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Access Covers

Clark-Drain specified on ground-breaking carbon-neutral prison development

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Clark-Drain were chosen to supply key drainage and access components for the UK’s first carbon-neutral prison at Full Sutton, East Riding of Yorkshire. Delivered by Kier Group, the new Category C facility for 1,500 inmates has now opened and will operate fully on electricity, supported by solar panels, heat pumps and high-efficiency systems to significantly reduce its carbon footprint.

Among the Clark-Drain products specified were heavy-duty polypropylene access chambers, selected for their strength, durability, and ease of installation. Their lightweight yet robust design provided a practical solution that also supports the sustainability goals of the project by reducing embodied carbon and long-term maintenance demands.

For architects, specifiers and contractors looking for drainage and access solutions that deliver reliability and greener credentials, this case study provides insight into how Clark-Drain matches product performance to modern construction standards.

Want to see the product details, performance data, and how Clark-Drain’s solutions were incorporated on site?

Read the full case study here › Clark-Drain & Kier: UK’s First Carbon-Neutral Prison

Call 01733 765317 or email sales@clark-drain.com to discuss how Clark-Drain can support your next project.

 

ACO Bespoke Access Covers designed to the shape and load class you need.

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As a planner or architect, you are always looking for reliable partners and answers to your very specific problems. For every challenge there is always a solution.

ACO can provide bespoke Access Covers for your project. These can be sized as you need with multiple hatches. We can manufacture these in either aluminium, hot dipped galvanised steel or stainless-steel grade 304 as standard. Covers can also be manufactured in stainless steel grade 316 if required.

ACO Bespoke covers can be designed to different load classes for both pedestrian areas and for heavy traffic areas.

Our previous projects have included multipart covers for airport installations, floor access doors to underground services or bespoke shaped landscape covers for public realm applications.

Our bespoke covers are normally available in around 10 working days.

To learn more about our bespoke covers please visit www.aco.co.uk/products/bespoke-access-covers

Talk to us about your needs today call 01462 810421 or email: acsales@aco.co.uk 

We also have an extensive range of standard access covers that are both recessed and solid covers.

ALL ABOUT ACCESS COVERS

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When delivering projects involving access covers in commercial or education facilities, it is vital that construction professionals partner with manufacturers known for quality, innovation and outstanding design. Here, Kevin Bohea, Managing Director at ACO Building Drainage, explores how architects and contractors can deliver the best access cover for the job.

One important part of any successful project is ensuring quality work is matched with quality solutions. By choosing a manufacturer who has built a world-wide reputation for high-quality products that deliver choice, function and style, it can be the key factor in leaving customers and end-users happy.

In facilities, where areas may be high-traffic and all building components need to be robust and durable, access covers from ACO Building Drainage are regularly installed. We understand that access covers must meet high standards, including being easy to work with for the professionals installing them. They must also be designed with aesthetics in mind and available in a range of finishes. For projects where short turnaround times are a factor, having a portfolio of standard aluminium covers available with three-day delivery means that construction professionals and flooring contractors can provide the right cover, whatever the setting.

Making the grade

Typical applications for access covers in commercial and educational buildings are in corridors and communal areas, where they’ll be subjected to heavy footfall and light traffic from trolleys. In some cases, it may be necessary to account for heavier vehicular traffic too. Available in a choice of materials such as aluminium, hot dipped galvanised steel and stainless-steel grade 304 as standard, ACO access covers complement a variety of hard and flexible floor finishes including concrete, epoxy, terrazzo, carpet, vinyl, stone or ceramic tiles.

With a comprehensive range of standard clear opening sizes from 200mm to 1200mm, ACO floor access covers can be supplied either as single units or for ducting and multi-span applications. Manual lift or gas spring assisted versions are also available to suit the intended method of opening, frequency and ease of operation.

Manufactured using recycled materials, ACO UniFace™ and ACO UniTop™ floor access covers can be 100% recycled at their end of life, contributing to a sustainable environment and eco-friendly building practices. All of ACO’s access covers are tested to the Fabricated Access Cover Trade Association (FACTA) specification and use FACTA classifications for ease of selection and specification.

