"liquid fuel tanks"

GreenCoat® PLX from steel manufacturer SSAB. Highly durable GreenCoat® products feature a bio-based coating whereby a substantial portion of Swedish rapeseed oil replaces the dependency on fossil fuel oils. A patented solution reducing the environmental footprint making GreenCoat® the market’s greenest steel for roofs and façades. GreenCoat PLX was developed together with tinsmiths and has quickly become “The Roofer’s Choice”. This formable steel can be worked at temperatures below -15°C and is backed up by a 50-year technical guarantee.

The finish to the asbestos roof and asbestos cladding on this property was faded and the roof leaked in several places, along with the gutter. Liquasil's silicone roof coating, Asbestoseal, was chosen to seal the roof and dramatically improve the aesthetic appearance using specially made RAL colours to the match the original finishes. The asbestos cement gutter was also lined with the Liquasil liquid gutter liner to form a permanent, bonded solution.

Ceramic tiling contractors P.Plunkett recommended Howe Green Medium Duty 7500 Series 316 Grade Stainless Steel Floor Access Covers as a reliable and safe solution for accessing the pool sumps and pool balance tanks located beneath the tiling in the pool areas at East Riding Leisure Centre. Nine 7500 Series access covers were fitted into the ceramic tiled floor around the pool surround and infilled with antislip porcelain floor tiles to provide a flush finish, that is functional and aesthetically pleasing. The 316 grade stainless steel cover is non-corrosive and will not rust, even in a swimming pool environment.

The Tate Modern’s Switch House is a new pyramid-shaped tower is built above the former power station’s subterranean oil tanks. The extension, which can be seen as you approach from the north, comprises ten floors that become incrementally smaller towards the top of the tower and culminates in a spectacular public roof terrace. Visitors to the roof are rewarded with 360-degree views of the river Thames, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London skyline, and you can see as far as Tower Bridge, the Old Bailey and Wembley Stadium.Radmat Building Products supplied a waterproofing solution to roof and viewing platform on the newly opened extension.

The 2014 Commonwealth Games’ swimming competition was played out at Tollcross International Swimming Centre. In anticipation of the games, the centre’s facilities underwent a complete refurbishment. Some of the screed below the tiles on the main competition pool floor had separated from the concrete pool tank. The entire floor needed to be re-laid. Glasgow City Council Scott hired, Tilecraft, a specialist tiling works company that delivers high quality tiles, to lay the tiles and specified products from ARDEX UK. A fast track solution which would produce high quality results was needed, and ARDEX UK seemed the logical choice.

The designer obtained consent under the latest SuDS regulations in the densely build area of London. Restriction on outflow rates to sewers demanded high attenuation. The original design for stormwater attenuation involved discharging tanks under the ground. This was expensive and took up valuable space, an alternative was required. ABG proposed their Blueroof system which could be installed directly on to the hot melt waterproofing system allowing various surface finishes. Due to height limitations a cascade system was used. Various roof finishes included paved access, landscaped areas and bio diverse to attract wildlife. This increased the potential for BREEAM points.

Bury St Edmunds Train Station required building envelope works due to the ageing condition of Grade II listed building managed by Walker Construction. A significant issue was water damage caused by water ingress through an inefficiently waterproofed roof, invasive plant species growing through brickwork, and debris around drainage points.The solution:AlphaGuard PUMA Liquid Applied Flat Roof System

