“Rheinriff,” recognised as the world’s largest indoor surfing facility, has unveiled its innovative lighting system, marking a significant milestone in creating a truly immersive experience for visitors. Partnering with leading lighting providers Oktalite and TRILUX, Rheinriff has transformed its space into a multifunctional venue where lighting seamlessly adapts to various usage scenarios, thanks to the cutting-edge LiveLink Retail lighting management system.

 

Situated within the historic industrial hall on Düsseldorf’s “Areal Böhler,” Rheinriff spans approximately 6,000 square meters, offering an indoor surf hall, event space, and coworking area. Employing clear strategies in design, the venue focuses on establishing a strong brand, creating an authentic atmosphere, and developing a differentiated, experience-oriented spatial structure. Central to this vision are high-quality, intelligent lighting solutions provided by Oktalite and TRILUX.

 

 

A WELL-THOUGHT-OUT CONCEPT

The lighting design at Rheinriff seamlessly integrates the diverse requirements of functional zones, ensuring a cohesive experience from the central “standing wave” to the reception, catering, and work areas. Utilising cylindrical black track spotlights as a consistent element, the design incorporates both B.VEO SPOTLIGHTS and LENTY TRACK SPOTLIGHTS to meet varying brightness requirements and room heights.

 

 

SIGNATURE LIGHT

A highlight of the surfing hall is the design element inspired by the “RheinRiff” logo, forming an illuminated hexagon above the surfing pool. This centrepiece features SO-TUBE LED luminaires from TRILUX, enhancing the venue’s visual appeal and reinforcing its brand identity.

 

 

FLEXIBLE, EFFICIENT, AND DIGITALLY NETWORKED

The LIVELINK Retail control system is central to the lighting system’s functionality, enabling individual, efficient, and convenient illumination of functional areas. Wireless connectivity via Bluetooth LE Mesh allows seamless integration of several hundred luminaires into a network divided into function-related groups and zones, all operable via tablet or smartphone for intuitive control.

 

 


 

PLEASE CLICK HERE

For further information on any of the featured products

 

OR  HERE

for further information on Human Centric Lighting

 

Kevin Rose, Site Health, Safety and Environmental manager at Polypipe Building Services 

Polypipe Building Services has achieved the BES6001 international sustainability standard for its commercial drainage systems. 

The standard is designed to enable manufactured products to be assessed and certified as being responsibly sourced and comes off the back of the launch of the company’s Terrain PVC pipe which is manufactured with up to 65 per cent recycled materials.

Assessment and certification are carried out by an independent third party and cover three different areas including supply chain management, which are evaluated via a written application and a site visit.

Kevin Rose, Site Health, Safety and Environmental manager at Polypipe Building Services, said:

“We are delighted to achieve this accreditation for our commercial drainage systems. Helping the construction industry to build better is a key part of our strategy as a Genuit Group Company and to ensure up to 65 per cent of recycled materials in our products.

“The achievement of BES6001 follows the release of our Environmental Product Declarations and being awarded the BSI Kitemark for our BIM Level 2 Revit files. Each of these are important in providing our customers with complete product transparency and carbon data they need to meet the government pledge to net zero.”

Responsible sourcing certification provides proof that the manufacturer knows the origin of the materials they’re using to give construction professionals confidence that the products chosen support a more sustainable approach. Once certified, products are listed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) which provides impartial research to the UK government and internationally.

The accreditation supports the commitment by their parent company, the Genuit Group, towards emission reduction targets through the Science Based Targets initiative. The scheme was validated in April and is the first to be made by a building products manufacturer within the UK as part of their ambition to be the low carbon supplier of choice to the industry.


CLICK HERE

For more information about all of the standards and certifications achieved at

Polypipe Building Services commercial drainage systems go to

 


 

A musician- friendly club in the heart of Kings Cross, the Lafayette opened its doors in early 2020 before being swiftly closed due to lockdown. After successfully re-opening in 2021 it has become well-known on the UK music scene hosting hundreds of music shows and performances from household name bands.

When the 600-capacity venue was refurbished, a kitchen was installed in the basement and WCs a floor above, along with a cleaner’s cupboard. All waste water from these areas formerly drained into a bespoke pumping system in the corner of the pot wash area, which then pumped the waste up to ground level and away to the main drain.

A soil inlet that was slightly submerged into the lower section of the chamber was preventing waste water from completely draining into the pit, whilst a 100mm inlet pipe was too close to one of the submersible pumps in the pit preventing it from eliminating all paper waste. This caused clogging, blockages and became a general inconvenience to an otherwise excellent venue.

