Architect Michael Jarvis explains why he always turns to Sunparadise balcony enclosures when he is looking to improve both design and living standards in high-rise housing association accommodation. After more than a decade of designing the winter garden sun pods into social housing he remains a firm believer in their value to householder amenity and energy conservation.
Read more on Pages 4/5
n HEATING, VENTILATION, CONDENSATION & MOULD CONTROL
16. Changing the way we build homes - 5 years on 5 years on from his first blog for Mitsubishi Electric, HA Magazine hears from George Clarke as he revisits house building to see what has changed and what hasn’t!
n FIRE PROTECTION & TENANT SAFETY
30. Your smoke control maintenance FAQs to Colt: the 2023 update
When new customers contact Colt about setting up their contracts, the company frequently get asked a few common questions. If you have just taken over management of a new building and are unsure about where to start with your fire safety systems maintenance schedule, this article may have some of the answers you are looking for...
n EXTERIOR BUILDING ENVELOPE
38. Think Marley for sustainable solutions
With a range of integrated solar PV options, award-winning safety-first solar connectors and an EV charging solution, Daniel Redfern, Marketing Manager at Marley, looks at how a single source strategy can aid the specification process.
n KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, INTERIORS & INCLUSIVE DESIGN
44. Upstairs and Downstairs - Leak Resistant Wet Rooms
For many social tenants, the idea of a wet room is far from a luxury, but a necessity, however some landlords express concern at the idea of installing wet rooms on upper floors. Stuart Reynolds, UK Marketing & Product Management Director at AKW, discusses how wet rooms are not just for downstairs installs and how they can be specified – with confidence - upstairs too.
n DOORS, WINDOWS, ACCESS & SECURITY
50. Understanding what housing associations want HA Magazine hears from Birmingham-based window and door manufacturer Shelforce about how their recently received Kings Award demonstrates the companys laser focus on social values and social housing.
n REFURBISHMENT & MAINTENANCE
58. The benefits of SprayCork for retrofitting UK social housing
With todays UK housing stock being one of the oldest in Europe, many houses are affected by mould and damp largely caused by poor ventilation. HA hears how SprayCork, a sustainable and eco-friendly sprayed cork coating for walls and ceilings from CorkSol UK, can eliminate penetrating damp and condensation forming on surfaces.
n THE TEAM
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Contributing Editor: Joe Bradbury
Press & Editorial Enquiries: please forward to press@hamag.co.uk 01827 301 192
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Building Specifiers can subscribe free of charge to this magazine. To receive HA Magazine please visit: www.euromediaal.com/housingassociation-magazine
n PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT
HA is published ten times a year. Printed in England. All rights reserved. No part of HA may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without prior permission of the editor. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content, the editor and publisher do not accept responsibility for errors or loss and damage caused by any statement, claims or observations made by contributors, authors or their agents. HA
n The brief:
Abercromby Street is a landmark development of affordable homes for rent from Thenue Housing – one of the leading social housing providers in Glasgow.
The brief was to create 77 houses and flats to address the ongoing need to provide homes where people want to live.
Working in conjunction with architects MAST and developer Cruden, the stylish and impressive development has transformed a location in the East End of the city which previously had been derelict land.
The location sits on the boundary of two historic Glasgow communities –Bridgeton and Calton which are currently the focus of widespread regeneration efforts.
n The outcome:
MAST and the design team - including window and balcony supplier Sunparadiseare well versed in the creation of social housing with a long track record of working with – and understanding very clearly the brief of housing associations.
Accommodation comprises a mix of flats and houses of various sizes, including dedicated wheelchair provision, with all dwellings facilitating easy future adaptation. A linear flatted block along Abercromby Street provides strong definition to the street edge, rising to seven storeys at its southern end.
There were challenges thrown up by the enduring effects of the pandemic but the task, as always, was to complete the development timeously to meet tenants’ aspirations and eagerness to move into their new homes.
Interestingly, the completion of the homes took Thenue’s stock level past 3,000 properties – a milestone in the Association’s 44 year history.
n
A key feature of the Abercromby Street development is the Sunparadise balcony enclosures, a product that offers outdoor amenity space to tenants without them having to leave their properties.
Given the site’s urban location, external space remains at a premium. To compensate, each flatted dwelling has access to Sunparadise sunspace pods, which can be opened or closed as weather permits, offering residents their own private semi-external space.
Architecturally these pods provide verticality within the flatted block’s horizontal emphasis, elongating its height on the prominent southern corner and referencing the traditional bay windows of Glasgow’s tenements.
The end result is an impressive and large scale development of energy efficient homes and where the feedback from those living there is overwhelmingly positive.
“And the idea is the balcony is never an afterthought, it’s part of the inclusive design.”
n The design lead:
MAST Architects Director, Michael Jarvis, who has been using Sunparadise’s balcony systems for 15 years, said they had been key to improving both design and living standards in high-rise accommodation.
He explained: “When we’re building in city areas or built up areas there’s a lack of private amenity space, and even when you have communal amenity space it tends to not be very well used.
“Traditional balconies can only be used very rarely throughout the year.
“For me, what Sunparadise products do, especially in the west of Scotland with our inclement and damper weather, is provide a much needed and much used additional space that can be used all year round.
“They provide additional warmth, light and security.
“The space is always a great addition to the property and is loved by all who have them, who use them in a wide variety of ways.
“We try as hard as possible to have the balconies facing east, west or south, not north, to get as much sun as possible.
“And the idea is the balcony is never an afterthought, it’s part of the inclusive design.”
He continued: “With this project we went with an all black effect as we were trying to create a more understated aesthetic, by stacking the pods and using the black contrast against the brick.
“In the past we’ve used a whole range of colours but I think with the height and the scale of this one, it helps to integrate it, it becomes a cleaner feature.”
n Why do you use Sunparadise?
“From my point of view Sunparadise are the market leaders and provide quality service both pre and post contract. Their designers work hand in glove with us to provide the best product for the best value.
“In my opinion they also have first class installers who understand how to put the product together correctly.
“By no means is Sunparadise a cheap product, but if designed properly, specified correctly and installed correctly, you can see the cost benefits.
“In autumn and winter you are creating a winter garden - a thermal buffer from the main living space to the outside.
“You can find when it’s below zero outside, if you’ve got the sunlight it can be warm enough to sit in there without any heating on.
“I’ve been using them for 15 years and they really transformed how we could work.
“It enabled us to create a denser project because you were providing amenity space within the curtilage of the property, allowing you to utilise the external space better.
“It’s been useful for elderly living as well as it allows the infirm to have better access to the outdoors”
n Why are they popular with Housing Associations?
“Housing associations are always trying to create the best living space for their tenants and create whole life living - from young to old.
“The balcony spaces are an integral part of that.
“For a housing association that becomes very important as they want their tenants to live in a well heated, well insulated and well conceived property of which the Sunparadise systems become an integral part of that, whereas some developers are looking to build as quick and cheap as possible.”
“I’ve been using them for 15 years and they really transformed how we could work.”
1. How much difference do you think the company structure and board changes will make to LHC Procurement Group?
Clive: This is the culmination of an 18-month governance review and nine years’ wider work to fully embed our business units across Great Britain, to enable us to better represent our public sector clients’ needs at a local level.
The new structure really recognises our commitment to improving lives in local communities. This is baked into our procurement solutions and delivered through our Community Benefit Fund, which provided almost £275,000 in grants to local community causes across the country in 2022/23.
Simon: At its core, LHC Procurement Group aims to improve lives and help to create places where people want to live, work and play. The changes we have made allow us to build on the quality construction procurement solutions for which we are known and build on our reputation for quality suppliers and driving excellence in the marketplace.
2. How important is it to you that LHC has directly sought board representation from the public sector organisations it works with?
Clive: It is hugely important to us that we understand what is happening out there in the communities in which our frameworks operate, as well as the wider public sector marketplace. We know that to achieve this, we need to work closely with those organisations that are truly embedded in their communities and receiving direct feedback from residents and local businesses.
Simon: In my experience, the organisations that really manage to hone their services to meet their clients’ and customers’ needs are those that are integrating these views and challenges at board level.
3. What are the challenges and opportunities for the next 12 months?
Simon: Building an effective board that provides appropriate oversight, and both supports and guides the executive in delivering our core services, presents an immediate challenge and opportunity. We have some great and dedicated Board Members who understand our mission and how they can help LHC deliver an effective and efficient service to our customers.
Clive: It’s going to be a very exciting, busy 12 months embedding the new board and CLG structure, working to deliver what the public sector needs in terms of social housing, education, and the maintenance and refurbishment of the built environment.
We are using the changes to further sharpen our services and drive excellence in public sector procurement for the construction marketplace and supply chain.
4. What impact do you think LHC can make in public sector construction?
Clive: Our status as a contracting authority providing construction procurement solutions exclusively to the public sector is powerful for our customers. It means we are solely focused on their benefits and challenges, their concerns, their ways of working and can tailor our frameworks and the way we deliver them directly to them.
Simon: Making the best use of scarce resources, and thus maximising value for the taxpayer, is critical to the whole of the public sector and particularly important in construction and capital projects. Effective procurement saves money, improves quality and reduces the lead time on goods and services, therefore enabling our customers to focus on what they are good at.
5. Why do you think good practice procurement is so important for the future of the construction sector?
Clive: Procurement is vital for the construction sector in driving jobs creation, pushing for higher standards against legislation and guidance, and encouraging collaboration to promote innovation and mutual growth.
Simon: One of the ways the UK can speed up our transition to carbon net zero is by expanding our low-carbon housebuilding and major retrofit programmes. Value-led public sector construction frameworks have an important part to play in this, as they can help to guarantee long-term programmes of work and increase market confidence.
LHC Procurement Group’s (LHC) new Board chair Simon Wilson and group managing director Clive Feeney explain what the organisation’s new structure and Board mean for public sector clients and how they are designed to improve the lives of people living within the communities they serve.Clive Feeney Image © LHC Image © Shutterstock
n A sector under scrutiny
We are in a landscape which recognises that even though we’re five years on from the Hackitt Report and progress has been made, we still have a long way to go. The social housing supply chain is under scrutiny now more than ever thanks to the Building Safety Act (BSA), which came into effect on the 1st of April 2023 and will have full implementation by October 2023. The BSA enforces a statutory requirement to produce and maintain a Building Safety case and report, and to instigate and maintain The Golden Thread which requires proof of competency and compliance of personnel and products, in order to keep both buildings and people safe now and in the future. The significant word here is the proof: Those responsible need to be able to demonstrate compliance with applicable building regulations and be able to evidence meeting the requirements of new building controls throughout any design, construction and – significantly for the sector – refurbishment. The days of unread manuals on office shelves, multiple versions of EHS spreadsheets, intermittent supplier quality checks, simple or outdated skill matrices, are gone. We’re entering an era of true accountability, where real cases of corporate manslaughter, fines, reputation ruin and share-holder ruin for those who fail to comply or underestimate its severity.
An efficient organisation is a safe organisation
But far from what some perceive as a big bad admin burden, or ‘health and safety gone mad’, The Golden Thread offers us all a tremendous opportunity for organisations to improve financial and operational performance. It gives the chance to raise the benchmark and get more effective and
efficient by ensuring procedures and people are implemented, measured, evaluated and managed successfully. If organisations do what they are supposed to do and do it well, and this is cascaded throughout the supply chain, the improvement in efficiencies, safety and economics is staggering. After all, the flip side of risk is opportunity. And a massive opportunity here is efficiency. The Get It Right initiative has shown that the construction industry could save between £10-25 billion per annum simply by eliminating error. That’s huge.
Efficiency is a key objective for most organisations. It brings many benefits, like reduction in costs, downtime, waste, double working, errors, and risk. It can even impact on ‘softer’ things like positive culture change, more space for thinking and improved creativity. To improve quality, productivity, safety and sustainability we need to engage leadership and change attitudes.
n Managing compliance and competency at scale
This may all sound great in principle. But how do you start? If you set your competency KPIs too low, they’re not effective; but too high and they demoralise the organisation. You may start off well in your competency and compliance journey, but how do know where and when standards fall short? How do you provide validation at each step, so problems don’t reveal themselves at the point of delivery, or when it’s too late? It’s often easy to manage by department or on a small scale but becomes complex when rolling it our across an entire organisation. How do you evidence, consistently, how you are compliant?
The good news is that it’s beautifully simple if you’ve got the right platform, and help is now at hand with Sysmax’s software platform.
Born of involvement in some of the biggest industrial disasters in history, including Piper Alpha and Deep Water Horizon, I established Sysmax driven by a passion for, in its simplest terms, ensuring people with the right skills are in right place, doing things properly. After many years of investing to get Sysmax recognised as ‘the competency and compliance platform against which all others are judged’ in the oil and gas industry, we decided to share our software’s unparalleled benefits across other sectors. After all, whether in energy, manufacturing, farming, utilities, tourism and even on Hollywood movie sets, we need competency and compliance to keep things safe and efficient. The Grenfell tragedy resonated deeply with me due to personal loss and threat to my own and my family’s lives. I offered to be an expert witness based on two highly explosive properties I had experienced. The publication of the Hackitt Report made social housing and the construction supply chain appropriate markets for our platform. and
By breaking compliance down into a series of steps, the Sysmax Benchmax software platform ensures that everyone can be on the same page when it comes to compliance and competency. This includes:
• Demonstrable progress in compliance with the Building Safety Act
• Demonstrable proof of compliance with the Golden Thread with key suppliers
• Enables upskilling and multi-skilling with always on training and competency standards in the hands of the workforce
• The core roles in social housing covered for competency compliance with common, shared metrics, across the sector
• The core technical challenges for compliance covered and shared across the sector (asbestos, sharps, working at heights etc)
• A new and far more dynamic approach to the management of risk placed in the hands of your workforce and suppliers
• Predicting where your next incident is likely to occur using our ground-breaking AI Risk Management technology
• Automatically schedules regular inspections and audits in the workplace, by your own workforce, to ensure your employees are following your business processes consistently
• Driving efficiency through ensuring the best practice you’ve invested in for many years is used, constantly, across the enterprise and you can both see and prove that it is,
Sysmax software solutions offer ‘out of the box’ compliance with core roles and competency issues ready to go for every social housing landlord, DLO or contractor. The Sysmax apps / digital playbooks – available online and offline - literally place best practice in the hands of role specific jobs (plumbers, joiners, bricklayers, roofers, gas
engineers, and electricians) and validates their use and adherence in real-time. No more searching for supplier manuals, procedures, guidelines or training information - they’re in the app and role specific. This helps to enable culture change whilst driving performance improvement across the organisation, as well as supporting online learning and opportunities for upskilling and multi-skilling operatives. Operatives can also reach out for remote support from experts and receive digital chat or video guidance to fix problems, delivering enormous efficiencies across the sector. It’s a digital see-through of compliance and competency of product and people from start to finish.
Compliance and competency, sewing The Golden Thread are themes that Sysmax is passionate about and we want to help the social housing supply chain, from RSHs, DLOs to contractors and other service providers, not only comply with the BSA, but do things right first time, every time.
Those who have used it say you won’t find a quicker, more elegant, scalable solution to Golden Thread and Building Safety Act compliance and competency management conundrum. Managing our responses to the BSA is more than adherence to regulation; it’s more than a duty of care. It means we can all sleep easier at night.
