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Kerry Foods is the leading consumer foods processor and supplier in Europe.Project/doors:20 doors including Speedor Storm, Speedor Mini, Speedor Cleanroom. The challengeFood manufacturing sites have strict protocols to avoid contamination and to meet all regulations in the industry. Any issues with industrial doors can directly impact compliance with these regulations. This site had several competitor products that needed to be serviced and replacedThe solutionUsing our experience and knowledge we spent time surveying all of the doors on the site and advising which doors needed to be replaced, repaired and serviced to ensure they were compliant with all regulations. Due to the volume of doors in the facility, we had a weekly presence on site until all issues were eradicatedThe successWe have installed 20 doors on this site and provide maintenance and service to over 30 doors, including competitor products. The site has a range of doors to suit varying requirements, including internal Speedor Cleanroom and Mini doors, external Speedor Storms and fire shutters.

A range of Ultima aluminium insulated panels incorporating an eye catching perforated outer skin have been specified on the new Reflector residential development at Chambers Wharf in The Southwark district of London. Designed by Simpson Haugh Architecture the properties featured over 1500 sq metres of Ultima aluminium insulated panels glazed in to the structural glazed system across multiple buildings on the development. Each of the panels were finished in a distinctive Basalt Grey PPC colour, that featured a unique perforated outer skin which stood proud of the glazed in panel. These were fitted via a toggle system together with an internal channel surround that added to the distinctive appearance of the building. Ultima aluminium insulated panels are a highly versatile façade panel that can be adapted to fit a variety of external applications. Available in sizes up to and including 6000mm x 2000mm, Ultima panels are fire tested to BS476, provide excellent thermal performance and are supplied with A1 non-combustible insulation materials. They are available in a wide range of high grade anodised colours and PPC finishes.

THE PROJECTPutney Rise is a housing development created by Barratt Homes in the popular south-west London suburb.The development has been designed by Carey Jones Architects to reference the local architecture and design of neighbouring buildings.Putney Rise is located close to Wimbledon Common, Richmond Park, Putney Common, Barnes Wetland and the River Thames; so many green areas nearby that it feels rural.Putney Rise features of mix of 125 apartments and 30 houses set around a series of courtyards and green areas.THE PRODUCTThe Safety Letterbox Company supplied mailboxes for both sections of the development – fire rated mailboxes for the apartment buildings and MEFA Judo individual mailboxes for the houses.The MEFA Judo mailboxes used on the project are finished in RAL 7024 – Graphite Grey; a custom colour that is not typically offered as a standard option. A classic feature of the MEFA Judo mailbox is the contrasting band colour used in the range.The Graphite Grey colour finish of the mailbox matches the window and door designs, with the stainless-steel band reflecting both the window and door hardware.

Non-Conductive, Anti-Slip Flooring and Walkways | Case StudyArena Events Group chose Dura Composites to supply the tiered structure stadium decking for the seating and platform areas, manufactured from our high quality and corrosion-resistant Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) Dura Slab 40 and 20 products which provided an anti-slip, fire-tested and load-tested alternative to the Buffalo® Board and traditional plywood used previously. Dura Composites’ ability to be able to meet a range of stringent test requirements including flare resistance tests and FEA analysis made us the ideal choice for this high profile project which not only allows for future changes to seating configurations, but also improves access to amenities on the concourse. The two types of Dura Slab used on this project are precision engineered GRP structural flooring systems that provide an incredible strength to weight ratio. High strength fibreglass composite is pultruded in one mass to produce a consistent quality flooring structure that is also non-corrosive, chemically resistant – and has an anti-slip walking surface.

Our coatings look after the world’s most iconic and acclaimed buildings. Among them is the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Since its redevelopment in 2011, the principal public gallery in Auckland, New Zealand has won 23 awards and counting, including the prestigious World Architecture Festival's 2013 World Building of the Year. The redevelopment plan aimed at restoring and preserving heritage elements and sensitively combining them with 21st-century design. This included earthquake-proofing and heritage restoration of the 1887 and 1916 components of the main building and the addition of new, contemporary elements that increased display space by 50 per cent. One of the most distinctive features of the new building is its roof design, which forms a series of fine ‘tree-like’ canopies that define and cover the forecourt, atrium and gallery areas.Our coatings complemented this architectural challenge of blending old with new. A coatings system comprising of Interzinc 42, Intergard 251 and Interthane 990 was used to protect structural steel, while Interchar 963 was used to provide essential protection from the effects of fire.

Whitethorn Village is an attractive residential scheme positioned adjacent to the centre of Naas. The contemporary development led by Cairn Homes PLC includes a mix of spacious family homes and two apartment buildings. These comfortable, sustainable residences offer the very best in terms of quality and energy efficiency.Developer Cairn Homes collaborated with Horizon Offsite to deliver the impressive 5-storey residential blocks in Whitethorn Village, benefiting from off-site fabrication, accuracy, and rapid completion within a tightly controlled cost plan.The apartments were constructed using an offsite fabricated light gauge steel (LGS) structural system. The external LGS wall panels and floor decking used in this system incorporated a number of Partel’s low carbon building envelope solutions. This included the advanced fire rated components EXOPERM MONO DURO 200 breather membrane and ECHOSEAL ALU FR airtight and windtight tape, the multi-purpose adhesive VERBOND, and also the phA Class Passive House Certified components IZOPERM PLUS vapour control layer and VARA SEAL smart airtight tape.

The London clinic is one of the UK’s largest private hospitals. Located in the heart of London’s world famous medical district it is the first hospital to have hybrid theatres. Hybrid operating theatres combine the surgical capacity of traditional operating rooms with the imaging capabilities of a catheterisation lab.BriefThe trust required specialist hybrid operating theatre doors for its new hybrid operating suite. The hybrid theatre provides the surgical technology to enable surgeons to switch between open vascular surgery and endovascular surgery as necessary, with real time imaging support.SolutionDortek’s hygienic hybrid operating theatre doors were installed in theatre areas. Dortek’s hybrid operating theatre doors can combine a number of key properties all in one hygienic door. Whether its x-ray rated, automated, fire rated, waterproof or hermetically sealing sliding, these doors were a versatile solution for these new breed of hybrid operating theatres. Doors were also automated to allow staff to open and close them without touching any surface to reduce the risk of infection.

