What's New in Building articles from March 2005

What's New in Building archives from March 2005

Wood Awards aim to recognise the work of the whole project team.
March 9, 2005... Entries are now being invited for The Wood Awards 2005, celebrating excellence in design and installation of wood in four categories From major projects like Norwich Cathedral Visitors Centre by Hopkins Architects, to EA Higginson's...

NEWS: Stone for Scots mall.
March 9, 2005... Joining the many high street retail names in the Centrewest mall in Scotland is natural stone producer Burlington. Burlington's stone has been used as the flooring material within the food court area located on the mall's first floor. ...

NEWS: Doors in 3D from all angles.
March 9, 2005... Customers using the Manse Masterdor online ordering system can now see doors from all angles thanks to the introduction of 3D image configuration. Customers first upload their specification onto the system, which creates a 3D image of each...

NEWS: Chilstone catalogue.
March 9, 2005... Reconstituted stone specialist Chilstone has produced an architectural catalogue including many additions to its range. The standard range includes over 36 types of balustrade, 15 different columns and numerous cills, cornice, frieze,...

NEWS: Secure slider for hospital.
March 9, 2005... Specialist fabricator Roseview Windows has manufactured and installed purpose designed Rehau Heritage vertical sliders for a secure hospital facility. The windows incorporate security features such as special reinforced glazing to resist...

NEWS: Screens keep you informed.
March 9, 2005... Lift display specialist E-Motive has supplied its LCD technology to the General Assembly Building in Virginia, US. The company's EAVIS high resultion LCD screens are interfaced to the lift controller to show the lift's floor position and...

NEWS: Aluminium can be soldered.
March 9, 2005... Thin gauge aluminium sheets or aluminium cored material can now be soldered using Kalzip Al-03-Pro from Corus. It is described as a low temperature, low risk, simple way of making a watertight join on a wide range of items including gutter...

NEWS: Safety system can be hired.
March 9, 2005... Contractors can now hire Ambitus, PCE's edge guardrail and passive fall protection system. The patented safety system provides external edge protection, avoiding the expense and inconvenience of scaffolding. It is also offered with the...

NEWS: 3D views to help designers.
March 9, 2005... Now visitors to Kingspan Insulation's web site have the option of viewing 3D moving images as a guide to the use of the range of wall, roof and floor insulation products. Products can be viewed from any angle, and visitors can add and...

NEWS: Support for external show.
March 9, 2005... Architectural fencing and street furniture specialist Medway Galvanising has announced its support for this year's External Works Exhibition - EWX 2005. The company sees this as the best exhibition at which to meet potential customers from...

NEWS: Safety blade a second time.
March 9, 2005... For the second year running, natural slate producer Alfred McAlpine Slate has been presented with a British Safety Council sword of honour. The award was presented by David Ballard, director general of the British Safety Council, and...

NEWS: Accent on special effects.
March 9, 2005... Manufactured in the US, Plexineon is an LED fitting designed for accent lighting, cover lighting or signage. The range comprises a solid plastic waveguide with the LEDs encapsulated within. This results in a bright uniform glow across the...

NEWS: High capacity for climate.
March 9, 2005... The Rainline galvanised steel rainwater system from Lindab Building Products has been installed on a new luxury residential development in Wilmslow, Cheshire. Rainline is a high-capacity system designed in Sweden to withstand harsh...

NEWS: RIBA Online.
March 9, 2005... Manufacturers' CPD programmes are now available to view online via a dedicated RIBA Online CPD web site. It enables specifiers to maintain their CPD obligations from their own office and at the most convenient time. The online version...

NEWS: Solid job for Patent Office.
March 9, 2005... Conversion of the grade II listed former Patent Office in London's Chancery Lane makes use of solid timber panelled doors from LS Longden. The company supplied over 140 panelled doors, in many cases with 30 minutes fire resistance and...

NEWS: Accessibility is addressed.
March 9, 2005... Design of external paved areas for inclusive mobility is addressed in Accessible Paving, a guide published by Interpave. The guide covers requirements for external paving in the DDA and BS 8300. Specific guidelines are included for on- and...

NEWS: Swish Building Products literature.
March 9, 2005... Useful information on a range of cellular pvc roofline and cladding products can be found online at swishbp.co.uk. Project guidance and design considerations are all covered in depth. The site also has a CAD library with a facility to...

STOP PRESS: Closer meets requirements.
March 9, 2005... Meeting the requirements of fire safety, aesthetics, practicality and versatility in a door closer is never easy but the TS 4000 EFS from Geze is equipped for the task. The unit is an overhead rack and pinion door closer with an...

