Neaco metal grate system specified for landmark London offices

Neaco’s Techdek metal grate flooring has been specified at Principal Place, a 621,000 sq. ft. office building on the border of Shoreditch and the City of London.

Set to become Amazon UK’s London HQ when it takes occupation this summer, Principal Place is part of a mixed-use complex which will also feature Principal Tower, a 50-storey apartment building, as well as 20,000 sq. ft. of retail space and a brand new public piazza comprising half an acre of public realm and an events space. Techdek has been chosen for metal grate flooring/drainage gullies on the roof terrace of Principal Place. Neaco supplied a bespoke specification with a flat bar aluminium profile in a specially formulated powder coated finish to create the appearance of anodised bronze.

Neaco’s Office Sales Manager, Steve Howard, said: “Our Techdek system is accumulating an outstanding portfolio of specifications at landmark developments worldwide. In the past two years alone it has been chosen for a series of major projects that includes roof walkways at Monterrey FC’s new Estadio BBVA Bancomer in Mexico, roof walkways at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Saudi Arabia, an internal cycle park at the XYZ building in Manchester and bridge decking at Passerelle Becon-Les-Bruyeres in Paris. Architects have identified Techdek’s broad range of qualities as a reliable, durable and eco-friendly solution. Many of our most high-profile specifications are repeat business with clients due to Techdek’s excellent performance on their past projects.”

Techdek’s Flat Bar metal grate flooring profile is lightweight yet strong and available in two standard thicknesses. Panels are manufactured off site and provide fast, mess-free installation with no welding required. The system has environmental credentials with non-toxic, corrosion-resistant panels manufactured from recycled aluminium which is 100 per cent recyclable with no downgrading of its properties required for re-melting. Techdek’s range of profiles is suitable for many other applications, including stages, screens and cladding, brise soleils and maintenance walkways.

Balustrade Design Guide – Part 2: Handrails

1. Handrail/toprail heights

BS8300 Section K2 states that the height of the toprail should be a minimum of 900mm for internal balustrades in residential applications such as landings, stairs, ramps and edges of internal floors. For external balustrades in residential and commercial environments, K2 recommends that the height of the toprail should be a minimum of 900mm for stairs and ramps and 1100mm in all other areas such as balconies and floor edges.

Equality Act 2010 (supporting the existing Building Regulations) requires that property owners must think ahead and take steps to address barriers that impede disabled people.  It states that reasonable adjustments must be made where disabled people experience a ‘substantial disadvantage’.  Building Regulation Approved Document M specifies that handrail heights on all building stairways and ramps do not discriminate against any disability group. Ramps are a particularly important consideration and they should include dual-height handrails with a midrail height located at just over half of the toprail height – for example, if the toprail is 975, the midrail should be around 545mm high. Dual-height handrails should be installed on both sides of ramps longer than two metres. BS8300 requires a minimum clear width of 1000mm between the handrails on each side of the ramp. You also need to consider the limits for ramp gradients in relation to BS8300 and Doc M – the below table provides a summary of requirements.

LIMITS FOR RAMP GRADIENTS (ref: BS300 & Doc M)

2. Handrail shape and size

In commercial and public buildings an important aspect of handrails is meeting the DDA obligations in Part M of the Building Regulations.  Taking into account the Building Regulations Approved Document Part M, and the guidance from BS5395-1:2010, the new BS8300 recommends a circular handrail with a diameter between 32 and 50mm.

Neaco would recommend a DDA-compliant handrail diameter of between 45 and 50mm. Ideally, it should match the diameter of any supporting stanchions. Below 45mm can cause issues with user handling – as the hand moves along the rail, its grip could be loosened by fingertips catching on the stanchion /wall connections. Please see section 2 (below) for more advice on the importance of stanchion /wall connections. If DDA compliance is not required for the building and you prefer an oval toprail or handrail, we would recommend a width of 90mm and a height of 45mm.

