"lightning protection"

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.

Trief Cadet GST1A were used across Vale Road bridge which connects the Rhyl to its rail station. Cadet offered a unique solution to protect the Victorian bridge structure without compromising the existing access across the bridge. Vale Road bridge had many design aspects which included protecting the structure from the rigours of passing traffic, without reducing the width of the carriageway available for traffic to pass and maintaining access for pedestrians. A further challenge was the effective drainage of rain water build-up to the rear of the kerbs. To view the whole case study please click the link below.

When Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust earlier this year approved capital funding to convert a disused area of Chapel Allerton Hospital into a new dental facility, they engaged with Yeoman Shield wall & door protection specialists to provide durable yet attractive wall protection that would achieve the interior fit-out brief.

A major US oil company was experiencing corrosion in its sour crude oil tanks. Chemicals and water in the oil were creating severe pitting and corrosion issues at the bottom of the storage tanks. They contacted Hempel looking for a long-term protective lining solution.A poor lining system can result in substantial losses. Tanks and vessels left out of service for repair, cost owners valuable time and lost revenues. Hempaline vinyl esters have been designed to resist against acids, caustics, strong solvents, oil and water, protecting assets and maintain the purity of the content of the tank.To combat corrosion in the customer’s sour crude oil tanks we recommended our Hempaline Defend 500 vinyl ester mat reinforced to line the tank bottom and also the bottom 4 feet of the wall surfaces.The high-performance scheme was applied following grit blasting and consisted of a single coat of Hempaline Prepare 120 primer. A first coat of Hempaline Defend 500 was then applied and whilst wet, a 450 gm/m2 (1.5 oz/ft2) chopped strand mat was incorporated into the coating. Following a light sanding to remove any upstanding fibres, a second coat of chemically resistant Hempaline Defend 500 was applied.

The £50million development is situated on the Doncaster iPort logistics estate, and is the hub for more than 53 supermarket stores based across South Yorkshire, the Midlands and Lincolnshire. With more than 3,900 pallets leaving the site via HGV each day 2,500 Trief GST2A kerb were installed to the perimeter of the large distribution centre building, site entrance points and security booths to protect them against accidental vehicle impacts damaging the structures. To view the full case study please click the link below.

Our high-performance coatings systems, designed to stand up to the rigors of offshore environments, were chosen to protect the new platform. The two key areas for us were passive fire protection (PFP) and the ability to provide systems that were approved to the NORSOK M-501 standard. The aim of the standard is to obtain a coating system which ensures optimal protection of the installation, with minimum need for maintenance over a fifteen year period. Chartek is the world’s most complete range of epoxy intumescent PFP coatings and the first choice for the oil and gas industry worldwide. With an in-service track record of over 45 years, Chartek provides safety, durability and efficiency through proven, economical and easy-to-apply solutions, successfully meeting project and customer requirements in the most severe environments. Its combination of both corrosion and fire protection is unbeatable and vital for the Valhall BP oilfield. Chartek was the first jet-fire rated epoxy PFP coating that passed the corrosion performance requirements without a topcoat as set out in the NORSOK standard, demonstrating global technical leadership.  

SMARTPLY MAX FR B was specified and installed at a new multi-purpose building to provide both enhanced fire protection and a unique, textured aesthetic.

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

A three year £24 million programme of works to repair and repaint the roof structure to Bristol Temple Meads railway station is featuring the use of the ZEUS Horizontal fire barrier system from FIREFLY™: employed to enclose a series of shallow arch scaffold beams or ‘cassettes’ that span the tracks, thereby protecting the workforce from any potential train fire as they use the access deck above.