Project BackgroundHoe Bridge School is an independent co-educational pre-prep and prep school in Woking, Surrey. The sports hall had been heated by an old radiant system supplied some 35 years ago. The old system was past economical repair so the school decided to invest in a brand new radiant heating system. Contractor, ABS Ltd had over the years maintained the facility, so the school looked to them for advice on replacement equipment. Powrmatic were approached by ABS Ltd and undertook a thorough survey of the sports hall, with a view of replacing the old system with a new Powrmatic SRP – PCV continuous radiant tube system.Project SolutionAlthough the concept of the new heating system is very similar to the old one, there are sound reasons for the like-for-like type replacement. Radiant heating in sports halls is well established as it provides an environment of uniform heat coverage without stuffiness where sports activities can be performed in complete comfort.The new Powrmatic SRP – PCV continuous radiant tube system comprised two radiant branches, each 22m long, down the length of the hall, each branch containing 2 x PCV 23kW burners, all feeding to a vacuum fan to extract the products of combustion. This arrangement virtually mimicked the original layout to reduce the installation time and costs.Project ResultGas fired continuous radiant tube heating is a proven type product being the most appropriate solution for the challenge presented by sports halls, maintaining comfort levels whilst minimising fuel usage and carbon emissions.The SRP-PCV system combusts fuel at the point of use and has the capability of modulating down to 60% of high fire whilst maintaining efficiency but reducing fuel consumption. The Powrmatic SRP-PCV system is designed and manufactured in accordance with BS EN 17175:2019 for Multi-Burner Systems and incorporates a patented burner metering device.The Powrmatic SRP-PCV & PCV+ systems have been validated following review against government approved high performing energy efficiency criteria, with a Seasonal Space Heating Energy Efficiency (SSHEE) of greater than 90%, thus allowing inclusion onto the ETL (Carbon Trust, Energy Technology List). This high efficiency reduces energy usage, operational costs and carbon emissions.

The Brackmills Gateway development is a brownfield site with 3 speculative units being prepared for use from Q3 2022. Providing a total of 820,000 sq ft of warehousing space.  Marsh Industries has provided 5 EN858 compliant Hydroil Separators to the site in early 2022.2no Bypass Separators provide treatment to 10% of peak flow in areas with a lower risk of pollution to the environment. Whilst 3no Full Retention Separators treat the full flow of the designated catchment area, thus preventing high risk fuel spillage areas from polluting the local environment.

Part of an energy efficiency drive, the landlord aimed to reduce carbon emissions and the effects of fuel poverty on 96 units in 8 blocks at Hornby Flats, Liverpool. Triple-glazed PVC-U windows and doors using the Profile 22 70mm system by Walsall-based Approved Window Contractor Select Windows, with extensive experience in social housing. Profile 22 worked closely with Select Windows and One Vision Housing, facilitating the entire process from conception to completion. The project was completed on-time and in budget. One Vision Housing was able to future-proof, while improving the quality of living for tenants.

Kings Cross Package 4. The tanking material had to succeed where the specified competiton fell short : all weather installation; self-healing/sealing capabilities; one product application ; mechanical not chemical bond to concrete. It also had to meet the specified requirements of BS8102 1990 Grade 4. The solution was 8000m2 of Voltex, containing zero VOC, installed in almost any weather conditions to green concrete, and proven effective on both new and remedial waterproofing projects worldwide. Aided by CETCO holding both ISO 14001 & 9001, and the properties of Voltex, the project achieved its CEEQUAL award, scoring above 75%, and rating Excellent.

Royal Marsden HospitalBauder LiquiTOP cold applied liquid waterproofing systemSynopsisThe Royal Marsden Hospital located in Surrey, established by Dr William Marsden, 1851 for the treatment and research into cancer.Bauder Building BoardProject:Royal Marsden HospitalProject type:RefurbishmentLocation:Sutton, SurreyWaterproofing:LiquiTOP Roof size:315m²Specifier:Blenheim Roofing Services LtdApproved contractor:Blenheim Roofing Services Ltd

Calor provides efficient and reliable energy to power your manufacturing processes. Follow the link to explore how we specified LPG as the closest alternative to mains gas for one of our clients, Seven Bro7hers Brewing Co. ''The building itself doesn’t have the services or infrastructure in place to support the supply of natural gas, which meant this wasn’t an option for us. Needing a fuel supply versatile enough to cope with all aspects of brewing, we then began scoping out alternatives. It has here where we got in touch with Calor, who were able to support our business through the supply of LPG."

This new-build house was in a remote location and off-grid for mains gas, the house was to be heated by a heat pump and so efficiency was a major consideration for the project. The Lewis Deck system was chosen for the 1st floor of the building to provide the same efficiencies for the underfloor heating as the concrete ground floor as well as providing a high level of acoustic separation for this quality timber frame project. The build-up included the Lewis flanking and resilient strips, Lewis Deck, Anhydrite liquid screed and underfloor heating pipes.

