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Howe Green

Shouting from the tree tops: The benefits of tree pits

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The specification of trees within an urban area can provide many benefits, including improving inhabitants’ mental and physical wellbeing, to filtering urban pollutants and aiding the offset of carbon emissions.

However, the planting of trees within landscaped or paved exterior public spaces can also present a range of potential complications that must be considered at the very initial design stages. Here Chris George, Business Development Manager at Howe Green, explores the wide ranging benefits tree pits and tree grilles offer and the key elements specifiers should consider.

Whilst the planting of trees in urban location can contribute to the reduction of the city or town’s carbon footprint, it is essential any trees or saplings are planted within the provision of a healthy and secure environment.

This will ensure the successful nurture and facilitation of the trees’ long term growth, with adequate root management, access to water and the condition of the soil all essential elements that must be considered.

External tree pits and tree grilles present a popular choice as they can successfully alleviate the potentially negative effects an urban environment can have on a living organism, whilst simultaneously providing inconspicuous access to electrics, valves, pumps and water features.

Tree pits and tree grilles also prevent any potential damage to the urban environment as the tree roots are securely managed within the tree root ball. This eliminates the opportunity for the roots to spread up and across the landscape, where they could cause damage to the flooring and present a dangerous trip hazard.

When specifying tree pit covers for upcoming landscaping projects, professionals should consider solutions manufactured of stainless steel as they provide long term resistance to rust and corrosion. The addition of a top edge seal also prevents dirt, grout or grinding waste ingress for increased longevity and resilience. This style of tree pit also aims to eliminate the requirement for slither cuts of stone, which often leads to recurrent and often costly breakages.

However, the structural integrity and design of a stainless steel tree pit shouldn’t hinder safe access to the tree root ball. Here, specifiers should consider solutions that utilise lifting keys, facilitating easy ongoing maintenance of the tree root ball without any additional budget, time or resources.

As each urban landscaping project is different from the next, so too must be the approach to the tree pits or tree grilles installed. Custom made specifications will best meet the specific requirements of each individual project, rather than a standard ‘off the shelf’ offering. A bespoke offering will also ensure the type of stone used and the modules or pattern formations featured within the hard landscaping are seamlessly integrated into the covers, providing the highest quality finish available.

The orientation of the tree pits, whether single, multiple or in a duct formation, should be adapted to meet the bespoke requirements of the project, providing a desired visual style without impacting on the long term growth and success of the trees.

Tree grilles also offer the opportunity for the installation of electrical elements such as up lighters, creating an enhanced visual effect. If using tree grilles, stone thickness must also be considered, whilst load bearing for both grilles and pits must be addressed at the specification stage. For example, will the solutions be installed in a high footfall pedestrian area, or will there be vehicles regularly travelling through? This is essential to ensuring the solution is fit for purpose throughout the duration of its lifetime.

By working closely with a manufacturer from the very initial specification stages, landscaping professionals can not only achieve the successful implementation of trees into hard landscaped areas, but ensure their long term growth and maintenance whilst achieving the desired visual aesthetic.

For further information on Howe Green’s complete range of tree pit covers and tree grilles, visit www.howegreen.com or call 01920 463230.

Four reasons why specification is so important within construction

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Four reasons why specification is so important within construction

Comprehensive specification has the ability to minimise risk, improve compliance and save valuable time and money.

Here at Howe Green, working closely with architects to achieve a proficient specification is fundamental to ensuring our floor access solutions are not only fit for purpose, but successfully futureproof each development against new regulations and requirements. The four main areas we focus on are:

  1. Clarity

Howe Green Kings CrossDeveloping a specification provides transparency and precision on exactly what is required. A good specification will have considered the desired performance, suitability of chosen materials, usage of product, aesthetic appearance, installation environment, life expectancy, life cycle impact, sustainability and finally, cost.

All of these factors must be considered at the initial stages to ensure the most appropriate and ecological access solution is specified to best meet the requirements of the individual project. It is vital that the specification of sustainable building components is considered from the earliest possible stages to minimise any potential environmental impact the development may have.

  1. Reduction of risk

An accurate specification helps to ensure compliance with all relevant legislations, while also minimising the risk of a product failing to meet its intended or stated requirements. This also eliminates the potential for future disputes between each involved party, if an issue was to occur.

By ensuring the solutions specified are fit for purpose for the project at hand from the very beginning, it also ensures the long term success of the development and service life of the specific building components.

