"fire protection for building frames"

We supplied and fitted a combination of Wall Protection solutions at St Ninian’s High School in East Renfrewshire, reducing the impact of scuffs and scrapes in the school’s corridors, improving its internal appearance and enhancing the environment. “We were looking for a way to deal with wear and tear and how to keep the school in pristine condition, particularly after the refurbishment of certain areas,” explains Anne O’Neill, Business Support Manager at St Ninian’s. “It was clear that a new approach was needed, so we contacted Gradus about their wall protection solutions.”

In this wooden building in the center of Vienna, the walls, ceilings and floors are made from solid wood(CLT). The construction protection covering and sealing for the individual elements were achieved with the SIGA products Wetguard and Rissan.

London Fire Brigade chose Jewers Doors to design and manufacture 46 setsof fast acting exit doors for emergency vehicle bays at nine new Fires Stationsas part of a £51 million refurbishment program.

Location: The Whiteley, LondonMain Contractor: Laing O'RourkeDesigned by Foster + Partners, the new Whiteley will deliver 139 world-class, modern residences, 20 new shops, cafes and restaurants, a central public courtyard, a cinema, a gym and London’s flagship Six Senses hotel and spa with 110 rooms, as well as its social wellness club, all set behind a retained and restored Grade II-listed façade.OBEX were selected to supply the CORTEX ‘Fire Rated’ products, not only to ensure compliance with the latest regulations, but to give peace of mind that the required performance standards would be met.World-class Modern Residence: 139New Shops, Cafes & Restaurants: 20Room Hotel & Spa: 110

Gradus has supplied and fitted a range of wall protection solutions as part of the £16m newly built Bitterne Park School in Southampton. The new school includes 80 new teaching classrooms, a purpose-built assembly hall/theatre, a new dining space with a fully fitted kitchen and purpose built fully fitted classrooms to house the students as part of their Food and Nutrition studies.

Kendrick Homes has selected DRU gas fires for ‘The Ridings’, a development of nine executive properties in the commuter village of Balsall Common, near Coventry. DRU Metro 100XT frameless gas fires are situated in six of the properties, with the other three having DRU Global 70XT models in fire surrounds. Both fires are balanced flue models, which do not require a chimney and are installed into a false chimneybreast. The fires have heat outputs of 7 kW, enough for a large living room. They feature realistic log fire displays and are operated by remote control.

Gradus has supplied and installed a range of bespoke wall protection solutions throughout the ground-breaking new Proton Beam Therapy Centre at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester. Gradus supplied and installed its SureProtect Pure® hygienic wall cladding in White and Iceberg shades. Specially designed to create an impermeable barrier to moisture and bacteria it features a smooth, easy-to-clean surface to ensure a hygienic solution that meets ‘Health Building Note 00-09: Infection control in the built environment’

This reimagined building in Fitzrovia, which puts people, wellness, and sustainability first, is another project we are particularly proud of and here’s why.The Met Building is 12 storeys high and one of a few such examples in London’s West End. Its design was inspired by one of New York’s landmark buildings, Lever House, one of Manhattan’s leading examples, which inspired decades of US corporate architecture.While the building’s interiors are crafted to appeal to corporates and creatives, the Tower has been designed to put people first, offering breathtaking views across London, and focusing on efficiency and productivity.The whole roof terrace of the Met Building’s Podium was built over the top of the existing roof and on a huge network of steels that are designed to direct the load away from the roof below.The system used on the roof terrace is our TerraSmart® Rail Paving System finished in our Porcelain Paving Range. This system features super-strong, 100% recyclable aluminium joists, overlapping to create a lattice framework that delivers maximum support for the porcelain paving above. In addition to complementing the overall aesthetics of the entire project, the system is fully non-combustible (Class A1 fire-rated) and, as such, in perfect harmony with the focus on the wellness and safety of all the building’s occupants. The porcelain pavers were inspired by nature and feature the performance of high-quality ceramics and environmentally conscious manufacturing that aligns with the project’s focus on sustainability.And to top it all, the entire solution installed is backed by our RYNO® IGNO® 30-year system warranty and 60-year design life.In total, the RYNO® TerraSmart® Rail Paving System was installed on 3 terraces at the Met Building, all built on the existing steel frame, and the planters that add to the outdoor experience have been integrated into the design and placed directly on top of the RYNO paving system.We are proud to have collaborated very closely with Vert Projects (the Main Contractor) and The Landscape Partnership (the Landscape Architect) in delivering this great design.

