Reducing shower downtime in Midlothian Housing

As a social housing landlord, Midlothian Council owns and maintains over 7000 rented homes across the South East of Scotland, stretching from Penicuik to Dalkeith. The properties, maintained by the inhouse Building Maintenance Service, are available to residents of varying ages and with varying accessibility requirements, meaning all bathrooms must be adapted to facilitate independence.

However, with ongoing quality issues stemming from previous suppliers, shower breakdowns were becoming an increasing issue. As a result, the council was receiving a growing number of tenant complaints due to disruption caused by product downtime. In many cases, faults could not be easily fixed due to long lead times for replacement parts, meaning the whole unit would require replacement – causing a rise in maintenance costs and an unsustainable outlay.

n A promising partnership

With extensive experience in specifying accessible showering solutions across multi-location housing associations and the care sector, Ron Henderson, Senior Sales Manager – Scotland & North England – at Triton, worked with Scott McCormack, Stores Officer at Midlothian Council, to find a long-term solution. The partnership began in October 2021, with Ron recommending Triton’s Omnicare Ultra thermostatic shower – a versatile, safe, and easy-tofit model that offers ease of showering for a range of capabilities. With the combined principles of design, safety and simplicity, the shower includes thermostatic temperature control and a soft press, audible stop/start button for tactical operation and ease of use.

After a successful trial, 53 showers were initially installed across properties in the council’s district, with a further 40-50 showers being installed every month since.

Ron Henderson said: “The Omnicare Ultra has provided a great solution for Midlothian Council’s inclusivity requirements. With no need to change pipework, the simple installation process allowed us to fit replacements quickly and with minimal disruption.

Beauflor heads to Housing 2023

With sheet vinyl floors that offer benefits for housebuilders, developers, local authorities and housing associations, as well as tenants; Beauflor will be one of the exhibitors at this June’s Housing 2023 show in Manchester. The three-day show is Europe’s largest housing festival and sees delegates attend to collaborate, learn and converse on what needs to be achieved to improve the lives of people the sector houses.

Beauflor will use Housing 2023 to introduce its sheet vinyl floors to the sector and demonstrate how these can meet the quality and affordability challenges of the sector, while providing tenants with a floor that’s homely, comfortable and easy to look after. Through Beauflor Pro ranges that offer commercial performance levels in domestic looks, providers can ensure a floor that’s not just lasting but one that also helps to create a good quality home for tenants.

On show will be vinyl floors that can meet the requirements of all types of housing. Cost-effective and fast to install thanks to a sheet format, ranges such as Blacktex, Quintex, Smartex and Xtreme provide a surface that’s not only durable, but also simple to maintain and which stays looking good throughout use. Combined with natural wood and tile designs, as well as popular modern looks like concrete and terrazzo, the result is an attractive floor that tenants find easy to live. And with enhanced

“As the Omnicare range has a failure rate well below 1%, issues have been few and far between, while our enhanced repair service has provided added reassurance that a Triton engineer can be on site to resolve any faults and supply spare parts on the same day, if needed.

“I was also able to fast track the delivery and installation process by using distributors that were already on the council’s procurement list, as well as suggesting shower accessories – such as support railings – to help improve accessibility further, where required.”

“The Omnicare Ultra has provided a great solution for Midlothian Council’s inclusivity requirements. With no need to change pipework, the simple installation process allowed us to fit replacements quickly and with minimal disruption.”

Scott McCormack Stores Officer at the Midlothian Council added: “Product failure has dropped substantially since our partnership with Triton began. On top of this, Triton’s same day repair service means shower downtime has been kept to a minimum, avoiding any ongoing disruption.

“Ron has been extremely helpful throughout the entire process, from setting up the partnership, through to coordinating distribution channels and providing installer training for new starters. We look forward to continuing our relationship in the future.”

For more information about Triton Showers and its range of Omnicare electric care showers, please visit: www.tritonshowers.co.uk/omnicare-electric-range

“...providers can ensure a floor that’s not just lasting but one that also helps to create a good quality home for tenants.” benefits, such as improved noise absorption and slipresistance or suitability for high-traffic public areas, providers can create a floor specification that works for every room and every type of housing.

Beauflor ranges are also the only sheet vinyl floors available for social housing five-metre wide. Free from seams after installation in all but the largest of public areas, the seamless finish provides a 100% water-resistant and a more authentic natural look.

Chris Roberts, regional sales director, Beauflor says: “We’re excited to be exhibiting at Housing 2023 as it gives us a chance to engage with providers and demonstrate how our sheet vinyl floors are the ideal solution for social and affordable homes.”

You can find Beauflor at Stand D59 Housing 2023, 27-29 June, Manchester Central. For more information, visit www.beauflor.co.uk

Forbo Allura: innovative commercial LVT made with passion

In response to the ever-changing trends in commercial design, Forbo Flooring Systems has refreshed its popular Allura Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) collection. Introducing new on-trend shapes, plank sizes and a range of contemporary designs, the new collection provides specifiers and architects with an array of innovative and fresh LVT designs to create modern, yet practical flooring schemes. The range includes a brand new, highly contemporary gradient wood plank, which features a graded light to dark design at random intervals of the plank, as well as a twine wood effect, a hybrid between wood, stone and textile. At the other end of the spectrum abstract designs such as the new digitally printed Sky and Cloud designs.

The new collection also sees the launch of a series of new plank and tile sizes including a modern, elegant 75x15cm plank in a palette of 10 colourways to help accentuate the laying pattern and designed to meet the demands of the growing herringbone trend, as well as larger 150x20cm planks in serene oak and twine designs. There are new tile sizes too, 100x50cm and 75x25cm, which broaden the possibilities of flooring design further.

In the development of the new Allura collection, Forbo continued its work in increasing the sustainability of its portfolio. Produced in Europe based on zero waste principles and using 100% green electricity, Allura is 100% phthalate free, REACH compliant and contains up to 30% recycled content.

FORBO FLOORING SYSTEMS: www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/allura

Altro Tegulis creates colourful, homely feel for Sanctuary Housing

Altro Tegulis tile-effect wall panels have added a splash of colour with a luxury feel in Sanctuary Housing’s latest affordable development.

Sanctuary Housing, a large housing association based in Worcester, wanted to explore wall cladding rather than tiles for the kitchens and bathrooms in their latest affordable housing complex of 16 flats. This need was driven by the shortage of tiling contractors in the local area and the risk of tiles and grout getting dirty very quickly.

“The look and feel we wanted was a hotel-type design, and we were considering something more colourful and decorative. We have used Altro Whiterock before and have always found it to be a great product in high traffic areas, giving us a lot of confidence in its performance. We were really pleased to discover Altro Tegulis,” says Neil Ruecroft, Head of Construction at Sanctuary Group.

Altro Tegulis™ tile-effect wall panels offer the ideal alternative to traditional tiles for wet rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and retail spaces. With a range of tile-effect patterns offering a grout-free alternative to tiles, Altro Tegulis offers a more familiar feeling than traditional wall panel sheets.

“Altro talked us through all the colour and tile-effect combinations of Altro Tegulis and then provided us with mock-up designs for the bathrooms which looked really good,” explains Neil. “We decided to give it a go and Altro put us in touch with MI Contracts, Altro Whiterock Premier Installers who were highly experienced in using Altro Whiterock.”

ALTRO: www.altro.co.uk