"electrical power circuits and accessories"

By using a pair of Howe Green Access Cover Skates you will make light work of moving heavy access covers! Health and safety is a major consideration for all building owners, facilities managers and contractors. The Howe Green Access Cover Skate removes the need for operatives to manually move heavy manhole covers and access covers when accessing concealed services. By reducing the requirement to handle heavy objects the risk of injury is greatly diminished. With up to a 300-kilo lift from each Howe Green Access Cover Skate you will benefit from a powerful floor access cover lifter.

The Tate Modern’s Switch House is a new pyramid-shaped tower is built above the former power station’s subterranean oil tanks. The extension, which can be seen as you approach from the north, comprises ten floors that become incrementally smaller towards the top of the tower and culminates in a spectacular public roof terrace. Visitors to the roof are rewarded with 360-degree views of the river Thames, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London skyline, and you can see as far as Tower Bridge, the Old Bailey and Wembley Stadium.Radmat Building Products supplied a waterproofing solution to roof and viewing platform on the newly opened extension.

Calor provides efficient and reliable energy to power your manufacturing processes. Follow the link to explore how we specified LPG as the closest alternative to mains gas for one of our clients, Seven Bro7hers Brewing Co. ''The building itself doesn’t have the services or infrastructure in place to support the supply of natural gas, which meant this wasn’t an option for us. Needing a fuel supply versatile enough to cope with all aspects of brewing, we then began scoping out alternatives. It has here where we got in touch with Calor, who were able to support our business through the supply of LPG."

Working together with in-house joinery division, Cre8 Joinery Solutions, Washroom created new washrooms using a mix of different materials including dark wood veneer, concrete and bronze. The long trough shaped and wall-mounted, floating Arpeggio cast concrete vanity units in a traditional dark grey shade, reflect the industrial inspiration of the design, with the addition of black power-coated taps and soap holders providing a contemporary twist. The Cre8 joinery team delivered the bespoke lift lobby panels faced in exactly the same dark oak dyed veneer used on the full height Alto toilet cubicles installed in the washrooms.

Seven Rockfon ceiling and wall system ranges make valuable contributions to the innovative £40m Harris Academy Sutton, South London – the first Passivhaus secondary school in the country. Our acoustic, ceiling and wall systems are fully recyclable. Their thermal insulation and light reflectance properties help minimise the need for power to regulate heat and light. Non-hygroscopic and non-combustible, they are impervious to most environmental pressures, embodying very high humidity resistance, up to 100% RH. Architect Mark Martines commented, “They offer good sound control, absorption and reverberation, and allow us design freedom without compromising on performance.

Project DetailProject: National Bank of KuwaitLocation: London, UKProduct: TS.9205 High usage architectural door closerProject DescriptionThe National Bank of Kuwait’s London head office required 36 fully adjustable door closers to fit a range of door sizes. They chose the TS.9205 because it:Is easy to install, as it is power adjustable by spring from size EN 2-5, meaning it can be fitted and then adjusted afterwardsHas fire rating on all fitting applicationsCan be installed on the push or pull side of the doorIs easy to open for any age or person, for compliance with the Equalities Act

Festool, a premium brand Power tool manufacturer, has recently refurbished their UK head office to create a healthy acoustic environment. ROCKFON® Tropic™ ceiling tiles were chosen to replace the dated wet felted tiles. ROCKFON Tropic is perfect for a busy office environment offering the highest Class A sound absorption to reduce reverberation and an outstanding fire safety rating, A1. A robust ceiling tile which is easy to clean with a vacuum. It is available in a range of sizes and installation options including semi-concealed and visible grid tiles giving architects the freedom to design offices to any configuration.

Over 60 of Howe Green’s 7500 Series floor access covers were chosen for the development of a sizable extension of King’s Cross tube station. An access solution was required to provide access to essential under floor services including ventilation ducting, electrics, communication cables and rail services. The specification required a solution that would prevent the passage of fire through service channels. Howe Green’s 7500 Series access covers met requirements with a three hour fire rating. In addition to single covers, Howe Green’s innovative multi-part covers were also used.

