Housing Specification February/March 2016

Specification Housing

Covering the whole UK housing sector

TWELVE MONTHS OF HOUSEBUILDING GROWTH TO CONTINUE IN 2016

properties for over a decade, with semi-detached homes also at their highest level in more than 20 years.

“There is still a way to go before we are building the levels of new homes that were seen before the economic downturn, but 2015 represents consolidation on the growth seen over the last three years.

jobs were created in England alone last year as a result of the big increase in house building. Analysis by the Home Builders Federation shows that the house building industry is now supporting around 667,000 jobs, and details how local economies the length and breadth of the country are benefitting from the thousands of additional homes now being built.

The number of new homes registered to be built in the UK has topped 156,000 in 2015a continued increase of 7% on the previous year, new NHBC figures have revealed.

In total, 156,140 new homes were registered by NHBC in 2015 - compared to 146,359 in 2014.

The figures show NHBC registered 75% more new homes in 2015 than it did at the time of the housing crash in 2009. NHBC’s latest data also revealed that the majority of UK regions experienced notable growth on 2014 levels.

NHBC Chief Executive Mike Quinton, said: “Both the public

DEVELOPERS SELECTED TO BUILD ON TRANSPORT SITES

Transport for London has selected 13 property developers to build a total of 10,000 homes on more than 300 acres of TfL land. The authority aims to generate £3.4 billion in non-fares revenue in the next seven years, reinvesting the money in transport improvements. The companies will now be placed on TfL’s Property Partnership Framework and will be able to bid for work across the

city. And TfL is reviewing its assets to see if more sites can be developed, especially in outer London. Three sites have been identified so far, with planning applications in Nine Elms, Northwood and Parsons Green. TfL anticipates that these three sites will deliver more than 600 new homes, a new Underground station at Northwood, and generate more than £100 million for reinvestment.

and private sectors have performed well and we have seen encouraging levels of house-building across most regions of the country.

“The detached home continues its resurgence, with our figures showing that house builders are building the highest number of detached

“As always, NHBC’s mission is to ensure construction quality of the very highest standard in new homes and this emphasis on quality remains unwavering - particularly during such periods of increased activity and production that we have seen over recent years.”

The news comes as the Home Builders Federation revealed over 100,000 new

Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman of the HBF, said: “Delivering the high quality homes we desperately need is also providing a huge boost to economies across the country. The industry is recruiting and training tens of thousands of new people to ensure it can continue to deliver significant sustainable increases in supply and provide the high quality homes the country needs.”

HOME TRANSFORMED WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM XTRALITE

A detached property situated in the sought after borough of Golders Green in North London has been transformed during a full refurbishment programme.

In order to bring the gloomy, traditional home to life and equip it for 21st century life, products from leading roof light manufacturer Xtralite were commissioned to bring natural light into the property.

The project was an impressive, contemporary scheme which utilised a range of materials and design features one of which was the use of Xtralite rooflights to allow more natural light to penetrate a ground floor bedroom whilst also being sturdy enough to walk on from the balcony area above. Xtralite was chosen for its ability to provide high quality rooflights and robust solutions to rooflight issues.

Of prime consideration during the project was the necessity for the rooflight to be ‘walk on’ and Xtralite was able to provide the perfect solution to this with its X Glaze traversable rooflight, which also delivered thermal qualities and strength.

The walk on units, which are able to be fitted directly to a builder’s

kerb comprise a 44.9mm double glazed glass system and a versatile monopitch which has a double glazing unit of 28.4mm. All units have a low E coating and are Aron filled to give a U value of 1.1W/M2Ko. In this case all frames were specially polyester powder coated to match the client’s choice of vertical glazing.

Jim Lowther, Sales Director for Xtralite, said: “Our X Glaze product provided the perfect solution offering easy installation and was aesthetically pleasing and clearly demonstrates the versatility and robustness of our products in a range of applications.”

There was a time when a major industry survey was awaited with close to eager anticipation. These days, however, it can feel a bit like buses. You wait patiently for one to come along and then find a long queue of them steadily forming.

We could be forgiven for rolling our eyes at the latest snapshot of the state of the construction sector or housing market, as inevitably it comes hot on the heels of the previous survey results.

This plethora of studies can often give a skewed picture of the current industry. Indeed, the latest Markit/CIPS study which shouted out loud that growth in Britain’s construction industry was its weakest in nine months in January after a short-lived recovery in December caused a fair amount of consternation in some quarters.

According to Markit, housebuilding was one of the biggest drivers behind the slowdown in January with poor availability of building materials being cited as one of the reasons. The Brick Development Association bristled at this conclusion, pointing out that the Government’s latest figures show brick production in December 2015 was 16% higher than in December 2014.

The BDA said further investigation showed that the problem was not producing bricks and other materials, it was often issues with the supply chain that was contributing to a slowdown in construction.

This does highlight a very important point. The construction industry is large and diverse, with many key components coming together to move it forward.

As a result, each of these components needs to be working efficiently and productively at all times. If they do not, then we start to see activity slowing down and in some cases grinding to a halt. It is heartening to see brick production faring so well again. But it is one of many vital components within the industry and we need to ensure each element is enjoying similar success.

As Michael Ankers, Chairman of the BDA, said: “If there are delivery issues further down the supply chain it would be very helpful to understand the cause.”

Groves, Group Editor

Grosvenor House, Central Park, Telford, TF2 9TW T: 01952 234000 F: 01952 234003 E: info@tspmedia.co.uk

ADVERTISEMENT SALES

Martyn Smith martyn@tspmedia.co.uk

James Hastingsjames@tspmedia.co.uk

Mike Hughesmike@tspmedia.co.uk

Nicky Vandesandenicky@tspmedia.co.uk

PUBLISHER David Stiles - david@tspmedia.co.uk

Levato Mono Porcelain paver system; designed for fast cost effective installation over most surfaces; including single ply membranes, roofing felt and other delicate waterproofing systems.

• 20mm porcelain pavers – larger formats

• ‘Floating floor’ – installation over single ply membranes.

• Height adjustable/slope correcting supports

• Highly abrasion and stain resistant, Fire & frost proof.

• Highly slip resistant; R11

• Lightweight – 45kgs per m2

• Non porous.

• High load bearing and impact resistance.

• Timber & stone effects; 40+ finishes available.

• Ideal for balconies, roof terraces and piazzas, for both commercial and residential use. t. 0845 2700 696 e. info@thedecktileco.co.uk w. www.thedecktileco.co.uk

Product

11

Interiors & Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 20 Product Developments . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 21-24

Paul

Bristol Airport East terminal Extension

MINISTERS CALL ON INDUSTRY TO INVEST AND BUILD TALENT

Ministers have called upon the construction industry to remove barriers to get more young people to consider careers in construction and develop an ambitious action plan to address the skills pressures and other constraints that are limiting housebuilding and infrastructure development.

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis and Skills Minister Nick Boles want the construction industry to look at whether current business models are holding back the industry from developing the skills it needs –and to consider new models of construction such as offsite manufacturing.

The Construction Leadership Council has been called upon to review what skills the

construction industry need to provide the homes the nation needs.

The Council has asked Mark Farmer, of real estate and construction consultancy Cast, to identify actions that will help bring more workers to the industry.

Views are being sought on how to best train a workforce which has a high level of self-employment and bring about greater use of off-site construction. The review will also look at how the industry can introduce measures that encourage more investment and new ways of working.

Mark Farmer, chief executive officer at Cast, said: “The construction industry’s skills

HOWELLS PROVIDE

NVQ’S

TO ALL OF THEIR STAFF

Howells Patent Glazing is investing in its workforce and the future of manufacturing in the Midlands by offering NVQ’s to all of their staff in conjunction with Dudley College.

Undertaking workplace NVQ’s has become an important part of Howells Patent Glazing’s working environment, as the firm is keen to address the skills shortage that is affecting businesses like Howells in the UK.

Debbie Willetts, Company Secretary said: “As a construction company, we have to keep up to date with training,

but more importantly we feel its our responsibility as employers to invest in our staff. Our longterm growth strategy isn’t just about processes; it’s about developing our staff by building on their qualifications and in turn, passion for our business.”

With over 40 years of experience in the industry, Howells is continuing to show that they are here to stay. Starting as a family-run business, they are going from strength to strength and hoping that by giving back to their staff, they will see another 40 years of success.

ENVIROVENT SECURES MAJOR CONTRACT WITH REDROW

shortfall has been growing progressively and its ageing workforce now means affirmative action needs to be taken to avoid more acute issues in the future.

“A healthy and robust construction sector is vital to underpinning the government’s commitment to delivering critical new housing and infrastructure projects. It will also ensure the unrivalled economic multiplier effect related to construction activity continues to play its part within the wider UK economy.

“The industry needs to seize the opportunity to celebrate the vital contribution it makes and, in partnership with government and other key stakeholders, ensure it overcomes the current barriers to fulfilling its potential.”

Housebuilder Redrow has awarded ventilation manufacturer EnviroVent a major new contract for a further three years to supply its energy efficient, high performance ventilation systems for all its new homes and apartments.

