"water pipes and pipe fittings"

Harlequin worked closely with the Royal Academy of Dance throughout the whole planning and development process. After working with Harlequin for After working with Harlequin for over 30 years, the RAD knew that they wanted Harlequin floors in their new studios. Harlequin supplied and installed over 1200m2 of Harlequin Activity sprung floor and Harlequin Cascade vinyl performance floor with BioCote antimic antimicrobial protection. Harlequin water cut the mirrors to fit the wall mounted ballet barres directly to the walls to create a seamless and neat finish. Along with the studios, RAD’s new home for dance has a 193-seat pe 193-seat performance space with Harlequin Activity and Harlequin Cascade to showcase the RAD’s dancing talent. 

La Roche Staircase & Cabochon Flooring.This magnificent staircase has been made in our masonry factory. Stoneworld use a digital templating system to record the necessary data from the site. This is then programmed into our water jet cutter, which precision cuts each piece of the staircase for a perfect fit. The staircase is made from La Roche Limestone in a brushed and honed finish. Note the bullnosed edges of the step treads, the matching risers, and the statement bottom step and riser.  Here the elongated step tread has curved ends and curved end blocks on the riser.The beautiful hallway floor has been made from La Roche limestone floor tiles in 900 x 600 format. However, in another part of the house a bespoke floor design has been created. La Roche has been used again, but with an accent tile incorporated into the design, made from Spanish Black Marble. The pattern has been achieved by water jet cutting every tile to the correct shape and size. i.e. each La Roche tile is 700 x 700 with corners cut off, and the Spanish marble tiles have been cut to 100 x 100.

Delta Registered Installers, Bensleys provided a waterproofing solution on an iconic Brighton structure.Steeped in history and thought to be built on the original Brill Baths site, sits Clarendon Mansions. This large, detached structure is thought to have been built in 1870 by Charles Brill during the Brighton boom.The four-storey building facing Brighton’s famous sea front, was originally constructed as a hotel.Numerous refurbishments over subsequent periods of time, saw the structure move from a hotel to a public house, with the basement area being unoccupied for nearly a decade.The basement area boasts large, vaulted areas to the south and west elevation, with the south-side possibly being part of the original Bath structure.Bensleys were instructed by the main contractor, Pilbeam Construction on behalf of Evolution Architects, to help design, specify and install the waterproofing system.There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to waterproofing design. With the basement suffering from water penetration, Bensleys worked with the design team at an early stage of the project to ensure the right approach be taken, which included multiple factors such as: customer requirements, standards, robustness, cost, resources, time, skill required, safety and expectations of ground water which all translated into a design solution.

Café Spice Namaste has always promoted sustainable solutions in the hospitality sector. Their passion for reducing the carbon footprint and giving back to the community has driven the business forward, helping to make the sustainable choices when it comes to suppliers. Bottled water, which clocks many “water miles”, will not be featuring on his menu.Instead, Cyrus, owner of Café Spice Namaste, wants a high-performance water dispenser to serve fresh, filtered drinking water in own-branded water bottles.Café Spice Namaste has chosen our high-capacity Aqua Alto water dispenser with three individual taps in blue, red, and white.The restaurant’s new Aqua Alto taps will dispense high volumes of chilled, sparkling, and boiling water. The perfect solution for a busy environment with high demand for hot and cold drinks.

To maximise the value of the tree planting,the pits were used as storm water attenuation and treatment pits, taking water from the carriageway, passing it through a stone layer on the top of the tree pit and then filtering it down through the Arborsoil Hydro soil mix provided for the root growth. The water then transferred through a clean stone layer to an underdrain to a storm water drain. This method of conveyance gives an acceptable level of pollutant removal and slows the water down so that the existing drainage network can cope with the increasingly violent storm events.