79 of Howe Green’s 7500 Series aluminium access covers were specified for Eco-Friendly primary school, St Bernadette’s in Antonshill. Council architects required a solution to access essential services housed in raised flooring including the school’s sprinkler network, hot and cold water supplies and electric and data cabling. The covers were installed by A. Andrews and Sons to cover a continuous run of 75 metres of floor space with additional multipart units also fitted onto adjoining legs. The access covers were designed to be in-filled with industrial grade carpet to match the surrounding area.

Howe Green’s 7500 Series Medium Duty Access Covers have been installed in Manchester Cathedral as part of extensive reordering works. The 7500 Series Access Covers were chosen to provide reliable yet virtually invisible access to new mechanical and electrical chambers across the entire body of the building. Over 70 covers were made, each to a bespoke size to fit precisely with the new Burlington Stone slabs being installed. Howe Green also designed a special cover grating to allow air supply to the blower working the bellows of the Cathedral’s remarkable organ.

The award winning National Waterfront Museum required an access solution to provide quick, easy and safe access to concealed under floor mechanical and electrical equipment. Howe Green’s 7500 Series floor access covers were purpose designed for installation throughout the museum. They run across the reception areas, displays and exhibits. Slim line aluminium show edges present clean and crisp geometry within the many different types of floor covering used throughout the building. The access covers provide a heavy duty and tamper resistant, aesthetically pleasing access solution for the highly trafficked pedestrian area.

When proposing the architectural design, one challenge for Nickel 28 was how best to implement effective lighting into the large warehouse facility. Aiming to limit reliance on electric and artificial lighting in an effort to reduce energy consumption, daylighting solutions became a key consideration. Kingspan Light + Air, understanding the needs of the client, delivered a bespoke solution that satisfied the specific needs of the warehouse facility by helping to maximise on natural lighting. Implementing the Kingspan Day-Lite Kick wall light system horizontally across the loading bays in the warehouse enabled the facility to maximise on natural light without glare.

To operate at optimum capacity, the Ricoh Arena required a floor access solution to reach under floor services carrying water, drainage, electricity and data to internal and external leisure amenities. Staff at the arena also needed to carry out regular checks on under soil heating, sprinkler systems and floodlighting. Howe Green’s 7500 Series floor access covers were selected to provide safe and easy access to the concealed services. Fitted quickly and unobtrusively with the Terrazzo flooring used throughout the stadium complex, the covers are double-sealed to meet the highest standards of hygiene and security.

Over 40 of Howe Green’s 7500 Series Medium Duty Stainless Steel Access Covers were installed at The Nottingham Hub as part of the station's comprehensive enhancement project. Flooring specialists DMC Contracts Ltd required a network of access points within the station. They wanted to ensure that essential underfloor drainage, mechanical and electrical services could be reached quickly and easily. The 7500 Series specially designed recessed lids enabled the panels to be tiled with Quiligotti Terrazzo floor tiles. The result - an uninterrupted and continuous surface in the station's south concourse and Grade II listed porte-cochère.

record uk installed a 3 wing all-glass revolving door with a stainless steel frame to provide an attractive and impressive entrance to Horizons House in Aberdeen, a development of prestigious serviced office suites built by Waterloo Quay properties. The revolving door complemented the modern and attractive interior and prevented through draft which otherwise may have posed a problem with the entrance opening directly into the reception area. This revolving door was fitted with a fully automatic in-ground electric mechanism and microprocessor control unit. Safety features are also built in and activated by infrared detectors and overload detection.

When the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort was planned, the project included a 7-bay fire / ambulance station which featured a garden style theme to enable the buildings to harmonise with the green surrounding and the nearby Theme Park. Bolton Gate were specified to provide fourteen electric folding doors which included a special green powder coating, Lexan vision panels and faux louvres to each door. In addition, the doors had to be designed to resist typhoon loadings of up to 3Kpa, were manufactured in Bolton and shipped to Hong Kong where they were installed by the local agent Deacon.

