Local Authority Building & Maintenance Summer 2020

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LABMONLINE.CO.UK

SUMMER 2020

LOCAL AUTHORITY BUILDING & MAINTENANCE

FIRE PROTECTION & SECURITY KITCHENS, BATHROOMS & DISABILITY NEEDS Q&A LABM speaks to Kate Henderson, Chief Executive at the National Housing Federation, about the Homes at the Heart campaign and the role of social housing in the economic recovery

PROJECT PROFILE Residential Project of the Year category award winner at the CIBSE Building Performance Awards — Phase 1a of the Agar Grove Estate regeneration

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CONTENTS

Summer 2020 Vol.36 No.4

REGULARS 5 COMMENT Home is Where the Heart is 6 NEWS Affordable Homes Programme extension — Two Rivers Housing Investors in People gold accreditation — IED‘s new report on social value in construction — Housing 2020 virtual conference 8 Q&A LABM speaks to Kate Henderson, Chief Executive at the National Housing Federation, about the Homes at the Heart campaign 8 INDUSTRY COMMENT Matthew Warburton, Policy Advisor at the Association of Retained Council Housing (ARCH) 11 LEGAL UPDATE Winckworth Sherwood discusses gas safety certificates and Section 21 notices INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE 12 The Future is Modular Richard Hyams, Director of astudio, discusses COVID-19 and the changing landscape of construction SPECIAL REPORTS 14 Reducing Maintenance Costs Reducing maintenance costs in social housing through the use of smart home technology 17 Minimising Snagging Advice on minimising snagging risks and how to avoid unexpected project costs

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The future of housing and modular construction FIRE PROTECTION & SECURITY

KITCHENS, BATHROOMS & DISABILITY NEEDS

24 Connecting the Dots Pairing an LD1 specification with IoT and AI to future-proof social housing

32 The Future of Bathrooms Creating practical, hygienic and affordable bathroom spaces

26 Alarming Situation How Grenfell has led to a change in the industry

34 Age Proofing Homes Why councils and housing associations should be age proofing their properties

29 Take Control Latest innovations in access control and door entry technology

35 Round-up

29 Round-up

22 Time is of the Essence The advantages of specifying adhesive free floor coverings in schools PROJECT PROFILE 21 Having it Large An insight into one of the UK's largest residential Passivhaus schemes 23 VIEW FROM THE SUPPLY CHAIN Stuart Reynolds, Head of Product and Marketing at AKW, discusses the creation of more inclusive housing

Flooring for education facilities

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Bathroom solutions for housing

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EDITOR’S COMMENT

Editor Claire Clutten labm@hamerville.co.uk Contributing Editor Bernadette Noble Advertisement Manager Jacob Tatum jtatum@hamerville.co.uk Northern & Midland Area Sales Eddie Wright ewright@hamerville.co.uk Group Advertising Manager Craig Jowsey Digital Group Manager Stuart Duff Digital Assistant David Molloy Design Adeel Qadri Group Production Manager Carol Padgett Circulation Manager Kirstie Day Managing Editor Terry Smith Publisher Bryan Shannon Printed by WALSTEAD ROCHE Published by Hamerville Media Group Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts WD24 4YF 01923 237799 Email: labm@hamerville.co.uk

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Home is where the heart is At the end of June, standing behind a lectern emblazoned with the words ‘build, build, build’, Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered his New Deal announcement before an understandably sparse socially distanced audience at a manufacturing facility in the West Midlands.

To support jobs and economic recovery, government intends to bring forward £5bn worth of capital investment projects, including £1.5bn this year for hospital maintenance, eradicating mental health dormitories, enabling hospital building, and improving A&E capacity. The PM has also committed to a 10-year transformative school rebuilding programme, which will start in 2020-21 with the first 50 projects, supported by over £1bn in funding, plus a further £560m and £200m for repairs and upgrades to schools and FE colleges respectively this year. £900m is being made available for a range of ‘shovel ready’ local growth projects in England over the course of this year and next, as well as £96m to accelerate investment in town centres and high streets through the Towns Fund this year.

Planning is in the spotlight, with Boris Johnson announcing a number of significant reforms, including new regulations that will make it possible for buildings and land in town centres to change use without planning permissions.

In an open letter, RTPI Chief Executive Victoria Hills has warned against dismantling the planning system, saying: “The Prime Minister won the last election on a promise to level up the country. He must do this by utilising the expertise of spatial planners. And Project Speed must not come at the expense of the health and wellbeing of our communities or the climate and environment.”

The LGA believes it’s vital “planning powers remain at a local level to enable councils to deliver resilient, prosperous places that meet the needs of their communities,” says Chairman Cllr James Jamieson.

A major concern is that relaxing the rules surrounding how old commercial buildings can be used will result in poor quality housing.

“Investing in new and existing social homes would quickly boost the economy, create jobs

Investing in new and existing “social homes would quickly boost the economy, create jobs and change the lives of the people who have been most effected by the coronavirus crisis.

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and change the lives of the people who have been most effected by the coronavirus crisis” says NHF Chief Executive Kate Henderson. The NHF, LGA, ARCH, NFA and Crisis have come together to launch Homes at the Heart, a national campaign and coalition calling for a ‘once-in-ageneration investment in social housing’.

In early July, the Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick announced an extension to the current Affordable Homes Programme until March 2023.

With figures showing that an estimated 53,000 new affordable homes stalled due to the coronavirus, having an extra year to begin building these homes while still receiving government support affords councils and housing associations greater flexibility, not to mention certainty.

It’s positive to see government pledging to invest in local priorities such as education, healthcare, building new homes and infrastructure. With so many sectors significantly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, this investment package is welcome news. However, if the PM is serious about tackling inequality, particularly within housing, we need to see a shift in policy and more investment channelled into social housing, the social and economic merits for doing so are abundant and the need for affordable housing is great. So let’s hope we see #HomesAtTheHeart of the recovery.

LABMONLINE.CO.UK

SUMMER 2020

LOCAL AUTHOR ITY BUILDING & MAINTENANCE

FIRE PROTECTION & SECURITY KITCHENS, BATHRO OMS & DISABIL ITY NEEDS

Q&A LABM speaks to Kate Housing Federation Henderson, Chief Executive at the National , about the Homes and the role of social At The housing in the economic Heart campaign recovery

COVER STORY: Hastoe Housing Association’s development of 13 homes in the Bedfordshire village of Sharnbrook has been certified to Passivhaus Standard, with a specification combining Kingspan’s premium performance insulation boards and the Kingspan TEK Building System of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs).

For information on the products visit: www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk SUMMER

PROJECT PROFILE Residential Project of Performance Awards the Year category award winner at the CIBSE Building — Phase 1a of the Agar Grove Estate regeneration

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Jenrick acts to safeguard affordable homes

Further together

A scheme to help get more families across England into affordable homes has been extended by a year, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced.

Grand Union Housing Group has set out a number of ambitious and exciting goals in its new corporate plan, called ‘Further together’. From building 1,900 new homes and being both financially and environmentally sustainable to challenging stigma and celebrating diversity, ‘Further together ‘looks to build on the strong foundations the 12,000home association has put in place during the past five years.

The new three-year plan is based on four clear commitments: ● We take our responsibilities seriously — for today and tomorrow ● We serve our customers and their communities fairly and with integrity ● We support our people in their service ● We’re an honest and constructive partner The new plan comes after Grand Union recently agreed funding deals worth £237m, which will enable them to push ahead with plans to build more homes.

Wellbeing Cities Awards Nottingham has been selected as a finalist city in the Wellbeing Cities Awards, receiving international recognition for its Carbon Neutral Charter and Action Plan. It is the only UK finalist in its category, Integrating Nature and Biodiversity. The achievement reflects Nottingham’s holistic approach to decarbonisation, prioritising benefits to citizens above all else, as it moves towards its net zero target.

Nottingham had to demonstrate how its policies, including its carbon neutral plans, place wellbeing at the centre. It was also asked to prove its leadership role and support of other cities, its own inclusive community engagement and its strong citywide partnership work.

Drawing on its frequent contributions to national climate networks, pioneering engagement work, new expert Energy & Sustainability board and long-standing, multi-sector Nottingham Green Partnership helped set Nottingham aside from inter-continental competition.

Winners will be announced in September.

©duncanandison/AdobeStock

Following unavoidable delays in the construction industry due to coronavirus, it is estimated that the building of 53,000 new affordable homes have stalled. The Government is stepping in to safeguard funding and make sure these muchneeded homes are not lost altogether, extending the current Affordable Homes Programme until March 2023.

Homes to be built under the Government’s £9bn scheme originally needed shovels to be in the ground by March 2022. However, this announcement means that housing associations and

councils have a year longer to begin building these homes while still receiving government support, giving them the flexibility and certainty they need to keep building across the country.

The announcement follows confirmation at the end of June that the new £12bn Affordable Homes Programme — which will start next year — will support up to 180,000 new affordable homes, including for shared ownership and social rent. The programme will lead to a further £38bn in public and private investment in affordable housing.

Investors in People award Gloucestershire-based Two Rivers Housing has been awarded the ‘We invest in people gold accreditation’ from Investors in People (IIP). The housing association, which employs more than 150 people across the county, received the award in June. The coveted gold accreditation is only awarded to 17% of companies that are assessed and recognises that everyone — from the Chief Executive to the Apprentice — takes ownership of making the organisation a great place to work.

Two Rivers Chief Executive, Garry King, says: “We are delighted to have received a Gold Accreditation from Investors in People based on interviews and assessments with our employees. It

reflects our ambition to be an excellent local employer, playing our part in creating rewarding roles within a vibrant local economy.

“Our employees care about the local community and this is so important now, more than ever, and in return the organisation is committed to creating a working environment that helps them to be their best.”

Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, adds: “We’d like to congratulate Two Rivers Housing, Gold Accreditation on ‘We invest in people’ is a fantastic effort for any organisation, and places Two Rivers in fine company with a host of organisations that understand the value of people.”

