"electrode direct electric boilers"

The design of spaces for children is intriguing because of the permanent influence it can have on them. A new online theme by Danish acoustic panel manufacturer Troldtekt explores through articles and expert interviews how good acoustics plays its part when designing these areas. Of course, other factors such as colour, shapes, robustness and finish also have an impact but so does sound. Children are noisy and active and the rooms they inhabit are typically large. Careful design considerations are particularly important because a child’s environment moulds their perspectives for the future and the development of the mind and body. School, activity and childcare spaces all affect self-esteem, performance and friendships and help shape the individual into the adults they will become. Studies such as Bronzaft and McCarthy (1975) have shown the effect noise has on wellbeing and learning - This is the reason why the products of specialist manufacturers like Troldtekt are specified to solve the problems of noise and reverberated sounds. If acoustic absorption is ineffective, discomfort and irritation will result from the reverberations. If it is designed well, the participant’s interest will increase, as many case studies for new and transformed buildings prove. In an interview with Troldtekt, the Danish education psychologist Mille Sylvest comments, “It’s very important to be aware of noise when designing facilities. Noise affects stress levels for both children and staff because nobody can endure spending long periods of time in a noisy environment. Lower energy levels, more sick leave and poorer learning outcomes are the direct results of noise.” Specified throughout the UK and Europe, the benefits of 100% Troldtekt natural wood wool panels include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low cost life cycle performance and sustainability. This high performance is recognised by their Cradle to Cradle certification at Silver level. Available in various sizes and in four grades from extreme fine to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour. Samples, case studies and technical information are easily sourced from tel 01978 664255 or visit www.troldtekt.co.uk. More information around the theme of childcare institutions can be found on https://www.troldtekt.com/News/Themes/Child-care-institutions 

Doncaster Council sought out to develop a new leisure destination that complements the existing attractions in the nearby lakeside area.The new £7.7m retail park is a new destination where people can enjoy restaurants and leisure facilities next to the existing VUE cinema at the popular Lakeside in Doncaster.This development includes Europe’s first-ever Drive-Thru Dunkin’ Donuts, as well as a mix of local and national fast food outlets. These buildings are surrounded by service yards and 181 parking spaces, nine of which are electric car charging points.The green potential for the Herten Triangle was high on the agenda. The space includes sustainably-sourced timber-clad elevations, solar PV arrays, over 5000 plants and shrubs and 120 trees.Working with Willmott Dixon as the main contractor, Smeeden Foreman delivered hard and soft landscape designs for the external works for this new development.A whole host of Marshalls products were used for this project to help bring a modern and appealing feel to the complex. Modal textured in Light Granite, Anthracite Granite, Silver Grey Granite, Indian Granite and Mid Grey Granite were used in the light trafficked areas around the buildings. Saxon paving in Natural was used on the pathways in the social areas. Keyblok in Natural, Charcoal, Brindle and our White Marker blocks were used for the car parking bays. All of the above were installed alongside Conservation X and British Standard kerbs and edging, as well as Blister Paving for crossing areas.Neil Tyler the Senior Build Manager at Willmott Dixon had this to say:“The service provided by Marshalls was excellent, particularly with the quantities of paving required in a relatively short period of time. The quality of finish and dimensional accuracy of the products is also very good, and was recognised by all involved.”All manufactured in mainland UK, the products have provided a functional and aesthetic outcome for this retail space that is perfect for the public to use and enjoy.Imagery: Marshalls and some supplied from Smeeden Foreman

