"railing"

When a major blaze swept through the sports pavilion at Verulam School in St. Albans, only one thing was left standing in the changing rooms - the Boyco fittings. Even after the roof had fallen in and flames had gutted the changing block, the Boyco benches and peg rails were still firmly in place. The suspected arson attack at the Sandy Pit Lane site caused extensive damage and the entire pavilion needed rebuilding. As a fire fighter at the scene explained "The pavilion was made of wood and concrete with a tar and bitumen roof so it was pretty flammable".Rebuilding the pavilion had to begin straight away to restore full sports facilities to the school. Boyco was asked to join architects Mouchel on the team tasked with building and fitting out new changing rooms – nine years after they designed and supplied the original fittings. Boyco and Mouchel already had a proven partnership having worked together on numerous projects in the past. The timescale was tight. The Boyco team had just a month to present full proposals and design and manufacture the fittings. The team’s made-to-measure design – a replication of the original one - incorporated benches with integral peg rails and shoe trays. The steel fittings were coated in-house at the Boyco factory using the company’s renowned ‘Hot-dip’ nylon technique, exclusive in this sector to Boyco. The coating, derived from 100% renewable castor oil, is four times thicker than other powder coatings and gives fittings superior durability and performance. ‘Hot-dip’ coated fittings offer astonishing resistance to damage, abrasion and, as Verulam School proved, fire. The surface is also exceptionally hygienic with anti-microbial power that reduces bacteria by 99.99%. For added visual impact, ‘Hot-dip’ designs come in wide range of colours. Timber parts of the fittings also bring together superb performance with impressive environmental credentials. Water-borne timber lacquers provide a high quality finish on our standard American White Ash which are non-toxic, anti-microbial and non-flammable. All timbers are sourced from sustainable, fully approved forests. 

The ChallengeUntil recently, the Abbey Wood station in the London Borough of Bexley was a small Network Rail station serving the North Kent Line.A project to redevelop it would see it become symbolic not only for its regeneration effect on this part of London, but also as marking the geographical start of Crossrail, the most ambitious and advanced railway network in Europe.The SolutionThe new station, designed by Fereday Pollard Architects, would serve four new lines, including the new Elizabeth Line and South Eastern Rail Services. Ancillary design works include the implementation of an extensive urban realm strategy with Urban Movement, foot bridges and other structures along the 2km project.The design and vision for the station was successfully maintained through all the GRIP stages of this multidisciplinary project.Forterra’s Cradley Linear Bricks in a bespoke colour and size – 30,000 units over 22 different special types – were incorporated into the design. The warm tone of theses 50 x 300mm radial units complement the extensive use of exposed wood for the building’s interior and exterior.Neil McLafferty, Sales Manager for Forterra, said, “The bricks were based on the classic ‘smooth blue’ brick design for their distinctive colouring and size, but were also radial in shape.“This unique finish to the bricks, giving them each a slight camber, resulted in a slight curvature to the completed building, so that it resembled an amphitheatre. The blue bricks are also extremely compact and dense, ensuring they are robust and durable compared to standard bricks.”The BenefitsThe station design has created a new and vibrant architectural focus for Abbey Wood, and a greatly enhanced experience for those using the station.John Attwood, Architect at Fereday Pollard, said, “We opted for linear bricks as they emphasise the horizontal, for what is quite a high building in a residential area, making it more attractive. Using bespoke bricks brings the benefit of a more hard-wearing, robust material for this public building.“The slightly curved, cambered bricks were used specifically to interface with the timber used throughout the construction, while the blue brindle brick colouring also created a pleasing contrast with the timber.”

Lionweld Kennedy designed, supplied, fabricated and installed extensions to existing platforms in order to accommodate longer trains and add a new emergency end of platform staircase . The platforms we worked on was Shepherds Bush, Imperial Wharf, West Brompton and Clapham Stations.We provided GRP deck, below deck screens, mesh litter screens, end of platform steps, fencing and lockable gates as well as associated handrails, plinths, fixtures and fittings.The GRP deck panel’s increased strength allows spans of 4000mm clear span with a 5kn/m² pedestrian loading.This meets all network rail load requirements and is fully approved and in use.Additional strengthening to the deck was required to accommodate the lighting/CCTV columns shown above.We added white and yellow edge lines and safety lines as well as the tactile pavers moulded to the deck.The gritted anti-slip surface is also ideal for this application where safety is paramount.

REQUIREMENT:A ramp to the entrance of the council house.Rapid Ramp’s demountable system was ideal as it requires no groundwork.Once no longer needed, the ramp can be removed and reinstalled at a different property owned by the local authority.END RESULT:The front door ramp was installed within only a few hours. The system fully complies with Document M, Volume 1, Dwellings.FEATURES INCLUDED:Mesh Platform - the self-draining mesh allows water to pass through rather than collect on the surface.Trombone Ends - these are added to the ends of a Rapid Ramp to prevent clothes catching.Standard Handrail - this handrail system ensures users always have support to hold onto.Powder coated Finish – Rails are coated with thermosetting powder to provide a non-conductive, non-slip and scratch resistant surface.Telescopic Legs - these can be adjusted to accommodate different threshold heights.EXTRA FEATURE INCLUDED:Step & Gate Unit - access for able-bodied users.

