Housing Specification October/November 2016

Main tax relief schemes are:

• Research and Development Tax Credits(available for all companies)

• Patent Box (available for all companies)

The single key criterion for qualification is that you be registered as a UK corporate entity (Ltd Plc). Claims are retrospective (two years) and intended to be claimed year-on-year. SME’s and Large Companies qualify. Manufacturing, engineering and all disciplines, activities, parts, products, prototypes; IT software and first-of-class items are examples of what is included as items for research and development. The CIRD definition of R&D is wide and inclusive of broad activities.

MCS has a well established claims experience. The entire process is undertaken in-house, is confidential, involves liaison with clients, their accountants and, importantly, HMRC. Clients are supported throughout and as they expand and enhance their activities.

Consider these recent MCS statistics for R&D Tax Credit Claims:• Claims made ......................................................................................... 618 • Value of claims for clients

MCS Corporate Strategies Ltd www.mcs-corporate.com (01926) 512475 gjw@mcs-corporate.com

Kenilworth CV8 1JJ T 01926 512 475 F 01926 512 477 www.mcs-corporate.com

MCS has created its own Patent Box model to be applied in conjunction with R&D Tax Credits. This can reduce clients’ corporate tax rates from 21% to 10%. Applied with R&D Tax Credits this gives a massive boost to resources you can deploy.

Building and construction industries can take advantage of both schemes across the entire spectrum of parts, products, components and materials used. It covers new, innovative design prototypes and experimental assemblies. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a new challenge for professionals across every aspect of building.

Remote control, monitoring for the Internet of Things, intelligent energy and heating control systems and CHP systems are samples of what R&D Tax Credits can support.

Research, innovation, new products, process design and development are being driven by these valuable schemes. We wish to work with ambitious companies to extend the global, domestic, technological and economic effects of their research. Research for this purpose is realistically and widely defined to be flexible enough to allow companies to participate to drive their ambitions.

CONTRIBUTING

EDITOR

Christopher Sykes RIBAcomments@tspmedia.co.uk

GROUP EDITOR

Paul Grovespaul.groves@tspmedia.co.uk

EDITORIAL CO-ORDINATOR

Devan Cadwalladerdevan@tspmedia.co.uk

ADVERTISEMENT PRODUCTION

Charlotte Wall - copy@tspmedia.co.uk

DESIGN & ARTWORK

Kat Jones - kat@tspmedia.co.uk

CIRCULATION

Becki Everitt - becki@tspmedia.co.uk

Martyn Smith - martyn@tspmedia.co.uk

James Hastings - james@tspmedia.co.uk

Mike Hughes - mike@tspmedia.co.uk

Nicky Vandesande - nicky@tspmedia.co.uk PUBLISHER

David Stiles - david@tspmedia.co.uk

At some point in our lives we have all been a little resistant to change.

It is human nature to question why things need to be different, especially if it takes us out of our comfort zone.

Making any sort of change can be hard. Signing up to a significantly different approach is something we, naturally, tend to think long and hard about at first. We might initially show enthusiasm, but the more time you spend thinking about change the harder it often gets.

So the independent Farmer Review into the long-standing construction labour model may well have enjoyed a warm response when it was published. Indeed, Mark Farmer’s attempt to find solutions to the construction industry’s structural problems generated lots of positive headlines. The review neatly highlights the problems the industry faces - underinvestment in training and development, a lack of innovation, and issues in raising productivity. More importantly, it offers a list of realistic solutions whilst emphasising there is now a fundamental imperative for change.

As Stephen Radley, Director of Policy at CITB, said: “The Farmer Review sets out a compelling vision of how our industry needs to change and what CITB can do to support it. “Employers have the opportunity to create

Welcomea more profitable, innovation and sustainable construction industry and we look forward to helping them to do this.”

Industry Minister Jesse Norman was quick to detail how much support the Government is ploughing into housebuilding and said it would now “carefully consider” the Farmer Review’s recommendations.

It would have been more helpful if he added the word “speedily” to this promise of careful consideration. The Farmer Review needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency and the Government should recognise this, not least because its ambitious housebuilding plans will largely succeed or fail on whether the recommendations are implemented.

The Government has promised to work closely with the industry to build hundreds of thousands of new homes. It also needs to promise to work just as closely with the industry to ensure the skilled workforce is in place.

Paul Groves

Group Editor

To make an equiry - Go online: www.enquire2.com Send a fax: 01952 234003 or post our free Reader

Construction market slowing post EU vote

The majority of UK construction sectors are experiencing a slowdown in growth, as Brexit uncertainty continues to cause concern, according to the latest RICS Construction Market Survey.

While 19% more chartered surveyors reported that construction workloads in the UK had risen, rather than fallen this quarter, this is a significant slowdown on the trend growth over the previous three years – the lowest reading since Q2 2013.

The Midlands Engine remains the engine of growth in UK construction, with 30% more respondents reporting a rise in activity while London and the South East have seen growth levels moderate significantly due largely to a slowdown in activity in the private commercial sector.

Private housing saw the highest levels of growth compared to other construction sectors, with 27% more chartered surveyors reporting workloads had risen rather than

fallen. In the private commercial sector, growth was unchanged from Q2.

“It seems that when it comes to private housing, we are indeed the builders. The Government’s commitment to this critical sector has clearly had a positive impact on growth, said Jeremy Blackburn, RICS UK Head of Policy. “However, what the figures mask, is the disparity between the kinds of properties that are being built.

“When the Communities Secretary publishes his Housing White Paper later this month, he must deliver a housing programme that benefits more than the just the fortunate few. We need to shift the rhetoric away from home ownership and encourage the building of affordable rental properties in the suburbs and our cities.

Looking further ahead, while respondents highlighted generally subdued growth over Q3 they are more optimistic about the year to come with 49% more respondents forecasting

Damp damages house prices by up to 20%

Developers looking to bring renovated and converted properties to market need to ensure any damp problems are resolved first, as a new

survey reveals that damp in properties not only deters would-be homebuyers from purchasing at all, it could also reduce a home’s selling value by up to 20%.

These are the findings of a recent survey by YouGov, commissioned by damp-proofing experts Safeguard Europe.

YouGov spoke to around 1,300 homeowners, discovering that 91% of them would be discouraged from making an offer should they discover damp of any kind in a home for sale. Damp was by far the biggest deterrent, ahead of small rooms (70%), unwanted odours (56%) and an overgrown garden (22%).

Asked what they would do should damp be discovered after they had made an initial offer, 42% of homeowners said that they would abandon the purchase altogether, with 48%

a rise in workloads rather than a fall. On average, contributors expect activity to rise by 2.5% over the next twelve months.

Expectations for employment growth have also improved with 35% more respondents forecasting a rise rather than a fall, up from 18% in Q2.

In Q3, financial constraints remain the most significant impediment to growth, anecdotally linked to uncertainty, with 69% of contributors reporting such constraints to be holding back growth. Planning and regulatory delays are the next most substantial factor with 55% of respondents citing problems in this area.

“The picture painted by the Q3 survey is one of subdued growth, and although expectations have improved following the immediate shock of the vote to leave the EU, anecdotal evidence from respondents suggests that much uncertainty still remains on the outlook for the year ahead,” said Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist.

saying that they would reduce their offer, over one third of those by up to 20%.

Damp in homes can have a negative effect on health, comfort and family finances. Damp walls are also less effective insulators, allowing heat to escape faster. And according to the NHS, damp and mould increases the likelihood of respiratory infections, allergies and asthma, particularly in the very young and the very old.

Given the potential impact on house prices and the likelihood that damp will increase the time a house is on the market, Safeguard’s advice to sellers would be to address problems with damp properly before putting a home up for sale. The implicit finding of the survey is that investing in remedial works now would lead to a better price and less time on the market in future.

The number of planning permissions granted for new homes in Q2 of this year remained high.

The HBF and Glenigan’s latest Housing Pipeline report shows that, at 74,400 homes, the number of units approved during the quarter was unchanged on the first three months of 2016 and 24% up on the same period last year.

The year on year rise was driven by a 34% increase in the number of private housing units approved. In contrast 29% fewer social housing units were approved.

Whilst many of these permissions may still have some way to go before builders can start building them, the figures are a strong indicator of potential future supply.

Permissions have risen steadily every year since 2009, with actual housing supply also

increasing markedly over the past two years as more of the permissions have progressed to the point where builders can begin building.

Planning permissions remain strong Open up your Options with Richard Burbidge

At 2,616, the number of private sector housing projects (schemes of 3 or more units) securing approval during the second quarter was 1% down on the first three months of the year, but 4% up on the same period a year ago.

The North East, South West and Scotland recorded the sharpest rises, being 65% 58% and 93% up on a year ago. In contrast unit approvals were lower in the East Midlands, Yorkshire & the Humber and Wales.

The Housing Pipeline report now shows permissions granted on all sites. Earlier versions did not include numbers for sites of under 10 units. All historic figures have been adjusted to reflect the change in methodology.

Brick booms as the housebuilding material of choice

The Brick Development Association (BDA) has reported strong performance following the announcement that brick distribution has continued to increase in-line with demand.

According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics, brick deliveries in August 2016 were 8.9% higher than they were in August 2015. The seasonally adjusted figures also show a month-on-month increase of 5.5% and a year-todate increase of 1.3% on the same period last year.

The reports are supported by figures released by the National House Building Council which

show almost 12,500 new home registrations in August, an increase of 20% compared to August last year.

Chief Executive of the BDA, Keith Aldis, comments: “Following the Government’s announcement that a £3bn Home Building Fund will be introduced, these distribution figures reinforce confidence across our membership.

“The industry is geared up to respond to changing market dynamics and is equipped to meet immediate demand.”

COOL-FIT 2.0 is first choice for chilled water

Extending the performance potential of GF’s renowned pipework products into new territory, the manufacturer’s COOL-FIT 2.0 collection offers the speed and versatility of a three-in-one system for the circulation of chilled water or other low temperature liquids.

In fact the COOL-FIT 2.0 pipe, insulation and jacket combination can carry saline, glycol or alcohol – as alternatives to pure water – at temperatures down to freezing point.

Furthermore, this adaptability is matched by excellent energy conservation characteristics, as well as ease of installation and total corrosion resistance: delivering ultimate reliability as customers worldwide have come to expect from GF Piping Systems.

Pipes range from 32-140 mm in diameter and are tested to 16 bar, while the installed

weight is as little as one sixth of that of metal alternatives. The benefits extend from 25% higher energy efficiency and 50% faster fitting to excellent chemical & UV resistance and reduced maintenance implications.

At the core of the offer is a carrier pipe formed from industrial grade polyethylene (PE) to provide strength at low temperatures. All components are factory insulated with closed cell, GF’s High Efficiency (GFHE) insulation offering a thermal conductivity of 0.022 W/ mK; while the outer sheathing is of black high density polyethylene (HDPE) or stainless steel.

The comprehensive range of accessories includes Tees, Elbows, Sockets, Connection Hoses, Adaptors, Reducers and other transition fittings, while there is also a wide selection of insulated valves.

Ideal for domestic refurbishment and projects requiring a contemporary twist, the Elements Options range is easy to fit, while maintaining a high-end look and feel. The products are available in white oak and are supplied with gun-metal connectors and fittings making them ideal for a wide range of applications.

The Elements Options range enables contractors to provide something visually impressive, with minimum mess and disruption to the household. The pre-drilled handrail and baserail systems come with precut spindles, which means the balustrades can be installed in less than a day, making stair parts a quick win for trade professionals.

Richard Burbidge has launched Elements Options, a new range of contemporary stairparts that include, glass, wrought iron, chrome and brushed nickel spindle in fills.

Chancellor’s home building fund gets cautious welcome

Chancellor Philip Hammond and Communities Secretary Sajid Javid have detailed measures aimed at getting 40,000 extra new homes built by 2020.

The government will borrow £2 billion to support an “accelerated construction” scheme, which aims to get houses built on publiclyowned brownfield land available for swift development. This is aimed at encouraging new developers to build up to 15,000 homes in this parliament.

There will also be a £3 billion home building fund to provide loans to stimulate projects, the fund will release £1 billion of short term loans for small builders, custom builders and

innovative developers to deliver 25,000 homes by 2020, while a further £2 billion of long term funding for infrastructure will be aimed at delivering up to 200,000 homes.

Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation, said: “The industry has increased housing supply significantly in recent years but innovative thinking is required if we are to deliver the number of homes the country needs. Moves to speed up how quickly builders can get onto sites, to bring more land forward more quickly and to incentivise new entrants will undoubtedly help increase output further.”

The creation of a dedicated fund aimed at lending to SME house builders will help to tackle the

housing crisis, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said following the announcement at the Conservative Party Conference.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “We welcome the Government’s renewed focus on house building and its recognition that without a resurgent SME sector, there’s little prospect of the country tackling its chronic under-supply of new homes.

