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Building Drainage

New ACO VinylSecure delivers reliable drainage for flexible flooring applications

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ACO Building Drainage has launched ACO VinylSecure, a new stainless steel linear drainage system designed specifically to meet the challenge of providing a secure, watertight connection with flexible floor finishes in demanding commercial environments.

Developed to address this longstanding installation challenge, ACO VinylSecure is engineered for projects where safety vinyl, sheet vinyl and other flexible floor finishes are specified. The system uses a mechanical clamping arrangement to securely fix flooring materials directly to the drainage channel, creating a robust and reliable seal.

As flexible flooring continues to be specified across sectors such as leisure, commercial kitchens, education and food production, designers and contractors require drainage solutions that can match the durability and performance demands of these environments. ACO VinylSecure has been developed to meet this need, providing a practical solution that combines stainless steel construction with secure floor integration.

Manufactured from either 304 or 316 grade stainless steel, the system is suitable for applications where long-term durability, corrosion resistance and dependable performance are essential. It accommodates flexible flooring materials between 2 and 4mm thick and is available with a range of grating finishes to suit different project requirements.

The launch is expected to be particularly well suited to leisure centres, swimming pools, sports facilities and communal shower areas, where effective water management and foot safe flooring finishes are critical considerations. The system is also particularly relevant for commercial kitchen designers and contractors, where high-temperature washdowns, frequent cleaning regimes and slip resistant flooring require drainage channels and gratings to meet those requirements.

In addition to supporting easy-to-maintain floor layouts, ACO VinylSecure offers flexibility for project-specific designs. The channel runs are manufactured to suit individual layouts, enabling architects and specifiers to incorporate continuous linear drainage into both new-build and refurbishment projects.

The new solution reflects ACO’s continued focus on developing drainage systems that address real-world installation challenges while helping construction professionals deliver durable, high-performing environments.

Commenting on the launch, Erik Mul, Technical Product Manager at ACO Building Drainage said: “Modern commercial buildings increasingly utilise flexible flooring systems because of their durability, slip resistance and ease of maintenance. ACO VinylSecure has been specifically developed to provide a secure interface between these floor finishes and drainage systems, giving designers, installers and building owners confidence in the long-term performance of the installation.”

Suitable for applications ranging from hotels and healthcare facilities to schools, universities, transport hubs and food manufacturing plants, ACO VinylSecure provides specifiers with a versatile drainage solution that helps simplify the integration of flexible flooring and stainless-steel drainage systems.

For more information, Click here

New FreeDeck Pro supports specifiers with A15 load rating for projects with public-access

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To help specifiers and architects working on buildings with balconies, roof terraces or walkways, ACO Building Drainage has introduced FreeDeck Pro for projects requiring pedestrian load class channels for public-access areas.

Applications include perimeter and threshold installations where drainage needs to direct water away from building edges. These may be balcony and roof-terrace perimeters, walkways using pedestal paving, and transitions including bifold door units. Paving or decking can allow runoff to pass beneath slabs where FreeDeck Pro’s open-sided channel collects it and directs it to a suitable outlet.

Unlike enclosed threshold drains, which receive water through a top grate, FreeDeck Pro takes water from multiple directions, allowing it to guide runoff through slabs and ballast, as well as directing sub-surface water downstream.

FreeDeck Pro has two depths– both of which meet A15 load class requirements suitable for pedestrian areas and is the recognised safety benchmark for specifying channels in public-access settings.

Erik Mul, Product Manager at ACO Building Drainage, said: “The challenge of directing runoff safely while maintaining clean and pleasing settings is a challenge that architects and specifiers have to tackle long before plans are realised. FreeDeck Pro is a significant step forward in balcony and terrace drainage as its A15 rating ensures it is safe for foot traffic as well as wheelchairs and prams, while multiple inlets allow for effective drainage.

“We’ve thoroughly tested FreeDeck Pro to ensure it complies with BS EN 1433 so specifiers and architects can have peace of mind that their projects meet all relevant requirements and uphold high safety standards.”

To find out more on the FreeDeck Pro, see ACO.co.uk.

ACO launches new Shower Drain Range

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ACO Building Drainage launches new shower drain range to simplify specification, installation and procurement—while improving hygiene

To help specifiers, installers and bathroom merchant teams overcome the practical challenges of wet‑room drainage, ACO Building Drainage has launched a comprehensive new shower drain range. The collection now places an even greater focus on shower drainage channels, advanced gully solutions, and fully configurable modular options for flexible, long‑run commercial and leisure applications.