The new Headquarters of Goldman Sachs in London is in a great location on Farringdon Street in the City of London. This massive office development of 1.1 million square feet includes a large auditorium which is isolated to protect it from tube train noise and to protect the rest of the building.Sandy Brown specified that the box-in-box construction needed 10Hz bearings supporting it.Our local branch worked with Byrne Brothers to design supply and install the concrete floating floors and structural bearings. The complicated 3-dimensional space is supported on 5 separate floating floors with bearings beneath designed to take the column loads.The floating floors consist of Stravifloor Deck isolation rails supporting composite metal decking, reinforcement and concrete.Some of the columns are supported on Stravibase SEB bearings located outside of the floating floor areas.The new building has been named the ‘groundscraper’ due to its mammoth size – it will become one of London’s new collection of landmark buildings.

Luton Dart LandscapingStreet furniture | landscape seatingUnity RangeLocation: LutonLuton DART Station in Bartlett Square has been upgraded as part of the ‘Luton Rising’ project and now features Townscape’s Unity range of precast concrete benches with inset timber tops along with fully clad Unity litter bins.This commercial development off Kimpton Road, next to Luton Airport Parkway station is set in a partially landscaped garden. Our seating provides a place for the public to dwell and reflect. The Architects were Capita the constructors were Ryebridge Construction.The project strives to provide pedestrian access across Bartlett Square to the Luton DART Parkway station from Kimpton Road, along with a small area of public realm. Townscape’s involvement has assisted in creating a new and high-quality public realm that is practical and links the rail station with local businesses and residents.

The Perry Barr Residential Scheme forms part of an exciting £700m regeneration project in north-west Birmingham.When complete, it will welcome thousands of new residents to over 1,400 modern homes. They’ll also have vibrant restaurants and retailers right on their doorstep, along with upgraded transport infrastructure.Towelrads provided radiators for Plot 7, a six-storey residential building with ground floor retail. These included bespoke non-UK market sizes which Towelrads successfully manufactured and shipped into the UK, fulfilling a quick turnaround on a prompt call-off basis. Towelrads also supplied all the chrome electric towel rails in the apartments’ bathrooms.Originally planned to be the Athletes’ Village for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the first residents are due to move into the former Birmingham CityUniversity site in 2023. They’ll be setting up home in houses and apartments spanning the private sector, shared ownership and social housing overseen by BirminghamCity Council.

The new flagship outlet of Pioneer Foodstore in Carlisle was built to a high specification with the aim of significantly extending their client base. The planning application had to meet the requirement for a screen to conceal the roof-top services and air-conditioning plant.Italia-80V was proposed, which could be bent to a radius, to fulfill the vision for a semi-circular end to one side of the compound. The 2950mm high steel louvre panels were welded onto appropriately shaped RSA support rails at top and bottom, which were supplied with multiple holes for fixing to the posts to ensure perfect continuity of spacing. A double-leaf gate was also seamlessly incorporated by using a front fixing design.Lang+Fulton worked closely with the architect at an early stage to advise on the fixing points for the posts which would carry the screen. This ensured that the thermal barrier and waterproof membrane could be wrapped up the footings for a neat and effective installation.

This £40 million retrofit transformation of Brindley Place, a well-known site in the Westside of Birmingham city centre, raises the bar for sustainability and wellness in an urban regeneration and commercial refurbishment project. The ‘back to frame’ concept combines 10 Brindley Place with the adjoining 8 Brindley Place to create over 200,000 square feet of offices with serviced apartments and one of the largest floorplates in the city. Amenities include an on-site café, fitness facilities, a fitness studio and bouldering wall, storage for 100 cycles, electric vehicle charging points, and two communal roof terraces with impressive views. Associated Architects have created a bold new identity for the site. The façade was completely redesigned using 245,000 locally sourced bricks from a sustainable quarry. Each one was installed by hand to cover an area of 40,000 square feet. The system was constructed off an exterior steel frame consisting of a breather membrane, thermal insulation, fire cavity barriers, and helping hand brackets and rails. Grooves were cut into the bricks before they were slotted into these rails and mortar was then applied to all brick joints.The Leicester Grey Stock, Atlas Dark Grey, and Blue Glazed bricks selected complement each other and create a modern and distinctive aesthetic that responds positively to the renovated building’s Broad Street context. Floor to ceiling windows on the large floorplates complete the design, which blends impeccably with the nearby Metro line and adjacent development. The identity is also carried through to the interior styling. This interior, that boasts a striking double-height reception area, was developed in partnership with Willmott Dixon.In addition to its impressive appearance, the renovated Brindley Place also utilises smart building technologies to provide real-time energy monitoring. The building also has excellent thermal performance, achieved a high WiredScore and an excellent BREEAM rating. Occupier wellness is also at the heart of the new design. Indeed, Brindley Place was the first building in Birmingham to receive a Fitwel accreditation. In summary, this highly acclaimed urban redevelopment has both shifted perceptions of Broad Street as an address and set new standards for the reinvention of office space in the city. It has transformed the site and provides one of the most attractive and well-equipped office buildings in the country. 

