Sarnafil lead-look roof makes the grade at listed school
When Kent County Council commissioned architect Cattell Skinner to design a brand new building on the site of an existing primary school in Faversham, the team faced the familiar challenges of building in the education sector: balancing function and aesthetics against cost-effectiveness and environmental performance.
However, Davington Primary School presented an added challenge. Because the original building was Grade II-listed, the new single-storey, three-classroom block structure had to complement the 1882-constructed school’s aesthetics in accordance with English Heritage guidelines. To ensure compliance, the council assigned a conservation officer to the project, who was particularly keen for the new roof to feature traditional metal cladding.
But with a modest budget of just £475,000, a sudden rise in the price of metal put the project in jeopardy, as Cattell Skinner’s Keith Cattell explains. “We originally planned to use clay tiles combined with zinc cladding, but just as the job started contractor prices rocketed due to the demand for zinc, so we had to drop it. It was a difficult situation.”
Thankfully, though, Sarnafil’s G410-15ELF single ply membrane and Decor Profile standing seam in lead-look Dark Grey provided the perfect solution.
Main contractor BEC Construction commissioned Southern Membranes to install the roof, where Sarnafil field technician Andy Smith then worked as a specialist installer of the Sarnafil system. “It was a complicated job,” he recalls. “The roof was a combination of clay tiles and panels of Sarnafil, so we had to create several ‘secret’ gutters between the two so that they would join seamlessly.”
The roof’s design also included several feature-windows. “There were lots of unusual, tricky details, such as window recesses and dorma windows along the roof top, as well as traditional gable ends,” Andy adds. “These were all finished with Sarnafil, which is unusual as you’d normally use metal cladding. It worked very well. Overall, the roof looked brilliant.”
Keith agrees that Sarnafil was a successful substitute for lead. “We’re very pleased, as are the school and conservation department. The roof featured a lot of complicated roof-lights and shapes and the Sarnafil leant itself to the shaping that you’d normally achieve with metal sheeting. It also enabled us to achieve our aesthetic requirements as it looks exactly like a lead roof – it is difficult to tell the difference at a distance.”
Sarnafil’s ‘Building Better Learning Environments’ brochure outlines its support for the Government’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) initiative, which encourages the construction industry and its educational clients to look more closely at designing, building and maintaining schools in a way that takes whole life costs and environmental performance into account. Free copies of the brochure are available by calling Rebecca Crossfield on 01603 748985, emailing crossfield.rebecca@sarnafil.co.uk or requesting it online at www.sarnafil.co.uk.

Lanes narrowly misses £5million ‘prize’
In these times of credit crunch and global economic downturn, an interest free business loan is definitely something worth aiming for. And the Lanes Group plc, which includes the UK’s largest independent drainage specialist Lanes for Drains, came within a whisker of benefiting from an interest free loan of £5 million.
The award was part of the ‘prize’ being offered through the Bank of Scotland’s Corporate £35 million Entrepreneur Challenge, which gives a bank loan of £5 million, without any interest fees, to each of seven regional winners — and the Lanes Group came a very creditable second in the North East regional final.
With such an enticing prize at stake, it’s no surprise that competition was tough, and the process for getting through to the finals in the first place extremely demanding. But as Wayne Earnshaw, MD of the Lanes Group plc, explains, taking part in the challenge was about much more than financial gain: “Being a finalist in the challenge has massively increased the Lanes Group’s profile in the financial community. We’re still a relatively young company but we’ve grown in that time, and we’re still expanding for growth and profit.
“Where Lanes’ business has previously been something of a well kept secret in the industry, through the Entrepreneur Challenge the whole company was opened up to being scrutinised by an eminent panel of judges.
“We may not have achieved the ultimate ‘prize’ but we are delighted to have been rated so highly. It has made us realise that you don’t necessarily have to understand the industry to appreciate the business model — and thanks to the Entrepreneur Challenge, we’ve proved that Lanes is, without doubt, a successful business model!”
For further info about the Entrepreneur Challenge, visit http://entrepreneurs.bankofscotland.co.uk/challenge