Next‑generation shower drainage channels

ACO’s new ShowerDrain C channels introduce enhanced performance, through an increased range of benefits.

The new channel designs offer:

  • More outlet orientations including vertical, in-line (left/right) and perpendicular options to minimise on‑site compromises.
  • Low‑build height versions for projects with restricted floor depth.
  • Optimised flow rates for improved drainage performance.
  • Reduced component cost thanks to automated, streamlined manufacturing and supply chain efficiencies.
  • Hydro‑formed gullies for higher flow rates and improved cleanability.
  • Pickle Passivated steel channels to optimise product longevity

These features provide specifiers and installers with greater flexibility in both standard and constrained wet‑room environments, helping maintain aesthetics, flow performance and hygiene across a range of project types.

For smaller or retrofit installations with reduced build height, ShowerDrain B and E channels offer low‑profile or 360° rotating gullies that minimise on‑site adjustments and accelerate installation.  ShowerDrain B offers a costs effective project solution for tiled floor installations while ShowerDrain E offers an elegant finish for both tiled and vinyl floors.

Improved gullies for high flow, tight spaces and easier maintenance

The range also introduces several advanced gullies engineered for higher hydraulic performance and simplified cleaning.

Key options include:

  • Solutions for tile or vinyl finishes, ensuring compatibility with varied floor constructions.
  • Passino gullies featuring a single‑unit that seals directly into the outlet pipe, combined with a removable two‑piece foul air trap for faster cleaning and lower backflow risk.
  • Optimised foul‑air‑trap geometry to improve flow capacity and reduce blockage potential.

Erik Mul, Product Manager at ACO Building Drainage, said:

“The range gives specifiers and installers more options to suit their application, easier maintenance access and consistent performance on both tiled and flexible floors whether the installation is in a domestic bathroom, a hotel, a care home or a busy swimming pool changing area. Our new shower range provides solutions that avoid the usual trade-offs between aesthetics, hygiene and flow rates.”

Modular shower channels for large-scale commercial and leisure projects

For concrete‑bed projects or sites requiring long continuous drainage runs, the Modular 125 system provides a reliable, efficient alternative to using multiple discrete channels.

This system is fully configurable to suit the channel length and flow rates required to cater for high-traffic leisure facilities, gyms and health environments where hygiene and durability are non-negotiable.

Erik added:

“Our new range highlights maintenance-friendly, easy clean features such as removable traps and accessible grates to mitigate hygiene and safety risks posed by inaccessible gullies and poor outlet design.

Whether it’s for care homes, wetrooms, or sports facilities—ACO delivers performance, practicality, and choice. ACO’s new shower drain portfolio gives specifiers, installers and bathroom merchant teams configurable, durable options that improve hygiene and lower whole‑life risk.”

Technical support is available to guide product selection for complex layouts, long runs or specialist design requirements.

For more on ACO’s new shower drain range including data sheet and installation instructions, visit www.aco.co.uk/wetroom-showers

Blue Roofs – Integration with biosolar, hard landscaping, green roofs

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Off-membrane blue roof systems are being recognised as a vital part of the UK’s sustainable future, but what does true integration mean for designers, specifiers and contractors❓

With ACO’s method, off-membrane storage integration means modular tanks positioned above the roof build-up keep rainwater storage separate from the waterproofing layer, protecting the membrane while enabling controlled irrigation, hard landscaping and biosolar interfaces 💧

Keeping the storage away from the waterproof layer stops the repeated wetting and drying that concentrates moisture at joints and roof openings. Reducing that strain on the waterproofing helps preserve manufacturer warranties and avoids the extensive work a membrane replacement would otherwise require on multi-use roofs 👷

For inverted and hard-landscaped roofs, keeping stored water off the insulation also removes the need for heavy ballast and the risk of insulation lifting 👍

Passive irrigation using wicking mats connected to the stored water delivers moisture to planting soil and planters in paved areas without surface ponding or mechanical sprinklers. The result is reliable plant establishment, biosolar edge planting and lower energy and maintenance needs — crucial where access and solar-panel maintenance corridors must be kept clear 🌞

Early, joined-up design is essential: consider tank locations, wicking layout and outlet positions during concept stages to meet the London Plan Urban Greening Factor and avoid late-stage structural clashes. ACO’s method works with wicking networks and PV layouts, offers simpler installation than ballast systems, and delivers predictable weights on the roof, making multifunctional roofscapes coherent, maintainable and compliant ✅

Explore blue roofs in greater detail with our free guide, available here ⬇️

https://www.aco.co.uk/blue-green-roofs

ACO Building Drainage Helps Construction Professionals Tackle Climate Change with Launch of ‘Blue Roof Guide – Volume 2’

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With climate extremes increasing and urban drainage networks under growing stress, ACO Building Drainage has published the second volume of its Blue Roof Guide to help architects, engineers, specifiers and contractors design resilient, multi-functional roofscapes.