To help bring all of the above to life and to answer specific questions Housing Association magazine readers may have, we are holding a free, online webinar: Internal & Supply Chain Golden Thread BSA Compliance in Days on the 6th July 11am-12. It is suitable for everyone in the supply chain, including social housing providers, contractors and DLOs who need help to manage their response to the Building Safety Act. The first 20 people who sign up for the webinar will get access to a free two-month trial.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mgD29XLBRcy3laf8MyOxxA
If you can’t make this date but would like a free demo of the software, https://buff.ly/3Vo232p alternatively use the QR code for more information . www.sysmax.com
Over the last couple of years, consumer trust in the gas and electricity industry has dropped significantly. This erosion of trust is primarily based on rising bills, particularly when record profit announcements are made by the big oil and gas producers. When headlines announcing that companies like Shell are making profits of $11.5 billion are published alongside other headlines telling stories of pensioners dying alone in unheated homes, it is no wonder that questions are being asked - and so they should be!
The complexities of the energy supply chain have resulted in a lot of misery on the streets of the UK. The conflation between energy retailers and energy producers creates a confused narrative that is not necessarily the true picture. The retailing part of the entire supply chain is particularly volatile - which is why the UK lost 28 gas and electricity providers back in 2021, leading to 4 million customers being hoovered up into the larger companies. Overall, the erosion of trust is exacerbating the levels of anxiety in our communities.
Translating those obligations into practical, cost effective solutions is Charis’ strength.
A clear example of this is the HACT-Charis partnership, whereby a dedicated portal through the Charis Shop was set up to give housing associations round-the-clock access to energy and cash vouchers.
n Lack of clarity in pricing
There’s a reason why people like Martin Lewis are so popular - he is constantly fighting for the man on the street. The language he uses, the issues he tackles - they are steeped in the everyday importance of saving the pounds and pennies of ordinary working families so that at the end of each month they have more disposable income in their pockets. He navigates the complexities of government policies, the deliberately complex rules and regulations or different services and tariffs, separating the good from the bad, unravelling the small print so that ultimately an individual can make a more informed decision.
“For Charis, working with energy retailers, the real drive is to minimise the impact of the crisis on the most vulnerable in our society...”
products and services readily accessible to help support their own residents.
Whatever the wholesale price, there is a lag behind that increase or decrease before it hits the consumer market, and until there is a greater sense of long-term calm, the predictability of fixed-rate tariffs is not going to be reintroduced.
n Rebuilding that trust through partnerships
Charis has been working with energy retailers since the company was first established 20 years ago and is uniquely positioned to understand and support the role and responsibility of the retailers to individual householders. There remains a statutory obligation for many energy companies to take care of those who are struggling in hardship, poverty or vulnerable circumstances. And there should be a social and moral obligation to help, which connects with wider corporate social responsibilities.
It is the lack of clarity that has led to so much distrust. We all know that energy prices are caught up in the maelstrom of Ukraine, the pandemic, Brexit and any other world event that has taken place over the last few years. But political commentators and pundits all have their own versions of the whys and wherefores. For Charis, working with energy retailers, the real drive is to minimise the impact of the crisis on the most vulnerable in our society and ensure that our social landlord and housing association partners have the
In 2023 so far Charis, in conjunction with its Housing Association partners, has:
• Issued 35,000 energy vouchers
Through the rest of 2023 and into the winter months of 2024, the UK as a whole is going to continue riding the wave of the energy crisis, even if those wholesale prices have dropped. Charis is increasing its efforts to ensure that housing associations and social landlords have access to emergency energy voucher schemes and other warm home discount schemes that will ensure the most vulnerable are not left without light, heat or food. The continuing pressures of poverty will have a marked impact on the emotional and physical well-being of your residents - the more we can work together to mitigate the damage, the stronger we will all eventually emerge from the darkest months.
www.charisgrants.com
• Distributed 18,000 food vouchers worth over £1m; of which nearly 1,000 were for people without power or in an emergency
• Arranged the delivery and installation of over 500 energy efficient white goods
• To date in 2023, Housing Associations have distributed a total of £3.7m via the Charis Shop
InstallerSHOW is the UK’s number one destination for influential installers and specifiers of heat, water, air and energy technology. It is THE place to see and try new product innovations, meet your peers, make connections with manufacturers and gain industry insights to keep your business ahead of the curve.
Returning to the NEC on 27-29 June, this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever, with 400+ exhibitors set to welcome 15,000 industry professionals. Building on it’s success, the 2023 show will feature an expanded offering for visitors to reflect the growing momentum towards net zero solutions.
One key area of this year’s show is the BMA Bathroom Zone. Serving as a hub for brands and bathroom installers alike, the zone will feature a packed three-day programme that promises to inform and entertain with presentations, panel debates and high-profile interviews.
Highlights at the Bathroom Zone include;
- Revolutionising supply: getting materials to you on site, on demand
- E-commerce: Should bathroom brands and installers be afraid?
- Best of Bathrooms with Hansgrohe, VitrA and Coram
- What do consumers really think about the trade, bathroom products and their recently completed projects?
- It’s on you! How can Installers, merchants and specifiers ensure products are safe and perform as they should?
BEAMA, the UK trade association for manufacturers and providers of energy infrastructure technologies and systems, will be hosting the Net Zero by Design feature theatre with a packed timetable of live events.
Featuring guidance from the organisation’s thought leaders, attendees can hear the latest from expert speakers and discover new ways to bring new approaches and technologies to the fore when considering net zero challenges.
Visitors will learn about best practice, find out about new solutions for reaching net zero and decarbonising targets and learn from industry leaders on effective approaches to EV and infrastructure, indoor air quality, heat pumps and electric heating, retrofitting and more.
The two main elemental theatres – Decarbonising Buildings and the Housing Hub – will deliver inspiring panel discussions and educational seminars on everything from delivering low-energy retrofit in hard-to-treat homes to the importance of improving heat network efficiency.
Industry-leading, expert speakers will be sharing their insight and advice for those tasked with making buildings more energy efficient, and confirmed speakers include Carbon Trust, Midland Heart, DESNZ, Orbit Group, Cundall, Heat Trust, Energy UK and Birmingham Energy Institute.
Several exciting keynote speakers and hosts have already been confirmed, with former footballer and TV pundit Gary Neville joining for a live Q&A – he is well known for his enthusiasm for energyefficient buildings, plus his concerns about the number of people in fuel poverty and poor housing. Also confirmed are former housing minister Esther McVey, Greenpeace director Ed Gillespie, environmental journalist Roger Harrabin and The One Show presenter, and eco writer, Lucy Siegle.
There will also be over 400 exhibitors, from industry giants and household names, to up and coming brands and start-ups, with technologies and solutions from across the energy, water, heat and air industries. Experts will be on hand to explain how they might fit within the projects you’re working on and help to overcome the challenges facing the built environment as it strives to meet carbon reduction targets.
Tickets to InstallerSHOW are free, with free parking in designated carparks included. Register for your FREE ticket today at: https://installer-2023-visitor. reg.buzz/hamag-print
With most internet users in the UK now using a smartphone, Sovereign housing association is introducing a new tool which provides customers with even more choice about how they communicate repairs.
Using a remote guidance platform called XM Reality, the video-calling service was rolled out earlier this year.
Originally introduced as a trial to diagnose and resolve boiler issues, the rollout has proven a big hit with customers. So far, 93% of customers who have made use of the service have reported their satisfaction with it.
XM Reality sees customers connected with an advisor which helps Sovereign gain a much quicker understanding of any potential issues, and where possible, talk customers through self-fixes. It can be accessed through a smartphone, laptop or other smart electronic device.
Since its introduction, the tool has been used to successfully fix more than a quarter of the boilerrelated issues which featured in the pilots. By removing the need to visit a customer’s home to carry out simple fixes, it’s also reduced its carbon footprint by more than two million grams of CO2.
Thanks to the success of this pilot, the video triage service is being expanded across the business. The technology will be used to help diagnose and assess
different types of repairs and issues, including reports of damp and mould.
The calls are not designed to replace face-to-face visits, but instead help Sovereign prioritise the most urgent repairs and get a quicker understanding of what fix and parts are required.
Stuart Brookes, Property Services Director at Sovereign said: “We invest heavily in our services, and our aim is to be as accessible as possible for our customers. Supporting them to report issues and communicate digitally with us where possible is a key priority.
“The introduction of video triage across the business is all part of us putting these aspirations into a practice to deliver a quality service, which is more convenient for our customers. The feedback tells us that customers are realising the benefits –and so are we, by cutting our emissions and helping us to prioritise repairs effectively.”
Sovereign, one of the country’s largest housing associations, has also announced it is supporting ten more youth-focused organisations.
Sovereign’s Youth Panel, which is made up of 18-25-year-old customers, helped to decide the winning project which will benefit from The National Lottery Community Fund’s (TNLCF) #iwill Fund.
Since last summer, more than £195,000 has been awarded through the Sovereign #iwill Fund to projects across the south of England.
This is part of its ambition to work with likeminded organisations and create thriving and inclusive communities where people of all ages and backgrounds can flourish. As part of this second round of funding, more than £86,000 has been awarded to help bring these aspirations to life.
Daisy Mummery, Sovereign’s #iwill Fund Project Manager, said: “It’s really exciting to have our second round of grant holders in place. The impact the #iwill Fund is having on young people and communities is incredible, having already generated over £2.1 million in social value so far. I’m looking forward to seeing how our second round of projects contribute to growing this impact further.”
Emily Morris, Sovereign Youth Panel member, added: “The Sovereign #iwill Fund scoring day was a brilliant opportunity to get involved and support on awarding youth social projects funding. I felt empowered by having my own voice and opinion heard, which will go on to encourage youth to have their own say about other potential social youth action in Sovereign communities via #iwill funded projects.”
• Intergenerational Music Making’s Intergenerational Youth Social Action project received £10,000 funding. It will support 50 young people aged 10-18-years-old across Basingstoke and Plymouth to plan, deliver and evaluate a youth-led intergenerational social action project.
• Spotlight UK’s YSAP (Youth Social Action project) was awarded £8,232. 100. At least 100 young people aged 10-18-years-old from schools in Reading, Southampton, Newbury, Andover and Basingstoke will get involved in fundraising, campaigning and volunteering through the project.
• Transition Chipping Norton’s Youth4Future received £7,000 and will involve 50 young people aged 10-17-years-old in Chipping Norton who will be involved in campaigning to improve community facilities across the town.
• Recreate Dorset’s Social Action programme for Young People with Learning Differences will use its £8,560 grant to support 60 young people aged 10-20-years-old in Didcot. They’ll get involved in planning and volunteering at their local annual arts festival as well as other social action activities.
• Didcot TRAIN - Inspiring Young People’s Youth Empowerment project received £9,960.85 funding. It will support 45 young people aged 10-20-years-old in South Oxfordshire to run and develop their charity. The young people will also be involved in designing and running events at their premises The Base, as well as other community projects.
• Youth Challenge Oxfordshire (YoCO)’s YoCO Abingdon Music Event was awarded £4,250. 70 young people aged 13-18-years-old from the Vale of White Horse will be supported to produce their own music, and then plan and host a music event for the community.
• Andover Mind ‘s “Be You” Peer Champions received £9,998.55 and will involve 50 young people aged 11-17-years-old in the Andover area. They’ll be supported to act as peer champions in mental health and wellbeing in the community.
• Revive Newport’s Newport Youth Cafe and Detached Youth Work was given £10,000 funding. It will support 2,000 young people aged 13-19-years-old on the Isle of Wight to get involved in volunteering opportunities in the local community.
• Plymouth Sports Charity’s A Sporting Chance project will use its £9,880 grant to support 50 young people aged 12-14-years-old in Plymouth. They will create, manage and develop a free sports programme and sports festival, delivered to primary school children. The young people will also be able to achieve a recognised sports coaching qualification themselves.
• Imayla CIC’s Nature Well and Wildly Different project received £8,319.13 funding. It will support 30 young people aged 12-16-years-old in Bristol to get involved in environmental social action.
5 years on from his first blog for Mitsubishi Electric, George Clarke revisits house building
It is nearly 5 years since I wrote my very first article for Mitsubishi Electric and the title was ‘Changing the way we build homes. I’m revisiting this to see what has changed and what hasn’t.
With housing, everything has to be seen in a political context because of the complexities of government legislation and well as national planning policies and building regulations.
For any significant, positive change to happen in housing the government (and local councils, combined authorities etc) have to lead and set the agenda.
So, let’s start with a look at government.
Since 2018 we have had four Prime Ministers, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.
We’ve had a staggering amount of carnage, instability and turbulence. Especially, with Liz Truss and her chancellor!
And when it comes to Housing Ministers, I’m not sure you would believe it but it’s been a merry-goround and revolving door of ministers.
Since 2018 we’ve had Dominic Raab; Kit Malthouse; Esther McVey; Christopher Pincher; Stuart Andrew (he managed 5 months); Marcus Jones (2 months); Lee Rowley (7 weeks!); Lucy Fraser (3 months); and now we have Rachel Maclean.
Yes, we have had 9, YES NINE housing ministers in the last 5 years!
And unbelievably we’ve had 6 different ministers hold, what is a staggeringly important post, in just over a year!
No wonder housing in the UK is a total mess.
Of course, in that time we had a global pandemic. But that is no excuse for a housing system that seems to be falling deeper and deeper into crisis.
The average UK house price in 2018 was £248,000. In February 2023 that’s figure was £288,000. That’s a £40,000 increase in just 5 years!
The gap between those lucky enough to be on the housing ladder already and those fighting to get onto the first step is getting greater and greater every year.
Homes are becoming more unaffordable as prices continue to rise and wages stagnate.
Where are the radical planning reforms and financial reforms to mortgages from government to get young people on onto the property ladder?
Why aren’t they coming up with an entire range of brilliant, revolutionary policies that will genuinely begin to turn the tide of a shambolic housing system that Theresa May said in January 2018 was “broken”?
Our younger generations are locked into high-cost, short-term, private-rented accommodation with insecure tenencies unable to plan their future.
That is devastating for so many.
One answer would be for the government to build social housing again.
The government, along with local councils and combined authorities could have placed orders for 100,000 social homes per year every year for the next 40 years.
Amazing, well-designed, precision-built, zero-carbon, social homes could have been manufactured creating a huge, genuinely affordable new housing sector in Britain for all of the hardworking people in this country who otherwise have no chance of living in a secure and stable home.
An ambitious government initiative on this scale would provide a secure and constant supply-chain to all the modular factories that require volume and full order books and it would replace the 4 million homes that have been sold under Right To Buy since the 1980’s.
Factories could have been established all over the country creating thousand and thousands of manufacturing jobs.
Until something this ambitious is announced to try and solve the massive crisis.
It clearly told government to create a pipeline of demand for new homes using modular and MMC. It cried out for more innovation and more R&D and for higher skills in our industry.
All of this could have been solved. The private industry could have ploughed in so much more investment and the government could have turned the tide of an ever-worsening housing crisis, if they had simply placed huge orders for new social housing and released swathes of government owned land to build the housing on.
All 10 Downing Street and Ministers are interested in, is the private housing sector and full home ownership.
They don’t appear to give a monkey about genuinely affordable housing and social housing.
I also think new government ministers have absolutely no idea what previous ministers have announced.
Or they’ve conveniently forgotten and believe that by packaging up a previous idea in a slightly different way it gives them an opportunity to make the same idea look like a new announcement!
In October 2016 the government published The Farmer Review called ‘Modernise or Die’, which called for a big change in how the industry builds new homes.
It recommended investment in ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ (MMC).
The current system simply isn’t working.
It hasn’t worked for decades.
The UK Government has failed to provide housing for its’ population and remember, Housing is one of the 3 pillars of our welfare state, alongside health and education.
Government has got to stop just talking and having the same conversation over and over again …. AND TAKE ACTION.
If they don’t, then I dread to think how much worse things will get and how the nation will react.
