Abstract: A portable surface treating apparatus is provided and has a head with means for treating a surface against which the head is swept, a non-straight elongate handle with spaced ends, structure for connecting one handle end to the head, and structure at the other end of the handle to be grasped by a user to facilitate manipulation of the head from a location remote from the head.

Abstract: A wall constructed with several layers to form a fire resisting and thermally insulating unit; in one form the unit is formed with a central steel supporting layer on either side of which insulating panels are fixed; this is then clamped in a top and bottom bracket for securing to a floor and ceiling; facing panels are then secured onto the assembly: in a further form there are two steel reinforcing layers and an insulating layer as a core in between the supporting layers; the panels can be assembled for use as non load-bearing exterior walls or partitions.