When the idyllic village of Tormarton nestled in the Cotswolds wanted to transform the main room in their village hall, the committee responsible for organising and specifying a replacement floor would choose Taraflex® Multi-Use from international flooring specialist Gerflor.Tormarton has a population of about 350 people from a wide variety of backgrounds. At the centre of village life is the parish hall which provides a blank canvass for a raft of local community activities.Stewart Waters, Chair of the Tormarton Parish Council commented, “We specified Gerflor Taraflex® Multi-Use indoor sports surface as it would cater for a variety of needs. The new Taraflex® sports vinyl floor is much easier to maintain and clean and so much brighter than the old, dated tiles.”Commenting on the project Chris Pursey, Gerflor Area Sales Specification Manager, Southwest & Channel Islands said,” The existing subfloor consisted of old vinyl tiles, which although were well bonded to the substrate, presented a health and safety risk if removed due to possible presence of asbestos.” Chris Pursey added, “For this reason, we specified that the installation should ideally be over an Isolsport membrane, which left the tiles undisturbed and also enabled the installation to be done quickly with minimal floor preparation.”Stewart Waters ended by saying, “We have had lots of positive comments and all parties are really pleased with the refurbishment. We would definitely choose Gerflor flooring again.”Taraflex® sports flooring has been fitted at every Olympic Games since 1976. Approved by many National and International governing bodies as a world class sports surface, it is also widely installed within the education, community, leisure, health, and fitness sectors.

With LivePicture GO you can add a splash of vertical greenery in a playful way to your living, learning or working environment. You don’t even have to have “green fingers” for the care of the plants; the water detector indicates when the reservoir needs refilling. The water supply within the tank is sufficient to provide the plants with water for ± 4 weeks. The capillary action within the plant cassette provides the plants with just the right amount of water they need.

Recently, Purple Rhino were approached to clean the iconic Aviva building in York. The Aviva building has a long and rich history, built to house increasing staff numbers of what was then the Yorkshire Insurance company several decades ago. It is now a well known and beloved landmark in the city of York.They chose to tackle the project using the Stonehealth DOFF Integra system due to its unrivalled ability to gently remove a variety of unwanted matter, without causing any damage to this iconic and historic building.Stonehealth Rosette Approved, Purple Rhino recognise the DOFF Integra as the very best in steam cleaning equipment and note it’s proficiency in phased, sensitive cleaning. Providing a high 150-degree superheated water vapour at a very low-pressure, the DOFF was a natural fit for the project.

The £26m Dover District Leisure Centre features the first swimming pool in Kent to be purpose-built to Sport England specifications for a county standard competition swimming pool. Other facilities at the centre include a learner pool with a moveable floor, sports hall, interactive climbing arena, fitness studios, gym, squash courts, outdoor five-a-side 3G pitches, sauna and steam room, café, and 250 parking spaces.SolutionDortek doors are specially designed for wet applications and meet the Sport England design guidance requirements. Dortek access solutions are built to withstand severe temperature variations and damp conditions, they are also bacteria and corrosion-resistant. Their timber free construction means they will not rot, rust or warp even after years of exposure to water and cleaning agents.

The currently ongoing project at Latham’s Yard is a large-scale refurbishment of a range of apartment buildings with new cladding and decking to adhere to post-Grenfell fire legislation.Project BreakdownThis multi-phase project see’s no less than 10 high-rise apartment buildings being fitted with building materials that pass updated safety regulations.The SolutionOur 150 Aqua Channel Aluminium Decking was chosen for this balcony refurb as it is easy to install and has an A-class fire resistance rating. These deck boards are extremely low-slip and feature a passive drainage system that allows for management of water runoff.Project DetailsSize: 4000 m²Product: 150 Aqua Channel Client: :  Taylor Wimpey Architect: PRP ArchitectsSub-contractor: KDD ConstructionLocation: London

Franke Sissons supplied a package of water management controls and software to monitor and control the water consumption for thr 38 stainless steel combination sanitation units and associated shower areas. The A3000 Open Water Management System was a key environmental achievement of the project. Each of the new cells WC's and Washbasins are operated by touch free, vandal resistant infra red controls which are directly linked and managed from a central monitoring facility. This enables constant full control of all the washroom facilities including the supply of water.

