"water"

To repair the deteriorating riverbed was a specialist one which made both local and national news.Situated in Carlisle, Cumbria, the River Eden railway viaduct recently required an urgent repair solution to the deteriorating riverbed condition, where trains were having to operate at reduced speeds of 20mph over the Victorian and 1940s-built structures.Detailed laser surveys carried out by Network Rail showed fast flowing water on the River Eden had caused parts of the riverbed to wash away, posing a risk to the viaduct foundations.

A detailed visual and physical inspection, together with core and moisture probe analysis carried out by IKO on the roof, patio and walkway areas, indicated that the waterproofing membrane was in a condition commensurate with the age and the type of the traditional membranes installed. They had become fragile and brittle. The decks were saturated due to water ingress, and natural ageing had played a principle part in the deterioration of the waterproofing system. The build-up would not have met the requirements of the current building regulations Part L. IKO worked to refine the specification for the main roof,

The asbestos cement roof to this industrial unit in Hereford was heavily contaminated with moss and lichen and was leaking in numerous places. The moss and other vegetation was first dampened down, scraped off and placed into designated asbestos waste bags for licensed disposal. The roof was then steam cleaned. All metal fixings were treated with Liquasil's rust primer and sealed with Non-Sag Sealer. Small holes and cracks were sealed with Non-Sag Sealer. The entire roof was then coated with Asbestsoeal 20 and is now resistant to moss growth and water leaks.

This asbestos roof is being cleaned using a closed box pressure wash, with all waste water being filtered and recovered for re-use. Once cleaned, the roof is coated with the BBA Approved Asbestoseal system which includes: SWT CORROSION PRIMER - fully rust and wet tolerant, the primer is applied to all metal fixing to stop further corrosion. NON-SAG SEALER - is applied to all fixings and small holes and cracks to permanently seal them. ASBESTOSEAL 20 is brush applied to the roof sheets to provide a new finish.

Metalseal 20 was specified to re-brand a small industrial estate in Swindon. Roofs and external cladding were all stripped of existing finishes using vapour blasting. Cut edge corrosion was treated using SWT Primer and all metal surfaces were coated with BBA Approved Metalseal 20 roof & cladding coating. The finish is now graffiti proof, with any graffiti simply washing off with water, with no ghosting residue. The project is covered by the unique Liquasil latent defects insurance guarantee (including cover for professional design).

British Land commissioned Adam Richards Architects to design a custom-built barge for a new London restaurant, The Cheese Barge. The floating restaurant creates a distinctive focal point and destination for Paddington Central and the wider area. The boat’s curving, sloping roof is clad externally in Traditional Textures Copper Patina Precoated Aluminium metal to replicate aged copper. On the underside of this roof, a copper colour is visible from inside the boat, creating a warm and convivial interior as it gathers the light reflected off the surface of the water.

This project involved a penthouse with a huge roof terrace. The existing deck was dilapidated and needed complete replacement. The existing decking needed to be lifted, cut up and removed. The terrace was jet-washed and sealed. Using ipe tiles on top of adjustable pedestals keeps the tiles out of standing water and creates space underneath for cables, etc. Rooftop terraces are difficult to access. 500x500mm timber tiles are much easier to manually handle and transport than long plank decking. The tiles aren’t fixed to the pedestals, making them future-proofed.

BLÜCHER recently supplied our BLÜCHER EuroPipe system to the new Terminal 2 car park at Manchester Airport. The new multi-story car park has space for 3,800 vehicles and is part of the £1 billion transformation programme at the airport. The installation was overseen by G Beverley & Son on behalf of the M&E Contractor, Crown House. Our stainless steel drainage systems are the ideal choice due to our lightweight push-fit pipes and fittings are easy to handle and install, and provide rapid discharge of rainwater and waste water.

A good example of the before and after effects of laying a sedum roof garden and accompanying deck and paved area onto a small domestic roof terrace. All these products are designed to sit on top of the waterproof membrane (in this case single ply) there was no issue of damage to the roof. The support pads lifted the decking off the roof, eliminating the risk of the timber piercing the membrane, and drainage was maintained through the roof surface since the green roof system has a cavity beneath its own reservoir and drainage layer to allow water run-off.

