Darlow Lloyd Construction successfully completed a design and build project on behalf of Builders Supplies Port Talbot.

The family run business acquired land at Endeavour Close Industrial Estate to relocate from its existing leased premises. The client appointed Architects Hurley and Davies who obtained planning permission prior to awarding the Contract for construction. DLC were successful in procuring the contract and appointed C.D Gray as the Civil and Structural steel designers. Architects Hurley and Davies administered the Contract on behalf of the Client using a JCT Design and Build Contract 2011.

The new site is situated in close proximity to Aberavon Beach with protected Sand Dunes at the rear boundary of the site. After conducting site investigations, a ground bearing raft slab was chosen to receive the new portal frame structure. A storm and foul drainage system was installed along with a shallow attenuation cell and Hydro brake outlet to Welsh Waters discharge rates.

The new retail area and warehouse is divided by a 1 hour fire compartment wall. This was constructed using vertically fitted Eurobond Fire Master panelling. The panels compliment the internal white finished of the other walls and are easily maintained. The Boundary walls adjacent to the Naval RFC required further fire protection works to meet the requirements of Building Regulations for boundary conditions. This was achieved with additional Eurobond Fire Master Panels mounted horizontally on the inside of the building. A power floated-floor achieves a durable finish for the fork truck movements throughout to the building. It also caters for future changes in the building by providing a flat at level surface for whatever finish is chosen upon.

Ancillary facilities such as the site office, toilets and welfare facilities were constructed using traditional fair faced block and cut timber flat ceilings. The timber ceilings were constructed with a view of being used as storage areas and thus larger timbers and Plywood finish was installed.

The yard surrounding the building was constructed with reinforced ground bearing slabs along with access ramps into the new building, to meet requirements of heavy traffic. New Palisade gates were fitted, aggregate bunkers were constructed and costumer car parking areas demarcated.