Squire and Partners were looking for instant boiling and chilled filtered water system a mixer tap to dispense hot and cold water. Across all floors, they have selected our popular plus systems, combining boiling and chilled filtered water through the XL lever dispenser in Matt Black and hot and cold water from a Gooseneck Sink Mixer Tap in matching finish. For some of their teapoints, they chose our Quadra 4100 with XL lever dispenser in Matt Black to cater for a larger office and our Quadra Sparkling with XL lever dispenser in Matt Black.

Every year, The Boodles Tennis event welcomes over 7,000 attendees. In 2023, for their water offer, The Boodles went 100% refillable with Aqua Libra. At the hospitality venues, more than 2,500 refills were provided by on-site Aqua Libra water systems. Nearly 2,000 refillable Aqua Libra prefill/refill water bottles sold on-site and refilled 2,500 times!

This large new-build structure required to be waterproofed to meet BS 8102:2009, the British Standard for the Protection of Structures against Water from the Ground requirements. As it is not possible to determine the amount of potential water pressure surrounding the structure, BS 8102:2009 states the waterproofing designer should expect a head of water against the structure at some stage during the structure’s service life.

Eco conscious barn conversion Landscape Design company Gardens Sorted specialise in renovation and bespoke garden installations. This project is a former farmyard and threshing barn conversion, the brief was to follow sustainable principles, the artifacts used around the garden are largely reclaimed, reused or recycled agricultural items.The client gardens by organic principles therefore the need for non-PVC galvanised rainwater goods was paramount. Chris Bligh, designer and installer at Gardens Sorted describes the installation: ”The rainwater solution required the high roof gutters to be deep profile, maintenance free, non-blocking outlets, and a long elegant downpipe into the storn water drain accross the yard. The addition of a rainwater diverter at the lower section afforded connection to a pressure water hose under grounded to two bends emptying into a reclaimed galvanised water tank. The hose is always full of water to the height of the tank. The important value of this is that the client can then dunk a large watering can into the deep water at waist height.” Chris adds that Lindab’s Rainline products are very good and he was grateful for a high standard of customer service.

Shooters Sports bar is a modern sports bar located in Neath Town Centre, a principal area of Port Talbot, Wales.  A popular venue, well known for its 6 screens showing live sports, licensed bar and pool, American pool and snooker tables.Delta Registered Installers, Tywi Damp Proofing were first approached to offer remedial assistance with a section of wall which was experiencing severe water ingress.The structure being of reinforced concrete and old wall construction was allowing water ingress via cracks in the structure.Most faults in older structures which allow water ingress are either damaged or deteriorating mortars.Any cracks in the brickwork or substrates will also allow water to enter a structure and would need addressing in creating a Grade 3, habitable space under BS8102:2009 “Code of practice for protection of below ground structures against water from the ground”.Prior to proposing remedial works, ground water assessment, drainage and associated risk assessments were all undertaken.

Rhubarb has chosen Aqua Link, our centralised water distribution system that delivers high volumes of chilled and sparkling water. The most energy efficient in The Market.

The playground area of approximately 50m² stretched across some well-established tree roots, it was important that when resurfacing this area the roots were not damaged but also received sufficient water, SureSet resin bound gravel is a SuDs compliant paving material, that water drains through reducing puddling but would ensure water would drain down to the tree roots or any nearby runoff points.

Sliding, climbing & water play in one facility is not possible? Sure, it works! And how! In the Universe we show you how. Four K&K pumps distributed over more than 50 m of water feature around the Universe Lake provide fun in summer, where hardly anyone – in the truest sense of the word – stays dry. More water play is not possible! Right in the middle of this ingenious playground is our facility, where up to one hundred children can play at the same time. Embedded in a huge area of special fall protection gravel, this is the dream for all water play fans.

Dart Valley Systems Limited has teamed up with OGCbuying.solutions to provide every opportunity for the education sector to evaluate water usage and implement cost effective water saving solutions.