The media indications on the handle are structured according to the EN13792. This means that laboratory employees immediately are able to recognize the media and can operate the equipment with confidence Zone 1 Indicates the kind of media going through the product. Green for water, yellow for flammable gaseous hydrocarbons, black for tonic gases etc. Zone 2 Indicates the direction to turn the handle in order to increase or decrease volume pressure. Zones 2 and 3 shall be circular. Zone 3 An abbreviation or description of media. The diameter of zone 3 shall be at least 7mm.

Established in 1976, Corfe Hills School in Dorset welcomes over 800 secondary and sixth form students through their gates each year. Since achieving Academy status in 2011, Corfe Hills have been looking ahead, keen to develop a schedule of works for building improvements that support the school’s growth and ultimately safeguard the building’s future.Over time, the existing roofs across the site had experienced continuous water ingress issues that needed to be addressed. Multiple roof penetrations from the roof lights were leaking water; the existing waterproofing system and the overlaid bituminous membrane were failing in places resulting in splits and blistering, and the metal roof had rusted beyond repair. With rain seeping directly into the classrooms below, action had to be taken to ensure the site was remedied to a safe and comfortable learning environment for students and staff.Garland Technical Manager, Paul Boole, was instructed by building surveying firm Kendall Kingscott to support Corfe Hills approaching CIF bid for the critical roof refurbishment works. An essential part of the brief was to ensure that the buildings were not only fully waterproofed but to upgrade the overall thermal efficiency, alongside securing a robust 20-year guarantee.In support of the CIF bid, Paul carried out a thorough investigation of the school’s roof assets for Kendall Kingscott, producing core sampling data, detailed condition surveys and U-Value calculations to outline a clear specification for the works required. 

The flat roof area at above the vast Guernsey Power Station had been suffering from water ingress as a result of failings in the existing EPDM membrane. Due to the expensive machinery housed within and the potential for widespread and costly disruption should the leaking continue.Guernsey Electricity turned to Sarnian Roofing Limited, a Polyroof approved contractor, to provide a rapid and effective waterproofing solution. The Protec System was specified, and work began quickly.The SolutionRemoval of the failed roof coverings to expose the concrete deck below began, and the BBA-approved Protec 20-year system was installed directly to the concrete. Due to its RapidCure technology, the system cures within 30-60 minutes, meaning less disruption for the client.The Protec System provides an flexible and seamless membrane that eliminates the risk of water ingress around penetration points common in industrial unit roofs. As the system is cold applied, there are none of the safety risks associated with the open flames and hot torches used with traditional roll-applied systems.Polyroof’s reputation has been built on the high level of technical support provided to clients before, during and after every contract.We like to work closely with our clients from the very beginning of a flat roofing project right through to completion and throughout the lifespan of the roof. From our experience, this is the best way to guarantee that all aspects of the roof are finished to the superior standards that our clients expect.

FOAMGLAS® T4+ (Slab)Design Architects: C.F. Moller & Purcell Miller TrittonMain Contractor: Bovis Lend LeaseApplication: Compact Roof - Gallery Roof & Restaurant Terrace FOAMGLAS® S3 (Slab )Finish: PaversFOAMGLAS® insulation was specified for the new gallery terrace and restaurant of the National Maritime Museum. With limited height available upon the roof there was no space for a concrete screed to falls. Therefore, architects Purcell Miller Tritton needed a factory machined tapered insulation with a slope to shed water. In addition, the limestone terrace paving must withstand the loads imposed by vehicles and so the insulation beneath had to withstand these dynamic loads without any compression.FOAMGLAS® T4+ slab insulation was specified for the project due to these conditions. FOAMGLAS® does not move or deflect under loads, and is available factory machined with a tapered slope. Its thermal performance is reliable and permanent and it is guaranteed for the lifetime of the building. The new roof of the gallery has paved areas, and green planting with hidden drain age and water supplies.The restaurant terrace gives wonderful view of the World Heritage Site, Greenwich Park and the Royal Observatory. The gallery has some fascinating objects; including jewels which belonged to Sir Francis Drake, journals written by Captain Cook’s during his long voyages, and personal items that survived the sinking of HMS Titanic.

