steel floor access covers

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

Building Products Index Ltd May 24, 2022 access covers Leave a Comment

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.

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.

“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 and DMC Contracts create strong foundations at Whitechapel Elizabeth line station

Building Products Index Ltd February 27, 2022 access covers Leave a Comment

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As an important interchange for both the Hammersmith & City and District Lines and London Overground, Whitechapel station will be an integral element of the Elizabeth line, with services running every two and a half minutes at peak times.

Featuring a design approach that weaves the new Elizabeth line station between the existing transport services to an elevated station concourse that acts as a bridge to improve community links, the full route will allow passengers to travel through to Paddington, Heathrow or Reading in the west and Shenfield or Abbey Wood in the east.

As part of the construction process, 900 of Howe Green’s 7500 Series Floor Access Covers in standard and bespoke depths have been specified and installed by official Crossrail sub-contractor and one of the UK’s leading fit-out contractors, DMC Contracts.

Supplied in single, duct and multipart configurations, the resilient steel floor access covers have been installed throughout all areas of the station, including the new ticket hall and station concourse, to provide secure and concealed access to under-floor services.

Howe Green’s durable 7500 Series Floor Access Covers were specified in standard and bespoke depths in conjunction with Granazzo floor tiles, to create a streamlined visual appeal, whilst also delivering the highest standard in safety and security.

Suitable for up to 5 tonne pneumatic tyre wheel loads, the medium-duty floor access covers will also withstand heavy footfall throughout all areas of the station with ease, whilst the easy lift mechanism will ensure minimal disruption to passengers when engineers are accessing below floor services.

Conor McCann, Director at DMC Contracts, said: “The new Whitechapel Elizabeth line station was a significant project for both ourselves and the team at Howe Green. The sheer size of the development required a significant quantity of floor access covers to provide consistent and secure access through every area of the vast station.

“By working in close partnership with Howe Green, we were able to ensure each project specification was successfully met. The end result is a flooring installation that not only reflects the polished, calming aesthetic of the entire station, but is also functional, safe and compliant.”

Manufactured to BS 476: Part 22, the 7500 Series Floor Access Covers 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 at Howe Green, said: “Our relationship with DMC Contracts spans over 15 years and it was a real privilege to be able to collaborate together on such an iconic and significant infrastructure project.

“The design of the new Whitechapel Elizabeth line station required bespoke specifications, which our inhouse team of design and engineering experts in Hertfordshire were able to quickly and successfully accommodate, to ensure a functional yet visually appealing finish.”

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

7500 Series Floor Access Covers Access Covers fire and smoke resistant Howe Green steel floor access covers Whitechapel Elizabeth line station