"energy management systems"

The Project  Friargate One is a 150,000 sq ft, 13 storey, low energy building forming part of a £700m project to create a new business district in Coventry.  The building sets the standard for the remainder of the 37 acre Friargate scheme that will include 13 more office buildings, two hotels, homes and shops all set to transform the area around the train station. This project is the largest development in the West Midlands Combined Authority.   The Challenge Deliver a product to satisfy the architects design & meet the highest standards offered within the industry. Provide a full range of accessories to compliment the system. Manufacture bespoke boxed out mirror units complete with rebated lighting strip. Ensure the system is installed to highest standard to create a seamless fronted wall of cubicles and superloos across varying floors.  The Solution Floor to ceiling Flush 44 system installed throughout male & female washrooms and unisex superloos situated over two floors.   The system encompasses a 44mm MR core with a hardwood rebated edge detail. The overall finish is modern and sleek creating a seamless flush wall of cubicles with complete privacy and comfort for the users.Close management of each phase from site survey through CAD drawings, call up and manufacture ensured we had complete control of the project and were able to accurately survey the areas and install the seamless system desired by the client.SpecificationProduct Range: Flush44 HPLDoors: HPL Bonded onto 44mm MR Core, Formica Graphite F7837. Hardwood rebated edgesPilaster: HPL Bonded onto 44mm MR Core, Formica Graphite F7837. Hardwood rebated edgesPartition: Partition: HPL bonded onto 38mm MR Core, Formica Folkstone F7927Ironmongery: Stainless SteelAvailable Finishes:These Systems Are Available In The Following Finishes:• Natural Wood Veneer• High Pressure Laminate• High Gloss LaminateAccessories Product Range W/C'sSpecificationProduct Range: AccessoriesMirror Backing Panels: Blanc Menuires B015 with 4mm Safety Backed MirrorsWaste Bins: Prestige Waste BinOther:Paper Towel HoldersWaste BinToilet Roll HoldersSoap Dispenser

Conningbrook Lakes is a modern development of what will be over 300 new, state of the art homes, situated beside the beautiful lakes and rural scenery of Ashford, Kent.A timeless reimagining of the traditional Kentish village, a variety of homes to suit all tastes and lifestyles have been created using Alumasc Rainwater Infinity steel gutters and downpipes.Phil Lapping, Regional Sales Manager and Estimator at Gutterworks Limited, who supplied all rainwater management systems, said: “This beautiful new development deserves nothing less than the best.“Having been built to a high standard by Chartway Construction on behalf of Westerhill Homes and Latimer, it was specified that all water management was to maintain the overall look and feel of each property. On many of the houses there are modern stainless-steel balconies, therefore, to put plastic gutters and drainpipes on these houses, although functional, just wouldn’t look right.“Additionally, the environmental benefits of a steel system vastly outweigh that of a plastic system, which was an important factor in the decision-making process.”Alumasc Rainwater Infinity stainless steel gutters and drainpipes were the most natural choice.Finishing the houses to the best standard possible meant ensuring all accessories matched and upheld the high standards of Chartway Construction and Alumasc.Rainwater Infinity Steel was developed by Alumasc to offer a contemporary, eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to plastic gutters, that look sleek and have no risk of shrinking, leaking or colour fading.

The biggest challenge of this project was the climate conditions of the location, because of high temperatures and sunlight needs. Also, the purpose of building a Passivhaus home determines its architecture and design : minimalist and sober with a rectangular structure to make the most of isolation elements .The architects combined two of our systems: BSO on the façade and Premium Plus inside. Outdoor Venetian blinds afford highly effective protection from heat and precision sunlight management, contributing to energy savings.Premium Plus roller blinds are completely integrated into the design, being installed in curtain rods and going unnoticed when closing them. They have been configurated with Polyscreen ® 550 - White Pearl color, a fabric with excellent thermal protection, managing up to 94 % of solar heat . Gtote=0,06 – Gtoti = 0.24).