A lightweight solution... CHALLENGE A lightweight solution was required for the mounting of the PV installation on a production hall from Opel in Rüsselheim. For some years there existed no smart solutions for PV installations on roofs. Today we start to see the downside of PV roof installations that are not coping well with the weather conditions on top of roof constructions. Common mistakes made on PV roofs: • PV panels flying off the roof due to high winds where the attachments have not been strong enough and not fully tested. • Water leaks due to structural damage from the PV installation itself. Mainly due to the minute movement of the metallic/ aluminium PV-mounting on the roofing membrane. • Water leaks due to perforations through the roofing membrane when fixing the PV installation to the roof. • Roofs collapsing due to an excess of ballast of the ballasted PV installations. • Accelerated ageing of roofing membranes due to the use of incompatible materials on the roofing surface. SOLUTION RENOLIT ALKORSOLAR PV fixing system. This lightweight PV fixing system does not require extra ballast nor perforates the roofing membrane. The main parts of the system are PVC or EVA profiles that are heat welded onto the synthetic roofing membranes. This system is the only system that is fully tested for wind loads up to 200 km/h, has an Avis technique (France) and a DIBT approval (Germany).

FOAMGLAS® READY BOARD T4+Architects: Pollard Thomas Edwards ArchitectsConstruction: 2010 - 2012Application: Façade: FOAMGLAS® Slab W+F, 150 mm thick, adhesive fixed;Metal Pitched Roof: FOAMGLAS® READY BOARD T4+, 200 mm thick, adhesive fixedCladding: KME, Tecu BronzeFor the renovation of the façade and the pitched metal roof, FOAMGLAS® was chosen for its resistance to water and for its excellent long-term thermal performance: combined with FOAMGLAS®, the metal roof and façade can last well over 200 years.The grade II listed 120 year old Granary building and the Malthouse are among the oldest buildings within the East London district of Barking and Dagenham. In 2009 the redevelopment master plan was prepared by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects. Design for the Granary and Malthouse was carried out by Pollard Thomas Edwards Architects whom certainly achieved the client’s key requirements for sustainability, and energy efficiency.Steve Drury, Rooff development director commented: "At an early stage FOAMGLAS® was specified for its environmental qualities and long term reliability. It is impervious to water and water-vapour and it actually provided an element of exterior weatherproofing as the building works progressed: the interior works could commence whist the metal façade was still being installed. FOAMGLAS® insulation, with its unique cladding fixing system, kept thermal bridging to a minimum; the resulting U-value performance exceeds Building Regulations by more than 25%.With time, the KME Tecu Bronze exterior will take on a natural patina. The metal exterior has a potential lifetime of well over 200 years, hence it’s very important to use the right insulation with a proven long term thermal performance.With FOAMGLAS® thermal ageing does not take place. It is the ideal insulation to be combined with roof and façade materials such as KME Tecu Bronze.For the pitched roof FOAMGLAS® READY BOARD T4+ was bonded and sealed to the timber board structure with PC®11 adhesive. Metal Plates type PC® SP 150/150 were inserted into the FOAMGLAS® READY BOARD. A 180 g/ m2 sanded bitumen membrane was torch applied onto the surface.

We’re always pleased to hear about how our products have helped customers with their renovation projects. However, we were particularly delighted when one of our Partners Roger, of R and A Pressure Washing Services, sent us these photographs of a poolside deck renovation he recently completed.The customer had previously treated their poolside deck with a decking oil, purchased on the high street. As you can see from the photo, the decking looked dull and tired and was not at all complementing the lovely rooftop views from the pool.We’ve had many customers tell us that the high street decking oils they had previously bought had failed. They were continuously having to sand and re-oil their decking to keep it looking smart. By investing in a good quality product, you could reduce both the time and money it takes you to constantly strip and re-oil your decking and replacing it with easy, low maintenance decking.Aquadecks, for example, is water-based and is easy to apply and maintain, with no sanding or stripping required. Sometimes, it’s worth investing in a more expensive product, such as Aquadecks, at the beginning, to save you money in the future.So, how did Roger rescue his customer’s poolside deck?Firstly, he mechanically sanded the deckingTo remove all the old oil from the surface of the decking, Roger sanded the decking with an electric sander. How the decking looked after sanding can be seen in the photo below.Whilst this step is often completed by professionals, for the DIYer it’s going to be easier to remove the old oils using Aquanett wood oil remover (if it’s a different sort of coating you’re removing then use Dilunett or Prepdeck).If you don’t want to sand back your decking, follow the steps below if you’re removing oils.Aquanett can be used to remove teak and other oils from all woods blackened by UV rays. It will prepare your decking for a new coating and improve penetration and adhesion. Its gel-like consistency means that it’s easy to apply.Even better, it’s suitable for environmentally sensitive areas, as it does not contain solvent or paraffin and it’s biodegradable.If you choose to use Aquanett instead of sanding, you’ll then need to neutralise the decking with Net-Trol before applying your finish.Then, he applied AquadecksNo matter how many times we see photos of decking renovations using Aquadecks water-based penetrative wood finish, we’re always really impressed with how it turns out.First of all, Roger applied a liberal amount of Aquadecks. Applying in the direction of the grain, he worked in sections that he could complete within 30 minutes.As soon as the ‘wet look’ of the first application had disappeared, Roger applied a second coat. He then allowed this to penetrate for 15 minutes.He then removed any excess Aquadecks that hadn’t penetrated the decking. This avoids it drying as shiny spots on the surface. The place for Aquadecks is in the wood, not on the surface.As Aquadecks is water-based, Roger was then able to clean his tools with soap and water.We think that the decking now looks as good as new – if not better!