Following in the footsteps of a string of successful installations at the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, Yeoman Shield products were again chosen as part of the refurbishment of the hospital’s Firth C & D floor corridors.With the need to refresh the interior walls and doors, as well as future proof them from further damage and marking, a variety of products from Yeoman Shield’s range were employed.Corridor doors, which are on the frontline when it comes to impact damage, were fitted out with Yeoman Shield Door Edge Protectors and PVCu clad glazing beads, both in a graphite colour. Contrasting Mid Grey Door Protection Panels were installed to both sides of the doors with vulnerable architrave and framework also protected by Yeoman Shield products.This comprehensive, fire rated, door protection system will extend the life cycle of expensive fire doors helping to keep them in good working order.Yeoman Shield Guardian Handrails in the same colour scheme were fitted along the hospital passageways. Bespoke metal brackets were manufactured by Yeoman Shield to implement the spanning of the rail over pillars though out a glazed corridor.Beneath the handrail 2mm thick FalmouthEx Wall Protection Panels were fixed to offer low level protection. A cream colour was chosen for the panels accompanied by Mid Grey Corner Protection Angles to keep a light and airy feel to the scheme.Pete Trenchard, who specified and project managed the scheme on behalf of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals added “When carrying out improvements and refurbishment of the corridors, in line with the STH standard colour scheme and standard fit out, I was keen to incorporate the Yeoman Shield range of products to achieve a long-term solution.“The specification of Yeoman Shield products on corridor walls, vulnerable corners, doors, frames & architraves, protects the fabric of the corridors without detracting from the visible aesthetic appearance expected of a hospital environment.“I worked closely with the Yeoman Shield team through the design and specification phase, drawing on their expertise to find a cost-effective fit for purpose solution. The site survey and installation offered a start to finish package which has been contributory to the successful and well received outcome of the project”.

Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro is the biggest hospital in Cornwall. The corridor needed updating quickly and required a durable solution to withstand high footfall and wheeled traffic in the area. Altro Cantata adhesive-free flooring was combined with Altro Fortis Titanium wall protection.

Haynes International Motor Museum in Sparkford, Somerset, United Kingdom, houses more than 400 cars and motorcycles. The museum opened in 1985 to showcase the personal collection of John Haynes OBE, publisher of Haynes Manuals. Charitable Trust museum management decided that the site was due for renovation. A two-plus year refurbishment resulted in a modernized museum that incorporates an S-shaped glass two-story foyer, and inside the numerous buildings, renovations continue to allow for more exhibits. Before the renovation, the museum had not incorporated fall protection anywhere onsite, but management saw the timing as appropriate for its introduction.

Ascent anchor posts were chosen to protect workers accessing the roof of the UK's highest building - the mountain café on the summit of Hafod Eryri (Mount Snowdon) at the heart of the Snowdonia National Park and Wales highest mountain at 1085m above sea level. The Ascent Anchor posts form the structural anchors to secure the Latchway mansafe guided type fall arrest system to the structure of the granite & oak clad building.

The Northern General Hospital in Sheffield chose Yeoman Shield fire rated door protection systems to refurbish doors in the Radiology Department. The configuration and refurbishment of the department was undertaken to improve patient flow, the overall environment and to rationalise inpatient and outpatient areas to satisfy privacy, dignity and capacity issues. Yeoman Shield’s (Harrison Thompson) directly employed fixing operatives, who have been assessed as being competent to install such passive fire-resistant products by FIRAS, installed fire rated door protection panels, PVCu clad Glazing Bead Units and Door Edge Protectors to various doors throughout the unit.

Designing, specifying and installing fire rated timber framed butt-jointed glazing is now easier with the assurance of a fully traceable supply chain with the launch of SYSTEMGLAS® Ligna by Promat, one of the country’s leading manufacturers of fire, thermal and acoustic solutions. Ligna gives designers the ideal balance of assured fire protection and maximum light transmission in all kinds of timber framed glazed partitions and screens. Ideal for offices, healthcare, education, retail and public sector applications, it has been tested to provide integrity and insulation (EI) fire protection from 30 minutes up to 60 minutes (EI30 to EI60).

