Latest innovations and products in the building fabric section of the construction industry.

EPIC is the first trade body to support ‘100% Hackitt’

Engineered Panels in Construction (EPIC) has thrown its full weight behind the ‘100% Hackitt’ campaign to help drive the industry to adopt all 53 recommendations from ‘The Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety’.

“EPIC members manufacture highly-engineered, thoroughly-tested building elements which can be relied upon to perform predictably in service,” says EPIC general secretary Chris Pateman. “So Dame Judith Hackitt’s insistence on seeing high-rise buildings as complex systems, selecting materials in the light of proven engineering performance and resisting ‘quick-fix’ solutions, absolutely resonates with everything EPIC has been striving to achieve for the last 15 years.”

‘100% Hackitt’ is an initiative launched in October 2018 by two building specialists, British Board of Agrément (BBA) and Local Authority Building Control (LABC). It aims to bring together individuals and organisations, ranging from architects to fire fighters, to support Dame Judith Hackitt’s vision of “a radical rethink of the whole system”. Within the 159-page report, she argues that an immediate and extended implementation of the whole plan is necessary to create a robust regulatory framework. That, if the industry cherry-picks its actions, it “will fail to achieve the systemic change sought. The framework operates as a mutually reinforcing package and requires the implementation of its interdependent components in order for this to be achieved”.

“EPIC is proud to lend its support to ‘100% Hackitt’ which strives to achieve a proper, balanced, engineering approach,” says Chris Pateman. “We hope to see more companies and organisations joining us to reinforce the importance of this message, to lobby the Government for swift and effective change, and to help support the industry transform the way it works to ensure safe, future-proofed buildings.”

As a major contributor to UK and European consultative groups, EPIC has been actively involved in fire testing and research for over a decade. It contributes important information and proven data about the fire performance of insulated panel systems to specifiers, contractors and fire professionals. EPIC and its management team has consistently advocated for root-and-branch reform and not ‘quick-fix’ solutions.

To read more about ‘100% Hackitt’, or offer your support, visit www.100-hackitt.co.uk

EPIC is the voice of the polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulated panel manufacturing industry in the UK, promoting fire safety, energy efficiency and sustainability best practice. It provides clear guidance, information, support and inspiration for those involved in the design and construction of buildings using high performance insulated panel systems.

For further information, please contact EPIC on Tel:0330 221 0499 Email: info@epic.uk.com Web: www.epic.uk.com
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Historic building renovation enjoys sea and sky views thanks to Xtralite

A historic building in the seaside town of Whitley Bay has undergone a radical renovation and development programme restoring it to its former glory.

Spanish City, which was constructed in 1910, has been given a new lease of life as part of a coastal development plan driven by North Tyneside County Council. Its unusual name is reputedly borne from the ‘Toreadors’ concert party who played on a temporary stage in what was then home to Rockliffe Rugby Club between 1904 and 1907. To protect their audience from the inclement North Eastern weather, canvas and wood awnings were built and painted to look like a Spanish Village and the rest, as they say is history.

Fast forward to the 21st century and the £10m investment has seen the restoration of original features along with modern extensions and the wonderful rotunda atop the building has been beautifully brought back to life as a focal point of the project. The ceiling of the central space has been removed from the ground floor to allow visitors to see the iconic dome and the architectural detail.

“We are proud to have been able to supply products to this stunning project which will rejuvenate the heart of this seaside community,” said Jim Lowther sales director Xtralite. “Our rooflights will allow visitors to make the most of the lovely sea views and have integrated seamlessly into the heart of the building with ease, balancing practicality and aesthetics perfectly.”

Xtralite supplied products from its X-Glaze range which incorporated a series of self-supporting 37.5mm double glazed units with dimension of 4.92 metres wide and a slope length of 2.52m pitched at 5° 7 units covering an area of 86.78 sqm.