This is a shortened version of the full article which can be read here.
https://les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/the-hub/changing-the-way-we-build-homes-5-years-on
“Amazing, well-designed, precisionbuilt, zero-carbon, social homes could have been manufactured creating a huge, genuinely affordable new housing sector in Britain...”Image © Adobe Stock
Cornerstone fully recognise the call for levelling-up and seeking qualifications when dealing with property conditions and, it aligns with our significant number of independent surveys to date for investigating the prevailing issue… damp and mould.
Will qualifications change the approach? Have the processes in place ‘always been done that way’?
What if there was a flexible solution available to be embraced within your current operating systems. Would you trust and use it?
What if there was a uniform Framework as called for by the Housing Ombudsman. Would you trust and use it?
What if there was a uniform platform for dealing with damp and mould that embraced your expert contractor network, insulation requirements plus the decarbonisation and retrofitting journeys in a user-friendly system. Would you trust and use it?
Our experience has highlighted the need for change when investigating root causes of a reported problem but moreover, developing ‘trend’ data with regard to stock conditions for a future management structure. Such an approach removes a culture of ‘blame’ and embraces a culture of ‘change’ with SMART decisions aligned to accessible fact-based data in a usable and understandable language for housing staff and residents.
Cornerstone are ready to share their knowledge with all social housing partners that will build pride in your organisation, develop and maintain proactive engagement with residents and, uphold calls for a zero-tolerance, uniform system.
Our experience demonstrates many repairs have been undertaken with the best intentions. However, the term ‘re-spend’ may argue against that. Whilst there are many expert trades offering and providing the best industry services and installations, are we fully acknowledging their individual impact on the dwelling as a whole?
Examples can include ventilation installations and/or repairs void of recognising the structural permeability prior to and post any works.
And, with our proven data indicating 92% of all damp and mould surveys to date confirming the structures were dry, how do we decipher the reasons void of a blame culture and, how do we provide credible advice for moving forward.
These are embodied aspects of the Cornerstone investigative service and, we can and do share our knowledge with all interested parties be it…
Did you know?
A compilation of everyday atmospheric behaviour
SMART Knowledge?
Aligned to sensor deployment alarms for the specific data being recorded in an everyday language.
SMART Alerts?
Receive credible alerts in a timely algorithmic manner and recognise the requirements for everyday management.
SMART Awareness?
For undergoing net-zero alterations with confidence.
‘Levelling Up’ will eradicate stigma, shift attitude and enhance resident engagement with a 5-step proven system
Designed to prevent the need for the installation of both a tundish and a dry trap, whilst still preventing smells and odours passing through.
Altecnic, the leading supplier of hydronic solutions and part of the Caleffi Group, have launched a new Dry Trap Tundish. Unlike any other tundish on the market, the Altecnic Dry Trap Tundish boasts a patented, anti-splash design with a transparent chamber that provides a visual indicator for discharge and is fully compliant with G3 building regulations.
Ideal for installation with domestic central heating boilers, heat interface units (HIU), and hot water cylinders, the Altecnic Dry Trap Tundish is designed for the hot water discharge from pressure and temperature relief valves to pass safely. Unlike a conventional tundish, the Dry Trap Tundish allows system discharge to be piped directly into a drainpipe.
The Altecnic Dry Trap Tundish features a compact design and also prevents the need to install both a tundish and a dry trap as the internal stainlesssteel spring-loaded disc mechanism prevents odours from escaping. The stainless-steel spring exerts only a small force to close the valve, therefore only a small weight of water is required to open the valve. As such the greater the flow of water the more the valve will open, acting as a visual fault indicator.
With installers in mind, the dry trap tundish has a transparent chamber to provide a clear indicator for discharge. Furthermore, the compact size makes it even more suitable for domestic installations, where space saving is essential.
Combining a tundish and dry trap, the springloaded disc, which acts as a single check valve, prevents smells and odours escaping from the tundish.
The Altecnic Dry Trap Tundish is KIWA Reg4, WRAS approved, G3 and EN1717 compliant, with the added peace-of-mind of Altecnic 5-year warranty. It comes in 15mm x 22mm connections supplied with compression ends, complying with BS EN 1252-2 for use with R250 (half hard) copper tube.
Gary Perry, Managing Director at Altecnic, commented, ‘When developing the Dry Trap Tundish, we wanted to create a product that was of the highest standard, whilst also considering the setback of space availability. We’re proud to be launching a unique, patented Dry Trap Tundish that is antisplash, compact, and fully building regulations compliant. By combining two components, Altecnic’s Dry Trap Tundish gives installers the opportunity to save space and time on their domestic installs, without compromise.’
Gary Perry, Managing Director
“By combining two components, Altecnic’s Dry Trap Tundish gives installers the opportunity to save space and time on their domestic installs, without compromise.”
1980’s, the company imports and supplies over 5,000 product lines to distributors throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland. The company provides trade merchants, plumbing and heating engineers and specifiers with a comprehensive range of plumbing products, including; thermostatic mixing valves, underfloor heating, sealed systems, dirt and air separation, backflow prevention and vessels and a whole lot more.
supplied with a 5-year warranty for
‘As standard with all Altecnic products, the new Dry Trap Tundish has been tested to meet the relevant regulations and complies with best practice, whilst also being supplied with a 5-year warranty for added peace of mind.’
Altecnic Ltd is the UK’s leading supplier of hydronic solutions. Established near Stafford in
Altecnic’s mission statement is to deliver the highest quality products and services to its customers, through manufacturing excellence, innovation and education. Their extensive range of products and services are chosen by trade merchants, original equipment manufacturers, plumbing and heating engineers and specifiers.
www.altecnic.co.uk
Images © Altecnic
Leading radiator manufacturer - Stelrad - has taken another major step in meeting the demands of its customer base across the UK and Ireland with the launch of a range of electric radiators – its Electric Series. It’s the first time the Stelrad brand has ventured into the electric marketplace, and it brings with it the quality and brand values associated with its radiator products since it began manufacturing in 1936.
Stelrad is the number one brand within central heating radiators and is now setting its sights on the electric market with a highly competitive range of both steel and aluminium electric radiators. The new Electric Series range will be available through merchants from September 2023.
The range will include a dozen or so different models with a number of sizes of each model available, with standard radiators for any room along with a selection of towel rails specifically targeted at bathrooms and en-suites.
The new range offers a selection of radiators and towel rails with Stelrad’s unbeatable quality and design to suit every area in the home and to match or contrast with décor in every room. The selection includes radiators that are dry, dry stone and fluid filled offering a full choice of options within the technology. As you would expect, the new range offers a variety of energy saving and comfort enhancing features with fitted and Wi-Fi enabled controls. Some of the new radiators will be ‘three in one’ options, featuring a fan heater at the base of the radiator and manual controls that allow you to use the towel rail and the fan heater individually or together if you wish. Colours will be white for all radiators with the option of anthracite grey and chrome for some of the models.
As well as offering effective, functional heating in the home, as you would expect from Stelrad, the radiators in the electric series are aesthetically appealing and provide attractive options for the décor in the home and come with a five-year warranty on the heating parts and a two-year warranty on the electric components.
STELRAD: www.stelrad.com
Paul Taylor, Head of Renewables for Panasonic UK discusses how social housing providers can help tackle fuel poverty at the root, using heat pumps to provide more energy efficient homes.
The government’s recent release of new research exploring the challenges faced by fuel-poor households in winter 2022/23, has brought renewed focus to the conversation on tackling fuel poverty. It is in no doubt that Housing Associations want to do all they can to help mitigate the impact of rising energy prices on tenants and leaseholders. However, with gas supplies continuing to be disrupted by the impact of the war in Ukraine, there is a need to seriously invest in energy efficient alternative technologies to the gas boiler, to support those who cannot afford the rise in energy bills.
The research reports that the 22/23 winter was particularly challenging, both in the impact and rate of fuel poverty, with households using more unconventional and even dangerous heating methods to avoid costly energy use. Whilst Housing Associations can advise on available support that can directly alleviate high energy costs such as the Energy Bills Support Scheme, Cost of Living Payments, and other similar schemes, these are predominately short-term and do not deal with the real crux of the issue.
In my view, longer-term solutions to reducing household energy bills lie in focusing on improving the energy efficiency of the home. A key part of this is to replace the traditional gas/oil-fired boiler with alternative, energy-efficient, and effective systems like heat pumps. Recently the government set out a second wave of funding for the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, which lends direct support to social housing providers to introduce this renewable technology into their housing stock. It is key therefore that alternative technology manufacturers work closely with Housing Associations to ensure key principles are tackled to ensure long-term alleviation in fuel poverty.
To meet rising demands to replace gas boilers, manufacturers have increased their portfolio of energy-efficient alternative technology. For example, Panasonic is continuously developing the Aquarea air-to-water heat pump range, recently announcing the new Aquarea K and L Generation. These latest innovations are designed to offer improved energy performance, with the L Generation also utilising R290 natural refrigerant.
With fuel poverty affecting both new builds and older housing stock, ensuring heat pump technology can be retrofit is vital. Panasonic’s new Aquarea generation L is particularly suitable for retrofit applications when renovating a home with existing radiators, whilst being able to provide water outlet temperatures of up to 75°C down to -10°C.
“With fuel poverty affecting both new builds and older housing stock, ensuring heat pump technology can be retrofit is vital.”
Today’s heat pumps are built not only to deliver energy efficiency but also comfort within the home, being reliable, quiet in operation and providing options so the most appropriate unit can be selected for the home. Panasonic’s Aquarea J series offers a popular mono-bloc unit, which houses everything needed for the heat pump in one self-contained outdoor unit. Not only is the unit easy to install and maintain, but it does also not require the sacrifice of space within the house.
It is a key advantage that everything can now be set up and controlled via a smartphone. It offers an easy and convenient way to monitor and control energy usage to gain a better understanding of how to keep bills low whilst keeping houses warm.
Panasonic has invested in this very idea with its Smart Cloud and Service Cloud controls with remote monitoring, providing a comprehensive and energy-efficient solution for heating and domestic hot water. Using this smart technology, users can access a detailed breakdown of the system’s energy consumption from 60 minutes to 7 days and schedule the settings to ensure a constant and comfortable temperature throughout. This can help end users compare space utilisation and adjust the system so that energy is not wasted.
To find out more about Panasonic heating and cooling solutions visit - www.aircon.panasonic.eu/GB_en
With over 80,000 units manufactured and sold in the UK since 2013, Radfan enables residents to feel warmer more quickly, potentially saving energy costs.
By circulating air within the rooms where they are situated also helps dispel the conditions which promote mould growth.
Your residents can simply place on top of their existing water filled steel panel radiators (Radfan is held securely in position by magnets within the case). The internal fans accelerate the rate at which the heat transfers into the room. The curved top outlet turns this warm air through 90 degrees and projects it out forward into the room at radiator top height rather than allowing it to rise directly to the ceiling.
• Reduced potential for mould growth - The air circulation created by Radfan also helps reduce the potential for mould growth, and the physical presence of Radfan mounted discourages residents temptation to dry clothes on top of their radiators.
• Energy saving - Field trials by 9 housing associations tested devices in 99 real homes. Each home lived with the Radfan for 2 months and residents were asked a set of questions before and after the trial. See the ‘proven energy savings’ section on our website www.radfan.co
• Average expected energy savings - 2565 kWh reduction in heating energy use, which equates to £267 saved per year.
Energy savings will only be achieved as a consequence of feeling warmer faster if residents do actually turn down TRV’s on the radiators where Radfan has been installed, or turn down their room thermostat setting, or reduce central heating on periods via their time clocks.
It is important residents are advised that due to using very low power fans (1W each) the running cost is less than 0.2 pence per running hour when the radiator is warm.
• Safe - Fans are finger guarded and power to the Radfan is provided by a 3 pin plug top power supply which converts the 230v AC down to 12 v DC.
Housing associations can purchase directly from Radfan Ltd in bulk. Contact us info@radfan.co or visit www.radfan.co
Pioneering space technology has been deployed for the first time in the UK over Leeds, helping inform the city’s plans to make homes healthier, greener, and cheaper to live in.
Earlier this spring, a specially equipped plane mounted with a sophisticated thermal imaging camera flew over Leeds. The unique flight captured data revealing insights into how much heat was being lost from the buildings below.
It was part of a pilot to demonstrate an innovative new technology that could be used to reduce the environmental impact of housing in Leeds and elsewhere by making homes more efficient.
According to the Leeds Climate Commission, around a quarter of the city’s carbon footprint comes from the energy used to heat and power residential buildings. Poorly insulated roofs, walls, and windows are common ways that properties lose heat.
The new aerial thermal imaging technique, developed by Satellite Vu, can help identify the ‘leakiest’ buildings in a large area with ease. It promises to collect and analyse heat loss data at an unprecedented level of detail and scale. Eventually, the futuristic technique will utilise cameras looking down on streets from satellites orbiting approximately 500km above Earth.
The test was funded by the net zero charity MCS Charitable Foundation and was carried out in partnership with Leeds City Council.
Information gathered using the new technology can be used by local authorities to more effectively target and prioritise funding for homes most in need of energy-saving green upgrades.
Data collected from the Leeds pilot will be used to inform the work the council is undertaking as part of the ‘Net Zero Homes Plan’ it unveiled earlier this year. The document sets out actions the local authority has committed to take to install lowcarbon heating and tackle heat loss from the city’s residential homes.
The council intends to use insights from the test to help residents better understand the thermal efficiency of their properties and to motivate retrofitting in the private sector.
It will also use the data to help secure more funding for local area-based retrofit projects like those which have already had a transformative impact. For example, the ‘Holbeck Group Repair’ scheme saw around 300 of the city’s coldest and oldest homes receive a ‘whole house’ package of energysaving upgrades including new roofs and external wall insulation that combined to cut energy use by 25-30%.
Councillor Helen Hayden, executive member for Infrastructure and Climate, said: “This is an innovative project that could transform our understanding of building heat loss at the city level, potentially unlocking additional investment in energy efficiency measures that cut energy bills and help us tackle climate change.
“It is hugely exciting that Leeds is able to be part of this cutting-edge work. Leeds already has a strong track record of delivering energy-saving improvements to thousands of homes in recent years, but we know that plenty more needs to be done. By giving us street-by-street insight about heat loss, this new technology could help us do just that.”
Dr Richard Hauxwell-Baldwin, Research and Campaigns Manager at MCS Charitable Foundation, said: “With 29 million homes in the UK urgently needing upgrades to be fit for the future, we need detailed data on building conditions on a massive scale. This proof of concept could provide that data for the first time and will be game-changing for investment in whole-street and whole-area retrofitting programmes.”
Natalia Kuniewicz, Sales Representative at Satellite Vu, said: “We are thrilled to see the successful deployment of our aerial thermal imaging technology in Leeds, which represents a significant milestone towards our ultimate goal of mapping heat loss from individual buildings on a global scale.
“This pioneering technology has the potential to be a game-changer in the race to decarbonise housing stock, providing crucial data to local authorities to enable effective targeting of funding for retrofitting homes. We are excited to continue working with our partners at the MCS Charitable Foundation and Leeds City Council to further develop and roll out this technology across the UK and beyond.”
“This proof of concept could provide that data for the first time and will be game-changing for investment in whole-street and whole-area retrofitting programmes.”Aerial thermal imaging of Leeds Image © SatelliteVu
Social housing providers in the UK have been at the forefront of adopting renewable heating systems as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. While significant progress has been made, the prevalence of old heating technologies, including solid fuel, oil, LPG, and gas, still poses challenges. Housing Association Magazine’s Joe Bradbury explores the adoption of renewable heating in social housing and provides insights into the remaining use of old technologies.
Renewable heating systems, such as air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, and biomass boilers, have gained traction in social housing. As of 2021, it was estimated that approximately 20% of social housing providers in England had installed some form of renewable heating system. These systems help lower carbon emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to a more sustainable future.
