solutions, visit www.bilcouk.co.uk or call 01284 701696. 

Eastbourne station is located in East Sussex. It was originally built in the 19th century and is classified as a Grade II listed building. Over the years, the station has undergone several renovations and upgrades.Back in October 2020 it was announced £5 million would be spent on restoring Eastbourne Railway Station to its ‘former glory’. Work done includes canopy refurbishment, slate roof replacement, masonry work to the front of the station, and new roofing above the atrium.Twinfix were approached to replace the glazing panels on the 32 lanterns on the station’s train shed with something hard wearing, sustainable and modern but without losing the period look. The change was needed because, according to the plans, the existing fixtures were ‘life expired and inefficient’.Twinfix supplied their Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile (NF) roof glazing system, glazed with 6mm solid obscure polycarbonate. The new glazing spanned 1243 square metres and was installed by Gable, on behalf of Main Contractor BAM Nuttall.The Multi-Link-Panel NF system is an innovative roof glazing product that has been well utilised for many years on station canopy roofs, and it has been thoroughly tried and tested in that time.It was the chosen system for this project for a number of reasons:sustainability– these panels are virtually unbreakable in manufacture, transit and in situ, meaning that, unlike glass, maintenance costs will be eliminated. The system is also completely recycleable.safety– Twinfix Multi-Link-Panel NF (Non-Fragile) conforms to the HSE recommended test method ACR[M]001:2019 (as outlined in document HSG33) and achieves a ‘B’ Classification.off-site construction– The panels are pre-assembled in Twinfix’s factory ensuring strict quality guidelines are adhered to, which is not always guaranteed when roofing products are assembled on site.ease of access– The Multi-Link-Panel NF system can be fitted with In-Line Access Hatches, to allow cleaning of gutters and roof. These hatches are hardly visible and allow safe access through the glazing without needing to get on the roof.weight– The Multi-Link-Panel NF is light in weight and due to its modular format, it is very quick to install which allows for short rail possession works. A slight redesign of the original roof allowed 96 access hatches to be installed, making maintenance easier. Installed it’s almost impossible to detect the modern materials that have been used to bring this historic structure back to life.During the renovation work, Shaun King, Sussex route director for Network Rail, said, “The quality of work on site is being completed to a very high standard and we’re taking great care to restore the Grade II listed building to its former glory.”

Eastbourne station is located in East Sussex. It was originally built in the 19th century and is classified as a Grade II listed building. Over the years, the station has undergone several renovations and upgrades.Back in October 2020 it was announced £5 million would be spent on restoring Eastbourne Railway Station to its ‘former glory’. Work done includes canopy refurbishment, slate roof replacement, masonry work to the front of the station, and new roofing above the atrium.Twinfix were approached to replace the glazing panels on the 32 lanterns on the station’s train shed with something hard wearing, sustainable and modern but without losing the period look. The change was needed because, according to the plans, the existing fixtures were ‘life expired and inefficient’.Twinfix supplied their Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile (NF) roof glazing system, glazed with 6mm solid obscure polycarbonate. The new glazing spanned 1243 square metres and was installed by Gable, on behalf of Main Contractor BAM Nuttall.The Multi-Link-Panel NF system is an innovative roof glazing product that has been well utilised for many years on station canopy roofs, and it has been thoroughly tried and tested in that time.It was the chosen system for this project for a number of reasons:sustainability– these panels are virtually unbreakable in manufacture, transit and in situ, meaning that, unlike glass, maintenance costs will be eliminated. The system is also completely recycleable.safety– Twinfix Multi-Link-Panel NF (Non-Fragile) conforms to the HSE recommended test method ACR[M]001:2019 (as outlined in document HSG33) and achieves a ‘B’ Classification.off-site construction– The panels are pre-assembled in Twinfix’s factory ensuring strict quality guidelines are adhered to, which is not always guaranteed when roofing products are assembled on site.ease of access– The Multi-Link-Panel NF system can be fitted with In-Line Access Hatches, to allow cleaning of gutters and roof. These hatches are hardly visible and allow safe access through the glazing without needing to get on the roof.weight– The Multi-Link-Panel NF is light in weight and due to its modular format, it is very quick to install which allows for short rail possession works. A slight redesign of the original roof allowed 96 access hatches to be installed, making maintenance easier. Installed it’s almost impossible to detect the modern materials that have been used to bring this historic structure back to life.During the renovation work, Shaun King, Sussex route director for Network Rail, said, “The quality of work on site is being completed to a very high standard and we’re taking great care to restore the Grade II listed building to its former glory.”

