"mechanical cleaning chemical systems"

Busy bus service operator Metroline, based in north London have launched a flagship project installing new washrooms, utilising multiple products from Franke Group’s high performing sanitaryware and tap portfolio. Stainless steel was chosen for the washroom sanitaryware as it’s extremely hardwearing and easy to clean. Andy Seddon, Commercial Director for Lan Services commented “We have worked with Franke on a number of projects and know that by combining our experience, we will provide a winning solution for our client. They are flexible with our customers’ requirements and provide great service both pre and post installation.”

Franke were thrilled to be chosen to provide a washroom solution for the revamp of the Bradwell Village school. Eight of Franke's Solx, washtroughs and 16 Aqua taps were required and matched the specification perfectly. The stable and fracture-resistant solid surface material of the Solx washtroughs has a smooth, pore-free and high-gloss exterior skin, making it easy to clean and maintain. Chris Kightley, Project Manager commented “We use Franke Sissons products regularly on our projects, as we know that we are guaranteed the highest quality, and the products are always delivered to us with minimum hassle."

Franke were thrilled to provide products to one of the UK’s leading theme parks and attractions for a recent refurbishment, which consisted of a large male toilet room, a large female toilet room and a less abled disabled washroom. Water conservation was also an important aspect. Franke supplied a number of self closing Pureline taps, which only release water for a controlled amount of time, bringing down water usage in the washroom. Stainless steel table top soap dispensers (SD80) were also supplied, removing the possibility of spillages onto the vanity units and making the area easier to clean.

Another great example of the LivePanel natural living wall at Liverpool waterfront apartments. Modern building designs often create clean, crisp lines and an urban streetscape of hard landscaping and walkways. Adding a natural element might be considered a challenge as space, access and amenity compete, leaving little leeway for extensive planting. There is, however, the most beautiful of options available: the living wall. A solution that can allow a vibrant living expanse of planted material on a vertical plane. That is what has been achieved with this Mobilane LivePanel installation alongside this prestigious new residential development on Liverpool’s waterfront.

The institute's new home houses offices, laboratories, clean rooms, workshops, a library, a daycare center and even a nine-meter-high balloon hall. Due to the heavy technology in the balloon hall, the bonded screed was required to have a guaranteed quality of CT-C50-F6. With RETANOL® XTREME, the company Bodentechnik Funk from Lohmen not only exceeded all expectations in terms of early strength, quick readiness for covering and final strength: the installed RETANOL® XTREME even achieved CT-C50-F8 and surface adhesion measurements showed values ​​of 3.4–4.2 N/ mm².

For one of the world’s largest self-service bag drop zone in Gatwick North Terminal SAS designed a bespoke, hand-formed 45° angle bulkhead to surround the SAS200 islands. Presenting a clean finish, the 'knife-edge' feature provides a precision-engineered and dramatic aesthetic. This architectural metalwork solution frames the ceiling islands and stands out against the dark grey ceiling. SAS600 rafts were specified over walkways to guide visitors from the entrance to the main check-in area. This design aesthetic and the ease of integration with signs fulfilled the client brief to improve airport ‘wayfinding’.

Carea panels can be quickly installed to minimise labour costs and are also exceptionally low maintenance. Highly resistant to the climate, they can be easily cleaned to extend their life cycle even further. Their non-porous composition also ensures that they are unaffected by graffiti, again making them ideal for buildings with public access such as schools, colleges and universities.Carea panels are available in over 30 different shades and a range of textures. Providing excellent thermal efficiency and eliminating cold bridging – as well as comprising around 95% natural minerals – they are highly sustainable and an ideal choice for contemporary construction.

Quick and easy dry-build Anchor Diamond blocks were used to form 300Lm of low-height landscape retaining walls and interesting seating areas for cross-shaped cuttings through a large grassy mound. The mound creates a striking landscape feature and focal point in front of the college and was formed using the large surplus of spoil generated during the demolition works. Over 3,000SQM of Boulevard paving was also selected to give a clean crisp contemporary feel to the hard landscaping areas with the associated cost benefits of concrete blocks and the production quality consistency needed for the phased construction.

Crown Trade products are providing the University of East London with a trusted route to transform student accommodation for the new academic year under a comprehensive redecoration programme. Crown Trade Steracryl Mould Inhibiting Matt Paint, Crown Trade Clean Extreme Scrubbable Matt and Crown Trade Fastflow Quick Dry Gloss are all being applied as part of the refurbishment of 57 dormitories and associated kitchen areas at the university’s Docklands Campus. Consisting of an individual bedroom and private bathroom, the dormitories - part of the Redbridge Student Accommodation - are in the transition from term time to summer school programmes.

