Hardware Extra
Up , up and aligned
» FOR ALMOST 2,000 YEARS , elevators were powered by water wheels , animals or people . Elevator technology expanded hugely in the 19th Century , and the invention of an elevator safety device in 1853 , by American inventor Elisha Otis , increased public faith in the technology . When his company then created an elevator brake , it opened up a new possibility — skyscrapers . Here Steve Parkes , key account manager at leading fastening and fixing supplier TFC , discusses the current drivers in the skyscrapers market and shares quick tips for curtain walling success .
Picture London . Its skyline boasts a myriad of skyscrapers , including a host of distinctive glass towers ; the Cheesegrater , the Walkie- Talkie , the Gherkin and the Shard , to name a few . Glass curtain walling is an attractive glazing option for building designers looking to create the memorable , attractive facades that we expect to join the skyline in the future .
FLASH FORWARD
The construction of glass-walled high-rise buildings is popular both for commercial and residential use . Construction was one of a few sectors that stayed buoyant throughout 2020 , and could be a key way to build economic growth .
As the work from home boom quietens down , millions will return to city-centre offices . And they won ’ t just be in London — recent growth in Northern business , fuelled by HS2 , is seeing major firms like HSBC and KPMG open offices in cities including Manchester , Leeds and Birmingham . The public sector is also contributing to the levelling up of the country — the Government plans to shift 22,000 civil servants out of London by 2030 .
In the residential high rise market , the UK housing market remains strong and in cities with a high population density , continuing to build up means we can house more people while using up less green space . A 2019 estimate found that London had 541 towers in the pipeline , 90 per cent of which were residential . Growing student populations are also increasing demand for purpose-built accommodation , which must be well-located and high-quality to attract students . This cocktail of driving factors means we are likely to see new entrants to the skylines of many British cities in the coming years .
BUILDING UP EFFICIENTLY
Construction companies and glazing professionals are well versed in the importance of efficiency and work hard to avoid project delays . However , there are still some sticking points — rework remains one of the highest costs to construction businesses . In curtain walling projects , accuracy is key — glass is an unforgiving material , which means it has to perfectly line up with the fixing brackets in the building ’ s structure . If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of misalignment , there are limited options . You can either modify your fixing bracket and / or re-drill the anchor positions to compensate , both of which are time consuming and therefore expensive .
The good news for installers and construction companies is that there is another way available . The alignment washer ; a fast , simple , low-cost product that enables flexible on-site fixing for M10 , M12 , M16 and M20 bolts . It has oversized or slotted holes to
provide leeway when lining up the bracket and anchor location as well as a mechanism , to tighten it down before locking off . Its clever design means it can even be used upside down ! Once in position , the washer can be permanently locked into place with a high-strength , rapid setting construction resin . Due to the efficient locking off process , some contractors use alignment washers to lock off all brackets , whether there are alignment issues or not .
There are two types of alignment washer available . The first is rectangular — for use with cast in channels , using a slotted hole to provide ± 25mm adjustment in one direction . Alternatively , circular washers are suitable for a variety of applications including stick curtain walling , balustrades and balconies , offering a ± 15mm adjustment in either direction . Both are hot dip galvanised for long term corrosion protection .
A number of prestigious developments across the UK have alignment washers at the core of their design . Once again , picture the London skyline — many of these offices , hospitals , apartments , universities and Government buildings have benefitted from this unique solution . As UK construction works hard to build back better , it is good news for designers , project managers , architects and structural engineers , who , armed with this knowledge , can easily solve a common cause of project delays .
www . tfc . eu . com
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