Britain's best source of building product and construction news

A superb finish and full marks for speed and neatness have put machine applied MP75 plaster from Knauf Drywall at the top of the class on a secondary school building site in Oldham, Lancashire. With a single machine, a team of three plasterers and a labourer is well on the way to completing the 22,000m² project involving 220 tons of plaster comfortably ahead of schedule. Knauf MP75 is described as a fast and tough alternative to traditional two coat plasters, and one of the most productive building materials on the market. It is a fast-drying projection plaster specially formulated for one-coat machine application on most interior walling surfaces. It is particularly suitable for surfaces such as brickwork, blockwork and concrete. Supplied in 25kg bags, Knauf MP75 is machine mixed with water to yield about 28 litres of wet plaster to cover around three square metres at an average thickness of 1cm. The plaster is machine-applied to wall in horizontal bands, then simply ruled and floated manually for a durable, smooth white finish. It is available abrasive proof and fire retarding and is ideal for decorating or tiling.

Details for Knauf Drywall

For the St Mary's Gate office and hotel project in Sheffield city centre, 32ft site facilities from SGB Rovacabin have been installed in a two storey configuration with exterior stair cases. The units contain a reception, offices, a canteen and more.

Details for SGB Rovacabin

Tubular safety solutions specialist, Kee Klamp, has introduced an anti-bacterial powder coating for its Kee Klamp range of products. The coating will help improve the hygienic performance of balustrading, hand-rails, guardrailing and a multitude of other structures constructed using Kee Klamp products. The company has introduced this powder coating to give extra protection for the 500 D.D.A Series and other product ranges. Fittings coated with the anti-bacterial coating will benefit from a supportive defence against the growth of potentially harmful yet invisible bacteria and fungi. This reduces the risk of cross-contamination from surfaces with a high frequency of contact in hospitals and schools. The coating provides a long lasting finish to fittings and is available in any of the 30 RAL polyster powder coatings colours.

Details for Kee Klamp Ltd

Elevated timber decking can help housebuilders make sloping gardens more usable and decking specialist Richard Burbidge has introduced a new range of outdoor balustrade to suit. Designed around a simple structure of stylish metal brackets that are quick to fit, Fusion Round handrail incorporates timber rails, newels and balusters to create a contemporary look. The system is capable of resisting loadings of 0.74kN/m.

Details for Richard Burbidge Ltd

With the aesthetic of natural wood combined with the practicality of laminate, Formica Veneer is a sustainable option incorporating reconstituted real wood veneers derived from fast growing species such as poplar, obeche, basswood and bamboo. They are all sourced from sustainably managed forests. The 30 designs are available in a 2440x1220mm sheet size and have a tactile surface. Two distinct textures have been developed to give each species a complementary and natural look and feel.

Details for Formica Ltd

With the aesthetic of natural wood combined with the practicality of laminate, Formica Veneer is a sustainable option incorporating reconstituted real wood veneers derived from fast growing species such as poplar, obeche, basswood and bamboo. They are all sourced from sustainably managed forests. The 30 designs are available in a 2440x1220mm sheet size and have a tactile surface. Two distinct textures have been developed to give each species a complementary and natural look and feel.

Details for Formica Ltd

Versatility and long-term durability are said to have been key factors in the choice of Blanc de Bierges materials for a leisure park in Cleveleys. The architects used a variety of standard paving setts and slabs from the company's system of more than 10,000 components as well as bespoke seating units, based on its Combi-wall modules for the piazza at Jubilee Park. They originally looked at ready-made seating but then found that the bespoke Blanc de Bierges offered more versatility for a comparable cost. The seating units, which are shaped like an upturned 'U', are strong enough to act as a base for wind screens. Planters and lines of mosaics were also able to be incorporated into them. The Comb-wall modules - which can be used to create an instant wall come in a range of sizes. End units and 90º returns are also available in the product line-up.

Details for Blanc De Bierges

Glasgow City Council has been able undertake a major project to refurbish and fire protect the Clyde Tunnel, whilst causing minimum disruption to traffic flow, by specifying board protection from Promat's specialist tunnel range . Around 40,000m² of Promatect T boards were used within two bespoke systems to fire protect the portal concrete walls and ceilings and the cast iron rings of the tunnel.

Details for Promat UK Ltd

The FH II is a sleeve anchor from Fischer which is claimed to offer the highest performance, with excellent load bearing in both cracked and non-cracked concrete. The company maintains the product offers up to 21 per cent higher permissible tensile load capacity and double the sheer load capacity of its predecessor. The fixing achieves this performance as a result of the interaction between the expansion sleeve and the cone. When the screw or nut is tightened, the cone is pulled into the expansion sleeve and tightens against the inside of the drill hole. The FH II features a black plastic ring which absorbs the tightening slip when the anchor is stressed and compensates for any cavities in the anchor plate. The result is said to a perfectly tight fit within the substrate. The fixing is suitable for use where the aesthetic appearance is important.

Details for Fischer Fixings

A technically advanced roof dome is claimed to make SolaLighting's Solatube Daylighting System 'the brightest prospect yet'. Its new lens and reflector features are said to capture up to double the amount of daylight than any other system. Maintenance-free, the system has no running costs.

Details for Sola Lighting Ltd