EnviroVent will supply its SILENT (System 1) extract fans to in excess of 4,000 homes per year and its OZEO Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV) (System 3) to around 600 apartments, as part of the contract.

The SILENT fans are suitable for wall or ceiling installations and are highly effective at solving ventilation problems in areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms. The OZEO MEV System being fitted into the apartments

offers an energy efficient and cost effective alternative to installing multiple extract fans.

EnviroVent has recently supplied a number of properties built by Redrow on behalf of a housing association, which were fitted with EnviroVent’s Mechanical

Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system, in order to meet strict acoustic requirements. As a whole house ventilation system, EnviroVent’s MVHR (System 4) both supplies and extracts air throughout a property recovering up to 95% of the heat from the outgoing, stale air.

NEW SONA RANGE PROVIDES ULTIMATE PROTECTION

Sprue Safety Products has unveiled the new SONA range, which utilises advanced, intelligent sensor technology combined with an “always-on guarantee” delivering enhanced levels of safety for householders and property.

SONA consists of a mainspowered Thermoptek multi-sensor smoke alarm, Thermistek heat alarm, Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm and Alarm Control Unit, all offering faster detection of smoke, heat and CO to help alert householders to danger more quickly.

The SONA smoke alarm incorporates the latest Thermoptek multi-sensor technology, as used by over 90% of the UK Fire & Rescue Services, for detection of both fast flaming and slow smoldering fires in a single alarm, while the SONA heat alarm uses innovative Thermistek technology to constantly monitor the rate of temperature rise, warning householders about the presence of fire faster than other heat alarms.

Also included in the new SONA range are alarm solutions for

those with hearing impairment including a Low Frequency Sounder and Strobe & Pad that uses strobe light and vibrations to alert householders to the presence of fire and CO.

For integrated whole house protection, the entire SONA range can be wirelessly networked using SONA’s WiSafe 2 RF communication technology. In the event of any one single device being triggered, all other alarms in the network will sound with the same alarm pattern, making it easier to identify whether it is

a fire or CO incident. Up to 50 alarms can be meshed in one network, with the option of hardwiring the alarms also available.

A unique intelligent Alarm Control Unit makes it easy to test and locate alarms without the need for step ladders.

The Wilo-Yonos MAXO range combines power and simplicity with pioneering high-efficiency motor technology. Add the Wilo-Plug for easy, no-fuss installation. You can trust Wilo.

For more

visit www.wilo.co.uk or call 01283 523000

TAKING A STANDARD APPROACH TO MAKING IMPROVEMENTS

In March 2014, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) published a housing standard review to simplify the current Building Regulations in a bid to improve sustainability and the overall quality of housing.

Whilst the report was backed by many contractors and organisations, the construction industry is still battling with an increasing amount of guidelines that are being introduced, with one of the most recent being the Home Quality Mark (HQM).

Created by the BRE Trust, the HQM aims to set a national standard for new homes using a five star rating system, providing homeowners with information on the design,

construction quality and running costs of their property.

With the registration for the HQM opening in December of last year, builders and contractors are now facing the pressures of meeting yet another standard.

“Although the HQM has been introduced for altruistic reasons, there are many hurdles our industry is currently battling against that regulations such as these do not solve, including the growing performance gap,” said Andrew Orriss, head of business development at SIG Insulation.

“When buying a building it is entirely reasonable to expect that the actual performance of the building echoes that laid out in its designs, however this is sadly not always the case.

“These anomalies were highlighted by the Zero Carbon Hub (ZCH). Made up of a range of trade bodies such as the National House

Building Council (NHBC) and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) along with industry experts such as SIG360 and Saint Gobain, the ZCH was originally set up to achieve the Government’s target of delivering zero carbon homes.

“Although Zero Carbon Homes has now been postponed, the ZCH has been working alongside Government and the construction industry to raise overall building standards. After conducting its own research, the ZCH created a report which emphasised the current gap in the expected thermal efficiency of new builds, caused by factors such as installers’ lack of training and knowledge.

“While the findings may have shed light on the issue, building owners are still seeing finished buildings not meeting their expected performance levels, often proving extremely costly to repair.”

NEW NATURALS FROM TRESPA

Trespa has announced a new range of panels with seven unique decors and finishes, each with a unique, timeless natural texture. The panels are the latest extension of the popular Trespa® Meteon®range. Trespa® Meteon® is engineered for vertical exterior wall coverings such as façade cladding, balcony panelling, sunblinds and other demanding exterior applications. With a broad range of colours, finishes and tactile effects, Trespa® Meteon® brings compelling aesthetic and almost limitless design possibilities to next-generation architectural claddings.

The new Trespa® Meteon® Naturals showcase the next step in decor technology. Their matt finish includes gloss elements and the decors have metallic pigments. This combination of features creates a stunning effect on the façade.

For further information regarding the complete Trespa® Meteon® product range, contact Petra Van Pol at the UK Sales Office. Trespa UK Ltd, 35 Calthorpe Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 1TS.

Tel: 0808 234 0268. Fax: 0808 234 1377. Email: info.uk@trespa.com

PIPE BOXINGTHE BIG COVER UP

WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS TO SAVE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF POUNDS JUST BY CHANGING THE WAY HEATING SYSTEM AND BOILER PIPEWORK ARE CONCEALED ON SITE, MARTIN TAYLOR PROVIDES A DETAILED INSIGHT ON WHERE AND HOW THE COST CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE PROCESS.

In any property, whether it’s a new build or a refurbishment project, there will inevitably be some exposed pipework that will need covering for reasons of safety, in the case of hot pipes, or purely aesthetics.

However, for local authorities (LA) and housing associations (HA), where they primarily deal with older housing stock, which requires upgrading and annual maintenance, the high volumes of exposed pipework for heating systems, boilers, gas, mains water and waste can present a number of challenges.

Usually, due to the age of the properties and the nature of their construction, which predominantly uses concrete and brick, mechanical and electrical services need to be surface mounted, as they can’t easily be concealed during installation.

Given that upgrading heating systems with more energy efficient solutions in older social ho using stock is important to reduce emissions and energy consumption, while improving comfort for occupants, there is also a need to ensure that the updated system is safe and looks good too.

And it’s at this point where LAs and HAs have the opportunity of either saving or wasting thousands of pounds on their annual repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) budget, just by deciding which method to use when boxing in heating system and boiler pipework after installation.

Suffering from exposure

So how exactly can something as simple as covering exposed pipe work with pipe boxing and boiler casings have such a potentially dramatic impact on RMI budgets?

Essentially, this can be broken down into four sections:

• Manufacture – How will the boxing be made?

• Materials – What materials will be used to make the boxing?

• Methods – How will the boxing be installed and secured?

• Maintenance – How easily can the boxing be removed & replaced for servicing?

Clearly, in each of the above processes, if costs can be removed or if time can be saved, then they will have a positive effect on reducing the overall budget required to achieve the end result.

At Encasement, our approach to product design has always been to develop more cost effective solutions that can save time and money on site, although in recent years, we’ve also taken a more holistic view, as it became clear that often, the installation processes for traditional boxing can also be time consuming and inevitably costly.

Furthermore, when maintenance, servicing or routine boiler inspections are required, this can also incur further costs as the boxing needs replacing or re-manufacturing after it has been removed. This issue has again influenced our thinking to develop a better and more cost effective solution.

To get a better understanding of each element, let’s explore them in a little more detail.

Manufacture

The traditional and still widely used approach for concealing pipework, is for boxing to be fabricated on site using wood or MDF together with nails, screws or adhesive, followed by a couple of coats of paint. Inevitably, this is a time intensive and costly solution, as escalating materials cost and labour rates are constantly increasing the overall cost of manufacture for each piece of boxing.

In 2011, we initiated an ongoing study to quantify how much it costs to make a typical boiler pipework casing and the cost five years ago was £38. Today, this figure can regularly exceed £50, which seems excessive just to cover up some pipes. Also, there are issues with inconsistency of paint finish and fabrication quality, which can easily detract from an otherwise professional heating system installation.

The Encasement solution is, unsurprisingly, a whole lot simpler, quicker and delivers a cost saving of around £20 on every casing installed, as it is manufactured from pre-formed plywood to exact boiler dimensions. They are also pre-finished with durable melamine or laminate, so there’s no painting required, which provides a consistent finish and saves even more time.

While a £20 cost reduction on its own is a decent saving, it makes even more financial sense when you consider that the savings reach £10,000 for every 500 properties where pre-formed casings are used.

Materials

Often the materials used to manufacture pipe boxing and boiler casings aren’t a major consideration, particularly for on-site fabrication, yet they should be. Apart from the health & safety considerations when cutting and fabricating MDF, there’s also the question of compliance with sustainable procurement policies that many local authorities and public sector bodies now have in place.

Has that piece of timber being cut, been sourced from sustainable forests? Has it been purchased in accordance with the EU Timber Regulations for illegal supply? Can the approval certification be easily accessed?

To meet this growing requirement, Encasement has already addressed the issue, as we are the UK’s only manufacturer and supplier of preformed plywood boxing and casings that holds an FSC® ‘Chain of Custody’ certification from the Forest Stewardship Council.

