FAQ

Why concrete?
We use precast concrete because it is the best material for the job. Apart from its obvious strength, it is also resistant to corrosion, abrasion, impact and weathering. Factory production using a high-strength mix with a low water/cement ratio followed by intensive compaction and controlled curing guarantees a dense, durable and fire-resistant product.

Why precast?
The benefits of precast concrete as opposed to site-cast are many:

• Factory-made products mean rational and efficient manufacturing processes, with skilled staff carrying out the work in a controlled environment with tight quality surveillance
• Materials are accurately batched, moulds are reused and there is little if any waste
• Shorter construction time, typically less than half of conventional in-situ concrete 
• Construction can continue in cold weather down to –20°C 
• Greater structural efficiency with longer spans and shallower construction depths – made possible by prestressing during manufacture –  offering both flexibility and extended lifetime of buildings
• Thanks to the high initial quality, fire resistance up to two hours can be achieved..

Why Bell & Webster?
Established more than 63 years ago, Bell & Webster has built a reputation as design and manufacturing specialists of precast concrete. Always at the forefront of product development, the company combines superior off-site manufacturing with top-quality construction to produce award-winning solutions. We were one of the first companies to be awarded a BSI 5750 certificate for the manufacture of ‘Structural Precast Products’ and over the past 30 years we have been one of the UK’s largest suppliers of precast retaining walls, used for applications as varied as earth retention to flood defence walls.  We also have ISO14001, OHAS18001 and CGHAS accreditations.

What are RoomSolutions?
One client described RoomSolutions as concrete flat-pack. At first glance, that’s how it might appear. But the reality is much more sophisticated. For a start, it is not an off-the-shelf product. What we offer is a made-to-measure service, tailored precisely to your requirements while maintaining our design philosophies, standard details and intrinsic high quality. Every RoomSolution is different. All components are manufactured off-site in the factory, so guaranteeing precise dimensions, strict quality control, and negligible waste. What’s more, unlike in-situ concrete, manufacture is unaffected by weather.

All sections are designed for ease of construction, fitting precisely together with hidden joints, and connected to conform fully with Building Regulations. All service runs such as electrics, phone and gas are built-in, saving valuable site time. In addition, panels are generally delivered with the windows already fixed, allowing internal trades to begin work far earlier than on a traditional-build site.

With energy costs rising inexorably, continuous insulation is incorporated in every unit to maximise thermal efficiency. In addition, of course, once assembled, concrete acts as an energy store, absorbing heat when temperatures rise and releasing it when they fall, so.

Where can I see examples of RoomSolutions?
As an acknowledged market leader in the design and manufacture of precast rooms for hotels and student accommodation, we naturally have an impressive list of clients. Among names you will recognise are Holiday Inn, Acor Hotels, MacDonald Hotels, Travelodge, City Inns, Radisson SAS, Days Inn, Tulip and Arora Hotels, while student accommodation can be found at the universities of Loughborough, Reading, Lancaster, Essex, London, Brunel, East London and Hertfordshire. Less publicised examples of our work were carried out for the Ministry of Defence at Shrivenham, Woodbridge and Lucknow, among others. If you would like further details of any of these projects, please get in touch.

What are the types of finishes?
Class A, B, C.