A combination of the best in doors, windows and flooring products, including framing an art deco gem and giving swing doors the silent treatment
Technal's balconies for Park Lane
Technal's FXi52 window and balcony system has been specified for a development at 140 Park Lane, London. Architect RHWL used the system to match the proportions of the original solid timber windows on the grade II-listed Edwardian mansion block next door. The development consists of 18 apartments and a 157-bedroom Marriott hotel. The FXi52 windows were finished in grey and double glazed using a 10.8 mm clear laminated outer pane to provide acoustic insulation. The FXi range is an integrated casement window suite available in three sizes: 46 mm, 52 mm and 65 mm. Technal has also launched a specifier's guide for the FXi casement window, which features CAD images, technical data and case studies.
Technal
www.technal.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 600

Whole-life costs for timber frames
Timber protection specialist Sikkens has announced the development of a computer model that can calculate the whole-life costs of window projects. The Sikkens Lifecycle Inventory Model, or SLIM, was developed with Imperial College, London. It is designed to provide specifiers with the most cost-effective solution concerning the coating and maintenance of factory finished timber windows. SLIM also allows results to be compared against PVCu alternatives.
Sikkens, Akzo Nobel Woodcare
www.sikkens.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 602

Fire doors guide on internet
Jeld-Wen is making its fire doors guide available on the internet. The free Jeld Wen John Carr Doors Fire Facts Guide provides advice on the installation of fire doors to allow their safe and effective fitting. Jeld-Wen has also published a catalogue containing information and advice on changes to the Building Regulations, including Part L for heat insulation, Part M for mobility care and Part E for noise reduction.
Jeld-Wen
www.jeld-wen.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 603

Access doors catalogue
FC Frost has launched a technical catalogue for its range of access doors. Users search the catalogue by application, finish and fire rating rather than the manufacturers' code number. Each product features technical illustrations, installation details, sized and security and mounting options.
FC Frost
www.fcfrost.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 609

Tough security glazing
FendorHansen has launched the SecureLine security glazing system. The system has a composite attack-resistant pane which can be used with double or single glazing. The SecureLine attack-resistant glazing is available in a range of types and thicknesses depending on the level of security required. Each is tested to the LPS 1175 specification for the burglary resistance of building components, strong points and security enclosures. Fixed and restricted-opening light versions are available and the glass can be specified as tinted and low emissivity as well as standard. The windows' steel profiles have a welded flush appearance both inside and outside.
FendorHansen
www.fendorhansen.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 610

Sliding door with high acoustic performance
Faram has developed a double-glazed sliding door, which it claims has a high acoustic performance. The double door slides inside Faram's P700 partitions where integral felt acoustic seals prevent sound leakage when the door is closed. The door is lockable and can be demounted and relocated without disturbing the P700 partitions.
Faram
www.faram.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 611

Adjustable butt hinges
Häfele has introduced the Columbus 2D and 3D adjustable butt hinges for doors and windows. The Columbus hinges can be adjusted in situ in two or three directions and come in a brass plate, polished chrome or silver steel finish. The Columbus 2D hinges have a carrying capacity of 80 kg; the 3D version can carry 90 kg. The company says that the hinges eliminate the need to remove sashes for adjustment purposes and are corrosion resistant to BS EN 1670:1980. Template jigs for use in conjunction with a router are also available, with additional security for outward-opening doors.
Häfele
www.hafele.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 612

Silent swing door operator
Abloy Security has launched the DA300 automatic swing door operator, which is designed to provide virtually silent operation. The operators are for use with lightweight interior doors up to 60 kg and incorporate power-assisted opening. Abloy says that the DA300 is suited to areas that must comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act as the doors can be automatically opened in the event of an interruption in the electricity supply. The DA300 is designed to hold doors open for up to 60 seconds and can be connected to Abloy electro-mechanical locks. The operator will work in conjunction with pressure pads, push button switches, card/proximity readers and radar, and is protected against mechanical overload. The company claims it is ideal for improving access in residential premises, hospitals, offices and disabled and elderly care homes.
Abloy Security
www.abloysecurity.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 613

Black window profiles
Lindman has introduced black Pultec window profiles. They are made from pultruded glass reinforced thermosetting resins. Lindman claims this means that unlike black painted wood and metal, Pultec suffers no expansion or softening problems because of high heat absorption. It says its strength means that it does not require metal reinforcing inserts.
Lindman
www.lindman.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 614

Guide to specifying doors for business
The Door & Shutter Manufacturers' Association has published a guide for specifying industrial and commercial metal doors, shutters and garage doors. It describes and illustrates seven most common door types among them the sectional overhead door type, industrial rolling shutters and domestic garage doors.
DSMA
www.dsma.org.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 615

Art deco windows

Steel Window Service & Supplies has provided replica steel windows for an art deco house in Highgate, north London. Exact replicas were produced for the front bay windows, which were polyester powder coated white and single glazed with 6 mm clear float glass. A mixture of top-hung and side-hung opening lights provide ventilation. At the rear of the house the company used the modern W20 system to fabricate double-glazed casements and a set of French windows.
Steel Window Service & Supplies
www.steelwindows.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 601

What’s the spec?

