Aquabloc: the humidity-defying tile from bright and fresh interiors

In environments where humidity and heat reign supreme, maintaining a fresh and clean interior can be a constant battle. From spas to shower areas and other damp spaces, moisture can quickly take a toll on the building’s interior, leading to discolouration, warping and potential mould growth.

At Zentia, we understand the unique challenges faced by businesses that operate in these conditions, which is why we are proud of Aquabloc – our toughest ceiling tile that defies humidity and heat to keep interiors looking pristine for years to come.

Made from hydrated calcium silicate, the Aquabloc tile is a true game-changer with 100% Relative Humidity (RH) performance. This means it can endure even the most challenging environments without comprising its structural integrity or aesthetic appeal.

Whether you require a ceiling tile solution for a luxurious spa, shower facilities, or any other facility where humidity and heat are a constant, Aquabloc is the perfect answer for creating interiors that remain bright, fresh and inviting.

Easy Installation, Stunning Results

In addition to its exceptional performance, Aquabloc offers an easy-to-install board edge, making it simple to incorporate into any new or existing grid system. Once installed, the white ceiling tiles can instantly elevate the ambiance of interiors, adding a sense of light and height.

Seamless Specification

Specification with Zentia has never been easier. A team of dedicated Architectural and Design Consultants throughout the UK are ready to help with exploring design concepts or finalising specifications. You can also see us at Material Source Studio in Manchester or Glasglow, a one-of-a-kind hub of design inspiration for architects.

Zentia are partners with NBS, a free-to-use construction product platform that allows you to quickly and easily find, select and specify our products. This means you can find all of our products on NBS, with accurate and up to date specification data, making project design simple.

Invest in Longevity and Aesthetics

By choosing Aquabloc, you are not just investing in a ceiling tile, you are investing in the longevity and refinement of your interior spaces. Say goodbye to the constant cycle of replacement and repair, and enjoy even more peace of mind with Zentia’s 30 year warranty when used with a Zentia grid system. Say hello to a fresh, inviting atmosphere that prevents humidity and heat from dictating the look and feel of interior spaces. Embrace the power of Aquabloc and experience the difference a humidity-defying tile can make.

Find out more, or update your sample library  here.

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West Fraser’s flooring is fine come rain or shine

West Fraser’s highly popular P5 particleboard is available in two versions, CaberFloor P5 and CaberDek; the principle difference between them is that the latter’s top face is protected by an ultra-tough peel-clean layer.

Both boards are produced in thicknesses of 18mm and 22mm, measuring 2400 x 600 mm, with T&G joints along all four edges to help achieve a stable and precisely-aligned floor surface.  The interlock also cuts down on the number of intermediate supports or ‘noggins’ required, which saves time in most situations.  It is the total length of time for which the installed floors can remain exposed to the weather that generally leads customers to choose between CaberFloor, the UK building industry’s favourite solution for fitting out upper storeys, and CaberDek, whose protective film allows for continued work in inclement weather. 

Despite the inherent moisture resistant qualities of the standard P5 particleboard, CaberFloor should not be left exposed to the rain for any prolonged period.  For CaberDek, however, the safe period extends to a full 42 days or six weeks; not only withstanding rain, snow or ice, but also creating a safe, non-slip surface. 

This can be of particular advantage when contractors are cutting in a particularly complex roofscape or carrying out a large loft conversion and most choose to leave the film in place until all the plastering and other wet work has been completed, before the film is peeled away to expose a pristine, dry substrate.  The upper floor is, therefore, ready for laying carpet, tiling or other finishes.

Both products can be laid using CaberFix adhesives to help ensure the finished installation is squeak free, with the choice of CaberFix Joint&Joist  meaning only five fixings per board are required, one at each joist position – so again cutting labour costs.  This adhesive should be applied to the edges to achieve five times the strength of simply nailing.  Alternatively, West Fraser’s one-bottle solution, CaberFix D4, can be used for all panel fixing and sealing jobs.

The primary CaberFloor P5 carries BBA-Agrement certification while FSC ® (C012533) approval underlines its environmental credentials and, being a RIBA-approved BIM Object, it can be specified for use on projects involving the latest CAD programmes and computer aided machining.  The boards are also suitable for use with underfloor heating (UFH) systems and beneath all types of carpet, vinyl and tiles. 

