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LABMONLINE.CO.UK
MARCH 2020
LOCAL AUTHORITY BUILDING & MAINTENANCE
SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS & PUBLIC BUILDINGS KITCHENS, BATHROOMS & DISABILITY NEEDS FIRE PROTECTION & SECURITY PROJECT PROFILE LABM finds out about Hightown Housing Association’s range of homelessness services, new Housing First project and involvement in the Homes for Cathy group
THE LEADING MAGAZINE FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY AND HOUSING ASSOCIATION SPECIFIERS, INCORPORATING
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CONTENTS
March 2020 Vol.36 No.2
REGULARS 5 COMMENT Beyond Bricks and Mortar 6 NEWS MORhomes funds 2,233 new homes — Mears appoints independent resident’s board — Housing, Planning & Infrastructure Conference 2020 8 CONTRACT UPDATE New housing development in south Somerset — £5.1m contract to build new council homes in Powys — £12m to build more accessible homes in Scotland — Thamesmead regeneration 10 INDUSTRY COMMENT Matthew Warburton, Policy Advisor at the Association of Retained Council Housing (ARCH) PROJECT PROFILE 12 Hightown’s Homeless Services LABM speaks to Hightown Housing Association to find out about their range of homelessness services and new Housing First project SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS 14 Bristol development empowers communities LABM takes a look at the Shaldon Road scheme in Bristol — a sustainable development of 50 affordable homes SPECIAL REPORT 16 Enhancing Occupant Health The advantages of retrofitting existing homes with natural materials 48 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
The Shaldon Road housing project in Bristol is a community-led scheme that is embracing sustainable development SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS & PUBLIC BUILDINGS 18 Stand the Test of Time How mastic asphalt is providing longlasting waterproof protection at the O2 Guildhall in Southampton 21 Colour Schemes Crown Trade’s in-house colour experts help Saffron Housing Trust devise a bespoke colour scheme for Grays Fair Court in Norfolk 24 Quality Control Andy Smith looks at the reasons modular and offsite construction is providing a way forward for the education sector.
49 REFERENCE LIBRARY 51 GUEST COMMENT Paula Broadbent, Retirement Solutions Director at ENGIE UK considers balancing human touch with invisible technology
26 Lighting the Way to Savings How a lighting upgrade at Leytonstone School is set to deliver £8.7K annual savings 28 Round-up
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KITCHENS, BATHROOMS & DISABILITY NEEDS 29 Bathroom Trends Insight into the latest trends in the use of pod technology 32 Making Room for Adaptations The importance of ensuring rooms are not just accessible but useable 34 Living in Harmony Advice on housing adaptation works and the installation of home lifts 36 Round-up
FIRE PROTECTION & SECURITY 37 Ensuring Tenant Safety The Birmingham City Council fire safety programme — which includes the installation of sprinkler systems and bespoke pipe boxing 41 A Clear View What local authorities should be considering when specifying fire-rated glass within their multi-occupancy buildings 45 Making the Grade How campus management teams can improve their fire safety and security strategies to keep students safe
Improving home health and tenant wellbeing
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Specifying mastic asphalt roofing
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47 Round-up
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EDITOR’S COMMENT
Editor Claire Clutten labm@hamerville.co.uk
Beyond bricks and mortar
Contributing Editor Bernadette Noble
Private investment is helping housing associations go beyond bricks and mortar to deliver real social value.
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In February MORhomes released its latest Social Impact Report. Last year the financial borrowing vehicle, owned and created by housing associations, lent £260m to nine HAs. This facilitated the construction of 2,233 new homes in 36 local authorities across England and Wales — a mix of affordable rent, shared ownership and accessible homes. All the schemes had something in common, social value at their core. The former CEO of Genesis Housing Association Neil Hadden, who is now Chair of MORhomes, believes private investment has an important role to play in improving housing supply, saying: “For socially-conscious investors, housing associations are an excellent bet when it comes to achieving a strong return on investment both financially and in terms of social impact. Not only are they providing desperately needed homes, they are creating communities, supporting jobs and opportunities, reducing isolation and improving health and wellbeing. We are proud to showcase the impact our borrowers are having on lives and communities.” The borrowing vehicle has 60 housing association stakeholders. It is the first Social Bond on offer in the UK and all the proceeds are used for projects with positive social outcomes. The first bond was issued in February 2019 to nine housing associations to fund 66 projects. Melin Homes was one of those housing associations. The HA, working closely with the local authority and partners in health and social care, used the funding to provide specialist housing for people with additional and continuing support needs. Another example of where the proceeds have been put to good use is A2Dominion’s Matilda House, which provides support, specialised services and shelter for 37 homeless people in Oxford, enabling them to live more fulfilling lives. The importance of social value on projects and the far reaching positive repercussions that can be felt across communities, as a consequence of its presence, should never be underestimated. On a daily basis just by scrolling through LABM’s Twitter feed I see multiple stories showcasing the benefits of social value. The inclusion of social
value on contracts is an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy of optimism and hope. Housing associations, councils and their contractor partners are not just investing in homes, but in people, to ensure the success of communities, whether it’s through apprenticeship and job opportunities, to connecting vulnerable people with the right support, to tackling isolation.
inclusion of social value “onThe contracts is an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy of optimism and hope.
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Deputy Chief Executive at Melin Homes, Peter Crockett, concurs, highlighting just how important financial support from organisations like MORhomes is to the continuing work of housing associations: “The impact that we have as a housing association goes far beyond bricks and mortar and the services we provide can really change lives, but we wouldn’t be able to keep providing homes and services for those who need it most without MORhomes’ financial support.” At the time of writing, there has just been another cabinet reshuffle, ushering in the 10th Housing Minister in as many years — Christopher Pincher. What we need in the sector is stability, however currently Ministers barely have time to get their head around the industry before being moved on. It doesn’t make a good impression. The saving grace is that Robert Jenrick has retained his position as the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, so at least we have some continuity. Hopefully in the forthcoming Budget we will see a stronger commitment to more financial support and flexibility, to help councils and housing associations continue to deliver new homes and greater social value. LABMONLINE.CO.UK
MARCH 2020
LOCAL AUTHOR ITY BUILDING & MAINTENANCE
SCHOOLS, HOSPITA LS & PUBLIC BUILDIN GS KITCHENS, BATHRO OMS & DISABIL ITY NEEDS FIRE PROTECTION & SECURITY
PROJECT PROFILE LABM finds out about Hightown Housing of homelessness services, new HousingAssociation’s range and involvement First project in the Homes for Cathy group
COVER STORY: The new flagship regional office for Homes England in the South East, built offsite by The McAvoy Group. To find out how the new office was built using modular techniques head to labmonline.co.uk/news.
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Insights: Entrance flooring
NEWS
Make an entrance
MORhomes funds 2,233 new homes
Forbo offers advice on protecting occupants one step at a time with Coral.
A new financial borrowing vehicle created by housing associations for housing associations has funded 2,233 new homes across England and Wales in the last year according to Social Impact Report. When it comes to choosing floor coverings for housing and public spaces, there are many different factors to consider. However, one thing is for sure; you must choose products that will provide an attractive, comfortable and safe environment for end users and occupants, while also ensuring that they contribute to an easier cleaning and maintenance regime. With this duty of care to provide appropriate floor coverings in mind, one of the most important areas to start with is the entrance. Not everyone thinks to wipe their feet before entering a building, which can result in a build-up of moisture and soil being tracked in. Indeed, wet and dry soiling can create unnecessary slip and trip hazards, so a well-designed and effective entrance flooring system for both housing and public spaces is essential. The industry recommendation is to use at least three metres of an entrance flooring system for light use areas and up to seven metres for busy entrance areas. The general rule is the more matting used, the more effective the entrance flooring system is at preventing dirt and moisture from entering a building. While there are many systems available on the market, Forbo Flooring Systems’ Coral range has been the international leader in textile entrance flooring systems for more than 50 years, as it delivers superior performance in even the toughest environments. Whether facing rain, snow, sand or soil, it keeps the outside from getting inside. In fact, testing by Cleaning Research International has shown that Coral can stop up to 95% of dirt and moisture from entering a building, with each m2 of Coral able to remove up to 5kg of dirt or six litres of water, which in turn can reduce the time spent cleaning interior floor coverings by up to 65%. For more information please visit www.rdr.link/ln001
MORhomes lent its first nine borrowers a total of £260m, which is being used to fund new homes in 36 local authorities in England and Wales. The homes include 1,206 for social and affordable rent, 536 for shared ownership and 31 designed for people with support needs to be more independent. MORhomes, which has 60 housing association shareholders, was the first Social Bond on offer in the UK, meaning that investors can be assured that the proceeds of the bonds will be used for projects that have positive social outcomes. The organisation’s first bond issue in February 2019 was on-lent to nine housing associations funding 66 distinct projects. The housing associations were — A2 Dominion, Aster, Melin Homes, POBL, MHS, Localspace, Haford, South Yorkshire Housing Association and EMH. Peter Crockett, Deputy Chief Executive at Melin Homes, says: “MORhomes has helped Melin deliver its busiest development programme to date. For the first time we are building in all five of the local authority areas we work in and investing a total of £34m in building over 300 new homes. The impact that we have as a housing association goes far beyond bricks and mortar and the services, we provide can really change lives, but we wouldn’t be able to keep providing homes and services for those who need it most without MORhomes’ financial support.” MORhomes has now lent £312.5m to 11 housing associations since its inception and was the market leading social housing bond aggregator in 2019. It offers flexible loans from £10m, simple documentation and prides itself on the speed and efficiency of access to the market that it can offer housing associations. It has ambitious plans to raise more funds and increase its loan book in 2020.
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Independent resident’s board Housing company Mears is launching an independent scrutiny board, which will have the right to question its PLC Board and senior managers. The board, one part of a new resident engagement model, will have the right to roam across Mears, will sit equally alongside the PLC board and will have the power to publish independent public reports about Mears. Alongside the nine resident representatives, the board will be chaired by housing expert Terrie Alafat. Ms Alafat was previously Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute for Housing and the former Director of Housing at the Department of Communities and Local Government where she was responsible for national housing polices including affordable housing, homelessness and supported housing. Resident board members were appointed independently following a recruitment process with the Tpas — The tenant engagement experts. Terrie Alafat, Chair of the Mears Scrutiny Board says: “I am delighted to see Mears lead the way from a private sector perspective and am pleased to take on this unique role reporting directly to the PLC Board. We have a great team of customers on the Board and we will work
hard to hold Mears to account. This is an approach I believe will deliver real benefits to all customers.” Mears Group Director of Marketing Communications & Customer Success Gary Jackson comments: “We decided that in the wake of the collapse of service providers and the lack of trust placed in the resident engagement practices of the housing sector we needed to lead from the front. I am delighted we have been able to attract someone of the calibre of Terrie Alafat to take on the role of the independent Chair and the excellent calibre of Mears customers. I am confident they will be thorough in their scrutiny of Mears’ activities.”
Building better The Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission’s final report launched at the Garden Museum in Lambeth on the 30th January. Living with Beauty supports the creation of more beautiful communities and makes a number of recommendations, including increasing democracy and speeding up the planning process. Living with Beauty — led by the late Sir Roger Scruton and Nicolas Boys Smith — contains over 130 practical recommendations to support the creation of more beautiful communities, including increasing democracy and involving communities in local plans and planning applications. Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said the report “recognises that our identities go hand in hand with the places and neighbourhoods
in which we live and work. That’s why beautiful, high-quality homes must become the norm, not the exception.”
DIARY DATES Housing, Planning & Infrastructure Conference 2020 It is one year ago since the Housing Revenue Account borrowing cap was removed. This event provides an opportunity for delegates to hear from councils, the development industry and a range of partners from across the sector as they share their success stories. A number of best practice solutions are being pioneered across housing and planning designed to tackle the national housing crisis and deliver great places to live, work and play, and attendees will also get to hear about some of these. So why not join fellow sector colleagues to hear from leaders across the housing, planning and infrastructure sectors who will share their insights on how working in partnership can help the industry collectively overcome challenges and maximise opportunities to ensure the homes in this country meet everyone’s needs. The conference will be taking place in London on the 17th March. To attend the event visit https://lgaevents.local.gov.uk.
Total Housing 2020 Taking place at the Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel on the 25th & 26th March, this event includes four streams — ‘The big picture’, ‘Building homes creating communities’, ‘Good management and good services’, and ‘Fringe’. In ‘The big picture’ stream delegates will hear sessions from keynote speakers from outside the housing sector who will share their experiences and discuss how their solutions could be applied to the housing sector. In the ‘Building homes, creating communities’ stream the conference will address how the sector can deliver the homes needed, where needed, taking into account key factors such as affordability, energy efficiency and environmental considerations. This stream will also consider how to make the best use of existing housing stock and look at how housing providers can best manage their assets for the long-term. To find out more about the event visit www.cih.org/events.