Delivering quality projects

Planners, architects and end-clients are often looking for reliable partners with answers to very specific problems. Here, ACO Building Drainage’s team of experts can help with the design and specification of bespoke access covers.

Bespoke access covers, that can be sized as needed, are available from ACO in single or multi cover options for both manual and assisted opening designs. These can be manufactured in either aluminium, hot dipped galvanised steel or stainless-steel grade 304 and 316 materials and are also designed to different load classes for pedestrian areas and for heavy traffic areas. Bespoke aluminium covers are often available in fewer than ten working days, helping projects run smoothly and on schedule.

A successful installation is one that meets the project requirements and satisfies the customer’s needs. Education projects can often involve many moving parts and tight deadlines. With ACO’s portfolio of access covers combined with speed of delivery and technical expertise, contractors can be confident that they can deliver quality work, whatever the project.

View our extensive range of standard access covers, including both recessed and solid covers, and bespoke access covers at ACO.co.uk.

ACO Access – Whatever the project, we’ve got it covered

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When it comes to access covers, it is vital to work with a supplier that is known for quality, innovation and outstanding design. Here, Kevin Bohea, Managing Director at ACO Building Drainage, discusses how contractors can ensure they’re delivering the best access cover for the job.

Contractors recognise the role that high quality products play in successful installations. One way to ensure quality work is by using a manufacturer who has built a world-wide reputation for high-quality products that deliver choice, function and style, including in their wide range of access covers for internal and external building applications.

Access covers manufactured and supplied by ACO Building Drainage are regularly installed in educational buildings across the UK, including schools or universities, and student accommodations. These covers are designed to be easily installed and secured into a range of floor finishes. Contractors value our help in finding the best access cover for the project and the speed of delivery we offer, with standard aluminium covers available from stock in just three days.

Getting technical

In education, typical applications include areas used by pedestrians, light vehicle traffic. In specific cases there may be heavier traffic as well. Available in a choice of materials such as aluminium, hot dipped galvanised steel and stainless-steel grade 304 as standard, ACO access covers complement a variety of hard and flexible floor finishes including concrete, epoxy, terrazzo, carpet, vinyl, stone or ceramic tiles.

With a comprehensive range of standard clear opening sizes from 200 to 1200mm, ACO floor access covers can be supplied either as single units or for ducting and multi-span applications. Manual lift or gas spring assisted versions are also available to suit the intended method of opening, frequency and ease of operation.

Manufactured using recycled materials, ACO UniFace™ and ACO UniTop™ floor access covers can be 100% recycled themselves at their end of life, contributing to a sustainable environment and sustainable building practices. ACO’s complete range of floor access covers is tested to the Fabricated Access Cover Trade Association (FACTA), specification for fabricated access covers. As a member of FACTA, all ACO floor access covers use FACTA classifications for ease of selection and specification.

Designed for a project

Planners, architects and contractors are often on the lookout for reliable partners and answers to very specific problems. Bespoke access covers, that can be sized as needed, are available from ACO in single or multi cover options for both manual and assisted opening designs. These can be manufactured in either aluminium, hot dipped galvanised steel or stainless-steel grade 304 and 316 materials as required and are also designed to different load classes for pedestrian areas and for heavy traffic areas. Bespoke aluminium covers are often available in fewer than ten working days, helping projects run smoothly and on schedule.

Previous successful projects ACO has advised on and supplied access covers to include multipart covers for airport installations, floor access doors to underground services and bespoke shaped landscape covers for public realm applications.

A successful installation is one that meets the project requirements and satisfies the customer’s needs. With ACO’s portfolio of access covers combined with speed of delivery, contractors can be confident that they can deliver quality work, whatever the project.

Talk to us about your needs today call 01462 810421 or email: acsales@aco.co.uk.

View our extensive range of standard access covers that are both recessed and solid covers and bespoke www.aco.co.uk/bespoke-access-covers.

UniFace to Uni Floor: ACO’s Access Covers Make the Cut at University of Nottingham Renovation

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The University of Nottingham’s Florence Boot Hall is a student accommodation property that can house 200 students per year. The building is currently undergoing major improvement works to refresh its look and upgrade the building services. As part of the renovation project, access covers were needed at various points along the ground floor of the building, allowing easy access to plumbing and electrics.