“The launch of a £3 billion Home Builders Fund, a significant part of which will be specifically targeted at supporting small scale developers, will tackle one of the key barriers to SME house builders – a lack of access to finance.”

First-class views at split level home Partnership to recycle and reuse unwanted glass

Accoya, the world-leading modified wood manufactured by Accsys Technologies, has been used to construct windows and doors for a specially designed split level home located in Hastings.

Designed by London-based architecture firm Alma-nac, the property, which is called the Split House, replaces a 1950’s bungalow and run-down barn in the village of Fairlight, on the southern coast of England.

The architects specified Accoya to construct the external windows, window reveals and doors for the stylish property.

Thirty-eight Accoya fixed and opening windows were installed, as well as 22 glazed door leafs. The doors and windows will require little maintenance over their lifetime due to the process in which the wood is made. The acetylation process, which is used to toughen the wood, delivers outstanding levels of performance, stability and durability.

Saint-Gobain in Scotland is working in partnership with CMS Window Systems in a closed-loop collaboration to recycle and reuse unwanted glass.

Through the partnership, unwanted glass is either recycled and made into new glazing units or is used as an alternative to raw materials, such as sand and limestone.

The recycling process begins with old windows extracted on site by CMS, being returned to one of its two dedicated recycling pants where the glass is separated from the frames. The cullet is then transported to Saint-Gobain’s glass production facility in Eggborough, where it is processed.

Most glass can be reused and can be transformed into new double- and tripleglazing units, which are then returned to CMS for incorporation into new PVCu frames. Glass waste that cannot be repurposed in this way is turned into vital raw material, reducing the need for virgin sand and limestone.

So efficient, specifying this in a new home can reduce the cost of building it!

The new Home range of boilers from Vaillant are designed and built exclusively for the new build market. Its high SAP performance means you can actually reduce costs elsewhere on your build - and hit your DER targets!

Don’t take our word for it, ask your SAP assessor to check the PCDB numbers. They’ll confirm that Home is the perfect boiler to specify for the homes you’re building.

To find out more about the Vaillant Home range of boilers, visit www.vaillant.co.uk/home

The good feeling of doing the right thing.

vaillantuk

vaillantuk

vaillantuk

Hot water Heating

Renewables

Because

thinks ahead

Figures based on 3 bed detached house of 104m2, with a Home combi 30 installed and are for information only, other calculations may vary.

LEGAL SITE HOARDINGS, SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?

Timber hoardings are one of the most commonly used products on building sites throughout the world, but how can you be sure that you are meeting your commitments to only using legal timber? Put simply, using a supplier that can trace the source of its wood products right back to the plot of land can avoid a lot of potential pitfalls, but transparency throughout the process is also a major factor.

Since 2000 the Timber Procurement Policy has made it a requirement for any publicly funded projects to use only legally-sourced timber. The Building Research Establishment (BRE) also put responsible sourcing of timber at the top of its agenda in the development of BREEAM, making it a mandatory element within any BREEAM assessment.

This requirement relates to all materials used during the process of construction, not just to those used in the building structure – and one area that is all too often overlooked is the mile upon mile of hoarding that is hammered into place each year to secure the UK’s building sites. Just how can anyone be certain that the timber used is from legal and sustainable sources?

The European Union Timber Regulations (EUTR) introduced in 2013 were supposed to solve this issue once and for all by establishing a clear certification and chain of custody regime to eliminate illegally-sourced timber from the supply chain. However, in the plywood products typically used for site hoardings there is disturbing evidence that this supposedly water-tight system is failing.

Research by Chatham House – the Royal Institute of international Affairs – found the UK imported 940,000 cubic metres of illegal timber in the year when EUTR became mandatory.

The EUTR rules specify that any business which places timber products on the market must have robust due diligence systems in place to remove the risk of illegally harvested wood finding its way into the supply chain.

Thousands of tonnes of imported wood are converted into building site hoardings annually, and an inquiry for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) found that 14 out of 16 UK suppliers’ procedures fell short of the required standard of transparent source accountability.

The investigation was launched after intelligence was received about the use of illegally sourced tropical timbers in wood products from China… goods which can then find their way into the plywood hoardings round the perimeters of UK building sites.

Test purchases of wooden site hoardings were subjected to microscopic analysis to determine their composition. Of 13 panels tested, nine did not match the declaration

from the supply company about the tree species claimed to have been used, revealed a report prepared recently by the National Measurement Office. Inadvertently, local authorities could find themselves in breach of the EUTR regulations because of a lack of transparency in the supply chain.

In the UK, operators found guilty of placing illegal timber or illegal timber products on the market risk up to two years’ imprisonment, but the reputational implications are just as serious for specifiers and contractors.

Growing concern about the effect of illegal logging on forests in the Amazon Basin, Africa and South East Asia is forcing the issue of responsible sourcing higher up the agenda and a series of actions have been taken in recent months against UK importers for using illegally sourced timber from Africa. This is one reason why OSB presents an attractive

alternative as it can be manufactured from local wood sources, with a completely transparent supply chain.

SITEPROTECT OSB panels from MEDITE SMARTPLY are a good example of this type of product. The coated OSB panels are certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) as coming from transparent and legally guaranteed sources. In this instance the wood used in the panels’ manufacture comes from the company’s own replenishable, fastgrowing forests in the Republic of Ireland. These operate as models of sustainable and socially responsible forestry management, in contrast to the unchecked, untracked ancestry of many Far East imports whose transportation alone to the UK racks up a considerable CO2 emissions load.

Both SITEPROTECT and the double-sided SITEPROTECT PLUS panels have fully documented and certified origins to EUTR standards, and are produced pre-primed with heavy duty polymer, making them immediately paintable in corporate colours, suitable for long-term site security, and having the environmental bonus of being reusable.

Sustainable sites start with sustainable site hoarding.

From the ground up. Make sure your project is fully sustainable starting with your site hoarding. SITEPROTECT has full FSC® certification, grown and manufactured in Ireland. To feel just how smooth our pre-primed board is, order a FREE sample www.smartply.com/siteprotect

NEW-BUILD HOME IS FIRST TO USE CUTTINGEDGE ECODAN QUHZ

A new-build home in Leicestershire is demonstrating how anyone can achieve a highly efficient property that provides a warm, comfortable environment, using existing technologies and readily available building techniques.

The spacious 3-bedroom, detached home has been built by Keyplan Developments Ltd to exceed current UK building standards, paying particular attention to high levels of insulation and air tightness.

With the space heating energy requirement being lower than the hot water energy requirement, any heating system installed has to be able to cope with hot water production as the dominant load.

This is where the new Ecodan QUHZ 4kW air source heat pump is playing such an important role as it has been specifically designed with new-build standards of insulation and lower heating loads in mind.

Mechanical heat recovery ventilation and PV systems are also installed, giving this 180m2 property a peak heat loss of just 3.8kW. The family sized home has 2 bathrooms and an en-suite meaning the hot water demand on certain occasions can be high.

“One aspect of using the techniques employed in this house is that it needs far less heating than a traditional British home and this places a different requirement on the heating system,” explains Jon and Maureen Fox, the homeowners.

“When we were approached by Mitsubishi Electric to trial their innovative Ecodan QUHZ, we were delighted to work with them to deliver a system which achieves exceptional energy efficiency”, adds Jon Fox. “We time clock the hot water to come on at intervals to meet our needs. The heat pump runs at night and we are very impressed with how quiet it is”.

The Ecodan QUHZ unit is MCS-Approved and straightforward to install, delivering water at 70°C to a packaged 200 litre thermal store. From this thermal store, mains water is heated directly up to 65°C via Mitsubishi Electric’s plate heat exchanger, meaning the Fox family receives hot water whenever they need it.

The system uses CO2 as a refrigerant and ensures a large delta T between the flow and return temperatures to and from the outdoor unit.

This delivers the high levels of efficiency that enable the Ecodan QUHZ to meet the high hot water, low heating requirements of the property.

The heating system was designed and fitted by TSG Building Services, who are an accredited Ecodan installer. Mr and Mrs Fox also asked TSG to install an MVHR air circulation system and solar PV panels to help maximise the eco-house’s heating efficiency and minimise running costs.

Under floor heating throughout the ground floor gives a comfortable, gentle background heat. Traditional radiators provide heating to the bedrooms.

The Ecodan QUHZ heat pump connects directly to the heating circuit and targets the appropriate flow temperature for the ambient condition. This operation maximises system efficiency whilst still providing a comfortable environment.

“The ground floor is lovely and warm when get up in the morning and we’ve hardly needed the heating on upstairs as the ecohouse retains such a lot of heat”, explains Mrs Fox.

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 renewable heating includes automatic in-built in energy monitoring, using Mitsubishi Electric’s MELCloud, internet-based system, which allows for full control and monitoring from anywhere in the world.

Mitsubishi Etectric - Enquiry 8

GLASS BOX ROOFLIGHTS INSTALLED IN HIGH SPEC RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

Glazing Vision’s one wall box rooflights were incorporated in Taylor Wimpey’s prestigious, high specification residential development at St Dunstan’s House, Fetter Lane in the City of London.

Taylor Wimpey enlisted the specialist services of HLM Architects to address a number of unique challenges to the development of this site.

HLM’s specialist Development Team, in close collaboration with Kings College’s own working group, revised a previously acquired planning consent to significantly improve the efficiency of the site, and also positively enhance the surrounding environs.

Key to unlocking this vital roof top space, whilst simultaneously respecting the roofline in this conservation area, was HLM’s specification of Glazing Vision’s innovative box rooflights. Essentially a free-standing “glass box” these roof lights provided both technical as well as aesthetic benefits for the architects.

In addition to four standard freestanding box rooflights, Glazing Vision were able to precision-engineer two bespoke sized one-wall box rooflights to meet the unique requirements

of the re-worked layout. For the contractor these box roof lights, pre-assembled in-house, offered easy installation as they were delivered to site as finished boxes.

The physical structure and the specification of the glazing negated the need for additional balustrading, thereby facilitating the full use of the terraced area.

A critical consideration for HLM architects, in specifying the Glazing Vision box rooflights, was to optimize the headroom whilst complying with building regulations. The resident, at the simple push of a button, can climb the stairs whilst the rooflight is retracting into its open position, without needing to “bow” his head, and can walk straight out onto the terrace.

To view Glazing Vision’s new box rooflight range, visit glazingvision.co.uk/access

Vision - Enquiry 9

Glazing

ROOFLINE AND RAINWATER SYSTEMS; CRUCIAL ELEMENTS IN HOUSING CONSTRUCTION

A well designed and executed Swish BP Roofline composition complements this intricate gable treatment perfectly.

On average, this country receives almost 900mm [36 inches] of rain each year with some areas of Cumbria and North Wales experiencing as much as four times this amount.

How we capture, manage and dispose of surface water from a building’s roof and, at the same time stop it getting into those vulnerable areas around the eaves today, tomorrow and in 30 years’ time, is possibly one of the most important and neglected considerations of house design in the UK.

Every millimetre of rain falling on a roof has to be channelled and disposed of to prevent moisture ingress to the supporting structure. So the system of guttering, down pipes and the supporting fascia assembly needs careful planning to be effective.

So here are the main considerations in our self-help guide to specifying roofline and guttering products.

of my dining table - but I wouldn’t trust it to survive more than a decade as a soft wood fascia board. Especially if I didn’t get around to painting it at least once every three years.

Cellular PVC is probably the most cost effective material for the roofline because it costs roughly the same as timber to install, requires no maintenance and so suits the exposed and inaccessible location at the eaves. Most importantly, especially from any landlord’s point of view, when it is installed correctly it will probably last the lifetime of the dwelling.

What are the technical considerations?

Generally speaking, down pipes have significantly more capacity than gutter units

FIRST THINGS FIRST Roofline – The awful truth – timber is a lovely material but it doesn’t cut it in the long term as a roofline material. I like wood, especially in the form of the high quality, tactile material

The roofline is a tricky area where two expanses of quite different materials meet; the roof tiles and the brick wall. Each does its job well but neither is satisfactory for covering the point of union.

Importantly that point has to be defended against water and wind ingress whilst allowing proper ventilation of the roof void to take place.

David Osborne, Technical Services Manager for Swish Building Products takes a look at roofline products - crucial elements in the fabric of a building and ones which, if not designed, selected and installed correctly, can seriously affect their long term structural viability.

So why ventilate the roof void at all – why not seal it all up and be done? The answer is rot.

Every day you and I generate a lot of hot air which is full of water vapour. Baths, kettles, saucepans, boilers, washing machines and even breathing sets off clouds of the stuff. And, as we all know, hot air rises. In addition moisture occurs naturally in the air outside the home and a lot of this wet air finds its way into the roof void.