STOP PRESS: Make the right impression.
March 9, 2005... GA Impressional has been recently given the blue light treatment by architect Eva Jiricna. Recently incorporated into this striking stairway for the Victoria & Albert Museum, Gooding Aluminium's fabricated domed pattern stair treads and...

STOP PRESS: Gypsum gets the blues.
March 9, 2005... In a move to standardise the appearance of all products in its Gyproc SoundBloc acoustic board range, British Gypsum has adopted a blue face colour for all SoundBloc boards. This is expected to make it easier to visually identify boards...

STOP PRESS: Specialist guidance.
March 9, 2005... Stainless steel specialist GEC Anderson has produced a new product and design guide. The comapny offers made-to-measure stainless steel for public sector, commercial and domestic applications. The range includes sinks and worktops;...

STOP PRESS: Solid rating for surfaces.
March 9, 2005... DuPont Corian solid surfaces and Zodiaq quartz surfaces have received hygiene certification by LGA QualiTest GmbH. The materials were awarded the certificates after undergoing tests to assess stability against bacteria and fungi, ease of...

STOP PRESS: Help at hand for disabled.
March 9, 2005... Disabled Refuge remote unit, CommuniCare Advance, from Baldwin Boxall helps meet the demands of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The remote unit has Braille and luminescent raised text on the front panel for the visually impaired....

STOP PRESS: Total solution for hospital.
March 9, 2005... The total solution for a flooring refurbishment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn has been provided by Ardex. The prepared sub-floor received a levelling layer of K 13, which can be applied up to 5mm thick in one application, but...

STOP PRESS: Steel resource for designers.
March 9, 2005... Specifically targeted at architects and specifiers, a new stainless steel surface finishes pack has been produced by the British Stainless Steel Association. The comprehensive resource contains samples of a range finishes, and highlights...

STOP PRESS: Weeks cut off build time.
March 9, 2005... Using Metsec's site fix light gauge galvanised steel framing system as infill walling is cutting an estimated 16 weeks off the construction programme for the #23 million Post Box apartment development in Birmingham. The SFS infill walling...

STOP PRESS: Patented profile keys.
March 9, 2005... Hardware distributor Mila aims to take the worry out of key duplication with a new security cylinder system - Keymaster. Keymaster keys have a patented profile which cannot be copied on the High Street. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

STOP PRESS: Instarmac guarantee.
March 9, 2005... As from January of this year, the entire Ultra range of products from Instarmac Group is covered by a lifetime guarantee. A number of Ultra products have been re-branded and colour coded to make selection easier. Copyright: CMP...

STOP PRESS: Glazing for gas firm's HQ.
March 9, 2005... Flogas UK, one of the largest lpg (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) suppliers in the UK has used Metal Technology glazing systems on its new Leicester HQ. The complex curved structure, with a sloping roof, has a stepped design and uses System 17...

STOP PRESS: More power to you.
March 9, 2005... Power tool manufacturer Makita has launched the MXT cordless drill range. On average the range is 60% more powerful than the machines it replaces. The MXT range provides 12v, 14.4v and 18v drill drivers capable of drilling 13mm in steel...

STOP PRESS: Parliamentary panelling.
March 9, 2005... The stunning interiors of the new #400 million Scottish Parliament building have made extensive use of Weyerhaeuser's Medite MDF. European oak veneered Medite FR flame-retardant MDF, Class 1 and Class 0, has been used for wall panelling...

STOP PRESS: Victorian values of seat.
March 9, 2005... Manufacturer of street furniture and paving, Townscape Products, has developed a high durability bench for indoor and outdoor use. Called Victoria, and built to include anti skateboarding features, the seat is described as sleek and...

STOP PRESS: Glass entrance doors.
March 9, 2005... Aluminium-framed, glass entrance pass doors to the Empress State Building in Earls Court, London, have been manufactured and installed by Structura UK. Structura supplied two pairs of double, toughened glass, main entrance swing doors -...

STOP PRESS: Meeting tall orders.
March 9, 2005... Specialist in fittings for glass, Prefit is marketing a range of patch fittings and locks suitable for use with 15 and 19mm thick glass doors to meet the ever-increasing demands of architects and designers for tall doors. An addition to...

STOP PRESS: Leeds insists on austenitic.
March 9, 2005... Leeds East Homes now insists on austenitic stainless steel fasteners throughout. The organisation has taken this step to ensure that the quality of the pvc-u windows it is installing in its 12,000 properties goes beyond the Decent Homes...

