What to specify: Commercial

Movers and Makers

• The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the MET Office have issued an updated version of the weather data used by building designers when calculating the heating and cooling requirements for commercial and residential buildings. The datasets are based on historical data and are combined with the latest climate change projections. The weather datasets can be ordered from the CIBSE website.
  www.cibse.org
• MIDAR technology based on alkali-activated cements, which Lucideon has been developing, are now recognised with a British Standards Institution standard. The “construction materials - alkali-activated cementitious material and concrete - specification” defines raw material and product performance specifications and complies with a European standard of approval.
  www.lucideon.com
• BRE and the Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA) have released a briefing paper to simplify the operational aspects of energy management and building controls. The paper promotes office and residential wellbeing as well as taking a more carbon efficient outlook and achieving reduced energy costs. The paper is available free online and provides clients and building occupants details of the different control systems available and advice on how to apply these technologies to get an effective solution in practice.
  www.bre.co.uk/energyguidance
• BSRIA has released its business-focused maintenance guide, which introduces a calculation methodology for the business-focused maintenance scoring. The guide provides the built environment industry with a methodology for utilising maintenance budgets more effectively.
  www.bsria.co.uk

Priming slurry

Natural Paving Products has launched a new product in their Pavetuf collection, Pavetuf Priming Slurry. The product creates a bond between the mortar base and stone or porcelain paving, and is suitable for driveways, paths, patios and light commercial spaces. Pavetuf Priming Slurry needs only the addition of water before it can be applied, and can be used in the bedding of porcelain paving. Available in 17kg tubs, the slurry has a nominal coverage of 12.75m2 and an hour’s workability.
Natural Paving Products
www.naturalpaving.co.uk

Sustainable timber board

Smartply has released a sustainable board, Smartply OSB. The company says the product is flatter and smoother than its predecessors and is available in a broader range of size and thickness, with increased availability leading to shorter lead times. The Smartply OSB is suitable for flooring and wall sheathing of offices, commercial and residential spaces, which requires products to align and sit flush with adjacent panels. The product is manufactured from an Irish sustainable forest resource in an energy efficient process, giving it a low-carbon footprint.
Smartply
www.smartply.com

Anti-slip decking tiles

Gripsure has launched their first anti-slip decking tiles, suitable for both homeowners and commercial specifiers. The tiles do not need a sub frame, which the company says makes them quicker to install than traditional decking boards. The tiles are available in softwood or hardwood footprint.
Gripsure
www.gripsure.co.uk

Bespoke cubicles

Roman has introduced bespoke cubicles for commercial, leisure, health and education needs. The products can be used for anything from spa changing rooms to office shower cubicles in wet and dry conditions. The new cubicles are an addition to their bespoke product service, which allows specifiers to pick and choose every single part of their project solution, from hardware to seals and glass design. The bespoke cubicles hold the CE mark as they have been tested and conform to the scope and relevant characteristics of BS EN14428:2008+A1.
Roman
www.roman-showers.com

Fire protection coating system

Sika has launched a fire protection coating system to protect steel frame structures. The Unitherm platinum is a one-coat, factory applied system designed to be used on structural steel which offers mechanical strength and impact resistance. The coating system is tested according to the latest standard EN 13381-8:210, approved with a CE marking and has corrosion protection properties in high humidity and severe environmental conditions according to SN EN ISO 12944-5 up to C5-I and C5-M.
Sika
gbr.sika.com

Flat roofing solutions

Rockwool flat roofing solutions have been specified for Kier Group headquarters in Cambridge. The products were chosen as the project required a roofing material that would provide acoustic management, thermal insulation and a finish that needed minimal maintenance. The client also wanted to insulate against airborne sound and to reduce noise from the impact of raindrops, therefore the roof had to and did achieve Rw 41 dB airborne sound reduction and Rw 52dB LiA rain impact noise. Rockwool Hardrock Multi-Fix (DD) and Hardrock Multi-Fix (DD) underlay, with the Rockwool acoustic membrane, were installed to cover the flat roof.
Rockwool
www.rockwool.co.uk

Curtain walling

Bellway Homes has specified 6,000m2 of curtain walling from Wiconato to cover a new-build in Chiswick containing apartments and offices. WICTEC 50 stick curtain walling was chosen as it is suitable for sloped and three-dimensional glass roofs and geometric, bespoke constructions. All the facade systems were dual colour and had to reach Secured by Design standards as well as acoustic performance and a rating of 49RwdB.
Wicona
www.wicona.com/en/uk