"communications for accessibility"

Loft Hatch with Youngman Loft Ladder ** We can make any size Loft Hatch ** Our Loft Hatch is supplied with a Youngman Telescopic Loft Ladder which is already fitted to the rear of the Loft Access frame for easy installation. Suitable for ceilings where regular access to loft space is required. The panel is fitted with a Loft Ladder No of Treads: 9 Floor to Hatch Height: 2170mm to 2610mm Load Capacity: 150kg (23.6st) Material: Anodised aluminium Foot Material: Plastic Opening: Automatic locking and release Certifications: Tested in accordance with EN 14975 Loft Hatch with Ladder

Westoe Crown Village by Taylor Wimpey is a development of 685 homes near South Shields, Newcastle. The coastal neighbourhood offers a range of apartments, three-storey townhouses and two-storey houses. Designed with the assistance of local community organisations to ensure an innovative and stimulating environment, Northumbria Police also assisted and advised on the best ways to reduce the potential of crime within the environment.Westoe Crown Village also introduced a village square, primary and nursery school, community centre, healthy living facility, shops and offices – all essential for a growing area of Newcastle. The centre of the village was also designed to have a crucial emphasis on disabled access with ramps, dropped curbs and a lack of barriers implemented so as to create a fully accessible centre for those with additional needs.Carlton’s Ridings Gold Antique clay bricks were used to exemplary effect in the construction of the project with the soft pink, orange and red hues providing a summer-y, pleasant glow to the area, perfect for its close proximity to the beach. The brick also provides a fitting complement to the featured off-white facades that surround certain buildings.

Access flooring once again was selected for this major £12 million building in Cheltenham. Bathgate Flooring manufactured and installed over 5600m2 of Panels to ensure that this Grade A office space offered the maximum flexibility. Products Used BGM 600 Steel Encapsulated Panels Constructing this Office Development is well recorded with a time lapse video of the entire project available through the Gloucestershire Live news story. Access Flooring is used in buildings like this to ensure that there is easy access to the services if needed. Simply lift up the floor panels and all the cabling is visible beneath.

Trade Access Panels are often contacted by customers who have been wrongly informed or have themselves ‘Googled’ certain construction or DIY problems and received totally incorrect information and advice.

Made up of eight buildings and one tower, Deptford Foundry houses 276 private homes in total. A selection of one, two and three-bedroom homes are on offer, all boasting balconies or terraces.Deptford Foundry also has 32,000 sq ft of studio spaces provided by Second Floor Studio & Arts spaces for over 450 artists, crafters, designers and makers, plus its residents have access to a beautiful, communal landscape garden.Set in a thriving local community, the rest of the city is also within easy reach via the nearby stations at New Cross and Deptford.Shield Membranes supplied all external waterproofing, insulation and finishing products. Including our own ShieldINTENSIVE living roof product to provide an aesthetically pleasing finish to external areas.

At Trade Access Panels, we are often asked questions from customers regarding the Polycarbonate Rooflights which we supply. We have tried to note down the most frequently asked questions below to hopefully assist you.

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.

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.

Halesowen College is a further and higher education college based in Halesowen in the West Midlands. The College is committed to nurturing students within an excellent learning environment and a caring, supportive sense of community. The College offers exceptional opportunities for students making the transition from school to higher education or to the career of their choice.As part of their ongoing commitment to improving and updating their facilities and services, the College recently undertook a review of their campus security and determined additional security was required. The College wanted to control access on to the campus to ensure only students, staff and authorised visitors could gain access. Whilst searching for a supplier, the client sought the advice of a Designing Out Crime Officer, who recommended Meesons due to their expertise in supplying entrance control solutions.

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.

The Elephant and Castle project, will incorporate 1000 apartments, retail, restaurants and leisure facilities along with new cutting-edge campus for London College of Communication with exhibition and cultural spaces. Will also include two underground and a mainline rail station, 28 bus routes, excellent road connections and one of London´s first Cycle Superhighways will ensure the development is easily accessed. Effisus Vapour FR System Class A2 was chosen to protect the insulation and building interior.

Access Panels are manufactured from 1mm, 1.2mm & 1.5mm thick Zintec steel which is polyester powder coated.

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.

25 Churchill Place is a 23 storey commercial office tower in Canary Wharf, London. The tower includes 20 floors of high quality (Grade A) office space and is one of the most energy efficient office buildings in the area. Environmental features include lifts that store energy that is re-used elsewhere in the building, and also a highly efficient air conditioning system.Standing at 130m tall, 25 Churchill Place has a VIGIL2 EVAS voice alarm system and an Omnicare EVC system installed.Initially the voice alarm system was installed to service the ‘shell and core’ of the building, with the system racks being designed and built to enable the fitting of ‘tenant’ functionality as and when required. This process is easily achieved due to the modular design of a VIGIL voice alarm system and is a frequently used benefit for ‘new builds’.For the disabled refuge and fire telephone system (EVC), the loop wired Omnicare system was chosen. Canary Wharf Contractors (landlord of BP4) opted for the dual coloured combined fire telephone (red)/disabled refuge (green) outstation which provides users with a choice of communication method.Both systems were designed and installed by Global Fire & Security Systems - one of our Gold Account achievers. Commenting on the installation, Stuart Beeley, Operations Director, Global Fire & Security Systems, said “We have worked closely with Canary Wharf Contractors and Baldwin Boxall on many great projects, and BP4 is another one to add to that list. We choose Baldwin Boxall systems, not only because we know them to be well built and reliable, but because of the support we receive from the company - at all levels.”