Two new apartment buildings in Kent have been given a thermally-efficient and visually-striking façade thanks to the use of an external wall insulation system from Sto. The two new blocks in Ashford - Stour Heights and Somerset Heights – have a single-skin construction, comprising a reinforced concrete frame with concrete block infill, and they benefit from the installation of StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation, with a StoCleyer B mineral brick slip and StoSilco render façade finish.“An alternative insulation system was originally proposed for these buildings,” says John Mahoney of Sheffield-based J Mahoney Architects. “As things progressed a different solution was required to meet the demands of the various parties involved in the project. Sto pretty much leads the pack in terms of quality, and the StoTherm Mineral system was able to satisfy everyone’s requirements, so it became the obvious choice. The fact that Sto could work with us and provide technical support was also extremely helpful.”The BBA-certified StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system uses mineral-fibre boards to provide outstanding thermal performance, combined with reliable fire protection and effective sound insulation. Its efficient single-leaf construction and external installation do not compromise the building’s interior space, and it can be installed without the need for additional expansion joints.For the new buildings, it was installed using Sto’s unique Sto-Rotofix plus mechanical fixing system. The helical Rotofix fixings create a cavity behind the insulation board, which can be easily adjusted after installation to ensure a level outer surface is created. This system combines the ease-of-use of ETICS anchors with the flexibility of a mechanical rail system, but without the material and labour cost of installing the rails.“The StoCleyer B brick slips were specified to meet certain planning requirements,” adds John Mahoney. “An alternative brick solution was originally considered, but Sto was able to manufacture slips which were a perfect match for the proposed original. The fact that they were also fully compatible with the Sto insulation system was another significant point in their favour.”The new buildings have added 109 one- and two-bedroomed flats which are spread across the five floors of Stour Heights, and the three floors of Somerset Heights.

Northern Rail has returned to Helmsman multiple times for Lockers and Bench Seating for different railway services up north. For this project, the Helmsman team manufactured and installed 185 two-compartment Metal Z Lockers to accommodate 370 people.Z Lockers are the perfect locker design for maximising internal space as they have a small footprint while offering excellent space minimization. As one of the UK’s leading locker manufacturers, we also provide the project with Bespoke Z Locker designs as they were requested to be 2000mm high, 450mm wide, and 500mm deep with a perforated base. A perforated base is an excellent addition as it allows air to flow throughout the lockers.The body of the metal Z lockers were powder coated in the colour ‘Ice’, while the doors were powder coated in ‘Smoke’. The lockers were numbered with Helmsman laminated number plates and finished with Camlocks, which is our standard lock, however a fantastic choice, as they are reliable and durable ensuring users that personal belongings are safe as well as being affordable.

The Dairy is a retirement Living Plus development built in 2017 for people over the age of 70. Providing both one and two bedroom apartments, each apartment has a fully fitted kitchen, underfloor heating, fitted and tiled shower room with level access shower and a 24 hour emergency call system. Facilities include a hair and nail salon, lifts to all floors, club lounge, restaurant and a south facing courtyard garden. Transport links to surrounding towns and cities are available via rail and road. The railway station has trains running directly to Charing Cross and London Bridge which takes one hour.Cellecta’s Mojave S1-8 was specified by Lewis & Hickey due to it being a lightweight option for an acoustic composite floor build up. This system has a low energy use, reducing running costs and co2 emissions, which benefits the environment.McCarthy & Stone were awarded this 2,860m² contract to construct this development on St John’s Road in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Fresh Wharf is a multi-phase brownfield project which transforms the wharf on the river Roding. The project includes a demolition of the old industrial estate and construction of 911 one and two bedroom apartments in a range of tenures, flexible commercial spaces, generous landscaping, a new riverside walk and new infrastructure, along with parking concealed below podium gardens. Buildings ranging from 3 to 14 storeys are surrounded by cafes, shops, and restaurants, it is 15 minutes from Barking station, with access to the underground, overground and rail connections into central London. Cellecta’s YELOfon HD10+ was specified by Frank Reynolds Architects due to the system being lightweight, easy to install, and delivers unrivalled acoustic performance when used to isolate a floating screed from a structural concrete floor. YELOfon HD10+ is an acclaimed resilient layer system that carries 3 proprietary Robust Details: E-FC-5, 17 & 18.Countryside Properties UK was awarded this 40,000m² contract for this development in Barking.

Yeoman Shield recently supplied and installed a handrail system in an NHS Trust’s seven mental health accommodation units.With a requirement for a handrail that was also sensitive to the nature of service users, an Anti-Ligature Guardian Handrail was chosen from the Yeoman Shield range to be fitted to corridor and passage way walls, offering both support as a handrail for those who may require it as well as a form of protection from impact damage to walls from footfall and wheeled equipment.Using a continuous fixing bracket running the full length of the handrail installation eliminates points where ligatures can be attached. Close fitting wall return ends ensures complete enclosure of all mechanical parts of the rail.Supplied in Red, the contrasting colour not only adds to the interior décor but can assist in wayfinding. Manufactured from a rigid PVCu material Yeoman Shield’s Guardian Handrail products do not promote the growth of mould or viruses and are easy to clean, being impervious to commercial cleaners.