Belzona Technosol Opens New Regional Office at Wilton
Belzona Technosol Ltd, the contracting division of Belzona Polymerics Ltd, has announced the opening of a new regional office based in Wilton, Middlesbrough.
The opening of the new regional office is a further demonstration of Belzona Technosol’s commitment to enhance its support to its expanding customer base and to provide a more localised service in the North East of England.
David Blackwell, Engineering Director explained, “The Wilton office will operate in the same way as the other Belzona Technosol regional offices in Wrexham and Livingston providing customers with a complete supply and apply package for Belzona products. In addition, customers can also call upon the services of the Belzona Technosol Quality Assurance and Inspection department who will provide an independent Q.A. verification service when Belzona products are being applied by independent application companies.”
Belzona Technosol has extensive experience in the repair, protection and improvement of machinery, equipment, buildings and structures and provides solutions for many areas such as the coating of marine and process vessels, renovation of heat exchangers, cold bonding, rotating equipment refurbishment, protection against corrosion under insulation, water and weatherproofing buildings and a myriad of other common problem areas.
For further information please visit www.belzona.com. Telephone: 01423 567641

Energy, economy and the environment - Alfa Laval’s Ecobuild themes
Alfa Laval will use the next Ecobuild exhibition to emphasise three key themes in its product development; energy, economy and the environment.
On its stand (number:594) the company will demonstrate the Mini City, one example from its range of District Heating modules; an AquaStore unit that delivers large volumes of domestic hot water on demand and various examples from its range of compact heat exchangers.
All of the equipment on the stand is designed to increase energy efficiency and economy in a wide variety of heating and cooling duties while also helping to cut carbon emisions.
Alfa Laval is one of the largest suppliers of heat transfer equipment in mature District heating markest such as Scandinavia and Russia. Its Mini City District Heating substation is designed to provide on-demand heating and hot water to apartments and single-family houses connected to a Community Heating network. Two versions are available to provide the option of direct or indirect connection to the CH network.
The City substation provides fully automatic individual temperature settings for central heating and hot water. Once the homeowner has set the desired temperature the system automatically regulates itself to provide optimum comfort. The energy supplier/ building manager can monitor the amount of energy consumed by individual homes using a system that records the flow of heat from the central source and measures the difference between its inlet and outlet temperatures.
The AquaStore range delivers hot water, on demand, precisely when and where it is needed. At its core is a compact Alfa Laval heat exchanger which heats incoming water to the pre-set temperature. The modular unit includes a range of controls and fail safe features that enhance security and user safety including an anti-bacteria program, economy setting, auto test function and the ability to control temperature to avoid thermal shocks and inhibit scaling. Options include a scaling control kit unique to Alfa Laval that is designed to prevent scale build-up.
The experience gained over sixty years and in supplying over 1/2 million heating installations in climates ranging from the Arctic to the Tropics is reflected in the range of compact heat exchangers that will also be on display. With the emphasis on saving and recycling energy, there will be examples of typical installations recovering waste energy from buildings or industrial processes either to heat – or cool – leisure centres, swimming pools and office buildings. Other exhibits will demonstrate how the company’s compact heat exchangers are used in conjunction with heat pump technology, solar and geothermal energy and other natural energy sources such as biomass.
Information from Alfa Laval Ltd, Peter Rose,
Marketing Manager, Tel: 01276 413632,
E-mail: general.uk@alfalaval.com

