"drain"

The Merry Hill Shopping Centre in Brierley Hill recently underwent an expansion and overhaul of its entrance area. Aspen were approached to design, manufacture and install bespoke drainage for the newly renovated entrance area to the shopping centre.Aspen worked closely with the client to manufacture and install stainless steel solutions to support the performance of the outdoor environment. There was great importance placed on the rainwater calculations and anti-slip resistance to ensure the channels and covers were fit for purpose in an outdoor setting. Aspen provided engineering drawings, samples and prototypes to ensure a seamless manufacturing process and delivery of the project from day one.Aspen Stainless  HD Heel Guard Drain Cover and Drain Channels were specifically designed to support the flow of rainwater within the entrance area. The standard central bottom Meribel Outlet was installed to efficiently dispose of non-liquid waste built up within the outlet. The trap featured fully removable trash baskets to allow for the efficient disposal of non-liquid waste, built up within the outlet.The HD Heel Guard Cover was specifically tested using the pendulum anti-slip test. The pendulum assesses the friction offered by the floor when a foot comes into contact with the surface. The cover was tested to ensure that the surface presents a safe level of grip in end use. The pendulum anti-slip has proven to deliver the most accurate results and is therefore the key adopted method for assessing floor slipperiness in all conditions. The pendulum CoF test is the subject is a British Standard, BS 7976: Parts 1-3 using an imitation heel (rubber soling sample) sweeping over the drain cover. The slipperiness of the flooring has a direct impact on the value provided and is therefore the adopted method for assessing floor slipperiness in all conditions.The dedicated project manager worked closely with the contractor during the installation process to ensure highest standards for drainage and protection were achieved. The design, manufacture and installation process was specifically scoped out to meet with all the necessary building regulations in line with the latest HSE and UKSRG guidelines.If you wish to find out more about Aspen Stainless solutions please email: aspen@canalengineering.co.uk or speak to one of our technical sales team via our online chat portal.

The global drinks manufacturer Britvic have recently completed the expansion of its manufacturing site in Rugby. This particular investment involved installing a fourth canning line, growing the site capacity by 18%.This new, state of the art canning line was designed to boost Britvic’s Rugby facility, which continues to produce recyclable cans for popular drinks brands such as Tango & Pepsi. The additional capacity will also be used as a platform to drive further innovation and expansion within the business.Aspen Stainless Davos Plus drain channels with ladder covers were installed to cope with the high level of waste demand on site. The channel profile was carefully designed to provide an easy to clean surface with a self-draining slope feature. The strictest level of hygiene standards are required within food manufacturing facilities due to the build-up of bacteria and possible cross contamination of liquids. The new drainage channels were designed to match the existing flow and volume capacity of their existing drains and included bespoke outlets, tied into the building’s underground drainage systems.Banff outlets were also installed with a hinged trap, the removable trash baskets were designed to efficiently dispose of the non-liquid waste, which has built up within the outlet. It’s essential the drainage is perfectly aligned to ensure a seamless connection across the entire site to boost performance standards.The drainage channels are designed in compliance with EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group) to support safe hygienic engineering in food manufacture. The EHEDG states ‘product contact surfaces must be easy to clean, non-absorbent and not present a toxicological hazard by leaching of substances and foodstuffs’ the cleanability of the drainage is also an important hygiene requirement as stated in the EHEDG ‘Improperly or insufficiently cleaned equipment cannot be effectively disinfected’The perfectly fitted drainage system boosted the overall hygienic performance of the new drinks recycling facility. This included employee health & safety, operational costs as well as consumer safety. The dedicated project managers worked closely with the contractor during the entire installation process to ensure the highest standards for drainage and protection were achieved.If you have any questions regarding our drainage solutions, please email aspen@canalengineering.co.uk or visit our website and speak to one of our technical advisors for more information.