Check out West Fraser’s housebuilders’ page where, amongst lots of useful downloads, there is further information on CaberFloor. 

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The Impact of Air Quality and Indoor Climate on Student Success

Alex McDonald, indoor climate specialist at Zehnder Group UK, discusses how air quality and indoor climate can impact the learning environment and student success.

A poor indoor climate, and specifically bad indoor air quality (IAQ) has a demonstrably negative impact on students’ health, concentration, and overall learning experience, often leaving them feeling lethargic and struggling to focus.

Studies have shown a clear link between high CO2 levels and decreased cognitive function, especially in the afternoons, leading to drowsiness, headaches, and difficulty focusing. In the bustling environment of a school, effective ventilation is not just a matter of comfort, it’s essential for the academic performance and health of the children.

In many cases, inadequate ventilation can exacerbate asthma, allergies and – as emphasised by the pandemic – increase the risk of airborne virus transmission, further hindering student and teacher well-being.

Achieving an optimal indoor climate, with a focus on better air quality in educational settings however, presents unique challenges. These range from varying environmental factors, such as security and pollution, to the need for well-maintained ventilation systems across different areas, including classrooms, sports halls, food technology kitchens, and more. All have different objectives and need to be modelled to achieve optimum performance across the school setting.

Building Bulletin 101 (BB101) sets out regulations and guidance on ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality for school buildings. It provides guidelines on minimum performance standards for schools but hitting the minimum shouldn’t be deemed as best practice.

Ventilation strategies in schools

Within school ventilation considerations, there are three main strategies deployed – Natural ventilation by opening windows, Hybrid ventilation using a mix of mechanical ventilation and natural ventilation, and finally Full Mechanical ventilation.

While acknowledging natural and hybrid ventilation systems, BB101 guidelines were drafted in a time with less stringent energy efficiency standards and a lesser focus on consistent indoor air quality.

Natural ventilation may appear to be a simple and cost-effective solution, but it has significant drawbacks. In winter, opening windows can lead to discomfort from cold draughts causing distraction and potential health implications for occupants inside. Rapid heat loss is also an issue, negating the efficiency of heating systems and costing the school precious pounds. Then in warmer months, opening windows for fresh air can lead to pollen and allergens infiltrating classrooms as well as excess heat.

Additionally, natural ventilation is impractical in areas with high noise pollution or poor outdoor air quality especially in urban areas or near busy roads, therefore failing to meet BB101 requirements for air quality and BB93 limits on noise pollution in classrooms.

These methods are also heavily dependent on weather conditions, including wind direction; if the wind is unfavourable it won’t deliver the necessary air movement within a room to provide optimal climate.

Hybrid systems, which combine natural and mechanical ventilation methods, attempt to bridge this gap but can be unreliable due to human error. These systems often rely on teachers manually opening windows, an easily forgotten task. Likewise, the inconsistent monitoring of pollutant levels can occur as teachers prioritise their lessons, often leading to dangerous CO2 spikes. Hybrid systems also struggle to maintain a consistent airflow due to the load they can produce, especially in larger classrooms with fluctuating occupancy.

For the best IAQ in schools, while still ensuring sustainability and energy efficiency, hybrid methods often fall short.

The move to mechanical

Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), however, removes the guesswork and gives full control over the building’s climate. An MVHR system offers a comprehensive and sustainable air quality solution with several key advantages over alternative solutions, including consistent airflow, automatic CO2 level monitoring and adjustment, that all leads to improved occupant concentration. These benefits collectively lead to reduced absenteeism from student illnesses caused by airborne viruses.

The advanced heat recovery capabilities minimise energy and heat waste, ensuring efficient operation year-round. Precise air control with CO2 monitoring guarantees consistently improved air quality, regardless of external factors or occupant behaviour.

Mechanical ventilation systems come in two types, centralised and decentralised.

For smaller projects, decentralised ventilation units provide an ideal solution. Each unit operates independently, serving individual classrooms or spaces, ensuring optimal air quality with minimal disruption. Should a unit require maintenance or encounter issues, it affects only the corresponding room, mitigating downtime and inconvenience – this makes them well-suited for retrofitting older buildings or adding ventilation to new areas, without the need for extensive modifications.

Zehnder’s decentralised ventilation solution, the Zehnder Eversky®, is designed for educational settings. With highly efficient heat recovery capturing up to 90% of exhaust heat, it’s adaptable to room-specific needs, integrating seamlessly while operating quietly. This ensures a comfortable climate while meeting air quality standards.

