Local Authority Building & Maintenance September/October 2022

FIRE SAFETY AND

REGULARS

5 COMMENT Energy Generation

6 NEWS

PSP launches strategic asset management service new urban village in Bradford Homes UK and Unlock Net Zero Live

8 Project Update

Cruden Building starts construction work on site on a new a ordable housing for Eildon Housing Association

10 O site Insights

M AR discusses the hybrid o site construction method being used to deliver a large school extension in London

12 Drone Corner

How Renfrewshire Council achieved significant savings on its asset management inspections using drones

14 Visit Your Regional Trade Show

A guide to what’s happening at regional trade shows Toolfair, Professional Builder Live and Elex, which includes a new Heating & Plumbing Training Zone

16 Achieving Net Zero Homes

Andy Sutton, Chief Innovation O cer at Sero, discusses the

REPORTS

Communities

HOUSING & REGENERATION

22 Dynamic Programme of Works

Muir Group Housing Association’s stock condition survey and new strategy

25 Achieving Carbon Monoxide Compliance

Advice on how can landlords ensure compliance with the revised regulations 28 Fire Safety and Compliance Research Research looking at the progress made to improve safety post Grenfell

30 High Performance Homes

How changing housebuilding methods can help deliver high quality, energy e cient homes

33 O site Fabrication Benefits Stack Up

The challenges surrounding drainage stack replacement in high rise properties

36 Castle Court at 31

How NorDan’s StormGuard windows have stood the test of time at the Castle Court housing scheme in She eld

39 Round up

HEATING

4 0 I t ’ s T i m e t o R e t h i n k F i r s t t i m e F i x

R a t e s

A c h a n g e i n a t t i t u d e s t o w a r d s f i r s t t i m e

f i x r a t e s i s c r u c i a l i f h o u s i n g a s s o c i a t i o n s a r e t o p r o v i d e q u a l i t y h o m e s a n d s e r v i c e s f o r r e s i d e n t s

4 3 H e a t N e t w o r k M e t e r i n g a n d B i l l i n g

T h e c o m p l e x i t i e s s u r r o u n d i n g h e a t n e t w o r k s a n d a d v i c e f o r l o c a l a u t h o r i t i e s o n h o w t o o v e r c o m e t h e m

4 6 D e c a r b o n i s a t i o n S t r a t e g i e s H o w v e n t i l a t i o n c a n h e l p a n d s u p p o r t t h e d e l i v e r y o f s u s t a i n a b l e h o u s i n g

4 8 R o u n d u p

ROOFING, CLADDING & INSULATION

4 9 R o o f i n g S p e c i f i c a t i o n s T h a t B r e a k t h e M o u l d

R o o f i n g s o l u t i o n s t o h e l p p r e v e n t m o u l d a n d m i l d e w i n r e s i d e n t i a l p r o p e r t i e s

5 2 E f f e c t i v e S o l u t i o n s f o r a C h a n g i n g L a n d s c a p e

The importance of getting the specification of roofing systems correct to better protect people living in social housing

5 5 P r o t e c t i o n f r o m t h e E l e m e n t s

LABM finds out how innovative materials helped speed up the construction of new homes on an Anglesey Council development

5 8 R o u n d u p

Editor

Clutten

E n e r g y g e n e r a t i o n

Northern

Eddie Wright ewright@hamerville

Group Advertising Manager Craig Jowsey

Digital Group Manager

Stuart Du Digital Assistant David Molloy

Adeel Qadri

Group Production Manager Carol Padgett

Manager Kirstie Day

Managing Editor

Terry Smith

Printed by WALSTEAD ROCHE

Published

Hamerville Media Group

Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts

It’s hard to know where to start, as I write my comment for this issue, given the unprecedented period of change we ’ re experiencing It would be remiss of me not to mention the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II in September, which heralded the end of an era after a 70 year reign, making her our longest serving monarch Whether you ’ re a Royalist or not, it’s hard not to be impressed by her a sense of duty, compassion, hard work and commitment to public services

September also heralded the arrival of a new Prime Minister, Liz Truss It’s fair to say that the political landscape in the UK in recent years has been somewhat tumultuous, with the Government facing growing criticism from a number of quarters Supply chain instability continues, resulting from the ongoing war in Ukraine, which sadly shows no signs of abating, with the impacts being felt globally In the UK, the cost of living crisis is escalating and as we head into winter it is predicted that many thousands more people will end up in fuel poverty

Not long after assuming her new role as PM, Liz Truss announced the Government would be lifting the moratorium on fracking I think the PM will struggle to find any communities where fracking is welcome, given the strength of feeling against it, with concerns surrounding its carbon footprint, seismic activity, groundwater contamination, methane and carbon dioxide leaks, and the fact many have already branded it a ‘failed technology’ due to the lack of commercial gas it has produced

Brian Mullin from Marrons Planning, says: “On the basis of past evidence, it is highly doubtful the fracking industry will meaningfully contribute to energy supply in the UK ”

What we need is to accelerate cleaner energy generation, such as renewables, which also deliver results more quickly

The new Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng announced the Government’s Growth Plan in his ‘mini Budget’ statement on Friday 23rd September It’s good to see vital steps being taken to reduce the cost of living pressures for both households and businesses but much more needs to be done, and there are concerns, such as those voiced by UK Green Building Council Chief Executive, Julie Hirigoyen, that the Chancellor has “prioritised economic growth at

the expense of crucial climate and environmental targets” Julie says: “It’s vital that any planning reforms don’t create a free for all approach to new development, at the expense of our legally binding climate commitments and nature recovery goals”

The Growth Plan contains some welcome measures for Net Zero, but it seems that the dash for gas takes precedence, says UK100 Membership Director Christopher Hammond said: “To avoid another winter like this one, where millions are expected to fall into fuel poverty, we need a locally led energy efficiency revolution Looking at the headline figures, £3bn for boosting energy efficiency is promising, but it’s unclear if this is new money ”

UK100 is calling “for a national drive on energy efficiency to permanently reduce household bills and accelerate progress on Net Zero”

At the time of writing, ‘detailed plans have just been approved (at a meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority) for how Greater Manchester will change the way it consumes and produces energy ’ to help the region achieve carbon neutrality by 2038 The city region is the first in the country to produce and adopt Local Area Energy Plans (LAEPs)

Measures the region will deliver over the next five years include: 140,000 additional homes with fabric retrofit, nearly 2GW of solar panels on homes, 190,000 vehicles replaced by electric alternatives, 8,000 additional homes connected to heat networks and 116,000 additional heat pumps in homes

This is the kind of “locally led energy revolution” UK100 is talking about and it’s great to see the level of ambition on display More on this story can be found on our website at labmonline co uk

Jacob Tatum

“ This is the kind of “locally led energy revolution” UK100 is talking a bout...”

IN BRIEF

Heat network experts sought Notting Hill Genesis wants to work with expert contractors who will provide high quality services that will benefit residents connected to a heat network

Public notices for four contracts have been issued, worth up to £25m combined Two of these are for maintenance and metering services, with the other two related to billing services Each of the contracts will run for five years, with the option of five more, and a contractor can apply for more than one of the contracts

The HA has 35 estates on heat networks, which are self contained heating systems run from a single boiler room On these estates Notting Hill Genesis is the energy provider The procurement process is due to formally launch at the end of October, with the contract starting in summer 2023 If you are an interested contractor and would like more information, please contact Nicole Ward via email at nicole.ward@nhg.org.uk

Broad Marsh

Some of the city’s biggest businesses and organisations, such as Experian, Capital One, East Midlands Chamber of Commerce and D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, have backed Nottingham City Council’s funding bid for £20m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to help bring the transformation vision of Broad Marsh to life The 20 acre Broad Marsh site is one of the most significant city centre development sites in the UK, with neighbouring streets and buildings already undergoing a transformation and strengthened connections to improved tram, train, bus and cycle networks

The independent Greater Broad Marsh Advisory Group, established by the City Council, led a bold new vision for the site, which was informed by an extensive public engagement through the Big Conversation and brought to life by world renowned urban designer Thomas Heatherwick

U K 1 0 0 r e s p o n d s t o G r o w t h P l a n

Responding to the details of the ‘Energy Price Guarantee’ and other measures intended to tackle the energy crisis revealed in Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s ‘mini Budget’ announcement on the 23rd September, Christopher Hammond, Membership Director at UK100, commented: "Britain is paying the price of successive governments ‘kicking the can down the road’ and not making our homes fit for the future The cheapest energy is the energy we don't use, but this has been overlooked time and again The Growth Plan contains some welcome measures for Net Zero, but seems that the dash for gas takes precedence

"To avoid another winter like this one, where millions are expected to fall into fuel poverty, we need a locally led energy efficiency revolution Looking at the headline figures, £3bn for boosting energy efficiency is promising, but it’s unclear if this is new money and not just repackaged promises

“We’re calling for a national drive on energy efficiency to permanently reduce household bills and accelerate progress on Net Zero It might not be an earth

shaking proposal But as the Government is quickly learning, people don't want the ground to shake, they just want to be able to afford to pay their bills ”

UK100 is hosting a “Tackling the Energy Price Crisis” Summit on 17th November, featuring the West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester Mayors Tracy Brabin and Andy Burnham that will focus on the role of local and regional leaders in delivering energy efficiency upgrades

The event will also launch a new report detailing the cost of upgrading all of Britain’s social homes and the benefits to households in energy bill savings alongside the jobs dividend For more details on the Summit visit www.rdr.link/laf001

Strategic Asset Management service

PSP, formerly known as Public Sector Plc, has created a new consultancy service to help councils boost their income, cut costs, drive regeneration, and improve energy e ciency by rightsizing their land and property assets A survey carried out by PWC in 2021 found that 57% of public sector organisations planned to reduce their o ce footprint, with three fifths of those envisaging a reduction of between 11% and 30%

PSP’s new service will o er strategic and operational asset management services for PSP local authority clients, including, estate rationalisation, energy performance, maintenance, statutory compliance, decarbonisation strategy, stakeholder engagement, and optimisation of expenditure

Leena Gillespie, Commercial Director at PSP, says: “While councils vary enormously in size, and thus in the nature of their asset holdings, almost all public

sector bodies have faced significant budgetary pressures or budget cuts over the past decade In the age of hybrid working many public sector bodies have underused property assets and face a common challenge in getting the most from their valuable property resources to future proof their budgets and service delivery

Leena Gillespie, Commercial Director at PSP

“By enabling our partners to unlock new income streams and create significant savings in their asset portfolio, we can help councils free up more time to focus on levelling up inequalities, regenerating communities, reviving local economies, job creation and delivering clean growth ”

Elly Hoult, Group Director of Assets and Sustainability at Notting Hill Genesis

New urban village in Bradford

Bradford Council buys underused Kirkgate Shopping Centre, clearing the path for a new “urban village” of 1,000 homes in the heart of the city.

