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Floor Access covers

Howe Green provides seal of approval with new landscape WATERSAFE IP66 Floor Access Covers

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To provide construction professionals with an ingress protected option to discreet underfloor services, Howe Green has launched its new landscape WATERSAFE IP66 Floor Access Covers, suitable for a wide range of internal and external applications, including swimming pools, wet rooms, parks, hospitals, docksides or rail projects.

The new WATERSAFE IP66 floor access covers provide discreet, safe and easy access to underfloor services in applications where dust or water ingress must be eliminated. The standard range is available in galvanised and stainless steel and can be manufactured in bespoke sizes and shapes to meet each project’s unique floor access requirements.

Due to the WATERSAFE floor access covers having an IP66 rating, the covers are completely protected against dust ingress as well as water ingress including powerful jets and heavy seas. For maximum compatibility aluminium covers can also be supplied for applications in sea salt environments. Additionally, there is a 15mm speed pipe connector to remove any water droplets, further adding to the water safe and efficiency element of the floor access covers.

Available with a load rating of A15–D400 (FACTA A – D rating), the WATERSAFE IP66 floor access covers provide durable underfloor access which can also be manufactured with higher FACTA ratings on request.

The load rating does not affect the water ingress protection, meaning that the underfloor services will not be affected or be at risk of water damage. The covers have a maximum clear opening of 1000 x 1000mm and an outer frame at a maximum of 1200 x 1200mm, with a standard stone or concrete depth of 100mm. Deeper recesses are also available on request. To meet project requirements, the infill depth is bespoke and manufactured to order, with a minimum depth of 70mm.

Chris George, Business Development Manager for Howe Green, said: “To further enhance our commitment to landscape construction professionals across a wide sector of applications, the launch of our new WATERSAFE IP66 Floor Access Covers do just that. We wanted to provide a durable and safe floor access cover that enables professionals easy and safe access to underfloor services, without the worry of dust or water ingress. To ensure that we are meeting each project’s needs, each of our floor access covers are made to order.”

In order for contractors to easily install the product into stone, tile or slab flooring, the floor access covers feature triangular corner plates with standard barrel lifting points, for easy and safe lifting.

For further information, visit  https://www.howegreen.com/product/access-cover-howe-green-watersafe-ip66 or call 01920 463230.

Howe Green on the right track with the Elizabeth line

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As Europe’s largest current infrastructure project, spanning over 60 miles via 41 different stations, the Elizabeth line will transform rail transport in London and the South East, when services commence in the first half of 2022.

Canary Wharf Access Covers 016The landmark project has seen the construction of 42km of new tunnels and the development of 10 new stations, with 31 existing stations also undergoing extensive upgrades.

As part of the formation of the Elizabeth line’s central section, which spans from Westbourne Park to Plumstead and Pudding Mill Lane, one of the UK’s leading fit-out contractors, DMC Contracts, has installed over 1,500 Howe Green Floor Access Covers throughout seven stations.

This includes Whitechapel, Farringdon, Paddington, Bond Street, Woolwich Arsenal, West Ealing, Ealing Broadway and Acton Mainline, where over the last five years DMC Contract’s team of engineers have also installed over 30,000 square metres of Granazzo floor tiles.

Howe Green’s 7500 Series stainless steel Floor Access Covers have been installed throughout the ticket halls, walkways and main concourses of each station to provide engineers with secure and concealed access to under-floor services, whilst the tamper proof construction also prevents unauthorised access.

This is due to the cover’s unique design, which features unobtrusive barrel cover lifting points that can only be accessed with specific lifting and securing keys. As only the securing bolt and barrel edge are visible, the covers provide the highest standards of security, without impacting on the overall design scheme or presenting a potential trip hazard.

Conor McCann, Director at DMC, said: “Due to the nature and sheer magnitude of this project, it was imperative that we worked in tandem with Howe Green from the initial design and specification stages through to site installation to ensure the successful flooring completion of all the Elizabeth line stations.

“When we embarked on this project back in 2016, it quickly became apparent that no other manufacturer could match the calibre of Howe Green’s expertise and superior product excellence. By working together from the very beginning, we have been able to ensure the flooring of every station has been installed to the highest possible standard and will withstand the heavy footfall of passengers with ease.”

Manufactured to BS 476: Part 22, the 7500 Series provides resistance to fire and smoke for up to two hours, providing the highest standards in safety, performance and compliance throughout all seven stations.