Anchor is England’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for people  in later life, committed to providing homes where people love living in later life. This not-for-profit organisation serves more than 65,000 residents in 54,000 homes across almost 1,700 locations and operates in more than 85% of local councils in England.Deep rooted within the company values are robust initiatives aimed at providing the highest level of nutritional standards to the residents to support overall health & wellbeing. Comprehensive water hygiene inspection regimes are put in place to minimise risks and they continually seek new opportunities to reduce their environmental impact through reuse and recycling schemes.Committed to fulfilling their sustainability initiatives, Anchor partnered with BRITA VIVREAU and invested in premium drinking water solutions across multiple locations, bringing filtered, refreshing, clean drinking water for both it’s residents and staff. Based on business and residents’ needs, Anchor opted for different BRITA water dispensers across their care home sites – the versatile Top Pro is situated in waiting rooms and corridors and the powerhouse Fill model in the kitchen canteen, allowing for bottle-filling for residents in room, and keeping guests and staff hydrated. Additionally, BRITA’s signature Extra C-tap installed in the kitchen caters to hot & cold water requirements for their staff and residents.By being plumbed-in water dispensers, the care home could not only save money and use space more efficiently, without having to compromise on patient care, but this also encouraged round the clock access to fresh and hygienic purified drinking water, thanks to the powerful BRITA ThermalGateTM solution.Noel Finnegan,National Catering & Hospitality ManagerAnchor Hanover Group"To us, being sustainable means providing residences that people love living in. Sometimes maintaining an environmental policy in a healthcare setting can come with certain challenges and uncertainties, but our recommendation would be to start by taking small steps. Investing in a water dispenser program has been an easy way for us to reduce our carbon emissions, as we no longer have to worry about the logistics involved with handling, storing or recycling bottled water. We knew we needed to move away from our unreliable and expensive pre-bottled water process and the BRITA water dispensers helped us achieve that."

In Marstrand City Park, you will find the playground 'Kraken' featuring products from Lappset's popular Flora and Finno series. The playground is a themed and inclusive play area that has quickly become a natural meeting point for both residents and tourists.A playground with a maritime theme has dropped anchorMarstrand is one of the most popular summer destinations on the Swedish west coast, surrounded by hundreds of islands and islets with smooth cliffs and a lively coastal life. On September 13th, a new playground was inaugurated in the heart of the city, featuring products from Lappset's popular Flora and Finno series. One of the products was a large and impressive Flora tower and ship, custom-designed to fit the environment and the playground's name, which the children had participated in creating.A close collaborationThe playground design was done in close collaboration between the customer, the local salesperson, and the design team at Lappset.The municipality of Marstrand desired an interesting and inviting product connected to the area and the environment.The proposed theme was one related to the sea and ships, fitting the coastal town of Marstrand.For instance, a sign with fish unique to Marstrand was created. Even the windows with muntins on the product are a detail inspired by the many historical buildings in the surroundings.The name 'Kraken' won the naming competitionWhen the playground needed a name, Marstrand municipality, together with Lappset, organized a naming competition where children were invited to suggest names.To inspire the children, Lappset also sponsored a prize for the individual or individuals who came up with the winning suggestion. The name that received the most votes was KRAKEN.The Kraken is often described as a sea monster, as large as an island, pulling ships into the depths. Fascinating, just like a playground should be.The ship was christened with water-filled balloonsBefore a ship embarks on its maiden voyage, it is christened by breaking a champagne bottle against the side of the boat.This time, children used water-filled balloons for the naming ceremony of the play boat.There were many joyful laughs as the balloons were thrown and burst against the playship.In conjunction with the inauguration, a sign for the park, crafted by a local carpenter, was also unveiled.

