Cork University Gallery Uses Friaphon

When the University of Cork constructed a new gallery on campus, Durapipe UK supplied its Friaphon sound attenuated drainage system for the prestigious project.

When the University of Cork constructed a new gallery on campus, Durapipe UK supplied its Friaphon sound attenuated drainage system for the prestigious project.

The Lewis Glucksman Gallery is one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by the University and set in the lower grounds of the campus, the ten million Euro gallery will become the cultural heart of UCC, reflecting the city's tenure as European Capital of Culture 2005.

Within the building, specifiers Arup Consulting Engineers required a drainage system that was flexible, durable and above all quiet in operation.

The Friaphon drainage system offers outstanding sound insulation properties compared with traditional and more conventional cast iron or lagged, single wall plastic drainage and was ultimately selected to meet the University's requirements.

"We specified the Friaphon system for a number of reasons," explains Kathleen Kiely of Arup Consulting Engineers.

"The first was obviously the acoustic value - with public conveniences backing onto the gallery, we needed a solution that would eliminate any sound and affect the ambiance of the environment.

Secondly, the system is located underneath a timber floor and to prevent any incidents of damage that might penetrate the floor and the pipes below, we required the extra thickness of pipe which, over a lifetime, would last longer and give added mechanical protection".

The Friaphon system is constructed with dual technology using a robust, twin wall structure to offer a superior solution for all above ground drainage and internal rainwater applications.

Furthermore, no additional insulation is required in order to achieve an extremely high level of noise attenuation.

Friaphon's inner layer provides high performance, withstanding hot water temperatures up to 95 degrees C.

The Lewis Glucksman Gallery will provide two private meeting rooms, a 100-seater restaurant and two general exhibition galleries, housing the University's Modern Art and Honan Collections.

There is also a close control gallery on the site.

Construction of the unique building involved a large amount of timber cladding, with a glass showcase forming the central core within the structure, which reflects the river running by.

The whole building procedure was dependent upon the quality of construction materials and systems and using Friaphon ensures the highest standards of drainage for the gallery.

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