STOP PRESS: New London showroom.
March 9, 2005... Located at the Building Centre, Formica`s new London showroom displays a wide range of surfacing materials, in a resource that will appeal to specifiers and designers around the capital. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

PREVIEW: GLASSEX: Touched by your presence.
March 9, 2005... Conservatory roof system manufacturer Ultraframe is returning to Glassex with a major presence. The showcase stand will launch new products and demonstrate a commitment to quality and service. Ultraframe will introduce new roof systems and...

PREVIEW: GLASSEX: Twice the views.
March 9, 2005... Builder Steve Hunter from Co Durham wanted a double storey conservatory fronting the house and allowing clear visibility from the ground floor and from the balustraded landing of the mezzanine floor above. Local window fabricator Calendar...

PREVIEW: GLASSEX: Testing times for glazing.
March 9, 2005... Between them Chiltern Dynamics and BM TRADA offer a range of testing and certification services for manufacturers of doors, windows and glass. Chiltern Dynamics' services include UKAS-accredited testing for IGUs (EN 1279), security testing...

PREVIEW: GLASSEX: Back for more, one year on.
March 9, 2005... New World Developments is making a return to Glassex after its first year of trading with the Apeer grp doorset. A new single rebated version of Apeer is in the development stage. Security, performance and appearance make up the reasons for...

PREVIEW: GLASSEX: Suite set to launch.
March 9, 2005... Among the developments on the Profile 22 stand will be a new profile suite FS 70. As well as aestetically appealing sculptured finish and slim sightlines, it offers the thermal efficiency and easy-fitting characteristics of the company's...

PREVIEW: GLASSEX: Roof is easier to install.
March 9, 2005... To make the Quantal roofing system even quicker and easier to install, the company's technical team has develped various enhancements that will be unveiled at the show. Automated demonstrations will take place. Copyright: CMP Information...

PLUMBING & DRAINAGE: Working in harmony.
March 9, 2005... When used in conjunction with one another, Fernox Flux and Central Heating Restorer are said to provide the perfect solution to ensuring that all joints are soldered professionally and the system cleansed correctly so that it is both...

PLUMBING & DRAINAGE: Commitment to quality.
March 9, 2005... Whenever Pavingexpert.com, one of the UK's most experienced paving and drainage consultants, requires high quality ironwork and access covers for projects as diverse as small residential driveways to multi-million pound commercial developments,...

PLUMBING & DRAINAGE: Saving maintenance time.
March 9, 2005... Steam trapping stations from Spirax Sarco are set to save maintenance time on recently revamped steam facilities at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. Steam traps fitted to the 13 Spirax Sarco STS17 stations can be changed by loosening...

PLUMBING & DRAINAGE: Foolproof installation.
March 9, 2005... New from Hunter Plastics, Quickstop fire protection couplings are being installed on a new build development of 175 dwellings being constructed in Southampton by Persimmon Homes. The Quickstops were specified for high performance and a...

PLUMBING & DRAINAGE: Even easier connection.
March 9, 2005... Following the successful launch by Multikwik of the push fit Easy Boss for connecting 11/4 and 11/2 in. push fit waste pipes to standard soil stacks, the Easy Boss can now accept 32mm and 40mm solvent weld pipes due to a design change and an...

LIGHTING & ELECTRICS: Chandeliers by the lake.
March 9, 2005... Ironcraft fittings have been supplied by Franklite from its Coppelia suite for the restaurant of The Waterhead four-star hotel on the shoes of Lake Windermere. Following a major refurbishment, the Waterhead has combined traditional...

LIGHTING & ELECTRICS: Exterior light range extends.
March 9, 2005... The portfolio of exterior lighting from JCC Lighting Products has been extended by the introduction of traditionally styled Caldey and Alderney lanterns. Constructed from tough nylon/fibre glass material with clear polycarbonate lenses,...

