www.psbj.co.uk
Housing Focus January 2013
Reaping the benefits
Minimising disruption
Communal heating
Nationwide Windows named Most Community Focussed Contractor
F. Ball on preparation products for tight timescales and deadlines
Tower blocks in Wolverhampton benefit from an Evinox system
Housing Focus
Welcome D ...to the
Editor Hannah Frackiewicz hannah@mixedmediainfo.com 01622 232702 Managing Director Sam Ball sam@mixedmediainfo.com 01622 232702 Publication Manager Steve Gull steve@mixedmediainfo.com Account Executive Adam Barron adam@mixedmediainfo.com Design & Production Chris Lilly chris@mixedmediainfo.com Accounts Simone Jones simone@mixedmediainfo.com Terms and Conditons:
Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and return addressed envelope. No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editors hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Mixed Media Information Ltd. The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher. The Publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.
Front cover:
Pete Hill photography
Housing Focus
elivering a quality housing project or scheme on time and on budget has always been top of agendas. More recently, the need for specifying sustainable solutions has risen, opening up new building opportunities. In this dedicated focus, PSBJ explores a selection of key building solutions that tick all the boxes for architects, specificiers and local authorities, such as doors and windows, balustrades, access panels, flooring and HVAC/HVP systems. Contributing suppliers include Sapphire Balustrades, whose balustrade solutions have proved to deliver durability, safety, value for money and aesthetics in two award-winning housing developments. PSBJ also features heating success stories from Evinox and Daikin. Both installations were carried out as part of wider refurbishment programmes, providing further efficiencies for its residents. We hope you enjoy this special focus and find it an enjoyable read. For further enquiries about any of our contributors or if you wish to comment on a particular issue affecting the housing sector, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Hannah Frackiewicz
Hannah Frackiewicz - Editor, PSBJ Magazine
Contents 5 7
Simple specification:
Access panel specialist, Timloc, unveils how its range – through thorough testing and research – has no negative impact on acoustic performance.
Product equation:
Incorporating durability and safety with value and aesthetics is a challenging task, however Sapphire Balustrades has met all four in two developments.
10 High rating:
Door and window manufacturer and fenestration solutions provider, Nationwide Windows, discusses the positive impact that improvements can have.
12 Comfort and efficiency: In the first phase of an emerging masterplan at West Gorton, Manchester, 171 new homes for local residents have been provided by award-winning practice Bowker Sadler Architecture - as featured in our July issue.
Space Air, the official Daikin distributor in the UK, reveals a new generation of heat pumps, designed to maintain perfect indoor temperature.
15 Speed in delivery:
Minimising time on site is essential in refurbishment projects. When it comes to flooring, F.Ball explains how swift subfloor preparation can be achieved.
16 Communal heating:
As part of a significant refurbishment programme, two high-rise tower blocks in Wolverhampton are now benefitting from an Evinox communal heating system.
Mixed Media Information Barham Court, Teston, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 5BZ Tel: 01622 232702 Fax: 01622 816874 www.psbj.co.uk www.mixedmediainfo.com
18 Renewable trial:
Daikin has been selected to provide its Altherma air-to-water heat pumps as part of Cornwall Council’s Green Deal trial project, ideal for off-gas properties.
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Understanding acoustics with Timloc
Part E of the Building Regulations refers to the need 'to provide reasonable resistance to sound'. Building products specialist Timloc is aware that the subject of acoustics can often create confusion, leading specifiers, builders and contractors into thinking they need products which are overly expensive or don't actually meet their needs.
