UK Blinds & Shadings: Working in partnership with James Robertshaw

Project:
6 x Eliminate ScreenLine 95® zip roller blind systems, with a Soltis 86 screening material and Somfy RTS automation, with an additional Centralis RTS wireless wall override switch.

Site:
Principle’s Residence, Durham University, Van Mildert College, Mill Hill Lane, Durham, DH1 3LH.

Sector:
Contract won through James Robertshaw trade division.

Description:
Overheating rooms have been causing problems at Durham University for decades. Yet when they contacted UK Blinds and Shadings, the company knew exactly who to call on to cool their building down.

Durham University is the third oldest university in England, and they wanted to ensure that new technology could be incorporated into the old principal’s house. Hiring local firm, UK Blinds and Shadings, they needed a product with the technology to shield the building from the sun, whilst allowing inhabitants to enjoy the beautiful landscaped views across the campus.

James Robertshaw was the name that came to mind when UK Blinds and Shadings’ Neil Bamborough looked at the project. He said: “Initially we were looking at awnings, but there was a problem. The building has a copper roof, which comes down the wall. If we’d penetrated that it may have caused leaks. At the time James Robertshaw had released The Eliminate Collection® and I knew it would be an ideal solution.”

Bolton based company James Robertshaw is known for their high quality manufacture of internal and external blinds and awning systems. The Eliminate Collection® is their new range of internal and external zip roller blind systems. The shade Bamborough chose was the Eliminate ScreenLine 95® zip roller blind system, with a Soltis 86 screening material and Somfy RTS automation.

The Eliminate Collection® is a very durable exterior blind range. In this instance it was the solar shading element that was needed, although it can be used as either blackout (Eliminate BlackLine Collection®) or noise reduction (Eliminate AcoustaLine Collection®).

By using the Soltis 86 fabric, with a 14% openness factor, not only is overheating massively reduced, it allows the inhabitants of the Principal’s house a clearer view of the campus. Bamborough says: “The fabric reflects heat and glare, but allows a view out. From the inside you get quite a good, unhindered view even when the blinds are fully down. But looking back in you can’t see in the house.”

And when it came to the primary problem, heat, James Robertshaw provided the best solution. Bamborough says: “The Eliminate is a better solution than a traditional folding-arm awning. There were six huge windows, which were all southwest facing. This meant the rooms were becoming unbearable.

“James Robertshaw’s solution was better than traditional blinds. This is because of the way it’s constructed. It’s closer to the glass, cutting out about 92% of the heat. So whilst the awning would have taken care of the glare, it wouldn’t have been as affective as the Eliminate system.”

UK Blinds and Shading have used James Robertshaw’s products for a long time because, as Bamborough says: “They are one of the most helpful companies I’ve ever dealt with.”

An Olympic sized awning at Horse Guard’s Parade

A friend of the company was lucky enough to have the hottest seat in the house at the recent beach volleyball event in London, and saw our awning. At 18.5 meter’s width, it is the largest awning we have made, and we are so pleased at how great it looks.

Guest Blog: Office refurbishment from Whitespace Consultants

We would like to thank James Robertshaw for asking us to write a guest blog for them. We have worked with James Robertshaw on many projects over the years.

As a commercial office refurbishment company we operate throughout the UK. With over 20 years experience in the office interior design arena, we offer a blend of practical experience, office refurbishment, space planning and design skills to provide the ultimate in office refurbishment.

We work across a number of sectors including commercial, education, manufacturing, professional services and healthcare and provide a complete project management service. We ensure each and every job we undertake is successfully delivered, allowing the client to concentrate on running their business.

We start by taking an initial brief to gain an understanding of the client’s requirements and vision so that we can provide the best possible solutions.

Our design experience helps us to ensure that the environment can be planned as cost effectively as possible, whilst still creating an exciting infrastructure for the people using the space.

We pay just as much attention to delivery and installation as we do to the initial design and planning. By working closely with the client we agree the best times and dates to carry out the works, resulting in minimum disruption.