The ground floor of Florence Boot Hall was positioned on a latticework of timber joists. Due to this, specialist contractor Spiral Joinery took the lead on the access covers’ installation. A key challenge arose when it was discovered that the access covers originally specified had been temporarily discontinued and therefore a new solution was needed. This presented two problems: firstly, Spiral Joinery needed to source new products fast to keep the project moving and prevent delays. Along with this, openings of 600mm had been factored into the plans and were already part of the timber joists, so the new covers needed to be an exact match.

Selecting a suitable solution

Intended for communal spaces such as common rooms and dining areas, the access covers needed to be able to sit flush with the finished floor and not interrupt the building’s aesthetics once the renovation was complete. They would be used to perform necessary routine plumbing maintenance beneath the floor. After searching several suppliers, Chris Leggett of Spiral Joinery found that ACO offered cost-effective access covers that were ideal for the project.

Soon after Chris contacted ACO. Liam Watkins, Technical Sales Coordinator at ACO Access called to talk through the parameters of the project, ensuring that the right product would be recommended. Following a consultation, Liam recommended UniFace AL SHALLOW Recessed Access Covers, which were quickly approved by the project manager and deemed safe by a structural engineer.

The UniFace AL SHALLOW Access Covers come with liquid and odour-tight seals and offer optimum cover security, meaning that, even in well-trafficked parts of Florence Boot Hall, there is little risk of unwanted ingress of any kind. Their versatile design means that they can be made to blend in with almost any design aesthetic without compromising on usability or safety.

One of the key challenges was to ensure the solution fitted into the existing plans, particularly because ACO’s UniFace AL SHALLOW Recessed Access Covers are aluminium based. Despite the product being slightly bigger than those originally specified, ACO’s technical team worked with Spinal Joinery to suggest an approach that would allow the installation. To ensure the product could be installed securely, an extra 10mm rebate was formed into the timber joists, meaning the access covers fitted perfectly.

Assistance key to success

Chris Leggett of Spinal Joinery said: “Working with ACO was great. We were able to talk through exactly what we needed, and they made sure they really understood the job before making the recommendation to use the UniFace Access Covers and were available to offer technical support at every stage of the process. Ultimately, we went with ACO because they made the whole process easy, and supply was quick.”

Liam Watkins said: “The Florence Boot Hall access covers project has been challenging yet highly rewarding to be involved in. The hurdle of rapidly sourcing a suitable product is always a challenge, so it was pleasing that we were able to partner with Spiral Joinery to find a creative and practical solution that met the project requirements. We were very happy to make this part of Florence Boot Hall’s renovation go as smoothly as possible.”

Spiral Joinery ordered an initial batch of access covers and, once seeing the quality of the product and ease of installation, ordered a further consignment to complete the job.

For more about ACO’s Access Cover solutions, please visit http://www.aco.co.uk/accesscovers

ACO’s Streamlined Drainage Specification E-commerce Platform makes product selection easy.

Building Products Index Ltd Building Drainage, Drainage Leave a Comment

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ACO Building Drainage’s new e-commerce site is aimed at streamlining the selection and specification process for building drainage installations, while also making it easier for specifiers and contractors to select and buy products.

The new platform is unique to ACO Building Drainage for its stainless-steel drainage, grease management solutions and Access Covers in buildings. The digital solution covers six product categories and a broad portfolio of applications to make finding the drainage solution that fits the project a smoother and more cost-effective process. This includes stainless steel gullies, total flow gullies, rainwater outlets, shower drains, grease traps and separators, as well as access covers.

Featuring an innovative specification tool, the web shop helps users identify the solution that best fits their needs by tapping into the expertise of ACO’s drainage engineers. It does this by asking a small number of questions about the project at hand, and then offering a recommendation from ACO’s expert technical team of suitable products that fulfil the project requirements.

Nick Cairns, Marketing Manager at ACO, said:

“We know that for many building product specifiers and contractors, the time it takes them to compare and find the right solution, as well as locate where to buy products, can be extensive. That’s why we’ve invested into our new e-commerce site.

“The selector tool is designed from the ground up to make the process of specifying and selecting drainage products as easy as possible, removing the tedious hassle of comparing multiple products manually. Instead, simply answer a handful of questions and the solution that’s right for you will appear on screen. Once a customer chooses a product, the website makes it straightforward to obtain a merchant’s quote or purchase direct from ACO.”