The Anchorage Gateway in Salford Quays is a new multi-storey building in the centre of Salford. The main wing is 29 storeys high whilst the lower tower tops out at 19 storeys. The ground floor contains almost 400m2 of commercial space and the upper floors contain 290 residential units and 800m2 of amenity space.The building is reputed to be one of the highest brick clad buildings in Europe, Kinlan Brickwork being specialist sub-contractor.Domis Construction is the main contractor on this scheme. URSA UK Ltd was chosen as the preferred insulation manufacturer. We supplied over 11,500m2 of 100mm URSAPAN BLACK - a unique glass mineral wool rainscreen cladding insulation slab;·      Euroclass A1 fire rating (non-combustible).·      Thermal conductivity of 0.035 W/mK.·      BBA Certified. Kate Fox, Area Sales Manager for the Midlands stated, ‘Following the success of this initial partnership URSA are now the preferred supplier of rainscreen insulation and our products have been used on Fifty5ive Queen Street in Salford with others in the pipeline including Derwent Street’.

The Friedrichscarrée is a modern office and retail complex in the center of Stuttgart.Named after the former king of Württemberg, Friedrich I., it is characterised by its modern architecture and glass front. In addition to numerous companies, it now also hosts retail, catering businesses and event spaces. The good access to public transportation and the close proximity to restaurants and cultural institutions, make Friedrichscarrée an attractive location for businesses and visitors.As the general contractor for the expansion, Lindner carried out an extensive interior construction - ranging from drywall work to floor systems and wall cladding. In addition to high-quality floor coverings and also partly automated partition walls, the special construction of the hollow floor FLOOR and more® for the pedestal in the barista bar was a central element of the revitalisation. Lindner hallway ceilings LMD, heating and cooling ceilings and acoustic sails were also installed to optimise room acoustics.Furthermore, GiB mbH supported Lindner in upgrading the existing fire protection. The entire conversion was carried out during ongoing business, which required precisescheduling of noise-intensive work.

Located within the epicentre of central London, Sixty London Wall delivers high quality Grade A office accommodation combined with superior retail opportunities, all housed within a visually striking contemporary development that stands apart from neighbouring buildings.Delivering 325,000 sq. ft of premium office space over 10 floors, the extensively renovated property offers collaborative working areas, bolstered by first class end of journey facilities for commuters, including 380 cycle spaces and lockers and 38 showers and changing rooms.As part of the construction process, almost 500 Profab Access high quality riser doors and access panels have been installed throughout the entire building by specialist carpentry, joinery and fit-out contractors, JJ Sweeney.Specified in a range of sizes and configurations for installation throughout the communal areas and washrooms on every floor, Profab Access’ robust and resilient INTEGRA 4000 Series and VISION 8000 Series fire-rated Riser Doors provide concealed access to mechanical and electrical services.

Wood finish powder coating to realise vision of a timber facade Overview A brand-new Skills and Innovation Centre has been added to the Earl Street/Broad Street elevation of the South Staffordshire College’s campus, a £28million project. This 7,500 sq metre, 3 storey building will house leading-edge construction, engineering and hybrid vehicle technology workshops, along with innovatively designed social spaces. The building takes pride of place on the college’s town centre site and a suitably striking external envelope has been planned. The architects’ envisaged a facade of long vertical fins giving the appearance of timber. This would also screen a roof-top substation from view. The Project Maple Sunscreening won the contract to supply the extensive vertical fin façade and proposed using lightweight aluminium instead of timber to achieve the of span required. This project is a perfect example of one of the key advantages of PWF on aluminium, over wood, namely the ability to accomplish very long spans with structural integrity. Powdertech Wood Finish (PWF ™) was selected as the most appropriate powder coating since it is formulated to match the natural variations in colour, grain density and grain pattern of wood. Importantly, PWF meets fire reaction classification A2-s1, d0. The client selected the preferred shade from our collection and the aluminium extrusions began to arrive at our plant. We coated 4000 metres of aluminium, comprising mainly rectangular sections of extruded aluminium, of sizes 200mm and 100mm x 50mm. Now installed on the building these look stunning, giving the impression of enormous lengths of wood wrapping around the building. Why PWF?            · The finish combines the strength and longevity of metal with the warm, natural appeal of wood with a high level of colour and gloss retention· Excellent corrosion protection and resistance against abrasion and weather.· Conforms to Fire Reaction classification A2-s1, d0· A high level of sustainability using aluminium, with a coating that can be removed at end of life leaving the underlying metal unaffected· ‘Green’ credentials of PWF – no solvents, no VOCs, no hazardous waste.· Low maintenance - unlike wood.· The PWF range conforms to EN 12206-1 and Qualicoat specifications.· Can be applied to most metallic substrates including aluminium, galvanized steel, cast metals and stainless steel· Powdertech has over 35-years’ experience in professional architectural powder coatings. Colour, tone and texture are our passion and we have the expertise to develop bespoke finishes.  

The Problem:Associated problems caused by damp and flooding are commonplace throughout the UK’s housing stock. Growth of black mould and efflorescence caused by salt transfer can lead to thedelamination of the plaster and there is no simple resolution. Often the only choice left to the housing association or local authority is to remove the original plaster and treat the walls with a Damp Proof Course (DPC), before waiting for it to dry to receive a backing plaster – all at the expense of the landlord or local authority.The Solution: A Modern, Lightweight Renovating Plaster:Limelite Renovating Plaster solves all of these problems. Firstly, it can be applied to damp walls, saving an enormous amount of money for time that would be otherwise spent waiting for the walls to dry out – it effectively controls dampness passing through walls, as well as providing a barrier against salt transfer – ultimately allowing the substrate to dry naturally. Secondly, and crucially, Limelite Renovating Plaster will withstand damp issues caused by future events, which may be likely in properties susceptible to damp and flooding.Thirdly the Limelite plaster system offers Thermal Insulation by drying the walls rapidly, reducing loss of heat and insulating the internal walls to meet modern day standardsThermal Conductivity, λ10,dry,mat, P=50% = 0.17W/m.KThermal Conductivity (k) at 0% moisture = 0.13W/m.KAnother benefit with Limelite plasters for internal use is their fire resistance/protection as a non-combustible product (as defined by BS476:Part 4) which can be assigned Class O in accordance with the requirements of the National Building Regulations and Reaction to Fire = Euroclass A1 Making the Difference for Local Authorities Dudley Council in the West Midlands is among the many local authorities that specify the use of Limelite Renovating Plaster when tackling such issues in social housing.“Where a renovating plaster is required we use the original and proven, Limelite” said Andy Pratt, Specification and Design Manager for Dudley Council, which has been specified by the council for over 40 years.Where existing plaster is sound, a small area of plaster is removed and replaced with Limelite.In more severe cases where the existing plaster is unsound, all plaster is removed and the wall is treated with a DPC before Limelite Renovating Plaster is applied. Limelite Renovating Plaster is also used for patch repairs in areas such as window reveals, where again the damaged plaster is removed and replaced with Limelite.A BBA Approved SystemLimelite Renovating Plaster is a BBA approved solution, when used as the backing plaster in a 2-part system, finished with our High Impact Finishing Plaster - a hard, durable finishing plaster that produces a Grade D impact resistant surface.

