"electric fires and room heaters"

THE PROJECTPaddington Exchange is a collection of 123 high specifications one, two and three bedroom apartments arranged over fourteen spacious floors developed by Taylor Wimpey Central London.The development is located in a sought after canal-side location, situated on the site of the former North Western Community School, offering easy access to a number of high-end street cafes, restaurants and shops. A wealth of transport links around the city are found at the site of the Paddington Exchange project.THE PRODUCTThe project features multiple banks of wall recessed fire rated 2 mailboxes located in the entrance lobby area. The mailboxes contain a series of features and benefits that result in a ‘one hour integrity’ rating that conforms to the BS476 Part 22 fire standards. For more information, please visit our fire rated mailbox page.The mailboxes are finished in an IGP-DURA®xal paint using a Dark Bronze – E82987 colour. Each mailbox features engraved numbering in a COPASETIC NF font on the opening flap coloured with a contrasting black infill.The banks of mailboxes are completed with a surrounding trim used to mask the join between the mailboxes and the installation wall. Large panels are used in conjunction with the banks of mailboxes which allow for easy identification of the relevant mailbox for both the residents and postal delivery workers.

CE marking for fire shutters to BS EN 16034, BS EN 13241 following a fire test to BS EN 1634-1 is a legal requirement in the UK. https://a1sgroup.com/blog/a1s-group-policy-when-quoting-ce-marked-fire-shutters 

Coopers were commissioned to design and manufacture a bespoke curtain barrier system that, in the event of fire, would guard against smoke penetrating the upper floors of the store. Through regional partner Souchie, Coopers installed a series of Smoke Stop™ vertical smoke curtains above each escalator specifically designed to protect the means of escape for customers, whilst at the same time dramatically reduce the transmission throughout the building of life threatening gases generated by fire.

A record number of manual call points were maliciously activated across England for the year ending March 2022.The highest annual number of malicious false fire alarms on record came as people returned to public buildings en masse in a period markedly unaffected by COVID-19 lockdowns.The latest Home Office figures reveal there was a total of 3,212 false fire alarms caused by the “malicious activation of [a] fire call point/alarm” in England for the year ending March 2022, surpassing challenged hoax calls as the largest reason for malicious fire alarms.Accidental activations also increased over the period; 14,452 false fire alarms were recorded due to the accidental and careless activation of life safety equipment, including manual call points.Every false alarm is costly, disrupting schools and businesses, placing unnecessary strain on our emergency services and reducing public confidence in fire alarms.Despite online learning, working from home and limits on social contact, false fire alarm numbers, although down, persisted during the pandemic.As schools, offices and shops saw reduced attendance and footfall, malicious false fire alarms survived; now in a post-COVID world, there has been a boom in the number of false alarms plaguing the country.Continuing to be the largest incident type, false fire alarms accounted for 40 per cent of the incidents attended by Fire and Rescue Services in England for the period – fires accounted for just 26 per cent.Repeated false alarms reduce the public’s confidence in fire alarms, contributing to alarm fatigue and a complacent attitude toward evacuations. Alarm fatigue occurs when a person becomes desensitised to an alarm due to repeated false alarms and as a result, fails to react appropriately in an emergency.Safety Technology International manufacture a range of protective covers, specifically designed to prevent false alarms whether accidental or malicious.The STI story began in 1980 with a challenge by a school headteacher who wanted to stop their false fire alarms. Founder, Jack Taylor, used his expertise in security systems to invent the first and original Stopper® polycarbonate protective cover. From integral covers to outdoor and sounder models, there are now variations to suit all applications.The tamper-proof polycarbonate covers ensure call points are protected without restricting legitimate use in a real emergency, a combination of optional warning alarm, flashing beacon and break seal acts as a deterrent against malicious activation.In Wales, malicious false fire alarms rose by 33% to 426 during 2021-22, the highest figure for half a decade. And with similar figures reflected across the UK, over £1 billion is lost every year due to false alarms.To recoup this cost the London Fire Brigade became the first fire service in the country to recover costs from buildings like hospitals, airports and student halls with a poor false alarm record.Firefighters respond to fire signals as if they are real, this exposes the public and fire crew to unnecessary risk in their swift response to false alarms, directing them away from real emergencies.Under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order Act 2005, it is the responsibility of the building owner or the “responsible person” to ensure effective fire precautions are in place to protect staff, customers or visitors.Several precautionary steps can be implemented to prevent false fire alarms before they occur; routine testing and maintenance of call points is a must to ensure proper operation, but it is not the only proactive approach.As recommended in BS 5839-1:2017, manual call points can be fitted with a protective cover to prevent false fire alarms. The British Standard Institute recommends in section 20.2b), that: “All MCPs should be fitted with a protective cover, which is moved to gain access to the frangible element.“It is now recommended that a protective cover is fitted to a Type A manual call point to help prevent false alarms.”

