Access cover manufactured by ACO Building Drainage and marketed in the UK by Fabweld, has been installed throughout the newly opened Welsh Government offices in Llandudno.
The Llandudno Junction Office, as it is called, is one of three Welsh Assembly government administrative hubs sited in the Principality. The offices opened in September 2010, cover 8000 sq m and accommodate up to 650 staff. The design of the building incorporates local materials, including the famous slate from Penrhyn Quarry in Bethesda. In addition, the Llandudno Junction office has won several Green accreditations such as a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and has, uniquely in Wales, an EPC “A” rating (the average for public buildings is “D”), becoming the most energy efficient government building in the region.
Such a prestigious project required particular attention to every detail. For this reason the architects and contractors selected the well known brand of fabricated access covers, ACO Alucover . This recessed aluminium access cover provides a high quality and lightweight solution, with an integrated grit seal and secure 4-point corner locking. Its precision manufacture ensures minimal gap between frame and cover, making it the ideal choice for aesthetically sensitive projects. In addition, thanks to its robust and well engineered construction, the cover remains dimensionally stable even after infill, as well as being extremely easy to install.
Bob Davis, representing the appointed contractors, explains, “We had no trouble installing the covers, and because of their finish and advanced construction they complement other building materials, regardless of the floor surface used. There is an almost dead-fit between cover and frame, so they are as unobtrusive as possible, making them an ideal solution for this kind of high prestige building.”
The Alucovers were supplied by Fabweld Steel Products Ltd, a company with over 20 years’ experience in the design and manufacture of access covers and related drainage products. Norman Carter, Business Development Manager, explains, “ACO Alucover is one of the easiest products of its kind; available off the shelf, so no long waiting times, reliable and cosmetically appealing, it fits all building criteria and more. Furthermore, thanks to the FACTA loading accreditation, it provides additional piece of mind when installed in public buildings of this type.”
About Fabweld Fabweld Steel Products Ltd has over 20 years’ experience in the design and manufacture of fabricated steel access covers and associated drainage products. Its mission is to deliver quality products and solutions to the access cover and drainage market with a rapid lead time and unparalleled customer service. The Company specialises in bespoke solutions offering full CAD drawings and Finite Element Analysis. All Fabweld products are FACTA quality approved. Fabweld is also committed to its local community and staff development.
About ACO Alucover ACO Alucover is a high quality lightweight unfilled recessed aluminium access cover for internal and external applications. ACO Alucover features double sealed single cover, integrated grit seal, 4 point locking with low profile corner blocks, as well as a 8mmx100mm centre square steel mesh with captive supports. Its precision manufacture ensures minimal gap between frame and cover, providing high quality visual finish. Advanced mechanical assembly process provides rigid frame and cover construction with no weld distortion.
About ACO Based in Bedford, ACO Building Drainage is the UK’s leading specialist in the design and manufacture of drainage systems and corrosion resistant drainage products. Providing both standard and bespoke solutions, the company’s mission is to eliminate design risk, to reduce installation and life cost, while delivering exceptional finish and performance in every product application.
