What's New in Building articles from June 2005

What's New in Building archives from June 2005

Roof tile offers traditional look with modern industrial benefits.
June 13, 2005... Kingspan's latest development is a lightweight pantile-effect panel system that contains an insulation core bonded to a metal liner sheet Kingspan's Roof Tile composite roofing product is the answer to many a designer's prayer - how to...

Steel key to bridge.
June 13, 2005... West Midlands-based Angle Ring Company has provided the key component in the construction of Gatwick airport's stunning 198m long passenger footbridge. At the heart of the sweeping 2000 tonne footbridge is the steel framework of its curved...

Roofing firm bags top award.
June 13, 2005... Celebrations were in order at single ply roofing systems supplier Sarnafil after the company won the Manufacturer of the Year title at the annual Building Awards on 26 April. The award was presented at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, in...

Handrail confusion cleared up.
June 13, 2005... Forthcoming changes to building regulation part M will address the differing guidance on handrail diameters between BS 8300 and Approved Document M. BS 8300 specifies 40-50mm, yet building regulation part M stipulates 40- 45mm. Intensive...

Fire safety upgrade.
June 13, 2005... Shooters Hill Campus has recently undergone modernisation. In a move to improve fire protection of the building Pilkington Pyrodur was utilised in the refurbishment. Nicholls and Clarke recommended the use of 100sq m of 10mm Pyrodur for...

Leisure haven accessible to all.
June 13, 2005... To help retailer TowSure meet the requirements of the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) and ensure all customers can reach the goods on display, Stannah Lifts has installed a vertical platform lift. TowSure in Southampton, is a...

Window offers low U-values.
June 13, 2005... With ever increasing demands for energy efficient building materials, Comar 5Pi Horizontal Sliding Window offers low U-values with an aesthetically pleasing finish. Comar 5P.i HSW has been developed for applications where an opening vent...

Cradles afford easy access.
June 13, 2005... Refurbishment of cladding to Tolworth Tower North is being carried out by Structura for Treasury Holdings as part of a #400,000 internal and external repair and modernisation programme. Structura overcame awkward access to the facade of the...

Pumping it up in Pompey.
June 13, 2005... As part of an installation project at Portsmouth's new Spinnaker Tower, Isocrete K-Screed was called upon to reach new heights. For this project, the screed, manufactured by Flowcrete, was pumped more than 100 metres vertically to reach the...

Pools go for stone.
June 13, 2005... Nine luxury London townhouses at the St James Homes development in Wycombe Square, Kensington have an indoor swimming pool. To line the bottom of each 8x4 metre pool, Burlington's Elterwater stone in a honed finish has been used. The...

Fast build and better quality.
June 13, 2005... Faster construction times and improved quality are two benefits offered by Skyline S 65 unitised facades from Schuco International. Already proven on major projects in Germany, the system brings the advantages of prefabrication to the...

Portugese men of wood.
June 13, 2005... Portugese architects Alvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura have joined forces to design the summer 2005 pavilion at London's Serpentine Gallery. The imposing wooden structure is being built using timber products from Finn Forest. ...

Cooling where others can't.
June 13, 2005... As part of its Flexible Space concept, Advanced Ergonomic Technologies (AET) has launched a slimline fan tile unit. With its shallow depth, the unit allows underfloor comfort cooling in refurb projects where a ceiling-based air conditioning...

Affordable homes solution.
June 13, 2005... By using the space above existing ground level car parks, Guildford Timber Frame can provide affordable housing where it is needed most. Its Palafito concept uses a timber frame structure to build apartment building. An area of 650-700sq m...

Guidance on sustainability.
June 13, 2005... With environmental performance more important than ever, wood. for good has teamed up with the BRE to produce a brochure, Building sustainably with timber. It shows the importance of sustainable construction and demonstrates how timber...

Sound thinking.
June 13, 2005... Due to recent changes in the building regulations approved document E it is vital that client, specifier and contractor understand the implications of acoustics at the outset of a project. Depending on the source of the offending noise, a...

STOP PRESS: Shower protection.
June 13, 2005... Aqata Shower Enclosures is using Ritec's ClearShield protection system on its shower glass. ClearShield features a proven polymer formulation that bonds chemically to glass, leaving a transparent, non-stick surface. Resisting build-up...

STOP PRESS: Kitchens re-brand.
June 13, 2005... To reflect the transformation of its established a la carte range, Kingswood Carrera has re-branded and streamlined its its offering. The kitchen portfolio has been revamped to include seven new designs, which focus on today's ever changing...