In contrast, larger-scale projects benefit from centralised ventilation systems – offering centralised control and distribution of air through a connected air system network throughout the entire building. By connecting all supply and extract across a school, these systems ensure uniform air quality and temperature regulation, optimising energy efficiency and reducing operational costs.

This solution is particularly advantageous for new construction projects, where they can be seamlessly integrated into the building’s design.

Zehnder’s NeoTime and Carma commercial MVHR units are designed for easy plug-and-play installation. The control panel on the unit makes installation, configuration, and operation simple. These units can be installed both indoors and outdoors, with a factory-fitted weather protection roof. They ensure optimal air quality with high-quality filters and operate quietly thanks to double-walled, insulated panels with high-density thermal insulation.

The best indoor climate

Heat recovery through an MVHR ventilation system helps to retain the heat from the extracted air but general heating and cooling for schools still needs to be considered to create an overall comfortable climate all year round.

Traditional radiators are an excellent solution for standalone projects, perfectly suited for academic buildings and schools, the Zehnder Nova Neo radiator delivers comfort and heat faster than conventional radiators through its built-in fans offering short response times, integrated dust filters and heat pump compatibility the Nova Neo helps to ensure a clean and healthy environment. They are ideal for those not seeking integration into a wider heating and cooling system.

For those seeking an alternative or complementary option, radiant panels are a fantastic choice. Installed discreetly on the ceiling, they provide efficient radiant heating and cooling for any space, from classrooms to gym halls.

Radiant panels warm objects and surfaces directly, ensuring even heating and great energy efficiency. Their slim design and ceiling placement save valuable room space, and they do not pose a burn risk, making them safe for environments with children. Additionally, in the summer, these panels can help cool the room by circulating cooled water through the system.

Zehnder’s Alumline and ZFP radiant ceiling panels respond quickly to temperature changes, offering an energy-efficient solution using up to 40% less energy than traditional heating methods, while providing architectural flexibility. These panels integrate seamlessly into all types of lay-in ceilings, especially traditional grid ceilings common in schools. They feature a high-quality powder coating finish and a discreet design, ensuring long service life. Installation is straightforward, as they are lightweight and come ready to install with simple hydraulic connections.

For those embarking on new projects this summer break, such as school refurbishments, extensions, or new constructions, these solutions provide practical, energy-efficient and adaptable options. They enable a comfortable and conducive learning environment, while prioritising the health of both students and teachers.

www.zehnder.co.uk 

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Fast turnaround from Portakabin for Leeds special needs school

Portakabin, the UK’s market leader in modular construction, successfully installed a 70-module complex at the Cross Green Road site in Leeds earlier this year, with installation complete in under three weeks.

Following a successful bid to the Department for Education in 2019, Leeds City Council announced Co-op Academies Trust as the successful sponsor of the special educational needs free school. The DfE selected modular specialist, Portakabin, to deliver this project.

The school opened in temporary accommodation at another Co-op Academy Trust site, on time and welcomed 56 children in September 2022. The new building will welcome the second cohort of students, an additional 86 children in September 2024. Full capacity of 200 is expected to be reached the following year.

Portakabin precision-engineered the modules, that were designed specifically for Co-op Academies Trust project, at its manufacturing facility in York and transported them less than 35 miles away to the site in Leeds. Known as ‘Co-op Academy Brierley’, the new SEND school will host 200 students from the ages of 4-16 in Leeds. The school is set to have a primary and secondary provision and will become an essential part of the local community in East Leeds.
Constructed off site using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), the school was installed quickly and safely despite having to manage around periods of high wind, with all custom-built modules on-site in less than three weeks.

James Pearson, Divisional MD at Portakabin, said: “Co-op Academy Brierley is one of the projects awarded to us on the DfE’s MMC framework. Despite the inclement weather, we were able to successfully deliver and install 70 modules safely in just 19 days, maintaining the agreed contract programme.

“Particular attention has been paid to preserving existing trees on site, despite the need for extensive sculpting of levels on the site, to achieve the gradients required for compliant access. It’s a great pleasure to celebrate the first milestone in this project, which will become an important part of the local community.”

