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Ducting technology from Kingspan Insulation is providing preinsulated air distribution at the University of Lincoln's new student centre. Air ducting at The Engine Shed was fabricated from 500 square metres of Kingspan KoolDuct rigid phenolic insulation panels. The building, designed by UL Architects, the University's own architectural practice, is a renovated former engine shed containing office accommodation, a performance venue and nightclub space, bars and dining. The design for the performance venue included black painted, open ceilings with exposed ductwork. Kingspan Insulation's KoolDuct System provided a practical, effective ducting solution. The system weighs only around 15% of equivalent galvanised steel ductwork.

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Hatches supplied by Bilco are providing access to roofs of a new waterside development of apartments and townhouses in Glasgow. The external finishes combine render, timber laminate, brick cladding and red brick and all the homes have aluminium rooms. Topping them all are Bilco hatches which provide access to the roof for future maintenance not just for the immediate surface, but also of the roof-mounted aerials and satellite dishes. The company has supplied a total of 24 NB50 hatches manufactured in 2.3mm thick aluminium to match the roofing and fitted with compression springs which make them easy to open. They are also fitted with automatic hold-open arms which ensure the hatches cannot be blown closed.

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All Saints Church in West Dulwich has been fitted with three Stratos-HSSD (High Sensitivity aspirating Smoke Detection) systems from AirSense. This follows a fire that swept through the church in June 2000. During reconstruction, the parish took the decision to fit a very early warning fire detection system, and the Stratos was selected due to its ability to provide the earliest detection possible. The system is the ideal solution for heritage buildings such as churches and cathedrals where ceilings are normally high and therefore contain large open areas.

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DORMA has always had product design aesthetics high on its priority list, but this is said to have been taken to a new level with the launch of Contur. This new architectural design styling features inset end caps with an attractive perforated design, combined with clearly defined cubic lines that bring a uniformity of styling to door closers. A totally coordinated finish can now be brought to any interior design project. Contur does not replace the existing comprehensive range of DORMA finishes, but is a clever option for anyone requiring visually matched products for a single build identity. The new design concept has been applied to the unique range of DORMA cam action closers ? the TS 91 / 2 / 93 and TS 97 ? along with the ES200 Automatic sliding door and ED200 Automatic swing door operators. The first in the range to be released and already a big market favourite, is the already elegant TS 93 with its linear drive mechanism and heart shaped cam offers improved performance as the new, refined TS 93 Contur. Previously the model satisfied the opening force requirements of Approved Document M and BS8300 on doors 875mm or wider, but the new TS93 CONTUR meets the requirements on doors of 767mm or above.

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A combined sunshade/walkway has been selected as a key element in the entrance at Sheffield College's North Centre campus. Supplied by Malton, North Yorkshire-based Neaco, the Louvredeck was specified for the ?27 million scheme in order to create aesthetic impact and increase the college brand. 'We needed a walkway with integral solar shading,' said Dan Humphreys of architects, Jefferson Sheard. 'Louvredeck was chosen because we like its aluminium appearance and it's a cost effective solution. We're very pleased with the finished installation.' Louvredeck is said to achieve the optimum benefits of sunlight whilst creating an energy efficient environment.

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One of the UK's leading window manufacturers, Securistyle, has been involved with the Wirral Partnership in completing a major window replacement project. Nearly 25,000 windows have been replaced with PVCu products designed to ensure they complied with legislation for the sizes of suitable egress windows to meet building regulations.

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Dek Shield from Puhos is a flooring solution for housebuilders designed for both interior and exterior use as well as forming part of complete ground and apartment floors. It combines a permanent waterproof surface and effective slip resistance with what the suppliers says is the highest quality raw material substrate. External fixing uses a bonding kit and a new PVA adhesive for edge sealing. A 'superb finish' is said to be assured with easy surface cleaning of site spoil when the project is finished The watertight susrface gives protection against leaks and spills during the life of the building. Used indoors, as part of a floating or joisted floor, Dek Shiled prevents moisture ingress from wet trades, helps keep floors flat and is an ideal substrate for the direct application of most floor finishes.

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Essex Electrical has used Hager distribution boards to provide both circuit protection and a simple energy saving control for Tesco's new Homeplus stores. Typically each store has a panelboard with income of either 400A or 630A. This then feeds up to 12 sub-distribution boards, most of which are TP&N but with some SP&N boards

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The ?16 million visual arts centre being built in Colchester is being insulated throughout with Foamglas cellular glass insulation from Pittsburgh Corning. The building will feature a KME copper shingle finish on both the roof and walls, creating a 'brass' appearance and has been described as one of the most exciting projects in the country. Pittsburgh Corning's technical team was involved in the project as long ago as February 2005 when the architect laid down the criteria for insulation especially as neither the walls nor the roof of the building are flat. There were also concerns that the proposed standing seam roof system's height needed to be minimised, while retaining excellent insulation values. The roof has a 39.5 metre radius for the most part and required insulation that would provide at least a 10% increase over the current building regulations standard of 0.25 U-value. The Foamglas standing seam roof

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Expanded polystyrene supplier, Vencel Resil has developed a portal page for the Jablite insulation section of its website. It provides a tailored working tool for housebuilders. Accessible at www.jablite.co.uk, the new section has been designed for maximum interactivity with links to detailed and easily accessible product information.

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