Developer Manchester Life is transforming the residential market in the city of Manchester and Senior Architectural Systems is proud to have partnered with them to create a number of apartment schemes including Cotton Field Wharf, Weavers Quay and New Little Mill. Lampwick Quay is the fourth and most recent project to have been undertaken by Senior as part of this successful repeat business relationship.Located in Manchester’s thriving new community in Ancoats, the new Lampwick Quay development comprises 213 apartments across three blocks of five, six and ten-storeys, with ground floor retail units and communal facilities including a gym and residents club room. A mix of Senior’s aluminium windows, commercial doors and curtain wall solutions have been used extensively throughout the development and installed by supply chain partner Aire Valley Architectural Aluminium for main contractor John Sisk & Son Ltd.To help reduce heat loss and energy costs, Senior’s low U value and Part L compliant PURe® aluminium casement windows have been installed to each of the apartments to create a comfortable living space. The stylish window system also provides the perfect frame for the development’s views of Manchester’s New Islington Marina.Energy-efficiency has also been addressed in the communal, retail and ground floor areas through the use of Senior’s thermally-enhanced SF52 aluminium curtain wall system which maximises the controlled use of use of natural light.To meet the scheme’s stringent safety and security requirements, Senior’s robust SPW501 aluminium commercial doors were installed to the main entrance and exit points. The SPW501 commercial door system is ideally suited to high pedestrian use and meets the requirements of Secured By Design. Key elements of the fenestration package have also been designed to work as part of the scheme’s overall passive fire protection strategy, with the use of Senior’s SPW600 automatic opening ventilation (AOV) aluminium windows in the communal areas and stairwells. Although visually similar to Senior’s popular SPW600 system, these AOV windows are fitted with a smart actuator which allows for quick and automatic ventilation in the event of a fire, helping to remove smoke from the air.The development’s low pitch sawtooth roof design pays homage the area’s industrial heritage, with the slim aluminium frames of the fenestration package further complementing the main façade of zinc cladding, brick and coloured panels. Initially designed by CallisonRTKL, the Lampwick Quay development was delivered by jmarchitects.

When MCR Property Group purchased Unity Square in Liverpool, a £17m partially built student living scheme, it wanted to complete the project as quickly as possible.The specification required a non-combustible insulation solution that complied with building regulations for the acoustic insulation of internal walls and separating floors. The company needed a large quantity of insulation delivered within a very short lead time to coincide with the period when hired vehicles would be on site. With this in mind, Knauf Insulation suggested Rocksilk® Flexible Slab, its multi-purpose Rock Mineral Wool insulation.Designed for use in a wide variety of applications including internal walls, floors and partitions, and separating floors, and with excellent thermal performance, Rocksilk® Flexible Slab exceeded the specification requirements. Furthermore, Rocksilk® Flexible Slab has a non-combustible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification, making it suitable for internal use on residential dwelling buildings over 18m tall as outlined in the recent changes to Approved Document B.As well as thermal and fire performance, Rocksilk® Flexible Slab has excellent sound absorption properties, providing high levels of sound insulation. As a result, the installation of the product in the 204 bedrooms and 36 studio flats will make life much more comfortable for the students living on the campus.Rocksilk® Flexible Slab is manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. Products made with ECOSE® Technology generate low levels of dust and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and have been awarded Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort (Gold) certification.Builders’ merchant, Selco Ardwick in Manchester, supplied Rocksilk® Flexible Slab direct to site. In total, 32 pallets were used, equating to nearly 3,500m2 of insulation.For ease of installation, Rocksilk® Flexible Slab features a flexible edge which is designed to optimise friction fitting between studs, joists and rafters. MCR Property Group team found that its flexible edge combined with its lightweight design made the product much easier to install than alternative Rock Mineral Wool insulation they had used previously.Thanks to Knauf Insulation’s speed of delivery, MCR Property Group was able to keep to a tight schedule that saw Unity Square open its doors in September in time for the start of the academic year. And while most of the students probably won’t give a second thought to the insulation, they will enjoy their safer, warmer and quieter new homes!

When the owner of an office building on the Isle of Man took the decision to redevelop the property into four apartments, he partnered with chartered architect Andrew Bentley to arrive at a design. The building had previously been converted from a bar to offices in the 1990s, but the approach adopted to the soundproofing as part of this conversion project would need to be fully assessed and tested for compliance with today’s domestic dwelling standards. STEPPING UP TO HIGHER ACOUSTIC STANDARDSUnder the building regulations covering the Isle of Man, which are consistent with Approved Document E in England & Wales, the separating floors needed to achieve an airborne sound transmission level greater or equal to 43db and, for impact sound transmission, no higher than 64db. Following a comprehensive consultation period by Hush Acoustics soundproofing experts, it was apparent that the existing acoustic flooring design fitted during the original conversion was inadequate. This meant a complete redesign of the floors was required to bring them up to an acceptable residential standard.A SOLUTION THAT EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS The solution came with the Hush MF Ceiling System. This creates a suspended ceiling, separated from the existing structure using the Hush Acoustic Hangers, allowing for Hush-Slab 100 sound absorber slabs to be fitted into the void created. Two layers of 15mm Soundbloc plasterboard were then installed onto the suspended ceiling’s metal frame.Key to the success of the new acoustic system was the quality of the installation, which the Hush Acoustics team – as with all projects – offered guidance on to the installation contractor. This was important from a fire safety perspective too, with a fire specialist also engaged to ensure all gaps, junction details and products were installed and sealed correctly. ‘BEST EVER’ ACOUSTIC RESULTS As a result of this new acoustic flooring, the flats benefit from soundproofing levels not normally seen in conversion projects of this kind. The airborne sound insulation levels for the floors tested in various rooms ranged from 50db to 67db (minimum level to pass test is 43db) and for impact sound it was between 38db and 50db (must be below 64db).Project architect Andrew Bentley commented:“The test results were so good that the acoustician who carried out the testing of the completed installation said it was the best results he had ever seen. In the lounge of one of the flats, there was virtually no background noise detected despite sound of 107db being generated in the lounge of the flat directly above – that’s a noise level almost as loud as you would experience at a rock concert.”