Cleen Rite 2000 goes the extra distance with Teupen spiderlift
Using this Teupen Leo36T spiderlift, difficult nooks and crannies are no object to cleaning specialist, Cleen Rite 2000, in maintaining the sparkle to windows at Newcastle-upon-Tyne’s flagship Trinity Gardens.
Cleen Rite regularly hires the 35.5m working height, tracked access lift from The Spiderlift Company, a member of the Ranger Group, for contractual cleaning of the award-winning quayside office, hotel, restaurant and residential development.
With its jerk-free telescoping boom and easy-to-use controls, the Leo 36T gives smooth, fine positioning. Excellent manoeuvrability, enhanced by 180 degree basket rotation with corner pivot design, allows Cleen Rite operatives to negotiate obstacles efficiently and reach seemingly impenetrable areas, including a series of high atriums with difficult apex space. This precision-controlled agility is essential in safeguarding high value finishes and achieving greater cleaning coverage to maintain the pristine appearance of high quality commercial and retail interiors.
Cleen Rite director, Iain Williams, said: “At Trinity Gardens, we have to negotiate walkways, glazed steel frames and other obstructions, as well as elevating to over 100ft high to reach the atrium windows. Without the Leos, we couldn’t get there. We would have to resort to scaffolding at huge cost or simply leave the area untouched.”
Stable
Engineered for reliability and without the ‘slip-stick’ effect sometimes experienced with other designs, the Teupen telescopic boom is extremely stable and requires little maintenance.
Iain Williams continues: “We manage to access tight space with the Leos’ narrow chassis, including standard single width doorways, narrow paths and disability ramps which can also prove difficult. Our engineers are very happy with the versatility of the lifts and we always get really good service from The Spiderlift Company.”
The Teupen Leo’s famous patented adjustable crawler undercarriage moves safely and gently on any surface, with maximum traction and minimal load on the ground. The drive simply adjusts track width, height and balance to ground topography. Clever diffusive distribution of pressure enables use even without protective covers on most floorings.
Cleen Rite also finds the load-spreading, cushioned tracks indispensable for working on high specification marble floors and other finishes where the potential for damage from maintenance equipment is a concern.
Hard-to-reach
Giving unprecedented access to hard-to-reach places, Cleen Rite regularly hires Teupen Leo platforms from The Spiderlift Company’s rental operation - the UK’s only dedicated spiderlift hire fleet.
The spiderlifts have helped Cleen Rite establish a reputation for cleaning excellence, responsibly delivered through the use of state-of-the-art access equipment and strict safe working practices to protect clients’ public liability.
Cleen Rite director, Iain Williams, is in no doubt that Teupen spiderlifts are integral to Cleen Rite’s high service standards and potential to develop business.
He said: “Using the Leo spiderlifts, we are able to access areas where cleaning has previously been impossible to reach or cost-prohibitive in terms of the access equipment needed.
“It means we are able to add value to our service by offering the client a cost-effective solution to previously inaccessible areas with health and safety issues covered.”
Scope
Teupen’s far-reaching technology gives Cleen Rite scope to say ‘yes’ rather than ‘no’ when clients ask them to tackle the more challenging geometry of modern building interiors and exteriors.
Iain adds: “The spiderlifts enhance the service and quality we provide to clients and create opportunities for new business and additional revenues.”
Established in 1974, Cleen Rite 2000 has been at the forefront of the UK window cleaning industry for over 30 years. Operating throughout Scotland and the North-East of England, it provides contractual window cleaning to a range of clients including blue chip companies, local authorities, offices, retail and other premises.
Further info from Steve Hadfield at The Spiderlift Company, a member of the Ranger Group,
e: Steve.Hadfield@spiderlift.co.uk,
t: 0870 225 5554

Hunt starts for new types of waste to be reused and recycled
80% of compost producers already using guidance, cutting costs and helping the environment
The search for additional waste materials that can be reused and recycled has been launched by the Waste Protocols Project initiative.
The Project has identified a range of materials that can be turned into new items rather than discarded.
To date 11 materials have been reviewed by the project. In total this first wave of protocols, over the next 10 years, are projected to save businesses and industry more than £400 million, create a £280 million market in the materials and divert 17 million tonnes of waste from landfill.
For a waste to be potentially suitable for a Quality Protocol, it must:
Be processed now – or in the near future – in the UK
Be fully processed and ready to use without further processing at the site of production
Be produced in large tonnages or has a high value and,
Have a market, or potential market and can be used as a direct substitute for a virgin material.
Application forms can be downloaded at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wasteprotocolsselection and, once completed, submitted to wasteprotocols@wspgroup.com before 12 noon on Wednesday 8 April 2009. Successful applicants will be invited to present their proposal to a Waste Protocols Project Board panel in London on 20 May 2009.
A decision on which new materials are accepted will be made in June 2009.
For further details about the Waste Protocols Project, which is funded by Defra, visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk or www.wrap.org.uk