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NEWS: CONTRACT UPDATE
Stonewater is bringing 23 new affordable homes to Chard Housing provider Stonewater has kickstarted 2020 by getting work at its site in Chard underway, with the support of local contractors and council. Supported by South Somerset District Council, Thorndun Park, located on Jarman Way, is Stonewater’s latest development in the south west, which which will bring 23 much-needed new affordable homes to the area. Ranging from one- and two-bedroom flats, as well as two-, three- and fourbedroom houses, the majority of these homes will be available for affordable rent, with seven allocated for Rent to Buy. Stonewater’s Rent to Buy scheme gives working families the chance to rent a new, good quality home at 80% of the market value rent, with an option to purchase the home at the end of the five-year tenancy. With house prices in the south west continuing to rise faster than the average income, the Rent to Buy scheme makes
Stonewater colleagues and partners on site
buying a home a more affordable option for aspiring homeowners. In addition to working with the council to meet the increasing housing demand, Stonewater has also invested into the local economy. By creating and maintaining a vast amount of work opportunities for the scheme locally, Stonewater has been able to utilise the local supply chain in south Somerset — working with existing partners and establishing new ones. Boon Brown Architects has previously worked with Stonewater on other affordable homes projects in the area, but Thorndun Park has also resulted in the organisation partnering with local homebuilder Fisher and Dean Construction for the first time. Matt Crucefix, Director of Development (West) at Stonewater, says: “With all our developments, we want to build something of great quality and value for people in the town and we also want to do all that we
can to help the local communities thrive. Partnering with local businesses enables us to drive collaborative innovation that delivers on what our customers need today — and in the future.” Gareth Flowers, Director of Fisher and Dean Construction, adds: “It is important that housing associations and developers like us, work collaboratively to ensure that the local communities can benefit from affordable housing for years to come.” Georgina Martin, Architect at Boon Brown Architects, comments: “As architects, projects such as Thorndun Park give us great excitement as they offer place-making opportunities where we can create unique identities that enhance the surrounding urban and landscape context.”
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£5.1m contract to build new council homes in Powys Hale Construction has won a £5.1m contract to build 32 units in Brecon for Powys Council. The scheme, comprising a mix of flats and houses, is Hale’s first ever contract for Powys Council. Andrew Collins, Contracts Manager for Hale Construction says: “Once complete, it will provide high-quality housing that demonstrates a significant improvement on the current Building Regulations. These properties will be a fantastic addition to Powys’ housing stock. We look forward to working with our local supply chain partners to provide employment and training opportunities throughout the project.” David Harrhy, Managing Director of Hale Construction, adds: “JG Hale Construction are delighted to have been
chosen by Powys County Council to deliver such an innovative scheme for the local people of Brecon and the surrounding area. We look forward to creating a superb new development of high-quality homes for those who need them most.” Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Housing, and Regulatory Services, Councillor James Evans, says: "This development, which will meet the needs of the local community, is just the first of many housing developments that we are planning across the county. It will also help meet our Vision 2025 — to build a minimum of 250 affordable homes across the county. We are looking forward to working with JG Hale Construction.”
Artist’s impression of the scheme ©Pentan Architects
Peabody appoints Durkan for Thamesmead regeneration Peabody has appointed contractor Durkan to build the next phase in the regeneration of South Thamesmead, which will create more than 400 homes around a new public square overlooking a rejuvenated Southmere Lake. The development will include 404 homes for rent, shared ownership and private sale (more than 50% of which will be affordable) with priority being given to existing local residents. Work on this next phase has already begun and is scheduled to be finished in summer 2022. Peabody and Durkan will also be using this new development to generate work and training opportunities for local people. These will include: trade and
technical apprenticeships; paid placements for residents with disabilities or barriers to employment (in partnership with Voluntary Sector organisation Groundwork London) and a Sustainable Employment opportunity for a resident with a learning disability (in partnership with Bexley Council’s Twofold initiative).
£12m Scottish charitable bond for Blackwood Homes Blackwood Homes and Care are delighted that Allia C&C have issued a loan of £12m through the Scottish Government’s charitable bonds scheme to enable a build programme of 160 highly accessible homes across Scotland. Every aspect of the ‘Blackwood House’ has been carefully considered to remove obstacles that can disrupt daily life for tenants. Homes will come equipped with electronic sliding doors, electric blinds and underfloor heating as well as solar panels. Other special features include rise and fall surfaces and cupboards in the kitchen. The contemporary bathrooms will be fitted with the fully adjustable Pressalit system so fittings can move horizontally and vertically. The suite also comes with a self-cleaning toilet. The ‘smart’ properties will be integrated with Blackwood’s own digitally-enhanced personalised care system, CleverCogs, which, in addition to controlling heating and lights, can be used to enable customers to video chat with their friends and family and receive appointment and medication reminders. Debbie Collins, Finance Director at Blackwood, says: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this backing from Allia C&C. This will enable us to deliver more accessible housing across Scotland.”
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IN ASSOCIATION WITH
INDUSTRY COMMENT
Zero carbon future Matthew Warburton, Policy Advisor at the Association of Retained Council Housing (ARCH) considers a zero carbon future for social housing. n May 2019, Parliament, with the support of MPs from all major parties, declared a climate emergency. Many local authorities have followed this lead by declaring their own climate emergencies. In June, a national target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 was passed into law. Since homes contribute around 20% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, this has major implications for the design and construction of new homes, and for renovation and improvement of the existing stock. So far, the Government has consulted on a new Future Homes Standard, to come into full effect in 2025. But even if the Government succeeds in increasing the annual output of new homes to 300,000 from 2025 onwards, these will represent barely a quarter of homes in England by 2050. To meet the zerocarbon target, bringing the existing stock — including the 1.6 million homes owned by local authorities — up to the necessary standard is the far bigger challenge. Consultation on the Future Homes Standard asked for views on two options for immediate strengthening of the energy efficiency standards. The first would deliver an estimated 20% improvement on carbon dioxide emissions, predominantly through an increased fabric standard, with measures such as triple glazing and a wastewater heat recovery system. The second option — the Government’s preference — would aim for a higher improvement of 31% on emissions through less stringent increases
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in the fabric standard, but with a switch to low-carbon heating. The 2018 Green Paper A New Deal for Social Housing proposed a new Decent Homes Standard for local authority and housing association homes, including the expectation that all dwellings would be improved to EPC Band C by 2030 at the latest. ARCH welcomed this proposal, while pointing out the resource implications. Figures from the Energy Saving trust suggest that only 55% of social rented homes currently meet EPC Band C or above, so meeting this standard alone will require major investment. And there are tensions between energy-efficiency and fire safety as this standard may be difficult to achieve in high-rise buildings without cladding.
Transition to low carbon Much has happened in the 18 months since the Green Paper was published, not least the adoption of the zero carbon target. At the time of the Queen’s Speech, the Government promised a White Paper to take forward its agenda for social housing. When this is published, it is likely to include more detail on the new Decent Homes Standard. But it needs also to look beyond the next 10 years and begin to spell out how this contributes to the longer-term objective of meeting the Future Homes Standard, or its equivalent, by 2050 — which is less than 30 years away. Not least, it needs to
Figures from the Energy “Saving trust suggest that only 55% of social rented homes currently meet EPC Band C or above, so meeting this standard alone will require major investment.
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initiate a full discussion on the transition to lower-carbon heating in the social housing stock. The HRA self-financing settlement in 2012 was intended to free local authorities from the treadmill of an annual subsidy calculation to enable them to draw up 30-year business plans for maintenance and improvement of their housing. In an ideal world, business plans would already have factored in allimportant investment needs within that 30-year horizon, including those needed to meet carbon-reduction targets. In this far-from ideal world, the least we should expect is early action by government to clarify what standards should apply to the social housing stock so that plans to meet them can be firmed up and implemented.
www.arch-housing.org.uk
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PROJECT PROFILE – HIGHTOWN HOUSING ASSOCIATION TACKLES HOMELESSNESS Andrew Rose (Vice Chair of Hightown Board), with Janet Smith (Mayor of St Albans) and David Bogle (Hightown Chief Executive) at an event to open seven newly refurbished flats for homeless people on Marlborough Road in St Albans
The living area in one of the flats on Marlborough Road in St Albans
Rhys, a former resident at Kent House, a hostel in St Albans
Hightown’s homeless services Hightown Housing Association recently opened seven newly refurbished flats for homeless people in St Albans. LABM caught up with them to find out about their range of homelessness services, new Housing First project and involvement in the Homes for Cathy group. ackling homelessness is at the heart of almost all Hightown’s work and the fundamental reason they were set up over 50 years ago. Most activities are preventative, by offering suitable affordable or supported housing for those in need. However, in St Albans, where house prices are high and availability is low, Hightown operates a handful of dedicated services supporting homeless people to secure accommodation and achieve their personal aspirations. Hightown’s homeless services in St Albans offer people the chance to rebuild
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their lives: with access to shelter and amenities, counselling, and training. Over the years, the housing association has supported thousands into work, out of drug or alcohol addiction and into independent, settled accommodation.
More than a bed for the night As well as a bed for the night, Hightown’s Open Door hostel in St Albans offers a lunchtime drop-in, laundry facilities, support with CV writing and job applications, guidance with housing enquiries, mental health counselling and access to a
Carla Watson, a Manager at Open Door
community nurse — all with the long-term aim of helping vulnerable people move on in their lives. The service also has two Outreach Workers. The Safer Streets Outreach Worker engages with rough sleepers with the aim of getting them into Open Door or other available accommodation where they can receive support. The Community Engagement and Recovery Worker provides a range of personalised support
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group asks members “toThe share ideas, best practice and sign up to nine commitments aimed at reducing rough sleeping and the number of families in temporary accommodation.
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The Homes for Cathy conference
to people housed in short and long-term accommodation, as well as rough sleepers in St Albans. Carla Watson, Manager at Open Door, says: “The support available at Open Door not only helps homeless people with their immediate needs in terms of a bed for the night and a hot meal, but we’re also able to give assistance in many other practical ways through our team of dedicated staff and outreach workers. We’ve seen many success stories of people who, with our help, have been able to move on to a more secure future.”
Short-term supported housing The next step for many people who have engaged with staff at Open Door or other night shelters is to move into one of Hightown’s short-term supported housing schemes in the centre of St Albans — Kent or Martin House. Most of the residents are referred through local agencies or homeless shelters. Each resident has their own room and communal areas offer the chance for them to chat to staff and other residents, access computers or play a game of pool. Support Workers offer tailored support around work, education, health, daily living skills, housing and much more. Rhys, a former resident at Kent House, was either sofa surfing or sleeping rough before he moved in. Staff supported him to access services, arrange driving lessons, enrol on a college course and eventually successfully apply to move on to live independently in his own flat. Rhys says: “I’m really grateful for everything the staff at Kent House have done for me — it wouldn’t have been possible without their help. They encouraged me to enrol at college and I’ve enjoyed learning new skills. It feels
fantastic to have my own flat. My life is back on track now.”
Newly refurbished flats In December 2019, in addition to its St Claire’s temporary accommodation service, Hightown opened seven newly refurbished flats for homeless people in St Albans. The flats were formerly 10 bedsits (two self contained and eight single rooms with shared facilities) for social housing residents. The refurbished one- and twobedroom flats all have their own living room, kitchen, bedroom(s) and bathroom. All of the residents have a Support Worker so they receive help to access health services, managing their money or looking for training and job opportunities.
Putting Housing First A ‘Housing First’ pilot project, run with St Albans City and District Council and neighbouring Dacorum Borough Council, has recently been set up to support the area’s most vulnerable rough sleepers. The project — based on a homelessness intervention model widely adopted in the US and across Europe — will offer a combination of permanent, affordable housing through both the councils and Hightown, together with wraparound, intensive support to help rough sleepers rebuild their lives. The underlying principle of Housing First is that people are better able to move forward with their lives if they are first housed in permanent, self-contained housing. Housing First co-ordinators will work pro-actively with each resident to help them identify their goals, access services to improve their health and wellbeing and integrate into the local community. The support provided via the Housing First co-ordinators aims to break down barriers
and trust issues that many long-term rough sleepers face, so that they can develop the skills to maintain a tenancy and make positive changes to their lives.
Tackling homelessness together In 1966 the BBC aired 'Cathy Come Home', a groundbreaking television play by Ken Loach. Its story followed the struggles of a young family as they fall into poverty and homelessness. Amidst the public outcry that followed, a social movement grew with the aim of tackling homelessness. Many housing associations were born in this environment — and Hightown was among them. 2016 saw Hightown’s Chief Executive, David Bogle, help to form the Homes for Cathy Group: an alliance of housing associations whose aim was to mark the 50th anniversary of the BBC drama that sparked their work and campaign to keep homelessness on the political agenda. Since then, Homes for Cathy has grown to over 100 members, including many housing associations and housing charities across the country. The group asks members to share ideas, best practice and sign up to nine commitments aimed at reducing rough sleeping and the number of families in temporary accommodation. The third annual Homes for Cathy conference takes place on 23rd March 2020 at the Congress Centre in London to unite leaders and practitioners from housing associations, local authorities and charities to share real examples of the work being done to end homelessness.
With thanks to Hightown Housing Association for preparing this article ■ To book tickets to the Homes for Cathy conference visit www.rdr.link/ln002
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SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS: SHALDON ROAD SCHEME IN BRISTOL
Bristol development empowers communities Bristol continues to build on its ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030 with a highly sustainable development of 50 affordable homes currently underway. LABM finds out more. ommunity development, high levels of energy efficiency and environmental enhancements are leading values of the Shaldon Road scheme, being delivered by National contractor United Living in partnership with United Communities and the Bristol Community Land Trust, with support from Bristol City Council and Homes England. The development will provide a mix of two-, three- and four-bedrooms, which will be a mixed-tenure of shared equity and affordable rent. The homes will provide residents with a high level of occupant comfort while using very little energy for heating and cooling minimising each home’s carbon footprint. Built to ‘PassiveHaus’ principles, the energy-efficient properties will each feature a mini ‘Shoebox’ ground source heat pump connected to an ambient shared ground loop array, supplied and installed by Kensa Heat Pumps and Kensa Contracting. Complementing the low-carbon ground source heat pumps will be a MVHR system, making the homes even more energy-efficient and further lowering fuel bills for the residents. The homes will be constructed using a single skin 'Porotherm' block, cutting construction time and delivering improved thermal properties over traditional construction. Solar PV panels will also feature in the development to further reduce costs, whilst supporting a green transport plan which features electric car charging points, a car share scheme and improved pedestrian and cycle access. Communal green space around the homes is also being created with
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a protected green corridor for biodiversity and wildlife including bats, birds, bees and other insects. Shaldon Road is also one of the biggest ‘self-finish’ projects ever undertaken in Bristol. Future residents have committed to taking part in the ‘self-finish’ process which involves them making design decisions enabling them to tailor their new homes interior elements, as well as undertaking physical works on their properties including second fix carpentry, fitting kitchens and decorating. The ‘self-finish’ approach is aimed at making properties more affordable and coupled with the lower energy costs associated with the ‘PassivHaus’ design principles and renewable technologies, the project hopes to set a new standard for truly sustainable development.