Now consider that the average attic is a cold uninviting place that encourages moisture to condense on its vulnerable timber surfaces and you have the perfect micro-world in which mould and rot can take hold if the moisture is not kept moving.

PVC roofline systems, the broad, industry term to describe fascias, soffits, bargeboards and all the associated ventilation components, are rather good at the double trick of protecting the eaves while fully venting them.

The preferred method these days is to use a continuous venting unit that sits on top of the fascia board and supports the roofing felt and the lower row of tiles. This method does away with slots or ugly vent discs set into the soffit board.

PVC roofline systems are also good at providing both visual and physical support for the other essential components in rainwater management – guttering and downpipe systems.

DESIGN AND INSTALLATION

To work out what our gutter system has to cope with we’ve got to calculate the quantity of rainwater that might run off the roof. We do this by deciding [a] The rainfall intensity that the system must cope with [litres per hour per m2]. [b] Then calculating the roof area to be drained. [effective roof area m2]. Once that’s done we must choose a gutter system with sufficient flow capacity (litres per second) and finally decide on the system layout including the fall of the gutter and the

Always select a gutter system with sufficient flow capacity.

number and position of outlets required to maximise the flow.

BS 12056:2000 sets out the method for calculating roof drainage. It gives likely rainfall intensities across the UK, which may be experienced as unusual events once every 1, 5, 50 and 500 years, for a duration of two minutes or more. The standard says that domestic gutter systems should be designed for a storm event that is likely to occur once a year with an intensity of 75mm per hour per m2 or a flow rate of 0.021 litres per second. However anecdotal evidence tells us that parts of the country are now experiencing much more intense “50 year plus” events every few years.

The area of roof that drains into any one gutter (effective roof area : m2) can be calculated in two ways. Looking at the roof diagram and pitch factor table, we can either use (H/2) + WxL or LxWxPitch Factor, whichever takes your fancy. The area of roof to be drained should now be compared with the maximum area that the manufacturer claims a given gutter type is able to drain.

If the figure for the chosen gutter is too low the designer has a number of options: firstly to increase the fall of the gutter. With a longer gutter, this has its limitations, as water coming off the tiles is more likely to overshoot a tilted gutter at the lower end.

This may not even be an option where a shallow fascia is fitted. In addition once the length of a gutter section exceeds 50 times the height of water that it can realistically hold, the flow efficiency starts to decline.

Alternatively the outlet point can be moved to a central position. Generally speaking, down pipes have significantly more capacity than gutter units and a centrally placed outlet in most gutter runs will increase the gutter’s drainage capacity.

The down side is that underground drain points are unlikely to be available directly below

gutter outlet positions that are chosen late in the design process, eg after the footings have gone in; and running a drain pipe diagonally across a facade is not a pleasing option.

A CASE FOR OVER ENGINEERING?

Finally the designer can select a system with a higher capacity. As I’ve suggested earlier, maybe we should think seriously about “over specing” guttering in the future as previously infrequent events increasingly become the norm.

I have heard it said that once the heavens really open no one cares if the gutter copes or not because we will all be inside. True enough for us, but at the eaves there may be damage occurring because of a poorly specified gutter that we can’t see. What is for certain is the effort we put into roofline and guttering specification shouldn’t be wasted for lack of an appreciation of the challenges posed at the eaves

Swish Building Products - Enquiry 11

David Osborne is Technical Services Manager for Swish Building Products.

Clean lines and elegant functionality of Swish Superdeep 170. Castillion Primary School, London.

The Innovations Park

For readers who have never visited, the Building Research Establishment’s Innovation Park at Watford (and the one in Scotland) is home to some of the world’s most sustainable homes, buildings and landscape designs and a host of innovative low carbon products, materials and technologies.

It was created by BRE in 2005 to enable developers, architects, engineers and manufacturers to trial and test out their pioneering ideas and innovations before applying them in the real world. Its

mission has been to push the boundaries of current knowledge and practice, to educate stakeholders and ultimately catalyse positive change across the built environment.

For example, earlier this year RIBA award winning zero carbon design and development pioneers ZEDfactory* unveiled their innovative response to the housing crisis - the Zero Bills Home. This aims to make home energy bills obsolete, with a clever design that minimises energy requirements met by a roof-integrated PV and energy storage system which can also generate enough power

to service a small electric vehicle. It comprises a steel frame with timber wall panels and is one of several important developments that can be seen at the Park.

Future trends Two for children

One new innovation which will get children (and adults) interested is a way to get creative with your wall. Acting as a giant work board, 3mm thick Thistle Magnetic Plaster from British Gypsum can transform both new or existing walls, decorated with standard emulsion paint giving freedom for home displays, at work, for the kitchen but probably more useful for creating an fun activity and interactive activity for children.

And while of the subject of walls, at least the exterior side, another innovative development

Colour and design

One of the highlights of last month’s Surfaces & Materials Show was the Material Lab Hub, inviting visitors to become immersed in visual and tactile surfacing trends, including seminars and live making events. Here leading manufacturers unveiled their latest creations, alongside new and emerging talented innovators. A good example of continuous innovation are Jesmonite®

is the facility to build bird brick houses. It a way of providing permanent nesting sites and wildlife enclosures as an integral part of a house.

A brick matching service gives the nesting box a perfect match to the host wall, not disrupting the brick pattern of the host wall and blending seamlessly – until you see a bird or bat fly in or out! Importantly, no brick cutting is required on site, making installation a remarkably efficient process for the builder.

Self-healing concrete. This is an exciting trend. It is widely accepted that the designlife of concrete structures is reduced by the development of micro-cracks, which allow the ingress of water, carbon dioxide and chlorine ions into the structure. This causes carbonation, sulphate-related degradation of the concrete and corrosion of the reinforcement.

A new generation of materials and structures will address concrete damage at various length and timescales, and will continually monitor, regulate, adapt and repair themselves without the need for external intervention. In this way, these self-healing materials and intelligent structures will enhance durability and serviceability, improve safety and reduce maintenance costs.

composite materials, combining reactive mineral base with pure water based on acrylic resins. This has to be the ultimate chameleon material of the building industry, used to replicate the appearance and texture of any surface finish in any number of colours.

Dulux Trade has also unveiled new approaches to living and working environments with the launch of key colour trends for 2017 including ‘Denim Drift’ announced as the ‘Colour of the Year.’ Their international design and colour visionaries have been scouring the globe for the latest social and trend developments to help them lead the way in colour innovation.

Wood glass. Another trend may radically affect glass because very soon windows (and much more) could be made from transparent, renewable wood. This is because a team of engineers at the University of Maryland has developed a patented process to turn wood translucent, making it more durable and giving it enhanced strength.

Photovoltaic glass. Even more remarkable is Photovoltaic glass (PV glass), a technology that enables the conversion of light into power. It’s based on two cells sandwiched between two sheets of glass, not perfectly transparent but still allowing some of the available light through. Consequently, buildings that use a large amount of photovoltaic glass will be able to produce their own electricity through the windows.

Christopher Sykes presents his regular focus on innovations which caught his eye and encourages readers to visit perhaps the world’s most innovative source of ideas

PRODUCTS IN PRACTICE

THE RURAL SOLUTION

This multi award-winning project is located on a 9.5 hectare farm in Buckinghamshire. The clients’ brief was to create a dwelling that functioned as a practical farmhouse that would be private. It was designed by IPT Architects with project manager/ contractor Ecospace. The house is built using a combination of modern methods of construction with highly efficient structurally insulated panels together with traditional building methods for cladding and finishes.

Upon approach, the initial view is a subtle and unassuming black elevation punctuated with a warmer lighter timber recess framing the solid main entrance door. Simple in scale and plan form, the building sits seamlessly within its landscape. Upon entering, the farmhouse then opens out to the richness provided by the framed views and hills beyond, given how important the landscape is to the owners as a working environment.

In response to the agricultural buildings on site the house is clad with dark vertical timber sections which gradually slope up beyond the roofline in a ‘hit and miss’ arrangement assisting to mediate between land and sky. This creates also a balustrade for the roof from which to view farm activities. The internal timber floor bleeds out framing the recessed sliding windows and covered terrace space. This covered space is also used as a general farm working entrance and is partly clad using the hit and miss cladding

as a weather buffer within this very exposed location.

In terms of sustainability, the use of modern methods of construction significantly reduces time on site and waste whilst improving the airtightness (2.1) of the building. The dwelling is heated using air source heat pump together with a log burning stove. This project was a successful response to the challenging brief, built on time and budget and this has created a quality living environment that is sympathetic to its immediate and wider context.

BARRETTS GROVE

Barretts Grove is an archetypal Victorian street of two storey brick terraced houses later interrupted by detached apartment buildings, a tall red gabled London County Council school and rubble walled church. The new addition sits amongst these later stand alone structures. It was designed by Amin Taha Architects.

Outside

If the overall building form is intended to help complete the parade, it and its detailing is also architectonically driven by a choice of superstructure suited to residential use then developed to a smaller domestic and tactile scale. The tall red brick gable facing the street echoes those of the school and is formed in plan by a one bedroom apartment with a second smaller block engaged at the rear to create the second two bedroom plan. The

double stacked and open bond of brickwork states the envelope is not load-bearing (of superstructure) but a screen enveloping the whole building including the roof. That is set out with an unbroken grid of large window and door openings to maintain the strength of form despite its slenderness. Wicker woven steel balconies are hung from every other aperture softening that material palette. These are large enough for dining and are alternated to allow neighbours the opportunity to develop the limited social space above and below them when communal gardens are not available.

Architect Christopher Sykes is fascinated by his research to unearth some recent projects which not only are innovative in design but innovative in the materials and products used to create some of the best single building and multi-unit residential projects.

Photo credit Andy Spain

Photo credit Andy Spain

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For similar reasons the front door is an extruded version of the bronzed window reveals, becoming a port-cochere with a bench made of the same Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) as the superstructure inviting use when meeting neighbours as well as being convenient to rest yourself and grocery bags while fumbling for keys.

Inside

On entering it is apparent the exposed CLT acts as the superstructure for all walls, floors and the roof with visible construction joints expressing the method of assembly. Insulation with vapour barrier and protecting sheeting are applied to the outside face before a self-supporting brick rain-screen completes the exterior thermal and protective overcoat. Ceilings are also left exposed with the use of a fire retardant clear varnish and acoustic performance achieved using resilient boards, insulation and a floating timber floor above; these also accommodate the underfloor heating, power, data and hot/ cold water services. The ability of the CLT to serve as structure and finish removed the need for plasterboarded walls, suspended ceilings, cornices, skirtings, tiling and paint; reducing by 15% the embodied carbon of the building, its construction cost and time on site. Timber also has inherently more robust and is perhaps a better and warmer domestic aesthetic. Window seats, timber cabinetry and full height doors some with leather handles, others with bespoke and articulated metal locks continue the sense of home.

The project required a comprehensive understanding of the different materials involved and their structural properties as well as careful detailing because many of the loadbearing elements are exposed. The concrete basement provides a solid foundation for the building and supports the change in level across the site. The ground floor thickness was kept to a minimum by using the internal masonry walls as loadbearing structure and its soffit left exposed. The superstructure is six storeys of loadbearing CLT panels, spanning up to 6.0m with various voids for the stair and services. The roof is also solid CLT panels, carefully balanced against each other to form the open loft space. Cladding all of this is a staggered masonry façade that is decoupled from the rest of the building to allow it to expand and contract separately. Each of these materials serves a different purpose; acting and moving in their own way but with careful detailing, together they form the seamless combination of structural form and architectural vision.

THE 5TH CATEGORY

An entirely new housing concept from Berkeley, the Urban House is designed for modern living in the form of a three or four bedroom home which is adaptable in line with changing lifestyles. It is a fifth category of home – distinct from the detached, semidetached, terraced or apartment properties we currently know.

Kidbrooke Village is one of London’s most significant new housing-led developments – a £1 billion regeneration project transforming the area into London’s newest neighbourhood south of the river. To date, over 1,000 new homes have been delivered (both affordable and private) alongside a new park, interim village centre, village squares and retail space. Residents benefit from living in a safe and sustainable modern community in the Royal

Suppliers

Metalwork Ecore; Beamish Blend brick Ibstock; Rubber wall linings Tarkett; Window frames Velac

Borough of Greenwich, one of London’s most desirable locations.

The unique design of Berkeley’s Urban House is a response to the urgent need for high quality housing built at a density that can sustain communities while accommodating our growing population. This is the first time a major developer has designed and delivered its own housing typology.

The back-to-back design enables twice as many homes to be built compared to traditional terraced housing, maximising land use without the need for tall buildings while still retaining privacy for its residents and maintaining a typical street appearance. A large proportion of the building’s footprint is given to exterior space. Rather than a back garden, each Urban House features a private roof garden – maximising the living area of the property and offering a safe space for outdoor living and play. The front garden has space for a car (with the provision for an electric car charging point) or can act as an extra space for play, while bike and bin storage is also integrated into the design.