The Double Glazed Glass units were made up of 10mm thick Guardian SunGuard 70/35 toughened solar control outer pane, 16mm Argon filled cavity with black spacer bar, 11.5mm thick clear heat strengthened laminate with Ionomer interlayer and black boarder to give building users greater comfort. Practically, the units were fitted directly to the builder’s kerb and resulted in a 1.2 W/m²°K Ud value (relating to the glazing units only).

Andrew Coleman, Senior Project Manager at Robertson Construction, main contractors for the project commented; “It was important to flood the building with as much natural light as possible and to capitalise on the lovely sea views afforded from certain aspects of the building. Balancing comfort, aesthetics, building regulations and thermal efficiencies can be tricky but the reputation and reliability of Xtralite products allowed us to fulfil all requirements. Supply was efficient and technical information and support was readily available allowing us to stay on track with our timescales to meet the launch deadline of summer 2018.”

Jim concluded: “This is a prime example of how modern products can be used in historic restoration programmes to great effect sympathetically embracing the fabric of the building but making it fit for its new intended purpose.”

X-Glaze is just one of a range of glazing and rooflight products offered by Xtralite.

Further information can be found by visiting www.xtralite.co.uk or by calling 01670 354 157.
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New Protective Adjustable Threshold Eliminates Construction Problem

Yeovil-based Cavity Trays Ltd has developed a ready-to-use solution to eliminate a reoccurring construction problem when building on contaminated land. Originally conceived for Radon gas situations, it is called the Type PAT – Protective Adjustable Threshold.

Where gas barriers are present within the external cavity walls of a building and the door openings interrupt the arrangement, maintaining gas-tight integrity and damp-proofing measures is always difficult. Commonly door openings are at a different level (access requirements) and interrupt the protective arrangement against rising gas.

Using flexible DPC requires support from higher courses and creates a cumbersome arrangement in which achieving a gas and water-tight arrangement that links with threshold and closers is difficult.

The Type PAT eliminates this problem.

The new Protective Adjustable Threshold (Type PAT) from Cavity Trays provides both gas and water protection under and to the sides of every opening and does so in a way that eliminates discontinuity and provides adjustable connection with adjacent barriers.

The Type PAT – Protective Adjustable Threshold – is a three-dimensional DPC unit that is bedded within the external wall opening. Integration between wall barriers and the Type PAT is achieved using the adjustable side connectors that attach to the Type PAT and slide up and down to the requisite level. The cavity face of each connector has a projecting connection profiled to match that of the external wall DPC/barrier profile. Once in position, all lapping sections are lap-sealed and gas-tape bonded. The footprint membrane is integrated in the usual way to maintain gas-resistant integrity.

The side connectors are supplied with different projecting profile options to match the wall barrier profile selected by the designer.

The Type PAT DPC threshold unit is usually supplied in three sections consisting of two corners and an infilling channel base length. These three components overlap so always accommodate the as-built structural opening width. Wider openings of any dimension can be formed by introducing additional lapping channel base lengths across the opening and sealing using gas-grade bonding strip.

The reveal closers (compatible caviclosers available) descend into the cavity-projecting sides of the Type PAT, terminating within its channel base in which are located flexible drainage conduits*.

(This channel base can additionally accommodate an optional insulating strip if thermal enhancement is sought under the sill.

*Part C, page 37. 5.32 describes closers having fins These provide capillary breaks in the reveal closing arrangement and allow water to gravitate between fins for discharge at the closer base. The flexible conduit provides the water escape route, without compromising Type PAT continuous gas protection across the base of the opening.

For further information visit www.cavitytrays.com or tel: 01935 474769.
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Cembrit gets a first at the University of Northampton

Cembrit is delighted that its Moorland fibre cement slates have been specified and installed at the new campus development at the University of Northampton. Situated on the River Nene the new Waterside Campus features a mixture of academic buildings and student accommodation. Specified by Stride Treglown and installed by Russell Roofing, the Moorland slates dressed edge provides an aesthetically pleasing natural looking roof covering, for the new prestigious student accommodation blocks at the university, at a lower installed cost than natural slate.