Timbered Flooring used Bona to finish a fumed oak floor at London's new Assembly London hotel The wirebrushed blocks were finished with Bona Craft Oil 2K (Frost) buffed back for a white limed effect. Bona Traffic HD lacquer was applied as a hard wearing top coat for this busy space. The fast curing time of both enabled the team to work within a tight timetable. Maintenance involves regular cleaning with Bona Cleaner and annual resealing with Traffic HD so the floor always looks good and the expense and downtime caused by sanding back to bare wood will be avoided.

A striking run of washroom superloos in an unusual dark oak and bronze design to complement the Art Deco building. The full height Alto toilet cubicles were finished using engineered oak in a natural fumed oak veneer with 20 per cent sheen lacquer for a shiny finish that is also hardwearing and easy to clean without concealing the natural grain of the wood. Each cubicle includes its own bespoke vanity unit with square countertop basins set on a floating shelf and were completed with veneered vanity under panels and wall panels stained to match the toilet cubicle doors.

Sauna360 UK was commissioned to design and install this opulent steam room to complement our private client's impressive home gym complex.A full glass fascia was chosen to create a feeling of space and light whilst also showcasing the striking steam room interior. Finished in exquisite mother of pearl mosaics from Siminetti in "biscotti" to provide a wealth of colour and movement, an eye catching feature is created.The brief from our private client was to incorporate the existing WC and shower facility discreetly. A full wall of back painted glass was designed and installed to create beautifully clean lines and a seamless appearance.

Our client designed and built a spectacular contemporary new home. He decided to include a sauna to complement his level deck central bathtub in the master bathroom. The brief was to create a light modern cabin with clean low iron glazing to the main facia. The space allocated was wide but shallow and the challenge was to achieve a cabin which appeared spacious and comfortable for the two occupants to enjoy together. We chose a free standing, multi- climate heater around which carefully designed bespoke benching was constructed in smooth blond Aspen to match the deep horizontal wall boards.

Gradus supplied stair edgings, barrier matting and carpet to the New Look Support Centre at the Weymouth Gateway development. Committed to retaining its local presence and historic links with Weymouth, fashion retailer New Look underwent regeneration of its Mercery Road site as part of the Weymouth Gateway development. The purpose built New Look Support Centre is a modern three-storey building located at the entrance to the development. The finished look is one of clean modern elevations, substantially glazed to maximise the use of natural light and make the most of the spectacular view from upper levels.

University of Derby has recently refurbished its Nunnery Court halls of residence which included the installation of XT stair edgings to all core staircases. GXT11 from Gradus’ market-leading XT range of stair edgings were specified for the project to enhance the buildings safety, while maintaining a clean and contemporary aesthetic. XT stair edgings comprise an aluminium channel with a slip-resistant insert that extends around the leading edge of the profile to increase underfoot contact with the slip-resistant element of the stair edging, helping to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls on the stairs

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

The ClientThe Royal Bank of Scotland, an international bank based in the UK, with over £1 trillion of assets and 118,000 employees, has a total estate within the UK of 1,800 branches and 700 other buildings, mainly offices.Their ProblemThe client chose to conduct trials at its premier place Location in London. The building use costly and wasteful paper towels as the hand drying solution in its washrooms used daily by 3,200 staff.The Head of estates was looking for innovative technology solutions to reduce cost, litter, resource and waste to landfill throughout its 50 corporate buildings.Our SolutionSAVORTEX deployed 4 of its EcoCurve 550D Smart hand dryers on trial at 2 RBS locations in London and Manchester, where there is high footfall. The EcoCurve Smart uses an advanced digital brushless motor technology offering 10x more operational life, and consumes power of just 550W against traditional dryers. Further, the Smart dryer uses its patented in-built sensors wirelessly reporting energy usage per dry and washroom footfall to the SAVORTEX web portal, allowing the estate manager to remotely access and manage washroom facilities.During the trial the EcoCurve Smart dryer reported usage on a daily basis with the base data showing usage per hour throughout the day. The average time per dry, as measured over 1,336 uses was 8.34 seconds, and 41 washroom cleaning alerts were generated, resulting in effective cleaning of the washrooms based on actual footfall, introducing new operational efficiencies throughout the estate.