With ever-changing and increasing demands on the construction process to meet environmental criteria, the design of the house can be adapted to the latest construction and building methodology. Flexibility has been incorporated into the design, allowing a volumetric system to be used - Fully fitted, site-ready house components; Made in factory conditions and customised to the user’s needs; Allows faster build times and reduces costs; Modular, pod or panelled framed systems can

Photo credit Tim Soar

Photo credit Tim Soar

also be used, as can traditional construction methods (which may be more appropriate in smaller schemes)

The Urban House provides the flexibility of design needed for modern lifestyles and is fully compliant with Lifetime Homes criteria. It is capable of simple adaptations which can accommodate changes in occupants’ mobility, family size and housing needs over the years. to provide a mix of private and affordable housing of different tenures.

Beneficial components Incorporated into the design are: Energy efficiency measures which achieve a 19% reduction in carbon emissions (compared with a standard new home); Modern methods of construction which minimise energy, waste and noise; Water saving measures targeting a reduction in water usage of up to 30 per cent; A potential gas saving of 83% in comparison to a three-bedroom, 1930s semi-detached

house; High levels of insulation and high performance windows; 100% of internal light fittings are energy efficient; Mechanical extract heat recovery and a more energy efficient building fabric; Landscaping designed to promote biodiversity. Homes are designed so that solar thermal panels, PV panels, flue gas heat recovery and waste water heat recovery systems can all also be incorporated.

THE RIVER WALK 1

This is Riverwalk, a residential development on the River Thames designed by architects Stanton Williams.after winning a competition. The development was taken over by Ronson Capital Partners (in association with Derwent London).

The architectural concept takes its inspiration from the sinuous curves of the river as it winds past, opening up the residential apartments to panoramic river views. It provides 116 apartments from one to four bedrooms and penthouses with a focus on light and space. spread across two organically shaped buildings.

The building is formed of ’strata’: curved horizontal bands of limestone at each floor level that alternate with bronze coloured metal and glass bands to form windows and balconies. Set backs on the upper floors allow penthouses to enjoy larger terraces while giving architectural definition to the building roofscape.

The height and massing of the buildings are largely determined by the various constraints imposed by metropolitan and local views, sunlight and daylight to neighbouring

properties. By articulating the building mass into two blocks above the ground floor podium, a visual and spatial link is made between the river and Ponsonby Terrace. The lower form, with its cascading terraces, relates to the Riverside Walk Gardens and mediates between the taller block and the public green space.

The design includes an important investment in the public realm. Riverside Walk Gardens is one of a sequence of public green spaces located along this side of the River. The project contributes to this local network of public spaces. The walkway along the river is widened with improved landscaping and specially commissioned public art. Below ground, the incorporation of car and cycle parking, building plant and technical services in a double basement area allows the purity of the building’s architecture to be fully expressed.

Extensive planting on roofs, balconies and terraces, most significantly on the first floor podium terrace where there is a landscaped garden, contributes to a substantial improvement in the green footprint and biodiversity of the site.

THE RIVER WALK 2

Leonard Design Architects is bringing an international and interesting technological approach to Gainsborough with a project that will see 14 new townhouses on the River Trent in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.

Urban House development

River Walk

The proposed townhouses will be 1-3 storeys high with 3-4 bedrooms and are designed with an open plan living space that leads out to a terrace that overlooks the River Trent. The houses have planning permission but are yet to the built.

John Morgan, director at Leonard Design Architects, said, ‘This is a unique project as it is situated on a difficult brownfield site. However, the constraints of the location also offer something different because the houses will be right on the river. We wanted to make the most of the spectacular views so we raised the buildings up a level.

‘Due to the location there will be rods in the riverbank in order to strengthen it up and reduce the risk of flooding. Being under the building, these will need to be tightened from time to time which means access underneath is vital. Consequently, we are looking at an

offsite modular building solution which will be much lighter in construction but still achieve the riverside/street side relationship we want. Therefore, there will be access from the street and through a small garden into a hallway and then on to a garage, accessed on the river side and below the back garden terrace. With this project we also wanted to create a balance of internal/external living. We therefore used floor to ceiling glazing and windows that fold back, a feature that is unusual for the UK.’

The project is part of the wider regeneration plan for Gainsborough which follows an £18 million cash injection. It has also been identified as one of 20 areas outside of London that will receive support for accelerated housing growth from the Homes and Community Agency.

John adds: ‘Our European experience being applied locally is at the forefront of all our designs and the Gainsborough project is no exception.

THE EXTENSION WINNER

This single storey extension for a house in Billericay Essex recently won building magazine recognition. It was designed by Spatial Design Architects for a private client from conception through to completion, coordinating all consultants and being a team leader for their large extension and ground floor interior overhaul.

The client wished for a contrast in architecture against the traditional brick façade, wanting to remove their former conservatory and build a functional space that allowed them to connect to the garden with ease.

The challenge was opening up the existing house with large span steelwork to create the ‘picture frame’ structures. Consequentially, Spatial Design Architects designed two connecting pods with seamless interiors, comprising a separate framed formal dining room and another large framed kitchen, dining and family room.

Together with the fine detailing of the extension, this house has certainly become a space that has defined ‘blurring the boundaries’ between the internal and external spaces.

Suppliers

VM Zinc: Colour Quartz roof by Bridgehill roofing specialists.

Glass roof lights : Sun square

Aluminium Sliding doors : Altex UK Ltd

Western Red Cedar Boarding: (to the feature reveals and soffit)

Kitchen: West End Interiors

Glass sliding doors: Eclisse

Fire: Doran, Harrie Leenders

With the current regeneration of the town underway, the proposed townhouses perfectly reflect the desire to attract more professional couples and families.’

Gainsborough development

The Extension Winner

SIKA HAS SOLUTION TO ENSURE LONG-TERM STANDING OF UK’S AGEING HOUSING STOCK

The deterioration of reinforced concrete buildings is becoming more of an issue as the 21st century nears its third decade. The problem is more acute in UK towns and cities where long-term, high-level emissions have led to cracking and spalling in older concrete buildings.

It’s an issue particularly prevalent in social housing developments which sprung-up in the 1950s and 60s. These “communities in the sky” were seen as a practical, cost-effective solution to Britain’s post-war population boom. With no end to the country’s current housing crisis in sight, the need to protect and restore aged buildings, especially in the social housing sector, has perhaps never been greater. Stuart Whitmore, Area Sales Manager – Sika Refurbishment, provides an illuminating example of how contractors, furnished with a quality concrete repair system, are helping replenish the nation’s domestic fortresses.

It remains to be seen whether the Government can make good its pledge to build one million UK homes by 2020, and whilst it’s imperative the building industry continues to create affordable, sustainable homes of the future, there is much to recommend maintaining the nation’s existing domestic infrastructure. England and Wales have more than four million social housing homes of all shapes and sizes. A good many of these affordable dwellings are located within tall, reinforced concrete towers, which, aesthetically at least,

belong to a bygone era, yet remain as vital to the community’s needs as they did when first built half a century ago.

RESIDENTS AT RISK

Heathgate Estate near Norwich city centre is a fine example of how ageing housing stock can be rescued from damage caused by long-term exposure to an emission-fuelled environment. Its most recent refurbishment focused on two residential blocks of approximately 70 units, comprising a mix of social and private properties.

Spalled concrete had occurred throughout the 50-year-old buildings, with steel reinforcement exposed in many areas. With the health and safety of the occupants at risk, the buildings’ owners, Norwich City Council, required a proven concrete repair and protection system with long-term corrosion control measures to extend the structures service life. Sika offered the total solution.

Specified by main contractors, JB Specialist Refurbishments, the Sika MonoTop repair mortar system is renowned for its simple application, as well as offering superb durability and reinforcement for a range of cementitious and steel applications. A full structural report carried out by engineering firm, Conisbee, outlined the required refurbishment at Heathgate. It revealed large areas of the buildings were in a poor state of disrepair due to corrosion initiated by carbonated concrete.

PEACE OF MIND SOLUTION

During initial repairs, which started in February 2016, the buildings’ external coatings were removed in the delaminating areas. Where the coating was found to be well-adhering after adhesion and compatibility tests, these areas remained. Hammer test surveys were also undertaken to ascertain the extent of both visual and non-visual defects, and the subsequent repair areas were broken out in preparation for reinstatement.

The exposed repair area surfaces were applied with Sika® Monotop®-610, a highperformance, one-component, cementitious polymer-modified primer.

Sika® Monotop®-610 simply required mixing with water to provide a superb, reinforcement corrosion protection and bonding primer in preparation for concrete repairs using Sika® Monotop®-615. This concrete repair mortar –which also requires nothing more than simple water mixture for preparation – is the perfect reinforcement mortar for delaminated, weak, damaged and deteriorated concrete.

To address the carbonation-induced corrosion within the concrete which hadn’t propagated cracking or delamination, Sika® Margel VPI 580, a patented vapour-phase corrosion inhibitor and part of Sika’s Total Corrosion Management portfolio, was also installed to all concrete elements. The product provides a well-bonded layer of corrosion inhibitor through vapour release within and through the matrix of the concrete to provide protection to the surrounding steel reinforcement, by controlling corrosion from exposure to chlorides, water and oxygen.

Sikagard®-550 W Elastic, a one component plasto-elastic anti-carbonation coating

system provided the final application over the existing sound and well adhered coating. Sikagard®-550 W Elastic is solvent-free, and even at low temperatures, offers superb crackbridging properties in concrete structures.

Alan Burd, Quantity Surveyor at JB Specialists, said: “The failing concrete sections throughout the building required a reliable, robust system which offered easy application and long-term protection for the building. Sika MonoTop is a quality system with a well-established and prove track record. It’s compatible with Sika’s anticarbonation – and anti-corrosion – systems, so it provides everything required for successful large-scale concrete refurbishment project.”

The 26-week refurbishment programme – during which strict health and safety guidelines were enforced as the buildings were occupied whilst repairs were carried out – was completed successfully and to the client’s full satisfaction. Sika’s high-performance concrete repair system, which carries a 10-year guarantee, has provided peace of mind for residents as well as eliminating the long-term risk of costly maintenance works on behalf of Norwich City Council.

The Heathgate project proves, although some of the UK’s concrete-bound housing is showing

its age, the application of a proven solution should allow these buildings to continue to serve purpose long into the 21st century.

Sika

- Enquiry 17

To make an equiry - Go online: www.enquire2.com Send a fax: 01952 234003 or post our free Reader

SMOKE VENTILATION MAINTENANCE – THE HOT ISSUE FOR HA s AND LA s

By Simon North – Service and Maintenance Division Manager with SE Controls

Ongoing budgetary pressures and a lack of familiarity by local authorities and housing associations about the strict regulations that govern the maintenance of smoke ventilation systems, has given rise to a worrying trend that will leave them exposed to prosecution for noncompliance unless it is addressed.

In an effort to integrate fire systems maintenance and save money in the process, many HAs and LAs are ‘bundling’ smoke ventilation maintenance into a multi-disciplined ‘fire service’ contract, where the contractor is responsible for all fire and smoke system maintenance, often across several locations and building types.

However, under the scope of various British Standards, including BS9991, BS9999 and BS7346 Part 8, together with Building Regulations ADB; the European EN12101 standard and best practice guidance documents from the Smoke Control Association, there are specific maintenance requirements and procedures that must

complex and vital legislative framework is the Regulatory Reform Order (RRO). This gives fire service officers an extensive range of enforcement powers in situations where smoke control systems have been inadequately maintained under the demands of the various pieces of legislation. The penalties for non-compliance can be significant, including the prosecution of companies, building owners, landlords and individuals responsible for building maintenance, resulting in punitive fines as well as custodial sentences.

At SE Controls, we have already been directly involved in a significant number of projects to correct problems caused where general fire contractors have found themselves out of their depth and unable to maintain the smoke

dangerous, while another recent case or poor maintenance from an inexperienced contractor resulted in an automatic smoke vent falling out of the building. A major internal review followed, together with the involvement of the HSE and prosecutions are now being considered.

On a number of other remedial projects, fire officers or building control have already imposed close notices on the buildings, resulting in disruption, the removal of tenants and large unbudgeted costs for the housing association. Clearly, these could have been avoided if the

Homeless Charity chooses Intratone for London-based properties

An innovative access control system, manufactured by Intratone, one of Europe’s largest access control specialists, is helping to protect residents within properties managed by Brick By Brick, a London-based charity that provides permanent and temporary housing for people with homeless status.