Wood Wharf consists of 2.6 million sq ft of residential space including up to 3,600 new homes offering the very best in city and waterside living. A Bespoke Shallow Wet room Drainage was required to fit within the POD manufactures and the Architects Design constraints. THE CHALLENGE Wood Wharf is a new district in Canary Wharf which is creating a vibrant new urban quarter. The size of the project itself poses a challenge due to the logistics that go into conducting work at various points throughout the site at any one point. The decision to have the wetrooms and bathrooms constructed off site by POD manufacturing would mean that time spent on site would be drastically reduced, however a bespoke drainage offering would have to be made available in order to present a drainage solution that would fit within the confines of the POD system. Due to the nature of the project, a sophisticated design would be needed within the bathroom in order to tie in with the rest of the interiors of the residential apartments. THE SOLUTION Wetroom Materials worked closely with the POD Manufacturer to present a wetroom system that would be able to adapt to the demands of the POD construction. Wetroom Materials have a range of different channel lengths that can be used on a variety of projects with different requirements; a channel length was specified around the parameters of the space available. Due to the limited floor depths within the suggested POD construction, Wetroom Materials offered a low-profile system starting from just 64mm, that still had the capacity to take a large flow rate. On the back of Wetroom Materials’ advice, the wetroom design was altered to have the drain running along the long wall in order to minimise the required floor depth needed to slope the floor space to allow the water to fall to the drain gulley, whilst still providing a level entrance point across the threshold to the shower area. The drain finish chosen was the HighLine Panel. The reason for this choice was to provide a clean, minimalistic finish that kept in line with the high-end nature of the entire project, while still providing a function and durable product that will stand the test of time. In succeeding to provide a drainage solution that adapted to the requirements of a POD construction, Wetroom Materials were able to reduce the project timescale and increase the site’s work efficiency.

NV Buildings is one of the most prestigious and iconic residential sites in Greater Manchester.The distinctive sail-shaped buildings are a major landmark in Salford Quays. The blocks have a curved main elevation providing a unique aesthetic on the skyline and are one of the most popular developments in the area.With a prominent location in Salford Quays, adjacent to the Lowry Theatre and Media City TV headquarters, the apartment blocks feature in many iconic photos of the area.The project itself was funded by the Building Safety Fund, the Government’s £4.5 billion fund to remove unsafe non-ACM cladding on residential and mixed-use properties that are 18 metres and over and do not meet building safety regulations.Our Approved Installer QFF Facades were contracted to complete the exterior wall insulation and rendering which upgraded the fire performance of the cladding, ensuring the safety of both the building and residents.Three 15 storey blocks were refurbished, with a safe and thermally efficient façade solution.Our ServiceWe worked in close partnership with QFF Facades throughout the duration of the project.Deliveries and install were strictly monitored and a very systematic approach was followed. A planned install programme was agreed to ensure minimal disruption to the residents of N V Buildings, who remained in their homes while the work was carried out on this prestigious site.We produced a bespoke specification which included various detailing such as soffits, balconies, and full height panels.A partnership approach was vital, as we worked with QFF Facades, Thomasons Consulting engineering, and the fire officer to agree upon and deliver specific detailing at abutments, openings, and for the drained cavity of the façade system.Particular attention to detail was afforded to the drained cavity fire-stops, including fire-stop details between floors, at party walls for each apartment and around openings.As part of our service commitment, our technical team were available to provide hands-on-guidance, offer support, technical guidance and ensure high levels of quality.Technical Project DetailsAfter testing, the existing cladding had been deemed a fire safety risk by experts and therefore needed to be removed and replaced with anon-combustible alternative.The project was a strip-and-refit of a drained cavity external wall insulation system, which included an expanded polystyrene insulation system.Our Approved Installer QFF Facades installed a K Systems Exicco M, Drained Cavity External Wall Insulation System for steel frame buildings, utilising Mineral Wool insulation. This high performing system provides high levels of fire resistance and non-combustibility.The fire classification of the façade for N V Buildings was upgraded to A2-s1, d0 and therefore complies with the latest building regulations, ensuring the safety of its residents.For the finish, high-performance thin coat silicone render (Silicone TC) was specified. Our Silicone TC render has a number of fantastic advantages including ease of application, and its hydrophobic properties make the render low maintenance. Available in a wide range of colours the topcoat finish used on NV Buildings is a light grey to match the original façade, meaning aesthetically the iconic buildings maintained their distinctive design.

Aspen Stainless supplied bespoke stainless-steel solutions to the UK’s leading food producer Cranswick. Aspen worked closely with Trundley Design to design effective hygienic plant equipment for a number of food processing plants across the UK.The drainage system was installed to support the cleaning regime and water flow around the factory. This blended perfectly with the John Lord flooring design and allowed for waste to drain effectively into the surrounding channels and gullies; creating a seamless connection between the systems and prevented any standing waste and bacteria from building up.