Alongside over 27 classrooms and dedicated teaching space, the completed school will boast extensive minibus drop-off facilities, approximately 130 car parking spaces for staff and visitors, an immersive technology room, therapy, and sensory rooms.

After starting on site in January, installation was completed on 18 February, with the project set to be handed over before the start of the new school year in September 2024.

Sarah Harridge, Head Teacher, said: “The pace that our new school was built was nothing short of spectacular, this new school will give children with special needs in Leeds a state of the art, custom built provision with their needs at the heart of every decision made in the build process.”

Vicki England, Co-op Academy Project Manager, said: “This project has been very smooth and has remained on budget throughout which is of course very important when we’re working with Department for Education budgets, the school looks fantastic so far and we look forward to welcoming all 142 children to their new facility in September.”

The planned opening date for Co-op Academy Brierley is September 2024.

www.portakabin.com/gb-en/news-and-events/news/co-op-academy/

www.portakabin.com/gb-en/

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Demystifying doors: an insight into fire safety doors in schools

When it comes to fire safety in schools, there is a lot to consider, and lots of regulations to adhere to. And with a lot at risk, it can be an understandably daunting task! Here, Ty Aziz, Chief Executive of Sentry Doors – the UK leader in timber fire safety doorsets – shares some of the key considerations when it comes to putting fire doors in place in schools.

Fire doors: the first line of defence

Adherence to fire safety regulations is essential in maintaining a safe environment in schools and to ensuring the well being and protection of students, staff and visitors. Fire doors have a big role to play in this, as they form a crucial part of a building’s passive fire system. They help to slow down the spread of fire and smoke as well as creating “fire sterile’ areas, giving staff and students time and safe pathways to exit the building in an emergency.

So, if you are responsible for a school’s fire strategy, you will need to ensure that you have the right types of fire doors in the right places. And once the fire doors are installed, you also need to make sure they are regularly checked and maintained, with any defects recorded and resolved.

Where needs a fire door?

In schools, guidance says that specialised fire doors need to be installed in the following areas:

  • Stairways: to help to ensure safe passage from the upper levels of the building.
  • Long corridors: to help prevent the spread of fire and smoke through extended spaces, often with self-closing fire doors.
  • Rooms of higher risk: for example, science labs, boiler rooms and kitchens. These rooms require higher rated fire doors such as FD60 or above.

What types of fire door are there?

Fire doors are classified by the amount of fire and smoke protection they offer – for example, an ‘FD30’ would offer up to 30 minutes fire protection, whilst an ‘FD60S’ would offer up to 60 minutes of fire and smoke protection. We can work with your contractors to ensure the right specification door in each required location.

Most importantly, you need to make sure you choose a reputable manufacturer so that you know your fire doors are compliant with the relevant regulations and that they really have been made to do what they say they will. At Sentry, our doors are IFC certified, demonstrating that they are manufactured to, and compliant with, all the latest fire legislation and we test our doors through the world’s leading provider of third-party certification.

As well as the essential technical and safety compliance elements, our fire doors are available in a wide range of styles and colour finishes with various glazing, handle, hinge, lock and closer options so that you can ensure the look you want, as well as the safety of your staff and students.

We also often provide doors to the education sector with additional practical features such as anti-trap finger protection and anti-bacterial coatings as well as frame edge protection for heavy use areas and acoustic technology to help with sound reduction.

Doors in action

We recently supplied Gateville Group, a contractor carrying out a fire door replacement project at a school in London. They were replacing a collection of old corridor and classroom entrance doors with bespoke, fully certified doorsets – which all needed to be manufactured and delivered within 4 weeks, so they could be installed during the Easter holidays and in place before students and staff returned.

The doorsets we made for this project were very bespoke. We manufactured 41 FD30S doorsets in total, with various combinations of single glazed or flushed doorsets with mouldings and double doorsets with sidelights and fanlights – all modified to the clients requirements and a specific colour match.

Elian Kovacs, Assistant Contracts Manager at Gateville Group, said: “I was very impressed with how flexible Sentry were for this project and that they were able to accommodate our requirements and timeframes and work with us to manufacture a product that was in line with our client’s requests.”

Ask the experts

Whether you need 40 fire doors or 400, we can help you plan and specify your fully compliant fire door project, and deliver them in time to be fitted during shut down over the summer holidays.

Read our full online guide to fire safety standards and regulations in schools at www.sentrydoors.co.uk/schools or drop us an email at enquiries@sentrydoors.co.uk to discuss your fire door requirements.

