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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.

Howe Green Makes a Splash at East Riding Leisure, Bridlington

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View the Howe Green entry on BPi

Visit the Howe Green website

Bridlington Pool and FlumesHowe Green Ltd supplied access covers for a new £25 million Leisure Centre – East Riding Leisure in Bridlington.  The centre, which is located on the seafront, opened last year.  It provides residents and visitors to the town with a wide range of first class sports and leisure facilities.   Features include a 25 metre six-lane swimming pool, learner pool, Splash Zone fun pool with two interactive slides and water play, a health suite, a fully equipped gym, studio, sports hall, squash courts and coffee shop.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council awarded the contract to deliver the new Leisure Centre to BAM Construction Ltd North East Ltd.  BAM appointed tiling specialists P.Plunkett Tiling Contractors to carry out the installation of the ceramic tiling to the outside of the pools and the tiling and mosaic to the inside of the three pools.

P.Plunkett have worked with Howe Green on many projects over the last 27 years, from railway stations to shopping centres and restaurants.  They were happy to recommend Howe Green’s floor access covers when a reliable and safe solution to accessing underfloor services in the pool areas was required.

Nine of Howe Green’s Medium Duty 7500 316 Grade Series Stainless Steel Floor Access Covers were fitted into the ceramic tiled floor around the pool surround in the main pool hall area. The access covers were infilled with anti-slip porcelain floor tiles to provide a flush finish, both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The seamless fit ensures the reduced risk of slips and trips in an inclusive swimming pool environment designed for a variety of end users – older people, the visually impaired, the disabled and excited children.

The floor covers provide easy access for the maintenance and upkeep of the pool sumps and pool balance tanks located beneath the tiling. In a busy community facility, such as a Leisure Centre, keeping the facilities operating properly and avoiding customer disappointment is a priority. In order to achieve this level of service delivery it is essential that underfloor services can be accessed quickly, with the minimum of disruption and without compromise to security.

All Howe Green access covers are available with a double sealed option which ensures the highest levels of security and hygiene and helps to prevent the ingress of water.

The 7500 Series floor access cover is suitable for internal and external use. The 316 grade stainless steel option is non-corrosive and will not rust, even in a swimming pool environment where it is constantly being exposed to water, chemicals, and varying humidity and pH levels. Howe Green’s floor access covers have been used in a number of leisure facilities across the UK and have proved to be a tried and tested access solution for this challenging environment.