Fire separation between floors reinstated with FireMaster® Fire Curtains

As business evolves and requirements change in our fast-paced world, London Wall Design continue to bring ground breaking, intuitive products to the industry and pride ourselves in being able to create unique and bespoke systems for all our clients, whatever the application. One of our latest projects which has been installed and tested has made us particularly proud and set a new standard in acoustic movable walls.The requirements on this project were clear and simple with very specific needs for one of the leading pharmaceutical companies and we were going to tackle it head on. A movable acoustic wall with radiation protection for a research and testing environment needing to maximise flexibility while still offering the safety and protection required in a radiology environment.Our Type 100SE semi-electrically operated movable wall was developed and tailor-made for this requirement; with X-Ray protection and specialised seals to ensure the ground-breaking radiation protection and acoustic levels would be achieved. Each wall weighed in the region of circa 6 tons and the top hung system was fitted with our Type “K“ track which allows for remote and varied stacking locations. The walls varied in width and height but were all finished in Rigato Formica laminate with aluminium protective edge trims. The vision panels in the pass doors were fitted with Med-X type single glazed glass between two layers of 4mm thick toughened glass.

Television Centre in Shepherds Bush, West London, is the iconic former BBC HQ that was opened in 1960. Architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris and developers Stanhope have now created a multi-media environment that includes apartments, offices, studios, hotels, restaurants and retail, all based around the famous crescents that defined the original complex. DRU Metro 100XT/2 designer gas fires were specified for a selection of the apartments and were installed by DRU dealers Victoria Stone of Tunbridge Wells. They utilise the exclusive DRU PowerVent system, which enables the fires to be installed in apartment complexes and other challenging locations.