The new guide explains how blue and blue-green roof systems can store and manage rainfall on site, reduce peak flows to overstretched sewers and support passive irrigation and biodiversity on roof areas.

The guide, titled ‘ACO Blue Roof Guide – Vol 2’, follows the success of ACO’s first volume of its Blue Roof Guide, launched in October 2024, and builds on the criteria established for safe and sustainable drainage.

Sustainability is a core principle of ACO’s work and this has been recognised in the company’s appointment as United Nations ambassador for Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. The second volume of the Blue Roof Guide is evidence of ACO’s commitment to clean water, sustainability, and supporting the construction industry in creating an eco-friendly future.

Volume 2 sets out the principles of off-membrane storage and offers practical design and delivery advice for architects, engineers, specifiers and contractors. It highlights blue roofs as an increasingly important tool in urban developments by storing water temporarily and releasing it slowly to lessen flood risk while enabling green and biosolar roof functions to coexist without compromising waterproofing.

Technical sections go into detail about ACO’s patented RoofBloxx system: a shallow, high-strength geocellular attenuation layer designed to sit independently of the roof membrane. Implementation and installation are also discussed, including together with the proper use of flow restrictors, access and diffuser units, capillary wicks and reservoir trays. When combined, these components manage run-off rates, support passive irrigation for sedum and planted systems, and reduce the need for heavy ballast by stabilising insulation.

Neill Robinson-Welsh, who has led more than 750 blue roof projects during his 14 years with ACO, said: “Blue roofs are no longer an optional extra but a practical response to the twin pressures of heavier rainfall and growing water stress. Our approach uses ACO RoofBloxx to store water off the waterproofing layer, simplifying integration with green and biosolar elements and reducing the risk of membrane failure. The new guide reflects what we’ve learned on real projects and sets out design and maintenance steps that make blue roofs reliable.”

Practical chapters focus on early-stage coordination, addressing outlet positioning, roof slope and structural implications, as well as maintenance-friendly design through permanent access chambers and twice-yearly inspections, and emphasising the importance of accurate hydraulic calculations to meet planning limits while preserving architectural constraints.

ACO stresses that designers need to treat blue roofs as system integration exercises, and by coordinating landscape, photovoltaics and other services early it will help to avoid late, costly revisions.

Volume 2 is positioned as a hands-on resource for teams planning multifunctional roofs where water management, ecology and service access must all be reconciled.

To download the guide, see ACO.co.uk.

Adaptability at The Acre: ACO Overcomes Installation Challenges to Provide Sustainable Drainage to Iconic London Building Renovation

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When a blue roof was needed as part of a major sustainable renovation at the Acre in London, it was vital that the solution specified could be installed while other work on aspects of the roof were underway. With so many moving parts to the renovation, ACO Building Drainage had to work with contractors to be able to make their usual installation process more dynamic and accommodate unexpected changes along the way. 

The brutalist building – previously known as 90 Long Acre, now shortened to The Acre – was built in the 1970s and by 2020 was in need of major renovations to restore its status as one of Covent Garden’s architectural highlights. The 240,000 square foot building would include office spaces, a café, and 113 residential flats. Moreover, once complete, The Acre was to be one of the most eco-friendly developments in the city.

Boosting The Acre’s green credentials meant overhauling several key systems including heating, the electrical supply, and roof drainage. With conditions around the site and the project itself meaning storage space was limited, deliveries had to be carefully planned and ACO’s speedy adaptability proved to be a major advantage. With ACO’s contributions to the project, The Acre went on to be awarded Sustainability Project of the Year by the LRWA.

Commencing with calculations

ACO Building Drainage was invited by building design firm Arup to collaborate on the roof drainage part of The Acre’s renovation. ACO visited the site and provided calculations for the water attenuation the building would need, and recommended products that could provide the attenuation required in line with the overall sustainability goals and planning conditions of the project.

