By Simon Blackham, Senior Technical Manager at Recticel Here at Recticel, we know what it takes to deliver products to a consistently high standard. We are also aware of our responsibility in terms of industry standards, particularly in relation to health, safety and the environment. It’s why, with each of
This development located in the popular Dublin docklands features 216 one and two bedroom apartments over six floors. Designed in a u-shape block with central courtyard and internal atrium where the FIRETITE was installed. FIRETITE was installed along the main masonry wall between the basement and ground floor. The cavity
Building materials supplier Aggregate Industries, a member of the Holcim Group, has further bolstered its operations with the acquisition of Besblock Ltd., a leading supplier of precast materials to the Midlands construction industry. The acquisition of Telford-based Besblock will see Aggregate Industries expand upon its existing products with the introduction
Construction, property, and facilities company, The Sovini Group, are investing in a ‘Greener Living’ campaign to support their 850 colleagues, as part of its ongoing net-zero carbon commitment. The initiative supports the Group’s vision to create a better future for their customers, colleagues, and the communities they serve. In line
UK and Ireland specialist paving and building products company, AG has welcomed three new recruits to its growing workforce. AG Appoints new Head of Sales for Scotland UK and Ireland specialist paving and building products company, AG, has appointed James Jack as Head of Sales for Scotland. James brings with him over 25 years’
Improving concrete preparation productivity on large scale outdoor applications Transportation infrastructure is vital to the health of the UK economy. Whether it’s commuters driving on motorways every day, or tourists travelling by air, we rely on transport networks to get us from A to B. Consistently maintaining this critical infrastructure
A policy briefing by the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) examines how UK markets can better drive decarbonisation in foundation industries such as steel, cement and glass. The briefing summarises the results of a 12-month research project (the full results of which are available in a longer technical report and three
Aggregate Industries has secured a place as one of the contractors to provide surfacing works on highways across Blackburn and Darwen. The leading construction materials supplier, which has its regional Northern Office at Hindley, Wigan, was successful in securing a place on Lot 1 Surfacing and Civils Works Framework for
Peikko has been selected as a supplier for Jorvi Hospital’s new extension in Espoo, Finland. The order includes 5.4 km of DELTABEAM® Green composite beams and nearly 80 PETRA® Green hollow-core slab hangers. Peikko’s deliveries to the site will begin in August 2023 and continue until September 2024. Hospital operations
CONTRACTORS OFTEN get calls from property owners and managers who mistakenly think the roof is leaking. Many leaks are the result of a gutter block, often caused by leaves from overhanging trees or moss growth on the roof. This leads to gutters regularly overflowing causing damage to buildings. When gutter
By Simon Blackham, Senior Technical Manager at Recticel Here at Recticel, we know what it takes to deliver products to a consistently high standard. We are also aware of our responsibility in terms of industry standards, particularly in relation to health, safety and the environment. It’s why, with each of our high-performance PIR solutions, we assure their ability to enhance levels of comfort and sustainability in buildings of all types. We are also committed to securing the highest grade of certification as an industry-approved hallmark of their quality. To achieve this, we subject each of our products to rigorous, regular testing and evaluation to uphold their quality and safety. In this respect, it’s not enough for our products’ performance to meet the approval of our expert internal auditors. Hence, we enlist the service of external parties for their guidance whilst working alongside industry-renowned certification bodies. These include: BBA – expert-led assessment The British Board of Agrément (BBA) is a UKAS-accredited certification body. BBA certification is recognised throughout the construction industry as a symbol of quality and reassurance that the associated product has passed a series of rigorous, comprehensive assessments. To gain this prestigious hallmark of approval laboratory tests, on-site evaluations, quality management checks and inspections of production are among methods carried out during the expert-led assessment process. Recticel products that carry BBA certification include, but are not restricted to, Eurothane® Eurodeck, Eurothane® PL, Eurowall®+, Eurowall® Cavity, Powerdeck® F, Eurothane® GP, and Powerdeck® U. PEFC – promoting environmentally-friendly forest management Three products from our high-performance thermal insulation range have been awarded the revered PEFC (the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) label. Based in Switzerland, PEFC is a leading alliance of national forest certification systems. The non-profit organisation is committed to promoting environmentally-friendly forest management that is socially beneficial and economically viable through independent third-party certification. Its award of the PEFC label to the three Recticel products – Recticel Eurothane® GP, Eurothane® Eurodeck and Eurowall® Cavity – signifies that each product’s multilayer paper facings are made from wood fibres sourced from PEFC-certified and sustainably-managed forests. We are the first PIR manufacturer authorised to use this environmental label. Transparent