"access panels"

This eye catching outdoor A5000 was installed with access the care homes patio area, ensuring safe and secure accessibility for residents and staff. The patio has outdoor seating where residents are regularly served afternoon tea, and meals when the weather is fine. The glazed shaft panels allow for great views of the landscaped grounds when travelling in the lift. The staff and residents enjoy many activities outdoors, including their annual summer fair and barbeques, so a lift was essential for ensuring that everyone has easy access to the patio and gardens.

Howe Green has supplied around 400 bespoke access covers to the £150 million National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC) being built on the University of Warwick campus. The floor access covers were required to provide safe and easy access to building services concealed under the raised flooring. The bespoke 7500 Series Medium Duty Stainless Steel covers were specified by award-winning architects Cullinan Studio. A reduced depth was required to enable the access covers to be infilled with the same flooring used elsewhere in the raised floor system - calcium sulphate floor panels, with the stone pre-bonded

Kingspan RMG600 Raised Access Floor panels are being utilised across multiple state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities including specialist laboratory spaces.The flooring solution provides the facility management team with a great deal of flexibility – rapid access to the void, enabling reconfiguration, fault-finding or simply maintaining the many metres of cables and pipework that are required to service such a leading-edge education building.

Capturing all the glamour and splendour of the roaring twentiesthis latest scheme takes to the spotlight. For the restoration of this magnificent building, St. George and TP Bennett turned to a rainscreen which would not only project the right image, yet stand up to the most demanding requirements.For a building with such status and heritage, bothSt. George and TP Bennett opted for a rainscreen solution which would not only project exactly the right image, yet stand up to the most demanding requirements. As a mixed-use development, comprising 209 new homes overlooking a central square, lined with bars and restaurants, and an impressive double-height entrance foyer to the eight-screen Picturehouse Cinema, 'the biggest outside London’s West End,' it was vital that the chosen rainscreen could withstand numerous vying challenges. Thanks to a comprehensive list of intrinsic qualities; including extreme weather resistance, durability, longevity, impact and graffiti resistance, as well as BBA, CWCT and NHBC 2021 certification, Petrarch ticked all the right boxes and exudes pure elegance with its smooth Alabaster finish.Petrarch enrobed Filmworks wins Best Refurbishment project at this year’s Facade AwardsWe’re extremely proud to share that The Filmworks has won the Best Refurbishment project at this year’s Facade Awards. This is the first year that Architectural Panel Solutions has personally entered the awards and we’re thrilled to have debuted as award-winners. We cannot, of course, take all the credit for this project; it is the result of a highly successful collaboration with Richardson Roofing, and talented architect tp bennett for our client Berkeley Group, St George.The Ealing Filmworks by Berkeley Group, St. GeorgeFor a building with such status and heritage, both Berkeley Group, St. George and tp bennett turned to a rainscreen and framing solution which would not only project exactly the right image and retain the splendour of a bygone age, yet also stand up to the most demanding requirements. Blending elegant aesthetics and exacting technical standards; our Petrarch engineered stone rainscreen facade offered the perfect balance.As a £100m mixed-use regeneration scheme comprising: 209 new homes, a central square, lined with bars, restaurants, and featuring a double-height eight-screen Picture-house Cinema (the biggest outside London’s West End) the demands and rigour demanded of the chosen building materials were to be immense.About The Filmworks, in the words of the architect tp bennettGiven the delicate restoration and the fact that this was a conservation area, it was important that the chosen facade retained an elegant and natural aesthetic.’A careful infill within an existing urban block, the scheme has been designed by tp bennett as a contextual response to the surrounding buildings in the conservation areas. Each perimeter facade is designed in a subtly different language, depending on the character of the particular street it is facing. The architectural language changes towards the interior, where the contextual red brick and stone have been complemented with a more contemporary materials palette, including dark blue brick with contrasting green-glazed brick inserts and bronze-coloured cladding laser cut with a distinctive, three-dimensional geometric pattern.‘tp bennett are dedicated to ’creative reuse‘ as a practice – ’our ethos is to re-animate and adapt redundant historic buildings to reinforce a unique sense of place within each project. With our in-house skills and experience to draw from – as well as access to a strong network of conservation specialists – the practice is in a prime position to animate the past and inform the future.‘Here’s what our esteemed installer, Richardson Roofing had to say about Petrarch panels and our level of customer service:‘APS were very easy to deal with during the purchase and logistics process, of getting the Petrarch engineered stone to site. They are very responsive to queries, helpful and went out of their way to assist in any way they could. The team really do know their products well and were very helpful. Despite this being a somewhat difficult site with delivery booking requirements, APS worked with us to optimise logistics for just-in-time deliveries.’Krissy Dawson (Contracts Coordinator)

