ScaleBuster® Performance and Longevity Encapsulated at James Hornby School

Building Products Index Ltd May 23, 2016 Heating Leave a Comment

Between August 1998 and February 1999 three Scalebuster® units were installed at the James Hornby School in Basildon, Essex. The Scalebusters® were specified to protect the calorifiers in the school heating system by inhibiting the build-up of harmful limescale and so preventing the need for costly repairs or premature replacement.

In 2014 a refurbishment programme was undertaken at the school that included changes to the heating system, but the question was, had the Scalebusters® actually done their job? The ideal chance came when the three original units were removed 16 years after their installation. Between December 2014 and February 2015 new boilers were installed for the upper and lower schools as well as the sports hall. At the same time five new Scalebusters® were installed to protect the new system and the old units were returned for a detailed examination.

Their effectiveness was immediately evident from the condition of the calorifiers. The contractor involved in their replacement took internal photographs of the original, 16 years old calorifiers, shown here, before they were removed. The images show no build-up of scale on either the cylinder walls or the heat exchange walls demonstrating conclusively that the ScaleBusters® had performed their function of inhibiting the build-up of hard scale throughout their operational life.

But what of the Scalebusters® themselves? If the old boilers hadn’t been replaced would they have carried on working even longer? External inspection showed the body of the units to be in good order. The nickel plating was in good condition and there was no corrosion or pitting of the brass. The central spindle and all PTFE fins were in good order on the flanged units. All the fins were present and were tight within their housing indicating that minimal reduction in the anode had taken place.

The PTFE sections within the ISB C50 threaded unit were clean and showed no sign of wear or fouling. All the zinc anodes were in place and although some signs of depletion were evident, this was to be expected after having been in use since 1999. A detailed internal and external examination of the units confirmed that despite the use of a zinc anode as a sacrificial element, minimal depletion of the anode had actually taken place.

During a service life in excess of 15 years, thousands of cubic metres of water would have been treated as they passed through the three units. The service life in the case of the removed ScaleBuster® units within the system and water type at the James Hornby School was found to be well in excess of 15 years.

How do Scalebusters® work?

The Scale-Buster® unit conditions hard water (preventing lime-scale build up) by combining a number of actions that release zinc ions into the water as it passes through the unit. It does not contain magnets or involve any sort of magnetic process. It needs no power supply and works completely automatically with no control panel to maintain. They are WRAS approved and can be installed with new systems or retro-fitted to existing installations.

Scale-Buster® is designed to cause precipitation of calcium carbonate into the water stream. This is as a result of the breakdown of the bicarbonate into carbon dioxide, water and carbonate due to the effects created within the Scale-Buster® itself. The particles which are formed in the water stream act as nuclei for the formation of further scale when the water is heated. In this way, scale deposition upon heating surfaces is minimised.

When a salt is precipitated from solution it results in a relatively less saturated solution remaining. The less saturated water is then able to dissolve and breakdown existing scale from pipe surfaces which form bigger particles that can then be removed from the system with a filter.

For further information, call The Rodin Group on 01795 423400, Email info@therodingroup.co.uk or visit www.therodingroup.co.uk

From derelict pile to hospitality pearl: Stannah updates access in Crossbasket Castle

Building Products Index Ltd May 23, 2016 Lift Leave a Comment

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Throughout its 600-year history it’s doubtful that Crossbasket Castle in Scotland catered for mobility compromised people – until a recent £9m investment and a Stannah Midilift SL platform lift transformed it into a luxury hotel, restaurant and events venue, accessible to everyone.

Moribund and on the Buildings at Risk Register, this Grade I Listed tower house was bankrolled into the 21st century with four years of sympathetic restoration, by new owners Steve and Alison Reid-Timoney.

Set in 14 acres of landscaped gardens on the banks of Rotten Calder Water in High Blantyre, Lanarkshire, Crossbasket Castle offers eight bedrooms, including a 4-floor honeymoon suite, the Albert and Michel Roux Jnr Restaurant, and the Roosevelt Grand Hall, a mediaeval-style, new-build banqueting/ballroom facility, and home to the Midilift SL access lift.