Over time bricks can discolour and lose their lustre because of the impact of wet weather, air pollution or efflorescence. The result can have a detrimental effect on a building’s visual aesthetic, compromising the architect’s design vision and reducing the value of the property for the owner. Brick manufacturer, Vandersanden is the first company to develop a viable, large scale coating solution to provide superior protection against efflorescence as well as secondary protection against the effects of pollution.Vandersanden’s automated coating formulation makes facing bricks water-repellent and resistant to the effects of air pollution and efflorescence, ensuring façades remain beautiful and untarnished throughout their lifetime. This innovative and environmentally sustainable process which also makes it easier to clean the brick, if dirt or damage does occur, has now been fully rolled out across the entire Vandersanden hand-formed brick range available to UK specifiers.Vandersanden worked with Belgian University, KU Leuven, to develop the solution which treats bricks with a special coating after the firing process. The process penetrates to a depth from 5mm to 15mm whilst retaining the original colour of the brick.The liquids contain no harmful substances or chemicals that can damage the brick or the environment and is automatically applied at Vandersanden’s manufacturing facilities in Belgium and The Netherlands.A coated brick has exactly the same pore structure as a non-coated brick and the number of pores and their size remain the same. However, as the walls of the pores are covered with a water-repellent layer, the water droplets are no longer attracted to the walls and will not be absorbed. As the pores remain open, the bricks also retain their resistance to frost.Applying the coating during the production process, eliminates the need to coat the bricks with an applicator once they have been installed, which is a highly specialised and expensive process. It also reduces the often laborious and costly task of prepping the facade for a coating and the regular maintenance required.“Creating beautiful facades that will stand the test of time remains crucial for Vandersanden,” says Jean-Pierre Wuytack, CEO at Vandersanden. "Thanks to our commitment to innovation in product design and manufacturing, we can ensure a lifetime of colour-safe brick performance for architects and their clients. We are proud of our coated solution which demonstrates how Vandersanden is the natural partner for architects who care passionately about creating the very best, most long-lasting aesthetic for their buildings.”Vandersanden coated bricks come with a 25-year guarantee and the company has worked hard to ensure these bricks can be delivered at the same cost as non-coated bricks.Vandersanden produces a vast array of high-quality bricks in different finishes and colours, ranging from reds and browns, to greys, creams and buffs that will inspire and enable the design and construction of beautiful buildings.To find out more, register for our RIBA approved CPD #2 "How to avoid brick stains and efflorescence" here CPD – Continuing Professional Development | Vandersanden

Internally and externally waterproofing the below-ground developments of the extended Christian Dior store on New Bond Street, with Newton 403 HydroBond, Newton 107F and Newton System 500.New Bond Street has been one of the most prestigious retail streets in London since it’s 18th Century beginnings, and in 2011 was named as the second most expensive retail street in Europe after the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The Christian Dior name has also been synonymous with haute couture and luxury retail since its own inception in 1947.This project required both the internal and external waterproofing of the extended basement area of Christian Dior’s flagship London store. A significant extension of the existing floor space on this stretch of famous London road, the extensive basement area will be used as stock rooms, changing rooms, and staff and shop floor areas. It was therefore a crucial requirement to achieve a completely dry internal space.The property line construction between two existing buildings meant that there was a requirement for waterproofing both new and existing structural elements, including pile caps, underpinning, a new reinforced concrete slab, existing foundations, and also existing vaulted areas at the front of the building which extend below New Bond Street.Because a completely dry internal environment was required, (defined as Grade 3 by the BS 8102:2009 Code of Practice for The Protection of Below Ground Structures From Water From The Ground) the proposal put forward by design specialists G05, in consultation with Newton, was a combination of Type A and Type C waterproofing systems. Due to the fact that the build was between the flank walls of two existing structures, the Type A system comprised of a combination of the hydrophilic, fully-bonded Newton 403 Hydrobond membrane pre-applied below the new concrete slab, and was linked to the cementitious, flexible Newton 107F membrane, which was applied to the internal faces of the walls and the prepared internal areas of the vaults.Following the application of the Type A system, a Newton System 500 Cavity Drain membrane system (Type C) was applied to the internal wall and floor areas by Newton Specialist Basement Contractor Advanced Preservations Ltd, who also guaranteed the work. The system included perimeter drainage using Newton Basedrain, and two Newton Titan-Pro pumping systems. The under-pavement vaults were lined internally with the Newton 500 system.Not only was continuity achieved with the waterproofing systems across numerous below-ground building mediums and scenarios, but the waterproofing system also conformed to the recommendations of BS 8102:2009 for combined waterproofing protection, where even the slightest form of water ingress is unacceptable.The internal areas were also successful in achieving an environmental Grade 3 with regard to their degree of water tightness, meaning that they will be suitably fit for purpose and use by both Christian Dior’s staff and customers.