Our full office design and refurbishment service enables the client to have everything completed from a single source; building work, office partitioning, flooring, decoration, signage, window blinds, even plants and pictures. As a result they have one point of contact to ensure a seamless transformation.

Offices today are the life blood of a business. We cannot do tomorrow’s work in yesterday’s office. We have to work smarter to be effective. If you’d like to know more about what we do please visit our website at www.whitespace.org.uk and do not hesitate to contact us should you require any further information.

Pure 107.8 FM

FAO: Ged Hartshorn

Can I issue a profound thanks to Ged with whom I spoke to on the phone just now about a trailer with a broken awning?

He took the time to give me several possible solutions to the problem – one of which worked!

I’m sorry that this means I won’t be using your services on this occasion to fix the problem, but I couldn’t think more highly of your company and will remember the name in the future.

Many thanks and have a good weekend.

Pete Liggins

News & Sport Editor

Pure 107.8FM

Home Automation at Christmas Cottage

Project:
42 fully automated internal roller blind systems to be integrated into the buildings Home Automation system control panel.

Site:
Christmas Cottage, Stockgrove Park, Leighton Buzzard.

Sector:
Contract won through trade partner client.

Description:
James Robertshaw was contacted through a trade partner after receiving a tender to manufacture, install and commission 42 x automated internal roller blind systems in a state of the art domestic new build home. The standard Somfy automation systems James Robertshaw manufacture, were specified as the contractors preferred motor of choice. The brief instructed that each automated blind was to be mains-wired with LS40 motors on a System 40 barrel and connected through 14 x Moco 220-240V A/C motor control boxes into the Lutron home automation system control panel, already installed by others. Each blind was specified to operate individually in each room, via a wall mounted switch. The new Smoove Pure wireless, wall-mounted switch range from Somfy was the preferred option.

Working closely with the architect and design engineers all blinds were to be installed into the ceiling’s purpose built recess, along with the cables to power them. All rooms were installed with floor to ceiling glazing with the end user’s brief stating that no wires or blinds were to be seen, unless operated or drawn. Combined with the architect’s concise instructions that the blinds required to be hidden unless operated, the fabric also had to be blackout, in a white material to match the colours of the walls and ceiling. Louvolite’s Nocturne Cream material was chosen due to its shading co-efficient materials, combined with its flame retardant properties and black out strengths. Total cassette blackout was deemed non appropriate due to the side rails permanently on show.

What Is Home Automation?
Home automation gives you control over the technology in your home via a central, and often wall-mounted, control panel, remote switch or your smart phone. You can control the temperature in your house, blinds, awnings, curtains, lighting, music, internet, television and home cinema at the touch of a button, without having to walk from room to room. You can also use it to work your security settings. The systems are designed for non-technical users and they make for a rather impressive dinner party feature! The benefit of planning from the early stages is that you can conceal cables and systems around your décor. Once it’s set up, the only technical issue you’ll have is fighting over the control…

For further infomation on both domestic and commercial blind manufacture, please contact the sales team.

Atrium office becomes intolerable due to solar heat build-up and glare

A new 3-storey open-plan building at the National College, Nottingham has a central atrium with large windows on four sides just below the ceiling. Sunlight was flooding in over the central office area and on to the first and second floors. As the sun tracked round the building, solar glare and heat build up became a real problem. The architect did not want to use automated blinds at the windows; they would have been effective, but not very stylish. A different approach to complement the building’s own style was required.

A site visit was organised and a meeting with the architects arranged. “Once we had presented our credentials to the satisfaction of the facilities management company and the architects, we were able to view the site and make suggestions on the type of structure and the qualities of the fabric to be used.” Matthew Garnett, Director of Business Development states. “We are increasingly working more closely with architects, specifiers and facilities managers to utilise our skills in bespoke products and installations. Steadily building an excellent reputation within the contract sector, James Robertshaw is seen as a company that architects turn to when delivering solutions to problems.”