IntroductionThe Keyfix Non-Combustible Cavity Tray has been installed as part of a major housing project , Park East in South East London, helping to improve efficiency onsite, and to exceed building regulations.OverviewPark East is a £95 million development in Erith, designed by ECD Architects and developed by Wates Group. The project comprises 320 new homes, of which 20% are for private sale, 24% for Shared Ownership, and 56% for rent in order to accommodate a mixed tenure community. The modern, stylish homes are in close proximity to the local amenities and parks, with excellent transport links to London.Working alongside brickwork contractor Lee Marley Brickwork, Keyfix supplied 3,772m of its Non-Combustible Cavity Tray (NCCT), 3,528 units of corners, and 20,774 units of its Non-combustible Weep Vents to this project. Keyfix’s sister company Keystone Lintels supplied 890m of its Non-Combustible Cavity Tray Lintel, which was powder coated as per the client’s request.Challenge The main challenge faced on this project was the brevity of the programme, which ran from November 2020 to November 2021. As the project was time sensitive, the main contractor required an accredited solution which could be supplied in line with the tight-build programme. Keyfix’s NCCT presented the ideal solution to this challenge.SolutionKeyfix was able to meet the client’s objectives by providing products in accordance with their tight-build programme. To ensure the maximum efficiency of installation, Keyfix designed various types of bespoke units including preformed corners and pier units to assist Lee Marley brickwork in keeping to its the fast-paced build programme. Due to the scale of the project, the products were prefabricated, allowing the brickwork to be conducted swiftly. Despite the bespoke nature of the products, the first delivery was made just two months after the initial enquiry in September.Duncan Marley, Contracts Director at Lee Marley Brickwork commented: “On the Park East development we required various bespoke products and Keyfix were able to provide a quick turnaround on those. The Keyfix NCCT also helped us to save time significantly because the system is so quick to install. Keyfix also provided us with a scheduled breakdown of components which was a great help.”The Keyfix NCCT was specified due to its ‘one-piece system’ which allows for a very simple and efficient installation. The system is self-supporting as it doesn’t require fixing back to the internal frame, therefore saving valuable time. Additionally, the adjustability of the perp joint allows for the cavity trays to be shunted to match the brick coursing on site, ensuring consistency in the brickwork formation.The NCCT was also chosen due to its A1 fire rating. It is made from non-combustible Grade 304 stainless steel which will never contribute to fire loading in the building. This fully compliant system ensures that the Park East buildings will be future-proofed against the implementation of tighter regulations.The non-combustible nature of the product makes it an effective solution to provide DPC protection over lintels, masonry supports, soffit systems and other elements in the cavity such as fire barriers. Additionally, the fact that the Keyfix NCCT does not rely on tape or mastics to form its watertight joints negates the prevalent cause of product failure and creates a more robust system altogether.In addition to providing NCCTs, Keyfix identified where it could offer technical support, and provided a full technical review of architects drawings, a comprehensive mark-up, and a scheduled breakdown of component location. The team also attended design meetings to ensure that the products were being used correctly, as well as hosting a Tool Box Talk prior to the first install to ensure the system was installed properly.Commenting on the NCCT, Kieran Coyle of Keyfix stated, “The Keyfix Non-Combustible Cavity Tray is an A1 fire rated system, ensuring our customers peace of mind as their buildings are future-proofed and safeguarded against fire, as well as our on-site benefits.”The Keyfix Non-Combustible Cavity Tray has played an important part in the creation of a safe new-build development for future tenants to enjoy.

D-marc 105TM demarcation system – a collective protection demarcation solution. The doctrine “prevention is better than cure” is one that rings true in so many instances. Common sense tells us that it much better to prevent a fall than it is to arrest the fall once it has occurred. The Working at Height Regulations (WAHR’s) 2005 reinforce this argument. Whilst in many instances it is not always practical to remove the risk of a fall; rainwater outlets will always require cleaning, rooftop plant will require regular maintenance etc.. there are a number of ways to protect the worker from the immediate hazard the fall presents. The simplest way and that which much closely echo’s the doctrine “prevention is better than cure” is to keep the worker away from the fall hazard. The most effective way of achieving this and that which is advocated by the WAHR’s is through the provision of a Collective Protection solution. A collective protection solution is one which will “collectively protect all those who access the area”. In a rooftop situation where the hazard is a fall from the roof edge, Collective protection can be achieved by raising the parapet or through the installation of a full perimeter guardrail. Alternatively the worker can be kept a safe distance from the roof edge through the installation of a demarcation system. –Health and Safety in Roofwork HSG 33 states that “where work is not done at the edge, demarcation barriers can be provided at a safe distance from the edge (usually at least 2 meters), e.g. work on an air conditioning unit in the middle of a roof.”.      An example of where The D-marc demarcation system has recently been specified and installed at Crown Woods College, Eltham to provide safe access to rooftop mounted plant. The client was looking for a solution that would;Provide a collective protection solutionNot penetrate the existing roof covering and therefore not compromise the roofs waterproofing or air-tightness.Be lightweight so as not to require an additional support structure.Provide easily identifiable access routes ensuring no exposure to fall hazardsBe low maintenance and ideally have good environmental credentials.  D-marc was able to meet all these criteria and has the additional benefit of giving the customer the piece of mind that whilst it does not rely upon any means of mechanical fixing to the roof structure, it is tested to withstand wind speeds in excess of 105 mph. Such testing is a requirement of BS6399-2 Code of Practice for Wind loads which states that all components that form a building are required to withstand a 1 in 50 year wind speed.   D-marc was used extensively on the project as part of the collective protection demarcation system to create clearly defined safe access routes across the roof to theplaces requiring regular maintenance work. Having created the safe routes to the places of work, the D-marc was then used to demarcate the safe working zones upon the roof top. To ensure a complete collective protection solution was provided in isolated areas where it was not possible to keep the worker away from the fall hazard a guardrail was used. The easy to install, non penetrating D-marc system creates a clearlydefined access route and a safe working zone for all those undertaking regular rooftop maintenance works.