When it comes to residential, commercial or any structure below ground, waterproofing is a critical component within the construction process for protecting and preserving a building. A poorly designed or installed waterproofing solution can fail leading to significant implications on the structure itself.Delta Registered Installers, Abtech (UK) Ltd were called upon to give assistance on a particularly technically complicated project where approaches to waterproofing design and installation had been incorporated, however the system had failed. For a great remedial waterproofing outcome, seek assistance from an experienced waterproofing company to inspect your site and carry out the remedial work.The property when built had a Type C, cavity drain membrane systems incorporated (not a Delta System), however there was no basement drainage incorporated into the design to manage water ingress.In principle a Type C, drainage system is a water management system. The Type C system is used to control water ingress once it has penetrated the structure.  Moisture or running water travel behind the Type C membrane within a controlled drainage system. A Type C System isn’t classified as a barrier but provides protection by means of water management. For a Type System to be successful a suitable drainage system is required to collect and discharge water ingress to a suitable and safe evacuation point (either by natural forces or a mechanical pump system).When correctly installed, groundwater drainage channels effectively relieve hydrostatic water pressure in the below ground structure. They are installed below flooring membranes at the floor/wall junction.

Designed to redefine what living on the water looks like, the floating home by House on Water LTD is a triumph of Scandinavian technology and construction, and UK engineering. Through sourcing it’s heat from the river it floats on, the innovative and sustainable show home fulfils the needs of a modern family and demonstrates how conformable life on the water can be. One of the first of its kind, the Floating Home can lead the way in this new innovative and sustainable style of living. The solution that was provided was the intelligent and innovative GlassLine system by Undrain.

NSK Bearings Europe Ltd, based in the market town of Newark, was looking for an office washroom refurb and specified KWC DVS products for the project. Inspired Washrooms, a Nottingham based fit-out company, carried out the upgrade with the instalment of a wide range of practical and modern KWC DVS products, including our Miranit washtroughs and our ‘high speed’ hands-in dryer. • 1 x SOLX1800T Washtrough with three wash places and tap holes • 1 x SOLX2400T Washtrough with four tapholes • 5 x CHRX670 Jumbo toilet roll holder • 4 x DRY600 Hands-in dryer The company were looking for a contemporary and clean look with efficient water facilities. Our Miranit washtroughs are made of a highly durable, shatter-proof resin bonded material granite. They are aesthetically pleasing, making them the perfect solution for those requiring a stylish and reliable product. Our DRYX600 hands-in dryer is sensor operated with a drying time of 7-10 seconds, making it perfect for commercial environments where hygiene and water saving are essential. Chris Kightley, Managing Director of Inspired Washrooms, commented, “We work with KWC DVS regularly and can always trust them to provide quality products. Over the years, we have worked on many projects together, and we would consider them one of our most trusted partners. Their Miranit composite range is excellent for completing various projects and complimented the timeless, natural-looking aesthetic that we created for the NSK Bearing washroom.”

World renowned architects, Foster + Partners, have a new galley kitchen in their Hester Road studio which features bespoke sinks, surfaces and splashbacks supplied by GEC Anderson.The GEC Anderson fabrications were produced through a series of meetings with the team so as to maximise the very compact space available for the kitchen. The items were delivered direct to site in Battersea for installation by specialist fitters CHC.GEC Anderson create custom engineered solutions to fit any space or specification. In the case of the Foster + Partners studio, stainless steel worktops include integrated sinks as well as cut outs for taps and drip tray. 20mm plain front edges were specified together with the [water tight] integral back upstand. Stainless steel splashbacks were also included.GEC Anderson’s stainless steel kitchen creations offer aesthetics, practicality and the ability to provide an easy to clean, hygienic, highly durable and long lasting environment.

The Portsmouth Ferry Terminal offers all the modern high standards and style of an airport. A full height concourse contains shops, check in desks and the arrival and departure areas. The Ferry terminal achieved a high BREEAM rating through a number of initiatives including the installation of Franke Sissons Stainless Steel Urinals and WC’s connected with the unique A3000 Open Water Management System. The use of dual flush touch free controls to flush the 4 litre WC and using sea water for flushing further reduced the water consumption of the building.

Our latest distributor story looks at how Borg & Overström’s recent innovation in point of use water dispensing, the E6, was able to meet the brief from DHL in Dubai to provide a premium, bottle-free, sustainable drinking water solution for their staff.