Following a successful park and ride facility in the west of the city and to reduce traffic further, an east park and ride facility comprising 1800 car parking spaces as part of a regeneration scheme. The park and ride design focused on sustainability and protecting local habitats. Due to restrictions on run off levels Cornwall council opted for Porous Paving. ABG Sudspave 40 permeable pavers were installed on free draining aggregate to enhance surface water drainage. Sudspave was supplied pre assembles for rapid installation. The panels can be filled with topsoil, gravel or seeded.

The Wave is a new inland-surfing lake, powered by 100% renewable electricity that provides the opportunity to surf all year round regardless of weather conditions or tides. The site’s entrance and car park suffered from boggy ground conditions following spells of wet weather and with approximately 2,750m2 of impermeable surfacing, there was limited potential for infiltration. The shuttle bus route between the main facilities and the car park is now surfaced with Truckcell 80 Permeable Paving blocks, filled with free draining angular gravel to allow rainwater to percolate down to the existing sub-soil.

The newly opened £24m Torfaen Learning Zone in Cwmbran is a showcase for AluK’s SL52 capped, mullion drained curtain walling system, complete with punched open-in windows in the thermally efficient AluK 77IWE casement system. Part of the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools and Education programme, it is the new home of learning for all those aged 16 and over in Cwmbran and caters for 1300 students. It has been built on a brownfield site in the centre of the town and will form part of a wider development, also set to include offices, a hotel and retail and hospitality outlets.

In Clerkenwell, McLaren constructed a new office building with a basement to provide a total 97,000 sq ft of office space. McLaren utilized the existing basement structure which meant the exterior of the structure wasn't accessible. This meant that it was appropriate to use a cavity drain system. FIS worked closely with Henry Construction Projects and Veretec to provide a complete waterproofing service. Designing a system to fit around the existing structure was the challenge. FIS were able to advise on the correct installation process and provide regular quality control checks. Images courtesy of turnmillec1.co.uk.

Roof terrace on the third floor of a residential block. The customer wanted a floating deck but was keen to source decking that could be easily installed. They needed to deal with a slope and variation in the surface, as well as easy access to a drain. Wallbarn recommended their Cumuru hardwood timber tiles which being 500mm x 500mm x 30mm, which are highly portable and perfect for low threshold retro-fits. To deal with the variation in surfaces around the deck, we recommended laying the timber tiles onto our ‘Balance’ self-levelling pedestals. Total installation time: 3 hours

The Quartermile development is a cosmopolitan mix of luxury apartments, cafes and businesses in the heart of Edinburgh city centre. The masterplan for the new area is designed by Foster + Partners and enjoys views of some of Edinburgh’s greatest landmarks. The access to the new building (adjacent to the old Edinburgh Royal Infirmary site) is elevated from the North Meadow Walk pedestrian walkway and cycle route. The pathways and landscaped areas in front of the development needed a structural drainage solution and reinforced turf area that would be suitable for trafficking by maintenance and emergency vehicles when required.ABG’s high strength Roofdrain 60S+RX geocomposite was specified to provide sub-surface drainage across the base of the podium deck. The drainage board provides a high flow capacity void to channel water pressure to the surrounding perimeter drains. By utilising a 60mm drainage layer the need for much deeper and harder to install drainage stone layers can be minimised. The carbon footprint for the product is just 3.3 kgCO2e per m2 which is an approximate 50% saving compared to the embodied carbon of quarrying, transportation and installation of the equivalent thickness of drainage aggregates. Once installed the Roofdrain core is filled with pea gravel to provide a rigid sub-base beneath a bedding layer and resin bound gravel pathways. The drainage core features regular perforations to allow surface water to percolate and drain to the underside of the board. Adjoining rolls can be easily overlapped with the cups designed to slot  into one another. The Roofdrain was overlaid with a Terrex NW9 geotextile to prevent fines entering the drainage core. The Roofdrain can be stepped to cascade into lower sections to suit the landscaping layout. The main green area to the front of the building was cultivated using the Advanced Turf reinforced grass system. The Netlon Advanced Turf System (Netlon ATS) is a high performance, mesh-element reinforced natural grass rootzone system that provides a SuDS compliant free-draining grassed surface. It consists of a high quality, sandy soil rootzone into which thousands of playing card sized polypropylene Netlon plastic mesh elements are pre-blended. The composite mesh reinforced rootzone and selected turf are then delivered to site as a system. ATS was specified for this development to support loading by occasional MEWP vehicles such as cherry pickers, and in the event emergency vehicles need to traffic onto the grass.

