All timber decks, whether domestic or commercial, are designed to carry specific loads; these include both uniformly distributed and point loads. The grade rules for the use of structural timber are set out within BS5268-2:2002 but how do you know which grade to use? Deck boards are a key structural part of the deck and they should always be graded. The most common timber grades for softwood deck boards are C16 and C24. Boards graded to C16 are generally recommended for most applications and if the correct spans are used this is usually the most cost effective option that will still meet the performance requirements. Boards graded to C24 is a more demanding grade. Boards will have fewer knots and the knots in the board will be smaller than in a board graded to C16. C24 graded decking boards are typically used where higher loads are required or wider spans are required. The main advantages of using C24 graded deck boards are firstly that in the same section as a board graded to C16 a wider rafter centre can be used or, a smaller deck board section can be used on the same centres.
One of the main considerations is of the timber deck is deflection. The most crucial load is the point load and the limited factor in setting spans is deflection. A deck board that has too much deflection can be a trip hazard. Marley Eternit Deck Board spans assume a maximum 3mm deflection which we view is the best or optimum specification.Open 24/7 with no contract Searching for a new approach to exercise? Do your body and your pocket a big favour by getting down to our great-value gym in Preston which hits the right spots. Whether you’re making your first move towards a healthier lifestyle, exercise frequently or practically live in the gym, we have something to suit everyone and every body. We stand out from the rest because we offer 24-hour access in a safe environment and there is no contract when you become a member so you are free to come and go as you please. Plenty of quality kit However, we’re confident you’ll want to stay because despite being a cheap gym we have more than 220 high-quality pieces of equipment throughout all of our UK gyms, so if you love cardio classics like cross trainers, treadmills or rowers;
enjoy taking a spin on cycles or get a big lift from weights, we have something to suit your taste and abilities. Over 50 free classes a week If you love the buzz from working out in groups then check out our packed timetable where you will find more than 50 free classes every week. Try the demanding boot camp in which you could either be paired up or work as part of a team to get you past the winning post. Get fighting fit with box fit, a cardio work-out which packs a punch despite being contact-free. Fitness and fun go hand in hand at our Preston gym, so become a member by joining online and you can kickstart your new, healthy lifestyle with a free induction delivered by one of our qualified instructors at a time of your choosing. If you’d like to dip your toes in the water first book one of our day passes online and see what we have to offer.Alternatively, bus numbers 4, 4a, 4c, 40, 41, 59c, 125, 437, 584, 940 and 941 will drop you off in Frank Street in the city centre, which is a 10-minute walk.
Preston train station is 20 minutes away on foot and eight minutes by bike. A dedicated members area on our website with online training and nutrition guidesChanging rooms with showers and lockersDumbbells upto 50KGFantastic offers and discounts available to print out from our members areaFree initial exercise inductionFree Wi-FiFully air conditioned for your comfortNo contractOlympic weightlifting platformOpen 24/7 - work out when you wantOver 220 pieces of state-of-the-art equipment, in a clean, comfortable, safe, friendly and spacious settlingOver 40 FREE classes a weekPersonal trainers availableHIGH streets face 30,000 job losses in 2017 – shops’ worst toll for five years – with household names risking going bust due to price hikes, record online spending and giant discounts. Some 30,000 retail job losses were forecast in 2017, beating 2016’s total of 26,052 job cuts to be the worst annual jobs toll since 2012’s 48,142, the Centre for Retail Research said. 30,000 retail job losses have been forecast for 2017
The first job losses are expected in weeks. Household names are at risk of going bust, analysts said, while other big chains are expected to shut hundreds of stores to focus on booming internet shopping. 2016 saw BHS fold – with 11,000 jobs lost – along with Austin Reed, Staples and American Apparel. Marks & Spencer has already cut 525 jobs Struggling Marks & Spencer, which employs 71,000 people, has cut 525 jobs, while staff fear job losses after the Sainsbury’s takeover of Argos. Wickes owner Travis Perkins plans to axe 600 jobs, under-fire Sports Direct has seen profits slump 57 per cent and Dixons Carphone forecasts tough trading. Entertainment chain Game, which has more than 3,000 staff, and womenswear retailer Bonmarche, which has 1,900 staff, are battling to recover after profit warnings. High Street cullings over the past five years Wickes owner Travis Perkins plans to axe 600 jobs Entertainment chain Game, which has more than 3,000 staff, is battling to recover after profit warnings
21,802 retailers are in “significant financial distress” – up six per cent on a year ago, insolvency specialists Begbies Traynor said. Most are small or medium businesses. Almost half of British fashion retailers face going bust or failing by 2019, business advisers Opus Restructuring said. Retailers are suffering increased supplier prices due to the pound’s slump following the vote to leave the EU. Sterling is down 18 per cent year-on-year against the dollar and 14 per cent against the euro. – are under pressure to increase prices as a result, which would be likely to dent sales. Next, Lego and Dell have already announced post-Brexit vote price rises. WHAT A LOAD OF BOLLARDS! THIS IS YOUR PILOT SLURRING High street spending is down 85 per cent since Boxing Day’s £2.95billion spree on Monday, collapsing to just £460million yesterday, the Centre for Retail Research said. Footfall is down on last Christmas. Analysts said giant pre and post-Christmas discounts – up to 86 per cent – wiped out stores’ profit margins.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the Centre for Retail Research, said: “30,000 retail job losses in 2017 would not be surprising, especially if one or two more big retailers go pop. “2017 will be a worse year than 2016, which saw 26,052 jobs hit and was the worst retail jobs tally since 2012. Under-fire Sports Direct has seen profits slump 57 per cent “There is no doubt more retailers will go under. Online is eating the high street’s lunch, growing by 10-15 per cent a year and taking a bigger and bigger share of spending each year, while high street spending is down 2 per cent year-on-year.” A British Retail Consortium spokesperson said: “There will be some retailers for whom the sums don’t add up after the crucial Christmas trading period. “The 2017 retail environment is likely to be challenging due to cost pressures in the supply chain, as well as pressure from the National Living Wage and business rates impacting on retailer’s bottom lines.”