Profab Access Ltd, part of the Access 360 portfolio, is prioritising fire safety in buildings with the introduction of fire testing for both sides of its 4000 Series riser door range. Established in 2001, Profab Access Ltd is a leading UK manufacturer of wall and ceiling access panels and riser doors. The company employs a team of 71 and operates from a 46,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and distribution facility in Atherstone, Warwickshire. All aspects of the design and manufacturing process are carried out onsite.

Coopers solution was to install over 100 SmokeStop smoke curtain barriers. Concealed within the ceiling voids of each of the 39 floors, the SmokeStop smoke curtain barriers were developed to deploy in the event of fire, channelling smoke away from occupant and out of the building. This effective strategy for containing and channelling smoke would ensure that Gherkin’s 41 floors were protected from filling with smoke and provide occupants with a safe means of escape.

A comprehensive fire door replacement programme throughout the 5-storey Ladywell Unit which provides mental health services including a psychiatric intensive care unit.Advanced Timber Systems supplied fully PVC encapsulated ‘Vanta-form’ Door-sets and specialist anti-ligature hardware to give a robust, compliant and durable solution in this complex environment.Glazed Side screens were supplied with toughened security glass to enhance the safety for patients and staff without compromising visibility through corridors.

In 2013 the London Fire Brigade received £51.5 million from central government to rebuild nine fire stations. A consortium led by construction group Kier, along with BDP architects, was given the contract following a detailed procurement process. Jacksons were specified to supply access gates for eight of the stations undergoing refurbishment.

Improving accessibility has always been a recurring theme in the specification of Neaco’s products and so it proved again when the company’s balustrade systems were called into service for entrance ramps at Humberside Fire and Rescue Service’s new cutting-edge Hull Central Fire Station. Jefferson Sheard Architects sought to design an accessible and welcoming facility to serve the local community. Neaco’s contribution was integral to this objective with aluminium handrails and balustrade to steps and two extensive ramps at the main entrance. The system was also specified with glass infill panels for a first-floor terrace.

Fire-rated smart parcel lockers (MySmartBox) and mailboxes (FR120MBH) in Bronze finish installed in a high end lobby in Oxford Street (London).

Project:Surespan were approached to develop and supply a series of 4 hour fire rated flush floor access covers for the Midfield Concourse expansion project at Hong Kong International Airport. The HK$10 Billion dollar project was completed in 2015 following extensive design and planning processes utilising BIM modelling. Product:Our SAC covers were specified for their fire rating and ease of customisation. The covers were specially adapted with a 200mm upstand and enhanced fire-rated materials to achieve the 4-hour rating. Sizes Supplied 1050 (41”) x 1050 (41”) 1050 (41”) x 850 (33”) 750 (29”) x 600 (23”)

National Flooring Co Ltd, one of our Approved Contractors was approached by Moy Construction Co Ltd who were awarded a contract to refurbish the swimming pool and changing areas at Perseid School in Surrey. The school offers an educational provision for children with learning difficulties and/or physical/sensory difficulties, and therefore, safety was paramount. As part of the refurbishment a hardwearing, slip-resistant flooring system that offered excellent longevity was essential. The floor had been previously tiled, but due to water ingress, kept failing and required frequent repair. Rising maintenance costs and risk of slips prompted the school to look for alternative solutions and resin became an obvious choice. A Degafloor resin floor provides a seamless, hardwearing, and impermeable finish that will offer years of service. Moy Construction Co Ltd removed the existing floor tiles and installed a new screed prior to the installation of the resin system. From the offset, achieving a floor finish with a suitable slip rating was non-negotiable.The Degafloor QTA system is a quartz trowelled system which can be laid to falls. The system, which is broadcast with a quartz aggregate, provides excellent slip resistance, even in wet conditions, ensuring high levels of safety are always maintained. The project, which included the swimming pool surround and adjoining changing rooms, totalled 145 sqm of floor and 135 lm of cove. The installation was completed over 5 days and to the satisfaction of Moy Construction Co Ltd, who were happy to have the project completed to a high standard, on time and within budget.