REQUIREMENT: Replacing a worn-out wooden ramp with a compliant Rapid Ramp System.The system had to be strong enough to withstand impact from electrically operated wheelchairs, support users in the case of a fall and have handrails that confirm with BS 6180: 2011. Our ramp achieves all these requirements.Plus, the steel components of the Rapid Ramp System are zinc coated, and hot dip galvanized in accordance with BS EN ISO 14713-2:2020.All ramp handrails and guardings are powder-coated to BS EN 12206-1:2004.END RESULT: Once the wooden ramp was dismantled, the Rapid Ramp system was fitted.The ramp was fully installed by the end of day one, and day two was spent evenly distributing the rubber crumb over the walkway surface.FEATURES INCLUDED: Infill Handrail - this product prevents users from climbing or falling through gaps.Yellow Tread - this is a safety feature designed to help those with impaired vision identify the nose of the ramp. Additionally, it helps users distinguish any level changes.Trombone Ends - these are added to the ends of a Rapid Ramp to prevent clothes catching.Mesh Platform - the self-draining mesh allows water to pass through rather than collect on the surface.Rest Platform – a rest platform at 5 metres is required to allow the user to pause.1100mm High Rail – these handrails attach to any level sections.Continuous Handrail - this handrail system ensures users always have support to hold onto.EXTRA FEATURES INCLUDED:Underside Mesh Hoarding - this mesh is designed to prevent children from gaining access to the underneath of the ramp.Safetread Rubber Surface - this is a soft, slip-resistant surface that reduces the impact of falls. The product is made from the same materials used in soft play areas and is ideal for nurseries, schools, and public facilities. Plus, it is available in a range of colours and will continue to perform in all weather conditions.

The JACKOBOARD range from BEWI is “ideal” for use as a tile backerboard on projects where increasingly popular underfloor heating systems are being installed, the company says.Made from extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), the construction boards are said to be inherently waterproof because the structure of the board does not allow water to penetrate. They are designed to be easy to work with and cut, as well as truly lightweight.They are finished on both sides with a special coating and reinforced fibreglass mesh, ready to be tiled, rendered or plastered. The boards are said to possess excellent thermal insulation properties, which give them enormous advantages over plasterboard or cement board. They are especially suitable for interior construction, the company says, especially in rooms subject to high moisture levels.According to BEWI, JACKOBOARD goes “beyond bathrooms” and can be used in any room of the house and as a backerboard for virtually any tiling project.The boards are suitable for quickly and effectively levelling uneven walls and floors, for partition walls, compensating for cracks in substrates and for creating substrates for laying tiles on non-adhesive surfaces.JACKOBOARD is also said to provide the best waterproof, insulated, tiling substrate for underfloor heating projects. Whether electric mats or hot water systems are being installed, BEWI says, JACKOBOARD – laid underneath the heating elements or pipework – will help to decrease warm-up times of the system by pushing the heat directly up to the tile layer. In this way, the heat generated by the system is used in the most efficient way, not just during the initial heat-up stage, but in general usage with the continued thermostat-controlled use of the heating system.As builders are forced to reduce the carbon footprint of their projects, the materials they choose to build with can provide a key to unlocking the thermal performance of a building. The XPS foam used on JACKOBOARD products reportedly achieves excellent insulation properties. It’s designed to help maximise the energy efficiency of walls and floors, improving the overall thermal performance of any property.www.bewi.com

Pure Design – Bolidtop 525Colour – S 6500-N800m2Architect – Stanton WilliamsMain Contractor - SkanskaInstallation dates – 2019Challenge Zayed Centre of Research into Rare Disease in Children is a building where those who work within it play a crucial part in our society. Stratum helped create a healthy and fresh environment in the specialist research laboratories based at the world-renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital. The space would be heavily used and the nature of the work in the labs required the floor to be hygienic, seamless, easy to clean and with high resistance to chemicals. The design of the building allows the public to see through the windows into the laboratories from street level, meaning aesthetics were equally as important in product selection as functional properties. Stratum installed 800m2 of Pure Design – Bolidtop 525 with integrated skirting throughout. Solution-      Joint free makes for a very hygienic solution, with integrated joint free skirting adding to this.-      Close co-ordination with the contractor, enabled the structure to be sufficiently progressed early in the programme. This allowed the resin to be installed early and fully protected in ample time for the lab benches to be installed over.-      Electrical Floor Bokes, seamless skirting.Result-      The resin flooring installed here is an excellent addition to this multi-award winning building.  “The Bolidt resin provides the perfect seamless floor finish in the main laboratory spaces within the Zayed Centre for Research. These are most visible laboratory spaces within the building, both internally and from the public realm, and a choice of floor finish was important. As well as giving the right visual appearance it provides the functional properties required for these hard working spaces. Pre-installation samples of the resin flooring were tested by the client user team and passed on all technical requirements. The resin floor is used in both dry and wet areas of the laboratory and is easy to maintain. Stratum provided a great overall service, both with pre-installation queries and during the installation itself”. Kalpesh Intwala | Associate Director | Stanton Williams