The Spine, located in the heart of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool – a central hub for higher education and research in the city – includes the new northern home of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). Designed by renowned architecture and building consultancy practice AHR, the building has been hailed as one of the healthiest workplaces in the world, thanks to the pioneering research in biophilia, health and wellbeing that has been drawn on for its creation. One of the most exciting new developments in the north, The Spine reflects the RCP’s global stance as a leader in healthcare, using the latest innovations in wellbeing-focused design, while being a striking new addition to the Liverpool skyline. The Spine has been designed according to the scientific and medical research principles established in the WELL Standard to achieve WELL Platinum. Through the integration of architecture and interior design The Spine embeds wellness and biophilia into the building environment emphasising strong connections to nature throughout the building, along with the highest standards for provision of fresh air, light and water. The distinctive façade takes influence from the human skin, with the striking Voronoi pattern including 23 million individual polygons applied to the glazing of the building. Inside the building The Spine’s series of double height spaces known as vertical villages supports the provision of light to aid productivity and stimulating the mind. Interior design solutions were selected with occupant wellbeing at the forefront, from natural materials, textures and finishes wherever possible to support biophilic principles and ensure air quality is kept to a high standard throughout the building. Working closely with PPG, AHR specified a range of sustainable paints including JOHNSTONE’S® Trade Air Pure – a bio-based wall and ceiling paint proven to purify indoor air. “When it came to choosing paints for The Spine, we knew we had to find options that were water-based and would have the least possible negative impact on occupants. So we were delighted to find a paint that would actually improve indoor air quality. By using Johnstone’s Trade Air Pure, we’re optimising the air quality within the building and helping to enhance the general wellbeing of occupants, all while limiting the impact on the environment.” Robert Hopkins, AHR regional director Once applied, the revolutionary Air Purifying technology in Johnstone’s Trade Air Pure neutralises up to 70 per cent of formaldehyde from indoor spaces. What’s more, the formula is 45 per cent bio-based and comes in 100 per cent recycled packaging. To complement Air Pure a range of low-VOC water based solutions were used to give the building long term protection including Johnstone’s Trade Aqua Water Based Gloss and Water Based Satin, Covaplus Vinyl Matt, Acrylic Durable Matt and Acrylic Durable Eggshell. The use of biophilic design extends into the colour palette chosen to represent the growth of a tree. Natural earthy colours flow throughout the lower floors, merging into greener, leafier colours and patterns and blues on the upper floors as you travel up the building. The colour palettes work harmoniously with the timber curtain wall and timber floor. The landmark development is not only BREEAM Excellent rated for its sustainable approach; it is also one of the first buildings in the UK designed to the WELL Platinum Building Standard®, certified for mental health and physical wellbeing. “The Spine is one of our most exciting and revolutionary projects to date. We’ve had the opportunity to place unprecedented focus upon what really makes a positive, healthy and happy workplace. Working with the RCP, we’ve achieved a design that sets the bar for the incorporation of biophilia and its possibilities in a modern workplace. With wellness being such a core part of our ambitious design, we needed to make sure that every single element positively contributed to our objectives, and the paints used were no exception.” Robert Hopkins, AHR regional director. Photography credit: Andrew Smith