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s one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of access panels, and with demand for this product continuously increasing, Timloc has quickly recognised the
The Timloc access panel range offers practical acoustic (dB) ratings and each product now carries a weighted sound reduction value (Rw)
industry need to officially clarify the impact of the access panel’s performance to Part E. Timloc’s practical and honest approach to product design and development led it to commission Leeds University to undertake extensive acoustic product testing on its behalf. The testing was carried out in order to form a performance objective for the development of a new Timloc access panel range that could perform as a direct replacement for plasterboard layers with no negative impact on the acoustic performance of the area, therefore meeting the requirements of Part E. However, tests concluded that Timloc’s existing range of CR slim line access panels has no effect on the overall acoustic rating to walls or ceilings, when fitted as a direct replacement to
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Timloc's existing range of CR slim line access panels has no effect on the overall acoustic rating to walls or ceilings, when fitted as a direct replacement to plasterboard layers and if fitted within 1% of the total area
plasterboard layers and if fitted within 1% of the total area. As an added advantage, the installed access panel remains slim to offer maximum space in the allotted void. This presents major benefits to the industry, because the need for high-level dB rated and often expensive access panels can now be limited to specialised applications. New gas safety legislation due to take force in January 2013, is leading the way to the requirement of many access panels or inspection hatches to be fitted in new and existing homes. In order that the correct access panels are chosen for their surroundings, Timloc has further simplified the specification process by offering a service for the calculation of the weighted value of an application. All they require is the overall area of the wall or ceiling and its specific material (i.e single or double layer plasterboard), the designed dB rating of the wall or ceiling and the area of the access required. The Timloc access panel range offers practical acoustic (dB) ratings and each product now carries a weighted sound reduction value (Rw). The core CR range has slim profile designs, is fire rated, insulated, air-tightness tested and acoustic performance rated, meeting all the required criteria for most applications. Timloc has been supplying high performance building products since 1977 and this continued investment in product research and service provision, further supports its on-going commitment to the building industry. All manufacturing is carried out under the BS EN ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System.
“Timloc's practical and honest approach to product design and development led it to commission Leeds University to undertake extensive acoustic product testing on its behalf ”
enq 071 sales@nationwidewindows.co.uk ( 01788 569228
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Housing Focus
As well as providing advice and support for the technical aspects of a balustrade project, Sapphire is committed to developing innovative solutions that deliver the optimum mix of style and best value
Creating real value is a science Designing balustrades for social housing projects is the science of integrating durability and safety with budget and beauty. It is easy to compromise safety and visual appeal to gain a low initial cost but combining safety, compliance, and low maintenance durability is the skill in achieving lower lifetime costs. Nick Haughton, Marketing Manager at Sapphire Balustrades considers the challenges in two award-winning developments.
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lthough aesthetics are obviously important, all balustrades, whether they are for residential or commercial applications, must be fit for purpose. So let’s start by looking at some of the technical considerations. Firstly, balustrade designs must comply with relevant British Standards relating to structural performance in various design applications, and Building Regulations such as Document M, to ensure they meet the needs of all users irrespective of age or physical ability. Failing to comply with these requirements can have serious consequences. Apart from a potentially costly project delay if a design is refused by planners or building control, inappropriately designed or installed balustrades can result in fatalities or
permanent injuries and unfortunately many balcony incidents have occurred this year alone. Balustrades provide a vital protective barrier where there is a change in level greater than 600mm in dwellings. Balustrades for communal stairways or balconies should be designed to minimise the risk of persons slipping through gaps. In effect, this means that balustrades should not have gaps which permit a sphere of 100mm diameter to pass through, including the ‘triangle’ formed by the tread and riser. It is also important when designing balustrades to ensure that they are not easy to climb, particularly by children. To make it easier to create compliant designs, Sapphire has developed CABS (Computer Aided Balustrade Specifier), a
free online tool which guides users with recommendations for example compliant handrail diameter and glass infill thickness, and SES (Structural Evaluation System) for producing bespoke structural calculations for individual balustrades or handrail projects. SES provides the necessary data to determine whether a proposed design complies with structural requirements. As well as providing architects and specifiers with advice and support for the technical aspects of a balustrade project, Sapphire is committed to developing innovative solutions that deliver the optimum mix of style and best value. This can be seen in the use of Sapphire’s new Aluma system for balcony balustrades at an award-winning development of social and private housing in the West Midlands. Many of the balconies for canal-side apartments at Walsall Waterfront South incorporate Sapphire’s new Aluma semi-frameless aluminium and glass balustrades.