Core values Caroline Lewis, New Business Manager at United Living, says: “United Living are very proud to be involved in this
Shaldon Road view of the site from the South
…the project hopes to set “a new standard for truly sustainable development. ” project as it embodies all of our core values, especially our commitment to creating communities not just building homes.” Anna Klimczak, Interim CEO at United Communities, adds: “The Shaldon Road scheme will bring much-needed new homes to the Lockleaze area and transform the lives of the incoming residents, many of whom are from the local community. The scheme has empowered residents to make decisions about their new homes. Communities are at the heart of what we do; 30% of our new homes will be community-led projects by 2024.”
Learning curve Lindy Morgan, CEO at Bristol Community Land Trust, says: “It has been an immense learning curve for the Bristol CLT board and staff, and even more so for the future residents. The passion of all those involved has driven the project forward, and we cannot wait to see it coming out of the ground.” George Gillow, Business Development Manager, Kensa Contracting comments: “It is a pleasure to be involved in the development of high quality, energy-efficient housing, specifically built for local families, whilst also helping Bristol to reduce their CO2 emissions and improve local air quality with British-made ground source heat pumps.”
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SPECIAL REPORT: RETROFITTING HOMES TO IMPROVE RESIDENT WELLBEING
Enhancing occupant health Adrian Judd explains the advantages of retrofitting existing homes with natural materials and how this can offer social housing schemes countless benefits. ocal authorities and housing associations often house some of the most vulnerable people in society. The health and wellbeing of these occupants should be prioritised by social housing schemes, to ensure vulnerable people have the level of comfort that they deserve in their homes. A healthy home is a building that is warm, naturally lit, soundproof and has a high internal air quality. In healthy homes, occupant wellbeing is safeguarded, as their breathability and use of natural light helps to prevent the effects of conditions such as asthma, allergies and sleep disorders. Concerningly, research carried
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out by Velux found that one in six Europeans currently live in an unhealthy home1, highlighting the need for an overhaul in the housing sector. Constructing an entirely new, healthy building may not always be feasible due to budget or time constraints, especially for local authorities and housing associations who may have limited funds and resources. Of the UK’s housing stock, social housing accounts for more than four million homes2 — all of which could benefit from retrofitting to improve their overall performance, indoor air quality and energy efficiency. These enhancements can help to safeguard the
health and wellbeing of potentially vulnerable occupants.
Improving the performance of homes Retrofitting and refurbishment provide local authorities and housing associations with an affordable solution to achieving healthy homes. There is also minimal energy used in the retrofitting process in comparison to energy use for new-builds — reducing the impact on the environment, which is further decreased when using natural materials. Using natural materials in retrofitting has additional benefits, including: ● Safeguarding occupant wellbeing — natural materials can help to ensure a
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more comfortable environment for occupants, due to the enhanced performance of insulation. Retrofitting with natural insulation can therefore help to improve the overall wellbeing and health of occupants. Futureproofing — older homes may not have been built with resilience and durability front of mind — two key properties of natural materials. Retrofitting using natural materials ensures that buildings are resistant to the pressures from their external environments. Long-term savings — energy efficiency in a home can be enhanced through the use of natural materials, reducing the cost of energy bills for landlords or tenants. The price of repairs and maintenance over time can also be significantly lessened due to the durability of natural materials. Decreased carbon emissions — due to improved energy efficiency, less energy will be used to heat and light a healthy home. This will result in reduced carbon emissions.
There has been a shift in focus towards energy efficiency, resulting in newer buildings being built with little consideration to air quality and ventilation. Barbara Fischer-Clarke from Stommel Haus states: “When you build a more airtight house, you have to be careful that you don’t end up with an internal atmosphere that’s little more than a plastic bag.”3 A lack of ventilation within homes, caused by a heightened focus on energy efficiency, can result in an increased amount of toxins within an internal environment. Good ventilation can reduce — or even eliminate — the amount of toxins released internally whilst ensuring consistent air flow. This can contribute to a healthy home to ensure the wellbeing of occupants. Breathing new life into older buildings To ‘breathe life’ into older buildings and improve their overall performance, there are small retrofitting processes that
Of the UK’s housing stock, social housing accounts for “more than four million homes. ” can be conducted. Proponents of Baubiologie (building biology) believe that certain materials and design ideas can have a positive impact on wellbeing, proving them to be suitable for organisations which house potentially vulnerable occupants. Here are some key ways in which you can improve the performance of existing buildings: 1. Make use of natural light Natural light in a home has countless benefits for occupant wellbeing. It can help to improve productivity, focus and regulate sleep cycles. Natural light also contributes to space conditioning (lighting and heating). 2. Incorporate an external insulation system An external insulation system will help to ensure a warmer home with improved air quality. Wool and woodfibre — which are often used in external insulation systems — have a high thermal efficiency and are vapour-permeable, ensuring enhanced indoor air quality and warmth. 3. Use natural materials for structural improvements Structural improvements, such as new flooring, windows or building an extension, are frequently required within homes. Natural materials can be used for these improvements — contributing to a healthy building and breathing new life into the home. 4. Remove impurities in the air Impurities can exist in the internal atmosphere, such as toxins released from damp, mould and mildew. Internal air quality can be enhanced by eliminating damp in homes through better quality ventilation. 5. Incorporate eco developments The construction industry is
constantly developing ways to make buildings more healthy and eco-friendly. Eco-friendly developments can be used to improve the performance of a home. Healthy homes can help to ensure the wellbeing of both the population and the planet. Retrofitting offers a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution to improve the performance of homes, safeguard the wellbeing of occupants and secure a healthy planet for the future. 1. Velux (2017). The impact of unhealthy buildings. Available at: https://www.velux.com/article/2017/theimpact-of-unhealthy-buildings 2. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/ government/uploads/system/uploads/attach ment_data/file/773079/Local_Authority_Hou sing_Statistics_England_year_ending_Marc h_2018.pdf 3. Build It (2017). How to Build a Healthy Home — Build It. Available at: https://www.selfbuild.co.uk/how-build-healthy-home/
Adrian Judd is Operations Director at Steico UK
■ To find out about the Green Leaf Campaign visit www.rdr.link/ln003
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The O2 Guildhall in Southampton
Stand the test of time LABM finds out how mastic asphalt helped ensure long-lasting waterproof protection at the O2 Guildhall in Southampton. astic asphalt is considered to be one of the most traditional roofing materials available, having provided protection from water penetration for centuries. For some, it is perceived as an old fashioned material, but like many long-lasting materials that have stood the test of time, it is being reimagined and modified in a modern way. Traditionally consisting of graded limestone aggregate bound together with bitumen, today’s mastic asphalt systems are now manufactured using advanced polymer modified formulations to ensure all the performance characteristics of traditional asphalt systems, with the added
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benefits of increased flexibility, enhanced handling and sustainability. Mastic asphalt is typically known for its durability and one project that effectively demonstrates this is the O2 Guildhall in Southampton. Originally opened in 1937 as a town hall and location for municipal functions, the Guildhall is located within the East Wing of Southampton’s Civic Centre and is Grade II listed. It is now used as a performing arts theatre and has hosted some of the biggest names in music from Pink Floyd and David Bowie in the 1970s to today’s bands such as the Killers, the Manic Street Preachers and the Kaiser Chiefs.
A mastic asphalt system from IKO was chosen for application to various roof areas at the Guildhall totalling 600m2
The roof of the O2 Guildhall required refurbishment and had previously been protected with mastic asphalt, which had provided effective weatherproof protection for over 40 years. As the existing mastic asphalt had performed so well over such a long period of time and the works had to remain sensitive to the
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The system build-up also comprised application of a vapour control layer and 100mm of insulation
The specially formulated mastic asphalt roofing system utilises “advanced polymer technology to provide a combination of long-term durability, increased fatigue resistance, improved temperature stability and ease of installation.
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character of the building and provide an aesthetic roof covering, Southampton Council wanted to use the same material to ensure a similar lifespan.
Roofing system A mastic asphalt system manufactured by Mastic Asphalt Council member IKO was chosen for application to various roof areas at the Guildhall totalling 600m2. The specially formulated mastic asphalt roofing system utilises advanced polymer technology to provide a combination of long-term durability, increased fatigue resistance, improved temperature stability and ease of installation. Its low temperature flexibility ensures that the system can be installed in cold weather. The existing mastic asphalt was stripped by a MAC contractor member and re-laid with IKO’s high performance mastic asphalt system. The system build-up also comprised application of a vapour control layer and 100mm of insulation. Upstand heights were raised where possible to conform to good roofing practice. The material was ideal for this project as it is well suited for Grade listed and heritage applications. Buckingham Palace is testament to the longevity of mastic asphalt. On top of the Royal household is a rooftop of mastic asphalt that has kept the building dry for well over 80 years. Other heritage applications include the Houses of
Parliament, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and Edinburgh Castle.
Durability and wear resistance Although mastic asphalt is a traditional material that was first patented in 1837 and has been around for years in more simple guises than today, it offers durability and wear resistance far beyond modern alternatives. The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has officially stated that mastic asphalt roofing is capable of lasting 50 to 60 years, but the Mastic Asphalt Council has many examples well in excess of this. For instance, mastic asphalt was first laid at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral in 1906 and it provided over 100 years’ of effective waterproofing before it needed replacement. Mastic asphalt’s green credentials were also an advantage for this project, as it is carbon neutral and when it has reached the end of its useful life, it can be recycled or used as roof screed. Ten years ago the mastic asphalt sector became the first industry in the world to achieve the CarbonZero standard.
Flame resistant Fire safety was another important consideration on this project. The high mineral content of mastic asphalt renders it virtually incombustible. Mastic asphalt fulfils all the external fire resistance required for a
roof covering and achieves the highest rating (AA) when tested in accordance with BS 476: Part 3. It has also been tested in accordance with draft European standards prEN1187-1 and prEN1187-2. No significant spread of flame was observed and no flame penetration occurred. As mastic asphalt is laid in molten form, it is often confused with other types of waterproofing membrane that require naked flame or torch on application. In reality, there is no naked flame at the point of installation and because mastic asphalt is so highly flame resistant, there is little or no potential of fire risk. This is particularly important for roofing projects on public buildings such as the O2 Guildhall, due to the safety aspect and minimal disruption to normal activities in the underlying building. Roofs can be quickly and efficiently waterproofed with mastic asphalt allowing other trades on site, often within hours. The flowing characteristics of mastic asphalt also make it easy for installing contractors to tackle roof surfaces which are complex, stepped or with multiple protrusions. The Mastic Asphalt Council (MAC) is the trade association for the mastic asphalt industry in the UK. Representing more than 70 companies operating in the sector, MAC members include mastic asphalt manufacturers, specialist application contractors and associated suppliers of equipment and services.
With thanks to the Mastic Asphalt Council for preparing this article ■ For more information on Mastic Asphalt roofing visit www.rdr.link/ln005
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SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS & PUBLIC BUILDINGS Stronger, richer colours are more easily recognised and remembered
Colour specification can be used to enhance healthcare environments
Taking care of paint specification within a healthcare setting. LABM finds out how Crown Trade’s inhouse colour experts helped Saffron Housing Trust devise a bespoke colour scheme for Grays Fair Court in Norfolk.
Colour schemes aint is a key part of any refurbishment or new-build project within healthcare settings. While considered colour scheming can assist with wayfinding around a building and contribute to creating an environment that benefits the wellbeing of its users, high-performance paints can also help to ensure a healthy and hygienic environment for patients, staff and visitors with minimal ongoing maintenance required. Saffron Housing Trust’s Grays Fair Court in Norfolk, which comprises 34 ‘housing with support and care’ flats, 20 respite care beds for patients recovering from surgery as well as day care facilities, recently underwent an extensive
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refurbishment using a bespoke colour scheme, devised for the project by Crown Paints’ in-house colour consultants.
Creating a memorable colour scheme Colour specification can be used strategically to enhance a healthcare environment and aid mobility around a building for everyone but specifically for people who are visually impaired or those who suffer with dementia — enabling them to remain independent for longer. A key part of the brief for the Grays Fair Court refurbishment was to create a space where residents would feel at home and it was clear that paint colour would be central to the success of the project.
Crown’s in-house colour experts worked closely with Saffron Housing Trust to devise a colour scheme drawing on bright, bold colours including deep purples, pinks and oranges in different areas — each combined with a complementary neutral shade. The scheme specified different core colours for each corridor and stairwell to assist with wayfinding and help residents who may struggle with navigating their way around the building. As well as colour coding distinct areas of a building, it’s also important to bear in mind that as the eye ages, colours become duller. Stronger, richer colours are therefore more easily recognised and remembered than duller pastel shades which become difficult to distinguish between, so the bold shades specified on this project will help building users to find their way around much easier.
