NORA RUBS OUT EXTERNAL NOISE
When installing flooring in a specialist facility, rubber flooring from nora was chosen to provide the ultimate safe and suitable solution to cater for the deaf and partially deaf.
The Frank Barnes School for the Deaf and Partly Deaf is known internationally as a school of excellence with an ethos to provide a high standard of education through a bilingual environment, which has earned them an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ award.
With the new school located in the Plimsoll Building, the intention is that the school and children are very much as one. The school is part of the multimillion-pound Kings Cross Academy, a busy and loud inner-city development. The school was built not only to provide a state-of-the-art learning centre, but also a caring and nurturing atmosphere, greatly enhanced by its light and bright interior which is both inspirational and aspirational.
Designed by renowned architect David Morley, this project had specific requirements. A sound-reducing design means that voices do not get distorted by any muffled noise, therefore meaning that sounds are easier to distinguish between direct communication and background noise. Low-impact sound was important so that footsteps do not contribute to the sound pressure level.
The ergonomic properties of the floorcovering are also important. Teachers often stand for hours, while pupils run around inside the building. A permanently resilient floorcovering
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of rubber noticeably reduces bodily strain, and ensures fewer symptoms of fatigue and pain than harder floors. Furthermore, rubber floorcoverings are slip-resistant and are therefore safer for pupils and teachers.
A happy, light aesthetic was also a criterion to be considered by contractors who capitalised on the noraplan sentica colour options. The range comprises of 32 colours, which are complemented by six accentuating solitaire colours. All of the colours can be perfectly combined with one another, both horizontally as well as vertically and diagonally.
The demure design of noraplan sentica gives the floor area an almost uni- coloured appearance. At the same time, the harmoniously dispersed granulate effectively hides dirt. noraplan sentica proves that optimum functionality and elegant design do not have to be a contradiction in terms.
Effective and efficient maintenance was also a very important factor for consideration when specifying the flooring. The nora pad system, which uses just water, allows for confident selection of bright colours, knowing the flooring will not be affected by harsh chemicals. The dense vulcanised surface of nora rubber flooring means that nora is able to offer products which
have very low abrasion, exceptional wear-resistance, and do not need any coatings throughout their lifetime, providing savings in cost, time and the environment.
The final important factor was a low-impact building. Here, the BRE A+ is important. The floorcovering in particular, because of its large area, is important for a healthy learning climate. Safe products, such as the rubber floor coverings from nora systems, do not contain any plasticizers (phthalates in particular) or halogens, and contribute to healthy indoor air.
The Environmental Accolades of nora rubber floorcoverings are unsurpassed, awarded the Blue Angel Accreditation for low VOC’s and the Greenguard certificate for indoor air quality, providing the peace of mind that the floorcovering is positively contributing to the health and wellbeing of the staff and pupils. It is not outgassing and the floor is stable.
nora floorcoverings can be installed in tiles or rolls using solvent-free environmentally compatible adhesives. norament steptreads and skirting profiles can be installed using double- sided special tape only released for nora products.
www.nora.com/uk CASE STUDY | 19
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