The platform lift carries mobility compromised patrons, especially wheelchair-users, between the ground-floor Hall and the mezzanine Balcony, a unique dining or meeting space with scenic views of the Calder gorge and waterfalls.

The Midilift SL was specified by Project Manager, John Sneddon, who sourced Stannah after having problems with a previous lift installation in the main building: “We contacted Stannah because they are a recognised name in the lift industry, and were impressed by their service from the outset – an excellent product backed by professional support from start to finish.”

Complementing the Hall’s glazed roof, the wheelchair lift’s glass door and upper-level, half-height gate blend security with viewability, with the gate providing a cost-effective solution to the restricted head height caused by the sloping ceiling.

Finished in RAL 8016 mahogany brown, the platform lift complements the surrounding woodwork, which also mirrors the aged fixtures and fittings of the main building.

Hydraulically driven and supplied in its own lift enclosure, the lift requires minimal building work, making it a cost-conscious access solution that ensures the owners of Crossbasket Castle comply with section 4.2 of the Technical Handbook (Scotland), and the Equality Act 2010.

As with all Stannah lift products, the Midilift SL platform lift is covered by Stannah’s comprehensive lift service plan, which includes four service visits, with continued lift maintenance by the Scotland branch of Stannah Lift Services, part of a nationwide network providing comprehensive lift servicing and support.

New EJOT fixing ranges steal the limelight at RCI

Building Products Index Ltd May 22, 2016 Fixings Leave a Comment

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Those attending the recent RCI show at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena at the end of January, will have witnessed the diversity of fixing solutions for flat roofing, rainscreen systems and other construction challenges offered under this global brand; but the products are really only part of a holistic, service based technical offering.

We are all familiar with the map detailing the different exposure conditions to which structures are subjected, but it requires real expertise to translate wind speeds into the right fixing patterns and types. Crucially the EJOT range encompasses different options for mechanical and chemical anchors to suit all the common exterior substrates: including plywood, metal sheeting, brick or blockwork masonry and cracked or uncracked concrete.

By engaging with EJOT, contractors and consultants can access the company’s testing capabilities which will confirm the suitability of certain solutions to the location, the height or configuration of the building and the material which a rainscreen system or built –up roofing system is being secured into.

Brian Mack Technical Business Development Manager for EJOT UK Ltd “Globally EJOT is expanding its product offering relating to concrete, brick and block substrates: by consolidating our existing brands, through research & development, and from consultation with OEM’s and engineers. We have the products within the range to meet all installation issues into the different substrates, to tackle a wide variety of applications and performance criteria”

A further example of the latter would be the Trio ‘general application’ anchor for insulation materials, which is aimed at sub-contractors tasked, say, with securing insulation as part of a rainscreen installation. Described by Brian Mack as versatile and reliable as well as being very cost effective, Trio comprises two types of fixing pin, both of which combine with the same high quality sleeve.

Meanwhile, the three Trio components can be used to fix into concrete or clay bricks including perforated types and aircrete blockwork. The 10mm diameter sleeve itself is manufactured from high density polyethylene to create a variable anchor zone, from 30 to 60 mm depth. The glass-reinforced nylon pin is intended to be used for securing lighter weight insulation such as expanded polystyrene back into brickwork or concrete. Then the metal pin will normally be used for heavier insulation types, though still being suitable for lighter EPS material. EJOT Trio then presents a generic, non-system specific product solution

Also prominent amongst the products showcased on EJOT’s stand at RCI the company was introducing its new HTK-75-2G 75 mm diameter tube-washer, for part-adhered flat roofing installations. Importantly it meets SPRA guidelines for bonded/mechanical hybrid installations and is suitable for securing insulation back into either ply or profiled steel decks.

