This week, security is uppermost in our thoughts, with products ranging from locks to meet the needs of disabled users to DIY CCTV and the latest in anti-terrorism measures – plus hot gossip from the factories
Self-install CCTV
CCTV specialist Associated Security Products has introduced what it says is an easy-to-install system. The company says installers select a monitor, cameras and a video camera and connect them with universal cables using telephone-type plugs. The cameras are suitable for external use and run off a 12 V power supply. The system can be connected to a digital video recorder that simultaneously records the images from all the cameras and plays them back independently. It can record up to 14 days of images at a time.
Associated Security Products
www.cctv-uk.net
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 301

Sound reduction in fire doors
TDSL, formerly Timbmet, has launched a range of doorsets said to combine noise attenuation and fire performance. The range, named Audiospec, aims to reduce noise by between 28 dB and 44 dB (weighted airborne sound reduction index). The most soundproof doorset also provides fire resistance for up to 30 minutes. The doorsets are suitable for internal applications and are said to offer excellent mechanical performance. They are available in a range of configurations including single- and double-leaf with glazed panels.
TDSL
www.firedoors.gb.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 302

Anti-terrorism security range
Security products specialist Strataform has developed a range of products designed to offer protection against terrorist attack. The Sentinel 8000 range consists of doors, panels, kiosks, cells, guard posts and glazed screens which enable secure areas to be created in new and existing buildings. The company says the products are suitable for financial, military and government institutions. The range offers a choice of materials, finishes and locking and operational systems so it can be tailored to meet very specific needs.
Strataform
www.strataform.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 303

Heat recovery goes compact
Greenwood Airvac has developed a compact range of whole house ventilation systems with heat recovery. The products are suitable for new-build apartments without room for loft installation and for retro-fitting in older homes. The heat recovery units can be fitted into a kitchen cupboard or over a cooker hood and recover a claimed 70% of the heat in the expelled air. The supply fan can be isolated from the heat exchanger to prevent incoming air being warmed in the summer.
Greenwood Airvac
www.greenwood.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 304

Easy-to-fit waste connector
Waste connector specialist Multikwik Ltd has introduced a push-fit solution called Easy Boss to connect 32 mm and 40 mm waste pipes to standard soil stacks. The company says all the installer has to do is push the connector into a 57 mm hole in the stack and tighten a nut. A 32 mm pipe can then be pushed into the boss. If the adaptor ring is removed, a 40 mm pipe can also be accommodated.
Multikwik Ltd
www.multikwik.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 310

Lockcases for disabled users
IR Security & Safety has launched a range of Euro-style cylinder lockcases that it says complies with BS8300: Design of buildings to meet the needs of disabled people. The Briton 5500 range has a distance of 72 mm between the lever and the lock to make it easier for people with impaired vision or dexterity problems to operate. The lockcases are suitable for use with the company's IR Normbau and IR Randi lever furniture.
IR Security & Safety
www.irsecurityandsafety.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 311

New gasket range
Lorient has extended its range of flexible intumescent gaskets for sealing the junction of the glass and timber in fire doors. The gasket is called System 36/7 and is for use with 7 mm to 8 mm thick fire glass. It offers 30 minutes' integrity. The company says this was developed in response to developments in fire-rated glass.
Lorient
www.lorient.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 312

Information point

Details on ducting
Naylor Drainage has produced a brochure on its range of twinwall ducting for the civils, utility and telecommunications markets. The product range consists of plastic ducting pipes, access chambers and covers with frames.
Naylor Drainage
www.naylor.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 305

Guidance set in concrete
The Concrete Block Association has produced a four-page guidance leaflet on complying with Part E of the Building Regulations. It explains how the acoustic regulations can be satisfied using dense or lightweight blockwork, and provides information on the relevant robust standard details for walls between dwellings.
The Concrete Block Association
www.cba-blocks.org.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 306

One-stop fire protection
Fire protection materials producer Promat UK has launched a 180-page guide called The Passive Fire Protection Handbook. It is aimed at building owners, designers, specifiers and contractors as a one-stop reference for all fire protection requirements including Building Regulations and the latest British Standards. It contains reference guides for fire protection values and solutions for every major aspect of fire protection.
Promat UK
www.promat.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 307

Gutters galore
Guttermaster has published its 2004 specifier and user guide. It details the company’s range of aluminium gutters and rainwater pipes plus its fascia, soffit and wall capping systems. The guide includes technical drawings, a table of gutter and outlet capacities, full product specifications, as well as the company’s “Four simple steps to rainwater system design”.
Guttermaster
www.guttermaster.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 308

Tough alternative to tiles
Timber supplier John Brash has brought out a brochure on its Western Red Cedar shingles and shakes. These are used on roofs instead of more traditional tiles or slates and are said to have the advantages of light weight, easy handling on site and good rigidity once nailed in place. The company says the product is durable and provides good protection against hurricane winds and driving snow.
John Brash & Company
www.johnbrash.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 309

Movers and makers

  • Project collaboration provider Business Collaborator has joined the Network for Construction Collaboration Technology Providers. This aims to promote the benefits of collaboration tools within the construction industry. The company has also launched version 4.9 of its collaboration software. This has been developed specifically to beat the problem of email overload. The software has a system for alerting and reporting so users can find what they actually want to see.

  • Research group BRE has been appointed by the Department for Education and Skills to develop a BREEAM scheme for schools. This will replace the Schools Environmental Assessment Method covering new schools. BREEAM for schools will also cover major refurbishments. The scheme is scheduled for launch in January 2005. BRE would welcome input from interested parties. Contact Alan Yates or Thomas Saunders on 01923-664462.

  • Entries are invited for the 2004 Wood Awards. The awards are given in October for outstanding examples of joinery and wood structures completed between May 2003 and May 2004. There are four categories: private, public access, conservation and structural, with a gold award made to the “winner of winners”. Last year, the gold award went to Edward Cullinan Architects for the Downland Gridshell in East Sussex.

  • Construction software provider Ramesys has formed an alliance with enterprise, resource and planning provider Oracle. The intention is to offer a scaleable software solution combining Ramesys’ construction-specific software and Oracle’s enterprise-wide solution. Mark Chambers, Ramesys managing director, said larger construction companies would like an enterprise-wide solution but there have always been problems with cost when implementing traditional ERP solutions, and they didn’t always deliver the promised benefits.

  • The management of the IG Doors Division has acquired the company from IG Ltd, and IG Doors (Scotland) Ltd from the Expamet Group. The company supplies doors to the private new build and social housing refurbishment markets.