What's New in Building articles from April 2005

What's New in Building archives from April 2005

Latest range of plumbing solutions is 10 time quieter than before.
April 21, 2005... With a 25 year track record of plumbing innovations, Saniflo is maintaining its market leading position with a whole new range. For over a quarter of a century Saniflo has been overcoming plumbing obstacles, enabling householders to add...

Leap forward in heat.
April 21, 2005... With the launch of DBE (Dynamic Boost Effect) intelligent heating solutions, Jaga Heating Products claims to have unveiled a leap forward in heating. DBE intelligent thermal activators have been developed to fit onto the LowH2O heat...

Curtain wall takes flight.
April 21, 2005... Curtain walling by Technal was specified by architects Kensington Taylor for the new passenger terminal at Guernsey Airport, in keeping with the aeronautical design theme. The new terminal has curved ends, powerful curved roofs and shaped...

Architectural sales division.
April 21, 2005... Supplier of a wide range of Silestone quartz surfaces, Consentino UK has launched a dedicated architectural sales division to provide technical support for architects and interior designers. Headed by Ian Luzmore, the new division aims to...

Fire safety is assured.
April 21, 2005... Modular building supplier Portakabin has introduced the FireSafe building. The fire-rated building has a low-level lifting feature, which fulfils HSE guidelines to avoid working at height using four low-level lifting points. Steel...

Security agreement.
April 21, 2005... Technocover has secured a three-year framework agreement with Thames Water for all aspects of secure access provision. Under the contract, Technocover will provide total product, service and consultancy support for access security...

Manchester hotspot.
April 21, 2005... Manchester's latest hotspot is the MM2 apartment and retail complex on the thriving Ancoats development. Fabricator Acorn Aluminium has manufactured and installed a range of Senior Aluminium Systems (SAS) products, including a specific...

Asphaltic goes for plastic.
April 21, 2005... Asphaltic SIG Roofing Supplies Group (SIG) is to stock a range of cellular plastic roofline products from Celuform in an effort to grab a significant share of the soffit and fascia market. `We want to provide a high quality selection of...

Modular lock range.
April 21, 2005... Union Architectural Hardware has introduced the 2C2 modular lock range. A special feature of the 2C2 range is the 2C26 Escape Lock which has all four variants in one case. Its split follower design means the escape function can be changed...

Rafter to ridge fix.
April 21, 2005... For rafter to ridge connection in cut roof construction, the Ridge Rafter connector from Simpson Strong-Tie can be used with rafters sloped up to 35 degrees. It has been designed to provide interlocking of the top flange so rafters can be...

Paving away on the web.
April 21, 2005... Detailed guidance on paving is now available on the updated Interpave website www.paving.org.uk. A series of design, construction and maintenance guides has been published, covering concrete block paving, flags and kerbs. The site is...

Speed and ease of use.
April 21, 2005... Speed and ease of use were cited as two reasons Atkins Consulting Engineers, Aberdeen, specified Marshall Tufflex Supertube for Brae Health Centre on Shetland. MT Supertube is a Low Smoke Zero Halogen conduit with a special three- layer...

Energy saving home.
April 21, 2005... Discovery Channel series How to Build a House is featuring an energy efficient Cheltenham home based on an Excel Building Solutions EVT structure. Using materials from sustainable and recycled sources, high insulation and heating from a...

Second issue on the blocks.
April 21, 2005... First launched in 2003, Ibstock's portfolio has now been followed by issue 2. Retaining the same format, it includes new brick ranges such as colours and initiatives like the special brick blending service from the Swanage factory. ...

Avoiding cold bridging.
April 21, 2005... Avoiding cold bridging in balconies is the subject of a White Paper: Balconies and Thermal Bridging, published by Halfen. It gives details of the HIT system, described as an elegant and economic way of ensuring compliance with part L of the...

CD shows all about security.
April 21, 2005... Edition 4 of the Product Builder CD has just been introduced by Videx. The CD Rom provides a simple way of identifying exactly which Videx equipment is needed to build a specific security system. Users can choose from the company's...

Union in kitchens.
April 21, 2005... The union of Keller Kitchens and Grovewood Kitchens means UK housebuilders can now be supplied directly with the luxury Keller brand. A rigid kitchen specialist, Keller is know for its contemporary designs. Housebuilders and social housing...