RWM consistently delivers more visitors
Official statistics published by the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) today confirm that last year's Recycling & Waste Management Exhibition (RWM 08) attracted 9,034 visitors. This was 1,000 more visitors than RWM 07 and represents the fifth year-on-year increase for the Emap Connect show which serves a growing and dynamic industry. When exhibitors, press and seminar speakers are taken into account, the total attendance was 11,884.
Meanwhile a survey of exhibitors found that 93 per cent of RWM 08 exhibitors rated visitors as good or excellent and 77 per cent agreed that visitors matched their customer profile (with only 2 per cent disagreeing). Within one week of the show a third of RWM 08 exhibitors had taken orders and reported an immediate return on investment.
Event manager Gerry Sherwood said: "We know that RWM was a great success from the buzz on the show floor and feedback from our exhibitors. But an ABC certificate provides us with that concrete proof. In the current economic climate, we are all more accountable than ever before. Businesses and organisations will only choose to exhibit at trusted shows with a proven track record. RWM is the largest ABC-audited event in the industry calendar and we have a responsibility to consistently deliver serious buyers and prospects for our growing exhibitor base."
Against a backdrop of the UK's economic downturn, Emap Connect continues to invest in its offering to visitors and exhibitors and plans to grow RWM's core market while diversifying into new energy and waste markets. Hundreds of companies have already signed up to exhibit at RWM 09 which will take place at the Birmingham NEC from 15 to 17 September, and over 75% of stand space is now sold out. RWM 09 will feature free seminars with keynote addresses, and live outdoor waste and vehicle demonstrations. This year, organisers are introducing a dedicated Energy and Waste Water Seminar Theatre and a business networking zone.
A high profile visitor campaign will target the country's waste producers within a range of sectors including construction and retail. The RWM logo has been refreshed to reflect a more modern industry, and the show's online presence has been bolstered with a new website www.rwmexhibition.com and the launch of an RWM Blog and RWM Linked In Group. RWM 09 exhibitors will also benefit from full marketing support and access to a dedicated PR agency.

Neopost Acquires Renaddress Ltd and Target Addressing and Business Systems
Neopost has announced the acquisition of Renaddress Ltd and Target Addressing and Business Systems. Both companies will be integrated into Neopost UK in the coming months.
Renaddress Ltd markets a wide range of addressing systems into the direct mail and print finishing industry and has been the sole UK distributor of Rena GmbH addressing systems since 1969. Their range of inkjet address printers includes low volume desk top machines through to high volume floor standing production systems.
In 2008, Neopost acquired Rena GmBH and the acquisition of these two companies will now reinforce its position as a supplier of addressing systems in the UK.
Kevan Mutton, Managing Director of Neopost stated: “This acquisition in the UK will complement and strengthen our technology position. It will build on our current expertise within the mailroom market and offer a more complete range of addressing systems to businesses.”
Reg Duncan, Managing Director of Renaddress Ltd stated: “This acquisition is excellent news for both companies. The combined product range will create opportunities and open up new markets as well as continuing to provide excellent customer service to existing Renaddress and Neopost customers.”

CNL Appoints Peter Wolstenholme as Business Development Manager
CNL has announced that Peter Wolstenholme has been appointed as the company’s Business Development Manager. Peter joins from GE Security where he was a sales leader in their Engineered Systems Division. He now reports directly to James Condron, VP Sales at CNL.
“Peter will be responsible for the development of partner sales channels internationally” said Keith Bloodworth, CEO of CNL. "His security industry knowledge and technical experience will enable him to recruit the right partners, helping to build a world-class sales channel.”
James Condron adds “With the launch of our Global Partner Program, Peter will concentrate on acquiring and developing new partners to deliver critical enterprise level security projects. These projects will cover a range of sectors including local and national governments, law enforcement agencies, critical national infrastructure and corporate enterprises.”
Peter Wolstenholme has a successful history in technology start ups, helping them to grow into industry leading brands including Telstra UK, Cellstack Systems and VisioWave.
This new role was created as a direct result of the substantial global interest in the firm’s latest software technology, IPSecurityCenter™. This Integrated Situation Management solution for control rooms integrates all security applications from leading manufacturers. By doing so, it improves security, increases control and reduces costs.
For more information on CNL and IPSecurityCenter visit www.cnluk.com or email info@cnluk.com.

Alec Titler Joins Saville
Alec Titler, one of the most experienced senior executives in the audio visual industry has joined Saville Audio Visual. He will take on a new role as Regional Sales Manager (South), working with the company’s technical sales team, principally on AV/IT integration and videoconferencing projects.
Alec has worked in the audio visual industry since 1977. He joined Impact Marcom in 1987 and was appointed as Sales and Marketing Director in 1996. Based at the Saville office in Farnborough, he will be using all his knowledge of audio visual technology and the AV and videoconferencing market to develop the Saville identity, reputation and market share across the south of England.
For more information contact Saville Advertising & PR Dept. Tel 01904 606789
E: nicola.matchett@saville-av.com