Aviva Studios, Manchester - The New Home of Factory International:Fire resistant, acoustic joint sealing of the complex facades, has been completed with Emshield-WFR and Emshield QuietJoint from NCC Movement joints Limited. NCC Movement joints have supplied Emshield-WFR-2 and Emseal QuietJoint to seal the wide, high movement capability, expansion joints in the complex facades of the new Aviva Studios in Manchester. Aviva Studios are new arts and cultural venues, which are now the new home of Factory International, and located in the centre of St John’s. This is the 13-acre regeneration project around the old Granada TV studios in Manchester. On this prestige project, the architect was Ellen van Loon, a partner at OMA (Office of Modern Architecture), who designed the buildings to create an eclectic environment for the arts, including striking and complex architectural facades. This included her trademark industrial styled finishes, cladding the facades with corrugated metal panels, and incorporating large exposed concrete surfaces. Structural engineering for the project was provided by Burro Happold. The structural movement joints in the external façade and walls, as well as in some of the floor slabs, had to be designed to accommodate not only significant movement (+/-50% or more), whilst maintaining watertightness, but also to be CE certified fire resistant for at least 2 hours, and it was also essential to maintain the high acoustic soundproofing and thermal insulation of the building across the façades.Emshield-DFR/WFR-2 for internal joint sealing, from NCC Movement Joints Limited was the ideal solution, quickly installed as a complete system to meet all the specified requirements in a single solution, with no mechanical fixings, and without disrupting other trades. The Emshield system was installed by TECL (Thermal Engineering Contracts Ltd) as the acoustic and firestopping specialists on the project, as well as by the specialist façade manufacturers, Lindner Prater.The 13,350 m2 building has been designed to provide open spaces that are flexible, adaptable, and capable of being reconfigured for a wide variety of shows at different scales. The key facilities are The Hall, an auditorium that seats 1,600 but can accommodate 2,000 standing; and The Warehouse, an open performance space 21 metres high, with capacity for 5,000 people, all designed and built with advanced acoustic-insulation. They can function separately or together, with a stage that can stretch back to a depth of 45 meters. Factory International are named after the Factory Records record-label, which was founded by the late Tony Wilson ran Manchester’s Haçienda nightclub in the 1980’s and launched bands such as the Happy Mondays and Joy Division. Their new home at Aviva Studio complex is the first public project by OMA in the United Kingdom, and already regarded as the most ambitious cultural development for the future in Manchester.

The campus in Colchester, which is home to 15,000 students, is undergoing a massive phased transformation. Benx-RCM are currently supplying into phase three of the campus-build, known as The Pastures.Split across five new buildings, The Pastures will bring an additional 1,262 student bedrooms to the Colchester campus. One of these blocks will create a new hub which will include a reception, a post room, an administrative area and a student services centre, along with a laundrette and staff welfare facilities.Overseeing this £168 million project as main contactor is Bouygues Construction.Stanta were awarded the SFS infill package at the site. As part of this package, Benx RCM were selected to supply Y-Wall external sheathing board for the entire project.Y-Wall is a flexible calcium silicate based fibre cement building board, offering excellent fire properties as well as high levels of dimensional stability. The Y-Wall BBA Certification provided the Stanta project team with assurance that this building board solution has been tested to exacting standards, evaluated onsite, as well as undergoing a life expectancy assessment and a quality management system review.Y-Wall was utilised to create a sheathing for the five high rise structures. In buildings with storeys more than 18m above ground level, any products used in the external wall construction should be of limited combustibility. Being a non-combustible, A1 fire-rated building board, utilising BS EN ISO 1182 and BS EN ISO 1716 tests, Y-Wall is the optimum solution for a project of this type and size.In specifying the building board for this project it was important to ensure the optimum racking performance to enhance structural strength. Y-Wall conforms to European Norm - BS EN 594:2011 - the certification which proves the system has been rigorously tested and offers excellent racking performance, structural strength and stability.Specifying a building board that is fully tested to BS EN 1062-1 allows for adequate moisture resistance and durability. Y-Wall fully complies with this standard which ensures the building boards will have a life equal to that of the building. Selecting a building board with good external performance and durability is important, particularly through the build phase, as the product may be left exposed for several months prior to a secondary facade being installed over the top of the system. In order to generate speed and ease of construction, Y-Wall was supplied pre-cut to specified panel sizes. The fabrication work was undertaken by Benx Façades at its dedicated facility, to ensure a seamless process.