When undertaking a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) maintenance and upgrade contract on a North Sea offshore platform, RBG Limited identified that critical noise levels were apparent in a range of working areas.Investigating the issue, RBG Ltd commissioned environmental sound testing, which revealed that ambient noise exceeded a specified minimum of 55dB (A) throughout the electrical workshop, store room, hydraulic workshop, subsea office and mechanical workshop, reaching its highest levels of 88-96dB (A) in the mud pit room. Additional noise generated by operating pumps, cranes and machinery would further increase the noise levels in these areas.As such, RBG Ltd needed to source a high performance industrial acoustic solution that would sufficiently reduce the noise contamination and make the working environment acceptable.Seeking expert industrial acoustics advice, RBG Ltd briefed CMS Acoustics on the project parameters, who responded with a bespoke ISO Acoustic Enclosure Panel system design.The SolutionThe ISO Enclosure Panel is a prefabricated sound reduction system, designed to create noise-protected structures in industrial environments. A self-supporting and robust construction, it offers the additional benefit of a short assembly time, facilitated by the panels being lightweight and easy to handle.The industrial acoustics technical team at CMS Acoustics calculated that a combination of 50mm and 100mm thick ISO Enclosure Panels would be required to achieve the specified noise reduction in the different areas. Depending on panel thickness, fire resistance ranging from 30 minutes to two hours can be achieved.For RBG Ltd, CMS Acoustics manufactured the panels in white and supplied them in ready to assemble kits clearly labelled according to area for installation. Some panels were manufactured to allow removal for maintenance while others were designed to be stud welded to external walls.To increase system robustness, CMS Acoustics integrated acoustic doors and vision panels into the ISO Enclosure design.

This is the new bespoke cycle hub Falco recently designed, manufactured, supplied and installed this spring for Kenley Station in south Croydon. Making use of the flagship FalcoHub design, the new cycle hub has been fitted with the tried and tested FalcoLevel-Eco two-tier cycle rack, providing commuters with up to 16 secure cycle parking spaces.The bespoke 6.5m x 4.2m cycle hub has been fitted with an electric sliding door, a secure access system, LED lighting, a FalcoFix 2.0 cycle repair station, bespoke branding graphics and a cladding combination of sustainable hardwood slats coupled with powder coated galvanised steel in a ‘Moss Green’ RAL colour.The cycle hub also provides secure accommodation for up to four cargo bikes, e-cargo bikes, adaptive bikes, recumbent bikes, tandems, tricycles, oversized and upright cycles or bike trailers.In addition to the cycle hub, Falco also provided a bespoke solution to store the clients refuse units.Rail passengers using pedal power can apply at the ticket office for a free security fob to gain entrance to the facility now.The images attached show the new cycle hub addition, installed next to platform 2, off Station Road.The whole shelter is a bespoke contemporary design of the classic Falco Cycle Hub shelter, which features clean lines through the glass cladding and supported by stainless steel glass clamps. The steelwork is hot dip galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461 and also meets UK structural design laws with EN 1090 accreditation. Rainwater is collected via innovative integral gutters as part of the roof system and a bespoke bund ensure that the cycle hub is weather proof.For more information regarding the cycle hub scheme at Kenley Station or any other product from our cycle parking and shelter portfolio, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.

Hadfield Carkwell Davidson specified Tobermore for the 376,737sq ft job at the IKEA retail store in Sheffield.The large-scale scheme, which has created nearly 500 jobs, involved construction and fit-out of the two-storey superstore, providing a sales floor, warehouse, staff facilities, café, and children’s play area, as well as underground and external car parking. The project has received a BREEAM excellence accreditation due to its application of sustainable technologies like solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and electric vehicle charging points on-site.The ChallengeBlock paving was required to meet both SuDs requirements and aesthetic aspiration.The IKEA store was constructed adjacent to the famous Tinsley Viaduct on the outskirts of Sheffield, bringing the popular retail destination to the area near the Meadowhill Shopping Centre.A crucial part of the £60M project was that the hard landscaping design would satisfy SUDs requirements but maintain a high-end aesthetic appeal that would reflect the IKEA brand.The SolutionTobermore Hydropave products provided suitable drainage for the project.The hard landscaping solution created an outdoor area that effectively promoted the IKEA brand. By utilising high-end block paving product Fusion in the cool tones of silver, mid grey, and graphite, the elevated finish was beautifully realised. Permeable paving was employed in certain areas to support drainage that would meet SuDs requirements for the site, exemplifying the project’s green credentials. This in turn made it one of IKEA’s most sustainable stores.Tobermore’s Granite Step Units with Contrasting Nosing allow for the uneven terrain to be navigated elegantly with appealing steps that augment the customer experience at the IKEA store. Hazard Warning flags also ensure that the site fully meets modern accessibility standards for people with impaired vision.Laying patterns and delineation enhanced the area to meet customer expectations, creating spacious parking bays and attractive pedestrianised walkways. Hydropave Pedesta and Fusion paving combined to realise a project that radiates a unique, high-quality feel.