ACO’s calculations accounted for the different sections of roof and the fact that raised areas of the roof drained onto lower parts. The provided calculations also took into consideration the combination of blue and blue green roof that was to be installed as part of the plan to better conserve water, boost biodiversity, clean the air, and improve the microclimate of The Acre.

Following the calculations however, complications arose due to the concurrent installation of solar equipment and privacy screening on the same areas of the rooftop where ACO’s RoofBloxx were to be installed.

Unexpected obstructions

Due to limited on-site storage space and multiple aspects of the renovation being carried out simultaneously, only a small portion of the required ACO RoofBloxx could be delivered at a time. To overcome this challenge, ACO communicated closely with Lendlease’s site managers and adapted its usual delivery process to ensure product was at The Acre at the time it was needed. This flexibility was made possible due to ACO’s facility in Shefford, which houses products ready for shipping in cases when short lead-times or sudden changes are a factor.

The main hurdle ACO and contractors from MAC Roofing had to contend with was the unexpected appearance of struts installed directly onto the rooftop to support other building services. These were in place to hold PV panels and screens to block plant equipment from public view to improve The Acre’s visual aesthetic.

The schematic for the ACO RoofBloxx installation had been created before these struts were known to ACO. MAC Roofing discovered their placement when they arrived to carry out the drainage installation. Because of this, designs had to be adapted quickly, while ensuring that the finished product would provide the attenuation needed and prevent any leaks.

Cutting carefully

For each of the more-than one-hundred struts MAC had to work around, pitch pockets had to be put in, the insulation had to be altered, and the ACO RoofBloxx units had to be cut to fit the space available. MAC contractors measured the obstruction, cut the ACO RoofBloxx units to the new size by hand, and then taped and sealed each part individually. ACO provided instructions on how to do this without risking any unwanted water ingress. With each cut that had to be made, the potential for leaks increased, therefore it was vital to the success of the project that the unplanned adaptations were completed to a high standard across all seven sections of roof.

Once the ACO RoofBloxx units were in place, other parts of the renovation meant that pipes and pedestals were placed directly on to the ACO RoofBloxx which was also an unforeseen change. ACO created a new set of structural load calculations to ensure that the components combined with the gravel would not compromise the ACO RoofBloxx’ performance or any aspect of building safety.

Layers and loads

In most blue roof systems, the final ballast weight needed to prevent insulation floating is significant and can impact load calculations as well as project costs and timelines as delivery and placement of ballast material is factored in. Due to ACO’s patented system which prevents the floatation of insulation on an inverted roof, only normal ballast weight is required, keeping costs low and project timelines on track.

With ACO’s expertise, even with the unexpected challenges encountered during the project, MAC Roofing and ACO were able to complete their part of the project successfully, providing The Acre with a sustainable roof drainage system. The complications highlight the need for drainage to be a consideration from the very early stages of any building or renovation project.

Rowan Gutteridge, Group Director at MAC said: “As with many construction projects, unexpected challenges arise all the time and we work to overcome them. The changes here were bigger than usual and it was in large part thanks to ACO that we were able to complete this installation successfully. When we suddenly had to cut the ACO RoofBloxx to shape, ACO’s expert advice meant we knew exactly how to do it and what adjustments were needed for the installation to make sure everything delivered the desired result. The ACO RoofBloxx units themselves are easy to work with which only helped the project progress. I’m looking forward to working with ACO and its products again on future projects.”

Kevin Bohea, Managing Director at ACO Building Drainage said: “It’s great to see an iconic building like The Acre embracing sustainable drainage. We did hit a few speedbumps along the way so we were glad to be working with MAC Roofing who we consulted with on how best to adapt the installation to the new requirements. Every project has adjustments that need to be made along the way and this one was no different. Quite a bit needed to change while the project was live, but thanks to guidance from our experts and our solutions being easy to use, the team were able to take on the challenge and ensure the installation was completed to an award-winning standard.”

For more on ACO Building Drainage and the roofing solutions they provide, see ACO.co.uk.

A Specifiers Guide to Blue Green Roofs and Schedule 3

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The Flood and Water Management Act Schedule 3 is expected to be implemented in the next year, which means sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) will become mandatory in England for a significant number of new and retrofit developments. In this article, Neill Robinson-Welsh, Consultant at ACO Building Drainage discusses the coming changes and what specifiers need to be aware of, especially when it comes to urban  schemes and projects that involve blue green roofs.