Located on a former brownfield site, the development responds to the industrial heritage of the site in a contemporary way. The student residences are located immediately adjacent to the new academic accommodation and incorporate a variety of additional facilities including a health centre, multi-faith chaplaincy, convenience store, bank, hotel school and launderette. The additional facilities within the development take a holistic approach to urban regeneration as well as giving the university an opportunity to consolidate its campus estate into one location. The new student residences, which are being developed in two phases, consist of a mixture of shared townhouse and cluster flat accommodation with the Moorland slates being installed on pitched roof areas including the main roof and mansard sections.

Keystone Roofing have supplied Russell Roofing with over 47,000m² Moorland slates so far and Frazer Simpson, Director of Russell Roofing is delighted with how the project is taking shape: “The development is a great looking project and looks particularly impressive with its waterfront location. The Moorland slates fit in perfectly with the surrounding and with their dressed edge and lightweight construction add a classy, but easy to install quality to the project. We’ve used them before and definitely will do again.”

Cembrit Moorland slates are designed with a dressed edge and smooth surface, they are light weight, pre holed and easy to cut with hand tools making them a cost effective product an added benefit for the University of Northampton. Moorland slates random, dressed edge creates a roof slope with a natural appearance, they are fully coated with a high quality, semi-matt acrylic pigmented finish which ensures the natural appearance is visible from street level.

For further information visit www.cembrit.co.uk, email sales@cembrit.co.uk or tel: +44 (0) 208 320 1184.
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Glendyne restores historic chapel to former glory

Cembrit Glendyne natural slates have been specified and installed on a unique renovation project for the Historic Hampshire landmark, Netley Chapel, which saw the local community contributing financially to the restoration project. Before slating began, the public were invited to site to mark the occasion and “sponsor a slate”. For a small donation, visitors wrote a message and signed the reverse of a roof slate. More than 900 Glendyne slates were decorated, raising £6,600 for the friends of the Royal Victoria Country Park. These slates were then installed on the roof of the chapel by Elliotts Premier Roofing of Southampton.

Royal Victoria Country Park was once the site of the world’s largest military hospital, the Royal Victoria Hospital (or Netley Hospital). Now, all that remains of the original hospital structure, which fell into decline after being severely damaged by fire in 1963, is Netley Chapel. Thanks to a multi-million pound grant from Hampshire County Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Victorian-era building has recently undergone extensive renovation, and now marks the beginning of a new chapter for the chapel.

Hampshire-based construction company, Brymor Construction was appointed as the main contractor for the project alongside roofing subcontractor, Elliotts Premier Roofing. Having worked with Cembrit many times in the past, Elliotts Premier Roofing selected 610mm x 305mm blue-grey Cembrit Glendyne natural slates for the refurbishment of the roof covering: “As one of the oldest companies in Southampton, it’s been a privilege for us to have played such a pivotal role in this project and work with other local organisations to restore this iconic chapel,” says David Stubbington of Elliotts Premier Roofing. “We chose Cembrit Glendyne slates for the project due to its flexibility to accommodate the roof design of the prestigious building. The end result is impressive and Glendyne really accentuates the character of the chapel.”

The chapel re-opened to the public in summer 2018. An exhibition in the main body of the chapel tells the story of the former hospital, from its beginnings in the 1850s, through the Boer War, and both World Wars up to the present day.

The project was completed in a timely fashion, and is one of the first to utilise the new large 24″ x 12″ (imperial) format. Netley Chapel was finished to an extremely high standard. Cembrit was on hand to offer support and advice for this landmark renovation project. “I assisted Hampshire Council with writing the roofing specification for this project,” commented Phil Wilden, Technical Manager Pitched & Small Element Roofing Products at Cembrit. “Throughout the roof construction phase, our Regional Sales Manager and I made routine visits to the site to ensure the product was being installed to the requirements of the specification and that of British Standard BS5534. This highlights the level of technical support that we offer our customers.”