Location: BirminghamMain Contractor: Midgard LtdThe Octagon is a 155m tall residential skyscraper in Birmingham. The 49-storey tower will be the first residential octagonal high-rise building in the world and will deliver 370 quality homes in the heart of Birmingham.Each apartment will enjoy a generous 13-metre facet of the Octagon and a much larger than average outlook, bringing ample daylight into the ‘radial’ arrangement of the internal spaces.Quality Apartments : 370Storeys: 49

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

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

Yeoman Shield protection panels have been a great success at Springwell School in Hartlepool. The environment is safe, nurturing and stimulating, so that every child reaches their full potential with the help of Yeoman Shield products.Yeoman Shield protection panels have been an un-mitigating success at Springwell School in Hartlepool.The school caters for children aged 3 to 11 years who have a broad range of specialist needs and the vibrant and busy spaces can suffer from impact damage caused by the everyday activities of the students and staff.To counteract such damage and to keep the classroom and communal areas looking clean and welcoming the school have previously utilized Yeoman Shield FalmouthEx Wall and Door Protection Panels.Site Manager, Dean Henson commented “We already have Yeoman Shield protection panels on walls and doors in areas around the school, including the hall which can be used for many things ranging from a dining hall to activities hall. The panels have been in place for around 5 to 6 years and still look as good as new.”Having proved to be long lasting and durable the school decided to bring Yeoman Shield installers back during the February half term to continue the wall protection panels throughout corridors.Yeoman Shield 2.0mm thick FalmouthEx protection panels were supplied on this occasion in attractive mid grey and lilac colours with the addition of a waved top giving a decorative feel to the walls.Manufactured from a non- porous rigid PVCu the protection panels are not only easy to clean but are inherently hygienic as they do not promote the growth of bacteria or mould.As recognised by Springwell School the implementation of wall and door protection systems can reduce the amount of time and money spent on the repair and re-decoration of wall and doors throughout the buildings, extending the lifecycle of the interior decor.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) protects the security, independence and interests of the UK at home and abroad, working with its allies and partners whenever possible. The MOD needs to make sure that the armed forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work, and that all expenditure is kept within budget. Extensive assets of the MOD need to be maintained in a state of readiness at all times. It’s a round-the-clock task operated on an enormous scale, often in hazardous conditions and in extreme weather. An example of this is the maintenance of aircraft.

Keen to provide a safe and comfortable environment for their customers, Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff chose Yeoman Shield fire rated door protection products to help maintain and protect the condition of important fire doors.Owned by Live Nation, the concert and event venue receives over half a million visitors yearly resulting in the doors, situated both back and front of house, experiencing damage and unsightly marking from pedestrians and the movement of trolleys and equipment, etc. Not only can this have a detrimental effect on aesthetics but more importantly on the functioning of the fire door.To help protect from such damage Yeoman Shield’s directly employed fixing operatives installed door edge protectors as well as protective push plates to doors in back of house areas such as workshop, cutting room, and boiler cellars etc.Front of house doors, such as the entrances to the auditorium, which experience a huge amount of pedestrian traffic passing through, also had door edge protectors fitted along with half height door protection panels. Vulnerable glazing beads, were replaced with Yeoman Shield fire rated PVCu clad beads completing a comprehensive and durable door protection system that will withstand impact from hands, feet, bags and equipment well into the future.Manufactured from Yeoman Shield’s HessianEx material, the fire rated door protection products were supplied in black for a striking contrast to the colour schemes already in place within the arena.“I was impressed with the standard of work that was carried out by Yeoman Shield’s fixing operatives.“The doors certainly look cleaner and smarter and with the issuing of fire certificate evidence for all the products installed I am confident we will use Yeoman Shield products again.” Commented Marcus.