Only FSC® certified timber is used in the manufacture of our boxing and boiler casings. In addition, every order despatched is accompanied

with our FSC® certification, which means that the issue of compliance is automatically taken care of for users of our products. Also, as we supply so much FSC® boxing, we can purchase cost effectively, so there’s no price premium for using FSC® compliant products.

Methods

Clearly, the choice of ‘Manufacture’ and Material’ have a direct impact on the ‘Method’ of installation and again this is an area where the use of site made boxing and boiler casings has a negative cost implication compared to pre-formed solutions.

Typically, once a plumber or heating engineer has completed a boiler installation, they will move on to the next flat while a joiner will set about the fabrication and fitting of a wood or MDF ‘site-made’ casing. Obviously, due to the different skills required, two different people are required to complete the job, which takes time, as mentioned earlier.

If, however, a pre-formed boiler casing is used, which has already been supplied to the correct dimensions, which only requires on-site trimming to height, then there’s no need for fabrication and the freestanding casing just slides into place underneath the boiler, which can be done by the heating engineer.

Also, the use of moulded rubber edge strips on the base of the casing means that it removes the need for mastic sealant, which save even more time and money, while also having an influence on the final category –‘Maintenance’.

Maintenance

The ‘whole life’ costs for site made casings escalate significantly, when routine maintenance visits are factored in to the equation.

In the majority of cases, site made casings are damaged or destroyed during their removal, as the screw heads are filled and painted over, making them impossible or extremely time consuming to dismantle, while mastic sealant around the edges also needs to be removed. As pre-formed casings are self-supporting and have no screws to hold them together, they can be easily removed and replaced in just a matter of seconds, dramatically decreasing the time that maintenance engineers need to be on site, with a corresponding reduction in associated cost.

Also, the complexities of managing routine maintenance and inspection increases when site made casings are used. In some cases a joiner is required to remove site made boxing in advance of the maintenance work being carried out by a service engineer. The joiner then has to revisit the property after the maintenance is complete to refit the casing or construct a new one.

Case closed!

Apart from the disruption for the tenant and the extended time period to complete a simple process, the cost associated with transport and labour for three site visits by skilled staff are considerable. Alongside this, the task of scheduling and co-ordinating such an operation on multiple properties is extremely complex.

As a result it’s a ‘no-contest’ when assessing pre-formed boiler pipe casings against site made alternatives. The comparative fitting costs alone should ensure that the decision to use pre-formed casings is an easy one to make. Yet, when the FSC® compliance and maintenance aspects are factored in too, it becomes, to quote one of our customers, “…a no-brainer.”

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

CHRISTOPHER SYKES SCANS THE NEWS EMBRACING VARIOUS MESSAGES WHICH WILL AFFECT HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND, PARTICULARLY, THE WAY IN WHICH PRODUCTS ARE SPECIFIED AND NEW BUILD HOMES DESIGNED. HE ALSO SPOTLIGHTS A REMARKABLE PROJECT WHICH COULD HAVE BIG RAMIFICATION S ABOUT HOW WE THINK ABOUT HIGH RISE.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

The Interlace, a vertical village in Singapore, has been crowned World Building of the Year 2015 at the World Architecture Festival. The residential development, designed by OMA/Buro Ole Scheeren, is a radically new approach to contemporary living.

Instead of following the default typology of housing in the region – clusters of isolated towers - the vertical is turned horizontal, with 31 apartment blocks, each six storeys tall and 70 meters long. Stacked in hexagonal arrangements around eight large-scale open permeable courtyards, the scheme creates a network of internal and external environments that create a multitude of shared and private outdoor spaces on multiple levels. The innovative

project presents an alternative way of thinking about developments which might otherwise become generic tower clusters.

GETTING THE SAME PRODUCT MESSAGE TO SPECIFIERS

With April 2016 and the Government’s Level 2 BIM requirement looming large on the horizon, there is a real and urgent need for accurate, accessible and consistent digital product information.

By using a new initiative and templates, manufacturers will be able to supply product information in a form that aligns with the UK’s Level 2 BIM requirements. The benefit to the supply chain is significant. The availability of product data in a structured form equips designers with

Mitsubishi Electric Living Environmental Systems

the information they need to create project information models reliably and accurately. It will lead to the provision of higher quality project data that can be checked and validated by clients, designers and contractors. The successful electronic validation of BIM data relies upon this initiative considerably. www.constructionproducts.org.uk for more information.

SELF-BUILD

Many people think that ‘Self-Build’ is the wrong word. It gives the impression of having to roll up ones sleeves and mix and match the mortar oneself. However, it is definitely a growing sector and the Government plan is to double the number of self and custom build homes to 20,000 per year by 2020, if the two biggest barriers– access to land and finance – can be eliminated.

Consequently, a new development of 122 homes has been selected as a national pilot for large-scale custom build. Located at Park Prewett, part of a major new housing development in Basingstoke, this will be developed by ZeroC. Plans will also include 44 plots allocated for affordable housing, along with a few entirely-self build ones.

And here’s another fact about self-build, apparently nearly a third (31%) of supporters wish to build a Flat pack kit home instead of brick/block and most have a site purchase and construction budget between £100,000 - £200,000.

MULTI-FAMILY HOUSES

Multi-Family households have increased 50 per cent in the last decade but instead of extending your home to accommodate your extended family, moving somewhere new could offer a more practical solution. Latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show that homes containing two or more families were the fastest growing household type from 2005 to 2015.

The figures include older people moving in with their adult child and their family and young adults remaining in or returning to live with their parents. That’s why some of the large house-builders are developing ‘allembracing solutions’, such as Redrow’s Compton Park in Wolverhampton designed to allow all to live comfortably together under one roof.

DID YOU KNOW?

UnlikeontheContinentwheretheyareveryfew,theUKhasmanymajor house-builders who design and build thousands of new homes. We also have about 3000 architectural practices and over 30,000 individual architects of which surprisingly - or maybe it’s not a surprise - a mere 46areemployedbyallthosehouse-builders.

Mitsubishi Electric has launched a new 4kW Ecodan air source heat pump designed specifically to tackle the needs of new-build homes, with a system that matches the hot water requirements, whilst still meeting the lower heating demand of today’s well insulated properties.

New homes built today differ from previous ones because the requirement for hot water is likely to exceed the demand for heating for the first time. A reduction in fabric U-values and thermal bridging has reduced the energy requirements for heating and also allows for smaller plant.

“What is needed is a new way of delivering energy efficient heating and hot water”, explains Jordan Jeewood, Ecodan technical expert for the company. “We have engineered the Ecodan QUHZ monobloc system to meet this need by providing exceptionally high efficiency in the production of hot water, along with renewable space heating for the home”.

The Ecodan QUHZ unit is MCS-Approved and straightforward to install, delivering water at 70ºC to a packaged 200 litre thermal store. From this thermal store, mains water is heated directly up to 65ºC via Mitsubishi Electric’s unique plate heat exchanger, meaning the homeowner receives hot water on demand.

“This model uses CO2 as a refrigerant to ensure a large delta T between the flow and return temperatures to and from the outdoor unit”, adds Jeewood. “This delivers the high levels of efficiency that enable the system to meet the high hot water, low heating requirements of today’s new-build properties”.

The fundamental design, application and control of the Ecodan QUHZ is exactly the same as the rest of the range with advanced control logic within the thermal store allowing the system to deliver the high efficiency levels that the market has come to expect from the Ecodan brand.

The Ecodan QUHZ has just been launched to the company’s heating partners and will be available from the end of January 2016.

In addition to high efficiency levels, with a Seasonal Co-efficient of Performance (SCOP) of 3 for hot water and 2.9 for heating, the Ecodan QUHZ poses no risk of legionella because it does not store hot water. At the same time, it is still able to provide a variable hot water capacity, with water heated directly as required.

The system also includes automatic in-built in energy monitoring, using the company’s MELCloud, internet-based system, which allows for full control and monitoring from anywhere in the world.

“As more homes are built and more heat pumps are installed, the operating noise will become an increasingly important factor, so we have deliberately designed the Ecodan QUHZ to address this”, adds Jeewood.

The QUHZ model also offers exceptional noise levels with a whisper-quiet 41.2 dB(A) at 1.5 metres from neighbouring properties, making it ideal for almost any new-build scenario.

The Ecodan range has led the way in the UK air source heat pump market with the first MCS (Micro Certification Scheme) certification for an inverterdriven unit, the first to receive the Noise Abatement Society’s ‘Quiet Mark’, the first to offer intelligent room sensing as standard and the first to include remote energy monitoring straight from the factory.

PRODUCTS IN PRACTICE

CHRISTOPHER SYKES CASTS HIS REGULAR EYE OVER SOME RECENT PROJECTS COVERING A VARIETY OF PURPOSES AND PROVIDING US WITH INTERESTING INFORMATION ABOUT SOME OF THE METHODS AND PRODUCTS USED IN THEIR CONCEPTION AND CONSTRUCTION.