Kawneer’s AA®100 curtain wall, AA®540 vents, and series 190 and AA®720 doors were specified by the regular Kawneer users for the latest redevelopment of the Wilfred Brown Building at the university in Greater London. The mullion-drained capped and SSG (Structurally Silicone Glazed) curtain wall forms a new sawtooth façade to the first and second floors and is complemented by the AA®540 window vents which are top-hung and also Structurally Silicone Glazed, series 190 heavy-duty doors to the main entrance, and the thermally-superior AA®720 doors.

An urban regeneration project in Longford is the latest of a series of outstanding bridge projects to use Neaco’s Neadek aluminium decking. Almost 20m long and 4.7m wide at its widest point, the Camlin River Bridge is a footbridge featuring a unique curved ‘bow’ design by Kenny Lyons architects. Neatdek features a contact area of 74% on the surface yet drains water efficiently and its swage-locked construction enables high structural efficiency. The system has an anti-slip surface for increased safety and aluminium has an A1 Fire Rating – the highest achievable score for non-combustibility.

ExCeL is the largest permanent exhibition site in London that links up with the Aloft Hotel. The overall terrace area exceeds 2,100m², all on one level. Below the terrace are the car parks, with countless drain access points that require maintenance annually. The terrace required pedestals to accommodate a void of +/- 220mm, with circular adjustable spacer tabs to accept odd shaped pavers alongside linear pavers, however large enough to allow drainage for extreme weather conditions. The Buzon DPH series, with special rotating spacer tabs were used to achieve this. The total pedestals required exceeded 25,000 units.

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

In Line with Cambridge County Councils renewable Energy Development Programme. RES received consent to build the 13 turbine Wadlow Wind Farm. The site is in a sensitive ecological and archaeological location. It therefore meant the crane hard standings had to be sympathetic to the local environment without compromising the minimum bearing capacity of 200kpa. ABG Truckcell Porous Plastic Paving System was chosen. This was supported by a free draining sub base and seeded with an indigenous seed mix to blend with the local environment. Due to the rapid installation, grassed appearance and load bearing abilities Truckcell ticked all the boxes.

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

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.

BackgroundBelfast City Council designed Walkways Community Centre with the local community in mind, providing them with places to both work and play. In this £1.37m project, the original portable modular building was demolished and replaced with a new 575 square metre build. The two storeys include a creche and soft play area, a 250sqm sports hall and a series of multipurpose rooms for meetings and courses aimed at the local people. Main contractor, McKelvey Construction led the project and worked alongside Michael Whitley Architects to design and deliver the most appropriate solution for Belfast City Council and the local community. K Systems provided on-site technical support and installation guidance throughout the build which resulted in delivery of a modern, aesthetically pleasing facility that achieved the target U-value of 0.18W/m ² K. Our ServiceHaving originally specified rainscreen cladding, K Systems technical team worked with the architect to design a bespoke engineered system with the drained cavity to suit the metsec frame. Regular site visits from our team ensured support was available throughout the build. The Centre is located on a busy street with limited surrounding space, so we had to manage a very congested, condensed site with deliveries planned and arranged by appointment only. We worked closely with McKelvey Construction to manage such challenges and ensure that local access for residents was uninterrupted, as well as ensuring the overall safety of the site area. From design advice through to installation, we offered a partnership approach which ensured a smooth installation process with minimal disruption, and the delivery of a fantastic community centre for the local area to enjoy. Technical Project Details Originally rainscreen cladding was specified for the Walkways project. However during the construction process, due to spiralling material costs and budget restraints, this was deemed too expensive so alternative solutions had to be sourced. It was decided an external insulation system would be used and a ventilated cavity system was required, as this provides a secondary defence in commercial buildings like Walkways. The K Systems Exicco E drained cavity façade system was specified as it ticked all the boxes. Exicco provides excellent protection and can offer an excellent fire rating of up to A2-s1,d0, providing high levels of fire resistance and non-combustibility. The drained cavity behind the insulation in the Exicco system will ensure that any interstitial moisture will escape without detriment to the performance of the system. As EWI was not originally specified for the project, no metsec frame had been designed. This is a crucial element for the Exicco system, which meant a bespoke metsec frame had to be designed specifically to suit our system. The Exicco E system for Walkways used Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) insulation boards that were mechanically fixed and attached to 12mm BBA Approved sheathing boards to create a 25mm drained cavity. EPS boards are extremely light-weight and the system offers a great fire rating of B-s1,d0. It is a high performing, economical system that generates high levels of thermal performance and ensured the target U-value of 0.18W/m ² K. was achieved. For the finish, Silkolitt+ silicone renders ensured a clean, crisp contemporary finish that offers protection to the exterior of the community centre. The flexibility of this finish provides resistance against cracking and increases the durability, ensuring a long-lasting finish for Walkways. 