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.

Basildon & Thurrock University HospitalBauder Total Roof System (BTRS) and LiquiTEC cold applied waterproofing systemSynopsisBasildon and Thurrock University Hospital’s existing roof was failing in multiple areas, and 80 rooflights needed replacing. The client wanted the refurbishment to make as little impact as possible on the departments directly below which included drug refrigeration, x-ray and ultrasound clinics, patient wards and operating theatres.Bauder Building BoardProject:Basildon & Thurrock University HospitalLocation:EssexProject Type:RefurbishmentRoof Area:900m²Specifier:NHSApproved Contractor:Breyer ConstructionProject challengesThe plant on the rooftop could not be turned off or raised and many of the AC units and boilers had to be left running due to the nature of the rooms below. Certain areas had to be repaired before others and detailing under and around the plant that could not be raised was almost an impossible task. When working around the plant, COSHH regulations had to be considered and adhered to.The result Coordinating with both the client and approved contractors was key in this project, and by using cold liquid applied waterproofing the contractors could ensure a watertight seal with quick application, allowing them to complete the remainder of the roof using reinforced bitumen membrane, and meet the tight project deadline of 12 weeks.System installedBauder Total Roof System (BTRS)Suitable for a variety of applications on both new build and refurbishment projects and can be used in warm, cold and inverted roof scenarios.1 Bauder K5KA top quality, heavy duty, torch-applied SBS elastomeric bitumen capping sheet. The product features a spunbond polyester reinforcement to allow the finished product to cope with structural movement without fracture, and a mineral finish to provide protection against UV degradation.2 BauderTEC KSA DUO 35A 3mm thick technically advanced self-adhesive elastomeric bitumen underlayer with DUO lap technology and glass lattice reinforcement.3 BauderPIR FA G16 Tapered (laid to falls)Tapered insulation is a lightweight, convenient, easy to install and cost-effective alternative method of providing falls to a roof instead of incorporating them into the structure.4 BauderTEC KSD FBSA technically advanced, self-adhesive SBS elastomeric bitumen air & vapour control layer, with a mica finished upper surface to allow easy bonding of insulation using the specified Bauder insulation adhesive.LiquiTEC Roof SystemThe Bauder LiquiTEC roof systems combine ease of application, fast cure and durability to provide a cold applied liquid waterproofing product second to none.1 LiquiDEK with reinforcement layerA cold applied liquid fast curing waterproofing resin, for use on the main roof area of the LiquiTEC Roof System. It is applied in 2 coats ‘wet-on-wet’, with a layer of Bauder 110g reinforcement fleece between them. The product is a PMMA based resin and requires the addition of catalyst to trigger curing. It is solvent, isocyanate and halogen free, minimizing its environmental impact.2 BauderTEC KSD DUOCarrier membrane & Vapour Barrier is a technically advanced self-adhesive elastomeric bitumen vapour barrier with patented “DUO” lap technology. The product features an aluminium foil facing for vapour impermeability.AdvocacyBreyer Roofing’s Contracts Manager for the project, Kerry Cutts:“The main challenge was working around the hospital’s requirements. For example, we provided a weekly plan for the areas we were working in and the rooflights / plant affected. Where possible, we worked out of hours while doing rooflight replacements to minimise any issues. We also worked closely with Bauder to vary the specification when we had to work around live plant. The communication between Bauder and Breyer Roofing was exemplary throughout and I was pleased this completed project was nominated for a national award."