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Saffron Housing Trust wanted to create an environment where residents would feel at home
Keeping it hygienically clean In today’s hygiene conscious world, surfaces need to be ultra clean and this is never more apparent than within a healthcare setting. However, a common problem of regular and rigorous cleaning is that it can wear away the paint finish and leave décor quickly looking tired. Highly durable paints such as Crown Trade’s Clean Extreme Stain Resistant Scrubbable Matt, which was applied to the walls and ceilings of the bedrooms and living areas at Grays Fair Court, are formulated so that they can be repeatedly scrubbed over longer periods without any detriment to the appearance by minimising the amount of paint film that is removed each time. With a Class 1 rating on the ISO11998 testing method, Clean Extreme is scrub resistant up to 10,000 scrubs, meaning the paint surface will not start to break down — even with a regular and intensive cleaning regime required to keep the building
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The team at Grays Fair Court also specified Crown Trade’s Timonox Vinyl Matt and Timonox Scrubbable Matt paints
hygienically clean. As well as being easyto-clean and highly durable it will also resist a variety of common household stains and to retain its ‘just decorated’ look for much longer than a traditional matt. Even when surfaces look clean, they can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Specifying a paint with in-built anti-bacterial protection such as Crown Trade’s Clean Extreme Anti-Bacterial Scrubbable Matt, which inhibits the growth of any bacteria that comes into contact with the surface and prevents bacteria from multiplying, is the ideal way to counter this potential problem. The range utilises silver ion technology to ensure that the anti-bacterial protection can’t be washed off no matter how many times the surface is scrubbed clean.
Safe and secure The team at Grays Fair Court also used the company’s Timonox Vinyl Matt and Timonox Scrubbable Matt, which have
been formulated for use on new and previously painted wall and ceiling surfaces to provide a Class 0 rating against the surface spread of flames. The paint offers extra durability as it is scrub resistant, achieving an ISO11998 class 1 rating and is ideal for high traffic communal areas such as hallways, stairwells and fire escape routes. The high-performance paints selected proved ideal for the project at Grays Fair Court. As they can be tinted to match any RAL shade to suit any colour scheme, it ensured there was no need to compromise on form or function on the project.
With thanks to Crown Trade for preparing this article ■ Download Crown Trade’s Healthcare Colour Book here www.rdr.link/ln006
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The new £29m secondary school at the Sir Frederick Gibberd College
Quality control Andy Smith looks at the reasons modular and offsite construction is providing a way forward for the education sector. ollowing the Government’s ongoing commitment to favour offsite manufacturing on all publicly funded construction projects going forward, the benefits (including shorter timescales, quality manufacturing, sustainability and improved health and safety on site) have become more widely understood. There was good reason why the Government stated in favour of offsite. Last year, about one in five families in England failed to gain a place at their first choice school, with the rate rising above 40% in several London boroughs. It is estimated that by 2022, around a third of councils will have a shortage of places for nearly 60,000 pupils. That figure rises to nearly half of all local authorities in England by September 2024, when more than 120,000 young people are ‘at risk of no place’ if new schools are not built.
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Overcrowding remains an issue and LEA’s need to extend existing establishments and invest in new facilities to accommodate the increasing number of pupils. However, with limited funds available, careful consideration must be made about the cost-effectiveness, timescales and build quality of all construction methods in order that LEA’s achieve value for money.
A SMART solution In comparison to traditional construction, offsite techniques enable more than 80 to 90% of the work to be completed in a factory, which is a quality controlled environment unaffected by the weather. This reduces the likelihood of the build being put on hold due to adverse weather conditions. Individual classrooms through to whole schools can be completed using offsite technology and within the school
holiday window, meaning significantly less risk-assessed people on or around the site. Manufacturing offsite and then assembling onsite also creates a safer workplace, because it is a more controlled environment that reduces the need for working at height. With transportation and trade reduced there is less traffic and noise impact on both the school and the local community. Modular is more economical too and can be better for the environment, as there is a dramatic reduction in waste compared to traditional build methods.
Modular schools Caledonian was recently appointed as Lead Designer and Principal Contractor for Haygrove School in Bridgwater and The Sir Frederick Gibberd College in Essex under Department for Education (DfE) frameworks. Our strategy on both
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projects is to maximise the extent of onsite groundworks prior to the modules arriving to the site, which are delivered and installed with final decorations, floor coverings and furniture completed at our Newark based manufacturing facility. This significantly reduces onsite works and disruption to the school and local community, and maximises quality control and efficiency, reducing the overall project timescales. The new £29m secondary school at the Sir Frederick Gibberd College will comprise a 1,200 place facility built over three storeys, including a school hall, dining hall, drama studio and a 500 place sixth form teaching area as well as sports facilities and all associated external works and sports pitches. The design incorporates concrete floors and, being a componentbased system, allows greater flexibility in design whilst delivering a DfE compliant solution, as well as all the efficiency and time saving benefits of a modular build.
Work being undertaken at Haygrove School will involve utilising Caledonian’s component based education solution to replace the main building
The design incorporates concrete floors and, being a “component-based system, allows greater flexibility in design whilst delivering a DfE compliant solution, as well as all the efficiency and time saving benefits of a modular build.
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Work being undertaken at Haygrove School will involve utilising Caledonian’s component based education solution to replace the main building with modern and efficient offsite manufactured teaching environments. The construction work will be undertaken while the school remains open with works carefully planned to ensure minimal disruption to both the teaching timetable and local community. The three-storey building will consist of classrooms, double-height hall and studio spaces, offices, kitchen and associated rooms for educational purposes, along with enabling groundworks and external
works. Both schools incorporate factory installed concrete floors to deliver an acoustically compliant, comfortable, safe and durable environment. As part of a consultative approach, the design of SFGC and Haygrove School were informed by standards supplied by the Department for Education and developed through a series of engagement meetings with the schools and stakeholders. We worked closely with the DfE and the schools, as we do on all our education projects, to deliver modern, efficient teaching spaces that will open further opportunities for young people in the area.
£3bn education framework In January this year, working with Stride Treglown Architects, Caledonian was selected as one of five companies to deliver a £2bn programme of offsite built secondary schools and blocks, for the Department of Education (DFE) under Lot 1 of the Modern Methods of Construction Framework. The other smaller scale project, Lot 2, will deliver a £1bn programme of offsite built primary school schemes and secondary blocks. Established by the DfE to build on the success of recent modular procurements, this major framework supports a wider government move towards modern methods of construction as a preference for new-build projects and reinforces the desire of the DfE to continue the commitment to Modern Methods of Construction in the delivery of education projects.
Andy Smith is Head of Business Development at Caledonian ■ To find out more about Caledonian’s work in the education sector visit www.rdr.link/ln007
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Lighting the way to savings The Energys Group LED upgrade at Leytonstone School is set to deliver £8.7K annual savings — as well as pupil wellbeing benefits. LABM finds out more. eytonstone School is on track to significantly reduce its annual energy use following the final part of its LED lighting upgrade — as financed by the London Borough of Waltham Forest’s Salix Fund. The project is estimated to achieve annual savings in the region of £8,700 against a project cost of £69,639. This is projected to lead to carbon reduction savings of 24.61 tonnes of CO2/pa with a lifetime carbon savings of 615 tonnes. Return on investment is predicted to be within 7.3 years. Leytonstone School has been in its current location in the London Borough of Waltham Forest for over a century. Today, more than 800 students aged between 1116 attend the school, which has been rated as Good by OFSTED since 2016. Since Leytonstone School first opened, there has been ongoing development of the site. The latest refurbishment took place just four years ago when the lighting in the main building was upgraded to LED. However, the lighting in the Practical block and Music and Drama building was not upgraded at that time. Sean Goffin, Site Manager at the school, became increasingly concerned about the maintenance costs and levels of lighting failures, particularly relating to the
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emergency lighting. When he contacted Nimish Shah, Energy Manager at London Borough of Waltham Forest, he was confident that they would be keen to assist.
Salix funded solution The London Borough of Waltham Forest supports schools in the Borough to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their carbon emissions through its Salix Fund. Waltham Forest match-funds the Salix grant to provide loans to schools within the borough. As Nimish Shah explains: “We loan funds to schools to invest in energy efficiency projects and they repay us as those savings are realised. We have been running this fund for the past decade and so far we have recycled it 2.5 times.” With more than 50 maintained schools within the Borough, the team at Waltham Forest are keen to target schools with the highest expenditure on energy projects. This latest project for Leytonstone School showed significant scope to make further savings — and as such the Borough’s energy team agreed it was a project to proceed with. Raj Gunasekaren, Business Development Manager at Energys Group proposed a solution to which could be delivered with minimum disruption. Self-learning Intelligent
The LED lighting upgrade at Leytonstone School is expected to lead to carbon reduction savings of 24.61 tonnes of CO2/pa
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Wireless Control LED lights were installed, which use iDim Active+ sensor technology. This is an intelligent wireless automatic control that provides daylight harvesting and presence detection without need for re-wiring or modification to existing circuits. Energys Group estimated that the project would take 10 days to complete and, in order to minimise disruption to the school timetable, the project was scheduled for the Summer half-term holiday. In the event, the majority of the project was completed during the half-term week and the team finished off the project by working a couple of early mornings and late evenings.
Improved quality of light The school’s Site Manager Sean Goffin was very pleased with the way in which Energys Group delivered this project: “The work was completed on time and with minimum disruption to the school day and teachers have already commented on the improvement in the quality of the lighting, which is an excellent outcome.” Sean is delighted with the commitment the Energys Group team has made to following up and tweaking the new system: “Nothing has been too much trouble for them and, whilst it is still early days in terms of seeing the energy savings coming through, I am already noticing a reduction in the maintenance time for the lighting in these two buildings.” Raj says: “We are delighted to install our energy efficient, state of the art LED technology at Leytonstone School. Staff and students alike will now benefit from all the known benefits of LED lighting, including reduced eyestrain and improved alertness — and the school budget benefits too.”
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Lighting for pupil and teacher wellbeing: At Leytonstone School, LED technology is delivering above and beyond energy benefits. There are tangible wellbeing outcomes too. It is now widely accepted that LED lighting technologies have been proven to help deliver pupils — and teachers and other staff — the best light levels, to improve health and wellbeing and learning application. 'Higher illumination levels lead to increased concentration,' claims one study. Both natural light and modern LEDs can therefore dramatically benefit children's happiness and intelligence. 'Especially in education, a conscious mind is important for good concentration during lessons. It doesn’t matter if the person is an elementary scholar or a student. Both can benefit from an optimised lighting environment in a direct or indirect way,' argues an EU-backed report on the benefits of lighting upgrades for schools. Whilst natural light is always best, and always the most sustainable, where natural light is lacking, for example on dark days or in poorly designed legacy buildings, new lighting technology has a crucial role to play. In these circumstances, LED alternatives ensure that pupils have the best light levels, the right colour gradients and the cooler temperatures modern solutions provide. The search for practical improvements to legacy lighting suggests schools should be appointing lighting providers that, first and foremost, understand the issues. This drive should come from the top down. After all, both education and lighting are complex. The modern school features many competing drivers, performance standards and benchmarking measures. Among all these, it is easy for lighting to lose advantage. Management level guidance is required. The challenge is plain. If school leaders overlook lighting improvements in the race to tick boxes, schools will miss easy opportunities to improve learning, results, happiness and day to day school life. Ironically, these are the very metrics inspectors use to rate schools' performance. The right lights will contribute across every facet of school life; sustainability, low carbon and productivity. In the competition for management time and funding, it's never been more critical that lighting does not lose out.
With thanks to the Energys Group for preparing this article ■ For a copy of the Financing energy efficiency for schools + colleges brochure visit www.rdr.link/ln008
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SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS & PUBLIC BUILDINGS ROUND-UP
Adhesive-free floors collection expands Altro has added new ranges to its adhesivefree, sustainable floors. Advantages include enhanced comfort underfoot and greater sound impact reduction, as well as more colour and wood design options to offer complete flexibility for differing application areas. The adhesive-free floors also benefit from the company’s advanced Easyclean technology and are said to be 100% recyclable. New Altro Wood adhesive-free has 12 wood-look designs, enabling specifiers to create biophilic or warm aesthetics together with the safety and durability needed for medium to high traffic areas. The Wood and the Cantata ranges are the first floors to use Altro’s underside emboss structure, which provides 14dB impact sound reduction and comfort underfoot.
■ To see a video about the adhesive-free floors visit www.rdr.link/ln009 Cardiff rises to the challenge of inclusion Cardiff Council is rising to the perpetual challenge of enabling pupils with special needs to integrate as fully as possible into mainstream school life. Cardiff Council’s Building Services has worked with Closomat to adapt existing facilities within a number of schools across the city so that disabled pupils and their support staff are suitably accommodated to ensure safe, hygienic, and dignified use of the WC. A key feature of the adaptations has been fitting of full room cover ceiling track hoists. In the past two years alone, Closomat has supplied and installed 10 hoists within wheelchair-accessible WCs, hygiene rooms and changing rooms. The hoists enable safe transfer of the child from wheelchair to any point within the WC or hygiene, changing room. The range of track hoist solutions can accommodate a 200kg/31st lift, and can descend as low as required- even allowing pick-up from the floor.
■ To see a video about Closomat’s Ceiling Track Hoists visit www.rdr.link/ln010 £1.3m furniture fit out contract for new specialist critical care centre Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading furniture and fit out specialists, has been awarded a £1.3m contract by Laing O’Rourke for the manufacture, supply and installation of furniture and fittings for the new £350m Grange University Hospital in South East Wales. Deanestor will manufacture around 3,000 items of furniture for the 55,000m2 hospital, including laboratory furniture, shelving, base and wall cabinets in compliance with all relevant HTMs. Its team will procure and fit more than 22,000 products for around 1,450 rooms — from mirrors and medi rails to drug cabinets and specialist catheter storage units. Due to open early 2021, the new hospital will provide complex and critical care, serving a community of over 600,000 people.
