"air handling units"

The challengeSome of the venues had mixed conventional warm air hand dryers varying from 2kw to 2.5kw rated power with 30 to 45 second drying cycles. Some units were manual operation so continued to use energy while not in use. Typical energy consumption was 20 to 30 watt-hours per dry.“The Turboforce were selected because of their high energy efficiency, the units have been well received in all our sites and the upgrade has massively improved the perception of our washroom facilities and cut energy use by 90% compared to our previous hand dryers”S.Midgley - Deputy Head of Estates, Sheffield City TrustWho are Sheffield City Trust?It was established in 1990 with a mission to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Sheffield. It manages the venues that were built for the 1991 World Student Games and has acquired many more since. It has millions of people through its doors each year with over 15 sport, leisure and entertainment venues under the Sheffield City Trust umbrella.The solutionEnergy efficient, high speed Turboforce hand dryers were installed. All units start immediately when hands are placed under and stop as soon as they are removed. Typical energy consumption is 2.33 to 5.33 watt-hours per dry.Model: Dryflow TurboforceDry time range: 10-15 secondsRated power: 350W – 1600W (4 settings available)Guarantee length: 5 yearsThe results“IFS carried out a comprehensive site survey of all our facilities which highlighted the inefficiency of the current hand dryers. They had an excellent range of hand dryers designed to suit the rigours of intense use and were even able to make technical adjustments to the product to specifically meet our requirements.” S.Midgley - Deputy Head of Estates, Sheffield City TrustThe total project was calculated to cost £38,000 and deliver a £10,000 per annum saving, (3.8 year payback period). Total CO2 reduction was calculated at 51 tCO2e perannum.

Artform Urban Furniture was appointed by Sager House (Almeida) to provide seating and cycle parking to a mixed-use community space in Islington, North London.Hidden behind an Edwardian façade of a former postal sorting office, Islington Square has been over a decade and a half in the making after the plot was initially bought in 2003 by Developers Cain International. After years of careful planning and construction, the site is now complete and comprises of independent retail units, restaurants, galleries, event spaces, a cinema, and 263 new flats.The intention of the project was to bring variety back to the high street and as well as the boutique shops, unique retailers and events spaces this consideration was echoed in the choice of street furniture. A selection of our stone seating and planter elements have been supplied to the site that feature distinctive designs to stand out. The Up Bench is a sculptural and modular bench, manufactured from a binding compound of granite that has been bush hammered and treated against deterioration. Inslington Square features combined runs of Up benches that create snaking blocks of social seating.The Arrowhead range of benches and planters are dotted around the space bringing natural colour as well as further social seating opportunities. These curvaceous monolith-shaped units offer a low-maintenance and resilient alternative to traditional street furniture. Their weight and mass also allow their placement to be considered in terms of building pedestrian protection from vehicles.Finally, considerations for cycling visitors and residents have been met with a selection of our premium cycle stands. The Ride Cycle Stand features concealed connections and discreet leveling glides to make the stand appear balanced in air. The cast aluminium flat ribbon frame marks it as a member of the Metro40 family of street furniture. 25 Units were supplied which provide great bicycle support with the capability for attachment at two points and holds two bicycles creating parking space for up to 50 bikes. Islington Square is an inclusive, pedestrian-friendly hub that sits at the heart of the surrounding community and brings something different to both residents and visitors.