Strength and style With this innovative design option, glass infill panels simply slot into Aluma baluster uprights and/or handrail profiles, removing the clutter of traditional patch lugs and leaving a sleek, crisp appearance. Whilst vertical bar balustrades were used on houses and two smaller blocks of apartments, Sapphire’s Aluma system was used
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Balustrade designs must comply with relevant British Standards relating to structural performance in various design applications, and Building Regulations such as Document M
widely for balconies to apartments in phases 1 and 3. Additionally, phase 2 included curved balconies and balustrades to facades facing the canal to bring movement into the building design. Sapphire created real value by offering a cost-effective solution, and not just for the initial purchase but with a product that combines the aesthetic styling of a structural glass balustrade with the long lasting, low maintenance benefits of high grade aluminium, thereby eliminating the corrosion issues associated with mild steel galvanized balustrades. Developer Jessup worked with
Staffordshire-based architect S P Faizey and Sapphire to produce balustrades for full-balconies, roof top terraces and Juliet balconies to complement the development’s mix of one- and twobedroom apartments. The applications ranged from individual bolt on balconies to long runs divided with privacy screens. The project’s architect feels that Sapphire’s new semi-frameless Aluma replicates the look of a much more expensive system. He comments: “With no obvious glass fixings, Sapphire’s Aluma balustrades really enhance the look of Walsall Waterfront South and give residents clear views over the
Sapphire's flexible design and manufacturing expertise ensured that custom features could be incorporated
water. In fact, Sapphire has proved such a success here that we’ve already specified their balustrades for other projects.” Sapphire’s Aluma balustrades have been used for over 250 balconies on four of the residential buildings at Walsall Waterfront South. The project involved a variety of balcony types and
Richards Close offers an affordable alternative to residential care for older people with the reassurance of 24-hour staffing and communal facilities
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Value engineering As well as providing useful outdoor space for residents, particularly in apartments with no private gardens, well designed balconies can enhance the facade and give the building a unique signature. SP Faizey’s Principal Architect, comments: “We believe in value engineering every project and are always looking for best value solutions that enable us to achieve the desired look and
performance within budget, like Sapphire’s new Aluma system.” In addition to capital cost, it’s important to consider lifetime costs and maintenance when specifying balustrades, he says: “Designing balcony balustrades with glass panels creates a lighter effect inside and out, and the glass just needs cleaning, while painted metal uprights will require re-painting at some point.” In a social housing project at Richard’s Close in Harrow, Sapphire has provided safe and stylish internal and external balustrades to enhance retirement living for elderly residents. Balcony terraces and stairways in two new blocks of purpose-designed apartments feature several different balustrade solutions from Sapphire’s aluminium and stainless steel systems. Sapphire’s flexible design and manufacturing expertise ensured that custom features could be incorporated to create a ‘bespoke’ package for the multi-million pound project, from Iroko hardwood handrails to colour laminated glass infill panels, to complement the apartments’ vibrant facades. Constructed by Mansell for Octavia and Harrow Churches Housing Association, Richards Close offers an affordable alternative to residential care for older people with the reassurance of 24-hour staffing and communal facilities. Of the 76 apartments, 47 offer extra care facilities, seven have wheelchair access and the remaining 22 provide shared ownership accommodation. Mansell’s Regional Director comments: “Sapphire was able to provide high quality, best value balustrade solutions by combining elements from different standard ranges to satisfy both the practical and aesthetic specification of Richards Close which was named ‘Best New Place to Live’ in the London Planning Awards.”
Tailored solutions
Balustrades provide a vital protective barrier where there is a change in level greater than 600mm in dwellings
Sapphire’s Aluma aluminium system was chosen in a low maintenance bluegrey polyester powder coated finish for upper storey balconies and ground floor terraces in both apartment buildings. Aluma balusters are combined with either aluminium or hand-finished hardwood handrails and, where used, infill panels of 10mm clear, coloured or pre-etched satin glass to suit individual building elevations. All balcony balustrades and fixings are designed to
At Richard's Close in Harrow, Sapphire provided safe and stylish internal and external balustrades to enhance retirement living for elderly residents
meet the regulatory design load for this application of 0.74kN/m. In addition, Sapphire supplied balustrades to all internal stairways at Richards Close using a variety of systems from its collection. The main staircase features Sapphire’s Onyx satin polished stainless steel system. Balustrades for escape stairs in each building are manufactured using the Opal polyester powder coated steel balusters and handrails. All staircase balustrades have clear toughened glass infill panels to create a light, open feel to the stairways, and handrails are specially designed to be ergonomically suitable for disabled users in accordance with Building Regulations Document M/BS 5395:2010. Summing up, Nick Haughton says that achieving the right handrail, balcony or balustrade solution can be a complex process. Finding an experienced company that can provide reliable service and support throughout the design and specification process is critical to minimising time and hassle on site. And in social housing situations the ultimate need is a supplier that offers the best value balance between capital costs, installation costs, and lifetime costs.