MIXED-USE REGENERATION

External Wall Insulation (EWI) by Saint-Gobain Weber has been specified for a large mixed-use development in Barking town centre as part of a major regeneration scheme within its historic surroundings. Here, Chetwoods Architects, planning specialists, and David Miller Architects, selected a sympathetic and traditional palette of materials.

Working for main contractor Bouygues UK, the application of 1600m² of high performance weber.therm XM EWI system to the 100 apartments was carried out by insulated render specialists Clarke Facades. In new build schemes, insulating the external wall can be combined with simple and reliable modern methods of construction, providing cost effective, fast-track build programmes and attractive façades. The ever increasing thermal requirement of building regulations can be met and exceeded by using high performance systems such as this.

Clarke Facades installed the multi-coat EWI system onto the concrete substrate using 180mm thick EPS (expanded polystyrene) insulation, applying a 6mm meshcloth reinforced coat of weber.rend LAC. This is a low density, polymer-modified, cement-based mortar which is applied in two passes. The surface was then primed with weber PR310 in preparation for the top coat of weber.plast TF, an acrylic-based decorative finish, pre-mixed and ready to apply. This has created a ‘warm wall’ which eliminates the risk of condensation, is highly resilient durable and low maintenance. An impressive target U-value of 0.16W/m²K has been achieved in these apartments.

THE NARROW HOUSE FORMstudio has completed a remarkable residential scheme on a pencilthin site in the heart of Covent Garden. An innovative spatial approach has transformed an unremarkable building, creating dramatic double-height volumes. The coherence of the design is reinforced by a high quality palette of materials, testament to the practice’s rigorous attention to detail.

The narrow, deep plan of this tall terraced late 19th-century building was ill-suited to its previous use as offices, with its centrally located lift and stair core, subdividing the floor plates into small inflexible spaces. However, this configuration was ideally suited to the creation of a distinctive residential space, with naturally-lit rooms of domestic scale located to the front and rear, and support spaces located inboard around the retained central stairs and lift. A change of use was therefore recommended to the developer client and, contrary to local planning policy, planning consent was granted for a luxurious four-bedroom house. The ‘heart’ of the scheme is undoubtedly the soaring 6m high double-

height kitchen/dining space opening onto a newly created ground floor courtyard. An entry courtyard recessed behind a decorative metal screen echoes the proportions of a traditional shopfront and fits well within the Dutch-gabled brick front elevation. Storage spaces on the lower ground floor have been given new life as a state-of-the art cinema and gym. Sophisticated systems throughout control lighting, AV, heating/air conditioning and blinds via hand-held tablets.

The top part of the building has also been reconfigured - the original hipped roof has been replaced in order to create an additional split-level studio floor - with terraces front and rear. Fastidious attention to detailing, together with a fire-engineered approach to layout (removing the necessity for lobbies), has created a sequence of calm and coherent interior volumes with a seamless spatial flow between the six floors of accommodation.

THE COASTAL HOUSE

Broad Street House is new build home in Suffolk by Nash Baker Architects. The house sports a palette of natural and traditional materials to blend with the rural street scene, and the exterior uses oak cladding and handmade bricks (both locally sourced) to blend with the architectural character of the village. The careful specification of

materials and technical detailing have created a dwelling which is sensitive to its historic setting, yet unashamedly modern.

The client’s brief was to replace the incongruous pre-existing 1980’s building with an exceptional contemporary home that was both sympathetic to the neighbouring properties, whilst still being of its time. They required an open plan living arrangement that on the ground floor would provide them with dedicated work rooms for their respective professional activities as silversmith and baker, and a first floor, that could take advantage of the natural daylight and the expansive views across the marshes to Orford Ness and the coast beyond.

To create a more distinctive look, the bricks were laid in a variation of ‘Monks bond’ using white iron-free sand for the lime mortar which was sourced from the local Wivenhoe pit. In contrast to the brickwork at the ground floor, the upper level appears lightweight, utilising ribbons of untreated oak cladding to wrap up and across a pitched roof. The oak cladding was sized to match the brick course dimensions, so that the two elements of construction have a complementary design intent.

Internally, the 201.5 sqm house has a muted decorative scheme with exposed concrete ceilings complemented by a floor of whitewashed Douglas fir planks and fitted joinery made with lacquered birch faced plywood. Studio and office rooms occupy the left side of the ground floor layout, mirrored on the right of the rear reception room by an open plan kitchen area defined by a parallel wooden dining surface in walnut with expressed dovetail joints. The reception room opens out onto a red brick terrace and garden through a series of glazed sliding doors, mirrored on the upper storey where corresponding doors on the master bedroom and en-suite bathroom open out onto a covered terrace sheltered by the oak clad roof that enhances the spectacular coastal views.

EXTENDING AND AWARDING

Just announced is the overall winner of the New London Architecture (NLA) Don’t Move Improve! 2016 awards – London’s premier celebration of best new home extensions. The Lewisham House of Trace by Tsuruta Architects, which also received the Most Innovative Award, was praised by the judges for exhibiting a true understanding of the building’s individual history whilst also creating a beautiful new series of spaces for the owners. The innovative use of materials demonstrates how design on a budget can look luxurious – and how a considered use of space and light can “make the heart race” even in a domestic interior.

The winning projects will now be featured in a three-month exhibition alongside the complete longlist of 84 projects that made up the first stage of the awards at NLA’s central London galleries in The Building Centre from now to March. A public day on Saturday 27 February will give Londoners wanting to extend their homes the chance of free one-toone advice sessions with shortlisted and winning architects.

Photo credit: Nick Guttridge

INNOVATIONS

DAMP-PROOFING

1 Anything damp is a much poorer insulator than when it’s dry. That’s why Safeguard’s SoluGuard Multi-Surface Biocide is a biocidal solution that removes biological growth, such as moss or algae, from masonry walls (this brick image shows before and after).

Although it can be used on its own, it has been created to work as part of a system with Stormdry Masonry Cream, which is used to protect walls from rain penetration. A research study, sponsored by Safeguard and MAS South East, showed that treating a damp wall with Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream can save up to 29% on energy bills. www.safeguardeurope.com

2 UZIN is renowned for innovating new products and systems to meet the

needs of flooring contractors, architects and clients. The industry has seen a growth in the use of anhydrite screeds but has failed to find an answer for adequate protection against moisture. Until now, says the company who, after several years of rigorous testing, has developed a solution. With this innovative system, calcium sulphate screeds can be permanently protected against residual moisture up to 95 % RH. www.uzin.co.uk

Z-WAVE AND WINDOWS

This interesting innovation adds another function to Fakro roof windows. It’s

particularly relevant for those looking to build a Smart Home using Fakro FTP-V natural pine and FTU-V white, PU-coated roof windows which now incorporate Z-Wave wireless technology. This enables compatible household appliances to “communicate” with each other for control locally or remotely via PC, mobile or tablet. Products from more than 200 of the world’s leading manufacturers including Apple, Intel, Panasonic, GEC and Danfoss have received Z-Wave certification which involves stringent conformance testing.

Operation can be through a range of single and multi-channel wall keyboards and programmable remotes, giving users scope to create their own system with a virtually unlimited range, all from a single chip. The manufacturer’s multi-channel remote has an active screen and capacity to operate several dozen receivers separately and many more in groups. www.fakro.co.uk

INNOVATIVE LINEAR DESIGNS

This very unusual and amusing image is one of many beautifully illustrated, graphic wall tiles launched by Solus Ceramics. The innovative Prototype range offers endless possibilities to those seeking to create dynamic and striking designs, through the mix of three scintillating linear themes. Although centered on a geometric aesthetic, the lines illustrated on these tiles are not rigid and perfect but instead boast a rustic and hand drawn characteristic.

Built upon three core shades of black, yellow and grey, the the products are designed to work seamlessly with a mix of styles and shades or stylishly on their own, so ambitious designers can set their imagination free with realms of opportunities. All of the tiles in this range are available in the same size format, 250x750x10.5mm. For more information, visit www.solusceramics.com

PassivHaus design maintains indoor environment using Omnie MVHR

With less than 400 PassivHaus certified properties so far completed across the UK, the ultra-low energy standard from Germany can still be viewed as nascent in this country, though there are many compliant components and technologies available to assist in these designs: such as the mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system offered by Omnie. The highly efficient Passive house certified CA550 heat recover unit (HRU) has in fact just been installed as a crucial element to the building services within a private residential property under construction near Tiverton in Devon. The two storey 200 square metre structure replaces an earlier dwelling on the Bampton site where Gale & Snowden is the specialist architectural consultant and passive house designer responsible for the specification process.

TEL: 01392 363605 | EMAIL: alex.chalk@timoleon.co.uk WEB: www.omnie.co.uk

CHRISTOPHER SYKES SPOTLIGHTS ANOTHER SELECTON OF INNOVATIONS WHICH CAUGHT HIS ATTENTION, RANGING FROM A COUPLE OF SOLUTIONS TO KEEP OUT THE ALL PERVASIVE DAMP, A LINEAR WALL TILE RANGE PLUS SOME SERIOUS WINDOW TECHNOLOGY.