One touch joins many materials.
April 21, 2005... Latest addition to the range of pipeline products and fittings from Lancashire Fittings is the Cubi one-touch fitting. Produced in ABS, it is a user friendly means of joining stainless steel tubes and other materials. The range is...

Hull's column of light.
April 21, 2005... This unusual lighting column in Hull town centre has been installed by Urbis. It uses a mix of blue and white LEDs built into a multicoloured column. The tower is 11.5m tall and has 10 stainless steel LED rings built in, each with 12 LEDs....

Formwork for new rail bridge.
April 21, 2005... SGB Formwork has supplied its Logik panel system as formwork for the abutment of a new rail bridge in Northamptonshire. The bridge, which straddles the west coast main line at Banbury Lane, is being built by Birse Rail and will replace an...

Essentials for site workers.
April 21, 2005... The fifth edition of Hafele's quarterly Essentials catalogue is now available. The range of products extends from assembly fittings and components through architectural ironmongery and security systems to decorative accessories, tools and...

STOP PRESS: Teamwork for floors.
April 21, 2005... Ardex UK, manufacturers of fast track industrial flooring systems, once again teamed up with Saber Systems to provide the solution for an industrial flooring refurbishment. It was essential to deliver an extremely hard, flat and durable...

STOP PRESS: All you need for M.
April 21, 2005... Manufacturer and supplier of products to the healthcare and disability sectors, N&C Phlexicare has launched the N&C Luxury Corporate MPack. It is said to be the only fully compliant Doc M accessible toilet pack developed with the style and look...

STOP PRESS: Security and good looks in door styles.
April 21, 2005... Security and good looks combine in the Sterling Polymer range of doors from Hurst Plastics. Available in a wide choice of door styles with several glazing patterns, the door has a natural grain effect giving the look of a traditional...

STOP PRESS: Cool barn conversion.
April 21, 2005... Using a large barn conversion as industrial units led to the need for air conditioning, as shiplap boarded buildings retain heat well. Two Carrier XPower inverter controlled high wall systems were sited at one end of the long manufacturing...

STOP PRESS: Lift installed in just one day.
April 21, 2005... Daventry based Saxon Lifts' Freestyle modular range of wheelchair lifts offers a range of simple, elegant lifts that can be installed in just a day. The Freestyle range will carry a 500kg load and is based on a single platform size...

STOP PRESS: No need to paint window.
April 21, 2005... Launched at Glassex, Paragon Joinery's Virtuoso outward opening timber window profile needs no external painting. It comprises a laminated timber frame with Renolit pvc-foil on the outside to provide weather protection. The profiles...

STOP PRESS: Beating bogus calls.
April 21, 2005... Independent hardware distributor, Wagner, has added the 2GBA Door Defender door security device to its product portfolio. Designed to combat crime committed by bogus callers, the powerful spring within the sash part uses any force used when...

STOP PRESS: Radiant heat provides even temperature.
April 21, 2005... Set to revolutionise home and business comfort, Cosystone heating panels from Marmox use radiant heat rather than convection, to ensure heat is delivered evenly across the room. The panels are made from epoxy stone and work by emitting...

STOP PRESS: Multi functional luminaire.
April 21, 2005... In partnership with DEFA Quality Lighting, Fitzgerald Lighting has launched the Public, a multi functional luminaire with IP65 status and an eye catching geometric design. The versatile fitting offers pole, bracket, wall or corner mounting...

STOP PRESS: Reference for metal envelope.
April 21, 2005... Metal envelope solutions provider Corus has produced the Colorcoat Building Manual as a comprehensive reference source for designers and specifiers. Divided into eight sections it covers 27 key topics including planning, sustainability,...

STOP PRESS: Competitive option.
April 21, 2005... As a competitive option to expensive structural glazing systems, Metal Technology has launched a structurally bonded glazing system. Without the need for external capping, SSB provides a smooth glass wall with silicone pointed joints. Glass...

STOP PRESS: Insulation underfoot.
April 21, 2005... Threshold Tenants Association has undertaken a regeneration of properties at various sites in Pimlico, south west London. Part of this major refurbishment involved fitting out flats with acoustic flooring from InstaCoustic to ensure sound...

STOP PRESS: Pompey protection.
April 21, 2005... Upper viewing decks of the 170m tall Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth have been protected with Stirling Lloyd's Integritank structural waterproofing membrane. Main Contractor Mowlem required a cold applied waterproofing system which could be...

