Kee Systems Ensures Rooflight Safety for Porcelanosa

Building Products Index Ltd February 27, 2019 Fall protection Leave a Comment

Kee Systems has installed a total of 2,570 Kee Covers on the roofs at Porcelanosa’s retail sites across the country to protect the fragile skylights on the roofs and ensure that maintenance work can be carried out in complete safety.

Founded in Spain in 1973 as a specialist in ceramic tiles and flooring, Porcelanosa is synonymous with innovative design and unbeatable quality, and has a presence in over 150 countries worldwide. As part of its commitment to safety, the company is undergoing a programme to ensure anyone requiring access to its roofs for maintenance purposes, can do so in complete safety.

Many of the roofs in the UK already included fall protection measures such as lifelines, but, as with many large retail & warehouse units, the roofs also featured fragile skylights which provide natural light for the buildings.

After researching skylight safety, Héctor Pérez Ferrandis, Maintenance Manager, Porcelanosa contacted Kee Systems about Kee Cover skylight protection for their UK stores. Following a site survey, Kee Systems installed Kee Covers on the roofs of Porcelanosa’s retail sites in Watford, Glasgow, Marston Green in the West Midlands, Bristol, Warrington and Doncaster over a 9-month period.

Commenting on the installation, Héctor Pérez Ferrandis, Departamento de Filiales,Porcelanosa, said: “‘Working with Kee Systems was a pleasure. The sales and installation teams were a great help from our initial enquiry through to the completion of the work. With their help, we were able to identify where anyone accessing our roofs might be put at risk, and the best system for our needs. I am confident now that people working on our roofs are protected and safe thanks to Kee Systems and Kee Cover. We wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again in future”

Effective Solution

The Kee Covers sit onto metal frames constructed from Kee Klamp fittings which were then fixed virtually flat to the roof’s surfaces. The system is ideal for trapezoidal and standing seam roofs. All components and mesh panels are hot dip galvanised for enhanced durability. The tube can be also colour coated if greater visibility is required.

Kee Cover is also available in a raised format where the mesh panel is mounted onto small legs and raised above the skylight, giving a greater distance between it and the mesh panel. In the event of a fall, this prevents the skylight from damage as the Kee Cover absorbs the impact.

With installation complete on the stores, Porcelanosa has ensured that all fall risks on its UK roofs are protected, and that maintenance work can be carried out in complete safety.

Fire Safety on high-rise or high-risk buildings

Building Products Index Ltd February 27, 2019 Cladding Leave a Comment

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When it comes to fire safety, two types of buildings need some extra attention: high-rise and high-risk buildings. What do these terms exactly mean? And what should you bear in mind to ensure optimum safety?

High-rise buildings

What is a high-rise building?

Height is an important factor in fire safety. The definition of what constitutes a high-rise building differs per European country. In Germany, the limit for high-rise buildings is 22 metres and above, in the UK it’s 18 metres and above, in Belgium it’s 25 metres and above etc. No matter what the exact limit is, it remains indisputable that risks increase when the height of a building is at a certain level.

Fire safety risks in high-rise buildings

Escaping from tall buildings is more complicated and takes more time compared to a single-family house with only one floor. Not only do high-rises have more inhabitants or people that work in them, normal houses also have more escape routes (windows, doors) and are therefore easier to escape when a fire occurs.

Using combustiblematerials on a building that is, for instance, 15 metres tall and thus not generally recognised as a high-rise, greatly enlarges the risks in the event of a fire and can have a catastrophic outcome.

New regulations for fire safety

Often high-rise limits are based upon possibilities for fire fighters to reach the fire via ladders or other equipment. With the rapid changes in the building environment, these methods cannot always be applied and by this the limits are part of the debate in defining new regulations for fire safety.

Design out the risk in high-rise and high-risk buildings. Just to be sure.

High-risk buildings

What is a high-risk building?

