“New buildings must be designed so that fires can be contained within the immediate area in which they started. This compartmentalisation prevents fire spreading to other areas of the building and is most commonly achieved using fire doors and fire-rated partition walls. However, in some buildings there are vulnerable areas which can bypass these ‘compartments’, allowing fires to spread rapidly. And when this is in a multi-occupancy facility the consequences can be catastrophic.

In many cases, it is the cavity wall that is the point of weakness, because it provides a continuous hidden path around the building, potentially spreading fire from one part of the structure to another without being detected.

One of the most vulnerable areas to fire transmission is therefore openings in cavity walls for window or doors. A BRE report conducted in 2005 showed that without appropriate detailing and protection fire can escape from a room into a cavity through the window junction in just under six minutes. This rapid spread endangers lives and demonstrates why we developed our FlameBlok range to provide over ten times the fire resistance of an unprotected detail.

The key to success in developing a cavity closer that would act as a fire barrier was to design it with a continuous strip of fire protection, including the corners of the frame, an area often overlooked. After design trials our technical team came up with the FlameBlok solution, offering fire performance all the way around a window. Before launching the product, we had it extensively tested and it was shown to prevent the spread of fire, by interrupting the cavity with a fire-resistant material in line with Part B of the Building Regulations (for both residential and non-residential buildings).

The tests were carried out by Chiltern International on cavity sizes up to 150mm, which means that FlameBlok can be used on buildings designed to meet higher environmental ratings. During testing, the timber frame failed before FlameBlok reached failure point, indicating that it easily exceeded the 60 minute rating required from cavity barriers as part of BS EN 1363.

With the FlameBlok cavity closer product outclassing traditional closing methods for both fire resistance and thermal performance we’re confident it is the single, effective solution for housing associations. Our fire-rated cavity closer remains the only product of its type in the UK made from 100 per cent post-consumer recycled PVC-U, whilst combining a one hour cavity fire barrier and cavity closer in a single product. This provides housing associations and contractors with a much simpler solution – because it means just one product closes the cavity and provides fire protection, eliminating the need for a separate fire sock. This saves labour over and above the savings already created by using cavity closers as a template for wall construction and ensures a safer, more thermally efficient building. It also makes a more sustainable building, as post-consumer recycled PVC-U reduces landfill and raw material consumption.

Fire-rated cavity closers are therefore an essential part of helping improve safety for building occupants during a fire, because they compartmentalise a building in a similar way to fire doors and fire-rated internal walls. Should a fire occur inside a building, it is these types of measures that reduce its spread. That’s because fire has a terrifying way of exploiting vulnerable areas – whether that is a staircase, a service duct in a wall or, as we all too often see, spreading unseen through the cavity wall. In each of these cases, the fire spreads rapidly, breaking out in far reaching areas of the building, before the occupants have had time to escape.

The only way to prevent fire exploiting these weaknesses is a joined-up approach between the various passive fire protection systems. When done in this way, building owners and managers stand the best chance of preventing the spread of fire, compartmentalising it in the area where it started, limiting the possibility of structural collapse. Ultimately, that means building occupants have the best chance of escaping and fire safety crews of quickly tackling the fire.”

For more information about FlameBlok from Cavalok Building Products, visit: www.cavalok.com, or call 0870 120 3003.

Eurocell is already well known with installers, contractors and DIY’ers around the region – so opening a new branch in Thanet is welcome news for those looking for more convenient access to the full range of products.

The new Thanet branch has a trade counter and showroom that displays a wide selection of products including The Dales Collection of composite doors, internal decorative cladding, Cavalok cavity closers and the company’s innovative new Roomline range of recycled PVC-U skirting and architraves.

Completing the showroom line-up is a Eurocell vertical sliding window and cream casement window – all perfectly colour matched to the Eurocell roofline products stocked at the branch.

Eurocell has a well-deserved reputation for quality, value and service, which has been built around the fact it manufacturers many of the products offered in the branches. This ensures extremely competitive prices, industry leading service levels and much shorter leadtimes.

Manufacturing the majority of its own products gives customers consistent quality assurance and full traceability from the factory to the site.

Offering local availability of a full range of building plastic products also helps customers improve their carbon footprint. This is because deliveries are made from the nearest local Eurocell branch to the site, which significantly reduces the carbon dioxide produced by vehicles.