Walraven's Pacifyre MKII fire sleeve was specified throughout the risers in The Shard due to its ability to allow pipe movement and still remain effective.

OverviewA successful installation of 40 x Powrmatic SRP U Tubes at a hangar facility in Boscombe. With the system design by Powrmatic, ABS, a leading HVAC and installation company, was entrusted with this significant installation project. The installation aimed to provide efficient heating performance, reduce energy costs, and improve the overall comfort and functionality of the hangar.Project BackgroundThe Weighbridge Hangar Building 499 at MOD Boscombe Down operated by QinetiQ required a new heating system due to the life-expired existing system. The hangar required a powerful heating system that would operate efficiently during the cold winter months while reducing energy costs. A new Powrmatic SRP U-tube herringbone radiant heating system was produced in line with the design intent of WYG on their tender documents. J & B Hopkins secured the M & E contract and employed the services of ABS Ltd to undertake the installation of the radiant heating system. ABS Ltd, formed in 1978, offers a full range of professional services including the installation and maintenance of both radiant and warm air heating systems to both commercial and industrial properties throughout the UK.SolutionThe MOD hangar facility, situated on an exposed location, at Boscombe Down required a robust heating solution to withstand the cold winter months. 40 Powrmatic SRP radiant U Tube PVU50 Hi/Low heaters each rated at 50kW on a herringbone system layout with ducted fresh air onto each burner to comply with fire safety standards were installed by ABS Ltd. To maximize efficiency, the heaters mounted at an impressive height of 23 meters in line with Powrmatic’s design drawings were arranged in 8 lines of 5, with 3 heaters connected to one fan and 2 heaters connected to another fan. The heating system incorporated Powrmatic MC200 controllers and black bulb sensors for precise temperature control across the hangar.ResultThe final stage of the installation was completed by J & B Hopkins, arranging for the necessary gas and electrical distribution services to the radiant heaters and discharge fans. The 40 Powrmatic SRP radiant U Tubes installed by ABS Ltd effectively heated the facility, providing a comfortable and conducive environment for the workforce during the winter season. Additionally, the new heating system reduced energy costs and eliminated the need for multiple exhausts on the rooftop hence retaining the aesthetic design principles of the hangar. The commissioning was successfully carried out when all services were completed, providing a satisfied client with a capable heating installation within the hangar, for the exposed site location.

Offering a futuristic office environment, Vedanta Resources Ltd, the global mining and metals company, has totally re-vamped their London HQ. Helping transform the offices, partitioning experts Style added flexibility to the space with a combination of advanced operable wall systems. Two 54dB Rw acoustic moveable walls form a corridor, creating a stunning hall of mirrors with pass doors into spacious meeting rooms. Three Skyfold Zenith vertical-rising walls divide those rooms into smaller work areas. An additional partition splits the main boardroom, creating work space for the chairman. The entire area can be opened out for large corporate functions.

The ideal fire curtain when radiation tenability is of concern.

The Riverside development in Rochdale includes two nine storey apartment blocks comprising a mix of 240 one- and two-bedroom properties for private rent. The Rochdale town centre Riverside regeneration project also includes a 147-bedroom hotel and 43,000 square feet of office space. The Fire regulations which apply to high-rise living accommodation meant that the kitchens in the apartments would require a fire suppression unit complete with sprinklers to be fitted. These units need to be installed and maintained by a specialist engineer and can also cause damage within a property should they be activated due to a fire.  Therefore, the Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard was chosen as an alternative, unobtrusive design-led fire prevention solution. 

Ahmarra's Residential Door Range includes secure internal apartment entrance doorsets that offer dual security and fire certification – providing peace of mind that the people, property and assets within the building are protected from opportunist thieves, vandalism and attack, as well as fire. This high security fire door was designed and manufactured for a sheltered housing complex.Certified under the Q-Mark Enhanced Security scheme, the doorset is Secured By Design (SBD) approved and meets PAS 24: 2016 standards. Also certified under the Q-Mark Fire Door Manufacture scheme, it is FD30 fire rated to BS 476 Pt. 22.

