What's New in Building articles from December 2003

What's New in Building archives from December 2003

Green light given for floorcoverings.
December 22, 2003... In recognition of the environmental credentials of its iQ homogeneous vinyls, Tarkett has now become the first floorcovering manufacturer to be awarded Building Research Establishment (BRE) Certification for vinyl floorcovering. This...

Safe solution is also easier to clean.
December 22, 2003... Cleaning Maxis safety flooring has been proven to be easier than other safety flooring, because it incorporates the Altro Easyclean Maxis Technology. This could potentially save thousands of pounds in maintenance costs for education,...

Flooring is a winner for TV sports studio.
December 22, 2003... ITV production designer Paul Sudlow chose Marley Floors' X system for the Rugby World Cup studio. Having used the system several times already, Paul explains why it was the right choice once again. `The colour and large scale pattern...

Bath firm pulls the plug on BMF.
December 22, 2003... Leading merchant businesses continue to depart the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF), the latest being Twyford Bathrooms. The sanitaryware producer has resigned its associate membership, claiming the body is now less relevant to its...

Merger makes for strength.
December 22, 2003... Two door and hardware trade associations have joined forces to strengthen their influence. Between them, the Door and Shutter Manufacturers Association and the Association of Building Hardware Manufacturers represent 134 member companies,...

New name for board maker.
December 22, 2003... Following restructuring of its parent company Haniel, Fermacell has changed its name to Xella. Production and distribution of Fermacell products will essentially remain the same, though the brand will now come under the Xella Dry Lining...

Mayor showers praise.
December 22, 2003... Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Allan Irving Hillary, praised the success of Jacuzzi UK while opening its new shower factory in October. The new unit doubles the size of the original manufacturing facility. The company has 690 employees...

Marque of success.
December 22, 2003... Specialist contractor 4m flooring has won a top industry award for its installation of a high tech system at Bentley Motors. The award, made by FeFRA jointly to 4m and product manufacturer Flowcrete, reflects technical excellence,...

Fire extinguishers protocol.
December 22, 2003... Fire extinguishers are the focus of a joint protocol established by the Fire Extinguishing Trades Association (FETA), the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association and the Local Government Association. It recognises the part...

Thin joint guide.
December 22, 2003... Guidance on thin joint masonry is now available in a product guide from the Aircrete Bureau. This construction method can reduce build times, as well as increase productivity and improve thermal performance. Use of thin joint masonry...

Insulation scores.
December 22, 2003... The desision by Kingspan Insulation to switch to a zero ODP blowing agent for its Therma range of rigid urethane insulation has improved its BRE Ecopoints score by almost 40%. The BRE Life Cycle Assessment report also shows that Therma zero...

Hardware on technical CD.
December 22, 2003... Specifiers looking to select hinges, handles and locking mechanisms should get hold of a copy of Securistyle's technical CD-Rom. As Securistyle director Nigel Thompson says, `local authorities and housing associations have a duty to their...

Heat at your feet.
December 22, 2003... Comfort, low running costs, ease of use and durability are key benefits of Devi underfloor cable heating. The Deviheat system uses heating cabling for new build applications or where new flooring is being laid. For refurbishment projects...

Fans offer flexibility.
December 22, 2003... Able to fit into walls up to 553mm thick and offering a range of extract rates to suit the most demanding application, the Commercial series of fans from Manrose brings a high degree of flexibility. Designed for heavy duty public sector and...

Latest manual is hot off the press.
December 22, 2003... Contained in the latest edition of Vent Axia's heating manual is a wide choice of electrical heating products for domestic and commercial buildings, along with guidance on their application. New ranges featured include plinth heaters for...

Second seminar on flat roof advances.
December 22, 2003... Advances in flat roof waterproofing technology is the subject of a second RIBA approved CPD seminar from Index Building Products. Following a brief history of some of the more unusual uses bitumen has been put to in the past 2,000 years,...

Fire certificates.
December 22, 2003... For most door hardware on fire doors, CE marking is the easiest way to show compliance with UK law. Warrington Certification has awarded Allgood certificates for panic exit devices, hinges, door closers, floor springs and electromagnetic...

