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Royal Alexandra Hospital Brighton Moves a Step Closer to Completion

Extensive work to clad one of the country's most state of the art children's hospitals has now reached its second phase.

Suffolk based English Architectural Glazing has employed a number of techniques and materials in cladding the entire envelop of the new, high tech Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital in Brighton.

The first phase, which is now complete, involved installing 87 pre-cast concrete panels which were manufactured off site. Each panel weighed in the region of 11 tonnes with some being specially cast in a curved shape to give the building its unique boat-like shape.

Now the first phase is complete, EAG has started work to install the unitised glazing and a number of other cladding elements.

EAG's Pre Construction Director, Edward Whipp, said: 'This has been a particularly challenging job as the hospital needed all its access routes left clear at all times which meant it was much more convenient to use pre-cast panels which could be lifted into place.

The work is progressing well and using pre-cast materials means the building can be closed-in quickly providing a watertight façade that allows internal works to begin.'

The new hospital is being constructed to replace the outdated Royal Alexandra Hospital for Sick Children and once complete in January 2007, will provide 100 beds as well as operating theatres, diagnostic treatment facilities, an intensive care unit and a cancer day care centre.

New homes in Nailsea near Bristol have been given a traditional look with fully featured windows from the Duraflex Diamond Suite. Bristol Trade Frames designed and installed the PVC-U windows to provide kerb appeal plus compliance with the latest building regulations.

The exclusive development by SBM Construction comprises 12 apartments and 6 two-bedroom houses. The architect-designed homes have an attractive country cottage appearance which has been enhanced by the choice of window frames.

Duraflex's 65mm Featured Suite provided a good solution for this prestigious project, explains James Mizen, Director of Bristol Trade Frames: ‘The profile's classic styling closely resembles timber frames and Duraflex offers a range of optional extras to complete the period effect.’

Bristol Trade Frames designed the white casement windows with external astragal bars to add an authentic feel. To satisfy Part B fire regulations floating mullions were incorporated into first floor windows to enable easy egress from in the event of a fire. This solution ensured compliance without the need to offset mullions, which would have compromised the overall window design.

A popular choice with housebuilders, Duraflex's Featured Suite combines elegant detailing with all the benefits of modern PVC-U windows such as security, thermal efficiency and low maintenance. The System is Part L compliant and also carries all the necessary BSI, BBA and PAS 23/34 accreditations.

All windows for the Nailsea project were manufactured by Griffin Windows based in Mid Glamorgan. Griffin uses Duraflex's new Rolled in Gasket (RIG), which when combined with the Featured profile offers a high performance seal, and because the gasket is concealed within the frame, adds to the system's aesthetic appeal. The fact that it is factory fitted as part of the extrusion process also delivers cost savings and productivity improvements for the fabricator, and guarantees excellent static and dynamic performance in correctly manufactured windows.

Established in 1999, Bristol Trade Frames and Conservatories is one of Bristol's leading suppliers of glazing products to the trade. Its comprehensive package includes window and conservatory design, technical support and installation. The experienced team has built working partnerships with many of the key manufacturers within the industry in order to deliver a complete package of quality products backed by reliable service.

Tel: 08705 351351
Web: http://www.duraflex.co.uk

Leeds ALMOS Get Tough On Corrosion in £50M Project

Austenitic hardware manufactured in the UK by Securistyle Ltd is being used by fabricators across the board in a £50m window replacement scheme by Leeds ALMOS.

Involving four of the six Leeds ALMOS, Leeds Property Management Services is coordinating the scheme that will last between three and five years and involve six different window fabricators. The project has seen over 42,000 windows installed so far this financial year. The majority of the windows will be fitted with either Securistyle Defender Restricted or Defender Egress hinges, as well as Defender Cavity Fit Restrictors where required. A number of the fabricators will also be using the Securistyle Virage handle.

Best Value, safety and security were the driving forces determining the hardware chosen for the project. Tony Allen, project manager, Leeds Property Management Services, commented: 'Resistance to corrosion was an important factor in the hardware specification to ensure that in years to come maintenance costs would be kept low. However, it was also imperative that issues of safety and security were taken into account, and the latest legislation met.'