The Code for Sustainable Homes, a national standard in England, played a role in driving the transition to low-carbon heating in social housing. While it did not specifically mandate renewable heating, it incentivized the use of technologies like heat pumps and district heating systems.
Despite progress, there are still social housing units in the UK reliant on old heating technologies. Solid fuel, oil, LPG, and gas heating systems are prevalent in some areas and properties. The continued use of these high-carbon technologies poses challenges for achieving decarbonisation targets and the transition to a greener future.
Gas boilers have been a dominant heating technology in UK households, including social housing. However, the UK government has set a target to phase out the installation of new gas boilers by the mid-2030s. This transition away from gas heating poses both opportunities and challenges for social housing providers. Alternative low-carbon solutions, such as heat pumps and district heating networks, need to be explored and implemented.
To accelerate the adoption of renewable heating in social housing, the UK government has introduced
various support schemes and initiatives. The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and the recent Clean Heat Grant provide financial assistance and incentives for the installation of renewable heating systems. These programs aim to encourage social housing providers to embrace sustainable heating solutions.
“Continued government support, financial incentives, and collaborative efforts are essential to accelerate the adoption of renewable heating and achieve a greener future for social housing in the UK.”
The commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 necessitates a comprehensive transition away from high-carbon heating technologies. Social housing providers, along with the government, need to collaborate and invest in renewable heating systems. This includes assessing the feasibility of different technologies, addressing funding challenges, and ensuring adequate support and training for housing professionals.
To obtain accurate data on the prevalence of old heating technologies and the progress of renewable heating adoption in social housing, it is crucial to refer to government reports, research studies, and industry publications. These sources provide up-todate information and insights into the current state of social housing heating in the UK.
Social housing in the UK has made strides in adopting renewable heating systems, but challenges remain in phasing out old technologies like solid fuel, oil, LPG, and gas. While the exact numbers of social housing units relying on these
old technologies are not readily available, the transition to low-carbon heating is a pressing agenda. Continued government support, financial incentives, and collaborative efforts are essential to accelerate the adoption of renewable heating and achieve a greener future for social housing in the UK.
It is crucial to recognize the positive impact that social housing providers have already made by embracing renewable heating systems. Their actions have not only contributed to reducing carbon emissions but have also set an example for other sectors to follow. Sharing best practices and success stories can further inspire and encourage the wider adoption of renewable heating across the housing sector.
The journey towards decarbonizing social housing heating requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes raising awareness among residents about the benefits of renewable heating, exploring innovative financing options to support system installations, and fostering partnerships between housing associations, energy agencies, and technology providers.
By addressing the challenges and seizing the opportunities, social housing can play a significant role in the overall energy transition of the UK. Through continued collaboration and commitment, social housing providers can lead the way towards a sustainable and low-carbon future, ensuring that all residents have access to affordable, efficient, and environmentally friendly heating solutions.
This article and other blog’s by Joe Bradbury appear regularly on Mitsubishi Electric’s The Hub, visit les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/the-hub
The announcement from the UK Government that it would provide a £5,000 grant from April 2022 to individuals choosing to install a heat pump over existing fossil fuel driven heating systems was the next crucial step towards major uptake of proven heat pump technology in preference to reliance on gas, oil and solid fuel options for domestic heating and hot water provision in the UK. The recent announcement that this level of support will be extended into 2028 will help even more people to switch from traditional boiler driven systems to renewable heating and hot water. The Future Homes Standard requires serious action and quickly if targets are to be met. Renewables and higher standards of building quality in, for example, recognition of better standards of insulation in homes are key to meeting the aims of the FHS. Heat pumps have a major part to play.
Hydronic components like the improved plate heat exchanger, the expansion tank, water pump, flow sensor, pressure sensor, air vent valve and safety valve are all built in - inside the outdoor unit – pre-installed and ready to run. And the R32 Monobloc ‘S’ provides excellent heating performance especially at low ambient temperatures whilst lowering its carbon emissions even more with the use of R32.
This new unit sees built in water flow and pressure sensors to monitor the water circuit in real time, advanced water pump control, enhanced second circuit logic, energy monitoring of estimated power consumption via the remote controller, MODBUS connectivity without Gateway if required and advanced control for the domestic hot water recirculation pump.
“...the R32 Monobloc ‘S’ provides excellent heating performance especially at low ambient temperatures whilst lowering its carbon emissions even more with the use of R32.”
The original version was extremely quiet, but this new ‘S’ version is even quieter and up to 9kW units can be installed at the minimum of 4 metres away, and up to 16kW units - up to 5 metres away from neighbouring houses complying with international noise regulations. The heat pump has been awarded the Quiet Mark in the last couple of months highlighting the Therma V Monobloc S as one of the quietest heat pump options available.
The unit comes with a Seasonal Coefficient of Performance of up to 4.67 (Average climate/Low temperature application) and a A+++ rating. The COP rises to 4.9 (Outdoor air 7°C/Leaving water temperature 35°C) and can deliver leaving water temperature of 65°C if required.
For more information on the new LG Therma V Monobloc ‘S’ head for partner.lge.com/uk, or email LG at uk.aircon@lge.com
LG’s new Monobloc ‘S’ has been launched in the UK. As with the original Monobloc, this new model combines the indoor and outdoor features in one module. It’s also connected by only water piping, eliminating the need for refrigerant piping, making this heat pump an installer’s dream when it comes to ease of installation.
Hydronic components like the improved plate heat exchanger, the expansion tank, water pump, flow sensor, pressure sensor, air vent valve and safety valve are all built in - inside the outdoor unit – pre-installed and ready to run. And the R32 Monobloc ‘S’ provides excellent heating performance especially at low ambient temperatures whilst lowering its carbon emissions even more with the use of R32. The original version was extremely quiet, but this new ‘S’ version is even quieter and up to 9kW units can be installed at the minimum of 4 metres away, and up to 16kW units - up to 5 metres away from neighbouring houses complying with international noise regulations.
Installers will love the new Monobloc ‘S’ – the all-in-one concept and reduced weight of the unit makes for easier and quicker installations. The new version requires lower amounts of refrigerant compared to the existing model – 16.7% less in fact – reducing emissions and lessening its environmental impact still further. The new version features LG’s revolutionary R1 Compressor technology which offers advanced efficiency, reliability and operational range due in part to the enhanced tilting motion of the scroll. It offers enhanced operational range – up to 135Hz, a shaft-through structure and support at both ends of the shaft which ensures higher durability and offers bottom compression and simple structure that offers lower noise and vibration, less weight and superior reliability.
LG: partner.lge.com/uk | uk.aircon@lge.com
Vent-Axia recently supported Clean Air Day on Thursday 15 June 2023 and welcomed the theme “Clean up our air to look after your mind this #CleanAirDay”. Clean Air Day is led by environmental charity Global Action Plan and is the UK’s largest campaign on air pollution. It aims to improve public understanding of air pollution, build awareness of how air pollution affects our health, and explain the easy actions we can all take to tackle air pollution, helping protect the environment and our health.
Indoor air can contain over 900 chemicals, particulates, biological materials, viruses and bacteria. Each of us breathes 9,000 litres of air a day, so poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can affect the health of everyone in our home. To help protect health in the home, Vent-Axia has been working hard to provide ventilation solutions to improve IAQ for households. For new build homes, Vent-Axia’s Lo-Carbon Sentinel Kinetic mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system boasts up to 93% heat recovery [in line with Product Characteristics Database (PCDB) data].
For private refurbishments, the Vent-Axia PureAir Sense fan is equipped with a pioneering odour sensor that increases airflow when the air quality is poor, ensuring a comfortable living environment. Meanwhile, Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) units, the Lo-Carbon PoziDry Pro and Lo-Carbon PoziDry Compact Pro, are designed to improve IAQ and prevent moisture build-up within social housing properties, providing a highly effective solution to help landlords control condensation and mould as well as offering high levels of air filtration.
VENT-AXIA: www.vent-axia.com
Titon’s recent investment in new tooling and assembly machinery is now coming to fruition by allowing us to widen its choice of options in its mainline plastic vent ranges.
Changes in customer demand since the revision to the Building Regulations last year have meant the need for a broader range of colours in both ventilators and external canopies. Window and door profiles are now offered in a standard palette of colours, so ventilator manufacturers are expected to keep the majority of these in stock to cope with demand and shorter lead times. Titon’s newest machinery will enable more flexibility in replenishing those stocks and bring efficiencies to production.
In addition three plastic vent sizes, 2000mm2EA, 4000mm2EA and 5000mm2EA mean most applications can be covered in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with a choice of grilles for use in overhead sections or canopies for use externally.
The increase in demand following on from the revision to the Ventilation Regulations proved difficult for vent manufacturers, fabricators and specifiers last year but Titon is in a great position to supply according to demand with stock on the shelf in the majority of options.
TITON: www.titon.com/uk
RTP4 Touch offers ‘better’ response in company’s ‘Good, Better, Best’ line up With a reputation for helping homeowners and tenants to control their heating costs as the cost of living continues to rise in the UK, ESi has responded to the current economic climate with the introduction of its latest quality heating control – the RTP4 Touch programmable room thermostat.
This latest introduction is capable of controlling heating and hot water systems via combi, system or heat only boilers. When installed with the ESi WIFI hub, homeowners and tenants heating and hot water can be controlled via Alexa or the ESi Centro App. Vitally, the load compensation functionality, available via OpenTherm technology, modulates the flow temperature dependant on the desired room temperature, saving up to 15% on gas usage –a benefit not to be overlooked in the current situation where energy prices have leapt to a huge new high in the UK. And the new addition to the ESi range is an attractive addition as well. The 4 Touch has a large backlit LCD display and touch screen making it simple-to-use and programme.
The RTP4 Touch slots in neatly between ESi’s best selling RTP4RF units and its top of the range 6 Series WIFI programmable room thermostats, offering many of the benefits of both these ranges but providing additional benefits as well. It offers optimum start/stop and delayed start functions offering additional cost savings for users, 7 day, 5/2 day or 24 hour options to suit the homeowner or tenants lifestyles, automatic summer/winter change settings and has home, manual, away, sleep and holiday modes long with its popular landlord service interval reminder which makes it a perfect fit for social housing providers looking for a compliant heating control. The new unit is battery controlled and comes with a low power indicator to show simply when the battery needs replacing. And the new control comes with a 3-year warranty to give owners complete peace of mind.
ESI CONTROLS: www.esicontrols.co.uk
When new customers contact us about setting up their contracts, we frequently get asked a few common questions. If you have just taken over management of a new building and are unsure about where to start with your fire safety systems maintenance schedule, this article may have some of the answers you are looking for. For anything else you are still unsure of, email our team on service@uk.coltgroup.com and we’ll be happy to help.
1. How often do smoke vent systems need to be serviced?
All smoke ventilation and extraction systems need to be serviced a minimum of once a year to meet the requirements of the RRO (The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, article 17) and BS 7346-8.
Smoke control systems are mostly installed for the protection of life safety and fire fighter access in an emergency, they should be maintained in full working order at all material times – this is a requirement of the RRO (The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005) and BS 7346-8.
Smoke control systems should be tested weekly and the schedule of maintenance referred to in BS 7346-8 is annually. If the system is found to be non-functioning during routine testing, or has become damaged, then the maintenance requirement is immediate.
If the system performance is reduced or compromised in any way and cannot be repaired immediately, a risk assessment should be carried out by the ‘Accountable Person’ (or ‘Principal Accountable Person’) to determine if any additional measures should be put in place until full performance is restored.
2. What are my smoke control system maintenance responsibilities?
If you own or manage a building with smoke control systems, there are daily, weekly, monthly, three-monthly, six-monthly and annual testing and maintenance tasks you must carry out. Some of these duties, such as the daily, weekly, monthly and three-monthly tasks can be carried out by a suitably trained in-house person, whilst others call for a certified and accredited service provider.
If you need help with the weekly, monthly and three-monthly tasks, Colt is also on hand to help – get in touch with us to learn more about how we can help you complete all your maintenance responsibilities.
To simplify what needs to be done when and by who, we have created a simple smoke control maintenance checklist for you. To download it, scan the QR code. As of the 23rd January 2023, you will also need to notify your local fire and rescue service of any faults with your smoke control system that cannot be rectified within 24 hours.
3. I’ve heard the terms “responsible person/s” or “accountable person/s” when it comes to maintaining a building’s fire safety systems. Who is this?
You’re responsible for fire safety in business or other non-domestic premises if you’re:
- an employer
- the owner
- the landlord
- an occupier
- anyone else with control of the premises, for example a facilities manager, building manager, managing agent or risk assessor
If there is more than one responsible person for the building you manage, you must work together to meet your responsibilities collectively.
4. Can people go to prison if there is a failure in a life safety system that either wasn’t serviced or wasn’t maintained well enough?
The short answer here is “yes”. If there is a clear failure of the system in a fire and this was down to incorrect or no maintenance, then you could face heavy fines or even imprisonment depending on the results of the fire. To avoid the possibility of this happening, we strongly advise that you get a professional opinion on your smoke control system maintenance from an accredited provider such as Colt.
5. How do I know if I have a smoke vent system or an AOV in my building that might need maintaining?
Generally, in residential blocks you will have a smoke control system in the form of a louvred ventilator at the top of a flight of stairs, which will look something like the image on the right.
In addition, you may have doors on each floor or a damper and grille which only open when the fire alarm is operated, which will be a good indication that a system has been installed. They may have a legend badge on the front that looks something like the image on the left.
Another good tell-tale is either a yellow or orange break glass around the ground floor, which looks similar to the image on the right.
You may hear or see your fire security or smoke control maintenance company mentioning “AOV’s” quite frequently. “AOV” refers to “Automatic Opening Vent”, which is exactly what it sounds like – a smoke or fire vent that will open and close automatically when triggered by the control system. These can typically be activated by a smoke or heat detector, either directly or from a smoke detection system or possibly a fire alarm system, so they will open in the event of smoke and/or heat being detected.
In some instances, non-compliant products have been used by builders to installers who are unfamiliar with the requirements - a smoke control specialist can advise on this.
7. I have a fire alarm company that does some tests on my fire safety systems. Is getting the smoke control system tested by the fire alarm company the same thing as a maintenance visit?
No, ‘fire alarm companies’ generally carry out functionality testing only to check that the system is working. To comply with legal requirements, this should actually be carried out on a weekly basis. You must also have a full, yearly smoke control system maintenance visit from a specialist where your system will be fully serviced to consider the cause & effect, check correct airflows, opening and closing times, charge rates, motor resistance levels, water tightness etc.
Opening and closing a smoke ventilator only on a test (as fire alarm companies will do) is not a service. A fire alarm company will not be qualified or equipped to carry out a comprehensive and legally sound smoke control system maintenance check. If you have been following this approach, we suggest you contact Colt to double check you are not at risk of your smoke control system failing in the event of a fire.
8. Can water come into the building through a smoke vent?
If a smoke vent is not closing tightly as it should because of a problem with the controls or there is debris on the louvre blade left by birds or the wind, then water can drip in and onto the floors below. This would have to be corrected by a maintenance visit to ensure your systems are operating properly.
9. Does Colt have an emergency call-out facility?
Yes, for contract customers we offer a 24/7, 365 days call our facility in case of emergencies.
10. Do you install control panel monitors to enable remote system monitoring?
Yes, we have a GSM device which can be installed into your control panel and will notify three people by email if there are any issues detected on the system. Our helpdesk is one of these contacts, so we will know immediately if there is any issue that needs addressing. In certain instances, we will be able to advise an on-site person remotely over the phone to fix and clear the fault on the system. This helps to reduce call-out charges and delays in fixing issues and helps massively with regard to the new changes on the RRO on the 23rd of January. It enables us to respond more quickly if there are repairs needed, but also makes you aware instantly that the fire brigade needs to be notified if a fix within 24 hours is not possible.