The Chilterns Lifestyle Centre in Amersham will feature a range of leisure, sports and community facilities. As each of the activities taking place will require different indoor temperatures – warm or cool – to keep users comfortable, a high-performing insulation solution was essential.Thermal performance wasn’t the only factor in insulation choice for specialist façade contractor Teampol. At just 14m high, the Chilterns Lifestyle Centre doesn’t fall under current fire regulations banning combustible insulation. But non-combustibility was still a key consideration in installing 2,300m2 of Knauf Insulation’s OmniFit® Slab 35 and Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab.“The original specification was for a combustible phenolic insulation,” said Scott Millins, Quantity Surveyor at Teampol. “But there’s always that concern at the back of my mind of ‘what if the worst happened?’ so I will only use non-combustible insulation whatever the height of the building. Plus, there’s a very real possibility that regulations may change again, and I don’t want my projects to need costly remedial work further down the line.”“I approached several manufacturers for a non-combustible alternative. They weren’t able to do the calculations quickly and couldn’t meet the U-value required without increasing the depth of the rainscreen insulation from 80mm to 120mm, which would have impacted the whole design.”By this point, finding a solution was critical, otherwise the entire project would be delayed. Millins approached Knauf Insulation’s Specification Team for support and product advice stressing the need for a fast turnaround. Within 24 hours, the Technical Support Team had conducted 3D U-value calculations and a condensation analysis.They recommended 150mm OmniFit® Slab 35 for the steel frame stud with Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab for the façade. Crucially, this combination meant they were able to meet the U-value of 0.22 W/m2K and keep to the original 80mm insulation depth specified for the rainscreen.“Knauf Insulation were fast, responsive and helpful,” explained Scott. “From our initial conversations, it was clear they had the technical expertise, and this was backed up by an extremely quick turnaround for all the supporting calculations that I needed to move forward with the job.”Both OmniFit® Slab 35 and Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab offer exceptional levels of thermal performance. They are non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification so will not contribute to the development or spread of fire should it occur. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is BBA certified for use at any height.OmniFit® Slab 35 and Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab also have excellent sound absorption characteristics which will help ensure that any sports and community activities taking place inside don’t disturb local residents.As well as Knauf Insulation’s technical advice and product performance, the consistency and quality of the two products have impressed Millins and the Teampol installation team.“Installation of both OmniFit® Slab 35 and Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab has gone extremely smoothly. They’re both quick and easy to fit and it helps that these Mineral Wool products from Knauf Insulation are nice and soft – our installation team love working with them,” added Millins.This softness is thanks to the ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation's unique bio-based binder which contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. Products made with ECOSE® Technology are also easy to handle, generate low levels of dust and VOCs and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.As well as being kind to installers, ECOSE® Technology is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders, so it is kinder to the environment too.Thanks to Knauf Insulation’s rapid response and technical support, Teampol was able to meet the thermal requirements for the Chilterns Lifestyle Centre project using non-combustible insulation – all while keeping to the tight build schedule.

It’s not everyday you get a phone call from an architect asking for help on a grade 2 listed mill building, but that is what happened to us back in April 2017 when Stephenson Studios contacted us with a problem they were having with floor to ceiling heights on their Brownsfield Mill project in Manchester.Their design criteria was for the existing 75mm thick timber mill boards to be retained and each of the apartments in the building would have these as an exposed ceiling. The idea was to keep the building as rustic and to retain as much of the original look and feel of the listed mill building as possible. Because of this all of the acoustic (Part E.) and fire Building Regs. (Part B.) requirements would have to be installed above the existing floor.The drawings we were sent through identified a floor build up, on top of the mill boards, at nearly 300mm thick. This started with a self levelling compound on top of the mill boards, to level them to, and then a timber on timber solution with a final layer of cement particle board prior to the oak flooring being installed.This thick floor section was causing a problem due to the original oak beams that were in place meaning the floor to ceiling heights weren’t as high as they needed to be. This design was compounded flowing the removal of the bitumen floor covering. When the mill boards were exposed and then levels were taken across each of the floors it was clear that the original design was no longer suitable for the project.With the age of the building some of the mill boards were beyond repair and each of the floors needed levelling up so the use of self levelling compound and a timber/ cement board solution also became a very expensive solution. We were asked if we could come up with a solution that was able to reduce costs and time and also to be able to achieve the required acoustic and fire requirements for this type of conversion project.Our initial thoughts on the project was to use timber ferrings, 100mm wide at 600mm centres, to lay our Lewis Deck system onto. This was reducing the number of ferrings by 50% (these were originally at 400mm centres) and it also removed 4 layers of timber/ cement board as well as the self levelling compound from the project. Following a meeting on site however, and after being able to fully talk to the design team and developer about what the Lewis Deck system can do we agreed that we would look at putting the ferring strips at 1400mm centres with the Lewis Deck being laid across at these centres. Rubber granulate acoustic strips would be installed on top of each of the timbers and mineral wool insulation would then be installed between. This would allow more material to be removed from the project but crucially still hit both the acoustic and fire requirements of the project.A test floor was commissioned, by the acoustic engineer, and built in August 2018 which passed all tests. You can see from the photos below the Lewis Deck laid at 1400mm centres for the middle section of the test with the 15mm thick rubber granulate acoustic strip laid on top of the timber ferrings. These timbers, due to the nature of the mill boards below, had to be installed individually to differing heights.The first full delivery of Lewis Deck arrived on site at the beginning of June 2019 following on from the steel strengthening works that were being carried out on site.The deck was quickly installed across the whole first floor in just a couple of days and the first screed pour was scheduled for the following week. The whole floor was poured using an anhydrite screed in just a few hours.The project continued on and the last main section of floor was poured on 19th December 2019, exactly 6 months after the first of the pours.This grade 2 listed mill building was a great project to work on. One that gave us a lot of challenges to overcome from the outset and one that helped overcome a number of issues that kept dropping up as the remedial works on the building progressed. We are delighted with the final result.Developer: Urban SplashFloor Installer: Trent Construction Services Ltd.