High volume of traffic, heavy use, accessibility and easy cleaning – contemporary sanitary facilities in schools are subject to very demanding requirements. Due to the fact that ceramic tiles have proven their worth as a practical and attractive covering for walls and floors in these settings, the PRO ARCHITECTURA system concept from Villeroy & Boch Tiles was used for the renovation of various sanitary areas in the Cologne-Zündorf school centre. At the Zündorf school centre in Cologne-Porz – comprising Lessing high school, Wilhelm-Busch secondary school and Johann-Amos-Comenius general secondary school – a total of approx. 1,800 students are taught by nearly 140 teachers. The school buildings were constructed in the 1970s, and have been continuously extended ever since. In 2016, work included the spatial optimisation and modernisation of the approx. 250 m² toilet facilities in the main building. The Cologne architecture firm spies architekten developed a colour concept for this project that combines a light and a dark shade of a colour in each setting, to create harmonious contrasts in each area. The resulting colour schemes offer different looks: more feminine rust shades, masculine blues, and fresh variants of green and turquoise. Accessibility requirements were also taken into account. The white sanitary elements are mounted on the darker colours in order to ensure a stark contrast with the walls, allowing them to be more easily recognised even by those with impaired vision. PRO ARCHITECTURA from Villeroy & Boch Tiles made it possible to successfully implement the architects’ design specifications. The colour matrix offers a broad spectrum of classic and contemporary colours in a variety of gradations, while the modular formats on a 100-mm grid provide additional planning scope. This allowed 10 x 10 cm tiles to be laid in staggered arrangements that bring the wall joints to life. The PRO ARCHITECTURA range is equally impressive from a practical standpoint: The ceramic tiles are durable, scratch- and crack-resistant, and do not wear down, even after decades of use. They are also easy to clean and particularly hygienic, as their surfaces are so dense that micro-organisms hardly stand a chance. The ceramic material itself does not give off any vapours, nor does it take on smells, which means that it is also recommended in terms of building biology. And, tiles from Villeroy & Boch are sustainable, because they are made entirely of natural components that occur naturally in almost unlimited quantities, are manufactured by means of environment-friendly processes and are completely recyclable.

Teesside University’s Greig Building, named in honour of the founding father of computer science Bill Greig, is the home of the university’s Computer and Mathematical Sciences Studies department. When the aged bituminous roof coverings had shown failures including splits, blow holes and crazing, it was of paramount importance that a waterproofing solution could be provided as quickly as possible to prevent the risk of water damage and disruption.The university’s site maintenance team turned to Polyroof for a solution, which started with a detailed survey of the three roof areas totalling 750m2.The ChallengeCore tests taken at appropriate locations throughout the roof areas demonstrated that the existing warm roof build-ups were free from signs of decay. This meant that the roofs could be retained and over-coated with a new waterproofing system allowing for a rapid, minimal-disruption solution.A bespoke specification was put together based on the findings from the Polyroof Survey Report that provided a comprehensive set of recommendations, including remedial instruction for many problematic roof details. With the peace of mind and satisfaction that the various problems on the roof would be solved through Polyroof’s proposals, the client progressed with a tender process that resulted in a successful application by Polyroof Approved Contractor BBR Roofing Ltd.The SolutionPolyroof’s Protec System, a hybrid polymer liquid system with extremely fast curing and installation times was chosen as the ideal solution for the project. Due to its fully cold-applied application, the works could be carried out during the university’s term times, without having to wait for closure periods between semesters.Works began with the existing asphalt and felt coverings being made good where required, including the levelling and filling of blow holes and cracks with Polyroof Structural Repair Mortar. Next, the surfaces were thoroughly cleaned and degreased to provide a sound substrate for the new waterproofing system.Many of the roof perimeters and junctions featured parapet walls which were identified as a potential point of water ingress during the survey. The inner faces and tops were therefore boarded-over with 18mm Polyroof approved plywood which would allow these details to be fully encapsulated with the Protec System, meaning their waterproof integrity would be covered under the new system’s guarantee. Protec can waterproof vertical areas with the greatest of ease due to its thixotropic formulation, which means slumping and running is minimised during application.Polyroof’s extra-tough GRP trims were then installed to create neat and robust edge detailing for exposed perimeters before the main Protec system application commenced. After priming surfaces where required, the first coat of Protec was applied and reinforced with PolyMat 450. With its RapidCure technology, the Protec can be walked on and over-coated after only 30-60 minute after applications, meaning large roof areas can be made fully waterproofed within a matter of hours.After the second coat of Protec was applied to complete the waterproofing system, designated maintenance walkways were formed through embedding quartz sand aggregate into a third coat of Protec liquid.Completion and InspectionThe refurbishment of the roof was completed within the client’s target timeframe and budget. Following a final inspection by Polyroof Technical Services, which highlighted quality workmanship of BBR Roofing, the client received Polyroof’s trusted Accredited System Guarantee and now has the peace of mind the roof will be leak-free for decades to come.