  1. Reassurance and compliance

Cribbs1As it is an intrinsic part of the contract documentation, the specification is legally binding in the event of any dispute or litigation, providing a clear audit trail of compliance that outlines the specific Building Regulations or Health and Safety legislations that must be adhered to.

If certain aspects of a project do not go to plan, the level of disruption caused can lead to serious ramifications in terms of both time and money. This is where an accurate specification provides a clear audit trail of due diligence, delivering peace of mind for stakeholders and the end client.

  1. Enhanced efficiency

A concise and correct specification enhances efficiency in all aspects of a construction project. From improving channels of communication to providing clear instructions to the team responsible for the delivery of the project, each team is completely aware of their role and expectations throughout the process. An accurate and well-constructed specification will also ensure a ‘right first time’ approach that avoids any costly errors or delays.

Need some help with your specification?

Here at Howe Green, our experienced technical team works closely with each client to provide direct advice and guidance on the specification of its floor access covers, floor doors, linear drainage, tree grilles or bespoke architectural metalwork.

A wide range of technical support is also available to view and download on the Howe Green website. This includes BIM Objects, NBS Specifications, CAD Drawings, Submittal Drawings, Technical Data Sheets, Installation Guides and Brochures.

For further information on 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 supplies floor access covers for inspirational university building

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View the Howe Green entry on BPindex

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Collaborative Teaching Laboratory 065Over fifty Howe Green 5000 Series Light Duty Aluminium and 7500 Series Medium Duty Aluminium Floor Access Covers were supplied for the award winning Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL) at the University of Birmingham’s Edgbaston Campus.

The robust 6,700 m2  brick structure was designed by architects Sheppard Robson. It has won four awards in the RIBA West Midlands Awards 2019, including RIBA West Midlands Building of the Year.  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.

The Howe Green aluminium floor access covers were supplied to main contractor Morgan Sindall Construction and were specified by Sheppard Robson.  The covers were installed by the team from Morgan Sindall Construction and infilled with ceramic floor tiles.

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.

Three brands, one objective – safe access all areas

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View the Bilco UK, Profab Access and Howe Green entries on BPindex

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Visit the Access 360 website

Access 360 Header Image - 3 brandsThree of the UK’s leading access specialists have come together to form the Access 360 portfolio, providing a total manufacturing solution for roof, ceiling, wall and floor access products for the construction industry.

Access 360 comprises Bilco UK, Profab Access and Howe Green.  These well-established brands all have a strong reputation for delivering innovative solutions to address the challenges of safe access within a building or external environment.

The brand identities have been updated, reflecting the holistic offer that Access 360 presents to the market, to represent the synergy between the brands and the complementary nature of the products.

Bilco UK is a horizontal access specialist supplying the commercial market with standard and bespoke roof access hatches, ladders, smoke vents and floor doors. Founded in the USA in 1926 the company has been operating in the UK since 1989.

Following the acquisition of Bilco by the Tyman Group in 2016 Bilco UK became part of home security specialist ERA in April 2017.

Howe Green was acquired by Bilco UK in 2017. The company manufactures fabricated floor access covers, linear drainage, tree pit covers and bespoke metalwork from a manufacturing facility in Hertfordshire. Incorporated in 1983 Howe Green access covers are specified across a diversity of industry sectors.

In August 2018 Profab Access, a leading manufacturer of vertical access panels, riser doors and steel doors was acquired. Established in 2001 Profab employs a team of 71 and operates from a 46,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and distribution facility in Warwickshire.

The strategic acquisitions of Howe Green and Profab Access were designed to strengthen Bilco UK’s “Safe Access All Areas” proposition. The three companies serve the same market, working with architects, specifiers and building service professionals to provide trusted, high quality, safe access solutions.

James Fisher, Managing Director of Access 360, explains the rationale behind the creation of Access 360 and the new brand identities. “Since the acquisition of Howe Green and Profab Access we have been promoting our ability to provide an unparalleled range of access solutions. From an operational perspective it soon became obvious that we needed a name and an identity that could encompass all three companies, whilst retaining the established and trusted brand names.

“We have members of the team whose responsibilities cover the three brands, including myself, our Sales Director, Technical Director, Marketing Manager, SHEQ Manager, New Product Development Engineer and our sales force.

“The name Access 360 represents what we have to offer the construction sector – products that cover the complete spectrum of access solutions.  We have a new brand mark for each company to illustrate how the brands, and respective products, complement each other.  We are delighted to present Access 360 to the world and to announce the bringing together of three brands with one specific objective – safe access all areas.”