Keen to provide a safe and comfortable environment for their customers, Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff chose Yeoman Shield fire rated door protection products to help maintain and protect the condition of important fire doors.Owned by Live Nation, the concert and event venue receives over half a million visitors yearly resulting in the doors, situated both back and front of house, experiencing damage and unsightly marking from pedestrians and the movement of trolleys and equipment, etc. Not only can this have a detrimental effect on aesthetics but more importantly on the functioning of the fire door.To help protect from such damage Yeoman Shield’s directly employed fixing operatives installed door edge protectors as well as protective push plates to doors in back of house areas such as workshop, cutting room, and boiler cellars etc.Front of house doors, such as the entrances to the auditorium, which experience a huge amount of pedestrian traffic passing through, also had door edge protectors fitted along with half height door protection panels. Vulnerable glazing beads, were replaced with Yeoman Shield fire rated PVCu clad beads completing a comprehensive and durable door protection system that will withstand impact from hands, feet, bags and equipment well into the future.Manufactured from Yeoman Shield’s HessianEx material, the fire rated door protection products were supplied in black for a striking contrast to the colour schemes already in place within the arena.“I was impressed with the standard of work that was carried out by Yeoman Shield’s fixing operatives.“The doors certainly look cleaner and smarter and with the issuing of fire certificate evidence for all the products installed I am confident we will use Yeoman Shield products again.” Commented Marcus.

Premier Loft Ladders has helped Horizon Construction provide a safe and convenient access solution to a 1st floor plant room within a premium car showroom. What made this project particularly challenging was the 1.8m deep ceiling void. In addition, the access point was also in a prominent location outside the showroom offices. The solution was a bespoke Supreme heavy duty loft ladder. It offered a safe, discrete and easy-to-use solution for access to the car dealership plant room.Read the full case study...

Whilst certainly not the most iconic or largest project the A1S Group has ever been involved with, 125 Deansgate in Manchester in many ways represents for us "a bread and butter project", the like of which we are involved with throughout the UK on an almost monthly basis. Despite the doom and gloom of office rationalisation during the pandemic, high end office new build and cat A and B refurbishment continues to be one of our strongest sectors. We have completed literally hundreds of office projects over the last decade including We Work premises throughout London and the UK, Goldmann Sachs, Barclays at Canary Wharf and Norfolk House in St James Square, London. Fire and smoke curtains continue to be integral to modern office design, allowing for more open spaces within the building's wider fire strategy framework. The A1S Group manufactured, installed 54 Flameshield fire curtains, all with smoke seals and multi function panels. For us, the 125 Deansgate building was noteworthy as it was the first time that we installed our high performance Flameshield EW120 fire curtain to provide a minimum of EW90 compartmentation. We also manufactured and installed our a Flameshield fire and smoke curtain system to provide 120 minutes integrity and 15 kw/m2 to protect the lift and lift shaft. This striking building is clad in a rich red terracotta with 12 storeys of flexible office and retail space all achieving BREEAM 'excellent' and is now considered one of Manchester's premier offices. The A1S Group have a long term planned preventative maintenance in schedule in place to comply with the 2005 Regulatory Reform Order.