Project: Surespan custom-designed a hatch to provide access to a Biomass storage plant at the new Criminal Justice Centre, Northampton.Product: The double leaf hatch – measuring 2750mm x 2900mm – is electrically operated by a key switch and has synchronised leaf operation with a safety grid. Rated to FACTA Class A pedestrian loading, it was designed with a chequer plate lid to match the surround and incorporates a rain skirt apron and Sureguard handrail system on both sides. A secondary 1000mm x 1000mm gas spring-operated floor hatch was installed with a retractable hand hold and ladder for safe and easy access.

Recently refurbished, Vodafone’s Manchester office is the first building in the UK to combine two electric moveable walls, delivering an entirely automated system for dividing room space. Working with architects, CMI Workplace and main contractor, Overbury, Style was specified to install a fully automatic Dorma Moveo Glazed ComfortDrive moveable wall adjacent to a Skyfold, the fully automatic, vertically rising operable wall, housed in the ceiling cavity. At the push of a button, the walls open and close with ease, offering a phenomenal lab tested 50dB Rw acoustic integrity for the glass system, and 51dB Rw for the Skyfold.

Surespan supplied a number of circular dome rooflights with triple layers to The Key, situated in the new Science Central development at Newcastle University. These large 1500 (49”) and 2000 (79”) diameter polycarbonate domes feature triple layers providing a U-value of 1.8 W/m²K. The rooflights were supplied with electric opening actuators to allow ventilation to control the temperature of the fabric structure. Surespan Dome skylights were specified due to their high sustainability and small impact on the environment. The triple layers ensure compliance with energy-saving requirements and offer excellent air tightness.

Metal pipe boxing from the Pendock Profiles range is concealing heating pipework, electrical cabling and ventilation ducting at Phoenix Point in Thamesmead as part of a refurbishment and upgrade programme of homes at the striking, cylindrical high rise building.Originally built in 2008 on the site of a boiler house used for a community heating scheme, the 8 storey, circular building provides a mix of one and 2 bedroom flats. The Pendock aluminium boxing is used extensively in the refurbishment and is located below the walkway on each tier, following the form of the structure to conceal building services, as well as acting as a mounting point for lighting.

Study shows the significant benefits of LLumar® films for saving energy, reducing CO2 emissions, improving thermal comfort, and controlling glare: Energy: - 3.9 year simple payback - 42 % annual savings on electrical energy - conditioning cooling - Savings of €125 800 on energy costs over operational lifetime of the film - Reduction of 46 tonnes annual CO2 emissions Thermal Comfort: - Reduction in indoor temperatures of up to 5 °C when HVAC cooling switched off - Productivity savings estimated at €40 per employee per cooling month Lighting and Glare: - Significant reduction in glare

Bainland Holiday Park, located in Bainland Country Park, were looking for a washroom refresh and specified Franke products for the project. Inspired Washrooms, a Nottingham based fit-out company, executed the project with the installation of a wide range of Franke products including Miranit washbasins and accessories from the Rodan range.The full range of products provided was:4 x ANMW411 - Single Quadro Miranit Washbasins with tap hole4 x F3SV1001 - F3 self-closing taps2 x UC07-010 - Urinal Control Systems2 x UC00-001 - Air Brake (Back Flow Preventer)5 x WC03-002 - WC Flush valve Kits & Wave on Sensors5 x WC02-011 - Concealed Plastic Cistern Kits2 x DRYX500N - Hands in hand dryers1 x F1393 - Franke Airblast Hand dryer4 x CHRX669 - Stainless steel mini jumbo toilet roll holders3 x RODX618 - Stainless steel rodan soap dispensers3 x RODX625 - Rodan Electronic Soap Dispensers  