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Social impact in construction report Construction spend must deliver more “tangible social impact” and outcomes for disadvantaged and left-behind communities post COVID-19, according to the Institute of Economic Development‘s new report, From the Ground Up – Improving the Delivery of Social Value in Construction, co-authored by Arup and Atkins.

The From the Ground Up – Improving the Delivery of Social Value in Construction report finds that there is a “high risk of social value becoming too diffuse and lacking focus” and calls for an immediate step change in procurement, delivery and monitoring impact.

Respondents from construction multinationals and SMEs to local authority, public sector and specialist third sector organisations reported that projects spanning geographies have “multiple project stakeholders often competing for social value outputs, different frameworks with differing social value requirements, and a real lack of alignment around desired benefits and outcomes”. There was clear consensus on one of the biggest barriers — “the lack of understanding of what social value is” — and that “substantial improvements need to be made in the monitoring and evaluation of social value”.

The report launch marks the culmination of 12 months’ work which has seen the IED and co-authors Arup and Atkins, together with partners Commonplace and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, explore all aspects of social value in the construction sector: procurement, definitions, activities, monitoring and evaluation.

The five key recommendations are: 1. Establish a Construction Social Value Centre of Excellence — to work collaboratively with industry and public

sector bodies to help define social value and provide thought leadership, support and guidance, including delivering a repository of good practice and performance benchmarking.

2. Agree a definition of social value, and what activities are within scope, for the construction sector — to allow robust comparisons of value, and help ensure that social value requirements are proportionate and appropriate, and provide measurable additionality.

3. Update the Treasury Green Book, the Social Value Act and initiate mandatory reporting — to improve Treasury guidance on the monetisation of social value metrics and enable the assignment of different financial values to social value activities according to different areas.

4. Upskill the public and private sector — to work collaboratively to offer continuing professional development on all aspects of social value. A greater understanding of what social value is, how to procure it more effectively, and how to achieve better outcomes, will improve capacity, capability and impact.

5. Upskill those not in the Supply Chain: SMEs and Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations — to improve local SMEs and VCS organisations’ ability to compete, to deliver and to grow, and by doing so, leaving a more enduring local legacy.

The report can be downloaded from www.ied.co.uk/insights

DIARY DATES Housing 2020 The Chartered Institute of Housing's annual conference and Europe's largest housing festival is going virtual for 2020. Aimed at local authorities, housing associations, key partners and suppliers, government, housebuilders, and developers, the event will take place from 7th-11th September 2020.

The CIH is inviting people to unite virtually for one purpose — to discuss, debate, partner, learn and improve the lives of the people we house at a time when the sector most needs leadership, support and collaboration.

In addition to networking, there will be opportunities to attend roundtables and briefings, and be a part of the conversation moving forward.

For more information visit https://cihhousing.com/virtual-festival

Housing design and delivery The future for housing design and delivery in the UK conference will take place in December. The event will address the issues, practicalities and next steps for the implementation of the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code, as well as the priorities for improving the quality, sustainability and energy efficiency of homes as proposed within the Future Homes Standard. Also up for discussion will be the role of housing developments as part of well-designed places and the development of local guidelines.

Utilising MMC to improve the delivery and design of new homes, reduce costs, and to promote new ways of working as the industry recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic will provide another discussion focal point.

Speakers include Mark Farmer, Champion, Modern Methods of Construction; Paul Monaghan, Special Adviser, Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission; and Andy Von Bradsky, Head of Architecture – Housing Supply and Planning Directorate, MHCLG. For more information visit www.westminstersocialpolicyforum.co.uk

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Q&A: NATIONAL HOUSING FEDERATION

With Kate Henderson LABM speaks to Kate Henderson, Chief Executive at the National Housing Federation, about the Homes at the Heart campaign and the role of social housing in the nation’s social and economic recovery.

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In June, Homes at the Heart — a joint campaign between the NHF, CIH, ARCH, NFA and Crisis — was launched. Can you tell LABM about the campaign and what the five organisations hope to achieve through it?

Kate: Homes at the Heart is asking the Government for a once-in-a-generation investment in social housing. That’s because we believe this is key to the country’s social and economic recovery from coronavirus. The pandemic has made it very clear how desperately we need more secure and high quality affordable homes, to help a broad range of people — including low paid key workers, rough sleepers, and older people in unsupported homes.

We’re working on this campaign with the Chartered Institute of Housing, the National Federation of ALMOs, the Association of Retained Council Housing,

and Crisis, as well as over 60 supporters from outside the housing sector, like Carers UK and NatWest.

A once-in-a-generation investment would not only ensure that we can build more affordable homes, but also offers an opportunity to keep rough sleepers off the street, empower local communities and decarbonise social housing.

How important is social housing to the nation’s social and economic recovery?

Kate: We know that building more social homes is a quick way to boost the economy and create jobs. Every £1 invested in construction of housing generates £2.84 to the economy and last year housing associations built more than a quarter of all homes in England. This added an estimated £2.4bn to the national

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economy and supported more than 43,500 jobs, showing the huge impact that investing in social housing has.

But making social housing more available can also be transformative for the nation’s wellbeing. Social homes are more likely to offer residents somewhere decent, affordable and stable to live. The English Housing Survey shows that on average social housing is of higher quality than any other tenure. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home, but in a time as uncertain as this the impact of having a good home is even greater.

What are your thoughts on the Prime Minister’s recent statement outlining government’s plans for economic recovery?

Kate: We were really pleased to see the Prime Minister focusing on building homes as a way of getting the country back on track. In particular, it was great to get confirmation that the £12bn Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) will be delivered over five years. As we are highlighting with the Homes at the Heart campaign, right now the Government has an opportunity to make social rent homes key to social and economic recovery through the AHP. These homes are needed now more than ever so they should make up the bulk of the homes built with the funding.

We also welcome plans to look at how public sector land could be used for housebuilding. However we are concerned that the relaxation of regulations, where

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Homes at the Heart is calling for a new generation of affordable homes. Image ©wajan/AdobeStock

Social housing is key to “empowering people to succeed in all areas of their lives, and our homes have become more important to us than ever during the coronavirus crisis.

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commercial buildings can be converted to housing outside of the planning process, could lead to poor quality housing. We want to work with the Government on issues like this and ensure that that government money is targeted where it is most needed, towards the building of safe, secure and suitable affordable homes.

What are the key issues and challenges facing social housing providers as we emerge from the pandemic?

Kate: Many housing associations, particularly our members who offer supported housing, are still on the front line of the battle against coronavirus, caring for residents who have the illness, ensuring they prevent outbreaks in their facilities and that they have the equipment needed to keep both staff and residents safe. For these providers the challenges remain similar to those earlier in the pandemic.

But at the same time, housing associations will also be looking at how they can safely deliver essential services

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and support in the long-term — whether this is assisting residents struggling to make rent payments, looking after older residents who remain vulnerable or ensuring safety checks in homes can now go ahead safely.

What are your key takeaways, in terms of how housing associations have responded and adapted to the challenges faced during the pandemic to best support their communities?

Kate: Housing associations have done amazing work since the start of the coronavirus pandemic and stepped up to the huge challenge of supporting their communities in this really difficult time. My main takeaway would be just how resourceful and dedicated our members’ staff are!

As well as quickly committing to not evicting residents as a result of coronavirus before the Government’s eviction ban came in, each housing association has had to overhaul their services to meet social distancing and lockdown requirements, as well as finding new ways to reach out to their residents. From making thousands of calls to older and more vulnerable residents to offer help and companionship as well as supporting people to apply for benefits, donating to local foodbanks and establishing hardship funds, the broad range of support that staff have rolled out has been exceptional. We have shown ourselves to be a sector that can adapt quickly and effectively to change, particularly when we are able to work cooperatively alongside

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national and local government, charities and other housing providers.

How do we tackle inequality in housing, ensuring a fair system for all?

Kate: Housing associations are grounded in their social purpose, and driven by their mission to provide good quality, affordable homes for all. Our sector delivers homes and support for almost six million people, including some of the most disadvantaged people in England. They also invest in community services, they regenerate places, and provide specialist and supported housing across the country, helping people from every age and every community to have the home they need.

Social housing is key to empowering people to succeed in all areas of their lives, and our homes have become more important to us than ever during the coronavirus crisis. But all too often people find themselves without access to this crucial type of housing, with over eight million people affected by the housing crisis nationwide. Everyone deserves a safe, secure, comfortable place to call home, which is why our Homes at the Heart is calling for a new generation of affordable homes, and a change for communities across the country, amongst our other campaign priorities.

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■ This is the abridged version of the interview, for the full version please visit LABM’s website www.labmonline.co.uk/features

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IN ASSOCIATION WITH

INDUSTRY COMMENT

Supply and demand Homes: what matters more – prices or numbers? Asks Matthew Warburton, Policy Advisor at the Association of Retained Council Housing (ARCH). earch the Internet for information on the impact of the current pandemic on the UK housing market and most returns focus on house prices, perhaps not surprisingly given their perennial fascination for politicians and media alike. But, what happens to the number of homes being built or put up for sale is arguably more important to more people both in the short and longer term — the prospects are more worrying.

Nationwide data for May showed house prices down 1.7% on the month before. Expert opinion is near unanimous in predicting a continuing fall for the rest of 2020, with most estimates in the range 5-10%. There is also general agreement that prices will rebound in 2021, on the assumption that relaxation of lockdown restrictions will proceed relatively smoothly without a second wave of the virus, allowing general recovery in the wider economy. But these forecasts depend on assumptions about the supplyside response. To put it simply, they predict that house prices will remain buoyant in part because homes will be in shorter supply — partly because existing owners are nervous about selling, partly because the supply of new homes is expected to contract.

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Letwin report In 2017, Theresa May’s government commissioned Oliver Letwin to produce a report on why developers were so

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Coronavirus will have “dented the demand for house purchase, but more importantly, significantly

few homes have been built for too long.