and reliable through ISO certificate International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) is an international organisation that develops standards. For example, the ISO 9001 standard is an international quality management system and evaluates the company-wide quality system, such as the vision, staff training and procedures. Our production facilities are all ISO 9001 certified. In addition, many production facilities have ISO 14001 certification. The ISO 14001 standard looks at environmental aspects and the related objectives, and is therefore an environmental management system. Recticel has implemented an environmental management system for this purpose, and we regularly undergo audits to revalidate the ISO certificates. Environmental impact with EPD label Recticel communicate transparently about sustainability aspects, opting for Environmental Product Declarations (EPDS) on some of our insulation products. Containing information about the ecological impact of construction products, these voluntary declarations take the form of a report. The content of an EPD is based on the results of a lifecycle assessment (LCA). An LCA calculates the impact of the raw materials, the production process and the transport during the different life phases of the product – production, installation, use phase and end of life. A third party verifies the declarations to ensure they are correct. No compromise on performance The various industry accreditations afforded to Recticel products are proof of their all-round quality – there is no compromise with any aspect of their performance. With our PIR solutions, the highest levels of safety, usability and thermal capability are assured. This dedication to innovating solutions that are built with the installer and end-user in mind will be crucial to delivering energy-smart homes and a healthier environment for future generations to enjoy.
This development located in the popular Dublin docklands features 216 one and two bedroom apartments over six floors. Designed in a u-shape block with central courtyard and internal atrium where the FIRETITE was installed. FIRETITE was installed along the main masonry wall between the basement and ground floor. The cavity varied in thickness between 50 to 70mm, making it ideal for the installation of our innovative FIRETITE cavity wall insulation. FIRETITE is the world’s first three-component mineral based insulation developed by BASF. It is fire classification of A2-s1, d0, a thermal conductivity of 0.034W/mK, contains no harmful pollutants, has no internal propellants and has achieved the best EMICODE emissions classification of EC1 plus. FIRETITE was installed at this development by our registered contractor, Adrian McGirr and his team from Fior Insulation & Fire Protection. Fior are experienced passive fire protection specialists and are involved with FIRETITE because they recognised the benefits and potential for this unique product. “It’s exciting to be involved with FIRETITE as a new innovative solution for fire rated cavity wall insulation. This product can help rectify many of the cavity wall fire challenges we have faced over the last few years”, said Adrian McGirr, Fior Insulation. Project: A residential scheme featuring 216 apartments with private balconies or terraces situated in the heart of the Dublin docks.Developer: Marlet Property GroupMain Contractor: BAM IrelandArchitect: Henry J. LyonsFIRETITE Installer: Fior Insulation & Fire protection LtdScope of Project: Install FIRETITE in specific brick cavity along the atrium wall at ground floor and basementProducts used: FIRETITE Class A2, S1, d0 mineral based cavity wall insulation
Building materials supplier Aggregate Industries, a member of the Holcim Group, has further bolstered its operations with the acquisition of Besblock Ltd., a leading supplier of precast materials to the Midlands construction industry. The acquisition of Telford-based Besblock will see Aggregate Industries expand upon its existing products with the introduction of a range of technically niche and sustainable building blocks, and enable closer working relationships with large and medium sized housebuilders across the Midlands. The acquisition will also provide further growth opportunities outside of the region. Through its two manufacturing facilities in Telford, Besblock currently produces around 1.7 million m² building blocks per year, equating to approximately 250kT. Its products include the industry-leading Star Performer block, a sustainable and multi-purpose on-site solution, with recycled aggregates and 24 % less material than a solid block. The business has strong sustainability credentials, with its fleet of lorries one of the most efficient in the country and with the recent installation of a new 1.65MW biomass boiler and renewable energy system, which will see the business become carbon neutral when operational. Dragan Maksimovic, CEO of Aggregate Industries UK, said: “The acquisition of Besblock Ltd is an important milestone in our journey as we strive to become the UK’s leading supplier of sustainable construction materials and solutions. Besblock has invested heavily in sustainability in recent years and its market-leading product range has strong synergies with our own. We’re delighted to be able to enhance our products and capabilities with the acquisition of this progressive and market-leading business.” Andrew Huxley, Managing Director at Besblock Ltd., said: “We’re incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a business in the last 50 years; particularly of the investments we have made in sustainable solutions, both in terms of products and practices. We’re excited to continue to expand the business and continue our sustainability journey with the support of Aggregate Industries.”
