What's New in Building articles from July 2006

What's New in Building archives from July 2006

Kingspan launches own brand XL200 pre-coated steel.
July 20, 2006... The latest product launch from Kingspan Insulated Panels continues the company's ethos of providing a wide choice of products with guaranteed performance Customer service is at the very heart of Kingspan's business philosophy, and an...

Off-site construction is safer.
July 20, 2006... Research carried out by Portakabin subsidiary, Yorkon, has shown that its approach to off-site construction is significantly safer than traditional site-based building methods. Analysis of Yorkon's health and safety record over the past...

Big screen success.
July 20, 2006... Douglas Wallace Architects, Designers and Project Managers has won two Irish Architecture Awards 2006 for the design of the EYE Cinema in Galway, which was developed by Galway-based development company Edward Holdings. The Eye Cinema...

GET this.
July 20, 2006... Cooper Menvier has acquired, from inventor Howard Stapleton's company, Compound Security, the marketing and manufacturing rights to The Mosquito crowd dispersal system. The Mosquito is said to generate a high frequency sound audible only to...

Kawneer presentation.
July 20, 2006... Hard on the heels of its sustainable windows CPD, Kawneer has launched another presentation with full RIBA approval. The new CPD specifically covers the new Part L regulations and the impact they have on glazed aluminium facades, and aims to...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Safety first.
July 20, 2006... Nearly 500 construction businesses and organisations have been presented with RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards; the high level of wins in the construction class has demonstrated the advances being made to protect workers and to...

NEWS IN BRIEF: New UK factory.
July 20, 2006... SAS International, a world leader in the design and manufacture of suspended metal ceiling systems, partitioning, architectural metalwork and room comfort products, is to invest #8 million in building a new dedicated factory situated on the...

Report reveals need for new recruits.
July 20, 2006... The Construction Skills Network report 2006, published by ConstructionSkills, forecasts that 348,000 more employees will be needed for the construction industry by 2010 to meet expected demand - an average of 87,000 new recruits per year. ...

NEWS IN BRIEF: A lighter read.
July 20, 2006... The new Lighting for Education brochure released by Luxo contains essential information for anyone involved in the specification of lighting for schools, colleges and universities. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Hard act to beat.
July 20, 2006... Hard landscaping specialist Charcon has opened a new state-of-the-art block paving plant in Ahington to serve the growing demand for high quality landscaping products in the north of England and Scotland. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Child-friendly.
July 20, 2006... A new Heraklith Herakustik ceilings brochure now available from UK distributors Skanda explains how Herakustik ceiling and wall panels can create child-friendly, easier learning school interiors. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Fifth guide.
July 20, 2006... The Association of Interior Specialists has produced a new Site for Wallcoverings, the fifth in its series of good practice guides for the commercial interiors sector. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

DOMESTIC INTERIORS: Doing the Continental.
July 20, 2006... Henk Tuijtelaars of Keller Kitchens provides an update on the latest kitchen trends across Europe... Due to the slowdown in housebuilding across Europe sales of kitchens to the developer sector are down. Even so, the quality of kitchens is...

RETAIL INTERIORS: Queue management at the design stage.
July 20, 2006... A queue management system that has been implemented at design stage will always enhance the appearance of an interior Unfortunately, queue management is too often an afterthought for architects and designers However, according to leading...

RETAIL & DOMESTIC INTERIORS: Getting a handle on colour.
July 20, 2006... A new range of coloured leather has been added to the range of leather hardware available from Turnstyle Designs. Door handles, cabinet handles, bathroom fittings and all other items can now be specified in colours such as Library Green,...

RETAIL & DOMESTIC INTERIORS: Oil fired boilers for new development.
July 20, 2006... Oil fired system boilers from Trianco have been specified for Waters Edge, a new development of 24 luxury waterside homes near Wansford in Cambridgeshire. Impressed by Trianco's guarantees and service back up, the contractor installed the...

RETAIL & DOMESTIC INTERIORS: So thoroughly modern.
July 20, 2006... A new range of modern fibrous plaster tube mouldings has been launched by Revival Decorative Mouldings. Aiming to bring fibrous plaster into the 21st century, the new mouldings reflect current architectural and design trends. The range...

RETAIL & DOMESTIC INTERIORS: Click-fix means fast installation.
July 20, 2006... Developed by Armitage Venesta, IPS Evolve is a metal-framed, pre- plumbed system that offers fast installation through a unique click-fix mechanism. Units are bespoke manufactured and delivered to site with sanitaryware, brassware, wastes,...