The cloud-based fob-reader system, installed by Delta Security into the charity’s Old Kent Road and Queen’s Road sites, and head office, has significantly enhanced control over who has access, for how long and to which properties. Because it is cloud-based, changes made to key fobs are immediate and can be facilitated from anywhere.

Isabelle Gravenstein, General Manager, Brick By Brick, says a primary focus for installing the new system was to simplify key management, especially when granting access to contractors: “Previously, management was required to escort all contractors onto sites, which could be very inconvenient. Now we know exactly where they are and when, and can control their access accordingly. The new system is simple to use and has made our lives as managers much easier.”

Less remedial work and faster fitting floorings

Intratone - Enquiry 21

Solutions for accessible bathrooms

New research has revealed almost two million people have unmet accessible housing needs. Clos-o-Mat can give a single source to address prolonged independence, at least in the bathroom. Marketing Manager Robin Tuffley. “Things like level access shower, fittings that can be adjusted vertically or laterally, texture and colour, can all play a part. Clos-o-Mat can provide comprehensive design advice and appropriate equipmentincluding hoists, shower seats, support systems and the only WC unit developed specifically for disabled people, the Clos-oMat Palma Vita wash & dry toilet.

Clos-o-Mat - Enquiry 22

Social housing flooring solutions at your fingertips

Branded ‘Housing in Progress’, Gerflor’s new social housing refurbishment and new build luxury vinyl flooring solutions brochure is a must-have for those wanting the latest flooring product information for social housing projects.

The handy guide covers residential and commercial floorings that cater for the aesthetic, technical, economic and environmental needs of housing professionals including the following meeting HSE 36+ guidelines:

• Tarasafe™ Ultra H2O - for barefoot and shod wet areas where slip resistance, hygiene and durability are necessary.

To tackle the common issues of day-to-day repairs, planned works and unscheduled refurbishments, Gerflor Fibre Technology (GFT) floorings for housing have been developed to reduce remedial work, fast-track installation and drive down ‘on-floor’ costs, even contributing to longer product life cycle times and lower replacement budgets. Gerflor invented GFT technology applying the innovation to its residential ≥36/R10 slip resistant floorings meeting HSE guidelines. GFT textile-backed floorings such as Griptex and Texline feature a unique stabilising, waterproof interlayer that in combination with GFT technology address many refurbishment and new build installation problems that housing professionals face. These floorings are 90% RH resistant, less likely to trap moisture between the flooring and the subfloor than glued products and have inclusive technology to help lower typical post-installation issues such as lifting, curling and bubbling.

Gerflor floorings are manufactured using sustainable, responsible raw materials and recycled content at ISO 14001 certified plants.

www.gerflor.com | contractuk@gerflor.com

• Griptex - a GFT backed flooring combining cushioned comfort with slip resistance for kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces.

• Agrippa - a 19db acoustic residential vinyl in popular designs and colours.

• Taralay Impression Control - decoration meets high performance in a flooring for heavy traffic and communal areas.

• Tarasafe™ Standard & Ultra - containing glass fibre grid technology and a SparClean® finish for performance in corridors, entrance halls and stairwells.

To download copies: http://www.gerflor. co.uk/services/professionals/virtuallibrary/guides-brochures.html or email contractuk@gerflor.com or call 01926 622600.

Dave Mundy, Operations Manager at Delta Security, says the package includes ten years’ of data, which helps to provide cost transparency: “It means the customer does not have to take out extra data contracts.”

30 SHADES OF VEKA: NEW VARIATIONS COLOUR COLLECTION GROWS IN SCOPE AND SUCCESS

The VEKA UK Group has overhauled its successful Variations colour range, consolidating its offering to VEKA and Halo customers into one unified suite. The industry-leading suite has now been expanded to 30 solid and woodgrain finishes.

An analytical approach to Variations’ colour selection has seen The VEKA UK Group’s percentage of foiled sales grow to outperform the industry norm by a significant 5%.

“Coloured profile is currently the industry’s biggest growth area”, explains Dave Jones, MD of The VEKA UK Group. “We’ve been thrilled by how enthusiastically the first iteration of Variations has been received by homeowners and installers alike. Foiled sales now account for 30% of the Group’s total output – that constitutes more than one coloured window in every four made using VEKA and Halo profiles.

“Acknowledging the fantastic take-up for the original Variations suite, we’ve built on the hallmarks of what had already proven a winning formula. So, besides streamlining our VEKA and Halo colour offerings into one central collection, the new Variations range

‘upgrades’ what customers and homeowners already know and love.

“There are now 30 solid and woodgrain finishes on offer, and the opportunity to select a different foil for either side of the profile. That’s nearly 900 different permutations, and the versatility doesn’t end there! We offer a choice of three profile colours – White, Brown or Caramel, which offer pleasing aesthetics.”

By showcasing traditional colours that are seeing a renaissance, as well as more contemporary shades, Variations has met with success in all sectors of the market. “Chartwell Green’s recent popularity for retail premises, and the prominence of grey windows in commercial buildings has led us to broaden our offering in those bands of the colour spectrum”, Dave continues.

“Minimum order quantities remain unchanged at just one pack, allowing

customers to take on one-off jobs using coloured foils without having to pay for and then store excess, unused stock. Lead times are minimal as our most popular colours are kept in stock, with others available at ten days or four weeks.”

The VEKA UK Group is issuing new Variations finger swatch books, providing fabricators and installers with a comprehensive yet easyto-use overview of the new range, in a handy format. Equivalent RAL codes are listed for each shade, making it simple to colour match other aspects of any given project to the window profile.

To learn more about The VEKA UK Group’s NEW Variations collection and request your swatch book, please call 01282 716 611 or email salesenquiry@veka.com.

VEKA UK - Enquiry 29

THE ULTIMATE GRP DIRECT LAY SYSTEM

Topseal has launched an innovative liquid-applied roofing system that has secured BBA certification.

The Topseal Direct Lay System is a groundbreaking liquid-applied GRP roofing system for new build and refurbishment flat roofing projects.

The seamless system can be specified for almost any project regardless of size or complexity, without the inconvenience of removing the existing roof when used for refurbishment or directly onto tissue-backed insulation for a warm-roof configuration.

Topseal Direct Lay, can be applied directly to a range of materials including felt, asphalt, concrete and tissue-backed insulation and all components are completely cold-applied, which eliminates the risks associated with the use of heat or flames used during installation.

As with all Topseal systems, Topseal Direct Lay is only installed by Topseal trained and approved installers and the system comes with a 20-year guarantee of workmanship and material performance.

Topseal offers a range of advanced GRP roofing systems fitted through a national network of highly trained and approved Installers.

Since the company’s GRP system was first introduced back in 1992 it has been installed on millions of square metres of roofs all over the UK.

Topseal is the ultimate fibreglass flat roofing system suitable for both domestic and commercial works.

The Direct Lay system is suitable for new build and refurbishment flat roofing projects with an optional guarantee protection certificate. It ensures minimal disruption on site and no landfill as no removal of the preexisting roof is necessary.

Also, no new decking boards are required, minimising the risk of water penetration into the building during installation.A full range of BS/RAL colour topcoats are available, along with an anti-slip finish. Topseal also provides full specification assistance from its experienced and knowledgeable team.

The Direct Lay solution continues to build on Topseal’s tradition of manufacturing the pinnacle of GRP roofing technology, guaranteed to last a generation and designed to last a lifetime.

Topseal – Enquiry 30

The new British Standard for the design, materials, application, installation and performance of slates, tiles, shingles and shakes is clear: roofing battens must be graded to BS 5534.

This means that battens delivered to site should be graded and marked in accordance with the new standard and have supporting documentation.

There’s no grey area on BS 5534, so take it as Red that roofing battens from Marley Eternit are fully compliant.

Timber cladding achieves harmony

Silverwood Inspire timber cladding from A. Proctor Group has been selected for an impressive waterside development in the pretty rural village of Marsworth in Buckinghamshire. Designed by architects Stride Treglown in a contemporary style, the use of natural materials, such as the timber cladding, has created a stunning development that perfectly complements the traditional historical workshop building. Silverwood Inspire timber cladding, in an Onyx Black shiplap tongue and groove finish, was chosen. Silverwood timber cladding is regularly specifi ed for its proven performance, backed by a comprehensive 10 year paint finish guarantee.

A. Proctor Group - Enquiry 32

New robust detail E-WM-30 for aircrete blocks

Knauf Insulation has welcomed a new Robust Detail for aircrete blocks, which has been included within the latest edition of the Robust Detail handbook. The new detail E-WM-30, developed by Knauf Insulation in close co-operation with Robust Details, comprises two leaves of 100mm aircrete blocks, with a 100mm cavity that has been fully filled with the blown mineral wool insulation Supafil Party Wall. It is the first Robust Detail for aircrete blocks. The detail will also achieve three points in the Health and Wellbeing section of Code for Sustainable Homes assessments.

Knauf Insualtion - Enquiry 33

Two-phase enhancement programme for AWS range

Schueco UK is undertaking a two-phase development of its highly successful AWS outward-opening window range. The first phase sees the introduction of new profiles and fittings to increase the number of opening variations. Among the latter are new double outward-opening windows without a central fixed mullion but with continuous centre seals. The completion of the second phase of development (scheduled for the middle of 2017) will see the introduction of top- and side-hung concealed hinges of a new and unique design specially developed for Schueco windows.

Schueco UK - Enquiry 35

Slate aesthetic on a budget

Knauf’s Regal ranges receives planning assent

Proposing the Regal range of colours –developed by Knauf for its Presto render range – has enabled Cavanna Homes to work closely with South Hams District Council’s planning department to achieve a pleasing external aesthetic at its Origins development in Dartington. The Regal range is restricted to 16 colours that are most readily accepted by most UK planners. Cavanna selected Steel Grey, Snow White, Ivory and Camel, complementing their surroundings with a mixture of finishes such as timber cladding, render, stone and natural slate roofs.

Knauf - Enquiry 34

Growing demand for a premium slate aesthetic on a budget has led to a surge in specifications of thin leading edge concrete roof tiles, according to Marley Eternit.

The roof systems manufacturer has seen unprecedented growth in demand for its own Edgemere concrete interlocking slates over the past few years and believes this is due to changing aesthetic trends, budgetary considerations and skills shortages.

Daniel Redfern from Marley Eternit, explains: “Increasingly we are seeing the UK market moving away from specifying standard concrete interlocking tiles, towards those that give a premium look on a budget.”

Edgemere is a large format interlocking tile with a thin leading edge for a slate like appearance. With the ability to perform at pitches as low as 17.5°, it has the versatility to be used on a wide range of roof types, from new private housing, to healthcare, social housing and refurbishment projects.

Independent carbon certification, the ability to achieve an A+ rating in the BRE’s Green Guide to Specification and certification to the BES 6001 standard for Responsible Sourcing, also mean Edgemere slates can help to achieve extra material credits under BREEAM or the Home Quality Mark schemes.

Marley Eternit - Enquiry 36

Freefoam launch X-Wood cladding

Building Products announce the launch of X-Wood, a completely new and innovative exterior cladding that looks and handles like wood but without all the usual maintenance issues associated with timber.

X-Wood is a PVC-U cladding with subtle woodgrain finish designed to bring a refreshing new look to the exterior of any refurbishment or new build project.

In response to the growing popularity of both timber and PVC facades, Freefoam have used their manufacturing expertise to design and produce an attractive high performance cladding comprised of three different layers.

A heavy duty through coloured plastic foam core, covered with a durable plastic skin and then coated with market leading Renolit film which creates a hard wearing, stable material with a beautiful subtle woodgrain effect finish.

Any exterior wall covering has a major impact on a building’s appearance. X-Wood cladding offers a wide choice of six contemporary colours to create an attractive finish.

Suitable for both commercial and domestic new build or renovation projects and with its high performance credentials X-Wood can also be successfully used in coastal and highly exposed areas.

Freefoam - Enquiry 39

P C Henderson’s Evolve helps ease movement within the home

P C Henderson’s innovative, automated sliding door hardware - Evolve - provides the ideal solution for easier access in and around rooms, particularly for those with limited mobility, in new or existing homes.

Fergus Pickard, Research & Development Director at P C Henderson, comments: “It is natural for individuals to want to be independent in their own homes for as long as they can, regardless of age or disability. Our Evolve range provides users with a safe, easy to operate, automated system that allows sliding doors to open at the push of a button or by activating a motion sensor.”

P C Henderson - Enquiry 41

CMS delivers for groundbreaking housing development

CMS Window Systems has completed work on a pioneering housing project in the north-east of England, which offers older and vulnerable residents the opportunity to retain their independence.CMS met the brief with high-performance units to help create an energy-efficient building envelope, eliminating draughts and reducing heat transfer to create a comfortable environment and ease residents’ heating costs. Smart grey PVCu casement frames from Sheerframe’s 8000 range ensured a sleek, modern appearance, with the layout of glass panels in the building envelope helping to create a light, bright interior for the building.

