Portakabin provides rok development solid solution with exceptional finish

Rok Development, the nationwide commercial and business park developer is enjoying premium quality marketing facilities, thanks to leading modular building supplier, Portakabin.

Looking for a high specification marketing suite for visiting customers at its new Wilmslow Office Park lying within two miles of Manchester Airport, Paul Smith, Rok’s Project Manager, visited the Portakabin headquarters in York and was instantly impressed by the contemporary, visual impact of the glazed Titan building.

Paul Smith said, ‘The marketing suite is the first opportunity to impress visitors to the site, making it extremely important that it makes a positive impact. The building Portakabin supplied reflects the quality and style of our own development in progress.

‘The Portakabin team surpassed their own professional reputation by providing exceptional customer service, a fantastic building and all within our designated timescale.’Delivered just 10 weeks after the initial order, the Portakabin team worked closely with the Rok Development architect to provide a building, which would meet their exact requirements, including high specification internal fittings.

The stylish glazed Titan building features a fully glazed wall, which provides a prestigious, light and spacious open plan environment, which can be easily relocated time and time again. It can be reconfigured whenever necessary to meet the requirements of individual developments, making it a completely flexible building solution.



The Rok Development glazed Titan building was tailored to include a solid oak floor throughout, and features a contemporary kitchen which includes a stainless steel sink with a modern glass splash back, solid granite worktops, fitted freezer and dishwasher.

Mr Smith continues, ‘The customer service we have received from Portakabin has been excellent throughout the duration of the project. They offered such flexibility in working with our own team of architects to provide our bespoke specification.

‘Portakabin were extremely proficient throughout and provided honest timelines in keeping with our own internal deadlines. Due to the relocatability of the building we have the option to re-use it at different sites as and when new projects begin. We are absolutely delighted with the end result and would have no hesitation in recommending Portakabin to other companies.’

The Portakabin building was also delivered to Rok Developments with a five-year product warranty and 20 year structural warranty¹ as well as the pioneering Portakabin Customer Charter. This states that if Portakabin fails to deliver a project on time and to the agreed contract sum, the customer will be entitled to an additional six months product warranty².

To find out how Portakabin can benefit your business call 0845 355 5359 log on at www.portanews.co.uk or email news@portakabin.co.uk

Porta, Portakabin and Titan are all trade marks.

For further media information please contact James Hickman, Louise Wylie or Carly Pattison at Ptarmigan Consultants on 0113 242 1155, or email jamesh@ptarmiganpr.co.uk / louise@ptarmiganpr.co.uk / carly@ptarmiganpr.co.uk

¹All Portakabin buildings that are purchased come with a five-year product warranty, which covers the external fabric of the building and a 20-year structural warranty, which covers the load bearing elements of the building.
² Terms and Conditions apply. A copy is available on request.

Yorkon launches design options for "greener" modular buildings

Award-winning off-site construction specialist and Portakabin subsidiary, Yorkon, has launched a series of design options for ‘greener’ modular buildings, as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability.

The options have been selected by Yorkon to offer significant environmental benefits, including the use of renewable sources of energy, reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions, and recyclability.

The optional features include:
•Solar thermal heating – these systems harness energy from the sun to generate heating and to provide hot water, and can reduce hot water bills by up to 50 per cent.
•Solar photovoltaics – photovoltaic systems use solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity. An installation with a peak output of 1Kw can displace around 0.3 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year that would otherwise need to be generated by fossil fuels.
•Passive ventilation – this offers a host of environmental as well as economic benefits by lowering energy use and preventing the overheating of buildings to provide comfortable, controlled conditions for the building user.
•Combined heat and power systems – these systems involve the simultaneous generation of electricity and heat in the form of hot water or steam, and will reduce carbon emissions.
•Ground source heat pumps – this technology uses the earth’s relatively constant temperature to provide heating, cooling and hot water, and can result in carbon emission reductions of up to 70 per cent.
•Wind power – turbines can be used to generate electricity in parallel with mains supplies or for stand-alone applications, significantly reducing carbon emissions.
•Green roofs – a turf or sedum roof has a number of sustainable benefits, such as providing high levels of thermal insulation and improving air quality.
•Biomass boilers – using biomass energy can reduce CO2 emissions released in the combustion process by 90 per cent compared to energy generated from fossil fuels.
•Rainwater harvesting – this can be incorporated into the design of building services to allow the collection and recycling of rainwater for toilet flushing.



