18NEWSWWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK ADF AUGUST 2019
J
ames Fisher arrived at Bilco UK 19 years
ago. The company had already been
in existence for over 10 years and
supplied a wide range of products – from
roof access hatches to smoke vents and
access doors.
James says his tenure at the firm has
been a “journey”. It’s led him to now oversee-
ing the portfolio of brands that comprise
Access 360. As the name suggests, Access
360 covers a wide spectrum of access require-
ments. It brings together the established, and
complementary brands, of Bilco UK, Profab
Access and Howe Green – roof, riser door and
floor access specialists respectively.
Access 360 has strong branding and an
informative new website that retains the
individual brand identities. James’ priority is
“engaging with architects”. He believes it is
critical to ensure architects are fully aware of
their role in ensuring correct design and speci-
fication when it comes to access otherwise it
could result in a contractor making “a price-
led decision”. Simply put, “If the architect
doesn’t specify, and the contractor doesn’t
select the right product, the client could get a
health and safety issue.”Three brands under one umbrella
Bilco UK was established when the Manual
Handling regulations were coming into
force. Specifiers faced the challenge of a legal
requirement to ensure that personnel could
safely access areas like roofs as well as
service voids under floors. For Bilco UK this
was simply another dimension to the wide
range of considerations required for correct
specification.
In 2016 Tyman plc, a leading international
supplier of engineered components to the
door and window industry, acquired Bilco
UK. A year later the opportunity arose to
acquire Howe Green Ltd.
Over its 36 year history Howe Green has
grown from supplying access covers for
supermarkets to being specified for major
projects, including London Underground,
airports, and Phase 2 of Battersea Power
Station’s redevelopment.
2018 saw the acquisition of Profab Access.
Profab manufacture a range of bespoke
products designed to prove safe access to any
services going up through the building,
including concealed riser doors and wall and
ceiling access panels.
Fire safety, and the fire rating of products,
has come under intense scrutiny post-
Grenfell, including around the interpretation
of Building Regulations. Profab has alwayssought to differentiate itself in this area.
James says the firm put “a lot of effort” into
its natural smoke ventilators’ compliance, and
decided to put its 4000 series riser doors
through third party testing. As a result, it’s
“the only manufacturer of concealed steel
riser doors that has Certifire accreditation,
tested from both sides”.
James explains: “We have always been
proactive where specification is concerned,
whether through the CPD network, NBS or
BIM models. Access points must be designed
and not just be a shape on a plan. There is a
need to understand what the point is being
used for and frequency of use. Roofs, walls
and floors have become the location for a
much wider range of building services. More
frequent access for servicing puts an even
higher focus on safety.”
As Access 360 harnesses the distinct
strengths of its three brands going forward, it
is well placed to offer trusted expert advice
on the key requirements for achieving safe
access on a wide range of projects. At a time
when the need for better specification and
accountability are being put under scrutiny,
James affirms that the company is “about
guiding people to the right solution.”01827 718222
http://www.access-360.co.ukSafe Access All Areas
James Parker, ADFeditor, spoke to Access 360’s MD James Fisher
on how its portfolio of brands provide crucial expertise for
architects on specifying safe access within all areas of a building