M&E contractor ‘The All Group’ designed 2.5km RAYCHEM of HWAT-M self-regulating cables in a single pipe hot water system throughout the hotel. Controlled by RAYCHEM HWAT-ECO smart controllers, the system provided the benefits of energy efficiency plus savings in material costs, labour and space. Pipe freeze protection was delivered using 5.5 km of RAYCHEM WinterGard, controlled with RAYCHEM RAYSTAT-ECO-10. Underfloor heating was installed in the bedrooms, using RAYCHEM T2Red with T2Reflecta. In addition, RAYCHEM T2Quicknet 160 was installed in the en-suite bathrooms and the hotel’s luxurious spa.

A new energy centre in the heart of west London has been given a dramatic and eye-catching appearance thanks to the use of a portfolio of façade products provided by Sto. The company’s StoVentec R rainscreen system, with StoVentec A render carrier boards and bespoke 3-dimensional StoDeco profiles have been used to focus attention on London Olympia's new Energy Centre, which forms part of a major urban regeneration project in the capital.

The Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED) is the UK's largest carbon-neutral eco-community – the first of its kind in this country; receiving prestigious awards, Civic Trust Sustainability Award 2004 and Housing Design Awards 2003.

DRU gas fires and a Spartherm wood fire were specified by Ethos Construction and DRU dealer Grate Expectations for Harford Manor, a country house in Holyport, Windsor. They selected the fires for their ‘A’ energy ratings. This included the DRU PowerVent extended flue system for flexibility of location. In addition, the gas fires can be operated using the DRU Eco Wave app for tablets and smartphones. Ethos project manager Niten Mistry said: ‘The fires were selected for their impressive performance and ease of installation. They also contribute to the high quality of the property.’ www.harfordmanor.com, www.grateexpectations.com,

More and more holiday and caravan parks across the UK (including household names like Parkdean, Park Resorts, Haven and Butlins) are turning to Calor LPG for an affordable, versatile and environmentally friendly energy supply – the perfect alternative to mains gas.

Alicante Port, the well renowned commercial and cruise ship terminal has been upgraded to benefit from a Gatic Slotdrain high-capacity surface water drainage system.Slotdrain UltraSlot was specified during the re-conditioning of Dock 19 to increase capacity from 300,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) to 463,000 TEU.“UltraSlot was chosen by specifier SETI, SA, who are well established within the ports sector and who have worked with Gatic products for many years,” said International Sales Manager – Luis Triguero “The engineer in charge was familiar with the mechanical and hydraulic advantages of UltraSlot and requested a competitive price for the project. As Gatic is so well established in the Spanish market, we could exceed their expectations.”UltraSlot is used in external concrete areas which are subject to constant traffic, such as airports and ports. This high-capacity system is designed to ensure sufficient depth of concrete cover over the main body of the channel to withstand ultra-heavy-duty loads of up to F900 - 90 tonnes.“The biggest challenge we faced was ensuring the system could withstand the consistent, heavy traffic that will always be moving throughout the port,” continues Luis. “However, thanks to its capacity to bear heavy loads, UltraSlot proved to be one of the best drainage options on the market.”

Concrete foundations of a wind energy plant: Due to the influences of the weather over the years, the following damages were noticed: •Cracks due to movement •Moisture into the structure •Spalling of the concrete •Corrosion of the reinforcement •Flaking paint The first step in the restoration of the foundation was pressure injecting the cracks - through which an elastic closure of the cracks was realized. The total surface was strengthened with a unique sillicate liquid. A waterproof sloped layer was installed; finally, the moving joint between the foundations and the steel tower of the wind energy plant was sealed elastically.

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."