Surrey-based PumpServ, a national pump solutions maintenance company, was approached to evaluate the issue and suggest a solution. One option was to lower the chamber floor, but this would involve breaking out the concrete oversite. With concerns about the proximity of the Regent Canal and potential ground water ingress, PumpServ offered an alternative solution which would require the existing pumps to be swapped out. After a call to the technical team at Saniflo and a subsequent site inspection, the floor-standing Sanicubic 2 Pro lifting station was recommended for the job.

David Knight, Business Development Manager for PumpServ, was delighted with the simplicity of the solution;

“The Saniflo Sanicubic Pro 2 has taken away the headache of blocked facilities for the Lafayette nightclub. Incoming pipework from the WC and shower in the Green Room and the small kitchen was too low at the point of entry to the pump station. The position of the two submersible pumps was restricting black waste and paper waste flow and these were building up at the point of entry. Occasionally the inflow would surcharge back to the kitchen floor drains causing a flood. With twin pumps – for failsafe operation –the sealed unit simply slotted into the space without any need for civils work and has eliminated the risk of overflow. The 110mm inlets, positioned at 140mm (floor height to centre of inlet), enabled a better fall for the swift discharge of incoming waste.”

The Saniflo commercial range has been designed for practical situations where waste needs to be lifted away safely and efficiently and the installation of this Sanicubic 2 Pro in the Lafayette nightclub illustrates perfectly the use for a Saniflo lifting station.


CLICK HERE FOR THE SANIFLO WEBSITE


 

 

It’s a sad but unavoidable fact – public buildings are highly visible, likely to be full of expensive equipment, and that makes them an obvious target for thieves and vandals.

Fences are one of the most fundamental forms of security we have available to us in modern construction.

There’s little more effective at preventing burglaries than a physical barrier a would-be criminal can’t pass through and finds hard to climb.

But while everyone probably has a very clear picture in their mind when they hear the word ‘fence’, the reality is surprisingly complicated.

There’s an extensive range of different security fencing solutions on the market today, all of which are suited for different situations.

Here’s our guide to some of the options available, and where they excel.

Palisade gates and fencing

For heavy-duty perimeter protection applications, Palisade gates and fencing are an excellent choice – in fact, it’s thought the Romans used wooden versions to secure their army camps.

Usually made of galvanised steel, Palisade fencing is supplied in kit form, with the vertical pales fixed to two rails running horizontally.

The design allows the fence to be erected so that it can follow the contours of the ground, making it ideal for uneven land.

Palisade fencing presents a formidable barrier to thieves and other intruders, especially when installed at heights of up to 3m.

Available in W or D profiles, it’s topped with a spike that offers a clear deterrent to would be thieves, and some incorporate other forms of anti-vandal scaling barrier as a way of further discouraging potential intruders.

Mesh gates and fencing                                                       

Mesh represents another versatile security fencing solution.

Thanks to their welded intersections, mesh gates and fencing are robust and durable, and require little maintenance.

However, they achieve all this without obstructing views – meaning they’re great for areas where you need to retain reasonably good visibility into or even through the fenced area, or where you want a barrier that security cameras can still see through.

However, mesh fencing is also widely used in contexts where safety is a major concern.

‘Safe Top’ mesh fencing features a closed beam section located along the top and bottom edge of the panel with no sharp or raw edges. As such, it’s used extensively in public spaces, schools, sports grounds and playgrounds.

Mesh gates come in single leaves, for pedestrian access, or double leaves, for vehicles and keeping people and vehicles apart.

Controlling access

Another aspect of securing a public sector site is controlling who is allowed in – and that means doors and locks.

Increasing numbers of public buildings are now investing in more high-tech access control systems like keypad locks.

One of the biggest challenges around lockable gates in a public sector environment is the need to keep intruders out of sensitive areas, but allow building occupants to move around the site, and quickly and easily escape in an emergency.

That’s why we’ve seen the development of products that present external users with a sturdy lock, often with combinations, but internal ones with a clearly-labelled push pad to allow for speedy egress.

Get some friendly guidance 

At F.H. Brundle, we’re able to offer an extensive array of fence, gate and lock products suitable for an extensive array of public sector applications.


If you’d like to learn more, don’t hesitate to get in touch TODAY

CALL YOUR LOCAL BRANCH (CLICK HERE FOR THE BRANCH FINDER)

CLICK HERE to VISIT THE WEBSITE

OR CLICK HERE to EMAIL DIRECT

 

 


 

 

CMS Danskin Acoustics has worked with acoustic consultants Atelier Crescendo to arrive at a floor build-up which has contributed to achieving acoustic performance significantly exceeding Approved Document E ‘Resistance to the passage of sound’ 2003 standards at new student accommodation for St Catharine’s College in Cambridge.