■ To find out more about Deanestor’s solutions visit www.rdr.link/ln011
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Clay tile delivers ‘top of the class’ solution for school roof Wightwick Hall School in Tinacre Hill, Wolverhampton, has installed a complete roof system from Marley, including its Hawkins clay tile, in Staffordshire Mix, to create a high-quality roof that fits in with the heritage appearance of the surrounding area. The business and enterprise college, which is located in an old stately home with extensive landscaped gardens, required a specialist clay tile to not only meet strict planning standards, but also seamlessly blend in with the school’s rustic setting. Marley supplied the underlay, battens and all fixtures and fittings used on the project’s roof. As a result of specifying all the individual roofing elements from Marley, the project’s contractors were also able to take advantage of the peace of mind offered by Marley’s 15-year guarantee.
■ To request a sample of the Hawkins clay tile visit www.rdr.link/ln012 New boiler ticks all the boxes A Remeha Gas 120 Ace high efficiency floor-standing condensing boiler is keeping pupils and staff at Brynsaron Primary School in Carmarthenshire reliably warm this winter. Brynsaron is a rural, off-gas grid school that had previously relied on a dated atmospheric cast iron boiler for its heating and hot water. When carrying out the planned boiler replacement, reliability and energy efficiency were key priorities for Carmarthenshire County Council to keep school comfort levels high, operating costs low and minimise any environmental impact. The project also presented a number of interesting challenges, including space constraints within the plant room and the need for the new boiler to run on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Bullock Consulting’s Carmarthen Office specified a Remeha Gas 120 Ace condensing boiler to meet all the above requirements.
■ To download the boiler specification guide visit www.rdr.link/ln013
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KITCHENS, BATHROOMS & DISABILITY NEEDS
Bathroom pods being created in a factory
L&Q specified bathroom pods from Offsite Solutions for a project in Croydon
Bathroom trends Richard Tonkinson provides some insight into the latest trends in the use of pod technology. he use of bathroom pods in the residential sector has increased hugely in recent years. Prior to that, bathroom pods were most commonly used in student accommodation and hotel projects. A significant change is the adoption of pods across all market sectors and price points. The benefits of using pods in high-rise buildings are well documented but their application for detached, low-rise housing is currently less prominent. However, we are now seeing a significant rise in future demand in medium-density, medium-rise housing. A recent trend is the large shopping centre groups reallocating surplus land to residential and particularly to build-to-rent. These schemes are often three to fourstorey buildings where offsite construction is being designed in from the outset to accelerate delivery, reduce programme times and improve the quality of construction. We are also receiving more enquiries and interest from developers of senior living schemes and have engineered a solution that allows pods to be installed into timber-framed structures.
fit and finish. The principal function of the pod carcase is to allow offsite fitting out and delivery to site. The carcase is typically either steel-framed or GRP, depending on the end use and budget: ● Steel-framed pods allow tiled interior finishes and a higher level of design flexibility. Applications include large-scale apartment schemes. ● GRP pods have lower capital expenditure, are robust and easy to maintain and clean. These pods are widely used for student accommodation, social housing and hospitals.
What is a bathroom pod?
Pods offer significant benefits for projects on constrained urban sites where the space for material storage is a challenge. Fully completed bathrooms can be delivered to a carefully planned programme for installation in just a few
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In simple terms, a pod is only pod for the purpose of manufacturing and transportation to site. Once it is installed, it is little different from an in-situ built bathroom, aside from improved quality of
New innovations in pod technology include: Demountable GRP pods for projects with restricted access. ● Hybrid GRP pods which offer an enhanced finish with options such as recesses and tiled feature walls. ● Floorless pods for projects where a continuous level floor finish is required. ● Utility rooms for multi-occupancy apartment schemes. ●
Key drivers for the use of bathroom pods
hours — removing the need for storage on site and reducing vehicle movements. One of the key drivers for bathroom pod procurement is to reduce programme times. By moving bathroom construction into a controlled factory environment, the programme saving on a large residential project can be as much as 20 weeks. This means a faster return on investment for the developer or earlier occupation for the social housing client – and greater certainty of completion on time and to budget.
Reducing risk and improving construction quality Site-based bathroom construction typically requires around seven different trades and 10-15 operations plus the required drying times. With offsite manufacture, this is reduced to a single pod supplier, which means less risk of delays and simplified procurement. Bathroom pods also reduce the requirement onsite for skilled subcontracted labour, supervision and the associated health and safety obligations. The production line environment of pod manufacture offers consistently higher quality, and improved productivity.
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Offsite Solutions pod factory testing
Offsite Solutions’ GRP pods
The repetitive nature of bathroom pod production means that the units can be completed to higher quality standards than onsite.
number of design types in size and shape, and variations, such as left and right-hand versions, as far as possible. This is key to achieving the economies of scale for efficient offsite manufacture.
How to procure bathroom pods The most critical consideration for bathroom pod procurement is to engage early. Pods should be designed into the first stages of a construction project and installation must be allowed for in the build-up of walls and floors to reduce the likelihood of access issues. To optimise efficiency, specifiers should rationalise the
Offsite Solutions also creates bathroom pods for healthcare applications
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with encapsulated honeycomb polypropylene. Be aware that cheaper alternatives such as cardboard can be susceptible to delamination.
Some projections for the future When procuring bathroom pods, we would advise checking: ● Guarantees and accreditations — The manufacturer’s guarantees should be 12 years for steel-framed and 50 years for GRP pods, with back-to-back guarantees for sanitaryware and fittings. ● Customer service commitments — Inhouse design resources, a dedicated site manager who will visit site at regular intervals; and after sales support to advise on any installation issues. ● Quality control — A robust pre-delivery testing regime should be in place — look at the procedures closely. All pods should be fully traceable throughout their life for enhanced quality control. ● Visit the factory — Look closely at the manufacturer’s financial stability, figures for repeat business, and project management expertise. Talk to past customers as part of the procurement process. ● Pod construction — Examine the pod construction details to ensure longevity. For example, the entire walls and floor to the wet area of a steelframed pod should be fully tanked — not just half of the shower wall. GRP pods should have robust wall detailing
The adoption of bathroom pods by the major housebuilders will require a change of mindset — and to facilitate that, workshops can be hosted to work through how bathroom pods can be used for different building types to maximise the benefits, whilst still offering a degree of customer choice. Local authority and housing association specifiers often like to give prospective tenants the opportunity to choose from a range of finishes for their new homes, as do housebuilders. However, in order to suit offsite manufacture, the choice for the bathrooms has to be rationalised and the number of footprints limited. It is still possible to offer a choice of finishes, such as colour palettes, provided the bathroom footprints are consistent, specification decisions fit with the production scheduling, and there is sufficient volume for production runs of at least 100 bathrooms.
Richard Tonkinson is Executive Director of Offsite Solutions, a leading bathroom pod manufacturer ■ For details on Offsite Solutions CPD visit www.rdr.link/ln014
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Robin Tuffley discusses home adaptations and reinforces the importance of ensuring rooms are not just accessible but useable.
Making room for adaptations ut yourself in your client’s shoes. No one chooses to be disabled; of the 11+million registered disabled people in the UK, only 20% were born with their disability. So it could happen to you. In delivering home adaptations, there is a tendency to forget that, as a specific criterion under the Disabled Facilities Grant, people should be able to access the bedroom, kitchen and toilet, however, there is no point providing access if they still cannot use the room.
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Accessibility and useability Foundations, the national body for Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs) and the lead on transformation of Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) points out in its review of the DFG1 that one in 10 people say they
are either unable, and find it difficult, to move, stand or walk independently. Officers tasked with addressing disability in adaptations — whether private or social housing — need to address not just how to empower someone to get into the space, but how they can use it. The ‘how they can use it’ goes beyond the obvious. Kitchens and bathrooms have to be kept clean for hygiene and safety reasons. Chris Sneddon, Project Co-Ordinator for the Accessible Homes Agency and Handy Person Service at Calderdale Council, made a great point. Chris explains: “What about the warranty with some of the independent living aids and adaptative equipment? The small print can require specific ancillaries to be used
or procedures to be followed yet our clients may not be in a position to do that. If it breaks and the warranty has been invalidated, I am faced with having to buy a new one, with all the stress and inconvenience to the client, and the time my team will have to spend organising the replacement, arranging a contractor to install it etc.” As a result, Chris chooses to specify and install solutions that are not so stringent in warranty terms. Chris addresses best value — which is a duty, an obligation for local authorities to consider.
Duty of Best Value Under the Duty of Best Value2, authorities should consider overall value, including economic, environmental and social value,
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when reviewing service provision. As a concept, social value is about seeking to maximise the additional benefit that can be created by procuring or commissioning goods and services, above and beyond the benefit of merely the goods and services themselves. Time and again, a well-thought through adaptation is proven to enable the person to remain in their own home and continue to do activities of daily living (ADLs) for themselves, safely. That has numerous impacts through to demand on social care and health services: grab rails in the bathroom, or replacement of a shower tray with a level access shower, can reduce risk and incidence of falls, for example.
Ask the right questions to get the right solutions Getting an adaptation right depends on the right questions being asked in the first place. In the kitchen, it is a little easier, as recipients will more willingly admit that they struggle to lift the kettle from a conventional height worktop. In the bathroom, it is harder: would you admit to a stranger you cannot get on and off the WC? That you are struggling to wipe your bottom? That you cannot get out of the bath? Depending on the bathroom layout, the client may well be improvising and using the basin — if within reach — as leverage and support. However, the basin was not designed for that, and may well not be fixed securely enough. Asked if they struggle to get in and out of the chair in the lounge, most clients will answer that happily. That lends itself to be asked the follow-on question of how do they manage in the bathroom. Then you can deliver an adaptation that is necessary and appropriate, that is reasonable and practical — from the outset, which futureproofs the home for at least the short to medium-term (again, helping deliver good practice duty).
Client choice Also, the client should have choice. A raised toilet seat may well make it difficult for the rest of the household to use the WC. It may make the client feel unbalanced, unsafe when they are using
the WC, especially as they reach or contort to wipe themselves. A toilet lifter — the WC equivalent of a riser recliner chair — may be a better solution. Or an alternative WC, such as a wash and dry toilet, that can be set to the most appropriate height for the user and spare them having to risk the contortion and balance issues inherent in wiping. Both pieces of equipment are conventionally perceived to form major adaptations, but in reality are simple and straightforward to install, helping accelerate delivery. If funded under a DFG, the additional cost is almost an irrelevance. It is not the Council’s pot of money, but government funding. Depending on where the Authority pitches its means testing, such adaptations can be done expediently as a ‘fast track’. The process can be accelerated further.
Speeding up the assessment processes If a Regulatory Reform Order (RRO) is implemented, that can in effect throw out the rulebook for DFG applications. RROs can be used to remove means testing, to expedite hospital discharge adaptations, and execute preventative adaptations. Under such orders, equipment bought to enable one client can be repurposed to help another (recycled) when no longer needed. Indeed, some equipment manufacturers offer recycling schemes now, whereby they will clean and recondition the kit before sending it out to its new location. There is also growing use of product specialists and trusted assessors, whereby
those with the detailed knowledge can work alongside the adaptations team to get the equipment specification right from the outset. Then a disabled adaptation that meets the need is achieved. 1
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/gove rnment/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_ data/file/762920/Independent_Review_of_t he_Disabled_Facilities_Grant.pdf 2 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/gove rnment/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_ data/file/5945/1976926.pdf
Robin Tuffley is Marketing Manager at Closomat ■ For more information on housing adaptations visit www.rdr.link/ln015
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KITCHENS, BATHROOMS & DISABILITY NEEDS Terry Lifts fitted one of its Harmony Through Floor Lifts into the home of a Leeds City Council resident
Living in harmony ousing providers across the UK are seeking ways to help people live at home for longer. An ageing population is the primary concern, with nearly 12 million people aged 65 and above in the UK and the number of centenarians increasing 85% in the past 15 years (source: ONS (2018)). Housing which meets society’s changing needs is critical. The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee’s ‘Housing for older people’ second report of session 2017-19 states that: ‘Poor quality, unadapted, hazardous, poorly heated and poorly insulated accommodation can lead to older people having reduced mobility, depression, chronic and acute illness, falls, social isolation, loneliness and depression.’ The impact of inadequate housing is felt widely. ‘The costs of poor housing to the NHS is estimated to be £1.4bn per annum; of which nearly half (£624m) is attributed to poor housing among older adults,’ (House of Commons, 2018). There are some local authorities with active housing plans which may go some
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Adrian Sunter offers advice to local authority and housing association specifiers on housing adaptation works and the installation of home lifts.
way to ease the problem — providing modern, future-proof homes but in the main, adaptation remains the one and only solution for helping people to live at home, whatever their age or ability.
Embracing adaptation Leeds City Council is a provider which embraces adaptation for its residents. Working with its social care team it helps those who have difficulty getting around the home due to a physical disability, sensory impairment or old age by making changes to their property, making it suitable for their needs and to help them live at home independently. The council currently provides mobility adaptations to around 2,500 properties, including the installation of home lifts (through the floor lifts), external step lifts, stair lifts and patient hoists. The type of adaptation is dependent on individual requirements. Last year, expert lift manufacturer Terry Lifts secured a four-year framework agreement with Leeds City Council to supply specialist lifts for eligible residents.
This is the second time that the Knutsfordbased business has won the specialist lifts lot of the ‘housing & non-housing framework’. Terry Lifts was selected for its quality products and competitive rates. Fire protection also played an important role in the selection process.