Howe Green Ltd supplied a number of HSE75 Series Hinged Aluminium Floor Access Covers for a new £1.5 billion hospital facility in Stockholm. The requirement was for a solution that would enable regular access to the underground power stations and escape routes located underneath the hospital. The gas assisted hinged HSE75 floor hatches provide easy and safe access ensuring that maintenance can be carried out with the minimum of disruption. The floor hatches have been installed in various areas of the hospital and infilled with both concrete and tiled flooring to provide a seamless, flush floor finish.

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

The new thermally broken sliding roof hatch opens horizontally on fixed or telescopic rails. The hatch features the following key points: Thermally Broken Lid & Upstand Fixed or Telescopic Rails ‘Lift-Off’ Unseated Opening, ensures the hatch is sealed and secure when closed. Self Sealing Double Seals 0.43 W/m²K U-value Perfect for manual operation, the sliding cover easily and smoothly opens. Brush seals around the front and side ensure that no roof debris can interfere with the mechanism and the external fixed rail provides enhanced support for larger sliding covers.

IntroductionFollowing consultations with our design team, Surespan designed and manufactured a large double roof hatch for the National Oilwell Varco Dunfermline factory in Scotland.Products suppliedWe supplied;Surespan designed and manufactured bespoke double leaf hatches, measuring 4 metres by 4.3 metres. These hatches enable an external crane to lift the manifold units through the roof.With the use of a key, these hatches are controlled by a small PLC that electrically operates the Hatches in an automated sequence.Features:The bespoke double leaf hatches were specially designed to stay open utilising strut locking to withstand the wind condition they specified with the design team.The projectThe NOV Dunfermline factory experienced difficulties building tall manifold assemblies due to the restricted height of the building. Following a consultation with our experienced design team, they were able to design a solution to solve the issue.The outcome: NOV were able to continue its operation in the existing factory without having to hire temporary premises.

Jill Ranford and Patrick Taggart are the proud owners of a beautiful new build home in Southern France. The main bedroom features a vaulted ceiling with access to a loft via a wall hatch located 2.7m up from the floor. Therefore, a loft ladder was required that could be easily operated at that height and could be folded behind the wall hatch door without taking up much loft space. The Elite Vertical Loft Ladder proved to be the perfect solution for Jill and Patrick’s needs. Read about their experience...

Surespan designed and manufactured several fire-rated roof hatches for the Killeen ISD East/West Ward Elementary School, in Killeen Texas.  The Project:Huckabee is the architect behind the East/West Ward Elementary School, tasked with replacing two 60-year-old campuses, by combining them into one new holistic learning environment. The planning behind the architecture focuses on efficiency, function and ease of wayfinding. From simple to navigate corridors, modernised classrooms and glazing to illuminate the interior with natural light. East/West Ward Elementary School blends district design standards with innovative thinking to achieve spacial efficiency and maintain equitability.Product:Surespan designed and manufactured five 35.5-inch x 35.5-inch Fire Rated Roof Hatch with an integral guard hand railing attached. These hatches are thermally broken and have been designed and tested with 4-hour fire resistance for integrity to EN 1634-1:2014.  Features:These hatches are using environmentally friendly materials such as non-combustible minerals and fireboard cladding to achieve a top-performing thermal efficiency. All the hatches were finished in a light grey polyester powder-coated finish for an aesthetically pleasing solution. The coating is set to last many years, just like the durable masonry veneer that is featured in the building, helping to maintain the space for years to come. 

A series of shelters provide playground cover at Hatch End High School.

Project:Surespan manufactured and supplied a series of fire escape hatches at Portugal’s €950 million underground Metro in Porto. The huge double-leaf hatches automatically open if the fire alarm system is activated to allow passengers safe exit to ground level. In addition, they can be manually opened with the touch of a button. This project was undertaken after Surespan successfully carried out similar work at Athens Metro.