We hope that the above questions and answers have managed to help you with some of the more basic maintenance-related knowledge you may have, but please get in touch for any other queries or if you would like us to help you set up a service contract. Email us at service@uk.coltgroup.com or call 02392 491 735.
www.coltinfo.co.uk
Introducing the newest innovation in Multi-Sensor alarms from Aico, the Ei3030 Multi-Sensor Fire and Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm. The flagship alarm in Aico’s technologically advanced 3000 Series, the Ei3030 combines individual Optical, Heat and CO sensors, for the ultimate fire and CO response.
Aico continues to evolve its offering to provide products that align with its customer’s requirements while maintaining the simplicity that Installers love. The Ei3030 multi-sensor Fire and CO specifications include:
• Fire Response - The device contains a Thermistor Heat Sensor and high-performance Optical Sensor that intelligently work together, but will also operate independently.
• CO Response - The proven electrochemical CO Sensor provides an accurate CO response. The CO response is in line with BS EN 50291-1:2018.
• Visual Indicators - The Ei3030 has visual Fire and CO indicators. The relevant indicator flashes depending on what has triggered the alarm.
• Kitemarks – This device holds Kitemarks for British Standards BS EN 14604:2005, BS 5446-2:2003 and BS EN 50291-1:2018.
Michael Wright, Product Development Manager at Aico comments, “The Ei3030 continues Aico’s pioneering development of Multi-Sensor Fire and CO alarms for domestic properties by offering both Multi-Sensor fire detection and CO detection from one alarm. This maximises coverage whilst making installation simpler and easier. The alarm sits alongside the Ei3028 Multi-Sensor Heat and CO alarm, meaning users can achieve combined fire and CO coverage for all areas of the home from our flagship 3000 Series”
The Ei3030 also has a range of additional benefits, including built-in dust compensation technology. The unique self-monitoring dust compensation mechanism reduces the risk of false alarms. The optical sensor chamber continually self-monitors
minute changes in dust levels, automatically recalibrating the alarm’s trigger point when necessary to reduce false alarms. The Ei3030 can also be fitted in any room where both Fire and CO protection is required (excluding the kitchen) meaning coverage can be provided with fewer alarms.
Like all alarms in the 3000 series, the Ei3030 utilises an easi-fit base, is mains powered, has a 10-year rechargeable lithium cell backup, and is compatible with other Aico mains-powered units. The device is also compatible with the Ei3000MRF Module for wireless interconnection and data extraction via the Ei1000G Gateway.
The Ei3030 also includes Aico’s award-winning AudioLINK+ technology, making it simple to gain data directly from the alarm head via the AudioLINK+ app, reporting on information such as alarm activations, sensor status and record of testing.
The Ei3030 is available to order now, for more information, please visit: www.aico.co.uk/product/ei3030-multi-sensorfire-and-carbon-monoxide-alarm
Housing associations not only have a duty of care for their tenants, but are legally obligated to ensure any multi-storey, multi-occupancy housing they provide is fire safe and compliant— both now and in the future. This includes ensuring that the building structures are protected with passive fire protection measures such as cavity barriers and firestops that have been specified and installed correctly.
This can be a challenge; legislation and best-practice standards are evolving, and fire protection is reliant on many factors at various points of the design and build process. So, what are some of the steps that associations take to ensure their buildings are as safe in practice as they are on paper?
1. Check products are supplied by a manufacturer with a clear commitment to accurate testing
The starting point for passive fire safety is checking the requirements of the building regulations, understanding the required test standards, and the fire resistance performance needed. Evidence from manufacturers is a must. Misrepresented or misinterpreted claims increase the risk of ineffective specification or substitution, poor installation, inadequate classification, and noncompliance. At best, this will need additional work to put right. But at worst, this can severely compromise safety. It is essential that applicable test evidence to the correct standards is available. Therefore, demanding that the performance of any passive fire protection products is backed up with clear, upto-date testing data and third-party certification, is vital. This information should be easy to find on manufacturer’s websites or from their technical team.
how products work, how their performance is measured and what advancements are happening in the field.
This can also be supported by independent, areaspecific consultants. They can be hired to help check and confirm that any specification details are as accurate and reliable as possible. These consultants will have an in-depth knowledge of the product families, their requirements and how they are tested.
3. Ensure site teams are comprehensively supported
inspection apps can allow for this extra layer of assurance without the added time and hassle of arranging an in-person visit. Suitable for standard systems, they can allow users to capture images as each area/element is installed and update the data input fields using their smartphone or tablet. These can then be reviewed offsite by the manufacturer’s technical team to ensure the installation meets recommendations and quickly identify any potential issues.
5. Maintain the golden thread
2. Seek advice from the experts
Not every housing association will have a passive fire expert in-house. Therefore, it is important to engage with experts in this field. Manufacturers are the ultimate experts in their products and their applications, and some offer extensive technical design support and clear and honest guidance on which products would meet the requirements for a specific project. They can also provide CPDs to help all kinds of project stakeholders – from architects or developers to fire engineers – to better understand
Even the best product’s performance can be undermined by poor installation. Therefore, it is important that this is carried out by competent contractors who can not only demonstrate their commitment to proper workmanship but have access to the right support. Manufacturers that offer site services can help to ensure correct installation through training, assessment, and auditing. This support can also reduce the risk of contracting teams changing the specification to products they are more familiar with, but which may not meet the project’s performance targets.
4. Verify the accuracy of passive fire protection installations with inspections
Inspections are a regular requirement for many projects. Whilst some projects may need or prefer an in-person inspection, manufacturer-developed
Where a manufacturer inspection has taken place, either by app or in-person, the final report can be included in the handover information, providing a clear record of exactly what’s in the building and how it was installed. This helps to maintain that vital ‘Golden Thread’ of product information and be a useful reference point for any future modifications to the project that may affect the building envelope.
Working with manufacturers who are not only committed to providing high-performance and verified products, but who also provide accessible support at every stage of the construction process, can help to ensure homes are delivered that meet the highest safety and performance standards.
Learn more at GoBeyond.siderise.com
Images © Siderise
There is an urgent need to remediate multi-story multi-occupancy buildings with combustible materials in the external envelope including balconies, terraces, and walkways with compliant, non-combustible solutions. We spoke with Richard Izzard, Managing Director of AliDeck, about their innovative approach to balcony solutions with A-Rated Aluminium Decking and Balcony Components.
A successful balcony remediation project was recently completed at the Crawford Building in Whitechapel, London. The project saw Tranquil Construction partner with UK-based aluminium decking and balcony component manufacturer, AliDeck.
Remediation of the balconies was required to improve the building’s safety following a 17th-floor fire, and although the building performed remarkably well by containing the fire, and keeping residents safe, the building owner wanted to be proactive to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
Richard Izzard, AliDeck MD, said, “The property manager sought to prevent such an incident from occurring again, with the previous fire escalating to the level it could destroy an entire apartment and its balcony. Following the balcony remediation, the risk of fire will be greatly reduced”.
To do this, Tranquil Construction used AliDeck’s range of cost-effective, noncombustible aluminium decking and balcony components which are fire-rated to A2-s1, d0 & a2fl-s1 standards when powder-coated.
“Aluminium is a non-combustible material which is stronger poundfor-pound than its main counterpart, Steel. With fire safety a key factor in the decision-making of architects and steel fabricators, it has rapidly become the standard for projects within the industry” continued Richard.
Tranquil Construction’s remediation project at the Crawford Building, Whitechapel, London
AliDeck boasts a 60-year minimum life expectancy for their products and a 30year manufacturer’s warranty, meaning leaseholders can enjoy their fire-safe outdoor living environment for many years to come, without fear of future refurbishment.
The leaseholders and property manager have been highly complementary of their newly remediated balcony decking supplied by AliDeck, and the work by Tranquil on-site. They can now look forward to enjoying their balconies in peace and feel safer in their homes.
To find out more about the AliDeck range of aluminium decking and balcony components, please call the team on 01622 534 032 or alternatively email info@alideck.co.uk
www.alideck.co.uk
Images © AliDeck
Introducing the newest innovation in Multi-Sensor alarms from Aico, the Ei3030 Multi-Sensor Fire and Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm. The flagship alarm in Aico’s technologically advanced 3000 Series, the Ei3030 combines individual Optical, Heat and CO sensors, for the ultimate fire and CO response.
Aico continues to evolve its offering to provide products that align with its customers’ requirements while maintaining the simplicity that Installers love.
The Ei3030 multi-sensor Fire and CO specifications include:
• Fire Response - The device contains a Thermistor Heat Sensor and high-performance Optical Sensor that intelligently work together, but will also operate independently.
• CO Response - The proven electrochemical CO Sensor provides an accurate CO response. The CO response is in line with BS EN 50291-1:2018.
• Visual Indicators - The Ei3030 has visual Fire and CO indicators. The relevant indicator flashes depending on what has triggered the alarm.
• Kitemarks – This device holds Kitemarks for British Standards BS EN 14604:2005, BS 5446-2:2003 and BS EN 50291-1:2018.
The Ei3030 also has a range of additional benefits, including built-in dust compensation technology and can be fitted in any room where both Fire and CO protection is required (excluding the kitchen) meaning coverage can be provided with fewer alarms.
AICO: www.aico.uk
“Aluminium is a noncombustible material which is stronger poundfor-pound than its main counterpart, Steel.”Image © Aico
Housing associations looking to improve long-term housing energy efficiency performance should consider the holistic renewables systems package available from Marley.
With a range of integrated solar PV options, award-winning safety-first solar connectors and an EV charging solution, Daniel Redfern, Marketing Manager at Marley, looks at how a single source strategy can aid the specification process.
As households feel the pressure of rising energy bills and with legislation now in place to create lower carbon emitting homes as we head to a net zero future, tackling energy cost and efficiency issues is a top priority.
For housing associations looking at strategies to ensure their new homes or refurbishment programmes comply with new rules and deliver tangible benefits for tenants, a central aspect to improving housing stock performance will be the specification of added value and renewable technology solutions.
The role of the roof space is important for any sustainability ambitions because improvement in energy efficiency (and lower carbon emissions) can’t simply be delivered by enhancing the building fabric alone.
In the short term, experts say that solar PV on the roofscape, combined with an efficient gas boiler, appears to be the easiest and most cost-effective way for housing associations to meet the now mandatory Part L carbon reduction targets.
Solar PV systems offer access to potentially cheaper and more sustainable energy sources – a benefit that will have great appeal to tenants during the current cost of living crisis. The solution also offers hidden benefits in terms of installation efficiencies, ongoing maintenance, health and safety and design flexibility.
For example, the ability to integrate system solutions such as the Marley SolarTile® within existing roof spaces, or as a seamless addition to new roof designs, offers both quicker installation times for projects on a budget, and attractive aesthetic appeal once the roof build or refurbishment programme is complete.
peak power of 405Wp to increase total power from a roof area, allowing for the installation of fewer solar panels to achieve the desired power output.
It also provides a strong combination of sustainable technologies in the home to enhance energy efficiencies and reduce energy costs. If installed as part of a full Marley roofing solution, the technologies are backed by a 15-year warranty for additional peace of mind.
Finally, with the transition to electrical vehicles now underway, Marley has responded to Part S amendments which stipulates that new homes must include a home charging facility. It has launched an EV charging product, giving housing association specifiers access to an attractive, cost effective and high performing EV charging solution, which can connect seamlessly with the onroof solar PV system.
Marley SolarTile® can be used alongside all commonly specified roof tiles including concrete and clay options and the solar panels can simply replace a section of roof tiles as part of a fully integrated solution. To further enhance its full system solution, Marley recently introduced ArcBox, a highly effective and award-winning solar connector enclosure, which protects against the minimal potential risk of electrical fires.
Another recent addition to Marley’s solar PV offering provides even more choice and budget support. The new M10 Solar Photovoltaic Panel delivers a
Marley’s holistic package of solar PV and EV charging enables housing associations to comply with both Part S and Part L regulations from a single source.
It also provides a strong combination of sustainable technologies in the home to enhance energy efficiencies and reduce energy costs. If installed as part of a full Marley roofing solution, the technologies are backed by a 15-year warranty for additional peace of mind.
For more information on Marley’s range of renewable solutions, please visit: marley.co.uk/solar-roof-tiles/solartile
“Solar PV systems offer access to potentially cheaper and more sustainable energy sources – a benefit that will have great appeal to tenants during the current cost of living crisis.”Marley’s flush-fit SolarTile® Marley’s ArcBox
Responding to demand for roofing and dry fix solutions, leading roofing components manufacturer, Klober has expanded its dry verge range to support contractors.
The new products will offer distributors and contractors a wider choice of designs and functionality. They came ahead of Rated People’s annual Home Improvement Trends Report 1 which revealed that roofing is one of the trades expected to experience the most homeowner demand this year. Not only that but of the top 20 most popular home improvement jobs, new roofs appear in the top ten.
With roofing contractors already getting booked up months ahead, Klober anticipates there will be significant focus on dry verge systems, as Nick King, Portfolio Manager at Klober explains, “We’re seeing the effects of climate change play out in real-time through changes to our weather. There’s been extreme cold through the UK winter and the Met Office has predicted that 2023 summer will be hotter than 2022. As a result, there’s been a shift away from traditional sand and cement processes for fixing verge systems due to concerns over
erosion and cracking, which increase the need for regular maintenance.”
Klober’s 2022 customer insights indicated that 89% of roofing contractors purchase dry verge components. When installed correctly, dry verge systems can offer substantial weather resistance, act as a second mechanical fixing and provide a neat visual aesthetic. Many homeowners are now placing increasing focus on appearance, with one in four renovators saying their top reason for renovating is to add value 2
“Kerb appeal and exterior aesthetics are growing in importance, so paying attention to those finishing touches is even more important than ever,” says Nick. “It’s crucial that contractors can offer people what they want. That’s why we’ve introduced the Thin Leading Edge solution which is specifically designed for a premium finish on the roofline. It creates a modern, sleek finish that blends seamlessly with most concrete thin leading edge roof tiles.
“For contractors who aren’t restricted by homeowner preferences, ease of installation
continues to be key. Keeping in mind that time is money, efficient processes can be extremely beneficial to a busy roofer. As well as introducing the Thin Leading Edge, we’ve brought the AmbiClick Dry Verge to market. This solution for fixing interlocking tiles is ambidextrous, giving contractors both left and right verge applications in one product.”
For more information of Klober’s range of dry verge products, please visit: www.klober.co.uk/dryverge-and-valleys/dry-verges
1 & 2 https://www.ratedpeople.com/sp-assets/rated-people-home-improvement-trends-report-2023.pdf
With the Met Office recently issuing a yellow warning as temperatures are predicted to reach 30 degrees in parts of England, insulation specialist Actis is alerting specifiers to the role insulation has to play in helping mitigate the effects of rising global temperatures.
And with Part O of the building regulations obliging architects to limit unwanted solar gains and provide a way to remove heat from residential dwellings, Actis stresses that while some insulation products can make homes unbearably hot in the summer, reflective alternatives also act as coolants - helping protect the health and comfort of the occupants.
And its latest product - two-in-one Eolis HC - launched last month, joins its wellestablished Hybrid range in helping buildings stay cool.
The technical experts behind the creation of the new product, a reflective insulation with an integrated vapour barrier created from Actis’ revolutionary Triplex technology, explain that the reflective films from which it is created reflect 90% of infrared radiation.
“Using reflective insulation alone is not the answer to addressing the impact of climate change, but it will mitigate some of the effects by enabling houses to remain at a pleasant temperature.”