The challenge of installing one of the largest expanses of flooring in a single project – and one of the most complex – faced the hub where east meets west at Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar. The airport is described as ‘the gateway to Qatar’ and the hub for its world-class airline Qatar Airways with the capacity to serve 8,700 passengers per hour and 30 million every year. Specifiers wanted a flooring high in aesthetic and environmental credentials to meet all requirements at this important airport zone and meeting all relevant environmental and health and safety regulations.  SystemThe system chosen was epoxy terrazzo flooring supplied by Sherwin-Williams - 140,000 sq metres of pigmented epoxy resin - involving the shipping of pre-mixed marble aggregates from Italy to complete the design for the main floor areas consisting of three colours, primarily dark grey with pure black or white epoxy terrazzo.The epoxy terrazzo was poured in situ as the 16,000 workers from various countries navigated their way around the 5,500-acre site and ground and polished the flooring to a high finish, bringing with it major environmental benefits. Thin set epoxy conforms to the EU’s solvents and Volatile Organic Compounds Emissions Directive.The installation process itself also meant there was very little waste – the terrazzo prepared for installation was measured accurately to allow as much or as little to be used in application.The epoxy terrazzo is high in aesthetic and environmental features and meets the demands of architects and specifiers for longer-lasting products with ever-greater green credentials.Terrazzo flooring is a composite – a mix of resin with aggregates which give the product such variety in its design. Intended to be a durable, hard-wearing and highly decorative flooring solution, the resinWith simple re-polishing or re-sealing using water-based products a typical terrazzo flooring can last up to 40 years. However, vinyl floor sheets would require replacing typically every 12 years or less.The Sherwin-Williams Difference By putting our customers first, we know that the innovation, imagination, research and development we put into each and every product will be worth it. You are at the centre of our thinking wherever we operate around the world across five continents whether it is advice, specification or on-site inspection. You are the reason we exist. This is the Sherwin-Williams difference.

Congratulations to Deicke Richards (DR) Architects for their win at this year’s 2020 Learning Environments Australasia Awards for excellence in educational design. The John Paul College (JPC) Kindergarten extension articulates the college’s Reggio Emilia approach to teaching and learning within an Australian context. Reggio Emilia is an early learning education style that values children as capable and resilient and rich with wonder; it emphasises hands-on, discovery learning that allows children to actively engage all their senses, guided by educators rather than directed.The kindy’s program is strongly art and nature-based and focuses on encouraging children to creatively problem solve, engage deeply with personal and group projects, and to experience nature with freedom and wonder.To support this program, Deicke Richards led a collaborative process with a diverse stakeholder team to produce a design framework that fosters engaging experiences with climate; form (external, internal and transitional spaces); light; colour; materials and texture; smell; sound; and taste. Marmoleum flooring was chosen as the main internal floor finish as it fits the design and teaching philosophy.Marmoleum is made from natural raw materials, many of which grow and are renewable. The material is produced CO2 neutral without offsetting and can be sustainably recycled at the end of its useful life. Marmoleum is healthy, containing zero plastics and is asthma and allergy approved by the British Allergy Foundation. Marmoleum thanks to the linseed base is inherently bacteriostatic naturally inhibiting the growth of common bacterial and viral infections creating a better interior for children and staff.The kindy’s new building has a logical layout. Two classrooms are separated by a central amenities block and open onto a generous verandah that flows into the “piazza” or green heart. Each classroom is characterised by an internal “Atelier” form which offers focused respite from other activities – a sunken studio features in ‘The Burrow’ classroom, while a playful house-like structure punctuates ‘The Nest’ classroom. These unique Atelier spaces are dedicated to creative exploration and elevate the children’s art-focused learning experiences.JPC Kindy’s thoughtfully layered learning experiences exemplify how the values of a kindy – or any educational institution – can be meaningfully embedded in its environmental and spatial design.Diecke Richards founded in 1994 is renowned for their collaborative processes and inclusive culture. DR has a commitment to using their skill in design to achieve a social purpose and this is evident in the JPC kindergarten community project.