This major expansion of the deep-water container terminal at Liverpool docks would significantly increase the footprint and capacity of the site. The site handles the world’s largest container ships and connects road, rail and canal networks directly to the heart of the UK mainland. As part of this project, external concrete surfacing was needed that would deliver long term resistance to the high volumes of HGV traffic using the terminal. After discussions with the contractor, the solution proposed was Tarmac’s TOPFORCE fibre reinforced concrete with a combination of synthetic macro and micro fibres. TOPFORCE can eliminate the need for some traditional steel reinforcement, making it quicker and easier to place. It offers excellent longterm durability making it ideal for commercial and industrial sites used by HGV traffic. This solution would deliver a saving in both labour and material costs and avoid the budget impact of the rising cost of steel. As well as improving the durability and structural performance, the use of macro fibres also improved sustainability significantly by reducing embodied carbon compared to traditional steel reinforcement. 

The University launched ambitious new plans for a £40 million state-of-the-art Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL) to facilitate the teaching of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.Our work for the project included the supply of approximately 684m2 of Soundis Absorb-R timber wall panels. The client opted for a combination of 8/3m Absorb-R WoodTec Grooved and Soundis Absorb-R WooTec Perforated 2/2/0.5 Perforated panels. This combination of the two styles creates a stylish yet elegant finish.Black panels were chosen for the walls and white panels for the railing areas, the contrast of the colours further promoting that modern style for the university.The old choice between Engineering-led functionality, and beautiful design not longer applies. Cutting-edge new technologies allow solid wood panels and multi-layer panels to be micro perforated to serve as highly effective sound absorbing cladding. Panel textures can also be tailored to serve project requirements.

The Vantage EMF project was pioneered over a year ago in the boardroom of our partner, The Expanded Metal Company in nearby Hartlepool. Managing Director, Phil Astley discussed the principle and BTS Facades & Fabrications put it into practice.We both deemed the idea as that unique that we engaged an intellectual property firm who achieved the patent pending statusThe system utilises the tried and tested Vantage SF technology. The frame is fabricated and the expanded mesh is cut to size on our Streibig Saw. The mesh showcased here is the Athens although, it also available in Bilbao and Madrid.Vantage® EMF systems were tested earlier this year at the VINCI Technology Centre UK. The mesh is fitted to the frame and then powder coated both sides.The bespoke vantage SF rail with pre positioned hooks and anti rattle gasket is fitted to the wall and then the Vantage EMF panels are hooked into placeOur Vantage CS coping competes the scene here to stunning visual effect. We inserted LED lights in the perimeter of the frames to automatically light up at dusk to compound the effect.

Based at Manchester’s waterfront in Salford Quays, MediaCityUK Studio Block is the largest media development in the UK and will become centre for the world’s leading creative and digital businesses. The BBC is one of mediacity:uk’s anchor tenants and from 2011 it will be home to five BBC departments including two TV channels and two radio stations; three of them are Radio Five Live, BBC Sport and CBeebies.Many of the studios in the main Studio Block have Stravifloor Jackup jack-up concrete slabs to optimise the sound insulation between noise producing and noise sensitive spaces. These floating floors in combination with the structure of the studios being isolated off Stravibase SEB simple elastomer bearings delivering high performance box-in-box constructions.The TV studios built off the upper floors were built using a heavily damped concrete construction supported at 600mm centres using Stravifloor Deck isolation rails. In these studios the structure of the studios was built off the floating floors to create the box-in-box whilst providing very stable conditions for the TV cameras.

With the success of Media City, Manchester has now become the Media Centre of the UK and the best place to study for a job in TV, Film and Radio.Manchester Metropolitan University has built a brand new Media Facility with industry standard studios to allow them to teach students in the highest quality spaces.Our local branch was employed to design, supply and install the concrete floating floors for 12 studios.The 100 mm thick concrete floating floors supported the drylining walls and ceilings to create box-in-box constructions with very high standards of sound insulation.The 50 mm void beneath the 100 mm concrete floating floors was created using Stravifloor Channel isolation rails and the voids were vented to avoid the trapped air layer reducing the isolation performance.Most of the studios were supported off stiff structural slabs with a natural frequency of >10Hz and the specification for the bearings was given as <8Hz.One of the studios, however, was supported off a supporting slab with a natural frequency of 6Hz and the specification for the bearings was changed to 12Hz in this studio to avoid structural vibration amplification.

Travel to London Luton Airport (LLA) is being made easier, faster and greener with the development of the DART people mover.And the final journey between shuttle stop and airport terminal is via a covered walkway designed, manufactured and installed by Broxap.The walkway complements a series of canopies we created for the airport in 2019 as part of a bus and coach station upgrade.Together the DART (Direct-Air-Rail-Transit) system and bus services are designed to encourage more people to leave their cars behind when flying from LLA as well as offer sustainable travel options to employees.The 150-metre bespoke walkway guiding passengers to the terminal from the DART station is based on Broxap’s flagship ‘Newcastle’ design.The freestanding walkway features clear multi-wall polycarbonate cladding and is an essential element in the passenger journey, forming the final connection between ground transportation and the boarding of aircraft.A bespoke Hartcliffe Cantilever Shelter has also been made for the DART building to form a covered entrance area.Testing of the shuttle system is now underway with an announcement on its opening due in early 2023.