LIGHTING & ELECTRICS: Adaptaflex leaflet.
March 9, 2005... As part of its Energy Saving promotion, Adaptaflex has published a new timer switch application leaflet. The pocket-sized leaflet comprises a comprehensive guide to the selection and application of Elkay energy management timers and a...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Flair for ventilation.
March 9, 2005... With Flair by Passivent, all rooms in multi-occupancy homes can be properly ventilated using only one system and wiring loop. Flair links the kitchen extractor hood and extracts in the `wet' rooms to one low energy fan discreetly positioned...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Flexibility indoors or out.
March 9, 2005... For a flexible air conditioning solution, Sanyo has introduced the ECOi 3-Way three pipe VRF system, offering improved energy efficiency and longer pipe runs. Up to 40 indoor units can be specified as part of one ECOi system providing...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Efficiency and low noise level.
March 9, 2005... Available from the network of Helios stockists is the SlimVent range of SCW cased axial fans in sizes from 315 to 630mm. All models have dynamically balanced metal impellers for high efficiency and low noise levels. Blades are in mild steel...

HEATING & VENTILATING: High efficiency boilers.
March 9, 2005... Now available from Glow-worm is the hxi high efficiency range of heating-only SEDBUK A rated boilers. Each appliance measures just 600mm high by 375mm wide and 334mm deep. The range has six models in 12, 15, 18, 24, 30 and 38kW outputs. It...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Roll out the heat.
March 9, 2005... Designed for the professional user, ProFormat heating mat with dual core wire is simply rolled out before tiling, then connected to a programmable thermostat. The mat is said to be better suited to larger, regular shaped areas than...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Heat and cool in one system.
March 9, 2005... Simultaneous heating and cooling for multi-zone environments is offered by Toshiba's SHRM, a three-pipe VRF system using R410A refrigerant for efficiency. SHRM is available in 8, 10 and 12hp equivalents, or 22.4, 28 and 33.5kW. The indoor...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Lightweight alternative.
March 9, 2005... Installation of plenum boxes for air conditioning systems has always been a laborious and costly process. The traditional metal box is expensive to produce and needs a team of two to install above the ceiling grille. And then it needs...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Scots' solar savings.
March 9, 2005... To replace redundant solar water heating collectors at Solar Court, a small development in Larkhall, South Lanarkshire Council turned to Nuaire and its Sunwarm solar heating and ventilation system. The system has the potential to save up to...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Quiet runner performs well.
March 9, 2005... High performance and quiet running are promised by Johnson & Starley's Reno range of condensing boilers. The SEDBUK A specification HE30 is fully modulating from outputs of 25kW down to 7kW, optimising running time and fuel economy. ...

FLOORING: No slip-ups for students.
March 9, 2005... Slip-resistant matting from Plastic Extruders has come to the rescue of students at the University of Brighton, who were slipping on the tiled floors of the shower and washroom pods which service each bedroom. Heronrib 2000 matting was...

FLOORING: Keeping steady grip on market.
March 9, 2005... The easy to clean safety flooring range from Altro has been extended by the introduction of Altro Maxis Suprema, an elegant flooring range designed for areas where looks are as important as safety such as corridors and receptions. The new...

FLOORING: New smoothing compounds.
March 9, 2005... Three new smoothing compounds have been added to the well-proven range of Screed Master subfloor preparation products from Laybond. ScreedMaster Ultra is said to be ideal for fast track projects; its self-curing and fast setting qualities...

FLOORING: Chosen for children.
March 9, 2005... The new ward at Sheffield Children's Hospital features a creative combination of wood effect luxury vinyl tiles and heavy duty sheet vinyl safety floorcoverings from Polyflor. The flooring design uses a variety of shades from the Polysafe...

FLOORING: New total flooring system.
March 9, 2005... A new total flooring system developed jointly by Puhos Board and Trus Joist addresses the new Part E Building Regulations and is said to offer exceptional performance with a specification up to 3dB in excess of the new 40dB standard for...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: All change in washrooms.
March 9, 2005... The Nisys system of waterproof wall panels and cubicles from Norske interiors offers a coordinated `whole room' solution for washrooms, changing areas and shower rooms. The system has been repeatedly specified by Cosgrove Park, a leisure...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: Luxury as standard.
March 9, 2005... Property developer Jones homes Has specified the Premier range of shower enclosures and Waterguard showertrays from Coram Showers for all of its luxury detached properties across the North and South East of England. Each of the developer's...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: Sepia is back in fashion.
March 9, 2005... Not seen too often these days, sepia is the colour featured on the latest kitchen (WI-109) from Wellmann. This delicate hint of brown is a hardwearing laminate front with vertical bevelled edges finished in a contrasting wild pear effect....

