R&R 8954 52 Nov '15 cc

November / December 2O15 issue 8954 

refurb 

and 

RENEW 

In this issue... 

Learning on the job 

Juliet Woodcock looks at the resurgence 

in apprenticeships. 

page 10 

Cool solutions for residential 

corridor overheating 

Dr Chris Iddon, Design Manager with SE Controls, 

explores the growing issue of corridor overheating 

and studies into real buildings are enabling 

effective solutions to be applied to the problem. 

page 14 

New roofing rules: what refurbers 

and renewers need to know 

New rules have come into force that have provided 

much-needed clarity around roofing and re-roofing. 

page 30

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Dear Reader 

Completing the final edition of R&R for 2015 has inevitably caused 

me to reflect on some of the stories which have passed across my 

desk in the past 12 months, as well as what might lay ahead for the 

industry during the coming year. 

Certainly construction and those responsible for regeneration 

across our urban landscapes can take pride in the projects which 

have been delivered: improving our built environment, providing 

jobs and contributing hugely to the UK economy. 

Against this overall positive picture it is still saddening to witness 

often quite sizeable companies struggling financially: though this 

often reflects poor deals struck when work was short, or the 

premium prices now having to be paid for skilled labour or certain 

raw materials. And another anomaly has been the fluctuating 

success of trade shows – such as UK Construction Week – where 

excellent content does not always attract the crowds they deserve. 

Looking ahead it seems certain that the pressures on housing and 

demand for business premises, leisure destinations and 

infrastructure such as roads or railways will keep the country’s 

building product manufacturers, contractors and consultants busy 

for the foreseeable future. 

Here at Waverley Publications, meanwhile, we will continue to try 

and provide you with up to date news and insights into the new 

technologies, techniques cutting edge contracts which make 

construction one of the most interesting businesses to be 

associated with. 

Yours sincerely 

Juliet Woodcock 

Articles 

r R 

and 

Mapei News Today 09 

Latest products and news from Mapei 

Don’t panic 12 

Juliet Woodcock examines the possible reason as to 

why the Government is scrapping the UK’s green 

initiatives 

Getting plastered! 16 

Hudson Lambert, director of Safeguard Europe, 

looks at the alternatives to traditional plasters 

when seeking to re-cover damp walls. 

Getting some fibre in your diet 32 

R&R Magazine examines the technical and aesthetic 

attributes to a comprehensive collection of fibre cement 

slates available from a manufacturer with a reputation 

for quality and reliability. 

refurb| RENEW 

Front Cover 

For more information 

please go to page 40 

JCC’s new 

industrial lighting 

For employees to perform 

well at their work, good 

lighting is essential as it has a 

positive effect on both 

employee mood and 

productivity. Conversely, 

poor lighting degrades 

employee performance and 

also has a negative impact on 

health and safety in the work 

place. 

Consulting Editor - Juliet Woodcock - juliet@wavcoms.co.uk 

Advertising - Paul Barstow - paul@wavcoms.co.uk 

News Desk & Press Releases - Gemma Spilsbury - press@wavcoms.co.uk 

Production - Di Smith - di@wavcoms.co.uk 

- Ellie Rich - design@wavcoms.co.uk 

Circulation - circulation@wavcoms.co.uk 

Telephone Enquiries 01827 311800 

Publisher’s Statement. 

r&r is a bi-monthly publication. Printed in England. All rights reserved. No part of r&r may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or 

transmitted in any form without prior permission of the publisher. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of editorial 

content, the editor and publishers do not accept responsibility for errors or loss and damage caused by any statements, claims or 

observations made by contributors, authors and their agents. 

Waverley Communications Limited Registered Office: Waverley House, 11 Galena Close, Amington Heights, Amington Industrial Estate, 

Tamworth, Staffordshire. B77 4AS. Reg. No. 4805329 

CE Marked? Check twiCE! 42 

In a market swamped with seemingly CE marked 

products, Joe Bradbury of R&R takes a deeper look 

into the grey area of CE marking. Are they all genuine? 

Why is it so important? What do you need to be 

mindful of when making a purchase? R&R demystify 

the topic. 

09 12 16 42 

Special Features 

32 

16 . . . . . Damp & Condensation 

22 . . . . Floors, Walls & Ceilings 

26 . . . . Roofing, Cladding & Insulation 

40 . . . . Building Automation 

44 . . . . Doors & Windows 

48 . . . . Washrooms, Bathrooms and Kitchens 

November 2O15 issue 8954 refurb| RENEW 03

News | 

NEWS 

'Generation Buy’ needs ‘Generation Build’, says FMB 

The Prime Minister’s pledge to replace ‘Generation Rent’ with ‘Generation Buy’ will only be possible if the Government succeeds in enabling house-builders to 

boost the supply of new homes, warns the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). 

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “For too long we have been suffering the worst housing crisis since the end of the Second World War. It’s crucial 

that we improve affordability and options for those looking to get on the housing ladder. 

“To create a ‘Generation Buy’, we need to create a ‘Generation Build’. This means having a more dynamic house-building industry in which smaller firms and 

new entrants can prosper and grow, so that we can deliver small scale housing developments in every village, town and city. 

“We also need to make use of previously developed land to take the pressure off the Green Belt. It will also mean attracting a new generation of talented 

workers into the construction industry to overcome current skills shortages and meet the expanding demand for its services.” 

Planning for long-term sea level rise 

A new report calls for local authorities and others involved in planning, 

decision-making and infrastructure investment to work together to adapt to 

long-term sea level rise and global warming forecasts. 

The report, entitled ‘No Regrets: Planning for Sea Level Rise and Climate 

Change and Investing in Adaptation’, was sponsored by the Southern 

Regional Flood and Coastal Committee as a follow-up to the Coastal 

Communities 2150 project. It was produced by independent design, 

environment and sustainability consultancy LDA Design with input from 

Lindsay Frost Consulting. 

Sea levels in South East England have risen by around 20cm since 1900 and 

are predicted to rise by up to a metre by 2100. If forecasts on temperature 

rise are correct, sea levels could continue rising over the next few centuries, 

by as much as several metres. 

Carlisle company wins JTL's 25th Anniversary 

van 

To mark the end of its 25th anniversary celebrations, JTL chief executive 

Jon Graham has now drawn the winning entry to its competition to win a 

new van. All companies with a graduating or new JTL apprentice within the 

year were entered in the competition. 

The winner of the 25th Anniversary Prize Draw was PK Engineering from 

Carlisle and Office Manager Denise Pape, along with apprentice Niall Keyes, 

whose recruitment helped make PK Engineering eligible for the 

competition, arrived at JTL’s National Centre in Birmingham to collect their 

prize. Owner of the business, Kevin Percival was over the moon to hear of 

their success in the prize draw. 

JTL’s Chief Executive Jon Graham was there in Birmingham to hand over 

the keys to the silver Citroen Berlingo 1.6 HDi. 

04 

Crossrail skills vacuum creating 'competence chasm' in rest of UK 

Crossrail’s hunger for skilled workers has drawn in top talent from hundreds of miles away to take up engineering and construction jobs, adding to skills 

shortages in other parts of the UK, according to new analysis from specialist recruiter Randstad CPE. 

· More than a quarter of Crossrail’s workforce (28%) is drawn from regions more than 30 miles away 

· One in twenty Crossrail workers (4.7%) relocated more than 100 miles to work on the iconic project 

· Cash is main pull factor – as tunneling engineers earn £25,000 and project managers £51,000 p.a. 

· By its 2018 opening, the average Crossrail worker is set to have earnt an extra £10,701 by moving to London 

· Skills exodus beginning to slow, only to be replaced by a new construction boom in the London area 

More than a quarter (28.3%) of those starting Crossrail-connected work in the London area are originally from areas more than 30 miles away from the 

new railway line – in the analysis of over 40,000 individual construction and engineering placements across the UK, including more than 150 different 

Crossrail-related job-titles. 

Of these workers, more 15% have taken up Crossrail jobs 50 miles from their home address at the time – while just under 1-in-20 Crossrail-capable workers 

(4.7%) have moved 100 miles or more. 

refurb| RENEW November 2O15 issue 8954

News | 

The survey of 1,005 Londoners found that 83% suffered from uncomfortably 

hot (overheated) homes this summer. Alarmingly, 31% of those who suffered 

from overheating felt unwell or tired and 52% were woken up in the night. 

The fabric first approach: tackling overheating 

A recent report by WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff entitled ‘Overheating in Homes: Keeping a 

growing population cool in summer,' has suggested an overhaul of Building Regulations is 

required to tackle the ongoing problem of overheating homes. 

The survey of 1,005 Londoners found that 83% suffered from uncomfortably hot 

(overheated) homes this summer. Alarmingly, 31% of those who suffered from overheating 

felt unwell or tired and 52% were woken up in the night. 

The survey shows that there are a range of factors contributing to the problem such as 

Climate Change increasing peak temperatures and the rise in popularity of denser residential 

buildings. The Government claims there are 2,000 deaths caused by overheating annually. 

WSP PB have proposed five key measures to tackle overheating: 

1. Develop a robust regulatory overheating analysis method for all new developments. 

2. All new housing developments to adhere to a ‘cooling hierarchy'. 

3. All new buildings to be designed to facilitate retrofitted cooling installation. 

4. Measures should be introduced on new developments to reduce the Urban Heat island 

phenomenon. 

5. The "all-electric city" should become a wider priority - reducing heat production from 

vehicles and buildings in urban areas. 

Growth of demand for permanent 

construction staff accelerates 

September data highlighted continued increases in demand for 

construction workers. The latest data from the Report on Jobs, 

published by KPMG and the REC, showed that growth of demand 

for permanent staff accelerated whereas that for temporary workers 

softened. 

The index for permanent construction professionals rose from 61.9 in 

August to 64.7 in September and was above the average for all types 

of permanent staff (62.0). Construction was ranked third out of nine 

in the demand for staff ‘league table’. 

Richard Threlfall, Head of Infrastructure, Building and Construction 

said: “This latest data confirms the unrelenting pressure on the UK 

construction industry from both shortage and cost of labour. Over 

the last year construction has moved up the ranking to become the 

third highest sector in terms of demand for permanent staff, and this 

month’s report highlights critical shortages in construction 

estimators and temporary construction workers.” 

RICS - full response to Housing Bill 

Jeremy Blackburn, RICS Head of Policy, commented: “Britain’s brownfields sites have 

been locked for far too long, and we are pleased to see that measures are being put in 

place to release their potential and get our country building. Enforcing local plans and 

speeding up delivery on brownfield sites are measures chartered surveyors have long 

campaigned for, and it is good to see these coming forward in the Bill. 

“The mediation between councils and developers regarding S106 agreements - the 

requirement for a proportion of each site to be affordable housing - is blocking or 

slowing down many schemes and is holding up the granting of planning permission. 

Dispute resolution for these, agreements will contribute to the unlocking of many 

schemes stuck in negotiation and we look forward to working with government to 

implement this service.” 

60% of electricians encounter non-compliant products 

The NAPIT Trade Association has recently redoubled its efforts with key industry partners to 

address the impact non-compliant, defective, suspicious or counterfeit products are having 

on electrical installers. 

It comes in response to the concerning results of a major installer survey which showed 

that: 

· Nearly 60% of respondents encounter non-compliant electrical products but don’t report 

them and, of these, nearly half (45%) said that it was because they didn’t know where to 

report them to 

· 53% said they caused an inconvenience and 25% said they have caused a direct safety risk 

to customers 

· 45% of electrical installers are unsure whether they have the necessary knowledge to 

identify counterfeit electrical goods in most cases 

· 95% of the respondents would like to receive further guidance on how to identify 

counterfeit/non-compliant electrical products 

Commenting on the survey, NAPIT Group Technical Director and Trade Association 

Chairman Frank Bertie said: “That’s why we have created a new Defective, Suspicious or 

Counterfeit Products Reporting Form in cooperation with BEAMA, a trade association which 

represents manufacturers of electrical infrastructure products, and the Electrotechnical 

Market Surveillance Group (EMS).” 

The new form will allow NAPIT members to draw attention to potentially dangerous 

electrical products and pass that information on to EMS member organizations, who 

conduct their own product testing using independent labs to build cases of mis-selling – 

working with Trading Standards and/or the Health & Safety Executive to get dangerous 

products removed from the shelves. 

Painting academy to train 4,000 decorators 

Britain faces a massive shortage of painters and decorators; putting 

in doubt Government efforts to build a million new homes in the 

next five years, Dulux claimed in October. 

There are up to 33,000 too few craftsmen in London & the South 

East alone, a report said. It said this could threaten Chancellor 

George Osborne’s pledge to address Britain’s chronic housing 

shortage by building one million homes between now and 2020. The 

Chancellor announced an overhaul of planning laws in a bid to speed 

up housebuilding projects. 

Dulux, which based its estimate on a report by accountancy firm 

KPMG, has taken matters into its own hands by opening a ‘Dulux 

Academy’ to train up to 4000 tradesmen a year. 

Latest fire safety in design standard is 

revised 

BSI, the business standards company has revised BS 9991 – Fire safety 

in the design, management and use of residential buildings - Code of 

practice, adding consideration of sheltered housing and fire safety 

precautions for vulnerable persons. 

This code of practice assists in the provision of adequate fire safety 

measures, fire detection and alarm systems and fixed fire-fighting 

systems; and is intended to help safeguard the lives of building 

occupants as well as fire-fighters. BS 9991 gives recommendations 

and guidance on the design, management and use of: 

• Dwellings (single-family dwelling houses, self-contained 

flats or maisonettes) 

• Residential accommodation blocks (e.g. for students or 

hospital staff), with individual bedrooms and the provision of 

kitchen/sanitary facilities constructed within a fire compartment, 

accommodating not more than six persons 

• Sheltered housing and extra care housing 

It is not applicable to hotels, caravans/mobile homes, hospitals, 

residential care or nursing homes, places of lawful detention, hostels 

or houses of multiple occupancy. 


Product | NEWS 

Giacomini UK completes biggest G5 order to date 

Work has been underway to develop Liverpool’s former HMRC tax office 

building, converting the space into 240 luxurious waterfront apartments – 

and for one company, this meant its largest product order to date. 

Giacomini UK, one of the country’s leading suppliers of European 

manufactured heating products, was selected to supply 240 of its twin G5 

heat interface units to the site. 

The 240 units have been installed in phases over the past few months and 

the order has now been completed with the final units dispatched in July. 

“Orders for our HIUs are rapidly increasing in both frequency and size,” said 

Giacomini UK’s managing director, Matt Lowe. “This is our largest single 

order of G5 HIUs to one site and we hope it’s a sign of things to come! 

The regeneration work taking place in Liverpool is fantastic, and the 

apartments are very impressive.” 

www.giacomini.co.uk . 

Elegant Electra litter 

bin combines strength 

and style 

Electra is a contemporary twist on a classic 

metal litter bin. Designed for the modern 

environment, the subtle colour and unique 

shape will blend in harmoniously with 

contemporary architecture. The Electra 

litter bin combines stylish simplicity with 

exceptional strength and functionality. 

Electra is an environmentally friendly litter 

bin with body panels produced using 

Vandalex® material, and the framework is 

manufactured from steel with Armortec® 

coating. Both materials are 100% recyclable 

after the bin’s service life. Electra is also 

corrosion, vandal and fire resistant. 

Cygnus wireless alarm system specified by Skanska 

The Monument Building in the heart of the City of 

London is one of the current projects to use Bull 

Products’ latest Cygnus wireless alarm system during 

construction works. 

Skanska has been using the Bull Products system since 

construction started last year, having specified some 26 

units for installation across all 10 floors of the building 

project. The Cygnus alarm system can link as many as 

480 alarm and detector units in different zones on a 

construction site, and individual units can be fire alarm 

call points, first aid alerts, combined call points and first 

aid alerts, smoke detectors or heat detectors. 

Intended purely for use on construction sites, the CE 

marked Cygnus system has been specifically designed 

for use in dense concrete and steel structured buildings 

and areas where there are many other radio 

frequencies in operation, and so particular attention 

has been given to achieving an impressive connection 

range. 

www.bullproducts.co.uk 

The diversity of the Xterminator 

www.glasdonlitterbins.com 

As it grows more in popularity every year, 

Marflow Hydronics’ Xterminator valve set 

is being used increasingly with a variety of 

different terminal devices, showing it to be 

a highly diverse product. Over the past 

few years, the Xterminator valve set has 

been mostly credited as a great solution to 

work with fan coil units. However, 

customers are increasingly using the 

product with a larger range of terminal 

devices, just as it was designed for, demonstrating its true flexibility. 

The Xterminator is a range of engineered terminal unit connection sets which incorporates a suite 

of valves and fittings to balance and control any terminal device, such as chilled beams, fan 

convectors, air handling units and trench heating, as well as fan coil units. 