House prices rising significantly faster than average incomes are one symptom of this; the Government’s ambition to increase housing output to 300,000 homes a year acknowledges the scale of response needed.

increased the need for affordable housing.

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slow to build-out large sites and what could be done about it. He concluded that developers’ investment decisions are based on what he called the ‘market absorption rate’ — the maximum number of homes that can be released onto the market over a given period without affecting the prices they command. This implies that developers will anticipate falling demand by reducing new starts to limit the risk that they will need to sell homes at reduced prices, shut down sites and wait for better times. They may also find better uses for the spare cash released from construction, such as taking advantage of a slack property market to add to their land banks, reducing the volume of land available for development by others. There is already some evidence that this is happening.

This example summarises in microcosm, the reasons for the UK’s persisting housing crisis. As the last Government’s Housing White Paper conceded, the crisis exists because too

Demand needs In the short-term it is inevitable that there will be significant contraction in construction activity — lockdown closed most sites for the best part of three months, and work has only resumed under post-COVID social distancing constraints. But we urgently need to find ways to make sure that this contraction does not persist.

Before the pandemic hit, ARCH was campaigning for more genuinely affordable rented housing to be provided by councils and housing associations — we estimated that these should meet a third of the Government’s 300,000 homes target.

Coronavirus will have dented the demand for house purchase, but more importantly, significantly increased the need for affordable housing. This shift in the distribution of demand needs to be matched by a shift in government policy — relying less on the market to guarantee supply and prioritising investment in affordable rented housing.

www.arch-housing.org.uk

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LEGAL UPDATE

Gas safety certificates The Court of Appeal in June delivered a significant decision that gives landlords the ability to serve Section 21 notices to evict tenants where gas safety certificates were not provided at the outset of the tenancy agreement. Winckworth Sherwood’s Liam Hale reports. he case — Trecarrell House vs.

Patricia Rouncefield — reverses an earlier decision that effectively removed the no fault ground for the landlord to remove tenants if a landlord failed to provide a gas safety certificate before the tenant took up occupation of the property.

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Case background Ms Rouncefield was the tenant of Flat 2, Trecarrell House. Flat 2 received heating and hot water via a gas boiler. Crucially, Trecarrell House Limited (the Landlord) failed to provide the tenant with a gas safety report prior to taking occupation of the Property in February 2017. The Landlord served a gas safety report dated January 2017 on the tenant in November 2017, and later an updated report dated February 2018. In May 2018, the landlord served a section 21 notice on the tenant.

Issues for the court The Court of Appeal had to consider two main issues: ●

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Whether the landlord could evict the tenant by serving a section 21 notice even though it had not served a gas safety report prior to occupation of the property; and If the landlord could evict the tenant using a section 21 notice, whether the fact that the latest gas safety check was not carried out within the time limits specified by the regulations prevented the landlord from serving the section 21 notice.

Judgment On the first issue, the Court considered the wording of the legislation. It noted that the

wording of section 21A does not impose a permanent restriction on service of a section 21 notice if the landlord has failed to provide a gas safety report. Rather, it imposed a temporary restriction, which could be cured by eventual compliance with the regulations. It is unlikely Parliament would have intended that landlords are prevented from serving section 21 notices, as eventual service would still provide the tenant with the information they need.

On the second issue, the Court noted that the landlord was in breach of the gas safety regulation requiring gas safety checks to be carried out in intervals of not more than 12 months. However, this too did not prevent the landlord from serving a section 21 notice. Whilst the gas safety check may have been carried out later than required, the fact remained that the gas safety report given to the tenant contained all the information required under the regulations.

The Court held that the landlord was not obliged to serve the tenant with a gas safety record at the start of her tenancy — it sufficed that the gas safety record was provided prior to the service of the section 21 notice. With regards to cases of existing tenancies, the Court also held that there would be no time limit within which landlords must serve an updated gas safety record on a tenant. Eventual service will suffice.

Liam Hale is a Senior Associate in the Real Estate team at Winckworth Sherwood.

■ Liam can be reached by email: lhale@wslaw.co.uk.

Visit www.wslaw.co.uk.

A gas safety report will still have to be provided to the tenant, but a landlord need only serve the certificate on the tenant prior to the service of the section 21 notice.

We would however encourage landlords to provide gas safety reports to tenants prior to them taking occupation, and to have gas safety checks carried out annually and within the time limits specified within the regulations.

We would encourage “landlords to have gas safety checks carried out annually.

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As the Court noted in Trecarrell, the inability to serve a section 21 notice before a gas safety report has been supplied is not the primary sanction that landlords need to be concerned about.

Breach of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) regulations 1998 is punishable by itself as a criminal offence. This decision is also likely to be challenged by the tenant’s solicitors so it’s not the end of the story just yet.

Conclusion The decision in Trecarrell will be welcomed by residential landlords. Where, under Caridon Property Ltd, landlords were prevented from serving a section 21 notice if they had failed to provide a gas safety report to the tenant before they took occupation that is no longer the case.

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INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE: MODULAR CONSTRUCTION

THE FUTURE IS MODULAR THIS ISSUE RICHARD HYAMS, DIRECTOR OF ASTUDIO, DISCUSSES HOW COVID-19 IS CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE OF CONSTRUCTION.

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ike most, construction has felt the impact of COVID-19. With the exception of key projects, much of the UK’s construction sector downed tools when lockdown measures were introduced. The Construction Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)1 sank from a high of 64.6 in February to a record low of 8.1 in April as a result. Some 87% of firms say they were affected by the pandemic, with 62% having suspended operations. With sites only now beginning to reopen, 38% expect to face significant financial difficulties in the year ahead.

However, rather than dwell on the negatives, the construction industry must use this as a catalyst for change across the industry. COVID-19 has created a period of difficulty, but also an opportunity to reshape the construction landscape.

With an urgent need to get back on track, modular construction would allow for the delivery of vital projects sustainably, safely, efficiently and, importantly, at pace.

Building quickly, meeting demand The Nightingale Hospital, built in just nine days at London’s ExCel exhibition centre, is a testament to just how efficiently modular construction can deliver vital projects. While demand for these additional intensive care facilities was, thankfully, short of what was initially expected, their swift construction served to show how modular construction can help to respond to changes in demand,

CGI of the Be First Sugden Way development in Barking

and ensure the public has access to the support and services that they need during difficult times. Modular could still show its potential further as facilities recalculate their spatial needs in the wake of COVID-19, by helping to address the need for more space — whether temporarily or permanently — to accommodate social distancing measures.

Looking beyond the pandemic, modular has the potential to solve other societal issues too. Notably, the housing crisis. The UK requires an estimated 345,000 new-builds each year, yet only 217,000 were constructed in 2019.

Delivering new homes in as little as three days without compromising the build quality, modular construction offers a viable solution to the problem.

The construction industry is beginning, on a global scale, to recognise this potential. In Canada, the City of Toronto has committed $47.5 million to a modular construction project that will provide homes for the homeless. In the UK, modular construction could offer a similar solution to the urgent need for 3,300 new homes as the Government’s emergency funding to shelter rough sleepers from COVID-19 comes to an end.

At astudio, we are committed to advocating for the role that modular can play in helping to meet the demand for crucial affordable housing stock. Our

project to deliver modular homes for rough sleepers and vulnerable people for Wycombe District Council is now approaching completion, as is our Sugden Way development, designed to address the immediate shortage of affordable housing in London using volumetric modular construction.

Safety first There has been significant disruption to the construction sector, which will only exacerbate the UK’s existing affordable housing crisis and delay the delivery of much needed services. It is vital that construction gets back on track. Yet, it is important to remember that the easing of lockdown measures does not mean the pandemic is over. While it is important that projects to construct new homes and facilities recommence, this cannot come at the cost of workers’ health and safety.

It will be difficult to achieve social distancing on busy construction sites, but adopting modern methods of construction would make this a significantly easier task.

Modular construction, for example, is typically less labour intensive than traditional construction methods and requires less time spent on site. Unlike traditional methods, a large part of the modular process takes place in controlled factory environments, where occupational density can be properly monitored,

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making it easier to maintain a safe distance between workers. Likewise, more robust safety and hygiene measures can also be more effectively implemented and overseen.

Leveraging technology for speed and quality Construction is often picked out as a digital laggard, and much of the industry tends to agree — in a recent survey carried out by Causeway, 54% of industry representatives admitted that UK construction had been slow to adopt new technologies. Improvements are being made, however, with 81% expecting to make significant improvements in the next year. COVID-19, which has helped many see

Exploded Axonometric of the Mellish Close units

CGI of the Mellish Close modular housing development in Barking

“With an urgent need to get back on track, modular construction would allow for the delivery of vital projects sustainably, safely, efficiently and, importantly, at pace.”

Richard Hyams

technology as a benefit, rather than a risk, will only accelerate that.

This, in turn, will allow the industry to capitalise on advanced and modern construction methods. The success of modular and other modern methods of construction is deeply tied to the role that technology plays in the process, from highly engineered factory systems to the integration of immersive technologies to help architects and engineers better calculate the environmental, sustainability and financial cost implications of their designs.

Using virtual and augmented reality technology, for example, architects can better visualise their own designs, share these with clients and the community in a more experiential way, and make live changes as they go, ultimately improving the quality and speed of the process.

Some 64% of firms already have or planned to implement immersive technologies into their practices2, and adoption is likely to be even greater in the wake of COVID-19, as the design and consultation process adapts to social distancing and restricted travel. Combined with modular design, such technologies will considerably improve the speed and quality of the construction process.

The end of slow, outdated construction processes Modular has the potential to radically change the construction industry, which has often been slow to adapt in the face of long-established processes and a reluctance (or fear) to innovate. However, COVID-19 has the potential to be a catalyst for change. The pandemic has ushered in new standards on health and safety and social responsibility that will remain at the forefront of architecture and construction. As a solution that allows the industry to navigate these effects, while addressing additional concerns such as sustainability and the housing crisis, the future is undoubtedly modular.