Ranked as the best zoo in Europe, and the third best zoo in the world, Chester Zoo, in Cheshire, UK, has long-been considered a pioneering attraction that many other zoos aspire to. With over 1.8 million visitors a year, the Zoo has specified CONTI+ sensor taps for its visitor washrooms as part of a number of water-saving initiatives .In 2018, the Zoo started a refurbishment project of its washroom facilities, choosing the CONTI+ Ultra sensor taps for all their washbasins. Ecoprod– a Conti+ distribution partner and supplier of environmental washroom solutions was the link that enabled this project to happen, through a consultation process.“Working with the Mechanical Services Supervisor at Chester Zoo has been very straightforward as his hands on experience and knowledge of this sector is comprehensive. We provided a few products to install in both ladies and gents washrooms for a trial period to get feedback from staff and other stakeholders. The Ultra tap was quite quickly considered by all to be the preferred choice and was therefore specified going forwards for all washroom refurbishment works”Marcus Rose, Sales Manager Ecoprod.Ultra is one of the most innovative sensor tap solutions from CONTI+. It works particularly well for leisure spaces and attractions as it can be powered by battery, turbine or solar, avoiding the need for electricity in the tap area. The battery lasts for up to four years, meaning maintenance is minimal and, when it is time to change the battery this can be done quickly and easily through an access point on the top of the product avoiding labour intensive access into vanity units.From an environmental and cost-saving perspective, the Ultra ticks all the boxes. Great design, with sophisticated sensor function, water saving can reach an impressive 70% compared with a more traditional tap. And in attractions, with a high volume of users, the touch free system provides a more hygienic way to wash hands, reducing the spread of germs and ensuring each user has a clean tap to use.Of course, as a Swiss-designed and assembled product, manufactured in the Conti+ facilities in Switzerland, Chester Zoo can rest assured that the Ultra taps are built to last and will work first time, every time.

Nestled in a secluded location, the village of Lavenham has been a picturesque place to live since its mediaeval origins. But with housing supply limited within the bounds of the existing village, in 2016 residents voted for a new development to go ahead – providing it was in-keeping with their historic homes.The designs of The Paddocks’ 25 new properties therefore draw on influences from the Tudor and Regency homes and cottages already lining the streets of the village, reflecting their style and materials. Ranging from two to four-bedrooms, each home has been gifted its own individuality, with traditional finishes, such as rendering and weatherboarding linking them back to the original properties. Attention to the quality and scale of landscaping around the site has also been factored in to mirror the countryside that embraces the site.However, while the new homes certainly have similar characteristics to the houses already in the village, they do not share their energy inefficiency. Beneath the traditional finishes are contemporary homes with ambitions to keep carbon emissions to a minimum. To do this, Hartog Hutton decided to take a two-pronged approach to reducing CO2 emissions: by installing solar panels and electric car charging points, and by using thermally insulative fabrics, including blockwork.For the structural foundations, the housebuilder therefore turned to Lignacite’s 100mm and 140mm Lignacrete blocks, which are designed for high-strength uses. With an A1 fire rating, Hartog Hutton could also ensure that future residents would have an additional layer of fire protection.Lignacite Ash GP blocks then form the bulk of the buildings. With strong and durable characteristics, these blocks are ideal for all kinds of applications. More importantly, they also have great thermal insulation of 0.298 m2K/W (for 1400mm blocks at 3% moisture), which satisfies all the latest requirements of the Building Regulations Approved Document L.The remainder of each structure uses Lignacite’s Fibo 850/950, which forms the substrate for the weatherboarding and rendering. They provide an excellent surface for these finishes while also adding to the overall thermal insulation of the property. A final advantage is that these blocks are extremely lightweight and can be put into place one-handed.