Dandi Wembley: A new kind of livingWe've been working with architecture and development specialists Dandi Living for 12 years. They wanted a cost effective way of retrofitting a 14-storey office block to accommodate 360 apartments with a hard wearing flooring solution.We've been involved on the York House project from the beginning. Existing floors have been assessed and levelled, and our Impervia White Washed Oak has now been installed.The project, known officially as Dandi Wembley, is located in the heart of North West London. It's designed to offer fully furnished studio and one bed apartments surrounded by elevated communal spaces for socialising, relaxing, working and revitalising. Their aim is to deliver a new kind of city co-living.The benefits of RetrofittingAs part of our commitment to providing the sustainable, safe and healthy choice for waterproof, fireproof, and formaldehyde free flooring, we adopt and promote retrofitting as part of the RetroFirst campaign.Originally developed as a response to the escalating climate crisis, RetroFirst is a campaign led by Architects’ Journal. The campaign’s objectives are simple: to prioritise retrofitting existing buildings over demolishing and rebuilding them.On the York House project, the cost saving of using Impervia®, because of the acoustic back layer and residential warranty of 30 years, was more than 35% of previous estimates.Impervia® is perfect because of its acoustic backing and a rigid core. It will be cleaner than the tiles which will have been professionally cleaned before fitting the Impervia® Flooring.Because there is no movement in the rigid core it means Impervia® can be installed right up to the skirting without the need for any trims. The look will be perfect as if it was the original floor.Floors for residential spaces like homes and hotels require a high level of resistance against mould, dents, water and fire. This is where Impervia® holds its own, boasting a range of features such as water & fire resistance and dent & mould proof.Why White Washed Oak flooring is perfect for residential projectsOur White Washed Oak flooring is finished with a heavy-duty commercial grade wear layer that is waterproof, stain and scratch-resistant. Using patented 5G-i push-fit locking system and built-in acoustic IXPE backing layer which reduces impact sound by 21dB; installation is quick and easy.It can be used with underfloor heating. With no PCPs or Formaldehyde, this rigid stone composite flooring has a textured surface just like real wood with the added advantage of being sustainable and healthy flooring.The white washed Impervia Oak floor creates a warm spacious feel for the apartments, so with a 30-year warranty, it's perfect for residential developments like this.If any boards do get badly damaged, they can be easily replaced as Impervia Flooring has its own acoustic backing and uses the latest push fit click system. No adhesives are needed and water spills will not damage the floor as it is waterproof and fireproof.It's available sizes include:1524 x 180 x 6.5mm (5mm plank + 1.5mm IXEP backing) 10 pieces per carton = 2.76 m21524 x 228 x6.5mm (5mm plank + 1.5mm IXEP backing) 6 pieces per carton = 2.086 m2‍1824 x 228 x6.5mm (5mm plank + 1.5mm IXEP backing) 6 pieces per carton = 2.5 m2If you'd like to discuss sustainable, luxury flooring for your next residential project, get in touch with us today!

With over 300 members of staff, it can get very busy in the café area and to keep everyone happy and productive, the facilities team had to think of smart ways to deliver refreshments during peak times.Paul Fraine, the Facilities Manager, eliminated the option of boiling water through kettles and providing bottled water for their staff. Our popular sparkling systems, combining boiling, chilled and sparkling filtered water through the XL lever dispenser in chrome were the perfect solution, giving the team a wide range of drinks to enjoy on a daily basis.

When Saffery Champness moved to the new premises in the City of London, they required boiling and chilled filtered water systems for their four tea points. Gail Woodend, Facilities Manager and Dean Donnelly, Facilities Assistant Manager were introduced to Billi after speaking to their appointed interior designer, Edge GB.After carefully discussing the client’s requirements, the Billi Quadra Plus 15 was specified for the four teapoints. This is extremely energy and space efficient as it combines filtered drinking water provision with hot water dispense, all from one under counter system.