Junckers solid hardwood flooring has been installed in two galleries at The Science Museum; Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery, and the Engineers Gallery. Copenhagen -based design consultancy JAC Studios specified Junckers Oak Boulevard Harmony, a generously proportioned wide board plank floor, introducing a natural element to the large spaces. Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery is a free, interactive gallery for 11–16-year-olds which highlights the crucial but often unseen role of technicians, aiming to change perceptions of technical careers and inspire tomorrow’s technicians. Visitors can go behind the scenes and explore 100 different technician roles, among them advanced manufacturing, creative industries, health science and renewable energy. The museum has collaborated with Marvel Studios, the NHS, the National Grid, the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and many other organisations to bring the essential role of technicians to life in the gallery. There are five inter-connected areas, designed as a three -dimensional grid-like structure. Founder and artistic director of JAC Studios Johan Carlsson stated sustainability as a huge factor in the design, with the team opting to only use responsibly sourced wood. With FSC® and PEFCTM chain of custody certification as well as EPDs, Junckers wooden floors fit the bill perfectly, fulfilling the strict criteria. Even though the gallery is intended to be a permanent fixture at the museum, the principles of disassembly were applied at the design stage to encourage reuse of materials and make future updates to the gallery easier. The Oak Boulevard flooring can be lifted without damaging the boards and reused or repurposed in a different location. Junckers flooring has also been installed in The Engineers Gallery where visitors can explore iconic objects such as the first digital camera, a surgical robot arm, an atomic clock that formed the basis for the entire GPS system as well as learn about the remarkable people who invented them. The gallery is divided into four distinct areas, all fitted with Oak Boulevard Harmony. Made in solid hardwood, Oak Boulevard is a durable and long-lasting flooring solution for the museum. It can be sanded and refinished up to ten times and with regular maintenance a design life of 60+ years is easily achieved. Designed for high-traffic areas, the floor provides a hard -wearing surface which is completely smooth, ideal for areas where accessibility is paramount. In addition, all Junckers flooring carry the Danish Indoor Climate label, ensuring specifiers and users there are no harmful chemicals in the flooring that will have an adverse effect on air quality. 

The five-star Cameron House Hotel is set within 400 acres of beautiful Scottish countryside on the world-famous banks of Loch Lomond. The Hotel is the prestigious home to a collection of 140 bedrooms including 24 suites. The hotel offers a variety of dining experiences, including the Michelin starred restaurant Martin Wishart at Loch Lomond.When the flat roof areas above the main kitchen and the dining area began to leak, it was imperative that a rapid waterproofing solution could be found that could be installed without disturbing operations at the restaurants below.When the flat roof areas above the main kitchen and the dining area began to leak, it was imperative that a rapid waterproofing solution could be found that could be installed without disturbing operations at the restaurants below. The roof area itself was covered with an aged felt membrane that had been treated with a variety of localised repairs which could no longer prevent water ingress. A large amount of M & E plant was present throughout the roof, and any new waterproofing system would be required to seal the numerous stanchions and plinths in a fully weatherproof condition. After researching waterproofing systems online, Cameron House Hotel contacted Polyroof Technical Services for a recommended waterproofing solution that met their stringent criteria. Following discussions, the regional technical manager carried out a detailed roof survey of the roofs. The survey report formed the basis of a bespoke specification that covered a comprehensive set of recommendations to fully solve the roof’s problems.Polyroof Approved Contractor Skyform Roofing successfully tendered the project and the refurbishment works soon began. In order to avoid disruption to the hotel’s operations the existing roof coverings were retained as a substrate for the Protec system, without the need for stripping / replacement works. Due to the complex nature of the roof, works were carried out within a phased approach with the most problematic regions being refurbished first. Loose-laid M & E plant was relocated and the felt coverings cleaned and made good as required. The remaining roof details were then prepared as necessary before being primed ready to accept Polyroof’s cold liquid-applied Protec system.A key advantage of the Protec system for phased refurbishments is its speed of application and rapid curing. Unlike moisture-curing liquid systems, Protec forms a solid, extra-tough membrane that can be walked on 30 – 60 minutes after application. Not only does this reduce labour times and keep costs down, but crucially it allows the full system to be laid in it’s entirety in a matter of hours – rather than days. With its fibreglass reinforcement, the Protec resin is able to rapidly mould around any protrusion, stanchion, plinth or upstand to quickly form a totally seamless watertight seal – without the need for any time consuming cutting or patching work. This meant that the many complex roof details were able to be rapidly made waterproof, further reducing installation times.The contract monitoring undertaken by Polyroof Technical Services allowed the contractor and manufacturer to work effectively together to ensure the roofing solution delivered on all the client’s needs. The application by Skyform Roofing was completed to a very high standard with every roof detail meticulously sealed in a fully weatherproof condition.

