"fire protection for building frames"

Geofabrics HPS17 is installed as the protection geotextile at Erin Landfill Site, a former colliery near Chesterfield. The geotextile formed part of a large cell measuring approximately 40,000m². The site also involved installation of 1000m of deep water drainage, 118,000m² of impermeable membrane, 1000m of fully-welded leachate pipework and 14,000 tonnes of drainage stone. Geofabrics HPS17 is a thick needle punched non-woven geotextile manufactured from 100% virgin polypropylene high tenacity fibres containing 1% active carbon black.

SMARTPLY MAX FR B panels are being installed as part of a large and exciting regeneration project in the heart of Liverpool.

Project:Surespan manufactured and supplied a series of fire escape hatches at Portugal’s €950 million underground Metro in Porto. The huge double-leaf hatches automatically open if the fire alarm system is activated to allow passengers safe exit to ground level. In addition, they can be manually opened with the touch of a button. This project was undertaken after Surespan successfully carried out similar work at Athens Metro.

The Fitzalan is a high-end student accommodation building located right in the heart of Cardiff city. As well as a variety of modern bedroom accommodation ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments, the communal spaces include a cinema room, game rooms, luxury ‘snugs’ , an on-site gym, a common room and a communal kitchen.The present accommodation was created back in 2017 when a series of one- and two-storey vertical extensions were added to the existing buildings to increase the size of the accommodation to a total of 357 beds.The Fitzalan’s present owners McLaren Property, are in the process of selling the building. The new owner has requested a full upgrade of all electrical installations and fire safety measures prior to completion. As all accommodation has a fully kitted out kitchen with a combi microwave and hob, fire prevention in these areas was considered of particular importance. The buildings new owners specified that the Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard be fitted as standard in all 313 apartments and studios in addition to the existing fire suppression system.

PFC Corofil’s proven range of fire-stopping insulation systems form part of the façade system and will maintain fire compartmentation at a stylish new high-rise residential development in Manchester.

When Bodmin Community Fire Station in Cornwall needed a hardwearing, hygienic, and safe flooring solution for their fitness room and gym, they turned to international flooring specialists Gerflor. Its’ Taraflex® sports flooring was supplied and would deliver to the highest standards required by the site users. In acknowledgement of the brave and hard work of Cornwall Fire Service crews, Gerflor donated 60m2 of this world-renowned sports flooring in the colour ‘Red’.

Landmark is a 180,000 sq ft prime office development located in Manchester’s premier business district. Partially built off-site, it has been designed to achieve the highest sustainability standards – a BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’ and an Energy Performance Certificate rating of A so the thermal performance of its insulation was hugely important.Building regulations in England and Wales ban the use of combustible materials on all buildings over 18m. With 14 floors and a roof height of 27m, the architect, Squire and Partners, specified non-combustible insulation with Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification.With this in mind, external wall sub-contractor FK Group consulted the Knauf Insulation Technical Support Team for advice about which insulation to use. The team conducted 3D U-value calculations and determined that Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab in thicknesses of 50mm, 100mm and 150mm would achieve the desired U-value.Rocksilk® RainScreen SlabRocksilk® RainScreen Slab is manufactured from Rock Mineral Wool and has a thermal conductivity of 0.034W/mK. It is BBA certified for use over 18m and has the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification, meaning it met the required specification for fire safety.FK Group also sought advice about what to do if the Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab was exposed to rainwater during installation. There is a common misconception that the thermal performance of Mineral Wool will be permanently compromised if it gets wet, but this simply isn’t the case. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab has been developed for external applications – its fibre matrix promotes water run-off, and it contains moisture-repellent additives in the binder. This ensures it can withstand higher levels of exposure to moisture during installation. Knauf Insulation also provided advice on the storage of insulation on site to protect the insulation from prolonged exposure to rainwater prior to use.Offsite constructionLandmark was built using an offsite construction method. Decorative concrete rainscreen panels were manufactured by Techrete in Hull. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab was fitted offsite before the entire panel was transported to Manchester and craned into position on the concrete frame.The Knauf Insulation Specification Team provided further support by carrying out visits to both the Techrete manufacturing facility and the construction site to check the insulation was being installed correctly.SustainabilityAs well as its thermal and fire performance, Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab offers considerable sustainability credentials. It is manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation's unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. ECOSE® Technology is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binder, so it is more environmentally-friendly.Products made with ECOSE® Technology are soft to touch and easy to handle. They generate low levels of dust and VOCs and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort. This is beneficial when insulation is being installed offsite in an enclosed industrial environment.Enhancing the St Peter’s Square heritageMurray Levinson partner at Squire and Partners said “Landmark is an important project for Squire & Partners, representing our first completed new build project in Manchester. When we were approached to design Landmark, we recognised an opportunity to extend the cluster of prime office buildings of the adjacent St Peter’s Square southwards. Our design concept aligned itself with the new developments, whilst creating a building which enhanced its specific site heritage and context.“A priority for both ourselves and the client was to create a building with exceptional sustainability and wellbeing credentials, and we are proud to have achieved BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings,” added Levinson.Thanks to its thermal performance, fire safety and environmental credentials, Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab will contribute to Landmark achieving the world's foremost environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings. All of which means this will truly be a landmark building both visually and in terms of sustainability.For further information about how our insulation can contribute to BREEAM, see below.https://www.knaufinsulation.co.uk/all-downloads?search=BREEAM

