ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM GETS PRICELESS HELP FROM HOWE GREEN ACCESS PANELS

Founded in 1683, the Ashmolean Museum at the University of Oxford is the world’s first university museum. It recently underwent renovation and extension to meet the needs of modern institutions and to cater for the thousands of visitors who attend the world class attraction every year. To provide high performance and discrete access to data cabling beneath its flooring, a series of access panels from Howe Green were specified.

The £61million scheme retained the original Grade I listed elements of the structure, whilst replacing all other areas with a stylish and fit for purpose new build section. The renovation has doubled the gallery space of the museum, allowing more of its priceless artefacts to be shown to the public whilst creating new education facilities.

Designed by Rick Mather Architects, the internationally famed practice whose work includes the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich and The Times offices, London, the project was overseen by main contractor BAM Construction. For its outstanding market reputation, BAM Construction specified Howe Green Series 7500 panels to provide access to crucial underfloor data cabling.

The stainless steel panels are an ideal choice for the museum. Installed in internal areas, they are capable of tolerating heavy pedestrian traffic. With an attractive geometry and pristine appearance, the covers are designed to be infilled with a floor finish to match the surrounding area. This meant that they did not compromise the attractiveness of flooring in either the service or public areas.

For optimal hygiene, the covers are double sealed. This ensures that no dirt or grease can penetrate them and affect the integrity of the data cabling below – which must be kept in optimal conditions to ensure its function. As the panels are made of stainless steel, they are also resistant to rust and corrosion.

The panels also benefit from ease of use and installation. Laid flush with flooring – ensuring no trip hazards and good looks – they are simply fitted into the substrate. The panels are then matched to flooring and they are ready to use. To open the covers, lifting keys are provided. Offered in a range of sizes to meet the needs of different applications, Series 7500 panels have a standard depth of 750mm. For additional safety, they hold up to a 3 hour fire rating in line with BS 476: Part 20 1987.

As well as providing single unit duct covers for the Ashmolean museum, Howe Green also supplied some of its high-specification multi-duct panels. This consisted of nine covers, each measuring 1.82metres x 1.77metres. With two supporting bars under the covers as well as corner beams, they are capable of tolerating a pneumatic wheel load of up to three tonnes, making it suitable for the fork lift trucks that are required to move the museum’s heavier items. Comprising of individual panels it also ensures that they can be easily lifted to allow for simple access to the junctions of data cabling beneath.

As well as floor panels, Howe Green also produces wall and ceiling access covers, all of which are bespoke manufactured at no extra time or cost to the client.

Howe Green has a reputation for delivering the best products to a variety of schemes across the UK. The specification of its Series 7500 floor access panels on the prestigious Ashmolean Museum illustrates the high regard in which they are held by specifiers, contractors and designers.

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