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sizes, including some with curved glass balustrades, a requirement which posed little problem for Sapphire’s glass design expertise. The aluminium balusters are finished in grey powder coating to match other elements of the facades. Sapphire manufactured and installed the balustrades as part of a complete project package – Juliette balconies are fixed to the buildings’ steel framework while full balconies are top fixed to the steel frame of each balcony. Walsall Waterfront South received a Southern Staffordshire Design Award and was successful in two categories in the National Waterways Renaissance Awards. Architect, S P Faizey, says balconies are becoming an increasingly popular feature for private and social housing developments and are even promoted by some planners.
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enq 073 sales@sapphirebalustrades.com ( 0844 8800 553
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The end of 2012 gave social housing window and door specialist Nationwide Windows plenty to celebrate as it walked away with the Chartered Institute of Housing Welsh Housing Award for Most Community Focussed Contractor, and the coveted National Home Improvement Council's Excellence in Glazing awards 2012.
Resident satisfaction is at 97%, and most importantly, the company has helped to create the foundations for a lasting legacy
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ith a 25 year heritage, specialist door and window manufacturer and fenestration solutions provider Nationwide Windows has particular expertise in the social housing and new build sectors. The company provides turnkey manufacture and installation solutions to many of the UK’s leading housing associations, local authorities and house builders. Hundreds of thousands of properties have been refurbished or built using windows and doors from Nationwide across all types of design and materials. As specialist in fenestration solutions to RSLs, Nationwide Windows is used to seeing the positive effect that window and door improvements have on residents’ lives, but a recent study shows for the first time just how far reaching this impact can be. The Decent Homes Impact Study, a
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Window upgrades reap benefits
fitting Secured by Design windows; just under £2m savings on tenant fuel bills; saving to NCH of £241,800 due to reduced burglaries; and improved property SAP rating of 68 out of 100. With influence from this programme and study, the Government announced in autumn 2012 the release of the final tranche of £45m for the NCH Decent Homes programme. After being awarded the contract to upgrade 3410 of Cartrefi Cymendol Gwynedd’s (CCG) 6297 homes in Gwynedd to Welsh Housing Quality Standard, Nationwide invested £475,000 in a manufacturing facility in Bangor, an area with high unemployment in Gwynedd, creating 35 new jobs including 10 apprenticeships. Performance headlines include 97.75% recycling; 40,178kg C02 savings and a potential £303.28pa saving per household, thanks to ‘A’ rated windows as standard. As well as using local labour and suppliers including local scaffolding, asbestos specialists, merchants, the team actively works with CCG tenant groups and local charitable initiatives, including Tenant Choice Events and fun days. Resident satisfaction is at 97%, and most importantly, the company has helped to create the foundations for a lasting legacy.
enq 074 sales@nationwidewindows.co.uk ( 01788 569228
joint project between Nottingham City Homes (NCH), Nottingham Business School and Nottingham Trent University, focuses on the softer and less tangible benefits of Decent Homes known in Nottingham as the Secure, Warm, Modern programme (SWM) – the aim of which is to bring 28,500 council homes up to and above the Decent Homes standard. Three individual reports were commissioned focusing on Energy Efficiency and Fuel Poverty, Health and Well-being, and Crime Impact. As a key partner manufacturing and installing the windows and doors for the SWM programme, to date Nationwide Windows has replaced single-glazed windows with ‘A’ rated double-glazed windows in 13,700 NCH properties. The window and door replacement programme had a significant impact across each of the three areas analysed including a 50% drop in burglaries after
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Hundreds of thousands of properties have been refurbished or built using windows and doors from Nationwide across all types of design and materials
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Education Focus
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In the second of its 2013 quarterly supplements, PSBJ will be taking an in-depth look at the latest projects, products and technologies pushing boundaries in the field of education. This specially-produced focus will be ideal for even the most demanding of specifiers! To subscribe today free of charge, go to www.psbj.co.uk/subscription To submit editorial content for the editor's consideration or to enquire about advertising spaces, contact Mixed Media Information Ltd. on 01622 232 702, or email sam@mixedmediainfo.com Image: Richmond School in North Yorkshire, opened in 2012 by Lord Coe - as featured in the September issue of PSBJ
Housing Focus
Space Air unveils new generation of heat pumps
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The split systems consist of an integrated indoor unit, an all-in-one packaged floorstanding heat pump unit including a 180 or 260l domestic hot water storage cylinder
and the system can be optimised to the highest efficiency levels, whilst also providing energy consumption feedback. Space Air’s dedicated sales, marketing and engineering division serving the residential market, supply every Space Air Daikin Altherma system complete with essential accessories, designed and manufactured by Space Air in-house to ISO 9001 quality standards. The accessories fully optimise the efficiency of the heat pump systems, reduce on-site installation time and ensure that each system is a replica of the next for reduced trouble shooting problems and ease of accessing spare parts. Additionally Space Air commissions every supplied system to guarantee the manufacturer warranty and produces literature with the residential consumer in mind including quick guides for the controller.