Project: Manufacture and installation of external GAP cladding panels using hidden fixings and chemical anchoring. Client: Stuart Forbes Associates Materials used: Bespoke size external GRC cladding panels in Rough Mist finish, treated with hydrophobic agent and clear sealant. This exciting new refurbishment project of a private house in Wimbledon, London brought with it plenty of manufacturing and installation challenges! The designers’ vision called for 2m x 1.2m large format GAP panels with mitred edges to be seamlessly wrapped around the building. The panels had to be millimetre perfect to avoid any cutting on site.

Architect: BDPInstaller: Linear Projects LtdProduct: Gustafs Acoustic Panel System and Linear RibsGustafs Panel System was specified for the feature ceiling in the entry foyer as well as walls and ceilings in the lecture theatre at the University of Strathclyde Technology and Innovations building which opened in 2014.The £89 million campus will share facilities with local business, industry and public sector projects as well as being a leading research facility for Health, Energy and Environmental studies.Wall and ceiling panels in natural Oak veneer with SH8 slotted acoustic perforations were used on the atrium ceilings as well as the walls and ceilings of the lecture theatre. Gustafs Panel System was chosen to achieve a consistent look across wall and ceiling elements throughout the campus as well as for the flexibility of acoustic perforation styles and versatile Capax invisible installation systems.The Gustafs ceiling panels in both the foyer and lecture theatre of the Technology and Innovations centre at Strathclyde University were specified to be triangular, this design feature was approached differently for each area.The panels in the lecture theatre were cut and finished at the Gustafs factory to have finished edges on the finished triangles and a border of plain panel around the outside (completed using a special perforation pattern).In the foyer the panels were trimmed at the site finished with the white frames to give the illusion of triangular panels.In addition to Gustafs Panel System at the University, Linear Ribs were used across the vast atrium space along the mezzanine and balcony areas with varying widths of rib in Natural Oak VeneerLinear ribs were specified for its flexibility in design and installation, allowing the product to work continuously around the internal and external curves of the space.In addition to this, linear ribs enable the specifier to vary both the width and depth of each rib as well as the spaces between on a piece by piece basis giving infinite possibility for acoustic performance variations as well as value engineering.

The £27 million Art and Design Academy is the first phase of John Moores University campus masterplan. Rick Mather Architects specified 32 Stainless Steel Howe Green access covers, ranging from the 7500 Series to the 1050 Series, to enable easy and safe access to underfloor services in a number of locations. The panels were individually manufactured to match the size of the Charcon Appalachian stone floor slabs and to blend seamlessly with the surroundings. Featuring double seals, the access covers meet the highest standards of hygiene and security as well as being corrosion and maintenance-free.