OverviewKEA Dublin is a 2787m² shopping centre in Ballymun Ireland which required a full smoke ventilation system from Powrmatic.Project BackgroundIKEA Dublin is 30,000 square-foot shopping centre in Ballymun Ireland which required a full smoke ventilation system from Powrmatic.Project SolutionPowrmatic supplied 73 Roof Opensky smoke ventilators to the new IKEA store in Dublin. Specified and installed by Air Design Systems Ltd, the installation is providing full smoke ventilation to five separate areas within the store.The second area is the show room and café which were naturally ventilated by louvred ventilators and split into zones using a fixed smoke curtain. A similar approach was taken with the self-serve warehouse and checkout area, which was also naturally ventilated using louvred ventilators and fixed smoke curtains. Polycarbonate blades are used on the louvred ventilators to allow natural light to enter the spaces. Additionally, the escape staircases were ventilated using louvred ventilators at the head of the stairs and a local control panel with an emergency break glass.Project Result“We were involved from the very early in the design stages of the project, using our knowledge and experience of installations within other IKEA stores and warehouses to engineer a suitable, cost-effective solution,” recalled  Air Design Systems Ltd Director Alan Clare.“Within these works we have had to include for three separate main control panels, all electrical wiring run in fire-protected cable, local control panels with emergency break glasses and a mimic control panel linking all smoke ventilation zones. We also provided rain sensors, roof access hatches, and head of lift shaft cowls,” he added.Due to the success of the project, there was a requirement within a year of opening to extend the warehouse area. Air Design Systems Ltd was awarded the sub-contract to extend the system into the new space and link back to the existing control system. In total, a further 14 Powrmatic ventilators were installed in the warehouse roof & walls and at the head of the two additional emergency staircases.Powrmatic’s Roof Opensky ventilators are attractive, low-profile units that have been specifically designed for both smoke and heat exhaust and natural ventilation applications. The Opensky can be roof or wall mounted for exhaust or inlet and can be supplied with a hinged base for use as an access hatch. They are tested for use as smoke ventilators to BS EN 12101-2.

IntroductionSurespan design and manufactured two sets of bespoke double leaf hatch doors for the Kielder Observatory located in England’s largest forest in Northumberland. Products suppliedWe supplied;Surespan designed and manufactured two sets of bespoke double leaf hatch doors for the roof and the front of the Observatory’s two rotating turrets – one to house a 20” Pulsar manual telescope and the other for a small Mead 14” telescope. Features:These hatches are electrically operated and have been specially designed to open in a specific sequence using remote control via 24v dc actuators.The projectAs part of the Kielder Art and Architecture program, Charles Barclay Architects designed Kielder Observatory for the Forestry Commission.The all-timber observatory was constructed from Douglas fir with larch cladding, the pier-like building has rotating turrets that house two permanent telescopes and an observation deck. The turrets can be rotated through 360 degrees.The observatory generates its energy using a wind turbine and photovoltaic panels and includes a composting toilet.The observatory has received 2009 awards from the RIBA and The Civic Trust and featured in the inaugural World Architecture Festival.

Premier Loft Ladders has released technical data and a BIM object on NBS Source for the Supreme Vertical loft ladder. This heavy-duty retractable ladder offers safe and easy access to loft spaces and plant rooms that can only be accessed via an elevated wall hatch. As such, it is easier for architects and designers to find and specify a solution for this otherwise challenging access requirement.The heavy-duty concertina ladder offers a load rating of 200 kg per tread, making it suitable for both residential and commercial projects. It also benefits from being very easy to operate.The product data can be found within section L30 (clause 41 and clause 421).

The Quadro features a thermally-efficient loft hatch and ladder that can be made-to-measure to fit each customer’s needs. Available as a 3-part folding wooden loft ladder for ceiling heights up to 3.44m. Benefits of the Quadro loft hatch and ladder include…• Made-to-measure loft hatch • Highly insulated (U-value 0.77 W/m2K) • 4-point locking trapdoor for an airtight seal (Class 4 certified) • Concealed hinges • Wide treads with anti-slip profile for comfort and safety • Hatch box finished in white • Pre-drilled hatch box for quick & easy installation.