With the implementation of Schedule 3 just over the horizon, it is important for specifiers working on property development projects to have a clear understanding of the new requirements and how their responsibilities will likely be impacted. By understanding Schedule 3, specifiers will be better positioned to select the roofing solutions that fall in line with regulations and help mitigate their project’s impact on the environment.

Schedule 3: an overview

Schedule 3 is an umbrella term encompassing several requirements related to sustainable drainage. It comes from the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and will mandate that all construction projects incorporate SuDS. While there is still some uncertainty, once it is implemented, Schedule 3 is expected to impact both new developments and renovation work on multiple dwelling units or properties over 100 square metres.

The demand for blue roofs is expected to increase

One major change with Schedule 3 will be that there will no longer be an automatic right to connect new and refurbished properties to public sewers. Instead, permission must be given, once appropriate SuDS have been put in place, by the local SuDS Approval Body (SAB). Each local authority will have its own SAB, and it is this body that ensures a drainage proposal meets the standards created by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

To meet Schedule 3 requirements, it is expected that demand for innovative drainage systems such as blue and blue green roofs will increase. These are viable solutions for many drainage projects in dense urban areas and have a proven record of their efficacy and sustainability.

Relevant regulations

It’s important that specifiers keep in mind that drainage should be selected with those once-in-a-century rainfall events in mind, and not just accounting for average conditions. Along with this consideration, blue roofs need to be installed in compliance with BS EN 12056-3:2000, the British Standard for gravity drainage on flat roofs, as well as BS 6229:2018, for flat roofs with continuously supported flexible waterproof coverings.

On a technical level, it is worth noting that blue and blue green roofs made from solutions like ACO’s RoofBloxx shallow geocellular crates are attenuation systems on roofs and not roofing systems as such. Once installed, they sit on top of a roof, but function separately. It is this distinction that allows roofers to follow BS EN 12056-3:2000[1]and BS 6229:2018[2], which are two seemingly incompatible requirements. In practice, it means water should not be allowed to sit on top of the waterproofing layers as that can risk causing structural damage to the roof.

The difference between blue and blue green roofs

Traditionally, roofs have been designed with the goal of removing water as quickly as possible. Blue and blue green roofs work very differently – intentionally slowing the flow of water off the roof using water storage, flow restrictors, and other features to avoid overwhelming sewers and create more sustainable drainage.

Blue roofs slow the flow of water from a roof mitigating flood risk copy

What differentiates blue from blue green roofs is that the latter is a home to live plants as well as flow slowing solutions. These plants can contribute to biodiversity and act as a natural carbon sink, improving the air quality of their immediate surroundings and offsetting carbon emissions. Many blue green roofs reuse some of the collected water to sustain the plants that fulfil the green aspects of the hybrid design which make them especially eco-friendly roofing options.

Industry changes can present challenges, so it is important for specifiers to be up to date and able to make the right product selections. These can be based on specialist knowledge and experience when specifiers partner with drainage experts such as those at ACO. Demand is growing for solutions that are compliant with Schedule 3 and, by being familiar with available blue and blue green roof options available, specifiers will be well positioned to make informed choices that will benefit the project, the end user, and the environment.

For more on blue roof specification please visit ACO.co.uk.

[1]   BS EN 12056-3:2000 contains design guidance for roof and paved area drainage.

[2]   BS 6229:2018 outlines best practice for the design, construction and maintenance of roofs with a flat or curved surface.

Securing Safety: ACO’s Bespoke Escape Hatch is a Runway Success

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When an outdoor emergency escape hatch needed replacing at Heathrow airport, it was vital the solution could be installed quickly to minimise disruptions to air traffic as much as possible. With no escaping the difficulties inherent to projects carried out at the world’s fourth busiest airport, the contractors reached out to ACO to help them hatch a plan.

Time for an upgrade

The escape hatch in question served a plant room below the south runway and, as the one previously in place was reaching the end of its useable life, it needed updating. Intended for emergency use should there be a serious problem in the plant room, the existing hatch featured a grill near ground level which left the inside of the plant room vulnerable to frequent rainwater ingress. Due in large part to the age and outdoor location of the site, the previous hatch had become difficult to open so something more useable was required.