“Our new Thanet branch is definitely worth a visit because we have so many products on display in our showroom, backed up by over 3,800 lines in stock,” said Warren Haworth, Eurocell Building Plastics Divisional Manager – South East. “This is one of the few building plastics branches in the area to have a showroom and our customers have already commented on how much easier it makes finding the right product for the job.”

Opening times on the new Thanet branch are: 8am – 5pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 12 noon on Saturdays.

Customers who wish to take advantage of the extensive range of products available can visit the new branch at: Unit 28 Block D, Ozengell Place, Eurokent Business Park, Off New Haine Road, Thanet, CT12 6PB.

Howarth Timber (Windows & Doors) Ltd. took the decision to partner with Cavalok because it was looking for a cavity closer system that could match the same high levels of sustainability offered by its timber window range.

Cavalok is the UK’s only supplier of BBA-approved 100 per cent post-consumer recycled PVC-U cavity closers. It provides a complete solution for cavities from 50mm to 300mm+ and fire rated cavity closers.

Howarth Timber (Windows & Doors) Ltd is a leading manufacturer of high performance ‘A’ rated softwood windows along with doorsets and the Cavalok range will now become a key part of helping its specifier and developer customers achieve even lower U values.

As well as being the sustainable choice, the Cavalok range was able to exceed all the performance requirements laid down by Howarth Timber (Windows & Doors) Ltd. One of the priorities was that it could cope with the full range of larger cavity sizes now used on many buildings to accommodate additional insulation and achieve better U-values, as the 2016 zero-carbon deadline approaches.

Cavalok launched its Big Blok system in response to this regulatory shift, which now provides a perfect complement to the Howarth Timber (Windows & Doors) Ltd ‘A’ rated window system.

The super-insulating BigBlok cavity closer range allows easy closing of cavities above 125mm up to the Building Regulations maximum of 300mm. That means the system can be confidently specified for the latest zero carbon regulations such as BREEAM and the Code for Sustainable Homes.

“We are a major manufacturer of timber windows and needed a cavity closer that could demonstrate the same high levels of sustainability,” said Keith Topliss, Sales and Marketing Manager of Howarth Timber (Windows & Doors) Ltd. “The fact that the Cavalok range is made from 100 per cent post-consumer recycled material and is BBA-approved gave us the perfect solution.”

Along with BigBlok, the Cavalok product portfolio includes the market-leading Cavalok Universal closer system, which is suitable for cavities of 50mm, 75mm and 100mm, including check reveal closers, cavity barriers and headvents.

A recent new addition to the Cavalok range is FlameBlok, a one hour fire rated cavity closer, along with a new universal 200/250mm window strap fixing to suit 70mm window system for use with wider cavities, to compliment the BigBlok system.

David Deacon, General Manager of Cavalok Building Products, said: “This is a major new customer win for us and it is testament to the quality and sustainability of our recycled PVC-U products.  We look forward to a long and very positive relationship with Howarth Timber (Doors & Windows) Ltd in helping it deliver low and zero carbon developments.”

To find out how Howarth Timber (Doors & Windows) Ltd can help you achieve lower U values, visit: www.howarth-timber.co.uk, or call: 01469 530577.

For more information on the Cavalok product range, visit: www.cavalok.com, or call 0870 120 3003.

The branch is located close to the main A49 and within minutes of Junction 26 of the M6/M58 – customers simply need to follow the signs to Robin Retail Park, the largest shopping outlet in the area.

The decision to open a branch in the town was taken following the resounding success of the company’s other Northern region collect branch in Leeds.
Like all Eurocell branches, Wigan stocks over 3,800 quality building plastics products, which are available over the trade counter. Although the branch offers collection only, free of charge* next day deliveries are made by the nearby Warrington branch.

Adopting a collection-only format has enabled the branch to incorporate a showroom into its design, allowing customers to carry out a thorough evaluation of products before buying.

The showroom displays a full range of products, including the Dales Collection of composite doors, which are manufactured by Eurocell in its factory in Derbyshire. Alongside this is a collection of PVC-U internal cladding and the company’s new Roomline range – an advanced new skirting and architrave system made from recycled PVC-U.

“Opening a branch in Wigan gives our customers much better access to our full range of products,” said Paul Dixson, Eurocell Building Plastics Divisional Manager – North. “We are confident that the combination of great location, over 3,800 building plastics products in stock and a new showroom will ensure the branch replicates our success elsewhere.”

Eurocell manufacturers many of the products offered through its branch network, enabling customers to reap all the benefits of buying direct from the manufacturer. That includes excellent value for money, great service and consistent quality assurance.