Several of these options have already been used for buildings provided by Yorkon.
The modular approach is a highly sustainable method of building. Research carried out by Arup has demonstrated that up to 67 per cent less energy is required to produce a modular building compared to an equivalent traditionally built project. And in full-scale tests for air permeability, Yorkon buildings perform up to 70 per cent better than the minimum requirements of the Building Regulations, leading to superior thermal efficiency and lower running costs and an overall reduction in carbon emissions.

Yorkon is also the first off-site specialist to commit to working towards the Sustainability Charter introduced by the Major Contractors Group and, as part of the Portakabin Group, is working with the Carbon Trust to reduce the amount of compressed air and energy used in the manufacturing process.

www.yorkon.info


For further PRESS information, please contact:

Joanne Bridges, PRO – Yorkon
Tel: 01489 570898 Fax: 01489 570888
Email: jbridges@bridgescommunications.co.uk


Editor’s Notes

1.Other properties of the design options introduced by Yorkon for its off-site building system include:

•Solar-powered heating. Solar thermal technology is particularly suited to buildings, which have high hot water demand.
•Solar photovoltaics (PV). These systems are generally used in parallel with the electricity grid. The PV modules can be roof mounted or integrated into the roof or walls of the modular building.
•Passive ventilation. This method uses natural ventilation as an alternative to air conditioning, significantly reducing carbon emissions and avoiding the use of ozone-depleting substances such as refrigerants.
•Combined heat and power. The electricity is produced using an engine or turbine and the heat generated is recovered, significantly reducing energy consumption.
•Ground source heat pumps. The ground acts as a huge solar collector and thermal store. These systems are suitable for heating buildings with high levels of occupancy.
•Wind power. This is recognised as one of the most cost-effective of the renewable energy technologies. Systems for smaller buildings typically have peak outputs of up to 6Kw, reducing carbon emissions by more than four tonnes per annum.
•Green roofs. These roofs have additional environmental benefits, including encouraging a habitat for wildlife, and helping a building blend into sensitive rural areas.
•Biomass boilers. These carbon neutral heating systems are an economically viable solution for a variety of applications, such as schools and offices. Typical fuel is wood chips – a by-product from the timber industry, or straw.

2.Off-site construction involves the manufacture of steel-framed modules in a controlled factory environment, using production line technology, whilst the foundation works are completed on site. The modules are delivered to site by road where they are craned into position in just a few days ready for fitting out.

Yorkon completes one of the UK's most sutainable school buildings to be constructed off site

Award-winning off-site construction specialist and Portakabin subsidiary, Yorkon, has completed construction of one of the UK’s most sustainable modular school buildings.



The scheme for Worcestershire County Council is believed to be the first modular education building to be heated using biomass fuel and the first to incorporate such a complex passive, low energy ventilation system.

The project at the Bewdley High School and Sixth Form Centre is part of a major reorganisation of education provision in Worcestershire, which has resulted in an additional 360 pupils joining the school.

The two-storey building was manufactured off site in York, which reduced the programme time for such a challenging project to just 22 weeks. 60 steel-framed modules have created clear internal spans of up to 12m for space planning flexibility and were craned into position complete with windows and partitions pre-installed in the factory to improve quality.

The modular scheme provides 12 general classrooms for the school’s English, Modern Languages and Humanities Faculties, two science laboratories, a creative area and administrative centre. It is linked to a traditionally-constructed drama and dance studio – illustrating how conventional building methods can be integrated with off-site construction.

Other design features include:

-central heating powered by an environmentally friendly ‘biomass’ boiler to minimise carbon emissions
-passive ventilation to monitor carbon dioxide and temperature levels in each classroom, and to create a constant change of air within the building without draughts. The selection of the system was in line with the Council’s policy to naturally ventilate all its school buildings, whilst ensuring the comfort of teaching staff and pupils and to help improve concentration levels.
-timber cladding from sustainable sources
-a highly glazed activity studio with high levels of natural light
-a striking bespoke roof structure.

Commenting on the project, Dermot Galvin, Project Architect at Worcestershire County Council, said, “The primary driver for the decision to use off-site construction for this project was time, which was critical to ensure the new facility would be ready in time to take the additional intake of pupils.”

“Yorkon offers a superior quality building system and has a keen interest in design, attention to detail and quality of finish, bringing skills to the project that are not always associated with modular construction and despite the challenging timescale. Their team has added value to the scheme and had the flexibility to meet our specific requirements, which included a number of bespoke elements. The result is a good quality, low energy building, which has met our expectations.”

