"electrical mains and standby supply"

This exciting project, situated close to a major wind farm, required a sheathing board with exceptional pull-over performance; and the need for unusual board sizes meant that waste was an issue, particularly in light of the architect’s BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating ambitions.The Project: Hugh Baird Community and Higher Education Centre, LiverpoolProject Value: £8 millionMain Contractor: Wates Construction North WestSub-Contractor: Sound Interiors LimitedProduct: VersapanelSize: 1200 — 2800 — 12mmQuantity: 2,000m2About the ProjectAn £8 million, 2,600 square metre project, the new Hugh Baird Community and Higher Education Centre in Liverpool offers an innovative mix of facilities, not only for Hugh Baird’s students and apprentices but also to the local community, schools and businesses.The facility will incorporate a University Centre, a flexible performance and exhibition space, a public library and a Jobcentre Plus. A new Business Development Centre, providing professional training for local businesses, is also to be a core feature.Architects IBI Taylor Young have created a striking modern design, incorporating a semi-rotunda feature and a three-storey overhanging box structure.The ChallengeThere were two key challenges on this project for sub-contractors Sound Interiors Limited. Firstly, the unusual design called for non-standard panel sizes. This is becoming all too common as contemporary architecture moves increasingly toward the unique and, in some cases, the downright eccentric.Secondly, the five-storey structure is located in a windy area; so windy, in fact, that, less than a mile away, you can find the Port of Liverpool 10MW wind farm, capable of generating electricity for 5,500 homes. Where wind is a factor, the pull-over performance of any building boards used is critical, particularly during construction when wind can penetrate the structure and create areas of negative wind pressure.The SolutionSize is EverythingAs modern British architecture moves away from the conventional, the challenges for construction professionals like Sound Interiors increase. Whilst, in the past, construction has largely been a logistically focused endeavour — the ‘when’ and ‘where’ of it all — increasingly, the question that dominates the pre-construction phase of a project is ‘How?’The skill and experience of Sound Interiors came into play not only in applying their technical knowhow to the challenges of constructing an overhanging box and creating a curving rotunda from flat building boards, it also influenced their choice of materials.Said John Sheeran, Contracts Manager at Sound Interiors Limited, “We opted for Euroform’s Versapanel on this project — and numerous other projects — because it’s easy to work with and reliable. Plus we get exceptionally good technical support from the team at Euroform. For the Hugh Baird project, where lots of unusual sizes were required, the fact that Versapanel is available in a larger 1200 — 2800 — 12mm size meant we could dramatically reduce wastage. This material-conscious approach also helps us support IBI Taylor Young’s ambition of achieving a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ for the building.”Under PressureIt’s no coincidence that four 125-metre Nordex N90, 2.5-MW turbines, capable of producing a total of 10MW of electricity, have been strategically located just a mile or so away. This is a windy area of Liverpool. Thankfully, Sound Interiors’ commitment to Versapanel also resolved this second challenge, reducing the effects of negative wind pressure during construction.John Taylor, Business Development Manager at Euroform, said, “Versapanel makes the ideal sheathing panel for challenging construction environments. For areas of high wind load, such as coastal regions, a board with effective wind-load and pull-over performance can be extremely important. Obviously, no two projects are alike, and we’re only too happy to work closely with professionals like Sound Interiors to ensure the best possible outcome.”ConclusionThis isn’t the first time that Sound Interiors, Euroform and Versapanel have come together to overcome adverse weather condition. At Gogarth School in Llandudno, freezing temperatures and driving rain presented a significant challenge. At Hugh Baird, it was strong winds. In both cases a desire to reduce waste was a key commitment of all parties involved. And in both cases, a successful outcome was enjoyed by all.