The ClientLABTECH owns Camden Market, the 3rd most popular tourist and shopping location in the world with an annual footfall of 28m. The Group is also redefining co-working for businesses of any size, with state-of-the-art-locations throughout London attracting mass affluent professionals with unrivalled technology and contemporary smart design office spaces. The group is currently valued at £2.bn, offering Retail and Co-work spaces to affluent audiences. The owners of LABS have a desire to exceed their environmental targets, while engaging their community of local businesses to increase revenues by implementing innovative and Smart technologies that offer shared value to their community.Their ProblemThe estate has 12 washrooms in 3 locations in London using Dyson hand dryers in their washrooms with a power rating of 1600 watts. Further, due to the unusually high footfall at Camden Market, washroom maintenance is proving challenging due to sudden peak surges. The client was looking for a technology solution to reduce their energy and operational costs, and new ways to engage its users to drive additional revenue based on shared values with its community.Our SolutionSAVORTEX deployed 20 of its revolutionary adDryerTM hand dryers on a pilot in 2 of the busiest washrooms at Camden Market. The adDryer uses an advanced digital brush-less motor technology, which consumes power of just 550W, offers 10x more operational life than traditional dryers and comes with an in-built Video screen, connected to a content management system and shows a full motion advert or internal message in response to users drying their hands.The dryer wirelessly reports the energy usage per dry and washroom footfall to the SAVORTEX web portal, allowing estates managers to remotely manage their washroom facilities, and drive responsive cleaning for enhanced hygiene and sustainability. Over the trial period the estates manager was able to monitor hand dryer usage and washroom footfall of 45,100 people per month with an average drying time of 8.8 seconds, triggering 1,100 washroom inspections per week, resulting in significant operational savings throughout the estate. Further, the Marketing team at Camden Market Management inspiredlocal business to drive adverts via a the SAVORTEX contentmanagement system on-line direct to users drying hands. 19 out of the 30 local Businesses signed up and pushed daily offers and adverts direct to users to drive traffic into their store.

EKU Porta Glass – the elegant all-glass sliding door system is being used in the newly built offices of Solid Energy in New Zealand. The building is home to the company’s headquarters in New Zealand and is especially captivating because of its individual architectural appeal.A highly modern and ecologically pioneering office building came into existence based on the plans by the architects Wilson and Hill Architects, in a popular business park in Christchurch. EKU Porta Glass architectural sliding door hardware is the perfect choice for designer glass doors in upscale living rooms and office spaces.

The Royal Albert Hall in the heart of vibrant west London is distinctive for its unique circular architecture and Victorian styling, and famous for bringing a wealth of high-brow art and culture to the city since it opened in 1871.A building such as the Royal Albert Hall is not only a building, but part of the heritage of its surrounding community. For this reason, the Royal Albert Hall Grade One Listed and meaning all proposed renovation works must meet strict regulations put in place to ensure the preservation and respectful enhancement of the building.Sir Robert McAlpine were awarded the overall contract to deliver a programme of upgrade, renovation and refurbishment work. So, when it came to replacing the original water management systems that had been in place since it’s opening, the challenge was on to find a manufacturer and installer that would bring the Hall the best products possible that were also in keeping with these requirements.Gutterworks, an Alumasc approved installer, installed Alumasc Rainwater management systems during the refurbishment in 2018. Alumasc was chosen for its ability to analyse and precisely recreate the original gutter and pipe mouldings that were used in the originally installed systems, therefore contributing to the preservation of the historic building. Over ten years ago, Alumasc Rainwater management systems were installed in a similar project at Kings Cross St Pancras Station.

low energy home in Threlkeld, Lake district, this huge open plan warm roof home went full Passive Purple to achieve maximum results of airtightness.