SETCRETE 2K PRO FOR DIFFICULT FLOORING INSTALLATIONS

HOCHIKI EUROPE BUILDS ON SUCCESS AT ECOBUILD 2016

Hochiki Europe will be on stand E6096 at Ecobuild 2016, exhibiting its innovative FIREscape emergency lighting system.

The leading manufacturer of fire safety solutions will be at London’s ExCel, from 8-10 March, providing visitors with the opportunity to discuss the latest building and life safety issues and product improvements within the fire detection sector.

Ecobuild delegates will also have the opportunity to learn more about Hochiki Europe’s core fire detection systems. Building designers, architects or specifiers attending Ecobuild can also find out about Hochiki’s new range of BIM content, based on a selection of its core fire detection and emergency lighting products.

Hochiki Europe is also leading several campaigns to improve general best practice within the built environment. The latest revealed that over half (56 per cent) of European businesses are risking the safety of building occupants by failing to adjust security systems in accordance with change in use of space.

Setcrete 2K Pro fast setting floor levelling compound has been specifically designed with the time-pressed professional builder in mind. This easy to use floor levelling compound can be applied directly over old adhesive residues without the need for priming. This can save professional builders a great deal of time, effort, and money.

When removing floor coverings such as carpet tiles and vinyl, builders are often faced with a subfloor covered in old adhesive residue. This poses a serious problem; most floor levelling compounds cannot bind properly to adhesives.

Previously, the tradesmen conducting the refurbishment work would have had to mechanically remove all of the residue before continuing with the new flooring installation. This is a time-consuming process, and if the area being refurbished is particularly large, expensive machinery may be required.

Setcrete 2K Pro fl oor levelling compound offers professional tradesmen a quick, easy and economical solution to the problem of adhesive residue contaminated subfloors. Rather than having to remove all adhesive residues, contractors can simply remove as much as they can before applying Setcrete 2K Pro directly onto the remaining residue, provided the residue is still well-bonded. Setcrete 2K Pro can therefore potentially reduce on-site time by a matter of hours or even days, as well as saving a huge amount of cost and effort.

Setcrete 2K Pro is applicable in thicknesses of 2-30mm, and can be walk on hard in as little as 60 minutes. It has excellent self-levelling properties, meaning that minimal work with a trowel is required. It is low-odour and ammonia free.

Setcrete 2K Pro can also be applied directly onto Setcrete Rapid Set DPM damp proof membrane without the need for priming.

Setcrete enquiry 16

Paul Adams, marketing manager at Hochiki Europe commented: “Ecobuild is a fantastic event for the construction sector and is a great opportunity for us to discuss the latest hot topics in the built environment.”

Hochiki Europe enquiry 15

Worcester have partnered with over a hundred housing developers and registered social landlords. In that time we have become experts in providing first class pre- and post installation, service and advice, whilst offering:

• Heating and hot water solutions for all types of property stock

• Transparent Life Cycle costings to assist your asset planning

• Over 20 dedicated Technical Specification Managers (TSM) across the country.

With over 50 years experience in the UK heating industry, you can be rest assured that Worcester is a name you can trust.

For more information and to find your local TSM, visit worcester-bosch.co.uk/myTSM

Redland’s new products, the Rapid Verge and Ambi-Dry Verge for Redland 49 tiles and Fenland Pantiles, have the roofing industry covered, being the first dry verges created specifically for use with these tiles.

As with other Redland products, the dry verge systems have been designed to assist contractors. This verge is quick to install and can be adapted on site to fit either the left or right hand side where typically two separate units would be required.

With new dry-fixing requirements in effect, the new verge system provides a mortar-free solution designed to be mechanically fixed and is therefore considered a secondary fixing required under BS 5534. Quicker to install than a mortar verge, it can also be installed in any weather condition and eliminates the need for an undercloak.

Available in the full range of colours to match the corresponding tile, the dry verges are specifically designed to fit the 15x9 tile range. Colours include: Grey, Terracotta, Brown and Red in the Ambi-Dry Verge and Slate Grey and Rust in the Rapid Verge, all of which are now in stock at Redland.

Supplied in packs of 10, the pack contains everything required for a neat and secure fixing including Batten End Clips and stainless steel nails. Further fixing information can be found in the verge section of the Redland website at www.redland.co.uk/fixings.

Redland enquiry 20

NEW MINSTER PRODUCT GUIDE

Minster, part of the Saint-Gobain Group, has launched their biggest ever product guide following a number of key changes in the market and strong customer demand. As one of the UK’s most recognised distributors for specialist insulation, dry lining, roofing and ceilings materials, the guide highlights Minster’s ongoing commitment of delivering quality solutions to the construction industry. The Guide offers over 9,000 product lines in one convenient place, demonstrating the breadth and depth of the available range. It includes a much wider roofing offer along with fire protection, acoustics, external facades, thermal insulation, dry lining, ceilings, flooring and for the first time ever, My Comfort building solutions from Saint-Gobain.

Minster enquiry 21

LOW RISE FOR BLACKPOOL

A £22m redevelopment programme is delivering best value at all levels for its commissioning affordable housing developer and residents. Each of the two apartment blocks, their associated balconies and the car ports for the nine additional two bedroom houses are covered and made watertight using 2000m of Protan single ply membrane. Roofing contractor Kynaston Contract Services chose Protan for speed and performance in one of the UK’s most exposed coastal regions. Kynaston’s managing director Ian Kynaston said Protan was his company’s preferred choice for flat roofing for its ease of use and reliability in supply and performance.

Protan enquiry 22

TRADITIONAL LOOKS, GROUND-BREAKING INNOVATION: NEW INDUSTRY-LEADING CLAY PANTILE MEETS NEEDS OF UK SPECIFIERS

Featuring a classic s-curve profile and thin leading edge, the new first-ofits kind Lincoln is as fast and simple to install as a concrete roof tile. It can also be used at a low minimum roof pitch of just 17.5 degrees, giving Lincoln versatility for use on a variety of projects where a traditional pantile appearance is required.

Lincoln is available in Rustic Red and Natural Red with a comprehensive range of fittings. The Rustic Red creates a premium reclaimed finish suitable for new housebuilding, where the project may need to match the local vernacular or is subject to local planning conditions. The Natural Red has a smooth uniform appearance with clean lines, ideal for housing and local authority projects where a ‘new roof’ appearance is required.

The Lincoln pantile was developed following extensive research by Marley Eternit, which showed the need for a traditional clay pantile that could be installed quickly and easily without the need for specialist roofing skills.

Sarah Jackson, marketing product manager at Marley Eternit, comments: “Lincoln clay tiles give a traditional pantile appearance on the roof, but are more cost effective to install on a wide range of projects. In light of the ongoing skills shortages and the need to build more houses in the future, we have made the Lincoln pantile as easy to install as possible, while not compromising on tradition.

“In addition, all single lap tiles must be installed to meet the latest fixing requirements to BS 5534 and the NHBC Technical Standards. Therefore, the Lincoln range has been designed to be fully compatible with Marley Eternit’s Universal Dry Fix systems and Mortar Bedded Hip and Ridge fixing kits. Lincoln pantiles can also be installed with Marley Eternit’s new one-piece tile clip, SoloFix, which can save up to 30% roof clipping time compared to traditional clip fixing.”

Discover how the new Lincoln clay pantile can save you time without www.marleyeternit.co.uk/lincoln, to talk to Marley Eternit’s team of advisors.

For further information on our range of products and services just ask ME at www.marleyeternit.co.uk or call ME on 01283 722588. You can also follow ME on Twitter @MarleyEternit. If it matters to you it matters to us, that’s why with ME it’s all about you.

‘ColourLine’, an option with FAKRO DEF flat roof windows, enables outer cladding to be specified in any RAL colour from the Classic Palette. Whether to blend with a green roof, terrace landscaping or tiles on pitches up to 15°, thermally efficient glazing units provide an installed U-value as low as 0.76 W/m² - ideal for Passivhaus construction. White PVC interiors are ideal for bathrooms and wetrooms, while windows from 60 x 60 to 120 x 220 cm have a glazing area up to 16% greater than competitors’ windows of comparable size. All can be installed with an XRD upstand to add 15 cm height. FAKRO House,

BREAK THROUGH INNOVATION HAS COMBINED WITH TRADITIONAL AESTHETICS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF UK SPECIFIERS SEEKING AN EASY-TO-FIX CLA Y TILE WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE NEW LINCOLN CLAY PANTILE FROM MARLEY ETERNIT.

Marley Eternit

ECODAN CREW MAKES IT ACROSS THE ATLANTIC RANGE RECIEVES RECOGNITION

AFTER AN EPIC JOURNEY OF 3,000 NAUTICAL MILES, ROWING VIRTUALLY NON-STOP FOR 44 DAYS, 20 HOURS AND 22 MINUTES, THE ALL BEANS NO MONKEYS CREW OF FOUR HAS CROSSED THE ATLANTIC IN THE ECODAN BOAT TO COMPLETE THE TALLISKER WHISKY ATLANTIC CHALLENGE.