C-TEC’s revolutionary new evacuation alert system, EVAC-ALERT, has been specified for a new purpose-built residential building in London.Located in the Elephant and Castle area of the London Borough of Southwark, Joyce Newman House is an 8-storey block of 40 spacious living spaces commissioned by Leathermarket JMB, Southwark’s largest resident-managed housing organisation. The affordable-housing development also features landscaped gardens, an interactive playground and a communal kitchen garden for residents to grow their own vegetables.Specified and supplied by Churches Fire & Security working alongside Blu Electrical Installations Ltd, C-TEC’s EVAC-ALERT has been designed to comply with the new BS 8629, which recommends evacuation alert systems be installed in all new blocks of flats over 18 metres to assist the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) in evacuating part or all of a building in an emergency.The system consists of a 2-loop control panel connected to a host of single and multi-way interface units, self-testing sounders and visual indicators. Simple and intuitive with manual controls to allow firefighters to easily operate the evacuation alert devices located inside flats on a zone by zone or floor by floor basis, the panel is stored in a secure vandal resistant cabinet which can only be accessed by the FRS using a special copy-protected key.David Collins, Project Manager at Churches Fire & Security, said: “Evacuation alert systems ensure firefighters can alert occupants in a building of the need to evacuate if a fire gets out of control. The EVAC-ALERT system we’ve specified provides peace of mind for residents and, crucially, also demonstrates that building management have taken every precaution possible to protect the people residing in the property. Our client is delighted with the system.”Certified to all relevant EN54 product standards, EVAC-ALERT is powered by C-TEC’s CAST protocol and fully compatible with ENVISION, its powerful new cloud-based remote access data management software which can be used to provide duty holders with a verifiable audit trail of system activity and device testing.

Many of the GRP Riser Floors we install are fitted during the initial build. Using a framework made from GRP profiles, capped with panels of GRP Grating, we fill usually simple shapes as a building goes up, ensuring people and equipment can’t fall down the holes required for services installation.In an older building, the chances are the services are already in place, which means we need to cut around any pipes, cables and ducting to ensure a neat fit with no gaps.Gainsborough House in Richmond was one such installation. The riser gaps were actually quite small so, while there was no risk of a person falling through, dropped tools could, presenting – at worst – a potential hazard to people and equipment below and – at best – an inconvenience as tools need to be retrieved or replaced. We were sub-contracted by Westgreen Construction to bring the spaces around the risers up to the current safety standards and help prevent future accidents.On some floors the gaps were almost full of services trunking and, as an added challenge, electrical cable trays coming forward presented an uneven surface to work on. We built frames between each tray, creating a raised base to fit the grating to. The mesh was then carefully cut to accommodate the various services in place.In other parts of the building the client needed the grating to be 50mm away from already-installed duct work to allow for lagging and requested a kick plate rather than the normal flush fit. This required a modified frame to give the site team something to fix the plate to.GRP is an incredibly flexible material to work with. It’s much lighter than steel equivalents making it relatively easy to manoeuvre into position. It’s also easier to cut and non-sparking so doesn’t require a hot works permit. This allows us to make adjustments onsite, achieving a high level of precision in a fraction of the time, keeping quality up and costs down.No matter what type or age of a building, our expert teams will find a GRP riser solution to ensure site safety. For more information call us on 01206 396 446.

Community campaign group, ‘Climate Action Ilkley’, has expanded its e-cargo bike hire scheme with the addition of a new FalcoCargoBox, providing secure storage for its fleet of cargo bikes.This is now the second public Cargo Bike storage facility in the UK following the launch of the Beryl public cargo bike hire scheme in Hackney earlier this month and the FalcoCargoBox hangar has been fitted with a number of enhanced features including;Two internal electric sockets providing a charging facility for each e-cargo bike.A security lock to access the e-cargo bike hangar.A stylish powder coated finish.Distinctive branding graphics advertising the new facility to Ilkley residents.Located on Ilkley car park, on South Hawksworth Street, the new FalcoCargoBox has been commissioned on behalf of City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council and provides secure and sheltered cargo bike accommodation in a purpose-built design.Local residents and visitors are now able to register with the charity to become a member and hire a cargo bike of their choice for free (with a donation recommended to cover upkeep).The images attached here show the new FalcoCargoBox delivered and installed by Falco last week, on a sunny Autumn afternoon. The FalcoCargoBox is just one of four Cargo bike storage products produced by Falco with the full range as follows:FalcoPod-Cargo – standard bike hangar without the bike racks.FalcoCargoPod - as above with an extended back for longer cargo bikes.FalcoCargoBox – specifically designed for larger cargo bikes as per the Ilkley scheme.FalcoLok-Cargo – a walk in store with space for two large cargo bikes and additional equipment.The scheme here for Climate Action Ilkley is the second FalcoCargoBox installation in the UK, with the first launch taking place last month in Hackney offering the UK’s first public cargo bike hire scheme, operated by Beryl Bikes on behalf of the London Borough of Hackney.For more information about the FalcoCargoBox or how Falco can assist your cargo bike parking scheme, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.