Eurocell has over three decades of experience in the PVC-U industry, which means customers are also partnering with the experts. That gives customers and their clients the confidence that they are using products designed for ease of installation and long-term performance in the field.

The new Wigan branch is open from 7.30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12.00 noon on Saturdays.

Visit the new branch at: Unit 2, Clayton Street, Wigan WN3 4DA or telephone: 01942 825559.

The planners were looking to retain the visual appearance of John Sparke House – an affordable housing development situated at the heart of Plymouth’s historical Barbican district.

Following careful evaluation of all the alternatives, planners granted permission to install windows and doors fabricated using the Eurocell Eurologik Ovolo profile system, in Black Ash.

Being able to source a complete PVC-U solution from Eurocell, including roofline in Black Ash to match the windows and doors, gave Crown Commercial Windows a distinct competitive advantage – the planners recognised that it would guarantee a perfect colour match throughout therefore enhancing its visual appeal.

Planners also felt that the shape of the Eurologik Ovolo profile gave the best visual match to the existing black-stained timber windows. This was helped by the fact the woodgrain foil from Eurocell is extremely difficult to distinguish from timber.

Owned by Tamar Housing Society, the existing timber framed doors and windows on John Sparke House had deteriorated beyond repair despite regular and ongoing maintenance.

The Eurologik Ovolo windows and French doors were fabricated and installed by Crown Commercial Windows in Black Ash externally and white internally, to complement interior décor without the need for painting.

Once the planning requirements had been met, Tamar Housing Society was delighted with the fact that PVC-U offered them a low-maintenance solution, lifting the burden of having to continually repaint and repair the old timber frames.

Eurologik Ovolo is a beautifully balanced and aesthetically pleasing profile system that is specially designed for ease and speed of fabrication. It features a unique, patented knock-in bead system and is ideally suited for both new build or, with its 70mm front-to-back dimension, seamless replacement of old timber frames, as was the case with John Sparke House.

“Being able to offer a complete solution from Eurocell played a crucial part in helping us to win this prestigious contract in the heart of Plymouth’s historical district,” said Brian Coles, Commercial Sales Manager at AGS Home Improvements / Crown Commercial Windows. “It was a major advantage that the planners preferred the aesthetics of the Eurologik Ovolo system with a Black Ash finish, whilst being able to source all the items from Eurocell gave us distinct commercial benefits.”

The work carried out by Crown Commercial Windows on John Sparke House demonstrates that PVC-U is ideal for building owners looking for a low-maintenance, aesthetically balanced solution – even within historically significant areas.

Martin Saunders, Sales Director of Eurocell Profiles, explains: “Fabricators should look for profiles systems suppliers that can offer them a complete PVC-U solution, as being able to source window, door and roofline products from one supplier can provide a crucial competitive edge.”

Tamar Housing Society owns and manages around 500 affordable housing properties in Plymouth

AGS Home Improvements Ltd / Crown Commercial Windows welcome enquiries about its Eurologik Ovolo windows. For more information, visit: www.crowncommercialwindows.co.uk. Alternatively, call: 01626 33 22 88

For information on the Eurologik Ovolo profile system, visit: www.eurocell.co.uk/ovolo, contact customer services on 0800 988 3049, or email press@eurocell.co.uk

Hawick is the main town on the southern edge of the Scottish Borders and the new branch will improve access to quality building plastics products across the region.

Customer service is a central focus for the branch team, which is helped by having over 3,800 different roofline, window finishing accessories and rainwater products, along with a whole lot more, always in stock.

That means customers can find exactly the right items they need and, because Eurocell manufacturers the majority of the products, at great value for money.

“We always build up a strong customer base as soon as we move to a new area,” said Derek Gachagan, Eurocell Building Plastics Divisional Manager – Scotland. “The combination of excellent service, great value and over 3,800 products in stock means that once customers begin to use our branches, they rarely go elsewhere.”

Eurocell manufactures the majority of the 3,800 plus building plastics products now stocked in the Hawick branch. That means customers gain all the benefits of buying direct from the manufacturer – including unbeatable value and excellent service levels.

Manufacturing its own products means that Eurocell can check quality at every stage of the production process, too, resulting in more consistent quality assurance for customers.