The Protec System was used to waterproof the domed green roof areas of this striking, sustainable house development which was featured on Chanel 4’s Grand Designs. With an ambitious vision and a tight budget, Robert and Milla Gaukroger set about transforming a dated 1980’s house overlooking Lake Windermere into a state-of-the-art, eco-conscious home. Since the house lay in beautiful hillside surroundings, in order to blend into this setting, the domed roofs of the house were to be covered with a wildflower meadow mix to provide a green roof construction.The SolutionThe Protec System was chosen as a waterproofing membrane for the roofs as it is ideally suited for green roof applications. Lightweight, flexible and highly durable, the system can easily accommodate structural expansion movements and is tough enough to resist root penetration. The Protec system was applied to over 350m2 of domed roof to provide a long-lasting waterproofing membrane.The key reasons why Eastleigh chose Protec are the same reasons that has seen it become one of the fastest growing cold-applied liquid roofing systems in both the new build and refurbishment markets. Combined with the timber cladding to the verticals of the building, the finished aesthetics of the development blended seamlessly with the surrounding areas.A warm roof build-up that can be made waterproof at multiple stages:For larger projects the Protec system can be made temporarily waterproof at two stages prior to the application of the full waterproofing system. The first stage is upon installation of the sealed, aluminium-faced vapour barrier.The second phase follows the reinforcing of the foil-faced insulation board joints with Protec resin and taping mat. This enables a much more controlled approach to the installation with a greatly reduced chance of rain causing disruption and damage during the works.Highly flexible membrane:Regardless of the size of the roof, Protec forms a homegenous membrane, without a single joint or seam and without the need for any expansion joints.RapidCure technology for quick installation:The application of Protec as a liquid, through to the curing process where a solid, tough membrane that can be walked over, takes only 30 – 60 minutes. This enables large sections of the roof to be fully completed in a short space of time.Installing the Roofing SystemsThe Protec System provided waterproofing to all flat roof areas as well as the extensive parapet wall sections. The roof areas were made up of two designs: the Protec Warm Roof System (approx 7,500m2) and Protec applied to concrete as part of an inverted roof design (approx 1,000m2).The roof installation was carried out with a planned, phased approach that was synchronised to the wider construction schedule. For the warm roof areas, the first stage was to fill the troughs of the structural metal roof deck with acoustic insulation infills that will dampen external noise within the leisure centre. Next, the crowns of the deck were primed ready to receive the self-adhesive vapour barrier.The use of a high-performance aluminium vapour barrier not only eliminates the risk of condensation within the roof, but also provides temporary waterproofing protection, which is extremely useful on larger works such as this.The Polyroof RES Insulation boards, which comprised of a two layer system totalling 170mm to achieve a U-Value of 0.14 W/m2K, were bonded using high-performance PU adhesive to the vapour barrier. Following the wind uplift calculations it was determined that mechanical fixings were not required for this application – making for an extremely rapid installation. As you can probably imagine, fixing through 170mm of insulation into the crowns of the metal deck can be a tricky and time-consuming task.A key advantage of using a tongue and groove insulation system is that the finished surface of the roof is smooth and level without any unsightly board steps that can also lead to standing water issues. The insulation board joints were sealed using Protec resin with Polymat Taping Mat 450 which, in addition to providing additional strength to the joints, also creates a temporarily waterproof layer.For the inverted roof sections, Protec was applied directly to the primed concrete/screed surface. The membrane was inspected by Polyroof Technical Services, signed off and then covered with inverted roof components. An interesting fact when using Protec in inverted roof situations is its incredible durability performance – as tested by the BBA, Protec “can provide an effective barrier to the transmission of liquid water and water vapour for the design life of the roof in which it is incorporated”.Monitoring and CompletionThroughout the duration of the contract, Polyroof Technical Services carried out regular site visits that were reported back to Interserve as part of Polyroof’s free-of-charge contract monitoring service. This enabled the client to keep up-to-date with the progress of the roof installation in detail and also provided peace of mind that the original specification was being closely followed and implemented.Polyroof worked closely with the Roofline Group during the installation, enabling the challenges were identified and solved in an efficient and coordinated manner – saving the client time and money.