This historic landmark required revitalising to enhance its appearance whilst maximising floor space within the existing retained Grade 2 listed facade. This project required a flexible yet robust structural waterproofing design supported by the appropriate warranties. FIS were able to provide a strategy within the budget constraints exceeding the clients requirements whilst ensuring practicability of installation. The waterproof layer beneath the basement slab incorporated a combination of a bentonite membrane and a cementitous coating to the top of the piles caps providing full protection. This deep basement construction required a maintainable cavity drain system applied to the secant piled walls.

Let’s go to the house of the Rangers, in Glasgow, the Ibrox Football Stadium, so I can show it to you.Here, CIVIL F system channels have been installed, but not to drain water, but to conduct the wiring of the facilities from the outside to the inside of the stadium.So instead of installing a slotted or mesh design for the grating, these are solid, with no inlets. The fact that the gratings are solid avoids water from getting inside the channel. This protects the wires and keeps them dry.These channels with solid cover can have a Rapidlock quick lock, a system that allows you to open and close the cover in one click, without the need of tools.Simple, easy and quick, like dissolving cocoa in milk.

An impressive basement extension, housing a swimming pool and sauna, required a robust waterproofing solution at this large country home.Newton Specialist Contractor Stonehouse were brought onto this large residential project to waterproof an underground extension including a swimming pool and sauna. Set in a small village in Berkshire, the impressive countryside home was designed by architects Spratley and Partners.For the new below-ground structure, Stonehouse were required to install a failsafe and maintainable waterproofing system that would completely protect the luxurious basement from unwanted water ingress.Ensuring that the project was fully compliant with BS 8102:2009, Stonehouse recommended a combined waterproofing solution using a Type B reinforced and water-resistant concrete structure designed to BS EN 1992, combined with a full Type C internal cavity drain membrane system.As the most reliable and completely maintainable Type C waterproofing solution, the Newton CDM System was the ideal choice for this structure. Firstly, Newton 508 membrane was securely fixed to the internal walls of the basement using Newton's specialist MultiPlug fixings.Any water that is captured by the membrane is then drained away with Newton Basedrain channels, and pumped out of the property using a Titan-Pro sump chamber fitted with two NP400 pumps and supported by a failsafe battery back-up system.As an extremely experienced waterproofing contractor, Stonehouse were able to confidently recommend, design and install a comprehensive and truly failsafe waterproofing system that will protect the property from unwanted water ingress for many years to come. Stonehouse also provided complete peace of mind by offering a 10-year guarantee on the installation.