Architect: Frank Shaw AssociatesMain Contractor:  John Turner Construction GroupInstaller: Cubic FacadesLancaster Community Fire and Ambulance station was the first purpose built integrated fire and ambulance station in Lancashire. Designed by Frank Shaw Associates the project involved the construction of a new appliance bay while the facility remained fully active. Accommodating 2 fire engines, 7 ambulances and the North West Blood Bikes team. The bays are clad in Aztec Rainscreen faced with Peakmoor Sandstone in keeping with the area.Completed in September 2018 the stations Aztec cladding was fixed by Cubic Facades and has had excellent reviews including a commendation at the Lancaster & District Design Awards 2019.

Leafy Windlesham in Surrey was the location for this 5-bedroom, £15,000,000 mansion by Searchfield Homes, complete with a 4-metre deep basement containing a swimming pool and spa pool, all of which needed to be protected from water ingress and ground gases.

FIREFLY™ Phoenix has been employed at the iconic RAF Manston History Museum, located near Ramsgate in Kent, during the refurbishment of a single storey structure

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.

Pyroguard’s fire safety glass was recently specified for The Netherlands’ Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, the world’s first publicly accessible art storage facility. A stunning ovoid shaped building standing 40 m tall, with reflective mirrors covering its surface, the depot receives anywhere from 150,000 to 250,000 visitors a year.

Location: LondonMain Contractor: Berkeley HomesOval Village is a mixed-use development in Kennington, London SE11, built on the site of the Oval Gasworks. The 2ha site overlooks the Oval Cricket Ground and will be redeveloped with 738 new homes, offices, retail and leisure facilities.This is another landmark project where the OBEX CORTEX 0500FR Class B Membrane and the 0771FR Class B Paste Adhesive were specified - critical to the installation achieving the required performance standards and fire-classification.New Homes: 1309Acres: 8Office Space: 12798 sq.mRetail Space: 2525 sq.m