Barr Gazetas worked closely with BW: Workplace Experts and Glazing Vision on the remodelling of this contemporary yet classical office building which involved creating an accessible private terrace for staff and clients to enjoy the views of central London, as well as providing the 6th floor with natural daylight. Utilising a terrace in densely populated areas such as London is a great way to provide a building with more accessible space. Originally the 6th floor offered 2,821 sq ft of space, but with the addition of the terrace area, this increased to 3,790 sq ft.Not only does an accessible terrace supply you with extra room, but, in London, the presence of a roof terrace typically adds 12% to the value of a property, rising to as much as 25% in coveted Chelsea. Other benefits of access rooflights include improved natural ventilation, control of interior temperatures, and the result is also beneficial to the aesthetics of a building such as 6 Duke Street. Barr Gazetas chose Glazing Vision not only due to our vast experience in designing and manufacturing access rooflights, but also for our ‘start to finish’ service. All of our rooflights are designed and manufactured at our HQ in Diss, and we even offer an installation service via our sister company, Glazing Renovations, which provides our clients with peace of mind.Box rooflights are a great way to gain easy access to any roof terrace. Operated at the touch of a button, the user simply climbs the stairs whilst the rooflight is retracting into its open position and walks straight out onto the terrace. Our three wall box configuration is one of the most popular and can offer an almost seamless integration into the fabric of your building. On this particular project, the sliding section when open provides a clear opening of 1927mm on the left side when viewed from the outside and is glazed on the front and top with a built-in fall of 3 degrees, and mounted to walls at the rear and two sides. The rooflight also includes the optional extras of a proximity detector and a battery back up. The rooflight was crane lifted to the terrace so that installation could be carried out by Glazing Renovations.Our Multi-Part Walk On Rooflight has supplied the 6th floor with a large amount of natural daylight which is proven to boost vitamin D, help improve sleep, and can help boost focus. The rooflight also includes Enduro Shield glass protection which provides superior resistance against contamination caused by moisture, hard water, all types of dirt, lime scale, salt spray and pollution, and also helps protect against degradation, staining, corrosion and etching. Our standard glass specification on our Flushglaze Walk On Rooflight is designed to withstand regular foot traffic in domestic applications with uniform loadings of 1.5kN/m² and concentrated loadings of 2.0kN in accordance with EN 1991-1-1-1:2002.The two rooflights perfectly complement each other and work together to provide a vast amount of natural daylight whilst creating a visually impressive, accessible terrace area.“The Walk On Rooflight was key to providing as much light to the floor below as possible, and the box rooflight was a great feature to the terrace, providing easier access than a ‘hatch’ access product.” Pradumn Pamidighantam, Senior Architect, Barr Gazetas.

Using a step-ladder to access a loft is not convenient or safe. As such, it is not surprising that Lydia was not confident taking items in and out of her loft. To make the most of this valuable storage space the ‘Elite' retractable ladder from Premier Loft Ladders was fitted above the existing hatch. This easy-to-use, heavy-duty retractable loft ladder instilled the confidence that was previously missing. Read our case study to learn more and view the photo gallery to see the finished result…

Leicester Animal Aid is a rescue and rehoming centre who care for around 400 dogs and cats every year who are lost, abandoned, neglected unwanted or relinquished because their owners can no longer care for them.Their dog kennels feature hatches to provide the dogs with free-flow access to the outdoors, but because the kennels are south facing, they receive direct heat all day from the sun. They were therefore looking to invest in a canopy to provide shade and shelter to the dogs when enjoying time outside.

Project:Architects Foster + Partners approached Surespan to design and manufacture two roof hatches for Circle Hospital Bath – the new centre of clinical excellence due to open in late 2009. Product:The huge single-leaf glazed roof hatches are electrically operated by push button switches, one hatch incorporating a side door. The high spec glazed lid is supported by heavy-duty aluminium hinges and features an integral ‘wrap over’ edge, incorporating double unbroken EPDM seals. The hatches offer a high level of thermal insulation against heat loss and condensation, together with excellent sound absorption properties.

Wrexham General Station is a main line railway station and the main railway station serving Wrexham, north-east Wales. The station was first opened in 1846 and expanded in 1912. It comprises four operational platforms with two disused bay platforms at the southern end of Platform 1. Until the early 1980s what is now Platform 4 of Wrexham General, was a separate station: Wrexham Exchange.After working with MPH Construction on a number of station refurbishment projects across Wales, the Principal Contractor approached Twinfix to carry out the survey for the canopy refurbishment at Wrexham Station as well as designing, manufacturing and supplying the replacement roof glazing for 3 of the platform canopies at the station. The panels were installed by a third-party roofing company.The work spanned 532 square metres and comprised of the innovative Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile (NF) system glazed with 6mm Georgian wired polycarbonate.Each panel of the innovative Multi-Link-Panel NF system comprises of a powder-coated aluminium frame and fitted with polycarbonate glazing. The panels are built completely off-site in a quality-controlled factory environment, reducing the risk, and cost, of site mistakes, and are delivered on-site fully glazed and ready for rapid installation. The system has a unique linking design feature that results in incredibly quick installation times, making the system very much suited to rail work due to its restricted possession times.The Multi-Link-Panel NF system is an innovative roof glazing product that has been well utilised for many years on station canopy roofs, and it has been thoroughly tried and tested in that time.It was the chosen system for this project for a number of reasons:sustainability– these panels are virtually unbreakable in manufacture, transit and in situ, meaning that, unlike glass, maintenance costs will be eliminated.safety– Twinfix Multi-Link-Panel NF (Non-Fragile) conforms to the HSE recommended test method ACR[M]001:2019 (as outlined in document HSG33) and achieves a ‘B’ Classification.off-site construction– The panels are pre-assembled in Twinfix’s factory ensuring strict quality guidelines are adhered to, which is not always guaranteed when roofing products are assembled on site.ease of access– The Multi-Link-Panel NF system can be fitted with In-Line Access Hatches, to allow cleaning of gutters and roof. These hatches are hardly visible and allow safe access through the glazing without needing to get on the roof.weight– The Multi-Link-Panel NF is light in weight and due to its modular format, it is very quick to install which allows for short rail possession works.appearance – The Georgian wired polycarbonate glazing combines the appearance of Georgian wired glass with all the material benefits of polycarbonate. As well as improving the overall environment in a lighter, brighter station, the addition of the Twinfix Georgian wired polycarbonate at Wrexham General Station has preserved the building’s unique appearance and character, while providing modern levels of safety for passengers and staff.