Glendyne is a high quality slate that combines first-class performance with all the inherent beauty of natural slate, making it the ideal ‘natural’ choice for specifiers and roofers. Available exclusively from Cembrit in the UK, Glendyne is a distinctive blue-grey colour. The Glendyne quarry is one of the most modern slate quarries in the world. The quarry operates a quality management system based on EN ISO 9001 which is externally audited. This standard is adhered to rigidly, as are all quality standard procedures required by each regional market the quarry supplies.

Glendyne is tested to BS EN European standard, BS EN 12326-1:2014 which requires many of the laboratory tests (‘type testing’) to be performed at least annually and the factory production control (FPC) performed and recorded as a matter of routine by the producer.

To watch a video on the project, visit www.cembrit.co.uk/about/news/glendyne-restores-historic-chapel-to-former-glory

For further information visit www.cembrit.co.uk, email sales@cembrit.co.uk or tel: +44 (0) 208 320 1184.
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Kingspan launches new facades business

Kingspan Group, the global leader in high performance insulation and building envelope solutions, has announced the launch of Kingspan Facades – a new business designed to help architects enhance their designs without compromising on technical performance.

Combining systems and expertise from across the Group, Kingspan Facades is a service-led business providing specifiers with a comprehensive portfolio of advanced building envelope systems suitable for a multitude of applications and architectural styles. This aesthetic offering is supported with four robust substructure solutions that encompass Kingspan’s advanced core insulations alongside options using more traditional materials.

Mel Courtney, Managing Director of Kingspan Facades explains the vision for the new business:

“We’re noticing a real drive in the industry for more detailed and accessible technical guidance, particularly around facade systems. By offering solutions incorporating all of Kingspan Group’s facade products under a single business, we are in a unique position to provide the most appropriate solution. We offer a single source approach from the Steel Framing System, insulation, right through to the external facade – one point of contact for customers for the full through-wall system solution, reinforced by the technical support that Kingspan is renowned for”.

Kingspan Facades will be underpinned by an industry-leading Compliance Assured scheme. Compliance Assured by Kingspan is a robust assurance framework to support customers through design, installation training and on-site inspection during construction and handover of a BR 135 / BS 8414 tested Kingspan Facade system. This scheme, an industry first, shows Kingspan taking action to address the call for higher standards of installation and oversight on construction projects identified in the Hackitt Review earlier this year.

Describing the significance of the Compliance Assured service, Kingspan Facade’s Technical Director Dr. Thomas Henriksen said:

“In her review of Building Regulations and fire safety, Dame Judith Hackitt highlighted a number of key recommendations, including improving competence levels, stronger processes for driving compliance and managing change control, together with greater clarity of roles and responsibilities of those procuring, designing and constructing buildings. Above all Dame Judith has called for effective leadership within the construction industry to create the cultural shift required for positive change.

Compliance Assured provides a framework for construction that developers, designers, contractors, sub-contractors and most importantly both building owners and occupiers can all be confident in. As well as providing a high level of technical support at design stage, we will enhance the competence of those installing our tested systems through mandatory, project specific training. We believe that this is a major step in addressing many of Dame Judith’s recommendations”.

A key element of Compliance Assured is that Kingspan will provide a prescriptive list of components for their BS8414 Tested Systems, working with a limited number of recommended suppliers. This supports a holistic system based approach, and can be mapped to the RIBA Plan of Work Stages to provide greater transparency and traceability.

The new business will encompass the BENCHMARK by Kingspan brand, combining its architectural rainscreen facade systems, including Dri-Design, with a full spectrum of different insulation cores. These range from traditional mineral fibre to advanced insulation products such as Kingspan’s innovative QuadCore Karrier System and proven Kooltherm K15 Rainscreen Board solution.