EJOT’s technical sales engineers will advise on the correct fixing centres in relation to wind-load calculations, while the tube-washer and threaded fastener not only address cold-bridging concerns, but the telescopic design provides resistance to imposed loads. With the insulation and membrane permanently secured using EJOT’s hybrid solution, the job is completed by folding and heat welding the laps.

With such a comprehensive collection of fixing products to choose from, and technical resources including site testing available to back them up, potential customers need to investigate the EJOT offering fully.

For more information email info@ejot.co.uk or call 01977 687040

Stepping up: easy-fit low level light

Building Products Index Ltd April 28, 2016 lights Leave a Comment

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Stepping up: easy-fit low level light

Timeguard’s new range of super-slimline, compact surface mounted IP65 LED step lights make it easy to add decorative and safety lighting on steps and decks.

There’s no need to channel out the step or wall and the double-insulated luminaires do not require an earth. The surface mount back plates provide for fast terminal block connection, making them even quicker and easier to install.

Delivering from 20 to 24 Lumens of cool white light the new dark grey and white polycarbonate Timeguard Step Lights have the good looks and guaranteed durability that property owners will welcome indoors or out. They are remarkably compact – the round model, for instance, is just 150mm in diameter and 27mm deep, and will provide discrete, trouble-free down lighting for steps, corridors and passageways indoors and out for many years.

Electrical wholesalers are now stocking square, oblong and round versions in both colours

Pretty tough: more LED die-cast bulkhead lights from Timeguard

After the runaway success of its round and oval slimline outdoor die cast LED lights, Timeguard has extended the range with round eyelid and grill designs.

The eyelid design gives installers control over the field of illumination, allowing for down lighting: while the grid pattern, as well as being decorative, adds even more protection to what is already a very tough polycarbonate diffusing lens. These 25W, 240mm diameter lights deliver bright light economically: 1100 Ln for the eyelid model 1800 Ln for the grid design.

With IP65 weatherproofing and, of course, the 3 year guarantee that is the signature of Timeguard quality, the new luminaires are available from electrical wholesalers now.

About Timeguard:

Timeguard sets the standards in quality and innovation. Originally part of Smiths Industries Group, and now a member of the Europe-wide Theben group of companies, Timeguard develops innovative products for the electrical trade that are easy to install and which focus on time, lighting and climate control that delivers energy savings. The Greater London company’s products are sold through electrical wholesalers, backed up with long guarantees, with easy access to comprehensive information on packaging and online, and direct access to a technical telephone helpline for installers and specifiers.

VELOPA Transport Cycle Stand range

Building Products Index Ltd April 28, 2016 Cycle Stand Leave a Comment

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Cycling continues to be the fastest way of moving around our biggest cities making cycle stands an essential part of any urban construction project.
Whatever the location, any cycle stands installed in a busy public area must be able to withstand the rigours of daily use without needing constant maintenance. The VELOPA Transport Cycle Stand range was designed with city life in mind and meets these requirements perfectly. Manufactured from mild steel and galvanised as standard to ensure their longevity, each of the stands within the range has been created to fully comply with the cycle parking recommendations in force in their namesake cities.

London

There are two preferred cycle stands in use on the London transport network; the London Cycle Stand and the ‘M’ Cycle Stand. Both are designed to offer cyclists the maximum security possible when leaving their bicycles unattended. Whilst the London Cycle Stand uses a wider diameter steel tube to boost its defensive properties, the M stand’s design gives cyclists variable locking heights to provide a higher level of security than traditional cycle stands.

Be aware! Certain areas of London require all their street furniture items to be coated black. All of our cycle stands can be coated in any RAL or BS colour; please specify the colour at time of ordering. AUTOPA’s standard black is RAL 9005.

Manchester

The Manchester Cycle Stand is the widest cycle stand of the range; at 1000mm, it provides secure cycle storage for all styles of bicycle. This stand is supplied with contrasting reflective banding as standard to ensure that is can see by all pedestrians in all weather conditions. Additional signage plates and tapping rails can be added if required.