Julie Reilly, Head Teacher at the Bewdley High School and Sixth Form Centre, said, “The new building has provided us with spacious accommodation and room sizes that are appropriate for our learning and teaching needs. It is visually pleasing from the outside and fits in well with the locality. Our students have been impressed with the design of the building and it has helped develop a strong sense of pride in our school and working environment.”

“The modular approach is a very good method of construction for schools as it limits the disruption to learning because of the speed of assembly. The building will be easy to expand and the design is sufficiently flexible to meet the changing needs of our students and curriculum development.”

Off-site construction is a highly sustainable method of construction, which improves air permeability to enhance energy efficiency. It also reduces vehicle movements to site, waste, running costs and carbon emissions.

www.yorkon.info

For further PRESS information, please contact:

Joanne Bridges, Bridges Communications
PRO – Yorkon
Tel: 01423 520111
Fax: 01423 520152
Email: jbridges@bridgescommunications.co.uk

Portakabin provides ideal solution for quick, quality classroom accommodation

With the end of the summer term fast approaching, headteachers and bursars across the country are finalising plans for any additional classroom accommodation that is needed for the new academic year. For those that require extra buildings in time for the start of the new term in early September, it’s not too late to get quality buildings in place.

Portakabin, the UK’s leading modular building provider, has developed a purpose-built double classroom building to provide schools with the ideal solution.



Available for hire or to purchase, the 64m² Portakabin Classroom buildings exceed DfES size guidelines, and, due to the nature of modular construction, can be delivered to a school within days of an order being placed. Offering a stimulating and attractive working environment, they can be up-and-running within hours of arriving on-site, therefore minimising disruption to the school.

The buildings can also help schools increase their spending efficiency in line with the recent Gershon Report.

As the 2007-08 target for annual savings of over £6.45billion¹ in public sector spending approaches, headteachers and bursars are increasingly looking for more economic methods of procuring buildings while ensuring quality standards are maintained.

As well as offering speedy delivery and high quality environments, Portakabin Classrooms are delivered to site fully fitted with all electrics and plumbing, therefore reducing the need for additional tradesmen on-site.

The buildings have been specifically designed to provide specialist teaching resources with high levels of natural light - a key factor in productivity and motivation - good ventilation and excellent energy efficiency.

Mike Williams, General Manager of Portakabin Hire Division, said, ‘Research shows that 76% of teachers and 54% of students think classroom design is vital in influencing students’ ability to learn. The quality of the teaching space available along with lighting, ventilation, noise and temperature levels also all play a crucial role² and can result in improvements in learning of up to 26%³.

‘Portakabin Classrooms have been designed with all of this in mind, while also offering headteachers and bursars a more practical, faster, convenient and cost-effective method of procurement. This allows savings to be made without compromising on service, value or delivery.’

A one-stop-shop solution

As well as supplying excellent quality classroom space, Portakabin can provide all the other services required to complete a building project through its one-stop-shop solutions for hire offering. Providing an ideal way to improve procurement efficiency and value for money, the service includes everything from obtaining planning permission and completing groundworks, through to installing climate control and security systems.

It also includes the brand new classroom furniture range from Portakabin Interiors, which has been specifically designed to meet the demands of a classroom environment. Strong and robust with riveted tamper proof fixings, the range of desks and chairs has been thoroughly tested by the Furniture Industry Research Association to meet stringent classroom safety guidelines.

Portakabin scores top marks

As a result of the high quality, value-for-money environments Portakabin buildings provide and the range of services offered, the company has achieved accredited supplier status with OGCbuying.solutions, the executive agency of the Office of Government Commerce.

Following a stringent selection process, which included pre-qualification questionnaires, a competitive tender and interviews, Portakabin was included in a four-year modular building framework agreement with OGCbuying.solutions. This enables public sector organisations looking for accommodation solutions to avoid the costly, compulsory competitive tender process and turn to Portakabin to fulfil all their requirements.

A spokesperson for OGCbuying.solutions said, ‘Portakabin proved to us that the company offers the high standards of service, product quality and value we demand from our accredited suppliers.

‘We were also very impressed by the full turn-key package that Portakabin offers. From processing planning permissions to installing climate control systems, access ramps and furniture, the company is able to handle everything, offering complete peace of mind for customers.’