Location: Canary Wharf, LondonMain Contractor: Canary Wharf Contractors LtdWood Wharf B2 is a modular construction project located on the edge of Blackwall Basin, Canary Wharf.All 279 serviced apartments were manufactured at their specialist construction site, fitted with kitchens and bathrooms and even furniture — before being transported to the site and craned into position.OBEX supplied fire-classified membranes that have been developed specifically for modular construction, including the 0400FR Class B Modular Roofing Membrane, as well as the 0223FR Class A2/W2 Breather Membrane.Storeys: 21Apartments: 279OBEX Fire-Rated products required: 4

Bellway had a prime location, just four miles from Canary Wharf and eight miles from central London, with 300 metres of river frontage and panoramic city views, in which to build an attractive new housing complex.Due to its prestigious postcode, the new homes needed to be of the highest quality in terms of construction and elegant in appearance to appeal to the target clientele.Following extensive planning, K Systems brought Bellway’s vision to life and created a beautiful collection of new one, two, and three-bedroom waterside homes on the banks of the River Thames.Each home in the River Gardens development boasts outstanding thermal performance incorporating a façade with an A2 fire resistance rating and a high-quality finish with superb durability and resistance to the elements.Our ServiceThe River Gardens project took place during a global pandemic when the construction industry was significantly impacted in terms of workforce and availability and costs of materials. Despite all these external factors we delivered a stunning, successful project, within budget, without delay or compromise on quality, that not only met but exceeded the requirements and expectations of the client, Bellway Homes.We worked in close partnership with Jessella Ltd (the installer) throughout the duration of the project. As part of our service commitment, our technical team were available to provide hands-on-guidance, offer support, technical guidance and ensure high levels of quality.Jessella Ltd Project Manager, Pavel Mihaylov explains:“River Gardens was one of the most challenging but rewarding projects I have worked on. It was a very complex project with a strict scaffold strike programme and being dependent on weather and many other trades. That made it very difficult to achieve completed areas on time. Thanks to working closely with Jason and Patrick from K Systems and their regular site visits and guidance over the phone, we managed to achieve the required completion dates, safely and with an excellent quality finish.”Technical Project DetailsAfter extensive planning and a comprehensive scoping process with the client and all involved third parties, we specified the K Systems Exicco M, drained cavity façade system with mineral wool insulation. This high performing system is suitable for steel and timber framed buildings and is highly compatible with high rise projects like River Gardens.Fire safety with high rise buildings is of utmost importance and the K Systems Exicco M system generates exceptional performance and provides high levels of fire resistance and noncombustibility (A2 rating).K Systems specified River Gardens with a façade system with an A2-s1,d0 fire rating. The system specified was made up of a combination of A1 fire classification substrate (sheathing board), a Tenmat 120-minute cavity barrier, an A1 non-combustible, dual-density stone mineral wool insulation slab, and a galvanised steel rail. The latest building regulations were complied with ensuring the safety of the future residents.Mineral wool has superb acoustic qualities, another reason it was specified for this project. Its inclusion in the build meant that noise from the wind and traffic travelling up and down the River Thames would be significantly reduced, ensuring a quieter residential option for target clientele who wish to avoid an audible disruption yet still live within the hustle and bustle of city life.For the finish, high-performance 1.5mm thin coat silicone render (Silicone TC) was specified. Our Silicone TC render is renowned for its ease of use on application, variety of texture and colour, and its high-performance properties. Each waterside home in River Gardens was finished in a variety of shades complimentary to the development’s surroundings.Aesthetically the development had a clean, crisp attractive finish with an impressive thermal performance and a protective exterior. The hydrophobic qualities of Silicone TC ensure a low maintenance finish, ensuring it will remain aesthetically pleasing for years to come.