enq 076 marketing@spaceair.co.u k ( 01483 504883
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Space Air, official Daikin distributor, has announced the launch of the new generation of Daikin Altherma low temperature, split air-towater heat pump systems. The improved range of domestic heat pumps, manufactured by renewable energy expert Daikin Europe, will provide the highest levels of comfort and energy efficiency, up to 500+% (5.04 COP) efficient, even in severe weather conditions.
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he new range builds on the already-renowned existing technology and includes a new smaller 4kW heat pump unit designed and optimised specifically for low energy homes, which have lower heating requirements than normally insulated homes. The systems up to 16kW are suitable for both new-build and refurbishment. This highly-reliable system maintains the perfect indoor temperature and provides the necessary hot water requirements throughout the year, with hardly any need for additional backup heater. When used in conjunction with underfloor heating or with Daikin’s own individually-controlled, heat pump convector units (or combined), the Daikin Altherma heat pump can be used for both heating and cooling the home too. The split systems consist of an
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integrated indoor unit, an all-in-one packaged floor-standing heat pump unit including a 180 or 260l domestic hot water storage cylinder – which takes up very little space (w60 x h170 x d74cm). When no domestic hot water is required or when a connection to a thermal solar system is needed, a wall-hung indoor unit can be offered. The connecting outdoor unit has frost protection features designed to avoid freezing and ice buildup in severe winter conditions, so it’s guaranteed to perform even when the outside temperature is down to -25°C.
Optimised efficiency The new range also boasts a new stylish and intuitive control interface. This intelligent control unit can be accessed from the indoor unit or remote and means that day-to-day operation is straightforward for the consumer
This highly-reliable system maintains the perfect indoor temperature and provides the necessary hot water requirements throughout the year
Housing Focus
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Housing Focus
Minimising refurbishment disruption
Refurbishments in social housing can prove demanding due to the disruption of access for tenants. As such, contractors can be faced with tight timescales and deadlines that require a job to be completed as quickly as possible. Specifying the most appropriate subfloor preparation products is key to the installation, as Steven Boulton, Technical Service Manager for F. Ball and Co, explains.
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application and speed, to ensure a project is completed efficiently and without delay. The refurbishment of the kitchen flooring throughout the social housing scheme needed to be completed as quickly as possible to avoid the disruption of access for residents. Contactors began the project by removing the old floorcoverings and remaining adhesive residue before priming the subfloor with a general-purpose neoprene primer, which was used to promote adhesion of the smoothing underlayment to the subfloor. F. Ball’s Stopgap Fast-Track 30 smoothing underlayment was then installed in the different kitchens to create level, safe and hardwearing subfloor
surfaces for the residents. With a practical working time of 10 to 15 minutes, the product has an early walk on time of just 30 minutes and allows textile and resilient floorcoverings to be installed over absorbent subfloors after only 45 minutes. Furthermore, its rapid drying and rapid setting characteristics are provided through the use of new cement binder technology. This product is also ideal for clinical or sensitive environments thanks to its protein-free formula, which helps to reduce bacteria and mould growth in kitchens and bathroom settings.
Durable bond Following the installation of the smoothing underlayment, Styccobond F44 acrylic adhesive was used to adhere the Polysafe floorcoverings to the prepared subfloors. Styccobond F44 adhesive is designed to give a high-bond strength and strong initial tack, allowing for a strong and durable bond between the floorcovering and the subfloor. John Woolgar of General Furnishing, explains: “Stopgap Fast-Track 30 was the perfect product for the job as it allowed us to be able to finish several kitchens in one day, something we weren’t able to do before. This meant the kitchens were back in use after only a short space of time, which was ideal for the tenants and for us as it allowed us to get to our next job without any delay.”