The Parap Swimming Pool in Darwin, Australia needed water tight, corrosion resistant doors that would not rot, rust, warp, swell or corrode. These doors were to be used in external areas exposed to chlorine water, rainwater and high temperatures from sun exposure. The doors needed to withstand conditions but also adopt the architecture aesthetic finish. Dortek were able to supply their GRP doors and frames to the project as it was a necessity for the doors to be water and corrosion resistant. Some of the doors were to be located externally and able to withstand sun exposure and hot temperatures.

The 16,500m2 new Faculty of Social Sciences building is designed to meet the future growth demands of the department up to the year 2035 and creates a world class, BREEAM outstanding building that encourages collaboration and enhances the Faculty’s reputation for excellence in teaching and research.The landscape design for the new University of Sheffield building set out to create a large area of public realm on the social sciences campus, with provision for sustainable drainage systems including extensive use of tree pits and rain gardens. As part of the SuDS design specifications, a Blue Roof stormwater drainage system was considered as an alternative option to underground attenuation tanks to keep surface water run-off within the discharge consent.ABG were able to demonstrate that specifying a shallow Blue Roof attenuation layer involved much lower carbon emissions than excavating underground storage tanks.The volume of vehicle movements required to install underground stormwater attenuation compared to the ABG blueroof system was calculated (delivered from ABG’s factory based 25 miles away), and a carbon footprint saving of 59% was estimated. The reduction in construction emissions was deemed particularly important given the site’s proximity to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.The 108mm ABG blueroof system design was fitted over a 4,500m2 roof catchment area by the ABG Installs team over a period of 8 weeks. The inverted roof system build-up includes a 245mm XPS insulation installed onto the waterproofing with a Water Flow Reducing Layer (WFRL) above. The ABG Deckdrain 4mm geocomposite drainage layer is installed above a 100mm void former, wrapped in a Terrex NW20 geotextile layer to prevent debris entering the drainage voids. The roof build-up is completed with a surface finish combination of stone ballast and 63mm pavers.For the majority of the year, the roof drains into the rainwater outlets as normal, however during prolonged spells of heavy rainfall the void formers begin to temporarily attenuate the stormwater. During storm periods the rainfall outflow rate is slowed using 13 stainless steel restrictor chambers, positioned above each rainwater outlet.This controls the volume of water that is able to discharge from the roof during the storm, minimising surface water run-off and reducing the risk of flooding in the local area. The system is calculated to only reach maximum attenuation volume during a 1-in-100 year storm event, as calculated using the Flood Estimation Handbook rainfall data for Sheffield, plus 40% allowance for climatic change. The system features an integrated overflow outlet in the event a storm occurs that exceeds this designed capacity.

Located at the first locks of the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal, the second phase of the £1bn Middlewood Locks development in Salford delivers 546 apartments across 4 new buildings with private podium gardens. Phase 2 of the development is part of the wider mixed-use scheme to regenerate 25 hectares of brownfield land with new apartments, office space, a hotel, bars, restaurants, car parking and a gym.The large catchment area of the development discharges to the newly renovated balancing basins that service the confluence of adjacent canals and the River Irwell. An extensive podium drainage landscaping design was required to meet the site’s strict discharge limits and reduce the impact of surface water run-off to less than that of the pre-developed brownfield land.The ABG blueroof storm water attenuation system specified for the scheme covers over 9,500 m2 and restricts rainfall outflows to below the 16 l/s discharge limit on Plot G of the site and within the 20 l/s limit for Plot H. The system incorporates 27 ABG restrictor chambers above rainwater outlets which are configured to restrict outflow rates to within the discharge consents.The system is designed to attenuate a 1-in-100 storm event (data extrapolated from the local FEH 2013 flood report), plus 30% allowance for the effects of climate change. The geocomposite drainage and attenuation layers and network of restrictor chambers serve to filter surface water run-off pollutants to treatment train stage one of the SuDS process, meaning no other filtration measures are required. The top of the chambers are designed to sit flush with the porous resin paving surface, and different configurations and thicknesses of drainage composites were used to achieve the correct height of system to match the different surface levels. The ABG Deckdrain geocomposite layer provides multi-directional flow capacity to efficiently channel rainwater to the nearest restrictor chamber outlet whilst the integral geotextile filter helps to prevent the cuspated drainage core from becoming blocked.The choice of hard and soft landscaping materials specified for the development are of a very high standard and the inclusion of large areas of green spaces and substantial planting creates valuable new private gardens and amenity spaces for the area.The attenuation system configuration was designed and supplied by ABG and installed over a 6 month period by ABG Installs. As part of the storm water attenuation system design, a new restrictor chamber diffuser was developed to fit directly onto the downpipes of the apartment buildings. The attenuation voids were modified to allow for cable ducting to pass through them and a method was also developed to provide structural drainage beneath the concrete footings of the stone planter walls.

