News stories of the month
Flowcrete’s blue print for greener flooring now on video
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development, at University Campus Suffolk – while our Isowarm underfloor heating system is also working well with emerging technologies such as biomass boilers, as well as ground and air source pumps.”
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lowcrete has developed a new video showcasing how its pioneering flooring technology is working to achieve a more sustainable future. Available to view at
www.youtube.com/user/flowcretetv this latest video explains the company’s wide-ranging environmental activities.
These include the introduction of sustainable systems such as Flowcrete’s Floorzone, which caters for the complete floor area and incorporates the acoustic layer, energy saving Isowarm underfloor heating, screed and decorative resin finish. The entire Floorzone package is designed, manufactured and supplied by Flowcrete and installed by Flowcrete approved contractors. Flowcrete also uses recycled glass aggregate and light reflective mirrors in some of its resin floor finishes, to aid reflectivity and reduce lighting need.
The company has also cut packaging waste by supplying goods in recyclable, reusable intermediate bulk containers and 200 litre drum containers.
This reduces the number of vehicles transporting Flowcrete materials – and tackles the industry practice of packaging resin floor products in tins. Alan Dean, sales director of Flowcrete, based in Cheshire, said: “This video highlights how Flowcrete floors are designed with sustainability in mind. “They have been used on a number of ‘green’ projects, including a
34| SUSTAINABLE FM | AUGUST 2010
Earlier this year, Flowcrete reinforced its commitment to a low carbon future with the opening of its new international headquarters in Sandbach, Cheshire.
Built using a range of sustainable techniques and products - including a vegetative green roof, the Isowarm
underfloor heating system and air source heat pumps – the new building is already recording a reduction in energy consumption of around 93 per cent, compared to its previous offices.
As well as the sustainability video, viewers can also see webfilms about the company’s new green office at Flowcrete’s YouTube channel
www.youtube.com/user/flowcretetv Podcasts about Flowcrete’s new green office and about its approach to sustainability can be also be downloaded from iTunes.
www.flowcrete.com
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING TOOLKIT PUBLISHED
ast Midlands Development Agency (emda) has published a new toolkit – aimed at public and private sector construction clients and contractors working in the region – to help drive up standards within the industry and support more sustainable buildings. Available from the East Midlands Centre for Constructing the Build Environment (EMCBE) website –
www.emcbe.com/Toolkit – the toolkit offers owners, clients and designers of non domestic buildings a step-by-step guide through the critical stages of a scheme and includes a range of reference information. It aims to help the construction industry move towards a greener future by changing the way it designs and builds and to reduce the environmental impact of buildings and infrastructure development.
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The toolkit is split into six main sections, and covers the following topics and themes. Pre-project; this sets out the case for bringing triple bottom line sustainability (economic, social and environmental) into the procurement process to reduce costs, gain better
building performance in an increasingly hot climate and meet future low and zero carbon targets. Preparation; this offers advice on developing a business case and defining the project brief, appointing an appropriately qualified project team, and developing key performance indicators. Design; this provides information on statutory requirements such as planning permission, as well as the building design and services (e.g. heating) strategy. Pre-construction; this covers the tendering process for selecting the right contractor. Construction; this discusses issues such as materials, waste and what makes a considerate contractor. Use; this highlights the
importance of evaluation to make sure the building is operating in accordance with the original intentions.
EMCBE will be attending various events in the region to further promote the toolkit.
www.emcbe.com
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