A high-risk building is a building where the impact of a fire can be catastrophic. Hospitals, nursing homes, schools, hotels, student housing: all of these and similar buildings fall under the definition of high-risk. These are buildings where a lot of people live, sleep, are in need of care and/or cannot escape quickly or easily in case of a fire emergency. The risks of losing lives due to a fire are high within this category of buildings. Also, the loss of property and the decreasing economic value of a high-risk building are aspects of attention here.

Future use of buildings

It is also important to keep in mind the future use of a building. A structure that today is not considered a high-risk building, could be one in ten years from now if the usage of it changes. For example, from an office building to an elderly care home.

Therefore, keeping in mind the lifetime safety of a building and its users is always the best way to go when dealing with fire safety. Using non-combustibleis the only way to design out the potential dangers involved with current or future high-risk buildings.

Sleek and modern, Hergom’s C-14/70 & C-16/80 inset stoves are perfect for open plan living

Building Products Index Ltd February 27, 2019 Wood burning stoves Leave a Comment

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The Hergom C-16/80 inset stove from Eurostove

With the trend for open plan living still going strong, many homeowners, architects and interior designers look to the modern styling of an inset stove to add warmth and a statement focal point to a large, spacious interior. The new Hergom C-14/70 and C-16/80 designs are modern cast iron fireplace insets with full glass viewing windows. The C-14/70 is a generous 70cm wide with two convection fans while the larger C-16/80 is 80cm.

Manufactured in black matt cast iron for a high quality finish, the Hergom stoves are extremely resilient with optimum heat transfer and convection blowers to speed up the circulation of convection air. The ceramic glass door with its modern handle gives a contemporary look, while the removable ash pan helps with easy maintenance.

The 14/70 comes with a nominal 6kW heat output and a heat range between 5kW and 12kW, whilst the Hergom C-16/80 has an output between 6kW and 14kW. Both models have an airwash glass cleaning system, where air currents sweep the glass clean from the inside.

As part of the Eurostove family, Hergom is one of Europe’s largest and most established manufacturers of cast iron stoves and cookers. Made in its own state-of-the-art foundry in Santander, northern Spain, they use only the finest materials to produce durable, efficient, thermally effective heating solutions.

ACO CLEARS THE FOG WITH NEW GREASE MANAGEMENT PORTFOLIO

Building Products Index Ltd February 27, 2019 Building Drainage, Drainage Leave a Comment

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ACO Building Drainage has a comprehensive range of EN1825 grease management solutions for commercial kitchen operators. ACO’s high performance grease management solutions are specifically designed to help restaurants, hotels, food courts, foodservice enterprises and the wider catering industry prevent the build-up of fats, oils and grease (FOG) in commercial kitchen drainage systems and ultimately the main sewer network.

The new range comprises: the ‘ACO LipuMax’ range of below-ground grease separators; ‘ACO LipuSmart’ products which integrate the functions of below-ground grease separation, sampling, drainage and a control system into one product, and a range of ‘ACO LipuJet’ above-ground separators which are designed for applications where a free-standing grease separator unit is required. An ACO Lifting Station, which is certified to EN 12050-2, has also been introduced for use when the grease separator is installed below the backflow level.

ACO’s range of EN1825 products are designed to suit the full range of applications from large to small foodservice establishments, and can be tailored to suit individual project requirements by ACO’s in-house technical design team. In addition, installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance can be provided via ACO’s service partner, Aqua Mundus.

Andy Buchan, Divisional Managing Director of ACO Building Drainage, comments: “As an established leader in the design and manufacture of hygienic floor drainage systems for the commercial kitchen sector, we understand that commercial kitchens can be challenging environments in which to work.

“FOG management is a key part of any commercial kitchen operation when it comes to optimising employee safety, operational cost and, of course, hygiene. ACO’s grease management systems form part of ACO’s HygieneFirst drainage philosophy. They, deliver numerous benefits for kitchen operators including the prevention of drainage blockages which have the potential to close a kitchen, odour control, improved employee safety and importantly, a shorter clean down time. The expertise of our technical design team also means we can provide the specification guidance required to ensure commercial kitchen operators get the most appropriate and effective grease management solution for their business.”