The implementation of the Future Homes Standard (FHS) policy to move away from fossil fuels to heat UK homes again highlights the need to rethink how well insulated properties could and should be. Most new build and refurbished homes could be insulated to a much greater standard than the current Building Regulations specify whilst providing more floor space, through more widespread use of advanced vacuum insulation panels (VIPs). This insulation technology, which was pioneered by Promat more than a decade ago, delivers superior thermal performance without the thickness usually associated with panels for cavities, flooring, roofing, balconies and terraces.

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

Built on a self-build development site at Graven Hill in Bicester, where every property is different, this house utilises a number of different design styles and is constructed from an ICF system called Durisol Blocks. The first floor is constructed using the Lewis Deck and includes sound separation, underfloor heating and wet-rooms. It is common for the 1st floor to see a liquid screed installed over the deck, however for this project the client just ordered a little additional of the concrete being poured down the walls to complete the floors.

Sika's full suit of products helped with waterproofing the scalloped roof at the campus. A combination of Sike Sarnafils waterproof Single Ply membrane, as a flexible and robust membrane, and Sikalastic- 621, as a highly-durable elastic liquid polyurethane system, was used. As well as the roof refurbishment, concrete repairs were also carried out with the use of Sika MonoTop-615 and Sikagard - 550. For the steel reinforcement Sika FerroGard-903 was also used. The refurbishment of the buliding was a great project for Sika to work on as it had solutions for each aspect of the project.

In partnership with Inspired washrooms, Franke Water Systems UK have provided stainless steel hand sanitiser dispensers to Didsbury Road School, Stockport to encourage hand hygiene when the pupils return. Franke Water Systems were thrilled to provide Dart Valley branded AC00-050 free standing sanitiser dispensers for the entrance of the school before children returned on. The DVS branded touch-free hand sanitiser station is a floor standing dispenser with a premium stand. Manufactured from quality materials, this dispenser is perfect for environments with high footfall such as schools, universities, and other education facilities. The sturdy touch-free design comes with a large sanitiser tank and is battery operated, offering a touch-free, easy to install and low maintenance solution.  

This microbrewery needed floor drainage that could be custom made to fit around their brewing equipment, and manage high flow rates and even higher temperatures. Long-lasting quality was key for this fast paced, pedestrian heavy environment.BLÜCHER facilitated the design of an L shaped channel in grade 304 stainless steel, complete with a mesh grating. This bespoke channel allows ease of access to all the brewing tanks within the area, without comprising on flow rate or heat resistance.The installation of the custom L shaped channel has met the unique requirements of the customer. With its ability to handle high flow rates, withstand high temperatures, fit seamlessly into the brewing setup and endure pedestrian traffic, the brewery is now fully prepared to withstand day-to-day brewing operations.

Grade II listed hotel in the heart of the City of LondonHyatt Regency London Blackfriars is located in the historic Square Mile, directly outside Blackfriars station, and is a short stroll from St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The Grade II-listed five-star hotel is steeped in regal history, residing on the former grounds of King Henry VIII's Bridewell Palace.195 rooms had wedi XPS shower tray formers (the wedi Fundo Riolito neo) featuring a linear drainage channel with continuous slope right to the channel and more flexible adjustment for tiling. Providing a complete abP-approved, CE marked and BBA accredited waterproof system, removing the need for labour intensive tanking because no further sealing is required.

Liberty Point is a large student accommodation building positioned in a prime location in Southampton, close to the marina and city centre. The old asphalt and felt coverings had begun to display defects including splits, blisters and delamination; through which water ingress was occurring.The property management company responsible for the maintenance of the buildings decided to act quickly and find a permanent solution to the leaking that could be installed without disruption to the busy students living there.The SolutionPolyroof’s Protec System was decided upon as the best option due to the numerous details that would have to be encapsulated on the roof area. There is no liquid system that can do this quicker or more effectively than Protec; its unique RapidCure technology sees it turn from a liquid to a robust and flexible membrane that can be walked on after 30-60 minutes following application. Furthermore, its ability to coat an old roof without the need for stripping existing means that installations can be carried out within stringent time frames and with minimum disruption.CompletionWilliams Roofing Contractors Ltd, a highly experienced Polyroof approved contractor, carried out the installation. The quality of the workmanship coupled with the right choice of roofing material made for a superior refurbishment solution that remedied all the existing issues. The client was delighted with the finished roof and will have guaranteed peace of mind for decades to come.