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Inspiring Spaces for Inquiring Minds

Students are shaped by their environment. Creating temperature-controlled classrooms, theatres, sports halls
and dining facilities that are filled with light and visually striking plays an essential role in their ability to learn,
develop and grow – both academically and individually.

Educational environments face many challenges. They need to provide shelter, create quiet ambiences for learning and open spaces for socialising. They also have to endure the high traffic of excited students longing to play, interact and learn. Rather than looking outdated, their designs must be stunning and sustainable, beautiful and functional.
With a vast amount of experience in the UK education sector, Kawneer understands the difficulties faced by architects, installers and maintenance teams. That’s why it specialises in solutions which provide excellent performance, best value, unmatched durability, less maintenance and a low carbon footprint.

Kawneer has all the answers

Few other materials bring the flexibility and sustainability to realise ambitious educational design projects like aluminium. Infinitely recyclable, it helps invite unparalleled natural light in while offering unrestricted views, and limiting the need for artificial lighting systems which can help to lower the total operating cost.

At its purpose-built manufacturing facility in Runcorn, Cheshire, Kawneer produces a wide variety of high-performance curtain wall systems, windows, commercial entrance doors and framing systems.

The strong mechanical properties of aluminium, combined with Kawneer’s engineering expertise and design ingenuity, ensures that aluminium remains the perfect material for use in learning environments.

The company continuously invests in products that are designed to the highest possible standards. They allow specifiers to meet the technical and thermal performance and cost brief of any project, allowing the designer to create positive learning environments.

Bringing next-generation buildings to life

Kawneer’s specialist solutions deliver excellent performance, best value, unmatched durability, less maintenance and a lower carbon footprint.

From a suite of products specifically designed for the education sector, highlights include the AA®190 TB, a severe duty welded commercial entrance door that offers robust performance, the AA®720 SL window, offering great thermal characteristics and slim sightlines, and the market leading AA®100 curtain wall system which provides best-in-class performance.

AA®100

Versatile curtain wall systems provide uninterrupted views and increase natural light inside classrooms, improving the mood, academic performance and productivity of students and teachers.

Poor air quality is proven to reduce productivity and contribute to absenteeism. Kawneer’s operable windows ensure that the learning environment is well ventilated to boost concentration and reduce sick days.

High performance thermal windows help to create energy-efficient façades that help to maintain the indoor temperatures to ensure a pleasant learning environment. Engineered to meet the demands of high traffic areas, severe duty entrances automatically improve the safety and security of the building.

Kawneer also offer bespoke solutions that can help the designer create a distinctive aesthetic.

Leading by example

Kawneer is one of very few suppliers with the BES 6001 accreditation, proving products are made with traceable responsibly sourced raw materials. Systems are fully tested to PAS 24 standards, have Life Cycle Assessments and ‘Environmental Product Declarations’ (EPDs), and offer low carbon aluminium billet solutions.

Materials are manufactured in the UK, therefore Kawneer can guarantee supply and advantageous lead times, and ensure competitive, fixed prices for the project duration. As well as offering a unique range of warranties for added peace of mind, depending on the product or service.

Teachers strive to ensure the experience and knowledge they pass on to a new generation lasts a lifetime. Kawneer wants the buildings it has helped to create to withstand the test of time and provide comfortable learning environments for all future generations.

A commitment to academic excellence

By learning to live sustainably and positively contributing to our surroundings, Kawneer is helping to inspire building design that continues to benefit the health and well-being of students and staff throughout the UK.

Kawneer’s specialist solutions are designed to enhance thermal performance and acoustics to ensure optimum comfort for learning. By combining performance, aesthetics and best value, they can positively impact the performance of students and teachers, while improving a building’s overall energy efficiency.

Whether it’s a thermally efficient Passive House solution, an outward opening cost-effective casement window or a robust entrance door that is tested to a severe duty category, Kawneer has the right product choice and combination for your next education project.