Another housing refurbishment is set to benefit from the high-performance Roofshield breather membrane. The world-renowned Roofshield membrane from the A. Proctor Group has long been recognised as a first-class roofing membrane solution, providing a pitched roof underlay that is air and vapour permeable.Specialist roofing company S & J Roofing in Bath has been providing roofing services since 1981 and has established a reputation for high-quality roofing work for all kinds of domestic and commercial works, from restoration to complete new re-roofs down to minor repairs.Naomi Richards of S & J Roofing commented, “we have used Roofshield on many of our projects, Roofshield will always be our number one go-to product. Using Roofshield leads to savings in both labour and material costs, keeping the installation team and customers happy. Roofshield was the most cost-effective solution to control the interstitial condensation in a pitched roof. Roofshield is the most reliable product on the market, so it is used on every one of our projects.”Roofshield is a unique, three-layer, nonwoven, spunbonded, polypropylene breather membrane with a patented melt-blown core, and it provides a secondary barrier to the ingress of rain, wind, and snow. Designed with a low vapour resistance, it is air-permeable, with the additional benefit that it eliminates the incidence of interstitial condensation in pitched roofs.The exceptional performance of Roofshield has been successfully incorporated in many of the most demanding locations worldwide. Its characteristics allow pitched roofs to breathe without needing air gaps or secondary venting. Its patented SMS (Spunbond Meltblown Spunbond) structure allows high levels of airflow and the transport of moisture vapour, making the formation of condensation in the roof space virtually impossible. Numerous vapour underlays use an airtight VP film layer to achieve their performance. However, the exceptionally high vapour permeability and air permeability of Roofshield means that it can perform in conditions in which air-tight alternatives will not.The exceptional air permeability performance of Roofshield means that the roof space will result in similar air changes to that of a roof using traditional eaves/ ridge ventilation. Therefore, another advantage of incorporating Roofshield into the roofing design is that it can lead to savings in labour and material costs due to removing the need for these vents as well as a separate VCL at ceiling level.

Heathrow Airport is the UK’s largest and busiest airport connecting the UK to over 80 long haul destinations and flying over 80 million passengers worldwide. Project/doors: Hart has over installed over 280 doors across all terminals including high speed smoke screens, fire conveyor shutters, security shutters, internal and external high speed doors, insulated fast action doors, sectional doors and pedestrian doors.The challenge Terminal 5 baggage handling system serves around 32 million passengers per year and handles around 6000 bags per hour.  Hart were asked to design, manufacture and install a specialist and unique automatic smoke screen system capable of handling over 6000 bags per hour, while providing a seal for 30 minutes in the event of fire. The solution Hart were the only company to provide a solution that fully met all the design requirements. Two years after the initial talks with the client, Hart successfully completed the manufacture and installation of all of the high speed smoke/fire screens within the main check in area, comprising 102 check in desks. Hart also installed a mixed package of roller shutter and fire doors in the lower ground service area and fire shutters on the Tube access tunnels leading directly to Terminal 5. The success Hart was chosen for the quality of engineering and the ability to meet the clients demanding specification and operating requirements. Hart continues to work with contractors and OEM’s such as Vanderlande, Mace and Balfour Beatty on site supplying upgrades and new doors when required

Handling over five million passengers a year, Liverpool John Lennon Airport is one of the UK’s busiest airports. Last year Twinfix worked with Principal Contractor Technical Construction Group Limited on a £750,000 project to design, manufacture and install a new covered walkway at the airport from the terminal building past stands 51 to 53 on the airside apron.

Health & Safety Executive figures show that handling materials is the second most common cause for injuries on construction sites and the Union of Construction, Allied Trades & Technicians states that workers are constantly being exposed to health risks. Leading bead manufacturer, Renderplas, says choosing PVC beads over metal counterparts could reduce the number of on-site injuries.

ChallengeFor the air traffic controllers at Birmingham Airport, concentration is critical to ensuring the safety of the hundreds of passenger jets that take off and land every day. Studies show office workers lose concentration when noise levels hit 55dB; however, the sound of just one medium-sized aircraft descending at 1,000ft is 70dB.SolutionWith this in mind, noise reduction was an essential factor in the specification of the insulation for the 105ft air traffic control tower. The airport’s developers consulted Knauf Insulation’s Technical Support Team for advice. The Technical Support Team recommended Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab, a non-combustible Rock Mineral Wool insulation designed for use in high-rise rainscreen façade systems.Mineral Wool insulation has superior acoustic performance because of its open structure, which traps sound between the individual strands and turns it into heat energy.Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is quick and easy to install and adapts to minor imperfections in the substrate. Slabs are flexible and knit together eliminating air gaps for maximum acoustic and thermal performance, making it perfect for use on the curved walls of the funnel shaped control tower. The same level of acoustic performance could not have been achieved with rigid foam boards, which have closed cell structures that offer virtually no sound absorption. Rigid foam boards are also more prone to air gaps, reducing acoustic performance further.As well as excellent acoustic and thermal performance, Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is non-combustible with Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification. This means it will not contribute to the spread or development of fire should it occur.Another factor in the specification of Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab was sustainability. It is manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder, which contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. It is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable, and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binder, so it is more environmentally friendly. Products made with ECOSE® Technology generate low levels of dust and VOCs, and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.Thanks to Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab the air traffic controllers at Birmingham Airport can enjoy a quieter, warmer, safer and more sustainable workplace."Acoustic protection, energy performance, fire safety and sustainability were all crucial factors taken into account during the design of the air traffic control tower and so all materials specified with the project needed to meet these multiple requirements. We are extremely pleased with the building."Will Heynes, Birmingham Airport’s Development Director