Products offered by the selector tool cover single items and entire kits, depending on the answers provided. If looking for grease traps and separators, for example, the selector tool will ask whether it is to be situated inside or outside of a kitchen, then the number of meals expected to be served and the appliances used. Based on this information, the selector tool will display the recommended solution for the project.

In all cases, customers will be able to view the product and download the associated data sheets. While customers can buy the product direct from ACO, they are also able to obtain a quote and purchase the product through a merchant.

For more about ACO Building Drainage and to try ACO’s selector tool, visit: https://www.aco.co.uk/web-shop.

 

New ACO Bespoke Access Covers designed to meet your projects need.

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As a planner or architect, you are always looking for reliable partners and answers to your very specific problems. For every challenge there is always a solution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACO can provide bespoke Access Covers for your project. These can be sized as you need in single or multi cover options in manual or assisted opening designs. We can manufacture these in either aluminium, hot dipped galvanised steel or stainless-steel grade 304 and 316 materials as required.

ACO Bespoke covers can be designed to different load classes for both pedestrian areas and for heavy traffic areas.

Our previous projects have included multipart covers for airport installations, floor access doors to underground services or bespoke shaped landscape covers for public realm applications.

Our bespoke aluminium covers are normally available in around 10 working days. Lead times for bespoke covers in other materials are available on request.

 

Talk to us about your needs today call 01462 810421 or email: acsales@aco.co.uk. To view our range of cover please visit www.aco.co.uk/bespoke-access-covers

We also have an extensive range of standard access covers that are both recessed and solid covers.

Howe Green launches new Landscape 1000 Series

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As part of its commitment to providing landscaping professionals with high performance access solutions, Howe Green has launched its new Landscape 1000 Series Floor Access Covers, which combine first class functionality with attractive affordability.

Suitable for hard landscaping applications, the latest range is available in galvanised steel or stainless steel options, providing safe and secure access to under-floor services, without compromising the overall visual appeal.

Galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461, the single, galvanised steel, unsecured access covers are available in standard sizes directly from stock to support landscaping professionals in completing urgent projects.

Single, duct or multipart configurations in bespoke sizes and shapes with optional secured designs can also be made to order at Howe Green’s UK headquarters to meet each project’s unique floor access requirements.

Each model within the range has a FACTA A – B rating, and load ratings are achieved without the need for structural infill . Howe Green’s inhouse design and manufacturing experts are able to manufacture higher FACTA ratings on request.

Each access cover has a maximum stone or concrete depth of 85mm, making it suitable for installation with a diverse range of hard flooring finishes for quick and easy installation. Deeper recesses are available on request through additional reinforcement in the support structure.

To ensure the highest standards of safety when accessing under-floor services via the cover, lifting points are located within triangular corner plates. Optional threaded inserts are also available to enable the use of Howe Green’s unique Cover Skate lifting device, in addition to UKPN lifting keyholes.

Chris George, Business Development Manager for Howe Green, said: “The launch of our new Landscape 1000 Series provides landscaping professionals with cost effective yet high quality access solutions that are suitable for a diverse range of hard landscaping projects.

“At Howe Green, we are committed to continuously investing in the design and manufacture of access solutions that provide professionals with first class performance and functionality, available in the shortest possible lead times, and our new 1000 Series is a reflection of this continued dedication.”

The 1000 Series offers a maximum clear opening of 900 x 900mm, with a minimum clear opening of 450 x 450mm and an outer frame maximum of 1100 x 1100mm as standard. However, larger or smaller sizes are available on request.

For further information on Howe Green’s complete range of floor access solutions, visit www.howegreen.com or call 01920 463230.

Howe Green and DMC Contracts help create a first-class finish at Farringdon Elizabeth line station

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Image courtesy of Crossrail Ltd
Image courtesy of Crossrail Ltd

As a central part of the Elizabeth line that will connect with Thameslink and the London Underground, Farringdon station will be one of the UK’s busiest.