Canberra HouseBauder Cold Applied LiquiTOP SystemSynopsisCanberra House is an office facility in Swindon. The existing single ply PVC waterproofing system roof was leaking and so Bauder carried out a full site survey. The resultant report gave the client several options to rectify the leaking roof.Bauder Building BoardProject nameCanberra HouseLocationSwindonProject typeRefurbishmentRoof size985m²SpecifierRapleys LLP (Bristol)Approved contractorCentral Roofing & Building Services LimitedThe specificationThe LiquiTOP system was chosen as it can be applied directly to the prepared and primed existing single ply covering. The liquid system allowed us to get into tight spaces and without the need for any hot works.LiquiTOP is excellent on refurbishment projects where the complexity of the roof involves intricate areas to be detailed that are not easily achieved with a sheet membrane, or the actual working space on the roof is constricted.Project challengesLarge areas of plant and machinery were situated just above the roof level making access to the areas below difficult with the plant in-situ. The available budget on this project did not allow for lifting or removing the plant, stripping the existing waterproofing system, and replacing with new. Therefore, the decision was made to overlay the existing single ply membrane with a cold applied liquid waterproofing which can be installed without the need to raise any plant.To overcome drainage challenges, secondary upstands were created under the plant and fabricated channels placed underneath allowing water to flow through to the drainage points.The resultBauder was able to offer a cost-effective solution without the necessity to remove or decommission the roof mounted plant and machinery. Cost reductions were achieved for the client by overlaying the existing roof, negating any need to strip existing materials, and not having to remove or raise the plant.The works were carried out by Central Roofing who manged the project impeccably and also finished ahead of schedule.System installedBauder Cold Applied LiquiTOP System1 LiquiTOP PU cold applied liquidA moisture triggered curing polyurethane waterproofing resin; applied in 2 coats, reinforced with Bauder LiquiTOP Glass Fibre Mat.

GreenCoat PLX Pural BT from steel manufacturer SSAB. Highly durable GreenCoat products feature a bio-based coating whereby a substantial portion of Swedish rapeseed oil replaces the dependency on fossil fuel oils. A patented solution reducing the environmental footprint making GreenCoat the market’s greenest steel for roofs and façades. This formable steel can be worked at temperatures below -15°C and is backed up by a 50-year technical guarantee. GreenLine® colour matched rainwater goods are made from GreenCoat RWS and offer the perfect finish to any project large or small. Easy to install using rubber sealed connection joints. GreenLine® rainwater goods are offered with a 30-year guarantee.

The new hospital was designed to combine a highly efficient clinical layout with a stunning external appearance. Set in beautifully landscaped grounds, it captures the essence of the original tuberculosis hospital that is today’s pioneering heart and lung treatment and transplant centre of excellence.The 40,000sqm hospital has 310 beds, six operating theatres and six catheterisation labs.Shield Membranes supplied materials for all external areas, including two of our BBA accredited ShieldTEC Hotmelt and ShieldSEAL Liquid Applied waterproofing systems as well as our ShieldBROWN living roof system.

The existing waterproofing had failed due to a previous poor installation, the result of which saturated the insulation below the exterior roofing. New high performance solutions were specified that included a range of IKO roofing waterproofing systems to protect both the flat and pitched roofing areas of the building. IKOslate, a robust and durable tile was specified for the pitched roof due to vandalism and the fragility of the current system, whereas a tapered scheme was required for the flat roofing - IKO Ultra Prevent alongside a cold applied liquid solution (IKO Polimar) for the more intricate details.