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hen contractors at General Furnishing were asked to complete a series of kitchen flooring refurbishments for a social housing scheme in Chesterfield, contractors needed to complete the installation within a short timescale. The subfloor – the surface that the new floorcovering is adhered to – needed to be primed, smoothed, and ready to receive a new vinyl floorcovering as quickly as possible, without compromising the quality or finish of the installation. F. Ball and other flooring product manufacturers are responsible for the research and development of subfloor solutions that promote both ease of
The subfloor needed to be primed, smoothed, and ready to receive a new vinyl floorcovering as quickly as possible
enq 079 * mail@f-ball.co.uk ( 01538 361633
The refurbishment of the kitchen flooring throughout the social housing scheme needed to be completed promptly to avoid the disruption of access for residents
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Integrated communal heating Tenants on the Hickman estate in Wolverhampton are benefiting from a ÂŁ12m investment as part of the Wolverhampton Homes Decent Homes programme. The two high-rise blocks on the estate, Wodensfield Tower and William Bentley Court, are being completely refurbished and now benefit from the installation of an Evinox communal heating system in each block, which is more energy efficient than individual boilers. Evinox engineers designed the system from sizing the heating and hot water outputs required for each apartment, the pipework system and routing, pumps and flow rates required to circulate the primary energy and the power required in the plant room to drive the system. This reduced cost and ensured that the correct heating systems was specified for each block.
Enhanced efficiency
Wodensfield Tower and William Bentley Court now benefit from the installation of an Evinox communal heating system in each block, which is more energy efficient than individual boilers
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communal heating system supplies heat to a number of dwellings from a common heat source or Energy Centre. The Evinox communal heating systems at Wodensfield Tower and William Bentley Court include ModuSat heat interface units in each dwelling, which are powered by central boiler plant equipment located in plant rooms sited adjacent to the high rise blocks. The ModuSats convert the heat generated by the Energy Centre into independent, fast recovery hot water and high efficiency heating for each residence. This removes the requirement for individual boilers and a gas supply in each home. This type of heating system provides end users with the same autonomy as if they had their own boiler and tank and just as with their own independent heat source they pay for only the energy they use. There is no requirement for a flue, gas supply or additional room ventilation in each dwelling, making installation simpler,
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with easy access for servicing and minimal maintenance requirements. Wolverhampton Homes’ specification of Evinox for this project proved invaluable in terms of the M&E support and design input provided.
Another key consideration was the ability to source the central plant equipment from the same supplier as part of an integrated package. Two Evinox ADI CD packaged boiler skids were chosen for each building, which due to their compact design and the ease and speed of installation, removed the need and cost of a temporary boiler house. The pre-packaged skids contain 400kW Evinox ADI CD boilers which provide excellent seasonal efficiency
Two-way command and communication SmartTalk™ Communal Heating Technology
Residents benefit from Evinox SmartTalk technology, which enables the system in each apartment to be remotely metered, controlled, interrogated and tested
Housing Focus performance and ecological combustion with impressive class 5 NOx figures of < 10ppm and CO around 47 ppm. The skids are also fitted with Pressosmart pressurisation sets and AnoPro corrosion protection.
Simple management
Two Evinox ADI CD packaged boiler skids were chosen for each building, which due to their compact design and the ease and speed of installation, removed the need and cost of a temporary boiler house
The Modusat heat interface unit in each apartment includes an integrated energy meter, which accurately records each individual’s energy consumption, and ensures that residents only pay for the proportion of energy that they use. Wolverhampton Homes decided the Evinox PaySmart metering solution was perfectly suited for its residents at Wodensfield Tower and William Bentley Court. The PaySmart system enables residents to be in control of their own energy bills by paying for the energy as they need it, and therefore removing any burden of building up unpaid bills or debt. This solution also takes away the collection of money by the housing association.
apartments can be monitored and controlled without the need to visit site for example – properties can be left on frost protection until tenants are assigned, then the heating can be turned on remotely prior to move in; SMS text message control facility enables occupiers to set heating and hot water remotely and view consumption; avoids unnecessary call-outs as a result of simple user error; and provides data logging of apartment temperatures to avoid disputes.