750 metres deep inside a Welsh mountain lies the biggest stored power plant in Europe. With its remote location and harsh operating environment, Engie First Hydro contacted the Latchways team at MSA Safety to provide the complete solution for all its operational and maintenance fall protection needs. 7 million cubic meters of water are pumped through the giant turbines to generate power and then reversed as pumps to return the water to the reservoir. This tough working environment presents unique safety challenges for the electrical & mechanical operational and maintenance teams when working at height.

Premier Security & Fire was commissioned to design, fabricate and install six sets of security doors at University College Hospital London (UCLH).Instructing clients Kyotec Group required a LPS1175 SR2 security standard on all doors, including one set of double doors with a 60-minute fire rating.Premier's portfolio of certificated doors, screens and gates ranges from LPS1175 SR2 to C5 (SR3); D10 (SR4) including fire-resistance to EI 60 and E90, and thermally-broken options.For more details of Premier Security & Fire’s extensive range of security doors, windows, screens, and gates, including Secured by Design standard, call our Managing Director Neil Johns, on 0208 559 8295. He will be happy to take your call.

NV Buildings is one of the most prestigious and iconic residential sites in Greater Manchester.The distinctive sail-shaped buildings are a major landmark in Salford Quays. The blocks have a curved main elevation providing a unique aesthetic on the skyline and are one of the most popular developments in the area.With a prominent location in Salford Quays, adjacent to the Lowry Theatre and Media City TV headquarters, the apartment blocks feature in many iconic photos of the area.The project itself was funded by the Building Safety Fund, the Government’s £4.5 billion fund to remove unsafe non-ACM cladding on residential and mixed-use properties that are 18 metres and over and do not meet building safety regulations.Our Approved Installer QFF Facades were contracted to complete the exterior wall insulation and rendering which upgraded the fire performance of the cladding, ensuring the safety of both the building and residents.Three 15 storey blocks were refurbished, with a safe and thermally efficient façade solution.Our ServiceWe worked in close partnership with QFF Facades throughout the duration of the project.Deliveries and install were strictly monitored and a very systematic approach was followed. A planned install programme was agreed to ensure minimal disruption to the residents of N V Buildings, who remained in their homes while the work was carried out on this prestigious site.We produced a bespoke specification which included various detailing such as soffits, balconies, and full height panels.A partnership approach was vital, as we worked with QFF Facades, Thomasons Consulting engineering, and the fire officer to agree upon and deliver specific detailing at abutments, openings, and for the drained cavity of the façade system.Particular attention to detail was afforded to the drained cavity fire-stops, including fire-stop details between floors, at party walls for each apartment and around openings.As part of our service commitment, our technical team were available to provide hands-on-guidance, offer support, technical guidance and ensure high levels of quality.Technical Project DetailsAfter testing, the existing cladding had been deemed a fire safety risk by experts and therefore needed to be removed and replaced with anon-combustible alternative.The project was a strip-and-refit of a drained cavity external wall insulation system, which included an expanded polystyrene insulation system.Our Approved Installer QFF Facades installed a K Systems Exicco M, Drained Cavity External Wall Insulation System for steel frame buildings, utilising Mineral Wool insulation. This high performing system provides high levels of fire resistance and non-combustibility.The fire classification of the façade for N V Buildings was upgraded to A2-s1, d0 and therefore complies with the latest building regulations, ensuring the safety of its residents.For the finish, high-performance thin coat silicone render (Silicone TC) was specified. Our Silicone TC render has a number of fantastic advantages including ease of application, and its hydrophobic properties make the render low maintenance. Available in a wide range of colours the topcoat finish used on NV Buildings is a light grey to match the original façade, meaning aesthetically the iconic buildings maintained their distinctive design.