Hush Acoustics provided a solution to reverberation issues at the newly extended Queen Elizabeth Hall in the village of Layer de la Haye near Colchester.The hall was designed to be used as a multi-functional amenity for local residents and the general public and is host to anything from Scouts groups to wedding receptions. It was therefore imperative that the acoustics within the building were to a good level to be able to comfortably make use of the hall for all the varying activities.As in many domestic and public places, reverberation and in severe cases, echoes, had become a problem in with mid to high frequency sounds (in most cases) of speech causing disruptive and discomforting noise problems.After an initial inspection, Hush Acoustics proposed the installation of 30x Hush Absorber 50A panels. This Class A sound absorber has built in support frames to allow for bracket fixing to provide an air void behind the absorber for enhanced acoustic performance. The absorber panels were fitted over two days which meant the work had minimal impact to the running of the community activities.The client’s feedback was that the acoustics in the hall after installation “are perfect”.

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.

Optima windows were chosen for the construction of 18 houses, 38 flats and two retail units as part of a regeneration scheme in Maidstone, Kent. Housing association Golding Homes has invested £50m in a three phase regeneration project to transform and improve the former Park Wood estate in Maidstone. The scheme involved providing over 200 new homes, mainly family houses, as well as new community facilities including new shops, and a much wider package of investment to improve the local area.

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”

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

Hindu Temple & Community Centre, Nottingham, looked for a washroom revamp and specified Franke products for the project. Inspired Washrooms, a Nottingham based fit-out company, executed the project by installing a wide range of Franke products. The three-week programme included the installation of Franke Miranit washbasins and accessories from the Rodan range. The full range of products provided was: ·       2 x ANMW431 Quadro triple washbasins ·       6 x F3SV1001 FS3 self-closing pillar taps·       9 x CHRX669  Jumbo toilet roll holders ·       5 x RODX618 RODAN soap dispensers for wall mounting ·       4 x F1390 AIRBLAST hand dryers (white) The Temple, based in the City of Nottingham, was developed in the early 1970s and has since evolved into an establishment covering a wide range of activities promoting the Hindu ethos. These activities range from Religious, Cultural, Social, Festive, Educational and Charity events to Yoga practice.Miranit washbasins are ideal for busy areas such as community centres. Miranit is a shatter-proof, resin bonded mineral granite material and provided a robust and aesthetically pleasing solution to the project. Miranit is cast in a single mold with no adhesive seams or joints and offers high stability and high durability while keeping a contemporary style.  Chris Kightley, Managing Director of Inspired Washrooms, commented ‘‘We work with Franke regularly and can always trust them to provide us with quality products. Over the years, we have worked on many projects together, and we would consider them one of our most trusted partners. Their range Miranit composite washroom basins are excellent for various projects that we complete, and the Rodan accessories angular side profiles complement the contemporary décor of the washrooms”.

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."

Through this project, a dynamic education hub is taking shape, with Ark Swift Primary Academy, Harmony Nursery, and the Adult Community Education Centre, all undergoing a revamp. A dedicated youth zone catering to the younger generation is also being developed. This regeneration project also introduces 132 housing units, comprising 55 one-bedroom and 77 two-bedroom apartments, tailored to the needs of local residents and essential workers, including teachers. The transformation extends further with the creation of a public square and pedestrian and cycling routes aimed at reducing travel time and enhancing access to nearby transportation nodes.Stofix products are being used in block C of this project – a 95,000 sq ft office building of the highest grade, complete with terraces, meeting spaces, and a crowning top-floor penthouse. This endeavor paves the way for a brighter, more interconnected community future.

300 vertically hung Rockfon Industrial baffles are installed to provide acoustic absorption in the double height central hub of the college.

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.

This fire-rated and acoustic-rated Invisible Loft Hatch was installed to replace an unsightly loft hatch in a living room. This discreet and stylish solution seamlessly integrates with the ceiling, as the beaded frame of the product allows the plaster of the ceiling to cover it. This means the loft hatch offers easy attic access while enhancing the room's aesthetics. The Loft Hatch features The Access Panel Company's unique SLIK keyhole treatment, which is pushed out of the way when the key is entered and springs back into place when the key is removed. This means the keyhole is hidden from view when not in use. This innovative solution demonstrates how practicality and elegance can coexist in home design.