Dyson’s low energy hand dryers are helping Welcome Break to reduce its carbon footprint, with the hand dryers emitting 85% less CO₂ than single-use paper towels.[1] Global research and technology company Dyson for Business, and the UK’s leading motorway service provider Welcome Break, are announcing details of a recent partnership which is helping Welcome Break to deliver its sustainability goals by using the latest washroom technology.  The company has installed over 450 Dyson Airblade 9kJ low energy hand dryers across all of its 44 service areas and 31 hotels in the UK. Each hand dryer uses only a sixth of the energy of conventional dryers, corresponding to 9.1 kilojoules of energy per use, and captures 99.95% of particles through its HEPA filter – helping Welcome Break’s 85 million annual visitors dry their hands hygienically and efficiently.[2]  In the wake of COP26 and the implementation of the Government’s Net Zero strategy, businesses are racing to reduce their carbon footprint.[3] One of the main areas where major sustainability gains can be seen is in the washroom. Globally, millions of tonnes of paper towels are used every year, with most going into landfill since they cannot be recycled.[4] But with research showing that damp hands can transfer up to 1,000 times more bacteria than dry hands, customers must be able to dry their hands thoroughly and sustainably.[5] Dyson’s innovative technologies negate these concerns. All Dyson hand dryers include air-cleaning HEPA filters and touchless activation as standard. Dyson hand dryers are just as hygienic as using a paper towel, and the Airblade 9kJ model produces up to 88% less CO₂ than paper towels.[6],[7] Implementing this simple change to its UK washrooms is helping Welcome Break to further its mission of becoming the greenest motorway service, while boosting hygiene levels for customers. Tom Crawford, Global Director of Sustainability at Dyson said: “Dyson was founded on a principle of lean engineering and doing more with less when it comes to our technologies and how we do business. We applied the same philosophy to the development of our hand dryers, making wasteful paper towels redundant with the launch of the Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer. Working with Welcome Break to help the company boost sustainability and hygiene in its washrooms nationwide aligns perfectly with our own goals and we are excited to see how the partnership continues to benefit visitors in the future.” Martyn Brett-Lee, Commercial Director at Welcome Break said: “We are delighted to have installed Dyson Airblade technology across our Welcome Break locations. On our mission to become a more sustainable Motorway Service Area Operator, reducing our CO2 emissions is key and Dyson’s Airblade technology is one of the many ways we’re driving this. Given the last few years we’ve all experienced, we’re pleased to provide our customers assurances that their hand drying is with HEPA-filtered, clean air.” Dyson for Business offers high quality products for professional settings including its award-winning hand dryers and air purifiers. From motorway services to education establishments, Dyson for Business offers peace of mind through its use of the latest technology and engineering innovation. --- [1] Average electricity price £0.1/kWh as of December 2018: See our calculations.[2] https://www.dyson.co.uk/commercial/hand-dryers/airblade-9kj [3] Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener, HM Government, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1033990/net-zero-strategy-beis.pdf [4] https://www.dyson.co.uk/inside-dyson/sustainability/overview[5] Epidemiology & Infection, Residual moisture determines the level of touch-contact-associated bacterial transfer following hand washing, December 1997[6] Frontiers Public Health, Aerosols and Bacteria From Hand Washing and Drying in Indoor Air, 2022 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.804825/full [7] Average electricity price £0.1/kWh as of December 2018. See our calculations.

THE PROJECT Introducing our latest collaboration – Parc Gelli Werdd in South Wales, showcasing 15 Q doors – the pinnacle of resilient, superbly insulated industrial door systems.Nestled in Parc Gelli Werdd lies a cutting-edge development of workshops, industrial units, and offices, conveniently located just an hour away from Cardiff, the vibrant capital of Wales. Engineered for adaptability, these units cater primarily to advanced manufacturing, agri-food technology, creative industries, and energy & environmental sectors. The exterior amenities include generous parking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations, a service yard, bike storage facilities, and meticulously crafted landscapes.At the heart of this business park lies a commitment to sustainability, reflected in both its design ethos and operational practices. By embracing Active Building and Passivhaus principles, which prioritize superior insulation, our premium Q doors, renowned for their exceptional insulation properties and longevity, seamlessly align with the development’s sustainability objectives.This endeavor, aimed at achieving ‘Net Zero carbon in-use,’ has garnered remarkable accolades, boasting an impressive BREEAM “Excellent” rating and an EPC “A” certification. BREEAM evaluates sustainability aspects encompassing energy usage, water conservation, and material selection, while the EPC rating system in the UK measures energy efficiency on a scale from A to G, considering factors such as insulation and heating efficiency. Securing both distinctions underscores the project’s commitment to sustainability and its exceptional energy-efficient design.THE PRODUCTQ Doors boast exceptional thermal insulation capabilities, delivering long-term cost savings while enhancing both security and the architectural allure of any structure.Functioning as a versatile bi-folding solution, Q Doors can be seamlessly installed externally to address spatial limitations, thus optimising space within appliance bays. With a plethora of customisation options available, you can tailor your Q Door to meet specific needs, including the incorporation of insulated double-glazed windows, an array of colour choices, and the flexibility of manual or electric operation.In harmony with our sustainability objectives, we offer customisation options such as personnel doors, reducing the need to fully open the Q Door. This strategic approach not only conserves energy but also diminishes the building’s carbon footprint, aligning seamlessly with our commitment to environmental stewardship. The Q Doors sealing system complies with top European requirements, and still met them at 3 times the required test pressure! (The top European class 3 for air leakage describes air leakage (T Value) as at best 1.5m3/m2/h at 50 Pa pressure. i.e. 1.5m3/m2/h to 150 Pa).

This high profile entertainment and tourist venue in Bishop Auckland, required a surface for the large pedestrian area next to its main arena. Ulticolour was chosen in a buff colour, which suited the visual theme of the site. The client was happy with the speed of the work and the smooth, even low maintenance finish.

To ensure residents in this new luxury North London care home would feel entirely comfortable, the most efficient and futureproof materials were chosen. That’s why main contractor Wates specified Knauf Airless Finish for use throughout the development of the new Signature Care Home in Barnet.