With each floor access cover withstanding up to five tonne pneumatic tyre wheel loads, the 7500 Series was also supplied in a range of configurations, including singles, multiparts and ducts, to provide unobstructed access to rodding points and winch systems and electrical pits throughout all areas of the stations.

As the lifting blocks are anchored to the inner frame, the floor access covers can be handled easily and safely by contractors, reducing any potential disruption to passenger’s travel as the maintenance can be conducted quickly and safely.

Throughout the design stages, the floor access covers were installed in conjunction with the Granazzo floor tile modules to create a flush, unbroken visual appeal, whilst also ensuring the safety of all passengers when travelling throughout all areas of the station.

Chris George, Business Development Manager for Howe Green, said: “Over the last 15 years we have developed a successful and close relationship with DMC, which has been fostered and maintained through our combined dedication to achieving the most successful specification for every project.

“It has been a real privilege to work together throughout the construction of the Elizabeth line and I know I speak for both parties when we say we’re extremely proud of the level of work that’s been achieved.”

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

For further information on DMC Contracts please contact Conor McCann on 01375 845070 or visit www.dmccontracts.co.uk.

Set the standard for certification and performance with Howe Green

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Howe Green’s durable 7500 Series and 1050 Series Floor Access Covers are independently tested to BS 476 Part 22 to support construction professionals in achieving the highest levels of compliance, without compromising on quality or functionality.

x8d4c8c1421f646cCERTIFIRE accredited for Fire Integrity and Insulation for up to two hours, the resilient Floor Access Covers provide permanent, discreet and secure access to underground services for a diverse range of applications, from healthcare to infrastructure.

Ensuring building professionals consistently meet legal compliance, without impacting on the chosen visual appeal, the Floor Access Covers are constructed of high quality aluminium or stainless steel, dependent on specification requirements.

Frequently specified for both interior and exterior applications, the Floor Access Covers are suitable for installation with all types of hard floor finishes, including stone, tiles and ceramics, and can withstand up to 6.5 tonne pneumatic tyre wheel load, depending on specification.

The Medium-Duty 7500 Series is available in single, duct and multi-part configurations, all of which are certified for two hours on integrity and one hour for insulation. The 7500 Series is available in a range of sizes, from 900mmx900mm as a single cover, right through to 4m x 3m as a multi-part cover.

The Heavy-Duty 1050 Series is constructed of stainless steel and is also available in single, duct and multi-part configurations. The single cover and duct run specifications are fire rated for two hours on integrity and two hours for insulation, whilst the multi-part cover, which is available up to 4m x 3m, is fire rated for two hours on integrity and one hour for insulation.

Specified for high profile infrastructure and construction projects across a range of industries, Howe Green’s innovative Floor Access Covers offer unrivalled levels of certification, performance and ease of installation.

Supplied with comprehensive test certification, the Floor Access Covers support professionals in not only achieving constant compliance, but provide a trial of due diligence, if and when required. Tested to BS 476 – Part 22 for integrity in the case of a fire, the test is for use of the cover in a dead load environment only. Any multi-parts above 4m x 3m are not covered by the fire rating.

All insulation times are also based on the Floor Access Covers being completely filled with C40 Concrete. If a surface finish is applied, such as tile, then the insulation times must be disregarded.

As a member of the official Made in Britain organisation, Howe Green manufactures its extensive portfolio of floor access solutions at its UK headquarters in Hertfordshire to exact client and project specifications, meeting the functional and aesthetic requirements of any environment.

For further information on Howe Green’s fire integrity and insulation certified floor access solutions, visit www.howegreen.com or call 01920 463230.

The successful specification of flexible floor access covers

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For demanding public sector environments that experience significant levels of pedestrian footfall, the correct specification of permanent floor access solutions is vital to not only providing secure and maintenance-free access to underground services, but also ensuring the highest levels of hygiene and safety at all times.

Here Chris George, Business Development Manager at Howe Green, explores the latest floor access solutions available to specifiers and architects to meet a diverse criteria of requirements.

IMG_0119For professionals working on renovation or new build projects within the education, healthcare and high-end hospitality sectors, there are a breadth of varying specifications that must be addressed at the design stages to ensure the long term suitability and compliance of the building components installed.