STOP PRESS: Keeping up Apeer-ances.
June 13, 2005... Just out from New World Developments is a 28-page brochure on its double-skinned GRP doorset, Apeer. It features illustrations of Apeer's latest sidelight range and glass designs. Seven solid and eight glazed styles are manufactured...

STOP PRESS: Joist the job for RAF.
June 13, 2005... Lightweight steel lattice joists from Metsec are providing long span support on a multi-valleyed roof at an RAF training facility in the Midlands. Metsec has supplied 230m of pitched and parallel trusses in a variety of sizes to form a...

STOP PRESS: Powerful new adhesive.
June 13, 2005... Aimed at the flooring industry, Illbruck Sealant Systems' powerful new adhesive has widespread fixing applications. Webbfix Floorloc is a gun applied adhesive that combines a fast curing time with strong bonding properties, even on damp...

STOP PRESS: Tiles will save time.
June 13, 2005... Designed to save time and money in installation and reduce waste, Regions and Topography are random lay carpet tile ranges from Mannington. Both are non-directional and can be laid in any configuration. This allows a subtle pattern to be...

STOP PRESS: Brewery transformed.
June 13, 2005... Architectural aluminium glazing from Metal Technology was used to transform the site of the old Ward's Brewery, Sheffield into 140 luxury apartments. One Eleven Ecclesall Road, is an attractive complex combining new buildings and restored...

STOP PRESS: Manifold makes it simple.
June 13, 2005... Blucher's latest system enables up to 16 WCs to be sited in a single back-to-back soil manifold from just a single 110mm diameter connection into a standard soil and vent stack. The company's stainless steel WC manifold eliminates any...

STOP PRESS: Tile selection grows.
June 13, 2005... Already boasting a broad variety of colours in its plain tiles offering, Marley Roofing has extended its Heritage plain tiles range with the introduction of three further colours. Latest additions are Burnt Heather, a deep and rustic...

STOP PRESS: Revolving door safety.
June 13, 2005... When University Hospital Aintree specified a Tormax three-wing revolving door, it was decided that a robust nightshield would be necessary. There were, however concerns over safety in the event of an emergency evacuation. Tormax...

STOP PRESS: Slimline window meets part L.
June 13, 2005... Designed by Senior Aluminium Systems (SAS) to meet the thermal insulation demands of building regulations, SPW 300 is a slimline polyamide window. Available in fixed light, tophung, sidehung, tilt-turn and overswing configurations it is...

STOP PRESS: Testing times ahead.
June 13, 2005... Crowcon's CheckBox IMH (Instrument Management Hub) automates the calibration and bump testing of portable gas detectors, reducing operation time and so reducing costs. The station can test up to 10 Crowcon detectors at once, calibrating,...

STOP PRESS: First aid for floors.
June 13, 2005... Manufacturer of commercial and industrial flooring systems, Ardex has announced the launch of three flooring product developments. DPM 1 C one coat surface damp proof membrane - residual moisture suppressant has been developed to provide a...

LINTELS: Standard marks `turning point' for lintel specifiers.
June 13, 2005... A newly introduced European Standard for lintel performance will have a significant impact on the way these products are specified Recently introduced BS EN 845-2: 2003 marks a radical turning point in lintel specification, according to...

LINTELS: Crease is the word.
June 13, 2005... Easy installation is a feature of Z-Led's Multi-Crease cavity and lintel tray system. A polypropylene cavity tray, formed from a series of integral continuous creases, enables easy folding to suit installation requirements. Radon...

LINTELS: Extended range of lintels.
June 13, 2005... Catnic has launched an extended range of lintels, based on its original open-back style lintel. The move is in response to customer demand for simple, easy-to-use products. The new lintels are designed with the capability to support...

LINTELS: Arch answers design dilemma.
June 13, 2005... The design of a new 18 dwelling private residential scheme on a difficult, narrow site in Burton-Upon-Trent has been solved using 7m long special feature arch lintels from Jones of Oswestry. In their design solution for Hamlet Homes,...

LINTELS: Special delivery assured.
June 13, 2005... The synergy between architects and Keystone Lintels has created an environment where one-off special lintel designs are available `as standard'. Architects know that with Keystone they are in a position to specify special and custom-made...

LINTELS: Investing for continued success.
June 13, 2005... In recognition of the fact that the industry is more competitive now that it has ever been, IG Lintels has embarked on a major investment programme. Although the lintels market has suffered from over capacity and continued price erosion...