Ngurah Rai International Airport, which carries a unique and futuristic building design, is the first airport in Indonesia that blends modernity and tradition. The roof is shaped like a wave, giving the iconic airport a representation to Bali’s famous sea waves and beautiful beaches. The airport is designed with a substantial use of glass to achieve optimal lighting, and the climate means regular maintenance is required to prevent staining. A bespoke fall arrest system was designed to ensure operators are able to practice 100% Fall Arrest tie off work methods when conducting maintenance activities.

Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School based in Kingstanding, just outside Birmingham, took advantage of a quieter time, with the majority of pupils home schooling, to undertake interior wall protection work with Yeoman Shield. Catering for 700 pupils aged 11- 16 the school has corridors and break-out areas throughout the school where walls and corners especially are exposed to marking and impact damage caused by the everyday movement of pupils, staff and equipment.The damage not only detracts from the smart image the school strives to up hold in all areas, but also becomes a strain on the maintenance budget with constant requirements of repair and redecoration. With the aim to reduce such damage and expenditure, after research and receiving samples, Head Teacher, Robert Swanwick, contacted Yeoman Shield to supply and carry out the installation of a complete wall protection system.Following strict Covid guidelines throughout the process, Yeoman Shield’s directly employed fixing operatives installed Yeoman Shield FalmouthEx Wall Protection Panels, (after boarding-out some of the brickwork to provide an even finish), at 1250 mm high to corridor and dining areas in a Dusty Grey colour to complement artwork decoration applied to the upper walls.Staircase walls were also fitted with the wall protection panels with the addition of Yeoman Shield 50 mm Dia. Guardian Handrail in Timber with attractive Stainless Steel accessories.Vulnerable wall corners were protected with 75 x 75 mm corner protection in a matching colour and Yeoman Shield 110 mm White PVCu cover over a solid timber core skirting was added.This full Yeoman Shield wall protection system will abolish the future need for repainting walls and skirting with cleaning being the only maintenance required, reducing budgets spends. The rigid PVCu material that Yeoman Shield products are manufactured from are easy to clean, do not promote the growth of bacteria or mould and are not affected by the use of commercial cleaners, assisting in the up keep of high hygiene standards.Mr Swanwick commented “the quality of the product is exceptional. It has been installed for six months in some places and shows no signs of wear or tear yet. I also cannot speak highly enough of the professionalism of the installation teams, who understand the challenges of working in a school environment and get on with things quietly and efficiently. I am a very happy customer.”For more information on how installing wall & door protection products can help save on building maintenance and help keep interiors looking smart and clean get in contact on 0113 279 5854, info@yeomanshield.com or go to www.yeomanshield.com

Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants and technical specialists. It has participated in projects in over 160 countries, including some of the most prestigious architectural structures in the world, such as the Sydney Opera House, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the 2012 London Olympics. The majority of new and existing buildings require safe access to the roof area for ongoing building maintenance and to service specialist equipment. Arup regularly advises its clients on fall protection systems for this, and by working with MSA, they are able to meet the various requirements needed for their clients.

The fire protection of critical movement joints within the main floor slabs of the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Birmingham has consumed some 1,000 linear metres of FIREFLY™ TITAN Lite™ 120/60, as a well proven and widely specified passive fire protection product.

The steel framing system that was introduced in the UK to provide EI fire protection in butt jointed glazing is now available as a complete, safety-assured glazing system with the launch of the SYSTEMGLAS® Ferro range from Promat UK. SYSTEMGLAS® Ferro is a complete glazing system suited to contemporary interiors with the fire glass, steel framing, beading and setting blocks supplied directly by Promat for maximum traceability. It is installed exclusively by a network of approved installers to ensure total peace of mind for specifiers, backed with the confidence of Promat UK’s 360 degree wheel of assurance.