The £15 5m deal will see Primark move from the Kirkgate Centre to become the new anchor tenant in Bradford’s state of the art shopping centre, The Broadway, paving the way for the retailer to open a new and modern 55,000 Gross Square Foot (GSF) unit in the former Debenhams store

The move will enable the council to double the size of City Village, the sustainable city centre neighbourhood that is a key step in making Bradford a world class place to live, work and play

Unlocking the Kirkgate Centre sites means City Village will now feature 1,000 new homes, rather than the 500 originally planned and better address the chronic shortage of top quality, modern, sustainable housing in the historic city core It will include a healthy and resident friendly environment with high quality public spaces, and landscaped, traffic calmed streets

City Village will sit alongside other major regeneration projects such as the £22m, 4,000 seat Bradford Live events and live entertainment complex, and

Free webinar series

The Keystone Live series of free webinar debates are curently underway, featuring expert industry speakers discussing a range of construction industry topics and issues, from addressing climate change to fire safety in buildings

On the 3rd November the third webinar in the series asks the question: ‘Is the Construction Industry Doing Enough to Tackle Climate Change?’ The final webinar on Thursday 16th November,

Muse Developments’ £35m landmark Grade ‘A’ o ce development, One City Park Both are due to open next year

The City Village scheme has attracted the attention and support of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Homes England Bradford Council, with the support of those bodies, will now secure a private developer to take the scheme through to fruition

Councillor Susan Hinchcli e, Leader of Bradford Council, says: "Good local authorities up and down the country are using their assets and resources to shape their local economy to make them vibrant and sustainable well into the future This is what we're doing here in Bradford in taking on this major anchor site "

DIARY DATES

Homes UK and Unlock Net Zero Live

These two co located events will be taking place on the 23rd and 24th November at ExCel in London and will feature over 70 hours of content and 250 speakers

Subjects up for discussion include digitalisation, construction innovation and MMC, transforming communities through levelling up and regeneration, the future of home heating and cooling, and mobilising for large scale retrofit

Alongside the comprehensive seminar programme there is an exhibition showcasing all the latest building methods, materials and technology, o ering the opportunity to connect with key suppliers

The event is free to attend for housing associations, local authorities, housebuilders, master developers, funders, architects, planners and BTR landlords, student accommodation, retirement living and extra care providers

For more information on the shows visit www.rdr.link/laf002

Register for a ticket here www.rdr.link/laf003

Development Partnership Forum London & South East

‘Designing with Non Combustible Materials’, will explore the challenges and key considerations when designing tall buildings and how products have evolved to meet new regulations

For more details and to book your free place on these webinars please visit www.rdr.link/laf004

This event on Friday 2nd December in London is The Housing Forum’s final Development Partnership Forum of 2022 The focus will be on housing supply across London and The Midlands regions Expert speakers from across the sector will address key issues and there will be plenty of opportunities for debate In addition to providing industry updates, The Housing Forum will discuss its “Better Procurement for Better Homes” publication

For more information about the CPD certified Development Partnership Forum visit www.rdr.link/laf005

PROJECT

Energy-eff icient af fordable housing in Earlston, Scotland

An

o cial sod cutting ceremony marked the start of an exciting £12 5m new a ordable housing development in Earlston, Scotland Cruden Building, part of the Cruden Group, is building 64 energy e cient new homes on behalf of Eildon Housing Association This development contributes to Eildon¹s strategy to address the housing supply needs of the region, investing £120m into the Borders economy and building up to 800 a ordable new homes across the area

The much needed 64 new homes will be built on the former Earlston High School site, which is being designed by local architects Aitken Turnbull The new scheme will comprise of two , three and four bedroom homes, apartments and cottage flats

The low carbon development will use significantly less energy

than conventional homes through green measures including air source heat pumps

A sustainable urban drainage (SUDs) pond will naturally reduce surface water flooding, improve water quality and enhance the biodiversity of the environment on the site This development and the wider community will also benefit from the upgraded water plant from Scottish Water and the road access which will be upgraded as well

Nile Istephan, Eildon Housing Chief Executive says: "I’m really pleased we ’ re now starting work at Earlston, as a ordable housing supply in the Borders still remains in huge demand, particularly now with soaring costs It’s fantastic we can use as many local trades and businesses as possible, enhancing the economy right here in the Borders "

Councillor David Parker comments: “With soaring energy costs at the forefront of

everyone ’ s minds, it's more important than ever to ensure we are building homes that are low carbon, healthy and a ordable ” Craig Giblett, Director of Cruden Building Scotland, adds: “We are delighted to begin working on another important development for Eildon Housing Association As well as building these sustainable, modern homes, which make a huge di erence to local residents, we will also be bringing a range of community benefits, including new jobs and training opportunities to the area ”

Pictured below left to right are: Nile Istephan, Eildon Chief Executive, Sheila Gibb, Community Council Chair, Ali Weir and David Robinson from Eildon Housing Association, Alistair Crockett and Craig Giblett from Cruden Building, Ian Aikman from Scottish Borders Council, Frank Gallagher from Cruden Building and Councillor David Parker

A LESSON IN OFFSITE EFFICIENCY

The benefits of o site construction are well documented. And yet, even though it’s becoming more commonly used across a wide range of di erent sectors, it’s still typically seen as a new process — a myth that its ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ label does little to dispel. And despite it o ering a host of benefits, it’s all too often distilled down to a simple cost time saving. Here Ryan Geldard, Operations Director at o site manufacturer and contractor, M-AR O site demonstrates how it has been making the theory of o site work in practice so that the benefits can be felt by all involved.

MAR is currently working with Newham Council in London on a large school extension project at Little Ilford Secondary School The extension has been designed to incorporate several new classrooms and corridors, a SEND block, an activity studio and a new underground car park area A hybrid o site construction method was specified and is currently being delivered by M AR, but what was it about this project in particular that necessitated such an approach?

Space

The footprint of the proposed site for the school extension, being on the same ground as the existing school, was extremely tight and posed a major challenge At certain points the new school building is only around 2m away from the existing building which meant a traditional build would have been considerably more di cult, especially if more sca olding had been required around the building for access

Little Ilford School on the production line at M AR

CGI image of Little Ilford Secondary School

By opting for o site construction in the most part, this reduced the need for access sca olding to just three sides, with modules manufactured in M AR’s factory before being transported to site, positioned and carefully installed safely one by one What’s more, the level of finish achieved in the factory vastly reduced the number of trades required onsite at any one time again an important benefit given the size of the site

Not only was the site itself tight and challenging so too were the access routes as the school sits in the middle of densely populated residential area With this in mind, the M AR team designed the individual modules to fit comfortably on the size of transport permissible and practical for the area, without impacting on the completed project The o site element of the project was split into separate modules, each designed for ease of manufacture, delivery and installation, which fit together like a giant 3D jigsaw puzzle on site

It was also the issue of space that dictated the need for adopting a hybrid approach on this project The proposed new extension was to take up part of the school’s existing car park, and with parking at a premium in the area this had to be maintained, which meant sinking the car park underground and building the new school block directly above

Safety

As is often the case with a refurbishment or extension project such as this at Little Ilford School, works had to be undertaken primarily on a live site With the busy school in full use throughout the project,

except the set holiday periods, safety had to be paramount to protect sta and students as well as site teams In fact, so close was the site to the school itself that site teams had to contend with a football flying into the site from the school grounds on more than one occasion

Moving much of the works o site and into M AR’s factory meant the time required to complete the project on site was significantly reduced and so too was the number of trades needed and deliveries to and from the site Making

sure that all connections are designed to be bolted together rather than welded and that roofs are a welded system which removes the need for hot works with naked flames, is one way M AR is able to reduce fire risks on site, without compromising on either the build schedule or the integrity of the building

It's too simplistic to think that o site is always the more cost e ective option, when compared to traditional build, although if time is money, being more e cient will have a knock on e ect in terms of cost Being able to carry out groundworks on site and manufacturing the required modules o site concurrently speeds up the process, typically resulting in a build programme around 50% quicker than a traditional build

Additionally, manufacturing in a controlled environment removes the risk of delays due to poor weather conditions and the quality control process minimises the degree of snagging required on project completion It also uses less waste, with materials bought in bulk and used as needed across multiple projects in factory build processes mean that a use can often be found for o cuts that would, on a traditional building site, most likely be thrown in a skip

That aside, a major benefit, particularly to local authorities working within set budgets, is the fact that o site typically o ers a greater level of cost predictability giving clients peace of mind from the outset

By working collaboratively together, M AR was able to ensure both aspects of this hybrid build dovetailed perfectly together bringing the client the best of both worlds and delivering a stunning new school area safely and efficiently

challenging environment

The

Drones land multi million pound savings for local authority social housing portfolio The story behind the successful implementation of drones across Renfrewshire Council’s estate and how a chance enquiry turned into a pioneering use case for council’s UK-wide by Glasgow based drone survey specialist Neil Mowbray, from Terraocean.

Drone sur veys deliver savings for Renfrewshire council

In the early days of the drone industry there were many websites where people would post a requirement for drone work and the operators would submit bids in the hopes of winning I was a member of the largest network To be honest, it hadn’t really ever provided any decent opportunities but on one occasion a bid o er was posted for a job one mile from my o ce, it was a quiet morning, so I responded The job was a simple roof survey of a two story, four unit post war dwelling, very typical of the west of Scotland I submitted my bid, they client responded very quickly with the address of the property and the time they would like me to attend site

I arrived to find many o cial looking people milling around in hi viz It transpires that the client was in fact the Housing Asset & Energy Strategy Manager at Renfrewshire Council and this was a test project for a much larger programme of works they had in mind to allow them to gather data on the condition of their entire housing stock over a multi year period

The specific property we were there to inspect was built on a relatively steep incline, so sca olding was not possible, and the type and size of MEWP (mobile elevating work platform) required was prohibitively expensive The client had

read about the use of drones for inspection and wanted to try

After all relevant permissions were granted and safety measures put in place, the survey took under 10 minutes to digitally capture ultra high resolution imagery, which the local authority’s own surveyors could review and assess The method was approved, and a two year programme of works was put in place to perform drone surveys

Stock condition surveys

Renfrewshire Council owns roughly 12,000 properties in their social housing portfolio, which consists mainly of two to five story low rise post war type accommodation and 14 high rise towers, all of which require regular maintenance Due to the age of the properties, a large scale roof replacement programme had been planned (tiles usually have a 25 35 year life span) but stock condition surveys need to be carried out before any work could commence

Until 2016, the council had been using MEWP’s and sca olding to perform inspections This method is slow and costly; at today’s prices, an appropriately sized MEWP costs more than £1,000/day with the ability to complete four to five properties in that time, assuming they are close to each other Sca olding is another

matter entirely whereby it can take between four and six days to erect, inspect, and dismantle, costing many thousands of pounds per property

Compared to a single drone survey, the timesavings are up to 97% & the cost savings are 85% per property

Although the cost savings on performing the actual surveys are considerable, the major savings for the local authority have been through the ability to access the necessary data quickly and then allocate funds accordingly Previously, the standard procedure had been that a roof tile with a 30 year life span would be slated to be replaced at the end of its advertised life span, however the data collected by drones allowed the council to assess the health of the roof structure and decide to maintain for another two, five or 10 years

At an average cost of £16,000 per roof replacement, this method allowed the council to save over £4m in that year alone and allowed an entire programme of inspections to be carried out in less than two months with no disruption to tenants

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V i s i t y o u r r e g i o n a l t r a d e s h o w

Come and see what’s on offer at Toolfair, Professional Builder Live and Elex — the regional trade shows for built environment professionals now incorporating a new Heating & Plumbing Zone

Whether you need some advice on the direction the sector is heading in, want to chat with manufacturers about their latest solutions, or attend CPD seminars discussing important legislation/Building Regulation updates and new technology, your regional trade show has it all

Taking place across two days, Toolfair, Professional Builder Live and Elex feature hands on product demonstrations, a huge array of tools, building materials and equipment, giving visitors a chance to speak to manufacturers directly about their latest products and the opportunity to grab some ‘show special bargains’ on essential kit for installers, contractors and DLO teams Plus, with regulations and best practice changing all the time, visitors will also find seminars and training sessions on a variety of construction industry topics

Heating & Plumbing Training Zone

Recently added to the long established Toolfair & Elex shows, the new Heating & Plumbing Training Zone offers built environment professionals another reason to attend

The Zone has been designed to help contractors and installers keep up to date with the latest developments in the sector and all the latest rules and regulations With a particular focus on new technologies and information on how to get set up to deliver low carbon heating solutions the free seminars are packed full of practical information and guidance

Sessions taking place at the Exeter event: 20th – 21st October

11.00 – 11.30 | Changes to Part L, what you need to know

How to comply with the increased energy performance standards as set in the new Building Regulations

Presented by GTEC

12.00 12.30 | Climate Change and The Rise of Heat Pumps

Grant UK will be hosting ‘Climate Change and The Rise of Heat Pumps’, covering the recent extreme weather and global warming, Net Zero targets, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Building Regs, home insulation, low temp systems and heating emitters It’s a talk visitors won’t want to miss and there will be further info on product and industry approved training and easily accessible supporting resources

Presented by Grant UK

13.00 13.30 | Heat pumps, the future of heating post 2025?

