Tag Archive for: Intelligent fenestration

Britplas launch new Multask handle for mental health environments

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Britplas have launched a new operating handle for their award-winning Safevent window. The Multask was launched at Design in Mental Health 2019 and replaces three separate pieces of hardware, bringing improvements in both functionality and aesthetics.

The Safevent window is designed specifically for mental health environments, providing safety and security whilst also allowing natural light and ventilation and a high degree of patient control. Up to now, the window controls have comprised a ‘wizzy winder’, patient thumb lock and staff lock. The new patented Multask handle provides the functionality of all three components within an anti-ligature, stainless steel shell that has passed all relevant industry tests for mental health environments.

The brand-new handle can be stopped at any point of being open or closed, giving both the service user and staff increased flexibility over both ventilation and privacy. The anti-tamper design of the staff lock greatly reduces the potential for damage and associated maintenance costs.

“The Multask was very well received at the recent Design in Mental Health exhibition” commented Britplas head of sales Neil Guest.

“Innovation is an important part of our culture at Britplas and the continuous improvement of our proprietary product range will always be a priority. We have completed the first window installations using the new hardware and feedback has been very positive..”

Britplas appointed to Norton Street residential scheme

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Britplas have been awarded a £4.2m contract to design and install the external vertical envelope to The Weavers, Norton Street – a £36m student accommodation development in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter.

The scheme is located in Islington, 400m from both Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool, and will house a total of 748 students across three blocks of eight, eleven and fifteen storeys.

Britplas were appointed to the 220,000 sq. ft. scheme by main contractor Create Construction, and are due on site in late August 2018, finishing early January 2019.

The in-house design department at Britplas have worked in collaboration with the client and scheme architect to choose a specification consisting of both Aluprof and Smartwall systems which have been chosen to meet both aesthetic and technical requirements. Products used will include:

  • Aluprof MB-SR50N capped curtain walling;
  • Aluprof MB-SR50N SG silicone pointed curtain walling;
  • Aluprof MB-70Hi window suite: Opening lights glazed internally, fixed lights externally; and
  • Smartwall thermally broken commercial door system.

Design to install service from Britplas

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The design phase is well underway for Milton Keynes’ new Blue Light Hub, and Britplas have recently constructed a sample section of the vertical façade in order to fully test and refine the glazing system.

The Blue Light Hub is a £14 million development which will create a state-of-the-art combined fire, police and ambulance centre. Its striking curved façade is due to be installed by Britplas towards the end of the year and includes Schüco FWS 50 curtain walling and Schüco AWS 65 windows and doors.

Andrew Harrison, Design Manager for the project commented “Due to the complexity of having vertically faceted mullions sat on a faceted curve the reasons behind the decision to produce a sample were twofold. We needed to provide the client with a full size sample, to allow them to see a realistic representation of their concept and allow us to provide a benchmark for the standard of the internal and external joints, the finish achievable and how the overall appearance of the screen will look using a PPC spandrel panel within the blue framework and clear glass.

Secondly, we needed to fully understand the fabrication and construction of the mullions, connection of the transom upon a faceted joint and complete a time and motion study to ensure our production program will meet site delivery requirements.”

Britplas also understood, from early collabration with the client Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue, the importance of the panel colour reflecting the glazed areas along the shaped façade. The construction of a sample was the best way to ensure that these aesthetic requirements would be met.

The finished sample has also allowed us to develop and improve the mullion joints and transom connections and understand the drainage aspect for the mullions.

Safevent Access now available in uPVC

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2018 looks set to be another year of innovation for Britplas with our latest window model, the Safevent Access, now available in uPVC. Originally developed in aluminium, uPVC prototypes were developed and tested throughout 2017, and the new window is now finalised and in production. Working with our profile suppliers Eurocell, new dies have been cast to ensure that production capacity is able to match demand for the new Safevent Access. The product is already proving of interest to several of our key clients within the mental health sector.

The continuous development of the Safevent aims to ensure that our clients have the most comprehensive range of solutions available to choose from. The Access offers a high degree of flexibility for maintenance and ease of access whilst retaining industry leading levels of robustness and natural ventilation.

Since its inception in 2006, Britplas has supplied and fitted over 40,000 Safevent windows to facilities around the world. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch should you have any questions regarding this or any Britplas product, or if you would like to request a demonstration.

Investment in tech helps Britplas slicken sales process

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Last year Britplas invested in a 3d printer, purchased to reduce costs and time lines associated with developing new parts or new design ideas. Prototypes can now be turned around in hours rather than weeks at a greatly reduced cost, helping address sometimes troublesome design issues and so ensuring the right solution is offered.

Through printing and sending cross sections of bespoke curtain walling solutions, the sales team was able to visually demonstrate new ideas and designs to both contractors and architects, achieving the best possible result for all. This method was used to solve a number of small but critical design issues on a large project which Britplas successfully tendered for this summer.

The printer works by digitally slicing up a CAD model into a series of layers, each layer is then fed to a heated extruder at 230 degrees, liquefying a plastic polymer before rapidly solidifying to form the desired shape.

Ben Woodward, Britplas Pre-Installations Manager commented ‘We are always looking to help clients and their design teams when looking at unusual or challenging façade design issues and the new printer has definitely made a significant difference in testing ideas and confirming via practical demonstration that certain concepts are viable’.

Britplas shortlisted in Construction News Specialists Awards

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BW54_CN_SPECIALIST-AWARDS_LOGO_FINALIST_PURPLEBritplas are delighted to announce that we are finalists for the second year running in the Specialist Contractor of the Year (turnover up to £25m) category of the Construction News Specialists Awards.

Highly commended in the same category last year, Britplas has since gone from strength to strength. Making the shortlist again recognises the talent and hard work of all our employees.

The Construction News Specialists Awards bring together members of the construction industry who have excelled in their area of expertise over the prior year. The next stage of the awards will see all finalists presenting to a panel of judges, with the winners being announced at an event at the Hilton Park Lane, London on 24th February 2016.

“We are delighted to make the shortlist for the Specialist Contractor of the Year award, being recognised by our peers is the best praise we could ask for” notes John Blackwell, commercial director.

“The team we’ve built at Britplas is really geared towards continued excellence, not just in terms of sales but performance and delivery – and I think this is reflected in this accolade.”

Tag Archive for: Intelligent fenestration