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By installing communal heating at Wodensfield Tower and William Bentley Court, it removes the requirement for high rise gas infrastructure throughout each building and the associated risks that come with this. There is also no requirement for individual boilers in each apartment, which reduces the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and the need for annual gas inspections. The removal of the boiler flues also improves the aesthetics of the buildings. When designing a communal heating system, energy metering, monitoring and billing should be a key consideration from the outset, to ensure the best solution is provided for the residents and the building owner or operator.
enq 080 info@evinox.co.uk ( 01372 722277
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Smart monitoring
Evinox ModuSats convert the heat generated by the Energy Centre into independent, fast recovery hot water and high efficiency heating for each residence
The residents on the Hickman Estate are also benefiting from Evinox SmartTalk technology, which enables the system in each dwelling to be remotely metered, controlled, interrogated and tested. The Modusat software has the ability to not only download data from the heat interface unit but to also upload data to provide control remotely. The two-way control system provides a number of important benefits: the system in each apartment can be fully controlled remotely, including timings and settings, giving remote diagnostic capability and client support; fault alarms can be checked by testing the operation of components; empty
“By installing communal heating at Wodensfield Tower and William Bentley Court, the requirement for high rise gas infrastructure is removed ”
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Housing Focus
Daikin aids Green Deal trial project Daikin Altherma air-to-water heat pumps have been chosen to provide heating and hot water systems for 21 houses in Penwithick, as part of Cornwall Council's Green Deal trial project. Penwithick, a village to the north of St Austell, is off the gas network with varying housing types which are, therefore, categorised as hard-to-treat properties.
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pproximately 80 properties are participating in the trial with each receiving an average of around £10,000 of energy efficiency and renewable energy measures. The funding for this has been supplied in full by Cornwall Council’s Green Cornwall Programme. Ocean Services (SW), of St. Austell, Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) approved suppliers, carried out the installation of the Daikin Altherma Low Temperature Monobloc air-to-water heat pumps, together with new domestic hot water cylinders also supplied by Daikin UK. Phil Smith, Managing Director of Ocean Services, says: “We were very happy to work with the council to provide renewable measures to households at no cost to them.” Local residents in Penwithick are delighted with their new installations. Mrs Tregenza says: “We are very happy with the heat pump and it provides us with warmth at just the right temperature.” Mrs Joyce Keevil adds: “It’s early days yet with regard to energy savings, but we are happy with the installation so far.” Following an initial site survey, the
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BRE (Building Research Establishment) advised which renewable measures were the most feasible in terms of installation and projected energy efficiency. The BRE will be monitoring heat pump efficiency and how these are actually used over the next 12 months.
Affordable warmth Daikin UK has commissioned the new Daikin Altherma Low Temperature Monobloc air-to-water heat pumps at Penwithick and householders have subsequently been shown how to use these and provided with a user guide outlining what to expect from the technology. The heat pump system comprises only an outdoor heat pump unit and an indoor domestic hot water cylinder. The outdoor heat pump contains the key hydraulic components, such as circulation pump and expansion vessel to minimise the installation effort and indoor space requirements. This self-contained system is designed to turn energy from the outside air into heat for both space and hot water heating. As the heat pumps consist of a sealed refrigerant
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Daikin UK has commissioned the new Daikin Altherma Low Temperature Monobloc air-to-water heat pumps at Penwithick, as part of Cornwall Council's Green Deal trial project
unit, refrigerant handling and associated qualifications are not necessary. The Daikin Altherma LT Monobloc was chosen as it suits properties where internal space is at a premium. Lower capacity Monobloc models (6kW and 8kW) are particularly suitable for smaller properties and are designed specifically for the UK housing sector, targeting fuel poor, off-gas properties. Air-to-water heat pumps are fast becoming an excellent alternative to traditional heating and hot water systems in both new build and refurbishment applications. There is likely to be increasing demand, particularly due to the proposed RHI incentives and the Green Deal ECO ‘Affordable Warmth’ targets, which encourage their take-up. The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditation provides customer assurance that installations will achieve the highest efficiencies and will meet rigorous and consistent government standards. MCS certification and an assessment is needed to meet Permitted Development Rights (planning requirements) in England. Since December 2011, air-to-water heat pumps have not required planning permission in certain circumstances and where installed on domestic premises including houses and flats. However, guidance and limitations exist with regard to siting in specific locations, no less than 1m from the property boundary, as well as meet specific noise criteria, and must be installed to MCS standards.
enq 081 solutions@daikin.co.uk ( 0845 641 9000
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Lower capacity Monobloc models are particularly suitable for smaller properties and are designed specifically for the UK housing sector, targeting fuel poor, off-gas properties
Housing Focus Online enquiry 082
Public Sector Build Journal
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Housing Focus
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