Be ahead of the competition and start installing now Presented by GTEC

14.00 14.30 | Smart heating, how to reduce consumers heating costs

See the opportunities in the heating solutions for future homes Presented by GTEC

*content subject to alteration

Sessions taking place at the Sandown event: 3rd 4th November 11.00 11.30 | Changes to Part L, what you need to know

How to comply with the increased energy performance standards as set out in the new Part L of the Building Regulations Presented by GTEC

12.00 – 12.30 | Business Administration

Advice on how to strike a better work/life balance by cutting down your business administration Presented by Fergus

13.00 13.30 | Heat pumps, the future of heating post 2025?

Be ahead of the competition and start installing now Presented by GTEC

13.00 14.30 | Smart heating, how to reduce consumers heating costs

See the opportunities in the heating solutions for future homes

Presented by GTEC

*content subject to alteration

A c c u r a t e h o u s i n g p e r f o r m a n c e m e a s u r e m e n t

Welsh Gover nment’s new WHQS is to be applauded, but its modelling does not go far enough to end fuel poverty. To prevent people from falling through the gaps, we must combine ambitious targets with more accurate measurements of the home, says Andy Sutton, Chief Innovation Officer at Sero

The ambitious proposals found in the newest Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) have now been consulted on, and the Welsh Government is now considering feedback They set out a strategy to achieve two urgent milestones eliminating fuel poverty and decarbonising social homes in Wales

It is hard to disagree with the intent These goals are important, the former increasingly so as fuel costs and energy bills soar As things are we are likely to see more people fall through the gaps into fuel poverty, not fewer So are these ambitious goals actually achievable?

Insights based on good science and real delivery are required if we are to deliver these goals, but the proposed standard currently falls short in this regard Welsh Government’s plan makes their ambitions challenging and expensive, but unless the proposals change, it will inevitably fail Why? Because due to a significant minority of homes falling outside the “bell curve ” distribution assumptions in the complex, desk modelled system used for assessing this risk, it means these homes will still be left in fuel poverty by 2033 This model will also forecast a typical home’s carbon emissions at around a single tonne/CO2eq per year This is not the “net zero ” intended in Welsh Government’s plans

To succeed, results should be measured, not modelled, meaning the measurements used are perfectly aligned to the objectives sought To eliminate fuel poverty, success must be in pounds and pence For carbon, CO2eq per year

Smart meters are already being rolled throughout social homes

allowing the measurement of both for each individual home This technology represents real time reporting of results and will soon be more widespread in social homes than EPCs We expect them to have near complete coverage in the next few years

Space to innovate

If the Welsh Government truly aims to eliminate fuel poverty, they should set a price limit on tenants’ heating and hot water bills no doubt index linked For carbon, set 0kgCO2eq per year And, importantly, these limits should be evidenced by measurements for every home, not modelled average forecasts

Here is where the Welsh Government needs to step back and let the landlords’ come forward with their own expertise In terms of delivery, the WHQS contains unnecessary interim targets and prescriptions akin to micromanagement that represent unnecessary challenges for social housing providers

Whilst it’s reasonable to require the

“

I n s i g h t s b a s e d o n s c i e n c e a n d r e a l d e l i ve r y a r e r e q u i r e d i f we a r e t o d e l i ve r t h e s e g o a l s , b u t t h e p ro p o s e d s t a n d a r d c u r r e n t l y fa l l s s h o r t i n t h i s r e ga r d .

landlords to regularly share their plans and progress towards these objectives, give landlords the freedom to outline their own route to address the challenges they face in their own portfolio Allow them the space to innovate to tackle the inevitable grant funding gap, hard to treat homes and resident engagement issues that may emerge If we all share lessons learned we can tackle these issues

d l o r d s a n d t e n a n t s m a y s h o w t h i s a p p r o a c h i n a c t i o n W i t h c a p s o n h e a t i n g a n d h o t w a t e r c

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g , s u b s i d i e s , b u i l d i n g f a b r i c i m p r o v e m e n t s , b o i l e r f l o w t e m p e r a t u r e a d j u s t m e n t s , a n d m o r e a n d s e e t h e s u c c e s s o f s a i d i n t e r v e n t i o n s i n t h e m e a s u r e m e n t s p r o v i d e d

Through this approach, we will be able to discover success in the heating and hot water bill of each and every family

For more information on Sero and its services it o ers please visit www.rdr.link/laf009

P r o c u r i n g f o r B u i l d i n g

R e g u l a t i o n s P a r t L

The updated Building Regulations are designed to make energy efficient building materials and methods and low carbon heating solutions commonplace across UK homes and commercial buildings Translating this

Part

into development programmes requires a significant push not only from contractors, but public sector procurement and framework providers to work as a team from the start

Part L, which came into force from the 15th June, raises the bar for change across the whole construction sector, setting new targets for a 31% carbon emissions reduction for new domestic buildings, and 27% for non domestic It is accompanied by Part F covering ventilation applicable to new builds and significant extension or renovation projects, plus Part O on overheating and Part S on infrastructure for charging electric vehicles for new builds only

Many public sector organisations, particularly housing associations, have been deploying low carbon materials and heating

systems for years, in part due to the need for cheaper to heat homes for the families on lower incomes who they serve But to expand this thinking public sector wide, regardless of size, building programme portfolio and purpose, a shift in thinking is needed on how and when contractors’ and suppliers’ services are procured

The first things, first

Although the social housing sector is ahead of the private sector when it comes to average energy performance certificate (EPC) ratings, it still has a huge number of properties that aren’t sustainable In England, there are approximately 4 1m social homes and 1 6m of these are below EPC C

Now, architects can no longer be appointed to draw up initial plans in isolation Local authorities and social

Dean Fazackerley, Head of Technical Procurement for not for profit public sector construction framework provider LHC, gives an overview of why local authorities and housing associations must approach homes construction procurement and project management together to comply with updated Building Regulations Part L.

housing providers need to address the commissioning, whole building programme and asset management process together Doing this means procuring contractors and suppliers earlier This can be achieved more easily through a framework where a contractual agreement binds the client, and tier one, two and three contractors

Good Part L practice is to establish core project ‘teams’ with the necessary disciplines to collaborate, map out and tackle energy efficiency considerations early on, which has a crucial bearing on whether properties pass building control

Asking the right questions in early design stages can also prevent significant alterations down the line, which can prove costly And, with many social housing providers calculating the scale and cost of their retrofit programmes for older properties, getting new developments right from the start now will prevent adding to this list in the not too distant future

Engage, earlier

The new Building Regulations 2022 should not cause too much discomfort for public sector organisations with forward thinking, value led procurement teams and

framework providers Many already use the procurement process to engage and scope out suppliers early and have strong relationships in place

While the regulations don’t make supply chain dialogue and collaboration a legal issue, they make it necessary in order to achieve compliance Early supply chain engagement will also be a key factor within the Procurement Bill, live in 2023, and formed a central feature within 2021’s government commissioned independent review of construction frameworks, ‘Constructing the Gold Standard’

But there are also huge efficiency benefits to early engagement, allowing for better workforce planning, budget savings, accurate costing and timelines, smoother dispute resolution and sharing of good practice It also avoids hand to mouth appointment and guarantees longer pipelines of work, which in turn helps circumvent supply and skills shortages

Tapping into SMEs

Innovators and technical expertise are an important part of how the public sector can take a lead in constructing for the new energy efficiency targets This longer term procurement strategy also improves opportunities to work with SMEs who can deliver the technology and systems the public sector will need for the future

LHC works with SMEs on a number of frameworks, including its Energy Efficiency Measures and Associated Works (N8) and Architect Design Services (ADS1 1) frameworks, and have made considerations for SMEs on the newly introduced Consultancy Services (CS1) and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) New Homes (NH3) frameworks, to improve public sector access to companies designing for a net zero carbon future Business community engagement is vital

to reach these experts, however more accessible assessment criteria has also been necessary in some frameworks to encourage SME applications

New Building Regulations pave the way for much more collaboration with smaller businesses They call out for Passivhaus expertise, system thinking in domestic and non domestic building, and technical knowledge around U values, thermal bridging and whole house ventilation systems Because of this, the public sector organisations LHC works with now view working with SMEs as mission critical

Where from here?

The Building Regulations are undoubtedly bringing about net carbon zero by the stick, rather than the carrot But to get our buildings up to standard and achieve the energy savings needed, at pace, it is necessary

LHC is increasingly seeing councils and social housing providers taking a longer term view of budgets, investing more in construction up front to avoid replacement or expensive maintenance down the line For these organisations, Part L will be easier to implement, still more so for those using whole life carbon assessments a key feature of the Future Homes Standard, due 2025

To transition smoothly, procurement processes for residential and commercial building programmes need a rethink, while supply chain must be prepared to get involved earlier and spend more time up front to avoid being left behind

“Good Part L practice is to establish core project ‘teams’ with the necessar y disciplines to collaborate, map out and tackle energy efficiency considerations early on, which has a crucial bearing on whether properties pass building control.”

LHC

EMERGENCY FLOODING SOLUTIONS

With studies suggesting that over 1.6 million residential and commercial addresses could be at risk of flooding by 20501, local authorities are forming emergency flood response plans now, ready for if the worst does happen. When it comes to helping reconnect communities and lessen the damage caused following a serious flood event, temporary works solutions can play a major part. Peter Aramayo, Commercial Director at Mabey Hire, explores this further.

R e c o n n e c t i n g c o m m u n i t i e s a f t e r t h e f l o o d

While Britain’s weather has always been known as predominantly mild, over recent years it has become steadily more adverse Experiencing multiple storms on a yearly basis, it has become an almost predictable norm that the country will face some form of extreme weather event February 2022 alone saw three major storms, Storm Dudley, Eunice and Franklin, cause damage across England and Wales the likes of which hadn’t been seen since 2014

The combined financial impact of these three storms is estimated to be around £500m2, with almost 177,000 claims made regarding damaged homes, businesses and vehicles With this in mind, it is of no surprise that local authorities are placing a greater focus on emergency flood response protocols

Contingency plans

At first glance, this could seem a daunting and complex prospect However, by

having a comprehensive contingency plan compiled, local authorities are ensuring that they are able to enact an effective emergency flood response when called upon This could include identifying a temporary works specialist that has the experience and engineering expertise to ensure the authority can respond quickly to any damage to infrastructure that occurs from an extreme weather situation

Whenever there is a major flooding event, our TV screens are inundated with videos of damaged bridges and swollen rivers Given the power that water can generate, it is no surprise that bridges can become unstable, be damaged or even collapse entirely This is a serious cause for concern, with a bridge forming an essential part of a community’s infrastructure, especially in more rural areas and the loss of a bridge can be extremely detrimental Not only are they used as a way in or out of an area, whether for residents, deliveries or other traffic, bridges can also carry essential services and utilities across the water, from water and gas pipes to fibre optic cables

Temporary works solutions

G i v e n t h e p o t e n t i a l f o r a c o m m u n i t y t o

b e c u t o f f e n t i r e l y, o b t a i n i n g a t e m p o r a r y w o r k s s o l u t i o n f a s t i s v i t a l I n t h i s c a s e, l o c a l a u t h o r i t i e s m a y l o o k t o w o r k c l o s e l y w i t h a t e m p o r a r y w o r k s s u p p l i e r w h o c a n q u i c k l y e n g i n e e r, d e l i v e r a n d i n s t a l l a b e s p o ke t e m p o r a r y b r i d g e o n e t h a t h a s b e e n d e s i g n e d t o f u l f i l w h a t e v e r p u r p o s e i s r e q u i r e d o f i t F o r e x a m p l e, i t c o u l d b e a p e d e s t r i a n o r r o a d b r i d g e, a s w e l l a s h a v i n g t h e c a p a c i t y t o c a r r y t h e a f o r e m e n t i o n e d e s s e n t i a l s e r v i c e s ; t h u s , r e c o n n e c t i n g t h e c o m m u n i t y a n d l e s s e n i n g t h e d a m a g e c a u s e d