Accoya selected for the renovation of the GeoSouthern Energy’s corporate headquarters. Distributed by Mason’s Mill & lumber, the Accoya cladding was milled into a Vanish Rain Screen profile with a walnut stain for the exterior of the building. Various sizes of Accoya were used ranging widths between 5”-8”. In total 80 m3 of Accoya was used for the project. Accoya was chosen due to its stability & durability making it the perfect fit for designers Kirksey.

the-sustainable-energy-laboratory-queens-university-belfast

Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades is a premier independent school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove in the south of Florida. The institution combines rigorous college preparation with a long tradition of experiential learning and a commitment to educated graduates to leave the world better than they found it.As part of the mission, Ransom Everglades has made a concerted effort to promote environmental sustainability by continually seeking out opportunities for energy conservation measures across its facilities. Over the years, the school has worked closely with its controls contractor, Smart Building Solutions (SBS), to update aging systems and deploy cutting-edge solutions to improve energy efficiency. One technology that played a critical role in its most recent capital project was the Belimo Energy Valve.

nVent was brought in to employ a variety of heating solutions at the London Rolex Building. Rolex was looking to convert its heating to a simpler, lower cost single pipe system requiring less maintenance. nVent provided hot water services using the RAYCHEM HWAT single pipe hot water temperature maintenance system. More than 400 meters of cable were installed to provide hot water all the way to the point of use, 600 metres of pipe freezeprotection to safeguard the chilled water supply lines from freezing. In addition, the entrance foyer welcomes visitors with the warmth of RAYCHEM QuickNet floor heating systems.

THE PROJECTBundesgartenschau is a German national horticultural festival which happens every year, it is also know as BUGA. The theme for this show was innovation, this is where RENZ stepped in as a supporting partner.A SHOWCASE OF INTELLIGENCEThe show runs from April to October and the festival showcased the host town for the first time in 70 years. They built a suburb town called Neckarbogen simply to house 700 people during the event. In support of the innovative theme, RENZ added a clever touch or innovation to the show by supplying secure locker facilities to the event and introducing a ground-breaking driverless delivery solution.The collaboration between RENZ, the festival and the local university created these incredible delivery pods that are deigned to move to where the residents need them. Fully customised and designed in line with the right colours of the festival theme! They are secure, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing.PARCEL EXCHANGE PLATFORMThe great thing about the RENZ platform, is It can be used by all couriers and delivery services, meaning compete ease of access and efficiency – you can also coordinate the parcel solution to be used by local suppliers for an all-around complete turnkey parcel box solution.The parcelbox solution provided was an intelligent parcel delivery system meaning the items can be deposited and stored securely without the addressee being there in person. They can also be collected at the convivence of the recipient. You can access the box with a choice of an electronic tag, entering a unique PIN or using the myRENZbox mobile app. All options are user friendly and designed for a quick and easy retrieval of goods.MOBILE PHONE STORAGE & CHARGINGAn additional service that was supplied by RENZ were parcelbox lockers for the festival goers, these lockers came in a range of sixes so anything from mobile phones to pushchairs could be stored away in a secure location. This ensure that the residents and festival goers were all catered for.There were charging ports placed in the parcelbox lockers so visitors could ‘charge up’, securely while visiting the festival. You were given a unique pin to access the locker meaning it was completely secure to leave your personal belonging there to charge.