Twinfix have been working with Algeco on a new, exciting project. Algeco, Europe’s leading modular building solutions brand was awarded a Framework contract totalling £21.9m to supply secure units to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), with the option to order further units. As part of the supply of these secure modular units, Algeco have asked Twinfix to design, supply and install walkway covers along the front of each modular section and in communal areas to completely cover the space, providing a crossing place.Meeting short term demandsThe Rapid Deployment Cells Project requires Algeco to provide ‘safe and decent accommodation’. Algeco’s Cannock facility will manufacture the cells utilising DFMA (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly) and Lean Manufacturing techniques. The company will install and commission a variety of units including sleeper accommodation, accessible accommodation, and ancillary units at multiple locations around the country. MoJ secured funding to design and build 1,000 additional temporary prison places, the majority of these will be delivered throughout this year. The Rapid Deployment Cells Project was initiated to create a new design that can be quickly deployed to a variety of sites to help meet the short term demands of the prison estate.Minister for Prisons and Probation Damian Hinds said:“Prison cells protect the public by making sure we have enough space to put dangerous offenders behind bars – that’s why we’re investing £4 billion to deliver 20,000 extra places. We’re rolling out a thousand Rapid Deployment Cells to create extra spaces quickly while we press ahead with the biggest expansion of prisons in over a century – building six new jails and creating thousands of additional cells by renovating and expanding existing sites.”Twinfix are very proud to be asked to be part of this exciting project and worked to design a bespoke system to meet our clients exacting requirements. As our canopy was to be attached to Algeco’s secure modular units, we needed to ensure that the design included some adjustability to allow and compensate for any tolerance in the modular unit’s installation. The finished canopy was to have secure discreet fixings coloured to match the main structure and provide a clean line to the secure facility.The tests of timeAs our product is made of long-lasting aluminium, we knew that longevity of the design wouldn’t be a problem. The canopy is a modular design and prefabricated off- site, making it quick and easy to assemble on site with minimal disruption. Lightweight aluminium is easily to handle, transport and requires minimal maintenance over its lifetime. Our customisable modular design can be altered to suit specific needs of the client, changes can include size, shape, and colour.Initially, we installed our design at HMP Norwich. We strive to continuously improve and innovate, and we used this as a learning experience, making a few minor adjustments to the design to facilitate speedier installation. At HMP Hollesley Bay, which was our second installation, we applied this learning, making small adjustments to the design, enabling us to install the entire system in just over eight weeks, bringing the canopy installation in, ahead of schedule and on budget.A well-oiled machine.As a requirement for this work, our team had to undergo enhanced DBS and background checks. With everything approved our team prepared themselves by refreshing their skills with Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP’S) and developing a Safe System of Work. This ensured everyone was aware of the hazards, especially those associated with working at height. By making sure each member of our team was part of the solution, it meant when the time came to install on site, the team were a well-oiled machine.Vicky Evans, Twinfix Director said: “We are thrilled to be part of this new project, working with Algeco. We are excited to be using our new product and a new application, whilst remaining true to our roots. We continue to look at all opportunities to provide sustainable and cost-effective solutions to our clients and work collaboratively with our supply chain partners.”

