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Other materials

Veneers and panelling
Insulation
Paints and coatings
Cabling and conduit
Plaster and fasteners

Veneers and panelling

The use of veneers and panelling products has been kept to a minimum and in most cases Alpine E-Zero MDF has been used.

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Insulation

The insulation used is thermally bonded polyester batts (Tontine Industries Sound Batt with STC rating 43). Its use has been restricted to the ceiling space above acoustic partition walls and to the space within these walls. Choice of this product was based primarily on its acoustic performance, and on its perceived safety in terms of toxicity; it can be reused and recycled.

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Paints and coatings

Paint and timber finish

Dulux and Wattyl latex-based paints were used. Like most on the market today, these are water-based and their emissions are relatively low.

While Wattyl 'ID' paint is preferable, given its reduced VOC content and local manufacture, it was not used because of concern that colour homogeneity between batches could not be guaranteed with this (or other low VOC) paint.

Tung oil resin has been used for all timber finishes. Extracted from the nuts of the tung tree, pure tung oil is a natural product with many advantages over synthetic products normally used for timber finishing, including reduced VOC emissions. The composition of the resin component, however, is unknown.

Recycled wallpaper coating for MDF

The wallpaper is made from recycled paper using a glucose paper backing.

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Cabling and conduit

All wiring outlet plates are free of PVC to minimise out-gassing of any toxic substances associated with this material, and environmental impacts associated with its production and recycling. The office uses wireless technologies for data transfer.

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Plaster and fasteners

With its use deliberately kept to a minimum, plaster has only been used for a plasterboard wall and ceiling service duct in the elevator lobby/corridor area, to meet building management specifications.

As outlined under 'Wall partitions', screws have been used for fixings, including of MDF wallboards, to facilitate the reuse of durable and sustainable wall materials in subsequent refurbishments.

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