1 https://tradingeconomics.com/unitedkingsom/construction-pmi 2 https://www.architecture.com/-/media/gathercontent/ digital-transformation-in-architecture/additionaldocuments/microsofttribadigital transformationreportfinal180629.pdf

www.astudio.co.uk

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SPECIAL REPORT — SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY The Switchee Smart thermostat

Now that smart home technology is becoming mainstream, social housing landlords are beginning to explore how it can provide a return on investment by reducing maintenance costs for their properties. Stuart Hough takes a closer look.

Reducing maintenance costs

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here is now a smart device able to monitor and manage almost every aspect of a building’s environment. With the costs of such devices coming down it is becoming an attractive investment for social housing landlords who want to cut their maintenance costs while also improving tenant comfort and wellbeing.

As major consumer based organisations like Google Nest and Hive get involved, such devices are becoming more intuitive to use for the tenant and can provide data to the landlord so that they can better manage the building’s environment. It means that both parties should benefit.

Comfort and savings Take a smart thermostat; it is more intuitive to use than a traditional thermostat and

can even learn a tenant’s habits to manage their heating at a lower price. If a social housing provider can access data about the tenant’s heating profile, more on data privacy later, then they can potentially spot issues like fuel poverty and help.

This may involve better insulation for the property, and again using data from the thermostat landlords can assess different options by conducting A B testing across identical properties.

Better yet these devices can monitor the efficiency of the heating system and the boiler. In fact, some will soon be able to conduct a prewinter boiler check to avoid emergency call outs when the first snap of cold weather bites.

Heating is just one area where smart devices can make a difference. Several manufacturers, such as Hive, also provide water leak detectors to spot minor

The Hive Active Heating thermostat

problems and remedy it before it turns into a major refurbishment cost. Similarly, humidity detectors spot moisture build-up, which in time could lead to mould. Often damp is simple to rectify through better heating control and ventilation, but you need to know about it first.

Safety is another area where technology can come to the social housing provider’s aid. Smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarms such as those from NEST not only detect a hazard but also warn the tenant by voice, which is proven to be more effective than a tonal alarm.

Fire safety On a bigger stage technology can help with fire safety in blocks of flats.

Maintenance contractors Oakleaf Commercial Services are exploring several options. For prevention these include devices for monitoring electrical circuits and the installation of sniffer heads to detect illegally smuggled gas canisters used for heating.

Another good example are sensors on fire doors to detect if they are working. If they are not working, then the social housing provider can act to either educate tenants about the danger of blocking them or if they are faulty then they can arrange planned maintenance. This improves

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Nest smoke and CO alarm

safety and saves money by negating the need for a daily walk round to check them.

If a fire does break out then modern fire alarm systems can warn tenants, contact the emergency services and, if necessary, assist evacuation. Potential future developments include how face recognition technology could help emergency services identify who may be left in a building. And this is just scratching the surface of what smart technology can do. It can also help with assisted living, security and many other areas within social housing.

Data privacy Of course, there are problems, but they are not insurmountable. To make such an investment economically viable, landlords need actionable data, so how does this fit with GDPR? In putting together our white paper ‘The role of Smart Home Technology in Social Housing’ we asked manufacturers and a social housing organisation for their thoughts. All agreed that as an absolute minimum the tenant must provide consent for the landlord to gather information about the property. In addition, the landlord should check with their legal department on what is permissible on a case-by-case basis.

This should not be as much of a barrier as you may think. If you can have a constructive conversation with the tenant to point out the benefits that they will get and reassure them that you are monitoring the property and its services, not them, then most will readily agree. They do after all want to live in a well-maintained and comfortable property.

Actionable data of course is at the heart of all of this and herein lies another potential barrier. There is probably a smart device to monitor any aspect of a building’s local environment and services.

Manufacturers will provide apps to make control and monitoring easier for the user, but if there are too many devices from different manufacturers, then the number of Apps can soon become unwieldy.

For the landlord monitoring multiple devices across several different properties this problem is multiplied.

What social housing providers need is an information hub that will highlight issues that need maintenance or action. While some manufacturers will build such information hubs it is still early days, but where there is a market need someone will come up with a solution.

Internet access for devices that rely on IoT for functionality is another issue, but again there are practical solutions. One is

access for devices “thatInternet rely on IoT for functionality is another issue, but again there are practical solutions. One is to establish a distributed network for a block of flats or even a group of houses…

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to establish a distributed network for a block of flats or even a group of houses, which can be part funded by selling internet access to tenants at a cheaper rate than mainstream providers.

Social housing is just beginning to wake up to the possibilities of how smart technology can help them become more efficient, save money and help the tenant.

While there are potential problems, they are not insurmountable. It is certainly worth exploring.

This article is based on a white paper produced by Travis Perkins Managed Services called The Role of Smart Home Technology in Social Housing following detailed discussions with major smart home technology providers and Oakleaf Commercial Services.

Stuart Hough is Managing Director for Travis Perkins Managed Services CO2 alert from Nest

■ To download the white paper visit www.rdr.link/lq001

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SPECIAL REPORT: MINIMISING WINDOW SNAGGING AMID INDUSTRY DELAYS REHAU’s two-part retrofit window sill is suitable for modular and offsite building applications ©brizmaker/AdobeStock

Delivering ‘right-first-time’ installations, where projects are carried out as quickly as possible, without delay, and to the highest possible quality is essential on social housing projects. Russell Hand discusses how housing associations and their contractor partners can minimise snagging risks and avoid unexpected project delivery costs later on in the project.

Minimising snagging n the unfortunate climate we find ourselves in, it does not take long to stumble across a news article talking about construction delays and project costs snowballing due to COVID-19. However, we still have a housing shortage to solve. After seeing such a positive and steady incline in housing completions in recent years, we need to be finding new ways of working to ensure the pandemic does not set us back too far.

Understandably, now more than ever, build costs are being scrutinised and, with windows representing a significant proportion of budgets, the importance of stringent installation planning is rapidly increasing for local housing companies.

With these delays having a knock-on effect to contractors, such obstructions are inevitably leading to time delays and ensuing costs, as well as long-term issues that can be a result of completing jobs inefficiently. Housing associations and developers are therefore often presented with a balancing act — they need to ensure contractors can complete jobs quickly, while also ensuring the installation is of the highest quality.

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Snagging issues from rushed work can lead to further delays and added expense, meaning the need for a potential solution is clear. As such, offsite construction methods have evolved and grown in importance as a potential option for housing associations and developers.

design process, these concerns can impact the construction process. As a result, we are seeing alternative construction methods become more popular as housing providers look to deliver projects on time, and on-budget.

Growing case for offsite methods Away with snagging Generally, within the construction process, snagging refers to the minor issues or faults that are usually identified at the end of a build. These often tend to be superficial problems, but they can still be unsettling and expensive to resolve.

Common examples of snagging issues include breakage or damage from parts of the build that may have been fitted incorrectly. This is usually down to a job being rushed to save time and money, after which parts can be easily left unfinished and therefore require follow-up maintenance, which can be expensive.

A wide variety of snagging issues can also arise from substandard design — whether through specifying the wrong materials or the result of errors made in the

It’s easy to see why COVID-19 has been mooted as the catalyst for a shift to modular construction. Offsite methods can be beneficial in a number of ways for housing associations. For instance, physically moving the construction process away from the actual site can reduce potential disruption to the customer and community, while also decreasing overall project completion time.

By moving certain construction processes offsite, the possibility of disruption is reduced. In turn, moving these processes can also improve both working conditions and personnel productivity, due to a less disruptive construction site. Additionally, the more controlled and regulated environment means the chance of onsite damage is

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SPECIAL REPORT: MINIMISING WINDOW SNAGGING AMID INDUSTRY DELAYS

REHAU’s two-part retrofit window sill is designed to be easy to install

markedly reduced, and allows for more accurate planning and timeframes as adverse weather conditions have less of an effect on factories.

Innovation still required However, it must be noted that there are also some risks associated with offsite construction, as well as benefits. This includes the possibility that parts could be damaged in transit, so investment should be factored in during the planning stages, and more consideration paid

when selecting the best products to suit project requirements.

This is highly relevant where windows are concerned. As an appealing and attractive aspect of any build, developers must be careful to ensure jobs are correctly completed without compromises in quality.

Investing in product design and development, and opting for modern methods over traditional construction techniques means projects can be completed swiftly and more cost-effectively.

of the window “canThebenose added during the

Solving a window challenge

window sills during

Windows play a vital role in building performance and appearance, therefore it is essential they are as functional and lowmaintenance as possible. Conversely, an ill-fitting window can lead to multiple problems, including poor sound attenuation, leaks and low insulation.

Factors such as these can all increase the pressure fitters face to deliver a ‘right-firsttime’ installation.

To help meet challenges around this, REHAU has developed its first two-part retrofit window sill. It offers a level of flexibility that is absolutely vital to developers and contractors.

The two-part retrofit window sill operates on an easy-to-install product configuration. The nose of the window can be added during the project closing stages to the sill base that was installed earlier, avoiding the risk of expensive damage that can happen to traditional one-piece window sills during construction work. Furthermore, the window sill is completely secure once it

project closing stages to the sill base that was installed earlier, avoiding the risk of expensive damage that can happen to traditional one-piece construction work.

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has been clipped into place, minimising the risk of snapping, and the need for ensuing repair work. The sill’s built-in drainage channel also ensures water that can get into the window is drained away without damaging the property’s brickwork, reducing the amount of general deterioration experienced by both the building and the window over time.

In conjunction with the growing popularity towards offsite construction, the window sill’s modern two-part arrangement means it is ideal for prefabrication.

Because the prominent window sill nose can be clipped on after delivery and assembly, the danger of damage incurred in transit is hugely reduced. However, the two-part sill remains ideal for onsite construction, as it is designed to be completed at the very end of the build, avoiding risks associated with onsite affliction and damage.