Abode was the tap designer of choice to inject eco-luxe convenience to a unique water tower restoration project in Castle Acre, Norfolk with Pronteau: a high-specification range of steaming hot water taps. Paul Illingworth, Design Manager at Abode says, “We were delighted to be a part of this project alongside property owner Dennis Pedersen and Tonkin Liu Architects, as they meticulously came together to reimagine a derelict industrial water tank into a contemporary, family home. Dennis purchased the water tower at auction for £20,000 in 2015, and then project-managed all the building work himself to save money and realize Tonkin Liu’s architectural vision with the help of a local builder. Following the addition of a new CLT timber tower and careful infilling, the original water tank is now an open-plan kitchen living space complete with Pronteau Propure 4 IN 1 steaming hot water tap in ultra-fashionable Urban Copper finish. As the property needs to cater to a family of four, the additional breakfast room on the second floor, is also designed with a Pronteau Propure 4 IN 1, to ensure the height of convenience, design continuity and eco luxury in the modern home and living space.”  The 160 sqm Water Tower project, is testament to the increasing demand and complexity in personalised building projects across the UK. As the trend for flexible kitchen living is a key focus for today’s multi-generational homes, homeowners want to make sustainable choices wherever possible. Pronteau by Abode is the ideal way to combine high function design with a superior style, heightened level of safety and sustainable consideration in reducing the consumption of plastic bottled mineral water.  “We believe that safety goes hand in hand in interior design and construction, which is why we continually invest in new product development to ensure our designs are fit for purpose. As a practical example, our exclusive Filter Recycle Scheme enables end users to return redundant filters directly to us for recycling.”

This leading residential housing developer, required a new surface for the car park at its headquarters. It was a large site, with around 200 parking spaces for staff and visitors. The new surface would need to withstand the impact of regular vehicle movement and the abrasion caused by power assisted turning. The surface would also be used by larger vehicles making deliveries. Tarmac’s ULTIDRIVE asphalt was chosen as the solution. Designed to resist the long term effects of daily vehicle movement, ULTIDRIVE is a high performance asphalt with a smooth and highly durable finish. An advanced modified binder provides improved resistance to scuffing and abrasion from power-assisted turning. It also reduces softening in hot weather. ULTIDRIVE also provides enhanced resistance to temporary fuel and oil spills compared to conventional asphalt.

West Kirby railway station’s 1930s platform canopy was long overdue refurbishment. Whitesales were brought in by Briggs Amasco, Network Rail’s roofing contractor, to design, manufacture and install a series of non-fragile rooflights for the 900sq m replacement roof. After our initial roof survey, we specified bespoke polycarbonate Em-Vault continuous barrel vault rooflights. They’re compatible with the chosen Sika Liquid Plastics roofing system and have light transmission of up to 88%. The standard mill finish frame would keep costs low and blend with the canopy's concrete finish.

Digbeth One 2 is a large development of modern apartments located in Digbeth, a thriving and rapidly developing area close to Birmingham City Centre with a mix of high-rise housing, restaurants, arts and technology businesses.With around 20,000m2 of floor area to finish with screed, a flooring solution was required that could be installed quickly and efficiently in line with the build programme.The fast-drying times and early trafficking characteristics of TOPFLOW Screed A FD liquid anhydrite screed enabled fast installation and allowed other trades to follow on quickly, providing continuity and efficiency within the client’s build programme.

The former ToysRUs premises in Luton required complete refurbishment and part of the project involved renovation of the metal roof. Liquasil's BBA Approved Metalseal 20 system was specified because it includes the advanced, SWT Primer to treat cut edge and spot corrosion in-situ. The metal gutters were lined with Liquasil's Gutterseal, seamless liquid gutter lining system. Upon completion of the metal roof coating project, the unique, Liquasil Latent Defects Insurance Guarantee was issued. The Liquasil guarantee includes cover for Professional Design, meaning that you can specify Liquasil products with 100% confidence.