Innovation Square, Birmingham
Glass features heavily in the entrance lobby of Innovation Square in Birmingham. The mixed retail, leisure and residential development boasts glass sculptures by local artists as well as a £400,000 curtain walling facade. Glazing subcontractor CAP used Kawneer 1200S dry glaze curtain wall with 50 mm sightlines for the main facade and Pilkington’s Planar steel support system (not in picture) for the full-height entrance and screens. The glass sculpture is by local artist Paul Grosvenor and is illuminated by fibre optics. The glass screen provides some weatherproofing to the lobby.

Developer
Cornex
Architect
Glazzard Associates

Main contractor
Wates Construction
Glazing contractor
CAP Aluminium Glass sculpture
Paul Grosvenor
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 604 Glass screen
Pilkington Planar glass
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 605 Steel and glass canopy
Marshalls
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 606 Windows
Kawneer
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 607

Spring catch that needs no drilling

Titon has launched a window spring catch and retaining stay. The company claims that the development means that no machining or drilling to mount the catch is required. The spring catch and retaining stay clamps into the Eurogroove found on most open-in aluminium profiles, says Titon. The spring catch and retaining stay are available in any anodised or powder-coated RAL colour.
Titon
www.titon.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 608

Fire-resistant doorsets

Fire resistant FireShield doorsets covering applications from 30 minutes to four hours are now available from AccentHansen. The options include oversize doorsets, double swing doorsets, designs with vision panels, over panels, side panels and fire dampers. The range also includes doorsets with fully glazed fire resistant doors, and sliding fire resistant doors. Insulated fire doors and double swing fire doors with smoke control are also offered.
AccentHansen
www.hansengroup.biz
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 616

The heat is on: Fitting fire doors for safety

Recent research by the British Woodworking Federation has highlighted how a large proportion of people in the building industry – even those with direct involvement in specifying or fitting fire doors – do not understand what is required to achieve 30-minute or one-hour fire protection. A fire door is more than just the door leaf – it is the total of all the parts that make up the complete assembly. And like a jigsaw, you have to make sure all the pieces fit together to get the right picture. Specifying or purchasing a fire door from a reputable manufacturer – insisting on a model carrying the BWF-Certifire label will ensure this – is only the starting point in guaranteeing safety. If you don’t use the correct, compatible components, you cannot be sure the door will be reliable in a fire. Using a complete doorset pre-assembled by the manufacturer avoids almost all of the possible pitfalls, but for projects where a doorset is not suitable – for example, refurbishments where the doors are not standard sizes – or where the decision is made to put together the final assembly from individual components, it is essential to ensure the components match the tested design specifications. The steps to a safe specification are as follows:
  • Consider where in a property the door is to be sited and the period of protection required. Look for BWF approved fire door centres.
  • Pick a door manufactured by a BWF-Certifire Scheme member and check the installation instructions for the components required.
  • Purchase a frame of the recommended size, density and species, or check the suitability of the existing one in retrofitting situations. Restrict gaps behind the frame that could offer a shortcut for fire and fumes.
  • Check the number and specification of hinges required.
  • Intumescent fire seals should always be used in a fire door assembly and must be the correct size.
  • In addition to a compliant door latch, every fire door should have a door-closing mechanism. A controlled external door closer is preferable to the in-frame, chain type, which slam doors in a manner likely to trap fingers or damage the assembly.
  • Glued and screwed extra-wide doorstops are not mandatory, but will generally improve performance.
  • Fire-resistant glass should be used in windows in the doors, and should be installed using compatible fire seals and glazing tapes, together with the recommended hardwood beading.
  • Windows in the door should be cut and glazed by a licensed modifier in order to maintain the certification guarantee. Companies that cut and glaze under the BWF-Certifire Scheme use their own distinctive labels.
  • Always consult the manufacturer about any areas of uncertainty. If these simple rules are followed, along with the manufacturer’s recommendations, then a fire door will achieve the intended periods of integrity should a blaze break out.

Doors and Windows