Project: Tobacco DockDate: 2021 Background:·        The existing cladding had been identified as being combustible ACM·        APL had previously designed and supplied a bespoke StrongBak™ structural-framing solution to the project due to its unique historical structural design·        APL were engaged to supply and design additional areas of StrongBak™ along with a complete A1-rated face-fixed flat-panel façade to replace non-compliant cladding (not supplied by APL)·        APL Armacoil™PLUS-HT material was selected due to its exceptional performance in a marine environment ·        APL’s fabrication capability meant that all panels were factory-drilled leading to significantly quicker installation time on site Systems:·        4,000m² of APL Slimwall™-FF face-fixed flat panel in 2mm aluminium with an Armacoil™PLUS-HT coating in RAL 1003·        APL Tritherm™ sub-framing for StrongBak™ area·        APL aluminium AluE™ Tritherm™ helping hand brackets and extrusions to support panel system onto StrongBak™·        All flashings, fixings and accessories  Building Location:·        Liverpool

Bainland Holiday Park, located in Bainland Country Park, were looking for a washroom refresh and specified Franke products for the project. Inspired Washrooms, a Nottingham based fit-out company, executed the project with the installation of a wide range of Franke products including Miranit washbasins and accessories from the Rodan range. The full range of products provided was:4 x ANMW411 - Single Quadro Miranit Washbasins with tap hole4 x F3SV1001 - F3 self-closing taps2 x UC07-010 - Urinal Control Systems2 x UC00-001 - Air Brake (Back Flow Preventer)5 x WC03-002 - WC Flush valve Kits & Wave on Sensors5 x WC02-011 - Concealed Plastic Cistern Kits2 x DRYX500N - Hands in hand dryers 1 x F1393 - Franke Airblast Hand dryer4 x CHRX669 - Stainless steel mini jumbo toilet roll holders3 x RODX618 - Stainless steel rodan soap dispensers3 x RODX625 - Rodan Electronic Soap Dispensers

One Crown Place is a development that sets a new standard of architecture with two prismatic towers hosting 246 private apartments, rising 28 and 33 storeys into the sky. At lower levels, it is home to 109,675sq ft of high-quality office space and a variety of retail units.A Georgian terrace, a retained warehouse facade on Earl Street and 54 Wilson Street, and a 1970s block make up the remaining parts of this 24/7 destination delivering a boutique hotel, restaurant, collection of club lounges, bars, and affordable office space.ECLISSE UK Ltd supplied 158 bespoke Classic Pocket Door Systems for the project in various sizes, plus accessories. The pocket doors were used to provide convenient access to the ensuite bathrooms.Start on site: April 2018Completion date: May 2021Address: One Crown Place, 54 Wilson Street London EC2A 2ERGross internal floor area: 49,500m2 (new build)Construction cost: £518 millionArchitect: Kohn Pedersen Fox AssociatesClient: MTD GroupDevelopment manager: CBREProject manager: CBRE

Based in the heart of London’s financial district, LibertySyndicates has taken up new office space at 20Fenchurch Street, more commonly known as the WalkieTalkie.Famed for it’s unique design, the building wascompleted in 2014 by world renowned architect, RafaelVinoly. Unlike most skyscrapers, the walkie talkie adoptsa top-heavy shape which allows it to maximise space onthe higher floors, the most expensive to rent.It also offers a free to use sky garden for the public,situated on the top three levels, which was one of thekey factors in the building receiving planning permission.Liberty Syndicates opted to make six floors of 20Fenchurch Street their new London home, with a view todeveloping a modern and vibrant working space.In a high usage, commercial environment, Allgood’skey brief was to provide a high performing ironmongerypackage. Grade 316 stainless steel Modric pull handleswere supplied on all of the meeting room doorsalongside matching accessories and overhead doorclosers.In the bathroom areas, Allgood supplied a co-ordinatedModric range of signage, WC turns, coat hooks andescutcheons.