Pumped up windows.
December 22, 2003... Arched top windows have been supplied to a project in Ormskirk, Lancashire, by Radius Plastics. The Pump House is an ex-Water Board pumping station, now redeveloped into four apartments. As the property is listed, developers had to ensure...

Roof mounted chillers.
December 22, 2003... Two roof mounted Carrier chillers help maintain a constant temperature in the central apparatus room of ITN headquarters in London. This ensures the servers which process 95% of the news output of channels 3, 4 and 5 can continue to...

Makeover is a sign of the times.
December 22, 2003... The re-launch of financial services firm Abbey has included a creative approach to signage that reflects changes throughout the business. Brand experts Wolff Olins called in Principle Group to help create a transparent illuminated sign...

Compact heat for big Canadian cabin.
December 22, 2003... This 8,000sq ft two story log cabin has been shipped over specially from Canada and rebuilt on Hertfordshire farmland. A modular heating installation has been created using two ThermoCompact 628 system boilers from Vaillant. Compact...

Insulation goes underground.
December 22, 2003... Structural engineers and architects alike are discovering how Foamglas insulation can exceed building regulation demands on underground rafts and support structures. With its high compressive strength and non-combustible, water resistant...

Classic steel profile.
December 22, 2003... For the new build residential phase of the Bittoms in Kingston-upon- Thames, architects Noble Associates chose Crittall's classic W20 steel profile. It offers versatility and inherent strength to support all sizes of glass, allowing the...

Non-metallic conduits.
December 22, 2003... Electrical conduit manufacturer Kopex International offers Jumbo Flex, a range of large diameter non-metallic conduits with their own specific connectors. Designed to protect large numbers of cables, it is suitable for switch rooms. ...

Quick cure.
December 22, 2003... Fast curing Stopgap Accelerator liquid additive cuts cure time of Styccobond F76 one- and F75 two-coat waterproof membranes, states F. Ball. Using the accelerator cuts cure times from 18-24 hours to just three hours, bringing clear...

Electric stove options.
December 22, 2003... As an addition to its solid fuel and gas fired models, Broseley recently launched a range of electric stoves, including the Canterbury, York Midi and York Grande. These cast iron units show traditional detailed features, combining classic...

Rosewood finish joins the elite.
December 22, 2003... For an authentic wood appearance, HW Plastics has added a rosewood finish to its Elite 70 system. The five chamber design increases thermal performance and reduces cold bridging. Curved detailing enables ease of fabrication while...

Power and style for bathroom.
December 22, 2003... Power and style for the quality bathroom market are the hallmarks of the Axis thermostatic shower by Aqualisa. The Axis valve has a one-piece body which makes it easier to fit with no potential for leaks at the base of the valve body. ...

Lights beat corrosion.
December 22, 2003... Latest addition to Aico's Aspect collection is the Fumagalli range of exterior lighting products. Made of tough polymer, they overcome problems of peeling, discolouring and rust associated with metal products. Copyright: CMP...

Safety hits the roof.
December 22, 2003... To protect workers where there is no edge guardrailing on a roof, Kee Klamp has developed the modular Kee Anchor system. It allows safe access to a flat roof without damaging the membrane and can be easilt carried into position and...

High tech decor.
December 22, 2003... Sadev's Decor system of engineered stainless steel components is being distributed in the UK by Prefit. Decor components connect glass in various ways, such as constructing glass sliding and hinged doors, glass screens, glass balustrades...

Mayfair louvre affair.
December 22, 2003... Alloy louvre panels from Gooding Aluminium have been used in the refurbishment of a private property in London's Mayfair. GA's bespoke fabrication service produced the panels which were built into original brickwork to ventilate and protect...

Performance and safety.
December 22, 2003... Aesthetics, performance and safety are all top priorities with the IP24 CLI Euro Panel range of radiators from Bush Nelson. Available in 500, 1,000, 1,500 and 2,000W output, the heater suits houses, offices, shops, hotels, bars and...

Multi fuel stoves.
December 22, 2003... Multi fuel stoves from HWAM are said to always receive the exact amount of air to ensure optimum combustion, no matter what the temperature. The company's wide range of ultra-contemporary and classic style stoves offers the benefits of...

New louvres.
December 22, 2003... The Coanda Effect, discovered in 1930 by the Romanian aerodynamicist of the same name, has been incorporated by engineers into the louvre design of the latest Toshiba ceiling cassette in the energy-saving Digital Inverter Split System. ...