The decision by the British Museum to move a substantial part of its collection of historical artefacts from storage in London to a new state-of-the-art facility in Reading has led to a major fire-stopping contract for a specialist sub-contractor; featuring the use of the FIREFLY™ TITAN Lite™ 120:60 from the TBA FIREFLY™ range.The development at Cutbush Lane East, in the Shinfield district, has seen main contractor Graham Construction awarded a £30million contract for the erection and fit out of the new facility and while the original specification for the well proven and widely used FIREFLY product came from project architects, John McAslam + Partners, the installation and on site expertise was provided by St. Albans based Loftus Construction Solutions Ltd. in installing the 60 rolls of TITAN Lite™ in line with the manufacturer’s standard details and project specific guidance.The Project Manager for Graham Construction, Andrew Gardner, commented: “The British Museum is closing down its storage facility in central London and moving it here to the new research and storage building in Reading, which we expect to complete early next summer (2022). In terms of the fire barriers these have been designed with both life safety and asset protection prioritised: preventing break out of fire from places like plant rooms, and also the protection of dividing walls from both sides.“This has meant the use of in excess of 30 different details including bespoke ones which has led to TBA/Loftus assisting in further developing the initial specification by JMP to suit the unique site conditions. FIREFLY made several visits to site and offered a lot of useful technical guidance and assisted with alterations being made, while Loftus Construction Solutions Ltd has done very good work on the installation of these complex solutions.”Patrick Loftus, MD of Loftus Construction Solutions Ltd, added: “As an ASFP accredited contractor in conjunction with our FIRAS and LPCB Accreditation’s for Passive Fire Protection System we are familiar with the FIREFLY range and have, in fact been using another product from the range (PHOENIX) for three years in work at Whitechapel Station as part of the overall Crossrail Scheme. Again this has enabled us to be meet our Clients’ needs for multiple unique details on another complex project. TBA complements our on-site activities with their excellent technical support which ensures we can deliver on all aspects of projects to our Clients requirements.Combined with all the site reports, our operatives have undergone training from FIREFLY, including training delivered on-site. The work here in Reading is progressing very well in terms of all the compatibility of connection details and all stakeholders involved are pleased with the results and suitability of the products and installation work carried out.”As a flexible, woven material TITAN Lite™ is easy to cut and fix and is chemically treated to improve its cooling properties, meaning it will prevent temperatures rising in adjoining areas when used to create compartmentation. It is installed as a three-layer, staggered system to achieve 120 minutes integrity and 60 minutes insulation. The system has been fully tested to BS 476 Parts 20 & 22 and is third party certified by IFCC.