A space of 18,000mm x 12,000mm needed to be protected from the heat and glare of the sun and a number of suggestions were produced for consideration. The final solution was designed on a CAD system and a scale model of the space with shade sails in position was produced. Once the design was approved, a health and safety assessment was created, specifying how the shading sails would be positioned, what means would be used to hold them in place and what devices would be used to position the sails. Scissor lifts were the preferred choice with additional support towers. James Robertshaw diligently put its installation teams through scissor lift training using the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) operator training course and the Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers Association (PASMA) training based round the ‘Working at Height’ regulations 2005.

High-grade stainless steel deck fittings with a high breaking load were tested by structural engineers and certified for use to hold the fabric in place. Ferrari Soltis 86 shade material was selected as it offered the best solar protection – up to 97%. It also resists tearing without extra reinforcement, will not sag, is long lasting, dirt resistant and can be 100% recycled at the end of its lifespan. Manufacturing the sails took 3 days to cut the cloth, weld the seams and assemble. Five shade sails were manufactured and delivered to the National College for installation.

On installation day, the facilities management team held an on-site briefing session where the risk assessment was accepted and the job started. The building was cleared and the first Internal Shade Sail carefully positioned in the centre of the space and tensioned. This crucially established the symmetry for the additional four Sails to be positioned accurately. The adjacent Internal Shade Sails followed and were installed smoothly. A final clear-up and the building with its new Internal Shade Sails were released back to the buildings facilitators and its users. From the initial enquiry to final installation, the project took just nine months to complete.

Mathew Garnett adds “We relish the challenge of unusual solar shading projects and gain great satisfaction from resolving these issues. We work closly and in partnership with our clients and complete the projects on budget and on time.”

Eco Innovation Expo Event

A Showcase of Eco-Innovative products and services developed by North West SMEs

The event will include an exhibition of sustainable products and services, plus networking and an opportunity for a range of eco-innovative SMEs to deliver a 90-second business pitch to an audience of small and large companies, investment businesses, public sector organisations and research and university organisations.

Introduction to James Robertshaw Solar Shading Products

There has been a trend in the UK for much of the population to capture the sun rather than seek shade. However, with an increasingly warm climate and improved education shade is becoming more essential.

Unprotected glazing leads to overheating. Air conditioning systems represent a highly costly and energy consuming option. Solar shading is a much more suitable alternative to reduce energy demand and maximise thermal regulation. Many buildings, both existing stock and new build can be radically improved by adding shading.

In collaboration with C-Tech Innovation and Lancaster University and using a software programme from Somfy, we have been working on the quantification of our products’ benefits, in terms of energy, carbon footprint and financial savings.

It was shown that these external shading products can reduce energy demand for air conditioning by as much as 50-70% or more. This represents financial savings of hundreds of pounds a year and a carbon footprint reduction of hundreds or even thousands of Kg every year.

External automatic shading control achieves the biggest savings in cooling. In buildings where cooling has already been installed, the product could pay for itself in under 5 years. Investment in solar shading saves energy and therefore reduces the environmental footprint of the building over its entire life cycle.

Combining both internal and external automated shading is the optimum way to achieve energy savings and cost efficiency.

To be a part of our Eco-Innovative product and services presentation:

Date: 23rd June

Venue: Reebok Stadium, Bolton

What is Solar Gain?

It is said that often specifiers, architects, engineers, facilities managers, homeowners etc do not understand the fundamental processes of why buildings get hot and therefore cannot make the link as how awnings, blinds and shutters could reduce the amount of energy required by buildings.

So here is the explanation for you to use. One simple, (6B) and one more complex, (6C) dependant on audience.

Guidance Note 6B

To understand the need for shading we need to understand how the Sun’s rays work. The Sun is constantly flooding the Earth with its energy. The amount of energy reaching the surface can vary due to cloud cover and absorption in the atmosphere. However, even though the Sun’s energy is changing we require a relatively constant and therefore comfortable temperature inside our buildings. This constant internal temperature can be achieved through mechanical heating and cooling, using insulation in the roof and walls and also through shading. Shading can help to lower the energy cost required to achieve a comfortable environment within our buildings.