With housing associations and developers under increasing time and cost pressures, more innovative technologies will be required to help alleviate these concerns. Through solutions like the twopart retrofit window sill, housing associations and developers can reduce snagging and project delivery concerns that can impact any scheme.

Russell Hand is Head of Product Management & Technical at REHAU Windows ■ For more information about REHAU’s Two-Part Retrofit Window Sill visit www.rdr.ink/lq002

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PROJECT PROFILE — AGAR GROVE ESTATE REGENERATION

Having it large Phase 1a of the Agar Grove Estate regeneration scheme won the Residential Project of the Year category at the CIBSE Building Performance Awards.

Sara Kassam from CIBSE explains the thinking behind one of the UK's largest residential Passivhaus schemes.

The regeneration masterplan is based on the concept of reinstating a traditional street pattern

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f all residential projects were like this, people would be very happy."

That was the verdict of the judges at the CIBSE Building Performance Awards, where the Agar Grove Estate Regeneration Phase 1a won the Residential Project of the Year category.

The Agar Grove Estate Regeneration is a local authority-led redevelopment of a 1960s inner city housing estate in Camden, North London. The scheme is designed by building services engineer Max Fordham, working with architects Hawkins Brown, Mae and Architype. The regeneration involves the demolition of most of the estate's low-rise buildings and their replacement with new homes for the tenants along with the sale of

new-build and refurbished flats to fund the redevelopment.

The regeneration masterplan is based on the concept of reinstating a traditional street pattern, community spaces and gardens. It will take place in six phases over 10 years. The £11.5m Phase 1a has delivered 38 social rented homes. When the project is complete it will provide 493 new homes of which 345 will be built to Passivhaus standard.

Passivhaus is a fabric-first approach to delivering energy-efficient homes. It is a requirement that to be Passivhaus Certified, buildings must have an annual heating and cooling demand of not more than 15kWh/m2. Fundamental to the approach is the certification process,

which is more rigorous than for conventional procurement, and applies to components, construction and even to the commissioning process, which is why Passivhaus schemes generally have a minimal or no performance gap.

Providing best value Camden Council, which owns and manages the estate, saw building to Passivhaus standard as a way to reduce residents' fuel bills, cut carbon emissions and minimise the cost of maintaining a heating system. At the outset, Max Fordham worked with Camden to analyse the value of a Passivhaus approach against the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) Levels 4 and 5. The analysis showed that Passivhaus would provide best value over the life of the project and would also meet the requirements of CSH Level 4.

An innovative approach was required in the design of the M&E services

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Agar Grove is the first “ever Passivhaus scheme to make use of a communal MVHR system to provide ventilation.

Most flats are dual aspect

because the development was subject to planning requirements that were not always compatible with Passivhaus principles. For example, the GLA initially wanted the housing scheme to connect to a single boiler house but the heat losses from heat distribution pipes would have increased the primary energy demand, which is restricted in the Passivhaus standard.

Instead, Max Fordham's design is based on a boiler per-block. Rather than adopt the traditional approach of a single riser with long lateral connections on each floor, the blocks have numerous risers to minimise overall pipework lengths and heat losses. Hydraulic interface units provide space heating, via a single radiator in the living room and a heated towel rail in the bathroom, and hot water heating for each flat.

The control of solar gain was another challenge on this scheme because its massing was designed to stitch the External balconies have also been integrated into the design to help control solar gain

scheme into the neighbourhood rather than for optimum Passivhaus orientation.

To prevent flats from overheating, the glazed area of the façade has been kept below 50%, with the majority of flats having 30-40% glazing. External balconies have also been integrated into the design to help control solar gain. The solution ensures the flats have a high level of natural light whilst avoiding overheating.

Communal MVHR The Passivhaus approach is based on an extremely well insulated and airtight building envelope and so requires an efficient mechanical ventilation system with a heat recovery (MVHR) to maintain good air quality in the flats. Agar Grove is the first ever Passivhaus scheme to make use of a communal MVHR system to provide ventilation.

The MVHR supplies warmed air to the bedrooms and living room of each flat and extracts stale air from the kitchen and

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bathroom. The communal system offers enhanced air quality within flats because fresh air is drawn from the roof of the blocks, rather than the street; it also enables the facilities team to maintain the MVHR units without the need to access the flats.

Most flats are dual aspect, so that in summer they can be ventilated and purged of heat by residents opening windows.

The contractor's architect, Architype, developed installation guides to help the site teams build to Passivhaus standards. It was an approach that proved successful: the scheme achieved a measured airtightness of 0.5 air changes per hour at 50Pa pressure.

Resident feedback The first phase of Agar Grove's redevelopment was completed in May 2018. To ensure the residents adapt their way of living to benefit from their new low energy homes, the contractor and council created home user guides, which explain Passivhaus principles and provide guidance on the use of controls to save energy and water.

Occupant feedback questionnaires were used throughout the first year of occupation. Overall, respondents said the air quality was good and the flats were warm in winter. Resident feedback on summer temperatures was mixed and prompted Camden to educate residents on how best to keep their flats cool by lowering blinds and keeping windows closed during the heat of the day.

Teething problems aside, Agar Grove proves that Passivhaus can be applied successfully at a large scale — no wonder the CIBSE judges were so impressed.

■ For more information on the Building Performance Awards and the work carried out by CIBSE, visit www.cibse.org

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SPECIAL REPORT: SCHOOL FLOORING

Time is of the essence Janet Lowe discusses the benefits of adhesive free floor coverings and why they offer the ideal solution for school refurbishments, where minimum disruption and downtime is crucial.

Forbo’s adhesive free sheet vinyl Modul’up in cobalt

s local authorities begin preparations to get schools ready for the return of students, the design of indoor spaces may need to be reconsidered in order to safeguard staff and pupils. A change of flooring can affect the appearance and ambience of the learning environment, as well as be used to create zones to maintain small groups to encourage social distancing. As flooring impacts on maintenance, it plays a major role in ensuring that buildings remain clean, safe and operational.

There are a number of factors to consider. Products should contribute to an inspiring interior and meet the practical necessities required in terms of performance. In addition, as major refurbishment work can be disruptive to daily operations, products that can be installed with minimal downtime and quickly will prove to be a valuable option.

The latest developments in adhesive free floor coverings offer an ideal solution.

Rapid and reusable, they have been specifically designed for projects requiring a quick turnaround. Available in a wide range of designs from natural wood and stone effects, with bright and bold colours

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Modul’up in Saffron

pops. The benefits adhesive free floor coverings can provide include:

Quick and easy installation Adhesive free floor coverings have been designed to be laid straight onto the subfloor, or even over an existing floor, with minimal preparation in many cases, which reduces installation time by over 50%. This means that refurbishment work is not only limited to summer holidays; work can be completed during half term breaks, over the weekend, overnight or even whilst the premises are still in use, depending on the size of the installation area.

Infection control While the coronavirus is still active within society, concerns over infection control remain and school buildings may be hesitant to have tradespeople on site for too long. As adhesive free products are quick and easy to install, this means fitters can be in and out of the school quickly, operating safely and efficiently to get the refurbishment done.

Positive contribution to wellbeing Adhesive free products will contribute positively to creating a better indoor environment and improve the wellbeing of staff and pupils, as installation is free from the usual constraints associated with adhesives, such as lingering odours. There will also be less dust and mess as a result of minimal or no subfloor preparation.

Ready to use immediately Due to the fact that the installation is completely free of adhesives, no

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setting or drying time needs to be factored into the project, meaning that the floor can be walked on immediately after it is fitted, and facilities can resume as normal.

Remove, reuse, recycle When the time eventually comes to replace the flooring, products are easy to uplift and re-use, or remove and recycle, at the end of their service life, as there is no adhesive residue on back of the material.

Subfloors are then left clean and sound ready for a repeat installation.

The right fit Forbo’s Fast Fit collection encompasses an array of adhesive free solutions, including entrance products and interior flooring ranges in sheet, tile and plank formats for maximum flexibility, with some suitable for installation over damp subfloors and others offering acoustic benefits. The range includes the Coral Click entrance matting system and the award-winning adhesive free sheet vinyl Modul’up.

With the latest developments in adhesive free floor coverings, these ‘fast fit’ solutions may prove to be the most valuable option for school refurbishments.

However, it is recommended that local authorities seek the support of a reputable supplier in order to specify the most suitable solution.

Janet Lowe is Head of Marketing UK and Ireland at Forbo Flooring Systems ■ For information on Forbo’s Fast Fit range visit www.rdr.link/lq003 For information on Forbo’s work in the education sector visit www.rdr.link/lq004

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VIEW FROM THE SUPPLY CHAIN

Manufacturers like AKW offer a wide range of cost-effective home adaptation solutions

Keeping up with changing times This has been an unprecedented year on many levels. We have seen the local government sector pool its resources, find innovative solutions and respond to new problems like never before. Amidst all of this turbulence however, some things have not changed. Stuart Reynolds, Head of Product and Marketing at AKW, discusses why even in these tough times, it is important not to lose sight of the need for inclusive housing.

Points of pressure The authoritative voice of the Equality and Human Rights Commission resounded loudly when the organisation’s report into the level of crisis in the housing of disabled people was released back in 2018. The report found that disabled people were too often demoralised and frustrated by the housing system, that there was a significant shortage of accessible homes and that the provision of home adaptations, involved unacceptable bureaucracy and delay.

Since then, the fragility of the system has become ever more evident. Amongst other things, budget cuts have led to the reduction of occupational therapists and administrative teams and this has slowed the application process for Disabled Funding Grants (DFG) in many areas.

Country-wide policy needed Planning and policy makers hold the key to making sure that housing stock meets the needs of the next generation. Bold decisions are needed. Even though some local authorities have a 10% wheelchair accessible standard target for new-build developments embedded into their housing policies, for many, this target is only discretionary. Decisions on creating future-proof housing stock should not be dependent on individual authorities, wheelchair accessible and

other inclusive housing should be compulsory country-wide.