The accommodation provides two new houses (comprising 23 bedrooms) and improved communal spaces for students to work and socialise at St Catharine’s satellite site on the west of the city centre.  It was opened to students in October.  The project was designed by Cottrell & Vermeulen Architecture, and the main contractor was Conamar Building Services.

Designed with sustainability in mind, the student accommodation has mass timber frames (mostly Cross Laminated Timber), triple-glazed windows and air-source heat pumps.

Internal base floors are cross laminated timber (CLT), which supports the sustainable ethos behind the design.  CLT is increasingly used as it helps in locking away carbon by using it as a long-term construction base and it reduces the use of concrete in floors.  However, because CLT is around one third of the mass of concrete, it presents challenges acoustically.  Its sound reduction index is poorer and its damping properties from impacts are also lower than concrete, therefore it requires an acoustic strategy to limit impact and airborne sound travelling through.

After taking into account the BREEAM® requirements, the criteria to be met for St Catharine’s was that the airborne noise reduction must be over 48dB DnTw and the impact noise must be measured as under 59dB LnTw.

CMS Danskin Acoustics designed and supplied a floor/ceiling build-up using recycled materials to help improve the floor mass and enhance its impact absorbing properties.  The strategy involved double REGUPOL impact isolation layers.  Layers of 3mm REGUPOL sonus eco, 18mm Versapanel® from Euroform and 15mm REGUPOL sonus core were used to isolate impact sound, followed by a 32mm Smartspan, which is finished with a timber floorboard or plywood underlay with vinyl.

CMS Danskin Acoustics also specified and supplied Kinetics IsoGrid hangers, a high performance hanger used for suspending ceilings where the maximum noise reduction performance is required.

Site completion measurements undertaken by Atelier Crescendo indicated airborne noise 51-57 dB DnTw + Ctr, depending on location, and for impact it was 49-52dB LnTw, depending on location, so significantly surpassing Document E standards and significantly exceeding the more demanding project acoustic performance targets that had been set.

 

Paul Absolon, CMS Danskin Acoustics’ technical director, said,

“Working with CLT does present acoustics challenges, but we devised a floor/ceiling specification to counter that, which has achieved acoustic performance that exceeds regulations.”

 

Marc Fuzellier, director of Atelier Crescendo Ltd and Acouwood UK LLP, adds,

“We are very happy about the outcomes of the project, especially in terms of airborne and impact sound insulation performances.

“We worked hard to develop the right wall and floor build-ups, detail how they had to be connected and minimise the sound flanking transmissions. This was particularly the case when CLT elements had to be exposed.

“In the end, high sound insulation performances have been achieved so that more BREEAM® credits could be obtained.”

 


CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE CMS DANSKIN WEBSITE

 

 OTHER LINKS

ATELIER CRESCENDO                                   CONAMAR                              COTTRELL & VERMEULEN

 


 

 

West Fraser has introduced a new ready-primed version of industry-leading SterlingOSB Zero board which has been created for, site security and hoardings, barriers/screening, temporary public walkways, and the boarding up of damaged buildings, signage, interior screening, shop fitting/retail, displays promotions, building extensions and renovations. In essence, it is a blank canvas for colourful marketing messages.  Everything the specifier needs to know about SterlingOSB Zero PrimedPlus, is detailed on a new downloadable factsheet.

 

The new panel is available in white and grey and produced in 18mm thick, square-edged sheets measuring 1220mm wide by 2440mm long.  The top face is primed with a high-quality cross-linked epoxy acylate UV cured coating to front, giving a smooth finish and the sides are sealed to reduce water ingress, leaving the sheets ready for decoration or the application of graphics.  The structure is free from knots or voids and, from an environmental perspective, the ‘Zero’ in the name assures specifiers that the product contains no added formaldehyde.

 

SterlingOSB Zero is the first UK manufactured OSB with zero-added formaldehyde to deliver health as well as several other technical benefits, making it superior to softwood plywood as well as particleboard.  The factory-primed, ultra-smooth surface presents a blank canvas for marketing messages and other types of promotional display. Being rugged and weather-resistant, the SterlingOSB Zero PrimedPlus boards can be used outside for security applications, such as screening or walkways; hospitality, shopfitting, and housebuilding are other key markets.

 

 

SterlingOSB Zero PrimedPlus is CE-marked and complies with the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) requirements.  The boards are supplied in packs of 50 to cover a total area of approximately 150m².  Right across its range, West Fraser has been making substantial investment in reducing the environmental impact of its production processes including signing new contracts with its energy suppliers to ensure that all its power comes from renewable sources that are covered by REGO (Renewable Energy of Guaranteed Origins) certification.