BackgroundThe new multi-million euro Buncrana Primary Care Centre development was an exceptional project to be involved with. This high-profile project was funded by the HSE, with the aim of bringing many healthcare services together in one new state-of-the-art centre. Construction was led by local company McCallion Group and the 56,500sq ft. facility, which is spread across three storeys, boasts underground car parking which can house 126 staff. The centre is an excellent asset to the local community, ensuring the vital health services people need to avail of on a regular basis are available in one central location. For the client, the key requirement was to build a modern, aesthetically pleasing, energy efficient facility that achieved a target U-value of 0.15W/m ² K. After extensive planning, focusing on matching an appropriate insulation system with a complementary finish, K Systems provided a full technical specification and a comprehensive delivery plan.Our ServiceOur dedicated team of technical specialists were on hand to fully support throughout the duration of this project, ensuring the highest levels of construction were achieved. The K Systems Technical Manager, Gerry McErlean regularly visited the project to inspect progress and offer hands-on-guidance and technical support. Local installer GD Plastering worked very closely with Gerry to ensure a high standard of work was achieved and great attention to detail is evident throughout this project. Due to the size and scale of the Care Centre, Gerry recommended that the TC render finish was spray applied to ensure a consistent finish and aid the speed of application. GD Plastering took this advice on board and invested in a spray machine, resulting in a uniform finish, faster completion and reduced labour.Technical Project Details After numerous design meetings taking into consideration client requirements, budget and timeframes, the K Systems E EWI system was specified. This high-performance, light-weight and cost effective system based on expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulating panels offers a great fire rating of B-s1,d0 and is available in a range of finishes. The mixed substrate of reinforced concrete and lightweight block had alignment issues. We specified the use of multiple thicknesses of insulation boards, that were fixed adhesively and mechanically to overcome these alignment issues. Our specification included bespoke technical detailing, such as compression joint detailing on every floor and our site inspection teams were on-site when required to offer a range of support and guidance. For the finish, thin coat silicone render (Silicone TC) was specified. Providing a variety of benefits, K Systems thin coat render offers silicone and polymer-modified technology to provide long term weather protection, alongside excellent breathability and water repellency properties. With the unpredictable Irish weather, this durable finish will withstand the elements and offers an eye catching, clean design, creating a modern and crisp aesthetic. Available in a wide range of colours, K Systems silicone render is the most flexible on the market, making cracking over its lifetime less likely. Its ease of application made it an ideal choice for a project of this scale and size and its hydrophobic properties provide a low-maintenance finish for years to come. We delivered a long-lasting, safe, eye-catching design for the Buncrana Primary Care Centre that brings exceptional thermal comfort to the property. The target U-value was achieved, allowing energy savings and reduced costs for the client throughout the lifetime of the Centre.

In its largest building project in over 100 years, the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Exhibition Road Quarter achieves architectural cohesion between museum and street with the help of Alumasc Water Management Solutions (AWMS) and Alumasc Roofing Systems. In a project that demonstrates expertise across the full building envelope, Alumasc Wade HCE drainage channels and access covers were installed to provide almost invisible yet functional water management, and a bespoke hybrid roofing system installed using Hydrotech and Derbigum waterproof roofing.Designed by Stirling Prize-winning Architect Amanda Levete and her practice AL_A, the landmark project aimed to “break down the barrier” between the great cultural artery of Exhibition Road and home of over 5000 years’ worth of cultural history.The entire project encompassed the construction of the Salisbury Gallery, a flexible 1100m2 temporary exhibition space, the Blavatnik Hall, a new entrance into the V&A from Exhibition Road, the Aston Webb Screen, a newly created colonnade formed from the original 1909 structure, and the Sackler Courtyard, a key area that strives for unity between the street, the museum, the historical and the modern.

Stowford Mill, built in 1787, is one of Devon’s oldest historic industrial sites to still be expanding.Because of its iconic features and characteristic atmosphere, Stowford Mill has long been established as one of the trendiest places to work, eat and shop, bringing commerce and prosperity to the surrounding area, and forcing the town to expand to make room for tourists who just never wanted to leave.Part of this expansion will eventually include Burrington Estates’ eight-acre vibrant community of contemporary new homes. This new development, for which the main contractor is URBN, is due for completion in 2023.Started in March 2018, the existing homes already include Alumasc Rainwater Infinity Steel gutters and downpipes, specified to provide eco-friendly, discreet and resilient water management that will last. Crucially, this system was favoured to the use of plastic systems, to meet the demand for a readily available product that was both environmentally- and price-conscious.As the new development creates a unique new environment in which to live, work and relax in the midst of the historic area, the most important part of the project was to keep the best of the stunning architectural heritage already there, whilst finding innovative ways to incorporate the latest modern building design. Helping to bridge this gap between the historic and the modern, AWMS offered a solution.“Alumasc systems were chosen as it was the project’s requirements to specifically use steel for gutters and downpipes,” David Loader, Key Account Manager at Alumasc, explained.