A client with a strong reputation for sustainable construction needed a flood defence system to protect a large substation in Croydon.UK Power Networks and ClancyUK Power Networks is responsible for electricity distribution and maintenance across London, the southeast and east of England. Clancy contracts for UK Power Networks refurbishing substations. Clancy was founded in 1958 and is now one of the largest privately owned construction firms in the UK. Its vision is to be “trusted to deliver smarter, greener infrastructure brilliantly.”The challengeClancy managed construction and implementation of the Andel flood defence system for UK Power Networks.Location: the substation is located within a flood risk area and is critical for maintaining electricity supply to thousands of homes and businesses.Sustainable: they wanted an environmentallyfriendly approach in line with their commitment to sustainability.Disruption: the aim was to protect transformers from flooding to maintain reliable electricity supplies to homes and businesses.Protection: they needed to protect the transformers from flooding to maintain network resilience.Inconvenience: they wanted a solution that would cause minimum disruption to the site allowing for continuity of service.Cost: they needed a cost-effective solution compared to the costs normally associated with traditional flood defences.The solution Andel FloodWall and Andel FloodBlox® Andel FloodWall is a cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative for perimeter flood defence and is suited to commercial, residential, new build and retrofit installations. Panels and posts are constructed from robust, 100% recycled, nonporous, post-industrial plastic waste.This means the substation now has:A sustainable, cost-effective and environmentallyfriendly system compared to traditional flood defence systems.A flood defence system with a lower carbon footprint compared to an all-concrete construction.A modular solution that was easy to transport and speedy to assemble on site with minimum disruption.A robust perimeter flood defence designed and tested to meet the requirements of British Standard BS 851188-1:2019 for Flood resistance products.Andel FloodBlox® is an easy-to-use, lightweight, demountable flood barrier for all types of openings such as gates, house doors, patio doors, garage doors, warehouse and factory doors as well as creating easy access within a perimeter flood defence wall.This means the substation now has:A lightweight, easy-to-use demountable flood barrier allowing easy access to the bund.Proven technology that uses the natural pressure and weight of floodwater to create a watertight seal.The result Sustainable: Panels and posts are constructed from 100% recycled, post-industrial plastic waste, reducing the carbon footprint compared to traditional allconcrete flood defences.Convenient: A modular, easy-to-assemble system causing minimal disruption to on-site operations as no heavy machinery was required.Effective: FloodWall and FloodBlox® provide a robust, tried and tested flood defence solution allowing easy access to protected areas.Cost: The modular and flexible system reduced installation time and delivered a cost-effective solution.Excellent communication: The on-site Andel team worked closely with the client, ensuring open and constructive dialogue with regular updates on progress and timescales.Added value: The project also included installation of Andel’s market-leading BundGuard® units, a bund dewatering solution previously supplied to the client and contractor on other sites.What the customer said;We made the right choice working with Andel on the UK Power Networks Croydon project. Andel has worked with Clancy before providing pollution prevention products and maintenance services for the electrical distribution sector.As a safeguard against the increasing risk of flooding, Andel were able to provide a sustainable and cost-effective solution for the Croydon substation, protecting UK Power Networks transformers from the risk of future flooding.Craig Aust, Project Manager, ClancyIt was great to work with Clancy on the UK Power Networks Flood Defence project at Croydon Substation. We were tasked with delivering a robust, reliable and environmentally sustainable solution to protect the transformers on site from the risk of flooding. Working closely with Clancy Project Manager, Craig Aust, we were able to navigate the project to deliver a solution that sat in line with their values of delivering quality and sustainable practices. We are delighted to have successfully delivered a flood defence system that ensures the transformers are protected from the ever-increasing risk of flooding. 

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.