In addition, emergency flooding solutions can also stretch further than the design and supply of a temporary bridge When riverbanks have already burst or a local authority is working to prevent further collapse from happening, a reactive solution is critical to minimise further damage Here, groundworks support solutions, such as trench sheets and sheet piles, can be used to help shore up a river or canal bank

Mabey Hire’s temporary works solutions being installed at Pooley Bridge in the Lake District

Mabey Hire engineered and installed a bespoke temporary bridge in Pooley Bridge

Similarly, having access to innovative temporary monitoring solutions can also be extremely valuable in these emergency situations, whether that’s to monitor a damaged riverbank or to detect a rise in water levels Providing these types of services can give accurate and up to the minute data, adding an early warning system and making it easier to plan emergency evacuations, if needed

Working with specialists

As flooding becomes more of a local issue for many communities, there is an increasing need to prepare for the worst One constant throughout any flood response is the need for speed; therefore, working with a temporary works specialist with the knowledge and ability to react fast is critical

With people’s lives and livelihoods at risk, providing access to the best possible support is a top priority Mabey Hire’s emergency team of engineers ensures that this support is never too far away, as well as having access to one of the industry’s most comprehensive range of temporary works equipment

a dedicated in

Carrying out a stock condition survey of your entire property portfolio is no small feat for any social housing provider, conducting one during a pandemic poses additional challenges. Muir Group Housing Association began surveying its stock in March 2020 Readers may remember we covered the project in our November/December 2020 issue. Here, LABM catches up with the team involved to find out how they got on

“A

chieving a stock condition survey of all Muir homes during a pandemic was a massive task, but we ’ ve come out the other side in great shape after designing a dynamic 10 year planned programme of works

“It reflects our character and ambition at Muir; and our desire to upgrade residents’ homes as soon as possible,” says Nik Evans, Assistant Director of Property Services at Muir Group Housing Association

Performing an all encompassing stock condition survey of Muir Group Housing Association’s entire portfolio would have proved challenging at the best of times Initially launching in March 2020, delays caused by Covid 19 barely hampered the survey, despite the Association being

forced to down tools before remobilising when lockdown restrictions were loosened

“It would have been easy to put this off until later, but we wanted to kick on and show residents how committed we are to ensuring they have properties to be proud of,” Nik continues “With 5,500 homes we ’ re certainly not the biggest but covering everything you have in one stock condition survey is a huge undertaking at any level particularly amid Covid 19

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“Geographically our stock is very widespread, so this partnership helped to

We’ve mapped out the next 10 years of Muir’s property investment programme and we ’ re in the process of sharing it with residents and stakeholders ”

New homes at St Chad’s Fields completed in late 2021

Nik Evans, Muir’s Assistant Director of Property Services

Planned maintenance

Redefining Muir’s planned maintenance strategies will enable the Association to continue meeting and emulating the Decent Homes Standard while also delivering on strategies in Muir’s Corporate Plan and preserving the general appearance of residents’ properties

Installing new doors, windows, roofing, insulation and heating systems wherever necessary, will maximise efficiency making sure residents always get the best value for money and homes they can be happy in, while doing whatever Muir can to reduce the Association’s carbon footprint

Tony Jones, Muir’s Asset Services Manager, says the decision to team up with domestic energy assessors, ‘The WarmFront Team’ has been key to helping the Association understand the efficiency of its homes using thermal imaging technology as it bids to meet the UK Government’s net zero carbon goal and help resident combat rising energy prices

“It’s given us a total bird’s eye view of everything we manage, ” Tony says “We have a great understanding of where and how to maximise the use of evolving technologies as we shape future strategies, so we continue to deliver improved, energy efficient homes while meeting sector priorities and responding to changes in regulation

“We can make more informed decisions regarding alternative and renewable energy systems including solar

panels, heating sources and water storage options In 2019 we moved our windows and doors workstreams in house as a forerunner to some environmental benefits we ’ re considering; as well as maximising our budgets ”

Changing legislation

Another emphasis has been on continuing to ensure Muir meets changing legislation surrounding fire safety, and that processes remain versatile enough to respond efficiently to those changes as they arise and ensure resident safety And having previously remodelled the department and worked with Muir’s Business Transformation and Technology team to reconfigure IT systems for greater, faster visibility of data with which to inform decisions, Nik adds: “With our revised Building New Homes strategy coming into effect, the stock condition survey and recent remodelling of the Property Services department means we’ll be in a

strong position to embed Muir’s expanding portfolio into our repairs and maintenance strategies It means Property Services will have very solid foundations upon which to support Muir’s future and, most importantly, those of our residents ”

Close collaboration

Having played an integral role in enabling Muir to undertake it’s all encompassing stock condition survey amid the challenges of Covid 19, Andy Robinson, Director at Michael Dyson Associates, says: “When guidance on working safely in people's homes during Covid 19 was released, Michael Dyson Associates quickly implemented compliant, comprehensive risk assessments and method statements to ensure surveys could be carried out safely and with the complete confidence of Muir residents

“We worked with the Muir to ‘reboot’ the programme as lockdown restrictions changed, incorporating a completely refreshed set up and delivery programme

“We completed the data submission and accompanying reporting despite the effects of a much more measured approach to the physical surveys, which resulted from enhanced health and safety management procedures

“This close collaboration between Muir and Michael Dyson Associates enabled the survey to continue in the face of understandable concerns on the part of residents, being based on communication, assurance, good practice and efficiencies in resource deployment ”

With thanks to Muir Group Housing Association for preparing this article

Tony Jones, Muir’s Asset Services Manager

Achieving carbon monoxide compliance

As the laws surrounding carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in domestic properties in the UK are strengthened, how can landlords ensure compliance with the revised regulations? FireAngel offers some timely advice

Over the last decade, carbon monoxide poisoning has caused an average of 162 deaths yearly in the UK, equivalent to a life lost every few days A carbon monoxide alarm is the only certified source of detection, yet more than 2 3 million households in the UK are without a working CO alarm

To keep more people safe, the Government has committed to introducing significant changes this year regarding CO protection This includes amendments to the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 and Approved Document J, in addition to the introduction of EN50291 2:2018

Ensuring

version of EN50291

latest European Standard for the detection

of carbon monoxide in domestic premises Landlords should ensure they are fitting reputable CO alarms that have been independently tested to this standard and are supplied with a body test certificate in the form of a Kitemark to guarantee they are providing customers with the highest possible standard of protection

Amendments to the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 Replacing the previous 2015 regulation, the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 will come into force on 1st October 2022 As a result, both private and socially rented properties will be legally required to have smoke and CO alarms installed

Once the extended regulations are made law, a smoke alarm must be installed on each storey of a property

where there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation

A carbon monoxide alarm must also be installed in any room, used wholly or partly as living accommodation, with a fixed combustion appliance or when a fixed combustion appliance is fitted This includes gas fire and gas boilers but excludes gas cookers

Fire safety and compliance in the public sector: what progress has been made since Grenfell? Here, Hannah Mansell, Group Technical Director for Masonite companies in the UK, outlines findings from research into how the public sector approaches fire safety and the biggest challenges facing organisations looking to safeguard resident wellbeing in high rise buildings

F i r e s a f e t y a n d c o m p l i a n c e r e s e a r c h

In 2017, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government now the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities launched the Building Safety Programme to bolster the health and safety of residents in higher risk residential buildings in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire Five years on from the programme ’ s formation, Door Stop International partnered with Surveys in Public Sector to understand the extent to which the public sector’s approach to fire safety has evolved during this time We wanted to find out if changing legislation has helped or hindered their collective efforts, what they see as the barriers to implementing fire safety, and if housing associations and local authorities are taking fire safety and compliance as seriously as they should be

Understanding the current landscape

We asked stakeholders how aware they were of the programme and the (then) proposed building reforms Worryingly, just over one quarter had little or no awareness, despite the well publicised journey of the Building Safety Bill

While the Building Safety Act received Royal Assent in April 2022, some elements will not come into force for up to 18 months With this in mind, we asked the stakeholders if their organisation would wait for the proposals to be enforced or refurbish their high rise buildings in advance of a potential deadline In total, 45% of respondents said that upgrades were already underway, while 31% claimed to be in the process of building a strategy to address these issues Only 6% said they would wait for the mandate, which suggests that most of the public sector is taking a proactive approach

We’re moving in a positive direction but, at the time of the survey, only 14% of respondents felt confident that their housing stock was fully compliant right now, and 1% admitted they were ‘just beginning to address fire safety’

The majority of people said their organisation was ‘actively addressing fire safety’ When it comes to how they are doing this, the most common method is regular fire risk assessments Modernisation and refurbishment projects, maintaining basic compliance with available resources, and reacting to resident feedback all ranked

highly A number of other methods were highlighted including: resident engagement; evacuation systems, sprinkler systems, and dedicated fire safety and compliance teams

The barriers to compliance

The top three challenges when managing fire safety and compliance were identified as maintaining compliance in step with changing legislation, followed by the skills gap around fire safety and prohibitive retrofit cost

When it comes to decision making, more than three quarters of respondents felt confident that the legislation had not hindered them Of those that felt it had, they attributed this to not having the skillset to make decisions, no one wanting to take responsibility and not being able to acquire the relevant insurance to make decisions

It’s encouraging that most respondents remain confident, but we must also recognise that legislative changes must be made easy to understand and be accessible Failure to do so may place organisations at risk of falling behind The ramifications for residents could be very serious indeed

Where do we go from here?

Achieving life safety is crucial, particularly in light of the wider challenges for those managing large housing stocks, such as different risk profiles, annual budgets and long range spending plans When it comes to fire safety, it is important to take a holistic, long term view It will never be ‘done’ it is something that needs continuous monitoring and the ability to be responsive and adjust strategy accordingly

Our research highlights the need to ensure that all stakeholders involved in fire safety are competent The lack of skills and knowledge is not only a barrier to getting things done in the first place but to ensuring that when works get underway they are compliant

To read the full report, visit www.rdr.link/laf014

H i g h p e r f o r m a n c e h o m e s

Jon Lane, Commercial Director at Taylor Lane Timber Frame and member of the company’s corporate social responsibility committee explores the impact of the energy crisis and how changing our house building methods will help to deliver high quality, energy efficient homes.