STAIRS & LIFTS: Extra safety offered.
June 13, 2005... Two and three dimensional detection are combined in TL Jones' D300SL lift-door safety edge, giving extra protection. As well as the 212 infrared beams making up the 2D light curtain between lift doors, the unit has four clusters of 3D...

STAIRS & LIFTS: Ramp that rolls up.
June 13, 2005... Access equipment supplier Dolphin Stairlifts has included the US award winning Roll-a-Ramp in its portfolio. The portable ramp system offers wheelchair and scooter users an economically priced and versatile access solution. It can be rolled...

PLUMBING & DRAINAGE: Make a feature of gutters.
June 13, 2005... Guttering can be made into an attractive feature of the home claims Brett Martin on launching the Prostyle gutter system which combines aesthetics with discreet functionality. Based on the ogee profile, the Prostyle has the ideal...

PLUMBING & DRAINAGE: New drainage channels.
June 13, 2005... New from Clark-Drain is the 400 Series of linear drainage channels which are offered in one metre length thermoplastic versions. Available with both standard and narrow slot gratings, the products have been developed in response to demand...

PLUMBING & DRAINAGE: Robust but light sewer pipe.
June 13, 2005... A structured solid wall sewer pipe capable of withstanding up to 4000 psi water jetting pressure has been developed by Uponor. The Ultra-Fortis system has just been launched to UK water companies and has already achieved BSI Kitemark...

PLUMBING & DRAINAGE: Insulation now available.
June 13, 2005... The Henco range of cross-linked polyethylene pipework with a sandwiched layer of aluminium is now available from Multipipe with 4 or 9mm insulation which is manufactured in a continuous polyethylene outer sleeve to give an extremely tough...

PLUMBING & DRAINAGE: Range of gutter systems extended.
June 13, 2005... The range of Aqualine gutter systems from Alumasc has been extended by the introduction of a sixth extruded gutter profile, the Aqualine Deep Run gutter. As its name suggests, the new gutter provides a high capacity drainage performance...

PLUMBING & DRAINAGE: Eight into one will go!
June 13, 2005... A Bradley washfountain, supplied by Relcross for The Trafalgar in Portsmouth, has helped to continue JD Wetherspoon's trend of creating feature washrooms in its pub conversions. The centrally located stainless steel Classic Washfountain...

PLUMBING & DRAINAGE: Revamp for small profile.
June 13, 2005... The 76mm rainwater system from Hunter Plastics has been refreshed and revamped and is now said by the company to represent the easiest and most comprehensive range for installation on conservatories, bays, extensions and other small-scale...

PLUMBING & DRAINAGE: TDS meter.
June 13, 2005... Now available from Fernox is a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Meter that allows a fast and accurate field test for measuring the concentration of TDS in mains and system water. The battery-powered meter, which is virtually maintenance-free,...

LIGHTING & ELECTRICS: Flat face design chosen.
June 13, 2005... The Henley electrical accessory range from Hamilton Litestat has been installed as part of the refurbishment of a five bedroomed apartment in London's Kensington. The Henley cast plate was selected for its flat faced design which suited...

LIGHTING & ELECTRICS: New uplight.
June 13, 2005... The Line XS range from Thorn has been extended by a new circular pendant and wall uplight which are described as minimalist but powerful. The new luminaires retain the slender oval shape and perforated sides with coloured foils of the...

LIGHTING & ELECTRICS: Lighting management for air traffic control tower.
June 13, 2005... Claimed to be the leading EIB (European Installation Bus) building controls company, Andromeda Telematics has installed the lighting management system for an air traffic control tower at London Heathrow Terminal 5. Addressing a number of...

LIGHTING & ELECTRICS: Keeping a low profile.
June 13, 2005... A new screwless flatplate range said to complement any interior, Lyric has been launched by Contactum. With no fixing screws visible, Lyric's ultra-low profile presents a flawless, contemporary design, and is available in six different...

LIGHTING & ELECTRICS: Lighting products create dramatic effect.
June 13, 2005... A wide range of lighting products from Zumtobel Staff have been specified for the new Khan Saab restaurant in Manchester. Among the products used to create a dramatic effect in the unusually long, narrow venue were Plain Xeno Spotlights...

LIGHTING & ELECTRICS: New Hager range.
June 13, 2005... New from Hager is a range of single and multi-pole MCBs, RCCBs and RCBOs featuring a design said to make circuit labelling more convenient and user friendly. Electrical circuit identification can be done on the front of the device with a...