CMS Windows - Enquiry 40

CUPACLAD design cladding in any size or shape

stunning finishes created by combining different profiles, sizes and configurations. Each is inspired by current architectural trends and designed to maximise the natural beauty of slate. It is a cutting edge, yet achievable, concept that draws on new shapes and combinations of slate for rainscreen cladding systems.

Developed with input from architects, CUPACLAD ventilated façade systems are able to adapt to any kind of project, by combining alternative fastening methods and slate formats. The systems were created to fill the need to adapt to the trend for more sustainable solutions. By using highly durable tectonic slate, CUPACLAD rises to the challenge and offers a competitive and sustainable option for cladding any type of façade.

CUPACLAD solutions are lightweight, easy to install and can be cut to any shape, to suit any architectural vision.

With CUPACLAD Design, this design freedom is further reinforced, with a collection of

Three renders have been launched initially, to showcase the infinite possibilities of natural slate, an environmentally friendly material with a long service life and an inimitable personality. Each new design shows an original and modern concept, while addressing the growing demand for sustainable architecture.

Cupa Pizarras - Enquiry 42

Freefoam

SECURE BALCONY WITH STUNNING COASTAL VIEWS

THANKS TO C.R. LAURENCE’S TAPER-LOC ® SYSTEM

Wanting to make the most of breath taking views over the Devon coast for their client, the team at 100% Stainless Ltd, called on the advantages of the TAPER-LOC® system to ensure the perfect fit.

Part of a complete redevelopment project with an extension, a feature of the private residence is the creation of a beautiful balustrade to the rear of the property, perfect for relaxing and simply enjoying the stunning scenery.

“Uninterrupted views of the sea on a secure balustrade were the ultimate aim of this project”, explains 100% Stainless Manager James Lethbridge. “However, the installation needed to fulfil a number of other practical requirements. Ultimately, the customer wanted a secure balustrade that would not

obscure their view, but be strong enough to withstand the wind rolling in from the sea and create shelter from the wind.”

The solution was to use the innovative TAPER-LOC® System from CRL, the leading supplier to the glazing, railing, architectural and construction sectors. “To provide our client with the ideal solution we used a 15mm top mount heavy duty base shoe, with TAPER-LOC® tapers, and a 48mm diameter slotted stainless steel handrail which sits on top of the 15mm glass with a rubber gasket,” explains James. “Installation was straight-

forward thanks to the in house training of our installers and the specialist tooling from CRL.”

Fifty per cent faster to install than traditional alternatives, TAPER-LOC® is a dry glaze system with no need for cement, suitable for laminated toughened glass from 12 to 21.52mm thick. Tested to meet the strictest building code requirements such as BS6180:2011, CEBTP and AbZ, the system uses a horizontal design, which allows it to be adjusted, dismantled and re-set. The base shoe can be surface or side-mounted, and provided drilled or undrilled. It is available in 3m lengths and made from aluminium.

“Taper-Loc is a strong and calculated product that has been heavily tested and proved to work well, and ultimately for our client keeps the view of the coastline perfectly visible. The specialist tooling and tapers enable the glass to be perfectly in line and the result is fantastic. Thank you to our client Mr Lait for letting us use his property for this case study,” concludes James.

For more details visit www.taper-loc.co.uk, email crl@crlaurence.co.uk or call 0800 0421 6144.

THE BENEFITS OF MAXIMISING NATURAL DAYLIGHT AND VENTILATION IN BUILDINGS

Building design can have a huge impact on our health. Throughout our lives we all spend a large amount of time indoors, away from natural sunlight and a natural air supply.

Health and Wellbeing is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a “state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing”. The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) also includes social, psychological and physical factors into their definition.

A recent research study carried out by research agency Cadvantage surveyed 150 architects and found that of their sample only 11% (17 architects) could correctly define what Health and Wellbeing means in building design.

The research has identified that Health and Wellbeing is taken into account in all sectors of building design, however not by all architects, with only 59% of the architects working on designing education buildings, 57% in healthcare, 48% in office spaces, 44% in retail and most worrying of all 35% in residential. In construction it is widely accepted that natural light and ventilation can vastly improve health, concentration levels and performance so these findings will not be well received by the UKGBC or other organisations such as NARM (the National Association of Rooflight Manufacturers), who regularly promote the health and wellbeing benefits of light from above in building design.

The UKGBC believe that generous access to daylight as well as a supply of natural ventilation should be part of the design considerations for Health and Wellbeing. However, Cadvantage have further revealed that 43% of the architects surveyed felt that the support they receive from manufacturers is inadequate when they are specifying products that meet Health and Wellbeing needs.

According to NARM, daylight is an essential natural asset. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that buildings enjoying high levels of natural light are literally more successful than those more reliant on artificial light. In all environments the eye and brain functions respond better to natural light, so people perform better, while passive solar gain can reduce energy costs.

It’s clear from the UKGBC, WHO and NARM that introducing maximum natural daylight and ventilation to buildings is key to improving the Health and Wellbeing of the UK population. One solution to this is to specify rooflights on a design scheme. Rooflights can flood up to three times more natural light into a space than a vertical window of an equivalent size, and rooflights such as the Studio Designer Range from the Rooflight Company provide

almost unlimited arrays of glazing to truly maximise natural light from above.

To find out more about Health and Wellbeing in rooflighting and how the Rooflight Company can help you integrate light and natural ventilation into your projects call us on 01993 833108 or visit www. therooflightcompany.co.uk With thanks to Cadvantage and NARM for their statistics in this article.

Rooflight Co. – Enquiry 44

Sioo Wood Protection AB Tel: +44 (0)7788 542859 E: sioouk@icloud.com www.sioo.co.uk

INNOVATIONS WITH SUDS & HARD LANDSCAPING

Precast concrete paving is at the heart of three innovative sustainable drainage (SuDS) schemes designed by Robert Bray Associates, featured in an important new case study from the trade body Interpave. The principles involved in these three projects have important lessons for housing developments of all types.

The re-developed Civic Centre and Library in Bromsgrove includes a landscape project for courtyards, access, parking and other areas around the building complex. Here, a fully infiltrating SuDS scheme uses concrete block and flag permeable paving alongside grass and planted areas, optimised by orifice flow controls, to manage rainfall on the site. All rainwater storage is at the surface within landscape features or underground within a voided stone sub-base below the paving.

A similar approach is taken at the new Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre with infiltrating permeable paving. But, in addition, surface water runoff from roofs and other areas is slowed by collection and conveyance in a series of precast concrete channels and rills also used for education and play, then stored in open basins, a pond and storage swales before controlled release to the neighbouring stream.

The Australia Road urban renewal project in White City, London introduces the innovative concept of concrete block permeable paving as a thin overlay to existing streets. The permeable paving overlay simply replaces a tarmac road surface, over the original road base. The same concrete blocks, with a 2-6mm grit bedding layer and jointing material, as used in permeable pavements generally are here installed over a geocomposite conveyance sheet. This transports water horizontally, on an impermeable membrane covering the road base.

Water is removed without gulleys, attenuated and treated within the paving, then released horizontally via stainless steel slots into raingardens. Finally, orifice flow control chambers manage discharge to the combined sewer. Thus, rainfall remains within the SuDS landscape until storms have passed and the sewer can deal with water again.

The new case study covering all three projects is freely available to download via www. paving.org.uk where you can also request regular e:Bulletin updates from Interpave.

Interpave - Enquiry 47

Based in Colchester, Essex, we have had the pleasure of working with hundreds of businesses, many of which return time and time again. From Land’s End to John o’ Groats, we operate nationwide aiming to offer you the solution you need.

Based in Colchester, Essex, we have had the pleasure of working with hundreds of businesses, many of which return time and time again. From Land’s End to John o’ Groats, we operate nationwide aiming to offer you the solution you need.

Why choose Spartan Promenade Tiles Ltd?

• Custom price based upon requirements

Why choose Spartan Promenade Tiles Ltd?

• Environmentally friendly options available, so you can help the environment and still achieve the look you’re after

• Custom price based upon requirements

For a FREE quote for your flat roofing needs, call Spartan Promenade Tiles Ltd on 01206 230 553

• Environmentally friendly options available, so you can help the environment and still achieve the look you’re after

www.spartanpromenadetiles.co.uk

PUMPING STATIONS, YOUR OPTIONS

There are many things to consider when thinking about pumping systems in developments, Pumping Stations Manager of T-T Pumps Ltd talks through the options.

Along with budgets, there are many factors to consider when choosing the right pumping station for a development, such as;

• Technical specifications – how much effluent is the pumping station going to need to remove?

• Space – how much space is the pumping station going to need?

• Low maintenance – is the pumping station easy to maintain?

• Longevity and resilience – is the pumping station going to withstand the required tasks?

• Installation – is the pumping station easy to install?

There are two options to choose from when beginning the process of purchasing a Pumping Station, adoptable or nonadoptable?

NON-ADOPTABLE PUMPING STATIONS

Non-adoptable pumping stations can be utilised in single dwellings, business premises, commercial/industrial properties, hotels, nursing homes and so on. A non-adoptable pumping station is far more economical to install as it does not need to meet the demands of the Water Companies’ specifications, however the property owners are responsible for the running and maintenance costs. Nonadoptable pumping stations are quick and easy to install and less space is required.

These pumping stations are a complete package therefore they provide an efficient and economical way of installing a sewage and drainage pumping station.

Non-adoptable pumping stations also known as private pumping stations typically contain a preformed chamber element, assembled off site along with its own internal pipe work and valve system integral to the same chamber, delivered to site in short timescales and ready for installation. The package pumping station is taken from a range of standard designs available on very short lead times.

ADOPTABLE PUMPING STATIONS

An adoptable pumping station is bespoke and tailored to suit each site. Each station is constructed individually and to site specific drawings. The chamber well is constructed using concrete rings on site in line with the design drawings, and engineers attend the site at various intervals to install the pipe work and valve assemblies in situ.

Adoptable pumping stations can be utilised in multiple housing developments and commercial properties. These pumping stations have to comply with the current requirements of Sewers for Adoption by the local water company, therefore lead time is longer to suit these requirements.

T-T have innovatively designed the Ready Sump a precast concrete sump which aims to reduce installation time, costs and safety risks on site. The positive of having an adoptable pumping station is that running and operation costs are the responsibility of the water company after adoption.

T-T Pumps Ltd recently designed, installed and commissioned a bespoke pumping station at Doncaster Inland Port, the Senior Design Engineer of the project commented: “As part of our drainage design we required a S104 FW pumping station. We contacted T-T who were more than helpful from the start. I mainly dealt with Nick, Tommy and Paul. Nick particularly was a great asset to the whole process and his skills and advice were extremely valued. I would highly recommend T-T for future projects given the level of service received during our time working together.”

The choice of utilising adoptable or nonadoptable pumping stations is very often a case of economies and whether the necessary space is available for an Adoptable Pumping Station. For more information visit www.ttpumps.com or call 01630 647200.

Ninety one brand new, true zero-carbon homes in Bicester, Oxfordshire, have been fitted with complete rainwater harvesting and stormwater management systems from Graf UK – helping them achieve Code for Sustainable Homes Level Five standards and minimise flood risk. Consultancy Infrastruct CS Ltd worked with Graf UK to design, install and commission a complete rainwater harvesting and stormwater management package - a 1,500L Platin tank and a soakaway made of Rain Bloc modules. Graf UK’s Platin rainwater tanks are groundwatersafe and can be buried at significantly shallower depths than traditional cylindrical cisterns.

Graf UK - Enquiry 51

Marley Plumbing and Drainage has launched a new fabrication service for its HDPE system. Marley can now create made-to-measure fabricated stacks that are lightweight, robust, easy to manoeuvre and using the only system of its kind in the UK to be certified with a British Standard Kitemark. Using Marley’s fabrication service saves Contractors time and money, with the time taken to measure, cut and join the individual components of a soil stack system - and the need for on-site testing - significantly reduced.

Marely - Enquiry 50

Natratex, Bituchem’s leading material, has been used to create footpaths, roads and driveways in residential areas, including a recent development in Quedgeley, Gloucestershire, giving attractive and hardwearing new roads and pathways to residents. Natratex Cotswold is as hard-wearing as it is attractive, offering the same durable, highperformance qualities as traditional asphalt technology. The material is designed and tested to withstand regular pedestrian and light vehicular use and is created using a specialist clear synthetic binder and naturallyoccurring, coloured aggregates to offer a fully compact finish. Once applied, Natratex is virtually maintenance-free and maintains its colour for a long-lasting finish.