Coláiste an Chláirín Bauder Thermofol single ply waterproofing system with BauderROCK insulationSynopsisThe new Coláiste an Chláirín building in Athenry, Co Galway is a post primary school consisting of classrooms, a special needs unit, sports hall, general-purpose hall, staff amenities and extensive external facilities designed by Smith Kennedy Architects & Healy Partners Architects. The project was managed by JJ Rhatigan and Company and the roofing element appointed to Priority Roofing and Cladding Ltd. The roof of the main building and the gymnasium required flat roof build-ups to meet the specifications as set out in in SDG 02-05-03 (Acoustic Performance in New Primary & Post Primary School Buildings), while meeting the general performance requirements specified within TGD 021-7 2018 (Minimum Performance Standards of Roof Materials and Finishes). The chosen system had to meet an acoustic performance of 35dB indoor ambient noise level (IANL). It was decided that, despite sports halls having a slightly higher IANL threshold, the 35dB performance criteria would be applied across all areas of the school, with control of reverberation being a key consideration in the gym.Bauder Building BoardProject:Coláiste an ChláirínLocation:County GalwayProject type:New BuildRoof size:8550m²Main contractor:JJ Rhatigan & CompanyApproved contractor:Priority Roofing & Cladding LtdThe specification:The Architect specified that the insulation used in the flat roof system should be non-combustible and achieve a U-value of 0.16Wm²k which actually exceeds the thermal requirements as described in the Irish Building Regulations Technical Guidance Document L for flat roofs in schools.BauderROCK was specified to achieve the thermal and acoustic requirements of the design. As a Euroclass A2-s1,d0 non-combustible material, BauderROCK also provided the specified fire performance. This insulation could be used across all roof areas, with some adaptations for the gym which required additional acoustic performance due to the inherent nature of the space. Acoustic infills were used in the troughs of the perforated metal deck, thus combatting the reverberation of the indoor environment.  Products appliedBauder Thermofol PVCAn integrated single ply waterproofing system, featuring a lightweight, cost effective membrane which offers a pleasing aesthetic finish on a flat roof. This system holds fire classification BROOF(t4) for compliance with building regulations under TS 1187 test method 4 for external fire exposure to roofs. BauderROCKHigh density mineral wool insulation.Project challengesOne of the challenges of this project was the ambitious schedule. The use of the self-adhesive air and vapour control layer (AVCL) enabled the trades working within the building to progress quickly without being delayed by weather conditions. BauderROCK is relatively quick to install, as was the lightweight single ply waterproofing.  The resultThe project was finished to time and specification with exceptional workmanship from the fixers at Priority Roofing and Cladding and superb collaboration from all parties throughout. The membrane was finished with standing seams to create a statement look. The roof achieved a U-value of 0.15 W/m2k, exceeding the thermal target, and met or exceeded the 35db IANL requirement across the main building and the sports hall.  The thermal performance, which will hold up for decades to come, will also impart energy efficiency benefits that reduce running costs at the school in the long term. Finally, the non-combustible nature of the mineral wool insulation ensured that the build-up met the fire safety specification. System installed Bauder Thermofol PVC single ply waterproofing system1 Bauder THERMOFOL U15 V FRThis 1.5mm polyester reinforced Poly Vinyl Chloride membrane (PVC) membrane benefits from being highly flexible due to the incorporation of internal plasticizers during the manufacturing process. The combination of materials within this membrane provides high tensile strength, with thermal stability and chemical resistance.2 BauderROCKA mineral fibre non-combustible insulation with high acoustic performance. The dual density mineral wool composition delivers compressive strength, whilst keeping the overall weight to a minimum and providing high noise absorption which enabled the complete system to meet project requirements.3 BauderTEC DBR 06This 0.6mm, self-adhesive, elastomeric air and vapour control layer is light weight and benefits from cleaner, safer, and faster installation than traditional torch applied membranes. Advocacy Niall Hanley, Contracts Manager at JJ Rhatigan, the project’s main contractor, said:"Coláiste an Chláirín Athnery was a great success and in particular the use of the self-adhesive AVCL in advance of the build-up allowed works to commence immediately internally, which was critical from a programme perspective.” Kevin Ryan, Director at Priority Roofing, explained:"We found the system both practical and efficient to install. The combination of the availability of the products and the technical backup received was superior to any other system that we have worked with.”  Eoin O’Grady, Associate Director at Healy Partners Architects commented:"We are delighted with the overall delivery of the roof build-up and the performance achieved. The PE hall solution to deal with reverberation noise as well as rainfall noise was very successfully managed. We look forward to working with Bauder on future projects.” 

After 15 years service, the previously installed high-build coating system in this 900 m² Hyundai repair workshop was in need of some attention. Not only was the floor area damaged, dirty and drab, the risk of slips and trips across the facility was becoming problematic.After suitable mechanical preparation, repairs and infills, the substrate was coated with vebro EP OT Primer, a two-component epoxy priming product that is tolerant of residual oil contamination in concrete and cementitious floors, improving the adhesion of subsequent polymer floor systems.Chosen in RAL 7038 Agate Grey, Vebro Polymers’ high build coating system, vebrores EP HBC was able to deliver the perfect level of resistance to chemical attack from petrol, engine oils and other substances typically present in car workshop environments.The inclusion of anti-slip aggregates, encapsulated between the two coats of vebro EP Universal that make up the FeRFA Type 3 epoxy high-build floor system delivered additional slip resistance in critical foot-fall areas where rainwater may be present such as in front of the facility’s roller shutter doors, doorways and fire exits.

Capella Development, Handyside, Kings Cross LondonDeveloper: ArgentMain contractor: Laing O’Rourke Architects: Chapman TaylorSub Contractor: InstaGroup120 newly built residential apartments received InstaCoustic's 'dry' cradle & batten system combining under floor heating & topped with Knauf GifaFloor FHB25.Original plans were to install a T&G chipboard to finish the acoustic floor system, however it was determined that there were deflection risks around the proposed large format tile finish.As a result, the chipboard was replaced by the high density, gypsum fibreboard Knauf GifaFloor FHB25. This resulted in:Quicker install & less use water than a wet screed systemImproved acoustic performanceImproved fire performanceImproved thermal efficiency resulting in reduced energy costs for the end userHigher loading performance, creating a solid substrate for the finish to be applied directly toReduction in overall embodied carbon & installation of a product that offers a high recycled contentLifetime guarantee of the buildingClick the link below to read the full case studyhttps://www.instacoustic.co.uk/case-study/kings-cross-london-n1c/

Metalline’s glazed in Ultima aluminium insulated panels have provided a specialist touch to the recently completed Weybridge Business Park in the Borough of Runnymede. The commercial office park features a number of office buildings that have been refurbished as part of a redevelopment for Standard Life Investments. The bespoke glazed in panels which feature on the window surrounds to the 1st and 2nd floors were coated in PPC golden beach metallic and feature a fluted design that met the architects vision for the external envelope of the building. The aluminum outer face was fitted with extruded box sections to give the fluted appearance. The aluminium section was then sealed using specialist rivets designed by Metalline for this specific application. Each of the 2 metre panels were then vacuum bonded using Metalline’s new 6-metre vacuum bonding press. Ultima panels are traditionally specified in aluminium with either an anodised finish in natural silver, bronze, black or blue-grey or in a range of polyester powder coated RAL and metallic colours. They can also be provided with a noncombustible A1 fire rated core. Alternative facings such as perforated aluminium, stainless steel or can be incorporated to create a truly bespoke panel.