An openair swimming pool of a design described as the finest in England is being restored to its former elegance with Crittall windows playing a significant role.Saltdean Lido, some five miles east of Brighton, is a Grade II* listed Art Deco masterpiece built in 1938 utilising an innovative reinforced concrete structure designed by architect Richard Jones. It is one of only three Grade II* listed lidos in the country and has been on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register for many years.The structure epitomises the essence of the modernist movement with sweeping lines designed to elevate Saltdean’s status as a resort. In its heyday, immediately before the Second World War, holidaymakers and local residents would flock to it paying sixpence to swim and to sunbathe on the adjacent lawns.After the war, during which it was used for Fire Service training, it lay derelict until restored by Brighton Borough Council and stayed in use until the late 1990s when local people banded together to defeat a developer’s plan to demolish the lido and build apartments on the site.A Community Interest Company campaigned successfully to have the pool brought back into use which was achieved in 2017. Now it was the turn of the buildings currently being restored by Buxton Building Contractors of Surrey.Once completed the building will house an Art Deco event space, suitable for weddings, an exercise studio, library, community hub, café and heritage learning zone plus workspace.A key element of the design is the generous area of glazing facing the pool. Here will be installed Crittall Homelight Plus steel windows that replicate the original fenestration and, because of the slender frames, maximise the benefits of natural light on this bright coastal location.The windows are also hot dipped galvanised to prevent corrosion and Duralife coated with marine grade polyester powder which will offer the highest level of protection against the aggressive wind-borne sea salts that caused damage to the original building.Duncan Wilson, Historic England’s Chief Executive, commented: “The handsome Saltdean Lido was inspired by contemporary ocean liner and aircraft design and is architecturally probably the finest in England.”Once completed, thanks to the streamlined white concrete surfaces and the sparkling Crittall windows, the building will once more provide, quite literally, a shining example of its genre.

An openair swimming pool of a design described as the finest in England is being restored to its former elegance with Crittall windows playing a significant role.Saltdean Lido, some five miles east of Brighton, is a Grade II* listed Art Deco masterpiece built in 1938 utilising an innovative reinforced concrete structure designed by architect Richard Jones. It is one of only three Grade II* listed lidos in the country and has been on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register for many years.The structure epitomises the essence of the modernist movement with sweeping lines designed to elevate Saltdean’s status as a resort. In its heyday, immediately before the Second World War, holidaymakers and local residents would flock to it paying sixpence to swim and to sunbathe on the adjacent lawns.After the war, during which it was used for Fire Service training, it lay derelict until restored by Brighton Borough Council and stayed in use until the late 1990s when local people banded together to defeat a developer’s plan to demolish the lido and build apartments on the site.A Community Interest Company campaigned successfully to have the pool brought back into use which was achieved in 2017. Now it was the turn of the buildings currently being restored by Buxton Building Contractors of Surrey.Once completed the building will house an Art Deco event space, suitable for weddings, an exercise studio, library, community hub, café and heritage learning zone plus workspace.A key element of the design is the generous area of glazing facing the pool. Here will be installed Crittall Homelight Plus steel windows that replicate the original fenestration and, because of the slender frames, maximise the benefits of natural light on this bright coastal location.The windows are also hot dipped galvanised to prevent corrosion and Duralife coated with marine grade polyester powder which will offer the highest level of protection against the aggressive wind-borne sea salts that caused damage to the original building.Duncan Wilson, Historic England’s Chief Executive, commented: “The handsome Saltdean Lido was inspired by contemporary ocean liner and aircraft design and is architecturally probably the finest in England.”Once completed, thanks to the streamlined white concrete surfaces and the sparkling Crittall windows, the building will once more provide, quite literally, a shining example of its genre.

The recently opened Tameside Macmillan Unit offers cancer treatment and support services to local residents. To help create a calming and healing environment for patients, bespoke artwork, bright colours and natural finishes were incorporated into the interior design. CS Acrovyn wall protection solutions were used to help create a welcoming and functional facility. Stylish HR6CS timber Handrails provide mobility support in general circulation areas, whilst Acrovyn Crashrails, Corner Guards and textured Sheet offer necessary impact protection to walls and corners in waiting and clinical areas. CS wall protection solutions ensure the centre remains functional, damage free and easy to clean.

Rockpanel is busy working across the UK on projects where regulations amended in 2018, regarding buildings over 18 meters high, mean their exterior cladding systems must comply with stringent fire safety performance characteristics. One such project sits at the heart of the Bermondsey Spa area, near to the River Thames and Tower Bridge in London.