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.

Trade Access Panels are proud suppliers of both the FAKRO LSF Fire Rated Metal and FAKRO LWK Komfort 3 Loft Ladders. FAKRO is a name that you can trust being one of the World’s principal manufacturers of Loft Ladders which allow convenient access to non-inhabited loft spaces negating the need to install expensive and in most cases unnecessary, staircases.

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.

A not-for-profit community food business in Sheffield has been reflecting on its success over the past year and praising the support of an addition to the team that allowed them to meet overwhelming demand. Regather, in Highfield, has been established for over a decade and is a sustainable, worker-owned community benefit society, run with co-operative values. With the help of its 15 acre market garden, the team sells fruit and vegetable boxes made up of local produce, by local workers. The BriefAs demand for the fruit and veg boxes grew – space became a premium. Initially, a marquee was put up to extend space outside the building, but this was not a suitable long term solution.‘It came to a point where we either needed to move premises or look for other solutions to reconfigure the building’ says Gareth Roberts founder of Regather. ‘Due to the pandemic moving the business was not a viable option. After much consideration, we decided to repurpose the event space upstairs into another working area. The problem then was getting the 600 – 700kg of produce safely between floors’.The ChallengeRegather only had a very small area for a goods lift to be installed due to the main entrance and a staircase. Goods Lift Design Engineer Umar Lodhi was up to the task and created a MezzLift design that not only fits the space but does not block the entrance to the building when the doors were open. ‘Special thanks to Umar Lodhi, the designer who worked with us to make the lift fit within our restrictive space,’ says Gareth.Another challenge faced by both Regather and Penny Hydraulics was the installation of goods lift during the pandemic. Social distancing was adhered to and the lift was able to be installed on-time with little disruption.The SolutionThe MezzLight goods lift can safely move up to 250kg of goods between floors, providing Regather with the flexibility to reconfigure their workspace. This has helped the business to grow in line with the increased demand, without the need for downtime or the huge expense of moving. ‘I actually did some the prep work myself – within a week the lift was in and up and running, it has really helped to transform the business’ says Gareth.

Installing an access panel or a loft hatch is something which is very important when you’re looking to be able to do more with the space you already have within your home. However, there are certain building regulations you should be aware of when it comes to installing a panel or a hatch, as you need to comply with them. In order to make sure that you definitely understand these regulations, we’re taking a closer look at them here.

Nestled in the charming coastal town of Selsey, The Selsey Centre has long been a cornerstone of community engagement since its establishment in 2007. Offering an array of activities and event spaces for hire. Now, a groundbreaking transformation is underway as the installation of a Changing Places facility promises to enhance accessibility and inclusivity for all.Turnkey Solution ProvidersAt the heart of this initiative lies a commitment to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can fully participate in the community life that Selsey has to offer. Spearheaded by Selsey Town Council, in collaboration with a dedicated team of professionals including Astor Bannerman, WWa, HNW Architects, ITD Consultants, and Premier Group, the project aims to redefine standards of accessibility within the town.The journey towards realising this vision began with meticulous planning and collaboration. Astor Bannerman played a pivotal role by overseeing the project as a turnkey solution provider. From assisting the architect in refining the internal layout and specifications during the design phase to emerging as the preferred contractor at the tender stage, Astor Bannerman ensured a seamless and comprehensive approach at every step of the way. Through a rigorous value engineering process, the project was fine-tuned to align with budgetary constraints without compromising on quality or functionality.Changing Places, Changing LivesThe installation of the Changing Places facility represents a significant milestone in the ongoing evolution of The Selsey Centre. Part-funded through the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUCH). By reconfiguring the existing toilet block, the center aims to not only meet regulatory standards but also to serve as a welcoming space for disability groups, ensuring they can fully utilise and enjoy the center’s amenities. Central to the Changing Places facility are features designed to enhance comfort, convenience, and safety. The installation includes: Astor Invincible Height Adjustable Changing Table ABW-CP Height Adjustable Wall Mounted Wash BasinOT200 Overhead Ceiling Track HoistKwickScreen Wall Mounted Privacy Screen Beyond its practical implications, the installation of the Changing Places facility represents a symbolic gesture of inclusivity and solidarity within the community. Setting New StandardsIn conclusion, the installation of the Changing Places facility at The Selsey Centre marks a significant turnkey triumph for Astor Bannerman, showcasing our expertise in inclusive design and commitment to excellence. Selsey is poised to set new standards, ensuring that all members of the community can fully participate in the vibrant tapestry of life that defines this coastal town.

Saige products were used to help create a low maintenance garden which could have critical wheel chair access for a family member so they could use their garden all together. The contractor used Saige's Traditional co-extruded decking range in Teak to create a large outdoor space including the all important access ramp along with Saige's Subframe system to create a solid, safe and accessible environment.