Safety needed to be front of mind – the new hatch needed to be openable with one hand and allow someone on the inside to override the outside locking system so that in emergency situations workers could escape quickly. These operational requirements had to be tempered with the fact that airports are high-security environments so any risk of unauthorised entry via the hatch had to be reduced to practically zero.

The escape hatch installation was contracted to Design Build International (DBI) and headed up by Construction Manager Kelvin Sumner. DBI had just four nights to break out the existing escape hatch, install reinforcements, pour concrete, and install the new hatch.

Flight path pressure

Working at an airport meant there were several constraints specific to the site with security and safety requirements meaning that transport to and from the site took multiple layers of approvals and permits. This restriction meant planning was vital because a forgotten tool or unexpected change would mean having to wait until a member of security was available before making the round-trip to pick up any additional items.

Most of the installation work had to happen at night to avoid interrupting airplane landings and take-offs. This also meant that DBI had to be very strict about leaving the site by 4:30am each day.

Along with the airport-specific restrictions, the fact that the project impacted an escape route meant that scaffolding had to be assembled to provide an adequate escape route during the day. At night, when DBI undertook the project, work couldn’t begin until the scaffolding had been disassembled. Available time was similarly reduced at the end of their shifts as they had to have each phase of the job completed early enough in the morning so that scaffolding could then be reassembled for the temporary escape route.

Bespoke solution

Given the restrictions around the time available for this project, it was vital that the installation of the new hatch went smoothly. Knowing that the escape hatch would need to be fully bespoke and made to very strict standards, Kelvin brought ACO on board. Having worked with ACO on a previous project, Kelvin knew the manufacturer’s ability to offer unique solutions as well as their speed at delivering them.

ACO supplied the fully bespoke escape hatch which suited the project as it was designed with ease of installation in mind. All aspects of the operational specification were met allowing the cover, once installed, to be opened from above and below ground level. Not only this but, thanks to its gas springs and one-handed quick release mechanism, it is easier – and therefore safer – to use in an emergency. When used from inside the hatch, the mechanism can override the lock outside, ensuring security while enabling quick escapes.

While there is no expectation for vehicles or aeroplanes to go over the hatch, to account for that unlikely (but still possible) event, the hatch has been specified to BS EN 124 load class F 900 meaning it will be able to safely withstand the force of even the heaviest vehicles. The load class and external locks combined with the water-tight seal means the escape hatch will not allow unwanted ingress of any kind.

Advantages of ACO

To support DBI with the constraints of working at an airport, ACO provided a detailed installation guide. The escape hatch was itself designed to be swift and uncomplicated to install and this meant that, when the night came to carry out the installation, the process was completed smoothly and in good time. The entire project, from removal of the existing escape hatch to installing ACO’s bespoke replacement, was completed within the four-night timeframe.

Kelvin Sumner, Construction Manager at DBI said: “Working with such tight timescales every night made for a pretty tense job but thankfully, when it came to installing the new escape hatch, we could essentially just place it in the right spot and fix it down. The guide ACO gave us was thorough enough that we knew exactly what was needed for a quick install and the escape hatch is very easy to use. Between the design elements, the fast turnaround with the supply, and the installation guide, I don’t think there’s anything else ACO could have done to make this part of the job go better.”

Liam Watkins, Sales Consultant at ACO said: “We’re really glad the hatch is now safely in place and that the installation went without a hitch. We do our best to understand the pressures that contractors face and mitigate that at every stage, from the initial ideas for solutions we come up with, to design, to additional after-sales support. DBI has been a great partner to work with and it’s great to know that we were able to make the job a little easier.”

For more about ACO Building Drainage’s access cover solutions, please visit ACO.co.uk.

A Specifiers Guide to Schedule 3 and Blue Green Roofs

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The Flood and Water Management Act Schedule 3 is expected to be implemented this year, which means sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) will become mandatory in England for a significant number of new and retrofit developments. In this article, Neill Robinson-Welsh, Consultant at ACO Building Drainage discusses the coming changes and what specifiers need to be aware of, especially when it comes to inner-city schemes and projects that involve blue green roofs.

With the implementation of Schedule 3 just over the horizon, it is important for specifiers working on property development projects to have a clear understanding of the new requirements and how their responsibilities will likely be impacted. By understanding Schedule 3, specifiers will be better positioned to select the roofing solutions that fall in line with regulations and help mitigate their project’s impact on the environment.

