building information

LIFTING & HOISTING

INDUSTRIAL JIB CRANES

Industrial environments call for industrial jib cranes. These highly flexible cranes can be used to speed up lifting and make it safer, with various load capacities, configurations and sizes. Jib cranes can be bespoke, perfect for complex industrial environments requiring regular lifting. Standard jib cranes can also be bought second hand, making them very good value for money.

LIFTING EQUIPMENT

Lifting equipment is a broad category of tools and machinery, which include: cranes, hoists, lifting beams, pallet lifters, forklifts as well as the ancillary equipment, such as: slings, chains, straps, shackles, hooks, spreader beams. The best option is dictated by the load, the surroundings, and the frequency of the lift. For instance, a one-off task on a construction site will require different equipment than a manufacturing line which is making the same lift two hundred times a day. Regardless of the choice made, the frequent use of the equipment, plus the training of the operators, is what maintains the equipment legal, and lowers occupational hazards.

Wire Rope

If you order wire rope using breaking load alone, you will likely get the wrong product. Breaking load is the measure of force needed to snap the rope under test conditions. It tells you nothing about how the rope behaves after running over a sheave multiple times per day, or how it performs if static tension is applied for several months. The construction – number of stands, wires per strand, and type of core – determine flexibility, fatigue life, and crush resistance. In running applications over pulleys and drums, a flexible construction like 6×36 rope will greatly increase the longevity of the rope. For standing rigging or guys, where the rope barely moves, a stiffer construction is better and often more economical option. It’s worth confirming which of the minimum breaking force, working load limit, and safety factor the supplier is quoting, before placing an order.

Scaffold Hoists

Choosing between electric, manual, and rack and scaffold hoists typically depends on load weight and frequency of use. Manual models are best suited for lighter loads to be used in areas where power is not available or lifts will not be frequent enough to warrant the setup. For all jobs above the small domestic level, the electric model is a practical option for continuous use. The electric model is also practical for safety and operational purposes, as they are generally faster, and have overload protection and limit switches as standard features. Rack and pinion hoists are the most robust option available. They are designed for heavy loads in large scale and high-rise construction that other rope electric hoists cannot handle. They typically have a load capacity between 150kg and 500kg and a lift speed between 20 and 40 metres per minute. For use on more elevated structures, confirm that the drum or rack length is sufficient for the full working height prior to specifying.

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DOORS, SHUTTERS & GATES

Industrial Rolling Shutters

The standard industrial roller shutter door is based on a 75mm convex steel interlocking lath. This profile provides rigidity to the door while allowing the coiled drum to remain compact when the door is in the open position. In commercial applications, the electric operation is standard, and in doors that open and close frequently, high-speed versions are available to reduce heat loss in situations where temperature control is a concern. In security-rated situations, the lath gauge and motor are as important as the locking mechanism. In regards to maintenance, the design is built for heavy use and the guides, springs, and motor all require periodic inspections to ensure the system lasts.

Roller Shutters

When errors are made on the specification for roller shutters garage doors, it usually leads to either paying for more door than you actually need for the application, or worse, having a door that will fail prematurely because it wasn’t designed for the duty cycle. Key considerations include curtain material and gauge, motor size, and whether the installation has to comply with a fire or security rating. A shopfront with a few open/close cycles a day will need a different motor specification compared to a logistics bay door that is cycling fifty times. Curtain gauge influences both the security rating and the level of insulation — a light aluminium lath will discharge insulation more easily than a heavy-gauge steel curtain. Any reputable supplier will ask about usage frequency and security rating requirements before recommending a product.

Roller garage doors

Roller garage doors are designed for residential and light commercial use and work in a manner similar to industrial shutters. They have the advantage of coiling above the door opening, which means they don’t need as much headroom above the opening and no ceiling-mounted tracks. Therefore, they are a more versatile solution in situations where an up-and-over or side-hinged door are impractical. Most roller doors come with automatic operation as standard and are available in insulated versions for garages which are used as workshops or are located adjacent to the house.