The current UK energy crisis is unprecedented On the 8th of September the Government announced a plan to freeze household energy bills at £2,500 a year on average for the next two years from 1st October While this will go some way to

alleviate the pressure on UK households, the national fuel poverty charity, National Energy Action (NEA) has estimated that ‘6 7 million households would be fuel poor ’ That’s up from 4 5 million in fuel poverty last October ‘The number of households in fuel poverty remains high,

despite a raft of [government] measures ’

‘Across the UK, cold homes are already damaging the lives of the poorest households ’ NEA goes onto suggest ‘ the UK Government should plan to provide lasting support for households, instead of relying on a series of ‘ one off ’ measures ’ Amongst their solutions, NEA suggests ‘Setting tighter regulatory minimum efficiency standards for rented properties, so that they reach EPC C by 2030 at the latest ’

This approach would complement the UK’s legally binding net zero target by 2050 While the measures by which this will be achieved have been legally challenged in the high court by environmental groups, the strategy remains government policy (at the time of writing)

Taylor Lane Timber Frame has joined the Greener Footprint ‘30 for 2030’ campaign

Inefficient housing

While the energy crisis is unprecedented, it is simply exacerbating existing societal, economic and environmental issues such as the need to invest in energy efficient measures to bring people’s homes up to standard

A recent study by Friends of the Earth, discussed in an article written by Energy Correspondent Alex Lawson on The Guardian’s website in August, analysed 30 local authority jurisdictions and identified ‘ nearly 9,000 “hotspots” across England and Wales where energy use is high and typical household income is below the national average [ ] The study found that 65% of Birmingham’s neighbourhoods faced hardship related to energy bills Households can also suffer higher power costs due to poor insulation and the study found that 59,410 homes in Birmingham needed loft insulation More than 47,000 did not have cavity wall insulation ’

While we agree that energy efficient measures such as cavity wall and loft insulation would be beneficial for poor performing housing stock, we must act now to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself with new build houses They must perform better, and in turn be affordable, comfortable and healthier homes This starts with the fabric of the building

Benefits of timber frame

Timber frame is generally considered to be the most environmentally friendly building material when compared to brick, steel and concrete; it has the lowest energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions

It is therefore unsurprising that timber frame construction is fast becoming a build method of choice for local authorities and housing associations Popular for the speed of construction, contractors, buyers and specifiers are now also appreciating its green credentials too

CO2 savings

Wood products are low carbon materials

They can help reduce CO2 in the atmosphere and help slow climate change

For every cubic metre of wood used instead of other building materials, 0 8 tonne of CO2 is saved from the atmosphere

A typical 100m2, two storey detached timber frame home contains 5 6 cubic metres more wood than the equivalent home built using traditional build methods such as brick and block

Carbon capture

Tr e e s c a p t u r e h a r m f u l C O 2 f r o m t h e

a t m o s p h e r e a n d s t o r e i t a s c a r b o n

W h e n h a r v e s t e d , t h a t w o o d i s u s e d f o r p r o d u c t s s u c h a s t i m b e r f r a m e c o m p o n e n t s , a n d t h o s e p r o d u c t s s t o r e c a r b o n f o r t h a t p r o d u c t ’ s e n t i r e l i f e c y c l e Af t e r b e i n g h a r v e s t e d , w e p l a n t m o r e t r e e s , a n d t h e c y c l e o f c a p t u r i n g C O 2

“While we agree that energy efficient measures such as cavity wall and loft insulation would be beneficial for poor perfor ming housing stock, we must act now to ensure that histor y doesn’t repeat itself with new build houses . ”

c o n t i n u e s ( f o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n v i s i t w o o d f o r g o o d c o m )

The sustainable option

As a Structural Timber Association (STA) Assure Gold member, we encourage the use of timber from PEFC or FSC certified sources Buyers and procurement teams must look out for FSC, PEFC, SFI, CSA and MTCC certified sources A reputable timber supplier should also provide a full chain of custody

Energy savings

Now this is where timber frame comes into its own As a natural insulator, timber, when used as a build method, can help to reduce running costs and energy bills A property will remain warmer throughout the winter and stay cooler during the summer months It can heat up quickly and retain that heat for longer

I t i s f a r e a s i e r t o a c h i e v e a l o w U v a l u e w i t h t i m b e r f r a m e t h a n t r a d i t i o n a l b u i l d m e t h o d s I t g o e s b e y o n d B u i l d i n g Re g u l a t i o n r e q u i r e m e n t s w i t h o u t f i l l i n g t h e c a v i t y

Of fsite fabrication benefits stack up

Graham Hicks, Project Development Manager at Polypipe Building Services, looks at the challenges surrounding drainage stack replacement in high rise properties and the possible solutions to keep major ongoing property maintenance and refurbishment projects running efficiently.

Large scale repair and maintenance programmes within public sector social housing require careful collaboration between contractors, residents and housing providers in order to meet tight schedules aimed at minimising disruption to residents This is essential in waste management services when drainage stacks need replacing, presenting a host of technical challenges because the buildings have been lived in and adapted over decades

The challenges

Drainage stack replacement within public sector housing projects is a major piece of remedial work, which inevitably means some period where residents are without the ability to use their sinks, toilets and other facilities In multiple occupancy

buildings where there are many individual homes, perhaps 100 or more, this can mean a significant level of disruption

Unfortunately, this is something that the traditional approach of assembling loose stack components on site can make even worse requiring drainage systems to be out of action for long periods of time whilst installation is completed This disruption not only means upheaval for residents, but can mean greater cost for local authorities and housing associations too

Being an older building, it’s also more likely that what’s found onsite differs from the original plans if these plans still exist Bathrooms may have been moved or reconfigured, additional appliances may have needed extra drainage, and in an older building that has undergone previous phases of renovation the

proximity or angles of joints needed may not match standard parts As a result standard loose parts may not match using more time on site and potentially impacting on the layout of some rooms

A bespoke solution

The solution to these challenges often lies in how projects are planned and how drainage stack components are manufactured to help reduce time needed on site A good example of how this approach can reap benefits is a recent project Polypipe Building Services completed at a 15 storey tower block in the West Midlands

Residents had complained of bad smells, often a sign that the existing metal drainage system is reaching the end of its useful life and is leaking, and on inspection

A drainage stack replacement in progress

the pipework was showing several signs of failure including splits within the cast and failing seals on the lower ground floor Such leaks are often created through waste build up within the pipework with items such as cooking oils being poured down the sinks, and over 25 years this had built up inside the cast iron leading to the splits and leaks

In this project the installation team had to remove a wall within the kitchen pantries of properties running all the way up the stack to replace the original stack Custom engineering solutions were needed due to this being a tight and awkward space, so Polypipe Building Services supplied the stack in two halves per property to enable the installer to drop it into this existing space The two pieces also allowed for an

expansion joint in the middle of the stack making it fully rotatable so the installers could place the access door exactly where it was needed

Furthermore, some of the flats had been changed from the standard bathroom configuration to wet rooms, meaning basins and toilets had moved to different areas This meant changing seal adapters and some engineered solutions, including cutting back of the boss as close to the stack as possible (to around 30mm) and also elbows with as little as 94mm from centre line to centre line which would be difficult to achieve on site

Durable material

The use of HDPE an exceptionally durable material for the pipes was key here Whereas cast iron stack replacements would have meant that branches from the main stack could only have been accommodated at 90 or 45 degrees, using HDPE meant that angles could be bespoke engineered to accommodate a range of fittings, and proved essential to working effectively in the tight spaces on site

HDPE also offers advantages in how it can be prefabricated, with bespoke configurations such as two connections almost touching each other produced using mirror welding offsite Furthermore, 3D Printed jigs can be used to create

plastic moulds for cutting aids, allowing closer cuts which both ensures a better quality product and is a safer method than installers managing this on site

With HDPE it’s also easy to futureproof pipework should the contractor need extra fittings for additional connections going forward This speeds up future installations as spigots with welded on end caps can be left ready for additional appliances in the future These can then be simply cut off and a ring seal adapter added to take an additional waste pipe

An efficient way of working

The use of a prefabricated HDPE system meant that live stack replacement could be completed at a quicker rate, as the majority of work to overcome the unique challenges of the building had already been addressed in the design and manufacturing stage With most public sector housing RMI projects facing problems of this ilk, planning ahead and working with a supplier who can help to head issues off before installation begins can be a significant benefit

C a s t l e C o u r t a t 3 1

“Sometimes the best way to plan for the future is to lear n from the past, and when I joined NorDan UK Ltd in 2021,” says Commercial Sales Manager for the North of England, Sonia Travis, “I was interested to know more about the regeneration of Castle Court, a 1960s Sheffield tower block refurbished in the early 1990s.”

Today NorDan is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of high performance timber windows and doors, employing over 2,000 people and turning over £58m But in the early 1990s the company was a relative unknown in the UK In 1991, a surprising combination of circumstances led to 400 of NorDan’s StormGuard windows being installed in an iconic Sheffield tower block

First manufactured in 1962, the aluminium clad timber StormGuard window system was designed to deal with the climate extremes of the Norwegian coast

The window has become something of a design classic, with well over six million now fitted across Europe, with a call back rate of virtually zero But it was the installation at Castle Court that proved to be a watershed moment for window system in UK social housing

The then Tower B was one of three 1960s dilapidated high rise blocks at the Hyde Park development about to have a dramatic change in fortunes Two of the towers, A and B, were earmarked for regeneration to provide accommodation for 3,000 athletes competing at the World Student Games, to be hosted by Sheffield the following year

Beyond the games, the refurbished towers would provide much needed, quality social housing, managed by the then North Counties Housing Association (now The Guinness Partnership)

The resulting cutting edge design refurbishment not only saw Castle Court become the first high rise over cladding project in the North of England, but the project that was ‘ over specified’ to the point that the tenants, landlord and the environment are still reaping the benefits today

A tale of two Peters

So to the beginning, and the coming together of a visionary architect Peter Bell, and a soon to be over cladding specialist fabricator Peter Hillyard Peter Bell explains his involvement: “Sheffield City Council ran a design competition on how to regenerate Hyde Park’s towers A and B for the Games which was won by the Council’s own team of architects Their winning designs were based on over cladding, and at the time I

Castle Court post refurbishment with NorDan’s StormGuard windows installed

Castle Court tower block being refurbished in the early 1990s

was the only real expert in this new field, so the Council’s architects turned to me to manage the project ”

Fabricators Allscots (now D&B Fabrication led by Peter Hillyard), and NorDan won the tender to refurbish what is now Castle Court, and for Pete Hillyard, the project was the transformative ‘sliding doors’ moment

Peter Hillyard explains: “The level of design and specification quality on that project set a standard that I’ve tried to maintain from that day on I didn’t realise it at the time, but the unique circumstances surrounding Castle Court meant that it’s still a shining example of how to regenerate high rise residential buildings 30 years on ”

A catalyst or higher quality

Architect Peter Bell explains why: “The World Student Games was a catalyst for investment in regeneration, so I was able to use that budget to specify what I knew to be sensible and safe

“I’d seen NorDan’s high performance windows in action in Norway, and had been impressed by the company ’ s capacity to deliver timber windows and doors for large scale projects plus the aluminium clad timber fitted with the building’s aluminium facade ”

Pe t e H i l l y a r d e x p l a i n s f u r t h e r : “ W h a t I g a i n e d f r o m t h a t p r o j e c t w a s t h a t v a l u e o f s p e c i f i c a t i o n s h o u l d b e e v a l u a t e d o v e r t i m e, a n d i f y o u b u i l d t o l a s t , a n d s p e c i f y m a t e r i a l s t h a t s u r p a s s c u r r e n t

s t a n d a r d s , y o u c a n m e e t i n c r e a s i n g

“And that’s exactly what’s happened: 30 years on, and not a single window has required replacement or maintenance, and all the tilt and turn mechanisms still work The homes are cosy, air and water tight, and the windows achieve 1 6w/m2C, which still meet today’s refurbishment standards ”

Pete Hillyard concludes: “In my experience, windows such as PVC U and aluminium would have needed to be replaced after fifteen years Local authorities and social landlords have a lot of boxes to tick these days, not least providing people with high quality, low carbon and energy efficient homes that are easy to maintain

“There are lots of ways the industry has got high rise recladding wrong over the years, but in my opinion there’s only one way to get it right, and I urge any specifier or architect considering a high rise retrofit or new build project to review Castle Court or visit Sheffield, and discover the true value of good engineering ”

So is Castle Court an example of over engineering? It is when you compare the refurbishment to fenestration and building standards in 1991 But then you also have to consider that the cladding materials used at Castle Court were passed safe, and when you consider that UK building has seen numerous increases in standards (including the recent Part L window standards increase), StormGuard remains compliant to all current regulations

So, far from suggesting an over indulgent specification, over 30 years, Castle Court points to sound, safe and cost effective decision making

Castle Court before it was refurbished

NorDan’s aluminium clad timber StormGuard window system was designed to deal with climate extremes

For

on NorDan’s StormGuard visit

rdr link/laf018

“30 year s on, and not a single window has required replacement or maintenance, and all the tilt and tur n mechanisms still wor k.”