Here at Symphony, we pride ourselves on leading the way in design and manufacture innovation. We are also always ensuring that sustainability is at the forefront of everything we do. That’s why we were thrilled to work with Barratt Developments to create the first zero carbon home concept from a major housebuilder. The Zed HouseWith carbon neutral homes being such a hot topic, with everything from the move to heat pumps to electric car charging at home, we were honoured to be invited to work with leading housebuilder Barratt Developments on its unique and flagship zero carbon home concept. The Zed House will be the first new home in the UK built by a major housebuilder to go beyond the new Future Homes Standard by delivering a carbon reduction of 125%. The Future Homes Standard ensures that all new homes built from 2025 will produce 75-80% less carbon emissions than homes under current regulations. The carbon reduction of 125% is from 100% regulated and 25% unregulated energy using heat recovery, low carbon and renewable technologies. The Zed House will be lived in and monitored over time in order to assess its performance on an ongoing everyday basis. We can’t wait to see the results.The future of housebuildingDesigned and developed to show what is achievable for the housebuilding market in terms of sustainability, the Zed House is a great example of how our homes could look in the next few decades. At Symphony we have a constantly evolving list of eco credentials that we use in everything we do. How this project worked is that Barratt challenged its supply chain partners to bring in the most cutting-edge products to help reduce its carbon footprint. We chose our Urban kitchen in Grey Walnut, as the door and drawer fronts are made from 100% recycled chipboard and the handles contain renewable coconut fibre. Not only that but the cabinets are also made from 49% recycled board while cutlery trays and drawer storage are all Hemp and Kenaf based. We thought this was the perfect example of how kitchens can be a sustainable and environmentally friendly purchase without sacrificing style. The stainless-steel sink from Franke was chosen as it contains 80% recycled materials and was supplied with a waste disposal unit that processes organic waste to reduce the amount of food waste going to landfill. The Insinkerator 4 in 1 tap supplies filtered water to reduce the need to purchase bottled water and therefore encourages the reduction of single use plastic. It also replaces the need for a kettle by providing boiling water, which reduces both energy usage from boiling a kettle but also only provides the amount of boiling that is required. The appliances were also selected for their sustainability credentials including energy efficiency and minimising water use. The worksurface is a carbon neutral material from the Sunlit Days collection from Silestone by Cosentino, the first carbon neutral quartz range in the engineered stone industry that contains recycled glass and minerals. Eco buildThe Zed House itself is made from a closed panel timber frame with highly insulated cladding. It also includes EV charging points, PV solar panels and battery storage. The interior comes with infra-red electronic hands-free taps, reducing water consumption by up to 80%, and a smart electric tariff that automatically moves energy usage to access the cheapest rates. EV charging pointWith more and more people looking to swap their fuel-guzzling car to an efficient electric model, the Zed House also comes with its own EV charging point. The Zed House is located on the main campus at the University of Salford. It contains a knowledge hub built into the garage to display all the products, technologies and results of the home’s occupation on an ongoing basis. We are thrilled to have been a part of this exciting project and can’t wait to see what the future holds.Further informationHead to https://www.barrattdevelopments.co.uk/showcase/z-house for more information on Barratt Homes and www.symphony-group.co.uk/sustainability for more information on Symphony’s sustainability credentials.