With regard to floor access covers in particular, durability and functionality are two of the first areas that must be considered. This includes assessing whether the materials used to construct the access cover can withstand the high frequency of pedestrian footfall and the subsequent weight loading requirement for the chosen environment.

IMG_0126Lightweight aluminium floor access covers offer both resilience and ease of use, whilst also being resistant to corrosion, a key requirement for the healthcare and education sectors due to the high level of cleaning and sanitisation required.

Compatibility with a wide range of flooring materials is also an important part of this stage of the specification process. Here professionals should look to specify solutions that are suitable for installation with all types of flexible floor finishes, including vinyl, linoleum, rubber and carpet.

The prevention of dirt and water ingress should also be considered to maintain the highest levels of hygiene. Here it’s recommended to explore access covers that have been specifically designed to bond and weld the sheet flooring to create an impermeable, flat and permanent joint.

John MooresOnce the above criteria have been met, specifiers should then address the initial installation process, ease of use and ongoing maintenance of the floor access covers.

Due to their light weight, aluminium covers can be extremely versatile as they support quick and easy installation, which also delivering an accurate and unobtrusive finish that doesn’t require continuous upkeep.

The process of gaining access to underground services can also be streamlined through the use of lifting keys, which safely and securely raise the access cover to minimise any on-site disruption and also ensure compliance with all relevant health and safety guidance.

Finally, working with a manufacturer that supports bespoke specifications will also ensure each specific requirement is successfully met. This includes cover sizes, configuration of ducts and branches, along with various weight loadings.

Howe Green’s unique Visedge® Series is regularly specified for high profile healthcare developments including Queens Hospital, Romford, and Southmead Hospital, Bristol, whilst also being the access solution of choice for leading educational institutions including The University of Surrey and John Moores University, Liverpool.

The resilient floor access covers are the ideal choice for challenging healthcare, hospitality and educational environments due to the innovative double top edge seal construction, which provides the highest standards in hygiene and safety.

The VisedgeⓇ Series is manufactured to BS EN ISO 9001:2015 at Howe Green’s headquarters in Hertfordshire using CAD and C.N.C machinery.

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

Howe Green supplies floor access covers for inspirational university building

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Howe Green supplied over fifty Collaborative Teaching Laboratory 065aluminium floor access covers for the award winning Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL) at the University of Birmingham’s Edgbaston Campus. The CTL is part of a £40 million plus investment by the university into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

The new purpose built CTL opened to undergraduate students in October 2018. The unique facility comprises a wet laboratory, dry laboratory and e‐laboratory and provides a hub for science and engineering teaching. The multi‐functional laboratories are ideal for subject‐ specific and cross‐disciplinary teaching, practical classes and collaboration.

The CTL set up allows for a range of innovative and transformational teaching methods to be adopted and for staff time and resources to be used more efficiently.

The robust 6,700 m2 brick structure was designed by architect Sheppard Ross. It has won four awards in the RIBA West Midlands Awards 2019, including RIBA West Midlands Building of the Year 2019. The CTL has also achieved a BREEM Excellent standard and an EPC A Rating for efficiency.

The building design was meticulously detailed and the materials used were chosen to minimise maintenance and enhance the life expectancy of the building.

Howe Green 5000 Series Light Duty Aluminium and 7500 Series Medium Duty Aluminium Floor Access Covers were supplied to main contractor Morgan Sindall and were specified by the architect, Sheppard Ross. The covers were installed by the team from Morgan Sindall and infilled with ceramic floor tiles.

Collaborative Teaching Laboratory 071 copy (1)In addition to ceramic tiles the 5000 Series and 7500 Series can be used with marble, terrazzo, concrete, resin, wood or parquet flooring. The 5000 Series is suitable for use in areas with pedestrian traffic and the load performance of the 7500 Series is for cars and light delivery vehicles up to 5 tonnes pneumatic tyre load.

The access covers can be removed, safely and easily, for maintenance purposes with the use of lifting keys or Howe Green Access Cover Skates. The access covers fit perfectly flush with their surround to avoid the risk of hazard from slips or trips.

Available as a single cover, a duct run or as a multipart unit the 5000 and 7500 Series can be supplied in standard sizes from stock. If a custom size is required it can be manufactured to order at the Howe Green manufacturing facility in Hertfordshire.