Individual or hinged panel single glazed sliding system with the option of with crittall bars. This single glazed sliding system can achieve 34dB.The benefit of our MG900 panels is that they work in the same way as conventional movable walls and can be either single or double point suspension. With the slim back painted border you have clear view visual lines. This allows a superior light flow around the office, cost-effective installation and flexibility in the work environment. Plus the simple fact that they look elegant and classy. Not only these, but they also offer exceptional sound reduction allowing for privacy to be had amongst clients or for important internal meetings.The MG900 glazed system is a 35mm thick panel that can be incorporated into your standard fixed glazed partitioning system.So this unique 35mm thickness gives endless designs and layout options.Furthermore, the aluminium frame can be coloured to your choice to match your design or branding needs. These panels retain a room’s spacious sense of proportion and maximise light and clear viewing lines. Truly a magnificent office aesthetic.MG900 Key FactsAcoustic reduction from 34dBSlimline 35mm thick panelsTop hung with a shallow 4mm floor guidePanel widths 450mm to 1200mmHeight up to 3000mmPanel border finish any chosen RAL finishCrittall bar glazing designs to suit your design needs

Access Self Storage is one of the largest self storage companies in the UK with over 20 years experience and 50 stores nationwide. Access Self Storage Twickenham is situated on Rugby Road and serves the storage needs of Twickenham, Richmond upon Thames, West London and Surrey. The site offers 24 hour access, large vehicle access and customer parking; as such it is important that site has a secure perimeter with controlled gated access. Jacksons were specified to install Barbican Imperial® fencing and gates combined with EuroGuard® Regular Mesh in order to improve access control and perimeter security at the site.

Stopgap subfloor preparation products from F. Ball and Styccobond F44 acrylic adhesive have been used to create a laboratory-standard flooring finish at a new facility for international laboratories operator Tentamus Group, at Pride Park in Derbyshire.Flooring contractors used Stopgap Fill and Prime and Stopgap 1200 Pro levelling compound to prepare 1500m² of metal raised access panels over two floors before installing vinyl sheet safety flooring throughout. Once the primer had cured, Stopgap 1200 Pro levelling compound was applied to create a perfectly smooth base for the installation of floorcoverings. Contractors then used Styccobond F44 acrylic adhesive to install Polyflor Polysafe Standard PUR heavy-duty vinyl safety flooring. Finally, Quantum PVC capping and coving was installed at the junctions between the floorcoverings and walls to produce a neat finish and allow for easy cleaning. 

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.”

London Brick wall panels in Sandy Brown were specified for this office redesign for their strength and natural characteristics. Our highly durable Texture panels are ideal for busy areas with high footfall so are perfect for the large wall in the social breakout space. In addition,Texture wall panels can support decoration and integrate features with ease, such as the television screen in this project. London Brick Sandy Brown also provides a perfect backdrop for the orange neon-lit sign. Throughout the design, the execution is impeccable with high quality fixtures and colourful furnishings bringing the office to life.

Completion of 3 number MG100 Semi Electric Movable Acoustic Walls in the RIA Building London. Flexible space of 1 large room and with the use of 3 movable walls where 1 meets at a right angle now gives the client a 3 flexible rooms. Two access inset door panels in the larger run allows for access in-between the rooms once the panels are in their closed position. Standard white laminate panel finish chose to give a clean design and match other furniture within the room. An element of flexibility is suddenly added to your space. And the environment can quickly be manipulated to cater for any of your flexible space needs, whether that be for meetings or a little bit of privacy. The top and bottom seal operation on the MG100 movable wall system can be upgraded to the semi-electric seal operation by a flick of a switch which reduces the room set up by upto 2 thirds of the time. At ModernGlide, we have sourced an excellent range of panel finishes, ranging from our standard melamine to veneers to personalised digital images, to give you complete design flexibility.

A significant new building project has recently been completed at one of the National Trust’s most popular properties in Hampshire, Mottisfont Abbey. The new development, situated on the banks of the River Test, uses Troldtekt natural wood wool panels to improve the entrance facilities at this historic priory and country estate - visited annually by over 250,000 people. Designed by Burd Haward Architects, the new welcome buildings are arranged around a central courtyard, raised above ground level to avoid risk of flooding and impact on the existing flood plain.

