As the school summer holidays draw to a close, Mike Stevenson, Sales & Marketing Director, Public Sector, for WHS Halo System 10, takes a look at the opportunities on offer to window fabricators as a result of the ‘Building Schools for the Future’ multi-million pound investment programme.

The ‘Building Schools for the Future’ (BSF) programme will see over £2billion being spent annually on the refurbishment or re-building of secondary schools over the next fifteen years. Almost 200 schools across England are set to benefit from the first wave of funding, with building due to commence within 16 LEAs in 2005/06.

Over the next two decades, the entire secondary school building stock will be refurbished and upgraded. This ambitious programme of rebuilding and renewal will take place against the backdrop of Government calls for greater efficiencies within the construction industry.

Implications for fabricators

Installing modern, energy efficient, weather-proof windows and curtain walling systems with minimal maintenance requirements will form a key part of this massive refurbishment programme, aimed at transforming classrooms into light and airy workplaces conducive to learning.

However, it is dangerous for fabricators to assume that the approach taken to running their business in the retail or trade frame markets will only need tweaking to enable them to operate successfully in this thriving sector.

Education authorities, the specifiers and the constructors will be looking for window fabricators and installers who understand the context of the refurbishment projects, who can offer products specifically designed for the educational building sector and who can deliver far more than just windows to a project, in the shape of local companies delivering fit for purpose, sustainable best-value fenestration solutions. Fabricators will need to work with a profile system partner who can fulfil these requirements if they are to benefit from the wealth of opportunities on offer.

Choosing the right systems company, or more aptly the right partner, with the right experience and expertise, can help to send fabricators straight to the top of the class.

System 10 Curtain Walling

System 10 has been operating in the public sector for over 20 years. Projects have primarily focused on curtain walling schemes, with over 80% involving the refurbishment of often rundown educational buildings that no longer meet the requirements of modern day building regulations or provide fit for purpose classroom environments.

The curtain walling system combines PVC-U and aluminium components, and has undergone rigorous independent testing in line with CWCT test criteria at the industry-recognised Taywood Engineering Facility, to achieve a 2000 pascal wind resistance rating.

A wide range of colours are available, meeting the needs of the increasing number of local authorities that are choosing specific ‘school colours’ for their schools.

WHS Halo also offers a complete drawing design service to clients, taking curtain walling schemes from design concept through to final specification. The company also provides formally accredited training on the survey, design and installation of curtain walling to help fabricators and installers complete refurbishment projects on time and accurately.

Dedicated transom and mullions form the cornerstone of the System 10 curtain walling system and are available in 30mm, 50mm, 70mm or 90mm options. Externally fixed thermally broken pressure plates offer unique installation and future maintenance benefits, while the direct glazing methods used provide slim sightline and cost reduction benefits.

Source

Glass Age