“We worked closely with The Priory Ruskin Academy on this project, striving to understand their vision for the study room and making sure we delivered our part – so it’s great to see how happy pupils and staff are with the result. As ever with projects like this, communication was key. We work closely with all our clients to make sure we meet the brief exactly, providing protection where it’s needed.”

The AliDeck System has rapidly become the de facto standard choice for balcony fire safety remediation projects. With our large range of non-combustible aluminium decking boards, joists, and pedestals our products offer practical and cost-effective solutions for any conceivable balcony refurbishment works.

Three Sandtex products - Sandtex X-Treme X-Posure®, Sandtex Flexigloss X-Tra and Sandtex Metalgloss X-Tra - have been used to refresh the exterior of St John’s House care home in Winchester, delivering a long-lasting finish for the listed building. Sandtex X-Treme X-Posure is microporous – making it ideal for the substrate which needs to breathe, and it will ensure the building remains protected against the weather, long term. Sandtex Flexigloss X-Tra and Sandtex Metalgloss X-Tra are hardwearing, and have added inhibitors to minimise UV damage, protecting the building’s exterior joinery and metal.

Ahmarra Door Solutions manufactured over 200 fire doors for the Pears Building, which is situated next to the Royal Free Hospital in London.The FD30 and FD60 doorsets incorporated Halspan Optima door blanks.The Pears Building will accommodate the UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation. This is a state-of-the-art medical research centre which will advance the understanding of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, HIV, and tuberculosis, and for traditional and tissue-developed transplants.Designed by Hopkins Architects and constructed under main contractor, Willmott Dixon, the building’s seven-storey structure includes laboratory space, research facilities, offices and two levels of patient accommodation, which will enable people undergoing clinical trials to rest and recover there.Designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent, sustainability was at the heart of the building’s creation. As such, Ahmarra Door Solutions used Halspan as all Halspan fire door blanks are made from FSC® certified timber.Photography courtesy of Cannon Photos Ltd.

Oscar Acoustics achieved a 90-minute fire rating at BRE Group’s testing facility for its Iso-Mount Type1 acoustic ceiling hanger. Iso-Mount Type1 significantly reduces transmission of noise from the floor above with minimum ceiling height loss. The mount was tested to BS EN 1365-2:2014 Fire Resistance Tests for Loadbearing Elements at BRE Group’s laboratory in Watford in December 2018. Iso-Mount Type1 can be specified for projects ranging from house conversion to flats, both new build and renovation, as well as shops, restaurants and other commercial soundproofing applications.

The project was to refurbish the roof and improve the drainage and insulation and bring it up to current building control standards. A thermographic survey of the roof was carried out by IKO, which confirmed that it was sound enough to have an overlay of IKO UXPL bituminous membrane rather than stripping it back and rebuilding. IKO UPXL was primarily chosen by the client for the 30 year guarantee. One section of the roof to be repaired was on top of dormers. Flame-free IKO UPXL membranes were used because of the potential fire risk of the abutting pitched tiled roof.

Premier Security & Fire fabricated and installed three Secured by Design steel security gates and fencing for instructing clients MDP Communications Services at their project in King’s Cross, North London.Premier’s gates have been tested by the BRE (Building Research Establishment) achieving LPS1175 SR2 security status and sit alongside our dual-certified LPS products in a portfolio of more than 250 designs, including communal entrance doors, screens and curtain walling.Check out our website for more information. www.premier-ssl.com