Everything is supported with detailed design advice at the earliest stages to ensure its systems meet your technical specification and budget – right through to installation and beyond.

www.kawneer.co.uk/education

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Education Specialists TG Escapes Awarded Manufacturer of the Year at the 2024 MMC Awards

The MMC Awards recognise excellence in construction for projects utilising modern methods of construction. TG Escapes specialise in providing biophilic, net-zero buildings to the education sector. Following their success in the 2023 MMC awards (Project of the Year for the English Department at Ratcliffe College and Public Sector Innovation of the Year for their Biophilic School design), their classroom block at Brune Park was Highly Commended in the Secondary/Higher Education category and they were awarded Manufacturer of the Year for Category 2 Modular Panelised Systems.

TG Escapes provide bespoke, modular, timber frame system has been utilised for hundreds of school buildings including SEND facilities, classroom blocks, dining halls and drama studios. The biophilic approach ensures that these spaces are full of natural light and have easy access to the outdoors. The impact on students is pronounced, with a calming effect that helps to reduce stress and increase focus. They are particularly active within the SEND and SEMH fields, producing a range of specially designed spaces intended to benefit students with diverse needs.
They offer a turnkey approach to clients across the UK, designing, manufacturing, installing and finishing each building. Everything starts with a free site survey and bespoke design process, after which they provide a comprehensive fixed price covering every aspect of a new school building.

They offer several clear benefits to schools:

  • Stunning Bespoke Designs: The in-house team of architects and engineers is able to produce wholly bespoke designs to meet a school’s specific needs. The buildings are aesthetically beautiful and designed to blend seamlessly with existing structures and with natural surroundings. They can feature a variety of finishes from natural timber to brick or render.
  • Cost-Effective: Modern methods of construction offer cost savings at every stage, which are further enhanced by an in-house manufacturing and turnkey service. Streamlined offsite construction minimises waste, and quick onsite installation minimises labour. The buildings equal or better the performance of a traditional brick and mortar build at reliably lower prices.
  • Quick Installation: Components are delivered to a school site in a controlled manner and sensitive to the school’s timetable, which minimises disruption allowing education continuity. For smaller projects, time onsite can be as little as 8 weeks.
  • Biophilic Principles: TG Escapes has long been a proponent of biophilic design principles, emphasising a connection to nature with each of their buildings. They incorporate natural light, views of nature, physical access to the outdoors and advanced ventilation systems, all of which have a profound impact on stress, mental health, and even exam performance.
  • Net-Zero Design as Standard: Through a combination of energy-efficient materials, a fabric first approach, solar panels, advanced ventilation technology and expert design, they achieve net-zero in operation as standard and can also certify the buildings as lifetime net-zero if required.
  • Built For Long-Term Performance: Timber is one of the oldest and most sustainable building materials used throughout the millennia and still stands the test of time. These permanent buildings satisfy or exceed all regulatory compliance and TG Escapes are Gold Members of the Structural Timber Association and Platinum Members of Construction Line.
  • Turnkey Service: They cover everything from the initial design to the final handover of keys, for a single upfront price. This includes site preparation, all foundations, planning permission and service connections. Throughout the project, you will have a clear point of contact with their friendly team who will manage the project from start to finish.

With over 800 buildings UK wide they are dedicated to offering an unparalleled service to education clients, with an average score of 4.9 out of 5 from 189 customer reviews.

Mrs Gill Farmer, Trust Business Manager, said: “TG Escapes responded quickly to any questions or concerns we raised with them from the design stage to completion. They worked with us to ensure that the school could continue to operate safely whilst they were on site. Any issues that were raised with the site team were immediately addressed and they followed our school risk assessment. They made the experience far less stressful than we had anticipated. The project was delivered ahead of time to a high standard.”

For more information, call 0800 917 7726, email info@tgescapes.co.uk or visit www.tgescapes.co.uk

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ROCKWOOL streamlines cavity barrier offering with ROCKWOOL SCB

ROCKWOOL is introducing a new EN-tested product to help prevent the spread of fire through concealed voids. The stone wool insulation manufacturer has developed a new cavity barrier called SCB.

The product is an expansion of its current range of cavity fire stopping products and is tested to meet the requirements of BS EN 1366-4:2021.

This new product development underlines the company’s commitment to offering products tested to the latest BS EN standards, while simultaneously providing customers with a more streamlined range.

ROCKWOOL SCB combines the functions of the currently available TCB and PWCB, building and expanding on their scope of application to replace these products. SCB will be available in two widths: 110mm as standard, and 200mm for use where a party wall meets the external cavity.

It is suitable for use in masonry, timber frame and steel frame cavities up to 290mm, and can be installed horizontally or vertically.