Northamptonshire based DC Fire Protection Ltd., a long-term customer of TBA FIREFLY™, has employed the manufacturer’s ZEUS Lite™ system to create a 90:30 minutes’ fire barrier within the first floor ceiling void of a commercial property in London’s Hyde Park area.

Assured passive fire protection for a spectacular central atrium in Dublin city centre’s largest and most prestigious new commercial development has been provided by over 300m2 of Promat SYSTEMGLAS® Ferro. The system was selected thanks to its 360 degree ‘wheel of assurance’, which ensures all the fire resistant glazing screens are checked for compliance at every stage from design and specification, through manufacture and installation. The proven butt-jointed, steel framed fire resistant glazing system has been used to create all the glass screens which encapsulate the atrium at the heart of No. 1 Dublin Landings.

Specifiers looking to minimise maintenance requirements yet maximise cleanliness need look no further than Crown Trade’s innovative Clean Extreme Anti-Bacterial Scrubbable Matt. Clean Extreme Anti-Bacterial Scrubbable Matt is enhanced through the use of the independently tested SteriTouch® silver ion technology which not only inhibits the growth of any bacteria that comes into contact with the surface, but also prevents bacteria from multiplying. Unlike other anti-bacterial paints that can be prone to the problem of leaching, the ‘built-in’ silver ion protection can’t be washed off no matter how many times the surface is scrubbed clean.

Castell High School in Flintshire supplies co-education to 1300+ students promoting strong levels of well-being.The original school building was established in 1958 and as the student intake grew extensions were built in 1974 and 1992 to accommodate.2021 saw the latest extension, Y Celtec building, completed. Problems soon became apparent with the walls within the new area being clean and damage free.The school’s Site supervisor, Paul Muncey explained “Keeping the white painted walls clean was becoming a nightmare for our cleaning team and within 12 months of the building coming into use the walls along the corridors required repainting.”Business Manager Emma Manning had come across Yeoman Shield wall protection solutions in a previous position and got in touch with regards to protecting the new building’s wall before the impact damage became too great.Yeoman Shield directly employed fixing operatives installed Mid-Grey FalmouthEx, 2500 x 1250 mm wall protection panels along the corridor walls.The panels once in place not only protect from damage but are easy to clean down and will prove over the years to reduce repair and maintenance costs. They also look good sustaining a bright, clean, and welcoming environment for staff and pupils at all times.Paul Muncey concluded, “I was very pleased with the quality of work provided by the Yeoman Shield installers who showed consideration to the environment that they were working in.”