Birmingham

The Birmingham Cycle Stand features an integrated tapping rail and signage plate making it fully compliant with all DDA regulations and the recommendations in place on the Birmingham transport network. The signage plate can also be used by cyclists as an additional locking point for their bicycles.

Transport Cycle Stand

The final stand within the range is the Transport Cycle Stand. This stand is designed to meet the recommendations set by the majority of UK councils and is perfect for use in high footfall areas. The integrated low-level signage plate doubles as a functional tapping rail making the stand easily identifiable for visually impaired pedestrians.

The VELOPA brand has been synonymous with the manufacture of high-quality cycle storage products for over 60 years, so whatever project you are working on, we will be able to help.

Contact AUTOPA’s sales office today to find out more.

Award-Winning Admiral’s Quay Development Chooses Trespa

Building Products Index Ltd April 27, 2016 Facade Leave a Comment

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Admirals Quay in Southampton is a residential and mixed-use development that has combined Trespa® Meteon® cladding panels with copper and glass to create a stunning external facade.

The contract worth £48.5 million comprises three towers in a prime position on the south coast of England. The landmark residential tower is 26 storeys high and is supported by two residential buildings, at 50m and 30m high respectively. The development which offers 299 private apartments and 2,800m² of retail and leisure space is situated on the redundant site of the former Canute’s Pavilion Shopping Centre at Ocean Village in Southampton overlooking the marina.

Main contractor, Bouygues UK worked jointly with its client Allied Developments and HGP Architects on the design, build and management of the project. The location of the development played a major part in the specification for the external façade, as the coastal environment required a material that could withstand the elements of sea, salt and wind.

The orientation of the panels was important to give the appearance of a different shade on the development to show the versatility of a single coloured panel when simply installed at 180 degrees so that the light catches the material and provides a different variation of the colour. This versatility is one of the key benefits of the Trespa® Meteon®.

The architects wanted a material that not only offered excellent performance but also superb aesthetic value. Available in a wide choice of colours and effects and tested extensively for weather and UV-resistance, Trespa® Meteon® was the ideal solution. The product is a high-pressure compact laminate (HPL) with an integral surface manufactured using Trespa’s unique in-house technologies, Electron Beam Curing (EBC) and Dry Forming (DF). The blend of up to 70% wood-based fibres and thermosetting resins, manufactured under high pressures and temperatures produces a highly stable, dense panel with good compressive and tensile strength that performs exceptionally well. 2,000m2 of the material in metallic aluminium grey was specified for the main tower.

Trespa® Meteon® met the requirements for the design and build of Admirals Quay, with the panels performing outdoors exceptionally well. Being practically impervious to acid rain, the seafront conditions at Southampton would not prove a problem.

The final result is a stunning development at Admiral’s Quay, replacing the derelict buildings with new architecture and modern design.

Peter Morton of Allied Developments said: ‘It will now realise its full potential as an exciting mixed-use development situated on the marina, giving the city a waterfront destination to be proud of.”

Admirals Quay scooped the Best High Volume New Housing Development prize at the prestigious LABC South East Awards this year.

For further information and samples of Trespa® Meteon® products, contact the Sales Office UK, Petra Van Pol.

Trespa UK Ltd. 35 Calthorpe Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 1TS.

Tel: 0808 2340268. Fax: 0808 2341377. Email: info.uk@trespa.com

Issued on behalf of Trespa UK Ltd by BPS Marketing and PR Ltd.

Contact: Jayne Rolfe

Tel: 07808 633561. Email: jayne@bpsmarketingandpr.co.uk

A new generation of Piccolo – One of our best lifts just got better

Building Products Index Ltd April 27, 2016 Lift Leave a Comment

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Looks like a passenger lift? Check. Functions like a passenger lift? Check. All the gorgeous interior options of a passenger lift range? No problem!