HOUSING & REGENERATION ROUND UP

Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund

Applications for Wave 2 1 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) are now open Provision for digitalisation has been made in Wave 2 1 as a response to poor, inadequate and missing data in previous phases Aico’s HomeLINK Ei1020 and Ei1025

Non combustible cavity tray system

The Southmere housing development is being built as part of a regeneration project designed to revitalise the Harrow Manor area of Thamesmead in south east London Phase 1 of the new Southmere Village will generate 404 high quality new homes, commercial and public realm spaces Working alongside contractor Durkan and brickwork contractor Landmark Brickwork, Keyfix supplied 11,946m of its Non combustible Cavity Tray (NCCT), 7,173no of corners, and 21,113no of weeps to form Phase 1 of the project

Bidet range extended to meet market needs

Following extensive research with occupational therapists AKW has extended its bidet range to meet end users ’ clinical and financial needs The new additions include AKW’s flagship Rise & Fall bidet, a Bottom Entry bidet, ergonomic and Consilio bidet seats, and a new sensor flush, as well as compatible sanitaryware The Rise & Fall bidet can be raised or lowered to suit individual user requirements, promoting toileting independence It also features fold up arms for ease of access (that support up to 18 8st (120kg) each), which facilitates wheelchair transfers and can help users safely navigate around the bathroom A Bottom Entry bidet has also been added to the collection When combined with AKW’s Navlin and Navlin Doc M ranges, it o ers a solution with a bottom entry water feed that is cleverly concealed within the toilet pan

The Keyfix NCCT was specified as it exceeds the requirements of the new Approved Document B, which states that buildings utilisting steel frame systems in the external cavity must have limited combustibility The product is a non combustible, A1 fire rated cavity tray system

HA specifies ISO Chemie for energy improvement pilot project

ISO Chemie’s thermal insulating and load bearing bracket support system and sealing tapes have been specified for a new energy improvement project being carried out by Broadacre Housing Association WINFRAMER units are being retrofitted at three 1940s 1960s built houses in Northallerton and Stokesley as part of a pilot project Passivhaus certified and fire rated to up to 30 minutes, WINFRAMER is a prefabricated installation frame, manufactured to accommodate cavities up to 250mm that allows windows to be supported independently from the face of the wall regardless of any external cladding being in place The product’s application at The Crescent, Northallerton has been integrated alongside ISO Chemie’s ISO BLOCO One sealing tapes to achieve Passivhaus certified window perimeter sealing performance

Methven, a leading designer and manufacturer of premium showers and taps, has updated its Specification Guide, helping specifiers in the new build and social housing sectors achieve the highest standards in water e ciency Demonstrating the company's continuous commitment to water and energy sustainability, the new brochure o ers a comprehensive guide to its Specification range, including a handy to digest water and energy savings calculator, flow rates, product specifications as well as WRAS and TMV approval details The Specification range enables specifiers to surpass the enhanced Part G target of 110 litres with water saving technologies Methven’s showering technologies have been designed to use up to 60% less water

Methven launches new specification brochure

Keeping homes and tenants warm is more important than ever

New measures for tenant satisfaction are currently under consultation by the Gover nment A drastic change in attitudes towards first-time fix rates is crucial if housing associations are to provide quality homes and services that keep tenants happy, says Dave Griggs, Managing Director of Spares & Services at City Plumbing.

I t ’s t i m e t o r e t h i n k

f i r s t - t i m e f i x r a t e s

Over my three decades in the industry, I have come to learn that tenant satisfaction relies heavily on keeping the water hot and the heating ticking But now, with the Government proposing new measures for tenant satisfaction, keeping homes and tenants warm is more important than ever which is why there should be greater importance put on first time fixes

What is a first time fix?

There is no standard measurement of success when it comes to first visit fixes, due to housing associations having different views of what a first time fix is,

and different ways of monitoring KPIs Many housing associations and their contractors consider a first time fix as a heating engineer attending the property to assess the problem and then returning for a second time to fix the problem; however, the problem isn’t actually fixed during the first “assessment visit” From a tenants’ perspective, the problem isn’t resolved until their heating and hot water are back up and running and as an industry, we need to start ensuring our expectations match

First time fix rates should be focused on the restoration of heat, rather than an engineer identifying the problem and setting a date to return to fix it Drawing

comparisons from other industries, the KPIs of a call centre aren’t just measured on answering the phone within 10 rings; they are focused on resolving the issue at the first point of contact

The current way of doing things is neither useful to a tenant nor efficient for business And now that the Government’s proposal includes measures on ‘handling tenants’ complaints effectively’ and ‘keeping properties in good repair, it’s something that needs addressing

Annual servicing presents an ideal time for engineers to collect important heating system data

Use data to your advantage

Since I started in the industry in 1991, it is safe to say that a lot has changed Gone are the days of having to see a boiler to know what parts are needed, now managers can invest in data and apps to do some of the leg work

Engineers should be encouraged to collect as much data about the heating systems within property portfolios as possible While tenants are usually able to tell us what make and model their boiler is, it’s the finer details which determine exactly which spare parts are required, details which are not easy to identify to the untrained eye And it’s these details that make the difference between achieving a true first time fix, or not Annual servicing presents an ideal time for engineers to collect data like serial numbers, and theoretically, housing associations can have an accurate picture of all their properties within 12 months

Preventative maintenance

Having this data can also enable housing associations or their contractors to compare the failure rates of one boiler against another so that they can ensure only the most reliable boilers are installed in their properties going forward

This use of data can also be combined with monitoring systems such as ‘Vericon’, which utilise diagnostics to provide real time fault notifications even before the resident has time to spot the issue; this is

particularly useful to maximise the safety of elderly or vulnerable residents who are unable to raise an alert themselves

From a merchant’s perspective, we can also use data to help us provide a truly local service to our customers If a housing association tells us they are going to fit 500 new properties with a particular model of boiler and we understand that that model is likely to show a particular fault within a few years, we can ensure that our branches local to these properties have the stock to replace the parts within that specific boiler, without the need for triage, and in some cases, before the fault causes a failure in the system

As an industry, we need to aim to get the right part, in the right hands, at the right time, as it is this that will ensure consistent first time fixes for tenants Using the technology available to improve service operations will go a long way in making this possible

Steady communication wins the race Improving communication with tenants can also go a long way in improving first time fix rates Better communication with tenants on how to resolve issues like repressurising the boiler or bleeding radiators can free up masses of time for engineers in the field and ensure that tenants facing bigger problems can be prioritised

When a tenant reports a minor issue with their housing association, the

association can work out if the issue can be fixed easily If so, this becomes a ‘soft fix’ and they can talk the tenant through how to, for example, safely bleed their radiators; therefore, restoring heat without the need to call out an engineer

Also, if the operative knows that a certain part will be needed for a particular fault, they can tell the tenant how long it will take for the part to be obtained, and in the meantime, the housing association or landlord can organise temporary heating

It’s high time that first time fix rates are measured on customer satisfaction, and it is data led fault finding that can make this a reality By understanding your tenants’ heating systems in more detail, we can reduce the need for unnecessary call outs, ensure replacement parts are readily available, and ultimately, ensure that tenants are happy with the service you provide

d a t a c a n a l

HEATING &

Heat network metering and billing

To encourage development of new heat networks, the Government has provided funding and has started to introduce a series of regulations to protect consumers. It seems to be working, as heat networks are becoming increasingly common nationwide.

A considerable growing pain is that many who manage heat network developments, including housing associations and local authorities, have little knowledge or experience of the technologies involved, particularly with highly complex metering and billing processes. Yet any organisation with day-to-day responsibility for operating a heat network is regarded as a ‘heat supplier’ and must fulfil certain legal obligations. Failure to comply can result in civil or even criminal penalties.

Legal requirements

In most cases, by law, heat suppliers must ensure there is a functioning energy meter for each household connected to a heat network, giving accurate, detailed, and transparent usage data. Bills must be based on actual consumption and not estimated.

As heat network residents cannot change the equipment or service providers selected for them, many local authorities are understandably wary of making bad choices and shackling tenants to high prices or poor services. Their reputation and their residents’ quality of life depend on them getting it right. This is particularly important now when energy prices are skyrocketing making every penny count.

Although heat networks only fulfil around 3% of UK heat demand, it is calculated that 14-20% of UK heat demand could be cost-effectively met by heat networks by 2030, and 43% by 2050. Rapid market growth is therefore needed. Here, Jack Howe, Business Development Manager at Insite Energy, discusses the complexities surrounding heat network metering and billing.

Confusion

There are many metering and billing providers and solutions to choose from, not only when specifying a new development, but also when upgrading equipment or switching suppliers later on in a building’s life. Some systems and contracts are easy to switch and others not, presenting a further source of uncertainty.

The terminology around heat metering is confusing: ‘open protocol’ and ‘transferable’ are often used interchangeably, but they don’t mean the same thing. Understanding these terms is crucial for making good purchasing decisions, both when a scheme is being developed and when new meters are retrofitted to an existing development. Open protocol refers only to hardware — meters or heat interface units (HIUs).

Understanding the terminology around heat networks is crucial for making good purchasing decisions

Any organisation with day-to-day responsibility for operating a heat network is regarded as a ‘heat supplier’

Anyone, including another metering company or a housing association themselves, can access an open protocol system and use it to bill residents ‘Closed protocol’, meanwhile, applies to HIUs with in built metering and billing infrastructure and software that can only be accessed by the supplier

Transferable relates only to software A transferable metering system allows other billing providers to access it on a Software as a Service (SaaS) basis Like a licence fee, the SaaS fee is payable to the ‘head end’, i e , the software’s developer or owner, giving the new supplier full visibility of billing data SaaS fees vary from £10 £40 per unit annually and are passed down to residents within their daily standing charge as part of their bills Untransferable systems require the new billing provider to purchase data from the old, as accessing the software isn’t possible Again, the costs of this are passed on to residents

To avoid paying more and being stuck with the wrong equipment for long periods, wherever possible opt for shorter contracts and open protocol hardware Failing that,

at least ensure your equipment is transferable so you can change provider, albeit while incurring a SaaS fee

Getting it right

T h e i d e a l s o l u t i o n , h o w e v e r, i s a s y s t e m t h a t ’ s b o t h f u l l y o p e n p r o t o c o l a n d o v e r l a i d w i t h s m a r t f u n c t i o n a l i t y t h a t h e l p s r e d u c e c o s t s a n d i m p r o v e p e r f o r m a n c e A g o o d e x a m p l e o f t h i s i s K U RV E , t h e s m a r t m e t e r i n g a p p t h a t c u r r e n t l y o f f e r s t h e g r e a t e s t f l e x i b i l i t y i n t h e h e a t n e t w o r k m a r ke t

KURVE’s wired M bus system carries data from household meters to a central datalogger, negating the need to install and maintain physical in home display units (IHDs) This in turn halves capital and operational expenditure

Should the metering hardware prove unsuitable, data can be accessed by any new provider at no cost and without the inconvenience and expense of replacing IHDs Residents, meanwhile, can manage their pay as you go (PAYG) energy account from any Internet device via the KURVE web app If that is no longer desired, the credit based system underlying it and all the data is freely available to any new supplier Better still, the HIUs have a built in disconnect function, meaning the new provider can run a PAYG hybrid in effect, a credit billed system that can disconnect a property should the account run into arrears

While smart metering solutions can still be viewed by some as only suited to private developments with ‘tech savvy ’

tenants, the stats show that social housing residents respond well to the technology

For example, 96% of KURVE users make their payments online, and approximately 60% of customers are housing association or local authority residents

Service matters

Whatever system housing associations choose, we know that excellent customer service for residents is a priority However, balancing this against the need to keep costs down, especially as the energy crisis deepens, is challenging If a provider can undercut a SaaS fee by even a little, that can add up to a tempting saving

It’s important to remember that when times are hard for customers, high quality support is imperative We’re fielding more tariff related queries than ever before five to six times more than last year It’s abundantly clear that both residents and local authorities are under pressure But strong customer service shouldn’t buckle under the pressure and mean a compromise on standards Great service providers can help to lower costs by streamlining processes, relieving internal pressures, and identifying and resolving issues before they become expensive

“

ideal solution is a system that’s both fully open protocol and over laid with smar t functionality that helps reduce costs and improve perfor mance.

