1. PURPOSE
1.1 This specification defines the basic requirements for materials and workmanship for building works.
2. SCOPE
2.1 This specification applies to all Air Products Europe (AP-E) sites.
3. RELATED DOCUMENTS
3.1 British Standards Institute (BSI) BS 8000 Workmanship on Building Sites
Note: All materials and workmanship shall comply and be in strict accordance with all codes, standards and regulations of the country in which the building works are to be executed. In case of conflict, the drawings shall have precedence over this document. Local Authority requirements shall have precedence over all requirements.
4.DOORS
4.1 External Doors and Frames
4.1.1 Doors and frames shall be made from extruded aluminum not less than 2 mm in thickness and strengthen at the hinges and strikes. As a minimum, doors shall be 838 mm wide x 1981 mm high x 45 mm thick unless stated otherwise.
4.1.2 Doors shall have top and bottom glazed panels (all glazing to be safety glass). Doors and frames shall be supplied and fixed by the contractor to ensure weathertightness. Doors and frames shall be of low maintenance, highly weather-resistant materials and finishes.
4.1.3 Each door leaf shall have 1½ pairs of butt hinges, automatic door closer, internal push bar, mortise lock, metal handles, and keys.
4.2 Internal Doors and Frames
4.2.1 Doors and frames shall be from extruded aluminum not less than 2 mm in thickness and strengthen at the hinges and strikes. As a minimum, doors shall be 838 mm wide x 1981 mm high x 35 mm thick unless stated otherwise.
4.2.2 Doors shall have a glass viewing panel with equal side and top margins, and with minimum 6 mm clear wire glass (obscure glass to toilets, washrooms, etc.).
4.2.3 Each door leaf shall have one pair of rising lift-off butt hinges, mortise lock, metal handles, and keys.
4.3 Fire Doors and Frames
4.3.1 Doors and frames shall be made from extruded aluminum not less than 2 mm in thickness and strengthen at the hinges and strikes for external and internal doors. As a minimum, doors shall be 838 mm wide x 1981 mm high x 45 mm thick. All doors and frames shall carry identification marks stating the rating. Frames shall be fitted with intumescent strip (two intumescent strips are required for 1 hour rated doors). All doors and frames will be rated ½ hour unless stated otherwise. Each door leaf shall have 1½ pairs of butt hinges (not brass) and automatic door closer.
4.3.2 Timber doors and frames may be specified for either external doors or fire doors as shown on the drawings. All door furniture shall be as noted below.
4.4 Hinges
4.4.1 Hinges shall be made from brass or corrosion-resistant mild steel.
Note: Brass hinges shall not be used for fire-rated doors.
4.5 Locks
4.5.1 The following are applicable for locks: Security locks on external doors shall be not less than 5 lever type. All locks shall be mortised. All self-closing locks shall be operable from inside without the need for keys and shall incorporate a latch to hold the lock bolt open if required. Each lock shall have two keys with split ring and label marked with building and door number.
4.6 Panic Bolts and Latches
4.6.1 Panic bolts and latches shall be the type approved by local fire authority. Generally, the bar shall be fitted at 1100 mm above floor level, but should coincide with the horizontal door styles.
4.6.2 The single-leaf door and the first opening leaf of the double door shall be fitted, on the outside, with a lever handle operating the mortise latch to permit two-way traffic. The doors shall be capable of being locked with key from the outside, but the locking device must be overridden at all times by the action of the cross bar.
4.6.3 The second opening leaf of the double door shall be fitted with top and bottom bolts operated by cross bar. The bolts shall be fitted with automatic tripper catch to keep bolts in the unshut position when door is open.
4.6.4 Door fitted with panic bolts shall be marked “push bar to open.”
4.7 Automatic Door Closers
4.7.1 Automatic door closers shall be hydraulically operated.
5. WINDOWS
5.1 The following are applicable for windows: Frames shall be extruded aluminum. Window sub frame shall be aluminum. All glazing shall be double glazed. Laminated glazing shall be used for all windows facing the plant facility (external leaf only). Safety glass shall be used in all areas within 800 mm of floor level. All opening leaves shall be fitted with locks provided with keys. All windows to air conditioned rooms shall be fixed.
6. SKIRTING AND ARCHITRAVES
6.1 Architraves shall be provided between doors and plastered walls, and timber skirting provided to floors unless floors are quarry tiled.