Truss roof rafters and ceiling joists are typically spaced either 400mm, 450mm or 600mm apart. Given that the joist is normally 50mm wide, this gives a fairly small opening width for your loft hatch and ladder. However, there are still a wide variety of options to consider. For example, space saving concertina loft ladders, are easy to operate, providing robust and durable access to an attic. Made-to-measure folding wooden loft ladders, such as the new Quadro, are available for widths of 550mm and offer minimal protrusion in the loft space above. Visit our website for more information.

Project: Surespan designed and manufactured these huge electrically operated sliding glazed roof hatches also provide free airflow of 7m² for smoke ventilation!These bespoke designs were part of a redevelopment on Great Portland Street in London. The covers were 4610 x 1955mm and featured an electrically driven opening motor.Product:The covers provide 7m² free airflow (As it is sliding there are no obstructions to the ventilation) according to approved document B (fire safety) paragraph 5b diagrams C.7.The glazing features laminated and heat-strengthened low iron glass to L40.A further fixed rooflight was also supplied to the size of 4935mm x 1955mm, the thermally broken multi-pane rooflight provides natural daylight

Project BackgroundDesigned by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid in 2004, before London won the bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, the London Aquatics Centre is an indoor facility with two 50-metre (160-foot) swimming pools and a 25-metre (82-foot) diving pool. Its iconic wave-like roof sweeps up from the ground and was inspired by the fluid geometry of water in motion, creating spaces and a surrounding environment in sympathy with the river landscape of the Olympic Park.Project SolutionPowrmatic Wall Opensky louvred ventilators were at the heart of the smoke and natural ventilation system at the London Aquatic centre in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, east London. The ventilation systems were designed and installed by Air Design Systems Ltd.The wall mounted Opensky louvred ventilators are used to provide a high-free area at the back of the stands for heat exhaust and smoke extract. The units were double-stacked and provided with a white polyester powder-coated finish.Air Design Systems Ltd also made provision for the control system that included local control panels, electrical wiring, override switches and full commissioning and demonstration of the system.Project ResultTested for use as smoke ventilators to BS EN 12101-2, Powrmatic’s Opensky ventilators can be roof or wall mounted for exhaust or inlet and can be supplied with a hinged base for use as an access hatch. They have been specifically designed for both smoke and heat exhaust and natural ventilation applications and combine an attractive style with a discreet, low profile.

A fire rated loft hatch and ladder provides safe and convenient access into a loft or attic, while still providing up to 120 minutes of fire resistance. It can also provide high levels of thermal insulation and therefore help to keep energy costs down. Premier Loft Ladders has released an application solution guide for fire rated loft ladders. It provides useful tips and advice on subjects such as the choice between aluminium or wooden fire rated loft ladders, as well as considerations such as thermal insulation and strength. You can also find details of their fire rated product range.

Product:Surespan 140° thermally broken aluminium smoke ventilator and roof hatch designed to EN12101-2. ]The AOV also offers push-button comfort ventilation in one package! This one-stop solution for smoke vent requirements to meet building control can achieve 1m² airflow and is available in standard stocked sizes or made to any size in between 900 x 900 and 1260 x 1260. Wind deflectors to improve airflow. RE 1,000 Ventilation 10,000 Vent Offset mechanism for Roof Access Snow Load SL500 Wind Load WL1500 Temperature Class T (-15°) Fire Resistance B300