“The three types of Xterminator in our prefabricated product portfolio have been designed so 

that they can work with any terminal device,” explained Nick Martin, Technical Manager. 

www.marflowhydronics.co.uk/didyouknow 

06 

refurb| RENEW November2O15 issue 8954

Always moving forward 

Our two most recent innovations are the new 

Opus panel and sinusoidal profiled sheet. 

Investment in state-of-the-art 

manufacturing machinery 

enables us to provide the 

increasingly popular sinusoidal 

profile on a short lead time and 

at a competitive price. 

Opus is the new plank panel 

that is available as part of an 

Elite system, a LINEAR Rainscreen 

and a LINEAR Rainspan system, 

as well as being ideal for use as 

a soffit plank. 

We know you don’t stay ahead by standing still. To keep moving 

forward we’re always innovating; whether through new product 

development, process improvement or service enhancement. 

Innovation provides you with roofing and cladding solutions that 

are as ground-breaking as they are practical and as valuable as they 

are cost-effective. Put simply we innovate to provide products that 

are relevant and useful to you. 

Some of our recent product innovations include Vieo, Opus, 

sinusoidal cladding, integrated solar panels, transpired solar 

collectors, and a more efficient stainless steel halter for standing 

seam roofs. 

A culture of innovation is present throughout our supply chain, 

with Elite Systems using only Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® and Colorcoat 

Prisma® from Tata Steel. These Colorcoat® products come with the 

Confidex® Guarantee offering extended cover for up to 40 years on 

Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® and up to 30 years on Colorcoat Prisma®. 

Colorcoat® products are certified to BES6001 Responsible Sourcing 

standard. 

Wentloog Corporate Park Cardiff CF3 2ER 

02922 010101 · www.euroclad.com 

@eurocladuk 

Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra, Colorcoat Prisma and Confidex 

are registered trademarks of Tata Steel UK Limited.

Product | NEWS 

Flat roof manufacturer Bauder launches new website 

Bauder, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of flat roof waterproofing 

solutions, has officially launched its new website. The refreshed site delivers an 

engaging and interactive user experience with regards to content, structure, 

navigation and resources available for download. Key features include design 

guides, installation videos, CPD seminar overviews, and a Technical Centre that 

offers free CAD drawings, specifications, product and system certifications, and 

maintenance advice. 

The easy to navigate site showcases the company’s full range of flat roof, green 

roof, and photovoltaic solutions in a comprehensive product and system library 

that includes Bauder’s new combined PV and green roof offering 

BauderBioSOLAR. 

To coincide with the website redesign Bauder has also launched a blog and new 

social media channels on Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ that will enable the 

company to deliver the latest news, views and industry information. 

www.bauder.co.uk. 

Contour unveils new low cost, ‘no 

fuss’ LST radiator range 

A new value-engineered low 

surface temperature (LST) radiator 

has been launched by Contour, the 

leading designer and manufacturer 

of LST heating systems. 

Primarily designed for general 

healthcare, educational and 

commercial environments, the 

Covora range is ideal for building services contractors and heating and 

plumbing installers who are working to price-sensitive budgets but 

require simple, high quality safety-compliant radiators. 

It is available in a range of colours, more than 150 sizes and has the 

option for silver-based anti-microbial BioCote® coating. 

The radiator guard is supplied as a one-piece unit punched with 5.5mm 

wide radius grilles, and comes complete with pre-fabricated cut-outs 

for valves, skirting boards and pipework. The guard is covered by a 

five-year product warranty, while the radiator emitter is covered by a 

10 year warranty. 

It is available to order directly from Contour, with short production 

lead times available from 10 days. 

www.contourcasings.co.uk. 

Marflow Hydronics relaunches 

manifold portfolio 

Reacting to what 

customers want, as 

always, the technical team 

at Marflow Hydronics has 

modified its portfolio of 

manifold solutions and 

has just relaunched them 

as the Diversiflow range. 

A centrally located, multi 

terminal manifold unit provides significant benefits when compared 

with the conventional approach of installing individual valve sets at 

each terminal unit. The Diversiflow manifold system houses all of the 

valves required for a group of terminal units in a single, insulated box 

and this provides easy and convenient access for the commissioning 

and maintenance of a number of chilled beams or fan coil units. 

“We now offer four different types of multiple valve sets,” explained 

Nick Martin, Technical Manager. “They are all designed to be used with 

multiple terminal units and massive savings can be made in terms of 

commissioning time, just visit the one manifold box and all the units 

can be adjusted.” 

www.marflowhydronics.co.uk/diversiflow 

08 


www.mapei.co.uk Refurbishment and Maintenance of Buildings Issue No. 4

Article | 

Learning on the job 

Juliet Woodcock looks at the resurgence in apprenticeships 

The Chancellor and the Government have 

set out plans to start three million young 

people on apprenticeships by 2020 

As we hear of Prime Minister David Cameron’s 

deal with China to fund a new nuclear power 

station at Hinkley Point, which will be built by 

the French energy giant, EDF, one does have to 

wonder that we have any industry left in this 

country that actually belongs to us. But 

whatever your views, it is heartening to discover 

that more than 25,000 construction jobs will be 

created on the back of it; apparently, 1,000 

apprenticeships will also be available, alongside 

£14million investment in training and education. 

Which has to be good news on the back of 

Ofsted’s assessment of Britain’s apprenticeship 

systems which is, according to Sir Michael 

Wilshaw, its chief inspector, “little short of a 

disaster.” He claims that only five per cent of 16- 

year-olds become apprentices — a number that 

has barely changed for a decade – though one 

has to remember Ofsted notoriously leans to the 

Left. 

On the other hand, if you read the figures from 

City A.M, it is reporting that a record number of 

people are doing apprenticeships – its statistics 

come from the department for Business, 

Innovation and Skills (Obviously Right leaning). 

Whatever political persuasion you believe, 

provisional figures for 2014/2015 show that more 

than 872,000 people were employed by 

Government-funded apprenticeship schemes 

over the 12-month period; up from 851,000 the 

year before. Five years ago the number of people 

doing apprenticeships was under 500,000. The 

Government's ambition is to have enrolled three 

million people on apprenticeships by 2020, which 

would be an increase from the 2.38m delivered in 

the last parliament. So who are actually delivering 

apprenticeships in the UK? Here are some 

examples from my in-box. 

Mitsubishi Electric has announced the launch of 

its National Apprenticeship Scheme in 

collaboration with the National Apprenticeship 

Service (NAS) and Building Engineering Services 

Training (BEST). 

The programme is being run in conjunction with 

24 of its partners, thereby enabling the 

programme to appeal for new recruits right 

across the country. 

The Mitsubishi Electric National Apprenticeship 

Scheme is part of a nationally recognized 

framework that provides a way for young people 

and adult learners to earn while they learn in a 

real job, gaining a real qualification and a 

promising future. Within each framework are 

various qualifications, which are recognized by 

awarding organizations such as City & Guilds. 

Another heating and renewables specialist, Bosch, 

has 6,000 apprenticeships worldwide, offering 

around 30 different types at NVQ level. As its 

website promises, “As an innovative brand, we are 

always looking to stay ahead of the competition 

and continually provide customers with new 

products and solutions. Bringing about 

tomorrow’s technologies requires creative minds 

and a continual stream of knowledge and fresh 

ideas.” Applicants can even apply online, and 

useful information is included on how this can be 

done, with step-by-step guidance. 

Heatrae Sadia, meanwhile, offers a four-year 

apprenticeship leading to NVQ level 3, with the 

option of progressing onto HNC. The 

programme includes one year's off site training at 

10 


EAGIT training centre and an additional three 

years on the job training at Heatrae Sadia 

production facilities. The company also offers 

CPD training at its Online Training Academy. 

But it is not just manufacturers that are creating 

apprenticeships: Sheffield City Council has 

worked with Re:allies, a strategic collaboration of 

housing consortia, to create five new 

apprenticeships with regional contractors and 

achieve a 13 per cent saving on previous unit 

costs as part of its procurement of a new heating 

programme. Alongside financial savings on the 

project, Efficiency North also worked with the 

The Government has 

also reaffirmed plans for 

an ‘apprenticeship levy’, 

the size of which has not 

yet been set, with large 

companies investing in 

a fund that is used to 

train workers. 

Council to add further value by creating the five 

trainee placements with appointed contractors. 

As well as creating these initial roles, Efficiency 

North will support the apprentices throughout 

their training, and on into full time employment. 

Meanwhile Network Rail has just announced that 

it is starting its 2016 Advanced Apprenticeship 

Scheme, which will open in January. Of the three 

years, the first is spent living and learning at 

Europe’s largest engineering training facility, the 

next two working from a depot local to home. 

Specializing in electrification and plant, overhead 

lines, signaling, telecoms, track or off track; while 

there is the opportunity for further qualifications 

such as HNC, Foundation Degree, BEng, MSC and 

CEng. 

What all businesses will have to bear in mind is 

that the Government has plans to increase the 

number of apprenticeship programmes that 

commercial organizations offer. It has also 

reaffirmed plans for an ‘apprenticeship levy’, the 

size of which has not yet been set, with large 

companies investing in a fund that is used to train 

workers. Companies bidding for Government 

contracts worth more than £10m must 

additionally show they have a "reasonable 

proportion" of apprentices. A Government 

consultation is currently seeking views on paying 

the levy, which is expected to be in place by April 

2017. 

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) 

welcomed the announcement of the apprentice 

plan. "Apprenticeship schemes can play a part in 

meeting important ambitions to boost skills and 

drive-up productivity," said John Longworth, the 

business group's director general. 

But he added that plans to encourage 

apprenticeships should focus on small businesses, 

not just larger corporations. He continued: 

"Government policy is currently too focused on 

major employers, but equal effort ought to be 

put on encouraging and supporting smaller 

businesses to offer apprenticeships.” 

Not surprisingly, The Guardian has managed to 

find two business groups who have expressed 

negative views: manufacturers’ organization EEF 

describes the proposed levy as “little more than a 

tax on business”. In its response to the 

Government setting its three million target - 

requiring 600,000 new apprenticeships starts 

every year – the organization contends this is 

unachievable. 

Tim Thomas, EEF’s head of employment & skills 

policy, said: “If this proposal is to avoid being a 

pile-them-high, sell-them-cheap approach and 

actually increase the quality of apprenticeships as 

well as hitting the Government’s three million 

target, then the government must sit down with 

employers as a matter of urgency to design a 

workable scheme.” 

Then the Brussels backed CBI employers group, 

which represents about 190,000 businesses, wants 

assurances that the scheme will not prove costly 

to companies, The Guardian reported. Its 

submission recommends all funds raised by the 

new levy must be ring-fenced for training and 

that the levy rate be set by a new politically 

independent levy board. (That’ll need another 

quango then.) 

A poll of 275 employers, conducted by the 

Chartered Institute of Personnel and 

Development (CIPD), found employers were 

divided over the levy plans, with 39% in favour in 

principle, 31% opposed and a further 30% 

undecided. 

To conclude with an interesting fact, the Army 

has the largest apprenticeship programme in the 

country, with about 95 per cent of new soldiers 

taking part and over 8,000 completing their 

apprenticeship training each year. Army 

apprenticeships are part of a nationally 

recognized scheme, giving soldiers the chance to 

work for an employer at the same time as 

studying for a relevant, work-based qualification 

that would be valued by civilian employers. 

Both the British Army and infrastructure business, Network Rail have well established apprenticeship training schemes. 

November2O15 issue 8954 refurb| RENEW 11

Article | 

Don’t panic 

Juliet Woodcock examines the possible reason as to why 

the Government is scrapping the UK’s green initiatives 

Back in July, the UK government ditched its 

commitment for all new homes to be zero 

carbon by 2016, including the abandonment of 

the ‘Allowable Solutions’ scheme that would 

have enabled developers to deliver greenhouse 

gas savings elsewhere if it was not cost effective 

to do so on site. On top of this, further 

proposed Government cuts to renewable 

subsidies such as the Feed-in-Tariff risk 

hampering £127million of investment in 

development projects across the UK, according 

to Community Energy England. 

: Peter Thom from Green Heat Ltd is 

urging Government to work with 

industry to ensure a workable 

alternative to the failed Green Deal is 

put in place as quickly as possible. 

This, not surprisingly, has sent shock waves 

through the construction industry; especially 

within the renewables sector and in September, a 

report from Ernst & Young showed that the UK 

had crashed out of the top 10 list of countries for 

investing in renewable energy for the first time 

years, following the Government's plans to cut 

subsidies being revealed. 

Ross Holloron of the Zero Carbon 

Hub: “What [the change in policy] 

really means, we believe, is that it 

all hinges on nearly zero energy 

(nZEB) buildings now.” 

Renewables providers responded quickly, and 

Peter Thom, founder and managing director of 

Cambridge-based Green Heat Ltd, is urging 

Government to work with industry to ensure a 

workable alternative to the failed Green Deal is 

put in place as quickly as possible. He said: “With 

fuel poverty still a major problem in the UK, 

policies tackling energy efficiency have to be a 

priority. Lessons can and must be learnt from the 

Green Deal. Ministers and industry need to work 

together without delay to put in place an 

accessible, workable scheme that will create 

more energy efficient homes and enable more 

people to live in affordable warmth.” 

Meanwhile, Andy Simmonds CEO of the 

Association for Environment Conscious Building 

(AECB) said of the Government’s scrapping of the 

2016 Zero Carbon Homes target: “"We have 

always supported the Zero Carbon Homes target 

as providing a driver to improved energy 

efficiency standards. The target represents an 

important stepping-stone towards best-practice 

fabric energy efficiency standards as practiced by 

those currently building to AECB Silver & 

Passivhaus levels. It is also a vital step for the 

construction industry as it works towards the 

forthcoming EU's near zero energy buildings 

target coming into effect in 2021.” 

The AECB is understandably concerned about the 

impact of this decision on the implementation of 

the new EU Energy Performance of Buildings 

Directive and requirement for all new buildings to 

be constructed at Nearly Zero Energy Buildings 

levels (nZEB) from January 2019 (public buildings) 

and 2021 (all buildings). The association is 

investigating the consequences - including 

economic risks - for the UK should it fail to 

transpose this directive as a result of the policy 

U-turn. 

The nZEB requirement comes out of the 

European Commission’s EPBD Recast (Directive 

2010/31/EU), and is perhaps where the UK 

construction industry now needs to be setting its 

sights – worryingly, quite a few businesses seem 

to be unaware that the new EU directive even 

exists. Here is the official definition of nZEB: 

“A building that has a very high energy 

performance. The nearly zero or very low 

amount of energy required should be covered to 

a very significant extent by energy from 

renewable sources, including energy from 

renewable sources produced on-site or nearby”. 

Ross Holloron of the Zero Carbon Hub, which 

was tasked with developing the technical 

definition of a zero carbon home, speaking at the 

Build4Quality conference on 16 September, said: 

“What [the change in policy] really means, we 

believe, is that it all hinges on nearly zero energy 

(nZEB) buildings now;” adding that this means it is 

all about the primary energy put into building 

new homes. And that this is probably why the 

Government is scrapping the Green Deal, FIT and 

other UK green strategies 

12 


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Article | 

Cool solutions for residential 

corridor overheating 

Dr Chris Iddon, Design Manager with SE Controls, explores the growing issue of corridor overheating and studies into real buildings are 

enabling effective solutions to be applied to the problem. 

14 

: Dr. Chris Iddon 

In some ways it is ironic that the issue of building 

overheating can be partly accredited to the 

increased drive towards improving energy 

efficiency. This fact has been recognised by the 

Zero Carbon Hub in its recent report into 

overheating in homes, as well as CIBSE’s latest 

revision to its ‘Guide A: Environmental Design’ 

(8th edition 2015), which specifically identifies 

the potential causes and consequences of 

corridor overheating. 

It wasn’t that long ago that, if a building’s 

occupants got too hot, they opened a window 

or turned up the air conditioning to return the 

internal temperature to within more comfortable 

parameters, although there are clearly some 

significant issues with this simplistic approach to 

temperature management. However, during the 

past 25 years or so, concerns over climate 

change, dwindling fuel resources and increasing 

energy costs, has resulted in a much stricter 

legislative and regulatory environment governing 

building design and energy management. 

Within this framework, retaining heat within a 

building is usually a key design goal, as it reduces 

energy demand for heating and the cost of 

maintaining a comfortable internal environment, 

the application of these various energy reduction 

techniques can have some surprising and 

unintended consequences. 

Multi storey residential blocks, for example, are 

subject to the specifications for ‘leakage’, 

‘infiltration’ and energy performance, yet as 

Building Regulations deals only with the dwellings 

themselves a building’s circulation spaces are 

excluded. 

refurb| RENEW November2O15 issue 8954 

As innovative building designs seek to 

legitimately maximise rentable space, this often 

creates ‘landlocked’ spaces that have no 

ventilation. Given that corridors are often 

sealed by fire doors and the practice of routing 

heating pipework through ceiling voids is a 

common solution, it’s unsurprising that 

communal corridor temperatures can readily 

exceed 35 degrees Celsius. 