Whilst technically being a machinery directive platform lift, our Piccolo looks just like a passenger lift with sliding doors, fully automatic cabin and landing controls. With its compact shaft size, minimal pit and headroom and its use of single-phase power supply, it’s the passenger lift your project needs with none of the headache.

Plus – we have made the installation of this groundbreaking product even easier with the introduction of the Stannah FX structure option. Unique to Stannah, the FX structure comprises of a ‘shaft within a shaft’. Erected by our engineers, it negates the need for scaffolding within the shaft – saving both time and money on site. Travel is now up to 12m and with smaller cabin sizes available, this lift is now even more adaptable to your project.

Piccolo offers the best of both worlds and is ideal in sites where digging a pit is neither practical nor possible. It delivers much of the functionality of a passenger lift but can be accommodated in surprisingly small spaces. It’s a great alternative to a traditional platform lift when the position of the lift is against a load bearing wall and a shaft can easily be created. It’s stylish, conventional appearance means it looks great in both public buildings, schools and colleges, shops and restaurants or even in your own home. It lends itself well to existing buildings but is equally at home in new-build projects.

The only thing you have to worry about with a Piccolo lift is letting us know your specifications. This is the lift for passengers – that isn’t a passenger lift!

To find out more call us on 01264 339090, email: liftsales@stannah.co.uk or go to http://www.stannahlifts.co.uk/platform-lifts/vertical/piccolo.asp

Stargard, the original “warm to the touch” handrail.

Building Products Index Ltd April 27, 2016 Hand rails Leave a Comment

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Stargard is a handrail system utilising galvanised steel tube which is sleeved after fabrication with 4mm (4,000 microns) thick PVC making it “warm to the touch”, comfortable to grip and robust. As the handrail is sleeved after fabrication there is generally only one mechanical, visible joint per flight of stairs. The handrail is normally manufactured in lengths around 4 – 5 metres.

On site tests have shown that in the same location on the same day, Stargard handrail is generally 4 – 5 degrees Centigrade warmer than powder coated steel at low ambient temperatures. This is very important when temperatures are around freezing.

The 4mm thick PVC sleeving resists knocks and bumps, does not chip and requires the absolute minimum of maintenance. The colour is consistent throughout the thickness of the PVC.

A range of colours is held in stock but any RAL colour can be supplied although a minimum quantity is required for non-stock colours. The colour range enables a suitable colour to be selected to contrast with the background location.

The handrail is normally 42 mm diameter however, 50 mm is also available as this size can also be used for the balusters. (Handrails and balusters do not have to be the same colour as stainless steel fittings are used to separate the handrail and balusters.)

Stargard handrail can also be used in conjunction with stainless steel balusters or fitted directly on to glass panels when used in Structural Glass balustrade.

Stargard is ideal for both exterior and interior applications in such building as schools, public buildings, offices, care homes, medical centres, railway footbridges and many more.

NVELOPE SUPPORTS TRANSFORMATION OF STUDENT ACCOMMODATION IN NOTTINGHAM

Building Products Index Ltd April 27, 2016 Cladding Leave a Comment

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NVELOPE, the rainscreen cladding specialist, has provided effective structural support for newly created student accommodation in Nottingham, via its NV2 system for concealed fix and structural bonding applications. A variety of cladding façades were used on the £60 million redevelopment project, including terracotta tiles provided by Telling Architectural and aluminium rainscreen cladding from Downer, part of Omnis Industries Ltd, which has achieved a unique, contemporary aesthetic for the new residence.

The redevelopment of Byron House was completed in September 2014, having commenced the previous autumn in 2013. The re-build has provided four new accommodation blocks with a total of 911 bedrooms in modern, furnished apartments for students of Nottingham Trent University. The purpose-built residence is situated in a vibrant area in close proximity to Nottingham city centre. Architect Church Lukas, based in the city, incorporated a mixture of cladding types into the design of the building to deliver a striking look and landmark student residence.

