Hansgrohe has launched a range of three shower "temples". The basic version has a hand and overhead spray and eight body sprays, all thermostatically controlled. The steam version has an enclosed ceiling, built-in halogen lights and speakers. The top of the range is the deluxe model, which has coloured mood lighting and an aromatherapy facility. It also has a flood shower to cool the body after steaming and six body jets with a variety of spray options. The products are based on a quarter-circle cubicle with bases available in sizes ranging from 900 mm to 1150 mm.
Hansgrohe
www.hansgrohe.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 301
Safety clothing for women
Parker Merchanting has added three kinds of safety boot and a high visibility jacket, all designed for women, to its range. There is a black leather ankle boot and a lined rigger boot that have a 200-joule toecap and nitrile rubber soles. There is also a black leather moccasin with a 100-joule toecap that has a lightweight chemical resistant polyurethane sole. The jacket is called the Ladies Venus Traffic Jacket that is said to be waterproof and has a zip out fleece for winter use, hip pockets and a mesh liner. It is available in sizes from 8/10 to 16/18.
Parker Merchanting
www.parker-merchanting.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 302
Switch disconnectors made easy
Eaton MEM Circuit Protection and Control has updated its Exel 2 range of switch-disconnectors and switch-disconnectors-fuses. The product has a number of changes. Box clamp earthing terminals are fitted for simpler earth termination, end plates are no longer pre-drilled (the company says it is usually quicker and easier to drill holes on site for precise cable entry location), rating information is printed on the front of the switch for easier identification in low light conditions. Ratings range from 20 A up to 125 A.
Eaton MEM
www.memonline.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 303
Easy-to-open floor access cover
Surespan has developed a hinged floor cover for access to underfloor services. The product has a concealed hinge within its frame, is designed to be easier to open than conventional covers, and does not need clear space around it.
It is rated to EN A15 to C250 pedestrian loading, making it suitable for the commercial and public sectors.
Surespan
www.surespancovers.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 304
Chimney pot with bird guard
Red Bank has added a chimney pot for use with fuel-effect gas fires. The pot is 600 mm high and has a guard to prevent obstructions caused by nesting birds and other debris.
Red Bank
www.redbank-manufacturing.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 306
Personalised door chimes
Electrical products manufacturer MicroMark has brought out its wire-free Record Your Own Chime Kit. It allows customers to personalise their bell chime by pre-recording up to two messages, sounds or tunes that are then replayed at up to 85 decibels when the door push is pressed. The company has also brought out its wire-free Flashing Strobe Door Chime Kit, which has a strobe light, as well as a chime, that is said to be ideal for users with hearing problems. It can be set to sound only, sound and flash, and flash only.
MicroMark
www.micromark.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 307
Acoustic sealing coat and plasterboard
British Gypsum has launched two drylining products to help housebuilders meet the acoustic standards in Part E of the Building Regulations. The first is claimed to meet the requirements of the robust standard details scheme, which exempts housebuilders from post-completion sound testing. Called Gyroc SoundCoat, it is a gypsum-based acoustic-sealing coat intended for masonry block walls, as an alternative to shrinkable sand and cement renders. It is available in 25 kg bags. The second product is called Gyproc WallBoard TEN, a 12.5 mm thick plasterboard that has a mass of 10 kg/m2. It is available in standard 1200 × 2400 board sizes with a tapered-edge profile for normal finishing.
British Gypsum
www.british-gypsum.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 308
Water tank for copper-fin boilers
Water heater and boiler maker Lochinvar has added a 1155 litre hot water tank to its range. The tank, called LST250, is suitable for use with open-vented or unvented hot water systems and high-efficiency copper-fin boilers. It is made from lined steel; corrosion prevention options include traditional sacrificial magnesium anodes or non-sacrificial Correx anodes that can be linked to a building management system. The company has also extended its range of CST copper storage tanks that do not need corrosion protection.
Lochinvar
www.lochinvar.ltd.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 305
Movers and makers
- Construction minister Nigel Griffiths has launched lobbying organisation the Concrete Centre in London. The centre says the UK’s use of concrete is only 60% of the European Union average, and that the material needs a champion to promote its use. Financed by 15 major organisations, the centre will work alongside the British Cement Association, the Concrete Society and the ready-mix and precast concrete industries, to “allow designers, engineers and contractors to realise the full potential of concrete”.
- Accounting software specialist Sage has acquired ATW Computer Services, a developer of software specifically for the construction industry. ATW markets a modular software package called Construct that handles contracts, estimating, facilities management and diary functions, and which integrates with Sage Line 50 and 100 accounting software.
- The Construction Industry Computer Group has relaunched itself as the IT Construction Forum. It is a not-for-profit group and is led by a committee of IT professionals from major organisations within the industry. The relaunch is a response to the changes in the role of IT, and the industry’s changing demands.
- Marley Roofing has opened a £8m factory in Glasgow. The company says the factory will produce 20 million tiles a year, which will help it to strengthen its position in the expanding Scottish market.
- BLI Cement is investing £100m in upgrading its distribution network as part of its expansion strategy. The company has decided to switch its distribution from road to rail and is building rail depots in the Midlands, northern England and London. BLI is also building a plant at Buxton that will open next year and produce 750,000 tonnes of cement a year.
- James Hardie Building Products, maker of waterproof backings for tiles and weatherboard cladding products, has announced a distribution agreement with Sheffield Insulations. James Hardie said this meant its products would be immediately available in four locations, with a fifth site available shortly and another seven up and running by the end of the year.
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