RETAIL & DOMESTIC INTERIORS: Waterproof wall panels.
July 20, 2006... The Mermaid range of waterproof wall panels from Norske Interiors has been extended by the introduction of new Lava Stone. Part of the calming Coastal collection, Lava Stone has a sophisticated smooth matt texture that reflects the natural...

RETAIL & DOMESTIC INTERIORS: Bug battling emulsion.
July 20, 2006... Sheltered Housing Schemes run by Bethnal Green and Victoria Park Housing Association have benefited from a two-pronged attack against worn decoration and infection control with the application of Dulux Trade Sterishield. A new washable...

RETAIL & DOMESTIC INTERIORS: Extensive range of retail lighting.
July 20, 2006... Offered by Ansell Lighting is an extensive range of retail lighting products that have been designed to provide cost effective and energy efficient solutions. Featuring metal halide fittings, compact fluorescent and low voltage solutions,...

RETAIL & DOMESTIC INTERIORS: Alarmed homeowners.
July 20, 2006... Concerned homeowners in a modern West Lothian development have replaced ineffective smoke alarms in their properties with Slick models from Kidde Fyrnetics. Tests of smoke alarms originally fitted during construction only five years ago...

RETAIL & DOMESTIC INTERIORS: Wall Protection Systems catalogue.
July 20, 2006... A new catalogue featuring Wall Protection Systems has been published by Gradus. The new catalogue is said to offer specifiers and contractors a single point of reference for all wall protection requirements, from product specification...

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS: Worktop Top 10.
July 20, 2006... Stonell Direct reveals the 10 most frequently asked questions about worktops, and supplies the answers... 1. Can natural stone be used as a kitchen work surface? Yes, you cannot beat the clean lines and purity of a natural stone...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: It's hip to be square edged.
July 20, 2006... A new range of worksurfaces is available from Ormerod for the Colonial and eco kitchen ranges. The new worktops include Square Edge worktops in a wider range of colourways, reflecting the European trend for fresh and contemporary kitchen...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: New thermostatic shower panel.
July 20, 2006... Now available from Douglas Controls is a new thermostatic shower panel which is designed to offer simple `second fix' installation. Full thermostatic temperature control and `water saving' time flow operations are also available. Combining...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: Advance in bathroom TVs.
July 20, 2006... LCD TVs installed in Over The Basin mirrors are now available from MIRRORMEDIA. They are offered in four screen sizes - 6.4, 10.4, 20 and 26 in, and all are HD ready. The new 10.4in OTB screen enjoyed huge success when it was unveiled at...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: Help with Regs is at hand.
July 20, 2006... In addition to supplying good looking yet robust washrooms, Armitage Venesta can also help with Building Regs advice. The company can advise on BS 6465: part 1:1994 - the regulation that covers minimum requirements for the number of WCs,...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: Room with a choice of view.
July 20, 2006... Four bathroom windows in a listed farmhouse have had Priva-Lite installed by DR Services. The installation has eliminated the need for curtains as the glazing can be switched from clear to opaque. The system is made up of 5mm outer...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: Make a design statement.
July 20, 2006... As part of a continuous programme of research and product development, Axiom by Formica has introduced two new laminate textures. Honed and Etchings textures have been developed to emulate the look and feel of brushed stone and granite...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: New UK distribution centre.
July 20, 2006... Formed in 1988, Mayfair Brassware manufactures an extensive range of products and is now actively ensuring its name and products are marketed to a wider audience. The company offers six ranges which bring a total of more than 50 designs to...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: Steamist glass shower.
July 20, 2006... Launched by Steamist is a strikingly styled modern shower module entirely walled in glass. The facilities include the choice between steam heat and varied showering options; a large roof-mounted shower head; another fixed shower head just...

BATHROOMS: Natural harmony.
July 20, 2006... Launched at the Milan Furniture Fair, Axor's latest designer collection offers a sopisticated way to get back to nature French designer Jean-Marie Massaud has worked with Hansgrohe designer brand Axor to create the Axor Massaud collection....

HEATING & VENTILATING: Benefits of a split decision.
July 20, 2006... Today's split systems might look similar to those of 20 years ago, but enormous improvements in the underlying technology provide more reliable, responsive and energy efficient comfort control Unitary split air conditioning systems have...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Don't forget the boiler!
July 20, 2006... Peter Ferguson, managing director of Trianco, fills the gap in underfloor heating promotion Despite the ever-growing promotion of wet-system underfloor heating, boilers are never mentioned. The main reason is simple: virtually any boiler...