A high-quality installation of pipework for heating and drinking water, absolutely free of contaminants, quick to install and guaranteed to perform over the long term. These were the priorities for the developer of the prestigious West End Gate development in London, leading to the specification of the Profipress system from Viega throughout.The development is a collection of apartments, stunning penthouses, commercial units, and leisure facilities situated in the prestigious neighbourhood of Marylebone and Little Venice. Berkeley St Edwards were taking no risks with water hygiene, looking for a piping system which would guarantee clean water to the different heights of the towers. Given the prestige of the development, the system had to be faultless, future proof and guaranteed to last. Specifying a high-quality solutionKevin Guiry, Senior MEP Manager for Berkeley St Edwards, explained the rationale for specifying the Profipress solution. “Quality was our top priority, both in terms of the water system and the products used. With all the heating and chilled distribution pipework running in a closed system, we needed a solution to guarantee clean and safe water without contamination. The copper Profipress system delivers this alongside real on-site benefits.” Berkeley St Edwards has made a considered effort to move to press connections over soldering methods for pipework. Particularly in domestic projects, the benefit of cold press means contaminants from soldering are reduced and so systems produce a quicker turnaround for test results from flushing. On top of the speed advantages of cold press, the additional benefit of risk reduction through removal of hot works helps increase safety for those installing on site.“Viega was specified in the first phase block, and it was fantastic. As such, we approved the spec for the next phase as per the previous block. The contractor who received the contract used their same core operatives which resulted in a consistent, clean installation.” Kevin summarised.Working with Viega qualityCraig Yardy, Fit-Out Manager at Vital Energi, oversaw the installation of the system and mirrored the sentiment from Kevin. “Three to four years ago we mainly used soldering, but we’ve shifted to press connections systems. With soldering, you get flux and contaminants in the pipe, so you must flush the system. With press, it’s a far cleaner system.”On working with the Viega Profipress system Craig commented: “we had used the copper system on previous projects which were good installations, and it has been the same on-site here. Generally, the high-level fitting has been easy, the challenge has been where pipework in the walls runs into mixers. This means tight spaces for the installer to work the pipes and makes it difficult to press the joints. Viega press tools come with an angled jaw giving us the flexibility to get into those hard-to-reach places.”Providing ongoing support and training One of the benefits of choosing the Viega specification is the on-site training offered for the installation teams. This will ensure that the systems are installed correctly and effectively, using the recommended tools and techniques. Not only does this process maximise speed of installation, it also allows Viega to issue its full warranty.“The support from Viega started with demonstration days at the very beginning of the project. Throughout the first block installation they visited multiple times to check on the installation, offering support and guidance” Kevin noted. “We plan to continue using Viega for the remaining phases of the development. The Viega quality and future guarantees are what made the initial investment worth it in the long run. I’m a big believer in quality and with this system we’re getting the best quality fittings for this premium development. We didn’t want to risk any further maintenance or damage and the Viega Profipress system achieves this.”Due to be completed in 2025, the first four tower blocks have been completed. Ranging from 10 to 30 storeys in height, the development offers unparalleled views of the surrounding area, commanding high-quality finishes to the apartments inside and out.

In 2020 the River Wye broke its banks and flooded nearby Monmouth Prep School in Wales causing severe damage to the entire ground floor of the Prep School, playground and surrounding fields. According to the latest reports on the impacts of climate change, flooding caused by severe and frequent rainstorms is the UK’s most pressing climate-change risk and could affect millions of people causing extensive damage, disruption and loss. So, once the school was back on its feet, we were delighted to work with their insurance broker, Hettle Andrews, to make sure the property was protected against future flooding. Monmouth Prep School, MonmouthMonmouth Prep School is a fully co-educational Prep School in Wales for children aged three to 11-years-old. The independent school is one of Wales’ leading prep schools and offers boarding and day attendance to pupils in modern and contemporary teaching spaces which encapsulate the very best of traditional, independent education.  We worked with the school’s insurance broker and project facilitator, Hettle Andrews, who work primarily with schools, universities, colleges and charities. The challengeThe school had previously had minor issues with flooding as the River Wye is situated at the bottom of its garden. However, the flood of 2020 was the most devastating. The river broke its banks and flowed into and through the school to the dual carriageway situated on the other side. The flood damaged the entire ground floor of the school, the playground and surrounding fields and the whole school had to be urgently evacuated. No warning: the school is surrounded by a flood bank and had flood gates installed in 2002 however there was no early warning system in place to get the flood gates closed in time.Extensive damage: the 200-year-old school building sustained catastrophic damage and needed large-scale structural repairs to be restored.Sanitation issues: the waste from the surrounding farmlands was washed into the school along with the floodwater, mud and debris causing not only damage but also sanitation issues. Inconvenience: the clear-up process included using five 40 foot skips which were filled with damaged items such as furniture, clothing, educational equipment and floating debris.Disruption: the school had to close for nearly seven months to clear the debris, remove all the damaged school equipment, clean the entire premises, sanitise and eventually re-build.The solution;Andel’s FloodAlert – one of our innovative, industry-unique flood defence solutions which provides an early flood warning for properties not covered by the Environment Agency flood warning service. FloodAlert provides real-time information on rising water levels and automatically sends out early warnings. The robust and reliable system is easy to install and set up and once in, tracks surface water levels for up to 15km from a gateway. This means the school now has:A cost-effective, real-time local flood alert system with three alert levels A sensor which sends SMS and email alerts to give them time to take action to protect their pupils and the school Optional live monitoring on a cloud-based portal, via any device with internet connectivityA system that can communicate with an unlimited number of designated usersCommunication via a low-power LoRaWAN network. The resultEarly warning: the school now has an effective early warning system for rising surface water. Safety first: the school now has safety measures in place to protect its pupils aged three to 11-years-old. Confidence: the early warning system gives the school staff around six hours from the first notification of rising waters to close the flood gates allowing plenty of time to evacuate the children as well as any equipment. Peace of mind: the staff at the school feel relieved knowing the water levels are constantly being monitored at the property especially because they are so close to the banks of the River Wye. Community: we are always quick to try and accommodate schools that require our services as we know they are the centre of the community and provide safe havens to many. We are proud to have been involved in this project alongside Hettle Andrews and to have been able to install our FloodAlert product on a site with such a rich history and provide the school with an effective early warning system plus peace of mind.What the customer said;The 2020 floods were devastating and left us with the fear that it could happen again. Having such little children on site, it was very stressful knowing there was no early warning system in place. Now we have a good five or six hours from the first notification of rising waters to close the flood gates, evacuate the children safely, and make the necessary arrangements to protect the building. With all these flood defence measures in place, we hope to never have a repeat of the destruction and school closure of 2020.Rob Alexander, Caretaker, Monmouth Prep School