James Timbs-Harrison from primary sponsor Mitsubishi Electric and his fellow crew members of Liam Browning, Stuart Markland and James Kendall left this side of the ‘pond’ just before Christmas and took turns to row in pairs in two-hour shifts. The four took on the arduous challenge to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Trust and have so far amassed over £20,000. Further donations are welcome and for more information about the crew and the challenge visit their dedicated website: www. allbeansnomonkeys.com

THE INNOVATION AND PIONEERING ECODAN RANGE HAS ONCE AGAIN RECEIVED INDUSTRY RECOGNITION BY PICKING UP TWO AWARDS AT THE COVETED NATIONAL ACR AND HEAT PUMP AWARDS IN BIRMINGHAM.

“We

The fifth generation of the Ecodan range is all rated as A++ in the latest regulations covering energy labels – the highest category possible.

The latest addition to the line-up, which also includes remote energy monitoring as standard, is the 4kW unit designed specifically for the new-build sector, where the hot water requirement is the dominant load. Further details on the comprehensive range, which are suitable for almost any residential or commercial property, can be found by visiting https://ecodanerp.co.uk/184

Stuart Bell from Mitsubishi Electric receives the Remote Energy MonitoringAwardfromsponsorDarrellBirkettofCoolDesignsLtd(left) withcomedianfortheeveningRodWoodward.

Mitsubishi

Securing both the Heat Pump Product of the Year, and the Remote Energy Monitoring Award, the latest enhancements to the line-up have been well received by the market and continue to ensure that Mitsubishi Electric leads the way in domestic and commercial heat pump technology.

are especially delighted to be recognised in these two categories as it shows our approach to developing heat pumps that are easier to install and easier to control is working”, explained Stuart Bell who collected the awards on the night for the company.

Image:

Mitsubishi Electric Enquiry 30

PHOTO: BEN DUFFY

Created in the GROHE Design Studio, GROHE’s stylish Zedra Touch kitchen tap incorporates pioneering GROHE EasyTouch technologywhich means you can control the tap with the touch of a wrist, forearm or the back of a hand – perfect for when your hands are messy from preparing food and handling raw meat. This ensures the tap remains clean, germ-free, and stops the spread of any bacteria. Now, GROHE has updated the range to include the ability to pre-set the water temperature. Thanks to clever thermostatic technology, simply pre-set and save your preferred temperature. This means that when you touch the spout, the water flow can be set as warm rather than cold, for enhanced comfort.

The GROHE Zedra Touch is a hybrid tap: simply put, both a normal tap with lever operation and a tap that can operate by touch control from skin contact. Through the addition of a new, hidden thermostatic mixing valve,

you can now also pre-set and save a chosen water temperature. This means, when you choose to operate the tap through the touch control, your desired water temperature will begin to flow- so, for example, you can wash your hands in warm water, rather than cold, without having to manually turn the lever.

As both the EasyTouch and thermostatic technology is completely concealed within the tap, the Zedra Touch boasts the same sleek good looks as all other GROHE products, and comes in GROHE’s striking and resistant Starlight Chrome and Supersteel finishes.

Prices from £825

The legislation came into effect on 26 September 2015* and Rinnai has been expanding its customer base exponentially as installers and specifiers clearly see, due to the labelling directive, the advantage of installing the widest range of A-rated continuous flow water heaters.

Rinnai is the UK’s leading innovator in the design and manufacturer of hot water heating systems. It offers the industry’s leading A-rated range of Infinity continuous flow gas fired water heaters, The ErP A-rating applies over the complete Infinity range – from small domestic models to XXL sized industrial units. Rinnai is the only manufacturer that can field a expansive range of continuous flow gas fired water heaters which meets and exceeds the demands of the new legislation.

For 24 years the Golf Classic has provided golfers from across the UK Construction industry with the opportunity to play regionally, meet new people and build profitable relationships. The 2016 competition is set to be the best ever with entrants competing for a place in the Grand Final to be held at Hanbury Manor’s acclaimed England championship course. Finalists also enjoy free gala dinner and an overnight stay. The nationwide six round knockout tournament starts March 2016. To play call 01892 752300 visit www.thegolfclassic.co.uk or fill in and return the form below with your £42 entry per two ball team. thegolfcla ssic

WATER HEATING PRODUCTS

The level of enquiries about the A-rated, technically advanced appliances from consultants and contractors in all sectors has escalated ever since the publication of independent testing results were announced.

“We are very happy that the transparency of the Eco labelling directive clearly shows that Rinnai’s best-in-the-market energy rating scores has made the Infinity range the No 1 one choice for both professionals and end users looking for proven efficiencies,” says Goggin. “ErP labelling offers a clear guide for choosing the most efficient units.”

To make sure the appliances comply with EU rules for energy labelling Rinnai ensured all its appliances were tested twice – first at the Rinnai plant where units undergo rigorous interrogation by the company’s expert engineers and then again a notified body that bestowed the coveted A- rated label on the products.

Goggin continues: “The facts are there to be seen. In an ErP competitor comparison, the nearest competing brand to Rinnai have A rated labels in there condensing category, yet close inspection of the labels will reveal that there are significant differences in kWh annum and GJ annum performance WHEN comparing Rinnai to other brands. The competitions have also produced B rated labels for their non-condensing array, whereas Rinnai shows A rated for its HD50i, HD55i and HD55e. This is a defining key performance indicator for specifiers, installers and end users alike, giving confidence they are buying the best energy efficient kit available today.”

Goggin goes on to explain that specifiers have come to realise that advantages of the Rinnai system don’t stop at the A-rated label., The Rinnai the range has even more to offer in terms of efficiencies as the A-rating applies only when a unit is in use – i.e. when fuel is being burnt. As a Rinnai unit will only use fuel when water is drawn it scores even more efficiencies over any stored hot water system.”

Goggin concludes: “The industry has embraced Rinnai’s A-rated Infinity range since the implementation of ErP labelling just six months ago and this is recognition of the hard work by Rinnai’s engineers and designers and the company’s commitment to invest heavily in R&D. The uptake on the whole series of low NoX, high efficiency product, across all sectors, has been nothing short of phenomenal and that is due to the transparency the EU energy labelling directive has conferred on product selection for specifiers.

* All water-heating products sold in the UK need to meet minimum energy performance criteria in order to be legally placed on the market, and require an energy label.

Rinnai

RECTICEL INSULATION HELPS TO STEER THE NHIC

H+H’s Thin- Joint System of aircrete blocks and Celfix Mortar is a key element in the construction of a Passivhaus development of 16 semidetached houses and 12 sheltered accommodation apartments on the Isle of Wight.

The scheme’s developer, Southern Housing Group, wanted to meet higher levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes without relying on renewable technologies.

External walls of homes on the Cameron Close development are constructed from H+H’s 200mm thick thermally efficient Celcon Plus blocks. These are enhanced externally by an additional 230mm thick layer of phenolic insulation on the houses and 150mm thick layer on the apartments.

PIR manufacturer Recticel Insulation is adding its voice to a leading organisation in the home renovation industry. The company’s technical specialist Paul Forrester sits on the steering group of the NHIC (National Home Improvement Council) which for more than 40 years has maintained a close liaison with Government, local authorities, housing associations, private householders and landlords as well as product manufacturers and service providers. The council provides an important source of impartial advice and information on all manner of home improvements – of which insulation is a key consideration. Recticel Insulation also supports NHIC initiatives such as the annual awards which highlight and reward construction excellence.

Recticel enquiry 37

The insulation is finished externally with a white-colour acrylic render system, a common aesthetic on the Isle of White. The solution gives a U-value of just 0.08W/m2K for the external walls of the houses and 0.11W/m2K for the apartment walls.

H+H’s Thin-Joint solution is ideal for Passivhaus construction because the combination of accurately dimensioned Celcon Plus blocks with 2mm thick Celfix mortar joints helps to minimise air leakage through the external walls. Achieving an airtight build was further helped by the use of H+H’s Retro Fit Joist Hangers to carry the timber joists that support the internal floors.

H+H enquiry 38

Knauf Insulation’s ThermoShell rock External Wall Insulation (EWI) system has helped to refurbish a five-storey building containing 54 flats. St Winifred’s in Croydon had the insulation fitted as part of a project by housing association, A2Dominion, to improve the energy efficiency of the one and two-bedroom flats. As such, Knauf Insulation’s ThermoShell EWI was seen as the perfect fit for this project. The system meets current thermal regulations and is breathable to allow for the removal of water vapour, providing a healthier indoor climate and reducing associated problems with damp and condensation.

Knauf Insulation enquiry 39

KNAUF INSULATION PROVIDES AN EXCEPTIONAL EXTERNAL SOLUTION

Dan Development Chemist

LOCAL AUTHORITY REDUCES BOILER BREAKDOWNS WITH SENTINEL’S SYSTEMCARE

NEW FLOORING SOLUTIONS FOR HOUSING PROJECTS

Gerflor’s 2016 Housing Collection of innovative, vinyl floorings has been created by the global, vinyl flooring manufacturer to bring fresh solutions to new build and refurbishment housing projects.