Safety in the smallest room.
December 22, 2003... Bathroom accessories in the System 01 range from Emco bring not only style but also the assurance of safety to the bathroom. All items are designed with safety features and soft, curved shapes with no angled edges. A selection of grab rails...

Teed off? Add a little variety.
December 22, 2003... With the introduction of variable tees, Unipipe says its flexible plumbing technology is even more versatile. Supplied ready assembled and ready ot fit, the tees offer 300 connection and distribution options, making pipe routing and size...

Top notch floors.
December 22, 2003... In commercial or domestic applications, glueless toploc laminate flooring from Osmo is easy to install. Its horizontal self aligning fitting mechanism and simple end face latching allow it to fit around obstacles such as door frames and...

Fan range offers versatile ventilation.
December 22, 2003... Available for immediate despatch, the range of mini fans from Helios can be used to ventilate any small room. Included in the range is the HelioVent - slightly larger in design to suit mid-size domestic, commercial and industrial needs. ...

Save space with bath and shower in one.
December 22, 2003... To make the most of space in the bathroom, Kaldewei offers a range of shower baths. Designed with a built in flat surface area, they provide safe standing for showering as a comfortable bath tub. The five designs offer varying shapes...

Valley Truss Clip.
December 22, 2003... Introduced by Simpson Strong-Tie, the VTC2 Valley Truss Clip is said to speed and simplify the connection of valley trusses, eliminating the need to produce support wedges or shape the bottom chord. Simple to use, the new clip enables...

New product gets stuck into jobs quickly.
December 22, 2003... The Webbseal range of sealants and adhesives from Alfas has been extended by the launch of Webbgrip Rapide, a high-grade panel adhesive with rapid setting properties. The fast acting bond develops instantly, making the product suitable for...

Latest words of wisdom on external glazing of balustrades.
December 22, 2003... The Millennium Bridge, Stratford Station and Manchester Plaza are just some of the high profile projects which have used Arobokol 682 Balustrade sealant from Adshead Ratcliffe externally. The company has published a new technical data sheet...

Halfen leaflet.
December 22, 2003... Now available from Halfen is a four-page leaflet providing all the information required to specify and order the company's SPA Sandwich Panel Anchor System. Designed to support the outer skin of panels without interrupting the insulation,...

New supply source for cold formed fastenings.
December 22, 2003... Following the acquisition of Unibolt, Gesipa Blind Riveting Systems can now supply cold formed components, special fastenings and finished headed parts with additional rolled, turned, milled and drilled features. The supply of cold formed...

Reliable solutions to masonry failure.
December 22, 2003... On display recently at the Scotbuild exhibition, the well proven Helibeam masonry repair and reinforcement systems from Helifix continue to restore integrity to all types of buildings and structures and are also able to significantly increase...

Tight schedule is no problem.
December 22, 2003... The Twin-Therm roofing and cladding system from CA Building Products has risen to the challenge of completing the building envelope of a 15,500 sq m warehouse and distribution centre in Daventry in just 55 days. In fact the lightweight...

Vapour permeable roofing.
December 22, 2003... Bass Tavern's new Toby Carvery Restaurant in Eastbourne, East Sussex, is the latest in the nationwide chain of Bass outlets to feature Permo Forte, a vapour permeable roofing membrane from Klober. The new construction involved the...

Latest product for slippery customers.
December 22, 2003... The roofing range from Watco has been expanded by the introduction of Roofsafe, a flexible and waterproof slip resistant surface for roofs. Just one coat of the product is said to seal and weatherproof most surfaces, and provides a tough,...

Tiles to rescue.
December 22, 2003... Roofing tiles from Daniel Platt recently came to the rescue of a Grade II listed building in the New Forest. A roofing contractor commenced repair work on Castle Malwood Lodge, which has been converted to luxury flats, by stripping the...

Conical roof.
December 22, 2003... The membrane on the roof of the new visitor centre of the Cherrybank Visitor Centre in Perth was supplied by Alkor Draka. Covering the 545 sq m main building of the complex, which has been gifted to Scotland's Garden Trust, is a conical...