Two new apartment buildings in Kent have been given a thermally-efficient and visually-striking façade thanks to the use of an external wall insulation system from Sto. The two new blocks in Ashford - Stour Heights and Somerset Heights – have a single-skin construction, comprising a reinforced concrete frame with concrete block infill, and they benefit from the installation of StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation, with a StoCleyer B mineral brick slip and StoSilco render façade finish.“An alternative insulation system was originally proposed for these buildings,” says John Mahoney of Sheffield-based J Mahoney Architects. “As things progressed a different solution was required to meet the demands of the various parties involved in the project. Sto pretty much leads the pack in terms of quality, and the StoTherm Mineral system was able to satisfy everyone’s requirements, so it became the obvious choice. The fact that Sto could work with us and provide technical support was also extremely helpful.”The BBA-certified StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system uses mineral-fibre boards to provide outstanding thermal performance, combined with reliable fire protection and effective sound insulation. Its efficient single-leaf construction and external installation do not compromise the building’s interior space, and it can be installed without the need for additional expansion joints.For the new buildings, it was installed using Sto’s unique Sto-Rotofix plus mechanical fixing system. The helical Rotofix fixings create a cavity behind the insulation board, which can be easily adjusted after installation to ensure a level outer surface is created. This system combines the ease-of-use of ETICS anchors with the flexibility of a mechanical rail system, but without the material and labour cost of installing the rails.“The StoCleyer B brick slips were specified to meet certain planning requirements,” adds John Mahoney. “An alternative brick solution was originally considered, but Sto was able to manufacture slips which were a perfect match for the proposed original. The fact that they were also fully compatible with the Sto insulation system was another significant point in their favour.”The new buildings have added 109 one- and two-bedroomed flats which are spread across the five floors of Stour Heights, and the three floors of Somerset Heights.

Raybloc (X-ray Protection) Ltd is proud to present a case study highlighting our exceptional collaboration with Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth.Our partnership involved the manufacturing and supply of top-of-the-line radiation shielding solutions that included Frameless Operator Screens, lacquered veneer finish lead-lined doorsets, PVC encapsulated lead-lined doorsets with astragal meeting stiles, and a window door combination set. As well as these fixings, Raybloc also supplied and installed the lead-lined boards for lining the walls and ceilings to create a complete radiation protective barrier between the controlled areas and their surroundings.These cutting-edge products have not only prioritised patient and staff safety but have also significantly contributed to optimising workflow efficiency and creating a healing environment.

One Crown Place is the latest high rise addition to London’s skyline. Home to 246 luxury apartments, high-quality office space, a boutique hotel and members’ club, it is located between the City of London and Shoreditch. Designed by internationally renowned architects Kohn Pederson Fox (KPF), the development features two prismatic towers of 28 and 33 storeys.For the apartments, interior designers, Bowler James Brindley specified custom designed kitchens by Italian company Arclinea featuring a dark lacquered finish with engineered stone worktops and glass fronted cabinets.The Fire regulations which apply to high-rise living accommodation meant that the open plan kitchens in each apartment would require a fire suppression unit complete with sprinklers to be fitted. These units need to be installed and maintained by a specialist engineer and can also cause damage within a property should they be activated due to a fire.  Therefore, the team of architects, designers and builders were open to the idea of an alternative, unobtrusive design-led fire prevention solution, such as the Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard.

The Head of Security at a prominent London University was faced with key security issues when the organisation took over the security of an old building. The large ground floor building led directly onto a public pavement and housed academic and research staff with valuable computer equipment. The Security Team needed to find a way of securing the building, especially the large windows, without replacing them entirely.Bernadette Duncan (MBE) Chief Operating Officer of AUCSO explained the options they looked into:“We considered installing bars on the windows but did not want the building to look like a jail block or draw attention to it. The staff were also concerned about the sunlight on the south facing side of the building, so we would also need to install blinds. After looking at several options we selected 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐒® as the best option to maximise security, as well as giving the occupants the option to use the blinds on sunny days.”Bernadette went on to explain the other benefits of 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐒®:“From the public side, the blinds looked like normal vertical blinds, so did not draw attention as a highly protected building or a potential target for thieves. In the evening when the lights were on, the blinds could be closed to provide privacy and at night time could be locked to provide a secure screen against vandalism or a forced entry. It was the ideal solution for us.“The 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐒® team measured the windows and manufactured them for a bespoke fit. The delivery and installation timings were agreed and everything was fitted in time for the building to be occupied. The blinds gave the staff the required feeling of privacy and security, without feeling barred in. A great product which suited the building and a good team behind them.”Bernadette Duncan (MBE) Chief Operating Officer of AUCSO