To find out more about the range of products available from Access 360 please visit www.access-360.co.uk.

Why you should use Howe Green Access Cover Skates to lift heavy floor access covers

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Quite simply – by using a pair of Howe Green Access Cover Skates you will make- light work of moving heavy access covers!

A safer option

Cover Skate copyHealth and safety is a major consideration for all building owners, facilities managers and contractors. The Howe Green Access Cover Skate removes the need for operatives to manually move heavy manhole covers and access covers when accessing concealed services. By reducing the requirement to handle heavy objects the risk of injury is greatly diminished. With up to a 300-kilo lift from each Howe Green Access Cover Skate you will benefit from a powerful floor access cover lifter.

Easy to use

Howe Green has over 36 years of experience in the architectural building services sector. Product development at the company is driven by the needs of the customer. Solutions to complex challenges are designed and manufactured to be easy and simple to use. The floor access cover lifter is no exception to this philosophy. Watch the Access Cover Skate video to see just how easy it really is to lift an access cover with the Cover Skate.

Ready for action

Unlike other manhole and floor access cover lifting devices the Cover Skate is supplied ready to use. There are no parts to assemble and complex diagrams and instructions to follow!

Portable

The Howe Green Access Cover Skate is compact and lightweight. Each Cover Skate weighs just 3 kilos and they are very easy to carry around in a work bag or toolbox. The convenience of being able to transport the Cover Skate makes it the perfect choice for large sites and organisations with multiple sites.

Versatile

The Cover Skate has been designed to be used with the whole range of manhole covers and floor access covers available from Howe Green. However it is highly versatile and, by using different lifting keys, can accommodate manhole covers from other manufacturers. By specifying the name of the manufacturer you require when you place your order the correct lifting keys will be supplied with your access cover lifter.

The Cover Skate comes in two different sizes to accommodate access covers of all dimensions.

Robust

The Howe Green Access Cover Skate is manufactured from 1.4003 stainless steel and is corrosion resistant. As it does not rely on hydraulics it is also very low maintenance.

Will save you time and money

Lifting manhole covers and floor access covers with the Howe Green Access Cover Skate will require just one operative as opposed to the two operatives needed with more traditional lifting devices. A reduction in manpower equals a reduction in cost. The time taken to generate a return on investment for the Cover Skate is very short.

James Fisher, MD of Howe Green comments, “Our Access Cover Skate is tried and tested. It has proved a valuable asset for our customers as it saves a lot of time. It is also a much safer way to lift heavy floor access covers. The Access Cover Skate is especially beneficial in locations where regular access is required to concealed services. It is ideal for airports, railway stations, schools, hospitals, offices and factories. If you have floor access covers in your building the Cover Skate is an absolute must.”

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.

Howe Green bespoke access covers fit for the challenge at underground station

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Howe Green Ltd, the UK’s leading manufacturer of fabricated metal floor, wall and ceiling access covers, has supplied over 850 specially designed and manufactured floor access covers for an underground station.

Duct Runs Credit copy 2An access solution was required in order to provide safe, secure and easy access to building services concealed beneath the floor within an elevated concourse building.  The Howe Green bespoke duct covers were designed based on the 7500 Series Medium-Duty Floor Access Covers.  With a 69mm depth the access covers were manufactured with an extra thick baseplate and reinforcements to meet the demands of what will be a highly trafficked area.

The access covers were installed by the award winning DMC Contracts Ltd, specialists in the installation of floor finishes.  Over the last fifteen years Howe Green has developed a strategic partnership with DMC for the installation of its access covers and has worked on many projects with DMC.

The covers were infilled with two different types of flooring dependent upon their location. The main duct run in the station concourse uses Conservation Smooth pavings from Marshalls.  The access covers in the other areas of the station are infilled with Granazzo.

The 7500 Series can be also be supplied as a single cover or as a multipart unit.  The duct covers supplied for the underground station were specially made to order however standard sizes are available from stock.   Fire rating is an option with up to a 3 hour fire rating BS 476: Part 20 1987 on stainless steel single covers or 2 hours on duct and multipart covers if required.  The covers can also be supplied double-sealed to meet the highest standards of hygiene and security.

The 7500 Series can withstand up to a 5 tonne pneumatic wheel loading and is resistant to rust and corrosion.

If you have a requirement for an access solution that can rise to the challenge of a highly demanding environment and provide safe and easy access to concealed services please call 01920 463230 or visit www.bilcouk.co.uk.

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