Service with a smile

In addition to offering quality products, Portakabin also aims to provide excellent levels of service to customers at all times. All Portakabin buildings come with the company’s pioneering Customer Charter4, which promises to deliver all projects on time and on budget.

If Portakabin ever fails to meet a contract start date, the customer will be entitled to a week’s free hire for every day the building is late or an additional six months’ product warranty5 on buildings that are purchased.

Mike Williams concluded, ‘At Portakabin we aim to provide all our customers with complete peace of mind that their building projects will be completed to the highest standards, on time and on budget.

‘We are also committed to helping schools meet the targets set out in the Gershon report. Our expert team allows us to provide a full range of products and services that can take care of all aspects of a building project, therefore increasing efficiency and enabling schools to make much needed savings in terms of speed of delivery and resources invested in managing the projects.’

For more details on how Portakabin buildings and services can benefit your school call 0845 359 0059, email news@portakabin.co.uk or log on to www.portanews.co.uk.

Notes to Editors

¹ As outlined in the Gershon Report.
² Source: ‘Best Practice in Classroom Design’. Ministry of Education, New Zealand, 2004.
³ Based on research conducted by the Heshong Mahone Group (1999), Fair Oaks, California.
4 Terms and conditions apply. A copy is available on request.
5 All Portakabin buildings that are purchased come with a 5-year product warranty, which covers the external fabric of the building and a 20-year structural warranty, which covers the load bearing elements of the building.

Porta, Portakabin, Portakabin Classrooms and Portakabin Interiors are trade marks.

For further media information contact Viccy Hodson, Louise Wylie or Carly Pattison at Ptarmigan Consultants on 0113 242 1155 or email jamesh@ptarmiganpr.co.uk / louise@ptarmiganpr.co.uk / carly@ptarmiganpr.co.uk.

New Portakabin Arkive product leads the way in safe and secure file storage

Portakabin has reinforced its position as market leader and innovator in the modular construction sector once again, with the launch of the unique Portakabin Arkive storage unit.

Offering high quality, secure facilities for file storage, the new product provides a range of unrivalled security and fire protection features. This gives customers an ideal solution for accommodating important paperwork in a safe environment.



Mike Williams, General Manager of Portakabin Hire Division, explained, ‘The Portakabin Arkive unit has been carefully designed to meet rigorous security demands and offers maximum protection against theft, vandalism and fire. It has been developed in response to customer requirements for storage facilities that offer high levels of safety for the contents, but which can easily be accommodated on their own sites.’

The product features all-steel construction and high security fire-rated entrance doors, ensuring excellent levels of break-in protection, as well as guarding against fire for half an hour - an attribute that is unique in the market. This fire resistance has been independently tested and certified by Warrington Fire Research Centre, guaranteeing that important files can be stored safely for as long as needed.

Other features of the Portakabin Arkive storage unit include:
• Unrivalled levels of air tightness, far in excess of Building Research Establishment (BRE) air leakage indices, which ensures that changing humidity levels and pollutants cannot damage files
• A unique low-level lifting system that fulfils all HSE guidelines to avoid working at height during installation, therefore maximising the safety of people on site
• Six durable bulkhead lamps, fitted with polycarbonate opal diffusers, absorb harmful UV radiation that can fade paperwork
• Wall fixed trickle vents aid air flow in the building

Mike continued, ‘We’re very pleased to be introducing this product to the market, providing organisations with excellent quality, highly secure storage backed by first-class customer service. We always strive to provide our customers with complete peace of mind and the Portakabin Arkive product certainly offers that for anyone looking for safe facilities to accommodate important files on site.’

All Portakabin Arkive units also come with the unique Portakabin
Customer Charter, which promises that all projects will be completed on time and on budget. If Portakabin fails to meet the agreed contract start date, the customer will be entitled to one week’s free building hire for every day it is late*. This provides customers with additional peace of mind that their building will be delivered on time and on budget.

To find out how the Portakabin Arkive storage unit can meet all your confidential file storage needs call 0845 359 0059, email news@portakabin.co.uk or visit www.portanews.co.uk.

Notes to Editors
*Terms and conditions apply. A copy is available on request.

Porta, Portakabin and Portakabin Arkive are trade marks.

For further media information please contact James Hickman, Louise Wylie or Carly Pattison at Ptarmigan Consultants on 0113 242 1155, or email jamesh@ptarmiganpr.co.uk / louise@ptarmiganpr.co.uk / carly@ptarmiganpr.co.uk.