BLUCHER products installed in unique steel Cheesegrater

Nick named the Cheesgrater because of its wedge shape and designed by Richard Rogers, the new Leadenhall Building will be 225 m (737 ft) tall, with 48 floors, when completed.
Although planning was applied for in February 2004 and approved in May 2005 developer British Land delayed the start of the project, which was due to commence in October 2010. On 22 December 2010 though, the developer announced the project was moving forward with contracts signed for the 50/50 joint venture with Oxford Properties.

The Cheesegrater is different from many high-rise buildings in London, as it will have a steel megaframe instead of the usual concrete core to provide stability, Designed by Arup, the steel megaframe will provide stability to the entire structure, and will be the world’s tallest of its kind. At the base, there will be a 30m tall atrium, which will be open to the public and will extend to the adjacent plaza. Exterior glass lifts will be used on the building, similar to the neighbouring Lloyd's building, which was also designed by Richard Rogers.

The use of steel in the building of the Cheesegrater does not stop at the megastructure. BLÜCHER® EuroPipe stainless steel push fit drainage pipework system is also being installed. Unlike the steel megaframe though, the stainless steel push fit drainage pipework is commonly found in tall buildings for a number of key reasons. 

BLUCHER EuroPipe is a lightweight metallic drainage material. Being approximately 1/3^rd the weight of cast iron, BLUCHER EuroPipe is much easier to handle around site and quicker and easier to install. It also comes in longer lengths reducing the number of sockets. There is no requirement for additional supports to carry the weight of the stack which are commonly associated with cast iron installations and whole stacks can be easily prefabricated to aid installation and reduce the number of sockets even further.  Due to its slim joint profile BLUCHER EuroPipe also takes up less duct space than cast iron in comparison to the volume of waste it can carry. 

But perhaps the most important benefit with installing BLUCHER EuroPipe is fire. BLUCHER EuroPipe is classed as non-combustible and therefore has a fire rating of A1, the highest rating available. In comparison cast iron has a fire rating of A2 with sub classes of S1 D0 indicating the production of smoke, which is identified as the biggest killer in fires. 

In the Cheesegraters case the majority of the pipework for the soil and vent stacks is being installed in prefabricated sections. Each section will be craned into place thereby significantly reducing the amount of time taken to unload and install the pipework in the traditional manner.
The development is expected to cost approximately £286 million and be completed by 2014