Mark Cooper, UK and Ireland sales manager at Actis, said: “”As we know, some forms of insulation can make houses blisteringly hot in the summer. Not so with our products, which are designed to help keep houses cool in summer as well as warm in winter. Using reflective insulation alone is not the answer to addressing the impact of climate change, but it will mitigate some of the effects by enabling houses to remain at a pleasant temperature.
“No form of insulation can address the significant effects of solar gain through windows though. That needs to be addressed by judicious use of curtains or siting the windows in strategic positions - a job for the architect.”
The Triplex technology on which Eolis HC is based is created from a number of layers of reflective films, each separated by a thin layer of fibre, trapping air between each section, boosting thermal performance.
www.insulation-actis.com
Image: Actis’ revolutionary new two-in-one product Eolis HC, as well as its longstanding Hybrid range will help keep homes cool in summer - and help protect the health and comfort of residents during hot spells. Image © Actis
Michelmersh Brick Holdings, the UK’s leading premium brick manufacturer, is excited to announce the release of its new swatchbook, a comprehensive guide to its complete suite of products that can fit in the palm of your hand. The Michelmersh swatchbook is a compact, all-in-one product guide that showcases the unique hues of each brick’s colour and offers relevant technical information whilst using only a fraction of the paper used in traditional brochures.
Designed for architects, self- builders, contractors and homeowner’s who want immediate colour comparison, the Michelmersh swatchbook offers over 50 pages of products that provide a full breakdown of all relevant technical product information on the reverse side of each page. The swatchbooks’ small form make them easy to carry, slip into your pocket, and take with you to site visits. With its focus on colour accuracy, Michelmersh’s swatchbook enables users to compare the Group’s products with their surrounding built environments. Perfect for assessing against your local conservation area blends and as an aid to brick matching with any facade regardless of location.
“Finding the right brick for your project is essential, and Michelmersh is committed to making the process as easy and efficient as possible,” said Sarah Le Gresley, Group Innovation Director. “Our cuttingedge website already offers information that is vital to the specifier, but our swatchbook fills the gap for conditions where you’re not sat at a computer or have internet but you’re on site and need a physical representation of a product’s appearance. This is what makes it an essential tool for architects,
builders, and customers who want to browse our entire range of core products and compare bricks side by side on location. It’s incredibly small profile also means it uses a fraction of the paper content traditional brochures would.”
Michelmersh’s diverse range of products encompasses over 100 different premium bricks, with hues from bright whites to fiery reds with a gradual gradient shift into deep, bold blacks. The range’s scope of colours and textures allows the user to find the right brick every time, with side-by-side match comparison to determine the perfect choice. Each brick’s dimensional range, tolerance, durability category, compressive
strength, dimensions and more can be found on the reverse of each page and are as equally important to be accessible to the customer. The swatchbook is made using recycled paper and is freely and conveniently available to order through www.mbhplc.co.uk. The Group understands the importance of pertinent and accurate information being available in an instant, when comparing similar products, which is why it actively encourages customers to use the website as its one source of truth for its products, where you can easily request a sample, download a BIM file or produce your own blended design through the façade designer. The swatchbook is a sustainable and useful addition to the Michelmersh suit of product assets.
The Group’s commitment to making sustainable choices extends beyond its world-leading hydrogen trials and into every element of business processes including its drive for cutting down on unnecessary material resources, demonstrated by the significant reductions in plastic, paper and wood it has made over recent years. Contribution to the Group’s wider sustainability and ESG strategy goals also includes its marketing assets, which is why it is actively encouraging customers to digitally view the full Product Portfolio through the website and encouraging reduced paper methods such as the swatchbook to fill the need of visually comparing product aesthetics on location.
To order your Michelmersh swatchbook, please fill in the form at mbhpc.co.uk/inspiration/ swatchbook, or speak to one of our sales team at sales@mbhplc.co.uk
© Michelmersh
“Finding the right brick for your project is essential, and Michelmersh is committed to making the process as easy and efficient as possible...”The Michelmersh swatchbook The swatchbooks’ small form make them easy to carry, slip into your pocket, and take with you to site visits.
New comprehensive guide to specifying acoustic solutions for the residential and education sector
To support specifiers in selecting acoustic solutions for education and residential applications, ROCKWOOL® has launched ROCKWOOL SoundPro. The specialist guide combines technical data, product information and the latest regulatory advice in one place, aiding the specification of stone wool solutions for settings where sound insulation is key.
ROCKWOOL SoundPro outlines the importance and principles of good acoustic design and how to effectively enhance the acoustic capabilities of building projects. As noise pollution is now regarded as a public health problem that affects millions across the UK, the need for effective acoustic insulation in our buildings is more prevalent than ever. As such, ROCKWOOL SoundPro includes various strategies and functions that can reduce the amount of unwanted noise transfer through walls, floors or roofs.
Complementing these approaches are the latest ROCKWOOL solutions that provide acoustic benefits for each application area of the building, including internal wall solutions, façade and external wall solutions and flat roof solutions. ROCKWOOL SoundPro also outlines additional benefits of stone wool insulation beyond acoustics, including fire and thermal performance, as well as durability and indefinite recycling. This guide also summarises acoustic regulations for England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland with detail for both new and existing and residential and education settings.
ROCKWOOL: www.rockwool.com/uk/soundpro
Hydro International unveils its expanded Stormbloc® Optimum range, incorporating a new lighter version of the popular stormwater storage system to give designers even more options. Developed by our polymer specialist partners, REHAU, the new Stormbloc® provides a lightweight option alongside the heavy-duty Stormbloc® Extra to bolster the range and offer a complete, resilient geocellular storage system, providing underground storage and infiltration of surface water runoff to help prevent flooding as part of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). The new block represents a costeffective option, particularly suitable for landscaped or light traffic areas. Designed to be completely customisable, with the length, width and height all adaptable to meet even the most demanding of drainage designs, the new lightweight block saves time and cost at installation, stacking into compact nests for storage and transportation needs, enabling more storage volume in one place at any time.
Access for inspection and maintenance of Stormbloc® tanks can be provided by adding Stormbloc® Inspect chambers and constructing a row of Stormbloc® Extra blocks through the tank. Hydro-Logic® Smart Maintenance technology can also be integrated into the system, allowing for remote monitoring to provide real-time insight into sediment and/or water levels, sending automated alerts to notify users of when the Stormbloc® system needs cleaning or if a blockage occurs. Data captured by the Hydro-Logic® Flexi Logger and sensors enable the owners to forecast future maintenance requirements and develop cost-effective maintenance plans.
HYDRO INTERNATIONAL: www.hydro-int.com/stormbloc-optimum
For many social tenants, the idea of a wet room is far from a luxury, but a necessity, however some landlords express concern at the idea of installing wet rooms on upper floors. Here, Stuart Reynolds, UK Marketing & Product Management Director at AKW, a leading provider of inclusive solutions, discusses how wet rooms are not just for downstairs installs and how they can be specified – with confidence - upstairs too.
n Demand for wet rooms on the rise
Demand for more flexible bathroom solutions continues to rise. According to latest data from the Office of National Statistics, in the year ending June 2021, 24.9% of disabled people aged 16 to 64 years rented social housing compared with only 7.9% of non-disabled people 1 . Combine this with the UK also having the oldest housing stock in Europe 2 , and it is no wonder that more people are seeking to adapt their bathrooms and incorporate level-access showering to meet their needs.
Over recent years, due to leak issues, poorly installed wet rooms have tarnished the reputation of such solutions. In fact, some architects, specifiers, and technical officers are still hesitant to specify them, particularly upstairs on timber floors. However, thanks to advances in digital pumps and electric showers, and lessons learned from poor installations, there are now even more reasons to not fear specifying and installing wet rooms in upper rooms.
Following OT assessment, it should become clear if a shower tray or former is better suited to meet the person’s needs. Here is a quick overview of the benefits of each:
• When it comes to installation times and costs, shower trays are more cost-effective to install than level-access wet rooms.
• AKW’s Mullen and Swift shower tray ranges are options which can be fully recessed in timber floors to offer a level-access shower tray solution.
• Wet room formers might be more suitable for those looking to future-proof the adaptation for changing user needs over time.
• Wet room formers can withstand the combined weight of users, wheelchairs and/or carers and also promote greater accessibility.
• Wet room formers can be fitted into unusually sized/shaped spaces or can be trimmed to work around soil pipe boxing etc.
n AKW Wet Room
• AKW Tuff Form® and Tuff Form8® wet room formers – have been designed as the easiest way to install a wet room, will comfortably support
wheelchair users and carers and have a weight limit of 60 stone (381 kg).
• The ShowerDec® wet floor former – this offers exceptional strength for wet room shower areas up to 100 stone (635 kg). No additional supports are required around the waste area, enabling quick and easy installation.
• The Swift shower tray – for corner entry showering, this level-access shower tray has a weight bearing limit of 42 stone (270 kg).
• The Eagle TWO Shower Tray – this is a bath replacement shower tray that can be cut to length and has a weight bearing limit of 42 stone (270 kg).
Both trays are deal for users with mobility difficulties or requiring wheelchair access, the vinyl sheet flooring can be hot seam welded directly onto the tray’s floor edge profile, creating a perfect water-resistant join with the Swift or Eagle TWO shower trays.
• The recessed Mullen® shower tray – this levelaccess shower tray has a weight bearing limit of 30 stone (190 kg). It features a corner waste position, to help avoid joists, as well as exceptionally waterresistant seals.
To ensure that a wet room is leak resistant for the long-term, whether situated on the ground- or upper-floors, AKW’s lessons learned from their technical team can be found in the latest wet room installation guide: www.akw-ltd.co.uk/ document/akw-guide-to-leak-resistant-wetrooms/, along with the full list of wet room product solutions to achieve a leak resistant installation.
For more information contact AKW on 01905 823298, Email: sales@akw-ltd.co.uk or visit www.akw-ltd.co.uk
Images © AKW
With Blacktex sheet vinyl floors from Beauflor®, affordable housing refurbishments can benefit from a floor that’s fast to install, durable and comfortable in use.
The BBC has reported that anti-poverty campaigners are calling for housing associations to stop ripping out carpets and leaving tenants with bare floors. The report also recorded that there is a number of forward thinking organisations looking for a solution to the crisis. Finding a floor that’s affordable, fast to install, durable and comfort in use is paramount in the hunt for answers.
Beauflor’s Blacktex sheet vinyl flooring makes a good option. With a format that can be installed over old floor coverings and without glue (rooms up to 35m2), these floors make refurbishing within properties fast and easy. Available in two, three and four-metre width options on selected designs, it can also reduce installation waste.
“Our textile backed sheet vinyl floors can help Housing Associations to overcome the current crisis and to find a way to make sure that every tenant has a floor that contributes to a good quality of life.”
In a range of modern wood and stone tile looks with Natural Look texture, Blacktex leaves tenants with a comfortable and warm finish that feels homely and
inviting. As well as the minimum requirement for floors in kitchens and bathrooms, it is suitable for living areas, bedrooms and hallways.
The collection features a Premium Coating that reduces the chances of permanent stains and marks and that makes maintenance easier for tenants, preserving the floor’s look and enhancing its durability. Along with R10 slip-restraint and a Class 32 general commercial wear rating, this means Blacktex has the performance to avoid replacement between tenancies.
“Nobody should be left without a floor finish because the specification was inadequate or the previous tenant didn’t care for the floor properly and it had to be removed,” says Beauflor Regional Sales Director Chris Roberts. “Our textile backed sheet vinyl floors can help Housing Associations to overcome the current crisis and to find a way to make sure that every tenant has a floor that contributes to a good quality of life.”
For more information, visit www.beauflor.com
Stelrad has announced the arrival of a new range of electric radiators and towel rails to complement the already huge range of traditional radiator products available.
Stelrad is the number one brand within central heating radiators and is now setting its sights on the electric market with a highly competitive range of both steel and aluminium electric radiators. The new Electric Series range will be available through merchants from September 2023.
The range will include a dozen or so different models with a number of sizes of each model available, with standard radiators for any room along with a selection of towel rails specifically targeted at bathrooms and en-suites.
The selection includes radiators that are dry, dry stone and fluid filled offering a full choice of options within the technology. As you would expect, the new range offers a variety of energy saving and comfort enhancing features with fitted and Wi-Fi enabled controls. Some of the new radiators will be ‘three in one’ options, featuring a fan heater at the base of the radiator and manual controls that allow you to use the towel rail and the fan heater individually or together if you wish. Colours will be white for all radiators with the option of anthracite grey and chrome for some of the models.
One of the new towel rails, destined to be particularly popular and gaining warm response from the KBB fraternity is the Agata E-Flow - a straight, flat tube towel rail design, featuring five banks of three tubes with spaces between each bank, available in three sizes in both white and anthracite. It combines modern design with functional heating and energy saving features. The E-Flow towel rails in the range feature a fan heater at the base of the towel rail and include manual controls for individual use of the towel rail or the fan heater, or both together as a 3 in 1 unit.
“Stelrad is the number one brand within central heating radiators and is now setting its sights on the electric market with a highly competitive range of both steel and aluminium electric radiators.”
The radiators in the electric series are aesthetically appealing and provide attractive options for the décor in the home and come with a five-year warranty on the heating parts and a two-year warranty on the electric components. Head for the Stelrad website at www.stelrad.com for further details.
As the UK’s population ages and more households become multi-generational, adapting properties so that they are fit for purpose is critical. Here, Martyn Brown, Contracts & Technical Manager at Triton Showers, looks at what to consider when specifying showers in bathrooms.
“There are many considerations to account for when specifying showers... for housing associations, three key aspects should be front of mind – a shower’s features, the manufacturer’s service offering and how the shower can help to reduce energy and water usage.”
Whether the result of a shortage in housing stock, soaring cost of living, an ageing demographic, or even a combination of all three, there has been a rapid rise in multi-generational living in recent years. This is demonstrated by research by CBRE, which found that 1.8m UK households now contain two or more adult generations – an increase of 38% in just 10 years.
This trend does not show signs of slowing down either, as the benefits become more tangible. A study by Legal and General revealed that approximately half of respondents believed it would be positive if multi-generational living became more popular.
However, to ensure properties are suited to this type of set-up – hosting occupants of varying ages, needs and abilities – significant adaptations may be required. Nowhere is this more important than in the bathroom. If the space and fixtures are not well thought out and fit for purpose, accidents like slips, trips and falls are more probable.
Particularly with showers, solutions must be specified with users in mind. Solutions need to be inclusive and by approaching it this way, showering becomes safer and in turn, more suitable long-term. Alongside this, an adapted set-up can support independence and wellbeing, as occupants can confidently start or end their day
comfortably. Other issues like maintaining a safe water temperature and pressure, or being able to operate the controls easily, do not become a daily inconvenience.
There are many considerations to account for when specifying showers. However, for housing associations, three key aspects should be front of mind – a shower’s features, the manufacturer’s service offering (and ease of accessing parts and labour), and how the shower can help to reduce energy and water usage.
To help housing providers, Triton has developed its complete portfolio of Omnicare electric care shower solutions, which are packed with innovative safety features to suit most, if not all, new and retrofit installations. In addition to the Omnicare, Omnicare Ultra, and Omnicare Design, the shower manufacturer has launched the new Omnicare Digital thermostatic electric shower, developed specifically to help with level access adaptations and wet rooms.
Triton’s newest care shower is compatible with Whale’s Instant Match Digital Pump. Using Bluetooth technology, the Omnicare Digital and Whale pump are automatically paired as soon as the shower is powered on, and the pump removes wastewater from shower tray where gravity draining is not possible.