Design consultants AECOM delivered efficient hot water distribution using 800m of RAYCHEM HWAT-M self-regulating cables, to provide a single-pipe system throughout the building. Its compact design, eliminated the need for recirculation pipes, thus enabling the system to be installed in restricted spaces. Pipe freeze protection was achieved using 300m of RAYCHEM WinterGard self-regulating cables. Snow and ice prevention on the car park access ramp was provided by 1200 metres of RAYCHEM EM2-XR selfregulating cable controlled by a VIA-DU-20 multi-sensor control unit.

DONG Energy (Danish Oil Natural Gas), a leading energy group in Northern Europe, procures, produces, distributes, and trades in energy and related products. DONG Energy invests heavily in European offshore wind power and oil and gas exploration and production, with commitments in the multi-billions, helping to develop secure, low carbon energy supplies. Regular maintenance is essential to keep any offshore wind farm working efficiently and productively. Harsh environments are particularly challenging and as a result, safety systems must be of the highest calibre.

Rockpanel were very pleased to be specified for this high specification, low energy, state-of-the-art six-bedroom luxury residence, which is set in a spectacular two acre site within beautiful rolling countryside in the South of England. 

The newly completed 122 Waterloo Street development in the centre of Glasgow offers its occupants floor-to-ceiling glazing throughout, with almost uninterrupted views thanks to the latest Schüco curtain-walling system designed, manufactured and installed by Edinburgh-based façade specialist Charles Henshaw & Sons Ltd.But, impressively, the landmark building – which will be the Glasgow headquarters of global financial services firm Morgan Stanley – will also be one of the most energy efficient buildings in Scotland, thanks in part to high-performance glass coatings from Pilkington United Kingdom Limited.The scheme has been certified BREEAM Excellent, and achieved an ‘A’ rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), the latter based on a detailed assessment of the building’s energy performance. The glazing helps to minimise this by reducing energy emitted from the building, as well as the heating effect of the sun, both of which can make maintaining a comfortable interior climate more energy-intensive.A glass for all seasonsThe scale of the building and the large area of glass used means that excessive radiation of heat from the building could lead to rapid heat loss during colder conditions, requiring an increase in heating to keep the interior warm.To mitigate this effect, the glazing features a Pilkington Optitherm ™ S1 Plus low-emissivity coating which reflects radiated heat back into the building.The second issue that can affect buildings where most of the envelope is glazed is excessive heat build-up when the sun is shining directly into the interior. This can present a challenge for building managers, often requiring high levels of energy-intensive air conditioning.To combat this, a solar-control coating has been used, reducing the amount of heat energy that is able to enter the building while maintaining high levels of transparency. Michael Metcalfe, commercial sales manager at Pilkington UK, said: “The Pilkington Suncool™ 70/35 T coating selected by the design team offers high visible light transmittance, reduced solar transmittance and excellent low-emissivity all in one product.“This means the floor space will be brightly lit by sunlight but won’t suffer from overheating on warmer days.”Clear viewsThe coatings are not the only innovative part of the glazing used in the project, as the glass is held in place by the latest structurally bonded curtain wall system from manufacturer Schüco. Each unit contains a large pane of clear glass and a smaller pane of opaque, coloured spandrel glass, creating horizontal lines across the façade between each floor of the building.Michael Metcalfe continued: “The metal carrier frames in which the glass sits are extremely low profile, so the edges of the panes of glass are very close to one another. This removes the mullions normally associated with unit-based glazing systems, creating a flush glass surface with almost uninterrupted views.”The clarity of the glazing was further improved by the use of Pilkington Optiwhite™ true low-iron glazing throughout, which significantly reduces the slight green tint that is inherent in standard float glass.On the ground floor, Pilkington Optilam™ laminated glazing was used to provide protection against manual attack and increase the security of the building.Completed in December 2017, the nine-storey building also includes 155,000 sq ft of Grade A office space.Project: 122 Waterloo Street, GlasgowClient: HFD GroupArchitect: Micahel Laird ArchitectsCurtain walling supplier: SchücoInstaller: Charles Henshaw & Sons LtdImages courtesy of S G Photography