STOP PRESS: Lift reduces costs.
April 21, 2005... A truly motor room-less hydraulic passenger lift is now available from Stannah. The MRLi has the drive system and controller located within the pit and lift shaft, eliminating the need for a motor room completely. The result is reduced...

IT & CAD: Concrete coverage.
April 21, 2005... Specialist contractor Concrete Repairs Ltd (CRL) has gone live with its new website at concrete-repairs.co.uk. Pages are divisionalised into 10 areas covering road and rail bridges, car park, marine and water industry structures, tunnels,...

IT & CAD: Three in one up top.
April 21, 2005... To ease the prcess of specifying the correct roofing system, Marley Roofing has introduced three new programs on its website, marleyroofing.co.uk. The first, SpecRite, allows specifers to instantly generate National Building Specification...

SECURITY: Butler meets DDA.
April 21, 2005... The Butler from Dom UK is claimed to be the only door operating device which is fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act. It allows any person, regardless of their disability, to open, close, lock and unlock a door without...

SECURITY: Upgrade for Bristol.
April 21, 2005... Bristol Airport has upgraded its perimeter protection with some 2.5 miles of high security fencing supplied and installed by Procter Fencing Systems. The existing chain link fence was removed in sections and the new one positioned 0.5m...

SECURITY: Sherwood's all secure.
April 21, 2005... Center Parcs, Sherwood Forest, has installed over 6,000 Titon handles to improve security. They have been fitted to the village's tilt and turn windows, and painted green to complement the natural materials and rural style of the location....

SECURITY: Access control for small sites.
April 21, 2005... Designed for small installations with vehicular access, or multiple small sites that need to be controlled from one location, Impro IXP 121 proximity access control system is now available from BPT. The system accommodates up to 10,000...

SECURITY: Radio signals instead of hard wiring.
April 21, 2005... Mains powered smoke alarms can be connected together by radio signals instead of hard wiring, using Radiolink from Aico. The system is suitable for use in loft conversions where, if a fire alarm sounded downstairs, there would be little...

LIGHTING & ELECTRICS: How to exit with style.
April 21, 2005... An improved version of the JSB Royalux edge-lit exit sign has been introduced by Cooper Lighting and Security. A popular choice for prestigious locations such as hotels, reception areas, boardrooms and theatres, the new version of the...

LIGHTING & ELECTRICS: Push button timers.
April 21, 2005... There are energy savings to be made by simply installing Elkay push button timers from Adaptaflex in place of standard light switches. The pneumatic and electronic push button timers are ideal for hallways, corridors and staircases. ...

LIGHTING & ELECTRICS: Curves shown to be ideal.
April 21, 2005... The top-selling, white moulded range of electrical wiring accessories from Contactum has been extended by the launch of the Aspire range which features a curved profile. Aspire is made from tough, durable, super-melamine, and the new...

LIGHTING & ELECTRICS: Matured mellow range.
April 21, 2005... An updated addition to the Mellow light range from from Zumtobel Staff, Mellow Light IV is an elegant, minimalist semi-recessed luminaire. The new luminaire complements the subtleties and changing nature of natural daylight, stimulating...

LIGHTING & ELECTRICS: Twin sockets put safety first.
April 21, 2005... Launched by Cudis under the CPN brand are two new RCD safety sockets which give protection for anyone operating 240v or 50Hz power tools or garden equipment. The twin 13A sockets have plastic face plates for domestic situations or impact...

LIGHTING & ELECTRICS: Shedding light in the bathroom.
April 21, 2005... New from Aico Lighting is a range of luxury bathroom fittings, which includes stylish, IP44 rated bathroom mirror wall lights with a choice of full-sized fluorescent mirror light or halogen, wall-bracketed concave shaving mirror with three...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Providing compact solution.
April 21, 2005... Electric boilers from Trianco have been specified by Bellway Homes as a simple and compact heating solution for a development of 42 new apartments close to Nottingham City Centre. Having a policy of not using gas in its apartments, Bellway...

HEATING & VENTILATING: A quiet breath of fresh air.
April 21, 2005... Launched by Greenwood Air Management, the new AWV39 acoustic wall ventilator is said to provide excellent acoustic attenuation and continuous trickle ventilation in line with current Building Regulation requirements. Suitable for all wall...