3. Handrail connections

The design of the connection between the handrail and the stanchion and/or the wall can affect the smoothness of the user handling. In certain cases where the stanchion and handrail are in line, the fingers can catch on a supporting stanchion. This problem largely occurs when the stanchion stays at full width right up to the point where it meets the underside of the toprail. To avoid this you can use a narrower stem connector between the stanchion and handrail (see below) to allow fingers to grip more of the handrail without catching on the stanchion.

When a handrail is offset from the stanchion, we recommend that the connecting bracket forms a right angle so that the connector still meets the underside of the handrail (see below left) rather than a straight horizontal connector that meets the side of the handrail. The latter makes it very difficult to run the hands along the rail without releasing the grip. We would also recommend this approach for handrails directly connected to walls (see below right).

4. Temperature and comfort to touch

Cold conditions can cause metal handrails to become extremely cold and uncomfortable to the touch in external installations. This can cause reluctance to use a handrail or a tendency to release grip in response to discomfort, which poses a safety hazard. In the 2009 edition of BS 8300, a note added to clause 5.10.5 refers to this context about the recommendation that handrails should not be cold or hot to the touch.’  The recommendations apply to external areas that provide disabled access to a building, but they don’t apply to balconies and fire escape stairs.

To protect against problems caused by extremely cold temperatures, external handrails should be coated in a material of low thermal conductivity such as polyester powder coating, or nylon powder coating (you can read more about these coatings here). Timber handrails are low in thermal conductivity but they can be vulnerable to the effects of weathering in external conditions. However, Neaco’s Timberline system (below) provides aluminium handrails with a powder-coated reproduction of wood.

5. Visual Contrast & Light Reflectance Values

Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is a key determining factor in the eye’s perception of visual contrast between two surfaces. LRV is the amount of light reflected from a surface. Theoretically, its value can range from 0 (jet black) to 100 (perfect white) but in practice, these two values are never achieved. The greater the difference in LRV between the two surfaces, the greater the visual contrast.

Approved Document M (2004) strictly defined a 30-point difference in LRV as a reliable indicator of adequate visual contrast. However, the 2009 amendment to BS 8300 acknowledges that other factors can affect visual perception: for example, the relative area of surfaces, any curvatures and textured, metallic glossy finishes. The difference in LRV is more important when the comparison applies to a small surface and a large surface e.g. a handrail and a wall. An LRV difference of 30 or more is an acceptable visual contrast according to the latest guidance.

By George, that’s a jolly impressive list!

The  arrival of St. George’s Day has given Neaco pause to reflect on the iconic English projects which have specified our products. We’ve notched up an impressive list, from heritage buildings and royal appointments to arenas of sport and television – here are seven of our most famous…

Buckingham Palace

Few buildings are more instantly recognisable as an English icon than Buckingham Palace. It’s one of England’s most popular tourist destinations, with around 50,000 visitors a year, and has served as the official London residence of the UK’s sovereigns since 1837. The architectural stats are certainly impressive in scale: its 775 rooms include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. The building is 108 metres wide, 120 metres deep and 24 metres high. Neaco’s balustrade and aluminium decking have been installed for a wheelchair access ramp and the latest phase of redevelopment includes our roof access walkways.

Harrods

As one of the world’s most famous department stores and another London landmark, Harrods boasts some eye-catching stats which are almost as impressive as Buckingham Palace’s. Its 5-acre site in Knightsbridge has 330 departments covering one million square feet (90,000 m2) of retail space and 27 restaurants. Harrods has come a long way from its humble origins in 1824, when Charley Henry Harrod set up the original shop in Southwark. In 1851 he relocated to a small shop in the district of Brompton, on the site of the current store. Harrod’s son Charles Digby Harrod built the business into a thriving operation selling medicines, perfumes, stationery, fruits and vegetables. Harrods rapidly expanded and acquired the adjoining buildings. Today the store attracts discerning shoppers from around the world in search of the finest products in food, fashion, homeware and technology. Neaco supplied stainless steel balustrade on stairwells as part of a refurbishment programme at Harrods.