D e c a r b o n i s a t i o n s t r a t e g i e s

Stuart Smith, Board Director for indoor air quality and ventilation manufacturing specialist, Nuaire, discusses where ventilation can help and support sustainable housing

Recently I sat in a conference room of representatives from local authorities and registered social landlords I was concerned to see a swathe of blank faces when my colleague asked the question, “how important do you think indoor air quality is as part of your decarbonisation strategy?”

I understand the reticence There is much discussion and focus (dare I say pressure) to finalise decarbonisation plans and identify which path to follow as part of it be it new Building Regulations or PAS 2035 However, tackling the task needn’t be daunting and local authorities shouldn’t hang back and wait for others to take the lead Pioneers who are passionate about reaching these goals need to step out of their comfort zones and lead the way for others to follow

The housing industry is on the cusp of significant change As part of the UK Government’s net zero strategy and Ten point Plan, the country will unlock £90bn in investment to reach ‘net zero ’ emissions by 2050 As part of these measures, all publicly funded buildings must be carbon neutral Amends to the Building Regulations (Parts L and F) will enforce stricter building and infrastructure standards to ensure that both older and new buildings do not contribute to climate change and are fit for future generations

Organisations will be encouraged to assess the carbon impact of their spending, especially capital spend, and publish details on the overall carbon impact of their budget and major investment and infrastructure decisions The path to achieving this can feel long, but it is essential for momentum

not to stall There are many ways local authorities can hit their sustainability targets both long and short term but where does ventilation come in, and how can it help to play a part?

Household emissions

According to The Energy Saving Trust and the Energy Systems Catapult analysis, heating is the highest UK average household CO2 emission right now 1 This explains the emphasis and focused efforts to better insulate homes and make them more airtight for fuel efficiency and heat retention

While a property that is more airtight can trap heat and therefore make it more efficient, it also traps pollution, allergens, and excess moisture, resulting in poor indoor air quality, condensation and mould Therefore, it is essential that ventilation goes hand in hand with our strategies to run UK properties more efficiently ventilation effectiveness could be a key factor in helping local authorities meet their goals

Improving the condition of housing stock will not only help alleviate the fuel poverty crisis but also reduce needless energy costs which contribute to 14% of total UK greenhouse emissions(2) Improving the energy efficiency of housing stock with a well managed retrofit programme is crucial to making this a reality and social landlords and local authorities can access a Government funded grant, which will help in this endeavour

Ventilation solutions

At Nuaire, we believe that the path to net zero and decarbonisation begins with a robust ventilation strategy for the public and private sectors and this ventilation strategy begins with selecting the right ventilation system for the application

All ventilation into new build and refurbishment must comply with Approved Document F, so as a business, we are committed to helping local authorities and social landlords identify and understand the benefits each ventilation system brings to a property and how it will create the best environment for both the building and the planet

A range of products is available to social landlords and local authorities to ensure their housing stock is ventilated effectively from Positive Input Ventilation, extract fans, and MVHR heat recovery units, which offer some of the highest available thermal efficiencies, recovering up to 95% of the heat being

extracted It will also provide residents with significant energy savings combined with very low running costs

As an industry, we are lucky to be part of the solution to climate change Indoor air quality continues to be a public health emergency with most people spending 90% of their time inside and indoor air proven to be two to five times(3) more polluted than the outdoor air We must provide better ventilation for better homes and better health It’s time to better understand how ventilation can positively

impact our environment, and by working together, we can tackle these net zero goals

1 Energy Systems Catapult analysis: https://energysavingtrust org uk/what is net zero and how can we get there/

2 Climate Change Committee: https://www theccc org uk/2019/02/21/uk homes unfit for the challenges of climate change ccc says/ 3 https://www bbc com/future/article/20200909 why indoor air pollution is an overlooked problem

■ For more information on Nuaire’s ventilation solutions for social housing please visit www rdr link/laf026

New guide addresses heat decarbonisation in schools

Baxi Commercial Solutions has released a new guide entitled Schools and the Heat Decarbonisation Challenge , which aims to support schools in setting achievable pathways to more sustainable heat The report assesses the di erent heating technologies, solutions and approaches that will need to be available to schools to reduce heat associated energy usage and emissions in their buildings while prioritising performance and practicality The new guide explores the currently available options to achieve more sustainable heating in older primary and secondary school buildings, outlines the value of planning phased refurbishment programmes to achieve optimal outcomes and long term goals, and illustrates the achievable carbon and energy savings from a stepwise approach

Altherma 3 M heat pump launched in smaller capacities

The Daikin Altherma 3 M Low Capacity R32 Monobloc is now available in capacities of 4, 6 and 8kW Thanks to its consistent compactness, functional design and strengthened performance, it is ideal for smaller dwellings The new air to water heat pump includes a built in wiring centre and optional back up heater, as well as all hydraulic components, which means it can fit under any window, and since there is no indoor unit, it’s ideal for homes where space is limited The upgraded design features a white front grille made of horizontal lines, hiding the fan from view Inside, the rotative switchbox facilitates the job of the installation and commissioning of the unit The new Monobloc is equipped with R 32 refrigerant, which reduces its environmental impact by 70%

New home energy e ciency product launched Smart home technology specialists, Secure UK Ltd, announces the roll out of Radbot, a new intelligent thermostatic radiator valve (TRV), designed to instantly increase the energy e ciency of existing heating systems, and reduce the cost of heating homes The smart device, which can be fitted in minutes to traditional radiators throughout the home, uses an innovative self learning algorithm that continually monitors the home environment, predicting and adjusting heating to occupancy patterns Radbot only heats the space in the home that is used Endorsed by The Energy Saving Trust, the intelligent TRV can save up to 30% on home heating bills by reducing the energy used to heat empty rooms Trials have proven that, at the present time, this could equate to an average saving of £180 a year, with that potential saving set to increase in line with the rapidly rising cost of energy

Donation helps HA customers tackle fuel poverty

Ideal Heating will support housing association Home Group to provide more than 200 of its customers with grants to put towards the cost of their energy bills The grants, provided by the Home Group Fund an initiative set up in 2017 to support the housing association’s customers in times of crisis and to counter the rising costs of fuel will be funded by a donation from the Hull based leading heating solutions manufacturer Ideal Heating supplies heating solutions to 45,000 of the association’s homes and used its Corporate Social Responsibility Fund to support the initiative Set up in 2015, the CSR Fund provides funding for projects run by Ideal Heating customers that support their communities Housing associations that install an Ideal boiler and register its warranty can claim £5 towards their own individual funds, which can then be used to support any local scheme

Positive ventilation unit now made from recycled plastic Vent Axia has re launched its Lo Carbon PoziDry Pro Loft Positive Input Ventilation (PIV), which is now made from recycled plastic These changes form part of the company ’ s commitment to becoming increasingly sustainable Manufactured from recycled ABS plastic, the product is designed to lower social housing's carbon footprint, helping providers meet their carbon targets, while at the same time providing e ective ventilation and a solution for hard to treat mould The move to using recycled plastic in part of the construction of the PIV solution means that the unit now comes in black for the non visible parts, while the di user will remain white as this is a visible part of the product for residents The PoziDry Pro provides a highly e ective solution to help households and landlords control condensation and mould, as well as o ering high levels of air filtration It also comes with Smart Sense technology to help reassure landlords that they are compliant with the Homes Act

ROOFING,

Roofing specifications that break the mould

Within any residential setting, there are many triggers for condensation including cooking, washing, drying clothes, showering and even breathing With the correct levels of natural ventilation, this moisture can dissipate but if a building is not ventilated adequately, the moisture can be absorbed by the structure itself through interior surfaces A significant proportion can end up in loft spaces, where it can cause condensation to build

Often mistaken for roof leaks, the growth of fungi such as black spot mould and stains on ceilings are mostly caused by harmful roof space condensation If left untreated, this can cause significant damage to both the building fabric and the health of inhabitants, particularly those with allergies and conditions such as asthma and respiratory issues

Achieving balance

Damp caused by condensation is not something that only affects cold or poorly maintained homes; increased thermal efficiency in new build properties can also result in issues that need to be addressed That’s because the greater thickness of insulation and stricter airtightness targets can create a roof space that needs to be effectively ventilated

Keeping roof spaces clear of condensation requires a considered approach, and one that balances airtightness with ventilation to comply with

relevant standards such as BS 5250 without excessive costs Here, the use of specialist roofing solutions such as membranes, underlays and roof vents can tick more than one box

Know your roof type

A different approach is required for what are known as ‘ warm ’ or ‘cold’ roofs Put simply, a warm roof has insulation placed above, between or below the rafters with small or no voids above the sloping insulation By contrast, a cold roof is where the insulation is placed between the ceiling joists with a large void created above this horizontal insulation Both can benefit from the use of specialist roofing underlays, but the type of membrane used will affect the amount of additional ventilation required

The presence of mould and mildew in residential properties

is not only unsightly but also extremely unhealthy Preventing condensation build up can be easier said than done but as John Mellor, Senior Product Manager from manufacturer

Glidevale Protect explains, early engagement within the supply chain can help identify solutions that work in both theory and practice.

Understanding underlays

The type LR pitched roofing underlay is airtight but allows water vapour to disperse into the atmosphere This membrane can be used on a cold roof but additional ventilation will be required at eaves or ridge for a dwelling sized roof and the ventilation needed at eaves will depend on whether the ceiling is well sealed or not In warm roof constructions, the use of a type LR underlay will not require any additional ventilation, although a well sealed ceiling and separate air and vapour control layer (AVCL) installed on the warm side of the insulation is recommended

The second type of LR underlay available on today’s market is both air and vapour permeable, ensuring airflow through the material and allowing vapour to escape

Glidevale Protect’s VP300 roofing underlay in situ Image ©Matthew Nichol

Protect Fulmetal UniRoll universal ventilated dry ridge & hip system

to control the risk of condensation Whilst an air permeable underlay may involve higher initial material costs, this is offset by no additional requirement to ventilate, saving labour and installation time

Air and vapour permeable membranes can be used without additional ventilation, as accepted by the NHBC in its Technical Requirements R3 Document, related to cold roof construction The only exceptions are where closed jointed sarking boards, or an airtight roof covering is used In the latter case, it would be necessary to ventilate the batten space

The third category of pitched roofing underlay is type HR, which is airtight and impermeable, meaning water vapour is prevented from travelling through the material Designed to overcome disadvantages of traditional type 1F felts, HR underlays are generally the most cost effective However, this must be balanced against the additional high and low level ventilation provision required for both a cold and warm roof Ventilation for both cold and warm roofs is imperative to avoid the risk of interstitial condensation forming on the underside of the underlay

Additional considerations

The correct specification of roofing underlays with an appropriate ventilation strategy will go a long way to help minimise the risk of condensation forming in the roof spaces With tighter Building Regulations now in force and many properties within existing housing stock not up to standard, specifiers should consider what roofing ventilation options are out

there that work hand in hand with the choice of underlay

Dry ridge and hip ventilation systems offer many benefits, particularly those that provide full weatherproof protection and wind uplift resistance Solutions such as Glidevale Protect’s Fulmetal UniRoll, a new universal, dry fix ventilated ridge and hip system with unions, can deliver completely uninterrupted airflow of 5,000mm2/m which allows the roof to breathe and ensures condensation control This type of product is typically installed as high level ventilation in conjunction with a type LR or HR pitched roofing underlay on a cold roof to provide the complete solution

For low level ventilation at the roof ’ s eaves, various products can be also used in conjunction with a roofing underlay to deliver the required airflow into the roof space, including rafter, soffit and fascia ventilation