Additional grease management solutions are also being developed by ACO using its extensive expertise in FOG management.

For more information on ACO’s new grease management systems, visit www.aco.co.uk/aco-building-drainage/grease-management or contact ACO’s technical design team on 01462 810400.

A show-stopping demonstration of success: The Central Bank of Ireland, renovated with MEDITE PREMIER FR

Building Products Index Ltd January 23, 2019 MDF Panels, Panels Leave a Comment

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Ireland’s most iconic new building, the Central Bank of Ireland on the banks of the River Liffey, was recently renovated into the show-stopping demonstration of success it is today, after sitting for years as an unfinished shell; a symbol of the recession. Now it breathes new life as Ireland’s first ever BREEAM “Outstanding” rated building, setting an example of progressive construction that thinks about the future.

Architects Henry J Lyons achieved this by designing the large sweeping interiors to be as user friendly as possible for the Bank’s staff, by specifying acoustic wood panels from Woodfit Acoustics, made from MEDITE PREMIER FR. This MDF panel from MEDITE SMARTPLY is flame retardant for safe use in public buildings and is produced using FSC certified timber, from sustainably managed forests in Ireland; all the essentials to make this board suitable for the Bank’s new interior.

In doing this, the building is reaffirmed as a symbol of renewal, recovery and wellbeing, both economically and by offering these elements to those who use it as their daily workplace. The modern interior is conducive to teamwork and collaboration through use of natural light, safe, natural materials and acoustic performance.

Supplied by Noyeks, Woodfit provided the custom-made acoustic systems and non-acoustic panelling throughout, using veneered MEDITE PREMIER FR, variously finished for use in different areas. The finished panels range from ebonized slat ceilings and slat walls, custom white washed perforated panelling which extends seven storeys high, and perforated oak ceiling tiles throughout the work areas.

“The human experience was considered first and foremost in this project,” says Fergal Costello, Marketing Manager at Woodfit Acoustics. “Acoustics are extremely important in a big open building such as this one, to reduce reverberation while not restricting air circulation.”

Fergal went on to say: “It’s important to us and our clients that we are always environmentally responsible. We feel a strong responsibility to be able to meet the need for acoustic panels made from sustainably produced materials. Working with MDF in particular, as it’s made from timber thinnings, ensures there is less timber wastage, and allows us in the timber industry to be a lot more efficient and environmentally friendly at the same time.”

The environmental building standard BREEAM is one of the world’s leading sustainability assessment methods for construction. Awarding credits for use of FSC certified building products, it recognises and reflects the value in higher performing products and projects across the built environment lifecycle.

Colin Wheatley, Product Manager at MEDITE SMARTPLY explained: “With responsible management, timber is a 100% renewable natural resource. BREEAM encourages us to use timber responsibly, and to create environments that are safe and healthy for occupants, in a

way that will contribute to the maintenance of the natural world. The Central Bank of Ireland building’s renovation is a stunning example of this, in its safety-conscious application of FR, that happens to also be extremely beautiful.”

It was also essential that the material chosen for the panels was flame retardant. Fergal explained: “We have been a long-time customer of MEDITE SMARTPLY for the reason that their products are trustworthy and high quality. As MEDITE PREMIER FR was developed specifically for use in fire rated applications, it was a must for an extremely high specification project such as this one.”

MEDITE PREMIER FR is produced in both Euroclass B and C. CARB2 compliant, it also has a smooth finish and can be made in a range of sizes and thicknesses, giving it the versatility to suit numerous applications from hotel foyers, offices, public libraries, schools and other public buildings. It’s suitable for use as a wall lining and in ceiling applications, and has been certified for use in fire resistant partition systems.

Fergal finally commented: “MEDITE PREMIER FR is very dense, yet cuts extremely cleanly; the sign of a high-quality board.”