 


CLICK HERE for a free sample and further information

 

call 01786 812 921

 

or visit The West Fraser Website by CLICKING HERE

 

Scotts Timber Engineering (STE) has revealed a set of standardised timber vehicle storage solutions and porches, for architects, designers, and specifiers to implement sustainable timber into their designs and improve aesthetics.

 

Easi-Fit, the latest range by STE, provides aspirational solutions for designers and architects that utilise natural materials to offer a sustainable alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar-based garages and porches.

 

James Scott, Managing Director of the Scotts Group says:

“Architects and designers play an important role in shaping the visual appeal of housing developments, and Easi-Fit empowers them to add something truly special to housing projects.

“By integrating our standardised timber solutions, designers can enhance the overall aesthetics of any project, whether it’s a sleek porch or an elegant vehicle storage solution – Easi-Fit delivers both form and function with PEFC-certified engineered timber.”

 

Taking advantage of timber’s suitability for offsite construction, Easi-Fit is delivered on a just-in-time basis to site meaning Easi-fit can also save time and resources during construction.

 

Scott continued:

“As a company, we have recently completed our Carbon Footprint certification to ensure we can maximise the low carbon benefits of timber projects for our customers. For every tonne of timber used in our buildings instead of concrete, another two tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions are saved.

“Easi-Fit comprises prefabricated components made from PEFC-certified engineered timber that is delivered onsite for rapid assembly, minimising on-site construction time, while aligning to the end user’s expectations on sustainability.”

 

Scotts Timber Engineering has secured contracts with Miller Homes to deliver Easi-Fit products with several more contracts in the pipeline. Customers will be provided with on-site training to ensure Easi-fit products can be installed as efficiently as possible.

 

An innovative anchoring solution from EJOT helps to optimise the aesthetics of externally insulated walls by preventing nuisance anchor marks forming on the rendered finish.

The ejotherm® STR U 2G is the latest generation of EJOT’s universal anchor washer, which was the first solution of its kind in Europe when it launched 20 years ago. It enables the countersunk installation of EWI (external wall insulation) systems or ETICS (external thermal insulation composite systems) covered with a cap.

Whilst ETICS has offered an efficient and durable way to optimise the energy performance of the building envelope for several decades, on the rendered walls of many buildings featuring an EWI system or ETICS façade ugly patterns of light and dark spots can often be seen. Known as ‘anchor marks’, these mean the locations of the anchors are clearly visible when they are supposed to be hidden, which is unattractive and disappointing for residents, but also a problem for contractors and specifiers.

Anchor marks may be temporary or permanent spots on the rendered finish which become visible as darker or lighter spots above the anchor washer. This defect occurs regardless of the insulation material used and, whilst it does not impair the function of the system, the problem can grow over time to become more of a visual nuisance.

They are caused by a number of reasons and vary according to the location of the building, the orientation of the façade surface and the thermal bridge (Chi valve) of the anchor. Different heat storage capacities of the components used – such as insulation boards, anchors and render – and incorrect setting positions of the anchors can also lead to formation of the marks.

Where a dark spot develops in the area of the anchor washers, this usually stems from anchors being set too deeply, usually in an incorrect manner, which means they will have been filled or rendered after installation. The resulting thicker render layers over the anchors at these points means that the facade dries more slowly in these areas, which causes it to remain moist for longer. This allows for increased accumulation of dirt, algae and fungi, so at these points clearly visible dark discolorations form on the façade.

Lighter spots, on the other hand, are usually the result of different heat storage capacities or thermal conductivities of the components. The combination of anchor washer and render coating stores the heat longer than the undisturbed render surface, which means this area dries faster. The remaining surface of the facade stays moist longer and in turn collects dirt for a longer period – the area above the anchor washers stays bright. In the long term, the anchors become visible as light spots on the façade surface.

The EJOT ejotherm® STR U 2G prevents the formation of anchor marks because it allows for consistency in the layer of insulation. The combination of this special ETICS anchor design and matching insulating material caps means anchor marks can be avoided in the long term and unsightly spots can become a thing of the past.

EJOT ejotherm® STR U 2G is easy to use thanks to a special installation tool, which allows the anchors to be installed in a recessed manner and sunk into the insulation material in a controlled way.

The installation tool cuts the area around the anchor washer and the insulation material is automatically compressed under the washer when the anchor is screwed in. An insulating cap can then be inserted flush into the recess between the anchor washer and the facade surface, allowing for a homogenous installation surface to be achieved.