AJ Wells designed, manufactured and installed just over 1000m2 of vitreous enamel wall cladding with a metal ceiling to modernise the public areas of Three Bridges Station and provide easy access to hidden electrical and telecommunication services.The metal soffit was designed and installed to act as both a water management system and create an aesthetically pleasing ceiling in the subway and platform access areas. The ceiling also incorporated inspection hatches so that the underside of the rail bridges could be inspected periodically by the relevant parties.AJ Wells carried out the installation work under extremely challenging conditions as Three Bridges station is open 24 hours a day throughout the year. As a result the majority of works could only be carried out during the evening and in the early hours of the morning when customer traffic flow was at a minimum.AJ Wells worked closely with the other trades on the project in order to ensure that all interfaces achieved their required purpose.KEY FEATURES:• Vitreous Enamel Cladding system• PM13 ceilingA.J WELLS SERVICES:• Design• Manufacture• Installation

Based in London, this home’s original black timber windows had rotted due to many years of natural weathering. The homeowners wanted replacement windows that would match their existing sightlines but provide modern thermal performance, save them maintenance costs in the future and enhance security. Because of this, the homeowners explored the timber alternative UPVC option and found our Heritage Rose sash window. Heritage Rose provides ‘A’ rated thermal efficiency and modern security levels as standard but can achieve the slim, authentic sightlines traditional to the original sashes. Using our in-house spray shop, we were able to replicate the home’s original sashes by spraying them black with a woodgrain textured finish. Even with a coloured finish, the homeowners can enjoy maintenance free benefits without the worry of future restoration costs. The windows were finished with a singular vertical astragal bar configuration to match the Victorian period styling of the property and a traditional deep bottom rail. The homeowners would also continue to save money for years to come on heating and maintenance bills.

Working with Kier Construction, BOYCO successfully transformed this secondary school's changing room spaces.Project ScopeNorth Chadderton School in Oldham, is renowned for providing a supportive, and creative learning environment. The school was challenged with needing to create additional space for students, sparking a new construction project.Team BOYCO proudly worked with Kier Construction, to help transform the newly developed learning spaces at the secondary school. Part of the Oak Trust, BOYCO supported the school’s expansion project with the design, manufacture and install of a range of changing and cloakroom furniture.The BOYCO WayBespoke DesignTeam BOYCO’s in-house design and project management teams worked closely with the Architects drawings, designers at Kier Construction, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the task at hand. We collaborated closely to create designs that showcased a range of BOYCO’s market-leading changing and cloakroom furniture that seamlessly integrated with the school's aesthetic.Our Peg Rails, Island Bench Units, and Wall Fixed Bench units were carefully chosen to maximise space, whilst meeting the practical needs of both students and staff.Quality ManufacturingFrom our factory in Greater Manchester, we ensured that every piece of furniture was crafted with precision using high-quality materials. The durability of the furniture was a key consideration to withstand the daily demands of a bustling school environment.A bespoke requirement from North Chadderton, was that Oak timber was used. This was a symbolic request from the Secondary School, as they wanted showcase being part of the Oak Trust.BOYCO also acknowledged that the cloakroom furniture would be a frequently used, with placement in a high touch point communal area.Therefore, as per all BOYCO timber, the Oak is coated with anti-microbial lacquer which is formulated to stop bacteria from surviving on the surface – preventing the spread of 99% of known bacteria. This is a suitable fit as it supports a clean and safe learning environment.All metalwork to the Benches, Units, and Peg Rails are coated with our unique ‘Hot Dip’ nylon. This also provides anti-microbial protection and is 500x more abrasion resistant than the next powder coating, a great match for the school’s changing room.Expert FittingBOYCO provided a full fit out service to complete this project. Our expert team of fitters worked to exceed expectations and meet tight timescales, completing the full fit out of all spaces during the schools Christmas Holidays. This ensured that the new learning spaces were ready for when students returned in the New Year.Project Success99% satisfaction score from Chris Gregory, Project Manager at Kier Construction.

St Pancras StationProject briefLimelite Heritage Mortars and Grouts to help restore St Pancras station buildings to their Victorian splendour.The ProjectMortars and Grouts from Tarmac Building Products, the leading manufacturer of blended cementitious products in the UK, have been extensively used in the historic conservation of St Pancras station.The major redevelopment of St Pancras includes the enlargement and refurbishment of the ticket hall, restoration of St Pancras Chambers as well as new passages to the existing Tube ticket Hall and Channel Tunnel Rail Link. PAYE Stonework and Restoration, a leading conservation specialist turned to Pozament for its expertise in pre-blended products formulated specifically for historic conservation work.A hydraulic lime-based combination of materials that offers sympathetic controlled strength was blended by the team to meet the specific requirements of PAYE Stonework and Restoration.Help from Tarmac Building Products – Limelite Heritage Mortars & GroutsAround eight tonnes of lime based, cement-free materials including Heritage Mortar 4 and Heritage Grout 7 were supplied to point the brickwork joints of passages to the existing tube ticket hall and Channel Tunnel Rail Link and to repair sofits in the Grade I listed St Pancras Chambers.Problems facedSt. Pancras Station is a Grade I listed building, meaning it is a building of exceptional interest and is one of the best Victorian buildings in central London. It has been voted one of London’s favourite landmarks and so great care had to be taken with the restoration work.OutcomesThe extensive redevelopment of St Pancras and Kings Cross Underground was completed by the end of 2007.  QuotesGary Hodges, project manager, PAYE Stonework and Restoration said, the range of pre-blended heritage grouts and mortars were ideal for this restoration project. Heritage Mortar 4 was highly suitable for the St Pancras Chambers repairs, reaching maximum strength within 7 days rather than the usual 90 days for other materials.Stuart Allerton, Quality & Technical Services Manager, Tarmac Building Products said, The Limelite Heritage range has specifically been designed to be sympathetic with historic buildings and caters for a number of applications. Our re-pointing mortars and free-flowing grouts are manufactured at our Swadlincote facility in Derbyshire to order, typically within five working days.·      Location: London·      Product: Limelite Heritage Mortars and Grouts·      Timescale: Completed in 2007

