Entries by James

Screed: What is it?

Screed is similar to concrete but is less well-known outside of the construction industry. Nonetheless, it can be an important part of any build. Screed can be described as a thin material that is placed on top of a concrete subfloor, usually consisting of cement and sharp sand. Coarse aggregates can also be added to […]

Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems (EIFS)

An Exterior Insulation Finishing System (EIFS) can also be known as Exterior Wall Insulation Systems (EWI) or External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS). It is a type of cladding system that can provide exterior walls with an insulated finish surface and waterproofing in an integrated composite material system. These systems can be defined as an […]

Types of commercial fire alarm systems

Fire alarm systems are incredibly important in any type of occupied building as its purpose is to alert the occupants of a hazard and the right system could potentially save lives. It’s also important to understand the differences between different fire alarm systems. Automatic versus manual fire alarm systems There are 2 different categories of […]

Dry lining: what is it?

Dry lining is a form of cladding that prepares internal walls and, occasionally, ceilings, for painting or covering. A smooth surface is created by attaching plasterboard. This method is quicker than plastering, which is a similar process. Dry lining also uses specialist materials which can save money and time. Plastering also uses more water than […]

Fire stopping – what is it and why is it important?

Fire stopping is an incredibly important part of fire protection and can help to ensure the safety of people within a building. This is especially important in a commercial environment as not complying with fire protection rules and regulations can be very damaging to a business reputation and can also have severe legal consequences, depending […]

8 Top Tips for a Successful School Refurbishment

1. Planning and organising A lot of planning is required in order to conduct a successful school refurbishment, as children are at school for the majority of the year. The best times to conduct the refurbishment would be during the holidays, Christmas, Easter and summer. These times are best for smaller projects and also medium […]

5 Fire Safety Elements for Commercial Buildings

It is incredibly important to maintain fire safety in a commercial building. It’s important as it keeps your customers safe, as well as yourself and your employees. It’s crucial to maintain fire safety equipment and to make sure that your building covers fire laws. Commercial fires can be caused by the same reasons that domestic […]

Eco-friendly wood materials for fire protection

There is an increasing demand for eco-friendly materials to be used wherever they can due to the current climate crises. Is this actually what’s good for your construction though? The requirements of fire protection materials First of all, there are many requirements that need to be met when using eco-friendly materials. Safety is of the […]

Fire Protection for New Buildings

The principal method of fire stopping and damage limitation is achieved through compartmentalising a building. This involves the installation of fire-resistant walls, floors and ceilings. In the last 10 years the UK has seen a 37% reduction in fires that require the assistance of the fire service. This has also resulted in a 27% drop […]