Interior Fit Out
Achieving Sound Quality in Educational Settings – Scoil Phádraig
S
coil Phádraig is a boys’ national school in Clane, Co. Kildare, serving the community since 1982. Designed for 700 students across 24 classrooms and a SEN unit, the school is recognised for its holistic approach to education, with a strong emphasis on sports, music, science and ICT. A new campus, funded by the Department of Education, was developed to replace the existing school and modernise its facilities.
Challenge: The new general-purpose hall, intended for a wide range of school activities, needed to comply with government standards for sound quality in educational settings. Work also had to be completed outside peak school hours to minimise disruption. In addition, the hall required reduced reverberation times in line with Department of Education Technical Guidance documents, while exposed surface-mounted services meant walls needed to be battened out for acoustic installations.
Solution: To address these challenges, the school partnered with Zentia to specify Sonify Wall Absorbers. The solution was selected for both its acoustic performance and the project support provided.
Available in 35 colours and multiple shapes and sizes, the Sonify panels allowed the school to enhance the hall visually while improving acoustics. White square panels were combined with colourful circular absorbers in yellow, blue, orange and purple to create a bright, engaging space.
The panels were installed using a gridded bonded system with an air gap between the panel and wall, improving sound absorption and helping control ambient noise. This created a more comfortable environment for group activities and everyday use.
Installation was completed by main contractor Ganson with minimal disruption to the school calendar.
The refurbishment successfully transformed the hall into a vibrant, functional space that meets strict acoustic standards while also improving the overall aesthetic of the environment.
Door & Hardware Federation welcomes clarity on UK CBAM T
he Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) is encouraging manufacturers and importers across the construction and hardware supply chain to start preparing for the introduction of the UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which comes into force on 1st January 2027.
CBAM is a developing carbon reporting and taxation framework designed to address the carbon emissions associated with imported goods. The scheme will work alongside the existing UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) and apply a carbon price to certain imported products, ensuring imported goods face a similar carbon cost to those manufactured domestically. The UK Government has confirmed that CBAM will initially apply to specific sectors, currently aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen, and iron and steel, with goods identified at commodity code level (the list of commodity codes within the scope can be found in Annex B:
https://bit.ly/4tF7dGJ). Businesses importing £50,000 or more of CBAM goods within a 12-month period will be required to register.
“The introduction of CBAM represents a significant shift in how carbon accountability will operate across international trade and manufacturing,” explains Michael Skelding, General Manager and Secretary of DHF. “While the initial scope is focused on upstream materials and high carbon sectors, the effects will inevitably filter down through construction supply chains, including the door, hardware and security sectors. Manufacturers and importers throughout the supply chain will increasingly be asked to demonstrate transparency around embodied carbon and sourcing practices. Preparing now will place businesses in a much stronger position as regulation develops.”
CBAM has been designed to reduce so called “carbon leakage”, where manufacturing moves to countries with less stringent climate regulations. The mechanism also aims to encourage lower carbon manufacturing globally, improve emissions transparency, and create a fairer competitive environment between domestic and imported goods. The European Union has already implemented its own CBAM framework, with the UK scheme following approximately twelve months later.
“The direction of travel is clear,” concludes Michael. “Carbon reporting, verification and supply chain transparency are becoming central to doing business within construction and manufacturing. DHF will continue supporting members by monitoring developments closely and providing guidance as further detail emerges.”
Under the UK framework, importers will be able to reduce the UK tax payable where imported goods have already been subject to a recognised carbon pricing scheme, such as the EU CBAM, provided the appropriate verification documentation is available. The Door & Hardware Federation is continuing to engage with industry stakeholders and government developments to help members understand the implications of CBAM and prepare for future compliance requirements.
32 Summer 2026 issue 4184
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