Other solutions can be easily retrofitted as part of a refurbishment or re roofing project, such as the use of purpose

“For low level ventilation at the roof’s eaves , var ious products can be also used in conjunction with a roofing under lay to deliver the required airflow into the roof space, including rafter, soffit and fascia ventilation.”

designed slate or tile ventilators, which are profile and colour matched in with adjacent roof slates and tiles These vents should have a purpose designed extension sleeve to ensure a continuous, permanent weatherproof path from the roof void to the outside, to meet the design requirements of BS 5250

Correctly installed slate or tile ventilators offer excellent long term value and peace of mind as they will remain weatherproof and effective for the life of the building

Expert guidance

With every home, and every roof, requiring a tailored approach, close and early collaboration with those who understand the solutions the best the manufacturer can be invaluable

Protect Viking Air in

E f f e c t i v e s o l u t i o n s f o r a c h a n g i n g l a n d s c a p e

Stuart Nicholson, Roof Systems Director from Marley, says local authorities need to be aware of a changing landscape when it comes to refurbishing, retrofitting, or building new homes for tenants. Revisions to existing standards and the introduction of a new gover nment bill to better protect people living in social housing is putting a fresh onus on correct product and system specification, including roofs

As a result of these changes, opting to work with a single source supplier that understands the implications of the changes and can collaborate to always ensure regulatory compliance, should be a strategic imperative for local authorities going forward

Part L of the Building Regulations is now a reality for those charged with designing and constructing new housing stock Changes have been made to ensure any new homes will produce 31% lower carbon emissions, as part of the nation’s collective effort to achieve net zero by 2050 It is the precursor to the Future Homes Standard, which comes into force in 2025 and demands that all new homes are specified and constructed

to be highly energy efficient, use low carbon heating solutions, and be zero carbon ready

Whilst the sustainability merits behind the Part L amendments are clear, it is just one of several altered measures and policy interventions being implemented to underpin efforts to future proof and improve the UK’s housing stock They include recent revisions to important standards such as BS 5250 regarding the management of moisture in buildings, and the recent introduction of the Government’s Social Housing Regulation Bill

The Bill means that the Regulator of Social Housing will now have stronger powers to issue unlimited fines to social housing landlords, enter properties with only 48 hours’ notice and make

emergency repairs if required It is designed to give more leverage to housing tenants so they have access to a level playing field, can demand improvements to existing cold, damp or unsafe dwellings, and hold landlords accountable if they fail to uphold acceptable standards of fabric maintenance and repairs

Against this changing landscape, local authorities looking to deliver a proactive strategy of housing refurbishment, retrofitting or capital investment in building new social housing properties, need to be mindful of their new responsibilities As such, it is important the supply chain they use for products and systems provides reassurance and easy access to the range of solutions needed to meet energy

High performing, cost effective and sustainable roofing solutions can help make a real contribution when it comes to creating sustainable homes

efficiency, safety, and long term performance targets

How solar can help meet Part L changes

High performing, cost effective and sustainable roofing solutions can help make a real contribution when it comes to creating sustainable homes and ensure quick compliance with the obligations under the new Part L regulations This is because improvements in energy efficiency (and lower carbon emissions) cannot simply be delivered by enhancing the building fabric solely In the short term, solar PV on the roofscape, combined with an efficient gas boiler, appears to be one of the easiest and most cost effective ways for local authority specifiers to meet the new Part L carbon reduction targets

PV technology is tried and tested, readily available and has become much more affordable in recent times Indeed, such is the momentum behind this powerful combination, Solar Energy UK predicts changes to Part L could lead to a five fold increase in the number of new

homes specified with solar technology

The latest integrated PV roof systems offer a more visually appealing, cost effective and easier to install option

Replacing a section of roof tiles, integrated solutions provide a sleek aesthetic and function as a seamless part of the overall roof aesthetic This type of solar panel can also be installed at the same time as the rest of the roof tiles, without a specialist contractor

Roof fire protection assurance

With concerns expressed in the Social Housing Regulation Bill about safety standards in some homes, the ability to offer reassurance about protection from roof fires should be a key factor in local authority specification choices According to the Government, fire services attended over 40,000 fire related incidents in homes or primary dwellings over the last 12 months, highlighting the ongoing and obvious danger fires in home spaces including the roof present to lives and property

Current Building Regulations stipulate that any newly constructed home needs to be specified with fire protection measures in place to delay the spread of fire and allow crucial time to escape A critical part of the fire protection when a roof is compartmentalised between adjoining homes is the role of the fire barrier Experts view this as an integral safety feature that can prevent the spread of flames and smoke between properties during a potentially dangerous fire incident

To give specifiers the fire protection solution they need, Marley Roof Defence fire barrier system is a simple to install and fully fire protective solution that achieves up to a 60 minute fire rating The Roof Defence fire barrier features two strips of intumescent material bonded at 90 degrees, with an inverted T design, which can simply be installed under tiles and between roof battens to close all gaps in the event of fire

Getting roofing ventilation right

Important revisions to BS 5250: 2021 Management of Moisture in Buildings can be applied to a central aspect of any roofing solution the underlay Marley’s experience is that the term ‘breathable’ underlay is often misunderstood because it

suggests ventilation is not required

However, this is not the case as BS 5250 does not consider the situation where it is proposed to provide no ventilation to the roof void As such, whatever type of underlay is being used, local authority specifiers should ensure they include some form of supplementary low and high level ventilation in accordance with BS 5250 to prevent the risk of condensation build up They should also make sure there are no gaps in insulation, which can increase the risk by creating cold spots, but make sure it does not block airflow from the eaves

As well the steps taken to educate tenants about reducing moisture build up, local authorities should also check pitched roofing specifications for all new and refurbishment building work to ensure there is adequate ventilation in line with BS 5250

Single source strategy for a changing landscape

For ultimate peace of mind as the specification and construction landscape alters to deliver safety, accountability and energy efficiency benefits, local authorities should look to specify a fully tested complete roof system Marley’s full roof system includes JB Red battens, underlay, tiles or slates, fixings, accessories, Roof Defence fire barrier, and optional sustainable energy generation via integrated solar PV and the entire roofing solution is backed by a 15 year warranty of superior performance from a responsible manufacturer

This full system approach ensures every roof on every property is fully compatible with all current regulations, including fire safety, and reduces the risk of inferior product substitution that can compromise roof performance over the long term

By taking a considered technical view about full and integrated roofing solutions, local authorities can underpin their ongoing tenant duty of care and access several benefits with the knowledge the complete roofing system they have specified will stand the test of time and deliver long term lifecycle cost efficiencies

ROOFING, CLADDING

The use of innovative materials helped speed up construction at a council housing development in Wales hit by COVID 19 delays. LABM has all the details.

Protection from the elements

Anglesey County Council commissioned new housing on the site of a former pub to provide much needed social housing in the local area As with many construction projects scheduled in 2020, the council’s main contractor faced challenges arising as a result of both Brexit and the COVID 19 pandemic

Within a couple of weeks of construction starting in February 2020, the coronavirus pandemic hit the UK After a short break, housebuilding activity was allowed to continue, but the social distancing requirements slowed progress

The new Stad Marcwis housing development on the site of the former Marquis Inn in Rhosybol consists of two pairs of semi detached houses; six three bedroom houses; one four bedroom detached house and a set of four low rise flats Anglesey County Council wanted

to break up the elevations to add variety and create a more attractive appearance Main contractor DU Construction suggested using weberwall brick, a brick slip alternative from Saint Gobain Weber, which can be used to create a realistic brick effect across a range of different applications and substrates

Mark Blackwell, Director of DU Construction, explains: “We knew about weberwall brick as we’d successfully used it as a soldier detail above a window on a refurbishment project at Bryn Tirion in Beaumaris This worked out very well in terms of both speed of application and finished appearance, so we recommended this solution to the council ”

Fortunately, the weberwall brick and weberpral M monocouche render that the council specified are both manufactured by in the UK, so these materials were delivered without any delays

Training day

Due to lockdown restrictions, members of the main contractor’s team were unable to travel to the Weber Training Academy in Flitwick to learn about weberwall brick Instead, two members of Weber’s applications team travelled to DU Construction and held a COVID 19 compliant training day As a result of this, the applicators were able to carry out what Site Manager Steven Hughes describes as “ a very tidy job”

As well as holdups in supplies of some raw materials, social distancing regulations limited the number of people allowed onsite at one time The construction team worked hard to make up for lost time, helped by the fact that weberwall brick is more than three times faster to apply than traditional brick slips

For the Stad Marcwis development, the council chose weberwall brick in Sanded

Image ©Dylan Morris, Wakemans Divisional Director (Caernarfon)

ROOFING, CLADDING & INSULATION

Black with Grey pointing mortar The brick effect was applied on three sides of each house up to windowsill height and on both gables From the ground floor sills upward, the houses were rendered with weberpral M in Chalk, a through coloured monocouche render which provides both decoration and weather protection

On the flats, weberwall brick was used on the full height of the entrance porches in conjunction with weberpral M monocouche render Anglesey has a very high wind driven rain index so the brick and render combination chosen offers added protection against the elements

Wrap around

As well as the soldier wrap that had impressed DU Construction initially, weberwall brick comes in two other designs to accommodate common housing requirements: wall wrap and corner wrap This minimises the need for cutting and is one of the features that allows the product

to be installed quickly and accurately DU Construction employed all three types of wrap on the development, using around 500sqm on the houses and a further 100sqm on the flats

All the housing has now been completed and a 10 year guarantee on the Weber materials gives the council peace of mind

“Stad Marcwis has attracted a lot of interest,” reports Steven Hughes “Every day we had people driving past and enquiring about the homes and have had

lots of admiring comments I’m very pleased with how it’s turned out and, most importantly, our client is too ”

With thanks to Saint Gobain Weber for preparing this article

■ For more information on weberwall brick visit www.rdr.link/laf035

■ For more information on weberpral M monocouche render visit www.rdr.link/laf036

The council chose weberwall brick in Sanded Black with Grey pointing mortar and weberpral M in Chalk, a through coloured monocouche render. Image ©Dylan Morris, Wakemans Divisional Director (Caernarfon)

ROOFING, CLADDING & INSULATION ROUND UP

Thermally e cient stone wool for cavity walls

ROCKWOOL NyRock Cavity Slab 032 is said to combine the UK’s lowest lambda rating for stone wool, is non combustible and provides full and partial fill masonry cavities that enable a thinner wall construction The product has been developed using NyRock technology, the manufacturer’s patented production process that creates a more e cient fibre structure than traditional stone wool products With its 0 032W/mK thermal conductivity value, specifiers can achieve a U value of 0 18W/m²K with a thickness of 150 depending on construction type, which is 25mm thinner than standard stone wool cavity products within the same wall build up

As with all ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation, it can withstand temperatures in excess achieving the highest Euroclass A1 non combustible reaction to fire classification It also be a high density semi rigid composition meaning it will not slump in the cavity and retains the same thermal and fire resistance properties more than 55 years after installation according to independent research NyRock Cavity Slab 032 comes in 455mm widths to suit standard vertical wall tie spaces

Concrete roof tiles chosen for East Ayrshire housing re roofing project

Russell Roof Tiles’ sustainable and long lasting concrete roof tiles were specified for an East Ayrshire Council social housing re roofing project delivered by energy e ciency contractor A C Whyte The project involved the re roofing, rendering and upgrading of around 240 houses in the East Ayrshire area The Double Roman tiles are part of the company ’ s Commercial Range of products and were supplied in Slate Grey and Terracotta The product is a standard profile roof tile with a small round roll, which is said to provide excellent thermal insulation from heat, especially in the summer months, and works against snow, ice accumulation and helps retain heat during colder weather Russell Roof Tiles was chosen due to the quality, reliability and availability of its products Concrete tiles replicate the appearance of natural looking roof tiles with the benefits of o ering greater strength, while modern manufacturing methods deliver a technically consistent and quality product

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