(L-R) Tony Allen, project manager, Leeds Property Management Services, Vivienne Taylor, Securistyle Specifications Manager and a resident.

The project sees the council ALMOS specifying fully austenitic hardware for the first time, in a move to improve the whole life performance of replacement windows. Hardware made from austenitic 304 stainless steel is significantly more resistant to corrosion than ferritic stainless steel and is especially suitable for use in exposed locations.

Vivienne Taylor, Securistyle specifications manager, said, 'In addition to providing quality hardware that meets the needs of the housing providers and the residents, we are a key link in the supply chain. As Securistyle hardware is manufactured in the UK we are able to carefully monitor and control the production and delivery to support the six fabricators involved.'

The Defender Restricted hinge and the Defender Cavity Fit Restrictor provide the ultimate in window safety provision, and have been tested to achieve BS 6375 Part 2. The Defender Egress hinge allows casement windows to open to a full 90° for emergency exit complying with BS5588 Part 1: 1990 and Part B of the Building Regulations. The Defender Egress also has a release lever with automatic reset to allow ease of cleaning from inside the building. All Securistyle products come with a 10 year guarantee.

Securistyle offers a free CPD-certified seminar covering all aspects of safety, security, emergency egress, corrosion resistance and Best Value in relation to window hardware specification. Further details are available from Securistyle on 01242 221200 or visit http://www.securistyle.co.uk.

Quantal Approved Installer CTG used its local knowledge to design and build a stunning conservatory in St Ives. The homeowners can enjoy the beauty of the Cornish countryside safe in the knowledge that their conservatory can withstand the worst of the Atlantic coast's weather conditions.

Ian Deacon, General Manager of CTG, explains: 'Because we are based in this area we know about the extremes in climate that our customers are exposed to, so when the homeowners approached us to build them a conservatory that they could use all year round we knew we would have to design a high performance structure with a 'most severe weather rating'.'

The integral strength and aluminium top caps of the Quantal roof gives it an enormous advantage over similar plastic capped roofs, which are susceptible to problems caused by storm damage. And the tough polyester powder coating on all visible surfaces is extremely durable and easy to keep clean.

'In addition they of course wanted their conservatory to look stylish and enhance their home, so are delighted with the finished product that features a superior high gloss finish and distinctive aesthetics, as well as the very latest high quality security hardware and solar control glass,' concludes Ian.

Telephone Quantal on 01626 832355 or visit http://www.quantal.co.uk for more information on all the products and services available to members of the Approved Fabricator or Retail Networks.

Glasgow-based Thermashield Insulation has completed the final phase of Linstone Housing Association’s window refurbishment programme, with the fabrication and installation of more than 750 Sheerframe windows, plus doors at certain properties.

The £340,000 project involved more than 100 properties in Linwood, near Paisley, and saw Thermashield replace deteriorating timber frames with Sheerframe 7000 system PVC windows. This work was completed as part of Linstone Housing Association’s commitment to providing all their tenants with fully double-glazed and centrally heated homes by 2006, in line with the Scottish Quality Homes Standard.

Thermashield was appointed to carry out the refurbishment programme following the success of its earlier contracts in 2004 when more than 150 Linstone properties were transformed. According to Gary Dalziel, Director of Corporate Services at Linstone Housing Association, key to awarding this final phase contract to Thermashield was ensuring the right standard of product and service was delivered to its tenants:

'Having worked with Thermashield in previous window replacement contracts we were confident that our tenants and the Association would receive a high quality service. Our window replacement programme reinforces our commitment to maintaining tenants’ homes to a high standard and ensuring that they have warm, draught-free and comfortable properties.'

Established in 1983, Thermashield Insulation is one of Scotland’s leading window contractors in the social housing sector. Operating out of its 21,000 square foot factory in Stepps on the outskirts of Glasgow, Thermashield currently produces more than 300 Sheerframe windows and doors every week.

Tel: 01773 852311
Web: http://www.sheerframe.co.uk