Discover more about MEDITE PREMIER FR at: mdfosb.com/en/medite/products/medite-premier-fr

Woodfit has over 40 years’ experience in providing specialist acoustic wood panelling and custom joinery, serving clients worldwide with turnkey wooden interior fit-out solutions. Keep up with them at: www.woodfitacoustics.com/

Find more on Henry J Lyons at: henryjlyons.com/

Howe Green provides innovative access solution for NHS’s newest hospital

Building Products Index Ltd January 23, 2019 access covers Leave a Comment

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Howe Green Ltd, the UK’s leading manufacturer of floor access covers, has supplied nearly 70 covers to Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield. The £200 million redeveloped hospital became fully operational last autumn. It is the newest and most digitally advanced hospital in the NHS estate.

Chase Farm offers patients a range of services including an out-patient department, an urgent care centre, an older person’s assessment unit, an endoscopy unit, a chemotherapy day unit, eight operating theatres, a dedicated day surgery area and 50 surgical in-patient beds.

Howe Green’s Visedge Series Flexible Floor Access Covers and 7500 Series Medium-Duty Aluminium Floor Access Covers were specified for the project by international architects IBI Group.

The covers were supplied to established, Enfield based contractor, Galldris. Technicians from Galldris installed the Howe Green access covers throughout the 20,000 square metres of internal flooring, including the plant room and endoscopy unit. The Visedge covers were infilled with vinyl flooring. The floor finish for the 7500 Series varied depending upon the location of the cover.

The Howe Green access covers enable safe and easy access to building services concealed under the flooring of the hospital. The covers can be removed, safely and easily, for maintenance purposes with the use of lifting keys.

The Visedge Series provide a durable, lightweight, non-rusting access solution for flexible sheet flooring systems in environments with pedestrian footfall, wheeled trolleys and sack trucks. Double sealed, the Visedge covers are ideal for a busy hospital where the highest standards of hygiene and security are required.

7500 Series Medium-Duty Aluminium Floor Access Covers are used for all types of hard floor finish, including ceramic tiles, terrazzo and wood. They offer a heavier loading than the Visedge, with a five tonne pneumatic tyre wheel load suitable for cars and light delivery vehicles.

The Visedge and 7500 Series are available as a single cover, a duct run or as a multipart unit. Standard sizes are available from stock and bespoke sizes can be manufactured to order with no time or cost constraint.

Howe Green has supplied many hospitals over the last 35 years including South Mead Hospital in Bristol and Queen’s Hospital in Romford.

If you would like to find out how Howe Green can assist with your requirement for an innovative, practical and cost effective solution for accessing concealed services located under flooring please call 01920 463230 or visit www.bilcouk.co.uk.

System 900 | Design and function

Building Products Index Ltd January 23, 2019 bathroom accessories, Bathrooms Leave a Comment

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Driven by the idea of making good things even better, HEWI developed the new System 900.

The unique versatility of System 900 delivers the levels of comfort, security and compliance in all accessible bathrooms when demanded by DOC M & British Standards.

The brand new HEWI System 900 shower seat and accessories collection are transforming bathrooms around the world. HEWI products combine functionality and superior design with durable, sustainable quality which help create usable, safe and beautiful accessible bathrooms.

From 5 Star Hotels to Individual Homes, Stadiums to Serviced Apartments, and everything in between. HEWI have been providing award winning inclusive design solutions for the last four decades.

Historically accessible sanitary solutions resembled more a 1970’s care home than a contemporary bathroom. It’s often overlooked that these vital additions to the bathroom can indeed be stylish. By using quality materials and designs HEWI are in the driving seat for supplying your modern, luxurious accessible space.

HEWI is proud to offer the portfolio to high-end Hotel Groups, Care Providers, Architects and Designers who choose from HEWI’s ever increasing range of solutions to fulfil their users and client’s needs and aspirations.

For more information simply call one of the HEWI experts on 01634 258200 or send an email to info@hewi.co.uk.