“Responding to customers’ requests, our new SCB has been tested with a steel frame substrate in addition to timber,” said Will Wigfield, Product Manager HVAC & Fire Protection at ROCKWOOL. “With a fire rating of up to E120, I45, subject to the application, we are confident that SCB will support specifiers seeking to meet and exceed performance guidelines – for example, the E30, I15, Approved Document B (ADB Volume 1) criteria relating to dwellings.”

TCB and PWCB will be phased out following the launch of SCB on 15th May 2024 and ROCKWOOL recommends switching to SCB specification in advance where possible. Specifications written prior to the expiration of the TCB and PWCB certifications will remain valid and the products remain available until 15 November 2024.

https://rockwool.link/SCB

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Salvaging Solar Investments

For more than a decade at the start of the 21st century, the Government drove efforts to explore the validity of solar renewables; first solar photovoltaics for generation of electricity, and later solar thermal as a means of capturing solar energy onsite for water heating.

Purchasing flat plate or evacuated tube systems proved cost-effective, and the technology enjoyed a hey-day with many school buildings employing one or both options.

Nearly 15 years on, many of those systems now sit unusable on the roofs of those buildings. The causes are varied; poor initial installation issues and particularly a lack of servicing and maintenance ultimately lead many systems to overheat and fail, even sealed systems. Manufacturer support for evacuated tube systems also waned as key suppliers moved away from the technology. Some sites suffered from costly vandalism. For many schools, the costs of protecting an installation or repairing it were too high and they were simply switched off and written off as a loss.

Solar technology did not die though. Properly installed and serviced solar thermal systems prove to have a long operational lifespan with low maintenance demands, especially flat plate collector systems. Those with proven drainback technology employing gravity flow to preserve operational qualities of the solar fluid required to transfer solar energy as heat to the hot water application are notably robust.  A well-designed and balanced hot water system deploying solar thermal as a preheat can offset a minimum of 30% of the annual energy demands for hot water in the UK. For some regions, this percentage is much higher and in the summer months, solar can meet all a system’s heating demands, especially in the case of buildings with lower daily hot water demands such as offices and classrooms.

The drive for net zero has also helped reinvigorate interest as education is challenged to transition from gas to electric water heating. As grid electricity continues to be substantially more expensive than gas (by a factor of 5.5 at the close of 2023) the energy bill shock from transition for many has meant technology that can offset electrical energy usage is becoming more attractive. The return on investment (ROI) for solar thermal is once again powerful, with systems able to pay back capital investment in under 10 years.

The New Rooftop Battleground

Chillers, heat pumps and solar systems are all vying for valuable rooftop space as schools look to reduce carbon emissions and embrace high-efficiency heating and cooling. We would always advocate splitting solar water heating (solar thermal) from solar space heating (PV) to gain the greatest efficiencies. Specifications will often aim to deploy solar photovoltaics (PV) to supply electricity for space heating and hot water. When retrofitting gas-based hot water systems this is a less efficient route since PV will always offset grid electricity at 136g/KWh, equivalent to 18 kg of CO2/m²/annum. Compare this to solar thermal which offsets gas emissions at 233g/kWh, or 148 kg of CO2/m²/annum. This makes solar thermal eight times more effective per m² than PV when addressing carbon emissions from water heating, translating to a smaller panel area for solar thermal on the rooftop. 

Resurrecting Solar Thermal 

With new high-efficiency, robust flat plate collectors and protective drainback, cylinders and controls to integrate solar thermal with electric top-up there is a real opportunity to resurrect systems which have fallen into disrepair. Most refurbishments where overheating has been the cause of shutdown will require new collector panels and pipework which fortunately is a relatively straightforward replacement as the re-installation process will have minimal impact on extant plant room appliances. This allows for upgrading existing gas water heating, saving energy, and reducing emissions from the existing system.

Alternatively, Adveco can support the transition to full electric water heating with solar thermal through bespoke system design and product supply. For smaller systems and schools with lower capacity demands, Adveco FUSION offers a pre-defined low-carbon system that is compact, easy to install, resilient and cost-effective. For organisations which are considering but not ready to commit to a heat pump-based system, FUSION T is available now with an option that delivers a twin-coil stainless steel tank and mounted ARDENT electric boiler and controls without the heat pump preheat. This iteration allows for solar thermal to be introduced into the lower coil as the system preheat with a small amendment to the controls to optimise top-up heating from the boiler as the pre-heat fluctuates across the year.