Bituchem - Enquiry 52

Autumn tree safety assessment

Wienerberger has added four new soft mud bricks to its ever-expanding product offering. The new bricks, which are manufactured at Wienerberger’s largest UK factory, the Waresley works in Worcestershire, have been developed to satisfy the growing demand for soft mud bricks (also known as stock bricks) across the UK. The Dewhurst Orange Multi and Woodhurst Red Multi each have a natural, through-colour hearting effect which is very popular in the market. The Thornton Red Blend and Kensington Yellow Blend have been introduced in response to a growing demand for blends of different colour tones.

Wienerberger - Enquiry 53

As the winter months approach, with the potential for windy conditions, so the issue of tree safety can become prominent in our thoughts.

When trees are within falling distance of highways, the consequences of even a large branch landing on a busy road are something we wish to avoid. What can the responsible landowner do, both to meet their duty of care and to ensure that their trees are properly managed?

Tree consultant Mark Chester, of Cedarwood Tree Care is keen to reassure that it only takes a couple of steps to meet your obligations.

Firstly, he emphasises that unless you know what trees you have, and where they are, it is unlikely you will be able to know what their condition is.

Secondly, most trees are safe. Trees are important within our landscape. The challenge (and aim) is to identify the few that are unsafe.

A walk by will highlight many of safety issues which can the be identified and prioritised. A written record of the walk and trees needing further attention, should be kept for your records. Mark specialises in tree risk assessments, and is TRAQ qualified.

Cedarwood Tree Care - Enquiry 54

Four new soft mud bricks added by Wienerberger

Bituchem brightens new residential site in gloucestershire

UK’s first eco town harvests the rain with Graf UK

New fabrication service means stacks of benefits

KEEPING KITCHENS SAFE

With over 60% of all domestic fires starting in kitchens, installing heat alarms should be a priority for all types of housing - and there is a convincing argument to fit carbon monoxide alarms too, says Kidde Safety.

While many fires are started accidentally by occupants in the kitchen – particularly with chip pans – other less obvious sources may go unnoticed. There has been a spate of extractor units catching fire, as well as other faulty electrical appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers. This is a particularly serious problem when they have been left on while occupants are asleep at night, to make the most of low tariff electricity rates.

ESSENTIAL HEAT ALARMS

The Code of Practice BS 5839:2013, Part 6 recommends interconnected, hard-wired smoke and heat alarms in the vast majority of existing housing, as well as for all newbuilds, covering all escape routes and any areas where fires might start – including all kitchens. Unfortunately, Building Regulations Approved Document B only calls for heat alarms where the kitchen is not separated from circulation by a door. In contrast, Regulations elsewhere around the UK do require heat alarms in all kitchens.

Clearly, there is a strong case for installing heat alarms in all kitchens. After all, the additional cost compared with, say, a complete kitchen fit-out is negligible. And running costs can be minimised as well with the latest products. For example, it now costs less than £1 per year to operate a Firex smoke or heat alarm (based on current energy tariffs - March 2016 average kWh cost from the UK’s top 5 suppliers, between £0.099/kWh and £0.109/kWh).

There is also a convincing argument for CO alarms to protect occupants against carbon monoxide from a surprisingly wide range of sources. In rented homes, gas safety checks may exclude the tenant’s cooker and there have been several instances of faulty grills on modern cookers causing death and injury. Oversized pans and interference with burners using foil – associated with particular styles of cooking – have also caused problems. Despite

these risks, Building Regulations requiring CO alarms with installation of combustion appliances specifically exclude cookers. This worrying omission needs to be addressed.

Fitting a battery-only CO alarm may be the simplest solution and long term, problem-free performance is key, addressed by Kidde’s 10LLCO range. This is the only range of 10year guaranteed alarms with CO sensors – the key component – actually tested throughout a 10-year period or longer. Kidde produces its own CO cells rather than buying them, enabling tighter quality controls as well, ensuring the CO sensor will work effectively throughout the alarm’s designed life.

INTERCONNECTED CO ALARMS

Alternatively, mains powered hard-wired (but not plug-in) alarms, fitted with a sensor failure warning device, can be used. Here, Kidde’s 4MCO and 4MDCO hard-wired CO alarms can be interlinked to warn occupants in other rooms. But they can also work with the company’s hard-wired smoke and heat alarms, using the unique ‘Smart Interconnect’ feature. This creates a system for whole home protection.

Crucially, the Firex and CO alarms share different, distinct alarm sounder patterns for carbon monoxide or fire – supported by different display messages on the 4MDCO alarm. So, without the need for any further operation of the system (such as remote switches), Smart Interconnect automatically alerts occupants throughout the property of the specific hazard that confronts them.

For more information, call: 01753 766392, email: sales@kiddesafety.co.uk or visit: www. kiddesafetyeurope.co.uk

ABUS presents innovation and stability at Lockex

ABUS used the recent Lockex Exhibition at the Ricoh Arena to launch the following ranges, representing innovation and value across its mechanical and electronic security ranges.

The ABUS Smartvest alarm and smart home system is a timely introduction, integrating its international alarm package into ABUS’ now well-developed CCTV security programme.

The Smartvest alarm system offers UK security distributors a ‘smart’ alarm kit, that out of the box via an easily available app, make this alarm system safe, secure, and ultraconvenient. The Smartvest alarm system can be integrated with ABUS CCTV cameras.

ABUS - Enquiry 57

borough fits new Aico multi-sensor

The London Borough of Harrow is fitting Aico’s latest alarm – the mains powered MultiSensor Fire Alarm, Ei2110e – into it domestic properties. Harrow is using the Ei2110e to upgrade its properties to at least a category LD2, Grade D standard. The upgrades will take place during major refurbishments or a rewire of a property, covering 200-300 homes per year. In line with category LD2, Grade D systems, the properties will be fitted with the new Ei2110e in the main living room, landing and hallway, with a Heat Alarm in the kitchen. Further alarms will be installed on recommendation from the installers where additional risks have been highlighted.

Aico - Enquiry 58

New slimmer profile for Sapa’s Crown sliding folding door

Sapa Building System has introduced a new slimmer profile to its already successful Crown Sliding Folding Door. An addition to the existing Crown range of doors, the slimmer 59mm profile depth has been designed with a contemporary look in mind. Allowing more light to flood living spaces whilst maximising uninterrupted views, the new door also offers greater thermal performance. The door’s aesthetics are improved further still with the inclusion of the familiar innovative continuous hinge. The continuous hinge allows the door to fold and slide easily with minimal effort.

Sapa Building Systems - Enquiry 59

Get spaced out with Garador sectional doors!

In modern buildings, space is always at a premium inside and out, and driveways are noticeably shorter today. So it is no surprise that Garador’s Sectional garage doors are now a top seller across the UK.

These superbly engineered doors open vertically then horizontally on tracks back into the garage, eliminating the problem of losing driveway space through standard up and over doors, which ‘kick out’ on opening. Thanks to the vertical opening, cars can park close up to the garage door, a huge benefit in modern homes.

There is another benefit too…. there is no loss of width in the garage space, giving maximum parking space for wider vehicles such as 4 x 4s

and MPVs. Along with their great practicality, many choose Garador’s Sectional garage doors for their great looks.

The doors come in a wide variety of surface finishes, designs and colours, including ribbed and panelled versions, elegant Georgian style and small and even ultra modern large linear, plus a full range of size options, including standard and purpose made, so here really is a door for every requirement and every build.

Find out more about Garador’s Sectional garage doors by calling 01935 443708 or visit www.garador.co.uk Garador - Enquiry 60

To make an equiry - Go online: www.enquire2.com Send a fax: 01952 234003 or post our free Reader

London

Pure simplicity

The Posi-Joist open web floor system makes a difficult job simple.

The Outstanding Joist System

With Posi-Joist you can install all your ventilation and heat recovery systems with ease and deliver the right amount of ventilation to the right rooms in the right location.

The advantages are simple:

• Open web design provides easy access for the design and installation of services

• Improved quality of service fitting, eliminating costly remedial work

• Greater clear spans for design flexibility

• Clear profit from savings in labour, time, materials and call-backs

• For the largest network of licensed manufacturers throughout the UK and Ireland visit: www.mitek.co.uk/Manufacturers/Posi-Joists/Posi-Joist-Manufacturers/

Contact MiTek today or visit www.posi-joist.co.uk for full details and an on-line presentation

MiTek House, Grazebrook Industrial Park Peartree Lane, Dudley, DY2 0XW, UK

Telephone: 01384 451400 www.mitek.co.uk

POPULAR COMMERCIAL TAP RANGE EXTENDED AND ENHANCED WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN

A popular commercial tap range has undergone a major design and functionality overhaul to ensure modern water saving efficiency and design credentials are met.

The ‘Performa’ range by leading plumbing and heating manufacturer Pegler Yorkshire has seen amendments to the classic design as well as the range extended to provide further options for commercial specifiers, plumbers and end users.

“Our Performa range continues to be hugely popular in educational, healthcare, leisure and commercial settings and these new additions will only serve to reinforce its market position,” said Mike Johnson Taps and Washroom Manager Pegler Yorkshire. “Design is equally important as water saving and durability, and our enhanced Performa range delivers an aesthetically pleasing family of taps along with more practical considerations.”

The Performa range now includes new design Non-Concussive high performance tap which benefits from a flow rating of 3.8 litres/min whilst the auto shut-off function gives 12-15 seconds of free flowing water. The inner cartridge has been redesigned to provide a smoother operation and easier push mechanism. It also benefits from a multidirectional filter which is fully adjustable providing a flow of water suitable for a range of sinks and applications.

The new Performa Sensor taps from Pegler Yorkshire also benefit from the new sleek design and incorporate an improved performance via an integrated solenoid valve with filter. These are available in two forms, an Infrared version and a Capacitive version

user safety.

“We want to encourage specifiers and contractors to choose taps that allow the use of water to be controlled, supporting water saving and limits the need for direct contact with them, minimising the transference of bacteria and infection. It was important that we supported the market demand for this with a stylish design,” said Mike. “In a commercial washroom setting these are vital considerations and we are proud that our new Performa range encompasses all aspects of these requirements for today’s market trends.”

Other aspects to the Performa range include healthcare sector specific taps with antimicrobial properties to aid infection control and lever handles to negate the need for dexterous operation.

The full range of ‘Performa’ taps can be viewed here -http://www. pegleryorkshire.co.uk/ebrochures/105_PY_ PERFORMA_40pp_LR_WEB/index.html

Further information about Pegler Yorkshire can be found by visiting www.pegleryorkshire.co.uk.

Pegler Yorkshire - Enquiry 62

To make an equiry - Go online: www.enquire2.com Send a fax: 01952 234003 or post our free Reader

GAIA’S FLUSH SENSOR FOR INVISIBLE HEAT CONTROL

One of the advantages of underfloor heating over traditional wall-mounted radiators is that the heat source itself is invisible – hidden within the floor. The same advantages are now offered by Gaia’s flush-mounted temperature sensor. The flush mounted sensor is embedded within the wall, ceiling or floor and skimmed and painted over to conceal it.

This unit uses a thermistor that senses room temperatures and sends a signal, via a twocore cable, to a remote thermostat which can be discreetly located in a utility room or cupboard elsewhere in the building, usually near the UFH manifold.

Each room within the building can be equipped with its own sensor linked to the appropriate thermostat so that different temperatures can be maintained in different rooms. Heating is controlled either by the Gaialink control panel, which is set manually via a touch-pad, or by individual programmable thermostats which can be set and adjusted via a smartphone app.

“The flush sensor is especially popular in high-end installations where a wallmounted thermostat would look out of place,” comments Gaia engineer, Steve Burnett. “The

thermostat doesn’t have to actually be in the room where it controls the heat,” he adds.

The Gaia flush sensor is designed to be integrated into a central home automation system. These are increasingly popular, especially in prestigious developments, and allow functions such as heating, lighting, security and even entertainment systems to be controlled remotely via a computer or portable device.

“Although the flush sensor is mostly used in high-end developments, it’s actually not expensive and is well within the reach of most home-owners,” comments Steve.

For further information on Gaia Climate Solutions, please contact 01359 242400 or visit www.gaia.co.uk

Gaia Solutions - Enquiry 63

Flexible billing for residents at The Ladbroke Grove

The Ladbroke Grove development from Taylor Wimpey Central London, is part of the regeneration of Grand Union Centre, and includes both luxury apartments and homes for first-time buyers, close to Kensington and Chelsea.

Evinox Energy are delighted to be working with P R Morson on this outstanding development, supplying heat interface units and metering & billing services.

Titon launches its new auramode

Titon’s new auramode is a simple and sophisticated LCD display for programming, commissioning and occupancy control for Titon’s high quality range of Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery units (MVHR). The auramode functions include straightforward speed control at the click of a button with three or four-speed options, alongside an auto-timed speed mode. The fourth speed (high flow) has been added to assist with purge flow ventilation requirements. Sevenday programming is also available, with a total of eight different settings per day, while an adjustable indicator notifies users when MVHR filters require changing.