With over 160 years of business, Boots is one of the oldest and most trusted brands on the British high street. Its roots have been firmly based in Nottingham, which is also the home of Ash Door Furniture. Boots began as a local herbalist store and rapidly grew into the country’s largest chemists’ chain.Boots has pioneered the creation of affordable, reliable products, designed to make people look and feel good. Its emphasis on customer care has helped to make it one of the most trusted brands on the high street.These ASH103 handles are perfect for the high footfall that Boots stores receive because of their strong and robust design. They chose to powder coat the handles to align with their brand identity. Powder coating can also be used to create contrast within the look of the entrance. Because powder coating does not have a liquid carrier, it can produce thicker coatings than conventional liquid coatings without running or sagging, and powder coating produces minimal appearance differences between horizontally coated surfaces and vertically coated surfaces.Here at ASH we strive to produce high quality British made products suitable for commercial applications on many different door types.From high footfall retail units to Boutique hotels - we have it covered when it comes to creating an entrance that is welcoming and functional.Did you know Boots was also founded in Nottingham? We are proud to provide the handles for a brand not so far from home!

How to incorporate a fire or stove installation into a self-build project.By Niall Deiraniya, UK general manager, DRU FiresAlways ask for the fireplace specification at the design stage. Modern gas fires and wood stoves require careful planning in order to work as part of the general home heating system.Gas, wood or other fuels?Decide which fuel type best suits your home. Modern gas fires have realistic flame pictures and are much more energy efficient than older models.Wood stoves and fires also have greatly improved energy efficiency due to Ecodesign regulations. The only downside is that there is much more work involved with buying and storing the wood and cleaning the stove after use.Both gas and wood have room sealed options. This means that no air from inside the home is used for combustion and all waste emissions are expelled outside, resulting in clean burning and high efficiency.Finally, sustainable fuels such as Bioethanol produce a very attractive flame picture, burn cleanly with no smell or emissions and are available in a large selection of design formats. Built-in or freestandingIf you are converting a house with an existing chimney, you may wish to retain the chimney, to incorporate a more modern fire. Conventional flue gas fires are designed to fit seamlessly into standard chimneys and require minimal building work. The chimney will almost certainly need sweeping before installation and the fire may require a chimney liner for essential safety.Most wood fires are also designed for chimney installation and make full use of the air circulation properties to provide visually attractive and energy efficient fires. You can either elect for a basic ‘insert’ fire, which matches the dimensions of a Class 1 chimney or a widescreen model, which will require some structural changes.Freestanding stoves are very popular, as they offer greater flexibility of location and provide dramatic room features. They are available in gas, wood or bioethanol and generally need a flue connection to an outside wall or through the roof. No chimney optionsContemporary balanced flue gas fires are designed to be installed without a chimney, so you can incorporate them almost anywhere in a self-build project. However, they still need to be specified at the earliest possible stage. A typical installation will require the fire to be flued through an outside wall, with the flue concealed behind a false chimneybreast. Fires can be located in room-dividing walls and other architectural features so they can be seen from both sides. You can also enjoy fires in kitchens, bedrooms, loft conversions and many other places. These types of installations are made possible by extended, fan-assisted balanced flue systems. They allow for multiple fires to be placed in larger properties, with the flues hidden in crawl spaces and other discreet areas, terminating on the roof.In conclusion, the secret to having attractive and energy efficient fires and stoves in any self-build project is design, plan, cost and implement. And always consult a fully qualified Gas Safe or HETAS engineer.For further information visit www.drufire.com