11 Freebournes RoadBauder reinforced bituminous waterproofing system with BauderSOLAR FSynopsisA large derelict warehouse located in Witham has undergone major renovation to transform it into a storage centre for Essex County Council that will assist its services and benefit the local community. The refurbishment works were designed and project managed by Lambert Smith Hampton on behalf of the client, who wanted the building to act as a benchmark for sustainability with the roof playing an integral part in achieving this through the addition of solar panels.Bauder Building BoardProject Name:11 Freebournes RoadLocation:Witham, EssexRoof Size:5,200m²Client:Essex County CouncilProject Manager:Lambert Smith HamptonApproved Contractor:Acclaim ContractsPV Installer:CJ SolarEnvironmental focus:Solar PVThe specificationWorking closely with the client, Bauder performed a comprehensive roof evaluation survey to identify the full extent of water ingress being experienced and to confirm the suitability of adding solar. The bespoke survey report highlighted that the roof needed to be stripped back to its original deck, before being waterproofed with over 5,200m2 of Bauder’s reinforced bitumen system by Acclaim Contracts. 588 solar PV modules were then fitted onto the roof by electrical installer CJ Solar, enabling the client to generate at least 134.70 Megawatt Hours of solar power each year. Products appliedBauderSOLAR FIntegrated photovoltaic system, where the modules and the substructure are combined to form a single unit, which is secured to the roof without any penetration of the waterproofing or roof deck. System installedReinforced Bitumen Membrane System1 Reinforced bitumen membraneTorch applied, elastomeric bitumen capping sheet2 BauderPIR M 60Rigid urethane foam insulation faced on both sides with aluminium foil.3 BauderPIR FA-TETorch applied air and vapour control layerAdvocacyJulian Sanchez, Commissioning Delivery Manager for Essex County Council: “We actively look for opportunities to implement renewable energy and knew that this storage facility lent itself well to PV retrofit. Our system selection process involved the due diligence you would expect from a local authority and we decided to go with Bauder because of its comprehensive system portfolio that meant we could have a single source supply and all-inclusive guarantee; giving us complete confidence in the roof’s performance.”

The challengeBoth male and female student washrooms were to be fully refurbished in the main building as they were tired looking and the busiest in a school with 1200+ students. The old hand dryers were loud and slow to dry the hands. The washrooms were opposite classrooms, so noise was an issue. New hand dryers needed to be energy efficient, cost effective, robust, reliable, attractive and with quick drying times.“They are quieter than the old hand dryers so neighbouring rooms have benefited. Since installation we feel they have encouraged more usage as a result, so contributing to improved hygiene by users in the premises.”Alexis O’Brien - Premises Manager, Gladesmore Community SchoolAbout Gladesmore Community SchoolGladesmore is an 11-16, mixed school with approximately 1,250 pupils. It is situated in the urban area of South Tottenham, adjacent to Markfield Park which backs onto the River Lea. It has repeatedly been judged to be an ‘Outstanding School’ in all aspects by Ofsted Inspectors.The solutionProviding a quick dry time yet Quiet Mark approved low noise volume, this vandal resistant hand dryer has 4 settings to maximise energy efficiency and minimise running costs.Model: Dryflow ViperDry time range: 15 - 20 secondsRated power: 600W - 2000W (4 settings available)Guarantee length: 3 yearsThe results“The hand dryers are robust while still looking attractive. They dry hands just as quick as a more expensive brand but at more than half the cost.The quick drying time has also helped to alleviate congestion at peak rush periods during break times.The ability to easily adjust the temperature and speed with no special tools is useful and can be done in under one minute.”Alexis O’Brien - Premises Manager, Gladesmore Community SchoolEstimated annual savings using new high-speed hand dryers compared to previous units+:Cost Savings: £196Electricity savings: 1,634 kW/hCarbon Savings: 882kg/CO2Estimated annual savings using new high-speed hand dryers compared to if paper towels were used+**:Cost Savings: £9,856Carbon Savings: 11,592kg/CO2(+Dryflow Viper running at its most energy efficient setting based on 12p per kW/h and 1kW = 0.54kg/CO2; **Based on 3 paper towels used per dry, 0.6p per paper towel, 22.5gms/CO2 per dry)

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.