Understanding the dynamics of 

overheating 

For a number of years, SE Controls has been 

directly involved with various consultants; 

developers and contractors to not only address 

the issue by providing specific solutions to 

improve ventilation and cooling, but also to 

obtain a more detailed understanding of the 

dynamics involved in the overheating of 

corridors and circulation spaces. 

By undertaking detailed studies of real buildings 

and combining them with theoretical computer 

thermal modelling, it has not only been 

possible to refine the modelling algorithms and 

make them even more accurate, but also design 

effective solutions that can address the 

problem using a building’s existing smoke 

control system. 

As smoke control ventilation systems are a legal 

requirements in buildings over three storeys 

high, it makes financial and practical sense to 

adapt the existing system, enabling it to 

undertake the additional role of day to day 

environmental ventilation and cooling of 

circulation spaces. 

Among the various corridor-overheating 

projects undertaken, one of the most 

interesting was a study we undertook that 

evaluated a London building with circulation 

space ventilation incorporated within the 

design from the outset and compared it to one 

in Kent where no similar ventilation solution 

had been installed. As overheating issues 

typically become more intense during summer 

months, the study was conducted between 

19th June and 29th December 2014, which also 

provided data during autumn and early winter 

for comparative purposes. 

Temperature measurement and 

adaptive comfort 

Hourly temperatures in the first floor lobby of 

both buildings were monitored to obtain a 

clearer picture of the internal thermal profile, 

while corresponding hourly external weather 

information from RAF Northolt provided 

relevant ‘ambient’ temperature data for the 

same period. During the study, a MET Office 

Level 2 heatwave warning (max temperature of 

30 degrees Celsius) was issued for 18th to 20th 

July. 

: Temperature distribution chart

: London residential building interior temperature 

: Kent residential building interior temperature 

Results analysis – the heat is on 

Over the duration of the study, the external 

temperature ranged from a minimum of - 6°C 

during December to a maximum of 30°C in 

July, giving and average of 12°C throughout the 

period. 

In comparison, the London building, which 

utilised its smoke ventilation system to 

provide supplementary environmental 

ventilation, the average temperature was 

18.6°C with corresponding minimum and 

maximum figures of 10.3°C and 27.3°C 

respectively. 

However, in stark contrast, the Kent building 

with unventilated corridors recorded some 

disturbing results with temperatures ranging 

from 22.3°C up to an extremely uncomfortable 

high of 33.8°C with an average 28.5°C. 

Even more concerning is the fact that for 64% 

of the total monitoring period, the Kent 

property’s temperature exceeded 28°C, which 

is significantly above current CIBSE guidance 

on overheating thresholds where 28°C should 

be exceeded for less than 1% of the time. 

The comparative temperature distribution 

analysis for both buildings also showed a 

significant difference with the most frequent 

internal temperature for Kent being 28-29°C, 

while in London, the figures were 8 degrees 

cooler at 20-21°C. 

Although this study was focused specifically 

on temperature parameters within the two 

buildings, it must be remembered that where 

no ventilation is present in sealed or 

‘landlocked’ spaces, the air will usually be 

stagnant and of poor quality, often containing 

pathogens along with other contaminants, 

which cannot be readily ‘flushed’ or vented 

from the building. 

By utilising existing smoke ventilation systems 

and adapting their operation, without 

compromising their life critical primary 

operation characteristics, a simple and cost 

effective solution is already available that 

mitigates overheating, improves air quality and 

helps buildings comply with relevant adaptive 

comfort guidelines. 

The only question that remains, is how many 

other buildings suffer from the same extreme 

overheating and air quality issues as those 

measured in Kent, which are likely to be 

caused unintentionally, purely by complying 

with Building Regulations? From the results of 

SE Controls’ own numerous research studies, 

the answer is ...“probably more than we think.” 

www.secontrols.com 


Damp & Condensation | 

Getting plastered! 

Hudson Lambert, director of Safeguard Europe, looks at the alternatives to traditional plasters when seeking to re-cover damp walls. 

Traditional plasters have been used on internal 

walls for thousands of years to create smooth, 

decorative surfaces. For instance, lime-based 

plasters were being used in Jordan as long ago as 

7500 BC; while clay and gypsum plasters were 

used in ancient China and India. 

www.safeguardeurope.com/products/dryzone 

In the UK, lime plaster – either applied directly to 

walls or onto timber laths – was used until the 

middle of the 19th century, until ceding a 

dominant position to gypsum plasters and then, 

since WW2, gypsum plasterboards. 

These are all quality systems and quite durable 

when applied to dry walls. However, in the face 

of rising or penetrating damp, gypsum boards and 

lime or gypsum plasters can start to fail. This is 

especially the case where the dampness 

introduces salts into the plasterwork. 

Consequently, there is a need for internal 

plastering systems that are impervious to this 

sort of damp damage. Previously, the solution 

would have been sand: cement plasters, based on 

strong mixes (typically 3:1), of sharp sand and 

cement and often with a waterproofing additive 

incorporated. 

There is no doubt that these are very effective at 

holding back damp and salts, yet have from their 

own downsides such as condensation risk, poor 

insulation qualities and a cold feel that is 

unpopular with building occupants. Also slow and 

expensive to apply, they are not suitable for 

traditional buildings (because they can’t flex), 

don’t breathe and can damage underlying 

brickwork. 

Alternatives were seen in the first generation of 

refurbishment plasters, typically composed of 

cement, lime, perlite, and calcium stearate; yet 

their resistance against damp and salts was 

relatively poor compared with sand: cement 

versions. 

More recently, new ‘second generation’ plastering 

systems were introduced that are more resilient 

to dampness and salts than traditional plastering 

methods. These are intended to replace existing 

plaster that has already deteriorated (having 

already also tackled the cause of the damp); or 

for use in new-build and conversion projects to 

limit potential damage caused by minor ingress of 

dampness during the lifetime of the building. 

These modern replastering systems are capable 

of being applied to walls while they are still damp 

and can resist high levels of moisture and salt 

ingress. The suitability of these for a given project 

will depend on a number of factors such as the 

age of the building, the required speed of 

application, and whether or not is possible to 

fully deal with the underlying cause of dampness. 

The make up of these plasters means they have 

large pores and a high pore volume. This allows 

salts to form within the plaster rather than on the 

surface; and the high pore volume results in 

higher thermal resistance, reducing the risk of 

condensation. 

Other properties include a low compressive 

strength , ensuring that the plaster can easily be 

removed at a later date without damaging 

underlying brickwork; high water vapour 

diffusion (breathable) and conformity for the 

EN998-1 CE Standard as ‘Renovation Mortars’. 

:Dryzone renovation plaster (left) vs 

Gypsum (right) in a salt bath test. 

The gypsum lost comprehensively. 

16 


Give 

the cold 

shoulder 

to unhealthy 

air 

in your home 

It’s a bit of a chilling thou ught, but did you know 

that the air in a house cou uld be more polluted 

than the air in your street 

t outside? 

And the bleak truth is that t there e are clear sympt 

oms of a toxic home, including:- 

Condensation 

Headaches and fatigue 

Mould 

Coughing and sneezing 

Breathin ng problems 

So if you only do one thing this winter to give impure air the cold shoulder, 

make sure it’s to contact Johnson & Starley 

for a healthier home solution. 

A healthy home is a Johnson & Starley home. 

Facts 

90 

% 

of our time is spent indoors* 

91 % 

of homes had above the approved 

levels of indoor pollutants.* 

*sourc ce: BEAMA, of 122 homes surveyed 

Call us to see which solution is right for your customers. 

01604 762881 www.johnsonands 

tarley.co.uk


Johnson & Starley's warm air heating & 

ventilation solution for historic renovation 

Johnson & Starley's WarmCair warm air heating, Aquastar hot water storage and Home 'n Dry ventilation technology have been 

combined to maximum effect in a spectacularly renovated historic apartment in Penarth. Brian and Marilyn Fisher selected Johnson & 

Starley products on professional recommendation and are delighted with the results. 

18 

Their open plan apartment features living room, 

kitchen and two bedrooms on an upper level of 

the renovated church with a dressing room and 

airing cupboard - later transformed to house the 

new Johnson & Starley Warmcair heater and 

Aquastar water storage cylinder - leading off a 

mezzanine floor. 

Originally, electric underfloor heating had been 

installed to heat the apartment, but it had soon 

become apparent that this was inadequate to 

provide sufficient heating for the living space 

with its very high ceilings. 

Fuel bills were ranging from £600-£700 a month, 

yet even with the addition of portable calor gas 

and electric fan heaters, the desired warmth 

levels were still not being achieved. 

Looking for an alternative more effective and 

more energy efficient approach, a British Gas 

engineer suggested to the Fishers that a Johnson 

& Starley warm air heating system with provision 

of domestic hot water could prove a solution. 

Following a site visit and professional advice from 

Independent Heating System Designer Barry 

Williamson, a specification for a heating system, 

including detailed heat loss calculations, was 

drawn up. The solution was based on the 

installation of a Johnson & Starley WarmCair 

C20DW high efficiency combined warm air 

condensing heater with domestic hot water. 

Barry comments: “The apartment presented 

some challenges in terms of designing and 

installing a warm air heating system that could do 

the job. It's an unusually shaped apartment with 

high ceilings and a delightful internal décor. This 

needed to be considered carefully when 


designing the installation of the required 

ductwork to distribute warmed air in the most 

effective way.” 

To maintain the highly attractive look of the 

apartment, ducting was concealed around the 

apartment behind the ceiling in the bedrooms, 

kitchen, bathrooms and en-suite, with discreet 

outlet grills in each room and two at floor level in 

the main living area. Extract vents remove the 

warm air that has risen to the wood panelled 

ceiling level and duct it back down to ground 

level for energy saving recirculation. The 

thermostat is in the main living room, in the 

centre of the wall below the balcony, so that the 

temperature reading gives a more accurate figure 

of room temperature. 

Although the underfloor heating has been 

retained, it is no longer required. Only the fully 

Building Regulations Part L compliant, the 

WarmCair C20DW is now used. With a thermal 

efficiency up to 98% and its 20kW output, the 

WarmCair C20DW is ideal for the size of the 

apartment and fulfils all of Mr & Mrs Fisher's 

requirements. 

For extra energy efficiency it is fully modulating 

and includes a condensate pump as standard as 

well as the Cleanflow electronic air filtration 

option. “The WarmCair is a new generation of 

warm air heating, ideal for this type of heritage 

project. It performs at least as well as a modern 

gas fired wet heating system, but without the 

unsightly clutter of radiators. Furthermore with 

warm air heating there is no heat loss compared 

with that which is encountered when hot water 

is circulated through radiators to heat the house,” 

says Barry Williamson. 

Overall, bills for heating and hot water have been 

reduced by 40%. 

The main entrance hall, at the bottom of the bell 

tower, was suffering from mould and damp, 

evidenced by peeling paint and the aroma. To 

combat this, Johnson & Starley's Home 'n Dry unit 

has been installed. It is situated in the coat 

cupboard just adjacent to the stair well. A hole 

cut through the wall and a diffuser fitted with the 

ducting, takes in warm air from the main dwelling 

to be used by the unit. 

It is achieving good results and the damp is being 

alleviated. Further remedial works to the 

brickwork outside will also be undertaken, but 

the Home 'n Dry has already made a massive 

difference to the inside with the damp/mould 

receding and the smell almost gone. 

Resident Mrs Fisher said: “ I love the heating now 

and there is never any need to have it set higher 

than level six on the thermostat, 21 – 24 ºC. 

Another advantage is that with WarmCair warm 

air heating, there are no unsightly pipes or 

radiators to spoil the look of our lovely 

apartment. “ 

For more information contact 

Johnson & Starley, tel: 01604 762881, email: 

marketing@johnsonandstarley.co.uk 

or visit www.johnsonandstarley.co.uk


Waterproofing Simplified with Remmers Multi Tight 2K 

Multi-Tight 2K is a new, 

flexible, mineral based 

waterproofing product which 

has all the performance 

properties of older 

technology polymermodified 

thick bitumen 

emulsions, whilst being 

“bitumen free”. 

Using unique rubber granulate filler 

technology Multi-Tight 2K has a 

crack-bridging capacity which is 

five times more effective than 

standard flexible mineral-based 

waterproofing systems. 

The versatility of the product 

allows it to be used to waterproof 

below ground externally and 

internally offering excellent 

resistance to ground or water 

pressure as well as frost and salts. 

It is very quick and easy to apply 

by trowel or spray application, has fantastic levels of adhesion to most substrates including 

old bitumen and dries very quickly in less than 18 hours. 

Multi Tight 2K is UV stable but can also be over-coated with Remmers Concrete Acrylic in 

any colour allowing Clients to aesthetically blend in areas of waterproofing on building 

facades. 

Waterproofing your building has now been truly simplified by Multi Tight 2K. 

www.remmers.co.uk 

THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE! 

www.remmers.co.uk • 01293 594010 

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Fleming Way • Crawley• West Sussex • RH10 9NN 

Waterproofing Simplified 

with Multi Tight 2K 

• Easy and quick to apply by trowel or spray 

• Extremely fast drying time 

• Universal use: internal or external and new & 

old buildings 

• Unbeatable flexibility 

• Excellent crack-bridging capability >2mm 

• Strong resistance to hydrostatic pressure 

• Highly adhesive to most common building 

substrates 

• Overcoat in just over 4 hours 

• UV-resistant 

• Can be over-coated with Remmers coatings 

• Extreme resistance to frost 

and salts 

• Solvent & bitumen free 

– low odour 

20 


All-encompassing educational design 

| Article 

A student with Special educational needs (SEN) has a disability or communication challenges that makes it harder for them to learn 

than others of the same age. There can be several issues obstructing their progress – the learning environment being one of the main 

contributing factors. Here, Shane Cryer of Ecophon discusses the role of acoustics in the SEN learning environment. 

The addition of low frequency absorption may 

be fitted into dry lined walls, but in a 

refurbishment project this is not always practical. 

A cost effective solution is Ecophon’s Extra Bass 

pads, placed on top of the suspended ceiling, out 

of sight, allowing the capture of the disruptive 

low frequencies before they spread back into the 

classroom. 

To ensure the success of the project when 

possible acoustic consultants who are 

experienced in this type of design should be 

involved early on, as acoustic modelling may be 

required to ensure the very best design is 

created. 

The SEN provision is an important introduction 

to this sector and one that Ecophon has 

welcomed. Schools and parents need to really 

Around one in five children will be diagnosed 

with a special educational need at some point 

during their school years. SEN students often 

need additional support and can be challenging 

to teach. In 2013 - 2014 the DfE reported that 

4000 secondary school students were 

permanently excluded from school, of these 

70% fell into the SEN category. 

Educational establishments can help most 

children and young people overcome the barriers 

that SEN can present with extra help for some, or 

all, of their education years. Much of this help is 

based on one-on-one support, yet perhaps an 

area that is often overlooked is the difference 

the overall environment can have on learning – 

with acoustics a key determinant. 

Thanks to a number of Building Bulletins, the 

importance of good acoustic design in schools 

has achieved increasing recognition. In fact, it’s 

gone from merely guidance (BB51) to being 

mandatory, thanks to regulations such as Building 

Regulations, School Premises Regulations, 

Independent Schools Standard and the Equality 

Act 2010. 

Since 2003, BB93 ‘Acoustic Design for Schools’ has 

been used to determine compliance with these 

regulations. In addition, Part E of the Building 

Regulations states: ‘the normal way of satisfying 

requirement E4 will be to meet the values given 

in section 1 of BB93.’ 

In 2014, BB93 was revised and subsequently reissued 

in 2015. This revision supports provisions of 

the Equality Act 2010, which requires all schools 

to prepare and implement an accessibility 

strategy to improve the physical environment of 

a school for pupils with disabilities and special 

educational needs (SEN). Now, the bulletin 

provides for a wider range of SEN and is perhaps 

the bulletin’s most significant development. 

For this new standard, the reverberation time in 

an SEN teaching space must be at 0.4 seconds or 

below, over a wide frequency range, 125Hz – 

4000Hz something that educational 

establishments need to be aware of. 

Ecophon recognises the importance of 

educational design in relation to SEN and has 

undertaken considerable research and 

development. As such, the company has 

identified a number of areas to consider in terms 

of acoustic design to meet the new standard. 

Ideally, SEN children should be taught in smaller 

classes – the bigger the room volume the more 

the reverberation, so keeping the room size 

down and in particular the ceiling height to no 

more than 2.4m high, will make a real difference. 

In terms of absorptive finishes, only ‘Class A’ 

should be used since these are the most efficient. 

However, to meet the SEN standard, controlling 

low-frequency (bass) sound with additional low 

frequency absorption is necessary. In fact, this is 

key because these frequencies have the ability to 

pass through masonry walls, which means they 

can also pass through traditional suspended 

ceilings and bounce back into the room. This low 

frequency sound is particularly disruptive to 

hearing impaired, autistic and ADHD students. 

understand the risks of poor acoustics, 

particularly for SEN students, by considering this 

new guidance and understanding the simplest 

way to comply. Retrospectively treating a 

classroom to meet the new standard can be 

achieved simply and cost-effectively by working 

with products such as those offered by Ecophon. 