Smoke and fire protection Speaking on behalf of Leeds City Council, Chris Hughes, Team Leader (lift section), Leeds Building Services says: “Any company that tenders for work for Leeds City Council would have to work to current specifications and legislation so fire protection would be very important.” A through the floor lift, for example, requires an opening to be created for the lift to pass through when travelling from floor to floor. This instantly breaks the fire integrity and removes the fire protection of the firstfloor structure — potentially enabling a fire to move freely between floors. To minimise risk, it is vital that an independently certificated through the floor lift is selected and installed, one which
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Terry Lifts installed its Harmony lift into the home of the Cumming’s family
complies with BS 5900:2012 (Powered home lifts with partially enclosed carriers and no lift way enclosures) and is independently tested by an approved Notified Body.
In harmony A recent installation, carried out on behalf of Leeds City Council, saw Terry Lifts fit its Harmony lift into the home of the Cummings family, giving easy and safe access to the first floor. In line with the framework criteria, the Harmony home lift is compliant to BS 5900:2012 — maintaining 30-minute fire and smoke integrity between floors, whether it is parked upstairs or downstairs. Smoke or heat alarms ensure the lift performs correctly in case of activation. The Harmony can be fitted almost anywhere in the home. The Cummings’ home lift was installed between the kitchen on the ground floor and a first floor bedroom, for example. The lift requires minimal headroom on the first floor and can be installed against non-loading bearing walls. No lift shaft is required so it can be installed quickly with no mess or fuss. Speaking about the installation process, Chris continues: “Most of the work is carried out with minimum disruption to the residents. On the odd occasion we would arrange for temporary respite for those who would be affected by the work.” Aside from lift supply and installation, Terry Lifts also provides Leeds City Council with a recycling service. Once an adaptation is no longer required, the company decommission the lift and return it to the factory in Cheshire. The product is then fully refurbished and prepared for reinstallation into another suitable property. “This exercise saves Leeds City Council money which can then be used to fund any ongoing or future adaptations,” says Chris. “Terry Lifts continue to provide excellent service to Leeds City Council. All installations are dealt with in a professional manner from the initial enquiry through to the end user. All work is completed to a very high standard and within an acceptable timeframe.”
Adrian Sunter is Commercial Director at Terry Lifts ■ To watch a video about the Harmony Through Floor Lift visit www.rdr.link/ln016
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KITCHENS, BATHROOMS & DISABILITY NEEDS ROUND-UP
New shower wall panelling range available AKW, one of the UK’s leading providers of accessibility solutions, has launched its new Origins Wall Panel range. It comes in both tongue and groove and square edge formats and is available in 16 different colourways. Having the option of 900mm and 600mm width tongue and groove panels or the 1,200mm width square edge version means that no matter what the quality of the existing surface, there is a wall panel solution to suit. The range is designed for internal use, in areas that are exposed to water. From bathrooms, wet rooms and shower enclosures to commercial spaces that require hygienic wall cladding, this solution is hard-wearing, low maintenance and quick and easy to install. The 11mm thick wall panels are made of WPS plywood substrate for ultimate strength and longevity.
■ For more information on the range visit www.rdr.link/ln017 Compact kitchens designed for modern living Elfin Kitchens showcased its range of compact, pre-built, robust powder coated and stainlesssteel kitchens at KBB Birmingham 2020. The ‘plug and play kitchen in a box’ collection offers specifiers, designers and developers an insight into the array of models available — and how they can be incorporated within a range of applications, from student and holiday accommodation, through to HMOs and social housing. The Economy Plus kitchen is available in sizes of 1,000 or 1,200mm, it comes with either a 20L solo microwave or 20L combination microwave, oven and grill, as well as refrigerator with freezer compartment, sink, drainer, tap and a choice of hob upgrades. The company’s compact kitchens are manufactured to fulfil all aspects of modern living — regardless of the space available and the unit’s size.
■ For more information on the Economy Plus range visit www.rdr.link/ln018 Duddeston apartments upgraded with energy-efficient ventilation systems The Boat Blocks, owned by Birmingham City Council, consist of four 12storey tower blocks of 66 apartments each, with EnviroVent’s whole house ventilation units installed in all 264 properties. The Council was aware of condensation and mould issues in the apartments, which were at risk of being exacerbated when External Wall Insulation (EWI) was fitted as part of the upgrade, which would effectively reduce natural ventilation to the flats. EnviroVent recommended its wallmounted Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) systems because they eliminate the requirement for multiple extract fans within the flats in the kitchens and bathrooms, providing highly effective ‘whole house’ ventilation. The units provide fresh, filtered and tempered air into the flats, improving the indoor air quality, reducing condensation and eliminating black mould.
■ For more information on PIV visit www.rdr.link/ln019
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Mobile wetroom helps bring young man home from hospital Having spent four and half months in hospital, 21 year old Luke wanted nothing more than to go home but the house had no accessible bathroom facilities. WashPod, the mobile, disabled wetroom, provided a rapid and dignified solution. In early 2019, Luke was hit by a car when he was crossing the road and was seriously injured. He currently needs a wheelchair, which made coming back to the family home difficult. Luke’s mother Annette discovered the WashPod from Dignity Access online and was thrilled. It was a rapid installation as there was one that was becoming available and within two weeks from the first phone call, it was connected to Luke’s downstairs bedroom with a lobby for total privacy and comfort. In this instance, the unit was craned into position but both internal and external units can also be constructed from a flat-pack form and transported through the house or narrower side gates. The WashPod is fully fitted to comply with the highest specification of part M of the Building Regulations. Typical facilities include accessible shower facility, basin and WC.
■ For more information on Washpod visit www.rdr.link/ln020
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Birmingham City Council fire safety programme aims to improve tenant safety and engagement while minimising disruption. crystal-clear evidence from the London Assembly and West Midlands Fire Service, which recommended the installation of sprinklers in high-rise blocks.” Controlling or extinguishing fires in 99% of cases1, in the UK no one has ever died in a fire within a building fitted with working sprinklers2. They are widely recognised as the single most effective method for fighting the spread of fires in their early stages. Sharon says: “We have a duty to provide the highest levels of fire protection for our tenants and were prepared to find the necessary funds to retrofit measures that reduce the risk of fire and help tenants feel safer. We prioritised council spending to install sprinklers, adding to the robust fire safety measures already in place.”
Three-year programme
Ensuring tenant safety enant safety has always been the number one priority of Birmingham City Council. Since the Grenfell Tower tragedy, there has understandably been an increased focus on fire safety. Despite receiving zero funding from government, Birmingham City Council has taken the decision to retrofit sprinklers in all its 10,000 high-rise flats across the city at a cost of £31m. While the key objective is tenant safety, the council also wants tenants to feel informed and involved. Birmingham City Council is Europe’s largest local authority, serving well over a million customers. Owning approximately 62,000 dwellings — around 10,000 of which
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are high-rise flats — it has more housing stock than any other local authority in the UK. Following the Grenfell Tower disaster, the council pledged to install sprinkler systems throughout its 213 high-rise residential tower blocks, at a cost of £31m. Sharon Thompson, Cabinet Minister for Homes and Neighbourhoods at Birmingham City Council, explains why they took the decision: “Working in the public sector, first and foremost, our priority has to be about the public. So, for us, it wasn’t about fulfilling legal obligations; we have a moral commitment to our citizens and there’s no question about the action we needed to take. We could not ignore the
The sprinkler programme is being rolled out over three years and started in 2018. It’s a major project involving the council’s three main principal contractors to deliver repairs, voids, gas and capital works — Wates Living Space, Fortem and ENGIE — as well as multiple subcontractors and many stakeholders. To ensure the project runs smoothly, the council worked closely with its partners, contractors and suppliers, as well as West Midlands Fire Service, Building Control and the City Housing Liaison Board, to carefully plan a programme of works. Installations are taking place on a pre-agreed block-by-block basis. Daniel Camp, Project Manager at Wates Living Space, explains: “In the first year, installations are taking place in sheltered high-rise blocks and blocks where refurbishment work was already being carried out. Over the second year, we’ll be working in blocks with 14 or more stories and blocks with 10-14 stories with a single staircase. The third year will cover blocks with 10-14 stories with double staircases and blocks under 10 stories. However,
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Example of concealed sprinkler pipework
while this plan has been agreed, schedules can change depending on circumstances, so we do need a reasonable degree of flexibility to cater for this. “Working on ‘live’ sites is of course challenging, and we try to minimise disruption and inconvenience for residents. Each flat should take no longer than three working days to complete, and residents will usually stay in their homes.”
Made-to-measure pipe boxing The installation process involves lengths of sprinkler system pipework being fitted along ceilings and walls within individual flats, rather than the system being hidden within cavity spaces, as would be the case in new buildings. Exposed pipework can be unsightly, so to avoid it having a detrimental impact on people’s homes, Birmingham City Council has opted for it to be concealed, or ‘boxed in’, providing a more discreet look. Pre-formed, made-to-measure sprinkler pipe boxing was specified, rather than onsite fabrication, and is being fitted throughout the properties. It effectively covers the lengths of pipework and fits closely around the circular sprinkler heads, providing a neat, consistent, uniform finish. It’s simple to fit and does not require painting, making it a cost-effective, quick solution, typically taking less time to fit than boxing in solutions fabricated onsite. It
therefore reduces the time and labour costs involved and minimises tenant disruption. A significant proportion of the pipe boxing is being manufactured by Pendock. Managing Director Richard Braid says: “It’s essential for occupants to feel comfortable with the sprinkler system installations, and the way they look is really important. For this reason, most councils invest in pipe boxing, and the finished job should be neat, tidy and discreet. In each tower block in Birmingham, a pilot flat is produced for initial sign off, which tenants have access to — this usually reassures them about the aesthetics and quality of workmanship.” Pendock has a UK factory, and Richard Braid believes British manufacturing offers a real benefit for a major programme of this kind, which requires flexibility. Richard continues: “Flats in tower blocks typically have different internal layouts — even within the same building if modifications have been made — and site drawings very often differ to reality. When ordering pipe boxing and the associated accessories for multiple properties, it’s therefore impossible to have a universal blueprint or to take a one-size-fits-all approach. “As a British manufacturer, we have complete control over our production and delivery processes and can adapt to meet the requirements of a project of this size. Being agile and flexible, we can swiftly
make changes in order to meet deadlines and project timescales.”
Resident engagement Tenant communication is proving to be key to the success of the project. Sharon says: “After the Grenfell tragedy, we carried out visits to all tenants living in high-rise accommodation to ensure we were listening to them and understood their concerns. We continue to talk to our tenants about fire safety, and good communication and engagement are crucial for the sprinkler system programme. It’s vital that we involve tenants as much as possible; it’s going to affect them and their homes. “In the weeks before work starts in an individual block, tenants are invited to a customer engagement launch meeting, where they can ask questions and find out more about the installation process. Tenants are also kept up-to-date with progress through our local housing teams and representatives from our contractors. “We appreciate that tenants have questions about when the work will be carried out, and what the systems look like and how they work. People sometimes have concerns about the technology, for example whether cooking appliances can accidently set sprinklers off and when they’ll need to be replaced.
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improvements and are happy that our partnership with Birmingham City Council continues to go from strength to strength.”
necessary funds to retrofit measures that reduce the risk of
Lobbying government
We have a duty to provide the highest levels of fire
protection for our tenants and were prepared to find the fire and help tenants feel safer.
”
“We have tried to answer these kinds of questions through adding information, the schedule of works, FAQs, a fire safety video and installation images to our website, but residents can always contact us or our contractors if they have any queries or concerns.” Daniel adds: “Residents are given full information about the works. At the launch meetings, we show videos of the benefits sprinklers provide, dispel the many urban myths about how domestic sprinklers work, and take comments from customers. Feedback’s been very positive; people are generally happy to have sprinklers once they understand the reality of how they work. “We work very closely with the council, meeting bi-weekly. We meet our seven main subcontractors weekly to get an overview on performance and progress and to cover any issues. We have four work streams operating simultaneously; each has a dedicated site manager and tenant liaison officer on site. We also have a dedicated QS and project manager.”
Improving the lives of individuals Paul Bingham, Regional Director of ENGIE, says: “We meet all the subcontractors regularly. Some meetings are operational and site-based, while others cover logistics, progress and long-term planning. We also meet with the purchasing and operations teams that are dedicated to ensuring we meet project timescales.” Being involved with the project is something to be proud of, as Paul explains: “We are extremely proud to be involved in installing sprinkler systems to high-rise accommodation on behalf of Birmingham City Council as part of our ongoing and long-term partnership for delivering repairs, maintenance and improvements. “ENGIE is committed to improving the lives of individuals and communities across Birmingham, and the installation of sprinkler systems, along with other proactive measures and improvements across the city, is a shining example of the commitment Birmingham has to its customers and residents. We are proud to have played a part in these safety Example of exposed sprinkler pipework
Despite all the positives, financially, it has not been an easy journey for Birmingham City Council. While the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee recommended that ‘the Government should make funding available to fit sprinklers into council and housing association-owned residential buildings above 18 metres’, the Government has not provided any sprinkler system funding to Birmingham City Council, or to any others. Birmingham City Council is actively lobbying the Government to help pay for fire suppression measures in the country’s local authority residential tower blocks, with Sharon Thompson leading a national delegation to 10 Downing Street last year. Sharon delivered a letter calling for urgent funding, signed by senior politicians from 15 other councils and the GLA. Sharon says: “£31m is a huge cost for a single authority to bear. In a time of austerity, when local authorities across the country are having to make significant savings and need to make some really tough financial choices, we need the Government to work with us and enable the recommendations put forward by experts to be implemented for the safety of citizens across the country.” Birmingham City Council says there is growing support for the retrofitting of sprinklers, which is backed by the AllParty Parliamentary Fire Safety and Rescue Group, National Fire Chiefs Council, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Fire Brigades Union, the Association of British Insurers, the Fire Protection Association, London Fire Brigade and the Fire Sector Federation. 1
https://www.business-sprinkleralliance.org/blog/sprinklers-time-retrofit/ 2 https://protecttwentyfour.co.uk/sprinklers/
With thanks to Pendock for preparing this article ■ For more information on Pendock’s pipe casings visit www.rdr.link/ln021
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A clear view Richard Ainsworth discusses the industry post-Grenfell and what local authorities should be considering when specifying fire-rated glass within their multi-occupancy buildings. wo and a half years on from the Grenfell disaster and its effects are still being felt throughout the construction industry and society as a whole. The enormity of the tragedy prompted the Hackitt Review into Building Regulations and fire safety and also the public inquiry — from which the Phase One report was published back in October 2019. The sheer scale of Grenfell and the significant failings that were subsequently identified has led to much soul-searching within construction, with the industry criticised for its sometimes deficient and ignorant approach to fire safety. It is no wonder, therefore, that local authorities and housing associations are under increasing pressure when it comes to a multi-occupancy building’s fire protection and ensuring that the correct safety strategies are in place. When studying the Building Regulations and Approved Document B: Fire Safety, compartmentalisation is a key part of a building’s passive fire protection, with fire barriers separating distinct areas within a building. The creation of these smaller compartments and layered pockets of fire resistance within a multioccupancy building helps to ensure that, in the unfortunate event of a fire, it would be contained within a relatively small
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area, providing residents with the time and means to escape the building safely.