Construction, property, and facilities company, The Sovini Group, are investing in a ‘Greener Living’ campaign to support their 850 colleagues, as part of its ongoing net-zero carbon commitment. The initiative supports the Group’s vision to create a better future for their customers, colleagues, and the communities they serve. In line with this vision, the Group have provided colleagues with complimentary LED efficient lamps in a bid to reduce energy consumption and output within their homes. The lamps, which were supplied by Service Electrical Distributors (SED), an electrical wholesaler company who are also based in Bootle, were distributed by Group partner Sovini Trade Supplies, who have branches across the North West. Marc Redfern, Managing Director at Service Electrical Distributors LTD said: “We’re delighted to have partnered with Sovini Trade Supplies and The Sovini Group to provide an energy efficient solution for employees to benefit from beyond the workplace. With energy bills increasing, we believe adapting efficient lighting solutions can and will make a noticeable difference across their homes.” Independent building merchant, Sovini Trade Supplies proudly promote a culture of sustainability as they continually seek ways to strengthen their eco-friendly offering through the procurement of environmentally friendly materials. Alan Evans, Director of Operations at Sovini Trade Supplies said: “We actively seek ways to reduce our carbon footprint and energy consumption within our offices and beyond. With SED kindly donating lightbulbs to support our commitment to achieving net-zero carbon, we are now able to make a difference amongst our workforce.” Through the Greener Living campaign, The Sovini Group continuously encourage colleagues to adopt sustainable ways of running a household and supporting them to combat rising energy costs. The LED lamps function at 8.5w, compared to the previous 60w incandescent bulbs with the same lumen output. If they’re in use 12 hours a day, seven days a week, they offer a saving of £76 per year and £350 saving over the life of the lamp (20,000hrs.) This is an 85% energy saving using LED bulbs over the incandescent lamp. To read more about The Sovini Group’s end-to-end supply chain services and net-zero carbon commitment visit www.sovini.co.uk For more information on Sovini Trade Supplies visit www.sovinitradesupplies.co.uk and for more information on Service Electrical Distributors visit https://sedltd.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UK and Ireland specialist paving and building products company, AG has welcomed three new recruits to its growing workforce. AG Appoints new Head of Sales for Scotland UK and Ireland specialist paving and building products company, AG, has appointed James Jack as Head of Sales for Scotland. James brings with him over 25 years’ experience in the construction industry, working across both the manufacturing and distribution sectors. Most recently James was Account Manager at Keyline, part of the Travis Perkins Group, where he managed the group’s Tier 1 contractors. Prior to this James was Head of Commercial Sales for GB at a manufacturing company and also spent 13 years at Jewson where he held a range of senior sales positions. James will be responsible for managing sales within the Scotland region. His role will be to engage with contractors, subcontractors and builders’ merchants as well as supporting general merchant/stockist activity and driving retail sales through this sales channel. AG Appoints new Digital Marketing Manager UK and Ireland specialist paving and building products company, AG, has appointed Stephen Gallagher as Digital Marketing Manager. Stephen spent the last 5 years working with Christies Direct as Marketing Manager where he was responsible for supporting the firm’s growth strategy through the creation of quality content, advertising and managing customer relations. Stephen will be part of AG’s marketing team where he will be responsible for planning and implementing AG’s digital marketing campaigns across a variety of platforms. AG Appoints new Specification Consultant UK and Ireland specialist paving and building products company, AG, has appointed Mark Toole as Specification Consultant. Mark brings with him a wealth of knowledge with over 25 years’ experience in the construction industry. His spent the last seven years working as a Senior Project Consultant for Marshalls where he was responsible for several key contractor accounts as well as managing its sales team. Prior to that Mark held various managerial positions including a Key Account Manager for Charcon. At AG Mark will be responsible for dealing with business enquiries for customers, working closely with clients through the product selection process. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Improving concrete preparation productivity on large scale outdoor applications Transportation infrastructure is vital to the health of the UK economy. Whether it’s commuters driving on motorways every day, or tourists travelling by air, we rely on transport networks to get us from A to B. Consistently maintaining this critical infrastructure can be difficult — Citroen, for example, reported that work on fixing potholes across the UK cost £93.7 million in 2022. People still need to travel on a daily basis, so how do we effectively repair this infrastructure without disrupting day to day life? Here Tom Dunn, vice president of sales at surface preparation expert National Flooring Equipment, explores the role of surface preparation in large outdoor applications. Effective surface preparation plays an integral role in maintaining critical transport infrastructure such as highways, bridges, parking structures and airport runways. The surface must be in good condition to ensure the safety of people using them, as well as ensure that the floor has the durability to withstand vehicle and pedestrian traffic, as well as different weather conditions. While contractors often understand the importance of maintaining these spaces, completing the work without causing disruption to travellers can be challenging. McKinsey & Company estimates that large scale construction projects take 20 percent longer than scheduled and finish up to 80 percent over budget. From experience, these unexpected delays could be caused by a number of factors, such as weather delaying work, or a lack of preparation before arriving to site. However, sticking to the budget and client deadline is not impossible. By taking the time to plan the work effectively and choosing the right tools for the application, contractors can deliver high quality surface preparation at any scale. Preparation is key When starting any project, contractors should consider how to meet client expectations while adhering to the outlined deadline and budget. This is particularly important on large sites with regular traffic, because customers often want to limit disruption as much as possible. Taking the time to efficiently plan before arriving on site is therefore integral to surface preparation success. By visiting the site before work begins, contractors can understand the size and scope of the project, the condition of the existing floor, its current covering and the client’s specifications. For example, in large outdoor applications such as airport runways, highways or car parks, contractors must communicate with the facilities manager to clear the area of pedestrians and vehicles before commencing work to ensure safety. Some circumstances require entire site closure and in other instances contractors may be able to complete the work in stages to limit disturbance. For example, repairing the floor in multi-story parking structures one level at a time could give contractors time to complete the work efficiently without closing the entire structure. It’s important to accurately estimate the project timeline if required to work to tight deadlines, for example when working in high traffic areas. Sticking to the deadline might mean working in challenging conditions, such as in rain or at night. Plans must ensure the team can safely work through different weather conditions, darkness and high or low temperatures so that contractors allow enough time to complete the work without rushing it. Choosing a machine Once the project goals and timeline are finalised, contractors can determine what equipment or machinery they require. Larger projects usually require heavy duty ride-on scrapers that have a faster removal rate and are better suited to removing heavy goods like industrial epoxy with aggregate. Walk behinds may be more suited to applications such as weight-restricted bridge decks or around tight corners and hard-to-reach areas that a ride-on would have difficulty targeting. A combination of machines may be necessary when the site has varying levels of surface hardness, thickness, and complexity. For example, a ride-on scraper may be more efficient in removing large areas of material, while a walk-behind scraper may be more effective for precise removal during edge work. Additionally, achieving the desired surface finish may require different processes. For example, shot blasters can efficiently remove coatings, adhesives, and contaminants from vertical or horizontal surfaces. They can also create a surface texture that improves adhesion of coatings or to produce a non-slip surface. Scarifiers are useful where more aggressive treatment is necessary, such as removing thick coatings, roughing up smooth surfaces, or levelling uneven surfaces. Consider which fuels will be most appropriate during the project. In large outdoor spaces, an electricity supply for plug in machines may not be easily available, so diesel or propane powered machines might give more freedom. In any project, safety must be a priority for machinery operators and other contractors on site. Areas undergoing work should be physically cordoned off to prevent the public from entering the site. During ongoing work, contractors can also select equipment with added safety features to protect workers on site. For example, some ride-in scrapers feature light curtains to outline the movement of the machine. Choosing a ride-in