For more information on Ecophon, 

visit www.ecophon.com/uk 


Floors, Walls & Ceilings | 

Sika comes to rescue at Hemans Estate 

At the 1930s Hemans Estate in Lambeth, a 

concrete repair and protection package and 

anti-slip flooring system from Sika has helped 

to bring a series of housing blocks up to latest 

performance and aesthetic standards, 

Following the application of a repair system 

comprising a steel primer, bonding agent and 

repair mortar, two decorative and anticarbonation 

coatings were applied. Offering a 

proven track record and a simple installation 

process, these can be applied over existing 

coatings or directly onto the concrete to offer 

protection and aesthetic enhancement. With 

its ability to be laid and trafficked in the same 

day, sealer and base coat from Sika proved the 

ideal solution to refurbish the balconies and 

terraces. Installed directly over the existing 

asphalt for an ever faster application, the 

system also met the client’s demands for a 10 

year life expectancy. 

www.sikaconstruction.co.uk 

22 

Armstrong introduces a Perla of an offer 

Armstrong Ceilings has 

relaunched its popular Perla 

portfolio to offer specifiers a 

simplified but improved 

contemporary laminated range 

which is also Cradle to Cradle 

certified. Its Perla OP 0.95 ceiling 

tile became the first mineral tile in the world to win Cradle to Cradle 

status two years ago and now the whole range joins Armstrong’s 

Ultima+ range in earning Bronze certification. 

The improved Perla range includes best-in-class fully-painted edges 

for additional aesthetics and durability, a new MicroLook 90 edge 

detail for an improved fit, and a consistent 8mm reveal throughout 

the range, for simplicity. But the popular plain, smooth, low-gloss 

monolithic visual of the former Perla remains, with high light 

reflectance (up to 86%) to reduce reliance on artificial light. 

The range also provides optimum indoor air quality (due to ultra-low 

A+ VOC emissions) and contributes to better indoor environments 

with ISO 5 classification suitable for clean rooms in healthcare 

environments. 

www.armstrong-ceilings.co.uk 

Get to grips with stair edgings 

Contract interiors 

specialist Gradus 

has launched 

Gradus Grip, a 

new ultra-strong 

stair edging 

adhesive. As the market leader in stair edgings, with the most 

extensive range in the UK, Gradus is expertly placed to offer an 

adhesive you can trust. 

Gradus Grip is the company’s first adhesive-only stair edging 

installation solution. 

Offering an alternative to installing stair edgings with traditional 

mechanical fixings, Gradus Grip is a solvent-free flexible adhesive with 

excellent gap-filling properties. It is suitable for bonding stair edgings 

to most solid surfaces in both internal and external environments. 

Gradus Grip saves time and money by offering a quick and easy 

installation, and with no more screws and screw head cover plugs, 

Gradus Grip helps to improve the aesthetic of an installation and 

makes it easier to clean and maintain. When installed in line with the 

installation instructions, Gradus Grip is supplied with a 10 year 

warranty. 

www.gradusworld.com. 


Helifix launch animated micro-pile 

installation video 

Helifix has created a new animation 

which shows step by step 

installation procedures for its 

versatile Dixie micro-pile. The 

animation clearly demonstrates 

how these high performance micropiles 

can be used either to stabilise existing buildings that are suffering 

from subsidence or to help form secure and level foundations for new 

constructions. 

The well proven and technically advanced Dixie micro-pile is backed by 

International Code Council (ICC) certification and conforms to AC358, the 

International Standard for helical foundation underpinning systems. Dixie 

micro-piles combine with the Helibeam masonry stabilisation system to 

provide a complete structural repair solution which economically and 

sympathetically restores full structural integrity as all repairs, both above 

and below ground, are fully concealed. 

Helifix Dixie micro-piles provide a fully engineered and cost-effective 

solution to the problem of foundation settlement while avoiding the 

major disruption and costs of extensive excavations. 

www.helifix.co.uk 

Wood grill ceiling adds design detail 

to £6 million shared workspace 

development 

A £6 million business development in Northumberland has been 

enhanced with a high quality grill ceiling, thanks to the experts at 

global architectural products company Hunter Douglas. 

Hunter Douglas was commissioned to design and supply 223m2 of 

wood grill for demountable ceiling at Blyth Workspace, a modern 

serviced office space for businesses. 

Designed by Robin Parsons of Xsite Architecture, the ceiling is made 

from Magma fire-treated African Ayous and was supplied in module 

4-70-15-45, reflecting the Scandinavian cues used in the internal 

shopfitting, as well as provide a finish that could continue seamlessly 

from the external soffit through to the internal ceiling. 

The high-specification building 

was commended by the Royal 

Institution of Chartered Surveyors 

(RICS) and has a range of high-tech 

features that ensure occupants 

can work in a comfortable 

environment. 

www.hunterdouglas.co.uk

Saint-Gobain Ecophon 

Saint-Gobain Ecophon 

Acoustic Extra Bass 

Acoustic Ceilings & Wall Panel Systems 

Ecophon Extra Bass is a unique solution for when 

increased low frequency absoption is needed 

to support acoustic ceiling and wallpanels - for 

example in BB93 SEN classrooms. 

For further information please contact us on 

01256 850977, marketing@ecophon.co.uk

Floors, Walls & Ceilings | 

Make super-fast work of smoothing floors! 

Saint-Gobain Weber, the specialist formulator and manufacturer of innovative products 

for the construction industry, has launched the rapid-setting weber.floor rapid levelling 

compound for domestic and commercial applications where speed and performance is of 

the essence. 

New weber.floor rapid, a cement-based, self-smoothing and self-levelling floor screed, has 

outstanding rapid-setting qualities and is ready for light foot traffic in just 45–60 minutes 

while its fibre-modified formula increases strength and resilience. It is ideally suited for 

correcting irregularities on difficult surfaces including wood, concrete slabs and pre-cast 

elements, existing ceramic and rigid plastic tiles, as well as floating floors and floors with 

under-floor heating in interior applications. 

Priming with weber PR360 is required before application of weber.floor rapid to aid flow, 

maximise bond strength and reduce pin holes. In humid situations such as kitchens, 

bathrooms, spas and indoor pool areas, weber.sys protect tanking system may be applied 

over weber.floor rapid. 

www.loveweber.co.uk 

Ultra Tile supports 

Rugby World Cup 

legacy 

Ultra Tile products have recently been used 

in the refurbishment of Woodrush Rugby 

Football Club, Birmingham following the 

receipt of a RFU Social Spaces Grant. Ultra 

Tile, the tile adhesives, grouts and ancillaries 

brand from the UK manufacturer Instarmac 

Group, were delighted to support club 

sponsors and long-standing customer, Anglo 

Italian. The team's busy clubhouse was 

completely refurbished during a five month 

window, prior to the start of the Rugby 

World Cup. Anglo Italian tiled all floors and 

washroom walls using Italian mixed porcelain 

tiles and Ultra Tile FibreGrip FX in grey. 

Joint finishing was completed using Ultra Tile 

FlexJoint grout in Grey. This grout boasts a 

super fine texture, is polymer modified for 

ultimate flexibility, repels water, and will not 

mould. It can be used with underfloor 

heating and for joint widths from 1-20mm. 

Eight other colours are available to choose 

from, and complementary colours in Ultra 

Tile ProSeal IT silicone are also available. 

www.instarmac.co.uk 

ROCKFON launches their whitest ceiling tile ever! 

After years of research and testing with architects and 

installers, ROCKFON has developed their smoothest, 

whitest ceiling tile ever: ROCKFON® Blanka. 

The solution to achieving a whiter than white ceiling 

was literally out of this world. By applying a specialist 

coating sourced from the US space industry to a high 

performance stone wool core, ROCKFON® has 

developed an incredibly durable, matt ceiling tile that 

is visibly smoother and significantly whiter. The ultrawhite 

ROCKFON® BlankaTM tiles have outstanding 

light reflection and light diffusion properties to 

maximise the uniform spread of natural light. 

Independent tests show that ROCKFON® BlankaTM has a light reflection index above 87% and 

an L Value of 94.5+, which makes it their whitest ceiling tile ever. 

ROCKFON® Blanka tiles are produced from up to 42% recycled materials, are fully recyclable 

and come with a 15 year warranty to ensure building owners a long product lifecycle. 

www.rockfon.com 

More reach out for Osmo UK’s Moravia flooring 

Since 2014, Osmo UK, the eco-friendly wood 

and finishes expert, has been proudly 

partnered with rustic European oak flooring 

specialists, ESCO. The partnership provides a 

selection of ESCO flooring pre-finished with 

Osmo Polyx®-Oil. 

One of the most popular styles is Moravia. 

The rustic oak and specific brushing 

treatment makes the wood’s knots and 

cracks appear deeper in the board, creating a 

stunning and unique texture. Moravia is 

available in eight light to dark shades, ranging 

from honey-coloured Moravia Natural to the 

deep Moravia Smoked Tobacco. 

Supplied completely finished with Osmo Polyx®-Oil, Osmo’s ESCO solid wood flooring requires 

no additional coatings and can be ready to walk on in hours, not days, after installation. Osmo’s 

Polyx®-Oil enhances the floor’s performance with a durable finish that is created with natural, 

environmentally friendly ingredients. 

wwww.osmouk.com 

24 


| Floors, Walls & Ceilings 

Forbo helps to create dynamic 

workspace for Qlik at Tower 42 

When refurbishing and refitting any offce, getting the interior design right is crucial as it forms the face of the company and can have 

a direct impact on the creativity and performance of its employees. A selection of stylish carpet and vinyl tiles from Forbo Flooring 

Systems has helped to create a distinctive and dynamic environment for leading data solutions company Qlik: a workspace that 

clearly reflects its brand values and personality at its newly refitted offces at Tower 42 in London. 

Colour, texture, simplicity in design and seamless 

functionality all have a part to play in this 

interior design scheme, which sets the company 

apart from the surrounding financial service 

providers in the building, formerly known as 

National Westminster Tower. 

Mark Crick, Design Director of Crisp Designed 

Ltd, appointed to design and refit the offices 

explains: “The client wanted an interior that was 

different, yet professionally welcoming to clients, 

so we came up with several bright and zany 

designs. We had a strict budget and deadline to 

work to, so it was important to use a reliable and 

efficient flooring manufacturer. Having worked a 

lot with Forbo before, we knew this was a project 

that would suit their comprehensive portfolio. In 

particular, using Forbo allowed us to integrate the 

requested corporate branding and specify 

bespoke colour options.” 

Tessera Alignment, a sophisticated and cleverly 

textured cut and loop carpet tile, was specified in 

the popular nucleus colour throughout the main 

office space. This was peppered with a perfectly 

co-ordinated Alignment carpet tile featuring a 

daring vivid green accent colour. Designed to 

complement the most contemporary commercial 

interiors, Alignment has a multi-height loop 

construction with a bold directional theme, 

tempered by the introduction of intersecting 

random blocks of rich cut pile. 

Breakout zones and other feature areas were 

emphasised with luxurious fusion bonded 

“This was a challenging brief in terms of balancing 

the vibrant and dynamic vision with the budget 

but Forbo hit the mark for us” 

Westbond carpet tiles. Organic curves and fluid 

wavy lines were cut into the floor space in bright 

lime green, jet black and 

anthracite to mirror the 

curvilinear furniture, all 

designed to contrast 

with the angular shaped 

building. The dense and 

plush nature of these 

cut pile tiles has added 

texture to the floor 

space and helped to 

maintain excellent 

acoustic levels. 

In direct contrast, Crisp 

Designed specified 

Allura luxury vinyl tile in 

the spring forest stripe colourway for the two tea 

stations, providing a durable resilient surface that 

is easy to clean and maintain and which perfectly 

replicates Qlik’s brand colours. 

“This was a challenging brief in terms of balancing 

the vibrant and dynamic vision with the budget 

but Forbo hit the mark for us”, commented Mark, 

“We were able to source a virtually unlimited 

range of suitable products from one supplier, 

with the option of combining different 

colourways into bespoke designs, and we 

benefitted from highly efficient service and 

delivery.” 

For more information please 

call 0844 822 3928 or visit 

www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/offices 


EW 313 

EW 210 

EW 112 

EW 012 

EW 312 

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EW 111 

EW 011 

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CL 

CL 

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door elevation 

CL 

CL 

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W 201 W 202 W 203 W 204 W 205 W 206 W 207 W 208 W 209 W 210 W 211 W 212 W 213 W 214 W 215 W 216 

CW13 

W 101 W 102 W 103 W 104 

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2,000 

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CW 02 CW 03 CW 04 CW 05 CW 06 CW 07 CW 08 

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CL 

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CW14 

W 113 W 114 W 115 W 116 W 117 

CL CL CL CL CL CL CL CL CL CL CL CL CL CL 

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Roofing, Cladding & Insulation | 

EQUITONE specified to help create 

contemporary University Technical College 

Marley Eternit’s EQUITONE [natura] fibre cement material helped to transform Burton and South Derbyshire University Technical 

College (UTC) as part of a remodel, refurbishment and new build extension project that place the UTC at the forefront of teaching for 

Systems and Production Engineering and Health Science. 

The £8.6 million development, built by BAM 

Construct and designed by Bond Bryan 

Architects, has renovated the interiors of the 

original listed building alongside constructing a 

contemporary, modern extension to the side of 

the property. The existing building and new 

extension, creates 5,400 m 2 of inspiring learning 

and workspace for UTC students and staff alike. 

The renovation and construction of the UTC has 

taken under one year to complete and will be 

open to students in September 2016. 

Gonzalo Carmona, project architect at Bond 

Bryan Architects, commented: “The renovation 

and extension of the project has created an 

elegant and sophisticated development that 

flatters and complements the proportion and 

style of the existing building. 

“As a listed property, one of our key challenges 

was centred upon creating a new construction 

that added to and complemented the natural 

character of the original brick and stone structure. 

The use of the EQUITONE [natura] shade of red 

complemented the brick of the existing building 

as well as the surrounding properties, creating a 

crisp, cohesive and contemporary construction. 

“Another main part of the specification was to 

use materials that were low maintenance, whilst 

still in keeping with the style of a listed building. 

EQUITONE [natura] cladding was the perfect 

building solution due to its smooth texture and 

composition which allows rainwater to run off, 

and reflects the brick tones of the property.” 

The architects chose this cladding to add a 

contemporary feel to the renovation, with the red 

hues marrying modern and traditional aesthetics 

together. 

Bruce Raw, Director at Bond Bryan Architects, 

added: “The Burton and South Derbyshire UTC 

renovation is a fantastic example of how fibre 

cement materials can add a practical yet visually 

appealing element to a construction. The 

combination of old and new has really helped to 

make the UTC a fantastic development.” 

Janak Patel, Principal of the UTC, added: “The 

Sponsors of the UTC and all the design team 

were really pleased at this building and its 

outstanding resources will inspire our learners to 

achieve their potential and become outstanding 

engineers and scientists”. 

EQUITONE materials provide architects with the 

ability to bring inspirational designs to life, for 

both new buildings and refurbishment projects, 

through a wide range of options in terms of 

colours, texture and visual appearance. 

For more information on Marley 

Eternit’s EQUITONEmaterial visit: 

www.equitone.co.uk 

12 

08 

16 07 

03 02 

08 13 12 15 

01 04 

1 2 3 4 4a 4b 5 6 7 7a 8 9 10 11 11a 12 12a 13 14 

09 

09 

09 

09 

09 

ED001 

Refer to External 

2,400 400 

Glass to Glass corner 

to specialist details 

EAST ELEVATION 

26 


D1

2 

Over 300m 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The installation is part of Dillington Estate’s £2.5 million investment in an advanced d robotic 

milking facility in which the cows are free to move 

around the shed and access milking robots 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintaining appro opriate conditions for the cows also plays an important part in an nimal welfare 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and a consistently 

cool temperature – with minim al requirement for auxiliary electric lighting. 

For further details s, please call us on 01543 687300 

or visit 

Filon Products Ltd, Unit 3 Ring Road, Zone 2, Burntwoo od Business Park, Burntwood, Staffs fs 

WS7 3JQ

28 


London apartments rise with Kingspan Insulation 

Kingspan Kooltherm K15 Rainscreen Board has 

been installed as part of a new, multi-million 

pound development in North London, providing 

222 new affordable dwellings along with 

commercial space and a new primary school. 

All four blocks feature a concrete frame with 

rainscreen cladding to the tower and a mixture 

of brick and rainscreen cladding to the lower 

blocks, and to ensure excellent building fabric 

performance, Gypcraft installed 60 and 100mm 

thick Kingspan Kooltherm K15 Rainscreen Board 

within a steel frame infill system. The premium 

NVELOPE provides the right support 

to Sterte Court 

NVELOPE cladding support systems 

have been installed on Sterte Court, a 

development of high rise and low rise 

flats in Poole, which has received a 

facelift that has not only improved the 

visual appearance and sustainable 

factors, but also extended the buildings’ 

life for at least 30 years. 