Fire-resistant compartments There are several materials and products available to help construct such fireresistant compartments, ensuring compliance with both Building Regulations and a local authority’s fire protection strategy. Fire-rated glass, that has been manufactured, specified and installed correctly, can be an integral part of constructing fire-safe compartments within social housing. Indeed, it can have numerous applications within multi-
occupancy buildings, not restricted just to the obvious windows and doors, but also including internal partitions, fire corridors and curtain walling. As well as confirming that the specified fire-rated glass has been tested to the required standards and is proven to perform as stated, local authorities should be considering what performance qualities they want from their fire glass. Often, specifiers may only look for proven resistance to flames and hot gases. However, heat resistance is another important area, particularly within high-rise, multi-occupancy buildings — indeed,
Pyroguard glass is designed to provide safe and visually appealing glazing solutions
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E (Integrity) fire-rated glass may be a good choice for inside fire compartments
temperatures within the Grenfell Tower on the 14th June 2017 reportedly reached around 1,000oC1. According to BS EN 13501-2, there are three different classifications of fire-rated glass to be aware of: E (Integrity), EW (Integrity & Radiation) and EI (Integrity & Insulation). Classification E offers effective protection from flames and smoke; EW works to partially reduce the amount of radiant heat transfer; and EI offers the highest level of protection from flames, smoke and heat. When it comes to the specification stage of a multi-occupancy building project, a carefully designed combination of all three can often be the most effective choice, with each classification having its best-suited application. For example, E (Integrity) may be a good choice for inside firecompartments, whereas, to protect compartment barriers or ensure the integrity of designed fire escape routes and corridors, EI would be the better choice. As an example, Pyroguard’s Protect glass is manufactured to achieve EI60 classification, providing at least one hour of protection against flames, smoke and heat, providing social housing residents with ample time to escape in the event of a fire.
To protect compartment barriers or ensure the integrity of designed fire escape routes and corridors, EI fire-rated glass is an ideal choice
Fire compartments With high-rise multi-occupancy buildings often containing a large number of fire compartments, and with local authorities being heavily responsible for the safety of their residents, it is important that specifiers always liaise with a reputable and technically competent fire glazing manufacturer. Those with a dedicated technical service and library of independent test data can provide councils and housing associations with the confidence that high-quality, highperformance fire protection products are being installed within their residential buildings. Rightly so, the construction industry is now being far more stringent in ensuring that building materials possess a proven consistency of performance, with an emphasis on third-party certification, testing and assessment. All of this said, it is imperative that local authorities also consider the proficiency of the installation. Sadly, a fire-rated glazing could be specified, which is manufactured correctly to the highest quality and has passed all the relevant testing standards; yet, if this is not installed correctly, then everything else automatically becomes
EW fire-rated glass works to partially reduce the amount of radiant heat transfer
irrelevant, as its fire protection will have been compromised. It is for this reason that many within the industry, including Pyroguard, are pushing for standardised, mandatory training schemes to be introduced amongst the passive fire protection industry, working to ensure that installations are being carried out by competent installers. Nor is fire glass limited to just fire protection. There are also fire-rated glass products available that, in addition to protection against fire, also offer attack and impact resistance. Local authorities should be aware of this multi-functionality, particularly considering anti-vandalism schemes and household security initiatives, such as Secured by Design, and the additional benefits that fire-resistant glass could provide their social housing projects. It is clear that attitudes towards fire safety have certainly changed within the glazing industry, with more attention rightfully being placed on the relevant testing and ensuring that a product will perform as stated by the manufacturer. With local authorities possessing a duty of care towards residents of social housing, being actively aware of the capabilities of fire-rated glass and its use within fire protection strategies is vital, in order to ensure the safety of a building’s occupants in the unfortunate event of a fire occurring. 1. https://www.theguardian.com/uknews/2017/jul/10/grenfell-fire-criminal-investig ation-starting-point-is-80-deaths-bymanslaughter-police-say
Richard Ainsworth is Group Technical Director at Pyroguard, an international fire-resistant glass manufacturer Pyroguard’s Protect glass is manufactured to achieve EI60 classification
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■ To request a technical document about Pyroguard visit www.rdr.link/ln022
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Making the grade After the recent events at Bolton University, where a student accommodation tower went up in flames, Karen Trigg looks into how campus management teams must improve the fire safety and security strategies to keep students safe. niversities are more aware than ever of their responsibility to keep students safe and secure from all potential fire and security threats. However, after the recent events at Bolton University1, where a fire ripped through the Cube building (an accommodation block that is home to more than 200 students) in a matter of minutes, there’s an apparent issue. Two years after the Grenfell tragedy, this shocking case has once again brought to light the serious issue of fire safety standards in high-rise and low-rise residential buildings, but most recently in our universities. Now, there is mounting pressure on facility managers, security teams and the Government to not only re-evaluate building design, but also fire safety and security protocols. Whilst the Government is banning combustible materials2 on new high-rise homes and has committed to replace aluminium composite material (ACM) panels on public sector high-rise residential
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buildings above 18m in height, there’s still thousands3 of existing buildings that fall outside the scope of the ban. Alarmingly, the ban also fails to include 9664 existing university and school building projects. What’s more, other areas such as fire door hardware, evacuation and lockdown procedures and also campus security are all crying out for reevaluation too. So where should facility managers begin? A university campus is a complex environment. The size and complexity of the buildings involved presents a challenge in itself. Adding to that, with student numbers rising5, it would appear that facility managers have an increasing number of occupants to consider, and for that safety protocols need to improve. In the last five years, more than one in four universities6 have received complaints from students, staff or the public regarding fire safety or building evacuation
procedures. Pair this with the state of student buildings, which in many cases are years old and not regularly maintained, it’s not surprising that safety standards need improving across the board. Although facility managers may not have full control over the physical building itself, they do usually have jurisdiction for the interior. With this in mind, it’s crucial for facility managers and security teams to invest in technology and infrastructure, such as door hardware and access control solutions, to maximise security and guarantee student safety and wellbeing.
First steps to fire safety To guarantee the safety of students, it’s critical for facility managers to ensure that all buildings are well maintained by conducting basic risk assessments. This will involve completing a full evaluation of existing systems, such as fire doors and escape routes — reviewing what could be
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To guarantee the safety of “students, it’s critical for facility managers to ensure that all buildings are well maintained by conducting basic risk assessments.
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implemented to enhance facility and occupant safety. Having a well-fitted fire door is a fundamental element of this. Under the Fire Safety Order, universities and colleges must demonstrate, that in the event of danger, it’s possible for people to evacuate a building as quickly and safely as possible — and the state of fire doors falls within this. In the circumstance of a fire, to help contain it, it’s vital that fire doors7 are correctly installed and maintained. This involves making sure that the door hardware (including hinges, handles, door closers, locks and signage) is certified, functional, regularly serviced and maintained. Educating staff and students on what to look out for8 when checking fire doors and how to spot any potential damage is also important. Simply putting up fire safety posters and guides can go a long way in helping students avoid easy mistakes (such as propping open fire doors) that could otherwise have detrimental consequences.
Integrated security From fire detection to cloud-based security systems, there’s a range of innovative technologies that can be integrated into a university campus. Advanced security systems have a huge number of benefits that universities simply cannot ignore. With most universities being designed as ‘open environments’, where people can freely move about, the implementation of an integrated security system is key, especially when aiming to streamline the flow of movement without substituting security. Today, with cloud-based access
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control9, facility managers can simply issue and retract access credentials meaning entry can be allowed or denied based on person, access point or even time of day. In the event that someone has wrongly gained access to a facility, to preserve student, staff and even equipment safety it’s essential to have an effective lockdown procedure in place. To avoid any security risks, a lockdown strategy should be based on two critical factors, these being security layers and people and protocols. Regarding layers, every campus is made of the exterior (such as the parking area) and interior (like lecture theatres), therefore the plan must cover this. There must also be trained people on site to make sure protocols are followed in the event of an emergency. Furthermore, in the possibility of a safe escape, appropriate digital signage, which can switch between a number of escape routes and guide people towards the safest exist must be clearly seen and understood. Not only this, there must be a designated meeting place for students and staff to meet in the event of a fire.
understanding of effective lockdown procedures and our integration of increasingly holistic procedures and infrastructures. Only then can we be confident in our efforts to protect students. 1
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Action is key As facility managers continue to see the importance of both fire and security elements, it appears more and more educational establishments are now integrating fire and lockdown into one critical incident plan. It’s no doubt that the safety of students should be a constant goal for facility managers and security teams. Through education, we can improve our investments into fire safety hardware, our
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https://www.theguardian.com/uknews/2019/nov/15/fire-crews-battle-blaze-atbolton-student-housing-building https://www.gov.uk/government/news/gover nment-bans-combustible-materials-on-highrise-homes https://b4ed.com/Article/1678-high-riskbuildings-still-clad-in-combustible-materials https://www.independent.co.uk/news/edu cation/education-news/uk-universityapplications-figures-rise-brexit-ucas-eu-stude nts-a8766631.html https://www.independent.co.uk/news/edu cation/education-news/uk-universityapplications-figures-rise-brexit-ucas-eu-stude nts-a8766631.html https://www.fmj.co.uk/one-in-four-ukuniversities-have-received-complaints-over-fi re-safety-and-evacuation-standards/ https://www.allegion.co.uk/en/firedoorsafety /fitbritonandstaysafe.html https://www.allegion.co.uk/en/blogs/2018/ firedoorsafety_crucialchecks.html?year=all https://www.allegion.co.uk/en/aboutus/our globalbrands/isonas.html
With thanks to Karen Trigg at Allegion UK for preparing this article ■ Download a ‘Building a Trusted Environment in Education’ here www.rdr.link/ln023
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FIRE PROTECTION & SECURITY ROUND-UP
New fire resistant vapour control layer The A. Proctor Group has launched a new high-performance fire-resistant vapour control layer, which is air and vapour tight, thus improving the energy efficiency and reducing the risk of condensation within residential and commercial buildings. Procheck A2 is designed to protect the building fabric from the potential risks of condensation, whilst providing the added benefit of serving as an effective airtight barrier. The design consists of laminated glass fibre and foil protected by a clear lacquer. It is this clear surface, which provides the product with the added benefit of a low emissivity surface, which when used with a service cavity, can enhance the overall performance of the building fabric, as well as ensuring a high fire protection performance, with an A2-sl,d0 fire classification.
■ To request a sample and brochure pack visit www.rdr.link/ln024 Smoke alarms save the day for family Greenfields Community Housing properties in East Anglia have benefited from Aico 160e Series mains powered Smoke Alarms, as well as Ei166e Optical Alarms installed in escape route circulation spaces, hardwired together. In addition, just over 500 newbuild properties taken on in the last four years also have Aico Ei164e Heat Alarms fitted in the kitchen, hard wired interlinked with the smoke alarms in the homes. When a fire broke out outside one of the properties whilst the residents were asleep and spread to the house, burning through the PVC window frames into the living room, the smoke alarm in the hallway quickly detected and identified the smoke, going into alarm mode. As the hallway and landing alarms are interconnected, the upstairs alarm also activated. The residents were swiftly awoken and the fire quickly put out.
Non-combustible thermal insulation for HVAC ducts ROCKWOOL introduces DuoDuct — a noncombustible thermal insulation solution for rectangular and square external ductwork to minimise the risk of fire spread in buildings. Since ductwork is normally produced from steel, which conducts heat, it is important to consider the materials that are used to insulate them and, wherever possible, minimise the risk of heat transfer and fire spread between the internal and external environment of the building. By installing non-combustible DuoDuct Slab on external HVAC ductwork, M&E consultants and HVAC contractors can support efforts to reduce the fire load on the building envelope. With fire resilient stone wool at its core, DuoDuct is capable of withstanding temperatures in excess of 1,000°C and achieves a Reaction to Fire classification of A1 noncombustible as defined in BS EN 13501:1.