machine with a positive air pressure cab can also protect the operator, reducing dust inhalation and enabling them to work in different conditions. Maximising uptime Choosing the right equipment is vital, but learning how to use it effectively is key to maintaining productivity once on site. By approaching the equipment supplier for training, contractors can understand how to set up and use equipment to increase productivity and ultimately create a safer working environment. For instance, setting up the angle and pitch of a blade can impact covering removal rates — understanding how to properly angle the blade for the covering could be the difference between quickly removing the coating and struggling to remove anything. It’s important to follow advice regarding maintenance, especially during longer projects, to minimise downtime. Counties spend millions each year on infrastructure maintenance to ensure that people can safely and efficiently travel around the country. So, when conducting repairs, laying new coverings or completing new outdoor projects, contractors should prioritise surface preparation to deliver a surface that will deliver long-lasting strength and
A policy briefing by the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) examines how UK markets can better drive decarbonisation in foundation industries such as steel, cement and glass. The briefing summarises the results of a 12-month research project (the full results of which are available in a longer technical report and three sectoral deep dive documents). The main objective of the project was to explore how creating market demand for low-carbon innovative products and materials would reduce emissions in carbon-intensive sectors. Foundation industries, which are vital for the UK’s manufacturing and construction sectors, are worth around £52 billion to the economy and account for nearly 15 per cent of annual CO2 emissions, according to Innovate UK. However, decarbonisation of foundation industries is no easy task. The briefing identifies key decarbonisation pathways and some of the greatest obstacles to them, such as the high cost of low-carbon technologies, a lack of standardised data collection on embodied carbon emissions, and a lack of familiarity with new materials. The most complicated of the cross-cutting challenges, the supply–demand catch-22, refers to a situation whereby an upstream company does not have a large enough market demand to upscale the production of low carbon materials or the technologies to produce them, and downstream companies cannot risk investing in alternative technologies before they have a stable supply of upstream low carbon materials or products. Beverley Cornaby, Director, Policy and Systems Change Collaborations, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, said: “The UK must step up to the example set by the EU and US by establishing a strong policy framework to support industrial decarbonisation. Policies to date have been insufficient to drive deep decarbonisation in key heavy industries, such as iron and steel, cement, glass, and basic chemicals, which require long-term investment and new technologies. This report sets out clear policy recommendations for the government to enable demand-led innovation and create an attractive and competitive market for green investment.” At present, UK market demand for less carbon intensive materials and products, such as low carbon cement, sustainably mined raw materials or carbon capture and storage technology, is not high enough to incentivise investment in them. Other large economies like the EU and the US offer more support, through policy frameworks like the Green Deal Industrial Plan (GDIP) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) respectively. But the UK is lagging behind its major competitors, risking a mass exodus of companies to these countries as a result. CISL’s policy briefing lays out its proposed decarbonisation pathways – electrification, circular economy solutions, novel technologies and innovative products, processes and practices, and recommends three policy actions the UK government should undertake. ‘Demand-led innovation’ (DLI) is vital if the UK is to see significant emissions reductions in core materials industries, states the briefing. DLI is innovation that is incentivised by a gap in the market for a product or service that consumers want – and for which they would be willing to pay. In this case, many of the technologies, and innovative products, processes and practices needed to decarbonise foundation industries are not yet available at commercial scale, are at very early stages of the piloting process, or have yet to be invented. Along with government action, the research highlights the role that non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, and the private sector can play in industrial decarbonisation by bringing companies together to accelerate demand, facilitating dialogue and information sharing. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aggregate Industries has secured a place as one of the contractors to provide surfacing works on highways across Blackburn and Darwen. The leading construction materials supplier, which has its regional Northern Office at Hindley, Wigan, was successful in securing a place on Lot 1 Surfacing and Civils Works Framework for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. The contract is for an initial period covering April 2023 to April 2025 with an option for two further 12 month extensions. The framework is for the delivery of surfacing schemes valued up to £1m per annum and is to provide footway and carriageway improvements and resurfacing. A key part of the framework was sustainability, which included supporting the council’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2030. This allowed Aggregate Industries, when formulating the bid, to put forward the choice of key innovative low carbon surfacing solutions that are fundamental in assisting local authorities in meeting their future CO2 targets. Victoria Smith, Regional Director for the North and Midlands in the Surfacing Solutions division, said: “It’s great news to have been appointed to the surfacing contract for Blackburn with Darwen and have the opportunity to deliver some real value to the framework utilising the latest in low carbon solutions. “We have a strong track record in the region with local authorities and on major infrastructure projects and will be supporting our contracts from our asphalt and recycling facilities in Lancashire and North Manchester.” Aggregate Industries will also support the council on wider social value aspects including providing volunteering support for local projects and working with the local supply chain where appropriate. Carmel Foster-Devine, Head of Highways at Blackburn with Darwen Council, added: “We are looking forward to working in partnership with Aggregate Industries to improve the road network across Blackburn with Darwen. Our local communities will also benefit from the social action and volunteering support the company invests in neighbourhoods in which it works. “In addition, working with contractors who align with the objectives we’ve set ourselves within our Climate Change Action Plan is paramount and Aggregate Industries have shown that they can support us in addressing sustainability and resource efficiency in their project delivery.” For more information about our Surfacing Solutions compatibility visit https://www.aggregate.com/products-and-services/contracting-services Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Peikko has been selected as a supplier for Jorvi Hospital’s new extension in Espoo, Finland. The order includes 5.4 km of DELTABEAM® Green composite beams and nearly 80 PETRA® Green hollow-core slab hangers. Peikko’s deliveries to the site will begin in August 2023 and continue until September 2024. Hospital operations in the new premises are expected to begin in 2026. SRV is the main contractor on the 259 M€ project owned by HUS Helsinki University Hospital. Three architects collaborated on the five-story building: Lukkaroinen Architects Oy, UKI Architects, and Tähti-Set Architects Oy. The structural design is prepared by A-Insinöörit. Low carbon has been taken into account in this project in many ways. The on-site solar power system will enable carbon neutral energy production and all the equipment in the buildings have been selected with energy efficiency in mind. Flexible and versatile spaces allow for adjustments throughout the building’s lifecycle, which is supported by the lower carbon footprint of the DELTABEAM® Green beams.“Out of the Peikko’s six hospital construction sites currently underway in Europe, Jorvi represents Peikko’s largest project within this sector. It’s great to supply the DELTABEAM® Green composite beam system for such a significant project. Our composite structure provided an effective solution, with a carbon footprint that is half that of conventional beams “, comments Topi Paananen, CEO of Peikko Group Oy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CONTRACTORS OFTEN get calls from property owners and managers who mistakenly think the roof is leaking. Many leaks are the result of a gutter block, often caused by leaves from overhanging trees or moss growth on the roof. This leads to gutters regularly overflowing causing damage to buildings. When gutter brush systems first came on the market, contractors thought they had found a simple, cost-effective solution to offer clients. New builds began to incorporate gutter brushes at the time of construction to counter known risks, for example from trees which had to be retained to gain planning for the development. Contractors thought their problems were solved, until they began to receive angry callbacks. Many returned to find that the gutter brush or infill systems they’d installed were impeding rainwater flow, in itself causing overflows, or the systems were accumulating debris and getting blocked so frequently they’d become more hindrance than help. LiabilityDoug Basen of Local Authority Building Control highlighted the problem when he cautioned inspectors to advise clients to choose anti-blocking gutter