Longer-term savings The growing importance of local authorities, housing associations and other agencies in the prevention of ill health has been highlighted by The Kings Fund, an independent charity working to improve health and care in England. Although it is a challenge, forward thinking on accessibility has the potential to reap longer-term savings, as it is far more cost-effective to build accessible homes than it is to retrofit it later on. It only takes a brief look at the cost-savings that can be achieved by reducing falls at home, to see that it makes long-term financial sense.

Adaptation equipment trends More and more local authorities and housing associations are looking to refurbish and renew ageing adaptations and equipment whilst they still have available budgets. This short-term investment is off-set by the long-term savings in maintenance costs for sizeable pieces of kit such as stairlifts. In addition, stretched care services and an increase in people living at home with dementia for longer, is meaning that increasing numbers of families are also looking for suitable adaptations to promote home safety and sustained independence particularly when carer support or care services are required.

As well as offering a wide range of costeffective home adaptation solutions, many companies offer detailed advice when particular pieces of equipment are specified.

accessible “and…wheelchair other inclusive housing should be compulsory country-wide.

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AKW has been supporting the increasing demand from OT’s, local authorities and housing associations via the company’s technical support team. As well as recommending the best level access showering solutions for a wide range of housing, the team has also been advising those looking to install accessible kitchens.

Continuing to take a whole-person approach to both mental and physical health and wellbeing in a fragmenting system is challenging and creative solutions are required to take the ‘crisis’ out of housing disabled people. Providing more accessible housing is not just of social and moral importance, it has the potential to bring economic benefits too.

Allowing people to stay in their own homes for longer.

■ For a copy of AKW’s The Social Housing Ageing & Disability Crisis white paper visit www.rdr.link/lq005

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FIRE PROTECTION & SECURITY

Connecting the dots The disparities between Approved Document B (Fire Safety) volume 1 and the recent revision of Part 6 of BS 5839 presents housing providers with varying guidelines on the minimum requirement of fire safety provisions. Ian Ballinger shares his advice on why housing providers should consider the benefits of going beyond the current regulations and recommendations by pairing an LD1 specification with IoT and AI, to effectively protect tenants and simultaneously future-proof their housing portfolio. here are now over 15 million ‘smart homes’ throughout the UK1, as individuals continue to look for solutions designed to make life within their property easier, safer and more efficient. With regard to the social housing sector in particular, the advancements in IoT technology is supporting housing providers and the UK’s Fire and Rescue Services in protecting individuals by specifying preventative, rather than reactive, fire safety measures that comply with an LD1 Category specification.

While some rented housing providers may not initially look to adhere to this specification as the current legal

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requirement is an LD3 Category, latest advancements in smoke alarm technology is offering greater flexibility with regard to connected and cost-effective fire protection. These technologies are not only compliant with an LD1 Category specification, which future-proofs the property against potential regulatory changes, but also offers the ability to be adapted and enhanced at a future date to meet the individual level of risk each tenant presents.

Taking a connected approach This can be achieved through the installation of a new generation of connected fire safety systems that feature both Smart RF and Predict technology, providing effective remote monitoring of each property through a wireless network of alarms. The technology allows housing providers to easily monitor and manage the status of alarms in real time across their entire housing portfolio, highlighting any potential issues as and when they occur.

Historically, a collection of smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms will have been installed and tested upon initial installation, then only tested at best once a year. In a worst case scenario, after the initial installation test, tenants may never test the alarms.

This is where social housing providers can benefit from IOT and connected fire safety technologies using AI to bridge the gap in communication between a property and its tenant, as professionals can benefit from silent network testing automatically conducted every 18 hours for each property. This helps provide a clear due diligence trail of compliance (if and when required), but also confirms the status and performance of each alarm.

In theory, the remote monitoring capabilities that connected technologies offer can help support a significant reduction in overheads over time, as the costs and requirements for physical property visits and subsequent missed appointments are eliminated. This approach to fire safety delivers the highest standards of protection in the most cost-effective way, as providers can utilise Smart RF and Predict technology to

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Currently there is a disparity between the regulations in England and Wales and the publications in Scotland and Northern Ireland

instantly view the performance of each alarm in real time to understand the trends and levels of risk each property presents.

The adaptable technology also allows individuals responsible for the management and maintenance of housing, to use IoT technology to easily upgrade the fire protection systems installed throughout their entire stock in the future, subsequently reducing the challenges related to asset management and the associated costs.

This upgrade can be achieved by simply adding a Smart RF radio module into the alarm, allowing wireless interlinking of up to 50 alarms within one network. This provides the opportunity to create a safety network with access to vital information including current status, alarm history, replacement dates and system health through the activation of a secure cloud-based connected gateway.

By utilising AI through a connected fire safety system, which uses a gateway featuring a unique algorithm and patented Predict technology, it can highlight trends and high-risk patterns of behaviour. The ability to pinpoint tenants who have become vulnerable or high risk in a completely automated way means housing associations are able to use their resource to target and support the most at need, both improving safety and ensuring they are using precious resource efficiently.

Utilising AI through a connected fire safety system can highlight trends and high-risk patterns of behaviour

Staying ahead of the legislation curve The 2019 revisions to Part 6 of BS 5839 provide professionals, specifically landlords, with a best practice guide regarding the provision of fire safety for their new or materially altered and existing properties. The update recommends upgrading from Category LD3 specification (the previous minimum requirement) to an Category LD2 specification. The fire safety provision in sheltered housing flats has also been increased from a Category LD2 to a Category LD1, highlighting an area of potentially higher risk.

With regard to Building Regulations that cover new or materially altered dwellings, it is clear there is a current disparity between the regulations in England and Wales, which stipulate an LD3 minimum requirement, and the publications in Scotland and Northern Ireland, which recommend a minimum requirement of LD2.

When compared with BS 5839-6, which advises a minimum requirement of LD2 in most rented single occupancy situations, it is clear that the Building Regulations for England and Wales are not as closely aligned to those of its neighbours, resulting in an element of confusion over what level of protection is required.

The current minimum requirement for newly built or materially altered domestic dwellings in England and Wales is Category LD3 specification, which requires the installation of a Grade D mains powered smoke alarm with battery back up in the circulation areas of each storey of a building, such as landings and hallways, which form part of an escape route.

Within the 2019 revisions to BS 5839-6, the recommendation of Grade D has been further defined into Grade D1 (sealed or rechargeable backup) or Grade D2 (replaceable battery backup).

For the private and rented sector in particular, a Grade D1 specification for maintenance purposes is seen as the most pragmatic solution, removing the obligation to replace batteries during the life span of the alarms. Protection can be taken one step further through an LD2 Category specification, which requires installation of a heat alarm in the kitchen in addition to a mains powered smoke alarm (with battery back-up) in the most habitable/high fire risk room, such as a living room. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, this level of specification is the current requirement under local Building Regulations.

Whilst the UK Government has recently announced that Approved Document B, Building Regulations for England and Wales, will be subject to a full review, housing providers should not wait for changes to the regulations to reinforce their duty of care.

Maximum protection An LD1 Category specification is designed to offer maximum protection through the installation of alarms in all areas of a property where a fire could potentially start. This includes alarms in all circulation spaces that form part of escape routes, in addition to smoke alarms in all high fire risk areas, including living rooms, bedrooms and dining areas. This also includes the installation of a heat alarm in a kitchen. To offer the highest levels of protection available, Thermoptek multi-sensing or optical alarms should be installed.

By following a best practice policy that adheres to an LD1 Category specification through the utilisation of IoT and Smart RF fire safety technologies, housing providers can ensure compliance with current and future regulations. They can also successfully identify the level of risk or indeed an increased risk to their tenants and properties and intervene sooner.

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www.smarthomeweek.co.uk/smart-homes

Ian Ballinger is Head of Projects and Certification at FireAngel ■ For more information on FireAngel’s connected fire and CO safety solutions range visit www.rdr.link/lq006

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FIRE PROTECTION & SECURITY A door entry system installed at one of North Tyneside Council’s properties.

Take control ccess control and door entry is a huge responsibility, and challenge, for local authorities and housing associations UK wide. Councils are accountable for the security and safety of many public facilities such as leisure centres, libraries as well as residential housing developments, which are often large scale and home to hundreds of people. Housing associations manage affordable rental housing which also means they are responsible for the appropriate access control management for each individual house or flat.

Technology developments have enabled better entry systems that are far more secure yet also more convenient and

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easier to manage. For example, with modern intercom and access control systems, remote management and communication enables local authorities and housing associations to reduce costs and cut their carbon footprints by managing multiple sites from one place.

Local authorities and housing associations should opt for a cost-effective solution that can be easily maintained with excellent support from the manufacturer and guarantees that the system and system parts will remain supported for the duration of its expected life cycle. It’s also important that the chosen system is flexible to cater for the varying needs of tenants and visitors.

Of increasing importance is the reduction of anti-social behaviour, which new technology can help by providing the use of data loggers that track the use and events of a door entry system, allowing specific evidence to be located by integrating with CCTV.

Using technology to our advantage Through advances in management systems and services, it is possible to gain a much better visual representation of the events and general usage of an intercom entry system and not just its proximity access control. Systems can now send email alarms or notifications to the administrator or management. It is also possible to modify user rights and access levels on the go from a mobile app. This enables a much greater control over

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James Gray discusses the latest innovations in access control and door entry technology and how it can help local authorities and housing associations overcome key challenges such as tenant fob management and anti-social behaviour issues. service and maintenance engineers, such as making sure they have full access when required via an app.

Dealing with tenant’s lost and stolen keys is much easier too. The blocking or deletion of lost fobs and adding a new fob can be carried out in minutes, removing the cost and carbon footprint of sending an engineer to the development to programme new fobs, as fobs can now be sent out via post to a secure location for collection.