7. INTERNAL PARTITION WALLING (Nonload Bearing)
7.1 All framed partitions shall be made of softwood and shall be fixed and braced to form a rigid base for plasterboard facing. It shall not rely on plasterboard to provide the necessary rigidity. Plasterboard checks shall be fixed to framing in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations and shall be suitable for direct decoration or plastering.
Note: Proprietary partitioning may be used with the Air Products engineer’s representative approval.
8. INTERNAL PLASTERING
8.1 Plastering – General
8.1.1 Background to plastering shall be free from dust, grease, efflorescence, films, or prematurely dried plaster and any other defects likely to cause bond failure.
8.1.2 External angles of columns or other returns projecting into a room shall be protected by an approved metal angle bead of galvanized metal or other suitable material built into the plaster.
8.1.3 All plastering shall be trowelled smooth and ready to receive decoration.
8.2 Plastering to Brickwork
8.2.1 Surface Treatment
8.2.1.1 Joints of new brickwork (if the bricks are not of the “keyed” variety) shall be racked out as work proceeds. Projecting bricks shall be out back to the general level of the brickwork. Old brickwork shall be hacked or otherwise treated as required by the engineer to form an adequate key for the plaster.
8.2.2 Plastering
8.2.2.1 A render coat and finishing coat shall be applied, with a total thickness of 12 mm.
8.3 Plastering to Concrete
8.3.1 Surface Treatment
8.3.1.1 The surface of the concrete shall be thoroughly cleaned of all dust, loose particles, and other deleterious matter. Ridges or fins left on the sides of concrete beams and soffits of concrete slabs by shuttering imperfections shall be removed. The surfaces shall be roughened to provide proper adhesion; if necessary, the surfaces shall be evenly wetted (not saturated) to provide the correct suction. Surfaces which are not rough shall be hacked or bush-hammered, or if this is not practical in the opinion of the engineer, a splatter-dash treatment composed of 1 volume of Portland cement to 2 volumes of coarse sand, mixed to a wet consistency, shall be applied. The mix shall be forcibly dashed on to the concrete surface, by approved means, and allowed to harden before the application of the first coat of plaster. Concrete bonding agent may be used as an alternative with the prior permission of the engineer. When a surface retarder has been used on the concrete, the concrete shall be thoroughly brushed with a wire brush and all resulting dust and loose particles cleaned off.
8.3.2 Plastering
8.3.2.1 A render coat and finishing coat of plaster shall be applied, with a total thickness of 9 mm, except when finishing flush with brickwork where total thickness shall be increased to meet surface of plastering of brickwork.
8.4 Plasterboard
8.4.1 Surface Treatment
8.4.1.1 All joints shall be treated in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendation.
8.4.2 Plastering
8.4.2.1 Plastering shall be skim coat of next gypsum plaster.
9. CERAMIC TILES
9.1 Ceramic tiles shall be fixed by approved adhesive. The adhesive shall be used as recommended by the manufacturer.
9.2 Tiled splashbacks with a minimum height of 300 mm shall be provided for the full length of sinks, basins, and associated drainer.
9.3 Watertight sealant or strip shall be provided between tile and appliance.
10. LOOR SCREEDS AND COVERINGS
10.1 Floor Screeds
10.1.1 Mix
10.1.1.1 The mix for floor screeds shall be 1 part Portland cement, 2½ parts dry mixed aggregate by volume. The materials shall be thoroughly mixed and only the minimum quantity of clean water added should be added to give sufficient plasticity for laying and compacting.
10.1.2 Bay Size
10.1.2.1 The area of screed to be laid as a single bay shall not exceed 15 m² unless directed by the engineer. The bays shall be laid alternately to allow sufficient time interval for shrinkage.
10.1.3 Preparation
10.1.3.1 Before laying a screed on concrete, the surface shall be roughened to loosen laitance, and then shall be thoroughly brushed clean to remove laitance and loose aggregate. After cleaning, hardened subfloors shall be thoroughly wetted overnight, surplus water removed, and a 1:1 cement: fine sand grout brushed into surface just ahead of the laying of the screed.
10.1.4 Laying and Finishing
10.1.4.1 Screed battens shall be carefully levelled, trued, and fixed at the proper height. The mix shall be spread on the subfloor levelled with a screeding board and thoroughly compacted. The screed shall be finished using a steel trowel, allowed to set and stiffen slightly, and then worked up with the trowel. Excessive trowelling shall be avoided. The screed shall be completely protected to avoid damage, to prevent rapid drying, and to allow proper curing.