With FUSION now supporting capacities up to 750 litres with 24 kW heat output, it is suitable for solar systems designed for small to medium-sized buildings. While most solar thermal systems would be designed to split the preheater and after heater, this single-cylinder FUSION scenario avoids the typical requirements of a 50/50 capacity split between preheat and top-up. Adveco’s smart controls allow the system to ‘cheat’ in favour of the solar thermal delivering a 600-litre solar capacity in a 750-litre tank for an extremely compact option for an all-electric low-carbon emission solar water heating system with a minimal rooftop or façade footprint.

www.adveco.co

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Waverley launches open protocol S3 intelligent shading system

Waverley, the leading designers, manufacturers and installers of inventive shading and screening solutions, are excited to announce the launch of the highly innovative S3 Synchronised Solar Shading range. Designed to aid building efficiency, reduce carbon footprints and for cost-effective installation, it only seems fitting to launch on the summer solstice – the longest day of sunlight this year.

With sustainability and cost-effectiveness being prevalent in architects’, designers’, and specifiers minds, innovative shading solutions that optimise building performance are providing huge opportunities to impact a building’s efficiency and energy management.

Through leveraging open protocols via KNX® controls and SMI® blind motors, Waverley’s new S3 Synchronised Solar Shading system seamlessly interacts with any Building Management System. Fully customisable, the range is also offered in 3 tiers – Core, Advanced and Premium, each providing general functionality upgrades that make an automated control system increasingly more intelligent & powerful as a tool to optimise shading, reducing the demand for cooling.

 

 

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Frazer James, Sales Director at Waverley, comments,

“We’ve seen the methodology behind S3 significantly disrupt the market over the last 2 years.  The system brings benefits at the construction phase of the project both from a cost perspective and ease of install due to the significant reduction in wiring and power supplies required.  The commissioning is also simplified and gives so much flexibility.  Post handover is where the benefits are really seen with S3 being able to proactively manage the solar shading in the building to reduce energy usage and aid occupants’ productivity.”

James continues,

“The flexibility of the S3 system allows landlords and developers to reconfigure zones, add extra devices in with limited changes to the initial install meaning upgrades in functionality come at a greatly reduced cost.”

 

The only open-source solar shading system that can reduce building energy usage and raise environmental impact and sustainability credentials, S3 delivers against seven key benefits, and exemplifies the Guidehouse* [2021] study’s assertion that “solar shading, specifically dynamic solar shading, is a key energy efficiency measure for a cost-effective improvement of the energy performance of buildings.”

The S3 System can be designed to allow diffuse daylight into the building while blocking direct sunlight. By optimising natural lighting, artificial lighting needs can be reduced, resulting in lower electricity consumption and associated CO2 emissions. With our automated blind system, it can be utilised as part of a daylight harvesting strategy. The blinds can work in tandem with light sensors to maintain a desired level of daylight in a space. When the sensors detect sufficient natural light, the blinds can adjust to balance the daylight and supplement with artificial lighting only when necessary. This approach optimising energy usage by minimising the use of electric lighting during daylight hours. Reduced Cooling Load Automated blinds when connected to an S3 System can be programmed to close or adjust their position during periods of intense sunlight or high outdoor temperatures. By blocking or shading windows, they prevent direct sunlight from entering the building, which significantly reduces heat gain. This is particularly important with regards to complying with Part O and Part L of the Building Regulations.

The S3 system helps to maintain cooler indoor temperatures and therefore reduces the need for excessive cooling, leading to energy savings and lower CO2 emissions. By integrating S3 with building management systems, you can be synchronised with other building systems like HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning). The blinds can automatically adjust their position based on the cooling requirements of the space, ensuring optimal thermal comfort while minimising energy consumption and CO2 emissions

The open protocol nature of the system is designed to be independent of any fixed supply chain, meaning all the components of the system are interchangeable with any SMI/KNX devices on the marketplace, and any KNX engineers with suitable training can maintain and upgrade the system. This is designed to give the client complete control of their building. The system is also fully digital meaning any changes to switching and zoning are software based. Once you have the Core of an S3 system in place there is never a need for further disruptive and expensive wiring for any changes, ensuring the open-source system is fit for the future.

PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information on S3

 

 

 

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