Poole Housing Partnership appointed 

Keepmoat as the main contractor for this £6.7m project, and when it 

came to focussing the attention on the new façade, NVELOPE’s NV1 

cladding support system was specified to hold the vertical cladding in 

place, and fitted by Kent-based façade installer, Teiko Ltd. 

A key requirement for this project was to reduce the thermal bridging. 

NVELOPE’s N1 brackets are pre-assembled with thermal isolators which 

help reduce thermal bridging and also prevent a chemical reaction 

which could occur between the aluminium bracket and the lime in a 

concrete frame. 

www.nvelope.com . 

Rolling out the barrel saves a week of 

labour! 

Using an innovative 

solution to create a 

barrel roof has 

enabled a roofing 

contractor to 

complete the job faster, and better, and the building occupier to open 

its doors sooner. Wilmslow Garden Centre was totally destroyed by a 

fire, and speed was of the essence to ensure the new Centre could 

open in time for one of its busiest periods - Christmas. 

Contractor Richmond Roofing turned to expertise from Protan to meet 

the objective of creating a thermally-efficient barrelled roof. On advice 

from Protan, Richmond opted for 2,500m2 Protan SE 1.2mm, delivered to 

site prefabricated, for rapid laying over the metal deck, vapour control 

layer and insulation board. 

Protan’s prefabricated system uses Protan single ply membrane, which 

has been developed to withstand the harshest weather conditions, and 

is proven to perform for 30 years. The membrane is factory-welded to 

order, with Protan’s in-house Proplan software calculating the most 

efficient usage of material to minimise waste. 

www.protan.co.uk. 


performance insulation can achieve thermal 

conductivities as low as 0.020 W/m.K and was 

the first insulation board to achieve LABC 

system approval for use as a thermal insulation 

layer in rainscreen cladding systems, helping to 

streamline the checking and approvals process. 

Kingspan Kooltherm K15 Rainscreen Board has 

been assigned a highest possible BREEAM Green 

Guide summary of A+ and is certified ‘Very 

Good’ under the demanding BES 6001: 

Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products 

standard. 

www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk 

Cembrit get a high five from the BBA 

Cembrit has the distinction of 

having its complete range fully 

accredited by the BBA (British Board 

of Agrément), holding five BBA 

Certificates for its fibre cement 

slate range. 

The Cembrit range of fibre cement 

slates includes Westerland, Moorland, Zeeland, Jutland and Diamond, all 

offering their own unique appearance. The slates are ideal for use on 

conventional pitched timber roofs with a rafter pitch of 20° and over, or 

hung vertically as cladding on external walls. The slates are 

complemented by matching fibre cement ridges, ventilation solutions, 

and fixings. 

Manufactured to the highest European standards using Portland cement 

together with a formulation of superior blended synthetic and cellulose 

fibres, Cembrit fibre cement slates are finished with a high quality, semimatt 

acrylic coloured coating to the face and edges and a tinted, high 

performance binder to the back face. Cembrit fibre cement slates are the 

most accredited on the UK market. 

www.cembrit.co.uk 

Kingspan Koolduct ® helps revitalise 

university library 

The University of Hull has opened a new 

chapter for its main library with a multimillion 

pound redevelopment, providing a 

light, modern facility which is supported 

with premium products such as The 

Kingspan KoolDuct® System 

The product features a premium 

performance insulation core, allowing it to 

achieve very low thermal conductivities, and 

can also be used to produce ductwork with 

minimal air-leakage, leading to considerable energy savings over time 

through reduced fan energy usage. 

The premium performance insulation core of The Kingspan KoolDuct® 

System is manufactured with a blowing agent that has zero Ozone 

Depletion Potential (ODP) and low Global Warming Potential (GWP). 

The product is also listed as a Class 1 Air Duct, to Standard for Safety 

UL 181 (Underwriters Laboratories: Factory Made Air Ducts & Air 

Connectors), when fabricated to a specification clearly defined by UL. 

www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk

It takes a long 

time to create 

perfection. 

Once in a while a product comes along 

and changes everything, from the way 

it’s crafted to the way it works. Products 

are often copied and many are great 

ideas that never really see true success 

in their application. Many years are 

spent searching for a product that will 

ultimately surpass expectations, stand 

the test of time and become recognised 

as the leader in its field. 

We created one of those successful 

products nearly two decades ago and 

still today it has never been equalled. 

Why? 

Because we have never compromised 

on quality. 

UNIFOLD ® Unrivalled excellence in gutter lining technology. 

www.gutterliners.com


Filon: perfect mix of old & new 

in latest project 

Filon Products has supplied roofing to access decks and canopies for doorways and covered walkways as part of a refurbishment 

programme at the Byker Wall Estate in Newcastle upon Tyne. 

Designed by notable architect Ralph Erskine and completed in the 1970s, the estate occupies 

a 200 acre site previously comprising Victorian slum terraced housing. It is widely recognised 

as a successful example of urban regeneration and has won many architectural awards. 

Today the estate is Grade 2 listed and recent refurbishments have involved careful 

reinstatement of original features and colour schemes, using modernised materials where 

possible, while retaining the look and feel of the 1970s design scheme. 

Steve Vickers of Filon Products was invited to a site meeting at the estate, to make 

recommendations for refurbishment of translucent GRP canopies and coloured door 

canopies in various areas of the estate. 

Steve Vickers takes up the story: “We were approached because Filon sheeting had been used 

over the years for repairs in specific areas although we had never been to site. Different 

contractors had used various profiles and sheet types with no consistency being applied. The 

brief from English Heritage was to match the original sheet specification as closely as possible 

whilst upgrading the non-fragility status keeping in mind that the buildings are Grade 2 listed. 

Historical documents and research revealed that the original profile used on roofing to 

balconies, canopies and covered walkways, was British Alcan A7. We were able to match this 

profile using our Filon Supasafe triple reinforced sheeting with a Class 1 fire rating. 

Original drawings of the door canopies were also provided and we developed as close a 

profile match as possible using opaque coloured Supasafe with a Class 3 fire rating.” 

Following development and production of the sheets, contractors were appointed and 

further site meetings took place, to agree details such as fastener and sealant specifications. 

www.filon.co.uk 

30 


| Roofing, Cladding & Insulation 

New roofing rules: what refurbers 

and renewers need to know 

New rules have come into force that have provided much-needed clarity around roofing and re-roofing. 

To save Refurb & Renew readers buying a copy of 

BS5534:2014, arguably the most significant 

change that everyone needs to know is that 

graded timber roofing batten must be used on 

any housing refurbishment or redevelopment. 

Whilst the actual wording of the British Standard 

isn’t that explicit, all the possible scenarios for 

roofing installations require the use of graded 

timber roofing batten. That’s the only conclusion 

that can be drawn, according to Christian Brash 

from John Brash & Co. – the UK’s leading 

manufacturer of graded timber roofing battens, 

shingles and shakes, scaffold boards, and 

commercial anti-slip decking. 

Christian says that seasoned refurbers and 

renewers will notice that the new standard now 

applies to refurbishments and redevelopments 

for the first time. 

“That’s because all re-roofs require building 

regulation approval, including a requirement to 

meet part L,” said Christian. “The building 

regulations require materials and workmanship to 

be fit for purpose and to meet a minimum 

standard. The first tier of proof or hierarchy is the 

British Standards. Hence the requirement for 

timber roofing battens to meet BS5534.” 

He added: “Roofing contractors who are part of 

the Competent Roofers scheme and operate via 

the industry self-certification scheme are allowed 

to self-certify roofing works, negating the 

requirement for building regulation approval.” 

However, the minimum standard is that BS5534 

must be met. In addition, Construction (Design 

and Management) (CDM) regulations now apply 

to domestic re-roofing, which put health and 

safety obligations on the contractor. These are 

also reflected in HSG 33 (health and safety in roof 

work) from the HSE. 

“So, whichever way you look at it, BS5534:2014 

requires the use of graded timber roofing batten.” 

Christian said that John Brash & Co. is seeing a 

better than expected uptake in the use of graded 

timber roofing batten, but there’s still a lot of 

work to do until there is widespread compliance 

with the standard. 

“The pay-off of BS5534:2014 is that anyone 

undertaking a re-roofing or redevelopment is 

now using products that are graded to a specific, 

industry-approved standard – which gives an 

assurance of the quality,” he said. “In the run-up 

to the introduction of the new standard, 

reputable manufacturers of timber roofing batten 

had to ensure processes were in place to ensure 

every piece of timber is fully compliant with the 

standard.” 

What to look for in graded timber 

batten 

The standard says that battens must be graded 

offsite by a competent person and that every 

batten must be marked with the following before 

it arrives onsite: 

• Name of supplier (the company that graded the 

battens NOT the company that cut them) 

• Origin 

• Graded in accordance with BS5534 

• Basic size 

• Type of preservative 

The John Brash guide to BS5534 

To help the renovation and refurbishment 

industry to get to grips with BS5534:2014, John 

Brash & Co. has produced its own bite-sized 

guide to the standard. As well as covering 

changes to timber roofing batten, it highlights 

three other changes: 

1. Fixing specifications – the introduction of the 

structural Eurocodes has seen greater emphasis 

placed on the calculation of wind speeds as 

part of pitched roof construction. 

2. Underlay – there are recommendations for the 

securement of the laps of the underlay, and a 

new labelling system has been introduced. 

3. Mortar – mortar is now deemed to have no 

tensile strength, so any tensile bond strength 

offered by the mortar bedding of concrete or 

clay ridge and ridged hip, verge and valley tiles 

should not be taken into account when 

determining the mechanical resistance required 

to resist wind uplift. 

Follow John Brash on Twitter at 

@JohnBrashTimber 


Roofing, Cladding & Insulation| 

Getting some fibre in your diet 

R&R Magazine examines the technical and aesthetic attributes to a comprehensive collection of fibre cement slates available from a 

manufacturer with a reputation for quality and reliability. 

Slate is a roofing material which unites the many 

architectural styles found around the country, as 

well as regional differences in building 

techniques. Indeed it can be found weathering 

the pitched roofs of everything from centuries 

old granite cottages in Devon to the pebbledashed 

tenements of Glasgow. 

It remains a favourite covering for all types of 

contemporary development: including schools, 

hospitals and public buildings as well as housing. 

Yet the fact that it is a natural material which has 

to be quarried or mined – usually requiring the 

movement of huge quantities of soil and rock– 

has a massive influence on its cost. 

32 

Which is a reason why modern fibre cement slate 

products are becoming increasingly popular with 

social housing providers who are always seeking 

to control cost while also considering the 

durability of their stock and the surroundings 

where their residents have to live. 

As a manufacturer whose name is synonymous 

with the supply of high quality fibre cement, as 

well as natural slate and other roofing products, 

Cembrit has been involved in facilitating 

countless successful new build and refurbishment 

contracts across the country. 

A spokesperson for Cembrit told HA Magazine: 

“We are a dedicated manufacturer of fibre 

cement products and are effectively offering a 

complete system for fibre cement roof 

installations, supported by comprehensive 

technical guidance and on- site support where 

necessary. We also have our five distribution 

depots around the country where customers can 

access advice and in some view displays of the 

slates.” 

The five varieties within Cembrit’s Fibre Cement 

range are Jutland, Zealand, Westerland, Moorland 

and the distinctive Diamond Fibre Cement Slate. 

All of them are covered by current British Board 

of Agrement (BBA) Certificates: a vital 

endorsement of the fibre cement products being 

fit for purpose, which offers the necessary 

confidence to specifiers: especially when 

considering their use in new-build applications. 

To assist them further Cembrit also makes 

available a comprehensive specification design 

guide covering the use of its Fibre Cement Slate 

Range: explaining everything from specification 

and design through to fixing requirements, 

permissible pitch and exposure conditions to the 

use of matching ridge vents and other 

accessories from the range. 


Cembrit Fibre Cement 

Slates carry full certification 

including recognition by 

Birmingham City Council 

Cembrit’s Fibre Cement Range 

already enjoys the coveted 

endorsement of being accepted 

by Birmingham City Council – the 

UK’s largest provider of social 

housing and a client which 

demands the highest 

performance standards 

Cembrit’s Fibre Cement Range already enjoys the 

coveted endorsement of being accepted by 

Birmingham City Council – the UK’s largest 

provider of social housing and a client which 

demands the highest performance standards. As 

part of this Birmingham puts roofing and other 

products through the rigours of its own 

laboratory tests and extended weathering trials. 

Significantly, the Birmingham City Council 

assessments cover Cembrit’s complete range of 

Fibre Cement Slates, all of which appear on BCC’s 

approved list. 

As a company with a long track record for its 

service standards as well as the quality of its very 

diverse product portfolio, Cembrit is additionally 

an associate supplier member of the National 

Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) which 

represents approximately 60 per cent of the 

roofing industry by value. 

RIBA meanwhile has been recruited to create and 

host BIM objects for the entire range of fibre 

cement slate products: simplifying the specification 

and site management process; and ensuring 

Cembrit is ready for the Government’s upcoming 

deadline for adopting BIM across all public sector 

contracts. 

One stand-out public sector project where 

Cembrit’s Fibre Cement Slates have been employed 

is the Princess Lodge Care Centre in Swindon; built 

on the site of the former Princess Margaret 

Hospital. The Blue/Black colouration of the Jutland 

range was considered an ideal complement to the 

red brickwork elevations, while the ease of cutting 

and fixing the slates facilitated the completion of 

the turrets and other roof features atop the 

multiple bay windows. 

For more information on the potential of 

Cembrit’s Fibre Cement Range visit 

www.cembrit.co.uk

Klober Permo® air used in Grade 1- 

listed church re-roof 

Extensive 

remodelling of 

the Grade 1-listed 

All Saints Church 

in Kingston-upon- 

Thames saw 

Klober Permo® air 

roofing underlay 

used on the choir 

vestry re-roof. The £1.7m project, designed by Ptolemy Dean 

Architects, has opened up two entrances on the church’s north 

side, transforming the church into a revitalised centre for the 

community in the heart of the town. 

Permo air has been independently tested for wind uplift by the 

BRE and found to be suitable for use in all locations up to Zone 5 

on the recently introduced BS 5534 wind speed map. The BBAcertified, 

air-open underlay has consistently proved to be the 

most breathable available and provides the perfect means of 

preventing formation of roof space condensation during a 

building’s critical drying out period. With a water vapour 

resistance of 0.03 MN/sg, the NHBC has also approved its use 

without supporting high level ventilation. 

www.klober.co.uk 

Heritage 

Roofline • Rainwater • Cladding 

Long lasting, sustainable 

PVC systems for exposed 

and inaccessible 

locations. 

• Responsibly sourced and manufactured 

• Maximum CSH points for new build 

• Minimum lifetime costs for refurbishment 

www.swishbp.co.uk 

BUILDING PRODUCTS 



Recticel Insulation’s unique cavity wall 

solution is BBA certified. 

Compact cavity wall insulation from Recticel Insulation which achieves a 

U-value of 0.18 W/m2K in new-build constructions has won BBA approval. 

The accreditation (02/3908) is for Recticel’s premium PIR Eurowall+ product which was launched in the 

spring to help architects and specifiers meet current Building Regulations without them having to 

amending existing designs. 

A U-value of 0.18 W/m²K can be achieved using 

90mm Eurowall+ within a 100mm cavity, meeting 

the requirements of Part L1A England 2013 and 

Part L1A Wales 2014, meaning that existing designs 

can be retained to avoid reducing room sizes 

which could make the properties less attractive 

to prospective buyers. 

Existing designs can also be retained without 

increasing building footprints which has the 

potential to reduce the number of properties on 

a site, making development less attractive for 

house builders. 

Also manufactured at 75mm for 85mm cavities, 

115mm for 125mm cavities and 140mm for 150mm 

cavities, Eurowall+ features a unique tongue and 

groove joint on all four sides to ensure the 

boards lock tightly together to minimise heat loss 

through thermal bridging. As well as improved air 

tightness, this also offers additional protection 

against wind-driven rain. 

The high performance boards also feature new 

facing technology which reinforces their 

structural integrity. One side uses a lowemissivity 

facer, the other an alkali-resistant facer. 

: Recticel Insulation’s Eurowall+ 

secures BBA certification 

Eurowall+’s compact design leaves space for 

conventional bricklaying techniques, with enough 

room to 'roll' the outer leaf bricks into place so 

that bricklayers’ work takes the same time to 

complete. 

www.recticel.co.uk 

34 

REHAU reaches the 

heights 

Specialist installer SEH Commercial has just 

completed its first major installation using the 

REHAU Polytec 50 composite curtain walling 

system, installing a 20m high replacement 

curtain walling section across the common 

stairwell area in the high profile, eight storey 

1960s Greenlaw Court apartment block in 

Ealing, West London. 