systems carefully. Citing Building Regulations part H3, and BS EN 12056-3:2000 Clause 7.3.3, which states “the reduction in outlet capacity due to strainers being installed shall be taken into consideration”, Doug warned that installers might find themselves liable if they had fitted a product which ultimately caused building damage. Doug compared the various products on offer, assessing rainwater flow rates when they’re installed. Foam, fibre, rubber or acrylic systems are designed to sit in the gutter and absorb water moving it to a downpipe without allowing any material to find its way into the system. Three products were examined: firstly, foam, fibre, rubber or acrylic systems designed to sit in the gutter and absorb water moving it to a downpipe without allowing any material to find its way into the system. Secondly, gutter brushes were evaluated: also designed to sit in the gutter and catch debris while still permitting waterflow. Thirdly, gutter guards, which are a mesh fitted to the open top of the gutter. Reduction in flow capacityAfter conducting his investigation Doug concluded: “It would seem the first two examples will immediately cause a reduction in flow capacity as a direct result of their installation. The moral here is make sure you do check if guttering anti-blockage has been incorporated before completion, and, if it has, that the flow rate of the gutter has not been impeded. Mesh gutter guards are the clear winner here because, sitting on the top of the gutter, they clearly don’t impede water flow.” Not all equalBut, not all gutter guard meshes are created equal. For example, a mesh construction allowing for a slope is vital: flat gutter guards do not perform optimally. If the gutter mesh is not sloped towards the outer edge of the gutter where it’s fitted, it risks leaves still accumulating on the mesh surface where they will start to decompose and form a mulch, over which rainwater can run off. Whereas a sloped mesh will help debris to sluice harmlessly of the mesh surface, while rainwater is channelled away. Tests conducted by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to the principle of BS EN 12056-3-2000 confirm these findings. BRE tests showed that, firstly, any product that sits within the gutter can impede rainwater flow by as much as 50-80%. CONTRACTORS OFTEN get calls from property owners and managers who mistakenly think the roof is leaking. Many leaks are the result of a gutter block, often caused by leaves from overhanging trees or moss growth on the roof. This leads to gutters regularly overflowing causing damage to buildings. When gutter brush systems first came on the market, contractors thought they had found a simple, cost-effective solution to offer clients. New builds began to incorporate gutter brushes at the time of construction to counter known risks, for example from trees which had to be retained to gain planning for the development. Contractors thought their problems were solved, until they began to receive angry callbacks. Many returned to find that the gutter brush or infill systems they’d installed were impeding rainwater flow, in itself causing overflows, or the systems were accumulating debris and getting blocked so frequently they’d become more hindrance than help. LiabilityDoug Basen of Local Authority Building Control highlighted the problem when he cautioned inspectors to advise clients to choose anti-blocking gutter systems carefully. Citing Building Regulations part H3, and BS EN 12056-3:2000 Clause 7.3.3, which states “the reduction in outlet capacity due to strainers being installed shall be taken into consideration”, Doug warned that installers might find themselves liable if they had fitted a product which ultimately caused building damage. Doug compared the various products on offer, assessing rainwater flow rates when they’re installed. Foam, fibre, rubber or acrylic systems are designed to sit in the gutter and absorb water moving it to a downpipe without allowing any material to find its way into the system. Three products were examined: firstly, foam, fibre, rubber or acrylic systems designed to sit in the gutter and absorb water moving it to a downpipe without allowing any material to find its way into the system. Secondly, gutter brushes were evaluated: also designed to sit in the gutter and catch debris while still permitting waterflow. Thirdly, gutter guards, which are a mesh fitted to the open top of the gutter. Reduction in flow capacityAfter conducting his investigation Doug concluded: “It would seem the first two examples will immediately cause a reduction in flow capacity as a direct result of their installation. The moral here is make sure you do check if guttering anti-blockage has been incorporated before completion, and, if it has, that the flow rate of the gutter has not been impeded. Mesh gutter guards are the clear winner here because, sitting on the top of the gutter, they clearly don’t impede water flow.” Not all equalBut, not all gutter guard meshes are created equal. For example, a mesh construction allowing for a slope is vital: flat gutter guards do