Wimbledon Centre Court

Watching tennis with a punnet of strawberries and cream is an English summer tradition that is recognised across the globe. Every July, the sporting world turns its attention to SW19 in London for the Wimbledon Championship which dates back to 1877.  Wimbledon’s Centre Court is the world’s most famous tennis court and one of the most famous venues in any sport. Unfortunately, wet weather is another English summer tradition, causing delays to the playing schedule almost every year, but in 2009 a retractable roof was introduced at Centre Court to protect against the inevitable periods of rain. Neaco’s aluminium grating systems were specified as ventilation grilles for the retracting roof.

The Tower of London

Located on the north bank of the River Thames, The Tower of London has played a famously prominent role in English history and controlling this strategic castle has been important to controlling the country. The Tower has served variously as an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public record office, and the home of the Crown Jewels of England.  It is now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is visited by tourists from across the world. Neaco’s aluminium grilles have been specified for access and maintenance walkways for various parts of the castle’s grounds and buildings.

Windsor Castle

Located in Berkshire, Windsor Castle is home to The Queen and boasts over 900 years of Royal history. The original castle was built in the 11th century after the Norman invasion of England by William the Conqueror in order to protect Norman dominance around the outskirts of London and oversee a strategically important part of the River Thames. Since the time of Henry I, Windsor Castle has been used by the reigning monarch and is now the longest-occupied palace in Europe.

At the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Charles II rebuilt much of Windsor Castle with the help of the architect Hugh May, who created extravagant Baroque interiors that are still widely admired today. Neaco’s aluminium grilles have been specified for access walkways across various parts of the castle’s estate.

Coronation Street

Not every English icon on our list is about Royalty, posh punnets and luxury shopping. We’re also doffing our (flat) cap to a place where you’re unlikely to hear the Queen’s English too often: the northern setting of Coronation Street. Set in the fictional town of Weatherfield, with a real-life set based in Salford, the evergreen soap opera has been running since 1960. It remains a firm fixture of the TV schedules and is watched by millions across the country.  One of Neaco’s products became part of the most famous street on British television when we were asked to fit a grab rail outside one of the houses.

Media City

A short drive and a quick channel hop from Coronation Street is Media City in Salford Quays, home to another English institution – the BBC. Okay, okay, we can hear you loudly protesting – the British Broadcasting Corporation is actually a British institution (the clue’s in the title), but there’s no denying that the BBC is renowned for some quintessentially English output, from acclaimed period dramas such as Pride & Prejudice and crime series such as Sherlock to the timeless comedy of Blackadder. Since 1951 the BBC has been broadcasting The Archers, the world’s longest-running radio soap opera and a symbol of rural English life which remains incredibly popular. Today the BBC’s wide ranging and highly engaging schedule of programming reflects the fantastically rich cultural and ethnic diversity which England now represents. Media City was developed when the BBC signalled its intention to move jobs to Manchester in 2004. Neaco’s balustrade was installed on an internal stairwell within the main BBC tower building and our aluminium open grille systems were specified as the flooring for the unique footbridge which links Media City to The Imperial War Museum of the North.

Neaco balustrade specified for ‘gold standard’ care home

Neaco have supplied a contemporary glass balcony railing and balustrade specification for a new 60-bed residential care home in Barrow.

The £7m Parkview Gardens care home has replaced four older Cumbria Care homes as part of a wider modernisation programme of care for older people in the Barrow area. Cumbria County Councillor Beth Furneaux described the home as “the gold standard for dementia care and central to how we will deliver services in Barrow in the future.”

Architects Alston Murphy Associates specified Neaco’s powder coated aluminium balustrade with glass infill panel. In contrast to many care homes, the building was designed to provide outdoor space on every floor, including first floor terraces featuring Neaco’s balustrade and glass balcony railing was installed to an extended height to provide additional safety. The terraces also include Neaco’s Techdek metal grating as terrace decking.