The Westminster Fire Station restoration and regeneration was all about creating an experience for those that live there, with sustainable and natural materials,” says Jennifer Benningfield, experienced architect and founding principal of Openstudio Architects.v “We needed to find a reliable supplier of sustainable and natural materials, which were suitable to tie in with the heritage structure. “The challenge was sourcing the right materials that were compatible with the fabric of the existing buildings. Working with Lime Green, we managed to develop a solution that matched the original building’s beautiful aesthetic and historic character. “As a key supplier of lime-based products, their flexibility and reliability helped to make our job easier – and we received a lot of praise for the high-quality and beautiful new courtyard building. The lime mortar is an integral part of the brickwork and proves that it is appropriate for contemporary, as well as historical, structures,” praises Jennifer. About the project Using a team of specialists, Openstudio Architects supported the site team in using old and traditional construction techniques to refurbish and develop buildings in a contemporary way, with beautiful results. “There were two phases to the Westminster Fire Station project,” explains Jennifer. “The first involved refurbishing the existing building, the Grade II Listed Edwardian Fire Station built in 1906 and decommissioned in 2014, to create a restaurant and bespoke housing. “The second involved developing the site further by adding a new residential building to the rear of the site surrounding a garden courtyard, which is where we used Lime Green’s mortar.” Supporting the local community “The project was situated on a very constrained and challenging site,” continues Jennifer. “With its central location, the construction works undoubtedly had an impact on those living and working in the local area, which is why we wanted to ensure the community were completely happy with the project. “As we wanted to make sure the new build tied in with the older fire station, there were inevitably challenges that we didn’t anticipate along the way. However, most importantly, we needed to ensure we sourced the right materials, which were compatible with the existing building, both in terms of performance and appearance. Selecting the right materials “We wanted to work with natural materials, which would age well and ensure robust construction that has longevity and sustainability,” says Jennifer. “We chose specific products, including handmade Danish bricks and handmade glazed bricks to give depth and texture to the new building. We wanted to ensure use mortar that had a texture and a grain to it, so it would work with the nuances of the bricks, as well as being a colour match. “Finding the right colour mortar to match the pale Danish bricks was key. These bricks were handmade, so we needed the mortar that integrated with the historic Edwardian building to create a seamless whole. “When planning the project, we recognised the importance of lime products, because of the material’s sturdiness and robustness. This means it doesn’t wear with structural movements and changes in the seasons. “That’s why Lime Green was the perfect fit for the project. With an extensive colour range, the team was able to colour-match the mortar with the materials of the new building perfectly. The consistency between the samples Lime Green gave us and the final product delivered was incredible, which was important given the scrutiny by Westminster City Council over the project and the appearance of the new building. “The flexibility of the products also helped us to minimise the amount of movement joints, as it accommodated movement in a much more forgiving way than other products, such as modern cement mortars. “We really enjoyed working with the Lime Green team – they were easy to work with, responsive and very supportive of the project. As we couldn’t store a huge amount of supplies on site, Lime Green was very accommodating in delivering exactly what we needed, at the right time. “The best part was that we were able to develop a solution with Lime Green that supported the original building’s beautiful aesthetic and historic character, with a new building that pays similar attention to detail.” A sustainable, natural and beautiful finish “People love the building, and neighbours even call it ‘the golden citadel’. It’s widely recognised in the local community for its high-quality, beautiful finish,” continues Jennifer. “One of the Fire Station’s previous residents – who had moved out during construction – has moved back after the restoration works and loves the development. That was the icing on the cake for us, it really felt as though our vision had materialised – enhancing people’s experience of new buildings made with sustainable and natural materials that stand the test of time. “The Westminster Fire Station development truly looks beautiful, and the quality of the natural and sustainable products used has a huge role to play in that. Lime Green’s product quality and customer service is outstanding. We’re already working with Lime Green on another project, and we can’t wait to see the finished result,” concludes Jennifer. “It was a pleasure to see our Hydraulic Lime Mortar used on this new development project. We’ve loved working with Openstudio Architects on Westminster Fire Station, and we’re glad to be working with them on their next project,” comments Simon Ayres, co-founder and managing director, Lime Green Products. For more information about the Westminster Fire Station project and the products used, visit Lime Green or call 01952 728 611.

The fire station is relocating from Dale Street, Ossett, to nearer Wakefield city centre as part of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority's Integrated Risk Management Plan and replaces the current near Ossett town centre. The new location will enable crews to support the Combined Aerial Rescue Pump based in Wakefield. Coun Tracey Austin, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service vice chairwoman, carried out the ground breaking ceremony. She said: "This marks the start of a very exciting project in Wakefield district and I am looking forward to seeing the new station taking shape.”

A busy recycling centre in Coedcae Industrial Estate, Pontyclun South Wales, suffered from a crippling fire that destroyed one-third of the building leaving the rest in severe disrepair from fire damage.Garland Technical Manager, Dale Thomas, was instructed by long-term partner Cushman Wakefield to assess the extent of the damage and secure the optimum waterproofing system to get the warehouse unit returned to its former glory as a hive of activity for the local area.Dale conducted a thorough condition survey and supplied a detailed written report to the client, highlighting the severity of the building damage and the poor condition of the existing roof sections and walls. Approximately 2,000 sqm were either damaged beyond repair or had fallen into a state of disrepair, meaning that a full refurbishment of all roof and wall sections was required before the optimum waterproofing system could be implemented.

HAG took great pride in being selected to install industrial doors at the new headquarters of Dorset Fire Service, a project envisioned by Prince Charles, now King Charles. This £3 million architectural marvel embodies grand neo-classical design, complete with a mock balcony, presenting unique challenges for our installation team. With meticulous attention to detail, we ensured that our industrial doors seamlessly complemented the three-storey fire station's aesthetic while delivering the high levels of security and user convenience demanded by the situation.Our industrial Q Doors emerged as the perfect solution, striking a harmonious balance between breathtaking aesthetics and the structural robustness essential for this prestigious undertaking. This collaboration exemplifies HAG's commitment to marrying form with function, enriching architectural masterpieces with innovative security solutions tailored to meet the most exacting standards.