The Westminster Fire Station restoration and regeneration was all about creating an experience for those that live there, with sustainable and natural materials,” says Jennifer Benningfield, experienced architect and founding principal of Openstudio Architects.v “We needed to find a reliable supplier of sustainable and natural materials, which were suitable to tie in with the heritage structure. “The challenge was sourcing the right materials that were compatible with the fabric of the existing buildings. Working with Lime Green, we managed to develop a solution that matched the original building’s beautiful aesthetic and historic character. “As a key supplier of lime-based products, their flexibility and reliability helped to make our job easier – and we received a lot of praise for the high-quality and beautiful new courtyard building. The lime mortar is an integral part of the brickwork and proves that it is appropriate for contemporary, as well as historical, structures,” praises Jennifer. About the project Using a team of specialists, Openstudio Architects supported the site team in using old and traditional construction techniques to refurbish and develop buildings in a contemporary way, with beautiful results. “There were two phases to the Westminster Fire Station project,” explains Jennifer. “The first involved refurbishing the existing building, the Grade II Listed Edwardian Fire Station built in 1906 and decommissioned in 2014, to create a restaurant and bespoke housing. “The second involved developing the site further by adding a new residential building to the rear of the site surrounding a garden courtyard, which is where we used Lime Green’s mortar.” Supporting the local community “The project was situated on a very constrained and challenging site,” continues Jennifer. “With its central location, the construction works undoubtedly had an impact on those living and working in the local area, which is why we wanted to ensure the community were completely happy with the project. “As we wanted to make sure the new build tied in with the older fire station, there were inevitably challenges that we didn’t anticipate along the way. However, most importantly, we needed to ensure we sourced the right materials, which were compatible with the existing building, both in terms of performance and appearance. Selecting the right materials “We wanted to work with natural materials, which would age well and ensure robust construction that has longevity and sustainability,” says Jennifer. “We chose specific products, including handmade Danish bricks and handmade glazed bricks to give depth and texture to the new building. We wanted to ensure use mortar that had a texture and a grain to it, so it would work with the nuances of the bricks, as well as being a colour match. “Finding the right colour mortar to match the pale Danish bricks was key. These bricks were handmade, so we needed the mortar that integrated with the historic Edwardian building to create a seamless whole. “When planning the project, we recognised the importance of lime products, because of the material’s sturdiness and robustness. This means it doesn’t wear with structural movements and changes in the seasons. “That’s why Lime Green was the perfect fit for the project. With an extensive colour range, the team was able to colour-match the mortar with the materials of the new building perfectly. The consistency between the samples Lime Green gave us and the final product delivered was incredible, which was important given the scrutiny by Westminster City Council over the project and the appearance of the new building. “The flexibility of the products also helped us to minimise the amount of movement joints, as it accommodated movement in a much more forgiving way than other products, such as modern cement mortars. “We really enjoyed working with the Lime Green team – they were easy to work with, responsive and very supportive of the project. As we couldn’t store a huge amount of supplies on site, Lime Green was very accommodating in delivering exactly what we needed, at the right time. “The best part was that we were able to develop a solution with Lime Green that supported the original building’s beautiful aesthetic and historic character, with a new building that pays similar attention to detail.” A sustainable, natural and beautiful finish “People love the building, and neighbours even call it ‘the golden citadel’. It’s widely recognised in the local community for its high-quality, beautiful finish,” continues Jennifer. “One of the Fire Station’s previous residents – who had moved out during construction – has moved back after the restoration works and loves the development. That was the icing on the cake for us, it really felt as though our vision had materialised – enhancing people’s experience of new buildings made with sustainable and natural materials that stand the test of time. “The Westminster Fire Station development truly looks beautiful, and the quality of the natural and sustainable products used has a huge role to play in that. Lime Green’s product quality and customer service is outstanding. We’re already working with Lime Green on another project, and we can’t wait to see the finished result,” concludes Jennifer. “It was a pleasure to see our Hydraulic Lime Mortar used on this new development project. We’ve loved working with Openstudio Architects on Westminster Fire Station, and we’re glad to be working with them on their next project,” comments Simon Ayres, co-founder and managing director, Lime Green Products. For more information about the Westminster Fire Station project and the products used, visit Lime Green or call 01952 728 611.

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.

Profab Access Ltd, part of the Access 360 portfolio, is prioritising fire safety in buildings with the introduction of fire testing for both sides of its 4000 Series riser door range. Established in 2001, Profab Access Ltd is a leading UK manufacturer of wall and ceiling access panels and riser doors. The company employs a team of 71 and operates from a 46,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and distribution facility in Atherstone, Warwickshire. All aspects of the design and manufacturing process are carried out onsite.

Surespan designed and manufactured several fire-rated roof hatches for the Killeen ISD East/West Ward Elementary School, in Killeen Texas.  The Project:Huckabee is the architect behind the East/West Ward Elementary School, tasked with replacing two 60-year-old campuses, by combining them into one new holistic learning environment. The planning behind the architecture focuses on efficiency, function and ease of wayfinding. From simple to navigate corridors, modernised classrooms and glazing to illuminate the interior with natural light. East/West Ward Elementary School blends district design standards with innovative thinking to achieve spacial efficiency and maintain equitability.Product:Surespan designed and manufactured five 35.5-inch x 35.5-inch Fire Rated Roof Hatch with an integral guard hand railing attached. These hatches are thermally broken and have been designed and tested with 4-hour fire resistance for integrity to EN 1634-1:2014.  Features:These hatches are using environmentally friendly materials such as non-combustible minerals and fireboard cladding to achieve a top-performing thermal efficiency. All the hatches were finished in a light grey polyester powder-coated finish for an aesthetically pleasing solution. The coating is set to last many years, just like the durable masonry veneer that is featured in the building, helping to maintain the space for years to come. 