Report reveals demand for eco-friendly buildings

Building Products Index Ltd January 23, 2019 Doors, PVC-U, PVC-U, Windows Leave a Comment

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To address the housing shortage and ensure that the housing stock deficit is erased, the UK needs to build 340,000 new homes every year until 2031. As such, the residential construction sector is under increasing pressure to build the volume of homes the country so desperately needs, which will require not only meeting but exceeding the Government’s current pledge to build 300,000 new homes annually. It’s also critical that these homes meet the needs and demands of future homeowners.

To gain insight into this, Eurocell surveyed 1,000 25-40-year old renters and home owners to investigate their views on how the homes of the future could be designed to meet their expectations. When asked about the most appealing design trends they’d want in their home, respondents identified an eco-friendly home (29%), open plan living (24%) as the top two most appealing, with floor to ceiling windows and a minimalist look coming joint third with 23%.

When asked further about their attitudes to eco-friendly building and design, 49% of respondents said they would be more likely to buy or rent an eco-conscious home. However, despite this interest, only 24% said they would be willing to pay more money when buying or renting a property with eco-features.

Overall, 46% of respondents said they would be willing to pay a little bit more in rent or property price if it incorporated their favoured design trends. In addition, 10% said they would pay significantly more.

When asked which top three factors contribute to them feeling good in their own home, respondents identified the amount of natural light (48%), low noise levels (39%) and feeling safe and secure (37%) as the most important. These were closely followed by access to outdoor space (36%), and the design and layout of the home (35%).

Following the survey, Eurocell asked experts from Simpson Haugh, Hawkins Brown, BDP and The High Street Group to analyse the findings and identify the trends that are shaping the current residential property market.

To find out more about the homes that consumers would like to see and learn about the trends that architects are seeing in the market, you can download Eurocell’s ‘The Future Home Report’ here: www.eurocell.co.uk/whitepaper

Glowing in the dark or not?

Building Products Index Ltd January 23, 2019 Paint Leave a Comment

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Fluorescent and luminous paints can be a significant aid to site safety, enabling areas of concern or hazardous objects to be identified, but confusion does exist around the roles and functions of fluorescent and luminous paints.

Fluorescent or Luminous – What is the difference?

While both Fluorescent and Luminous paints appear to glow, only luminous paint emits light.

Luminous paint works by storing light energy and then releasing it to emit a photo phosphorescent glow when a light source is removed. During the day and in a well-lit environment, a luminous paint will seem dull and will not draw attention, which limits the application of this paint to brightly lit spaces. Its full effect is only visible when the environment is rapidly plunged into darkness, it will then emit its stored light for up to 20 minutes.

Fluorescent paint works by enhancing the light, making the colours brighter and extremely visible in both bright and low light. However when there is no light to amplify, such as in darkness, fluorescent paint cannot be seen. Unlike Luminous paint, Fluorescent paint cannot be used to glow in the dark.

Fluorescent Paint – Application and Uses

The key function of Fluorescent paint is high visibility in both bright and low light, making it extremely useful for safety applications. Fluorescence is used in high visibility clothing and can be utilized further to draw attention to exits, safety and first aid equipment. It can also be implemented to highlight low beams, bollards and protruding objects that may present an injury risk.

The key element of a fluorescent coating is the base; the white base coat is fundamental in capturing the light and providing the reflectivity necessary for the paint to function.

The base coat should be applied to provide a strong consistent reflective white finish. Once dried, only one or two coats of the coloured coat is necessary – this coat is translucent in nature and designed to allow the light to pass through. The colour should not obliterate the white beneath as would be expected from a conventional coating. This can then be covered, if necessary with a clear protective topcoat to preserve the coating.

Fluorescent paints do have a lifespan, and over time the pigments become exhausted. This means they can no longer amplify light and can begin to appear patchy. When used inside, provided good painting practice is followed, and a protective topcoat is used, you can expect your coating to last a number of years. However, this could be little as a year when exposed to constant UV light outside, making re-application necessary.

Luminous Paint – Application and Uses

Luminous paints possess the ability to remain visible for a limited time in the event of a sudden loss of light, depending on the application this can sometimes be up to an hour, but as a rule of thumb for most applications this is usually closer to 20 minutes.