THE PROJECTAt The Safety Letterbox Company, we can manufacture a complete mailbox arrangement to house within the aluminium surrounds and replace a glazed screen. Panel boxes have a simple letterflap to the front face and house the mailboxes to the rear allowing the tenants ease of retrieving their mail and ensuring maximum security for the building.This arrangement complies with the Secured by Design Guidelines (Secured by Design Homes 2016 Guidelines) of eliminating the need for access into a building, even from the postman. It also is a neat solution to house the door entry system within the panel – keeping all relevant products in one area, adjacent to the door, in a neat and attractive solution.The comprehensive door entry and mailbox solution developed for the Canning Town project contained subtle mailboxes that blended in to the outside panel along with security options that granted access to the building to individuals with the correct code. The door entry system contains a video camera to identify who is outside of the building, a key fob scanning point and a room call function.

London Brick Multi and White wall panels were specified in the design for a new café at Battersea. Chosen for their natural textures and features, the panels help create real atmosphere. Produced from original walls, Vtec panels contain in excess of 50% natural pigments, oxides and minerals. They're lightweight enough to be used almost on any type of structure, as well as being strong and highly durable - perfect for high traffic areas. Panels were installed either side of Arches, mounted on false walls. Large panel size achieved wall coverage quickly and easily with concealed joints for a seamless finish.

Surespan designed and manufactured multiple recessed floor access hatches, for the construction of the Halley VI British Antarctic Research Station.Products suppliedSurespan design and manufactured a total of 27 HIAC Recessed Floor Hatches. These hatches provide the access an escape requirement for the structure and are located throughout the research station.We supplied;12no HIAC DL/FR30 1180 x 10707no HIAC DL /FR30 1180 x 10703no HIAC 800 Diameter FR304no HIAC 750 x 750 Lift Out FR601no. HIAC 1000 x 1000 FR30 The Features:The hatches supplied feature a fire rating of between 30-60 minutes and radius corners instead of the standard square corners. The projectThe £22 million unique and innovative research station was designed by Faber Maunsell and Hugh Broughton Architects, and built by Matlock-based Morrison Construction.Objectives;Minimize the environmental footprint of the station.Provide a safe, comfortable, and stimulating environment to live in.To be able to be fully relocatable inland.To allow the station to climb above the annually rising snow levels. The research station comprises seven interlinked modules on hydraulic legs fitted with skis, enabling the units to be towed into new positions. The blue modules contain bedrooms, laboratories, and office areas. The red module features a brightly lit, double-height space that is used for social activities.Halley Vi is the world’s first re-locatable and award-winning research facility providing scientists with state-of-the-art laboratories and living accommodation.

The site was in a challenging position, the location was confined with additional restricted access, the client also insisted on building with “natural and healthy materials”. Our AIRTIGHT structural panel with exceptional airtightness, effortlessly met the brief, even within a very tight budget.

By using a pair of Howe Green Access Cover Skates you will make light work of moving heavy access covers! Health and safety is a major consideration for all building owners, facilities managers and contractors. The Howe Green Access Cover Skate removes the need for operatives to manually move heavy manhole covers and access covers when accessing concealed services. By reducing the requirement to handle heavy objects the risk of injury is greatly diminished. With up to a 300-kilo lift from each Howe Green Access Cover Skate you will benefit from a powerful floor access cover lifter.

Architect: Austin-Smith:LordInstaller: Lacunar LtdProduct: Gustafs Panel SystemOver 400m2 of Gustafs Panel System was installed to the walls of the Birmingham Royal Ballet during their £2.7m refurbishment in 2015. Acoustic panels were installed to two ballet rehearsal studios as well as the new informal performance space.In addition to the visual refurbishment of the space; the regeneration project aimed to improve the facility by upgrading the lighting, heating and ventilation, and accessibility, as well as improving administration and welfare areas.A mix of of SM5 and SM8 mini slotted acoustic perforations as well as nano acoustic perforations were used on the Birch, Oak, and White laminate faced panels. Slotted perforation styles give an elegant and dramatic finish to the panels whilst Nano perforations are almost invisible on the face of the panel, all three options provide up to Class B acoustic performance.