HEATING & VENTILATION: Underfloor central heating for timber.
July 20, 2006... The cost of the new Devicell system has been reduced by DEVI following a higher than expected level of sales and new technology. Devicell dry is the quick and easy to install concept in electric underfloor central heating for timber which...

HEATING & VENTILATION: Easy installation for underfloor.
July 20, 2006... Introduced by JG Speedfit is an Underfloor Heating Room Pack which is said to provide the easy way to install underfloor heating in a conservatory or room extension. The pack contains the existing Speedfit Single Room Control Unit, a...

HEATING & VENTILATION: ClearSkies approval granted.
July 20, 2006... The new range of ECO cylinders from Albion has been granted ClearSkies approval, meaning that installations can be grant-supported to assist in the drive towards greener energy usage in the UK. Open vented copper cylinders are said to be...

HEATING & VENTILATION: Competitive edge maintained.
July 20, 2006... Noted for its swimming prowess, Claire's Court School in Maidenhead is now able to use its outdoor swimming pool all year round thanks to the installation of a gas-fired LSD350 unit heater from Nordair Niche. The perspex roof was removed...

HEATING & VENTILATION: Taking control without wiring.
July 20, 2006... Introduced by Ubbink is a new three speed wireless control unit to accompany its whole house heat recovery units and central extract units. The slimline switch can be attached to any internal wall by screwing or glueing in place, without...

HEATING & VENTILATION: Join the new fan club.
July 20, 2006... Complementing its high performance, pre-sealed LindabSafe air duct system, Lindab has launched a comprehensive range of ventilation fans. The collection is said to cover all possible fan requirements for ducted ventilation systems, plus...

SUSTAINABILITY: Exploiting thermal mass provides cool solution.
July 20, 2006... Geoff Russell-Smith, general manager for Tarmac's TermoDeck business, discusses the sustainable future of heating, cooling and ventilation and looks at the latest construction project to realise the virtues of exploiting thermal mass ...

SUSTAINABILITY & ENVIRONMENTAL: Eco-friendly hygiene range.
July 20, 2006... Suitable for all bathrooms and washrooms, the EcoGreen range of hygiene products from Vortice is designed to be eco-friendly, as all the materials used in production can be recycled according to RoHS and WEEE Standards. With both manual...

SUSTAINABILITY & ENVIRONMENTAL: No entry for pollution.
July 20, 2006... A new concrete paving system designed to prevent soil and water pollution in high risk areas has been introduced by Charcon. Impermeable in accordance with BRL 2316, the new Secusys product is a hexagonal concrete element offering an...

SUSTAINABILITY & ENVIRONMENTAL: New innovation on display.
July 20, 2006... Revolutionary fuel cell battery charger technology from Voller Energy Group, the leading commercial developer and manufacturer of portable fuel cell systems, has been chosen by the Building Centre Trust to be displayed at the Trust's 75th...

SUSTAINABILITY & ENVIRONMENTAL: Looking to the future.
July 20, 2006... Celebrating its 45th birthday, Portakabin is not resting on its laurels but is looking to the future. The company is already manufacturing buildings, such as the Ultima building system, which has been specifically designed to improve...

SUSTAINABILITY & ENVIRONMENTAL: Fully-sustainable heating system.
July 20, 2006... An air mixing duct from Reznor has been installed as part of a fully- sustainable heating system in The Edmund Rack Pavilion at the Royal Bath and West Showground in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. The Pavilion has been equipped with air handling...

FLOORING: Flooring solution for new store.
July 20, 2006... Specialist flooring contractor Peter Evans Flooring of Barry, South Glamorgan has provided the flooring solution for a new store on behalf of outdoor clothing retailer, Cotswold Outdoor. Working in conjunction with MMC Shopfitters, Peter...

FLOORING: Carpet tiles create positive ambience.
July 20, 2006... Carpet tiles from interface have been used by interior designer Jocelyn Evelegh for the new UK offices of Marriott Hotels International. Wishing to create a positive ambience in the office areas, she specified interface carpets which...

FLOORING: New natural generation.
July 20, 2006... Launched by Dalsouple is DalNaturel, the new generation natural rubber floorcovering. Manufactured to the same exacting performance standards as Dalsouple's synthetic products, and available in virtually all the colours and textures in the...