Designed by Cubo Arkitekter and Force4, the House of Disabled People’s Organisations Denmark’s new structure was conceived so that everyone – regardless of ability – could work and move freely within it.The building’s disability solutions had to be subtle enough to integrate into the architecture, and the d line Cut lever handle, created in collaboration with both Cubo and a group of occupational therapists, was one of the solutions chosen.

A trio of installations by Union Industries has helped to support energy efficiency at the production facility of a world-leading radiator manufacturer. Stelrad has benefited from the installation of six of Union Industries’ Bulldoors at its Mexborough, South Yorkshire, 17-acre site. The facility handles Stelrad’s UK radiators business and the co-ordination of the company’s advanced production and distribution operation.

Timber Window Project: Restoring Charm to a Matlock CottageDiscover how Gowercroft successfully transformed Robert Jones's quaint stone cottage in Matlock with high-quality timber windows and doors.A Challenging Derbyshire CottageWhen Robert Jones approached Gowercroft for his cottage renovation in Matlock, they faced an intriguing challenge. His 200-square-meter, 5-bedroom cottage nestled into a Derbyshire hillside, offering stunning countryside views. The property had three stories at the front but only one at the rear, with the ground floor patio situated atop an integral garage.Robert aimed to breathe new life into the neglected property by undertaking a comprehensive refit, including new electrics, bathrooms, stairs, carpets, roofing, garage, and replacement doors and windows. He sought a renovation that honoured the local aesthetics, using durable traditional materials like English slate for the roof and energy-efficient timber windows and patio doors to maximise the scenic vistas.Meeting the ChallengeAccess to the property posed a considerable challenge due to its location on a sharp bend with a steep incline at the end of a winding country road. The installation of oversized windows and doors seemed daunting, but Gowercroft embraced the challenges with creative solutions.Gowercroft crafted and installed eleven Hardwick flush casement windows, a Peveril lift and slide patio door, two floor-to-ceiling fixed light windows, an Accoya® front door, and a timber Melbourne stable door at the side. The lift and slide patio doors and glazed screens had to feature 6mm-thick glass to ensure structural integrity, making each unit weigh approximately 200 kilograms.Given the size and weight of the units, manual handling was impractical. Gowercroft enlisted a specialist contractor with a telehandler to navigate the steep drive and hoist the units into place. Additional personnel joined the effort."The job demanded teamwork, meticulous planning, and coordination with the ongoing building work as we removed the old windows and adjusted the existing openings," Robert explained.Exceeding ExpectationsThroughout the installation, unforeseen challenges arose, including the need to cut away patio paving slabs blocking the original patio doors and repositioning the door frame to accommodate the new Accoya® front door. Gowercroft even provided window boards for the new openings.Robert praised the Gowercroft team for their exceptional dedication and problem-solving attitude, stating, "I can't speak highly enough of the Gowercroft team. They tackled every obstacle and challenge with a 'can-do' spirit."Gowercroft's commitment to quality craftsmanship and their ability to navigate complex installations allowed Robert Jones to transform his Matlock cottage into a charming and energy-efficient retreat that perfectly complements its picturesque surroundings.

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.