These automated vehicle gates were designed, fabricated, and installed by Premier Security & Fire Consultants Ltd on behalf of our instructing clients, Clarion Housing Group and OPENVIEW GROUP LIMITED.The project, in Croydon, South London, required Secured by Design and BRE LPS1175 SR2 security standard, all covered by Premier’s extensive catalogue of officially tested products.For more information call us on 0208 559-8295 or go to our website www.premier-ssl.com.

The brief was to transform the existing dated and disjointed space into a modern, inspiring and functional interior for students to work both individually and as groups. The space had to be flexible so it could be used for focussed work, group study as well as for meetings and events. With such a wide remit, managing the acoustics in the space was paramount and we were thrilled that our ceiling baffles were chosen to deliver acoustic comfort to this historic space.

Project typeRefurbishmentContractorWilliam Bowley Projects LtdBrief descriptionRecently retired, the clients were looking to move from London to the bustling seaside town of Poole. They found a chalet bungalow at a desirable location right by Poole Park and only a short distance from Poole Harbour & Sandbanks beaches. However, due to it being previously rented out long term, it was in need of a lot of modernisation.The client’s desire was to create a large steam shower area in the master en-suite with plenty of space for them to relax, listen to music and unwind after a busy day.Due to the size and layout of the existing en-suite, and especially its low angled ceilings, careful planningwas required to provide the client with the desired, spacious steam shower without compromising too much on the floor space.RequirementsSteam shower area with sound & lightingThe clients wanted to create an area for absolute relaxation, a private wellness oasis, accessible only from their bedroom.Required components• watertight and steam-proof components with longevity• spacious seating area• practical storage• sound technology• lightingProducts usedBase products• wedi Vapor 85 building boards with pre-installed vapour barrier membrane (SD value of 92)• wedi Sanoasa Bellina seat element• wedi Sanoasa Bellina carrier element• wedi 610 adhesive & sealant• wedi Tools joint reinforcement tape, self adhesive• wedi 620 sealant• wedi Tools waterproof sealing tape• wedi Tools waterproof sealing corners• wedi Tools washers, stainless steelProducts usedIndividual products• 1600 x 950 x 50mm wedi Fundo Riolito shower element(1100mm channel on the long side and DN50 horizontal drainage)wedi solutionsDesigned & built by the installer• a practical and easy to maintain niche for storage(using the trimmings of Vapor 85 building boards)The required technology was integrated into the wedi elements by the installer, providing the clients with the perfect atmosphere to promote well-being.‘Compared with cement board/aqua panel, wedi is truly a superb system; easy to use and fit, lightweight and perfect for tiling over. I will definitely be using wedi for future bathroom installs’Nick Turner, Director at William Bowley Projects Ltd.

2020 was the first time in history when more professional interactions took place digitally than face to face. It is clear that this type of communication has come to stay and will become a regular part of professional life.

Arguably the most famous department store in the world, Harrods of Knightsbridge is a huge retail concern with over 5000 staff members working in over 70,000 square meters of retail space split into 300 plus departments over seven floors.When Harrods decided to redesign their staff food court they required double action doors that were aesthetically pleasing, had a high hygienic rating and were easy to use and they also needed a double action door with a 120 minute Fire Rating.SolutionDortek Installed Polyethylene doors that could be used as personnel doors. They also allow easy movement of trolleys and kitchen equipment between the three distinctive kitchen areas. Dortek also installed double-action 2-hour fire rated GRP doors into a 2530mm wide structural opening to enable staff to bring in large pieces of kitchen equipment when necessary.

Lymm Fire Station was completely unique project; it was new-build station that doubled up as an educational centre. It had all kinds of different environments and scenarios built-in to give visitors the ability to learn what to do in various emergency situations. As such, they wanted to include a Changing Place facility in the new building. We’ve been working with the Changing Places campaign for a long time, and we were able to design a fully-compliant facility complete with a wall-mounted X-Y hoist system. Read all about it on our website.