Eastbourne station is located in East Sussex. It was originally built in the 19th century and is classified as a Grade II listed building. Over the years, the station has undergone several renovations and upgrades.Back in October 2020 it was announced £5 million would be spent on restoring Eastbourne Railway Station to its ‘former glory’. Work done includes canopy refurbishment, slate roof replacement, masonry work to the front of the station, and new roofing above the atrium.Twinfix were approached to replace the glazing panels on the 32 lanterns on the station’s train shed with something hard wearing, sustainable and modern but without losing the period look. The change was needed because, according to the plans, the existing fixtures were ‘life expired and inefficient’.Twinfix supplied their Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile (NF) roof glazing system, glazed with 6mm solid obscure polycarbonate. The new glazing spanned 1243 square metres and was installed by Gable, on behalf of Main Contractor BAM Nuttall.The Multi-Link-Panel NF system is an innovative roof glazing product that has been well utilised for many years on station canopy roofs, and it has been thoroughly tried and tested in that time.It was the chosen system for this project for a number of reasons:sustainability– these panels are virtually unbreakable in manufacture, transit and in situ, meaning that, unlike glass, maintenance costs will be eliminated. The system is also completely recycleable.safety– Twinfix Multi-Link-Panel NF (Non-Fragile) conforms to the HSE recommended test method ACR[M]001:2019 (as outlined in document HSG33) and achieves a ‘B’ Classification.off-site construction– The panels are pre-assembled in Twinfix’s factory ensuring strict quality guidelines are adhered to, which is not always guaranteed when roofing products are assembled on site.ease of access– The Multi-Link-Panel NF system can be fitted with In-Line Access Hatches, to allow cleaning of gutters and roof. These hatches are hardly visible and allow safe access through the glazing without needing to get on the roof.weight– The Multi-Link-Panel NF is light in weight and due to its modular format, it is very quick to install which allows for short rail possession works. A slight redesign of the original roof allowed 96 access hatches to be installed, making maintenance easier. Installed it’s almost impossible to detect the modern materials that have been used to bring this historic structure back to life.During the renovation work, Shaun King, Sussex route director for Network Rail, said, “The quality of work on site is being completed to a very high standard and we’re taking great care to restore the Grade II listed building to its former glory.”

Eastbourne station is located in East Sussex. It was originally built in the 19th century and is classified as a Grade II listed building. Over the years, the station has undergone several renovations and upgrades.Back in October 2020 it was announced £5 million would be spent on restoring Eastbourne Railway Station to its ‘former glory’. Work done includes canopy refurbishment, slate roof replacement, masonry work to the front of the station, and new roofing above the atrium.Twinfix were approached to replace the glazing panels on the 32 lanterns on the station’s train shed with something hard wearing, sustainable and modern but without losing the period look. The change was needed because, according to the plans, the existing fixtures were ‘life expired and inefficient’.Twinfix supplied their Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile (NF) roof glazing system, glazed with 6mm solid obscure polycarbonate. The new glazing spanned 1243 square metres and was installed by Gable, on behalf of Main Contractor BAM Nuttall.The Multi-Link-Panel NF system is an innovative roof glazing product that has been well utilised for many years on station canopy roofs, and it has been thoroughly tried and tested in that time.It was the chosen system for this project for a number of reasons:sustainability– these panels are virtually unbreakable in manufacture, transit and in situ, meaning that, unlike glass, maintenance costs will be eliminated. The system is also completely recycleable.safety– Twinfix Multi-Link-Panel NF (Non-Fragile) conforms to the HSE recommended test method ACR[M]001:2019 (as outlined in document HSG33) and achieves a ‘B’ Classification.off-site construction– The panels are pre-assembled in Twinfix’s factory ensuring strict quality guidelines are adhered to, which is not always guaranteed when roofing products are assembled on site.ease of access– The Multi-Link-Panel NF system can be fitted with In-Line Access Hatches, to allow cleaning of gutters and roof. These hatches are hardly visible and allow safe access through the glazing without needing to get on the roof.weight– The Multi-Link-Panel NF is light in weight and due to its modular format, it is very quick to install which allows for short rail possession works. A slight redesign of the original roof allowed 96 access hatches to be installed, making maintenance easier. Installed it’s almost impossible to detect the modern materials that have been used to bring this historic structure back to life.During the renovation work, Shaun King, Sussex route director for Network Rail, said, “The quality of work on site is being completed to a very high standard and we’re taking great care to restore the Grade II listed building to its former glory.”