Schedule 3: an overview

Schedule 3 is an umbrella term encompassing several requirements related to sustainable drainage. It comes from the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and will mandate that all construction projects incorporate SuDS. While there is still some uncertainty, once it is implemented, Schedule 3 is expected to impact both new developments and renovation work on multiple dwelling units or properties over 100 square metres.

One major change with Schedule 3 will be that there will no longer be an automatic right to connect new and refurbished properties to public sewers. Instead, permission must be given and, in order to secure that permission, appropriate SuDS must be put in place and signed off by the local SuDS Approval Body (SAB). Each local authority will have its own SAB, and it is this body that ensures a drainage proposal meets the standards created by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

To meet Schedule 3 requirements, it is expected that demand for innovative drainage systems such as blue and blue green roofs will increase. These are viable solutions for many drainage projects in dense urban areas and have a proven record of their efficacy and sustainability.

The difference between blue and blue green roofs

Traditionally, roofs have been designed with the goal of removing water as quickly as possible. Blue and blue green roofs work very differently – intentionally slowing the flow of water off the roof using water storage, flow restrictors, and other features to avoid overwhelming sewers and create more sustainable drainage.

What differentiates blue from blue green roofs is that the latter is a home to live plants as well as flow slowing solutions. These plants can contribute to biodiversity and act as a natural carbon sink, improving the air quality of their immediate surroundings and offsetting carbon emissions. Many blue green roofs reuse some of the collected water to sustain the plants that fulfil the green aspects of the hybrid design which make them especially eco-friendly roofing options.

Relevant regulations

It’s important that specifiers keep in mind that drainage should be selected with those once-in-a-century rainfall events in mind, and not just accounting for average conditions. Along with this consideration, blue roofs need to be installed in compliance with BS EN 12056-3:2000, the British Standard for gravity drainage on flat roofs, as well as BS 6229:2018, for flat roofs with continuously supported flexible waterproof coverings.

On a technical level, it is worth noting that blue and blue green roofs made from solutions like ACO’s RoofBloxx shallow geocellular crates are attenuation systems and not roofs. Once installed, they sit on top of a roof, but function separately. It is this distinction that allows roofers to follow BS EN 12056-3:2000[1] and BS 6229:2018[2], which are two seemingly incompatible requirements. In practice, it means water should not be allowed to sit on top of the waterproofing layers as that can risk causing structural damage to the roof.

Industry changes can present challenges, so it is important to for specifiers to be up to date and able to make the right product selections. These can be based on specialist knowledge and experience when specifiers partner with drainage experts such as those at ACO. Demand is growing for solutions that are compliant with Schedule 3 and, by being familiar with available blue and blue green roof options available, specifiers will be well positioned to make informed choices that will benefit the project, the end user, and the environment.

For more on blue roof specification please visit ACO.co.uk.

[1]   BS EN 12056-3:2000 contains design guidance for roof and paved area drainage.

[2]   BS 6229:2018 outlines best practice for the design, construction and maintenance of roofs with a flat or curved surface.

PAM Building – Ensign Agilium

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What does choosing Ensign Agilium mean for your drainage project?

Less environmental impact

Ensign Agilium® cast iron is made of 99 % recycled material and 100 % recyclable. Product design and manufacturing innovations have reduced CO2e emissions by 20% compared to our Ensign Soil range.

Durability

Due to their exceptional mechanical properties, cast iron drainage systems prevent the need for costly and time-consuming repairs.

Fire safety

Ensign Agilium® cast iron is a non-combustible, A1-rated material that is fire resistant for up to 2 hours protecting people and property.

Acoustic comfort

Our cast iron systems easily meet the industry guidelines. Ensign Agilium® produces airborne noise of 46 dB(A) and structure-borne noise of 13dB(A) according to EN14366, for a discharge rate of 2 l/s (with the use of our anti-vibration collars and acoustic dampeners).

Minimising the total cost of installation

We are convinced that the total cost of installation of Ensign Agilium® is lower than many plastic systems. The thinner walled pipes are now much quicker to cut, the system requires no costly accessories such as fire collars or expansion joints and far fewer brackets are required. Why not do the comparison and find out for yourself?

Available in diameters 100-300 with a range of fittings. Ensign Agilium is 100% compatible with our Ensign Soil range (and vice versa) with all the same benefits in terms of fire safety, acoustic performance, and longevity, just with more time, environmental and space-saving qualities. You can also save up to 60% of your time on-site by opting for our pre-assembly range.

For more information visit: https://www.pambuilding.co.uk/Ensign-Agilium

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