The Sun & Solar Radiation

1. The Sun’s rays enter the Earth’s atmosphere as shortwave radiation.

2. Some of the radiation is reflected by the atmosphere and by the Earth’s surface.

3. At the same time the Earth’s surface absorbs some of the radiation and re-radiates it as heat at a longer wavelength.

4. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere such as carbon dioxide absorb additional radiation and it becomes trapped within the Earth’s atmosphere. The Earth becomes hotter as a result.

Incoming solar radiation is made up of three main bands: UV radiation, visible light and IR radiation. The Earth’s atmosphere absorbs a large proportion of the incoming UV and IR radiation before it even reaches the surface. The radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface is predominantly visible light with only 5% being UV.

*nanometer – is a length of measure equal to one billionth of a meter.

Solar Radiation Entering Buildings

Glass allows visible light (shortwave) and shortwave infrared radiation to pass through into a building. The glass reflects some of the shortwave radiation back to the atmosphere however a large percentage is transmitted into the building. For single glazing, around 87% of the energy hitting the window is transmitted to the inside.

Once the radiation is in the building it is then absorbed by objects such as walls, floors, chairs, desks, people etc. These objects are all constantly absorbing and radiating energy. The absorbed shortwave radiation changes to heat (longwave radiation). This occurs by the shortwave being readily absorbed by objects and then re-radiated at a longer wavelength. (more…)

James Robertshaw – Walking For Charity!!

Part of the managment team of James Robertshaw will be attending The Manchester Midnight Walk, which takes place on Saturday 25 June from Manchester Central and follows a 10km route around the city centre, on behalf of St Ann’s Hospice charity. With an exciting birthday vibe and plenty of entertainment planned throughout the evening, it really will be a night to remember.

St Ann’s Hospice cares and helps around 3,000 patients (over the age of 16) and their families and carers every year who are affected by cancer and non-cancer life limiting illnesses. They deliver care that is special and unique to each individual person. Around 40% of inpatients at St Ann’s Hospice return home after treatment.

Where do they care?

St Ann’s Hospice provides care on 3 sites and in people’s own homes, working in partnership with acute hospitals, primary care trusts, community services and voluntary organisations.

When do they care? Many of St Ann’s services are provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Who provides the care? St Ann’s services are provided by specialist staff. We employ around 400 members of staff and are helped by around 800 volunteers.

What does it cost? Care is free of charge but St Ann’s Hospice has to raise £16,000 every day so our specialised staff can provide the highest quality care. We are lean and we are efficient – over 92p in every £1 raised is spent on patient care and the services that support it.

How old are they? St Ann’s Hospice is 40 years old in 2011, one of the oldest hospices in the country – they have a record of delivering first class care for 4 decades.

It is easy to donate online with a credit or debit card – please click on our page:

http://www.justgiving.com/Lesley-Sharrock

Just Giving sends your donation straight to St Ann’s Hospice and automatically reclaims Gift Aid if your a UK taxpayer, so your donation is worth even more! I hope you will join us in supporting St Ann’s Hospice.

Upon completion of the walk photographs will be posted!

Let Closer help reduce your buildings energy consumption…

The Closer External Screen is one of the most effective products to manage the amount of solar gain (heat) and solar glare (light) from filtering into a building, significantly reducing the usage of air conditioning units, as well as sealing an external / internal room for weather and light. As well as the important energy saving benefits the Closer produces, it also enhances the buildings façade, protects goods and merchandise, whilst becoming a stylish addition. Depending on the fabric choice, it also filters light and prevents glare, whilst maintaining both visibility and ventilation. The Closer is available in the wide range of Giovanardi fabrics, including both dim out as well as blackout options. The unique aspect about the Closer is the special ‘rod technology’ that holds the fabric inside the lateral guides and holds and supports the material for the entire drop of the blind, as the fabric is raised or lowered. This results in no sun leakage and also creates a barrier that is wind tested to class 3 (UNI EN 13561) corresponding on the Beaufort wind scale to class 6 (wind speed up to 49 Km/h). (more…)

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