At a Glance:New £253m resettlement prison required complete and secure cabling infrastructureManufacture and off site build of completed chambers reduced onsite labour by one third minimising COVID / H&S risksLighter, recyclable materials cut fuel use, accelerated installation and reduced environmental impactHMP Five Wells has won 15 major industry awardsThe ClientKier (www.kier.co.uk) is a leading UK construction and infrastructure services company, providing specialist design and build capabilities for vital economic and social building projects across the UK. Kier was awarded the contract by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for a new build resettlement prison in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire – as part of their New Prisons Programme. The aim of the programme is to reform and modernise the prison estate to provide more safe, secure and functional prison places focused on supporting rehabilitation.The ChallengeKier needed a cable access infrastructure that could satisfy the extremely secure access requirements of a prison environment spanning a 36-acre site.Over 1100 components were supplied to ensure a fully secure cable access system with features such as custom cabling.Kier’s goals for efficiency and cost-effectiveness, as well as for environmental sustainability and social responsibility, is in line with their brand values.The site required a simplified installation, reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions solution that would both endure and be recyclable at the end of their life. The benefits of Kier’s approach came to the fore during the COVID-19 pandemic.As Kier’s project director Rob Stanton explains, ‘new ways of working and offsite manufacture were embraced to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on project delivery’.The SolutionUsing polypropylene products from Clark-Drain, via subcontractor Mitchellson, significantly reduced the weight of the components as compared to traditional concrete. This removed the need for lifting equipment, reduced the on-site labour required (and the attendant health and safety risks), and dramatically shortened the installation time on this £253 million project.From a sustainability point of view, too, these lighter components scored highly, not only in respect of reduced fuel consumption and end-of-life recyclability, but also in terms of provenance, robustness, and therefore long-life durability.Clark-Drain also made several prior visits to site to assess the project requirements, and, based on these early engagements, added further value by designing, building and deploying, in relatively short timeframes, two new chamber bellmouths, to protect below-ground cabling. The bellmouths enable cables to be easily routed within the inner chamber walls during installation by site operatives, but also enable ducts to be securely housed and connected, inside the chamber walls, prior to concrete backfill being applied during installation. Clark-Drain manufactures over 70% of its products inhouse, including the completed chambers, which were manufactured and built offsite at its yard in Yaxley, Peterborough.Demonstrating its commitment to social value and equitability throughout, Kier also involved its Digital Apprentice trainees in the project, and created a project bank account to ensure easier and quicker supplier payment.Outcomes and ResultsThe figures speak for themselves:Cable access for the project is being assembled 22% faster than if traditional construction methods had been usedLighter materials meant that one third less labour was required on-site to install the chambersSurveys were carried out 70% faster using dronesMillions are being saved on post-project snagging using cloud-based review and QA technologiesThe project has won 15 major industry awardsAnd as for the environmental benefits, long life and recycling apart, the polypropylene chambers are only 38% of the density of concrete, greatly reducing the project’s fuel consumption and carbon emissions.Rebecca Wade, Bid Director at Kier, describes the project’s successes: ‘Thanks to the deployment of agile digital methods and next-generation suppliers, we are delivering efficiently and cost-effectively, whilst respecting our commitments to our society, our community, and our planet.’For more information on how Clark-Drain can help your business deliver robust, cost-effective, environmentally responsible cable access solutions, no matter how big or small your project, get in touch.

RAF Akrotiri is home to the Cyprus Operations Support Unit providing joint support to British Forces Cyprus and operations in the region to protect the UK’s strategic interests.The base was opened in 1955 to initially relieve the pressure on the main RAF station on the island, and has since grown into a forward thinking training unit. However, back in October 2015 the RAF base was subject to many reports when 114 refugees landed at the British Sovereign base; a critical front line station for the MOD and Royal Air Force.The BriefIn order to detect, deter and delay any potential threat, the client had a number of requirements to meet the increasing level of security for the base.Increase protection of assets and personnel with their security fence line.Approved for Government Use fencing system.Provide a robust solution to stand up against the rigours of daily life and exposure to harsh aviation fuels.

Resurfacing was required for this busy supermarket and public car park serving Billericay town centre. In addition to replacing the old surface, works included reconfiguring the layout with additional parent & child and disabled parking bays and the creation of pedestrian walkways with clear demarcation. Tarmac’s ULTIDRIVE 6mm asphalt was selected as it has a close texture finish to provide a surface that is both durable and able to resist the effects of tight turning vehicles. ULTIDRIVE is a specialist asphalt with an advanced modified binder that provides enhanced workability during installation. This assists with compaction and finish, especially when hand laying around ironwork. It also provides improved resistance to rutting and deformation from vehicle loading and to scuffing and abrasion from power-assisted steering. ULTIDRIVE has a higher softening point temperature than conventional materials and resists occasional fuel and oil spills.