Skelbrooke Seclusion Suite, Skelbrooke Ward, DoncasterWorking with Raceway Builders, on behalf of Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, we were responsible for the supply and installation of the following elements:R-Quest Severe Duty Steel interlaid seclusion doorsets, incorporating our own Pill & Beverage HatchR-Quest Heavy Duty cross corridor doorsetsSteel interlaid external doorsetAnti-attack internal viewing screenAnti-ligature ironmongery including Surelock McGill multipoint locksBespoke manufactured CCTV & storage cupboard with anti-ligature hinge and lockFloor to ceiling storage cupboard with anti-ligature hinge and lockRecessed wall storage cupboard with anti-ligature hinge and lockAll doors (including cupboard doors) within the seclusion and de-escalation space are PVC encapsulatedOur Pill & Beverage Hatch offers a high level of security and safety, when opened, the door becomes a shelf allowing staff to place items and stand back allowing residents to take the items. Once the resident has taken items, the door is pushed closed instantly locking shut. There is then an additional 3 bolt locking mechanism for additional security

Located in Surrey, this detached Victorian property needed its top floor timber windows replaced due to rotting. Maintaining the windows was proving costly for the homeowners but they needed a solution that would still look authentic next to their ground floor timber sash windows. After researching their options, the homeowners came across Roseview’s traditional timber alternative sash windows. The possibility of maintenance-free sash windows that are indistinguishable from the original box sashes, but while providing modern thermal efficiency and enhanced security, made Ultimate Rose the obvious choice. Using modern technology, Ultimate Rose is completely seamless with traditional joinery style mechanical joints and the slimmest 35mm mid rail on the market. When installed adjacent to the homeowner’s original windows it was almost impossible to see a difference. The home was finished with a single vertical astragal bar to match the home’s existing sightlines and allow for maximum natural light. Additionally, run through horns and a wood grain texture was added for a fully authentic finish. The result is truly indistinguishable, and the homeowners now have traditional and modern performing sash windows that will last for years to come. The owners are now planning to replace the timber windows on the ground floor with Ultimate Rose as well.

The Creative Centre at York St John University represents an evolutionary step in educational architecture, mirroring the institution’s commitment to fostering innovation, creativity, and community engagement.By integrating cutting-edge sustainable technologies and materials, the centre not only minimizes its environmental impact but also serves as an inspiring example of how modern design can contribute to the well-being of both the planet and its inhabitants.The facility’s versatile spaces encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, enabling students and faculty to explore new frontiers in arts and education. This architectural gem not only enhances the university’s landscape but also strengthens its ties with the local community, inviting public participation in a range of cultural and educational events.As a symbol of York St John University’s forward-thinking ethos, the Creative Centre is poised to shape the future of creative education, making it a cornerstone of both the university and the wider society.Three main concepts formed the foundation of the design approach. First, it is a genuinely sustainable building, both in operational and embodied carbon terms, with a substantial timber frame and simple climate control. Second, the main atrium space unites all the building elements together, reflecting the latest thinking in higher education to create ‘third spaces’ for cross-disciplinary collaboration.Finally, the Centre makes the most of its proximity to York Minster connecting the University to the heritage of the surrounding city. Throughout the atrium, recital hall and critical listening room, views to the Minster are carefully framed, reinforcing this picturesque view across the stunning historic site.Low embodied carbon materials, such as glulam and CLT and SIPS were used for the construction of the Centre, as part of a ‘fabric-first’ approach using Passivhaus principles to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating.Working alongside environmental design consultant Atelier Ten, the project’s eco credentials were achieved by using triple-glazing, making the building air tight, providing simple operation systems – such as openable windows – and a mixed mode ventilation system with both mechanical and natural ventilation in teaching rooms.The building is extremely functional and flexible, for example the 2,000m2 of teaching space are column-free internally with modular servicing to allow easy re-configuration in the future should the university’s requirements change. The 180 capacity auditorium was designed with SSV Theatre Consultants to facilitate teaching as well as performances, with a level access technical level. And the building connects to the natural environment through its use of natural materials and integration with a campus wide landscape masterplan.