MJF Group completed the coating of Darlington Fire Station using RonaFloor HB200. The bays were completed using dark grey with the borders in brick red. Before the application of RonaFloor HB200, they were required to install a damp proof membrane and opted for our RonaFloor Epoxy DPM which can be applied to substrate with an RH of up to 97%.

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

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 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.

“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.”

HAG was honoured to be chosen to install industrial doors on the new headquarters for the Dorset Fire Service, designed by Prince Charles. The £3 million building included grand neo-classical design and a mock balcony, which meant HAG had to be particularly careful in the design and planning of the installation. The specification was to match the styling of the three-storey fire station while still providing the high levels of security and ease of use required for the situation. Our industrial Q Doors perfectly balanced the stunning aesthetics with the structural integrity and functionality required for this prestigious contract.

Refurbishment of terrace with Class A fire rated non-combustible decking system. Exadeck porcelain decking boards were fitted to Wallbarn aluminium rail substructure with Class A MetalPad EX adjustable height pedestals. Retro-fitting of entire terrace to comply with fire regulations Approved Doc B and BS 8579.

The purpose: Energy savings of £¼million over 20 years at just two of its sites are predicted to be achieved by London Fire Brigade through effective roof refurbishment using our Roofing Solutions. The brigade identified that the roofs at Erith and East Ham Fire Stations were in need of refurbishment. Numerous intermediate repairs had already been undertaken. An efficient solution was needed to help London Fire Brigade optimise best value in its asset management and reduce its requirement for planned- or unplanned- maintenance.London Fire Brigade therefore turned to Currie & Brown construction management consultants to oversee the design and execution of the refurbishment projects under a contract management framework agreement in place between the two organisations. We was called in to assess the roofs and advise on a course of action. Data driven roof condition reports from surveys were taken across the two premises. We highlighted that the roofs were beyond economical repair and needed new waterproofing and insulation- a U value of 5.00W/m2K was discovered in one roof area, against the Regulatory threshold of 0.35W/m2K and best practice 0.18W/m2K. Our solution: We advised that in the main, overlaying of the existing roof covering with CP-20 Paracoat Cold Polyurea Liquid System (warm roof) application was the most-efficient and cost-effective solution.The over-laying using the CP-20 system satisfies London Fire Brigade’s policy of preference for flame-free, with no roof replacement needed this minimised waste to landfill.Our Approved Contractor CWG Group won the contracts to undertake the upgrading, working to Langley’s detailed individual specifications for each site.At East Ham Fire Station, four main roof areas plus a separate ancillary building were addressed.LangGuard free-standing safety rail was installed around the perimeter of roofs 1 and 4.The final touch for the field roof area was provided with Paracoat Fast SF slip-inhibiting finish to agreed walkway areas.At Erith Fire Station, the refurbishment involved upgrading two roof areas including a rooftop tank room and adjoining canopy of corrugated PVC over the Station building, and a separate stores roof.

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.

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.

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.

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

The new, purpose-built Community Fire and Police Station on a two acre site in Prescot required a durable surface for the main yard area, car park and access road. This was a large site, incorporated three fire engine bays, a practice drill tower and community meeting rooms. Having replaced two local fire stations it was expected to be a busy station used by a range of vehicles. With each fire engine weighing up to 13 tonnes and using power-assisted steering the new surface would be subject to extreme turning forces. It would need to offer long-term durability and loss of aggregate due to surface abrasion. After considering the options, Tarmac’s ULTIPHALT HD was chosen, a tough, high performance 10mm asphalt with advanced modified binder. ULTIPHALT HD has been proven to deliver enhanced resistance in challenging environments like container ports and distribution centres. The modified binder enhances durability but also helps to maintain workability and aid compaction, even in low temperatures.