10.2 Quarry Tiled Floors
10.2.1 Quarry tiles shall not be less than 20 mm thick red coloured. The tiles shall be finished flush with adjacent floors and surrounded with a round edged cove skirting all to match.
10.2.2 All quarry tiles shall be bedded on a 1 to 3 mix of cement and sand mortar, including vertical edges to a thickness shown on the drawings.
10.3 Thermoplastic Tiled Floors
10.3.1 Thermoplastic tiles shall be fixed with an appropriate bituminous adhesive. Laying shall be done by a specialist.
10.3.2 The screed shall have all irregularities in the surface removed by chipping and/or filling, and be properly dried out before tile laying.
10.3.3 Skirting may be in plastic, but shall not be laid until after the floor laying and wall decoration is complete.
11. PLUMBING
11.1 General
11.1.1 In addition to the works described on the drawings or project specification, the contractor shall design and supply a complete and efficient water supply and drainage installation for all the appliances and fittings located within the building from the incoming mains to the external manholes. The installation shall provide hot and cold water to all basins, sinks, and showers. Cold drinking water supplies shall be direct from the main.
11.1.2 The requirements listed in paragraph 11.1.1 shall also apply to the provision of a hot water central heating system when it is required by the drawings or project specification.
11.1.3 Tanks and piping shall be fully insulated for heat retention and frost protection.
11.1.4 Pipes shall be concealed whenever possible.
11.2 Testing
11.2.1 The complete system shall be tested to the satisfaction of the Air Products representative.
12. HEATING VENTILATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM (HVAC)
12.1 General
12.1.1 The contractor shall design, supply, and fix a complete HVAC system in accordance with the current regulations and codes and requirements given on the project drawings.
12.2 Testing
12.2.1 On completion of the installation, the HVAC system shall be tested as required by the regulations and as appropriate to the service conditions. All defective elements shall be immediately made good by the contractor at his expense, and to the satisfaction of the Air Products engineer.
12.2.2 Upon a satisfactory test, the contractor shall submit: – As built drawings showing the layout of the equipment, ducting, piping, and the like. – Data, certification, and service information regarding the equipment – All spares as requirements.
13. FLAT ROOFS
13.1 Built-up Felt Roofs (Warm Deck Inverted Roof)
13.1.1 Felt-covered flat roofs shall be built up with 3-layer felt system, including hot bitumen bedded mineral stone chipping top dressing.
13.1.2 Warm deck insulation boards shall be incorporated below felt system with relevant vapour checks and partially bonded felt layers. Insulation boards shall be installed in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations.
13.1.3 The thickness of the warm deck insulation boarding shall achieve a U value to suit the local authority requirements of the country of installation.
13.1.4 The insulation boarding shall be supported off external grade roofing quality plywood decking with a minimum thickness of 19 mm.
13.1.5 Falls to roofs (minimum 1:60) may be formed using firring pieces or, alternatively, insulation boards may be cut to falls.
13.1.6 Roof covering shall be supported by timber roof joist (or alternative roof support system as approved by Air Products engineer) designed for maintenance purposes.
13.2 Asphalt
13.2.1 A vapour barrier shall be laid directly onto the roof deck (concrete or timber deck). Over this, an insulation layer shall be laid, which is then surmounted by the asphalt protection on a single layer of sheathing felt. Finishing shall be completed with mineral stone chipping top dressing.
14. FINISHES
14.1 General
14.1.1 Samples of all finishes are to be submitted to the Air Products representative for acceptance, prior to any application.
14.2 Painting
14.2.1 All painting shall be carried out using paint with a recognized trademark. As a minimum, all surfaces to be painted shall be carried out to paint manufacturer’s recommendations.
15. ELECTRICAL
15.1 General
15.1.1 The contractor shall design and supply cable routing to suit the outlets, switches, and fittings shown on the drawings. When wall mounted, cables shall be run in conduit. Main power supply to the distribution board will be supplied by others.
15.1.2 Cables, outlets, switches, fittings, and distribution boards shall be of approved manufacturers and of a rating suitable for its intended use as laid down by the appropriate regulations. Two-way switches shall be provided at each end of a staircase between two floors, and at each end of a passageway over 12 metres long, to control the illumination of the staircase and passageway.
15.2 Testing
15.2.1 Three copies of test certificates covering all intermediate and final tests shall be submitted to the Air Products representative. Before final acceptance of the installation, the engineer’s representative will be required to witness the illumination of all lamps and the satisfactory operation of all electrical equipment.