Fire resistant, multi-directional, high movement, structural joint sealing of floor slabs from below for 120minutes, EI Fire ratings using Emshield-DFR from NCC Movement joints Limited.St William is a division of Berkely Homes, predominantly working on some of the most technically complex regeneration projects on brownfield sites, at the heart of communities across London, and typically with a landscape-led approach. Riverside Park and Gardens is being developed on the former Leven Road Gasworks in Poplar, East London, forming part of the 20 acres Aberfeldy Village scheme. This is an ambitious regeneration project in the borough of Tower Hamlets, with around 3000 new homes, plus shops, offices, cafes, bars, and a cinema, as well as extensive landscaped gardens, play areas, and riverside walks.On this important development by the River Thames, the structural floor slab joints ranged from only 15mm to 25mm wide, but they were subject to high multi-directional movement requirements, plus they required a minimum 120-minute EI Fire Rating to protect the future residents. To add to the complexity, there were shear connectors within the floor slabs that also needed protection to ensure their structural integrity in the event of a fire.An “E120” denotes that the system will not allow flames and hot gases from physically passing through the element for 120 minutes, which also explicitly denotes that the system will achieve 120 minutes ‘Integrity’ (E) and ‘Insulation (I), known as EI120, which therefore also achieves 120 minutes ‘Stability’ (R) in fire.Emshield-DFR-2 provided the ideal solution, and one which could also be rapidly installed from below in a single operation. This specialist work was completed by specialist fireproofing contractors, Gould Sealants Limited, working for Main Contractor, Morris Roe. Emshield-DFR/WFR is an EN-1366-4 tested, fire-rated movement joint, designed to be used in movement joints in exterior and interior walls where a combination of watertightness, fire-rating, sound attenuation, and thermal-efficiency are required. Key performance parameters include:-       Up to 100% joint movement (+/- 50% capability);-       100% watertight joints; -       No mechanical fixings to the structure;-       Accommodate changes in direction between the horizontal and vertical plane;-       Accommodates 3-Dimensional movements (including in shear & vertical, as well as joint expansion and contraction;)-       no additional sound concrete cut-outs required;-       Up to 4-hour fire integrity rating to EN1366-4; -       Up to 4-hour thermal Insulation rating to EN1366-4;-       High acoustic insulation & barrier performance; -       CE Approved and MarkedFor more information:Contact: David Mackay Tel: 01257 266696NCC Movement Joints Limited

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.

Long standing and rich in history, Rhyl Railway station was opened on 1st May 1848 and was part of the Chester and Holyhead Railway Company’s line. The Station itself is located close to the centre of Rhyl, a lively seaside town on the North Wales coastline and a popular destination for many tourists across the country.As part of a Railway Upgrade Plan, Network Rail have invested £50 million into the restoration of stations across the North Wales Coast. Rhyl was one of the first stations to receive this upgrade and when it was shown that various roofs of the station were in need of restoration.The ChallengeRhyl was one of the first stations to receive this upgrade, and when it was shown that various roofs of the station were in need of restoration, Polyroof was chosen to help restore them to their former glory, and a survey was organised.The specified areas that were in need of refurbishment included the roof over Platform 2 and the bridge walkway roof which connected the two platforms. The existing waterproofing on these areas consisted of built-up felt with a mineral cap sheet, which was in an aged condition and beginning to show signs of failure such as splits and blisters. Leaks were now beginning to occur which were in danger of affecting the condition of the roof structure itself.The SolutionBased on the findings of the survey conducted by Polyroof Technical Services, a bespoke specification was designed that would eliminate the current issues through the installation of the BBA-approved Protec system. Due to the roof being situated above unheated areas, there was no requirement for new insulation within the build up. Firstly the existing built-up felt was stripped and removed from site to expose the original close-boarded timber which was inspected for defects, made good where required and retained where possible. Defective areas where replaced with new timberwork as required. In order to provide a sound, solid substrate a new OSB3 TG4 deck was mechanically fixed across the whole area within a phased approach, ensuring the roof was kept watertight as works progressed.The Protec system was then applied directly to the timber; with its RapidcureTM technology large areas where able to be made fully waterproof within short periods of time. Polyroof Technical Services visited site regularly to ensure works were being completed to the high standards required and regular reports were fed back to the client. Upon completion a final inspection by Polyroof led to the roof being signed off and guaranteed, giving the client complete peace of mind that their roof will be fully watertight for at least the 20 years. Polyroof were proud to be part of this project to restore Rhyl and its Railway station to its former glory.