Manufactured with an extruded polystyrene foam core and a special coating on both sides, Jackoboard construction boards from Jackon by Bewi can be used as part of a system approach for tiling.With a range of shower trays and drain kits, Jackon says Jackoboard can help create a perfect wetroom or bathroom environment.Jackoboard construction systems provide the flexibility to meet modern requirements in bathroom design. “What was once considered a mere washroom has now been elevated to a private wellness oasis,” Jackon says. “In recent years, the demands placed on bathroom finishes have changed dramatically to allow refurbished bathrooms to shine like new with flexible and high-quality renovations.”The current British Standard for tiling, BS 5385-1:2018, requires the wider use of more appropriate materials for construction, and for receiving tiles in water sensitive and wet areas. This has reportedly increased the demand for the Jackoboard range in new build applications as well as in renovation works.The products are manufactured sustainably and, being superb insulators, they can be used in the design of energy-efficient homes, the company says. The protection of the environment is key to parent company Jackon by Bewi. The company says that plastics, when used as long-term construction materials can greatly reduce the need for heating energy and can therefore make a positive contribution to tackling the climate crisis. In fact, Jackon has been running a campaign in recent years to supply beehives made from the company’s polystyrene bead to the Bee Centre in Chorley. Like Jackoboard, the company says, these beehives will last a lifetime and provide better insulation than the alternatives, enabling the Bee Centre to continue its outreach work in support of honeybees and beekeeping.The surfaces of the Jackoboard system are said to provide an extremely strong bond for the tile adhesive and can be used on virtually any substrate. The boards are waterproof, thermally insulating, very lightweight and strong.The range can form the basis for a tiled finish, but it can also provide a substrate for wallpaper, paint or plaster. “So the possibilities for personal expression are virtually unlimited, allowing every bathroom to benefit from its own individual style,” Jackon says.Due to their core made of extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), Jackoboard construction boards and the wider product range are all lightweight and waterproof – a key benefit for bathroom new build and renovation.Jackoboard also makes installation “simple and easy”. The construction boards, bath panels and angle elements can be trimmed to the desired dimensions with standard tools, while their insulation values reportedly enable them to maximise the benefits of underfloor heating.The range is available in sizes and board thicknesses from 4-80mm to suit all building requirements. A suite of ancillary items are also available, from installation and sealing kits through to washers, fixing dowels and BoardFIX.J-Drain Linear and J-Drain Wall are recent additions to the family of wetroom products from Jackoboard. These products provide what the company calls a high-tech design solution to enable the creation of a totally minimalist walk-in shower.Both products are designed be used in combination with Jackoboard Sloping Boards for the floor and Plano Boards for the walls, to provide everything needed for a “highly fashionable and innovative walk-in shower solution”.“From a design point of view, these products are completely on-trend, given that the minimalist look for walk-in showers is very popular at the moment,” Jackon says. “Achieving this with a highly effective drain solution, which also showcases the tiling to maximum effect, is a key selling point for these new products, used together with Jackoboard backerboards.”

The first phase of the Middlewood Locks project in Manchester by developer Scarborough International Properties features Kawneer’s AA®100 zone-drained curtain walling, AA®130 brise soleil and AA®720 external doors on the ground floors of six blocks of apartments around three large basins of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury canals.The AA®130 brise soleil has also been used between external balconies as privacy screens and was complemented by Kawneer’s AA®3572 lift/slide doors and AA®720 thermally-superior side-hung casement windows which feature on the first floor upwards of the seven-storey blocks.

This exclusive up-market housing development in rural Somerset, required surfacing for what would become an adopted residential road. Planning requirements specified that a sustainable form of drainage would be needed to gain planning consent. ULTIPOROUS, Tarmac’s durable porous asphalt was recommended. It would allow full infiltration of rainwater to eliminate puddles and standing water even after heavy rain. It would also achieve a safe, all-weather surface for residents and avoid surface run-off into the local catchment. The approach taken, meant that no drains or manholes were required, which is another advantage of using this product for architects and designers. It would also deliver lasting durability, helping to minimise future maintenance requirements.

Newton was approached by the desperate client at this large terraced property in Notting Hill, having had a second basement level excavated beneath the existing basement and the front and rear gardens.Unfortunately, bad waterproofing design and workmanship meant the basement had flooded immediately upon completion – the builder ceased trading and, following a legal case, the architect and structural engineer were found culpable.We recommended our experienced specialist contractor Stonehouse in order to assess the failure and propose a comprehensive solution.The experts at Stonehouse identified a litany of issues, from the weak, permeable structure to the lack of continuous waterproofing between levels, the inadequate pumping system, the blocked cavity drain system, and the non-existent external deck waterproofing and drainage, amongst others.