This new 160,000 sq. ft, 18 storey office building evolves the successful Nova formula with a sustainability conscious design, a progressive approach to work and wellbeing, and a vibrant, connected community in the heart of Victoria, London.Throughout the commercial space, a range of off-site constructed washrooms & toilet pods were manufactured in Scotland by Modular Interiors. There was a requirement to increase the finished floor height to allow this space to work effectively.The Knauf GifaFloor system is the ideal partner to this project, particularly to help with efficient programming.FHB38 1200x600mm installed on a pedestal understructure was specified as it creates a solid monolithic floor which can be installed quickly and allows for follow on trades within hours of install. Compared to traditional wet screeds, there is no long drying time, no mess or complicated health & safety issues.GifaFloor is the ideal partner to ceramic finishes such as this project. The ceramic tiles can be adhered directly to the panel, without the need for de-coupling layersThe GifaFloor FHB system offers a high acoustic performance, A1 non-combustible fire rating, limits response to moisture or heat and is manufactured from low carbon gypsum fibre.

Located in Tower Hamlets, Gayton House and Sleaford House are managed by housing association Poplar HARCA. Following amendments to Building Regulations, which banned the use of combustible materials in external walls of high-rise buildings above 18m, StoTherm Mineral K was specified to replace the existing EWI system.BBA-certified, StoTherm Mineral K comprises mineral fibre insulation boards and the system is classified with an A2-s1, d0 reaction to fire in accordance with BS EN 13501-1.Working on behalf of Westminster Building Company, Square 1 Architectural Solutions was responsible for removing the existing EWI and installing the StoTherm Mineral K system onto four elevations on each 23-storey block. The non-combustible mineral fibre insulation boards were secured to the existing concrete substrate using adhesive and mechanical fixings, and without the need for additional expansion joints.A StoLevell Duo Plus reinforcing coat embedded with Sto-Glass Fibre Mesh was then applied to the face of the insulation boards. This was followed by the application of 1.5mm stippled StoSilco, a silicone resin render that provides high levels of water repellence to protect the walls from weathering.

Historic music hall renovationLindab Rainline has been used by Forrest Construction on this new-build residential development project, Queens Court, which comprises of 17 one and two bedroom apartments, each with access to open space.The scheme sits on the original site of the historic Queens Hall where musicians including The Beatles and Stone Roses once played. The hall closed its doors to the public in 2004 and was demolished by the council in 2012 following a fire at the site.Architect, Denovo Design; appointed to the project by Halton Housing Trust; specified galvanised steel rainwater drainage for its durable and recyclable characteristics and to coordinate with safety railings on the upper terraces.Neil Ashworth, head of new build at Forrest said: “The development has seen us regenerate the entire Queens Hall site with new affordable homes built to a high specification of sustainability and energy saving standards”.The project received high critical acclaim, going on to win the Building Excellence Award for Best Small New Housing Development, and the Green Apple Awards Bronze Award for the Built Environment and Architectural Heritage. 

application area: commercialuse type: extraction of cooking gases from kitchenproject scope: line brick extraction shaft to prevent grease build-upadded value: 25-year guarantee on liner, minimal downtime, easily fitted due to flexible materialBackgroundThis Hospital in Portsmouth has a busy commercial kitchen supplying restaurants and residents. Increasing reports of fumes from the greased-up brick extraction ducts have been a concern.A survey of the riser and plantroom was carried out to determine the most suitable solution. VentilFle-25 RKV for kitchen extracts was the preferred option due to the reduced access to the 30-meter brick riser.Statement of workThe shaft had been in use without a kitchen extract liner for the extraction of kitchen gases. This was a concern due to grease build-up, which can result in unpleasant odours within the building.VentilFlex-25 kitchen extract lining system was the chosen alternative lining method, with its jointless design, excellent heat resistance and fire rating, and crucially, an installation method that only required access at the top and the bottom of the riser.

Project: Manufacture and installation of bespoke concrete cladding in a high-tech media room. The design comprised of floating 3D concrete seat wrapped around the fire place and individually sized concrete panels for chimney breast, wall, floor and ceiling. All panels were fitted using mechanical and chemical fixings.Client: Tigg & Coll Architects  Materials used: Large format Plain and GAP GRC panels in Rough Mist finish and sealed with hydrophobic agent and clear sealant.On this challenging project we worked closely with Tigg & Coll Architects to manufacture and supply bespoke concrete cladding for new multipurpose media room.The large format bespoke Plain and GAP concrete panels were cast to the client’s individual and unique specifications using our BTX Ultra High Performance Concrete mix with a hydrophobic agent to limit moisture absorption. The panels were cut to fit around the fireplace, floor, walls and ceiling and then treated and sealed to make them stain proof.The finished effect is a modern, industrial look that complements client’s design style and creates a truly unique and highly relaxing space.

The ChallengeMade up largely of two 19th-Century coal warehouses, the site needed to be drastically re-thought to evolve into a new retail complex comprising more than 50 shops and restaurants.With high levels of footfall anticipated, the safety of individuals would need to be a primary factor in its redesign.As well as this, creating light-filled spaces to attract shoppers from across London would be integral to the project’s long-term success.As a result, specifying materials capable of balancing safety requirements alongside aesthetics and practicality was critical.The SolutionSupplying in excess of 150 square metres of Pyroguard Protect toughened fire-rated glass to various classifications – including E60, EW120, and EI60 – to the project, Pyroguard was able to fulfill the architect’s safety requirements, while delicately balancing the need for aesthetic excellence to contribute to the repurposing of these historic buildings.Working closely with Propak Architectural Glazing who were enlisted to design, manufacture and install a large range of steel glazing systems for the project, Pyroguard created a bespoke thickness of 31 mm, instead of the traditional 25 mm for the EI60 requirement, to perfectly complement the systems.

Fifty5ive Queen Street, Salford is a new 18 storey, 220-unit residential building in the centre of Salford for local developer Salboy.It includes modern, high-quality 1-, 2- & 3-bedroom apartments and duplexes, amenities include private resident workspace, gymnasium, yoga studios, resident cinema room and a terrace garden. Domis Construction is the preferred construction partner for Salboy on this scheme. In early 2022 they approached Encon Insulation in Chorley looking for a more readily available alternative to the stone wool product already specified. URSA UK Ltd was chosen to fill the void and keep the scheme on track. We supplied over 4500m2 of 100mm URSAPAN BLACK - a unique glass mineral wool rainscreen cladding insulation slab; ·      Euroclass A1 fire rating (non-combustible).·      Thermal conductivity of 0.035 W/mK.·      BBA Certified. Kate Fox, Area Sales Manager for the Midlands stated, ‘Following the success of this initial partnership URSA are now the preferred supplier of rainscreen insulation and our products are currently being used on Anchorage Quay in Salford with others in the pipeline including Derwent Street in Salford’.     