With designs developed in-house and products tested to the highest standards, the collection of top quality vinyl sheet and luxury vinyl tiles (LVTs) have the aesthetics, technical performance, installation benefits, eco-friendly credentials, different specifications and price points that housing professionals need and end-users want.

Core to the collection are loose-lay Gerflor Fibre Technology (GFT) and LVTs that enable fast, economical installation and lower remedial work. These include textile-backed and advanced click system floorings that combine cost-effective installation with the benefits of top quality vinyl. In particular, Gerflor Fibre Technology (GFT) floorings can lower ‘on-floor’ costs by up to 30% compared with standard vinyl.

Gerflor’s GFT textile-backed vinyl is the only residential vinyl in the world with a patented compact, waterproof, balancing layer, providing stability and allowing loose- laying up to 35sqm. As between 50-75% of foam-backed vinyl installations require remedial work, Gerflor developed GFT technology to dramatically reduce the number of post-installation issues normally associated with traditional, foambacked vinyl.

Since adopting SystemCare, Sentinel’s water treatment programme for specifiers, a major City Council has drastically reduced boiler breakdowns and boiler-related problems at more than 14,000 properties within its boundaries.

The SystemCare schedule of chemical cleaners, corrosion and scale inhibitors, and test kits - in tandem with bespoke training - has proven a real success since it was first taken up by the local authority in 2006.

As part of the review, the local authority adopted Sentinel’s SystemCare programme to help improve the quality of water in its heating systems, thereby ensuring long-term protection from corrosion and limescale.

SystemCare is a proven, added-value service that couples Sentinel’s high quality products with free audit, training and support packages customised to suit requirements. By promoting the implementation of water treatment best practice, SystemCare helps to deliver the dependable and efficient performance of boilers and heating system components - ultimately lowering maintenance, repair and associated labour costs.

A key component of SystemCare is testing water quality and inhibitor levels in order to confirm that a system has been correctly treated. In the City Council’s case, testing was especially important as it had helped the council successfully negotiate extended warranties with its preferred boiler suppliers.

GFT floorings can also be loose-laid over most existing smooth surfaces and easily taken up for refurbishment. In addition, Gerflor’s Housing Collection includes floorings that meet HSE slip resistant guidelines with up to 15 year product guarantees, advanced thermal and acoustic properties, easy maintenance surface finishes, integral waterproofing and 90% RH tolerance that can be laid where a DPM is not present. Plus, sheet floorings in two, three and four metre width options avoid wastage and joining.

Gerflor’s 100% recyclable, environmentally-sustainable product offer is supported by a dedicated housing team and strategically located UK distribution centres.

www.gerflor.co.uk. Contact: Garry Martin gmartin@gerflor.com/ 07860 632280

THE SECRET IS OUT - ECO WITHOUT COMPROMISE

Want to use greener products? Worried that will compromise quality or be harder to use AURO UK have products to break that myth. AURO 524 is a tough, washable and breathable wall emulsion, without emissions that covers in less coats and dries quickly. Made from natural raw materials it represents a healthier and more ecologically friendly option – without compromise.Not heard of us – we’ve been manufacturing for over 30 years and now it’s time to expose the secret that is AURO. See more at www.auro.co.uk

UK enquiry 44

New advanced HomelightPlus Range from Crittall

Crittall Windows has introduced a new enhanced steel window aimed at the residential market, the HomelightPlus range.

An enhanced version of the company’s successful Homelight steel window first made during the 1920s, the new-look window features contemporary styling and window profiling, plus higher energy-savings, performance, and improved security.

The authentic ‘like-for-like’ steel window offers significant energy savings - thermally improved to meet Part L of Building Regulations by achieving either a window energy rating Band B or a centre pane U-value of 1.2w/m2k.

The window has been made especially secure through an improved, robust, security multi-point locking option.

This modern steel window is dual double-finned weather-stripped and features high performance double glazing.

Its slim frame gives minimal sight-lines allowing for larger areas of glass than any other window of a similar size to maximise daylight.

www.crittall-windows.co.uk

Gerflor

AURO

Millions of homes and businesses are at risk from localised flooding, driven by climate change, increased rainfall and increased urban development. The challenge for planners and contractors demands a completely integrated approach from design to installation. For house builders and developers making sense of the myriad of planning guidance combined with the stalling of clear legislation has further complicated the process of achieving consistent levels of best practice.

Planning Practice Guidance issued by the DCLG in support of the National Planning Policy Framework answers the question on why sustainable drainage systems are important as follows: Sustainable drainage systems are designed to control surface water run off close to where it falls and mimic natural drainage as closely as possible. They provide opportunities to:

• reduce the causes and impacts of flooding;

• remove pollutants from urban run-off at source;

• combine water management with green space with benefits for amenity, recreation and wildlife.

Water management specialist JDP’s technical department uses cutting edge technology, accurate rainfall data, topography reports and advice for projects involving surface water management to ensure operational efficiency, effectiveness, legislative compliance and manage increased volumes of surface water. The latest extension to the portfolio, RAINBOX ® Attenuation Solutions is an essential partner in seeking to minimise the risk to localised flooding and provide best practice SuDS.

JDP enquiry 47

NO NEED TO USE YOUR NOGGIN

Always looking for innovative solutions that save installers time and money, Scolmore has added this inventive product to its CLICK® Essentials range. StudBox® is a universal first fix electrical backbox system for dry lining applications and will significantly reduce installation time.

It replaces the time-consuming and tedious practice of installing metal back boxes into stud walls attached to timber noggins, and will typically reduce the installation time down from five minutes to 30 seconds. There are plasterboard marking points on the corners of each StudBox® cavity which provide the exact position to cut out without the need for measuring.

There are 3 products within the StudBox® range – 1 Gang (120mm – 600mm centres), 2 Gang (130mm – 600mm centres) and the Universal StudBox®

The Universal StudBox® (SB6IN1) has integrally moulded mounting flanges so that it can be hung between the faces of timber studs with centres between 380 and 450mm in a matter of seconds. The overall length of the box is 450mm long, so there is no need to measure height from the floor on stud work. With the universal StudBox® marked at height the first screw is inserted and an integral spirit level allows for exact horizontal alignment - without the need for a separate tool - ready for the second screw to go in.

The universal StudBox® (380mm – 450mm centres) has one twin and two single cavity boxes, all 35mm deep which gives six possible mounting combinations, and will cover most installation requirements. If just a single or twin box is needed, then it’s simply a case of cutting the studs off the box cavity not being used with snips and boarding over them.

Manufactured in the UK, Scolmore is the exclusive supplier for the StudBox® range of products.

For further information, contact Scolmore on 01827 63454, sales@scolmore.com or visit www.scolmore.com. Scolmore

BALCONY BALUSTRADES BY SAPPHIRE

ADD SIGNATURE STYLE TO LONDON APARTMENTS

CATER HOUSE REFURBISHMENT & CHANGE OF USE, CHELMSFORD, ESSEX

Sapphire’s glazed balcony balustrades are being used to stunning architectural effect at Century House, a new high-rise residential development near Tower Bridge. Sapphire manufactured and installed around 1,000 linear metres of glass balustrading from its Crystal and Aluma ranges to apartment balconies and terraces. The transparent nature of glass creates the illusion of light and space from inside the apartments, whilst also delivering a sleek and stylish finish to the outside of the building. Sapphire’s Crystal clear glass infill panels complement the clean, contemporary lines of the building’s façade which features a palette of traditional and contemporary materials.

Sapphire Balustrades

enquiry 50

Explore Offsite in the Housing Sector 23 & 24 March 2016 –NEC, Birmingham

The UK housing crisis has been at the top of the political and media agenda for many months - the issues are clear but do we have the solutions?

For those in the construction sector with innovative ideas and new technologies, this nationwide crisis has the potential to change the norm which governs the way new homes are built.

But is there now a climate for change in the industry? Experts have hailed offsite construction as the only way to respond to the demand for new housing - making the national shortage of labour less of a concern. Moving the construction of houses into factories enables the build to take place both efficiently and economically – facilitating the rapid delivery of energy efficient homes.

Explore Offsite in the Housing Sector is your opportunity to scrutinise the latest innovations and technologies and discover from the experts, how to build better homes at a rapid rate. Taking place 23 & 24 March 2016, at the NEC, Birmingham, the event will be a platform for social and private sector housing professionals, architects, engineers and contractors to come together to pave a new way forward for the industry.

With an outstanding line-up of industry figures confirmed to share their expertise over the two days, this combined conference and exhibition is an essential event for any professional looking to delve a little deeper into the liveliest and most promising topic in UK construction.