The newly redeveloped Heatherwood Hospital employs a total of 4,200m² of Sudsgrid 40 cellular pavers, filled with free-draining angular aggregate to provide 450 new parking spaces, delineated by yellow markers. ABG’s sub-base design utilises the unique Abgrid geogrid to reduce the thickness of DoT Type 3 stone required for structural stability, and through the use of the ABG Terrex NW non-woven geotextile layer, an additional stage of treatment was provided for the infiltrating water.ABG’s permeable paving limits surface water run-off and minimises the risk of localised flooding, alongside, providing a shallower construction profile. Resulting in reductions in site excavation, off-site tipping, DoT Type 3 stone deliveries and the associated costs.

d² Dura Grating Mini Mesh and Solid Top Raised Flooring | Case StudyNew Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) Mini Mesh and Solid Top d² Dura Grating is the ideal raised flooring solution for luxury car valeting centres, car workshops and other automotive facilities thanks to its lower cost, weight saving and improved visual inspection capability versus previous generation grating.The Dura Composites raised flooring solution is a full design and supply system, incorporating both the raised pedestals, floor grating and mounting system. The unique d² Dura Grating design also allows for improved visibility of the substructure below, offering a clear view of draining liquids from the valeting process from a much wider range of angles than were previously achievable.

Award-winning global practice, WilkinsonEyre, specified bricks and brick slips from innovation-led manufacturer, Vandersanden, to emphasise the horizontal volumes and architectural context of the contemporary, new Graduate Centre at Queen Mary University in London. Zero®, a new brick system from Vandersanden, offers a contemporary joint-free appearance and was WilkinsonEyre’s material of choice for the external walls of this 80m-long, seven-storey ground-scraper. Instead of being pointed up to the face of the bricks, the mortar is set well back, with rainwater draining behind. The use of brick draws attention to the horizontality of the building’s volumes and blends with neighbouring buildings...To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link

Lazenby were commissioned by AHMM & Mace to install over 5,000m2 of Diamond Polished Concrete flooring to the new Hawley Wharf building within Camden Markets. Due to the incredibly high foot traffic the floor needed to be both resilient and practical. The unusual shape of the building and hundreds of market stalls meant that a tile or slabs would not have been practical and a poured in situ method was the most feasible. Lazenby installed the floors at 100mm deep, the surface was then polished to reveal the aggregate. As many of the floors are open to the elements it was critical that they achieved +36 PTV in the wet as well as having a slight fall towards the perimeter drain. As the building features multiple levels it was critical to the design that the floor finish continued on the multiple staircases within the building. This allowed the space to flow and provides a clear path for visitors to follow and explore.

When HSP Architects and Price & Myers wanted to transform a listed commercial basement in Temple Fortune to create a new community centre, they needed to look no further than Newton Specialist Contractor Arti Construction to perform the waterproofing.ning three of the walls were either fully or partially below-ground and suffering from water penetration. Arti recommended the Newton CDM System, as it is the most safe and reliable form of waterproofing that would deliver a completely dry internal space and cause the minimal amount of disruption to the Listed structure.The basement, part of a four-storey Listed building, was built into a hillside, meaning that three of the walls were either fully or partially below-ground and suffering from water penetration. Arti Construction worked with the design team at an early stage to design a waterproofing solution.With existing Listed basements such as this one, Arti Construction were quick to recommend a Type C cavity drain waterproofing solution in the form of the Newton CDM System. Type C waterproofing is the safest and most reliable form of waterproofing that will deliver a completely dry internal space, whilst also causing the minimum amount of disruption to the Listed structure.Before Arti could proceed with the installation, they first had to re-level the existing concrete slab in order to provide a flat and stable floor.With the structure fully prepared, Arti could then proceed with installing a full cavity drain waterproofing system. This consisted of installing Newton 508 with minimal MultiPlug fixings to the walls and floors to capture the ingressing water. The water is then directed via Newton Basedrain channels to a Titan-Pro sump chamber, for removal by dual NP400 clean water pumps.The complex basement space included existing columns, windows and an internal staircase which all had to be factored into the waterproofing design.Regardless of this, Arti Construction completed the 280m2 installation within budget in just one week, delivering a reliable Type C structural waterproofing system that is also compliant with British Standard 8102:2009.

Upgrade from problematic gutteringThis four bedroom detached house was built in the historic market town of Bury St Edmunds in the year 2000. The property is surrounded by trees which cause gutters to become regularly clogged by leaves resulting in overflow during heavy rain. The owners made a decision to replace the original guttering with a larger size and took the opportunity to upgrade the budget UPVC system with stylish galvanised steel. Gutter Centre recommended Lindab Magestic due to its industry leading galvanisation and smart solution products. Efficient leaf traps components were integrated into the design to ensure easy ongoing maintenance and prevent drain blockage. The customer is very happy that the overflow problem has now been eliminated and loves how the new system gives his property increased street appeal which neighbours are now hoping to replicate. 