Fibre cement sheeting manages to please everybody.
December 22, 2003... Fibre cement sheeting from Eternit has met the requirements of both the highways department and the planning department of Hertfordshire County Council. The highways department required new depots to store road salt and maintenance...

High specification underlay.
December 22, 2003... A high specification vapour permeable underlay, Roofshield has been supplied by Proctor for a new dwelling for the daughter of the owner of Burton Roofing Supplies. The new house has been built using a warm roof construction with Actis...

Advanced system for apartments.
December 22, 2003... The Evalon single ply roofing system from Alwitra has been specified as the most advanced waterproofing single ply system available for a prestigious new apartment development in Burton on Trent. The barrel vaulted roof includes Alwitra's...

Flush fit ventilators are souls of discretion.
December 22, 2003... A new range of long-lasting flush fitting ventilators has been launched by Hambleside Danelaw. Claimed to blend in seamlessly with most major tile profiles for an uninterrupted, profusion-free roofscape, the extensive range is equally...

Full marks for school roof tiles.
December 22, 2003... Meeting requirements for a roof that would look good, require minimal maintenance for 25 years, be resilient against the elements and also meet a limited budget, BritLock from Sandtoft Roof Tiles was specified for Balfron High School in...

Bed and board in Bournemouth.
December 22, 2003... Rigid urethane roof insulation boards from Tremco were recently specified for Bournemouth Central Station. When Tremco Tremtherm 27 boards are specified in conjunction with the tremco Hi-Therm waterproofing system, each specification is...

Single ply roofing is on course.
December 22, 2003... Single ply membrane roofing from Flag has been used on the former Royal Ascot Hotel, recently redeveloped as the Grand Regency Height apartments. The Flagon SFc fleece-backed pvc membrane, with standing seam profile to simulate traditional...

CAD drawings have roofing covered.
December 22, 2003... Hundreds of CAD drawings for designing with KAMI tile-effect lightweight metal roofing from the Redland range of Lafarge Roofing are now available on the company's website. The CAD drawings cover all angles of pitch with KAMI and all the...

Clear view of action.
December 22, 2003... Creating an ideal playing and viewing environment and promoting premium turf growth, the installation of Brett Martin Daylight System's Marlon CS Longlife corrugated polycarbonate sheet is ensuring optimum natural daylight onto the pitch at...

Foiled again.
December 22, 2003... A wide range of low-maintenance cellular pvc-u roofline and cladding products offering considerable design choice for both new build and refurbishment projects is available from Swish Building Products. In addition to a comprehensive range...

Up the wall and on to the roof.
December 22, 2003... The versatile Comar 6 aluminium curtain walling system from Parkside Group is equally at home on the roof. Comprising a fully integrated suite of aluminium profiles, components and accessories, Comar 6 can be used to create pyramids,...

Flat Roof User Guide.
December 22, 2003... Latest edition of the Flat Roof User Guide is now available from Kingspan Insulation. It provides information on the selection of Therma zero ODP CFC/HCFC-free rigid urethane systems, rigid Kooltherm rigid phenolic products and Styrozone rigid...

Vehicle access for upmarket car manufacturing facility.
December 22, 2003... Forty eight industrial doors from Hormann have been specified for the brand new manufacturing facility for Aston Martin's recently launched DB9. The doors fulfill a number of roles around the facility and comprise a variety of internal and...

Special and standard lintels.
December 22, 2003... Special and standard lintels have been supplied by IG for 181 new homes for the The Army School of Aviation at Middle Wallop Air Base, Hampshire. Some 750 special natural arch lintels were supplied to enable gently curving soldiers of...

Company supplies its own windows.
December 22, 2003... A long time member of the Steel Window Association (SWA), Steel Window Supplies and Services has demonstrated complete confidence in its W20 units by using them to replace the failing timber frames in its own recently acquired premises as part...

Emergency exit with traditional appearance.
December 22, 2003... Launched by Ambass-A-Door, the Surlingham Mock Sliding Sash timber window has been designed specifically as an emergency exit in the event of fire yet retains the visual appeal of a traditional sliding sash. The new unit features a top sash...

Floor to ceiling glazing.
December 22, 2003... Windows, doors and conservatories using the 60mm REHAU Tritec system have been installed in a new development of luxury apartments in Dowahill, Glasgow. The 16 apartments, each of which are more than 2000 sq ft in floor area. feature floor...