Protecting detection systems is vital to fire safety with only a functioning smoke alarm able to protect you in an emergency.Landlord regulations and Government policesLandlords have responsibilities to keep tenants safe in their properties by providing functioning life safety equipment.Regulations introduced in 2015 require private sector landlords to ensure they ‘have at least one smoke alarm installed on every storey of their properties’ as a legal requirement.There is also a proposed change to this regulation, coming into effect later this year, which will mean social housing is also included, making it mandatory that all rented accommodation must have working smoke alarms fitted. It will also be compulsory for landlords to repair or replace any faulty alarms as soon as they are made aware of defects.Fines up to £5000To protect their tenant, it is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure detectors are fitted and working at the start of every new tenancy agreement. Failure to comply with The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations introduced in 2015 can result in a hefty fine of up to £5000.One exasperated landlord wrote online that in one of his properties “Two of the detector heads have been tampered with, presumably so that the tenants can smoke in their rooms”. Consequently, this had been causing false fire alarms and it is up to the landlord to repair or replace the alarm.In some extreme cases, landlords have discovered that smoke alarms have been removed all together from properties, due to disturbances when cooking, smoking, etc. It is then up to the landlord to replace the alarm, and so it is advisable to invest in measures to prevent the alarms removal; some recommendations have been made in government legislations such as BS 5839-6:2019.Ultimately, landlords should feel obligated to ensure regular testing of smoke alarms and the replacement of batteries in their properties to reduce the risk of void insurance or a remedial notice. Simply testing smoke alarms can also help to prevent any danger to tenants and damage to properties should a fire occur.BS 5839-6:2019The latest recommendations in BS 5839-6:2019 are primarily concerned with saving lives and reducing injuries caused by fire, but also covers reducing property damage, which can be extremely costly to landlords in the case of fires.The guidance in BS 5839-6:2019 suggests that in environments such as HMOs, where multiple occupants can be disturbed by false alarms, landlords could alter their smoke alarms systems to have delays before the signal is sent to all tenants for the occupier to investigate the cause. This can help to reduce complacency during false fire alarms or the temptation to dangerously compromise smoke alarms.The recommendation also states that landlords should seek alternative smoke alarms that can alert to intervention or disablement of the alarm in the event of tenants continually tampering.Tenants’ responsibilityAlthough it is the landlords legal duty to provide working smoke alarms in all properties, tenants must not tamper with smoke alarm, remove them, cover them up or in any other way damage or prevent them from operating in their intended manner. Failure to comply with this could result in the tenant facing a substantial fine, or termination of their tenancy agreement.It falls to the tenants to take their own safety into consideration and should contact landlords if there are any issues with smoke alarms, such as false fire alarms, so their landlord can test and replace the batteries, or alarms themselves if necessary. Preventing alarms from effectively detecting fires can result in fatal incidents and also fines for misconduct falling to the tenants.One student at Edinburgh University covered the smoke alarm in his room with bubble wrap whilst living in student accommodation. Preventing the smoke detector from working effectively proved a dangerous mistake when a fire started in his room and he had to be pulled to safety after being found struggling to escape the flames while the building was being evacuated. As a consequence for this reckless behaviour, he was fined and ordered to pay £1000 in compensation after being arrested and pleading guilty.Steel Web Stoppers®  Safety Technology International is a specialist manufacturer of a range of fire, safety and security products; their wire cages help to prevent tampering with essential life safety equipment, such as smoke alarms.STI’s Steel Web Stoppers®  are designed to protect against vandalism, misuse and damage to smoke and fire detectors. Constructed from plastic coated, heavy-duty galvanised steel rod, the Steel Web Stoppers can withstand the severest of abuse from vandalism or accidental damage. It also prevents tampering with the alarm, without hindering legitimate use, therefore still allowing the landlord to service the device and replace batteries when appropriate.

American software giant Adobe has opted for C-TEC’s innovative SigTEL disabled refuge system at its impressive UK Headquarters in Maidenhead, Surrey.With its powerful controllers and extensive arrangement of fire telephone and disabled refuge outstations, the system is central to protecting the state-of-the-art UK offices of one of the world’s most successful software and technology-based companies. However, according to David King, Installation Manager at Niscayah Group, the company that completed the project at Market House, the installation was far from straightforward as the building already had a SigTEL disabled refuge system installed on one floor which needed to be connected to new equipment so to create one large system for the entire four-storey building.Said David: “The challenge was to interface an additional Master Controller and various outstations to the equipment already in operation. To achieve this we temporarily suspended the system and used C-TEC’s new EVC423 software to completely reprogram it once the new Controller and outstations had been installed.”Although specifically designed for the programming of larger SigTEL systems, C-TEC’s new EVC423 is also excellent for programming smaller disabled refuge/emergency voice evacuation systems.Said David: “The software proved to be a lifesaver on this particular project as it enabled us to program the entire system from scratch very quickly reducing system downtime. The fact that you can edit outstation/extension names using a PC makes programming so much quicker and easier”As a result, Market House now has a fully operational disabled refuge/emergency voice evacuation system. In an emergency situation, the system will enable clear two-way communication between building management and people located in the refuge areas to, firstly, assist rescue teams in finding people and, secondly, to let stranded people know that help is on the way.Based in London, Niscayah Group is a subsidiary of Swedish-headquartered Niscayah AB (formerly known as Securitas Systems AB). Specialising as an integrator, the company offers complete fire and security solutions for customers with high demands for security and efficient solutions.