Successfully tested to the tough CWCT 

standards for weather performance and 

Passivhaus certified and approved, the REHAU 

Polytec curtain walling matches the aesthetics 

of the steel curtain walling which was in place 

previously, but offers much improved thermal 

performance and minimal requirements for 

maintenance. REHAU Polytec 50 met both the 

planning department’s requirement for slim 

sight lines and the residents’ association’s 

requirement for cost effectiveness. 

www.rehau.co.uk 


Estate rejuvenation with 

Kingspan Insulation 

The Ferry Lane Estate in Tottenham has been 

given a fresh start thanks to a multi-million 

pound regeneration scheme, which includes 

the installation of 39,000m2 of Kingspan 

Insulation’s premium performance Kooltherm 

K5 External Wall Board. The properties were 

constructed in the 1970s with black asbestos 

tiling on the façade of the upper floors, with 

an uninsulated 

space between 

the tiles and the 

breeze block 

walls. With 

thermal 

conductivities as 

low as 0.020 

W/m.K, 

Kooltherm K5 

External Wall 

Board allowed 

the best possible thermal performance to be 

achieved within the limited space available in 

a cost-effective manner. 

Kingspan Kooltherm K5 External Wall Board 

offers excellent fire performance with a Class 

0 rated rigid phenolic insulation core, and the 

product has also been assigned a highest 

possible Green Guide summary rating of A+. 

www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk 

Tiles that sell 

themselves! 

Michael Kelly, Branch Manager at Fleming 

Buildbase in Inverness, opted for Redland’s 

Mini Stonewold in Charcoal Grey for his own 

home because of the great looking slate and 

the quality service he knows comes with the 

product. The complete package provided by 

the team at Redland made life easy for Kelly 

when selecting the tile range and delivery to 

site. 

The large self-build home in Inverness consists 

of four bedrooms, four bathrooms, two large 

living areas, kitchen and a garage and is perfect 

for the family’s needs. The detached home 

required over 3000 Mini Stonewolds for the L- 

shaped roof with twin dormers, front and back. 

The Mini Stonewold is a flat concrete slate 

which can be laid as low as 17.5° and is Redland’s 

most economical concrete slate with 

interlocking edges for simple construction, 

reducing the laid cost of the roof. 

www.redland.co.uk

Europoint dry-pack mortar range ideal for all 

pointing projects 

Europoint is an easy to use, dry-pack mortar, which is available in 8 standard colours. 

Originally formulated by Eurobrick Systems as part of its brick slip cladding systems, Europoint is 

suitable for all pointing applications, including repointing and repairs to traditionally constructed 

brickwork. 

Eurobrick’s managing director, John Mayes 

comments: “Europoint is a great pointing mortar, 

with a long and proven track record; we’ve been 

supplying it with our cladding systems for many 

years. It can help save time on site, because it’s 

pre-prepared, all you need to do to produce a 

reliable mortar, is add water and mix. 

“It’s versatile, easy to use and is proving popular 

as a stand-alone product.” 

Supplied in 25kg bags, Europoint has been 

specially formulated for application by gun or 

grout bag injection. The grout bag, effectively a 

large icing bag, is widely used, as it allows for 

greater control. 

John Mayes added: “The colour range has been 

developed to complement or contrast with 

different colour bricks, but for large projects, 

special colours may be developed if required.” 

For technical enquiries and 

ordering, please call Eurobrick 

on 0117 971 7117 or visit 

www.eurobrick.co.uk 

to download a copy of the 

Europoint brochure. 



Why choose Dryseal for your Housing Project? 

Simple. Effective. Reliable. 

Dryseal is the unique, mechanically fixed GRP 

(fibreglass) roofing system which, with a 

comprehensive range of pre-formed trims, 

accommodates even the most complex 

detailing requirements. 

Dryseal delivers: 

l Crisp clean lines 

l Premium quality 

l Proven weather-tight detailing 

l Robustness 

l Durability 

l Thermal reliability 

l Assurance 

Accredited 

Dryseal is dependable with a 20 year insurance 

backed extendable guarantee; excellent 

puncture resistance and BBA Agrément 

certified ‘zero falls’ accreditation. The system is 

manufactured entirely in the UK by 

Hambleside Danelaw Ltd, the Green Apple 

Award-winning manufacturer and is fitted by a 

fully trained Approved Contractor network. 

Environmentally conscientious 

Dryseal has the lowest embodied carbon of all 

its competitors. The premium roofing solution is 

fully recyclable and is non-pollutant once 

installed. GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester) is an 

inert material that can be used with ‘grey’ water 

harvesting systems and potable water. In 

service, it does not release any pollutants or 

chemicals making it the ideal waterproofing for 

a green roof. 

Premium Design 

Secured by Design recommend Dryseal as an 

alternative to sheet metals as it has no scrap 

value and acts as a deterrent to thieves. 

Additionally, Dryseal attracts a BREEAM point 

via Secured by Design. 

Case Study 

Last year, Dryseal Approved Contractor L A Hall 

(Hull) Ltd began work with the re-roofing of 61 

main house roofs. As the project progressed 

into 2015, the brief was extended from simply 

installing Dryseal in a ‘cold’ configuration on the 

outhouse roofs to include porch/canopy ‘warm’ 

roofs, effectively doubling the roof area. A total 

of 230 roofs covering 2,200 m2 was completed 

by June 2015. 

Andy Fell Hambleside Danelaw’s Dryseal 

Manager said “The standard of installation and 

finishing delivered by L A Hall’s operatives has 

been exceptional, resulting in very robust and 

aesthetically pleasing roofs.” 

sales@hambleside-danelaw.co.uk 

36 

Cembrit to invest in natural slate 

Cembrit has announced 

the creation of a 

dedicated natural slates 

division to offer the UK’s 

specifiers and slaters 

greater choice of top end 

material for prestigious 

roofing contracts. The 

philosophy will be to 

enhance the existing range 

with additional high quality 

slates. The new brands will 

offer reliable, long term 

availability. This will be 

supported by dedicated 

personnel and focused 

marketing. 

As a start of the 

investment and long term commitment to Natural Slate, the group has 

decided to dedicate a specific person to this product group, Sales 

Director, Rob Wallace. Rob has 18 years of experience in growing 

Cembrit’s business from its Welsh depot in Llandow, achieved through 

unbeatable customer service. 


www.cembrit.co.uk. 

NVELOPE supports transformation 

of Packington Estate 

NVELOPE, the rainscreen cladding 

specialist, has provided effective 

structural support to the Packington 

Housing Estate in Islington with the 

vertical helping hand system and 

timber rails. Approximately 1200m2 of 

timber cladding were used as part of 

the £130m regeneration project. 

Timber rails were ideal for use on this 

project as the relationship between 

the façade material and the cladding 

support system in the context of 

expansion must be considered. The 

rails are clipped into the brackets and, after adjustment for line and level, 

are fixed to them using self-drilling stainless steel screws. NVELOPE hold 

extensive stocks of standard cladding support systems rails in all 

configurations. 

Manufactured in the UK and developed using the highest specification 

alloys, all NVELOPE products and systems are BBA certified. 

“One of the primary advantages that we have found working with 

NVELOPE is the flexibility to overcome tolerances in building substrates 

before overcladding,” said Carl Chapman, Contracts Director of Roles 

Broderick Roofing Ltd. 

www.nvelope.com .

I get peace 

of mind and 

confidencee 

from SIG. 

MARK RAWDING 

BOURNTEX 

AN SIG CUSTOMER 

Build your name on us 

No one knows Dry Linin 

g like SIG 

SIG Insulation started out 58 years ago. Since then we’ve grown to 

become the UK’s leading specialist distributor of insulatio 

n, dry lining 

and related products to the construction sector. 

It’s not just our vast product range and major brands that t sets us apart 

from the competition. 

The unrivalled technical expertise and impartial 

advice of our staff f – who each have on average 10 years experience 

within SIG – help you source the products you need, and guide you 

through what the legislation means to your project 

And when getting the job done relies on having the right products at 

the right time, you need 

a fast, reliable supplier with UK-w 

ide branches, 

a huge delivery network 

and stock always available. 

See how we can help, visit buildyournameonus.com 

INSULATION | INTERIORS | TECHNICAL INSULATION 

FIXINGS | CONSTRUCTION ACCESSORIES S | COMMERCIAL DRAINAGE 

WE SUPPLY ALL YOUR FIXINGS TOO

38 


Schöck solution combines architecture with 

horticulture 

The striking façade of this building in Berlin is 

the concept of Sergej Dott, a locally-based pop 

art painter who chose medicinal herbs to 

represent the building's use as a major medical 

centre. The Treptow Medical Centre is a 19th 

century listed building and recent refurbishment 

work has seen the interior transformed into 

twelve surgeries and a pharmacy. The final 

flourish of the restoration activity is the addition 

of the pop art herbs, each one metre in 

diameter, up to twelve metres high and 

600kgs in weight, all grouped around 

three sides of the building. 

To incorporate them into the structural 

design, additional steel beams had to 

be installed inside the building at 

varying floor levels and Lorenz Linnhoff, whose 

engineering firm carried out the structural 

planning for the building comments: "The 

optimum solution for fastening the giant flowers 

to the building envelope was the Isokorb KST, 

which made it possible to transfer the load of the 

flower installation via the steel beams to the 

load-bearing building”. 

The KST creates thermal breaks in steel 

structures, where the modules are used to 

Kingspan OPTIM-R featured on 

flagship care complex 

The Kingspan OPTIM-R 

Balcony & Terrace System 

is helping to keep outdoor 

areas accessible and rooms 

below warm at a new 

sheltered housing 

development in Salford, 

which features 66 

apartments designed to 

allow elderly and vulnerable people to live independent lives whilst 

still receiving care. In order to allow easy access to three outdoor roof 

balconies, the Kingspan OPTIM-R Balcony & Terrace System was 

specified. 

“Accessibility was obviously a major consideration for this project and 

by laying the Kingspan OPTIM-R Balcony & Terrace System we were 

able to achieve a compliant U-value of 0.19 W/m2.k on the balcony 

areas with a total insulation build-up of just 85mm,” explained Michael 

Platt, Managing Director of roofing contractors Monoroof. “This 

ensured there was an even transition between the internal and 

external spaces, meeting the requirements of the Lifetime Homes 

Standard as well as Approved Document M.” 

www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/optim-r 


transfer tensile forces and pressure/shear forces. 

On this occasion the product is used only for the 

latter purpose, as it has to perform a structural 

function rather than ensure thermal partition. 

Each flower is connected by two KST modules at 

the top of the stalk and their modular capability 

meant that off-site pre-fabrication was possible, 

helping to reduce on-site costs. Two head plates 

were welded to the stalks off site and another 

two head plates attached to the main steel 

structure with the KST modules bolted to them. 

: The Treptow Medical Centre is a 19th century listed building 

and recent refurbishment work has seen the interior 

transformed into twelve surgeries and a pharmacy. 

The flower stalk was then lifted into position and 

the two plates simply bolted to the exterior 

connections of the KST units. 

For your free copy of the new Schöck 

‘Thermal Bridging Guide’ and/or the 

comprehensive 236 page ‘Technical Guide’ 

Tel 01865 290 890 go to 

www.schoeck.co.uk 

or email: design@schoeck.co.uk 

Del Carmen Ultra earns its stripes 

With over 30 years’ 

experience in the 

slate roofing 

industry, SSQ has 

been selected to 

provide 185,000 of 

its Del Carmen Ultra 

grade slates to the 

Royal Military 

Academy in Surrey. 

Fixed directly to the 

battens with 38mm 

x 3.35mm copper nails, in order to deliver a sleek, uniform look that 

would blend in well with the prestigious aesthetic of the building, 

SSQ’s Del Carmen Ultra slates span twelve roofs at the military 

academy based in Sandhurst, covering an impressive 9,700m2 in total. 

Boasting a 100-year guarantee, key to the renovation of the building, 

SSQ’s Del Carmen Ultra is sourced from an exclusive slate quarry in the 

Cabrera Mountains of North-West Spain. It is consistently hand picked 

by architects around the world for its unrivalled beauty and 

exceptional high quality. The unique colour is totally natural and will 

not fade, even in the strongest sunlight. 

www.ssqgroup.com

| Roofing, Cladding & Insulation 

‘Stuck’ for a quicker solution in 

your flat roof project? 

Demand for effcient working methods to ensure that projects are completed on time and to budget has meant that adhesives for the 

bonding of insulation materials in flat roofs are becoming an increasingly requested solution by installers. 

There are many reasons why it may be worth 

considering using an adhesive to bond insulation 

materials rather than a traditional mechanical 

fixing method. Provided the correct insulation 

materials are used and the adhesive is applied as 

specified by the manufacturer, adhesives can 

meet all of the requirements of a modern flat 

roof without the need for penetrating the roof 

substrate. This is a particularly useful 

benefit in the refurbishment of 

existing rooftops on ‘live’ 

buildings where it is often not 

possible to establish the exact 

path that pipework or power 

cables may take under the 

surface. 

Puncturing an existing roof to fix 

additional insulation can also be 

problematic in adverse weather 

conditions particularly when it hasn’t 

been possible to temporarily or permanently 

waterproof mechanically fixed insulation boards 

prior to rainfall. Should this happen moisture can 

enter the existing roof materials through 

perforations made by the fixings and cause 

damage to electrics and timber materials not to 

mention interior décor. 

There are also some benefits to consider for 

installers in new projects; adhesives can be more 

cost-effective given that the cost per m2 varies 

only in relation to the surface area to be bonded 

and not the thickness of the insulation material, 

there will be no fixings visible on the underside 

of the roof and generally speaking there is no 

power requirement when using them. Cold 

applied adhesives also avoid the need for any 

‘hot works’ considerations when working on site, 

helping to reduce risk and insurance costs for the 

user. 

Whilst there are benefits to using adhesives over 

mechanical fixings, bonded solutions for 

insulation in flat roof projects are not a new idea 

but recent product developments have meant 

that they are becoming an even more 

viable alternative to traditional 

methods. 

Liquid polyurethane adhesives are still the most 

common type of cold applied adhesive used in 

the bonding of insulation materials and more 

modern formulations are solvent free making 

them compatible with more sensitive insulation 

materials like polystyrene and also safer to use 

for the installer. However in recent years 

manufacturers have been more focused on 

developing new polyurethane foam adhesive 

formulations that in most cases will out-perform 

liquid based products and offer further benefits 

to users. 

Foam adhesives are faster curing than liquid 

products, generally taking around an hour to fully 

cure subject to local conditions compared to up 

to 6 hours for liquid products. The foaming 

action means that they can fill small 

imperfections in substrates and the 

joints between insulation boards 

and when cured will act as an 

insulator in these areas, aiding 

thermal performance. One 

downside to this foaming action 

after application was that insulation 

boards can be pushed up by the 

expansion although newer foam 

adhesives such as Soudatherm 330, 

have low-foaming formulations that 

mean boards no longer need to be 

‘walked in’ or weighted down once 

placed in the adhesive. In addition to these 

benefits foam adhesives can also be used for 

bonding onto vertical surfaces, for example 

upstands, as they do not drip or run once 

applied. 

Improvements in 

modern applicator tools 

also mean that newer gun 

applied foam adhesives can be 

used more precisely, ensuring the 

correct amount of product is used, and more 

economically because product is not lost after 

application has finished. Gun applied systems are 

also generally fairly low maintenance as well; they 

can usually be stored for a few weeks without 

the need for cleaning. 

In summary, foam adhesives can provide a safe, 

fast and convenient solution for the installation 

of flat roofs materials, and advances in both 

chemical formulations and application methods 

mean that they could be worth considering for 

your next flat roof project and provide a useful 

alternative to either mechanical fixing or liquid 

adhesive systems. 

You can find a complete range of adhesive 

products and accessories for flat roof insulation 

available in the Professional range. We can also 

give you advice on how to use them and how 

much you will need. Training and site 

demonstrations can also be arranged. 

For further information 

soudathermuk@soudal.com 

November2O15 issue 8954 refurb| RENEW 

39

Building Automation | 

JCC’s new industrial lighting offers 

further savings with sensing 

For employees to perform well at their work, good lighting is essential as it has a positive effect on both employee mood and productivity. 

Conversely, poor lighting degrades employee performance and also has a negative impact on health and safety in the work place. 

For industrial applications, such as warehouses and 

factories, it’s a constant struggle to ensure lighting 

levels are maintained to a good standard. 

Warehouse lighting by its very nature can reach 

heights of 4m and higher and often requires 

specialist machinery, such as a cherry picker, to 

perform routine maintenance or lamp 

replacements. This has a negative impact on 

productivity as areas are temporarily suspended 

whilst lighting operations are completed. To help 

effectively maintain the lighting in these 

applications many businesses undertake costly 

annual lamp replacement programmes to ensure 

the lighting in the working environment meets 

CIBSIE guidelines. 

