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Movers and Makers

BSRIA has launched a new guide to help with the design installation and maintenance of flexible ductwork. The BSRIA guide focuses on metallic and non-metallic flexible ductwork in insulated and uninsulated forms only. It aims to help improve the performance of buildings by providing guidance about the legislation, product standards, specifications, installation practices and maintenance requirements relating to flexible ductwork.  Chapters include an overview of flexible ductwork, specifying flexible ductwork and fire performance. Hard copies of the guide are now available for purchase at £30 or £15 to BSRIA members. PDF versions are also available for £30 + VAT or free to download for BSRIA members.

Plaster and drylining manufacturer, British Gypsum, has launched their redesigned website . The site has been re-designed for straightforward navigation, helping customers find the information they need quickly and easily. One of the new features is a product selector tool that helps users explore British Gypsum’s range of solutions.  An improved training section and comprehensive technical advice area are also new additions to the website. 

Constructive Details Ltd (CDL), a joint venture by the BBA and Robust Details Ltd (RDL), has launched its second handbook of masonry detail junctions developed for the Aircrete Products Association. The book shows junctions for a full fill external wall cavity (11 details) and corresponds to details CD001 to CD0016 from the original handbook. To download both handbooks go to the CDL website constructivedetails.co.uk/resources/

Delta Membrane Systems has launched a 40-page brochure to help with the technical planning of DELTA systems for foundation wall protection, drainage and waterproofing.  The brochure has comprehensive information on how DELTA products can be used for protection from damp and water for buildings, cellars, underground parking lots, and tunnels. Information on codes regulating waterproofing and drainage are highlighted and the brochure focuses on the DELTA range of products and the wide range of solutions they provide for a variety of damp proofing and drainage.

Foremans Relocatable ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø Systems, has launched a new website to meet the rising demand for second hand modular buildings The new site, , has a number of key features, including layout options for both cabins and larger modular buildings so potential users can visualise their own accommodation, navigation to allow users to access specification information more quickly and Case studies in sectors including health, education, utilities, commercial, transport and construction that demonstrate the variety of design possibilities and applications.

Solar shading

An external Solar Shading solution, from Levolux, has been used for a refurbishment at One Christchurch Way in Woking. Project managed by CBRE, One Christchurch Way, formerly known as Chobham House, has been upgraded to provide 25,000ft2 of office space arranged over four floors with significant glazing that extends along each elevation. 

To make the building more energy-efficient and attractive to prospective tenants, Levolux was approached to develop a custom external Solar Shading solution to the south and east-facing elevations. The completed installation comprises three bays of 35 fins installed in front of the east-facing elevation, each measuring 5.5m wide by 10.7m high, along with three more bays in front of the south-facing elevation, each measuring 7.5m wide by 10.7m high. Levolux says the refurbished building has an EPC rating of B compared with F previously.

Levolux

External wall insulation

Alumasc’s Swistherm External Wall Insulation system has been used for 54 flats at Stoney Knoll and Gloverfield in Salford. The Swistherm EWI system was used in the programme of works to upgrade the flats to Decent Homes standards. BLD Construction installed 3,000m2 of Swistherm 110mm EPS insulation to all the external walls, finished with ST Silkolitt silicone render in off-white with a rolled texture. Alumasc says the installation improved the thermal performance of the properties, with U-values improving from 2.0W/m2k to 0.30W/m2k.

Alumasc

Blown glass mineral wool

Knauf Insulation has launched Supafil CarbonPlus insulation to add to its range of blown glass mineral wool products. The firm says that Supafil CarbonPlus is designed for installation into narrow cavities below 50mm and is ideal for upgrading existing housing stock. The Supafil CarbonPlus product is not restricted by temperature, enabling installers to fit all year round and it is compression packed to increase the amount of material that can be loaded onto each vehicle. 

Knauf Insulation

Refurbishing Luton

External wall insulation from Sto has been specified for 48 houses in Luton as part of the council’s ongoing refurbishment programme. The post-war properties are Orlit houses built from  precast reinforced concrete. Designed to improve comfort and insulation levels, the refurbishment was funded by the Carbon Energy Saving Programme (CESP). The decision was made because the concrete walls provided no effective thermal insulation and the retrofit of external insulation was the only viable solution. Thermal insulation is provided in this project by 90mm of LambdaTherm EPS (this insulation material includes graphite to maximise the thermal properties). The system is finished with a robust silicone render, specified in a colour to match as closely as possible the original paint finish. The company says the walls now have a U-value of 0.28W/m2K.

Sto

Chemical water treatment

Crawley Homes has used Fernox chemical water treatment products as part of a pilot scheme to improve the energy efficiency of its properties. The scheme has so far seen one property undergo a complete central heating upgrade using an air source heat pump protected with Fernox HP-15c as well as a Fernox TF1 Total Filter and Fernox Protector F1. A Vaillant Air Source Heat Pump was installed at the property. A Fernox TF1 Total Filter was then fitted to the heat pump to help it run efficiently after installation.

Fernox

Better bathrooms

Ideal Standard has launched Concept Space, a range of sanitaryware, baths and storage solutions. The collection includes short projection basins and compact WCs, and baths.

Concept Space Cube basins can be used wall mounted, with semi pedestal, full pedestal or furniture. They have a 380mm projection. Concept Space Arc and Sphere basins are also available in the range. Concept Space guest basins are suitable for even smaller spaces. These 45cm basins are used with wall-hung or floorstanding guest basin units which, along with the basins themselves, are available as right or left-handed variants. 

A 170cm Concept Spacemaker bath has the same features as Concept Space baths but narrows to 550mm at one end to accommodate awkward bathroom shapes or obstructive windows or doorways. Like all baths in the Concept range, it offers ergonomically curved bath rests.

Ideal Standard