Titon - Enquiry 64

To reduce the environmental impact of the development, the apartments are all connected to a communal heating system, which supplies residents with thermal energy for heating and production of domestic hot water. System water is heated in a central

plant room, distributed via pipework around the building and energy is transferred to residents via a ModuSat HIU.

The ModuSat HIU’s at The Ladbroke Grove include both an energy meter for heating and hot water, and an electricity meter, meaning residents will be billed for both utilities by Evinox Energy.

Evinox ModuSat HIU’s are supplied prepayment or credit account ready, meaning there is no requirement for additional controls, sensors or hardware providing flexible metering options.

Evinox - Enquiry

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STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD WITH INTERIOR DOORS FROM VICAIMA

With house builders and refurbishment contractors looking to find products that will set them apart in an ever crowded marketplace and home owners becoming much more demanding and discerning in their choice of living space, its little wonder that the innovative and designer led inspiration offered by Vicaima door products is more sought after than ever before. With the launch of the new 2016/17 Interior Door Selector, Vicaima offer even more to meet the needs of today’s housing.

As one of Europe’s leading manufacturers, Vicaima interior doors and doorsets offer specifiers a wealth of choice in performance suitability, designer inspiration and cost effective solutions to cater for every budget. Available both in printed format and for download via the Vicaima website, the new 64 page catalogue sets out product ranges in a clear and concise format. Each section includes quality colour imagery to illustrate the range design potential, together with easy to reference individual door pictures to ensure the chosen door is right for the project. In addition it includes a new Price Indicator Tool, which enables easy price comparison across different ranges to help find the right solution within a particular budget.

Making a first appearance in the Interior Door Selector for 2017 are some exciting new ranges which demonstrate that interior doors need not be confined to the often seen plain painted doors with little or no imagination. These include Stained Ash veneer with

groove designs, horizontally embossed Dekordor 3D with new aluminium inlays, Foil faced visual sensations and a new take on tradition, with the K Range shaker style panel in a wide spectrum of attractive face finishes.

As you would expect from such a leading interior door specialist, a comprehensive choice of constructional core options from lightweight hollow core to solid and fire rated doors are offered for most ranges, with each being available in both imperial and metric sizes. The scope and design possibilities make selection easy, with glazed options, extra height dimensions, mobility widths and even a customised section, where you can create a design to suit individual tastes. If this were not enough, the new Interior Door Selector also includes additional information such as technical advice, a guide to performance and even door care.

To download your copy of the new 2016/17 Interior Door Selector, visit www.vicaima.com

and select brochures, alternatively call 01793 532333 to request a printed copy or for further information.

Vicaima - Enquiry 69

To make an equiry - Go online: www.enquire2.com Send a fax: 01952 234003 or post our free Reader Enquiry Card

CREATE A SPA-LIKE LUXURY BATHROOM IN THE HOME WITH SOTTINI

It used to be just high rise city centre apartments where recreating the look and feel of a five star hotel were typical requirement for architects, designer and specifiers to address.

However, with busy modern day lifestyles, new demands and the growing importance of the role of the bathroom within the home, house buyers are now increasingly looking for a bathroom that offers the luxury look and

feel of a five-star hotel or spa, but combined with the appropriate functionalities to deal with the practicalities of everyday life.

Consumers seem to be attaching a greater importance to the role of the bathroom in the home, not just for its functionality but also its holistic benefits for unwinding and retreating from the stresses of modern day life.

Bathrooms are being designed to balance the practical needs of hopping in the power shower before work, with offering users the ability to ‘treat’ themselves every day in serene space to have a leisurely soak in a statement bath.

When it comes to making the new home purchase decision, having a bathroom space that offers this lifestyle choice is an incredibly important and persuasive factor.

The new collection by Sottini, the timeless bathroom brand built on a heritage of

quality and innovation in design, is geared towards both the house developer and hotel sectors, which ensures residential property developers can create the perfect look that appeals to consumers looking to replicate the very best in high-end hotel luxury style in a domestic bathroom.

Luxury, style and elegance is what bathrooms of first-class hotels are defined by – and Sottini has collaborated with internationallyrenowned and award-winning product designers from around the world to create a collection of elegantly-crafted individual items that can be curated in a multitude of combinations for a domestic setting.

The new Sottini vision enables customers to simply imagine their own unique bathroom space. Visit www.sottini.co.uk for more information.

Sottini - Enquiry 70

Black Oak Oiled Floor for Stylish New Development

A prestigious residential development in a fashionable area of London designed by Assael Architecture features over 700m2 of Junckers’ Black Oak flooring. The high quality, modern interiors combine a palette of rich, natural materials where Junckers’ solid hardwood floors add warmth and texture to the inviting spaces with the matt, oiled surface the perfect backdrop to the stylish decorating schemes. Black Oak Oiled has the appearance of an aged floor, with a rich patina and surface texture, highly sought after in the design industry.

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Saniflo has further extended its range of prestigious Kinedo shower cubicles to include a quadrant version of its popular model, Moonlight. The extremely versatile design can be fitted with any shower, allowing for complete customisation and integration into any bathroom, whether traditional or contemporary. With its understated elegance and neutral styling, the Moonlight features a brushed aluminium effect panel that can be easily drilled for any fixings. The new Kinedo Moonlight Quadrant is ideal for new house builds and the replacement market. Offering excellent value for money, due to the fact that as with all Saniflo shower cubicles there is no need for costly, time consuming and messy grouting and tiling.

Saniflo - Enquiry 72

Member of the Berkeley Group, St James, has chosen Bette enamelled steel bathroom products for a number of its luxury London developments. Bette manufactures what it believes is the largest range of shower trays available, as well as offering bespoke sizes, and St James has selected Bette enamelled steel shower trays in seven sizes across three of its recent developments. The developer has also provided many residents with an exceptionally easy to clean and durable shower area by selecting shower trays with BetteUpstand; an enamelled steel upturn of the shower tray edge, which means that no silicone is required where the shower tray meets the wall tiles.

Bette - Enquiry 73

Saniflo extends shower cubicle range

Bette shower trays and baths chosen for luxury St James developments

AKW’s free kitchen surveying service tackles accessibility challenge

AKW is helping housing associations to make social housing safer for less able and disabled tenants thanks to its free expert kitchen surveying service. AKW works with housing associations to ensure their kitchens are accessible, safe to use and tailored to the current and future needs of tenants. Its free surveying service to specifiers also takes into consideration the varying requirements of households with multiple occupants, creating inclusive spaces that are suitable for all. The company’s highly experienced specialists assess a variety of important factors and produce designs that meet clinical and lifestyle requirements.

AKW - Enquiry 74

Raising

the standard

for inclusive showering

Triton has launched the brand new T150+, combining elements of the popular Safeguard+ and T80Z Fast Fit to create a thermostatically controlled electric shower suitable for a variety of specification and installation requirements. Joining other products in the brand’s trusted INC: Inclusive Showering collection, the T150+ is appropriate for public and private sector projects, offering specifiers a ‘fit-forall’ solution which doesn’t sacrifice style for function or performance. The T150+ has achieved BEAB CARE approval and an IP25 rating for the protection of internal electrical components.

Triton - Enquiry 75

Polyflor launches new Camaro collection

Polyflor has launched the brand new Camaro PUR luxury vinyl tile collection designed for the home. The updated Camaro domestic flooring range includes 30 stunning, authentically reproduced wood and stone effects which live up to the level of beautiful design and high performance that flooring contractors and customers alike have come to expect from the Camaro brand. With a 10 year residential guarantee, the range includes bestselling existing shades alongside exciting new additions which reflect modern interior trends and will enhance any room in the home.

Polyflor - Enquiry 77

New addition to portfolio

Scona and KA 90

With the Scona shower programme, Kaldewei is now able to meet almost any size requirement and installation type for modern, low level showering. Combined with the new KA 90 ultra low waste fitting, now available in a choice of coloured enamel to match the shower surface finish, it is now easier than ever before to achieve a luxurious, seamless and contemporary look either at low level or completely flush with the floor. Made from steel enamel, all Kaldewei shower surfaces are robust, extremely hygienic and available in a choice of anti-slip finishes. Guaranteed for 30 years.

Kaldewei - Enquiry 76

Sottini, the timeless bathroom brand built on a heritage of quality and innovation in design has unveiled an exciting addition to its portfolio, the new Mavone collection. Mavone, embodies accessible luxury and is characterised by Sottini’s attention to detail and contemporary design aesthetic.

The Mavone collection is a geometric and versatile vanity-based line, with selection of dedicated furniture units, a compact corner basin and WC bowls.

Each piece has been developed individually with high design specifications and precision engineering, ensuring each basin, bath and WC is a unique piece: a work of art and a design statement.

Mavone is the essence of simplicity and purity, with its soft geometric shapes expressing the essence of minimal elegance. The range reflects the contemporary taste for clean lines while offering an elegance that is simply timeless. Like all Sottini products, how each piece could work together in your space is left entirely to the imagination.

The innovative and versatile Mavone collection has been designed with space saving and modern living in mind, offering smart solutions to suit a range of small to large spaces, from family bathrooms to cloakrooms and even en-suites - all at an accessible price point.

Sottini - Enquiry 78

PENDOCK PRODUCES BESPOKE COLLARS

Renowned British manufacturer, Pendock has been based in Telford since 1987 and has developed a wide range of encasement solutions such as Pipe Boxing, Column Casings, Radiator Guards and specialist Perimeter Casings for heating.

Not surprisingly in its time, Pendock has provided casement solutions for applications ranging from schools to hospitals, from train stations to hotels. But its most recent contract has focused on a high-end property development, where Pendock was tasked with helping to achieve the architect’s highest – or lowest – aesthetic ambitions. In fact, some 69 GRP Circular Skirting Collars – plus spares - have been specially produced for Berkeley Homes’ high profile new project at Chelsea Bridge overlooking Battersea Park, known as the Vista Project. PENDOCK, HALESFIELD 19, TELFORD, SHROPSHIRE, TF7 4QT

HUSH ACOUSTICS

TEL: 0151 933 2026 EMAIL: info@hushacoustics.co.uk

HUSH ACOUSTICS

NEW REPORT REVEALS ACCESSIBLE BATHROOMS ADDING VALUE TO SOCIETY

A new report, co-sponsored by Mira showers, focusing on the operation of the disabled facilities grant highlights the value that adaptations to homes can bring to individuals and society.

Foundations, the national body which oversees organisations that deliver works paid for by Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG), has taken an in-depth look at accessibility in the home.

“The accessibility of the home is finally being recognised as important for successful hospital discharge, to enable care to take place at home, and to allow people to live independent lives,” says the report,.

Alterations to bathroom facilities and access works, such as external ramps or stair lifts, are the most common form of adaptation funded by DFGs with 70% of grants going to people aged over 60. In 2015-16, a total of £395m DFGs helped 40,000 people; figures that are set to rise to £500m and 85,000 in 2019-20.

The report - The Disabled Facilities Grant, Before and After the Introduction of the Better Care Fund - praises authorities which are taking a more joined-up approach to delivering adaptations to homes, increasing speed and efficiency.

And it asks suppliers to create more aspirational designs to suit modern lifestyles.

According to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics, there were 10 million disabled people in England in 2011, with one in 10 adults experiencing mobility problems and around 1.25 million people with significant sight loss.

Over 40% of over-65s in England are disabled. And with the number of people over 65 predicted to rise to 15.5 million by 2030, with 6 million of those over 80, the need for adaptability and accessibility in homes will only increase.

So: rather than duplicate facilities or impose institutional-looking fixtures on people as they get older, it pays to design and install bathrooms that are appropriate for all age groups.

“More and more people are looking for bathrooms that can cater for several generations, and that still look good,” says Mira’s Marketing Director Craig Baker.

“It’s important for firms like ours to keep innovating, so that we can offer a range of solutions that are attractive – as well as straight-forward to install.”

In respect of showering, the multigenerational bathroom provides three main installation opportunities: wet rooms and/ or easy access low trays; non-slip trays –such as Mira Flight Safe – and showers that lend themselves to adaptational living, such as wireless digital products, or those with features of particular appeal to the older or frailer user.

Low trays make it easy for young and old to access the shower, while non-slip trays are similarly safer for vulnerable age groups. Digital showers are on-trend at the upper end of the market; yet are also easy to operate if frail of hand; while showers – like Mira Advance Flex – with long hoses and large, colour-contrasted controls are great for wheelchair users or those with impaired vision while maintaining a desirable contemporary aesthetic that works in any bathroom.

Tell us what you think of the views expressed here. Also, if there any issues you want to showcase, contact us today.

Paul Groves, Group Editor, paul.groves@tspmedia.co.uk

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