JCC has launched a new innovative Industrial LED 

offering Toughbay which looks to help eliminate 

these costly maintenance programmes. 

The Toughbay range consists of high bay and low 

bay variants to replace traditional metal halide and 

fluorescent lamp technologies and can help reduce 

energy costs by up to 50%. The variants range from 

7,500 lumens to 23,700 lumens, and have been 

developed to provide solutions for all requirements 

and mounting heights within industrial lighting 

applications. 

Traditionally HID metal halide fittings can lose as 

much as 50% of their light output within the first 

half of their lifetime whilst still consuming the same 

amount of energy. This causes significant 

inefficiencies for businesses. JCC’s Toughbay range 

not only provides an outstanding energy saving it 

can be used with on/off and step dim sensing to 

provide a 75% energy saving against traditional 

metal halide and fluorescent lamps. Businesses can 

now look to save money on their lighting rather 

than have energy costs dominate their expenditure. 

HID metal halide lamps are incompatible with 

occupancy sensing due their 15 minutes warm up 

and cool down time. Toughbay has been 

specifically designed to use with JCC Leviton’s 

multi-functional sensors which can be mounted up 

to 15m high and has a 16m wide detection range. 

For example, it can allow for savings on low footfall 

areas that aren’t required to be fully lit throughout 

the day. 

Toughbay’s durable and reliable design is the result 

of the following features. 

• Toughbay’s Meanwell IP67 driver is distinctively 

positioned on the outside of the fitting allowing 

the air to freely flow around the fitting, helping it 

to maintain a consistent operating temperature. As 

a consequence of Toughbay producing intense 

levels of light, the LED chips and driver both emit 

heat and by keeping them separate the LED chips 

become unaffected by the drivers’ heat emissions. 

• The high output LED chips have an efficacy of up 

to 109 lumens per circuit Watt. The wide LED 

array is designed to maximise on the heat 

dissipation. Unlike a chip on board (COB) design, 

where the heat is condensed in one area, the LED 

array of Toughbay ensures that no heat build-up 

occurs as it disperses the heat evenly throughout 

the fitting. 

• Toughbay’s unique design incorporates the heat 

sink into the body of the fitting which helps 

improve airflow and heat dissipation. This 

intelligent thermal management reduces 

Toughbay’s operating temperature and improve 

its’ reliability. 

• Toughbay provides the maximum impact 

resistant rating of IK10. The high quality shatter 

proof polycarbonate diffuser provides extra 

safety and assurance in the workplace. Traditional 

lamp based fixtures often have low impact ratings 

and pose a high risk of shattering. Not only does 

this increase the probability of lamp failures but 

results in many fixtures requiring accessories to 

catch falling glass. 

Toughbay key features 

• Ultra efficient with up to 109 lpcw 

• Up to 50% energy saving 

• Durable construction – IP65 and IK10 rated 

• Suitable for extreme operating temperatures - 

30°/+60° 

• Adjustable mounting heights 

40 


To find out more about Toughbay visit us at 

jcc.co.uk/toughbay or contact our customer 

advisor team on 01243 838999

Internet protocol 

transforming building control 

Internet 

Protocol (IP) is 

creating a host 

of opportunities 

by transforming 

the way building 

and home 

automation 

systems are 

operated and 

work together. With this in mind, Interphone will be hosting 

two seminars to discuss how IP technology provides 

performance improvements over traditional solutions, while 

offering an effective means of integrating complementary 

systems and the benefits of remote monitoring. 

With an ever increasing growth in smart devices, and with 

Internet-enabled consumer devices estimated to rise to over 

13 billion by 2020, it is becoming necessary to create the 

appropriate digital networking infrastructure. This will help 

deliver added connectivity driven by the rapid expansion 

together with an increase in the awareness of intelligent 

home automation technologies, as well as take advantage of 

improved building management and control. 

The seminars will be held at Interphone’s headquarters in 

Harrow on 25th November and 14th January. 

For further details visit www.interphone.co.uk 

ControlZAPP ® 

A smarter 

way to save 

you more energy 

ControlZAPP is the new energy saving 

lighting controls range with Bluetooth ‘Smart’ 

interface (Android 4.3 or later). ControlZAPP 

can be used to remotely set-up, adjust or override 

settings such as occupancy detection, time lag, 

short visit mode, respond to daylight, override ON 

or OFF etc at different times of day to an accurate 

schedule, even different holiday and shut down settings. 

ControlZAPP is easy to install and configure and is ideal 

for flexible energy saving and end user comfort. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION 

PLEASE CONTACT US ON 

01249 44 33 77 

DANLERS Limited, Vincients Rd, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 6NQ 

Email: sales@danlers.co.uk Fax: 01249 443388 

www.danlers.co.uk 


Building Automation | 

CE Marked? Check twiCE! 

In a market swamped with seemingly CE marked products, Joe Bradbury of R&R takes a deeper look into the grey area of CE marking. 

Are they all genuine? Why is it so important? What do you need to be mindful of when making a purchase? R&R demystify the topic. 

What is a CE Mark? 

Put simply, the CE mark is a mandatory symbol 

applied to certain products to indicate that they 

conform with relevant EU directives regarding 

health and safety or environmental protection. 

The mark itself is an abbreviation of Conformité 

Européenne, which translates as European 

Conformity. The CE marking does three things: 

42 

• shows that the manufacturer has checked that 

these products meet EU safety, health or 

environmental requirements 

• indicates a product’s compliance with EU 

legislation 

• allows the free movement of products within 

the European market 

The benefits 

There are a multitude of benefits to having a CE 

mark on a product. Even its very presence 

reassures you as a consumer that the 

manufacturers have declared sole responsibility 

over that product. By showing that you are 

conforming to all of the legal requirements to 

trade safely within the EU, you are sending out a 

strong message that they have faith in what you 

are manufacturing, and that your company and 

products is the safe and verified choice. 

What to watch out for 

Unfortunately, due to an increasing volume of 

imports of unscrupulous, low-quality products 

from outside the EU (where directives are less 

stringent), the very integrity of the CE mark has 

been dragged into question. This is actually 

largely due to a simple misunderstanding. It’s easy 

to see why! 

Unfortunately, an almost identical marking is 

currently in circulation. Practically the same as the 

Conformité Européenne mark aesthetically, one 

could easily be forgiven for thinking that a 

product bearing such a mark had met strict EU 

quality and safety standards. However, this CE 

mark actually means nothing more than “Chinese 

Export,” and refers only to the product’s country 

of origin – it actually says nothing of its safety. 

Needless to say, this is far more than a mere 

coincidence, with many industry professionals in 

agreement that it is a dishonest method of 

trading within the EU at a substandard quality 


level. Keep an eye out for this and always do your 

research on how to differentiate between the 

safe choice and the cheap choice. With the CE 

certification being a self-regulatory scheme, it can 

be easy for a company to dishonestly display the 

CE marking - safe in the knowledge that they may 

not be asked for proof when putting a product 

on sale. 

Doing it the right way 

ESG are one such company that are 

demonstrating a legitimate CE marking and 

showing the industry why it is important and 

right to ensure that when making a purchasing 

decision, safety is key. 

ESG are leaders in the UK market of intelligent 

glass solutions. They are fully aware of the 

importance of CE marking as a guarantee of their 

products quality. So much so in fact that they 

have spent over 18 months developing their own 

range of fully CE certified, UK tested, controllers 

for their ESG Switchable glass range. 

Switchable HD Technology – is one of their 

products from the switchable glass range that 

truly outperforms all others on the market in 

terms of longevity and clarity. In addition to all of 

these features, the new control box is fully CE 

certified, which makes it the only product of its 

type currently on the market to hold this full 

certification. The controllers continually monitor 

the performance of the glass so that they vary 

the power output to enable to the LCD glass to 

run at it optimum performance. As well as this, 

the controllers are designed to shut down should 

there be a problem such as an installation fault 

with the wiring which may cause damage to 

either the controller or LCD panels. Any fault can 

be quickly and easily diagnosed using that status 

LEDs on the front of the box, enabling for those 

on site to solve any issues quickly and easily. 

Russell Shipton, ESG Marketing Manager, says 

“Our products are installed in some of the most 

prestigious developments across the UK in every 

sector – Domestic, Retail and Commercial. We 

wanted our customers and those installing our 

product to have the upmost confidence that as 

an electrical product it was safe to use. An 

increasing number of our clients are integrating 

our switchable glass with their BMS systems. We 

have heard of cases of non CE certified products 

(and in some cases those that display a CE 

marking) interfering with and causing damage to 

these systems. We have tested our products in 

the UK and have full certification available for our 

controllers so we have 100% confidence that our 

products are fully compatible with third party 

systems.” 

www.esg.co.uk

Putting the Customer at the 

Heart of our Business 

Find out how IP technology is transforming the way building and home automation systems operate and work together. 

Join us at our next seminar on the 25th November or 14th January at 16:30 with drinks and canapés to follow. 

Contact us to register or visit www.interphone.co.uk/events 

sales@interphone.co.uk 020 8621 6000 

plus 


Doors & Windows | 

Protecting people, Assets & Data 

with Entrance & Exit Systems 

The security infrastructure of a building, regardless of its function, should be designed to protect the people, assets and data that exist 

within it. Jonathan Nobbs, Head of Technical and Marketing for ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems, discusses how entrance and exit 

solutions have a key role to play in all three areas. 

44 

People 

The main entrance to a building is a key security 

factor in any pedestrian facing facility. 

Commercial offices and controlled environments 

incorporate ID checks and authentications of 

varying intensity, including identification cards, 

fobs and biometrics as commonplace security 

procedures. It’s imperative that door systems 

work seamlessly with the specified access control 

software, as design integration helps mitigate the 

need for trade-offs between securing a premises 

and creating a comfortable feel for the 

workforce. 

Access controlled compact three or four wing 

revolving doors can be used to provide restricted 

one or two way access tailored to security 

parameters, or be programmed to allow only 

authorised access and restrict unauthorised 

passage. When integrated into emergency 

systems, electro-mechanical release mechanisms 

can be programmed to allow the manual “break 

out” of the turnstile, upon fire alarm activation, 

providing additional escape capacity for 

pedestrians. 


Assets 

Theft prevention studies suggest that reducing 

the amount of time a door stands open is an 

effective way to hinder stock leakage. Even the 

most sizeable goods entrance can be optimised 

to impede unauthorised access. Door opening 

and closing speeds are a good starting point, as 

are “auto-close features” which return secure 

sectional doors to their closed position quickly 

but safely, sealing gaping entry points. 

Warehouse doors can be specified to only 

activate when a vehicle or trailer is detected, 

preventing warehouse operatives from leaving 

doors ajar whilst unattended - a simple yet 

effective solution. Interlocking doors, where 

security is of particular concern, allows for a 

second barrier to be created, even when external 

doors are open - creating that valuable second 

hurdle to thieves. 

Data 

In some environments, data is one of the most 

valuable assets that could be stolen. Data leakage 

is often primarily associated with human error, 

but in some cases disgruntled staff, ex-employees 

and even temporary workers who gain access to 

sensitive areas have been able to obtain 

restricted information. If such cases teach us 

anything it is that deterrent, difficulty and 

traceability must be equally accounted for. 

Beyond simply securing an area, integration of 

access control into exit and entrance points 

provides 24-7 access logs and activity reports, 

instilling an air of accountability for those with 

access. Well blended hardware and software 

makes easily retrievable data available in the 

event of an incident. Users of well specified 

buildings can see who has activated a door, 

length of opening and times of entry and exit. 

Primary and secondary exits and entrances play a 

key role in keeping people safe and secure, 

without doubt. However, it’s also important to 

consider the data and assets that an organisation 

needs to protect, thinking beyond whether a 

front or back entrance simply does its job, and 

considering the entire building. A holistic 

approach to specification can improve security, 

reduce asset losses and keep data from falling 

into the wrong hands. 

www.assaabloyentrance.com

| Doors & Windows 

Smart refurbishment solution for art deco village hall 

Situated at the heart of the picturesque village of Silver End, Essex, an art deco 

village hall has been completely renovated, including the installation of new 

Alitherm Heritage windows from Smart Architectural Aluminium. Smart’s Alitherm 

Heritage range recreates the original 1920s window style using an aluminium system 

with a polyester powder-coated aged-white finish. 

Alitherm Heritage has proven to be an energy efficient alternative to steel 

windows in a range of projects across the UK, where like-for-like replacements are 

required for heritage schemes. 

The system’s thermally-broken windows are ideal for sensitive planning areas and 

for renovation and refurbishment projects, and with a ‘B’ Window Energy Rating, 

they deliver the perfect combination of elegant aesthetics and outstanding 

thermal performance. With a complementary door range, Alitherm Heritage 

products are available in either single or dual polyester powder coated finishes, 

with the windows having been weather tested in accordance with BS6375: Part 1. 

www.smartsystems.co.uk 

Open doors to rail 

passengers 

One of the UK’s busiest stations outside of 

London, Newcastle Central has an annual 

footfall of around eight million people. The 

main entrance is the centrepiece of an 

£8.6m refurbishment which included the 

glazing of the external arches. More than 

capable of delivering continued 

performance year after year, even under 

these challenging conditions, a TORMAX 

automatic bi-parting sliding door system has 

been installed to the station entrance. 

Powered by the in-house designed Win 

Drive 2201 operator, the drive is discreetly 

located above the all-glass doors, offering 

incomparable reliability combined with lowenergy 

operation. 

TORMAX also installed their technologically 

advanced iMotion 1301 operator to the 

single swing door at the entrance to the 

new ticket office, as well as automating the 

sliding doors to Boots and Paperchase. 

www.tormax.co.uk 

ISO-BLOCO WIN2WALL: great performance and 

low cost 

The new ISO-BLOCO WIN2WALL multi-level sealing 

tape from ISO-Chemie combines excellent 

performance with competitive cost, and is specifically 

designed for sealing the perimeter joint between 

windows, doors and walls in the UK. 

Not only does ISO-BLOCO WIN2WALL enable 

windows and doors to be quickly and easily sealed 

from inside the building, the product will seal gaps 

from 2-8mm, which will accommodate the vast 

majority of UK window installations, and will come in 

two widths to give the extra thermal insulation 

equivalent to A Rated (40mm tape) or A+ and A++ 

windows (65mm tape). The larger WIN2WALL size tape 

will give an A-Value of 0.7, which is even better than a 

triple glazed Passivhaus standard window. 

...and now for something completely different... 

www.iso-chemie.co.uk 

Invisifold Ltd and VBH have teamed up to 

develop and launch an exciting new system 

for slide & fold doors and windows. The 

system, known as greenteQ Invisifold, is 

unique and will be available for most profile 

systems over the coming months. The new 

system is being introduced by VBH this 

winter and includes applications for doors, tilt 

& turn windows and even outward opening 

casement windows. VBH advise that as far as 

they are aware, this is the only solution that 

allows standard profiles to be used for slide & 

fold door and window applications. 

The systems have been thoroughly tested through many installations in the UK and are also 

currently undergoing testing for PAS24. Invisifold will, consequently, comply with Document Q 

once certification has been issued on a given profile. Initial indicative tests have been very 

positive, with excellent weather ratings and resistance to forced entry. 

www.vhbgb.com 

www.invisifold.com 


Doors & Windows | 

Relcross are automatic choice for Harper Adams University 

Specialist installer Rowsman Ltd. have installed 25 Relcross LCN Auto 

Equalizers around Harper Adams University campus, to provide occasional 

automatic opening for doors designed primarily for manual operation. The 

six latest to be installed are all in their new Agricultural Engineering 

Innovation Centre. 

Harper Adams University recognised that some of their staff and students 

would struggle to operate some of the doors encountered in the course of 

their normal daily routines, so they have been steadily installing LCN Auto 

Equalizers. These can be activated in a variety of ways including wall 

mounted push buttons and wheelchair mounted fobs. 

The pneumatically powered Auto Equalizer silently pushes or pulls the door 

open depending on which side of the door it is mounted; after a short 

delay the integral traditional door closer takes over to close the door and 

complete the cycle. 

www.relcross.co.uk 

P C Henderson 

introduces a smooth 

operator 

P C Henderson, leading designer and 

manufacturer of sliding door hardware, 

introduces Slidoclose, a pneumatic door 

closer that is suitable for both new and 

retrofit sliding door applications. The 

hardware is easy to install, and is ideal for 

residential and light commercial use. 

The Slidoclose features an adjustable speed 

setting, making it suitable for sliding door 

applications that require a smooth and quiet 

closing operation. For use where a power 

source is not required, the hardware is 

suitable for timber or metal sliding door 

panels and has been tested to accommodate 

doors with a weight up to 100kg and a width 

of up to 1270mm. Suitable for both left and 

right hand opening doors, Slidoclose is 

available in a striking chrome finish with an 

attractive matching fascia and an adjustable 

speed feature. 