Surrey-based contractor, Vinci Construction, specified the use of the NVELOPE NV2 system on two of the new accommodation blocks. The contactors had to keep to a tight programme of works, with only a year between the start and finish of the project. Cladding sub-contractors, Horbury Building Systems installed the different façade types using the NV2 system.

“The building’s unique architectural features presented some challenges, particularly on a project with such a tight turnaround,” explained James Herbert, Procurement Manager at Horbury Building Systems. “Having used NVELOPE’s products before on other projects, we know them to be reliable in offering quick lead times and fast supply of product. This really helped us to achieve the completion of a more complex project on time.”

Manufactured from aluminium alloys, NVELOPE’s NV2 system is ideally suited for structural bond and concealed fix vertical cladding applications. NVELOPE ‘T’ and ‘L’ profiles are fixed using NVELOPE support brackets through a series of flexible points. Flexible point brackets absorb wind loading and allow for expansion and contraction, whilst fixed point brackets absorb both vertical dead loads. NVELOPE brackets allow for adjustment between the face of the primary support to the outer face of the vertical profile, providing important flexibility in the cladding. When under strain from various weather conditions, including strong winds, the cladding is thus able to expand and contract. The NV2 system is available pre-assembled with thermal isolators as standard to help to prevent a chemical reaction occurring between the aluminium bracket and the line in a concrete frame, as well as to reduce thermal bridging.

NVELOPE maintains extensive stock to ensure that orders can always be met and where necessary, immediate delivery can also be provided. All NVELOPE cladding systems can be engineered to project specific requirements thanks to the expertise of its technical design support service. This provides architects and specifiers freedom with an almost infinite range of façade appearance and layout options.

Manufactured in the UK and developed using the highest specification alloys, all NVELOPE products and systems are BBA certified.

For further information on NVELOPE Rainscreen Systems, visit www.nvelope.com, or call the company direct on +44 (0)1707 333 396.

Hörmann’s doors go digital

Building Products Index Ltd April 27, 2016 Doors Leave a Comment

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Construction professionals can now easily specify Hörmann products for their builds and project work, following the leading door manufacturer’s decision to turn its tangible doors into digital ‘BIM objects’.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) allows specialists to understand a building through the use of a digital model. Manufacturers create BIM objects, i.e. 3D digital versions of their products, which then go into a vast database for construction professionals to download and use in their projects.

From 2016 the Government has stipulated that all public construction projects are to be built using BIM, and as such, architects and specifiers are increasingly turning to digital platforms for their work. In order to further assist these professionals and improve working relations, Hörmann has opted to join the NBS National BIM Library, the fastest growing of its kind in the UK.

Each BIM object provides all the relevant technical data and requirements for designers to virtually install the product in such a way that it will be fully functional in reality. As such, BIM has the capacity to significantly reduce the potential for error during the construction stage of a project; for instance, using BIM for the development of the Leeds Arena prevented around 100 inaccuracies on site, saving an estimated £350,000.

By entering its products into the NBS National BIM Library, Hörmann will ensure that its doors and loading bay technology remain accessible to as many individuals in the industry as possible. With over 4,000 architectural practices and other companies already subscribing to NBS specification software, the library could also act as a valuable sales tool for the manufacturer’s products.

David Newcombe, managing director of Hörmann, commented: “Joining the NBS National BIM Library will ensure that our product range is available to construction professionals in the necessary format for their specifications and allow us to forge even closer working relationships with them. The information that is attached to each BIM object also means that our products are more likely to be installed correctly from the initial planning stages of a project, saving time and money for everyone involved in a build.”

Hörmann’s sectional and high-speed industrial ranges are now accessible from the library, with digital versions of its rolling shutter and grilles currently being developed. The manufacturer will be looking to extend its BIM range in the coming months to include its loading bay technology and hinged doors.

Architects looking to gain further specialist training to help them identify the best style of door for their projects can also attend Hörmann’s RIBA CPD seminar, Specifying the Correct Door.

For more information about Hörmann’s BIM objects or training seminars, contact the team on 01530 513000, or visit www.hormann.co.uk.

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