London, UK: The Roofing and Cladding division of ISD Solutions has created what it believes is industry leading air tightness in a new distribution centre in Essex.
ISD used Kingspan’s Quadcore system at London Gateway’s new build industrial distribution centre at the mouth of the River Thames. ISD worked with Goldbeck Construction to install the external envelope.
Air tests on new buildings are enforced and regulated due to the effect that permeability has on thermal performance, with industry expectations for a low rating standing at 3m3.
Part L building regulations, aimed at guiding construction companies towards conservation of fuel and power, suggest that 5m3 is appropriate. On this project,with high quality controls and installation standards, ISD achieved a rating of just 1.08m3, the company said.
“This is a real-world example of how we are playing our part in driving up standards of workmanship and skills across our industry,” said Christopher Bowden, divisional manager, ISD’s specialist roofing and cladding division.
“We’re aiming to set a different standard in our industry, to foster a culture of excellence driven by high levels of communication, with operative safety at the forefront, creating an advantageous environment for us all to work in. This results in high quality builds for our clients and short-term cost savings. It’s an approach which is being recognised as the way forward.
ISD recently built another cold store in Kent – the new home of temperature-controlled logistics company Fowler Welch situated on a large logistics hub for the south east called Panattoni Park in Aylesford, Kent.
On this project ISD achieved a rating of 1.19m3 – an excellent result on a twin skin system. Bowden said that the system manufacturer, County Durham-based CA Group, was equally impressed by the level of air tightness achieved.
“It’s jobs like these which get people interested in the role that construction can play as a force for good,” Bowden said. “We are all acutely aware of the need for quality people to enter the industry and we hope that projects such as these will inspire the next generation.
“Rigorous, standard-raising inspections are becoming routine, so it’s important to communicate properly with teams and contractors. Trust, alongside standards of tidiness and safety with our subcontractors, foster a culture of quality which transfers to the level of workmanship we expect.
“Ultimately the client and the environment will benefit from having facilities which are efficient to run and which last for decades.”