P C Henderson is a member of the Door & 

Hardware Federation which represents 

manufacturers and installers of industrial, 

commercial, pedestrian and garage doors and 

powered gates. 

www.pchenderson.com 

IVision is an optical dream 

A revolutionary product has hit the UK market thanks to a 

leading manufacturer of door and wall protection plus antiligature 

solutions. IVision from Intastop is an innovative 

manual vision panel that, when open, provides almost 

perfect visibility - at 92% its result is double that of other 

panels on the market. And, when closed, it offers total 

blackout. 

Intastop is a leading player in the development and 

manufacture of products for the healthcare and public 

buildings sector. IVision follows other revolutionary 

products developed by the company such as its renowned 

Continuous Geared Hinge and Door Top Alarm. 

The vision panel has also passed all rigorous tests including 

FD30 & FD60 to BS476 Parts 20 & 22 and the Cycle Test to 

over 250,000 cycles. Offered in a frameless design it is 

available in rectangular 254x804mm, 254x404mm, square 

404x404mm, or as a bespoke size. 

The ins and outs of a revolving door 

www.intastop.com 

The revolving door has many advantages 

over the traditional hinged door. Not only 

more energy efficient than regular doors, 

they help to keep the cost of heating and 

cooling to a minimum. When manual doors 

are opened a large amount of air can escape 

the building; a revolving door can help to 

eliminate this as the amount of air that 

escapes whilst the door wings of a revolving 

door circulates is minimal. In this way, drafts 

are reduced and your lobby area is kept at a 

comfortable temperature. 

Another key feature of the revolving door is that they allow more people to enter and exit 

buildings at a quicker rate, and architects often opt for a revolving door to assist with the 

soundproofing of a lobby area. They are also the preferred method of entry solution especially 

within a more confined space, as a revolving door will often make a building seem much larger 

and more majestic in appearance. 

www.boonedam.co.uk 

46 


| Doors & Windows 

Industry first for Sapa window 

The tilt before turn (TBT) window from fenestration systems specialists Sapa Building Systems’ Dualframe 75 Si range is the first 

aluminium window to be given the new A++ Window Energy Rating (WER), the highest available rating in the UK. 

Awarded by the British Fenestration Rating 

Council (BFRC), the rating was originally launched 

at the start of June, giving manufacturers four 

months to develop products. However, such is 

the future proofing strength of Sapa’s Dualframe 

75 Si range, the TBT window was already 

compliant. 

The entire suite of windows included in the class 

leading range all achieve the A+ WER, the only 

aluminium range to do so. It has continued to 

push boundaries since its launch in 2010 and 

Sapa’s commitment to exceeding energy and 

security targets set out in the Building 

Regulations and national standards is underlined 

in the awarding of the A++ rating to the TBT 

design. 

“We are again leading the way with energy ratings 

for aluminium windows,” said Mark Robinson, 

Technical Director at Sapa Building System. “This 

latest award follows on from similar accolades in 

2006 when a solution from the Dualframe 75 

range was the first aluminium window to be 

awarded an A rating, which was then followed in 

2013 with the Si A+ WER. 

“This new addition to the rating system will not 

only offer fabricators more choice, it will also 

create significant energy savings, helping to 

reduce bills. The TBT window will reduce solar 

gain in the summer while helping to keep 

buildings warm in the winter. With the next 

expected revision of Part L of the Building 

Regulations expected in 2019, we are ideally 

placed to be able to meet any projected 

tightening.” 

“BFRC is delighted at the take up for the new A++ 

rating for windows,” comments BFRC Managing 

Director Chris Mayne. “Since the announcement 

that BFRC was accepting applications for the new 

A++ band we received simulation reports from far 

more companies than we expected. This has 

resulted in the launch of the first batch of A++ 

window products and we look forward to seeing 

how they perform in the market.” 

The Dualframe 75 Si TBT window is an ideal 

solution for high rise or commercial applications, 

and combines ventilation with easy cleaning and 

large span openings. The safety locking handle is 

key operated and the key must be inserted in 

order to access the turn mode. Once the window 

is closed, it automatically defaults to the tilt only 

mode. 

For more information contact Sapa 

Building Systems on 01684 853500 or 

email info@sapabuildingsystems.co.uk 


Washrooms & Kitchens | 

Changing places for equality 

Architects and designers could be 

exposing their clients to risk of breaking 

the law if they do not include a specific 

type of accessible toilet in new build or 

refurbishment projects. 

Under the Equality Act, which replaced the 

Disability Discrimination Act, service providers 

(including shops, tourist attractions, restaurants) 

are required to make reasonable changes – 

including to the built environment– where a 

disabled customer or potential customer would 

otherwise be at a substantial disadvantage. The 

Government’s own easy reference guide further 

states: “You should not wait until a disabled 

person experiences difficulties using a service.” 

For hundreds of thousands of the UK’s 11 million 

registered disabled, those who need a carer to 

help with personal care, conventional 

wheelchair-accessible toilets are unsuitable. 

“That means either having to lie on a toilet floor, 

often with the door open so anyone else can 

see you, or to go home, or not go out at all,” 

says Margaret Clough. “That puts my family, with 

my daughter Julie, at a substantial disadvantage, 

to use the Government’s terminology, as Julie is 

a severely disabled adult, in a wheelchair. Surely 

making one toilet bigger, and including a couple 

more pieces of equipment, is a reasonable 

change?” 

Margaret, her family and other similar families 

are petitioning venues as diverse as motorway 

services, hospitals, and tourist attractions to 

install Changing Places toilets. With more space 

than current wheelchair-accessible toilets, these 

also include as standard a hoist, adult-sized 

height adjustable changing table, and privacy 

screen. 

“You wouldn’t today expect to have to change a 

baby on the toilet floor, so why a child or 

adult?” asks Margaret. “There are over 8000 

public toilets in the UK, excluding ones we use 

in cafes, bars, at hospitals, tourist attractions. 

Yet there are fewer than 800 Changing Places 

toilets. There are at least 1.5million wheelchair 

users in the UK. One in 10 people suffers from 

bladder or bowel incontinence: There is clearly a 

need, and we would maintain adding these 

toilets on top of existing accessible facilities is a 

reasonable alteration. 

“Beyond the moral obligation, it has financial 

benefits too: 20% of the average business’ 

customer base is disabled. Disabled people 

: For hundreds of 

thousands of the UK’s 

11 million registered 

disabled, those who 

need a carer to help 

with personal care, 

conventional 

wheelchair-accessible 

toilets are unsuitable. 

spend some £80billion a year! Research shows 

people choose NOT to use somewhere they 

believe does not have suitable toilets.” 

To help architects and facilities managers get 

their accessible toilets right, and meet Changing 

Places campaigners needs, leading disabled 

toilet solutions company Clos-o-Mat has 

developed the most comprehensive and a 

unique ‘one-stop shop’ solution. 

In-house, the company can provide design 

advice, then supply all the equipment, if 

necessary install and commission it, and 

subsequently service & maintain it. Full project 

management can also be provided. This is 

reinforced with support services including CAD 

blocks, and sector-specific advisory white 

papers available for free on its website 

www.clos-o-mat.com 

Exciting New Wet Zones from GEC Anderson 

48 

LEADING stainless steel specialist, GEC 

Anderson limited, have released details of an 

exciting new ‘wet zone’ concept. 

Available now, the new wet zone option 

enables specifiers to include a pressed recess 

anywhere within the stainless steel worktop 

area. Typically, the recess would be formed 

around sink bowl(s) but it can also be used to 

create lowered areas for other applications. 

For example, to locate chopping boards or to 

act as a general catchment area. 

The pressed recess detail is 3mm deep and can 

be formed in any size and position. It has a 

variable corner radius with a minimum radius 

of 10mm. 


Managing Director of GEC Anderson 

Limited, Martin Tye, comments: “This is an 

exciting new development that enables 

customers to specify wet zones, of any 

shape and size. Wet zones provide a real 

practical advantage and they look really 

neat as well. Because the recess can be 

formed to any pattern, it really does open 

the door to a lot of new creative 

opportunities for our customers.” 

GEC Anderson offer a number of different wet 

zone options of which the pressed recess is 

one. Tye continues “The pressed recess is also 

extremely cost effective. It is formed early in 

the production process, with a high level of 

automation. This makes it possible to contain 

the basic price to just under £150 and brings 

the wet zone concept within reach of many 

more of our customers.” 

Full details and information are available 

online at: www.gecanderson.co.uk 

or you can always call 

GEC Anderson on 01442 826999.

MODULARSHOWERINGSOLUTIONS 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stainless steel worktops from GEC Anderson are made 

to your precise specificationand requirements using 

top quality, brushed satin, stainless steel 

With our wide choice of edge profiles, sink bowl sizes and other 

details, made-to-measure stainless steel worktops are long lasting, 

durable and highly attractive, making them ideal for use in 

domestic, commercial and public environments. 

GEC Anderson Limited 

Oakengrove Shire Lane Hastoe Tring Hertfordshire HP23 6LY 

Tel 01442 826999 info@gecanderson.co.uk www.gecanderson.co.uk 

TAPLANES 

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Call us now on +44 (0) 118 969 1611or email sales@cistermiser.co.uk 

for more information about our products 

www.cistermiser.co.uk 


Washrooms & Kitchens | 

Smith’s Space Saver SS80 narrower fit! 

Smith’s Fan Convectors has launched a new version of its 

market-leading Space Saver plinth heater to fit 80mm plinth 

heights. The new slim-line SS80 kitchen heater from Smith’s is 

the only plinth heater available in Europe that fits IKEA-style 

80mm plinth heights. 

In the first of a number of innovations for the product, Smith’s has 

designed a new Space Saver hydronic plinth heater to fit much narrower 

plinths found in kitchen designs popular from Scandinavia and Germany. 

Like its taller counterparts, installing the Space Saver SS80 frees up wall 

space for extra wall surfaces and more storage or desirable kitchen 

appliances, instead of home owners having to make do with a panel 

radiator. 

Jim Bennett, Smith’s Sales & Marketing Director, stated, “The Space Saver is 

a key appliance for the New Build and RSL markets, as well as for the 

mainstream consumer. It offers efficient, controllable warmth to kitchens 

where space is at a premium. Installers can use it to replace a radiator and 

because it will work off any wet central heating system, it’s a simple 

replacement that gives so much more to the end user. 

The Smith’s Space Saver installs discreetly into the dead space under fitted 

units and is now supplied as standard with a stainless steel grille, as well as 

being available in alternative finishes. The Space Saver SS80 is suitable for 

heating rooms up to 24m3 and could also provide an alternative heat 

solution for bedrooms and office furniture that also have plinths. It uses 

an extremely low water content when compared with a radiator and so it 

will heat up much more quickly than both radiators and underfloor 

heating, as well as affording users more responsive controls. 

: The new slim-line SS80 kitchen heater from Smith’s 

The SS80 is now available nationally from all good merchants, online 

stockists and branches of Wickes. The Space Saver is regularly specified 

by local authorities, house builders, housing associations as well as 

installers for domestic dwellings, and light commercial installations for 

church kitchens, village halls and offices. 

For more information contact Smith’s Environmental Products 

on 01245 324900 or at www.smiths-env.com, or sales@smithsenv.co.uk. 

Follow Smiths Fan Convectors and Smiths Space 

Saver showcase on LinkedIn here 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/smith's-environmentalproducts. 

Tax Relief available for Horne Showers 

Horne 

Engineering’s Duŝo 

sport shower 

column is proving 

a highly popular 

choice for leisure 

facilities across the 

UK. Its striking but 

minimalist design 

with easy-tooperate 

paddle and 60 second flow duration works a treat for 

individual and family showering. Key installations include the new 

Welsh National Sailing Academy, Derby University Sports Centre, 

Ellesmere Port Sports Village and Widnes Sports Pavilion. Xercise4Less 

gym has standardised with the (yellow) Duŝo whilst it also becomes a 

staple in local authority facilities operated by People for Places Leisure, 

Fusion Lifestyle and Brio Leisure amongst others. 

Very easy to install and maintain, the Duŝo form also makes excellent 

use of colour and materials. Its design contributes to water and energy 

savings (timed operation and flow regulation): featuring on the Water 

Technology List, within the category of Efficient Showers, the Duŝo is 

also eligible for tax relief in the form of Enhanced Capital Allowances. 

www.horne.co.uk. 

Redring Selectronic Premier achieves 

A rating 

Redring Selectronic Premier, the UK’s 

number one care shower, has 

achieved the highest A class energy 

efficiency rating, in line with the new 

Energy-related Products Directive. 

The Selectronic Premier range of 

thermostatic showers features 

advanced temperature control 

technology, intuitive user controls 

and rapid one-button commissioning 

for an intelligent and safe showering 

solution that is easy to use and 

install. 

Selectronic Premier uses highly accurate thermostatic technology to 

maintain constant water temperatures within just +/-0.5°C, while 

adjustable temperature locking allows maximum water temperatures to 

be set. Large one-touch start/stop and temperature control buttons, 

together with a large LED display and audio feedback, allow easy shower 

operation. Plus, smart data logger technology tracks showering patterns 

to save energy and monitor usage, and a unique fault-finder system 

allows problems to be diagnosed and solved, with no need for an 

engineer. www.redring.co.uk . 

50 


| Article 

- ace tailor of lifts for tight spaces 

When it comes to tailoring passenger lifts to fit tight-squeeze spaces, Stannah Lift Services was the lift company of choice for Coastal Housing 

Group in their Bethesda Court social housing complex in Swansea, Wales. 

The Stannah team removed the existing 4 

hydraulic passenger lifts and separate motor 

rooms (installed in 1994 by other lift 

manufacturers) and replaced them with gearlesstraction, 

motor room-less, 6-person passenger 

lifts. 

Critically, each 450kg lift had to be tailored to fit 

exact shaft dimensions, maximising the space 

available. With a 5mm tolerance, design and 

manufacture had to be spot on – which it was, 

and all achieved within 16 weeks. 

The motor room-less capability is another spacesaving 

feature, with the controller located in the 

landing architraves on the top floors. 

As principle contractor, the South West England 

& South Wales branch of Stannah Lift Services 

was wholly responsible for this turnkey project. 

Working in close partnership with lift 

consultants, Dunbar and Boardman, Stannah 

covered every aspect of the project from lift 

removal, Health and Safety and builders work to 

installation of the new lifts, cleaning, decorating 

and commissioning. 

The new lifts were designed, procured and 

installed to improve access over 3 and 4 levels for 

tenants in 4 separate apartment blocks that 

comprise Bethesda Court. 

Operating at a speed of 1.0mps, they are finished 

in durable satin stainless steel throughout, with 3- 

panel, side-opening doors, full-length rear-view 

mirrors, downlighter ceilings, grey non-slip floors 

and grab rails. Full-collective, simplex operation 

helps to deliver faultless, energy saving function 

and reliability. 

The Stannah Lift Services team worked closely 

with Coastal Housing Group, a not-for-profit 

industrial and provident society, existing only for 

the benefit of the community. The lift 

refurbishments support Coastal’s objective of 

regenerating older stock and building new houses 

to improve the local community and provide 

good quality affordable homes. 

The turnkey package also comprises 

comprehensive service cover and support, 

including 24-hour breakdown cover and service 

visits, with continued lift maintenance by the 

South West England and South Wales branch of 

Stannah Lift Services, part of a nationwide 

network providing comprehensive lift servicing 

and support. 

Stannah Lift Services offers a comprehensive 

Lift Refurbishment and Lift Modernisation 

service for all types and makes of lifts. Stannah 

can take on the role of main contractor if 

required, to assist lift owners in keeping their lift 

in the best possible working order. 

Lift Refurbishment starts with a detailed survey 

of the lift(s) followed by Stannah’s 

recommendations for lift refurbishment or 

modernisation in the form of a detailed 

specification. The work undertaken during a lift 

modernisation is tailored to individual 

requirement and covers modifying the lift(s) to 

comply with current standards/legislation, such 

as: The Equality Act 2010 (formerly DDA); Health 

& Safety Legislation; The Lifts Regulations (1997); 

BS7255 Safe Working on Lifts; EN81-80. Other 

works can include aesthetic enhancements to 

the lift car and landing doors/entrances; 

enhancements to control/drive systems to 

improve reliability, ride quality and traffic flow; 

automatic re-levelling and travel speed. 

Lift Modernisation can obviate the need for lift 

replacement, revitalising an existing lift and saving 

time and money. In fact, some lifts may be 

extremely difficult to replace due to the design 

or layout of the existing installation, so 

modernisation is the ideal solution, replacing 

obsolete components with their modern 

equivalent. A lift modernisation would normally 

be a larger job than a lift refurbishment, and 

would involve Stannah Lift Services carrying out 

a detailed survey of the lift(s) in order to put 

forward their recommendations in the form of a 

detailed specification. 

Passenger lifts 

Platform lifts 

Goods lifts 

Escalators & moving walkways 

Lift servicing 

www.stannahlifts.co.uk 


20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE 

IN HIGH EFFICIENC Y BOILERS

R&R 8954 52 Nov '15 cc

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