The surface, which at this point is even once again, enables an even application of the render so that  reworking in the anchor locations, as a result of them not being optimally placed, is no longer necessary. In addition, the temperature differences on the surface of the insulation board are minimised by the attached insulating material cap and the heat storage capacity is equalised over the entire surface. This way, an even and undisturbed exchange of moisture between render and insulating material can be permanently ensured.


CLICK HERE to find out more about the EJOT STR solution for ETICS applications

 

 


 

When The Knaresborough Inn (formerly known as Dower House) recently underwent a major refurbishment, a new high-efficiency low-temperature hot water (LTHW) heating system from Hamworthy Heating was employed to help the Inn minimise energy costs and maintain a comfortable environment.

 

To meet the demands of the Grade II listed building and provide sufficient coverage for an Inn of this standard, Sine Consulting Ltd specified a system that comprised two Stratton mk3 wall-hung condensing boilers and two Dorchester DR-SG stainless steel condensing water heaters.

 

“We choose this new LTHW system as it is more than capable of meeting the demands of our clients who are an ever-expanding hotelier group who put guest satisfaction and experience alike at the forefront of what they do as a business”, comments James Coleman, Sine Consulting Limited.

 

Faced with limited space within the plant room, when it came to specifying a boiler for the new system, the Stratton mk3, which features a small and lightweight design, provided simple installation and offered a space saving alternative to floor standing alternatives. To further simplify the practical elements of the installation process, the Dorchester DR-SG, which features a diameter of 80cm (excluding models), enabled the water heaters to be easy transported through standard doorways without needing to remove any product elements (such as insulation jackets).

 

Due to the age of the building and to mitigate any issues caused by potentially dirty water in the existing system, Hamworthy also supplied a low-loss header to work in conjunction with the Stratton MK3 boilers. The header is sized with a very low velocity and when positioned correctly will effectively separate the primary and secondary systems and help to keep any system pollutants away from the boiler circuit.

 

The stainless-steel aspect of both the Stratton mk3 and the Dorchester DR-SG was also a big consideration when it came to product selection. Offering considerable resistance to corrosion which can help to maximise service life, The Knaresborough Inn can now expect to achieve valuable cost savings from reduced service and maintenance intervals.

 

Suitable for both renovation and new build projects, both the Stratton mk3 and the Dorchester DR-SG are fully compliant with Building Regulations Part L and are supplied with a market-leading 5-year warranty as standard from Hamworthy Heating (terms and conditions apply).

 

No stranger to Hamworthy Heating, Sine Consulting Limited has specified Hamworthy products on numerous occasions for a range of installations, including other projects for The Inn Collection Group.

 

“Hamworthy products offer a robust and quality solution with excellent product support to back them up. We have a good relationship with our local Hamworthy Sales Manager and have always found them to be very supportive and knowledgeable when it comes to helping us to find the right solution for our clients”, comments James Coleman, Sine Consulting Limited.

 

The new LTHW heating system from Hamworthy Heating provides sufficient coverage for the newly refurbished Inn with continuous throughput to cover peak demands. This means that The Knaresborough Inn now benefits from a sufficient hot water supply to meet the demands of its growing business and patrons adequately and efficiently.


 

For more information, please CLICK HERE

OR CALL 01202 662 552

 


 

  

Indoor air quality and ventilation manufacturing specialist Nuaire will be discussing its ventilation solutions at five Specifi Mechanical Services events in 2024,

kickstarting the new year off in Manchester in January, before moving on to Bristol and Birmingham in February, London in April and Leeds in October.


Held in the evening, Specifi events provide a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, conducive to learning and sharing knowledge. It enables specifiers to discuss their requirements with manufacturers, and learn about latest solutions to key challenges in building services.

 

Established in 1966, and working across the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors, Nuaire has a lot of knowledge to share! Experienced Nuaire staff will be on hand at Specifi to advise on the latest developments in ventilation, whether it be on addressing overheating in our buildings, preventing condensation and mould in homes, or improving indoor air quality in schools.

 

Key products that Nuaire will be focussing on include the Xboxer heat recovery range; the BPS-ECO-HP boxed packaged solution range of Air Handling Units with integrated heat pump charged with R32 refrigerant; and the Hybrid Cooling System, which is an ancillary cooling module that works with the existing Nuaire MRXBOX MVHR products to provide a hybrid MVHR and cooling system for high-rise new builds.

 


 

CLICK HERE for further information on the Specifi events

 

OR HERE for more information on Nuaire

 

OR HERE To email Nuaire Direct