Flexible workspace providers x+why’s new 33,000 sq ft location at 100 Embankment aims to provide “an impressive space from which to grow and thrive” for start-ups and established businesses across Manchester.Radii, working through our northern contracting office, joined John Robertson Architects and ADT Workplace in May 2023. Working across Ground, Mezz and 1st and 2nd Floors of the space, Radii’s popular single glazed Linear 25 (Rw 39 dB) and Linear 30 (Rw 41 dB) partitions and Hogan single and double pivoting doors (Rw 47 dB) were used for glazed fronts for a variety of different size meeting spaces and offices. Many of these were installed with our popular ‘Rio’ banding.Ei30 single glazed fire rated screens, complete with timber door frame junctions, provide exit route protection.The finished space also benefits from some of the 11 Ei60 FireTec double door sets installed across all eight levels of the building during the original base build Cat A fit out in 2020.

Radii joined this fit out in late 2023, where we worked on the design, supply and install of of a tailored glazed partition package for 28 office and meeting rooms.On Level 2, our team designed and installed a stunning Glide framed glazed screen into quad telescopic track between the reception and adjoining communal area.Large meeting rooms on Levels 2 and 4 comprised Parallel 100 (Rw 50 dB) double glazed partitions with red and blue framework respectively; Parallel 100 and single glazed Linear 30 variation screens with bronze and grey frames were utilised elsewhere in the space depending on acoustic requirements. All aluminium was finished in Radii’s dedicated in-house PPC line, with the bronze finish also used on aluminium faced tech panels. Partitions were accompanied by 64mm timber veneered acoustic doors (Rw 41 dB) and double glazed pivoting Hogan doors (Rw 39 dB).Finally, Radii’s own high-performing FirePro steel-clad fire rated screens rated at E60 were installed on all three levels.

Procter and Gamble is the largest multinational consumer goods company in the world with 65 brands ranging from home care to skin care. Project/doors:Manufacture, install and service over 70 industrial doors across 6 sites. The challengeP&G’s first goal against climate change was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at its facilities. The UK Environmental Agency also regulates the emissions at P&G Thurrock under an Integration Pollution Prevention & Control permit. Another important factor at the facility is efficiency and any works must cause minimal impact on production.The solutionHart has supplied over 70 industrial doors to the site. High-speed doors and insulated fast action roller shutters allow efficient traffic flow while controlling the heat, odours and noise. LPCB approved fire shutters safeguard employees and keep the building compliant with the latest legislation. Regular servicing maintains the reliability of the doors and the efficient running of the facility.The successThe relationship between Hart and Procter and Gamble spans 30 years, with more than 70 installations across six facilities. We have worked together to maintain and upgrade these manufacturing facilities without disrupting production.

Mayfair is an area perpetually associated with prestige, calibre, class and sophistication. The quality of refurbishment in one of the most luxurious parts of London was paramount to conform to the archetypal standards of the surrounding area.Proudly commandeering the best position in Grosvenor Square, the apartments remarkable views from every aspect, including West-facing views of Grosvenor Square Gardens, it really was an honor to be involved with this refurbishment. Soundis were contracted to supply a bespoke acoustic flooring system to many levels and areas within the project.Priced at tens of millions of pounds, these luxury apartments required an acoustic solution of the highest specification. The Robust Detail compliant Soundis Cradle and Batten system combined with a high density, dimensionally stable and A1 fire rated flooring system proved to be highly effective in the reduction of both impact and airborne noise, but also fitted in perfectly at these prestige apartments from a design brief point of view.In a densely populated location both commercially and residentially, limited space was available for both storage and work. Our interface with the Underfloor Heating Company proved to be problem free with both trades building a professional working relationship as the programme developed.Installation was carried out by our installation partner UK Acoustic Systems.

The JR provides acute medical and surgical services including trauma, intensive care and cardiothoracic services. It is situated in Headington, about three miles east of Oxford city centre. It is the largest of the Trust’s hospitals, covering around 66 acres.SDS was pleased to work with Mclaughlin and Harvey Contractors and to have been specified by Lewis Hickey Architects.The new extension to the existing Emergency Department was designed to provide better use of space, more diagnostic equipment and improved dignity and privacy for patients as well as improved turnaround times for ambulances.Facilities include an extra nine bays for the immediate care of seriously ill patients, including a paediatric resuscitation room and an isolation room. An additional CT scanner with control room, as well as a nurses’ bay and improved bereavement and relatives’ rooms, will also be provided in the new area.Dfendoor doors were used throughout this scheme, where impact resistant doors were key to maintaining fire door and infection control compliance throughout the busy area . A wide range of SDS colours were used from midnight blue through to lupin – also our range of wall protection products were used in matching colours to create a very impressive finish throughout.

The Old Grammar School House in Shrewsbury is a Grade II listed historic building, which was formerly part of the school and has been converted to an office space.KEIM were approached by Randle Building Solutions, who had used KEIM Mineral Paints on a previous project in Edgmond, Shropshire. The conventional painted stonework was flaking and blistering due to excess moisture trapped within the substrate. The painted brickwork on the front of the building was in good condition.Bryan Roe of KEIM Mineral Paints recommended stripping the paint off the stonework and the brickwork at the back of the building, using KEIM STS 7M, that was holding damp and flaking. The gloss paint on the stone windows surrounds were to be stripped as much as possible and sanded down to create a key for the mineral paint to bond to.KEIM Contact-Plus was diluted with KEM Soldalit Fixativ to equalise surface textures and fill hairline cracks. KEIM Soldalit, in a bespoke grey colour (KS01 0312) that was matched back to the original paint colour, was applied to create a breathable, long-lasting finish.KEIM Soldalit is fire resistant and A2-s1, d0 classified. The sol-silicate properties mean that it can be applied over unpainted and previously painted surfaces without the need of a primer.