Cast Iron - Specifier's choice for prestige shopping centre

When it came to specifying the above ground drainage systems for the prestigious Touchwood shopping and entertainment destination in Solihull in the West Midlands there was no question as far as the consulting engineer responsible was concerned. Cast iron was the only material with all of the qualities required for the job.

Graham Barber is a public health associate with the Leeds office of consultants WSP Buildings Limited and was responsible for the specification of the above ground systems for Touchwood. A major development which more than doubled the town centre’s retail space to just over 1,200,000 square feet, Touchwood boasts a John Lewis department store plus 80 other retail outlets, a Cine-UK nine-screen cinema and in the region of 20 different café, restaurant and bar options.

Listing the many qualities that made cast iron the choice for Touchwood, Graham Barber says: “Like any major retail centre, you have different retail units on top of each other which means drainage passing through fire barriers. Cast iron offers excellent fire protection with no need for fire sleeves or additional cladding and
     
well exceeds the building regulations requirements for 2 hours fire retardancy. It also offers good sound insulation qualities, it is durable – it will not bend or dent - and it is long lasting. It is easy to maintain as joint couplings can be simply unscrewed if sections need to be replaced or added. It is longer lasting that any other material and relatively easy to install. Finally, it is eco friendly. Unlike plastics, which are oil-based products, t is made from virtually 100% recyclable scrap and is in turn 100% recyclable.”

Graham Barber goes on to say that he does not specify any material lightly and has carried out his own extensive research into cast iron, drawing on a wide range of material, including data published by the Cast Iron Drainage Development Authority. He has also visited foundries in France and Germany to see for himself the manufacturing process. He says: “There is no argument – cast iron is the best material for drainage. For any major retail, commercial or industrial scheme it is the most suitable option and it is what I would specify as a matter of course.”

For further information on the benefits of cast iron drainage systems, contact Nicola Hughes, 0121 454 8181 at Wyatt House, 72 Francis Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 8BR, call the CIDDA hotline on 0121 693 9909 or visit the website on www.cidda.com.

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