Franke Water Systems were thrilled to be chosen to provide the complete range of sanitaryware to the Kia Oval at Kennington for their redevelopment project. Products such as their composite Miranit washtroughs, stainless steel urinals, washbasins and WC’s plus complementing grab rails were all part of the installation. Martin Cosgrove from Mectric Solutions commented “Product quality was a huge factor in deciding on which supplier to choose for such a prestigious project and with a brand name like Franke, we knew we would get the best quality that would last for years to come, and still look good too!"

The new ECO Tapillo Tap Hand Dryers have been designed with both style and function in mind.Both the Tapillo Single Air Tap Hand Dryer and the Tapillo 2 in 1 Air and Water Tap Hand Dryer are beautifully made from top quality 304 stainless steel and manufactured to an exacting high standard.Each dryer boasts an air temperature sensor to automatically reduce the heater power, saving energy and money. A 2x stage air filtration process also provides ultra clean sanitised air.

The high performance attributes of Johnstone’s Trade’s products have helped to deliver an unbeatable finish for new state-of-the-art police training facilities. Johnstone’s Acrylic Durable Matt was used to provide the hardwearing finish required in the office areas, while Johnstone’s Acrylic Eggshell was applied in the staff shower areas as it is resistant to condensation.The floor of the impressive ballistics training area was painted with Johnstone’s Two Pack Epoxy Water Based Floor Paint. Johnstone’s Two Pack Anti-Graffiti Finish was applied to the concrete interior walls of the custody cells.

The new £75 million Murray Royal Hospital, Perth was officially opened by Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond last year. The hospital provides state-of-the-art mental healthcare for adults from across Tayside. Franke supplied all manner of janitorial and healthcare washroom products to the project. Specification was exacting to ensure long and efficient product life and savings in water and energy use. Products from Franke Washroom Systems have included; an array of differing formats of HTM63 stainless steels sinks and worktops, disposal and janitorial units.

Howe Green manufactured and supplied a number of custom made wall access covers and 1050 Series floor access covers for Crossrail in London. The wall access solutions were custom made from 5mm of stainless steel and lockable for added security. They were required to provide reliable and stylish access to the lighting circuitry. The 1050 Series floor access covers were installed along the walkways of Adams place to give quick and easy access to the water, power and data feeding the station. Each cover had an additional load bearing to accommodate specific requirements.

Castle Building Services, specified bespoke urinals from specialist stainless from Franke Sissons. Franke products all comply with CE Mark standards, WRAS and BMA water saving standards too, all products are guaranteed to perform for decades. Alan Castleton, Managing Director of Castle Building Services explains “The refurbishment of the washroom is a prestigious contract for us so we obviously wanted to deliver an outstanding job with products that will perform for many years. Franke has a long and impressive track record with high quality stainless steel and of course they are local too”.

Franke products were chosen for the modern transformation of offices in Manchester. A range of products were provided, including 7 of the stunning Quadro Miranit washbasins and 16 franke Aqualine C self-closing pillar taps, which are particularly good for water conservation. “Product quality was a huge factor for this project, and Franke’s Miranit washbasins and taps provided a fantastic solution. Franke supplied from stock and all products we’re delivered to site on time. They provided a with a great service and products that will last for years to come!” commented Zuhaib Judge - Building Surveyor.

