Thameside location bears testimony to MGC


Aside from enjoying superb views of the Thames and one of the most prestigious addresses in London, Globe House also represents a challenging location for the many building finishes which have been employed to striking effect in its elevations.


Constructed back in 1998, the property is the UK headquarters to blue chip company, BAT, and displays an articulate blend of masonry, glass and architectural metalwork to make a strong visual contribution to Temple Place, a few hundred yards east from Charing Cross, between The Embankment and The Strand.


Medway Galvanising was involved as the specialist sub-contractor to Southampton based A.W. JEFFREYS (Southampton) Ltd, the manufacturer supplying all of the balustrading for the balconies and the railings that enclose its frontage to Globe House.


The largest components treated measured some 1100 mm tall by 2500 mm long with an average 85 micron coating of zinc being applied in line with


BS 729 – the standard at the time. This was followed by an Interpon D 25 polyester powder coat in Grey, taking the total film thickness up to around 180 microns and enabling MGC to offer a 25 year guarantee against corrosion.


The Director of A.W. JEFFREYS (Southampton) Ltd, Mr Peter Gilbert comments: “We originally began working with MGC because it was a relief to find one company willing to undertake both the galvanising and the powder coating of metalwork, instead of having to bring them back here after the first process – fettle them – and then send them off for painting. Often with the two subbies complaining about each other’s work.


“In fact we have found Medway Galvanising’s level of service and ‘turnaround’ to be top rate. The company does very high quality work and the Globe House project demonstrates how well the coatings endure in aggressive environments.”


From its base on the Solent, A.W. JEFFREYS (Southampton) Ltd covers the whole of the South coast, across to Essex and up to the Welsh borders. In addition to railings, balconies and staircases, the architectural metalwork specialist also undertakes commissions for statuary and other ornamental pieces.


For more information call Medway Galvanising on 01795 479489, Email: info@medgalv.co.uk or look at website www.medgalv.co.uk


Construction specialties seal the deal


Thanks to a £29 million redevelopment, the LG Arena in Birmingham has been provided with a bespoke new expansion joint seal from Construction Specialties. Developed in partnership with Intelligent Engineering, the new terrace seal was created in four short months and provides an effective, hard wearing waterproofing solution for IE’s SPS Terrace.


The entertainment venue which offers an unrivalled 21st Century total entertainment experience was refurbished with terracing for 8,000 new permanent seats from Intelligent Engineering. C/S was required to develop a new joint seal to waterproof the joints between SPS Terraces which are significantly lighter and easier to handle and install than traditional concrete terraces, thus providing greater versatility in design and speed in completion.


Intelligent Engineering’s Technical Director, Dr Stephen Kennedy said: “Due to the type of building and what it is used for, the seating terraces would have to withstand stresses and strains of environmental temperature change and the movement of audience participation, for example dancing to rock bands. This being the case, we knew that we had to find a company who could provide a joint seal to compliment the terraces.


“C/S definitely rose to the challenge Building & Facilities Management – September 2010


and provided us with a bespoke solution, in a very short lead time.”


C/S designed, manufactured and tested a new terrace seal to meet the tight timescale demands of the arena refurbishment. The mastic and foam systems traditionally used on stadium bowls are time consuming to apply, not aesthetically pleasing and have a


limited life. The solution produced by C/S addressed all these issues, providing an expansion joint cover which is suitable for installation in 25-35mm wide joints with sufficient elasticity to accommodate +/- 2mm movement in the terrace structure. Comprising two pieces, the terrace seal has a retainer fitted to the terrace treads and a continuous elastomeric seal which is installed on both treads and risers. The terrace seal is manufactured in black as standard, and C/S will create bespoke colours if required, subject to minimum quantities.


Andy Moul, C/S Product Manager for feature :: building & refurbishment 19


Expansion Joint Covers commented: “It is great to have the opportunity to develop bespoke solutions for our clients. Timings on the LG Arena were critical so it was all hands on deck to complete in time. We now have a great solution which will allow the SPS Terrace to provide a watertight roof to spaces below whilst allowing movement and expansion in line with the buildings use.”


For more information on C/S and a free brochure copy, please call 01296 652800, e-mail info@c-sgroup.co.uk or visit www.c-sgroup.co.uk


Building & Refurbishment


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