HEATING & VENTILATING: 5,4,3,2,1 - hot water is go!
April 21, 2005... Introduced by Glow-worm is the new cxi range of condensing combis boilers. The range comprises three models: 24, 30 and 38kW. The SEDBUK A rated and low NOx compact boiler range features a hot water `pre-heat' heat facility, which is...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Designed for a tough life.
April 21, 2005... Specifically designed to cope with the rigours of hard working kitchens, the new ceiling suspended air conditioning series from Mitsubishi Electric has already been put to the test in Strikes Bar and Grill on the Haven Littlesea Holiday Park...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Chimney not necessary.
April 21, 2005... The Chic contemporary inset fire from Wonderfire is now available in a powerflue model, making it ideal for specification in homes with no chimney. The fire, which is suitable for mounting on the hearth or as `hole in the wall', offers a...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Eco park leads the way.
April 21, 2005... Leading natural ventilation supplier Passivent is helping the Welsh Development Agency pioneer environmentally responsible design and construction at the Dyfi Eco Park. The WDA brief for the latest two units on the development included...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Contrasting views on design for accessibility.
April 21, 2005... Effective visual contrast between surfaces is just one way of ensuring accessibility, in line with building regulations part M In May 2004 the Building Regulations part M came into force, and their requirements affect all aspects of...

COMMERCIAL & RETAIL INTERIORS: Blinding success.
April 21, 2005... Following on from the successful launch of the Shades of Nature range, Ballauff continues to address the increasing demand for pinoleum blinds in the UK. The company has been working on new stain effects to further enhance the fashion and...

COMMERCIAL & RETAIL INTERIORS: Easier to clean and incredibly durable.
April 21, 2005... Wall cladding from Altro has been used for the newly refurbished sports pavilion at Sevenoaks School in Kent. Altro Whiterock was chosen over ceramic tiles because its surface is much easier to clean and it is incredibly durable. The...

COMMERCIAL & RETAIL INTERIORS: No flames with these fabrics.
April 21, 2005... A new range of flame retardant fabrics for Roller and Roman blinds, Skylight and Sliding panel systems has been launched by Silent Gliss. The Technical Collection is showcased in a new binder containing over 30 fabric cards and featuring...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Hall floor now restored.
April 21, 2005... Rainleaf Flooring used Bonakemi abrasives and lacquers to restore the 250 square metres of prime grade oak strip floor at Girdlers' Hall in the City of London. Rainleaf sanded the floor using 60, 80, 100 and finally 120 grit abrasives to...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Aluminium ceilings.
April 21, 2005... Stunning new aluminium ceilings from Luxalon were specified by Allied Carpets for several rooms in its authentic French Chateau at the recent Ideal Home exhibition. Available in a range of widths, variation of style and an array of...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Sound management.
April 21, 2005... The StoSilent acoustic ceiling system by Sto has been installed in conference rooms and the atrium area above the 12th and 13th floors in the Swiss Re building at 30 St Mary Axe. In the conference rooms on the 10th, 11th and 12th floors of...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Partitioning systems in car showroom.
April 21, 2005... A range of partitioning systems from Neslo have been installed in the new Road Range Mercedes Benz and Smart car showroom in Liverpool. Solid Flushwall partitioning was used to create an interior focal point in the shape of a full height...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Floor for award winner.
April 21, 2005... The first ever project in the UK by US architect Frank Gehry and awarded Building of the Year in 2004, Maggie's Centre at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee features a solid Beech floor by Junckers. Some 120 sq m of 22mm solid Beech with a...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Bespoke renovation.
April 21, 2005... Innovative, bespoke partitioning has been created by Planet Partitioning for renovating the office headquarters of Aggregate Industries based in Coalville, Leicestershire. The historic farm buildings required a solution that respected...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Going up the wall.
April 21, 2005... Following the successful launch of its Floorstyl skirtings, nmc. has introduced Wallstyl, an impact-resistant range of dado rails. All Wallstyl profiles are supplied in a ready-painted, high quality finish and are resistant to damp and...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Taking control in the cleanroom.
April 21, 2005... A new cleanroom partitioning system is now available from Troax. Toledo modular partitioning has been designed to meet the air cleanliness requirements of a wide range of markets, including the electronics and semiconductor, pharmaceutical,...

FLOORING: It's planely superior.
April 21, 2005... A potential problem with a 700 sq m new concrete hangar floor at Staverton Airport was swiftly overcome by using materials from Advanced Construction Materials (ACM). An executive jet is housed in the hangar, and the pilot owner was...