Eurocell is so confident of the quality of its products that it offers market-leading guarantees. This includes an unbeatable 20-year colour fastness guarantee on all white profiles.*

The trade counter at Hawick offers a full range of complementary products such as hand and power tools, underfloor heating, PPE clothing, along with silicone sealants, adhesives, expanding foams and fillers.

Recent new additions to the range are an underground drainage system, which is competitively priced and maintenance-free. The range is suitable for all types of domestic and commercial properties.

All branches, including Hawick, offer The Dales Collection – a range of high performance, low maintenance composite doors manufactured by Eurocell that offer six times the thermal performance of a timber door. Offered in 10 stunning styles and seven colour options, the range has Secured by Design and PAS23/24 accreditation as standard.

“Contractors and installers can find everything they need at a Eurocell Building Plastics branch,” added Derek Gachagan. “That saves a huge amount of time as it means they don’t have to shop around different outlets to find the items they need.”

Opening times at Hawick are: 8am – 5pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 12 noon on Saturdays.

Customers who wish to take advantage of the extensive range of products available can visit the new branch at: Unit 2, Hawick Trade Park, Burnfoot Industrial Estate, Hamilton Road, Hawick, TD9 8SL. TEL No: 01450 363498.

“We have had a great two years since partnering with Deeplas – thanks to the quality of its products, backed up with the personal service you get from a family business”, said Terry Luscombe, who co-owns the business with Dave Beckwith.  “It’s all about offering quality products and great value for money and we are really grateful to all our customers who have supported us and made the changeover to Deeplas such as resounding success.”

This family business is owned by two fathers, Terry Luscombe and Dave Beckwith. The other members of staff are the owners’ sons, Scott Luscombe, David Beckwith and Peter Beckwith.

The families have been in business for over nine years and whilst they have sourced from other manufacturers, it was only when they changed to Deeplas products that they achieved the huge increase in sales.

Dave Beckwith adds: “Reliable professional service with top quality products from Deeplas has been our recipe for success and 2010 is proving no different in terms of growth. We are winning new business every week from customers who have heard about the quality of the Deeplas products and the unique service you get from a family business.”

The Deeplas range of PVC-U roofline products is well known for its quality and is manufactured from a denser PVC-U extrusion, which is heavier and more robust than many other boards available. This allows contractors and installers to create a neat, straight-edged roofline that will retain its shape and appearance for life. .

Partnering with Deeplas has also given DT Plastics’ customers access to other innovative products from the company, such as Twinson Decking and Belface Cladding.

The branch has now become an essential outlet for contractors and installers across the city and beyond – even making deliveries as far away as Dartmoor. Its service commitment extends outside the trade counter, with a window installation team.

Hazel Verschuere, Deeplas Building Products Director, said: “DT Plastics has achieved extremely strong growth and we are delighted that our products have helped with this. We are looking forward to helping the business continue its growth by letting as many contractors and installers as possible in the company’s agreed area know where they can source Deeplas products.”

Visit the DT Plastics branch at: Unit 1, Willow Court, St. Modwen Road, Plymouth PL6 8LQ. Alternatively, call: 01752 664 179 or visit:  HYPERLINK “http://www.dtplastics.co.uk”

The display, which is situated in what is a very affluent area of Hampshire, will provide a great first post for call for any customers wishing to make home improvements.

Portsmouth Conservatories is one of the leading businesses in the area and prides itself on the quality of its service and products.

The frames, fabricated from Eurocell profile system and supplied by Hartley Windows, will help create a stunning centrepiece to the newly built showroom, which has been designed to appeal to owners of all types of property in the Hampshire area.

Jason Palmer; Managing Director of Portsmouth Conservatories, explains: “We are delighted with the quality and value offered by Hartley Windows and knew that it was the right partner to meet the demanding requirements of our customers. We are confident that our newly built showroom will provide yet another reason why homeowners should choose Portsmouth Conservatories.”

When we were looking for a supply partner for the new showroom we were careful to select a company that could offer excellent quality, great service and real value for money.

Hartley Windows was selected because it met all our criteria, along with being able to provide a complete fabrication service. Also renowned for its manufacturing expertise, Hartley Windows use Eurocell profile systems to fabricate all its frames.

In using Eurocell profile systems customers benefit from the complimentary roofline and window trim products, which are perfectly colour matched to the frames – a useful aide in providing a first class service and finish to its discerning customers.

By choosing a partner such as Hartley Windows, Portsmouth Conservatories has shown that by using real expertise and manufacturing capabilities we can create an unbeatable combination for homeowners.