Strategically situated 30 metres underground between the cultural and financial centres of London, the Elizabeth line station will provide links to the capital’s centre and Canary Wharf, outer suburbs, home counties and three of London’s five airports. Up to 24 trains will run each way through central London every hour at peak times when the Elizabeth line is fully open.

Throughout the construction process 200 of Howe Green’s 7500 Series Floor Access Covers were installed at Farringdon Elizabeth line station by DMC Contracts, one of the UK’s leading fit-out contractors.

Image courtesy of Crossrail Ltd
Image courtesy of Crossrail Ltd

The floor covers were installed throughout the entire 25,596 square metre station, including two new ticket halls, which are connected by an underground central concourse, in addition to the 244 metre long passenger platform.

Having to fit within a complex infrastructure network below ground presented engineering and design challenges that required bespoke design solutions.

This included the specification of Howe Green’s single, duct and multipart configuration steel floor access covers, which were manufactured in standard and modified depths to provide safe and secure access to under-floor services, without impacting the overall design scheme.

Conor McCann, Director at DMC Contracts, said: “Farringdon Elizabeth line station sets the standard for specification. The BREEAM excellent accredited construction features the highest specification of modern building components.

Image courtesy of Crossrail Ltd
Image courtesy of Crossrail Ltd

“Drawing on our 15 year relationship with Howe Green we were able to ensure all under-floor services could be accessed quickly and conveniently, whilst meeting the project’s specific requirements and ensuring compliance.”

Suitable for up to 5 tonne pneumatic tyre wheel loads, Howe Green’s medium-duty floor access covers were specified to withstand the station’s high volume passenger footfall, whilst the easy lift mechanism will ensure minimal disruption to passengers when engineers are accessing below floor services.

Manufactured to BS 476: Part 22, Howe Green’s 7500 Series Floor Access Covers also provide resistance to fire and smoke for up to two hours, eliminating the potential transmission of smoke and fire from below floor services in the event of a fire.

This was a key consideration throughout the specification process, to ensure the access solutions provide the highest standards in safety and performance throughout all areas of the station.

Chris George, Business Development Manager for Howe Green, said: “We are extremely proud to have partnered with fit-out specialist DMC Contracts at Farringdon station, in addition to six other stations as part of the Elizabeth line. As Farringdon will become one of the busiest stations in the UK, it was crucial that our floor access covers could meet the project’s unique specifications, and by working in partnership with DMC Contracts, we successfully achieved this.”

For further information on Howe Green’s complete range of floor access solutions, visit www.howegreen.com or call 01920 463230.

ACO Access – Whatever the application we’ve got it covered

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access-covers-Main Image CarouselACO is synonymous around the world for quality, innovation and outstanding design. Our wealth of experience, technical knowledge and manufacturing expertise ensures our range of floor access covers delivers choice, function and style to our customers for a wide range of internal and external building applications.

DIGITAL CAMERA

ACO’s floor access cover range provides a high quality finish and easy access to underlying services and ducting.

ACO UniFace™, our range of recessed access covers, and ACO UniTop™, our range of solid covers, are designed for internal and external applications associated with both commercial, private and public sector buildings.

Typical applications include areas used by pedestrians, light vehicle traffic and heavier traffic such as forklifts. Available in a choice of materials including aluminium, hot dipped galvanised steel and stainless steel grade 304 as standard. ACO access covers can also compliment a variety of hard and flexible floor finishes including concrete, epoxy, terrazzo, carpet, vinyl, stone or ceramic tiles.

IMG_3994With a comprehensive range of standard clear opening sizes from 200 to 1200mm, ACO floor access covers can be supplied either as single units or for ducting and multi span applications. Manual lift or gas spring assisted versions are also available to suit the intended method of opening, frequency and ease of operation.

ACO UniFace™ and ACO UniTop™ floor access covers are manufactured using recycled materials and at end of life can be 100% recycled contributing to a sustainable environment and building practices. Our complete range of floor access covers is tested to the Fabricated Access Cover Trade Association (FACTA), specification for fabricated access covers. As a member of FACTA all ACO floor access covers use FACTA classifications for ease of selection and specification.

Our standard aluminium covers are available from stock in 3-5 days. If you require a bespoke cover please call us on 01462 810421 to discuss the project details. For more information www.aco.co.uk/accesscovers

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