Technology can also help local authorities and housing associations overcome the issue of not being able to have a concierge or building manager available 24/7 at some developments. With internet communication, tenants and visitors can get in touch with someone should they need assistance, whether that’s from within the apartment or from an entrance point. For example, the flexible Videx VX2200 with IP concierge integration enables calls to be answered on Videx intercoms and also mobile phones if required. With the integration of the IP concierge each block can be either standalone or networked via the internet back to a central control room.

Improved security legislation Further advances in programmes such as Secured by Design (SBD) means there’s more security legislation being implemented that’s making intercoms and access control more secure, without affecting ease and convenience. Videx holds an SBD accreditation and we know,

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from first-hand experience, how it’s making a difference in keeping tenants safe.

When you combine the safety features promoted by an SBD member company like ourselves and our Videx event logging, image capture and ability to modify access users on the go, for example, we can help to create a very safe and secure environment. Personally, I think there needs to be a greater emphasis on the role of security legislation such as Secured by Design to ensure all councils and housing association consultants are

up-to-date with what constitutes a robust and secure system.

In my role, I see weaknesses in systems and constant ongoing costs that could easily be avoided. For instance, features such as timed remote entry means local authority and housing association management no longer need to worry about keys being lost, the wrong keys being supplied or locks needing to be changed.

With new systems such as the Videx MiAccess and Videx WS4 range, we can massively reduce a housing association’s

or council’s carbon footprint and engineer costs by allowing them the access to management and control from an offsite location. We can also use live and logged events to help prevent crime in different ways, from anti-social behaviour growing around a tenant being called or visited much more regularly than others, to knowing a tenant is currently still living at a property but is not paying rent or answering to any correspondence.

If specifiers are advised on the most appropriate systems that meet their specific entry needs, they can ensure greater, safer and more convenient access control.

James Gray is Projects Manager at Videx Security ■ For more information on Videx access control and door entry solutions visit www.rdr.link/lq007 To download the Videx Social Housing brochure visit www.rdr.link/lq008

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FIRE PROTECTION & SECURITY A REACT cloud system can remotely communicate alerts raised

by WES3 in real-time to relevant personnel via smart phone

The world has changed but Grenfell hasn’t gone away. Adam Jurka looks at how Grenfell has led to a change in the industry.

Alarming situation he Grenfell Tower fire exposed several systematic failures on the current response to fire in highrise (over 18 metres) residential buildings. Following the fire in June 2017, the advised ‘Stay put policy’ was changed to ‘Simultaneous evacuation’, a temporary change until the remedial work to replace the cladding has taken place. However, in the absence of a common fire alarm that is capable of alerting everyone in the building, many building owners, where ACM cladding and other unsafe types of high-pressure laminate (HPL), wood and other class C/D cladding are installed, have had to employ multiple guards. Some of these high-rise buildings require guards, or a ‘waking watch’, on every other storey — a major drain on resources to ensure 24/7 coverage.

And where building owners, landlords, property management companies, leaseholders and residents have had to employ guards to operate 24-hour ‘waking watch’ strategies there is always the potential for human error, especially when under pressure. For instance, how long does it take a waking watch guard to identify fire and raise the alarm especially if the flames spread undetected up through external ACM cladding? In terms of raising the alarm there are concerns too — guards

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are usually required to do this using an airhorn, which is hardly an efficient way of alerting residents. Do they put themselves at risk whilst carrying this out?

Cost is another factor and there are reports of waking watch schemes, which can have a guard on every other floor, costing from between £10,000 and £50,000 a month. Having people on duty 24/7 is a considerable investment.

Conversely, installing a common fire alarm negates the need for many of these guards and ensures effective building evacuation. Indeed, the installation of a common fire alarm is strongly supported in the NFCC guidance; Section 4.14, page 9 states in bold type: ‘NFCC strongly recommends that where a change to a simultaneous evacuation is deemed appropriate and will be required for medium to long periods of time, that a temporary common fire alarm system is installed. This is because a temporary common alarm when designed, installed and maintained appropriately is a more reliable and cost-effective way to maintain a sufficient level of early detection. An appropriate communal fire alarm and detection system will generally provide more certainty that a fire will be detected and warned at the earliest opportunity rather than rely on using trained staff’.

Scope of the challenge There are 313 high-rise residential and publicly-owned buildings with ACM cladding unlikely to meet Building Regulations yet to be remediated in England. Unfortunately, work has stalled on some of these projects due to ‘severe’ disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak. However, Robert Jenrick MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has said: “Work must resume to ensure the safety of residents living in buildings with unsafe cladding or with insufficient fire safety measures, and it is entirely possible for this work to be done safely within health guidelines.”

At the same time, the Government promised a further £1bn on top of the £600m for the removal and replacement of dangerous cladding. Registration began following publication of the prospectus in May. Government is also supporting local authorities and Fire & Rescue Services to take enforcement action where building owners refuse to remediate high-rise buildings with unsafe cladding.

Wireless ‘common’ fire alarms There are justified concerns from residents about having a succession of ‘waking watch’ guards in the building at a

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FIRE PROTECTION & SECURITY time when they are required to maintain social distancing, whilst guards who have to self-isolate can make around-the-clock staffing difficult.

Deploying a temporary wireless fire alarm system offers an effective solution.

The major benefit of these is that they can be rapidly installed whilst creating a ‘common’ fire alarm system. If just one of the heat/smoke detectors is activated, it sounds an alarm via the multiple interconnected call points throughout all areas of the building allowing ‘simultaneous evacuation’.

When specifying a wireless fire alarm system, it should be compliant to EN 54 and scalable to any size building utilising flooded mesh radio technology. There can be remote monitoring via mobile text alert, instantly alerting nominated personnel if an alarm is activated. They are tamper proof, available for hire or sale, and can be despatched on next day delivery.

Innovation in Internet connectivity, apps and the ability to collect, analyse and

interpret data in live stream have extended the functionality of wireless fire alarm systems, too. For instance, a REACT cloud system can remotely communicate alerts raised by WES3 in realtime to relevant personnel via their smart phone or tablet device. Alerts raised can be supported with site specific plans to highlight their precise location.

Although the issue of fire safety in highrise buildings has been obscured by the COVID-19 crisis, it has not gone away. With the coronavirus potentially causing longer delays before remediation work begins, building owners can address the issues

they face with a technology-based solution, specifically, in the form of a wireless fire alarm system.

Adam Jurka is National Sales Manager at Ramtech Electronics ■ For more information on the WES3 Wireless Fire Safety Technology visit www.rdr.link/lq009

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FIRE PROTECTION & SECURITY ROUND-UP HA sees through the clouds with Cloudview Amthal has been working closely with secure cloud CCTV specialists Cloudview, to upgrade legacy network surveillance systems into smart cloud-based, compliant solutions for the benefit of staff and residents at Notting Hill Genesis. The system removes the need for digital video recorders and allows authorised personnel instant and secure remote access for management or evidential footage stored as required in case of a threat or emergency. The new surveillance technology is created to offer alerts when instant action is required, based on what is identified as a threat. Visual data can be accessed anywhere at any time on any device and shared immediately and saved for up to 12 months if required, with 30 day delete options as standard to comply with GDPR.

■ For more information on CCTV solutions visit www.rdr.link/lq010 Fire safety protection for Nottingham students Nittan Europe’s Evolution analogue addressable fire detection system has been installed into a new student accommodation development in Beeston, Nottingham, by integrated safety and security solutions provider, TIS. Dagfa House is a development of townhouses, clusters and studios adjacent to The University of Nottingham campus. One of the key fire safety challenges posed by the development was the mix of accommodation blocks, with some being relatively small. A cost-effective fire detection system was required that could potentially evacuate each site in the event of a fire and that would also be future-proof, with spares readily available. A Nittan Evolution analogue addressable fire alarm system, comprising two individually networked systems, each utilising eight Evolution1 panels and Nittan devices was chosen.

New app to help with Regulation 38 compliance

Thermatech Fire Consultants (TFC) is releasing a new smartphone and android app — ‘Regulation 38’ — to help building surveyors report key information surrounding fire safety. Regulation 38 is a requirement under the Building Regulations for England and Wales to provide fire safety information to the 'responsible person' at the completion of a project, or where the building or extension is first occupied. The app aims to ensure information critical to the life safety of people using or working near a building in the event of a fire is communicated to the owner, occupier and/or end user. Available to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play, the app will take users through the steps required to ensure compliance with Regulation 38.

■ For more information on the Regulation 38 app visit www.rdr.link/lq013 New touch free entry range for local authorities

■ For more information on the Evolution system visit www.rdr.link/lq011 New timber fire and security rated door Within the commercial and residential sectors the increased demand on passive fire protection and building security has intensified following disasters such as Grenfell. Fire Secure, launched

by Sunray’s Timber Door Division, offers timed protection from fire and physical attack.

The new door range achieves a 30-minute fire rating on either face of the door (interior or exterior) and has been accredited with LPCB SR (Security levels 1 & 2) certification. The door is available in a range of colours or veneer finishes, vision panels, locking options and critically with the underlying assurance of fire and security protection.

■ For more details on Fire Secure visit www.rdr.link/lq012

The latest range of touch free entry panels and exit buttons from Videx use infrared sensor technology, providing a no touch solution for councils as they focus on creating a COVID secure environment for their employees, partners and customers.

Neil Thomas, National Sales Manager at Videx, says: “With our touch free entry panels, it means visitors can alert someone of their arrival without needing to press a button. The panels can also include proximity access control, allowing authorised personnel to enter the building touch free. Both surface and flush exit buttons are also available to allow users to exit without the need to press buttons.”

Key features include adjustable activation range (3cm-15cm) and activation time (from 0.5 seconds to 20 seconds). All panels are IP55 rated.

■ To download a datasheet about the new touch free entry range visit www.rdr.link/lq014 S U M M E R

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KITCHENS, BATHROOMS & DISABILITY NEEDS Lifting the toilet from the floor naturally makes maintenance and cleaning much easier

Affordable housing providers face many challenges, from regulatory and financial restraints to ambitious housing targets. However, in light of COVID-19, the spotlight is well and truly on hygiene and how to plan a practical, hygienic and affordable space, as Daniel Fairfield explains.