Carl Cooper, Managing Director of Hartley Windows, explains: “The new showroom will become an essential destination for all homeowners looking for well designed windows and conservatories at unbeatable value, complimented by an exceptional service. With so many displays to view, customers are sure to find the exact products they need.

With other partners on board such as, The Electric Centre and The Build centre it makes Portsmouth Conservatories the one shop for all of your home improvement needs.

Visit Portsmouth Conservatories’ new showroom at: Havant Garden Centre, Barton’s Road, Havant PO9 5NA.

Telephone 0844 800 4393 or visit:  HYPERLINK “http://www.portsmouthconservatories.co.uk” www.portsmouthconservatories.co.uk

For more information on Hartley Windows, visit:  HYPERLINK “http://www.hartleywindows.co.uk” www.hartleywindows.co.uk or call 023 9265 5655.

The Bristol-based Eurocell fabricator shares these prestigious accolades with only seven other fabricators in the UK, out of a total of over 1,800. This makes it the only company in the South West, and for a 110 miles radius, to achieve this.

CR Windows is pushing the boundaries in terms of thermal performance, too, by manufacturing and installing a full range of British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC) ‘A’ rated windows. The company was already ahead of its field when, in 2008, it began offering ‘C’ rated windows as standard across its range.

“Achieving all three British Standard Kitemarks, along with Secured by Design and a BFRC energy rating, demonstrates our commitment to remain a leading window, door and conservatory fabricator in the UK,” said Mark Brown, Managing Director of CR Windows. “An increasing number of customers associate the Kitemark with a symbol of quality, which means they have complete piece of mind when buying from us.”

CR Windows is reporting that more customers than ever are choosing its BFRC A-C energy rated windows. Those that do make the upgrade often look for independent assurance that they are investing in a quality product, which will add value to their property – and CR Windows is finding that a triple-Kitemarked product with a BFRC energy rating and Secured by Design is the best ways of demonstrating this.

Secure by Design is a programme backed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and aims to recognise products that offer enhanced security across domestic and commercial projects.

Mark Brown adds: “An increasing number of public sector projects are now using the highest certification levels to attract more funding, which is based on several factors including security, thermal efficiency and manufacturing quality – having these accreditations can therefore be a huge help to contractors and installers that choose to source from us on these types of project.”

CR Windows has a quality ethos running throughout its business that includes documented inspection points throughout its manufacturing and installation process to ensure customers receive the highest standard products.

For find out more about how Kitemarked products from CR Windows can help your business, call 0117 906 1180 or visit:  HYPERLINK “http://www.crwindows.co.uk” www.crwindows.co.uk.

The visual centrepiece of the showroom is a Rosewood coloured door that is sprayed both sides and hand finished to create one of the most stunning composite doors currently available in the UK.

Customers seeking a more contemporary look to their property might find the solution with The Thorpe doorset display – the door is finished in black and hung in a black frame – creating a real eye-catching addition to the showroom.

To highlight the huge choice available to customers on The Dales Collection, each doorsets has either a colour matched or traditional polished gold or chrome weatherbar, along with a different glass design. Completing the line up is the full selection of door furniture and composite door side panels.

“We have had an overwhelming response to our new showroom said,” said Fraser Watt, Eurocell Building Plastics Regional Manager – Midlands.  “It allows customers to see for themselves the thousands of different options we have on The Dales Collection. That makes it much easier for them to find exactly the right product they require.”

The Dales Collection from Eurocell is a range of high performance, low maintenance composite doors that offer six times the thermal performance of a timber door. Offered in 10 stunning styles and seven colour options, the range has Secured by Design and PAS23/24 accreditation as standard.

Fraser adds: “Customers prefer our composite doors because they know they are buying direct from the manufacturer, which gives them excellent value for money along with better quality assurance. Buying direct also ensures quicker leadtimes and we are currently able to deliver any doorset on a 10-working day leadtime.”

As well as The Dales Collection of composite doors, each Eurocell branch offers a range of over 3,800 complementary building plastics products, from underground drainage through to a full range of roofline products.

“Opening the new Peterborough showroom has made the branch a real destination for composite doors,” adds Fraser Watt. “When you consider all the other great deals available over our trade counter, it’s no surprise that once customers have visited a Eurocell branch they rarely go elsewhere.”

Visit the new composite door showroom at: Eurocell Building Plastics, Unit 14, The Global Business Park, Saville Road, Westwood, Peterborough PE3 7PR.