The refurbishment of platforms is part of Network Rail’s government funded National Stations Improvement Programme (NSIP ). The five year programme aims to deliver £179 million worth of station improvements to a minimum of 150 medium sized stations in England and Wales.An overarching objective of the programme is to achieve a noticeable improvement to the passenger perception of stations whilst providing value for money in station investments. Part of this remit involves aspects of customer comfort and safety, including ensuring that the control of surface water runoff is efficiently and effectively managed. For this project Murphy Group were commissioned by Network Rail as the main contractor.Clark-Drain has provided a total of 740m length CD 434 linear drainage channel for installation in three of the station‘s platforms to drain the surface water at a maximum rate of 4.6 l/s into silt box traps before discharge into the mains.The silt boxes work by retaining runoff to allow deposited silt to settle to the bottom of the basket before the water is discharged via the outlet pipe connection. The basket is located so that it is easily removed for periodic cleaning. Both the channels and silt boxes are lightweight and designed for easy handling, installation and maintenance. The bodies of the channel are constructed from recycled hard wearing polypropylene to protect them from damage and ensure long lasting durability. A BS EN 1433 Class B125 quick-fit grating with ‘CatchLock’ retention system provides all the strength required for the 12.5 tonne loading it was designed and tested to withstand and perfectly suits high trafficked station platforms.The narrow-slot ‘heel-guard’ design reduces the potential for tripping and slipping and provides a useful safety feature for passengers and rail staff.The weight of each one meter length, at 5kg, made it very easy to install enabling Murphy Group Engineers to lay several lengths in one go for faster levelling and taking 25% less building time  than heavier polymer concrete options. As part of the aesthetic appeal of the platform refurbishment, the CD 434 was specified because of its flexibility to follow the curve of the platform edge, giving uniformity and enhancing the visual appearance when laid to the same contour.In addition, the linear drainage channel was supplied with 450 x 450mm, 600 x 600mm and 750 x 600mm steel recessed covers and frames. These enabled 60 of the stations lighting cable access chambers to be securely covered and in-fi lled with the marble effect paving specified for the station floor as part of an attractive and functional design for the public to enjoy.WHY THE CD 434 WAS CHOSENLightweight – The one meter length channel and grate is lighter, weighing 5kg, compared to traditional concrete products weighing 20kg or more without being detrimental to its strength for EN1433 B125 loading.Reduced manual handling – Lightweight design and simpler, easier and safer installation provides greater emphasis on health and safety, reducing work related injuries.Easy and quick to install – Installing up to four lengths in one go enables faster levelling, taking 25% less time than traditional polymer concrete.Dual Locking – The Catchlock system simplifies locking of the grating yet enables safe and speedy access for maintenance. The optional anti-tamper bolt locking system provides added security against theft, reducing time and cost spent on replacing lost gratings.Anti-slip and narrow slot finish – Reduces the potential for tripping and slipping, helping to improve public safety.100% recycled – ‘Green’ credentials help toward reducing the carbon foot-print and act as a theft deterrent due to having no intrinsic scrap value.Enhanced durability – Carefully designed load transfer structure improves product life span and lowers maintenance and replacement costs.Heat resistant – The polypropylene/nylon properties make the CD 434 channel ideal for hot tarmac installation.

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

Located in the Welsh countryside of Rhos-Fawr, a family were building their own Victorian style farmhouse and wanted sash windows to complete the traditional look. The homeowners wanted windows that were over two-metres tall, with a genuine traditional appearance and - because of the exposed location - effective weatherproofing. White woodgrained Ultimate Rose windows were ideal for this project. This conservation-grade timberalternative option allowed for the large sizes (1500 x 2350mm) that this home required, while remaining indistinguishable from timber originals. In addition, our Ultimate Rose can be fully Secure by Design accredited providing full peace of mind. To keep with the Victorian style, a single astragal bar configuration was chosen along with a deep bottom rail. Ultimate Rose also includes a 35mm slim and seamless midrail as standard, providing fully authentic sightlines and allowing the maximum amount of natural light into the home. As a result, the home benefits from impressively large sash windows that beautifully match the traditional style of the building, but in a maintenance-free package that includes the thermal and security performance that comes with modern materials and manufacturing techniques. 

A new project in Woking showcases the many benefits of Maple’s new Pluto louvred screening system.Designed to hide unsightly HVAC machinery on the roof of a new four-storey independent living development, the system is lighter and easier to install than traditional systems.   It’s perfect for the rooftop location. Seen from the ground, it’s a sleek bank of aluminium louvres – but the modular system also means that installation is safer, with time spent working at height kept to a minimum.  Maple’s Pluto system fixes easily to the building sub-frame using galvanised steel brackets, while an advanced sub-structure of posts, mullions and rails in high grade aluminium will provide hidden support for the 100mm louvre blades.  Despite a practical function of hiding equipment, pipes and ducting, the screening will not detract from the clean lines of the building, which are complemented by a bank of curved louvres (also supplied and installed by Maple) on the west elevation of the building.  The project is a collaboration between Maple, Willmott Dixon, HNW Architects and Woking Borough Council. When complete, the four-storey development will provide a mix of 48 one- and two-bed flats, which will provide independent (but supported) living.