The Flat Glass Skylight allows you to enjoy natural daylight. The skylight will provide you with a clean appearance in the external roof scope, the toughened outer glass pane has a ceramic edge coating giving you an immaculate and stylish finish. The range comes complete a 160mm high vertical insulated PVC kerb/ upstand. The slim aluminium frame has a internal thermal break allowing it to be energy efficient whilst also reducing the risk of internal condensation. The skylight comes complete with fixing screws which once installed are fully concealed beneath a flush cover creating a sleek and tidy external appearance.

Working with award winning architects Hawkins Brown Associates LLP and Main contractor Osborne Construction, 63 secondary glazed units have been installed by Selectaglaze during the remodelling and refurbishment of the Grade II Listed Plumstead Library, to make it more thermally efficient and to create quieter spaces for the local community user groups. A number of styles were installed across the library, including two large sweeping bow windows framing the entrance, to upgrade the single glazed metal frames primary windows which could not be changed. All sightlines were matched, and the secondary glazing allowed full access for cleaning and maintenance.

Festool, a premium brand Power tool manufacturer, has recently refurbished their UK head office to create a healthy acoustic environment. ROCKFON® Tropic™ ceiling tiles were chosen to replace the dated wet felted tiles. ROCKFON Tropic is perfect for a busy office environment offering the highest Class A sound absorption to reduce reverberation and an outstanding fire safety rating, A1. A robust ceiling tile which is easy to clean with a vacuum. It is available in a range of sizes and installation options including semi-concealed and visible grid tiles giving architects the freedom to design offices to any configuration.

Premier PR, located in a 19th Century former warehouse had had thermal and acoustic secondary glazing installed by Selectaglaze to help produce a more amenable working environment for office staff. Selectaglaze installed 115 windows across the ground, first, second and third floors. A wide range of products were combined for the specification, the majority of which were two and three pane horizontal sliders. The Series 30 lift-out unit was specified for one particular opening to allow easy access for cleaning. Another primary window was fitted with a single side hung casement, designed to suit the existing fenestration.

Brooklands Museum recently completed a project refurbishing a WW2 hangar with a mezzanine viewing platform. The stairs were unsuitable for disabled access, so required a lift with minimal support points, no head fixing and small footprint. Gartec's 7000 passenger platform lift was installed in 2 days - Valerie Mills, Commercial Director, commented “Once features and prices were compared, the 7000 was an easy choice. Gartec provided everything to make an informed decision. We're surprised how quickly the team completed the installation – efficient, clean and professional. The lift ticks all the boxes and opened the upper space for everyone to enjoy”

Franke were thrilled to be chosen to provide products Hallcross Academy, Doncaster for their newly refurbished washrooms. Franke provided two solid surface washtroughs for the refurbishment. Cast in a single mould without any seams or joints Franke's solid surface composite washtroughs have been designed to cope with the harshest conditions. The smooth, pore-free and high gloss gelcoat surface also makes it hygienic and easy to clean. Chris Kightley, Project Manager at Flush Washrooms commented “We use Franke Sissons products regularly on our projects, especially their solid surface range, as we know that we are guaranteed the highest quality.”

Over time, plastic exposed to the Great British weather, UV rays and pollution become dull and faded. Some things can be expensive to replace and painting can be time consuming.So, today we are going to be show casing how to restore sun damaged plastic with Owatrol Polytrol.All except from the gas box were treated with a warm soapy solution and then rinsed with fresh clean water. After allowing the surface to dry for 24 hours, Polytrol colour restorer was then applied using a brush and left to work for between 15 and 20 minutes. After this time, the excess was removed with a lint free cloth

Neaco have supplied a major balustrades specification at Bradford Royal Infirmary’s new multi-million pound hospital wing. Stairwells, ramps, bridges and void areas feature Neaco’s Spectrum powder coated aluminium balustrade with a variety of infills appropriate to their location, including vertical rails, midrails, glass and perforated mesh. Neaco’s Spectrum range of handrails, balustrade, balconies and structural glass offers a choice of modular components with versatility to suit any design requirement. Available in powder coated aluminium or stainless steel, Spectrum is characterised by smooth, clean lines offering a high architectural aesthetic which is extremely durable and maintenance-free.