BLÜCHER UK were pleased to supply some bespoke channels and shower drains for a brand new leisure centre opening in the New Year.With a big range of activities and services available, including swimming pools, showers, saunas, steam rooms and communal areas, the installed drainage system needed to be robust, efficient, and visually aesthetic.Offering a contemporary timeless design, with an exceptional flow rate, BLÜCHER channels were the best option. Minimal downtime and maintenance were required by the customer due to the high usage of the leisure centre, with a further focus on retaining a hygienic atmosphere.Working alongside contractors ISG and GHBS, BLÜCHERs stainless steel drainage solution has provided Knaresborough Leisure Centre with a fully functional drainage system, ensuring they can meet the demands of their customers while preserving a safe and hygienic environment.

BackgroundLocated in the Ancoats area of Manchester, the Albion Works strip and re-fit project was funded by the Building Safety Fund, a Government Fund to remove unsafe non-ACM cladding on residential and mixed-use properties that are 18 metres and over and do not meet building safety regulations.K Systems Approved Installer QFF Façades were contracted to complete the exterior wall insulation and rendering of the 8-storey residential building.The original 60mm EPS system was stripped from the building and replaced with a safe, thermally efficient façade solution, which upgraded the fire performance of the cladding, ensuring the safety of both the building and residents.Our ServiceK Systems provided support throughout the application process for this Building Safety Fund project. The Technical team offered on-site technical and installation support throughout the build process and supported QFF to ensure quality and reliability.We produced a bespoke specification and worked closely with Thomason Consulting and QFF Façades to agree and deliver specifics such as fire stopping and abutment details.From design advice through to installation, we offered a partnership approach which aided a smooth installation process with minimal disruption.Technical Project DetailsThe original sheathing boards were replaced, and the K Systems Exicco M drained cavity façade system was installed. This high performing drained cavity system was specified as a requirement for this steel frame residential building. 60mm mineral wool insulation was specified to retain the line of the existing façade.Fire safety with high rise buildings like Albion Works is of utmost importance and this solution generates high levels of fire resistance and non-combustibility (A2, s1-d0 rating), meaning the latest building regulations were complied with. Additionally, the thermal performance of the building improved with a U-value of 0.28 W/m²K being achieved. Residents will therefore enjoy reduced heating costs and better living conditions.For the finish, silicone thin coat render ensured that aesthetically Albion Works had a clean, crisp attractive appearance. This durable, low maintenance render transformed the outside of the building and will ensure a longlasting finish to the property.

REQUIREMENT:A ramp to the entrance of the council house.Rapid Ramp’s demountable system was ideal as it requires no groundwork.Once no longer needed, the ramp can be removed and reinstalled at a different property owned by the local authority.END RESULT:The front door ramp was installed within only a few hours. The system fully complies with Document M, Volume 1, Dwellings.FEATURES INCLUDED:Mesh Platform - the self-draining mesh allows water to pass through rather than collect on the surface.Trombone Ends - these are added to the ends of a Rapid Ramp to prevent clothes catching.Standard Handrail - this handrail system ensures users always have support to hold onto.Powder coated Finish – Rails are coated with thermosetting powder to provide a non-conductive, non-slip and scratch resistant surface.Telescopic Legs - these can be adjusted to accommodate different threshold heights.EXTRA FEATURE INCLUDED:Step & Gate Unit - access for able-bodied users.

JD Gyms are a reputable company within the leisure industry. When they started to experience serious leakage problems across their estate (especially on mezzanine floors), they quickly realised that their existing shower construction does not live up to the standard of their service – and would need a reliable, guaranteed system solution.In order to allow for a straightforward and safe replacement of existing showers without the need to change the existing pipework, a grid platform constructed of 80mm XPS building boards was proposed . The showers then were fitted with XPS linear shower trays featuring dry-fit drain technology, 12.5mm XPS building boards on the walls and surrounding floor areas were sealed by proprietary sealing and decoupling membrane, all ready to tile after 24 hours. Up till now, 18 different sites have been completed and the shower system solution comes with one manufacturer’s guarantee on the whole installation.