As well as automatic pairing, the shower also switches off instantly if power to the pump unit is cut for any reason, helping prevent flooding and offering peace of mind. Talking of peace in a literal sense, the Omnicare Digital is also quiet in operation. The flow sensor within the shower communicates with the pump to ‘match’ the flow rate, so gulley suction noise is minimised, giving users a more relaxing experience.
With a small footprint, the pump can be installed in a variety of locations, including the bathroom, airing cupboards, or other accessible locations –making it easier and faster for contractors to fit and maintain. The long 7m pairing distance, with the ability to mount the pump outside the bathroom, also gives extra flexibility when siting the pump, too.
BEAB Care Mark approved, all Omnicare models are equipped with thermostatic temperature control to prevent scalding and sudden drops in water temperature, regulating within +/-1°C. Additionally, to help users of all abilities wash easily and safely, all products in the range are RNIB accredited and include audible feedback and tactile controls such as a looped lever handle and a soft press start/stop button.
To further help people who may have certain conditions like dementia or autism, Triton’s Omnicare range allows shower durations to be set in five-, ten-, twentyand thirty-minute intervals. This can be set at the commissioning stage by installers, with the shower going into a phased shut down once the shower is either manually or automatically switched off.
There are a variety of other accessories that can add further assurance against slips, trips and falls, too. Multi-purpose grab riser rail kits can be installed to support people who may
be unsteady on their feet, and remote start/stop controls allow operation from outside a cubicle, which can be handy for carers.
Along with specifying well-designed showers that meet users’ needs, it’s also important to bear in mind service solutions offered in conjunction with appliances, as breakdowns can be highly inconvenient for tenants.
It’s good practice to assess product reliability and a manufacturer’s service offering when specifying bathroom and shower updates. Key points to be aware of include certifications and accreditations, third-party product testing, and a manufacturer’s service-level agreements (SLAs).
Manufactured in the UK, Triton’s showers have a failure rate of less than 1%, making them incredibly reliable when installed correctly. Furthermore, Triton operates a nationwide team of service engineers, providing a ‘Fast Track Service’ that guarantees a response and visit within 72 hours. This, coupled with being headquartered in the UK, ensures that a rapid replacement is guaranteed if required.
A final consideration when choosing showers is sustainability, which will have the benefit of helping tenants save water, energy and money.
Here, electric care showers are the way forward. Heating water via electricity has long been the most efficient method, and with Triton’s Omnicare showers featuring an ‘A’ energy rating, tenants can lower their household bills and do their bit to help fight climate change.
To show just how much can be saved, Triton’s latest research found that an electric shower can cost nearly a third less than a mixer shower and reduce carbon footprint by 70%. The findings were based on a five-minute shower and compare an 8.5 kW electric model to a mixer fed by an A-rated combi boiler outputting 12 l/min, with the analysis also demonstrating users can reduce energy usage by 76% and save more than 40 litres of water per shower.
In earlier research, Triton also uncovered that an electric shower can also help an average family of four conserve up to 48,000 litres of water per year when compared to mixer alternatives.
As multi-generational living continues to gather pace, it’s essential to get housing specification right, to help people live well. Being one of the busiest rooms in the home, the bathroom is key to this movement.
At Triton, we have a range of showering solutions to meet all needs, and with innovatively designed care showers, it means that showering can be inclusive and hassle-free for all people. For more information about Triton and its Omnicare range of energy efficient thermostatic electric care showers, please visit: www.tritonshowers.co.uk/showers-taps/ care-showers
“A final consideration when choosing showers is sustainability, which will have the benefit of helping tenants save water, energy and money.... Triton’s latest research found that an electric shower can cost nearly a third less than a mixer shower and reduce carbon footprint by 70%”
Providing high-quality PVCu windows and fire doors to housing association building projects has meant social housing has always been at the forefront at Shelforce, alongside the social aims of the company.
Shelforce has worked on a huge number of housing association and local authority projects; from high rises to new builds, the company has experience with all types of social housing refurbishment and maintenance and has developed a first-class reputation for providing the highest quality products and finishing each project on time and within budget.
That reputation has been further enhanced thanks to being recognised with The King’s Award for Enterprise in Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility), the highest official UK award for British business. Shelforce lead the way in inclusivity when it comes to training and employment opportunities in the fenestration industry, with 75% of its workforce disabled, and the firm’s social mobility programmes have helped people from disadvantaged backgrounds into successful working lives in a professional industry.
This coveted recognition has not only elevated the Shelforce brand even further but has also seen more housing associations and local authorities getting in touch, according to Howard Trotter, the company’s Business Manager.
The King’s Award for Enterprise carries significant weight, signifying excellence in various aspects of business, and the recognition has attracted positive attention from potential clients, explained Howard.
“The additional publicity has been brilliant, of course, but on top of that has been the kudos. There’s been a lot of housing associations and local authorities get in touch off the back of receiving the award and it has had a real positive impact on, enhancing our reputation further.”
It has also bolstered Shelforce’s reputation as a socially responsible organization that actively champions diversity and inclusion, and Howard added: “The award has also provided us with an invaluable platform to raise awareness, showcase our commitment to inclusion and serve as a role model for businesses seeking to embrace diversity as a core value.”
n Tenants taken care of Housing Associations must provide tenants with products that keep them safe and secure, and all products supplied by Shelforce meet the highest standards. This is particularly important when it comes to fire doors.
Shelforce’s Fireshel 30-minure fire, smoke and security resistant door has proved to be the perfect solution for housing associations, with Shelforce currently manufacturing more than 200 a week from its factory in Erdington due to demand.
When specifying fire doors, housing associations must make sure fire door manufacturers provide
a Field of Application, which collates all the test evidence, and the fire doors must be third party audited for both fire and security compliance and have third party certification.
“We understand what housing associations need and have the answers to the questions they must ask when it comes to correctly manufacturing and installing fire, smoke and security resistant doors,” said Howard. “We also feel we have that trust element that is vital for housing associations. Our products are rigorously tested; instead of just sending the best one me make for testing, one is selected at random, so our products must be spot on every single time.”
n The perfect partner
“The housing association market is perfect for us; projects are easy for us to process and are not labour intensive, and thanks to our flexibility, delivery and quick lead times we ensure that every project is completed on time,” added Howard.
“We also understand the challenges housing associations face and what’s important for both them and their tenants, while providing the most quality, cost-effective solution. Housing associations’ sense of social responsibility and social values line up with our own, so when you put everything together it makes us an attractive proposition for housing associations.”
For more information, telephone Shelforce on 0121 603 5262 or visit www.shelforce.com.
Images © Shelforce
Many social landlords are reassessing their approach to fire safety and re-evaluating the fire safety measures in properties they own and manage, particularly flats, apartments and HMOs.
Providing safe, secure and comfortable accommodation in the social housing sector imposes enormous responsibilities on social landlords and those delegated to design, build and maintain their housing stock. Ensuring that fire doors continue to function properly and reliably is key to assuring the safety of every property and its tenants.
There is a wide variety of requirements that need to be taken into consideration in ensuring that homes are safe and fit for habitation, including Building Regulations, product performance standards, codes of practice and legislative instruments.
These factors also have to be applied with due regard to the needs of residents; physical or psychological challenges, for example, may need special consideration.
Similarly, the risk of products being damaged may also need to be considered. Damaged products not only incur additional maintenance costs; they can also have a detrimental effect on the building’s ability to provide safety in the case of a fire.
There is also a growing appreciation amongst designers and managers that dwellings in the social housing sector should provide similar levels of comfort and aesthetics as those in the private sector.
So, how can a door closer be expected to contribute towards all of these requirements; fire performance, accessibility, safety, reliability, damage limitation, comfort, aesthetics and so on?
Where performance is concerned, the key considerations when selecting door closers are fire safety and accessibility. Legislation and performance standards governing these areas, include UKCA marking, Building Regulations, the Regulatory Reform Order and the Equality Act.
The product’s ability to perform reliably, time after time, and for many years, is also critical. The design, engineering and quality of the door closer should be paramount in the selection process, as should the reputation of the manufacturer.
Consideration also needs to be given to the needs of tenants and the situations in which the door closers are being used. The performance, functionality and features of some door closers can deliver additional benefits that make them more suitable for many social housing applications.
Jamb-mounted, concealed door closers, such as Powermatic, are becoming increasingly popular in high-rise accommodation. Not only do they meet the essential fire and accessibility performance criteria, but also deliver a number of benefits over surface-mounted devices, thanks to the fact that they are totally concealed when the door is closed and unobtrusive when the door is open.
Aesthetics are now widely valued in social housing developments, and not for the sole purpose of a better looking interior. The lack of unsightly mechanical devices creates a more homely, less institutionalised atmosphere which contributes towards the comfort and well-being of residents.
A more practical and financially astute reason for selecting concealed door closers is the fact that they are far less likely to be damaged, whether by a deliberate act of vandalism, lack of care, misuse or tampering.
This can mean reduced maintenance costs, less inconvenience for residents and more reliable fire safety.
Totally concealed door closers also offer some benefits in dwellings occupied by tenants with psychological or mental health challenges.
When selecting door closers, specifiers should be looking beyond product performance, choosing products which will perform reliably, are appropriate for the situation, deliver additional benefits for residents and stand up to the rigours of day-to-day use in social housing situations.
Naturally, further assurance will be gained from products which offer third-party accreditation, maintenance-free service and are manufactured by a reputable company.
Door entry and access control manufacturer Videx Security has introduced a new cloud platform to help housing teams manage the Videx range of GSM systems more easily.
The browser-based application, available at cloud.videxservices.uk, is a secure, convenient and simple way to remotely manage GSM technology-based systems and products from Videx. It can be accessed from any web browser with an internet connection, offering an instant gateway to a user’s portfolio of GSM systems.
Since its release, the Videx GSM Cloud has been adopted by housing associations and local authorities nationally, with many praising its efficiency and the lack of requirement for user licenses. The Cloud has a minimal charge, which is a lot more cost effective than competitor offerings, for using its services and packs a much larger punch with features and customisation.
From the platform it’s possible to manage and programme a wide range of GSM features including call button destinations, dial to open numbers, coded access codes, proximity fobs and cards and all other settings available on the Videx GSM system.
Rhys McNichol, National Projects Manager at Videx, said: “The new platform makes the management of our GSM products much easier as it means changes to the systems can be made remotely and any issues resolved there and then. This avoids the need for call out charges for routine setting changes as everything can be done online.
“It is ideal for local authorities, housing associations and management companies that need to make regular changes to the systems. For example, this includes activity where there are visitors who use dial to open or access control and change regularly.
The Videx GSM Cloud brings all of your site management needs together in one easy, user friendly platform. The ability to change any tenant’s number or proximity access fob quickly and efficiently saves both time and money. Both site management and housing officials have praised the platform for its ease of use and seamless integration. When using the cloud, all GSM calling and proximity parameters are available and quickly accessible via the user friendly interface.
“The platform can also be used to monitor activity on site at a development and even raise alarms to issue an email should certain activities occur that are deemed unusual such as a gate opening outside normal operating hours, or a user attempting access and being denied.”
For a full demo of the Videx GSM Cloud please call 0370
300 1240 to connect with your local area manager and get started on the Cloud today.
www.videxuk.com
“It is ideal for local authorities, housing associations and management companies that need to make regular changes to the systems.”Image © Videx
As construction material costs continue to rise, Andrew Cross, Marketing Manager of Kestrel Aluminium Systems, explains how housing associations can make the most of their budgets while creating energy efficient homes for their tenants.
High inflation rates are impacting every part of our lives, and the housing association sector is no exception.
Almost double-digit inflation is causing material costs to rise sharply, as well as increasing energy bills and living costs for tenants. Despite this, housing association budgets are largely static, forcing companies to make the most of every penny as they seek to maximise their ROI and create energy efficient homes for their tenants.
Recent statistics from the National Housing Federation show that the UK’s 29 million homes produce around 14% of the UK’s total emissions, with housing association owned and managed properties accounting for a significant part of that figure.
That’s why the government is bringing in ever-tighter regulations for public-sector landlords, making it mandatory that they look to improve their housing stock to achieve higher Energy Performance Certificate Levels wherever possible.
More than 60% of social housing properties in England and 44% of social homes in Wales are below the current EPC standard, so there is much work to do to get these properties up to scratch before the regulations are tightened further.
One of the most important benefits of modern, aluminium windows and doors for housing associations is just how low maintenance these systems are when compared to more traditional materials. Wooden frames need regular cleaning, then sanding and re-painting every 5-8 years to keep them in good condition – a significant time and financial commitment for housing associations.
If you have properties in need of an efficiency upgrade, new windows and doors could be a great place to start, thanks to the energy efficiency and lower lifetime maintenance costs they offer.
There are tens of thousands of housing association properties across the UK still fitted with old, tired windows and doors. Removing these old windows and replacing them with modern, aluminium alternatives can greatly reduce building heat losses thanks to their enhanced thermal insulation. This will make the building itself more efficient, keeping tenants warmer and reducing energy costs –something that many desperately need to help them better manage their bills during these high cost-ofliving times.
Aluminium doors and windows need no sanding, painting or maintenance outside of a routine cleaning regime, which can save housing associations significant amounts of time and money over the 45-year lifetime of the window.
High inflation is also affecting raw material prices. Construction material prices rose by 11% last year, following even higher increases of 23% in 2021. These rising prices inevitably eat into the profit margins of contractors who are often forced to pass these additional costs on to their customers.
Fortunately there is a solution, and manufacturers such as Kestrel are working hard to help their customers and end users save on material costs.
We offer our sections in a wide range of alternative lengths, which means our customers can choose the most economical options for any order, depending on the sizes they need. As well as the industry standard lengths, we also offer half and quarter length options, and up to six options on many sections.
That means less waste for our customers to have to deal with, less labour time spent cutting lengths to fit and, of course, less material purchased means lower prices. The flexibility we can offer with our sections also means our customers don’t need to hold as much stock, freeing up working capital when and where they need it.
And, because we can provide all these options with just a five-working-day lead time, our customers are able to respond quickly to last-minute job requests, taking on additional upgrade and maintenance work where available and maximising their profits.
Our customers tell us that they need suppliers who can respond quickly – delays in securing materials mean a greater risk of price rises in other areas of the project, as well as the possibility that cash flow issues may cause customers to change their minds or delay projects.
On some public sector projects, delays in getting materials to site can even cause fines if key project dates are missed, again creating problems for contractors and housing associations working to tight deadlines.
Choosing a supplier that can be trusted to do what they say they will, and who can get products to site on time and in full, without delays, can make the difference between a successful project that leads to valuable future work, and a frustrated building owner who will not work with that installer again.
We also offer free quotations and cutting lists with detailed drawings, cutting reports and glass sizes which, again, helps our customers minimise their material wastage and creating savings that they can pass on to you, their clients.
Kestrel’s aluminium window and door systems have been supporting UK housing associations and their contractors for more than 30 years. The company offers excellent customer service and high-quality, reliable products that to allow projects to be completed on time and to a high standard.
For more information on Kestrel’s systems, visit www.kestrelaluminium.co.uk or call 0121 333 3575.
“Aluminium doors and windows need no sanding, painting or maintenance outside of a routine cleaning regime, which can save housing associations significant amounts of time and money...”Images © Kestrel Aluminium Aluminium sections at Kestrel’s factory Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust’s first ever modular home ‘ModPod’ featuring aluminium doors & windows
© Rapierstar
Housing specifiers should pay particular attention to the fasteners used in the manufacture and installation of their proposed fire doors to prevent them become weaknesses that undermine the doorset’s performance, according to window and door fastener specialist Rapierstar
Whilst any deviation from the product specification or best practice for installation is not recommended, there is always scope for product substitutions and incorrect application to occur. Hence why double checking the fasteners in fire doors is an important best practice step to prevent potentially catastrophic consequences.