Chelsea Waterfront is a high-specification new development centred around the iconic Lots Road Power Station where car parking is facilitated by a basement accessed by automatic bi-fold gates. Having been specified by Terry Farrell, Bolton Gate Company were chosen to design, manufacture and install a set of gates which included two automatic bi-fold gates with an adjacent personnel gate. The main gates provided secure vehicular access being activated by card reader and the adjacent hinged gate allowed selective personnel access by key fob. A polyester powder coated finish in Basalt Grey was applied to blend in with the surrounding structure.

After a £2m refurbishment programme, the British Motor Museum recently opened its stunning new hospitality and event facility. A showcase area, the Sky Suite boasts magnificent panoramic views over the Warwickshire countryside. Delivering flexibility to the suite, partitioning expert Style, was contracted to install two Dorma Hüppe Variflex semi-automatic, glazed moveable walls. Allowing the area to be quickly adapted to meet the needs of the day, the toughened glass panels are manually manoeuvred along a whisper-quiet tracking system. Once in place, powerful seals automatically expand to exactly the required pressure to ensure optimum acoustic integrity between the divided areas.

A home owner near Lake Constance has fulfilled his dream of having an office with a view: From the top floor, one can enjoy a fabulous vista of the water and the Alps rising into the sky behind the lake. In terms of building technology, virtually everything that you could wish for in an intelligent home has been installed. All components in the house have been networked via a KNX system, so that they can be controlled centrally and even automatically, when cross-linked with each other.Architect:  Matzke ArchitekturbüroElectrical installation: Contrel - Building Control Systems Photos: Ulrich Beuttenmüller for Gira

AusNet Services, formally SP AusNet, is the largest diversified energy network business in Victoria, Australia. The company owns and operates approximately AUD$11 billion of electricity and gas transmission and distribution assets. In March 2004, the Occupational Health & Safety (Prevention of Falls) Regulations 2003 became effective, requiring AusNet Services to cease sole reliance upon dual lanyards, and to consider other attachment methods for climbers during maintenance and other transmission tower operations. MSA provided AusNet Services with not just products, but a complete service package that provided comprehensive support for AusNet Services’ ground installation team.

Elephant Park is part of a £2.3 billion regeneration project in Elephant & Castle. It comprises a mixed-use development of 3000 new homes and up to 50 shops /retail units all centred around a new 2-acre park. Bolton Gate assisted the Architect with the design of a large electric Multi-Fold Gate to the Service Bay which consists of twelve equal leaves each constructed from an SHS frame with 50 x 10mm vertical steel fins and internal mesh to prevent the ingress of birds. Matching cladding and balustrades completed the elevation all of which were powder coated black.

Crown’s earthbalance scheme sets out the company’s commitment to being more sustainable and less wasteful as well as helping customers and staff make responsible decisions. The earthbalance scheme covers all aspects of Crown’s business and applies to all staff and operations at Crown’s two UK manufacturing plants and network of Crown Decorating Centres. Crown has reduced its overall electricity consumption by 15 per cent, reduced packaging waste by approximately 15 per cent, recycled more than 800 tonnes of paint cans and donated 112 benches made using recycled paint cans through social enterprise NIMTECH.

Project:Architects Foster + Partners approached Surespan to design and manufacture two roof hatches for Circle Hospital Bath – the new centre of clinical excellence due to open in late 2009. Product:The huge single-leaf glazed roof hatches are electrically operated by push button switches, one hatch incorporating a side door. The high spec glazed lid is supported by heavy-duty aluminium hinges and features an integral ‘wrap over’ edge, incorporating double unbroken EPDM seals. The hatches offer a high level of thermal insulation against heat loss and condensation, together with excellent sound absorption properties.