We are delighted to share that our Climate Resilient Schools program in partnership with the Greater London Authority, the Department for Education, and Thames Water, received recognition at the prestigious Flood and Coast Awards. This accolade is a testament to the effectiveness and innovation of our approach to climate resilience. We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to London's sustainability goals and support the city's commitment to addressing climate change.At Meristem Design, we are proud to have been awarded the prestigious Climate Resilient Schools contract by the Greater London Authority (GLA). Our mission was to design, build, and install 564 SuDS Rain Planters across London's most flood-prone schools. In collaboration with the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, the Department for Education, and Thames Water, our aim was to enhance the resilience of these schools in London, ensuring they are better prepared to face the challenges posed by climate change. Through this project, we aimed to create sustainable, climate-resilient environments while educating children on the importance of nature in combatting global warming.FOCUSING ON FLOOD-PRONE SCHOOLSThe Climate Resilient Schools project focuses on schools that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Priority is given to the top 10 percent of schools facing the highest surface water flood risk and falling within the most severe bands of the Climate Risk Map. Flooding can have a devastating impact on schools, as was evidenced in the summer of 2007 when extensive flooding in England led to widespread school closures, resulting in a staggering loss of 400,000 pupil school days and an estimated economic cost of £12 million.Outlined below are the key elements of the program along with a list of participating schools:SuDS Rain Planters: To mitigate flood risk, 72 schools have received 564 Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) rain planters. These planters effectively capture rainwater from rooftops, providing a dual benefit of flood reduction and supporting biodiversity. The feedback from schools has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing satisfaction with their SuDS rain planters. In fact, one enthusiastic Year 2 student, while participating in the planting process, expressed their aspiration to become a gardener in the future.Smarter Business Visits: Thames Water's Smarter Business Visits program offers free assessments to identify leaks and install water-efficient fittings in schools. Measures such as tap restrictors, urinal sensors, and conversion from single-flush to dual-flush toilets have been implemented in 28 schools.Weather Stations and Educational Resources: To monitor the effectiveness of the SuDS rain planters, weather stations with loggers have been installed in 24 schools. This network of weather stations is one of the most extensive in any school system. Further details and data regarding this project can be accessed on the FreeStation website.Climate Adaptation Plans: Bespoke climate adaptation plans have been provided to 60 schools to assist in identifying potential measures for future implementation, aimed at addressing the risks associated with a changing climate and extreme weather events. Each school underwent a survey to determine high-risk areas within their premises, following which appropriate measures and interventions were suggested. Examples of such measures include green roofs or window shading to mitigate overheating. The SuDS planters have proven to be a remarkable success, as they operate autonomously without requiring additional watering. The flourishing plants, nurtured by harvested rainwater, have delighted the children involved in the planting process. As part of the team at Meristem Design, we are proud to have contributed to the fabrication of the SuDS planters and the successful delivery of this project.

With a poor accident record, the initial project on the 2.3 km upgrade of the A7 Auchenrivock route, south of Langholm was to improve and increase the number of overtaking opportunities of the roadway, while incorporating the need of cyclists and pedestrians, the water management needs of the scheme, including surface water runoff had to be taken into consideration.