Superior quality fixings by Rapierstar their retain strength in the attachment throughout the service life of a door, thereby reducing the risk of door elements becoming loose. This helps prevent a vulnerable point developing over time, which can lead to the door failing to protect lives and assets as per the fire test should it ever be required to do so.
This is why Rapierstar fasteners are used by leading fire door manufacturers, including those using the Q-Mark certified FireFrame solution from Winkhaus. This delivers doorsets with a 30 or 60-minute rating, plus smoke resistance and enhanced security to the Secured by Design standard.
RAPIERSTAR: www.rapierstar.com
Allegion UK is pleased to announce the launch of its newly designed, user-focused website www.allegion.co.uk
Purpose built to offer the ultimate customer-friendly experience, and packed with a comprehensive collection of useful resources, Allegion’s new website will act as a central hub for its extensive family of brands sold in the UK and across the globe.
The new website boasts an improved navigational system and a host of functionality features, each designed to support new and existing customers throughout the product selection process, with detailed information, certifications and literature readily available for Allegion UK’s full portfolio of brands and fire safety and security solutions. In addition, an expansive new content hub has been developed to help keep visitors informed with the latest news, insights and tips from Allegion’s team of experts.
Pete Hancox, country manager at Allegion UK, comments: “Allegion and its family of brands has a long-standing history of providing high-quality architectural ironmongery products to a variety of building environments and markets, and it’s important we offer our customers a first-class website that supports our market-leading brands and products.
“Improved navigation and useability were two core elements of our redesign, and we’ve introduced a number of helpful functionality features to the new website, such as our intuitive search function, in a bid to further assist users in their search for key product information. We’re proud to launch a new userfriendly Allegion website that offers an all-inclusive insight into our line of brands and solutions, and one that we believe will work much harder for our customers for years to come.”
The new website, which went live on 31st May, offers a streamlined user experience across all devices and includes an updated design with refreshed navigation and product support resources.
Following the launch, Allegion encourages visitors to view the website’s new layout and its content, which includes detailed product listings and a rich content catalogue consisting of technical tips, news and educational pieces.
ALLEGION UK: www.allegion.co.uk
Leading independent hardware distributor Carl F Groupco has just renewed its membership of Secured by Design, the official police security initiative.
John Crittenden, Managing Director of Carl F Groupco, said: “The safety and security of our products has always been front and centre of our business. Moreover, we know how much our customers value such recognition and are reassured by our continued membership with Secured by Design and its far-reaching benefits. We’re delighted to have renewed our membership.”
Doug Skins from Secured by Design, said: “I’m delighted that Carl F Groupco have renewed their membership with Secured by Design. They are longstanding members and supply a wide range of locks and hardware solutions which have achieved Police Preferred Specification. I look forward to our continued working relationship over the coming years.”
Carl F Groupco provides an extensive range of premium quality window and door hardware and has long-standing relationships with Europe’s most innovative manufacturers. It is an authorised supplier of Secured by Design products from Cotswold, FUHR, GT Guardian, Hoppe, Kenrick, MACO, Roto, Siegenia and Yale.
The company is committed to exceptional service at all levels. It holds £5 million of stock and has a target OTIF rate of 98%. With distribution centres in Peterborough and Cumbernauld, the business operates nationally, including to the Scottish Highlands and offshore islands. It also offers a value-added consultancy service, testing and working with its customers’ fabrication teams and manufacturing partners to scope new hardware solutions and ensure smooth transitions to new ranges.
Secured by Design (SBD) seeks to improve the physical security of buildings and the surrounding area using high-quality products that meet the SBD Police Preferred Specification security requirements, which provides a recognised standard that effectively deter and reduce crime.
SBD has many partner organisations, ranging from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities through to local authorities, housing associations, developers and manufacturers and work closely with standards and certification bodies.
John concluded: “We have an unwavering commitment to upholding our core principles of product quality, first class service and industry knowledge. Through our membership of Secured by Design, we are looking forward to continuing to play our part in ensuring that product security standards are current and updated to keep pace with emerging crime trends.”
CARL F GROUPCO: www.carlfgroupco.co.uk
Today’s homes are built to a set of standards, but that wasn’t aways the case with older homes. And as the UK has one of the oldest housing stocks in Europe it means that many houses don’t perform at their best. This could be due to poor insulation leading to drafts. Or it could be that solid walls are cold, leading to damp and black spot mould. Another reason could be a build-up of moisture caused by poor ventilation. Moisture is always present in the air – typically from everyday activities such as cooking and breathing – and without suitable ventilation it is attracted to the colder walls, providing a perfect environment for mould spores to grow.
Many of the issues that affect today’s housing can cause harm to inhabitants by seriously affecting their health, putting them at risk of physical harm or injury, or causing distress at unsightly and dangerous mould growth or rotting materials.
Landlords, housing associations and social housing providers have a duty of care to the tenants and are therefore responsible to rectify any issues raised. It isn’t something that can be left to the tenant to fix; it is the legal requirement of the landlord to make sure their properties are fit to live in.
With damp and mould impacting indoor air quality, and increasing or aggravating the risk of allergic reactions, respiratory problems and immune issues that come with mould, finding a solution that prevents these in the first place is crucial.
It is possible to retrofit these properties with a sustainable, long-term solution.
SprayCork, from CorkSol UK, is a sustainable and eco-friendly sprayed cork coating for walls and ceilings that can eliminate penetrating damp and condensation forming on surfaces. It is an extremely thin coating, which also increases the energy efficiency of the property, providing tenants a healthy and safe space to live, and peace of mind to the landlord.
Thanks to its unique cell structure, cork has many benefits to improve unhealthy properties:
• Prevent mould forming - this can be a proactive or reactive approach on voids or lived in properties
• Reduce heat loss by up to 30% to maintain a constant temperature
• Prevent moisture build up behind the insulation - cork is vapour open so can allow moisture to pass through it while still giving a tight air seal
• Improve air quality – mould reduction will improve health but SprayCork has extremely low VOC’s compared to paints or other petrochemical products
• Maintain room size - total system is 4-6mm thick with 2mm of plaster on top
• Keep existing features – there is no need to remove or change skirting board, electrical sockets and light fittings, architraves or coving
• Get into all those tricky places - window reveals, corners and even into the edges of light switches and sockets (sockets can even be unscrewed so cork can be applied inside to stop any cold spots or air gaps)
• Prevent air gaps behind the insulation - sheet materials or products butted together run the risk of air pockets forming behind them but SprayCork eliminates this by providing a continuous and even coating across the property
• Help the environment - cork is an amazing building material that is truly sustainable as the cork tree is not felled during harvest and once removed, absorbs much more CO2 to aid its regrowth
• Maintain a healthy workforce – the product is lightweight, easy to apply, and contains no hazardous chemicals
• Solve problems quickly – it is possible to transform a 3 bed house in 1 week www.corksoluk.com
Encasement pipe boxing and casings have been used for more than 15 years to conceal interior and exterior pipework in a range of social housing projects across the UK, from fire sprinkler installations and heating system upgrades to the latest low carbon solutions, including ground source heat pump and shared loop arrays.
To cover external services, such as gas supply and distributed heating systems, as well as air source or ground source heat pump installations, Arma metal boxing provides tough and durable protection for exposed pipework and associated components.
Arma is also used conceal interior runs of firesprinkler pipework where there are no sprinkler heads, such as in communal areas, as Arma is noncombustible and can help compliance with fire safety requirements.
For projects involving the refurbishment of heating systems, or the installation of individual ground source heat pumps inside flats, the Riva range of preformed pipe boxing provides a quick, easy and costeffective method of concealing unsightly pipework installed at skirting level.
To cover larger diameter pipework or flexible ducting the Versa range of ‘L’ shaped pipe boxing is also easy to install and is available in a wide range of sizes to suit most applications and specifications.
for applications where flame retardant boxing is required, Versa FR sprinkler boxing provides an ideal solution.
Manufactured from strong, lightweight and corrosion resistant aluminium, Arma is available in two profiles, enabling it to be readily secured to external walls using either an integral flange fixing method or aluminium angle brackets and suitable fixings.
Where high efficiency boilers are installed, boiler pipework, valves and flues can be hidden easily, using Encasement’s purpose designed boiler pipework casings. Also, as the casings are free-standing, they can be simply removed and replaced without damage, allowing unrestricted access for routine inspection and maintenance.
Versa pre-formed fire sprinkler boxing is already installed in countless retrofit fire sprinkler projects to cover pipework in flats, lobbies and corridors, while
With the exception of Versa FR, which is produced from MDF with a white painted finish, all Versa, Riva and boiler pipe casings are manufactured from preformed plywood, using sustainably sourced UKTR compliant timbers. Also, they are pre-finished with white resin impregnated decorative paper, so don’t require painting, which helps save time and money on site.
www.encasement.co.uk
Images © Encasement
Water conservation is the key to reducing energy bills. Heating water accounts for nearly 1/5th of energy use in UK homes.
Reducing hot water demand is an effective way to help occupants conserve energy and reduce bills. Some uses are fixed, e.g. the washing machine or dishwasher. However, many are not.
Showers account for a quarter of UK domestic water usage. To reduce this hot water usage there are three options:
• Cold showers, not ideal on a cold winter morning
• Timers, using egg timers or the ‘favourite song’ method to cut shower time
• Flow reduction, less water is used while the shower is running.
The first two options require active engagement by all members of the household. The last is a fit and forget method of permanently reducing water use.
‘Eco’ or water saving shower heads are designed to restrict the water flow to a single outlet. They are highly effective but retrofits like these come at a price, especially larger properties with multiple bathrooms. They also do nothing for running taps, whether they’re in the bathroom or kitchen.
A second 1/5th of water usage is the taps in the house, e.g. rinsing the coffee cup, or washing hands. Again, flow restrictors can be fitted to each of these outlets.
For households on an increasingly tight budget, or developers trying to minimise costs, multiple fittings for each tap or shower might not be an investment they are able to make.
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The alternative is whole site flow reduction. Fitting a device such as Groundbreaker’s NRv2 LoFlo®, at the meter regulates the level of flow entering customer premises – regardless of network pressure. As the flow of water into the premises is limited, then the amount used in ‘time controlled’ activities is also limited – but without providing a degradation of service. More importantly not requiring any intervention or behavioural change on the part of the customer, so leading to ‘natural’ reduction in consumption.
water is a significant contribution to our impact on the environment. There, as part of UK Net Zero Carbon targets water companies have been targeted to reduce the water householders are using, Per Capita Consumption (PCC).
Recent field trials of NRv2 LoFlo® by a major UK water company have showing savings of 5%. PCC reduction targets average just under 6% in the UK, so utilising property flow restriction could achieve just 1% off the average PPC reduction targets!
In recent trials in England, few occupants noticed the change in supply, and where they did it was the positive impact of reduced flow that was cited, e.g. reduced splashing at the kitchen sink.
“Fitting a device such as Groundbreaker’s NRv2 LoFlo®, at the meter regulates the level of flow entering customer premises –regardless of network pressure.”
Not a single occupant wanted the NRv2 LoFLo® to be removed after the trial period.
Our water companies are regulated to provide a minimum level of water supply, but in many areas, due to network structure and gravity fed systems, supply is much greater. Households in high pressure areas could be receiving up to three times the required minimum levels. So, run a hose for five minutes at the bottom of the hill, and your lawn will be greener that the gardener that does the same at the top. These ‘time controlled’ uses, e.g. teeth cleaning, taking a shower, running a tap to rinse dishes could be standardised down if all households received the same acceptable, ‘standardised’ supply.
The abstraction of water from rivers and aquafers and the carbon cost of cleaning and processing
The NRv2 LoFlo® can be easily and simply retrofitted to any meter installation, or meter exchange when upgrading or remediating underground meter chambers. Thus, allowing Water Companies to manage demand, with little or no impact on consumers, at the minimal cost of approximately £20 per household.
As the NRv2 LoFlo® is fitted at the water meter, it is the water companies fitting. Therefore, developers must be proactive in challenging water companies to provide a standardised supply to help UK housing stock to achieve water consumption targets.
For further information www.groundbreaker.co.uk
Household flow restriction for just £20 per property.A guaranteed method reducing energy bills.Groundbreaker’s NRv2 LoFlo® Image © Groundbreaker
A new digital hub in West Lothian showcasing housing technology of the future won Bield stakeholder approval after its official launch last month (May).
Following a tenant sneak-peek in March, Bield Housing and Care has officially opened the Bield Tech Hub in Linlithgow, having secured £75k of funding through the TAPPI project. The Technology for our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation (TAPPI) project aims to improve the way technology is used in housing and care for older people.
The launch allowed stakeholders, including local health and social care partnerships, staff and other housing associations, to trial and give feedback on digital care advancements of the future.
The Bield Tech Hub consists of four spaces including two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, one kitchen space and one living space. There is also a consultation room and a dining space. Each room has been fitted out with different technologies for people to test.
Stakeholders were welcomed to the space by Dr Lynne Douglas, Bield CEO, who said: “We are delighted to have officially opened the Bield Tech Hub and we’re sure it will bring life-changing technology to West Lothian and further afield. It was fantastic to give our stakeholders and project partners the opportunity to see first-hand what their support has facilitated.
“It’s very important that people get the chance to familiarise themselves with this incredible tech made available through the TAPPI project and get a true insight into housing of the future.”
Led by the Housing Learning and Improvement Network (Housing LIN), the TEC Services Association (TSA) and funded by The Dunhill Medical Trust, TAPPI seeks to address the opportunity that technology has to enhance the lives of our ageing population and the barriers that prevent its adoption.
The funding will give Bield the unique opportunity to work with tenants, staff and partners to gain insight into a range of devices, apps and systems across a variety of housing settings. With co-production at its heart, Bield staff and tenants will have shared responsibility to produce digital services to support independent living – a first for the Scottish housing charity.
The Bield Tech Hub features three main technologies. The first, Anthropos, uses predictive and analytical technologies to map individuals’ daily routines and sends insights to family or staff. If abnormal action is detected, Anthropos intervenes to prevent a crisis moment from occurring. This supports independent living for as long as possible by proactively averting potential injury or danger.
Aquarate drinking cups, which track individuals’ fluid intake by measuring liquid volume automatically, are also available. This monitoring means that optimal fluid levels are maintained, and can be personalised to reflect individuals’ needs and care.
The third technology is Vayyar, a non-wearable, non-invasive, 4-dimensional tracking technology which supports fall detection. It also determines room presence and tracks mobility levels and bathroom visits, all of which facilitate autonomous living.
Lynne added: “Our team have worked hard to ensure that Bield tenants, customers and their families are beneficiaries of extremely relevant tech that could make a real difference to their day-to-day lives – we are certain that the three technologies achieve that.
“Preventative care technologies across the board underpin our major tech revolution at Bield and we’re confident that there will be fewer falls and emergencies, generally helping people to live independently for longer and be more confident in their homes.”
Bield’s use of innovative technology has already received major recognition –its ‘Inspire Phase 2’ project which utilised proactive telecare was the winner of the Transformation Award at the 2023 ITEC Awards in Birmingham. The ITEC Awards celebrate innovation within the sector and the positive impact Technology Enabled Care has on the lives of millions of people in the UK. The Transformation Award honours services that have planned and implemented major transformation with a proactive and preventative approach.
Bield is a housing and care charity committed to providing innovative, flexible and high-quality housing solutions and support for older people. Bield Housing and Care has around 180 developments which facilitate independent living across Scotland.
To find out more about Bield and its developments, visit www.bield.co.uk or follow on Facebook @bieldhousingandcare and Twitter @BieldScotland
For more details on TAPPI, visit www.housinglin.org.uk/TAPPI2