City of London Freemens first opened in Brixton in 1854 for ‘the maintenance and the religious and virtuous education of orphans of Freemen of the City of London’. Paid for by the Corporation of London both boys and girls were enrolled from the outset making it the one of the oldest co-educational independent schools.In 1926 the school moved to Ashtead Park in Surrey. The Grade II* listed Main House at Ashtead Park had been the home of Sir Robert Howard, Chancellor of the Exchequer during the 17th century.In 2016 an ambitious development project was commenced, due to span the next decade. The modernisation of the Main House, now the Sixth Form Centre, involved a redesign of the building and the new layout required fire screens to ensure the building met with current Building Regulations. Clement Windows Group supplied the internal fire rated doors and screens at the top of the adjacent internal stairs which are access controlled and linked into the main fire control of the building.

CS provided a comprehensive wall protection package for the King Edward Building, Bristol Royal Infirmary. The scheme included: impact resistant, textured Acrovyn Sheet, a range of Acrovyn Corner Protectors in circulation areas, and Acrovyn bed head protectors in the hospital’s wards. In addition, custom printed Acrovyn by Design wall mural was installed at the entrance to a new multi-faith sanctuary space. Installed by the company’s in-house installation team, Conspec Contracts, durable Acrovyn products will protect the facility from the effects of impact damage and wear & tear, ensuring the interior is easy to clean and maintain for years to come.

Cemcrete TX manufactured by Sherwin-Williams provides great external protection against the elements for the Norwegian Wassiliof Hotel in Stavern.

About the project:Dublin Doors are a distributor of door leafs to door manufacturers throughout Ireland. Since Brexit, the market in Ireland requires the EN 1634-1 fire testing standard, as opposed to the previously accepted the British Standard BS 476. A customer of Dublin Doors wanted an overhead concealed door closer combined with 44mm thick doors, and it had to pass the EN fire testing standard.The specification of the doors was: (A) 44mm PB hardwood lipped all round door (B) 38mm PB core faced with 3mm mdf, routed with 2mm decorative groove in the faceDublin Doors were very aware that EN testing is widely considered to be more onerous than BS testing. The inclusion of a drop seal was also a point of concern - many companies have found that using drop seals to control smoke can appear to make the fire test harder to pass, with some experiencing prolonged flaming at the threshold. Rutland was able to help by providing its concealed closer ITS.11204, which can be used in 44mm fire doors – one of only a handful of concealed closers on the market that can do this. Rutland was also able to tap into its network of experts and consultants to discuss possible options, to help Dublin Doors to arrive at a combination that met the specification, and was most likely to succeed in the test. Dublin Doors were also required to write a Pre-Test Verification (PTV) before the test – a requirement at many test labs now. Rutland used its expertise in compliance to help complete this specification.The outcome:The results were excellent, with both doors lasting 49 and 51 minutes respectively in the fire test, for what was a 30-minute FD30 doorset, the more onerous European standard EN 1634-1 to achieve – E30. In our experience of fire testing, this is an excellent result for a 44mm solid timber door, and the Rutland team were just as pleased as Dublin Doors that the door, along with its concealed closer, passed with flying colours.

Carrick Yard in Westminster is a residential development comprising 168 one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, a community space and public sports hall as well as extensive landscaped public areas. The scheme delivers improvements to existing surrounding housing and public spaces and is part funded by Westminster City Council. It is the first development to be completed in the Church Street Regeneration area.The Fire regulations which apply to high-rise living accommodation meant that the kitchens in each apartment would require a fire suppression unit complete with sprinklers to be fitted. These units need to be installed and maintained by a specialist engineer and can also cause damage within a property should they be activated due to a fire.  Therefore, the Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard was chosen as an alternative, unobtrusive design-led fire prevention solution.

All apartments are accessed at the rear of the building via stairs and walkways and the existing asphalt walkway surfaces had blistered, causing various leaks and creating a trip hazard for residents. There was an urgent requirement to carry out the walkway refurbishment while the building remained fully occupied and with minimal disruption for occupants. The building’s flat roof had also reached the end of its service life, requiring a refurbishment to protect the apartments from water ingress.

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

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