This 12 year old, sea-facing property suffered from pink algae growth affecting the textured through-colour render and copings stones. There was a leak to the external staircase and the balcony downspout, which caused staining and what appeared to be salt efflorescence; this area required attention prior to decoration. KEIM Royalan was specified on the sea-facing elevation to protection the property from harsh weather conditions and give a long lasting, colour-fast and decorative matt finish. KEIM Lotexan was applied onto the coping stones to help shed water and reduce algae growth.

England’s first hydro-electric power station has fitted Eternit’s fibre cement Profile 6 sheeting as part of major refurbishment work.Built in 1932 and based in Tavistock, Devon, Mary Tavy Hydro-electric Power Station generates enough electricity for 2,500 homes, and was once the largest hydro-electric scheme in England.It is owned and operated by South West Water, who took the decision to specify Profile 6 sheeting after realising that the original fibre cement sheets used for the roof of the turbine hall had lasted for over seventy years.

Aintree Racecourse is located in Sefton, Merseyside. The racecourse is best known for hosting the Grand National steeplechase. The grandstand was suffering badly from water ingress to the areas below due to the floor coatings and joint seals which had degraded over years of exposure to the elements. Koster flooring systems were specified to provide a long-term solution to the exposed areas, providing a decorative, slip-resistant finish suitable for UV exposure and the weather conditions faced in the UK. The completed area is the perfect spot to enjoy the worlds’ biggest horse race in 2021 and beyond.

St Winefride’s Catholic Church in Holywell is a Grade II listed building and was the first church in the UK to be administered by the Vocationist Fathers. The smooth internal plastered surfaces were originally painted with KEIM Mineral Paints, which had performed very well however there were a few issues that required attention prior to redecoration. There was a water ingress issue in the naive, which was repaired, and small areas of mould growth were visible that were treated using KEIM Algicid. KEIM Optil was applied over the prepared surfaces to provide a long-life, durable finish.

The demand for an energy-efficient hot water distribution system was met by a single-pipe system with 850m of RAYCHEM HWAT-R self-regulating heating cables, managed by nine RAYCHEM HWAT-ECO smart controllers that interface seamlessly with the BMS. Eliminating the need for the secondary pipework of a conventional recirculation system saved space and achieved cost savings of between five and ten percent in material and installation time. Pipe freeze protection was also provided by RAYCHEM WinterGard self-regulating cables, supported by an AT-TS-13 surface-sensing electronic thermostat.

Island Rest, in the Isle of Wight, is designed to be a contemporary family escape offering unique views across the Solent – a 20-mile stretch of water, while equipping occupants with everyday functionality. There are many layers to Island Rest which enable the building to blend into and celebrate its beautiful environment. Glazing is a key part of this - Hi-Finity is utilised to create a variety of features, from full-height windows which frame the spectacular views, through to large sliding doors which open up living spaces onto a courtyard and landscaped gardens.

The Aberavon Aqua Splash have developed a brand new outdoor Splash Pad with 30 water features. This update meant that the council were also looking for new washrooms to upgrade their leisure facilities for their customers.Our Quadro toilet cubicle was selected for the refurbishment. The architect deemed it the most suitable system, opting for SGL material means this washroom is built to last.The vanity units and duct panels were supplied Ready Plumbed which meant only the final connections needed to be completed on site. Read the whole case study on our website.

Acoustics are a particular issue in swimming pools due to the large areas of tiling, and because water itself is also highly reflective of sound. Hawkins\Brown architects needed a material that would provide high performance sound absorption whilst being compatible with the specialist environmental conditions of a pool. As this is within a school, speech intelligibility is of particular importance for learning – and the BASWA discretely provides this crucial function. BASWA was chosen for its high acoustic performance and system quality including the marble surface coating, which may be used in high humidity environments as standard.

The original waterproofing on the Maternity Hospital roof had exceeded its serviceable life and begun experiencing water ingress, requiring urgent remedial work. Bristol City Council wanted to optimise the roof area by installing a high quality, long lasting PV array that would contribute to its Solar City scheme that aims to provide one gigawatt of solar power to Bristol by 2020. The installation needed to cause minimal disruption to ongoing work at the hospital and insulation upgrades were necessary to ensure the roof achieved the required 0.25 U-Value.