■ To download the DuoDuct datasheet visit www.rdr.link/ln027 New non-combustible decking available
■ For information on the smoke alarms visit www.rdr.link/ln025 Guidance on door closer compliance Since fire doors are critical life-saving elements in many buildings, it is essential that they operate effectively — and the role of door closers is one not to be taken lightly. It is critical for the performance of the fire doorset that the appropriate closer has been selected with all the factors associated with the application considered. This includes height, width, weight, differentiating air pressure, dynamic loads, anticipated volume of traffic, classification and of course, the door type. ASSA ABLOY offers door closers that demonstrate full compliancy to EN 1634, providing fire performance suitable for every type of fire door, when fitted to either the fire risk or non-fire risk side. The company’s Openings Studio software also offers a collaborative BIM tool, giving users access to the widest range of door opening solutions.
■ To find out more about the Openings Studio Software visit www.rdr.link/ln026
Adek from Ecodek is an engineered lightweight decking specifically designed in response to changing building standards to be Class A2-s1, d0 fire rated, which is now a legal requirement for any materials used in the construction or refurbishment of high-rise buildings of 18m or above. The A2 certification means Adek lends itself to several applications, from balconies and terraces to walkways, in both commercial and domestic developments. Made from 100% recycled aluminium, it is available in two profiles, 20 and 30mm — which can span 600mm and 1.2m respectively — and with a point load of 4kN, both options are strong, durable and long lasting. The system is also said to be easy to install, with concealed face fixings and no need for clips, making it an ideal solution for both refurbishment projects with specific completion dates, and new-builds.
■ To watch a video about Adek visit www.rdr.link/ln028
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New App offers solutions to mould and radon issues Airtech has launched its ‘Airtech Solutions’ app to help social housing providers, landlords, installers, and households find the answer to their condensation, mould and radon problems. The app provides users with access to the Airtech brochure, product datasheets, guides and safety datasheets on the go, with all content downloadable to a phone or tablet so it’s accessible even when there is no internet access. The app can be downloaded on a smart phone or tablet, on either iOS or Android platforms. In addition to the catalogue of information on the app, when a social housing provider or maintenance team visits a property with an issue they can easily book a survey online on the Airtech website via the app.
■ To download the app on iOS visit www.rdr.link/ln029 ■ To download the app on Android visit www.rdr.link/ln030 Pipe range expanded for district heating applications Specialist pipe solutions provider, Flexenergy, is widening its range of energy-efficient, preinsulated flexible pipe systems to meet the requirements of higher temperature and higher pressure community heating schemes. The company, a key supplier of pre-insulated pipe technology for more than 30 years, has added PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) pipe to its PB (polybutylene) range to meet growing demand for non-corrosive solutions in the district heating market. Three new pipe products are HeatFlex, FibreFlex and FibreFlex Pro, all of which have a minimum service life of 30 years. HeatFlex is suitable for most applications up to 95˚C and 6 bar, while FibreFlex and FibreFlex Pro are designed for higher temperature and pressure environments. All are insulated using CFC free bonded polyurethane (PUR) foam, which helps optimise energy efficiency in heating and cooling networks.
Contractor achieves FIRAS fire safety accreditation Construction contractor, Krol Corlett, has successfully completed a stringent audit process to be awarded FIRAS accreditation for the installation of timber fire doors. The respected accreditation adds to a wide range of industry approvals for Krol Corlett as the company continues to grow with a wider reach across the northwest. Refurbishment and upgrades of existing properties across a variety of sectors, including education, healthcare and student accommodation, form an important part of the company’s portfolio and the FIRAS accreditation will ensure clients can be completely confident of expert, compliant installation for timber fire doors. The FIRAS audit included an assessment of Krol Corlett’s office management systems, an assessment of workmanship and a competence assessment for both the company’s supervisory team and its installation employees.
■ For more information on Krol Corlett’s services visit ww.rdr.link/ln033 Flexible flue for high-rise buildings
■ For more information visit www.rdr.link/ln031 Thermal imaging building inspection system launched FLIR Systems introduces the FLIR MR277 building inspection system. It is the company’s first moisture meter with Infrared Guided Measurement (IGM) to offer Multi-Spectral Dynamic Imaging (MSX) technology. This all-in-one, thermal-enabled moisture meter with hygrometer provides users with a full understanding of problem areas by enhancing IGM thermal images with visual details so they can quickly find moisture, air leaks and insulation voids. The enhanced system includes features needed to identify, diagnose, fix and document moisture and building envelope problems. The FLIR Lepton thermal imaging sensor powers IGM, visually guiding users straight to the source of building-related issues. Once a problem is located, the built-in pinless sensor enables quick, non-invasive moisture detection. Inspectors can then streamline diagnosis and documentation by using the built-in Bluetooth to connect via METERLiNK to mobile devices.
■ For information on the system visit www.rdr.link/ln032
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In response to The Building (Amendment) Regulations SI 2018/1230 Vaillant has developed a versatile flue that offers a compliant rear and balcony solution as well as standard top installation. Applicable to all buildings in England and Wales higher than 18 metres and 11 metres in Scotland, the regulation change requires that no product containing combustible material is allowed to pass through the external wall of a building. Vaillant’s High Rise Flue Terminal Kit is made from Aluminium, which is a Class A material under the new regulations, ensuring the highest level of safety. Also available is a stainless steel high-rise extension kit with Class A rated inner exhaust pipe, ideal for longer flue runs. When combined with the existing polypropylene terminal and range of extensions, this delivers a simple balcony flue solution.
■ For information on the High Rise Flue Terminal Kit visit www.rdr.link/ln034
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REFERENCE LIBRARY New indoor air quality guidance Paul Harrington, Head of Residential Sales at Elta Fans, believes the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) decision to issue local authority actions for improving indoor air quality places greater emphasis on the duty of care housing providers have to ensure tenants benefit from living conditions which are free of damp, condensation and pollutants. The NICE guidance, Indoor air quality at home identifies opportunities for local authorities to understand the sources and symptoms of poor indoor air quality, and what actions to take should they encounter it. It also contains advice for healthcare professionals, highlighting those who are most at risk and suggesting practical steps to overcome the adverse effects of pollutants. Elta Fans has created a guide to combatting condensation.
■ To download the guide visit www.rdr.link/ln035 Thermal imaging explained In a typical existing British home, up to one third of the heat produced by the heating system can be lost through the roof, ceiling and walls. When carried out properly a thermographic survey can help identify for gaps in insulation. The NHBC Foundation, in collaboration with BSRIA, has published a new guide for this increasingly useful technology. It identifies what a good thermographic survey should include, gives examples of typical thermal imagery and highlights what makes a successful report. Thermal imaging has been used for some time to give a non-invasive ‘window’ at various stages of construction. It can show the thermal performance of the external walls, roofs and internal services. The 'Thermal imaging report guide’ gives advice on good practice and highlights the most common issues that can affect the accuracy of a thermal imaging report if the survey is not interpreted correctly.
■ To download the report visit www.rdr.link/ln036 Flood resistance and resilience made accessible by Safeguard
With more than five million homes in England and Wales at risk of flooding, Safeguard Europe — a specialist in damp-proofing and waterproofing technology — has produced a simple yet definitive guide to protecting property: Designing for Flood Resilience and Resistance. Drawing upon its 35 years of experience, the company has created several flood management systems that illustrate the various mechanisms by which floodwater can enter a property and how to stop it, as well as detailing the internal and external remedial works necessary for habitable reinstatement. There are two main approaches to tackling flooding – water exclusion and water entry strategies, alternatively known as flood resistance and resilience respectively – and the guide explains both and how to deploy them.
■ To download the guide visit www.rdr.link/ln037
New technical document
Pyroguard’s 2020 Technical Document features product information and certification for its fire safety glass solutions. The company has updated its comprehensive technical brochure, which features product overviews, application tables and datasheets for its wide range of fire safety solutions. The new document provides technical assistance for the application of the company’s products. This includes all solutions from E30/EW30 to EI180, plus additional options with added impact, solar, thermal and acoustic performance. The full datasheets for the products include; the product reference code, its additional features and its technical features. Similarly, a cross-section diagram that indicates product composition and a table for the possible applications relating to the corresponding test report are included. The availability of this extensive technical and regulatory information enables specifiers to make more accurate specifications that meet stringent technical requirements.
■ For a copy of the document visit www.rdr.link/ln038 One-stop-shop guide for designers and specifiers The new Hepworth Clay specification and design guide from Wavin will support designers and specifiers in choosing drainage solutions and adhering to the latest legislation and standards. The guide includes advice and tips on designing drainage layout, along with guidance on site access point positioning for future maintenance considerations. Designers and contractors will also be able to use the guide as a reference point for confirming that their plans are structurally satisfactory and for advice on how to ensure the suggested system has adequate hydraulic capacity for proposed and future flows. The guide contains sample texts to help with easier and more accurate specification of clay drainage, as well as technical notes on working with difficult site conditions.
■ Tow download the guide visit www.rdr.link/ln039
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Coming up in the April issue of LABM… Stonewater is bringing more than 100 affordable homes to Leicestershire, with the support of local councils
PROJECT PROFILE ● In January Stonewater celebrated its fifth anniversary since the successful merger of the two legacy housing associations that created the new organisation. LABM speaks to Stonewater about its achievements, current projects and plans for the future.
HOUSING & REGENERATION ● The development of a construction skills academy at Thamesmead has just been completed, in conjunction with YouthBuild. This will enable 50 local young people per year to achieve skills and qualifications in construction
and go on to be supported in relevant roles. The training centre will give a direct route for local residents into jobs with contractor Durkan, the wider supply chain, and other contractors involved in the Thamesmead project. Contractor Durkan speaks to LABM about putting a focus on social value, as well as talking about the construction challenges of taking a disused building and making it an asset to the local community again.
ROOFING, CLADDING & INSULATION ● There have been issues in some newbuilds with condensation building up in
the roof space and coming down into the property because of inadequate ventilation or installers using the wrong type of underlay. Here we discuss the issues and offer some advice to local authorities and housing associations on how to make sure roofs are ventilated properly.
DOORS, WINDOWS & HARDWARE ● Advice for specifiers on replacing windows in existing homes, considering u-values, energy efficiency and the importance of getting the installation right to ensure long-lasting performance.
Advertisement index Aico Ltd ......................................................................................(page 15) Andreas Stihl Ltd ................................................................................(ifc) Danfoss Ltd ..............................................................................(page 35) Forbo Flooring UK .....................................................................(page 6) Gas Tag .....................................................................................(page 44) Hilton Banks Ltd ........................................................................(page 4) Honeywell Home ....................................................................(page 27)
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Intratone ....................................................................................(page 43) Marmox UK Ltd ..........................................................................(page 11) Nationwide Windows .............................................................(page 23) Nuaire Ltd ...................................................................................(page 11) Polypipe plc ..............................................................................(page 20) Pro Builder Live ........................................................................(page 31) Samuel Heath & Sons ...........................................................(page 40)
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GUEST COMMENT
Human touch Paula Broadbent, Retirement Solutions Director at ENGIE UK, discusses the new balance challenge — the human touch and invisible technology. s we become older our needs become wider and more diverse. How robust our individual health is, is influenced by socio economic factors, the lives we lead, the luck of the draw in our personal gene pool, mental health, social environment as well as the place in which we live. One thing is evident though and that is globally, human beings are living longer. Although many people live healthy lives, inevitably, longevity means more and more people live with multiple chronic health conditions. And as individuals find themselves at their most vulnerable, social networks can start to diminish as people lose lifetime partners, relatives, friends and their independent mobility. Whilst the demographic is ageing at a far greater pace than the health and social care infrastructure is prepared for, the younger working age demographic is decreasing. Creating a global workforce shortage and ‘caregiving crisis’. Analytical thinking assumes the best solution to our ‘caregiving crisis’ lies purely in technology, but are we developing and investing in a sustainable infrastructure, which will not only stand the test of time, but also accommodate innovation and a changing environment? Most of today’s increasingly tech-centric life relies not only upon the availability and speed of WIFI, but the internet and various APPs, devices, algorithms and sophisticated back end processes. The amount of financial investment needed to provide secure technology that will
safeguard, protect and enable people is staggering but not quite as staggering as the cost to the health and social care budget if we do not invest in innovation to safeguard alternative services.
Social interaction The main challenge with technology and robots as caregivers, is they are cold and simply incapable of replacing the human touch. Social interaction is a vital element of mental health and a lack of social interaction impacts on actual physical health as much as any other form of deprivation or illness. There is mounting evidence that shows social isolation kills more people now than obesity, therefore we should not and cannot ignore the need to combine technology with human interaction. As a society, we need to balance out a reliance on technological advancements alongside provision of social interaction opportunities to ensure people can not only live longer, safer lives, but also live healthier, happier and more enriched ones. Life after all, is for living and not simply surviving. LIFEstyle by ENGIE is not a housing developer, though it strives to develop excellent lifelong housing, it focuses on creating and developing services which support people to live well and age well in an inclusive community. LIFEstyle by ENGIE invests in new and smart technology to assist people to feel safe, secure and in control to remain independent for longer in their own home. The service-based organisation continues to invest in the
By ensuring technology is “personalised, invisible and smart we will support people to live sustainably where and how they want to live.
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design, build and future proof of infrastructure, homes and support services. At the heart of each new community LIFEstyle by ENGIE develops is the ‘human touch’, by building a community environment and a purpose-built hub for activities, events and socialising, which is proven to be essential to wellbeing. Specialist staff provide community-based person-centred functions to minimise social isolation and integrate communities across all property tenure and generations. By ensuring technology is personalised, invisible and smart, we will support people to live sustainably where and how they want to live. Combine this with accessible social and intergenerational activity and longevity will be something to be experienced and enjoyed rather than endured. Our physical and mental health is dependent on community, so we need solutions that support not just the technology function but the human side.
■ To download the ‘Providing homes suitable for old age’ brochure visit www.rdr.link/ln040 M A R C H
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