Sliding Gates

Choosing the right sliding gate usually comes down to available space next to the opening, or your ground conditions. Swing gates require unobstructed space to front or back of the gate so that it can swing open. On a sloped driveway, or where that space simply isn’t available, sliding is the practical choice. Sliding gates can either have a bottom track or use cantilever rollers if a track cannot be installed. Automation can be simply added to either style. Sliding gate systems have a reputation for being difficult to install properly because there is often a miscalculation of the gate’s weight. The motor, rollers, and track components have to be engineered to the weight of the gate, not chosen off the shelf. This is particularly important for gates that will be used frequently, like in commercial settings, as under sized components will wear out quickly.

Metal Gates

Gates can be made of wrought iron, mild steel, or aluminum, each material serving different purposes. Wrought iron gates can be used in classic settings, but elegance and upkeep should be a concern. For security gates, mild steel is the safest choice because it is strong and can be welded, and it is also easy to powder coat. In coastal environments, aluminum is gentler and doesn’t rust and is also preferable for automated metal gates when the weight is a concern. You can choose from a variety of sizes, designs, and ironmongery. If you have a unique opening or design requests, custom fabrication is the way to go.

Iron Garden Gates

Wrought iron garden gates can be used in all types of properties, including new and old. This is because it also works well with period and modern looks and styles. These gates also have the advantage of being tough and durable. As a result, they will not warp or swell. A wrought iron gate will also outlast a wooden gate. Most standard sizes will meet the needs of a domestic opening. If you have a wider or taller opening, you will most likely need to have the gate made to order. You should also choose the ironmongery (hinges, latches, and bolts) with great care, as these are the first to need replacing.

Metal Fencing

Metal fencing outlasts timber in most outdoor locations, particularly those with a damp environment or frequent contact with the ground. Because wood rails and posts rot, a timber fence will need replacement, but metal will not. While wrought irons and galvanized steel are usually the choice of metal fencing, mild steel will need a heavier coating to resist rust. Aluminum is more expensive, but is better in some aspects, like not requiring a finishing coat. In other ways, it is outperformed by steel, such as needing a larger section to be as rigid, and being more expensive to get a lighter weight. In a robust fence, the spacing of posts and the choice of fixing method are as important as the choice of material. A fence that is supposed to be rigid and not move will not do it’s job, regardless of the material used.

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ROOFING

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Industrial Roofing

Domestic, commercial and industrial roofing Northampton specialists for your business and your property.

Most industrial roofing problems show up at the details, not across the middle of the sheet. The penetrations — rooflights, vents, pipe outlets, upstands — are where water finds its way in, and on older buildings they’re often where the original installation cut corners or the specification has simply reached the end of its life. Profiled steel sheeting is the standard for new-build industrial work: fast to install, well understood, and available with a range of insulation builds. Re-roofing existing structures is more involved — working around existing purlins, dealing with any asbestos-containing materials, and getting the falls right on a building that wasn’t necessarily designed with drainage in mind. Single-ply membranes suit complex rooflines; built-up systems remain common on older commercial stock. Whichever system is used, the detailing at edges, penetrations, and abutments is where it either holds up or doesn’t.

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Tiled Conservatory Roofs

Modern conservatories will often make use of a tiled roof, as opposed to glass or polycarbonate. This will help to make the conservatory a more usable space, that is kept at an ambient temperature come rain or shine. Tiled conservatory roofs ultimately help to make your conservatory an integral part of the home, and a space that you can really enjoy.

Tiled roofs for conservatories look and feel more contemporary than glass or polycarbonate – they will transform a conservatory into a more efficient, more modern space. Make the most of the home you already have, with the addition of a tiled roof.

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GARDEN & OUTDOOR

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Decking

Hardwood decking holds up better outdoors than softwood, particularly through repeated wet and dry cycles. The critical variables are timber species, board thickness, and whether the fixing system allows water to drain freely rather than sit on the surface. Boards that are fixed too close together trap moisture and deteriorate faster regardless of the wood. Pre-treated timber extends service life, but the cut ends need treating on site — most deck failures start at a cross-cut that was left unsealed.

From the blog