Action replay at Wimbledon.
December 22, 2003... Contemporary design doorsets from Longden have been installed in two new homes in Wimbledon. The solid timber doors supplied for the first house proved such a hit with the developer that similar doorsets have been used for the #3 million...

Two teams are winners at major leisure centre.
December 22, 2003... Two member companies of the HansenGroup were awarded contracts to supply specialist glazing systems during the construction of The Gate leisure complex in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. PollardsFyrespan designed, manufactured and installed seven sets...

Three new designs.
December 22, 2003... Three new designs have been added by Jeld-Wen to its range of internal moulded panel doors: Cambridge simulates the simplicity of the Shaker design; Arlington has a traditional six-panel design and Santa Fe offers a modern twist on traditional...

Shootbolt raises profile of windows.
December 22, 2003... The MT Shootbolt is now being manufactured by Millenco specifically for use with Marshall-Tufflex's Strata, a slimline window profile with low sightline gaskets. The Shootbolt's telescopic design allows quick face-fitting straight to the...

Windows blend naturally.
December 22, 2003... Large curved Sheerframe 7000 windows from LB Plastics have been installed in the cloisters at St Mary's RC First School in Hexham, Northumberland, replacing the existing 1950s timber windows. Installed by local fabricator Regency Windows...

One-stop solution for an extension.
December 22, 2003... A wide range of products from Crawford Amber have provided a `one-stop' solution for an extension to the production facilities of a ceramic tableware manufacturer. The contract included a Day/Night package for vehicle access, comprising a...

Refurbishment includes top of the range showers.
December 22, 2003... The refurbishment of 70 en-suite bathrooms at the luxurious Spa Hotel in Kent has included the installation of top of the range Aquavalve 700 thermostatic showers from Aqualisa. The Spa Hotel, which has used Aqualisa products for many...

Expanding Victorian tradition in the bathroom.
December 22, 2003... Two additional tap designs have been introduced by Swadling Brassware to expand the company's classic Victorian range of thermostatic showers. The top of the range Invincible collection, offering a traditional look for the whole bathroom,...

Magnificent seven protect kitchen walls.
December 22, 2003... A set of seven laminate splashback options has been introduced by Orama to complement its new Ardesco range of worksurfaces. Measuring 3000 x 600mm, the splashbacks are available in gloss or brushed aluminium finishes and designs. ...

Most minimal shower.
December 22, 2003... The most minimal, least framed watertight shower units is the aim of DR Services. The company's new shower enclosures feature stainless steel, single action hinges with a 10 year guarantee; double action hinges with a one to three year...

New Mixer Valve.
December 22, 2003... Launched by Galaxy Showers, the new Galaxy Nova Thermostatic Mixer Valve is said to combine impressive performance with distinctive, contemporary styling and outstanding quality of engineering. Among the Nova's features are separate,...

Shower leaks are thing of the past.
December 22, 2003... Claimed to offer a real solution to leaking showers in the home, Douglas James is now supplying its unique one piece shower modules to Persimmon Homes, David Wilson Homes, Wilson Connolly Homes, Redrow, and the Government among others. ...

Flexible plan for Edinburgh office block refurbishment.
December 22, 2003... Structural waterproofing membrane from Alumasc was specified for the refurbishment of Dundas House in Edinburgh city centre, which is occupied by financial group Standard Life. The roof's existing waterproofing membrane was stripped down...

High performance elastomeric coating.
December 22, 2003... New from Delvemade, HPG high performance neoprene/hypolon based elastomeric coating has been used to refurbish the steel valley gutters at the Peaks Leisure Centre for Tamworth Borough Council. The product has been developed to complement...

New windows for classic 1930s building.
December 22, 2003... Originally built in 1937, the buildings of The Lady Eleanor Holles School in Hampton, Middlesex, have benefitted from a fenestration refurbishment using Sapa Building Systems' new product range, Dualframe. Around 90 of the existing ageing...

Great performance in the bullring.
December 22, 2003... Over 100,000 sq m of concrete blocks have been supplied by Tarmac Topblock for the three-phase #500 million refurbishment of the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham. Lightweight aggregate Hemelite blocks, which weigh less than 20kg per...