Iain Murphy of Alston Murphy said: “We have used Neaco a number of past projects, including care homes at Brook House in Denton and Melton House in Gosforth which were designed on behalf of the Mathotra Healthcare Group. Neaco’s products are high in quality and we like the simplicity of their design. Neaco’s capabilities provide a one-stop shop for design consultation, measuring, manufacturing and fitting, so working with them removes a lot of the agony that can occur on some projects. They submitted an excellent glass balcony railing and balustrade solution for Parkview Gardens and we’re very pleased with the result.”

Neaco’s Spectrum balcony railing and balustrade systems are based on a versatile modular construction – adaptable to virtually any design permutation – and available stainless steel or aluminium in a wide range of power coated finishes, including wood-effect. Available in six different profiles, Techdek metal grating is also suitable for use as sunscreens, modesty screens, mezzanine floors, stair treads, balustrade infills, staging and suspended ceilings. Neaco also manufactures a wide range of mobility aids for the bathroom, including true level access showers, half height shower doors, grab rails, shower seats and drop-down support arms.

Take a bow, Commodore Roger!

A few months ago we cast a seafaring spotlight on the nautical prowess of our Installations Manager, Roger Buxton, a sailing veteran with over 35 years of experience and over 30 North Sea crossings under his lifebelt.

For the last three years Roger has held the esteemed position of Vice Commodore at Scarborough Yacht Club and we are pleased to report that he has now been promoted to Commodore! He joins an illustrious list of Commodores to take the rudder at this historic club, which was formed in 1895 by Albert Strange, an artist and eminent yacht designer of the time. Scarborough Yacht Club has been based at the iconic Scarborough Lighthouse building since 1952 and continues to thrive with a busy and competitive programme of racing and cruising.

Roger said: “It is an honour to hold the position of Commodore. I’m looking forward to maintaining the traditions and customs of the club, whilst developing it for future generations. The club is approaching the busy summertime period, when we race most weekends around the bay at Scarborough. Scarborough Yacht Club is always keen to recruit new members, so if anyone is interested in joining they are welcome to visit us at the clubhouse.”

Roger is pictured below on his current yacht, Valkyrie, which is the seventh boat that he has owned. Further information about Scarborough Yacht Club is available at www.syc.org.uk

Freedom support system is awards finalist

Neaco’s Freedom support system range of designer grab rails and bathroom mobility aids has received official industry recognition as a Finalist in the 2017 Tomorrow’s Care Awards.

The Tomorrow’s Care  awards panel shortlisted Finalists for the outstanding quality of their product and service. Freedom’s range of bathroom mobility aids offers a wide choice of hinged and fixed designer grab rails, support rails, seats, back rests, shower curtains, shower rails and matching accessories such as towel rails, coat hooks, toilet roll holders, shelves and tilt-adjustable mirrors.

Neaco’s Office Sales Manager, Steve Howard, said: “Freedom is well established as a market leader for performance and aesthetics in mobility bathing aids such as designer grab rails, drop-down rails, shower seats and associated fittings. Being shortlisted as a Finalist in the Tomorrow’s Care Awards is a reflection of the investments we have made in the quality of Freedom’s design over the years. We’ve developed features such as subtly routered surfaces on the inside of grab rails for a secure and comfortable grip, concealed flanges to cover up unsightly screws, seat slats in nylon for extra comfort and hygiene, and hidden locking mechanisms on hinged arms. These superior features are backed by high quality in performance and durability –  all Freedom support fittings are manufactured from aluminium, so they are corrosion-free and provide heavy-duty performance with exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. A powder coated finish means that fittings are fully insulated with smooth lines that are comfortable and warm to touch.”

“In the past few years we have taken the aesthetics to a new level with the introduction of an exciting new range of stunning metallic finishes, traditional country-style colours and vibrant contemporary colours. The latest generation of Freedom products is undoubtedly our best ever and we are delighted that the range has been acknowledged by Tomorrow’s Care, a leading voice in the UK care sector.”

Neaco’s other adaptive bathing products include half height shower doors and enclosures and true level access shower grille. The company also designs and manufactures balustrade, balconies, and metal grating systems for flooring, cladding and solar shading.