LIGHTING: Future looks bright for power-free lighting.
June 13, 2005... Terry Payne, managing director of Monodraught, explains how tests now being carried out may impact on the development of lightpipes Ten years ago lightpipes were unheard of in the UK but in eight short years, lightpipes, also known as...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Electric collection.
June 13, 2005... Electric heating specialist Dimplex has a comprehensive collection, with over 300 products to meet the most demanding of applications. Within the range are products to suit most domestic, commercial and light industrial applications,...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Even smaller combi.
June 13, 2005... Domestic gas boiler manufacturer Sime has unveiled the Format HE range of gas condensing/combi boilers. In addition to boasting high- efficiency and a SEDBUK A rating, these boilers are 20% smaller than previous models. The range also...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Quiet Icon keeps its cool.
June 13, 2005... Evaporative cooling specialist Seeley International has launched the quiet Breezair Icon range. This centrifugal fan evaporative cooler is described as reliable and maintenance free. Also economical to run, they consume up to 40% less...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Madonna inspires.
June 13, 2005... Saffet Kalender, managing director of Ultraheat, is the man behind the design of the Madonna bathroom radiator. Echoing Jean Paul Gaultier's fashion creation as worn by the singer, the radiator acts as a provocative yet stylish focal point...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Full range of heaters offered.
June 13, 2005... As well as gas boilers, Ariston's updated product selector CD contains information on water heaters and unvented cylinders. Since the last issue, the company has introduced Band A Aco combi and Aco system boilers. Another addition is...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Flexibility to site anywhere.
June 13, 2005... Flexibility of siting is a major advantage of the Reno range of condensing boiler packages from Johnson & Starley. Total flue lengths of up to 30m are possible, so the best or most suitable exit can be chosen, rather than simply pushing the...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Not to be sneezed at.
June 13, 2005... Conservatories can be heated and cooled with the radiator sized console unit from Carrier's XPower range. And the good news for allergy sufferers is that the XPower range can be fitted with the company's Air-4-Life four stage purification...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Exchangers for condensors.
June 13, 2005... The Econoplate C series packaged plate heat exchangers from Stokvis is designed to operate with condensing boilers. The C series Econoplates are available in three ranges with outputs up to 742kW. The plate exchanger is more efficient...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Designer ventilation.
June 13, 2005... Stylish iCON domestic ventilation fans are now available in any colour or customised finish, says Airflow Developments. Design and aesthetics are an integral part of the iCON concept. The fan has an iris shutter mechanism that prevents back...

HEATING & VENTILATING: The art of air purity.
June 13, 2005... Resembling an interior design accessory rather than a wall hung air conditioner, LG's Art Cool now includes a neo plasma air purifying system. The system removes household dust and moulds, food smells and tobacco smoke. Art Cool is...

FLOORCOVERINGS: Hair-look works hard.
June 13, 2005... Claimed to offer outstanding durability characteristics, Heuga Superflor from Interface is a hair-look carpet tile which is suitable for high wear areas such as walkways in offices, shops, exhibition halls and classrooms. A comprehensive...

FLOORCOVERINGS: Award-winning safety flooring.
June 13, 2005... The second generation of the award-winning Imprint safety flooring range is new from Altro. For use in general circulation and front of house areas where aesthetic qualities are as important as underfoot safety, Imprint comes in three...

FLOORCOVERINGS: It's better for wetter areas.
June 13, 2005... New from Polyflor is Polysafe Hydro, designed for continually wet/barefoot areas. Available in eight attractive, aqueous colours, Polysafe Hydro features a special textured `pimple' emboss which makes it ideal for walk-in showers, indoor...

FLOORCOVERINGS: Contemporary new look.
June 13, 2005... The popular Supacord range from Heckmondwike has been relaunched with a contemporary new look. The revamp includes ten exciting new colourways and the creation of a new brand identity. Supacord is produced from 80% polypropylene and...

FLOORCOVERINGS: Bizz-ness is growing fast.
June 13, 2005... No less than 11 new carpet and carpet tile products were launched recently by Armstrong at Design PRIMA. These include Bizz which is created from a cut-and-pile loop, giving a rich impression of depth and variety, and Patches, which uses a...