Project:Ast+Dagdelen Architects approached Surespan to manufacture a glazed walk-on basement skylight for use at ground level to bring light and a means of delivery access for materials and goods to their model workshop which is situated beneath their architectural practice. Product:The single leaf 500 (19.5?) x 2400mm (95.5?) electrically operated and thermally broken access hatch featured TripleLite 34mm double glazing with a 1.4kN concentrated pedestrian load. The hatch was finished in a polyester powder coating to match Valspar Bronze.

All acoustic products which were installed on this project by UK Acoustic Systems were manufactured by Soundis, specifically their Soundis Absorb-R WoodTec range, which the client and architect approved due to their versatility, and the fact they were able to manufacture the products exactly to the project specific specification.The Micro Perforated Timber panels were located and installed on the curved rear wall of the auditorium. The timber core panels were faced with Micro Perforated Formica and the client decided upon the colour red which contrasted the other products within the auditorium tremendously.

Disabled access was the driving force behind a leading motorcycle company’s decision to ramp up facilities at its new showroom. It’s been a year of success for Barrie Robson Motorcycles, a well-known prestige motorcycle dealer and BMW franchise in York. But with a newly-built premises the company needed to ensure that it gave disabled customers and staff top quality access by installing a Cibes UK lift. Kevin Fairburn is manager and joint owner at the dealership that opened its new headquarters a year ago after 30 years in business.

Bloomberg’s European Headquarters opened with excitement in October 2017. The marquee building in the heart of London provides new office space for Bloomberg’s 4000 London based employees. We installed over 37,000m2 of Kingspan raised access flooring and 34,000m2 of Kingspan Attiro real wood engineered floor. The combined systems allow quick and easy access to the steel encapsulated floor panels and the underfloor void whilst delivering 98.5% score against the BREEAM sustainability assessment method.

Project:Surespan manufactured a single leaf HLAC recessed access hatch to Queens Square in Crawley, part of a £3.2 million project. ProductSurespan manufactured an 80mm access hatch to fit a structural opening of 1000 x 3500 is operated by hydraulic cylinders and a hand pump. The operation will be by an electrically driven single power pack, including a push-button or key switch. Oil supply to the cylinders will be from a hydraulic mini-pack that can be remotely or locally sited. A retractable safety grid was also installed on three open sides, manually operated.

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

AbleStay Holiday HomeFor anyone considering accessible accommodation in London, you may be interested to hear more about AbleStay, London’s first accessible holiday home situated near Worcester Park, South West London. The house is fully adapted for wheelchair access and has a bright open plan kitchen, dining and living area.The AbleStay mission is to deliver fully accessible and adapted holiday homes in cities across the UK, providing families with confidence their accommodation will provide a perfect and beautiful environment for their stay.Freedom by Symphony KitchenDesigned by Adam Thomas Consultancy, and Tara Neil kitchen Retailer, the AbleStay house features our Freedom by Symphony Kitchen and has various universal and accessible design features ensuring a safe, practical and stylish kitchen space.A rise and fall adjustable height worktop with integrated waterfall edge to limit spillages. Visitors to the holiday home can set a safe and convenient height to use the Induction hob, sink and front mounted tap, which is all situated on the same run of worktop. The full length of the rise and fall worktop also provides open leg space and a shallow sink bowl providing full accessibility for wheelchair access.There is a pull-out accessible larder, eliminating the need to bend and reach down into the back of cupboards to find cooking items. Instead, all items are within reach and clearly visible so are easy to find quickly and safely.  Two Luxurious Slide&Hide® Neff ovens have been installed featuring doors which can be hidden beneath when using the oven. Accessible oven housings also position the ovens at a comfortable height and have the benefit of heatproof shelfs, so food can be transferred out of the oven straight onto the resting shelves; allowing hot dishes to cool before transferring to the worktop space.Founder of AbleStay Freedom by Symphony are thrilled to have worked on such an exciting project with Charles Van Berckel, founder of AbleStay: “the support provided by Adam Thomas and the team at Symphony enabled us to provide a truly beautiful and functional kitchen for wheelchair users. Without their kind and generous support it would never have been possible”