FLOORING: A touch of texture.
April 21, 2005... A new range of `texture lacquered' Oak boards are now available from Tedd Todd, a division of hardwood flooring distributor Edwards Cheshire. The new texture lacquered finish is said to combine the durability of lacquer with the natural...

FLOORING: Shock-absorbing floor.
April 21, 2005... A new Active Floor has been introduced by Kahrs. Unlike a traditional sports floor, its resilient shock-absorbing properties are an integral part of its construction, and it can therefore be installed directly onto the subfloor without...

FLOORING: Flooring time at the zoo.
April 21, 2005... Flooring and cladding products from Altro have been specified for a newly-built cafe at Twycross Zoo in Warwickshire. The company's Altro Maxis flooring, which offers excellent slip resistance and is also easy to clean, has been installed...

FLOORING: Sent to the towers.
April 21, 2005... Solid oak flooring from Junckers has been installed in Saltwell Towers as part of the Heritage Lottery funded restoration of the gothic house by Gateshead Council. The house, which had fallen into disrepair, has been restored to provide a...

FLOORING: Sealing joints is made easy.
April 21, 2005... A new flexible joint sealant has been launched by Anglo Building Products. Flexi-Joint Fill is said to be ideal for filling and sealing expansion joints and concrete bay joints up to 25mm wide. The company's Flexi-Joint Rod can be used...

FLOORING: Watco brochure.
April 21, 2005... A new 24-page catalogue, offering advice on the prevention of slips and trips on floors, ramps and steps, is now available from Watco. The brochure contains more than 70 products to aid compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act and...

FLOORING: Luxury dining at College.
April 21, 2005... A brighter and cleaner environment has been created in the refurbished refectory and dining areas at Dumfries and Galloway College with help from Polyflor. Over 500 sq m of natural wood effect luxury vinyl tiles from the company's Expona...

FLOORING: Cool for carpet.
April 21, 2005... Introduced by Interface Europe, Cool Carpet is said to be the industry's first climate neutral carpet. The total greenhouse gas emissions associated with the manufacture of the carpet tiles are offset through the company's investment in a...

FLOORING: Perfect tile effect.
April 21, 2005... Said to offer discerning customers a distinct price advantage, the Pro- Click Tile range has been introduced by IDS. The range offers four mediterranean-inspired finishes of terracotta, marble and slate. The product is engineered to...

FLOORING: School cleans up its act.
April 21, 2005... Large areas of the Frontrunner entrance flooring system from Plastic Extruders have been installed in Lancing College on the South Downs, one of England's leading independent schools. Comprising a grid of pvc together with absorbent insets,...

FLOORING: Wood choice - clean or rustic.
April 21, 2005... A range of two strip wood floors has been launched by Kahrs. The new products - Paris, Verona and Barcelona - are available in both clean and rustic grades of Oak and Beech, and feature a multi-layered construction for enhanced stability...

FLOORING: Marley installation.
April 21, 2005... Products from Marley Floors have been specified many times for Leicester Royal Infirmary. The latest installation is the company's Eclipse PUR vinyl flooring which has been used for the refurbishment of the main reception. The...

FLOORING: Floorcoverings on board.
April 21, 2005... Floorcoverings from Tarkett have been installed in the new Lifeboat College built by the RNLI at Poole in Dorset. The purpose-built facility, which includes a dedicated sea survival centre, features the company's Monolit iQ vinyl and Titan...

FLOORING: Ronacrete brochure.
April 21, 2005... A new Industrial Safety Floor brochure from Ronacrete lists the various problems most commonly found within industrial premises and then suggests the most appropriate product solutions. The company's range of surface systems includes rapid...

FLOORING: New I-Clip.
April 21, 2005... The new Cullen I-Clip has been approved by Boise for use with its Simple Framing System, which is expected to speed up construction and ensure the integrity and safety of the build. Easy to install, the I-Clip has been developed to provide...

EDUCATION SECTOR REFURBISHMENT: Science of flooring.
April 21, 2005... When the London Borough of Tower Hamlets came to refurbish the science laboratories at Morpeth School in Bethnal Green, it chose Mannington's Assurance slip-retardant flooring. Some 800 sq m has been laid by C3 Flooring of London. ...

EDUCATION SECTOR REFURBISHMENT: Drama on screen.
April 21, 2005... Perforated screening panels by Gooding Aluminium are making an appearance at Steps Drama and Learning's offices in London. Suspended with mini-diameter cable and seemingly floating in mid-air GA's super lightweight perforated squeeze frame...