FLOORING: Getting stuck into market.
July 20, 2006... Launched by Tremco, Treadfast 5000 AT is a new high performance flooring adhesive derived from advanced polymer technology that can be used to bond a range of rubber and pvc flooring, coving and skirting. It offers heat, chemical and water...

FLOORING: Vibrant colours extend range.
July 20, 2006... Said to be one of the UK's most popular ranges of homogenous flooring, Mipolam Esprit 500 from Gerflor has been relaunched in a range of 24 vibrant colours all protected by the unique PUR Protect treatment. Designed to last for the entire...

FLOORING: Advice for hi-tech college.
July 20, 2006... A high performance damp proof membrane and other flooring products from Tremco have been used in the construction of the hi-tech Stephenson College in Coalville, Leicestershire. Pick Everard, the design consultancy leading the project., has...

FLOORING: Never too late for an entrance.
July 20, 2006... A new solution for retrofitting high performance entrance matting is available from Plastic Extruders. New buildings often have no provision for entrance matting, leaving the installation to the new occupants, and in existing buildings...

FLOORING: Entrance flooring goes east.
July 20, 2006... The Frontrunner Entrance Flooring System from Plastic Extruders has been installed in Akropolis, the largest shopping centre in Lithuania. Entrances have been protected with combinations of Frontrunner Brush and Frontrunner open grid vinyl,...

FLOORING: Defensive role for floors.
July 20, 2006... Floors from Junckers feature throughout Welbeck, the new Defence Sixth Form College at Loughborough, which is the UK's first college to operate entirely through a PFI. In the canteen, servery, assembly hall and student bar, hardwearing...

ROOFING: Designed to blend in.
July 20, 2006... Launched by Sola Skylights, the Heritage Sky Lightport offers the same natural light and ventilation as the company's Sky Lightport unit, but has a traditional looking roof window that makes it ideal for projects where it needs to blend in with...

ROOFING: Not just suitable for livestock.
July 20, 2006... Normally used on livestock buildings to prevent the build-up of condensation, Anthracite-coloured Farmscape sheeting from Marley Eternit has been specified as part of the conversion of an award- winning dairy barn in an outstanding area of...

ROOFING: Get a machine to do it.
July 20, 2006... Already being widely used on the European Continent, an application machine capable of waterproofing an impressive 1000 sq m per day has been developed by cold liquid roofing specialist Kemper System. The machine world on a simple...

ROOFING: Appearing at popular cinema.
July 20, 2006... An existing built-up felt roofing system on the popular Odeon Cinema in Huddersfield has been upgraded and overlaid using the Tremco LWS system. Specified by the cinema group's own property maintenance department and installed by...

ROOFING: Conversion for largest school.
July 20, 2006... The largest school in England, Great Barr School in Birmingham has received a makeover featuring an Ash & Lacy Ashjack propped rafter over- roof conversion system. The school has installed a new roof over the existing flat roof which had...

SECURITY & FIRE PROTECTION: Switching off vandalism.
July 20, 2006... Launched by Videx Security, the vandal resistant TBS Touch Sensitive Switch is an entirely electronic and ergonomically designed access control device which can either function as an independent manually- controlled push button (push to exit...

SECURITY & FIRE PROTECTION: Booklet has all the answers.
July 20, 2006... A useful Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) booklet issued by Aico covers the company's extensive Firecap range of fire and sound protection covers, fire protection sleeves for electrical services and vapour and thermal seals for loft voids. ...

SECURITY & FIRE PROTECTION: Cost-effective solution.
July 20, 2006... Part of the Security Plus range from Nico, the Nico MultiLock locking system is said to offer a cost-effective, simple way to meet the requirements of BS 7950, at little more than the cost of a standard espagnolette bolt. Ideal for new...

SECURITY & FIRE PROTECTION: Automation for domestic gates.
July 20, 2006... Powerful and rugged 413LS electro-mechanical swing gate operators from FAAC have provided a compact automation solution for a pair of 200kg hardwood domestic gates near Chelmsford in Essex. The operators are part of FAAC's 413 and 415...

SECURITY & FIRE PROTECTION: Heavy duty for high density.
July 20, 2006... Introduced by Abloy Security, the DA361 heavy duty door operator has been specially designed for use in high density pedestrian traffic areas, including hospitals, airports, hotels, shopping centres and all public buildings. The operator...