The Wilberforce Trust is a charity dedicated to helping and empowering those with sight and hearing loss and impairment in the York and North Yorkshire area to live fulfilling and independent lives. The Trust had tenants in community based supported housing and family homes around York but wanted to deliver an innovative ‘extra care’ housing scheme designed especially for people with a visual impairment and other disabilities; the first of its kind in the area.Wilberforce House offers 30 one-bed, open-plan purpose-built, self-contained apartments along with a Living & Learning Zone – providing education and leisure activities – a courtyard cafe and offices for the Trust itself, all set in four acres of accessible landscaped gardens, including a large sensory garden. The apartments utilise smart home and assistive technology personalised to their lifestyle needs.A consultant was employed to review the development’s plans with regard to fire safety. His report included recommendations for additional fire safety measures including the ability for cooker hobs to be switched off by an alarm, as kitchen fires are a significant risk with 50% of all accidental house fires starting in the kitchen. WHY THE FIRECHIEF KITCHEN STOVE GUARD? The initial solution proposed was costly as it meant hob alarms would need to be hard wired into each apartment’s fuse board. Damian Pocknell, Head of Housing, Facilities & IT at the Wilberforce Trust recalled having seen and read about the Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard and realised that this would be much more cost effective. The fire consultant agreed and subsequently signed off on the Kitchen Stove Guard as the approved solution.  

A state-of-the-art sports and learning centre in Cambridge features a dramatic space-defining acoustic based on the use of MEDITE PREMIER FR fire rated panels from MEDITE SMARTPLY.

XVent Hinged Rooflights For Fire Safety At Glasgow Theatre Royal Case Study

Despite the potentially catastrophic consequences of changing a specification for fire resistant glazing, doors and windows, specifications are still being routinely altered just to save a few pounds or due to a lack of technical understanding, according to leading fire, thermal and acoustic insulation manufacturer Promat UK Promat UK is supporting the market with a campaign to raise awareness of the significant risks of changing even the tiniest detail in the specification of building elements that are designed to protect lives and properties.

Edinburgh City CouncilChampioned as one of the most progressive cities in the UK (and one of the largest) Edinburgh is home to more than 500,000 constituents and an impressive EV fleet of over 150 decarbonised cars, vans, and buses for the dedicated use of the council. With no plans to slow down anytime soon; dedicating themselves to becoming a completely Net Zero city in the next six years.ScopeThanks to funding from Zero Waste Scotland, the council will be welcoming new electric refuse collection vehicles (eRCVs) as part of their goal to electrify the council’s entire fleet by the end of 2024. The new 20 tonne vehicles will help the city to expand their recycling facilities and better support their constituents’ needs.To support the growth of their EV fleet, the council felt the need to expand their chargepoint network, and came to Rolec to devise a plan. New vehicles mean new charging requirements, specifically in this case, the council were looking for ultra-rapid chargers, with the scope to deliver charge to these larger vehicles.The chargers also had to account for the difference in vehicle height and dimensions and therefore needed to be fit with longer than standard cables. Furthermore, with the ever-growing nature of their EV fleet, the council also prioritised chargepoints that could be scaled-up as and when the need arose. SolutionRolec provided Edinburgh City Council with 10 x 80kW UltraCharge 160 chargepoints, each with extended 7m cables and capable of being upgraded to up to 160kW at a later date. Creating a robust and scalable charging network capable of handling the needs of these larger EVs. All of which is backed up by an extended hardware warranty provided by Rolec.They also opted for OCPP 1.6-J hardware to allow them even more freedom with their back-office. Giving the council the opportunity to trial Monta’s software, with the capacity to revert back to ChargePlace Scotland if they wish in the future. Benefit The EV hardware provided by Rolec means the council will be able to meet their environmental aims on two fronts: delivering expanded recycling services to their constituents and cutting fleet carbon emissions at the same time. "We are forever encouraged by local councils who put sustainability at the forefront of what they do, and Edinburgh City Council is no exception. Their continued focus on reducing carbon emissions through advanced policy changes and a passion for fleet electrification has defined this project. It was a pleasure to work with the team and we look forward to seeing their continued development." - Josh Holstead, Business Development Manager, Rolec EV.Project detailsOrganisation:Edinburgh City CouncilPartners:• Rolec EV• MontaIndustries:• Public Sector• Waste ManagementLocation:Edinburgh, Scotland, UKRolec EV Products:• 10 x 80kW UltraCharge 160 Ultra-Rapid chargepoints• Bespoke, extended 7m cablesBenefits:• Permanent installation of an ultra-rapid vehicle charging network to support EV fleet expansion• EV hardware reinforces the council’s green initiatives, specifically the rollout of extended recycling measures