Surespan manufactured this HIACE/GWO aluminium, single leaf, flush floor access hatch for a company in London to fit a structural opening 2600 x 650mm, recessed with TripleLite ‘Walk-on-glass’ infill. The lid is operated by two 24v DC actuators. The TripleLite 34mm thick glass suits pedestrian domestic loading only. The patent frame with unique hidden hinges incorporates an EPDM unbroken seal to help prevent the ingress of dirt and moisture. This access cover is not watertight, it is self-draining. Should any water pass the seals it will be dispersed via an integral drainage channel.

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.

Broadband experts have taken accessibility at their Hull HQ to the next level. Cibes Lift UK has installed an A5000 platform lift at KCOM’s head office to allow for disabled access. Lauren Haysom, regional property coordinator at KCOM, says she wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Cibes to those looking to improve accessibility for staff and visitors. She said: “As a company we know it is vitally important that we meet all our employees’ access needs as well as fully complying with regulations surrounding disabled access and Cibes has enabled us to meet those requirements."

IntroductionSurespan designed and manufactured the highest hatch in the world, a 600mm diameter submarine access hatch located 816 meters up on the Burj Khalifa. The Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building, soaring 828 meters above Dubai. The design for the 162-story tower combines local cultural influences with cutting-edge technology to achieve high performance in an extreme desert climate.Products suppliedWe supplied;Surespan was selected for its engineering expertise, innovative designs, and unique skills.The team designed and manufactured a 600mm diameter, polish grade 316 stainless steel simulated submarine access hatch with handwheels. The hatch is located at 816 meters and is used for maintenance access to the aircraft warning lights.The projectAs part of the 1.5-billion-dollar mega Downtown Dubai project, the government of Dubai decided to build the world’s tallest building. This project redefines what is possible in the design and engineering of supertall buildings.  Architect firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill design inspiration for the tower was taken from the shape of a regional desert flower the Hymenocallis, also known as the desert lily and the patterning systems embodied in Islamic architecture.

Product:Surespan manufactured this SAC Aluminium, single leaf, flush floor access cover to fit a structural opening 1000 x 1000mm. The access cover comes complete with gas spring assisted, Aluminium chequer plate lid which locks in the open position with a safety hold open stay to prevent against accidental closure. Should any water pass the seals, it will be dispersed via an integral drainage channel. The lid is held shut by a heavy-duty Grade 316 Stainless Steel ‘slam action’ cab lock and can open from both sides with the use of a removable ‘Tee’ key., for safety. Finished Self-colour Aluminium.

ACO StormBrixx with man access system tested to see whether it really does address on going access and maintenance requirements.

Three of the UK’s leading access specialists have come together to form the Access 360 portfolio, providing a total manufacturing solution for roof, ceiling, wall and floor access products for the construction industry. Access 360 comprises Bilco UK, Profab Access and Howe Green. These well-established brands all have a strong reputation for delivering innovative solutions to address the challenges of safe access within a building or external environment.

Three of the UK’s leading access specialists have come together to form the Access 360 portfolio, providing a total manufacturing solution for roof, ceiling, wall and floor access products for the construction industry. Access 360 comprises Bilco UK, Profab Access and Howe Green. These well-established brands all have a strong reputation for delivering innovative solutions to address the challenges of safe access within a building or external environment. The brand identities have been updated, reflecting the holistic offer that Access 360 presents to the market, to represent the synergy between the brands and the complementary nature of the products.