STOP PRESS: Handbook has the answers.
July 20, 2006... A new 16 page, full colour handbook on thermal bridging solutions for concrete and steel construction is now available from Schock, a market leader in the manufacture and development of thermal break elements. The publication explains the...

STOP PRESS: Flooring panels show true grit.
July 20, 2006... A new anti-slip gritted surface has been developed by Fibreglass Grating for its range of Fibreglass Grating Flooring Panels. Angular quartz grit is now embedded into the top surface during the manufacturing process, resulting in an...

STOP PRESS: For use with high ceilings.
July 20, 2006... An innovative new lighting system for use with high ceilings has been introduced to the UK by Light Projects Group. Manufactured by innovative Australian lighting company Intralux, Frame T5 is designed to improve the uniformity of light...

STOP PRESS: Cladding for futuristic apartments.
July 20, 2006... Cladding from Marley Eternit has been used externally and internally to transform a former NCP car park into the award-winning The Lock Building futuristic apartments set on the banks of a canal in Manchester City Centre. Lamina External...

STOP PRESS: Everything in its place.
July 20, 2006... A quicker and more convenient alternative to pinned down battens, new Barrier Foam from F Ball is designed to prevent the flow of smoothing underlayments into unwanted areas such as doorways. It can also be used to form day joints on...

STOP PRESS: Chance to have the last word.
July 20, 2006... A new low cost portable `DIY' Graffiti Removal Kit has been introduced by GraffitiHotline, a division of Proud Industrial. The kit contains chemicals to safely remove small-scale spray paint or marker pen graffiti from non-porous surfaces...

STOP PRESS: Becoming part of the A team.
July 20, 2006... An upgrade of the Eurostar Premier Eurotrader floor-standing oil boiler from Trianco to SEDBUK Band A efficiency rating is said to be exceptionally cost-effective for versions which can be sited in garages or boiler-houses rather than kitchens....

STOP PRESS: The long and the short of it.
July 20, 2006... New compact LindabSafe reducers from Lindab means that a step down in length doesn't mean a step down in performance, says the company. The new RCU and RCFU male-male and female-male reducers are the latest addition to the LindabSafe...

STOP PRESS: Functional and hi-tech.
July 20, 2006... A functional and hi-tech interior has been created for supermarket giant Morrisons head office building in Bradford with a range of partitioning solutions from Planet Partitioning . The company utilised a mixture of solid and glazed...

STOP PRESS: Block booking at hospital.
July 20, 2006... Edenhall Architectural Masonry blocks have been supplied by Cemex for a new extension to the Borders General Hospital NHS Trust in Melrose. The company previously supplied the same masonry blocks in the 1980s for the construction of the...

STOP PRESS: Lead-free glass lamps.
July 20, 2006... To complete the migration to RoHS compliant production, Megaman has also adopted lead-free glass lamps and mercury levels of less than 3mg. The RoHS directive states that as from July 2006, new electrical and electronic equipment must not...

STOP PRESS: Earth Day Exhibition.
July 20, 2006... The US embassy chose Keston Boilers to exhibit at its Earth Day Exhibition recently because of the company's commitment to manufacturing high efficiency, environmentally friendly boilers. Keston has already completed installations at a number...

STOP PRESS: Over 500 colours.
July 20, 2006... Updated to reflect the latest trends, the Dulux Trade Weathershield Exterior Colour Range now features over 500 colours which have been developed to aid the correct specification of exterior colours that will look better for longer. ...

STOP PRESS: Warm welcome at college.
July 20, 2006... Receptionists at St John Rigby College in Wigan have given a warm welcome to their new state-of-the-art entrance, featuring bespoke door control products from GEZE which help to maintain the temperature in the front and rear lobbies. The...

STOP PRESS: Simple yet reliable.
July 20, 2006... A new Mini Silt Trap especially designed for use with Polystorm Lite Modular Water Storage Units has been launched by Polypipe. A silt trap should always be recommended for soakaway and attenuation rainwater drainage systems, in line with...

STOP PRESS: New image raises profile.
July 20, 2006... In an effort to raise its brand profile in line with its market leading building materials, Grace Construction Products is repackaging all of its product lines. Grace, which manufactures and supplies construction waterproofing products and...

STOP PRESS: Move to larger premises.
July 20, 2006... In. line with industry growth, Osmo UK, the exclusive UK distributor of Osmo's premium quality wood finishes and flooring solutions, has moved to new premises and launched a training centre to help retailers maximise sales. The appeal of...