They are particularly useful for safety and security applications – highlighting escape routes, doorways and fire exits in the event of a blackout. They are also often used to produce some interesting theatrical effects, and have been used in contemporary art.

Unlike its counterpart Fluorescent paint, Luminous can be used unobtrusively, when applied it appears off-white, making it particularly useful in environments where the aesthetics of a space are important.

Much like Fluorescent paint, Luminous paint is also dependant on a well painted base coat, the white base should be applied to produce an even finish, over coated with one or two coats of the Luminous overcoat, and then finished with a clear protective topcoat. This will give the paint the protection necessary for most environments.

Luminous paint also has a lifespan, the pigments become exhausted and can no longer store the light after prolonged use. Provided good painting practice is followed, and a protective topcoat is used, you can expect your coating to last for a number of years inside. However, due to the gradual transition to darkness experienced with natural light, Luminous paint is not suitable for use outside.

Both products have a large range of applications in the factory, warehouse or home and are included in the Coo-Var Safety and Security range.

For more information: Coo-Var, Lockwood Street, Hull, HU2 0HN

Tel: 01482 320853

Advanced Tyvek® AirGuard® Smart offers a clever new way to control both airtightness and moisture

Building Products Index Ltd January 23, 2019 Membranes Leave a Comment

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Now the complex needs of the modern building envelope can be met by a product that is both simple to work with and ingenious in managing multiple demands. Adaptable to varying climatic conditions, Tyvek® AirGuard® Smart is a membrane with a difference – developed by the experts in protecting structures against environmental damage while also improving thermal performance.

Wrapping the interior side of the envelope, Tyvek® AirGuard® Smart acts as a highly efficient air and vapour control layer (which easily achieves below Passive house levels of airtightness) but has also been formulated to adapt to rising humidity conditions and so allow any trapped, or unplanned, moisture to escape towards the inside of the building.

Damage in a structure without smart protection

Tyvek® AirGuard® Smart AVCL adapts to humidity

This clever variation allows faster evacuation of built-in humidity in new construction elements (e.g. wet rafters). It also means avoiding humidity infiltration from living spaces into the building’s structure, thereby minimising the risk of expensive damage from damp and mould and so operating in the standard function of an AVCL.

With an impressive variable water vapour resistance range of sd value 0.2m for a humid environment (1 MNs/g) to more than sd-value 35m for a dry environment (175 MNs/g), Tyvek® AirGuard® Smart offers advantages from reduced drying out time for constructors to enhanced energy efficiency and comfort for the building owners.

Easy application also allows for continuous installation of the AVCL from the outside, without risking condensation to the upper side of the rafters and, uniquely, the product can be fitted to both flat and pitched roof constructions, with a high resistance underlay.

With all the reliability and great service to be expected of a product under the Tyvek® brand, Tyvek® AirGuard® Smart also comes with clear and detailed installation guidelines and the technical back-up of the Tyvek® BuildingKnowledge Centre.

About DuPont™ Tyvek® & DuPont Building Membranes and Products:

DuPont™ Tyvek® advanced building membranes are unique in the market due to their high-quality single layer construction. Tyvek® breather membranes are naturally vapour open but also durably wind and water-tight. Lightweight yet robust, they are easy to install and offer long-term, proven reliability. Designed to protect the building envelope against the effects of weather and moisture, this family of membranes also offers optimal air-tightness and can help to improve the thermal performance, energy-efficiency and interior climatic stability of a building.

Tyvek® is designed to work as part of a holistic and optimal system with a range of other proven DuPont™ Tyvek® products for the building envelope, including the Tyvek® AirGuard® advanced AVCL series, the highly versatile Tyvek® FlexWrap NF and EZ sealing tapes, plus other specialised membranes, tapes and sealants. All DuPont building products come with the renowned service, expertise and technical back-up of a world-class science company.

For more information about the Tyvek® range of advanced products please visit: www.construction.tyvek.co.uk or call 08444 068 722 (087 922 2740 in ROI)

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