The full range of products and technical services from Kingspan Facades will be available in UK, Ireland and mainland Europe and can be explored at www.kingspanfacades.co.uk
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Cembrit plank brings life to a painted bungalow

Water leaks are a distant memory for the owners of a bungalow in the Isle of Wight after Cembrit Plank was installed on the property to provide a new watertight cladding system.

Ryde-based roofing contractor, L J Teal Roofing Service was approached by the homeowners who were looking for a solution to fix a water ingress issue. The concrete blocks and render finish had become porous and water was penetrating through. Having heard about the recently launched Cembrit Plank, the contractor was confident that this weatherboard could provide a good cladding solution for the customer.

“We pitched the idea of installing a weatherboard cladding option to Mr and Mrs Morrison, and they agreed that it would be a good way forward” commented Liam Teal of L J Teal Roofing Service. “We supplied Cembrit Plank in Ivory via Roofstore and the project began in February 2018.”

L J Teal Roofing Service started the project by chipping off the paint and render, stabilising the wall with bonding agents and installing a two-coat render system. Due to the block work having an uneven finish, the contractor fitted 38mm x 50 mm counter battens required individual attention to create a uniform structure onto which Cembrit Plank could be installed. Ventilated starter profiles ensured the correct air flow behind the weatherboard. The original roof overhang presented a problem, as the gable roof ends did not extend out far enough to accommodate the cladding underneath. This resulted in the contractor altering the roof and installing new PVC fascia being fitted at the gable ends.

Once the breathable membrane was installed on top of the counter battens, L J Teal Roofing Service then turned their attention to the cladding. The contractor started by levelling the first board around the whole building and worked their way up the property fixing Cembrit Plank horizontally. Work continued rapidly with the help of Gecko gauges which meant after the first plank was laid level, the successive planks were quickly placed and fixed. Extremely easy to install, the project was completed by April 2018. The owners are delighted with their brand-new exterior, which has a natural aesthetic, and is watertight, non-combustible and low in maintenance.

Fibre cement Cembrit Plank is low in maintenance, rot, rust, warp, crack, sun, heat, rain resistant, is non-combustible, providing a superior alternative to timber and plastic based alternatives. The overlapping plank is designed to look like painted timber but will retain its attractive appearance long after alternatives have started to age. Furthermore, Cembrit Plank does not require toxic preservative treatments in the way timber weatherboarding does.

Offering a 15-year warranty, Cembrit Plank is available in 15 different colours. A range of white and dark grey shades match traditional building styles, while the addition of reds, pale browns and pastel green offer a more contemporary choice. In addition, the range includes a ready primed option for clients wishing to add their own choice of colour. For large enough orders, Cembrit can arrange customised colours. The range includes a comprehensive set of colour matched accessories, including the roofline trims needed for a neat finish where façade meets the roof.

For further information visit www.cembrit.co.uk, email sales@cembrit.co.uk or tel: 020 3372 2300
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New ROCKWOOL website offers personalised experience for users

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Imagine a website that can predict and adapt to be completely relevant and helpful to you and your needs. ROCKWOOL UK’s new website powered by Artificial Intelligence has been carefully designed to do exactly that, providing you with a central resource for your insulation insights.

From Friday 21st September 2018 you will have the opportunity to experience the new ROCKWOOL website yourself. This sophisticated content rich platform of information, with powerful tools has been designed to support and deliver real value to everyone in construction, from Architect to homeowner.

The story gets better, the in-built machine learning of this website means that the more the site is used, the more the platform will be optimised to show highly relevant content and assets whether they are a home owner, a specifier, or a contractor.

To try out the new website, visit www.rockwool.co.uk on the 21st September 2018.
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Kingspan embraces the past with library extension at Dunfermline

A £12.4 million extension to the 19th century Dunfermline Carnegie Library in Scotland is helping raise the town’s cultural profile. The new building is designed and built to comply with Scottish Building Regulations, with the help of Kingspan Kooltherm K15 Rainscreen Board and Kingspan Kooltherm K10 Soffit Board.

The Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries project has created an exciting new local history Reading Room, Museum and Children’s Library to engage and entertain a wider number of visitors at Dunfermline’s Heritage Quarter. In addition, it also provides the town’s first purpose-built art gallery space and a new mezzanine café, ensuring visitors can relax with a coffee whilst enjoying the stunning views of the landscaped gardens and Dunfermline Abbey.

Ashlar sandstone, oak and Corten steel cladding have been installed on the new extension of the library building as part of a rainscreen cladding system. 500 m2 of Kingspan Kooltherm K15 Rainscreen Board was fitted within the steel frame cladding system of the regenerated external façade in a 70 mm thickness. The angular features of the building also have overhanging structural ceilings which required the installation of 200 m2 of Kingspan Kooltherm K10 Soffit Board insulation in a 75 mm thickness.

Martin Lambie, Architect from Richard Murphy Architects Ltd, commented:

“We wanted to create a space that embraced both the rich history of the building and the expectations of visitors both now and in the future. The façade successfully delivered the visual appeal, but we also needed to ensure the space was comfortable too. We chose Kingspan Kooltherm for this project as we knew it would help us to deliver the target U-values.”

Kingspan Insulation products can allow target U-values to be achieved with minimal construction thickness. Both premium performance products feature a fibre-free core and can achieve thermal conductivities as low as 0.020 W/m.K.

Kingspan Kooltherm K15 Rainscreen Board and Kingspan Kooltherm K10 Soffit Board feature a fibre-free core manufactured with a blowing agent which has zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and low Global Warming Potential (GWP). The product has been assigned a highest possible BREEAM Green Guide summary of A+ and is certified ‘Excellent’ under the demanding BES 6001: Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products standard.

Since the completion of the project, Kingspan has launched its Kooltherm K100 range offering thermal conductivities as low as 0.018 W/m.K across all thicknesses. The expanding range now includes Kingspan Kooltherm K110 Soffit Board helping buildings to achieve outstanding levels of thermal performance with a minimum construction thickness.

For further information, please contact: Tel: +44 (0) 1544 387 384
Email: info@kingspaninsulation.co.uk Website: www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk
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Act Smart and Save the Date

GEZE UK will demonstrate some ‘joined up thinking’ when it takes part at this year’s Smart Buildings Show (7-8 November 2018) at the Barbican, London.

Its stand, F3, Hall 2, is a third bigger than last year and will feature the latest integrated products that can form part of intelligent building networks.

By using smart building interfaces such as the GEZE Cockpit, IQ box KNX or the IO 420, modular solutions can be applied to achieve natural ventilation and climate control, security and fire safety. In turn, they can be integrated into building management systems which ‘talk’ to each other for complete control – often remotely.

Using GEZE’s range of automatic door and window systems, these ‘hubs’ can transform premises into smart buildings – making them more pleasant environments in which to live and work – conditions that help people feel more happy, healthy and productive.

Said GEZE UK managing director, Kaz Spiewakowski: “Our presence at the UK’s leading dedicated smart building event will be bigger and better this year.

“We have some ground-breaking products to demonstrate and in GEZE UK’s 30th year, we wish to make our presence felt and become firmly established as the ‘go to’ supplier for those looking to create the next generation of buildings.”

As the only company in the UK to offer both door and window solutions, GEZE is keen to be at the forefront of the ‘smart revolution’ allowing building performance to be optimised, costs reduced and environments improved through responsive and multifunctional systems.

Visitors to the stand will see products such as the Slimchain, IO 420, IQ box KNX, IQ locks, WS 1000 touch screen controller, Flat scan sensor, the GEZE Cockpit – which will be available in the UK very soon – and a first look at the Perlan AUT NT, a cost-effective alternative to the manual sliding door system – ideal for use in difficult-to-access areas which can help reduce accidents.

For details of the event visit www.smartbuildingshow.com

For more information about GEZE UK’s comprehensive range of products and system solutions call 01543 443000 or visit www.geze.co.uk
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