Howe Green has over thirty six years of experience in supplying floor access covers to the education sector. Howe Green’s access covers can be found in many educational settings including John Moores University in Liverpool, St Bernadette’s Primary School in Antonshill, Scotland, and the University of Surrey.

If you would like Howe Green to assist with your requirement for a solution to access concealed building services located under hard flooring please call 01920 463230 or visit www.howegreen.com.

 

Howe Green creates “specials” for centre of collaboration and creativity

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Howe Green, one of the leading brands in the specialist horizontal access market, has supplied products to the £150 million National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC) built on the University of Warwick campus.

The distinctive 33,000m2building, with state of the art equipment and world class facilities, provides a centre for research, innovation and technology development in the UK automotive sector.  Academics, engineers and designers have been brought together under one roof to create the technologies and products of the future.

The space within the four storey building has been designed to facilitate collaboration, creativity and the cross fertilisation of knowledge and ideas. It also acts as a shop window for advances in British design and engineering.

NAIC with Credit copyHowe Green supplied around 400 floor access covers for use throughout the centre to provide safe and easy access to building services concealed under the raised flooring.

The Howe Green bespoke 7500 Series Medium Duty Stainless Steel covers were specified by award-winning architects Cullinan Studio.  The specification required that the covers were manufactured with a reduced depth, instead of the standard overall frame depth of 75mm.  The reduction in depth enabled the access covers to be infilled with the same flooring used elsewhere in the raised floor system – calcium sulphate floor panels, with the stone pre-bonded.

The floor access covers were installed by Lindner, the market leader in raised flooring systems.  Calcium sulphate floor panels are ideal for sustainability as they are manufactured almost exclusively from recycled materials – an important consideration for the NAIC’s BREEM excellent rating.

The Technical Department at Howe Green are frequently called upon to help develop a bespoke solution to an access challenge. Established in 1983 the company has a gained a real insight into designing and manufacturing access covers that can deliver the right aesthetic whilst fulfilling the required performance criteria.

The 7500 Series Medium-Duty Floor Access Covers are available in a range of standard sizes from stock.  They can be manufactured in stainless steel or aluminium as single covers, duct runs or multipart units. With a performance loading suitable for up to 5 tonne pneumatic tyre wheel load the covers can be used in areas with pedestrian traffic, cars and light delivery vehicles.

If you would like to find out how Howe Green can provide safe access to concealed services for your next construction project please get in touch, call 01920 463 230 or visit www.bilcouk.co.uk.

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

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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.

New RIBA Accredited CPD from Howe Green Ltd

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181029 Image for CPD PRHowe Green Ltd, the UK’s leading manufacturer of fabricated metal access covers, has recently launched a new CPD seminar.

The CPD – “Safe Access All Areas: Floor Access” has been accredited by RIBA and is listed on the RIBA CPD website – www.ribacpd.com.

The aim of the CPD is to help architects and specifiers gain a greater insight into the key considerations when specifying floor access covers.

Floor access covers provide a safe and easy way to overcome the challenge of accessing building services concealed under floors.  As a small part of an overall construction project floor access covers are often an overlooked element of the building envelope. However, the consequences of specifying an access cover that is inappropriate for the environment where it is being installed can have far-reaching, and costly, implications.  Choice of materials, such as stainless steel or aluminium, loading performance, floor finish and fire rating are examples of just some of the different design parameters that need to be considered when specifying floor access covers.

Health and safety remain at the forefront of specification in the construction industry. The CPD outlines how floor access covers can be moved safely and in line with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations (MHOR) 1992, CDM 2015 Regulations and Building Regulations.

Floor access covers may seem a simple, straightforward product to specify however getting the specification right for the intended use and ensuring the requirements for both performance and aesthetics are met can be fraught with complexity.

James Fisher, MD of Howe Green, explains, “For over 35 years Howe Green has built an incredible amount of expertise and knowledge in the niche area of floor access covers.  This new CPD is an opportunity to share our learning with fellow building services professionals.

“We are committed to providing architects and specifiers with all the necessary tools to ensure the correct specification of access covers.  The more information and resources that we can make available the better informed their decision making will be when it comes to specifying the right access cover for the installation environment. ”

Howe Green’s Business Development Managers, Chris George and Richard Fletcher, will be responsible for delivering the CPD. Classified under the RIBA Core Curriculum by design, construction and technology the hour-long seminar aims to cover general awareness of specifying floor access covers.