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: Bathrooms of the future.
March 9, 2005... So new that we don't have all the details yet is the new method for bathroom design to be unveiled by Ideal-Standard at EXPO 2005 in May. The company will be showing the new Guest concept, based on the Tonic range from its Art Design...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: Stainless steel sink goes large.
March 9, 2005... Introduced to meet the increasing demand for larger sink units, the RegiFit RF 317 S is now available from Reginox. Manufactured from 18/10 stainless steel, the sink features a generous- sized polished bowl, providing much-needed additional...

PAINTS & FINISHES: Protected on waterfront.
March 9, 2005... The exterior timber detailing on a block of apartments on the waterfront in Dartmouth are being protected by Cetol BL Opaque from Sikkens, applied as part of a recent maintenance programme. The coating was specified for the timber framed...

PAINTS & FINISHES: Layered effect.
March 9, 2005... Two render systems from Dryvit have been specified on a housing association project in Brighton which comprises 50 flats. The company's Outsulation system was specified as it was necessary to achieve a U-value of 0.35 W/m2K, but the...

PAINTS & FINISHES: Lighthouse undergoes facelift.
March 9, 2005... The lighthouse marking the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour has undergone a facelift provided by Weathershield All Seasons Masonry Paint from Dulux Trade. One hundred and sixty litres of Weathershield All Seasons Masonry Paint was applied to...

PAINTS & FINISHES: Speed is of the essence.
March 9, 2005... Paints and primers from Zinsser have played a significant role in the internal redecoration of two tower blocks by Countryside Properties at Longwood Park in Slough, carried out while the tenants remained in situ. The communal areas and...

PAINTS & FINISHES: New look for familiar name.
March 9, 2005... The Sandtex range of exterior coatings from Akzo Nobel Decorative Coatings has been relaunched, and now offers new products, improved existing ones and a new livery design. New products added to the range include 365 All Weather Gloss and...

PAINTS & FINISHES: Inspirational range of colour.
March 9, 2005... The premium range of colour finishes for wood structures from Osmo is available in 15 eye-catching colours including vibrant reds and yellows, and rich greens and browns. Osmo Country Colour made from natural ingredients, is said to be...

LANDSCAPING: European touch in Korea.
March 9, 2005... A stunning courtyard has been created by Haddonstone for the prestigious Paragon Apartments, one of Seoul's most exclusive addresses. Working closely with its South Korean distributor, Haddonstone has created an elegant and tranquil design...

LANDSCAPING: Design scheme for MoD facility.
March 9, 2005... Handcrafted materials from Blanc de Bierges have been used extensively in a `benchmark' design scheme for a new MoD Defence Logistics Facility, on the site of a long disused airbase in Andover. The new scheme includes a plaza, courtyard,...

LANDSCAPING: Striking landscaped area.
March 9, 2005... Concrete block paving from RMC Concrete Products has created a striking landscaped area at the Forge Shopping Centre in Parkhead, Glasgow. The company's Chelsea Priory Setts in Autumn Red have been inlaid with Wheatmeal blocks, making an...

GLASS & GLAZING: Home extension at a much reduced cost.
March 9, 2005... Bridging the gap between a conservatory and a full extension, this unit could be the solution to many homeowners' dilemma With the UK housing market beginning to slow down homeowners are expected to consider an extension to their existing...

GLASS & GLAZING: Zoo ensures all keep cool.
March 9, 2005... Keen to ensure that visitors entering the zoo's atrium would feel comfortable even in high summer, Howlett Wild Aninmal Parks, owners of Port Lympne Zoological Gardens in Kent, contacted Anglian Films. Anglian approved installer Ultra Stop...

GLASS & GLAZING: An hour's integrity.
March 9, 2005... Specialist glass manufacturer Schott has introduced Pyranova fire resistant glass, offering insulation and integrity for up to 60 minutes. Pyranova has been tested against European standard EN13501 to confirm 30 and 60 minutes insulation...

GLASS & GLAZING: Frontage is easy to install.
March 9, 2005... The Third Generation shop frontage system from D R Services has been developed for commercial and retail outlets. The frameless glazed system offers a wide range of patches for all glass sizes and specifications, including lock systems,...

GLASS & GLAZING: Glass blocks on display.
March 9, 2005... On permanent display at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, is a panel of Luxcrete glass blocks, part of the V&A + RIBA architectural gallery. For the section devoted to Modernism, Luxcrete supplied a pre-cast panel of its Nevada blocks,...

GLASS & GLAZING: Safety first for film.
March 9, 2005... ArmorCoat safety film offers an effective way to contain broken glass, minimising the risk of damage and injury. The Bekaert films comprise of layers of microthin polyester film applied to the internal face of the pane. Able to stretch...