Speakers include:

• Video Address: Brandon Lewis MP – Minister of State for Housing and Planning

• Tom Bloxham MBE – Director, Urban Splash

• Oliver Novakovic – Technical and Innovation Director, Barratt Developments

• Rory Ber gin – Partner: Sustainable Futures, HTA Design LLP

• Andy von Br adsky – Chair, Housing Forum

• Calum Murr ay – Director, CCG (Scotland)

• Jeremy Kape – Director of Proper ty Investment, Affinity Sutton

• Peter Andrew – Deputy Chairman, HBF

James Pickard – Director, Cartwright Pickard

• Rob Charlton – CEO Space Group

• Stuart Car r -Director, Chapman Taylor Architects

• Greg Cooper – Pre Construction Manager B & K Structures

Andrew Waugh – Director, Waugh Thistleton

• Tom Ground – CEO Legal & General Homes

• Andrew Orgorzalek – Partner, PCKO Architects

• Jerr y Harkness – Regional Development Director, Circle Housing

• Jay Shaw MBE – Head of Business Development, Snoozebox

• Steve Reid – Chief Technical Officer, Enviga Geothermal

To book your ticket or enquire about exhibitor opportunities, please: visit: www.exploreoffsite.co.uk or call: 01743 290001.

Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems, with their approved fabricator Anglia Fixing Ltd; recently completed a change of use refurbishment at Cater House in Chelmsford, Essex. The former 8 storey purpose built office block which boosts a city centre location adjacent to the River Can, has been converted into 35 apartments. This change of use project was completed using Comar 5P.i Top Hung Casement Windows to the communal stairways. Comar 5P.i ECO Casement, Top & Side Hung windows and Comar 7P.i ECO Rebated Doors being specified for the apartments. The aluminium P.i window and door systems use trademarked Polyamide Insulated (P.i) that provides exceptional thermal performance and reduces heat loss through the thermal break ensuring low U-values and therefore ensuring energy bills are minimised. Comar 7 Doors are a natural choice in a busy residential building and were selected for the main entrance doors and external staircases. Comar 7 Doors are available in swing, pivot, sliding, auto sliding and sliding folding. These doors were hung directly into the Comar 3 Ground Floor Treatment and were internally beaded using 28mm DG units. All aluminium was finished in a Hipca White Gloss polyester powder coat to BS6496.

All Comar approved fabricators are required to have the technical expertise to attend pre-site meetings and provide detailing. Anglia Fixing liaised closely with the specifiers to provide design advice and detailing which ensured the project ran smoothly and met site deadlines.

Comar enquiry 51

JUNCKERS NORDIC OAK FOR NEW LUXURY HOMES

Over 5000m2 of Junckers Nordic Oak wood floors have been specified for a substantial residential development at Chatham Square Reading, which is part of a Designed and Build contract by Galliford Try Construction, developer Muse Developments in partnership with Reading Borough Council. The prestigious development includes 184 new apartments fitted with Junckers white pigmented Nordic Oak floors over underfloor heating throughout the living areas. Junckers solid Nordic Oak adds a fashionable Scandi-inspired, white pigmented backdrop to the luxury apartments and has been fitted over underfloor heating.

Junckers

Ancon to launch new products at Ecobuild 2016

Double winner of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, Ancon Building Products, continues to expand its range of high integrity structural fixings and will exhibit a number of new products at Ecobuild 2016 taking place at ExCeL, London from 8-10 March 2016.

On stand number E3080, Ancon will showcase its latest fixing innovations, suitable for new-build construction including lowenergy residential developments. Products on show will include the lightweight Nexus® brick faced soffit system, a number of insulated balcony connectors and an exciting new development within the Teplo range of low thermal conductivity wall ties.

Tel: 0114 275 5224 | Email: info@ancon.co.uk Web: www.ancon.co.uk

REDUCING HOUSEHOLD ENERGY WASTE IS KEY TO TACKLING FUEL

POVERTY

Cold homes are a major contributor to excess winter deaths and ill health. Graham Hurrell, Commercial Director at AluK, comments: “It is the joint responsibility of landlords, builders and installers to ensure that the systems they supply or install in retrofit and refurbishment projects meet the minimum U-values. Approved Document L1B of the Building Regulations (England) requires windows to have a minimum U-value of 1.6 W/M²K and 1.8W/M²K for doors, or a ‘C’ level or above Window Energy Rating (WER) and Door Energy Rating (DER). The WER and DER range from A-G with ‘A’ being the most efficient.” AluK enquiry 55

NEW BROCHURE FOR HELIFIX DIXIE MICRO-PILES

Helifix has produced a new 12 page technical brochure giving full details of its versatile, high performance, Dixie micro-piles, which are used to rapidly and cost-effectively stabilise buildings suffering from subsidence. The brochure looks at the benefits of using the innovative, simple, but extremely effective Dixie micro-pile system, such as minimal disturbance to occupants and no spoil removal, and full technical specifications are provided. The main causes of subsidence are also examined and how, following detailed investigations, appropriate repairs are designed based on the damage, the weight of the individual property and the local ground conditions.

Helifix

enquiry 58

INDUSTRY’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT LIVING SOLUTIONS CATALOGUE REVEALED

N&C Phlexicare has revealed the industry’s largest independent living solutions catalogue, featuring their comprehensive portfolio of over 6000 products and solutions for bathroom adaptations, wet rooms, multi-user solutions, kitchens, accessibility, ironmongery, wall and floor coverings and more. The new catalogue is filled with new, innovative and attractive products for a growing market.

As the UK’s largest manufacturer and distributor of independent living and access solutions for the elderly and disabled market, N&C Phlexicare have further broadened their portfolio of products made available to customers in order to cater for varying budgets, design choices and functionality that are designed for the user, carer and installer in mind.

FLOOD PROOF SKIRTING BOARDS ALSO PROVIDE ROOM HEATING AND WALL DRYING

DiscreteHeat’s ThermaSkirt is an aluminium alternative to conventional timber and MDF skirting boards, that not only is impervious to being submerged, but actually provides the central heating as well, replacing conventional radiators in the process. Being manufactured in rust resistant aluminium, and then epoxy powder coated, ThermaSkirt is available in a wide range of shapes and styles and can withstand being under water without even needing repainting afterwards. Uniquely, ThermaSkirt also incorporates integral pipes that connect onto a typical central heating system, creating a true ‘skirting board radiator’.

DiscreteHeat enquiry 56

GARADOR LAUNCHES NEW AND IMPROVED ROLLER DOOR DESIGN

Garador’s ever popular GaraRoll is one of the best engineered roller doors on the market, and thanks to recent technical advancements incorporated into its design and manufacture, it is now even better.

The latest door design includes new components which accelerate the process of fitting the roller door and help to deliver an even better door travel motion.

The guide rails have been widened and fitted with two more brush seals (per guide rail) to provide a more water-tight door motion and are factory finished to colour match the roller door curtain. New hinge connectors provide a better seal on the box which sits at the head of the door opening; especially important for externally fitted boxes.

The GaraRoll hand transmitters, in an understated matt black finish, incorporate high frequency encryption signals for added security. Furthermore, the GaraRoll is the only spring balanced roller door on the market which uses force limitation, built into the operator, to ensure the door is always safe to use.

The high-tech features of this roller door perfectly complement its modern appearance, and with a precision engineered compact design, it is an excellent choice for those looking to save space inside the garage.

enquiry 57

WINTER WRAPPED UP

To help you during the colder months we’ve got winter wrapped up with our comprehensive range of winter safety products. Turbocast 800 grit spreader can be used as a broadcast or drop spreader.

Turbocast 800 gives controlled, accurate coverage up to 8 metres width at speeds from 5-20mph. Nestor 400 grit bin has a double skinned lid for supreme strength and durability. The weight of the lid is sufficient to minimise the risk of it opening in strong winds and therefore protects the contents from adverse weather conditions.

Glasdon enquiry 59

Garador

FLATGLASS ROOFLIGHTS BY ROOFGLAZE –MAKING THE MOST OF DAYLIGHT

ROOFGLAZE’S RANGE OF FLATGLASS ROOFLIGHTS COMBINE THE SIMPLICITY AND CONVENIENCE OF MODULAR ROOFLIGHTS, WITH THE STYLE, PRACTIC ALITY AND IMPROVED LIGHT TRANSMISSION OF GLASS. DAYLIGHT SAVES ENERGY, REDUCES CARBON EMISSIONS AND CREATES A SENSE OF WELL-BEING.

Our market-leading Flatglass rooflights look great in any setting, and offer outstanding performance. They’re quick and easy to install, and are fully compliant with the current UK Building Regulations.

An ideal solution for both commercial and residential applications, we have recently completed a number of prestigious and exciting projects that make use of both our standard units and bespoke Flatglass rooflights.

Roofglaze is proud to be able to offer you a full design, manufacture and installation service for each and every project, and you will always benefit from the wealth of industry experience that can be found across our business.

Manufactured in-house at our leading-edge Cambridgeshire facility, our Flatglass rooflights are available in a wide range of configurations and they provide the following benefits to both our commercial and domestic end-clients:

• Outstanding, sleek aesthetics – from both an external and internal perspective

• Single and multi-section units can be contained within a single Flatglass frame

• Aero-fin glazing bar cover now comes as standard with multi-section Flatglass units

• Non-fragile, CWCT TN 66, 67 & 92 (Class 2) ACR[M]001:2011 (Class B) compliant

•

•