If you would like to find out more about the CPD or make a booking for your company please call Sue Marler on 01920 463 230 or email cpd@howegreen.co.uk.

Specifying Bilco and Howe Green products for your next project just became even easier

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Leading access brands Bilco and Howe Green have recently launched a new website – www.bilcouk.co.uk.

New website screenshot - BilcoThe website is designed to provide easy access to all the resources an architect, specifier or building services professional would need to include Bilco and Howe Green products in their next project.  The significant investment in the new site acknowledges the importance that Bilco UK attributes to the role of the specification in the construction industry.

Howe Green Ltd, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of floor, wall and ceiling access hatches, was acquired by the ERA Group in March 2017 and incorporated into the Bilco range of horizontal access products to support Bilco’s proposition for “safe access all areas”.

The new website contains the full product range for both brands – Bilco roof access hatches, floor doors, smoke vents, ladders and roof safety products and Howe Green floor access covers, wall access panels, tree grilles and linear drainage.  The website provides a wide range of resources including specifications, submittal drawings and technical data sheets in addition to links to external resources such as NBS specifications and BIM files.

To coincide with the launch of the website a new brochure has been printed.  The brochure contains detailed information on floor access doors, floor access covers, wall and ceiling access and safety ladders.  Again the aim is to make it easier for architects and specifiers to establish the information they need to create an appropriate specification.

Managing Director of Bilco UK Ltd and Howe Green Ltd, James Fisher, comments, “Since the acquisition of Howe Green we have been working to bring the Bilco and Howe Green brands together to deliver our ‘safe access all areas’ proposition.   The new website helps us to present our full range of speciality access products in a way that is not confusing for customers who in the past may have only worked with either Bilco or Howe Green.

“We have brought together two premium quality, long established brand names to deliver a very strong offer to the building services market.  Our goal is to make life easier for architects, specifiers and contractors though a combination of quality products supported by high levels of technical expertise and ease of access to information.”

If you would like to find out more about the Bilco or Howe Green specialty horizontal access products please visit www.bilcouk.co.uk.

Making life easier for architects and specifiers

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Howe Green Team ImageAt Howe Green we are constantly looking at ways in which we can improve the service we offer to our customers.  We appreciate that the actual products we supply – the floor, wall and ceiling access covers – are just one of the elements that influence the decision to buy.  The additional services we make available all contribute towards the overall customer experience.

Within the construction sector the specification has always been a crucial factor in helping architects and specifiers to decide which products should be used in a particular project and to communicate their preferred selection to other building services professionals.  The consequences of substituting products for a cheaper alternative, effectively breaking the specification, have been highlighted by the tragic events of June 2017.

Over many years the Technical Department at Howe Green has worked closely with architects, specifiers and contractors to ensure that bespoke access solutions can be designed and manufactured to address all manner of challenges when it comes to accessing concealed services.

Our lives are becoming increasing entrenched in the digital world of 24/7 access. This appetite for instant gratification is prevalent in the workplace.  Our team realise that whilst we enjoy the personal interactions and helping people there are customers who would prefer to access as much information as possible to prepare their specification without having to talk to us!  They want accurate and relevant data, presented in an appropriate manner, at their fingertips.

It is for this reason that Howe Green has recently made a significant investment in a library of National Building Specification (NBS) product specification clauses.  The library includes the range of Howe Green floor access covers, Bilco fixed vertical ladders and the Bilco LadderUP® Safety Post.

Managing Director of Bilco UK Ltd and Howe Green Ltd, James Fisher, comments, “Since the acquisition of Howe Green in March last year we have been looking at how to bring the Bilco and Howe Green brands together in order to deliver our ‘safe access all areas’ proposition.  Bilco has offered a full range of NBS specifications and BIM drawings for many years and we know how valuable they are to customers.  We wanted to invest in similar assets for the Howe Green range.  Our aim is to make it as easy as possible for architects and specifiers to access information that will make their lives easier.  Subscribing to NBS is part of this strategy.

In our experience you cannot underestimate the value of a comprehensive specification. It has the ability to minimise risk and uncertainty, improve compliance, as well as saving time and money.”

A full library of BIM drawings is currently being created which will further enhance the resources available for specifiers, architects and contractors.

You can access the NBS specifications from the Resources section of our product pages.

If you have any questions about specifications or would prefer to pick up the phone and talk to us we would love to hear from you!

 

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