The Margam Green Energy Plant is a long-term, multi-million pound investment into the Welsh economy to help meet the country’s renewable energy targets whilst also strengthening the country’s energy security. A durable concrete was required for the storage silo that housed wood chip to feed the plant.For this project Tarmac suggested their TOPROC SY be used as an overlay on the finished concrete slab as a protective high strength screed. TOPROC SY comprises a micro-silica mix with steel and macro fibres designed to give high levels of abrasive and impact resistance. This product is highly suited to heavy industrial areas such as container handling, metal recycling, waste, loading bays and any other aggressive environments. The main benefit is extended length of time the product will perform compared with traditional concrete therefore saving cost on continual replacement.

This family house, located in Chailland (France), has reduced up to 55% its annual energy bills thanks to THERMOSLATE. This solar collector in natural slate covers this family needs for hot water while enhancing the aesthetics and efficiency of their home. Five solar collectors over a total surface of 6.45 square meters, were more than enough to generate the energy required to cover the hot water needs of this family. The main component of the collectors is natural slate, extracted directly from our quarries and specially selected to ensure perfect fit and performance.

A significant milestone for not just the tidal sector, but for the development of renewable energy technology, Scottish engineering company Orbital Marine Power, Ltd. (Orbital) will soon launch the Orbital O2 – the world’s most powerful tidal turbine – in the waters off the Orkney Islands.We have been involved in the project since Orbital’s prototype SR2000 turbine was built in 2015, proving their technology and leading the way for the further optimised O2. As well as high-performance anti-corrosion coatings to protect the steel structure, we supplied Hempaguard X7 for the turbine rotor blades.

Harmer Building Drainage, part of Alumasc Water Management Systems (AWMS), has recently supplied its leading SML below ground drainage system to a major London development. The project, sited at The Minories, Aldgate, sees the introduction of the first Canopy by Hilton hotel in the UK which is scheduled to open in 2018. Working with contractors PCW Drainage Ltd and A J Morrisroe, Harmer supplied below ground drainage for the hotel’s new double storey basement box.The Minories Hilton hotel is a prestigious development, close to London’s historic Roman and medieval city walls and a short walk from the East End. Wayne Wilmot, National Sales Manager for Harmer Drainage comments: “It’s an unusual site. The contractor, A J Morrisroe, constructed a double storey basement box and podium slab to support a 16 storey residential block and a 14 storey hotel extension. It covers a footprint of around 3,500 metres across a narrow site. There were multiple levels of earlier construction to work through, including foundations and piles that date back to the 19th century. And because it’s close to the East End, The Museum of London and 1st Line Defence got involved to establish if there were any WW2 unexploded bombs buried on the site! Definitely not a run-of-the-mill project!

Located on the picturesque waterfront of West Kirby, Wirral, The Sail is home to eight luxury apartments on South Parade overlooking the River Dee estuary to Wales. The building itself has a striking geometric form with a unique glass façade, reminiscent of art deco coastal properties from the 1930s.The apartments occupy four storeys over one thousand square metres and are flooded with an abundance of natural light thanks to the floor to ceiling windows, which also emphasise a strong connection to the outdoors. Alumasc Water Management Solutions were asked to assist and supply a number of bespoke products including aluminium fascia, modular soffit and coping systems from Skyline.  “Skyline was specified for its quality and ability to provide bespoke designs and solutions,” says Ivan Colvil, Senior Skyline Technical Sales Manager. “Numerous profiles were needed due to the building’s unique shape, which presented a challenge. It took a great deal of technical support and working with the architect to fulfil the brief.