When Formby Point Construction needed to specify the insulation for The Gables, an exclusive housing development in Crosby, the project had multiple objectives. Firstly, the company wanted to go beyond the thermal and acoustic requirements outlined in the building regulations. Secondly, with such a large number of applications across multiple construction types, Formby Point Construction wanted to use one manufacturer and supplier to specify the correct product for each application. This would ensure ease of installation and ensure the project was delivered on budget.With this in mind, Formby Point Construction, consulted Formby-based builders’ merchant, Huws Gray, who referred it to Knauf Insulation.For the separating floor applications, Knauf Insulation recommended Knauf Insulation OmniFit® Roll 40, a versatile, non-combustible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification Glass Mineral Wool insulation that provides both excellent thermal and acoustic performance. Knauf Insulation also recommended Knauf Insulation DriTherm® Cavity Slab 32 for the masonry cavity external walls, Knauf Insulation Masonry Party Wall Slab for separating walls to comply with Document E and Knauf Insulation Loft Roll 40 for the insulation of the loft.As well as considering the comfort of the homeowner, Formby Point Construction considers the welfare of its employees as part of its decision making. In addition to excellent thermal and acoustic performance, Knauf Insulation scored highly on this aspect thanks to the ECOSE® Technology, its patented sustainable bio-based binder. Products manufactured with ECOSE® Technology contain no added phenol or formaldehyde, and they are 70% less energy-intensive than products manufactured with traditional formaldehyde-based binder. They have no odour, are softer to touch, making them much more pleasant to handle and install. They have also achieved the best possible Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort, contributing to a high level of indoor air quality for installers and homeowners alike.Once the specification had been agreed, Knauf Insulation then worked with Huws Gray to price the project and take advantage of volume discounts. This meant that Formby Point Construction had some additional budget for insulation. The company therefore decided to install Knauf Insulation Acoustic Roll within the stud walls between all rooms, going above the minimum standard required between bathrooms and bedrooms outlined in Document E.Thanks to Formby Point Construction’s commitment to going above and beyond the regulations, and Knauf Insulation’s high performance Glass Mineral Wool insulation, homeowners at The Gables will enjoy quieter, warmer homes. To see how Knauf Insulation can help with your insulation needs, check out our Housebuilders Hub.https://www.knaufinsulation.co.uk/Housebuilders-hub

Now reimagined as The Edinburgh Grand, the formerA-listed RBS head office built between 1938 and 1942 is animpressive building situated on St Andrew Square. With manypieces of Victorian antique brass and pewter ironmongeryand hundreds of original period doors throughout, theironmongery solution had to accommodate the traditionalaesthetic and be fit for the many demands of a modern hotel.Allgood was commissioned by the project’s architect andinterior designer, both long term partners of Allgood; KarenBrown of Chris Stewart Group and Eirini Christodoulou ofMorgan McDonnell. With such a striking, but unusual finish,finding coordinated hardware was a challenge. Severaloptions were assessed before settling on a brass finishapplied to the Allgood door closers, cylinders and joinerysubcontractor’s hinges.A collection of classic Frank Allart handles was chosen for allapartment front doors, which also integrated with the hotel’saccess control system. To match the patina of the agedhandles, a satin nickel-plated surface was given a light bronzefinish to produce an aged nickel silver appearance. Thisunlacquered, ‘living’ finish, will oxidize and patinate naturallyover time.

Edgingtons Architects were appointed by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to design and deliver a new build sixth form building for Windsor Girls School. The external detailing of the brickwork takes inspiration from a mature oak tree that sits in close proximity to the building, ground floor representing the tree trunk and first floor the texture of the branches and leaves. Internally the building follows a simple layout with a neutral palette of cream, grey and light wood finishes.The ironmongery brief was to specify a simple, robust and affordable ironmongery scheme that would stand up to the typical heavy use of an education setting while ensuring the products were chosen to ensure a long life span. The scheme centres around our Vieler 522 safety lever handle and matching straight pull handle finished in stainless steel. We also supplied all door signage including stainless steel and black door discs denoting room numbers. The simple shape and finish of the ironmongery compliments the project aesthetics beautifully, creating the perfect educational space.Photography: Neil Kenyon

Hale Brown Architects were appointed to redesign 6 Middle Street with the brief to redevelop it into a modern office space that incorporates new sustainable design elements.Set within the narrow cobbled streets along the eastern boundary of the Smithfields Conservation Area this refurbishment included demolition of existing roof structure and replacing it with a feature glazed roof, creation of a mezzanine floor and installation of a cantilevered staircase. The concept was to open up the space to create free-flowing natural light throughout all floors, open up views, create natural ventilation and maximise ceiling heights while incorporating a timber slatted raft concealing service.3v provided a full ironmongery service for this project which including a mixture of brass and matt black products. Black products were used on timber doors and bespoke textured brass pad handles on black frame glass doors, the pad handles were chosen to compliment the detailing in the timber slatted ceiling raft and wall panelling. We think they work seamlessly together! Photography: Neil Kenyon