FLOORCOVERINGS: Matting Catalogue.
June 13, 2005... Launched by Gradus is the Barrier Matting Systems Catalogue 2005, which introduces the company's new SystemMatics concept, in addition to detailing the extensive range of services on offer. New products featured include Esplanade Plus Open...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: Just 60 minutes later.
June 13, 2005... Flexible Mermaid panels from Norske Interiors were recently used to refurbish a tired bathroom in Banbury on the popular TV programme, 60- Minute Makeover. Existing tiles around the bath were covered with the soft, creamy Vanilla shade of...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: Shower curtain screen.
June 13, 2005... Shower curtain screens from Coram Showers' Contract Shower Screen range have been specified by McCarthy & Stone for its developments throughout the South West. The shower curtain screen is designed to prevent leaks in applications where a...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: Ready to take on the giants.
June 13, 2005... Keenly priced sanitaryware from Healey & Lord is said to be helping builders merchants and independent stockists compete with the superstores. Pictured is the company's suite of a back-to-wall pan with floor fixings, Streamliner toilet...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: Shower pump.
June 13, 2005... For those who dream of a powerful shower but have a gravity hot water system, the Enduro universal pump is new from Mira. Designed to provide just the right water delivery to mixer showers, the pump is made of solid brass and gives a flow...

BATHROOM & KITCHENS: Additional storage space.
June 13, 2005... The product portfolio from Alexanders has been expanded by the addition of the new Metalkris Loft Collection of stainless steel cabinets. The range is said to provide the market with cutting edge design that is able to address the current...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: No waiting for the toilet.
June 13, 2005... New from Multikwik is a range of white injection and compression moulded toilet seats that use a KwikNut system of fixing to make installation simple and fast. This is achieved by a special open-sided locking nut made of hard plastic that...

ARCHITECTURAL IRONMONGERY: Minimising maintenance.
June 13, 2005... Austenitic hardware manufactured by Securistyle has been specified by Penwith Housing Association for three-storey blocks of flats in an exposed location in Penzance, Cornwall, to replace badly corroded hardware. New double-glazed pvc side...

ARCHITECTURAL IRONMONGERY: Handle keeps it simple.
June 13, 2005... A new multi-locking handle for Sobinco Tilt and Turn systems has been introduced by Titon to simplify the ordering and stocking of handles in the aluminium sector. The new handle allows three options on the window: completely unlocked,...

ARCHITECTURAL IRONMONGERY: High levels of adjustability.
June 13, 2005... A new easy to fit Adjustable Flag Hinge has been launched by Basta Parsons. Featuring 4mm height adjustment and 5mm lateral adjustment, the hinge presents an attractive slimline appearance. Three different frame heights are available...

PAINTS & FINISHES: A case for treatment.
June 13, 2005... Although preservatives may be bound to the lignocellulosic structure of the wood, the primary mechanism of liquid preservatives is stopping colonisation by the wood destroying organism (insect, bacterium, fungus, mollusc). Wood...

PAINTS & FINISHES: Woodcare for seafront location.
June 13, 2005... York House in Dartmouth, an historic building combining residential accommodation with retail units, has been redecorated using Sikkens opaque woodcare products from Akzo Nobel Woodcare. The building is redecorated every five years, and...

PAINTS & FINISHES: Woodstain completes pub crawl.
June 13, 2005... Pub chain Mitchells & Butlers has used Aquatech Woodstain from Dulux Trade to protect garden furniture and fences in over 40 of its outlets. The product is medium build and water-based, providing a semi- transparent satin finish. ...

DOORS & WINDOWS: Sensor makes swinging safe.
June 13, 2005... To prevent anyone being trapped or injured in automatic revolving or swing doors, BEA has introduced a safety sensor. The 4Safe active infrared detector uses four separate detection spots, allowing it to monitor a greater area than a...

DOORS & WINDOWS: Open door surgery.
June 13, 2005... Designed to handle routine surgery without disruption from emergency cases, Swindon Treatment Centre features over 750 performance doorsets by LS Leaderflush Shapland. The centre, designed by BDP, Bristol, is being built by Carillion in...

DOORS & WINDOWS: Good looks inside and out.
June 13, 2005... Pleasing appearance both internally and externally is provided by the CombiFrame window from IdealCombi. Aluminium climate screen and window sash are produced as a single profile section. All aluminium surfaces can be powder coated in 180...

DOORS & WINDOWS: Peak performance.
June 13, 2005... Stylish Flexirol straight sliding glass door gear by PC Henderson has been installed at Thornbridge Hall Carriage House in the Peak District. The Flexirol system allows uninterrupted access from the ballroom. Using a double run of track...