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.

Equinox is a large USA gymnasium operator and their first venture in London is in High Street Kensington. The site they chose is on the 5th floor, directly above Sony Music where Simon Cowell works, and directly beneath Kensington Roof Gardens, which is a popular and very trendy night spot.Ramboll Acoustics specified that a floating floor was required to reduce impact noise levels from the gym to <55dB L’nT,w. However it soon became clear that the floating floor would have to ensure that no significant disturbance was caused to Sony Music directly beneath.Our local branch worked closely with the contractor and consultants to fine-tune the floating floor system and built several mock-ups to verify the performance.The final design consisted of a Stravifloor Channel isolation rail supporting a composite dry floor construction. The floor under Group Fitness, where all of the gym classes are held, also had layers of steel plate to optimise the low frequency performance.The on-site performance at the end of the job was measured as 35dB L’nT,w although this was dominated by background noise as the performance of the floating floor was so good. The improvement from the base concrete floor was 42dB.

As part of cultural regeneration of the Olympia Exhibition Venue, Olympia Central Hall has been demolished and the iconic structures of Olympia National and Olympia Grand, both Grade II listed buildings, are being incorporated into the site’s overall redevelopment. The West Hall Exhibition Space is being structurally strengthened to allow for a two-story music venue to be constructed above the existing exhibition hall.It is necessary to isolate the Central building, originally known as Empire Hall, from the West Hall performance space to prevent music and entertainment noise disturbance.Three massive bearing assemblies comprising solid thick steel plates holding Stravibase VHS bearings, which were pre-compressed using our patented frozen bearing technology.A small mock-up (approx. 1/3 of the size) was also constructed, and fire tested at Liege University, comfortably achieving a two-hour fire rating.Music and entertainment noise breakout from this new venue causing disturbance to residents.A custom designed Stravifloor Deck solution with rubber bearings isolating the concrete roof flab from the structure below. This complex floating roof is laid to multiple falls by using supporting rails that are tapered to suit.

GRP Rail Station Platform - Mountbridge Install | Case StudyThe Island Line and its associated infrastructure on the Isle of Wight in the UK has recently been upgraded to offer a more frequent service and introduce a refurbished fleet of Class 484 trains. Key to the project was creating improved accessibility between the train and the station platform to allow the new trains to operate effectively. This was achieved by deploying GRP Dura Platform panels from Dura Composites in conjunction with the Mountbridge™ system from Hammond ecs ltd to raise the platform gauge by up to 400mm at 5 stations on the Island Line, including Ryde Pier Head.The patented 40mm Dura Platform solution (Patent No GB 2 523 381) has a span of 1.5m per 5kN/m2 UDL and delivers multiple benefits in terms of faster, safer and easier installation, reducing time on site, therefore reducing disruption to passengers, and providing major cost savings versus traditional materials such as concrete. The platform panels can accommodate fully integrated tactile recesses, illumination of the coper and integrated heating to remove frost & ice build up and reduce the future maintenance burden of the platforms.

The Project A modernised, revamped nursery based in The Old Courthouse, Ednal Lane. The Nursery prides itself on its high-quality interior and services ensuring children and parents alike enjoy first class facilities and equipment as standard.Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid officially opened My First Friends Nursery and Pre-School on November 13th, 2015, and commented “The facilities look great fun for the kids”.The Challenge Propose a system with children of nursery age in mind. Consider the height of the doors & partitions.Peardrop range is not supported by an overhead rail and the frontage is fixed at the floor and gable walls only.Flooring substate needs to be at lease 60mm thick and stable to ensure a secure fixing point at the base of the foot. The Solution Consult with the client and survey the area to ensure suitable fixing points.Harlequin Peardrop is the idea system for children of nursery age, the system is self-supporting on an aluminium leg; the legs ability to perform is reliant of the strength of the floor substrate which in this case proved suitable, enabling the client to proceed with this infant friendly system.The full system is professionally manufactured with children in mind providing easily accessible doors for children whilst ensuring efficient dimensions for adults to supervise.

A major urban regeneration programme to revive a neglected area within the town centre, creating a vibrant community of shops, workplaces, and open spaces.Striking a balance between modern facilities and historic features was at the heart of the design brief, particularly referencing the industrial heritage. In former times this town played a major role in establishing the UK shoe industry Street furniture is throughout the re-development for which the architect decided to use premium powder-coated galvanized steel, delivering both visual appeal and high levels of resistance required within a heavy footfall outdoor environment. Rust-effect powder coat finish, ‘Sahara’ evokes the town’s manufacturing heritage that captures the look of weathered steel without the concern of staining the surrounding paving. Providing excellent weather resistance, colour stability and durability, Sahara was applied to metal planters, seating, bollards, railings and art installations. This achieves visual appeal and a fresh and bold aesthetic. The use of proven powder coating combined with galvanizing technology established in the architectural industry ensures that the street furniture will remain structurally sound and smart for many years to come. The project has achieved a key objective in attracting increased footfall in the commercial ‘sole’ of this once down-at-heel area.