Two renowned Alumasc brands, Harmer and Wade, were recently specified and installed for a new striking residential development in London.Newfoundland Tower, also known as “The Diamond Tower”, due to its unique diamond shape and diagonal structure, is a build-to-rent development in Canary Wharf, London. Harmer SML Cast Iron above ground, and Wade gulliesand linear drainagewere installed to provide an effective water management solution.The Harmer SML lightweight cast iron pipework system is dry-jointed, BBA & Kitemark certified, and has a proven track record in above-ground drainage. With its comprehensive range of fittings and accessories, Harmer SML is the ideal soil and waste system for above and below-ground drainage, including rainwater installations, and is fully compatible with other Harmer and Wade drainage products.“Harmer was chosen primarily for its longevity,” said Gary Zumeris - Area Sales Manager – Harmer SML, South. “It’s also easy to install and has excellent acoustic qualities. It’s a very quiet system, which is especially good in apartments or other high-density housing as you can’t hear fluids flowing down the pipes.“The Harmer system was also chosen for its fire-resistant properties, which is an important aspect, due to current legislation. Cast iron is highly specified in London currently, where most buildings incorporate cast iron for increased fire safety.”Harmer SML has the highest product reaction to fire classification possible, which is A1 for BS EN 13501-1, as well as a system fire classification of A2 for BS EN 13823 Single Burning Item A2, s1-d0.

Excellent service and communication sees Broomfield Primary School extension completed on time with AlumascBroomfield Primary School in Essex has benefitted from multiple water management installations from Alumasc to complete its brand-new extension. These included Skyline aluminium Fascia and Soffits, GX pressed aluminium box gutters and Flushjoint aluminium downpipes.The specification of the integrated ‘Rain to Drain’ Alumasc Skyline and Rainwater ranges came as a result of Alumasc’s highly regarded product offer and strong working relationship with subcontractor on the project, Ipswich based Specialised Fixings Ltd.John Hemphill, Technical Sales Manager at Alumasc, explained: “Specialised Fixings is one of our Alumasc recommended installers that we have collaborated with on many projects.“This good working relationship which hinges on a high level of communication and readily available service and support from our products and technical teams, is what ensured we finished this project on time, to the highest specification.“Meeting deadlines can be a challenge for some ambitious projects, but certainly this year it has been for the whole industry!John continued: “We are very proud that our Alumasc Technical Services and Technical Sales Managers are able to provide such in depth help and support to our recommended installers and subcontractors, which benefits them out in the marketplace."

Single-pipe hot water distribution systems were designed for the new acute inpatient hospital in Wakefield and new diagnostic and treatment centre in Pontefract. 25km of RAYCHEM HWAT-M self-regulating heating cables was used, supported by RAYCHEM HWAT-ECO controllers. The single-pipe design and simplicity of the RAYCHEM installation dramatically eased the modular fabrication process. Fully traced and insulated pipe modules were assembled off-site and delivered to meet strict schedules for connection. Pipe freeze protection for external pipework was provided by some 10 km of RAYCHEM WinterGard self-regulating cables.

CastSlot and Paveslot, the leading channel drainage systems from Gatic Civil Drainage, have been installed at Rushden Lakes, the new high end shopping centre in Northamptonshire. Specified by consulting engineers, BE Design, and working with contractors Winvic, CastSlot with a tread safe top was carefully selected for its robust composition – essential for a busy shopping centre. CastSlot’s tread safe top is important in areas with high volumes of pedestrians, removing the risk of heels getting caught in the grating. PaveSlot was installed in the project’s central boulevard – home to a bespoke water feature.Gatic is a globally recognised brand, specified for many prestigious projects around the world. Its leading range of surface water drainage is strong, durable and reliable, with load ratings from A15 to F900 to suit a wide range of applications. CastSlot’s high capacity channels provide effective surface water management, protecting areas from excessive rainfall. PaveSlot is ideal for paved areas, with a discreet profile that sits neatly in the ground for a subtle and unobtrusive finish.