The future of bathrooms he term ‘unprecedented’ has been used a lot in recent months but the outbreak of COVID-19, and what its legacy could be, really is like nothing else.

Tenants will be preparing to adjust to a new world — and one where hygiene will be front of mind, both in and outside of the home. We’ve already seen a huge shift in consumer behaviour — at the start of the outbreak, for example, Amazon reported that searches for touchless products increased by up to 2,000%.

So, are we set to see a ‘new normal’ in bathroom design and innovation? And what solutions are available for social housing providers?

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consideration. In later years, when antibiotics and hygiene standards improved, the emphasis shifted from disease prevention in the bathroom.

Bathrooms evolved into more sensory spaces, with trends like textured bathrooms in the 70s and into the 80s where carpets and toilet seat covers were ‘stylish’ additions in the space.

More recent decades have seen the transformation of the bathroom into a sanctuary; research from our parent company Geberit, in 2018, told us that the bathroom was the most popular place for sanctuary in the home1 — of course, the importance of a sanctuary in the home will have been particularly felt by many over these last few months.

Importance of the washroom space It’s worth touching briefly upon the history of the bathroom and its evolution alongside disease prevention to put the significance of the space in a little more context. Today’s bathrooms developed alongside the 1950’s cholera epidemic, the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic and tuberculosis outbreaks. Back then, wallpaper, floorings and finishes were all designed to minimise the spread of bacteria and to promote health and hygiene; the need for bathrooms to be easily cleaned was a crucial

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Product innovations Even before the advent of COVID-19, we were seeing the growth of infra-red and touchless products, thanks to their obvious hygienic benefits. Unsurprisingly, this growth is expected to continue.

However, there are also other, and perhaps less obvious, product innovations that can maximise hygiene in the bathroom. For example, there are many surface coatings and glazes available that make cleaning easier, such as Geberit’s KeraTect Glaze. The

innovation benefits from a non-porous and smoother surface, which helps prevent staining of the ceramics and creates a high-gloss effect. Solutions like this not only help maintain high levels of hygiene but also, crucially, really help to enhance the look and feel of the bathroom as a ‘clean’ space — something that is particularly important in helping future-proof the space for future tenants.

Similarly, affordable developments such as Twyford’s Rimfree ceramic appliances and TurboFlush technology eliminates tricky corners and hard-toreach areas around the pan, helping eradicate any hidden areas where dust and bacteria may proliferate. The flushing system also clears away residue effectively and regular cleaning is simpler than ever before.

Alongside this, another area we’re predicting real growth in is wall-hung toilets and sanitaryware. Lifting the toilet from the floor naturally makes maintenance and cleaning much easier; and once again, with no hard to reach areas, dirt and dust accumulation is significantly reduced.

Ready for the future?

At a time when the pandemic has thrust hygiene into the spotlight, the onus is

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now on manufacturers and housing providers to work together — not only to find hygienically-optimised products, but solutions and designs that also reinforce the perception of a clean space.

As one US architect observed, what is significant about these periods of disease is that “architects are often inspired to come up with fresh ideas during these moments.” And this will need to apply to housing associations too, as we work together and continue to innovate and adapt to these new times.

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Geberit, The Science Behind the Sensory Space White Paper report

With thanks to Daniel Fairfield from Twyford for preparing this article ■ To download a copy of Twyford’s Everything Affordable Housing brochure visit www.rdr.link/lq015

The Alcona Flushwise Wall Hung Toilet Pan has an water saving flush Of 4/2.6 Litres

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KITCHENS, BATHROOMS & DISABILITY NEEDS Consider walls or tiles that are matt in finish, which tonally contrast to white fixtures such as the sink

Age proofing homes David Watkins discusses why local authorities and housing associations should age proof homes. hat do you think of when you think of home? Where the heart is? The green, green grass? Or simply comfort, security, a place to rest, eat and bathe?

Without a doubt, home is the most important place in the world to us, and we would like to think that this will always be the case — even in old age. But as we all know, old age does not come on its own, particularly when it comes to our eyes.

One in five people aged 75 and over are living with sight loss, a number that increases to one in two people over the age of 90. Sight loss can mean significant changes in people’s prescriptions, or it can mean having a sight deteriorating condition such as Glaucoma or Macular Degeneration.

We can embrace getting older by making sure homes remain a place of sanctuary. This can done by making small design changes that can make a major difference while still maintaining a sense of style.

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using a fraction of their energy and have longer life spans. Using these types of bulbs in busy areas like bathrooms, bedrooms, the stairs and kitchen can support confidence in moving around the house.

Adding dimmable controls is another great feature and gives residents the option of adjustable lighting levels throughout the year. It is important to get professional advice when applying dimmable lights to ensure you get the best out of the lighting solution.

Lighting can also be battery operated.

The benefit of battery operated lighting is that they can be placed anywhere such as in wardrobes, kitchen cupboards, closets and over stairways. These light sources not only provide support for eyes, but also make for a great home improvement feature.

Lighting over external steps and ramps are also important. These lights can help people best judge edges with confidence in darker months of the year and in the evenings. Similarly, having lighting outside a front door is great for finding keys. Sensor lighting is an ideal feature for this area.

Lighting solutions One of the single biggest issues affecting older eyes is inadequate lighting, but fortunately we live in times of great lighting technology. LED bulbs and compact fluorescent bulbs can achieve more light than traditional incandescent bulbs all while

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in five people aged “75One and over are living with sight loss. ”

excellent complement to correct lighting.

Consider walls or tiles that are matt in finish, which tonally contrast to white fixtures such as the sink, shower and toilet and particularly any white grab rails that may be in place.

Lastly, floors with patterned surfaces can be disorientating for older eyes, and speckled worktops can be confusing.

Opting for plainer carpets or flooring can improve confidence in walking and getting around for older people.

Speckled worktops can make it difficult to locate small items and to know if the surface is clean or not. There are many beautiful worktops that are more appropriate such as oak block, that make jobs like preparing food less tasking for older eyes.

David Watkins is “Visibly Better” Coordinator for RNIB Cymru

Creating contrast in bathrooms For too long bathrooms have been too white and too glossy. White, glossy bathrooms do not support older eyes and can make for a sterile and cold environment. Contrasting surfaces make an

■ All of these design features are recommended as part of the RNIB “Visibly Better” accredited scheme.

For more information on the scheme visit www.rdr.limk/lq016

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KITCHENS, BATHROOMS & DISABILITY NEEDS ROUND-UP MEP utility pods range

New range of care showers

Fitted out in the factory and delivered to site fully completed, the MEP utility pods range from Offsite Solutions have a highly durable steelframed construction with a welded box section base frame, boarded with robust cementitious board and lined with a hygienic PVC walling sheet. Each pod can be pre-installed with a range of features, such as Heat Interface Units (HIUs) to deliver hot water and heating for each home, mechanical ventilation and heat recovery (MVHR) units to circulate fresh air and recover heat for energy-efficient re-use, and a consumer unit for electrics, manifold, controls and a thermostat for underfloor heating. Connection boxes for broadband, telephone and TV services, power sockets and lighting, as well as pipework, ducting and waste pipes and worktop and flooring options are also available.

The Redring Selectronic Premier thermostatic shower range’s advanced control technology and enhanced user features provide highly accurate temperature control to +0.5ºC or three maximum temperature limiter lock options (40˚C, 41˚C, 43˚C) for a safe and comfortable showering experience. The shower’s phased shutdown function ensures cool start up for safety protection for the next user. The range is optimised for hearing and vision impaired users with large push button controls, audible adjustment confirmation and a large LED digital temperature display for ease of use. Operation can also be controlled with a remote-control kit. Each shower features a data logger for user and performance analysis. The range meet BS EN 60335 standards, BEAB and BEAB care compliance, the highest level of RNIB endorsement and WRAS approval.

■ For more information on the utility pods visit www.rdr.link/lq017 Digital taps for healthcare Rada’s latest generation of digital taps for the healthcare sector is called Intelligent Care.

The range is the culmination of extensive research with healthcare professionals to address the challenges they face in delivering patient care.

High levels of infection control and user safety have been designed into the range. Water flow and temperature controls are non-touch, minimising the risk of cross infection.

Internal surfaces have been minimised and workings simplified so water cannot collect — reducing the opportunity for bacterial growth. A smooth exterior surface with no joins removes areas prone to bacterial growth, making cleaning easier and more effective. A single tap or a network of products can be connected to an existing building management system, or controlled directly via the Rada app.

■ For more information on BS 5839-6:2019 visit www.rdr.link/lq020 Technology support during COVID-19

Recoup WWHRS has released its new online technical presentation to provide specifiers with everything they need to know about Waste Water Heat Recovery for Showers (WWHRS). The presentation is built on an interactive platform allowing you to choose your own learning journey and focus upon what is important for your project requirements and individual needs. In addition to this, Recoup also has a full suite of online learning resources available on a dedicated website, offering bite-sized learning modules and installation guides.

Tunstall Healthcare, the UK-based software, hardware and services company, developed three propositions to respond to the COVID-19 health crisis and bolster contingency plans for similar scenarios in the future — Tunstall Response, Tunstall Connect and Tunstall Integrated Care Platform.

The Tunstall Integrated Care Platform enables sophisticated remote health monitoring.

Patients download an app, which allows them to record vital signs readings and answer health questionnaires at home. Clinicians can then remotely review the data via an online portal, using a colourcoded dashboard to identify the patients most in need of intervention. Tunstall Connect is a smart device app that enables Tunstall Response to schedule wellbeing calls with individuals who do not have traditional telecare devices and solutions.

■ For more information on the presentation visit www.rdr.link/lq019

■ For information on Tunstall Healthcare’s COVID-19 solutions visit www.rdr.link/lq021

■ To download the Intelligent Care brochure visit www.rdr.link/lq018 Waste Water Heat Recovery for Showers presentation

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